Prologue: Life is Perfect

Tale of Soarin McLighting
Prologue: Life is Perfect

Explosions of fireworks lit the sky and music was heard all over the picturesque city of Canterlot as the party from the wedding went on through the night. All around, everypony was enjoying themselves, watching the bride and groom dance to the song Twilight Sparkle was singing into the microphone.

Soarin stood in his shirt and tie, tapping his front hoof to the beat and softly humming the tune to himself. “H-hey Soarin!” He turned his head to see Rainbow Dash in her bridesmaids outfit, stepping up to the table. “Wh-what did ya think of the Sonic Rainboom?”

“Great way to kick off the wedded pair, the Princess did a fantastic job picking you for that,” Soarin replied, still listening to the music Twilight was singing to her brother and new sister in law.

“So how's it going Dashie?” He asked, before realising his mistake.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! you called me DASHIE!” she squeed in delight and grabbed Soarin, squeezing him in her hug.

"Err... Dash?"

“Hehe oops,” she said, letting him go then rubbed her head with her hoof, clearly a little embarrassed at her reaction.

Soarin shook his head softly. “I'm not in my flight suit so relax, we're all friends here.”

“I-I know, but you're the co-captain! Usually I see you with Spitfire.”

“Yeah, she couldn't make it, training all the newbies is keeping her busy. I'll pass a word on for ya, but I can't promise anything though.” Soarin smiled as he said this.

“Sweet! Thanks Soarin!” she replied before beginning to walk away.

Soarin put a hoof to her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks, and causing her to look down at his hoof before turning her gaze back to his bright, green eyes.

“Dash, Relax. This is a party. That's why we're here, to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Now, where's Applejack? I've got to try another one of her awesome pies.”

“I think she's made some little cakes with apples on them?” Rainbow Dash rubbed her snout as she thought about it. “Care to come with me to get a bite to eat?”

“Sure!” Soarin got up “Mares first!” he announced, smirking as she turned a shade a red in the face and walked ahead of him.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

A hand reached out to the alarm going off over and over again, getting louder with each passing second. As the hand connected, the alarm cut off. “Urg...” he muttered, sitting up in bed, yawning. He picked up a small object off the table next to his bed and, after pressing a button on the front, began to slowly speak into the device.

“Soarin McLighting, without the N before the 'ing'... another dream about the pegasus Soarin. He was talking to the mare named Rainbow Dash... some sort of wedding at Canterlot... Today marks 15 years since I've been having these dreams...”

Soarin stood up and walked over to the mirror to look at his reflection, still speaking into the device. “Got into the habit of doing my hair up similar to the pegasus's... colour and all, it's been about seven years on that line. Happy 15th anniversary to me, yay...”

Soarin walked over to the window and looked out towards a plane landing on a airstrip a few miles away.

“Today is the local town airshow and I will be flying the Blue Lightning Spitfire. I really like that plane. It's funny how my dreams turned it into a living, breathing pegasus named Spitfire. At least, that's what the psychologist suggested. That, and that my dreams of being a pony pegasus were just a desire to be in the skies for real. I think he's right.”

Soarin walked into the kitchen, turned the kettle on, pulled out some bread from the bread bin, and butter and bacon from the fridge.

“Why else would I love to fly a Spitfire in the airshows and then take care of that plane as if it were alive?” He chuckled softly. “This talking magical pony thing in my dreams is just that, a dream, something my subconscious did to help my piloting career to reach its heights.” Soarin paused for a moment, thinking about it. “Heck, I used to fly the fastest and most insane aircraft the RAF could get in the air. If these dreams are how I deal with that then so be it. This is Soarin McLighting signing off, having tea and a good old fashioned bacon sandwhich with some ketchup.” He laughed a little at this, putting the handset down and stopping the recording to finish his breakfast.

After eating, Soarin got changed out of his nightgear and into jeans, socks, boots, a light blue t-shirt and a dark brown leather jacket with a light brown, fluffy, fur lining on the collar. Dusting it a little with his hands, he smiled at himself in the mirror and felt a slight sense of pride welling up at the Union Jack stitched onto the leather. “Not bad Soarin,” he said to himself and left the house soon afterwards, getting into his navy blue car and driving to the airstrip.

Soarin arrived at the airstrip and parked in the usual spot, got out his car, locked the door and walked up to the gates. After showing his pass to the guards they led him into the airstrip itself where a number of people were getting ready for the airshow. “Hey Blue!” He stopped and put a hand to his head. A lady with ginger hair and wearing a flight suit ran up to him, carrying a helmet. “Ready for the show?”

“Sure am Mist and it's 'Soarin' now, not Blue... how many times do I have to tell ya?” He said with his arms crossed.

“Now come on, I know you like me calling you that sweetheart, if you're in a bad mood so be it, just leave your bad mood on the ground when you're in the sky ok?” She prodded her finger on his chest, put the other hand on his side of the face and gave a kiss on the lips. “Have fun Soarin.”

Soarin was frozen on the spot for a moment and blinked with a smile. “That Mist... she sure knows how to make me feel better.” He watched her head to the hanger with a Harrier Jump Jet in it. “Well I'd better get to the hanger before it's our turn to take to the skies.” He walked off down the runway to Hanger Six to see three spitfires sitting there.

Soarin step up to one of them putting a hand to the metal surface of the plane. “Hey there Blue Lightning, ready to take to the skies?”

“If she answers I'm running.” Soarin turned around to face the black haired, dark skinned Canadian. Nathan was wearing similar clothes to Soarin, although his displayed a Canadian flag rather than a British one. With a smile he put his hand out to Soarin “Hey Soarin ready to take to the skies?”

“You bet I am Nathan” Soarin took his hand firmly with a smirk.

“That how I like to see my boys, chilled and with smiles on their faces!” A lady stepped into the hanger also wearing a similar outfit to them but with USA flag on hers. “Now partners, get yer helmets on and let's give 'em a show!”

“Sure thing Sugarcube,” Nathan chuckled.

“That's Captain Reese Ruby to you Nathan!” She poked him in the chest with a serious look in her face. Seconds later all three of them burst out laughing and clapped hands. “Yer really think I'd be that serious?”

“Not at all... 'Captain' Ruby” he chuckled

She rolled her eyes, brushing her tied back blonde hair. “You boys are too easy to tease.” She flicked her finger up at Soarin, causing him to flinch. “See, too easy!” she declared before walking back to her plane to help with one of the flight teams. “We're first on the the show, you have ten minutes to get the planes ready to take off, so let's give 'em a show, ok boys?”

“We sure will," Soarin replied running up to his plane, taking his helmet and putting it on. “See you two in the skies.”

“See you in the skies Soarin!” both replied and climbed into their planes to do their final checks.

Soarin sat in the cockpit of the plane with a smile “This is what I live for, the thrill of flying to let others enjoy the show of some of the most awesome planes around, great friends, great job! And an amazing girlfriend friend that flies a Harrier! What else can I ask for? My life is perfect!”

The cockpit canopy locked in place and the flight crew gave the thumbs up to each of the pilots who gave one in return as they started to perform their final checks. The humming of the twin engines kicked in as the propellers came to life.

Chapter 1: Worst Possible Luck

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 1: Worst Possible Luck

Spitfire was checking through the file on Rainbow Dash that had been given to her by Soarin, her co-captain for the Wonderbolts. He stood on the other side of her desk, waiting for her verdict on letting Rainbow Dash enter the Wonderbolt Academy. He’d pulled a few strings here and there and didn't need much of a push after what Spitfire had told him about what she did as team leader for the tornado drill to get the water up to the weather factory from Ponyville to Cloudsdale.

“So?” Soarin said, edging a little closer to the desk with a soft clop of his hooves on the ground.

Spitfire put the file down and looked right at Soarin, both ponies were wearing their officer’s uniforms rather than their flight suits. “I have to admit, she has surprised me time and again. From saving our rumps to the wedding gift to being able to manage a team to get the water up to Cloudsdale, even with so many off with the feather flu,” Spitfire said, looking at the picture of Rainbow Dash. “But...”

“Yes?” He gave her a quizzical look, raising an eye.

Spitfire gave him a serious look and pressed her front hooves together a few times, tapping them. “She can be a little prideful, works too hard to make a good impression and tends to be a little bit of a show boater, although she is loyal to her friends, and will stick her neck out for them.”

He looked at the letter on the table beside the file, then back at Spitfire “Does that mean she's in?”

“For now, yes. I will have to see how she do in the Academy though, she has to prove herself like any other cadet that wants to be a Wonderbolt. It takes more than just skill, it takes teamwork, determination and most of all by far, trust amongst those you work with.” Spitfire took the letter signed it and stamped it with a green tick. “I won't take it easy on her, not for a second Soarin.”

“I know Spits, I wouldn't think of you doing it any other way.” Soarin took the letter with a hoof, placing it in the envelope. “I will get this posted ASAP.”

“See that you do Soarin, you’re dismissed, enjoy your trip to Cloudsdale, I bet your family are eager to see you again.” Spitfire smirked to her co-captain.

He saluted, putting a hoof to his head “That I will Spits, see ya around.” He turned and trotted out of the office to give the letter to the post stallion, who was patiently waiting outside the building for the letters of approval and rejection for new cadet postings at the Wonderbolt Academy. “The ball’s in your court Dash,” he whispered as he approached the stallion waiting for him. “Here are the letters.” He gave the saddle back to the post stallion and with a nod, the stallion flew off, carrying the mail. “Now to get home and enjoy my time off while I’ve got it.” He smiled and took off to Cloudsdale.

RING RING RING... RING RING RING... RING RING RING...

Soarin put his hand on the phone, pressing the touch screen to shut off the alarm. He yawned, feeling drained for the most part, but what really got him down was the endless fog outside the front window of his spitfire, The Blue Lightning. With a sigh, he reach down to his handset pushing a button on it.

“I am sure there was only two hours of fuel left in this tank... how the plane’s still got power is beyond me, but the roaring sound of Blue Lightning's engines are proof enough and the propeller’s still spinning...” Soarin looked out ahead seeing just enough of the front of the plane to make out that it was slicing through the fog.

He sighed heavily. “It all started so well... before this happened. We were set and ready to go, ready to show the spectators our moves and perform to the crowds on the beach and fair...”

All three spitfires moved into position on the runway, all set to go with their engines buzzing and their propellers spinning. The sound of their engines drowned out the noise of the fair and music at the fields close to the beaches, not to far from the small town. The air controller stood, looking out of the control tower window as the three world war two planes lined up for take off, he turned to the man at station giving a thumbs up, before turning his gaze back to the old planes.

The man at the table looked to the air radar. “Team Spitfire you’re clear for take off.”

“Copy control, Ruby out.” He looked up to see her plane start to move down the runway, picking up speed, her chatter came through the headset. “Alright ladies, see you in the skies, keep to the flight plan and give these people a show, we’re first up so make sure you give a good impression!”

“Soarin I didn't know you had a gender change,” said Nathan with a chuckle.

“Nathan, just get your brown ass off the tarmac,” Soarin replied. The controller shook his head at what he was hearing as Nathan's plane started to speed down the runway and took off into the sky.

“Whatever you say lover boy,” Nathan replied.

Soarin chuckled “Well at least I have a love life.”

“Ouch,” the controller spoke with a smile as he saw the plane with Soarin in it take off into the sky. “Nice take off team, have fun out there and play nice ok?” he spoke into his headset.

“Oh they will” Ruby replied “Right boys?”

“Right captain!” they replied with a chuckle and she just groaned in annoyance.

The controller turned to the radar operator. “We’ve got a busy day ahead of ourselves, keep an eye on the radar and the planes ok?”

“Sure sir.” The operator replied, sitting back at his desk and looking to the radar screen as the controller watched the three spitfires fly to the sea, doing a turn formation towards the spectators down the coast line. “Great weather all around sir, it’s looking to be a fine day.”

“It sure is.”

The three planes flew about 200 feet above the waves of the North Sea, rolling below across the beaches with a calm, cool breeze blowing through. Soarin in his spitfire, The Blue Lightning, flew close behind the other two planes. He looked out to the east at the endless sea rolling towards the mainland coast of the UK. “What a view,” he whispered. “It never grows old seeing that sea.”

“Indeed Soarin, it’s one heck of a view,” Ruby replied through her head set. “Just keep in formation and let’s do our routine, that way we can land and spend the rest of the day enjoying the nice sunny clear view of the North Sea.”

“You’ve got a deal Ruby, I'll bring the beer,” Soarin replied.

“I will bring the fishing rods and chairs” Nathan said afterwards.

“That only leave the sacks.” Ruby chuckled, then saw the fair just ahead on the fields by the beach. “Alright boys we coming to the spectators, ready?”

Soarin checked his systems, “Green.”

“Same here,” Nathan also stated the condition of his plane's gauges.

The planes moved into an arrow formation flying a little lower with speeds slowed to the safe minimal for their first bypass for the spectators. The crowds cheered as the three spitfires flew by them. A lady, standing on a stage spoke into a megaphone as the planes flew by with the roaring sound of their twin engines. “The seventh annual air show has begun everyone! Welcome Team Spitfire!!!!!”

The left and right planes split on cue heading in different directions before turning around in the sky, flying by each other and leaving the first plane still flying straight. They flew under and around the plane, spinning around before they got into formation and did a turn together, getting some height before they all span together in a slow motion formation.

All the planes flew in sync, wowing the spectators, they went out to the sea and turned back to do a flyby right over the heads of the people at the beach then flew inland over the countryside, following the flight plan. They flew right into the sky and the crowd cheered as they performed a massive half loop before turning around to right themselves and make their way back over the spectators.

During this point the controller watched from the tower with pride. “Sir?” The controller turned to the women at the weather station. “We’re getting a report of a fog bank moving in due south-east, it’ll be with us in the next ten or so minutes.”

The controller looked at the screen for himself. “Damn, and today was a great start.” He looked out of the window and then back to the weather watcher. “Keep an eye on it for now, the group that are out there at the moment are at minimal risk. If this fog bank proves to be a problem we will just have to redirect them to another airfield inland.”

“Yes sir, I will keep tracking it” She replied.

“Team Spitfire? This is air control, you have a fog bank bearing down due south-east from the North Sea. We won’t know the seriousness of the fog until we can get a visual. Keep performing, and we will keep you updated on the progress.”

“This is Ruby, we hear you loud and clear, ” Ruby replied, “ Advised and received, over.”

Soarin flicked some switches on the dashboard, doing a check on oil pressure and fuel levels. “Still going out of whack, the reports are unreliable...” he muttered. “Same went for that bloody fog bank, we should have quit our performance then and there, flew off inland and landed at the nearest airfield...” He leaned his head against the headrest, still wearing his helmet and visor. “Not that it would of made any difference... how was I supposed to know this would happen... lost in an endless fog bank... a real sick joke...”

Soarin pushed the button, turning the device off, and placed it back into his jacket pocket. “Alright Soarin... what would the pegasus do in a situation like this?” He tapped his hand on the steering column, thinking what to do.

Hours past... soon it became another day with no results or a reason for this cloud of fog. He hadn’t slept in all that time and was feeling weak, annoyed, fed up, sick, thirsty and just wanted out of this fog bank! He thought back to how he had ended the fog bank in the first place. Taking the handset, he pushed the button. “Soarin McLighting... thinking about what I could have done differently, when it all happened...” He rubbed his chin a little. “I am not even sure if there could have been a different path... my body feels sore... I feel so tied... my throat is dry and my stomach is moaning at me for not have eaten anything for three days... got the worst possible headache too...”

The three spitfires finished their performance to find the fog bank sitting only a few hundred meters offshore. It was about a mile or so wide, just as high too but it didn't seem too dense, from what they could see. “This is control, we believe it is safe for you to fly through for a landing at the airstrip, we launched one of our weather drones into it.”

“Soarin you’re first up, take the lead,” Ruby spoke through her headset.

Soarin looked at the fog bank as they flew around it for a pass, “I don't know Ruby, this fog bank looks rather strange, don't you think? It’s just sitting there, we got wind and yet it’s not moving...”

“Seriously Soarin, yer gonna throw a theory with the darn British weather! If I remember correctly, it was you that said that the British weather always has a strange sense of humour!” She said back with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Nathan spoke in turn. “I have to admit it, you did say that Soarin, if you don't feel so sure about it, fly through it towards the sea, do a pass through over the airstrip and we will be right on your tail.”

Soarin put a hand on top of his helmet “Fine...” He contacted air control. “We’re doing a fly over to see if the fog bank is fine, do you approve, control?”

“We do, and we will keep an eye on you from down here, godspeed,” the air controller replied.

Soarin turned his plane around with the others no so far behind, flying towards the fog bank over the airstrip. “Soarin?”

“Yes Ruby...”

“Chill.”

Soarin's spitfire approached the fog bank, “Copy that Captain.”

“See you on the other side Soarin and...” His plane entered the fog bank and as soon as it did, the message he was getting from Nathan suddenly cut off.

Soarin frowned a little and decided to wait until he crossed the fog bank. Suddenly, he felt something was wrong. He looked at all his displays. They were going crazy, showing fuel drop then fuel rise, oil pressure shooting through the roof then normalizing, and engine power erratically rising and falling. “What the hell...” he checked them for anything wrong and saw the height of the plane was all over the place too. “Nathan, Ruby abort! This fog bank is making my systems go whacko! Repeat, abort!”

All he got was static on the ear piece. “Air control!” nothing... “Anyone, do you copy!? The systems seem to not be responding, repeat! Displays are going crazy! Hello!” still nothing.

He turned on the emergency broadcaster. “This is Soarin McLighting of the spitfire Blue Lightning, I went through a fog bank and all my systems are going crazy. I cannot tell where I am or what is going on at this second. Anyone getting this, please reply. Mayday, I have no navigation! Mayday!”

He groaned, feeling very weak... “I was in a real panic... heck, I bet anyone would flying into a endless sick joke of a fog bank... bloody sleepy and don't know if I will wake if I go asleep again... but all I want to do now is sleep... I just don't feel up to it anymore... I just want to give up... bloody ficking idiots at air control... I should have... what’s the point this is much my fault as theirs... this is... Soarin McLighting. This might be my final report on my recorder... if anyone finds this... just tell Mist I love her to the bottom of my heart... and that I miss my friends... Nathan and Ruby... great spitfire pilots and the best friends I could ever ask for...”

Soarin sat on a cloud, looking down at a picnic going on with Rainbow Dash and her friends. This was the day that he would start to see whether she’s got what it takes to be a Wonderbolt. He knew the letter would arrive on this day. He listened in to them talk from his viewing post on the cloud, peering down, keeping just out of sight of them.

“Ooooh, I wish the mailpony would just come already! I can't wait another minute to find out if Rainbow Dash got in or not!” He could see Pinkie Pie hopping on her hind legs then sitting on the ground, shaking.

“And I thought Rainbow Dash would be nervous... nah, that’s silly.

Rainbow Dash looked calm and collected. “I'm not nervous at all. When I get into the Wonderbolt Academy...” she began.

Pinkie Pie was on top of her, hooves against her chest. Soarin blinked in amazement, looking to the ground and then back to them, he had never seen an Earth Pony move that fast... “IF you get in! If you get in! Don't jinx it!”

Rainbow Dash tried to reassure her friend. “I'm telling you, it's in the bag.”

“Don't Jinx it!” came the instant reply from Pinkie Pie.

Applejack was talking with half an apple in her mouth. “She is the best flyer in Ponyville.” Soarin rolled his eyes as Rainbow Dash took off into the sky as Applejack said this, and pulled off some stunts.

“Spits is right about her for sure, she is very confident in herself and definitely a bit of a show boater.” Soarin chuckled to himself as she made a slide from the cloud she had twisted around. “Nice move though, and a wicked slide,” he whispered as he saw the mail pony arrive. “Right on time.”

“Got a letter here for Rainbow Dash.” She grabbed the envelope and ripped it open.

What Soarin heard next almost made him fall out of his cloud “I... didn't get in.”

“Wh-what!? That can't be right, Spits signed it personally, I was there!” Soarin was about to zoom down when he heard the next words.

“Gotcha! Ha, you guys are so gullible. Like I wasn't gonna get in!” Soarin put a hoof to his head. It was a prank, he saw that in the report and felt rather gullible for falling for that trick...

“I should have known that would happen... gah! Horseapples to you Rainbow, you got me good.” Soarin rolled his eyes and sat back down on his cloud.

Soarin watched Rainbow Dash get her bag off the girls, they was prepared for this. “The sooner I get there, the sooner I get to show my stuff! See you guys in a week!”

“Good Luck!” Applejack called out.

“Won't need it!” Rainbow Dash called out flying away.

Soarin laughing softly “Famous last words Dash...ie?” He looked down and saw Pinkie Pie pull out a... “Is that a Megaphone!? Where the hay did she...”

“DON'T FORGET TO WRITE!!!” The sound wave hit his cloud with enough force to send him flying out of control, tumbling around until he crashed into a tree. Slowly sitting up against a branch he rubbed his head, feeling the ringing in his ears, his mane in a total mess.

Soarin sat, dazed, with his head moving around in a circle. “Wow, that’s some Megaphone... she’s got Spits beat by a mile...” was the last thing he said before passing out, falling forwards with a thump, and landing on the tree branch in front of him.

Rattling sounds echoed around Soarin’s head as he came to his senses. He groaned and opened his eyes to see that the autopilot had been disengaged. The plane seemed to be caught in heavy cross winds as it was flaying around from left to right with no control to the control column. He took hold of it with two hands, feeling adrenaline pumping it’s way through his body. He pulled back on the column with all his might, levelling it out.

But he knew that wasn't what was wrong, these cross winds were extreme! “Come on Blue Lightning, hold together!” He turned the plane into the cross winds, but another hit his side, sending the spitfire into a spin. Pulling hard on the lever, he regained control of the plane. “Damn it! “What the bloody hell is going on out there!?”

A bright light appeared in the distance, coming right for the plane. It was huge.

He swerved the plane through the cross winds, dodging the large ball of light as it shot by. “What the bloody hell is that thing!?” It turned around, making another pass towards him. “Not today you stupid light bulb!” He increased power to the engines, the plane barrel rolled around it but the light hit the top of the cockpit and the plane.

He was blinded for a second, but shook it off as if the light did almost nothing to him, or the plane. Soarin wasn’t sure what it was, but he wasn't going to take any chances. The light was making another pass as he saw it turn around, aiming right for him He used the plane to keep dodging it with each increasingly speedy pass.

He growled under his breath, ears flat against his top of the helmet. He froze for a split second. Soarin looked at his reflection through the windscreen to see that his helmet and visor was bigger than before, and so was part of the cockpit, but what really got him was the size of his eyes, they was huge and hung over his new snout...

He snapped back into action,“I’ll worry about that later. I’ve got a light bulb to out first!” He pulled back on the controls then leaned forwards, moving the plane into a spin and narrowly missing the light again.

Soarin gritted his flat teeth with annoyance. “This stupid light bulb won't give up!” He turned the plane right for it. “Ok light bulb, time for a game of chicken!” He pushed the engines to their maximum, flying right for it. His pupils shrunk to almost pinpricks, these new eyes of his sure had a way of showing his expression. With a deep serious look he stared at the light coming right at him.

“One... Two...” he waited for the last second “THREE!” and turned the plane, it’s underside hit the light, passing right through it and it still didn't give up. Soarin felt strange suddenly, as if he had nothing on below his waist apart from his fur and a tail against the seat. He increased the thrust to maximum and kept flying directly ahead. His only hope now was to try and outrun it. Slowly he began to gain distance from the floating orb, giving him enough time to look down at what was happening to his body.

“Oh you gotta be kidding me! Hind legs and hooves!?” Soarin saw that from the waist down he now had a rump with a mark of a bolt with wings on the side of it, hind legs and hooves, all light blue in colour. Sticking out of his rump and hanging down between his legs was a dark blue tail, flicking with the reflection of his annoyance and the adrenaline in his body still.

He fit perfectly into the cockpit which had itself been modified to make it fit for a pony to fly. Even his hands were caught in it and he watched as his fingers violently contracted into his hands, forming hooves that grasped the transformed steering column. Before he could get to grips with what was happening he looked back to see that light closing in from behind. “That’s it! I’ve had enough of this game!!!” He pulled on the lever with one hoof, pushing a few switches with the other to do a complete standing flip of the plane. Flying upside down, he pointed the plane right at it. “You bloody light bulb! I’ve had it with you! Come and get me!!!” He flew the plane right into it.

Soarin felt his torso expand, morphing into wings which pressed up against his leather jacket. His arms felt different too, heck they didn’t feel like arms anymore, the pumping of his heart felt fast and rushed, the body felt strange, yet familiar at the same time. The lights dimmed and he saw light blue hooves sticking out of his leather jacket sleeves at the controls of the plane. He looked to his left to see one of the two wings he had against his leather jacket and taking one look down, he saw the form and shape of a... but this thought was gone when his eyes saw what was ahead...

His eyes widened larger than anything even possible, ears through the helmet holes were perked right up with alert, wings flared open, pressing against either side of the cockpit... two words escaped his snout.

“OH SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!”

Chapter 2: Life is but a Dream

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 2: Life is but a Dream

“OH SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!” What he saw was someone on a floating couch. The figure sat on it looked really surprised and was desperately trying to keep the plane from hitting it. Suddenly, the figure on the coach floating in mid air vanished, but not before the plane smashed its wing right into the couch, destroying it and causing the plane to spin wildly towards the ground below.

The damaged wing caused the plane to not only lose its lift, but also damaged the landing gear; part of it was hanging loose, banging in and out with warning lights going off all over the place. “Bloody hell...” He felt the g forces pin him to the seat, with all the adrenaline he had used up against the light, he could barely hold onto the controls with his hooves. “Come on Blue Lightning, I know you better than this! Please hold together!” He pulled back on the steering column with all his might.

The plane was losing height fast, with pieces of it raining down over a town directly below. The sound of the plane in free fall could be heard by the ponies below as they looked up, seeing the smoky flying machine in dive towards the ground, spinning wildly. Pieces of it impacted the ground, along with what was left of the coach, causing ponies to run in terror, dodging the metal shards that rained down from the busted wing and landing gear.

Soarin managed to direct the plane away from the town but it was still falling far too fast for his liking. He tried everything in his power to stabilise for landing but he knew it was going to be a rough one, with one landing gear damaged and the other still closed. “Time to work some magic girl, they didn't call you the Lucky Spit for nothing!” He pushed the switch down, engaging the landing gears, the damaged one also lowered, even with the wheel bent and buckled.

Soarin saw a field coming up fast. Putting on the air breaks, he pulled the plane up with all his might, seconds from impact into the muddy fields ahead. “Come one Blue Lightning, do it for me! Land in one piece!” He gritted his teeth as the plane hit the ground and that was it. He jolted forwards and everything went dark in an instant.

The sound of sirens going off in the distance, he slowly opened his eyes to see hands at the steering column, was what he had seen a dream? Soarin pushed and turned the clip off his chest feeling the pain from it. He pulled the emergency release of the cockpit canopy causing it to fly off and land with a smash not too far away.

Soarin looked out to see fire engines, police cars, and an ambulance racing towards his plane. Coughing, he climbed out to see the plane had crashed in a field, the sight of apple trees in the distance made him wonder, but as the emergency services arrived, a man and women from the ambulance raced out over to him. Soarin leapt down, landing and falling over. He felt weak as they came to his side. “Sir, are you alright?”

“Y-yes... ju... jus... just feel weak that all...” the man shone a light in his eyes. He raised his hand weakly to cover his eyes from the light, for a second he thought he saw a hoof and gasped, but then it was just a hand again.

The paramedic put his hand on Soarin’s shoulder, “Calm down, you’re going to be fine, do you know where you are?”

Soarin chuckled lightly “Britain from the look of it...” he said in a tone that showed all signs of pure exhaustion.

“Relax,” she pulled him slowly into a lying position, “and keep with me sir.”

“I'll... try...” He was slowly losing the battle to stay awake. But that was when he felt that strange feeling again, he felt fur and a tail below his waist, “W-what am I wearing?”

“Sir?” the female paramedic frowned. “Jeans and boots... what did you think you were wearing?”

He chuckled “fur and tail...” He closed his eyes, laughing a little.

Next thing he knew he opened his eyes to the sound of beeping in a room, he saw a drip to his right and a mask over his... snout and groaned. “Doctor he’s awake!” He knew that voice, it was Ruby's!

His eyes trailed to a man with a white beard and hair, his glasses were tinted yellow, giving his eyes a strange reddish look. “That’s good Ruby. Mr McLighting, you’re in the general hospital, in recovery. Tell me, how many fingers do I have holding up?”

Soarin looked at the fingers. “Three...” he whispered.

The doctor nodded “That’s good, but what else do you see?”

Soarin looked down, seeing a furry snout in his vision and he could just make out the rising and falling of a lower chest that unmistakingly belonged to a pony. “A snout and light blue fur all over my body, I don't feel my fingers or toes... they feel like one mass.”

“Say what? Did yer hit yer head that hard Soarin? Yer still got skin, as pale as it comes. I told ya to spend a bit more time in the sun to get a tan or something but no, yer just one stubborn idiot,” Ruby said with arms crossed. “Yer seeing things.” She put her hand on his hoof and her fingers seemed to just be grasping around it. “See? Fingers!”

“Nope...” He shook his head lightly. “I see you gripping a hoof... my front right hoof, as a matter of fact...”

“Doc...” She looked to the doctor.

He put a finger to his lips, “Strange, what he is describing is some form of equine...” The doctor then looked at Soarin directly. “Mr McLighting, your plane vanished three days ago before suddenly appearing and crashing into the fields not to far from London. You’re in Queen Victoria hospital now. What you’re seeing and feeling are most likely the effects of hallucinations caused by a prolonged lack of food and water. Your brain is trying to make sense of the feeling of numbness throughout your body.”

Soarin turn his eyes away, “Then why do I feel two heavy wings and a tail that feels like lead at the moment?”

“Hmm, a winged equine? That sounds like a Pegasus... but that’s just a mythical creature and surely you’re not...” the doctor began.

Soarin glared at him as best as he could in his weakened condition. “Don't play dumb with me! I can feel them, the blood running through the wings, the warmth of them! If I...”

“Sugarcube please don't try to move.” Ruby put her hand on his chest, he felt her fingers through his fur. “You’re human, look.” she pulled out a small metal object from her pocket and opened a hand held mirror to him.

Soarin look right at it and what he saw was what he felt, he saw the snout, the large eyes, even the crazy mane that he had seen in the dreams. “Now what do you see?”

“Pegasus...” he replied, turning his gaze to the doctor.

“This is much worse than I thought...”

Ruby got up “What do you mean Doctor? What the hell is wrong with him? This is not normal, yer know!”

The Doctor raised his hands “I know, but whatever happened to him in those missing three days is making him see things that are not real. Until we understand what’s going on, it’s best for him to stay here.”

“Fine Doctor Discord...” Ruby sighed, looking over to Soarin. “Look partner, yer human, and if yer get out of bed and start walkin’ on all fours then ah will personally beat the crap out of yer, got it!” She pointed at Soarin.

He gulped, “You bloody got it,” and nodded slowly.

“Good, I'm goin' to call Nathan and tell him you’re doin’ great...” She rolled her eyes at the last part. “Pegasi... ha! What a laugh!” her voice rang out down the hallway.

Soarin looked back at the doctor called Discord. “I am not crazy...”

“Who said you were? Minds are a tricky thing, Soarin. They tend to do crazy, and chaotic things when we come across something that we don’t want to understand. Your mind simply isn’t used to this.” He hand took hold of the wing and lifted it. Soarin gasped. “What is a dream and what is real, dear Soarin, is all up to you.” He put a finger on his forehead. “Like chaos and order, what goes around, comes around, hey Soarin McLighting? Without the 'N', right?” He smirked and left the room.

Soarin looked at the wing and closed it back in with some effort. “So he can see me as this... What the bloody hell is going on around here?”

He lay there, closing his eyes with a heavy sigh, then his ears perked to the sound of laughter. “I told you Blue would fall for it.” He saw a lightish white and blue pegasi with ginger mane and tail walk in with the biggest grin on her face.

“Mist?” Soarin blinked.

“Yep, it’s me Blue, so how goes the recovery?” She stepped up to the bedside.

He looked at her rather lost, then saw Ruby come back in, but as a red pegasi mare with blonde mane and tail, neatly tied up at the tops, letting the rest flow down. “We had the doc pull it on ya,” she giggled and waved him in.

The stallion walked in with dark brown fur with a white coat on. He was still wearing the tinted yellow glasses over his eyes, his mane and tail were black and grey. “Sorry about that lad, it was just so funny pulling that prank, still what’s the harm in a harmless prank?”

Soarin picked up a pillow, throwing it at Ruby who caught it and tossed it up with a flick of the wing, before letting out a round house hind leg kick, sending it back to him and hitting him in the face. “Damn it Ruby!” He pulled it off his snout, getting laughter from them.

“Glad to see yer still got some strength in those hooves of yer's” Ruby winked.

Soarin looked at himself, seeing he was sitting up in the bed. “Wait till I am back to full strength, then you’re in for it.”

“Whatever Soarin.” Ruby turned to Doctor Discord. “So doc, when will it be safe for our boy to come home?”

Discord held the note pad with his magic. “I’d say by tomorrow at least, all he needs is a good night’s rest and he’ll be back on his hooves by the morning, still the question remains on what happened to him and the plane, Spitfires don't normally vanish into thin air, you know.”

Soarin lay back down “Just my luck... I most likely have police and what not asking me questions...” He put his hooves over his face with a groan.

Mist look to the doctor and Ruby “Is it ok if you two give me and him some privacy?”

Ruby smirked “Sure thing, come on doc, let’s go.”

“Hey, quit pushing, I’d like to know what they are going to say! I said quit it! I am the doctor here, not the patient! I am Discord! Not to be shoved around! STOP.... OW OW OW OW OW... Ok I get I get it! Stop it already! I give!”

Soarin and Mist listened to the torture the doctor was going through by Ruby's methods of kicking him out of the room.

“That’s Ruby for you, a cowmare when you see one, right Blue?” Mist kissed him on the side of his snout.

Soarin blushed, putting his hoof against his snout where she had kissed and glared at her as best he could. “Seriously Mist it’s...”

“Blue, I know.” She put a hoof to his snout with a smile. “It’s Soarin, but it’s only us here now, so just let me.”

“Fine...” he sat there looking at the window. “Mist, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

She grinned “Indeed I am.” Mist looked at the door and back to the window. She reached out, pushing it open. “Ready?”

Soarin got up, tossed the goan off and, next thing he knew, he had a leather jacket slammed in his face. Mist was wearing the flight jacket he had bought her for their third anniversary. “I am now.” he put his leather jacket on, pulling his wings and forelegs through it and zipping it up with a hoof. “All set, and ready for take off.”

“Without the planes this time,” Mist grinned and took off out of the window.

“What are you doing Soarin, you should...” Discord came back in and Ruby tossed a rope around the unicorn, pulling him back. “Gah, fine! Go and have your romantic fly away... this was getting boring anyhow.” With a flash he was gone and the rope fell to the ground.

Ruby shook her head. “Somepony needs to learn a bit of respect, right partner?”

“Sure Ruby, see you back at home.” Soarin saluted, “Captain,” he grinned.

“Gah, darn it Soarin! Get out of here before I hog tie ya!”

“On it!” Soarin flew out the window, joining Mist as they flew out of London across the River Thames, heading out to the North Sea as the sun set behind them in the west.

Flying out across the sea, Soarin dipped into a wave, splashing a hoof against it and rejoined Mist as they sailed across the twilight sky. “What a clean night, huh Soarin?” she looked up to the stars coming out.

“It sure beats the city starlight by a mile, the cool cold winds, the waves and the freedom to fly without the need of our planes, it sure is a blissful feeling right Mist?” Soarin turned his head to the mare of his dreams.

Mist turned to him “It does, strange how on only our third month anniversary of dating we flew our planes across the same sea.” Mist could see a cloud and flew up to it, Soarin followed and they landed on it together.

“It does,” Soarin replied, lying on the cloud, looking up to the moon high in the sky, riddled with craters. “What a night... the moon is full, the stars are shining, it reminds me of that night.”

Mist lay beside him and put a wing over his back, he returned in kind, putting his over hers, they were closely lying on the cloud together. She moved closer to him, reached out, and placed a hoof over his head. “Feeling the air would have be a wonderful feeling back then but you know far too well it was not not possible. For me, it still isn't, but for you it is now.”

Soarin gave her a strange look “What do you mean Mist?”

“Soarin, think back to our anniversary of joyriding our own planes, breaking the rules, being grounded for two months, why would we need to fly planes if we were pegasi?” Mist said to him, which made sense in a way.

“Not sure on that Mist but the planes are perfectly ideal for ponies to fly, they have always been part of our lives. So have cars, trains, bikes, scooters, skateboards, anything that flies, or rolls. It all there and part of our lives.” Soarin chuckled. “I know it’s strange for us pegasi to fly flying machines like the Spitfire but it something we enjoyed and did as a career.”

Mist raised her head to the stars, her sapphire eyes gazing at them. “You got a point there Soarin, but what about your dreams?”

Soarin look to her and realised. “My dreams of the pegasus named Soarin... the...”

“Wonderbolt.”

“How do you know that? I never told you anything about those dreams...” Soarin looked rather startled by this. He heard a tapping sound and looked around for the source. “Did you hear that?”

Mist sat up and turn to him, putting her hooves on his snout and looking at him directly. “Soarin, remember that night, what were we?”

Soarin looked at her in the eyes. “I remember...”

Tap tap tap

“I remember not being this... but a human...”

“Yes Blue, but how do you feel about this?” She rubbed her hoof gently against his fur, against his chest, pulling his leather jacket open. He slowly pulled his hooves free from it then let it fall “How do you feel now?” she took off his jacket it and toss it on the cloud.

Soarin wings flung open, he felt heat rushing through his face and through his body. “I feel happy... aroused...”

Tap Tap Tap!

Soarin ignored the tapping of glass that he kept hearing. He took his hooves to Mist’s jacket and undid it, like she did with his. Pulling her hooves free and taking it off, she stood with fur full to the world, as he did. Taking her hoof, they embraced each other tightly and flew up off the cloud, both furry bodies pressed against each other in full embrace, feeling the warmth flow between each other. “I’ve never had this feeling before, never felt so amazed in my life... this is a dream I will never forget...”

“That you won't Soarin, because it’s your first real dream in 15 years, and know this, even though I am not really Mist... you are my love and one thing you should remember, I can be very stubborn at times.” She held him close to her with happiness.

He had tears falling down his face as they soared higher and higher into the night sky towards the light of Luna’s moon. “Mist, I don't want to this to end... you are what really matters to me the most...” He sobbed, rubbing his snout against hers.

“I know.”

TAP TAP TAP

“But it’s time to wake up my love... Blue, remember when you wake, a dream is a wonderful thing to have, but remember what the real me would do...”

Soarin smiled, with tears falling still. “I will... But for now you are Mist.. and this is our moment...” He kissed her on the snout and she returned it...

Soarin's eyes opened to the sound of banging on the glass, he slowly looked for the source of the banging. He couldn't quite tell who it was with only the moonlight as a source of light... “Hey are you ok in there!?” It was a female voice for sure, then he heard the voice say “Soarin we found the crashed object, signal the other search teams around Ponyville that we found it!”

“Got it Spits!” The Soarin on the outside replied and shot into the air.

In the plane cockpit, Soarin saw the pony in the flight suit shoot up to a cloud and hit it hard causing a flash of lightning and rumbling of thunder. He felt so weak and unable to move any part of his body, not only had the crash knocked him out cold but the energy he had left in him was all but gone... “I can't speak... I got no energy to even form any words... I just can barely breathe and look around... that’s Soarin the Wonderbolt I see... but that’s not possible... is this the dream? But if it is why do I feel so weak... so tired... but I had the most wonderful dream... a dream I had... a blissful and amazing dream... it felt so real... but can dreams feel so real? As real as they can be? Or is this the dream? I don't care... I am happy... ”

“You in there, can you hear me?” Spitfire called out to the stallion in the cockpit, she saw his eyes slowly gaze to hers through his visor, it was shaded but she could make out his eyes locked on hers, she noticed his breathing was shallow. “Come on, where the heck are the others!” She turned away, not noticing his eyes close and he drifted into unconsciousness with a small smile on his snout and a few tears falling from his eyes through his fur.

Soarin on the outside landed by her. “What are we going to do Spits? We can't just break the glass, it might cause him harm.”

Spitfire was walking back and forwards with the clip clang clop of the hooves on the plane. “I don't know Soarin... if there is a way to open it then there must be some sort of emergency leaver or something.”

“Emergency leaver?” Soarin rubbed his head with a hoof. “What exactly do you mean?”

Spitfire groaned. “Soarin use that head of yours, if this is a flying machine for a pony to fly and they’re in this state, do you really think they make it, so that only the pilot can open it?”

Soarin tapped his hoof on the metal “You mean something like this?”

Spitfire looked and saw it “Seriously... you knew that was there all along?”

“Well yeah, but I didn't really get what it does though,” Soarin said, looking at the panel.

Spitfire rolled her eyes and opened it up to see the leaver. “Right Soarin, pull on three” They took hold of the leaver with their front hooves.

“One... Two... Three”

Both of them pulled up on the leaver and they heard a hissing sound. The canopy opened up slightly and both of them pushed it up all the way, locking it into place. “Soarin, you grab his right foreleg and I’ll get the other.”

“Got it Spitfire.” Soarin took hold of the stallion's right foreleg with Spitfire getting the other.

“Lift!” Both flapping their wings, they lifted the stallion out of the plane cockpit, they drift over to the muddy field and place him down gently.

They landed either side of him but he wasn't responding. Spitfire shook the leather jacket off him and quickly pulled his helmet off to see if he was alright but let out a gasp when she saw who it was. “SOARIN!?”

“Ye-WHOA!?” Soarin leapt back as he saw what he was looking at. “That’s me! But how!? I am right here!”

Spitfire looked over the Soarin on the ground before her, eyes closed with shallow breathing. “He could be a changeling...” She pulled out one of his feathers with her mouth and it didn't change. She let go of it on top of the stallion before her. “Not a changeling...” she looked at his cutie mark. It was the same as Soarin's, even the mane, the tail and the colours... they all matched.

“Ok, this is seriously weird.” Soarin poked the stallion with his hoof front. “This is freaky Spits...”

Spitfire rubbed her head with her hoof “You’re telling me...” she turned to the plane and looked back again. “The only question is... what do we do now?” She noticed ponies gathering around seeing this double Soarin with their own eyes and among them was Twilight Sparkle stepping up with her friends and seeing this before their own eyes, looking just as confused with what was happening as the two Wonderbolts...

Author's Notes:

Enjoy reading the story and let me know what you think of it so far ^_^ I like to hear your views so far on the events that lead to this point of the story ^_^
Soarin of Equestria came face to face with the one of Earth and his plane. Now things will be getting interesting.

What do you guys think should happen next?
1. Shall we have it move on to the hospital Soarin meeting Soarin straight way
2. leading to that with the two Soarin meeting with the princess, mane six and wonderbolt captain figuring out what to do.
3. Different point of view of leading to the crash and them searching for it to the point they pulled Soarin from Earth free from the plane

Let me know what you think.

Well I hope everyone had a great christmas and thanks to my friend Joesephius_Loewe proof reading it.

I hope that everyone has a great new year!

Chapter 3: The Meeting of Soarin

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 3: The Meeting of Soarin

“Seriously Soarin how long are you going to stay here?” I was reading a book and lowered it slightly to see a rather annoyed Spitfire. “You’ve been here almost five days now, watching over him...” she hinted to the stallion on the medical bed with the mask over his snout connected to the devices on his bedside that kept him alive.

I put the book on my lap and stared at her. “Long as it takes for him to wake, Spits...”

She groaned, putting a hoof to her head. “Soarin you and I have got things to do at the Academy, this is the only time of the year we get to see what talent there is out there for joining the Wonderbolts, we can’t just mope around the hospital. The things we do are serious, our last performance was just lucky to coincide with this...” she pointed a hoof to the stallion.

I sighed and just kept looking at him... “I know Spits... but how would you feel if there was another you in Equestria? And you were looking right at her, what then?”

Spitfire bit her lip a little, seeing I had got through to her. She walked over to the bed and pulled the sheets back, looking at the stallion's flank and then back at mine. “I can see your point… it’s creepy... looking at him then at you...”

I got up and walked over to her, putting a hoof to her side. “Spits, with your request I would like to take a short term leave. Only a few more days, if he doesn't wake up I will return to the Academy, no questions asked.”

Spitfire smirked at me, pushing my hoof off her. “Don't push it Soarin. I will grant you those days, but whether he’s awake or not, if you don't return in three days time, I will personally come here and drag you back by the tail, all the way to the Academy.” I gulped at the thought, her dragging me back there, it would be the last thing I would like to happen... “Got it?”

“Y-yes Ma’am!” I saluted.

She patted me on the foreleg with a chuckle. “Good, I’ll be heading off, it’s getting late, so get some rest and don't forget to exercise your wings, last thing I need is my co-captain getting sloppy in front of the cadets.”

“Sure thing Spits,” I smirked.

“See you in a few days Soarin.” We hugged and then she left, trotting out of the room.

I pulled the sheets back over him, looking at his still, slowly breathing form, the beeping of the monitor came to my ears and I checked it with a smile. “Hope you wake up soon my friend, you’ve got a lot of questions to answer.” I looked over at the doorway where the two white guard ponies were standing, one a unicorn, the other a pegasus. Princess Celestia wasn't taking any chances. I couldn't blame her.

I cheerfully trotted back over to my seat. Getting back into position, I placed my hind hooves on the leg rest in front of the seat and picked up my book with my front hooves. As the sun started to set, I turned on the lamp beside me and settled back down to reading my book. The hours slowly ticked by and let out a yawn.

Another day past without much happening and he was still hooked to the machine... it was going nowhere. I had one day left before returning back to the Wonderbolt Academy. I had removed my flightsuit and hung it on the rack by the bed. Feeling much better and more comfortable without my flightsuit on I went back to reading... the day was drawing in again and the sun was setting to show the end of another day...

“How long does a pony stay in a coma?” I muttered, looking over at him. I turned to the jacket hanging there beside my flightsuit. “I wonder how I’d look with that on...” I shook that thought out of my head. “No if any pony were to catch ya, you’d be dead meat.”

“That yer would be partner, and yer wouldn't get a pie from me!” I turned to see Applejack trotting in with a tray on her back, carrying a nice hot apple pie. “Ah thought ah’d drop by to give ya this, ah heard yer’d be stayin' till he woke.”

I licked my snout seeing the pie. “Yeah, it’s true, but after tomorrow night I have to go back home first thing in the morning.” I took the tray off her back and placed it on the little table by my chair. “Boy, I am hungry as a horse!”

Applejack laughed as I dived right into the pie, devouring the juicy pastry and covering my face in its delicious contents. “Easy there sugarcube, no pony’s gonna steal it.”

I swallowed a piece and licked my snout. “I know, but these pies are so amazing! I really love them!”

“Yer as bad as Rainbow Dash when it comes to Apple Cider,” she shook her head. “At least ah got two loyal customers.” Applejack turned to the sleeping form at the bed. “‘As he woke?”

“No... but I’m sure he muttered something earlier,” I replied and on cue, a soft muffling word spoke out, “Mist...”

“Did ah hear right? Mist? Is that somepony special to him? And did yer hear that accent?” Applejack trotted over to the bedside.

“Yeah I did. But it seems he dreaming of something, wish I knew what.” I pulled the sheets up a little. “Any luck on the flying machine?”

“Nope, we’re not even allowed to move it off mah field but the princesses are givin' us extra bits for the trouble though,” Applejack replied. “Twilight did pull out some books from it and is checkin' them with Rainbow Dash at the library as we speak.” Applejack placed a bag of apples on the table.

I tapped my hoof against my snout, thoughtfully, “I wonder what they found.”

“Beats me Soarin. Well, see yer, ah got to make sure mah sister has gone to bed. She’s got school in the mornin'.” Applejack trotted up to the tray and put it back on her back. “Goodnight sugarcube.”

I turned to her as I went back to my seat. “Goodnight Applejack, and thank you for the amazing pie.”

“Aw shucks, it’s nothin', enjoy the apples as much as mah pie Soarin.” Applejack ambled off down the hallway.

I sat back down. “Well back to the book I guess...”

Sometime later as I read under the lamplight, I heard hoof steps that got my attention, it was late... the nurses wouldn't be making their rounds for another hour or so, I looked at the door as they entered...

Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, I wonder what they were doing up at this hour, I know why I was still up until my eyelids felt like lead, but them... “What brings you two up here at this hour?” I asked with a smirk, putting the book on the side, still sitting on the chair with my hind legs resting over each other on the stall.

“Whoa Soarin, I didn't expect to see you still here, I thought you left with Spitfire!” Rainbow Dash instantly said and I chuckled with my front hooves resting behind my head.

“I am surprised too, visiting hours are over.” Twilight pointed towards the clock.

I looked it with a smirk. “Really? I didn't notice.” I heard a snigger from Rainbow Dash. “Jokes aside, I asked to stay, the doc said I shouldn't but when I told him that I want to be there when 'he' wakes, I think he understood.”

Rainbow Dash went right to the bedside. “No kidding Soarin, since this is another Soarin after all, if he is called that.”

Twilight opened her saddle bag.“Of course his name is Soarin, in fact we got these from the flying machine.” Twilight showed them to me.

I took one from her magic field and opened it to see the words 'Spitfire Mk 9 201-293 flight log' printed inside the cover with the name 'Blue Lightning' under it. The owner of the flying machine was called 'Soarin McLighting' I saw the second name, lighting? Or was it spelt without the 'n' and still pronounced 'lightning'? But what struck me was the name of the flying machine, a Spitfire...

“Seriously, is this some joke? That thing is called a Spitfire? When Spits hears this she is going to flip! Seriously, what pony would call a flying machine a name of a pony? Not only that, but the captain of the Wonderbolts! That just an insult to her name!” I harrumphed in annoyance.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at me. “I know how you feel, when I saw it I had the same reaction but this thing also has a name, it’s called Blue Lightning, another Pony name... seriously what’s up with those ponies back there? Why would they fly machines like that if they’ve got wings?” Rainbow Dash pulled his wing out from the cover showing it to us.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight pulled Rainbow Dash away from the pony in the bed and placed his wing back into the covers. “That’s uncalled for! I know it’s weird but that thing outside is a flying metal bird, it’s his flying machine and we have been unable to figure out what it is or how to make it work without breaking it to pieces, and that’s the last thing we want to do! Unless he stops breathing right now, the order of Princess Celestia stands! No pony is to touch the metal machine or examine it until she and Luna say so!” Twilight was waving her hooves around, emphasising her lecture to Rainbow Dash. “Think what he would think if we did that, it’s bad enough that we took these log books out of it to get answers, luckily enough, Celestia allowed it!”

“And Soarin, seriously!? So the flying machine is called Spitfire… if that thing if I read in the other books are right, then that thing is far older than Spitfire, so in a way if you think about it, she would be the one in his view copying the name!” Twilight was little more than a snout’s length away from my face, glaring at me. “Which would you think would be the insult? Neither side knew what the other had till right this moment... so stop being an overly sensitive pony! I know you’re a Wonderbolt but think about the bigger picture will you!”

I just gulped with a rapid nod, agreeing to what she said to me...

Rainbow Dash shook her head as I watched. “Seriously Twilight... I am not that stupid...but seriously look at me.” She pointed her hooves at him, both Twilight and I stared as she continued to speak. “He’s Soarin! Seriously, how much more freaking crazy can it get than another Soarin in that bed!? It’s insane knowing there are two of him in Equestria now!”

Twilight sighed “Ok point taken... since he is not awake we have to come back later...” she glance at the still form. “Soarin, goodnight.”

“Goodnight Princess...”

“Just Twilight”

“Goodnight Twilight” I corrected with a smile. “Same to you Dash.”

Rainbow Dash came right close to me. “So?”

“Not now Dash” I whispered into her ear. “If I don't get any joy by tomorrow night, how about we go take a night flight over the Winsome Falls?” her wings beating rapidly, her face turned bright red when I said it. With a sly smile I whispered. “I take that as a yes.”

“OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh” Rainbow Dash kept repeating over and over again. Twilight rolled her eyes and picked her up with her magic.

Twilight shook her head, taking Rainbow Dash with her. “Goodnight once more Soarin...”

“Same to you” I chuckled and watched her leave while the frozen in place Rainbow Dash kept repeating the same words over and over again, wings fluttering like crazy. “I think I broke her” I laughed, sitting back in my chair and noticed the log book left behind. I opened it and looked at the details of dates on it and performances, then I noticed a photo on the next page.

I stared at the photo, it was of the pony in the bed with two other ponies, all pegasi for sure and each wearing almost the same jackets as the one we had found him wearing and was now resting on the rack just by the door. Each had a different pattern on the jackets to his one though, one was red, white and red again with a red leaf in the middle of it, that one belonging to a stallion with dark brown fur and a black mane and tail, quite short but the mane was very spiky. The other pony was a mare. She had red fur and blonde mane and tail, tied up in a ponytail. She was wearing a stetson with the sort of grin that I seen from Applejack when I bought that amazing Apple Pie at the Gala.

But one thing I did notice other than the three flying machines behind them sitting there just in view was that each of the three looked... happy, these ponies were all pegasi and yet they flew flying machines, that thing must be more sentimental than practical... could it be... “He performs in airshows with that thing... he must have...” They were holding a cake out in front of them with the words “Happy fifth Anniversary Team Spitfire..” I glanced over at the pony in the bed. Five days ago we knew hardly anything about him but this one photo told the story... this one photo showed it all before my very eyes... “That means his arrival was either an accident or he was brought here against his will... no way he would risk leaving his team behind for a stunt like that... heck I wouldn't.”

I noticed another pony in the picture next to Soarin, she has snow blue fur with a deep orange mane, he has his other hoof around her.. “Whoa... that must be...”

“Mist...” I heard a whisper, the mask muffled the words slightly but I heard it. “Mist...” I saw tears falling down the side of his face... it made me feel bad hearing him whisper out a name... then it struck me, the mare next to him was Mist... I sighed heavily, it was sinking in, seeing this photo and hearing his unconscious muffling words escape his snout behind the oxygen mask...

I trotted over to him and took his hoof over on his side putting the photo on his chest I place the hoof over it. “Rest easy buddy, I know now you’re not a threat... you’re lost... rest up.” I tapped the stallion with my hoof and walked back over to the chair and sat down, placing the logbook on top of the book I had been read. “Goodnight Soarin McLightning...” I put my hind legs up on the stall and front legs behind my head, getting comfortable I let my eyes close as I drifted off to sleep.

I woke to the feel of the first light of the sun shining on my face, I yawned, feeling refreshed from that nice nap, when my eyes opened Rainbow Dash was hovering over me with her front hooves crossed. “Morning Rainbow Dash” I yawned again stretching my forelimbs and hindlimbs.

“Yeah, morning...”

“What?” I saw her looking at me with daggers then I realised looking down I was wearing a... “Whoa, how the hay am I wearing this!?” I jumped out of the seat, looking over myself then saw my flightsuit was missing and I looked over at the bed. “Aw ponyfeathers...”

Rainbow Dash landed and shook her head, “So you’re our Soarin?”

“Of course! Applejack gave me an amazingly delicious apple pie last night before you and Twilight showed up with the logbooks!” I said to her, then look to the table to see the bag of apples was gone. “He took my snacks too...” I muttered. “Clever though...”

Rainbow Dash saw the logbook still on the table, but the photo I had found was nowhere to be seen. “He must have woken up in the night, put you in his jacket somehow and took your Wonderbolt flightsuit.”

I put a hoof to my head, “Oh Spits is going to have me for this... not only has he gone who knows where, but he’s got my flightsuit too!” I quickly went to the guards “Did he leave....”

“Your finally awake, good we...”

“No no he not that Soarin, THE Soarin of the Wonderbolts, the other one McLighting...”

“McLightning” I corrected her.

“Right, whatever, he put Soarin into his flight jacket and took Soarin's flightsuit!” Rainbow Dash explained to them.

The pegasi guard frowned, “You sure?”

“YES!” both of us said at the same time.

“That would explain the limping with the flightsuit hung over his back, he saluted us and said the most strangest thing...” The unicorn recalling the events. “He said... keep up the bloody good work, in such an accent too.”

Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her head. “Are you two thick headed! Does Soarin really sound like whatever this accent was!?”

Both guards looked at each other and shook their heads “No,” they answered.

“But now what? He went almost a hour ago, he could be anywhere!” The Pegasus guard said to us.

I thought about it and turned to Rainbow Dash “How did you know?”

“Oh Pinkie Pie said that something crazy was going down at the hospital, so I went to check it out as she hopped off to get the other girls and head over to Sweet Apple Acres. And to get your rump there too,” Rainbow Dash explained. “When I asked why, all I got was, 'oh Dashie you’ll be in for a real surprise' and that was it, she was gone.”

I smirked “That Pinkie Pie friend of yours, nothing get by her much, does it?”

Rainbow Dash shrugged, “It really depends on what’s going on, but not normally?”

I look to the guards “Inform the others he is at Sweet Apple Acres, most likely trying to get to his flying machine.”

“Right on it sir!” the unicorn replied with a salute and they left.

Rainbow Dash looked at me seeing that smirk on my snout. “He’s not there is he?”

“Not even close. I think he’s closer than we think, can you access the hospital roof from the windows?” I asked Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash step up to the window “Sure, I saw it on my way here but I didn't see him then.”

I flew out the window with Rainbow Dash then went skywards, I pointed a hoof to a blind spot on the hospital roof and right there, before both of our eyes was a light blue pegasus and my flightsuit beside him. We landed just out of sight, watching him as he just sat there looking out to the sun rising in the distance.

We saw him watch the pony guards leaving then sat back a little. “Took them long enough to realise I duped them,” Soarin whispered, looking back to the sunrise. “Couldn't get far even if I tried, this leg is still sore and I’ve got almost no strength to talk of...” Soarin spoke to himself, taking an apple with a hoof and eating half of it. “And you’re just talking to yourself Soarin... what would your stupid, good for nothing psychiatrist think of you now...”

“You’re a bit loopy,” Rainbow Dash stepped out of hiding and I sighed stepping out too. “Pretty rad move you pulled. Also that’s one awesome accent you’ve got there.”

Soarin didn't even turn to her so didn’t notice me. “Had a feeling someone like you would find me eventually, Miss Dash.” He munched on the rest of the apple.

Rainbow Dash looked a bit startled, “Whoa whoa whoa! How the hay do ya know my name!?” She was standing beside him now, looking at him with annoyance.

Soarin’s eyes turned to her as I just stood there just behind, he most likely saw me in the corner of his eye. “Because I know things that aren’t right to know... forced every sleeping moment to see a life of another isn't right...” He turned his eyes away, looking out to the sun. “Beautiful... I always liked the sunrise, as the stars fade into the daytime... it just happens a little faster than I am used to... sometimes taking time from day to night, and night to day for special moment when the colours of the night and day blend into the most spectacular view...”

Rainbow Dash sat beside him, hind legs hanging off the roof like his, tail hanging too. I decided to join them and sat down on the other side of Dash. “I am guessing you mean my life...”

“Sadly yes... not all of it just pieces... 15 years of pieces...” he sighed heavily. “Sorry...”

“About what?” I gazed past Rainbow Dash at him.

He chuckled, “You bloody know what...”

Rainbow Dash joined in the laugh and nudged me a little with her hoof. “Yeah Soarin, you know what he means.”

I look at the jacket and chuckled myself. “Yeah the switch... do you want your jacket back?”

“Sure, and I’ll give you your flightsuit back too, don't worry, I haven't worn it, not my thing.” He tossed it over to me, I caught it and took off his jacket and tossed it over to him. “Apple?” He asked after loosely putting his jacket on without doing up the zip.

“Why not” I replied, Rainbow Dash took an apple off him, tossed one to me and took another for herself.

“I can't believe I am sitting with two Soarins... this is so unreal!” Rainbow Dash giggled.

“And the way we are just relaxing too...” I added as we all just sat there watching the sun rise in the horizon. “Soarin, are you really a pegasus?” I asked. It felt strange asking him such an odd question.

Rainbow Dash gave me a frown, “Of course he is! That flying machine called a Spitfire is made for a pony to fly in! And you saw that photo!”

Soarin held up the photo with his hooves. “The photo... I remember it being taken but when I look at it, something about it just doesn’t feel right.” We watched him pull out a strange looking item from his pocket. “I think it has been changed...”

“How so?” Rainbow Dash asked.

He pushed a few buttons on the strange looking device and a voice came out of it. We heard the words... “Soarin McLighting, without the N before the 'ing'... another dream about the pegasus Soarin. He was talking to the mare named Rainbow Dash... some sort of wedding at Canterlot... Today marks 15 years since I've been having these dreams...”

We continued to listen with amazement...

“Got into the habit of doing my hair up similar to the pegasus's... colour and all, it's been about seven years on that line. Happy 15th anniversary to me, yay...”

We could just about make out the sound of movement, but it was the sound of just one and two steps, none of the clop or clap that our hooves usually make.

“Today is the local town airshow and I will be flying the Blue Lightning Spitfire. I really like that plane. It's funny how my dreams turned it into a living, breathing pegasus named Spitfire. At least, that's what the psychologist suggested. That, and that my dreams of being a pony pegasus were just a desire to be in the skies for real. I think he's right.”

“Why else would I love to fly a Spitfire in the airshows and then take care of that plane as if it were alive?” we heard him chuckle. “This talking magical pony thing in my dreams is just that, a dream, something my subconscious did to help my piloting career to reach its heights.” We hear a slight pause in his voice. “Heck, I used to fly the fastest and most insane aircraft the RAF could get in the air. If these dreams are how I deal with that then so be it. This is Soarin McLighting signing off, having tea and a good old fashioned bacon sandwich with some ketchup.”

Next part was the sound of something loud in the background then I and Rainbow Dash put the dots together that was the engine of that Spitfire thing...

“Soarin McLighting... day two in this fog...” He checked his watch for the time. “I am not even sure if it is day two... the time is 9:39pm if my watch is working correctly... Most of the systems are showing me random displays that I don't trust any more... still, the autopilot’s working, I can be sure of that...”
“I am sure there was only two hours of fuel left in this tank... how the plane’s still got power is beyond me, but the roaring sound of Blue Lightning's engines are proof enough and the propeller’s still spinning...”
We heard him sighed heavily. “It all started so well... before this happened. We were set and ready to go, ready to show the spectators our moves and perform to the crowds on the beach and fair...”

Then the voice from it stopped and he pushed another one of those buttons. “That’s my proof that things are alternating in my mind and this photo...” He sighed heavily. “I don't know why or how this is happening but it is... my plane is most likely damaged... I have the worst possible headache and I am intruding on your lives...”

I could tell Rainbow Dash felt bad for him. “Twilight could help you out, maybe find out what causing your mind to get all messed up like that.”

Soarin put the device away. “Maybe she can do more... she could keep a written copy of everything I said in this device too... it’s got a battery life... so it won't last forever...”

I glanced over to him. “So you really dreamed pieces of my life?” he nodded silently, looking down the path, avoiding my eyes. “That’s just really creepy you know...”

“Think how I feel about it... forced in my sleep to dream about your life... see things that should be personal... till this very moment... I bloody thought everything was a dream... all this... being kicked in the face by a screaming white unicorn falling after her butterfly wings burn up, you wanting to get out of that Gala because of all the rich snobs...”

“Ok ok enough! I get it... jeez you really know things about me... things you were really never meant to know... that’s just not right...” I felt really bad for him now... this Soarin’s life had not only been plagued by seeing another pony’s life but now he was sitting there only a few feet away from the pony’s whose life he had been forced to experience... “Rainbow, let’s get him to the library”.

Rainbow Dash and Soarin gave me a surprised look. “Soarin you sure? He well... you know he could be a spy for all we know...” she whispered.

“You know how crazy that sounds right?” I raised an eye.

Rainbow Dash rubbed her head “Yeah it sounded better in my head... Ok I'll help, but you still owe me that flight at the Winsome Falls Mr. Wonderbolt.” She poked me in the chest with her hoof.

I smirked, “Did I ever say we wouldn’t?”

“Yeah, but now you owe me, so no getting out of it, buster!” Rainbow Dash got up and flew over to Soarin's other side. “Ready for some flight aid?”

He just stared at her. “What makes you think I can't fly with these?” He hinted to his wings opening them up and closing them.

“Nothing, but you’re in no condition to fly, heck you just woke up after being in a coma for six days!” Rainbow Dash jabbed him in the chest gently with her hoof. “Fall flat on your face if you like, but if you want to get anywhere , then you’ll just have to let me help.” She hovered back a little.

Soarin sighed “Fine... you win you bloody showpony...” He raised his forelegs up “Let’s get this over with as quickly and efficiently as possible...”

I put a hoof to his shoulder “Sure thing buddy. But one question.”

“Yes?”

“What do we call you being in the same room?” I asked.

“Damn it Mist... I am going to so get you for this,” he muttered to himself with a heavy sigh. “Use the blasted nickname my gir...” he saw us staring. “Fine I’ll use your stupid pronouns! Marefriend! My marefriend Mist gave me a stupid nickname Blue! Bloody happy!?”

Rainbow Dash shrugged, hovering there still. “Doesn't bother me, I think it’s an ok nickname, not the best, or very original but it’ll do.”

I put my flightsuit over my back then we took him by his fore legs, and we flew off the hospital roof towards Golden Oak Library. When we arrived we opened the door and...

“SURPRISE!!!”

So much for just getting help from Princess Twilight Sparkle...
“WELCOME SOARIN MCLIGHTNING TO YOUR GOOD MORNING WELCOME PARTY!!!!!!” Pinkie Pie screamed out... and there was a banner too, it had the correct spelling.

Soarin blurted right out of his mouth in an instant with a startled look on his face...“What the fuck...”

Chapter 4: Morning Party with a Twist

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 4: Morning Party with a Twist

Author Note: Soarin McLighting’s name will appear as Blue when both Soarins are around.

“Pinkie Pie, what the hay is going on in here?” called out a voice from behind the doorway.Soarin, Rainbow Dash and Blue turned to see Twilight emerge from the passage leading to her study, along with Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Spike. A sudden silence fell across the room as she entered.

In the middle of this, Pinkie Pie was stood with a massive grin on her face, after welcoming Blue to the good morning party she had set up for him. The standoff seemed to last forever. No pony on either side moving an inch, waiting for somepony to release the tension in the room...

Blue couldn't stand like this forever, so he decided to make the first move. “I believe it is a breakfast party in honour of me. I am in a pretty sour mood and I do need a bit of cheering up so I say we should enjoy this bloody party and have the Q and A later on.” He walked into the library, limping with each step, trying to avoid putting too much weight onto his still painful right hind leg.

“I’ve got to agree with Blue on this one, I’m starving and the breakfast table Pinkie set up looks pretty awesome.”

Blue look to the pot of... “Is that tea?”

“Oh yes it is!” Pinkie Pie snapped out of her pose and bounced over to him. “It’s nice and hot! You want some?”

“I would love a cuppa,” Blue replied as she poured the tea into a cup, before adding milk and two sugars. “I would ask how you know that, but it’s probably best not question a mare who can pull out a mountain bending megaphone from nowhere...” He put the tea and a small selection of sandwiches on a tray.

“Here, let me carry that for you Blue,” Pinkie offered.

Blue gave a grateful smile to her. “Thank you, Miss Pie, you’re very kind.”

Soarin trotted over and look around at the table. “Apple fritters? Mmmm they look nice.” He took a plate full of them and a cup of apple juice. “Are you lot just going to stand there gaping, or are you going to join in?” he asked, looking over to the girls and dragon. “This food’s not going to stay hot forever.”

Twilight snapped out of her trance, shaking her head a few times. “Erm right... this is just weird... I’ve never seen Pinkie Pie set up a... well, this type of party before!” She pointed accusingly at the table.

Pinkie Pie allowed Blue to sit down and place the tray on the table before him. “Of course silly, this is my first! I really must think of doing more of these!” Pinkie Pie turned to Blue. “Comfortable?”

“Yes indeed, thank you.” Blue took the cup with his hooves, giving a sniff, followed by a sip of the tea. With a sigh he spoke. “Now this is a bloody good cuppa, enough to wake those sinuses.”

Soarin looked over at him with a frown. “He sure looks like me but at the same time he’s nothing like me at all, I can't stand that stuff, coffee any day for me, please.”

“Well, I hate coffee myself, can't stand the stuff.” Blue replied, after a paused look at each other they both burst out laughing.

Pinkie Pie started to play the music, seeing them laughing made her smile. “Oh I love making ponies smile! And I did!” She giggled. “Tea, Rarity?” She bounced up to her, balancing a cup on the end of her nose.

Rarity was staring at Blue. “Sure, Pinkie Pie,” she took the cup with her magic. “Thank you darling.”

“I wouldn't think about it Rarity, he’s got a special somepony already.” Rainbow Dash said as she collected her breakfast. “Right, Applejack.”

“Eeyup, ah heard him speak her name last night, Mist, ah believe.” Applejack replied, taking a bite out of a piece of her daisy sandwich.

Rarity nodded and took a sip of her tea. “All as well, handsome stallion like him should be so lucky.”

Spike ate some of the gem snacks that Pinkie gave him. “Yeah, but Twilight saw her in a photo, she said the mare was snow blue with a really dark orange mane and tail, also something about sapphire eyes.”

“Really?” Rarity glanced at Twilight, who was eating her meal. “Is that true? This Mist is a pegasus as well?”

Twilight swallowed. “Yeah she is, what’s strange is why good perfectly healthy ponies that could fly under their own power would need flying machines.” Twilight glanced over to Blue who was happily talking to Fluttershy. He had pulled out the photo from his pocket and pointing at it and talking about some of the ponies in it. “Pinkie, what do you know about the flying machine?”

“Nothing much, I did get a crazy shake of my tail before it appeared, but that was for three whole days! I thought the sky was going to fall, my tail was non-stop shaking!” Pinkie Pie said, holding her tail between her legs and rubbing it with her front hooves.

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “I think it kinda did, especially with all that metal raining down, and that couch!”

Twilight turned to her. “Couch? What couch!?”

“Oh please... you saw those pieces of wood and fluff all over the place right!?” Rainbow Dash saw Twilight shake her head. “Oh brother... you can't be serious? I told you this when we went looking for the stupid plane!”

“Plane?”

“Yeah that’s what he called it, the flying machine.” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Plane... I like that, it’s simple, and gives meaning to the machine.” Twilight beamed and trotted over to Blue.

“Egghead...” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

Blue was still talking about his friends in the photo to Fluttershy as Twilight came over. “And Ruby here has two dogs, Lucky and Charm. They’re brother and sister, black alsatians with brown snouts and lower legs. They’ll try to lick you to death too, I might add.” He chuckled lightly.

“Oh they sound cute, I would love to see these alsatian dogs.” Fluttershy was enjoying her chat about his friend's pets. “Do you have any?”

Blue chuckled “Once, when I was very young, she was a parrot called Storm Whiz, she was called that because every time a storm came by she'd unhook that cage, fly to the window and cry out hours before it hit. 'Storm is here incoming! Storm is here incoming!' And wham! The storm comes two hours later, lightning and all. Her next word be. 'I told ya so! I told ya so!' I would just laugh as my father walked in, soaked by the downpour, muttering, ‘Damn it, Storm Whiz...” Blue laughed, recalling that memory.

“Oh she sounds sweet.” Fluttershy put her hooves together with a dreamy look in her eyes.

Twilight listened to them speak and decided to speak up. “It sound like you two getting along.”

Fluttershy turned to the purple alicorn. “Hello, Twilight, we are, he’s such a sweet stallion, he was speaking about all his friends and mare friend’s pets, each of them are so wonderful and full of character.”

“That is nice to hear, is it ok if I talk to him alone?”

“Sure, Twilight.” Fluttershy turned to Blue. “Nice meeting you Mr McLightning.”

“Same here, Fluttershy,” he replied, she went over to her friends to get herself something to eat. “You’re about ask me how I am so calm, right?”

Twilight stared at him with a frown. “And what makes you think I was about to ask that?”

Blue sighed, “I already explained this to Rainbow Dash and Soarin, I need you to do something for me first... I will answer every and all reasonable questions once it’s done.” Blue pulled out the device. “I want you to write down everything that’s on this device, it’s a recorded device that stores everything I say to it.”

Twilight look to it that was held in his hoof. “Wow, it really stores what you say on it?” Blue nods “Amazing! I know there are such things at studios for music discs such as the ones Vinyl Scratch uses but never seen one so small and... thin.”

“Luckily, it changed to be hoof friendly... or was it already hoof friendly? I am rather confused on that but it doesn't matter, all you need to do is press the button with the triangle on it. I already set it so all you need to do is press play.”

Twilight took it from him. “You’re putting a lot of trust in somepony you don't know...”

“Oh I know you well enough Twilight Sparkle, and I’d trust anypony who would sing so beautifully for their brother’s wedding.” Blue smirked

“H-How do you know about that!?” she shrieked in shock.

“Remember my deal,” he replied calmly and drunk some of his tea. “Do we have a deal?”

“Oh of course but what about your plane? Aren't you wondering about it?” Twilight asked.

Blue closed his eyes. “I am, Twilight.” He opened them, looking towards the window. “But I saw the bubble from on top of the hospital, I am gathering it’s protected?”

Twilight was surprised by this yet again. “Wow you really saw the shield that was put over the plane?” he nodded. “Princess Celestia personally put that up. You’ve got to thank her for that.”

“That I will, my plane and what I’ve got with me is all I have of a once... almost perfect life...” Blue sighed heavily.

Twilight eyes darted to her study, then back to him. “Erm... could you answer one question? Just one?”

“Sure...”

“Were you going to propose to Mist? Soarin McLightning...” Blue’s eyes instantly locked on to hers with shock in them as he eyes showed tears welling up, she had whispered this to him so no one heard. “Sorry... I...”

Twilight turned to leave but he put a hoof to her front leg. “It’s ok...” he whispered. “To answer your question, yes... you found them, didn't you...” she nodded silently. “Keep them safe... and keep it to yourself please... I don't want anyone to worry about me... my life is in shambles and I don't want to drag it down among your friends... especially when this has all been set up for me.” he whispered before returning to his normal voice, “It’s a bloody great party, never been to a breakfast party or even knew there was such a thing, I’m really enjoying it.”

“I am glad you are” Twilight smiled softly. “If you will all excuse me, I’ve got some a diary to write out for Mr McLightning.” Twilight Sparkle left and headed up to her study.

A few hours later the party had come to an end. Applejack was helping with the cleaning up, looking at the sleeping form of the light blue stallion on the chair. “After bein' in a coma for week yer’d think he’d have had enough sleep.”

Soarin was placing some of the food waste into the bags with help from Rainbow Dash who turned to Applejack. “I thought he would have fallen asleep sooner, even with the food and drink he’s had, he just came out of a coma.”

Pinkie Pie slowly raised Blue's right hind leg up and placed it gently on a leg stall with a cushion on it. “Nicely down sugarcube.”

“Thanks AJ, doesn't he look cute?” she giggled.

“Ah’ve got ta admit, he does,” Applejack chuckled. “We’d better finish up and leave him to rest.”

Spike raised his claw hands “Whoa... you can't just leave him here!”

“Spike, would you like to be in the hospital or resting here?” Rainbow Dash crossed her front hooves hovering just over him.

Spike sighed. “Fine, he can stay...”

Rainbow Dash took the bag outside and turned to the door “Come on Soarin, since Mr Sleepy Head is in good claws, how about that trip to Winsome?”

Soarin smirked, “Sure thing, Rainbow Dash.” He tossed the bag into the wagon. “Let me just get my flight...”

“Just leave it here, you don't need it on.” Rainbow Dash said to him, taking the flightsuit out of his hooves and placing it on the rack back in the library. “Or aren't ya coming?”

“Ok... I'll bite... let’s go.” He took off into the sky and Rainbow Dash joined him. “So, which way to Winsome?”

Rainbow Dash pointed “This way Soarin,” as she flew off with more confidence he turned to the library once more.

“Well, be seeing ya, Soarin.” Soarin liked that Rainbow Dash was a lot more confident now over this little flight trip, he was going to enjoy this moment of freedom from his grilling work as a Wonderbolt Co-Captain. He turned back and flew off after Rainbow Dash towards their destination of Winsome Falls.

Applejack stepped outside of the library with Pinkie Pie. “Let’s get the trash to the waste disposal.”

“Sure!” Pinkie Pie was happy to lend a helping hoof. They picked up the rubbish and also left the library, heading off to the Ponyville Waste Disposal centre.

Back in the library, Fluttershy decided to stay as Rarity said her farewells and made her way out. She put pillows behind Soarin McLighting, gently and carefully, so as not to disturb him from his sleep. “Fluttershy are you staying?” Spike asked as he swept the floor with the broom.

Fluttershy turned to him “Oh yes, he’s just woken from a coma and he shouldn't be left alone.” She took a look around. “Erm, where does Twilight keep the bed sheets?”

“Oh they’re just up those steps over there.” Spike pointed to the open side stairs. “In the cupboard on the left.”

Fluttershy flew up and opened the door to find a selection of neatly folded sheets. “This one should do nicely,” Fluttershy took it and came back down, placing the sheet over Soarin. “There, he’ll be nice and warm now.”

Spike was staring at him. “Maybe you should have taken that jacket off him first.”

“Oh my, I couldn't do that Spike... I might wake him up, and that would be rude...” She turned to Spike and trotted quietly over to him. “Is Twilight going to enter the Running of the Leaves this year?”

“Yeah, she is, even being a princess now she still wants to enter.” Spike replied, as he continued to clean up the remaining confetti and streamers on the ground. “If it’s ok, could you give me a hoof with the cleaning?”

Fluttershy took a rubbish back. “Sure, I’d be happy to,” A knock came from the door of the library.

“Oh, hold that thought.” Spike walked over to the door and opened it. “Hi sorry we...” he paused with a gulp. “P-Pr-Princess Celestia...”

Fluttershy dropped the bag with a gasp “Oh my... Princess...” they both bowed before her instantly.

Celestia walked in, followed by two guard ponies. “Please, don't bow, there’s really no need, I heard from Rarity that the pony found in the flying machine was here in the Library.”

“Oh he is, he'd been here for the good morning party Pinkie Pie made for him. It was an amazing breakfast party.” Fluttershy said to Celestia. “But he’s sort of asleep at the moment, I guess waking up without much strength got to him.”

Celestia turned her gaze to the stallion sleeping on the chair. “I see, at least we’ve found where he is, has he told you anything about where he from?”

Fluttershy nods. “Oh yes, I talked to him for a little bit, we were sharing stories about pets and animals, he’s from some sort of kingdom called the United Kingdom, but it’s also called Great Britain, that’s made up of four countries united under one flag, that’s the marking on his jacket.” Fluttershy explained to Princess Celestia.

Celestia was a bit taken back. “My, he was that open? Just like that?”

“Hmm mmm. Soarin is really sweet Princess, he doesn't want any trouble, in fact, I think he’s in more pain of sadness then anything. It’s strange that his name is also almost the same as Soarin’s here. His full name is Soarin McLightning but it’s spelt weird.” she look at the banner still hanging.

Celestia listened to Fluttershy and took a look at the banner displaying his name. “Sometimes names are spelt a little differently to how they sound, Fluttershy, but he looks exactly like the Co-Captain Soarin of the Wonderbolts, and I believe he is from another world. One that is somewhat similar to ours and yet completely different at the same time.”

“That would explain the plane, pegasi flying those machines instead of their wings, it’s really strange.” Spike piped into the conversation. “To them dragons are just myths, so he was slightly unsure how to speak to me at first.”

“Interesting, at least we know the name of the machine in question.” A guard walked in with the log book.

He raised it to Celestia “This was found left in the hospital, I believe it is a log book for the flying machine.”

Celestia nodded. “Yes, I am aware of the log books, Twilight has all the paperwork found in the plane here in the library for safe keeping, speaking of Twilight, where is she?” Celestia looked around for her former student.

Spike shook his head. “She’s in her study writing out everything stored on that diary device thing that Soarin had, he also said we could call him Blue when our Soarin is in the same room, but he wasn’t very happy about it.”

“Does he not like the name?” Celestia’s eyes trailed over to Soarin.

Fluttershy answered this. “Oh that’s because it was a nickname his marefriend Mist gave him, it’s sort of a personal thing and he finds it a little embarrassing.”

“Hmm, I would like to speak with him when he awakes,” Celestia walked up to Soarin. “He has so many answers we seek, the arrival of him is one thing, the other matter is knowing his intentions and why he came to Equestria...”

The sound of hoofsteps made them all turn to see Twilight looking at all the papers around her as she walked. “Spike this is really strange, I was going over the recordings when something strange happened, the words started changing themselves... first it was mix of two of the same voice then the new one completely overlapped the other. I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing before, so I kept the notes of both versions to see what I could come up with... I wonder if this has something to do with what Rainbow Dash and Soarin told me about him feeling his mind was being rewritten, and that he was not a pony before he came here...”

They watched her walk over to the table and place all the papers down as she continued to talk about her findings. “It’s really strange, I’ve never heard of magic doing such a thing, it’s almost as if in coming to our world his whole life experience is changing, his view on the world he lived in, minor details here and there, the plane, the device, the photo... everything down to the smallest detail, not even Discord would have the magic to pull a stunt like that. This magic has to be careful, slow and patient to alter the physical form first, then the mental and internal side over time, which I believe is why he was in a coma. The magic did it and sustained his life...”

“Erm Twilight... Princess Celestia’s here...” Spike finally said to her.

Twilight turn around quickly. “Oh my gosh! Princess! I didn't even...”

“It ok Twilight, but your findings are troubling...” Celestia looked at the device and used her magic, in a flash she gasped. “There is a magical force inside this, it very strong and localised, I believe I can pull it out.” Celestia summoned her magic and pulled a small little orb of yellowish energy out of the device. “My word... this is impossible... the magic around this is greater than anything I have ever felt... this little thing is...” suddenly it exploded, causing everything and everyone to be thrown off their feet and hooves.

Soarin woke, finding something was on top of him, he looked up to see Celestia’s snout against his. “Gah!” He quickly got off, yelping in pain with his hind leg. “Wh-what the hell!?”

Celestia blushed and got up. “Sorry... the magic inside the device must have caused it to explode when I pulled it out...”

Soarin turned to see everyone was on the ground, groaning. Twilight was sprawled on top of one of the royal guards. “AHHHH!” Twilight teleported and appeared back at the desk. “That never happened!” She burst out at the guard.

“O-of course Princess... wasn't exactly my fault...”

“I know... sorry but that was just, well, embarrassing! So please keep it to yourself!” Twilight pleaded.

The guard nodded as he got up onto his hooves. “You have my word, Princess Twilight.”

“Thanks,” she sighed then looked at the papers, “Now I got to sort this mess out... but before I do...” she turned to the device. “I’ve got a idea...”

She took a small step back and began to summon her magic, her horn glowed purple and she released a bright beam of magic at the device, encasing it in a violet aurora. “It worked!”

“Can somepony explain what worked?” Soarin groaned as he almost fell over, but Fluttershy caught him and helped him up.

“I just used a memory spell on the device, it restored the true memory within it but it kept the new ones too... that’s not good...” Twilight turned to Soarin. “If we remove that magic in your head, if I am right that is, you would have two memories in your head... two versions of you... same life.. same past... same everything... I think you would have two souls within your body and they would fight for control...” Twilight summarised what she saw and came up with a theory. “This isn't any magic I have seen before... it is much more powerful...”

Spike ran in with a jar. “Twilight, you should use this, it should stop that orb thing from exploding when you get it out of his head!”

“Spike that perfect!” Twilight looked at Soarin “I am going to remove it...”

Soarin gulped. “Erm... what?”

“Celestia, we need to hold him down, this might take some doing, it’s now or never... if it completes it’s work then Soarin, you will lose who you truly are. We need to work fast.”

Soarin looked at Celestia, “She is correct, we caught on to the magical lights, they might increase the process you’re going through... it has already changed you in and out... it’s attacking you mentally as we speak.”

“It’s ok I'll be here.” Fluttershy said, reassuringly.

He sighed... “Do it...” Celestia used her magic to hold him in place as Fluttershy stood by him for support. Twilight stepped up and used her magic to try and locate it.

“Whoa, you’re right Celestia, it’s moving around, changing parts of his memories as I speak. I keep trying to locate it but when I do, it moves on...” Twilight could see the pain in his eyes, it was doing damage to him. “Ok, one shot... that’s all I’ve got...” Twilight closed her eyes and with all her focus, she found it and...

ZAP

She grabbed hold of it and pulled it right out of his head as he screamed out in pain, it was, struggling, fighting her magical hold but after a few moments it was out. Twilight quickly put it in the jar and closed the lid, using her magic to seal it. The yellow glowing magical light was going crazy, moving around trying to escape or even explode, it could do neither. But it didn't stop it from trying.

Soarin collapsed from the pain, unconscious. Twilight moved up to him, “This will be his fight... all we can do is wait...” Twilight used her memory spell on him, restoring his true memories but as she feared, the other new ones was still there...

Celestia knew only one pony that could help. “Twilight, my guards will stay here and aid you in whatever you need, I am going back to Canterlot right now to ask for my sister’s aid.” With that she was gone in a flash of light.

The guards helped Fluttershy put Soarin into the guest bed, she stayed with him as the guards stood just by the door while Twilight looked at her friend. “Guards, Fluttershy most likely will need help, whatever she needs you get it, ok?”

“We understand Princess” the unicorn saluted.

“Good, I am going to find out what the heck that magical thing is! That thing was powerful, it was highly focused on completing its task. I was just lucky it was more focused on that than on me pulling it out.” Twilight looked at the jar. “Spike, that jar of yours really came in handy.”

Spike smiled with pride “See I told you it wasn't a waste of money!”

“And I won't question you again about it... Good work Spike... Good work” Twilight hugged him with a smile. “You really are the best dragon that anypony could ask for, the day I hatched you was the best moment of my life.”

“Thanks Twilight, no need to get mushy.”

“Indeed, we’ve got work to do...” She look to the room where Soarin McLighting was in. “One, we wait for whatever Celestia got going and two, we are going to find out why somepony would go to great lengths to place a poor soul like Soarin in some magical fog for three days...”

Spike listened to this with a frown. “You make it sound like somepony was preparing him for arriving here.”

“Or it’s not the first time this has happened.” Twilight turned to Spike. “I want all the books on anything that is mysterious or strange in the last 700 years, anything to do with strange things ponies came in. Anything that had ponies out cold for almost a week or more as well, anything that matches that Spike.”

Spike didn't like where this was going. “Twilight you’re making this sound like it has happened before...”

“I have a very bad feeling it has, not only once but quite a few times.” Twilight stared at the jar's contents. “What secrets are you keeping?” She whispered.

Chapter 5: Dream

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 5: Dream

Luna closed her eyes and summoned her magic. Her horn glowed a bright blue as she prepared to enter the dreams of Soarin McLighting. Standing before her sister, she focused all her magical energy towards penetrating the barrier to Soarin’s subconscious and, once again, her spell failed to break through.

Luna’s eyes snapped open as a white flash flooded through the castle room and the spell faded to nothing. She snorted and growled in anger as she used her magic to blast a nearby vase to pieces. Celestia stood silent and watched, she didn't want to do anything to stop her sister from blowing off some steam, even if it meant a 200 year old vase was destroyed.

“This is absurd!” she growled in annoyance. “Twenty times! TWENTY FAILS! THIS IS RIDICULOUS! THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENTER ANY PONY’S DREAMS! HOW CAN WE BE REFUSED ACCESS TO THIS ONE STALLION!” Shouts in the Canterlot Voice and royal 'we' blasted through the halls and beyond the walls of the palace.

“If you’re done, I may have a suggestion, my sister.” Celestia said calmly to Luna.

Luna glared at her. “Why have you not told us already!?” She sneered. “We have been trying all day long and NOW you suggest another idea!?”

“Because I believe in you Luna, I believed you could do it. I didn't expect something like this, but after your eighteenth failure I decided to look into the matter,” celestia said, still calmly, to her sister who was walking up to the balcony, looking out to the night sky. “If you’re willing to listen to your older sister, that is.”

Luna sighed, letting her anger slip away a little. “We are still not pleased that you waited till now, especially after we made such a scene of ourselves...” she grumbled under her breath, looking away from Celestia.

Celestia sighed and picked up the pieces of vase with her magic, putting them back together. “Because sometimes it’s best just to let off some steam, even it does put somepony in the spotlight, although, I don't think you have to worry too much about that. Even thinking about the consequences of speaking about you in that way would scare most ponies half to death.” Celestia looked out the window towards some dazed ponies who were laughing at a guard’s attempts to pull his helmet off after being startled by Luna’s cries and slamming his head against a tree.

Luna walked up beside her and saw the scene unfolding before their eyes. “You’re enjoying this Tia...”

Celestia smiled mischieviously at Luna as she finished repairing the vase and placed it down. One piece was still missing. “Hmm it seems I am...” Luna held the small piece of china in her magic and lowered it into it’s place.

“See how we fixed this vase?” Celestia asked.

“Yes... We put it back together, it’s not as if this is the first time we’ve done so.” Luna turned her eyes away once more. “I hate that thing anyway.” Luna muttered to herself.

Celestia led Luna down the hallway as the palace guards carefully avoided looking up at Luna, fearing another outburst. “I believe that to enter Soarin McLightning's dream, we will have to go in together.”

Luna looked up at her, surprised. “But sister you, do not know how to enter dreams... Even after 1000 years alone raising and setting the sun and moon, you never once entered a pony’s dream.” Luna looked unsure as they made their way towards Celestia's private study.

“Indeed, that is true, which is why you’re going to have to teach me how to.” Celestia replied.

“M-me... Teach you!? I... Is this some sort of joke!?”

“No.”

Luna stopped in her tracks, she had never once thought Celestia, her older sister, would ask such a thing, to teach the sun princess to enter one’s dream. The idea was absurd, could Celestia even perform such a spell? Still, the reasoning behind it was solid. “Very well Tia... I accept”

They entered Celestia's study and Luna closed the door behind. With a flash of blue light a book appeared. Luna flipped through it and brought the book to Celestia. “I took your advice to write some of my spells down, including 'dream walking'. But I shall warn you sister, the first time will be off focus and rather overwhelming.”

Celestia took a look at the spell. “What exactly do you mean by that Luna?”

“You shall see...” Luna replied.

Celestia sighed and read the spell, closing her eyes she summoned forth the spell, but instantly her eyes went wide and the spell collapsed. “My word... that... I...” She was breathing heavily. “That was disturbing...”

“I did warn you Tia...”

“Yes you did, my sister. All those dreams, I couldn't focus on any of them, just a blinding flash of images... words... voices... sounds... desires... fears... love... friendship... it was all there, blended into one, even things that should never be seen.” Celestia breathed in and tried to refocus herself.

Luna just chuckled softly. “It seems that I have something that you cannot do sister, but fear not, you don't need focus, just cast the spell with me and I will lead.” Luna stood before Celestia with her horn glowing.

Celestia bowed a little. “My sister, I shall follow you into the dream of Soarin McLightning.” Celestia's horn lit up and touched Luna's, focusing the spell and connecting to Luna's thoughts.

Luna found Soarin’s voice and concentrated on entering. She once again met the barrier into his mind, but this time she felt it weaken slightly. She focused the combined magic of the two princesses on the weakened shield and felt it shatter. “We’re about to enter, when we go in, you will feel as though you have a body and are in reality, remember it is only a dream.”

“I understand...”

“Now we enter!”

In a blinding flash Celestia found herself standing before a massive stone building. Two guards stood at the heavy wooden doors. One was a human and the other was a pony, both were wearing bright glowing armour. “Amazing... Luna are you here?”

Luna stood beside her. “Yes Celestia I am here. What a strange place, those guards don't feel welcoming at all.” Luna stepped up to one. “You are in the presence of the Princess of the Night, we ask you, what is this place?” No answer. “We said...” She tapped him and he looked around.

“Who goes there!” He said aiming his machine gun at nothing. “Strange, I thought someone just touched me.”

“Just shut up. There’s nothing there, go back to daydreaming,” the pony guard muttered.

“You’re one to talk!” The man spoke back.

“Oh? What would the Imprint think of our infighting!?” The pony snapped.

“What, you mean this?” The man yelled out as he punched him.

“Ok, you asked for this, you stupid idiot!” The pony leapt at him.

Celestia and Luna looked to each other, then back at the two glowing armoured guards fighting each other. “That’s rather strange.” Celestia frowned. “I wonder, what, or who is this Imprint they speak of?”

“I have no idea sister, but this infighting is interesting though, it seems the human you spoke of and the pony are not on best of terms. Maybe it’s best if we enter this complex and find Soarin McLighting.”

“McLightning, it’s just spelt strangely.” Celestia corrected.

Luna shrugged. “Shall we enter?” She used her magic to open the doors, walking past the fighting guards, Celestia sighed and stopped. “Tia, wait.”

Celestia cast a spell on the guards and they both fell on top of each other, fast asleep. “Better...” Celestia smiled, turning to Luna. “Come on Luna, we don't have all day.” She trotted into the building.

Luna stared at the sleeping pair. “And I thought I was out of touch with time,” Luna muttered to herself and followed Celestia into the building.

Both princesses stopped and stared at what had appeared before them. In from of them was a perfect replica of the Wonderbolt Academy, but there something else there, mixed with it was a long airstrip from which a plane was taking off into the sky, engine roaring with jet thrust. They watched as it took off over a sea.

“I sense the merge of two lives mixed here. One is his and the other is of...” Luna turned to Celestia “It’s of the Wonderbolt co-captain. Did this Soarin dream the Wonderbolt's life?”

Celestia shrugged. “I do not know my sister but it this matter will have to be one we will talk with Mr McLightning about, after we talk reason to him.”

They turned to see Spitfire and Soarin in their wonderbolt outfits, walking by them talking to each other. They stopped and looked at the two princesses. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna what brings you to the Coast Cliff Academy?” Spitfire asked.

Luna frowned at the name, guessing it was to do with the location in the dream. “We were just looking for a pony or human by the name of Soarin McLightning.”

Soarin smirked. “Oh you mean my counterpart, he is on the other runway at hanger with the doors open, he is working on his spitfire.” He snickered and got hit on the head by Spitfire. “Ow... Spits...”

“What have I told you about that!?”

“Sorry Spits, I couldn't help it. How about we get a few slices of apple pie, Applejack brought her stand up today.” Spitfire rolled her eyes and with a nod they left, heading down the runway towards a stand with Applejack and Applebloom by it.

Luna and Celestia walked across to the hanger, exactly as Soarin had said, Soarin McLightning was stood at his plane working on it with two other ponies. “Get that line out and replace it, ok Nathan?”

“Sure thing Soarin.” The dark brown pegasus took out a pipe and threw it into a large bin, taking the new one he noticed the two princesses. “Whoa, look at these fine ladies.”

Soarin pulled himself out from under the plane, seeing them. “Hello again, Celestia, come to pick lightbulbs out of my head again?”

Celestia shook her head. “We came to find you, in fact, do you really know where you are?”

“Of course in the hanger with my mates, fixing up my plane. It got damaged in the last run, it had a run in with some sort of floating couch.” He rolled his eyes, getting laughter from the red mare. “Ruby shut up...”

“Sorry, but I find the whole thin' amusin' Soarin, yer just need to cheer up. We’ll get Blue Lightnin' sky worthy in no time.” She said, affectionately tapping the metal fuselage.

Soarin rolled his eyes. “Sure 'Captain' Ruby...” He grinned, she hated that name.

“I am not a captain! For the last time ya stupid Brit! I am the team leader of Team Spitfire, not a captain! So get yer tail back under that plane and fix it up before I just leave ya to it!” Ruby snapped at him.

Soarin saluted with his hoof. “Yes ma'am...” He turned to the princesses. “Sorry but you have to come back later, I got a lot of bloody work to do.”

Luna grinned “Oh I think you don't.” With a flash of magic the place folded over like paper and the plane was completed. He stood there, dumbfounded as his friends packed away, seemingly oblivious to what had happened.

Soarin turned to them quickly. “What in bloody hell was that?”

“That would be your dream fast forwarding.” Luna calmly replied.

Soarin stared at her then back to the plane and back to Luna. “Dream? How...”

Luna stood proudly. “I am Princess Luna, the princess of the night, I can enter the dreams of my subjects at will.”

Soarin rubbed his head. “Wow, talk about freaking magic. I knew the whole pegasi wing magic thing and horns from the unicorns, but entering other people’s dreams? That is just damn right creepy Princess Luna. No offence, but I don't like it when someone I don’t know enters my dreams, it’s just so… personal.”

“Well, what brings you to my dreams then?”

Celestia stepped forwards “Are you aware there was a force trying to change your life?”

“Sure”

“There are two memories now re... Wait what?” Celestia stared at him.

Soarin stood in front them and everything around them changed to a field of flowers. “Sorry, I’d rather keep my dreams to myself. In answer to your question, Celestia. I do know. One thing you saved in my head was the transformation, so it didn't take a genius to work out which memories were which, nevertheless, I decided to keep both. It was getting rather annoying, thinking about my life and seeing two things that are the same but knowing that one wasn't real.” Soarin walked over to a clear river and looked down at his reflection.

“When I look at this bloody face, I know that when I wake I will look at myself and see something different, different to who I really am.” Soarin turned to them. “But there was no way I was going to mope around and cry about it. There was no point to it. I just wanted to find a way to reverse this and go home. I hate the idea of being stuck in the world I have seen in my dreams for 15 years.”

Luna stood beside him, looking at the water flowing with the cool breeze in the summer sun. “That is why you dream of the pony life, you dream it because it is what comes to your memory first, is it not?”

“It’s a bloody nightmare, but it’s my nightmare.” He chuckled, sitting by the water side, splashing his hoof through it.

Luna turned to Celestia “What about this Imprint?”

“Indeed why would there be two guards to this dream?” Celestia replied.

A bright light appeared in front of them, levitating a short height above the ground. “Oh fucking great! The bloody lightbulb!” He got up and glared at it. “How about this you stupid lightbulb! Leave me alone and get lost! I remember my life as a human and the pony you gave me! Give up! You are not getting my life!” The yellow orb of light moved towards him firing a cloud of energy at him.

Luna stepped between Soarin and the orb and used her magic to shield him from it, Celestia joined in the protection. “This must be the Imprint, a small amount left behind to finish the job...” Celestia felt it’s magic trying to force her out of the dream. “Why are you doing this to those who enter our world!? Why are you causing this suffering!?”

It’s answer came with a more forceful attack and another beam of energy slammed into the shield. The Princesses were losing the battle to hold up the shield from it’s relentless barrage, growing stronger by the second. The fabric of the dream collapsed, shattering into a million pieces, leaving only a small platform with Soarin and the princesses standing before the bright light in the darkness.

Luna sneered, sliding back a little trying to hold her magic. “We shall not fail! Soarin McLightning resides in our land! He is under the protection from harm! Especially from you!” Luna fired a beam of magic right at the orbs blasts, the two forces hit with a explosive wave.

Celestia stood by her sister putting her horn to her’s. “Together we protect our subjects Luna.”

“Indeed, my sister,” Luna replied.

Soarin stepped back from the edge as the platform began breaking away. Filled with anger and rage over what this light had done to him, “THAT’S IT!” he yelled out. “I have had it with you, stupid lightblub!”

He stood in front of the princesses, pointing a hoof it. “I know who I am and what you did to me! I had the perfect life! I was going to propose to Mist! I loved that girl with all my heart and I will show you what happens when you mess with the British! Especially one that will never get to see his love again. I will make you sorry for messing with a RAF pilot and his life!” He flew into the beam of the princesses with his friends appearing alongside him.

“I AM SOARIN MCLIGHTNING! WITH MY FRIENDS TEAM SPITFIRE IS UNITED, NOT FOR WHAT WE ARE BUT FOR WHO WE ARE! I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT WE’RE MADE OF!”

The princesses’ magic fused into the shape of three Spitfires, flying right for their goal, all unleashing two beams of energy from their wings. They charged through the beam of the Imprint, hitting it with a blinding flash of light.

Soarin gasped and sat up in bed, scaring Fluttershy in the process. “Oh my goodness...” She gulped, seeing him awake. “Mr McLightning, please relax, your safe,” she whispered to him.

Soarin breathed heavily, looking over to her. “I beat it...” He whispered. “I beat the bloody lightbulb, thanks to the princesses’ help.”

“How? It’s still in the jar in Twilight's study and Princess Celestia has not been around since yesterday.” Fluttershy replied.

Soarin blinked. “Did you say yesterday?”

“Erm... Yes...”

Soarin groaned, putting his hooves over his face. “Another bloody day sleeping. Is this all that’s going to happen to me. I’m going to be stuck bedridden?”

“No, of course not, you looked well rested. Why don't you get out of bed and come down to have some lunch with me at the café?” Fluttershy suggested.

Soarin sat up again and climbed out of bed. “That sound better than being stuck here. I do feel rested, and quite hungry.” He chuckled lightly. “Thanks for taking care of me Fluttershy.”

“You’re welcome, why don't you go and see Twilight while I quickly go home first to take care of my animals.” Soarin nodded to her and she left.

Soarin saw the guards looking at him when he put his leather jacket on, pulling his wings through the holes and zipping it up. “This is going to be a bloody long week...” He grumbled to himself.

Celestia finished raising the sun and turned to Luna. “Never again I will enter a subject's dream, Never again.”

Chapter 6: Two Sides of a Coin

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 6: Two Sides of a Coin

“No, you won't Soarin, because it’s your first real dream in 15 years and, even though I am not really Mist, you are my love and there is one thing you should know about me, I can be very stubborn at times.”

Soarin took a sip of his tea, thinking about the amazing dream he had after blacking out from the crash. He remembered those words Mist spoke to him all too well. It was something she would really say to him, and one of the few things that really kept him going while he was stuck in Equestria.

“Excuse me, are you Soarin McLightning?”

Soarin was sitting with Fluttershy, enjoying lunch with a new found friend. He turned to the pink, green eyed earth pony who had walked up to their table.

“Oh hi Cheerilee, why are you looking for Soarin?”

“A good question Fluttershy.” Soarin was curious now.

Cheerilee sat with them at the table outside the café. “I was wondering if it was alright to bring my class to your flying machine tomorrow for a school field trip. It’s not everyday you see something from another world, especially when it is brought here by a pony such as yourself. You might look like the Soarin we all know, but from listening to the way you speak, I can see you are clearly nothing like him.”

Soarin chuckled. “I guess with the barrier and guards, you haven't been able to get close to it right?” Cheerilee nodded. “Well, I guess there’s no harm in showing the kids my plane.” Soarin picked up the sandwich and just before he ate it he said one more thing.

“The plane is called a spitfire, a name given that make of plane during a war in my world. It was first used to defend the skies of United Kingdom in the name of queen and country.”

“It’s no more than a flight display craft nowadays, but Blue Lightning has new life in her. I spent a lot of hours and money putting her back together after Mist pointed her out to me at a scrapheap. The original name of the plane was Lucky Spit. I changed the name after replacing almost everything about the plane and installing a personally designed fuel converter that I had designed during my career with the RAF as a test pilot.”

“You’ve really got to know a lot about planes and their engines when you do something like that. It was during that time when I first met Mist. That day was the most memorable day of my life. We’d got into this fight about a new plane that had just come through. In the end it came down to a bet on and I won it. We’ve been going out with each other since then, until about 10 or so days ago that is, when I got stuck in that fog and ended up landing here.”

“Now I’ve got two sets of memories in my head, I’ll probably never see my friends again and despite all of that, I am sitting here, enjoying this bloody great lunch on an amazing sunny day. Back home it’d be a bloody miracle to get weather like this.”

As Soarin spoke, he was beginning to somewhat erratically wave his hooves around, almost dropping his sandwich multiple times, he noticed a small crowd had gathered around him but he kept on speaking regardless. Fluttershy was listening intently and even Rainbow Dash had joined the masses.

“Also, unlike in Equestria, nopony controlled the weather, it does it all itself.” He crossed his forelegs with a smirk, looking at Fluttershy, completely oblivious to the crowd around him.

“Really? Why the hay not?” Soarin looked up to see Rainbow Dash.

Soarin looked around at the ponies, all waiting patiently for an answer. “Wow, that’s quite a crowd. There must be at least 30 ponies here...”

With a shrug as he took his sandwich again. “Because the politics wouldn’t allow it, too many countries, too many problems and too much mistrust between them. If any one country controlled the weather, there would be nothing stopping them from dumping it on another country. A treaty was signed so that no pony controlled the weather and that’s how it been since. Although not everypony agrees, especially since the 2013 flooding and tidal surge. That’s why loads of ponies want Britain to break away from Europe and the UN and all that crap.”

He paused and rubbed his head as he realised what he had just said.

“Talk about two sides of a coin...” He muttered. “In the human version there’s no way to control the weather but in the Pony version of my memory, pegasi can't control it because they’re not allowed too. Very confusing...” He gazed at his sandwich and begin to eat it.

“Thank you for telling that interesting tale Soarin. It is absolutely fascinating to hear about other places and how things work there.” Cheerilee smiled as she stood up. “I bid you farewell, Soarin McLightning.”

“Ok everypony you heard what you needed to! Back to whatever you’re doing!” Rainbow Dash ordered, scooting them all away and breaking up the crowd. She turned to Soarin. “Catch ya at Sweet Apple Acres, I’ve got some moves to practice.”

“Oh, erm… Wait Rainbow,” Fluttershy timidly called up at Rainbow Dash, as she was about to fly off. “How did your date go with our Soarin?”

Rainbow Dash froze and turn to the two. “Oh that, well... Erm... It... Kinda well, I guess.”

“And by that you mean that It went better than expected and you can't wait to see him again.” Soarin bluntly replied and took a defined sip of his tea, without looking up at the rainbow maned pony.

Rainbow Dash’s cheeks went bright red, “Erm, yeah… Gotta dash!”

As Rainbow Dash flew away in a burst of colour, fluttershy giggled. “You sure are witty Soarin.”

“Well, if you can't be chilled about life then what fun is there in living?” Soarin replied, finishing the last of his sandwich. “Mist always told me to just sit back and chill.”

He looked sadly at Fluttershy. “She was right too. I just wish that it hadn’t taken knowing that I will never see her again for me to figure that out...” He sighed. “Guess I am lucky to at least remember who I am and not the fake life that was almost imposed on me, right?”

“I guess, Soarin.” Futtershy replied and then asked. “What are your plans for today?”

Soarin finished off his tea as Fluttershy finished her meal. “I was planning on checking on my plane, I need to see the amount of damage that was done to it and see if I can find a place for it. I don't like the idea of it being in a middle of a field.” Soarin got off the seat flexing his wings. “Also I wouldn't mind trying these out. Care to fly with me?”

Fluttershy got off the stall. “Sure, I wouldn't mind a gentle short flight to Sweet Apple Acres.” Fluttershy opening her wings up.

Soarin pulled the zip up a little on his jacket. “Ladies first.” He put a hoof out.

“Thank you.” She took off and he took flight alongside her. “Erm... It’s mares first.”

Soarin shrugged. “Ladies, mares. They mean the same thing to me.” He chuckled.

“I guess.” Fluttershy was laughing a little as they flew off to Sweet Apple Acres.

Upon arriving at the site, he could see the barrier with two guards by it. Both of them unicorns. Soarin and Fluttershy landed a few meters in front of them. He step up and addressed the two ponies. “Name’s Soarin McLightning, I’d like to enter to inspect my plane please.”

The unicorn guards look at each other, then at Fluttershy and Soarin. “Princess Celestia said you would come to inspect this strange machine.”

“A plane huh?” The other said, looking at it. “So that’s the name for this flying machine?” He turned to Soarin.

“Sure is, it’s make is called a spitfire, name of the plane is Blue Lightning. I personally named the old girl after restoring it with a lot of hard work.” Soarin said, looking at the plane with pride.

The guards nodded without saying a word and opened up the barrier like a door, letting them in. “Thank you guards.” Fluttershy smiled to them.

“No trouble at all ma'am.” The guard saluted and they stood back into position, closing the barrier behind the two pegasi as they stepped up to the plane.

Soarin walked around to the clearly damaged part of the plane. The landing gear was bent and buckled with the wheel and other pieces missing, from the drag marks in the ground he could see the damage gear had dug into the mud. Thankfully the wing hadn’t been ripped off, although as Soarin checked it he could see it had been damaged and dented by the impact.

“Blue Lightning, you crafty plane, you’ve done it again.” He smiled, flying up and landing on the wing, tapping it with an hoof. “The lucky streak continues.” He chuckled. “Only problem though...” Soarin climbed into the cockpit and, flipping a few switches, brought up the systems on the plane and the roaring sound of the engine coming to life.

“Epp!” Fluttershy squeaked, quickly backing off from the plane.

Soarin quickly cut the engines and climbed out. “Sorry about that Fluttershy, just checking the engine still works and it’s safe to say it does.”

“That was rather noisy...” Fluttershy replied. “But how does it take off?”

Soarin look to the damage and shook his head. “A runway, it just needs enough speed and a wing with a landing gear.” Soarin landed beside her. “The plane needs to be repaired before it can fly again. The electrics are working fine, it’s just the wing and the landing gear that need fixing, and I most likely need fuel to fill up the tank...” Soarin turned to his plane. “All three things which won't be easy to do. Especially if you don't have anything like this in Equestria.”

“Maybe we can make them for ya.” Fluttershy and Soarin turned to see Applejack standing there before them.

Soarin looked at the plane and then back at Applejack. “I highly doubt you can fix the plane with what you’ve got around here. The stuff I need will most likely have to come from cities like Manehatten, which will not come cheap.” He stared at his plane once more. “It will take finding parts that are the right size to replace the damaged parts and some sort of replacement fuel for the engine to run on...” Soarin sighed. “This is going to take a lot of bloody work... Once again.” He put a hoof to the side of the plane. “You never make it easy for me, Blue Lightning...”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Are ya talkin' to that machine?”

Soarin chuckled. “Sure am, Blue Lightning is a stubborn spitfire, she’s old and grumpy. Always needs attention to keep her in the air.” Soarin turned to Applejack. “By any chance is there a place to put my plane? Somewhere that’s not in the open like this.”

Applejack thought about it, putting a hoof to her snout. “Ah might have a place. It’s not been used for quite some time but with some TLC ah think it might do for this flyin' machine of yer's.”

“What the catch?” Soarin gave Applejack a suspicious look.

“No catch, the princesses already compensated for this thin' bein' in mah field. The building is never used, and it sits close to this field as well. Ah believe it’d be perfect for this thin',” Applejack tap the forcefield. “Open up fellows.”

Applejack stepped out, turning to both pegasi. “So what are yer waitin' for? Hearth Warmin'?” Soarin shrugged. Along with Fluttershy, they followed Applejack out the forcefield and to where ever she was taking them.

Wonderbolt Academy

Soarin finished putting his uniform on for the academy. Looking at himself in the mirror, he smiled. “Looking good Soarin.” He turned to see Spitfire standing at the door way. “You’re right on time.”

“Well, I can't let you have all the fun teaching the new recruits, right?” Soarin straightened his tie. “Also, thanks for the last few days off. I really needed it.” Soarin stared at his reflection. “I got to talk to him.”

“Oh? What’s is he like?” Spitfire asked.

Soarin laughed a little. “Nothing like me, that’s for sure. He has some crazy accent behind his voice and he’s seriously loyal to his own team back in his world. You wouldn't believe what it’s called though.”

“Enlighten me.” Spitfire replied, curious.

“Team Spitfire.”

“Seriously!?”

“Yeah I am, it’s a team of three ponies flying those machines, they’re call spitfires. Some sort of very old plane, that’s what he call the flying machines,” Soarin explained as they walked out of the changing room down to the offices. “From what I heard before I left for here, those things used to be used for some war about 80 odd years ago, during this big fight in the sky called the 'Battle of Britain'. There were a lot of those spitfires back then and they battled it out in the skies over his home country to protect the lands from some force called ‘Nazi Germany’. Not sure what Nazi is but it sounds really evil if you ask me.”

Spitfire chuckled. “Sound like a load of old horsetales if you ask me.”

Soarin shrugged. “Maybe, Spits, but you can't prove or disprove it, to him it’s history, to us it could be no more than horsetales. To him we were nothing more than that, until he found himself talking to me.” Soarin pointed out, recalling the talk on the roof and the breakfast party. “It was pretty awesome hanging out with Rainbow Dash though, sitting under the stars at Winsome Falls. It was a really cool date.”

“Date!?” Spitfire turned to face him. “Did you just say you went on a date with Rainbow Dash!?”

Soarin stood proud. “Sure did, and I enjoyed it too. Next time I’ve got some leave, I am going on another with her. This time I’m picking the settings though.”

Spitfire laughed as she walked on with him. “Soarin, you’re one of a kind you know that?” Spitfire opened the door, letting him in. “But it’s good to know you finally found somepony you like. I won't hold it against ya. You’ve always been a close buddy of mine Soarin, even if I have occasionally ated like a total jerk towards ya.”

“Hey, Spits, I told ya, I'm not holding what happened at the tryouts against you. We all learned a powerful lesson from Rainbow Dash and you respect her for what she is.” Soarin stepped up to his desk, opening the draw to find the folders of the recruits that he would be teaching.

Spitfire stood by the door, still smiling at her friend and co-captain. “Soarin, even if there is second you here in Equestria, he’s nothing like you at all. But I would still like to see what sort of skills he’s got, you know, just for comparison.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying? You want him to come to the HQ?” Soarin looked at her with a frown.

“Sure do Soarin. It’s better to let the rest of the team face him directly, than just tell them that Soarin McLightning is living in Ponyville until he finds a way home.” Spitfire said, putting on her shades.

Soarin thought about it for a moment. “You make a good point Spitfire but I doubt he will come if we ask him via letter.”

Spitfire smirked as she turned to leave the office. “Oh I’ve got that covered.” And she was gone.

Soarin opened the folder and stared at it for a second. “I wonder what she’s got planned... I bet it’s something good.” Soarin smiled and continued checking out the cadets he would be training.

Mist

Mist walked to the office at the airbase with her fist closed up in a ball on her right hand, she was seeing red at this point and storming towards the commander's office. Five guards stood before her with their hands placed carefully on the weapons they each carried. “Sorry miss, but the commander is...” He put a hand out to her and the next thing he got was a punch right in the face followed by a roundhouse kick, knocking him flat on the ground.

The other guards quickly stepped back as she pinned him to the floor with her hands on his arm pulling it back and digging a knee into his back. “You don't want to mess with me, you bloody idiot. I am not in the mood for the 'too busy' crap. If you want to keep using this hand to drink your beer you will shut up and not stop me.”

“Y-yes ma'am...” The guard replied. She let go of him and stood up, being sure to step on him as she walked towards the door that the other guards had hastily abandoned.

She lifted her right leg up and, with a mighty push, kicked the door open, smashing the lock and splintering the wooden frame of the door. “You’d better have a bloody good reason for trying to force me off this base!”

The grey-haired man behind the desk, wearing a blue uniform, sat calmly, looking at her. “Mist, I am sorry to say but your services are no longer required. This operation is now under military control. It’s been almost two weeks since the disappearance of the spitfire and her pilot Soarin McLighting...”

“McLightning...” She said coldly to him.

“Yes...” He cleared his throat and stood up, looking out of the window at the fog bank at the end of the runway that stretched out for a few miles either way and about a mile high. “His disappearance and the strange behaviour of this fog bank has attracted quite the media attention.”

Mist glared at him, then at the fog bank.

“That fog made the plane simply disappear, we now believe that it is some sort of static fog bank that somehow caused Soarin to crash into the North Sea.”

“Then why is there no wreckage or a body!?” She snapped at him, slamming her fist into the desk. “Tell me that, you stupid prick!”

“I can't, but I’m afraid there is still no sign of him, he is dead... Simple as that.” The commander said, turning to her. “Now you have till the end of the week to clear out your stuff and to leave this airfield.”

Mist took him by the shirt, pulling him close to her. “You listen here you prick! One. He is not dead.” She raise a finger up. “Two. That is not normal atmospheric behaviour! She pointed at the fog bank. “And Three, you will have to shoot me personally to get me off this airbase, sunshine.” She released him, pushing him forcefully into his chair. “Now, if you’re done with your empty threats I’ve got to go back to his team mates and figure out what that fog bank really did to him.” She turned to leave the room.

The man shook his head. “I don't have to shoot you all I have to do is...” Before he could finish a knife landed with a thud on the desk, right between his hands. He stared at it, and then at Mist.

“Try it, and next time it won't miss...” Mist gave him a cold, dark look and stormed out.

The commander took the knife out of his desk, looking at the sharp blade. “It seems we are at a stalemate...” He tossed the knife into the wall. “Again... I really can't stand that woman but she and her friends are holding all the cards... And I am holding their planes. All we can do is let the threats between us continue.”

Ruby chuckled as Mist walked by her and Nathan down the corridor. “Let me guess, empty threats again?”

“Like always.” Mist replied.

“So what’s the plan, Mist?” Nathan asked.

Mist turned her eyes to Ruby then to Nathan. “I am going after him. But I will need my plane.”

Ruby smirked. “Leave that to us sugar. I’ve got a plan that will really liven this place up, and boy howdy it’ll be a show!”

Nathan looked over to Ruby. “You don't mean what I think your thinking...”

Ruby gave him that sly smile. “Sure thin' partner, this is goin' to be a ho down like no other.”

“Oh this is going to be sweet.” Nathan liked this idea already. “So, when do we move?”

Mist stopped and turned around, facing both of them. She said one word. “Midnight.”

Chapter 7: The Fog Bank Mystery

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 7: The Fog Bank Mystery

“Today marks day 13 since the appearance of the mysterious fog bank floating over the North Sea. The local area has been entirely cordoned off by the police and the RAF has taken control of the nearby village and Airfield. Authorities are unable to comment on the progress they may or may not have made in the search for Team Spitfire pilot Soarin McLightning, whose plane vanished two weeks ago, after flying into the strange fog, however they advise citizens to stay away from the area.”

An image on the television showed the plane entering the fog with a shimmer of light. A few seconds later, the other planes quickly turn away as there is no sign of the Blue Lightning re-emerging from the dense cloud.

“Officials claim the flash of light, clearly seen as the plane entered the event was ‘a reflection of sunlight on the plane, and nothing more', however, a lack of clear evidence to support this theory has brought it to the attention of a number of other countries. The USA has stationed two of their destroyers about 20 miles out to tracking this fog, German, French and Russian ships also have a presence in the area, carefully watching for any change in the pattern or behaviour.”

The reporter turned back to face the fog bank. “Officials still claim that this is a simple static fog bank yet why hasn't it moved yet, and why has it attracted the attention of the whole world? These are questions yet...”

Mist picked up the control and slammed down on the button, switching off the TV. “Bloody media,” she muttered to herself. “Every night it the same damn things, no answers, no results and one more bloody headache...”

She tossed the remote onto the table and walked over to the window. Outside, the orange glow of the setting sun was being swallowed by the heavy grey mass floating over the ocean, casting a brown haze over the village. The sky above the normally peaceful settlement was dominated by the relentless rumble of the helicopters flying above, shining their searchlights onto the fog.

Mist thought about to the last time she saw Soarin, she pulled out a box from her pocket, opened it and looked through it’s contents. “Oh Soarin...”

“Hey Blue!” He stopped and put a hand to his head. A lady with ginger hair and wearing a flight suit ran up to him, carrying a helmet. “Ready for the show?”
“Sure am Mist and it's 'Soarin' now, not Blue... how many times do I have to tell ya?” He said with his arms crossed.
“Now come on, I know you like me calling you that sweetheart, if you're in a bad mood so be it, just leave your bad mood on the ground when you're in the sky ok?” She prodded her finger on his chest, put the other hand on his side of the face and gave a kiss on the lips. “Have fun Soarin.”
Mist walked away, looking back a little at him as he left the hangar. With a smile, she stood by the harrier hangar doors. “Tonight I got a surprise for you, Blue.” She put her hand into her pocket and pulled out a small box containing a small lightning bolt with the ribbon under it encased in gold. “Perfect for you Soarin,” she whispered with a soft smile, putting her head against the door with a warm smile.

Mist watched the planes take off soon afterwards, she watched the three spitfires fly off...

Mist put her hand gently over the golden badge with new determination. “Mist!” She slammed close the box and put it in her jacket pocket before turning and getting up to see Ruby holding a old looking book under her arm. “Yer got to see this!” She was breathing heavily.

“It must be important for you to be out of breath, where the heck did you run from?” Mist was walking over to Ruby, taking the book from her.

Ruby walked up to the table, taking the jug of water and poured into a glass, she gulped down the cool liquid and sighed. “That’s better...” She breathed. “I ran to the village and back. I recalled readin' a book in the village library, it might be very tiny but that old book is almost 500 years old.”

“500 ye...” Mist gasped, holding it out looking at the red beat up cover then glaring at Ruby. “Are you insane!? This book is a historical icon for the village! If they find out it...”

Ruby put a hand up. “I got permission from the guy that ran the place. He saw me rush in and when I explained about the book, he just handed it right to be sugarcube.”

Mist look to the book and back to Ruby. “Riiiiigggghhhtttt...”

“Just open the book sugar...” Ruby muttered with aggravated voice.

Mist decided to amuse her, she opened the book and turned to the bookmarked page. It was an old ink drawing of a ship above handwritten notes, a report that was made for the royal crown in 1567. For a brief moment she felt a strange tingling feeling in her hand as she held the bookmark, she put it down on the table and opened and closed her hand, until the strange tingling sensation faded away.

“HMS Raven Horse, a ship carrying unknown secret cargo by the order of the Queen to bring back from the west coast of the North Sea mysteriously vanishes during its return voyage to the east coast of Britain while travelling through dense mist. Reports from the escort ship, HMS London, suggest that, though the HMS Raven Horse entered the fog, she never emerged and was believed to have been hijacked by pirates, operating under the cover of the fog...” Mist summarised it without going into the old English tongue of 'thy' and 'thou'.

“Interestin' isn't it?” Ruby was leaning against the wall, drinking another glass of water.

Mist walked over to the window, with the book in her hand. “So this fog bank the same one?”

“No idea, sugarcube, but the only way to find out is to go in, I wish I could go in with ya and find Soarin mahself, but we only got time to get one plane airborne and that’s yer one.” Ruby walked over to the window, looking out to the fog as the night drew in. “I do wonder what this secret content was though...”

Mist recalled an event that had sparked interest when she was with Soarin in London. They were visiting the London Museum when they was very young, just over 15 years ago, but the images in her head felt strange, she felt light headed. Dropping the book, she stumbled backwards and tripped, landing on her back with the book on top of her chest. “Mist! Sugarcube! Are you ok!?” Ruby's voice was fading. “Mist...”

Boom!

The alarms were going off all over the place in London’s Natural History Museum, large doors slammed shut, sealing the museum off section by section. The staff were trying to keep, the now trapped, public from panicking. In one section of the museum a group of school children on a trip were trapped in the section displaying the mysterious artefact that was discovered from the wreck of the HMS London.

Two guards, a member of staff, and the teacher lay unconscious with impact marks on their bodies. Most of the children were huddled together, terrified of the figure in a large black cloak, carrying the artefact in a bag hanging over it’s back. “Shut your mouths you stupid little humans! Or I will shut them for you, permanently!” She sneered at them.

Mist was holding onto one of the boys who had been hit in the frenzy, a line of blood was running down from his head. “Wh-why are you d-do-doing this? Wh-what are you?”

“Typical that they would hide the truth. Humans are always the same, deceitful, untrusting and greedy!” Mist saw the head of the figure begin the glow. The hood and the cloak pulled back to reveal something entirely impossible.

“Only you can see who I am little girl, the rest are all asleep.”

Mist turned to see they they wereindeed all passed out. She gulped, still holding her friend close to her, “You’re a Unicorn... But that’s impossible, there’s no such thing!”

The unicorn stomp her hoof a few times on the floor. “Oh please...” She turned to the ringing alarms . “One second.” Sparks of energy came from her horn and exploded outwards, cutting out all the power off. “Better.” She smirked and turned to Mist. “As you can see I am here, talking to you brat.”

“Why are you doing this!? What did the humans do to you!?” Mist yelled at her. “What did we do!? We’re only kids! You hurt Soarin! That’s just plain mean!”

The unicorn rolled her eyes. “Fine...” She point her horn at him and fired a beam of magical energy hitting him. “There, he’s all better now. What harm I did is all healed with a simple healing spell. Unlike you humans I am not cruel, the others are only stunned, I don't use lethal magic.”

“Magic!? That’s really magic!? That amazing! But why are you here?”

The unicorn was walking up to a door that was sealing them off from the other parts of the museum. “Simple, to get back what belong to us.” She turned to face the young child. “Almost 500 years ago a group of humans from these shores found a way to our world. They stole magical artefacts that they had no right to take! Your stupid crown ordered them to blow the gateway up, it has taken us half a millenium to repair it!”

“What does it do?” Mist asked.

The unicorn was clearly growing tired of answering questions. She took the artefact out using her magic. “As you wish, child. I will show you! It does.. THIS!” A ball of light exploded out of the strange artefact and slammed into Mist and Soarin with a flash of light.

Mist blinked a few times and uncovered her eyes. When she saw what had happened, she let out a surprised gasp. Her hand wasn't her hand anymore. It was a snow blue, furry... “Hoof!? My hand! It’s a hoof! What...” She turned her head and looked behind her to see small wings protruding out of her back. When she looked around everything was... slightly bigger than before. “What did you do to me and Soarin!?” She saw her best friend turned into a light blue... “Pegasus... He and I are...”

“Yes you are... Jeez don't look so shocked, you asked for it, child, you and all the rest of you humans. Not even Princess Celestia knows about this magic. It’s forbidden transmutational magic magnified to a scale never seen before. You humans ruined our plans a long time ago, we were going to use this magic to defeat the Griffins and claim their lands for Equestria. Princess Celestia would never know what we had done until it was too late, and by that point she would have bigger problems than a band of rebellious ponies.” She was walking back and forwards, spitting out the words as the ranted at us.

“But then you stupid humans had to interfere! My ancestors had to go into hiding. We were banished for centuries, left to starve in the Frozen North.” She turn glaring at Mist. “I should just keep you two as you are and teach you a lesson but I won't, not now anyway... I need time to change the plans my ancestors had, and put my new plan into motion.” She grinned darkly. “The British Empire, I learned about this little island, how it was the most powerful country in the world once, touched every corner of the globe, or so they say. Now look at you, pathetic...”

Mist was unsteady on her new hooves. Placing Soarin down gently, she tried to stand on the hind legs as if she was human but fell over on her short limbs. Eventually, she managed to adjust by standing on her front legs too. She felt the cool air-conditioning flowing through her fur and fiery orange mane and tail; she liked this pegasi feeling, her small wings ruffling, begging to open out and lift her off the ground. “Wow, this is kinda fun. I feel so alive!”

“Of course, being a pony is far better than being a human.” The unicorn grinned. “I am going to turn you back now, it is time I left this place, but don't worry. Slowly the spell will begin to reignite; you will become a pony again, and when that time comes the British Empire will be the new pony land of Earth, a land that, under my leadership, will demonstrate the true power of magic and technology working side by side.” The unicorn put a hoof under her chin. “Now close your eyes and rest my little pegasi friend.”

“O-oh ok...” Mist look to Soarin. “Thank you miss...” She yawned. “I don't know why you’re talking about me being human though, I never was...”

“No you weren't, your mind was just playing tricks sweetheart.” The unicorn kissed her on the forehead. “Now sleep and we will meet again.”

“Ok... Goodbye Miss...” Mist yawned, settling down beside the young colt pegasi Soarin.

The unicorn used her magic to pull a sheet over them. “Now sleep well, child, and don't worry. The magic in this artefact made your memories better, they allowed you to see who you truly are, not what you thought you were.”

“I understand, now I know I remember who I really am!” She smiled warmly, yawning again.

“Sleep tight little one, sleep tight little one. Let your eyes close, let the dreams come. Sleep tight little one and may your dreams be blissful.” The unicorn sang in a soft whisper and soon Mist closed her eyes and feel asleep. The unicorn sighed. “I wish I could just keep you as you are, young one, but I can't let anypony or human know what I am up to... Sweet dreams...” She used the magic of the artefact on them...

Mist eyes snapped open. “Mist! Yer awake!” Ruby cried out, putting a hand to her arm. “Nathan was right, those smelling salts were just what you needed.”

Mist coughing a little, sitting up. “Urg... That’s why I feel like crap...” She put a hand to her head. “I had a weird dream... No, not a dream, a memory… A memory of something that happened in a museum when I was a child...” Mist got up off the sofa. “Do you remember hearing or seeing anything about a artefact from HMS London being stolen from the Natural History museum in London?”

Ruby gave her a glass of water and let her drink it. “Yes I do, in fact Mist, it was all over the NBC news. The thief not only escaped but set off some kind of EMP in the process.” Ruby replied. “They never found out who was responsible.”

Mist sighed. “I was there... In fact, I remember who stole it...”

“What!? Who!?”

“A mint blue unicorn with a yellow mane wearing a black cloak.” Mist replied bluntly, staring at her glass.

Ruby rubbed her head a little. “Mist that’s pretty crazy. First of all unicorns are myths and secondly, they’re white, not blue,” Ruby replied. “Yer sure what you saw back then?”

Mist sighed heavily. “Yes, something else happened that day too. She used the artefact on me with her magic. It turned me and Soarin into small winged ponies, pegasi. In fact, when she used it on me, I thought I had always been one. That thing didn’t just change me physically, but mentally too!” Mist got up and walked to the window, looking out to the fog bank and the helicopters shining their lights on it.

Ruby stood by her. “Your goin' in aren't ya?”

“Yes, we’re going as planned, this isn't only a mission to find Soarin, but it’s now a mission to stop that bloody mare from changing the United Kingdom and all those that on it’s shores into walking, talking, magical ponies.” Mist announced, clenching her first. “No one should have the power to change someone’s life like that!”

Ruby was a bit startled by this. “Did ya just say what I think… Mist, are you sure you’re feeling alright.”

“Yes...” Mist turned to her. “Yes I did. Her plan is to turn the UK into a new improved Pony Country. And when I say pony, I don't mean the dumb grass chewing ones. I mean, these ponies can talk, they can use magic, she was able to completely change my memories. I remember it now though, clear as day... Whatever it is, it needs to be destroyed.”

Ruby turned to her and gasped. “Mist I don’t think we can wait until Midnight...”

“What the hell do you mean by that!?” Mist snapped at her.

Ruby pointed to the window and Mist turned to see her ears were sticking out of her ginger hair and they were now snow blue, and furry. “Oh shit...”

Nathan came in. “We’re set, all you need is...” He stopped, looking right at Mist. “Mist, what’s with the horse ears? Is there something I missed?”

“Pony ears!” They twitched a little with her angry reaction.

Nathan blinked a few times. “Holy fuck! They’re real!” He stepped back. “What the heck’s happening to you!?”

“Remembering must be some kind of trigger, she must have...” Mist felt uneasy all of a sudden. “My legs, they’re...” Mist felt her feet raise up, unable to stop them, she felt and watched her feet lengthen. Her thighs and calves shortened and positioned themselves permanently bent. Soon her height became to change, shrinking slightly. She felt something grow out of backside, it was ginger, like her hair.

They watched as her jeans and underwear just fell around her new, furry lower torso and hind legs. She lifted one leg up with ease, stepping out of the shoes and jeans to reveal a hoof, it touched the surface of the ground with a clop, soon joined by her other new hoof. “Holy shit! This isn't good...” Nathan yelled.

“Nathan, get them ready now! I will get Mist to her plane!” Nathan didn't have to say anything, he just ran out of the room to do his part. “Mist fight it! Yer’ve got to get to ya plane!” Ruby took her by the arm and helped her to walk.

Mist was struggling to fight the changes that were happening to her. “I'm trying... Gah that bloody bitch!” Mist sneered, feeling something strange happening on her flank, she saw appear before her eyes a symbol, A red lightning bolt with a swirling cloud behind it. To add to her problems, she felt her torso changing to match the rest of her lower body. Her chest reformed and changed, she could feel the fur all over her body now.

Ruby sprinted her to the hangar bay as quickly as she could, opening the harrier, she helped the now winged and rapidly changing friend into it. “Come on,Mist! Fight it!”

Mist look at her hands as they tightened up and changed before her eyes into hooves. She felt her head compress and stretch out into a short snout and large eyes. Somehow, her jacket had stretched to accommodate her new body shape. “Don't worry. I won't let that bitch do what she did to me last time.” Mist flipped the switches and the engine jumped to life. “Get out of here Ruby, and keep safe...”

“I will Mist... Tell Soarin hi for me, ok?”

“Sure.” Mist nodded. Ruby closed up the cockpit and gave Mist a thumbs up before jumping down and stepping away.

As if on cue a huge explosion of fireworks started to go off all over the place throughout the airfield. Panicked and confused guards ran around, trying to work out what was causing the mysterious explosions. The Commander in his office could see the commotion outside. “What the hell is going on out there!?” He grabbed the phone to find out but before he could do anything, he spotted the harrier taxiing out from the hangar, towards the runway. “Mist!” He snatched the radio. “Mist! Whatever you’re going to do, don't! You hear me?”

Mist chuckled, placing the helmet onto her new head. “I’m not sure how this still fits, but after all that has happened to me, growing wings, hooves, a tail, I am not going to argue with an impossible helmet.” Mist flipped the switch as the craft vertically took off. She heard the commander on the line, shouting orders at her. “Only way you’re going to stop me, sir, is to shoot me down.”

“Mist! You son of a bitch! Gah!” Mist knew he had his hands tied, he couldn't stop her with the fireworks going off all around her plane.

“Be seeing ya boss.” The plane started to fly into the fog bank. “And I will save Britain from that mad mare... You just watch me!” The harrier entered the fog bank and the the radio turned to static.

The commander sat down in his chair as the plane disappeared into the fog. “Mad mare? Save Britain?” He whispered, putting a hand to his head. “What the hell is she talking about?”

Nathan and Ruby stood by each other as the soldiers struggled to put out the fireworks going off all around them. “What do we do now Ruby?”

Ruby sighed. “I haven't got a clue sugarcube... Not a clue...”

Chapter 8: Settling In

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 8: Settling In

Applejack walked out towards her brother, Big Macintosh, who was fixing up the field. The Spitfire had finally been dragged into its new home, much to Applejack’s relief, so they were finally able to use the whole field once again. It was for this reason that Applejack was smiling as she and Twilight walked the distance to the barn that - thanks to the kind help of the residents of Ponyville - was now restored.

“Wow, look at the barn, it sure doesn't look much like one now...” Twilight said, staring at the tall building in front of her. It had more of a curved roof than the old barn and was entirely painted in white and grey. They could see two pegasi lowering a sign into place over the barn door.

Applejack stared at the strange symbol painted on the sign. Soarin had spent almost a whole day working with a group of ponies making sure it was exactly right, even Pinkie Pie had helped with the painting. On the sign was what looked like a semicircular band of leaves arranged on top of a circle, with two wings sticking out of either side and a crown of some sort above it. Depicted in the centre of the insignia was the Equestrian flag, representing Luna and Celestia by the sun and the moon.

“Woo wee that is one amazin' symbol. It’s almost as if yer combined ya home and ours together.” Applejack exclaimed, impressed by the new coat of arms that now hung above the doors.

Just to the right of the barn was a small, fluffy cloud house that had recently been placed there for Soarin to stay in.

Having placed the sign, the two pegasi left the barn turned hangar. Waving to Twilight and Applejack as they flew off.

“You sure about this, Applejack? The Crusaders are a hoof full at the best of times. It wouldn’t be fair on Soarin to put their mischief on him.” Twilight asked as they approached the two doors.

Applejack smirked. “Well then, we must be doin' it wrong because, Sugarcube, he’s been able to keep those three out of trouble.” Applejack put her hoof to the door and, with a pull, it slid open. “Haven't ya noticed the differences in the last two weeks?”

“Strangely... Yes...” Twilight felt unusually uneasy answering that.

They walked inside the hangar. The clop clap sounds of their hooves could easily be heard against the hard concrete floor. To the right of Twilight as she walked in was a small workshop. On it were an assortment of tools and Spitfire parts, all carefully arranged on the tabletop. The damaged landing gear was resting on a block of wood in front of the plane, which took up most of the width of the room.

Once they had managed to squeeze past the massive metal machine the barn seemed to open up. In the back were a small set of chairs, tables, a sofa and even a bookshelf, as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders who were sitting on the sofa listening intently to Soarin as he spoke to them, while he worked on Scootaloo’s scooter using tools out of the red toolbox beside him.

“Without a doubt, Scootaloo, Bolt is the fastest Earth Pony on Earth.” He chuckled slightly. “Wow, that is a bad pun.”

Applebloom giggled. “Ah thought it was funny, Mr McLightning. It’s really amazin' that an Earth Pony like him could run a 100 meter race that fast! It’s over before it begins!” Applebloom waved her hooves around. “Ah like the sound of these Oy-Oybl...”

“Olympics, Applebloom. I was there with Mist watching the race, it was bloody amazing, seeing that stallion from Jamaica bolting down that track, outrunning all those other ponies like it was nothing.”

Sweetie Belle was waving her hoof in the air. “Yes ,Sweetie Belle?”

“It was in your hometown too, wasn't it! Hoovdoon right?” Sweetie Belle beamed.

Soarin laughed. “I’ll never get used to those pony pun names for town and cities. You’re close Sweetie Belle. It’s called London and yes, it was in my home town. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, The 2012 London Olympics! I was only young when it was happening, perhaps the same age as you girls, or maybe a little older.”

“Wow that’s really awesome! You’ve got to come and see the Equestrian Games at the Crystal Empire! We’re carrying the flag for Ponyville!” Scootaloo cried out in excitement.

Twilight stepped up to them with Applejack. “I think that is a wonderful idea. It would give Soarin a taste of what our world is like.”

Soarin was still working on fixing up the damaged section of Scootaloo's scooter. “I’ve seen partly how it is from Soarin's life in my dreams. I recalled him watching it at the last one about three or four years ago. It’s strange how similar our two worlds are and yet how different they are too.”

“I bet it is.” Twilight looked at the girls. “So this is where you’ve been spending your time, huh?”

“It sure is Twilight!” Scootaloo announced, jumping up and down on the sofa.

“Scootaloo what have I said about jumping on my sofa?” Soarin said, firmly.

Scootaloo stopped and sat down, laughing nervously. “Not to?”

“Good, now you can continue.” Soarin went back to repairing the the scooter, mending it for Scootaloo.

Applejack and Twilight were astonished; Scootaloo had stopped almost instantly when Soarin asked her to.

“We’ve been coming here almost every day the last few weeks to listen to his awesome stories! We thought it even might help us figure out what we’re doing wrong.”

“Yeah, and getting to know how his memories have two sides of a story is cool too!” Sweetie Belle said afterwards. “The human Bolt runs three times slower than the Pony Bolt. How weird is that?”

Twilight rubbed her hoof on her snout before answering. “I think it’s to do with our build compared with the humans’. The humans lack endurance compared to us ponies, we’re most likely stronger than them.”

Soarin chuckled. “You sure are, even a unicorn, or Alicorn in your case, Twilight would be stronger than a normal human, heck I bet my jacket Applejack would easily outrun and beat the human Bolt at a 100 meter race without even trying.”

“Ah bet ah would sugarcube.” Applejack said with pride. “But what about the Earth Pony Bolt?”

“Not a chance.” Soarin said instantly. “You would lose to him without Bolt even trying. That bloody pony is like lightning, three times faster than the human version of himself.” He got up, flying in the air and zipping around the hangar, doing a quick pass over them before landing on his hooves. “About that speed, but on four legs on the a track.”

Applebloom blinked with shock. “Y-yer ki-kiddin' right? No pony can run that fast!”

“Well that’s not completely true.” Everypony turned to Twilight as she took a seat with them. “If his special talent is to do with speed like Rainbow Dash's when she got hers, then there’s nothing to stop Bolt being this fast. He would sure give Rainbow Dash a run for her money at those speeds, even for short distances.”

Scootaloo giggled. “No way Twilight, nopony beats Rainbow Dash in a race. She’s the fastest flier in the whole of Equestria!” She imagined a dark brown stallion with jet black mane running super fast with Rainbow Dash flying above him, both eager to show their stuff. Scootaloo jumped down on the floor, looking at Soarin. “If it wasn't for your amazing stories of course!”

“Well I am happy to tell them to you children, since you always return the favour and behave for me.” Soarin turned the scooter over, wiping his forehead with his right front leg. “And your scooter is good as new. I even oiled the axles for you, so the wheels move a lot smoother now.”

Scootaloo went over to it and checked out his work. “Whoa this is awesome! I got to give it a test run!”

“Sure go ahead. Just remember to keep to inside the yellow and black lines.” Soarin point to them.

“As always!” Scootaloo put her helmet on and jump on her scooter, with a buzz from her wings she was gone. Zooming around the spitfire on her scooter, skidding around the corners.

“Ah'll be damned. Yer did a great job with the girls sugarcube, ah’ve never seen them this well behaved” Applejack watched the other two girls cheer on their friend as she raced around. “How do yer do it?”

Soarin shrugged. “I just tell them to keep to the rules I set in place and in return, I give them their freedom to do what they want, as long as it isn’t likely to cause an accident. That why I can just keep things controlled and when things get a little out of hand...”

“Hoof, sugarcube.”

“Whatever.” Soarin replied. “As I was saying, if they break my rules I give them a warning like back there, if they do it again I give them a time out, placing them in the corner, looking at a wall for a few minutes making them reflect on their mistakes, it’s what my father did for me.”

“What was ya father like sugarcube?” Applejack turned to him.

“Really something, before his passing.” Soarin’s eyes became sad. “I recall every moment I had with him, the good and the bad. In both human and pony. He had recurring heart problems, but would never take anything to combat it. He fought the pain with pure will and determination right to his last heartbeat. He was really kind and an awesome father but bloody strict too. Right until I was 12 he’d still put me in the corner. Whenever I tried to rebel against it he stood over me with his arms crossed and a stare that was so icy it could freeze hell.” Soarin chuckled softly. “And I would just slowly turn around and think about what I did wrong, it worked though. I was able to reflect on my mistakes and tell him exactly what I did wrong and why I shouldn't do it.”

Applejack smiled sadly. “Yer father sounds really wonderful, ah know what it’s like to lose a father...”

Soarin put a hoof on her back shaking his head. “No need to, ma'am, I had a feeling since I’ve been living here close to your fields. Working for the RAF you get to see things that not many would see, the world might blur when travelling at crazy speeds but those moments when you are alone in the sky, miles away from your loved ones, the whole world slows to a standstill. The moments we remember of them are the moments we treasure in our hearts most of all.”

Applejack pushed him away with a chuckle, wiping away the tears that had formed when he made that speech. “Yer sappy, colt, ya makin' mah cry.”

Soarin shrugged. “Well it made you feel better right?”

“Sure did partner.” Applejack turned to Twilight. “So Twi...”

“Hmm what?” Twilight turn to her and blinked. “Oh right! The request!” Twilight quickly turned to Soarin. “We came to ask a really big favour from you. I know you have night time weather duties every so often and you’re fixing up the plane. This really might cause some de-lanes because what we...”

Soarin put a hoof to her snout. “Get to the bloody point, Twilight, some time before night fall, if you can.”

Twilight batted his hoof away from her snout. “Right. Hehe... Sorry.” She said shyly to the stallion as the girls came back to them. “What we’re asking is whether you could take care of the Cutie Mark Crusaders this weekend. We’re going...”

“Yes.” He cut her off. “I’d be happy to.”

“But I haven't told you where we going.” Twilight explained to him. “Don't you want to know in case there...”

“Miss Sparkle, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's parents are still around, and so is Big Macintosh. They’ve most likely got a lot of work to do which is why you’re asking me to keep an eye on these three fillies.” Soarin glanced over to the girls. “I’d be happy to do so.”

Applejack grinned, looking directly at Twilight. “Ah believe yer owe me ten bits, Sugarcube.”

“I hate it when you’re right!” Twilight muttered and the fillies giggled in return. “And yes, you’re right on all accounts Soarin. How did you...”

“We told him!” Scootaloo was bouncing up and down again. “When we heard that our folks, sisters and such were looking for a foalsitter we came to Soarin about it, although the main reason was the scooter.”

“How did that get damaged in the first place, anyway?” Twilight inquired.

Soarin sighed. “That would be my doing, I was sorta doing some morning stunt exercises and hit a branch that fell onto her scooter, I was just able to react fast enough to get her off it. So in return for my accidentally damaging her scooter, I repaired it for her. At the cost of a few parts from my plane.” Soarin explained to the two mares.

“Wouldn't that set ya back Soarin?” Applejack asked, amazed at his apparent generosity. “Ah mean, ya want to get back home and didn't ya say that fixin' up ya machine and gettin' her airworthy was ya top goal?”

Soarin turned to his plane “It sure is, but it’s been a month since I’ve been here, even though I’ve got into a life here in Ponyville, I don’t interact with much of the weather team. It’s highly unlikely that I’ll be able to find a similar fog bank here in Equestria or retrace my steps to my arrival here.” Soarin explained to them.

“So until I can find a way to cross back to my world this is my home. As my dad once said, 'there’s no point moping around if things get difficult, make the most you have and, if you can, push towards the goal you stride for.'” Soarin finished with a grin.

“Yeah, and he can help us get our cutie marks too!”

“That as well.” Soarin replied to Scootaloo's comment with a laugh. “Why don't you girls go back with Applejack and Twilight. I am sure she can whip up some sort of cloud walking magic so you all can stay for the weekend at my home...” He paused for a second, looking out of one of the barn windows at the simple cloud house that now was his home. “Celestia sure made it hard for me to want to leave... She simply dropped it off from Cloudsdale, no questions, nothing...”

“She just trying to help Soarin. She knows you want to get home and will do whatever in her power to make that possible. She and Luna have been working on that weird light with whatever spare time they have. Not only for you, but for Equestria, there’s no telling what that thing can do to one of us or what exactly it would do if there was a bigger version of it like the one in your world!” Twilight added, putting a hoof on his foreleg. “We’ll take the girls back and get them set up for the weekend with you.”

“Thanks, Twilight Sparkle, you and the other girls have really helped this lost stallion out of a jam, for that I am eternally grateful. I would say 'forever in your debt,' but I highly doubt you’d accept that.” Soarin smirked, walking over to the tools, putting them away into the box.

“Come on girls, let’s give him some peace.” Applejack nudged them to move.

“Ok! See ya, Soarin!” Applebloom called out.

“Yeah, see you soon!” Sweetie Belle said with glee.

“This is going to be the best weekend ever!” Scootaloo beamed as they left the hangar with Twilight and Applejack.

Soarin was as excited as the girls, “I’ll make sure of that.” He finished putting the last of the tools away. Placing the red box by the sofa, he took a book from the table. He sat down and started to read. “I’d wager I won’t be undisturbed for very long,” He joked, laughing under his breath and turning a page of the book.

Right on cue, an orange pegasus with a blue mane, wearing a pony airmail service uniform landed by the door. His hooves clopped and clapped on the concrete flooring as curiosity compelled him to enter the large hangar. Suddenly the sound stopped, as the mailpony came face to face with the huge hunk of metal sitting in the middle of the barn, it’s propellor facing the doors as if it were a display piece. “Wow that’s really something.” He walked around it slowly, taking a good look at the spitfire. “This must be the plane all the other ponies were talking about...” He stopped and shook his head, snapping out it. “Lightning, you’re here to delivery mail, not admire the scenery.”

The stallion scanned the hangar, until he saw the dark blue speck hanging at the edge of the sofa. “Erm... Mr M-McLighting?”

“It’s McLightning.” Soarin sat up, looking over to the stallion. “It’s just spelt funny, what can I do for you?”

The stallion stared in shock. “Y-Your Soarin...The Wonderbolt when did you...”

Soarin chuckled. “Wrong Soarin. Soarin McLightning my name and I am not that Soarin.”

“Wait what?” He blinked. “Are you telling me there two Soarin's? How is that...”

“It’s simple, really. I am from another world.” Soarin trotted over to him. “So, what’s your name?”

“Oh erm... It’s Lightning Rider sir, I've got your mail.” He pulled it out of the saddle bag. “Also you need to sign for it.” After Lightning Rider handed over the letters, he pull out a scroll with a quill. “If you sign here, I'll be going. I’ve got some rounds to do before sorting out this afternoon’s weather.”

Soarin took the quill with his mouth and signed for his letter before giving the quill and scroll back, “So your the kid with the two jobs I've heard about.”

“Huh?” Lightning stared at him after putting the quill and scroll back into the bag. “Wh-where did you hear that?”

“From a pony called...” Soarin thought about it for a second. “Right that’s it. Thunderlane. The dark grey stallion called Thunderlane, I see him every so often when I come in for my biweekly overnight weather duty shifts.” Soarin replied. “He mentioned a pony pulling double job but didn't say who exactly. I guess he was just trying to be a pal. Well, I’d better let you be kid, you’ve got work to do and I’ve only got a small amount of time to myself before the storm blows in.”

“Storm? I didn't...”

“I meant the Cutie Mark Crusaders, they can be a bloody ha... Hoof full.” He chuckled. “Thanks for delivering my mail, Lightning Rider. Maybe I’ll see you around some time.”

“Su-sure. Have a nice day Soarin McLightning.” Rider saluted and left the hangar in a blur of speed.

Soarin rolled his eyes afterwards. “After a month they still mistake me for him. Oh well. Better see what this letter about.”

Soarin opened it up and looked at the letter.

Hey Soarin McLightning,

“How very formal,” Soarin chuckled.

I would have contacted you sooner, but we’ve been very busy with the newbies here at the Wonderbolt Academy and I haven't found the time to leave or get a letter out until now. I’ve been eager to meet you. Soarin assures me you are nothing like him at all. I want to see this for myself. I would like the Wonderbolt team to meet you face to face too, just to straighten things out.

“Well isn't that wonderful, I am going to ruin your…” He thoughts broke when he read the next part.

I managed to get the whole team together for a social meeting at Cloudsdale this Sunday, hopefully this letter get to you before that. So I am requesting that you find the time to come and meet us at the Wonderbolt HQ to meet up with Soarin, myself. Fleetfoot and the rest of the team. I also let them know you WILL be coming and that you HAVE no problem showing up.

“WHAT!?” Soarin glared at the letter. “Oh you fucking bitch!” Soarin put a hoof to his head and read on.

This is to put things straight between the rumours and facts with our team and I would like to get to know the McLightning that now lives in Ponyville. I also heard that you got some skills as well doing night shifts twice a week for the weather ponies of Ponyville. I like to also take time to know you instead of trying to avoid you. I hope that we also could work together on figuring a way to get you back to your team, Team Spitfire, despite their terrible name.

So I hope to see you at the HQ and a map on the back of the letter will also help locate it at Cloudsdale.

See you soon.

Captain of the Wonderbolts

Your friend... Spitfire

P.S. Wear your awesome leather jacket and those half size sun glasses.

Soarin turned the letter around and there was a map stuck to the letter with the marked location in the pegasi city. “Just bloody great... Now this weekend is going to be chaotic for sure...” . He blinked quickly as he read the P.S. Again. “No bloody way...” He flew up to the cockpit and looked around for his sunglasses to find they were still made mostly for a human, apart from the frame that fit perfectly on his snout.

Soarin put them on and looked in the glass reflection of the open canopy. “Not bad at all Soarin, not back at all,” he chuckled, looking at himself his leather jacket and shades. “Now I just have to figure out how to work out this Sunday... Especially with those fillies.” He thought for a second and only one thing came to mind.

“Chaos here we come...”

Author's Notes:

Soarin McLighting has made a life for himself in Ponyville and settled in to his new home after being there for a month and two weeks that didn't have him knocked out by crazy magic and other things lol. Bet some will be wondering about Mist and I got a few plans lined up for her arrival ^^ It should be interesting.

Also those that wondering who is Lightning Rider, here a picture draw by my fried Buizelcream on DA, this is his OC Lightning Rider. I put him in a small scene of my story since we very good friends. So that why he the mail pony that drop the letter off for Soarin.

Now I got two paths to take and it going to be fun making them both. One with Soarin and the CMC weekend and why the mane six have left Ponyville! It will be awesome doing these two points! Well enjoy!

Chapter 9: Beginning of the Weekend

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 9: Beginning of the Weekend

Woo Woo!

The steam train pulled into Ponyville Station, ready to take the six mares off to the Crystal Empire. Soarin stepped up to the station to see them off and to pick up the three fillies. He had suggested dropping them off at the hanger but Applejack had insisted, so he had come here instead, wearing his favourite leather jacket and sunglasses combination. Admittedly his choice of clothing got him some questionable looks from the locals, but at least now he could walk through town without being mistaken for his Wonderbolt doppelgaenger.

“Hello all.” Soarin said chirpily, greeting them with a smirk.

He struggled not to laugh at the faces of the mares as they stared at his attire, he guessed the sunglasses was working for him. “My word! You look h... I mean you look decidedly fabulous!”

“Ah’ve got to say, those shades really suit ya, sugarcube.” Applejack added.

Rainbow Dash flew by him, hovering over his head. “Where can I get shades like those?”

“Ask Mist.” He replied casually, looking up at Rainbow Dash. “She’s the one who bought these for me.”

“Horseapples...” Rainbow Dash muttered under her voice. “Oh well, you look awesome, and it’s way easier to tell you apart from Soarin when you’re wearing all that stuff.”

“Exactly.” Soarin replied, “So you’re all heading to the Crystal Empire?”

Rainbow Dash nodded, pulling out a letter. “Yeah, I got an awesome letter from a famous writer asking us to visit this weekend. She’s not going to be there very long so we have to go today if we want to meet her again!”

Twilight pulled Rainbow Dash down with her magic and put the letter away. “Yes, we know, you’re lucky we were able to get Soarin to take care of the fillies this weekend.”

“Yeah yeah I know!” Rainbow Dash stood up, dusting herself off. “Girls?”

In a flash, the three fillies lined up in front of her. “Yes Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo replied straight away.

“You three be good for Soarin, ok?”

“We promise!” They said together.

Soarin looked at them suspiciously. “Oh they will be, I’ve got some ground rules for them to follow.”

Fluttershy gave him a small list. “If you don't mind, could you check on the animals for me as well?”

“Sure, I’m pretty good with animals. I’ll make sure your bunny’s taken care for.” Soarin took the list, putting it into his saddlebag.

“Thank you!” She gave Soarin a quick hug then walked into the train.

Pinkie Pie leapt up to Soarin and pulled him into a massive hug. “See you Blue!” She chirped.

“Pinkie Pie it...” He began, but instead put a hoof to his head and shook it after she let go of him. “Nevermind. See you later, Pinks.”

“Aww, See you’re even calling me by my nickname! We’re already super awesome friends!” and Pinkie Pie bounced off cheerily into the train.

“Spike will still be around,” Twilight assured him, “so if you need me for anything, just talk to him and he will use his flame to send me a letter.”

“Will do Twilight. Have fun this weekend.” He clopped hooves with Twilight and with a smile she hopped into the train after the rest of the girls. Once all the passengers were on board, the train let out a sharp whistle and, with a bellow of steam, slowly trundled away from the station.

Soarin turned around to the three fillies. “Alright crusaders, let’s get your things dropped off at my place. I have a surprise ready for you there,” he smirked.

Confused, they looked at each other, then back at him.

“What surprise?” Applebloom asked.

They followed him back to the hanger on Sweet Apple Acres and soon found out. Floating above the converted barn was a small, white, fluffy cloud house. It was connected to the ground by a short, winding staircase. “Whoa! That is awesome! Look at the stairs! Look at that symbol!” Scootaloo exclaimed, admiring the Cutie Mark Crusader crest patterned onto the stairs.

“Ya made this for us?” Applebloom asked.

“Yes I did, I thought that since you were all staying for the weekend I’d make it that little extra special for you three fillies.” Soarin said looking down at them, expectantly. “What do you think of it?”

“I love it!” Sweetie Belle said, bouncing up and down. “I...” She started, when a small piece of paper appeared in front of her face. She took it off Soarin with her magic, illuminating it in her light green magical aura and looked at the paper. It was a drawing of the three Crusaders. “You drew this?” She asked.

Soarin knelt down to them. “Of course. I was hoping you three could put it in your clubhouse. It’s a little thank you for all the great time you’ve given me, sharing my stories with some youngsters.” Soarin stood back up. “How about dropping off your stuff in the house so we can get something to eat.”

“Where are we going Soarin?” Scootaloo asked.

Soarin rubbing his hoof on his snout. “Well I heard about this place called the Hayburger and, I have so say, I was curious. Until now I have always had my food dropped off her, so as not to cause alarm among any of the Ponyville residents.”

“Ah guess that would get annoyin', but why’re ya takin' us there?” Applebloom looked up at him.

Soarin shrugged. “Why the heck not? I need to get out more often and, since I am taking care of you girls this weekend, I might as well make it an enjoyable one, right?” Another idea came to Soarin. “How would you girls like a trip Whitetail Woods tomorrow for you to try some of your crazy crusader ideas?”

“Yeah that sound...” Scootaloo blinked. “Wait what!? You don't mind us trying some crusading on our trip to the woods tomorrow?”

“Not at all. Just so long as you don't try anything too dangerous it’ll be fine.” Soarin replied. “And if you girls don't cause any trouble I might even take you all to the Wonderbolt HQ with me on Sunday.”

Scootaloo eyes were huge at this point. “Wo-Won-Wonderbolt HQ!? SERIOUSLY!? THE WONDERBOLT HQ!!!! THE ONE IN CLOUDSDALE!”

Soarin chuckled. “Yes that HQ in Cloudsdale, I’ve been invited by Spitfire to come and clear up a few issues with there being two Soarin's now. Since I am taking care of you three I might as well drag you all along for the ride, but if you misbehave, I will leave you all here with Big Macintosh.”

Scootaloo quickly turned to the girls, pulling them away from Soarin and whispering to them, “We’ve really got to behave! I have to go there! Even Rainbow Dash has never been!”

“Ah think it’s an awesome chance and we’d get to try cloud walkin' for a whole weekend, so ah'm up for tryin' to behave,” Applebloom agreed.

“I’m in! How hard can it be?” Sweetie Belle smiled, the other girls just gulped. “Oh...”

“Let’s try really hard, ok?” Scootaloo whispered. They all nodded in agreement and put their hooves out to each other.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders!” They whispered with a small cheer and ran past Soarin up the stairs as fast they could, dumping their stuff down behind the open front door and quickly closing it behind them before darting back down the steps to Soarin.

Soarin looked at them in surprise. “That was fast.” He chuckled. “Alright girls, let’s get a move on.”

Soarin and the girls made their way into Ponyville for their evening dinner. He had decided to make this an enjoyable weekend but not too much to spoil the fillies, even if he was when taking them to the Wonderbolt HQ. Not that he had much choice about that, thanks to Spitfire.

Ten minutes later they were sitting around a table in the Hayburger restaurant. Soarin took his shades off and put them away in his jacket pocket. “Well, this looks really tasty.” he said, admiring the selection he had bought.

“You’ve never had food like this before, Soarin?” Sweetie Belle asked the stallion.

He scooped up some of the horseshoe shaped chips, tossed them up and caught them in his mouth, munching on them. “Hmm crispy.” He licked his snout before answering Sweetie Belle. “Not for a few years, I usually cook for myself. It’s a lot cheaper and, with the right ingredients, you can make quite a lot of neat things.”

Soarin took the ketchup and opened up the hayburger before smothering it in tomato sauce.

“Back home we had loads of different holidays, each with their own special food. One of my favourites was Pancake Day, the date was never set, sometimes it was in February and other times it in March. Never really figured out why though.” He paused to take a bit out of his hayburger.

Applebloom, was rather confused by this, tilting her head a little. “Erm... Soarin what’s a Pancake Day?”

He swallowed, licking the ketchup off his snout. “It’s a day where you cook pancakes and eat them with lemon juice, butter or sugar. I really love mine with sugar.”

“I know!” Scootaloo announced, putting her drink down. “Why don't we make pancakes tomorrow!”

Soarin smirked. “Why not? We could make some from scratch for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Yay!” The girls cheered.

Soarin picked up his drink and took a small sip. 'Tomorrow’s going to be one crazy day if these fillies have anything to do with it. I just need to keep bloody calm and keep them in check, things should work out, I hope...' Soarin thought as he continued to eat his meal with the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Train

The train was travelling down the rail to the Crystal Empire as the last rays of light dipped behind the horizon and the stars came out with the moon. The girls were settling down for the night in their own bunks, many other ponies already fast asleep in the other carriages of the train.

Rainbow Dash was looking at the letter with a big grin. “I can't believe we going to meet Daring again! And she invited us!”

Twilight drank some water and put the glass back down on the side by her bedside, looking over at Rainbow Dash. “It is amazing, in fact, Rainbow? Don't you find it a bit strange that she’s asking all of us to come and visit her at the Crystal Empire?”

“I suppose, when you put it like that, Twi.” Rainbow Dash considered the unexpected request from Daring Doo to visit her. “Why is she at the Crystal Empire anyway? Isn't it pretty much one of the safest places around?”

Rarity pulled up her mask and listened to them talk, Applejack was listening too although Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were still sound asleep. “It is, and Cadance hasn't told me about anything going on there, apart from the Equestrian Games. Other than that the security is ten fold already. My brother’s making sure that everything runs smoothly.” The more Twilight thought about it, the less sense it made. Daring Doo didn’t exactly seem like the type of pony to ask somepony to travel halfway across the country just to catch up over a cup of tea.

“Darling, it could be something to do with outside the kingdom, it’s an icy tundra that far north after all and hardly anypony’s done any exploring out there. It’s just too cold,” Rarity added, joining in their conversation.

Applejack sat up. “She’s got a point sugarcube, the frozen north around the Crystal Empire is all uncharted territory, it’s vast winter lands could easily hold secrets or ruins.”

Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight, eager to justify her hero’s decisions. “See Twilight? The empire might be safe but the Frozen North definitely isn’t.”

“Well, I can see why Daring Do might be there, but why ask us to come?” Twilight pointed out.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Beats me, whatever it could be it...” A sudden thud came from above them, followed by more, like something was walking around on top of the train. “What in the hay!?” Rainbow Dash got up, so did the others.

Fluttershy and even Pinkie Pie (normally the deepest sleeper of the group) were woken up by the loud banging as well. They all gathered together and made their way down the carriage to investigate the disturbance but when they opened the doors the had disappeared into the distance, leaving them behind. Somepony had unhooked their carriage.

Standing on top of that carriage steaming away from them, with a long, thick metal pin in his hooves was none other than Dr. Caballeron, surrounded by a group of his henchponies. He smirked as he looked at them, spinning the pin around. “I’m so sorry to say, my friends, but you won't be making it to the Crystal Empire any time soon. Enjoy our parting gift,” Dr. Caballeron called out to them as the rest of the train carried him away.

Twilight frowned, looking at the girls. “What does he mean by that?”

In reply Pinkie Pie pointed a hoof up above their heads. “Maybe that thing that says 'C4' on it.”

They all looked up and gasped as the small, beeping, bundle of plastic fell faster and faster towards them. “Jump everypony!” Applejack cried out and they ran to the other side and leapt out of the still moving train carriage. With an uncomfortable thud they landed on the tracks, rolling around before pulling themselves off the ground to see the carriage leaving them behind and then...

KAMBOOOM!

The other carriage explodes to pieces showering down around them as they sheltered themselves from the shrapnel raining down towards them. Rainbow Dash got up as soon as the pieces stop falling and only the sound of snow falling in the wild was left. She looked around, “girls are you all ok?”

“I-I th-think so...” Fluttershy said hesitantly. “Wh-why did he blow up our carriage?”

“That ruffian must be working for somepony to get rid of us.” Rarity scowled, feeling a bit sore from the landing.

Twilight shook her head. “No, I don’t think so, if that were the case then he wouldn't have warned us, I think he was just trying to slow us down, and the fact of the matter is… ” Twilight looked around at the snow around them. “We’re not...”

Rainbow Dash flexed her wings. “I could fly to the empire and get help!”

Pinkie Pie bounced over to some wheels that were still intact from the explosion. “Or... We could build a cart and get you to pull us there, Dashie!”

Twilight eyes lit up at this idea. “Great idea Pinkie Pie! With the remains of the carriage I think we might be able too!”

Applejack pulled out rope from her saddle bag. “I got a few lassos we can use to tie them down sugarcube. As long as somepony knows how to put it together.”

“Oh don’t worry about that, silly. I always carry around wing powered train cart plans!” Pinkie Pie pulled out a large piece of blue paper from her mane.

Twilight didn't question it, she knew better than that, and took them off her. “This is perfect Pinkie Pie.”

Rainbow Dash lands. “Alright let’s show that Caballeron what we made of! And what we can do when we work together!” She put her hoof out and the other girls met it with their own hooves.

“We can, can't we?” Fluttershy smiled with her best brave look.

“Of course we can, darling, and it’s going to be fabulous!” Rarity replied. “Shall we get started girls?”

“Let’ss!” Twilight announced and lay down the plans before them. Together they started to work on building the cart for Rainbow Dash to take them to the crystal empire. “Alight girls, this is what I need...”

Meanwhile, Dr. Caballeron threw the pin over the edge of the train with a smile. “That should slow them down.” He put a hoof to a black piece of plastic in his right ear. “This is Dr. Caballeron, mission completed...” He listened intently to the reply from the other end of the line. It did not sound happy. “I believed it would slow them down...” He winced.

“YOU WHAT!? I SAID TO DESTROY THEM NOT WARN THEM!” He ear was ringing from the outburst.

“I am an archaeologist not a murderer. I said I would take care of the carriage and slow them down. You should have listened to what I said in our agreement, you did sign it, after all.” Dr. Caballeron replied indignantly.

The voice groaned. “Very well, I will give you 70% of what is promised. But make sure to get back to base without 'ANYPONY' seeing you! Especially that Daring Do! She’s already brought more attention that I wanted from Ahuizotl. He has what I really need stored away in some old ruins or something, a few miles north of the Crystal Empire.”

Dr. Caballeron smirked. “Oh don't worry my dear, we won't, but if she does follow us, I will make sure to lead her on a... cold trail.” He chuckled.

“Your puns are terrible Doctor. Just do what I ask and if you get back without her following I will give you everything that is owed as well as a bonus for your acceptable work.” The voice replied.

“Much better,” he smiled and ended the link with a push of the hoof on the ear piece.

“Come, my brothers, it’s time to celebrate!” He announced to his henchponies. They all turned and headed inside of the carriage to enjoy their trip to the Crystal Empire.

Many miles away, deep in a Frozen North ruin, the unicorn, whom Mist had already become well acquainted with, watched this celebrating band of archaeologists. A small red dragon with wings and purple scales stepped beside her, holding a small tablet close to his scaly body. His purple slitted eyes watched the icy screen intently. “So did he pass? Zealous?”

“Yes, he did Flame.” Zealous turned around and they started to walk.

Flame continued to stare at the tablet and used his claw to move the information around on the display. “I just received the latest report Zealous, she is in there with the other half of the artefact. But so is...”

Zealous horn glows. “Yes I know, Ahuizotl and his minions. He had to find the artefact before us and not only that. She came... That filly from all those years ago just had to show up in that scrap heap the adventurer had secured. The world is not working in our favour tonight. But tomorrow, if all goes to plan.” She gazed at the screen with a dark smirk and her eyes trailed to the dragon beside her.

“We will get both artefact and the pony.” Flame finished and with a laugh from Zealous, both unicorn and dragon vanished in a flash of light, teleporting to an unknown location.

Chapter 10: The Weekend Part One

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 10: The Weekend Part One

KAMBOOOOM!

The explosion echoed through Soarin’s cloud house, sending early morning songbirds scattering terrified in all directions. Soarin stood in the kitchen, covered in pancake mix, with a bewildered expression on his face. Applebloom and Scootaloo had managed to dive for cover behind a table, sparing them from the exploding mix, but Sweetie Belle was left to face the brunt of the catastrophe.

She was stood right over the bowl, the whole front of her body dripping in mix, holding the spoon uselessly in front of her face. Blinking a few times, her bright green eyes penetrated through the mess on her face. “Erm... I... So-Soarin I-I-I a-am sorry...”

“Wh-What the hell just happened?” Soarin wiped the mix off his face with his wing. “How did it explode!? It’s just pancake mix!”

Panicking, Sweetie Belle spotted a mop in the corner of the room. “I can clean this up!” She cried, turning to her friends. “Girls, help me please!”

“Right away, Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo started to jump towards her but slipped on spilled mix, slamming into the cupboard door. She bounced off it and the door swung open sending pans falling out with a mighty CRASH!

Applebloom dodged the collapsing crockery but slipped in her efforts and was sent flying over Scootaloo. “Ahh!” Applebloom, cried as she hit the side of the counter, throwing even more mix across the kitchen. Soarin cringed as it fell on top of Scootaloo. “Sorry Scoots!”

“Sorry!? You did that on purpose!” Scootaloo got up and pulled the bowl off her head before tossing the mixture right back at Applebloom, hitting her in the head.

“Hey, it’s not my fault!” Applebloom called as she returned fire against Scootaloo.

“Girls!” Soarin called, trying to stop them. Sweetie Belle, meanwhile, trying desperately to clean up the mess, slipped under the mop, which flew right into another cupboard sending a selection of ingredients crashing to the ground. “Oh, you’ve got to be bloody kidding me!” Soarin exclaimed as bag of flower headed right for him. “Ah sh...” The bad exploded over his head in a puff of white smoke.

The chaotic sounds of the carnage unfolding in Soarin’s kitchen could be heard all the way in the fields by Big Macintosh who simply shrugged at the noise and carried on ploughing the field.

When the flour finally settled it looked like a bomb had been dropped on the once tidy kitchen. Soarin stood in the middle of it all, right eye twitching as he stared at the three fillies standing in the mess covered in a mixture of flower, jam and sticky pancake batter. “We’re sorry!” They said together.

Soarin sighed deeply, trying to calm his nerves. “Ok, you got this... It was an accident. Don't lose your cool, Soarin. They’re children, remember what kids are like in school... Just pretend you’re with your team and be good with them.”

Soarin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly, he opened them again. “Girls it was an accident. A crazy one...” He added, looking around. It would take forever to clean. “Why don't you girls go and get cleaned up while I fix this mess, remake the mix and get breakfast ready...”

“Ok Soarin...” They said together, hanging their heads down, not making eye contact with him.

Soarin felt guilty. “Girls, I said it was an accident and that's that... Now go get cleaned up.” He pointed a hoof to the door. “Please.”

“Ok...” They all left, eyes to the floor.

He bashed his hoof against his head, knocking a puff of flower out of his ear. “I wasn't telling them off. I am sure of it...” Soarin muttered, looking around the mess in the kitchen. “Better get started on cleaning this mess up then.” He looked longingly at the picture of Mist on the wall. “I bet Mist would be having more fun than I am about now...”

Mist

Mist yawned and was awoken the sound of hoof steps on a stony floor. She pulled her foreleg and felt the chains that held her up, leaving her hind legs free and hanging. She grumbled, swishing her tail around in a display of frustration. “The stallion with my bloody breakfast, is it? Let me guess, water, bread and soup?” She demanded, glaring at the stallion, wearing paint over his face and body, wheeling a trolley into the small, dank, stone cell.

He didn’t respond, he never did. Instead, without a word he picked up the cup and lifted it up to her snout, offering her a drink. She tried to roll her eyes and refuse, but in her dehydrated state she couldn’t help but grap at the cup with her mouth and gulp down the cool liquid. Mist hated every moment of this, she was strung up on a stone wall, forced to be hoof fed by some tribal stallion who worked for that freak of nature Ahuizotl.

After feeding her breakfast, he turned to wheel the trolley away. Mist watched him leave, looking at the others standing guard holding spears in their right forelegs. “So when am I going to bloody meet your stupid, two faced, good for nothing leader then!” She snapped at them, kicking her hind legs angrily against the stone. “Well, are you boys going to answer me or just sit there like stupid lemons!”

As always, she got no reply and hung her head in frustration. “Interesting, it’s been four days and you’ve still got such fire in your heart.” Shocked at the response, Mist’s head snapped up to see a blue creature stride smugly into the room. It wore a wide grin on his face, showing off a row of sharp teeth in it’s mutt-like face. A huge gold band adorned it’s shoulders and it’s long tail ended in a clawed hand, clenched into a fist.

Mist stared at him with a narrow look. “Ahuizotl... You piece of crap, I don't care how long you keep me hanging here, I won't be telling you anything important, and when I get free. I will beat the living shit out of you until you are black and well...” She looked him up and down, “bluer.”

“My, what colourful language you have!” Ahuizotl stepped up to her, rubbing his tail hand under her snout. “Not much you can do being chained up though, your threats are not even mildly threatening.” Mist’s mouth snapped towards his finger, but he moved it out of range just in time. “Now tell me what was in the machine? Why would a pony have taken such an interest in you and the artefact I found in these ruins?”

“Come closer and I will tell you...” He moved a little closer and she spat in his face. “That’s my answer, you bloody prick!”

Ahuizotl jumped back, wiping his face of the spit and glaring at her, before widening his grin into a creepy smile. “If you refuse to speak, then you must be worth a fair bit, more than Zealous is offering anyway. The artefact must be incomplete. I am guessing she has the other part, which means I have to find a way of getting her to bring it here...” He turned and walk away, contemplating his ideas out loud.

Mist rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the information dumbass...” she muttered and looked around for a way to get free, get the artefact and to escape, the three things she had to do. “All I need is an opportunity. Let’s see...” She eyed the stallion guard who had the key to her chains. With a smirk, an idea came to mind and she realised what she had to do. All she had to do was wait until the time came.

Soarin

Soarin served up the second helping of pancakes to the three girls and they dove into the pancakes with pure happiness on their faces as they took in the sweet, lemony, syrupy taste. Soarin watched them enjoy theirs as he ate his own. He thought back to the mess and the enjoyable meal of pancakes. They both closely reminded him of Mist and how similar this all felt.

Soarin drunk his tea and place the cup down. “Had your fill girls?”

Scootaloo burped with a giggle. “Hehe, sorry.” He nodded to her. “Yeah, they’re awesome! They’re the best pancakes I ever had! I can't believe how tasty they were!”

“Ah think they’re the best ever!” Applebloom announced, finishing off the last of her plateful.

“Yeah! Thanks for this amazing breakfast, Soarin! You’re really awesome, for an otherworld Pony!” Sweetie Belle told him, receiving a worried look from the other two.

Oblivious, Soarin sat back in his chair. “I should thank you children for making things a little exciting. Your visits really make everything more interesting. Even if this weekend gets a bit crazy, it’ll be the best sort of crazy.” The girls giggled in reply and he started to pick up the plates and cups, piling them on top of each other with the cutlery. “Now why don't you girls get ready for our trip to Whitetail Woods while I get this lot cleaned up.”

“Right away Soarin!” Applebloom saluted and they got out of their seats, galloping up to the guest room to get their things into the saddlebag.

Washing up the plates in the kitchen, Soarin looked out the window to Sweet Apple Acres. “I bet Twilight and the girls will be having a blast by now.”

Twilight

Twilight was using her magic to shield her and the girls from the raging blizzard as Rainbow Dash pulled the makeshift cart to the Crystal Empire. The cart transferred Rainbow Dash’s into an additional force, making it easier for her to drag it through the thick snow. Even so, Rainbow was starting to struggle to keep her wings beating. “Twi... How much... Further?” she wheezed.

Twilight looked out through the shield for some landmark or sign that they were getting close, but it was impossible to see more than a few meters ahead through the storm. “I don't know Rainbow Dash... I really don't know...”

“Well we’d... Better get there... Soon... I can't keep... This up much... Longer.” Rainbow Dash panted between staggered gasps for breath, sweat rolling down her face. Her wings were aching so much from all the overnight flying she had put into pulling the wing powered cart.

Fluttershy turned to Twilight. “I wish I hadn’t hurt my wing when we jumped off the carriage...”

“I know how you feel, I wish I could take turns too, but this blizzard’s been non stop, and I have to keep this barrier up or the freezing elements will prevent us from getting anywhere at all,” Twilight sighed, looking up at her horn as it shimmered with her magical aura that created the barrier around them. “It’s not easy keeping up something like this while moving at these speeds...”

“Darling, it’s neither of your faults, we have to keep positive.” Rarity put her hoof on Twilight. “If we need to, we will stop here and let Rainbow Dash rest.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head defiantly. “Not a chance... I am getting... Us there!” Rainbow Dash put more power into the cart, struggling against her aching muscles.

Applejack was about to pull on the rope to drag Rainbow Dash in but Twilight her a hoof on hers, stopping her. “Twi?” Applejack asked.

“I don't think that would help...” Twilight glanced to Rainbow Dash.

“Sugarcube, she need to rest!” Applejack insisted and yelled out and the struggling mare. “Rainbow Dash, come on the cart, yer’ve done enough, let me and Pinkie pull for a bit!”

Pinkie Pie nodded. “I can do that that! Helping my friends is what I do best!” She squealed enthusiastically.

“I thought that was parties, darling.” Rarity frowned.

“Oh, that too!” Pinkie giggled.

Rainbow Dash looked back at them. “Hehe... Yeah... That’d be great...” Rainbow Dash slowed down and the cart came to a stop. She landed back on the cart, breathing heavily as the girls took off the harness. “Thanks girls...” she managed to say before sloping over, finally getting to relax.

Rarity put one of the harnesses on Applejack and another one on Pinkie Pie. “Ready Pinkie?” Applejack look at her pink friend.

“Indeedy do! Let’s get rolling!” Pinkie Pie replied and Applejack was about to get them on their way when Twilight noticed a light in the distance.

“Girls wait! Look!” Twilight pointed her hoof out to the blizzard.

Coming through the barrier were a snow covered Shining Armor, several guards and, behind them all, A.K.Yearling, wearing a heavy, hooded purple cloak. “Well that was a short walk,” she commented as they reached the girls.

“Indeed.” Shining Armor replied glancing over to her, then he smiled at Twilight. “I am glad to see you and your friends are alright, Twily!” He gave her a hug as A.K. Yearling inspected the rail cart.

“Impressive contraption you’ve got there,” she admired.

Twilight smiled. “We used what was left of the blown up carriage to make this. For some reason Pinkie Pie had some plans for a wing powered cart, so we all worked together to get it built. Still, it did take us all night to get here...” Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash, concerned. “Rainbow pulled us here all night long. She needs some rest.”

“Don't worry Twily, we will get her back to the palace right away and put her into bed.” Shining Armor took a look at the sleeping rainbow maned mare.

“Thanks Shining.” Twilight smiled gratefully. “But how did you know we were in trouble?”

A.K. Yearling responded first. “Your brother and I were waiting at the station when the train pulled in without a carriage and you lot weren’t on board.”

“We got as many guards we could, gathered our gear for a long hike and then we set off to search for you. Before we had got very far though, we spotted a purple shining shield through the snow storm on the outskirts of the empire.” Shining Armor finished. “But that doesn't explain what happened to the carriage.”

In frustration, Applejack stomped her hoof on the cart floor. “It was that Dr. whatiz and his henchponies! He put some sort of explosive called C4 on our carriage and uncoupled it!”

“Dr. Caballeron darling, that’s the name of that dreadful pony!” Rarity corrected Applejack. “Poor Fluttershy hurt her wing when we had to jump out of it before that C4 blew the whole carriage up!”

Shining Armor frowned with a confused look on his face. “Erm Rarity... Dr. Caballeron is a fictional character... He’s not real.”

“Oh my, he is... We saw him ourselves some time ago, deep in the forest with his henchponies.” Fluttershy replied. “It was when Daring Do was trying to stop him from giving the ring to...”

Shining Armor interrupted her. “Please, now isn’t the time for jokes, he is not real! Nor is...” Suddenly, A.K. Yearling threw off her cloak, leaving him stuttering in disbelief as he finished his sentence. “D-D-Daring... Do!” He stood, speechless. His mind couldn't process it. Daring Do, a fictional character, standing right before his very own eyes.

“Right, let’s skip the cloak and disguise! Tell me what happened, Twilight!” Daring Do demanded, deliberately ignoring the startled and shocked reaction of the prince and royal guard.

Twilight sighed. “Not much Daring, only that he told us we wouldn't be getting here soon. For whatever reason, he seemed insistent on purposefully trying to delay us from getting to the Crystal Empire. Although why, I haven't got a clue. And the explosive he used is nothing I have ever seen before! It had wires sticking out of a small box attached to some weird plastic stuff and written on it was 'C4'.”

Daring Do paced back and forwards in front of the group, contemplating mystery that had befallen them. “Caballeron is not usually the sort of pony for sabotage, or having unknown, highly powerful explosives, that is a new one on me. He’s either got some crazy scientist working for him or he’s working for somepony that gave him the equipment.” Daring Do continued, trying to figure it out.

“But that’s not like him at all. He’s an archaeologist, he raids ruins, not trains, and he’s certainly not somepony that plants explosives on carriages and blows them up! It’s just not his style at all!” Daring Do stopped, rubbing her head a little. She turned to Shining Armor. “Prince Shining Armor, we need to get back to the palace. First of all to get Rainbow Dash into a bed, but I also need to use your library to find anything on the ruins north of the Crystal Empire. Finally I need a few guards to help me drag something out of the snow too.”

Shining Armor shook his head out of the dazed look he had. Twilight was nodding furiously for him to approve it. “Alright, I will have some guards go with you to get this 'something' and bring it back to the palace. The rest of us will get Rainbow Dash back to a bed and find out anything on these 'ruins' north of the Crystal Empire.”

“Thank you, your highness.” She was about to bow but he put a hoof out.

“Call me Shining Armor. Any friend of Twilight's is a friend of mine. No need for formalities.” Shining Armor smiled briefly then turned back to the pegasi crystal ponies. “You four go with... Erm... Daring Do and help her get that 'something' back to the palace.”

“Yes sir!” The stallions saluted.

Applejack stepped up to Daring Do. “Sugarcube, ah will help ya too, ah'm pretty strong mahself and willin' to give a helpin' hoof.”

Daring Do nodded. “Very well Applejack, I accept your help.” She turned to the stallions. “Follow me.” With that, Daring Do, Applejack and the four guard ponies left to get this 'something'.

Twilight turned to Shining Armor. “We also need a doctor to look at Fluttershy too.”

“We’ll get it sorted when we get to the palace, Twily.” Shining Armor replied. He and the remaining guards helped pull the cart through the storm and into the calm, warm air of the Crystal Empire. They gently lifted it off the rails and carefully, without waking her, took Rainbow Dash back to the palace.

As they made their way back to the palace, Pinkie started giggling to herself. ‘Pinkie, what is it,” Twilight asked.

“Hmm?” Pinkie Pie looked at Twilight with a big smile. “Oh, nothing Twilight, I was just wondering how Soarin's trip with the Cutie Mark Crusaders to Whitetail Woods was coming along.” Twilight was about to question Pinkie, but decided against it.

Soarin

Soarin with the CMC stood at the entrance to Whitetail Woods, first thing he noticed was tree sap pouring into buckets. “Interesting method, never seen anyone collect sap like that before.” He stepped up to a bucket looking inside the contents.

“It’s normal here Soarin.” Applebloom assured him. “Come on, there’s a really cool lake we can go to!”

“Lead the way girls,” Soarin replied, and they took him deeper into the woods. “Sound like a great way to enjoy the day, fun at the lake,” he chuckled.

Riding her scooter, Scootaloo grinned at him. “It sure will be! I can even show you some of my awesome tricks!”

“I look forward to it.” Soarin said to Scootaloo as they continued down the path.

“Soarin could you, by any chance, get my sister to make a jacket like yours?” Sweetie Belle asked him.

Soarin looked over his leather jacket and thought about it for a second. “I am not really sure Sweetie Belle, your sister might be able to make something close to this I am sure, but I’m not too sure about her working with leather.”

“Leather?” Applebloom turned her head, looking over to the stallion. “Ah’ve heard of it but never figured out what it’s made from.”

Soarin felt rather nervous all the sudden.

“I know where it’s made from but it’s probably not something you’d want to know, girls... Trust me when I say this, it’s best not to ask.” Sweetie Belle said to them in a slight serious tune of voice.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, it’s made from cow skin!” Applebloom gasped when Scootaloo said it. “Don’t worry, it’s harmless, Applebloom, I heard Twilight tell me. They use magic to scrape a small layer of skin and turn it into a fabric. The cows are healed up by pony doctors ready and waiting. It’s a harmless procedure.”

Soarin blinked, abruptly coming to a stop. “Erm... What?”

Applebloom was a bit surprised too. “How the hay did ya know all that?”

Scootaloo shrugged. “I was hanging out with Rainbow Dash in the library once and found the book about what leather was made of, then Twilight explained to me all that stuff I just said. I kinda remembered it because of all the fancy stuff spoken about how the cows get paid bits for just allowing ponies to gather the stuff to make leather and don't forget Sweetie Belle, she know about this too.”

“Yeah Rarity explained it to me the same way, that there’s nothing harmful about what they do to get the leather.” Sweetie Belle said, rubbing her front hoof over her other foreleg.

Applebloom smiled. “Look’s like ah learned somethin' new, and so did Soarin.”

Soarin carried on walking with the girls as they came to the lake side. “Things work differently where I am from, and even though the human and pony versions are all mixed together in some bloody twisted way. My memories tell me that in both worlds it’s either the humans, or ponies that are the only ones that talk. Cows, Deer and so forth aren't intelligent, they’re just animals.”

“Really? They don't talk?” Scootaloo frowned. “What about griffins? Minotaurs?”

Soarin chuckled. “Sure, they exist in the pony version of my memories, dragons too. There is even an entire nation of dragons, ruled over by the mighty Warlord Scale. Griffons have their own nation too. They roam in prides around the great plains south of the desertland, constantly warring with the Zebra herds over water and territory. They are all equal to Ponykind, even if we don’t always agree. My human memories though are… confused. It’s all blurred, but I am sure they existed there too, our worlds aren’t that different.” Soarin explained to them. “It’s a bloody mixing bowl in my head, trying to remember what is there and what isn’t.” He chuckled lightly.

“Yeah, it is kinda confusing.” Scootaloo giggled.

“Can we talk about that stuff later? We’re at the lake and I want to have some fun!” Sweetie Belle said, looking across the glistening water of the lake.

“Sure!” Scootaloo replied.

Applebloom trotted over to the water edge, looking around. “Girls, let the fun begin!”

“Yay!” They cheered and clapped hooves.

Soarin watched as they talked about ideas for getting their cutie marks. He set down a camping chair, unfolding it and placing on the ground. “Go and have fun, I will get the picnic set up.”

“Ok Soarin!” They called out as Soarin stood for a moment and watched them before going back to get the picnic together. He had managed to learn a few more things about the world he had called home for the last month and was content to let to Cutie Mark Crusaders enjoy themselves for now.

They were full of spirit and self determination. Something he enjoyed in their company. He was sure that foal-sitting them for the weekend was just the beginning of the fun that they would have together, oblivious to the events currently unfolding at the frozen north...

Chapter 11: The Ponies of the Frozen North

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 11: The Ponies of the Frozen North

Deep in the Frozen North, in the snow covered icelands far from the Crystal Empire stood a large glass dome, piercing through the snow and shimmering with a warm magical energy that melted the ice from its transparent surface.

Surrounding the dome was a small, tranquil city with forests, parks and a tall waterfall formed around a large cliff where the ancient ice of the frozen north met the warmth radiating from the dome and melted into the fresh water that fed the inhabitants of this peaceful metropolis.

Already, as the cold morning sun crept above the mountains on the horizon, the city was filled with ponies starting their long day. Being so close to the north, the summer days was three times longer than the nights. As Winter approached, the days would gradually get shorter until night dominated the northern city and only the warmth of the dome stopped the ponies freezing.

The ponies of the northern city were particularly proud of their architecture and successive city planners strived to preserve their legacy by commissioning towers of ever increasing heights, complete with the elaborate domed roofs that had become a defining feature of the city over it’s long history. The tallest of these buildings stood at 2000 feet high, a huge stone structure that towered over the dome in the centre of the city. Engraved onto the tower where a series of images, detailing major events in the history of the northern city. History was important to the ponies of the city, particularly the story of the founder, whose statue marked both the entrance to the dome and the city itself.

Within the dome itself was a garden of indescribable beauty, a tropical oasis from the frozen wasteland that dominated the surrounding area for miles around. At the very centre of the garden stood an ancient stone castle, the home of the city’s ruling class. The castle was one of the very first structures built in the city and its age was beginning to show in the moss protruding out of the many cracks in its walls and the ivy stretching right up to the very highest reaches of its many spires and towers.

The majority of the gardens were open to the public and was filled with ponies spending their day in the beauty of the dome with their family and friends, but the castle was closely guarded and visitors were encouraged to pay no heed to the armoured guards standing at the tall, spiked gates of the governmental headquarters of the Frozen North.

Zealous with her friend and assistant Flare stood at the highest tower of the castle, on a viewing platform, feeling the soft breeze of the artificial weather within the dome and looking far out to the south towards the crystal empire.She held a book in her magic, an old book about the history of a kingdom deep in the Frozen North, and had just started to read. “Ma'am?” She and Flare turned to see a guard pony dressed in shimmering white armour step up into the viewing platform from the stairs.

“I beg my pardon for coming up to the private viewing tower.” He lowered his head, resting a foreleg across his chest with his eyes closed.

Zealous put a hoof out. “It’s fine. Tell me, what is the urgency of the matter in hoof?”

He raised his head and stood firm. “Dr. Caballeron has just returned and is being brought in as I speak, he wasn't followed by anypony. He made a clean get away.”

Zealous chuckled. “So the good Doc managed to evade them as asked, this is wonderful. The last thing I need is for Celestia to find out about our little home, Frozsaidia. We are peaceful, proud and powerful...” She turned to the gardens. “500 years ago Celestia branded us as enemies to Equestria and banished us to the Frozen North. We can never allow our city and dome to be discovered by those of Equestria.”

“What of the gateway ma'am? It does reside within the lands of Frozsaidia...” The guard stated to Zealous.

Zealous turned to Flare. “I think it time to relocate the gateway, don't you think?”

Flare smirked. “I do Zealous, the facility about 50 miles south of the city's border to the snowy landscape should be a perfect place to relocate the gateway to Earth.”

“Guard?”

“Yes, Ma’am?”

“If I recall correctly, one of your direct ancestors was a cousin to my great grandfather, was he not?”

The guard looked out to the land with his wings flared open. “Yes that is correct, we are blood related ma'am, but I, as my great grandfather before me serve to protect those of the Colt. Only through hard work and devotion can we achieve paradise.”

“Very good. Now what about Celestia and her sister? What would you think they do if they found out about this place? Would they welcome us with open hooves after what they accused us of, or would they annex our beloved land?” Zealous looked into his eyes as she questioned him.

The guard stared at her for a few moments, lost for words, he turned away, towards the view of the towering buildings out through the dome glass. “I have no idea. I would never dare risk the prosperity of the city for my own curiosity. I have a wife, two lovely foals who must be protected. I would never let the usurpers put them in danger... Never.”

“Striker Shield, do you recall why this happened or why this city came to be? Apart from what Equestria and the Griffon Empire did to us.” Zealous didn't need to look at him to know this was a touchy subject. Almost all ponies of the city they knew the story of the treachery.

Striker Shield looked up at the large supports that supported the dome structure and allowed it to create it’s own climate. “Of course, the day the humans came and took the artefact and the Colt of Zealous of Equestria was to create methods to protect the kingdom at any or all costs from the Griffons. Even the smallest foals in the kingdom know about what happened.”

“The dragons of the far southern lands came to aid The Colt of Zealous as they fled the Griffon attacks. My mother told me that with the numbers of both Griffon Empire and Equestrian armies attacking the fort...” He sighed and closed his slitted eyes. “ Without the dragons there would have been no chance of escape.”

“Indeed, unable to go south, the colt flew north with the dragons. The gateway was destroyed and the half of artefact that had been recovered was now lost to Celestia, our ancestors had little or no hope to live. But the alliance with the dragons ensured our survival. So far north and out of the way, this became paradise for all the live here, no hardship no pain, only the past.” Zealous led the two down the stairs.

“Is that why the facilities been built in secret and so far south?” Striker Shield asked.

Flare smirked. “It was all my idea about five years ago, we had only recently been stealing technology and blueprints from almost everything from the human world. We decided to build a whole network of them, make it look like it the settlement of those that fled and banished from Equestria.” Flare explained to Striker with pride.

Zealous chuckled. “Yes my sweet young friend, your mind is sharp as anything, you are truly one of the brightest friends I could ever ask for.” Zealous turned her head to him as they continued to walk down the spiral stairs of the tower. “But we discovered something dreadful about their world...”

“What would that be ma'am?” Striker looked very unsettled by the look she gave him, Zealous very rarely let other ponies know when she was worried.

“The humans are large in numbers, and they have created weapons that kill in the blink of an eye. Weapons powerful enough to blow ponies apart, leaving nothing behind. And they use them too. The humans have become experts at destruction. They can create biological weapons that kill an army without a single swing of a sword, or a weapon made from the very fabric of the universe, a weapon that will instantly vaporise a pony.

But this is the worst of the humans, their obsession with infighting over tiny little boarders. At the most fundamental level the humans are no different from us, they long to live in a better world, to care for those in need and make their voices heard, although their methods may seem rather flawed to us.” Zealous concluded as they approached a large wooden door towards the bottom of the castle.

Flare was jogging a little behind the two, larger ponies. He was holding a small, grey box in his claw, with a strap designed to wrap around a hoof. “We, well I, have been able to recreate some of the weapons of the humans, a pulse that imitates the magical blast released when a unicorn performs an immobilisation enchantment.” He explained to Striker as he handed him the small device.

They made their way further down into the underground area of the castle. She explained more to him as they arrived on the platform of an underground train station. “The accomplishments are not only counted in the art of war and weaponry, but in what they create, in their art, their animation, their music. The world has so many wonders and dangers that you just do not know what they are capable of.”

“That is why we created our plan to target the United Kingdom first. We intend to remove the nuclear threat from all over the Earth, using a newly developed Anti-atomic Magical Pulse. AMP for short.” Flare showed Striker the diagram.

“Ah yes I saw this, it was revealed by Zealous about two years ago. I knew of the facilities as well but doesn't everyone know about them?”

“Yes Striker they do, just not the locations, they are to be kept secret, ensuring that if the plan fails only the facilities will fall, the city will stay safe, you have my word on that.”

“I believe you ma'am, but what about Dr. Caballeron?” He asked, allowing such an infamous villain into the city couldn’t be safe when such secrets were at stake.

Zealous remained calm, Striker was not the first pony to question her choice of accomplice. “Thanks to the wonders of human technology and our magical expertise, we were finally able to integrate the long range focus magical teleporter we started building nine years ago. The technology, and the wonders we have created with it ensure that finding this place is next to impossible, that’s why I have no worries about Dr. Caballeron, Striker. He is of no threat to Frozsaidia City.”

The wind picked up a little and Flare stepped forward as a bright light illuminated the entrance to the underground tunnel. “One of those wonders, which I personally helped develop, is the underground train network that was completed five years ago, the heart of Frozsaidia City transport network. Trains arrive in almost every station every ten minutes. It the core of what makes the city more closely tied together. The whole network is centred around the Frozsaidia Hub, the largest station with nineteen platforms that all trains link to and go out to all stations across the city.” Flare pulled out a map of the city train network, including two tracks leading to the secret facilities to the South.

“Talking about the city and everything else today been really refreshing cousin, I really enjoyed this chat, if I may, I need to return to my duties in the castle, I am the captain of the guard after all.” Striker gave Zealous a hug, “just don't be a stranger ok?”

“Sure cousin, see you around you big lug.” She hit him on the arm softly and with a wave he left, heading up the steps. “He’s right, it has been refreshing...” Zealous turned to the train pulling up. “Now for Dr. Caballeron.”

Flare checked the schedule. “Are you sure that Dr. Caballeron should know about what took place 500 years ago?” He questioned, still concerned over the choices that Zealous was making.

Zealous let out a breath of air, stomping her hoof firmly on the ground. “He and his hench ponies are the first foreigners to step hoof in this city in a long time, Dr. Caballeron has the right to know. That’s why we are holding our talks in the local library on the west side of the city, close to the waterfall.”

Flare put the map away into his bag. “And the ponies that work for him?”

“They can explore the city as they wish, as long as they keep out of trouble. Also I will have guards keeping tabs on them the whole time, just to be sure.” Zealous added.

“Understood Zealous.” Flare put his claw hands behind his back and stood beside Zealous as the train came to a stop at the platform. The doors opened and they both stepped on board to come face to face again with Dr. Caballeron.

“Ah Zealous, it is good to meet you once again, I gather this isn't our stop.” Dr. Caballeron said, watching the doors shut behind her to the sound of the high pitched warnings.

Zealous took a seat with Flare as the train started to move. “Indeed Dr. Caballeron, we’re going to the west side of the city, our little chat is going to be held at the Cliff Side Library, it resides beside the very waterfall that flows through the great Poseineigh River.”

“Interesting, and what of my friends?”

“They have the freedom to explore the city, with the condition that they won't cause any trouble and that they abide by our laws. You are the first ponies to step hoof in Frozsaidia since the founding of the city.” Zealous said, facing Dr. Caballeron. She pulled a bag of gold, gems, and jewels out of her saddle bag with her magic. “I believe this is your payment to our terms.” She floated it over to him, landing it between his forelegs.

He opened it and carefully counted each jewel and coin. “Indeed, as agreed. I am still amazed by the level of development in this fine city, it nothing that we seen before,” he quickly added. “How is that you’re far more advanced than the ponies of Equestria?”

“That is one of the subjects we will be talking about Dr. Caballeron and, as from this moment on, you and your friends are welcomed guests to our city, I hope you will enjoy your stay.” Zealous said in a calm collected voice.

“I am sure we will.” Dr. Caballeron replied, sounding less than convinced.

The trip to the station was short. They left and made their way top side, joining the small crowd of ponies also leaving and entering the station. The three accompanying hench ponies decided to check out the local café that wasn't too far from the station while Dr. Caballeron, Zealous and Flare made their way up the road alongside the cliff to the library, a fat, mushroom shaped building, supported by a number of thick, stone columns to stop the rear half of the building from sliding down the large cliff it was hovering over.

Zealous strode up the wide, marble steps to the library, followed closely by Flare. Dr. Caballeron in comparison, looked less than confident at the structural integrity of the building, and it’s close proximity to the large waterfall that seemed to cut this part of the city in half. “Are you coming Dr. Caballeron?” Zealous asked.

He gulped a little. “Yes of course, I was just a bit… surprised by the architecture. This building looks more like a museum than a library.”

“Well libraries are rather like museums, Dr. Caballeron. Precious tomes containing great historical events, as told by the victors, of course. Here, one can find the stories that are unknown to even the wise, omniscient Princess Celestia, as well as a superb selection of fictional novels, poems and a wide range of other resources, including out City Net computer library.”

“Computer?” Dr. Caballeron looked positively baffled by the word.

Zealous chuckled. “Come, Dr. Caballeron you have much to learn and hear.” Cautiously, he walked up to the entrance and they entered into the reception area of the library.

He whistled loudly, impressed at the sheer size of the library, at the seemingly endless aisles of books that lined the walls and the shelves. “Your city just keep surprising me, dear Zealous. I am very impressed.”

Flare coughed, putting a claw hand out. “This way to the private study, she will speak to you in there.”

“Of course.” Dr. Caballeron followed Zealous up the stairs, past a few aisles of books labelled ‘Geological Poetry’, until they arrived at the small wooden door. Pulling it open, they entered the room and Zealous closed it behind them. The study was a mini library in itself, complete with a desk, chairs, light lamps and an impressive view of the waterfall, the city and the dome.

Zealous picked up the phone with her magic. “This is Zealous, can I have refreshments brought to my private study please.”

“Of course ma'am, we will have it brought up to you shortly,” came the reply from the pony on the other side the line.

“Thank you.” Zealous put the phone back on the reserve. “Now Dr. Caballeron, why don't you take a seat and I can begin to tell you the tale of The Colt of Zealous, and how, 500 years ago, the very order created by Princess Celestia was betrayed, and its members forced into exile in the frozen north.”

Dr. Caballeron took a seat. “Has this got something to do with the artefact?”

“Everything, Dr. Caballeron, and this is how the story begins...”

Author's Notes:

This chapter focus a little on Zealous as a back ground to her motives and such.

Also planning that the next few chapters show a bit more of the Colt of Zealous that part of this ever going story.

If you got any views on this chapter and those that follow please let me know what you think and comment on it.

All I am doing is just trying to show the otherside of the coin as it where, even the actions of Zealous seem wrong to some, her actions speak of experience and what she learned through out her life, the reasons they do what they do for the very ponies of this very northern city deep in the Frozen North.

I get some dislike this story and others like it with the thumbs up and down system but I would love to hear your views on it overall. See why you guys like it or dislike it.

Chapter 12: The Last Days of the Colt

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 12: The Last days of the Colt

The war between Equestria and the Griffon Empire was starting to take its toll on the Equestrian armies, they were no match for the stronger fliers and fighters of the Griffon Empire. Even a combined effort from all three pony types could barely hold the lines with many on each side losing their lives over the conflict that had lasted for countless years.

Celestia stood close to the front lines with her primary guard, a team of the most elite fighters in Equestria, all of whom had sworn their life to protecting the Princess at all costs. Many of her commanders would have preferred that she stayed away from the battleground altogether, but she wouldn't sit idly by anymore, not when the future of the kingdom was at stake.

It was during this time that she created the Colt of Zealous, an underground faction of the Equestrian war effort specialising in the acquisition and use of forbidden magical technology. Above all, the Colt operated in complete secrecy; Celestia could never be suspected of giving power to such a dark organisation. Whenever questioned, the official statement from Canterlot was that the acts of the Colt were performed by a rogue group, operating independently from the Equestrian army.

The base of operations of the Colt of Zealous was located deep in a mountainside cave network within the Griffon Empire borders. This is where they created the most dangerous magic, that which was either new or forbidden, including a circular crystal plate, about ten meters in diameter attached to a stone arch, the first of a number of magical gateways to another world created by the Colt.

The leader of the Colt was tall, blue unicorn with a purple, red and yellow mane, he wore a gold plated chest piece attached to a red cloak and had a cutie mark of a crystal star. His name was Crystal Spark.

Second only to him were the rainbow maned pegasus mare with a light grey coat named Rainbow Spectre and the Earth pony stallion Smash, whose white mane and cyan coat under the gold plated armour, as well as the golden patch he wore over his right eye, made him instantly recognisable among members of the Colt.

The three leaders of the Colt of Zealous were stood on a rocky ledge, watching as the next set of supplies were brought in from the other world, three ponies pulling a large wagon of gunpowder and just behind them, ponies pulling in cannons. “The raid on the humans went as planned?” Crystal Spark asked the lead pony of the raiding team.

“Yes sir, none of the humans saw us, it was made easier by the ships approaching the fort on the cliff out to the sea. We made it seem as though they fired on the ships.” The lead pony replied confidently, saluting with a hoof across his armoured chest plate.

“Nice bold strategy, get both sides to fight and steal the prize right under their noses. Very cunning.” Rainbow Spectre chuckled, spinning her three pointed blade around her right front hoof.

A unicorn wearing a blue cloak, a captain, galloped up to them. “Sir! I am sorry to disturb you, but this is urgent!” The unicorn captain insisted, breathing heavily.

Smash smirked, looking with his one good eye. “Aye, please tell.” He lifted his large crystal hammer onto his shoulder, displaying his formidable strength as he held it in place with ease.

“Indeed, please if it’s urgent.” Crystal Spark put his hoof to the unicorn.

The cloaked unicorn turned to the way he came. “I believe it would be better seen than said, sir.”

“Lead on then.” Crystal Spark ordered, putting his hoof out to let the cloaked pony lead.

“This must be serious if it drags us away from preparing the convoy attack, we need those supplies.” Rainbow Spectre said, wings flaring open and closed again.

The cloak unicorn bowed his head with a hoof across his chest. “This won't disappoint you at all, I promise you that.” He turned and ran down the cave tunnel. The three ponies nodded to each other and follow him past the soldiers setting up for the attack or tending to the prisoners that had been freed a few days ago, mostly mares and foals captured during a raid by Griffon thugs on one of the local border Villages.

Smash looked at those that were being treated by the medical members of the Colt. He felt heavy hearted seeing the scars left on innocent mares and foals tortured by the Griffons. “When will this war end...” He asked nopony in particular, remembering all those he couldn't save in the attack on the prison camp.

The cloaked unicorn looked back as they galloped after him. “By today,” he declared.

This caught their attention and they followed him into the workstation operated by the cloaked unicorn and two young zebras who had volunteered for the cause after being rescued from a griffon camp. They all turned to the three ponies who entered, all with smiles on their snouts, pulling back their hoods and showing their faces to the three top ranking and oldest members of the Colt of Zealous.

One of the zebras with a scar on his snout stepped up to them. “Today the fight ends, no more lives will waste, we wipe out Griffon kind with haste.” He spoke in rhyme. “I, Zeath, have created a device of power beyond belief, a single touch from non Equine and a blast of magic that will give grief.” Zeath smirked and stepped to the side to let them lay eyes on it.

“Crystal Spark, behold! The answer to all of our Griffon problems, the most powerful transmutational magical item to ever be created, this will magnify the magic at almost limitless range. Behold, the Orb of Transzel! It is comprised of two pieces, together they are extremely powerful but even on their own, they still possess the power to change any creation that isn't a equine like us into a pony and even reshape their memories to match.” The unicorn explained as they stared at the grey metal orb, lined with gold and crystal markings all over.

Rainbow Spectre tapped it with a hoof. “Have you tested this thing on any Griffons?”

Zeath stood beside her. “We wished to wait before the test, our first subject is one we detest.” With a clop of his front hooves together two ponies pulled in a Griffon wearing high ranked markers on what was left of his uniform.

“Ah the good General Gri. It is a pleasure to see you have been treated with care.” Crystal Spark smirked.

The Griffon let out a tremendous roar and tore violently at his chains. “When I get my talons on you rebels I will crush every last air out of you!”

“Quite the temper he’s still got.” Smash said, tapping his hammer gently against his other hoof. “Can anypony use this?”

“Indeed, anypony can use this device, so do so, Smash, for this honour there is no price.” Zeath bow a little.

Smash looked to his fellow comrades. They nodded to him and allowed Smash to do the honours. Slowly, he stepped up to the device and put a hoof on the orb, immediately he felt the energy from it. “Amazing, I can feel the magic flowing through me.” He glared at Gri. “Any last words as a Griffon, Beak brains?”

Gri gritted his teeth. “The Griffons shall win this war and when I am freed, you will be the first to...”

“I’ve heard enough...” Smash declared and focused the energy onto Gri, the orb let off a small pulse of white light that slowly snaked towards the Griffon.

“Is that it? Your great big orb just released a stupid little firefly?” The light passed through his skin as they watched. “You all really think that would do something to me?” He mocked.

Rainbow Spectre blinked. “Are you seeing what I am seeing?”

“Yes...” Crystal Spark answered.

By now even Grif felt something was wrong, he couldn't feel his claw talons on his right arm. He looked down and a tan colour hoof was in its place. Before his very eyes his body was changing, morphing into another form.

“What’s going on!? What have you done to me!? Get it out of me! G-Ge-get...” His body glowed and shifted with his paws turning into hoofs, his lion tail turning into a pony tail. Shrinking in size, his beak vanished and was replaced by a snout. His eyes grew in size and a blue mane appeared on his head.

He closed his eyes finding it hard to fight. “I am Gri the gr-po... No grif... No... I am a...” The light dimmed and the proud Griffon general was gone. “My name is Gri. I am a pegasus and captain for Equestria, I serve to protect Princess Celestia and my fellow ponies! I live to serve and protect!” The tan coated pegasus that was once Gri announced, pulling his hooves free from the chains. Even his armour had changed, and now bore an image of the Equestrian flag.

“Interesting, not only did it changed him into a pony, but he actually believes he was always one, amazing,” Crystal Spark whispered to the ponies close to him. They nodded in reply. Cautiously, he stepped up to Gri, “General Gri, what made you join the Colt of Zealous?”

He stood firm after kicking away the shackles. “Captain Gri sir! I joined to be a spy for the Colt, you believed turning me into one of those beasts was the best method to get information. I am sorry it went to my head.”

“It’s ok Gri, you did your job, and very well I might add. Why don't you go with Zeath here and report all your findings.” Crystal Spark suggested.

Gri saluted. “Oh I will sir!” Zeath smirked at Crystal Spark and the others before he indicated to Gri to follow him and they left.

Smash chuckled at what they had done. “I’ve got to give them unicorns a hoof on this, this orb is really something. With it’s magic we can defeat the Griffons in mere seconds.”

“Not just that, but we can give Equestria a huge sum of territory in just one day. Of course, Celestia forbade this type of magic to be used. But by the time she realises...” Rainbow Spectre beg

“It will be too late to worry about what we did because the spell is irreversible,” Crystal Spark finished. “She would be too busy dealing with the new lands she will have acquired thanks to us.”

Smash chuckled. “Aye and the Colt of Zealous will complete its mission and we all get to return home to the fort we built with the wealth we acquired over these last 30 years, giving our families a home with no fear.” Smash put his hoof out to the other two ponies. “For Equestria!”

“For Equestria!” They put their hooves against his and the other ponies around cheered in delight. This one orb marked the end of the war between the Griffons and ponies. Finally, this would be the day that the Griffons fade into mere myth and legend.

Crystal Spark stood in front of the orb and addressed all the ponies in the chamber. “Tonight we move out and place this on the peak of this mountain. This will be the final night of the Griffon Empire! With this weapon we wipe the Griffon empire from the history books. The war that lasted for so long will finally end! The Colt of Zealous will seal victory for the Equine races across the world! We are the saviours of Equestria!” The ponies cheered in reply to his speech.

Crystal Spark turned to Rainbow Spectre, “Get a team ready to move out by sunset.”

“You can count on me Spark!” Rainbow Spectre saluted and flew off down the tunnel.

He turned to Smash. “Get the orb loaded into two crates ready for Rainbow Spectre's team.”

“Aye, I'll get on it for you sir, ready to help me ponies?” Smash looked around the cloaked unicorns, they gave a nod and pulled the orb into two pieces before carrying it away with Smash leading them to the supply tunnel to place the orbs into safe crates for the trip.

Crystal Spark used his magic to pull out a small, carefully folded letter. It was a note his daughter had given him when he left to go north two years ago. “Soon, my sweet child, I be home and for good this time.” He put the letter away, walking down the tunnel and stopping at a mare with her daughter. “Here, this will keep you warm.” He took of his cloak placing it over them.

“Thank you mister!” The filly beamed in delight snuggling close into it with her mother.

“You’re welcome little one.” He stepped up to them and lowered his head towards them. “By tomorrow the war be over. We have found a way to end it once and for all.”

“Really?” The mare looked surprised by this news.

“Indeed, if all goes to plan, the war can finally be over and we all can return to our homes.” Crystal Spark raised his head and walked on. “If only we were all lucky enough to return to our old homes...” He sighed. He and his family had lost their home in the war, a new one had been built, but he still felt uneasy about this victory looming over them.

He stepped outside the mountain to see if the path to the mountain top was clear and that no Griffons were nearby the portal. “Sweet Celestia, that’s quite the number of Griffons.” He jumped behind some rocks as a large group of Griffons, perhaps ten or so, flew above the mountain path. “They must be looking for Gri, that number of Griffons is going to make this trip to the mountain top a little tricky, but I think I got a idea how t...”

“Men attack! Take down the demon horses!” Crystal Spark heard shots being fired and gasped, he quickly galloped into the cave network to see...

“Sweet Celestia! Humans!” He saw many with swords and shields, a few of them had firearms on them, pistols aimed at the unicorns and with a loud bang they fired but the shields quickly summoned deflected the shots. “Every pony! Drive the humans back into the gateway!”

Rainbow Spectre flew towards them, hitting two of them with a right and left front hoof in their chests and sending the two men down on their knees. “Time to show this freaks a thing or two about us ponies! We don't roll over!” She crack another hit on one of them.

Smash jumped in and smashed one sword to pieces with his hammer. “Aye, let’s show them who they’re messing with!” He slammed one of them with the full force of his hammer.

The Unicorns with Crystal Spark unleashed a barrage of powerful offensive magic to defeat the invaders. “That it we winning!”

Some humans fell to the magic and attacks from the ponies but so did many members of the Colt. The clashes between the two forces were bloody, but the ponies was starting to push back and win the battle. They had the advantage over the humans with magic, strength and flight. The pegasi kept swooping in and knocking many soldiers on their backs, magical blasts also pushed back many of the humans, some getting up and fleeing, others tried to fight the earth ponies to only receive powerful hind kicks and foreleg punches.

Two cloaked unicorns took hold of three humans with their magic and threw them into others, archers struck down one of the unicorns by hitting her in the front leg and the stallion by her created a shield and pushed it out, knocking them back.

One of the humans raised his sword. “Don't let these demon horses win men! Fight for King and country! For England!”

“For England!” The humans cried as they, once again, charged at the ponies.

As they approached, Zeath threw his bag of magical powder, a powerful mixture that immobilised the humans in fits of coughing and fainting. He bucked two more, followed by a right front hoof across the face of a third human. “That’s it! We’re winning! Push those humans back into gateway! Show them what the Colt of Zealous is made of!” Rainbow Spectre slashed at one human with her tri-blade.

One of the humans, a captain of the platoon, saw his chance. In the chaos of the battle he crept past the fighting and towards a mare and her son. “Keep away, you creep!” She shielded her son from him. “You’re not going to lay one hoof on him!”

“Oh, really? Then stop me.” He pressed his pistol against her head.

“Mummy!”

“Be brave my little jewel, be...” She closed her eyes and waited for her end.

Even over the noise of the fighting the sound of the shot rang out. The mare fell dead, blood pouring from the hole in her head. “Next shot will be this little fellow! It’s up to you, demon horses!” He pulled a second pistol from his belt, loaded and ready to fire.

Crystal Spark stood on his hind legs with forelegs out. “All ponies stop!” They broke away from their attacks and kept their distance. “Please don't hurt the young one, he’s not involved in this!

“Then surrender, and I will spare the rest of your stupid lives.

“Sir they...”

“Don't question me soldier, look at these creatures.” The leader growled and the soldier fell silent. “So do the demon horses surrender? Or do you condemn this one to die.” He grinned darkly at Crystal Spark.

He growled and tossed the spear to the ground. “We surrender.”

Smash was holding a human to the wall with his hoof ready to smash his head in turn. “Sir?”

“We can't risk any more innocent ponies being harmed, they already taken a foal and two mares’ lives...” Crystal Spark stared at the two ponies that had been murdered by the humans, and the many injured ponies already lying on this brutal battleground

The human captain cracked a smile, still aiming at the colt. “Very well.” He raised his pistol. “We generously accept.” He pointed his pistol at Crystal Spark. “You all get over by that 'young one'. If any more of you freaks of nature try anything we will take another 'innocent' life.”

Crystal Spark saw so many ponies were injured from the attack, some with gun shot wounds and others from the blades, some had fallen to the weapons, more than that though, what angered him more was that they murdered not just a mother but a child too, a young foal, not even a year old, and he was dead, lifeless, lying on the ground. It was enough, he couldn’t do this anymore, he couldn’t face all the death.

During the next hour or so, the human soldiers in armour took most of the supplies with them, including the two chests that held the two halves of the orb, food supplies and most of the much needed medical equipment, leaving the ponies unable to treat their wounded. He and the fellow ponies of the Colt of Zealous were powerless to stop them from taking the stuff. Crystal Spark couldn't risk the other ponies’ lives, especially the young and their mothers.

“You will pay for what you did human...” Crystal Spark growled under his breath at the leader.

The other humans placed barrel after barrel together around the gateway. “I doubt that demon, this gunpowder will seal off your demon world from us for good.” The human leader said with a torch held high.

Crystal Spark hint all ponies to back away, deeper into the tunnels. “Mark my words human, you will never reach your 'England' you have my promise.” He said coldly as they step further back into the tunnels.

“Big words from a demon horse, I bid you farewell and thank you for your treasures.” He throw the torch on a trail of gunpowder it lit up and burned right to the barrels. “Fare thee well!” He was the last to run into the portal.

KABOOOM!

The whole cave network shook with the force of the blast, all the ponies taking cover from pieces of rocks falling around them, finally the rumbling ceased as the cave settled, with small pieces of rock falling around with dust and smoke covering most of the caverns.

Crystal Spark was coughing as he slowly got up, seeing others around recovering as well, he picked up a torch with his magic and lit it back up. “You three seal all the entrances into the caverns on this side of the mountain that you can. The Griffon search teams most likely heard the explosion, or at least have seen the smoke.”

“We’re on it sir!” The unicorn in armour replied. With his team, they quickly left, using torches to see their way to the tunnel entrances.

Smash scouted what was left of the main cavern where the gateway was. “Sir, the gate has been almost completely destroyed.”

Crystal Spark with others of the cult stood before the shattered shimmering gateway sparking with magical energy that bled out of the few remains that still held the magical energy. “Indeed it is, but not completely. Smash, you and whatever is left of the guard take the innocents and injured through the escape tunnels, get them back to the Equestrian borders.”

Smash saluted. “Aye, I will get on it Crystal Spark. You lot, help me get whatever wagons we got left and get the injured onto them, leave one cart for those that have died, they deserve a decent burial.”

“Yes sir!” The guards replied and got to work with Smash, helping to move the hidden doorway toreveal their escape route out of the mountain.

Rainbow Spectre removed some of the rubble to find four humans still alive but barely holding their own. “Crystal we got some humans here, they’re alive.”

Crystal Spark walked over to the humans that lay there close to death. “Two unicorns with healing magic with me, the rest go and help the ponies that need help.” Two of the cloaked ponies removed their hoods showing their faces. “Ah Zec and Hec, the Mercy twins. I wondered if you had joined the Colt of Zealous. I heard your healing magic together rivals my own.” He smirked to the mare and stallion.

Both shared the same purple coat colour with blue and light pink manes and tails, their manes semi long and their tails spiky and long. Their cutie marks had half of a seal with the symbol of healing in the middle. “Yes Crystal Spark, we joined to help those that need healing on all sides.” They said together in union.

“And there goes my head.” Rainbow Spectre complained rubbing her head. “I really hate it when the twins talk like that, it gives me a headache.”

Zeath and Gri stepped up to Crystal Spark. “Sir by healing them they might yield information we need.” Gri suggested.

“That is what I am expecting, Zec, let Hec heal them.” Crystal Spark ordered and the twins stood before the humans.

One open his eyes looking at them. “Ge-get away you...” Their horns glowed brightly, he closed his eyes expecting the end but suddenly all the pain he had was leaving, he felt open wounds sealing up and soon he was better once again. “Wha-what black magic is this!?”

“Advanced healing magic cast by the very best.” Crystal Spark replied, standing over him and the others as they got their bearings. “I am Crystal Spark the leader of the Colt of Zealous.”

“Colt as in male horse? What kind of strange name is that?” The human frowned.

Zeath chuckled. “A little quirk the ponies seem to possess, naming with puns, though not always with success. ” He rhymed.

“And what the heck are you?”

Zeath bowed with a hoof across his chest. “I am Zeath of the lands of Zebrain, the home of my kind in the open plains.” He stood firm once more. “My magic lies with potions, brews to let ponies fly, and powders that can put a stallion to sleep in a blink of an eye.”

The humans slowly stood finding they was disarmed. “What are you going to do to us? Torture us? You dem...”

“We are ponies, not demon horses, calling us a horse is an insult, we may be related but they are not as smart as us, yes they speak but their culture lacks what we have.” Crystal Spark cut him off, using his magic to raise the torch to the man's face. “We healed you because unlike your kind, we are not monsters. We care for the dead and living of both sides, something your cowardly leader doesn’t seem to understand.”

Another human raised his hands. “What? That’s not possible, you are demons, we can only slay and you return to full strength and never die.”

Rainbow Spectre sneered at him. “Oh really!?” She snapped and pulled him over to a foal, forcing his face against that of the lifeless pony. “Look at him! Look at the foal that never will have a life! Your fearless leader took his life! A helpless child that could barely walk!”

The human put his hand on the fur and felt nothing, the blood was wet on his hands as he stared at the still foal. “Y-you talk and yo-you’re ju-just...”

“Like us? Yes we are flesh and bone, we just have something you do not and you have something we don't have either, now what do you think of your leader now? How he ran off leaving you to die?” She screamed at the pale soldier.

The human fell on his knees with hands over his eyes. “We were never trained for this... We serve to protect innocent lives, not take them...” He started to cry, the other humans lower their arms and looked away in shame. “We’re monsters... We raided and took your lives... We destroyed the fort on the coast at the cost of two ships, we serve King and Country to protect our beloved England, not for this.”

“So the humans are on the ships?” Crystal Spark asked him and got a nod. “And now you’re sick of calling yourself human?” Another nod. “We can turn you into one of our kind if you wish.”

The humans looked at each other then back at him. “It up to you, after today humans will never be welcomed by ponies, we would rather not let the world know of your kind.”

They listened to him and lower their heads, the one by the foal looked at him. “Do what you must, we won't stop you. In fact, I will help stop the ships from reaching England. I won't let our captain get away with this. He would use it to rise in power, the stuff we took could do untold damage.”

“We’re in too.” The humans all agreed, apart from one.

“You’re crazy! I am not in with this! I’d soon...” The two twins fired a beam of magic, changing him into a pony before the other humans’ eyes. He stood on his two hind legs waving and fell on all fours. “What happened? My head feels fuzzy...” The blue mane and tailed unicorn with a white coat and a cutie mark of a gold shield shook his head again, he took one glance at Crystal Spark.

“What is your name guardspony?”

The guardspony saluted. “Golden Shield, why are you asking me that?” He shifted his silver armour a little flexing his muscles. “I... How did I get here? Why can't I remember much?”

“You were held captive Golden Shield, remember?”

“Yes by the Griffons, they tortured me for information but I didn't give any, I did a memory wipe spell on myself.” Golden Shield replied to Crystal Spark and saw the humans. “Whoa what the heck are those things?”

The three humans looked at each other and back at Rainbow Spectre. “Humans, you seen what’s happened to him right?”

“We get it. If we are allowed to keep our true selves then we serve your Colt of Zealous and aid you in getting back to orbs.” The front human replied to her. “You know, for a girl you’ve got a warring heart.”

“Don't get any ideas sunshine, I have a husband already and I plan on seeing him again someday.” Rainbow Spectre replied with a smirk. “As for getting back the orbs, we know how to get one of them, but we’ve got no time to get the other back too. So I got a plan to stop it from reaching England, but keep enough alive to make sure they won't try this ever again.” Rainbow Spectre grinned at them. “So boys, ready to join the Colt of Zealous and our cause?”

“Yes ma'am!” They saluted. Crystal Spark and the twins stood before them with their horns glowing and fires their magic at the three remaining humans.

Somewhere in the North Sea

The captain of the ship HMS London had just lost track of the other ship HMS Reading that had entered the fog bank, his ship sailed around it without any problems but for the last five hours they had found no sign of the ship or it crew, it was as if they had simply vanished into thin air. “Sir do you think the ship hit a reef within the fog?”

The captain turn to the sailor. “No I’ve sailed these waters many times in the past, there is no reef or rocks in these parts...” He turned to a few sailors and soldiers. “Get a row boat lowered and enter the fog bank, try to see if the ship is in there.”

“Aye aye captain!” The sailor saluted. He ran down the steps and told the men, they did as asked and started to lower a row boat into the water with a small crew on board.

Everyone watched as the boat closed in on the fog bank. The captain was watching through his telescope as they approached the fog. The boat entered and before his eye it vanished from view in the thick layer of fog. “What on god’s name...” He quickly yelled out. “Men! return to the ship!” He got no reply. “Men!”

“They’ve vanished...”

“It a curse!” Another said.

The captain felt very uneasy now. “Get this ship out of here! We going back to England!” They didn't think twice and went to work on getting the ship to sail away from it, they got a good distance away from it and continued as the night sets in, the captain stood looking up at the sky.

He smiled. “At least we’ve got some prizes to take home, with it we can even beat the French.”

A bright glow caught his eyes. He turned around and what he saw in the blinding light made the captain’s face turn pale. Charging out of the light were the ponies, but there weren’t any foals here. This was a whole team of warriors. “We’ve got three minutes before we’re pulled back to our world ponies! Do whatever it take to scuttle this ship!” Rainbow Spectre yelled out and launched right for the captain, hitting him through the steering wheel and smashing it to pieces. The ship banked hard to the right, causing them to slide as the ship continued to turn without any control.

“Arg... How...” He could see the rainbow maned mare pinning him, a Zebra and about three out of the four ponies were wearing armour with the St. George cross on it. He saw the looks they gave him and he knew they were his soldiers. Somehow they had all been turned into ponies.

The ship was tilting at this point and he knew it, the surprise attack had caught everyone on the ship off guard and the captain knew his ship was doomed. Two ponies were marching up towards him. Their eyes full of hatred.

“A message, captain, from my dear friend Crystal Spark. It is over, you will spend the rest of your life locked away like the monster you truly are. May the rest of your live be short and miserable and may death come slowly and painfully, captain.” She spat out the last word. “And remember, you brought this upon yourself, when you awake know that your punishment is you’re own doing, for the innocent lives you so callously stole.” She turned to her Zebra friend. “Zeath do your stuff,” she shouted, leaping back as the Zebra blew a cloud of powder into the captain’s face. He coughed, waving his hand and felt his strength slowly leave him. He lost consciousness just as he saw the two unicorns horns glow with purple aura.

He awoke to find the rocking motion of the boat, but something was not right, as his vision started to clear and salt water rained over his face, he was in a boat, maybe his men had rescued him but the feeling was wrong. He heard one of the men speaking out as he eyes gained focus, looking up at him. “We’re almost there men! We close to the mainland! Keep rowing! The storm isn't going to ease up!”

The captain try speak. “Mha maoim ommm...” He look cross eyeed to see a snout in view and tied up by the rope, he screamed out. “MmmmmmMMMM!!!!” The horn on his head surged with magic, he felt it and then a blade touch it.

“Don't you dare use your black magic, unicorn or I will cut your horn off.” He gulped, seeing the sailor with the blade, nodding rapidly with fear in his eyes. “Good!” The captain realised why he felt so strange as he woke. He had hooves instead of feet and hands. His forelegs and hindlegs were all tied up. “So, sailor tell me again how it happened?”

The man the captain saw was wearing part of his shirt over his head as a makeshift bandage, he was supported by some of the others. “It’s as I said, this unicorn saved my life, along with most of the rest of us. The soldiers can tell you the same thing.”

One of them in the other row boat near by spoke out over the rainstorm. “It’s true, I saw it with my own eyes, the pony creatures attacked and scuttled our ship yes, but this one stayed behind when the others left to help the captain get the rest of us off ship. He used that 'magic' of his to hold the whole ship together, it must have been taxing for him with all that crazy aura.”

The boats hit the beach and they climbed out, carrying the injured men and the unicorn onto the beach. “I saw the captain throw this unicorn overboard rather than saving himself. He stayed behind when the ship went down. I was the last to leave and he said to me. 'I have done wrong and my hands are stained with the blood of innocent lives, I will stay with the ship and go down with it. I don't deserve a second chance.' And then I leapt off the ship as it continued to sink, that was when this dark blue unicorn was thrown off the ship by the captain.” The sailor explained.

The other men talking to each other about it with questions and actions to take. “I for one would like to hear it from the horse’s mouth.” He turned to the bounded unicorn. “Remove the ropes from his snout.”

The soldier nodded kneeling down with a knife and cutting the rope off the unicorn's snout. He opened and closed his mouth, trying to get the feel of it. “Tell us unicorn, is what the men said and we saw is true?”

'How could I be there and be like this at the same time? These events I didn't see or know about till now, what do I do? Tell them I am the captain turn into this thing or should I agree to them and play it safe? Damn those pony creatures! I am never going to be human again, what does it matter? I had no family or friends, my hands are soaked with the blood of innocents... I am nothing...'

“SPEAK!” The soldier put his knife close to the unicorns throat. In response his horn glowed and with a flash of light, he vanished before their eyes, only to appear a few feet away, standing and staring at them. He had escaped his bounds too. “Sweet Mary... Did you just see that!?”

“You idiot, of course I did. He just vanished and reappeared over there, which means he could have escaped this whole time but choose not to.” The sailor said, putting a hand on the soldiers arm to lower the knife. He did so. “Now unicorn, tell me your name.”

'What to do... What should I say? What crazy name would... I got it!'

He put a hoof to his chest, coughing a little to clear his throat. “My name is...” He voice wasn't his. It was different, deeper. He sounded almost wise in the way he spoke. “Merlin... Merlin Starlight.” He had always liked the tales of Merlin the wizard that his father had told him as a child.

“Merlin hmm? So tell us, why did you attacked our ship?” The sailor asked.

'Let’s think this through, of course the ponies attacked because of what we did and the deaths we caused. Yet their attack was to sink only the ship and even make sure we all got off before it sank into the sea. And the Fort if I remember we didn't see it until that missed shot alerted us to it, they must have fired it to make us fight but it saved almost all our crew on the other two ships. They only started the fight but we would have been in it either way, wow those ponies are really crafty and smart, they still even got the cannons back in their world... I got a idea! Yes that it!'

“We saw the conflict between your ships and the fort was going to happen so we just made sure you noticed to get a few of the cannons and gunpowder.” Merlin started to tell them. “We only wanted that stuff to aid in our fight against our own enemies, but your attack was brutal and barbaric. You killed innocent creatures that had just escaped from harm from prison camps.” He knew some of the details were made up but he had to believed. “We had something to end the war but you took it.”

“So one of the ships vanishing was your doing?” Merlin just looked at the sailor with confusion. “No you aren't...”

Merlin stepped up to the group of about 200 sailors and soldiers all making room for him. “I do not know about the other ship but we attacked your ship to destroy our stuff and sink it to the ocean. We did so without you losing a single life, apart from one. He chose to die with his ship and I honour his choice as a brave human seeking redemption for what he did.”

The soldiers and sailors looked at each other, confused by this strange beast. “I’m not going to run or do anything. You may do whatever you want with me, I did what only I had to and stayed to make sure you all got off safely.” Merlin sat his rump into the sand with his white mane and tail waving in the wind as the storm blew waves of water onto the beach.

“Then you’re free to go. No one will believe us about a talking unicorn, they’ll think you’re some fake anyway.” The soldier said with a sigh. “We’d be called crazy, so what do we do now? Our ship and captain is lost, the nearest town is god knows where...”

Merlin closed his eyes and used the horn, he felt the energy flowing around it and felt something. Opening his eyes, it was an amazing feeling. “We’re north of a small town and army outpost, I felt their presence, also I’ve got a idea to help you all.” He got looks as they talked among each other again. “If some of you take me directly to your ruler, he or she would have me done away or something and to keep you all quiet and would pay you all handsomely.”

The sailor smiled and placed a hand on his back on the neck. “Merlin, you’re amazing for a talking unicorn. That is a perfect idea. A few of the men and I will take you there, while the rest stay at the town and explain that the storm sunk to the ship and all it’s treasures.”

“Good idea.” One replied

“We’ve got nothing to lose.” Another answered and for the first time in a very long time, the captain of the HMS London smiled, finally he would find his redemption.

Cliff Side Library

“How does this fit with the Colt of Zealous? Some captain turned pony living his days in this Untied Kingdom, how can you possibly know events such as this? It’s preposterous” Dr. Caballeron asked Zealous as they finished reading the events in the book.

Zealous took a sip of her tea and didn't take her eyes off the book, she just spoke to Dr. Caballeron. “My dear doctor, just listen.”

“Listen, whatever do...” Dr. Caballeron ears flicked to the sound of slow hoof steps, he slowly turn his head to see a elderly unicorn with a white bread, mane and tail, the tail and mane unkept, he was also wearing glasses over part of his eyes with a light blue robe with gold stars and a gold metal object with a cross on top of it attached to the bottom of the robe.

Dr. Caballeron couldn't believe his eyes. “Y-yo-your....”

“I am Merlin Starlight youngster, it is a pleasure to meet you.” He gave a smile to Dr. Caballeron and sat speechless at what stood before him...

A unicorn named Merlin Starlight, who was over 500 years old...

Chapter 13: The Fall of the Colt

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 13: The Fall of the Colt

Close to the northern edges of the Equestria and the Griffon Borders a battle raged with continuous bombardment of magical beams and flaming catapulted projectiles. The fort shielded by a large magical dome retaliated with their own magical and projectile attacks on the two large armies that attempted to break through the shield.

The siege for the Colt of Zealous Fort had been going on for many days. Celestia and the Griffon King Grover, the first true king that united the Griffon race which lead to the war between Equestria and the Griffon Empire for many years, now stand side by side against a common enemy.

The fighting though eased on the fourth day, Celestia had managed to get the leader of the Colt of Zealous, Crystal Spark, to come out and talk to talk with her and Grover at the halfway point of the fort and armies.

The purple unicorn with Smash the large earth Pony stood before the Princess and King the tension in the air heavily as the silence consumed the scared land from the bombardments. Farm land scorched, homes destroyed and the ponies of the Colt of Zealous now held by the Griffon King.

Crystal Spark eyes moving to one to the other, his anger clearly seen. “So... It comes to this.”

Princess Celestia spoke in turn drifting to the scared burning lands. “You brought this on yourself Crystal Spark. By attacking the Griffons in the name of pony kind you had to know that we would aid the Griffon Empire to end the threat at the cost of creating a peaceful relation between us and them.”

“Surrender and your so called Colt will be spared the death sentence living your lives in hard labour till the end of your days.” King Grover spoke his piece. “You done harm that will never be forgiven, turn one of our heroes into a pony. General Grif...”

Smash chuckled. “Oh right Grif the captain? He was just a spy you idiot. We got more then enough information and that pretty idol of yours is all that keep your little kingdom together, the empire wouldn't be anything without it. Only a bunch of greedy self centered griffons.” He point his large hammer back to the fort. “Aye you just got fooled big time. Feather brain.”

“Then the truth will be lost.” Grover growled. “Now surrender you can't escape and we will show you all mercy.”

Crystal Spark glared at the Griffon. “Tell me this your highness what of the children and those that wasn't involved. They are living under our protection and never directly involved. Are you going to let them go with Celestia.”

Princess Celestia gulped hard. “I-I am truly sorry. I...” She turn her head away in shame with tears falling. “When we found your fort, the terms of peace was for all of you to be taken by the Griffon Empire and terms of punishment is theirs to decide.”

Smash slams his hammer hard into the ground making them jump with cracks spreading outwards. “Children to work till they pass on!? Slaved to the Griffon Empire as well!? What kind of Princess of Equestria would let the innocent be taken away for peace!? You are a monster!” Smash turn to Crystal Spark. “This is bucking rubbish sir and you know it.”

Crystal Spark look into the eyes of the Griffon King. “We rather all die than be slaves to you bird brain!”

“So be it, by sunrise we will breach your shield and destroy every last one of you.” The king turn and flies off back to his troops.

Princess Celestia turn with watered eyes. “I am so sorry Crystal Spark I had no idea the outcome for the Colt of Zealous would involve all in the fort. I can not help you...”

Crystal Spark horn glows with a dark purple colour building up at a single point. “This will be forever reminded of what you done Princess Celestia, the Colt of Zealous if it were to fall was to be the groups directly involved... never the innocents...” It continue to build up as he lower his head. “At least one of us will never be known. But this will!” He fires a beam at the unexpected Celestia striking her in the chest and blasting her away from him.

Celestia open her wings to stop from landing hard on the ground, she grunted from the pain of the attack and before her guards could move in both Crystal Spark and Smash had teleported back into the fort. She look down at the mark left just under he chest plate, the attack wasn't meant to do any serious harm but to mark her.

“Princess are you ok?” Rainbow Spectre came to her aid with fellow guard ponies.

“Y-yes... I was just caught off guard but I don't blame him for how his acting, a leader protecting his fellow ponies from a threat...” Celestia stared at the magical barrier.

“What do we do now?”

“We attack at sunri-”

The horns blow back at the camp of the ponies and griffons. “DRAGONS!”

Celestia turn with her eyes shrinking. “He didn't...”

“All to battle stations!” King Grover cried out and point his talon out to the dragons. The first a gold large dragon let loose a fireball on the encampments. Some of the camp was hit but most of it protected by the unicorn guards with advance shield spells that able to fend off the first attack. “Griffons Charge!”

Rainbow Spectre smirked slightly. “Way to go Spark, you really out done them this time.” She whispered. “Princess we need to aid the Griffon King! Six fully grown dragons are too much for him to handle!”

Celestia looking around quickly seeing the next two dragons a pair of red dragons unleash their flames on the camp, the three remaining dragons two green and one purple land before them and let out an massive set of roars as the gold one fly right over and head for the fort. “All ponies at arms! Aid our allies!” She flies right for the dragons unleashing a powerful beam of magic knocking one of the dragons down.

Rainbow Spectre look directly into the eyes of the gold dragon as he look back at hers with a nod from her she takes off to help Princess Celestia. “Good luck sir.” She whispered.

The battle between ponies, griffons and the dragons was extreme. One swipe from a green dragon sent a few dozen griffons flying into air and landing hard on the ground, many died from the swipe instantly, those that survived the impact of the attack was unable to battle now. The dragon looked right at the griffons that shivered in fear for their lives but it ignored them and continued the onslaught of the two armies.

The catapults launch the projectiles right at the dragons knocking one of the red dragons from the sky with an loud thump. The Pegasi trying to keep the other one busy but she unleashed a jet of flames in the path of some, those that was caught in it was never to be seen again, unicorns keeping the others busy zapping them heavily with magical blasts and shield spells followed to protect them.

The earth ponies with some of the griffons used rope and chains to try and pin down another one but it was so strong that it just lift them up. Looking directly at them he toss the ponies right into others, the battle was seeing heavy casualties.

Celestia with the king battled against the purple dragon, she swiped with her tail at them, they dodged and followed by a sword slicing through her scales. The dragon unleashed a flame at the king but Celestia shields him with her magic and blasts the dragon back in the chest sending the large dragon into the mountainous landscape smashing through it.

By the time the purple dragon came to her senses the blade was felt against her head between her eyes. “This blade was made to slice your hide as if it wasn't there, now talk!”

“Why are you aiding the Colt of Zealous? You're losing this battle.” Celestia said showing two out of the five dragons that had fallen, they wasn't getting up ever again at the cost of hundreds of lives. The others had already fleeing...

Rainbow Spectre arrived quickly, her mane was burnt in many places with her armour all but in pieces with one slash on her right eye, a clear cut from a dragon claw, the blood dripping from the cut wasn't bothering her at the moment. “Princess the gold dragon that flew over the battle left with everypony in the fort! They was airlifted to the north!”

Celestia was startled by this and look directly at the dragon who was laughing as three shadows flew over them, they looked up quickly to see three more dragons heading north. “They were a distraction... We was so intent in defending ourselves from the dragons that...”

“Hehe yes Princess Celestia, I surrender. Do what you wish to me, but know this. We did this not for gold but for pride, we own a debt with Crystal Spark that now is repaid, the dragons that left with them will aid them in a new life away from you and the Griffons.” The dragon deep female voice ringed in the air as she continued to laugh at the expense of the two leaders.

“GAHHHH!!!!” Grover stabs the dragon through the scales between the eyes as deep he could and the laughter came to an instant end.

Celestia stared at what the griffon king did. “S-she surrendered...”

“Indeed and I sentenced her instantly to death! Her kind killed many ponies and griffons to help those ponies of the Colt of Zealous!” He growled. “I am sending my best to find where they fled to! You better do the same Princess!” King Grover open his wings pulling out the blade flying off to see what had happened to his fellow kind.

Celestia looked around at the campsite, it was in ruins. The fort was burning with immense flames with heavy black smoke billowing out into the young night sky. “The Colt of Zealous has over step their bounds. Rainbow Spectre I want you to get word out to the Wonderbolts, they are to aid the king at finding Crystal Spark and his ponies.”

Rainbow Spectre saluted. “At once Princess...” She turn to see a small egg. “Princess a dragon egg...”

Celestia lift it with her magic. “She was a mother...” Celestia lower her head. “I will take the egg back to Canterlot and have it sealed in an magical lock till the time comes for it to be hatched.”

“Princess? Are you sure that wise?”

“No but I can not forgive what had happened but I can try to mend what had be done.” Celestia look to the burning fort once more. “Tell the guard to stay and search the fort once the fires burned themselves out. I will head back to Canterlot with the ponies that lost their lives today... We have made peace but at a dreadful cost. I just hope it worth it.”

“As do I princess...” Rainbow Spectre watch Celestia leave and sighed heavily. “Crystal you better know what you are doing, you stupid colt...” She open her wings and take off to find some of the remaining guard and then find the Wonderbolts afterwards.

The bodies and ash remains of the ponies was collected within the next few days all held within magic to preserve the bodies of the fallen. Celestia taking the lead as they began their slow march back to Canterlot, the Wonderbolts working alongside the very best scouts of the Griffon Empire set out north to find the remains of the once Colt of Zealous, they shattered and all but one item lost in the blaze.

The guard ponies found in the remains of the fort a piece of orb only half of it they collected it and placed it in a crate to be shipped off back to Canterlot. The land soon was emptied of all bodies of dragons, ponies and griffons, all that was left were the charred remains of the camps and the fort with farm land destroyed.

As the years pass the fort was completely removed and replaced with an large obelisk with the land healing and blooming. Red poppies grew at the year of completion of the memorial to those that was lost in the war between Griffons and Ponies, nothing about the Colt of Zealous and the bloody massacre that took place in minutes of the dragons arriving.

As the years tick by and the peace continued the truth faded into the shadows and only of the war was known, the memorial holding place where the last battle of the war took place where Celestia took up arms against King Grovers and finally coming to terms that neither side would win.

Union Memorial

500 years past and the memorial still stood, Zealous stood at the steps with red petals blowing around from the wind, the landscape hardly changed since the years after the war. The obelisk still standing tall, Flare stood beside her with his claw hands around the tablet held against his chest.

“The Truth was never known Flare, this is where my great great grandfather stood his ground against Celestia. When they fled.”

“My father was here Zealous, he aided the escape.” Flame turn to the sea of flowers. “Somewhere in the ground is my mother too...”

“If what is true the king killed her. But it was a risk she was willing to take for everypony to escape.”

“I know...”

Dr. Caballeron with Merlin Starlight came down from the Obelisk. “Incredible, we not only teleported a great distance but the events of the Colt of Zealous and the battle with Princess Celestia is something I never saw coming.”

“That youngster is what had happened. The truth lost in time. Yes the massacre could have been prevented but things happen that we all can not control.” Merlin responded. “Such as my own grave mistakes, but don't get me wrong the humans are not all bad, only a small number of them are. They lead their troops in the acts we call evil or wrong.”

“You have definitely spark my interest.” He smirked. “So what would the next job initial?”

Zealous put her hoof to the ear piece. “Teleport us back to the Cliff Library Control.”

“Yes ma'am!”

Cliffside Library

All four disappeared in a flash of light and reappeared back in the study. Dr. Caballeron stumbled a little shaking his head from the dizziness. “I'll never get use to that.” He reach out of the cup of water on the tray drinking the content instantly.

“For what the next job is. It rather simple. We going to get the other half of the orb that Celestia stashed away in that very ruins Ahuizotl is held up in.” Zealous walked up to the window looking out to the waterfall. “It time to finish what my great great grandfather started all those years ago but with humans instead.”

Flare taking a look at his tablet. “Zealous I got mail from our team that went to negotiation with Ahuizotl.”

“What does it say?”

“Not good at all...” He read it carefully. “Ahuizotl has charged his demands for the artefact and the pony Mist. He still wish for the payment but has increased it by 19.2% and want you to personally make the transaction.”

“Is that all?”

“No he wants you to bring the other half with you. He want to see it completed...”

Zealous right eye twitches with her horn flaring into magical light. “That two faced Ahuizotl he's not going to keep his end of the bargain! He's going to try and steal it from me and use it for himself!”

Merlin Starlight put his hoof on her side. “Calm down Lady Zealous, a magical outburst would not only put your own life at risk but all in this room.”

She took a deep breath as the magic dies down. “Hmm... If I was to make a suggestion.” Dr. Caballeron spoke up thinking about it for a moment rubbing his underside of the snout. “Ahuizotl had double cross me more than once shall I say, and he has no knowledge of the orb's effect no?”

Zealous slowly look around over to him. “And how much would this cost?”

“Nothing, let say this is mortality beneficial for both of us. No?”

Flare lower his tablet. “It would be interesting to see how it would effect a creation such as Ahuizotl Zealous. We could even invite a certain adventurer to witness it.”

Zealous look between them with a smile of her own now. “Boys do you know you're bad as each other?” She turn to the elderly unicorn. “What's your take on all this?”

“Lady Zealous, I believe that it interest me as well. May I attend this meeting?”

“It seems the fall of the Colt 500 years ago created something new in this very room, we all agree on one thing, Ahuizotl has to fall.” She raise a glass up with her magic, each of them took their own glasses of water up too.

“To the fall of Ahuizotl.”

“To the fall of Ahuizotl!” They repeated and clash their glasses together in a toast of their new found plan.

Chapter 14: The Weekend Part 2

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 14: The Weekend Part Two

The wrecked plane was brought into a part of the Crystal Empire Palace with the aid of the guards, Daring Do and Applejack. It's been hours since it rested in a heavily guarded empty room, Twilight was the only one inside going through the ins and outs of the plane to figure out much about it. But never removing and touching the pieces of it.

The doors opens via the guard with Daring Do and Shining Armor entering with the doors soon closed behind them. “Twilight have you found out much about this thing?” Shining Armor about to touch it but a shield went around it instantly. “Twily?” He was taken back by the action from his little sister.

“It in bad enough condition from the crash and getting here. I don't want anypony to touch it, from what I learnt about this plane. It's far more advance than the spitfire that sits in Ponyville. I managed to pull out the flight log book from the cockpit.” Twilight explained and shows him the log book without opening.

Daring Do flying around the shield taking a good look at it without being covered in snow in most places. “From the way the wings look if they were in perfect condition I'd say this thing flys much like a pony glider for non pegasi to use and experience a little bit of what it's like to be a pegasus.”

Twilight grinned. “Your correct Daring Do and this one can even hover or even take off and land virtually too!” Twilight opening the book up flipping through the pages. “Not completely sure how our spoken language and written language is identical to their world but...”

“Their world?” Shining Armor instantly interrupted Twilight. “Are you saying this is from the mirror portal world?”

Now Daring Do cuts in landing in front of him. “What's this about a mirror portal?”

“Oh erm... It's a mirror Princess Celestia had and gave to Cadence for protection, it open up about every 30 moons.” Shining Armor explained. “Twilight has been there.”

Twilight sighed. “Maybe but I don't think it from that world. I never once heard of a runner by the name of Usain Bolt. Also from what I got off Soarin as well the skin tone was creamy pink to an very dark brown colour and most of their mane or hair colour is blonde, brown, chestnut, ginger, black and any shade between. His was dark blue like our Soarin the Wonderbolt because he dyed it that way.” Twilight explained to the two ponies all the differences between the two worlds in depth leaving both adventurer and brother just taking it all in.

Daring Do glance over to the wreck. “So... Getting back on track and compare worlds later. Who does this belong to? I didn't see a pilot in it at all.”

Twilight eyes shifted and didn't answer. “Twily, you know who it belongs to?”

“Y-yes but sh-she wasn't at the crash site so it means so-something bad or worse! She could be dead! Or even frozen or lost in that snow out there! If Soarin found out he would flip out and be here in a blind search for her without any of our help!”

Twilight continue to mutter and panic setting it. Shining Armor used his magic to freeze her in place with him now standing before her. “Twily! you're getting worked up! Tell me and keep it calm! Breathe and chill!”

Twilight blink a few times and what she could nod a few times, he undo the spell. “Now what is her name?”

“Mist...” The picture she showed of a two pegasi together. “The magic of the fog she entered changed the photo of what they would look like as ponies. But when I do this.” She cast a beam of magic holding it over and the image changed of two humans in the same location in a egg like glass shell with buildings in the distance, endless slight of a massive city. The beam leaves the photo and change back to a pair of ponies.

Daring Do took the photo looking at it closely. “Amazing... This magical fog you speak of. It must have been created here in Equestria and something must of happened back then to create a link between us and this other world.” Daring Do taking the details of what she saw in the picture. “They do look like a couple and the city is nothing like Equestria apart from Manehattan.”

Shining Armor took his turn to take a look at it. “At least we got a picture of what Mist look likes. I will take this with me and begin asking ponies around the Crystal Empire.” Shining Armor carried the photo with his magic to the door. “Twily, be careful ok?”

“Sure thing big brother.” Shining Armor left the room leaving the two mares alone inside.

Daring Do noticed something when she was doing another round of looks at the wreck. “Twilight...” Daring Do spoke out and pointed her hoof to the cockpit's edge. “Have a look at this and tell me what this look like to you.”

Twilight flew up to Daring Do to take a look at what she was pointing too. “Hmm, I did notice it before but didn't think much of it. But from what I-” She saw a spear edge wedged into the crack. “Wait that's a spear head!”

“Did you notice any broken spear heads anywhere in the empire?” Twilight shook her head in reply. “I've only seen a spear head like this before.” She tap the bubble. “If you may?”

“Oh right.” Twilight lower the shield and let Daring Do pull the spear head out.

Daring Do took a good look at it and sighed. “Should of knew he be here too...”

Twilight only knew one other being she could be speaking of. “You mean Ahuizotl! That is really bad!”

Daring Do sighed heavily. “The problem is...” She stared at the purple alicorn. “Where is Ahuizotl right now? The Frozen North is not exactly the best place to just blindly start looking around for him.”

Twilight thinking about it moving her eyes to the left and right with a big frown on her face suddenly widen with a gasp. “I got an idea! Cadance knows almost everything old related to Equestria this far north! Princess Celestia would of let her know it!”

“Are you sure?”

“It's the only lead I can think of right now, unless we take a train back to Canterlot and ask the Princess herself. We both know that the library came out empty on trying to find out if there were any ruins near by.” Twilight lands by the door turning to the hovering adventurer. “The more time we waste gives Ahuizotl more time he needs to do whatever he's up to.”

Soarin

The sun was starting to set. Soarin and the crusaders enjoying the picnic, they were sharing tales of what they've been up to during the time spent in the woods from one thing to another as they tried to find their cutie marks.

Soarin pouring out what was left of the tea from the flask into a cup. He put the empty flask down closing the lid up. He took a sip from the cup. “From the way you three been going about it, I say you've had a really good time today.”

Applebloom swallowed her sandwich and answered. “We have Soarin, thank ya for takin' us to Whitetail Woods!”

“Yeah it was awesome! Even if we didn't find our cutie marks!” Scootaloo buzzed in mid hover with excitement.

“I like the part were we built that boat together and rowed around in the lake!” Sweetie Belle said, turning to the wooden canoe sitting there on the beach of the lake.

Soarin smirked coming up with an idea for what to do tomorrow. “How about we take it back to my home and give it a whole new look? What do you say?”

“Yes!” The girls cheered.

“It won't be simple, it'd be bloody hard work. Not only do we got to paint it, but gloss it over with some stuff too so the paint never runs when it get wet.” Soarin drunk the last of the tea placing the cup on the flask and putting it in the basket.

Scootaloo got up walking over to the canoe. “We worked together to make it Soarin. So it shouldn't be that tough to do all that!”

“Ah'm in!”

“Same here!”

Soarin putting the remaining plates and cups away with the bottles. He put the food waste in another bag using his mouth to do most of the work. “It's your canoe girls. I only helped.”

“It ours?” They said together.

“Indeed. Now how do you think we get this back to Ponyville?”

“I know!” Scootaloo ran over to her wagon. “With this!”

Soarin rubbed his hoof on his snout staring at the small wagon. “I am not sure that would hold.”

“Do you want to bet on that?” The two other crusaders looked uncertain.

Soarin shrug. “Sure, name your price.”

The girls whispered among themselves and spilt giggling to each other. Soarin was now worried seeing these fillies look very confident...

Ponies in Ponyville were winding down for the night but soon they were dodging a canoe speeding by being dragged on a wagon with Scootaloo pulling it along with her scooter and wings buzzing. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle acting as counterweights for the canoe as she turn around corners.

Soarin flying above them couldn't believe it eyes, he seeing these three girls working together as one team, a smile crept to his snout seeing this from directly above. It reminded him of Team Spitfire as they flew as one, a team that knew exactly how the other thinks so well that they were practically one with one another.

Spike walking to Sweet Apple Acres to see how Soarin was doing with the fillies when he saw Scootaloo and the girls zoom by with the canoe. “Whoa!”

Soarin lands beside. “Tell me about it. Scootaloo said they could get it back to my home with just the wagon and I bit more then I chewed...”

“You made a bet with them didn't you?”

“Bloody did and now I am glad I did.”

“How?” Spike looked up at the pegasus.

Soarin chuckled lightly. “Because I can see that when they do get this cutie mark of theirs it will be well worth the wait.” Soarin lowered his wing. “Care for a lift?”

“Erm...”

“Don't worry I'll take it easy. You have the word of an RAF pilot.”

Spike took hold of the wing and with a flap he flipped right onto Soarin's back. “Let's do this before I decide to jump off.”

Soarin takes off into the sky flying after the children to the hanger. “Care to join us for some dinner?”

Spike groans. “Let me guess, you want me to cook...”

“What?” Soaring turn his head around to get a look at the little dragon. “Your a bloody guest! Why would I make a guest cook for me?”

Spike smiled happily. “Then I'll come!”

“That more like it! And...” Soarin eyes shrunk. “Oh no...”

Spike saw why Soarin was worried. “They going too fast!”

“Spike hold on tight, this is going to be bloody tight!” Soarin dives for the canoe. “I got one shot at this!”

Scootaloo look back and saw that the canoe was travelling faster than her now, it was closing in on her scooter. “Ahhhhh!” The girls also screamed holding themselves together in fear as it was now a runaway canoe on wheels.

“Hurry Soarin! They're heading right for the hangar doors!” Spike yelled out pointing right at the hangar getting closer and closer by the second.

Soarin narrowed his sight on the end of the canoe as he closed in on it, with his wings reopening, he grabbed the end of either side with his front hooves. With all his might he held onto it and with a tilt of the wings he flapped them hard and fast, with every beat he gave it all he could to stop it.

“Come on you bloody thing slow down!”

“I can't watch!” Spike buried his face into the back of Soarin's neck and mane holding on tight with his claws.

Soarin flinched from the claws digging into his fur and skin. But he stayed focused on stopping the canoe and saving the three fillies. Scootaloo notice that it was slowing down and she was pulling away, turning in front she screamed turning the scooter and hitting one hind hoof hard on the ground.

Skidding with wheels screeching and hoof sparking the scooter came to a dead stop only less than a foot from the door, her snout almost touching it. Scootaloo felt a shadow pass over her as she was about to sigh in relief and turn to the canoe front coming ever closer to her, she frozen in fear watch it come closer and closer to her.

It was almost on top of her when it finally rested to a stop. “Scootaloo are you ok?” Soarin yelled out from the other side of the canoe.

Scootaloo shaken up slowly got her nerves back. “Hehe yeah, just great... Erm, how about we call it a tie?”

Soarin sitting on his rump breathing heavily replied back. “Indeed kiddo it's a bloody tie...”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both sighed heavily seeing they was fine. “Let's not tell mah big brother or sister of this ok?”

“Yeah I'm not going to tell Rarity, she would ground me forever!” Sweetie Belle agreed.

Soarin whispers to Spike. “You can let go now, it safe.”

Spike let go. “Hehe oops. Sorry Soarin...”

“It's fine. I should be sorry to you, I said I'd take it easy and promised.”

“Nah it fine, saving the crusaders doesn't count.” Spike waved it off. “Cool canoe though!” He took a good look at it. “Did you make it?”

Soarin got up on his hooves taking a few flaps of the wings. “Never knew I had that much strength in these wings.” Soarin got side tracked and turn to Spike. “Sorry. Got a bit side tracked. Hehe, so to answer your question. I did some of it, the crusaders helped and they tested it.”

Applebloom jump down from the canoe with Sweetie Belle. “Eeyup we sure did! Ah can't wait to paint it tomorrow!”

“You want to help Spike?”

Spike shrugs. “Sure why not. Maybe we can drag Big Mac from the fields to help too.”

“Mah brother! Sure ah think that'd be cool!”

Scootaloo pulled off her helmet. “Yeah and no more pulling something bigger than me! That canoe almost squished me!”

Soarin sighed rubbing his head. “Children do you know why this happened?”

“Nnope.”

“Not really.”

“Beats me.”

Spike took this time to hop of Soarin's back as he took a few flaps with his wings to get in the air and do some tricks before their eyes as the sunset rays disappear with the night drawing in and the moon coming up. He timed it just perfect and got the shine from the moon behind him as Soarin went up. “Now what was I doing?”

“Doing awesome tricks!” Scootaloo blurted out. “That twist, that turn and those rolls in the sky was totally awesome! Including that incline with the moon! It really made you shine!”

“Yes... But what exactly was I doing?”

Sweetie Belle tapping her snout with the hoof a few times and answers. “Showing off?”

“Exactly! And what was you three fillies doing?”

They look at each other and realised. “We were showin' off and didn't think how to stop when we went to fast...”

“And because of that we lost control at the end and it went faster then Scootaloo can move on her scooter.” Sweetie Belle realising their mistakes as it sunk in.

Scootaloo rubbing a right foreleg on her left. “And we all could of gotten seriously hurt and you would be told off as well as we would because you weren't watching us carefully enough...”

Soarin was about to say something and didn't he raise a hoof, placing it down be look down at the dragon. “You just got burned Soarin.” Spike chuckled.

“That I did... Too shay Scootaloo, too shay!” Soarin rubbed her head with his hoof. “Well everyone lets go up and I'll begin cooking some grub!”

Spike pulled on his tail. “One problem.”

“And that would be?”

“No cloudwalking spell.”

“Ah bloody hell!” Soarin cursed under his breath. “Ok time to get the tents out, we be having a camp out!”

“Yay!” The crusaders cheered.

“But...”

They looked directly at him. “Canoe in the hanger girls, Spike you get the firewood and stones while I get the grub and tents. Fair?”

“Yes Soarin...” They answered.

“No fun without some work crusaders.” Soarin turned towards Spike and says, “There are stones and firewood by the east side of the hanger wall in a set of buckets. Big Mac put them there in case we did have a camp out.”

Spike salutes, “Aye aye captain!” He runs off to get the stones and firewood.

The girls giggled and went to open the doors and push the canoe inside.

Soarin was about to call out but shook his head. “Now I know how Ruby feels.” With a push off with his wings he head up to the cloud house. “At least that bloody bet is off, geez if I lost that, it would have been the wall of embarrassments for life!”

Mist

Night and everything is silent, most ponies asleep with their leader also taking a snooze with his felines, Ahuizotl cuddled up to the tiny white cat muttering to himself in his sleep. Only a few stallions was awake making their rounds, a few in winter clothing leaving to the entrance to take over the others that stood watch in the snow.

Mist had been keeping count of this for days now, she knew the change overs to the littlest detail. “Right on cue, the change over went over as smoothly and that loud snoring freak show kept up the usually guards that watch over me, none had that well of a sleep for the last few nights.” She grinned noticing one of them dropping off a little and shaking his head rapidly to keep awake.

“It show time...” She whispered with a dark grin creeping up on her snout. “This ridiculous plan better works...”

The guards almost closed their eyes to drift into slumber land when chains started to rattle and shake with the sound of somepony in serious pain all the sudden. The eyes of both stallions snap over turning to see Mist having a form of fit with her banging her back the head against the stone wall wings twitching and flapping unevenly.

They quickly panicked with one stumbling to get the key. The other was in front of her with hooves press trying to hold her from fitting out and causing self harm. By the time the first guard got his key she stopped moving altogether, they looking at each other for a moment.

The one holding her put his ear to her chest. “Sh-she not breathing! I can't hear a heartbeat!”

“This isn't good! Ahuizotl will have us for this!” The key was placed into the chain locks and she was unchained from the wall onto the ground. “Wh-what do we do!?”

“I do-don't know!” They had their backs turn to her talking to each.

“Maybe we can say that she escaped and died in the snow?”

“Yeah that could get us in less trouble!”

Her eyes snap open, standing up behind them she coughed. “Oh Boys?”

They instantly froze and slowly turning their heads looking into the eyes of Mist. “Uh oh...”

“Nighty night!”

CRACK! WHAM! POW!

The two guards woke up groaning and finding they been chained up against the wall gagged, one of them notice a ring around his snout, it was the same one that held the key to the chains. Mist stood calmly in front of them with one of the winter gear on, she was on her hind legs leaning on the wall leading out of the room with a smirk they saw moments before she KO'd both of them.

“Since you gentlecolts were kind enough to get me out of those chains, I thought I'd be nice enough to leave you the keys.” They struggled to get free. “Careful boys, if those keys fall you may not be out of those till the freakshow wakes up.” Falling onto all fours she hums a little and leaves them.

They looked at each other wondering how the heck they was going to get the key into the locks.

Putting the hood over her head cutting almost any view of her and covering up the wings inside the coat. She trots by a few guards keeping her head down, the tribal ponies not even checking part from one that looked at her flank. “Gees these tribal idiots are really dumbasses... It's so comical it could be from practically a comic or movie.”

She step outside into the snow testing the hooves against the snow and feeling the cold sharp wind blow outside. “Guess being a pony and having my jacket and this coat on is enough, even if it's short towards the backside. Whoever designed these not to completely cover one's bloody ass need to be shot twice in the eyes”

Walking out of the entrance Mist turn to one of the guards with a nod, in return he leaves heading back inside not even checking if she was one of them. Leaving her with the other looking out into the blizzard. “Pretty cold huh?”

“It is...”

“So... How far do you think we are from any town or city?”

He point a hoof to an general direction. “Crystal Empire just a few hours walk in that direction. Other than that nothing.”

“One more question, who do you think you'd be talking to you bloody idiot.”

His eyes shrunk instantly and slowly turn to the pony now next to him. “Aw nuts...”

“Oh you won't be feeling those right now!” She dives right under him as he jabs his spear and hits where-

CRACK!

“EPP!” The stallion falls onto his side with forelegs over his lower half.

Mist walked around and lowers herself to his view. “Now is there a sled?”

“Y-yes...” He squeaked, with a shaky right front hoof lifted points to it.

Mist grab him by the coat with her mouth and with a twist throws him into the mountain of snow beside the sled, he slowly gain his senses from the impact looking up at her as she trot over to him. “Good and now be a dear and get on that bloody sled!”

“Wh-what if-”

“I'll just have to kick you harder in the royal jewels till you pass out.” She replied calmly and was close to his snout with hers. “Trust me, it won't bloody make a fucking difference for me. Either way you're coming with me. Your freakshow boss pissed off the bloody wrong mare.”

He gulped loudly nodding rapidly. “I'll go! Don't hurt me!” He begged as he stumbled onto the sled.

“That a boy.” She put some ropes over him tying him down to it and covering the tribal pony with a blanket she finds. “Oh is there something to help me walk through this snow?”

“Snow shoes there...” He point his head to the dozen or so lying neatly together.

Mist grinned. “Oh this is perfect.” She put four on her hooves and the rest she put with the stallion. “Now tell me everything the freakshow is up to?” She put the harness on and start to pull the sled away from the outpost ruins to the Crystal Empire.

He begins to tell her everything, and all that went through her mind was, “That freakshow is going to be soooooooo pissed when he wakes and it's going to be totally worth it.”

Chapter 15: Only Want a Shower

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 15: Only Want a Shower

“Thanks miss, the food looks great, leave it over there and I'll wake sleepy head.”

“Of cause ma'am, hope you had a nice rest in our hotel and hope you and your brother enjoy the breakfast before you leave. Please come to our hotel again if you come to the Crystal Empire, we always guarantee the best sleep you ever have when staying in the Crystal Empire.”

“Nice bloody sale pitch miss. Have to say it working!”

“I didn't...”

“Only teasing, it in the job for you to say it.”

The stallion slowly half open eyes groan as the sound of the door closes. He sat up rubbing his head and froze at the touch of a hoof on an- “Horn!” He quickly snap his eyes open and saw a mirror over a table looking back in reflection of an brown stallion with two shades of blue mane with amber eyes returning the gaze. “I-I...”

Mist using her wings pick up the tray and place it on the table and lifting up the pans over the top of it to reveal two plates of toast, eggs, greens and hay bacon. She poured milk and tea into both cups adding sugar into hers. “One or two?”

“Huh?”

“One or two sugars sleepy head.”

“Erm... Two...”

Mist add two spoons in and stirs it. “Wings are pretty neat, get the hang of using them almost like hands.” She chuckled softly. “So how do you feel?”

She passed over the tea, using his magic, the amber aura takes it and brings it over to him. “Free.”

Mist taking hers with her wings blowing it and took a sip. “Not bad tea. Doesn't beat good old British tea though, PG tips for the win.” Mist turned to him after gazing at the light brown liquid. “So my horn head, explain to me when getting rid of that horrible paint job and leafy dress up you had going that you changed not only in fur colour but got an horn to boot? It bloody weird.”

The stallion sip the tea and started at the cup in his aura. “It hard to explain, best I can say is that the paint is more like a magical field that turns you into whatever the user wants you to become, in my case an Earth Pony tribal...” He glance at her. “How did you remove it? It suppose to be periment. Not even Princess Celestia's magic can remove it!”

Mist shrugs, “Not sure who this Princess Celestia person is, but I can say thi-”

“Wh-what... You don't know who Princess Celestia is?”

“Nope and don't care. So as I was saying.” She drunk some more tea. “Eat while I talk to twit.”

He blinked and got out of bed noticing his cutie mark of a shield and blue flame in front of it but choose to wait to say anything and do as she told him. “Ok...”

Mist chuckled waving her hoof around in a circle. “All I did was put you into the bathtub while you was out like a light. Put some soap on my hooves and cleared the shit off you.”

“Soap doesn't work either...” He muttered with a mouth full of food.

Mist slap her hoof on her head. “Then tell me this Mr. flame shield ass! How did I fucking remove it?”

He choked on his food swallowing hard and coughing a few more times. “I-I don't know... But it been five years since I been stuck like that.” He stared at himself in the Mirror. “And miss my name is Flame Shield.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep.”

“Jezz what is it with you ponies and crazy stupid bloody names. Crystal Arrow, Click Clack...urg...somepony just bloody wake me from this horrible names!” Mist complains and eats her toast and eggs.

Flame Shield decided to ask, “Since you freed me from Ahuizotl's magical control, may I ask the name of the red lightning swirling cloud ass Mare?” He grinned.

Mist chuckled lightly. “Nice try hot shot. Name's Mist Dangerfield, and to let you know I got a boyfriend already.”

“Coltfriend you mean?”

“Yeah yeah whatever Flame. Now tell me this do you remember everything in the last five years?” Mist asked and continued to eat.

Flame Shield nodded. “Everything, all the times Ahuizotl monologued his plans to Daring Do to getting his and our butts kicked by her more times I like to count.” Flame Shield replied. “He's after the other half of the artifact that a mare by the name of Zealous has. He has one half and she has the other.”

“And how exactly do I fall into all this?”

“Zealous seem to be very interested in you, and finding you inside a falling metal bird also added to Ahuizotl's plans. He planning on double crossing her too.” Flame Shield explained. “Ahuizotl always wants to get his paws on anything to finally take over the world and defeat Daring Do.”

Mist rolled her eyes. “What am I in? A world with villains and heroes? This sound like some cheesy children’s comic book or cartoon they watch every morning with some crazed villain always trying to do one up on a hero and have to monologue everything with an evil laughter... No wonder I escaped with such ease. It's a massive plot hole.” She laughed at the silliness she'd been put through and went back to drinking some more of her tea.

Flame Shield thought about it and laughed, “When you put it like that it does sound stupid. He does the evil laughter too and his personal guards are a lot bunch of cats.”

“Well I got to say this Flame Shield, while finding Blue I am sure not going to find anything dull in this place.”

“What, British?”

“Oh that what I am. I am from Great Britain or also known as the United Kingdom. I'm a Brit and bloody proud of it.” Mist replied with a mock salute. “Well with all the information I got off you Flame, you're free to go where ever you like.”

Flame Shield blinked. “Just like that?”

“Why not? This world most likely works on harmony and pretty friendly crap stuff.”

“World? You're from another world!?”

“Give the knight a medal, you got it right!” She sarcastically replied clopping her hooves together in an clapping fashion.

Flame Shield shook his head a little. “Fair enough I deserved that sassy remark.” Flame Shield stood up from the table and saluted her. “As of this moment, till my debt is repaid I will be in service to you as your personal guard.”

Mist spits out her tea swaying him with it. “S-say what!? You gotta be fucking kidding me! All I did was remove the stupid paint!” Then it dawn on her. “Please don't tell me you're some fucking royal guard before Freakshow turned you into an tribal disaster...”

“Then I won't Miss Dangerfield.”

Mist groaned slamming her underside of her snout against the table with a thud. “Just great...” She stares at him as he cleans himself up from the tea she swayed on him. “And don't call me miss you fucking twit. I'm not some odd hag ya know! Just Mist will do! Call me Miss again and you're going to see how far you can fly when I kick you square in that plot of yours!”

Flame Shield gulped loudly. “Y-yes Mist...”

“Since you decided to so on purposely piss me off with the whole personal guard crap! I am going to go in the bathroom and get myself washed! So stay out here and no bloody peeking!” Mist throws off her jacket landing on the bed and with an mighty slam of the door.

Flame Shield rub the back of his neck. “Guess you can't be choosy with those that saved your plot from an lifetime of magical slavery from an freakshow like Ahuizotl.” He muttered to himself. “Still it good to finally think for myself again and see myself once more.”

An knock came at the door. “Fucking great! When I want to have an bloody shower some-”

Flame Shield got up. “Ma'am I'll answer it, continue with your shower.”

“Fine! But this doesn't make us even!”

“Of course ma'am.” Flame Shield went up to the door and open it with his magic.

Upon opening it the shock filled his eyes, somepony he haven't seen in five years suddenly was before him and the same shock filled the eyes of the white stallion with blue mane, tail and hooves, silence filled the room and corridor only the sound of water running in the bathroom.

“Hey Shining Armor is this the room the mare maid pointed to or what?” Coming into view of Flame Shield was a rainbow mane mare and an orange one with an stetson and blonde mane.

The orange one now wave her hoof in front of him. “Sugarcube what the hay the matter with ya?”

Flame snaps out of it blinking a few times. “That would be something to do with me...” He to a look from both of them. “We haven't seen each other for over five years since the part of the unit of guard which I was part of got separated from the rest during a jungle track as newly recruited guards.”

“Really?”

Shining Armor came out of his trance shocked state shaking his head and answering. “It true but I thought you and the others gone for good, we found nothing but your armour all those years ago!”

Flame Shield waved them to come in. The three ponies entered and he closed the door with his magic.

“Flame this is Applejack and Rainbow Dash.” Shining Armor introduced them to him.

He turning around to them he listen for a second to the sound of Mist. “Damn I really needed this! Bloody great!”

“Who the mare friend?” Applejack asked.

Flame Shield knew what she was getting at. “Mist Dangerfield and not one to be tested. She KO'd me in one swift blow.”

Shining Armor look to the door to the bathroom and back at him. “Mist in as in this picture?”

He took a look at it from Shining Armor showing him. “Yep that her. I own her big, she not only beat the living flank out of me but freed me from the accursed magical paint that left me trapped within a body of some tribal pony working for Ahuizotl without question-”

“Whoa whoa whoa! You worked for Ahuizotl!?” Rainbow Dash waving her hooves for a time out and point at him. “Then how can we trust you!? All we know you're still working for him!”

Flame Shield tap his horn with his hoof. “Do you think Ahuizotl has any pegasi or unicorns in his ranks?”

“No...”

“I can't prove other than that. Mist is the only other to prove it since she the one that washed off the magic paint off me and restored me to what I really am. Can't say that I am lucky, the other four guards that was with me are still part of his troop and not really sure which one of them is them.” Flame Shield gave them the best answer and shared with them a little bit of what happened.

“Ah believe ya sugarcube. So tell us. What is exactly is this magic paint yer talkin' about?”

Flame Shield try to think about it and recalled what happened. “Soon after the landside and we fell as well cut off from the others we found ourselves tied up and held at spear point by tribal stallions though we thought at first.”

Shining Armor decided to speak. “After all these years and being freed by an alien pony your just going to sit there and tell us just like that?”

“Erm... Yes. It not every day that something not even Daring Do knows about Ahuizotl can come to the surface like this. And rather do say something now before I might end up like one of-” The door opens for a second and he gets hit in the face by a sponge.

“Didn't you bloody just tell me that you now my personal guard!? So start acting like it and tell these bloody idiots instead of being all melodramatic and make it happen to you!” Shining Armor cover his eyes instantly seeing her standing in the shower glaring at now a very red in the face stallion his right eye twitching.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash just staring, AJ right eye twitching. “Seriously!? You ponies are always naked so what does it matter if you see me soaking wet in a shower!?” Mist snaps at all the frozen expressions she could see. “Gah! Fine you fucking twats! I shut the damn bloody door!” With an mighty slam the door was closed.

“Did that just-” Rainbow Dash begins.

“Sugarcube as yer was sayin'!”

Flame Shield quickly turn to her. “Oh right! Ahuizotl capturing us! Of course!” Flame Shield removes the sponge from his snout and quickly goes back to talking about what happened. Shining Armor lowering his foreleg trying to get what he saw for a second out of his mind, no telling what Cadance would think.

“As I was saying! Ahuizotl had captured us and during the time we was out cold he had our armour removed. He held this weird looking jar and drip his right paw finger in it and explains that before his first running with Daring do he had taken many artefacts and destroyed the places so what he took would never be discovered. One being from a place that a mare who made all the stallions in her little kingdom would control them all with this creamy like paint, it true colour is whatever the user would wish it upon the stallion.”

“You're telling us that this paint stuff only works on stallions? Isn't that a little sexist?”

He shrugged at the comment Rainbow Dash made. “Tell that to the mare that made it with her magic, she did it to control all the stallions in her kingdom. That was long gone but how to make it wasn't. Ahuizotl took it and made changes to the mix so it would work for him on stallions as it did for Queen Teihoof. That the pony that made the paint.”

“And he paint it all over ya?”Applejack asked. “And that it yer under his spell?”

Flame Shield lower his gaze from them. “No, you try to fight the magic soon as one drop hits you, I watched all the others change before me into Earth Tribal Ponies... They fought it as it spread over them until they only believed they was always what they became, to serve him as their will.” Flame Shield turn to Shining Armor. “I fought so hard and I couldn't stop it. I felt my horn pull into my own skull the fur change colour, my mane and tail change in size and my cutie mark changed to match what an tribal pony is... I was trapped inside my own pony and dreams. It makes you unable to do anything but watch.”

Shining Armor put his hoof to his shoulder. “It wasn't your fault, no pony knew Ahuizotl was real, we all thought he was fictional.”

“I don't know. I thought everypony knew he was real. Why did you think he was fictional?”

“Yer don't know about the books?”

“What books?”

“You don't really know do you?” Shining Armor now asked and a shake of the head came in reply. “Daring Do till yesterday I thought was fictional and now I am finding out Ahuizotl is real too. This just getting weirder by the day...”

Flame rubbing his head. “You're telling me. I am still trying to figure out about these books of fiction of Daring Do and Ahuizotl. No wonder Princess Celestia never dealt with it personally. Guess getting into a good book really can pull the wool over your eyes.” Flame Shield chuckled lightly.

Rainbow Dash got everything he said. “So after all that you just going to be her guard? Not even checking up on if she evil or something?”

“She saved my life from being a puppet to Ahuizotl so... Yes.” He replied.

“Wow that pretty neat, especially about something no pony even know! Not even Twilight! She will flip when she'd find out that her brother could have been in your position all those years ago!”

Applejack turn to Shining Armor. “Yer ok?”

“No... Because Rainbow Dash is right. Because Flame Shield push me with his magic away from it I never ended up in that very position...” Shining Armor glance at Flame Shield. “I can never imagine what happened to you at all this time...”

Flame Shield sighed. “I had to tell you because I couldn't let this happen to any pony else. Because he might know and send somepony to-”

A stallion kick down the door with a pot in one hoof. Shining Armor got his shield up. “Magic wont work against those pots!” Rainbow Dash instantly said. “They magic proof! I read it in one of the Daring Do books. It usually has sleeping gas or stun gas in it!”

“Paint for me...” Flame replied.

Applejack got her rope out and Rainbow Dash stood ready to charge him. “Not with us bein' here sugarcube.”

“Yeah! We will kick his-” Rainbow Dash eyes turn to the left and her wings was locked. Shining Armor's shield popped, Flame Shield jaw hanging and Applejack lasso fell on top of her head and around her neck.

“It is and another stallion to join the ranks.” But before he could throw it there was a tap on his left, slowly turning he look directly into the eyes of an very anger soaking wet pegasi. He dropped the pot as he froze at the sight before him, face flustered, Mist caught it with a right hoof lower it to the ground.

She grabbed him by the ear with her mouth pulling him. “Yussh fusshinssh no goosssh fosssh bloossshy prisshh. I wilssh shoshh ya whassh I wilsshh do to yoshhh.”

He was let go and with a roundhouse kick knocked into the bath tub with water falling from the show onto him. “Give me the bloody sponge Flame Shield and close that bloody jaw of yours!”

Flame Shield closed his mouth and not looking any more gave it via magic. “Thank you! It time to give this asshole a good cleaning!”

“No you can't I live to serve Ahuizotl! You can't do this to me!”

“Just watch me buster! I been trying to have a bloody shower and all I get is one stupid thing after another!”

“Ok this is seriously the most ruddiest thing anypony could be doing now!” Rainbow Dash snapped out of her shock.

“Ah've given up sugarcube. She just now doin' this without a care in the world.”

Shining Armor cover his head with a pillow. “I am so in for it with Cadance!”

“Don't worry we'll back you up!” Rainbow Dash pat him on the back gentle. “Seriously I know we don't wear anything but seeing another pony showering is like seeing two ponies having-”

Applejack put her lasso around Rainbow Dash snout and pulled. “Ah get it! Ah don't need that in mah head!”

“Sorry...” Rainbow Dash squeaked.

Flame Shield shook his head looking to the floor. “What did I get myself into...”

“DONE!” The stallion get kicked out of the bathroom. “Now do something about that stupid pot and let me have a...” A pause glaring at all of them. “FUCKING SHOWER IN PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The door slammed harder this time and caused the room to shake.

The now white pegasi with short blue mane and tail groans lying upside down against the wall looking at each of them. “Please tell me what just happened was a dream...”

“Sorry it wasn't...” Shining Armor replied.

“ Ahuizotl was one thing but that! I can't-”

Flame Shield used his magic and sealed his lips. “No pony going to speak of this ever, got it?” He gave a good hard look at each of them.

Shining Armor sighed. “Only Cadance...”

“What!?” They all looked at him.

“She will know, trust me she has ways of knowing!”

“Ok but not to Twilight and specially Rarity! we won't hear the end of it”

“Agreed.” The ponies nod together.

The white pegasi turn himself over to a sitting position. “Can somepony tell me what happened in the last 15 years? Being stuck as Ahuizotl's slave since a colt doesn't really help...” They looked at he had no cutie mark.

Rainbow Dash saw red. “He took a colt and turn him into a slave!?”

“Erm... Does it help I don't know my name anymore?”

“That does it!” Rainbow Dash about to storm out but Applejack stops her.

“Rainbow Ah know yer upset. Ah am too! But gettin' all wind up isn't gonna help!”

The white stallion look to each of them. “I know it rude when mares bathing and I do understand now but I only known a life working for Ahuizotl, he mean but I don't know what I am going to do... I'm scared...”

Rainbow Dash walk up to him wrapping a wing around him. “It's ok kid.”

“RD his-”

“I know. So what do you remember about working for Ahuizotl?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“No-not much. I trying to remember but it almost all a blur...”

“Guess changing somepony at a really young age would do that.” Flame Shield rubbing his snout a little. “Wish I could easily forget the last five years...”

“Am I in trouble?”

“No kid you're not.” Rainbow Dash said to him calmly. “Just relax you're safe now. I am sure Princess Cadance can help you more I can.”

“Thank you miss...” He closed his eyes drifting into a sleep.

Rainbow Dash sighed letting him rest against her. “I hate to say this but...”

“ Ahuizotl need to be stopped once and for all...” Shining Armor looked over at them with a new goal in mind. “Doing this to children is overstepping their bounds. No pony or creation should have the right...”

No pony said anything else silently looking at each other while the white stallion slept and Mist had a shower, outside across the view of the window on the room a dragon and pony stood watching what had unfolded on the pad between the claws of the dragon.

Flame right eye twitching at what happened with Mist. “Did I have to really see and hear all that?”

Zealous chuckled lightly. “Oh please... You seen me soaking wet from a shower plenty of times.”

“That you! You're like a mother to me! She! Well you know!” Flame growled under his breath.

Zealous shrugs. “Did everything we planned work though even you did see more to another mare?”

Flame slap himself. “You're never going to let that go are you?”

“For a plot of a view?” She grinned. “Nope never.” Zealous look to the screen. “It worked wonderfully did it not?”

Flame press a few buttons and the drone comes to an landing on his right claw, closing it up he put it away in the bag he carried. “It did, more then we hopped for. Now we got a prince on our side to take out Ahuizotl.”

“Slipping that little message to him worked so perfectly well against his own anger.” Zealous ow turn to the Crystal Empire. “Now we and the empire got a new mutual enemy to deal with it time for the past to finally catch up to poor sweet Celestia.” She chuckled with her horn glowing.

Flame glance over to the hotel once more. “What of the child within the stallion body?”

Zealous held off teleporting and glance to the hotel. “After this is over we'll take him back and give him all the help he needs. It will take time but leaving him with these ponies and risk him being sheltered and put in the corner somewhere isn't what I like to see. Ahuizotl indeed has over step his bounds, this now came personal.”

“I am on the same page with you Zealous, he need to be taught a lesson, one that will wipe that ugly mug for good.” With those words from Flare they vanished in a flash as she teleports both of them to the front of the Crystal Empire Palace.

Chapter 16: Wondrous Wonderbolts

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 16: Wondrous Wonderbolts

Soarin rubbed his head in a confused manner trying to make heads and tails of the map he was provided with to find the Wonderbolt HQ in Cloudsdale. Not only did he have to keep an eye on the map, but he also had to keep an eye on the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The main reason he had to keep a good eye on them was them being so high above the ground.

Standing outside a shop Soarin held the map with one hoof taking a good look at it and the shop he and the girls stood next to. “Soarin are we lost?” Scootaloo asked.

“In complete honesty, yes... I might had seen his life in pieces as a dream for years, but being here and trying to navigate Cloudsdale is tricker than I thought it be.” Soarin answered with complete honesty to the filly.

“Wow I wasn't expecting that...”

“Being truthful?”

“Yeah.”

Soarin adjusted his leather coat a bit putting the map back in one of the pockets. “Just hope asking again doesn't result in being laughed at, or you girls being pointed to me.”

“Ah know! We asked and they said 'ask Soarin' he's a Wonderbolt!” Applebloom grumbled loudly. “Ah thought comin' would be fun, but it's full of feather brains that just either ignore or are... erm...”

“Ignorant?” Soarin suggested the word to her.

“Yeah that!”

Sweetie Belle step up to another Pegasus. “Excuses me ma'am we looking for the Wonderbolt HQ do you know where it is?”

The mare looked down at her and back at Soarin. “Ask him.”

“But...” The pony flew off. “I hate to admit this but can we forget about it and go home?”

“Yeah. I rather forget about the Wonderbolts now and just hang out with you Soarin.” Scootaloo chimed in with Sweetie Belle

Soarin turn to the shop again. “How about we get some ice cream, then go back to Ponyville. Ok girls?”

“Ok!” They cheered.

Soarin took out the map again and taking a good look at it. “Somethings off about this map...” He watch them enter the shop. “The directions lead us to around here and then nothing.” Soarin looked over the edge of the clouds fluttering his wings a little. “It's sketchy and I'm worried for the children’s safety... I'm taking a guess and saying that this map was suppose to get us lost. And the ponies being rude...” He muttered and place it back into his pocket walking into the shop.

“Girls I think we've been-” Soarin stared at what was before him, at a table was Spitfire, Fleetfoot and Soarin of the Wonderbolts. “Bloody knew it...”

The fillies starred with dumbfounded expressions on their faces as they were only a few feet away from three of the Wonderbolts. “Hey Blue, took you long enough to figure it out.” Spitfire just smirked and motioned with her hoof for him and the girls to join the three pegasi. “Hey Freeze Droplet! Four of your best ice creams for our friends here!”

“Coming right up Spitfire!” The smooth talking pink stallion said as he got to work on creating four cups of ice cream for the latest customers into his shop.

With an slight nudge from his foreleg, he pushed the fillies gently in the direction of the table. They snapped out of their trances and quickly went over to the table, jumping up onto the round chair around the large table. In his mind the logic centres were saying that everything from the table made out of wood and fabric to the counter with glass, metal and other materials should just fall through the clouds.

He stepped up to it and joined them, sitting opposite of the Wonderbolts on the other side of the table. “I would question how much of this should be falling through the clouds, but seeing through the eyes and ears of Soarin for 15 years in my sleep I know very well this is just bloody possible without any need of a logical reason.” He glanced to the smooth marble floor. “Still mixed with 60s and ancient Greek is another of how mixed up things can be and still work.”

Spitfire open her mouth but closed it. “And before we get started with the bloody meet and greets I like to say this.” He glares at Spitfire. “Instead of getting the locals to play your stupid little game and make us waste an hour of going around in circles and me worrying non-stop for the safety of the children you should have been got up and step out to tell us.” Blue didn't raise his voice keeping it calm and pointed it out to her on a plate.

“Would you?” Spitfire answered with her own question. Lowering her shades over the eyes looking directly into his.

“Yes. Specially if I notice children are involved.”

Soarin sighed. “Spits I told ya he not as easygoing as I am.”

“True, and this was all part of it.” She crossed her forelegs. “I could see you were handling it quite well, even it was unexpected.” Spitfire took a good look at the fillies. “I gather you three had sensed that he felt very uneasy with you tagging along.”

Scootaloo answered first. “Yeah pretty much. He's foalsitting us this weekend after all, and he also promised that he would take us if we behaved.”

“And we did! It's really amazing to be here, my sister came and kinda got into a little trouble.” Sweetie Belle rubbing her head a little. “She kinda knocked all you out.”

Fleetfoot, who was drinking a soda, swallowed hard with a coughing fit before she could collect herself. “Your Rarity's sister?” Sweetie Belle nods. “Well any pony falling from this high up would have been flailing around like that, we got it into our heads to just go right in without thinking about it and result lead to us being rescued by Rainbow Dash.”

Blue turned his eyes away thinking about it. “So that smash in the face and sudden wake up I had sometime last year was Soarin being KO'd by Rarity.”

“So how much do you know of Soarin's life Blue?”

He took a look good look at the counterpart blue white Pegasus without any form of Wonderbolt clothing on. “Every since the day after the break in on the London Museum 15 years ago, I seen bits and pieces of his life. At first me being so young it was just a bloody awesome and cool dream but as I got older and it continued I started to lose it. Being a test pilot for the RAF on experimental planes with risks involved gave me some freedom but at the end I had to go see a quack about it.” Blue explained as the ice cream was handed out to each and everypony around the table.

Blue took a spoon with hoof scooping out some of it. “What does a duck have to do with it?” Applebloom asked and started to eat her ice cream.

“It's short for a doctor that works on those that are emotionally damaged, depressed and such. A psychiatrist.” He answered. “Applebloom if you were to close your eyes and see, feel, and hear another's life as if you were really there with no continue of said actions, how would you feel when waking up knowing this stuff?”

Applebloom shivered at the thought of that. “Ah don't want to even think about it. Yer explain' what happened to ya gives me the shivers.”

“Yeah double for me.” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said together.

Spitfire eating her ice cream swallowed and tapping the bowl with her spoon. “So how did you cope at the end?”

Blue looked down at the ice cream on the spoon not eating any yet. “Mist... Mist Dangerfield. She I love with everything I have. It might come out weird but she stayed by me and helped so much. Yes there was a temper to her side but there would be days were I just want to just smash the place up. But Mist made sure I wouldn't do anything stupid and set me up with a device to record everything I dreamt of or thought I dreamt of.” Blue ate the ice cream off the spoon and took another scoop.

“That wasn't something I was expecting.” Fleetfoot was a bit surprised by the response. “Why are you so open about it?”

“Because somehow and for some reason I was stuck watching.” He point to Soarin. “His life, I feel like I violated another's life, I saw, felt and know the way he lives, the love of apple pies, the feelings he has. The joy of being a Wonderbolt co-captain. Even you Spitfire, you were a total twat at times.”

Spitfire blinked. “Twat? Are you calling me a idiot?”

“Yes.” He said bluntly.

“I would say you got some of this from Soarin's head but you not being Soarin and living a life that completely screwed up, I take it this from your own experiences with your flight team and ours. Am I close?” Spitfire was a little anger but kept calm.

Blue shrugged. “Pretty much. Team Spitfire had their stupid moments but one thing we don't do is be as reckless as you've been. And one of them has to do with what I learned from Twilight about a pony called Lightning Dust. It took Rainbow Dash confronting you to finally get your plot off that seat behind the desk to realise what happened and how much you completely...” Blue was about to say fucked up but looked at the fillies.

“In kinder terms then, any cursing in front of the youngsters and be grilled by their families, you really screwed up and had to make amends to her and her friends, making her lead pony meant Lighting Dust got off easy.” Blue went back to eating his ice cream.

“What do you mean?” Soarin dared asked.

“If that stunt was pulled off in the Royal Air Force that would risk not only the safety of the fliers and those that visiting or spectator it would of gone under investigation and the one responsible for almost taking another's life would have been court martialed. And if found guilty not only have they been dishonourably discharged from the services, but would have been taken to court by law and stand trial for breaking the law and putting the lives of everyone at risk.” Blue gave them the details flat out on the table so to speak.

“If found guilty, depending on the charges it would be community surface towards a prison term for months to years depending on how many charges they were found guilty on.”

Spitfire felt tense when hearing this, the ponies of this other world were more strict than anything she ever had to do. “Wow the more I learn about ya, the more differences we have.” Soarin replied.

“I wouldn't mind that happening to Lightning Dust, would teach her a lesson.” Scootaloo muttered.

“Why?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Because she even got Rainbow Dash hurt during the flag capture test! Rainbow Dash told me that even she can get hurt and what Lightning Dust did was out of order and Spitfire letting it go as it nothing is stupid too!” Scootaloo glared at the captain. “The Wonderbolts are awesome but what's the point of being one if others in the team can get hurt and you care nothing for it! If that's the case then they're just cadets like Rainbow!”

Spitfire lower her head flips flopped over a little. “Your right. I really did mess up. Thinking about those mistakes makes you wonder how I overlooked it. But it taught me that in order to be a team, we must work as a team. Kid that mistake...” She rose her head up. “Will never happen again. I promise you.” Her hoof held up to Scootaloo.

Scootaloo clop her hoof against Spitfire. “Sure! Rainbow Dash is like a sister to me! I take your word Spitfire!”

Spitfire smirked and turned to Blue. “As for you Soarin McLightning, it has been refreshing to have my flank kicked by somepony that might look like Soarin and sound mostly like him, but at the end of the day we learned something right here and now. You're not him and you fly some strange plane instead of using your wings for life on this Earth of yours. As a fellow flyer, I respect everything that was said right here at this table.” Spitfire got off the seat and stood on all fours. With one foreleg over her forehead.

Blue got off the chair too standing on all fours he saluted with his right foreleg over the forehead. “And I respect the way things work here, I am just somepony lost in another's lands and making a living as best he could. As respect to your own choices even, though I think they were stupid, it's plain to see that our lives and worlds are not so much alike. But coming to a common guards between two Pegasi and two experienced flyers, I hormonally accept that this is the way things are. Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts.”

Blue held out his hoof to Spitfire and with a clop they shook. “Now Co-captain Soarin McLightning of Team Spitfire how about we take you and the youngsters to the Wonderbolt HQ and join us for a little party.”

Applebloom gasped. “Party!? You mean somethin' Pinkie Pie made?”

“We have our own Wonderbolt that love to create parties.” Spitfire smirked

“This is going to be so awesome!”

“I wonder who that pony is.” Sweetie Belle thinks, Scootaloo gets pumped up for the party.

As they left, with the girls all riding on Blue's back, he took a look at Soarin as they took off and flew to the Wonderbolt HQ. “Blue next time keep out anything that I personally thought and said in private. I rather not get grilled and dragged into trouble because of what you know from my life.”

“I pinkie promise. Cross My Heart, Hope to Fly, Stick a Cupcake in my Eye!” Blue did the motion with what he said. “Now you're safe.” The girls giggled.

Soarin blinked. “What was that about? What kind of promise is that?”

“One you don't want to break. Trust me, Pinkie Pie knows no matter where she is.”

“Bu-but that...”

“After being in Ponyville for the last few weeks you know not to question anything Pinkie Pie does.” Blue responded. “She is the most incomprehensible friend you can ever have.”

The girls laughing at the expression Soarin was giving. “I'm going just accept it and leave it at that...” Soarin suddenly felt nervous looking around. “I am very sure I thought I saw her for a second...”

“Maybe.” The girls said together. Soarin shivered at the thought and quickly shook it off and continued flying with the other pegasi to the HQ of the Wonderbolts in Cloudsdale rounding the Colosseum.

The ponies keeping in formation flew through the city, in and out of buildings with other ponies flying in a path which almost look like a road but in the skies. A few stood on clouds with signs held with their wings and a whistle in the mouth. Blowing it and a sign raised with one green on both sides, another red on both sides pointing in directions.

Blue thought back to seeing this during the Great Blackout a few years back when the power through London blacked out for almost two weeks. The police kept things going with the army on the roads directing traffic, using signs and whistles. They manage to go through a green sign and pass a rather large cloud with an building showing two flags of Equestria hanging from it, he gathered this was City Hall, the centre of Cloudsdale government.

From a distance he could see the Weather Factory on the city edge it size what was seen mostly from ponies on the ground, not the vast miles of cloud supported buildings to schools and Flight Camp. Standing on what he believe a busy street with ponies walking around talking to each other, at a park where he saw flowers, grass and even an guard with fountains stood on clouds, even a tree in soil.

Blue had to stop staring at the sight before him, the girls were speechless too, they heard and seen pictures of it but the true beauty of pegasi magic to hold up something like this park was unbelievable and almost too impossible to imagine. No words could describe what they saw.

“Pretty neat right?” Soarin come to a hover beside Blue. “The clouds are so thick here that anything can sit on it, even ponies without cloud walking magic, with the City Hall and Wonderbolt HQ being around this city centre. It gives Pegasi pride and joy to know we can create something like this.” Soarin point out to the crystals scattered around shimmering with an energy that really gave the area an unique feel.

Blue stared at each of them. “Each crystal in this area enhances the clouds to become a solid allowing soil, trees and many other things to stay up in the clouds, including effecting all of Cloudsdale from this very point. It's what helps keeps your machines up in the factory, to everyday object that should pass through that isn't pegasi. It only affects all ponies in this area but those outside it would be affected by a Cloudwalking spell...” Blue recalled what Soarin had spoken to some ponies before when giving a tour a few months back. “Sorry, recounting what you said in that tour.”

Soarin chuckled. “Guess a history lessons not needed then.”

“Bloody no. I have that burned into my brain already...”

“Well let's get to the HQ, it's just right there.” Soarin pointed to the building with a gate up, a few ponies in a different type of uniform, compared to the Wonderbolts flight suit or uniform, stood outside the academy. The outfits was blue with yellow markings but was more armor like. The pegasi also held crossbows and spears in their blue hoof shoes.

“Bloody damn, they look like they're ready for war...”

“Yeah. Being the city centre and all with the city hall and HQ in the same place, you can't get more secure then here, you did notice the strange feel the area too right?” Blue nods. “It a magical field that protects the crystals, if they were to go, well half the city would just fall apart.”

Blue took a note, he notice some ponies looking a little out of place and how well defended, even an ground attack would find it difficult to get near to this place. “Would explain why the city look much smaller than it does. I am sure we flew for a mile or so before getting here.”

“Yeah that would be illusionary magic that Princess Celestia put up.” Soarin explained. “Make it that most only see the Weather Factory and look a heck of alot smaller then it really is.” Soarin glide down to a landing on the path walking up to the gates of the Wonderbolt HQ. “They're with me.”

The guards nod and opened the gate. Blue lands and walks in with the girls jumping down and walking alongside him to the HQ, they notice it had large circle pillars every so often with a roof hanging over the top. The front had two massive statues of marble Wonderbolts flying with one hoof out in front. The flags were of the Wonderbolts and of Equestria over the arch, the door was large and wooden with metal crisscrossing through it.

The doors was open and Spitfire walked in first with Fleetfoot afterwards, the two stallions and fillies followed into the building. The guard ponies at the door push them closed with a hoof each against them.

Within it had a very modern feel to it as they walk down the corridor past the front desk with some ponies talking to the clerk. Blue took note of everything and saw some stop to look at him directly, he had this look many times in Ponyville and shrugged it off as they went down a more lower ceiling and smaller corridor. The girls talking to each other about how amazing the place was.

They came to a set of double doors, pushing it open Spitfire turn and put a hoof out for Blue to go first. Upon entering it look like a cafeteria but it was shifted and moved around. Tables with food all the way around the wall in front of him with a stage and some ponies playing music with their hooves and wings tugging on strings. Others were general conversations, while some were playing some of the party games.

Streamers and balloons were all over the place with party decorations and a disco ball in the middle moving around with the reflective lights dancing on the ceiling to the floor.

“Welcome Soarin McLightning! And Cutie Mark Crusaders! We've been waiting forever!” A white pegasi with a blond mane and tail puffy like Pinkie Pies with a cutie mark that was almost the same except with the colour of the balloons differently coloured compared to how Pinkies appeared.

“Hello Surprise, pleasure to meet you.” He smirked in a not surprised tone of voice.

“Surprise!? She looks like Pinkie Pie, but white and yellow with wings!” Scootaloo gasped. “Are you cousins to Pinkie Pie?”

“Yeah I am! About three times removed down the family I think!” She giggled. “I can never keep track of the Pies to the Flies!” She giggled again. “But when it comes to flying with the Wonderbolts, my party thrill goes and I put my serious mane on!” She pull her mane back and it went spiky. “See, this my serious mane! Cool right?”

“Yeah. It is!” Sweetie Belle replied. “Do you have a sense like Pinkie Pie?”

“Nope, I just get wind of things.” Surprise hovered over them. “Here your party hats!”

“Thank ya Surprise.” Applebloom adjusted her party hat. “Come on let's have fun!”

“Yeah!” They cheered and runs off to enjoy the party.

Blue was about to stop them but Surprise put her hoof on his. “Don't worry they'll be fine! Soarin, me and the others will keep an eye on them! They're in the safest place in Cloudsdale! Come on and enjoy the party!” She pulled him in and Spitfire with her fellow members just smiled and walked in as well to join in the festivities of the party.

He chuckled softly as he was freed, taking a glance at Spitfire. “The word fine isn't a word used for the ponies around here.” Spitfire shook her head a little.

As the party went on the CMC was having a blast interacting with not only the Wonderbolts but the crew that work alongside them to get things prepared to the everyday pony that work with the paperwork and booking their performances. Soarin McLighting watched happily as they enjoyed their time, taking this time to just chill out with some snacks and drinks, the weekend sometimes being a tad crazy and overall been fine for the stallion.

Spitfire sat down at the table where he sat at. “So Soarin why the heck you doing all the way back here and not mingling and talking to the other members of the Wonderbolts? Let them get to know you? This was the reason for the get together.”

Then with a slow look around at the party happening around them she continued to speak. “Yet all the effort Surprise made it seem rather pointless.”

Soarin looked at each of the Wonderbolts enjoying the time together sharing their experiences and the fillies listening to their stories. The Soarin of Equestia hovering over a pie with Scootaloo aiding him to swipe it from his forelegs. “I know what you had in mind Spitfire, yet we have our own bloody differences. Why did you think I didn't come here?” Soarin took a sip from the Apple Cider.

“The city's amazing and so are all the pegasi here but it's been hard to even adapt to sleep in a cloud house. Half... Well most of the time I spend my time sleeping in the hanger on the sofa. I couldn't even think about sleeping this high up, visiting yes but staying this high up sleeping. Not a not a bloody chance.” Soarin drank the last of the cider in the mug.

Spitfire was surprised by the response. “I heard from some ponies you're quite the flier, but hearing you rather sleep closer to the ground, well that's a surprise.”

Soarin stared into the empty mug held in his wing. “Would you believe that three princesses allowed me to have two aspects of Earth, one human and the other well has the mythical beings like dragons, griffins and ponies with similar but different histories?” His eyes left the mug and turn to Spitfire.

“Yes, Princess Celestia informed me via a letter a week ago.” Spitfire answered. “So what makes you knowing two versions of your home so special?”

He shrugged. “Maybe the fact that the last cloud city was on British soil, well hidden from the world kinda city.”

“There's a pegasi city like Cloudsdale in the pony version of this British?”

“Yeah Great Britain or the United Kingdom whatever you choice has, and the world, has secrets. Each country does, like the USA with their Area 51 for example. That air base is so secretive that all we got are guesses, theories and such. I am sure that somewhere in Equestria that someplace is far larger that it looks from the outside, like the city of Cloudsdale for example.”

As he begins to talk the other ponies start to gather around to listen to him while the ones on stage kept the music going on the nod from one of the Wonderbolts. “Hmm, that is true.” Spitfire agreed on that point. “So what is the name of this last Pegasi city?”

“Britannia is the cover name for it, but it's true was name lost in time. We use the name from a warrior of the past. But the city itself ever changing as the years past, and when the new laws came into play when weather control became a tool for war, it ended all but one city. The rest was swept away into the winds as it where, no pony control the weather any more. But those in the RAF only know of the tale of the last cloud city of Britannia.” Soarin explains to them about what happened to the cities and only one left.

He rose the mug up with the tip of his wing balancing it there. “Over the years that past, the RAF created a unique weather system to make it look as natural as possible, but can also be controlled to keep the city hidden. Balanced at a single point and a few miles in size while being about three miles above the ground, the city of Britannia sits trapped within the eye of the vortex jet stream between the sea bounders of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I only heard tales of it like many of those in the RAF. A tale cadets are told.”

Soarin McLighting spun the mug around gently. “No one's ever been able to get near that location due to the winds that blow non stop and the fact there always a naval or air presence from the Royal Naval and Air Force.”

“How can you know it's real?” Rapidfire asked.

“Bloated out images from maps, the ever endless presence of the naval and air force, and the fact the weather haven't changed over that part of the sea in almost 200 years when the last of the cloud cities was destroyed. Take your pick on what you'd believe.” He glanced over to the Wonderbolt.

Soarin chuckled. “Blue has a point, there's quite a lot of unanswered questions, what about the human side of things to it?”

Blue thought about it. “Nothing much just sea. That's what I mean. The human and pony sides are similar but that's when things get a little crazy. The reason more believe it's there is because after the Great Blackout that happened on both versions.”

“I heard of this, what was the Great Blackout?” Spitfire asked Blue. “I am curious...”

Blue sighed. “A moment that showed us that we were too depended on technology. Two weeks of nothing electrical. No lights, no TV, nothing. The solar storm that washed through our star system and created high levels of magnetic interference with all electrical devices. The governments in most parts of the world were prepared for it and shut down the whole power grid to protect it at a heavy cost.” Blue thought back to it. He recalling the toughest weeks and years to come.

“Sometimes something so wonderful could be the worst thing to happen. And the storm was exactly that... It lit up the night sky in a dazzling shower of clouds of rainbow light dancing together. Lives were lost throughout the weeks and years to come after it all happened, still even today we are slowly recovering and getting our lives back together.” Soarin put the cup down. “Not all stories are happy... And this isn't one of them.”

“Couldn't your princess do something?” One of the other wonderbolt members asked.

Blue shook his head. “Our world don't have Alicorns like you do.” They gasped. “Different world different rules guy and girls.”

Spitfire shook her head with a sigh. “How about something more cheery?”

“How about Bolt! The fastest Earth Pony on Earth!” Scootaloo called out.

“Yeah! Tell them Soarin!” Sweetie Belle wanted to hear it again.

“Ah like to know if he still races!” Applebloom eager to know.

Blue smirked. “Ok sure thing! Everypony gather around, this about something I haven't even told the crusaders about how Bolt still keeps going strong and a few years back he beat his own personal best and how he just managed to keep his seat on top. But it also about how he cares for those around him too, his friends and his family.”

Blue starts to tell them and from by the doors Discord stood with his arms crossed. “Hmm how interesting. Not only one but two different dimensional ponies arrived. Still having him appear out of thin air before me was a little of a shock.” He drunk the Apple Cider in an large mug. “Got to say it refreshing to be surprised. I think it about time to pay a visit to his filly friend at the Crystal Empire. Oh the fun!” With a click he was gone in an flash.

One of the Wonderbolts noticed Discord disappeared and put his hoof over the ear. “Ma'am you might have some company...” He whispered and removing the hoof continue to listen to Blue.

Chapter 17: Comparing and Conflict

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Tale of Soarin McLighting
Chapter 17: Comparing and Conflict

“Jet Flare you poor thing. It was a pretty rough landing for you wasn't it? Not that it was your fault I had to get here to find Soarin, and make sure that crazy two faced manipulative bitch doesn't turn the whole fucking UK into one new pony nation on Earth. God knows what kind of fucked up nightmare that'd be with her pulling the strings.”

“Ma'am are you speaking to your flying machine as if it were alive?” Flame Shield put the question forward in a uneven tone of voice not completely sure how to exactly say it.

Mist, with a hoof against the undamaged wing, removed it and walked over to him away from her plane's wrecked shape. “Indeed I am, it's a pilot, plane thing. Kinda personal so I rather not let anyone else hear about this soldier.”

Flame Shield gulped as she came up to him, looking directly into his eyes. Sweet Celestia she scary when she mad... Is the only thought that ran through his mind at that very moment. “Of course ma'am! I won't speak of it to anypony, you have my word.” He responded with a salute.

Mist tapped his gold chest plate armour with a clang. “Good, don't want to dent up that new armour of yours Flame.” She then knock of the helmet. “Also you look stupid with that headset on, if anything, I don't want you to wear it and first chance we get you're getting rid of those stupid things on your hooves too.”

“Understood...” He glance down at the guard hoofshoes he was wearing, and to the helmet on the floor. “Should I leave the helmet ma'am?”

“Fine put it back on but first chance we pass that stupid armoury we getting rid of the helmet and those shoes got it?”

“Understood.” He put the helmet back on. “so...”

“What I do now?” Mist turned to the wreck once more and back to him. “We go talk to this Princess Cadance about where the freakshow is held up.” Mist starts to walk and he follows just to the left of her as the doors open by the guards. “Once this problem is out of the way, we're going to this place called Ponyville.”

Flame Shield turned his eyes away for a second then facing them facing forwards again as they walked. “I know very little about it, a town not to far from the capital I believe and from what Rainbow Dash spoke of, Soarin McLightning is living in a cloudhouse but calls it a hanger.”

Mist chuckled. “He couldn't stop trying to fix that old bird of his. Wouldn't expect anything less of him to keep himself busy while he waits and try to find a way home.” Mist thought about it and the smile grew. “He'll be in for a shock for sure when he sees me.”

“If anything, I agree ma'am. What of your 'old bird' if I may ask.”

“Oh she's coming with me to Ponyville, most likely in pieces, but I'll get that 'old girl' ticking again. A lady, or should I say a mare has her ways.” Mist laughed a little.

Flame Shield notice a few guards blocking their way. “May I ask why we being stopped?”

“Sorry sir and ma'am we been told to not let anypony through till the meeting with Princess Cadance is in is finished.” The guard replied.

Mist rolled her eyes. “Then tell her this sparkle, Mist Dangerfield been through shit for the last few days, her shower interpreted three times and I have bloody information about the location on that no good for nothing asshole Ahuizotl!”

“I second that.” Daring Do step up beside her alongside the main six. “The girls and I, in a less colourful language that Mist here used, have this information brought to the attention of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. Or would you rather get your flanks kicked by this pony?” Daring Do hints to Mist.

Twilight step up. “I am sure there no need for that! Seriously Mist we only met and all you care about is knocking out another pony?”

Mist shrugs. “If it get the message across so be it. I been through shit already so being put in some cell is the least of my problems right now. Don't you think Princess?”

“What got her all unlady like?” Rarity whispered to Rainbow Dash.

“Oh only coming here from another planet, getting captured and held by Ahuizotl, and then kinda been seen by me and Applejack coming out of the bathroom while having a shower kicking the flank out of one of his troops.” Rainbow Dash replied.

“Wh-wh-what!? You did what!?” Rarity glares at Mist.

Mist rolled her eyes. “Yeah and your prince got a good look too, not sure why it's a problem, you all almost got nothing on at all and all I got it my jacket and Flame got some armour like those dicks of a guard here.” She hints to the guard ponies last.

Twilight right eye twitching. “M-My brother saw you while you we-were...”

“Yeah no big deal.” Mist shrugged. “Plus, even what he did was well worth it, beats having him as some dump tribal pony thinking he served Ahuizotl all his life.” Mist turn to Twilight. “Which would you want it to be? Showered me or tribal earth pony Shining Armor? Take your pick Princess. I am sure you know the answer to that.”

Twilight couldn't answer her mind gave the answer and she couldn't say it as her jaw just hung there.

“What a picture! That a keeper!” Pinkie Pie took a photo of the scene and placed it into the scrapbook she pulled out of her mane. “Twilight out played by pony of another world! Mist!” She giggled and put it back into her mane.

Mist stares at her mane. “Don't bother sugarcube, she just-”

“Dimensions within your mane and beyond bend to your will?” Mist asked Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie nods. “Pretty much.”

“And you staring at that wall, which I am guessing is the fourth wall?”

“Yep again! Your good!”

“When you've seen Deadpool and Doctor Who when you were little, you understand the crazy shit that can go on.” Mist replied and got a silent response from the ponies before Rainbow Dash spoke up.

Rainbow Dash point to Pinkie Pie with both hooves. “You totally understand what she can do!?”

“Yes, why?”

“You and Soarin are the most awesome ponies from another world I ever met! I mean the only ones I met! But seriously the you get how she does things?”

“Best to my abilities, travelling through some fog and crashing close to the North Pole of this world, pretty weird right?”

“Yeah I guess it is. What about her Pinkie Sense?”

Mist thought about it. “Sounds like she has ability to predict imminent events.”

“Yep! I sure do! Like when my tail twitches like it did for 3 days straight! It means something's going to fall! Trust me I didn't get any sleep at all! I was high on coffee! And that never happens!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “You do know we no longer are focused on going in right?”

“I am, just enjoying this chat, aren't you?”

“Yes I am!”

“Then why should we stop while the guards pass on my message. Right boys?” She glance over to them.

The guards was left clueless as much as the ponies was. “Ri-right! I'll get right on it!” The second guard race off to the door down the corridor.

Daring Do took off her pith helmet rubbing her mane. “And I thought being chased through ruins and finding legendary cities was amazing. Just being here is an adventure in itself. Does this kind of thing always seem to happen with you girls?” Daring Do asked the mane six.

“Yeah, pretty much.” Twilight replied as Daring Do put her helmet back on. “Still, I'd prefer having that you Mist, held off on the cursing so much... I know the words you speak of and kinda hope you tone it down a little. If that's ok?”

Mist bows with a smirk. “Of course your high horse.”

Twilight also fell at that response and got a confused look around the room part from Pinkie Pie laughing. “High horse? Don't you mean highness and you don't need to be formal, it's quite-”

Mist sighed with an slap of her head with the hoof. “Geez it was a joke, only Pinkie Pie got it and you all look like you've lost your heads or something. Guess British humour isn't your cup of tea.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Now you kind of explained it I kinda get it.” Rainbow Dash snickered a little. “Do you use that word 'bloody' like Soarin does?”

“Yeah I bloody do, is that a problem?”

“Nah, it seem to be some British thing I guess so, I'm cool with it.” Rainbow Dash replied. “Do you have some weird two different memory thing going on like Soarin?”

Mist taps her head with her right hoof. “If you mean Earth with ponies and other sh-” She got a look from Twilight. “I mean... Other creations. Then yes. I just stick to the human ones since my main goal for being here is not only for Soarin, but to also save my world from a crazed mare from turning the UK into a whole new pony nation outside of your world.” Mist explained and finishes off with the words.

“Last thing we need is talking magical ponies on Earth, the world’s pretty screwed up enough without adding more a big ass of crazy into the mixing bowl.” She glance at the ponies around her. “No offence to you but Earth is better off without magic.”

“None taken.” Pinkie Pie replied for all the ponies and turn to behind them as a flash caught her eyes. “Oh! Hi Discord!”

Fluttershy quickly turn around. “Oh Discord it is lovely to see you!”

“Indeed dear Fluttershy, I had to drop in after all I've heard and seen!” They all turn to Discord. “Got to say that spitfire coming out of nowhere and almost hitting me was quite a shock, I can tell you!”

“I am just glad your ok Discord! I was so worried.” Fluttershy hugs him and he returns the hug.

Mist ears twitching and approached him as they released from the hug, before Discord could say she put a hoof up. “Before you start speaking let me ask a few things first.”

“Is this another comparing like you did with Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Mist turned to her slightly with a smirk still on her snout. “Sure is, and forgot to add to the list comparing Pinkie Pie is the Mask, a guy who put a mask on and turns into this green faced guy who can do crazy things from pulling out a party from a pocket to an impossible collection within and gets around faster then you can say 'Suoicodilaipxecitsiligarfilacrepus'” Mist replied.

“Mary Poppins is another that break that by having the ability to jump into paints, fly just using an umbrella and has a big bag that bigger on the inside that stores a whole bedroom worth of stuff.” She glance over to Discord who was holding the exact umbrella with a grin on his face. “Just like that one he's holding.”

Applejack blinked. “Hold on sugarcube, we saw him with that floatin' in at the Tree of Harmony! Also he created a weird two wheel thing that was hummin' and disappeared in a flash!”

Mist thought about it. “Sound like either a motorbike or moped. So my guess he had access to my world recently.” Mist looking directly to Applejack. “Which means I could be returned home in a snap of a talon or lion paw, if he wanted to of course.”

Twilight glared at Discord. “Is this true!?”

“Dimensional portals, just a snap.” Discord smirked. “But it could have been one so similar to yours but isn't.”

Mist thought about it. “True, there is countless dimensions, quantum realities as well parallel out there that if one not to careful would get lost. My guess you travel to one and return to the starting point and so forth right?” Mist looked up at him.

Discord frowned and crossed his talon and lion arms. “Pfff you're no fun!”

Mist shrugs. “That's what happens when you have a coltfriend that love his sci-fi, action and cartoons. Soarin, even as children when we were best friends, sat and watched a lot of the classics like Star Trek the Next Generation where a being called Q starred by John De Lancie who could do exactly what you can but appears as a form of a human.” Mist said calmly to the god of chaos.

Mist pulled out some shades out from pocket putting them on top of her snout. “Let's begin to compare you with Q. First of all when you first showed up like you did, did you call the pony race a savage child race?”

“Hmm... Not sure if I go that far, I did turn the personalities around on most ponies with a touch of a claw or made them see that what they are and made it the opposite. Does that count?” Discord made himself look grey and return to true colour as he explained it.

Mist nods. “Yep you turn their nature around and guessing from the looks of the girls here they agree on that.” Mist looking around.

Daring Do was taking in on this and found it strange to hear. “So he made you Fluttershy mean?”

“Oh yes, I was quite mean when under the spell.” She said shyly.

“Wow...”

Mist did something that caught their attention, she made snapping sound with her wing. “Whoa how did you do that!?” Rainbow Dash gasped.

“I just did what I would do if I had fingers. It's quite surprising how flexible these wings are and how strong they are too, so I clicked the two end tips like fingers or claws if you count a dragon.” Mist explained. “It also shows what Q does to make things just appear out of nowhere and disappear again. He also could take someone from Point A to Point B in an instant.” Mist said walking around Discord as she spoke. “How exactly did you know I'd be here?”

“Oh the clicking I do and as for knowing, Fluttershy told me a few hours ago. I was in Cloudsdale minding my own business when I saw two Soarins flying right over me. I recall hearing that another came from the same place your from Mist.” Discord showed some photos to them. “I even got some snap shots from the party he was at with the little fillies at the Wonderbolt HQ.”

Rainbow Dash snatched them away instantly to have a good look at them. “Whoa his right! Look there's Soarin at the table with Spitfire and all the ponies gathered around.”

Mist took a look over Rainbow's left side. “It looks like he's telling them something, good to see Blue’s doing ok.” She smiled warmly. “That's also another thing Q does when he does it right. Know how to get things right in the most annoying fashion. Thanks Discord.”

“It's just some photos I took. The real interest is how two of you got to be here and became ponies without the mirror.” He rubbed the goatee.

Mist shrugs. “Plane, fog, and magic.”

Daring Do stared at Discord. “So your the spirit of chaos I read about and saw in some temples. They speak of you as the claw and paw of disharmony and chaos. That you find amusement in doing random stuff to ponies.”

“That was me once. But dear Fluttershy I would never do anything to. She's my best friend after all and I have Wednesday tea with her, right Fluttershy?” Discord glance over to the shy pegasi.

She nods in response with a general happy smile. “Oh yes! We have tea and that's also when I told him about Soarin, how he ended up crashing into Discord's coach.”

Mist turned to Daring Do. “You remind me a lot of an old movie adventurer, his name was Indiana Jones who raid temples, stop bad guys from taking mystic artefacts, in fact I think that freakshow is that very villain am I right?”

Daring Do chuckled. “Your good! And yes Ahuizotl is. In fact what we recently learned, this time he needs to be stopped for good.” Her expression turned serious. “Even if it means the books become so dull it can't continue, I never knew this paint was forcing stallions to work for him. Because of you Mist, you gave us the information and now we're able to do something about it.” Daring Do put her hoof on Mist shoulder.

“It's what he deserves and I want to get him back for hanging me like some rag doll for so many days. He needs to be punished.” Mist cracked her wings.

Flame Shield glance over to the doors. “The guard is returning.”

The guard came up to them. “You all may enter.”

They followed the guard into the room where a large round table with chairs around it, what instantly caught Mist eyes was the pony with the Princess and Shining Armor. “YOU!” Mist yelled out instantly.

Zealous turn and looked at her with a surprised expression. “Well isn't this unexpected. So your the one that got held by Ahuizotl? How interesting...”

“Interesting!? I had no choose to come! I remembered what you did to me 15 years ago! Breaking into the London Museum! Knocking out everyone and injuring Soarin and on top of that used the half of the museum piece to turn me into a bloody Pegasus! So sorry to say that your a complete bitch!” Mist sneered with wings wide open in an stance to strike.

“Give me a reason not to fuck your shit up right now you bloody bitch!”

Twilight was startled by this sudden change in mood, Mist was now complete ready for an fight. “You put a delayed magical spell on Mist?”

“Yes.” Zealous replied. “I did it to her and the child I turned into ponies back when I took back what was ours. At the time I had zero trust in humans, I still do.” Zealous walked around the table towards them. “I am a leader of a whole city since I was a young adult. I took it upon myself to get back the half of the orb that belonged to us.” Zealous calmly walked as she spoke to them.

“If anything I will let you strike me down as you pleased.”

Mist relaxes with a snort turning her head slightly. “As much I like to, I won't. The fact it didn't do what you intended means I am one up on you. And being here you looked really shocked.”

“Indeed.” Zealous turn to the ponies. “I've also done this to protect our home from Equestria and you six being here for the reason of this pony.” She glance at Daring Do. “I had to do things to try and slow you down.”

Rainbow Dash went for her. “You're the one that gave the them C4!” Applejack caught her by the tail. “Let go!”

“You could of hurt my sister! Your an-”

“Please! I am only here to work with you stupid Equestrians in the first place because of the risk Ahuizotl poses on my home! If he gets my half of the orb he'd be able to find my home and who knows what damage he could do! I have ponies to protect and the Elements of Harmony being you six make me very uneasy because how closely connected you are with miss sunshine on the throne!” Zealous stepped back to Flare who just stood there calmly with his pad in one claw and the other resting over the top of it.

Shining Armor was about to say something else but Twilight did instead. “So you're acting for the best of your ponies. Why blow up a train with us on it? And why involve Soarin and Mist into this?”

Zealous chuckled. “Oh please! You really think I involved the humans in this?” Zealous points to Mist with her hoof. “I don't even know how they got here! I only know Soarin’s been here for some weeks now and she just appeared at the very Equestrian outpost when Ahuizotl took it for the artefact?” Zealous glares at Discord. “You touch that and I will personally turn you into a lizard!”

Discord put his talon and paw up away from Flare. “Ok, jeez.”

Cadence tap the table. “Before anypony else starts let's just calm down and resolve this peacefully.”

“But-”

“Shiny, I love you but remember she is a fellow leader and if you were in her hooves and lived somewhere outside of Equestria close to the Crystal Empire how would you feel?”

“I'd act in the best interest of the ponies.” He replied with a heavy sigh.

Zealous stood by Flare. “Now that that's sorted allow me to introduce myself. I am Zealous and this is my best friend and assistant Flare.”

Flare bowed slightly and started tapping on the pad activating a holographic display before their eyes. “I was hatched and raised by Zealous. As a friend and sort of sister, I keep her up-to-date with what goes on. I also designed the rail network under the city itself thanks to the raids a few years back on technology on the UK.” Flare showed pictures of the trains.

Mist stared at it. “You meld magic and technology together?” He nods. “And copied the London Underground. For what purpose?”

“So ponies can get around the city smoothly. You tried walking from one side of the city to the other, it take a few hours at least.” Flare replied. “The city we come from we will not tell it's name, nor its location. It is our home and since the fleeing of the Colt of Zealous thanks to Princess Celestia, we had to make do in our isolation. In fact when she learns of the remains of it made a home outside Equestria she'd be nervous to even talk about it.”

Applejack was concerned when he said it. “What do ya mean by thanks to the princess?”

“That's rather simple. 500 years ago roughly give or take a few years or so, there was a war with the Griffin Empire. Twilight should know of it.” Zealous glance over to her. “And these two here.” She hints to Cadence and Shining Armor. “Not many would know of it because it'sit not required to be known.”

Rainbow Dash felt really nervous herself and wings twitching. “Rainbow darling, what's the matter?”

Rarity saw the look Rainbow Dash had in her eyes. “I-I'm fine. It nothing.”

“I highly disagree. What do you know of the Colt of Zealous Rainbow Dash? Please tell.” Zealous smirked.

“Rainbow?” Fluttershy turn to her old friend.

Rainbow Dash sighed seeing now the attention was on her. “The Colt of Zealous...my ancestor was part of it...”

“What!?” They all gasped. “Rainbow why-”

“Twilight I didn't say because it's what Princess Celestia did! You think I want to know this! I thought it was just a bunch of stories, but with her and him speaking of it! Now I know they're not just tales!”

“What are you talking about Dashie?” Pinkie Pie bounced over to her friend.

Rainbow Dash flew up a little to get some space. “Princess Celestia created a team of three ponies! In fact she created it in front of Discord's statue! So he should know!”

“Ah yes! I heard the names Crystal Spark, Smash and Rainbow Spectre.” Discord confirmed it.

“Crystal is my ancestor.” Zealous spoke. “As the years went by, they grew and aided Equestria, the risk of being discovered was that Sunshine plothole would pretend to not be affiliated with them, and to the Griffins. While the other thing she did was backstab them and those that worked with them. Not the ones that worked at the fort.” Zealous voice grew darker and filled with anger.

Rainbow Dash continued it. “They found a way to end the war and it was some sort of two half orbs, together it could turn all the griffins in one blast of magical energy into ponies...” Rainbow Dash lower her head lowering to the ground to a landing. “However, they failed and found out by the griffins, Princess Celestia agreed that all ponies even not directly involved would be taken to the Griffin Empire and left as that.”

Twilight shook her head. “You're wrong! Both of you she-”

“Then simply ask her this. 'What is the Colt of Zealous and do you have a mark that never ages under your right side of the armour plate on your chest?' And see how she respond to that and get back to me on that.” Zealous smirked. “Oh and ask her about the battle of the fort and how ponies and griffins was slaughtered by dragons.”

Twilight gulped hard. “I-I...”

“Hey leave her out of this!” Rainbow Dash spat at Zealous. “It not cool that the stories I heard from my dad where true but there's no need to make her doubt the Princess!”

Zealous rolled her eyes. “Whatever, I hardly care about the little spat between princesses of Equestria. And the two humans turn ponies as well. They can mate all I care...” She nod to Flare and he brings up a display showing a image of the ruins. “Now for more important things. Taking care of Ahuizotl.”

Mist was a little taken by surprise unsure what Zealous playing at. “So you don't know about the fog and what it does to those it enter?”

“Nope, don't know, don't care. If more human turn ponies drop in, it doesn't bother me. I have my own way of getting there.”

“Then-”

“No, I will not let you or your colt anywhere near my home...” Zealous glares at her. “I'd rather die before I give up the gate!”

“But if you're not interested then you can at least send us home.”

“I can but what happens to you is nothing care about. So you'd be ponies among humans.” Zealous turned away from her. The ponies gather around the map, most just quiet and taking in what they knew now.

“Even if it is my fault, and I love the fact that I am dragging you in the dirt, I feel happy knowing that magical fog still exists. It makes things so much more easier now. The British Isles will turn into happy ponies willing to serve me and then take care of Celestia. This is working all too perfectly.

And now causing a slight rift between the princesses and Rainbow Dash is even better. I never thought something like this could ever happen and Discord dropping that little bombshell really spiced it up.”

Zealous looked around at all the ponies as they took in the information about the plan to take down Ahuizotl.

“All I have to do is play this game with them, act like a little lost mare doing best for her city and turn Ahuizotl into a pony with one completed Orb, this is just too perfect...”

Zealous felt concerned by this.

“And I fear that it is...”