A mysterious pony appears in equestria and appears to be more than he seems. Especially when the princesses know him in some way.
**Renamed from A Not so Ordinary Traveling Editor**
"Sometimes even the greatest need a little push here and there." -StarSwirl The Bearded
In ancient Equestiran history, there once lived a creature that hasn't been seen for generations. Tales speak of a bi-pedaled, black-cloaked being that has the ability to shape-shift and travel through the darkness. However, because much of the information that had been gathered was highly controversial, historians deemed that creature a myth, a made up creature that haunted the dreams of foals.
And now, after hundreds of years, this creature returns.
In ancient times, during the Age of Discord, there were odd creatures roaming around because of Discord's magic. The creatures ranged from the hydra and chimera to beings unheard of before. Manticores with three heads, a being recorded to have the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face similar to that of female apes. Little is known of these creatures other than their appearances, for nopony dared to approach the areas they were located. These creatures were unlike anything seen before, or after Discord’s reign. For after the two Princesses defeated Discord and all the chaotic magic dispersed, the habitats of these creatures soon withered away. Due to this drastic change many of the creatures became extinct, yet some of their descendants still exist today, such as the hydras, the chimeras, and the manticores.
However, even after the rapid change of environment, scholars found a strange creature unlike the other Discordian creatures. This being was only seen as a silhouette. Witnesses that claim to have seen this being associate it with shadows and call it "Discord's Shadow", because its height and appendages are similar to that of Discord. Others say they heard an alluring music that “pulled” them towards the shadow. Other than that, the only information that certain is that accounts of this shadow have dated back to the middle of the Age of Discord, as well as the most recent account, being 3 years ago during the Great Manehattan Fire that lasted two days and burned down a third of the city. Research showed that there is a 5:2 ratio in sightings that occurred during major historic disasters to normal sightings.
Research into this "shadow", have led into complete dead ends. There was no pattern to the sightings, no footprints, no DNA samples, nothing left behind to track it. Due to the recent failed attempts to find out more about this shadow, scholars have recently deemed this being a myth, claiming the many sightings to be a "trick of the eye". Others stated the creature to have never even existed, and that it all came from post-Discordian Age paranoia.
*BOOF*
"What?!" Exclaimed the baby purple dragon while closing the book. "Is that it?!"
"What’s wrong, Spike?"
The baby dragon turned to face the lavender unicorn laying on the nearby chair. "Twilight, is that all the information there is on that weird 'shadow' thing?"
"Which one?" Asked Twilight. Spike then lifted the book and showed it to Twilight, “The Official Book of Equestrian Mythology Volume 9: The Unsolved Cases” she read aloud, "Oh! The bipedal one...hmmm." She adorably tapped her chin in thought. "Well, I think it talked about it once in that book about old filly tales." Spike quickly hopped up and climbed the tall ladders that allowed easy access to the hundreds of books that adorned the walls of the Canterlot Castle Library.
"I found it!" announced Spike pulling the blue book sliding down the ladder. He then began flipping through the book and stopped on one page. "The Mare in the Moon? Huh, creepy," he continued to flip through it until the end, "Twilight! It’s not in here!"
"Calm down Spike," Twilight said as she levitated Spike to her. "Here, I'll help you look for it." As Twilight began looking through the books of the library, a scroll arrived through Spike in a dark blue flame.
"Huh, that's odd, I wonder what Celestia could have sent us a letter for…" Twilight cleared her throat and began reading out loud:
My Dearest Most Faithful Student Twilight,
I have sent this letter to you to tell you that Celestia is a troll there is an upcoming test a week from now. The test will be on Celestia's huge fat plot The Beginning of Equestria.
Sincerely, Princess Trollestia Celestia
"Well then, I had better get started." Twilight stated, as she picked some books from the shelves, then sat down on the closest chair and began reading.
"Twilight, but what about lunch break?" Spike complained.
"Sorry Spike, but I have to get ready for that test. You can go on to Pony Joe's without me."
"Fine." He let out with a sigh and started walking towards the door only to trip on an old brown book with gold bindings and a gold unicorn on the cover. "Twilight, you forgot one," he said, lifting the book above him. Twilight then grabbed the book with her magic and brought it closer to her.
"Hmm, I haven't seen this book in the library before."
"Well that's something."
"What is?"
"A book you haven't read before," Spike exclaimed as he laughed at his own joke.
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny Spike," she said before opening the book. "OooOOoo…"
"What is it?" Asked Spike, having recovered from his laughter.
"This book talks about the founding and the first years of the Rule of Princess...es? Plural? Huh, must be a writing error."
"Neat."
"Very, I think I'll read this later, after these other books." Twilight then placed the book to the side.
"Not going to read it now Twilight?"
"Nah, I'll look at a few other books first."
"Well, ok, I guess, I'll be going to Pony Joe's now."
"Ok."
Spike proceeded to the door, turned, and began walking to Pony Joe's place for a good old snack. Twilight continued to read her books intently.
Unbeknownst to Twilight, outside the library window there was a bi-pedaled figure adorned in a black cloak reaching its feet watching that very conversation.
"Good, good, now to move on to the final phase." said the figure as it slid into the darkness. "I guess it’s time to go and get her from the moon."
Chapter 2 - Welcome to PonyVille, The Most Uneventful Town Ever!. . . For Now (Episode 1) Part 1 (Edited)
It was a beautiful day is the skies of Equestria. Perfect fluffy clouds, Celestia's sun shining bright and spreading warmth... Okay, let’s continue with the story. Today was the Day of the Summer Sun Celebration Ceremony, and this year it is going to be held at the small town of Ponyville. You know, that small village near Canterlot? Yeah, that one. It was coincidentally the same day of Twilight's test on Equestian History, given to her by her teacher, Princess Celestia. As she was reading through the mysterious book that appeared in the library, she got to a part talking about The Elements of Harmony. Feeling as if she had heard of The Elements of Harmony, Twilight raced back to the library. *BAMM*
"Spike? Spiiike? SPIKE! Ah, there you are," she said as she ran towards the shelves. Spike lifted himself and followed Twilight. "Quick Spike, help me find ‘Predictions and Prophecies’".
"Wait, what?" Stuttered Spike.
"You know, the book that you found a week ago on the floo-" Twilight pauses staring at Spike, "What's that for?" Spike turns to look at his present impaled on his tail.
"Well, it was a gift for Moondancer."
"Oh Spike, we don't have time for that sort of thing. Now help me find that book!” Twilight exclaimed.
"But, we’re on a break!" Ignoring him, Twilight began using her magic to look through a multitude of different books.
"Ugh! IT'S NOT HERE!"
"That’s ’cause it’s over here," Spike stated from the top of a ladder, with a smirk. "You know Twilight, I-WHHhhaaa!!". Spike wasn't able to finish that sentence as Twilight pulled the book towards her with her magic.
"Ah, this is it," Twilight said as she dropped all the books, except Predictions and Prophecies. Laying the book on a pedestal, Twilight flipped though the book to the page that describes The Elements of Harmony. "Hmm, ah here it is, the Elements of Harmony. ‘See Mare in the Moon’?" She muttered to herself.
"Mare in the Moon? Isn't that the old pony's tale I saw in that book?" answered Spike from the top of another ladder. Twilight flipped to the page titled; ‘Mare in the Moon’.
"Here it is. Mare in the Moon." She began reading. "Mare in the Moon, myth from old pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned on the moon. Legends say that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about night eternal! *GASP* Spike, do you know what this means?"
"Ugh, no." muttered Spike as he fell from the ladder onto Twilight's back. Twilight then handed a scroll and quill to Spike.
"Spike, take a note please. To the Princess".
"Okey dokey," replied Spike as he jumped off of Twilight's back.
My Dearest Teacher,
My continuous study of pony magic has led me to discover that we are on the presipus thresh that something bad is going to happen. For you see the mythical ‘Mare in the Moon’ is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she is about to return to Equestria and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done about this so that the prophecy does not come true. I await your Impara Imperat quick response.
Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle P.S. I am very much prepared for the Test on Equestrian History.
"There," exclaimed Spike, "got it!"
"Great, send it."
"Um, right now?"
"Of course," said Twilight, as if that was obvious to Spike.
"I don't know Twilight, won't the Princess be all busy with the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration? And besides, isn't it the day after tomorrow?"
"That's just it Spike, the day after tomorrow is the thousandth anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration! It's imperative that the Princess should be told immediately." argued Twilight.
"Well… alright," said Spike as he magically burned the scroll, sending it to Celestia. "It’s on its way. But I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you."
"I'm not worried Spike, the Princess trusts me completely. Of all the years she's been my mentor she has, not once, doubted me." Twilight claimed with her head held high. As she finished her argument, Spike burped up Celestia's letter in a green flame. "Ha! See? I knew she'd want to take immediate action!"
Spike picked up the letter, cleared his throat, and began reading the letter aloud. "’My dearest, most faithful student, Twilight. You know that I value your diligence as well as completely trust your opinion. But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books! There is more to a young pony's life than just studying. So I am sending you and Spike to oversee the preparations for the upcoming celebration at this year's location, Ponyville. And I have an even more important assignment for you, Twilight, to make some friends!'"
"What?! But, but, the prophecy, t-the longest day, tomorrow! AARRGGG!!!!!!!!!" Twilight broke down onto the floor in shock of what her mentor had just told her to do. "How can she just ignore the signs?"
"What can I do, but still go to Ponyville," she sighed dejectedly.
"Yes! ROAD TRIP!! I wonder what it's like in Ponyville."
"We'll see tomorrow Spike," she said as she slowly walked out of the library into the castle courtyard and into the main castle. She passed a few guards who just stoically stood guard as usual. She was about to open her room door she heard sompony calling her.
"Twilight! Twilight! Wait up," yelled Spike from down the large corridor. He seemed to be waving Celestia's letter in the air while sprinting to her. "Twilight *gasp* there was *gasp* more *gasp* to the letter!" He sputtered out as he fell to the marble floor. Twilight levitated the letter next to her face and rolled it out to see the last section. It read:
And Twilight, what on Equestria do you mean that you're ready for the test? I never assigned you a test today on Equestrian History, I am far too busy for that. Also, you already passed that test in magic kindergarten!
Twilight mentally hit herself for not remembering that. 'I guess I forgot that after reading about a test. Hmm... However, if it wasn't Celestia that made me start studying up on equestrian history, who had sent me that letter?' She thought to herself as she levitated Spike's tired body onto his bed and crawled into her own.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
As the sun set and the full moon rose to take its place over the planet of Equis, a pair of eyes became defined in the night sky. The eyes soon turned from a bright yellow to a blindingly bright white as a hooded figure soon formed in the sky full of stars. It wore a long black cloak that reached down past its feet. It floated around the night sky until it stopped in the middle of a group of constellations. It cleared its voice in preparation to speak.
"Greetings," it began, "I suppose that you are the group that I am looking for?"
A large group of stars began to move and depicted a large bear. "It depends," it stated in an old, but powerful voice, "just whom are you looking for?"
The cloaked figure smiled with anticipation, "Oh, just the four great star beasts whom the Princess of the Night created? Might you know where I could find them, Ursa?"
The large bear growled angrily at the hooded figure.
"Quiet, Ursa! I am playing a game of night chess with Draco here," exclaimed another group of stars which seemed to be a pony bearing both a unicorn's horn and a pegasus's wings; an alicorn. "I am currently winning, and you are distracting me."
"HA, that's what thou thinkest." replied the group of stars in the form of a dragon serpent, next to the one that had just spoken, "the winner of this game will be us, Equuleus."
”SHUT UP ALL OF YOU!” Thundered a fourth voice. The figure turned his head to see another figure, that of a starry man behind him, “I AM TRYING TO SLEEP OVER HERE!!”
"I will TRY Orion, but this being wishes to speak with us," responded Ursa.
"FINE. WHAT DOE-"
"LOWER YOUR DANG VOICE ORION!" Ursa screamed.
"Hrm, ahem, fine. What does he want?" Asked Orion as he sat down.
"Draco! Equuleus! Get over here!" Called Ursa.
"Just a moment!" Replied Equuleus.
"NOW!" Returned Ursa.
"Fine, fine, gosh," sighed Equuleus turning his head to Draco, "you're lucky this time, Draco."
"I thinkest not, friend, for it is thou that is full of luck today," replied Draco as they floated over to where Ursa, Orion, and the visitor were waiting.
"Ok," began Ursa, "what is it you want, stranger?"
The figure then smiled back, "No need for the 'stranger' talk, we’re friends, are we not? My name is Noctus, but you, gentlemen, may call me the Editor."
Chapter 3 - Welcome to PonyVille, The Most Uneventful Town Ever!. . . Not Anymore(Episode 1) Part 2 (Edited)
All was still in the Canterlot castle that morning, the royal ponies deep in their velvet beds, and the royal guards had switched shifts already. Celestia had just risen to lower the moon and lift the sun, bringing warmth and daylight to all her little ponies. Celestia then headed through the castle, not missing a turn. For what kind of monarch would she be if she got lost in her own castle? She decided to quickly head down to her private dining room to get a breakfast in before all of her royal duties had to be done.
Celestia went into the castle kitchen to find her head chef, Crème Brûlée. Crème was a cream coloured mare with a gold-brown hair that was wrapped up in a bun, as to not get in the way while cooking. Crème was a pastry chef back in Prance, working at a small pastry store when Celestia had visited. After tasting her famous crème brûlée, Celestia asked her to come back to Canterlot to work in the castle. Crème Brûlée graciously accepted and thanked the owners of the dessert store for letting her work there. When Crème arrived at Canterlot she had a rough start. She still had her Prench accent and she also was a pastry chef. But after a while she adapted, learned to control her accent as well as learning to cook more than just deserts. Soon she had risen to head chef. You could also guess from her name that her cutie mark is indeed, a crème brûlée.
"Ah Princess, good morning." Crème said as she bowed. "What can I get for you today?"
"Nothing big Crème, I need to finish fast," Celestia replied, "and didn't I already tell you about not calling me by my title?"
"Ha ha, the tenth time this week, Princess. How about a cup of coffee and a daisy sandwich?"
"That's perfect Crème, thank you." Celestia then dismissed herself, walked out into the dining and sat down on one of the comfortable cushions. As she waited there her mind drifted to her past. "*Sigh* I missed it back a thousand years ago when I didn't have as many duties to fulfill. Now every single minute has me listening to the complaints of another uptight noble," she recalled to herself. "I mean really, a restaurant getting your order wrong is no reason to come to bother the strongest being in Equestria." Her eyes wandered around the empty dining room. "*Sigh* It is sure quiet here now, with Cadence studying abroad, Shining Armour busy with his Captain duties, Twilight and Spike having already left to Ponyville, and…" she pauses to wipe a tear from her eye, "oh Luna, I miss you."
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
"Come on Twilight, cheer up!" Persuaded Spike. Leaving Canterlot early, Twilight and Spike headed to Ponyville on the Princess's orders. For the entire flight Twilight had not been in a good mood… At least in Spike's eyes. Inside her head, Twilight had been pondering the same problem for the entire morning; 'just who could have sent me that letter?' From what she knew, the only pony that could send a letter through Spike was Celestia.
"Now that I think about it, wasn't the fire that sent the letter blue?" she muttered to herself.
"Twilight!"
"Huh, what?"
"Twilight, what's wrong?" Spike asked. "You've been in a grouchy mood the entire morning."
"I'm not in a grouchy mood Spike, I just had something on my mind."
"Well, ok, but I was going to tell you that the Princess arranged for us to stay at the local library in Ponyville. I thought that knowing that, would lighten your spirits." Instantly Twilight shot up looking very motivated, "Wow, I guess it did more than just lighten your spirits."
"Yes, yes it did. But do you know why?" Twilight questioned, "because I'm right! I'll check up on the preparations as fast as I can, then go back to the library to find proof of Nightmare Moon's return."
"But when will you have time to make friends?"
"Celestia said to check on the preparations, and as her loyal student I will do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends!" Twilight informed Spike as the two royal guards landed in the middle of town, "Thank you sirs," she said politely.
"Well," began Spike as a pink earth pony mare began trotting towards them, “maybe the ponies of Ponyville have interesting things to talk about. Come on Twilight, just try." Giving in, Twilight decided to greet to mare, 'I mean, what could possibly go wrong?' she thought. Neither Spike nor Twilight knew what they would begin.
"Um, hello?"
*GAAAASSSSSPPPPP*
"Well, that was . . . interesting alright," retorted Twilight after the pink mare zipped through the air. "Come on Spike, let’s go to check the first thing on the list."
After walking out of the town for a bit, they come across a large apple orchard. The trees stretched all the way to the horizon, every apple glistening in the late morning sun. They continued down the dirt path until they came across a farm.
"Ok," Spike said as he looked at a scroll, "Summer Sun Celebration Official Overseer's Checklist, number one: Banquet preparations, Sweet Apple Acres."
"Yeehah!" They heard somepony yell. Twilight and Spike turned to see an orange earth pony mare with blonde hair, wearing a cowboy Stetson. The mare ran towards a tree with buckets below it and bucked the tree with an enormous amount of force, every single apple falling from the tree, into the buckets. The she then stood proudly with one of her front legs in front of the other.
"*Sigh* Well, let’s get this over with." Twilight said unenthusiastically as she began walking in the direction of the mare. "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and-" Twilight stopped as the mare took both of her hooves and shook one of Twilight's.
"Well howdy do Miss Twilight, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Ah'm Applejack, and we here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends," said the mare as she introduced herself.
"Friends?" Twilight responded, however because of the hoofshake, it came out a bit shaky, "actually, I-" Taking her hooves away from Twilight, Applejack asked "So, what can ah do ya for?" Twilight didn't answer back, for her hoof was still shaking from the hoofshake. Spike quickly reached over and stopped her leg and giggled.
"Ahem, well I am, in fact, here to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?"
"We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?"
"Well," Twilight said, "as long as it doesn't take too long, I guess we can-" Without letting Twilight finish, Applejack left and began ringing a triangle summoning every Apple family member nearby. Because of the amount of Apples, they created a mini-stampede and the next thing they knew, Twilight and Spike were whisked away to a table.
"Now, why don't ah introduce ya'll to the Apple family?" Applejack began.
"Oh thanks, but that's not really necessary, and I really need to hurry." replied Twilight.
Ignoring her, Applejack began listing of each member of her family as they each brought one apple based treat to the table. Nearing the end Applejack took a deep breath and named the last few. "Big Macintosh, Applebloom, and Granny Smith. Up and at em' Granny Smith, we got guests."
"Huh, wah?" Granny Smith awoke with a snort and muttered, "ah, soups up!, ah'ma comin’, ah'ma comin’."
"Why, ah'd say you're already a part of the family." Applejack continued. As Applejack said this, Twilight quickly spat out the apple she had shoved in her mouth in the middle of the commotion.
"Oh, um, well, it looks like you have the food situation under control here, so we'll just be on our way."
"Aww," whined a tiny voice. Twilight turned to see a little filly in front of her with the cutest puppy dog eyes. "Aren't you goin'ah stay for brunch?"
"Sorry, but we've got an awful lot to do," apologized Twilight. In response, every Apple member there put their heads down in disappointment. Feeling the guilt well up within her, she gave in with a "fine."
Twilight and Spike then proceeded to eat and ‘sample’ all the food that was given to them, unaware as a black raven watched from the darkness of a nearby barn, with eyes of pure white. Soon the bird turned and took off to the untamed Everfree Forest.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
Flying as fast as a pegasus, the raven flew above the trees of the Everfree until it saw a dimly lit clearing. It stopped its flight and landed without a sound in the clearing. It walked into the shadow of a tree and transformed to the black hooded figure.
"Well, everything said, that was very entertaining to watch," said the hooded man. "Ok, now that I've checked on our little protagonist there, I should go over the steps for the next phase. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a scroll. "What?! Oh Celestia damn it, it changed when I entered Equuis." He then focused and shadows then began to move and cover the scroll. The scroll then hardened and melded into a rectangular shape. As the shadows dissipated from the scroll in his hand, it was obvious that it was no longer a piece of paper. "Ah, there we go, back to normal. IPads are so much more efficient than scrolls."
He used his finger to then find a folder on the screen that was titled; My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. "I always thought that was a weird name... oh well." Tapping the icon, the folder expanded into multiple smaller folders. "Let's see here, season 4, fan fictions, fan-made videos, season 3, season 2, ah! Here it is, season 1. They're so much easier to find when it's all in chronological order." He then opened the 'Season 1' folder. Finally, he got to what he was looking for and tapped the Episode 1: Script folder. "Ok, finally, let’s see here. Hmm, Twilight reads book on the banishment of Nightmare Moon, sends a letter to Celestia, gets sent to Ponyville, meets Pinkie Pie, goes to meet future friends and goes to the Summer Sun Celebration to find that Nightmare Moon is back. Seems like everything is going to script." He slid the iPad back into his cloak and takes a look around to find that the sun was just setting. Deciding to just take a rest, he laid down in the clearing as the moon, complete with the mare in the moon, rose into the sky, and with it the stars. "Ah, so beautiful. I'm so glad I don't have to sleep, the night is much more interesting than the day."
As time passed, the man began to wonder if the four star constellations would be able to help her off the moon. Looking at the moon again, he noticed 4 stars, brighter than all the others, begin to circle the moon. "Alright, break time’s over," he announced to nobody in general as the four stars converged on the moon, "time to meet the first antagonist of this series.”
After a while of searching, he sensed a dark presence nearby. Melting into the shadows, he zoomed through to the location of the dark aura. Reaching another clearing, he saw a tall, dark alicorn looking around the clearing, seeming lost. 'Well, I should go and give her a push then.' he thought. Readying his voice and lining it with an echo he greeted the dark alicorn. "Well, well, well, what have we here? It seems that an alicorn has gotten lost in my forest."
Surprised at the sudden voice Nightmare Moon scanned the darkness for the source of the voice. "Who goes there? Is that thou, Discord, spirit of chaos?" she asked.
"Discord? HA! Oh no no no, he is still quite… held up at the moment." 'For about a couple more episodes if I remember,' he recalled. "You and I have never met before, however I do wish to help you with your problem."
"Problem? What is this problem that thou speakest of? We have no ‘problem’."
"Oh really? Then I guess you wouldn't want to hear my proposition on what to do then."
"No, we only said that we did not have a problem. We did not say that we would not listen to thine proposition." She answered.
"Very well then, if I was in your situation, I would first set up a set of obstacles to slow down anypony that would follow me, probably around six. Then I would go and wait at the place I was defeated."
"Why would we-… thou, do that?" She asked.
"Why? Why to make it so that when I have my victory, historians will write about this moment as the place I enacted my revenge on the pony who shamed me."
"We see, well thine plan seems to be a very well-thought-out plan. We must be off now."
Before he could question her further, she disappeared in a trail of starry smoke. He then exited the shadow he was residing in and stood alone in the clearing. "And off to the ruined castle of the princess sisters she goes," he reported. "Looks like that's finished, episode one should be finished, and the beginning of the next is set up," he said as he pulled out the script to episode one. "Yup, that's it," he said as he returned the iPad to his cloak, "I better go and find the girls, wouldn't want them to botch one of Nightmare Moon's trials and mess up the story." He then began to call the surrounding shadows to him and slowly transformed into an owl. Lifting his new wings he took off, pointed himself towards Ponyville, and set off to prepare the next episode.
Chapter 4 - The Everfree Adventure of Finding your True Self(Episode 2) (Edited)
After Nightmare Moon disappeared, everypony in the town hall went hysterical. Ponies were freaking out everywhere, all but a few. Said few included Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy (although she seemed to be curled into a ball). As Twilight grabbed Spike and ran for the library, Rainbow Dash was watching her and followed. Seeing Rainbow Dash leave, Applejack went to get her other friends and follow as well.
Running past all the panicking ponies, Twilight dashed to the library to find a way to stop Nightmare Moon. After tucking Spike into bed, Twilight began searching for a book on the Elements of Harmony. "Elements, Elements, Elements! Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?!"
"And just what are the Elements of Harmony?" asked Rainbow Dash inquiringly as she jabbed her face into Twilight's, turning her around to face her, "and how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy??"
"Simmer down Sally," said Applejack as she pulled Rainbow Dash away by her tail, "she ain't no spy, but she sure knows what's goin' on, don't ya Twilight." Everypony walked into the library and waited for Twilight's answer.
"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon,” she slowly admitted, "some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her. But I don't know what they are, where to find them, I don't even know what they do!"
Suddenly Pinkie began reading aloud the title of a book on the shelf, "The Elements of Harmony; A Reference Guide."
"Where did you find that?!" Twilight exclaimed, speeding quickly over to the shelf and knocking Pinkie out of the way.
"It was under E!" Pinkie responded in a playful tone, gleefully bouncing past around.
"Oh. . . "
Taking the book out of the shelf, Twilight opened it and began reading about the Elements of Harmony. "‘There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known. Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five elements was the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now The Everfree Forest.’"
"The Everfree Forest?!" Exclaimed everypony but Twilight.
"What’s so bad about the Everfree Forest?" questioned Twilight.
"Well ya see here Twilight, the Everfree Forest ain't no normal forest," began Applejack.
"YEAH," interrupted Rainbow Dash, "It's only the most terrifying place in all of Equestria!"
"The weather changes on its own," continued Rainbow Dash.
"It’s ever so filthy in there," exclaimed Rarity.
"The animals eat each other!" Said Pinkie.
"And, um, the clouds move by themselves." Fluttershy quietly added.
Trying to take in all the information being thrown at her, Twilight said, "Well, either way, I'm going to have to go in there and get those Elements." With that, she slowly walked towards the door.
"Now just hold on there," Applejack ran in front of Twilight and blocking the door, "ya mean we're gonna have ta find those elements. And don't be going on about how this ain't none of our business. This here is our town, and Celestia is our Princess too,"
"Yeah!" said all the others.
Seeing as there was no way she was going to persuade them otherwise, Twilight agreed.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
Watching the entire ordeal take place, the owl sitting on a branch of the library prepared to follow the six mares. 'Interesting, how that all played out,' he thought, 'the five elements that lived in Ponyville ended up being friends, and they just so happened to be standing in element order as Twilight read from the book. This feels like a cartoon to me.' After flying for some time, he finally caught up to the six ponies. Said ponies were just standing at the edge of the forest. Landing on a nearby branch, he stopped to listen to their conversation.
"I see what you mean, girls," said Twilight, "seeing it now, the Everfree Forest feels… just… wrong."
"I told you so!" said the blue pegasus with the rainbow colored hair.
'If I remember correctly, her name was Rainbow Dash?’ The owl thought. 'Sure, let's go with that. Oh, wait, how will I help them through this if I can't reveal myself, and without them knowing that I'm helping them?' Thinking hard for a few seconds, he came up with a plan. 'Ok. That would make one of those problems null n' void. I guess I'll get to the other problem when we get to it.' Slowly and silently as possible, the owl began to shrink and change shapes slightly. Finishing, what now replaced the owl on the branch was a beautiful looking mocking jay that had all sorts of shades of blue going down its feathers. The mocking jay then proceed to tweet a little tune.
"Oh my!" exclaimed the yellow pegasus, "what a wonderful, beautiful mocking jay! Come here little fella," stopping his little song, the mocking jay lifted off the branch and glided down to perch on Fluttershy's back. "What are you doing here little birdy?”
"Oh my, that is a very stunning bird! The coloration of its feathers are simply gorgeous! I must have a single feather," Rarity said, reaching out a hoof to pluck a feather. However, before she could touch the bird it was moved away by Fluttershy.
"NO, don't you dare try to harm him! Um… if… you… wouldn't… mind."
"Oh, I'm truly sorry Fluttershy, I didn't know what had come over me! It's a beautiful bird." Hearing this the mocking jay puffed out its chest at the praise it was getting.
"Rarity? Fluttershy? Come on! We've got to get going!” Called a very impatient blue pegasus.
"Sorry deary, let us get going," replied Rarity.
"Oh um what should I do with… Oh my…!" Fluttershy quickly ran to catch up with her friends, with a little companion.
Meeting back up with the group, Fluttershy asked what she should do with the mocking jay. After lots of discussion and the yelling of Twilight to hurry up, they all decided to let the bird follow atop of Fluttershy's back. After walking for a while they got to a cliff.
Completely ignoring what the ponies were saying, the mocking jay noticed a mist seep into the cracks in the cliff. 'I see what you're doing Nightmare, too bad I gotta help them through this,' he thought. He began to fly off of Fluttershy just as the ground below them dropped. Quickly getting to work, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy helped by grabbing Pinkie and Rarity. They flew down to the bottom of the cliff face and placed Pinkie and Rarity safely on the ground. Looking back to the cliff, it seemed that Twilight was hanging on to the edge for dear life while Applejack tried to help her up. He could tell that if Applejack continued to try and help Twilight they'd both fall. However, one thing he could see that they couldn't was that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy already coming back for them. He whistled to get Applejack to look up. She did and told Twilight to let go. After some debate, Twilight let go and was safely caught by both of the pegasi. While the six mares made sure everything was ok, the mocking jay spotted the mist once again. 'Um… wasn't that a bit dangerous?' He thought, but was quickly interrupted by a roar in the distance. 'On second thought, falling from a cliff isn't so bad.'
Finally moving on, the six friends continued on their way. However, much to the shape-shifter's annoyance, Rainbow Dash continued to rant on about how she and Fluttershy saved Twilight in the nick of time. "And once Pinkie and Rarity were safe, WOOSH! Me and Fluttershy loop d' looped around and, WHAM! Caught you right in the nick of time."
"Yes Rainbow, I was there," replied Twilight, "and I'm very grateful, but we got to-" Interrupting her sentence, a large male manticore stood in their path.
"RAAAWWWRRRRR"
'Ah, so that was what roared before. Hmm, it is quite menacing when it’s 10 times your size. . .' thought the mocking jay, quickly fleeing to a branch atop a tall tree. 'Wow, Fluttershy didn't even notice me leave her back.' Looking back from his safe perch, he realized why. The ponies were all fighting the manticore while Fluttershy was just watching, not knowing what to do. 'Oh for pete's sake. Looks like I got to help Fluttershy this time, but how can I get her to listen to me if I can’t speak to... wait, can't she understand animals?' Flying next to Fluttershy, he tried to communicate; "Squawk squawk SQUAWK!"
"Huh? What?" Fluttershy responded, snapping out of her frozen state.
"Squawk squawk, squa squawk squa squawk, squawk!"
"What? The manticore is actually in pain? Of course it’s in pain, my friends are hitting it. I'll go stop them." She began fluttering to her friends only to be stopped by the mocking jay.
"OH MY, this manticore has a thorn stuck in its paw?! I've got to help it!" Darting past him, Fluttershy jumped in front of her friends screaming; “WAIT!” Fluttershy then proceeded to face the manticore and pluck the thorn out of its paw pad. The manticore then gratefully picked up Fluttershy and give her giant wet manticore licks. Taking this moment, the others sneaked past the manticore and the mocking jay followed.
As Fluttershy passed, Twilight asked, "How did you know about the thorn?"
"I didn't," replied Fluttershy, "sometimes, we all need to be shown a little kindness."
Twilight stopped to ponder this as she watched the mocking jay land on Fluttershy's back once again.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
'Ok, looks like we’re at the castle of the royal pony sisters. After helping Fluttershy, the pink one sang a song, the white one gave her tail to a sea monster, and Rainbow Dash came back with the rope bridge. I didn't really need to help them a lot after all. I guess it's time to leave it up to fate to continue its course.' Flapping his wings he took off with a squawk.
"Goodbye, nice birdy!" Fluttershy said, waving.
"Oh it’s leaving already? Too bad, I sort of still wanted one of its wondrous feathers." Rarity added, waving her hoof as well. As she said that, a feather fell off the blue bird and floated directly to Rarity. "Ooh!" she said triumphantly, almost squealing with unrestrained glee, "THANK YOU, YOU BEAUTIFUL BIRD!"
Rolling her eyes, Applejack went, picked up Rarity and turned towards the castle ruins.
After plucking one of his feathers out, the mocking jay did a big one 180 degree turn to the other side of the castle. “Ow,” he rubbed his plucked wing, ‘hope she likes that freakin' feather, plucking out a wing feather hurts! Good thing this pain will disappear once I transform again.' He glided down and silently landed on one of the rafters. "What?! Where are the six elements?!"
'Hmm, what's going on here?' He looked below him to find Twilight and Nightmare Moon alone, and Nightmare Moon had just crushed the elements! Silently transforming back to his humanoid form, he sat atop the rafter, watching the scene he read play out before him. “…and then the others should show up now," he whispered. As if on cue, the other girls began walking up the steps to the chamber. Twilight however had her was still distressed about the sixth element. "Oh for crying out loud! Come on! It’s obvious Twilight!" He whispered, annoyed at the smart one’s stupidity. Looking back to Twilight, he sighed. "Fine! Only ONE more time!" He focused his energy to his left hand and aimed his index finger to point at Twilight. Aiming perfectly, he shot her in the head with a thin beam, sending her memories of the exact moments her friends showed their elements. "There." blowing on his pointing finger like a gun.
Twilight glanced behind her and retaliated, "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that!? Well you're wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!" As Twilight finished her statement the shards of elements began to float and glow, flying to their rightful representatives. "Applejack," Twilight continued, "who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of… Honesty!” One sixth of the shards glowed orange and started to circle around Applejack. “Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of… Kindness!” Another sixth circled Fluttershy, glowing pink this time. “Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of… Laughter!” More shards, glowing blue, circled Pinkie. “Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of… Generosity!” Glowing purple shards circled Rarity at that point. “And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the spirit of… Loyalty!" The last of the shards glowed red and started circling Rainbow Dash. By now the shards were revolving around all of Twilight's friends. "The spirits of the five ponies guided us through each challenge you threw at us!"
"You still don't have the sixth element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare Moon said triumphantly, yet hesitantly.
"But it did," replied Twilight, crushing Nightmare's hopes, "a different kind of spark." Turning around to face the six ponies she traveled with, she continued, "I felt if the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, all of you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me, when I realized that you all…" Turning once again to face Nightmare Moon, she finished, "are my Friends!" Suddenly, above Twilight, a sixth orb appeared adorning a six pointed star. The sudden appearance of this element started to give the hooded figure a tingly feeling in his gut.
'Ugh, the heck? What’s this weird feeling?' He rubbed his stomach, 'is it a stomach ache?' Looking back down at the ponies he could just see the sixth element before it erupted in a flash of bright light. "Ack! My eyes!" Bringing his hands up to rub his blinded eyes, "aw damn." Opening his eyes he noticed first that his hood had come off, revealing a black-haired, black-eyed, 18 year old man. "Oh wow, the shock blasted my hood off. Wait a minute, where are all my shadows?!" Indeed, the shock wave not only knocked his hood off, but it also managed push all the shadows in the area away. Then the man noticed that the six mares’ adorned jewelry that had each of their respective cutie marks. They proceeded to blast a beam of rainbows at Nightmare Moon, which quickly engulfed her in a rainbow tornado. However, as the tornado grew, a stray stream came off and hit the cloaked man, engulfing him in a beam of rainbow as well. "What the SSHHHIIIIIIZZZZZ!!!!????" He exclaimed. Luckily his confusion was drowned out by Nightmare Moon’s screams of despair.
As everything calmed down, the six mares began to stir. Everypony seemed alright and Rarity had even grown her tail back! Everypony also noticed their new jewelry, as Celestia rose and appeared in a dazzling ball of light, bringing with her the sun.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight ran up to her teacher.
"Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student, I knew you could do it."
"But you told me it was all just an old pony's tale."
"I told you that you needed some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her. But you could not let it out until you allowed true friendship into your heart," Celestia lectured Twilight. "Now only if another will as well." Turning to the pedestal, Celestia said; "Princess Luna, it has been a thousand years since I last saw you like this. It's time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister. Will you accept my friendship?"
"I so sorry," Luna cried in embrace with her sister, "I missed you so much, sister."
"I missed you too," cried Celestia, "and I do hope that you'd accept my friendship as well, Noctus." She then looked at a pile of fallen rafters. Out of nowhere, a dark-violet hoof popped out of the rubble.
"Ugh, ow, you're, ow, still a troll, Celestia." replied Noctus before the hoof went limp.
After the defeat of Nightmare Moon, the small town of Ponyville celebrate with a party. Of course hosted by none other than Ponyville's own party pony, Pinkie Pie. Everypony was so happy to see their Princess that they didn't even notice that Luna was an alicorn and a princess as well. The party was spectacular! The entire town attended and partied ‘til the sun had to be lowered again. Although this time it was Luna's job once again. However due to being out of practice she accidentally made the moon come up to fast. This mistake made the tides rush in too fast at the coasts and destroyed some harbors. After the moon was lifted into the sky and the stars began to twinkle into view, the festivities ended, and Celestia and Luna returned to Canterlot Castle. On route to Canterlot Luna decided to ask a few questions. "So, sister, was that the pony whom told thee about the Tree of Harmony and where it was located?"
"Yes, Luna," Celestia responded, "however, he wasn't a pony back then, he was in a human form back then. Also his methods back then seemed less refined. He'd write letters with no name telling me to go to a location if I wanted to overthrow Discord. When I didn't go quite as quickly as he wanted me to, he approached me directly and told me all about the tree and the elements. Noctus had a strong connection to the fall of Discord, and the founding of Canterlot," she informed Luna.
"He did?"
"Very, however the last time I saw him was a few days before your behavior started to change. He warned me that he had to make you resent me in order for all to proceed accordingly."
"What?! It was his fault that we had been jealous of thee, sister?!"
Celestia nodded her head. "When I tried to reason with him, he said he had to do this. It wasn't under his control."
"Did thou not try to forcefully stop him? We expected thee to have easily defeated him. If thou had done that, many things could have been different!"
Celestia turned to Luna, "I did try that Luna, but I had underestimated Noctus's power. When I had tried fighting him, he would just slide into the shadows and appear somewhere else. He has the power to bend shadows to his will. After a while he restrained me with tendrils of shadows and tried to comfort me. He told me not to worry, and that if everything goes according to plan, I'd have you back with me. When I asked him how long, he didn't answer, he just handed me a scroll and disappeared. On that scroll was the prophecy that predicted when Nightmare Moon would return. I didn't know who Nightmare Moon was until you confronted me and renamed yourself. Right then I realized that you would come back." Celestia turned her head back to the front of the carriage, "soon after Nightmare Moon was imprisoned, Noctus came to me thanking me for co-operating and saying that it would be worth it. I asked for him to stay, so that I could ask how much longer. But he denied my offer, he said he couldn't stay in this world. After that I never saw Noctus again."
"Until today," Luna added, "he came back, he had made everything that happened occur to make it so that we would fail." she dejectedly slumped her head, staring at the flying carriage's floor.
"No," Celestia placed her hoof comfortingly on Luna's shoulder, "he made it so Nightmare Moon would fail. I see now what he meant. He saved you. He made it so this event would take place in this exact way. What he does is guide everything to go down the route it’s prophesied to take."
The two sisters looked at each other, both glad to be reunited with the other.
"One moment, sister," Luna retracted, looking to her sister, "through all of this talk of Noctus, he seems to have done many good things as well as bad. Is he a pony we need to be careful of?"
Staring back at Luna, a warm smile spreading across her face, "Well Luna, I don't know. While he does seem to hold unknown power, we'll just have to wait and see what he does. Especially now that his powers seem to have disappeared. Oh, and Luna?" Celestia added.
"Yes dear sister?"
"I just remembered that Noctus greatly enjoys the night! I do believe that his name is not just a coincidence," Celestia stated, gently tapping her hoof on her chin, "maybe you could get to know him better, besides, he's probably going to be staying for a while."
Luna's face quickly exploded with embarrassment, turning her blue face a bright rose color. "S-sister! Thou knows that we do not have much experience with stallions. Besides, he was the one who caused the rift between us is he not!?"
"Maybe. But from my experience with him a thousand years ago he seemed just like you. Young, good looking, quite the prankster. Oh and he also loves music! Though I don't think he makes any. And-"
Not being able to take the playful teasing anymore, Luna used her hooves to cover her face and ears from Celestia's teasing. Celestia continued her teasing until the carriage landed safely in the castle courtyard.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
Back at Ponyville, ponies everywhere were cleaning up after the party. Those with little colts or fillies were excused to tuck their children into bed, Applejack was allowed to leave since she need to wake up early in the morning, Rainbow Dash skipped out and headed back to her floating cloud house, Rarity, being an older sister while her parents were away her sister, took Sweetie Belle back to her home. Fluttershy was excused to take care of the animals, and Pinkie Pie is always pardoned from having to clean up since she throws the best parties. Twilight, as much as she complained, was excused since she is new to town.
"But I feel as if I should help! With my magic I could-"
"Nonsense Miss Twilight, you are new to town. You also helped to save all of us by venturing out to stop Nightmare Moon. We just couldn't have you cleaning," stated Mayor Mare.
"But-"
"No, buts. Go home and have a good nice rest, you've earned it."
"Come on Twilight! Let’s just go! I'm tired," yawned Spike, "besides, maybe you can get some answers out of that pony you brought back with you." Thinking about this, Twilight realized that she could.
"Alright." Suddenly enthusiastic, Twilight picked up Spike and trotted to her new home, "bye Mayor Mare!" Mayor Mare waved back as her secretary came up to her with a list. Returning back to the library Twilight rushed in and checked her guest bedroom to see if the strange pony had woken up yet. Opening the door, she saw that he was still fast asleep. Quietly she closed the door and headed upstairs to her bedroom.
"So who exactly is that guy anyway? A coltfriend, hmm?" Spike teased, raising his eyebrows.
"What? No! Of course not! He just was at the ruins suddenly after we saved Princess Luna. Celestia told me to keep him here and that when he woke up, he'd explain everything to us." Turning her head to hide a small blush, she continued. “But it looks like he's still sleeping."
"Uh huh, we'll I'm going to sleep," he climbed into his bed, "night Twilight."
"Good night Spike." Twilight said as she turned off the lights. 'Just who is that stallion? When Celestia talked to him, it sounded like he knew her before. What did she call him again? Noctus? Doesn't that translate into 'Night' in Old Equestrian? Hmm, he seemed like an ordinary unicorn stallion when we carried him back to Ponyville. I hope he's awake tomorrow, I have a lot of questions.'
Once morning arrived, calming some skeptic ponies, Twilight woke to find Spike gone from his bed and the smell of breakfast from downstairs.
"Mmm! what are you making today?" Twilight sniffed as she walked into the kitchen.
"They're called pancakes! Noctus explained to me how to make them!" Spike replied from the stove.
"Well they smell delicious- Wait, what?! Noctus told you!?" She took a better look around the kitchen to find the unicorn stallion sitting by the table trying to get a good grip on his fork.
"Oh hey, morning," he waved, "come and try some. They're really good! At least I would think they are, I haven't been able to try any." He once again tried to grip the fork with two hooves, but ended up dropping the fork again. "Ugh! This is why I like having fingers!"
Twilight just stared at him quizzically and walked over to Spike. "Spike, has he tried to do anything suspicious yet?" She whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" Spike asked, "and no, he hasn't done anything wrong. When I woke up he was already up and was looking through some books."
"Hey Twilight," Twilight turned as she heard her name, "oh uh, I have a request."
Twilight looked surprised at the stallion, "uh ok? What do you need?"
Looking at his hooves, "can you... Uh… Help me eat my pancake?"
Twilight's face quickly changed from a look of confusion to one of laughter as she heard the full grown stallion asking for help to eat his own food. Spike, hearing this, fell on the floor and proceeded to roll on the floor laughing.
Noctus, seeing both of them laughing, blushed from embarrassment. "Stop that! This is serious! I haven't had anything to eat in over 100 thousand years! Besides I don't know how to use magic here."
"Wait." Twilight immediately stopped laughing at this new information, "did you just say 100 thousand years?"
"Yeah, so what?"
"The Princesses have only been recorded to have been alive for 50 thousand!"
"Ha! You believe that? Celestia has been alive for over 200 thousand! Luna is a bit younger being around 110 thousand years old."
Twilight's brain couldn't believe this information, ‘Celestia was actually that old?!’ "Hold on," she interrupted, “we should wait for my friends to get here. They'll want to hear this as well."
"Oh right, the others. Fine, I can wait." Noctus turned to look at his pancakes, "so about that favor..."
Rolling her eyes, "fine, I'll help." She used her magic to lift the fork and knife to cut a piece of the pancake and levitated it to Noctus. He then ate the piece off the floating fork.
"Mmm, thanks," he continued to munch on the delicacy, "um, also, can you not mention to this to anyone?"
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Sure."
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
"Ok, here are the basic magic textbooks, you can read them while we wait for my friends," Twilight stated as she placed two more books onto the stack already forming.
"Thanks, I should learn to use magic now that I can't use fingers," Noctus looked as his new appendages, "wait, how do you know about fingers?"
"You're not the first to have fingers. Spike and other dragons have claws, but Diamond Dogs are categorized as having fingers, not claws."
"I see. . ."
"Anyway, just wait here in this room while the others arrive."
"Got it" said Noctus already laying down a book on the bed and began reading.
As Twilight exited the guest bedroom, she asked Spike to go and bring Rarity and Pinkie Pie to the library. Spike excitingly agreed and zoomed out the door for the Carousel Boutique. Twilight then proceeded to reorganize the books, since they haven't been organized before. When out of now where Rainbow Dash crashed into the library from one of the windows Twilight had opened to air out the library.
"Rainbow Dash?" Twilight coughed, "what are you doing?"
Recovering from her landing, she answered, "I came here quickly, in case that new pony tried anything."
"Well ok then, but you've got nothing to worry about, he's in the guest room reading. Good thing you're here though, I was just gathering everyone to come and question Noctus."
"Noctus? Is that his name? Sounds weird."
"It’s Old Equestrian, of course it would sound weird. Anyway I need you to go and get Applejack and Fluttershy. I've already sent Spike to get Rarity and Pinkie."
"What! Why? I should stay here just in case he tries anything." Rainbow Dash then proceeded to box in midair.
"Well, wouldn't we have an even better chance if we had everyone here to fight against him?" Rainbow Dash paused and thought about it.
"I guess so... ok," she flew to the window, "but I'll be right back, just yell in case he does anything."
After seeing Rainbow Dash take off to the outskirts of Ponyville, Twilight turned to continue her organizing.
"HIYA TWILIGHT!"
"Gaah!" Twilight adorably screamed in surprise at the bouncing pink pony in front of her. "Pinkie! You scared me!"
"Sorry Twilight, it’s just that Spike arrived at Sugarcube Corner just now and told me to come here! So then I quickly bounced my way here to the library to see what’s up…” Pinkie started to ramble, “then when I go there, Rainbow Dash was here so then I was like," *GASP* “’it's Rainbow Dash!’ but then she left through the window and then I was like all sad but then I remembered that you still needed me for some reason so I jumped in through that window there, and then you turned around and I said ‘HIYA’ and you were all like; ‘Gaah!’ And now we’re here." Pinkie finished that unbelievably long sentence with a ‘squee’.
As Pinkie ended Twilight regained control of her face and shook it back and forth. "Ok, Pinkie... just take a seat and we'll continue once everypony else arrives."
"Okie, dokie!" She said, bouncing to one of the chairs in the room.
Soon after, Applejack arrived with Rainbow Dash out of breath. Apparently Rainbow Dash had told Applejack that Twilight was captured by the new pony.
"Dang it Rainbow, ya had me worried sick there." Applejack scolded Rainbow Dash as she took a seat.
"Sorry AJ, I just wanted to get back quick,” she replied as she also took a seat.
Pinkie and Rainbow Dash started to talk as Twilight continued her organizing. After a few more minutes, Rarity arrived with Spike in tow.
"Sorry for being late Twilight, you caught me by surprise this morning, I needed to freshen up." Rarity strolled in taking the fourth seat in the room.
"Don't worry, it’s fine, Rarity." Twilight replied as she placed the last book in its new location, "we were just waiting for Fluttershy." As she mentioned this, the yellow colored pegasus casually walked in the front door.
"Oh hi girls." She quietly greeted everypony.
"Hi Fluttershy, just take a seat." Twilight said, as she too took a seat.
"Ok Twilight," Applejack began, "we’re all here. So what’s all the commotion?"
Looking to all of her new friends Twilight began to explain, "Well, do you girls remember that stallion we found yesterday?"
"How could we not? Is he alright?" Fluttershy asked caringly.
"Actually, he seems fine now."
"Speaking of that stallion, where is the fella?" AJ questioned.
"He's upstairs, I planned to ask him a few questions, but I waited for all of you. I thought that you girls would want some answers as well. I'll go fetch him now." Twilight got up and climbed the stairs to the guest bedroom. Opening the door she found Noctus still reading the first book, only half way through. "Noctus, the girls are all here." He looked up from the book with a smile.
"Alrighty then," he got up from his bed and hopped down to the floor, "Wait just a sec, need to stretch." He proceeded to stretch his legs. "Ah, much better. Ok, I'm ready." Twilight then walked back down the stairs. Once the girls saw Noctus, they all looked at him with different faces. AJ and Rainbow Dash looked at suspiciously, Rarity seemed to stare with a poker face, Pinkie could barely hold herself down, and Fluttershy just looked relieved that he was fine, but still hid behind her hair.
"Ok girls, let me introduce you to Noctus." Twilight announced.
"Sup," He greeted, "oh, and before you ask, I will answer all questions if I can."
"Great!" Twilight magically grabbed some scrolls and a quill, ready to write notes.
"Ok, who's first?" Everypony raised their hoof, "ok... you, uh, Applejack, was it?"
"Who and what are you?"
"Ah, very easy, my name is Noctus, although it's not my original name. I couldn't remember my real one for my own life. As for what I am, I was a human, or homo-sapien. However, due to certain events, it seems that I am trapped in a pony form."
"Why can't you remember your own name?" Pinkie asked.
"Well of you've been alive for as long as I have, you tend to forget."
"And how long was that?" Rainbow added.
Putting his hoof to his chin, "Can't remember... Let's just go with a really, long time." There was a pregnant pause until Twilight broke the silence.
"What caused you to look like a pony?"
"Well, that would actually be you girls' fault."
"What?! Why would we do that?!" Rainbow defended.
"Well, you didn't do it on purpose, as you were fighting Nightmare Moon and used the Elements of Harmony. It seems that a stray 'rainbow' hit me, causing me to lose my powers as well as trapping me in a pony form."
"You had powers?" Twilight added.
"Why yes Twilight,” he said sarcastically, “I had the power to control shadows as well as shape-shift. Both are sadly gone."
"What could you transform into?" Pinkie asked.
"Well it works in a different way. I can't transform into anybody, it is more on the lines of transforming into a version of me. Like, I couldn't transform into a specific being. If I were to change into an animal, I would turn into that animal's version of me."
"Hold on a second, darling." Rarity held a hoof up, "back to another matter. Why were you at the castle ruins before?"
"Ah, this is where it gets complicated," Noctus stated. "First, I should mention one teeny, tiny bit of info. I'm not from this universe."
Another pregnant pause occurred until everypony in the room said the same thing, "Wait. What?!"
"You're not from this universe?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Indeed, my job requires me to travel between universes."
"And to say, what is that job?"
"I travel universes setting stories on track."
"What?" Rainbow Dash said in confusion.
"Well, in better terms, I keep each universe on track with what is supposed to happen in each."
"Does this include parallel universes?" Twilight asked.
"Actually, yes, though I actually have had only you girls' universes to work with for the past thousand years. Also the parallel universes theory, isn't a theory. That is also why I know all your names. I have met you all in other universes as well."
"What types of other universes are there?"
"Well there are an infinite amount! They can range from one small different decision, to everything being a different theme. Such as other humans, another pony added into the mix, or that one with Molesti-" Noctus stops mid-sentence and begins to sweat.
"Noctus? What’s wrong?"
Quickly bringing his hooves to his head he muttered, "No, no, no, no more. No, stop, don't…"
"Noctus?" Snapping out of it, Noctus returned back to reality.
"Huh, what?" he said, blinking.
"You panicked or something, you were saying something about a Mol-"
"STOP!" he yelled. Twilight stopped mid-sentence, "don't. Continue. That name comes with horrible memories,” he said, grimacing. “Let's move on."
"O...K?" Twilight skeptically responded.
"Uh, darling?" Rarity stepped into the conversion, "not to be rude…"
"Not at all," Noctus replied.
"I was just wondering, why you are wearing a jacket?"
"Oh, that, well you remember when I said that I was a human before right?" Everypony nodded, "well, us humans tend to get embarrassed when caught with no clothes. Except for the few who don't get embarrassed."
"Why would you be embarrassed?"
"Well... humans don't have anything to hide their privates, so..."
Blushing Rarity replied, "Oh! I see, I see."
"Uh excuse me, um," Looking to the shy yellow pegasus, Noctus gave a kind nod. "You, um said that you could transform into anything?"
"Yes"
"Would that also include a small blue mocking jay?
"Ah! Fluttershy would be the first to realize that!"
"Realize what?" AJ tilted her head to the side.
"That through your adventure through the Everfree Forest, I was with you."
"What!? When?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I was that mocking jay that had appeared at the beginning."
"That bird was you!” Applejack and Rarity both exclaimed.
"That means you were the one who showed me that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were ready to catch Twilight!"
"You were the blue bird that gave me that feather?" Rarity added.
"I thought something wasn't right about that bird. So that was you that also told Fluttershy there was a thorn in that manticore's paw, wasn't it?"
"The very same." Noctus said, bowing.
"It also was you who sent me that letter a week before the Summer Sun Celebration saying to study up on Equestrian History!"
"Yup"
"...Noctus?"
"Yes?'
"What is your relation to the Princesses?"
"Oh I met them a thousand years ago, when I was just starting to see more of your universes. Although Celestia was the only one who knew about me... In most of them." Another silence entered the room as Twilight wrote this down.
"I have one more question," Twilight finally said.
"Go ahead."
"If you were here to make it so things would happen a certain way, did that also include you being caught?" Noctus was about to answer as his face slowly became grim. "Noctus?'
"Oh god, oh god, oh god, I messed up!" flinging his hooves into the air, "I messed up the canon series! I'm going to be in real trouble now."
"What’s wrong?" Fluttershy tried to comfort him.
"Everything is wrong! I'm not supposed to be here talking with you girls!"
"Wait, wait, cool down Noctus." Twilight said as she used her magic to calm him down, "you didn't let me finish. What if this is just another universe?'
Pausing Noctus looked at Twilight questioningly, "excuse me?"
"What if this universe isn't the 'canon' universe or whatever you called it? From what you said, couldn't this meeting in this universe just be another parallel universe where you are in it?" Noctus paused to think about what Twilight had just said. Tapping his hoof on this chin again, he considered what had just been theorized.
"Actually," Noctus said, "I think you're right. Maybe this is a chance at a break from work!" Pumping his hooves into the air, "Yes! I haven't had a break in over 54 thousand years!" He quickly fell backwards into a chair. After a few seconds, Applejack cut the silence.
"So, what are you going to do now? Looking his surroundings, Noctus made a conclusion.
"Well, seeing as I don't have my powers right now, and I have no way of getting them back, I guess I can stay here and relax."
"YAY! New pony!" Pinkie cheered as confetti popped from out of nowhere. She then zoomed out of the library to Sugarcube Corner.
"Where on Equestria is she headed?" Applejack asked.
"Probably headed to set up a Welcome to Ponyville party." Rainbow Dash answered.
"So," Noctus turned to Twilight, "is it ok for me to stay here, Twilight?"
"Sure, but what do you plan on doing long-term?" Twilight asked.
It had been almost a week since the questioning with Noctus, and everything seemed to have gotten back to normal. Over the last few days, Twilight had been hanging out with friends, getting to know others of the town of Ponyville, and once in a while studying. On the other hand, Noctus had secluded himself to his room (the guest room, which is now his). Noctus, now without his powers, was determined to learn how to use magic so that he wouldn't be so helpless. So far, he had learned simple levitation, a light spell, and a scanning spell. Noctus hadn't even realized that it had almost been a week. Twilight said he should get out of the library and get to know some ponies around town. And so, here he is, walking around town while Twilight said she was going to help Applejack with some errands. Looking around, he saw a bunch of stands selling all sorts of things from flowers and produce, to tools and dishware. While looking around, he wasn't paying attention to anything in front of him, and, of course, bumped into somepony. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry," Noctus apologized, reaching a hoof out to the mare he knock over, "I wasn't looking where I was going."
The earth pony mare had a pink coat, a cyan mane and tail (which looked very well kept), and dark blue eyes. She was also wearing a white collar and headband. The mare's cutie mark seemed to be a lotus blossom.
"Oh, no problem, it's fine, I wasn't looking where I was going either," The pink earth pony mare replied, "say, you must be new to Ponyville."
"Is it that obvious?"
"A little, you were looking around as if you were seeing everything for the first time. My name is Aloe." She put a hoof out, "I work at Ponyville's only spa."
Taking her hoof, Noctus shook it, "Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Noctus."
"Hmm, Noctus, quite the unusual name."
"I'll take that as a compliment?" he said unsurely.
"Well, I must be going, I have to get back to the spa." Aloe said as she walked away. "Come and visit sometime!"
"Sure," Noctus waved, "Hmm. Quite a nice pony." Noctus then turned and continued down the street. He passed by a store that sold only Quills and Sofas, which must be a hard living. As he continued to walk through town he had noticed a building made of food. 'That must be SugarCube Corner, I guess I could also say hi to Pinkie.'
As Noctus neared the building, he could smell the sweets and pastries being baked inside. 'Wow! that smells delicious! Though it is coming from an immortal who hasn't had to eat in over 40 thousand years,' With that thought, he entered the building, only to see ponies everywhere. The line was quite the wait and each table had ponies at them. 'Well, that's quite a long queue, I hope that the food's worth it.' Once Noctus arrived at the front of the line, he saw Pinkie Pie. "Hey Pinkie, how's your job?"
"Nocty!" Pinkie Pie reached over the counter and gave him a hug, "are you finally done studying yet?" Releasing the hug Noctus replied, "First off, 'Nocty', still sounds weird. And two, no I'm not done, Twilight just kicked me out of the library, and I've only learned the basics of magic. I got hungry so I came here to eat."
"OK. Whatcha want, Nocty?"
"Well, do you have a blueberry muffin?" Immediately after saying his order, Pinkie took out a tray with a single blueberry muffin from under the counter. "I guess you do, how much?"
"This one's on the house, since it's your first order from the SugarCube Corner."
"Oh well then, thanks Pinkie," he picked up the tray with his dark blue magic and left to find a place to eat his muffin. "Hmm... where to sit..." Noctus spotted an open seat next to two ponies outside. He walked out of the bakery and headed towards the open seat. Getting closer he noticed that one was a blue earth pony stallion and the other was a magenta earth pony mare. "Um excuse me?" Both ponies turn to look at Noctus, "do you mind if I sit here?"
"Not at all," responded the mare, "you don't mind, right Noteworthy?"
"Nope," said the blue stallion as he continued to munch on his piece of pie, "I don't see a problem," Noctus sat down in the third chair,
"Thanks."
"Like we said, no problem," replied the mare, "so, are you new to Ponyville?"
"Uh, kinda, but how does everypony know that I am new here?"
"Well, Ponyville is a small town," she took a sip of her drink, "everypony pretty much knows each other here."
"Are you drinking wine?" Noctus asked looking at her glass.
"No she's not, many ponies think that, but its just grape juice." answered Noteworthy, "she used to drink wine, but she stopped after having to take care of Berry Pinch."
"Yeah, before that, I would usually get drunk on wine, and Noteworthy here would bring me back home," she admitted. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Berry Punch, nice to meet you."
"Noctus," Noctus finished, "it's nice to meet you as well."
"So, Noctus, why are you in Ponyville? Someone dressed like you should be somewhere like Manehattan," Berry asked. Looking down at his hoodie, "oh, no, I'm just taking a break from work, you know, vacation."
"Ah I see, and what is your job?" she looked at his cutie mark, "that's quite an unusual cutie mark." Looking back to his cutie mark, he saw that it was a light blue ink-feather writing in an ink that looked like a night sky full of stars. He was thankful he had been trapped as a pony with a cutie mark, it would've been so troublesome to deal with not having one. "Oh, I'm a. . . editor, yes an editor."
"Oh! that's nice, done anything well known?"
'Berry, you wouldn't believe what I've 'edited',' Noctus thought to himself, "No, nothing too popular."
"Don't worry, you'll get your big hit soon," she said as she patted Noctus on the back. After their introductions, Noctus found that Noteworthy and Berry were childhood friends, and that Noteworthy tutors while Berry owns Ponyville's brewery (which makes juices and wines). Noctus was enjoying his muffin, when he heard a crash behind him. Turning around in his seat, he saw Twilight and Pinkie on the ground. Next thing Noctus knew, Pinkie was up and screaming about bats, then suddenly began to sing. He was too far from her to hear what she was singing about. Then Rarity appeared out of nowhere and then a bunny snatched two golden things from Spike and ran over to Fluttershy. 'Where did she even come from?! If this keeps up, the whole gang will be here. Uh oh, spoke too soon.' Rainbow Dash then appeared on top of a building and glided down. 'Oh, and there's AJ. The five girls then began to surround Twilight until she screamed for them to be quiet. After that outburst, they all dispersed. Looking back to Noteworthy and Berry Punch, Noctus raised an eyebrow. Both ponies shrugged.
"From the looks of it, Twilight got some tickets or something." Noteworthy observed, "her five friends seem to be fighting over them."
"Seems like it," Noctus added, looking up at the sun, "Well, it's getting late. I'm going to head back to rest. See ya later Noteworthy. Berry." They nodded and waved as he got up and headed for Twilight's library. 'Hope I still remember where her house is... Oh wait, it's a tree. Right.
Soon after arriving at the library, Noctus used his magic to search the shelves for something to read. He found a Daring Do comic, sat in a chair, and proceeded to read it. Soon after finishing the book, Noctus heard the door open. Closing the book, Noctus looked up to see Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all walk in. Applejack seemed to be talking to Rarity, "I was just saying that I was there before ya'll, so the tickets are mine!"
"No, they're mine!" exclaimed Rarity. They proceeded to argue with each other as they climbed the stairs to a small reading area. They walked past, not noticing a certain dark violet pony sitting there. Fluttershy noticed, but just gave a small wave and smile before continuing.
"Well that was odd. . . but why-" Noctus was cut off by a bright flash in the middle of the library. Once his eyes and ears readjusted to the change in light and high pitched pop, he noticed Twilight breaking down on the floor. ". . . Ok, what in the hay is going on here?" He turned to face the mares that weren't on the floor.
"Well, Twilight here got some tickets, and one of 'em is mine. And these girls are tryin' ta take it!" AJ answered.
"No, it was rightfully mine!" retorted Rainbow Dash. Soon the other three mares joined in on the argument and Twilight screamed again. Having enough with this idiocy, Noctus exploded (metaphorically).
"ENOUGH, YOU FIVE," he pointed at the girls. "STOP ARGUING NOW!" Turning to Twilight, "AND YOU, PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!" He lifted Twilight with his magic and placed her on a seat, calmed down a bit, took deep breaths, but still looking incredibly angry. "Now somepony, please tell me what this is all about."
"It's about who gets to go to the Grand Galloping Gala with Twilight!" Pinkie Pie gleefully exclaimed.
"The what?" Noctus asked.
"The Grand Galloping Gala!," Rarity exclaimed, "it's only the most sophisticated, upper-class party in all of Equestira!" Noctus paused to think, then suddenly facehoofed.
"Oh my god."
"Who?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"It's called the Grand Galloping Gala now?"
"What on Equestria are you talkin' about Noctus?" asked Applejack.
"I helped create the 'Gala' you're all talking about."
"What!?" exclaimed everypony.
"Yeah. . . except back a thousand years, I was just an annual party held in the castle courtyard for all the ponies of Canterlot to attend. Even some ponies from all over Equestria came. Some freaking nobles probably changed it." he growled, "anyway, you said that you got only two tickets from Celestia," Twilight nodded. Noctus stood there in silence, "Spike. Get me a scroll and pen. I've got a letter to write."
Dear Princess Trollestia,
It has occurred to me that you have sent two tickets to Twilight to attend the Grand Galloping Gala. Knowing you, this is some elaborate scheme to teach Twilight and friends a lesson in Friendship. I was fine with ignoring it, however it is beginning to irritate me. I believe they have learned their lesson, so will you please send four more tickets already?!
From your dear old friend,
Noctus.
"There, now send it!" Noctus levitated the scroll to Spike.
"What did you write in that letter?" Twilight asked worryingly.
"Just the answers to your problems. Now just wait there." After waiting a few minutes, Spike burped up the reply in a ball of green fire. Taking the letter with his magic, Noctus unraveled the letter and began reading to himself. "Dear Noctus, it seems as though my lesson has angered you. However I am willing to believe in you that they have learned their lesson. Here are the four other invitations. Be sure to get Twilight to send a letter describing the lesson though. Oh, and by the way, I'll take that title as a compliment. Signed, Princess Celestia."
"So, what did she say?" asked Rainbow Dash. Noctus grabbed the tickets and handed them out to the other mares. "Yes!"
"There, problem solved," Noctus turned to Twilight, "Celestia also said for you to send her a letter describing what you learned today."
"Ok," she replied as they all walked to SugarCube Corner to celebrate. Noctus just laid on the nearby couch and sighed with relief. Spike stood in the doorway sighing.
"How come I don't get a ticket to the Gala."
"Trust me Spike, from how Rarity described it, it wouldn't be fun, I'm glad I don't have to go." Noctus said. Spike then burped out another letter and proceeded to read it out loud. " And one for Spike and Noctus as well,"
"Still not going."
"Also you have to come Noctus or I'll drag you here myself."
"God damn it." Noctus lifted himself from the couch.
"Wake up Noctus!" Twilight called from downstairs, "Spike got breakfast ready for you!"
"A few more minutes! I'm on my vacation." Noctus replied pulling his blanket over himself.
"You started your 'vacation' two weeks ago!" When there was no reply, Twilight teleported up to the room to find that the stallion had fallen back to sleep. With an irritated face, Twilight teleported both herself and the stallion down to the kitchen. Through the trip Noctus continued to sleep. Twilight then grabbed a cup of water and spashed it into his face.
"Gah!" Noctus leaped into the air and fell back to earth. "Ugh, fine I'm, up I'm up. *sniff* *sniff* Ooo pancakes!" He quickly casted a drying spell on himself and walked over to a chair and commenced eating, Sitting in another chair, Twilight picked up her hay sandwich. "I don't see why you won't eat hay, its good."
"To you ponies maybe, but that just tastes bland and gross to me. I'm just not used to it." Lifting a piece of pancake to his mouth, "I'm so happy I can use magic now."
"Yeah so I won't have to feed you, again." Twilight remarked.
"Hey! We agreed to not talk about that again!" Noctus angrily snapped at the giggling mare.
"No, we agreed that I wouldn't tell anypony about it, not that I couldn't talk about it."
Noctus grumply continued to eat, "anyway, whats the agenda for today?"
"Well, I was hoping to ask you to go and get some more quills I ordered from Mr. Davenport while I go and get some groceries."
"Sounds ok," finishing his pancakes and floating the plate over to the sink, "I guess I do need some fresh air after studying almost all week again."
"Yup, although you're making quite the progress with learning magic."
"Yeah, anyway want me to go now?"
"Sure" After cleaning his plate, Noctus left the library and headed for the Quills and Sofas store. On the way many more ponies waved and greeted good morning, for more ponies knew Noctus now than a week ago. He had quickly became good friends with Berry Punch and Noteworthy, he even went to Berry's house and met Berry Pinch. He also met Berry's other friends Lyra and Bon Bon. Lyra worked as a zoologist and studied all sorts of other animals from exotic species to the everyday pet. She usually worked together with Fluttershy and usually sat on chairs oddly like a human does. Bon Bon on the other hand was a candy chef. She made all sorts of sweets and sometimes experiments with all sorts of flavors and designs. While headed to Davenport's store Noctus began to feel the ground start to vibrate.
"What in the world?" He looked around to see everypony else stopping to see whats going on to. Suddenly Rainbow Dash appears
"Stampede!" Everypony hearing her immediately started to panic.
"What?!" Noctus still bewildered, was standing in the middle of the street at everypony paniced. "Whoa, really, wait why would you close your windows? . . . Did that pony really just drag their welcome mat inside?"
"Hey! This makes my voice sound silly" Pinkie said as the vibrating ground made her voice all weird.
"Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?! Run!" Twilight called to Pinkie.
"Everypony calm down! There is no need to panic!" Mayor Mare announced.
"But, Mayor, what ever shall we do!" Rarity dramatically raised a hoof to her head in dispear.
"Look there!" Rainbow yelled, pointing towards the stampede.
Looking to the stampede, everypony saw Applejack and her dog, Winnona, running next to the stampede of cows. They got on the two sides of the stampede and kept the cows together.
"This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen!" Pinkie them shoved her face into the popcorn she had.
"Pinkie? Where'd you get that?" Noctus walked up beside her.
"From my emergency stash of junk food. Duh!" Pinkie continued to eat.
Looking at the popcorn and back to the pink mare, "can I have some?"
"Sure, Nocty," he used his magic to grab a few pieces and plop them into his mouth.
"Mmm, buttery." Off to the side Twilight looked to the two and rolled her eyes.
As the stampede of cows were getting closer, AJ and Winnona jumped onto the back of the cows . They continued jumping from back to back until they reached the lead cow. Winnona proceeded to back on the cow's left side while Applejack lassoed the lead cow and pulled on its right. Right before the bridge the lead cow gave in and turned left, er, to its right. Following the lead cow the rest of the stampede turned to their right. Everypony cheered for Applejack as she skidded to a halt with the herd of cows.
"Wait what's Applejack doing now?" Noctus squinted to see, "Is she talking to the cows? Wait, cow are intelligent here?!"
"Yeah," Twilight responded, "why wouldn't they be?" Looking at Noctus inquiringly.
"Oh, no reason." As AJ walked to the top of the hill, the sky became orange as if it were a sun set. "Why is the sun back at the edge of the horizon again? It's Like almost the afternoon!" Then as AJ walked down from the hill, Noctus blinked and the sun and sky were back to normal, "what?! But. . . WHAT?!".
"Yeehah! Ride'm cowpony!" Pinkie jumped out and acted like a rodeo bull.
"Applejack was just, just-" the Mayor was saying.
"APPLETASTIC!" Pinkie finished as she appeared upside down. Outside. With nothing to hang from. A sec later she fell from her position.
"Exactly," the Mayor continued, "we must do something for Applejack for single hoofedly saving the town."
"I know," Pinkie got up with her eyes glistening, "let's throw her a party!"
"We could also give her an award for her bravery!" Twilight added.
"I'll help decorate!" Rarity offered.
"I'll get Applejack when its time," Rainbow Dash said as she flew to a cloud to relax.
"I shall get an award to give to Applejack," Mayor Mare exclaimed, "Twilight would you come with me?" Twilight turned to walk away with the Mayor. Stopping Twilight turned around , "Noctus, I haven't gotten the groceries yet. Could you get them as you get the quills?" She floated a list of goods to Noctus. Taking the list in his own magic, Noctus remembered.
"Oh shoot! I forgot the quills!" He quickly dashed for the Quills and Sofas.
After getting the quills from Mr. Davenport, Noctus headed for the market square. "Let's see," unraveling the list, "first, there's roses, daffodils, tulips, and lilies. Is Twilight trying to make a bouquet? Oh wait, pony herbivores." He went over to a stand selling flowers with a mare at it. The earth pony mare had pale yellow coat, a raspberry mane, and a rose cutie mark.
"Why hello there, I always enjoy new customers," the mare greeted with an odd tone, "my name's Roseluck, you can call me Rose."
Not noticing anything wrong, Noctus replied, "Nice to meet you, I'm Noctus. Although, I've actually been living in Ponyville for about two weeks.
"Oh! I'm surprised I haven't seen you around, you do stand out."
Looking at himself, "Do I? I guess wearing clothes does make me stand out a bit." He pulled on his hoodie.
"Oh it isn't bad, I looks quite nice on you."
Blushing at the compliment, "Uh thanks. Oh um," pulling out the list of groceries, "I'll need some roses, daffodils, tulips, and lilies. Uh, twenty of each."
"Right away sweetie," Roseluck turned to get the order. Noctus waiting for his order began to get lost in his thoughts.
'Ugh, stupid Noctus, blushing at a small compliment. Well, I was never really that popular, or handsome before I was Noctus. I never had any girls try to hit on me.' Looking back at Roseluck, Noctus instead got a look at her backside, making his face turn red. 'Why do I find her attractive? Was it because I've been spending the last thousand years in Pony Universes? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.' He shook his head to clear his mind.
"Here you are," Roseluck said as she placed the flowers on the counter," here you are, twenty of each."
"Thanks," Noctus put the flowers into his bag.
"So may I ask where you're staying?" Rose asked
"Oh, I'm lodging with Twilight," looking up at the sun, "Uh oh, I need to get going, gotta finish
"Oh, ok. Well, if you want to hang out sometime, I'll usually be here."
"Ok, see ya later Rose." Noctus waved as he continued on his errands. Nothing after his chat with Roseluck was different for normal. Say hello, ask for what he needed, chat for a bit, then explain why he wore clothes. After getting the final item on the list, Noctus headed home. On the way back to the library, Noctus happened to pass by the park. He looked around the serine environment, there was a lake, a shaded area, and even a playground for the colts and fillies. He walso saw Bon Bon and Lyra, they were just sitting on a bench at the park. Lyra was sitting like a human again, just looking around, and Bon Bon was reading a book next to her. Lyra spotted Noctus and gave a wave, he waved back and continued on to the library.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
One week later and the preparations for Applejack's party were complete. Rarity had decorated the area surrounding the town hall with flags, streamers, and a banner with apples on them. Twilight had been up almost all week writing a good speech for the ceremony. Noctus, surprisingly, went out a few times with some of his new friends. However now that the party was ready, they couldn't find Applejack.
"Is Applejack all set?" Twilight asked.
"Actually, I haven't seen her all week." Rainbow Dash answered.
"Not since the stampede." Pinkie added.
"But she'll be here for sure, Applejack is never late!"
"What could Applejack have been doing this whole entire week?" Noctus walked up beside Pinkie.
"I don't know," Twilight responded, "but, I'm sure she'll be here." Twilight turned and headed towards the stage. She walked up the the pedestal and straightened her stack of papers." Welcome everypony, today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great, and small. A pony who's contributions to-"
Rainbow Dash came out of nowhere and interupted Twilight, "Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete! This week she's going to help me with my flying trick, and I know its going to be so awesome!" Squishing her hooves to her face.
"This week I get to run SugarCube Corner for the first time!" Pinkie popped in.
"What has that got to do with Applejack?" Twilight asked.
Blinking at the question, Pinkie replied, "Oh! Applejack, one of the best bakers EVER! Is going to help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!" The entire crowd cheered in anticipation for the samples.
"Mmm, I wonder if the samples will be apple based." Noctus thought out loud.
"Why I do hope so, especially if they're Sweet Apple Acre apples." A brown earth stallion said beside Noctus in the crowd.
"Oh man yeah, I've never tasted any apple fresher or sweeter than theirs." Noctus replied. The stallion smiled back.
"My name is Time Turner, it's a pleasure to meet you." The brown stallion put his hoof out. Noctus looked at the stallion and shook his hoof.
"Pleasure to meet you as well," Noctus carefully looked at Time Turner's face, hair, as well as his accent, "is that you Doctor?" Instantly Time Turner's eye's widened in response.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," looking around to see if anypony had heard, "I-I'm not a doctor of any sorts."
"No, not a doctor, the Doctor. Doctor Whooves!" Time Turner quickly covered Noctus's mouth with his hoof.
"Ok, ok, you know who I am,I don't know how, but you mustn't tell anypony."
"It's fine, I already know."
"What? How?" the Doctor asked.
"Let's just say, I've met you before, but not you" As Noctus said the second 'you', he pointed at the Doctor with a hoof.
"Right then," the Doctor looked back to the stage, "what happened while we were talking?"
"I think Twilight just stormed off stage." replied Noctus. As Twilight indeed stormed off the stage, Mayor Mare stood at the pedestal.
"*Ahem* And so, without further a due, I am privileged to give the Prized Pony of Ponyville award to our beloved guest of honor. A pony with the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity, Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend, Applejack!" She waved her hoof off to the side as the curtains opened. As they opened, everypony cheered until the curtains opened entirely to reveal, nopony. Once everypony realized that Applejack wasn't there they all stopped cheering, all except Spike. The Mayor scratched the back of her head nervously, "*Ahem*," she cleared her throat.
"I'm here! I'm here!" cried Applejack as she walked through the crowd with a bunch of apples, "*yawn* Sorry I'm late. Whoa, sorry did I get yer tail?" She clambered up onto the stage. "Miss Mayor, thank ya kindly for this here uh, award thingy.*yawn* It's so bright n' shiny." She began laughing to herself and talking about how she looked funny in the award's reflection. Pinkie soon joined Applejack on stage looking at her reflection. This went on until Twilight appeared on stage, "Okay then. Thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony."
"*yawn* Yeah, I like helpin' the ponyfolks an-*yawn* and stuff." Applejack then fell asleep on stage for a few seconds before saying thanks once again and dragging the award away.
"Was it just me or did Applejack seem a little," Twilight asked.
"Tired?" Rainbow answered.
"Dizzy?" Fluttershy answered.
"Dirty?" Rarity answered. The other three looked at her. "Well did you see her mane?"
"She seemed fine to me!" said Pinkie as she went on 'wooing'.
Noctus watched with curiosity before he excused himself from the Doctor and headed over to the girls. "Hey girls, did Applejack seem a little-"
"We just had this conversation." Twilight said bluntly, "and yes she did seem a little tired."
"I wonder what could be keeping Applejack from getting some sleep."
"I don't know, but if she really needed some help, I guess she would have asked us."
"Well, from what I've seen of Applejack, she would seem like the type of pony that would be too stubborn to ask for help. Considering she is the one who always helps others." Noctus stated.
"Hmm." Twilight pondered.
The day after the awards ceremony was quite normal, except for the fact that none of the girls or Noctus had seen Applejack the entire time. "I'm getting worried," Twilight said, "What if Applejack is in trouble?"
"Well, like I said at the ceremony, if she needed help, she seems to me like a pony who wouldn't admit she needed help." Noctus answered looking up from the book on teleportation.
"I'm going to Sweet Apple Acres to check on her." She said as she walked out the door.
"OK, I'll watch over the library while you're gone." waved from his chair, not looking away from the book.
While Twilight had gone to check up on Applejack, a few ponies came into the library to checkout a book. Noctus didn't recognize any of the ponies that entered, but one had stood out. She was a light gray pegasus mare with a buttery yellow mane. However her eyes were what stood out the most; they weren't looking the same way. When Noctus curiously asked about her eyes, she scratched the back of her head in embarrassment saying that they were like that ever since she was a small filly. Noctus said they were very interesting as well as saying that they made her more unique. For he knew how much it was to be different than everypony else. After a small chat, she checked out a book on different muffin flavors and left.
Soon after, Twilight appeared in the door. "Ugh, that mare is so stubborn."
"Told ya." Noctus said smugly.
"What ever, she said that she was off to help Rainbow Dash with her new trick and left."
"Really?" As he said this, a loud crash sounded from the upstairs balcony. Both ponies got up and raced to see what it was. When they got there they found a very dizzy Rainbow Dash laying on the rail.
"Rainbow Dash! You OK? You need help?" asked Twilight.
"I think somepony else needs your help." answered the very dizzy mare.
"Let me guess, Applejack."
"Yup" Rainbow Dash said as she slumped over the rail, most likely just resting.
"Ugh, I'll go talk to Applejack again."
"OK, I'll take care of Rainbow Dash." Noctus agreed as he used his magic to lift the blue pegasus into the library and onto the couch. After Twilight left once again to Sweet Apple Acres, Noctus got back to reading another book. After an hour or so Rainbow Dash began to wake up.
"Ugh what happened? Ow." She struggled get up.
"Just calm down, you're inside Twilight's library." Noctus told her," you got a serious hit to the mid-section when you landed on that rail. After a bit of rest you'll feel better."
"How do you know? You're not a doctor."
"You're right, I'm not. But I have been in your situation before. I got hit in the stomache by an orc once. It did not feel good." He clenched his abdomen in memory.
"Ok. . . I guess?" she answered, unsure of what an 'orc' was. She laid back down and fell asleep again in a matter of seconds. another hour later she awoke as good as new. "Ah, now that feels better. Well I feel fine now so I'm head off."
"OK." answered Noctus. Rainbow Dash then shot out the window and all was quiet in the library once more. Feeling hungry, and with Spike gone to Rarity's, there was no one to cook anything for him. So he wrote a note and left it on the front door:
Closed Early Gone to Eat
Noctus closed the door and headed to SugarCube Corner for a snack. When he got to the bakery, there was a bunch of ponies lined up to get a free sample of the muffins Applejack and Pinkie made. As he got up to the front of the line Noctus got a better look at Applejack. Seeing the bags under her eyes, and remembering what happened to Rainbow Dash, Noctus took a closer inspection of the muffins. When he got up to the front he could clearly see the muffins. "Hiya Nocty, care to try a free sample?" Pinkie offered a muffin to him. Noctus looked closely at the muffin and took a deep whiff. 'Something smells. . . off about those.' He thought.
"No thanks Pinkie, I'll just have my usual." Noctus kindly denied the offer.
"Okie dokie, one blueberry muffin and a lemonade coming up!" He got his order, paid for it, and walked out to eat his delicious muffin on the go. After sitting on a park bench to finish his meal, he saw Twilight and Spike running by.
"Yo, Twilight, whats the rush?" Noctus called.
"Noctus. There you are, come on quick!" She called back as she ans Spike continued on. Getting up, Noctus followed her all the way to a blue tent.
Stopping next to Twilight, "So, whats going on- WHOA" Noctus gasped at the sight behind the blue curtain. Behind the tent, was a dozen ill-faced ponies. "Holy cow! what happened here!?"
"There was a mishap with some baked goods." answered Nurse Redheart.
"Nooo," whimphered Pinkie from a nearby medical bed, "not baked goods, baked bads." She them proceeded to hurl her stomache(metaphorically speaking) into the bucket next to the bed.
"Applejack." Twilight accused with angered eyes.
"Mmm," Spike held a few of the bad muffins," want one?"
"Spike," Noctus looked at the muffin with horror, "are you eating those?!"
"Yeah they're pretty good." He stated, tossing another into his mouth. Noctus, seeing a live earth worm wriggle its way out of a muffin, proceeded to turn green and throw up into one of the sick pony's buckets.
Twilight looked at Noctus, "you stay here, I'll go talk to Applejack again."
"No," agrued Noctus, "I'll come als-" He didn't finish his sentence as he saw Spike eat another muffin and continue throwing his innards(metaphorically) into the bucket. With his head still hovering over the bucket, Noctus continued, "I'll. . . catch up with you."
About half an hour later, all the ponies felt better, or at least good enough, to go home. Noctus, recovering from his situation, finally walked out of the blue medical tent. "Ugh, how could Spike eat those. I didn't even eat one yet I threw up!" He walked down the street. "Well, at least I didn't get my hoodie messy." Suddenly he heard a small rumbling from down the street. Looking down the street he could see Lyra running towards him. "Lyra what in the hay is going on!"
"It's, it's a stampede!" she screamed.
"Of cows?!"
"No, worst!"
"What could be worst than cows?" He looked down the road again to see small heads popping up and down.
"Bunnies! It's a stampede of BUNNIES! Run for your life!" She proceeded to run past him and Noctus soon followed suite. He followed Lyra as she dodged into an alleyway where a bunch of other ponies were hiding out. After the bunnies pasted by, everypony slowly began to come out of hiding. Noctus appeared from the alleyway last and saw the stampede of bunnies further down the street devouring the shrub-life. Looking down the other way he saw Twilight standing there angrily.
"Twilight, what in the blazes happened?" Noctus asked her.
"It looks like Applejack's lake of sleep caused her to herd the bunnies to violently. Causing them to stampede into town." She answered with a stern look. "It's about time I put my hoof down."
Twilight and Noctus walked to Sweet Apple Acres to find Applejack. Looking around they noticed most of the trees had been 'bucked', leaving no more apples in the trees. They found Applejack bucking a tree on a hill and confronted her. "Alright Applejack." Twilight began. "your apple-bucking hasn't just been causing you problems. It has over-propelled pegasus, practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care what you say, you need help!"
"Nice use of alliterations there Twi." Noctus commentated.
"What?" she looked at him as Applejack bucked the tree behind her one more time.
"Ha! No I don't. Look I did it, I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without yer help. How do ya like them apples!"
"Hey Applejack," Noctus called.
"Yeah?" Applejack replied.
"I think you missed, a few." He pointed to the other side of Applejack. Applejack turned to see more acres of unharvested apple trees. She then proceeded to mutter something to herself, go a bit dizzy, and collapse onto the ground. It wasn't until Noctus left to get Bid Macintosh, that Applejack woke back up.
"Applejack." Twilight said.
"Huh?" Applejack replied , waking up on the ground.
"Oh good you're ok. Now Applejack I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help anypony in need. So many you can put just a little bit of your stubborn pride aside, and allow your friends help you. Applejack took another look at the trees she had not gotten to yet, and gave in.
"Yer right Twilight."
"I am not taking no for an answer, wait what!?"
"Yes Twilight, yes please, I could really use your help." Applejack finally admitted. Just then, Noctus arrived with Big Mac in tow.
"Ya ok Applejack? I heard ya collapsed." Big Mac asked.
"Ya I'm fine big brother. And I guess I learned my lesson about being too stubborn.
Twilight turned to Noctus, "Noctus can you go and get the others? We'll need all the help we can get."
"Ugh," Noctus replied, "I'm getting no break here, huh?" He looked at Twilight, then turned to trot off to town. "Fine, ugh, how I wish I still had my ability to travel through shadows."
After Big Mac got Applejack back to the house for some rest, Noctus arrived with the other girls and started to help harvest all the other trees. Rainbow Dash was bucking the trees, while Twilight used her magic to pluck all the apples off the trees. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all helped with carrying the bunches of apples. After a while of working, a well rested Applejack came out with some bottles of apple juice. "How bout' ya'll take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waiting for ya." All the girls stopped working and gathered to Applejack for a break. "Girls I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn."
"A bit?" Twilight responded.
"Ok, a might stubborn. And I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the most Prized Pony award. is having you all as my friends." They all nodded in agreement and began drinking heir juice. "Say," Applejack looked at the seventh apple juice, "where's Noctus?" Everypony shrugged.
"Ugh why didn't anypony tell me we were taking a break?!" Noctus trudged next to Rainbow Dash, he stretched his legs, "I'm not cut out for this hard work! I'm more of the behind-the-scene worker!" Everypony laughed as Noctus drank his apple juice.
"Phew, that apple-bucking sure made me hungry," Rainbow Dash stated.
Spike walked up to the table, "and I've got the perfect treat."
"EEEWWWW, Spike, I threw all of those away! Where'd you get them?" Pinkie said.
"From the trash!" Spike stated.
"EEEEEWWWW"
"Thats disgusting!"
"Nasty!"
"EEEEWWWWW"
"I think I'm gonna hurl again!" Noctus covered his mouth and ran for it as his face turned a sickly green.
"Come on! Just a little nibble?" Spike coaxed, "Come on~"
"Eww, no Spike!" All of the girls said as they walked back to Ponyville.
"Come on Noctus," Spike called," it's been four days already!"
"You sure you don't got anymore of those nasty muffins." Noctus suspiciously asked.
"Yeah there were like only five left when I found them in the trash." Noctus covered his mouth.
"Fine." Noctus exited his room and looked at Spike.
Noctus, for the past four days, had been avoiding Spike for fear of seeing him eat those bad muffins again. Twilight had told Spike to regain Noctus's trust again. "There better not be any out here."
"I already told you! There aren't anymore!" Spike exclaimed. Noctus looked around the library.
"Where's Twilight?"
"She went to read outside at the park." Spike answered as he descended the stairs.
"I see. . . Well I'm going to go for a walk." Noctus walked out the door.
"Ok then, I'll just watch over the library, again."
Noctus turned his head as he stopped in front of the front door,"Thanks Spike." He continued through the door and closed it behind him. "Ok," Noctus said to himself, "where to now?" He began to aimlessly walk through town, saying hello to passing ponies. Noctus continued to just walk around until he noticed Twilight standing in front of a book store. "Hey Twilight, whatcha doing here? Spike said you were at the park."
Twilight turned to see Noctus walking up to her. "Hello Noctus, I was at the park, but I finished my book and was just here to see if I could find another one. And see as you're here, I'm guessing you're finally ok with being near Spike again?"
"A little," Noctus shrugged, "I still feel like he could have some of those muffins hiding around."
Twilight giggled, "No, I'm pretty sure I saw him eat the last one. There shouldn't be anymore."
"I hope so."
All of a sudden Pinkie Pie trotted up to them, "Twilight! Noctus! Have either of you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere?"
"Uh, isn't she right up there?" Twilight pointed up at a lone cloud in the sky. All three of them looked up to see Rainbow Dash trying to hide in the cloud, ostrich style.
"Rainbow Dash~" Pinkie called. Rainbow Dash immediately responded by quickly lifting her head out of the cloud(she also had a piece of the cloud on her head). She then quickly flew as fast as she could away. Pinkie Pie proceeded to follow Rainbow Dash by bouncing in her usual manner, but at a slower pace.
Noctus and Twilight continued to watch as Pinkie left. "What was that all about?" Noctus asked.
"I dunno." Twilight answered as she walked into the book store. Noctus just stared in thought of what just happened, but then just shrugged it off as normal events and continued his stroll.
After walking around town, getting an apple salad for lunch, and simply just exploring more of Ponyville, Noctus was headed back to the library as he spotted a familiar earth pony mare standing at a stall. "Oh, hey Aloe how are you doing?" Noctus greeted the mare as he approached. "Sorry I couldn't visit you at the spa, I've been kinda busy until now. Say did you change your mane and coat colors?" The mare looked exactly like Aloe but seemed to have a swapped color scheme to Aloe, except for the same color eyes and almost exact cutie mark.
"Oh hello," replied the mare (with a thick eastern European accent), "I am sorry , but you seem to have gotten me confused with my sister."
"Sister?"
"Yes, you see we are twins."
"Oh. . . So you're not Aloe?"
"Yes, Aloe is my twin sister, I am Lotus Blossom, but everypony just calls me Lotus."
"Ok, that explains the swapped colors." Noctus laughed.
"Yes, you must be Noctus I presume." Lotus asked.
"Uh, yea, how'd you know?"
"My sister has mentioned you once or twice to me. I must say you do seem different from normal ponies."
"Do I?" He felt a drop of sweat roll down his head.
"Yes, we actually had a conversation about what was so different about you. However we could not put our hoof on it."
"Ah, I see." Noctus sighed with relief. Suddenly there was a bolt of lightning and Noctus jumped into the air in fright. Lotus 's eyes widened as Noctus landed back onto the ground. Then Noctus began to hiccup as laughter resounded from two mares nearby. Turning to look, Noctus spotted Pinkie Pie on the ground laughing and Rainbow Dash on a cloud. "Rainbow!? Pinkie!? *hic* what the *hic did you *hic* do?!"
"We scared you so you would get the hiccups! And it worked" Rainbow Dash explained before she continued laughing.
"What? *hic* why!? *hic*" Noctus questioned.
"Cause it's funny silly!" Pinkie answered this time. Lotus began to giggle next to Noctus.
"It is a little funny." She said covering her mouth with her hoof.
"Hrmm, whatever. . ." Noctus pouted, "*hic*." After the 'hic' all three mares continued to laugh. "UGH! *hic* I'm leaving. See ya later Lotus, I'll *hic* try to go to the spa to visit *hic* sometime." Noctus said as he walked off in the direction of the library. Once he got to the library, Twilight was already back.
"Hey Noctus, how was your walk." She asked.
"Don't want to *hic* talk about it. *hic* I'm gonna go to sleep." Noctus replied as he hiccuped his way to his room.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
The next day, Noctus decided to himself that he would sleep the entire day away. That is until Pinkie Pie barged into his room ranting about Rainbow Dash's old friend who came to visit. Now, he was wide awake and sitting in the main room in the library reading a book on more spells. "So Pinkie Pie, are you really sure that this friend of Rainbow Dash's is really so mean?" Twilight questioned.
"Um, yeah!" Pinkie restated, "She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away from me, she popped my balloons, and she told me to buzz off! I've never met a griffin this mean."
"You've met other griffins before?" Noctus looked up from his book with a raised eyebrow.
"Well technically, Gilda is the first griffin I've ever met. But I bet if I had, she wouldn't have been as mean as Gilda!"
"You know what I think Pinkie Pie," Twilight looked at Pinkie, "I think, you're jealous."
"JEALOUS!?!"
"Green with envy" Spike added, "or in your case pink with envy."
Noctus stared at Spike, "Should have just stopped at green with envy Spike." He then looked back down at his book and continued to read.
"Well, yes, jealous." Twilight stated again, "Listen Pinkie, I don't want to upset you, but just because Rainbow Dash has a new friend doesn't make Gilda a grump. I mean, perhaps it's you Pinkie, who needs to improve her attitude."
"IMPROVE MY ATTITUDE!?!" Pinkie exploded, Noctus had gotten so surprised at the random out burst, that he dropped his book and looked at the girls. "But I-, it's Gilda that- , are you seri-, UGH!" Pinkie stomped out of the library making odd squeaking sounds with each step and slammed the door.
"Uhh," Noctus said, "maybe you could have said that another way?"
"Maybe," Twilight rubbed the back of her neck, "But just because Rainbow Dash has a new friend doesn't mean that the new friend is mean."
"Yes, sometimes what you're saying is right. But not every time." Noctus lectured, "I have a policy that I won't make a decision until I have as much information about it as I can. So I believe, that before we should give advise to Pinkie Pie on Gilda, we should meet Gilda first."
"I guess that's rational." Twilight agreed.
"Good," Noctus nodded, then he magically picked up his book.
"You are going to go see Gilda."
"Wait what? Why?"
"I've already sent too much time away from the library this week. So you have to go see if Pinkie is right about Gilda."
"Ugh," Noctus rubbed his face, "I'm not getting dinner if I don't go will I?"
"Yup"
"Dang it!" He got up from his seat," I'll go find Gilda!"
Noctus exited the library and began searching around town for the griffin. "If I were a griffin, and I was in Ponyville where would I be. . ." He muttered to himself, "Actually, now that I think about it, I've never really transformed into a griffin before. So how the hell would I know where I'd be if I were a griffin in Ponyville?!" Noctus yelled to the sky, clenching his front legs. Looking up he happen to see Rainbow Dash and a griffin, head towards the town market. Noctus calmly put his front two legs back down, and silently head to the town market.
Reaching the market, Noctus looked up to the sky to find the two he was looking for. When he saw them they were flying just around in the sky. "What's so fun about aimlessly flying in circles?" He wondered. Looking back down he saw Pinkie Pie sitting alone sipping a smoothie. "Pinkie how you doing?"
"Oh hey Noctus," Pinkie sipped some of her smoothie, "I'm fine, do you think that I'm jealous of Gilda?"
"Well that's why I'm here." Noctus sat down across from Pinkie, "I'm here to see if Gilda really is how you describe her."
"Ok." Pinkie said dejectedly. After watching Rainbow Dash and Gilda fly for a few minutes they finally landed. They talked and Rainbow Dash left Gilda alone in the market.
Noctus looked back at Pinkie, "Well she seems like a normal friend." Noctus looked back at Gilda to see her tail poking out of a bunch of corn at a stall. Granny Smith walk to the stall and checked out the corn, however Granny Smith sees Gilda's tail poking out and freaks out screaming 'Rattler'.
"Poor Granny Smith! She did know it was a joke. How mean." Pinkie stated, but then shook her head, "No, no, I shouldn't misjudge her, it was a little funny."
"True. . . The mean part, not the funny part." Noctus agreed. After leaving the corn stand, Gilda walked by another food stand that was busy with customers and used her tail to snatch an apple.
"*GASP* I did misjudge her! She's not just a meany-mean pants! She's also a Thief!" Pinkie slammed her hoof on the table, but then shook her head again, "No, no, no, she might give it back. It's, just a joke."
"Yeah, they'll get it back, in about 2 to 4 hours," Noctus laughed, "but that aside, I am starting to get an impression of Gilda." Then Pinkie and Noctus notice Fluttershy leading a family of ducks. "Fluttershy?" Noctus mumbled. Fluttershy was walking backwards, leading the ducks, while everypony moved out of her way. That is, everypony but Gilda. Noctus knew Gilda saw Fluttershy was in front of her and continued on a collision course. Noctus narrowed his eyes glaring at Gilda, 'Something is going to happen.'
"Hey!" Gilda shouted as Fluttershy bumped into her.
"Oh, please excuse me." Fluttershy apologized.
"I'm walking' here!"
"Oh, um," Fluttershy was slowly backing up. "I'm sorry I was um, just trying to-
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Gilda mocked in a high pitched voice, "Why don't you just watch where you're going doofus!"
"Bu-,bu-,bu-,bu-, I- I-" Gilda then took a deep breath and roared at Fluttershy, making Fluttershy run away crying.
"Ugh,please," Gilda continued, "all these lame poines are driving me buggy. I gotta bail." Gilda then flapped her wings and took off. By this time Noctus was steaming mad and was already out of his seat.
"OH THAT IS IT!" Noctus exploded,(This section of the story has been censured to protect all the little fillies and colts. You may use your imagination to guess what Noctus is saying.) "THAT LITTLE *BEEP*-ING GRIFFIN!!! I'M GONNA *BEEP*-ING MESS HER UP SO BAD THAT NOPONY WILL BE ABLE TO TELL WHICH IS HER LION PARTS, HER EAGLE PARTS, OR HER LITTLE *BEEP* ATTITUDE!!! OOH IS SHE LUCKY I DON'T HAVE MY *BEEP*-ING SHADOW POWER RIGHT NOW, OR I WOULD GIVE HER THE *BEEP*-ING WORST *BEEP*-ING LIVING NIGHTMARE THAT EVEN LUNA WOULD BE SCARED!!!" Pinkie quickly lunged and grabbed onto Noctus to hold him back.
"But what about watching her until you could judge if she's a good pony or not?" Pinkie argued.
"OH I THINK I'VE SEEN ENOUGH TO TELL WHAT TYPE OF PONY SHE IS!! SHE'S A *BEEP*-ING SON OF A *BEEEP* THAT SHOULD EAT NOTHING BUT HER OWN *BEEP* CAUSE THAT'S AS CLOSE TO FOOD SHE DESERVES!!!" Noctus continued, struggling against Pinkie's vice-grip. "AND HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU SO STRONG!!!"
"Noctus I know you're mad. But I have a plan!" Noctus paused.
"A plan?"
"Yes, but I'll only tell you if you once calm down" Pinkie stated.
"Fine." Noctus agreed and tried to calm himself down. After five minutes of silence and stares from surrounding ponies Noctus cooled down enough to talk. "Ok, now will you tell me the plan?"
"Alright," Pinkie cleared her throat," I agree that Gilda is the meanest kind of meany-pants there is! This calls for extreme measures! And we'll do this, Pinkie Pie Style!"
"Pinkie Pie Style?"
"Yes! and here's the plan." Pinkie leaned forward and began whispering into Noctus's ear.
"Uh, Pinkie, you're just making whisper sounds in my ear."
"Shush! We got to do this till the screen blacks out!" Pinkie whispered.
"What are you talking-"
"Shhh!" Pinkie shoved her hoof in Noctus's mouth. "Right about. . . . Now! Ok, we're good." Taking her hoof out of his mouth. "Now I can tell you the plan!"
"Welcome!" Pinkie Pie greeted the pony entering through the door,"Welcome, welcome, welcome."
"Who's this Gilda I've been hearing about?" Applejack asked.
"I've heard she is an old friend of Rainbow Dash. A griffin, so rare." Rarity answered. Twilight was talking with Fluttershy about Gilda.
"You've met Gilda right? What's she like?" Twilight inquired.
"Oh um well, I'll tell you later Twilight." Fluttershy said," Um excuse me Twilight, but I need to go talk to Pinkie Pie, if you don't mind."
"Not at all Fluttershy." Twilight moved out off the way for Fluttershy. She then spotted Noctus looking at the snack table and decided to ask him about Gilda. "Hey Noctus." Twilight stood next to Noctus and pick up a cupcake.
"Hi," Noctus replied.
"So, you met Gilda yet?"
"Oh yes I did." Noctus said with spite.
"Ok. . . So how was she?"
"She's worst than how Pinkie described."
"Really? How?"
"She scared Granny Smith and stole food. Worst of all, she bumped into Fluttershy on purpose and then yelled at her for not watching where she was going!" Noctus explained.
"Are you sure?" Twilight backed up.
"Yeah, I watched the whole entire thing. Gilda is lucky that Pinkie convinced me not to do what I originally was planning on doing."
"What? What were you planning on doing?!" Twilight worryingly looked around.
"Nothing." Noctus said as a smirk grew on his face. He looked and saw Pinkie give him the signal, "I gotta go do something, see you later Twilight." Noctus walked off and disappeared into the crowd.
"Ok, time to do what I do best." Noctus rubbed his hooves together, "Making a plan come together!" Noctus laughed maniacally, "Let's see," he took out a scroll with a checklist on it. "The only challenging part of this is that I got to get rid of the prank as soon as it's activated. First, replace the vanilla lemon drops with the spicy lemon drops." Noctus grabbed the spicy drops from under the table and swapped them with the normal ones. "Ok next, switch the punch cups with dribble glasses." Noctus casualy walked over to the punch bowl and swapped the cups. "Lastly, place the 'present' on the present table. And then I'm done for now." Noctus easily walked over to the presents and placed his 'gift'. "There, now to go and wait by the lemon drops. I want a good view when this starts." He walked over to the snack table and pretended to be sampling.
Soon after completing is objective, Gilda showed up with Rainbow Dash. Pinkie greeted Gilda like nothing ever happened as Rainbow Dash went to talk to some friends. Noctus observed everything so carefully he didn't notice Rainbow Dash show up beside him. "Hey Noctus."
"Hey." Noctus greeted plainly.
"It was really nice of you all to throw a party for Gilda."
"Yeah, no problem." Noctus stared directly at Gilda.
"Ooo are these vanilla lemon drops?" Rainbow Dash reached for a lemon drop.
"Nope, switched them out already."
"Great! Oh man, Gilda is going to get a really good laugh out of this!" Rainbow Dash put a leg around Noctus's neck, "Thanks for helping me with my pranks, even if it was your idea."
"No prob." Noctus smiled back until Rainbow Dash walked off. He quickly acted natural and picked up a cupcake.
Soon after Rainbow Dash went back to Gilda, they all came back to the snack table. "Vanilla lemon drops! Don't mind if I do!" Gilda reached for a lemon drop and plopped it into her mouth. Immediately she felt the chilies and shot fire out of her mouth. Pinkie lifted a marshmallow on a stick into the fire. As Gilda ran for something to wash the lemon drops down. After she ran, Noctus replaced the normal lemon drops.
"G! The punch!" Rainbow Dash pointed to the punch bowl. Gilda quickly rushed over to the punch bowl, grabbed the closest cup, and tried to drink it. However thanks to Noctus the cup she picked up the dribble cup.
"Well whata you know! Pepper in the vanilla drops, and the punch served in a dribble glass!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Ha! Priceless, Priceless!" Rainbow Dash laughed. Gilda quickly ran to another punch bowl and splashed it into her mouth.
"Yeah, hilarious." Gilda rolled her eyes. Noctus walked over to the cups and took out the dribble glasses.
"Hey G! Look presents!" Rainbow Dash called. Gilda immediately dashed over and opened to one Noctus had placed. Once she opened it though, it release a bunch of fake snakes. Everypony laughed at the third prank in a row.
"Spitting snakes heh," Applejack commented, "Somepony pulled that prank on me last month!"
"Haha, I bet I know who that was." Gilda looked at Pinkie.
"You do?" Pinkie said innocently. Noctus was silently watching from the edge of the crowd.
"On to phase 2." Noctus said to himself as he tiptoed into the kitchen.
About half way into the party, while Fluttershy was conducting a concert with her birds, Pinkie rolled out a huge cake. "Cake time everypony!"
"Hey can I blow out the candles?" Spike asked enthusiastically.
"Why don't we let Gilda blow out the candles Spike? She is the guest of honor after all." Twilight stated.
"Exactly!" Gilda exclaimed as she elbowed Spike out of the way. She then proceeded to take a deep breath and blow out the candles. However the candles relighted themselves after she blew on them. Gilda noticed and tried to blow them out, only for them to relight themselves again. She continuously tried to blow the candles out while everypony laughed.
"Haha! Relighting birthday candles, I love that prank! What a classic." Spike laughed.
"Now I wonder who could have done that!" Pinkie pretended wonder, Noctus smiling from the crowd.
"Yeah, I wonder." Gilda glared at Pinkie. However while everypony was laughing, Spike tunneled into the cake.
"Mmm, who cares. This cake is a amazing!" Spike said as he popped out of the top of the cake.
"Spike!" Twilight scolded.
"What? It's great, try some!"
Rainbow Dash walked up to Gilda and tried to comfort her while everypony else tried some cake. Noctus, on the other hoof, went to work on his part of the plan. He walked up to the cake and grabbed a hoof full. While everypony was getting ready to play pin the tail on the pony. Rarity wanted to go first, however Gilda, claiming that she should go first, snatched the tail. It didn't matter to Noctus, as he looked at make sure nopony saw him as he dropped his piece of cake on the ground, "Whoopsie, silly me, I'll just go get some more." He said to nopony in general. Noctus trotted over to the cake and grabbed another piece as they blindfolded Gilda and spun her around. All Noctus needed to do is stand back, eat some cake, and watch his plan come together.
"Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail." Pinkie explained.
"Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail," Gilda mocked in a nasally voice, "Hrm yeah right, this is another prank isn't it? I'm going this way!" Gilda turned away from the pin the tail on the pony poster.
"Wait! The poster is this way!" Pinkie called. Noctus grinned as Gilda stepped directly on the glob of cake he had dropped. Immediately she slipped, slid across the room, and landed in the kitchen, where Noctus had 'accidentally' forgotten some cake and frosting. Gilda walked out of the kitchen covered in cake and frosting with the tail on her beck, making it look like she had a purple mustache. "Uh, Gilda. You pinned the tail on the wrong end." Pinkie commented as everypony once again laughed at Gilda, even Noctus. Gilda, not taking anymore, blew her fuse. She roared and flew in the air.
"This is your idea of a good time?! I've never met a bigger bunch of dweebs in all my life! And Pinkie Pie!" Gilda pointed a claw at Pinkie, "You!, You are Queen Lameo with your weak little party pranks! Did you really think you could make me lose my cool?!" Gilda flew over to Rainbow Dash and put an arm around her, "Well Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together! Come on Dash, we're bailing on this pathetic scene." Gilda walked to the exit, only to turn to find Rainbow Dash where she was still standing. "Come on Rainbow Dash! I said we're leaving!"
"Ya know Gilda, I was the one who set up all those weak pranks at this party."
"What!" Gilda exclaimed, then turned to look at Pinkie Pie.
"Ooo" Pinkie responded, Noctus(off to the side) was trying to contain his laughter.
"So I guess I'm Queen Lameo" Rainbow Dash stated angrily.
"Come on Dash! You're joshing me!" Gilda panicked.
"They weren't all meant for you specifically," Rainbow Dash stated(Noctus, once again, mouthed silently. "Oh yes they were"), "it was just dumb luck that you set them all off."
"I should have known!" Pinkie exclaimed, "That dribble cup had Rainbow Dash written all over it!"
"No way!" Gilda tried to argue, "It was Pinkie Pie! She set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me!"
"Me? I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought that a good party might turn that frown upside-down." Pinkie twisted her head upside-down to prove her point.
"And you sure didn't need any help making a fool out of yourself." Rainbow Dash continued, "You know, this isn't how I though my old friend would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some cool new friends, somewhere else."
Gilda gritted her teeth," Yeah!? Well you- you- you are such a flip-flop!". 'flip-flop?' Noctus said to himself with an odd look. "Cool one minute and lame the next! When you decide to not be lame anymore, give me a call." Gilda exited and slammed the door behind her.
Rainbow Dash stood strong and still, "Not cool".
"Wow, talk about a party-pooper," Spike commented and everypony in the room began to agree.
"I'm sorry everypony," Rainbow Dash apologized, "for bringing Gilda here. I didn't know how rude she was. And Pinkie Pie, I'm really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her."
"Hey, if you want to hang out with with party-poopers, that's your business." Pinkie said.
"No hard feelings?" Rainbow Dash put out her hoof.
"No hard feelings." Pinkie Pie shook Rainbow Dash's hoof. However both ponies had electric buzzers, ended up zapping each other, and everypony laughed at the two pranksters' attempt.
"Hey Pinkie," Twilight walked up to Pinkie Pie, "sorry I accused you of misjudging Gilda. Looks like I'm the one who misjudged you."
Pinkie hugged Twilight, "It's ok Twilight, even you can't be a super, smart, smarty-pants all the time." Pinkie turned to the rest of the party members, "Come on everypony! There's still a whole lotta party to finish!" She exclaimed as she jumped up and down.
Around the time when the party was almost finished Noctus decided to leave first. "Come on Nocty! Stay a bit longer!" Pinkie tried to convince Noctus to stay.
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash agreed as she spun Rarity for pin the tail on the pony, "Party a bit more!"
Noctus shook his head, "Nah I'm kinda tired from today's events, I'm going to go sleep."
"Oh Noctus, if you're going home can you take Spike with you? He's starting to fall asleep." Twilight asked.
"Sure," He levitated a very tired Spike onto his back.
"And can you ask Spike to quickly send this to Celestia once you get home?" Twilight floated a rolled up scroll over to Noctus.
"Sure thing," He grabbed it with his magic a put it in one of his pockets, "Friendship report?"
"Yeah!" Twilight yelled over the music and conga line.
Noctus headed over to the door, but stopped just before taking a step outside. "And by the way everypony!" He yelled over the music. Someponies stopped and looked over to him as the music was turned a bit down. "All of you drank the punch right?" Everypony looked at each other and nodded saying a yeah here and there. "Good! Then you all might want to check your mouths!" Noctus laughed as he exited and closed the door. Everypony was confused at want the dressed stallion had just said, until one pony checked another's mouth.
"Your mouth is bright pink!"
"Yours is green!"
"Hey yours is blue"
"Mine is purple!"
"What color is mine?!" Everypony laughed at each other as everypony checked what color their mouth was.
Meanwhile, when Noctus got back to the library, he planned to immediately wake Spike, send the report, and go to sleep. But when he got home, he noticed a little object sitting on Twilight's writing stand. Noctus grinned to himself and magically lifted the object, stuck the ink well's label on it, and woke up Spike.
"Huh, wha? Where am I?" Spike rubbed his eyes.
"Home," Noctus replied, "I was heading home and you seemed tired".
"Ok" Spike yawned.
"But before you go to sleep, Twilight asked you to send this to Celestia." Noctus held up the report.
"Ok"
"And this." Noctus lifted the object from before.
"Why an ink well?" Spike asked curiously.
"No real purpose." Noctus shrugged.
"O..K then, I guess." Spike picked up both objects and blew green fire onto them. "There, now, if you'll excuse me *yawn* I'm going to bed." Spike said with closing eyes.
"Here I'll carry you." Noctus offered, lifting the tired dragon onto his back.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Chapter 9 - How to Handle a Showoff: A Sequel to How to Handle a Bully (Episode 6)
"Come on Twilight! You can do it!" Spike encouraged.
"All right here does." Twilight charged her horn and took aim and there was a bright flash of light. When the light receded, a mustache had appeared On Noctus. . .
"Haha! You did it! Growing magic, that's number 25! 25 different tricks, and counting." Spike drew a check mark on the list.
"Explain to me again why I have to be your test dummy for your new spells?" Noctus asked through his new silver mustache.
"Well I wanted to do it, but Twilight said that you had to do it." Spike crossed his arms.
"You have to work for your stay here Noctus, it isn't free." Twilight smirked.
"Last time I checked this was a public library, not a inn." Noctus argued, "And can you get this mustache off of me now?"
Twilight giggled, "Sure." Her horn glowed again and the mustache was gone.
"Thanks, there's a reason I don't grow facial hair. It just feels weird under my nose." Noctus explained.
"What I wouldn't give for a mustache, I would show it to Rarity!" Spike imagined Rarity fawning over his imaginary mustache.
"I don't know Rarity, but I don't think she likes facial hair." Noctus commented.
"Anyway, now that I've finished my practice session, who wants to go out for some fresh air?" Twilight suggested.
"Sure. I mean we've been inside since 6 a.m. Did I mention you wake up really early?"
"Yes," Twilight walked over to the front door and held it open, "now you two coming or what?" Spike and Noctus walked out the door as Twilight closed it behind her.
"That reminds me, don't you ponies lock your doors?" Noctus questioned Twilight.
"What are you- Oh right!" Twilight facehoofed, "I forgot you weren't originally from Equestria! Well, to answer your question, most ponies in the bigger cities do lock their doors. But Ponyville is such a quiet peaceful town that nopony needs to lock their doors. Except for a few who choose to lock their doors."
"Ok, I guess". The trio continued to walk through town chatting, until Noctus brought up the topic of cutie marks. "So, cutie marks are a pony's special talent right? What they're best at?"
"Mmm pretty much."
"Then what's yours?" Noctus pointed at Twilight's cutie mark, "You like stargazing?"
"No," Twilight shook her head, "I got my cutie mark during my entrance exam into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. The test was to hatch a dragon egg using magic. I was going to give up when an ear-shattering boom erupted outside and caused my magic to trigger. My magic hatched the egg, which ended up as Spike, but it continued to run wild. I accidentally turned my parents into potted plants." Twilight blushed with embarrassment. " It didn't stop until Celestia intervened and stopped me. I thought she was going to punish me, but instead she took me as her personal student. Which, after a few years, lead to me traveling to Ponyville."
"With the help of me of course." Noctus placed his hoof on his chest proudly.
"Yeah." Twilight rolled her eyes, "My cutie mark also appeared at that time, so I guess it stands for magic."
"Magic?"
"Yeah, technically any type of magic. Usually a unicorn is better in one type of magic. However I am able to master multiple types of magic."
"Ok, I see."
"Anyway, that's what my cutie mark stands for, but what about your-"
"Gang way! Coming through!" yelled a nasally voice as two young colts, one, skinny and orange, and the other, short and turquoise. The two colt barreled past Twilight and Noctus, but the short turquoise one had hit Spike and was still carrying him.
"Uh." Noctus was lost for words.
"That was Snips and Snails," Twilight informed him.
"Ok, but what are they running so fast for?"
"I don't know, let's go find out." They turn around and followed the path that Snips and Snails left. When they caught up to the two colts and Spike, they seemed to be in a conversation.
"Yeah, and they say shes got more magical powers that any other unicorn, ever!" Snips exclaimed.
"Really?" Twilight immediately saddened.
"No way, that title goes to Twilight here!" Spike argued. Twilight blushed at the compliment.
"Where is this unicorn?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah I kinda want to see a unicorn that claims to know more than bookworm here." Noctus pointed at Twilight.
"Oh she's in the town square! Come on!" Snails jumped over Spike and ran in the direction of the town square.
"Yeah! Come on!" Snips followed Snails to the town square, Noctus, Twilight, and Spike all followed as well.
When they got to the town square, it was filled with ponies from town and a loud feminine voice was announcing the show. "Come one! Come all! And witness the amazing magic, of the Great and Powerful, Trixie!! As the the stage unfolded and a blast of sparkling smoke. The mare that appeared had an azure colored coat and was adorn in a starred purple cape and magician's hat. "Watch in awe," Trixie continued, "as the Great and Powerful Trixie the most spectacular feats of magic by pony eyes!" As she finished, sparklers and all sorts of fireworks launched around her. Many ponies "Ooo"ed and "Ahhh"ed at the sights and performance.
"My, my, my, what boasting." Rarity commented.
"Come on, nopony is as magical as Twi-, Twi-, Twi-." Spike stopped himself as he noticed Rarity next to him, "Ahem ,oh uh, hey Rarity, I uh- mustache!" He exclaimed before he dashed away. As Spike ran away, Twilight walked up to Rarity.
"There's nothing wrong with being talented, is there?" Twilight asked.
"Nothing at all." Applejack answered, "Except when somepony goes around showing it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons."
"Just because one has the ability to preform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us." Rarity agreed.
"Especially when you got me around being better than the rest of us." Rainbow Dash stated. Applejack stared at Rainbow Dash angrily, "Uh I mean, Yeah! Magic smagic, booo."
"Calm down girls, it's just a show." Noctus said.
"Well, well, well, it seems we have some neigh-sayers in the audience. Who is so ignorant, as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Trixie yelled out to the entire crowd. "Do they not know, that they are in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria!?"
"OK, now that is gloating if I've never heard it." Noctus admitted. "Wait, no not gloating, that would imply that she does have the talent. Self-boasting?" Noctus muttered to himself
"Just who does she think she is?" Rarity said.
"Yeah! Cause we all know Twilight here is-" Spike popped out of know where.
"Spike! Shhh" Twilight interrupted. She then pushed Spike out to the back of the crowd. Noctus, being curious, followed.
"What? What's wrong?" Spike asked.
"You saw the way they reacted to Trixie!" Twilight explained. "I don't want anyone thinking I'm a showoff."
"What are you two talking about over here?" Noctus barged into the conversation.
"I was just telling Spike that I don't want anyone thinking that I'm a showoff by saying that I'm better than Trixie."
"Twilight, there's a difference between you and Trixie. For one you are more magically adept than her and you have tons of proof for it!"
"Really?"
"Well duh, Yeah! First off, you're Celestia's personal student. You're also the Element of Magic, and your cutie mark even stands for magic. Right?" Noctus stated.
"I guess so." Twilight said.
"Wait what's going on, on the stage?" Noctus turned his attention to the stage again. It looked like Rainbow Dash had flew onto stage and Trixie was telling a story of how she supposedly defeated an Ursa Major. "Wait seriously? An Ursa Major? That can't possibly be true. Although, nice light show."
"That settles it." stated Snips.
"Trixie truly is the most talented, most magical, most awesome unicorn in Ponyville." Snails stated.
"No, in all of Equestria!"
"How do you know, you didn't see it! And besides Twilight's th-" Spike was cut off by Twilight literally zipping his mouth shut.
"Haha, it's true, my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is certainly the best in Ponyville." Trixie complimented herself. Everypony in the crowd instantly became silent. Although the girls, excluding Twilight, wore faces of annoyance.
"Wow, now that is major silence. I think I even heard a cricket." Noctus looked around.
"Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie? Well then, I hereby challenge you Ponyvillians; anything you can do, I can do better." Trixie challenged. "Any takers? Anyone? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived!" She finished as more fireworks got set off around her.
"That girl has got major ego problems." Noctus whispered into Twilight's ear.
"How about. . . you?" Trixie pointed at Twilight. "Well how about it hmm? Is there anything you can do, that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?"
"Uh, I-, I-," Twilight tried to think of a way to get out of this mess.
"Well? Little Hayseed?" Trixie taunted.
"That's it! I can't stand for no more of this!" Applejack started to walk up onto the stage.
"You show her AJ!" Spike cheered Applejack on.
"Can your magical powers do this?" Applejack challenged as she grabbed a lasso, tied it to her tail and began to spin it all around her. As her tricks got more advanced, the crowd was in awe. For a finish, Applejack flung the lasso at a nearby apple tree and snatched an apple, launching it towards herself. She opened her mouth and ate the apple in one bite. The crowd of Ponyville clapped and cheered. "Top that Missy."
"Oh ye of little talent, watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!" She replied as both her horn and the rope glowed pink with her magic. The one end of the rope floated up like a snake in front to AJ, while the other end grabbed another apple. The first end then wrapped around Applejack's legs and hogtied her as the other placed the apple over her mouth. The crowd "awed" and "ooed" in response. "Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails".
"There's no need to go strutting around and showing off like that." Rainbow Dash appeared next to Trixie.
"Oh?"
"That's my job!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she flew off towards a windmill and used it to launch herself into the air. She sped through a bunch of clouds then flew straight back through the clouds, collecting water with her as she descended. She used the windmill again to turn herself back to the stage and skidded to a halt, allowing the water to hit her creating a rainbow above her. "They don't call me Rainbow and Dash for nothing." The crowd cheered again for Rainbow Dash's performance.
Trixie looked unimpressed. "Hrm, when Trixie is through, the only thing they'll call you is loser!" She lit up her horn as she shot a beam of magic at the rainbow above Rainbow Dash. The rainbow then started to move and spin around Rainbow Dash into a tornado.Then it lifted off the ground, flew around, and finally deposited a very dizzy Rainbow Dash onto the ground.
"Ugh, I think I'm. . . gonna be sick." Rainbow Dash said laying on the ground.
"It seems like anypony with a dash of good sense, would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie." Trixie spawned in a thunder cloud to zap Rainbow Dash in the rear. Everypony including the crowd proceeded to laugh.
"Ok," Noctus's face began to look angrier, "that was unnecessary. This isn't even a show anymore. It's more of 'Come up here so I can humiliate you'."
"What we need is another unicorn to go up there and challenge her. Someone with some magic of her own?" Spike nudged Twilight.
"Yeah! A unicorn to show this unicorn who's boss." Rainbow Dash agreed.
"A real unicorn to unicorn tussle." Applejack added. All of them staring at Twilight.
"Enough, enough all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense. Applejack and Rainbow Dash may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace." Rarity stated.
"Please don't start speaking in third-person too." Noctus rubbed his face.
"Ooo, what's the matter? Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?" Trixie assaulted Rarity with insults.
"Rarity instantly narrowed her eyes. "Oh it is on!" She then got on to the stage to preform. You think you're tough with your so called powers, but there is more to magic than your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more that just muscle," Rarity lit her horn and yanked off Trixie's curtain and proceeded to use it to made an elegant dress on herself. "A unicorn needs to have style. A unicorn isn't a unicorn without grace and beauty." Trixie didn't say anything as she lit up her horn.
"Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her! She's strong, she's beautiful, she's-" Spike stopped mid-sentence as Trixie countered, and opened his mouth in shock. The crowd gasped at what happened.
"QUICK I NEED A MIRROR! GET ME A MIRROR!" Rarity began to freak out at why everypony was so shocked. "What did she do to my hair?! I know she did something terrible to my hair!"
"Nothing." Twilight responded.
"It's fine!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"It's gorgeous." Applejack defended.
"It's green." Spike stated. All three mare glared at him for saying that. "What?"
"No." Rarity began to cry. "Green hair?! Not green hair! Such an awful, awful color!" She screamed as she ran away, passing by a mare with a carrot cutie mark and green colored hair.
"Well I never!" The green haired mare said.
"Well Twilight, I guess it's up to you. Come on, show her what you're made of!" Spike tried to convince Twilight.
"What do you mean? I'm nothing special" Twilight defended.
"Yes you are! You're better than her!"
"I'm not better than anyone!"
"Ah HA! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magical talent? Well come on, show Trixie what you've got! Show us all." Trixie challenged Twilight.
"Who me? I'm just your run of the mill citizen of Ponyvlle. No powerful magic here. I, uh, think I hear my laundry calling, sorry got to go!" Twilight axcused herself and proceeded to run away.
"Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie, has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestira. Was there ever any doubt?" Trixie turned to leave. The crowd began to disperse.
"Actually I still doubt you." Trixie stopped in her tracks and turned to see who dared to challenge her again. She turned her head to see Noctus raising his hoof into the air. "I'm sorry, I just don't think you're as 'great and powerful' as you say you are." He said with a smirk. The crowd stopped and began to gather once more.
"You believe that you have more talent than the Great and Powerful-"
"Yeah, yeah, we know already. 'The Great and Powerful Trixie!!'" Noctus mocked her, "I'm not saying I'm more talented or more magical than you. I just think that I could do some things that you couldn't."
"Oh really? Would you care to show us?"
"Gladly." Noctus's smirk grew into an mischievous grin. He proceeded to walk up the steps onto the stairs. "Although, I must allow the lady to go first." He bowed, acting like a gentleman.
"Very well, Trixie will go first, but you will regret letting her go first." Trixie took off her hat again, then began charging her horn. Noctus just stood there waiting for her to finish her spell.
"What the in the hey, is Noctus doin' now?" Applejack asked from the crowd, she had gotten help untying the ropes.
"Trying to show her who's boss! I think? Except he's letting her go first." Rainbow Dash answered. The seconds pasted as Trixie prepared her spell, until she finally was ready to fire her spell.
"Trixie hopes you are ready, for she is going to wipe that smile off of your face-" She fired her spell at Noctus and at impact it bursted into a bunch of smoke, surrounding Noctus entirely. When the smoke began to fade, everypony could not see a pony standing there anymore. All there was ,was a small, green frog. The entire crowd gasped. "Wha- what!" Trixie exclaimed with surprise, "Trixie did not mean to transform him into a toad! She, she was just going to use a mute spell to keep his mouth shut!" She began to freak out.
"What'd you do to our friend!" Rainbow zoomed into Trixie's face.
"It, it was just supposed to be a simple spell!" Trixie exclaimed.
"Turn him back!" Applejack raised her voice from the crowd.
"Trixie can not! She does not know transformation magic!" Trixie argued. A hoof raised above the heads of the crowd.
"If its transformation magic, I know how to undo it." said a familiar voice. Everypony turned to see who had spoken. The crowd moved to expose the speaker. As all eyes fell onto the pony they gasped. Standing there with a smirk on his face, and a still raised hoof, was Noctus. "I know a little, but not as much as that guy." He pointed to his right, and everypony turned to look at who he was pointing at. The crowd separated again to show another Noctus. "Oh, you flatter me." The second Noctus said. The crowd, as well as Trixie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, was speechless at what was going on.
"What the buck is going on?!" Rainbow Dash yelled bringing her hooves to her head.
"Oh, he can explain this." The second Noctus pointed at Trixie. Trixie pointed at herself confusingly, "No not you! Behind you." Trixie turned and jumped as there was another Noctus behind her. "Did you know you twitch your back left leg when you're nervous?" The third said. "But yes, I can explain what is going on." The third Noctus walked forward. "While looking through spells in Twilight's library, I found some interesting ones that I haven't seen Twilight use, at least not yet."
"One of those included a duplication spell," Said the first Noctus, walking up on stage and stopping right next to the frog.
"Another was a teleportation spell, which I have seen Twilight preform," The second Noctus followed the first.
"And lastly, there was a transformation spell." The third joined the others near the frog. "Oh, and don't worry, I was the one who used the transformation spell, not you." said the third one pointing at a dumbfounded Trixie. "For as you see-" All of them said at the same time as a cloud of smoke formed around them. It swirled around until dispersing to reveal only one Noctus, "I am perfectly fine." He finished with a smile. "Quite simple really, all you got to do is study it a bit." The everypony was silent trying to take this all in, until the crowd exploded into cheers and hurrahs.
"Wow! where'd you learn that?" Rainbow Dash flew to meet Noctus.
"Like I said, I just read it in a book, tried it out a few times, and found that I could easily cast the spells." Noctus quoted.
"Whatever, you still showed her!"
"Yeah," Noctus rubbed the back of his neck, "but truthfully it took me the same amount of time to learn three spells,as it did for Twilight to learn five!" He started to walk off the stage.
"That was awesome Noctus! When did you have time to practice those spells?" Spike ran up to them.
"I. . . found some time." Noctus stated. In reality, the real reason he learned those spells was to finish all the chore Twilight had assigned him." Noctus began to walk towards the library. "I better go see Twilight now." Noctus stopped before heading back home. "Also, where's Pinkie Pie?"
Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy all looked at each other before Applejack answered. "Now that you mention it, I havn't seen her either."
"Yeah, where is Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I was thinking if anyone could have beat Trixie, it would have been her." Noctus admitted. "Not that I didn't think you girls couldn't" He quickly added, before running off.
The three girls watched as he dashed off, before going off on their own businesses. Spike on the other hand had seen Snips and Snails sneak away and decided to see what they were up to.
"Twilight, won't you just put down that book and listen to me?" Spike pleaded.
"Didn't you see how they hated Trixie's bragging Spike? If I go up there and show off my magic I risk losing them as friends." Twilight argued.
"It's not the same thing Twilight! You'd be using your magic to stand up for your friends."
"No Spike it's exactly the same."
"Ugh, Noctus help me out here!" Spike asked the stallion for back-up.
Said stallion was in his usual chair reading a book. Noctus looked up from his book. "I'm not even going to try anymore, she won't listen to me after what I did on stage." He went back to reading.
"Come on Twilight, anyone of these tricks, even the tiniest, would be enough to show up Trixie!"
"I don't want to be seen as a bragger like Trixie!" Twilight magicked up a door and slammed it in Spike's face. Spike just opened the door and continued his argument.
"But you're the best!"
"Ugh, please Spike I said no!"
Spike looked down in defeat. "If that's the way you want to be, then fine!" He slammed the door shut again.
"Still in the same room." Noctus stated not looking up from his book. Spike opened the door again and stormed off out of the front door.
There was silence as Twilight just stood there and Noctus reading quietly. "What are you even reading?" Twilight asked.
"Mainly information about Ursa Majors and Minors." Noctus stated.
"Why?"
"Trixie mentioning it got me interested on what you ponies know about the Ursine. I didn't know that the Everfree is home to the Ursine." He flipped a page.
"Hmm. . . what else is there on Ursa?" Twilight questioned.
"Well," Noctus flipped another page, " Ursa Majors are known for being as tall as mountains, and actually being very docile. As long as you stay away from their offspring."
". . . Can I see that book after you?"
"Sure, you can look at it now." He floated it over to her. "I already know about the Ursine."
"What! How?" Twilight took the book in her own magic.
"I met a few in other dimensions. Some were civilized, others were. . . interesting."
". . . Why do I keep forgetting that you've traveled through multiple dimensions?" Twilight thought about it.
"Actually I'm not surprised, considering what happens around Ponyville. Although, looking back, it still isn't as hectic as that time I visited a dimension that had humans, but the humans were all like mindless animals. You know how many times I tried to be caught?" Twilight just kept staring at him. "A lot. A lot of times."
"Anyway. . . " Twilight opened the book. " Anything else you know about Ursa Majors?"
"No, but I've met more Ursa Minors, so I know more about them."
"So, anything?"
"Yeah, Minors usually sleep all the time, like ALL the time. So the only times they're actually awake is when their mother wakes them up to feed them. If they're awakened any other time they'll probably get cranky and go on a rampage, if their mother isn't there to calm them back down."
"Uh huh."
"By the way, have you seen Pinkie anywhere?"
"Nope."
"Did you believe that Trixie really beat an Ursa Major?"
"Nope."
". . . Are apples your favorite fruit?"
"Uh huh."
". . . Do you think Rainbow Dash and Applejack would make a good couple?"
"Uh h- Wait what?!"
Noctus laughed. "Nothing, nothing, just trying to see if your in your focusing mode. And you kinda were." Noctus got up and looked outside, "it's getting pretty dark, I'm going to go see if I can find Spike." He walked over to the door and and was about to opened it as it burst open and sandwiched Noctus in between the door and the wall.
"Twilight you gotta come quick!" Spike ran into the library.
"I've already told you Spike, I don't want to show up Trixie!" Twilight immediately shot down.
"No you don't understand! It's-" Spike was interrupted by a throaty roar. As the roar ended, the fornt door swug closed to expose a flattened Noctus on the wall.
"Was that a-" Noctus asked
"Is that what I think it is?" Twilight also asked.
"Yes. Majorly." Spike answered. Twilight closed her book and ran out the door as Spike followed.
"Um a little help!?" Noctus called. Twilight teleported back into the library.
"Right, sorry." She pulled Noctus off the wall and they both ran outside. As they approached the area where Spike said the Ursa Major was. They could already hear the roars, which all of Ponyville did too for they had just ran by a group of ponies. Once they turned a corner they finally saw the Ursa Major and Noctus released the breathe he had been holding.
"Oh thank Celestia, it's only an Ursa Minor. But Holy PINEAPPLE is that thing bigger than I thought it would be!" Noctus exclaimed. Twilight and Spike just stared at Noctus weirdly. "What?"
"Pinapple?" Twilight asked.
"Well, yeah. It was the first thing that came to mind ok?!" They continued running.
"So that's only an Ursa Major?"
"Yeah, remember what I said before? Majors tend to be bigger than that. That is only a baby." Noctus explained. They finally arrived at the Ursa Minor and Snips and Snails were just standing there and staring at the Ursa.
"What's going on?" Twilight asked the two colts.
"We brought an Ursa to town." Snips stated.
"You What!" Twilight and Noctus
"Don't worry cause the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish the Ursa Major, and save the town!" Snails exclaimed. They all looked at Trixie to see if this was true.
"I. . .can't." Trixie admitted.
"What!" Snips and Snails yelled in shock.
"Well, I can't. I never have. No one can vanquish an Ursa Major, I just made the whole story up to make me look better."
"Made it up!" Snips and Snails yelled again. The conversation was soon stopped as the Ursa towered over the building behind all of them and released another loud roar.
"Oh my!" Noctus shrank. Spike nudged Twilight motioning for her to do something as Noctus mouthed, 'please do use magic now!' Twilight gulped, put on her game face, and walked toward the Ursa. She readied herself and began to cast her spell. As she was building up, the wind began to blow stronger as reeds broke and made a soft melody. The soft music seemed to visibly pacify the Ursa as it swayed back and forth to the song.
"Nice use of number six-teen!" Spike whispered.
"Did you memorize all twenty-five spells?" Noctus asked.
"Well, I was the one keeping track of them." Suddenly Twilight's horn glowed four times brighter as a nearby water tower was lifted, emptied and filled back up with milk. "Well that's new." Spike stated.
"Oh I see what she's doing." Noctus tapped his chin. The Ursa slowly began to close its eyes and was about to fall on to Trixie as Twilight's magic surrounded the Ursa and lifted it. Twilight struggled even more trying to lift the giant Ursa Minor into the air and placed the water tanker, now filled with milk, in the Ursa's paws and began feeding it. Slowly the citizens of Ponyville began to reappear and come out of their hiding places. The Giant floating bear then proceeded to float off into the forest where it was hopfully placed back where it belonged. The light on Twilight's horn soon dissolved as the entirety of Ponyville cheered and thanked Twilight for saving the town.
"Heavens to bitsy, we knew you had ability, but not that much." Applejack stated as Rainbow Dash nodded her head.
"I'm sorry, please don't hate me." Twilight pleaded.
"Hate you?" All three of her friends said in confusion.
"Why whatever do you mean darling?" Rarity asked.
"She means that she thought that you all would hate her if she 'showed off' her magic, even more than you girls hated Trixie." Noctus explained as he walked up next to Twilight.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Magic's got nothing to do with it. Trixie is just a loud mouth." Rainbow Dash stated.
"Most unpleasant." Rarity agreed.
"All hat and no cattle." Applejack added.
"So. . . you don't mind my magic tricks?" Twilight asked again.
"Yer magic is a part of who you are sugarcube. And we like who you are." Applejack answered. "We're proud to have such a powerful and talented unicorn as our friend."
"And after whooping that Ursa's hindquarters, we're even prouder!" Rainbow Dash added.
"You are?" Twilight's mood grew happier. The three mares all nodded in agreement.
"Wow Twilight! How did you know what to do with that Ursa Major?" Spike questioned.
"Well after I ran away from the show, I was so intrigued by Trixie's story, I was inclined to do a litter reading up on them. Then Noctus lent me the book on the he was reading and told me about the differences of Ursas."
"So it is possible to vanquish an Ursa Major all by yourself?"
"Uh hate to just walk into the conversation here but that wasn't an Ursa Major, that was an Ursa Minor." Noctus stepped in.
"Minor?" Spike asked.
"Yeah a baby Ursa."
"That was just a baby?!" Trixie restated in surprise.
"And it wasn't rampaging, it was just cranky. Because someone woke it up!" Twilight finished the explanation. The town glared at the two colts responsible.
"Well. . . if that was an Ursa Minor, then what's an Ursa Major like?!" Spike asked in fear.
"Trust me Spike, just hope you never see an Ursa Major until you're much, MUCH bigger." Noctus told the scared dragon.
"HA!" Trixie laughed as she walked up to Twilight, "You may have defeated an Ursa Minor, but you will never have the amazing, showstopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" She gloated as a poof of smoke appeared at her feet. The smoke disappeared to show Trixie running off into the distance.
"Why that little." Rainbow Dash proceeded to fly in pursuit but was stopped by Twilight.
"Just let her go. Maybe some day she'll learn her lesson." Twilight stood in front of Snips and Snail's escape. "Now, about you two."
"Ah ha, we're sorry we woke up the Ursa Minor." Snips said.
"We just wanted to see some awesome magic!" Snails added.
"Yeah! And the way you vanquished that Ursa Minor, was awesome!" Twilight was not amused. The two colts, defeated, put their heads down.
"We deserve any punishment you give us." Snails said.
"For starters," Twilight began, "you can clean up this mess. And. . . what do you think Spike? Should I give them number twenty-five?"
"Ohhhh, twenty-five, yes! And I think I deserve it too." Spike agreed.
"I think you're right!" Twilight began charging up her horn as Snips and Snails braced themselves for what punishment they were to get. Their noses glowed and the next moment, the colts and Spike all had different mustaches on their face.
"Swweeet!" All three of them said. Noctus just rolled his eyes.
"Still don't understand what they see in mustaches."
"And you!" Rainbow Dash popped into Noctus's face. "If you knew that wasn't an Ursa Major, why did you say so earlier!"
"Didn't I?"
"NO" Rarity, AJ, and Rainbow Dash all yelled.
"Oh, my mistake."
"Actually he did tell you girls." Pinkie popped out of nowhere.
"Pinkie!" Everypony yelled in surprise.
"Pinkie! Where have you been?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You missing the entire day!"
"Oh don't worry Dashie! I didn't miss a thing! I was reading what was happening from my room." Pinkie gleefully stated.
"Wha- What are you talking about?"
"I know all about what happened. From Trixie, to the Ursa Minor, to Twilight's paranoia!" Rainbow Dash was speechless from hearing what the party pony was saying.
"What?!" Rainbow Dash's mind fried. "I. . . don't care anymore. I'm going to bed." Rainbow Dash flew off to her house.
"It's is pretty late now. I guess it's time to go to bed." Twilight stated.
"I guess so. . . but how will I go to sleep after all of this!?' Noctus asked as he walked with Twilight to the library. However when they got there, Noctus was surprised at how easily he fell asleep.
The next morning, Twilight remembered that she needed to send another letter to Princess Celestia. She got up at her usual time, which was very early, and went straight to writing. Soon after she finished Spike entered her room with his mustache still there. "So you finally admitt that you're the most talented unicorn in all of Ponyville?" Spike asked.
"Well. . . Yeah. But it's nothing to brag about. So uh, how did it go with Rarity?" Twilight turned to face Spike.
"Ehh, she didn't go for the mustache."
"HA told you so!" yelled Noctus from downstairs.
"Shut up Noctus!" Spike yelled back.
"Well Spike, that mustache has nothing to do with who you really are. Maybe you should just try being yourself?" Twilight suggested.
"Or, maybe the mustache wasn't enough!"
"Baby dragon say what?" Noctus appeared at the top of the stairwell.
"Maybe if I had a mustache, and a beard!"
"Are you serious?" Noctus replied.
"Ugh, not this again." Twilight slouched down.
"Ok, now imagine me with a nice long Fu Man Chu beard!" Spike exclaimed.
"That's it! I'm out of here!" Noctus turned and walked down the stairs.
"Or maybe a goatee?" Spike continued.
"Not listening anymore!" Noctus yelled from the bottom of the stairs. Twilight just laughed and rolled her eyes at the antics of the two boys.
"Twilight!? Twilight!?" Noctus called from the top of the stairs, "Where did Twilight go?" He had just woken up and could not find the purple unicorn anywhere. "Spike no where either. where could they have gone?" He walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen. Once in the kitchen he noticed a plate of muffins and a glass of milk on the table next to a note. He picked up the note and read it out loud to himself. "To Noctus, I've just received a message from the Princess that there is a dragon sleeping at the nearby mountain. Spike has prepared your breakfast before we headed out to tell everypony. Please quickly eat your breakfast then pack anything you might need. Spike and I are going to gather the girls then head up to see what we can do to stop the smoke. We also asked Rarity to make you your own saddlebag." Noctus looked at the breakfast and then the bag. He picked up the bag. I was a dark brown cloth and had his writing quill cutie mark on the sides. "Hmm, that's really kind of her." Noctus floated a muffin up and took a bite. He levitated the glass of milk with him as he put on his new saddlebag and walk up to his room to see what he could bring.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
"What in the name of all things cinnamon swirl, is a full grown dragon doing here in Equestria?" Applejack questioned.
"Sleeping." Twilight plainly stated.
"Huh?" All the girls responded.
"According to Princess Celestia, he's taking a nap." Twilight packed her saddlebags. "His snoring is what's causing all this smoke."
"He should really see a doctor." Pinkie stated. "That doesn't sound healthy at all."
"Well, at least he's not snoring fire!" Rarity looked on the bright side. "What are we meant to do about it?"
"I'll tell you what we're meant to do!" Rainbow Dash said. "Give him the boot!" She showed this by kicking the library's center piece with her hind-legs. Before it could fall, Twilight used her magic to keep it steady. Then before Rainbow Dash could tackle the statue she lifted it out of the way, causing Rainbow Dash to crash into a shelf.
"We need to encourage him to take his nap somewhere else." Twilight corrected. "Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail. If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next one hundred years."
"Talk about getting your beauty sleep." Rarity said to Pinkie.
"Alright everypony, I need you to gather supplies quickly. We've got a long journey ahead of us. Let's meet back up here in less than an hour."
"OK girls, you heard her. The fate of Equestria is in our hooves. Do we have what it takes?!"
"I betcha!"
"Obviously!"
"We can do it!" They all agreed as they headed out the door to prepare for the journey. Just as they left the library, Noctus appeared out of his room and was standing at the top of the stairs.
"Hey Twilight, come here for a sec. I want to talk to you." He motioned her to follow him to his room. Twilight went up the stairs and met Noctus in his room.
Since the first time he was actually given the room, Noctus never really changed much in the guest room. He didn't have anything to put up, the only thing he really possessed was his black hoodie. That and a few things that he had inside his hoodie, but he can't really access those right now. So the room didn't look all that different than when it was the guest room.
"What do you need Noctus?" Twilight asked as she entered the room.
"Why am I going with you girls on this trip?"
"Well, Celestia was the one who said to bring you. She said that bringing you would help with negotiations with the dragon."
Noctus sat down on the floor with his front legs propping him up. "Of course it's Celestia. Freaking take advantage of me being powerless." He murmured.
"What?"
"Nothing. Anyways, another question. What would I bring on this trip?"
"The normal things you would." Twilight plainly stated.
"That's exactly it, I don't know what you'd normally bring." Noctus answered back. "I've never really had to pack anything before. Before I lost my powers, I never needed anything else but the clothes on my back, and anything I had in my hoodie."
". . . In your hoodie?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, I didn't tell you? I used to have a PPD in my hoodie."
"PPD?"
"Personal Pocket Dimension. They're small pocket dimensions containing nothing at all. Some people are able to use them as an endless storage."
"You have one of those at your disposal?"
"Had, I had one. Using my powers I could open a portal to my own PPD and take anything I had put in there, back out."
"Wow, imagine if you could innovate that! We could-" Twilight began to think of all the possibilities.
"Hang on. . ." Noctus stopped Twilight. "I think we've gotten off topic."
"Oh, right. Ehm, anyways, so you don't know what to bring along?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. . . I can help you since I already finished packing."
"Thanks Twilight."
"No problem. Now, let's see what you need."
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
Quite soon after Twilight had finished helping Noctus pack, there was a knock at the front door. Twilight went to answer it while Noctus double checked that he had everything he could need. Once he was finished he put on his packed saddlebag and headed downstairs. As he walked down the stairs he noticed that Twilight wasn't anywhere. "Twilight!?" He called.
"We're outside!" Twilight replied. Noctus walked over to the door and opened it. Outside, lined up were all of the girls except for Twilight. He quickly walked over and stood next to Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy immediately arrived right next to him.
"Alright listen up!" Twilight walked in front of the line like a military officer. "I'm mapping the fastest route, but we've all got to keep a good pace if we all expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall."
"M- m- mountain." Fluttershy stuttered.
"The dragon is in that cave at the top of the mountain." Twilight pointed to the mountain with a trail of smoke coming from it.
"Looks pretty cold up there." Applejack commented.
"You bet it is, the higher you go, the chillier it gets." Rainbow Dash stated.
"Good thing I brought my scarf!" Rarity reached into the saddlebag and pulled out a pink scarf.
"Ooo pretty." Pinkie complimented.
"Haha, oh yeah, that'll keep you cozy." Rainbow Dash said sarcastically. Fluttershy looked up at the mountain with dread.
"Maybe, I could, just stay here in Ponyville." Fluttershy suggested.
"What?! Why Fluttershy?" Noctus asked.
"What happened?" Twilight looked away from her map to see the commotion.
"Fluttershy said that it might be better for her to stay behind in Ponyville." Noctus explained.
"What! You can't Fluttershy! You have to come! Your way with wild animals will surely come in handy." Twilight stated.
"I, don't think-" Fluttershy tried to say.
"Oh and don't worry about your little friends in the meadow. Spikes got it covered while you're gone."
"You can count on me." Spike said. The bunny on his head then proceeded to rapidly smack it's foot on Spike's head. While Spike let his guard down, all the animals around him ran off in separate direction. "Whoa, hey. Hey, wait!" He ran after the animals.
"I don't think he's really up to the task." Fluttershy argued, but Twilight began to walk away. "Maybe, but-, but-."(could not replicate cutest sound ever here, truly sorry).
"Don't worry Fluttershy, everything with be just fine." Noctus comforted the distressed pegasus. Fluttershy looked down and happened to see her shadow, she immediately got scared and jumped into a nearby bush. Noctus, seeing Twilight and Rainbow Dash staring, just looked at them and shrugged his shoulders.
"Alright everyone! Let's move out!" Twilight announced. All the girls instantly charged straight towards Fluttershy, picking her up, and continued down the road out of Ponyville.
"Hey! Girls! Wait up!" Noctus chased after the six girls.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
Soon enough the group of mares slowed to a steady pace as Noctus caught up. "Geeze, warn me next time you dash off like that! I'm not used to running around that fast." Noctus panted.
"Oh stop yer complainin'". After all this is all over, I'm having you come and work on the farm to build up yer muscles." Applejack stated.
"What! Uh, I mean. I have, uh, too much chores to do at the library, right Twilight?"
"I don't see what's wrong with some exercise." Twilight said. Noctus's mouth hanged open as Twilight left him out to dry.
"Hrm," Noctus huffed, "says the bookworm."
"You say something?"
"Nothing!" Noctus quickly responded.
"Thought so. Now let's keep moving, we've got to get there before the sun goes down." They all turned and continued down the path to the mountain.
After walking for some time, Noctus approached Rarity and decided to strike up a conversation. "Hey Rarity." Noctus walked beside her.
"Hello, Noctus." Rarity politely greeted back.
"Thanks for the bag."
"Its was no problem. Twilight asked me to make it. Though I am quite satisfied as to how it turned out."
"Yeah, I noticed that. How did you replicate my cutie mark so well?" Noctus inquired.
"That was actually the hardest part. You cuties mark is much more detailed than normal ones. It's almost as if you actually have the stars in your cutie mark!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Really?" Noctus tried to look at his cutie mark. "Since it's on me butt, I haven't really gotten a closer look at it."
"Do you know what it stands for?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I'm guessing cause my name stands for 'Night'."
"Noctus means night?"
"No, noctis means night in ancient equestrian language. I just changed a letter for some reason.
"You can't remember?"
"Yeah, I can't recall why I changed it. But I do remember the reason I changed my name to Noctus."
"What was the reason?"
"It's simply because I admire the night."
"Hmm, I have never really take in the sights of the night. I suppose it is because I'm to busy during the day and need to sleep early for my work." Rarity thought about it.
"Oh right, you own the Carousel Boutique right?"
"Why yes."
"You run it with your family right?"
"No."
"No?"
"I run it by myself."
"What? What about your parents?"
"They decided to go on an Equestria-wide vacation."
"That's kinda irresponsible. Isn't it lonely?"
"It's not all bad though. I still have my younger sister and I am able to start my own store, doing what I love to do." Rarity explained.
"I guess that's ok." Noctus pondered. Suddenly they were interrupted by a large snore. "Whoa! Was that the dragon?" Noctus looked up only to freeze in fear.
"Yup, that was the dragon we're here for." Twilight stated. "Up there." She pointed to the top of the mountain.
"It- it's so high." Fluttershy said from behind Applejack.
"Well it is a mountain. I'm going to fly up there and check it out!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Whoa there!" Applejack grabbed Rainbow Dash before she flew off. "We have to stick to together. That way we can watch each other's backs."
"Ugh, all right." Rainbow pouted. The girls began to climb up the side of the mountain. A few seconds of climbing and they all noticed Fluttershy wasn't with them. "Hey! Fluttershy come on."
"It's, just so steep." Fluttershy poked her head out from behind a bush.
"Well, it is a cliff. Can't you just fly up here?"
"Um, ok." Fluttershy proceeded to try to fly up to her friends. Then a the dragon let out another snore, causing Fluttershy's wings to snap tightly to her sides, and land back in the bush.
"*sigh* I'll go an' take her around another path." Applejack volunteered.
"But that's going to take forever!" Rainbow complained.
"Don't you worry, we'll be there in time." Applejack reassured them. Applejack began to drag the scared Fluttershy around the mountain.
"Wait!" Twilight called. "Where's Noctus?" The girls realized that the stallion was missing as well.
"Ugh," Rainbow Dash facehoofed. "Where is he?!"
"Girls." Rarity answered pointing to a frozen Noctus just standing there. Twilight slid down the slope and approached him. "What happened to him?" Twilight walked around Noctus to see if anything was wrong with him.
"I don't know, he seems physically fine." Twilight stated, waving a hoof in front of his face. "Noctus? what's wrong?" Noctus stood still for a few more seconds before he started to mutter something.
"Acrophobia."
"What?" Twilight asked.
"Acrophobia." Noctus said a bit louder.
"Acrophobia?"
"What is that?" Rainbow asked.
"Acrophobia is an extreme or irrational fear of heights." Twilight explained.
"Oh you're kidding me!" Rainbow exclaimed!
"Noctus, can you still walk?" Twilight asked, Noctus nodded. "OK, you just go with Applejack and Fluttershy, and don't look up. . . or down." Noctus seemed to regain some of his color back and walked silently over to Applejack and Fluttershy. Twilight nodded to the three ponies as they turned to walk around the mountain.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
"So yer scared of heights?" Applejack struck up a conversation. They had been walking in silence for the past fifth-teen minutes, and it seems that Applejack wanted to talk. Noctus, with his head facing straight down at the ground, answered the curious pony.
"Yeah."
"But I thought you were an immortal being that has lived for almost forever. How could you have a fear of heights?"
"Well, before I was immortal I was actually a pretty normal person, or pony, I was pretty much afraid of everything. The dark, heights, death.." Noctus explained with his eyes still focused on the ground. "After I became, well Noctus, all of those fears pretty much left me. I gained control over the dark, was immortal, eating wasn't a necessity anymore, and . . . well the last one might still be there."
"But weren't you flyin' around as a bird before? Why weren't you scared then?" Applejack brought up.
"Even then I was still afraid. I never flew too high, I always stayed close to tree level. Plus I am- or was. . . immortal."
"Then why are ya still afraid of heights!?" Applejack yelled irritably.
"Cause being immortal, doesn't get rid of that gut feeling when you're falling in the air!" Noctus yelled back, lifting his head up to look Applejack in the eye, tearing at the pain of remembering. "And being immortal doesn't mean I don't feel all the pain." His face quickly calmed, looking back at the ground. He then felt a pair of hooves wrap around him. He looked back to see Fluttershy hugging him.
"It's okay." She comforted him.
"Heh, thanks Fluttershy." Noctus returned with a grateful smile. Applejack spoke up with her hoof rubbing the back of her neck.
"Ah- I'm sorry. Fer pushing the subject too much."
"No, it's fine." Noctus replied. "I'm sorry for raising my voice. It is good to talk about things though." The group stood in a pregnant silence. "Um, Fluttershy?"
"Yes?" Fluttershy replied.
"You, can um- let go of me now." He said with a blush growing on his face. Fluttershy realized that she was still hugging the stallion and quickly let go.
"OH! Um, s- sorry."
"It's fine. But I think we should get going. The others might be waiting." Applejack cam,e to the sudden realization that they had been standing in the same place for the past few minutes.
"Let's get a move on!" She hefted Fluttershy onto her back and raced to down the path.
"Whoa wait Applejack!" Noctus ran to keep up. "I'm not as fit as you!"
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
"Ugh, where are they!" Rainbow complained. "I knew that this was going to take longer."
"We're here! We're here!" Applejack raced towards the others with Fluttershy hanging on.
"Where's Noctus?" Twilight asked.
"Right, here." Noctus rounded the corner, trying to catch his breathe.
"Are you feeling better now?"
"Besides trying to keep up with one of the most fit ponies in Ponyville? Yeah, kinda." Noctus replied hugging the wall while walking closer to the girls.
"Alright then, we have no more time for anymore detours. Let's go." Twilight announced. Rarity and Pinkie got up from their game of Tic Tac Toe, and continued up the narrowing path. Applejack looked back at Fluttershy.
"Don't you worry Fluttershy, I'll carry you up."
"Oh Sweet Celestia! It gets narrower!" Noctus exclaimed.
"Be a stallion! Just stick to the wall, and don't look down." Applejack yelled back. Noctus pushed against the wall and kept his eyes straight forward as he followed the others.
Soon the group came across a gap in the path. All of the girls jumped over easily. Applejack, with Fluttershy still holding on, told her to hang on as she jumped over the gap. After Applejack landed, Fluttershy decided to get off and try to walk the rest of the way. Then, it was Noctus's turn.
"Come on Noctus! We have to hurry." Twilight called. Noctus looked at the other side of the gap, then looked down. Immediately he backed up into the mountainside.
"Oh jeez. WHY would I look down!" He exclaimed.
"Just jump!" Rainbow yelled. "It's not even that big of a gap!" Noctus looked to see that the gap was indeed barely 5 feet across. He took a large gulp, readied himself, and ran towards the gap. Before reaching it he pushed off the ground with his back legs and leaped.
"Just don't look down!" Twilight said. Halfway across, Noctus looked down. His face contorted in fear, and his eyes shut closed. His momentum landed him onto the other side, but since his eyes were closed, he didn't land correctly. He tumbled as he landed and hit the ground. Getting up from his crash, he shook the dizziness off.
"WHY would you say that while I was jumping! You NEVER say that as someone is jumping over a high gap!" Noctus complained.
"Sorry, bad choice of words." Twilight sheepishly apologized.
"Well at least that's over." Rainbow stated. "Come on! let's get a move on."
"Don't I get to rest?" Noctus asked.
"NO!" Four of the mares exclaimed. Noctus got up and followed behind them.
After some uneventful walking Twilight stopped the group to explain the last area before they reached the top. "OK, we're almost there. But be very careful and very quiet. According to my map this next area is an avalanche zone."
"An ava- ava-" Fluttershy began to stutter.
"Avalanche?" Noctus finished, but was immediately shushed by all.
"Quiet!" Twilight whispered. The group then moved on as silent as possible. As to not accidentally cause an avalanche. Noctus, being at the back of the group, noticed Rainbow Dash brushing up against a branch. Said branch then dropped a few leaves that were headed towards an unsuspecting yellow pegasus. Noctus quickly took action but wasn't fast enough to stop the leaves from touching Fluttershy. But he managed to cover Fluttershy's mouth before she could scream anything but an A. The other five mares were looking back in fright of a rock slide, but sighed in relieve when one didn't occur.
"Well that's a relief." Noctus sighed in a normal volume-voice. The side of the cliff began to shake as pebbles dislodged themselves from the wall. "Oh you're freaking kidding me." As he said that large rocks began to fall from the cliff. Everyone ran around dodging the rocks as everybody ran back the way they came. Soon the rock slide stopped and the dust cleared as the ponies regrouped.
"Is everyone alright?" Applejack called.
"I'm fine." Rainbow answered.
"Me too." Twilight added.
"Where's Fluttershy and Noctus?" Applejack asked.
"We're over here." Noctus answered back as he and Fluttershy popped out of a pile of dirt. "We're both OK. But what do we do now?" Noctus asked looking at the giant obstacle in front of them.
"I guess we'll just have to climb over." Twilight stated as she began to climb the mound of dirt and rock. Getting up the mound very relatively easy. But while going down the other side Fluttershy nearly slipped. Noctus, using his magic, caught her and floated her the rest of the way down.
"Thank you Noctus." Fluttershy thanked him.
"No problem Fluttershy." Noctus replied.
"Com on! We're here!" Twilight called from up ahead.
"Let's go Fluttershy." Noctus walked up the slope and reached a flat open area in front of a very large cave opening. The cave was also spewing out tons of smoke into the air around the peak. Noctus, being a very stupid pony, decided to see how high they were. He looked off the side of a cliff and instantly zoomed away grabbing on the the closest thing.
"Excuse me. But you're holding on to my leg Noctus." Rainbow mentioned.
"Oops!" He released her leg. "Sorry." He then fell to the ground since Rainbow was currently flying in the air.
"Ok, Rainbow Dash, you go clear out the smoke." Twilight said in a low voice. "Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you two get ready to create a diversion if things in there get a little hairy." Pinkie dashed off and prepared her "tools". "Applejack, you get ready with some apples in case he decides to attack." Applejack nodded.
"Wait," Noctus whispered, walking over to Twilight. "How is AJ going to defend us with apples?"
"She has a strong kick." Twilight answered back. "I'll need you to also get ready with some magic with Applejack too." Noctus just stared at Twilight blankly, shook his head and walked off next to Applejack.
"Ok," Twilight continued. "Hopefully none of these precautions should be needed. As long as Fluttershy and I are able to convince the dragon why he needs to go. Does everybody understand the plan?" Everypony nodded. "Alright, let's go!" Twilight turned and headed into the cave. Everypony watched until they noticed that Fluttershy hadn't followed Twilight inside.
"Uh, Fluttershy? Shouldn't you be going inside to talk to the dragon with Twilight?" Rainbow asked.
"Yeah, you need to convince him to go or Equestria will be covered in smoke for 100 years!" Noctus added. But Fluttershy just stuck her face into the ground and covered her ears. Soon enough, Twilight came back out of the cave and walk over to Fluttershy.
"Come on Fluttershy! We have to do this!" Twilight grabbed her tail causing her head to pop out of the ground. "Every second that that dragon sleeps, another acre of Equestria will be covered in smoke!" Twilight tried to push Fluttershy in the cave. All the others tried helping by pushing on each other.
"I- I can't." Fluttershy said.
"Why?!" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I'm scared of dragons." All of a sudden the dragon snored again and a giant cloud of smoke rushed out of the cave, causing everypony to cough.
"But Fluttershy, your talent is handling all kinds of animals." Twilight argued.
"Yes, because they're not dragons."
"Oh come on! We've seen you walk up to a manticore like it was nothing!" Rainbow tried to convince her.
"That was only because Noctus told me about the splinter in its paw." Fluttershy stated. Rainbow Dash angrily stared at Noctus.
"What?" Noctus backed up a little.
"Spike is a dragon and you're not scared of him." Pinkie mentioned.
"Yes, cause Spike is only a baby dragon." Fluttershy fought back.
"Fluttershy, we're all afraid of that dragon." Applejack said.
"I'm not." Rainbow stated.
"Almost all of us. But Twilight needs you and so do we. So can you go in there and talk to the dragon?" Applejack corrected herself.
"I- I- I just, can't. I'm sorry." Fluttershy turned and walked off to another part of the peak. Noctus walked up to Twilight.
"How about I go with you?" Noctus offered.
"Thanks." Twilight accepted. "Let's go then. I'm not sure how this will go without Fluttershy's help." Twilight turned and headed into the cave once again, but this time, Noctus walked with her. Once inside Noctus sped up to walk beside Twilight. "Maybe this won't be as hard as I thought it would be."
"Hmm, how so?" Noctus asked.
"Maybe he just doesn't realize that he's snoring out smoke. And when we wake him and explain, he'll just be embarrassed and move himself."
"I don't know why, but I highly doubt that Twilight." Noctus looked off at a wall in thought. ". . Snoring smoke." He muttered to himself. "Why does that sound so familiar?"
"How deep d o you think this cave is?" Twilight asked, looking around.
"Not sure, but its probably not too-" Noctus cut himself off and quickly gabbed Twilight, stopping her.
"What are you-"
"SHHH!" Noctus covered her mouth and pointed in front of her. While they were talking, Twilight had not been paying attention as she almost ran into the dragon.They both stared at the red sleeping dragon until Noctus realized that he was holding Twilight quite close to him. He released his hoof from Twilight's mouth. "Sorry about the suddenness. It's just that you were about to run into him." Noctus blushed.
"Um, yeah thanks." Twilight avoided his face. "So, here he is. The dragon. Should we wake him up?"
"Uh. . . you do it?" Noctus smiled hopefully. Twilight just stared at him. "Do I have to wake him up?" She nodded. "Ugh." Noctus gulped. He walked over to the head of the dragon and poked it. "Excuse me? Can you wake up?" The dragon rolled over and scratched its nose in response. Without warning it opened its eyes to reveal gold yellow eyes. "Holy!" Noctus jumped back in surprise. "OK. You're awake. Uh. . ."
"We are sorry to interrupt your nap, but we have a -" Twilight began but was cut off as the dragon let out a tired yawn. "Oh! *cough cough* I am Twilight Sparkle, and we were just wondering if you could just move to another place to sleep. You seem to be doing a whole lot of snoring, and when you do you let out a bunch off smoke." The dragon just laid on his treasure as Twilight explained the situation to the dragon. "Equestria can't survive 100 years of darkness, you understand right?" The dragon got up and stretched.
"Is that a yes?" Noctus inquisitively raised an eyebrow. The dragon just looked at the two ponies before him and laid back down.
"No." The dragon stated plainly, just before blowing a wave of smoke at Noctus and Twilight.
"He can talk!?" Noctus exclaimed with shock before the smoke enshrouded them. Coughing, Noctus and Twilight headed for the entrance to the cave.
"Well, so much for trying to persuade him nicely!" Rainbow blatantly stated.
"Now what?" Applejack asked.
"Why don't I try to persuade him?" Rarity suggested.
"Nothing personal Rarity. But what can you do?" Noctus asked.
"Why! Work a little of my feminine charm on to him of course!" Rarity walked past Noctus and Twilight into the cave. Noctus turned to face the cave and watched to see what would happen.
"Feminine charm?" He asked looking at Applejack. Applejack just shrugged her shoulders. "Is she going to flirt him?"
"I don't think so," Twilight said. "I think she's going to try and get on his good side, then ask him to leave. I just hope she remembers that dragons are extremely protective of their treasure hoard." Just like a coincidence, the dragon inside roared and Rarity came zooming out of the cave.
"I guess not." Noctus said with half-closed eyes. Rarity poked her head out from behind the rock she was hiding behind.
"Hurm," Rarity grumbled. "I was so close to getting that beautiful white jewel."
"White jewel?" Noctus heard Rarity mumbling. "You saw a white jewel?"
"Yes, it was amazing! I have never seen a jewel that pure white!" Rarity's eyes started to sparkle from the memory of the gem.. "It was almost as if someone had taken the moonlight and made a stone out of it!"
"Moonlight." Noctus quoted. "Ugh. Why does that sound so familiar?!" Noctus rubbed his head.
"Are you ok darling?"
"Yeah, just a headache."
"OK!" Rainbow Dash yelled. Noctus turned his attention to Rainbow Dash. "We've tried persuasion, charm, and. . . What ever Pinkie Pie did! It's time to 'persuade' him with my hoof! Let's Do This!" Rainbow Dash flew into the cave.
". . . Oh my Celestia she just flew in." Noctus said.
"We gotta go save her! Not even Rainbow Dash can take on a dragon!" Twilight exclaim.
"Stick to the plan!" Pinkie Pie threw her hooves into the air.
"What plan?!" Applejack replied, pointing at the cave. "She just when and flew in there!" Just as she pointed at the entrance, a blue ball came flying out. Knocking all of them out of the way.
"What the?" Noctus got up and look at the projectile. "Rainbow?" A large stomp from behind him made him slowly turn around. "Oh my." The dragon appeared at the entrance of the cave. It immediately blew a stream of smoke at the five girls and blew them back into a rock. Surprisingly, the rock cracked and crumbed to reveal Fluttershy cowering behind it. "Fluttershy! Hide!" Noctus yelled. Fluttershy opened her eyes and saw her friends being attacked by the dragon.
"How dare you!"Her face changed as she flew up to the dragon.
"Flutter. . .shy?" Fluttershy landed on the dragon's snout and walked up to his eyes. "Just because you're big, doesn't mean you get to be a bully you meany!" All of the others stared with jaws dropped as Fluttershy scolded the dragon that was more than ten times her size. "You may have sharp teeth and claws, but I repeat. YOU DO NOT HURT MY FRIENDS!"
The dragon stood frozen as the timid little pony yelled at him. He hadn't been yelled at like this ever since he was a baby! He back off as the pony finished her rant. "Well!?" Fluttershy asked.
"But that rainbow one kicked me." the dragon mentioned as Rainbow Dash nodded in achievement. Applejack glared at Rainbow.
"And she's probably sorry about that. But you're much older than her and you should be the more mature when taking actions." Fluttershy continued. "You should also know better than to sleep where your snoring can harm others."
"But, I was-"
"No buts! Now, what do you have to say for yourself?" The dragon scrunched up his face as tears began to form in his eyes.
"Is he going to start, crying?" Rainbow Dash asked. The dragon indeed began to cry.
"I- I- just wanted to see him again." The dragon cried.
"There, there, no need to cry." Fluttershy comforted the sad dragon. "If you wanted to find somepony, you just could have asked. Like a nice adult dragon." By now the other girls had gotten back up and were just standing there looking at the dragon.
"But as far as I know, there aren't any other fully grown dragons near this area." Twilight stated. "Would you happen to be looking for a baby dragon?"
"No," replied the dragon. "the one I am looking for isn't a dragon." The dragon added. " I have never seen another person just like him ever since I last saw him. The closest thing that looks like him would be the Diamond Dogs. He also always wore a black coat."
"Wait," Twilight stopped him. "so you're say that the one you're looking for is a tall, bi-pedaled, black coat-wearing being."
"Yes." The girls all looked at Noctus in his black hoodie. Noctus just stood still as all eyes watched him.
"Uhh. . . When exactly was the last time you saw him?" Noctus asked the dragon.
"Uh. . . about. . . one thousand years ago?" The dragon scratched his head. Noctus continued to stand still as he tried to remember anything from his past.
"Do you happen to have anything from him?"
"I do have something. . . Just a sec." The dragon turned and went back inside his cave. As soon as the dragon disappeared Noctus was crowded upon by the others.
"You know a full grown dragon!" Twilight tackled Noctus to the ground. Noctus, wide-eyed by Twilight's aggressiveness, replied.
"I don't know! I might have. Like I said, I don't really remember every single thing that happened to me in the 100,000 years that I was last in this dimension."
"You don't?!" Twilight got off of him, although still quite irritated.
"Well. . . I think I'm starting to remember something." Noctus picked himself up from the ground, dusting off his hoodie. "If what Rarity said before was true, and that there is a pure white jewel in there. Then what I'm starting to remember will be right." By then the dragon could be heard walking back. He exited the cave and placed a smooth, while, oval stone in the middle of the group.
"Before leaving me at the Dragon Isles, he gave this to me." The dragon said. Rarity was immediately bedazzled by the stone, seeing nothing like it before. Rainbow, Applejack, and Pinkie just stared at the stone.
"I've never seen a gem like this! In any of the books I've seen. I remarkably looks like an opal, but is as clear as a diamond. Is that a mist inside?" Twilight leaned closer and saw that inside the stone was indeed a white mist, with bright star-like sparkles that shined no matter which angle you looked at it. Noctus just stood expressionless as he stared at the gem. His face lit up like a light bulb as he finally remembered what had happened all those years ago.
"That's because it isn't native to Equestria. Or at least this Equestria." Noctus walked up to the oval stone and picked it up in his magic. "I finally remember. While travelling to my destination 1,000 years ago, I heard a cry from in the Everfree Forest. I went down and found that it was a baby dragon, even younger than Spike. I wondered why a dragon would be in Equestria, a land of ponies. So I picked it up and decided to care for it for a bit. I took it to a cave in a mountain side and raised it there. After a few years,"
"Years!?" Rainbow Dash interrupted with shock.
"Yes years, few few years is not a lot to an immortal being and a dragon." Noctus cleared his throat. "As I was saying. After a few years the baby dragon could walk and talk. I tried to teach it to be a kinder dragon, so I told it to never use your fire against anything that isn't fire resistant. Now that I fully remember it, the dragon had an odd habit of snoring. Soon enough the dragon had grown big enough to live on its own. So I took it to the the Dragon Isles, home of the dragons. To start off its collection to become a full-fledged dragon I gave it a Moonstone. Afterwards I left him to grown normally." Noctus looked up at the now adult dragon. "I didn't expect that tiny orange dragon to grown so big! How did your scales change color Mavxatuirojir?" The dragon tilted his head until his eyes shot open once he realized who the dark violet unicorn pony was before him.
"Uncle Noctus! Is that really you?!" Mavxatuirojir exclaimed. Noctus nodded in response.
"Yup, although I may look different right now, its still me." Mavxatuirojir happily reached for Noctus and grabbed him. Noctus, unprepared, panicked. The girls all prepared to attack the dragon. But everypony halted as the dragon pulled Noctus in for a giant-sized hug.
"Uncle! It's been too long! Once I had sensed your presence again I returned to our home here. In hope of meeting you once again!" Mavxatuirojir shouted in glee.
"That's, *grunt* fine Mavxatuirojir *grunt* but can you stop the hugging? I think you're crushing me!" Noctus said desperately.
"Oh!" Mavxatuirojir released his bear hug and placed Noctus down. "Sorry Uncle, I had forgotten that I am much bigger than last time."
"Its fine, I'll heal fast," Noctus said as he popped his neck. "I hope."
"Uh, I hope I'm not intruding, but we still have a situation here." Rainbow whispered to Noctus, pointing upwards.
"Right, right. Hey Mavx!" Mavxatuirojir leaned down his head.
"Yes Uncle?"
"I have to ask you to find another place to sleep, your snoring is releasing smoke into the air. It's going to cover the entire country." Noctus explained.
"What! I didn't mean to! Ugh I had thought I got my snoring under control." Mavx smacked his forehead. "I didn't know, I am truly sorry."
"We told you multiple time though." Twilight added.
"You did? I'm sorry I must have been still half asleep! My apologies." Mavx bowed his head. "But, I still do not want to leave this place."
"What?! Why?!"
"I want to live near my Uncle. It has been so long." Twilight nervously looked to her friends. Fluttershy seemed to feel sorry for Mavx, but Rainbow Dash and Applejack seemed to still want him to leave. Twilight didn't know what to do! She began to hyperventilate and a strand of hair popped out of place.
"Whoa there." Noctus put a hoof on her shoulder. "Don't be freaking out. Calm down and think about it, is there any spells you can think of that can help us out here? Usually there's a spell for everything." Twilight stared into Noctus's eyes and calmed down. She smoothed her hair back down and cleared her throat.
"Ok." Twilight thought about any spells that could solve the problem. There were not known spells to clear the sky of smoke. Plus it would take a lot of magic and repetitive use. Then, she remembered a simple spell in a medical book. "Wait, that just might work! But I'll need lots of magic if we're going to use it on Mavx. Rarity, Noctus, can you help?"
"Of course." Rarity replied.
"Anything I can help with." Noctus agreed.
"Great. Ok now this is the spell we're going to use. Twilight quickly wrote the spell onto a scroll and handed it over to the two other unicorns.
"Hmm, this could work." Noctus stated. He looked up at Twilight. "We'll get to learning it as fast as we can."
"Perfect! I'll get the preparations started.
~~~~~~~~###~~~~~~~~
"Ugh, I hope I'll never have to fly again in my entire life again." Noctus stated as he launched himself onto his bed.
Twilight laughed at the tired stallion. "Considering that you're probably going to live for a while, I highly doubt that, that will be that last time you fly." She said from the door to Noctus's room. "Although, it was nice of Mavx to fly all of us back to Ponyville. But boy did it cause a lot of screaming."
"Well of course it would. How would you have reacted if a giant dragon landed in your town?"
"Anyways, I'm really glad that the spell worked on Mavx. Now he can continue to stay at the mountain, and he won't snore smoke anymore!"
"Yeah, so you remembered an anti-snoring spell?" Noctus asked.
"No, it just opens his nose more so that the air doesn't get obstructed. Since there's no snoring, there isn't any smoke!"
"Interesting thinking there Twilight." Noctus scooted in his bed and made himself more comfortable. "Mavx sure has grown since last time I saw him. He even remembers all the lessons I taught him."
"Of course." Twilight said. "You're the one who took care of him."
"Yeah, I'm just glad he met his real parents." Twilight nodded in agreement. He said he even became one of the strongest dragons there. I'd like to go and study the Dragon Isles."
"Right now?" Noctus raised an eyebrow.
"NO! I mean. . .That's way too dangerous for me." Noctus chuckled at Twilight, then let out a yawn.
"Well *yawn* it's getting really late. Night Twilight." Noctus pulled his covers up and used his magic to turn off the light on his table.
"Night Noctus." Twilight replied as she closed the door and continued up the stairs to go to sleep as well. She entered her room to see Spike sprawled out sleeping in his bed. Twilight smiled and readjusted Spike into a more comfortable position. She made for the bathroom, but stopped as she pasted her desk. She looked and saw a scroll and quill. Thinking, Twilight decided to send Princess Celestia a letter, explaining how they handled the problem.
So, this is just an update to say, that I don't like the direction that this story is going. I love the concept and have seen other stories with the similar "Character that goes around the multiverse fixing shit and stuff." However I had gotten blocked on chapter 11-12 and was stuck in a rut. I knew where I wanted to go with it, but the path was uncharted I hadn't thought enough how I was going to grow the story. So, I've decided to completely wipe and rewrite An Editorial Tale.
I'm going to re-post it as a new story with An Editorial Tale still in it but I will take suggestions on how to title the rewrite. Other reasons why I've decided on this is because I've taken time for college and have looked back on to my first story ever. And I cringed. I cringed hard. I hated how self-insert it was. And disliked how I wrote the chapters as I thought them out with no preplanning. So, along with this. I've also decided to rebrand myself from my old... edgy Noctis Musica name. Which fyi I came up with by putting the Latin words for night and music. I know, I was so cool wasn't I? I said in a sarcastic tone.
Anyway, TL;DR for those who are lazy. I'm rewriting An Editorial Tale. Changing my name to probably what you'll already see. I'm actually also writing some chapters of Ace of Fates. It has more planning gone into it that An Editorial Tale.
I thank you for anyone who ends up reading this and still enjoyed my early stories.
With Gratitude, Noctis Musica, now named Awkward Elipsis.
P.S. I did write some of chapter 11, but I very much disliked how it was going. Tell me if you guys want it posted anyway. Just a heads up though, the tone changed very abruptly and it stops soon after that cause I hated how I wrote it.
