> Star Bright, Star Light.
>  by AzureHoodie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Falling Star
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Hello, my name is… Bastard, Runt, Weirdo, Freak, Monster, Psycho, Unwanted Child, Weakling… to be honest I have been called so many things, it no wonder that I forgot… I forgot my name and every name I ever knew.  But that is not what this story is about… this is about how I got lost, found a new name, and was forced to be something I felt I wasn’t. It all started in November, about a week before Thanksgiving.

***

The smell of moist grass and dirt filled my nose… I could hear the sound of crickets and owls around me… and a gentle breeze rolled over me. I opened my eyes, my vision still blurred from what happened earlier, I looked around. I spotted large trees colored in autumn leaves and a very bright moon reflecting in the lake that was just a few feet from me. My eyes widen as I realized I was outside, panicked I tried to get to my feet, stumbling around I landed with a heavy thud on the ground with my hand out in front of me… no, not hands… hooves. Before I even got a chance to let the thought of what I saw sink in a tall dark figure descended down upon me. The figure was as black as the night and had small white spots that gave out a little bit of light covering its body; it let out a small hiss before it raised it sharp knife-like forelegs and brought them down to where I was. In an instant I was at least ten feet away from the figure; its black horse shaped body rode upon six knife-like legs, little illuminated dots covered it whole body, and to make matters even scarier… it had no face that I could see, but it did have a mouth… with several rows of sharp teeth. As I looked at this creature I began to try to get up again… so I could run, but instead a red dot appeared in my vision, and from this dot a line started to form out to the right, and connected to this line something began to form… words. 


“HOSTILE THREAT: UNKNOWN… INITIATING SELFDEFENSIVE SEQUENCE.”


I began to hear a large amount of whirling, ticking, and clicking noises from behind me and before I could even turn around to look. The red dot in my vision which was over the creature suddenly turned into a red circle crosshair, and then it turned green. I heard a large thump from behind me as a large bright light flashed over my head towards the creature as it was partially engulfed in the light. Trying to regain my sight from the brilliant blast I looked in awe at the creature, as stood on three legs trying to keep its balance. Again more sounds began to go off behind me when suddenly the creature looked up at the sky letting out a horrific screech. As it tried to run away, golden light encircled the creature pinning it to the ground. 
“Well Done Sister, Hold the Beast Steady So I Can Finish It!” A voice boomed from above.
“Luna Behind You!” Another voice yelled.
Looking up I noticed a dark blue unicorn with wings coming down on the three legged creature with a large floating scythe cutting it down as another appeared behind it. A large high pitch noise went off from behind me as I saw a thin red beam of light strike the creature behind the winged unicorn severing its head. Another thud went off behind me as I felt exhaustion take ahold of me. I looked at the fallen creatures as their bodies began to dissipate, hundreds of small lights flew out of their bodies and up into the night sky.


“WARNING SEVERE CONDUIT DAMAGE TO MAIN SYSTEM, SHUTING DOWN ALL NON-ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS… GOOD NIGHT.”


The yellow words that appeared obscured my vision as two large winged shadows appeared before me.
“Luna is that…” The golden lit shadow spoke.
“Yes dear sister… This was the brightest star in the sky that night I returned… but why… why did he take so long to fall?” The purple shadow questioned.
“It’s because…”
Everything went black…

***

The sound of a steady beep, the smell of rubbing alcohol and sterilizers filled my nose. The pinch of a needle in my arm, the feel of over wash starched blankets on my chest and the bright light coming in through my eyelids… “No doubt I am in a hospital again…” I muttered to myself.
“Doctor I think he is awake?” A female voice gentle spoke.
“Yes I think your right…” A male voice spoke, “It’s okay, you don’t have to get up so fast… take it nice and easy.”
I tried opening my eyes but the light coming into the room was too bright, squinting I began to rub my eyes with my han…ds?! The feel of smooth metal rubbing against my face forced my eyes to open quickly, sticking both of my hands out in front of me. Hooves?! Metallic legs starting from my elbow… or would it be knees… going down to the tips of my hooves. I quickly tried grabbing the blanket, fumbling around with it until I covered the lower half of my body. That’s when I noticed the same thing on my back legs… metal legs. I followed it up to my copper brown butt which had a large glowing star lined with metal and what appeared to be circuit lines coming out of it. But what caught my attention most was the long black tail I had with a white and gold stripe on it, I began to try kick away from myself hoping this was a dream.  
“It’s okay little one, everything is going to be fine.” A male voice said.
I turned to the voice to see a white horse with a slightly large head, a stethoscope around his neck, gently waving his fore legs; and then proceed to what I considered to be the most logical thing I could do. I began to scream and cry.
After about an hour of these horses coming in and out trying to calm me down, they decide to leave me alone for a bit… or at least until someone who knew what they were doing could show up. I looked around for a bit, sitting on my haunches, the star on my butt giving a slight glow and hum as it pulsed. Suddenly the words return in my line of slight…


“MAIN SYSTEMS BACK ON-LINE…_
Internal S.A.M.N. Online…
Trans Gear in Full Operation…
Nova-Reactor Online…
Plasma Conduits Fully Operational…
All System Are In Condition Green…”


“Plasma Conduit…? Trans Gear…? These are my inventions… but what does it mean online? I never finished these… did I?” I asked out loud. Suddenly a HUD filled my sight, adjusting from red to green and finally setting on a transparent blue. As I was about to inspect the HUD a small blue blinking arrow appeared in my vision to my right. I followed it until my eyes reached the door, and a green horse slowly poked their head into the room.
“Hello little one… Do you mind if I can talk to you?” She asked.
“Umm… sure.” I replied pulling the blanket over my naked body… or at least that’s how I felt. 
“Can I come in?” She asked. I nodded as she began to walk into the room, suddenly I began to feel fear grab ahold of me again, but this time from some reason she became aware. She then stopped halfway between me and the door, but that is when I heard a loud “Pomf!” Her wings had extend out in surprise as she began to walk away. My fears disappeared as my curiosity took hold as I stared at her in awe; she then turned to her wings and gave them a slight flutter. “Never seen wings on a pony before?”
I shook my head no. She came began to move towards me until she was able to place her wing unfurled next to me, “You can touch it if you want.”
“I can.” I said with a crack in my voice. She replied with a gentle nod. As I reached out with my ha… hoof, that is until I became aware of my metallic fore leg and pulled back placing it under the blanket in front of me. “Nevermind.”
“It’s okay little one, I’m not afraid and you don’t have to be afraid either.” She spoke.
With a furrowed brow I looked at her and her big eyes, I mean really big eyes. I shook her appearance out of my head before I looked at her again. “Why do you keep calling me ‘little one’? I know am at least as old as you are.”
She jerked back in surprise, “Really and how old are you?”
“I’m 24.” 
“Twenty four… really, and here I thought I was looking at a colt of about 10 or 11 years old.” She said.
That’s when it hit me, she was a lot bigger than I was… everyone was a lot bigger than I was. Fear and panic began to fill me as tears began to flow over my eyes… “But… I…” I began to take deep breaths, my eyes jerking around everywhere as if trying to find an answer.
I think the winged pony noticed my reaction as her wing gentle wrapped around me as she gave a gentle hush. “It’s okay… everything’s going to be alright.” She then turned to a purple ‘pony’ who had snuck into the room, “I need everything you have on this young colt right now!”

***

About 20 minutes later…
“What do you mean you have nothing!” The green pegasus yelled.
“That’s just it Heart String, he just showed up on our doorstep 2 days ago… dehydrated and unconscious.” 
“Nurse Tender Heart, are you telling me that this colt has no records at all?” Heart String exclaimed.
“Well, without a name we can’t check our records.” Tender Heart replied.
“What about all of these scans and x-rays? You did this without consent?” Heart String asked as Tender Heart nodded. “Scarring, bone remodeling… why does this all say inconclusive?”
Suddenly a male voice cut in, “It because the colt in there cannot be any older than 11 years old, and some of the injuries are 10 years and older. Plus when they brought him in I thought he was an earth pony…” A brown glow enveloped some x-rays and lifted them up into the air, “But what I thought was malnutrition was the fact that his body is that of a pegasus… or even a unicorn…”
“But if that was true where are his… Oh Celestia no… you can’t be mean…” Heart String slowly backed away from the brown unicorn in front of her.
“I’m afraid so, the metal plates on his legs, and forehead, the scarring in his joints and back… I think whatever he had was cut off.” He replied.
Nurse Tender Heart looked away in horror and shame. 
“But who would have done this to him?” Heart String asked.
“By his reaction to all the earth ponies that were surrounding him when he woke up… I am assuming earth ponies…”
Heart Strings back legs gave out as her flank hit the floor, “By why would they do something so horrible to him?” She said looking through the glass at the small copper-brown colt who was busy staring out the window. “He just a little colt.”
“Doctor Heart String… I suggest we move him to a proper medical facility that doesn’t have… so many earth ponies.” He said.
“But Doctor Stables?!” Nurse Tender Heart exclaimed. “Winter will be here by nightfall.”
“I know, so we have to hurry or he will be stuck here. It’s the right thing to do, that is why I call Doctor Heart String here from Canterlot… We at Ponyville Hospital do not have the experience dealing with such…” As Doctor Stables began to look for the appropriate term, Heart Strings interrupted.
“I understand doctor… I will get a carriage and have him moved by the days end.”  She replied leaving Doctor Stables and Nurse Tender Heart to begin the transfer.

***

As I looked out the window I noticed a blur of rainbow colors flash across the sky clearing the clouds. I followed the blur trying to see if I could get a better view of the flying creature who was moving so fast. Even with the Dot system I was having a hard time, and I was so focused on the rainbow blur I don’t even noticed when the green pegasus knocked on my door or even entered my room.
“Hey there champ.” She called out.
I turned with a ‘huh' and a 'hmm’ and then turned to look back out the window to the rainbow colored flying blur.
“Who’s got your attention?” She asked. I pointed to the rainbow blur outside my window. “Rainbow Dash huh? She is pretty cool… Even I heard stories about her, but you... there’s a pony’s story that I am interested in…” She said looking down at me.
“Who?” I replied.
“Yours.”
“Mine?!” I asked looking up at her.
“Mhmm, like what’s your name, your birthday… favorite food.” She began to ask.
As I was going to reply, but was left speechless, I tried to mouth out my name but to no avail. It was not that I couldn’t speak, no, it was that I could not remember… I couldn’t remember any name. I looked up at the green pegasus with a look of confusion.
“Oh, how rude of me; my name is Doctor Heart String.” She said sticking out her chest.
“I don’t remember.” I replied in a whisper.
“Come again, I don’t quite catch that.” 
With a sigh I replied, “I don’t remember my name.”
Heart String gave me an odd look before she realized I was telling the truth, “You poor little thing… well I promise you, I am never going to let another bad thing happen to you again.”
I looked up at her with a serious look on my face, “I’m sorry miss Heart String that is a promise I afraid no one can keep.” I said with a yawn as I continued to look up at Rainbow Dash. Letting my thoughts run their course, I can't let on how old I am... or what I was... even normally people would have a hard time believing me. So for now I will play this game, live this life until I can find a way home... Last thing I want is to be locked up for being crazy. Plus all this Pony Stuff sound familiar somehow.
A loud growl then escaped my small body, with blushing cheeks I looked up at Heart String. “I assume that you haven’t eaten yet?” She asked.
I shook my head no.
“Well then you’re in luck, I think they are having  hayfries and hay burgers in the cafeteria today.” Heart String said as she trotted out of the room. “Come on, follow me.” She said urging me out of my room.
My eyes quickly darted around as ran out of the room and headed to Heart String’s side.

.
	
	

> Chapter 2: Circuits
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The young metal legged colt’s clanged against the floor, his ears twitched from the sounds of the hospital; several voices talking, hooves clopping on the hospital tile floor, large gurneys with ponies on them rolling around, and the sound of children screaming for their parents. The colt trotted next to his green pegasus pony companion as she lead him to the cafeteria. As they walked she slowed her pace to allow him to go from quick trot to a gentle trot.
A wing slowly moved above him as she curved her neck down to his face, “You doing okay?” she asked.
He nodded dipping him head and folding back his ears, “Yep, still getting use to these things.” He said wiggling his hooves as they walked.
“Your legs?” She asked with a look of concern. ‘What did they do to you?’ She thought as she noticed him moving closer.
Once again he nodded, moving closer to her as more ponies began to fill the corridors, her wing slightly hovering over him as they walked. She gave him a worried smile before turning her head forward. 
‘Now to be honest I found the large crowds to be a scary thing back home when I was human, now replace them all with large four legged ponies. I felt like any second now I was going to get trampled or crushed, and those gurneys didn’t help either.’ The little colt thought as they neared they neared cafeteria, as Heart String’s shadow completely covered the little colt. The smell of food began to fill the hallways, ‘I had no idea what smell was coming from that cafeteria, but it smelled heavenly… I guessing 3 days without proper food will do that to you.’ The colt thought as he let his nose lead the way,  In what appeared to take a lifetime they got in line, waited, got served… and after several questions of ‘What would you like?’, paid, and sat down. 
As the metal legged colt reached out for his ‘hay-burger’ a southern female voice called out to him, “Hey!” He looked up to see a small yellow coated pony, with red hair tied off with a large pink bow, and large orange-red eyes. “What cha’ in fer?”
“Huh?!” He replied confused. She lifted her bangs to reveal a large band-aid on her forehead, she then pointed to the colt with her hoof. “Ummm.” He slightly froze unable to answer the small pony.
“Oh, Sorry where are my manners. My name is Apple Bloom, what’s your?” She asked.
Heart String placed her wing against the young colts’ back, “Sorry sweetie, this poor little colt… well… he…” 
A frown fell across his face, ‘I felt sad not knowing how to answer, I mean it was just a name I had forgotten, but was mine.’ He thought as he began to look around, his attention turned to Heart Strings Flank, a red heart shaped frame with three white strings inside. It was the mark on Heart String’s ‘butt… upper thigh… I don’t know, but everyone had one, and I had one.’ He thought. He then looked at him mark, a star shaped a green dot appeared in his vision followed by a line.


Plasma Circuit…
Circuits… 100%
Conduits… 98%


“Plasma Circuit… Plasma… ” The colt muttered. 
Both Heart String and Apple Bloom turned to him, giving him a look.
“My name is Star… Star Circuit” He replied looking at Apple Bloom.
“Star…” Heart String started.
“…Circuit… neat!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.
“Star Circuit… does that mean you remember who you are?” Heart String asked.
Looking up at Heart String with a confused expression on him face he answered, “Umm sort of, I just can’t remember any names that’s all.” 
“Just names?” She asked. Putting a hoof to her chin as she began to think letting out a ‘hmmm’ as she did.
Star Circuit and Apple Bloom decide to start talking, well more like she started talking as  Star tried to pick up his hay-burger to eat it. “…so yeah! After the winter passes I get to help my big sis and brother out in the orchard! Umm, do ya need help with that?” Apple Bloom asked as she saw the colt struggling with the hay-burger.
“No I got it.” Star said as he placed his hooves down on the table and lifted himself up to ‘dive’ into the food. Apple Bloom gave him a look before she reached over and pick up a hay-fry with her hoof. He looked at her in shock as Heart Strings pull him away from the table.
“How did you do that?” Star asked.
“Do wha?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Pick that up?” Star pointed with his hoof.
“Like this… Ya just pick it up with ya… Wha happen to ya hooves?” Apple Bloom blurted pointing to the Star’s legs.
He shrugged his shoulder.. 
“Ahem!” Heart Strings said with a cough. Both Apple Bloom and Star looked to Heart String. “We don’t stand on the table… and we don’t point.”
“Sorry.” The two young ponies replied.
Once again the colt tried to pick up the burger only for it to fall through his hooves, “Geez this would be easier with a feed bag.” He said nudging the burger while getting an odd look from Heart Strings.
Apple Bloom then picked up another hay-fry, but this time as he watched her, a little circle appeared in his vision and began to spin, but disappeared as Apple Bloom ate the fry. As she picked up another Star reached out instinctively grabbing her hoof with his.
“Epp!” Apple Bloom yelped. “Wha’ cha doing?” She squealed with a blush.
Staring at her hoof holding the fry, the circle appeared again he watched as it completely fill out before the word ‘OK’ popped out and the circle disappeared. Suddenly several lines of code appeared in the right hand corner of his HUD, a mini-blue print of his legs showed up. Releasing Apple Bloom’s hoof he stared at his own, a mini-bar begin to expand out and then disappeared.
A small popping noise came from his hooves as the center slightly sank in. Heart Strings looked down at him, “What a feed bag Star Circuit?” Heart Strings asked as she pulled him away from Apple Bloom.
“Oh, well it’s a bag the fill with oats… they strapped around your mouth so you can keep working and eat…” The colt then suddenly realized what he was saying and quickly turned away grabbing the hay-burger, “Uhh, never mind.” He said shoving the burger into his muzzle.
“Oh dear.” Heart Strings said as Apple Bloom let out a loud burp, which caught Heart Strings attention, “Young Lady, where are your manners?”
As she was about to responded an orange hoof placed a large hat on her head pushing it over her face. “Well don’t cha sound like ya all are havin’ fun!” 
“Apple Jack!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she lifted the hat from her head. 
“Hey there lil’ sis, patched up and ready to go?” Apple Jack asked.
“Sort of…” Apple Bloom said with a slight blush, as she turned to Star. “Maybe ah can see ya tomorrow?”
“Made a new friend Apple Bloom, that’s great, but Ah think that up to his mother to decide whether you can see him or not.” Apple Jack said looking at Heart Strings.
Heart Strings shook her head no while waving her hooves out in front of her, “Oh no, I’m not his mother…” She said.
“Is he part of your herd then?” Apple Jack asked.
Star watched from his chair as Apple Jack kept asking in every way she could, in what way he was related to Heart Strings and how she was trying to avoid saying that they just found him in the woods. So he decide to do what any normal kid would do in his situation, be blunt…
“I have no family… well not here.” He said while his voice cracked. “They found me in the woods a couple days ago.”
“Huh?!” Apple Jack replied. Apple Bloom gave the young colt a funny confused expression while Heart Strings ears perked up to listen to him. 
Star looked down at his hooves, ‘Now I honest don’t know what happened next, hormones, my lack of people skill, or how naive I was to begin with, but I just told them the truth.’ Star thought as he began to speak, “I have no family… My father died about 6 years ago, my mother abandoned me and dumped me with my grandparents about 8 years ago, she then came back for me and then sold me off, in a sense, and then disappeared… My younger sister ran away from home before I left, and I’ve been living on my own for the last 5 years…” He said looking at everypony. The trio of mares sadly looked at Star as he looked down at himself,  ‘Crap this body belongs to a kid!’ He thought as the look of fear flashed on his face. “No wait… I meant that I have been living with my grandparents up until now!” He exclaimed waving his hooves out in front of him. 
“It’s okay honey… you don’t need to hide the truth.” Heart Strings said using her wing to give Star a gentle embrace.
“So you are, who?” Apple Jack asked pointing a hoof to Heart Strings.
“Sorry, my name is Dr. Heart Strings, I work for the department of Foals and Herds.” She said pulling up a small badge.
“This here badge says Canterlot.” Apple Jack said.
“Well yes, Ponyville doesn’t really have its own branch yet, so we in Canterlot tend to handle everything for smaller communities.” Heart Strings said.
The metal legged colt looked up at Heart Strings, “What kind of doctor are you?” He hesitantly asked.
“Well Star, I am a Psychologist…” She replied.
“Fuuuu…” He began, “...dge” He said smacking his face with a hoof. 	
“Is something wrong?” Heart Strings asked.
Star nodded and then turned his attention back over to Apple Bloom. “So…” Apple Bloom began as Star interrupted.
“I have no plans for tomorrow except look out the window… unless Miss Heart Strings has something else scheduled.” Star replied.
“I’m sorry… both of you, but we will be leaving for Canterlot by the end of the day.” Heart Strings said.
Apple Bloom let out a small sigh as Apple Jack gave her an odd look, “Um, Miss Hearts… the last train for Canterlot left uh few minutes ago, due to the coming winter storm.” Apple Jack said pointing a hoof in some random direction.
“WHAT!?!” Heart Strings yelled as she dashed for the exit.
Star looked over to Apple Bloom, “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

***

After getting back from the train station Heart Strings began apologizing for leaving Star Circuit alone. The rest of the day was filled with questions and medical exams; the doctors eventually wanted to see what was hiding underneath Star’s metal legs; using every type of magic they could to either see through it or even try to remove it. They found nothing, interestingly enough Star’s pony body actually has a built in self-defense mechanism. This was discovered when they forcefully tried to remove the casing on his metal legs with magic. It was the same reaction he had when he arrived in this strange place; the sound of whirling and ticking noise, followed by high pitched electrical noises. Star’s forelegs had each created a mini-shield generator, which produce a two layered bubble-like energy shield which blocked out their magic. Star giggled as he watched the doctors’ panic in fear at the strange sight. It was only after the doctors made it clear that they were going to avoid messing with his legs that the shield dropped. 
Hours later they brought the little colt back to his room, Heart Strings told the colt that she had some paperwork to fill out but that she would check on him later. A little while later a nurse with a light purple coat came in asking if he needed help taking a shower, his answer put her in shock. “I’ve never taken a shower like this…” He said which in turn had her dragging the little colt into the bathroom. A genuine smile ran across his face as the nurse bathed him, and taught him how, it had been a long time since anyone had shown this once human, now pony, kindness. Eventually the young colt was dried and placed in front of a mirror, a small colt looked back at him; his black long and unkempt mane had a hint of white high lights in it; just like in his tail, his coat was a copper brown, his metal legs were of course a silver color with a set a rounded triangles on them, his eyes where a pair of large light brown eyes, followed by a metal diamond shaped plate on his forehead. The nurse spent a few more minutes drying him with a towel before placing him on the bed. 
After a few hours of tossing and turning, unable to sleep, the little mechanized colt left his room and began exploring the hospital. Eventually arriving at book trolley, at which point he just began to read… well read the books he could before sleep got a hold of him. Night fell as did about 2 feet of snow, and as morning arrived he found himself back in his hospital room, wide awake, waiting, bored, and hungry. Oddly enough he had awoken before the sun had risen and had spent the morning ‘scanning’ himself and all the technology installed in and on his body, most of it was stuff he invented. Strangely enough the ‘kid’ in him began to take over realizing there was nothing more to do. 
Now as even though his memory was in great condition, except the not remembering names thing, Star knew that when he got bored he normally would do something to entertain himself, which was read, invent or sing, and with no technology he could use and no hands, inventing was out of the question, and in one night he had read most of the books in the hospital. So his last option was one he always found himself doing, either out of boredom or to help him work. He began to gently tap his hooves against the window ceil, and clopping them together, starting a beat to sing too, something western, thanks to meeting Apple Bloom and Apple Jack the other day.
“I’ve got my ticket for long way ‘round
Two bottles of whisky for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
Oh, I’m leaving tomorrow, what do you say?
When I’m gone, when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me by my hair
You’re gonna miss me everywhere, oh
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone”
He began humming while clopping his hooves, before starting again.
“I’ve got my ticket for the long way ‘round
The one with the prettiest of views
It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers
It’s got sights to give your shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you
When I’m gone, when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me by my walk
You’ll miss me by my talk, 
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gooone…” He finished while looking out the window to see more snow fall. That when the sound of clapping, or hooves stomping lightly on the ground caught his attention. As he turned he caught the sight of a large pink bow to his right.
“Wow…” Apple Bloom said.
“DAHH!” Star yelled as he fell out of his chair landing flat on his back.
“Uwww… Ya okay?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Yeah… ow…” Looking up from the ground he asked, “Please tell me you were my only audience?” 
“Umm.” Apple Bloom began as she looked over to the door slightly embarrassed.
Star turned his head to the door and saw several ponies looking into the room; he let out a yelp and tried to get to his feet only to slam into the floor face first. Apple Jack walked over to him and gently picked him up from the back of his neck and placed him on his legs.
“Tha’ was something’, Ah’ve never heard anything so…”  Apple Jack began as she was interrupted by a French accent.
“Beautifully sad.”
Star turned to see a white coated unicorn with a purple curled mane walking in.
“Mmm Hmm” Apple Jack nodded in agreement.
Star blushed, ducking under his hooves, as the unicorn looked down at him confused. “What’s wrong Darling, did I say something wrong.” She asked looking around.
“Nope.” He replied with a high crack in his voice, “I just never sung in front of anyone before…” 
“Oh, Please don’t crowd him!” A familiar voice yelled from behind the orange and white ponies. Taking a peek from behind his hooves Star saw a green pegasus trotting over, quickly he made a dash for her shadow hiding behind her front leg. “Star Circuit are you okay?”
He nodded as she let out a sigh and looked over to the orange and white ponies that where standing in his room. “Miss Apple Jack may I ask, what are you and your friend doing here?”
“Sure thing Miss Heart Stri…” Apple Jack started to only have the white unicorn cut her off.
“So sorry darling, but when Apple Jack told me about this little colt here I could help but come and see him.” The white unicorn replied.
“And you are?” Heart Strings asked.
“Oh my, where are my manners, I am Rarity.” The white unicorn replied.
“Well Miss Rarity.” Heart Strings began as she moved towards Apple Jack and Rarity, “I’ll have you know that bargaining into somepony’s room is rude…”
Star sat on the floor shaking his head as Apple Bloom sat down next to him. “Sorry.” They both blurted out to each other, “What, why?” they said in unison. Blinking at each other for a few seconds they began to laugh and giggle.
“So what are you doing here?” Star asked Apple Bloom.
“Well, yesterday Ah asked ya all said I could come and visit ya… so here Ah am.” Apple Bloom replied. “Was that okay?”
Blinking somewhat confused Star replied, “I thought you were being nice, not serious…”
“Of course Ah was bein’ serious! Why would anypony lie abou’ that?” Apple Bloom exclaimed. 
“I am use to peo… ponies lying to me all the time.” He replied only to have Apple Bloom place a hoof on his shoulder and smile.
“Don’t ya go worryin’ abou’ it, I wouldn’t lie to ya.” Apple Bloom replied as Star gave her a half-hearted smile. “So what cha wanna do?”
Star looked outside, “Do you wanna play in the snow?”
Apple Bloom gasped as she pulled the metal legged colt closer, “Really?!” She asked.
Star nodded slightly surprised.
“Yay! Nopony at home wanted to play with me.” She said giving me a hug.
“Ahem…” A familiar voice said from behind them, both Apple Bloom and Star Circuit looked up to see Heart Strings, Rarity and Apple Jack giving them a funny look. Apple Bloom then looked down at her hooves then back up to her sister, quickly dropping Star to the floor with a furry thud and clang.
“It ain’t what it looks like!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.
“Sure...” Apple Jack replied as the little copper colt looked lost in their conversation.
Sitting back up on his haunches he shook himself lightly and looked up at Heart Strings and Rarity, “Am I missing somethin’, thing.” He asked sticking out his tongue as the accent began to stick.
“Well Darling, it looks like Apple Bloom here might have herself a crush.” Rarity said lifting a hoof to her chin while looking down at Star.
“Really?!” Star replied as Apple Bloom waved her hooves.
“Ah don’t!” Apple Bloom squealed as she grabbed Star by tail with her muzzle and began to pull him out to the door.
“Well I am afraid that Star can’t leave just yet.” Heart Strings said walking in front of Apple Bloom and Star.
Dropping Star’s tail Apple Bloom looked at Heart Strings with a hint of anger, “Why not?” She asked.
“Well young lady, while you have your boots, scarf, and cap… Young Star has nothing.” Heart String said looking over to the copper colt, causing him to try to cover up his body with his metal legs. She then turned her head and grabbed a white looking sweater off her back, tossing it on Star. “Look familiar?”
Star stretched out the white sweater, “My hoodie!” He exclaimed and began to put on his hooded white sweater. After slipping on his hoodie he looked down as the fabric hung loosely off of him.
“Well dear it seems your hoodie might be a tad too big for you.” Rarity giggled.
As soon as Rarity giggled Star’s cutie mark glowed releasing a charge of electricity over his body, the hoodie shone with a circuit grid as it readjusted to fit Star Circuit. Rarity, Apple Jack, Apple Bloom and Heart Strings stepped back in shock as the hoodie settled on the copper coated pony. Star let out a small grin as he slipped the hoodie on over his head, “I think it fits just fine.”
Apple Bloom then turned to Apple Jack and Heart Strings with a smile, “So we can go outside now?!”

***

As the two young ponies ran outside to play a unicorn walked up to Heart Strings handing her a folder as Rarity and Apple Jack began to talk.
“He sure is a mighty strange colt?” Apple Jack said looking out the window watching her sister play with the metal legged pony.
“Strange is hardly the word.” Rarity added as she walked over to Heart Strings, “So pray tell, what is wrong with him, Miss Strings?”
Heart Strings looked over to Rarity with a slight hint of anger, “Nothing is wrong with him, he has just been through a lot…” She said with a huff as the folder gave a slight glow and was pulled from her. “Hey! Those are his personal files!”
“We just want to take a look dear…” Rarity said as she gasped as the images inside the folder magically floated up. “What… what is… I don’t understand…”
Apple Jack turned to give just the same look of confusion as Rarity’s words; suddenly a large pair of green wings quickly pulled all the magically floating images back together. “These are for employees only.”
“Where those markings…” Rarity began to ask as Heart Strings just nodded. “I’ve worked as a nurse for a while but I have never seen anything like this.”
“Yes, apparently large amounts of black ink had been placed under his skin…” Heart Strings sighed.
“But on a littl’ colt like that?” Apple Jack asked.
“There are some wicked ponies out there…” Heart Strings answered.
“And all those lines… are those a grid line pattern?” Rarity asked.
“The Doctors here think it could be related to his cutie mark… if that’s what it really is.” Heart Strings replied, “Look I shouldn’t be telling you this at all but…” Heart Strings sighed as she looked out the window to a pair of young ponies having fun in the snow. “Star was scared ever since he woke up, but then Apple Bloom showed up he has been happy, talking… I know she is your sister, so I want you to know, if you feel if she is in danger or you feel her unsafe with that young colt…”
Heart Strings was interrupted by a hoof on her shoulder, “Looky here, I can honestly tell ya. I don’t think there is a thing wrong with Star… a little strange, but nothin’ dangerous.” Apple Jack said with a smile. “Plus A’m a thinkin’ he is good fer’ her too.”
“Right, plus a young handsome little colt like that needs to be taken care of.” Rarity exclaimed.

> Chapter 3: Download.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Star stretched himself from head to tail as he made it outside the hospital doors as Apple Bloom began bouncing in the snow. He smiled as he watched her, “So wha cha wanna do?” Apple Bloom asked.
With a look of uncertainty he replied, “I have no idea… how do you play in snow?” He said scooping up some snow with his hoof.
“Ain’t you played in the snow before?” Apple Bloom said stopping in front of Star.
“Never really played in snow… or seen it… or played outside… or with others that often.” He said sitting down in the snow.
Apple Bloom sat down next to him with a sad look on her face, “That ain’t right… didn’t anypony want to be your friend?” Apple Bloom asked as she fidgeted with the snow.
“Never really had the time, we were always moving… and when there was kids my own age to play with, my parents told me I wasn’t allowed to play with them. Maybe that’s why I spent the last few years alone underground.” Star said muttering the last part as he was rolling snow into a ball without realizing what his flank was up to.
“Not allowed…” Apple Bloom gave Star a worried looked followed by an inquisitive stare. “So your parent ain’t around anymore… and you’re all alone, sort of.” Apple Bloom stated as Star gave a sad nod. “Then let’s play outside! In the snow! As Friends!” She said jumping out in front of Star Circuit.
Suddenly as if the world stopped moving, Star felt his heart stop beating for a moment. “Friend?” He muttered, “You want me to be your friend?” He said.
Apple Bloom stopped jumping as tears began to roll off of Star’s face, “You okay?” Star nodded wiping the tears off with his metal hooves. Star once again blamed his adolescent body and hormones for the emotions he was having. He gave Apple Bloom a smile that made her swoon into a snow mound. Star quickly ran over and help unbury his first ever friend. 
“Apple Bloom are you okay?” He asked as he pulled her out of the snow.
With a loud gasp Apple Bloom was on the surface again, “Yeah, I’m fine! Woo-wee that was so deep snow.” Apple Bloom hollered. They both stared at one another before breaking out into laughter, “Okay then ya gonna get a schooling in having fun!” Apple Bloom said tossing a snow ball into the air.
The two young ponies began to play, Apple Bloom showing Star Circuit how to ‘Have Fun’. They had snow ball fights, built snow ponies, made snow alicorns, and built snow forts. Eventually then noticed ice patches and puddles of water in the snow around them; which were being caused by Star Circuits’ cutie mark. They made the connection when Apple Bloom pointed out the steam coming out of Star Circuits’ flank. After a few hours of playing in the snow Apple Bloom looked to Star, who was trying to figure out the hood on his hoodie.
“So wha cha’ wanna do now? Ah mean we did what Ah wanted, so now it’s your turn.” Apple Bloom said as she leaned against Star. They both blush as she did, “Don’t get me wrong Ah’m doin’ this to stay warm.”
Star Circuit put a hoof to his chin and began to think, “I… nevermind.” He said as he pointed to the hospital. “I think we should go back in before we get sick.”
“Don’t be a baby, tell me wha ya wanna do?” Apple Bloom said.
“I’m not a baby!” He exclaimed.
“Lemme guess, you wanna do ‘colt’ things?” Apple Bloom said teasing Star.
The copper colt gave the pink bowed filly an odd look, “What are ‘colt’ things?” Star asked.
“Umm, nevermind.” Apple Bloom replied realizing how deprived this young colt must have been. “What do ya like doing?”
Star Circuit looked up to the clouds, “Reading I guess… since I really can’t build or invent anything right now.” He replied.
Apple Bloom gasped in excitement, “Ah know where we can go!” She said dashing off in front of Star, “Come on, follow me!”
Star looked back at the hospital, and then to Apple Bloom; he wasn’t the type to disobey or not listen to his elders, but this was his first friend. It took him all but a minute to relive his childhood and all the times he could of skipped class or do something fun when no one was looking. Not once did he do the wrong thing, not once did he properly have fun… it was time to change that.
“Apple Bloom wait up!” Star Circuit yelled as he took off after his friend.

***

Apple Bloom and Star Circuit trotted through Ponyville as Apple Bloom talked about everyday life on the farm.
“And that is wha’ it’s like during spring time.” Apple Bloom said.
“All that harvesting and planting, it… it sounds fun.” Star said as he looked over to Apple Bloom who gave a slight blush and smile.
“Well maybe during the spring you can help us out.” Apple Bloom replied.
Star’s ears perked up, “Really? You really mean that?” He said excitedly as Apple Bloom nodded with a smile on her face. “Thank…mpgh!” Star said as he collided into something.
Both Star Circuit and Apple Bloom had completely forgot about the rest of the world as they walked through town, not realizing they were walking straight into another pair of ponies. “Star!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as his nose was filled with the smell of cupcakes and cotton candy. “Gosh Pinkie are you okay?”
Star looked up to see a pair of big blue eyes looking back down on to him, “I’m fine, who’s your friend… is he new!” Pinkie asked excitedly.
Chills ran up and down the copper colt’s back as he stared up at the pink pony, “I’m.. I’m…” Star said as he looked over to Apple Bloom who was waving ‘no’ with her hooves. “I’m Apple Bloom’s… imaginary friend…” Star said with a questionable expression.
“Imaginary?!” The pink pony exclaimed looking at Star with an intense stare. “Hmmm.” She then turned to her white coated, sugar pink mane unicorn companion, “Hey Twinkle Shine, do you see a little copper coated colt here in front of me?”
With a giggle she pretended to play along and looked at the copper colt, and for a moment they felt something. Something deep when they stared at one another, and before they had another moment to think Pinkie Pie interrupted, “Well do you see him?” She asked bouncing up and down in place.
“Huh? Uhhh…” Twinkle began as she stared at the colt and then back at Pinkie, “Nope! I don’t see a thing.” She said with a slight giggle.
“Ohhhh… and here I was hoping to make a new friend. Oh Well… So Apple Bloom, where are you going?” Pinkie asked walking around the metal legged colt.
“We were headin’… Ah was headin’ to the library.” Apple Bloom replied only to be cut off by Pinkie Pie.
“OH MY GOSH! I almost forgot!” Pinkie said quickly taking off, Twinkle and Star gave each other one last look and a smile before Pinkie reappeared and grabbed Twinkle Shine and took off, “Bye Apple Bloom, bye imaginary friend, we have some place important to be…” Pinkie said as she disappeared into the distance.
Star turned to Apple Bloom, “What or who was that?” He asked.
“That was Pinkie Pie… she get excited around new folk.” She replied helping Star to his hooves.
“I can see that…” Star said as he dusted himself off.
Apple Bloom gave Star a quick glance to make sure everything looked alright, only to find that the color of lights in his cutie mark had change and was changing again. “Star… is your cutie mark supposed to change colors like that?” She said pointing to his flank.
Star turned to see the lights in the star-shaped cutie mark go from blue to white, with a surprise looked he shook his head no. “To be honest, I don’t know… I woke up with this thing a few days ago. I have no idea what it’s supposed to do or mean…” He replied giving it a good smack, “All I know is that is glows, produces energy, and keeps me… working…” Star said.
“Ya woke up with it a few days ago… wait, you don’t know what a cutie mark means?!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she blinked at Star a few times, hoping he was kidding. Once again he nodded agreeing that he knew nothing. “Wow, ya were deprived.”

***

Apple Bloom and Star Circuit continued trotting through town as Apple Bloom made her best attempt to explain what a cutie mark was to Star Circuit. As the arrived at the library Star stared up at the giant tree. 
“This is the library?” Star asked.
Apple Bloom nodded, “Sure is… they got every book you can think of here, and if ya can’t find it in a book Twilight should know the answer.” She said.
“Twi-light?” Star questioned.
“She’s in charge of the library, she’s super smart. Like a walking library!” Apple Bloom said as she knocked on the door. “Oh… that reminds me, are you scared of dragons?”
“Dragons? Why would… you.. ask…?” Star began as the door opened to reveal a purple and green dragon, no taller than him, standing in the doorway.
“Hey Spike!” Apple Bloom greeted.
“Hey Apple Bloom... Who the stiff?” Spike replied pointing a claw at Star.
“Oh, let me introduce ya’ all, Spike this here is Star Circuit, Star… this is Spike.” Apple Bloom said nudging Star closer.
Star stood there open mouthed as he stared at the dragon, as a single word escaped his mouth, “Awesome…”
“Yeah I know, so what can I do for you guys?” The dragon asked. 
“Star here wanted to do some reading… So Ah brought him here.” Apple Bloom replied.
“Cool, come on in. Sorry the place is such a mess right now…”Spike said as he lead the two young ponies into the library tree. “Twilight just got a bunch of new books from Princess Celestia and she muzzle deep into them right now… or is she out on her date?” Spike shrugged, “I can’t remember since the library usually isn’t this quiet.”
Star looked at the dragon with curiosity, “Would you mind if I…” 
“Knock yourself out kid.” Spike said as Star poked his tail, Spike let out a yelp. “Your hooves are ice cold!” Spike yelled as he grabbed Star’s hooves.
“Umm, I don’t think you should do that…” Star began as Spike yelled.
“WHAT HAPPEN TO YOUR LEGS!” Spike yelled.
Star sighed, “I have no idea…” He said pulling his metallic legs away from Spike. Star then looked at the library his body almost shook with anticipation. “Where is the history section?” He said as he turned to Spike, “Where can I find history books?”
Spike raised an eyebrow, “I know that look…” Spike sighed, “Another Twilight Sparkle…” He said as he walked over to wall shelved with books. “History.” Spike presented.
“Thanks!” Star said as he pulled a book off the shelf and began to browse through it.
Apple Bloom watched as Spike walked up to her, “Another book worm.”
“That’s not a bad thing…” Apple Bloom replied.
As Spike was about to reply Star slammed the book shut as he pulled out another one, frantically opening and browsing its pages, only to slam it shut and pull out a third book. He let out a sigh and walked over to Spike and Apple Bloom with a frown.
“What’s wrong Star?” Apple Bloom asked.
He let out a sigh, “Well last, I read almost all the books in the hospital trolley, but there were a few I couldn’t read. I wasn’t able to read the characters in the book… and now it seems all the books are written in these characters.” He said opening the book he had in his hoof.
Several symbols and shapes covered the pages; Spike then looked up from the book to Star. “You can’t read unicorn… a colt of your age?” Apple Bloom elbowed Spike and then began to explain his delicate situation, and after a few minutes the confused baby dragon turned to Star, “Sorry… I didn’t mean too…”
Star raised a hoof, “You didn’t know, so you don’t need to apologize… so… do you have any translation or linguistic books?” Star asked the purple and green dragon, who seemed to light up with a smile.
“Not gonna give up are you?” Spike asked.
“Nevar!” Star said as the trio shared a laugh.
A few moments went by as Star found himself at a wooden table surround with a few open books, Apple Bloom sat next to him with a magazine she had found and Spike was busy sweeping the library floor. 
“Ya do know we don’t have much time before they realize we’re missing?” Apple Bloom said a she gave a slight shiver.
Star looked over to her, as his HUD displayed the temperatures in the room, surrounding areas and in the two others in the room. It was cold, and the fire place was a good distance away, with a slight grunt he slid himself over to Apple Bloom leaning up against her. “Well then, they can just come and get us.” He replied with a smile.
Spike whistled at the two, “Get a room you two!”
“It’s cold!” Apple Bloom replied with a blush along her cheeks. “Right Star?”
Star nodded as he began to read through the books he had selected.
As time progressed so did our trio, Apple Bloom had moved from magazines to magic potions, Spike went from sweeping to lying on the floor next to Star’s warm flank, and Star was staring to learn the Unicorn alphabet.
“I’m never going to get this…” Star replied rubbing his temples, and as luck would have it his new body decided to help. A green bar appeared in his HUD again as he stared into the page, without moving a muscle he froze, letting the bar fill up. Suddenly it stopped, but it did not disappear. Star waited, wondering what was going on, then a little arrow pointing right started to blink in his vision which read, ‘Next Page’. Star was in awe, he turned the page and watched the bar filled up more before it stopped again; he turned the page again and again. In a few seconds he had gone through the whole book the bar now reading, ‘Complete’ as it blinked. The words then changed to ‘Processing’, ‘Converting’ and finally ‘Uploading’. A sharp pain struck the inside of Star’s head as his hooves pressed against it. He was in a pain; though it wasn’t horribly painful it was uncomfortable.
‘Upload Complete’, the pain vanished as soon as those words appeared on his HUD. Star began to feel a slight bit of dizziness as the data he had just downloaded was being stored onto his brain. He then felt a warm liquid began to run down his nose, he reached out with a hoof and wiped his nose, blood smeared along his metallic leg.
“Star! Blood!” Apple Blood exclaimed as she grabbed some tissues and rubbed my nose, “Are you okay?”
“A nose bleed…” Star muttered to himself, he then looked up to Apple Bloom. “Yay, sorry I’m fine.” 
“What happened?” She asked.
Star looked at Apple Bloom, the worried look on her face cracking the wall he had built around his heart. “I’m fine… it happens a lot actually…” Star replied.
“Are you sure? Is there anything Ah can get ya?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Yes I’m sure, I’m fine, but I could use a bit more tissues… my nose bleeds tend to last a while.” He said looking at the worried filly as she nodded. “I really don’t want that to happen again… Guess I’ll learn the old fashion way… but for now…” Star muttered as he began to download more translation books.	

***

The song ‘Ocean Breeze (2014 Mix)’ by ‘relaxdaily’ had been playing off of Star’s legs filling the library with gentle music. He thanked the heavens that his MP3 player had been intergraded into his new body. It had been a few hours since Star and Apple Bloom had arrived in the library, after realizing he could copy and download the data from written text directly into his brain, he began by going through every history book the library had to offer…
Then magic books…
Followed by economic and social structure…
And Finally Myths and Legends, though he was reading this time rather than downloading.  Star wanted to make sure he did not miss a thing, those creatures he saw the first day he arrived where not mentioned anywhere so far, so maybe they would be in these books. He put the book down for a moment to relax his eyes and brain; the mountain of books before him gave him a sour face. “Maybe I should put these back?” He said talking to himself as he grabbed some books, and began to return them to their proper place. By this time Apple Bloom and Spike had both fallen asleep where Star was sitting, his flank now giving off enough heat to keep the whole library warm. Star looked around the library, most of the lights had dimmed and without realizing it his vision slipped into a type of night-vision. 
“I really gotta figure out how you work?” Star said looking at his cutie mark while the music continued to play.
Suddenly the door to the library burst open as a purple unicorn with a dual-colored mane walked in. “Stupid stallions!” She said slamming the door. She quickly began to take off a blue and white dress she was wearing and flung a set of shoes off into a corner of the room. “That is the last time I let Rarity set me up with ‘A Find’ Argh!”
“Wow, was he that bad?” Star asked as he began to put some of the history books back.
“Bad! Bad doesn’t even begin to describe him!” She said floating to dress off of herself and upstairs. “He was arrogant, vain and so… so…”
“Stupid?” Star said as he continued to work.
“Yes! Oh by Celestia mane… why can’t I find a single stallion who is smart, and intellectual and just enjoys spending time just reading a book… rather than looking at my flank!”
“Sadly all males have that kind mentality at one point or another in their lives… or almost all their lives... My point is you have to move on, that why peo… ponies date, right? To find someone they share interest with… and have fun with! The last thing you wanna do is just settle for the first guy that might be okay. You have time, your young, smart, and pretty… so date, have fun… love is complicated… you’re not supposed to find the answer that quickly.” Star replied from the far corner of the library.
“Wow, that was very insightful… what are you a love expert now?” The unicorn replied with a grin.
“Heck no! If I was a love expert my life would have been so much easier. I don’t even know how to deal with my own emotions, let alone someone else’s.” Star said as he put away the last history book, and began putting away the literature books.
“So who made this mess while I was gone?” The purple unicorn said picking up a book titled, “Ancient Magic”.
“Sorry that was me…” Star replied, “I was reading the biography of Star Swirled the Bearded and my curiosity for magic got the better of me.” 
“Don’t apologize, I’m glad you’re taking in interest in magic, finally I can have somepony to talk to!” The unicorn said.
“I don’t know about that… I really don’t understand the concept of magic that well, I mean, yeah I understand what the book is talking about… but not how one can apply it.” Star said as he looked at his cutie mark.
“Well that’s because you’re a dragon and not a unicorn, but I can help you understand the concept of magic.” The purple coated unicorn replied as she stuck out her chest with pride.
“I’m not a dragon… Hell, to be honest I don’t even know what I am.” Star said as his cutie mark glowed with purple and white lights. “Cool.” He muttered.
“Wait a minute… if you’re not a dragon… You’re not Spike?” The horned pony asked with a hint of fear in her voice. “Where’s Spike?!”
“Over there by the center table sleeping by Apple Bloom.” Star said as he kept putting books away.
“Spike!” The unicorn yelled as the dragon turned in his sleep and muttered something about a ‘Rarity’. “What did you do to him?” The unicorn shouted.
“Shh, they’re sleeping…” Star said. “Plus I didn’t do anything, he let us in, then me and Apple Bloom read while he swept up the floor, and then he fell asleep. Something about, staying up to late… I really don’t remember.” Star said as the unicorn noticed the moving lights in his flank and the music coming from his direction.
“Who are you? And what do you want?” The unicorn asked as she began to cast a light spell.
With a flicker of magic a spotlight surrounded a small, thin, copper coated colt, with a black and white two-tone mane, and sliver colored legs. “My name is Star Circuit, I came here from knowledge and I’m sorta new here, what’s your name?”
“Twilight Sparkle.” She replied.
“Spike spoke of you earlier; it’s nice to meet you, I like your library tree house.” Star said with a smile.
“Oh! Umm, thank you.” She replied nodding her head. “Wait! Back- up, are you telling me you read all these books?!” Star nodded, as he put more books away, “Why?”
Star looked over to the unicorn, “Well to learn of course… and also I need to know more about this place, this world.” He replied. 
“This world…? What do you mean this world?” Twilight said turning on the lights and undoing her spotlight spell.
“Well it’s sort of difficult to explain…” Star said.
“Try me.” Twilight replied with a serious expression on her face as she sat down on the floor across from Star.
Star sat down across from Twilight, his body showing how young he was by how small he was compared to the mare in front of him. Before he opened his mouth he thought about what he was going to say, and how he was going to say it, but as soon as he was about to talk Twilight spoke.
“You are rather young aren’t you? Also what happened to your head… is that some sort if jewelry?” She said attempting to pull the metal plate off his head.
“Ow!” Star yelped his hooves clanged against his head from the pain.
“It’s attached… it’s attached to you!” Twilight exclaimed.
“I know… ow…” Star replied.
“What… who did this to you?” Twilight asked.
“Seriously, everpony has asked me this question… I don’t know. All I know is that I went to sleep normal and woke up looking like this!” Star yelled wiggling his legs.
“Sorry…” Twilight replied.
“It’s okay… I’m also sorry for yelling.” Star said while looking down at the floor boards.
“Apology accepted.” Twilight said with a smile, “Sooo… do you know what they are?” Twilight asked keeping the smile.
“Trans-gear, I think.” Star replied.
“Trans-what?!” Twilight asked.
“It a machine that transforms into whatever the user wants… Example.” Star said as he looked down to his front legs. A pair of curved yellow long triangles popped out from the sides, and let out a small hum. “See.”
“See what all you did was…” Twilight began as she reached out to touch the triangle and instead bumped her hoof into a large transparent shield. “Put up a shield! So you can use magic!”
Star shook his head no, “No, this is science… energy from the star on my flank is pulsing through these plasma conduits into my legs, while a signal from my brain activates what I want to happen…” Star began, and after about twenty minutes or so, he was in full swing explaining science while Twilight argued back with magic
“Wow… I had never had somepony to debate things with, who could actually understand… well other than the Princess.” Twilight said.
“Me too… well, I had no one…” Star said with a smile. “Maybe I should start from the beginning, you know, tell you about where I am from… sort of.” Star said but at that moment the star on his cutie mark began to glow with different colors; orange, purple and blue, along with the white and purple he had already.
“Umm, what’s with your cutie mark?” Twilight asked as the doors to the library burst open. As a female voice yelled out…
“STAR CIRCUIT!”

> Chapter 4: Scanning.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Earlier that day, after Star Circuit and Apple Bloom headed out to play, Rarity and Apple Jack continued to talk to Heart Strings. Looking through his medical record the two mares gave their honest opinion of the little copper colt.
“I’m glad to hear that girls, now all I have left to do is to get Star to Canterlot and find him a foster home.” The green pegasus said as she sat down.
“Canterlot?!” Apple Jack asked.
“Well yes, that is where I am assigned and can better evaluate his condition.” Heart Strings replied.
“But why do you need to drag a little colt like him all the way to Canterlot?” Rarity asked.
“I have my reasons.” Heart Strings said as she stood up and walked over to the window, outside she could see Star Circuit and Apple Bloom building a snowpony. “Besides, that young colt looks like he might have gone through enough.”
“I agree dearie, but still the next few days are going to be pretty rough.” Rarity said.
“Rough?” Heart Strings asked.
“Yep! Rainbow said that the snow is going to get worst from here on in, for the next few days.” Apple Jack added.
“What? Does that mean the train…” Heart Strings began.
“Yes ma’am, no trains for the next few days.” Apple Jack replied.
“Great!” Heart Strings said as she sat down on her haunches.
The three mares continued to talk as their attention on the two foals outside began to fade.

***

Somewhere on the edge of town a pink mare was bouncing through the snow, her mane with just as much bounce as her step, towards her destination, a two story home with green walls and a blue roof. The pink mare wearing a scarf, boots, and a satchel knocked on the door.  
“HelllllloooOOO!” The pink mare exclaimed as she knocked. The door slowly opened to reveal a pegasus with silver mane, and a tan coat, her body smaller and thinner than the pink mare. “Hey Silver Streak, is Twinkle Shine home?”
“Um, yeah… hold on… Twinkle! Pinkie Pie is here to see you!” Silver yelled into the house.
As Silver disappeared into the house an ivory coated unicorn with a sugar pink mane appeared at the door, “Hey Pinkie! How can I help you?”
“Weeeellll! I was hoping to help you!” Pinkie replied. The unicorn tilted her head with a confused look on her face, and before she could reply Pinkie exploded with a response. “We have a new colt in town… and from what I’m told he needs a place to stay!” Pinkie sang.
“Let me get my scarf!” Twinkle replied with a smile as she dashed back inside.
***	
As the two mares walked through town the Ivory coated unicorn kept trying to confirm what Pinkie was telling her.
“Are you sure he available Pinkie, I don’t want to get my hopes up.” Twinkle said nervously.
“He has been in Ponyville General for about three day now, nopony has come for him, and I’ve checked with almost all the authorities and no pony is missing a colt fitting his description. Which is kinda sad…” Pinkie said as her mane deflated, “But this means you have a chance Twinkle!” Pinkie finished as her mane sprung back into place.
“So he was abandoned?” Twinkle asked.
“More than likely, I checked on him once… oumpfff!” Pinkie said as she was interrupted by a small colt who collided into her.
“Star!” A small yellow coated pony with a pink bow on her head exclaimed. “Gosh Pinkie are you okay?”

***

As the three mares talked about raising young foals, it was a comment from Rarity that made Heart Strings turn to look outside.
“Where are they?!” Heart Strings exclaimed.
“Very funny, Heart Strings.” Apple Jack replied only to be faced by a mare with actual concern in her eyes. Apple Jack dashed to the window only to find snow everywhere. “They’re not there…” Apple Jack stated as Heart Strings made a dash to the exit. As they made it down the stairs and through the hallways they crash into a pink mare.
“PINKIE!” A voice yelled.
The five mares looked at each other.
“Hey girls what’s up?!” Pinkie asked from the floor.
Twinkle helped Pinkie Pie get up, while Apple Jack helped Heart Strings to her hooves. “We’re fine sugar cube, but we're a little busy... wait, why are you here?”
Pinkie gave a smile, “I’m here because of work.”
“You’re throwing a party dear?” Rarity asked.
“Pshh no! Parties are my hobby... I’m here because of work silly.” Pinkie Pie replied as she dug a hoof into her satchel and was about to pull something out, when she was interrupted by Heart Strings.
“We don’t have time for this, the children are missing!” Heart Strings yelled, dashing out of the hospital doors. The realization of the missing foals caused Apple Jack to dash out of the hospital followed by Rarity.
“Pinkie what’s going on?” Twinkle Shine asked.
“The kids are missing!” Pinkie exclaimed. “But they’ll be find… we have your kid to look for.” Walking through the hospital they reached a nurses station on the second floor. “Hello Nurse Tender Heart how are you?”
“Hello Pinkie, I’m good… are you here for a party or for work?” The light blue coated mare behind the desk asked.
“Work, do you have the records for the patient in room thirteen thirty four.” Pinkie asked. The nurse pointing to the room.
“On the door bucket like always Pinkie.” Nurse Tender Heart replied. Pinkie gave a nod while her and Twinkle walked over to the room pulling the folder out of the bucket.
“He woke up! And his name is Star Circuit, well isn’t that cute… now let’s see…” Pinkie Pie said as she began to read the files. Her smile and mane began to fall.
“Pinkie are you okay?” Twinkle asked, the pink mare shook her sad face no.

***

After a couple of hours of looking Apple Jack, Heart Strings and Rarity regrouped at the hospital with a saddened Pinkie Pie and a Twinkle Shine. 
“We can’t find Apple Bloom or Star Circuit!” Apple Jack said as the cold weather began to wear the mare down.
With an exhausted sigh Rarity sat down, while everypony else just collapsed. Pinkie Pie then raised an eyebrow, “Wait Apple Bloom is with Star Circuit?!”
“Yeah, she’s been missin’!” Apple Jack replied.
“So he wasn’t imaginary!” Pinkie Pie said, “I know where they are… follow me!” Pinkie said as she bounced off towards the library. 

***

“STAR CIRCUIT!” The green pegasus yelled as she kicked the door open. She quickly galloped to the copper coated colt and as she neared the colt Pinkie Pie cut Heart Strings off. Apple Jack ran in followed by Rarity to find Apple Bloom and Spike slowly waking up.
“And what are you thinking about doing to my charge?” Pinkie Pie asked as she gently pushed Star Circuit back. 
The green coated pegasus pulled out her badge, “Dr. Heart Strings from the Department of Foals and Herds, from Canterlot.”
Pinkie then pulled out her badge, “Pinkamena Diana Pie from D.F.H. Ponyville branch.” Pinkie replied. The two stared down at each other while Star Circuit looked around confused. Star slowly backed up until he bumped into Twilight who wrapped her front hoof around him.
“Stay close to me, okay?” Twilight said concerned, “Something’s up.” Star nodded to the purple unicorn.
"I thought the Ponyville didn't have a D.F.H. officer in this town?" Heart Strings said puffing out her chest.
"Well they do! And it's me... Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie said taking a stand. "And this little foal is under my jurisdiction.... so you can go back to Canterlot Miss Strings!"
"I was sent here to look after the colt, don't interfere!"  Heart Strings said becoming more aggressive. 
As Star was watching the drama unfold, his HUD turned red, several little circles stared to show up, circling the ponies or appearing on their side, each one displaying something different. Looking up to Twilight the little circles began to adjust, then displayed the phrase; Emotional Assessment… Anxiety, Concern. He then looked over to Pinkie Pie; Anxiety, Concern. He then looked to Heart String, several words flashed by but the one phrase that worried him the most was… “Biological Condition… Subject is Lying.”
“What do you mean she’s lying?” Star asked out loud, which caught everypony by surprise. Everyponies eyes on Twilight as she shook her head ‘no’. Star pushed away from Twilight backing away from the crowd of ponies. Star slowly began to hyperventilate increasing his fears which caused a suddenly realization. ‘I am stuck here in this weird world, alone… again, all alone with more lies.’
“It’s okay little guy.” Pinkie said stomping her hooves once at Heart Strings, telling her through body language not to move closer. Heart Strings replied by fully extending her wings and puffed out her chest, making herself look bigger so she could challenge Pinkie’s display of territory. 
Star’s thought were divide now, the computer part and organic part trying to figure out what was going on. ‘They can talk…’
‘But they are using animal like characteristics in their body language…’
‘I don’t understand… I just want to be left alone…’
‘Unable…’
‘I gotta get out of here.’
‘Unable in current conditions.’
The copper colt now cowering in a corner was approached by the lavender unicorn, “It’s okay, no pony wants to hurt you… you’re safe here.” 
Twilight’s words did nothing to sooth the copper colt, instead her approach towards him made him panic even more. Whatever was keeping him from losing his mind earlier from being thrown into a new world and changed into whatever he was, had lost its grip; now fear and anxiety where clawing at his insides of his mind. As Twilight ran her hoof over his head to comfort him he flinched away, he then looked at the floor in terror. The entire time he had been here ponies were physically interacting with him, something he barely even knew of in his world. Every memory of being touched  replayed in his head, causing him to panic more and more, his fear growing along with his anxiety. Little did Star know that his emotions had begun a horrible chain reaction inside his little body. His sensors now scanning every micron in the room, from the snow melting on the floor to the pheromones the ponies where releasing. He looked around, his eyes scanning the room and everypony inside of it. As he did a few new layers popped up in his HUD; Pheromone Release Count, External Chemical Analyzer, Magic Display Reader…
Star focused on the last one, Magic Display Reader or M.D.R., activating on his thoughts alone, the system started up. As Twilight got closer to Star, his HUD scanned her and displayed a glowing layer of purple around her horn and body, but mainly her horn. His eyes opening wider as he looked at the other ponies in the room, everypony seemed to by layer in a different color of magic… all except Heart Strings, who was layer in two different colors. 
“Leave me alone…” The Copper Colt muttered.
“Don’t you understand? He’s been through enough!” Heart Strings yelled.
“Of course I know!” Pinkie yelled back.
Before anything else could be said a low whistle, followed by large clicking noises were heard coming from Star.  His back legs popped open and three metal spikes extended upwards from both legs just above his flank.
All the mares in the room let out a gasp as electricity started to generate between the spikes, the star on his cutie mark started to go dark as well as the rest of the room, as if his cutie mark was absorbing all the light that surrounded them.
“Twilight…” The purple dragon muttered as he noticed the lights growing dimmer.
“Leave me ALONE!” Star yelled, the star on his flank releasing a flash of light and a low voltage of electricity through the floor.
***
The ivory unicorn Twinkle Shine was waiting outside of the library for Pinkie Pie, when a flash of light shone out of every window in the library. Surprised, Twinkle fell onto her flank as the door to the library swung open and a familiar copper colt dashed running straight out into town. Twinkle looked into the library to see several ponies walking around blinded by the flash, one in particular caught her eye, a white pegasus with a golden mane and tail. As she was about to enter her thoughts drifted about the little colt that had run out of the library. She turned and ran, hoping to catch up with the little colt.
Star had made it to the edge of town, near the Everfree forest and was sitting by the partially frozen river. The hoodie pulled up, now covering his eyes and muzzle, “Why?” He muttered to himself. 
‘Please be more specific.’ The sentence appearing in green letters in his HUD.
“Not you!” He said looking up, as if trying to look into his own eyes, “The World… Universe… Fate! …why am I here?”
‘A boy has the right to dream…’ 
The phrase appearing in his HUD, a quote his grandfather often told him. “There are endless possibilities stretched out before him…” Star said out loud looking to the sky.
“What await her down the path she will have to choose… Foals leave their homes in search of this quest.” A female voice said from behind. Star’s ears perked up and turn to the voice but did not turn his head, instead he lowered it. 
“As they search they are always asking questions, what’s out there? What’s waiting for me?” Star continued.
“Believe in yourself and create your own destiny. Don’t fear failure.” The voice replied as it sat down next to him, “Princess Celestia told me that quote once… she said it was told to her by somepony very important to her, but that was a long time ago. I’m surprised a little colt like yourself knows it.” 
Star then felt a foreleg wrap around his shoulder and pull him into a hug, he flinched at the gesture of kindness, which did not go unnoticed by the pony hugging him. “My grandfather use to tell me that… when I would sit by the river back home.”
“Where is he now, your grandfather?” The pony asked.
“He died a long time ago, before I could see him again… my grandma too.” Star said looking at the freezing stream.
“Sorry to hear that, well, what about your parents?” The voice asked hugging him a little tighter. Star felt panic begin to rise in him, but swallowed it down, managing to get himself under control again.
“I’m not use to this…” Star replied.
“Use to what, hugs? Everypony needs a hug, I learned that a long time ago.” The unnamed pony said.
“I haven’t been hugged in a long time… at least not the right way.” Star replied feeling ashamed. Suddenly the body of the pony he was against tensed and then relaxed.
“They did stuff you didn’t like…” She asked.
Star nodded feeling uncomfortable, began to answer her question from earlier to avoid talking about it. “My father died while incarcerated… my step-father tried to kill me several times, and my mother gave me away to different parts of her family… for money.” Star said tossing a small rock into the stream. “The worst part… I was always alone, eventually I ran away and then a couple of months ago I found out my mother passed away, they didn’t tell me how… or at least I didn’t ask.”
The ivory pony pulled Star’s hoodie down, to reveal a copper coated colt with messy long black and white mane. She then reached over and kissed him right below the metal plate on him head. “Feel better?” She asked.
The colt shook his head ‘no’, tears beginning to flow from his eyes, and he did two thing he had never done before in his life. He hugged the ivory pony in front of him and began to cry, sobbing and swearing.

***

“By Celestia beard, you swear like an old veteran…” The ivory unicorn said as she held the little colt. Gently he pushed away from her and sat a few inches away from her.
“I’m sorry.” Star said.
“Well I’m Twinkle Shine.” The mare replied while looking at Star.
Star laughed a bit a looked up at Twinkle, “My name is… ummm… Star Circuit.” The now pony creature replied. “I’m sorry about swearing…”
“That’s oka…” Twinkle began only to be interrupted by Star.
“And about crying, and bothering you… you probably had stuff to do today. If I can help yomph!” Star began only to find an ivory hoof over his mouth.
“What are you doing?” Twinkle asked confused by the colts apologizes.
Slowly she released his muzzle, “Sorry.” Upon hearing another apology Twinkle gave Star an angry stare, which caused him to flinch away, hiding away.
“Nonononono!” Twinkle exclaimed hugging the now puzzled colt. “I wasn’t going to hit you… By the Sun what happened to you.” She murmured
“Ummm personal space…” Star replied. 
“What?” Twinkle replied looking down at the colt in her forelegs.
“I’m not comfortable be so close to somebo… pony.” Star said blushing.
The ivory coated unicorn released her grip on Star, slowly he moved away from her. “Get back over here, you’ll freeze if you sit all by your lonesome like that. What were you raised in a box or something?” Twinkle said with a hint of aggravation in her voice.
Star nodded, “I like living in a box… it’s safe.”
Twinkle looked down at the little colt beside her in shock, “You must have had friends or other members of your family that…” She began only to see the colt shake his head ‘no’.
“My older sisters left as soon as they were able, and I got…” Star looked down to his hooves, sadly everytime he did this though everypony thought it had something to do with his legs.
“Look I got an idea.” Twinkle said. “You need a place to stay and someone to look after you…” 
Star looked up at her, “You wanna adopt me don’t you… I saw you early with the pink one, she and Heart Strings want to put me up for adoption.” Star sighed, “I can live by myself, I’ve been doing okay for the last few years you know. I am an adu… big pony.”
“Okay sure… you’ll be okay for a few years, but what if what happened a few days ago, happens again, but this time no one finds you.” Twinkle replied, “What then?”
“I… I…” Star looked away, “I don’t know.”
“Look you need somepony to look after you, and I want a foal to look after. Stay with me for a few days, and if you don’t like me you can do whatever you want. Deal?” Twinkle said extend out a hoof to Star.
Star looked up to the blue eyed unicorn, hesitantly lifting his hoof, “Deal.”
The two shook hooves, “Great! Now let’s get you inside while I get Pinkie and tell her that you agreed to stay with me.” 
“WARNING, POSSIBLE HOSTILE THREATS ENCLOSING ON OUR LOCATION.” A voice echoed from Star’s back legs. 
“Wonderful now it’s talking outside of my body, why the sudden change?” Star replied rolling his eyes.
“Wait?! Your cutie mark talks to you?” Twinkle asked looking at the copper colt’s flank.
“Yes… well no, normally it’s just in my head… never mind. Hey! Why are you on speaker?!” Star said smacking his cutie mark with a loud clang.
“SEVERAL POSSIBLE THREATS ARE ENCLOSING ONTO OUR LOCATION… AFTER INCIDENT IN LIBRARY WE DID NOT WANT TO CREATE ANOTHER ERROR.” The computer like voice replied.
Star and Twinkle turned to the forest behind them, “Um can that voice thingy tell me what these ‘threats’ are made out of?” Twinkle asked pushed Star behind her.
“SCANNING NOW… LOGS, WOOD, LEAVES, MOSS, AND OTHE SMALL PIECES OF TIMBER.” 
“So wait, the trees are attacking us? Pfft, you’ve got to…” Star was cut off by a hoof over his mouth.
“Run to that house and get inside.” Twinkle whispered point to her home off in the distance. “I’ll stay here and distract them…euh!” Suddenly both ponies were overrun by a horrible smell of decay wood and flesh. “Too late… Timberwolves.” Twinkle said getting ready to defend herself and the new member of her family.
“What are Timberwol…” Star said only to notice the forest became littered with yellow glowing dots floating a couple of inches above the ground.
> Chapter 5: Plasma Fire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Run, Run now Star!” Twinkle yelled using her magic to push Star towards her home.
“NO LIFE FORM DETECTED…?” The computerized voice spoke up.
“Timberwolves aren’t really alive!” Twinkle exclaimed as she lifted a timberwolf with her magic and slammed it against the ground shattering the wooden creature.
“You killed it!” Star yelled.
“They’re not really alive!” Twinkle replied and looked over to Star, “I said to run!”
As Star was about to turn around he heard a bell coming from the house he was supposed to run to.
“HOSTILE FORCES CAN BE NETURALIZED… WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENGAGE WEAPONS?” The words appearing in Star’s HUD.
“Weapons?!” Star whispered, “We have weapons?”
“CORRECT, ENGAGE WEAPONS?” The words flashing by in his HUD.
“Yes.” Star replied still in whisper. “Engage weapons!”
“SCANNING BODY… PLEASE WAIT.” The system displayed a 2D version of his body and it was displayed in his HUD, for 5 long seconds it scanned his body, the sound of timberwolves howling and barking in the background.
“STAR GET OUT OF HERE!” Twinkle yelled creating a shield of magic to keep the timberwolves back.
Before Star could reply to Twinkle the HUD began to display several lines of code and words, “ONLY 1 SET OF WEAPON SYSTEMS ARE AVAIABLE… CURRENT BODY IS UNSUITABLE FOR DEPLOYMENT… INTERGRATED RAIL SYSTEMS WOULD BE RECOMMENDED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INSTALL? Y/N”
“YES!” Star yelled as the weapon set become visible on his HUD, “The Nemesis weapons? Why… ah… AHHHHH!” Star yelled as a set of metal rails protruded over his ribs.
“INCREASING BODY’S ENDORPHIN LEVELS…3% …10%... 26%... STABLIZING AT 45% OUTPUT.” The HUD displayed as Star slowly became aware of the text.
In a serious almost uncaring voice, Star spoke out, “Deploy Nemesis Suppressor Rifles… Install defensive plates.” The sound of metal moving and shifting around, clicking and hissing noises were heard all over his body. 
“STAR I SAID--” Twinkle said as her face dropped and she notice the young colt. Two large triangle devices being held on his sides by metal sticks, metal armor covering his head, shoulder and torso. Little red lights moved along the metal plates and armor.
“Set weapon energy output at point six… release safeties.” Star said as he arched his back lowering his head. The triangles on his side open as a high pitch whistling sound was heard, followed by a hum and several little lights flying from the tips of the triangle like devices past Twinkle.
Twinkle turned to see the two timberwolves collapse, one of which began to turn to ash. “What the buck…?” Twinkle said as several more timberwolves entered into view.
“RUN!” Star yelled as more red lights began to fly from the triangles. 
Twinkle ran towards the house at full gallop, she turned to see how far Star was from her only to see that he had not moved. His suppressor rifles keeping the timberwolves at bay, Twinkle was about to turn around when her gut told her to continue to the house… The house which held weapons and reinforcements. 
Twinkle continued her gallop at full speed, hoping that everypony was still home.

***

Star continued to lay down suppressive fire, “Why are they still moving forward?” Star asked.
“THESE CREATURES ARE PREDATORS	, YOU ARE FOOD… THEY ARE FOOD…” The text read on Star’s HUD as a yellow arrow pointed to his left, he slowly turned until he saw Twinkle Shine running into the house. 
“Good she made iTAHHH!” Star yelled as a timberwolf got to close, clawing his right side. Anger and pain filled him through the wound, the Nemesis suppressor let out a hiss as the device released a large glowing blade. With a quick turn and a shift in the triangular device the glowing blade cut straight through the timberwolf.
“Why was the Nemesis Set the only available choice?” Star yelled. “I remember using an Ion Cannon…”
“ION COMPONENTS WERE AVAVILABLE AT THAT TIME. NEMESIS IS INTERGRATED INTO TRANS GEAR.” 
“Where are the Ion components?” Star yelled out as another timberwolf came charging at him. A wooden claw striking his partially covered face, Star could fell the blood running down his face.
“UNKNOWN… BUT OTHER COMPONETS ARE WITH THE ION CORE.”
A white glowing halo surrounded Star’s muzzle, “AHHHH!” Star yelled as an energy bolt was release from the glowing halo into the timberwolf.
“ENDORPHINE LEVELS ARE FALLING… ENERGY LEVELS ARE FALLING… I RECOMMEND USING CLOSE RANGE WEAPON OR A RETREAT.” The HUD displayed.
“Close range sounds fine!” Star said with a grunt, switching the triangular device on his left to a long blade like edge, while the halo remained on his muzzle. Star ran into the fray of timberwolves hacking and slashing at the wooden creatures. The large blade on Star’s left taking down two timberwolves while the one on his right clipped one of the creature’s legs.
 “7 THREATS REMAIN.” The text displayed in the left corner of Star’s HUD. “WARNING!” The HUD displayed in large red letters, “HIGH BLOOD LOSS.” The words flashed under the warning text.
Star looked around; the floor was littered with twigs, sticks, branches and blood. He looked up, “How long until something bad happens?”
“YOU HAVE 6 MINUTES UNTIL CONCISENESS FAILURE, ABOUT 35 MINUTES UNTIL COMPLETE BLOODLOSS…, 5 MINUTES AND 14 SECONDS UNTIL MAIN POWER RECYCLES.”
Star dashed into the nearest timberwolf cutting its head off, “Then I better make this count!” He exclaimed as he took do one timberwolf after another. After a few minute he was standing alone in the field, surrounded by wood and ash. He sat down on his haunches; he could feel the blood run cold down his leg, his metal parts letting off tons of heat and steam as he sat in the snow. Suddenly the smell of something rotten filled his noses, he heard something shifting behind him and as he turn he saw one of the wolves he clipped jumping towards him. Star ad no time to react, this wolf was going to do some serious damage, he closed his eyes waiting only to hear a loud wooden thwack.
“You know if you’re going to take down a timberwolf, go for the log behind the throat.” A gentle feminine voice said. Opening his eyes, Star could see a large metal blade engulfed in a blue aurora sticking out of the timberwolf’s mouth.
“Though I got to admit; nice body count for someone so young.” A brown pegasus said as she flew by landing a few feet from Star. “This him?”
Twinkle nodded as she pulled the glowing blue blade out of the timberwolf, “We better hurry and burn this before we get a bigger sur… prise…” She said as the wooden piece started to move back to the forest.
“IT REFORMING!” Yelled a silver pegasus that flew overhead. Quickly Twinkle Shine magical held two swords up, while the brown pegasus readied a spear.
“Timber King…” The brown pegasus mumbled under a hiss.
Star looked at the wooden giant in fear, a fear which triggered the two large triangles to merge together onto his back, more clicking and hissing noises came as a large cannon like device sat a few inches above Star’s back.
“WARNING DO NOT ENGAGE NEMESIS RAIL CAN-“ The HUD displayed only to be overridden by the host, Star. A large thump was heard as a ball of red energy and light collided into the Timber King. 
The brown pegasus watched as the Timber King exploded into fire and ash; as Twinkle watched Star get thrown back by the weapon he had just used. Twinkle quickly rushed to Star’s side, she watched as his legs and back opened up, the hollow legs letting the metal pieces that formed his weapons and armor side neatly back into place and back closing tightly after.
“What is he?” The brown pegasus asked.
Twinkle looked her in the eye, “Now… our son.”
Star was awake, but barely as he heard Twinkle’s words, two words that made him feel so warm as he passed out in the snow.

***

Star awoke to the sound of a heart monitor; he let out a disgusted sigh as he opened his eyes and found himself in the hospital again. Looking around the white room he felt his heart grow cold until  his eyes landed on a ivory coated mare with a sugar pink mane and tail who was sleeping on the chair beside his bed. Still what really caught his attention was on the wall behind her, a pair of double edge swords in the scabbards.
He smiled even though he barely knew this pony, but he was happy to see her. Star turned so he was laying down facing her direction. Slowly he began to sing, an old lullaby his grandmother would sing to him. “Come little children, I’ll take thee away…”
Star sang. Little did he know that his voice would once again draw in a crowd, as he stared into the pony who he would soon call family. As he finished singing Twinkle opened her eyes.
“Hi…”  Star said with a raspy voice.
The ivory unicorn opened her eyes, her bright blue eyes and gave Star a smile. “Hey… That was a beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Star nodded with a blush.
“So how are you doing?”
He then notice a hoof reach out for him, he reached back, “Drained, but okay… How long was I out?”
“About-“ Twinkle was cut off by the female synthesized voice coming from Star’s flank.
“33 Hours.”
Both Star and Twinkle looked down at his flank, “Your butt sounded like a girl just now.” Twinkle said.
“Yeah.” Star gave his flank a good smack, “Shut up you!”
Twinkle gave a giggle, “You seem okay with it.”
“Yeah… my systems back home had a similar voice.” Star said looking at his new caretaker who gave him a slightly confused concerned smile. “So… after they release me… I go home with you?”
Twinkle nodded. “Yep…”
The door to the room creaked open as a brown coated pegasus, with a dark brown mane and tail walked in followed by a slightly smaller tan coated pegasus, and a light blue coated pegasus who was smaller than Star. 
Star turned his head to the door only to hear a loud gasp, “Ohhhh! He’s awake!” The little blue pegasus yelled running to the unicorn who sat next to him.
“Of course he’s awake Solar, he was the one singing.” The silver mane pegasus said. Star began to blush lightly as Solar quickly jumping onto Twinkle chair, she put both of her fore hooves on the edge of the bed and moved her muzzle in trying to sniff or nuzzle Star.
“Solar… what are you doing?” Twinkle asked.
“I’m trying to nuzzle my new big brother!” The light blue coated pegasus said as her white mane fell over her eye. “Come here you.” She murmured as her muzzle was going for Star’s metallic foreleg. 
Star looked down at the small pegasus and then up to Twinkle, “Yours?” 
Twinkle nodded with a smile.
“I might be cold.” Star replied to the little pegasus as her little wings began to flutter causing her to move forward.
“Must nuzzle…” She replied. With a small sigh Star moved his leg closer; Solar gasped and began to nuzzle into the silver leg. “Ahh… warm…”
“What’s your name colt?” The brown pegasus asked with a stern look in her face.
“Star Circuit.”  He replied.
“Hmmm. My name is—“ The brown pegasus began only to be cut off by Twinkle.
“This is Golden Ring, the mare with the silver mane is Silver Streak, and this little one is—“ 
“Solar Ring!” Solar looked down at Star with a serious expression on her face, “Did you really fight all those Timberwolves?” 
Star looked around, looking at Twinkle and Golden. Twinkle looked away while Golden gave him a slow nod. “Yes…”
“That is so awesome!” The little filly exclaimed as she looked over him, “How?!”
“Uhhhh?”
“Are you a unicorn?” She asked hopping on the bed and looking on his head. “Nope, just some bandages… and a metal plate?! Cool!”
“Solar…” Golden said.
“Oh, a pegasus?!” She asked diving under his blankets and lifting them up, “More bandage and metal plates?!” She peaked her head out from the blankets. “You get hurt a lot.”
“Solar.” Golden said raising her voice slightly.
“I got! You’re a science experiment!” Solar said a she was magically lifted out of the bed.
“SOLAR! You know better than that!” Golden exclaimed swatting her daughter nose.
“Sorry mom…” Solar said.
“It’s okay, you were just curious.” Twinkle replied.
“Don’t baby her…” Golden replied.
“She was just curious…” Twinkle said.
“She needs to know better.”
“She didn’t hurt anypony.”
“Not yet.”
“Nor will she!”
“Listen you—“
“Sorry.” Star blurted out.
Twinkle, Golden, Silver and Solar turned to Star. “I should have told her to stop… am not use to pe… ponies being so close.”
“Star.” Twinkle said in a stern voice, the young colt flinched as Twinkle gentle swatted his muzzle. “No apologizing.”
“Sor—“ Star began as Twinkle gave him a look, “Okay.” He said hiding his head under the pillow.
Twinkle smile returned as Golden gave her an odd look, “He’s had a bit of a rough life and let’s just leave it at that.” Golden nodded.
“So do I have to share a room with somepony now?” Silver Streak said from a corner of the room.
“We’ll talk about that later, for now let’s just take care of the newest member of our family.” Twinkle replied with a sigh.
As the small family began to relax a green pegasus mare coughed, “Sorry to interrupt but that colt is going to Canterlot.”
“What?! Why? Who are you?” Twinkle exclaimed. Suddenly a brown and tan pair of wings blocked the green pegasus path. 
“Like you said, He has had a rough life… so he needs the right environment.” Heart Strings looked at the two mares, “Put down your wings and let me pass!” Heart Strings replied.
“Buck off!” Golden said staring down the green mare who stared back.
“You think I’m scared of you… I can have you all arrested for interfering in my duties to that young colt.” Heart Strings yelled.
“Your duties!?” Pinkie yelled from behind her. “Star Circuit it my responsibility and ‘I’ already set him up with a new family. It’s you who will get arrested you big fat phony!” Behind Pinkie stood Twilight, Apple Jack and Apple Bloom; and with a burst of speed Apple Bloom was already by Star’s bed.
“Ya’ okay Star?” She asked.
“Okay for now Abs.” Star replied.
“Abs?!” Apple Bloom gave a confused face.
“Apple Bloom is too long to say, and if I call you Apple, your sister might respond… so… Abs for short.” Star replied, “You don’t like, do you?”
“I of course like it!” Apple Bloom replied with a big smile across her muzzle, “I got a new nickname and a friend.”
“What am I chopped carrots?!” Heart Strings replied.
“No you’re a phony… just like Star said at the library.” Pinkie said looking at Star.
Everypony looked at Star. “I did?”
“Correct, Scanning indicates that the ‘Pony’ known as ‘Heart Strings’ is manipulating her physical features and is giving a false representation of herself.” The text displayed on Star’s HUD.
Star’s cutie mark then began to glow several different colors, everypony looked at Star’s flank, Star quickly covering it up with a blanket. “Hello! That is my butt you are all staring at.” Star said with an embarrassed tone in his voice.
Solar walked over to Star's flank and pressed down on his cutie mark, “Don’t hide the pretty lights?”
“Solar!” Golden exclaimed.
“But his cutie mark glows mom.” Solar said hiding behind Star.
“What was I saying… Oh! Yeah! She’s a phony-pony!” Pinkie Pie yelled pointing at Heart Strings.
Heart Strings flinched at the accusation, “How dare you, I’ll have you know I came all the way from Canterlot with an orders from the Princess to bring him there!” Quickly she realized what she had said and covered her mouth.
“Wait what?!” Pinkie said.
“Okay that’s it! I'm done with this.” Star yelled as the lights in his cutie mark grew brighter. “I am so tired of everybody telling me what to do! From here on out I make my own choices!” He then point a hoof over to Twinkle, "And I'm gonna to live with her. Not because of the pink cotton candy pony but because Twinkle offered me a place to stay... and invited me to be part of her family." He began to scan the room until his eyes landed on Heart Strings, “And you, I appreciate what you did for me, but who are you, really? And who the hell is this so called ‘Princess’!” Star yelled as his legs began to shift under the covers.
“Star you should really calm down.” Twinkle replied.
“No.” Star said firmly, “I have been calm this whole time… I want answers!”
“Then allow me to enlighten you.” A female voice said from behind Twilight and the others.
“Princess Luna!”
> Chapter 6: Need Input... That's information.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Star you should really calm down.” Twinkle replied.
“No.” Star said firmly, “I have been calm this whole time… I want answers!”
“Then allow me to enlighten you.” A female voice said from behind Twilight and the others.
“Princess Luna!” Twilight exclaimed.
Star looked around the room as everypony began to bow their head to a large winged dark blue unicorn. He eyed the blue mare carefully; she looked so familiar to him.
“Please Our Little Ponies, tho does not need to bow in our presence.” The dark blue mare gently spoke as she pointed to Star. “Is he the young colt you spoke of to us, Twilight Sparkle.”
Quickly Twilight clumsily trotted to the large winged unicorn, “Yes Princess Luna.”
Everypony remained where they were as Luna walked through the room towards Star’s hospital bed. With a quickly fluff of her wings she sat in front of the young colt, as all he could do was stare up at her. “We are Princess Luna.” Star tilted his head as if a different angle would help remind him of where he had last encountered this mare. 
“The one in the books?” Star asked.
“The one and the same.” Luna replied.
“But that means that you’re over a thousand years old or something and that’s not… possible… is it?” Star stated only to lose to confusion.
“And so we are.” Luna stated back with a raised eyebrow.
Suddenly his ‘new’ younger sister came out from behind him, her wings all stretched out and her chest all puffed out. “Mine!” Solar Ring said as if trying to defend her new found brother.
Luna turned her attention to Solar, and as she did her mane shifted, falling towards the bed. “Brave one aren’t we?” Luna asked only to notice the little pegasus’ attention on her ethereal mane. Cautiously Solar moved her hoof into Luna’s star filled mane.
“Pretty…” Solar said mesmerized by Luna’s mane.
With a gentle giggle Luna smiled and then turned her attention to the young colt, who now was also staring into her mane. Solar then tried to climb Luna’s muzzle to get a better view of the Lunar Princess’s mane.
“Solar Ring! Get down from there!” Golden whispered loudly.
“Tis fine, she’s only a child and she mean no harm.” Luna replied her eyes looking over his metallic and bandaged covered body. “Will somepony please explain to us why this colt is so injured?” Luna asked raising her brow.
“Timberwolves…” Silver muttered.
With a look of horror Luna turned to the green Pegasus, “Twas you job to look after the colt! What were you doing that made you neglect your duty!?” 
But before Heartstring could reply she was interrupted. “I remember you…” Star murmured. Luna blinked and shifted her head, “I remember seeing you before the books… with another that looked like you. She also had wavy magic hair… You two saved me.” Star said raising his eyes to meet Luna’s. “You were also in the story books… The mare in the moon.”
Luna nodded, “You’re knowledge and memory is impressive, still it is a half-truth… you saved our life as well little fallen star.” Star blushed as he could feel Luna’s breath upon his muzzle. “Pray tell… what is your name?”
“I wonder…” Solar whispered as she reached to nibble some of Luna’s mane, losing her balance and slipping off the Princess’s muzzle pulling her down. Star flinched before he could answer shutting his eyes, and in a moment he felt a warm wet sensation against his lips. Curiosity worked on the colt’s mind forcing him to reach out and lick what was pressing against his lips; only to find the sweet taste of strawberries. Quickly he opened his eyes to find that he in fact was lip to lip with the large dark blue winged unicorn.
“Princess Luna is trying to eat my new brother!” Solar Ring yelled releasing some of Luna’s mane from her mouth.
“Solar!” Twinkle exclaimed pulling the young filly from the bed, “We are so sorry you highness.”
With a loud ‘pop’ Luna separated from Star, her cheeks completely flushed and visible through her coat. “Ahem… Tis nothing to apologize for… Star are you alrii…” Luna began only to notice the blank expression on Star’s face.
The sounds of several loud clicks were heard from Star’s body, and suddenly his body began to relieve pressure like a train. Loud hissing sounds erupted from the metal plates opening to release the built up pressure. Even his Cutie Mark Star popped on inch from his flank release pressure.
“Awww, Horseapple!” Solar exclaimed throwing her hooves up, “She broke him!”
"Solar, language!" Golden exclaimed. As Solar quickly hide under the covers.
"Sorry Mom..." Solar replied.
“Solar I don’t think…” Twinkle began as a wave of energy exploded from the young colts body.
“Epp!” Several of the mare yelped as the lights turned off.
A dim glow began to brighten the room, “Is everyone okay?” Twilight asked.
Everypony replied stating that they were okay, “Than you very much so dear Twilight, for the illumination spell.” Luna replied
“I didn’t… Twinkle?” Twilight asked looking over to her cousin.
Slowly raising her hoof she pointed to Star, or to be more accurate, his cutie mark. It was glowing in the colors of the night sky. Luna tilted her head to get a better look only to find that in inside image of his cutie mark was indeed glowing and was displaying the night sky littered with stars just like her ethereal mane. Suddenly another pulse of energy exploded out from Star’s cutie mark, causing the lights above to flicker brightly and a few to blow out.
Luna vision was blurred by the sudden flash of energy and light, when her vision was restored the first thing she caught was an unconscious colt on the bed in front of her. “Star?” Solar whimpered, then she turned her anger to Luna, “What did you do to him?!”
“ENERGY DISPERSAL COMPLETE: UNKNOWN PARTICLES HAVE BEEN PURGED.” The text displayed in Star’s vision stated.
Luna gasped she had done nothing to the young colt expect what this young mare was responsible for, but before she could reply Star mumbled in his sleep about delicious strawberries. The Lunar Princesses blushed and turned to Twilight, “Everything seems in order here… please keep us informed of young Star condition as the days progress.” Twilight nodded and with that Luna stepped out of the room calling out the Heartstrings and continued down the hall Heartstring close behind.
“So Twinkle… are you really going to keep Star?” Twinkle nodded and trotted out to the bed. Solar gave her mother a pouty face as if asking to with her eyes if she could keep her new brother.
“Of course we are going to keep him—“ Twinkle began only to see Star’s body glow in a purple aura. Quickly pulling Star out of Twilight’s magic with her own she stared at her cousin, “What are you doing?”
With a apphensive giggle Twilight bowed her head in apology, “Sorry it’s just I’ve never seen anypony like him so I wanted to—“
“No!” Twinkle exclaimed, “He is my son, the son of this herd.” She said gesturing to her family, “No experimenting, no analyzing, and no anything scientific. He is a young colt and will be treated as one!” She stated stomping her hoof. 
“But science is fun…” Star murmured. 
Twinkle looked down at Star then at Twilight, “You…”
Twilight gave a toothy smile, “Sqee! He like science… when he was at the library we were discussing dark matter.”
“Great, we have an egghead in the family now.” Silver commented from the other side of the room. Which in turned earned her three glares… one from her aunt Twilight, and the others from her two mothers.
“What’s dark matter?” Solar asked as Star started to fully regain control over himself.
“Dark matter is a kind of matter hypothesized in astronomy and cosmology to account for gravitational effects that appear to be the result of invisible mass.” Star said as he put a hoof to his head, “And can someone tell me what just happened? And why do I taste strawberries?”
Everypony looked at Star and then at one another shaken their heads, “It seems you got a little light headed.” Twinkle said.
Earning a sigh of relief from everypony, “Yep! Princess Luna almost ate you, but I saved you.” Solar said in smug heroic tone, “All she got was your muzzle.”
The memories flooded Star’s head which caused him to blush furiously, which in turned caused his new younger sister to come in closer to visually inspect her brother full face blush.
“So an egghead and a Princess snoot bumper, gotta admit, not bad for a ground pounder.” Silver said with a grin, which earn her a wing slap on the muzzle from Golden Ring.
“Don’t tease your brother.” Golden Ring said in a stern and gentle voice.
“Pfft, whatever. If you need me, I’ll be outside hanging out with Sparkler and Rising.” Silver Streak replied heading out the door.
“So.., what do we do now?” Star asked his now mothers, but before he could reply a white pony walked in with a nurses cap.
“Hello! It’s time for all extra visitors to go home, except for the child’s immediate family, they can stay.” Nurse Redheart said as she walked passed. 
*****
Everypony except Twinkle Shine and Solar Ring left the hospital room leaving it large and empty. Twinkle was sleep in a chair with her hoof on the mattress, while Solar was busy hiding under the blankets. Slowly Star lifted the blanket, his fore hooves giving a slight glow. Looking under, he discovered his little sister shaking with her eyes tightly shut.
“You okay?” Star asked.
She gave a quick nod.
“Scared of the dark, huh?” Star said as he made his way under the covers and nuzzled his sister. She quickly relaxed and nuzzled back, she let out a small sigh of relief as Star felt dumbfounded. He had just nuzzled this young pony, not out of habit but out of instinct? He could not get a proper grasp on his emotions; he was trying to figure out why… or how. Was it like when he fought the timber wolves… no that was the auto-defensive sub-routine installed the weapons software. As he though Solar opened her eyes to catch her new brother’s face of thought and confusion.
“You okay?” Solar asked.
“Huh?!” Star replied looking at his sister, “Fine just… thinking, I think?” 
Solar gave a giggle, “My friend Mango Blossom says that earth ponies need to work hard or fiddle with something to think hard… maybe you should try that.”
“Maybe… except I’m not an Earth Pony.” Star replied.
Sitting up straight Solar looked over her brother, “If you’re not an earth pony, and you don’t have a horn or wings… what kind of pony are you?”
“I don’t know…” Star replied with a shrug, “But I know I can’t be the only one… right?” Star said looking down at his little sister.
“Yeah!” Solar replied excitedly sleepy, “Maybe we can find others like you… and then we can find out what kind of pony you are.” She said as she yawned laying against Star’s warm side.
“Yep…” Star replied letting out a gentle yawn and also began to lower his new body down. 
Twinkle watched her two foals slowly cuddle up to each other and fall asleep, the gentle glowing of Star’s fore hooves slowly fading into the darkness of the night.
“Good night my precious little ponies.” Twinkle said gently.
“Good night mom…” Solar muttered.
“Sleep gently… mama.” Star replied barely above a whisper, but still loud enough that a tear slipped from Twinkle’s eye.

> Chapter 7: Malfunction 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It had been two day since Princess Luna’s visit and Star was final going to be released from the hospital that morning. Still the last two days would be best described as, “The most boring-est days ever!” Solar sighed as she trotted around the hospital room. Star watched his little sister pace around the room kicking a small ball around. Then a sudden knock at the door grabs their attention and both sets of eyes lock onto the ivory unicorn who walks in.
“Hey guys… I bring Sugar Cube Corner muffins and Apple Acres juice!” Twinkle said levitating the items in her magic.
“Yay!” Solar yelled, her wings buzzing as she was trying to take into the air.
“More sugar… is there anything with more protein that maybe I could eat… I keep staying hungry…” Star asked with a pleading look upon his face.
Twinkle felt a pang of guilt; she was trying to spoil the colt not realizing that all he might want is something a bit more normal. Star on the other hand was unaware that his new body came with new instruction, thankfully his instincts where guiding him, making him crave eggs, beans… and even meat.
“Sure I’ll get you some eggs, okay honey?” Twinkle replied, only getting a getting sleepy nod from Star.
As Twinkle was about to leave the room, Nurse Red Heart appeared with a large plate of eggs, beans and nuts. “Don’t worry about it dearie.” Red Heart said as she placed the plate in front of Star. He immediately torn into the food, muzzle first, his table manner just as bad as Solar’s. “Miss Shine… may I talk to you a moment, outside.”
The two mares swiftly walked out of the room as the two foals ate their meals. Twinkle was the first to speak, “What is it Red Heart?” 
“Ohh, I don’t know where to begin…” She said as she began to pull out Star’s file. “What have you heard or know about your… son’s condition?”
“Other than possible sexual trauma and abuse nothing really…” Twinkle said as the thought finally hit her. What had happen to the colt? Why does he have metal fused onto his body? And what is with the advance technology all over his body?
“There are a lot of guess and rumors, but the most probable is that he is an alicorn… a male Alicorn.” Red Heart said as she pulled out an X-ray, “His bones are hollow like that of a Pegasus, his thaumologic system is on par with powerful unicorns and his body is strong like that of an earth pony.”
“If that’s true then?” Twinkle began only to be cut off.
“We don’t know, it’s a theory… and with the arrival of Princess Luna a few nights ago, I don’t know because if it’s true, somepony out there is a monster.” Red Heart said as she put the files away, “But there is another option.” She began as she leaned in close to Twinkle. “This is just another theory but… he could be a new race of pony or something. With all the weakness his body has… like the need for iron.”
“What should I do?” Twinkle began as she felt anxiety crawl up her back.
“For now, watch him; take care of him… be a mother for the little guy. That is what he needs most…” Red Heart said looking into the room as Solar tackled Star onto the bed. “He is a foal after all.”
***
After an embarrassing moment of being wheeled out of the hospital in a wheelchair exposing himself, and a fight about wearing thicker clothes to keep Star warm; Twinkle Shine, Solar and Star headed into town. The town was covered in snow, with several ponies already clearing the roads and skies. As they walked Twinkle and Solar met several of their friends and introduced Star to them.
“Where are we?” Star asked.
With an explosion of confetti and streamers Pinkie Pie erupted next to Star, “Well, you’re in Sugar Cube Corner!” She exclaimed his family sat with a parent and child already at a booth.  
“Hello Ditzy, how are you and your family doing?” Twinkle asked the grey Pegasus mare as the group sat down inside a gingerbread-like house.
“Hello Twinkle, I doing fine… waiting for Berry and well, Sparkler doing great, she’ll be going away to the University soon and my little Dinky is doing… well as you can see…” Ditzy replied looking at her unicorn daughter Dinky and Solar wrestling on the floor.
“So who is the new colt? Say Uncle!” Dinky asked as she had Solar Ring partially pinned to the ground.
With a quick tug and a hooked foreleg around Dinky’s neck, Solar pulled her to the ground and the two began again, “He is my new big brother… Gotcha!” Solar exclaimed as she placed Dinky into a submission hold. 
“New… arghhh! Uncle! Uncle!” Dinky yelled as Solar released her. Shifting her shoulders until she heard a pop she turned to Star. “So you can just pick up new older brothers and sisters.”
“Huh?!” Star said looking down at the little grey unicorn. “Solar… you can’t pick up siblings at the store, I hope.” Star said looking up at Twinkle, with a gentle shake of her head his suspicions were answered.
“Well, where do brothers and sisters come from?” Dinky asked as she dusted herself off.
“Ohh! Yes, Star is super smart! Tell us!” Solar exclaimed as both her and Dinky sat down in front of Star.
“Wait a minute… what exactly are you two asking me?” Star asked a hint of red blush appearing across his cheeks as he slightly raised his head.
“Where do foals come from? Duh!” Dinky replied.
Just as Star began to stuttered, four more ponies walked into, two of which he recognized. “Apple Bloom, Apple Jack hello!” Star yelped out with a wave.
“Hello Berry!” Twinkle said.
“Pina!” Dinky shout as the tackle her friend.
“Star!” Apple Bloom exclaimed as she glomped Star to the ground nuzzling his cheek.
Star hesitated but hugged back, “Hey Bloom, I want you to meet my… family.” Star said in a loud and monotone voice and he gestured to Twinkle and Solar.
“Family?! Ya mean ya got adopted and you’re stayin’ in Ponyville?!” Apple Bloom asked excitedly. Star put a hoof to his chin, thought about it, and then nodded. “WOHOO!” Apple Bloom exclaimed and glomped Star again giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Suddenly both Star and Apple Bloom became aware of several eyes upon them, as well as several grins and frowns.
“What is it with everypony kissing on my brother?!” Solar exclaimed as she threw her hooves into the air, both Pina and Dinky patting her back as if they understood her pain.
“WHA?!” Apple Bloom yelled.
“Not what you think… it was Solar Ring’s fault!” Star shouted pointing to his sister.
“It’s not my fault, the bat pony mare who kissed you last night was already in the room when I came out of the bathroom.” Solar replied as she puffed up her chest.
“No I am talking about Prin…” Star stopped and then looked off in thought and then returned his gaze to Solar. “What bat pony mare?”
“Last night… she was about your size and nuzzling into your neck and making all sorts of noises.” Solar replied.
Eyes wide opened Star began to panic, “Solar.. why didn’t you say something earlier?!” Star asked in a gentle manner.
“Because she told me not to say anything, and when I asked her what she was doing she said she was kissing you.” Solar said relaxing while everypony listen was staring at her wide eyed.
“Solar, sweetie, are you sure you weren’t dreaming or something?” Twinkle asked as she lifted her daughter into the air and placed her down next to her.
“Well great… now something else is going to happen to me.” Star said collapsing on the ground. 
“Nothing is going to happen to you.” A strong female voice replied.
Everypony turned to the new voice, “Mama!” Solar exclaimed as Star watched his ‘new’ other mother walk towards them.
“Golden… what brings you here?” Twinkle asked.
“Silver left me home alone to hang out with Sparkler… then.” Golden began only to have Twinkle scoot in and tap the spot next to her.
“Come on and sit down.” Twinkle said.
Golden trotted over and sat down next to Twinkle giving her a gentle nuzzle on her cheek. Star looked up to watch the exchange of affection between his mothers.
“So ummm… Nothing weird is going to happen to me?” Star asked slightly tugging on Golden’s tail for her attention.
“Nothing, more than likely it was a hungry bat pony.” Golden replied.
“Bat… Pony? What the heck is that?” Star asked confused… “Did it suck out my blood?!”
Golden looked down at Star, “You have a lot to learn kid.”
“Eh… what… of course I do, I’ve been stuck in a hole in the ground for the last few years, and this is my first week talking to someone who isn’t behind a screen!” Star said somewhat flustered and agitated.
“Sorry.” Golden replied, “I’m not good when it comes to talking to foals… that with Bringer.” 
“Bringer?” Star mumbled .
“There are two different types of bat-ponies; flesh, and fruit eaters. The flesh eaters are well flesh eaters, but sometimes they require more iron from their food so they might drink some from a sleeping creature, and fruit eaters just drink and eater fruit… sometimes you get a mix of both.” Golden replied.
“Wow Missus Ring… did you know of other types of ponies?” Dinky asked from behind Star giving him a scare.
“Bringer use to tell us stories, of other night-time ponies such as Umbracorns, and Lupus Ponies, and of mer-ponies, kelpies, kirins, draphons, and of a weird ghost like pony he saw once…” Golden said as she leaned against Twinkle, “Bringer said that the world is full of ponies and creatures… all we had to do was to open our eyes and reach out to them… and maybe they would reach back out to us.”
“So if I got bit by a Bat-pony… nothing is going to happen to me?” Star asked.
“Nothing at all…” Golden said looking down at the copper colt, and then over to Dinky, “And no… you don’t turn into a Bat-Pony either.”
As Star was about to ask more on the subject, child curiosity got ahold of yet another foal in the room.
“Hey I just noticed this… but what is wrong with his legs?” Pina asked, tapping Star’s metallic hooves. 
Solar jumped out from between her mother and then swatted Pina’s nose, “That is rude, if you have a question ask him!” Solar stated pointing a hoof at Star.
“It’s okay Solar… You don’t have to hit anybody for me.” Star said trying to calm the situation.
“Nope she needs to apologies and a colt shouldn’t let a filly trot all over him.” Solar replied.
“Sorry Sta…” Pina began only to be interrupted by Star.
“Wait a minute…” Star mumbled as he began to think… the comment about ‘colt things’, then the stories, and finally the history books… “No.” he thought out loud. Then he looked up at the table… filled with females, and then at the restaurant… the math slowly being worked out in his head.
“Is being a colt a bad thing?” Star asked Dinky.
“Well… no, but you do have to treat colts gently… that’s what Carrot Top tell me.” Dinky replied, “Cause you know… cause colts aren’t something to have… or something… I don’t remember.”
“No it’s cause you’ll never win a colt’s heart that way… take them out to dinner, by them things… stuff like that.” Pina added, “That’s what Carrot Top says.”
“Star are you okay?” Solar asked reaching out to him with a wing, his body shuttered at her touch.
“Who is Bringer?” Star asked his voice cracking with nervousness.
“Ohhh! She’s talking about my dad Star Bringer, he’s not here anymore but according to my moms he was a great stallion.” Solar replied.
“He was married to both of them?” Star questioned.
“No… he was married to mama Golden Ring, Twinkle Shine, Ivory Wind, and Shimmer Breeze… but Ivory Wind and Shimmer Breeze left to join another herd. My sister Silver Streak her birth mom was Ivory Wind but her new herd didn’t want her with a child so… I got to keep my sister.” 
Star looked at Solar, tears rolling down her eyes and he pulled her into a hug. As Twinkle made her way out of the booth, the realization of what had been there all along hit him, and as much as he ignored it, it was a sign that he truly was lost somewhere out in the universe with no means to get home. With eyes like pinpricks he looked up to Twinkle Shine, which caused her to freeze as she was about to pick him up.
“Twinkle Shine, what type of society do we live in?” Star asked already knowing the answer.
“A matriarchy…”
“And what is the ratio of female to males…?” Star asked his breathing becoming erratic. 
“10 to 1, but Ponyville is about 14 to 1… Star, are you okay?” Twinkle asked.
“Do… Will I have to marry into a herd one day?” Star asked, his voice trembling with fear.
“What are you…” The realization of Star’s question hit here, “No honey, you never be forced to do anything you won’t want to do.” Twinkle replied.
Star lowered his head as the information beginning to officially settle in; his old fear from his human youth began to rear its ugly head. Several warning messages began to appear in his vision; Star was to frighten to even react to these messages. As Twinkle approached he was able to smell her… he was able to smell every adult pony who was close… and their musk.
“Uhh, Star you okay?” Apple Bloom asked as she got closer. 
Suddenly he reached out and grabbed the little yellow filly and pulled her into a hug as well, his snoot buried into her apple scented neck.
“Star?” Apple Bloom began only to be cut off by the sound of an energy shield going up around them.

> Chapter 8: Stand By...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8: Stand By.
Somewhere on a hidden island, west of Equestria a set of white Alicorns sit around a large table discussing events of things to come below a whisper. Suddenly a white stallion with a light blue mane appears in the room in a flurry of snow.
“Frost!” One of the alicorns with a blonde mane exclaim.
“Report!” The Alicorn with a red mane said with a stern monotone voice.
“Project ‘Star Bright’ is under way… he has settled in Ponyville. I think the law of attraction that we spoke of is in play here.” The white stallion spoke bowing his head revealing a large bluish-white gem on his forehead.
The red mane Alicorn turned to the blonde mane Alicorn, “Is this your doing… or theirs?”
“More than likely theirs… you know how they like to play these events.” She replied.
“We cannot intervene with the current history… Magic has yet to show herself.” The red Alicorn spoke as the white stallion looked on confused.
“Magic… I seem to remember… damn!” Frost replied stomping his hoof causing ice to form on the floor. “I can’t remember…”
“Little brother do not concern yourself with your old memories… it has been several millennia for them. Let them be forgotten for now and focus on your tasks.” The red mane Alicorn spoke trying to calm the stallion.
“Sorry sist… your majesty. It has been a long day filled with… problems for me.” Frost replied.
“Problems what sort of problems?”
“Nothing to be concerned with your majesties…” Frost replied forming a wing of snow to hide behind.
Suddenly very interested in his problems both alicorns trotted up to the white stallion, “Please Winter Frost… don’t not tell me that they can see you?”
“See me… no, No! That is not what troubles me… it is a matter of the heart.” He said putting a hoof to his chest.
The red mane Alicorn looked down to Frost with a smile, “So another mare has caught your fancy… please, do tell us her name Season Spirit so we may assist you.”
Frost eyes opened in surprise and fear, slowly remembering every time he had asked her for help. “No I am good… I shall return to Ponyville, the last I saw of Star he was hiding behind an energy shield similar to ours.”
“Star?” The blonde Alicorn asked.
“Yes, did I not mention… he has chosen the name Star Circuit.” Frost replied as he headed to the window.
“No you did not… Now then, go Frost and watch over Star Circuit… the Endlings must not find him.” The red mane Alicorn commanded.
“Yes, your majesty.” Frost replied. Quickly forming wings of snow and ice he took to the air and exploded into a flurry of snow.
Looking backing into the room the red mane Alicorn stared at the blonde Alicorn, “One piece of five have entered our game against the end and into the world beyond our borders…”
“Yes, but what of the other four?”
“We have time… magic is far from ascension, and Triek is still bound in Tartarus… we have time.”
“But do they…” The blonde Alicorn asked looking out to Equestria which lay in the coming sunrise.
“I hope so…” The red mane Alicorn walked to a large double door and opened it catching a stallion dressed in silver armor standing outside of the door.
“Your majesty!” The stallion replied bowing his head.
“Quick Silver, I need you to summon the rest of counsel of immortals.” The red mane Alicorn commanded. Quick Silver nodded and took off down the hall.
“I must say sisters you are quite the busy bunch.” A male voice spoke from the shadows of the room.
“Prince Chaos!?” The blonde mare stuttered.
“You sure are quick aren’t you?” The red mane Alicorn replied.
“Quick no, punctual yes.” Chaos smirked, “Speaking of punctual, the second of the five is already here… well not here… but underground, deep in the Everfree Forest… with his daughter.” 
“The second is in the Everfree?”
“The second is a father?!”
“Yes, yes… but I must warn you, he is like the others. Different from the norm…” Chaos spoke as he walked to his sisters; his bright green mane and tail moving in a non-existent breeze, his coat a flat-black and his yellow eyes with red pupils.
“By the love of me, I swear sometimes I wondering why you look like such a horrible ‘OC’ Chaos.” The red mane Alicorn said while the blonde laughed.
“Screw you! I never had an imagination for this kind of thing…” He exclaimed as he sat on his haunches.
“So… You know the location of the second.” The red mane Alicorn asked.
“Yes… and she know where the third is.” Chaos said pointing at the blonde Alicorn.
“Destiny!” The red mane Alicorn exclaimed. “Is this true?”
Quickly looking for an exit the blonde mane Alicorn dashed to a set of double doors only to be blocked off by Chaos. “No escape dear sister.”
“Traitor!” Destiny shouted.
“No… I’m Chaos.” Chaos spoke with a toothy grin.
“Destiny… where is he?” 
“Please sister… he is too young. This burden will be too heavy for him.” Destiny pleaded.
“Oh please, he is a Draphons, I doubt he is too young.” Chaos replied earning a hiss from Destiny.
“The third is a Draphons… hmmm.” The red mane Alicorn began to murmur. “Chaos what is the second?”
“A Lupus Pony my dear Faust.”
“So a Technomage, a Draphon and a Lupus Pony… so the fourth is the same as the other three… A sea pony? Umbracorn? What?” She asked no pony in particular as she stomped her hoof.
“Dear sister patience… time is on our side at the moment. Chaos is balanced… and I will do my best until harmony arrives.” Chaos replied. “Plus it is kind of exciting not to know who or what the fourth and fifth are… it has a slight hint if Chaos.” He said with a smile.
“You are right… so, if I maybe so bold to ask… what are their names?”
Chaos and Destiny looked at one another, Destiny looking for comfort in the eyes of Chaos, in which he replied with a gentle nod. Turning to Princess Faust, Prince Chaos was the first to speak.
“His name is Thorne Fright.”
Destiny closed her eyes and turned to Faust, “His name is Solar Rider… or it will be.”
“What do you mean it will be…” With a sudden gasp she turns to Destiny, “He has not gone through the ‘Hestr-vili’?” Faust asked.
Shaking her head Destiny sat down, looking out the window to the west.
“Worry not dear sister, he will be fine.” Chaos said comforting his sister with his wing.
“Like your failed acolyte Discord?” Destiny said with a hiss towards Chaos’ comfort.
“Do not speak to me of Discord when your three fates defy you and rewrite the destinies that you have written.” Chaos spat.
“SILENCE!” A dark voice shouted from the doors.
“Princess Morta…” Chaos muttered.
“Let us not speak ill of those who we chose to fulfill our will.” Morta spoke.
“Thank you Morta.” Faust said as she walked over to the grey-ash Alicorn mare.
“You are most welcome dear sister…” Morta said as she tried to smile, “We are trying to be more… social. Your trusted Seasons Spirits, Spring Time and Autumn Fall have been very helpful to us… me.”
The two hugged one another and looked to the other two alicorns in the room. “So back to business… Are we sure that End is coming.” Faust asked.
Morta and Chaos looked at one another and nodded, “Souls that have arrived to us, without the light of their soul… it has been difficult to restore them.” Morta said.
“And I have to keep pulling chaos from certain regions to keep the balance of harmony.” Chaos replied. “The End is coming and I think ‘she’ is behind it all.”
“Let us speak of the rest of this behind closed doors.” Suddenly several more creatures and Alicorns appeared from nowhere and began entering the room. Then all the doors and windows glowed several colors and slammed shut.
*****
Everypony in Sugar Cube Corner watched in awe as three foals hugged one another under some sort of ‘magical’ dome shield. 
“He’s curse!”
“He’s possessed!”
“RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!” 
Three mares yelled as they ran out of Sugar Cube Corner; Apple Bloom stared hard at the three flower mares as they ran out, and then back to the colt who was hugging her. Slowly she lifted her hoof to push him away but stopped, instead she moved her muzzle into his neck. With a big whiff she caught his scent… it was the smell of new tools?!… and something else, the night sky. A smile ran across her muzzle, he smelled just like her favorite things. She shook her head, “Come on Star… it’s okay. Nopony is going to hurt you.”
“..what about whe… der.” Star whispered back.
“Wha’ was that sugarcube?” Apple Bloom asked as she nuzzled Star’s cheek.
“What about when I’m older… what will I do? Mares will force me to do…” Star started only to find a hoof over his mouth.
“Then you can stop them… you’ll be a big stallion, and judging by your legs ah seriously doubt any filly or mare could tell you what to do.” Apple Bloom said.
Slowly Star pulled away his legs retracting the shield generators, his emotions more under his control. “Sorry Abby…”
“Abby?” Apple Bloom asked, scrunching her muzzle.
Semi-panicked, Star was about to apologize when Apple Bloom shook her head, “Ah like it… but only you can call me that.” She said lightly punching his shoulder.
“Well will ya look at that… ya called him Sugarcube, Sugarcube.” Apple Jack said pulling her younger sister into a hug. “Way to defuse the situation Apple Bloom.”
“Thanks…” Apple Bloom replied, then turning her attention back to Star. “Are you gonna be okay?”
“I think so…” Star said only to be lifted up by his adopted pegasus mother, her hoof strong and rather comforting.
“No.” Golden Ring said.
“No?” Star answered back looking confused as the pegasus fluff out her feathers, her wings twitching as if she was about to take flight.
“Mom means you shouldn’t hide when you’re scared.” Solar Ring said looking as if she was about to smack Star on his muzzle.
“No.” Golden said pulling Star tighter into a hug away from the oncoming hoof. Looking surprised she looked at her mother Golden, then to her other mother Twinkle looking for answers.
“Remember honey… Star is a little delicate.” Twinkle said pulling Solar into a similar hug that Star was in.
Eventually the foals were put down, and continued to play as the adults continued to talk. Afternoon turned into evening as each of the families said their farewells and headed home.
“So Dinky… what did you think of Star?” Ditsy asked as her and the Apples walked to their homes.
“He was… pretty nice… to nice and polite for a colt… I also like how shiny his legs were, actually why was his legs like that mommy?” Dinky asked,
“Well muffin, ummmm… someponies are different and aren’t as lucky as you and your friends… and well…” Ditsy began remember what Twinkle Shine told her about Star.
“He’s jus’ a pony who needs a littl’ extra taken’ care of.” Apple Jack added.
“Yep, that’s right.” Ditsy agreed with a smile.
“So does this mean I have to treat him different?” Dinky replied.
“Ummmm….” Ditsy began, only to look forward and smile, “Treat him like you want to be treated and stop if he tells you… in any way… stop whatever you’re doing that might be making him uncomfortable.”
“He likes hugs! He calms down a lot when you hug him!” Apple Bloom added. Suddenly three pairs of eyes found themselves on Apple Bloom. “Wha?!”
“Sugarcube… Ah think he only likes your hugs…” Apple Jack said bumping her little sister as they walked. Quickly Apple Bloom found herself looking at the snow covered ground with much interest as she walked on with her sister.
Somewhere on the other side of town, Pinkie sat under a tree watching the new foal in town walk home with his new family.
“You know watching ponies walking home is kinda creepy~!” Pinkie said to no one in particular. The sound of snow shifty beside her and a light outline of snow floating above her head was all she got as Pinkie continued to watch the herd. “I know, I know… but I can’t hear, see or touch you either… wait. . . . . I’m the creepy looking one!” She blurted out from under her hat and scarf. She then stood up and trotted off to her home waving back to the invisible figure that was watching the family enter their home.

> Chapter 9: Are you sure you want to eject?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Four ponies walked home as the sun began to set on this winter evening. A large female Pegasus, a small female Pegasus, a average sized female unicorn, and a metal legged earth colt. Star looked around trying to keep his new child-like emotions in check, his sudden urge to duck between one of his adopted mother's legs at any unfamiliar sound was starting to bother him.
"I'm so excited!" Little Solar said as she fluttered into the air, her wings buzzing with her excitement. "How about you Star, are you excited to see your new home?"
Both Twinkle and Golden let their ears swivel to hear Star's response.
“I think so… I’m just afraid I’ll be in the way though.” Star replied lowering his head.
Twinkle was about to reply when Solar slammed into Star, “Are you kiddng me?! I have a big brother now, how are you going to be in the way? This is so totally awesome especially since we’re sharing a room!”
We’re sharing a room?” Star asked.
“Sorry Star, I know you probably want your own room but right now we’re using the spare room for… storage.” Twinkle said as she let the foal catch up to her.
“No, I’m good, I never shared a room with anyone… I mean, anypony before, it might be fun.” Star said as they reach a small two story house.
“Were here.” Golden said as she opened the door only to find Silver and some unknown Pegasus stallion making out on the sofa.
“Mom!” Silver exclaimed as she tossed the brown coated stallion to the floor, “What are you doing here so early?”
Golden gave her daughter a sharp upset look, then pointed to the clock on the wall.
“Oh… it’s that late already?” Silver said as she giggle nervously.
Twinkle had her hooves around Solar and Star’s eyes, preventing them from watching the scene unfold before them. “I think it’s time you left young colt, we have a pair of foal that need to get to bed and a young mare who might not get to see the outside world for a long time.”
“Okay.” The brown stallion said as he quickly trotted to the door, “I’ll see you in school Silver…” 
Golden gave the young stallion a look that sent shivers up his spine and his flank into the clouds.	
“Mom!” Silver said as she stomped her hoof, both Twinkle and Golden gave her a look. “How am I ever supposed to find the right one, if you keep scaring them off!?”
“Simple.” Twinkle stated as she, Solar and Star moved into the living room, “He’ll come back tomorrow and introduce himself.”
“You guys know nothing about stallions!” Silver said as she began to trot upstairs.
Both Golden and Twinkle looked at one another and sighed, “Did she really she that to us?” Golden just looked at Twinkle and shook her head in disappointment. "Seriously how do you think you were born!" Twinkle yelled up stairs.
The sound of somepony stumbling was heard as Silver yelled, "Argh... MOM!"
The rest of the evening went on as a normal evening should, they ate dinner at the table together, the foals took their bath… though Star was the most difficult. Everypony was afraid he would break in the shower. Finally Star was lead to Solar’s room…
“So this is where you sleep Star!” Solar said as she jumped on his bed.
“Solar, no jumping on the bed.” Twinkle said as she levitated Solar and Star into their beds.
“Bedtime story!” Solar exclaimed.
“Sorry honey, no story tonight, it’s already late. If you wanted a story you have to get to bed earlier.” Twinkle said as she tucked Solar into bed. Twinkle then kissed Solar on the forehead and nuzzled her, and then gave Star a gentle nuzzle. “Good night you two.” Twinkle whispered as she turned off the lights and closed the door.
As the room began to darken Star began to give into his sleep slowly, that was until Solar began to whimper. “Star… Star are you there?”
“Star…”
“Star…”
“I’m here.” Star replied.
“Oh good.”
“…”
“…”
“…Star, are you still there?”
“Star?”
“Star?”
“Solar… what’s wrong?” Star said as he opened his eyes in the darkness.
“I’m… I’m scared of the dark…” Solar replied. A muffled thump was heard from Star’s bed, “Star what happen… what was that?”
“Ow… remind me that face to hoof is bad… ow…” Star said as he rubbed his muzzle wondering what he could do to help. 	Suddenly a set of green letters began to appear in is field of vision.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE YOU’RE ‘A.R.T.I.E.’?

“A.R.T.I.E…. Artie! Yes, deploy Artie!” Star said in an excited tone.
“Who’s Art-ty?” Solar asked.
“My assistant… you’ll see.” Star said.

ONE MOMENT PLEASE…

Star watched as the bar began to fill, suddenly his head started making all sorts of whirling clicking sounds, and a few seconds later something detached from his forehead plate. A small blue glowing metal ball with three pyramid pieces began to float around Star’s head.
“Hello Sir, my name is ARTIE… how can I help you?” The floating robot said.
Solar stared in awe as the small orb landed on Star’s forehead, “What is it?” Solar asked.
With a smile Star looked up at Artie and then a Solar, “Artie can you watch and look after us while we sleep?”
“Yes Sir.” Artie replied his blue glowing dimming enough that only he was visible.
“You mean…” 
“Yep, Night Light… that can do something.” Star replied.
“Awesome, Good night Artie, Good Night Star.” Solar said and with that she covered herself in the blanket.
“Good nig…” Star began only to be cut off by Solar’s snore. Shaking his head he laid his head back down. “Good night Artie.”
“Good night Sir.”  

***

Later the next day in Canterlot the sun began to rise, and Celestia was having one of her mornings.
"Dear sister what worries you so?” Luna asked as she arrived for her dinner that morning.
Celestia looked up, her eyes showing her exhaustion as winter took its toll on her. “That young colt, is he the one you spoke of, is he truly the one?”
Luna bowed her head as her ears flatted back against her head, “Yes, 1000 years ago in my madness of Nightmare Moon we looked to the stars and found one calling out to us, wishing… for something… we do not remember to well.”
“But why does he appear now, and why so young?” Celestia asked as her eyes caught a window slightly open to the far corner of the room.
“We do not know, but we do know that the purpose of his summon was to help us defeat you and the elements of harmony.” Luna said as she stared at her pancakes with guilt. “Sister why do we not just…” The wall exploded with magic far behind Luna, Celestia’s horn slightly smoke from the blast of magic she released. Luna turned around to gaze behind her, as the smoke cleared the area was unphased from the blast. “Sis sis sister, have we ange…” 
“Shh! Silence Luna… he’s here.” Celestia whispered.
Luna began looking at her sister as if she had lost her mind, “Who is here, sister?”
“Something that show up every winter… it hides in the shadow, stalks me through my daily chores and sits in the far back of our throne room as we conduct court.” Celestia hissed her horn slightly glowing gold with magic.
“Surely you jest sister, what could hide from.” Luna quickly turned as her ears began to hear the sound of ice forming by the window, her eyes telling Celestia everything she need to know.
Blue magic quickly sealed the windows in the dining room as, another blast of magic shot through the dinner room towards the window. As the smoke cleared from the blast, a barrier of ice stood where the blast would have hit. “Come out and fight us you cur!” Celestia bellowed.
Luna slowly moved to her sister as the two stood in the center of the room, back to back, waiting for any sign of movement. “Sister what sort of creature are we dealing with? What could be strong enough to protect itself from you?” Luna spoke as her ears swiveled and her eyes jumped across the room.
Suddenly a burst of wind exploded from nowhere, a snowstorm was quickly forming in the dining room. The winds howled loudly, the snow quickly began to blanket everything in the room, then the wind was gone.
“Where? What…?” Celestia began to look around the room only to find all the windows open, “No!” She quickly galloped to the nearest window only to find the rest of the world covered in last night’s snowstorm.
“Sister what was that?” Luna asked as she neared her sister.
“That has been following me every winter, since I banished you to the moon. I always thought it was some form of guilt or something, punishing me since I could not save you.” Celestia said as tear began to roll down her eyes.
“Sister…” Luna began but could find no words to lift her sister’s spirits. Then the sound of crunching snow was heard behind the sisters. Luna turned but found nopony, but the sound continued, that is when she caught it, as she turned she noticed the snow shifting as if somepony was writing in the snow. Her eyes opened wide as she realized it was a message, “Sister… look.” Luna said.
Celestia began to turn and notice the stunned looking in her sister’s face, and then noticed the out-stretched hoof pointing to the ground. Her eyes followed and also widened as she began to read the message aloud.
“Dear Daughters of her Majesty Faust, Please forgive me and my actions. I meant no harm. I was only following the orders given to me a couple of millenniums ago. Sigh the Season of Winter…” Celestia looked to her sister, a tear filled smile across their face. Celestia looked up to see a set of hoofprints in the snow heading to the window. “Please don’t go!” Celestia voice pleaded, the hoofprints stopped. “Is it true, did you know our mother?”
A moment went by, then four hoof prints settled infront of the sisters, followed by the words in the snow, “I still know your mother.” 
“That’s not possible… our mother is gone, isn’t she?” Celestia asked looking to her sister.
Sudden the snow began to shift and change, as a new message appeared, “I was told never to interfere with the lives of mortal ponies outside the veil. Only to watch, but your mother gave me instructions and a spell for the day you two discovered me, but you will need the third Alicorn for the spell to work.”
“Third? Who does this season speak of sister?” Luna asked.
“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza she appeared in Canterlot about 15 years ago, a foal at the time.” Celestia began, and then looked over to her sister. “The very same one seeing our dear Captain of the Guard, actually she did appear on the first day of winter… did you have something to do with it…” Celestia asked as she notice several large symbols beginning to be drawn in the snow, a sort of triangular symbol with four circles.
A quill and parchment appeared in front of Celestia, she quickly wrote something, and burned the paper away. Suddenly in a flash of light blue magic Cadance appeared with the dining room. “Auntie what was so important that I had to be here?” Candance then realized she was in the presence of both sister, both of her ‘Aunts’.
As Luna was going to question, the snow began to shift as another message appeared in the snow. “Please be quick, my time is limited. Stand in the circles with your cutie mark and focus your magic into the circle into the center, focus trying to teleport me there.” 
“What is that?!” Candance yelled.
“A creature known as… ‘the season of Winter’ is asking us to assist him with a spell.” Celestia said quickly moving to the circle with her cutie mark. “Well?”
“Wait you’re telling us to trust something that has been ‘stalking’ you this whole time, it gives an apology and you want to do what it says!” Luna replied.
“Luna we could finally learn about our parents… about mom.” Celestia said with a pleading voice.
“I’m with her on this; no way I’m trusting a stranger that appeared out of nowhere.” Cadance replied pointing to her aunt.
With a grunt Celestia looked towards the center of the symbol, a large snowflake decorated the center circle, “If you’re not willing to help me then…” Celestia’s horn began to glow a bright gold. The whole symbol began to glow gold and white. With wide eyes filled with fear and horror, Luna and Cadance galloped to Celestia in hopes to stop her, but it was too late. A bright flash filled the room and Celestia was gone. 

> Chapter 10: Hoof Prints to follow...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly the world came back into view for Celestia, the haze of the bright flash clearing from her eyes. Carefully she stood up and checked her surrounding, she was still in the dining room, still standing in the circle of snow, but something felt off… different… she felt an unusual, yet familiar weight of magic upon herself. She then notices Cadance and Luna rushing around the dining room, their mouths moving but no sound.
“Welcome to behind the veil, Princess Celestia.”
Celestia quickly turned and caught a white stallion, with a light blue mane and tail standing in the center circle. “Season of winter?” Celestia asked her voice filled with confusion. Celestia looked down at this average sized stallion, still confused… what was he. Instead on a horn upon his head, a sky blue oval gem, other than that he looked like any other earth pony in Equestria.
“Yes I am the season of winter, but you may call me Winter Frost… little Tia.” Winter replied bowing his head as he produced wings of ice and snow.
A memory flashed in her head, the same pony in front of her watching over her in her cradle; calling her ‘Little Tia’. “Are you an Alicorn?” Celestia asked as she walked towards him.
Shaking his head, Winter looked up to Celestia, “No, I am a ‘Season Spirit’ an immortal like you, but with far less power. I am an acolyte for Princess Faust and Princess Gaia.”
“My mother and… who is this Princess Gaia?” Celestia asked looking down into Winter’s light blue eyes. 
Winter gave a weary sigh, “Sadly I cannot answer many of your questions, but know everything will be revealed in time… Patience is something that our kind carries with ease, we have much to discuss.” Winter said as a shoulder bag appeared out of the snow. “And I am short on time, but first a present for the little princess who can’t stand my cold winters.” Winter said as he pulled out a purple gem from his bag.

*****

On the other side of the veil…
Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor stood in the snow covered dining room with several guards searching the room.
“Why would Princess Celestia just do that?” Shining said as he walked over to the other two princesses.
“Our mother’s name was mentioned…” Luna whispered, “Tia becomes… she is like a lost filly when our mother’s name is mentioned…” 
“You guys have…” Shining bellowed before he put a hoof over his mouth as several of the guards turned to look at him, “You two have parents?” Shining said aloud so that only Cadance and Luna could her him.
“Yes, but only our sister can remember them properly; we were too little to remember.” Luna replied her head lowing enough that her muzzle could touch the ground.
About an hour later of searching later two guards walked up to Shining Armor. “What do you have to report?” Shining asked.
The two guards shook their heads, “We’re sorry sir, but me and my teams could find nothing… no unusual magic, no signs of a struggle, nothing… just a small amount of Princess Celestia’s teleportation magic lingering in the air.”
“Well… where does it lead too?” Shining barked showing his impatience to the situation.
“Nowhere Sir, it just pops in and out of the same place.”
“Well, don’t just stand there! Go bring in the Mages!” Shinning barked.
“SIR!” The guard’s ponies replied heading into the hall.
“Relax Shiny… we will find Celestia soon.” Cadance cooed as she rested a wing on Shining’s withers. He gently turned smiling back to Cadance, suddenly the room began to fill with wind… the snow erupting off ever surface and into the air. The snow began to swirl where Celestia had stood before she disappeared. As the snow began to clear, a tall pony silhouette began to appear. All the snow in the room condensed onto the silhouette and then exploded, leaving a tall white Alicorn standing in the middle of the room.
“SISTER!” Luna exclaimed as she glomped her sister, followed by Cadance. Celestia found herself on the floor being hugged by what she now knew as her sisters.
“It’s alright, I’m fine.” She said. Lifting her head she caught a glimpse at Shining Armor who was staring wide eyed at something in front of them. Slowly they all turn to see a snow white stallion slowly faded out from existence.
“Who or… what was that?” Cadance asked.
“Nothing to be concerned about; now we have many things to do, and not a lot of time to do it in.” Celestia said in a chipper excited tone. 
Luna then noticed that her sister’s magic had risen higher than she had ever felt. “Sister, where does this new found energy and excitement come from?” Luna asked as they all stood up.
“Come we have much to do.” Celestia said as she walked out of the dining room. Luna and Cadance had much time to talk and get to know one another while Celestia was gone and now busy with ‘Plans’. It was early that evening that Celestia called down Luna and Cadance to her room.
“Dear Sister, why have you… youuuuoooo…” Luna yawned, “Called us here?”
“Luna and Cadance I had a lot of time to think about many things today, but two things stood out to me the most. Your requests.” Celestia said as she gave Luna and Cadance a calm and regal look.
“Sister it’s okay, I understand about the guard…” Luna began, as Cadance began to talk at the same time.
“My travels to the north, I know it was asking a lot and I’m sorry…”
“Granted.” Celestia said.
As the two began there apologies, they stopped and stared at Celestia.
“You agree with us… our request?” Luna questioned raising an eyebrow at her sister.
“Yes, I believe that both of your requests have merit, but I do have requests of my own.” Celestia said as she poured herself, Luna and Cadance some tea.
“Our course Aunt Tia, but we can we do?” Cadance asked as the tea cup was placed before her.
“When you venture to the north I want you to take a team of six of my best guards, including Shining Armor, but before then I want Shining Armor to teach Luna everything about our current guard… this may take a few weeks and I am afraid you will have to miss a few events, but fear not all will come together…” Slowly and almost out of nowhere Celestia pulled a book into existence.
“Sister?” Luna questioned.
“A gift from our old foal sitter…” Celestia said as she placed the open book down, and staring back at them was a black creature, with several knife like legs.
“Is that…”

*****

“Endlings.” Artie replied as his single monocle eye stared at the metal plated colt that had been unable to sleep all night.
“So what are they?” Star asked trying to pull as much data as he could.
“I am unsure… the data is there but corrupted. It is a creature that marks the beginning of something, and each light represents a life… taken.” Artie replied as he looked outside spotting several of the creatures walking about the town, invisible to the townsfolk. “You should sleep now sir.”
As Star was about to argue he felt his eyes get heavy, and what felt like a pull on his being… his soul. In an instant he was out, suddenly the star on his flank began to glow brighter and brighter… sending pulse after pulse of energy out of his body. These pulses were invisible, just like the Endlings, and began pushing the Endlings… farther and farther from the town, until not a single one remained in town.
“Sleep tight Star Circuit…” Artie said as he began to float and bob through the room, humming a lullaby.
Outside of the room sat two ponies who overheard everything, Twinkle and Golden stared at the door as the thoughts of the little colt fighting invisible creatures.
“No matter how you cut it… it makes him sound crazy.” Twinkle said
Golden looked at Twinkle and shook her head no, “The Princesses fight them too.”
“That’s right! He mentioned that… and… that explains why the Princess came to see him.” Twinkle smiled at this realization, “Tomorrow I ask Twilight to send Princess Celestia a letter to see if she can…” A hoof fell over her lips.
“No.” Golden replied, “They might try to take him away again, we keep him, raise him, and train him… just like how he would have wanted to raise his son.” Golden replied looking at the picture of their fallen husband that hung on the wall. “We raise our son.” Golden return her eyes to Twinkle with a smile.
With a nod Twinkle smiled back and got up along with Golden and headed to their room; tomorrow was a new day, filled with new surprises, and new adventures. With a sense of renewed passion the two began to set up a routine for Star the newest member of their herd. Unbeknownst to them another figure crept into the room where Star slept hidden behind the veil.
“Please identify yourself or be met with brute force.” Artie said in a low enough tone as to not wake up the children.
Slowly he passed a hoof over the small floating machine presenting it with an SD card, “I am a friend, but tell no one that I was here.” 
“Understood Winter Frost.” Artie replied as he continued his humming.
“So you are him… or you will become him.” Winter chuckled at the sight of the small copper colt sleeping in bed. “Be strong… Princess Destiny and Princess Fate have many things in store for you.” Frost said as he turned to wind and snow and disappeared out the window towards Canterlot.
> Chapter 11: Would you like to save?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Winter Frost blew through Ponyville, he stopped and watched a pink mare play in the snow, building snow ponies.

“Hello Pinkie.” Winter spoke, knowing the mare wouldn’t hear him.

Quickly Pinkie turn, feeling a twitch in her chest. “Winter?!” Pinkie asked as she scanned the ground, noticing the hoof marks that appeared out of nowhere. She reached out to hug him, only to fall through him. 

“Hi Pinkie, I still don’t get how you know I’m here.” Winter wrote in the snow.

Pinkie dug herself out of the snow and looked at the writing, “That’s easy, you’re here cause you’re here!” She said as she sat down next to him. “I miss you, you know. Even though I can’t see you or anything, I miss you…” Pinkie spoke softly, scooting closer to where Winter was sitting.

“I missed you too, but you shouldn’t be out here so late.” Winter wrote.

“I’m a big pony. Plus if I don’t play with all this snow who will?” Pinkie asked, “Also thank you for the great snowfall this year, you out did yourself again.”

A smile grew across Winter’s face, he then turned and placed a small kiss on Pinkie’s cheek, and for a moment he could feel her soft warm fur underneath his lips. “Sorry love, I have to go.” Winter spoke, writing only a simple ‘Goodbye’ in the snow.

As Winter flew into the air, Pinkie waved goodbye, it was the only thing she could do because sher was in a slight bit of shock. Because for a moment, in the blink of an eye she saw the face of her childhood friend for the first time. She felt his cool lips upon her cheek and her heart skipped a beat.

“Bye my Winter.” Pinkie whispered

*****

Star sat in a very familiar room, but it was his first time there. The smell of chalk and wax filled his nose.... This was a place full of horror that he knew he was bound to return too. He looked down at the paper in front of him; a general knowledge test. Star’s eyes then shifted up to the front of the room where Twinkle Shine, Twilight Sparkle, and a pink earth pony named Cherrilee sat talking to one another. He had finished the test quickly and was waiting for the timer to run out, so he began talking with Artie whom was currently charging in his face and appeared as a squared unicorn horn-like stump.

“So... have you figured out where that SD card came from?” Star whispered.

“Not at all, there are some unusual markings… like a language, but I am still trying to figure that out.” Atrie replied from inside Star’s head piece giving a glow when he spoke.

“Markings?” Star asked.

A small window opened in his HUD displaying the image, “Yes, I am running them against every language in our database.”

On the other side of the room Twilight, Twinkle and Cherrilee were discussing Star and what his past could have possibly have been like.

“How horrible… the poor little thing.” Cherrilee replied to the suspicions Twinkle was informed of on how Star could have possibly showed up in their town.

“But don’t let that fool you he is remarkably intelligent!” Twilight spoke up, “The other day we were talking about the effects of thaumaturgical properties on a non-thaumaturgical environments…” Both Cherrilee and Twinkle looked at Twilight with an odd look on their face.

That is when Star walked up to them and dropped the test in front of them. “Sorry, I finished a bit ago and was tired of waiting for the timer… Also, ‘how magic would effect a world that has never had magic’… that is what me and Twilight were talking about. I would guess magical poisoning, but Twilight disagrees.”

“You’re done?! But that test should have taken you at least 2 hours, not…” Cherrilee looked back to the clock on the wall, “20 MINUTES?! You finished the exam in 20 minutes…” She replied dumbfounded.

“Yep! Can I go outside and play? Or Does Twilight want to go for round 2 about thaumic poisoning?” Star asked as he sat in front of the three mares.

“You are so o...mhhhhh…” Twilight began only to have a hoof shoved in her mouth.

“Go play outside sweetie. Just be careful.” Twinkle replied as she held her hoof over Twilight’s mouth.

With an affirmative nod, Star stood up and began heading to the door as Twilight pointed over to him removing the hoof from her mouth, “Magical poisoning seems farfetched!”

“Farfetched for only with those who have a system to process the magic… what if they didn’t to begin with~” Star sing-song as he stepped out the door.

“Wait… but…” Cherrilee began but realized it was too late.

“Process… but… no… there can be no such thing… right” Twilight muttered as she knew Star had stumped her yet again with his theories.

As Star exited to the playground, Cherrilee began grading the test, all the while Twinkle and Twilight sat nervously waiting. Quickly Cheerilee grading the test, flying through the pages almost as fast as Star when he was taking it.

*****

Outside, Star was sitting on the grass, his cutie-mark and body had already beginning to melt the snow around him. 

“Artie…, you can come out now.” Star said as he closed his eyes.

Suddenly his face had a slight sound of clicks and whirls as it began to hiss, as Atrie was released and Star’s horn was gone.

“I still agree with you on your theory.” Artie said as he floated above Star, his little light eye glowing as he spoke.

“So we have no idea, where it came from or how it got to you?” Star asked.

“Well…” Artie fins and shape turned into something that looked sad… “Will you promise not to get made at me?”

“Mad, why would I get…” Star looked up at his cybernetic partner, “Okay.” He sat down, “I won’t get mad.”

Artie stared at his master, his single eye blinking with light. “It was given to me by somepony, but I was sworn to secrecy not to tell.”

“Artie…” Star looked up to Artie with a blank expression on his face.

“I’m sorry!” Artie said as he backed away and gave Star a sad look.

“Artie…” Star looked at Artie, then back at himself, and before he let his emotions get the best of him; his intelligence with mischief reared its head. “Artie, you and me are one in the same.”

“Huh?”

“We share this body and our thoughts, I already know what you know.” Star said with a smile.

“What?! Really?” Artie began to think, his pieces sliding over his bulb eye. “But… this does not make sense.” 

“Yeah, I totally saw who gave it to you.” Star said as he trotted passed his floating companion.

“But that is not possible, I checked you were asleep.” Artie replied thinking harder, “Winter said you were asleep.”

‘Bingo’ Star thought to himself, “You think this Winter knows me like I know you… or like you know me?”

Artie stopped moving and turned towards Star, “How did you his name?”

Just as Star was about to continue his charade, a ball of snow knocked Artie down. Quickly Star turned, but bumped into nothing… something. Reaching out his hoof he touched something, was it invisible. 

“Aren’t you the smart one?” Star heard as a voice echoed in his head.

“Who are you?” Star yelled as he got into a defense position.

“Your guardian angel.” Winter said, “I’ll give you an ‘A’ for tricking your construct, but be patient. Get use to your life here before asking questions about your old life.”

“What if I don’t want to? What if I want to go back to earth?! Back to being human!” Star spoke up to the point of shouting.

“Earth was engulfed in an unknown spatial wave shortly after you arrived here, which caused all the humans on earth to vanish.” Winter said bluntly.

Star fell back onto his hunches, the shock that his world was gone was a massive blow, then one thought occurred to him.

“How?” Star whispered.

Winter looked down at this small colt, “I told you spa…” Winter was cut off as Star spoke up louder.

“How do you know what happened?” Star said, his face on the verge of tears. 

“Jacob Paxton.” Winter spoke. 

“What?”

“My name was Jacob Paxton… or at least it was when I was human. I really don’t remember anymore, it was a long time ago.” Winter said looking down the troubled colt. “In time you will know the truth about humanity’s last days on earth. Till then, play with your friends, grow with your family, live, love, be happy… I wish I could.” Winter spoke as he took to the air, leaving a small colt covered in snow.

*****

Twinkle, Golden, Twilight and Cheerilee stepped out of the school house.

“College… he has a college level education.” Cheerilee said completely dumbfounded. 

“Of course! A child who can make me rethink the way I look at magic…” Twilight began as she was interrupted by a blur of copper and brown which tried to bury itself between Twinkle and Golden.

“Star… Star are you okay?” Twinkle said as she began to hear the sniffling and faint sound of crying from the little colt. As she began to pull away Golden stretched out her wing and pulled Twinkle closer.

“He’ll come out when he is ready, he wants to be here, let him.” Golden said as she squeezed the little colt.

Star was thankful for his new mothers, mothers that would be there for him, and he hugged a little tighter. Suddenly he felt more pressure, and he could see that purple fur had join the hug.

“Twilight, what are you doing?”  Twinkle asked.

“Hugging family? I mean, you are my cousin soooo…”

“Thanks Twilight.” Twinkle said as she pulled Twilight in closer.

A few minutes later…

“Too hot! Let me out!” Star yelled as he popped his head out from Golden’s wing, only to be pulled back down. “Mom, I am okay… you can let me out!” 

“No.” Golden said as she began to nuzzle Star.

“Should we help him.” Twilight asked.

“Nope, she is doing her mom pegasus thing. Best to not try to pull them apart right now.” Twinkle said.

“Well as I was saying before, I would like him to attend school normally, but get some tutoring in some college level education… that is if you wouldn’t mind Miss Sparkle.” Cheerilee asked.

“I would love and be honored, that is if it is okay with his parents.” Twilight said.

Both Twinkle and Golden nodded.

“Good, I will draw up the paperwork… and Star?” Cheerilee spoke up.

“Yes?!” He yelped from underneath the wings that kept him held prisoner.

“I’ll see you at the end of winter break!” Cheerilee spoke as she trotted off.
> Chapter 12: Kilo, Mega, or Gigabyte?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winter Frost spread his icy wings as he flew closer to his home city. As the sun began to rise you could see a mirage of an invisible something in the distance. His body met no resistance as he passed through a veil of magic… The Big Barrier; a magical wall which forced those on the outside to see nothing, but fear. A force field which kept everything out, and almost everyone in. In front of Winter stood large towers that reached the heavens, a city to dwarf all  cities.

“The Fallen City… Cecidit Stella.” Winter whispered as he flew through the streets of the city. Gryphons, therastral, hippogriphs, merponies, kelpies, kirins, small dragons, and so many other species walking, trotting, swimming, and floating around. And as he flew by he caused more snow to fall on the streets, causing adults to look at him in discontent while the kids cheered for tomorrow was now a snow day. With a great flap of his icy wings he flew higher to the palace. Looking down, he wondered, “How much longer can we hold out here?” He landing outside the throne room, and quickly headed in to see a very bored set of Alicorns sitting at the thrones, one on her smartphone and the other playing the latest portable video game console.

“Princess Destiny, Prince Chaos… where is Princess Faust?” Winter spoke as he looked at the two.

“Faust is…” Chaos began to speak extending a hoof to the other side of the room as a Red mane Alicorn entered the room.

“Has Winter reported… Oh! Winter… report!” Princess Faust said with a smile.

With a sigh Winter began telling the three what had happened since he was last in their presences. “...and so I lied to him as per Prince Chaos order.”

“He will soon realize it’s a lie…” Chaos interrupted, “And when he does he will try to find out the truth… and in doing so… he will…”

“Begin on his path to his destiny!” Princess Destiny interrupted, “Sorry.”

Prince Chaos waved it off, “No worries… it’s your role your cutie mark that makes you this excited, trust me, I understand… and to you Winter Frost. I must extend an apology, I do not enjoy making others lie for me.” Chaos spoke as he stood up and trotted over to the Winter season offering him a hug.

Winter simply bowed away, refusing the hug. “I just don’t understand, why can’t we tell him the truth, that he was… nevermind, I am going to lay down.” Winter said as he took off to a tower off in the distance.

Chaos looked over to Faust, “I apologize, I know how difficult this is for you… manipulating the outside world using the season spirits… but they are the only ones that can pass through the Big Barrier.”

“I know… the last thing we need is a repeat of Discord.” Faust said looking over to Winter’s tower.

*****

Winter Frost the season spirit of Winter, an immortal. His purpose, like his name entitles, to bring winter to the world… alone. Looking around his spacious room at all the ponies and creatures he had known, his eyes fall on the other seasonal immortals…

Spring Love, he was a green season with a yellow gem on his forehead… He was responsible for most of the races going into heat as well as bringing spring. He was your typical stallion, even after so many years, waking up in a different mares bed every morning. He should be getting ready to bring spring...

Summer Rain, she was a wonderful mare with a blue coat, and a white mane that matched her gem. She had been in a relationship with Autumn Fall for over a few centuries...

Autumn Fall , a reserved mare, with an orange coat, brown mane, and a green gem… She dated Spring until she found out he couldn’t be trusted… 

Winter then turned to the wall closest to the window, a new picture hanging on the wall. It was of a pink mare with cotton candy hair… Pinkie Diane Pie. Another mare who could sense him, who he had fallen for, who would never see him, and would pass away becoming just another picture on his wall, another memory that would fade over time. 


*****

“That Asshole!” Star yelled a he came to a realization in the middle of his bath.

“Language.” Golden spoke holding a bar of soap.

“Sorry…”

“What happened?!” Twinkle yelled as she ran into the bathroom. Looking at Golden for an answer.

“Sorry… I swore because I realized I was lied to… and I was to stupid to put two and two together.” Star replied his head slowly sinking into the tub trying to look as cute as he could to avoid punishment. Only to have Solar burst out of the water next to him giving him a scare.

“Isn’t that adorable.” Twinkle said, “Silver… bring the C-A-M-E-R-A.” Twinkle spelled.

“NO!” Star yelped as he dove under the water's surface.

Quickly a brown muzzle dove in to find him underneath the foam and bubbles and pulled him out. 

“SanTuRY!” Yelped Star and a camera floated in Twinkle’s magic, snapping several shots.

Star squinted as his mothers looked over the pictures, “Revenge, REVENGE!” Star yelled as he looked to the hallway, “ARTIE!” 

“Yes Star?” Artie replied as he floated into view, “How can I be of assistance?” 

“Access your media controls, Video camera.” Star grinned as his lower half began to transform slightly. “All hail the lord of bubbles!” He yelled.

After a few hours of cleaning up a house full of suds and bubbles, Twinkle, Golden and Silver sat in the living room looking at the copper colt who caused the mess, laughing at what appeared to be nothing.

“Star, I know it was funny… but how can you still be laughing about it?” Silver asked as she decide it was time for another soda.

“Cause I am still watching it…” Star snickered. “Artie, project the video bubble bath of horror on the wall.”

“You got it.” Artie replied and began to project the entire fiesco on the living room wall, along with silly funny music. The forms of Twinkle and Golden fighting through a wall of bubbles, the sight of Silver running away covered in bubbles, yelling how she is going to smell of fruity-tutti for a week. How Solar became encased in bubble filled with bubbles, yelling that she was melting.

“How are you doing this?” Twinkle asked, “Is it some sort of magic?”

“Magic? No… If you guys want, I can hook this up to a TV or something.” Star replied only to realize his mistake.

“Tee-bee?” Golden replied.

“A television set… I know we don’t have one.” Star realizing his mistake was bigger than he thought.

“What’s a television set?” Silver asked.

Star covered his mouth, wondering how technologically advanced is pony society.

“A television set works on the same concept as a radio, but instead of receiving sound only, it can receive moving pictures or movies.” Artie replied.

Star looked at Artie in horror, what damage could that piece of technological information do to this civilization.

“Sounds like a wonderful device.” Twinkle replied

“Star are you okay?” Golden asked as she saw Star’s face.

“Yeah… ummm, can I ask you guys a few questions?” Star asked, “But first, is there anyway we could get Twilight here. I mean she did live in Canterlot, right? So she might know more about these answers?”

“That might be a good idea, but instead let's head over to the library. So this place can dry out.” Twinkle replied, while everyone else nodded in agreement.

*****

Later at the Library! Came a knocking on the door. “Why does every pony knock?” Spike said as he walked over to the door.

“Cause it’s after hours and we want to speak to Twilight?” Star replied pointing at the hour of operation sign in the window.

“Heh, heh… sorry.” Spike mumbled as the ponies all walked into the warm library. “Twilight you have company!” Spike yelled as the last of the group walked in.

“Coming!” Twilight yelled back from somewhere upstairs, appearing in a flash of light as she teleported downstairs. “Hey! Twinkle! How is it going?”

“We’re fine.” Twinkle replied as Golden nodded in agreement.

“Hey mom, I’m going to hang out with some of my friends, I’ll see you at home later.” Silver said as she hugged everyone on the way out.

“Soooo, what brings you here?” Twilight asked as the moved into the reading room and sat down.

“This one, he wanted to ask us some questions but wanted you to be present.” Twinkle replied. Everypony in the room was watching Star now, “So… ask?”

With a deep breath and a sigh, Star began. “Do you know what a telephone is?”

For the next hour, Star asked about the technology and technological advancement in Equestrian history. Twilight looked like she was going to exploded, in asking most of his questions he had to explain what the devices did or how they worked. Twinkle was surprised at how much more intelligent Star was in comparison to Twilight, and Golden was nodding her head as if she understood everything that was said.

“I can ask Princess Celestia about most of these device, ideas or concepts to see if anypony as ever come up with something like this, but if not… these ideas can move Equestria into a new Era. I’m so excited, so Star would you care if I helped you in the construction and implementation of your technology?”

Star looked over to Twinkle and Golden, then back over to Twilight while Artie floated behind her. The future of Equestria was just placed before him, “Only if we can restrict the flow of traffic of this new technology… and we start simple.” 

Twilight nodded in agreement, “Sure no problem.” She replied as Spike burned the letter for Celestia.

“Also I want to start slow, I want to make sure everything is safe before we send anything out to anypony.”

Suddenly the air hummed with energy followed by a large flash of light, in front of everypony stood one of the co-rulers of Equestria, Princess Celestia. As everypony began to bow out of respect Solar Ring walked over and sat in front of Star. 

“I won’t let this Princess try to eat you.” Solar said with a proud smile.