> A Flowery Affair
>  by Voltsthevoltvolts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ssssssstupid sssssship!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ssssss!" The Floran hissed as she beamed back onto her ship, the lights were flicking on and off and the storage locker was locked shut. "Ssssstupid sssssship!" The Floran remarked as she headed over to the ships AI system. After a brief inspection of the control panel the Floran kicked the base of the panel. The ship flickered back to life as power was restored.

"Heheheheh! Back online!" The ship's AI remarked. "Systems check... Heheheheheh! Engines broken... FTL drive... Broken..." The AI started. "No repair stations within reach heheheheh! Brief scans show that the planet below has large amounts of lifeforms."

"Ssss?" The Floran puzzled. "Floran mussssst go to planet." The Floran stated. "Floran musssssssst repair sssssssship!"

"Yes! Heheheh! I have opened the storage locker, go get your basic equipment while I fire up the three-d printer." The AI instructed. The Floran moved over to the storage locker and pressed a few buttons. The panel opened and the Floran removed a few torches, a broken sword and a blue flashlight. "Alright, get back here. I can print you a matter modulator."

"Yesssss..." The Floran sighed, she didn't take kindly to the AI's bossy interface. 

"Alright, just printing off now..." The panel buzzed to life and a yellow tool appeared in a dispenser by the panel.  "There you go! Heheheheh! Now go! I have fired up the teleporter! Fly my little bird! Fly!" The Floran huffed and moved through the ship towards a glowing white panel that was elevated on the floor, upon stepping on the panel the Floran was covered in bright white light and vanished. "Heheheheheh!"





"Alright, say that again. Just slowly." Twilight firmly said to Derpy the mailmare, who had apparently seen something at the edge of Everfree forest.

"It was big, stood on two legs..." Derpy started. "It was carrying some sort of broken sword... Which it was using to fight off timberwolves."

"Alright... Now where did you see this creature?" Twilight asked.

"I-It was on the edge of Everfree... I had just delivered the mail and I saw it! It looked like plant..." Derpy rubbed her head.

"So let me check... You saw a two legged plant fight off timberwolves in the Everfree forest with a broken sword." Twilight flatly said, out of all the ridiculous things she had heard this was by far the most outrageous. More so then when Lyra was asking her to drag humans back from Canterlot high. "Alright... I would recommend getting some sleep..."

"Why won't anypony believe me? The town is in danger if that monster attacks!" Derpy shouted. "I'm not crazy!"

"No, I never said you were. You just might be tired." Twilight reassured. "Get some rest and come back later, then we can go over it in detail." Twilight made a brief note in her mind to expect Derpy later on in the day.

"Alright... That's Twilight." Derpy happily said before leaving Twilight. 

Twilight sighed and headed outside. It was a pleasant day in Ponyville, the sun was high in the sky and a cool wind prevented ponies from overheating, there were no clouds in the sky and the rainfall was not scheduled until the evening. Twilight happily strolled through town, the odd townspony wishing her a good day and a few stalls offering free samples for Equestria's newest princess. Twilight's trip was uneventful until she bumped into Lyra, who was inquiring about a pith helmet and machete at a nearby stall.

"Oh hey Princess! Did you hear, there's a plant-human in the forest!" Lyra excitedly said. "It may not be..."

"Lyra." Twilight flatly said. "There are no plant people in the forest. Even though we haven't explored the whole of the forest I'm sure that if there was a group of plant people they would make themselves known."

"But think about it, if it was fighting timberwolves maybe it had been driven out of hiding! I mean, plant-people would be able to hide well from predators such as timberwolves! I think this one got caught out and had to defend itself." Lyra happily explained. "Now if I could get a permit to take a group of explores into the forest..." The ponies n the market began to quietly murmur about what was happening, a few snicking about Lyra's request and a few sighing and tutting.

"No Lyra, if something like that did live in forest the last thing we would want to do is try and disturb them." Twilight said. "And besides the only evidence we have is one sighting by a tired mailmare early in the morning." Twilight coldly stated. "As much as I want something like that to exist I know it won't..." The talking crowds stopped and a eerier silence fell in the marketplace. Lyra's jaw dropped and Twilight looked confused. "Was it something I said?" Twilight puzzled.

"N-No..! Its just.. Right over there!" Lyra excitedly said pointing behind Twilight. "The plant person! It's by those stalls!" Twilight slowly turned around and sure enough, the plant-person was hiding behind a few stalls in the distance, the ponies at the stalls ran off and the plant-person stepped out. Its skin was a dark red color and it appeared to have a collection of light pink leaves for hair. The plant-person was wearing torn clothes, had several small bite marks on its arms and large scraps of its clothing wrapped around what appeared to be larger wounds. "It looks hurt..." Lyra said after examining the plant-person.

"Ssssss..." The plant-person growled threateningly, even though it was a good few meters from the ponies it looked ready to charge. The ponies herded behind Twilight as she prepared herself for a fight. The plant-person had a broken green sword that it was holding in one hand however the sword itself was too large to be swung with a single hand. The plant-person took a few deep breaths before sheathing its sword and smiling weakly.  "Floran isssss happy to sssssee friendly facesssss..." The Floran stated before collapsing in a heap on the ground.
> Ssssssstuck
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight was stood in front of a hoard of ponies, all of them talking and whispering about the strange creature which had just collapsed in front of them. Twilight herself was trying to focus, it wasn't everyday that a strange creature that had never been seen before stumbled into town, clearly wounded and then fainted in front of a crowd. There had been days when strange creatures had stumbled into town, but they had never passed out after brandishing a weapon. 

Lyra, who had been standing next to Twilight was staring at the creature with stars in her eyes. While she had always gone on about humans this creature was the next best thing, it stood on two legs was roughly twice the size of her and had what appeared to be hand, just with sharp claws rather then fingers. Lyra slowly started to walk forward, she looked around as she slowly moved towards the collapsed creature. After getting a few confused looks she frowned and turned around.

"Look, whatever this is it is clearly hurt!" Lyra angrily stated. "If we leave it here... What kind of ponies are we?" Lyra received a few concerned looks before one little filly stepped out from the crowd. "If this little filly is brave then the rest of you..." Lyra rolled her eyes, none of the crowed were moving. "Well, I guess its just you and me then." Lyra turned back around began to walk towards the creature, which was lying on its side.

"Lyra wait!" Twilight quickly said as she rushed to Lyra and the filly, she then moved the filly back. "Look, it may be dangerous. For all we know its blood could be acidic." Twilight sighed. "I will go with you, just to make sure that it is safe." Twilight sighed and walked with Lyra, the creature was a few steps away, a thick green sap like substance was leaking from its open wounds and the cloth covering the larger wounds was slowly turning green.

"Hey Twilight, do you think we should remove those bandages?" Lyra suggested. "Maybe we should check under her clothes for other bites." Lyra inspected the creature, examining it from its flowery head to its feet.

"No, I don't think we should remove its clothes." Twilight examined the creature alongside Lyra. "There's no telling how it will react when it wakes up. We should move it out into a safe place for now." Twilight suggested, just as she finished Lyra's eyes lit up. It became painfully clear what Lyra was about to suggest.

"My house is just across the street, it would make sense to move her to my house rather then carry her to the castle or the hospital." Lyra excitedly said. Twilight sighed and nodded, if the creature was badly hurt getting it to a secure location quickly would be best. Twilight stood next to Lyra and hoisted the creature onto their backs and the pair set off to Lyra's house. The crowds of ponies parted as the pair walked through them, the quiet murmurs of ponies being the only noise in the once bustling marketplace.





Lyra and Twilight walked into Lyra's house, she had left the door unlocked and the light on. The pair walked through the open door and gently place the creature on Lyra's sofa, the creature was large enough to take up the whole sofa while lying down. Lyra sighed happily and sat down on the chair in her usual fashion and looked at the creature. 

"Isn't she amazing?" Lyra asked as Twilight sat down. The creature was motionless save the the odd twitch from its claws. "I wonder how long it took plant life to evolve into this." Lyra puzzled to herself, Twilight took the pause to consider what she could do. While the creature was strange, in the brief time it was awake it spoke very little.

"It called itself Floran, maybe that is its name." Twilight stated. "It said it was happy to see friendly faces, I think it knows we mean it no harm." Twilight got up and inspected the creature. "I can see it breathing slightly." Twilight stated as the creatures chest gently raises and then set. "Whether it breaths oxygen or photosynthesizes..."

"Its a she." Lyra stated. "In the brief time I heard it talking it sound feminine." Lyra sighed. "There's a first aid kit in the kitchen, it might be a good idea to tend to her wounds." Lyra suggested. Twilight nodded and headed into the kitchen and then returned with a small box with a red cross on it. 

Twilight placed the box next to the creature and opened it. "I think the best thing we can do is patch up those bites." Twilight said as she levitated several rolls of bandages out of the box. "Care to lend a hoof?" Twilight asked ash she started to wrap the wound in up. Lyra's horn lit up as she took a few of the rolls and applied them to bite marks on the creatures legs. "Hey Lyra?"

Lyra was only focusing half on Twilight. "Yes?" Lyra slowly said as she wrapped up a nasty looking bite mark.

"I will have to tell Princess Celestia about her." Twilight calmly said. "If this is a new creature we need to make sure it gets back to its home safely, otherwise we could inadvertently start a war." Twilight explained. "She might be taken away because of this." Lyra quickly looked at Twilight with a worried expression. 

"But, you cant take her away! I have spent most my life obsessing over humans, sure this creature isn't one. But she is beautiful." Lyra stated. "It may seem like something small to you but this is huge for me!" Lyra quickly rushed over to the creature and placed a hoof on its chest. Twilight sighed and shook her head. "Please Twilight, I don't want to her to go..."

"Look Lyra," Twilight firmly said. "This kind of life form has never been seen on Equestria before, if its not me then it would most likely be one of the ponies in town. I can try and convince Celestia to let her stay here. However..." Twilight was interrupted when the creature rolled over and wrapped its arms around Lyra.

"Sssssstab..." The creature mumbled in its sleep. "Or no ssssssstab..." The creature released Lyra and started to stir. Lyra and Twilight both got up and started to slowly move backwards. The creature's eyes snapped open and quickly scanned the room. "Floran issssssss... Confused..." The creature sat and an stretched its arms out and yawned loudly. "Floran did not go to sssssssssleep here..."

Lyra stopped moving back and started to slowly approach the creature. "Well... After you 'fell asleep' me and Twilight moved you here. So that you could recover in a quiet place." Lyra chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of her head. "We didn't think it was suitable for you to be lying on the ground in the middle of a market. The creature got up and inspected the bandages that had been wrapped around its wounds.

"Sssss? I did not put these on..." The creature mused, while stood up it was easily twice the size of Lyra. "Wasssss this you?" The creature asked.

"Yes!" Twilight confidently said. "We noticed that you were still bleeding when we brought you in. Since we didn't really have any idea how to help you, we thought the best thing to do would be to patch your wounds." Twilight moved next to Lyra, confident that if the creature was hostile she would have done something.

"Floran isssss thankful. The thingssssss in the woodssssss did not like Floran...." The creature leaned back on the sofa and relaxed casually.

"You mean the timberwolves?" Twilight inquired, the creature rubbed its chin before nodding. "Yeah... They are very territorial." Twilight stated with a matter of fact tone. "So where about in the forest do you live?" Twilight curiously asked.

"Floran live on Floran sssssship. It wassssss a nice sssssship until a meteor hit it..." The creature chuckled. "I wassssss lucky and wasssssss not on the sssssship when it wasssssss hit. Maybe you can help Floran? Floran needssssss certain thingsssss. Pretty orange rocksssss found deep underground." The creature asked confidently.

"Wait, ship? Meteorites? Your from space!?" Twilight said sounding surprised. "You're an alien!?" Twilight's jaw dropped and Lyra gently pushed it back up. "I..."

"Floran." The creature said. "I am a Floran." Twilight let out a lengthy sigh and then collapsed on the floor. "Isssss it ssssssleping time?" The creature curiously inquired. 
> Sssssssssuspicious behavior 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So..." Lyra awkwardly said as the creature relaxed and flexed its arms on her sofa, Lyra felt a blush start to creep up. Even though the creature was a plant it had well toned arm muscles, most likely from swinging large swords. "You're from space?" Lyra curiously asked, unlike Twilight she had managed to stay awake, a feat she didn't personally think was very hard. "What's it like up there? In space? Is it as vast and empty as ponies say?"

"Ssssss... You ask a lot of Floran, Floran only know one thing about ssssssspace... Sssssssspace isssss good for hunting." The Floran stated. "In ssssssspace Floran find many prey, Floran kill many pray and Floran meet many people." The Floran gave Lyra a toothy smile that could easily be mistake for a 'pleased to meat you, want to come for dinner' grin. "Floran hassssss goalsssss beyond hunting however."

"Oh?" Lyra curiously said. "What would that be? I mean, I don't really know much about the Floran." Lyra stuttered slightly before chuckling nervously and then relaxing slightly. "If you don't mind me asking that is."

"Floran heard of an outpost... Many refugees for ssssssssspace travel there... Floran wantssssssss to help them, help the rebelsssssss..." The Floran said slowly, as if she was unsure on whether she could trust Lyra. "The outpost wassssss built in a wormhole or ssssssssomething like that, Floran doesssss not know the detailssssss... Floran needsssssss to find a gateway to the outpost." The Floran explained. "I found one here... But my sssssssship was damaged while I wassssss gathering fuel..." 

"Oh, how heroic of you..." Lyra said sounding flustered with a slight blush, the Floran raised an eyebrow and leaned back. Lyra quickly averted her gaze when she realized her state and look at Twilight who was still in the same place she collapsed. "Maybe we should move her..." The Floran nodded and got up, yawning loudly the Floran outstretched her arms, she was easily twice the size of Lyra.

"Yessssss, that would be good. Floran wasssss getting uncomfortable..." The Floran walked over to Twilight easily hoisted her onto her shoulder. "Where do you want..." Lyra pointed to the sofa and the Floran placed Twilight on the sofa. "Sssssshe was heavy!" The Floran sat back down and tried to relax.

Lyra chuckled slightly and then went back to trying to think of something to say. "So these crystals you are after? What do they look like?"

"They are ssssssmall orange crystalsssssss, they can be found at the center of the planet." The Floran explained. Lyra nodded and sat back on her seat. "The center of the planet..." The Floran mused to itself. "Maybe you can help Floran?"

"The center of the planet... That is quite far underground... I'm not sure if I could." Lyra slowly said. The Floran sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I wish I could but I honestly don't think going to the center of Equestria is possible..." 

"Ssssssss..." The Floran mused to itself. "Maybe Floran could make a hole in the ground and dig..." The Floran suggested. "No... That would take Floran too long..." Twilight started to stir and the Floran hopped up. "Sssssshe awakesssssss."

Twilight sat up and quickly scanned the room, but not the Floran next to her and spotted Lyra. "Lyra? What am I doing in your house?" Twilight groggily said. "I had this crazy dream, there was this alien plant from space..." Twilight quickly turned and took note of the Floran sat next to her. "Oh... It happened." Twilight chuckled nervously and slowly got up. "Lyra if you don't mind, I have to head back to the castle. I need to write a letter."

"Wait, Twilight! Before you take her away... Do you any caves that go deep down in Equestria?" Lyra asked. "She needs crystals that are only found near the center of the planet in order to fix her ship." Lyra explained. Twilight thought for a moment and then grinned happily.

"I can think of one place, the crystal mines under Canterlot. Some of those caves are unexplored, mainly due to large packs of feral diamond dogs." Twilight stated. "I suppose we could check the explored section and possibly consider going into the deeper sections."

"Yessssss... Cavessssss..." The Floran quickly jumped up and unsheathed her sword. "You ssssssshall take Floran to cavessssss and Floran will find crystalsssssss!" The Floran announced. Twilight shook her head and the Floran frowned. "Why not?"

"After the wedding the deepest tunnels were sealed off the tunnels, the spell Princess Cadance used woke up a whole bunch of feral diamond dogs and they started attacking everything." Twilight slowly explained, much to her dismay the Floran grinned evilly. "And that's good news because..?" Twilight nervously inquired.

"Floran can hunt..." The Floran slowly said. "Floran can sssssstab!" The Floran happily announced. "Floran cat sssssslash, Floran can hunt, Floran can sssssssshoot and Floran can kill!" The Floran happily shouted while waving her sword in the air. Both Twilight and Lyra started to chuck nervously. Twilight continued to walk backwards until she bumped into Lyra. "Sssssss?"

"Sorry, its just... You got slightly passionate there..." Twilight nervously said, Lyra nodded compliantly, agreeing with her without saying a word. The Floran sighed, sat down in a huff then rested its head in its heads.

"Floran isssssss not used to talking..." The Floran said sounding defeated. "Floran triessssss..." Lyra noticed how the Floran's mood was slowly dropping and slowly moved over to her. Meanwhile Twilight remained in place watching the events unfold.

"Its alright..." Lyra nervously said. "You can't help what you are." Lyra reassured. "Just as much as I can't help being a unicorn, its what makes me, me."

"Itssssss not just that... Floran do not... Are not sssssseen asssss a nice race... Floran forced an entire race of fish people out of their homessssssss in the ocean... Floran sssssteal from the apessssss. Sssssssteal from everything..." The Floran said flatly. Lyra gently patted her on the back in an attempt to relieve her of the stress. "You remind Floran of bird lady... Bird lady was nice when Floran was a sprout."

"Bird lady?" Twilight puzzled, Lyra quickly looked over and frowned all Twilight did was shrug in return. 

"Itsss nothing." The Floran stated as she sat back up. "Bird lady was Floran'ssssssss... Tender as Floran grew up." The Floran smiled. "Floran liked bird lady, but Floran left to explore sssssssspace. Floran missessssss bird lady..."

"Why don't you try and find her?" Twilight suggested. "Once your ship is repaired you will be able to search for her." The Floran chuckled slightly, confusing Twilight. "Did I say something funny?"

"Not itssss nothing. Floran knowssssss where bird lady issssss... Bird lady isssss... Gone. Sssssssshe wasssssss ssssssssacrificed for hiding me..." The Floran sigh deeply. "Ssssssshe broke the law of bird god by not killing me..." Twilight's expression dropped and for a moment Lyra held her breath. "Floran had to help bird lady'sssssss daughter escape... Other bird lady went to outpost."

"Is that why you want to help the outpost?" Twilight inquired, asking a obvious question. "To help your tender's daughter?"

"Yesssssss... Floran made a promise that sssssshe would be safe, Floran cannot complete promise is sssssssshe doesssssss not know where sssssssshe isssss exactly."  The Floran explained slowly. "That isssssss why Floran needsssss to repair Floran'sssssss ssssssship."

"That is rather noble of you, flying across the galaxy in order to find a lost friend." Twilight confidently said. "I'm sure that once Princess Celestia hears about this she will be more then happy to reopen the mines to let you down!" Twilight happily got up, sure that she would be able to the Floran. "I'm going to go write to Celestia and then we are on the next train to Canterlot."

"Ssssss?" The Floran hissed, unsure of what to make of the situation.

"It will be alright." Lyra reassured. "And if its not I will be with you."
> Ssssssssskeptical progress 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight entered the castle and sighed, the day had been long and it had taken its toll. "Spike!" Twilight shouted, while as much as she wanted to relax for the remainder of the day she still had a duty. Spike eagerly showed up, oblivious to what had taken place.

"Hey Twilight! You were out longer then normal. Something happen?" Spike curiously asked. Twilight smiled warmly, seeing the dragon's innocent curiosity stirred up a warm feeling inside of her.

"Oh, just an alien plant-person from space." Twilight nonchalantly said. Spike's jaw dropped and smile chuckled evilly. "Yes, a Floran. If you know what that it. Its ship was hit by a meteorite while in the space outside Equestria, being the Princess of friendship I felt the need to offer a helping hoof." Twilight happily said. Spike sat down and listen eagerly. "Turns out that the Floran are a primitive race of hunters that are universally feared for what they have done. Luckily the Floran that is here is... Nice enough." Twilight waved her hoof. "Regardless Spike, I need you to take a letter."

"Oh, did you get the quills from Quills and Sofas?" Spike asked. "Since that is why you went out..." 

"Yes, I got the quills. Did you honestly think I would forget?" Twilight confidently said. Spike nodded as Twilight levitated a quill and inkwell over to him. "Now Spike, this letter, like most of my letters is of the utmost importance! So don't make any mistakes." Twilight ordered loudly.

"Yes Ma'am!" Spike eagerly said followed by a military style salute.

"Dear Princess Celestia, I am writing to inform you about..."





A few hours passed, Twilight had several rewrites and alterations but at last she was happy with the letter. "And that is why I think we should give this creature a chance and open up the deeper levels of the cavern under Canterlot." Twilight triumphantly said.  "Yours sincerely, Princess Twilight Sparkle." Twilight winced slightly. "Still not used to signing off like that... You get that all Spike?" Twilight inquired. 

Spike was buried in a pile of empty inkwells and screwed up pieces of parchment. From the large pile a small purple claw clenched with the thumb sticking up emerged before sinking back down. Spike burst out of the pile sending rubbish everywhere. "Yep, got all of it." Spike happily said, waving a thick rolled up scroll. "May I do the honers?"

"Well, you are the only dragon in Ponyville..." Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes. "Go ahead knock yourself out." Spike happily set the scroll ablaze and sat down in a huff.

"Phew, that was a lot of writing. So what ever happened to the Floran? Did you leave her at Lyra's house?" Spike curiously asked "I mean, given her... History and all..."

"The Floran wondered off before I left, she wanted to go explore a cave to find some minerals." Twilight stated. Spike yawned loudly. "You can't go to bed just yet Spike, I need to wait for the Princesses reply."

"But Twiliiiight, its nearly eleven O'clock. I won't wake up in the morning..." Spike wearily said as he attempted to rest on the floor, however Twilight swiftly picked the small dragon up before tutting loudly. "C'mon Twilight, its really late. I need some sleep." Without saying a word Twilight move Spike over to a small bed she had prepared from him and set him down gently. Spike stretched slightly before settling down in the makeshift bed.

"Goodnight Spike, sleep tight..." Twilight quietly said as she sat down. Twilight herself sat down on the sofa and started to relax. "Ahhh, today has been long. I'm glad its nearly over..." Twilight was interrupted when Spike started to cough in his sleep. "And that will be the Princess, right on time..." Spike finished coughing and then spat out a scroll with the royal seal. Twilight quickly piked up the scroll and opened it. "Lets see what Princess Celestia thinks about the situation..."





The Floran flashed the light into the cave, it seemed to go down relatively far... The Floran chuckled. "Thissssss will be fun..." The Floran hissed before leaping into the cave with her large sword drawn.

"Hey, wait for me!" A voice called out. The Floran froze in place before turning around. Lyra emerged out of the bushes wearing a jacket, pith helmet with a machete holstered in her side. "Can't go into those caves without a somepony to help you."

"Floran doessssss not need help." The Floran stated. "Sssssssmall horse ssssssshould go home." The Floran turned back around only to be stopped by Lyra cutting her off. 

"Nope, I'm going with you." Lyra insisted before eyeing up the cave herself. "So is this the cave?" Lyra conjured up a small ball of light that illuminated the cave. "See, you need me!"

"Floran can do thissssss herself. Floran doesssssss not need help." The Floran repeated sternly, however Lyra ignored her and started to walk into the cave. "Ssssssmall horse issssss not leaving, isssss ssssshe?" 

"Nope!" Lyra chuckled as she eyed up the various tunnels in the cavern. The Floran reluctantly sighed followed Lyra into the cave.

"Floran isssss not responsible if sssssssmall horse getssssss hurtssssssss." The Floran sharply said, however Lyra continued moving forward, "Sssssssmall horse needsssss to move sssssslower. Could fall and die." 

"Don't worry, I won't leave you." Lyra chuckled, the Floran quickly hurried up to her and sighed. "Come on, it will be fun. Trust me."

"Ssssss... Fine. But don't sssssssay Floran didn't warn you..." The Floran huffed crossing her arms. "Floran sssssssaw thisssss cave... Wood-wolvessssss ran in here, sssssssssooooo look out..." The Floran warned.

"You mean timberwolves? Yeah, they have a nasty bite." Lyra commented. "I guess you could say their bark IS worse then their bite." Lyra joked, however when the Floran didn't responded a small frown appeared. "What? Didn't they teach you about jokes?"

"That not funny. Wood-wolvessssssssss nearly eat Floran." The Floran flatly said. "Now, Floran knowsssss joke. What doessssss a fish-man, ape-man and robot-person have in common?" The Floran said with a smile. "They were..."

"I... Don't think I will understand that joke..." Lyra shakily said. The Floran sighed and drew her sword. "Something up?"

"Floran hearssssss... Breathing..." The Floran crept forward slowly. "Move the light... Floran only ssssssseessssssss darknesssssssss..." Lyra nodded and moved the light orb forward, a wounded timber-wolf was lying on the ground and breathing heavily. "Wood-wolf... Floran sssssstab it." The Floran quickly crept up to the beast and plunged her sword into its chest. 

"Why did you do that!?" Lyra shouted. "It wasn't doing anything wrong! It was hurt, you could have helped it..." Lyra sighed. "I don't get it..." Lyra moved over to the down lifeless corpse of the timberwolf.

"Floran did what Floran had to. If wood-wolf was not hurt it would have tried to kill Floran, it isssssssssss the way of thingsssssssss." The Floran removed the sword from the timberwolf and continued walking down the cave. "Issssssss sssssssmall horse coming ssssstill?"

"Yes, I will still go with you. Its not nothing I didn't see when I was at the Canterlot wedding..." Lyra sighed. "Alright, lets go deeper."

"Good... Floran would get lonely..." The Floran mused. Lyra rolled her eyes and kept walking, it was going to be a long trip.
> Sssssssssuper...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey Floran, do you have a name?" Lyra inquired as the pair walked around the cave. The Floran sat down on a rock and sighed. "Tired?"

"Floran isssssss very tired. Floran hassssss not slept for daysssssss..." The Floran stretched her arms and lent back. "Sssssssssmall horse wantsssss to know Floran'ssssssss name?" Lyra nodded happily and sat down next to her. "Floran hassssss a name, a name that bird lady used to call Floran."

"Oh... Did you not have a name before that?" Lyra inquired, giving the Floran a sympathetic look. "Sorry, I don't really know how Floran society works."

"Floran'ssssssss name, given to Floran by bird lady hasssssss alwaysssssss been Fern." Fern said sternly. "However, Floran never really usesssssss it.

"Really? But Fern is such a nice name." Lyra stated. Fern sighed and studied the walls of the cave. "Come on Fern lighten up."

"Floran ssssseessssss iron in cave." Fern stated, pointing at a dark rock. Pulling out the matter manipulator Fern aimed the device at the rocks and pulled a small trigger, a blue beam shot out the device and started to cause the rocks to shake until they fell down in perfect squares. Fern picked through the rubble, pulling out chunks of iron. "Floran can make thingsssssss with thissssss."

"Come on Fern, why don't you like your name?" Lyra inquired as Fern continued to trawl through the rubble.

"Floran can make many thingssssssss with thisssssss..." Fern said, ignoring Lyra completely. "Maybe sssssmall horse could help Floran move iron?"

"Small horse will not help silly Floran until silly Floran tells small horse why silly Floran does not like her name!" Lyra hastily said, taking a large breath after finishing. "Phew, that was a mouthful."

"Sssssssss..." Fern hissed. "Sssssssmall horse issssssss foolish, ssssssssmall horse challengessssssss Floran." Fern sternly said before drawing her sword and pointing it at Lyra, who had gotten up and slowly started to walk backwards. 

"W-Wait! Fern stop! Just think about what you are doing!" Lyra shouted, trying to reason with Fern. However Fern ignored her and prepared to strike. "Fern!" Lyra was sharply interrupted when Fern attempted to strike her. "What are you doing!?" Lyra shouted, only for Fern to attempt a second strike. Lyra sharply turned and ran deeper into the cave, Fern promptly chased, waving her sword as she ran.

A few minutes of chasing lead the pair deep into the cave, evident signs that they were running into diamond dog territory were ignored in the flurry. Lyra entered a large chamber that split into several small tunnels that lead away. Lyra hid in the shadows until Fern charged into the room. The Floran had barely broken a sweat. "Come out ssssssssmall horse, Floran only want to play..." Fern evilly said as she scanned the room. Lyra held her breath as Fern moved silently through the room. Fern stopped moving when she walked past where Lyra was hiding, a shallow growling could be heard in the chamber.

Lyra quickly burst out of her hiding place, however Fern was fixated on one of the tunnels. "Fern! We need to get moving, we shouldn't be this deep. Its dangerous here!" Lyra shouted noticing the obvious signs that they were in diamond dog territory, however Fern remained fixated on the tunnel she was staring down.

"Ssssssss... Sssssssomething isssssss coming." Fern stated. "Ssssssomething Floran can ssssstab." Slowly, the growling got louder. Fern readied her sword and Lyra slowly backed up towards the exit, just as Lyra reached the exit she saw what appeared to be one of the diamond dogs lackeys wondering in. It had a feral look in it's eye and was incredibly thin. 

"Fern, we need to go! That thing... Its feral." Lyra shouted to Fern, however the Floran remained in place, holding its ground.

"Sssssss!" Fern hissed as she started to circle the room while remaining a few steps away from the feral breast. The beast growled as it eyed up Fern, clearly debating on whether it would be worth risking its life for a quick snack. 

"Fern! We need to leave, there will be more if we don't hurry!" Lyra shouted, causing the feral diamond dog to change its attention to her. "No, wait! Not me!" Lyra panicked as the beast started slowly moving towards her. The diamond dog jumped at Lyra who had little time to do anything except shut her eyes and wait for the beast to attack.

Lyra creaked open one eye, it had felt like an hour had passed since she shut them. "Fern?" Lyra scanned the room, Fern was stood on the diamond dog which had a large sword wedged in its head. "How did you move so fast?"

"Ancient Floran secret." Fern chuckled. "Isssss sssssssmall horse alright?" Fern removed her sword from dead dog and slowly moved towards Lyra. "Ssssssssmall horse alright?"

"Y-Yeah..." Lyra shakily said. "I am alright now, thanks for that." Lyra sat down and stared at the dead dog. "I didn't know things were bad down here... They don't normally attack ponies..." Lyra sighed and sank down to the floor. "I... I saw my life..."

"Floran hassssss sssssseen Floran'ssssssssss life many timesssssss. Floran tired of ssssssssee life..." Fern chuckled and joined Lyra on the ground. "Maybe Floran and sssssssmall horse sssssssshould go back, Floran hasssss enough sssssstuff to make sssssssssomething..."

"Yes, I think it might be a good idea to head back up... Do you remember the way back up? I didn't have enough time to remember it while I was running away from you. Speaking of which why did you do that?"

"It wasssssss... Floran joke!" Fern sharply said. "Hahaha... Very funny Floran joke no?" Fern nervously chuckled.

"Okay..." Lyra slowly said with a uncertain nod. "Lets just get back, we can talk about it later." Lyra got up and examined the room. "Which tunnel did we come in on?" Lyra asked.

"That one..." Fern stated, pointing towards a large tunnel in the room. "letssssss go." Fern got up and joined Lyra as the pair started their journey out of the cave system.
> Floran ssssssspy...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lyra and Fern continued to walk up the cave towards the exit, the particular route they had gone down was easy to go down in but required several detours in order to get back up. To say Lyra was on edge around Fern was an understatement, the unicorn always remained a few steps away from the Floran at all times during the walk back.

"Ssssssssmall horse?" Fern asked, Lyra gave a worried look and looked at Fern. "Did ssssssssmall horse not like Floran joke?"

"No... Quite frankly I hated it, I don't think chasing somepony through a cave waving a sword at them is funny." Lyra flatly stated before averting her gaze from Fern. "You honestly could not have thought that was funny, that was mean and cruel."

"Sssssss... Floran issssss sssssorry. However sssssssmall horse was asking Floran too many questionssssss and Floran wanted time to think." Fern stated. "Floran was only trying to not hurt ssssssmall horse'ssssssss feelingssssssss." Fern apologetically said.

"So chasing me with a sword didn't? I thought you were going to kill me Fern. I though that I had done something to offend you so badly that you were going to kill me." Lyra angrily stated. "Did you honestly think that asking me to be quiet would offend me in such a way that attacking me would seem nicer?" Lyra sighed and took a moment to catch her breath.

"Sssssss... How wassssss Floran supposed to know? Floran knowssssssss nothing of ssssssmall horse culture..." Fern sighed and sat down. "Ssssssssssmall horse explain little horse culture."

Lyra remained upright. "This is not the time nor the place Fern, we need to focus on getting back onto the surface." Lyra continued to walk and Fern remained on the ground. Lyra turned around and sighed. "Alright Fern, I will tell you one thing about our culture."

"Sssssss?" Fern looked up optimistically. "Yessssssss, sssssssmalll horse tell Floran and then Floran will get up." Fern happily bargained.

"Alright, our 'small horse culture' prefers the term pony, rather then small horse." Lyra chuckled and started walking again. "Alright now Fern, come along."

"Wassssss not what Floran wanted..." Fern complained as she got up and followed Lyra. "How much longer musssssssst we walk?"

"Its not my fault you chased me for so long, had I known that you weren't going to hurt me I would have ran slower..." Lyra stated angrily. "Look, lets just keep going. Maybe we can pass the time with a game?" Lyra suggested happily, Fern looked over and nodded. "Lets play I spy..."

"Eye-ssssspy?" Fern inquired. "Floran hassssss not heard of eye-ssssspy."

"Its I spy, as in I am going out..." Lyra paused and though for a moment. "In your case it would be Floran spy." Lyra chuckled. "Here I will explain it for you..."

"Floran ssssssspy? Ssssssounds like sssssssomething will get ssssstabbed." Fern stated happily. "Floran like sssstabbing."

"No, its not like that... Here I will start. I spy with my little eye... Something beginning with S!" Lyra happily said. "Now, you try and guess what it is."

"Rocksssss?" Fern happily replied. "Lotsssss of rockssss here, must be rockssssss."

"I begins with S Fern, a word beginning with S." Lyra stated, "Maybe I could have explained it..."

"Isssss it sssssssmall pony?" Fern quizzically asked. Lyra shook her head and Fern looked around. "Issssss it ssssssssilly Floran?" Fern asked, once again Lyra shook her head. "Isssss it..." Fern looked around again. "Ah! Floran hasssssss idea. Issssss it... Ssssssssstalagmite?" Fern pointed at a rock hanging from ceiling.

"Yep! Well played, and here I was thinking that it would take you an hour to get that." Lyra joked and laughed happily, Fern joined in chuckling happily. "Now its your turn."

"Hmmmm, Floran sssssssssspy with Floran'ssssssss little eye... Sssssssssomething beginning with..." Fern glanced around quickly. "Sssssss."

"S? Is it Stalagmite?" Lyra inquired confidently, Fern shook her head happily. "Stalagmite?" Fern shook her head again and grinned. "Silly Floran? Silly pony?"

"No... Doesssss sssssssssssssssmall pony give up?" Fern teased happily, Lyra sighed and nodded her head. Fern promptly drew her sword. "Ssssssword!" Fern sheathed her sword and laughed happily. "Floran good at Floran sssssspy."

"Yeah, well its your go again since you won." Lyra said. "Unless You fancy me."

"W-What!?" Fern stuttered and tripped over, landing face first on the rocky floor. "What did sssssssmall pony ssssssay?"

"Unless you fancy letting me have the turn!" Lyra recovered. "Sorry, my brain and mouth were doing different things just then." Lyra helped Fern back up. "Really sorry about that... I had no idea what happened."

"Itsssssss fine. Floran knowsssssss what itssssssss like to sssssay one thing but mean another..." Fern chuckled and rubbed her head. "Floran'sssssss head isssss sssssssore."

"Yeah... Once again, I am sorry about that. I honestly don't know where that came from." Lyra apologized, Fern gave a pained chuckled in response. "Are you alright Fern? You don't sound so good."

"Floran..." Fern started to stumble as she walked. "Floran issssssssssss getting dizzy... " Fern stumbled around slightly before shaking her head. "Floran... Getting... Ssssssleepy... Floran... Lie... Down..." Fern slowly collapsed on the floor and shut her eyes. It quickly became evident to Lyra that Fern had fallen unconscious. Lyra heaved Fern onto her back with a large amount of magic. 

"Wow Fern, for a plant you sure weigh a lot." Lyra remarked to the unconscious Floran. "Hopefully we won't get lost..." Lyra chuckled as she continued on the path the pair had been walking on.
> A sssssssshift of planssssssss 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lyra struggled as she heaved Fern out of the cave, it had been an agonizingly slow journey with the heavy Floran on her back. Lyra heaved Fern off her back an propped her against a nearby tree. Lyra sat down and sighed, a bitter chill was in the air and the moon was sat high in the sky. "Phew..." Lyra exclaimed. "I've said it before and I will say it again... Fern you are too heavy..." Lyra chuckled happily as she briefly relaxed.

"Sssssss... Sssssssmall pony calling Floran fat?" Fern flatly stated as she opened her eyes. 

"Woah!" Lyra jumped up and shook her head. "How long have you been awake?" Lyra quickly said.

"Well... Floran'sssssss legssssss were tired... And Floran did not want to disturb sssssssmall pony." Fern slowly stated. Lyra's expression turned angry within a couple of seconds. "W-Wait!" Fern quickly got up before bring out her matter manipulator. "Floran can help sssssssee?"

"And what do you plan to do with that thing." Lyra flatly stated. "You used that to break rocks I don't exactly see how it can..." Lyra paused, the device lit up and a square of water appeared in front of Lyra, suspended in the air. "Is that safe you drink?"

"Yessssssss... Water is sssssssafe to drink." Fern stated happily. "Least Floran can do." Fern lowered the water with the device and Lyra began drinking from it. "Thirsty?"

Lyra briefly pulled away from the square of water. "Well, I did carry you back." Lyra stuck her head in the square and took a large breath of water before pulling out and swallowing it. "The least you can do is carry me back now, that will make us even."

"Ssssss... Floran knew sssssssmall pony would sssssay that." Fern sighed and waited for Lyra to finish drinking. It took Lyra few minutes to finishing drinking the water , however as soon as she finished Fern moved over to her and hauled her up and onto her shoulder.

"H-Hey!? What are you doing?" Lyra asked as Fern began walking with her. "Oh, carrying me back... I kinda forgot about that..." Lyra sighed and relaxed as best she could. "You know where we are going right?"

"Yesssss... Floran not sssssstupid." Fern brashly stated. "Floran knowssssss where Floran needssssssss to walk." Fern kept walking at a steady rate, it became evident that Lyra's wight did not slow her down.

"You know Fern, you're pretty strong... Is space really that bad?" Lyra inquired. "I mean, we never really have any wars or stuff down here... Well nothing major..."

"Sssssss... Floran not know what happenssssssss in sssssssspace. Floran doesssss know that sssssssspace is dangeroussssssss." Fern stated. "Itsssssss funny, Floran are ssssssseen assssss a vicious race... Yet do Floran ever throw other Floran off a tower, because sssssssssoom big bird told them to? No. Floran do not do that, yet the bird-people do..." Fern sighed. "Floran doesssssss not want to understand ssssssspace, Floran just wantsssssss to find bird-lady..." 

"So, I take it you were close with this bird-lady?" Lyra curiously inquired. "If you don't mind me asking..."

"Floran isssssss close with bird-lady. Bird-lady like ssssssssister... Or at least that'ssssssssss what bird-lady ssssssssaysssssss..." Fern replied.

"So, you don't really know where you stand with her? It sounds like she is close with you though..." Lyra concluded happily. "Its nice to see that even though bad things happen in space, living things still get along."

"Yesssssss, to ssssssssay that all of sssssssspace isssssss bad would be lying... Ssssssssome placesssss have nice people living there." Fern replied. "However, Floran isssssss yet to find them."

"What about us then? Aren't we good enough for you?" Lyra argued. 

"Well... Floran hasssss not really sssssseen enough sssssssmall poniesssssss to come to a conclusion..." Fern stated. "Floran hasssssss only talked to two ssssssssmall poniessssssss."

"Alright, I will give you that." Lyra admitted. "Maybe tomorrow you could meet a few others?" Lyra suggested. Fern stopped moving. "Fern? Is something the matter?"

"Floran issssss outside of sssssssmall pony town. Unlesssssss ssssssssssmall pony wantssssssss Floran to carry her into town..." Fern lowered herself and arched her back so that Lyra could jump off. Lyra carefully got off of Fern's back and examined the treeline, Ponyville could be seen just beyond the nearby trees.

"So we are... Its a shame, I was enjoying that." Lyra joked happily. "Anyway, its late. Do you have anywhere to sleep?" Lyra asked.

"Well, Floran doessssss have ssssssssship. However ssssssship has no bed." Fern stated. "Floran just needssssss to calibrate ssssssssshipsssssssss teleporter..."

"You can stay at my house. I have a spare room set up just in case somepony needs a place to stay... The bed may be a bit small but still, you can stay the night." Lyra suggested.

"Maybe Floran will... Ssssssssspace ssssssship is cold..." Fern slowly hissed. "Yesssssss, Floran will ssssssstay with sssssssssmall pony." Fern rubbed her head before walking into the sleepy town. "Floran remember where sssssssmall pony livesssssss."

"Alright..." Lyra slowly said as Fern picked up the pace and broke out into a small jog. "Hey Fern! Wait for me!" Lyra called out as she tried to catch up with Fern. "Whats the hurry?"

"Itsssss cold. Floran doessssss not like the cold..." Fern stated as she rubbed her arms. "Cold isssssss not sssssssoo good for Floran."

"Well, hopefully it will be warm at my house. If not, we have nice little fireplace we can set up." Lyra happily said as they continued to walk through the silent town. 

"Sssssss! Floran not like fire... Fire issss pretty, but if fire attackssssss Floran..." Fern shakily stated.

"Its alright Fern, I can put the fire out easily enough." Lyra reassured. "And that's if it you catch on fire." Lyra giggled happily. "I doubt you will catch on fire."

"If ssssssssmall pony is certain..." Fern slowly said.

"Wow... Who would have thought it? A great Floran, scared of fire." Lyra joked happily, Fer responded by giving Lyra a cold glare. "I was only joking Fern. Its like when you chased me through the cave, waving your sword at me." Lyra deadpanned. 

"Sssssss... Floran not find joke very funny. Sssssssmall pony clearly hassssss different ideassssssss of funny." Fern replied. "Floran hassssss sssssaid sssssssorry for Floran'ssssssss bad joke..."

"Well..." Lyra shrugged. "I guess no harm done, plus you did kind of save my flank... Then again it was your fault we were in that mess..." Lyra rolled her eyes as she gently jogged alongside Fern. "Don't worry I'm sure I will find a way for you to pay me back."

"Ssssssss... Floran doesssssss not like debtsssssss..." Fern sighed. "Floran hasssssss been in debt with bird-lady sssssssince bird-lady sssssssaved Floran." Fern chuckled. "Floran doubt Floran will ever be able to repay that debt."

"Well..." Lyra started. "I could think of a few ways you could repay me, but I doubt you would be comfortable, or able to do any of them." Lyra awkwardly said, a silence befell the pair as they arrived at Lyra's house. Lyra was quick to unlock the door and rush inside. The house was dimly lit and it took Lyra a few moments to get the lights working. Once Lyra had turned the lights on she appeared at the door and happily greeted Fern. "Welcome to my house, mi casa es su casa!"

"Floran not going to pretend Floran know what sssssmall pony ssssssaid." Fern chuckled as she entered the house. "Sssssssmall pony hassssss nice house."

"Yeah well, its a bit of a mess. I will go set up your room and then you can get some sleep." Lyra stated confidently. "Oh, did you want me to get the fire started? It is a bit chilly in here."

"Floran would like that..." Fern happily said as she walked into the front room and sat in front of the fireplace. Lyra followed her into the room and started setting the fireplace for the night.
> Ssssssstrange place
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fern was sat down in the front room, the Floran had somehow managed to fall asleep while sat upright. Lyra had spent the past ten minutes talking to Fern about her life, unaware that Fern was sleeping soundly. "And anyway, since then I have always sat upright. Kind of like how you are sat now. Just with less crossed legs."

"Ssssssss..." Fern hissed in her sleep, unknowing of what Lyra was saying. 

"Yeah, its a bit odd I know. But I don't mind. Personally I think its more comfortable." Lyra continued. "Anyway, besides killing things what do you do instead?" Lyra asked.

"Ssssss..." Fern hissed. Lyra chuckled and gently hugged Fern. "Sssssss..." Fern hissed, Lyra quickly pulled away.

"Oh sorry, I should have asked. Its just a bit cold and were're out of firewood." Lyra pointed at the dying fire and a few measly pieces of firewood. "I might get ready for bed, I guess I should set yours up before I go to sleep." Lyra got up, much to her surprise Fern remained upright. "Fern?"

"Ssssssss..." Fern hissed, Lyra moved in front of Fern and noticed her eyes we shut. "Ssssssss..."

"Wait... You were asleep Fern?" Lyra shook her head. "Wait, if you're asleep why I am talking to you?" Lyra sat back down and sighed. "I swear sometimes..." Lyra gently relaxed. "Soooo... I guess I can hug you now..?" Lyra optimistically asked, much to her dismay Fern remained asleep. "I will take that as a yes! And just in time, I was getting cold..." Lyra latched back onto Fern.

"Sssssss..." Fern hissed again, Lyra immediately sprung off Fern and sat back.

"Okay then... I guess that's a no go... Well, if your alright down here I am going to go to sleep." Lyra mused. "Enjoy your sleep... Sat upright..."  Lyra shook her head and left Fern in the room alone.





"Ssssssmall pony?"

"Urgh..."

"Ssssssssmall pony?"

"Not today... I'm still sleeping..."

"Sssssssmall pony! Wake up, ssssssssomeone isssssss here..." Lyra cracked open an eye, Fern was leaning over her in her bed. "Sssssss... Ssssssomething put ssssssome paper through the door."

"Oh that was just Derpy, the mailmare." Lyra sighed and threw her covers over herself. "Its early Fern, can you let me get some sleep? I spent most of the night talking to you and you were asleep." Lyra rolled over, leaving a large space vacant on the bed. Fern promptly jumped in the space. "Fern, do you mind? I'm trying to sleep. Why don't you go outside and find some other ponies to bug."

"Sssssss... Sssssssmall pony not want Floran here?" Fern sat up in the bed, looking slightly shocked. "Very well... Floran will go and find other ssssssmall poniessssssss." Fern sat up and got out of the bed.

"Wait Fern..." Lyra rolled over. "I'm just tired, stay for a bit and I will be down in a better mood." Fern looked over and sighed. "Oh come on, I needed that sleep after what happened yesterday."

"Floran hasssssss not ssssssslept for three dayssssss. Sssssssmall pony knowsssssss nothing about tirednesssssssssss." Fern stated flatly. "Maybe sssssssmall pony sssssssshould work out more, if ssssssmall pony doessssss not want to be ssssssssleepy all the time."

"Jezz, Fern. No need to be so grumpy. Just because you don't sleep doesn't mean I can't. Look, I will be down in a few minutes. I just need to freshen up." Lyra argued loudly.

"Ssssss!" Fern angrily hissed as she stormed out the room, slamming the door behind her. Lyra slumped down in her bed and sighed.

"Mental note, Floran are a lot like ponies. They don't like mornings." Lyra rolled over in the bed, she couldn't get comfy in her bed. The argument she had with Fern put her on edge. "Maybe that's why she never sleeps..."

Fern was hungry, she had hoped that Lyra would have woken up and started making food however, all they did was argue. As much as Fern wanted to avoid rummaging through the house for food she knew she would have to in the end. "Sssssss. Where would sssssssmall pony keep itssssss food." Fern scanned the front room, a small bowl of fruit was set out on a window. Fern eagerly ran over to the bowl and picked out a large red apple. "Mmmmmm, Floran ssssssoo hungry. Maybe sssssssmall pony not mind if Floran hassssssss just one." Fern examined the apple and took a large bite out of it.

"Hey Fern!" Lyra shouted from her room. "I will be down in a minute!" Fern paused her eating and gently placed the half eaten apple back in the bowl before sitting down on the nearby sofa.

"Maybe ssssssssmall pony will not notice..." Fern said to herself as her eyes darted around the room. "Could ssssssmall pony hurry up, Floran very hungry!" Fern shouted, her hunger was beginning to get unbearable.

"There is a bowl of fruit in the window, I suppose you could take a few pieces out of that. That is, if you eat fruit." Lyra called back.

"Yessssss that will do, Floran can eat fruit." Fern happily shouted back as she got up and returned to the bowl, this time she took several apples and began hastily devouring them. "Mmmmmm, Floran likes these... Nice a juicy." Fern continued devouring the brightly colored fruit until there was no trace of it left. "Sssssssmall horse! Floran issssssss sssssstill hungry..."

"Try the bowl in the kitchen!" Lyra hollered back. Fern happily navigated the house until she found the kitchen, a fruit bowl that was easily twice the size of the one in the front room was sat neatly in the center of a table. Fern greedily scoffed the fruit in the bowl before sighing deeply. "Fern, how much fruit have you eaten?" Lyra called out.

"Two bowlssssssssss." Fern replied. "Floran issssss very hungry." A large thump was heard that was followed by a groaning, a few moments later Lyra happily walked into the room.

"Well, we can drop by to Sugarcube corner. They always have some nice pastries there." Lyra suggested as she rubbed her head. "Gah, my head hurts."

"Sssssss... Maybe sssssssmall pony ssssssshould go rest." Fern suggested.

"Its alright, I have kept you waiting long enough. Plus I was quite rude earlier." Lyra admitted. "I am sorry for snapping at you by the way. I get pretty grouchy in the morning."

"Floran noticed, Floran often getssssssssss grumpy when Floran issssssss hungry." Fern added happily "Grumpinessssssss happenssssss to everything." Fern made her way towards the door and Lyra eagerly followed. Once they made it to the door Lyra unhinged the lock and opened the door.

"Oh, before I forget. Welcome to Ponyville Fern."
 
> Ssssssssstanding out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So Fern, we have a lot of stands in Ponyville, however most of them are shut at the moment." Lyra explained as she walked Fern through though the sleepy town. "We have fruit stands, apple stands, flower stands and candy stands. There are also some shops such as Sugarcube corner."

"Yessssssss, sssssssshopssssssss." Fern happily hissed as she followed Lyra eagerly. "Maybe Floran come back latter, when ssssssssssshopsssssssss are open?"

"Well, by the time we are finished a few of the shops should be open." Lyra stated happily. "Just, try not to scare anypony... Ponies around here can be a bit... Hyper to say the least." Lyra slowly said. "But after a while they should get used to you."

"Floran knowsssssss what sssssssmall pony meansssssssss. Floran had a hard time fitting in with bird people." Fern explained, the pair continued walking through the town. A few ponies were walking around and the mail and weather team were finishing their morning duties. "Sssssssoo many ssssssssmall poniesssssssss flying around... Why do ssssssssome have wingsssssss?"

"Oh, that's because they're pegasi." Lyra stated, Fern gave a puzzled look. "Well, in Equestria there are three types on ponies. Unicorns like me, we have horns and use magic. Pegasus, who have wings and fly around, they often deal with weather and emergency response. And finally, we have earth ponies, who don't have horns or wings but are sturdy, strong and excellent at living off the land."

"Sssss? Interesting, but what about the other pony... Ssssssshe had wingssssssss and a horn!" Fern smugly stated.

"Well, that was Princess Twilight. She is an Alicorn, they are often royalty and there aren't really that many of them." Lyra happily replied. "I think you might be meeting another one soon, possibly Princess Celestia."

"Princessessssssssssss? Robot-people would like you..." Fern chuckled happily. "Floran wantsssssss to sssssssssee a robot-person." 

"Robot-people? Space sure sounds like a funny place." Lyra curiously stated. "Maybe one day ponies will be in space."

"Yessssss... Maybe one day." Fern stated. "Maybe..." Fern continued to walk, however Lyra paused by a stall. Fern stopped walking when she realized that Lyra had stopped. "Sssssssmall pony?"

"I was just thinking, if you got some rare stuff from space you could sell it down here." Lyra suggested. "I bet a lot of fancy ponies would be willing to buy space stuff."

"Ssssss... Floran can only carry ssssssso much ssssstuff." Fern deadpanned. "Also, Floran wantsssssss to explore ssssssspace."

"So... When you leave you're never going to come back?" Lyra said sounding distraught. 

"Maybe... Floran issssssss... Deciding." Fern sighed. "Floran wantsssssss to go find bird-lady first." Fern shook her head and gazed at the sky." Lyra sighed and walked back over Fern.

"I wouldn't mind if you stayed, if anything I would prefer it." Lyra happily said. "But, that is up to you." Lyra looked around, more ponies were starting to come out and set up stalls for the day. More then a few were eyeing up Fern with concern. "Looks like the town is waking up, so where were we going again?"

"Sssssssssugar cube corner..." Fern hissed as she examined the ponies that were arriving. "Floran isssssss feeling uneasy..." Lyra quickly eyed the ponies around her and gave them cold glares until they moved their attention elsewhere. "Thank you..."

"Its alright, some ponies don't know when to stop looking. They had enough time to paint a picture... Well that's Ponyville for you." Lyra laughed heartily and moved over to a nearby bench and sat down. "Care to take a seat? Normally I sit here with Bonbon, but she isn't here today."

"Maybe Floran ssssssscared her off..." Fern mused as she took the space next to Lyra. "Bench issssss too sssssssmall for Floran." Fern frowned.

"Oh, yeah..." Lyra shuffled awkwardly on the bench and gave Fern a little more space, however the large Floran took up a large amount of space. "I think Sugarcube corner is nearly open." Lyra sighed and sat back. "Not too long now..."

"Ssssssoo... What doessssss sssssssmall pony do in town?" Fern inquired in an attempt to make small talk.

"Well, I do odd jobs here and there. I play the lyre for fun and I enjoy the quiet days. Except when its big, then I enjoy it." Lyra sighed happily. "You know, I wonder. Out of all the ponies you could have gone with, why me?"

"Because... Floran wake up in sssssssssmall poniesssssss house. Floran not have much choice." Fern chuckled and tried to sit back, however she nearly fell off the back of the small bench. "Floran doessssss not like this bench, it isssssss too sssssssmall."

"Alright then, lets just go check if Sugarcube corner is open." Lyra huffed. "Sorry, I just like sitting here. Its nice, you get a good view of the marketplace and all..."

"Floran can ssssssssstay if sssssssssmall pony wantsssssss to." Fern replied. "Floran just needsssssss to sssssssssstretch." Fern lent back and opened her arms, a sharp creak was emitted by the bench. "Or not..." Fern sat back up.

"Maybe we should go... I don't want this bench to break, its kinda my thing!" Lyra enthusiastically replied. "Alright, lets go Fern." Lyra jumped up and helped Fern up. Once Fern was upright she stretched her arms and legs before sighing happily. 

"Floran ssssstill ssssssssstiff from sssssssssleeping in cold room." Fern chuckled. "Yesssss..."

"Yes?" Lyra inquired curiously as the pair started to walk.

"Just yessssssss. Floran was thinking." Fern replied. A handful of ponies were slowly following the pair, it became evident that Fern stood out among the small ponies. "Sssssssss..."

"Its alright Fern, I will deal with this." Lyra reassured before taking a deep breath. "Don't you ponies have anything better to do!?" Lyra shouted. "Its just a Floran." The crowds vanished into the marketplace. "As I said... Some of these ponies are a bit... Odd."

"You ssssssaid they were hyper..." Fern chuckled. "Floran know what sssssssmall pony means." Fern smiled happily as she followed Lyra.

"Alright, its just a short walk to Sugarcube corner. Shouldn't take us too long." Lyra happily said as the pair walked through town happily.
> Sssssssssweet thingssssssssss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, this is Sugarcube corner." Lyra stated as they arrived outside the sweet shop. "They do all kinds of confectioneries, pastries and cakes!" Lyra happily explained. Fern examined the shop, despite the size of the ponies the shop's door was relatively large. 

"Why issssssss the sssssssshop'ssssssss door sssssssso large?" Fern asked. 

"Well... I guess its just in case the Princess comes down, she is roughly the same size of you." Lyra explained. "At least it makes it easier for you to get in." Lyra examined the door, a closed sign was hung up. "I guess they're still setting up..." The sigh was quickly flipped by a pink hoof. "Or not..." Lyra sighed. "This should be interesting..." Lyra pushed the door open and walked in, Fern closely followed her. The sweet shop was empty due to it just being opened.

"Oh hey Lyra! Annnd... Giant walking plant? Lyra, who is this and do I need to throw them a party?"

"Well Pinkie... This is Fern, she is a Floran from space! Her ship was damaged and she is trying to repair it!" Lyra excitedly explained. "I don't think she needs a party but..."

"Floran party consistssssssss of luring thingsssssssss into a hunt." Fern deadpanned. "Sssssssmall poniesssssss do not want to throw a Floran party." Fern smiled innocently.

"Oh wow! I have never heard of a Floran party, it sounds like... A party!" Pinkie eagerly half shouted.

"Itsssssss not... Floran just too sssssssstupid to change itsssssss name." Fern chuckled. "If Floran ever askssssssss you to go to Floran party, do not."

"Wait..." Lyra joined in. "What if we threw you a pony party? I mean, it would get ponies more comfortable with you." Lyra suggested, however Fern frowned at the idea. "Not a party person?"

"Partiessssss in sssssssspace do not end well. Floran doessssss not want to take risk." Fern sighed. 

"Okie dokie lokie, no parties for the strange plant alien from space then!" Pinkie happily exclaimed. "So what do you do for fun?"

"Well Pinkie..." Lyra quickly said before Fern could speak. "Fern's... Species are a savage tribal like race... They often hunt and... Attack others, while Fern isn't as savage as this she still enjoys hunting and well... Fighting." Lyra remind silent as Pinkie's cheery expression dropped.

"Oh. Floran likessssss bird-people... Ssssssstabbing getssssssss boring after a while..." Fern rubbed her head. "Floran also likesssssss helping thingsssssss."

"Oh! So you're not completely crazy!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Because, I was starting to think that you were a bad plant-person! I mean, not like that's a bad thing but its just that Twilight doesn't really like bad things and that..." Pinkie was interrupted by Lyra placing her hoof over her mouth. "Mmmfffhhhh! Mmmfh mfffhhh!"

"Yeah.. Hyper." Lyra chuckled. "Don't worry Fern, I know you are good. You just have... Strange hobbies..." Lyra sighed happily. "Pinkie, I'm going to slowly remove my hoof. When I do, please be quiet." Lyra asked sternly, Pinkie compliantly nodded and Lyra removed her hoof. "Alright Pinkie, do you think you have anything that Fern might like?"

"Well, we have cupcakes baking and some muffins. We also have a couple of cakes that she might like, we also have a few danishes and bagels." Pinkie happily explained. "We also have all our normal stock, so take your time!"

"Ssssss..." Fern hissed as she examined the large candy shop. "Ssssssso much choice... Floran doesssssssss not know what to pick... Could sssssssmall pony please help?" Fern asked as she continued to examine the stock.

"Well..." Lyra started. "I might get a few muffins once they're done." Lyra suggested. "Shall I get you one?"

"Yesssss..." Fern hissed.

"Alright Pinkie, we need a couple of muffins stat!" Lyra happily ordered.

"Alright Lyra, a dozen of muffins coming up! Once they have cooked that is." Pinkie happily sighed, Fern moved around the shop and looked at all the various sweets on display. "See anything you like?" Pinkie happily inquired."

"Well... Floran doesn't really know... Floran hassssss never ssssssseen these ssssssweetsssssss." Fern curiously replied. "Bird-people never really ate sssssssweets."

"Oh! You have to try some!" Pinkie insisted as she jumped over to Fern. "Here let me get you some!" Pinkie chose a few a sweets and gave them to Fern. "Consider these on the house."

"Thank you..." Fern place a few of the sweets in her mouth and began to eat them. "Ssssss... Sssssssweetssssss are... Sweet." Fern giggled. "Ssssstrange, Floran hassssss never had anything like thisssssssss."

"Do you love it?" Pinkie confidently and excitedly asked.

"Maybe Floran will have one more... Just to check." Floran threw another one of the sweets into her mouth and began chewing. "Mmmmmm, Floran defiantly like thissssssss one."

"I knew it! Everything likes sweets!" Pinkie jumped up and down excitedly. "Oh by the way, I'm Pinkie Pie but my friends call me Pinkie."

"Oh... Pinkie, I don't think Fern fully understands how to use names in a sentence." Lyra nervously said. "So she might just call you small pony, just like she calls me." 

"That's okay! I'm happy with whatever she calls me, as long as were're friends!" Pinkie happily said.

"Well... Okay then." Lyra awkwardly said. Fern fished off the sweets and grinned happily.

"Floran issssssss happy to meet ssssssmall pony!" Fern said towards Pinkie, who smiled happily at her.

"Well, I'm happy to meet you as well Fern!" Pinkie bounced around the shop. "Hopefully we can be best friends!"

"Yessssssss, maybe. However Floran doessssss not know is Floran will ssssssssstay for very long..."

"Awwwww... That's okay though, I bet you have tons of spacey stuff to do!" Pinkie remarked. 

"Yesssss... Floran wantsssssss to find bird-lady." Fern stated. "The Floran will explore ssssssssspace with bird-lady!"

"Good for you Fern!" Pinkie happily said. "I bet Twilight would love to meet you!"

"Oh yeah! That reminds me, Twilight will most likely want to talk with you about some stuff." Lyra exclaimed. "We should try and find her!" Lyra quickly hurried out the shop. Fern stayed for a moment.

"Muffinssssss?" Fern inquired, Pinkie then went into the kitchen and came out with a brown bag.

"Here you go! Enjoy!" Pinkie said as she gave Fern the bag.

"Thankssssss!" Fern said as she rushed after Lyra.
> Sssssssssssssweat it out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lyra hurried through town, confident that she would find Twilight before Fern. As Lyra rushed over every corner of town she failed to notice Rainbow Dash fly overhead. "Hey Lyra! Lyraaaa!" Rainbow called out, however her call fell on death ears as Lyra was too busy searching for Twilight.  "Never mind..." Rainbow muttered as Lyra vanished into a large crowd of ponies. Rainbow turned her attention back to her task, to find the creature Twilight was after. "If I was a vicious sword manic plant-person, where would I hide?" Rainbow mused as she scanned the quiet town.

"Sssssssmall pony!?" Rainbow heard a voice hiss in the distance. "Ssssss! Ssssssshe ran off!" The hissing continued for a moment before settling down.

"Wait a minute, I swear Twilight said that the... Whatever it was hissed a lot." Rainbow turned around and tried to find the source of the hissing, she quickly flew over to sugar cube corner. 

"Hiya Rainbow!" Rainbow heard Pinkie call out. "Have you seen that... Thing!" Rainbow landed and walked over to Pinkie.

"What thing? Was it with Lyra?" Rainbow grilled Pinkie, Pinkie chuckled and placed a hoof on Rainbow's back. 

"Wow Rainbow, you didn't tell me you could read minds!" Pinkie joked. "Yes, the thing was with Lyra. But Lyra ran out and left her with me, then she ran out trying to find Lyra. I saw her heading to the park." 

"Thanks Pinkie!" Rainbow said as she dashed off towards the part at high speeds.



  

"Sssssss!" Fern hissed as she sat down under a tree in the part. "Sssssssilly ssssssssmall pony, leaving Floran behind." Fern sighed and pulled out her matter manipulator, within moments a large square of water was suspended in front of Fern, who began to drink the water rapidly. "Sssssss... Floran sssssssso thirsty." Fern finished the water quickly and sighed happily. "Ssssss... Floran not thirsty... Floran hungry." Fern dug into the brown and removed one of the muffins. "Muffin..." Fern examined the muffin before carefully taking a small bite. After deciding that the muffin was in fact, delicious Fern then threw the rest into her mouth.

"Celestia dam it! How can one plant be so hard to find!?" Fern heard someone shout from above. "I give up... At least I tried."  Fern heard a rustling from the tree above her.

"Sssss?" Fern hissed as she looked up. "Isssssss sssssomething there?" Fern couldn't see anything in the tree due to a thick layer of leaves at the bottom layer.

"Hey, what?" Something called out from the tree. "Who's down there?"

"..." Fern remained silent and examined the tree. "Who issssss in the tree?"

"Who is down there!?" The voice called down.

"Sssssss!" Fern hissed. "Come down from tree!" Fern ordered as she got up. "Come down or Floran knock it down!" Fern readied her matter manipulator and pointed it at the base of the tree.

"Pfft, like that's going to happen!" The voice taunted.

"Sssss!" Fern activated the manipulator. The tree started to shake with increasing speed. 

"W-Woah! What are you doing!?" The voice called back, sounding panicked. "S-Stop! I'm up here!"

"Sssss! Creature not come down tree, sssssssoo Floran chop tree down!" The tree shook violently one final time before falling down in a heap, the cut wood responded with the manipulator and neatly stacked itself. Rainbow Dash was on top of a small pile off wood, frowning at Fern.

"That... Was... My... Napping... Tree!" Rainbow angrily said, removing her hair from her eyes. "How did you even..." Rainbow scanned over Fern. "Its you! That thing Twilight is looking for!"

"Ssssss! Sssssssmall pony wassssssss looking for Floran?" Fern curiously said. "Did other ssssssssmall pony tell you to find me?"

"Uhhhhh... Which small pony are you talking about?" Rainbow curiously asked.

"Ssssssssmall one..." Fern chuckled. "Tell Floran what sssssmall pony lookssssss like."

"She's purple, goes by the name of Twilight, she is a alicorn." Rainbow stated. "Kinda hard to miss her, she is a total egghead."

"Sssss. Floran hasssssss not sssssseen any sssssssmall poniessssss with egg-headsssssss." Fern rubbed her head. "How doesssssss a ssssssssmall pony get an egg-head?"

"Not like that... Jeez, I didn't mean an egg for a head... That would funny! Twilight is just..." Rainbow froze up. "S-Smart..." Rainbow stuttered as she hissed the word.

"Oh. Maybe sssssssmall pony ssssssshould have sssssssaid." Fern stated flatly as she sat back down.

"It doesn't matter, she asked me to find you." Rainbow brashly replied.

"Oh Fern! There you are!" Fern turned her head and saw Lyra running into the park.

"Lyra! What are you doing here? Twilight is looking for you!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"I know, I saw her a minute ago." Lyra said. "Fern, we need to go find that pony we were with yesterday. The Princess is coming down to see you!" Lyra excitedly said.

"Ssssss... Floran just want to fix sssssship. Ssssssmall poniessssss are too sssssssstressful." Fern sighed. "Floran tired already..."

"C'mon Fern. If the Princess helps you, you will be back on your ship in no time!" Lyra happily said.

"Sssss..." Fern hissed as she got up. "Fine, take Floran too ssssssmall pony." 

"Yeah, come on then." Rainbow hastily said as she started walking. "Also, you owe me a tree." Rainbow stated.

"Floran warned sssssssmall pony. Floran doessssss not owe ssssssmall pony anything." Fern smugly said.

"You chopped down the tree I napped in. WHILE I WAS ON IT!" Rainbow angrily said. 

"Sssssssssmall pony not listen to Floran, that issssssss why Floran chop tree." Fern stated. "Maybe next time ssssssssmall pony will listen to Floran."

"I didn't think you would chop it down!" Rainbow shouted.

"You cut a tree down!?" Lyra said sounding shocked. "How did you manage that?" Fern pulled out the matter manipulator and confidently held it up. "How did that chop down a tree?" Fern pointed the device at the ground and removed a perfect square of dirt.

"Ssssss, device manipulatessssssssss matter. Treessssssss are matter." Fern stated proudly. Rainbow rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Go figure you would have something that can literately tear down buildings." Rainbow huffed. "If you go tearing down any buildings..."

"Well, I can see that you two are going to be barrel of laughs..." Lyra sighed as the trio walked through Ponyville.
> Meeting of the mindssssssss 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sssssss. Floran bored." Fern stated as she mess around with the matter manipulator, throwing water and stone around the large front room of Twilight's castle. "Ssssss, how long will sssssssmall pony take to get here?" Fern sighed and dropped a large glob of water on the floor before sweeping it up with manipulator. "Floran want to fix sssssssship."

"Trust me Fern, if Princess Celestia offers her help you will have your ship fixed in no time!" Lyra stated, Twilight and her friends had gone into a separate room to 'discus' the situation. "It shouldn't be too long, the Princess is normally very punctual. In fact, I am surprised she isn't already here."

"Sssssss... Floran could have fixed sssssssship by now... Floran could be with bird-lady..." Fern hissed. "Maybe sssssssmall pony not understand, but Floran missessssssssss bird-lady." Fern sighed and turned off the matter manipulator. "All ssssssssmall poniesssssssss have done is sssssssslow Floran down."

"Well... We have never seen anything like you before Fern. You are the first ever being from out of space in Equestria." Lyra proudly said. "We are representing the entire Equestrian race." 

"Sssss. Doesssssss not impressssssss Floran." Fern deadpanned.

"Well its big for me! I'm not like the other ponies in here, I don't save the world on a daily basis! I just live my plain ordinary life." Lyra stated angrily. 

"Maybe ssssssmall pony sssssshould explore. That issssssss what bird-lady did before bird-lady wasssssss thrown off tower." Fern stated. "Thissssss is other bird-lady Floran isssss talking about."

"Oh, well I would. But I need an adventures permit." Lyra chuckled as Fern gave her a confused look. Just as Lyra finished laughing Twilight and her friends walked in ominously through the room. "Woah... That was creepy."

"Floran not like that, Floran returning to ssssssship." Fern stated as she stood up and moved towards a nearby window.

"W-Wait!" Lyra shouted as she jumped up and chased Fern, who had opened the window and was in the process of leaping out of it. Lyra was just able to grab Fern's leg as a white light engulfed them and took them to Fern's ship.





When Lyra woke up she was on a cold metallic floor. Bright florescent lights blinded her as she rolled over. "Sssssssilly sssssssmall pony, sssssssshould have let Floran go to ssssssship." Lyra heard Fern hiss and the sound of metal on metal approaching her, once her eyes adjusted she saw Fern approaching her wearing a basic set of iron armor.

"F-Fern!" Lyra blushed. Fern's armor left little to the imagination. save the exquisite headpiece she was wearing. "What are you wearing?"

"Floran armor... Armor for a sprout." Fern stated as she unsheathed  a large iron broadsword. "Floran decorated ssssssssship." Lyra looked around. A furnace, iron anvil, crafting bench, wooden bed, campfire and several chests were neatly packed into the small ship.

"So I see..." Lyra chuckled. "How do we get back down to Equestria?"

"Ssssss. Sssssssame way assssss last time. Jump out the ssssssship and float down." Fern chuckled. "Let Floran help you!" Fern hauled Lyra over her should and moved towards the teleporter.

"Fern! Stop!" Lyra shouted as Fern gently dropped her on the glowing white panel.

"Have a sssssssssafe trip!" Fern smugly said as she pressed a large red button on the wall, triggering the teleporter. Within a moment Lyra had completely vanished. "Heheheh..." Fern chuckled as she moved to the ship's AI panel.

"Long distance teleporting, a most impressive feat. Especially when done by something that is not alive." Fern heard a voice echo behind her. 

"Ssss..." Fern slowly turned around, a pony with both wings and a horn was stood dead center in her ship. "Another sssssssmall pony." Fern stated flatly. "Maybe not ssssssso sssssssssmall..." Fern sighed.

"Yes, our sister thought that you might try and run, so she sent us to search for your ship." The pony stated.

"Floran not run, Floran want to fix sssssssship." Fern turned her attention back to the AI panel and activated it. The panel flickered to life and the ship's AI appeared on the panel.

"Heheh! We need roughly twenty average sized core-shards to fix the ship's engines, and my scanners are showing none on you!" The AI vanished as the panel shut down.

"Ssssssee. Floran needssssss to fix ssssssship. Yet all sssssssmall poniessssss do isssssss drag Floran around and follow Floran." Fern angrily said. "Ssssssssmall poniesssssss are sssssssslowing Floran down!"

"While it may seem like that, you have very little to worry about. Even as we speak my sisters guards are risking their lives in the crystal caverns to find your precious shards." The pony replied. 

"But Floran not want help. Floran just wantsssssss to fix sssssssship! Floran didn't ask ssssssssmall poniessssss for help!" Fern barked back. "Why do ssssssssssmall poniesssssss insist on help Floran!?"

"Because, it is our ways. We have always helped those in need." The pony stated angrily. "If you can't respect our beliefs then you got stranded on the wrong planet."

"Floran wayssssss involve ssssssstabbing things! Floran doessssssss not go to sssssssmall poniesssssss and force then to ssssssstab each other just because Floran doesssssssss!" Fern took an aggressive stance and readied her sword. "Maybe Floran sssssssshow ssssssssmall pony Floran waysssssss." Fern said threateningly.

"Are you threatening us?" The pony angrily shouted and an incredibly lout voice that threw Fern off balance. 

"Issssss sssssssssmall pony challenging Floran!?" Fern shouted back, within a moment to the town were within breathing distance of each other. "Tomorrow." Fern stated, activating the teleporter and vanishing in a bright light.

Princess Luna, who had been tasked with trying to convince Fern to remain on Equestria so that she may be studied sighed. "We have failed out task sister..." Luna shook her head and sighed. "Maybe Equestria is not ready for the wonders of space..."
> Sssssswords at ssssssunset
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equestria was abuzz, the rumor that the visitor from space had challenged Princess Luna to a duel had spread quickly. Princess Luna herself had spent a large portion of the day honing her tactics and combat skills. There had also been sightings of Fern around Equestria, however none of them had been consistent. Ponyville had been on edge, since that had been the place where Fern had spent most of her time.

"Urgh, I don't like this." Lyra huffed. "She won't show up here." Herself and Twilight had been patrolling the border of the village, keeping an eye out for Fern.

"We can't take any risks Lyra, if she has gone hostile..." Twilight explained. "There is no telling how she will act." Twilight examined the horizon. "I can't believe it went bad so quickly... All that planning..."

"Yeah, I can't believe it either." Lyra stated. "She seemed pretty happy when she zapped me back down... I wonder what happened." Lyra inquired.

"Luna hasn't told anypony except Celestia... But if you ask me... It was most likely both their short tempers..." Twilight chucked weakly. 

"I can believe that." Lyra happily replied. "I hope this just blows over... I would hate to see either of them hurt." Lyra sighed and looked at the setting sun in the distance. "Looks like the day is coming to the end. I guess Fern has vanished... Maybe it is for the best." 

"Yeah, I know for a fact that neither of them would back down. They both can be stubborn like that..." Twilight stated.

"You knew that from the brief time you spent with her?" Lyra sighed. "Was she really that readable?"

"Well, all you have done is gone on about her for the past few hours..." Twilight sighed. "You really did..." Twilight noticed something on the horizon. "...Looks like Fern is coming after all." Twilight pointed, just as the sun was setting Fern's unique silhouette could be seen slowly walking towards Ponyville.



 

Fern had spent the majority of the day building up a small arsenal of armor and weaponry, she was quite proud of what she had accomplished in such a short time. "Ssssss. Floran will fight sssssssmall pony, Floran not kill sssssssmall pony..." Fern chuckled as she approached Ponyville. "Maybe Floran not have to fight sssssssmall pony. Maybe Floran sssssssshould just leave...." Fern shook her head. "No! Floran need to fix sssssssship!" Fern went through her weaponry one final time, an assortment of blunt swords and arrows with a few clubs. 

Fern walked across the long winding plains as the sun was set in the background, she could easily tell by the large amount of traffic in the air that she had been seen. Fern continued walking towards Ponyville at a steady pace.





"Sister please, you don't have to do this!" Celestia pleaded to her sister, who was donning her battle armor that she had not worn in years.

"Sadly Tia, this is not the case. That monstrosity had the audacity to insult our way of life! That thing..!" Luna shouted angrily. "And now, she shows up in Ponyville, just as we were about to raise the moon!"

"Luna, calm down. I highly doubt that she wants to fight you..." Celestia calmly said. "She is most likely confused by our culture... Our ways..." Celestia sighed. "I will not try stop you from fighting... The time for that has passed, but do. Not. Kill. Her." Celestia calmly said. "If the first alien from space is killed in cold blood..." 

"Worry not sister, we won't kill her. Just ensure that our message is revived." Luna calmly said.

"Very well..." Celestia yawned loudly. "I need to rest, ensure that you are in one piece tomorrow morning."

"I will sister..." Luna chuckled as she left the castle and headed in the direction of Ponyville.





"Ssssss..." Fern hissed as a large amount of ponies surrounded her, however they all kept their distance. "Where issssss sssssssmall pony..."

"We are here." Luna announced as she landed. "We did not expect you come..."

"Ssssss. For Floran to run away for challenge isssssss to remove Floran'ssssssssss heart." Fern stated confidently, she was now wearing a green and grey chest-plate, accompanied by Spiked green crown and grey undergarments. 

"May we make one thing clear, we will not kill you." Luna stated.

"Floran will not kill sssssssssmall pony then." Fern replied. "Ssssssssssmall pony ready?" 

"Have at thee!" Luna shouted as she unleashed a torrent of magic towards Fern. 

Fern was caught out by the sudden outburst and flung backwards. "Ragh.." Fern grunted as she stood upright. "Sssssssmall horse make Floran angry!" Fern shouted as she unsheathed two small swords and began charging at Luna. Luna laughed as she took to the air, however much to her surprise Fern was able to jump to her height. 

Although Fern's weapons weapons were blunt they still left a clear red mark on Luna when they made contact in the air. Luna flew to the ground quickly, her right wing had taken a heavy hit from Fern's blades. "Gah, is that all you have?" Luna taunted as she began to charge towards Fern. 

"Floran not breaking a ssssssssweat!" Fern shouted back smugly as she began charging, within a few seconds she clashed with Luna. Fern had both her swords push on Luna's horn, however due her strength being split Luna easily pushed her back, causing Fern to drop one of her short swords. "Ssssss..." Fern hissed as she charged Luna before she could recover bringing a heavy hit across Luna's front. Fern chuckled as Luna recovered.

"Hmpp! To think you claim you are a vicious race." Luna taunted. Fern charged at her a second time however Luna teleported and hit Fern in the back with one of her hooves, throwing her to the floor. "Bah, you are predictable!"

Fern recovered from the floor and threw her other blade to the floor. Fern then unsheathed a large sword and held it in both hands. "Sssss! Take thissssssss!" Fern heaved her weight and hit Luna with what would have been a fetal blow had the sword been sharp. Luna recoiled and took a moment to regain her balance. Fern laughed loudly. "Ssssssssilly pony. Floran have more then one way to fight!" Fern went n for another blow however the heavy sword caused her to miss-judge the speed and she fell onto the sword, using it to remain upright.

"You are untrained and undisciplined!" Luna castrated as she hit Fern with a powerful spell. Fern was thrown up high into the air, unable to slow her fall Luna panicked, however just before Fern hit the floor a large black bubble appeared around her and caused her to bounce. "What is this!?" Luna questioned as Fern settled, the black orb vanished fern chuckled.

"Floran..." Fern pulled out a large club made out of various skull. "SMASH!" Fern smashed the nearby ground with the club, shards from the club flew out in all directions. Much to the relief of the watching ponies, the club regenerated making the weapon seem a lot less morbid. Luna hesitated moving forward, she quickly threw a shield up in order to take the blunt of the hit. 

Fern readied herself for a charge, she quickly ran at Luna with the club already in motion for a solid swing. Just as the club passed Fern Luna teleported out of the pathway of the blow, and behind Fern. "You fell for the same trick again..." Luna started, however she was interrupted when the club continued going around, smashing her clean in the face.

Luna flew back, the shield had taken the brunt of the club however it had shaken her up pretty bad. Luna quickly threw another shield up and readied herself for a charge. Fern took the challenge and readied herself for a charge. The two ran at each other at fast speeds, Luna's magic directly hitting Fern and Fern's club directly hitting Luna's shield. The pair flew backwards and landed on the floor at the same time. 

For a brief moment neither Luna or Fern showed any signs of life, neither of them moved and they both were hurt. However soon two very clear signs of life were coming from them. They were laughing.
> Sssssssssssstatusssssssssssss quo 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The dust settled, both Fern and Luna were lying on the ground and laughing loudly. Fern sprung up happily, she had been disarmed during the fight and she now lacked any weapons to fight with. Fern looked around, most of the ponies who had been watching had backed away and only a few remained.

Fern sighed and pulled out a small syringe full of red liquid. Fern winced as she injected the liquid into her skin. "Sssss..." Fern hissed as her battle wounds began to heal over rapidly. Within a moment Fern was in the same state she was when she started fighting. "Floran feelsssss fine." Fern stated boldly, much to her dismay Luna was still on the floor and laughing. Fern slowly trudged over to Luna and offered her a hand up, Luna eagerly took the offer and Fern helped her up.

Without saying a word the pair nodded at each other and walked away from each other. As Fern walked away a bright light took her back to her ship.

"We think it is safe to say we have come to an impasse." Luna happily said to the ponies who were still watching. "That being said, I have no doubt that she will return after she had recuperated from the battle."

Twilight had watched the whole battle from the side lines, if Luna had not told her to stay out of the fight she would have helped the minute Fern pulled out the large club. "What!?" Twilight shouted as she ran over to Luna. "Princess Luna, are you alright?"

"Aye, we are okay. Just a little shaken up." Luna chuckled happily as she walked with Twilight. "It would seem that our visitor lives up to her savage nature." 

"Yeah..." Twilight meekly said, still shocked by the sudden turn of events. "What happened?"

"We merely came to an agreement while on the battlefield, we were both evenly matched and we knew it." Luna stated happily. "I will need to explain to our sister what has happened, she will be most pleased with the results." Luna winced in pain as she attempted to take off, a large red mark on her wing made it evident why she couldn't fly. "Alas, we are unable to fly." Luna sighed. "May we stay at you castle until we are able to fly?" Luna polity asked Twilight.

"Of course!" Twilight replied happily. "Your wing must be sore, maybe a trip to the spa will help?" Twilight boldly suggested. Luna nodded her head and the two walked off into town, leaving the battlefield quiet and deserted.





Lyra hastily drew the curtains, carefully making sure that nopony saw her. Once she was certain she sighed happily and sat down. "You can come out now." Lyra giggled. 

Fern appeared from the kitchen, eating a large apple. "Floran think fight went well." Fern stated. "Floran not kill sssssssmall pony."

"Yes, I think it went relatively well." Lyra sighed. "Why were you laughing at the end?"

"Floran think it wasssssss funny how Floran'ssssssssssssss and ssssssssmall ponie'sssssssssss power reacted." Fern sat down and finished the apple. "Sssssssssmall pony very ssssssssstrong, however Floran issssssss very ssssssssstrong." Fern stated happily. "Maybe sssssssmall poniessssss not sssssssssee it, but the sssssssssmall pony Floran fight enjoyed fighting." 

"I imagine Luna would enjoy the old tussle, she has only recently just returned from being exiled for one-thousand years." Lyra explained. "For a while she could only speak with the Royal Canterlot voice, it was quite scary." Lyra sighed happily and remained Luna's fabled visit during nightmare night.

"Ssssssss." Fern hissed, snapping Lyra out of her daydream. 

"Oh! Sorry." Lyra apologized. 

"Itssssss alright." Fern replied. "Floran need to go ssssssee other sssssssssmall pony now." Fern chuckled.

"Hm. I think I could take you... I mean, I might have to sneak you out of Ponyville but I should be able to do that easily." Lyra proudly stated+

"Sssss..." Fern got up and carefully looked out the window. "Floran... Felt ssssssomething..." 

"Eh? What do you mean?" Lyra inquired.

"Floran... Itsssss nothing." Fern shakily sat back down. "Floran remembered feeling sssssssssomething familiar when bird-people arrived at village... Bird-lady ssssssssaid it wasssss sssssssomething to do with enginessssssssss."

"Like... An engine on a space ship?" Lyra curiously asked. "Maybe you felt something else in the space outside Equestria."

"Sssss... Maybe..." Fern sighed and relaxed. "Floran could have imagined it..." 





Luna was enjoy a relaxing soak in hot water, going to the spa with Twilight had been a good idea. The spa was empty due to most ponies worrying about Fern returning and possibly attacking, however Luna knew better. 

"This is nice, Canterlot needs more spas like this." Luna stated as she relaxed further, the soreness of her wings slowly fading. Suddenly, Luna jerked upright, a strange sensation flew through her body and vanished. Twilight, who had been relaxing in a nearby mud bath suddenly became aware of Luna's state and removed a cucumber that was covering her eye.

"Whats up Luna?" Twilight asked.

"Something else... Something else has just arrived in our system... It came at speeds unheard of..." Luna settled back down in her warm bath.

"It might be this Bird-Lady Lyra told me about... Or another Floran." Twilight mused. "Or something else altogether."

"Perhaps..." Luna slowly said. "However, this beings ship is larger then the other creatures ship." Luna sighed. "We are worried that this may be a warship looking for a planet to attack..." Luna chuckled. "Then again, the amount of traffic that passes our humble planet... It may just be a traveler passing by."





Fern pointed out of the window of her ship. "Right there! Floran sssssssee it!" Fern happily jumped in the air and cheered. Lyra moved over to the window, taking a large breath she peered out and observed space.

"Woah..." Lyra exclaimed as she took in the view. "This is amazing." Lyra quickly spotted the area Fern was pointing at. Sure enough there was a large sphere in space no larger then the moon, but distinctively a ship of some sort. "What is that?"

"Floran not know, however Floran ssssssssscannersssssssss sssssssssshow advanced technology isssssssssss being used in ssssssship." Fern frowned. "Floran cannot teleport to it..." Fern sighed and sat down. "Perhaps Floran and ssssssssssmall pony ssssssshould go back and tell other ssssssssmall poniesssssssssssssss."

"That seems like a good idea." Lyra agreed, walking over towards the teleport. Lyra hit the large red button and was whisked away in a bright light. Fern followed suit and beamed herself back down to the planet.
> Sssssssssomething ssssssssssssuspicious 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, you just felt it?" Lyra asked. "You just happened to feel the ship jump out of hyper-speed... Or whatever it was?" Lyra sighed and shook her head in disbelief. "And you just happened to know where to look for it in space?"

"Sssss. Floran knowsssssss how funny thisssss ssssssoundsssss... But Floran hasssss no idea what isssssssss on the ssssssship." Fern sighed. "Floran hasssss never a sssssship like that..." Fern relaxed slightly, certain that Lyra would believe her. 

"Its just... Odd. How exactly does one develop a skill for knowing when a ship has moved like that?" Lyra inquired curiously. Fern sighed and rubbed her chin.

"It isssssss not unusual... Most ssssssssspace traverlsssssss have it..." Fern slowly explained. "Ssssssssmall pony issssssss not believing Floran." Fern stated flatly.

"Its just... An odd coincident." Lyra replied. "It alright though. I believe you." Fern happily smiled in response. "So, do you think we should tell somepony?"

"Sssss... Floran not know, Floran think that ssssssssmall poniessssssss might not want to sssssspeak with Floran." Fern replied, however after a brief pause Fern had changed her mind. "Perhapsssssssssss Floran could tell other sssssssmall pony, the sssssssssmall pony that Floran fought against."

"You mean Princess Luna?" Lyra thought for a moment. "You know, that might be a good idea Fern. I mean, she does control the space outside of Equestria." Lyra stated. "She might have sensed it as well."

"Sssssss... But where issssssss ssssssmall pony?" Fern questioned. "Floran doessssssssss not know where ssssssssshe went."

"Oh that's easy, I saw her leaving with Twilight. They will most likely be at her castle." Lyra happily stated. "Now, if we could just get you to the castle without attracting too much attention..."

"Ssssss, Floran not care about attention." Fern brashly stated. "Floran going to find sssssssmall pony."

"Wait..." Was all Lyra was able to say before got up and left the house. "Do... Never mind." Lyra slowly got up and followed Fern out of the house, as Fern had stated she did not seem to care about ponies seeing her, she was happily walking through the town regardless of ponies seeing her. Lyra sighed made her way towards the castle, although Fern had gone in the complete opposite to the castle Lyra was sure she would turn up eventually.



  

Lyra slowly made her way through town, she would have walked faster however she was constantly stopped by townsponies asking her about Fern or trying to point her in the direction of Fern. After the thirteenth pony stopped her Lyra had had enough. Without shouting or stressing she simply teleported herself into a nearby alleyway and sighed.

"Thank Celestia for short range teleporting..." Lyra sighed, she was exhausted from the constant harassment of the townsponies. Lyra regained her bearings and figured out where she had teleported herself. "Wow, just by Sugarcube... That's a personal best. Lyra remarked before leaving the alleyway and continuing on her trip to the castle. 

Much to Lyra's surprise, her trip to the castle became uneventful, she didn't see any other ponies until she made it to the castle, and even then it was just a few ponies passing by on their daily routines. Lyra casual strolled into the castle, much to her dismay Fern was happily sat down in the grand entrance hall of the castle.

"Ssssss. Floran got lost." Fern hissed. "Floran not like getting lost." Fern stated. "However sssssssmall pony wasssss not here when Floran got here. Ssssssssso Floran issssssssssss waiting for ssssssssssmall pony to return."

"Did you check the castle?" Lyra inquired as she moved over to Fern.

"Sssss, yesssssssss." Fern stated. "It wassssss empty." Fern replied. "No sssssssmall poniessssssss would talk to Floran ssssssso Floran doesssssssss not know where ssssssssssmall pony issssssssss."

"You are aware how confusing it is when you refer to all of us as small pony right? I mean it might seem small to you, but it really is confusing to me." Lyra replied, disregarding Fern breaking and entering the castle. 

"Sssss... Floran callsssss ssssssssmall pony sssssssssmall pony because... That issssssssss what a ssssssssmall pony isssssssss..." Fern stated. "Just like how Floran issssss Floran."

"Maybe it works for you, but down here on Equestria... We all have names. I mean, you may not understand it but it will make it easier if you call me Lyra." Lyra happily explained, Fern gave her a confused look followed by a slow nod.

"Sssss... Alright... Ly... Ra." Fern slowly said. "Floran issssss not used to thisssssss..." Fern stated. Lyra smiled happily.

"Well, all you need to do is practice and you will have it perfected in no time!" Lyra said with a beaming optimism

"Sssssss... If Ly-ra ssssssssayssssssssss ssssssso." Fern replied slowly, still unsure about how to apply Lyra's name.

"Its alright Fern, it just makes it easier if you are talking to more then one pony. That way they know which one you are talking to." Lyra stated. "As I said, it might make no sense to you but it will certainly help when talking to ponies."

"Sssss, Floran understandsssssssss. Floran will try and use namessssssss..." Fern confidently replied, determined to better her communication skills. Just as the pair settle down and considered going back to Lyra's house a rather relax looking Luna showed up with Twilight. Fern gently nudged Lyra and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Sssssss... Namesssssss?"

Lyra turned a smiled warmly. "The small purple one is Twilight and the larger one is Princess Luna." Lyra happily said. "If you need me to take over just give me a nudge. Here, let me get us started."

"Ah, the Floran has returned." Luna stated calmly. 

"Oh yes!" Lyra interrupted. "Fern has news from the final frontier she would like to share."

"Oh really? And what news would this be?" Luna harshly said.

"Ssssss, Floran found a sssssssssssship!" Fern said. "A sssssssssship nearby Floran'sssssssssssss sssssssssssssship."

"Is that all? We were quite aware of the presence of a foreign ship in our star system." Luna replied. Twilight rolled her eyes and decided to join in.

"Really? Were you able to make contact with its crew?" Twilight inquired curiously.

"No... The ssssssship was... Advanced. Maybe if... Twi-light could visit Floran'ssssssssss ssssssssssship... Twi-light could sssssssee the ssssssssship." Fern stuttered slowly, struggling to fully word Twilight's name.

"Hm, Lyra I am impressed, last time we spoke you said that she could use names..." Twilight turned her attention back to Fern. "If you could take me to your ship so that I could observe to other ship I would appreciate it." Twilight happily said. "Just let me get a few things and I will be ready."

"Sssss. Very well. Floran will ssssssssstay here until Twi-light isssssssss ready." Fern happily said. Twilight quickly rushed into her castle, leaving Luna, Fern and Lyra to themselves. 
> Sssssssscanning the horizon 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fern's space ship buzzed to life as its various panels on the ship lit up, slowly the ship came to life as its AI panel flickered on and was shortly followed by the small white teleportation pad on the floor. Twilight was the first of the group to appear on the ship, she was shortly followed by Luna, then Lyra and Fern. Twilight ran over to one of the windows and gazed out into space.

"So this is space then? The final frontier?" Twilight mused to herself. Fern casually strolled past and sighed happily. "So Fern, this is your ship then?"

"Yessssss." Fern stated happily. "Thissss issssss Floran'ssssssss ssssssssship." Fern moved over the the AI panel and the AI appeared on a small screen. "Sssssss... Can Ssssssssail sssssssscan the nearby sssssssship?"

"Heh! Easy!" The AI remarked before vanishing from the small screen. A brief humming noise was heard before the AI popped back. "A basic life-form scan suggests that there is at least one intelligent life-form. Heh! Basic scan suggests that the ship is being used for agriculture! Heh! Basic scan reviled that the ship is out of fuel and is stranded in this star system." 

"Ssssss... Floran sssssseessssssssss." Fern hissed. "Can Sssssssssssail find anymore information about the sssssssship?" Fern asked the AI.

"Heheh! I can do an advanced scan of the ship, however it may take a few minutes! Heheheh!" The AI stated. "Do you want me to continue?"

"Yessssss... Floran can wait." Fern replied. The AI panel flickered off a second time and Fern sighed. "Now, Floran waitssssssss." 

"Hm, space is amazing!" Lyra said, reminding everyone that she had in fact followed them. "No matter how many time I look out the window, it still looks beautiful."

"Yes, it does have a certain beauty to it." Luna added. "We tried to replicate the beauty of the stars for Equestria, however it changes so much." Luna sighed. "To capture ever a single shred of the beauty of the untamed space requires years of practice."

"Yes, it is quite nice." Twilight joined in. The trio gazed out one of the ship's large windows. "I have to wonder, where exactly is this other ship?"

"Oh, its just over there." Lyra pointed out the large sphere drifting in space. "I wonder what kind of creature is living on it? It seems a fair bit larger then this ship."

"Yes, I can imagine you could have a small town living on that ship. Yet the scan said there was only one..." Twilight mused. 

"Sssssss... Floran not know what issssssss on that sssssssssship." Fern sighed. "Ssssssssship issssssss ssssssscanning the ssssssssssssship." Fern chuckled. "Maybe..." Fern was interrupted when the ship's AI panel flickered back on.

"Heheheh! Scanning complete! The scan indicates that the ship is in fact... A class two Bio Ship, manufactured by the Apex for public use. The ship itself is mainly being used for agriculture purpose, however the food appears to have Glitch origin. Heheheheh! Oh, the ship's defensive systems alerted the pilot when I was scanning, and they fired up a jammer prevent on-board teleportation. Heheheheh! However they did not prevent me from scanning. Heheheheheh! This indicates that they are not hostile, or at least weary of us."

"Sssssss... Anything else?" Fern inquired.

"Hm... Anything else..." The AI mused. "Well, judging by heat signals and movement... I cannot say that I have encountered that particular race before. I have scanned all nearby data banks for information however the AI on the ship is... Uncooperative. Heh. Heh. Heh."

"Sssssss?" Fern hissed curiously.

"When I requested access to the ships data banks they refused me entry... Heh!" The AI flickered briefly. "Hm, it appears that the ship has initiated a scan of our ship. I can jam the signal, however..."

"Sssssss, ssssssslow them down..." Fern sighed and turned to the ponies in her ship. "Ssssssss, Floran isssssss going to have to ask for privacy." Without ushering a word the trio left the ship "Ssssssss, allow the ssssssship to sssssscan us." A blue light briefly went over the small ship a few times before vanishing.

"It would appear that their AI is attempting to access my data banks. Heh..." The AI flickered. "I am currently jamming the signal."

"Sssss... Allow them access."





"I wonder what that was all about..." Lyra sated angrily. "She just threw us out!"

"Well, she was about to be scanned. Maybe she felt subconscious about it..." Twilight replied. "I mean, I have no idea what happens when a ship is scanned. It might have been dangerous." Lyra sighed and Luna remained silent. "Do you have any thoughts on the matter Princess?"

"We do not... The aliens behavior is strange, however it is to be expected." Luna stated. "We shall return to our sister and inform her about the situation." Luna stated. "Our wing has recover sufficiently, so we must bid you farewell." Luna hastily walked off, vanishing into Ponyville before being seen flying across the night sky.

"That was confusing..." Lyra slowly said. "I mean, I don't think she likes Fern that much. I wish they didn't fight..."

"Yes, I agree." Twilight agreed. "The fight could have been easily avoided... However they both are quite stubborn." Twilight shook her head and sighed. "I still don't know how it started."

"I'm guessing they bumped into each other and things went downhill quickly." Lyra chuckled. "But where would they have met up... I don't recall seeing Luna before the fight." 

Twilight sighed and the pair walked back into Ponyville, it was late and the day had been tiring for both of them.





"Heheheh! They are now requesting permission to teleport onto the ship should I..." 

"No. Floran hasssss been ssssssssssscanned too many timesssssssss!" Fern angrily stated. "Deny them accesssssssssssss..." Fern hissed.

"Heheheh! Request denied! Heheheheh! That felt good." The AI stated. "Heh! They are requesting a reason why we denied them access. Heheheh!"

"Sssss... Tell them... Ssssssss. Going to sssssssssleep." Fern chuckled.

"Heh, powering down the ships lights."
> Hunger ssssssssssstrikesssssssssss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning in Equestria, a peaceful time for most. Princess Celestia had just finished rising the sun and the weather team had finished clearing the skies. Yet, in a few houses had an uneasy tension that clung to the residents. Lyra was one of these ponies, not because she was friends with an alien that had gotten in a fight with Princess Luna and not because she knew about the mystery ship near Equestria. Lyra's tension was brought about her uncertainty with her standing with Fern, mainly because Lyra thought that Fern did not want to be around her, or any other ponies.

Even thought Lyra would never normally visit Twilight first thing in the morning, she felt compelled to. It took Lyra a few minutes to walk over to the castle and much to her surprise Twilight was already wide awake.

"Uh... Good morning Twilight." Lyra groggily said. "Have you heard anything from Fern?"

"Sadly no, I haven't even seen her since she kicked us out of her ship." Twilight sighed. "I was hopping that she might have gone back to you..."

"Yeah... I get the feeling that she might not come back." Lyra stated. "I mean, she doesn't seem to be overly fond of us as a race... I think she just wants to fix her ship."

"I don't think its just that.... I get the feeling she just wants to fix her ship, I don't think she sees this as a big thing." Twilight rolled her eyes. "Then again, I don't really think we do either. I mean, Princess Luna didn't exactly roll out the red carpet."

"Yeah! Not to mention I haven't seen Princess Celestia at all!" Lyra huffed, she started to become more awake. "Maybe she isn't the first alien in Equestria."

"That may well be the case, but I haven't given up hope yet!" Twilight replied confidently. "I'm pretty sure an alien from space would be documented somewhere!"





"Ssssss..." Fern snored loudly, a beeping from the AI panel started to stir her. "Ssssssss!" Fern slowly got out of the large wooden bed. The AI panel continuing to beep. "Sssssssstop!" Fern shouted. The AI panel stopped beeping. "Sssssssss. Thank you." Fern groggily said as she got up, she moved over the the locker and took out a large chunk of cooked meat. Fern chomped down on the meat and moved over to the AI panel.

"Heh! The ship has requested access to out data banks seven-hundred and ninety-six times!" The AI stated. Fern shook her head. "Firing up the teleport..." The AI flashed and the white teleportation pad lit up. Fern moved over and was covered in a white light, within a moment Fern had vanished from the ship.

"Heheheheh! Seven-hundred and ninety-seven times!"





Fern beamed down in the Everfree forest, just outside of Ponyville.  Fern sighed and started to slowly walk towards Ponyville, as much as she hated to admit it she needed some help. Just as Fern reached the boarder of Ponyville a strange scent caught her attention, trusting her instincts Fern followed the scent to a nearby farm when the smell became evident.

"Ssssss... Floran isssssssss hungry..." Fern mused to herself, she gently slipped into a large field full of freshly picked apples in baskets. The trees themselves were completely devoid of apples. "Hm... How sssssssstrange..." Fern moved over towards a large basket that was practically overflowing with apples, she carefully selected a large apple and inspected it. "Lookssssss tasty..." Fern mused to herself as she slowly rotated the apple.

"Hey! What in tarnation are you doing!?" Fern heard a voice shout, she quickly  hid behind a nearby tree. "A'h see you there!" Fern panicked, she wasn't aware that the apples in baskets weren't for eating. "Get out from there!" Fern heard the familiar sound of hoofs approaching her, within moments a orange pony wearing some kind of Novakid hat came into view. "Now, what exactly are ya doing sneaking apples?"

"Ssssss..." Fern hissed. "Floran wassssss hungry."

"And you thought you could just waltz in here and eat our stock?" The pony inquired. 

Fern shook her head. "Floran wasssssss no aware food wasssssss not for eating..." Fern shuffled around awkwardly and placed the apple back.

"Hmmmm, maybe we could work something out... A'h did hear from Rainbow Dash that you have a doo-hicky that can chop trees." The pony stated, Fern nodded. "Perhaps you could help?"

"Sssssss, Floran hassssss a device that can help." Fern happily said.

"Good, now come this way." The pony started walked into the field. Fern wearily followed, the pair quickly found themselves in front of a large burned tree. "Ya see, old Burth was struck by lightening. None of us can seem to pull her out."

"Sssss, Floran can chop the tree down, not pull it down." Fern stated.

"Well, we need it cut down... All sorts of critters are starting to make their little homes... Its all well and good until a parasprite moves in..." The pony explained, briefly taking off her hat and holding it under her chin. "If you could do the deed. A'h would appreciate it."

Fern nodded and pulled out the matter manipulator, she aimed the device at the bottom of the tree and then activated the device. The tree started to shake, due to its large size it started slowly. "Ssssssss, any ssssssecond now..." Fern sighed. The tree started to shake more violently until it finally gave, falling away from Fern and the pony. The charred wood neatly stacked itself in small bundles on the ground.

"Phew, that looked like hard work." The pony chuckled and put her hat back on. "But I doubt it was."

"Ssssss, Floran not tired." Fern chuckled and sat down. "However Floran issssssss hungry."

"Well... Honest pay for honest work." The pony lead Fern back towards the baskets. "By the way the names Applejack."

"Sssssssss... Apple-jack?" Fern slowly said.

"Pretty much, just less of a gap." Applejack happily replied.

"Floran sssssssstill learning how to sssssay namesssssss... They confuse Floran..." Fern sighed. 

Applejack and Fern arrived at the part of the orchard full of baskets. Applejack happily gave Fern one of the small baskets of apples as payment for chopping down the old burnt out tree. Fern then happily continued walking towards Ponyville, eating apples out of a small basket.
> The sssssssssilent approach  
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fern sighed and relaxed under the shade of a tree on the outskirts of Ponyville, there was a small cottage on top of a small hill however Fern paid no attention to it. Once every few minutes Fern threw an apple into her mouth. Every now and then a brief rustling noise drew Fern's attention away from relaxing.

"Sssssss? Anyone there?" Fern called out after a particularly loud rustling noise."Ssssssssshow yourself!" Fern shouted. Another loud rustling noise caused Fern to stumble to her feet and examine the nearby area. "Sssssssssss!" Fern hissed loudly.

"..." A small sound was briefly heard, the sound enough to cause Fern to draw her swords and take a defensive stance.

"Sssssss! Ssssssstop hiding!" Fern ordered loudly. The rustling ceased. "Come out sssssso Floran can ssssssee you..." A pegasus emerged from the treeline, one of Twilight's friends. Fern immediately sheathed her swords and sat back down. 

"Um..." The pegasus quietly said before attempting hide herself behind her wings.

"Sss. Hello ssssmall pony." Fern slowly said, quickly picking up pegasus's shyness. "What isssssss sssssssssmall pony doing in the forest?"

"Oh..." The pony started, her voice slowly getting quieter as she spoke. "I wasn't in the forest." 

Luckily for Fern, years of living in an Avian town had gifted her with a remarkable ear for picking up sounds. "Hm... Floran isssssss confused... What was making that noise..."

"Oh well..." The pony shuffled awkwardly. "I met someone in the forest and well..." The pony sighed. "I said I would show them around town today..."

"Sssss? Floran hassssss to know, what livesssssss in forest... Floran hasssssss only ssssssseen ssssssstrange wood-wolfssss." Fern asked cautiously.

"Well... Its... Hes not really from the forest. He has a small house that he made... I said I would meet him here, not that I don't mind waiting for him." The pony chuckled nervously and glanced around.

"Ssssss. Doesssssssss ssssssmall pony mind if Floran ssssssstayssssssssss here?" Fern asked as she took a large apple out of the basket.

"Well, its alright. I'm sure they will show up..." The pony sighed.

"Sssssssssmall pony want an apple?" Fern offered the apple she had picked out of her basket. "Floran hassssss lotsssssss of applessssssss."

"Oh its quite alright, I had a big breakfast." The pony happily replied.

"Psst!" A voice quietly whispered from the treeline. Fluttershy perked up and quickly scanned the forest's edge. "Psst! Miss Fluttershy!"

"Oh! Rayn, is that you?" Fluttershy happily replied. "Why are you hiding?" Fluttershy examined the treeline.

"Well I am... I mean, you're with company." The voice responded. "I would rather not intrude."

"Floran doessssss not mind if ssssssssmall pony'ssssssssss friend comessssss. Floran issssss waiting to be found by other pony... Either Twi-light... Or Ly-ra. Sssssss Floran isssssssss unsure how to ssssssay their namessssssssss." Fern chuckled and threw the apple she had taken out into her mouth. "Floran will not bite... Much."

"Its... Its quite alright I'm quite alright... Back here." The voice replied.

"But... We can't go into town if you won't come out of the forest... What happened?" Fluttershy asked with a pinch of worry in her voice. 

"Its just... Nothing really. I just don't... No... Its alright..." The voice slowly said. A brief silence fell over clearing. A loud rustling noise came from the treeline. Fern followed the noise through the treeline until it stopped. "You will have to forgive me for my cautiousness... I haven't had the best of encounters with Floran before..." A loud cracking then snapping noise was heard from tree, a surprised looking Vulpine fell onto the floor. "Ohhh... That tree was not as strong as I thought..."

"Ssssss..." Fern examined the Vulpine, the creature was wearing a long sleeved jacket with sleek black trousers collapsed on her lap, he had bright orange fur with the tip of his ears and tail being a rocky gray color. A thick white hat with goggles had fallen off his head and landed near Fluttershy.

"Reyn! Its great to see you again." Fluttershy happily remarked. "Although... You have landed on...."

"Sssss... Floran hasssssss not ssssssseen ssssssstrange fox-person before..." Fern chuckled. "Or ssssssseen one sssssssso close..." Reyn quickly scrambled onto his feet and dusted himself off.

"Yes well, don't get too used to it." Reyn huffed as he walked over the Fluttershy. "Last time I was that close to a Floran it did not end well."

"You two... Have met before?" Fluttershy inquired. 

"Not exactly Miss... I have encountered the Floran before." Reyn sighed. "The Floran are a very particular species to say the least." 

"Ssssssssssss Floran isssssss ssssstill here." Fern remarked. "And besides... Floran hassssss never sssssssssseen ssssssstrange fox-person." Fern crossed her arms and huffed.

"Well Miss..." Reyn looked around expectantly.

"Sssssss." Fern blankly hissed, unaware of Reyn struggling to figure out Fern's name.

"Fern." Fluttershy quietly said. "Her name is Fern."

"Oh! Have you two met before?" Reyn asked sounding surprised.

"Well no... Twilight has met her... And so has Lyra... Lyra has seen her more... Except until recently." Fluttershy slowly replied trying to hid a slight giggle. "You said... Exactly what I said..."

"Floran fight other ssssssmall pony." Fern stated. "Floran not want to be around other ssssssssmall poniesssssssssss because... Sssssssssmall poniesssssss make funny facesssssssss that Floran not like."

"Wait... There was a fight!? Did you kill anyone?" Reyn shouted loudly.

"Ssssssss, no. Floran not kill any sssssssssmall poniessssssssssss. Sssssssssssmall poniessssssssss are helping Floran fix ssssssship." Fern replied calmly. "Floran know better to kill sssssssmall pony." Fern chuckled. "Sssssso, what bringsssss fox-person to ssssssssssmall pony planet?"

"Well..." Reyn shuffled awkwardly. "I was following you. After you and that Avian ship blasted away from that planet... I noticed you were being followed. I made it my mission to warn you about the small fleet that was hightailing you."

"Ssssss, Floran know about Sssssstargazersssssss. Floran know Ssssssssssstargazerssssssssssssssss not follow Floran, but they follow bird-lady..." Fern sighed. "Floran try to get bird-lady to come with Floran..." Fern shook her head. "Ssssso fox-person wassssss following Floran?"

"Yes Miss, I was hoping to lend you a helping paw, but when I caught up with you... Your ship had sustained damage, I didn't know if you were friendly or not." Reyn replied. "I meant no harm by it, I was merely trying to help someone in distress. And please, just call me Reyn."