> The Special Ponies > by hollowsbest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 - Honey Hayfeather > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honey Hayfeather, an adventurous unicorn who never stays in one town long thanks to the Princesses hunting her for being one of the Special. We start where everypony starts, childhood. Back then Honey was a pony who loved adventure and exploring, like she is now. Honey lived in Baltimare, with parents (Moon Shadow and Sun Shine) her big sister named Starlight Twist and little brother named Charming Chaser. All three had a good childhood, Starlight left home to live in Manehatten when she was 21, Honey was 13 at the time with Charming who was aged 7. Honey left when she was 15, Baltimare had gotten too boring. Charming hasn't left home, he's happy where he is (He tries to woo the ladies, but he's too geeky for them). Honey loved the princess until the day her talent came into light, she was in Canterlot, at the time Honey was 18 and was going to join the royal guard. Honey had launched the application and was waiting for a reply, she heard a knock at the door and it was a mailmare holding a letter out for her. It was then, when she touched the mailmare's hoof when grabbed the letter she felt herself growing taller and things growing on her back. When she looked around the mailmare was gone and she had wings along with her fur and turned light green and her cutiemark was combined with the mailmare's (A few letters). It was then she realised what she could do. And it was then the guards came, thanks to her being melded with the mailmare she was able to fly away and the guards could only watch. After that she got wanted signs up around Equestria along with being a fugitive and now hating the princess. This story starts just after Honey's 21st birthday. I ran, I had known it was stupid to stay a little longer visiting Starlight. But I had wanted to see her before I left the area, I sighed knowing one of the Princesses would be here to try and catch me. "Probably the new one" I thought. "What was her name again? Twilit Sprinkle? Shining Star? No, it was... Twilight, yes Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn turned Alicorn. Pah! What a pompous race, always thinking they're the only ones who can use the higher tiers of magic and thinking they're above everyone, ruling us all. I think it would be better if they left their high and mighty posts for awhile and lived down with us normal ponies... Well, normalish." I shot a quick look behind me, nopony was following, yet. A pony with a dark coat and green mane had pointed me out, I grabbed a glimpse of him as soon as he yelled for the guards after yelling my name. "HAYFEATHER!" he had yelled, alerting the royal guards flying above the street I was there, my full name is Honey Hayfeather and I'm a Special, and like the other Specials I'm on the run from the princess. I bolted after that. I followed the train line, not next to it of course. I was in the forest beside the tracks, trotting along until I heard a train coming from Manehatten. I smiled and got a teleport spell ready, no need to tire myself out is there? The train rushed past me and I fired the spell landing on the roof of the train, I ran across the train until I reach the caboose and I slipped over the edge onto the platform at the end. ~*~ After an hour or so somepony came into the caboose and I avoided them, by milliseconds by hanging from the roof using a sticky hooves spell. They left after collecting a tray with cups and saucers on it. ~*~ I banged my head against the wall, I am so BORED! I had already read my Daring Do book a million times, nearly drunk my bottomless water bottle dry and had been tempted to eat my my ever growing map of Equestria (It was enchanted so everywhere I've been has been mapped out, there are bits that fold out for places outside of Equestria but I only had some of Zebrica, the Griffin territory and the Dragon territory filled in.) though that would've been stupid. Just as I was bout to started tearing my hair out in frustration the train pulled up at a station, Ponyville it said, the train had passed Canterlot a few hours ago. I nearly squealed with joy as I lept out of the caboose and onto the tracks, then jumping onto the station and joining the ponies that were leaving the train. ~*~ I walk along the streets of Ponyville, taking in the sights but not storing them to memory. There was time for that later, I'm exhausted and need some sleep. I spot an inn/bar and walk in not really paying attention to the name of it. I take in the ponies within with a sideways glance as I head towards the earth pony stallion, his coat is tan with brown mane and tail. I tap on the bar to get his attention. "What can I do for ya little missy?" He asks looking at me with caring eyes. "Room for one please." I say. "For how long?" "A week or so, I might leave early though." "23 bits." He says, it was a bit steep but there wasn't anything I was willing to pay to stay out of the clutches of the Alicorns. I nod and hand him the correct amount. "You've got room 12." He said pulling the key off the hook and held it out, I picked it up with my bluey green magic and headed up the stairs. "12, room 12." I muttered to myself as I walked along the corridor. "Here it is!" I say before using the key to open the door and walking in, shutting and locking the door with my magic I noted the room was cream coloured with slightly darker undertones for the bed nightstand and table. I sighed happily as I sat down on the bed and pulled my adventurer jacket off with my magic and set it on the table, I yawned and went into my room's bathroom which was done in an earthy palette. I stepped into the shower and turned it on, letting out a little noise of content I scrubbed my darkish yellow coat and my red and orange mane and tail. I closed my eyes and just stood under the water for a little while just letting it run over my body before I turned off the water and stepped out and dried myself using a towel provided, I stepped out of the bathroom feeling a lot cleaner and happier. I checked the door to the hallway was locked and then walked over to the bed and climbed in, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. ~*~ I awaken to see a pink pony with frizzy pink hair staring at me from on top of one of the bedposts, I stare at her and she stares back grinning like a maniac. "H-hi I'm Hayfeather." I say to the earth pony mare. "Hi Hayfeather! I'm Pinkie Pie And I'm soooooooooo glad to meet you! I haven't seen you before and so you're new, and because you're new you get a welcome to Ponyville party! Won't that be fun?!" Pinkie Pie said jumping down and bouncing around my room, I got out of bed and just watched her again. "Uh, yeah a party would be great... Pinkie, when will it be?" I ask, not wanted to antagonise the mare who seemed off her rocker. "It'll be a surprise!" She said grinning and she bounced over to my window, opened it and jumped out. I rush over and see Pinkie bounce off down the street, I roll my eyes and check my jacket for wear and tear. I might need to repair it soon, I rotate it with my magic slightly and notice that my water bottle falls out. It was in a pocket that hadn't been buttoned closed. I yawn and put the bottle back in it's pocket then shake the jacket then slip it on, I unlock the door and head out shutting and locking the door behind my I trot down the hallway and downstairs to the bar. I trot over to a table and sit down, my stomach rumbling. I pick up a menu and take a look at what's on offer. "The salad with a side of apple sauce sounds good." I mumble, I look up and wave a waiter over. "May I take your order?" The cream unicorn mare asks. "The salad with a side of apple sauce please." I say to her, she nods and writes it down, walking over to another customer to take their order. I watch her go, and then realise the customer is an Alicorn. The Alicorn is purple and isn't as tall as Luna, she's average pony height; maybe slightly taller. My eyes widen slightly as I look at her, I watch her as I try to work out an escape plan. If that Alicorn knew who I was she'd drag me off to Celestia in no time flat. I take deep breaths to clear my head from me fantasies of me being trapped in a dark dungeon/being executed in front of my family, the unicorn waiter I spoke to before came over with my meal. I smile weakly and thank her, giving her a tip. I started to eat, still watching the Alicorn out of the corner of my eye. A little purple dragon with green spines I didn't notice earlier followed her out, I sighed in relief. I finished my meal and stood up and walked out of the inn, I took note of the name so I could find it again and started down the street. As I walked, my hooves taking me in a random direction. "Seems an Alicorn has come here to make sure Ponyville in in tip top condition." My train of thought stopped as I reached the markets, there was as many stalls as there are ponies preferences. One was selling apples, the orange earth pony mare was only selling them for 3 bits a bag. Another was selling roses, another was selling toys. But none were selling what I needed, a sturdy sleeping bag for the nights I got stuck in forests and a satchel I could leave hidden in certain places and wouldn't deteriorate. I looked up and noticed I was on the far side of town and saw a largish shop with a sign that said I take requests perfect for my needs. I look in, noticing a pony wearing red glasses putting the final touch on a dress. A bell rings as I open the door and walk in, the white unicorn mare looks up. "Yes?" She asks looking at me, she seemed to be noting my dress sense and style and it looked like she disapproved. "Can you make me a good sturdy satchel bag thing and sleeping bag?" I ask. "A darkish green sleeping bag with a tan coloured satchel. Both good and strong." I add, I needed items that would blend. "A sleeping bag and satchel? I could make those, though I would need..." She rattles off some items I had heard of, some I haven't. I nod like I understand. "Yeah, I think I can make those. Tan and dark green right?" I nod, smiling slightly. I had needed a sleeping bag and satchel since I had lost my other ones, my old sleeping bag to river rapids and the satchel to a grizzly. "I should be able to get them made in roughly 3 days, I've got a couple other things to attend to first through." She says pulling a notebook over and seemingly writing my order down. "Thanks." I say. "What's your name? I need it to make sure I give it to the right pony." She says, looking at me. "It's Hayfeather." I say starting to leave. "Rarity, pleasure meeting you." She says, I smile in thanks and walk out. I trot off back into town, heading for the inn; The Wandering Bunny, it's called. I open the door and my eyes widen, how in Equestria did she manage that?! I wondered. "SURPRISE!" Everypony yelled at me as I walked in, there are balloons everywhere and streamers and a ton of other things, the party food looked delicious and it seemed everypony from town was there. I looked over them all and noticed the Alicorn cheering with the other ponies, along with the dragon sitting on her back. Not to say I was surprised but I was more wary than surprised, I smiled and grinned like I was enjoying myself as I trotted further in, heading towards Pinkie Pie. "How did you manage this?" I said, wincing slightly as music (It was it full blast, a white unicorn had set up a DJ table) was turned on. "It's a party made by me, Pinkie! It's easy to manage this!" She yelled grinning, as she threw streamers over the crowd. "Who is that Alicorn over there?" I asked Pinkie. "That's Twilight Sparkle, she always manages to come to my parties. And she lives here in Ponyville!" Pinkie said smiling. "Want to meet her?" She asked "So that's what the new Alicorn looks like" I start realising Pinkie Pie had started pushing me towards Twilight. "Uh no thanks Pinkie Pie, I don't want to meet her." I say, trying not to bolt like a filly. "Course ya do!" The stupid pink pony said, she stopped pushing me once we reached the Alicorn. "Hey Twilight, this is Hayfeather. She said she wanted to meet you." The mare who was trying to get me killed said. "Hi Hayfeather." Twilight said smiling. "Hey." I say trying to calm myself. She laughs. "You don't have to bow or say your highness or anything." She says smiling. I nod "Okay, new Alicorn isn't as stuck up, but still a threat." "Okay... Twilight." I say smiling a fake smile and excusing myself. I wander round, hoping to try and spot Rarity, everypony else was here so she should probably be here too. I spot her and trot over. "Hey, Rarity how's your work coming?" I ask. "Pretty well, I'm now thinking two days instead of three. How long are you staying for?" Rarity says. "I'll stay until you're done with your work, I can wait." I say, even though I can't. Twilight Sparkle could get a message from Celestia telling her about me, and my abilities and that would mean the death of me. I walk away from Rarity and head towards the stairs, planning to head to my room to create a escape plan. I open the door to my room and sit down in the bed, thinking on how I could leave Ponyville without being noticed. "Under the cover of darkness, nope that's when they would expect me to leave. Convincing a pegasus to fly me out of Ponyville, maybe it could work." "ARGH! Why is this so hard?!" "Ask Pinkie Pie to help? She seems friendly enough." "Treacherous brain." I mutter, then realise it's right. > Chapter 2 - Galaxy Twirl > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meet Galaxy Twirl, a nerdy, astrology enthusiast pegasus. Who is more happy with a good book than clearing the clouds or flying. Galaxy had a good childhood, learning to fly at a young age, getting his cutie mark before anypony else in his class (It looks like a galaxy). Galaxy lived with his parents in Cloudsdale until he was 17, then he moved out and into his own apartment. Pursuing his ideas of becoming a famous astrologer, he started going to more advanced conventions. Studying the stars, Galaxy found out that their very own Princess Luna was slowly moving the stars into a very different shape. (The stars from into their own shapes without Luna) He didn't know what yet, but he would find out. From the comfort of his home of course. Galaxy Twirl turned 24 a few months ago and is starting to delve deeper into the myths about the evil side to Luna and Celestia, especially the parts concerning Nightmare Moon and Solar Flare. The evil sides to the princesses. I stood and placed my favourite book; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, on the table beside me. I stretched and headed to the window of my cloud home and looked out. Marveling on how well the clouds looked against the sky, I turned and wandered into the kitchen. My belly rumbling I pulled out some apples and started to cut them into quarters, placing the apple pieces into a bowl I trotted back to my chair and settled down. Picking up my book again and placing the bowl beside me I started to read. Using my wings to turn the pages I smiled, I had been the only foal able to use his wings when I was smell. And the ability helps even to this day. ~*~ A few hours later I placed the book down beside me, smiling I stood up and pulled on my vest. I trotted towards the door before I realised I had forgotten my presentation and I ran back to grab it and headed out again. Locking my door, I flew down the corridor to the balcony. Jumping off I flapped my wings, flying towards the Rainbow Factory, I dove a few blocks away in front of a museum with a large telescope on it. Gently landing before the museum I trotted in, I grinned. I wasn't late for once, I walked towards the reception and smiled nervously as the aqua pegasus stallion looked down at me. "Yes?" He said, looking at me with a bored expression. "I-I'm here to s-ee Professor Tarimar." I said, stuttering slightly. I stutter when I'm nervous, I sighed knowing I had already made a bad impression. "Name?" The pony asked. "Galaxy Twirl, I'm here about the job offer." I said, not stuttering this time. "You're the 5 o'clock?" I nod, nearly running out there and then. "Go down the hall till you reach the room with 'Study' on it, okay?" He said, I nod and head down the hallway he directed. I stand in front of the door and take a deep breath, knowing this could be my one chance to live my life's dream. I try to calm the butterflies in my stomach and open the door, nearly tripping over as I walk in. I see two pegasi before me as I start to set up my presentation, a female with purple fur and golden hair and green eyes who seems to be taking notes, and a male who has a brown coat and orange hair and blue eyes. The male's cutie mark has a star with a quill next to it and the female's has a quill and notebook. I stand up tall and clear my throat, and I start my presentation. ~*~ I grinned as I left the astrology building, nearly feeling like dancing. I had got the job! I flew up and looked towards my apartment, flapping my wings I stayed fairly close to the ground. I only had minutes before they finished without me, I sped towards the building and unlocked my window with a key. Flying in I landed and dumped the board on the ground as I pulled off my vest and swapped it with a large duffle coat, I gently placed my glasses on the table and pulled out a pair of contacts. Putting them in I flew back out the window up into the clouds, landing on one of the larger tethered clouds I headed into a secret staircase into the clouds. Smiling I trotted down. "Hey guys, guess what? I got the Job!." I said happily as Twister, Dashing and Chaser looked at me. "Well done Galaxy!" Dashing said grinning, Dashing is a blue pegasi mare with green hair. "Did the Professor look at you and say 'You have surprised me, you are the best Galaxy. You can do whatever you wish'?" Twister asked in a funny voice, Twister is a dark pink pegasi mare with purple hair. "Did you stutter?" Asked Chaser, Chaser is a bright green pegasi stallion with blue hair. Chaser and Dashing are brother and sister. Twister is my best friend and also the one who tried to dye my tail bright green. "No he didn't Twister." laughing. "Yeah I stuttered, but only a little bit Chaser." "Thanks Dashing." I said answering their questions. "Now, where are we?" I asked. "The Corporal just found out the Radish is a girl and that Rhubarb is a boy." Dashing said. "We need the Astrologer!" Twister said laughing. "Alrighty!" I said grinning as everyone pulled their costumes back on. Twister had the admiral suit, Chaser a dress and Dashing shorts and t-shirt. "Astrologist, we need your help! Rhubarb has fallen down into the chasm and we don't know if he's alive! My wing is still broken so I can't fly down to check!" Dashing said holding her wing like it was hurt. "I'm coming Radish!" I said as I flew towards her. ~*~ I pulled off the coat and dumped on the table. "Same time tomorrow?" Chaser said, the rest of us nodded smiling. I had started to write down what had happened. "Did the Corporal have a sword or a bow in the fight on the mountains?" I asked. "Bow, his sword had been knocked into the chasm by Rhubarb earlier." Twister said, holding up the cardboard sword and waving it around. I nod and finish writing. "Done, you guys gonna come and see me at work tomorrow?" I ask and they nod. I smile and grab my coat. "Bye guys." "Bye." They say waving me off and I fly out of the cloud and down to my apartment. Opening the window I climb in and yawn, chucking the coat on my chair I head to my bedroom blowing out the candles as I head to bed. I climb into it and smile, tomorrow was going to be a good day. ~*~ I wake up to my alarm and yawn "I hate my alarm clock" I thought glaring it and as I turn it off. I sit up and climb out of bed, I trot into lounge and grab my glasses and vest. Pulling my vest on, I head to the bathroom and carefully take out the contacts. I place them in their container and put on my glasses, walking out to the lounge I head to the kitchen to make a snack of oats and honey. I sit down at the table and munch my breakfast, I stand up and put the bowl in the sink and hurry out, making sure to lock the door behind me I fly out of the balcony and head to the Astrology Museum. I walk through the doors and smile, today was going to be a good day. I trot through a few rooms until I get to the theater where I would show visitors the wonders of the universe. I open the door with my keys and walk in, I run up the stairs to the projector and started to set up the slides. "Hello? Is anypony in here?" I heard a voice say, I finish setting up the slides and fly down to where I heard the voice. It's a white colt with frizzy pink hair, he doesn't have his cutie mark yet though. "I am, and w-who are y-you?" I asked. "I'm Orange Sherbet." He said. "What is this place and where is my Mum?" Orange asked. "I'm Galaxy T-twirl, this is the Auditorium a-and your mum is p-probably out there somewhere looking f-for you." I said pointing at the doors with my hoof. "Thanks Galaxy Twirl." The little colt said as he ran back out, his little wings flapping speeding him along. I smiled and flew back up to check the projector was working before I opened the Auditorium. ~*~ I did one last check everything was in place and opened the doors, letting the pegasi in. I smiled and flew up to the projector and got ready to start. Once everypony was in place I started to speak, I started the slides as well. I watched the screen and nothing else and pretended it was just a practice session. "This, is the solar system." I said, flipping to the slide with solar system printed on it. "It's our home, where we live on our tiny little planet and where we will stay. I-if we didn't live where we d-did we'd surely perish, because our planet is in the Goldilocks zone if it was in any other zone we wouldn't be able to survive, unless we adapted. But most likely we wouldn't exist at all." I said, my voice growing stronger as I talked and when I switched slides. "Astrologists and scientists are trying to work out how to get closer to the stars, maybe walk among them. But that topic is for another day." I smiled as I continued talking continuing my presentation of the universe, our planet and the galaxy. ~*~ I watched as the ponies left, smiling. My presentation was success and I was hired on the spot. Today had been a trial run, and I had gotten the job. I flew down from the projector and walked out of the Auditorium and I locked the doors behind me. I decided to walk back home, I had time before the medieval cos-play started. I smiled the whole way home, even buying a fedora on the way from a hat stall I was so happy. I put the hat on and smiled as I headed home. I flew the last part though, it was getting close to 4 o'clock which is when it started. I flew up to my window, opened it and flew in. I switched my vest for my coat and switched my glasses for my contacts. I flew back out the window and up to the hollowed out cloud we used. "Hey guys!" I called out grinning, as I walked down the steps into the cloud. "Hey Galaxy!" Twister said, she was the only there at the moment. "Where's Chaser and Dashing?" I asked. "They're a little late because they tried to follow you home, and they got lost." She said. "And you know this how?" I asked. "I was with them but left after you bought that hat. I bet they're following a different fedora'd head." Twister said giggling, I laughed with her grinning. "They would do that wouldn't they?" I said between fits of laughter. "Yeah they would." Twister said, almost hysterical. Twister and I hear and oof from the staircase. I walk over and look up it to see Chaser and Dashing sprawled in a heap. "Took you long enough." I said trying not to laugh. "Yeah, well we followed a stallion that wasn't you for ages until we realised it wasn't you and we flew home to get our stuff and now here we are." Chaser said, untangling himself. > Chapter 3 - Honey Hayfeather > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I sigh, I can't leave yet because it would mean I'd have to lose a new sleeping bag and/or satchel. I stand up and head back down to the party, no point in wasting a good time if I have to be here right? On my way down the stairs I bumped into a brown stallion because I was lost in my own thoughts, the stallion had seemed to be as well. "Oh sorry." I say with a sheepish grin. "Think nothing of it!." He said smiling at me. "I'm Hayfeather by the way." I say blushing slightly. "The Doctor." 'The Doctor' said grinning even wider. "The Doctor?" I ask. "Just the Doctor." The Doctor says, I nod not really understanding. "Doctor!" A breathless cream coloured mare said as she ran over. "The things you were talking about have appeared." She said smiling at me, it seemed forced. The Doctor seemed lost for a moment then her exploded with energy. "Oh those things, I'll come in a second Rose- luck." He says, I look at them both confused as the Doctor flashes an apologetic smile at me. "Lovely chat, hope to see you around!" He said before dashing after the cream coloured mare named Roseluck I stared after them both, when the Doctor (I'm still not believing that's his name.) said Roseluck's name it had seemed he had forgotten and was going to call her Rose which was quite odd as nopony names their foal a one worded name anymore. I finish walking down the stairs and gasp, Pinkie Pie was running around at top speed seemingly refilling the food one second and chatting with a random pony the next. I spot a butter yellow, maybe a bit lighter pegasus mare sitting at a table by herself. I immediately feel sorry for her, whatever the reason nopony should feel alone and the mare seemed okay when she was being watched or talking to other ponies but not when she was by herself. I sigh and against my better judgement I walk over and giver her a friendly smile, she returns it though a bit timidly. "Hi, I'm Hayfeather." I say to her. "Mind if I join you?" I ask, she shakes her head and a slight whimper escapes her and I sit down next to her. "I-I'm Fluttershy, n-nice to meet you." I hear her mumble. "What was that?" I ask. "I'm Fluttershy." She says again, I nod though noting she wouldn't be a good candidate for what I had in mind. It needed a good fearless pony who had kinda the same track mind as me, preferably a mare but a stallion would work too. Plus I needed that pony to be a pegasus otherwise it could go wrong. I sighed again, might be the third time I have tonight. "Okay, see you later then." I say wandering away, slightly unnerved. I went to another table and stared at it thinking, "I need someway to-" I cut my thoughts off spotting a cyan pegasus with rainbow hair, I smile. "A mare, seems to be daredevilish from trying those stunts indoors." I stand up again and walk over to her and watch her fly, the mare seemed perfect for the role I needed her to play. I cocked my head as I watched her do a corkscrew that just missed the lampshade and floor. I trot over to where she's landed and introduce myself, a good first impression is a good way to make sure you stay in their good graces. I shake hooves with her as she introduces herself, I smile at Rainbow Dash. "How much do you know about the wonderbolts?" I ask, hiding a smug grin. Rainbow was so a fanmare, I've delved into the Wonderbolts and their flight displays. They used to fascinate me, they still do but not to a point of where I go all out which is what the rainbow pegasus is doing. Rainbow pulls herself together enough to nod, I grin and say. "Finally somepony who can understand!" "How much do you know?!" She says grinning at me, I grab her hoof and drag her to a table and sit down. "I have a signed picture of Spitfire and Soarin' plus I saw the show on Cloudsdale, that one was amazing!!" I said, letting out some of my inner fanmare to connect with Rainbow more. "Y-you have as signed picture of SPITFIRE?!" She almost yells, I wince and nod gleefully. "I have no words, YOUHAVETOTELLMEEVERYTHING!" She said quickly, I nod again. ~*~ Rainbow and I had been up talking about the Wonderbolts and flying and unicorns and how unfair it was to not be allowed to be both, I yawned grinning sleepily at Rainbow who was still up with me. We were running on coffee and drinks, the poor barpony. I laugh at one of Rainbow's jokes. "Hey Rainbow?" "Yeah Hayfeather?" she asks. "Do you want to know how it feels to become both Unicorn and Pegasus?" I ask, hiding a smirk as Rainbow nods. "Oh do I! But I don't see how that could happen." She says sadly, I stand up a little wobbly and cast a spell to make me sober but I still act the part of being slightly drunk. "I could help y-ou with that." "To experience Unicorn magic?" I nod and she grins gleefully. "C'mon it has to be private or others will be wondering where you got a horn and lost your wings." I say with a laugh while heading up the stairs with Rainbow in tow. I drag her into my room and shut the door, casting a sound proof spell around the room I approach Rainbow who now has seemed to be more sober which was a bad thing. I need her to allow me to do this, I lower my horn aiming it at Rainbow. "This might feel a little funny, also if you want some answers after I'm done just ask." I say just before blasting her with a huge amount of power and magic, Rainbow just stands there with conflicting emotions flashing across her face. None of them was anger or fear which is good. I gasp slightly and give it a bit more power as the pegasus closed her eyes and stood tall and proud, not that it would do her any good. I close my eyes as I felt the bones in my legs getting longer; it didn't hurt, it just felt odd, wings sprouting and growing feathers which felt ticklish, my head prickled as my mane shrunk and changed colour, same with my tail. I kept my eyes shut until I finished the spell, I open them and Rainbow's gone and my viewpoint has risen about a meter or so. I walk over to the mirror and notice my hair was rainbow and my eyes a mix between red and blue, my nose was a soft cyan while the rest of my body was my natural fur colour and my cutie mark was a cross between mine and Rainbow's. "Ahhhhhh, that felt good." I said to myself stretching out my newly made wings which spanned the whole room. "Where am I?! I DEMAND to be let out this instance!" I heard a voice say, I smiled, maybe a bit evilly as I looked in the mirror and admired myself. "You're in our mind/s." I say, closing my eyes and appearing in a largish room with a large window that was currently black Rainbow, at the moment was sitting in it looking terrified. Though her expression changes to one of faked confidence once she sees me. "Where?" "Our mind, we combined our powers, strengths and weakness together creating once pony who's an Alicorn." "Why am I in here?" "Because if you were you'd end up destroying half of Ponyville." I state meeting her gaze. "I would never, why do you think I'd do that?" She asked staring at me like I had grown a second head, perhaps I had. "I let somepony run loose without warning them first and they blew up half of Baltimare!" "They did? I remember something like that, they said it was a gas leak? Never mind, so you're worrying about it happening again, also if what you say is true. Why aren't you an Alicorn?" She asked. "Yes, they did. I don't look like an Alicorn because the ind reveals your true self, if I was a changeling for example I would look like a changeling. But I'm not so this is why. Also, to avoid trouble we have to agree on what we're doing otherwise we'll get nowhere." I say, then I shake my head. I open my eyes to the sound of knocking on my door. "Showtime." I whispered before casting an illusion spell, which disguised me/us to look like myself. I check in the mirror to see if the spell is holding before heading to the door, I open it to show the barpony. "Miss, I wasn't disturbing anything was I?" He asked, I mentally smack myself. "He's not implying what I think he's implying?" "No, and get your head out of the gutter. I did a spell that I only know and want to keep secret the massages the body and clarifies the mind. It's good for a night like we had, staying up all night drinking beer and coffee talking about the Wonderbolts. I was making sure she could fly home safely then I fell asleep for awhile." I said the lie rolling off my tongue easily. "Why did you lie?" Rainbow asked confused. "I've lied to you about many things Rainbow like my name and other things, but the things we talked about were true and I have to lie because I'm a wanted unicorn. Oh and my name is Honey. Honey Hayfeather. Because I've dragged you into this you must not speak a word, or you'll end up on the run like me." I say. "Ah, so that's the the pegasus I saw flying away from your window this morning. Oh and sorry I haven't told you my name yet it's Cider Bottle." He says "Pegasus?! I might've been spotted using the spell! "Rainbow, we might've been spotted. So we'll have to leave Ponyville for awhile." "I get why we have to leave, more of you. But why can't we hunt this pegasus down and cast a spell or something to stop him spilling?" "Good idea, we'll do that ASAP.". "Hayfeather." I said and nods to him as he walks back down the stairs, I follow him down and am out the door faster than you could say... > Chapter 4 - Honey Hayfeather > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I leant against a tree and caught my breath, "I should be flying, not walking." I think to myself before gasping on last breath before continuing onwards to find the pegasus who was spying on us. "You do realise it's gonna take ages before you find the right pegasus." I nod, but I won't give up. (If my secret goes out I'm screwed.) I turn and head for Rainbow's house, how do I know where it is? Rainbow doesn't protect her memories very well, her mental shields are so weak a foal could break through. "So, how long can you disappear for?" I ask, wondering how long before I had to split us and leave. "I often disappear for days, so if we're hiding out the alarm won't be raised till a few days later." Rainbow replies, I nod and look around; realising that I was in front of a library. "This is Twilight's library, why are we here?" "No idea, must of gone into a trance talking to you or my legs were on autopilot. Is she who you go to if you need help or something?" "Yeah, she is. Why?" "Ah, I must of been tapping into your thoughts. Your body, or mind for that matter could be thinking that what's going on needs a remedy. So while I was focusing on something else they took me to the person who you think will help us most." "I don't get it." "While I was talking to you and not thinking about where I was going, my legs took me to a friend of yours who would help the most to split our consciousness." "Oh, I get it now." "Sure?" "Yeah, I'm sure." "Okay, Twilight's the Alicorn right?" "Yeah, she is. Why?" "Oh, it doesn't matter." "Heellooo?" I jump as a hear a voice penetrate my thoughts, I shake my head and look down. Spotting the dragon who was with Twilight earlier, the dragon in question looked at me strangely. "You okay? You've been standing there staring at nothing for a few minutes." "I have?" "Yeah, it was creepy." "Oh, sorry. I'm kinda on edge at the moment." "Why? Oh sorry, none of my business. Do you want some chamomile tea? It's calm you down, Twilight drinks it after she frazzles her nerves." "Some tea would be lovely thanks." I say without thinking and the dragon motions for me to come inside, I follow him in and look around the library and a mare looks up as I walk in. "Hayfeather! Lovely to see you, Spike could you get us some tea please?" The purple mare says, smiling at me. "That's what I was doing in the first place." He mutters and heads to a room I suppose is the kitchen. I glanced at Twilight who had booked marked her book, it was Daring Do. "So, hows your time in Ponyville been?" She asks, still smiling. "It's been... Nice, I suppose. Everypony is friendly and meeting a Princess, wow. I guess I'm enjoying it here." I smile back at her, Spike comes in with the tea. I lift up my cup with my blue/green aura and Twilight in her pink/purple aura, I levitate it over to me and take a sip. "That's good." Twilight says, taking a sip of her own cup. "Also, have you seen Rainbow Dash? The sky is cloudy and the weather's meant to be clear, I saw you talking to her at the party." Twilight says, I shake my head. "No I haven't seen her today, we said goodbye around 5 after staying up all night chatting about the Wonderbolts." I reply, Twilight nods. I finish my tea and turn to leave. "Thanks for the tea, if I see her I'll let her know." I say and leave, much calmer than before even though I had just talked to an Alicorn. "Shall we fly?" "Hell yeah!" I smirk, Rinbow was so easy to distract. She was like a foal in some ways even though she was an adult mare. I smile and duck into an alley, casting a hide-me spell I cast another spell that changes my form to Rainbow's. I dispelled the hide-me spell and walked out of the alley and took off, not caring I nearly ran an orange earth pony over. "Rainbow!" I heard her call out behind me, I didn't stop and kept flapping. "How do those disguises even work?" "Advanced glamour magic, I can only do it if I familiar with the form. With your consciousness I could memorize your form and use the spell, but I cannot hide my horn so it's under a invisibility spell." "Ah." "Can you clear the sky? I don't have the experience." "Yeah! Sure." I close my eyes and suddenly get shifted into the mind room the large window was showing Rainbow doing tricks, I turned and sat down on the couch. Glancing at the mug of half-finished cider as I did so. "Woah, this is AWESOME!" Rainbow yells as she loop-de-loops, I grin as the screen shows her doing so. It's what she can see is what it shows. "Rainbow, just clear the sky. We can have a joyride later." She nods and takes off, clearing the sky in around 8 and a half seconds. Pretty fast, though if she knew how to use magic she could go even faster. Rainbow Dash suddenly went for a steep dive and landed smoothly, if you call crashing into the apple farmer's cart a smooth landing. "Oh, sorry Applejack." I heard her say, I groaned and facehoofed. "It's fine, now where ya been? Ah've been lookin' for ya to ask if anythin's wrong, you didn't clear the sky first thing today so somethin's up and I plan ta find out what." The mare said, Rainbow stared at her friend. "I was just tired, Ho- Hayfeather and I were just up all night talking about the Wonderbolts." Rainbow answered, shuffling nervously. "Give me control, you feed me lines I'll do the lying. Kay?" "Yeah, okay." I suddenly found myself staring at Applejack. "We both know, mosta that's not true. What's wrong Rainbow?" Applejack said, I hung my head and sighed. "Acting classes, GO!" I thought. "Nothings wrong Aj. I'm probably slightly hungover, it's nothing." "Nothing's wrong Aj, other than I'm probably slightly hungover." I say. "You know it's gonna take a miracle for me to believe that Rainbow." Applejack said. "Element of Honesty, remember?" I groaned and facewinged, and then looked at Aj. "Somthin's wrong and I plan ta find out what." She said, I nodded. "AJ, it's fine. Nothing's wrong." "Applejack, I just remembered; I found an injured animal and I want to go tell Fluttershy. Talk later bye!" I say and take off, and with Rainbow's help I shoot off in the direction of Fluttershy's. "Well, that went well." "Why'd ya just take off like that?." I didn't answer. Rainbow moped, I rolled my eyes and coasted downwards in a spiral and landed gently on Fluttershy's doorstep. "Because." I knocked and and door opened to reveal a person I was very familiar with. "Discord?" I say, half surprised half confused. "What is it Rainbow Dash? Why do you sound so surprised?" Discord asks, I facehoof. I had forgotten about looking like Rainbow, a few memories floated to the surface. All of them had Discord in them, he had helped me escape the Princess's wrath many times. ~~~ ~Flashback 1~ I glanced around before darting behind another statue, I was in the Canterlot statue garden. Hiding from the guards that threatened at every turn, I had lost them in the maze and now was trying to leave. "Fate hates me." I thought, staring at the mismatched creature before me. It had It's back turned, all I could see of it was what looked to be a dragon's tail, foot, a pony's leg, a pegasus wing and a batwing. It suddenly turned around to face me, I froze. It's front legs were a griffin's claw and a lion's paw. It's head was... I don't know what his was from, if it was from anything. "If I might ask, who are you?" I said, taking a few tentative steps forward. "I'm Discord! Lord of Chaos!" Discord said, a smirk on his face as he loomed over me. "Honey Hayfeather, and never heard of ya." I replied, not impressed. "Wh-what?!" He said, glaring at me. I ignored the glare. "Never. Heard. Of. You." I said slowly. "Would you like an apple?" He said suddenly, holding out a golden apple. I shook my head. Discord suddenly shot forward and tapped me on the head with a paw, it looked like he expected somthing to happen, nothing did. "What are you doing?" I asked, glancing up at him. "Huh?" I tried to shake his paw off, it was stuck. "Can you remove your paw?" I asked, the mis-matched creature stared at me. He tapped me on the head again, apart from a slight tingling I felt nothing. "Discord, what are you doing?" "Trying to discord you, to annoy Celestia." Discord replied, starting to get annoyed. "Why are you trying to annoy Su- Celestia?" I asked. "Because she froze me in stone, and that's no joke." "Seems like a good reason, it so happens I don't like Sunbutt either." "You call her Sunbutt?" Discord broke into laughter. "Yep, also she's trying to kill me. So please shut up before the guards come." "Okay Honey." Discord said, smiling sweetly, a halo appearing above his head. I nodded, then suddenly shot Discord in the chest with a bolt of powerful magic. He went flying into a statue smashing it to pieces, the LoC groaned. "What was that for?" He said, floating onto his feet- paws- hooves- whatevers. "To check if you were real, that was a spell to disarm glamours, revert a changeling back to it's original form, turn Sunbutt into a filly. Though not the last one." I explained, I had been double crossed enough times by changelings to not hit every new pony I met in the big city. "Ah, I see. Good plan, want to start plotting with me to take down Sunbutt?" He asked, he seemed a bit quick to trust but I nodded anyway. I suddenly was in glasses and a tophat with a desk in front of me with Discord sitting behind it, he had the same gettup as me. "So, let's start brainstorming eh?" He said ~End Flashback 1~ And that was how I made friends with one of the most dangerous beings on the planet, and it was a very good choice as shown next on how he gets me out of this bind. ~Flashback 2~ I groaned and moped in my cell, Sunbutt had finally caught me. I had evaded her guards quite well, but then backup came and the rest was history. I gave a half-hearted kick to the bars on the door, it rattled but nothing else. "Why, oh why did Fortuna suddenly start hating me?" I asked to thin air. "Maybe because you didn't give her offerings." A voice said, I looked around. "Who's there?" I asked, trying and failing to get the magic suppressor of my horn. "A friend." "I don't have friends." "What?! Do you mean you don't count me as a friend?" Discord appeared, floating in my cell. ""Sorry, I just say that incase Sunbutt sends her cronies after them. How'd ya get free by the way?" I asked, Discord grinned. "I was "reformed" but it doesn't mean I can't free a friend in need does it?" He replied, I grinned. Discord didn't count many ponies as his friends, I was lucky to be one of them. "Oh please, they've left me to stew. I hate being down here, I now have something against Moonbutt because it was her guards that took me down. Let me out please Discord!" I said, giving Discord the puppy-dog look. He laughed and nodded, snapped his claws which turned the gate to ice-cream. "Clever." I mumbled and stepped out into the hallway between the cells, Discord followed, floating behind me. "So, what's the plan chief?" Discord asked, I turned around and the draconequus was in military getup with warpaint. I'm lying if I said I didn't snort in poorly hidden laughter. Discord laughed with me, eventually after a few minutes of laughing we headed to the large oak door which Discord turned to soap allowing me to break through. Two guards swung 'round but I just cracked their heads together, I stepped over them and Discord followed. "Hey, Discord did I ever tell you that I'm a Special?" I asked suddenly, having a crazy idea involving cotton candy clouds and my talent. "A Special? What's that?" Discord asked. "Ponies that are Special have abilities that allow them to do special magic, I know an earth pony who can use basic unicorn spells, and a pegasus who can use some earth pony magic. I can combine magics and consciousnesses, like mine and a pegasus's for example. I gain the wings and instincts, but the pony has to agree or I end up being trapped inside their head until I force them into line." I explain, Discord nods. "I have a plan in which we combine and create chaos while escaping. You won't get caught thanks to me being in control of the body and I'll be the culprit and you'll be home free." I say, Discord smirks. "Blast away, let's do this thing!" He says, I kinda expected him to add a snarky remark, but he didn't. I fired the spell at him, I closed me eyes and felt my body changing, my tail lengthened, two wings sprouted; one with feathers, one without, my body grey taller and my sense of gravity adjusted and I stood on my hindhooves easily, my fronthooves shifted and changed into a paw and griffin's claw, my coat prickled and I presumed it was turning grey, my horn started prickling; then it started throbbing. I finished the spell with a gasp, Discord was gone but I didn't worry; I worried about my horn which felt it was going to explode. I groaned and held me head. "Seems like my chaos magic is causing trouble." I heard Discord say "You don't know the half of it." "Gently push my magic, it'll stop the headache. Plus from your memories on the surface of your mind our magic should combine if you gently push it." I nodded, and instead of forcing the magic as I had been doing to get it out of my horn and into the reserves, I gently pushed it and it flowed much smoother, after a few seconds I managed to stumble forward and land on a signature Discord cloud, cotton candy. "Seems you got it down Darling!" I nodded and got off the cloud and pushed it through a window, and outside. I flapped my new wings and sat down on the cloud, my wings acting as a power source as I sped out of Canterlot Castle. And then, out of Canterlot. Discord's wings were surprisingly good at flapping speedily even though it seemed like Discord never used them. ~End Flashback 2~ And that adventure was how I managed to get to Baltimare so easily. By Cotton candy cloud. ~~~ I leaned in and whispered. "It's Honey, Discord, I melded with Rainbow." I say and he looks surprised then he drags me in. "Rainbow?" I hear Fluttershy ask, she walks around the corner. I wave and Discord drags me to another room, he then turns to me with a very stern face. "Honey, you do realise who Rainbow Dash is right?" I started to look worried, and then shift back into an Alicorn. "I'm not sure what you're getting at." I murmur, staring at him. "She's an Element of Harmony, Loyalty to be exact. That trait will force you to stay in or near Ponyville if Rainbow doesn't want to leave, you're stuck here while melded. She's daring and has bravery and daredevil, like you but she'll never leave her friends." "Ponyfeathers." "Ponyfeathers is right, might I recommend another pony?" "Go ahead, I'll de-meld and-" I cut off the screen so Rainbow doesn't hear what's next. "-Wipe her memory, it won't do good if she remembers." "Good idea, and I think Fluttershy would be a good choice. I like her and she's a great friend, plus it'll keep her safe while I'm being hunted by everything in the Everfree Forest." "You're WHAT?! Also, Fluttershy is shy she's not a good candidate plus she's an Element!" "I'm being hunted, Fluttershy is close to me and the creatures know it. They'll try to capture, kill or maim her. You'll be able to keep her safe, but while you're melded with her no silly stunts. Also, you owe me big time. So think of this as repaying a favour, or helping a friend." I flicked through Rainbow's memories. "What about her animals? And I don't do silly stunts." "I'll look after her animals, and yes you do. Remember the falls? You went over them in a barrel, well we both did but that's not the point." "Okay fine. Remember, be careful. You do know I missed your pranks right?" "I will, and no I didn't." "Ah, ponyfeathers, you're gonna prank me, and see you in a second." After our conversation, I shifted back into Rainbow Dash and unmuted what Rainbow could hear. I then headed out to Fluttershy. "Hey, Fluttershy. What would you do if somepony gave you the ability to be able to use magic?" I asked. "Oh, I'd probably use it to help me carry the heavy items that I have around here, Discord helps but he's kinda careless." She replied, then smiled at me. I smiled back. "Talk to you later, bye!" I said before flying out the door, I headed towards the back of the house and flew into the Everfree. I headed a few meters in before stopped and letting the spell fall, I stretched my wings and smiled. "How'd you mute this?" "I did it because my conversation with Discord was private." "How do you know him anyway?" "It's a long story, I'll tell you once were not melded." "What'dya mean?" I then cast the spell and closed my eyes, I opened them after the spell was finished and I heard a groan. Rainbow Dash was on the ground collapsed and unconscious, I shook my head and took a few wobbly steps to her then I cast a memory spell. I normally forget, but if she's an Element of Harmony it's a good idea. And they can only remember half of it, she wouldn't remember who cast the spell or what their name was, it would be like a dream. I levitated her up and then bolted, the forest was giving me the creeps. Thankfully it wasn't far and I headed back to Fluttershy's, I first left Rainbow in a tree. She would fall out soon enough, and made sure she wouldn't be harmed this far from the forest then I headed to around to Fluttershy's front door. I knocked and it was opened by Discord who let me in, Fluttershy was sitting on the couch and the rabbit was gorging itself on a fancy salad. "Uh, hi Fluttershy." I say, the mare in question stiffened and looked at me. "Hi..." She whispered. "Fluttershy, this is an old friend of mine. Hayfeather." Discord said, trying to get Fluttershy be comfortable. W-we, met at her w-welcome to P-ponyville pa-arty." The mare almost whispered. "I won't bite, and I know what it's like being shy. You can't talk to anyone new and you're terrified of everyone." Fluttershy nods, cowering while the rabbit looks up and glares at me. I gave a glare back, it was intense but I won the glare-off. I smirked then turned back to the timid pegasus. "Y-yeah..." "I stopped being shy once I realised that it wouldn't help me, it would only slow me down. I had wanted to travel Equestria, have done it. But I did it because I stopped being shy, I think you can try to not be afraid." Fluttershy nods again, and opens her mouth. "N-n-nice t-to meet y-ou." She said, her body relaxing slightly "Same to you. Now I have an offer I'd like to make you..." > Chapter 5 - Galaxy Twirl > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few hours later and a few beers the topic turns to dating, much to my horror. I haven't had good experiences, one of my dates ended up started a large cyclone the had to be taken down by at least a hundred ponies. So I don't like the dating game. I groan quietly and flutter my wings, I can only listen to Dashing drone on about how we need actual lives for so long. "Dashing Cloud, we are nerds and geeks. We don't need lives, we just need technology and mad hacking skills. Or a job doing what we love to do." I say, using Dashing's full name. The others nod, and Dashing groans. "Why is it always you, Stormy and Twistarino (Twister's preferred name, it's more of a nickname) always gang up on me?!" She complains, flopping onto the cloud floor. I wince, knowing it'll hurt thanks to how closely packed the cloud is. "Why'd ya have to use the nickname?!" Chaser says, looking at his sister and a slight glare. "What, you hate the name Stormy? Or the name Storm?" Dashing teases. "It's a mare's name." He mutters, Twister groans. "Why do you two always do this?! Fine we get it Chaser, you hate being called Stormy or Storm and sometimes Storm Chaser even though it's an awesome name. I got stuck with plain old Twister, know how many pegasi are called Twister?! And Dashing, why must you tease him so often! It's driving Galaxy and I crazy!" Twister exclaims, I nod; agreeing with her. "You both need chill pills." I say, grabbing a beer. Cracking it open I take a sip, ignoring the silence of Dashing and Chaser. "We'll stop." They eventually mutter, and take a sip of their own beers. "Thank you." Twister says, I sigh in relief and sit down on the couch. Making things out of cloud has it's advantages like creating a palace and it won't take much effort unless you're making it historically accurate or something. "You do realise that you'll have to leave Cloudsdale eventually, to work on the conspiracy theory you have going." Dashing said, she had started pacing with her wings flared, I hung my head and groaned quietly. She was going to start this again, I have a theory about Celestia that depicts them as evil or more unfair than we realise. We're such goody-two-shoes that we never see the wrath they invoke on criminal ponies, ponies that go into Canterlot castle and come out looking frazzled but "cured" of their evil side. I'm thinking that Celestia scares them enough that they stop stealing for good, or casts a memory spell or something. With Luna on the other hoof, I'm thinking she either doesn't know or is in on it. She is moving the stars into a shape and no one seems to be noticing, the stars stay the same but moving across the sky during the year. The shapes don't change, their position does. "I know Dashing, but I like it here in Cloudsdale. I don't want to go gallivanting across Equestria." I reply, Dashing frowns but doesn't pursue it. "And anyway, I stutter and I'm shy to new ponies. How am I meant to get info or dig up dirt on the Princess?" I add, taking another sip of my beer. Twister sends a smile my way, I smile back and finish my beer. "Does anypony know the time?" Chaser asks, glancing at the wall where there once was a clock. But due to a storm it broke and now we have a useless non-working clock on the wall. "It's 9-ish." Twister says, glancing at him. "Crap! I've got to go." I say and shoot out before the others have time to reply, I shoot home and dump my coat on my table and stretch. I had to get some sleep for my new job, I was so used staying up at all hours that I was a night owl and needed to be told what tome it was or I'd stay up all night reading. ~~~ I woke up to my alarm, I groaned and rolled over- off the bed. I growled this time and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I clambered onto my hooves and trotted into the main room to make breakfast. And because I was focused in breakfast I didn't notice the pony-sized hole that I fell down, I'd like to say I flew back up through the hole but that would be untrue. I ended up screaming like a girl as I fell through the cloudlayer, a hole was cut very equally and allowed me to fall in increasing speed out of Cloudsdale and into the sky below it. My wings stayed shut as I screamed, I was terrified and couldn't open them for the life of me. I glanced down and a new set of screams started, the forest was approaching at a rapid pace and I started praying to any and every god and goddess I could think of. I suddenly hit a cloud and didn't go straight through it, I smiled maybe my praying had worked. Or not... The cloud broke and I continued falling, only this time I snapped my wings open and glided to the ground. "Who in Taturus would do that?!" I exclaimed, glancing up at the floating city. I flapped my wings and got back into the air, it was too long to fly back up so I settled for finding a cloud to rest on. I couple were passing by, then I realised where I was. The Everfree Forest, I groaned. "Why not kill me now?" I thought, a second later I heard a howl. "I was just kidding!" I shouted, terrified and in panic mode. I shot towards a cloud and right into it, hollowing it out slightly I settled into it's fluffy embrace and fell asleep. ~~~ My eyes shot open to darkness, my ears were pricked and I heard a snoring coming from below. I poked my head through the cloud below me and saw a cyan pegasus snoring in a tree, she had a rainbow mane and tail. I pulled my head back through the cloud and groaned, the mare was Rainbow Dash. Element of Loyalty and pigheadedness. The cloud I was in had drifted towards Ponyville which was a day and a half worth of flying, unless you take the train which only takes a few hours thanks to magic. I sighed, knowing I couldn't stay inside my cloud. I burrowed my way out only to stare at the blue eyes that were bobbing up and down in time to the balloons that were strapped to the pony's back. "Um... Hi?" "Hiya! I haven't seen ya before so you must be new! I'm Pinkie Pie but you can call me Pinkie!" The pink earth pony mare said, I just stared gobsmacked. "Okay, she's crazy."