> Moonburst Chronicles
>  by Code Breaker
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Moonlight Stories P1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

1000 years ago in the land of Equestria two princesses ruled. The elder sister raised and lowered the sun with her alicorn powers while her younger sister controlled the moon and the night.

The ponies relished and played in the day while they slept though the younger sister’s night. Anger and jealousy began to take hold of the younger sister…until one day she refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn.

The elder sister tried to talk to her, but it was of no use as the anger and jealousy turned her into a wicked mare of darkness known as…Nightmare Moon.

With no choice the elder sister harnessed the most powerful artifacts known to pony kind…The Elements of Harmony!
With the power of the elements she banished Nightmare Moon to the moon, but it is said on the longest day of the thousandth year the stars will aid in her escape.

“Thousandth year… could it mean this year?” A unicorn mare says in wonderment. 

This pony name is Trixie Lulamoon she had a brilliant azure coat and a pale blue with pale blue stripes with dark grayish violet eyes; her cutie mark was a crescent moon with a star wand which represents her talent in magic.



Moonlight Stories Part 1

After finishing the book she quickly ran back to the Canterlot tower where she studies her magic ignoring all who she came across along her way. She had use to be very sweet and rather social, but after a particular event she had gone to being a hermit and preferred not to talk to others that weren’t her mentor or assistant or be disturbed.

Several books cluttered the tower room in which she lived for the past years.

Trixie slammed the door opened and startling the only occupant within study room which was a small purple dragon with green spines and eyes which was eating out of an open tub of chocolate ice cream which he dumped the moment Trixie entered.

“Whoa Trixie what’s the problem?” Spike asked in surprise as the azure mare began to frantically look at the bookshelves as if looking for something important.

“Spike do you happen to know where that book about Predictions and Prophecies is at?” Trixie questioned quickly as she levitated several books around her looking at the titles.

Spike looked around the study room for that particular book. 

“Let’s see… here it is Predictions and Prophecies.” Spike grabbed the book from the shelf and tossed it on the table for Trixie to look at as the young mare dropped all the others books and rushed over using her magic to quickly flip pages as she skimmed through and stopped at one page.

“It says the same thing here…On the longest day of the thousandth year the stars will aid in Nightmare Moon’s escape.” She said worried as she now began to pace the room.

“Trixie, Nightmare Moon is an old mare’s tale to scare little fillies and colts.” Spike said picking up his tub of ice cream and starting to eat it again.

“Well I’m just concerned that this might be true, Spike I need paper and a quill for a letter.” Trixie ordered making Spike sigh putting the tub down and picking up a scroll and quill out of nowhere.

“Got it…fire away Trixie.” Spike said begrudgingly.

“Dear Princess Celestia, I’m concerned that the tales of Nightmare Moon may be true after all so I suggest that we take precautions on this matter. I would be in best interest that you cancel the Summer Sun Celebration until this threat is properly handled. Sincerely your Faithfull Student, Trixie Lulamoon.”

In a breath of green fire from Spikes mouth he sent the message to Celestia. 

“You sure she’ll listen to you Trixie?” Spike questioned the matter.

“I’m sure the Princess will understand my concern about this.” In a matter of seconds Spike burps up a letter which has the royal seal of the princess of the sun.

“My faithful student Trixie, I know you have your heart in the right place with this overwhelming concern, but you must get your head out of those dusty old books and make some friends.” Spike said as he read and Trixie’s jaw was hanging open in shock.

“As effective immediately I’m placing you in charge of the looking over the preparations of the Summer Sun Celebration which will take place in the town of Ponyville. I’d expect you to make some friends during your time there I’ve already made preparations for you and Spike to stay at the Golden Oaks Library. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.” Spiked finished.

As the letter ended Trixie and Spike were traveling by a pegasus pulled chariot to the grounds of Ponyville “I cannot believe she ignored my concerns. Today is the thousandth year of the Celebration and all she worries about is me making some friends.” Trixie huffed in frustration. 

Spike puts a claw to his chin in thought. “Well you have been cooped up in that study room ever since you became her student.” He notes as Trixie gives the drake a hard glare. While it was true she didn’t speak of the real reason for her hermit like habits.

Soon enough the two landed in Ponyville and hopped out Trixie thanking the guards. The town was in array of colors from a house that have blue roof and brown walls to what looked like a possible mansion which would make other ponies think a famous pony lived in it.

There was also a fountain in the town square along with a small bridge that crosses a small fishing stream below it and near the center of town was a giant oak tree with the label Golden Oaks Library printed on a wooden plate.

“You can at least try and be friendly.” Spike pleaded said to Trixie as a pink pony with a light pink coat and a dark pink mane with three balloon cutie mark two light blue and a yellow and light blue eyes was walking up to them. 

Trixie cleared her throat before speaking “Um… hey my name is Trixie Lulamoon and…” before she finished her sentence the pink one sprung up in a gasp and darted away to who knows where.

“What was that all about?” Trixie asked in confusion and surprise while Spike just shrugs in response and Trixie sighed in slight frustration as she turned to Spike. 

“So Spike what is first on the list?” Trixie asked hopefully wanting to finish quickly and be off to research. 

“First off is catering… Sweet Apple Acres.” Spike replied. 

“And where is that?” Trixie questioned out loud already frustrated.

“Maybe I can be of help.” A voice said from behind. Trixie and Spike looked behind them to see an earth pony mare who appears to be about a few years older than Trixie with a moderate cerise colored coat and a light grayish rose with light grayish stripes going through it her cutie mark is three daisies with smiles and her eyes were grayish harlequin. 

“Um…hello Miss…” Trixie starts unsure who this mare was. 

“Cheerliee I’m an assist teacher at the school here in Ponyville, you two don’t seem to be from around here.” Cheerliee says in a kind tone.

“Were not; I’m Trixie Lulamoon, and this is my assistant Spike.” Trixie says.

“Yeah and we are kind of lost. Do you happen to know where Sweet Apple Acres is?” Spike asks rubbing a claw on the back of his head.

“Well I happen to be on my way there to lend a hoof. I’ll be happy to lead the way for you just follow me.” Cheerliee said with a smile. 

“That’s very kind of you.” Spike says as he and Trixie follow after her.

After walking for about 10 minutes down a dirt path they come into sight of a big red barn in the distance along with a field of apple trees. A sign above a grainer said Sweet Apple Acres. 

“So… this looks like the place alright.” Trixie replied. 

“Now where in Equestria is that mare?” Cheerliee looked around expecting to find somepony. 

Spike and Trixie looked at each other and looked back at her “So who are you looking for?” Spike questioned. 

“Her name is…” before she finished a yell that sounded like “YEEHAWW” and a mare that zoomed past them the pony was an earth pony with a orange coat with a blond mane that she kept in a ponytail and wore a brown Stetson hat, her cutie mark had three red apples and her eyes were emerald green which she just finished bucking a tree and the apples fell into baskets.

The orange mare wiped off some sweat with a hoof and noticing the trio she began to walk over to them

“Oh howdy Cheerliee…and who are these strangers with yah?” the mare says when she is finally close enough.

“Actually they’re here to…well they haven’t told me why they were here for.” Cheerliee looked at them before Trixie stepped forward. 

“Uh…hello my name is Trixie Lulamoon and…” before she could finish her hoof was being shook vigorously by the orange mare.

“Well howdy to meet yah miss Trixie. Name’s Applejack, me and mah family run and keep Sweet Apple Acres up to date.” Applejack said surprising with just one breath even after letting go of Trixie’s hoof, hers couldn’t stop shaking up and down so Spike helped to stop her hoof.

“So what can ah help yah with missy?” AJ asks intrigued with the newcomers.

“Well Applejack; Spike and I were assigned to look over the preparations for the Celebration today. I believe you have the food covered?” Trixie asked as Spike double checks the list.

“Most certainly do missy and if yah want you can even sample a few of them.” Applejack smiled. 

“Well I wouldn't want to impose but we really must be going.” Before they could leave her and Spike had been shoved by Applejack in the direction of a table.

Applejack brought out a triangle began to ring it just as Cheerliee joined the two at the table.

“SOUP’S ON APPLES!” she yelled out and before you know it a ton of ponies from the barn started running toward the general area AJ was at.

“Applejack you never told me it was the reunion today.” Cheerliee said with a surprised look on her face as Trixe looks at all the ponies that had come into the area. There was plenty of earth ponies, but as she looked she also spotted a few unicorns and pegasi, but it was mainly earth ponies.

“Reunion?” Spike questioned looking at all the ponies that had just showed up. 

“Yeah, you folks came in durin’ the Apple family reunion. Where every apple throughout Equestria come here and have a hay of a good time.” Applejack said. 

“There’s Red Gala, Caramel Apple, Apple Tart, Apple Fritter, Cream Apple, Apple Dumpling…” The list of all her cousins seemed to go on for awhile, and every time she listed one of her cousins they would stack food that were mostly apple based until she reached the end of her list which she took in a big breath.

“Big Macintosh” as she says this she points to a earth pony stallion, his red coat makes him stand out among the rest, his mane is a shade darker orange than Applejacks coat, his eyes are a darker emerald green, and his cutie mark is a green sour apple.

“Applebloom” Applebloom is an earth pony filly, her coat is bright yellow, her mane is a puffy red color with a pink bow in it, her eyes are a dark orange color, and she has yet to get a cutie mark.

“And Granny Smith. Up and at em Granny we have visitors.” Granny Smith is an old earth pony, her coat is a simple light green that is wrinkled, her mane is silver grey to describe it, her cutie mark is an apple pie with steam come off it and her eyes are a light yellow. She was sitting in a rocking chair snoozing until AJ’s yell woke her.

“Eh… what, why didn’t yah wake meh sooner AJ.” Granny replied and proceed over to the table.

“Hello Miss Cheerliee what yah doing here for?” Applebloom asked curiously walking up to the mare.

“Well sweetie I was here to give your sister a helping hoof but it seems to be under control here.” Cheerliee says with a sweet smile.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but we really must be going to check on the other preparations.” Trixie said quickly because of the large crowd of ponies. 

Every pony awed that she was leaving “Yah won’t stay fer brunch.” Applebloom asked giving Trixie a cute crying like pout. 

Trixie tried to look anywhere but at Applebloom and at that moment her stomach grumbles. 

“Well that was settled.” She thought. 

“Oh what the hay why not I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.” She said and every pony on the farm cheered.

After sampling everything at the farm and giving everypony their goodbyes they moved on to their next task with Cheerliee following after still guiding them.

“Ah that surely was refreshing wasn’t Trixie.” Spike said tapping his stomach while Trixie looked like she ate too much walking at a slow pace. 

“Why… were there… so… many apples?” Trixie complained as Spike and Cheerliee just laughed. 

Trixie gave the two a small glare silencing them as she regained her composure and looked to her assistant.

“Well what’s next Spike?” Trixie questioned.

“Weather Patrol, and it looks like whoever is in charge is not doing a good job at it.” Spike looking around and seeing a bunch of clouds in the sky. 

“Whoever is in charge is going to get a big talk from….WAHHH!” before she finished she was hit by another pony that came flying out of nowhere crashing into Trixie and landing them both in a conveniently placed mud puddle.

“Eh heh heh… sorry about that. Stunt went wrong.” The mare said shaking the mud off herself as she got up.

The pony is a pegasi or pegasus that her coat is cyan, her mane is multiple colors of the rainbow, her cutie mark is a raincloud sparking a rainbow colored lightning bolt, and her eyes are magenta. 

The pegasus flew up into the air to look at the damage she did to Trixe who she ran into and noticed that Trixie was covered in mud to from her little run in.

“Stay there I’ll be right back.” The mare flew off and not a few seconds later came back with a storm cloud and started to bounce on it and rain poured down onto Trixie cleaning her of the mud but now she was soaking wet.

“Heh heh sorry let me dry you off there.” The mare proceeds to fly fast around Trixie making a mini rainbow colored twister. 

When she stopped Trixie was all dried off but now her mane and tail puffed up into a mess and the rainbow colored mare, and Spike couldn’t help but fall to the ground and laugh.

“Ahem.” Cheerliee toned in tapping her hoof on the ground repeatedly. 

“Now Rainbow Dash, you know it’s not right to laugh at someone who you just help get clean.” Cheerliee looked at her sternly. 

“It’s fine… so you’re the weather pony in charge here?” Trixie questioned. 

Rainbow jumped back up and puffed her chest out ready to introduce herself.

“The one and only! I’m Rainbow Dash Fastest flyer in Equestria and future member of the Wonderbolts!” She said with great pride.

“Well isn’t she a little egocentric.” Trixie thought

“Well are you the pony who is supposed to be clearing the clouds today for the Celebration? It will be hard to see if there are clouds still blocking out the sun.” Trixie stated pointing to the numerous clouds in the sky.

“Yeah I know that, but I can get that done ten seconds flat.” Rainbow replied in a more confident tone as Trixie smirks an idea coming to her.

“Okay Dash, you talk the talk but can you back it up.” She replied looking at Dash. 

“What are you getting at?” Dash asked cocking her head slightly.

“All that I’m saying is you should prove it.” Trixie said. As soon as Rainbow heard that it sounded like a challenge. 

“Oh. It. Is. On.” As soon Rainbow finished talking all that Cheerliee could do was sigh already knowing of the outcome.

In a matter of only milliseconds Dash shot straight up into the air to hit the first cloud and shot to another and another, taking three to four out at the same time. 

On the ground Trixie just looked on slacked jawed at what she is seeing before her very eyes. After what seemed like minutes were only seconds to Dash she returned to Trixie and landed next to a tree.

“Told you. Ten. Seconds. Flat.” Dash said with pride before looking over to Trixie who was still in shock. Dash began to laugh.

“You should see the look on her face right now it’s priceless.” Still laughing and rolling on the ground.

Cheerliee looked over to Dash and started tapping her hoof again 

“Dash was that really necessary? You are acting like a foal who found a new toy.” Cheerliee scolded. 

“Hey that’s just who I am okay Cheer? Besides you should stop acting like an old mare and learn to have a bit of fun.” Dash countered. 

Trixie calmed herself losing her shocked look “Well at least the sky is clear now… huh?” Trixie started then noticed a moving cloud that was coming toward Dash. 

The cloud was dark grey meaning it had not only rain but lightning too. It was a cloud that was only intended for storms.

The cloud stopped and a pony popped out of the cloud. The pony is a pegasi mare like Dash but her coat was a light turquoise her mane was brilliant amber with brilliant gold stripes in it, her cutie was a white lightning bolt with three stars two gold and one yellow, her eyes are brilliant gamboge.

She bounced on the cloud sending a lightning bolt toward Dash’s tail which send a shock through her send her to the ground and turned the tip of Dash’s tail charcoal black. Dash got back up from the shock and looked around for the perpetrator before giving a small scowl.

“I only know one mare that would do this.” She whispered and the sound of laughing reached her ears making her look towards the cloud which the perpetrator of the prank was laughing from. 

“LIGHTNING DUST, YOUR GOING TO GET IT!” Dash yelled at the top of her lungs and flew after Dust leaving a rainbow streak behind.

“What the hay was that all about?” Spike questioned utterly confused at this random occurrence.

“Oh that’s just the local prankster of the town Lightning Dust, she pranks all ponies in town, but it’s all for fun Trixie.” Cheerliee said looking at her mane that is now all puffy. 

“Should we maybe…” Cheerliee starts as Trixie just shakes her head. 

“No it’s fine Cheerliee.” She said giving a sideways glance to Spike who was still snickering every now and then.

“Well Spike what’s next, hopefully it’s something better than watching her clearing the sky?” Trixie asked hoping the next thing won’t be too hard. 

“Fireworks display, at the Town Hall.” Spike answered. 

“Great idea I’ll take you two straight there, beside I need to check on a little filly of mine.” Cheerliee said escorting the two into town as Trixie and Spike look at each other when she had said the last part. 

As they walked towards Ponyville a sharp sound like a whistle going off was heard and something brightly colored was headed towards the three rather quickly.

“DUCK!!” yelled a voice from a distance but it was too late what sounded like a whistle quickly turned into a loud BANG that exploded in front of the trio who were thrown to the ground by the force of the explosion.

After the explosion Trixie was dazed and as she got up her vision was slightly blurred.

“Great first I got crashed into by an egotistical pony and now this happens.” Trixie thought almost irritated as she shook her head to help get rid of her blurred vision.

“No ponies or umm…dragons hurt?” the female sounding voice asked. Trixie looked around at where the voice came from before looking down and in front of her was a small filly.

The filly is a unicorn her coat is an ash grey while her mane was a crimson red and electric blue almost like it was on fire and her mane parted back on both sides while a few stands hung in front of her.  Her eyes were a deep red-orange. The filly as yet to obtain a cutie mark. 

“No ponies hurt dear.” Cheerliee says reassuring the filly. The filly wiped imaginary sweat with her hoof.

“Well that good cause I don’t want…” before she finished another voice shouted out in the distance. 

“PENDRAGON QUILL!” a voice that sounded more mature and sounded like it was running toward the filly who was now scared stiff. 

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Was all she could say as a dust cloud was seen in the distance the stopped when close and spread dust.

The source of the voice came into view was a unicorn mare who appears to around Trixie’s age with a coat that was a brilliant amber. Her mane was like the filly mixed with vivid crimson with brilliant yellow like a blazing fire which contrasts with her moderate cyan colored eyes. Finally her cutie mark was a yellow and red blazing sun. 

“What…happened…here?” The mare said in between breaths the question directed at the young filly who was looking back and forth basically anywhere except at the mare in front of her.

“Well…um one of your…um fireworks might have accidently…got lit.” The filly known as Pendragon said trying to come up with an excuse. The mare lifted an eye in suspicion at the fillies tone but decided not to pursue it. She sighed and looked toward the trio.

“I’m sorry if my sister has been any trouble.” The mare replied. Trixie and Spike were taken aback that this mare was the fillies sister. 

“Oh no no no not at all we were just on our way toward the town hall for the firework setup.” Trixie said shaking her head.

“Fireworks setup oh then I’m guessing you’re looking for the pony in charge of it?” The mare questioned. 

“Yes we are Miss…um who are you?” Trixie asked. 

“Names Sunset Shimmer and this little filly over here is my sister Pendragon Quill. I’m the pony in charge of setting up the fireworks.” Sunset replied and her sister waved at them.

“Well nice to meet you both my name is Trixie Lulamoon and the baby dragon here is my assistant Spike and this is…” she started as Cheerliee walks up to Sunset.

“Well hello Sunset. Is Pendragon trying to get her cutie mark again?” Cheerliee interrupts with a bit of a giggle as Pendragon blushes in embarrassment at her spot on guess.

“Yeah and I guess somepony decided to try her hoof at firework displays.” Sunset replied while messing with her sister’s mane. 

“Hey sis cut it out I just brushed this morning.” Pendragon said shoving the hoof off her.

“It seems you two have been acquainted.” Trixie concluded as Spike face palms.

“Not just acquaintances, Cheerliee actually helped me get a job as a magic tutor, she the best friend I could ever have.” Sunset complimented as Cheerliee scratches her mane with a hoof.

“I was nothing just an act of kindness nothing more.” Cheerliee said as Sunset smiles rolling her eyes before looking back to Trixie. 

“So Trixie you want to have a look at the fireworks display I have planned for the Celebration right?” Sunset replied suddenly.

“How you know it was for the Celebration?” Trixie questioned. 

“Simple deduction, your saddle bag has a tear mark in it indicating the presence of a quill or two. Usually this would not be needed for anything outside unless it was for a checklist of sorts.” Sunset leaned toward Trixie and smelled her breath. 

“Your breath smells like apples which can only mean you have visited Sweet Apple Acres which is the only apple farm in the area. They are also the main caterers for the event this year.” Sunset continues and then sighs pointing at Trixie’s man.

“And I can assume your mane is not naturally like that. So the only way that could have happened is a run in with RD who decided to use her famous quick drying method on you. I know this as I’ve had my own personal experience with it.” She finished as Pen chuckles.

Trixie blinks at Sunset’s deduction which was right on each and every count.

“Wow. She was right on everything. How did you know that?” Spike asked surprised as Cheerliee chuckles.

“Sunset likes to read quite a bit, but mostly mystery books. Though trust me when I say you’ll never meet a more honest mare like Sunset.” Cheerliee complimented.

“Yea, yea but we still have lots to finish on so you’ll have to look at it later. Trust us when it’s finished you’ll be awed.” Pendragon said happily.

“I’m sure it will be great Pendragon.” 

“Pen.” She interjects a little irritated.

“Huh?” Trixie questioned 

“Call me Pen, Pendragon is just so long.” Pen replied.

“Sure thing Pen.” Trixie finished a bit hesitant.

“Oh before I forget, Sunset dear have you seen Emerald Jewel anywhere?” Cheerliee asked. Sunset pondered the question a minute then recalled having seen her earlier.

“Well she’s inside the town hall helping with the decorations with Rarity and Coco Pommel.” Sunset finally said. 

“Thanks.” Cheerliee smiled and continued escorting Trixie and Spike toward town hall. 

“If you ever need help with anything don’t be afraid to ask!” Sunset yells before turning to her sister who smiles sheepishly.

Once they left Sunset and her sister behind they walked toward the town hall which would be the center of the celebration. 

It was the easiest to spot due to it be the actual center of the small town and was one of the tallest places in town next to one of the mansions.

Once they got inside the town hall, it was decorated in an array of ribbons, streamers and colorful bows. In the center of the decorations is a unicorn mare, her coat was silk white, her mane and tail is a violet color that both have been curled, her cutie mark were three well arranged diamonds, and her eyes were blue.

Spike gave a slacked jawed look when he saw this mare as hearts appeared in his eyes. Spike started to trot over but Trixie stopped him with her magic. 

“Easy there lover dragon.” Trixie thought.

The mare seemed to be going through some ribbon colors to see what would fit the décor. 

“No.” the mare said to a light green color ribbon and plenty more until she found one that fit which was ruby color ribbon. 

The way this mare spoke reminded Trixie of several ponies back in Canterlot.

“Ahem.” Trixie spoke up trying not to be rude, the mare turned around to look at the trio standing by the door. 

“Oh hello dears how could I be of service.” She addressed them. 

“Are you Miss Rarity?” Trixie asked.

“Why yes dear and… WHAT IN EQUESTRIA HAPPENDED TO YOUR MANE?” Rarity started then exclaimed when she saw the state of Trixie’s mane which was still puffed out.

“Oh… uh it nothing just a little run in with some pony, I’m just here to check on the decorations and be out of your hair.” Trixie explained 

“My hair what about your hair?! It’s a crime against fashion all around Equestria.” Rarity examined Trixie’s mane. 

“Come now we are leaving for my bouquet immediately darling come.” Rarity said as she attempted to drag Trixie along. She then stopped and looked back towards a curtained area.

“Coco, Emerald come now were leaving.” As she called a pony appeared out of the curtains that was an earth pony mare that is a little smaller than Rarity her coat was a light amberish gray color and her mane was a combination of light grayish cyan and light opalish gray and the tip of the mane curled while her eyes are light cyan, her cutie mark was a lavender floppy hat with a scarlet feather in it. She is Rarity’s assistant Coco Pommel.

Following close behind Coco was another, but this pony didn’t see the pillar in front of her and ran straight into it.

“Who put that there?” said the voice of a filly who then came out from behind the pillar showing herself.

The pony is an earth pony filly who’s coat is a jade green while her mane and tail is a silver color with a hint of blue at the tips which are curled and a small part of her mane covers the left eye to the point it can’t be seen, the filly has yet obtain a cutie mark. The filly is named Emerald Jewel. 

They both walked up to Rarity “Were ready Rarity.” Coco says to her politely.

Rarity was about to grab Trixie’s tail with her magic again when she noticed she was about to leave and forget a few things. She went back towards the curtained area leaving Coco and Emerald with the trio.

As Coco and Rarity were doing this Emerald noticed Cheerliee and squeals running up to her and hugging her.

“Hello mom!” Emerald said cheerfully. Trixie and Spike were taken aback from what the filly said.

“MOM!” they both said looking at Cheerliee who had a small smile.

“So how is my little Jewel?” She asks nuzzling the filly who tried to back away.

“Mom! You’re embarrassing me in front of Coco.” Emerald said with a slight blush of embarrassment.

“I never expected for you to be a mother Cheerliee.” Spike said. 

“Well…I actually adopted her. Trixie, Spike this is Emerald Jewel my adopted daughter.” Cheerliee introduced 

Emerald turned to the two and waved “Hello.” She says.

“And the other pony is Coco Pommel who’s an assistant at Rarity’s bouquet her in Ponyville.” Cheerliee said and Coco just curtsied in respect.

“Coco we must get Trixie’s mane here straightened up.” Rarity said coming back out with a saddle bag that had a few things in it.

“That is no problem; the bouquet is not that far.” Coco reassured.

“Can we go mom?” Emerald asked in a pleading tone.

Cheerliee put a hoof to her muzzle for a few seconds then smiles at the filly with a nod “Sure, I’ve been showing them around Ponyville for a while care to help me out Emm?” Cheerliee asked 

“YES!!” Emerald yelled excitement evident in her tone of voice.

“Emm?” Spike asked.

“She likes to be called Emm rather than her full name.” Coco says.

The bouquet was near town hall so it wasn’t a long walk. The bouquet’s a two story building with a purple roof with four windows two on the two layer of the bouquet and the rest on the bottom floor it is also designed like a carousel. As soon as trio now became six entered the bouquet Rarity quickly brought Trixie up to a mirror and began grooming her mane.

“This is not what I’ve had in mind.” Trixie thought as she was being groomed. The grooming took thirty minutes but Rarity didn’t stop there she began putting dresses on Trixie.

“Well darling what do you think?” Rarity eyeing what Trixie was currently wearing.

“It’s…um… nice Rarity.” Trixie replies out loud sweat dropping at what she is being put through.

“This is so embarrassing.” She thought

“So Trixie what is a pony and a baby dragon doing here in Ponyville?” Coco asked. 

“Well I’m the overseer for the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. To make sure everything is in order.” Trixie stated 

“And where did you come from dear?” Rarity prodded with interest.

“I came from Canterlot to…” Trixie started then Rarity let out a loud gasp much like the strange pink pony from earlier.

“CANTERLOT! You mean the Canterlot! The fashion, the gossip capital of the Equestria, why didn’t you say that before I know all about how Canterlotians act it almost perfect! Why I only dreamed of going to Canterlot and…” Rarity starts as she begins to rant.

“You should maybe go. She will be like this for a few hours.” Coco says to Spike and Trixie who had just managed to get out of what she was wearing.

Not giving what Coco said a second thought Trixie was already moving. 

“Let’s get out of here before she decides to style my mane.” Trixie said running and grabbing the love struck Spike out of the bouquet. 

“Come back again.” Coco waved them goodbye.

The group of four continued on their trek after having escaped the boutique, and at this moment Trixie was already feeling tired.

“Please…please tell me that was the last thing on the list?” Trixie questioned Spike in a begging tone.

“I’m afraid not Trixie.” Spike replied making Trixie groan.

“Oh! What is it?! What is it?!” Emerald asks/exclaims before she accidently runs into a pole.

“I’m okay!” Emerald says making her mother chuckle at the antics of the filly.

“The last thing on the list is the music.” Spike said as Emerald was now next to him stumbling around, but still following.

“Oh I know where that is she’s probably working on the music right now.” Cheerliee said as the now four ponies walk towards the outside edge of Ponyville to what seemed like a small cottage home. In the background was the entrance to a forest.

They looked around for the pony taking care of the music part. After searching around the home they heard a small song what seemed like a lullaby from the back part of the home. They looked at the back and there they a small tree filled with eight birds of different species and a pegasus mare. 

The mare coat was butter yellow, her mane was long as it almost touches the ground and is lighter pink color that hanged on her right side of her head, her cutie mark were three butterflies two blue and one pink, her eyes were a light blue. She seemed to be teaching the birds how to sing. The mare flew up to the tree stopping the birds from continuing in there singing.

“Um excuse me Mr. Blue Jay, I don’t want to interrupt you but you are off beat just a tiny bit ok.” She said in soft gentle tone trying not to upset the bird. 

“Um excuse me Miss.” Trixie said and before she could even reacted the mare let out a small sound and fell to the ground legs up and the birds flew off.

“So sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Trixie says as she helps the pegasi up who seemed to hide behind her mane afterwards.

“I’m Trixie Lulamoon. Who are you?” Trixie asks.

She got and tried to say her name “Um… my name is Flutter*whisper*” she said in a low gentle tone 

“Sorry could say that again please.” Trixie said 

“It’s Flutters*whisper*” she says again her voice still low.

“Um one more time please.” Trixie said putting her hoof to her ear.

“Fluttershy.” She finally manages to say her voice loud enough for Trixie to hear her name.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Fluttershy.” Trixie said as Spike cleared his throat from behind her and Trixie stepped out of the way to give a better view of him.

“Oh and this baby dragon here is Spike my assistant.” Spike waved at Fluttershy.

“Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy squealed and zipped over to Spike 

“Is he really a dragon, please tell me what you’re thinking right now.” Fluttershy big smile and big eyes gazed into Spikes green eyes.

“Um well.” Spike was thinking of something until Cheerliee interrupted.

“I’m sorry but I’m afraid we can’t stay long Fluttershy, is the music for the Celebration ready.” Cheerliee asked which made Fluttershy look up towards the assistant teacher.

“Oh yes it will be ready by the time the Celebration starts.” Fluttershy says her voice a bit higher, but reassuring.

Trixie let out a relived sigh “Thank you very much Fluttershy.” She says as she noticed the birds from earlier starting to come back.

“Oh it’s no trouble at all; the birds did all the work I just helped them along.” She replied 

“Well Trixie that’s everything on the list.” Spike said checking off the music.

“Well guess that’s everything then, thank again Fluttershy and you too Cheerliee for getting us here.” She says to both of them.

“It’s no problem; I’m just a mare looking for anypony that could use a helping hoof every now and then.” Cheerliee replied before looking to her side at a slightly tired looking Emerald Jewel.

“Well I guess I better be going, got to get a certain filly back home.” Cheerliee picking Emerald up and putting her on her back, but the filly pouted looking towards her mom.

“Aw, but Mom I want to stay out longer please!” Emerald begged giving her the best puppy eyes that she could muster.

Cheerliee pondered it and came up with a solution “Alright…but after the sun rises it’s straight to bed missy.” Cheerliee says sternly.

“YAA! You’re the best mom!” Emerald gave her a kiss on the cheek before running off to do who knows what.

“If you need anything else Miss Trixie please don’t be afraid to give me a shout.” Cheerliee says as she begins to walk off.

“I’ll keep in touch.” Trixie shouts as Cheerliee walks off.

“Well we must be going to if I want to get started on my research.” Trixie said looking to her assistant and putting him on her back as they began to leave the cottage.

“Bye Fluttershy.” Spike waved and she waved back. By the time they had arrived at the library the sun was already starting to set.

“Are you still going to research the Mare and the Moon? It’s only an old mare’s tale Trix.” Spike says slightly worried. After all Trixie was almost always right, but when she wasn’t she would go into a panic of major proportions.

“I just…want to double check. Because if I am right then…” Trixie starts and sucks in a breath not wanting to finish. 

She sighs and enters the library. When she closed the door darkness engulfed them as for some reason all the lights seemed to be off.

“Huh who turned out the lights?” Trixie asks out of confusion.

Then the lights flicked back on with a bunch of ponies waiting for her. It looked like almost the entire town had come and somehow fit inside the library.

“SURPRISE!!” They all yelled making Trixie jump three feet in the air and Spike to drop to the ground landing on his back.

“What… where… who…huh?” she said in the confusion 

“Well that leaves why and when huh.” A pink pony says appearing right in front of her hoofing Trixie a cupcake.

Trixie put a hoof to her muzzle when she saw this mare.

“Wait you look familiar somewhere.” Trixie says and after a few moments the events of this morning came back hitting her like a ton of bricks.

“You’re that mare from this morning.” Trixie states as she pointed to the mare.

“Yep Yep that’s me I’m Pinkamenia Diana Pie or just Pinkie Pie for short, glad to meet you Trixie.” Pinkie says with a smile and a ‘Squee’. 

Trixie blinked at this action having not even introduced herself to Pinkie.

“But I didn’t even give you my name.” In response Pinkie brought out a letter addressed to the azure mare.

“This is yours isn’t it?” Pinkie asks in a cheerful tone.

“I must have dropped it when I got out of the chariot.” Trixie thought as she grabs the letter with her magic putting it into her bag.

“Well all I have to say is…” Pinkie starts before taking in a rather huge breath.

“WELCOME TO PONYVILLE TRIXIE!” She yelled out and zoomed somewhere else.

“That mare is so…” Trixie started 

“Random.” Spike finished looking towards her and nudges her forwards towards the party making Trixie look at him.

“Well Trixie this your chance to get out there and make some friends, just give it a shot will yah.” Spike states practically begging.

Trixie took a quick look about and spotted some familiar faces; Sunset Shimmer and Pendragon, Rarity, Coco, Cheerliee and Emerald, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, and that Lightning Dust Rainbow was chasing a while ago. Trixie pondered the thought a minute or two.

“I guess I could wait a little while…” Trixie thought and went to take Spikes advice and went to the mare she didn’t talk to today; Lightning Dust,

“Um hello there Lightning Dust my name is Trixie Lulamoon and…” Trixie starts and at the mention of her name from a strange mare Lightning began flying around Trixie in a circle.

“Whoa, how’d you know my name, are you psychic?” Lightning spoke in a quick manner (Though not as quick as Pinkie) as Trixie tried to come up with an answer.

“I …uh got your name from Rainbow Dash. That was your name she was shouting out right?” Trixie finally replied hoping she had her facts right and didn’t get the mare’s name wrong.

“Yep yep that’s my name don’t wear it out. I’m Lightning Dust your laughable and local Ponyville prankster pony at your service.” She said in a combination of pride and enthusiasm.

“So what was that earlier today? You were zapping Dash on the tail with that bolt?” Trixie asked having wondered why she did that.

Lightning let out a small laugh “Oh that was just one of my pranks you know, I took precautions not hit her directly. Even though I’m a prankster I have standards.” Lightning said puffing out her chest proudly.

“Something tells me her and Dash being friends wouldn't be a coincidence.” Trixie thought before she decided to try and talk about something else with Lightning.

They talked for hours until it came time for the celebration to begin, and at which everypony at the library headed towards the Town Hall where the Mayor Mare was already at the podium waiting to give her speech.

The mayor was an earth pony that had a tan coat with a white mane that display her age her eyes were a light magenta eyes which she wore a small set of glasses, her cutie mark is a balancing scale.

“Attention ladies and gentlecolts I’m proud to announce the start of this the Summer Sun Celebration celebrating the long day of the year, and how better to start it off than the rising of the sun from none other than the ruler of the Sun, PRINCESS CELESTIA!” She announced and the curtain opened where Celestia should have been but instead appeared empty. 

Then out of nowhere a shadowy mist appeared on stage, the lights flickered out as the shadow mist began to transform into what seemed like a large pony. As it took its shape, the shadow turned into an alicorn mare, she was taller than any regular pony, her coat was almost as black as the night itself as navy blue bits of armor adorned her chest, her eyes were dark green with a cat like pupil, her horn is longer and sharper than any unicorn, her wings huge and more vampire bat like, her cutie mark was that of a white crescent moon.

She spoke with more of a Canterlot voice but it was a tone that invoked fear and made others hide.

“I’M SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING MY SUBJECT BUT YOUR PRINCESS HAS RETURNED!” She yelled out and started to laugh to bring even the bravest stallion to his knees. Trixie realized who this mare was and began to back away.

“Just like in the legend, the stars will aid in her escape.” Trixie gulps as just the name of this being was enough to invoke fear.

“Nightmare Moon.” Trixie says as nearby her Spike faints from the fact of a tale being proven true.

“Well it seems that even after my imprisonment, Equestria hasn’t changed a bit.” Nightmare says as she looks at the crowd.

“So who wishes to challenge me a nightmare so frightening that only your dear Celestia was able to stand against it!” She yelled with her royal voice before turning into mist and going into the crowd.

“Will it be you?” She asks appearing near a mare who was protecting her foal. Nightmare laughs before vanishing again.

“Or you?” she appears next to a stallion but he just took a step back in fear.

Nightmare appears back where she began and let out a huff of disappointment.

“None of you, well then I guess Equestria will be much easier to conquer then I thought it would.” She stated and laughed like a mad mare and vanished in a puff of smoke.

Everypony had begun to panic and began to leave the Town Hall in a frantic pace. 

“Pen wait for me at the house.” Sunset said sternly glancing to her sister. 

“And take Emerald with you.” Cheerliee finished in a worried tone. 

“You got it, c’mon Emerald!” Pen obeyed heading out not waiting for Emerald.

“Right behind…” she smacked into the side of the door. 

“You.” She finished and ran after Pen.

As they left Cheerliee had noticed that Trixie wasn’t there and looked out seeing her running towards the library.

“Come on girls. Maybe she knows something.” Cheerliee says as she works her way around the crowd of panic stricken ponies. She was followed by Lightning, Rainbow, Coco, and Sunset.

After others had begun leaving Trixie was not far behind. She had grabbed Spike and made her way back to the library. She threw Spike off her and had unintentionally into a nearby wall which woke him up.

“Ugh! Trixie knew Trixie should have gone back to my research, but no Trixie can’t even seem to do that!” Trixie stated as she paced about the room.

“Um…Trixie?” Spike starts watching Trixie pace around the room.

“WHAT! TRIXIE IS TRYING TO THINK!” she yelled out in frustration as Spike face palms before looking to her.

“You’re doing it again.” Spike said 

“Doing what?’ she questioned not realizing she had fallen into an old habit. 

“Speaking in third pony.” Spike pointed out.

“Uh hehehe oops.” Trixie replies blushing in embarrassment.

“What is going here Trixie?” Cheerliee asked making Trixie look to the door seeing her, Lightning, Rainbow, Coco, and Sunset. Trixie lets out a long sigh.

“Well if you really must know I’ll try to keep it short so you don’t fall behind.” Trixie took in a breath before she continued.

“Nightmare Moon was sealed away many years ago with the help of the magical relics known as the Elements of Harmony and was sent to the moon for one thousand years, but it also said in a book that talked about the Mare in the Moon the stars will aid in her escape, so she has returned to cast all of Equestria into eternal nighttime.” Trixie stated in a fast pace tone huffing at the end from her rapid fire explanation.

“Wow…and I thought Pinkie was the only one that could give long explanations in one breath.” Dust said as the others either roll their eyes or mutter under their breath.

“So I need to find the book called ‘Elements of Harmony a Reference Guide’ and it’s somewhere in this library.” Trixie said in a hurry as she started scanning the shelves.

“And how do you know this?” Spike asked as Trixie turns to look at him

“Spike that book was originally from Canterlot. Who do you think organizes the library when the librarian isn’t around?” Trixie states as Spike scratches his head.

“Me, and the librarian is always kind enough to tell me what gets transferred out to other libraries.” She adds on.

“Well why you didn’t say so in the first place.” Rainbow said and started flying around. 

“C’mon Dust.” She motioned her to follow her. 

“Coming Dash!” Dust said and flew up to assist Dash. 

“We’ll check down here; Sunset you’ll check with Cheerliee on that section, and I’ll help Trixie here.” Coco said and walked over where Trixie was looking through her books. Trixie was surprised at first that they were helping even though they’ve just met.

“You don’t have to help me you know?” Trixie said placing three stacks of books next to her. 

“I know but I can’t help myself I guess it just me.” Coco grabbing a book and began to flip through it. Trixie went to grab another some more with her magic after reading the one’s she finished but Coco stopped her.

“Allow me to get that.” Coco proceeds to grab a ladder that was next to the staircase and proceed up the ladder a grab the books Trixie needed. 

“I could have gotten those with my magic you know.” She replied. 

“I know but you must get tried using your magic all the time, so you need to rest every now and then so you won’t wear yourself out.” Coco stated as she went up the ladder. 

“Just let me do the lifting for now.” She adds looking down at Trixie with a smile.

Trixie looked to Coco. She had only met her, but felt like giving her a chance.

“Well that is mighty helpful of you Coco and thank you.” She replies as Coco comes down with a book in her mouth giving it to her. 

“Oh it was nothing just making sure you don’t tire yourself out now.” she said as she went back to looking through the books.

Somewhere above them Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash were looking on the top shelves trying to find that elusive book that Trixie needed.

Dust looked at the title of each book which required her looking into them as some of the books had emblems on them and no title.

“Nope.” Tossing a book aside and grabbing another. 

“Nah.” She continues tossing another one.

She then grabs a book with an emblem of a unicorn and looks inside of it. 

“Elements of Harmony A Reference Guide. Nope…” she says closing it and tossing it aside, but then realized what she tossed aside and dove in the pile of tossed books and grabbed it.

“HEY I FOUND IT!” Lightning said with glee zooming over to where Trixie and Coco were at.

This got the attention of the others who rushed over at this exclamation.

“You found it, nice work Dust, high wing!” Dash complemented and high winged each other. 

“Okay now there has to be something in here about the location of the Elements of Harmony and more about them too.” Trixie mumbles to herself as she began flipping through its pages.

“Ah ha right here! It says that there are five total Elements: Laughter, Honesty, Generosity, Kindness, and Loyalty but it is also said that there is a sixth element.” Trixie said in delight and a bit of puzzlement as she read.

“Wait six but you just said there were five.” Sunset replied. 

“Yes but it says that the sixth element is a mystery, and it will only reveal itself to one that is worthy of it.” Trixie read off.

“Well where can we find them at?” Cheerlie asked. Trixie flipped through again and stopped at a particular page that shows six gems.

“Well… it says they can be found at the Castle of the Two Sisters in the… Everfree Forest? Huh?” As soon as Trixie said Everfree Forest everypony in the room froze up.

“Um…hehehe good one Trix. I thought you just said those elements are in the Everfree Forest.” Rainbow says both sarcastic and part scared at hearing that.

“Well we know where they are we’ll meet up back here in ten minutes to get prepared.” Trixie closed the book and proceed to her room to pack supplies.

The other reluctantly headed off for their home in order to get ready. It didn’t take them that long and within about seven minutes the other five where in front of the library.

There was an eerie silence as each of the fived looked at the others.

“Should we tell her about that place?” Sunset questioned breaking the silence.

“Well we should if we don’t she’ll just think of it as just an ordinary forest.” Coco replied.

“Yes I believe she should know what the forest is capable of.” Dust agreed and Cheerliee nodded. 

“Then let’s tell her.” answered Sunset. The door opened and Trixie along with Spike came out. 

“Alright girls let’s get to it!” Trixie announced in a sing song tone of voice.

“Hold on there, do know what the Everfree Forest is?” Sunset asked 

“No I do not, but I do know that every minute we spend her talking Nightmare Moon is closer to succeeding in finding the elements before we can.” Trixie said with a small frown that turned into a determined smirk. 

“Spike please hold the fort till we get back.” Trixie looks back and ordered. 

“You got it.”Spike said saluting to them as they left.

They walked outside of Ponyville towards their destination but the rest of them are starting to worry. Nopony said a word until they got to the entrance of the forest which just the looking at it alone is frightening enough to scare anypony. Everypony but Trixie gave a slight worry look as they stared inside. 

Trixie let out a breath and proceed to take the first few steps inside the forest.

“This is such a bad idea, but I can’t leave Trix hanging.” Dash thought as she was the first to follow.

“Oh dear maybe I should…No! You can do this Coco.” Coco thought following right behind Dash

“This might be madness, but oh well…Someponies got to keep up the moral.” Dust thought flying upside down following next.

“I told Trixie I would be there to help. I’m a pony of my word.” Sunset thought as she too follows after the others.

“Right. Just have to go into Ponyville’s local creepy back yard and grab some ancient relics to handle a alicorn of darkness…I really hope we know what we are getting into.” Cheerliee thought and was the last to follow.

“Well no turning back now.” Trixie said under her breath.

Ever deeper they entered inside the darker it seemed to get. Trixie and Sunset had to continuously use their magic in high amount in order to provide enough light for the six to see.

“Everpony stay close we don’t want anypony getting lost in here.” Sunset stated calmly looking about and being as cautious as she could.

Rainbow and Lightning looking from above for any danger as Cheerliee was keeping an eye on Coco because of her height disadvantage being smaller than most mares. 

“Everything looks normal so far. Nothing out of the…” Trixie starts and then runs into something right in front of her that seemed to come out of nowhere.

“When was this put…” Trixie looked up to find a tree with what looked like teeth 

“Here… AHHH!” with this scream and loss of concentration her light was flickering which made the trees seem to look even more menacing.

Trixie shouted and everpony ran for cover but ran into another tree with a frightening image but no matter where they ran to they’re surrounded by more frightening trees and even Dash was scared enough that she came to the ground.

Everypony seemed scared out of their wits; well almost everypony. Lightning Dust was looking at the tree making funny faces at the trees as well as other random things.

She then turned to the frightened mares and chuckled a bit surprised to see Dash actually scared of some funny looking trees.

“How can you girls be scared of a little tree? It’s not even that scary if you look at it from another angle.” Lightning Dust replied motioning them to come closer but they refused. 

“You girls need to look at it from a different perspective like what I do.” She said and flew up above them moving some branches and exposing the trees to the moonlight.

They began to look at the trees all around them and seeing them like this the trees didn’t look as frightening. In fact they looked rather silly, and had made Trixie start to giggle. Slowly each of the others joined in and soon enough they were all laughing.

“But how could you manage to stare and laugh at it while not getting scared at all?” Trixie questioned after recovering from her laughing fit.

“Well I’ve learned from somepony that no matter how things may look even if it’s scary always look on the bright side and smile and laugh” Lightning Dust said. She gave everypony a smile to show that it wasn’t all that bad. 

“Maybe we’ll get through this after all.” Trixie thought as her and the others smile and giggle a bit before heading onwards.

The eventually came out of the dense section of the forest and were now in a clearing near a cliff side. They got close and Dash flew over to examine how far down it is.

“Well we can’t go forward and I don’t think we can jump off if we don’t want to die because it will be one hard landing if we do.” Rainbow states

“What do we do now Trixie?” Sunset asked looking over to Trixie who was trying to figure out a way across.

Before she could answer she felt something was close by that made her feel cold. What she didn’t see was dark colored mist pass on by her and into the ground below them.

“What was that all of a sudden?”  she thought which was answered when the cliff suddenly gave way causing Trixie, Coco, Sunset, and Cheerliee to fall. 

“Hang on were coming! Dust you grab Coco I got Cheerliee!” Dash yelled out as she dives down to grab Cheerliee who was flailing her hooves in the air, while Dust grabbed Coco who was curled up into a ball bracing for impact.

As Sunset slid down the side of the cliff she had managed to hook her tail on a branch to secure herself.

Trixie almost fell off but grabbed onto the side of the cliff but barely hanging on. Sunset knew that branch wouldn’t hold long. So she unhooked her tail to slide down to where Trixie was. 

“Hang on, I got you.” Sunset said trying to pull Trixie up. 

“Use you magic!” Trixie yelled desperately at Sunset who was huffing.

“Are you kidding? I used up quite a bit back there.” Sunset states to Trixie.

“Plus I’m a little more focused on something else at the moment.” She adds her grip starting to slip. 

Sunset looked to Trixie who was tearing up and looked extremely scared.

“Listen Trix. No matter what I won’t let you fall. Cause if you go down I’m going with you.” Sunset reassured her and began to ponder an idea 

Trixie became wide-eyed at this statement “Why? Why would you do this for a pony you just met?” Trixie asks.

“Trixie…When it comes to a friend I trust them with my own life. So maybe you can do me a favor and trust me with yours?” Sunset asked as she continued to try and pull Trixie up, but was failing.

At that moment an idea came to mind her mind 

“It’s a long shot but I’ll try it.” Sunset thought and relaxed a bit her horn gaining its glow which also encompassed Trixie who began to rise in the air. After a few second Sunset’s magic was straining due to an outside factor.

“Ponyfeathers why is she so heavy?” Sunset thought as sweat began to roll down her face. Just as she got Trixie up to eye level with herself her magic gave out.

The aura surrounding Trixie dissipated around her causing the mare to look to her left and right before looking straight at Sunset.

“Uh oh.” Trixie said and began to free fall down and was yelling her lungs out.

Sunset hurried down the side of the cliff jumping from stone to stone as she kept pace with the falling mare. 

“I told her…if she goes down…” Sunset thought picking up the pace and getting ahead of the falling mare.

“That I go down with her.” She thought and jumps land below Trixie who’s eyes were shut tight. Sunset grabbed her and braced herself for the oncoming landing.

“This is going to hurt…a lot.” She thought as there was the audible sound of impact. 

“I’m dead, I’m dead, I died, dead.” Trixie mumbles before opening her eyes and saw the other around and above her. She had not noticed that she was in a small crater made from the impact.

“What in the name of Celestia happened?” Trixie asked as she was helped out of the crater. She looked over to Coco and Cheerliee who seemed a bit rattled, but otherwise seemed to be fine.

“You two okay?” She asked extremely worried.

“Well thanks to Dash, and Dust over there.” Coco says in a shaky voice

“Duh cause we’re awesome like that.” Dash said blowing her hoof and Dust slightly blushing.

Trixie looked around but saw no sign of Sunset and began to grow worried.

“Um what about Sunset?” she asked.

“Sunset is right here.” Sunset blurted out slowly getting out of the crater. When she exited it she popped her back and all four hooves.

“Now I know what a rock feels like.” Sunset said stretching in order to get her body limber again.

“Oh sweet Celestia, did I fall on you?” Trixie asked running over to check on her.

“More like I snatched you out of the air before you became a pony pancake, just a little sore after I took the impact.” Sunset replied and Trixie was dumbfounded. 

“You… took the impact… for me.” Trixie manage to answer. 

“Well, to be honest I thought that wasn’t going to work when my magic ran out so quickly since you were so heavy.” Sunset said but just the word heavy got Trixie mad.

“But I kept my word. I said that if you went down I was going with you.” She said giving Trixie a hug. 

“Well thanks Sunset.” Trixie said slightly surprised by the hug.

“But to be honest I thought I was going to die too. It’s like whenever a friend is in trouble, my mind just kicks into overdrive.” Sunset responded breaking the hug. 

“She kept to what she said. She literally put her life on the line in order to keep her word.”  Trixie thought.

“Well let’s get going we don’t want to attract unwanted attention.” Rainbow suggests as the others nod and began to head onward.


> Moonlight Stories P2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Moonlight Stories Part 2

After leaving the cliff side behind the gang gets further and further into the forest which seemed to get darker every 20 or so feet until the group could only see what was in front of them or near them.

“I’m not liking this one bit.” Coco said hiding behind Cheerliee. 

“Its going to be okay we just need to figure how to get out of here.” Cheerliee reassured patting her on the head.

After the several minutes of walking the entirety of the group stopped as they seemed to come in front of a cave. Coco shivered as she looked inside seeing the vast darkness that encompassed the inside of the cave.

“D-do we h-have to go in th-their?” Coco asked stuttering in her sentence pointing to the cave.

Trixie took a few glances about to see if there is any other means of going forward, but there didn’t seem to be any. She let out a deep sigh and looked back to the girls.

“Well it seems we have no choice but to go straight through this cave to the other side.” Trixie says as almost all of them prepare to go through.

Coco’s legs were trembling when she said that they had to go into and through the cave.

“Are you feeling okay Coco?” Lightning asked. 

“Well it’s just that… I don’t exactly do well in dark places.” Coco admitted as Trixie groaned in response to this.

“Did anypony bring anything for light?” Sunset asked. 

“I thought we wouldn’t need it since we got two unicorns here that can light up an area for us.” Rainbow said with a shrug. 

“UGH! You should always pack the necessities when there needed!” Trixie yelled. 

“Plus using an illumination spell and keeping it lit takes both energy and concentration, and if we overuse our magic we run the chance of over-channeling.” Sunset finished. 

“Oh, hehe. I actually didn’t know that.” Dash says rubbing her neck with a hoof which could barely be seen.

Trixie only sighed “Well unless we find another light source we are out of luck.” She said. 

Then they hear a sound coming from the cave that sounded like a roar of a lion or something that send chills down everyponies spine 

“What in the name of Equestria was that?” Dash asked trying not to sound scared.

“I don’t know and don’t want to know.” Coco said cowering behind Cheerliee, but they were shortly answered by a figure coming out of the cave. 

The figure appeared to be an actual lion that had a dark blue lion mane and its mouth open drooling as it looked at the meal that was in front of it.

“A lion in the Everfree, I heard of manticores but a lion!” Trixie exclaimed taking a step back along with the others. Every time the lion moved toward them it was slow and limp. 

Cheerliee took notice of its behavior and instead of moving backwards she started to approach it cautiously 

“CHEERLIEE!” they all yelled to her.

“Something isn’t right here, if it were to eat us it would have already have done it minutes.” Cheerliee said and continued to move closer to it. 

When she got close enough to check on the lion it began to roar in her face, at first Cheerliee was worried thinking she was going to be a midnight snack but instead she kept her cool and began inspecting the lion.

She found the source of the lions sudden limp leg after a few seconds close inspection.

“Let me have a look at that paw there.” She said with a calming voice trying to calm its raging behavior. 

The lion stopped roaring and lifted its paw so it would meet her at eye level. She saw that lion had stepped on some thorns and was slightly bleeding. Cheerliee took a breath 

“Now this may hurt a bit but bear with me.” She said and began pulling each of the thorns out of the lions paw, each time she pulled one out the lion roared. 

“She’s going to get herself killed out there if she keeps this up.” Trixie said worried. 

“Well I’m not going to sit here and let her get eaten!” Sunset said and began charging at the lion.

Cheerliee just finished pulling the thorns out and started placing disinfectant that she brought with her on its paw and bandaging up. 

“There, now doesn’t that feel better.” Cheerliee said and the lion began licking to death.

“Now hey that’s quite alright. I just couldn’t leave you out here with all thorns in you.” Cheerliee began to walk away. 

“Everything’s okay everypony!” She called out making Sunset stop skidding forward and hitting a tree.

Sunset looked up and at Cheerliee.

“What, but that thing was going to eat us.” Sunset said pointing at the lion. 

“I think I figured out why this lion was acting this way in the first.” Cheerliee said taking out the thorns she kept and everypony gathered around. 

“These are paranormal thorns.” She states in a knowing tone.

“Wait…aren’t Paranormal Thorns responsible for causing personalities to change if someone is even pricked?” Trixie questions as Cheerliee nods.

“Yes, but these ones were only causing the poor dear pain.” Cheerliee finished. The lion approached the group and began licking Cheerliee again.

“But how were you able to handle it?” Coco asked not as frightened anymore. 

“Well I help out around Ponyville and I had to take over for Fluttershy when she was sick. You have to be nice and it goes to show, kindness can go a long way.” Cheerliee said.

The lion went back to its normal self and seemed to point with its tail in another direction before walking back into its cave grateful for the pain being gone.

“She was so kind to it even though it looked so frightening and tried to eat us even I didn’t have the courage to even walk up to it, somehow I think I’ll get along with her just fine.”  Trixie thought as they continued onward to the castle of the two sisters. 

Instead of going through the way Trixie thought was the correct path, the girls were now traveling down a rocky path. Everypony was silent until Trixie broke the silence clearing her throat.

“Well I forgot to say this earlier but thank you Cheerliee for handling that lion back.” Trixie said making Cheerliee blush a little. 

“Yeah I mean you handle it without a hitch!” Dust complemented 

“Well I was scared at first from looking at it, and then I realized that it had to be in pain or something and I couldn’t just leave it there hurting itself.” Cheerliee pronounced. 

The girls continued on but they were stopped when they heard a loud squeal of excitement coming from Coco 

“What in the wide world of the Equestria was that for Coco!?” Dust asked as they all turned around to find Coco… clenching a wing shape gem in her mouth.

She spat the gem out of her mouth and began to squeal like a little filly and was hopping in place.

“Don’t you know what this is?” she questioned pointing to the gem and they all just blinked in confusion and she just facehooved and then continued in utter glee.

“This is a Yellow Sapphire, they are a very rare gem.” Coco said taking a breath as she looked at the gem. 

“This would make a wonderful gift for Rarity.” Coco said picking it up and placing it in her saddle bag. 

“So you’re just going to take it?” Sunset questioned.

“Better me than some rotten overgrown thief who would sell it on the black market.” Coco pointed out as they all turned back around and continued on their path to the castle. 

What they didn’t know that they were watched by a dark blue smoke and it traveled along until it found what looked like a giant tortoise but with varieties of gemstones on its back and one on its head. 

The smoke came up to the tortoise and removed the gem on its head cause it to yelped wildly. It looked at its head in the reflecting river which showed an empty spot and thus began to cry over the loss of its precious gem.

As this happened Trixie and the others exited coming to a clearing in the forest and were now face to face with a raging river.

“Unless somepony feels like building a raft for the none flyers I don’t think were crossing anytime soon.” Trixie concluded and the rest of the girls frowned at it and after a few seconds of silence they heard something that was in the water crying. 

“What’s that?” Coco asked

“Who knows.” Dash replies

“Well it can’t be worse that Nightmare Moon.” Trixie said taking lead as they walked in the direction of the crying eventually coming across a giant tortoise.

The girls walked over to see what the problem. 

“Excuse me Mister but is something the matter?” Trixie asked but it was still crying as he looked to Trixie. 

“Well if you must know my beloved gemstone was taken from me that sat atop of my head. This…This empty spot makes me look hideous!” The tortoise said still crying up a storm and causing the water to rage on instead of flowing nicely. 

“Well I’m dreadfully sorry for your predicament…” Trixie started as an idea crossed her mind and she grinned widely.

“Excuse me Mr. Tortoise, but would you mind allowing us a ride to the other side of the river?” She than asks.

“You expect me to allow a ride when I’m in such a state? Have you no shame?” he whined as the rain of tears continued this time the tears seeming to land on Trixie drenching her.

Trixie went back to the girls “Well there goes that idea out the window.” Trixie stated as Dash flew over to her.

“What about me and Dust? We could fly you over.” Dash suggested as Trixie shakes her head.

“Not to be offensive Dash, but I don’t think you and Dust could handle it.” Trixie said

“WHAT!” Dash and Dust exclaimed as Sunset face hooves.

“What she means to say is that it would be two trips across a long distance, and neither of you have the stamina to carry three grown mares and a slightly younger mare.” Sunset states and looks to Trixie.

“I suppose that also puts teleporting out as an option to right?” She then adds as Trixie nods

“Yeah. Without a clear view as to where to go we could end up teleporting right into the middle of the river. Also we need to conserve our magic a bit in case we run into Nightmare Moon at the castle.” Trixie states

As they were talking Coco went closer to the tortoise and got a look at the shape of the gem that is supposed to be on its head. She let out a small gasp noticing its shape. Coco than brought the Yellow Sapphire out of her bag and looked between it and the tortoise.

“It’s such a rare gem…I might never find one again, but…” Coco began to ponder but it didn't take long for her decision.

She walked up to the crying tortoise and cleared her throat catching both the tortoise and her friend’s attention.

“Excuse me? But I was wondering if you would accept this as a replacement gem?” asked Coco and tortoise stop crying for a minute and looked at the gem that was laid before him and his whole demeanor change 

“Oh my. It’s such a lovely gem, and the perfect color to.” he began to lean down to pick it up. 

“Please allow me.” Coco says placing the gem in which was a perfect fit.

“Well I must say you look rather handsome for a tortoise of your stature.” Coco complemented.

The raging water returned to normal as the crying stopped.

“Your generosity is kind young mare. Allow me to repay you.” The tortoise said as he lowered himself deeper into the water allowing his shell to come closer.

“Now please get on, but do be careful not to dislodge any of my gems.” He said.

“Coco while I’m glad you did that, but weren't you going to give that gem to Rarity?” Trixie asked 

“Yeah, you know you’ll never find another Yellow Sapphire for a long time.” Sunset added.

“There is much more to life than just taking things, and at some point you must give back so others can enjoy the same things you have.” Coco stated.

“So she’s meaning to say you get more if you give, and by taking you only lose.” Trixie pondered as their journey continued on.

After reaching the other side thanks to the tortoise, saying there goodbye and hope to meet again sometime, they have finally what seemed forever reach the bridge that will take them across to the castle of the two sisters. 

“Well this’ll be a piece of the cake.” Trixie said with confidence 

“All we have to do is cross this…” before she finished she almost fell off the cliff if it weren’t for Dash catching her first and dragging her tail back up. 

“You sure do like cliffs Trixie.” Dash states sarcastically. Sunset looked at the edge of the cliff. 

“Well sign me up and call me freckles, the bridge is out.” Sunset said.

“How are we going to get across now?” Coco asked, but Dash cleared her throat and fluttered her wings a little to show she could go across. 

“Oh.” Coco responds embarrassed a bit. 

“I’ll go across and retie the bridge, Dust you stay here okay this won’t take long.” Dash ordered and Dust saluted as Dash took to the air grabbing the vine that was below the mist. 

As she made it to the other side and she began tying the knot for the bridge where her friends could see her she started to hear a voice calling her name 

“Rainbow Dash.” Said the voice in a soft feminine tone, this surprised Dash making her body go on the defensive as she stood her ground and wings flared out. 

“Alright who’s out there, come out! What do you want?” Dash called out raising her front hoofs waiting for any incoming threat.

The voice continued “We want you Rainbow Dash.” Said the voice again but it was getting closer. 

“You do, who are you?” Dash questioned still maintaining her defensive stance. 

“Who are we? We…” the voice that she was hearing became three figures in what seemed like an athlete flying suit. 

All three of them were pegasus ponies like Dash, two of them were stallions that seemed to be the bodyguards, and the other was a mare that was the leader of the pack, there suits matched all three of their mane and tail which dark colors ranging from black to gray, the eye lenses were a bright yellow 

“Are the Shadowbolts. The fastest aerial stunt team in the Everfree Forest, and soon to be all of Equestria.” The mare announce with pride. Dash could only hop in glee.

“So you guys are like the Wonderbolts right?” Dash question 

“We recent the Wonderbolts, and we are currently looking for new recruits.” She began flying and circling Dash. 

“Who have stamina.” She said 

“Check.” Dash replied.

“Skill.” She said again 

“Check and Check.” Dash replied back 

“Somepony like…” She flew in close to Dash’s ear. 

“You” she whispered and Dash immediately jumped in the air. 

“OH YEAH SIGN ME!” she yelled out and then she went back to what she was doing.

“Just give me a minute to tie this up and then…” before she could say another word.

“NO!” The female shadowbolt barked out getting in Dash’s way along with her companions. 

“It’s either them or us.” The mare said letting Dash make the decision while on the other side Trixie and the other could see what she was doing. 

“DASH DON’T YOU LISTEN TO THEM!” Trixie called out. The leader of the Shadowbolts look back at the group, her lenses glowed for a second and the fog became too thick to look through.

“Well Dash what’s it going to be, them or us?” she asked again. Dash thoughts went haywire as she was asked again. 

“What do I do, do become a Shadowbolt and forget my friends or stay with my friends and forget the Shadowbolts.”  She thought, then a thought came to her mind. 

“What a minute I never heard of the Shadowbolts in the first place. What a bunch of phonies.” Dash thought finally making a decision

“Thank you.” Dash says as the female shadowbolt grinned darkly thinking she won her over.

“For the offer I mean.” She adds getting close the female shadowbolt before going back the bridge and finishing tying it.

“But I never leave a friend hanging.” She finished as she flew off to meet back with her friends.

As for the Shadowbolts they turned into three separate balls of dark blue smoke and then merging together and flee into the nearby path. The fog cleared and came from it Dash reappeared raising her front hoofs for a pose when she landed. Everypony cheered when she came back and then they continued onward. 

“I thought you were going to go with them for a minute there you know.” Trixie said with a concerned look. 

“Hey I never leave my friends hanging ever, and besides I can’t leave you girls. Who will save yah next time you fall off a cliff.” Dash joked as she flew ahead doing a few small stunts as Trixie watched her.

“A friend that you could always rely on. I could never she could be so… loyal.”  Trixie thought her head low as she lead on.

A few minutes pass in silence as the daunting site of the castle grew ever closer.

“Are you sure we’ll be able to fight her?” Coco said looking down her voice no higher than an audible whisper. 
“Oh come on, yeah she may look scary at first but I’m sure we can manage even if we are a little scared.” Lightning assured her.
“I’m sure we can take her on!” Dash said puffing out her chest.

“Yeah. As long as we are together we can handle anything she throws at us.” Dust said with a sly grin.

The girls walked what seemed like ten or twenty minutes when they finally arrived at the gates of the Castle of the Two Sisters but to their dismay the drawbridge was up, that provided a dilemma for the girls.

The castle itself was intimidating, some of the cement blocks have been either knocked out of place or half destroyed, the two towers were either missing a lot shingles from and the third destroyed. Dash and Dust took to the skies to see if there was a way to release the drawbridge.

“I think there’s a way in but it’s going to take some time to actually find any lever in their!” Dash called out. 

“Okay just you two be careful in there you hear me!” Trixie called back. 

“Hey careful is my middle name.” Dash boasted. 

“I thought your middle name was Aurora.” Dust said with a chuckle.

Dash face hoofed “It’s a figure of speech Dust, now come on let’s go!” Dash said before shooting off toward the big hole in the roof and Dust follows.

They both entered inside the castle and just as bad as the outside it was bad on the inside too. The walls color had faded over time, most of the banners have been torn down or in a condition that would make Rarity faint. Several destroyed pillars were scattered about.

The two mares looked around for a switch or a lever that would bring the drawbridge down.

“This place is too scary for my taste. Let’s find whatever we’re looking for and get out of here.” Dust said in a more worried tone, which Dash nodded in agreement. They began flying around for a while.

“Dash we’ve been looking around this place for like eternity.” Dust saying breathing a bit heavy. 

Dash was still looking and then saw something that looks like a statue and flew over too it. It was a statue of an alicorn with the horn straight and pointing at them. The statue looked identical to Celestia. 

“Hey isn’t this statue a little crooked.” Dust said and began turning the statue to the right until there was a click sound.

The drawbridge descended down to the rest of the girls that were waiting outside. The girls walked in where Dash and Dust were. 

“Man this place is messier than my house after a magic overload.” Sunset replied looking around at the mess.

“I would agree. Though this place is a castle and its quite old if I don’t say so myself.” Cheerliee agreed.

“Girls now is not the time to admire this place we need to find the elements and Nightmare Moon, so time is wasting.” Trixie said moving forward. The rest nodded in agreement following her.

“Well do you know where Ms. Nightmare Moon is in this place?” Dash questioned raising an eyebrow making Trixie stop in her tracks. She rubbed her chin for a bit then a small sweat drop came across her face. 

“Uh…hehehe… no.” Trixie bluntly said causing the others to trip over themselves.

“WHAT!” was what Dash said and flew up into Trixie’s face.

“You said you knew how to get here and yet you don’t know where she is in this place!” Dash yelled out causing Trixie to backpedal a bit.

“Hey, this is Trixie’s first time in the castle and Trixie wouldn’t know this places layout.” Trixie ranted, and then paused at what she was saying.

“Thank you very much Dash, now you got Trixie speaking in third pony!” She yelled out and walked off to calm down and the others followed. 

Meanwhile in the throne room of the castle stood Nightmare Moon was on an old throne as she used her magic to watch the girls. She let out a sly grin.

“So somponies think they can stop me. No matter by the end of this they will be bowing before me.” Nightmare Moon says as she began casting a spell. 

“Come my subjects of the night, come and dispose of these intruders from my sight.” Nightmare Moon chanted and six puffs of smokes appeared.

Each buff of smoke began to transform into six darker ponies. Two unicorns, two earth ponies, and two pegasus ponies came out. The first one looked like Rainbow Dash but its coat was a darker cyan and its eyes were dark green, another was like Cheerliee but its coat and mane were very dark colored opposites of the original Cheerliee even the eyes were a dark magenta. The pony that looked like Lightning Dust, it’s mane was a dark purple with a streak of dark blue in it, coat is a dark turquoise, and her eyes were darken gold.

The fourth  transformed into a dark version of Coco Pommel with her mane two shades of gray, a dark amber tan coat; its eyes were a darker cyan. The fifth became a dark version of Sunset Shimmer with her mane a dark crimson with a dark gold in it, and its coat was dark brilliant amber with its eyes of a light cyan. The last had a dark azure blue coat with dark platinum mane, with dark magenta eyes.

All of them appeared and were ready “Now go my subjects show these guests a good time.” Nightmare Moon commanded.

“Yes. All hail to the nightmare!” they chanted and ran off to find the intruders that were within the castle. As they past there was another room that contained five stoned spheres unknown of what they do.

In another part of the castle the girls stayed close together with Cheerliee, Sunset, Coco, and Trixie staying on the ground while Dust, and Dash stayed in the air in case to alert them of anything coming their way. The girls saw two big blue doors that looked like it led to another area of the castle.

“Should we open it?” Coco asked hesitant as Trixie lets out a sigh stepping up to the doors.

“Well I don’t see any other doors around and this looks like the only way we can go right now.” Trixie concluded as all the girls began opening the doors. The doors creaked open and revealed was a large area that looked like the ballroom of the castle. Along the entrance was a staircase, and two other doors; one leading straight ahead and another to the right.

The girls were in awe of the sight when they entered. Sure the ballroom was empty but there was a hanging chandelier above them which lit up the room with six candles lit with purple flames.

“This place is so gorgeous, patch it up and redo the walls with a little old hoof grease and it would look good as new.” Coco commented as the others looked at her with questioning glances.

Coco blushed a little embarrassed at her own antics.

“What you thought fashion had to do with just clothing?” Coco said in a deadpan voice.

Trixie let out a giggle “Okay girls now all we have to do is figure out which way to take it either: the doors or the stairs?” Trixie looked at the girls to see if they could make a decision. 

“Well the stairs would make more sense, I mean if I were Nightmare Moon and want to make sure the elements were never found; I would hide them at the highest place possible.” Sunset deduced 

“Well it could be that simple, but if it was me I would hide the elements within this maze of a castle behind one of these doors.” Dash argued then Cheerliee chimed in.

“Well both do sound good choices but we would have to find out for ourselves.” She added.

“Well I could find out and if there is anything interesting upstairs.” Dust chimed in and sped toward it, but before she could get close she ran smack into… nothing. Dust pealed back and shook her head in surprise. 

“Huh?” was the only thing came from her mouth when a ripple effect came from what she hit. Trixie approached it and tapped her hoof causing it to ripple. 

“What in Celestia’s name is this?” Trixie said shock of this development.

Then they heard what seemed like echoes of laughs from a group of mad mares that seemed to be coming from everywhere “So are you surprised about our force field spell little innocent pony.” A voice said.

“Oh aren’t we going to have some fun today!” said another 

“Easy there, they are the intruders and they must be punished as such.” Adds a third voice 

“Can we just get this over with they look and seem boring to the sight.” A fourth chimed in bored.

“I’m going to enjoy ripping them apart limb from limb.” A fifth said rather sadistically.

“I think it’s only fair that we introduce ourselves to them shall we.” The final voice adds in a rather polite tone, but still sounded dark.

“YEAH!” the other five voices shouted in glee.

After that, six smokes came from the chandelier above them as the six candles flickered causing them to go out. It wasn’t completely dark but it wasn’t bright enough either but just enough to see. The six smokes took on theirs forms and as they did one by one the girls were stunned as what they were seeing in front of them. 

“But that impossible.” Trixie said taking in a breath.

“What in the hay is going on?” Dash says stunned, Dust just hovered in place at the sight before Cheerliee spoke up scared to death. 

“B-But h-how” She stuttered a bit. Coco was too scared to even move. While Sunset got into a fighting stance.

As the smoke cleared the dark versions of the 6 had finally taken physical form.

“Are you surprised? Why of course you are.” The leader who looked like Trixie remarked before continuing 

“We are the servants of the Moon deity herself. I am Shadow Moon.” She introduced 

“I’m Shadow Dash.” Said the other 

“I’m Shadow Dust.” 

“Call me Shadow Shimmer.” 

“I am Shadow Liee” 

“And finally I am Shadow Pommel as in I’m going to pummel you into dust.” She laughed in sadistic tone. 

The leader spoke up “We only serve the mare of the night and those who oppose her will be…” Shadow Moon made an imaginary line below her neck with her hoof. 

“Eliminated.” She finished with a sadistic grin as S. Pommel clapped her hooves in delight.

The girls were still stunned at what they were looking at basically themselves in a way, but twisted to suit the mare of the night and serve as the best shot at possibly stopping them.

“Well this is a predicament.” Trixie thought sweating.

“And don’t think of running away this forcefield we keep you here as long as we wish it.” Shadow Sunset said and got into her fighting stance which was similar to Sunset’s.

“So who would like to go first eh?” Shadow Pommel asked as the rest of the dark counterparts got into their own fighting stances.

That got the rest of the girls out their trance they were in after she said that. Sunset stepped forward and looked back to the other girls.

“Okay girls if we’re going to get to Nightmare Moon we are going to get past these fakers first. As a friend of mine said ‘It’s time for an applesauce kicking hoedown!’” Sunset stated as she began running toward her fake self. 

“Yeah come on let’s show these fakers who the real ponies are!” Dash stated as sped toward her fake self. 

Cheerliee regained her composure “Well if it must be done, then so be it.” She said as she charged at her dark self.

Trixie, Coco, and Lightning Dust nodded as Dust and Coco charged at the other while Trixie fired a blast of magic at her dark half. 

The battle began between the originals and their dark halves. Shadow Dash and Rainbow Dash were already having a knockout drag out fight with their hooves going back and forth trying to hit each other. Dash took a right hoof to the side of her jaw causing her to spin and land on the ground. Dash rubbed her jaw to make sure it wasn’t broken.

“C’mon is this all that the so called fastest flyer in all of Equestria can do?” S Dash taunted hovering over RD.

Dash got back up and cracked her neck as she looked at S Dash and gave a sly grin.

“Nope I’m just warming up!” She shouted and took to the air again. 

While her fight was happening Sunset and S. Shimmer fight was heating up as both were literally horn to horn at each other.

“Do you think that we could be beaten easily? Well you have another thing coming!” S Shimmer taunted pushing back making Sunset walk back.

“I’m…not giving…up…yet.” Sunset said as she tried to push back, but it was not working at all.

“She’s just too strong.” She thought.

While Sunset continues her strength match Lightning Dust was focusing dodging S. Dusts hooves from hitting her. 

“Slacker. Clown. Party Freak.” S. Dust said these with every hoof she thrown only to miss Lightning until her forth hoof punch made contact with the right side of her jaw.

“Do you think that anypony is actually going to like you because of your fooling around? You’re nothing but an annoyance to all ponies.” S. Dust replied and LD answered back quickly with a counter hoof to her side of her skull. 

“Everypony loves me back home. All I’m doing is being me and nopony is going to tell me otherwise.” She stated and began her counterattack on S. Dust.

Cheerliee was having difficulty fight off Shadow Liee which the only thing that see was outmatch was Shadow Liee speed on the ground and striking Cheerliee with quick but accurate strikes causing her to fall on her side with S. Liee standing over her.

“Now do you see it is pointless to fight us and now this castle will become your tomb.” S. Liee stated but Cheerliee quickly got back up and bucked her with her hind legs in the dark mare’s teeth. 

“Not yet, I’m not going to die today.” Cheerliee stated calmly with a glare at her dark half.

Coco was backed into the force fields corner and scared out of her wits trying to get away from her dark half after sustaining some blows from her all to her lower and upper body but all what Shadow Pommel did was just grin wildly. 

“Well are you finally going to give in yet?” S. Pommel smiled and licked her lips at the scared pony. 

“What do I do, I can’t fight to save my own flank, I’m just too scared to fight back.”  She thought 

“Should I give up?” she questioned herself shaking in fear.

Another moment passed as she closed her eyes in defeat as she closed her eyes to let her mind wonder off only for her mind to recall something that had been told to her in the past.

“We all can’t control our fears but only you can conquer your fears than there is nothing that you can’t do.”Coco eyes shot back open from what the voice said. 

“Well I guess it’s time to put you out of your…” Before S. Pommel could finish her sentence she was full on head tackled by Coco with surprising strength enough to throw S. Pommel to the ground.

“Do you ever shut up?” She said now standing above her dark self despite the splitting headache she just gave herself.

Trixie was having a duel of magic with her dark half and both of them were even in both power and technique but the only thing that Trixie was lacking is stamina so she could only able to make small bursts of magic. Shadow Moon saw this as an opportunity for her to strike at her. S. Moon increased the output of her magic to push Trixie back a ways toward the force field.

“You are only delaying your end little pony. Why don’t you make it easier on yourself and surrender to the Nightmare.” She taunted as she increased her magic output more pushing Trixie now to the edge of her shield.

“She’s too strong even for me to handle but I need to create an opening or I’m going to be knocking on the gates of the afterlife.”  Trixie panic at her thought as she looked around at everypony who were having their own trouble.

“Everypony is counting on me to get through and everypony is doing their best too, so I can’t let them down.”  Trixie thought as she slowly walked her way toward S. Moon.

“Well it seem you still have some fight left in you after all, but you effort will be all for naught. You are nothing but a weak pony who doesn’t deserve to live.” S. Moon said.

“You’re saying like you know me.” Trixie stated. 

“Oh we the servants of the moon know all of you before you even know about yourself.” S. Moon said with a wild grin.

“Did she really just...” Trixie thought then came up with an idea.

“If you know me well…” Trixie began as she broke the connection with their magic which now hit the shield and sprinted toward Sunset and S. Shimmer who were still locking horns and Trixie tackled S. Shimmer. 

“Let’s trade partners!” she finished and Sunset picked up on what she was doing and sprinted toward S. Moon. As soon as Trixie and Sunset traded places everypony got the same idea the others.

Dash went after S. Dust; Lightning Dust went after S. Dash, Cheerliee went after S. Pommel, Coco sprint and proceed to head butt S. Liee. With the tables turned it was only a matter of minutes before the Shadows were pushed back towards their own force field.

“Hey this is no fair!” S. Pommel shouted out as she was getting forced back by Cheerliee 

“How could they?” S. Dash getting literal aerial tackle by Dust. 

“We got to retreat everypony!” S. Moon stated surprised by this turn of events and all of them turned into six puffs of smoke and disappeared.

After they have retreated there was the sound of glass shattering as the force field that had been put up shattered with the ones who put it up now gone.

“Is everypony alright? No injuries?” Cheerliee asked limping a little.

“I’m good but my horn is going to be sore for a month after this.” Sunset stated. Coco slowly walked up but was favoring her front right hoof and rubbing her skull. 

“I’m little beaten but it’s could’ve been worse.” Coco said.

Trixie was just panting probably tried from her fight with her dark self and with S. Sunset.

“Just…need…to rest.” Was all she could say before collapsing, luckily Lightning Dust was there to support her so she didn’t fall on the solid ground. 

“I’m alright, even though that mean me definitely gave me a sore jaw.” Dust said as she popped her jaw back into place stifling a scream.

“Same here, but it doesn’t hurt as much.” Rainbow Dash said until her jaw was poked by Sunset’s hoof. 

“OW OW OW! SUNSET WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” Dash shouted putting a hoof on her sore jaw.

“Doesn’t hurt as much hmm?” She raised an eyebrow at Dash. 

“Okay so it hurts doesn’t mean you have to go poking at it!” Dash replies frustrated as Sunset only giggled at her. 

“Okay girls with Trixie out of it and Coco’s hoof we may have to carry them, Dust you carry Trixie and Sunset will carry Coco.” Cheerliee said still limping a little from her back left leg 

“And what about you, you don’t seem in best condition either you know.” Dash stated pointing at Cheerliees limping hoof. 

“Oh it’s nothing really.” Cheerliee fake smiled as she tried putting pressure on her back hoof only for her to retract it back.

“AH! Looks like it is a little more tender than I thought.” She blushed in embarrassment. 

“I guess you can carry me Dash for a little while until the aching in my hoof stops.” She said as Dash scoped her up on her back along with Dust carrying Trixie and Sunset carrying Coco. 

“Okay everypony let’s get going.” Sunset announced as they began walking straight ahead to hopefully to confront Nightmare Moon.

Meanwhile in the throne room of the castle where Nightmare Moon stood along with her six servants 

“Thou have asked of you to do one simple little job and yet… YOU FAILED AND HAVE DONE QUITE THY OPPOSITE.” Nightmare Moon shouted at her servants. 

“We beg of you mistress to give us another chance and we will destroy them.” S. Moon pleaded.

“SILENCE!” She shouted again as she cast a spell that returned them back into puffs of smoke.

“ONLY THE GATES OF THE AFTERLIFE AWAIT THOSE WHO FAIL ME!” Nightmare Moon then proceed to blast all of them with six lightning bolts to make they would never to be given a second thought and with that they were gone.

She sighed “It’s really hard to find good servants these days.” She states extremely annoyed as she prepares for her backup plan(s).

With the girls 10 minutes had passed and despite injured hoofs and recovering from what could only be described as a major headache in the case of Sunset and Trixie all of them were moving onwards. Trixie woke up to notice that she was being carried by Lightning Dust.

“Wh-What’s going on?” She asked “You kinda passed out Trixie so I’m carrying you for a bit.” Dust explained. Trixie looked around to see that Coco and Cheerliee were also being carried and looked at them with concern. 

“They were injured during the fight but they’ll be okay.” Dust reassured her only for Trixie to let out a sigh of relief.

“Well you don’t have to carry me anymore Lightning Dust I can walk just fine.” Trixie said as she got off her back, stumbling a bit but was okay. 

“Just call me Dust or Lightning that I’d prefer.” She said as they were getting closer to their location. 

After everypony recovered from their wounds the group came across a large room that wasn’t all ruined like the other rooms they’ve came to, there was also a large tree statue having five stone spheres on each branch.

“Five stones, these have to be the Elements of Harmony I just know it.” Trixie said to herself as she saw them. Dust and Dash went to grab each of the stone spheres. 

“Gently we don’t won’t them to bust to pieces.” Trixie says cautiously as all the spheres were placed in front of her. 

“Have any bright ideas?” Cheerliee asked 

“Well now I have to see if I can cause some sort of reaction.” Trixie stood by the stones. 

“But it will take time for to work.” She added and began casting a spell on the stone elements.

“C’mon girls let’s give Miss Trixie some space so she can concentrate.” Coco said motioning to every other pony to move away. 

Trixie continued casting her spell to maintain it trying to remake the elements.

A giant flash interrupted her seemed like a hoof hit her knocking her back a few feet. What appeared in front of her was none other than the dark alicorn Nightmare Moon.

Trixie grind her teeth together looking at Nightmare Moon who looked rather displeased.

“Naughty pony don’t you know it’s rude to enter ones home without permission.” She said shaking her hoof in disapproval.

“And do you know that it is rude to bring eternal night to Equestria.” Trixie countered. Nightmare Moon began to stir up a small tornado with her mist and lifted the five spheres up to her and began to teleport.

When Trixie realized what she was doing she jumped into the small tornado teleporting her with Nightmare Moon. When the girls saw the flash they came rushing only to find that Trixie had disappeared from the room. 

“Where’d she go?” Sunset asked looking around for Trixie.

“Well c’mon then let’s get a move on girls!” Dash roared as they all ran or flew to find Trixie as fast as they can.

The small tornado appeared in the throne room; Trixie was thrown from the tornado and was knocked back a few feet while Nightmare Moon stood next to her throne and behind her was the five stone spheres that she was guarding. All that Trixie could do was stare her down 

“Ooh ponyfeathers now what I’m I going to do when she has to elements over there? What would Dash do right about now?”  Trixie thought it over then came to a single crazy decision.

“Looks like I got no other choice.” She concluded.

Trixie took a charge position and lit up her horn. 

“You have got to be kidding me.” Nightmare Moon said as if she was joking, but got her answer when Trixie began to charge at her, and Nightmare Moon responded by charging at Trixie horn pointed toward her. 

Before Trixie and Nightmare collided, Trixie had teleported behind Nightmare and ran straight toward the elements and continued where she left off. 

“C’mon just one little spark please.” Trixie practically begging her spell to work.

Nightmare Moon realized what Trixie did and glances back and her eyes flash in anger.

“You imprudent mare how dare you trick me!” Nightmare scoffs and teleports in front of Trixie knocking her away from the elements, but it seemed that her spell did have an effect on the elements because they were starting to spark in light.

“NO! That is impossible!” Nightmare said in fear of the elements reawakening.

Unfortunately the spark of the elements didn’t last long as it faded from them. That made her grin in joy. 

“Well it seems that you have failed my little pony. The darkness is here to stay!” she laughed as she reared up her front hoofs and brought them down on the elements, shattering them into pieces. 

Trixie could only look on in horror as they were destroyed. Nightmare laughed in glee as the only thing that could defeat her was now far out of reach.

The rest of the girls came running in having finally managed to find her.

“Trixie!” they all shouted then they all froze when Nightmare Moon was in there sights. 

“You’re too late my little ponies.” Nightmare Moon states as Trixie looked at the broken pieces of the elements.

“The Elements of Harmony are no more, and the moon shall stay as I rule over all!” she added. All hope for them were lost without the elements there was no chance.

Trixie thought it over about the elements and the book she read about them “There are six elements of harmony: laughter, kindness, generosity, honesty, and loyalty. The sixth elements is unknown but it only reveals itself when one is worthy of it.” Trixie recalled

“Worthy?” she whispered as a small spark within each element began to react as Trixie recalled the events of tonight. How she felt about the ones who she first thought of unnecessary baggage.

A bright light erupted in the room from where the elements were at.

“What is the meaning of this trickery?” Nightmare Moon said in confusion shielding her eyes from the bright light.

“I think I’m starting to understand the meaning of the elements, and…of what they really mean!” Trixie states as shards of the elements began to circle about the everpony except for her.

One turned into a brilliant orange sun “Sunset an honest pony who is willing to give up her life to save another.” She began as Nightmare howled in anger and tried to get at them, but a strong barrier seemed to be protecting them repelling Nightmare Moon.

Another transformed into a light blue lightning bolt accompanied with a star “Lightning Dust always keeps everypony happy and smiling in the face of fears itself.”

Nightmare Moon continued to bash at the barrier as a sense of fear began to take hold. What she feared most was coming to pass.

Another began to take shape of a pink daisy “Cheerliee, she showed that nothing big or small is to always show a little kindness because kindness can always go a long way.”

The barrier held firm at this statement and let out a small shockwave knocking her onto her flank.

The forth transformed into a purple feather “Coco Pommel she showed that generosity can sometimes come at a price but you always feel good inside knowing that you helped somepony no matter who they are.”

The dark alicorn rose and let out a blood curdling scream as she charged the barrier with all her might.

The fifth one turned into a red lightning bolt “Rainbow Dash, her loyalty to her friends means the world to her and she would never…” she looked towards Dash 

“Ever leave a friend behind.” She says as Dash puffs out her chest proudly.

Another shockwave stronger than the last repelled Nightmare Moon at this statement. It was strong enough to render her to the ground.

The five shards were placed in the shards but then there was a sixth flash, and in the flash appeared a crown embedded with a purple five pointed star with a crescent moon around it.

“The spark...the spark is friendship itself! It is something that is inside all of us.” Trixie stated as herself and the others floated in midair. Trixie’s eyes began to glow as a double helix rainbow shot up and shot down towards Nightmare Moon hitting her.

“NOOOO! I AM NIGHTMARE MOON, THE PENICLE OF DARKNESS! YOU WILL NEVER BE RID OF ME!” She yelled trying to fight back but it was no use as a dark smoke began to leave Nightmare Moon’s body and vanish without a trace.

The bright rainbow vanished and the six ponies landed on the ground. All of them were huffing after that event with the necklaces they were wearing.

“Did… it… work?” Coco panted between words. Her question was answered by a slight groan coming from where Nightmare Moon stood except it wasn’t Nightmare Moon. 

The pony that was unconscious was about a little bit bigger than the rest of them, her horn was about half as long as a regular unicorn, her eyes were no longer green catlike but more dark cyan with normal pupils as a normal pony and her wings were that of a normal pegasus instead all vampire like, and her cutie mark was a white crescent moon surrounded by a night scene. She also wore a small armor piece in front of her with a crescent moon mark as well, her mane and tail was that of night itself, and her coat was a dark sapphire blue.

The ponies were shocked at first seeing this new pony in fact an alicorn pony.

“Do not worry, she is not a threat anymore.” A motherly voice said from behind them, when they looked behind them, a pony that was three time there size with a horn that was also three times longer than an average unicorn, wings that were that expanded longer than a pegasus, her coat is a silk white, her cutie mark was almost similar as Sunsets but with a yellow and a brilliant orange color, her mane was mixed with light magenta, light green, and light blue and seemed to flow whenever she walks, her eyes were a dark pink color and wore a armor piece in front that covers her chest with a crest of the burning sun.

“P-P-Princess Celestia!” Trixie yelled out in surprise.

“Yes.” She answered.

“Are you okay Princess?” Sunset asked.

“Yes I am, but thank you for worrying.” She answered in a motherly tone. 

“Whoa hold everything, what do mean she can’t harm us anymore?” Dash questioned 

“Because when you used the Elements of Harmony it purified her from her darkness.” Celestia said as she looked toward the pony 

“Isn’t that correct… sister.” Celestia said catching everypony off guard.

The pony flinched as if she was going to be hurt or worse by her sister who was standing over her. What came as a surprise to her was her elder sister to her hoof and wrapped it around her neck 

“I’m glad that you are not hurt Luna.” She said as she comforted her confused sister.

“But dear sister it was thy that was blinded by jealousy and rage that thy couldn’t stand living in the shadows of thou dear sister of the sun.” Luna said.

The others were both shocked and confused at the same time.

“Whoa! Whoa! Hold it!” Dash shouted making everypony look toward her. 

“So all this time we were fighting your sister!” Dash exclaimed.

“And you didn’t tell us!” Trixie finished getting only a nod from Celestia.

“Yes my dear student, I’m afraid that if I would have told you who Nightmare Moon was you would be to focused on stopping her, and not realize the true reason I sent you here.” Celestia said.

Trixie was speechless from Celestia’s words but could only give a slight nod in agreement. Celestia turned back to her sister. 

“Rise up dear sister, let us return to Canterlot and prepare properly.” Celestia said, but her sister still confused

“Dear sister what about thy judgment sister, after all transpired today, would thy deserved forgiveness from thee, good sister?” Luna questioned 

“All can be forgiven dear Luna; Though my council will be wanting to know about the events that transpired today.” She says with a chuckle as Luna chuckles.

“Thy is surprised that thou still keeps a council.” She states.

Celestia and Luna returned to  Ponyville to resume the celebration where it was interrupted. After Celestia raised the sun, she and her sister were prepared to leave back to Canterlot. 

Trixie watched as Celestia and Luna walked in the chariot with the guard pegasi preparing to take to the skies. 

“What troubles you my dear student?” Celestia asked.

“Well princess, I don’t know what to do I mean your letter that you sent me.” Trixe starts as she brings out the letter.

“And this troubles you how?” Celestia asked.

“Well… it’s just that… it doesn’t say about staying here.” Trixie said. Celestia pondered what Trixie was trying to tell her and then realized.

“If I’m not mistaken you are wanting to remain here in Ponyville, is that what your trying to ask me.” Celestia said only to make Trixie bolt up in surprise.

“Well yes, and it’s something else that was said in your letter. For me to make some friends, and well I don’t want to leave them now that I’ve meet them. I would like to request to stay here in Ponyville.” Trixie asked waiting on her decision.

She pondered that question for a minute and noticed out of the corner of her eye the five that had been with Trixie.

“So you have made some good friends here I see.” She said looking towards the other five.

“Yes I have. They maybe unorthodox, and maybe strange, but that’s what makes us a unique group.” Trixie stated.

“Then you have my permission to stay in Ponyville, but of course there is a small condition.” Celestia said with a small smile.

“I would like you my dear student to send me reports about your discoveries on the magic of friendship as you stay here.” She says.

Trixie nods while bowing “Thank you thank you thank you! Trixie is most grateful.” She said as Celestia chuckles 

“You are doing it again my student.” She says as Trixie blushes in embarrassment.

Nearby her friends watched this and let out a good natured laugh.

“You know with Trixie here I think things are going to be more exciting.” Dash states as the others nod in agreement.

“Yeah, but everything will be just fine.” Sunset says.

-Meanwhile Somewhere Else-

“All they want out of me is some trophy. Nopony actually loves me.” A pony thought

“That can be changed…” A dark voice says in the pony’s head.

Hours later a dark laughter echoed throughout Canterlot.


> The Ticket Master
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trixie yawned as she woke up in her bed in Golden Oaks and prepared herself for the coming day that was to happen. She looked to her night stand and sitting there was a photo taken with her and the friends that she has made.

“I can’t believe it has been almost a week since that happened.” Trixie says aloud as Spike pokes his head out of the basket he sleeps in.

“Yeah, best thing the princess did was sending you here.” Spike agrees getting out of the basket and stretching out to wake up.

“Though I really think she could have made better living arrangements. I mean it’s enough we lived in a tower filled with books.” He adds making Trixie glare at him.

“What’s wrong with a library?” Trixie asks as Spike gulps and tries to think of something to get her mind off what he just said as there is a knock at the front.

Before Trixie can say anything Spike runs to it and opens it revealing Sunset Shimmer.

“Good morning Spike. Are you and Trixie ready?” She asks confusing the dragon who scratched his head making Sunset sigh.

“You and Trixie promised to help me sort out my books since today’s my day off from tutoring.” She reminded as Spike give a sheepish smile rubbing a claw behind his head.

“How do I always get myself into these things?” he wonders.



The Ticket Master

Trixie and Spike followed after sunset to her home which she also doubled as a tutoring class. Her home in size could be compared to that of Fluttershy’s cottage, and was painted colors matching that of the mare who owned it.

They stepped inside and was slightly amazed. The inside of the place actually looked bigger that the appearance from the outside. Shelves aligned the back wall and were filled to the brim with a variety of books, but well of three fourths of them were littered on the floor.

Immediately the two mares and one baby dragon set off to work on this project.

“Wow just how many books do you here?” Trixie asked levitating a book to an empty shelf. 

“Several.” Sunset replies as she decided to show a few to Trixie.

“These ones here are for some of the younger colts and fillies I tutor. Pretty much contains the basics from how to connect to their mana and use their magic, and how to cast the most basic of spells.” She says before shelving it and grabbing another.

“Books like this are for some of my more advance students and teens. Give a bit more of an in depth explanation to the spells and how to use them in other ways.” She continues and puts them away before grabbing a few more.

“And these ones are more for ponies like you and me Trix. Very complex spells, and since they are complex I don’t let my students touch them.” She says before shelving them and cast her failsafe spell meant to give a small shock to those who don’t have the same level of magic as herself or Trixie.

As Spike was beginning to put away another book he burped up a puff of green flames that nearly hit a set of books, but missed and a scroll formed landing on top of a book case.

Spike sighs and grabs a ladder going up the book case and grabbed the letter. He slid down the ladder and cleared his throat before unrolling the scroll and read it.

“Here ye, Here ye. You have been invited to attend the annual Grand Galloping Gala being held at Canterlot with a plus one. You must wear formal attire for the Gala or you would not be able to attend. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.” Spike finished pulling out two gold tickets for the gala and Spike raising them up.

“Two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Trixie and Sunset said in unison. 

“I could only see it right now” Sunset began to picture an image in her head.

Sunset imaged herself in at the gala in a dress as she talked and laughed with a few others “Just me having a great time not having a care in the world…” she starts

Sunset saw herself talking with a few nobles who had foals “I could also get some publicity for my tutoring.” She said with a smile and looks to Trixie.

“Oh Trix you got to take me along.” Trixie could only look at her and rub a hoof behind her neck.

“I don’t see why no…” She starts before something else happened.

And that some else came crashing through a window with a shout from above and a rainbow trail following close behind “LOOK OUT BELOW!” 

Trixie and Sunset avoided the blur known as Rainbow Dash who crashed right into the book shelves ruining a hours worth of organizing.

“Dash! Can’t you watch were your going?” Sunset yells with a glare when Dash pokes her head out of the books piled on top of her.

“Sorry about that Sunset. Look I’m not hurt, though you could do something about those stupid books of yours. Ruined a good trick I was working on.” Dash said as Sunset’s fur began to turn bright read in anger.

“Did I hear something about tickets?” Dash then adds recalling the secondary reason that she had crashed in the first place.

“Yeah. Trixie here got a spare ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala, and she is thinking of taking Sunset with her to it.” Spike said holding up the tickets.

“Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Dash leaped up in the air in excitement at this news.

“Oh please take me, I’ll do your chores for a week!” Dash begged grabbing Trixie who along with Sunset looked utterly confused at this action.

“Whoa, hold it Dash, why do you want to go? I thought you didn’t like fancy parties?” Trixie questioned getting out of the hug.

“It’s not the party I look forward to, it’s mainly seeing the Wonderbolts.” She said proudly.

“Okay I’ll bite. Who are the Wonderbolts?” Trixie asked with a sigh as Dash gasps like Pinkie.

“You don’t know who the Wonderbolts are?!” Dash exclaimed as Trixie who give a sheepish smile and nods.

Around Canterlot three pegasi in blue suits with yellow lightning like trimming and yellow rimmed goggles flew about doing tricks and stunts of various kinds “There just the best stunt team in all of Equestria and they perform at the gala every year” Dash starts.

Dash imagines herself flying in doing stunts of the same caliber as them “So if I go I’ll be able to show them what I’m made of, and have a shot at joining them.” Dash proclaimed standing proudly spreading her wings wide.

“Well you’ll have to wait next year because Trixie is taking me to the gala right Trix?” Sunset asked getting in Dash’s personal space before glancing back at Trixie.

“Um… well.” Trixie responded nervously sweat starting to form.

“No! She’s taking me!” Dash argued glaring as she tried to push Sunset back.

“No! ME!” Sunset countered as they continued to argue and attempting to push the other back.

Trixie let out a sigh before turning towards her little assistant who was resisting the urge to laugh at the scene.

“Spike let’s get out of here while there busy arguing.” Trixie as they tipped hoofed out of Sunset’s house. 

“ME!” 

“ME!” 

“M…Wait a second…” Sunset starts and looked around.

“Hey! Don’t be trying to change things Sunset.” Dash said.

“Where’d Trixie go to?” Sunset questioned and that made Dash start to look around to. 

“Maybe you scared her off?” Dash suggested making Sunset look back to her with a glare.

“Did not!” Sunset said 

“Did so!” Dash countered and more arguing ensued. 

Even though Spike and Trixie had left the general area of Sunset’s home the arguing was echoing so they could be heard. 

“Those two sure have a set of lungs on them.” Spike notes from atop of Trixie’s back.

“They sure do. I’m surprised the two of them have gotten along for as long as they claim.” Trixie adds.

“So have made a decision yet?” Spike asked looking down to her.

“No I haven’t yet.” Trixie’s stomach began to growl in hunger not having had breakfast that morning.

“And I don’t think I’ll be able to make one until I have lunch.” As she said this a fast turquoise and yellow object came hurdling at the two which resulted in a collision.

The results where one frazzled and annoyed unicorn mare, a disgruntled baby dragon that was face down on the ground with two tickets on his head, and a rather embarrassed turquoise pegasi who was on top of the azure unicorn.

“Lightning Dust could watch where you’re going?” Trixie said using her magic to lift Dust off her who let out a light hearted laugh.

“Really sorry about…” Dust started until she then noticed what was on top of a mumbling Spike.

“Are those what I think those are?” Dust asked grabbing one and let out a squeal of delight at the sight.

“They are! They tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala and you got two of them!” Dust began jumping with joy.

“Oh please please please take me!” She said flying around Trixie.

“Now hold on their Dust.” Trixie says to Dust who stops flying when she hears this.

“I don’t know who I’m giving the extra ticket to, plus why do you even want to go?” Trixie asked.

“Well…It is a party. Alright I was thinking if I went I’d get the opportunity to maybe liven things up.” Dust admits.

“I’ve heard lots of things about it, and one word not associated with the gala is fun. Snore feast is more like it.” She adds.

“Now that I think about Princess Celestia is always unnaturally irritable after the gala.” Trixie thought recalling the times Celestia unintentionally snapped at her and then apologized later for her behavior.

“Don’t worry Dust. I’ll make my decision soon.” Her stomach started growling again making Trixie blush a bit. 

“After I get some lunch” She adds as her and Spike trotted off to a nearby restaurant.

“So… that’s a maybe.” Lightning asked tilting her head to the side 

The two made their way to an outdoor restaurant and when they arrived they were already looking over the pre placed menus on the table they sat at. 

“So have you decided yet to give the extra ticket to.” Spike asked. 

She only responded by looking at the menu deciding on both what to eat and who she should bring with her. To say she was frustrated at the moment was a rather big understatement.

“Uhh…Trixie didn’t you hear me?” Spike asked getting a groan from Trixie who looked to the dragon.

“Trixie doesn’t know who to bring, they all have a good point, but Trixie just can’t decide!” she yelled out grabbing everyponies attention including the waiter who was now at her table.

Spike cleared his throat and indicated to the crowd around them. Trixie looked about than blushed in embarrassment at her outburst.

“Um… Trixie will have a daffodil sandwich and some hayfries.” She said quickly as the waiter took her order 

“Trixie.” Spike starts as Trixie sighs realizing what she was doing…again.

“I know I was speaking in third pony again, I’ve got to stop doing that.” Trixie deadpanned herself as the waiter came back with her order and return to the building. 

“Finally!” Trixie exclaimed as she lifted the sandwich to meet her mouth, she was about to take a bite when the waiter called out.

“Um miss, are you going to eat in the rain?” the waiter asked as several other ponies came rushing past him taking shelter. 

“Rain? It’s not raining.” Trixie looked around and then noticed it was indeed raining everywhere except for one small circle which was the table Trixie was sitting at.

“Hey Trixie up here!” a voice yelled out from above.

Trixie looked up and saw near the edge of the hole looking down on her sweetly was Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow did you make that hole in the clouds?” Trixie asked her voice having a twinge of annoyance laced into it.

“Why yes, couldn’t let my bestest best friend in all of Ponyville have her lunch ruined by a bit of rain.” Dash said in a more gleeful tone.

That only made Trixie facehoof as she realized the only possible reason Dash would do something like this. 

“Dash is this about getting that extra ticket isn’t it?” she questioned with a more of an annoyed tone than thankful.

“Whatever do you mean?” Dash said actually seeming to play dumb.

“Dash this isn’t helping my decision at all and I would be grateful if you did your job so could you please CLOSE UP THAT CLOUD!” Trixie shouted the last part.

Then Dash dropped the act “Alright I was just trying to help sheesh don’t need to get snippy at me.” Dash said and with that she literally zipped up the cloud hole.

“Now that’s more like…” Trixie resumed to try and take a bite of her sandwich but was interrupted by a down pour of rain that in seconds drenched her mane, coat, and her sandwich.

She growled a little bit at what happened and that her lunch was ruined. Then another voice spoke from a distance. 

“Um…Miss Trixie what are you doing in the rain?” said the voice, Trixie turned around to see Coco Pommel with an attached umbrella on her back.

“Trying to eat or at least I was.” Trixie replies her narrowed eyes glaring at the ground as Coco walked over to her.

“Well if you stay out here too long you’ll definitely catch a cold.” She says covering Trixie with her umbrella before looking at the heavy downpour all around them.

“You and Spike can stay at the boutique until this rain stops.” Coco offered and the trio were on their way to the boutique.

When they got there Trixie was able to dry off properly and Coco then proceeded to fix up Trixie’s mane to which she then looked in a nearby mirror to check Coco’s handy work.

“Thanks a lot, I needed that.” Trixie says her earlier anger at Dash finally fading away.

“It was nothing really, but I have to ask; why were you eating in the rain?” Coco asked curiously.

“Well I was eating then everpony started running in. Dash had opened a hole above me to keep me dry, but I asked her to close it seeing as how she was only doing it as a favor to try and get my extra ticket to the Gala.” Trixie said and Coco’s ears perked up.

“Did you say the Gala, as in the Grand Galloping Gala?” Coco said and Trixie nodded nervously that made Coco squeal causing her to jump up and down. 

“Please not you to Coco.” Trixe pleaded in her thoughts as Spike mumbles under his breath about how that was a bad idea.

“I heard that place is filled with nobles and even designers from all around Equestria are going to be there!” Coco exclaimed. 

“Oh please Trixie you got to take me along with you, this could be a chance of a lifetime for me pleeease!” Coco begged.

Trixie stared at her for a minute “Not you to Coco, great how can this get any worse.”  Trixie thought. 

“I’m very sorry Coco but I still haven’t decided who I’m bringing, but if I do make a decision it will be my final word.” Her stomach growled yet again. 

“But first I need to get some lunch or something before I pass out.” Trixie and Spike started to walk out of the boutique since the rain finally died down. 

“Oh alright. Good luck Miss Trixie!” Coco called out as the two left.

They both were now walking toward the library rather quiet and awkward.

“Well today been quite an eventful day huh.” Spike said optimistically breaking the silence as Trixie glared at the ground again and groaned in response.

“Eventful. If you mean my friends doing favors for me just to get the extra ticket I have then yes it has been eventful.” Trixie said in annoyance as they began approaching the library.

“You can at least try and look on the bright side Trixie.” Spike suggests as Trixie glares at him.

“And what could possibly be a bright side to today’s events?” Trixie asked slightly angered.

“Not all of your friends have asked about the ticket.” Spike points out making Trixie stop in place and thought about this a moment.

“Don’t count on it Spike. If I know that loud mouth Lightning Dust she’s probably told the rest.” She says and then they walk into the library.

When they entered they saw somepony cleaning the shelves with a feather duster. To their dismay the pony that was in the library was Cheerliee who was humming a tune in her head.

She looked at Trixie and Spike that just walked in and gave them a bright smile.

“Oh hello I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Cheerliee said keeping the same smile. 

Trixie looked to Spike giving him a look that screamed ‘I told you so.’

“Cheerliee… may Trixie ask you something; what are you doing in Trixie’s library!?” she asked in annoyance that caught Spike by surprise, but not Cheerlie who had brushed it off.

“Well I thought your library could use a little bit of dusting, and after all isn’t what friends to for each other, you know help.” Cheerliee stated.

Spike and Trixie looked at each other before she turned to look back at Cheerliee.

“Who told you?” Trixie said bluntly already pinpointing the reason for this kind gesture.

“Why Lightning Dust of course. Who else would have told me?” Cheerliee said with a small chuckle.

“Trixie knew that loudmouth would tell the rest.” Trixie thought in annoyance putting it down in her head to have a talk with Dust sometime later about keeping her muzzle shut.

“And Trixie you were doing it again.” She then added. 

“Trixie is aware of it, but Trixie would have to ask you to leave until tomorrow then Trixie will decide, and besides don’t you have a foal to look after?” Trixie notes in extreme annoyance.

“It’s alright. Applejack volunteers to take care of her while I’m gone since her sister and Emm are such great friends. Sorry if I disturbed you Trixie.” Cheerliee said as she left.

Trixie sighed in relief as the day was coming to a close “Hey Spike think you fix something up for us?” she asked. 

“Two hayburgers coming right up Trixie.” Spike said as he went toward the kitchen and began cooking. Trixie took a seat at her desk. 

“Trixie just don’t know who to take, Rainbow wants to go to show off in front of the Wonderbolts, Lightning Dust wants to party down and liven things up, Sunset wants to promote her tutoring classes, Coco wants to impress the nobles, and Cheerliee…Trixie doesn’t know why Cheerliee wants to go! It’s so frustrating to make a decision like this!” Trixie slammed her head on the desk.

“And even giving Trixie’s own ticket up will leave three broken hearted!” She adds groaning.

Spike came out the hayburgers “Don’t think on it too much or you’ll give yourself a headache.” He said bringing one to Trixie placing it next to her. 

“Thank you Spike, I so needed this.” She began wolfing it down without using her magic to pick it up. After finishing it she was relieved that she finally had something in her stomach. She gave out a yawn signaling her it was time to hit the hay. 

“I’ll see you in the morning Spike, I’ll figure something out.” She said groggily as she walked up the stairs toward her bedroom.

“See you tomorrow Trixie!” Spike called out as he also went to bed right behind her. It was going to be a long day for them tomorrow morning.

Trixie slept, but her sleep was almost a nightmare as she and Spike were being chased by a mob who were shouting things and after the tickets that she has.

The next morning was as usual, Trixie got up and went through her usual way of starting the day.

“Morning Trixie. Did you sleep well?” Spike asked to Trixie who gave a small nod.

“Other than having a nightmare about ponies chasing me everywhere around Ponyville for that extra ticket I slept well.” Trixie states

After a large breakfast her and Spike set out to try and have a pleasant morning walk and possibly check up on the others, but only found Rainbow Dash still snoozing on a cloud nearby.

“Leave it to Dash to be as lazy as ever.” Trixie thought with a small smirk as she glanced over to Sugar Cube Corner and saw Sunset coming out of it.

“Sunset! Over here!” Trixie calls out getting the mare’s attention that noticed them and walked over to greet them.

“So anything new Sunset?” Spike asked as Sunset just shakes her head.

“No just another day of magic tutoring for me today.” Sunset said a bit exhausted and glanced at Trixie.

“Oh yeah, have you decided to give the extra ticket to?” Sunset inquires as Trixie groans.

“Sunset I don’t want to start the day off about that ticket, so let’s just enjoy the day like it is.” Trixie said turning to stare at Sunset.

“Right gotcha. Not even going to talk about it.” Sunset said in a knowing tone of voice.

Sunset soon left the duo who continued on their walk. Every now and then they would get some looks from ponies and there were a few whispers.

“Spike question; why are all those ponies staring at me?” Trixie asked with a nervous smile causing Spike to turn his head to see them staring at him as well as Trixie.

“It’s not just you, there staring at me too.” Spike said sweating a bit at the strange occurrence.

Then out of nowhere a pink blur showed up. 

“Hiya Trixie!” the voice cheered catching the two off guard.

“WHAA!” Was Trixie’s response as Spike leaped in the air and land on Trixie’s flank. 

Trixie turned and was greeted with the face of a certain party pony. 

“Augh, Pinkie please don’t do that, my heart nearly jumped out!” Trixie yelled out still trying to figure out how Pinkie just pops out of nowhere.

“But that’s impossible cause then you’ll be dead if it did, and your heart doesn’t have any limbs or anything.” Pinkie said in one breath.

“Only Pinkie Pie would interpret things like that.” Trixie thought.

“So any luck with the extra ticket for the gala?” Pinkie cheered out. Trixie placed a hoof over Pinkie’s mouth preventing her from talking further. 

“Shhh! Pinkie quiet I don’t want anypony else to know about it. How do you even know about it?” Trixie silently exclaimed but it was already too late as several ponies started to gather around Trixie.

“Did somepony say ticket?” a stallion called out. 

“Ticket? Too what?” a unicorn mare asked. 

“Oh just that Trixie has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Pinkie cheered out. 

The entirety of that part of town suddenly went dead quiet as all eyes were on Trixie and Spike as several glanced at each other than at them.

They just stood there wide eyed at the crowd “Oh, you’re in trouble Trixie and Spike, you better run run, from the mob mob.” Pinkie suggested.

“Aww buck.” Trixie thought when Pinkie said this.

“Spike… RUN LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER RUN BEFORE!” Trixie shouts and ran as fast as she could along with Spike.

“Oh, I love this part.” Pinkie said bringing a stereo system out of her mane and it began to play a particular bit of music.



Trixie and Spike ran into the nearest place which was a clothing store. The mob followed and looked about. Barely noticed was a mannequin wearing a robe with a chest nearby.

The group left and the mannequin removed its hood showing it to be Trixie and Spike pops out of the chest. Both sighed in relief before they were noticed and ran out the back way of the store.

They turned a corner and found an empty barrel that would be large enough for the two of them. Trixie signals for them to jump in to hide but Spike shakes his head no.

Trixie than signals behind them which was the shadows of the mob getting closer which makes Spike sweat and Trixie signals to the barrel again and Spike jumps in followed by Trixie who puts the top of it on them.

The mob passes by the barrel as the two sigh thinking they are rid of them before a small knock is heard on the barrels side.

Trixie peaks out and sees that it is just Emm who waves at Trixie when she peaked out. Trixie makes a motion to keep her quiet which she nods, but the mob doubled back and one saw Trixie and played a trumpet signaling that Trixie was spotted.

The mare and dragon jumped and were out of the barrel quicker than they got in leaving behind dust cloud versions of themselves.

The mob passed by an elderly woman walking a stroller. Trixie looked up from her disguise and at Spike who was dressed up as a baby. One of them saw Spike and signaled the others.

They ran off abandoning the stroller they came to the bridge and hid under it. It seemed to work than Spike slipped and groaned giving them away.

They continued to run and eventually they were cornered at a dead end.

[End Music]

“Were trapped, now what Trixie!?” Spike yelled. 

“Let Trixie think okay!” She said now sweating bullets as the crowd of ponies getting closer shouting favor they would do for her in exchange for the extra ticket.

“What do I do now? We’re trapped like a mouse in a cage.”Trixie thought for a minute as they kept getting closer the favors sounding more ridiculous the more she listened to them.

“Looks like Trixie don’t have a choice.” Trixie thought as her horn lit up sparking of magic.

Grabbing onto Spike, she teleported both teleported away from the crowd of ponies that were now in shock of where she could’ve gone to.

Trixie manage to teleport them back to the library but Spike had a few burn mark on his scales after the sudden teleportation. He glanced up to Trixie with a slight glare.

“Warn me next, before you do that.” Spike swayed back and forth before collapsing. 

Trixie’s horn was fuming smoke from it as she peeks outside the shades of her window. She saw nopony and gave a sigh of relief as her horn stopped smoking.

“Well at least we got away from that crowd.” Trixie said before turning around to see her friends were there and Dust waved at her.

Her eye twitched at seeing them and she let out a cry of anguish at the entirety of this situation.

“UH, Trixie can’t decide who to take, Trixie doesn’t want to disappoint any of you, and you’re my friends and, Trixie just can’t figure out what to do anymore!” She shouted.

With that she collapsed and tried hiding herself with her hoofs. Sunset looked to the others and then proceeded forward and put a comforting hoof on Trixie.

“Trixie if it’ll make you feel any better. I don’t want the ticket anymore, so you can keep it.” Sunset says in an apologetic tone. 

“Yeah I guess it wasn’t right of us to give you a hard time about it.” Lightning said lowering her head. 

“I agree, I even begged you to give me it, but it wasn’t my place to do so.” Coco stated in agreement hanging her head down. 

“I agree, I thought cleaning up around your library would work; it was wrong of me to think so.” Cheerliee lowered her head in disappointment.

“AW YEAH!” Dash shouted in victory. 

“I got the ticket! I got the ticket!” Dash said and dancing in the air until she was stopped by four very stern looks 

“Hehehe.” She laughed landing back on the ground.

“Actually my moves could use a little work. So I guess you can keep it Trixie.” Dash said rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof.

Trixie got up from the floor and give a small chuckle “Spike, take a letter for me.” Trixie says with a smile.

“Already got it ready Trixie.” Spike said readying a paper and quill having apparently recovered from collapsing.

Trixie cleared her throat before beginning “Dear Princess Celestia, I’m grateful for the gift that you have provided but I’m afraid I must respectfully decline your offer. The things with gifts that if there aren’t enough to go around then what the point of having them if you can share them with friends those you care about. So I’m returning the tickets with this letter. If my friends can’t go, neither should I. You can’t pick favorites between your friends and that what really matter. You’re faithful student, Trixie Lulamoon.” Trixie finished and in a puff of green smoke was sent to Celestia.

“You didn’t have to do that Trix.” Sunset said as the others nod.

“Yeah. You didn’t have to give up yours.” Dash added

“I guess we all can’t get what we want huh.” Trixie said with a laugh.

A few second after having said that Spike let out a burp producing another scroll.

“Dear Trixie, Why didn’t you say so in the first place. If I knew this would be an issue, I would have reacted sooner. I have enclosed enough tickets for you and your friends to go now. Signed Princess Celestia.” He finish reading and pulled out six tickets. 

“Six tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” he shouted holding them up. The girls cheered and walked over to get one.

“How come I didn’t get a ticket?” Spike questioned then he burped up another letter, opened it and read it. 

“Oh and one for you as well Spike.” Finishing as he too got a ticket.

“You know I’m starting to wonder something?” Trixie asked Sunset 

“Where did Pinkie get that stereo system?” she questioned as Sunset chuckled seeming to recall several events involving the local party pony. 

“What you don’t know, can’t hurt you Trixie.” Sunset answered.

“Yeah as the saying goes around here; its Pinkie Pie don’t question it.” Dash added making all of them laugh.

-Meanwhile in Ponyville-

A white unicorn mare with blue and light blue fizzled hair with purple shades and a music note cutie mark returned home. After a few minute of being home she yelled “I’VE BEEN ROBBED!” It was loud enough to echo across the entire town.


> Tipping The Scales
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was early afternoon in Ponyville. School was getting ready to let out, the sun was high, and as usual a certain cyan coated rainbow mane mare was preparing herself for something as she jogged in place on a cloud.

Soon enough she was joined by her fellow worker and close friend Lightning Dust, and the local farm mare (and member of the Apple clan) Applejack.

“It’s about time! I didn't think you two would show up.” Dash said as she landed on the ground.

“Now yah listen here Rainbow Dash. Ah have tah get back the farm soon. So one race is all ah can do.” AJ says as she adjusts her Stetson hat.

“Alright AJ. Just don’t cry when you and Dust lose. I’ll even give you a five second head start” Dash says with a confident smirk as her, Dust, and AJ lined up.

“Finish lines the school house right?” Dust asks which Dash nods.

“On your mark…” Dash starts

“Get set…” AJ continued

“GO!” All two of the them take off then Dash followed catching up with ease.



Tipping the Scales.

At the school house Cheerliee bearer of the Element of Kindness was working on grading the latest homework assignment that was turned in.

“Emerald Jewel…81%, Pendragon Quill…80%, Scootaloo…69%.” She says and as she was about to continue a strong gust of wind caught the rest of her papers sending them into the air and making her groan.

“Can’t that mare make the finish line somewhere other than the school.” She thought with extreme annoyance at the cause her afternoon getting ruined.

She quickly gathered her papers back up and looked at the school entrance. At the entrance the three racing mares stood/flew in place.

“Aw yeah point to the Dash!” Dash declared raising a hoof in the air as she hovered off the ground while AJ and Dust panted out of breath.

“Nice… race… Dash.” AJ said between breaths.

Rainbow looked back at the tired earth and pegasus ponies with a smirk. 

“Nice race; I gave you girls a five second head start and I still won the race, you mares are slow with a capital S.” Dash boasted.

Lightning Dust got her breath “Just because of that stipulation you made doesn't mean you’re the best.” Lightning Dust interjected 

“Your right maybe I should have gave you a fifteen second head start.” Dash boast again laughing a bit at the other ponies expense.

As Dash boasted the school bell had rung and students were starting to come out. Several stallions and mares had also come to pick up their foals while others had just come knowing where Dash always ended the races she and the others had at.

Cheerliee’s expression hardened at the comment Dash had just made. That did it; Cheerliee was going to put an end to Dash’s boasting one way or another.

She approached the well that the three were at “Rainbow Dash I would like to talk to you for a moment.” Cheerliee stated in a more serious tone.

“Sure, what about Cheers?” Rainbow asked with a half smile/smirk on her face.

“You attitude that’s what, you’ve been boasting like no tomorrow and it’s very uncalled for.” She starts

“I would like you to apologize to both of Applejack, and Lightning Dust for your unfavorable boasting.” Cheerliee ordered her eyes narrowed.

Dash looked at Cheerliee as if what she just had grown another head.

“You want me to do what now?” Dash said rubbing her neck with her hoof in confusion and just staring at Cheerliee.

“You heard me; your boasting can really hurt someponies feelings.” Cheerliee said pointing to the exhausted AJ and Lightning Dust.

“I’m just expressing myself okay so chill out.” Dash retorted in slight anger.

“I’ll ‘chill out’ once you apologize.” Cheerliee said not giving her any ground to counter.

Dash was stuck and she knew it. She wasn't going to get away from her unless she does give them an apology.

That was when she got a very Dash like idea. “Alright Cheerliee I’ll apologize…” Dash starts. 

“You will.” Cheerliee stated coldly with a slight hint of confusion. 

“On one condition, you beat me in a one on one race.”Dash finished which made Cheerliee stiffen up at what she said. Now it was Cheerliee’s turn to be confused.

“Um… what did you say?” she said her tone change from a serious to a one of worry as several students and parents alike and stragglers had stop to watch this rather interesting development.

“A race you and me if I win you have to wear a chicken costume the rest of the day, and if I ‘lose’ I’ll gratefully apologize to AJ and Lightning Dust afterwards. So what’s it going to be, you accept or are you to chicken.” Dash finished making chicken sounds toward Cheerliee.

The ponies that were around started to circle around them and mummers here and there about Cheerliee racing Dash. Cheerliee now started to get even more worried about this as AJ then went up stepping between the two.

“Dash really doesn’t need tah apologize Cheers.” AJ said trying to break it up, but Cheerliee was taking a step back from Dash’s challenge.

“Is she nuts, she knows as well as I do that I can’t beat her in a race even if she’s not using her wings, I’ll lose for sure” she thought already knowing what the end result would be. Her being humiliated by Rainbow Dash and wearing that chicken costume all day long.

She continued to back away “Well all that big talk and your back away like a filly at her first day of school. You might talk the talk, but can you walk. The. Walk.” Dash said poking Cheerliees chest with those words causing her to push through the crowd of ponies and run from the crowd and Dash. 

“I’m guessing that’s a no then!” Dash called out to the running pony in a slight tone of victory and pride.

After running away she instantly went back home and locked the door so that nopony could get in. 

She was sweating up a storm after running from Dash and the crowd of ponies. 

She lets out a relieving sigh knowing she was safe in her home “Dash is right maybe all I do is talk big, but I can’t back it up with actions.”Cheerliee thought looking downcast.

“Momma is everything okay?” a fillies voice said that instantly cheered Cheerliee up.

Her home consist of a living room with a radio and the usual furniture, a normal kitchen with an oven, a refrigerator. The upstairs had two bedrooms, one for her, and one for her adopted daughter Emerald Jewel.

Said filly is now at the top of the stairs sniffling from the slight cold that she had caught.

“Yes my little Jewel, just mommy was having rough day.” Cheerliee said with a cheerful smile trying to hide her sadness from her. 

“Hopefully by tomorrow everpony will forget this every even happen.”  Cheerliee thought only thinking about what tomorrow would bring.

The next day was a weekend for her, and Emerald didn't have to go to school so she headed off to see Applebloom having recovered from her cold. Today was also shopping day for her; she would make a list of what’s needed and head out to the shopping markets. First on the list were apples and she knew just where to get them since she knew the pony quite well. 

She approached a made shift wooden stand that had an trio apple sign on it and a small sign that said ‘OPEN’ in big letters. 

“Good morning AJ.” Cheerliee announced to the mare in a cheerful tone. 

“Well, howdy Cheers, the usual ah suppose.” AJ said in a knowing tone. 

“Yes please.” She answered as AJ dropped three apples in her saddlebag.

“Look Cheers, sorry ‘bout Dash yesterday she can be quite uh hoof full if yah ask me.” She said 

“I just would want her to taste her own medicine for once.” Cheerliee answered slightly angered.

“Now ah know you would want to, but that just won’t solve anything yah know.” AJ advised putting a hoof on hers. 

“But she made me look like a complete fool yesterday, and I still think you and Lightning Dust deserve something for the way she has treated you.” She countered and walked away from the stand 

“Why to ah get the feeling this ain't going tah end well.” AJ says under her breath before continuing on with her usual work.

About a half hour later gathering most of the things on her list the last thing she need was seed for her garden back home and the only pony who had them were Daisy the local seed shop owner on the other side of town.

When she entered the shop she found nothing but flowers and seeds everywhere and at the counter was an earth pony mare with light grayish lime green, and moderate green eyes, her coat is a pale magenta, and her cutie mark were two daisies that almost reassembles Cheerliees with the exempt of the smiling faces.

She approached the counter “Hello Daisy, it seems you have a larger variety here today.” Cheerliee said impressed with how the shop has grown much like the owner.

“Well we have been getting more shipments of seeds lately, but the more the merrier right.” Daisy said and gave her the usual, paid the bits and before Cheerliee was about to leave she was stopped by Daisy 

“Oh and by the way, hopefully you don’t decide to race Rainbow Dash, because that would be almost hysterical if you know what I mean.” Daisy said trying to hold back a chuckle but failed miserably. To put it simple she added logs to a burning fire.

“Wouldn't dream of it.” Cheerliee replies sarcastically and walked out slamming the door.

“The nerve of the pony, she knows it, I knows it. Even on her worst day I wouldn't be able to even keep up with Rainbow Dash even if I tried.” She thought as she walked through town and recalled what Dash had said to her the other day.

“You talk the talk but can you Walk. The. Walk.”  That phrase only annoyed her to no end and she knew just who to talk to about this.

“I only hope she hadn't heard about that incident.” She thinks annoyed as she headed for Golden Oaks.

At the library Trixie was practicing a new spell she found in one of her books. It allowed her to turn a rock into almost anything she can think of. She getting ready to cast it when there was a knock at the door, and she stopped her casting.

“Spike could you get the door and show whoever it is in please?” Trixie asked turning back to what she was practicing. 

“Got it Trixie.” Spike said and dashed off to the door opening it only to find cerise coated pony at the door.

“Oh hello Cheerliee.” Spike greeted happily.

“Sorry to bother but is Trixie here?” Cheerliee questioned trying to look past him hoping to spot the azure mare. 

“Yes she’s upstairs at the moment I’ll go get her.” Spike went up stairs to tell Trixie that Cheerliee was downstairs waiting for her.

Cheerliee glance around the library that there was a stack books on her desk that were filled with pages that were an easily three hundred plus pages. After looking she saw Trixie coming down from her room.

“Hi Cheerliee what brings you here?” Trixie asked wondering why Cheerliee was visiting at such early hours.

“Good. Looks like she doesn't know about yesterdays incident.” Cheerliee thought

“Well you see Trixie I kinda need some help with something. It’s about Rainbow Dash.” She said letting out a sigh as Trixie let out a gasp.

“What about her? Did she get into an accident or something?” she asked in a hurry then Cheerliee’s expression changed completely from a cheery smile to a more angered expression. 

“I am frustrated with her! Do you know what she did yesterday!?” she asked and Trixie shook her head in surprise that her friend and the Element of Kindness was angered. 

“Well when I was just grading some papers for the teacher, I saw Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Lightning Dust racing, and after the race was completed she when on a rant saying that she was better than everypony in Equestria, and me being the peacekeeper tried to calm her down.” Cheerliee said as a very patient Trixie listened as she continued.

“And that’s not all when I tried to ask her to apologize to them, she said she would if I beat her in a race, and I’m not the racing type for that matter, but I just ran off already knowing the outcome, and today Daisy thought it would have been funny if I raced her! Argh I just want to give Dash a piece of her own medicine!” Cheerliee ended her ranting huffing after she finished only leaving a stunned Trixie and Spike with an open mouth.

Trixie put a hoof to her chin in thought “Well Dash is an excellent athlete, but I might have something that could even the odds so to speak.” Trixie says hesitantly.

That perked her ears up right away and in a matter of seconds she was extremely close to Trixie’s personal space.

“You do?” she said frantic but realize she lost her composure and quickly gain her bearings.

“I mean, you do?” She asked in a sweet tone backing off.

“Yeah it’s a pretty difficult spell but I should be able to use it no problem.” Trixie said as she and Spike went to the bookshelves.

“Now where did I put it?” Trixie said scanning the shelves for the right book as Spike got up a ladder and eventually found it. 

“Got it right here Trixie. You put it in the non-fiction section by accident.” Spike said coming down and bringing it to her. 

“Thanks Spike, what would I do without my ace assistant.” Trixie said rubbing his head.

“Awe shucks Trix.” Spike said blushing a bit embarrassed as Trixie looked through the book stopping at a particular page. 

“You know the only way to allow me to be on par with her would be to become just as fast as her.” Cheerliee states from behind as Trixie nods.

“That is true, but are you sure you want to do this Cheerliee? I mean spells like this usually have some kind of side effect.” Trixie states a bit nervous.

“I can handle any side effects dear. Now get on with it please.” Cheerliee states.

“Alright I believe this spell should do it, all it requires is a DNA sample of an extremely fast creature.” Trixie said as she also tried to read the smudged title, but from what the details told it seemed like a simple speed up spell.

“Does Rainbow Dash count as one?” Cheerliee asked sarcastically.

“Well she is the only fastest pegasus that I know, but you would need to get a sample of her DNA.” Trixie explained.

“But how am I going to do that?” Cheerliee pondered that question then an idea came to her remembering one of the students she helps. 

“Scootaloo! Of course she idolizes Dash. Maybe she can somehow get a bit of her mane.” Cheerliee smiled at the idea and already came up with an idea that would work to get her to help recalling the low grade she had on the assignment.

“Well I guess that would have to do then, you go find Scootaloo and I’ll prepare the rest okay.” Trixie said but Cheerliee was already gone.

Cheerliee knew Scootaloo well enough to know she would be around town, but the tricky part is actually finding her. Luck must have been on her side that day because as she neared Sugar Cube Corner she saw a pegasus filly with cerise mane, light brilliant gamboge coat, and grayish purple eyes, she was also wear a purple helmet with a light shade of purple goggles and riding her scooter.

“Oh Scootaloo!” She called to the filly in a sweet tone as she walked over. 

“What’s up Miss. C, please don’t tell me I’m trouble again?” questioned the filly looking back and forth as if she had done something. 

Cheerliee shakes her head “No no no. You’re not in trouble, but would you mind if I ask you something?” Cheerliee said as the filly looked at in her in confusion.

“I heard that you are a fan of Rainbow Dash are you not?” She asks 

“Yeah Rainbow Dash is probably the coolest pegasus in the all of Equestria with Lightning Dust close second!” Scootaloo ranted.

“I was wondering if you could get a bit of her mane for me if that’s okay?” Cheerliee asked which confused the filly.

“Why do it?” she asked in her confusion.

“Well… it’s for… uh Trixie!” She said quickly.

“Yeah she needs it for an experiment she’s performing and she needs something from the fastest creature here or in her case Rainbow Dash.” She said with the cheeriest of smiles.

“Well I don’t know. What’s in it for me if I help?” Scootaloo said looking at her with a stern look.

Cheerliee sighed “I’ll gladly help you with your homework for one week.” She said which instantly put a smile on the fillies face 

“Thank you thank you! I knew you were a kind pony right from the get go, and don’t worry I’ll see that I get a piece of Dash’s mane.” Scootaloo cheered and zoomed off to find Rainbow Dash.

“No problem!” she yelled out as the filly zoomed off. 

“I hope this doesn't come back and bite in the flank.” She thought think of the possibility of this being of a bad idea.

After about three hours Scootaloo did find Rainbow Dash and told her that she needed to get a piece of her mane to give to Cheerliee to give to Trixie but didn’t mention what it was for. While back at the library with the acquired hair from Rainbow she was preparing the spell.

“Are you certain you what to do this Cheerliee?” Trixie questioned again only to get a firm stare back from Cheerliee.

“Yes, Dash has been boasting for so long I can’t stand it, somepony needs to take her down a peg.” She stated without hesitation.

“Okay, you might feel a slight pinch but it shouldn't hurt a bit.” Trixie said as she lit up her horn. The aura surrounded the piece of hair and fired a small light beam toward Cheerliee which encased her in a sphere.

The magic surged through Cheerliee’s body for about a few minutes but then it began to subside and then she was down on the ground and Trixie was sweating from using the spell. She got up from the ground and looked at herself which she was still the same.

“I don’t feel any different or anything. Are you sure you had the right spell?” Cheerliee questioned apparently angered.

“I’m sure it was the right spell, maybe it’s not a physical change I’ll have to make sure.” Trixie looked back at her spell book. Cheerliee sighed examining herself again. She didn't physically look different, but to Cheerliee herself she felt different.

“Maybe.” She thought opened the door and ran out. The scenery had suddenly begun to pass her by as she maneuvered around other ponies and eventually she skidded to a halt.

Before she knew what happened she ran to doorstep of her house and stopped. She then looked back where the library was which was halfway across town and then down at her hoofs. 

It was then she realized the spell had actually done its job.

“It worked.” She whispered in astonishment. 

“It worked.” She said again but in a normal tone it starting to sink in. 

“IT WORKED!” she yelled and zoomed back to the Trixie’s library.

She zoomed in with a gust of wind knocking some of Trixie’s stuff over.

“Trixie it worked it actually worked. Now I am faster, ways faster, I’m practically the fastest earth pony ever!” she squealed jumping cheerily. 

“Well I hope it doesn't cause any problems for you.” Trixie said looking up from her book and closing it. 

“Well I’m off to find Rainbow Dash. And I’ll show her a thing or two.” Cheerliee stated calmly and zoomed off.

Rainbow was doing her normal thing; napping in the afternoon at the park after her job was finished on the only cloud that wasn’t busted. She was snoring till she heard somepony calling her name. 

“Rainbow Dash!” the voice yelled waking her up from her pleasant dream of flying with a certain group of pegasi.

“Ugh, who is it?” she said groggily getting up and stretching from her nap. She looked down from her cloud only to see a magenta colored pony standing there.

“What do you want Cheerliee, can you see I’m napping here.” She said rubbing her eyes to get awake 

“I accept your challenge!” She said bluntly to Rainbow and with pure confidence.

Hearing this Dash went clear some ear wax out of her ears thinking that she heard wrong.

“Sorry but I thought you said you accepted my challenge.” Rainbow repeated.

“I did, you and me, or is Rainbow Dash awfraid of a wittle pony like me.” She mocked with a childish voice and she knew Dash wouldn't like. 

Angered at being mocked and annoyed at being deprived of her afternoon nap Dash zoomed down in front of Cheerliee wings flared.

“Be careful teach or you may not like the outcome.” Dash warned gritting her teeth and eyes narrowed.

“Then let’s race, we’ll start from your cloud to the Ponyville fountain in town, first one to touch it wins.” She explained as Dash started to land. 

“Oh and one more thing, you can use your wings if you want to.” She then adds as Dash stop giving her a puzzled look.

“Then let’s stop chatting and get racing.” Dash smirked and marked off the starting line 

“Still time to back out.” She said to Dash in a similar tone Dash herself would use. 

“No way, and same to you!” Dash retorted back as her and Cheerliee got into a starting stance.

“Ready.” Cheerliee started 

“Set.” Dash continued 

“GO!” both said and zoomed off. Dash took to the air and Cheerliee ran on the ground and slowly moving ahead of Dash. 

“How is she already ahead of me like that, no matter I’ll just give it all I got at the last mile.” Dash thought as she was a little behind her. 

“Is this really all she’s got? Talk about slow.” Cheerliee thought as they began to approach Ponyville.

“I can almost see the fountain in sight time to get it up a notch” Dash thought flapping her wings as fast as she could to get ahead of Cheerliee. 

“No way I’m losing Cheers but it was a good race!” Dash shouted to her below already declaring her victory. 

“Yes it was, but now for me to end this!” she shouted back and started to pick up the pace and now she was two pony lengths in front of her. 

“Today’s lesson is now over.” She whispered as she ran full sprint toward the fountain.

Dash noted how she was pulling way ahead now five or six lengths ahead of Dash. 

“No way! C’mon wings don’t fail me now!” She flapped harder to try and keep up but it was no use as soon as she flapped even harder. 

The fountain was in view and zoomed toward it, and touched the tip of the fountain. She was sweating up a storm when she touch it but it seemed like no pony else was around. 

“What took you so long slow poke?” Cheerliee said holding a stop watch. 

“I’ve been here for a minute and thought that I left you behind, oh wait I did!” Cheerliee mocked. Dash was stunned with her mouth gapped open and her left eye twitching.

“I lost, but how? I demand a rematch!?” Dash said angered stomping a hoof on the ground as she landed.

“Let me think, hum… no.” Cheerliee saying bluntly but still had a smile on her face. 

“What do you mean no?!” Dash even more furious about to get up in Cheerliee’s face, but Cheerliee had already moved and was behind her.

“Let me put it simple to you Dash. There’s a new speedster in town, and now you are only second rate.” Cheerliee said and left leaving Dash in her dust.

Cheerliee walked around Ponyville proudly as if a weight just had been lifted from her but little does she know that her mane and tail gained a new color, a blue stripe appeared on her mane and tail that replace a bit of her pinkish grey.

Meanwhile with Dash her blue streaks had been replaced with a pinkish grey streak as she went off mumbling and angry. Dash went to find a place to blow off some steam when Scootaloo was passing by. 

“Hey Rainbow Dash do you think that you can take me for a flight?” she asked very excited, but failed to see Dash was rather angry.

“Sorry Scootaloo but I need some alone time today.” Dash said as she flew off. 

“Okay no…” She paused a second taking in what Dash had just said. 

“Wait a second did she call me Scootaloo, its normally Scoots or something like that.” She thought in realization.



A day passed and Dash challenged Cheerliee again. She accepted and it started off much like how it use to, but at the end Cheerliee zoomed right passed her and Dash was left with a frizzled mane that would result in a visit to Rarity and lost its cyan streaks while Cheerliee’s mane gained a cyan streak in her mane and tail.

Another race occurred and Dash was desperate to win that she had them race through muddy terrain. She was close to winning when Cheerliee passed her by jumping from tree to tree as fast as she could passing Dash and winning.

Dash stomped a foot in frustration as Cheerliee was cheered on by a crowd. A green streak appeared in Cheerliee’s mane and tail while the green in Dash’s mane and tail went.

Deciding to show that she had more stamina when it came to racing the next Dash challenged her to a race from Ponyville to the gates of Canterlot and back.

Cheerliee accepted and both were off they avoided anypony on the ground or air trying not to make contact. Both tapped the gates at the same time and were off back to Ponyville.

Cheerliee pumped up her speed pushing herself to go faster as the air around her seemed to condense in a cone. She kept pushing and a loud boom was heard as Cheerliee broke the sound barrier leaving behind a gust of wind that threw Dash back.

Cheerliee dubbed that technique the Sonic Boom. Dash grew annoyed as her yellow streak vanished and Cheerliee gained it in her mane and tail.

Having one last trick up her sleeve Dash interrupted the class the next day and challenged her to a no holds bar race from Ponyville to Dodge Junction.

Cheerliee gladly accepted. The news of this race was put out to all of Ponyville and several went to Dodge Junction in order to be there to see who would win.

That night the race started with AJ firing a pop gun to start the race. As it went on Dash took all the opportunities she could to try and slow down the assistant teacher.

The attempts did work somewhat, but at the end Cheerliee stepped it up and was ahead of Dash by 5 pony lengths. Dash gritted her teeth in anger than her eyes widened in surprise at what happened next.

Cheerlie was standing on her back hooves running backwards with her front hooves crossed giving a sly smirk at the mare in the sky. She blew a raspberry at Dash before doing a somersault and landed forward running off.

Angered Dash put all she had catching up with Cheerliee at the end and it looked like Photo Finish’s camera would decide who won.

Several pictures came out, but what surprised them was what was shown on the photos.

The first showed Cheerliee way ahead near the finish line, the next her jumping over the finish line, after that she was in front of the camera, the next she was waving, and the final photo was her coming back crossing the line before Dash.

Dash fell on her haunches when she saw these photos as her orange streaks vanished and appeared on Cheerliee. Dash flew off as fast as she could crying while other congratulated Cheerliee on her impressive victory over the former fastest in all Equestria.

[End Music]

The next day Cheerliee was zooming about Ponyville and zoomed into the library which the door was open.

“Hey Trixie!” she cheered causing Trixie to lose hold of the glass that was in her magic, but not very as she quickly regained focus her magic grabbing the glass quickly.

She turned around to see Cheerliee and her almost complete rainbow mane. 

“Um… hi, what are you doing here?” Trixie questioned and also looked confused still staring at the mane and tail of her friend.

“Oh just wondering if I could chat with you for a bit okay.” She said. Trixie blinked a few times before she answered. 

“Okay… say how’s Rainbow Dash?” she questioned as she returned to put things away.

“Rainbow, I haven’t seen her since the Dodge Junction race. Have to admit racing her has gotten pretty boring.” She emphasized the boring to a stretch. That caught Trixie’s attention about what she said 

“Well she is a competitive athlete that’s for sure, but that doesn’t mean you should discredit her.” Trixie stated.

All that Cheerliee did was raised an eyebrow at that statement then just shrugged it off. 

“Well whatever, Dash isn’t going to beat me and that is a fact.” Cheerliee said as she zoomed off to who knows where.

Trixie became puzzled at Cheerliee’s new attitude and finished what she was doing which was adding the liquid that was in the glass to a vile that contained a solution that in theory make damaged, ruin, or generally unreadable scrolls and such other parchments readable.

Trixie added the liquid to the vile and after it settled she decided to test it. She took out the book she had read almost a week ago and opened to the page containing the spell she had cast on Cheerliee. She put a few drops on the potion on the page and the smudged writing started to become more readable.

When it finally was readable her eyes became as wide as the dragon egg she hatched Spike from and she slammed the book shut.

“This isn’t good.” Was the only thing she able to say.

She trotted back and forth in the lobby of the library as Spike woke up from a nap hearing Trixie pacing.

“Everything will be fine Trixie.” She kept muttering over and over. 

“Uh Trixie your…” Spike starts as he watches her from the steps.

“Trixie knows she’s speaking in third pony!” She yelled. 

“Then what’s the problem?” He asked.

“Just look on Trixie’s desk at that book page 135 and you’ll see what Trixie means.” She said pointing to her desk as Spike went to it.

He opened to the page and it read saying ‘Molding of Minds’ on the page. 

“Molding of Minds, what is that anyway?” Spike asked rubbing his head which only made Trixie groan. 

“It goes like this: If you have DNA of somepony like say a piece of there mane and you cast it on a pony it will not only give you the traits of that pony but your mind will start acting like that pony over time while the same happens to the other.” Trixie explained.

“So I’m guessing that would explain why Rainbow Dash over there has Cheerliee’s mane.” Spike pointed out the window and Trixie saw a cloud with the cyan pony on a nearby cloud whose mane and tail now resembled how Cheerliee’s was except for a red streak on both.

Dash seemed to be mopping and mumbling something about her ruined reputation.

“Spike could you please find the others except Cheerliee?.” Trixie said and with a salute Spike was off to find the others.

“This is my fault, and I really wish I could fix this…” she starts and looks at the book reading what it says needs to be done to fix it.

“But only Dash can fix this.” She finishes with a sigh closing the book.

It took awhile but Spike managed to everypony up except for Cheerliee. They were now standing near the cloud that Dash was mopping from.

“Dash can we talk to you for a minute!” Sunset called out in worry.

“Go away; I don’t want to be bothered.” She called back as the others look to one another trying to figure out what to do.

“Please Dash we just want to see how you’re doing.” Coco pleads.

“Yeah, c’mon down from there.” Dust flew up and grabbed Dash by her back and brought her down.

When she was brought down, the girls were shocked to see what she looked like now. Her normal rainbow mane and tail were about gone except a small red streak on both, her eyes were half opened and bloodshot from crying. The usual swagger and smugness she had was replaced with depression.

“Are you okay Rainbow?” Sunset asked 

“NO! No I’m not okay!” Dash sobs in response.

“I-I use to be cool. I use to be the fastest there is, but now…now I’m a nothing.” She continues between sobs.

“And what’s worse there is practically nothing I can do about it!” she finishes and curls up into a ball continuing to sob.

Trixie steps up putting a hoof on her shoulder in an attempt to try and comfort her.

“Rainbow I’m sorry.” Trixie finally said but Dash was still crying.

“F-For w-what.” She sniffled looking up at the azure mare.

“I performed a spell on her that allowed her to be as fast as you but I didn’t expect it to actually change a ponies mind and to act to like them for that matter.” She said lowering her head then lifted her head back up. 

“But I do know something that can work to return you back to normal.” Trixie stated with a somewhat happier tone. 

“Well what is it?” Lightning said looking at her. 

“According to the book the only way to reverse the effects is to cause a strong mental shock while acting like your true self before the spell was cast.” Trixie said.

“Any suggestions on what could cause a strong mental shock?” Lightning asks.

“…The only possible idea that might work would be a race.” Trixie says.

But in response to that Dash cringed “But I can’t I’ll just lose again like the last time. I just… just can’t.” Dash began muttering incoherently. 

After a few minutes Sunset finally spoke up “C’mon RD I don’t know any other pony with the courage you have.” She commented and gestured for the rest to follow suit. 

“Yeah, plus your fast, brave and probably the better athlete out of all of us here. You can’t just give up on yourself.” Lightning said. 

“And your proud of who you are and plan to keep it that way to, but you can’t put yourself down because of a little set back.” Coco said with confidence. 

“I may not have been here long, but if you need some support I’ll be there no problem.” Trixie stated.

Dash picked herself off the ground and dried her tears as she looked over at her friends.

“So you really think I can win?” Dash asked them.

“We don’t think, we know you can win.” Sunset declared 

“Now how about it Dash?” Lightning started 

“You ready or what?” Coco added.

With all that her friends say she couldn’t let them down “Okay I’ll give it another go.” She said nervously. 

They all went to find Cheerliee which wasn’t hard, she was outside the school house grading papers and doing some sit up exercises until she spotted Rainbow. 

“Oh hello, coming back for me to embarrass you again.” Cheerliee smirked causing Dash to walk backwards a little.

Dash looked back at the others who encouraged her with a smile. She took in a breath to calm her nervous before letting it go and trying to gain her old confidence.

“Yes I want another race.” She replies firmly trying to show some of her old confidence.

“Well somepony is confident in herself today but the outcome will still be the same as always.” Cheerliee stated getting up from her sit ups. 

“But if you must insist on embarrassing yourself, be my guest.” She added with a sly smirk.

“First one to the town hall of Ponyville wins and you’ll start from that cloud up there while I start below it.” She said pointing to a cloud above them.

“You can do this Dash.” Sunset said 

“Don’t let her beat you.” Lightning continued 

“Stay strong.” Coco added with a firm nod. 

“Go get her.” Trixie finished. Dash nodded as they both lined up at the starting line.

“Ready.” Cheerliee began. 

“S-Set” Dash continued nervously.

“GO!” Both side in unison. They both zoomed off leaving a trail of dust behind them. 

Dash of course was flying while Cheerliee was on the ground pulling ahead of her by three pony lengths with relative ease.

“Come on Dash are you even trying?” Cheerliee teased.

“No I can’t lose again, not again.” Dash thought flapping her wings to try and to close the gap between them. 

“How is it going Dust?” Trixie asked while Lightning was holding a telescope as they watched from the school house.

“It looks like Cheerliee’s leading but Dash is slowly closing in but there already half way there it’s going to be close girls.” Dust said.

Dash was trying her best to keep up with her but it still wasn't enough as Cheerliee kept up putting Dash farther behind.

“Looks like I’ll win again huh Dash.” Cheerliee commented already declaring victory as she put more of a distance between them 

“No, not again, I blew it again, I’m the worst flyer ever.”  Dash thought as flashes of her previous loses flashed, but then what her friends had said flashed in her mind. 

“You can do this Dash, Don’t let her beat you, Stay strong, Go get her, We don’t think we know." Her friends comments echoed making a small smile spread across her muzzle.

“No, I still have a chance, there’s no way I’m going to be beaten! AGAIN!” Dash’s thoughts screamed as she flapped her wings to the max catching up and passing Cheerliee.

Cheerliee was at first shocked to see that she was pulling away from her and they were approaching the town hall. Dash gave a great hard flap of her wings pushing herself to the max and touched Town Hall first. It took her a second to realize what she did.

“I won.” She whispered. 

“I WON!” she yelled out and Cheerliee just a few seconds behind her. 

“I don’t believe it, you beat me.” Cheerliee admitted. Just as quickly all of Cheerliee colors that she gained from winning faded and went back to her normal grayish pink and Dash got all her colors back.

The rest of the girls got up with them “Did it work?” Trixie asked looking at both of them. 

“Looks like it did.” Lightning concluded. Cheerliee looked at Rainbow Dash and at herself.

“Oh dear what a foal I’ve been.” She thought ashamed at her recent actions.

“Rainbow Dash can I say something to you?” Cheerliee asked as she approached Dash who looked at her when her name was mentioned.

“I apologize for the way I’ve been acting toward you, I guess it I got carried away by it that I didn’t considered your feelings, I was wrong.” Cheerliee admitted lowering her head. 

“Well I guess I’m sorry too, I guess I finally got to see first hoof that bragging does have rather negative effects on other ponies.” Rainbow admitted rubbing her head with her hoof.

Trixie smiled at the both of them “I guess we both learned something today have we.” Trixie said as Cheerliee and Rainbow nodded in agreement.

Seeing this Trixie turned to Spike who had also been watching the whole time.

“Spike. Take a letter please.” She asks watching the two as Spike took out a quill and scroll.

“Dear Princess, Celestia; I discovered something very important today. Sometimes when a pony brags about something and somepony else take it into their own hoofs can have consequences, but not everypony is perfect. Sometimes bragging can have some negative effects on others causing them to rethink about themselves but it also takes your friends to give you some support when things are down, and even after everything is over it will only tighten the bond between friends so that they can understand each other more. Your faithful student, Trixie Lulamoon.”  

Trixie wrote “Send it Spike I’m sure she’ll be expecting it.” Trixie ordered as Spike puffed it away to Celestia 

“I’m just glad everything is back to normal with those two.” Spike commented 

“I think things will turn out just fine.” Trixie says as she watches Dash fly to the sky with Cheerliee running below after her as they had a small race back to the school house.


> A Mile In Her Hooves
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a regular Sunday morning in Ponyville as inside a certain tutoring house an ash grey filly was reading from a beginner’s magic book. She closed the book and got into a position to brace herself in case what she is about to do goes wrong.

“Okay here we go.” She said in a determined tone.

She focused magic into her horn which glows a red-orange and it had begun to spark a bit as she attempted to lift the flower pot located near a window

“Come on just a bit more.” Pen said still determined to lift the object off the ground but what she didn’t know was that she was concentrating too much magic which was building in her horn, and without warning…a loud boom had occurred.

When she woke up from the boom, the place was in shambles, everything was out of place and in a state that would possibly make Trixie faint. 

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Pen whispered as she tries to clean up the place and make it try and look like nothing had happened.

“This is not going to end well. I just know it.” Pen thought as she hurried to fix up the damage she unintentionally caused.



A Mile in Her Hooves

Elsewhere before the loud boom Sunset Shimmer was at Sugarcube corner getting herself and her sister a breakfast snack; that is if she can stay awake to get it. She was nodding off every now and then but still barely awake.

In order to keep her mind occupied and possibly awake she had brought a book with her that she had begun to read.

“Arcane. A sub-species to three of the four known pony species. From birth they have the ability to control one of a various numbers of elements (Fire, Water, Wind, etc), but only control one. Only one of each element is ever born, but the amount of elements and variations on similar ones are numerous. So it is actually unknown how many Arcane’s there are.” Sunset read in a whisper and let out a small weak chuckle.

“Are you alright dear?” asked a pony coming out of the kitchen. The pony was Mrs. Cake an earth pony mare with a light cerulean coat with a light crimson and pale, light grayish crimson mane with rose colored eyes and three cupcakes as her cutie mark.

Sunset perked up to meet the mare eyes “Yeah… just a rough week that’s all.” She said weakly but still able to be heard. 

“You wouldn’t believe all the tutoring I’ve had to do. I was able to help Snips and Snails get control of their magic and it took about three days to get Dinky’s magic to develop when she’s not running around all day long, plus there is my sister to deal…” Before Sunset could finish she was interrupted by a loud boom that shook the ground.

“What was that?!” Sunset now fully alert the sound having woke her up completely. 

“I think that came from your house dear.” Mrs. Cake said as Sunset quickly paid for her breakfast, placed the snacks and book in her saddlebag and ran with speed that would impress Rainbow Dash.

When she got home she burst through the door only to reveal her home was a wreck. When looked around most of her spell books for the fillies and colts were all scattered and over half of them were burnt. Her furniture was all flipped over on its sides.

And too top it all a filly was standing there with suet over her mane and coat with a nervous smile “Um… hey sis… um welcome back.” She said sweating bullets. 

Sunset just looked at the scene her eye twitching slightly as she looked back to Pen.

“So… may I ask… what caused this?” Sunset said trying not to lose her temper as her saddle bag fell off her. Pen took in a deep breath before reluctantly answering.

“I was practicing a levitation spell from one of your books and it kind of went out of control and I might have accidently caused this mess from a magic overload.” She said it all in one breath, taking in a breath after she finished.

Sunset felt herself about to explode in anger but restrained herself “Easy Sunset, she’s your sister. I’m sure she wasn’t doing this on purpose.” She thought before letting out a deep sigh.

“Well at least you’re not hurt. Now how about you help me clean up this mess?” She said with a smile getting straight to cleaning.

After about a half hour of cleaning, reorganizing, and polishing of everything Sunset had decided walked upstairs to lay down for awhile her exhaustion from the previous days tutoring catching up to her.

“Pen before I go lay down your breakfast from Sugarcube Corner is in my saddlebag, it’s your favorite blue cupcake with sapphire sprinkles.” She called down. 

“Okay thank you sis!” Pen says happily with a smile. 

“And please for Celestia’s sake don’t cause any trouble while I’m asleep.” Sunset pleaded rubbing her head.

“Alright, now go rest up.” Pen said in annoyance as she rolled her eyes too, and with that said Sunset had gone up the stairs and the sound of a door opening then closing was heard.

Pen got into her sisters bag and got the cupcake to start munching on.

“She worries too much. How much trouble can a filly like me cause?” She thought as she finished and then looked towards the book she had been looking at earlier before the explosion. She gave a silent nod to herself determined to try and master simple levitation.

“Alright time to get back to practicing, but what should I practice on?” She asks looking around and saw the flower pot, but shook her head the recent overload still fresh in her mind.

Then something caught her eye, it was an gold medallion with three amber suns circling a medium size topaz gem hanging on a small hanger above a few photos so she couldn’t reach it unless she used levitation.

“That’ll work” she thought and began to concentrate on the medallion with her magic. The medallion began to glow in Pen’s red-orange aura beginning to levitate the object from where it was hanging. 

“That’s it just a bit more.” She whispered as it was now eye level with her. She was so focused that she didn’t hear a door open then close from upstairs.

“Wow.” She said in aspiration, and it was at that moment that Sunset decided to come back down the stairs.

“I almost forgot my breakfast.” She said. Her voice surprised Pen so much she yelped tossing the medallion up in her levitation before the aura disappeared from around it.

All was heard next was a loud crash as the medallions gem was shattered when it hit the floor. A silence filled the room, both sisters staring at each other, and then Pen broke the silence. 

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she pleaded but Sunset walked past her in an almost trance like state toward the broken medallion which the gem was nowhere to be seen on it only small fragments laid around it. 

“Pen I’m only going to say this once. What did you do?” she asked coldly not looking at her.

“Um…I was practicing my magic.” She answered with a nervous giggle. 

“And what in Tartarus possessed you to do so?” Sunset continued her voice cold as ice. 

“Well I…” Pen began before she was interrupted by her sister.

“Did you even think about why it was on the hanger up there!?” She raised her voice.

“Well I wanted to get a better look at it, what’s so important about it anyway?” she asked cocking her head a bit.

Sunset’s horn began flashing in anger “This belonged to my elder brother before you were even born!” She yelled turning to Pen who was shaking a bit.

“And another thing if you want to learn levitation why didn’t you come to me about it!” Sunset yelled in frustration as bits of her mane began to stick up.

“Well I would’ve…” Pen began looking at Sunset sternly 

“IF YOU WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE TIME FOR ME!” Pen yelled.

“Watch your tone little missy, that’s no way to talk to your older sister!” Sunset says her tone as her own voice began to rise along with her temper.

“Well excuse me but when you are available it was already; nine times out of ten LATE IN THE EVENING!” She raised her voice to Sunset.

“WELL IF YOU COULD SEE HOW I GO THROUGHOUT MY DAY YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!” Sunset yelled 

“ALL OF WHAT I DO BRINGS BITS INTO THIS HOME!” Sunset continued angered.

“WELL IF YOU TEACH OTHER FILLIES AND COLTS THERE MAGIC WHY NOT ME? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL OR EVEN USE YOUR MAGIC FULLY?!” Pen shouts back

It became a screaming match between the two siblings until Sunset trotted out the door leaving her sister in the house. 

“She doesn’t understand one bit what I do to keep this place I’ve got here.” Sunset said still holding the medallion in her hoof. 

“Does she brother?” She said looking down at the broken medallion holding it closer to herself.

After their little shout fest she was stopped by Trixie who was watching as Lightning was eating a bag of popcorn on a bench nearby.

“Did you really need to scream?” Trixie said taking corks out of her ears. Sunset blushed in embarrassment.

“You two heard all that?” she asked sheepishly, they both nodded in response 

“Sorry about that but Pendragon was being a bit unbearable.” Sunset continued sounding extremely frustrated.

“Well it’s not like all of Ponyville heard you two if know what I mean.” Lightning said while tossing popcorn in the air before catching it with her tongue to pull it into her mouth then swallowed. 

“But I’ve never seen you yell at your sister before.” Lightning finished. 

“Maybe I’ll give her some time to cool off before I even think about stepping back in there.” Pointing her hoof to the door of her home and barely seen inside was Pen pacing in anger and possibly muttering.

“That would probably be for the best.” Trixie stated then came up with something to help try and lessen the tension.

“Hey to get our minds off things how we have a picnic with the others to calm things down a bit.” Trixie suggested which they both agreed. 

“I’ll start packing.” Trixie said as she teleported away.

After gathering the rest of the girls they found a spot near a small pond for them to swim which Dash and Lightning enjoy which started up a water breathing competition to see who can hold their breaths the longest as an awkward silence fell over the others. 

“So Trixie told us you had a squabble with you sister today, I hope nothing happened?” Coco asked. Sunset shook her head franticly. 

“Nope! Nothing happened!” She said nervously shooting a small glare towards Trixie.

“You’re are a very bad liar Sunset.” Cheerliee stated

“So what is that you are trying to hide?” Cheerliee questioned pointing her hoof toward the object Sunset was trying to hide under her hoof.

She gave a defeated sigh “I guess I can’t hide anything from you.” She said in a dead pan tone.

“No.” Cheerliee replied giving a sly smile at the sun colored mare.

Sunset brought out the broken medallion from below her hoof to show them. 

“Wow, what a beautiful medallion, is that actual gold?” Coco asked with a look of awestruck in her eyes. 

Sunset shook her head lightly “No sorry it’s only Pyrite. Fool’s gold if you want to know.” Sunset said with a small chuckle. 

“Aww shoot, I would’ve gone well with the new set of dresses Rarity and I have been working on.” Coco pouted only to receive stares from the other three. 

“Ehehe please continue.” Coco said apologetically seeming to shrink in size.

Sunset gave a small smile toward her friend “It alright there girl, but this is very important to me.” She said with much sorrow. 

“It belonged to my brother once.” Sunset finally said which caused the other to go wide eyed. 

“Your brother! I didn’t know you had a brother at all!” Trixie said with surprise.

“What happened to him?” Cheerliee asked with concern. 

“He died when he was in the guard, but I’ve learned to accept the loss and this medallion was a reminder of him.” Sunset said with only a tear escaping.

Sunset quickly wipe it away “He was the one who had taught me magic, and one of the reason’s I have the place I do. He also knew mom was sick and had asked me to take care of our baby sister if anything should happen.” Sunset stated than remember what happened today at home and her mood quickly changed from one of reminiscence to an annoyed glare at the ground.

“And if it weren’t for Pen I wouldn’t have to shovel out the bits it’s going to take to get it repaired!” she nearly screamed hitting the ground hard with a front hoof.

Her scream caused both Rainbow and Lightning to pop there head out of the water in surprise.

“Hey what’s the yelling for?!” Dash exclaimed giving Sunset an annoyed glare for interrupting the competition. 

“Yeah, I was about to win!” Lightning complained as Dash looks at her.

“In your dreams Dust.” She replies with a smirk. 

“Rainbow Aurora Dash, what did I tell about that bragging habit of yours?” Cheerliee said staring at her only to receive a groan from her before she answered. 

“To keep it down to as little as possible.” She chanted in annoyance.

Cheerliee smiled “Very good. Now how about you two come over here and sit down.” Cheerliee waved them over and they sat down on their haunches. 

“If only Pen understood what I have to go through everyday then maybe she would have a bit more respect for what I do.” Sunset said with a yawn her eyes drooping.

“You girls don’t mind if I take a small nap do you?” She asks her eyes starting to close already. 

“Go right ahead it looks like you haven’t slept in a good while.” Coco gave a reassuring smile.

And before they knew it Sunset Shimmer was sleeping soundly with her ears pressed against her head.

“Well what should we do?” Lightning whispered. 

“Well I could take her home before she wakes up.” Trixie whispered as she began to lift Sunset gently with her magic. 

“And maybe I can get her side of the story about this problem.” She adds in a whisper as she began walking back toward Sunset’s place.

It took Trixie about ten minutes to get back to Sunset’s home and when she opened the door it was to her surprise there was no Pendragon in sight. 

“I wonder where she went off to.” Trixie thought but continued upstairs to try and find Sunset’s room. After about the third door she finally was able to find her room which was indicated with her cutie mark on the door.

Sunset’s room consist of teal green colored walls with a queen size bed up against the wall with three book shelves filled with magic books for the young and a study desk that made Trixie impressed, but her room isn’t well organized as there was books scattered open on the ground and piled up on the desk.

Trixie gently put the sleeping Sunset on her bed and covered her with the blanket carefully so that she wouldn’t wake.

“Now to get Pen’s side of the story.”  She thought as she walked out of the room and teleported outside the house. 

When she got outside she spotted the ash grey filly walking out of Carousel Boutique, and she looked rather miffed.

“Well no time like the present I guess.” Trixie said as she began approaching Pen, and she got closer she notice a few things about her. 

One her eyes were narrowed as if she was mad at something or somepony, second her pace was quicker which is normally a sign that she was going somewhere in a hurry or she was extremely mad, and third she kept muttering something to herself which Trixie took as another sigh of frustration. 

Trixie cleared her throat to say something to Pen as she passed, but the filly stopped and looked at her.

“What do you want Trixie?” Pen states annoyed staring at Trixie. 

Trixie was surprise at her attitude at first “Well I was just about to ask you about what happened between you and Sunset?” She asked quickly. 

Pen gave a quick huff at the question “All because I broke something of hers she blows up in my face, and then she asks me why I don’t ask her about teaching me magic! I would, but she NEVER PLANS ANY TIME JUST FOR US!” Pen shouted out huffing by the end of her explanation.

“And that’s not all, do you know how hard it is for a filly like me to barely be able to use or control magic, its infuriating to say the least, and it just burns me up inside, and she doesn’t even understand how I even feel! I strain myself trying to learn simple levitation!” she ranted huffing by the end.

After the small outburst and Trixie listening to what she said Pen ran off in a fit of rage toward her home. 

“So that’s what this is all about. The inability to understand one another.”  Trixie pondered about it.

“So Sunset wants Pen to understand her work helps keep their home in order, and Pen wants Sunset to understand how useless not knowing almost no magic makes her feel.” Trixie thought and sat on her haunches as she closed her eyes to think a moment. She then opened them wide as something came to mind.

“To quote Rarity: IDEA!” Trixie screamed in her thoughts and clapped her hooves together.

“I just know what to do, they may hate me for it but it’ll be for the best… I hope.” Trixie said as she teleported back to the library in order to prepare for her plan.

Hours past and Luna’s night has covered the sky with her beautiful night with all the stars above. But in the mist of this gorgeous night a figure roams the streets of Ponyville quietly entering a neighboring house.

The figure avoided the valuable objects that would fetch plenty of bits and began to walk up the stairs. Her pale blue tail and magenta eyes could be seen.

The figure tripped and fell backwards a loud crash echoing all about the house, but no one awoke.

“Ugh…That’s it. I’m using an Illumination spell.” Trixie’s voice said as her horn lights up and she went back to the stairs.

As Trixie followed the staircase to the rooms above she passes a mirror show she is wearing a black burglar suit that kept her mane in it and that covered most of the body except her head, horn, and tail.

“Why Pinkie Pie has them stored all throughout Ponyville I will never know.” She thought as she got to the second floor.

She approached what seemed like Pen’s room. She slowly entered without waking the sleeping filly. Her room was more organized than Sunset’s, but it was hard to tell any colors due to it being nighttime. 

Trixie began to approach the filly “Well surely hope I know what I’m doing.” She said internally as she cast the spell on the filly which flashed a bright magenta.

She went to Sunset’s room and proceeded to do the exact same thing. In both rooms they proceeded to glow teal for Sunset and red-orange for Pen in a manner of seconds the glow seemed to change as Sunset glowed red-orange and Pen teal.

With what she wanted to do done Trixie teleported herself outside the house and looked back.

“Oh pray Celestia that my plan goes right.” Trixie thought as she walked back to the safety of her library.

Pen began to stir as Celestia’s sun rose as the start of Monday morning came meaning the start of school.

Pen let out a yawn and fully opened her eyes which then widened as she saw she was not in her own room like she should be.

“Um…why am I in my sister’s room?” Pen thought as she began to scan the room, and she spotted a mirror that was on the door. 

She got out of bed and walked over to it, and what stared back was a pony with brilliant yellow and vivid crimson mane and cyan eyes with a horn with a brilliant amber coat.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she looked at what she saw. “What in Celestia’s name is going on here and why am I in my sisters body?!” She screamed internally and was externally screaming in fright. The scream was loud enough that it could heard all the way to Rainbow Dash’s cloud house.

Dash jumped out of the cloud bed in surprise and hit the ceiling before hitting the floor. She groaned getting up.

“That tears it! I’m investing in a pair of ear plugs!” Rainbow shouted out then looked to her left and right and face hooved.

“Why am I talking to myself? *Sigh* Great now I’m turning into Pinkie Pie.” She climbed back on her bed and planted her head in the pillow and went back to sleep while Pen was still yelling.

The yelling was enough to wake Sunset up who didn’t look at her surroundings and headed straight for the source of the yelling who she thought was Pen.

“Could you please quiet…down?” Sunset asked when she got in and stopped for two reasons: One she was talking in her sister’s voice, and two she was staring at her own body which was staring back at her.

“Give me a mirror.” Sunset says trying to sound stern, but with Pen’s voice it only came off as demanding and whiny. Pen closed the now open door and turned her around to face the mirror in the room and looking back at her was Pen’s body.

Sunset raised a hoof, and the image did the same at the same time. Suneset’s eyes became pinprick size as she realized what was going on.

“I’m… I’m a…I’M A FILLY!” She finally screamed.

“Excuse me but I don’t think I appreciate being you either you know.” Pen said as Sunset began pacing the room with a look of panic on her face.

“What could have caused this anyway?” Sunset said in a panic. 

“Well maybe it could have been a POV spell.” Pen answered after a quick moment of thought making Sunset stop and stare at her.

“A POV spell?” Sunset asked tilting her head to the side.

“Really, you don’t know what the POV spell is?” Pen asked.

“Uhh…no. I’ve never heard of it until today.” Sunset admits.

“And I thought you were the tutor of spells?” Pen questioned.

“Just because I’m a tutor doesn’t mean I know every spell there is.” She countered annoyed.

“Anyways a POV spell is well basically you get to look at ponies POV and swap bodies with any other ponies in the area.” Pen explained.

“Except it’s extremely complicated so only a high level unicorn could possibly cast it.” She adds a hoof under her muzzle as she thought.

“But who could have cast it? I most certainly didn’t, and wouldn’t even think of doing that.” Sunset said as Pen gave her a quizzical look.

“And we know Rarity wouldn’t be able to either because she doesn’t have any experience with spells this complicated.” Pen continued. 

“Uh Pen. Over half the town’s unicorn population couldn’t possibly pull it off.” Sunset pointed out as Pen just rolled her eyes.

“And those capable would probably have a good headache for a while as well as dangerously low mana.” Pen added.

“So in other words we are thinking of a high level unicorn with a large mana reserve capable of casting a difficult spell without possible backlash.” Sunset says

“But that means it would have to have been…” Pen starts

“Trixie!” they said in unison Sunset sounding a bit more annoyed.

“I’ll go talk to her.” Pen said as she began walking out of Sunset’s room as Sunset gets in her way trying to stop her from leaving.

“Whoa hold on why you? I can talk to her just as well.” Sunset protested a bit annoyed. 

“As you can see I’m you and you’re me and today is a Monday so that mean it’s a school day so you’ll have to go to school little missy.” Pen said with a sly smirk at Sunset pouts.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” Sunset said bluntly.

Pen’s response was to grab her with levitation, take her out of the room, put a saddlebag on her, and then throw her out of the door all while having a smile plastered on her face.

Sunset blinked as she looked back to the door of her home “How did she…she can’t even…oh never mind. We might as well just get this over with.” She thought and then got up in a huff walking off.

Sunset walked down the street to the school house where the other fillies and colts were going to with her saddlebag in tow. 

“I can’t believe this, what would drive Trixie to do this? Oh when I get my hoofs on her…” her train of thought was interrupted when she pumped into somepony ahead of her.

“Watch where you’re going idiot!” said the filly. 

She looked at who she bumped into, this filly was an earth pony and her coat was a pale magenta, with a light grayish violet with white streaks and her eyes were a brilliant cornflower blue, her cutie mark was that of a tiara which she was also wearing one on her head.

“Who is this again? Oh right Diamond Tiara I think.”  She realized after a moment of thought. 

“Sorry for that just wasn’t paying attention.” Sunset/Pen apologized sheepishly. 

“Oh it’s just you blank flank.” Diamond says in an annoyed tone. 

“Blank flank?”  She thought in confusion as she then looked at the back of her flank. 

“Oh that’s what she meant…Wait a minute!”  She thought realizing what Diamond Tiara said to her and was a bit annoyed.

“So what if I am a blank flank that means I get to enjoy myself to find out what my destiny is.” She retorted.

“C’mon Di we better get going before we’re late again.” Called out another voice, the one was another earth pony filly with a cornflower bluish gray coat with a cerulean gray with cornflower bluish gray streaked mane braided into a pigtail and with grayish violet eyes with a cutie mark of a spoon adorned with a heart in it and wore big cyan glasses along with a cyan beaded necklace. This filly is known as Silver Spoon who is friends with Diamond Tiara.

“When it isn’t one it’s the other.”  Sunset thought with a frown as she saw the two of them together

“Well I guess I’ll see you I class then.” Sunset/Pen said and proceeds towards the school house before the two could say anything else to her.

“This is going to be a long day.” She muttered under her breath.

While Sunset was dealing being in Pen’s body; Pen was still getting used to being in her sisters’ body, and unfortunately realized she wouldn’t be able to talk to Trixie about the POV spell she casted on them. 

She looked at a calendar next to the refrigerator checking for anything important she had put on it.

“What does Sunset do all day anyway?” She questioned with no pony to answer her as she looked at the calendar with the date September 16th circled in red marker which said ‘Appointment with Dinky Doo at 12 o’clock’ on it which was today.

“At 12 o’clock with Dinky Doo that shouldn’t be a…” She looked at the clock which read 11:55 a.m. 

“Problem.” She finished then realized what the time read and her eyes became pin prick size. 

“GAH I’M GOING TO BE LATE!” Pen yelled running about in a circle then stopping after a few seconds.

“I better get moving then!” She said as she zoomed out of the house grabbing a few things as she went to meet her sister’s youngest student.

“This is going to be a long day.” She muttered running down the street passing many others in her hurry.

While back at the school Sunset was already bored out of her gourd but she could manage as study period began. She sat near the back of the class which she knew a few of the ponies there; like Emerald who was sitting on the right of her, and Applejack’s little sister Applebloom sitting just in front of her, Diamond Tiara sitting on Applebloom’s left and Silver Spoon on her right. 

During middle of class Diamond Tiara began to pass a note to Applebloom but after taking a look at it she notice the paper was blank. Applebloom was hesitant at first but began to grab the note with both hooves which caught some attention.

“Applebloom, are you passing a note?” the assistant teacher which was Cheerliee at the time caught her as Applebloom dropped the note which was blank on the inside 

“And why is it blank?” She asked with a bit of surprise.

“Remind you of anypony?” Diamond asked in a mocking tone at AB and began laughing at her along with Silver Spoon and most of the class except Sunset/Pen and Emerald who was afraid to counter them. 

“Applebloom I’m very disappointed in you. I guess you will just have to stay in for today.” Cheerliee said with disappointment.

Having enough Sunset/Pen decided to finally jump in a bit tired of these bullies, and there constant antics of picking on others.

“Why didn’t Pen ever tell me these two were causing trouble at school?” She thought for a moment before remembering what she was about to do.

“I don’t that will be necessary Ms. Cheerliee.” Sunset/Pen answered with a sly grin on her muzzle.

“Why would that be?” Cheerliee asked blinking at the filly a bit surprised by her outburst.

“If we take a close look at the note you will find something very interesting.” Sunset/Pen started with a smirk.

“There is a bit of saliva on the right side of the note. Sure Applebloom grabbed the note, but she is currently holding it in both hooves like she was taking it from somepony else, and since it’s on her right that means the one who was passing the note was Diamond Tiara.” She continued smirking at the filly who was between sweating and glaring at Sunset/Pen.

“Well did you see Diamond Tiara pass the note?” Cheerliee asked.

“Yes I did, and I think a few others did as well.” She answered and Cheerliee looked over to Diamond Tiara which was nervously fidgeting with her hooves but was saved by the recess bell and quickly ran out along with Silver Spoon right behind her.

“Well this turning out just fine. Now I know what Pen would feel like.” Sunset/Pen muttered from her desk then realized what she just said.

“How she would feel.” She muttered and stopped a moment and sighed recalling earlier.

“Maybe I need to be a little bit nicer to her next time.” She muttered as she walked to join the other younger ones on the playground. Before she was able to leave a hoof blocked here way. 

“Excuse me Pen but can I talk to you for a minute?” Cheerliee asked as Sunset/Pen looks at her in confusion.

“Um… sure.” Sunset/Pen said 

“I wonder what she wants to talk about?” She thought as they stepped outside the classroom.

“That was a very nice deduction Pen, but I’ve never seen you act like this, normally you’re quite. What’s with the sudden outburst?” Cheerliee asked.

“Um… well you see… I just wanted to help AB you know.” Sunset/Pen said sweating bullets. 

“Oh ponyfeathers, Sunset you should have known that Cheerliee would probably put two and two together. Stay calm. No way she could possibly find out anyways.” She thought as Cheerliee began to ponder something before she answered 

“Pen do you remember when Sunset made that crater outside Sugarcube Corner?” Cheerliee asked the made Sunset/Pen eyes went wide eyed 

“That was an accident and it was Pinkie party cannon doing that and…!” She paused realizing what she had pretty much spilled the beans as Pen had been sick the day of that particular incident.

“Oh ponyfeathers.” She muttered.

“Is that you Sunset?” Cheerliee questioned knowing full well the only other who knew of that incident was Sunset and she nodded in response.

“What happened?” Cheerliee asked holding back a chuckle. 

“Well I think somepony cast a POV spell on me and Pen, but right now I can’t go into full detail.” Sunset/Pen said and started to trot out before looking back to Cheerliee.

“But I’ll explain later, right now can you keep this secret?” She asked in a pleading tone and Cheerliee nodded in response promising to keep it secret.

Meanwhile where Pen/Sunset arrived where she meet Dinky and her mother Ditzy Doo. Dinky in a unicorn filly with light gray coat and light blonde mane her eyes were amber gold, she also has yet to gain a cutie mark. As for Ditzy Doo she is a pegasus mare with a darker gray coat with blonde mane with yellow eyes that seem to be crooked, her cutie mark consist of seven bubbles.

“Thank you for teaching my little muffin Sunset.” Ditzy said chewing on a muffin.

“Don’t worry she’s in good hoofs.” She said taking a few calming breaths.

“I know I have a grip on her magic. Just using it right is going to be the problem.” She thought as she was already sweating bullets. 

“I have to go on a delivery run for an hour or two but it shouldn’t take too long for me.” Ditzy said preparing to take off. 

“Well I’m off; make sure you behave for Ms. Shimmer okay.” She said to Dinky.

“Yes mamma!” she said with a assuring smile as her mother took to the air only seconds later to crash into a tree nearby. 

“I’m okay!” she yelled back and took off again. They both giggled at her antics before Pen/Sunset spoke up.

“Alright Dinky can you tell me where we left off?” she asked 

“I think it was learning levitation magic.” Dinky said happily.

“Levitation it is then.” She confirmed. 

“Like that shouldn’t be hard to pull off!” She screamed internally as she began to scan the area of something easy for Sunset’s student to levitate then spotted a small rock that could easily be moved.

“Let’s start out small okay.” She pointed to the small rock nearby and walked over to it picking it up before setting it on the table.

“Let’s start off simple. Please try lifting this rock Dinky.” She asks.

“But I want to lift something bigger than just a rock.” Dinky whined giving Pen/Sunset the puppy eyes. 

“Right now it is best that you start small you may think that your good with magic, but you must learn you limits first.” She said wisely.

“Great now I’m sounding like Sunset.” Pen/Sunset thought after that moment. 

“Okay.” Dinky whined pouting as Pen/Sunset chuckles. In this situation Dinky reminded her of herself. 

“Okay first you want to concentrate.” She said and Dinky obeyed with wide eyes staring at the rock. 

“Then you want to feel your mana channeling through your horn and lifting the object, but don’t use too much or it could backlash.” She said as Dinky closed her eyes tightly. 

At first nothing happened then Dinky’s horn started to emit a small yellow aura at the tip of her horn and began sparking. The rock started to ascend up but quickly brought down barely five centimeters off the ground. Dinky opened her eyes and noticed it didn’t move at all which made her sad. 

“Hey you almost had it. It takes time a practice to get a hang of it I’m sure just a few more tries you’ll have it down in now time.” Pen/Sunset encouraged.

“You think I can do it.” Dinky said her smile showing she was cheering up. 

“Positive, now let’s try that one more time.” She said giving rubbing Dinky’s mane with a hoof.

“OKAY!” Dinky cheered and went through the steps again to try and make it happen. Pen/Sunset gave a few small suggestions to try and help along the way.

After about the fifth time four breaks and an hour later, Dinky was slowly improving the amount of distance she was able to lift the rock this time it was about four and a half inches off the ground.

“How am I doing?” Dinky asked her eyes still closed. 

“Open your eyes and find out.” Pen/Sunset said looking at her as Dinky slowly opened her eyes. When she did she was both shocked and happy to see the rock was surrounded in a yellow aura up on eye level with her.

She smiled the widest of smiles and began hopping up and down at her accomplishment, but the rock then fell back to the ground as Dinky had lost her concentration.

Meanwhile back at the school house playground, Sunset/Pen was sitting on a small bench under a tree reading a book. She thought it would get her mind off things after the whole fiasco with Diamond Tiara and being found out by Cheerliee. 

She had also attempted earlier to lift the book via her magic, but found it extremely difficult to lift anything heavier than a rock or medallion.

All the others fillies and colts were playing all around, some by the jungle gym, some by the sandpit, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon picking on AB near a mud puddle.

“Ugh, not again! Those two didn’t learn their lesson the first time then I’m just going to have to make it clear to them.” She thought as she placed the book on a nearby bench and slowly trotted over to where they were as she then saw them push AB into some mud.

“Leave her be you two right now!” she shouted out to the two bullies.

The both looked back at who shouted at them coming almost muzzle to muzzle with a rather angry looking ash grey filly.

“And what do you want Pendragon?” Diamond asked with a stern glare directed at the ash grey filly.

“I would like it if you stop picking on Applebloom.” She said coldly returning Diamond’s glare with a glare of her own.

“And who’s going to stop us, you?” Silver Spoon said with a mocking tone. She shook her head with a bit of a smile seeing a certain pony out of the corner of her eye that was coming their way.

“Nope not me…her.” She pointed her hoof toward the assistant teacher that was coming their way and stopped in front of the four fillies.

“What is going on here?” Cheerliee asked looking at the scene then at Sunset/Pen. 

“Pendragon do you know what happened here?” she asked with a calm tone.

“No but I think some of the others here saw what happened.” She pointed out to some of the others in the area a few backing away not wanting to be involved.

Emerald stepped up “Umm…I might have seen Applebloom get pushed into the mud by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They then started laughing at her.” Emerald said nervously as Cheerliee looked at the two fillies. 

“Is this true you two?” Cheerliee said raising an eyebrow at them. They both stuttered to say anything as they looked at each other.

“Perhaps I should write a letter to your parents about your behavior.” Cheerliee threatened causing DT to flinch a little.

“But if you two don’t want me to I suggest you two attend detention for the next few days.” She adds as both nod walking off, but not before Diamond Tiara gave a glare at Sunset/Pen who was smirking a bit.

The rest of the school day went pretty smoothly avoiding all the taunts from DT and SS. After school let out for the day Sunset/Pen walked with AB.

“Thank yah kindly Pen. Though never knew yah tah be courageous.” Applebloom said as they neared Sweet Apple Acres.

“It wasn’t a problem Bloom. I couldn’t just stand there let them keep doing that kind of stuff to you.” Sunset/Pen said a bit embarrassed by the praise.

“See yah tomorrow Pen!” She says running off for her home as Sunset/Pen walks off towards town.

“Talk about a day, I didn’t know Pen would have to go through this every time she goes to school.” She pondered as she walked through town.

After a few minutes walks she was in front of her and Pen’s home. She let out a sigh as she opened the door.

“I need to make it up to her big time for being such an idiot to her.” Sunset/Pen muttered as she saw the broken medallion on the countertop 

“And for snapping at her.” She muttered and remembered what Pen said to her yesterday 

“WELL IF YOU TEACH OTHER FILLIES AND COLTS THERE MAGIC WHY NOT ME? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL OR EVEN USE YOUR MAGIC FULLY?!” That rang in her mind.

She began to think about what to do for her sister then it hit her like a freight train and smiled a huge grin as she zoomed off to Pen’s room.

Meanwhile where Pen/Sunset was after teaching Dinky levitation and gave her the basics about her new acquired skill, she was paid for the hour with Dinky and went to find other clients to help. It was about five o’clock and she was tuckered out from her other clients she had that day. 

“Now I know how Sunset feels after all these clients. My horn feels like somepony dropped an anvil on it.” She thought as she rubbed her horn and was even sore to the touch.

She winced as she touched it. She looked at the amount of bits she made today “Hm fifty bits today that isn’t so bad I guess.” She said then pondered something that happened yesterday at what her sister said.

“WELL IF YOU COULD SEE HOW I GO THROUGHOUT MY DAY YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!” “ALL OF WHAT I DO BRINGS BITS INTO THIS HOME!” Those words rang throughout her mind 

“So that’s what she meant by at what she does. I guess I’ve been pretty bad as a sister.” She whispers to herself.

She managed to get back home and noticed that most of the lights were out but before she entered she heard a shaking in the bushes nearby that made her stop in her tracks. 

“Who there?!” she shouted ready to fight off whatever was in the bushes, but the only thing that came out was a squirrel. She let out a relieving sigh and entered the house.

Most of the houses lights were off “Maybe she’s in her…my room.” She trotted upstairs to find a slightly open door and inside the room was Sunset who seemed to be reading something.

“What are you doing?” Pen asked. Then sudden voice made Sunset lose her concentration as she let out a yelp of surprise and turn around to face Pen.

“Oh hey Pen I didn’t know you were home already.” She said with a hint of embarrassment.

They both didn’t say anything for a few minutes both unsure what to say to the other.

“I want to apologize for what happened.” They both said in unison which surprised them both. 

“You first sis.” Pen said motioning her to talk. 

“No you first, I insist.” Sunset returned.

“Alright. Let me just start by saying being you isn’t easy, and now I can see why you never really have time for me. You make our living out of what you do by teaching others there magic. I’m sorry if I’ve seemed ungrateful Sunset.” She says her head low after she finished and put her saddle bag down along with the fifty bits she made, and began to exit the room.

“I’m sorry too.” Sunset said which made Pen stop in her tracks.

“I shouldn’t have lashed out at you, and I really was stressed to the point I couldn’t think straight. I just wanted to live up to the promise I made that I forgot that looking out for you means taking the time to be with you and understand how you feel. After going through a day of school and having pretty much zero magic and being made fun of for it…I just want to say I’m sorry for how I’ve acted.” Sunset says as she went up and hugged Pen.

Tears welled up in their eyes as a chuckle echoed around them.

“About time. I was thinking it would be a few days before you two came to an understanding.” a familiar mare’s voice then said from behind Pen.

“Huh!” the duo both look at who it was that spoke.

“TRIXIE!” the yelled in unison with a slight undertone on anger in they’re voice. 

“Who did you think it was the Easter bunny?” Trixie joked.

“It was you who casted that POV spell on us huh.” Pen said her eyes slightly narrowed as one of Sunset’s was twitching in annoyance.

“Guilty as charged but it looked like my idea worked did it not?” Trixie asks with a sly smile.

“Huh?” the both said with confusion as they tilted their heads 

“My whole idea was to get you two to understand each other, so what better way than switching each other mind for the day.” Trixie added 

“And I’ll be glad to switch you back.” She added with a cheery smile 

“PLEASE!” They said in unison.

Trixie recast the spell to turn the POV back to normal on both of them. 

“You know this would make a good letter to the princess.” Trixie thought out loud.

“Gee…you think?” Sunset said sarcastically, but it was lost on Trixie.

“Well I must be off now Spike will be over to take a letter. Bye now.” She teleported away, as they both blinked a few times. 

“You know something. I think I’m starting to dislike Trixie now.” Pen said bluntly glancing at Sunset.

“I agree.” Sunset added as they both look at each other then let out a laugh.

Later that same day Spike came over with paper and quill ready 

“Trixie really doesn’t understand sarcasm does she?” Sunset asks Spike who nods.

“Trust me. If she did understand sarcasm then she would mistake them as something else entirely and try writing a theory on them.” Spike replied as the sisters just grin and shake their heads at the drake.

“I think we’re ready Spike.” Pen said 

“Ready.” Spike said readying his quill as Pen and Sunset clear their throats ready to say what they think needs to be said.

“Dear Princess Celestia, At times siblings can be a little bit overbearing to handle, but it is also a great responsibility to take care and teach them.” Sunset started looking to Pen who used a bit of levitation to put a book up.

“But thinking that your sibling has nothing to worry about can make things get out of hand and lead to disagreements between them.” Pen added as she watched Sunset take a marker and mark out the date.

“By taking a step back and understanding what the other has been through, you can understand what is happening with the other.” Sunset continued as her and Pen sat down next to each other.

“Even to the point it’s like you’ve lived from the others perspective. From your loyal subjects, Pendragon Quill.” Pen added 

“And Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset finished. Spike sent the finished letter and then left.

“Well Pen what to you want to do now?” Sunset asked.

“Well I still want to pay Trixie back for the POV spell…” Pen stated and then got an idea rubbing her hooves together.

“Oh I got a killer of an idea!” Pen said and whispered it to Sunset.

“Uh Huh.”

“…”

“Uh huh.”

“…”

“Oh hehe, its payback time.” Sunset said after Pen finished whispering her idea as they both ran off to the library.

The next morning Rainbow Dash was snoring loudly having a nice dream involving a certain group of pegasi.

“Yes I accept the title of wonderbolt…” She said lazily until her dream was interrupted by two loud and shrill screams making her jump out of her bed and hit the ceiling and landed on the floor.

“CAN’T I GET SOME SLEEP AROUND HERE ANYMORE!” she bolted up and took the earplug out of her ears and stomped on them a few times, got back in bed and went back to sleep.


> Arcane of Ice Winter Blossom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a quiet day for the residents of Ponyville who seemed to be going along with their everyday lives. Several talked about their day or recent events coming up.

All except for Rarity Belle and Coco Pommel who were in the boutique as Rarity was preparing to give her an in depth lesson on making dresses.

“Are you sure you’re up for this darling?” Rarity asked preparing a several fabric rolls.

“I’m pretty sure.” She said nervously to her friend and employer as she grabbed a few things with her hooves.

“I’ve always wanted to try making my own designs and I’ve had plenty of inspiration lately.” She added quickly.

“Well that is always good to have darling. Now then let us begin with dress making 101.” Rarity began.

“First off you need to picture in your mind what you want the dress to look like first.” Rarity spoke as she and Coco closed their eyes to picture what their idea would look like.

“Once you got that picture in your mind then I would draw what you have thought of.” Rarity continued as levitated a paper and pencil over to her and began drawing on it.

After she was done Coco did the same thing using her hoof to hold the pencil. What Coco drawn was a mare wearing a dress that covers the back hooves, flank, and tail covered; the head wore a small head piece that hooked around the ears, along with small boots on the hooves.

“Okay I think I’ve got it so far.” Coco said as she put her writing tool down and showed it Rarity. 

“Well that is some imagination now to move on to…” Before she could finish there was a knock at her door. 

“Hmm? Now who could that be?” Rarity questioned having closed up shop for the day in order to give Coco her lesson.

“Well umm…we shouldn't leave a possible customer waiting.” Coco said with curiosity as they both walked toward the door as the pony that knocked entered hearing the sounds of bells chiming.

“Indeed Coco.” Rarity says and walks towards the front.

“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique where everything is chic as it can be. How can I be of service?” Rarity says introducing herself as she always does with each customer.

“Two hours on a train and all I get is ‘How can I be of service’ you haven’t changed one bit Rarity.” A tomboyish female voice says with a chuckle as Rarity goes wide eyed seeing the pony in front of her as Coco peeked out behind some curtains.

“Who is this mare?” she thought.



Arcane of Ice Winter Blossom

The pony she saw in front of her was a unicorn mare with a Cyan White coat, a purple mane with a three streaks of blue going through it tied into a nice pony tail, her eyes were a dark purple color, and her cutie mark is an ice crystal snowflake with thread going through it. A very predominate feature was the small black rimmed reading glasses on her muzzle that was secured was a piece of string in the back.

Rarity stood there with her mouth gaped open looking at her “You do know it’s rude to stare at somepony like that Rares.” The mare said magically closing Rarity’s mouth as Coco looked to Rarity.

“Um Rarity who is this pony, do you know her?” Coco asked in curiosity coming out from behind the curtains.

“… Winter… Blossom.” Rarity finally said after said mare took her magic hold off Rarity’s muzzle.

“Who else could it be girl?” Winter said as she went over to give Rarity a hug. 

“Do you know how long I was on that train or better yet how long I’ve been in Canterlot?” She said as Rarity returned the hug. 

“Still have some of the tompony in you don’t you” Rarity stated with a chuckle as Coco stood there completely clueless to the situation. 

“Um is this a friend of yours Rarity?” Coco said with a questioning stare.

“Oh where are my manners. Winter Blossom meet Coco Pommel.”  She said as gestured her to come closer.

“It’s a pleasure.” Winter says extending a hoof to shake which Coco took.

“She my assistant here at the boutique and she is quite handy with her hoofs and she learning how to be a good seamstress like me.” Rarity explained with a bit of pride

“Any friend of Rarity’s is a friend of mine.” Coco smiled.

“Well that’s good to hear coming from the Element of Generosity.” Winter said with a wink.

Coco was surprised at this “How did you know that?” she asked as Winter rolls her eyes but smiling. 

“You and the other element bearers have been the talk of Canterlot for a while now. So I thought why not kill two birds with one stone; meet an element bearer and catch up with my oldest friend.” Winter explained

“And I’m quite the seamstress myself you know.” She then adds.

“Coco how about you show her that picture that you’ve just drawn?” Rarity suggested but Coco took a step back in surprise at the suggestion.

“Um… I don’t know if I should.” Coco said nervously unsure what to do as she glanced down to the ground.

“I don’t mind really I’m good at giving suggestions if need be.” Winter said.

“Well if you would have a look at it.” Coco said as she fetched her picture. She returned with her drawing in mouth and placed it on the table for her to look at. Winter approached it and levitated the drawing to her eye view. She began looking at it with strange looks. 

She put it down before she spoke “Do you want my honest opinion about it?” She asked and Coco nodded.

“To be blunt, some of it could use some adjustments. The length is fine, the boots could change, and the head piece needs to go, along with the style of fabric you’re thinking of using.” She stated 

“Now see here Winter Blossom, Coco is only starting out and I thought her piece was very riveting for her first time.” Rarity commented.

“We can talk about it a little more…after say a small tour?” Winter says to Rarity who nods and runs off to grab her saddlebags.

Winter then looks to Coco “There is going to be a small Fashion Show that will be held in a few days. You are welcome to come, but you must really work on your design if you wish to enter it.” She says in a calm tone and then Rarity came back in with her saddlebag on.

“Well I must be off Coco I know I promised to help you today.” Rarity says with a bit of guilt as she glances to her friend.

“Don’t worry about it. You show Winter Blossom around town and I’ll look after the boutique till you get back.” Coco said with a genuine smile.

This caused Rarity’s smile to return “Well if that’s what you really want.” She said as her and Winter left leaving Coco alone.

Only then Coco smile went away and turned into a frustrating look “Ugh! Some adjustments ‘The boots could change, and the head piece could go’ she says and there’s nothing wrong with the fabric I’m going to be using! It’s like to her the whole style needs a change!” She pouted.

“Well I’ll show her a thing or two.” She said as she went back to Rarity’s inspiration room.

She entered Rarity’s inspiration room and began to think about her next idea for a dress to impress Rarity’s friend. She went through the steps Rarity gave her this morning. First she thought of the dress she wanted to make then went ahead and draw it out on a piece of paper.

The drawing was a dress that rides a little high on the flank but enough so that the pony wearing it doesn’t look like a tank along with a small choker that went around the upper neck. Also on the dress it had diamonds on the left and right side of the dress.

Instead of boots like the last one she drew on slippers. She also manage to fit in a small saddle on the back to give it a more rustic charm.

After she drew the dress that she thought up it was time to begin seeing which colors would fit the dress. She went and began to color with yellow, pale green and pale blue for the dress and brown for the saddle. 

“Okay now just a little touch up here and…done.” Coco said with a great smile.

“Now for the fabric.” She said walking over to a cabinet which was all disorganized with all the fabric going all over the shelves. She looked at the mess.

“How does Rarity ever find things in here?” She says questioning Rarity’s organization system. She grabbed the green and yellow fabric from below and as soon she did the whole fabric rack came falling on top of her.

After grabbing them she proceeds to cut what she needed out of each fabric like the fabric diamonds and the collar from the yellow one. Though this took awhile because she couldn’t use magic like Rarity; so she had to do things the old fashion way with scissors with the handle able to fit the size of her hoofs. 

After a long ten minutes she was able to cut all three diamonds and the collar she was going to use for it. As for the pale green she made a small fitting strap so the pony could fit it around its waist and she made sure that it was adjustable like a belt and made a belt loop just in case for any extra left over.

As for the saddle she cut out she took the pale green and made a strap to go around the pony that would wear it. Next was the dress itself she had to sow on each individual part of the diamonds on the sides of the dress. 

With the sewing machine she shares with Rarity she was able to do so. All three diamonds on each side were placed carefully and next was the choker.

“Now I know Rarity keeps some gems around here somewhere.” She began looking around for Rarity’s gem case which was obviously a small wooden treasure chest. As she opened the chest she was amazed by the amount of gems Rarity has collected. The gems ranged from simple quartz to sapphires and rubies 

“Wow now I see one reason why her cutie mark is three diamonds.” She says awed as she looked through the chest to find the right gem to fit the choker.

She looked in it about a good three minutes until she finally found what she needed. An amethyst gem she held in her mouth and took it over to the hoofed made choker and tied the gem to it. Now with everything in order she place the pale green dress on a modeling pony dummy and made adjustments if needed. She also found a pair green dress slippers and placed them on the model and then the dress, the saddle, and then finally the choker.

She stepped back from what she made and was proud of it; sure it might have taken her about five hours and probably a few sore hoofs after work but it was so worth it in the end. After what happened she looked at the time.

“Holly Celestia I've been work that long.” She looked at the clock and it was 1:30 P.M.

“Well I guess a visit to Sugarcube corner is in order.” She said as she stepped out with her chin held high only to look back at her creation in awe and a bit giddy.

Meanwhile at the same time that happening Rarity and Winter were walking down a dirt path “I’m so glad that you could come Winter.” She said with a smile. 

“But may I implore you why you’ve come here, I’m sure it’s not just for friendly chit chat.” She said with a questionable look causing her friend to let out a slight giggle 

“Nothing escapes the ‘Gossip Hound’ of Ponyville.” She says poking fun as Rarity’s ears flatten against her head. 

“You know quite well that I despised that nickname you know.” Rarity whined.

“But then you must have heard that I’m going to be one of the judges in the upcoming fashion show.” Winter said making Rarity gasped in surprise. 

“Along with a few others from Canterlot are going to be judging the show.” Winter finished. 

“Oh my sweet Celestia! Oh only if I was that lucky then I would be joining you but I of course have my business to attend to and plus my young sister.” Rarity whined 

“I know what you mean; I’ve got my own siblings after all…which I’m looking for one in particular.” She stated with an annoyed tone.

“Oh…My it is hard to forget those two. Always causing mischief no matter where they went to.” Rarity says with a giggle as Winter groans.

Rarity let out a giggle as he recalled how she first met Winter and her siblings. It was before she had come to Ponyville.



-8 Years Ago-

In a small town a 10 year old Rarity was walking and eating a bit of ice cream.

“Watch out!” A male voice called out as a ball came out of nowhere and hit Rarity making her fall to the ground and lose her concentration

The owner of the ball walked over and young Rarity looked up at him. It was a unicorn colt of 8 that had a steel grey coat with a black mane that had a silver streak going through it and blue eyes. He didn’t have a cutie mark.

Another unicorn colt followed who looked to be a year younger followed him. He had a crimson red coat and a mane that was a mix of blond and brown that was spiked in the back and had brown eyes. Much like the other he didn’t have a cutie mark.

“I told you that you were kicking it to hard Fire.” The grey colt said to the crimson who he called Fire.

“How times do I have to say I’m sorry Code?” Fire replied to the grey coat he called Code.

“Ah she’s awake.” Code said and then helped Rarity up.

“W-What happened?” Rarity asked as Fire rubbed a hoof on his neck.

“I-It was my fault. I kind of kicked the ball to hard and missed hitting what I was suppose to and hit you instead.” Fire says his head low.

“I’m really sorry about my brother…” Code says trailing off as Rarity realized she hadn’t introduced herself.

“Rarity. I’m Rarity.” She replies.

“I’m Fire Seeker, but everpony just calls me Fire since well…” He starts but trails off as Code rolled his eyes.

“I’m Code Breaker, but please just Code.” He adds as Rarity smiles.

“Fire and Code. I’m guessing you two are brothers?” She asks as Code nods.

“Sorry about your ice cream. How about you come over to our house and we make it up to you?” Code asks nicely.

“Alright, but if this is some sort of trick…” Rarity said in agreement and warning.

Both looked at her with puzzled looks “Why would we trick you?” Fire asks before he and Code took off leading the way to their home.

The two colts and one filly walked into the house “Sis we’re home!” Code shouted as the sound of hooves running down the stairs was heard.

Soon enough a 10 year old Winter Blossom stood at the bottom of the stairs. Her mane was the same, but not kept in a ponytail showing that it cut off right above her hooves and she wasn’t wearing her glasses. She looked at the two colts in anger.

“Where have you two been? I was worried when I woke up and saw both of you gone from your room!” Winter yelled scaring the two as Rarity watched on feeling a bit awkward.

It was at this time Winter noticed Rarity “And why did you bring a filly here? You know mom and dad are going to be back soon?” She questioned.

“Umm…uhh…well…” Code sputtered as small ice crystals began to form under Winter’s hooves.

“It was an accident really.” Rarity spoke up as the three turned their attention to Rarity.

“I was walking and eating a ice cream, and these two were playing hoofball…” Rarity started as Winter glared at the two.

“Ugh! That’s why you two woke up and left?” she yells as Rarity clears her throat.

“Right. Continue.” Winter said with a sigh trying to relax.

“Apparently Fire kicked the ball so hard missing Code, but instead hit me.” She continued as Winter grew wide eyed.

“WHAT!” Winter yells in intense anger glaring at Fire.

“Accident! Accident! Complete and total accident!” Fire exclaimed.

“It was and they have already apologized for it.” Rarity said hastily not wanting to see the two colts in trouble with their older sister.

“Alright, but Fire kicks really hard. So while they get you something I’m going to check you over for anything.” Winter says glaring at her brothers who went off to the kitchen as Winter used a spell to check her over for any sort of broken bones.

A few minutes later the two came back with four ice cream bars as Winter finished checking Rarity over for any problems.

“Alright you look completely fine.” Winter said as an ice cream bar in a blue aura was levitated over to her and another to Rarity.

“Thanks Code.” She says as Rarity takes a bite of the bar.

“Hmm…It’s salty, but sweet at the same time.” She says with wide eyes.

“Yeah. It’s one of our favorites.” Code says taking a bite.

The next few hours were spent talking among the four even as Winter, Code, and Fire’s parents came in. They shared many secrets among one another including the secret of them being Arcane Unicorns. Rarity promised to never tell causing Fire to make a joke about her being the town gossip hound resulting in Winter freezing him an it taking a few hours for him to thaw out.



As they moved on they were going they were slowly approaching a wide open orchard filled with apple trees. Winter adjusted her glasses to get a better look. 

“Wow.” She looked around and saw nothing but how wide the orchard of apple trees was.

“Who owns all this land?” She questioned but at the same time she was in awe of the sight.

“That would be the Apple family that lives here.” She pointed her hoof down toward the path. 

“Down this way you’ll find a large red barn along with a rather kept up house and you’ll find a mare named Applejack Apple.” Rarity stated which made Winter Blossom jump with glee.

“Oh I know about the Apple family they are rather famous for their cider. Do you think they might let me try some?” Winter jumped with glee.

“I believe so if you only ask.” Rarity said as they approached the home. As Rarity knocked on the door; at first nopony answered then she knocked again and this time a small yellow filly with a pink bow and red mane opened the door. 

“Howdy Miss Rarity what yah doin out this way?” Applebloom questioned 

“An’ who is this pony?” She pointed to the pony next to her.

“This is an old friend of mine Winter Blossom and I’m showing her around.” She introduced Winter to the little filly. 

“I have a question is your sister around by chance?” Rarity asked. 

“Enope. Yah just missed her; she headed toward town fer something along with another pony.” She answered 

“Well do you think I could have a drink of some of that apple cider your family makes.” Winter said her eyes beaming.

Applebloom shook her head “Sorry miss, but sis has the key tah the cellar, ‘Haps another time.” Applebloom said. Winter was a little disappointed but gave a sigh.

“Well I guess, maybe next time I’m in town then. It has been good meeting you.” She said putting a smile back on her face as she turned to leave.

“C’mon Rares, it’s been a few hours so how about we go check on Coco and see how she’s doing.” Winter said as she began to walk off only to look back at the filly and gave a wave.

Applebloom waved to Winter and Rarity as they began their walk back to Ponyville. As they re-entered Ponyville they were still chatting about several things like Canterlot, the fashion show, etc. 

“So Winter what to think of Ponyville? Not quite what you expected hmm?” Rarity asked 

“Not it’s not. In face it reminds me of our old home before both our families moved.” Winter admitted.

“I miss it to darling, but I still do visit my parents every now and then when I do get homesick.” Rarity said with an all knowing tone but then was interrupted by what seemed like noise coming from town and ponies screaming and running in which every direction. 

“What in the wide world of Equestria is happening here?” Rarity wondered as they looked onward at what was causing this uproar.

Machines of various kinds were going out of control. Some guards who were town were trying to sort things out and get things back under control including two unicorn stallions. The first had a turquoisish white coat and sapphire blue mixed with cerulean blue mane and tail from what she can see and his cutie mark was a purple shield with a six pointed star imbedded in it with three other stars hanging above it.

The second one had a crimson red coat and a dark blonde and brown mixed mane and tail, his cutie mark was a shield lit on fire with a sword imbedded on the front.

Rarity let out a faint gasp of surprise recognizing Fire Seeker.

“My he has certainly changed in eight years. Though I never expected him to become a guard.” She thought

During the uproar and panic from the citizens something that looked like a propeller was heading their way. 

“DUCK!” Winter yelled as they both ducked their heads to avoid getting it chopped off. 

The propeller stuck itself into the ground preventing it from going anywhere. Winter went inspect the object to see if it had an owner. 

“Why does this looks familiar somewhere?” she thought as she inspect it further.

The she came across a cutie mark symbol on the propeller blade with two bronze gears that were mashed together and a book on it. Her eyes immediately went wide causing her to readjust her glasses she was wearing and clean the lenses to see if she was seeing what she was seeing was correct. After doing that she looked at the initials again and it still had the same cutie mark symbol.

She giggled at her conclusion “Well that’s interesting to say the least.” She heard a scream coming from the crowd and came running towards them. 

It was Coco her mane and tail all disoriented and her coat was all covered with dirt from falling over a few time. She stopped right in front of them short on breath from running.

“Are you alright dear?” Rarity asked in worry putting a hoof on her friend and assistants shoulder.

She spoke in a rapid rate “Sales ponies…inventions… not working… uproar.” She said rapidly. The other two tried to steady her 

“Whoa there girl, let’s get her to the boutique so she can wash up and get her mind straight.” Rarity concluded as Winter and Rarity took both sides of Coco as they walked to make sure she doesn’t fall over herself.

They managed to get to the boutique without a problem, and after cleaning her up and calming her down Coco was ready to talk.

“Okay now start at the beginning Coco, what happened?” Rarity questioned 

“Well it started when I was heading toward Sugarcube corner to get a snack after finishing the dress I’ve made. Everything was fine until what seemed like two sales ponies rolled into town with some kind of machine.” Coco started 

“Sales ponies. Did you get a chance to look at them?” Winter asked her curiosity peaked as well as a suspicion to who it was.

“Well all I could get that they were two stallions and they were unicorns, they had red and white manes and one had a mustache on one of them. After I went in and came back out of Sugarcube Corner everypony was going berserk and were running around all over the place.” Coco finished.

“Of course then that’s when one of the machines inside Sugar Cube Corner that Pinkie just got started to act up as well. I ran off like a mad mare as more of the machines went crazy. I then bumped into this stallion who told me to get to safety. After that I bumped into you two.” She said huffing by the end of her explanation.

Winter brought her hoof to her chin to think “Two unicorn stallions, red and white mane and one with a mustache on him and they are sales ponies.” Winter thought. 

Then her eyes became wide in realization and in a quick motion her eyes instantly turned into a cold angry stare.

“The Flim Flam brothers.” She said in realization. 

“The what and who?” Rarity and Coco asked in unison.

“Flim and Flam there con ponies wanting to con you out of every bit that you have just so they can make a profit off of what their selling or have stolen.” Winter stated coldly as her horn glowed and began forming small patches of ice underneath her.

“I had an experience with them two and I’m never going to forget it and let’s leave it at that.” She stated.

“Winter darling you’re umm…magic is acting up.” Rarity pointed out pointing at the floor.

“Oh. Sorry about that.” Winter says sheepishly calming herself which made the ice stop.

“Ugh. I had better get myself under control. I don’t want to undergo the training to keep my emotions in check again.” She thought as the room fell into complete silence.

After a few minutes of silence “Oh um… Winter.” Coco began shyly 

“I was wondering if you could look over the new dress I’ve made?” Coco asked 

“Oh you made something new dear what is it.” Rarity said in excitement 

“Well sure let’s have a look shall we.” Winter answered and Coco guided them to Rarity’s inspiration room that they both share. When they entered the dress was revealed to them.

“Well what do you think?” She questioned 

“I was thinking to go with something more of a glamorous charm while still keeping some of the rustic look and the boots did change for dress slippers instead and the belt for the dress would almost seem like it’s floating on its own and some flare from the choker so I borrowed one of the gems.” Coco smiled hoping to get some approval from Winter. 

“Well darling it does bring out some flare of its own I might say. Even with the amethyst gem choker was a thought.” Rarity commented she looked toward Winter who was deep in thought.

“What do you think of the dress?” Rarity asked as Winter went to inspect it who circled around it inspect every aspect as close as she could. She hummed in what Coco hoped would be approval.

“Well… to start, the saddle is a good idea and so was the belt plus and the fabric choice was excellent, but the only thing problem I see is with the choker.” She stated as Coco dropped down in disappointment.

“The gem is fine but it would have been best to use a brighter color for it so it would… oh what’s the phrase I’m looking for… ‘stick out more’ as they say.” She adds as Coco looked up a bit surprised by this nugget of advice.

“But despite that little detail, I do see potential in this. It might not be a winner but most surely a top three.” Winter finished which brought a smile to Coco 

“So you think it’s good even if my last one didn’t go so well.” Coco said and Winter nodded.

“Well one thing my friend knows about dresses is that she knows where to find good potential.” Rarity said causing Winter to blush a little. 

“A small piece of advice though whenever I make a dress is to picture myself in what I want to wear then make that idea into a reality.” She said wisely. They heard the clock strike six o’clock 

“Well time flies when you’re having fun I guess, and I must thank you Rarity for showing me around.” Winter said.

“Aw do you have to leave now.” Rarity whined. 

“Unfortunately I do, even though Ponyville is a charming place with its rustic design, Canterlot is still my home and I must return to home to prepare for the fashion show in a few days, but don’t think I might pay a visit when I get the chance.” Winter bowed as she left, but not even a few seconds out the front door she was instantly plowed to the ground by two unicorn stallions.

The first stallion was the one that she saw was the crimson coated royal guard Rarity had identified as Fire Seeker, and the second one had a steel gray coat with black mane and silver streak going down the middle with the cutie mark being two bronze gears and a book between them. 

“Uh what where you’re going you…” Before she could finish she stared at the two stallions as Rarity’s own eyes widened seeing Code Breaker.

“Code, Fire!” She yelled in surprise as Rarity let out a small smile.

“Hello darlings. It’s been a long time.” Rarity said.

“Sis! Rarity!” the two stallions said in unison.

That night a party was held for Code, Winter, and Fire being new to town as well as Code having stopped the rampage of the machines.

As the party was going on Coco was busy writing a letter at the suggestion of Trixie.

“Dear Princess Celestia; at some point when you have a great idea or in my case a great dress you think you have it just the way you like it. But sometimes when somepony wants to help you, you don’t know if what their saying is helpful or not. Only to realize that even someponies opinion can help improve on your past mistake. Signed; Coco Pommel.” 

Coco handed the letter off to Spike and sent it how he always did.

“Come on Coco! Your missing out on all the fun!” Pinkie says appearing near her. Coco chuckles and follows the mare out.


> Arcane of Metal Code Breaker
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A train whistle blew as the Friendship Express pulled into Ponyville on an early morning. Many of them began to exit as coming in near the station was Applejack Apple with her cart attached to her.

“Next time ah make ah delivery tah a cold place like Trottingham tell Rares to make yah a vest.” She notes to herself begrudgingly as she trotted a slow pace back to her home Sweet Apple Acres  

Before she took another step she heard a groan coming from somewhere and she whipped her head around looking for the source. The train whistle went off signaling it was taking off again. After it left AJ was greeted to the site of a pony in the dirt on the other side of the train tracks.

The pony in question was a steel gray coated unicorn stallion about her age with a black mane with a silver streak going through it. She could make out the stallions eyes even though they were near closed but his eyes were blue. His cutie mark was two bronze gears mashed together with a book over them. From what he looked it looked like he didn’t eat for days or weeks because she could see his ribs showing from lack of food.

“Now where did yah come?” She whispered as she unhooked herself from the cart to get a better look at him as she walked over to him.



Arcane of Metal Code Breaker

When she approached him; his eyes were now closed and his stomach grumbled, again from lack of food. He also had a saddle bag on him which was pretty old with what seemed like a screwdriver coming out of the hole it made. 

AJ placed a hoof on him and then took it off rather quick. His body was ice cold.

AJ knew she just couldn’t leave the stallion here to possibly die. It just wasn’t right. She picked the stallion and put him on her back then proceeds to carefully place him in the cart and covered him up with the cloth she had in her saddle bag.

She also placed the stallion’s saddlebag in the cart with him. She hooked herself back up to the cart and quickened her pace to get home and food for the pony. 

When she entered town she notice the town was busy as usual with everypony doing their own thing but she took notice of a few ponies, like Trixie who was talking to two other ponies more like two other stallions outside the ice cream shop. 

One had a  sapphire blue mixed with cerulean blue mane and tail from what she can see and his cutie mark was a purple shield with a six pointed star imbedded in it with three other stars hanging above it and his coat was a turquoise white. 

The second stallion had blonde with a brown mane and tail and had a shield that was on fire with a sword embedded in it for his cutie mark. He seemed not taking a slip of the smoothie he had in front more watching everyponies move and watching out for trouble. He had an orange coat.

But that didn’t deterred her for a second whatever there were talking about wasn’t her business and continued her route to get the stallion some care. When she walked pass the town square fountain she pumped into a pony that was heading toward the boutique. 

“Whoa nelly!” AJ yelled out falling back.

“Gah!” the pony cried out. From the sounds of it the pony was a mare.

After gathering her bearings she looked at who she pumped into. The pony with a cyan white coat, a purple mane with a three streaks of blue going through it tied into a nice pony tail, her eyes were a dark purple color, and her cutie mark is an ice crystal snowflake with thread going through it wearing a saddle was slowly picking herself up from the ground. 

“Sorry ‘bout that miss.” AJ said offering a hoof up, but the mare didn’t seem to see it.

“Oh now where did they go, note to self: consider contact lenses when you visit the eye doctor.” The mare said looking around for something.

“Do yah need some help there?” AJ asked as the mare in question looked back at her 

“If you could since you pumped into me.” She said with a hint of annoyance then she let out a sincere sigh.

“Sorry, but I’m searching for my glasses as it seems I lost them during our stumble.” She said as she continued to search aimlessly at the ground. AJ looked around for the missing glasses even though she was still attached to the cart. 

She looked around the grass in all directions and when she couldn’t find them on the ground; she looked toward the fountain.

“Did yah try the fountain?” AJ asked as she pointed in its general direction to which the mare looked barely making out the shape of a fountain.

“No.” She said bluntly then trotted over to it carefully and with luck she found her missing glasses, which had a black frame around the lenses with a snapped string on the rims and was dripping wet. 

“Oh shoot, well at least there not broken to say the least.” She said as she took a cloth from her bag and levitated it toward the glasses lenses and wiped them clean and then placed them back on her head before fixing the string by tying both ends with her magic.

“Ah much better thank you miss…um?” The mare asked looking at AJ carefully.

“Names Applejack.” She said tipping her old Stetson on her head.

“Winter Blossom, it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Applejack.” She said politely giving a small bow as well as pondering the name thinking she heard it somewhere before.

“Yah can drop the misses’ part and just call me Applejack or just AJ is fine to.” She said rubbing her neck in embarrassment at the over respectful mare.

“Where yah headed?” AJ asked in an attempt to change the subject.

“I’m looking for a place called ‘Carousel Boutique’, you wouldn’t happen to know where it is do you?” She questioned.

“Yah standing right in front of it.” She pointed her hoof at it; the boutique was a two story building with a mixture of purple, white and a shade of light pink with a pair of two windows right in front of it which from Winters perspective it looked like a small mansion than a boutique. Her glasses slightly shifted as her mouth was gaped open at just the sight of it.

She was silent for a few seconds then she closed her mouth and readjusted her glasses before she spoke. 

“Well at least I’m not lost well thank Applejack.” She said politely only to receive a confused look from AJ. 

“Why are yah going in there fer anyhow?” She asks Winter as she tilted her head.

“To visit an old friend.” She said bluntly.

“Well I must be off then and thank you again for helping me find my glasses dear, I don’t quite see well without them.” She said as she proceeds toward her destination.

“No problem.” She tipped her hat and quickly remembered she had a passenger in her cart and instead of trotting home she went straight into a gallop toward home.

Once she got home she detached herself from the cart again and carefully placed the stallion on her back with his saddlebag in tow below him sitting on Applejack’s shoulder blades. 

She entered the house in a hurry which both her brother Big Macintosh or Big Mac who was teaching her younger sister Applebloom how to play chess which was failing miserably and the apple grandmother Granny Smith sleeping in her rocking chair.

Applebloom was the first to notice her sister enter the room and quickly ran over to her. 

“Welcome back sis!” She yelled happily with a big smile on her face then as quickly as her smile appeared was gone only to be replaced with a look of confusion. 

“An’ who is that on yah back?” she questioned looking at the stallion 

“No time fer that, Mac take this guy off my back an’ put him on the couch there, an’ wake Granny up to some food for ‘em. Don’t ask why but do it quick.” She ordered.

“Eyup.” Big Mac said as he took the stallion in question off AJ and placed him on the couch carefully so not to wake him.

“Applebloom go an’ grab some blankets he was cold as ice when ah found him.” She ordered again.

“Got it sis!” Applebloom chirped giving her a quick salute and bolted up the stairs. Applebloom apparent yelling woke up the elder pony from her nap.

“Now what in sam hay is goin’ on here?” She said as she awoke and she noticed the stallion that was already on the couch. 

“An’ who is that?” she asks pointing her hoof at the stallion. 

“No time Granny but yah think yah can make up some food up for him?” AJ said with a concerned tone in her throat. Granny took note of the stallion and got up out of her chair and headed for the kitchen. 

“Well if yah put it that way.” She said as she entered the kitchen. 

Applebloom came back with a few blankets and placed on the stallion that was unconscious and seemed to be snoring now.

“How yah find em’ sis?” AB asked as Applejack put the blankets on him.

“I was just coming back from mah delivery and found him lying there in the dirt; Ah couldn’t just leave him there. Especially is his condition.” AJ said hoping he would be okay.

In about five minutes he woke up only to be greeted by a few blankets over him, and that he was laying on a couch.

“What they hay?” he questioned as he looked around the room not noticing the mare and filly in the room along with a rather large red stallion.

“More like where in the hay am I?” He questioned not expecting to get an answer.

“You’re at Sweet Apple Acres partner.” Said a voice he quickly turned his head to notice of an orange mare with a blond mane and a stetson hat. It was at this time he also noticed the other ponies that were also in the room.

“Yah been out for ah while there partner nearly scared my halve tah Tartarus cause of you.” The orange mare responded 

“But yah lucky ah found yah otherwise you’d be dead from starvation fer sure.” The filly said next.

“Eyup.” Was the reply from the red stallion. 

“So you said I’m at this Sweet Apple Acres?” The stallion in question said. 

“Quite a place you have here.” He complemented with a smile.

“Thank yah kindly. Names Applejack one of the proud owners of this fine orchard.” AJ introduced as she pointed to the filly. 

“This here’s Applebloom.” She said.

“Howdy mister.” Applebloom said with a smile. 

“And this is Big Macintosh.” AJ pointed to the stallion and he just nodded toward him. 

“My name is…” Before he was able to introduce himself all four of them heard a loud bang coming from the kitchen 

“Curse this lousy no good doohickey!” Was all that was heard throughout the household. Applejack, Big Mac, and AB rushed toward the kitchen to make sure their granny was okay.

When they entered all they could see was Granny Smith bucking away at the oven, well trying to buck anyway. 

“Looks like the old thing finally gave out on us youngens.” She said with a sadden look 

“Great just something else we need replacing!” AJ shouted with anger.

“An’ we don’t even have funds to go out an’ get a new one.” Applebloom adds sadly looking to the floor.

“Enope.” Big Mac said in disappointment.

Hearing the commotion the grey stallion walked into the kitchen in order to find out what was going on.

“Is everything okay in here?” He asked then saw the oven and the condition it was in. 

“Sorry about that sonny just that old Lucy here gave out.” She gestured toward the oven. The stallion then walked toward it opening the oven door and peaked inside. 

“Uh what are yah doing?” Granny Smith questioned.

He lifted his head out of the oven door and rubbed his chin with his hoof before he spoke. 

“Did I happen to have a saddlebag on me when you found me Applejack?” he asked looking at the mare.

“Uh yeah it’s by the couch. Why?” She replied with a confused look.

“Could somepony grab it for me?” He asks

“I’ll get it!” Applebloom said as she zoomed off toward the living. Not a few seconds later they heard sounds of crashing and banging from the living room. 

“Got it!” Applebloom let out a reassuring yell which made them let out a giggle from the little ones antics.

She came back in with saddlebag in tow on her back which proved to be quite heavy for her. 

“What are yah packing in here, bricks or something?” Applebloom said slowly making her way toward him and sat the bag down. 

“Thank you Applebloom.” He said as he levitated out a pair of small wire cutters out of the bag which revealed that inside the bag was a waste amount of tools and some wires.

He then turned back toward the oven and placed his head inside it again. 

“Now let’s see what we have here?” he stated and proceed to look at various things eventually noticing the old wiring.

“Ah ha here we are.” He took notice as he clipped the wires and took them out.

“Here your problem the wires in here are old and failed to transfer any electrical energy to the oven.” He stated as he levitated the old wires towards a trash can.

“Um transfer what tah the what now?” AB asked tilting her head in confusion. 

“Basically they wore out and it won’t get any heat from it.” Applejack said in translation.

“Oh got it!” AB said in a cheerful tone.

“Could one of you grab a set of wires that are in the bag.” He stated as Big Macintosh dug inside the saddlebag and pulled out the ones the stallion needed and gave them to him. 

“Thank you.” He said taking the wire from the pony and quickly replaced them, took his head out of the oven and closed the door of the oven. He wiped the sweat from his head before speaking.

“Alright let’s see if that did the trick.” He said has he turned the dial on the oven top. The oven burst to life when the dial was turned.

He turned the dial off and looked back at the four ponies who were and still have been silent this entire time.

“Well looks like your good to go.” He cheered. 

The four famers awestruck at what he did. Applejack was the first pony to speak up. 

“That’s mighty impressive there partner. Ah almost thought we would have tah replace it.” Applejack commented 

“Jus’ who are yah anyway?” she adds. 

“Oh right. Names Code Breaker, but my friends call me Code or CB for short. Inventor and traveler.”  CB introduced.

“Code Breaker eh, now where did ah hear that name ‘fore?” Granny pondered her question. 

“Cousin Braeburn mentioned him visiting Appleossa in his last letter.” Applejack answered before turning to face CB.

“But how did yah know tah replace what was needed?” AJ asked as CB just gives a slight smirk.

“Well as a matter of fact this was one of my few inventions I came up with and you can tell it’s one by the symbol on the dials.” He said pointing toward the dial.

They all looked at one of the dials and it had two bronze gears that were mashed together and a book above them, and then looked at his cutie mark which matched. 

“It a perfect match.” Applebloom stated 

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said.

“Well ah can now make some food fer yah so you can get your strength back.” Granny Smith said shooing him out of the kitchen and back into the living room. AJ and AB went to join Code in the living room while Big Mac helped Granny in the kitchen.

“But I got to say thank you for helping me out, or who knows what would have happened.” Code said letting out a relieved sigh 

“Well it isn’t like ah was going to let yah go hungry. That just not like me tah do that.” AJ said. 

“How did yah end up there anyhow Mister Breaker?” Applebloom asked getting a chuckle out of the Inventor

“Well you see…” Code starts.




-2 Weeks Ago- -Filledalphia-

“That will be 60 bits.” Code said as he sold off an oven he made to an energetic pink pony that was somehow perfectly balancing it on her back.

“That is one strange mare…” He whispered to himself and sighed glad the day was almost over.

“Hello again my good sir.” A male voice rung out that annoyed Code to no end.

“Can’t these guys take a hint?” Code thought as he turned to face the voice coming almost muzzle to muzzle with two of the most annoying ponies he has ever faced in his life.

Both ponies were unicorn stallions with pale, light grayish olive coat, moderate red with white stripes mane, both have moderate pistachio eyes. Both wearing a blue and white stripe vest with a black bow tie, but one of them with a red mustache.

He never pays any more attention than that to them so he never saw their cutie marks, but her knew these two anywhere since they always somehow seemed to follow him.

“What do you two want? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Code asks them annoyed.

“Now listen here good sir you are being quite rude.” Says the mustached stallion.

“You don’t see us with the attitude.” The none mustached stallion added on making Code groan in annoyance at both them and the rhyme.

“I know why you two are here. It’s the same answer I gave you two months ago. Which is the same answer I gave you a month ago. Which is the same as the one I gave you a week ago. Which is the same I gave you yesterday!” Code shouts in annoyance at them.

“Are you sure you won’t reconsider. We could make a haul together.” One says as the other eyes all the machines that are lined up around including a train like thing that could self propel itself.

“Yes I am sure. I have no interest in making a bunch of bits.” Code says defiantly stamping a hoof on the ground.

“Well then what could be better than making bits dare say.” One says as Code rolled his eyes.

“Bits I have plenty of. What helps me to keep going is seeing other ponies prosper and help others thanks to my inventions.” Code says at the two older unicorn stallions laugh.

“Laugh all you want, but I will say it one more time to make it clear…” Code states getting the stallions attention as Code took in a deep breath.

“NO MEANS NO SO BUCK OFF BEFORE I GET THE ROYAL GUARDS ON YOUR FLANKS!” He yells loud enough the two stallions hats went flying off.

“You will come to regret this I say good sir. Come along brother of mine.” One said to the other as both walk off.

Code sighs glad to be rid of the two con ponies. He looked and saw the sun begin to set and he let out a yawn.

“Today’s been a good day Code.” He tells himself as he uses his magic to lock down his devices. He then set himself up a small tent and got comfy falling asleep as Luna’s moon rose.

Little did he know that as he slept that two certain unicorn stallions had returned, and to make sure Code didn’t wake one went into the tent and knocked on the head good to insure that he would be out till they were gone.

They thing pulled large magnets out of there saddle bags and placed them around the inventions. The mana barrier around each began to dissipate and vanish.

They worked fast and without interruption taking what they considered they needed which was everything and Code’s food somehow loaded it up on the self propelled train before taking off with it.

The next morning Code woke up with a headache and touched his head feeling a bruise.

“Ugh…must have slept on a rock.” He says with a yawn and walks out which the site before him woke him up quick.

Besides his tent there was nothing else there, and that’s what surprised him. His lockdown spell was meant to keep everything tagged with his mana in a special barrier that would result in a jolt to a pegasi or earth pony or a severe shock if it was a unicorn using magic.

The only way around the spell was magnetic wave as it is the only way to disable his particular brand of magic as he specialized with various metals and other metal based minerals along with standard magic.

“W-Who could have possibly…” He starts as he walked about and spotted something on the ground. A hat…a hat he only knew two ponies who wore it.

His horn lights up in a silver aura as a nearby pole began to twist and then snapped.

“Why those no good dirty rotten apple bucking…” He says in anger and goes to his tent taking it down and going to get his saddle bags and saw only the one with his tools in it.

“UGH! Those guys are going to get it when I get my hooves on them!” He says in anger his bag in a blue aura as he put it on his back and took off following the tracks of his self propelled train.




“Two weeks have passed since then, and since I was low on food supplies it wouldn’t be long until I finally collapsed from exhaustion.” CB states with a sigh.

“I thought I was hot on their tail when I tracked them to Canterlot, but I was hours late and they had already left and I was soon on my way to another town to find clues.” He says sighing as he slams a hoof on the ground.

“Which lead me to here, and you know the rest. Still haven’t found out anything either.” He adds.

“But when I do find those two, they’re going to be in a world of hurt.” He sternly finished.

His rant was interrupted by his stomach grumbling loudly. His cheeks blushed when he heard his stomach. 

“Right after I get something to eat.” His said extremely embarrassed making AJ and AB giggle.

After ten minutes Big Mac came in with a plate of two apple pies in his mouth. He placed them in front of Code for him to eat. Within five minutes he already ate both pies and now looks like he got his strength back.

He wiped off the remaining crumbs off his mouth before he spoke up. 

“Now that’s what I call an apple pie. Have to say it’s the best I’ve ever had.” He said as he got up and walked over to his saddle bag.

“No need for flattery, but thank yah for the complement.” Granny Smith says walking in as Code began to head for the door.

“Now hold on their partner just where in Equestria do yah think yah going?” AJ said blocking his way out.

“I thank you for helping me but I’ve already spent most of your time, but I have to get back on the road.” He said simply trying to be polite.

“Can’t let yah do that, beside I think yah hardly know this part of Equestria. Why don’t yah let me show yah around town for a spell?” AJ suggested in a tone that reminded Code of his sister.

“And plus you owe me for saving yah back there at the station.” AJ added.

That statement made Code consider her offer. He was never one to leave a debt…especially to a mare who had helped him. 

“Well since she put it that way.” He thought before he answered.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check out the town for a bit.” He says with a nod.

“Well c’mon then let’s get going since your new around these parts.” She said then looked back toward her family which Big Mac was giving her a stern glare.

“Don’t yah worry none, if he tries anything I’ll knock him to next Tuesday.” She said with an assured smile that calmed her brother down.

As they both left Sweet Apple Acres with Code waiting outside as he waited for Applejack to come out.

“I don’t think your brother likes me that much.” He said with a worried tone having caught a glimpse of his glare when AJ came out.

“Don’t yah fret none he’s just somewhat protective of me and Applebloom that’s all.” AJ reassures and he gave a nod 

“I know the feeling. If anypony messed with my siblings I would beat them flat.” He stated firmly.

AJ was taken aback by this statement “I didn’t know you had a sibling. From the looks of it ah thought yah were a lone wolf type of pony.” AJ pointed out as Code lets out a small laugh.

“Well I have two siblings actually, a sister and a brother.” They continued their walk as he explained. 

“My brother is the youngest and the athletic one out of the three of us. He does have a temper on him that can probably roast a marshmallow in seconds. Yeah he can be a bit annoying and brash, but despite that he is a tough pony and is quite the listener despite his position as a Canterlot Royal Guard.” He stated. 

AJ only nodded encouraging him to continue.

“Then there’s my sister. Oh my sister…” He starts giving a small laugh that was a mixture of fear and nervousness.




A younger Code accidently dropped some water it landing on a mare. The mare turned to him as he gave a nervous laugh, and next instant he was frozen like an ice cube.

A slightly older Code and another colt were quickly trying to put back together a vase before a mare came in a gasped. She then glared at Code and the other and before they could say anything they had to start dodging icicles that were being shot at them.




“Sis is a fashion designer as well as a judge for a variety of fashions shows around Equestria. She never beats around the bush and will tell you straight if she doesn’t like something.” He states with a chuckle once recalling a time she called Sapphire Shores newest song ‘nothing but a tirade of shouting and yelling with the only good part being when it was over’.

“Though beneath all of that is a mare that cares deeply for other and if she knows you well enough she will easily guess what you are thinking or going to do like she is reading a book. But you make her made and she will give you a glare that will freeze you on the spot.” Code adds rubbing his neck with a hoof in embarrassment.

“But without those glasses of hers she is as blind as a bat.” He chuckles finishing what he was saying.

AJ stopped walking a second “What a minute did yah say glasses? They wouldn’t happen tah be black rimmed glasses would they?” she questioned with the reoccurring memory of this morning 

“Yeah. Why?” he replies a bit curious as to how she guessed this fact.

“Cuse’ ah think ah saw your sister this morning.” AJ answered only for CB’s eyes to go wide and start sweating a bit.

“White cyan coat, with a purple mane in a ponytail, three streaks of blue, purple eyes, and with a cutie mark of a snowflake with a thread going through it?” He asked quickly.

“Eeyup.” AJ answered.

This made Code’s eyes go pinprick size and he really started to sweat badly as he began pacing. 

“Oh ponyfeathers, ponyfeathers, if she finds me she’ll freeze me like a statue.” He panicked as Applejack watched this unsure what to do about the panicking unicorn stallion.

“She thinks I’m still in Canterlot with our family but if she sees me here she’ll kill me.” He said trying to find a place to hide and climbed into the nearest tree.

Applejack blinked and went over to the tree and looked straight up at him as leaves fell indicating he was shaking violently probably in fear.

“Now hold yah horses there partner, ah saw her going into the towns boutique so ah don’t think you have nothing to be scared of so how ‘bout yah come out of that tree, were almost there to Ponyville.” AJ said as Code came down his slight panic attack over as he took deep breaths to calm himself. 

After about ten minutes of walking they’ve finally arrived into Ponyville the town was busy as usual nothing out of the ordinary well nothing yet anyhow.

“Now this is what I call a peaceful place to live in, you are so lucky AJ.” CB commented at the sight of the town. It was a little known fact that despite living in the capital of Equestria Code was keener to small towns.

“Well it ain’t much but we ponies here call it home alright.” She tipped her hat.

Before they took another step toward town something pink and fluffy came toward them 

“HI THERE!” a cheerful loud voice cheered.

“GAH!” CB jumped about five feet backwards landing on his back as Applejack simply looked in front of them unsurprised by this.

“Right on cue.” She thought chuckling a bit at the downed inventor pony.

“WHAT WAS THAT!” CB responded as he got back up to see who scared him. 

When he did he could see an earth pony mare with a light pink coat, and a dark pink puffed up mane and tail with light blue eyes, and a cutie mark of three balloons, two blue and one yellow. 

“Whoops sorry about that normally ponies see that coming.” The pony said very fast. 

“Normally?” He questioned before his began shacking under the ponies hold and thinking he had seen this pony somewhere before.

“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie, party pony extraordinaire, never seen you around here before!” she said and then gasped. 

“I have to throw you a party to welcome you to Ponyville!” she said 

“Whoa hold on there you don’t have to throw me a party.” That caused Pinkie to stop right in her tracks and brought out a list from her mane.

“You see this list; I have everypony on here including their birthdays, anniversaries coming to Ponyville, or a birthaversary and I never miss a single one of them. So do you think I’m going to miss this one!” Pinkie shouted making CB taking a step back and consider changing his mind

“Well I guess I could stay for the party.” He concluded and Pinkie smiled like a lit up light bulb.

“Great all I need is your name please.” Pinkie said happily.

“It’s Code Breaker.” He said and Pinkie jotted down his name on the list placed back in her mane and zoomed off.

“SEE YOU AT THE PARTY!” Pinkie yelled as she ran off.

“That is probably the craziest pony I’ve ever met.” CB simply said.

“Yah haven’t seen the half of it there partner.” AJ stated as she began giving CB the tour. There first stop was the Carousel Boutique 

“This is the local boutique but ah don’t prefer going in there unless yah want tah live.” AJ shivered a little 

“Who runs it?” he asked.

“It’s actually run by two ponies here; Rarity Belle and Coco Pommel ah think it was.” She said as CB blinked hearing Rarity’s name as he gave a sly smile in the direction of the boutique before they moved on.

The tour continued on a few hours as Applejack showed him all around town and introduced him to several of the ponies there, and the tour ended at Sugar Cube Corner.

“So tell me Code how yah like Ponyville thus far?” AJ asked.

“Well beside the weird start of it with Pinkie Pie, a very nice place like I said before. Too bad my place is set up in Canterlot.” He said as he enjoyed the snack, but was interrupted by what seemed like a crowd of ponies was gathering around at the town hall.

“What in the world is going on now?” He questioned.

“Yah got me, let’s check it out.” AJ said as both of them got out of there seat and walk to where the crowd of ponies gathered.

When they both arrived there was a medium size cart and some kind of other strange device on wheel with a lot of lights and other gadgets. Then two ponies took the stage, and instantly Code knew who these two were. Flim and Flam, and it were only now that he got a look at their cutie marks.

The first stallion cutie mark had an apple slice while the other had a whole apple except with it sliced on one side.

“There you are; now it’s payback time.” He whispered to himself as he paid attention to the stage. Around them a few poles began to twist as Code’s horn was lit up in a silver aura.

“Uh yah okay there partner.” AJ said looking at him with concern.

“Oh just fine.” He replies slowly as if he was plotting something.

While back on the stage the stallions were beginning to start “Come one, come all! TO THE FLIM FLAM BROTHERS GADET SELL OFF!” the first one shouted 

“I’m Flim and he’s Flam and we are the FLIM FLAM BROTHERS!” Flim said 

“THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE IN EQUESTRIA FOR YOUR CHANCE TO OBTAIN THESE MAGNIFICENT GADJETS!” Flam shouted cheerfully 

“You need a flying carriage, we got!” Flam stated 

“A quick apple picker and cider maker we got it!” Stated Flim as he and Flam showed off the various devices that Code had worked on for a long time.

Back in the crowd with AJ and CB “What a minute the Flim Flam brothers, didn’t you say those are the jokers that took all your gadgets and doohickeys?” She stated and he nodded.

“Oh yeah now it’s payback time, for stealing my inventions, taking my food supplies, and a few other things I don’t want to mention.” He says starting to walk to the front of the crowd.

But as he did so something began to happen. The inventions started to making strange sounds as a nearby oven burst into flames, a small copter like thing began to spin rapidly, and a toaster starting to shake violently was only a few of the things that suddenly happened.

Code ducked low avoiding a spinning blade “Ponyfeathers! These things weren’t even fully tested yet! Now it’s going to be a good few months before I can sell them after this.” He thought.

All the ponies were yelling and screaming as some of the gadgets were almost following them and try to almost hurt some pony. 

“Hit the dirt!” AJ yelled jumping on Code forcing them both down as a large propeller flew at them narrowly missing and almost turning the stetson on the farm pony’s head to swiss cheese.

Code got up quickly followed by AJ as they looked at the panic that was happening.

“Now I have over two hundred reasons to buck those two to tartarus.” He thought annoyed at them before turning to Applejack.

“We got to get up on stage and hit the master safety switch on that machine!” CB said pointing toward the SP Train in the back which had a large green button.

“Gotcha, yah take care of that, while ah get some help!” AJ shouted as she ran to find help. While Code was making his way toward the stage, he was about toward the stage until he tripped on somepony. 

The pony he tripped over was an earth pony with a light amberish gray color and her mane was a combination of light grayish cyan and light opalish gray and the tip of the mane curled while her eyes are light cyan, her cutie mark was a lavender floppy hat with a scarlet feather in it.

She looked rather dirty from the ground and her mane was in all disarray as she looked up at him.

“I wouldn’t be lying there you need to get out of here.” He said calmly as he helped the mare up.

“Um… right.” Was all she said as she zoomed off as Code returned to the task at hoof as he managed to get to the front of the stage and climbed onto the device and pressed the button stopping all other devices in the area.

“It’s a good thing I install the Emergency Safety Switch on all my big inventions…just in case something like this happens.” He thought with an annoyed sigh.

He then turned slowly to face the Flim Flam brothers who looked at each other nervously and at Code who was staring them down in annoyance as his horn glowed blue and silver as objects were picked up and nearby metal began twisting.

“Remember me boys.” He said his stare turning into a death glare. The brothers looked at one another then took off fast enough leaving dust copies of themselves behind.

“GET BACK HERE YOU NO GOOD CHEATING CON PONIES!” He yelled and began chasing them through the small town.

He chased them all throughout Ponyville then he heard another set of hoofs that were right next to him. 

“Mind if I join the chase?” Asked the voice in a sarcastic tone; he looked next to him only to find a crimson red unicorn stallion with a blonde and brown mixed mane, brown eyes, and a cutie mark with a shield on fire with a sword embedded in it. Code gawked at the pony next to him not having seen him his brother in months.

“FIRE SEEKER! What in the hay are you doing here?!” He asked his attention still on the con pony brothers in front of him.

“Well if you must know I was on vacation with the captain, but it seemed to have got interrupted by a situation.” Fire said in annoyance.

“So who are you chasing?” Fire said. CB pointed his muzzle toward the Flim Flam brothers ahead of them.

“Aren’t those the…” He started.

“Uh huh.” CB stated simply. Fire quickly put things together, the machine mayhem, his brothers appearance, and the Flim Flam brothers.

“I take it they took a few of your inventions?” He asks as Code nods.

“And have probably been selling them without a permit to, and you know how dangerous some of my inventions are.” Code adds.

“So much for that Safe Sales Permit, but at least Fire is here now.” He thought.

“I’m guessing they don’t have a SSP?” Fire asked as Code glances at him.

“What do you think?” Code replies.

“Let’s get them.” Fire stated firmly as they both quickened there pace. 

Unfortunately they ran into somepony in front of the boutique and they were sent tumbling to the ground. 

“Why don’t you watch where your…” the pony started as the other two were getting up from there tumble. 

Only to look upon the gaze of a unicorn mare with a white cyan coat, a purple mane and tail with three streaks of blue it in wrapped into a ponytail, purple eyes with black rimmed glasses, and a cutie mark of a snowflake with a thread through it. 

“Fire! Code!” the mare yelled.

“Hello darlings. It’s been a long time.” Rarity said.

“Sis! Rarity!” they both said in unison. The mare turned her head toward Code with a cold stare at him.

“Um… I can explain.” Code said sheepishly knowing all too well what going to come next.

“Where have you been! Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out that you had left Canterlot and hadn’t come back from you last sell-off!” She yells at Code who was sweating as ice began to form.

“Do you know what you’ve put me through these last few weeks?! Do you?” She exclaimed.

“Now darling please calm down.” Rarity said nervously trying to calm Winter who sent a ice cold glare back at Rarity who scooted back along with Coco.

“Y-Yeah sis, you don’t need to act like such an ice queen.” Code says before closing his mouth realizing what he had said.

“Aww pony…” Was his last words as a tundra of snow and ice clouds his vision.

AJ came back with Dash and saw Code with Rarity, Coco, and two others in front of the boutique. From the look of his sweating the mare could only have been his sister he had been talking about earlier.

And it was then and there that they saw Winter’s horn shine white like her coat, and seconds later Code was encased in a block of ice.

“When he said his sis had a glare that freeze yah…ah didn’t think he meant literally” AJ whispers as Fire sighs his own horn shines and begins melting the ice with a burning flame.

“Uhh…remind me to never make her mad.” Dash said nervous at the sight.


> Arcane of Flame Fire Seeker
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot. Capital city of Equestria and the symbol of peace and harmony for the world, and run by two all-powerful alicorn princesses. The castle guard is there to serve and protect these two princesses as well as all citizens from any and all types of threats.

At this time of day two members of the royal guards were out of there armor and leaving the castle grounds. Today was a rare day for the both of them as it was insisted by several others in the guard that the two should take a day off.

The two were both unicorn stallions of differing age. The first one who would appear to be in his late teens early twenties had a moderate sapphire blue mane and tale that was streaked with cerulean blue and dark blue. His coat was a turquoisish and cerulean eyes. The cutie mark adorning his flank was a three pronged shield that had three five pointed grey stars above it while inside the shield was a pink six point starburst. He is the captain of the royal guard and is named Shining Armor.

The second stallion who is in his middle teens had a coat of crimson red while his mane was a mix of blonde and brown while he had brown eyes. His cutie mark was a flaming shield with a golden blade crossing over it. He is just below Shining in ranking and goes by the name Fire Seeker.

“I still think taking this vacation is a bad idea. It just gives the new recruits the perfect excuse to slack off.” Seeker said annoyed and concerned because it could also mean the older recruits would have the opportunity to hassle the new recruits.

“You are worrying too much Seeker. I’m sure everything will be just fine.” Shining said to him. Little did he know as he said this a new guard had just been locked in a room that had Celestia’s secret cake stash.

“But what if there’s an attack?” Seeker asked as Shining rolled his eyes at his friend’s jumpy attitude.

“Seeker there hasn’t been any real trouble since the Nightmare Moon incident.” Shining said

“And even then our guards there were trampled on in a panic while six mares claimed a set of ancient relics and purified her turning Nightmare Moon back into Luna.” He counters with a pointed glare.

“There is just no pleasing you is there?” Shining jokes with a chuckle.

“So where did you say we’re going again?” he asked 

“Ponyville. It’s the small town that hosted the Summer Sun Celebration this year.” He replied as they passed by a few shops.

“Ponyville huh… never heard of it but I’m willing to give it a shot.” Seeker says with a small smirk as a train whistle blows and both look at each other.

“Well we better get going we don’t want to miss the train.” Shining said as they both made haste for the Canterlot station as quick as they possibly could. They barely managed to buy the tickets and got on the train as quick as possible with the doors sliding close behind them.

“Talk about close.” Shining said 

“So how long will it take for us to get to this Ponyville?” Seeker questioned 

“About three hours at best.” Shining answered as Seeker gave a loud yawn and lays down on the nearest seat his eyes struggling to stay open.

“Good wake me we get there okay.” Seeker replies as Shining sweat drops and decided to take a seat and brought out a photo album and began looking through it.



Arcane of Flame Fire Seeker

Three hours passed and the whistle blew waking up Seeker and signaling that they were now in Ponyville. Just leaving the train was enough to give a view of the small town. Seeker looked about in awe from the sugary coated building, two large mansion located about, the town square, and most surprising was the tree library.

A small tear came down his cheek “This feels like my families old hometown.” He thought recalling his hometown with admiration.

“Hard to believe that such a sweet little town is a few hours train ride from Canterlot.” Shining said getting his attention.

“Yeah, and also hard to believe this place could host such a large celebration.” Fire added a smile plastered on his muzzle.

“So…you said you have an old friend that lives here right?” he then asked as Shining nods.

“Yes. She should be living at the library.” Shining states as he then started to walk off in the direction of the Golden Oaks Library as Seeker gave him a look of surprise.

“She?!” Seeker states as he then follows after Shining.

Meanwhile inside the library Trixie and Spike were cleaning up a large mess that was a mix of scattered books, papers, and food after a spell Trixie tested went out of control.

“I knew that spell was bad news.” Spike said placing several books on the shelves. 

Trixie only groaned as she scrapped a few pancakes off of the floor. 

“Well at least you didn’t feel the recoiling effect of it afterwards; my horn is still aching from it.” Trixie groaned as she then picked up a book with her mouth instead of her magic and placed it on a shelf.

A knock interrupted whatever Spike was going to say as both turn to look at the door and Trixie gave the door a look of annoyance.

“Ugh…That had better not be Pinkie Pie.” She says under her breath before turning to look at her assistant.

“Spike could please get the door?” she asked before scrapping a few more food items off of the floor.

“Got it.” Spike said running towards it and opening it and Spike let out a loud gasp of surprise.

“Well who is it?” She questioned looking up from her scrapping.

“Really Trixie? Is that anyway to greet an old friend?” A male voice asks with a small laugh.

Trixie froze instantly dropping the scrapper the moment she heard that recognizable voice.

“That voice… is it.” She said turning around to gaze her eyes on the pony at the door who was smiling down at Spike patting his head.

“Shining Armor.” She finally said as Shining glanced over at her.

“It’s been a long time huh little Trix.” He said with a playful tone.

“Don’t call me that! It’s Trixie not little Trix okay!” She yelled with a blush of embarrassment.

“Hey what does that make me chop liver over here.” Another male voice spoke out as Fire Seeker came into view as both stepped into the library.

“And who is he?” Trixie asked staring at the other stallion.

“Oh right this is my lieutenant, Fire Seeker.” He introduced 

“Seeker this is Trixie my old friend that I used to play with when she a little filly in Canterlot.”  He chuckled 

“Oh the memories of those days.” Shining adds his eyes gleaming with nostalgia.

“Okay Shining just what’s going on here and more importantly why are you here?” She asked looking at him with a glare.

“I’m actually on vacation and I thought Ponyville was the best place to relax.” He said. 

“I just tagged along wanting to get this place out and plus incase somepony tried to assassinate him I’ll roast them.” Seeker stated to emphasize his point by lighting his horn as it sparked some fire but was quickly put out when Shining stared at him.

“With us being in the royal guards you never know where you’ll find enemies.” He finished.

“Sorry he can be a little over protective and serious Trixie.” Shining apologized

“Well it helps when you have two other siblings that are at home.” Seeker said proudly 

“Says the youngest of them.” Shining pointed out.

Trixie just stared at the two before interrupting them “Well it’s glad for you to come but you came at a bad time, right now I’m cleaning the library at the moment after a late night lesion and it didn’t quite go as planned.” Trixie said as she pointed out toward the mess in the library. 

“Well if it’ll help, we can help you clean that way we can talk afterwards.” Shining offered 

“I would appreciate that greatly.” Trixie and turned to Spike.

“Spike were going to have help show them where everything goes.” Trixie happily asked as Spike salutes from the ladder he is on.

“Sure thing.” Spike said hoping down from a ladder he was on 

“Right this way you two.” Spike said gesturing them to move. Seeker looked at the dragon with a puzzled look. 

“You keep a baby dragon here?” he said looking at Trixie 

“Well he’s my assistant since I hatched him a few years back.” Trixie stated. Seeker was taken aback at what she said 

“You hatched him?” Seeker said again with a puzzled look.

“Well hatching a dragon egg was part of my entry exam when I was a little filly.” Trixie stated as they began cleaning up the library.

It took about a half an hour to get the place all cleaned up and another ten to make sure every book was in the right place where it belonged.

“Well since now that’s all done how about we go somewhere nice and maybe reminisce for a spell.” Trixie said which the others nodded. She turned to face Spike.

“Spike I’m heading out for awhile; you’re in charge of the library till I get back, me and Shining have a lot to talk about.” Trixie ordered which he gave a pleasure salute as the trio left the library.

The three arrived at a small ice cream shop which was a good thing since it was a scorcher of a day. Trixie ordered a strawberry smoothie, Shining a vanilla with whipped cream smoothie and Fire Seeker a chocolate coco smoothie. 

“So how’s Canterlot treating you?” Trixie asked wanting to get information for him taking a sip of her smoothie.

He gave a slight sigh before answering “Well it has been tough I’ll tell that much ever since Princess Cadence went missing.” He said as Trixie does a spit take to the side and looks at Shining with wide eyes.

“What do mean Cadence is missing!?” She shouted.

“Trixie please calm down, we don’t know what exactly happened and we’re still trying our best to find her.” Fire said.

A few moments of silence came across the trio until Trixie broke the silence 

“Besides Cadence…any luck finding… your sister?” She asked nervously and probably knowing the answer to what he going to say. Shining shook his head 

“No, we searched everywhere and to no avail we couldn’t find Twily.” Shining answered as he looked down in sadness.

Seeker looked a little confused at what his captain said “Okay this must have been way before I joined the guard, you mind catching me up to speed about this ‘Twily’?” Seeker asked 

“Her actual name is Twilight Sparkle and she is my sister. She was the personal student of Celestia before Trixie.” Shining answered.

“She was also a good friend of mine when I was still a filly, and she was my first true friend before the ones I made here.” Trixie said remembering as memories started flooding back to her.



Canterlot eight years ago, Princess Celestia just raised the sun over Equestria to declare it was morning. A small unicorn filly with an azure coat and a pale blue with pale blue stripes with dark grayish violet eyes her horn isn’t as big as a full grown pony and had yet obtain a cutie mark stirred and finally woke up from the sunshine that pierced through her eyelids. She jumped out of bed and fixed her mane.  

This small filly was Trixie Lulamoon eight years ago and at age four. 

“Trixie are you up dear?” a voice called from downstairs which sounded like a mares voice.

“Yes momma!” Trixie cried back as she quickly galloped down stairs before she tripped on the bottom step. Along the wall of the stairs were assortments of pictures of Trixie and ancient stuff that was on the wall. 

“Are you alright dear?” The mare said again but in worry.

“I’m okay momma.” She said as she entered the kitchen. The mare that called to her was in there; she was a unicorn mare with a bright azure coat, and her mane was a slight dark grey that curled at the end of her tail; her eyes were a deep red and her cutie mark resemble that of an ancient staff with an eye above it. 

This mare name was Vedis Moon and mother to Trixie Lulamoon. She was busy making breakfast for them.

“So you ready for school little Trixie.” She said turning toward her daughter only to receive a pout from her 

“Do I have to momma, I’ll just get picked on like the last time.” The little filly complained 

“Is it because you can’t use magic yet dear?” The mother question and Trixie nodded in response.

“I know you really want to learn but your horn needs time to grow and so do you my dear, I promise in time your magic will come to you.” She said only for Trixie put her head on the table 

“But I wish it would happen now.” She muttered but still able to be heard. The mother didn’t take it to mind and slid her daughter a bowl of oat cereal 

“Eat up now you can’t learn anything on an empty stomach.” She said with a playful smile.

Trixie lifted her head and smiled back and began to eat her oat cereal. After that she backed up her saddle bag and headed out the door toward a large school for fillies and colts. 

She entered the classroom and found her seat which was in the second row out of nine rows in total which there was five seats in each row. As all the fillies and colts took their seats as the bell rang. The teacher came in afterwards.

The teacher was an earth pony stallion had a dark tan coat and a silver puffed up mane; his eyes were dark brown with glasses and a cutie mark that was a mathematical problem 

“Good morning every pony.” He said 

“Good morning Mr. Neigh.” Everypony said.

He cleared his throat be speaking 

“I’m happy to report that we have a new student that is joining our class.” He announced as he went back to the door while other ponies were muttering over at who was the new pony was.

Their answers were quickly answered when the teacher came back in with the new student in tow. The pony in question is an unicorn filly, she had a sapphire blue with moderate violet and brilliant rose streak mane and a lavender coat; with violet eyes, and too top it off, her cutie mark was a pink six pointed star surrounded by four smaller stars carrying a small saddlebag with a book on each side of her.

She was staring at the class with wonder before she introduced herself 

“Hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle, or just Twilight would be fine too.” Twilight introduced and found a seat in front of the class to face the good teacher.

As class continued Trixie pondered about this new student and maybe she could make friends with her and noticed how smart this new student was when she answered about half the questions from the teacher.

Hours went on and the teacher just let the students out for recess period. Trixie was playing by the titter totter with all the other fillies and colts. She was having a blast playing with them, but her fun shortly ended when a hoof was placed on it causing her to tumble backwards and land on her back.

“Well, well. Having fun are we?” A small voice said. Trixie froze instantly when she heard the voice. She immediately got up and looked at the pony that did it. 

The pony was a unicorn filly who about two years older than her with a musty emerald coat and a teal blue mane with a bright yellow through it; the filly had bright cyan eyes and her cutie mark was that of a pair of crossed magician wands.

“Um… hey Mage Sparks… how you doing?” Trixie asked nervously 

“Oh just wondering what a filly like yourself with no magic is doing today?” She said sarcastically to Trixie.

“Just watch, someday my magic will come to me and then we’ll see who gets the laughs.” Trixie proclaim but continued 

“And someday I’ll even get my cutie mark to, so look out!” Trixie shouted.

Mage only laugh evilly “You get your cutie mark? Now that will be the day; I wonder what it’ll be maybe a pot with a crack in it or maybe a big red L for loser.” She continued to laugh 

“Face it Trixie you’ll be a blank flank till the end of time and it won’t surprise me one bit.” Mage laughed as Trixie began to tear up as Mage continued to laugh at her.

Her laughing was stopped suddenly by a purple aura around the fillies’ mouth and Trixie could see that it was closed shut.

“Do you mind, I’m trying to read here thank you?” Twilight said as she approached the two fillies’ with an open book she was levitating. She finally released the spell that was hold Mages mouth shut. 

“This doesn’t concern you newbie so do me a favor and scram.” Mage said staring at Twilight trying to look intimidating to her.

But Twilight wasn’t fazed by her at the slightest “So you think because you have a cutie mark and others don’t means you can go and bully them.” She shook her head 

“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Twilight concluded only to make Mage retort 

“So what?  Who’s going to stop me? You bookworm?” She looked at Twilight. 

Others began to gather around them as if they were going to fight. Twilight stared at the filly with an emotionless glare and closed the book and place back in her saddle

“How about this, since you love to pick on the weak, and you’re a unicorn with magic and cocky; how about a magic match, you and me. If I win you leave that filly and every other filly and colt without cutie mark alone.” She pointed toward Trixie.

“But if you win I won’t bother you anymore and you can continue what you’re doing and I’ll forget the whole thing.” Twilight declared both holding her hoof out towards the filly 

“Deal?” She said with that emotionless stare as the other mare hoof bumped Twilight.

“Deal.” She said with a smirk on her face 

“What are the rules?” she asked still keeping that same smirk 

“The first one to get hit by anything involving make loses. We’ll face opposite ends of each other and then we can begin.” Twilight said as they both began to walk to their positions.

Once there Mage was ready to zap Twilight where she belongs and readied in a striking position. Twilight got to her position and sat on her haunches staring at Mage. A pony signaled for them to begin and Mage didn’t waste any time but fired a small blast not as effective as a full grown unicorns but still it worked. The blast sped toward Twilight and was about five feet away until her horn glowed just a brief moment but nothing happened at first.

The blast hit but not Twilight a barrier she used to block the attack. The barrier faded but Twilights horn was still glowing, she yawned at Mage’s display of magic 

“Is that all you got?” Twilight said bluntly 

“Tell me that’s not all you got.” She said with a playful smirk.

That only enraged Mage more to fire a few more small magic blasts. The barrier reappeared to defend its master from the blasts and quickly faded away until it would be called again 

“Why don’t you attack me or are you scared of me?” Mage taunted as she continued her tiny onslaught on Twilight 

“There’s more than one way to defeat you opponent instead of using blunt force attacks.” Twilight stated.

The fight went on for another five minutes and Mage was getting tired unable to fire another magic blast. As for Twilight she hardly moved and she seemed like she was still ready to go. Twilight didn’t even look she was showing any fatigue. Her horn glowed again and created a tiny ball of magic over Mage and dropped it on her head dispersing into many sparkling lights.

“I win.” Twilight said simply and all the fillies and colts cheered for her victory over the bully. The bully was shocked and dumbfounded at what just happened, she was beaten and she knew it. Twilight walked up to the filly 

“Lesson 1: Never underestimate you opponent and lesson 2: Brute force never gets the job done.” Twilight stated and walked away from the filly who just ran off.

Twilight went back to her usual spot which was under a shaded tree in the playground and continued reading her book. Trixie nervously walked up to her not wanting to disturb her reading 

“Um… thank you.” Trixie said hesitantly. Twilight looked up at the filly that had a wide smile on her face.

“Could you stop that, you smiles freaking me out?” Twilight asked slightly unnerved by Trixie’s smile.

“Oh sorry I was just so glad that you stuck up for me back there.” Trixie said 

“That was great the way you handled that bully without actually hurting her, how’d you do that?” Trixie said all giddy with her hoofs to her cheeks. 

“That was nothing just simple magic that I’ve learned.” Twilight said focusing back on her book.

A few minutes of silence past between the two until Trixie spoke up again. She took a breath for speaking 

“Wouldyoupleasebemyfriend?” She said rather quickly which caught the book reader off guard as she looked back up at the filly 

“What did you just say?” Twilight questioned with a wondering look. Trixie took a breathed in and she let it out slowly 

“Would you please be my friend?” Trixie repeated but much more clearer.

“You want to become friends with me?” Twilight said with a confused look 

“Why?” She then asks.

“Well you seem nice, plus the way you stood up to that bully back there was really cool and they way you used your magic, what kind of spell was that? I’ve never seen it before.” She said bouncing up and down going around the filly 

“It was a barrier spell that I used and it’s a medium level magic that I’ve learned back at… WOULD YOU STOP JUMPING AROUND!” she yelled and Trixie stopped right in front of her.

“So you want to be friends with me because…” She started 

“Well it seemed like you never had a friend before and you look rather lonely over here all on your own.” Trixie finished. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Twilight spoke again 

“I guess… I could give this… friend thing a shot.” She said slowly and all Trixie could do is jump up and cheer and bounce around Twilight making a new friend.

Two years came and went by since that day. Trixie and Twilights bond was strong and they both knew it. But as days went by there bond was slowly but surely diminishing one day at a time. Trixie tried to go over to visit Twilight every day but every time she went over Twilights parents always say that she was busy studying. But one day changed everything for Trixie, when she went over to see if Twilight could play; it was Twilight that answered the door.

“Hey Twi I was hoping we could play at the park today and have some fun.” She smiled carrying her saddle bag full of toys and stuff. Then that’s when Twilight told her 

“Look Trixie you’re a really nice filly and all but I got my studies to do so I don’t have time to play with you so you’ll have to find somepony else to play with.” Twilight stated sternly 

“But aren’t we friends Twi, and I thought you loved playing games like how we always do.” Trixie said.

“Friends? Games? Is that all you care about Trixie and you can quit using that stupid nickname or can you call me be my full name and not Twi.” She said making Trixie back up a bit 

“But I-I thought…” She stuttered 

“We were friends. HA! I only became your friend because I felt sorry for you because you looked so pathetic back there, I should have let that bully do worse to you but no I had to step in and defend you, and now just because of that were friends. I never wanted to be friends with you in the first place!” She shouted.

At what Twilight said made Trixies insides hurt and she was on the verge of tearing up “Y-you don’t mean t-that?” Trixie stuttered 

“Well I do and from here forward considered our friendship…” She began to shut the door on her 

“Terminated.”  She finished and shut the door in front of Trixie. With what happened next well Trixie ran back home tears running down her face, went up the stairs and cried.



The trio stayed silence for a while until Seeker broke it “Well… your sister was not the friendly type was she.” He stated and received a hoof to the back of the head from Shining 

“Ow! Okay I get the picture, touchy subject.” He said rubbing the back of his head.

“Well Twily wasn’t always great with friends since she mostly stayed to herself most of the time.” Shining replied. Trixie gave a sigh 

“After that it hit me hard at what she said just because she took pity on me. Then when I heard she went missing I thought she was really gone, and well that’s when me and you met Shining because we both shared something in common; that we were worried about Twilight and that gave you incentive to join the guard to find your sister.” Trixie stated. Then she realized something for a minute. 

Then she looked toward Fire Seeker “Wait if you said you lived in Canterlot, then you should have been at the school I went to? How come I didn’t see you there in the first place?” Trixie questioned. Fire only chuckled 

“Well there’s a very good reason for that, if that’s okay with the captain if I show why?” He said looking toward Shining.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to show her.” Shining with a nod and Fire proceed to make his horn glow red like his coat. Then in a few seconds his horn burst into flames. Trixie jumped back a little from the display.

“Whoa, what the hay?” Trixie said looking at his horn with was still on fire.

“Well it’s a little talent I have.” He explained as he distinguished the flames.

“I can manipulate fire at will using it for all sorts of things like a literal fireball, or a fire shield if I can.” He explained 

“But I’m not the only one, my older sister can control ice with her magic and my older brother can twist metal with his too.” He continued.

“So that the reason why I wasn’t at your school Trixie because I was being taught how to control my fire magic, and the same can be said for my sister too. My brother always did though have the most control over his so he ended up in a normal school.” He said rubbing his hoof on the back of his neck with a smile on his face.

Trixie still looked at him “Wow controlling an actual physical element and being in the guard no doubt.” Trixie said in amazement. There meeting was interrupted by a loud banging sound coming from the center of town 

“Now what in Celestia was that about.” Shining said as they saw ponies panicking all over town. Seeker spotted a pony in the mist of the chaos a unicorn stallion.

The stallion had a steel gray coat with a black mane with silver streak running through it; with blue eyes and a cutie mark with bronze gears mashed together and a book on top of them. Apparently the stallion was chasing something or somepony for that matter and was very angry for that fact with his horn blasting at whatever he was chasing. 

He recognized that stallion from anywhere.

“No way, that couldn’t be, could it?” Seeker said and took off running toward the pony. He ran past the chaos of ponies and joined the pony that was running.

“Mind if I join the chase?” He asked sarcastically at the pony which he recognized as Code Breaker AKA his big brother. 

“FIRE SEEKER! What in the hay are you doing here?!” He asked his attention still on the con pony brothers in front of him.

“Well if you must know I was on vacation with the captain, but it seemed to have got interrupted by a situation.” Fire said in annoyance.

“So who are you chasing?” Fire said. CB pointed his muzzle toward the Flim Flam brothers ahead of them.

“Aren’t those the…” He started.

“Uh huh.” CB stated simply. Fire quickly put things together, the machine mayhem, his brothers appearance, and the Flim Flam brothers.

“I take it they took a few of your inventions?” He asks as Code nods.

“And have probably been selling them without a permit to, and you know how dangerous some of my inventions are.” Code adds.

“So much for that Safe Sales Permit, but at least Fire is here now.” He thought.

“I’m guessing they don’t have a SSP?” Fire asked as Code glances at him.

“What do you think?” Code replies.

“Let’s get them.” Fire stated firmly as they both quickened there pace. 

Unfortunately they ran into somepony in front of the boutique and they were sent tumbling to the ground. 

“Why don’t you watch where your…” the pony started as the other two were getting up from there tumble. 

Only to look upon the gaze of a unicorn mare with a white cyan coat, a purple mane and tail with three streaks of blue it in wrapped into a ponytail, purple eyes with black rimmed glasses, and a cutie mark of a snowflake with a thread through it. 

“Fire! Code!” the mare yelled.

“Hello darlings. It’s been a long time.” Rarity said.

“Sis! Rarity!” they both said in unison. The mare turned her head toward Code with a cold stare at him.

“Um… I can explain.” Code said sheepishly knowing all too well what going to come next.

“Where have you been! Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out that you had left Canterlot and hadn’t come back from you last sell-off!” She yells at Code who was sweating as ice began to form.

“Do you know what you’ve put me through these last few weeks?! Do you?” She exclaimed.

“Now darling please calm down.” Rarity said nervously trying to calm Winter who sent a ice cold glare back at Rarity who scooted back along with Coco.

“Y-Yeah sis, you don’t need to act like such an ice queen.” Code says before closing his mouth realizing what he had said.

“Aww pony…” Was his last words as a tundra of snow and ice clouds his vision.

AJ came back with Dash and saw Code with Rarity, Coco, and two others in front of the boutique. From the look of his sweating the mare could only have been his sister he had been talking about earlier.

And it was then and there that they saw Winter’s horn shine white like her coat, and seconds later Code was encased in a block of ice.

“When he said his sis had a glare that freeze yah…ah didn’t think he meant literally” AJ whispers as Fire sighs his own horn shines and begins melting the ice with a burning flame.

“Uhh…remind me to never make her mad.” Dash said nervous at the sight.

By the time she was finished Shining Armor and Trixie found Fire Seeker that was defrosting Code at the time. Shining looked at the ice and then to the mare that caused it and noticed who it was a seemed to turn a shade whiter.

“Oh no… Winter Blossom.” Shining said as the pony known as Winter Blossom looked toward him with a cold glare and flaring white horn that had snowflakes coming off it.

“Oh… hello Shining Armor.” She said coldly in a tone that indicated he might be the next target if not careful.

Hours later at a party thrown by Pinkie because she never seen Coder Breaker, but now she had more incentive to throw the party because of Fire Seeker, and Winter Blossom. Of course every pony was there. 

Code, Fire, and Winter were talking with Shining Armor and Trixie along with several others that the three siblings had met that day.

“So you’re a friend of the captain. Well who would have thought of that?” Winter said.

“This is some party, but I wish we could stay we’ll be leaving for Canterlot in a few minutes so we better not miss it.” Code said 

“Even though I’ve never gave those two a dose of my magic.” Code adds muttering under his breath.

“Well it’s been a pleasure to meet you Trixie but I’m afraid she’s right we have to return to Canterlot with me and Shining in the guard.” Fire said 

“And me preparing for the fashion show coming up as well as keeping my arts store afloat.” Winter continued 

“And my workshop is there to, but I got to say Pinkie Pie’s party cannon is a great device, but needs a little work.” Code concluded.

"Though I could possibly close up shop there and set up a new workshop here." Code thinks having actually taken a shine to the small town.

“Well it was great having all of you in Ponyville and don’t be strangers okay, come back anytime.” Trixie said with a smile. 

“Oh don’t worry I still owe AJ for helping back there.” Code said as he and the other three followed. The party began to wind down until only Trixie and Spike were left. Trixie decided to call it a night, she slipped into her bed and stared at a picture of herself and Twilight when they were still fillies and with a happy smile on both their faces.

“Twilight where could you have gone?” She thought then drifted off to sleep worrying about what would happen next.


> Boast Busters
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One week after the visit from Shining Armor everything was back to how it was in Ponyville. It was a calm afternoon in the park and Trixie was there to freshen up on spells that she felt that she was rusty on.

“Okay Spike here goes.” Trixie said as she prepared her next spell. Spike stood in his place waiting patiently at what Trixie was doing. Trixies horn began to emit it’s aura as Trixie closed her eyes to concentrate on her spell.

The aura then emitted around Spikes claws and teeth and they began to grow in length about two inches of their regular size. Spike was both shocked and impressed by the sudden change. 

“Wow Trix that makes like over twenty spells you’ve mastered.” Spike said looking at his new claws and feeling his new fangs 

“And this is a rather good one I may add.” Spike said impressed making Trixie blush at the complement crossing her hooves in front of her.

“Well despite how good it looks this only a brush up so they got to go.” Her horn flashed again as the spell reversed.

“Wait!” Spike protested, but was a bit late as he was now back to normal. He slumps his shoulders in disappointment.

Trixie giggled at the dragon “Hey even without those your still the same Spike to me.” She said with an assuring smile. She looked at the clock and that it was going on 11:30.

“Say how about a snack, my treat.” Trixie stated as Spike perks up.

“SugarCube Corner.” Spike suggested earnestly.

“I was thinking the same thing Spike.” Trixie smiled as they both left the library toward Sugarcube Corner. Once they’ve arrived Pinkie was working the register and handling the cooking. 

“Good morning Pinkie.” Trixie says to the pink mare with a wave before noticing someponies were missing.

“Where are Mr. and Mrs. Cake?” Trixie questioned as she looked about for the owners.

“Oh they had to make a quick delivery out of town so they left me in charge for the day! Isn’t that great!” Pinkie said giddily as Trixie and Spike look at each other nervously.

“Yeah…sounds great Pinkie.” Trixie says as images of SugarCube Corner of fire flashed in her and Spike’s minds making them shiver.

“Not that will actually happen. I hope.” She thought.

“So what can I get you both?” Pinkie asks snapping Trixie back to reality.

“Well if you have a sapphire gem cupcake that would be for Spike and I’ll take a cupcake with vanilla frosting.” Trixie said.

“Okie Dokie Lokie.” Pinkie zoomed off toward the kitchen and in about a few seconds she had them ready.



Boast Busters

“Here yah go that’ll be six bits total.” Pinkie said and Trixie placed the bits to her and Pinkie put them in the register.

The two took a seat near the window and began to munch on the snacks they ate. Trixie stopped after a bit thinking back to yesterday. She had saw Shining Armor again after so many years, and she also meet the three unorthodox siblings. It made her feel a bit homesick as well as miss a particular pony that for once wasn’t Twilight.

“You must be somewhere on the road huh big brother?”  She thought as she then took notice of Spike waving a claw in front of her to get her attention.

“Equestria to Trixie. Come in Trixie.” Spike says as said mare looks at him.

“What is it Spike?” she asks.

“Nothing. Just wanted to make sure you were alright. You were spacing out.” He asked concerned.

“I’m okay Spike. Just been thinking about well stuff.” Trixie says as Spike raised an eyebrow.

“Stuff like?” he asked

“Well you recall last week? The visitors we had?” she asked as Spike nods.

“Yeah, why’d you ask?” Spike said.

“You see I have been feeling kind of homesick since last seeing them, but what bothers me more is that I miss my…” She starts as Spike listens waving a claw encouraging her to continue.

“That I miss my brother.” She finally says surprising Spike who tumbles out of his seat. He pulls himself up and sits back in his seat.

“You have a brother? What’s he like?” Spike asked as Trixie chuckles.

“He is a pretty cool pony if I do say so myself. He could always makes others laugh and smile at anything he does. Plus he always made time to have these little competitions with me. I could never win.” She says smiling and laughing a bit.

“Well why haven’t you gone to see him?” Spike asks as Trixie lets out a small laugh.

“It’s kind of hard to go see him Spike, and not because I don’t want to.” She admits as Spike looks at her a bit irritated.

“And what kind of reason could you not go see him?” Spike asked as Trixie shakes her head.

“He’s a traveling magician Spike.” Trixie states plainly.

“Ohh…well that’s a pretty good reason.” Spike states.

“Not long after I became Celestia’s student he left home deciding to take his act throughout Equestria. I use to get letters from him weekly…” She starts with a sigh her smile down to a half smirk.

“Then it was monthly, and then every six month, and then yearly. I haven’t heard from him in 3 years Spike so yeah I kind of miss him.” She says as Spike puts a claw on her patting her.

“Don’t worry about it Trixie. I’m sure you’ll hear from him soon. Maybe you’ll actually see him.” Spike says as Trixie rolls her eyes smirking at Spike.

“Somehow I doubt it Spike.” Trixie says getting up grabbing her snack and Spike with her magic as she headed out making the short trek back to Golden Oaks.

“So is your brother good at magic to Trixie?” Spike asks curiously as she nods.

“He is a master with illusions and a few other spells. When we were younger we would always get into a fight for some silly reason. He would end up using an illusion to argue with me while he would go off to do something else.” She says as Spike laughs.

“Makes me wish I was a unicorn. So I could do the same thing.” Spike says suppressing his laughter long enough to say that before going back into a fit of laughter.

They were about to leave the square when sounds of a large crowd gathering got their attention.

“Now what’s going on?” Trixie asked looking back at Spike who shrugged.

“Maybe the Kling Clam brothers are back in town?” Spike suggested as Trixie face hooves.

“It’s Flim Flam brothers Spike, and personally I don’t think it’s them. They couldn’t draw a crowd this large.” Trixie says walking over as Spike hops off her back.

She spotted Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset Shimmer within the crowd at the front where Trixie stayed at the back of crowd with Spike who got back on her in order to get a better view.

A stage caravan wheeled up to the crowd and began unfolding itself into a full stage. Mist began to appear on the stage as a voice boomed out.

“Come one, come all and feast your eyes. Beyond compare to fill your eyes with wonder for it is I. Presto the Great!” The voice boomed and a flash formed from the mist.

The smoke clears revealing a unicorn stallion with an azure coat and violet eyes. His man was similar to Trixie’s, but was shorter cut and the colors were reversed. His cutie mark resembled that of a book with a full moon with six five pointed stars surrounding it.

Trixie froze in surprise feeling several emotions at once at seeing this pony while Spike huffed watching from Trixie’s back as the performance began.

“Presto the Great what kind of name is that right Trixie?” Spike asked as he looks to Trixie. Only to reveal he was now somehow standing on Big Macintosh who was giving him a small glare as Spike gave a nervous laugh and jumped off him.

“Uh… Trixie?” Spike asks looking around for the azure mare.

Somewhere in the crowd Trixie was hunched down making herself look small. This attracted a bit of attention, but most was focused on the stallion in front of them.

“Yes Trixie just one step at a time, don’t attract any unwanted attention, you’re doing great, almost there.”  Trixie thought and she would have been home free if it weren’t for a certain pink pony catching her sneaking away.

“Oh hi Trixie! What are you doing back here when the fun is up here?” Pinkie yelled out and proceeds to drag Trixie by her tail to the front of the crowd.

“Noooo, and I was so close!” She screamed internally as she was dragged to the front of the crowd next to Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset. 

“Nice you could join us Trixie.” Sunset said as they still watched as Presto performs for the crowd.

“Well he does seem pretty good in magic.” Sunset commented.

“Heh just some fancy pants showpony showing off new tricks like ah bunch of blue ribbons.” Applejack countered with an annoyed tone.

“You can say that again AJ.” Rainbow added hooves crossed.

Unfortunately with them being in the front row Presto heard them and stopped his performance. 

“Well what have we here.” He started looking at the four 

“Some ponies that think they can out best Presto the Great.” He continued before pointing to one of them.

“How about you hayseed?” He says to Applejack who was glaring at the show stallion.

“Is there something you can do that I Presto the Great can’t?” He boasts.

“Okay that’s it ah can’t take no more of this.” Applejack said and got on stage grabbing her lasso from below her hat. 

She began performing rope tricks such swinging her lasso in the air on one hoof going through the lasso hoop with ease and then grabbing an apple from a nearby tree and pulled it toward her eating it when it came close to her.

The crowd clapped for her great performance and some even whistled.

“Top those apples.” Applejack said turning her gaze toward him. He pondered a minute in order how to counter the mares’ performance, then came up with one quick simple idea. 

“Very well, as you wish.” He said as his horn glowed grabbing four ropes and tied them into a lasso knot then grabbed four apples from nearby trees, then levitated a cooking knife and quickly sliced into half apple slices.

Applejack being distracted by his performance failed to notice that the ropes he was using was slowly wrapping around her front and back hoofs. In mere moments she was quickly tied into a half rope mummy with her hoof wrapped close to her body so she couldn’t move as eight half apple slices fell right next to her in a circle pattern.

“Apple turkey anypony?” Presto said as he got the crowd laughing at her as Applejack rolls her way off the stage in embarrassment.

He gave a slight yawn at his defeated opponent “So much for breaking a sweat.” Presto said.

Rainbow looked like she was about to blow as she flew straight up to Presto nearly muzzle to muzzle.

“Hey! You can’t go and embarrass anypony like that.” She states as Presto raises an eyebrow.

“Oh? And why can’t I? It makes for great entertainment.” He questioned.

“Because that’s my job.” Dash said as she took off toward the windmill that was in town.

Trixie only face hoofed at Dash’s antics 

“Dash you idiot, anything you do to him, he’ll only throw it back ten times over. Oh this is so not going to end well.” Trixie thought and watched as Dash try to outdo Presto.

As Dash hit the windmill she went around it a few times and shot upward toward gray clouds that she burst a hole through three of them. 

Then she went up to gaze in the sunlight and then shot back downwards toward the clouds with holes in them and past through them sending rain water her way and went back around the windmill again in the opposite direction shooting toward the stage and landing safely as the rain water sprayed on her creating a miniature rainbow above her.

“They don’t call me Rainbow and Dash for nothing.” She boasted proudly as the crowd clapped for her performance. 

“Okay Presto the ‘Great’. Let’s see you beat that huh.” Dash said mockingly.

“Don’t you mock me mare!” He shouted then he took a breath and quickly calmed down. He cleared his throat as he already had a clear idea what to do to knock her down a few pegs.

“Tell me… Rainbow Dash is it. Why do they call you that in the first place?” He asked with a smirk on his face 

“Well duh because I’m fast idiot. Why?” She asked.

Before she could blink his horn glowed a quick moment then with a flash his spell was cast. When the flash disappeared allowing everypony to see what happened to Dash. The reaction was instant as almost everypony began laughing at her.

“What? What are they laughing about?” She asked looking at Presto who chuckles.

“Well ‘Rainbow’ Dash you most certainly have the ‘rainbow’ covered.” He said mockingly.

Dash looked over a small puddle that was formed from her stunt and saw her coat literally became every color of the rainbow and her mane was her original coat color cyan. Dash froze and stood there like a statue all wide eyed with crowd still laughing at her expect her friends.

Dash quickly got off stage and flew toward the nearest cloud to hide herself.

He looked back toward the crowd which was clapping for him.

“I can’t believe this pony, who does he think he is coming into our town and embarrassing the living daylights out of everypony?” Sunset said with annoyance as she looked toward the stage.

Trixie then looked at Sunset with a look of worry at the annoyed mare.

“Um… Sunset I don’t think that would be a wise idea.” Trixie warns as Sunset looks to her.

“Don’t worry it seems like the only way to match this joker is to go unicorn on unicorn. Just watch me work.” Sunset said as she proceeds to trot toward the stage.

Presto took notice as yet another mare walked on stage and a unicorn no doubt.

“And you are?” He asked.

“Sunset Shimmer you no good show pony.” She said with a scowl.

“Well somepony is rather huffy today aren’t we?” He said looking at Sunset.

“Well considering what you did to some close friends of mine it shouldn’t be a surprise.” She counters.

“Now you bested an earth pony and a pegasus but let’s test your luck on a unicorn. Magic on magic.” She stated.

She let her horn glow to concentrate on several objects using bits and pieces from each to make a small wooden model of Princess Celestia that greatly impressed the crowd.

“And that was only from memory.” She commented tapping her head with her hoof. She turned to face the crowd which while that was happening Presto’s horn glowed again.

Trixie took notice as his spell was aimed for the small model. 

“I hope this is not going where I think its going.” Trixie thought as she looked on as the model began to move and memories of a small army of statues made of wood, stone, and plastic flashed in her mind.

Sunset continued to receive praise as she gave a bow to the crowd. It was then that she felt a slight pinch from her tail before there was a rip and she let out a yelp. She looked behind her and saw that almost all of her tail was gone and being eaten by the model she had created.

“And it went where I thought it was going. Well at least they didn’t put her in a cage.” Trixie thought with a sweat drop.

Sunset’s cheeks blushed red as she quickly but gently slide stepped herself of stage and Presto smirks.

“I hear tails are high in fiber. I guess little woody here needed some.” He says as the entire crowd laughs expect for Trixie was trying to make herself look small so she would not be spotted.

Presto looked at the front of the crowd and noticed a certain azure pony trying to sink into the stage, and was surprised as he hadn’t seen her in years.

“Trixie is that you sister?” He asked as Trixie shot straight and was frozen like a statue.

“Um… hehe hey bro.” She said nervously as the crowd gasped in shock from this new development.

“What!?” Sunset yelled hiding in the crowd.

“Eh.” Applejack said still tied up.

“He’s your… what!” Dash shouted from the cloud.

“I thought you were still in Canterlot Little Moon.” He said as Trixie pouts.

“Quit calling me Little Moon okay you used to call Trixie that when she was still a filly yah know!” Trixie stated.

“Well Trixie since you’re here; how about you and me have a magic duel for old time sake.” Presto said trying to motion her to come on stage. She back away from what he asked. 

“Is he pulling my hoof, he knows as well as I do I don’t stand a chance in Tartarus against him!” she thought panicking trying to think of any way to get out of the situation.

“Well I’d…love to…but” she said looking at her hoof.

“Oh look at the time I’m late for a study session; got to go!” Trixie said as she ran off back toward her library.

She ran past Spike who had been looking for her all around the crowd; she picked him up and plopped him on her back as she continued running back to her library. 

“What was that all about Trixie, running off like that?” He said very angered. 

“No time, explain later!” She said quickly as they approached the wooden home tree.

Entering the safety of her home she was completely out of breath.

Trixie paced around the library back and forth looking very nervous “Why of all the places that he had to come here to Ponyville and he had to do a show here?!” She quickened her pacing 

“Uh…you know that Presto guy?” he questioned and Trixie nodded 

“So why are getting so worked up about him?” He asked making Trixie stop.

“Why is Trixie getting so worked up? Why is Trixie so worked up?!” She shouted in annoyance.

“Because that just so happened to be Trixie’s older brother!” She shouted only to receive a slap from the dragon.

“I needed that.” she said as Spike slaps her again this time on her other cheek.

“I needed that too.” And a third and final slap was delivered to her cheek again.

“And what was that for?” She said rubbing her cheek.

“For comic relief.” Spike said simply.

Trixie only growled at him and went back to her studies. Spike then recalled what she said earlier.

“Well guess I was right about you meeting him again then huh?” He asks with a chuckle as Trixie glares at him.

“For once…” Trixie replies as Spike goes up to her.

“Oh come on Trix. You could probably take him now.” Spike encourages.

“I don’t know Spike. He has much more experience than I do. I’d probably only end up embarrassing myself.” She replied.

“Besides he knows lots more than me. Who do you think taught me some of those illusions spells?” she then adds as Spike considers this.

“True, but you also know some stuff he doesn’t.” Spike said in response as Trixie groans.

“Sure, but I’m not going to try and one up him.” Trixie retorts as Spike huffs.

“He embarrassed our friends Trix.” He states plainly.

“And I will be sure to talk to him about it, but I’m not going to try and show him up.” She says firmly going back to her studies.

A few hours passed before a knock was heard at the door. Trixie sighs opening it revealing Sunset shimmer in a simple gown covering her flank and a rather small cloud that was floating near Sunset.

“Um… can I help you Sunset and what’s with the cloud?” She pointed to the cloud next to her 

“Um… Trixie that’s RD.” Sunset said as a rainbow coated head popped out.

“Can we pleeease come in?” Dash pleaded as Trixie opens the door fully to let them in.

“Let me guess Presto happened.” Trixie said as they both nodded 

“Well it serves you both right for showing off and trying to best him.” Trixie said then double checked only seeing two of the three that where embarrassed. 

“What a minute… where’s Applejack?” She asked curious and a bit worried.

“She already got out of her rope trap a few hours ago.” Rainbow said as she comes out of the cloud.

“But that’s not the problem. Do you have anything that can oh I don’t know TURN MY COAT BACK TO NORMAL!” Dash yelled.

“And a growing spell for my tail. It’s kind of embarrassing going around town with nearly no tail.” Sunset said gesturing toward her gown 

“Well I may have a reverse spell for Dash’s coat to switch it back to her mane but your tail Sunset would have to grow back normally Sunset. Sorry.” Trixie stated which didn’t surprise them.

Trixie grabbed a book off a shelf and quickly read over the spell and nods casting it changing Dash back to normal.

“Aw yeah I’m back baby!” Dash cheered doing a back flip and zoomed out the door shouting a thank you to Trixie as she left.

“Sorry if I couldn’t help you Sunset. Is your tail that bad?” Trixie said. Sunset frown a bit as she took her gown to reveal her tail…well what was left of her tail anyway.

Only a small stub of it remained.

“It’s okay I’m sure it’ll grow back in a few weeks I’m sure, but thanks anyway.” Sunset put the gown back on and proceeds back out the door. 

Trixie nods closing the door and goes back to her studies.

“Geez my brother sure knows how to put on a show, but that was a little much.” Trixie whispered. 

As the sun was beginning to set and her studies now completed Trixie took a moment to look outside the library balcony to get a better view of Ponyville. 

Most of the citizens were heading back to their house to get ready for the night to come. She even spotted Presto getting his stage folded up into a carriage for him to sleep in alongside a bag of what seemed to be bits from his performance today.

After looking over Ponyville and noticing that the moon was beginning to rise she decided it was time to finally call it a day for now until tomorrow morning unbeknown to her or the rest of Ponyville that a small creature had made its way into the quite little town.

It was now midnight and all the citizens were asleep and Trixie dreaming about spending time in the Canterlot archives without a care in the world finding out new information about who knows what and new sorts of spells she could master.

But her dream didn’t last long when a loud roar woke her from her dream.

“Wha!” Trixie jumped out of her bed and went horn first into the ceiling. She pushed herself off falling back onto her bed.

“What in the hay was that?” Trixie says now fully awake.

“TRIXIE!” Spike yelled as he came running toward her with a tub of ice cream in his claws.

“What’s going on? And what are you doing with a tub of ice cream?” She asked the dragon.

“Umm…that is not exactly the most important thing to worry about right now Trixie.” Spike said as Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“There are manticores in town and there attacking!” Spike adds in a shout as he drops the ice cream tub and waved his arms in the air as Trixie looked out the window.

She looked out it and spotted the two manticores. There were two of them; they have a mane and claws like a lion but red, wings like a bat, a tail of a scorpion, and small horns on their heads. One of them seemed smaller than the other one, and they were angry about something as they continued smashing things left and right.

“What do we do?” Spike said panicking.

“But those monsters shouldn’t be here, they reside in the Everfree forest; Why are they here?” Trixie pondered then she ran outside to see if she can help fight them off.

As she got out she already saw some of the citizens trying to capture them with nets but to no avail as they slashed the nets away. What got worse was her brother approached the monsters. 

“Fear not as I Presto will deal with these savage monsters.” He declared as he charged his horn then created a magical rope to tie up the beasts.

But even if is rope did manage to tie them, the monsters quickly and effortlessly escaped his magic. He kept trying but to no avail as it happened again and again each time he tried to tie them up.

Trixie saw the manticores eyes move about as if they were looking for something not even worried about the frightened ponies around them. 

“What are they looking for?” Trixie questioned 

“Think Trixie think what did you read on about them again?” She thought as she tried to remember a lesson she did before she came to Ponyville then it came back to her like a freight train.




“Manticore; these creatures can be very dangerous if threaten, they posses venom in there tail like a scorpion that could kill a full grown pony in a matter of hours and will use any other means to defend itself including their claws and fangs, but they are extremely protective of their young and will leave there habitat to find it.” Young Trixie states reading out of a book.




Her eyes went wide in realization “That’s it!” she declared 

“That’s why their reacting like this in the first place!” Trixie said 

“Uh… what’s it?” Spike said trying to make himself look small like Trixie had when she first saw Presto.

“The reason there attacking is because there looking for their young and I bet my bits that those two are its parents.” Trixie stated pointing her hoof toward the manticores.

“But there isn’t any of their young here…right?” Spike asks 

“A reasonable answer is that it left the safety of its home and wondered into our town since it’s the closest to the Everfree Forest.” She explained. 

The monsters were still attacking and looking for now what Trixie thinks is there lost young. She spotted a butter yellow and light pink blur flying toward the manticores. Trixie noticed it immediately and know who it was 

“Fluttershy hold on a minute!” She yelled causing the pony to stop.

Fluttershy flew toward Trixie “Um… yes.” She whispered.

“Fluttershy your good with animals, can you maybe keep them calm while I find some help.” Trixie said.

“Um… I’ll…try.” Fluttershy said as she flew off toward the raging manticores. As of Trixie she went to find the source.

Some the ponies were still panicking on the streets yelling and screaming there longs out.

Well almost everypony as Rainbow Dash quickly zoomed right next to her. 

“Hey where are you going in such a hurry?” Dash asked still flying next to her 

“Spread out Dash I need you to find a manticore pup. It might still be in town.” Trixie said 

“A what now?” Dash asked with a confused look 

“That’s what making the manticores go all berserk like that because they are looking for their child.” Trixie stated.

“I’m on it! Just leave it to me okay!” Dash declared 

“I’ll go help Fluttershy.” Trixie said as she turned around and ran back where the manticores were.

Fluttershy was having a tough time getting them calm and trying to stare them down but to no avail. One try to claw at her but missed that gave her the thought to back away just as Trixie came running up to check on her. 

“Any luck Flutters?” She asked while catching her breath.

She shook her head “No there to rattled up that I can’t calm them.” She whispered as she landed.

“Then I guess I’ll have to hold them off then, you go help Rainbow Dash search for the manticore pup, I think that’s what they’re looking for.” Trixie stated and it didn’t more than a second and Fluttershy was off. 

Trixie stood face to face with both manticores. Her horn glowed as she created four walls of magic around the beasts to trap them momentarily, and created a rope from her magic to wrap around there wings so they wouldn’t escape. 

Her horn glowed brighter as she cast another spell to create other restraints on both of monsters, making them incapable of moving.

While that was going on Presto was looking on in awe of what her little sister was doing. Sweat began dripping from her sisters head as she strained to keep the magic in place.

“C’mon Dash, Fluttershy hurry up.” She said 

“I don’t know how much longer I can hold on to these two.” She thought as the monsters struggled to get free of the magical grasp. They bashed against the walls and tried to claw off the magical ropes.

About ten minutes in her magic was beginning to weaken. The magic restraints on their paws and tails were dissipating and the walls were beginning to crack. 

“TRIX!” a voice called out and she recognized it instantly as Rainbow Dash came full speed at her along with Fluttershy close behind her 

“We’ve found it!” She yelled.

Dash and Fluttershy land next to Trixie with a smaller version of the manticores in tow. Trixie released her magical grip and plopped straight to the ground from exhaustion which made Presto run toward her to check on her to see if she was alright.

The small manticore saw its parents and ran toward them jumping off Fluttershy’s back. The beasts were reunited with their young and after licking the small manticore pup they flew away back toward the Everfree Forest.

Everypony cheered after they’ve left and glad that this was over. Presto slowly pick Trixie up and back on her hooves as gently as he could.

“Easy there dear sister, are you feeling well?” Presto asked.

Trixie trying to shake off the exhaustion from the spells she performed.

“Just a little drained that’s all.” Trixie said making Presto give a relieving sigh. 

“You know sis you are not quite the pony I thought you were years ago.” Presto stated.

“Well I’ve grown and became Celestia’s student.” Trixie said.

“Well glad to hear it, but it seems if we were to have a magic duel now it would be all for naught.” Presto said 

“Maybe the next time I’m around.” Presto said and Trixie nodded 

“Agreed.  A nice friendly magic duel.” Trixie says with a smile before it fades and she sees the state of her brothers wagon.

“Sorry about your wagon Presto.” She said looking over it which was damaged during the rampage. 

“It’s alright. I was planning on getting a new one soon.” Presto simply said as he began walking off.

“She yah around bro.” Trixie said.

“I bid you adieu… my Little Moon.” He smiled.

One of Trixie’s eyes twitched and blushed at the nickname. 

“It's Trixie… TRIXIE! T-R-I-X-I-E TRIXE! NOT LITTLE MOON!” She yelled as he laughed and teleported away.

“Ugh! Trixie swears the next pony to call her that will get thrown to the side of the Canterlot castle.” Trixie said extremely annoyed.

Dash gave a small laugh and lands near Trixie.

“C’mon lighten up a bit. See yah tomorrow… Little Moon.” Dash mocked as Trixie slowly turns to look at Dash with a rather calm smile.

“Oh Dash.” Trixie started as Dash got a bit nervous at the sweet tone she was using.

“Yeah.” Dash said sweating a little bit.

“Trixie will give you a three second head start.” She said her voice going flat as her horn glows.

Rainbow looked at her wide eyed “Oh ponyfeathers.” Dash said as she flew away with Trixie slowly right behind her. 

This is going to be a long night for the both of them.



> Bridle Gossip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It has been three days since Presto had been in Ponyville and the manticore incident. It was a clear day as no clouds were in sight and birds chirped. A particular azure mare and baby purple dragon were out for a morning stroll.

“Looks like D and D got up early and did the cloud busting.” Spike says looking at the sky as Trixie rolls her eyes. Spike had grown to call Dash and Dust D and D due to them always being seen together.

“Yeah they must have…” Trixie says with a smile as she then stopped as Spike leans forward.

“What’s the matter Trixie?” Spike asked as Trixie looked around.

“Uhh Spike…you don’t happen to notice anything wrong?” Trixie asked plainly as she points out all around them. There was not a single pony out, and they hadn’t run into one at all yet.

“Umm…maybe it’s an indoors holiday?” Spike suggested as Trixie walks forward Spike getting nervous every step Trixie took.

“Y-You don’t think s-something got t-them do you?” Spike said stuttering.

“I don’t know maybe…” Before she could finish a brilliant gold streak zoomed past her and Spike and actually lifting them off the ground and bringing them into the nearest house or in this case Cheerliee’s home which all the lights were out. Trixie and Spike struggled a minute as they were put down onto something soft. 

“What in Ponyville is going on here?” She said 

“Well sorry but I had to get you off the street Miss Magic.” A voice said. 

Trixie recognized it immediately and groaned in annoyance 

“Lightning Dust is that you?” She said with annoyance in her throat only to get a flashlight with Lightning Dust’s face showing in the light 

“Yep who else would it be.” Lightning proclaimed.

Trixie rolled her eyes before she spoke “Okay Dust tell me why are you hiding here in the dark?” Trixie questioned 

“Well it’s not only me here you see.” Dust said shining her flashlight behind Trixie revealing Cheerliee, Coco, Sunset, Rainbow, Emerald, and Pendragon too. 

Trixie was both shocked and confused at the sight of seeing her friends, Cheerliee’s adopted daughter and Sunset’s sister.

“Okay why are you all hiding in the dark?” Trixie asked again. 

“Were hiding from…her.” Coco said pointing her shaking hoof at the window. She pulled the curtains from Cheerliees window with her friends gathering around to reveal an unknown pony or something covered by a brown cloak patting at the ground looking for something only to stare back at the group with glowing yellow eyes.

The group looked away all but Trixie which was staring at them with a puzzled look. 



Bridle Gossip

“Um… are you all okay? And why does everpony seems kind of jumpy today?” Trixie questioned. 

“Trixie don’t you have any idea who that is out there right now?” Sunset asked with a bit of fear in her tone which came as a bit of a surprise to Trixie.

“Um… no. Not really.” Trixie answered rubbing a hoof on her neck.

“That is Zecora she comes here to Ponyville just patting at the ground for whatever reason.” Cheerliee said.

“And it doesn’t help that she’s creepy…” Coco started with a shiver.

“Sinister.” Dash continued 

“And spooky.” Dust finished and emphasized with her eyes going in circles. 

Trixie took another look at the figure known as Zecora and saw the figure take off her hood to reveal a black and white mohawk she had along with a gold neck bracelet on her and a gold earring on her left ear.

“Oh Rarity would so have a hay day if she saw her.” Coco said but continued to look on at Zecora then she looked at Spike.

“Is she what I think she is Spike?” Trixie said and Spike nodded.

“Girls Zecora is a zebra.” Trixie stated.

“A what?!” they all said in unison.

“A zebra. They are from a faraway land that not many ponies know about. Even historians are unsure where they are from. Oh and Coco those stripes on her are her natural colors.” Trixie said. Coco was stunned and looked at the zebra outside. 

“Wait till Rarity hears about this.” Coco said as Trixie suddenly imagines the fashion pony fainting.

“But does anypony know where she lives?” Trixie asked looking at all of them.

“Well that is just it she lives in…the Everfree Forest.” Lightning Dust said and started to shake like a leaf as she said it and the rest shivered.

“Well she can’t be that bad.” Pendragon spoke out stepping up a bit.

“Yeah maybe she’s really nice and sweet instead of all scary like you all think.” Emerald adds.

“Nice or not you are not to go over and talk to her.” Cheerliee said with a stern glare at her adopted daughter. 

“But mom.” Emerald whined with pleading eyes. 

“My final answer is no.” She said stomping a hoof on the ground hard. Emerald’s only reply was a bunch of mumbled words under her breath.

“The same can go for you Pen okay.” Sunset said in a stern tone of voice. 

“Yes sis I know.” Pen said rolling her eyes at her sister.

“But what if she’s just here to just oh I don’t know do some shopping.” Trixie pointed out.

“Or maybe she’s just trying to be neighborly like everypony else.” Pen continued until Sunset stopped her. 

“Pendragon Quill please let the big ponies talk.” Sunset said pointing her hoof toward the front room.

“Yes Emerald could you please wait in the other room while we discuss this matter.” Cheerliee replied.

“Okay.” The both said and left the room.

The group waited until the fillies left the room before continuing.

“Okay has anypony actually seen Zecora actually do anything out of the ordinary.” Trixie said looking at the others 

“Well… I have seen her coming into Ponyville once a month.” Rainbow Dash said changing her tone to a more dramatic one. 

“Uh huh.” Trixie looked at them 

“If what you believe is true, why doesn’t anypony who’s brave enough to actually talk to her.” Trixie said.

What they didn’t know that the door was cracked and the fillies heard them. Both looked at each other a small mischievous small crossing Pen’s muzzle.

“You thinking what I’m thinking?” Pen asked glancing at the door.

“Yep.” Emerald replied. They both looked out the window and noticing that the hooded figure promptly known as Zecora was beginning to leave.

“Well let’s go.” Pen whispered and began tip hoofing out of Cheerliee’s home followed be Emerald being careful not to run into anything. 

They both successfully made it out of the house and across the street and hiding in whatever they could find to avoid detection. 

They then proceed to follow Zecora out of town.

While back inside the group was still talking. They had no idea that the fillies had just left.

“Girls you are overreacting. Zecora doesn’t seem like she will cause Ponyville any harm.” Trixie states to them casually.

“Well friendly or not she defiantly looks evil enough to me.” Lightning Dust said defiantly

“Plus I don’t want to be around her if she starts chanting and puts a hex or curse on one of us.” Coco said shivering at what she said.

“Now you think she can cast curses now that is just plain silly, there are no such things as a curse or a hex for that matter. It’s superstitious if you know what I mean.” Trixie stated.

A slight breeze swooped across the room making the girls shiver afterwards.

“Hey who let the air in?” Sunset asked. They went to check on where the breeze came from only to notice that the door was opened and that two fillies were missing in the living room. 

Sunset and Cheerliee let out a screech that could almost be heard all the way to Canterlot and back.

“Where did they go?!” Sunset and Cheerliee panicked as they searched franticly around the room. They searched for awhile then saw that the door was wide opened. 

“You don’t think that they…” Sunset started as they looked out the door.

“They probably did.” Cheerliee finished with a nervous gulp.

“You think they went to talk with Zecora?” Dust said a bit panicked herself at the thought of the two defenseless fillies being tortured by the zebra.

“If they did those fillies are in big trouble when we find them.” Cheerliee said with an angry glare as the group ran to the Everfree Forest to find the two fillies.

It took about a few minutes to tail Zecora so the two weren’t spotted… yet. They soon tailed her to the entrance of the Everfree Forest which was intimidating to a filly even to Emerald and Pendragon, but that didn’t stop them as they took a deep breath and continued to follow Zecora unbeknown that the others were hot of their trail.

They followed her slowly taking the same trail as her. Soon they were crossing through a trail of grass through a field of some blue plant.

“GIRLS!” a voice shouted.

Zecora and the fillies looked back. Behind them was the entire group who was standing in the blue plants.

“YOU TWO GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!” Sunset shouted to the fillies. Zecora then stopped to face them.

“Beware. Beware you pony folk. Those leave of blue are not a joke.” She warned as she began to step away.

Sunset quickly grabbed her sister and placed her on her back glaring at Zecora her horn blazing ready to fire off magic at the zebra.

“Come near her and I’ll turn you into pile of ashes!” Sunset hissed at her and Cheerliee went to grab her daughter.

“You stay away you hear me!” Cheerliee warned.

“Beware. Beware.” Zecora warned again as she disappeared into the mist.

“Yeah well you’re the one who better beware!” Dash yelled out her wings flared up.

Sunset then looked back at her sister on her back. 

“And as for you Pendragon Quill. I thought I’ve told you not to go over and talk to her even if she’s nice or not; who knows what kind of hex she put on you?” Sunset looked at her with an angered stare. 

“The same can be said for you Emerald Jewel. Who knows what she did to you two?” Cheerliee said with a worried tone.

“Girls there is nothing to be afraid of, because you know why?” Trixie questioned and the other shook their head waiting for Trixie’s answer 

“Because as I said before. Hexes and cures don’t exist.” Trixie stated as the other face hoof.

“Look Trixie you may think that things like that don’t exist but some pony tales are true.” Lightning Dust stated as all the girls left the Everfree forest to try and forget this whole thing.

Hours past and it is now night time as Trixie was well asleep and still think of what happened today as thoughts of Zecora’s chanting, and what Lightning Dust said 

“Some pony tales are true.” as the thought raged in her mind she tossed and turned trying to sleep then found a comfortable spot to sleep for the night as Zecora's laugh echoed in Trixie’s mind. 

By the next morning everything seemed alright Trixie got up normal, but had a serious headache. 

“Ugh… that’s it no more apple cider before bed for me.” Trixie got out of bed and saw Spike waiting.

“Morning Trixie.” Spike said.

“Morning… uh Spike could you tell me why you’re walking upside down?” She questioned which she received a confused look from Spike. 

“Trixie did you drink apple cider before going to bed?” He countered. 

“Cause why would I be walking upside down.” He then adds.

Trixie then look in the mirror to brush her mane out only to find that her reflection was staring back at her upside down.

“GAHHH!” Trixie shouted out and quickly ran down stairs even though now her line of sight had been reversed. She quickly rummaged through some books in order to find a cure. 

“There has to be something in here to help Trixie.” She stated. 

“But how can Trixie cure something if Trixie doesn’t know what caused it?” she adds in a panic. 

“Maybe this could help.” Spike said handing her a book.

“Supernatural’s all the hex’s and curses you need to know about and how to cure it.” Spike exclaimed. Trixie looked at him and the book.

“Spike this is not the book Trixie needs, and besides this book is all just a bunch things that does not exists.” Trixie stated.

They continued to look but then a sudden knock came at Trixie’s door. Trixie opened the door only to find an amberish gray buff ball with a light cyan and light opal colored dot in the middle.

“Um…can I…help you?” Trixie said as two light cyan eyes open up.

“Trixie it’s me.” The voice said only to confuse Trixie even more.

“Coco Pommel.” She said.

Trixie wide eyed in surprise “Coco, but… wait happened to you?!” She exclaimed.

“I don’t know I was fine last night then the when I woke up I was like this.” Coco said motioning to her puffed up fur and mane.

Not a few seconds later Lightning Dust crashed in through the ceiling and landed on Trixie’s desk. 

“Okay that hurt.” Dust said rubbing her head. She looked at Trixie and Coco. 

“Are you okay?” Trixie asked looking at her wreaked friend. 

“I think so. I was in my cloud house like normal and about to go out for a flight but when I hit the sky it’s like my weight was pulling me down and came crashing through your tree.” She looked at the ceiling then back to Trixie.

“By the way sorry about that.” Dust apologized rubbing a hoof on her neck.

“It’s okay but Dust.” Trixie looked at her before letting out a small gasp.

“What happened to your wings?” Trixie finished. After what Trixie said Dust quickly looked at her sides and noticed that her wings were there but smaller like that of a filly pegasus. 

She glanced back at them and thinks a moment.

“So that’s why I crashed.” Dust looked at her wings as she tried to flap them only to hover a little off the ground.

“Okay I wonder if any of the others are…” Trixie began only for her door bursting open and a rainbow blur flying in. 

“Rainbow Dash now what are you…” Trixie said 

“CLOSE THE DOOR!” Dash said franticly as Coco closed the door. The three looked at Dash which she seemed normal with the rainbow mane and… purple coat!

“Dash what happened to your coat. Did Rarity decide to dye it or something?” Lightning said almost laughing at the thought.

“Not funny Dust. I think this has to do with Zecora.” Dash said accusingly as Trixie groans.

“We don’t know for certain if it was her or not so we can’t accuse her of anything.” Trixie stated.

“You got a better idea.” Dash said her coat now changed to red which in turned caused Dash to groan at her new color. 

“And I don’t think I want to be a randomized color pony forever.” Dash remarked.

Trixie’s door opened again.

“Great what don’t we throw a party or something.” Trixie said sarcastically opening the door to find out who it was now.

To her surprise it was Cheerliee who had a refrigerator handle attached to her left hoof, Emerald, and Pendragon who had a small yellow and red kitten with teal eyes on her back.

“Um hey girls what’s up?” Trixie asked them.

“Well you wouldn’t believe this morning when I went to get breakfast set up for me and Emerald my hoof suddenly became magnetized to the door handle and I couldn’t get it off. I almost brought the whole refrigerator with me!” Cheerliee exclaimed pointing to the handle.

“And why does Coco look like a big puff ball?” Pen questioned looking at her.

“She woke up that way.” Lightning said.

“Same thing can be said about my wings.” Lightning then adds looking at them.

“And Rainbow’s coat is constantly changing.” She said now Rainbows coat changed to pink. 

“Oh c’mon anything but pink!” Dash yelled.

Trixie then counted and noticed that somepony was missing.

“Um… where’s Sunset?” Trixie questioned looking about for the sun colored mare.

“I’m right here.” A high pitched female voice says from Pen’s back as the others looked to the source of the voice. The kitten on the fillies back.

“Please tell me that’s not.” Cheerliee said as Pen sighs. 

“It is.” Pen said allowing kitten Sunset to get off her back. She still had her usual crimson red and amber pattern, but her tail was still short and stubby.

Spike couldn’t resist from laughing.

“Look at all of you this is hilarious!” Spike continued to laugh.

“We have Coco Puffball.” He said pointing a claw at her puffy coat and mane.

“Feather Duster.” He said with Lightning still trying to get off the ground with her little wings.

“Rainbow Spectrum.” Spike said which on cue Rainbows coat changed to white.

“Cheermagnet.” He says as Cheerliee tries to get the handle off only for it to now be on her back right hoof.

“Kittyset.” Sunset growled at him.

“And…” He says getting to Trixie before scratching his head and shrugs.

“I’ve got no idea.” He said finally. 

“I mean Trixie Lulamoon; how do I even work with that?” Spike said finally pointing at the mare.

“Oh ha ha very funny Spike, but this is a serious matter.” Trixie said serious.

“I agree and this is probably that zebras fault so we need to find her to undo this hex on us ASAP.” Rainbow said changing colors again to green.

“And this is really getting old.” She adds with a frown. 

“Well unless you know where she lives in the Everfree Forest we’re practically going to be stuck like this!” Sunset replied then to get distracted by a small mouse that ran past her. Her cat instincts kicked in and went after the mouse.

“I don’t want to be a living moving magnet all the time.” Cheerliee said trying to pry the handle off her only to get it stuck on her tail now.

“And I want to fly again!” Dust yelled and then began dramatic crying like Pinkie Pie on a bad day.

Both Pen and Emerald looked at each other with looks of worry.

“Did we do this to them?” Pen asks softly to Emerald.

“Well we did decide to follow Zecora into the forest so it’s kind of our fault.” Emerald said with a sad look.

“We just got to set this right.” Pen said and Emerald nodded in agreement. 

The two fillies now with a goal in mind; decided to venture back into the Everfree forest to find Zecora finally left the library.

While that was going on the girls were still trying to get coordinated. 

“Girls calm down, and Sunset spit that mouse out right now!” Trixie ordered while Sunset had the mouse with only its tail sticking out then she spat it right out. The mouse ran off scared.

“Hehe sorry Trix.” Sunset said smiling sheepishly.

“Try not to eat something that would give Fluttershy a heart attack.” Trixie sweat dropped. 

“Well then what are we waiting for let’s get going!” Rainbow said desperately.

“Um… excuse me but where did Emerald and Pen go to?” Coco asked making the others look to her.

The girls then began to look around and didn’t spy the two fillies anywhere.

“How come I’m sensing a little déjà vu.” Cheerliee said and Sunset meowed in agreement causing the others to glance at her.

Sunset blushes in embarrassment “Great I’m acting more like a cat every minute.” She growled.

“You think they went to find Zecora too?” Lightning suggested, and after a moment nod considering how they probably feel like this was their fault. 

“Then there isn’t much time to waist then.” Trixie said as they all went after them.

“I’ll stay here and look for any cure to it.” Spike began writing something then an idea struck him after they left.

“Ah! Trixie Loopamoon.” He said in a joking manner scribbling it down.

The girls ran toward the outskirts of Ponyville bypassing the park, but luck will have it with Cheerliee being a living magnet was instantly pulled toward a streetlamp nearby leaving her stuck there.

“Girls!” She called out to them making them turn to her as she tried to get herself off the pole.

“A little help here.” She said embarrassed about her predicament.

The girls tried what they could to get her off the streetlamp. 

“There’s only one way to do this, but you’re not going to like this.” Trixie said to Cheerliee. 

Trixie lit up her horn and cast her magic on the pole to surround it in her aura and up rooted the streetlamp with Cheerliee in tow. She place Cheerliee attached with the street lamp on the ground.

Cheerliee not happy about having to carry the streetlamp on her back the rest of the way the girls resisting the urge to laugh and stopped when Cheerliee turned to them.

“I don’t want to hear a single giggle.” Cheerliee warned as they continued to find the two fillies.

After a long walk a strong breeze blew Coco right off the ground and into the air inciting a small yelp from Coco, but thanks to Dash flying to catch her she didn’t go anywhere. 

Rainbow continued to change color every few minutes or so and her colors varied from red to silver and sometimes pink which had the tendency to come up every few other color change.

They past Fluttershy’s cottage and were and the entrance of the Everfree forest which there were small hoof prints in the ground.

“Yep they defiantly have been through here.” Dust said looking at the prints with a magnifying glass. 

“We shouldn’t be much further if we follow these tracks it’ll lead us right to Zecora’s place.” Trixie concluded.

Coco looked around and did a head count of everypony and saw a certain pony turned kitten missing.

“Um girls… Where did Sunset go to?” Coco asked.

Then they all looked around and Sunset was nowhere in sight. 

“Now where did she go?” Cheerliee said slightly annoyed as the pole seemed to have shifted a bit. 

“Well we are near Fluttershy’s place so she could’ve…” Rainbow trailed off putting it together and what Sunset is now.

“Oh horseapples.” They all said in unison very well knowing where she is.

While at the cottage all of Fluttershy’s animals were about including a one little white rabbit also known as Angel Bunny watching over the other animals while his master was away shopping. 

What he didn’t notice behind him in a tree was a nest of blue jays in it and an amber and red cat climbing up it approaching the nest and licking her lips.

“Just a little further.” She whispered as she continues to climb.

“Ahem.” said a stern voice from down below. 

She looked down to see who it was and to her dismay it was a certain butter yellow coat, pink maned pegasus known as Fluttershy tapping her hoof at her. 

She flew up to meet Sunset unbeknown to Fluttershy that the cat is Sunset.

Fluttershy glared Sunset who was still trying to get at the nest despite Fluttershy being there. Seeing her being uncooperative Fluttershy flew up and glared hard at Sunset who froze in what she was doing as a fear overtook her.

“Now you get down from that tree this instant little missy and leave those birdies alone or else.” Her stare was like glue those who get stuck in it can’t break out and Sunset made her way back down the tree with Fluttershy watching her every move as Fluttershy glides down following her.

As Sunset reached the base of the tree she was still staring into the pegasus eyes.

“Now run along little one.” She said and like a rocket Sunset quickly ran to the others which were looking for her.

“Sunset why did you run off like that?” Coco asked which she was being held by Lightning so she doesn’t fly off from a strong breeze again.

Sunset rubbed a paw behind her neck “I’m sorry it seems this whole cat thing is really messing with my mind, I was climbing one of Flutters trees with a birds nest until she stopped and me and gave me… the stare.” Sunset trembled just be saying it and so did the others all but Trixie which looked on with a puzzled look.

“I don’t know what that means but we have mission to accomplice and Sunset…please try and resist your urges.” Trixie said to her. Sunset nodded getting on Dust’s back for the rest of the way to Zecora’s.

After a while the girls didn’t have any trouble thus far with the occasional stopping Sunset from eating any animals or helping Coco getting her mane and coat untangled from a prickle bush. The girls finally arrived what it looked like a big tree stump that was made into a hut.

The girls slowly approached the huts window with caution and peeked inside finding an array of odd decorations around the walls along with a cauldron in the middle of the room of all places. 

The door opened and from came the zebra known as Zecora.

Her coat and mane had a dark gray and black pattern that went around her body, her eyes are dark cyan and her something that looked like a cutie mark which was a black drawn out sun. 

She seemed to be holding a purple bottle in her mouth and dumped it containments into the cauldron and began some kind of chant.

“Well now that we seen her let’s go in there and kick some tail.” Rainbow Dash said ready to jump in till Trixie stopped her.

“We aren’t sure that if Emerald or Pen are even here.” Trixie stated but while the heard Zecora stopping her chanting 

“A perfect temperature for ponies as of late. Won’t those fillies be in for a taste.” Zecora said.

Trixie gulped “Or maybe they are here.” 

Sunset growled vigorously her hair sticking up and her claws digging into Lightning’s back which resulted in Lighting giving a small yelp.

“Sunset please retract the claws.” Dust pleaded. 

Sunset proceeded to jump off her back “I agree with Rainbow and go in there right now.” Sunset said.

Both Rainbow Dash and Sunset ran and barged in but unfortunately Rainbow zoomed in too fast and knocked into some of Zecora’s stuff which triggered a chain reaction with finally knocked over her cauldron spilling all the contents of it on to the floor.

“No! Do you know what you done?!” Zecora exclaimed, then Trixie and the other came in afterwards 

“Alright Zecora you have exactly ten seconds to tell us what you did with the fillies.” Trixie warned lowering into a fighting stance readying to charge.

“How dare you accuse me? You come in here wreak my home, destroy my work, and accuse me of being a jerk!” Zecora exclaimed.

“Now where are the fillies?!” Trixie said as they both started to bang heads. As there confrontation escalated there were two voices that were heard over the fighting.

“Zecora we brought you the ingredients you…” Both said in unison but both fillies notice that Trixie was butting heads with Zecora. 

“Now what in Equestria is going on here?” Pen asked looking at all of them 

“Care to explain what’s going on mom?” Emerald asked a bit confused at the scene.

Cheerliee ran over to her daughter and embraced her with a hug surprising and confusing the filly even more.

“Oh thank heavens your okay. She didn’t hurt you or anything?” She asked worriedly. 

Emerald shook her head “I’m fine mom really.” She assured.

Trixie got out of the head match with Zecora and looked at the fillies.

“How is it you two can be so calm? She was going to make you both into a filly suflas!” Trixie exclaimed. The fillies looked at Trixie then at Zecora who looked at them and began to burst out laughing.

Trixie and the others looked at them unsure what to say to this sudden outburst of laughter.

“Trixie maybe you’re going a little paranoid.” Emerald said as they both began to walk past them.

“But what about the curses she’s put on us?” Coco asked 

“Those aren’t curses.” Pen says as her and Emerald pass by the older mares.

“You girls remember what she said at the forest and those blue plants.” Emerald began.

“Those were known as poison joke. That is what caused all this...” Pen starts pointing at all of them.

“To happen.” She finished

“When we got here and explained your predicament she allowed us to help.” Emerald said.

“That is correct but I’m missing some ingredients from a town that is retort.” Zecora said.

“What she means to say is that whenever Ponyville everything closes up shop for no reason.” Pen translated.

“But I looked up every book in my library and there wasn’t anything related to poison joke at all.” Trixie cut in.

“Perhaps this might help you.” Zecora said giving her a book that said ‘Supernaturals’. Trixie eyes went wide at the cover of the book and gave an embarrassing blush 

“Well you see I eh have this book already.” Trixie admitted.

She felt a stern stare from Rainbow Dash whose coat was now navy blue.

“You had the book… AND YOU DIDN’T EVEN LOOK AT IT!” Dash yelled fuming from her nostrils.

“I thought it was bunch of wish washy stuff that didn’t make since.” Trixie raised a hoof in defense.

“Well it doesn’t matter now, the antidote is already spilt and to do all of you we would need something bigger to put the potion in to.” Emerald said.

“Well… there is the spas relaxation pool we could use… that is if we ask.” Coco said suggested.

“Then I would be glad to remake the brew it would only take about a few.” Zecora said as they all started heading back toward Ponyville.

After about an hour getting the rest of the supplies need for the cure and some convincing from the local flower ponies to give them a couple of the seeds they need the brew was ready and the girls were now at the Ponyville spa and now the relaxation pool was filled with the amount required.

Coco jumped in first and when she resurfaced her coat and mane weren’t so puffy it was back to how it was. Lightning Dust didn’t waste a second to get in she jumped right in and came back with her wings back to normal size and length. She was so happy that she began doing circles and loop de loops in the spa room.

Cheerliee was next to enter and she did even with her carrying the steel streetlamp on her back but when she got out it came clean off not even a scratch on her.

Rainbow Dash next wanting to get her original color back, she dove right in to it and came back out with her usual cyan color coat and she glad that was over with. 

Trixie followed afterwards as she slowly let herself sink in the water, and when she came back to the surface her sight was right side up again. Now the only trouble was getting Sunset shimmer in the pool of water because cats and water aren’t a very good combination.

Sunset put a paw into the water before retracting it quickly.

“Um… you sure this is safe?” She questioned looking at the other girls.

“Because it looks pretty deep from where I’m…” Before she could get another word in Dash landed behind her and nudged her forward with her wing landing her into the water.

She came bursting out of the water and almost ready to strangle Dash for what she did, but it never came. She got a look at herself and noticed that she had all four hooves back, her orange coat, her crimson and yellow mane, and her horn was back too. 

And she was happy that she was the correct species once again.

“I can’t thank you enough for what you did for us Zecora, I might have misunderstood you like many of others.” Trixie said.

“Always come to me if you are in trouble or are to be.” Zecora said.

It was silent for a moment then there was some hacking and coughing coming from Sunset. 

“Hey you okay Sunny?” Lightning asked and before they knew it she hacked up something alright. 

“Eh hehe… hairball.” She blushed in embarrassment.

All the girls laughed and everything couldn’t be happier.

“Dear Princess Celestia; Today I’ve learned something about friendship and that you should never judge a pony or zebra by how they look on the outside it’s what the inside that should really count. You never know what they can bring out so in short friends can come from something unusual, but don’t dismiss them just because they are different. Your faithful student; Trixie Lulamoon” 


> Call of the Cutie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

School; the one thing a filly and/or colt have to go through to learn all about the history of their world. It all starts in a small school building; the building itself is a wooden building with red paint and white trimmings around it, and it had a large school bell above it. 

Inside its walls had a classes filled with students, but one in particular was run being run by assistant teacher Cheerliee. The class contained only sixteen students in it.

The students were fillies and colts that were talking amongst others until their teacher and her assistant came in.

“Alright kids settle down.” The teacher states in a calming tone in which all the students paid attention. 

“You may start now Miss Cheerliee.” The teacher said to Cheerliee who nods.

Cheerliee went to the front of the class over to a picture stand.

“Today’s lesson will be about cutie marks.” She said as she pulled the cover off the picture stand revealing a picture with a variety of cutie marks on it.

“Could anypony tell me what a cutie mark represents?” Cheerliee asked only for a fillies hoof to be raised. The filly that raised her hoof had a light tan coat a red puffy mane wore purple rimmed glasses with blue eyes, this fillies name is Twist 

“A ponies cutie mark represents a ponies specials talent.” She said.

She nodded at her and smiled “Very good Twist it represents a pony’s talent, but not all ponies start out with a cutie mark.” Cheerliee stated.

“Everypony starts out without having a cutie mark, until a pony can realize their potential a cutie mark will take shape.” Cheerliee said.

A filly commonly known as Applebloom was scribbling on her paper as the teacher continued talking but was interrupted by the filly next to her was Diamond Tiara. Diamond Tiara has a bubblegum pink coat and mane that is mainly a light purple with streaks of white.

“Psst.” She whispered to her. Applebloom looked toward her only to her holding a piece of paper in her mouth. Then she heard another noise coming from her left which was another filly known as Silver Spoon motioning Applebloom to pass the paper over to her.

Applebloom went to grab the note and was about to pass it before being noticed by Cheerliee. 

“Applebloom!” Cheerliee said as she approached her. 

“Are you passing a note?” Cheerliee said. By now AB dropped the note that she had but it turned out that there was nothing on it to begin with. 

“Why there’s nothing on it, a blank note.” Cheerliee said looking at it.

Tiara just snickered in response “Remind you of anypony?” Tiara taunted.

The class began laughing at her… well not everypony laughed, Emerald stayed quiet trying not to get involved while another filly was a bit annoyed.

“If I may point out we all started out without one last time I check.” A fillies voice said sounding a small bit annoyed. Tiara and Silver looked back and notice the ash gray filly in the back of the class had spoken up.

“Is that right Cheerliee?” She asked with a smile on her face.

“That is correct Pen; we all didn’t have our cutie marks right away. You have to figure out your talent for yourselves.” Cheerliee replied.



Call of the Cutie

Class went on as usual and eventually ended, class let out as all the fillies and colts ran out toward home, except for two fillies Emerald and Applebloom walked out of the school with Applebloom hanging her head low.

“Oh c’mon AB don’t let them get to you.” Emerald said trying to cheer her up.

“I know but I just don’t know what to do about them.” AB said lifting her head up to meet her gaze. Before Emerald could speak she was interrupted by those same fillies that were bugging AB this morning 

“To do about what? Getting yourselves a cutie mark.” Tiara said in a sarcastic tone with Silver Spoon at her side.

“Like what is oh so special about you.” She said again showing them her cutie mark.

“Silver got hers and I just got mine.” She said.

“Oh and don’t worry. You’re still invited to my party later today. Though it will be rather lonely as nopony will want to hang out with you blank flank losers.” The two laughed.

“Good one D.” Silver said Emerald had enough of it. 

“Why don’t you two pick on some filly your own size?” Emerald said stepping between Applebloom and the two bullies. Tiara and Silver glared at her. 

“And just what are you going to do miss half blind?” Silver said taking a step toward Emerald who steps back cringing.

“Um… well.” She began but Silver got in her face. 

“Then stay out of it blank flank.” She said with a sneer.

Tiara looked at the fillies “It’s not like there’s anything special about you two.” She said as both her and Silver Spoon walked off laughing. 

Emerald and AB looked at each other worried looks plastered on their muzzles. 

“We’re in big trouble.” They both said. 

After the run in with the bullies Emerald headed back home and started pacing about her room. Her mom not back yet due to helping out the teacher with grading papers.

“Oh what am I going to do?” She glanced at the clock it was almost two o’clock 

“Tiara’s party is at four so I got a couple hours till then, she practically invited everypony in class to it but doesn’t mean I’m going to give up looking for my talent.” She said.

“But who should I go to.” She pondered for a minute or two before she finally came up with her idea.

“Of course! Miss Pommel! She’s an earth pony and able to make dresses even without magic.” She said giddily running downstairs.

“Maybe she can help me.” And with that she was off to her new destination. 

The boutique wasn’t far so she got there rather quickly. She knocked on the door a few times until either Coco or Rarity answered, and with her luck Coco was the pony who answered 

“Oh hello Emerald what brings you here today? You need a dress?” Coco asked politely.

“No actually. I want to make a dress!” She said happily.

Coco was taken aback by what the filly had just requested.

“Now why the sudden interest in making dresses?” Coco said looking at the filly in confusion. Emerald took a deep breath and began.

“We were talking about cutie marks today in class that it represents a ponies talent and today is also Diamond Tiara party for getting her cutie mark and that she said that there isn’t anything special about a pony with no cutie mark and I need a my cutie mark to appear right now!” She said rather quickly.

“So that’s what this is about... getting your cutie mark as quickly as possible?” Coco said and the filly nodded. Coco brought her hoof to her chin.

“I’m sorry but I can’t help you in that department.” Coco said with a disappointed frown.

“Why not?” Emerald frowned.

“A wise pony once said to me that sometimes you can’t force something to happen because you want it to happen, sometimes it is best to be patient and before you know it.” Coco chirps as she paused looking at her purple hat cutie mark recalling a memory.

“What you’ve been waiting on is right in front of you.” She finished.

Emerald leaned her head sideways in confusion “It’s best to wait, your still young and still have a lot to learn. Are there any others in your class without a cutie mark?” She asked. Emerald pondered her question 

“Well… there’s me, Applebloom, Twist, and Pen.” Emerald said sheepishly 

“Then maybe asking one of them to go to the party with you would that make you feel better.” Coco suggests.

“I guess you’re right, well thanks anyway.” Emerald said sped off to find her friends Twist and Applebloom along with the filly Pen that stood up for her as Coco shakes her head giggling at the antics.

“Foals these days. Just so eager to grow up.” Coco said as she went back inside the boutique.

After a few minutes of walking and asking a few older ponies if they knew where Pendragon lived she arrived at Sunset’s home. She noticed a note on the front door.

To whom it may concern:
All appointments are currently canceled at the moment due to…a situation, and as such no other pony is allowed in at this moment.
-Sunset Shimmer.

Emerald groans at this “Maybe Twist is out! I’m sure we can still go together along with Applebloom!” she thought and walked off.

Emerald began looking around for her friend Twist and seeing if Applebloom was anywhere. 

“Ugh… I wish I could see out my other eye instead of straining my neck to look around all the time.” She grunted. She walked around the Ponyville square for a while when she spotted her friend Twist eating an ice cream sitting under a shade tree nearby.

She waved at her “Hey Twist!” She called out to her as she waved back at her. Emerald approached her.

“What’s up Emerald?” She asked 

“Here’s an idea about this party, maybe all three of us could go together.” She said.

“Three of us?” She said with confusion 

“Yeah you know me, you, and Applebloom? At least we don’t have to suffer alone from those two bullies and maybe we might actually get back at them.” Emerald said.

Twist shifted a little bit nervously as if something had happened. 

“Um… well you see…” Twist paused and show Emerald her side of her flank revealing that she had her cutie mark.

Twist’s cutie mark was that of a two pink and white striped candy canes crossing each other. Emerald hung her mouth open. 

“Isn’t it swell, I didn’t thought of it at first, but I guess making candy was my special talent after all.” Twist said happily.

Emerald looks at the cutie mark on her friends flank and blinks. She than rubbed her eyes and saw it was still.

“Yeah swell I guess you can call it that.” Emerald bluntly stated as Twist slightly frowns.

“We are still friends right?” Twist asked perking Emerald right up.

“Sure of course we are still friends.” She said quickly as Twist’s smile quickly returns.

“Okay well see you at the party.” Twist cheered finishing off her ice cream and took off awaiting the party.

After finally finding her friend only to see she had her cutie mark Emerald found a place to sit down on her haunches and frowned. 

“Hey why the long face there kiddo?” a mare’s voice boomed out making her jump into the tree catching a branch. She looked around vigorously to see who spoke. 

“Whoops, sorry about that Pinkie says I’m making a habit of doing that.” The same mare’s voice said again.

The source of the voice came out of a cloud revealing the locak prankster Lightning Dust.

“Oh hello Miss Dust.” Emerald says politely as she climbed out of the tree.

“Just call me Dust kiddo. So what’s got you down?” Dust asked getting Emerald out of the tree she was in.

“Well you see…” She began and she explained what happened to her today. About today’s class was about cutie marks, Diamond Tiaras party that she invited everypony to and the part where she and Applebloom were being bullied.

“…and that’s why I need my cutie mark to appear like today!” Emerald shouted.

Lightning Dust blinked a few times and stared at Emerald blankly taking in what she was just told.

“So… that’s… what this is all about?” She questioned.

“YES!” Emm shouted again sounding desperate.

“What did your mom say?” Lightning asked.

“Umm… That we should find our special talent on our own.” Emerald said annoyingly.

“Then there yah go.” Dust cheered then looked up at the sky noticing clouds forming above.

“Well I gotta jet kiddo, but hey you’ll get your cutie mark. Never know maybe an idea of what it is will come to yah.” Dust says heading off quickly to clear the clouds that were forming leaving a puzzled Emerald to ponder what she had just been told.

“Ideas huh?” Emerald said and a light went off in her head as she grinned.

“I’ll just try some ideas and maybe one of them has to be my talent, oh Emerald Jewel you are a genius!” She smiled widely and giggled.

She began to walk down the street… only for a rake to come up and hit her in the muzzle.

“Now who put this here?” She said glaring at the rake and glancing around swearing she heard a giggle come from a rock.

After that she had started to spend her time doing various tasks in an effort to obtain her cutie mark any way possible. But each time she only ended up crashing, hurting a hoof, or was thrown off of something. She was now sitting at a stump marking off all her failed ideas on paper.

“Paragliding was a dud, cow riding no, material arts…defiantly no, ugh I just don’t know what to do.” She looked at the town clock and saw the time.

“Tiara’s party begins in less than two hours and I still don’t have a cutie mark yet.” She said in frustration throwing down the pencil she had been using.

She sigh’s about to give up when she saw Applebloom and Rainbow Dash who looked like they were about to try to paraglide like she had earlier.

“Hey Applebloom!” She called out running towards her and Dash.

She skidded to a halt right in front of them being careful not to bump into them.

“Oh uh hi Emm, what’s up?” Applebloom asked.

“Oh you know trying to get my cutie mark too.” Emerald squeaks in response to which Dash smirks.

“Looks like I’m going to get a work out today.” Dash replied confidently.

“Why don’t join us you know what they say two is better than one.” Dash said moving onward.

“Are you up for some paragliding Emerald?” She asked getting a wide smile in response.

“Alright then let’s do this thing!” Dash shouted out as she and the other two fillies rushed off.

They got to a small cliff that was still high enough them to glide down to a strip of grassy plain nearby.

“Okay you two ready?” Rainbow asked 

“Ready.” They said in unison.

“I said are you READY!” Rainbow shouted with encouragement putting as much energy as she could in her shout.

“READY!” They shouted together as Dash blew her whistle to signal them to start.

Applebloom was getting a good running start but tripped over her hooves and tumbled to a stop near the edge of the cliff.

Meanwhile Emerald was able to get off the ground only to land tangled up in a tree below them.

“Uh a little help here would be nice.” She said and it was on to the next thing.

“Roller Derby. GO!” Dash shouted blowing into her couch whistle again. 

This time both Emerald and AB were in full roller derby gear, and as Dash’s whistle blew three dark gray colored colts came skating towards them and since it being a Roller Derby course knocking ponies over was the name of the game. They both tried to out skate them but to no avail as all three of them trounced them as soon as they made contact.

But unfortunately the three colts that collided into them were a complete mess and tangled in one another. Applebloom skated out without a scratch just giggling to herself while Emerald was at the bottom of the pile. She shook her head and like last time it was on to the next thing.

“Zip Lining. GO!” She blew her whistle a third time that and they were off Emerald going first with Applebloom coming from behind.

Everything was going well they were both enjoying themselves but they were at a steep decline meaning they were going really fast. 

So fast that about mid way through it the line began making smoke and then it burst into flames and snapped all together causing both Emerald and AB to fall and land in a small creek, and luckily it wasn’t too deep but they were still drenched in water.

After more attempts they meet up at a tree near the boutique. 

“Tried that one, and that, done, did already…” Dash began looking at a list of things they did as Emerald and Applebloom were drying themselves off from that last thing they did.

“You still think we can get our cutie marks in a day?” Emerald asked 

“Ah’m sure we can… ah think.” Applebloom says as Dash continued to go over the list.

Suddenly they began hearing small giggles coming closer and it turns out it was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon again. It looked like Diamond was carrying a large blue box with a yellow bow tied to it to keep it sealed.

“I can’t wait to try on my new dress for the party it’s going to be a blast.” Diamond said 

“You said it Tiara everypony in town will be paying attention to you for once.” Silver said cheerfully.

Emerald and Applebloom had to hide quickly Emerald grabbed onto a branch in the tree and AB simply hid behind the tree to avoid detection.

They made sure they’ve left before coming out of there hiding spots. 

“Yah here that Emm.” AB said looking at her and she nodded. 

“We really don’t have much time before her party starts and we should really get going.” Emerald said and before they could go and find something else to do a pink blur stopped right in front of them.

“Hey girls what’s up?” Pinkie smiled 

“Oh uh hey Pinkie. Oh nothing out of the ordinary.” Emerald said nervously.

“So how’s it going looking for your cutie marks?” Pinkie questioned.

“It’s going...” Applebloom began then paused.

“Wait how’d yah know that.” Applebloom then asked.

“It’s a secret.” Pinkie whispered literally zipping her mouth shut.

“Uh yeah, but not going as well as we thought it would.” Emerald said.

Pinkie unzipped her mouth as the green filly said this.

“Hmm… well you two do seem like the two who would be good at eating cupcakes.” Pinkie finally said.

“Eating cupcakes?” They both said in unison.

“Eating cupcakes?” Dash said looking at her in confusion.

“Eating cupcakes! I’m sure you two would be great at it now let’s go.” Pinkie said hop, skip, and jumping along her way back to Sugarcube Corner. Emerald and Applebloom looked at each other for a second.

“You think this is the best idea?” Emerald said.

“Well what we got tah lose.” Applebloom said smiling.

“Our dignity.” Emerald answered in a deadpan tone. 

“See yah later Dash!” They both called out in unison and ran toward Sugarcube Corner.

They followed Pinkie into the kitchen area of Sugarcube Corner and looked around for the cupcakes. 

“So where are the cupcakes?” Emerald asked.

“Cuze ah’m ready tah chow down.” Applebloom adds looking in the oven as Pinkie lets out a giggle closing the oven.

“Oh you silly fillies they’re not here.” Pinkie said.

“Huh?” the both said until Pinkie threw bakers hats on them.

“We got to make the cupcakes first.” Pinkie tells them smiling widely.

“Well I guess I cupcake making cutie mark works to.” Emerald said. 

“Better than nothing ah guess.” Applebloom adds to which Pinkie pops up to her side.

So they started getting to work on making the cupcakes that would be devoured anyway. After what seemed like two hours and about nineteen failed attempts at making cupcakes, the kitchen was a real mess with flour everywhere along with dough, mixing batter, and any other essential ingredient that was spread along the floors. Finally Emerald let out a loud grunt and threw the bakers hat off her head.

“This is pointless.” Emerald said frustrated.

“We’ve been at this for two hour and to no point of success.” She began walking out.

“We might as well forget about getting a cutie mark in baking.” She adds in disappointment.

“Then what’s that on your flank?” Pinkie questioned.

Emerald froze mid walk and tried to look at what’s on her flank but she had to really crane her neck to look.

“What is it?” she looked excited but see couldn’t see so she went over to an over turned frying pan and looked at her flank in the reflection.

It was a white spot on her flank, but that’s practically what it was. 

“What is it?! A mixing bowl, no trio of cupcakes, a mixing spoon?” She asked excitedly said trying to imagine her cutie mark, but it was all for not when Pinkie blew on the white spot and it disappeared.

“Nope it was just excess flour silly!” Pinkie smiled.

Emerald’s ears drooped at what it really was. 

“Oh ponyfeathers, ah thought you really had one there Emm.” Applebloom says, but just in case she looked at her flank at any signs one showed up but there was none.

The door flung open to the kitchen and there was a gasp.

“What in Equestria happened in here?” A mare’s voice called out. Pinkie and the other two fillies looked toward the door and notice a certain azure blue unicorn mare and an ash grey unicorn filly with her.

“Hey Trix, Penny. What’s up girls?” Pinkie said waving her hoof at them rapidly. 

“Why is Pen with yah?” Applebloom asked as said filly waved at them looking rather embarrassed.

“Sunset got sick because she had a night class to take care of and she walked home in the cold a few nights ago, so she’s asked me to look after her till she recovers.” Trixie answered 

“And a certain filly was a real troublemaker today.” She then adds looking at Pen who gave a sheepish smile.

“What? You said that I could try to get my cutie mark in rope swinging.” Pen argued.

“I also said it was dangerous and I nearly broke my hoof in a panic to keep up with you.” Trixie countered as the filly grumbles under her breath as Trixie looks back to Pinkie and the other fillies.

“I thought we could use a break, and Pen was hoping to try to get a cutie mark in baking.” She says to them.

“Sure. Maybe her cupcakes will turn out as well as Applebloom’s and Emerald’s.” Pinkie says bringing out there’s from the oven.

“Here want to try some?” Pinkie said bringing out the baking sheet showing the cupcakes the two made were burnt.

“Um… no thank you Pinkie but I’m sure they’re good all the same.” Trixie said nervous.

“Well okay.” Pinkie shrugs as Emerald and Applebloom sprinted over to Trixie.

“Trixie you gotta help us please.” They pleaded at the same time as Pen goes to help Pinkie and maybe learn a bit of baking from her.

“With what exactly?” Trixie asked them as she glanced over at Pen as the two took in a breath before launching into telling her what has happened during the whole day.

“Diamond Tiara’s party is today and we talking about cutie marks today in class and she talk about other ponies without cutie marks aren’t anything special so we’ve been trying all day to get our cutie marks before then, but we really need ours right now!” They whined.

Trixie already figured where this was going and shakes her head firmly.

“Oh no, that’s out of the question, I can’t just make a cutie mark appear until it’s time.” Trixie stated sternly.

“Can yah at least try?” Applebloom said as both of them staring at her with puppy eyes pleading to her.

Trixie couldn’t take it anymore having fallen prey to those eyes on more than one occasion.

“Fine I guess I’ll try but you’re not going to like the result.” Trixie said as her horn glowed pointing it at both there flanks. A cutie mark started to appear on both of them but quickly vanished.

“Try again.” They said as Trixie began again with her magic, and as seconds past several cutie marks appeared and disappeared just as they came.

Trixie was exhausted after using that spell multiple times and she was sweating a lot. Trixie wipes off the sweat from her forehead.

“I’m sorry you two but a cutie mark just won’t appear till it’s time.” Trixie said as the two groan in disappointment walking off.

“But now what do we do, the party could start any…” Emerald started but was interrupted by Applebloom. 

“Um… Emm.” Applebloom said pointing her hoof toward the other half of the store to reveal that everypony was there for the party.  

There were streamer sand balloons throughout the place along with many different appetizers and at the center was the cake for Diamond Tiara. 

And looking around they could both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon right in the middle of it all. They were both wearing a dress specifically for the party.

Diamond Tiara’s dress consist of a short yellow and purple dress that covered most of her tail, a yellow saddle with pink dots around it.

Silver Spoon’s was a dark blue and purple short dress that like Tiaras covered most of her tail, also a bright pink saddle she wore with bright yellow stripes going down it.

They both gulped at seeing those two nervous about the two bullies seeing them.

“This isn’t good.” Emerald said in a panic.

“How could we forget that Pinkie was hosting the party in the first place.”Applebloom said nervously trying to find a way out.

They both began searching for a way out and saw the door leading outside wide open. They both ducked under a table with a punch bowl on top of it and began to move it trying to be stealthy as possible. They stopped a moment so that a pony could grab a drink from it and then they were on the move.

They were now only a bit away from the door.

“We’re almost there.  Just a little bit further.” Emerald says with a small bit of glee.

They decide to abandon their table and tried to make a break for it. They were just about there when an orange mare and a cerise mare entered in which the orange colored pony is Applebloom’s older sister Applejack and the other was Emerald’s mother and assistant teacher Cheerliee.

“Well looks like yah decide to come after all huh little sis.” Applejack said entering and slowly walking them back toward the ongoing party.

“So this is the party Pinkie was talking about. I suppose you were invited Emerald my dear?” Cheerliee said. Both mares blocked out and ruined their chance to escape the humiliation that was slowly but surely coming.

“Hey aren’t those some of your friends’ sis?” AJ said pointing out to the two bullies approaching them with a smug grin on their faces. Applebloom and Emerald knew what was coming and they had to find something to hide their flanks and quick.

“Well we will leave you to talk to them.” Cheerliee says as her and Applejack leave to see Trixie.

Applebloom grabbed the cloth from the table they were just at without spilling the punch and tied it to her. Emerald went to grab another on nearby and did the same thing. The two bullies approached them.

“Nice dress you two.” Diamond said smugly.

“Uh thanks just something we thrown together last minute.” Emerald said trying to hide her nervousness.

“So what did a flank blanks like you two finally get your cutie marks or did you come here to embarrass yourselves?” Silver snickered. 

Applebloom spoke up “W-we have ah cutie mark.” AB pronounced catching the two of the off guard 

“What!? Since when?” Tiara exclaimed expressing her curiosity 

“Oh just a few hours ago.” Emerald said bluntly.

“Can we see them?” Silver said her eyes gleaming with a hint of interest.

“Uh… sorry but Ah don’t think that be a good idea.” AB said 

“Why not?” Tiara questioned growing suspicious as Emm and Applebloom looked at each other as if asking the other for an excuse. 

“Well I think what she’s trying to say that ours are so neat in a way of saying that it would draw all the attention to us and not to you two.” Emerald saying trying to divert their attention elsewhere.

“Well guess you two should enjoy your party, see yah.” Applebloom replied motioning Emm to follow her. They were about to reach the door when AB tripped on part of the cloth and tumbled showing everypony her blank flank. Emerald’s cloth slipped out when somepony stepped on it and showing her blank flank to the two bullies.

The bullies approached them again with the same smug expression on their face. 

“Wow what a nice cutie mark.” Tiara started sarcastically

“It’s so rare in a way don’t you agree…” Silver continued 

“Blank Flanks!” The both said in union. They both began laughing at the two fillies when a voice broke out 

“You got a problem with blank flanks!” The voice said it sound like a fillies voice come from the table near the kitchen.

“What did you just say?!” Tiara said with a scowl. Two fillies came out from under the table. The first was a pegasus filly with dark orange coat and a dark magenta mane and tail with purple eyes.

The second one was a unicorn filly with a cream white coat and a light pink and light purple mane and tail both were put into curls and in bounced whenever the filly moved. The pegasus filly spoke up again.

“I said; Do you have a problem with blank flanks!” she said again her little wings flared outward. 

“And what’s it to you there nothing that special if you ask me.” Tiara stated.

“Actually it means they have a lot of potential if you ask me.” The unicorn filly said defending both Applebloom and Emerald. 

“Yeah you never know what those two are really capable of what they could become; they could be doctors, lawyers, or maybe even mayor some day.” The pegasus filly countered.

“So what?” Tiara began.

“There’s still nothing special about them.” She added. 

“Actually little one they do have something they each share.” Trixie interrupted as Pen walked up with her.

“Am I right?” She looked toward the fillies. The two show them there flanks, which they too didn’t have cutie marks either 

“No way I thought Pen and us we the only ones.” Emerald said as Pen watched wide-eyed.

“We thought that too.” The pegasus filly said.

“They still get the chance to find out the excitement, and the mysteries about finding their true talents and that’s where the true fun really lies.” Trixie stated.

After that fillies and colts began circling the four of them asking them all sorts of questions and commenting them. Tiara and Silver stood there flabbergasted. 

“Hey I thought this party was about me not those blank flanks you’re supposed to be paying attention to me!” Tiara huffed.

“It’s okay D maybe…” Silver started putting a hoof on her friend’s side.

“Ugh… C’mon Silver.” Diamond interrupted and stormed off with Silver right behind her.

The five fillies then gathered at a table with new friends.

“Oh yeah forgot to introduce ourselves; names Scootaloo or call me Scoots.” Scoots introduced.

“I’m Sweetie Belle.” She said with a smile 

“Names Applebloom, and that’s Emerald Jewel.” Applebloom said 

“Or Emm would be fine.” Emerald added.

“And I’m Pendragon, but you can just call me Pen.” Pen said as she giggled.

“Now that we’ve become friends and all… we are friends right?” Applebloom asked.

“Like totally, Diamond Tiara drives us crazy, we each don’t have a cutie mark, so how can we not be friends.” Scoots exclaimed accidently hitting Emerald on her left side as she waved her hoof.

“Whoops sorry there.” She apologized.

“It’s okay I should be used to it by now.” Emerald replied.

“Just be careful were you are with me.” She said instantly confusing Scootaloo and Sweetie.

“Hey since there’s the five of us maybe we should form a secret society.” Sweetie Belle cheered.

“A society huh, but it needs ah name.” AB states as they began pondering ideas.

“The Cutie Mark Quintet.” Scootaloo blurted out.

“Oh how about the Cutie Mark Five.” Sweetie cheered.

Emerald pondered a minute “How about the Cutie Mark Crusaders?” She said nervously.

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders ah like it! What about you girls?” Applebloom said waiting for them to answer and they nodded.

“Then it’s settled the Cutie Mark Crusaders it is.” Applebloom cheered.

Watching events unfold before her Trixie took a paper and quill from her saddle bag and began write.

“Dear Princess Celestia; I’m writing to you from a party Pinkie pie is currently throwing. I’m happy to say that five have learned an important lesson about friendship. What you think sets you apart and is afraid will tear your friendship apart can also be what brings you together. 

Your Faithful Student, Trixie Lulamoon. 

P.S. How is Princess Luna doing since her return?  Please tell her Trixie Lulamoon says hello.”



> Chasing the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everypony is in the hustle and bustle around town since the morning to afternoon seems to be the busiest time the day for everypony with fillies and colts off to learn, mares and stallions going to work and such. 

Including the weather ponies whose task is to make sure every cloud is clear or every place has the correct amount of rainfall during a storm. The clouds are created in a place known as Cloudsdale which is a city that had cloud like architecture and usually only Pegasi live on it.

But this is not going to be focusing on Cloudsdale but on one pegasi in particular. She works for the weather patrol of Ponyville and well… she was late.

The pony in question zipped through the skies and heading straight toward her destination Cloudsdale, and unfortunately the name of this pony was Lightning Dust. 

“Oh ponyfeathers, the boss is going to have my job for this if I’m not there in time; I knew I should have set my alarm clock.” She thought as she continued to fly fast as she could to get to her destination. Cloudsdale began to come into view for her and it was still a sight to see.

In the back of Cloudsdale there were two big cloud like pipes that were puffing out clouds, and each cloud came out differently; some were dark gray, some were white and some were even darker than gray. 

There were also some cloud houses in it to that seemed to be pony made straight for pegasi. After arriving she quickly landed and ran the rest of the way to the offices of the cloud busting team.

The other weather ponies were all crowded around the assignment board. It looked like Dust made it as she approached the board. It looked like she and Rainbow were in charge of getting rain over to Sweet Apple Acres for the day.

“About time you showed up another minute and the boss would have called you late.” Dash said 

“Sorry my alarm clock didn’t go off in time. I swear that thing has a grudge against me or something.” Dust snorted.

“Well come on let’s get moving we don’t want to be slow on the job.” Dash said as Dust nodded in agreement and took off toward the skies.

They grabbed a few gray clouds and proceed to push them all the way toward Sweet Apple Acres. Once they arrived they began bouncing on top of the clouds while they were moving so that the rain would get on to the trees. 

After one cloud was done and turned white they had to go and get another one and since Sweet Apple Acres was so vast in land mass it took them about four full hours to complete the job.



Chasing the Past

After the job was complete it was already one o’clock in the afternoon but they didn’t mind since they were given a break before they had to go at it again for another watering session at another place. 

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust were getting a bite to eat at Sweet Apple Acres with the offer Applejack gave them for working there flanks off.

“Thank for the lunch AJ we needed that.” Dust said rubbing her now full stomach in gratitude.

“Ah’m sure yah gals needed it with the amount of work yah all doin.” Applejack replied looking out the window onto the family orchard. 

“Speaking of which, we got a schedule to keep up with. You ready to go Dust?” Dash questioned.

But before she could reply there was a loud bang coming from the front door of the house.

“Now who in tarnation could that be?” Applejack questioned as she approached the door and opened it to reveal a pegasus pony.

The pony was a mare pony a bit older than both of them she had a light grey coat and pale blonde with bright yellow eyes which one of her left eye goes in a different direction and her cutie mark are seven bubbles floating.

She was also wearing a mail pony uniform meaning that she was on job delivering the mail which the mail bag was right on her back but the mare has a habit of running into things or messing things up from time to time. The pegasus mare is named Derpy Hooves or Ditzy Do for others and she rubbing her head after smacking right into it. 

“Well howdy there Derpy.” Applejack greets.

“What brings yah here?” She asked as Derpy recollected herself and her thoughts.

“Oh yeah is Lightning Dust here?” Derpy asked looking around for the mare in question.

“Hold on and I’ll get her.” Applejack says and turned her head around.

“LIGHTNING YAH GOT MAIL FOR YAH!” She called out. 

Dust immediately became puzzled heading towards Applejack and Derpy.

“Who would send me mail? Maybe a realative or maybe it’s a Wonderbolts recommendation to see me face to face.” She thought as she approached Derpy and she hoofed Dust her mail along with a muffin as a mail gift.

“Well I’ll see yah later.” Derpy said as she zoomed to the air back to Ponyville… until she slammed into one of AJ’s trees 

“I’m okay!” She called and zoomed off again.

Dust and Applejack shook their heads at the mare at her antics as Dust ate the muffin and went back to join Dash in the kitchen. 

“Well do you know what it is or who it came from?” Dash questioned as Lightning placed the letter on the table.

“Well only one way to find out.” Applejack said as Dust nodded and looked at that envelop in question. 

She turned it over to view the front where the address and return address would normally be, and it was there along with something else. In the upper right corner was the symbol of a gold shooting staring leaving a trail of blue streaks behind.

Dash scowled her demeanor taking an instead change and she tore the envelop in half surprising Applejack and Dash.

“Now why in the hay did yah do that!?” Applejack questioned but got no answer.

“Dash we’re leaving.” Dust said her voice almost feral sounding.

“Oh c’mon Dust we still got…” Before Dash got finished she was cut off.

“NOW!” Dust shouted intimidating Dash causing her to make herself smaller and nod quickly.

“Thanks for the food AJ but we got to go uh… bye.” She said quickly and zoomed out the door followed by Dust leaving a confused Applejack in the process. 

“Did ah miss something?” She asked nopony in particular.

Rainbow and Lightning flew next to each other in perfect sync matching their wing flap beat for beat. Dash looked next to her seeing a very angry Lightning Dust with her eyes glaring dead ahead and her glare could probably put Fluttershy’s stare to shame.

“Uh Dust… you okay there?” She questioned worrying for her friend 

“Can we just stay quiet for the rest of the flight please?” Dust said polity.

Their flight continued for a while and then they descended toward the ground below them right in front of Sunset’s house. Dust began to walk off the head hanging low still in a grumpy mood. 

“What’s eating you Dust?” Dash questioned trying to pry information and following her. 

“Dash that envelop had a pony’s cutie mark on it.” Dust said trying to contain any anger she still had. 

“Do you know who’s was on it?” She asked and Dash shook her head. 

“Couldn’t get a look at it after you tore it up.” Dash countered.

“It was the cutie mark of an old friend of mine back in flight school. You know the one you dropped out of, but still hung around.” Dust said bluntly as Dash just looked at her giving a blank stare.

“Cloudchaser. She’s got some nerve writing me after the stunt she pulled at flight school.” Dust replied and flew up with a grunt and flew off to who knows where. 

“Oh horseapples she’s not too happy.” Dash said with a hint of worry.

“Tell me about it.” A voice called out making Dash jump a little and look down to notice it was just Sunset.

“Geez girl you know how to sneak up on a pony.” Dash replied trying to calm herself down after getting spooked by her 

“What’s up with Lightning Dust? I saw you two talking about something.” Sunset asked.

Before Dash could say anything another voice spoke up.

“Afternoon girls. Nice day huh?” they turned to see Trixie.

“Oh hey Trix what’s up?” Dash asked.

“Well I was going to reload on some paper and quill since a certain baby dragon accidently burned them last night.” She said and looked over at Sunset seeing some of her tail had grown back.

“Well looks like about another week and your tail should be good as new.” Trixie replied 

“Thanks. That’s good to know but we have something else to take care of first.” Sunset spoke as Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“What is it this time?” She asked 

“It’ll be best if we grab the others so that we can explain to you Trixie and possibly Coco.” Sunset suggested and Dash went to go get Cheerliee.

“We’ll meet at the library okay!” Dash called out as she was already in the air.

Sunset and Trixie went to wait at the library until Dash came back with Cheerliee and Coco.

An few hours past then Dash, Cheerliee and Coco came in as Dash flew in holding something in her mouth and placed it on the table.

“Sorry if it took so long the class was hard to handle today.” Cheerliee apologize sounding a bit exhausted.

“And Rarity needed help with some last minute dress ideas.” Coco chimed in. 

“So is there something you girls want to tell us about?” Trixie said as both her and Coco looked at them. 

“Well I already told Cheerliee about it years ago, but it still makes sense to have the rest here in case I forget anything.” Dash explained.

“Before I continue you all have to promise not to tell Lightning Dust.” She says seriously to which they all nod and Dash exhales.

“Before I came here to Ponyville  I dropped out of the Cloudsdale Flight School for…reasons, but I still hung around.” Dash starts seeing Trixie was about to ask something she continued.

“The reason I didn’t leave immediately was because Dust was also going to that school.” Dash adds as Trixie calms down.

“Besides myself Dust had one other friend. Her name is Cloudchaser.” She continued.





-8 ½ Years Ago. Cloudsdale Flight School-

A young Lightning Dust who hasn’t got her cutie mark yet and a young pegasi filly with a pale persian blue coat along with a wild like pale cerulean mane with white highlights that went in all directions and light rose eyes and has also yet to gain her cutie mark were playing nearby a cloud playground.

“Bet you can’t catch me Chaser!” The little Dust taunted as she flew with her little wings.

“Hey no fair Dusty!” a little Cloudchaser called back trying to keep up.

They were playing pegasi tag along with the rest of the foals their but the two of them were almost inseparable; where one went the other would most surly follow. They played until the bell rang for classes to start back up again and sure they had different classes but would meet up again afterward.

Cloudchaser went to her class and awaited the teacher to enter the room when she overheard three colts in the back of the class talking to one another but could only make out very little of what they were saying. 

The three colts were known as Hoops, Score, and Dumbbell all three pegasi colts. Hoops had a light gamboges coat, Dumbbell a dark grayish brown coat, and Score and Persian blue gray coat.

Also they Hoops mane was a grayish tangelo that went over his sea green eyes, Dumbbell had a amerberish gray mane that slicked down half way over his azure eyes, and Score had a Reddish brown gray mane that didn’t cover his ruby red eyes. They all didn’t have cutie marks at all.

“So… who…prank.” She heard from Dumbbell. 

“How… Lightning…” She heard Score and she froze. They were going to prank her friend not if she could stop them first. 

“When…” said Hoops

“…” She couldn’t hear Score because the bell just rang for the class to begin and the three took off cutting off whatever they were going to say.

As classes start those three couldn’t stop snickering at each knowing what plan they had in store for Lightning Dust, she had a feeling that it wasn’t going to be good, and she’d had to stop it before those three’s plan would take root.

Classes ended and the three colts flew out of the classroom as fast as their wings could carry them, Cloudchaser tried to follow them but she hadn’t quite got the hold of flying just yet so she tailed them from below and she prayed that she could stop them in time.

Meanwhile Lightning Dust got a note from ‘Cloudchaser’ telling her to meet her at the schools flight track that she came up with a new technique she wanted Dust to try out.

“This is going to be so sweet” young Lightning giggled in anticipation.

It didn’t take her long to get to the flight track and she immediately began looking around for Cloudchaser, which took about a good ten minutes to search the area but with no luck. 

But then she heard something coming from the sports store shed and went to check it out. 

Once there she’d open the doors to hear a pony screaming at something or some other pony. 

“You shouldn’t be pulling pranks all the time. You know this is not right.” A voice said echoing throughout the room. 

She found the source and it was her friend Cloudchaser and three colts she’d knew. Cloud turned to meet her friend eye to eye and sighs in relief.

“Hey Dusty.” She called 

“Uh Chaser what’s going on?” She asked 

“Well these three were about to…” when she turned around the three colts already flown the coup as Dust walked over and saw a note which she went to pick up.

“Look up.” Is what it read and she looked up and almost instantly a tarp released and covered Lightning Dust in something sticky and chicken feathers. 

Chaser gasps at the sight then let out a slight giggle. Her giggling stopped when Lightning Dust faced her again apparently mad now. 

“Chase is this supposed to be funny to you.” She growled.

“Uh… but I.” Cloudchaser went to look at the note ‘Look up’ is what it read but also a small part of the paper was rolled she unrolled the last bit to reveal ‘Cloudchaser’ at the bottom of the paper. At least that is what Dust thought she saw.

To anypony else the paper was blank.

“I… can explain.” She tried 

“Oh I see, you and your buddies would think it would be funny to prank me and make a fool of me.” Dust argued 

“No that isn’t…” Chaser began but was cut off 

“Why would you do this Chaser, I thought… we were friends.” Dust began already forming tears.

“But it was those threes…” Chaser began.

“Idea.” Dust finished 

“Well if you think those buddies are your friends then you can forget about me!” Dust yelled as tears were now streaming down her cheek.

“Cause we’re done Cloudchaser!” She yelled one last time and ran out the door and flew off not caring who saw her. Unbeknown to them that a rainbow maned filly with a cyan coat was sitting on a cloud nearby.





“And well from then onward Dust practically got out of flight school and was home schooled until she went to Ponyville School and graduated.” Dash explained as everypony else was silent until Trixie spoke up.

“So she’s been holding a grudge at Cloudchaser ever since that day.” Trixie stated. Dash nodded and went to the table the others following and seeing the torn letter on the table.

“This was a letter she’d got today while we were doing weather work at Sweet Apple Acres and it’s from Cloudchaser.” Dash said. 

“Did she even read it?” Coco asked to which Dash shook her head.

“She ripped it up as soon as she saw it.” Dash replied.

Trixie took the half torn letter with her magic and brought out both halves of the letter and placed the ripped sections near each other. 

Trixie began to read from it “Dear Lightning Dust; I know you’re probably still mad at me what you think I did those years ago and I want to come and apologize and a chance to explain myself. I heard from some others that you were in Ponyville as the assistant head weather mare so I decided that I’m going to be stopping by. I know an apology is not going to be enough but I’m willing to try anyhow and state my piece and if you still hate me afterwards I promise on Celestia’s sun I’ll leave you alone from now on. Not to mention what tomorrow is. Sincerely; Your pal, Cloudchaser.” Trixie finished.

“That’s all it says.” She stated. 

“So how do we know who to look for this Cloudchaser pony?” Coco asked. 

“Dash told us about her so she shouldn’t be too hard to miss.” Sunset said. 

“It said be coming here, so it’ll most likely be by train so she could be at the train station.” Cheerliee stated. 

“Well then why are we sitting here on our flanks and not there now!? Let get moving!” Dash cheered as herself and the rest of the girls excluding Lightning Dust sprinted off toward the train station.

Meanwhile Lightning Dust was in her cloud house lying on her bed mumbling something to herself. 

“That feather brained Cloudchaser trying to write to me after what she’d done well forget it.” Dust mumbled then an idea struck her like a lightning bolt no pun intended. Dust smiled a wicked grin that would send Nightmare Moon packing.

“This is going to be sweet.” She giggled madly bolting off her bed and flew out her window.

“They don’t call me the Ponyville prankster for nothing.” She finished as she flew toward Ponyville below.

The others were already in town which was hustling and bustling with all the ponies here and there. Many ponies were coming from the train station mostly. 

Trixie began looking around “She’s got to be here somewhere?” Trixie replied.

“Well it’s not like we can yell out her name that would be too weird.” Sunset stated 

“Well this is getting us nowhere.” Trixie said in frustration.

“Um excuse me?” A voice called out from behind the mares.

Trixie look behind her to only to see a pegasi mare with a pale persian blue coat along with a wild like pale cerulean mane with white highlights that went in all directions and light rose eyes; the mares cutie mark was a gold shooting star leaving behind a blue trail. 

“I’m wondering if you’ve seen a pony named Lightning Dust?” the mare asked. 

Trixie blinked a few time before deciding the right pony had unexpectedly found them.

“I’m guessing you must be this Cloudchaser pony we’ve been looking for.” Trixie stated. The mare was taken aback for a minute 

“You’ve been looking for me.” She replied 

“Girls I think we found our pony.” Trixie stated and the girls looked toward the mare.

Rainbow Dash spoke up “Yep that’s her alright.” Rainbow said. The mare looked at Dash before recognizing who she was looking at and let out a small squeal.

“Rainbow Dash.” She says flying up to her.

“I haven’t seen you since flight school.” She said with a happy tone in her voice.

“Hey Cloudchaser. How you been?” Dash asked her.

“Oh fine. You know trying my best to keep the weather in order back home.” She replies glancing at the others.

“Oh yeah. Cloudchaser these are my friends.” Dash starts.

“This is the local librarian and egghead Trixie.” She pointed to Trixie.

“Trixie is not an egghead.” Trixie exclaimed flustered and embarrassed.

“The school’s assistant teacher, Cheerliee.” She introduced 

“Hello Cloudchaser.” Cheerliee answered.

“Assistant to the fru fru factory; Coco Pommel.” Pointing to Coco. 

“It’s not a factory Dash it’s a boutique.” Coco countered.

“And the magic tutor that overworks herself more than Trixie; Sunset Shimmer.” She finished.

“You’re lucky I don’t pluck your feathers at that comment.” Sunset said.

Cloudchaser laughed at how Dash and her friends acted.

“Wow you certainly made some friends Dash.” She said cheerfully at first then her demeanor changed in an instant. 

“More than I’ll ever have.” She said sadly.

“Well you said that you’d…” Trixie began but Dash interrupted her. 

“If you say what you’re going to say she’ll asked how we knew that so just play along okay.” Dash whispered in her ear. Trixie cleared her throat before beginning again.

“So why are you looking for Lightning Dust anyway?” Trixie asked trying not to give herself away. 

“I just want to find her and talk to her and maybe.” She began taking a breath and letting it out slowly 

“Say my peace before I head back to Manehatten.” She finally let out.

“Well then we’ll just have to find her and work things out between you two.” Dash exclaimed.

“If we know her she’s probably out doing her pranks like normal.” Sunset added.

“Then the best idea is to split up and find her. She shouldn’t be too hard to miss.” Cheerliee suggested. 

“Trixie and Sunset see if she’s around the park ask around if you need to.” Cheerliee said as Trixie and Sunset took off toward the park.

“Coco and I will see if she’s loafing around town.” She added 

“Rainbow you take Cloudchaser and see if she’s anywhere in the skies.” She added 

“Got it! Let’s fly girl.” Dash added as they both took to the air to find there pegasi friend. 

Trixie and Sunset got to the park and began asking around to see if anypony seen Lightning Dust anywhere. So far they didn’t have any luck till after ten minutes of asking about a pony said they saw the pony of the description said she was flying toward town earlier today with a strange look like she was planning something. They both took off toward town.

Cheerliee and Coco went scouting about the town trying to see if maybe she was walking about town. They didn’t have any luck in finding her at all.

“This could take forever finding her, I mean how hard is it to find a two toned amber mane pegasus.” Cheerliee groaned. 

“Hopefully the others are having better luck than we are?” Coco admitted.

“We can’t give up yet let’s keep searching.” Cheerliee added and began their search again.

The two of them spotted Applejack working her apple stand as usual, and business seemed to be going slow as she was looking bored and tired.

“Hey didn’t Dash say they were doing weather duty at the farm?” Coco asked 

“Yeah I think so.” Cheerliee added 

“Then maybe Miss Applejack could know where she went.” Coco said as they approached Applejack’s stand.

“Howdy Coco, Cheerliee; what can ah get yah.” Applejack said.

“Actually we were wondering if you’ve seen Lightning Dust around.” Cheerliee asked.

“Not since earlier today. Ah wonder what was up with her, she was actin’ like ah snake bit her in the flank.” Applejack said 

“But ah’ll keep mah eye out for her just in case.” She added.

“Thanks just if you see her let us know right away.” Coco said 

“Yah got it.” Applejack said and the girls continued looking for Lightning Dust.

Rainbow and Cloudchaser decided to check the skies looking at every cloud that was up there and bucked a few to see if she was hiding under any.

“Dash you sure she could be up here?” She questioned Dash 

“Hey if I know her she’s probably flying around right now.” Dash stated proudly trying to cheer her old classmate up. 

“I hope your right on that.” She retorted 

“Hey have I ever been wrong yet?” Dash said sarcastically.

Before Cloudchaser could respond to her question 

“Don’t answer that.” Dash quickly added.

The two searched high and low for Lightning Dust but with no luck. Unbeknown to them that a medium size black grey cloud was following them from behind at a slow but steady pace keeping up with them. Lightning Dusts tail stuck out from behind. 

“Oh karma is so sweet.” She muttered to herself as she followed planning out what to do next.

In about over three hours and it was about four o’clock in the evening they searched about every inch of Ponyville and the skies. The five girls including Cloudchaser met back up at Trixie’s library to discuss any findings. 

“So anything?” Sunset began. Coco and Cheerliee shook their heads 

“Nothing, we’d practically walked our hooves off walking around town looking for her.” Cheerliee stated 

“But we did talk to Miss Applejack who said that if she saw her she would tell us.” Coco said.

“Okay and what about you two? Dash, Cloudchaser anything?” Trixie looked toward them. 

“We check every cloud here and we couldn’t find her at all. Man she must really be avoiding her like the plague.” Dash said then realizes what she just said.

“No offense.” Dash said toward Cloudchaser.

“None taken.” She said back.

Then there was a knock at Trixie’s door. She went to open it and saw the pink menace herself who was bouncing in place.

“Uh hey Pinkie what’s up?” She asked and noticed Pinkie was carrying a basket with pink cards on her head 

“What are those for?” She questioned again.

“Duh; these are for Lightning Dust’s birthday party and Cloudchaser’s welcome Ponyville party tomorrow!” Pinkie cheered as she lowered her head for her to take some 

“Oh and can’t forget Cloudchaser she’s invited to! Don’t forget to talk to Dusty at the party!” She cheered again as Trixie levitated six pink invites 

“What a minute how’d you know I need to talk to her?” Cloudchaser asked.

“For the safety of your sanity you don’t question Pinkie what so ever.” Dash stated in a whisper as she was given her invite.

“See you at the party!” Pinkie cheered as she spun her back hooves like a wheel and rolled away.

“I’ll never understand that pony.” Trixie stated opening the invite and read it aloud.

“You’re invited to Lightning Dusts seventeenth birthday party and Cloudchaser’s welcome to Ponyville party tomorrow at Sugarcube Corner at four o’clock sharp! See you there; Pinkie Pie!” Trixie finished.

“Well if it’s one of Miss Pinkie’s parties it is sure to be fun.” Coco cheered.

“I’m sure a party is what we need.” Cheerliee stated. 

“Well then I guess I’ll see you at the party girls.” Sunset said as she exited as Coco and Cheerliee followed.

“Where could I stay?” Cloudchaser asked 

“Duh you can bunk with me.” Dash stated as they both left and waved bye to Trixie and they flew off toward Dash’s cloud house. 

“You’re going to love it sure it may not be the best but it’s still home.” Dash stated.

As they flew by a dark cloud hovered above them just to stay out of sight. Lightning Dust popped her head out of the cloud and took a small container that was labeled ‘Itching Powder’.

She undid the lid and took some of the powder and put in the cloud. It didn’t take long to fuse it with the rain in the cloud and once it was fused with it she let it the rain go and let it pour onto Cloudchaser which was hit full force of the rainfall.

“What the hay?” She said as she became drenched in the rain. Her mane taped to her coat and wings soaked.

“Dash I thought you were done with the weather!” Cloudchaser called out a bit annoyed.

“I did. There shouldn’t be another cloud in the…” Dash began only to be interrupted by a loud laugh. Dash looked up to see Lightning Dust laughing her flank off.

“Oh that was so priceless!” She laughed out as Dash scowled.

“One second.” Dash says flying up to the laughing pegasi.

“There you are Dust we’ve been wondering where you bolted off too.” Dash said.

“We?” She said trying her best to play dumb.

“Oh you know who else Dust.” Dash continued give Dust a glare then pointed down to the soaked Cloudchaser 

“Well, well, look who it is; not the pony I’ve wanted to see.” She said sarcastically.

“So Cloudchaser, ruined any friendships lately?” She asked with a glare. 

Cloudchaser flew up to meet her face to face a bit nervous, but otherwise slightly glad to see her old friend.

“Hey Dusty.” She said as Dust scowled and got close to her.

“Don’t. Call. Me. Dusty.” Dust said bitterly.

“Look Lightning can we just talk about what happened?” She said in calming tone.

“No! Eight years ago you stabbed me and our friendship in the back, and you just expect me to forgive and forget?” Dust retorted.

“But at least let me…” Chaser began but was cut off again.

“NO! You ripped our friendship in half and threw it out a window! I don’t have to listen to you!” Dust shouted and flew off to who knows where.

Cloudchaser looks down in disappointment.

“Looks like she’s still mad at me.” She muttered but was still hearable 

“Hey I’m sure she’ll come around and listen if given the time.” Dash said 

“How can you be sure?” Chaser questioned 

“Let’s just say I’ve been around her long enough but enough of that let’s get you dried off at my house so you don’t get sick for tomorrow.” Dash said as they flew to her house.

Her house was big alright. A two story cloud house with a rainbow waterfall installed. While the outside was clean and organized the inside was a bit more messy yet still retained some form of organization.

“Sorry for the mess haven’t had time to clean and all.” Dash stated picking up some trash here and there.

Chaser went to help but then felt a twitch behind her ears began scratching it with her front hoof. Then the twitches were coming from her wings. 

“Gah! Why am I itching all over?” She said trying to scratch her wing.

“Huh?” Dash went over to her soaked friend as her friend continued scratching everywhere and get small red spots from all the itching 

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Dash said facehoofing 

“What did she do to me!?” Chaser shouted 

“Prank number twenty nine; commonly known as Itching Powder, but this is the first time I’ve seen her use a cloud for it.” Dash concluded 

“ITCHING POWDER!” She shouted again now trying to scratch her back by rubbing it on the cloud

“Yep, luckily there’s a way to get rid of the itching.” Dash began.

“Trust me Dust pulled that one on me once and it wasn’t funny.” Dash added.

“A cold bath should stop the itching.” She continued 

“I really hope so.” Chaser said scratching her ears again.

After about ten minutes of preparing the bath and hours of Cloudchaser being in the tub full of cold water, the itching finally subsided but she still had some red spots all over her coat. 

“Aw that fells so much better.” She said drying herself off and re-entered the living room where Dash has been clearing things for her guest.

“Normally I wouldn’t do this but you are my guest so got to look a bit presentable.” Dash said then gave a long yawn seeing that the moon was slowly rising.

“Well I’ll see yah in the morning, and if you need anything to eat the kitchen is over there so you don’t starve.” Dash smiled as she walked upstairs to her bed.

Cloudchaser made her way toward the kitchen to find anything that was edible. She found a still wrapped salad and decided to have that then it was off to bed for her. After finishing the salad she made her way back toward the living and headed toward the couch which seemed to already be prepared for her, probably by Rainbow Dash no doubt, but it still worked for her. She sat on the cloud couch and leaned over fall her head on a make shift pillow for her head to rest on.

She flipped the blanket over that was provided and slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Celestia’s sun pierced through the drapes that were covering her eyes and the sun shined on her eye. Her eyes popped open from the light her pupil shrunk to the size of a needle point.

“Yeeow! My eyes! My eyes! It burns!” She shrieked.

“Yeah that does tend to happen from time to time.” Dash called back sounded like she was in the kitchen. 

Cloudchaser was now wide awake and groggily got up from the couch and made her way to the kitchen where Dash was putting some bread in the toaster. 

“So what’s the plan for getting Lightning Dust to listen?” Dash questioned.

“Still working on that but if I had to I’ll just tell her straight out and hopefully it’ll be enough.” Chaser pronounced.

“That’s it, so you’re saying you’ve got nothing right.” Dash bluntly stated as Chaser hung her head and the bread popped from the toaster and Dash placed the toast on a plate.

“Eat up your going to need your strength especially with what today is.” Dash said.

“Dust’s birthday.” Chaser said plainly taking in a deep breath.

“Oh c’mon the only thing that she could do to you is to literally kick you out of the party.” Dash said making Chaser even more uncomfortable.

“Not helping Dash.” She stated.

“Alright so she might not kick you out of her party but hey there’s still hope that she’ll understand you.” Dash countered. 

“But you can still try at least.” Dash said making Chaser smile a bit. 

“Thanks for that Dash.” She said taking a bite of the toast.

“Well let’s go we still got time before the party so why not search for a gift for her at least.” Dash said now with a cheery tone.

“Don’t you have work or something like that?” she questioned. 

“Nope I’m not scheduled in for today.” She pronounced proudly 

“Gives me time to work out some of my moves for the Wonderbolts, and help you out to of course.” She said doing a few loop de loops in the kitchen.

After finishing breakfast the two pegasi flew out of Rainbow’s house and onward toward Ponyville, and since it was a weekend; all the fillies and colts were playing outside without a care in the world. 

“So where do you want to check out first since well you’ve never properly check this place out.” Dash said hovering in the air, same for Chaser.

“Well there is that place.” She pointed toward the boutique and Rainbow’s eyes went wide for a moment then turned her head toward her friend nervously.

“What? Is it something I said?” She asked with a look of confusion as Dash shakes her head.

“It’s your funeral.” Dash said as they both headed down to the boutique.

-Twenty minutes later-

“Why did I choose that place first again?” Chaser said coming out of the boutique with her mane now straighten up instead of looking all wild.

“I told you so.” Dash retorted as she watched Chaser try and fix her mane back into her own style.

Meanwhile Lightning Dust was planning another prank for her former friend Cloudchaser.

“Now just a finishing touch and… done!” Dust proclaimed placing the final touches on the device she made.

“If this doesn’t make her the laughing stalk of the town I don’t know what will.” She giggled rubbing her hooves together. 

“Oh I love it when I’m nasty.” She said giggling then stopping and looking back and forth before facehooving.

“Okay I’ve got to stop talking to myself. Otherwise I’m going to start sounding like a lunatic.” Dust said looking at what she made.

It was slightly bigger party canon than Pinkie’s with instead of a string to fire it; it was a button on the back end of the canon it also held slots in the side to display what’s going to be fired going from confetti to cupcakes, but there was a special button at the side end of the canon that opened a special slot of green goo that will fire when the top button is pressed.

“Well time to prep up, oh this is so going to fun.” Lightning Dust said hiding her machine under a tarp and disguises it as an old fashion camera only with a hole cut in it so it can fire whatever will come out.

Lightning Dust left her machine whistling to a tune in her head.

Back with Rainbow Dash and Cloudchaser who’ve check almost everything that Ponyville has to offer from stores to food.

“So nice place huh.” Dash said with a smirk. Chaser nodded in agreement. 

“I’ll say Dash this place is amazing. Loads better than Manehatten for sure.” Chaser commented. 

“Yeah this place is cool but it could be twenty percent cooler if you know what I mean.” Dash stated. 

“Um… Dash does Ponyville have a gift shop or something like that?” She asked.

“A gift shop, sorry but not. Although I know something much cooler than that.” Dash took to the skies as she said this and Chaser followed close behind.

“Follow me.” She said motioning her to follow. They took off toward a music shop with a big music note with a record player by it.

They entered the building and already the place was loud. Not because of the ponies because there aren’t any in it, it’s because of the music that is playing in background. The place was surrounded by black records and even sounds equipment. 

The mare in charge of the place was wearing a set of headphones on her head and a pair of purple shades to cover the mare’s true eye color. The mare was also a unicorn, with electric blue mane and tail with light blue highlights. The mare’s cutie mark was a duo music note. She turned to see if she had customers and she did and turned the music down in the room.

“Hey what’s up Dash?” The mare waved over her voice sounding a little tomboyish.

“Hey Vinyl. Okay if I bother you for a question?” She began as the mare known as Vinyl pulled her shades off and place them on her head showing her crimson red eyes to peek interest.

“Yah got anything for my friend here?” She pointed to Cloudchaser who gave a small wave.

“She’s trying to apologize to Lightning Dust for something that happened awhile back.” She adds.

“Let me guess. Dust is holding a grudge of some kind right.” Vinyl says plainly. 

“Uh yeah how’d yah know that?” Chaser asked. 

“She flew by the shop earlier, and oh Celestia did she look angry.” Vinyl stated.

“Well do you know anything that can cheer her up?” Chaser asked. 

“Dust’s always liked my kind of music, but she’s never had the bits. If anything I’d get her one. It would help her and my business a bit.” The white mare suggests.

“That… might work.” Chaser said still worried about what could happen at the party later today.

So after looking around the shop for a good hour going through record after record they’ve finally decided on one of Vinyl’s records bought for a good thirty five bits and left the shop after waving Vinyl good bye. The record was in a square case sleeve so that it could avoid breaking or cracking into a million pieces. The name of the record was ‘Thundering Forward’ and it fit just right for Lightning Dust to give to her for her party.

They went back to Dash’s home and looked for the wrapping paper.

It took three hours to find the wrapping paper which was in a box that Dash had stored away for the holidays or something of that nature, but they still managed to wrap the gift in time.

“Dash how you can forget your own wrapping paper.” Chaser retorts.

“Hey I’m not all organized like Trixie okay; can’t help it if I misplace stuff.” Dash countered. 

“We look around for three hour Rainbow. Three hours.” Chaser replied back.

Dash sighs then looks at her clock and wide eyed it as the clock read: three fifty-eight. Two minutes before the party begins. 

“Oh horseapples we gotta blaze out there now!” Dash cried out as she flew out of the room full speed 

“But what about the extra wrapping paper!” Chaser shouted 

“LEAVE IT!” Dash shouted back and Chaser flew after her with the gift in her saddlebag and prayed that they weren’t going to be late.

Lightning Dust was already at Sugarcube Corner since she was the birthday girl in a way of saying but she looked around as all the other ponies were piling into the store but she didn’t see Rainbow Dash or Cloudchaser yet. 

There was already Cheerliee, Coco, Sunset, and Trixie no doubt. But she’d look over at her covered device and she grinned like no tomorrow.

“Okay everypony let’s get this party…” Pinkie began not until two certain pegasi came crashing to a halt right in front of the store. Pinkie looked outside at who it was.

“Oh hey Dashie, Chasey glad you can make! We were about to start the party!” Pinkie cheered.

Lightning Dust heard and she went to her device and set the time on it to shoot out the goo right at Cloudchaser but she’d needed to get her in the right in front of it. 

“Okay everpony let’s party down!” Pinkie cheered along with everypony else.

As the party went on Chaser went to find Dust and possible talk to her about the prank she was blamed for. She finally found her sitting with Trixie, Cheerliee, Coco, Sunset, and Dash as she was eating a piece of gold frosted cake.

“Hey Dusty.” Chaser sounded out.

Dust heard her and looked toward her with a glare that would give Fluttershy’s stare a run for its bits. 

“What are you doing here?” She said darkly 

“I just came to wish your birthday a success and maybe have a small talk about well…that.” She said giving her a worried smile 

“Oh you mean the part where you stabbed our friendship in the back.” Lightning Dust retorted.

Cloudchaser cringed at that and took a step back.

“Dusty you… know it wasn’t me.” She countered. Dust was thinking for a minute as she looked at her former friend and the tarp covered canon and then back to her, and that made her smirk a little giving her an idea. 

“Since she humiliated me, I think only fair is fair.” Dust thought 

“You know what sure why don’t we talk.” Dust said.

Chasers eyes beamed to life as if she was given a second chance to explain herself. 

“Oh thank you, thank you Dust!” She cheered as she bounced up and down. 

“Now hold your wings there, first how about a picture then we can talk.” She said escorting her toward the covered cannon unbeknownst to Cloudchaser.

“Well that went over well don’t you think.” Cheerliee said taking a bite of her cake 

“A little too well if you ask me.” Sunset said looking over at the two ponies.

“Maybe she’d finally got over her grudge.” Coco whispered, but Sunset still looked on at the two.

“Stand right here and I’ll get the camera ready.” Dust said as Chaser nodded back. 

“I’ll give this to her later.” Chaser thought setting her saddlebag off to the side as Dust went under the tarp and lines up the party cannon with Cloudchaser who was waiting.

“This is for all the pain of stabbing me in the back those years ago.” She thought.

“Ready.” Dust shouted out.

“Ready.” Chaser declared.

“Say: Friendship.” Dust ordered a grin forming on her face as she pushed the button a second time to fire it. 

“Friend…” 

BANG!

That was all Cloudchaser heard before she’d finish and the next thing she heard was a wide of gasps and mouth agape open. She opened her eyes and look at her hoof and that it was covered in green goo of some kind in fact her entire body was covered it in. The one thing they heard was a loud laugh coming from right in front of her.

“You should see your face it’s totally priceless.” Lightning Dust said laughing her flank off rolling on the ground and laughing at Chaser.

She looked at the laughing mare with a hint of anger in her eyes.

“So all that sweet talk back there was so that you could prank me?” She asked angrily at the laughing pony.

“What *hehe* did you *hehe* expect?” She said in between giggles. 

“So I guess you’ve really have changed.” She went toward her saddlebag and grabbed its contents. 

“This was going to be for an apology or something I forget but guess you can consider it a good bye present.” She said sliding it toward Lightning Dust.

“Happy birthday Lightning Dust, and goodbye.” She said and left walking out the door as silence filled the room.

“Therrrrrrrrrres nothing to see here everypony continue partying and I’ll sort this out.” Pinkie said as the party then continued as Pinkie went over to the girls.

“Um… what in Ponyville just happened?” Pinkie said but before any of them could answer her Dash spoke up her and she was fuming mad.

“I’ll tell you what happened! Lightning Dust just humiliated Cloudchaser in a public party and all she can do is laugh at it!” She yelled angrily then she proceeds to stomp over where Lightning Dust was still giggling a bit. Dash looked down on the mare.

“Well I hope you’re happy with yourself Dust.” She said sternly as Lightning picked herself up from the ground.

“Oh that felt so satisfying the look she had when she was covered in green goo.” Lightning Dust said smiling at her achievement. 

“You know you can a complete idiot sometimes.” Dash stated. 

“What are you saying she didn’t deserve what I did?” Dust retorts.

Trixie and the others looked at each other nervously.

“I think what Dash is trying to say is that your grudge against her is messing with your mind so you’re not thinking clearly about things.” Trixie stated calmly.

“Oh come on girls not you to.” Dust complained. 

“Maybe there’s something else you need to know Dust about that day.” Dash intervened 

“But I didn’t tell you because I thought you were over it. Guess I was wrong on that.” She continued letting out a sigh.

“As you know after a good bit of training or flying I am always one to like to take a nap.” Dash states as Dust nods not sure where this was going.

“But that day I got woke by someponies…” She states.

“Really who? I would like to know who could have woke you up. After all you were always such a hard sleeper.” Dust asked.

“Surprisingly it was Cloudchaser. She was yelling at the bullies trying to convince them to stop what they were about to do.” Dash said with a sharp glare as Dust grew a bit wide eyed at this.

“Then you got so caught up in her giving a small giggle that you found any way to pin it on her!” Dash yells in anger.

“B-But the note! It had her named sighed on it!” Lightning tries to retort as Dash shakes her head.

“You only imagined it Dust. I saw the not after you left and there was no signature. You just wanted somepony to blame for the embarrassment.” Dash said as Dust began hyper ventilating.

“So it…wasn’t…her…fault…” Dust says between breaths as Dash nods.

“S-She was…looking out…for me?” Dust adds as Dash nods again.

“Answer me this Dust; would the Cloudchaser you know do something like that to you?” Dash asked.

Dust began to think this over as she recalled her time at Flight School. Most of her times there were pretty harsh, and after the first week she was about ready to quit. That had been when she first met Cloudchaser who took a real shine to her and they had eventually become friends, and then later she met Dash who treated her and Cloudchaser like siblings.

Dust snapped back to reality and looked towards the wrapped gift. She unwrapped it and saw the record as well as a note.

She opened the note first: "Dear Dusty; I know that we haven’t seen each other in a long time, and that you still blame me for what happened. I know that I might not ever be able to change your mind. I know that I am not your friend, but you are still mine through the thick and thin. –Cloudchaser."

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Dust says dropping the note and taking off as fast as she can out of the shop.

Dust took to the skies to get a better view and luck may have it she’d spotted Chaser who was at a small stream nearby trying to get the goo out of almost everything.

Quietly and nervously Dust landed behind Cloudchaser.

“Um… Hey Chasy.” She called out. Chaser looked behind her and saw Lightning Dust. 

“What do you want Dust? Can’t you see I’m cleaning from the mess you made?” She said in a low intimidating tone. 

“Um… well to start I came to apologize for my behavior earlier.” Dust blurted out as Chaser stops her attempts to remove the goo.

“What did you just say?” She questioned a bit surprised. 

“I said I’m sorry for what I did back there in the shop. It wasn’t right of me to do that.” Dust admitted. 

“And.” Chaser said.

“For not listening to you.” Dust admits her head low.

“And.” Chaser says again.

“For being a complete and utter jerk to you for such a long time.” Dust says.

“So what exactly made you change your mind?” Chaser asks as she goes back to trying to get the goo off herself.

“Well after what happened Dash chewed me out, and gave me another perspective to what actually happened.” Dust starts as she goes into the stream to help Chaser.

“And well she was right. I just wanted to blame somepony, and well…I just have held this grudge for too long.” She admits as she helps getting her wings.

A few minutes pass as Dust finishes helping Chaser get cleaned up.

“I know I’ve been a jerk and all, but I want to give our friendship another try.” Dust said giving a convincing smile.

Unexpectedly Chaser pulled Dust into a hug which surprised her.

“Why do you think I came here Dusty? I just wanted my friend back.” She says as Dust returns the hug.

“You won’t regret this I promise.” She said gleefully as they both headed back to the party.

Trixie took note of this and stepped toward the two.

“I think a great lesson can be learned here.” She took out a paper and quill from her saddle 

“Care to write about it.” Trixie said giving Dust the quill who puts it in her mouth and nods.

“Dear Princess Celestia; This is Lightning Dust writing to you about a really important lesson I learned. When I first heard of an old friend of mine coming to visit I was way less then pleased. In fact when she got her I was downright rude and unpleasant to her. It took the help of a friend telling me the full truth for me to see that my grudge was unhealthy and was destroying the friendship my friend still had with me even thought I no longer consider her my friend. That’s how friendship is sometimes I guess. You can say you’re not friends after something happens, but sometimes that pony will still consider you their friend. Sincerely; The Ponyville Prankster, Lightning Dust” She finished and hoofed the letter to Spike who let out his flames sending it.

“Okay everypony let’s get this party started!” Pinkie cheered yet again and the party went on for hours.

The next day Dust and her friends along with Cloudchaser were standing at a platform at the train station.

“Sure you can’t stay Chaser?” Dust asks a bit disappointed as she shakes her head.

“Sorry, but I can’t have the rest of my family worrying about me.” She says as Dust lowers her head.

“Don’t worry about me Dusty. You just keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll send a letter soon.” She adds as Dust looks up.

“Alright, but if I don’t get a letter soon you might get a surprise visit.” Dust said as Chaser rolls her eyes a smirk plastered on her face.

Chaser got on the train and waved to the others. 

“Bye everypony! Hope to see you again soon!” She says before it closes.

Rainbow trotted over to Dust and put a hoof on her shoulder.

“You did good Dust, but…” she starts

“But what Dash?” Dust asks looking up to her.

“You realize we’re going to be late for work if we keep sitting here.” She adds as Dust yelps taking to the sky.

“Yikes! I had forgotten we have the early shift!” Dust says.

“Well come on Dash! Let’s go go go!” She exclaims as she takes off with a slightly laughing Rainbow Dash behind her.


> Fashion Dilemma
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everything was seemed normal in Ponyville as far as anypony is concerned; the birds sung above while flying through the air, the sounds of ponies interacting with one another, and the sounds of the knitting machine being put to work from the local Carousal Boutique that was the workplace of Rarity and the element of generosity Coco Pommel who was currently finishing one of her designs.

The dress that she was making was made for a later fashion show coming up in three days and she wanted to make sure her dresses were just right for the occasion.

The dress itself was made from an azure blue silk along with a silver gray color for some of the accessories. Coco looked back at the design she made on the paper to double check if all of the items were correct.

The design was that it covered the flank but not too much so that the pony wearing it won't slip up but not too little so that the pony's bottom back hoofs could be seen.

Second the shoes were made from the silver gray material she used; it was nothing fancy just a basic dress shoe. Thirdly an earring she made from some materials she borrowed from Rarity; were shaped to look like a half moon on each ear to make the dress shine out more.

"Now just who should be able to fit in this?" She pondered placing a hoof on her chin. Then an idea struck making her squeal with excitement.

"Why didn't I think about that before? She'll be perfect!" She stated walking toward the door.

"Rarity I'm heading toward the library!" Coco called out only for Rarity to pop her head out of the bathroom and she wasn't looking to good either.

"Alright dear and while you're there you think you can…" She paused quickly bringing her to the toilet.

"Ask Trixie if there's a cure for food poisoning?" She cried out sounding like her voice went through a grinder.

"What was in that soup?!" She cried out again before returning to the toilet.



Fashion Dilemma

Coco proceeded out the door and onward toward her destination. A few stray clouds were out and about but nothing to serious but you never know what could happen with the weather ponies, everything was peaceful…

BAM!

It was in the instant that she looked away she failed to notice a particular group of five fillies had knocked her over by accident.

"Sorry Ms. Pommel." A group of fillies allegedly known as the Cutiemark Crusaders called out.

Coco picked herself up as she looked at the four fillies who were looking at her slightly worried if she was hurt.

"I'm alright girls. Just please be a bit more careful." She tells them as they then took off yelling a good bye to the mare.

"I'm still surprised nopony has gotten hurt by their antics…yet anyways." She says in a small whisper.

She had finally made it to the library and she knocked a few times seconds later the door was opened by Spike.

"Oh hey Coco." Spike says to Coco casually.

"Um… is Ms. Trixie around?" Coco asked as Spike let her in.

"Sure she's over there looking over some maps." Spike answered pointing in a general direction of the desk where there were some books and stuff piled up, and barely noticeable was an azure horn.

"Maps… why is she looking over at maps now?" she asked as Spike just shrugs.

"Don't know she said it was important." Spike replied walking away.

Coco looked on to see Trixie at the desk along with several maps of different places and an open letter next to her as well.

"Okay so if she's not in Trottingham, Vanhover, Appaloosa, Canterlot, then she could still be in Manehatten, Hoofington, Las Pegasus, or Dodge Junction. Of course there are several other places as well she could be" Trixie noted.

"Um… Trixie." Coco said in a low voice to try and get her attention.

"I guess I can rule out Cloudsdale since she would need to reapply the cloud walking spell to stay up there for prolonged periods of time." 
Trixie says putting a hoof to her chin not having heard Coco.

"Miss Trixie." Coco said a little louder.

"But excluding Dodge Junction from the picture each of these places are huge and would take days to look around. Oh I'm never going to find…" Trixie states as Coco grows frustrated cheeks puffing up in slight anger.

"MISS TRIXIE!" Coco shouted causing Trixie to fall backwards from the stool she was still on.

"Ow my poor head." She grimaced rubbing her head then looking up to see Coco standing above her.

"Oh Coco!" She said getting up from her uncomfortable position on the floor.

"I didn't notice you came in." She added.

"That okay, but why are you looking at maps?" Coco asked looking at the multiple maps.

"I had Spike send a letter to an old friend of mine asking for these maps." Trixie replies a bit glum.

"Umm…why would you need them?" Coco asked a bit curious.

"It's…a personal matter." Trixie says thinking of her old friend.

"Oh sorry I didn't mean to pry." Coco said apologetically thinking she had stirred up some bad memories.

"No its fine, it can wait." Trixie said rolling up the maps with her magic and putting them away for safe keeping.

"So anything you need Coco?" Trixie asked putting on a smile as Coco pads the ground.

"Well… I was hoping to ask you a favor Trixie." Coco replied shyly taking more interest in the ground then the mare she was talking to.

"And what favor would this be." Trixie questioned.

"I was wondering that…" Coco paused before taking a deep breath

"Y-You could perhaps be one of my models for the upcoming fashion show." Coco finished as Spike came back in holding a platter of sandwiches.

Silence filled the library for a full minute until Spike burst out laughing and rolled on the floor dropping the platter and sandwiches.

"S-Sorry, but I don't think that's going to happen after last time." Spike says between laughs as the three remembered Trixie being put in and out of several dresses by Rarity in the matter of minutes. Trixie scowled while Coco let out a chuckle.

"Yeah and last time I checked dragon boy you were with me as well." Trixie glared at him annoyed.

"So would you help me? The fashion show is being held in Manehatten for two days." Coco said excitingly as Trixie put a hoof to her chin and pondered it.

"Manehatten is a huge place and maybe I would have time to look around… I'll just have to make the best of those two days." Trixie thought

"Coco I wouldn't mind it in the slightest." Trixie replied as Coco squealed in delight.

While Coco was glad Trixie said yes to her offer, Spike was taken aback by her answer and went up to her putting a claw to her head to check her temperature.

"Um Trixie you sure you aren't coming down with something." Spike asked concerned feeling nothing wrong with her.

"I'm fine Spike. It's not like I'm sick or anything." Trixie assured him as she pushed his claw off of her forehead.

"Oh…That reminds me. I have one other thing I need to ask." Coco says.

"You see the other day while we were working Sweetie Belle came by to drop off a bowl of soup for Rarity. Asked me not to tell saying it was a surprise." Coco said recalling the other day.

"Well that's sweet of her." Trixie says.

"But after she had that soup she's kind of…come down with a bad case of food poisoning." She adds.

"WHAT!" Spike blurts out utterly surprised.

"Do you happen to have any books for a remedy?" She asks ignoring Spike's interruption as Trixie put a hoof to her chin.

"What about that book Zecora gave you Trixie? I'm sure it has something in it to help poor Rarity." Spike says slightly panicking.

"I actually didn't think about that." Trixie replied as she then put a hoof to her mouth and whistled.

"Halyn please bring down that book Zecora brought me." She then calls out as Coco looked at them confused.

"Um… who's Halyn?" She asked not having heard of a pony living there by that name.

"She's my pet!" Trixie chirped happily as two books fell from above Trixie who caught them in her magic.

"W-What kind of animal is your pet?" She asked before letting out a squeak as something seemed to land on her back. Coco silently turned around coming face to muzzle with a small silver bat that has bright sapphire eyes.

"Oh Coco this is Halyn. Halyn meet Coco." Trixie said Halyn waves a wing in greeting to Coco.

Coco's face went pale but she waved back at the silver bat before fainting on the ground with a loud thud as Hayln flew off landing on the desk.

"Maybe that was too soon." Trixie said sweat dropping.

"You think?" Spike says in a monotone to which Halyn nods in agreement.

They both looked at Coco "Should we wake her up?" Trixie asked

"Probably." Spike answered

"Spike go and grab the pepper shaker from the kitchen." Trixie ordered and Spike headed toward the kitchen to what Trixie needed, and in seconds Spike returned with the pepper shaker.

"Now you just want to shake some of it onto her nose." Trixie instructed as Spike prepared to shake the pepper.

"Oh and you might want to stand back for the reaction." She warned as Spike shook the pepper shaker making little black particles come out and onto Coco's nose.

Coco's eyes went wide at the smell of the peppers and immediately jumped to her hoofs feeling a burning sensation in her nose.

"HOT! HOT!" She screamed holding her nose with her hoof as Trixie brought out of bucket of water from nowhere.

"When did you?" Spike asked

"Pinkie Pie." Trixie answered.

Coco dunked her head in the water bucket and you can see steam coming out of it. A few seconds later Coco brought her head out of the bucket with relieving sigh.

"Much better." She said feeling relieved from her burning nose.

"Sorry about Halyn Coco." Trixie apologized.

"Um… it's okay but I never expected you to have a… bat as a pet." Coco replied sheepishly looking at Halyn.

"Well now that this is settled shall we get going?" Trixie replied

"Oh sure right this way." Coco said. Spike tried to follow but Trixie got in his way.

"Not this time lover drake, I know you have a crush on Rarity but I think it'll be best if you and Halyn look for those ingredients for the recipe okay." Trixie said.

"Oh fine; finding a few ingredients shouldn't be too hard right." He said acting cocky like a certain pegasi.

Trixie and Coco left the library and trotted toward the boutique.

Once they got there they could see Rarity finally out of the bathroom and on her famous lounge couch "Rarity shouldn't you go lay down in bed." Coco asked looking at Rarity

"I would darling but all that… well you know... had made me too tired to even walk up the stairs." Rarity answered her voice slurred.

"I think I'm going to…" before Rarity finished her sentence her head hit the pillow of the couch and she was now sleeping with slight snoring.

"Well I guess Miss Rarity is out of it." Coco replied

"Should we get started with what you'll be wearing?" Coco then added leading Trixie to the inspiration room.

Trixie saw the dress that she would be wearing and stared at it for a minute a bit unsure.

"Um… do I have to wear…this?" She asked nervously.

"Of course, but I do have others for you to try on." Coco answered as she walked over to a closet.

"Others? Just how many did you make?" She asked.

"Oh just about…" Coco started then opened the closet.

"Twenty or so." Coco finished smiling proudly.

"This is going to be a long afternoon." Trixie thought.

She looked and stared at Coco, her mouth still opened. Coco looked at her companion then at the stack of dresses then back her friend.

"What?" She asked still with a smile on her face.

Three hours have passed and they were finally on the last dress of Coco's line of dresses.

The dress was crimson colored silk that covered the flank and tail for the most part, there are azure trimming that went around the dress. Also black hoof shoes that tie around the front hooves in a crossing pattern. The saddle is also a light red color so that it would brighten up the colors. And to fit it all grey trimming went around the saddle.

Coco smiled at what Trixie was currently wearing "So do you like it?" She asked as Trixie was currently checking out what she was wearing in the mirror.

"It's… okay to say the least but the judges could like it." Trixie commented.

"Okay then all we had better pack all of them in suitcases then." Coco announced to which Trixie only groaned

"Its okay Trixie once you get to Manehatten you can began looking around without being distracted." Trixie thought.

After getting everything packed they proceed to the train station before it departed. Unfortunately leaving Trixie having to carry the luggage with her magic and placed them in the storage compartment; it was going to be a long ride. The train ride took all into the night and decided to get some sleep before arrival.

The next morning the intercom came on waking Trixie and Coco from their sleep

"Attention passengers we'll be arriving at Manehatten shortly, please be ready for arrival." The intercom spoke and clicking off

"Trixie come look." Coco said motioning Trixie over to look out the window seat.

Outside in the distance they could see tall building that reached the heavens including one with a big golden horse head on top of one building resting in the center of the city. Also many bridges connected the city from three sides, along with an ocean sparkled beneath the bridge with the help of sun above them. To top it all off an island alone by itself surround by water with a gigantic statue of the mare of liberty.

"Manehatten is so beautiful." Coco commented in awe of the city

"It's huge!" Trixie added a bit nervous.

"A little too huge; it'll take me more than two days to fully look around." Trixie thought. They arrived at the Manehatten station and departed and Trixie once again had to carry the luggage with her magic.

They wondered around the city for a while before Trixie spoke up "Coco do you know where we are going?" Trixie asked

"Yes it shouldn't be too far now." Coco answered. Trixie began to look at her surroundings, and saw that a steel gray unicorn stallion was packing up equipment.

"Okay that should everything." The stallion said and seemed to press a button on the side of the box.

The box then to condense in size till it was the size of a rubrics cube. He then picked it up and placed it in a saddle bag and walked off without another word.

On the other side of the street she could see two unicorn stallions, one of them wearing canterlot guard armor with a crimson red coat. The other had a light gray coat along with a light amber mane, and brilliant arctic blue eyes, and his cutiemark was three gold crowns with purple jewels in them.

Trixie's time at the castle as Celestias student made her recognize who the stallion was; it was none other than pain in the flank Princess Blueblood who is niece to both Celestia and Luna.

"This place couldn't be more repulsive wouldn't you say." He complained

"No comment sir." The guard said

"I mean just look at how the street here look so filthy." Blueblood complained

"If I may add sir you're going to be late." The guard reminded him.

"Oh thank you for that, and I've heard that there's going to be a nice looking mare who is one of the judges too." He giggled and walked off with the guard following him. Trixie didn't pay much attention to them but focused all around her in search of her target. She shifted her eyes toward alleyways they pasted along the way only for them to be empty or young colts playing marbles.

Coco saw this and spoke up "Um… are you feeling okay Trixie?" She asked getting Trixie's attention

"Huh… oh right sorry what did you say?" She countered

"You've been looking around left and right like if someponies watching us. You sure you're okay?" She asked again.

"I'm okay Coco just a little… distracted." Trixie blurted out

"Well we're here." Coco said as she pointed toward a building that said 'Top Styles' and on the door to it was a flyer that read 'Fashion show. Two day event. Show us that you are the real deal' along with a list of judges who are there: Hoity Toity, Blueblood, Photo Finish, and Winter Blossom.

They arrived in front of the building and went inside. On the inside was like a theater but with a stage, and in front of it was a long runway. Some of the other competitors showed up which were only about six in total. Coco went up on the stage where the competitors and the judges were on. She lined up with everypony else.

She saw Blueblood trying to flirt with Winter but only getting a whack to his horn every time he tried.

The other two judges she wasn't familiar with and they were both earth ponies. One of them is an earth pony stallion with Phthalo bluish gray coat with light sapphire bluish gray mane with light gray stripes flowing through it with his tail curled at the end. His eyes couldn't be identified with the light purple shades he wears. His cutiemark is that of a paper fan.

The second is an earth pony mare with a pale to light grayish cerulean coat and light gray mane, just like the other one her eye couldn't be identified with purple glasses she wears. Her cutiemark is a black and purple camera shutter.

"Um… Coco who are those two?" Trixie whispered not knowing who they exactly were.

"Oh that Hoity Toity, he's a very strict fashion critic so it normal not easy to please him, and the other one is Photo Finish she takes pictures of all the fashions throughout Equestria if not she host some of them too." Coco answered then saw Blueblood and was unsure who he was.

"But who's the other stallion?" Coco asked pointing toward the one talking to Winter Blossom.

"That is Prince Blueblood, he's from Canterlot, and is a real pain in the flank if you ask me." Trixie answered a bit harsh.

"I'm more surprised that he's a judge of this thing." Trixie added.

Winter Blossom then cleared her throat before speaking "Alright listen up everypony, I know some of you are probably nervous about this whole show but I promise you that by the end of the day tomorrow only one of you will win first prize." Winter began.

"There are four qualities you will be judged on; color coordination, style, uniqueness, and creativity." Winter adds as she looks over each participant

"There will be rehearsals before the fashion show tomorrow so I wish you all the best of luck." Winter finished as she went off stage along with the rest of the judges.

As the judges cleared the stage everypony was left to talk and chat before rehearsals start.

"I don't know what dress I should start out with." Coco said nervously.

"I'm sure whatever dress you choose should…" before Trixie could finish a ponies voice from behind called out

"Well, well look who's back." The voice said almost taunting.

Coco eye's shot up wide and it looked like she was shaking like a leaf when she heard that particular voice. Trixie turned around to spot the source.

The pony is an earth pony mare with a light pink coat with a purple mane and tail with the mane held up in a headband. Her cutiemark is that of three different colored buttons a purple, an aqua blue, and light yellow in a triangle formation. Her eyes are grayish brown and she wears two-tone blue crossed scarf on her neck.

"Can I help you?" Trixie asked

"Do I look like I'm talking to you pony?" She rudely replied.

"I'm talking to the one behind you." The mare added pointing toward Coco.

Coco on the other hoof was straight stiff at who she saw the mare

"M-M-Miss P-Polomare." Coco said nervously

"That's Suri Polomare to you! Decide to come back to your old home, which probably took some guts to come back after the stunt you pulled." Suri accused.

Coco took a nervous step back away from her till Trixie stepped in looking rather angry.

"I don't know what stunt Coco has done, but I won't allow you to talk to my friend that way." Trixie said sternly

"Oh then perhaps you should know that three years ago Miss Coco here was caught on camera; if I may add, for spying on fellow competitors style chart and making a design right off it." Suri added smugly.

"And you know what happened after that, do you Coco?" She asked with a smug on her face.

"I-I was reported to the judges a-and disqualified afterward." Coco said rubbing her hoof

"Not only that, but with such action like that you were put on a three year show restriction." Suri added.

"Yes I remember, but it has passed that time limit and things are going to be different this time around." Coco said confidently.

"Well since you're in the fashion show might as well be prepared and hide my designs while I'm at it." Suri added and walked away from the two.

"That mare sure knows how to make up stories right Coco?" Trixie giggled at it but Coco wasn't laughing with her.

"Um Coco that was a joke." Trixie said but Coco didn't respond.

"I'm afraid what Suri said was the truth Trixie." Coco stated hanging her head low

"I was caught, disqualified, and suspended because of the action I did. How'd you think I ended up in Ponyville working for Rarity?" Coco stated

"Because I couldn't keep up with the payments of my original home so I left and moved into Ponyville." Coco added.

"But I still had to wait until I was allowed back." Coco continued.

"I wanted to redeem myself after that, but not sure if it'll happen again." Coco finished

"What made you do it the first time?" Trixie asked

"One word Trixie: desperation." Coco said smoothly

"I panicked and I stooped so low as to make one of the competitors design my own, I wish I never did that." Coco said shamefully.

"Hey don't let the past get you down, that's old news." Trixie reassured putting a hoof on her shoulder.

"There's a saying Celestia used to say; the past is history, the future a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it's called a present." She quoted. Upon saying that she still looked back at her memories.

"If only I could do the same thing." Trixie thought.

"Well should we unpack?" Trixie asked trying to get Coco's mind off of the encounter she just had.

"Sure the rooms are just this way." Coco said and guided the both of them toward the rooms. Coco's room was on the third floor of the building the fifth door on the right.

"Here we are." Coco opened the door and revealed a two bedroom small apartment space with everything a pony might need and a fashion booth for other inspirational ideas.

Coco looked back at Trixie who was trying to fit the entire luggage Coco brought through the door.

"Um… you need help there?" Coco asked.

"No I think I got it." Trixie said and rearranged herself and brought the luggage one suitcase at a time into the room they'll be staying in. Trixie placed the luggage on the beds not looking tired.

"This place is rather large for just a small room." Trixie commented

"How long until it starts?" She asked

"Well we have all day to prepare for tomorrow, why you ask?" Coco questioned.

"Well how about we unpack first before hoof." Trixie smiled and they began to unpack the dresses and Trixies' small saddlebag she brought with her along with a map inside it.

When Trixie was unpacking a small photo fell out and floated toward the ground. Coco spotted said photo and went to have a look at it, and what she saw wasn't what she was expecting. She saw in the photo and filly version of Trixie without her cutiemark and another pony she didn't recognize. A lavender coat filly with a starburst cutiemark.

Coco picked up the photo "Um… Trixie you dropped this." Coco said holding the photo in her hoof.

Trixie saw what she holding and immediately incased the photo in a magic aura and held in close to her

"Thanks I really don't want to lose this." She said while hugging it close to her.

A silent pause filled the room as they finished unpacking when Coco tried to say something but no words came out. She took a deep breath and spoke up.

"Um… Trixie who was that other filly with you in the photo?" She asks nervously and Trixie stopped what she was doing and looked at her with a sadden face.

"An old friend that went missing years ago; she's probably a mare by now." Trixie said still with that sadden face

"The guards have been looking for her for years but still no luck." She sighed

"They looked around but a recent letter from Shining Armor that they haven't checked into Manehatten." Trixie perked up

"That's why I came to see if I could find her, and bring her home." Trixie stated.

Coco thought over her friends' problem and her fashion show that's tomorrow, but maybe she could help Trixie search for her missing friend.

"Well maybe we could have a look but Manehatten is so vast I wouldn't know where to start." Coco said looking a little worried.

Trixie brought out a map of Manehatten "I divided Manehatten into five areas where we can look." Trixie said as Coco wide eyed the map and the amount of areas to cover.

"Um… you sure this isn't a little much. I mean this could take all day to search them all." Coco added nervously

"Well maybe not today, but just look around specific areas." Trixie stated looking at the map.

"I can't." Coco added

"What, but why not?" Trixie asked

"Searching around will take up too much time and I have prep and make some final adjustments for the rehearsals and just don't have the time help look around." Coco stated

"I'm sorry Trixie but I just don't have the time." Coco added apologetically.

"…Okay." Trixie replies sadly as she headed for the door.

"But right after rehearsals are done I'll come and find you." Coco quickly added, but Trixie already left out the door.

"Oh what do I do now?" She asked herself trying to ponder which is important, her friend or her fashion line.

Trixie left the building and began her search immediately by talking around with other ponies to see if they've seen her missing friend. 

About thirty minutes into her search with the always 'No' or 'haven't heard of her' from the other ponies, she decided to move on to the next area on the map. She looked at the big display clock on the theater building which read: 1:45 P.M.

"Okay I might be able to look around before heading back." Trixie said as she walked down the sidewalk toward her next destination unbeknown what part of Manehatten she was getting into.

Meanwhile back at the fashion building Coco and the rest of the contestants finished up rehearsals and were packing up for the day.

She glanced at the time "Maybe I can still find Trixie and help her out." She began.

"But I also have to prepare one of my dresses for tomorrows show." Coco pondered but then decided quickly

"No you friend come first before your fashion and I must help her in any way I can." She said to herself and began walking out of the building.

Unfortunately Suri saw her leave and had a big smug grin plastered on her face.

"Time to put my plan into action." Suri whispered. A loud shout came from behind only to find out it was Blueblood with his two front hooves frozen solid in ice as he slipped across the floor.

"Why didn't you tell me that mare was you sister?" He asked rather annoyed at the guard that followed

"Because I thought it would be funny for you to find out the hard way." The guard stated hold back a stifle laugh.

"Now that was weird." Suri said and left for her room so she could begin her plan.

"I'll humiliate her so good that she'd wished she'd never came back to Manehatten." She chuckled before she started to laugh, and then stopped.

"Oh that sounded so evil for a minute." She proceeded forward with her scheme.

Coco burst out of the door and swung her head left then right to see if she could find Trixie, then she took off in which ever direction to try and find her. Ten minutes went by which turned into twenty, then forty, soon a whole two hours went by and still no luck finding Trixie.

"Trixie!" She shouted calling for her friend

"Where are you!" she called again. Her stomach growled and it has been several hours since she last ate anything

"Just ignore it for now Coco. Trixie come first." She said to herself and continued to frantically search.

After about another hour went by she began to really worry now and she was really starting to get hungry.

"Oh I knew I should've come to help look for her friend but I was too caught up in the show to realize it." She began

"Some friend I turned out to be." Coco saddened but she failed to notice that Trixie was right behind her.

"Um Coco I'm right here." Trixie stated.

Trixie voice surprised Coco making her go belly up with her hooves sticking straight up. Trixie held back her laugh but Coco looked up from her position and noticed her azure friend.

She immediately shot up and gave her a bone crushing hug "There you are I was worried." Coco said holding Trixie in her embrace.

"That's great but…" She started "Trixie can't breathe." She strained and Coco let and to have a look at her and notice something off.

"Um how'd you get that black eye?" She asked

"When I was asking around about my friend, I asked a mare if she's seen her and what I get; a swinging back buck that gave me this." Trixie motioned to her left eye that has swelled.

"And to top it off I step into a pot hole and twist my back hoof." She stated then let out a sigh

"Guess she's not here either." She said in defeat

"But at least your...mostly okay and I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner." Coco added

"No it's okay you had…" Trixie began but didn't get the next word out because of Coco

"No it isn't okay, I was wrapped up in the hype that I didn't notice that you needed help as well with what you were doing." Coco frowned lowering her head.

"And for that I'm sorry." Coco said again. Trixie grabbed the bottom of her friends chin and brought to eye level with her.

"Hey we all make mistakes, and sometimes we forget our friends but it also takes a friend to remind ourselves what we did wrong." Trixie said making Coco smile again.

"So… don't we have a fashion show to finish tomorrow." Trixie said until both of their stomachs growled.

The both flushed with embarrassment "Right after some dinner." Coco said

"Sounds good to me." She agreed. After some dinner at a not so fancy restaurant they both made it back to the fashion building and called it a night unknown to them what tomorrow may bring.

The next morning was the day of the fashion show and it was a full house. Coco peaked out and saw how big the crowd was and she got real nervous right there.

"Okay Coco you can do this, just don't get nervous, like what Dash would say just play it cool." Coco paced herself.

Trixie came out wearing a dress that was a shade of crimsion and simmilar in design to the first one Coco had her try on back in Ponyville.

"How is it out there?" Trixie asked

"It's a big crowd but we can do it." Coco said with some confidence.

"Then let's do this." Trixie said waiting for it to be her turn.

The competitors came and went and all that was left was Trixie, Coco, and Suri and her model. Suri was the next pony up and her model was wearing an azure colored dress that covered her flank with a crimson saddle around the waist with silver trimming around the dress along with red hoof shoes that went around her hoofs in a crisscrossing pattern.

"Quite an elegant piece Miss Polomare." Hoity described

"Zhis quite worth eh photo shoot." Photo Finish said flashing her camera

"Quite an eyeballing style not very much seen." Blueblood commented then all the judges looked toward Winter Blossom for the final word

"Hm… Well the color scheme of it quite creative and appealing to the eye, but it's a little too flashy for my taste." Winter exclaimed her opinion striking a blow.

Trixie and Coco was taken aback at what she was wearing it looked like a complete overhaul of the one Trixie was wearing.

"This could be bad." Trixie stated but after what Coco saw she was now in a complete mess.

"She… copied my work and if we show this to them it'll remind them of Suri's and then it'll be like all those years ago, only this time I'll publicly humiliated." She cried out.

They called her name… it was time to face the music. Trixie went out on the runway trying her best to show the dress off until she finally reached the judges in front.

"Though this is beautiful I can't give any other comment." Hoity said not very pleased

"Zhis no deserve any pleasure from me." Photo Finish said with a look of disgust.

"I want to know the mare that made this atrocity!" Blueblood practically shouted and every other pony in the crowd wait until Coco practically came out from behind the curtain and approached Trixie's side

"Did you make this copy?" Blueblood asked.

She only gave a slight nod "Then you should be quite ashamed of yourself copying another mares design is quite a…YEHOWW!" He sudden yelped in pain as a hoof came in contact with the back of his head and saw it was Winter Blossom who did it.

"Was that even called for ma'am?" He said only to receive another one as he seems near tears.

"Would you be quite while I'm trying to think baka!" She stated.

"But Miss. Winter this design is in fact a copy just designed differently to look like an original." Hoity explained.

"And apparently you can't see through those glasses of yours that you're looking at the original." She finally said which stunned the rest of the judges.

"Suri Polomare would you please come out one more time?" Winter asked and Suri approached the runway and walked up toward them

"I like to retract my earlier statement from Suri's and replace it with something else." Winter said.

Winter sent a glare toward Suri "Suri Polomare you are here by disqualified from the show." She said angrily which shocked not only the judges, the three on stage, but also the crowd.

"May I ask why I'm being disqualified?" Suri asked rather annoyed

"I've presented my piece and those low down ponies copied me so they should be disqualified." Suri countered.

"Then I have question for both of you." She started

"How long did it take for you both to make your dresses?" She asked.

"Is this really relevant?" Suri countered

"Yes it is." She added

"Ugh fine… it took my three hours to make." Suri said.

"And you Coco." Winter gestured toward her.

"Um… about a few days to make." Coco said nervously.

“She’s lying! She stole my design!” Suri says enraged.

"Oh would you just hush!” Winter said harshly making Suri go quiet.

“Suri your design looks rushed and while it is beautiful it lacks the creative charm of a real designer. While Coco's it is easy to tell that much effort, thought, and heart was put into the design." Winter started and gave a small smirk.

"Plus it doesn't help that somepony saw you sneak into Coco's room and come out with her designs." She added.

"But how did you…" Suri began only to get a bright smile from Winter

"I didn't but thanks for confirming it." Winter gave her a knowing wink and Suri was slacked jawed that she fell for a simple trick like that.

"And for your action, not only your disqualification, but you are also suspended from appearing at fashion shows for two years." Winter said then sends her one final glare.

"Now pack your things and get out of my sight before I have you thrown out." She stated and the crowd cheered.

Suri stood there still slacked jaw until Coco stepped in "WAIT!" She hollered quieting the crowd.

"Suri doesn't deserve what she getting, and maybe her suspension shouldn't last that long." Coco explained.

"What do you mean?" Hoity asked

"W-When I was suspended three years I felt like my passion for fashion had almost been killed. I know how it feels, and while I agree that what she did is probably the worst thing possible for ponies who do what we do." Coco started.

"So what I'm just asking is..." Coco continued.

"Could just maybe give her a second chance?" Coco asked.

"Coco." Suri looked at her the mare she was trying to ruin is actually trying to save her career. Winter pondered it but as per the usual Blueblood spoke up

"I'm afraid we cannot. The rules are the rules and those who break them…YEWHOO!" He started before getting smacked again by Winter.

"Why aren't you doing something about this?" He asked turning to the guard who had his back turned to them. A small smirk was apparent on the guards muzzle.

"I think we can ignore this little misshape once, but another slip up like this Suri and we will bring the hammer down." She warned and Suri nodded.

"However I think we can agree on a winner. Miss Coco Pommel, and Suri Polomare that would be you both." She announced and the crowd burst in an uproar of cheers.

They were award the trophy and minutes later everything calmed and Coco was about to pack up when Suri came over to her.

"Why did you help me? I tried to ruin you and yet you helped me get out of a tight spot… why?" Suri asked clearly confused.

"We may not have a great history with each other but I just didn't want you to go through what I did." Coco said with a smile on her face

"So I thought I would help out in some way I can." She added

"And maybe someday we could be friends." She added.

"Friends… I may have to get back to you on that." Suri said

"Just take your time and I'll wait for your answer." Coco said with a smile as Suri started to leave.

"Goodbye Suri Polomare." She says to her watching her leave.

When they got back to the apartment Trixie got a blank piece of paper and started writing.

"Dear Princess Celestia, I wanted to send you another letter because of my adventures here in Manehatten. My friend Coco Pommel learned that you should never forget how your friends feel and doing your best to help them in any way you can… even if that same pony is holding a grudge on you. Your faithful student; Trixie Lulamoon. P.S. Tell Shining Armor that Manehatten is a bust. He will know what I mean."

She finished her letter and packed it in her saddle bag and began to make her way down until she heard a loud yell that sounded like Blueblood getting launched from a cannon.

"Wonder who did that?" She asked but didn't bother to pursue it.

Meanwhile on the streets of Manehatten Winter Blossoms face was bright red walking away from the guard "That could have gone better than him…" The guard said before Winter interrupted him

"FINSIH THAT SENTENCE SEEKER AND I'LL BUCK YOU TO THE NEXT MILLENIA!" She shouted her horn flaring white with ice surrounding it.

"Just another day in paradise." Seeker finished and went to go get Blueblood… where ever he is.


> Sonic Rainboom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the clouds above everything seemed peaceful and quite. The weather ponies clearing the clouds for it to be a great morning; the sun was out blazing it great glory, the birds chirping all around, Rainbow Dash going really fast… that’s not going to end well.

Rainbow Dash was going rather fast performing several maneuvers including going around some obstacle of clouds and trees almost like she’s building up speed for something really big. Lightning Dust was watching her just in case anything went wrong. 

“C’mon Dash go for it!” Dust cheered on as Dash suddenly jerked upward and flew straight up to gain higher altitude.

When Dash was at her peak altitude she bursts straight down at an angle. The amount of wind was stretching her lips and stinging her eyes but she took it full stride. 

Then a wall of air began to form in front of her and beginning to curve into a cone.

“C’mon just a little bit more.” Dash said trying to break through it move as fast her wings could make her. 

Just before she was going to break through it; the curved air stopped causing Dash to stop in her tracks mid flight. 

“Not again.” She muttered as the air practically shot her like a cannon ball toward Ponyville as she started to scream her lungs out along the way.

While Lightning Dust just looked on watching her daredevil friend flailing all the way to town. 

She face hoofed “Ay crumba here we go again.” Dust said as she took to the air and followed Dash back to town.



Sonic Rainboom

Meanwhile in the library Trixie had the others to help her and Spike reorganize everything in the library as well as catalog what was going where.

“Thank for the help girls if it were just me here I’ll be here all afternoon.” Trixie said placing another book on the shelf and in the hold of her magic was a quill and clipboard which wrote down where she just put the book.

“Hey no problem Trix we all just had some spare time and I don’t think we need you tiring yourself out do we.” Sunset replied.

After placing the last book on the shelf Trixie gave a satisfied nod and turned to the rest.

“Well girls I think that’s about…” She was suddenly cut off when a cyan blur came crashing in hitting the wall causing all the books that were just placed to fall many of them landing on the other ponies in the room as well as the culprit responsible for it.

Trixie’s head was the first to pop up from a pile of books and she looked around to spot the culprit her gaze eventually coming to a rainbow colored tail sticking out of a pile of books.

“Rainbow Dash!” She growled an eye twitching as Rainbow stuck her head out of the pile and gave a good natured laugh at the mess she caused.

The rest of the girls came out from under the pile of books 

“Rainbow what gave the incentive to come crashing in here rudely?” Cheerliee asked glaring at her.

“Well I was trying to perform a Sonic Rainboom.” She replied plainly.

Trixie looked at her in confusion “What in the hay is a Sonic Rainboom?” Trixie questioned 

“It’s like one of the best spectacular trick ever known!” Lightning Dust chimed in from the window having just arrived and heard Trixie’s question.

“GAH!” she jumped a few feet and landed back down on her back and glared at the other pegasi.

“Lightning don’t do that!” She warned. 

“Sorry. Picked that one up from Pinkie.” Lightning smiled.

Trixie rolled her eyes and turned back to Dash “So what is a Sonic Rainboom?” Trixie asked again.

“Well it’s when a pony like Dash here goes really fast and I mean really that it forms a cone around her and as soon she breaches it. BOOM! A spectacle of a rainbow spreads all over the place making her go so fast your head will spin.” Lightning explained.

“Yeah but I only done that once so I might be a little rusty.” Dash replied.

“But you can still do it can you?” Coco asked.

“No problem as soon as I get my momentum going I will be doing Sonic Rainbooms in my sleep easily.” She said confidently giving a smirk and taking off through the window.

“Dash seems rather confident today. Something good happen?” Sunset asked 

“Oh yeah I almost forgot. Tomorrow is the young flier’s competition.” Lightning said 

“Young what now?” Trixie asked 

“This is the first time me hearing about it.” She quickly adds.

“I’ve heard of it. It’s practically a competition where only pegasi can compete and if they can impress the judges and win the winner gets a chance to get tips and fly with Equestrias best stunt team; commonly known as the Wonderbolts.” Sunset explained.

That word sparked something in Trixie’s memory when she first came to Ponyville 

“Wait wasn’t Dash talking about joining them or something. That it was her dream?” She asked to which the rest nod.

“Yep that’s her dream to join the best of the best.” Cheerliee added.

“And performing that will definitely get her recognized… if she just performed it better.” Dust added.

“Hold on isn’t the young flier’s competition always held in Cloudsdale?” Sunset asked.

“Then wouldn’t that mean we wouldn’t be able to go up and support her anyway.” Trixie starts.

“Well… I could always tell you guys it went after the competition is over.” Dust answered hovering in the air with slow flaps as she went towards the window.

“I’m going to check on Dash and see if she’s ready for it tomorrow.” She waved her hoof.

“See yah.” She said and zipped out the window toward Dash’s direction.

“Well I do hope Rainbow is going to be okay in the competition, but it would have been nice to be there and support her.” Coco said. During that time the gears in Trixie’s head began to click around for an idea. Then an idea struck and she smiled. 

“I think there is a way to be there.” Trixie said.

“Well what is it?” Sunset asked waiting for Trixie to answer.

“Yes Trixie do tell and don’t keep us in suspense.” Cheerliee added. 

“Well Sunset have you heard of a ‘Walking on Clouds’ spell before?” She asked. Sunset’s went wide eyed as soon Trixie said those three words.

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YOU WANT TO USE THAT SPELL!” Sunset screamed then covered her mouth in response.

“Heh heh, sorry just… continue.” She said sheepishly. 

“Okay yelling aside; The ‘Walking on Clouds’ spell is just like it said it allows the caster to walk on clouds like a pegasi without having wings and it can used on multiple targets at a time.” Trixie explained. 

“Yet it has a strict time limit of three hours so almost nopony uses it, but I have been working out ways to improve it.” She added.

“Okay so where’s the book that has it?” Coco asked. 

“Well it should in the…” Trixie began then paused and groaned.

“Spell book section.” She finished looking at the mess of books Dash caused. 

“I’m going to get that Rainbow Dash for this.” Trixie growled as the girls began to stack the books in their proper place… again.

Meanwhile Dash was still practicing the Sonic Rainboom to no success as she slammed through a tree. She was stuck in the tree and trying get out. 

“Okay a little help anypony?” She called out as Lightning Dust flew down next to where she is.

“So I’m guessing you barked up the wrong tree?” She joked only to receive a glare from Dash.

“What I thought it was a good joke?” She added.

“Get. Me. OUT!” Dash shouted.

“Okay okay. Jeez humor sensitive much.” She added flown behind grabbing Dash’s tail in her mouth and began to yank Dash out of the tree with some difficulty.

“Suck in your gut Dash.” She said. Dash sucked in gut so that it would make it easier for Dust to get her out which eventually worked and Dash was on the ground panting as Dust still had Dash’s tail in her mouth.

“Yow owkay?” Dust said.

“Yeah just let go of my tail now.” Dash says to which Dust spits out her tail.

“Okay what’s up Dash?” Dust asked 

“It’s the whole competition tomorrow and well I’m a little worried that if I fail that I wouldn’t get recognized by the Wonderbolts or what if I’m not good enough to be a Wonderbolt.” Dash said worrying.

“What if I trip up during the competition and Celestia completely bans me from ever competing. I’ll be a laughing stock for the rest of my life!” She started to rant before getting a slap to the muzzle from Lighning.

“Thanks I need that.” Dash said rubbing the spot Dust slapped.

“C’mon Dash do you honestly think that the ruler of Equestria is going to ban you from competing?” Dust asked with a small laugh.

“Well… no… I don’t think so.” She said 

“And I’m sure that you’ll smoke them at the competition.” Dust said confidently. 

“Did you forget that you’re in this competition too?” Dash reminded.

“And that about half the day you’ve been out here training me when you need to be training yourself.” She added.

“Hey a friend before yourself is what I always say, and that I can’t wait to show Cloudsdale what I can do.” Dust said as she did a back flip and landed safely on all four hooves. 

“C’mon Dash let’s get back to working out your moves.” Dust said. 

“Yeah… I guess so.” Dash said still looking a little bit worried but continued on anyway.

About three hours past as they continued working the final kinks on Dash’s routine, and like always Dash running into or slamming into a tree, a side of a mountain, or a barn filled with angry chickens. 

“I’m surprised we got out of AJ’s barn by the skin of our teeth.” Rainbow complemented while Lightning Dust was laughing about it. 

“I know right I mean the way we landed was all CRASH and all those chickens went wild and almost attacked us.” Dust laughed. 

“They did attack us what do you think explains the claw marks we got from them crazy feather pigeons, and where did AJ even get chickens in the first place?” Dash asked rubbing a spot on her muzzle that had been scratched.

“Hey they gotta have eggs right.” Dust countered 

“Good point, but I don’t she’s going to like the mess we made in the barn.” Dash said looking back toward the direction of the barn.

As almost right on cue AJ was bring in a crate full of apples from today’s work, but as soon as she entered the barn she noticed that everything was covered in chicken feather. 

“Land sakes.” She said but also noticed a big hole in the roof of the barn.

“There’s only one if not two ponies that coulda done this.” She said then she took in a deep breath, and shouted out 

“LIGHTNING DUST, RAINBOW DASH YOU TWO GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!” She yelled loud enough that it was heard where Dust and Dash were walking.

The both froze stiff like if they were sudden hit by winters touch.

“Race yah to Sugarcube corner.” Dust said staring at Dash 

“Agreed.” She said quickly as they both zoomed toward Sugar Cube Corner not wanting a repeat of a particular incident.

They got to Sugarcube Corner before they were put on a silver platter for AJ’s hoofs. They ordered some smoothies and had a rather calm afternoon early evening. 

The door bell chimed and entered Trixie, Spike, and the rest of the girls. They went to where Dust and Dash were currently sitting.

“So did training going well?” Cheerliee asked.

“Oh it was a blast plus I needed to make sure to give Dash here some kind of competition before the big day tomorrow. I’m sure all of Cloudsdale is going to be there just to watch.” Dust said giving Dash a slight nudge. 

“Oh right I forgot that you were interested as well Dust.” Sunset replied.

“Yeah and that sompony has to give Dash some kind of competition or it won’t be as fun.” Dust replied nudging Dash. 

“Hehe right… competition.” Dash said nervously looking all around.

“Well all we have to say is good luck to you both.” Cheerliee replied.

“Yeah, and don’t kill each other in the process.” Sunset added just as Dust finished off her smoothie and gave a slight burp.

“Excuse me.” Lightning Dust says as the others laugh a bit.

“Well that’s it for me. I’m off to go train some more if yah need me I’ll be by the pond practicing.” She said giving them a quick salute then zoomed out the door into the sky.

Dash finished off hers as well “I really wish you girls could come and cheer us on.” She started 

“It would make this a lot easier to get through.” She added.

Trixie only smiled “Well maybe we can.” Trixie replied as Dash looked at her confused and interested.

“Wait. What you mean by that?” She asked interested in what her friend had to say.

“Well Dash I’ve found a spell that’ll allow non pegasi ponies to have the ability to walk on clouds for a length of time.” Trixie answered.

Dash stayed quiet for a bit before speaking “Trixie… you are the best!” she squealed resisting the urge to hug her.

“Thank you for the complement, but like I said the spell is only temporary.” Trixie warned 

“Originally the spell was made to last only three hours.” She then added 

“But thanks to some slight changes, and experimenting it will last three days at most.” She finished.

“It shouldn’t have taken you so long to modify it.” Dash replied 

“Well I would have do it fast if some pony didn’t crash into my library.” Trixie countered shooting the rainbow mare a small glare.

“Touché.” Dash replied rubbing a hoof behind her neck.

“So thanks with Trixie’s new spell we should be able to come and support both of you.” Coco said 

“I know it’s a competition, but make sure you have some fun up their ok.” Cheerliee said.

“We’ll meet you in Cloudsdale.” Sunset added, but then her stomach growled. Sunset blushed a bit from hunger 

“But first some dinner.” Sunset added 

“You’re welcome to have dinner at the boutique.” Coco offered 

“That is if you want to, and if Miss Rarity doesn’t mind the extra company.” She added looking away a bit.

“That’ll be rather nice Coco, but we wouldn’t want to intrude.” Cheerliee replied.

“Its fine we usually don’t get company that often.” Coco said 

“And it gets rather lonely around there with only me and Miss Rarity there.” Coco added.

“Well I’m going to head home and have some dinner myself, but thanks for the offer Coco.” Dash said 

“Perhaps another time then.” She added. 

Coco only bowed “Your welcome to come by.” Coco said 

“Just make sure you send a note first.” She added 

“Got it.” Dash added and took a glance of the time on the wall.

“Well girls love to stay and chat but I’ve gotta dash, later.” She said and ran out the door and flew into the sky toward home. 

“She didn’t just say that.” Cheerliee said 

“She did.” Trixie added. 

As Dash got home to her cloud house she could see glimpses of lightning clouds in the distance and a turquoise blur in middle of it. 

“Is she still going at it?” She thought stepping inside her home. 

Once inside she went straight into the kitchen to prepare herself some dinner which consist of a salad with dressing, and cheese, plus a small glass of apple cider.

Her dinner took about ten minutes to finish, she cleaned up her dinner and put the dishes away then proceed upstairs before looking out the stairs window to see those same lightning clouds and that turquoise blur going at it again. 

“Jeez she keeps this up she’s not going to get any sleep for tomorrow.” She said aloud.

She proceeds into the bathroom to brush her teeth and get ready to call it a day since just outside her bathroom window Luna’s moon is being raised and the sky was changing ever slightly to night. 

With teeth brushing done she went one door down to her bedroom with all her pictures and posters of the Wonderbolts.

One wonderbolt in particular was that of a mare in the blue suit with yellow lightning bolts going along it. The mare was wearing goggles so unable to identify the eye color and the suit makes it hard to identify the coat color and cutiemark of the mare, but the only thing that can be identified is the mane which is a slicked back yellow and fiery orange mane.

Dash was proud she was able to find a poster of it since it was a rare poster to track and Lightning Dust happened to find one and give it to Dash on her twelfth birthday. Dash went to her bed, set the alarm to wake her up about a quarter till eight and then drifted off to sleep.

The next day as the sun rose over head the alarm went off as expected and Dash was quick to turn it off. When she woke up her mane was all frizzled and went in all direction, talk about bad bed hair. 

She groggily got out of bed and proceeds toward the bathroom. She turned on the water in the faucet and splashed her face with water to get the sleep out of her eyes.

Now fully awake she took the brush in hoof and got to work to brush out her mane and tail. That being done she done her daily teeth brushing and went down stairs to prepare breakfast, but looked outside one more time, and this time didn’t see any lightning clouds or even Lightning Dust for that matter. 

“Maybe she finally went home.” She thought until a small snore interrupted her from her thoughts. It seemed the sound was coming from the roof of her house.

She flew up to top of her house and spotted a sleeping Lightning Dust curled in a ball snoring from the rise and fall of her chest and slightly sucking on her hoof like a foal or filly would.

“Or maybe not.” She thought looking at the sleeping pegasi without a care in the world.

“Okay if Coco saw her like this she would probably complement on how adorable she looks right now.” She thought. Then an idea struck in Dash’s mind, a very evil idea. She smirked and flew back inside the house trying not to wake her sleeping friends.

She went to her closet and pulled out a megaphone that Pinkie Pie had given her last year. A perfect way to wake up her friend, and to get payback at the same time. 

She flew back toward where her friend is still sleeping megaphone in hoof. She took the device in both hooves, took a deep breath in, but before she was able to release. 

“Do it and die Amadeus.” Her sleeping friend spoke up.

Dash nearly dropped the device at what her now awake friend with her brilliant amber eyes loosely opened staring right at Rainbow.

“How’d you know I was even here?” She asked. Her friend gave a big yawn as she rose up from the clouded roof top and stretched in a cat manner getting all the kinks out. 

“I can smell your breath you know, coconut mint has a specific smell.” She explains as she popped her back releasing a relieved sigh. 

“And I know you too well Dash.” She added. 

“Shoot I was going to get you good that time.” Dash whined 

“Could of, would of, should of Dash.” She retorted.

“Okay but what are you doing sleeping on my roof for anyway?” Dash asked 

“I guess some of my stunts went a little nuts and that I was practicing all night and since your house is the nearest I decided to come by, but you were already asleep so I slept on your roof.” Dust explained.

“You didn’t see anything did you?” Dust then asked nervously. Dash was going to say she saw her sucking her hoof and that she looked adorable curled up in a small ball but didn’t want to humiliate her… this time. 

“Nope.” She answered.

“Good.” Dust stated. 

“First I’ll get some breakfast then it’s off to Cloudsdale.” Dust smiled and flew off straight home… that is before she slammed straight into a tree 

“I’m okay.” She confirmed and flew off again. While her friend was going for breakfast Dash headed toward the library to see if Trixie had that cloud walking spell ready for the rest of their friends.

She knocked first and Spike answered the door and let her in. Once inside she spotted Trixie going over that same spell book and notebook over again making sure the cloud walking spell was correct, and that her calculations were right.

“So is it ready to go or what?” Dash asked as Trixie nods in response.

“Just going over again. Don’t want to mess it up.” Trixie answered.

“Don’t worry about it Trixie. You and the girls will be walking on clouds soon enough.” Dash said before looking to the clock. She had been there only a few minutes, but didn’t want to stay long as she wanted to meet back up with Lightning.

“Well I gotta meet up with Lightning Dust so we’ll meet you girls in Cloudsdale.” Dash smiled and flew off to meet Lightning Dust at her home.

Dust was waiting for her, but she still seemed like she was half asleep as they flew to Cloudsdale taking almost double their usual time because of Dust occasionally nodding off in the air, and Dash waking her so that she doesn’t go crashing into the ground. Soon both landed.

“Wow this place hasn’t changed a bit.” Lightning looked at it in awe as memories of the place came rushing back to both of them.

“Yep this place is still the same even when you left.” She stated then flinched at what she said 

“Well I didn’t mean like that.” She added quickly. 

“It’s okay Dash it got taken care of remember.” Dust stated remembering Cloudchaser’s visit.

“Well if it isn’t Rainbow Crash and Lightning Quitter.” A rough stallion voice spoke out. They turn around and saw three pegasi stallions land.

The first one had a light gamboges coat with a grayish tangelo mane and brilliant sea green eyes with three basketballs as the cutiemark. His name is Hoops.

The second had a dark grayish brown coat with light amberish gray mane and moderate azure eyes and a dumbbell with six weights on it as his cutiemark. His name is Dumbbell.

The third had a Persian bluish gray coat with a reddish brownish gray mane, but due to the mane his eyes coat be identified, and he also had three footballs as a cutiemark. His name was Score.

And these three are all brothers. “Great not you three.” Dust growled just by looking at them. 

“So finally decided to come back huh after you ran away and dropped out of school you chicken.” Hoops said 

“I left because I thought my friend betrayed me, but I realized that it was you three that set Chaser up.” She growled her hoof twitching eager to lay a punch on just one of them.

“Well it worked either way.” Score pronounced then looked toward Dash’s direction 

“And don’t think for a second we forgot about you either, we still think that Sonic Rainboom you pulled was just a trick, so we can still beat you in a race Rainbow Crash.” Score added.

“Oh c’mon don’t tell me you guys are still on about me whipping your flanks in that race years ago. We were fillies and colts then so get over it already.” Dash retorted.

“Then if you say it wasn’t a trick, you should be able to perform it easy.” Hoops mocked 

“Am I right.” He added catching Dash off guard and temporarily rendering her speechless as she thought of a comeback.

“Dash can Sonic Rainboom your flanks all over this place if she wanted to.” Dust responded 

“She’ll do it easy.” She added glaring at all three of them.

“Fine see you at the competition losers.” They laughed and flew off. Dust looked back at Rainbow who was a bit rattled from the encounter.

“You… can do the Sonic Rainboom… right?” She asked nervously 

“I… I don’t know maybe those three are right and it was just a fluke and I won on luck alone.” Dash paused 

“What if all my training just ends up with me failing?” She questioned.

“You’re not going to fail okay that’s just not you.” Dust cooed trying to relax her friend. 

“You sure?” She asked nervously 

“I guarantee it.” Dust smiled. Before they about to register a big purple balloon came from below the clouds and stopped right in front of them, and inside of it was Trixie, Sunset, Coco, and Cheerliee.

“Hey girls did we miss anything?” Sunset smiled.

“Nope you girls are right on time.” Dash said. 

“Great I was hoping we would.” Cheerliee said jumping out of the balloon 

“WAIT!” Dust screamed about ready to catch her at a moment’s notice until Cheerliee touched the cloud… and didn’t fall through.

Lightning Dust’s mouth hung open as the girls one by one exited the balloon and not falling through the cloud floor below them. 

“What in the hay bale?” She says stunned as each of her friends was standing on the clouds. Trixie giggled at Dust expression. 

“Starswirl was working on a cloud walking spell but couldn’t exactly perfect it. Instead of a normal three hour time span, I’ve improved it so that is last three whole days, pretty cool huh.” Trixie added.

“Trixie have I ever told you how awesome you are?” Dust asked 

“Well no.” Trixie answered with a smirk. 

“Okay, because I’m highly thinking about that right now.” Dust replied. Sunset began to look at the design of Cloudsdale. 

“Say while we’re here how about you two give a tour of the place before the competition begins.” Sunset stated.

“Sound like a plan Sunny.” Dust said enthusiastically 

“We got about an hour before registration closes so let’s go.” Dash added as her and Dust began to show them around the cloud city.

They’ve arrived at a very large cloud building with had pipes coming from the top of the building. 

“Before we go in you girls are going to have to wear those.” Dash pointed over to some hangers with a white workers uniform and a safety helmet. 

“Safety first after all.” Dash pointed out. After the girls put on the worker uniform they proceeded inside.

Once they got inside the place filled with worker ponies that are either filling the clouds with rain or shaping snowflakes, or even stirring a rainbow pool. 

“This place is amazing.” Sunset says in awe looking from each machine or object to the next. 

“I’m surprise that you two don’t work in here.” Cheerliee added.

“Well me and Dash are on the weather team. It’s our job to make sure the weather is done properly and on time.” Dust explained. Coco went to look at the rainbow pool she we about to take a lick but Dash quickly stopped her.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” She warned 

“Rainbow juice has so many flavors that you never know what you’ll get.” Dust warned.

“Last pony who did it ended up diving into the water tank to stop the spicy flavor he ended up with.” Dash added having been there that day when it happened.

As they continued the tour they noticed that they’ve spent about forty five minutes giving the tour that the registration is almost over. Dust has been nodding off a few times that she nearly went to sleep while standing. Cheerliee nudged her awake. 

“Um are you okay Lightning? You’re looking a little wobbly.” She asked.

“Yeah I’m okay just probably a bit on edge today.” She said rubbing her head then followed Dash.

“We got to get toward registration you girls head toward the stands and watch.” Lightning said and followed Dash. 

They managed to make it before it closes. Dash got number two and Lightning Dust got number nine but as they were in the waiting room Dash was pacing around and beginning to worry about competition yet again. 

She looked outside the curtain and looked at the crowd that arrived to watch. She spotted the Wonderbolts standing by just in case anything happened throughout the competition. She even spotted the old bullies from before.

She spotted her friends that were waiting for both of them to appear. But what made her went wide eye is that she spotted Princess Celestia and a few of her guards with her as well. 

She started to panic internally “Okay Dash calm down everything is going to be fine it’s just not that Princess Celestia herself is here watching along with the Bolts and my friends. Nothing to panic over nope.” She panicked gritting her teeth and was on her haunches rubbing he front hooves through her mane in a panic.

Just as she was finishing her thoughts she failed to notice that the first pony had finished.

“Number two! You’re up!” The mare called out but Dash swapped her number with somepony else without them knowing. Time passed and it eventually came to number nine AKA Lightning.

“Number nine!” The mare yelled out only to find a sleeping Lightning Dust. The mare tried to wake her but to no avail and had to move on to the next number in line.

After an hour passed Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust were the last two ponies in the waiting lobby. Dash was shaking like a leaf while Lightning Dust still asleep unknown of what happened. As the mare approached Dash telling her that she was up Dust gave a yawn and stretched having woken up.

“Man I needed that.” She said and the mare came over telling her that she would be going out with Dash.

“C’mon let’s show’em what we got.” Dust said confidently while Dash was still nervous about it but nodded.

“Introducing our final two numbers fifteen and nine apparently.” The announcer said as the two pegasi took to the air.

Dust immediately went into her routine and started off spinning into a ball and going faster and faster as she actually built up electricity then she stopped spinning and sparks were sparking right off her. 

“Okay here we go; phase one.” She stated as she went toward some pillars. She flew in between them from right to left but about mid way through she missed her mark and crashed below the stands where the bullies were at.

“Nice landing Rainbow Crash.” Hoops said and they laughed. Frustrated, Dash took off like a bullet getting back into the competition.

Dust then began to create a small tornado about her size and she took the tip of the tornado and actually balanced it on her nose without a problem.

“Next, phase two.” Dash muttered as she began to go toward some clouds that were set up for her. She began to fly in circles around the clouds making them spin in motion, but again through her routine and at the third cloud she couldn’t control the spin and the cloud was sent fly toward where Celestia was sitting. 

As the cloud impacted the cloud fizzled out and no damage was done to the princess.

“C’mon Dash you do this.” She muttered to herself 

“Final phase: the Sonic… Rainboom.” She gulped hoping this doesn’t turn out to bad.

“Okay this is it.” Dust said to her. 

“Time to wrap this up.” Dust added confidently and shot up toward the sky. Dash also took toward the sky hoping that this time she would get it right. 

As for Dust three clouds were up there and they were gray meaning they had lightning and that is what she was wanting.

She hit the first cloud causing lightning to shoot out then she hit the second as quickly then the third and she repeated it as fast as she could and before you know there was a big electrical triangle in the air with Lightning Dust in the middle of it 

“How’d yah like that one.” Lightning says confidently as the electricity sparked all around her.

One of the lightning bolts hit the tip of her left wing sending a jolt through her and completely paralyzing her left wing unable to move. 

“Oh ponyfeathers.” She cursed and began to fall like a rock flapping her right wing as fast as she could. The crowd gasped at what has occurred.

“NO!!!” Dash screamed seeing her friend falling to her death. 

That is when the Bolts sprung into action; they leaped from the pedestal and dived after the falling pony. By this time Dust was screaming her lungs out her hooves flailing ever which way.

As the Bolts flew beside her they tried to catch but unfortunately Lightning Dust capable wing was slapping one of them silly, her back hoof hit and knocked off one of the bolts goggles and her front hooves knocked the last bolt out cold.

Now not only Dust was falling, but she was going to take the bolts with her as well. Dash went into immediate action diving toward the four falling ponies. 

“C’mon wings don’t fail me now.” Dash thought getting ever so faster as the wind was cutting through her like a knife. The mach cone began to form in an attempt to stop her.

“Oh no you don’t; not today.” Dash shouted internally as she flapped her wings faster slowly approaching the ground.

The mach cone began to slant as she was going faster “I’m not…” It curved more

“going to…” curving more 

“let you…” she was close to breaking through the cone.

“BEAT ME!” She shouted giving a final push.

BOOM!!!

A very loud boom erupted as Dash broke through the mach cone and was able to catch up with the falling ponies easily. As the four ponies began to approach the ground a rainbow blur caught them. 

Lightning Dust felt a mouth around the scruff of her neck and seeing one the bolts on Dash’s back, the other two hanging onto Dash’s back hoofs but it didn’t seem to bother her.

Dash did one big arc of Rainbow over the stadium and then landed back into the lobby. Dash let go of Dust’s neck falling on her stomach. 

Dust looked at her in shock “Dash did you just do a Sonic Rainboom.” She said 

“I think I did.” Dash said taking in what she had done, and was smiling widely.

“I DID A SONIC RAINBOOM!” She screamed.

It was at this time that some medical ponies came and took the bolts and Dust off in order to get them all checked out. A hour passed and Dash was allowed to go and see Dust who was staying at the infirmary till they finished her check up..

“So how’s the wings?” Dash asked and saw the wing wrap on her friend.

“Well they said that I should stay off flying for a bit since it took a big shock from the bolt it took so guess I’m grounded for the time being.” Dust sighed. The door slammed opened and her friends came running in.

“Are you alright Dust? Nothing broken?” Trixie asked worrying about her friend seeing a wing wrap around Lightning Dust. 

“I’m fine but she also said some of my primary feathers were burnt during my routine.” Dust added 

“So I’m pretty much grounded till they grow back.” She added.

Cheerliee gave Dust a slap on the muzzle “Hey what was that for?” She rubbed the spot Cheerliee. 

“That was doing such a reckless stunt you idiot.” She stated glaring at her.

They exited the room only to see Princess Celestia and the wonderbolts standing outside “So how is our little flier.” She said in a motherly tone. 

“P-Princess Celestia I didn’t expect you to be here.” Trixie stuttered as she bowed her head.

“I never miss such an event like this.” Celestia pronounced then looked toward two of three of the wonderbolts now out of their uniform.

One of them is a pegasi mare with a light arctic blue coat, with a light gray mane, and brilliant fuchsia eyes, the mares cutie mark is a horseshoe inside a yellow arc diving downward. A little chunk of her right ear was missing probably from a big fight she had.

The next one is a pegasi stallion with a pale cornflower blue coat with dark grayish phthalo blue mane and moderate green eyes, and his cutiemark is a yellow lightning bolt with wings. He had a small scar above his left eye, again probably from a fight.

“I believe these ponies would like to talk to Rainbow Dash.” Celestia said pointing Dash toward them and Dash walked over to them trying to resist going all fan mare over them. Once she was in front of them the arctic blue mare spoke up.

“So I’m guessing you’re Rainbow Dash right.” The mare said her rough voice giving off a sound of respect and authority. 

“Yes ma’am.” Dash spoke 

“Well let me put it do to you bluntly as I can.” Her eyes staring into Dash’s that could freeze you inside out with a very strange expression, then it changed to a smirk. 

“You have diffidently impressed the wonderbolts kid.” She said. As soon as Dash said that she felt like she was on top of the world.

“Aw yeah baby!” She replied doing a back flip.

“But don’t think it’ll be that easy, we wonderbolts don’t play around.” The stallion said in a much mild tone. Before he could continue on Dash then recalled something before the competition. 

“Hold weren’t there three of you out there.” Dash said.

The mare and the stallion looked around to find their third wonderbolt only for the arctic blue mare to groan.

“Not again.” The mare said seeing a hint of yellow and orange mane from under a desk.

“Now Fleetfoot you knew bringing her in public was a bad idea.” The stallion replied. 

“I know that Soarin but she needs to get over it if she’s going to perform in these events.” The mare now known as Fleetfoot said to the stallion known as Soarin.

Fleetfoot went over to the desk and grabbed the yellow and orange only to receive a yelp in response. What soon became a tail, and the tail belonged to a full grown mare. 

The mare is a pegasi and has a light brilliant gold coat, with a light brilliant orange with light brilliant amber mane, and brilliant orange eyes. Her cutiemark is a stylized phoenix. She had a scar on her upper back.

Fleetfoot let go of the mares tail and shakes her head as the other mare looked away.

“Spitfire how many times how I told you not to be hiding.” Fleetfoot says calmly to which Spitfire muttered something that no one could hear.

“Now there is a pony I want you to meet okay.” Fleetfoot said wrapping her wing around Spitfire.

She brought her over forcing her to stand in front of Rainbow Dash.

“Spitfire this is Rainbow Dash; Rainbow Dash meet Spitfire my right hoof mare in the wonderbolts.” Fleetfoot introduced. 

“Hey there.” Dash said reaching her hoof out to her, but Spitfire didn’t respond; her eyes darted off to her side and rubbing her front leg.

“Forgive her she’s gets rather nervous when she’s in public.” Fleetfoot says.

“What caused that anyways?” She then whispered toward Soarin.

“We never talk about it.” He whispered back 

“She never talks about it when we try to talk to her about it.” He whispered.

“By the way names Fleetfoot; wonderbolt captain.” She properly introduced 

“And this stallion here is Soarin; my left hoof stallion in the wonderbolts.” She announced 

“It’s a real honor to meet you. Really.” Dash said to them.

“But uhh..shouldn’t you be getting ready for something else? Not that I’m complaining or anything.” Dash added quickly.

“Well we wanted to thank you for saving our lives.” Fleetfoot starts and glances over to Lightning Dust.

“Plus we wanted to check up on your friend.” She said.

“How’d you know she’s my friend?” Dash asked 

“Word is that you and her are both Elements of Harmony. So it kind of makes sense the two of you are close friends.” Fleetfoot replied casually.

“Ah got it. She’s in their right now but she won’t be flying for some time.” She replied 

“Well tell her that we’ll be considering her as well.” Fleetfoot says with a smirk.

“And tell her to take care of herself.” Soarin added.

“No problem.” Dash answered and with that the wonderbolts left the building.

They were now back at the balloon and loaded Lightning Dust in the balloon carefully not wanting to injure the wing. Dash was awarded the young fliers award and headed back home to Ponyville with the girls.

Even after all that… she was now currently at Sweet Apple Acres fixing up the roof top of the barn.

“Why do I only have to this? Lightning Dust was in on it to!” She complained.

“If ah’m not mistaken Lightning Dust is grounded since she can’t fly for the time being and yah are the only other pony who made this mess.” Applejack answered sending Dash a glare with Lightning Dust observing from a more comfortable angle sipping an apple juice.

“Thanks for this AJ I needed it.” She said 

“You know I’m starting to not like you AJ.” Rainbow said hammering a nail in with her hoof as Lightning and Applejack shared a laugh.

Well Dash might have performed the legendary Sonic Rainboom but Rainbow Dash is still Rainbow Dash.


> The Enraged Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun beamed down on Ponyville for a brand new day to begin. One particular pony was starting her day like every other day. 

That pony is Sunset Shimmer inside her home on her bed side getting ready for the day by performing simple breathing exercises.

“Breath in.” She said with her eyes closed taking a breath in and releasing it.

“Breath out, don’t let anything get to you.” She said.

She started to hear some king of noise coming from another part of her home. Her ears perked up, and breathed in and out again this time a bit shaky. 

“Inner peace.”  She said calmly not letting the noise get to her until the noise began to get even louder and it sounded like stuff was falling.

“Inner peace.” She said annoyingly as she was slowly losing her patience’s until a very loud bang interrupted her morning routine and she opened her eyes and snarled.

“OH THAT’S IT!” She yelled getting up from her bed side and running downstairs to find the source of the trouble which ended up as five fillies promptly known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders were buried in all of Sunset’s textbooks. 

All her bookshelves were either empty or have books laying on them. One of the Crusaders poked their heads out had a big red bow in her mane.

“Ah think book organizers weren’t such a good idea.” Applebloom said.

An orange pegasi filly with a purple man and tailed then poked her head out and was rubbing it from having been hit. 

“Yeah that’s got to be up there with animal care taking.” Scootaloo commented and soon three others poked their heads out. It was Rarity’s little sister Sweetie Belle, Cherliee’s adopted daughter Emerald Jewel, and Sunset’s baby sister Pendragon Quill.

Pen looked over at her sister and gave a sheepish smile “Uh…hey sis really sorry about the mess.” Pen says.

Sunset’s eye twitched as she turned around and took in deep breaths releasing them before turning around calming a smile plastered on her face as a fitting punishment came to mind.

“Oh don’t worry about it I’m just glad I’ll be having five assistants helping me in cleaning up the mess they’ve made.” Sunset said as the fillies all sigh knowing this might happen.

The six of them proceeded to clean up and place everything back where it was suppose to be. When all was said and done the young ones were a bit tired while Sunset looked fine.

“And that’s the last of them.” Sunset thought then she looked back to the younger ones as Scootaloo and Applebloom were in each other’s personal space glaring and arguing as the others remained on the sidelines.

“If it wasn’t for your idea we wouldn’t be stuck her doing house cleaning.” Scootaloo complained as she moved forward pushing Applebloom back a bit.

“Right and last time ah check you were the one who suggested this idea Scoots.” Applebloom countered moving forward herself pushing Scootaloo back as well.

“Was not!” Scoots countered.

“Was so!” AB retorted.

Sunset’s eye twitched in annoyance again as the fight went on, but she took in a deep breath releasing it before clearing her throat getting the arguing fillies attention.

“Um… girls do you think maybe you can have this argument somewhere else please.” Sunset asked trying not to sound annoyed.

“Alright see yah later, let’s go girls.” Applebloom remarked as each take in a breath and Sunset quickly put her hooves to her ears clamping them down as she knew what was coming next.

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS! GO!” The five all exclaimed at once and zoomed out of Sunset’s. Sunset uncovered her ears and her stomach grumbled.

“Might as well get something myself.” Sunset tells herself and walks out heading towards Sugarcube Corner for her morning snack.

The Enraged Sun

As Sunset came to her destination she stepped back a bit her jaw slacking as she saw the line leading out of Sugarcube Corner.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Sunset muttered thoroughly annoyed as she stepped into line.

The line moved slowly which was slowly starting to annoy Sunset who was pacing in place.

“It’s okay. It’s the morning rush. No big deal.” She thought calmly as things started to pick up a bit and after ten minutes she was finally inside and up to order as Pinkie Pie was waiting by the register.

“Oh hey Sunny, so what can I get yah today.” Pinkie cheered a smile plastered on her face as always.

“Just a low fat cupcake today Pinkie.” Sunset says faking a smile as best as she could as Pinkie zoomed off.

“I think I’m going to need.” She adds in her thoughts as Pinkie quickly came back and gave it to her. Sunset paid for the cupcake and headed off to a table to eat peacefully.

What she didn’t notice was a certain cyan pegasi zoom in, but she did notice something landing next to her and felt the rush of cold air and she jumped surprised. 

“Hey Sunset how’s it hangin’?” Rainbow asked as Sunset turned to face the mare and glares.

“Rainbow Dash you almost made me jump out of me skin with that little stunt.” Sunset states a bit annoyed. 

“And for your information I’m doing just fine thank you.” She added as she turned back to her cupcake.

“And I was about to…” Sunset started before noticing the lack of her cupcake and the sound of someone eating. She turned and Dash had the cupcake in her hooves and had taken a few bites out of it.

“Eat my breakfast.” She growls her glare intensifying as Dash looked at her then the cupcake she was eating before swallowing what she ate and let out a small laugh.

“I’m guess this was yours right?” Dash asked a bit nervous offering the rest of it back to Sunset.

“Gee I don’t know. I did buy it with my own bits.” Sunset thought sarcastically before waving a hoof at Dash.

“No Dash you can have it.” She says to her as calm as she could her glare lessening.

“Thanks.” Dash says as she throws the rest in the air and opens her mouth wide and she swallows it.

“I suppose there’s a particular reason you interrupted my breakfast to see me?” She asked still annoyed at her breakfast being taken.

Dash put a hoof to her chin thinking, and then recalled the reason that she came to see Sunset.

“Oh right, you see Lightning Dust and I were planning on a new trick and we kind of need your help with it.” Dash replied catching Sunset off guard.

“Why do you need my help? Why don’t you ask Trixie?” She replied.

“Love to, but Trixie will go all egghead and say that it isn’t safe.” Dash retorted 

“Is this ‘new stunt’ as you called it safe?” Sunset asked. 

“Oh don’t worry its safe…ish.” Dash replied rubbing her neck with a hoof as Sunset looked at her looking for sighs of this being a trick or a prank.

“Either Dash is crazy or she’s just pulling my tail.” She thought looking Dash over for a possible idea what the stunt was.

“But it is Rainbow Dash I’m talking about and not to mention Lightning Dust is also in on this so I’m sure everything should be fine.” She thought keeping her face neutral but knew that with both of them it would be safe, even if it was a prank or a trick of some kind since the amber maned pegasi was known to do rather harmless pranks. Even her most extreme ones Lightning was known to take safety precautions.

“Sure why not?” She replied which in return Dash gave her a beaming smile. 

“Great meet us at the entrance of the Everfree in about thirty minutes and we can show you what I mean.” Dash said and speed out the door as Sunset looked to the cupcake crumbs on the table.

“And now I have to get breakfast again.” Sunset muttered as she got up and headed back over towards the register and Pinkie.

Sunset let out a groan as she saw that the line had become long yet again as she put a hoof to her face in annoyance.

“You have got to be kidding me!” She mutters under her breath as she went outside and to the end of the line.

Twenty-five mintues passed as she finally got her hooves on breakfast and was out the door with cupcake in hoof and headed for the Everfree Forest entrance.

“First the Crusaders made a mess of the books.” She thought taking a bite of her cupcake 

“Then Rainbow Dash eats my breakfast by mistake.” She took another bite 

“And now I had to wait another twenty-five minute just for another!” She screamed internally as she finished the cupcake.

“Oh what ever this new trick of theirs it had better be worth my time.” Sunset muttered as she reached the intended destination where Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust are supposed to be at. She saw the two mares in question and they had some kind of catapult with them and a platform looming over it.

Sunset looked at for a minute “And what is this thing for?” She finally asked.

“Glad you made it.” Dash says as Dust gave her a hug before backing off.

“You see with this we can be launched off, and get greater speed than we normally would from a regular take off.” Dust started.

“And how does this involve me?” Sunset asked as Dash rolls her eyes.

“We kind of need somepony on standby in case everything gets out of hoof.” Dash said simply.

“See those clouds over yonder.” Dust pointed to three grey clouds 

“Once we hit those clouds they’ll send out lightning bolts, our goal is to try and connect each bolt to each cloud to form a triangle of lighting.” Dust stated as she pacing in place giddy for trying a new complex trick.

“Now I see what it is you need me.” Sunset said understanding why Dash didn’t go to Trixie. She would probably freak out and call out all that could possibly happen.

“You’ll start from up there and we’ll be down here.” Dash said getting into position with Dust 

“Just make sure you hit that X on the end.” Dash pointed out.

Once Sunset was atop the platform she looked over making sure she was aligned with what she was suppose to hit.

“Here we go.” Sunset tells herself and jumped off landing straight on the X launching Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash into the air.

Like Dust said they head straight for those three clouds and when they hit one a lightning bolt burst out and hit the other cloud next to it and that cloud did the same thing as it connected to the other cloud once it was connect the triangle of lightning was formed then Dash and Dust decided to step it up and bringing two of the cloud together to cause a massive burst of electricity. 

A shot of lightning came bursting down toward Sunset and struck her horn send electricity through her body but only enough to leave her with a frizzled mane, tail, and an extra crispy horn that was smoking from a combination of the stunt and quite possibly a bit of anger.

“Aw yeah hoofbump!” Dash cheered and hoofbumped Dust.

“That was great amazing! What do you thing Sunset!?” Dust cheered then they saw Sunset’s condition as they flew down to check on her.

They look at her and tried not to laugh at her and her frizzled mane. 

“Gee… nice mane style…Sunset.” Dash said struggling not to laugh.

Sunset eye twitched again “I thought you said this was safe.” She asked. 

“I said it was safeish.” Dash countered then let out a huge laugh along with Lightning.

“Can’t help it if it looks like you got hit by lightning.” Lightning laughed and fell to the ground along with Dash as they rolled laughing.

“Restrain yourself from ripping their wings off and using them for umbrellas.” She thought internally trying to not lose her temper.

“Thanks for the help Sunny, but you may want to go and get your mane fixed up.” Dust said then continued laughing again.

She took a deep breath in and released it calming herself completely. 

“It’s no trouble I’ll just see if Rarity and Coco could help.” Sunset said leaving the two mares behind.

She began making her way to the boutique where she might get Rarity or Coco to help her. She made it there and entered the boutique as a small chime echoed throughout the room. 

“Oh coming darling.” A voice was heard and the pony came out and lucky enough it was Rarity herself.

“Welcome to Carousal Boutique where everything is chic and… WAHHH!” Rarity exclaimed as the sight of Sunset frizzled mane came to into her view. 

“WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR MANE?!” She exclaimed 

“You can blame Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust for this one.” Sunset said plainly.

Sunset looked around and noticed that Coco wasn’t around at all which was rather surprising. 

“Where’s Coco today?” She asked 

“I gave her a day off; she’d been working rather hard for the last couple of days so I thought she’d deserve one.” Rarity answered. 

“But first let’s get that mane of yours primed and proper.” Rarity added.

After getting her hair fixed up and back to normal she’d thought that would be it but Rarity got caught up and now she’d had Sunset in one of her dress. 

The dress itself was a dark black with crimson red stripes going down it that it also covered the flank, but raised just enough so she doesn’t look fat. She was also wearing a charcoal grey saddle on her back that tied around her belly and to top it off she’d wore crimson slip on hoof shoes to make it look complete.

“Seriously! Now I have to deal with this now.” Sunset thought. 

“Oh this looks awfully good on you dear, but maybe I could add something else.” Rarity added adding on a grey dress hat.

“Rarity.” Sunset says an eye twitching in annoyance.

“Or maybe a nice necklace would do better.” Rarity said as she added a silver necklace to Sunset as if she hadn’t heard her.

“Rarity.” Sunset repeats.

“Or maybe I could...” Rarity starts going for something else.

“RARITY!” Sunset shouted causing Rarity to stop in her tracks. 

Sunset cleared her throat before speaking again “I really appreciate you helping me with my mane but I got to get back home and check on to see if I have any appointments today.” She said slipping out of the dress and placed it on the pony like mannequin.

“See you later Rarity!” Sunset said quickly as she rushed out slamming the door closed behind her. Sunset mumbled to herself as she made her way down the street back home.

“Rarity had better not have made me late for any appointments otherwise it’s going to be her horn.” She thought finally making it to her house and let out a sigh of relief as she entered and went to the kitchen and went to the wall calendar.

“Now let’s see here. Saturday, Saturday, ah here it is.” She said looking at the calendar and nothing seemed to be written for said day.

“Hmm well doesn’t appear to be anything on it.” Sunset said taking a relaxing breathe and smiled.

“Looks like I’m finally in for a quiet day.” Sunset said to herself as she sat in a nearby seat relaxing. It was then that a knock was head from the front door and she snorts getting up.

“Great now what?” She asked herself as she went to the door.

When she opened it she was greeted with a certain purple dragon who was holding a comic in one claw. 

“Um hey Spike what’s up?” She asked as

“Well Trixie would like to see you; she sent me here to get you.” Spike said not looking up from his comic. 

“Um… why is that?” She asked a small bit nervous.

“Don’t ask me. Ask her when you get there.” Spike said taking a peek inside glancing from his comic to the inside of the home.

“Yikes Sunset. Looks like a wrecking crew came in here and didn’t clean up.” Spike said looking at the ‘organized chaos’ of the front room/classroom.

“It’s alright everything is just where it needs; it’s been a rather crazy week for me.” Sunset admitted and proceeds to follow Spike to Trixie’s.

Once they got to the library/home of Trixie she smelled something that was out of the ordinary.

“What is that smell?” She said covering up her muzzle. Spike pointed down to door that led to the basement. 

“Trixie’s down there waiting for you.” Spike replies putting a clothes pen on his nose returning to reading his comic.

Sunset opened the door to the basement and went down with a hoof over her muzzle and saw Trixie surrounded by a bunch of potion bottles and such and a book in front of her.

Trixie looked up and saw Sunset enter the room a hoof covering her muzzle. 

“Ah Sunset there you are I was wondering if you can help me with something.” Trixie asked as she pointed toward a small bowl of purple juice. 

“I want you to pour some of these ingredients in that bowl while I mix them.” Trixie stated.

Sunset raised an eyebrow “Why didn’t you ask Spike for help or any of the other?” She asked Trixie.

“Well I gave Spike a day off today, Rainbow or Lightning Dust would probably throw all the ingredients in or make fun of my work, Cheerliee is busy with her child, and Coco as I heard also had a day off thanks to Rarity. So you were the only candidate left to ask.” Trixie stated.

“Yippee for me.” She cheered sarcastically resisting the urge to use a recently figured out fireball spell to burn the lab and the rest of the library.

“Oh c’mon this could be fun you know.” Trixie said enthusiastically.

Sunset sighed “Sorry Trix I just had things on my mind at the moment.” She said 

“Like how to make an umbrella out of pegasi feathers.”  She adds in her thought picturing a cyan and teal umbrella made out of two certain pegasi feathers.

“Well let’s get started. You place them in one at a time as I tell you to.” Trixie stated and began to stir it while looking into a book.

“First off that blue bottle.” Trixie pointed as Sunset grabbed it with her magic, popped the cork off and gently poured its contents into the bowl.

A few ingredients later the bowl was now a deep grey color and they were down to only two bottles.

“Okay Sunset just grab the green bottle and mix it’s contents in.” Trixie stated not having looked up from the book at all.

Sunset nods turning her head to the bottles and gulped. Both of the bottles were green, and shaped exactly the same.

“Celestia…we have a problem.” She thought turning back to Trixie.

“Um… which one again?” She asked 

“I said the green one Sunset.” Trixie replies not looking up from the book still.

Sunset looked back at the bottles and instead of asking again she levitated the one on the right and poured what was in it into the bowl with hopes she was not going to regret what she was about to do.

The bowl began to turn multiple colors before it started to glow very bright. On the outside of the library there was a very bright glow for a few seconds and then a loud boom occurred that made the ground shake quite a bit.

Pinkie Pie felt the quake and somehow hid under a small pebble.

While on the inside of the library Trixie’s mane was all in disarray due to the slight boom as her mane was pointed straight back.

Trixie coughed a few times before speaking “Well that didn’t turn out to good.” She said as she looked around for Sunset. 

“Sunset? Where’d you go?” She questioned 

“Up here.” Sunset said with a groan her voice coming from above Trixie.

Trixie looked up and noticed that her friend got her horn stuck in the ceiling of the basement and was attempting to push herself out of the basement ceiling.

“A little help would be nice.” She groaned as Trixie proceeds to light up her horn and grasp Sunset’s tail and pulled her out of the ceiling freeing her horn.

Trixie set her down gently so she wouldn’t hurt herself or anything around her.

“You should have told me it was going to do that!” Sunset exclaimed her anger slowly rising again. 

“But it wasn’t supposed to do that. Huh… I guess I’ll have to go over my calculations again.” Trixie stated going to a blackboard that was located in a corner as Sunset groans.

“I’m heading home Trixie just let me know if you need anything else.” She groaned getting Trixie’s attention.

“Hey Sunset, you seem rather irritable. Is everything okay?” Trixie asked turning to look at her.

“No everything’s not okay! First the Crusaders ruin my teaching material, then my breakfast gets taken by an annoying pegasi forcing me to get it again, then I proceed to get zapped by a bolt of lighting by said pegasi and her friend, I was then subjected to being forced into multiple dress, and I just got stuck in the ceiling of a basement! HOW DO YOU THING THINK I’M FEELING?!” Sunset's mind screamed in anger.

“Everything’s just fine.” She lied gritting her teeth and went upstairs passing Spike and slammed the library door closed with her magic on the way out.

When she was outside she went into a full sprint for the safety of her home, and once she got there she locked the door and went straight for her room and began doing her breathing exercises and afterwards plopped down on her bed exhausted.

She then heard the sound of somepony knocking and groaned. She went downstairs and opened the door to her sister who gave her a small pout.

“You locked me out…again.” She states simply as Sunset chuckled.

“Sorry about that Penny.” Sunset said as she rubs her sister’s head ruffling her mane.

“Is everything okay Sunset?” Pen asked concerned as she looked over her sister seeing the slightly charred horn, red slip on that looked like they were part of something, and her bits of her mane slightly sticking up.

“Yeah everything’s…fine.” She replies her eyes getting heavy as Pen started to pass by her.

“Okay…I’m going to be sleeping with the Crusaders at Rarity’s.” Pen informed cheerfully, but with a bit of worry. 

“Okay…just be back…by morning.” She yawned and then went up to her room and soon fell asleep without another word and Pen packed her saddlebag and was off to join her Crusader friends.

Before she’d left she turned to the clock on the wall in the living room. 

“5:30. I wonder what made her so tired?” The she looked at her sister’s desk and the paper work and files on all her clients for her magic tutoring and it was a complete mess, but she didn’t mess with it as it seemed to work for her.

She left the house and began her way toward the boutique when she bumped into Coco who was returning from a day of relaxation and pampering from the local spa. 

“Oh sorry Ms. Pommel.” Pen said apologetically. 

“It’s okay, are you going somewhere?” She asked seeing the saddle bags on the young filly.

“Rarity agreed for the Crusaders to have a sleepover at her place.” She replied energetically. 

“Well that’s great, and how is your sister?” Coco asked.

Pen pondered that question a moment before answering “Well she looked rather worn out already and it’s not even six o’clock yet.” Pen answered 

“Well she is quite the hard worker pony.” Coco stated. 

“Well not to mention how much paper work she has.” Pen says quietly as Coco went to a window and looked inside.

Coco notice all the paper on Sunset’s desk just all piled up in two small stacks as well as others scattered across the desk as well as several files of clients old and new as well as requests.

“Well I know Rarity doesn’t keep her um…fabric and everything organized, but um…you should always try and keep papers organized.” Coco stated as she put a hoof to her chin as gears started to turn before something clicked and was soon smiling as widely as Pinkie Pie.

“Why don’t we clean up her place for her.” She blurted out. Pen’s eyes went wide not out of excitement but out of worry, concern, and a lot of fear.

“I don’t know she doesn’t like it when anypony touches her files.” Pen said extremely nervous about that particular idea.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”Coco said making her way toward Trixie’s.

“Now you better get over to the boutique or the crusaders will be wondering where you are.” Coco stated and off Pen went.

“This is going to end so badly.” Pen states with worry as she walked off.

Coco arrived at the library and was let in by Spike. After finding Trixie in the basement they began discussing about Sunset and what they should do. Coco then told about what all she saw from the window.

“Well she did look awfully stressed for some reason…so I think we can relinquish some of that stress from her.” Trixie concluded 

“Thank you for bringing this up to me Coco.” Trixie added as they both walked up out of the basement.

“It’s not a problem Trixie.” Coco says as Trixie closes the basement lab up.

“Okay then tomorrow I’ll grab the girls and we can get started right away.” Trixie said then let out a large yawn.

“But we need to get some sleep first.” Trixie said drowsily. 

“See you in the morning.” Trixie said and Coco left to go back to the boutique.

Morning came rather early for Sunset and well she was lucky today was a Sunday and she’d only have two clients today: Snips and Snails which she’d manage to get those two to get a hold on their magic, they’ve already mastered a small level of levitation and now they were going to work on the next part; illumination spells.

Her morning went as usual which was; get up, do her breathing exercises, and go to Sugarcube Corner for breakfast. After getting her breakfast she went to meet both her clients Snips and Snails who were waiting for her at the fountain in town square.

Snails was easy to identify he is a unicorn colt who had a brilliant amber coat like hers with a moderate turquoise mane and tail. He also had black eyes, but what also made him stick out was the pink frowning snail cutiemark he had along with a long skinny neck and three freckles on each cheek. He is also quite slim for his age.

The colt next to him is Snips who is also a unicorn. He had a grayish opal coat with a moderate orange mane, along with black eyes the same as Snails, and his cutiemark was a pair of scissors. He is smaller and a bit chubby too.

“Hey you two you ready to get started on something much more difficult.” Sunset said levitating each of them a cupcake which they took in there aura. 

“We’re ready for anything! Right Snails.” Snips said with confidence. 

“Right I’m ready.” Snails nodded.

“Okay you two let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, because an illumination spell is a tough spell even for those who aren’t specialized in magic. Plus you got to follow some steps in order to fully grasp illumination; First you need to clear your mind of everything that’s around you; concentrate your mana to your horn and push it outwards. If done right a small ball of light will appear on your horns tip.” Sunset explained.

They both nodded then they began to attempt the illumination spell. Snips and Snails were trying there hardest but without any success. After about five long failed attempts Snails horn started to form a small sphere at the end and it soon got larger and larger.

It soon got big enough that Sunset could fit inside it and she grew nervous.

“Snails that’s enough.” She said panicking but Snails ball of light ended up causing a minor explosion blowing Sunset backs a ways.

Snips and Snails saw where she landed and went over to help her up.

“Are you alright Miss Shimmer?” They asked in unison.

Sunset slowly got up and again her mane was a mess but not like last time, this time she could comb it herself but she was rather frustrated with him but she didn’t show.

“I’m alright. Just remember those steps and you should improve.” Sunset said.

She looked up at the sun saw that it was high in the sky indicating it was almost the noon hour.

“Wow time sure does fly when you’re a magic tutor, now stay out of trouble you two and keep practicing that spell.” Sunset smiled and headed as the two colts waved her good bye.

She went toward a restaurant and ordered a daffodil sandwich and a salad for a side dish. After finishing the last of her salad she paid the waiter plus tip and began her way back to her house. Then she’d looked up at the sun again and saw that there were some big clouds in the sky.

“Looks like RD, and Lightning have been slacking off a bit.” She said slightly concerned, but shrugged and was soon right in front of her home.

She went inside and almost instantly her she was wide eyed and muzzle was wide open. The entire place had been organized, cleaned, and even the floors looked spotless.

Sunset looked over to her desk and just like what she had seen soon far it to had been organized, and the filing cabinet next to it was open. A few files were laid out and her personal notes on each of her clients were in the trash bin next to the desk.

“What the…” She starts then heard the sound of ponies giggling and laughing.. She followed the sound upstairs and was soon right in front of the door to her room.

She opened the door and was greeted to Lightning Dust, Trixie, Coco, Cheerliee, and Rainbow Dash with rags in there hooves wiping down what they could get to.

“What in the name of Ponyville is going on here?!” She exclaimed getting everyponies attention as Dash flew over her.

“Hey Sunset; like what we’ve done to the place?” Dash asked as Sunset looked a bit around. Like the rest of the house everything was clean, organized, and spotless.

“Why are all of you in my house?” She said her anger slowly rising again.

“We’d thought we help clean up around your house a bit since it was sort of due for a ‘dusting’.” Dust said and began to laugh and roll on the ground.

“See what I did there?” She laughed as none of the others did reducing her laugh to a giggle then to silence.

“Eh…tough crowd.” Lightning said nervously.

“Joke aside, what gave you the incentive to come into MY house and clean.” She hissed eyes narrowed glaring at them all.

“Hey chill out; the reason why was so that we can relief you of some stress that you’ve been under.” Dash said defensively. 

“It was Coco who saw all that paperwork you had on your desk and gave the idea to Trixie and so here we are.” Cheerliee stated.

“But those were all my clients that I’ve had on record! And the mail requests I get are super important!” She adds as a boiling pot of water from the neighbor’s house could be heard.

“Dear you don’t have to be so rude to us.” Cheerliee said.

Something in Sunset’s mind clicked and it wasn’t a good thing either. Her breathing became fast trying to calm herself but failing badly.

“Okay Sunset just stay calm and you’ll be fine they didn’t mean to come in your house and go through all of your…OH BUCK IT ALL!” She shouted internally.

“Rude… Rude… RUDE!” She yelled her voice increasing in volume and intensity.

“RUDE IS INTERRUPTING A PONY MID SENTENCE; RUDE IS SPITTING ON SOMEPONIES HOOF; RUDE IS ALSO INVADING SOMEPONIES HOME AND GOING THROUGH THERE STUFF WITHOUT THERE CONSENT!” She shouted so loud that many ponies outside of Sunset’s home could hear her screaming.

Meanwhile inside the rest were surprised by Sunset suddenly going into a fit of yelling rage.

“Hey don’t need to bite our heads off.” Rainbow Dash said glaring and hooves crossed.

“OH LOOK WHO HAS TO STICK HER NOISE INTO EVERYTHING! IT’S RAINBOW ‘DANGER’ DASH. A PONY WHO CAN’T EVEN GET A PERFORMANCE’S RIGHT TO SAVE HER OUR FLANK!” She shouted straight at Dash 

“Okay that’s a bit disturbing.” Dash said to herself.

“Now that’s enough Sunset.” Trixie stated stepping in between them to try and calm the situation.

“OH LOOK EVERYPONY TRIXIE LULAMOON; A PONY WHO CAN’T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT ASKING FOR HELP!” Sunset shouted again making Trixie back away from her almost stunned at what her friend was doing and saying.

“Sunset maybe you should calm down and talk about this.” Cheerliee said trying to calm the raging Sunset. 

“OH LIKE WHAT YOU DID WHEN YOU RACED AGAINST RAINBOW DASH!” Shouting straight toward Cheerliee which she didn’t respond after what Sunset said.

“Hey you better dust off that attitude of yours Sunset.” Dust warned trying to joke to calm the situation down.

“AGAIN WITH THE JOKES! YOUR JOKES AREN’T FUNNY, YOU’RE NOT FUNNY AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’LL NEVER BE FUNNY IF YOU KEEP MAKING LAME AND STUPID JOKES LIKE THAT!” She shouted which made every other pony gasp at what she just said.

Tears began to form in Dust's eyes as a tear streaked down her cheek and without hesitation she flew out the window crying her eyes out.

Coco perked up “That was rather um… mean and you should apologize to her…” Coco says in a bit of a whisper and half scared.

Then Sunset shifted her attention to Coco with a snarl “WHATS THAT I CAN’T HEAR YOU! IF YOU ACTUALLY STOP BEING AFRAID AND PONY UP AND TALK NORMAL INSTEAD IN A WHISPER WE CAN HEAR YOU BETTER!” She shouted causing Coco to tremble and fall to the ground cradling herself.

“I WANT ALL OF YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!” Sunset ordered and everypony filed out of her, Cheerliee carrying Coco on her back and Dash flew out the window to go looking for her crying friend.

Trixie walked out with a disappointed look on her face.

“Well I hope you’re happy Sunset Shimmer.” Trixie stated looking back at her friend. 

“Just go.” She growled forcing Trixie out and slamming the door behind her.

All was now quite and Sunset anger finally subsiding and all that seemed like she’d wanted to do was go to bed right then and there.

The next morning came as Celestia’s sun pierced Sunset’s eyes and it was a Monday and from the looks of it Pendragon already headed off for school. She headed downstairs to her now clean office. She looked at it for a minute and then her stomach grumbles.

“I’ll have to look for my files later.” She grunted and went to the kitchen to cook herself something for breakfast.

After finishing some eggs over easy she decided to see what Ponyville had in store for her today… and it wasn’t a pretty sight. As she began walking through town some of the ponies were staring at her rather weirdly or nervously fidgeting with their hoofs while staring at her.

She looked back and forth at the towns’ ponies as she herself started to get a tad bit nervous.

“Why are they all staring at me for?” Sunset thought and this was now starting to creep her out a bit. She quickly ducked inside the nearest building next to her and that was Carousel Boutique of all places.

The small chime of the boutique sounded and she was instantly met by Rarity who seemed to be busy up front placing dresses on mannequins.

Hearing somepony walk in she turned around “Welcome to Carousel…” Rarity stopped mid sentence to notice that it was Sunset.

“Oh it’s you dear.” She said in a lower degrading tone that caught Sunset by surprise.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

“Just to get away from all the staring some of the townsfolk are giving me; wonder why?” She asked herself.

“Oh maybe perhaps that you were shouting so loud that all of Ponyville heard you darling, made a pegasi fly off crying their eyes out, and practically scared a certain ponies assistant half to Tartarus and back.” Rarity firmly stated.

“Me shouting, but I don’t remember doing any shouting last, last thing I recall was returning home and my desk and everything else…was…clean.” Sunset stuttered as the events of last night return to her as she remembered shouting at her friends like there was no tomorrow and made Lightning Dust fly off in tears and scared Coco.

“Oh ponyfeathers.” Sunset said.

Sunset frowned “D-did Coco t-tell you what happen?” Sunset stuttered only to get a nod from Rarity. 

“She’d told me everything, after calming her down first. The poor mare was trembling in fear when Cheerliee brought her back to the boutique.” Rarity said.

Sunset gulped “Is there any way I could talk to her.” She said only to receive a hard glare from Rarity that was enough to make her take a few steps back.

“I don’t think that’s a wise idea Sunset, she’d already been through enough.” She sternly retorted. Rarity pointed at the door signaling Sunset to leave.

Sunset got out of the boutique and now was thinking to herself. 

“I can’t believe it…So much for those calming exercises.” She thought to herself as she looked down.

“What do I do now? Maybe…I should check on everypony else.” Sunset spoke to herself.

She trotted onward toward the park to try and think of what to do about her problem. When she got to the park she noticed a gray cloud that seemed to be raining in one spot while everything else around it was clear and dry, but what else caught her attention was a bright two toned gold tail hanging from the cloud and she could hear slight sniffles from the owner of that tail. She noticed right away who it was.

“Lightning Dust are you up there?” She called out making the pony in question look behind her. Her cheeks were all puffy from rubbing them, and her gamboge eyes were all bloodshot from her crying. 

She sniffed a bit more before she replied “What do you want Sunset Shimmer?” She asked her voice hoarse from crying and was lacking its usual playful edge.

“Well I was wondering…if you were…” She began carefully as an idea struck her.

“Up for doing some pranks together!” Sunset cheered and smiled right at her, only to get a detested look from Lightning Dust.

“Some pranks huh?”Dust began. Sunset nodded rapidly trying to get her friend to cheer up only to receive a cloud full of rain dumped right on her getting her all soaking wet. 

“Ha Ha Ha!” Dust said sarcastically and flew off.

“Well…so much for that.” Sunset thought watching Dust fly off.

Sunset teleported herself home and proceeds to go to the bathroom to dry off.

“She didn’t have to dump the whole raincloud on top of me for Celestia’s sake!” She starts grabbing a brush with her magic along with a mane dryer.

“I could’ve gotten a cold or pneumonia or something.” Sunset groan and dried the rest of her mane and tail and after styling it back to her usual she set the objects back down in their proper places.

After being completely dry now she noticed that the time was half past two meaning school was about to let out for the day.

“Whoa that definitely took some time. I need to get going.” Sunset said as she left quickly in order to get to the school house.

She arrived at the school house before everypony was let out. The bell rang and all the fillies and colts rushed out, and Pen went straight to her sister. 

“Um…hey Pen could you wait here for me? I’ve got to talk to Cheerliee for a moment inside.” Sunset said and her sister obeyed and waited as Emerald went to see Pen.

“Something up?” Emerald asked curious as she watched Sunset go inside.

“Sis went to talk with your mom a minute I’d don’t know why though.” Pen questioned.

“You don’t think they found out about…” Emerald starts as Pen closed her mouth.

“We promised not to talk about that incident.” Pen says to which Emerald nods.

Sunset found the classroom where the teacher and Cheerliee were at but only Cheerliee was in the room at the moment. 

“Um… Hey there Cheers.” Sunset said getting Cheerliee’s attention. 

Cheerliee looked at her “What is it now Sunset can’t you see I’m rather busy at the moment.” She said packing her stuff to leave.

“Look what I said yesterday…” She started but was cut off 

“Don’t say another word; really I’m not in the mood to talk to you right now.” Cheerliee stated 

“I just want to go home and have a quiet day.” She adds putting emphasis on quiet and left quickly passing Sunset.

Cheerliee picked up Emerald put her on her back and trotted off rather quickly. 

Sunset sighed as she went back to Pen who was still waiting and was surprised by Cheerliee’s sudden action.

“Is there something wrong sis?” Pen asked worried as her sister came out looking dejected.

“Pen could you please go back to the house?” Sunset starts looking only at the ground. 

“If you have any homework finish it; then you can go and play with the crusaders if you want. I…need some time alone.” Sunset sigh but Pen was surprised about what her sister just said.

Pen reluctantly listened and trotted back home as Sunset went another direction more precise to Golden Oaks Library.

She approached the library and knocked a few times. The door opened and it was Spike who stood there; he looked up and saw Sunset was there staring back. 

“Um hey Spike is Trixie in?” She asked nervously as Spike looked at her with only a mild glare. 

“I don’t know. You planning on yelling at her again?” Spike asks hardening his glare.

She flinched at his statement “Sh-She told you that.” Sunset stuttered. 

“She’s still a little miffed at you since not only you yelled at Trixie but also the others.” Spike said 

“And I think she wants to be left alone today.” Spike said closing the door on her muzzle.

She rubbed her muzzle to soften the pain that ran through it. 

“I’ll just come back tomorrow then.” She said as she left the library’s premise her mood saddened even more.

Sunset was now beginning her walk back home when she noticed Rainbow Dash doing more of her tricks in the air. 

She stopped and watched as she was doing a few loop de loops and some back flips and went straight into a drill roll that went through a cloud.

Rainbow paused and saw Sunset staring at her and then she glared down at her then she flew right down and stopped right in front of her.

“What are you up too Sunset? Watching me until I fail or something?” Dash said with a hint of frustration in her voice. 

“Wait what no I wouldn’t…” She began but Dash cut her off. 

“Do you know how long it takes me to come with some of these moves? Hours Sunset and you saying that to me wasn’t cool and not only that Lightning practically cried all night because of you. So if you ever ask for anything…don’t.” Dash stated as she took off into the air; probably doing more tricks before she hits the hay.

Sunset just stared at her take off and then trotted back toward home her head low to the ground a few tears going down her cheeks. As she continued to walk a butter yellow pegasi and a white bunny saw Sunset. The pegasi trotted quickly to catch up to Sunset.

“Sunset um…you okay?” Fluttershy asked surprising Sunset.

“Whoa!” She jumped also scaring Fluttershy.

“Whoa Fluttershy, don’t do that.” Sunset pleads a hoof on her chest.

“Oh um sorry, but I couldn’t help but noticed that you weren’t looking to good.” Fluttershy whispered. 

“Sorry I’m just been on…edge.” Sunset replied with a frown. 

“Oh okay…I just wanted to check up on you.” Fluttershy whispered and trotted off.

“Wait!” Sunset called making Fluttershy stop. 

“Yes.” Fluttershy says turning back to the mare. 

“Um…question for you Shy; if you messed up real bad what would you do to fix it?” Sunset questioned.

Fluttershy pondered the question and tried to think of the reason for it, but couldn’t come up with any kind of answer.

“I…better get home.” Sunset said walking home leaving Fluttershy to ponder Sunset's mood.

Once she’d got home she made herself a small salad and went through her files to get all her clients’ files back on her desk…well the ones she’d remembered. Going through the files took three hours to finish gathering them all up. She looked at the clock and decided it was time to go to bed.

She slipped in bed and laid her head on the pillow “I hope I can figure this out.” She muttered and she went to sleep.

During the middle of the night Sunset began tossing a turning in bed dreaming… but not a good dream. 

“No… please… I didn’t.” Sunset muttered under her breath.

In her dream… more like a nightmare to her she was surrounded in a dark concealed area by all her friends and angry glares from them. 

“Please let me make it up to you.” Sunset said desperately 

“FORGET IT SUNSET, YOU DON’T JUST SHOUT INSULTS TO YOUR FRIENDS LIKE WHAT YOU DID!” Shouted Rainbow Dash.

“HOPE YOU ENJOY BEING ALONE WITHOUT ANY FRIENDS TO HELP YOU!” Trixie shouted 

“I THINK ANYPONY WILL EVER TALK TO YOU AGAIN!” Cheerliee shouted. 

“NOW THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE!” Lightning Dust shouted. Coco didn’t say anything but glared at her that alone made Sunset flinch back.

“HAHA!” they laughed as darkness began to creep in from all directions.

Sunset lay down and placed her hoofs over her head and cry’s closing her eyes wanting it all to be over. The darkness crept forward toward her and the laughter continued. It kept coming and when it was about three feet away from her the darkness lunged toward her in the form of a shadowy claw.

It was a few feet in front of her before something blocked it from approaching further. Sunset opened her eyes her hoofs still on her head and still on the ground noticed what was blocking the darkness from getting to her… a barrier.

Before she could think of anything a loud voice that sounded between a foal and mare spoke out.

“BEGONE FOUL NIGHTMARES!” The voice boomed and when it echoed it sends a shockwave throughout the area and the nightmares that were haunting Sunset vanished.

The barrier protecting Sunset dissipated like a candle in the wind. She looked around to find the source of the voice but nothing was around only a moon in the sky. She looked toward the moon and what surprised her was that something rippled out of the moon.

It was a pony but not any pony an alicorn mare. The mare’s mane is a moderate sapphire blue with a grayish persian blue that seemed to flow. Her coat is a dark blue that went with her mane, her eyes are a moderate cyan, she also had a light sapphire blue eyeshadow, and moderate blue violet eyebrows to match, and her cutiemark is that of a white crescent moon with a black sky scene with it.

She seemed to float down in front of Sunset with a stern look on her face but nothing that would seem like she was angry or something. Sunset took time to process who this pony was until something in her mind click.

“P-P-Princess L-Luna.” She stuttered before giving her a slight bow.

“There is no need to bow to us.” Luna proclaimed as Sunset raised her head to look at her.

“My apologies my name is…” Sunset starts.

“Sunset Shimmer, the Element of Honesty if thou is not mistaken.” Luna finished.

“How did you know who I was?” Sunset asked.

“My sister has told us many things about the new bearers of the elements including you Sunset Shimmer.” Luna answered. 

“What a minute where am I? I could swear I was home just a second ago…” Sunset says looking around.

“Thou can answer that with one phrase. You Sunset Shimmer are in a dream.” She stated in a calm tone.

“I am...um okay that’s a start but why are you in my dream?” Sunset asked a bit hesitant.

“Simple it is thy job was to find any nightmares in a ponies dream and dispel them where ever it may be.” Luna answered.

Sunset gave a relieving sigh “Well that’s good to hear.” Sunset added. 

“But thy has noticed something about this particular dream. Has thou have…oh what’s the phrase ponies say now today…‘blown a fuse’ as of late?” Luna asked putting a hoof to her chin.

Sunset jerked back at her question “No no, now why in Equestria would I blow a fuse; I am always calm.” Sunset said trying not to sound panicky. 

“Sunset Shimmer the element of honesty was one of my favored elements before thy imprisonment; so thy can tell when you’re lying to us.” Luna stated slyly.

Sunset sighed in defeat knowing that she should have known better than to lie to a former bearer of her element.

“Okay…I might have gone off on my friends about organizing all my stuff without my consent.” Sunset stated as Luna signals her to continue on.

“And I might have deeply hurt some of their feelings especially Coco, and Lightning Dust.” She finished hanging her head low.

Luna used her hoof and lifted the ponies head to meet her cyan eyes that was filled with concern for Sunset.

“Has thou told them why?” Luna questioned evenly.

“No because they are still miffed at me for going off on them.” Sunset replies as Luna raises an eyebrow at the term.

“What thou mean by the term ‘miffed’?” She asked 

“It just another way of saying mad, or angry stuff like that.” Sunset quickly added.

“Hm…thy shall remember that term.” Luna muttered to herself. 

“Um…Princess Luna.” Sunset spoke. 

“Yes Sunset Shimmer?” Luna asked. 

“What should I do about this? This is the first real time I’ve ever truly gotten mad at somepony.” Sunset asked.

Luna looked at the distraught pony before coming up with an answer “We believe only thee can solve this problem. I advice thee to handle it quickly because the more you wait the greater it will become and the more distant your friends will be.” Luna stated as hovered off the ground and flew straight toward the moon and she disappeared into it without another word.

Sunset woke up from her dream and saw the sun was just starting to rise as she looked at her clock which showed it was almost 4 in the morning.

“I have to make this right somehow I’ve just got to.” She thought and went back to sleep and had rather normal dreams.

Just as quickly as the night went the day came just as quick and Celestia’s sun was already in the sky. The sun awoke Sunset and she quickly took notice of the time on the wall the read nine-forty and she bolted straight out of bed and went downstairs to get ready not even fixing herself any breakfast.

“If what Luna says is true then I’d better tell them right now.” Sunset thought as she ran across Ponyville to find her friends and maybe make up for what had happened.

“The boutique is the closest place.” She thought as she came into view of it. She slowed down to a trot and walked in the bell ringing as she entered.

Sunset spotted Rarity who had her back turned to her, but there was no sign of Coco anywhere.

“Uh…good morning Rarity.” Sunset spoke getting Rarity’s attention. Rarity turned her head to face her; the fabric still encased in her magic 

“Oh good morning Sunset.” Rarity huffed as Sunset cringed at her tone.

“Is Coco in today?” Sunset asked glancing about to see if the younger mare was hiding about.

“Yes, and I don’t think she wants to talk to you at the moment.” Rarity huffed. 

Sunset sighed “Well could you give her a message for me; tell her to come to Sunset’s house after she’s done with her work… please.” Sunset added looking at Rarity with sadden look. 

“I’ll be sure Coco gets the message.” Rarity answered and with that Sunset left the boutique, but not knowing that Coco peeked her head out to see Sunset leave.

She went to Golden Oaks next where she relayed toe same message to Spike who agreed to tell Trixie. She left her head hung low in defeat while up on the balcony Trixie saw this and grew a bit concerned.

Sunset was now walking about Ponyville looking up at the sky trying to find one of her two pegasi friends. She soon spotted a Rainbow Dash who was cloud busting and mumbling.

“Hey Rainbow!” She called and that immediately got her attention as she flew down hovering in front of Sunset.

“Yeah, now what do you want?” Dash said crossing her hooves. Sunset let out a sigh to relax herself before speaking. 

“I-I know you told me not to ask you any, but this is important. Could you and Lightning maybe…meet me over at my home later?” Sunset asked looking away.

“I know that is a lot coming from me, but could you please do this one thing for me Dash?” She adds.

Dash puts a hoof to her chin and hums in thought and sighs.

“Fine, but this better not be a trick or anything.” Dash stated.

“No tricks, promise.” Sunset said as she left the pegasi alone to herself while on a nearby cloud Lightning Dust heard the whole thing.

Sunset had to wait before she could talk to Cheerliee since she a teacher’s assistant so she’d waited outside the school house until it was time for class to end. 

As the final bell rang the fillies and colts flooded the sidewalk as they came bursting out the doors. She caught a glimpse of her sister along with the rest of the CMC. She had to talk to Cheerliee personally like she did with Dash.

She went toward the same classroom and soon spotted Cheerliee packing some paper that needed grading. Then Cheerliee spotted Sunset coming inside. 

“Afternoon Sunset; shouldn’t you have clients to tutor or something productive.” Cheerliee huffed as Sunset held back a retort remembering why she had come there.

“My clients can wait for me, but right now I want to talk to you for a moment.” Sunset began hesitant.

“I was just wondering if…after you’re done with grading paper and all that you could come by place cause I want to talk to you and the girls about something.” Sunset finished 

“If it’s not an inconvenience to you or Emerald.” She quickly added.

Cheerliee looked at the clock then at her saddle bag full of student’s paper then to Sunset giving her a glare.

“I’ll be there in two hours, but if this ends up being a waste of time.” Cheerliee began.

“Don’t worry it won’t be.” Sunset added and slowly left the schoolhouse. 

Sunset went back to her place and began pacing around the room.

“Okay Sunset your friends are going to be here in a couple hours and you having to give them an explanation for your outburst and you’re going to tell them straight out now more hiding or anything.” Sunset told herself 

“But what if they don’t believe me?” Sunset asked herself.

“No you’ve got to do this even if you insides feel like they’ve been beaten by a two ton anvil.” She said giving herself some encouragement. 

“Luna said I have to fix this problem and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” She thought sitting herself down on the furniture and waited for her friends to arrive.

It was a quarter after eight until her friends came and piled in waiting Sunset to give an explanation.

“I’m glad you all could make it.” Sunset tried to smile but failed as five stern looks were staring right at her. 

“Okay let’s have it Sunset.” Trixie started off.

“We want to know why you went off on us.” Rainbow said next.

“And hurt both Coco and Lightning’s feelings in the process?” Cheerliee finished while Dust and Coco nodded at Cheerliee’s statement.

“Okay…well do you all remember when I lost it and shouted at Pen because of the medallion?” She asked and they all nodded to that. Sunset took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. 

“Ever since…no even before then I’ve been taking anger management classes.” She finally said.

Almost all of them were surprised by this except Rainbow Dash and Coco who just looked confused.

“Anger what now?” Dash asked confused as she looked to the others for an explanation

“Management. Anger Management is for ponies that are extremely temperamental or anger prone.” Trixie stated to Dash who still looked confused as Coco nods understanding.

“It’s basically to help them to control their anger in a way of saying whether it be breathing exercises or talking about it.” Trixie finished.

“But Sunset whenever you were away with a client you always leave a sign on your door.” Cheerliee added as Sunset glanced over nervously.

“I lied, that seemed like only way I could go to my anger management courses in Canterlot without you all becoming suspicious.” Sunset admitted.

“You lied, why?” Coco asked.

“Because I didn’t want you girls to worry about me, and that I’m anger prone as Trixie put it.” Sunset hung her head low.

“Plus with work I’m in stress and anger aren’t a very good mix so that’s why I went off on you girls, I didn’t mean to it’s just that I couldn’t control my own temper and I just had to let it out.” Sunset continues.

“And I’m very sorry for things I’ve said to all of you especially to Coco and Lightning Dust.” Sunset said looking at the girls. 

“Can you girls ever forgive me for this?” She begged.

The girls looked to one another “…Forgiveness and trust is hard to earn Sunset, but you’ve taken a huge step to start to earn it back. It might take a while, but I think we all are thankful for you coming clean about it.” Trixie says earning a small smile from Sunset.

“But we still don’t like being lied to even if it is a friend.” Rainbow said next sternly.

“I know, and I also know it will be a while before you can fully trust me again.” Sunset says as Coco and Dust give her a hug.

Trixie looked over to the paper and quill that Sunset had out on her table and levitated it over to the mare who got out of the embrace of her friends.

“I think this is the perfect opportunity for another letter.” Trixie said as each nod in agreement including Sunset herself.

Sunset took the paper and quill from Trixie’s magic and began writing.

“Dear Princess Celestia: Letting your emotion getting the better of you can have some deep consequences in future to come whether it be a simple argument to hurting your friends feeling in the worst way possible, I’ve learned it the hard way. What I’m trying to say that it’s not right to keep your emotions bottled up for so long that it all comes out in one big burst. If you have a problem or feeling stressed talk to a friend and they’ll help you through it no matter what. Sincerely your loyal subject; Sunset Shimmer. P.S. Be sure to thank Princess Luna for her help as well I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”  Sunset finished.

Trixie took the letter back to the library and the girls filed out having a smile on their faces and Sunset could sleep peacefully knowing she’d finally got what was bothering off her chest.

Meanwhile in Canterlot Princess Celestia just got the letter that Spike sent her and began to read. After reading it, she’d got up and looked out her window and look toward the tower where her sister Princess Luna was raising the moon. 

“I’m proud of you dear sister for helping as you have. Now if only I could ask for your forgiveness of what I’ve done.” Celestia thought she watched her sister raise the moon for the night to begin. 
> Silver and Gold
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ah told yah this was a bad idea!” Applebloom cried out as she and four other fillies had hit a tree and crashed hitting the ground beneath them.

They are known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders or CMC for short were attempting again to obtain their cutiemarks again but in zip lining only to end up below a tree and with tree sap all over them which cause them to literally stick together.

“The idea would have worked if the line didn’t snap and we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Scoots replied back. 

The other three crusaders known as Sweetie Belle, Emerald Jewel, and Pendragon were watching them trying to free themselves from the tree sap.

“There has got to be an easier way?” Pen asked finally freeing herself from the others tree sap but still having brown spots of sap on her fur. 

“Well let’s just get this stuff off us.” Sweetie said and they all nodded.

After getting all the tree sap off them the crusaders were now at their clubhouse that is in the orchard of Sweet Apple Acres that once belonged to Applejack but decided to let the crusaders use it for their ‘crusading’. 

All of them were sitting in a complete circle wracking there little minds trying to decide what to do next to obtain their cutiemarks.

There was complete silence for about a half an hour until Applebloom spoke up.

“Ah got it! How ‘bout Cutiemark Crusaders: Karate Masters?!” Applebloom shouted out enthusiastically.

“Do you remember the last time we tried that?” Pen questioned already knowing the answer as Applebloom shuddered at the thought and memory.

“Yeah we all had sore hooves for three days.” Emerald answered.

“You know I did see a filer in town today.” Pen spoke up and all eyes were on her. 

“What’s it about?” Scoots asked.

“Well… I’ll show yah follow me.” Pen instructed as the girls left the clubhouse and went into town. Once their they’ve stopped in front on a building and saw a filer that Pen had saw earlier that day.





The filer read ‘Upcoming Young Writers Convention will be held in Ponyville. Winner gets first prize and gets to meet talked about author A.K. Yearling.’

“A…writers convention?” Scoots replied giving a confused look.

“Don’t you see we could all write our own stories, send them in to the festival and if one of us wins we get to meet A.K. Yearling. How great is that?” Pen said with enthusiasm.

“Lame.” Scoots bluntly stated as Pen blinked in bewilderment at her friend’s statement.

“Huh? But this is a great opportunity for us.” Pen countered. 

“It’s still lame. That’s more things that eggheads like to do. And besides who would want to meet this A.K. Yearling. Rainbow Dash?” She joked. 

“Do you always have to compare things to Rainbow Dash?” Pen countered getting a small bit irritated and tired of her friends obsession with the pegasus mare with a mane matching her namesake.

“Well I know Rainbow Dash wouldn’t be interested in stories. She’s too cool for that.” Scoots countered back.

“You don’t know what interests RD; she could have hobbies that she doesn’t talk about.” Pen stated an eyebrow raised at the claim.

“Well the answer is still no.” Scoots huffed.

“What you girls? Don’t you think this would be a good idea to try out?” Pen questioned looking the other three fillies.

Sweetie and Emerald stayed quiet and looked at each other trying to figure out what to say until Applebloom answered for them. 

“Well it is uh nice idea Pen, but Scoots does have uh point we need something that can benefit all of us, and not just one.” Applebloom answered to which Emerald and Sweetie nodded their heads in agreement.

“But…but…” Pen stammers and sighs in defeat.

“Alright. I guess you have a point.” She said downcast as the others walk away and she slowly follows, but she looks back and quickly grabs a rolled up flyer.

“But doesn’t mean I’m not going to try.” She thought.

Silver and Gold

Time soon passed as the crusaders broke up for the day each of them heading for home.

“I’m home Sunset!” Pen exclaims dropping the flyer as her sister pokes her head out of the kitchen.

“Hi Pen. How it go today?” Pen sighs showing her blank flank.

“Still trying to figure your special talent huh?” she asked as Pen sighs as Sunset noticed the flyer and unrolled it with her magic taking a look.

“You’re going to try this?” Sunset asked as Pen rubs her neck.

“I-I really don’t know. Scoots said it is lame, and AB suggested we should try something that benefits all of us…” Pen replied as Sunset scoffs

“Well if you are wanting to you should. Don’t let Scootaloo or anypony else tell you otherwise.” Sunset says as Pen smiles hugging her sister.

“Thanks. Maybe if I get started now I will be able to have it done in time for the festival.” Pen says rushing upstairs as Sunset chuckles.





A few hours passed and in Pendragon’s room another piece of paper was wadded up and thrown into a trash bin of overflowing wadded paper.

“UGH! Why is this so frustrating to write a single story?!” Pen shouted in frustration no ideas coming to her currently.

“Normally I’m good at this. I can usually write anything with ease. Maybe I’m pushing myself to much?” Pen thought and sighs heavily as her sister peeks in and knocks before walking in with a plate of snacks.

“So…everything going okay?” Sunset asked setting the plate down next to Pen. 

“What does it look like?” Pen growled giving her sister a slight glare as Sunset’s eye twitched in anger, but she gave a few breaths calming herself quickly.

“Hey give it time I’m sure it’ll come to you.” Sunset encouraged nudging her sisters side.

“I don’t know sis. You know I’m normally good at stuff like this.” Pen stated resting her head on the desk.

“Maybe you’re just pushing yourself to hard.” Sunset suggested as Pen sighs.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. Maybe…just maybe I should quit.” Pen says sadly.

Sunset blinked a bit shocked at her sister’s statement.

“You can’t just quit Pen. You’ve barely even started or tried.” Sunset says as Pen glanced over and then back her head not rising from the desk.

“Think Sunset. Think think think…I got it.” Sunset thought.

“Sis I may have an idea.” Sunset stated with a smile as Pen picked her head up from the desk. Sunset when over and sat on her haunches on a small carpet piece and she motioned Pen over to sit across from her.

“Am I in trouble or something?” Pen asked. 

“No you are not in trouble but you seemed trouble that’s why I’m going to help you.” Sunset says calmly as she closed her eyes.

“You know that I do my breathing exercises for my anger problem right.” Sunset said 

“Which didn’t help with your friends if I may add.” Pen countered as Sunset’s eye twitched a little even with her eyes closed.

“I’ll imagine I didn’t hear that.” Sunset whispered to herself a bit annoyed.

Sunset cleared her throat before speaking and Pen sat near her.

“Okay now I want you to do as I do okay.” Sunset instructed as Pen groaned.

“Now close your eyes.” Sunset instructed as Pen closed her eyes.

“Now inhale through your muzzle.” Sunset stated they both inhaled.

“And exhale through the mouth.” Sunset says as they both did so.

“Again.” Sunset instructed as the breathing was repeating once more. 

“Let your worries wash over you like a river. Clear you mind of frustration.” Sunset instructed as the breathing was repeated again. 

“Let the words come to you and picture the story in your mind.” Sunset stated.

They both sat in complete silence for ten minutes until Pen’s eyes shot open like a bottle rocket going off her eyes wide and a beaming smiling on her face.

“I’ve got it!” Pen shouted and she rocketed toward her desk and then doubles back giving her sister a hug then went back to her desk and began to write with her quill in her magic. 

Sunset giggled as she got up and walked out of the room to give her sister some quiet time.





Pen worked into the night and early the next day. She was found by Sunset who peeked in and heard her little sister lightly snoring with her head on the desk. Sunset closed the door smiling a bit.

Pen let out a yawn as she woke her gaze shifting towards the clock on her wall.

“Oh no! I’m going to be late!” Pen exclaimed seeing the time. She grabbed her pages with her magic stuffing them into her saddle bag and ran downstairs and past Sunset who had been preparing her breakfast.

Sunset let out a sigh and began eating the breakfast she had prepared for Pen.

She ran to the school as fast as her little hooves could carry her she made it to the entrance of the school, but the school bell rang signaling the start of classes and thus she was late meaning she was going to hear about this from Mr. Neigh.

She slowly crept through the halls trying to reach her class without being spotted. As soon she’d reached the door to her class she slowly opened it and already seeing that class had begun already and saw Cheerliee grading yesterday’s papers while Mr. Neigh was writing something on the chalk board. She slowly tried to sneak in trying not to get his attention.

The door made a slight click as it shut which got his attention. He looked over and saw Pen standing there by the door 

“Pendragon why are you late for class?” He asked.

“Sorry Mr. Neigh I’ve overslept and lost track of time.” She answered.

“Well how about not staying up so late so you are here on time okay.” He says giving the ash grey filly a stern glare.

“Yes sir.” She chanted.

“Now please take your seat so we can continue onward.” He said looking back at the board as Pen took to her seat.

She headed toward her seat and sat down so everything could continue onward. Even though she was in the back she could see Diamond Tiara was mumbling something to herself probably another plan to pick on the CMC today. She ignored it and continued to pay attention to the lesson.

The recess bell rang and the all the fillies and colts ran out toward the playground to run off some energy. 

As Pen went out she found a nice spot to sit down and she took out her pages to make sure she didn’t make any mistakes in her story which there was, but she quickly corrected them.

“Hey Pen!” Scoots called out and Pen’s head shot up and noticed Scootaloo with the rest of the girls coming toward her; she looked at her story and quickly put back in her bag and smiled back to the girls.

“Um…hey girls what’s up?” Pen smiled glancing at her bag then looking back to them.

“Oh just think about what to do next to get our cutiemarks today.” Sweetie answered. 

“We were thinkin’ about trying roller derby today.” Applebloom said.

“Didn’t we try that already?” Emerald asked. 

“What do you think Pen?” Sweetie asked. 

“Actually you girls go on I got some homework I need to handle today.” Pen said.

“Alright, but you’re missing out on some great crusading.” Scootaloo says dropping the subject before her and the other fillies went to talking while Pen remained silent.

Soon enough the bell rung and all the young fillies and colts headed back inside for the rest of the class.

Classes went on as usual and soon class ended and everypony was released. Pen quickly shot off toward the convention being held at town hall. 





When she got to town everything was covered with vendors for fiction, non-fiction, biography’s, adventure, and many more types of books . In the back was the entry for the young writers contest and the judges were there waiting for new entries.

“Okay Pen here goes.” She muttered as she put and gave her story to one of the judges. After she gave her story to the judges she went to go look at the vendors. 

Before she could get around to looking at any of the vendors she saw her sister looking at one of the vendors more importantly the mystery book vendors.

Her sister was wearing a brown detective hat that covered her horn along with a brown overcoat and had a pipe in her mouth.

“Sis what in the world are you wearing?” Pen questioned looking at the items she was wearing. Sunset turned and looked at Pen who was looking at her with a strange confused look.

“Oh this old thing. You think I really keep these things to just look nice?” Sunset replied taking the pipe out of her mouth with her magic.

“Plus I came to support you and pick up some books. So I thought I would come in character.” Sunset answered.

The vendor gave Sunset three books that Sunset bought and put them in her saddlebag 

“So did you enter your story in time?” Sunset asked then Pen nodded. 

“Yep and there is still time to look around before they announce the winner.” Pen said and they decided to look around the festival before it finished.





Elsewhere the CMC minus Pen were trying their luck at roller derby which wasn’t going to good since they kept getting hit every single lap. By the time they finished the girls were covered in bruises and small scrapes. 

“Maybe roller derby wasn’t uh great idea.” Applebloom groaned.

“Gee even I could’ve told you that.” Emerald groaned. 

“Well yah don’t have to be uh jerk ‘bout it.” Applebloom countered.

“Alright girls let’s just get ourselves fixed up and try another idea.” Scootaloo said picking herself up from the pile.

“Unless we’re going to keep arguing.” Scoots stated and the girls shook their heads. 

“Okay then let’s get up and go see if Pen is done with her homework.” Scoots smiled and they all agreed and slowly went into Ponyville. 





Meanwhile Sunset and Pen spent two hours looking around at other vendors and getting snacks that were provide by Pinkie Pie. Throughout the festival grounds speakers were spread out everywhere and some were placed on poles while others were on walls near the area and inside town hall.

The speakers turned on and began to speak “Please all entries for the young writers contest please come toward the stage.” The intercoms spoke out.

“Well sis better get going there about to announce the winner.” Pen said excitingly then she rocketed toward the stage with Sunset right behind her. They went towards the stage and there plenty of other ponies up on stage which mixed from fillies and colts to mare and stallions which were waiting for the results.

“Okay Pen don’t be nervous just keep calm and you’ll be fine.” Pen thought her hooves shaking in anticipation. One of the judges approached the podium and held an envelope in his mouth and placed it on the podium. He cleared his throat as to speak.

“Now we have chose one story out of all of these contestants and what we looked for was originality, how well paced the story was, and an overall fitting conclusion. Now while they were all great stories there can only be one winner, and to announce the winner is the author of the ever popular Daring Do series books Miss A.K. Yearling.” He announced stepping aside as Yearling took the stand.

Yearling had on a deep purple collar neck robe that covered her flank so that her cutiemark couldn’t be seen or tell what kind of pony she is. She also wears a gray sun hat with a white bow tied on. She had a deep yellow color fur with what looks like a two tone gray mane that could barely be seen.  

She also wore red big rimmed reading glasses over her magenta eyes. She cleared her throat so she could speak. 

“Alright well we had some fine stories but like he said there can only be one winner and that winner is.” She took the envelope and opened it revealing the name of the title and the author of the story they’ve wrote.

“A Dragons Journey by: Pendragon Quill.” She announced and Pen jumped up and down in joy and received her ribbon for first prize. 

“T-Thank you Miss Yearling.” Pen says nervously but also proud of herself.

“When I first started writing I quickly grew to love it, and I learned quickly how difficult it was to make something even I myself could accept. There was always times I doubted myself…” Pen says trailing off in thought as she recalled the difficulty writing this story.

“But in the end it is always worth it.” She quickly adds.

“I’ll say it is.” A.K. replied with a smile pointing a hoof to Pen’s flank.

She looked behind her to view it and was stunned what appeared. Adorned on her flank was a rolled up scroll, and in front of it was a quill set ablaze with blue fire with a sharp metal tip.

“Well looks like you have two things to celebrate your first prize story and getting you cutiemark today, nice going kiddo.” A.K. said giving Pendragon her story back with her signature before ruffling Pen’s mane with her hoof. 

“Thank you Miss. Yearling.” Pen said before trotting off to find her sister. On the front of the page had A.Ks signature but it also read ‘Always be inspired by whatever is around you.’

Sunset when to go and greet Pen “Great job sis not only you got first prize, but you also got your cutiemark in the same day.” Sunset paused and looked at her sisters’ flank. 

“You know what this calls for.” Sunset added.

“A party!” Pinkie blurted out coming out of nowhere.

“GAH! Pinkie don’t do that!” Sunset yelled putting a hoof to her chest.

Pinkie smiled “Sorry about that!” She cheered and bounced on her merry way. 

“Sometimes I wonder about that pony.” Sunset said looking at her sister. 

They were both silent for a second then they both laughed and went on to celebrate Pen’s new cutiemark, but little did Pen know that four other fillies were watching and had seen everything happen.





After they got ice cream they finally made it home but as soon as they got home they saw Pinkie had already put up streamers and practically the whole shebang and invited the girls over to celebrate. On the walls hung a banner saying ‘Pen got first prize and Cutiemark Party’. 

“Wow Pinkie surely went over the top like always.” Pen said.

She looked over at Sunset who was twitching all over and eyes narrowed and one blinking while the other twitched.

“Uh sis you feeling okay?” Pen asked a small bit worried her sister was going to have another outburst.

“I’m okay just fine.” Sunset smiled gritting her teeth trying her best not to blow a fuse.

“Just that afterward I’m going to give Pinkie a strong talking to after this.” Sunset thought.

Sunset removed the uniform she was wearing and a placed it back on the hangers and the party ensued. Pinkie brought out the cake to give Pendragon. 

“So are glad you’d get a cutiemark for becoming a writer huh Pen.” Trixie said 

“Yeah I’m glad about it too. I put some good effort into my story and I’m glad it got first prize, and that I could celebrate it with everypony.” Pen stated and looked around and notices that some important ponies were missing.

“Um…Has anypony seen the others lately?” Pen asked.

“You mean the rest of the Crusaders?” Lightning asked and Pen nodded.

“Well last time I saw them they were trying to get their cutiemarks.” Lightning replied.

“Wonder why they aren’t here?” Pen asked sounding a bit disappointed. 

“Maybe they’ve gone crusading again.” Cheerliee said 

“Hopefully my daughter hasn’t hurt herself.” She added worryingly. 

“I’m sure they’ll be fine. After all they do look after each other.” Coco said reassuring Cheerliee.

“Well they’re missing a great party!” Pinkie cheered throwing streamers and confetti everywhere. 

“You’re cleaning this up afterwards Pinkie.” Sunset stated bluntly with a glare at the mare.

“Aww.” Pinkie whines her mane slightly deflating. The party went on for another three hours involving dancing, games, and other knick knacks like punch drinks and other random things Pinkie had come up with.

Time passed and soon the sun began to descend and the moon was rising as everpony was leaving the party.

“Well girls we all better be getting home before it gets dark.” Trixie said letting out a big yawn. Rainbow was still mostly awake as was Cheerliee, but Coco and Lightning had fallen asleep during the party.

Not surprisingly Pinkie still had energy to spare.

“Well this party sure was a great one right.” Pinkie said 

“Yep another one out of the park Pinks.” Dash commented before lifting Lightning Dust up on her back.

“I’ll take Dust home and it’s off for home for me then, later.” Dash said flying carefully not wanting to wake Lightning Dust up.

Cheerliee lifted Coco up onto her back “I’m taking Coco back home where she can sleep and I’ll be doing the same as Dash so I’m off and thanks for the party Pinkie.” Cheerliee taking a slight bow then headed off with Coco in tow.

“That goes the same for me can’t leave Spike alone in the library all night.” Trixie stated and teleported back to her library home. All was left was Pen, Sunset and Pinkie. 

“Well guess I better be getting home too so…” Before Pinkie could bounce off anywhere Sunset stopped her with her magic.

“Oh no you don’t you’re not going to clean this mess up.” Sunset stated.

“Why?” Pinkie questioned as she tried to escape the magic’s grip.

“Because the party was your idea, because you went and did it without my consent, and because I’ll flatten you like a pancake if you don’t.” Sunset stated slowly getting in Pinkie’s personal space.

“Anything else.” Pinkie said letting out a small giggle.

“NOW PINKIE!” Sunset shouted and with that Pinkie was rushing quickly to clean up her mess not wanting to face the wrath of Sunset.

“I’ve got to get a grip over this anger.” Sunset said facehoofing.

In thirty minutes Pinkie finished cleaning and went on home to Sugarcube Corner. 

“Well glad that’s over.” Sunset said. Pen was walking up the stairs toward her bedroom. 

“Sis I’m going to hit the hay.” Pen stated in a more sleepy tone.

“Go ahead Pen get some sleep you’re going to need it tomorrow morning and just because you have a cutiemark doesn’t mean you get to neglect your homework.” Sunset playfully teased.

“Yeah I know that.” Pen playfully stated and went into her room and planted her face in her pillow and slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.





The night went just as quickly as it came as the sun rose and pierced the curtains of Pen’s room along with piercing her eyelids forcing Pen to stir away from the light, but she shifted just a little too far as she rolled off her own bed with a loud thud against the wooden floor.

“Ow.” She said groggily as she slowly lifted herself off the floor and slowly opened her eyes. She looked around the room getting a grasp of her surroundings before making her way to the shower just next door.

A quick wake up shower woke her up from her drowsiness and now she was wide away. She dried off her coat with the towel on the towel rack and brushed her tail and mane before making her way downstairs.  

By the time she got downstairs Sunset was already making toast and eggs for breakfast for the two of them. The toast popped out of the toaster with Sunset catching them with her magic and spreading butter on the four slices of toast.

She then flipped the eggs to make that they didn’t burn in the frying pan. After the eggs were done she added a parsley leaf to the top of the eggs before putting them on a two separate plates and setting them on the dinner table.

Pen smelled the food and came in to join Sunset for breakfast. To top it off they each had a glass of orange juice to make the breakfast complete.

“Two slices of toast with low fat butter, and two eggs over easy with orange juice to finish.” Sunset hummed as she sat at the table.

“You know me far too well sis.” Pen commented with a large smile. 

“Well it’s a sister’s job to know what their sister or brother likes.” Sunset smiled and lifted the toast with her hoof and took a small bite. 

“So sis got any clients today?” Pen asked 

“Actually yes, but it’s in Canterlot so I’ll be out for some hours okay.” Sunset solemnly stated.

After Pen finished her breakfast she took a look at the clock. She had thirty minutes before she had to be to class. 

“Well I think I’m going to head out early sis.” She replied and grabbed her saddlebags by the door and turned back to Sunset.

“Good luck at Canterlot sis!” She calls out enthusiastically.

“Behave at school!” Sunset called back and Pen was off to school.





To Pen today was going to turn out to be a great day for her especially with her newly acquired cutiemark that put an extra hip into her step and a wide smile on her face that could even rival Pinkie’s on this occasion.

She was about half way toward the school when she heard a voice coming just up the road.

“Can’t you two just leave us alone!” came the voice of a very irritated and slightly angry Scootaloo.

“Why not we all know that you blank flanks aren’t good enough for anything.” A very shrill fillies voice jeered.

Pen went up a little ways to find the source of the voices and she was correct about who it was. Scootaloo, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Emerald were being picked on by the ever ‘famous’ bullies of the school; Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon. 

Not that long after Diamond Tiara’s party and them creating there group she had begun pestering them for no good reason. Pen snorts and starts to walk up to the situation now able to see them.

“HEY!” She shouted toward them.

“Why don’t you pick on somepony your own size for a change?” She taunted walking towards them holding back a smirk as she glared at them. 

“Oh look blank flank number five now the whole freak show is here.” Tiara joked as Silver examined Pen and let out a small squeak of surprise.

“Um Di you may want to take that back.” Silver tells her in a hurry.

“And why should I if I may ask?” Tiara asked glancing at Silver who pointed out Pen’s cutie mark making Diamond go wide eyed with surprise and regret. At this time the other Crusaders took this opportunity and left while Diamond and Silver were distracted.

“Oh I’m sorry about calling you a blank flank like that.” She said worryingly with sweat coming down her face.

Pen just stared at them for a few seconds before speaking letting out a breath she had been holding in. 

“What do you two think you’re doing to my friends?” She asked holding a cold glare at the two.

“Um… well.” Silver began but could get the words out to continue.

“Now here’s how things are going to go; you two are going to turn around and walk to the school and if I ever catch you two bugging, saying names, or anything of the sort to my friends.” She began taking in a deep breath.

“I will personally BUCK YOU SO HARD YOU WILL HIT THE SCHOOL BELL!” She yelled and just like that the bullies were gone in a blink of an eye.

Pen stood proudly with a smile plastered on her face. She looked back to see if her friends were okay, but they were gone surprising and slightly confusing her. She shrugged and began to head off to school that way she wouldn’t be late again.





She had gotten there right on time and sat in her seat waiting for the lesson to begin. Over the course of the first half of the day things were different for once. There was no Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon jeering at the CMC members and there also wasn’t any mocking from them or from the CMC so no fights were breaking out between them like usual.

As the recess bell rang several fillies and colts left in a rush smiling widely, but unlike any other day Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had rushed out like they had just been shot out of Pinkie Pie’s party canon. Pen was one of the near last and right behind her was the rest of the CMC.

Pen looked over at them as they walked away. She tilted her head in curiosity and walked over to her friends wondering what they were planning.

“Okay so we are going to need…” Scootaloo started as Pen walked up.

“Hey girls.” Pen interrupts making Scootaloo stop and give a small glare.

“Hello Pen. We were just discussing our next crusade.” Emerald said catching Pen’s interest.

“Really? What is it?” She asks as Scootaloo snorts.

“It’s nothing. Could you maybe give us a bit of private time?” Scoots asked as Pen looks at her confused as Scootaloo signaled for the others to follow her, and they walked away from a very confused Pendragon.

The rest of recess Pen actually spent playing with others in her class, and during this time she had seen Diamond and Silver playing by themselves and actually kept moving in order to avoid the Crusaders for once.

Recess soon ended as everpony went back into class in order to finish the rest of the school day. As things went on it only seemed to get awkward to Pen as Scootaloo was avoiding her, and would make an active attempt to stop the others from being near her or even try to talk to her. This only served to confuse her more than before.





As the day ended the rest of the Crusaders rushed out like how Diamond and Silver had for recess.

Pen had taken her time as she packed up her stuff in her saddle bag. Satisfied she left the school house making her usual trek towards the club house located on Sweet Apple Acres. She had plenty of time to crusade with the others as her sister was ‘visiting’ a client in Canterlot.

As she entered the orchard she saw the usual sites; Granny Smith on her rocking chair snoring quietly, Big Mac plowing the fields, and Applejack bringing in a load of apples she had just bucked. She waved at AJ and Big Mac who waved back.

“Ohh I wonder what the girls are up to!” She says excited.

“Just because I have my cutie mark now doesn’t mean I can’t have fun with my friends.” She thought as she hummed finding the clubhouse. As she got closer she heard Scootaloo talking as if she was in the middle of a rant, and it sounded like she was furious the closer she got. She stopped right outside the door and put her ear up to the door listening.

“I can’t believe she went behind our back and went crusading without us!” Scoots rambled as Pen begins to worry.

“Is Scoots…talking about me?” she thought.

“Well yah did say that fair was fer eggheads.” Applebloom corrected. 

“So what?! It doesn't change the face that she still went without us and we promised that we would all get our cutiemarks together!” she retorted as Pen imagined she was getting in Applebloom’s personal space.

Pen peeked in seeing that she was right, and that Emerald and Sweetie Belle were watching the two bicker back and watched unsure how to jump in and stop them.

“Scoots let’s jus’ calm down and think ‘bout this.” Applebloom said in a calm tone.

“She went behind our back AB! What kind of friend does that?!” Scootaloo exclaimed as Applebloom sighs.

“Yah getting ahead of yourself Scoots.” Applebloom says.

“No I’m not. If she’s going to act like that then she doesn’t deserve to be a Cutiemark Crusader!” Scootaloo shouts as Pen takes in a breath realizing what Scootaloo was maybe about to do.

“What! But we can’t just…she’s been with us since we formed!” Emerald says.

“Well think about it. Do you really want to be around somepony who would lie to you as one of us?” Scootaloo asks making the others look to the ground in thought before looking back to Scoots.

“Then it’s agreed. As of now Pendragon is out of the Cutiemark Crusaders.” She says as Emerald and Sweetie nod while Applebloom was hesitant, but she too ended up nodding.

Pen backed away from the door in shock and was refusing to believe what she had just heard yet she had. She let out a chocked sob that was probably heard before taking off.

As she approached the gates she ran past Applejack and Big Mac both looking surprised and a bit worried when the teary eyed filly ran past them. Pen kept running towards town wanting to put distance between her and the clubhouse.





In town Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were walking about currently outside of a store. Diamond looked a bit guilt ridden as Silver patted her on her back.

“It’s okay Dia.” Silver says as Diamond sighs. Both then heard a pony trip and fall into some mud and they looked over they saw Pen who was now a bit muddy yet tears were streaming down her eyes.

Pen picked herself up from the mud and started to run off only to trip a few seconds later backwards and back into the mud. Pen picked herself up and walked out of the mud before she continued running.

Diamond and Silver looked at each other then where Pen had been. Diamond went inside the store they were sitting outside of and went in, and a few minutes later she came out with a towel as she and Silver walked towards the place Pen had run into.





Pen didn’t care about the mud or anything else. She didn’t even care if everpony saw her having a breakdown as she ran into Sugarcube Corner. She went to the nearest table and began sobbing.

Outside Sugarcube Corner Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked in seeing Pen crying. Taking in a breath both fillies stepped inside as the bell signaled they came it, and when it rang Pen looked to the door seeing them and was expecting them to stop and taunt her, but both fillies continued walking coming towards her.

Tiara and Silver took the other seats across from Pen as Pinkie came quickly taking two orders and leaving. Silence came over the table with the exception of the sniffles from Pen.

“W-What do y-you two w-want?” She asked between sniffles as she wipes her tears. Silver takes the towel off of Diamond’s back and tosses towards Pen who looked at them with a bit of surprise.

“What is this for?” She sniffed expecting a snarky remark from the two. 

“Well…just thought you might want to clean up.” Diamond says her tone filled with concern surprising Pen as she took the towel with her magic and cleaned herself.

“Now what do you two want anyway?” Pen asked again.

“Actually we were wondering if you were alright.” Silver said with some concern in her voice. 

“Yeah I’m fine why I wouldn’t be.” She lied glaring a bit.

“Are you sure?” Diamond asked calmly as Pen could no longer take it and was wondering why two of the biggest bullies in the school were worried about her.

“Why would you two care, you’ve picked on me and the others for so long and now you just come up and ask me if I’m okay.” Pen stated giving the two of them a glare.

“The others?” Silver questioned.

“You know who I mean!” Pen countered a bit of anger in her voice.

“Could you please tell us what happened?” Diamond asked.

Pen stopped what she was about to say having heard Diamond actually say please to her, and not in a sarcastic manner.

“Is she actually concerned for me?” Pen thought puzzled before letting out a sigh.

“I-I went to our clubhouse after school today.” She starts as the two looked at her a bit confused at the mention of a clubhouse.

“It’s were we planned our crusades, and hung out as friends.” Pen adds as the two nod now understanding.

“But…” She continues starting to tear up again.

“I was going to see what they were going to do today when I heard Scootaloo and the others talking.” As she said this Pinkie came with the fillies orders and placed them down.

“What were they talking about?” Silver asked as she and Diamond ignored what was brought to them.

“…Me.” Pen says after a few moments.

“Scootaloo was mad I had lied to them, and went and did something without them to get my cutie mark.” She added as both look at her.

“I know that was wrong, but I couldn’t help myself.” Pen quickly adds as Diamond went to say something. Pen then looked away.

“I-I’m not longer a Cutiemark Crusader.” She finishes.

“You didn’t even walk in and talk to them about it?” Tiara asked Pen who glanced at her.

“No. They didn’t know I was listening the whole time, and it probably wouldn’t have changed anything.” She says looking down at the table.

“Well maybe you should go talk to them.” Silver added as Pen thought still looking down at the table.

“I could but…” Pen starts then paused remembering who she was talking to and looked up the two with a glare.

“Wait a minute why am I telling you two my problems to a bunch of school bullies. You’re just going to use my troubles as ammunition against the crusaders.” Pen stated.

The two looked at each other before looking back at Pen.

“So you only think of us as nothing but bullies do you?” Tiara asked as Pen gives a nod without an ounce of hesitation.

Tiara and Silver glanced at each and looked away from her there faces guilt ridden.

“Sorry…It’s just that…” Silver says glancing up at Pen who was watching them never having seen them like this before. 

“We weren’t always like this.” Tiara added. Pen was still looking at the two trying to decide rather to believe them or to throw the muddy towel back at them.

“It was three years ago I think.” Tiara began as memories of the past flooded back to her in an instant.





-3 years ago, Ponyville-

It was early morning in Ponyville and in a very large room with expensive items all throughout the room and rather queen size bed for any pony including a small filly. 

The filly in question was a seven year old earth pony Diamond Tiara as she rolled out of bed with her light grayish violet, with white streaked mane was all frizzled.

She grabbed the brush next to the mirror and started to brush her mane and tail straight before placing her ever treasured tiara on top of her head. 

She stepped out of her room and elegantly made her way down to the living quarters of her rather large house. She was so happy because of her famous tiara cutiemark she’d got earlier. Its meaning was that she had potential for modeling as she had discovered when volunteering to help Rarity at her boutique.

In the living quarters in a lounge chair sat an earth pony stallion reading the Ponyville news. The stallion had a grayish amber coat and dark gray with lighter gray highlights along with light azure eyes and a cutiemark of three bags of money. He also wore a blue, white sailor collar and a red tie with a money sign on it.

This particular pony was named Filthy Rich and he is also the father to Diamond Tiara. She went to approach her father who was still looking at the paper. 

“Hey Daddy can I ask you a question?” she asked her big cornflower blue eyes stared at him as he looked up from the paper to her.

“Yes my sweet diamond.” He said

“Um… is it okay that I stay home today?” She asked rubbing her hoof with the other and smiling sheepishly. He looked confused for a minute before he sighs.

“Now why would you ask something like that my dear?” He asked back.

“Um… well you see… it’s just that.” She stutters but her voice fails her as her father sighs.

“Is it those bullies again at school?” He asked and she nodded downcast.

“What did I say about ponies bothering you?” Filthy asked 

“To tell the teacher or walk away from them.” She chanted looking up to him. 

“But they just won’t leave me alone even after I’ve done just that.” Tiara pleads bordering on begging.

“They kept calling me ‘Daddies little rich girl’ and some really other mean things.” She said tearing up.

“I know Diamond but you can’t just stay home because of that.” He said in a low calming voice.

“But…” She began.

“Your education is more important than some bullies, now go get your breakfast or you’re going to be late for school.” He said gesturing her toward the kitchen as Tiara pouts.

After she got her breakfast, she loaded up her saddle bag and was off toward school even though she wasn’t too happy about going she’d still had her education to think about and had no choice but to continue.





“So wait you were bullied because of you being rich?” Pen asked with a dumbfound look to which Tiara nodded 

“I know that sounds funny coming from me, but it’s true.” She says with a sigh.

“And not to mention I was more…irritable when I was younger so I would get into fights a lot.” She then adds.

“Okay so what happened next?” Pen asked.





It was recess period for the class and Diamond Tiara was playing in the small sandbox building a sand castle when she heard something that caused her to stop.

“GIVE THOSE BACK PLEASE!” A voice rang out through the playground. Her head immediately shot up to try and find the source of the shout, but it didn’t take too long to find it.

It was two colts and a filly who didn’t have a cutiemark were tossing around what seemed like a pair of cerulean glasses high in the air while a filly she hadn’t see before was trying to catch them.

This new filly in question was about her age and same type; an earth pony. The filly had a cornflower bluish gray coat with two shades of light azureish gray mane and tail with her mane braided into a ponytail. She also had moderate violet eyes to match. 

But what was also surprising that this filly had her cutiemark which resembled that of a silver spoon imbedded with a purple jeweled heart. Along with a cerulean beaded necklace around her neck.

“GIVE THEM BACK!” She screamed jumping the best she could to get those glasses and it didn’t help that the colts in question were two pegasi and the filly was an earth pony. Apparently those glasses belonged to the filly and she was trying her best to get them back.

“C’mon jump crybaby jump.” The colt taunted.

The filly stopped jumping and began to tear up before running off crying as she did so.

That was enough that Tiara couldn’t take anymore she got up and was about to head over before the words of her father echoed in her mind.

“Tell the teacher or walk away” echoed in her mind but she couldn’t let this slide. It was worse that she was picked on but some other filly was getting picked on as well was making her mad.

“Enough is enough.” Tiara thought.

She walked over with an objective in mind and she was going to complete it no matter what happened. 

“HEY!” Tiara shouted over to the three in question who turned to look at her.

“You give those back to her right now.” She demanded as the bullies just chuckled.

“Oh look its daddy’s rich girl again what are you going to do tell your daddy as usual.” The filly laughed along with the other two colts.

“I’ll give you one last chance to give me those glasses or else.” Tiara demands.

“Or else what daddy’s girl.” The filly countered and before the filly or even Tiara knew it herself she had tackled the filly to the ground and began fighting for the glasses.

The chanting of ‘fight’ got the teachers attention and was able to break up the fight but not until Diamond Tiara took back the glasses the filly had.

“Alright that’s quite enough now who started this?” He asked with a stern tone 

“SHE DID!” The filly shouted pointing an accusing hoof at Diamond Tiara.





“Hold on a minute. A fight over a pair of glasses?” Pen said in surprise.

“Who’s telling the story here?” Silver said a small bit irritated at being interrupted.

“Right continue.” Pen says sheepishly before gesturing them to continue on.





Recess ended and Tiara knew she was going to be in trouble with her dad that she started a fight but she got the glasses and went to find the filly in question. She searched after classes were done and waited outside for the filly to come out and eventually found the gray filly and walked up to her. 

“Um… hello do these belong to you?” Tiara asked holding the glasses out with one hoof.

The filly in question smiled greatly and snagged the glasses out of Tiara’s hoofs and hugged them close.

“Oh thank you! Thank you so much!” She cried out gleefully as she put the glasses on over her eyes.

“Ah much better now.” She said.

“Um… I never seen you around Ponyville before are you new?” Tiara asked as the filly nodded.

“Yes. My name is Silver Spoon. I actually just moved here.” The pony known as Silver Spoon introduced. 

“Silver Spoon, that’s a little long, how about I call you Silver for short.” Diamond requested.

“I don’t know you so why would you call that if I don’t know who you are?” Silver raised an eyebrow.

“Oh right, my name is Diamond Tiara.” She said politely 

“But you may call my Di if you like. Though why do you need those glasses?” She asked in wonderment.

“I’m kind of nearsighted, and well….” Silver added only to cut off looking away as Diamond quickly understood.

“Your family is rather rich?” Diamond asks to which Silver nods.

“So you’re not the only one bullied.” Tiara stated. 

“They’ve been picking on me ever since my family moved in.” Tiara frowned when she heard Silver say this.

“You know Miss Tiara you and me have some things in common. We’re both bullied, both our families are rather rich, and we both already have our cutiemarks.” Silver said as Diamond thinks about it.

“Umm…If you want maybe you can come over to my house for a bit?” Diamond asks shyly.

“I would like that Miss Tiara.” Silver says as Diamond chuckles.

“Just call me Diamond, and I’ll call you Silver.” Diamond says to which Silver agrees and both were on their way to Diamond’s home where she would face the consequences of her actions, but she would have a friend to tough out any situation with.





“What happened afterward?” Pen asked.

“Since I was the one that caused the fight my dad grounded me for two whole weeks and it was the worst two weeks I’d endured.” Tiara stated.

“Point is we had been bullied, but after that fight it became the other way around.” Silver states as Pen nods remembering that fight now, and how a few days after Diamond had started picking on her and the other ‘blank flanks’ at school.

“So your saying you only starting bullying in retaliation for being bullied?” Pen asks as both nod.

“And the majority of the ones that bullied you were…fillies and colts without their cutie marks?” Pen asks again as both nod yet again.

Pen looks away from them a bit of guilt coming up. Several times behind these two back her and the other crusaders mocked them and made up reasons why they were so mean and it was only now did she see the reason why the act the way they do.

“We had problems like anypony else. But we could always rely on each other to talk to.” Diamond says with a smile looking at Silver.

“So you should go tell them how you feel.” Silver adds as Pen looks away.

“I’m…not so sure about that.” Pen replies looking to them as Silver hums in thought.

“What if we went with you?” Silver suggested as Pen shakes her head.

“Scoots and the other crusaders hate you both, and now I’m on that list…” She says.

“Well how about…you hang out with us?” Diamond suggested as Pen looks at her in surprise and blinks putting a hoof in her ear rubbing it acting like she had heard wrong.

“Wait…your serious?” Pen asks after making sure she heard right as Diamond nods.

“Yep. I know we may not have been friends in the past, and I was…less than a pleasant pony to you and the others.” Diamond admits and gives a shy smile.

“Who knows? This might be the start of a great friendship.” She adds extending a hoof towards Pen as the filly thinks a moment.

“Could she be tricking me?” she thought looking Diamond in the eyes for any kind of lie or deceit, but saw nothing of the Diamond Tiara that she despised.

Pen smiles extending her own hoof shaking Diamond’s as Silver let out a squeal of excitement at this.

“Now that’s what I like to see!” Pinkie says as she pops up next to the table with another smoothie and put it on the table next to Pen who looked over at her.

“Uhh…why did you bring that over here Pinkie? I didn’t order anything.” Pen states as Pinkie laughs smiling at the filly.

“Of course I know that. This one is on the house.” She says walking away as the three look to their smoothies then each other.

“Cheers!” Pen says as Diamond and Silver do the same. The rest of the day was spent in Sugarcube Corner as the new friends talked and exchanged stories. As the day ended Pen headed home with a smile on her face.





“NOPONY WANTS TO SEE YOU SO GET OUT!” Came Scootaloo’s voice as then a buck and yelp is heard as Pen was knocked out of the crusaders clubhouse yet again. A week has passed since her becoming close friends with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Each day she would attempt to on multiple occasions to talk to her ‘friends’.

Yet each time resulted in Scootaloo somehow interrupting and Pen being bucked out by the enraged filly. This time was no exception as she landed in her usual spot this time sporting a black eye, but as usual Pen picks herself up as Diamond and Silver poke their heads out from the bushes and went over to her.

“Didn’t work?” Diamond asked as Pen groans nodding as she and the other two fillies walk away towards their usual spot AKA Sugarcube Corner.

Diamond placed an ice pack on the unicorn fillies black eye who nodded her thanks to her friend.

“I’m starting to think that it’s hopeless girls. No matter what approach I take it only comes back to bite me in the flank.” Pen says.

“Or buck you in the eye.” Silver states plainly.

Pen groans as a particular unicorn mare and baby dragon came out the back both carrying trays of cupcakes either by claw or magic.

“Why are we doing this again Spike?” Trixie asks as Spike slaps a claw to his face.

“Because we owe Pinkie.” Spike states as he and Trixie set there trays down and then sees the depressed Pen and he nudges Trixie to get her attention as he points at the filly.

“We’ll think of something. I think.” Silver states as Pen and Diamond sweat drop as a tray of cupcakes were placed in front of them and they look up to see the two.

“Oh. Hello Trixie. What are you doing here?” Pen asks as Trixie looks away.

“Uhh…Taking Pinkie up on a favor.” Trixie replies as Pen shrugs.

“Is something wrong Pen?” Spike asks and then looks around noticing the lack of Pen’s usual friends.

“And where are the other crusaders?” He adds as Silver and Diamond make signals to try and stop him from asking then face hoof when he finishes making Pen look down and away.

“Uhh…Was it something I said?” he asked as he receives a slap to the back of the head from Diamond for his insensitivity.

“Miss Trixie.” Pen starts getting said mares attention as Pen rarely refers to her like that.

“I…I need some advice.” She says taking in a breath.

“W-What would you do if say you did something bad to your friends. Bad enough that they wouldn’t forgive you?” she asked.

“Well…If it was me I would think out how to talk to them, but if it’s that bad then thinking about what to say is not the best option.” Trixie replies as Pen looks at her confused.

“What do you mean?” She asked as Spike comes closer to her.

“She means you have to stop using this.” He starts putting a claw to her head.

“And starting using this.” He finishes putting a claw to where her heart is.

“Speak from your heart instead of from your mind. Don’t think. Just do what you believe is right.” She says.

Trixie turned away grabbing the trays with her magic as well as Spike.

“C’mon Spike. These cupcakes aren’t going to make themselves.” Trixie said trotting off with the baby dragon.

“Don’t think. Just do what you believe is right.” Diamond repeats.

“It’s always worth a try.” Silver admits as they all nod Pen getting up from her seat.

“Well nothing’s going to get done standing here.” Pen said as the two stands up from their seats as well.

“They are probably at their clubhouse still.” Silver said not having seen them pass through town at all to get anything.

The three began their trek to Sweet Apple Acres and the CMC clubhouse, but stopped by Pen’s home as she went in and got something before coming out with her saddlebag a red cloth sticking out of it.





Pen was sweating badly as they were now in view of the clubhouse and was starting to get extremely nervous and doubted that this idea would even work.

“M-Maybe they already left for the day. Let’s just try this again tomorrow.” Pen said looking left and right thinking of running off already starting to backpedal.

“If you don’t do it now Pen you might not get another chance.” Silver said as Pen stops in her tracks.

“If you need us we will be in the bushes.” Diamond says to her giving Pen a quick hug before her and Silver went into the bushes.

Pen turned to face the clubhouse as her breathing quickens. She took in a deep breath and let it out like Sunset taught her.

“You can do this Pen. You can do this.” Pen thought to herself as she walked towards the clubhouse door.

She knocked on the clubhouse door and put on a brave face expecting for Scootaloo to be the one to answer it, but to her surprise it was Applebloom.

“Oh umm…hi Pen.” She says nervously shuffling her hooves as Pen did the same looking away for a second before looking back, but heard from inside the sounds of snoring and saw a bit of a purple tail.

“Hi AB. Is um…Scootaloo around?” Pen asked nervously barely hearing the snoring.

“Yes, but now might not be the time tah…” Applebloom started, but inside Scootaloo woke up hearing ponies talking and saw Applebloom at the door. She also saw the ash grey coat of another filly and her wings buzzed in annoyance.

“GET OUT OF HERE TRAITOR!” Scootaloo yelled as she heavily stomps over to the door and attempts to slam it in Pen’s muzzle, but Pen keeps it open using her magic.

“Please Scoots stop. I just want to talk.” Pen pleads as Scootaloo scoffs.

“Nopony wants to talk to you after what you did. I thought you would get that by now.” Scootaloo says preparing to buck Pen in the horn.

“You lied to us and then left us for those two!” Scootaloo added as Pen looked away knowing that Scoots somehow knew about her hanging out with Diamond and Silver.

“Pinkie probably told her.” She thought before dismissing the idea remembering what Spike had said.

“…I…You’re right.” Pen says to her.

“And furthermore…wait. What?!” Scootaloo says as Pen lets loose her hold of her magic on the door which fully swings open as Scootaloo stopped trying to shut it. 

Pen stepped in and saw her other two friends Emerald and Sweetie who were watching this as Emerald hangs back and Sweetie steps up.

“I lied to you girls because I had already been rejected once, and I didn’t want to again. I was also wrongly angry at Scoots for denying me an opportunity.” She starts as the others listened a tear trickled down a cheek.

“So I left you girls out of it thinking it was no big thing, and didn’t even consider your feelings.” She admits before taking in a breath.

“But you all went and did the same to me. I…I was here the day Scootaloo convinced you all I wasn’t fit to be a crusader anymore.” She continued as the others recall as small noise like somepony holding in a sob.

“But in the end Scoots was right. I betrayed you girls and left you out of one of the most important moments in my life. Sure my sister was there, but it wasn’t the same without my friends.” Pen wipes away a tear.

“So maybe…maybe I’m not cut out to be your friends either.” She said as she used her magic to pull something out of her bag.

It was a cape that looked just small enough to fit Pen. It was a deep red and stitched on to it was a blue shield like emblem with yellow outlining. Inside the emblem was a pony standing on its hind legs.

The others recognized it as they each had one. It was there cape that had been made by Rarity not long after they had formed there group. It had been a crazy afternoon at the boutique and all five of them had almost driven Rarity crazy.

“I hope that someday you’ll forgive me for what I did to all of you and maybe we could be friends again.” She with a sad smile and walks outside and shutting the door. 

Scootaloo was in shock as she looked at the cape then went to the window watching Pen who walked like her legs were made of lead and head hung low.

Pen walked by the bushes as Diamond and Silver came out comforting her as they began to walk away from the clubhouse.

Scootaloo looked away from the window as she sat on her haunches and ears drooped low.

“What’s the matter Scoots?” Emerald asked as she walked over to comfort her friends.

“I-I don’t know. I feel like somepony ran a spear through my heart and is constantly twisting it like a drill.” Scootaloo said looking at Emerald with sad eyes.

“Ah think that’s what they call guilt Scoots, and it isn’t going to go away like uh bad cold.” Applebloom stated looking just as sad as Sweetie began folding up Pen’s cape looking as sad as the rest.

“Then what do I do then?” She pleaded looking to the young apple.

“Well I know what you should do.” Sweetie interjected looking at Scootaloo and pointed at the window to the shrinking figure of Pen, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon.

“Okay well here goes nothing then.” Scoots said getting off the floor and runs out the door.

As they were walking away Silver was patting Pen on the back to comfort her “It’s going to be okay. You still have us Penny.” Silver says as Pen smiles lightly at the nickname.

“Yeah. Maybe this was one of those things…ohh what was that saying?” Pen says rubbing her head trying to recall it.

“When one door closes another opens?” Diamond quotes surprising Pen and Silver who look at her.

“What?” Diamond asks as Pen and Silver just shake their heads and laugh a bit.

“W-WAIT UP PEN!” Scootaloo shouts stopping the three who turn around to face her. Diamond growls ready to step up and lash out at Scootaloo, but Pen stops her stepping up to Scootaloo making her face as neutral as possible.

“What do you want Scootaloo?” Pen asks evenly doing her best not to break down crying in front of her like she almost had at the clubhouse.

“Could you umm…maybe come back to the clubhouse?” Scootaloo asked as Diamond starts to step up.

“I don’t know what you’re up to blank-flank, but if you think I’m just going to…” Diamond starts before Silver stops her by putting a hoof in her mouth.

“It’s Pen’s decision Dia.” She whispers as Diamond nods sighing as Silver took her hoof out of her mouth.

“But why?” Pen asked 

“I-I want to tell you something, but it has to be at the clubhouse.” Scoots said running back toward the clubhouse as Pen looks to her new friends who nod and all three run off with Diamond and Silver taking to the bushes when they got close to the clubhouse.

Scootaloo and Pen entered as the others gave a small wave and Scootaloo took to the podium in the room.

“Okay instead of doing the formalities I’m just going to get to the chase.” Scootaloo says.

“About a week ago in a fit of anger I…I made a few harsh comments on a pony I considered a friend.” Scoots says looking away before looking directly at Pen.

“Pen you are forgiven.” She states as Pen’s eyes widen at this.

“But what about what I did?” She stated

“Yes you lied, but you had guts to come over here and telling us how you felt about it.” Scoots smiled then frowned. 

“It’s me who should be sorry.” Scoots adds saddened at her own actions over the past week.

“Huh?” She said.

“I was so angry that you got your cutiemark without us that I took all my anger out on you. Then…Then I went and tried to turn the other crusaders against you.” She states as the other crusaders nod.

“And that I didn’t look at who I was hurting. I’m sorry Pen.” Scootaloo said her head staring at the wooden floor.

Pen look at her for a few seconds before smiling and lightly shaking her head a small smile on her muzzle.

“Oh Scoots no ponies perfect.” She simply stated patting Scoots on the back.

“So you’re not mad at me.” Scoots asked. 

“Well I was mad that you bucked me in the eye a few time but all in all no.” Pen smiled.

“So are we still friends?” Scoots asked Pen as she came out from behind the podium to her.

“When haven’t we not been friends.” Pen answers and Scoots smiled raising her spirits up with joy even flapping her little wings making her hover a bit.

“So this meeting is over.” Emerald stated just as joyful. 

“How about a bite at Sugarcube Corner I know a couple ponies that may want to join us.” Pen stated looking outside toward the bushes as Diamond and Silver poked their heads out.

“YOU TWO!” Scootaloo shouted seeing them as Pen face hooves.





The group of seven fillies was now at Sugarecube Corner sitting at a table together. Pen had given a bit of an explanation, but didn’t say fully not wanting to bring up bad memories for her new friends.

Trixie walked over with smoothies for the seven.

“Here you go.” She said as each filly takes one happily as Trixie walks over to Pen.

“I’m guessing our advice helped you huh?” she asked as Pen nods happily as Scootaloo and Diamond seemed to get into another fight. Applebloom and Silver sigh at this while Sweetie and Emerald giggle at it.

Trixie looked out as the sun was starting to set and looks back to the fillies.

“Well I suggest you hurry up. It’s starting to get late.” She suggested.

“Yes Miss Trixie.” All seven fillies said in unison making Trixie sweat drop.

“Please stop calling me that. Makes me sound like an old mare.” She says as Spike comes out from the back hearing her.

“Well your mane does kind of resemble an old mare’s.” Spike joked as Trixie glares as the fillies laugh making Trixie blush in embarrassment as Spike to joins the laughter and Trixie glares at him.

“That’s it. No jewels for you tonight mister.” Trixie said as Spike stops.

“OH come on!” he wails inciting the seven to laugh harder and Trixie laughed as well as Spike heads back to the back.

The fillies soon finished and exchanged good nights before departing from the others for the night.

Pen walked into her home and saw her sister sleeping on the couch letting out a few snores. Pen shakes her head smiling as she let out a chuckle before she levitates a blanket from a nearby chair over and wraps it around Sunset without waking her.

“Dear Princess Celestia, Over the past week and a half I have learned more about some ponies than I possibly could. Never in my life had I thought that two ponies who use to bully me would be nothing more than that. But I was wrong. When I had been left alone and friendless those bullies had come to me and changed my perspective. Now we are best of friends.” She starts as she thinks a moment.

“Yet I have also learned that all friendships have their hurdles. Even making the smallest mistake can make a friend question if you really are a friend. It might also make them lose trust in you or make them completely cut off relations with you.” She continued stopping a bit as she recalled the events of the day.

“Sometimes it takes talking to them and stating what you feel you have to say even if they don’t want to hear it. It won’t always work, but knowing that you tried to mend those bonds counts the most. Even if the pony whose trust you lost doesn’t accept what you say there are always others there who are willing to listen. Plus you never know. Your greatest foe might become the best of friends. Sincerely yours, Pendragon Quill.” Pen finished and put the quill away letting out a yawn as she looked over her letter.

Pen walked over to her bed letting out another yawn “I’ll give it to Spike in the morning.” She laid her head down and drifted off to sleep.

> Knowledge of Fears
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trixie, Sunset, Coco, and Cheerliee were together at the library helping Trixie to sort out her books yet again after another Rainbow Dash related incident causing all the books to fall off the shelf.

“I’m starting to think she targets the library on purpose.” Coco said as she put away another book the others nodding in agreement.

“You’re not the only one who thinks that Coco.” Cheerliee agrees as she to puts a book away. A small screech is heard as Trixie’s pet bat Hayln came flying down with a couple books Spike right behind her.

“Thank you Hayln, and you to Spike.” Trixie said to them.

“Hmm…Trixie how exactly did you come across Hayln?” Sunset asked as she along with the others realizes they had never asked about it before.

“Oh well…if you really want to know it goes back a couple weeks.” Trixie said to them.





A loud sneeze filled Fluttershy’s cottage as the animals scattered from the noise. Fluttershy took tissue from its holder and began to blow into it. 

“I knew I shouldn’t have gone for a walk in the rain yesterday.” She said her voice sounding very sore as she blew into a new tissue. A white small bunny was staring at her feeling concerned for his owner/caretaker 

“I’m okay Angel.” She said calmly until letting a very bad cough. 

“I’m just going to be down for a little bit.” She cooed.

The bunny known as Angel continue to stare at her “If you could Angel could please take this letter to Applejack for me.” She said as she passed the letter toward the bunny and he reluctantly agreed. 

She let loose another cough covering her mouth with a hoof as the bunny took off for the farm mare’s home.

Knowledge of Fears

Meanwhile on the farm; it was usual for AJ to be working the farm, right now she was taking over a basket of apples toward her storage shed. Something came and snatched up an apple from the basket she was carrying. She looked back and noticed some of the apples were missing from the basket.

“Okay if it’s you LD you had better return them apples right now!” She shouted but getting no answer.

She continued to trot toward the storage shed but with more force in her step. Something blurred past her and grabbed another apple off the basket until spitting it out and the apple landing on the ground now all bruised and what looks like bite marks on it. AJ stared at the apple in complete confusion which quickly changed to realization. 

“Oh no.” She states a bit of fear laced in her voice.

“Ah forgot those darn bats are back, and Fluttershy is suppose to be coming an’ help me tah get rid of them.” She reminded herself in thought. Then as if on cue a white bunny hopped toward her with a piece of paper in its mouth. 

“Huh Angel? What are yah doing here lil critter?” She asked as Angel spat out the piece of paper. Angel undid the folding of the paper and gave it to AJ to read.

“A letter from Flutters?” She questioned seeing the mare’s hoof writing.

“Dear Applejack; I’m sorry to say but I won’t be able to help you get rid of the bats for you. Angel wanted to go swimming the other day and I had to join him so that he wouldn’t drown, but unfortunately due to the swimming and the rainstorm yesterday I’ve came down with a nasty cough. So I’m afraid I will be um… out of it until the coughing stops. I’m really sorry Applejack, and I hope you do understand. Your friend; Fluttershy.” The letter read.

AJ didn’t like the sound of the letter she read over it again and became worried.

“Great if Fluttershy is out of commission who am ah suppose tah get tah help me out with these bats now?” She questioned yet just as quickly came to a conclusion of who she could ask for help.

“Well there’s only one other pony that could help me in this situation.” AJ said placing the basket down 

“Angel you take these over tah the storage shed. Ah’m heading tah Trixie’s.” She said as she ran toward her destination leaving Angel alone with the apple basket who looked at the basket then to himself before folding his arms.

Angel then seemed to let out a sigh and began to try and lift the basket in an attempt to make it move and not let the apples rot.

Meanwhile at Trixie’s library she was cataloging and putting away all the new books she had obtained a week ago.

“Celestia didn’t need to send me all of these books.” She said placing the book on the shelves and looking the overly stocked shelves 

“Anymore and I may need to consider making this place bigger. What do you think Spike?” She turned her head to find Spike but instead she was met with a beady red eyed black winged bat.

“EYAHHHHH!” She howled jumping ten feet in the air and onto the top of a book shelf curled in a ball shaking like a leaf. She hesitantly looked over the edge of the book shelf only to see a baby dragon holding his stomach in laughter. 

“Oh that was so worth ten bits for that.” Spike laughed pointing a claw at Trixie. 

“You should’ve seen your face Trixie it was priceless.” He laughed.

She teleported off the book shelf next to the dragon “Spike that wasn’t very funny, you nearly gave me a heart attack!” She yelled with a hint of anger in her voice. 

Spike’s laughing calmed to a slight chuckle.

“Oh c’mon Trix it was joke besides it’s not like you’re actually scared of bats anyway.” Spike said putting away the bat toy he got. 

“You’d be surprised what ponies can be scared of.” She thought shivering. She continued to finish her cataloging until there was a rapid knock at the door.

“Coming!” She said walking toward the door and opened it revealing an out of breath Applejack 

“Oh good morning Applejack we don’t open for quite a while but you’re welcome to…” Trixie was cut off as Applejack put her hoof in Trixie’s mouth.

“Trixie ah need… your help… now.” AJ huffed taking her hoof of Trixie’s mouth.

“What going on AJ? And more importantly why are you out of breath?” She asked. AJ passed they letter she obtained from Angel and passed it to Trixie. 

“A letter from Shy.” AJ stated. Trixie lifted the letter with her magic and began to read through it but not even mid way through the letter she noticed one word that she didn’t want to hear or read… bats.

Trixie immediately dropped the letter from her magical grip and let it fall to the ground. Applejack picked up the letter and placed it in her Stetson hat. 

“Somethin’ wrong sugarcube?” AJ asked looked at Trixie who looked a little bit paler. She shook herself out of her trance and stared at AJ. 

“B-Bats you say.” She stuttered looking back and forth sweating a small bit eyes wandering all around.

AJ nodded “That’s why ah came to yah for; cuze those darn bats are messing up mah orchard.” She stated 

“And with Fluttershy sick and all well yah seem like the only other choice ah’ve got.” She added 

“But what about the girls? Couldn’t they help?” Trixie asked frantically.

“Did yah forget, Cheerliee is an assistant teacher, Sunset is booked this whole week, Lightning Dust and RD has tah pull double duty cuze somepony messed up on repairing the weather factory or somethin’ like that, and Coco is helpin’ Rarity with the dresses she’s making for her clients.” Applejack stated.

“So you’re the only pony available that ah know can help me.” She added. Trixie gulped at the thought that if Applejack’s farm went down that would mean two thirds of Ponyville’s food supply would be gone.

Though she didn’t want to because it could result in her fear becoming public, but she also knew she couldn’t let Ponyville lose one of its most important resources.

She sighed in defeat knowing that no matter what she did she would have to agree. 

“Okay Applejack if you really need my help then I’ll help.” Trixie agreed 

“Alright, Ah’ll see yah at dusk.” AJ smiled and headed back to the farm. Trixie shut the door after seeing the mare off. She slumped to the ground with her hoofs on her head.

“What am I going to do?” She asked herself worryingly.

“What the problem about taking care of a few bats?” Spike asked sarcastically. Trixie stood straight up then looked toward Spike 

“Problem? Problem! The problem is that bats are nothing but maniacal pests with fangs and that some would even eat you for dinner!” She shouted frantically while she randomly teleported around the library.

“And that it doesn’t help if somepony has chiroptophobia which mind you is a fear of bats!” Trixie added.

“Don’t you think your overreacting a bit Trixie? Besides you aren’t afraid of bats are you?” Spike asked as Trixie looked at him worried.

“No no of course not, and I don’t want to let AJ down, so I’m just going to have to take this in stride and hope everything is going to fine.” Trixie gave a worried smile, and then gulped nervously. 

“I think.” She added quietly.

Trixie looked at the clock “Well we got some time before heading I have to head over.” She replied calmer now 

“Why not get some grub before hoof?” She moved back toward the door, opened it, and they both walked out of the library heading toward town. 

Arriving at SugarCube Corner they saw that it was pretty busy with it being lunch hour for every pony. Luckily they didn’t have to wait long and they were up at the register 

“Well hello Trixie; what can I get you two?” Mrs. Cake asked 

“Where’s Pinkie?  Shouldn’t she be running the register?” Trixie asked.

Mrs. Cake sighed “The poor mare broke her hoof during a delivery. The doctors said it would be a week before she could return to work.” She explained 

“So I gave her the week off.” She added.

“Well… send her my condolences.” Trixie added 

“Oh and Pinkie wanted me to give this to you.” Mrs. Cake passed her a fold out card. Trixie engulfed it in her magic and levitated it toward her 

“Wonder what Pinkie has to say?” She said sarcastically as she opened it. Then she was faced with a big beady red eyed bat glaring right at her. 

Her face paled when she saw and it looked like she was going to faint right there but didn’t for the sake of not worrying anypony or exposing her fear of bats.

“Dear are you okay?” Mrs. Cake asked looking at the paled faced unicorn 

“J-Just f-fine.” She stuttered. She looked at the card as it read to herself;

“I got you good didn’t I! -Pinkie Pie.” 

“I’ll just take a decaf and a bag of raisin cookies.” She ordered 

“Sure thing dear.” Mrs. Cake took the order and headed into the kitchen area. In a few minutes she came back out with Trixie’s order 

“That’ll be eight bits.” She said and Trixie passed her the eight bits 

“Thank you and have a great day.” Mrs. Cake smiled as Trixie went toward and out the door.

“I swear Pinkie knows how to push someponies button. How’d she figure out I don’t like bats anyway.” She wondered as she looked up in the sky seeing that a lot of clouds were still present in the sky and even some of them covering the sun from view. She then saw a rainbow and an amber gold streak flying through the clouds. 

“Well Rainbow and Lightning are still going at it.” She said seeing them blow through clouds like if it were practice for them.

“Well should we get back to the library?” Spike asked 

“You go on ahead Spike I’m going to…” She paused when she heard some kind of rumbling coming from the ground. 

“Um Spike do you feel that?” She asked and he nodded 

“What is it?” he asked while she was searching where the source came from; she put her head toward the ground to feel the vibrations.

Once she felt where the vibrations were coming from “It’s coming from the school house.” She stated then before they knew it there was a cloud of dust coming their way quickly. 

“Oh this is going to hurt.” She said weakly and before they could react they were trampled by little colts and fillies. They rose up from the ground painfully. 

“I think they broke my everything.” Spike stated and fell back on the ground.

“Um Miss Lulamoon.” A filly’s voice rang out which can be recognized as Sweetie Belle along with the rest of the Crusaders minus Pen.

“Why are you laying on the ground?” Scoots replied 

“We got trampled by your other classmates.” Trixie groaned,

“Shouldn’t you girls still be in school. It’s only 1 in the afternoon.” She then adds getting up.

“It was half day today so we got out early than usual.” Applebloom stated.

“Wasn’t Pen with you girls?” Spike asked noticing the lack of the ash grey filly.

“She said she’s hanging out Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon for a little while then she’ll come and find us.” Emerald replied 

“Well it’s been nice seeing yah Trix but we got some crusading tah do.” Applebloom said to them. 

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS GO!” all the crusaders screamed in unison and ran off like a rocket 

“I’ll never get use to that.” Trixie said cleaning out her ears from the yelling.

The day went as per the usual day and the sun was starting to set on the small town so that night would take over for the remainder of the day. The sun completely gone from the sky as the moon finally rose into the sky; normally everypony would be in bed by this time but unfortunately for Trixie she still has one thing left to do.

Trixie began her trot toward the apple farm with her horn igniting in the night illuminating her path. 

“Okay Trixie be calm this’ll be easy just scare the bats away and go home. Not a problem right?” She said aloud. She approached Sweet Apple Acres with Applejack standing at the porch waiting for her.

“Glad for yah tah make it Trix.” AJ said tipping her hat to her.

“Well shall we get this thing started?” She asked a bit nervous.

“Alright jus’ follow me to the orchard.” She replied motioning Trixie to follow.

Once they got into the orchard Trixie could already see some of the damages the bats caused already.

Some bruised apples with bite marks in them laid all over the place with only very few left in the trees themselves, some of the trees didn’t have much leaves on them either due to the infestation of bats.

“Be on the lookout, them here critters are rather clever. Especially here in the dark.” Applejack warns looking back and forth.

“H-How would we k-know where to find them?” She stuttered 

“Well since they like the smell of mah apples we just make uh trap an’ then we lure it into it. Sound like uh plan.” Applejack replied and Trixie nodded sweating up a storm of nervousness.

A trap was now set and all they need now was to wait and see if any of the bats came along to snatch the apple right up. Trixie and Applejack waited nearby where they could still see the trap. It was a basic netting trap that is used to catch fish but hiding underneath the dirt so that the bats don’t see it with an apple right in the middle of it.

Trixie was fidgeting with her hoofs in worry that maybe and hopefully the trap worked and this would all be behind her soon. AJ was nodding off here and there but she was still awake holding onto a piece of wire in her mouth waiting to spring the trap on the bats.

“You know maybe the bats went away and this was all for nothing you know.” Trixie smiled nervously. 

“Ah don’t think so.” Applejack placed a hoof on Trixie’s head and pointed her toward the trap where now it looks like there are about six of them on it. 

“Okay now when Ah trap ‘em you tie em up with your magic, then we’ll find a place and let the critters go elsewhere.” AJ said.

Trixie gulped nervously and waited for the farm mare to pull the wire. The bats were soon in range of the trap and Applejack pulled the lever causing the net to pop out trapping the bats.

“Alright now Trixie tie it!” She ordered and Trixie immediately grasped it with her magic making sure the bats couldn’t get away as it was tied and secured.

The bats were struggling to break free but with no success. Trixie began to count how many bats were in the net trap, but her count was one short of how many they had seen.

“Um AJ I think we missed one.” She replied 

“What?!” Applejack shouted and looked back at the net and began counting herself thinking Trixe had miscounted.

“One, Two, Three, Four, Five…” She paused 

“Only five but Ah’m sure there were six of them critters by the net.” She said seconds later her eyes widening a few inches when she looked at Trixie.

“Maybe one them got away before it was sprung.” Trixie stated as she looked back and forth.

“Eyup and Ah know just where it went to.” AJ stated looking at Trixie directly. 

“Where?” Trixie asked whipping her head about looking for it. 

“It’s on your head sugarcube.” She said pointing toward her head. Trixie froze for a few seconds, and she dared her eyes to look up but saw that the bat was perching on her horn eating the supposed apple bait.

Trixie’s eyes diverted back toward AJ and her face went pale and her eyes dilated to pinprick size.

“B-B-Bat… BAT!” She screamed as she tried to get the elusive bat off her horn. 

She was screaming her lungs out like a school yard filly, she tried shaking her head to get the bat off but with no luck but she eventually ran into a tree before the bat finally flew off only to land right back on her this time on the back.

“GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!” She yelled practically begging for it to be over. AJ wiped out her lasso and launched it toward the bat on her friends back and yanked it right off. 

“Gotcha little critter.” The farm mare says as Trixie stopped running trying to catch her breath from the little workout she had just given herself.

“You alright there sugarcube, yah don’t look okay.” AJ said with concern on her face. 

“Did that… thing leave a mark or something?” She asked.

AJ looked over Trixie’s back and notice some small claw marks on her.

“Just some scratches that’s all.” AJ answered. 

“I’m heading home to get this sanitized before it gets infected.” Trixie said and began to walk off. 

“But what about the other bats round here?” AJ called out Trixie stopping a moment and turned to face Applejack.

“I just… can’t take anymore bats right now.” She said 

“I’ve seen enough to last me a life time.” Trixie said turning around and burst into a complete sprint out of the orchard leaving Applejack confused.

Once she got back to the library she immediately locked the door and headed upstairs and plopped right on her bed head first into the pillow. 

“Well that could’ve gone better, why did it have to be bats? Why couldn’t be rabbits or squirrels or something other than bats?” She ranted 

“I hope it goes better tomorrow.” She said as she gave a yawn and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning as the sun rose high above Ponyville, Trixie was already up and opening things up for the library while Spike was making breakfast. Unfortunately Luna was not on Trixie’s side last night as her mane and tail was in complete disarray and her eyes only halfway opened. Trixie levitated a book over to another stack before she lost concentration in her magic.

Spike came out of the kitchen with a tray of some eggs and haybacon with orange juice.

“One big breakfast for yah Trix.” Spike said as he set down on the desk next to her. 

“Thanks Spike; I have a feeling I’m going to need it today.” She said groggily. 

“Hey I try to help.” Spike shrugged.

Once breakfast was finished along with some combing and showering Trixie was now wide awake. She trotted out of her library and noticed that the apple stand was opened and found that Applejack was standing behind it. 

“Okay Trixie just keep walking and maybe she won’t notice…” Her thoughts were cut off as the farm mare in fact did notice her.

“HEY TRIXIE!” Applejack yelled out and waved leaving her stand.

“Oh ponyfeathers.”  She thought as the mare walked over a stern glare plastered on her muzzle.

“What in the hay bale happened last night?” Applejack asked her voice as stern as her glare.

“Well um… Trixie just… wasn’t herself yesterday.” She lied giving a confident convincing smile. 

“Are yah sure about that?” Applejack raised an eyebrow to Trixie’s statement 

“Yes, Trixie was just off edge yesterday but she’ll be ready next time.” She smiled 

“Okay since yah put it that way, there are still plenty of bats out there, ah’ve managed tah catch a few of them but Ah’m still goin’ tah need help.” She stated.

“Of course.” She nodded 

“Alright see yah at dusk Trixie.” Applejack said and went back toward her stand. Trixie let out a relieved sigh 

“So how’d it go last night?” A cocky voice spoke up causing Trixie to jump in surprise and look around for the source, but found nopony near her.

“Up here.” The voice called out again and Trixie looked up to see Rainbow Dash on a cloud looking at her. 

“Rainbow you know that it’s kind of rude to sneak up on somepony.” Trixie fumed glaring at the pegasi.

“Oh lay off Trix… so as I said how’d it go last night?” Rainbow repeated.

“Trixie won’t give you the privilege to know.” She answered.

“And why not?” Dash asked her pouting.

“Because if Trixie tells you, you’re just going to go around Ponyville and babble about Trixie’s secret and Trixie will not be pleased about it at all.” She warned Dash giving her a glare.

“Trixie you’re speaking in third again.” Dash informed 

“Trixie knows Trixie is speaking in third.” Trixie replied and calmed herself.

“Well just saying. If there is anything bothering you I could well…you know…listen.” Dash says as Trixie looks back and forth making sure nopony else was around.

“Fine. Dash can you keep a secret?” She asked.

“Depends on what it is.” Dash responded 

“Well… it just that.” She paused looking around again for signs of others being around.

“I’m scared of bats!” She blurted out then covered her mouth so that nopony else would hear her.

Dash only blinked at her in confusion 

“You’re scared of… bats?” She questioned and Trixie nodded her head a little. Dash then tried to hold back a laugh but failed as she rolled off her cloud, landed on the ground and proceeds to roll on the ground holding her gut while she was laughing up a storm. 

“Are you serious Trixie scared of little bats?” She laughed again.

Trixie ignited her horn, engulfing Dash in her aura, lifting said pony in the air and pounded her into the ground with her magic leaving a small indent in the ground with Dash’s shape. 

“IT’S NOT FUNNY OKAY!” She shouted as Dash got out from the small hole in the ground 

“And for the record bats are nature’s devils if you ask me.” She pouted.

“How are you going to know if you don’t like them you don’t give them a chance?” Dash asked 

“Rainbow have you ever been close to a bat creature?” She asked. Dash pondered that question 

“Um… well.” She stuttered 

“I didn’t think so.” Trixie stated.

“Well how did you get to be afraid of bats anyway?” Dash asked.

Trixie hesitated “Do you really want to know? Or are you just baiting me to tell an embarrassing story?” Trixie asked as Dash shrugs.

“Don’t know really. Could be either.” Dash replied with a sly grin.

“Alright I will tell you, but if I hear whispers about me and bats you are waking up shrunk.” She said to her.

“Sheesh. I get it. Lips are sealed.” Dash says as Trixie sighs in relief.

“It happened when I was just a filly. The school was on a class trip to a nature preserve. My friend was curious about the ecosystem of the area so we headed off on our own and eventually we found this cave.” Trixie starts as Dash nods getting a felling where this was going.

“Of course being fillies and being overly curious we went inside to explore it. We didn’t know it at the time, but the cave was infested with bats. One landed on me and I looked at it. Seeing a bat up close like that…those beady eyes, and those razor sharp fangs. I screamed which caused the other bats to wake and we were practically chased out.” She explained.

“Since then I have been scared of bats. I can’t stand being near them!” She states in a slightly panicked tone.

“Then why are you helping Applejack get rid of the ones on her farm?” Rainbow asks.

“I can’t just turn her down Rainbow. The apple farm is responsible for a majority of Ponyville’s food supply.” Trixie states and looks away.

“And I don’t exactly have a choice in the matter.” She adds looking back to Dash.

“You and Dust are pulling double duty, Cheerliee is the assistant teacher raising a young filly, Sunset has enough stress with her young clients and their parents, and Coco has to help Rarity with her line for an upcoming fashion show! Which leaves me all on my own.” She finished.

“Oh right speaking of that I’d better get back up their before boss throws a fit or something.” Dash said as she took off toward the sky looking back to Trixie. 

“And don’t you worry you secret’s safe with me Trix.” She added and zoomed off. Trixie sighed in relief to know that Dash would keep her secret.

Trixie left for her place as she waited for the time to come to head back to the farm.

“Alright Trix yah ready tah get started.” Applejack said. She gulped nervously looking around at the trees which they were in worse shape than they were the last time she was there.

“I guess so.” She said nervously. 

“So what’s your plan AJ?” She squeaks. 

“Well ah was thinkin’ the divide and conquer routine.” Applejack answered.

“Yah round up the bats on the east side an’ Ah’ll take the west side and we meet right in the middle that way we can capture more of them that way.” She began to explained 

“Then we can catch’em in this here net.” She finished indicating the net that was set up to catch them.

“You sure this’ll work?” Trixie asked worried as somehow last time a bat had escaped the net trap.

“Darn tootin’ it’ll work.” The farm mare smirked confident in her plan.

“Alright let’s get to it.” And with a hearty YEHAWW AJ went west leaving Trixie on her own.

In the east side of the orchard lighting an illumination spell Trixie was able to see all around her. She cautiously looked left and right looking for any sigh of bats in the area. 

“There doesn’t seem like there aren’t any here.” She thought and she continued onward. 

She was now in the deep territory of the east orchard when she heard a rustling by a nearby bush “W-W- Who’s there?” She questioned hesitantly as something black slithered out from the bush. 

“Oh it just a black mamba.” She sighed with relieve but notice that it wasn’t paying attention to her but slithering toward an object on the ground. 

“Huh?” She thought seeing the snake sneaking up on the object.

She heard a small shriek as if it were from an animal then she looked toward the snake’s direction and saw what it was slithering toward. It was an injured bat with a branch on one of its wings and it was frantically trying to get itself free. The mamba was getting closer to it almost ready to have its prey for dinner. 

“Oh ponyfeather, what do I do? A mamba’s poison is deadly and can kill a full grown mare in a matter of minutes if any of its venom gets into the bloodstream.” Trixie mumbled 

“But a bite to a bat would kill it in seconds.” Trixie argued with herself 

“But bats are also frightening creatures too, but if I don’t do something now the bat’s snake food.” Trixie argued with herself.

“Get bitten by a snake and die, or let the bat get bitten and let it die.” She debated but she couldn’t long because the mamba was just about to reach its target as the bat tried to free its wing from the fallen branch. 

“Guess I don’t have a choice here.” Trixie mutter and jumped in front of the mamba lighting her horn.

“Okay you back off and you won’t get hurt.” Trixie warned.

The mamba coiled up and was in a ready position to strike at its intruder. It hissed at Trixie revealing its fangs to her, but instead of waiting for Trixie to make a move it lounged at Trixie fangs ready to inject its venom into its prey. 

Trixie lowered her head with her horn sticking toward it. 

“I hope this works.” She prayed hoping that she wasn’t going to regret this.

CHOMP

“YEEOWW!” She screamed causing some of the bats in other trees to fly off in all directions. Trixie’s eyes were closed at the time but she slowly opened them but see only a long black skin was hanging in front of her. 

She looked up and saw that the mamba was biting at her horn. She gave a sigh of relief then changed to a serious one.

“HA! Sorry but do you know that a unicorn’s horns don’t have veins in it so it’ll be impossible for you to inject your venom and that it take great strength to break a unicorns horn.” Trixie explained with a smirk. She ignited her horn grasping the mamba in her magic and tossing it back toward the bushes. Once that was done it slithered off probably scared at the experience it just had.

Trixie then looked back toward the down bat and grabbed the branch with her teeth and tossed it away freeing the bat.

“A-Are you okay?” She asked it hesitantly and it nodded back to her. 

“W-Well good but I must be going.” She turned to leave it behind but before she could she felt something cling to her back left leg. She looked at what it was and noticed it was the bat she helped.

“Um… you can let go now.” She said but it refused to budge from her leg. Now that she could see it up close, it was a silver coated bat with deep sapphire blue eyes staring at her and almost acting… cute. Trixie looked at the wing that was damaged and seeing that it was a little twisted. 

“You know for a bat you’re not as… scary as I feared.” She finally said.

The bat continued to stare at her “You’re not coming off my leg are you.” Trixie said as the bat shook its head and clung to her back leg. 

“You know you’ve actually given me an idea.” Trixie said as she trotted off to find Applejack.

She made it back toward the meeting place along with Applejack coming from the west orchard with no luck on getting any bats at all. 

“Well that could’ve gone better.” she sighed then looked at Trixie.

“Ah’m guessing yah didn’t have much luck either.” Applejack asked.

“Well I can’t say that.” She pointed toward her back leg and the farm mare saw a bat clinging to Trixie’s leg.

“What in tarnation are yah doin’ letting that varmint on yah?” She asked startled by the site in front of her. 

“Well I actually saved it from almost getting eaten by a mamba and it clung to me to stay safe.” Trixie smiled 

“And that actually gave me an idea, how about instead of capturing the bat we let them have this part of the orchard.” Trixie said 

“Are yah out of your mind!” Applejack yelled narrowing her eyes at Trixie.

“Please here me out Applejack. Yes these bats are a small pest, but the seed that come from them eating the apples can be planted and will grow stronger and faster than if you did it by normal means.” She states as Applejack looked like she was about to say something as Trixie raised a hoof to signal she wasn’t done.

“It might also help your profits a bit. This part of the orchard would be a Bat Sanctuary.” She finished as Applejack thought about it.

“Well…” She paused 

“Jus’ as long they stay on this side of the orchard ah’ll be fine with it.” AJ agreed before looking at the one on Trixie’s leg and pointing at it.

“But what are yah going tah do with that one?” She added.

“Well I think the smart thing to do is take it home and if its injury hasn’t healed I’ll take it to Fluttershy’s.” Trixie explained. 

“Well see you tomorrow AJ.” She waved goodbye and began her night walk home.

Once she got home the bat let go of her leg and began to walk around the house. 

“Well first I need to see if you’re a male or female.” She quickly found a book on the different types of bats as well as features of the genders of the different species.

“Let’s see…according to this you’re a female.” She says after a couple minutes of looking the book over.

“But what to name you?” She questions thinking it over but didn’t take long a name popping to mind quickly.

“How about Halyn?” She asked and the clung to her face in response. Trixie flinched a little bit at the bats response, but took it as a yes.

“Okay I’ll have to get used to that.” She giggled.

Then she brought out a paper and quill from her desk “You know you’ve given me a great lesson to write to the princess.” She said grasping a quill and scroll with her magic.

She brought the quill to the paper and cleared her throat before she began to write.

“Dear Princess Celestia; Sometimes fear can cloud a ponies judgement whether it’s being scared of the dark, or something like having fear of bats for my case. Yet if you look at it from a different angle suddenly those fears that once scared you the most don’t seem so scary after all. Especially if the very thing you’re scared of is also afraid of something as well. Signed your faithful student; Trixie Lulamoon.”

She finished placing the quill and paper down on the desk so that Spike can send the letter afterward.

“Well my winged friend we both had a long day so how about we call it a night.” She called to her new pet that was still clung to her face. And so Trixie and her new bat pet Halyn went upstairs into Trixie’s room and went straight to sleep waiting to see what adventures would be in store for her when she awakes.





“I’ve really taken a shine to her then, and she has been helpful with everything.” Trixie says.

“Plus it has taken some stress of my favorite assistant.” She adds looking to Spike.

“Sounds like you two get along. Would actually be worrisome if it was something else like say…an owl.” Sunset comments as Trixie rolls her eyes.

“You and your imagination Sunset.” Trixie says as Hayln chirps in agreement.

> Kindess and Naivety
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning rose on the little town so that the fellow ponies could enjoy the day ahead. It appeared to be Sunday as young fillies and colts went out to play and have fun in the sun all day, however today wasn't the day for a particular pony an assistant teacher named Cheerliee heading toward the Carousal boutique. The day before she promised to help Rarity gather some jewels since she ran out for a new fashion line she was going to make.

"It's a little early for jewel hunting." She said but still continued onward

"But I promised to help her find some and I'm more than willing to get my hooves dirty if need be." She said with some confidence as she knocked on the door of the boutique.

The door opened to reveal a small filly that she already met "Oh hello there Sweetie Belle." She greeted the filly

"Oh good morning Miss. Cheerliee. Can I help you?" The filly asked

"Well I was wondering if your sister was up." She said

"Oh sure I'll go get her." She zoomed off before Cheerliee could do anything

"RARITY! CHEERLIEE'S HERE!" Sweetie hollered.

What was heard next was the sound of something crashing from the upper levels of the boutique. Probably Rarity getting woken up from her 'beauty' sleep.

"SWEETIE BELLE!" A more decorate voice yelled out. 

Sweetie Belle immediately returned to the front door "She'll be down in a minute." She smiled as she let Cheerliee in who wandered what the filly did to wake up the older mare.

Kindness and Naivety

It was still early so Coco was yet to arrive at the boutique. She heard a door slam and she saw Rarity come down the stairs with her mane and tail all frizzled and her sapphires eyes half opened.

"Good…" She let out a loud yawn "Morning Cheerliee." She groggily said.

"Is everything alright Rarity?" Cheerliee asked looking at the frizzled maned mare

"Quite alright darling…" She then looked toward Sweetie Belle still sporting a bright smile

"Just woken by a small filly." She added.

Rarity then trotted up toward the back of her boutique "Just let me freshen up, get a bite of breakfast then we'll be off dear." Rarity said disappearing in the backroom leaving Cheerliee alone with Sweetie Belle in the front room.

"Well I love to stay, but me and the other Crusaders have made plans for today." Sweetie said and she trotted out the door to meet up with her friends.

Rarity being Rarity it took her over an hour just for her to get ready. The door opened again only this time Coco appeared "Oh hello Cheerlie." Coco greeted

"Is there anything you need?" She asked

"Actually no, but me and Rarity are about to head on a jewel hunt for another idea Rarity has for a fashion line." Cheerliee replied.

"Okay, but maybe after while you could help me model, I've just figured out a design that could work for you Cheerlie." Coco said.

Cheerliee pondered it but quickly found an answer "Tell you what after me and Rarity come back from gather up more jewels I'll be sure to give you a hoof." Cheerlie answered

"Thank you Cheerlie." She thanked

"What are friends for right." She said.

Rarity now exited the backroom back in her former glory with her mane and tail back in its usual curly style "Well are you ready to go dear?" She said

"Oh and good morning Coco." She greeted

"We shouldn't take long so feel free to use all of the equipment if needed." She stated.

"Of course Rarity." Coco said and disappeared into Rarity's inspiration room.

"Now let us be off darling the more we wait the more those precious gems waste away in the dirt." Rarity stated.

"Right behind you Rare's, but how are we going to haul all the jewels we do find even our saddlebags aren't going to be enough?" Cheerliee questioned.

"Oh that's simple darling…" She paused and led her to the outside and behind the boutique.

"We just use this." She gestured to a large moving cart used to haul heavy objects.

"Well strap on darling we have a long way to go before we get there." Rarity said and Cheerlie strap on the harness off they went.

"So where are we going to look?" She asked

"There a nice patch of land in the mountains but it shouldn't take more than an hour to get there but it'll be worth the trip." Rarity said and of they went.

Like Rarity said it took them about an hour filled with rocks all over the place. Cheerliee detach herself from the cart and began to look around and a little confused.

"Um Rarity I thought we were looking for jewels not a bunch of rocks." She replied

"Oh why of course darling we first have to find the gems first since there in the ground." Rarity concluded.

"Which means we have to dig them up?" Cheerliee said and Rarity nodded.

"Do you know why my cutiemark is three shaped diamonds; it represents my specialty in finding and applying rare gems." Rarity added and lit her horn in a sapphire blue aura pointed her head toward the ground and began looking

"What are you doing?" Cheerlie questioned confused of her friends action.

"It's a gem finding spell I developed for just these occasions, it allows me to pinpoint where any gem is in the area." Rarity answered and her head jerked right pointing toward some scattered rocks.

"Oh there must be plenty over there." She commented and Cheerliee went over and proceeded to dig with her hooves in the spot Rarity's horn was pointing to.

When she dug enough down it revealed at least three sapphires, two emeralds, and two cobalt's. Rarity went over to inspect them and immediately eyed the cobalt's shaped into a jagged fang.

"Are these jagged cobalt's?" Rarity inspected then gasped

"These are jagged cobalt's! I've been looking for these for months!" She squealed.

"Well we better put them in these in the cart." She said and placed them in.

"Well we still got a lot to get darling so let's get busy." Rarity said as she continued to look around for more gems to add.

Two hours quickly passed and the girls made their way back to Ponyville "You sure you can handle that darling?" Rarity asked a struggling Cheerliee trying to pulling the cart full of gems from their latest finding.

"Yeah no problem this is a… cake walk." Cheerliee smiled but the sweat coming down her face and the dirt on her front hooves from all the digging says otherwise.

"Well were almost home darling." Rarity assured and within a few minutes they were at the front step of the Carousal Boutique. Cheerliee let out a relieving sigh and detached herself from the cart.

"You head on in and I'll take care of this." Rarity said grabbing some of the gems in her magic and bringing them in.

Cheerliee headed inside and since she promised to help Coco with her modeling she went to go see her right away.

She found where Coco was always; in the inspiration room making another dress. As always the room is a mess with an assortments of fabrics measuring tapes, but to some they would call it a mess, but to Coco and Rarity it would be considered organized chaos, but Cheerliee respected that and leave it at that.

She knocked to get Coco's attention which made her flinch a little bit then realized it was just Cheerliee coming in.

"So should we get started?" She asked and Coco nodded and gestured her to a medium size podium for Cheerliee to stand on. She got on the podium and stood there.

"Okay just like that." Coco said she brought out the measuring tape and began her measurements.

The measurements took only about five minutes and Coco began taking fabrics and began applying the measurements she took from Cheerliee onto the fabrics. The fabric she was using is a jungle green and relic gold.

First the jungle green fabric would be the dress part which covers the flank but not so much that it would drag on the ground when the pony walks. Next the jungle green would have the relic gold vines that would travel around the dress and to the other side of it and branching out and curling into a swirl pattern.

The relic gold is used for the saddle that would go around the ponies' waist so it wouldn't slip from the ponies back. A lime green trim went around the saddle to add some color to the dress. Relic gold strap shoes are used so it would tie in a cross pattern but not too tight so the pony doesn't lose circulation in there hoofs.

To finish an amethyst necklace is held together with a bright gold chain to add some brightness that begs for attention.

"And I think that should do it." Coco said finally finishing the dress and placing it on Cheerliee. Cheerliee stepped down from the podium and looked at herself in the mirror.

"Wow Coco your work is getting better and better each time." She complemented and Coco blushed in embarrassment.

"Oh it's not much." She said sheepishly

"It's great Coco thanks." She thanked and took the dress off.

Cheerliee's stomach growled "Well that took longer than expected." She said

"This calls for some brunch, and a trip to Sugarcube Corner." Cheerliee said and she walked out of boutique with Rarity finished unloading the travel cart.

"Thank you for the help darling, without you I don't know if I would've gotten all these here." Rarity thanked.

"What are friends for." Cheerliee said and she trotted off to her next destination.

She was on her way to Sugarcube Corner, however something else had plans for her, that 'something' or somepony crashed into her was Rainbow Dash.

"Ugh…ow now that hurt." Cheerliee groaned and rubbed her head and spotted the source of her headache. Rainbow Dash had her head stuck in the ground trying to free herself from the grounds grasp.

She groaned shaking her head at the pony "Hold on let me help." She said as she grabbed Dash's tail with her mouth and pulled hard.

By the fifth pull she was able to free Dash's head from the ground. With her head free she spat out the dirt that was in her mouth and wiped away the dirt from her tongue with her hoof.

"Okay now I know what they mean by 'eat dirt'." Dash joked the she saw Cheerliee and she spat out Dash's tail.

"Are you okay Rainbow?" She asked concerned while Dash just put on a proud smile.

"Oh I'm cool; just a jet stream got me off target that's all." Dash said with a smirk puffing her chest out with pride.

"Well at least there's no actual head injury." She said swiping sweat off with her hoof

"What were you doing anyway?" She then questioned.

"Well if you must know; I was trying to pull off a double helix screwdriver to impress the wonderbolts when I get the chance." She replied as Cheerliee raised an eyebrow at her.

"But as you can see it still needs some work." She let out a slight chuckle.

Then an idea came to mind "Hey maybe you can help me perfect it!" Dash replied

"I mean you've been helpful to most ponies in town. It'll be perfect." Dash explained

"Maybe she suffered some head trauma." Cheerliee thought.

"Well I don't know…" She paused

"Please! Please! Please!" She begged making puppy eyes at Cheerliee

"Oh c'mon." She thought.

"…I guess it wouldn't hurt." Cheerliee answered with a sigh.

"YES! I OWE YOU ONE CHEERS!" She cried out giving Cheerliee a hug in response.

"But only after I get some lunch okay." She added.

"Okayseeyouattheparkbye." Dash said quickly and before Cheerliee knew it Dash was gone.

She shook her head "I'll never understand that pony." She said as she continued her way toward SugarCube Corner.

She entered SugarCube Corner luckily there wasn't that many ponies in today "Hey Pinkie you here." She called out and Pinkie popped out from behind the register.

"Oh afternoon Cheers, what can I get yah?" Pinkie asked as Cheerliee looked around noticing the bakery/sweets shop was practically empty.

"I thought this place would be busy by this time." Cheerliee said

"Well it's been rather quiet today and Mrs. Cake asked me to take over." Pinkie said.

"Plus she's been rather moody lately if you ask me." Pinkie added muttering.

"So what can I get yah?" She asked again

"You have a salad?" Cheerilee asked and Pinkie bolted back to the kitchen and brought out one of the salad bowls that they saved.

"There yah go, three bits for the salad." Pinkie said and Cheerliee placed three bits on the counter and took the salad bowl in her hooves.

Cheerliee found a seat in a booth and dug into her salad.

After a nice tasty salad she had to meet up with Rainbow Dash about helping with a new stunt she's been trying to perfect or something like that. Dash was tapping her hoof on a cloud she was sitting waiting for her to show up. She began to glance around for her then she spotted her approaching.

She flew toward her and landed next to her "About time I was waiting for like twenty minutes." Dash complained

"Patience's is a virtue Rainbow Dash." She stated

"Now what is this trick you want to do again." Cheerliee asked.

"Maybe you can help me out with it." Dash said pointing toward a piece of paper that is being weighted down by a rock.

"So far this is the layout of what my trick is supposed to do." Dash said as Cheerliee scanned over the layout of Dash trick.

On the top of the paper it read: Helix Screwdriver. It had Dash fly through the air gaining speed performing two loop de loops then bolting straight upward while spinning and the finale her shooting downward her wings spread while spinning and pulling up at the last second.

"Well what's the problem?" Dash asked. Cheerliee took a second glance before pondering a thought.

"Well for one there your spinning here will be make you dizzy and throw you off balance and this part here where you pull up at the last second while spinning will land you in the ground about ninety percent of the time." Cheerliee stated.

"So I may suggest you try a brand new approach in this stunt." She then added

"Okay I'll give it a shot." Dash said and took off like a rocket. She went straight into performing her loops then shooting straight into the air while gathering some great speed.

She stopped about three hundred feet up gazing in the sun glow then shooting downward into a spiral coming down fast. At about one hundred feet she extended her wings so that they're straight out and wind was passing through them leaving a wind stream behind. Then she began to spin quickly have the wind streams cross each other forming a helix and Dash coming down like a drill.

Luckily she managed to pull up at the second before she crashed into the dirt… only smack head first into a tree.

Cheerliee flinched at the crash of her pegasi friend and went to check on her "You okay Dash?" She asked.

"That was. Perfect!" Dash shouted

"I mean when I tried it the first time I was dizzy and lost my focus but this time around was way different, and I managed to keep my focus without losing control. Great idea Cheers." Dash commented.

"Well happy to help." Cheerliee said

"Let me know if you need anything else okay." Cheereliee added feeling like so far today had been a great day for her.

She trotted back to Ponyville to check on its residence and maybe lend a helping hoof if need be. She looked to her right and notice Sunset working with a few fillies and colts with their magic.

"I see Sunset still busy as ever." She said to herself then looked to her left to find Spike carrying some books with Trixie carrying some too.

"Maybe I'll see what there up to." She said and trotted toward them.

"Hey Trixie, Spike!" She called out to get their attention which it did as they both looked at her when their names were called.

"Oh hello Cheerliee can we help you with anything?" Spike asked

"Actually I was about to ask you two that same question." Cheerliee replied.

"Huh?" Trixie and Spike said.

"I've got plenty of time on my hooves, so I could help out with anything you need." Cheerliee added. Trixie paused for a second to consider what to say.

"…Well we're donating some of these old books to an orphanage that's down a ways." Trixie said

"But we don't know where the orphanage is anyway." Spike added struggling to hold the stack of books.

"No problem I know just where it is." Cheerliee smiled and took about half the stack Spike was carrying and place them on her back.

"Just follow me." She added and the two followed Cheerliee to their destination.

It was a rather quiet twenty minutes as no pony or dragon said a word until Trixie spoke up.

"So everything going great for you Cheerliee?" Trixie questioned

"Oh everything is fine, today I promised Rarity a while back I would help her gather some gems today, of course it took about two hours but we made quiet the haul, and Coco wanted my help to model for her afterward for a new design, and to top it off I've help Rainbow perfect a brand new stunt she been working on." Cheerliee smiled.

"You've managed to help with all that… in a few hours." Trixie said a bit surprised.

"Actually it was two hours and forty minutes if I'm right."Cheerliee corrected.

"I do this all the time Trixie; it's nothing new to me." She added. They continued walking for another ten minutes until coming into view of a large two store brick building with a light red roof.

Also on the side of the brick building is some playground equipment that young fillies and colts could play on. The place on the outside looked well kept and not messy or run down. They approached the front door of the building and knocked on the front door.

The door opened to reveal an earth pony mare with completely gray coat and a darker gray mane with a flat mane and tail style. She also had violet eyes and her cutiemark is that of an array of round marbles of different colors.

"Hello again Cheerliee." The mare answered seemingly to know Cheerliee well.

"It's been awhile Marble." Cheerliee answered.

"So what brings you back here to the orphanage? Wanting to adopt another one?" The mare now known as Marble asked.

"No I'm just helping a friend of mine finding this place since she didn't know where this place was." Cheerliee said and gestured to Trixie and Spike to follow inside.

"Marble let me introduce some of my friends." Cheerliee started

"This is Celestia's student Trixie Lulamoon, and her assistant Spike. They're also kind of the local librarians now for Golden Oaks." She introduced as Trixie waved and placed the books down and Spike practically drop his stack from all of the walking.

"And this is Marble Pie who's the caretaker of the orphanage." She added.

"Pleasure to meet you both." Marble said.

"Wait a minute. Cheerliee did you say her name is Pie?" Trixie asked

"Yes. Why?" Cheerliee said

"Then wouldn't that make her related to Pinkie Pie." Trixie added.

"Oh you must mean my sister Pinkamena Diana Pie, but we just call her Pinkie for short." Marble said.

"Your sister!" Spike shouted. Marble then shushed him.

"Please be quiet some of the other fillies and colts are sleeping and I don't have to wake them up until another twenty minutes. So please no shouting." She whispered.

Spike let out a slight chuckle "Sorry about that." He whispered.

Trixie took a quick glance around the inside of the place, and as expected it looked very well kept and neat. There was a small play area for the everypony to play if it rained. A small book shelf for easy access to the books, and a kitchen in the back to help with the baking.

A staircase that leads to the upstairs bedrooms is in the back half of the building "It looks just as good inside as it is outside." Trixie commented

"But how are you able to keep up with this place?" Trixie asked. Marble smirked

"Well most of the time Cheerliee helps out with all of this." Marble said

"And the way she's around the fillies and colts here, they always comment on how nice and kind she is." Marble added.

Cheerliee blushed embarrassed "Marble you're embarrassing me." Cheerliee said

"Oh right sorry." Marble added.

Trixie let out a cough "Well back on topic, we were wondering if you would take these books off our hoofs. Since I have no room for them in my library." Trixie stated. Marble nodded

"Of course I'm sure the foals here will much enjoy them." Marble said as Trixie levitated them over to the bookshelves.

"Speaking of the kids; how's Emerald Jewel fairing?" Marble asked.

"She's doing great, but at times I still worry about her when she goes off with the Crusaders." Cheerliee stated.

"But I'm sure she'll be fine." She added.

Trixie and Spike were making their way outside "Well I would like to stay and chat but we better be getting home before it gets late. It's been a pleasure to meet you Marble and maybe you can stop by Ponyville some time." Trixie replied.

"I'll be sure to stop by whenever I can." Marble said

"Maybe I'll make it field trip for the foals here." She added.

"Oh and Trixie." She said stopping Trixie for a moment

"I've got to say that you have the kindest friend like Cheerliee. Don't want anything to happen to her." Marble said.

"It'll be fine Marble." Trixie assured

"Well we better be going Cheerliee." She said as both Trixie, and Cheerliee walked the path back to Ponyville as Spike rode on Trixie's back the rest of the way back.

About ten minutes into the walk back home it was completely silent most of the time till Cheerliee breathed in some fresh air.

"Ah always a good day to take in some fresh air." Cheerliee stated a smile on her face.

"Yeah but; I have something I feel I should tell you Cheerliee." Trixie replied.

"Sure just say what's on your mind." Cheerliee said

"Well Cheerliee what you've told me from what you did today. I think you've been coming off, and don't take this personally. A little naive." Trixie stated.

Cheerliee stopped a moment and stared at her azure colored friend "Naïve. What do you mean by that?" She asked.

"What I mean is that your being easily tricked or being too kind for your own good." Trixie explained

"I'm just being who I am Trixie. Nothing bad about that." Cheerliee said.

"I know but sometimes being too nice can get you into a lot of trouble Cheerliee." Trixie said.

They made their way back to Ponyville; Trixie went back to the library and Cheerliee back home thinking about what Trixie said today. She was back to grading papers for tomorrow being a school day.

"So what I help out around town." She stated

"Plus it never hurts to lend a helping hoof once in awhile to a fellow pony." She added. She stopped herself in the middle of her grading thinking over what she just said and what Trixie had told her.

"Maybe… I am being naïve." She said but only shook her head

"C'mon Cheerliee you need get that negativity out of your head." Cheerliee said and continued her grading.

Three hours later; her grading finished two hours ago and the sun almost ready to set with the sky turning a deep orange with a mix of yellow and red as well. She was relaxing in her home along with her daughter Emerald eating dinner when a knock at her door disturbed their dinner.

"A pony at this hour." She thought as she walked toward the door and opened it only to find an exhausted Lightning Dust with a lot of muck and dirt on her.

"Lightning Dust what happened to you. You look like you've been through Ghastly Gorge." Cheerliee said.

"Actually… that's where… I was." She said between breaths.

"Why were you out there for anyway?" Cheerliee asked. Lightning Dust took in a breath of air before speaking and calming herself down before she spoke.

"Fluttershy wanted me to go to Ghasty Gorge to help feed some of the animals there and she had Angel Bunny follow me just to make sure everything went okay." She began.

"Then well something got all the creatures into a frenzy and they started attacking us and nearly causing a rockslide. I got out as quickly as I could but when I looked behind me Angel Bunny wasn't there. So that's why I came back to find you." She finished

"Why not go to Fluttershy?" Cheerliee asked

"Are you kidding, she'll kill me if I didn't bring Angel back with me and it's not a pretty sight if she gives you 'The stare'." She shuddered.

"But isn't a little late to be going out I mean it is almost dark." Cheerliee said glancing back to her daughter.

"I know that, but it's either getting Angel now or suffer Fluttershy's wrath later." Lightning Dust said.

"Couldn't we just wait till tomorrow where it is lighter instead of in the night?" Cheerliee questioned.

"Fluttershy expected me to be done by now and to make sure Angel’s okay." Lightning added

"C'mon Cheerliee please." She pleaded

"Well I don't know." Cheers answered

"Please?" Lightning pleaded giving Cheerliee the puppy eyes and lip quivering.

"Oh for crying out loud." Cheerliee thought to resist them but she eventually caved and gave in

"Alright just let me get Emerald to bed then I'll help you." She said.

"Sweet, thanks Cheers I owe you one." Lightning said as she waited by the door.

With some coaxing Cheerliee manage to put Emerald to bed so that she can be ready for school the next morning. With that settle Cheerliee took off with Lightning Dust to get Angel Bunny out of Ghasty Gorge. Cheerliee followed Lightning Dust even despite it being late at night now.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" She called out to the pegasi above her

"Trust me I know where it is." Dust called back.

They went like this for about twenty five minutes where now Luna's moon was high in the sky over head. They came to a wide rocky valley that had large gaping holes near the top of the valley.

"It doesn't look that dangerous to me." Cheerliee said. A tiny bird flew in and landed on a branch near one of the holes.

When out of nowhere a large mouth that could eat an apple tree whole shot out of the hole and clamped it's mouth shut on the bird swallowing it whole and then retreating back into it home. Cheerliee stood there wide eyed at the sight of where the small bird and what was left of the branch.

"Maybe we should come back another time maybe when it's daylight." Cheerliee said obviously not wanting to become tonight's dinner

"Oh come on we'll go in grab Angel Bunny and get out in no time flat." Lightning smirked

"Couldn't you just go and grab him." Cheerliee retorted

"Hey I need somepony to watch my back just in case anything goes wrong." Lightning said.

"So you only got me to come with so I could… be a lookout." Cheerliee said

"Yeah pretty much." Lightning stated bluntly.

"Are you kidding me?!" She shouted

"Ugh! Trixie was right that my kindness was going to get me in trouble one of these days and it had to be today!" She shouted. Lightning was taken aback by her sudden outburst

"Hey you know you could've just said no and I could've got RD to help me." She stated.

"I know but it's too late to turn back now is it." Cheerliee said a bit annoyed at her.

"Okay then, you watch from there while I find Angel then we're out of here." Lightning said as she flew straight down the valley avoiding the large holes to she doesn't become dinner. Once down there she began searching quickly and accurately looking under every rock… literally for the small bunny.

Lightning kept this up for ten minutes without any success, but still kept at it. Then she heard a squeal from a tiny hole in the ground and went to check it out.

"Did Angel dig this hole?" Lightning asked herself

"Lightning! Did you find him?!" Cheerliee called.

"I think so!" She called back, then stuck her muzzle down the hole

"Angel you down there?!" She called down the hole. First there wasn't any response but a moment later Angel popped its head out of the hole

"Hey there buddy good to see your okay." Lightning Dust said but Angel had an angry look on his face.

"Okay sorry for leaving you in a hurry, but now let's get out of here before anything else happens." She said.

Angel hopped on her back and she took to the sky. She was about half way up when the same large mouth came out and tries to eat them only to realize that the mouth had a whole body attached to it. 

The monster was red with bright yellow eyes that could go right through you, and sharp scales that was there armor and of course pearly white teeth that could eat a pony whole.

"Oh ponyfeathers." Dust said. Then the monster tried to strike at her again but Lightning avoided it only losing an eight of her tail

"Hey no touchy on the tail." Dust said as it tried to strike her yet again

"Okay maybe we should get." Dust said and Angel nodded in agreement

"Cheerliee move your flank so we can get out of here!" She shouted back.

Cheerliee said and quickly moved out of the way as Lightning dust landed in front of her. They both heard a loud roar and the monsters head came out of the valley.

"Okay now this is getting old." Dust said looking up at the monster with a really long neck.

"So you want to challenge me huh?" She said with some cockiness in her tone but the monster just roared again

"Cheerliee take Angel I've got some unfinished business with this thing." She said as Angel got off her back and onto Cheerliee.

Dust shot straight to the air "Booyahcasha!" She cried out landing a right hoof to the side of the monster. It shook it off and attacked her again but couldn't hit her.

Cheerliee and Angel looked on seeing Lightning Dust holding her own. However no matter how fast Lightning Dust is she's still one pony and one pony verses a big pony eating monster isn't going to be good. The monster let out one final roar which the shockwave from it sent Lightning Dust swirling to the ground with a loud crash.

She picked herself up shook off the hit "Man this thing doesn't give up." She snarled

"Lightning Dust I would like to help if you'll let me." Cheerliee said. Lightning dust looked at her companion in confusion.

"What can you do?" Dust questioned

"Oh this school teacher might have a few tricks up her hoof." Cheerliee stated

"Just follow my lead." She added.

"Angel I'm afraid you'll have to wait here so that you don't get injured okay." Angel complied and hopped off Cheerliee's back as she took off with Lightning Dust.

The monster was still trying it's best to capture its prey but when it saw another pony along with the previous one it thought I would be easier to catch the one on the ground. And so it focused its attention on the other one.

Cheerliee saw it change direction to follow her instead of Lighting Dust "I hope this plan works." She whispered to herself and continued running. She saw a small large enough boulder to hide herself behind to avoid a large bite from the monster.

"Okay time to put my plan into action." She said taking a breath before stepping out behind the boulder. The monster tried to look for its prey but got a whistling sound as in to look in the direction where it came from.

"Oh monster." Cheerliee said in a more seductive tone.

Cheerliee posed so the monster could see her. Her eye only half opened as if to get it to come over. The monster eyes had hearts in them and was apparently attracted to her and lunged toward her as if to hug her. 

Cheerliee knew it was working and when the monster was five feet away she quickly moves out of the way and the monster hit the boulder she was in front of.

Cheerliee took this chance to stand on the monsters mouth and stared him down with a very stern look on her face.
"Now you listen to me you jerk, all we were doing was looking for a friend of ours and know your probably angry for getting on your territory but that still doesn't give you the right to attack harmless and defenseless ponies." She sternly stated.

"Now I'm going to have to ask you to go back into the hole you crawled out of before I get one of friends down here who knows how to take care of animals like you." She stated firmly

"Do I make myself clear?" She added. The monster nodded quickly as if it understood her and quickly retracted into its hole.

Lightning Dust looked on at what Cheerliee did with her mouth wide open "Wow Cheers I thought you were a pushover at first but now I know not to get on your bad side."Dust said with a laugh.

"Well sometimes it takes some tough love to get through to them with just a slight touch of kindness." Cheerliee said.

Angel got back on Cheerliee’s back "Besides I couldn't let it hurt you Lightning Dust." She added. They made their way back to Ponyville then to Fluttershy’s cottage where they dropped Angel off. Of course Fluttershy was very happy that Angel was safe and that they came back without any injuries.

Lightning dust walked Cheerliee back home "Hey Cheers I got to thank you for your help, and sorry for tricking you like I did." Dust apologized

"There's no need for that I'm just glad I was able to help in some way." Cheerliee assured

"But maybe it's my fault I should have gone to Trixe for more and not just jumping in the fray without wondering." She said.

"Well this has been a lesson for me then. I'll see you tomorrow Lightning Dust." She waved goodbye and Lightning Dust flew off home.

Cheerliee went inside her dark home and went to grab a paper and pencil for her to write on.

She began to write: Dear Princess Celestia, Being kind to other does give you a sense of achievement when you know you've done something right for a pony in need. However being kind all the time can land you in some dangerous circumstances. I've learned that I come out a little naïve but being the element of kindness doesn't mean that I'm an embodiment of kindness, but if a pony ever needs a help hoof I'll try the best of my abilities to help out. Your local assistant teacher of Ponyville, Cheerliee." She wrote.

She looked at the time and headed straight for to bed afterward. She proceeded upstairs and into her room where her bed laid. She was about to get into bed when she heard a knock at her door. It was Emerald with tears running down her face.

"Is something the matter dear?" She asked in worry

"I had a bad dream momma." She said sniffing a little.

"Would you like to sleep with me tonight?" She asked and her daughter nodded. She ran to her mother's side of the bed and snuggled in with her.

"Goodnight momma." She said and went to sleep

"Goodnight my little jewel." Cheerliee said as they both went to sleep without a care in the world.