After an eventful night, Twilight makes a new friend from the last place she'd expect; Outer Space
Friendship has spanned the entire world of Equestria for a good Thousand Years as it had brought the Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns together once before, and now it has brought Ponies together with creatures from around the globe, all thanks to Twilight Sparkle. But now, Twilight is put to the test when she receives an encounter from someone not from their world.
It was a dark and breezy night in Canterlot. The quiet ponies, unicorns, and pegasi all slept peacefully under the silk-white moon. Their relaxation was well earned, now that Equestria was no longer under attack from dangerous threats such as Tirek, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, or King Sombra. And the one who slept most peacefully was Princess Twilight Sparkle, now the ruler of Equestria, who earned a thousand long night's rest after facing off against such threats. However, she really had no such luxury to sleep as long as she still had a busy day tomorrow, being the new Princess of Equestria and all that. So, there she slept, cozy in her bed, with not even a care in the world. Not even the bright blue light blaring in her window seemed to wake her.
Suddenly, without warning, Twilight's body levitated on its own. She wasn't sleep-flying, and she wasn't using her magic in her sleep, but rather something else. If somepony saw the bright light and Twilight's floating sleeping body, they'd assume it was another pony using magic without her knowing. But it didn't seem to be that way as no magic aura surrounded the Princess' body. Twilight's body was levitated out the window and towards the source of the strange blue light, and yet there Twilight was, as snug as a bug, still thinking she's in bed.
"Morning Spike," Twilight yawned, thinking she was still in her room. However, as she woke up, she realized way too late she wasn't in her room. In fact, she couldn't tell where she was. Twilight got up and examined her surroundings and realized she woke up on an operating table. To her side, Twilight saw what appeared to be operation tools, though they looked stranger than the ones she'd usually find in a hospital. Twilight hopped off the table and looked around the room, which glowed a silverish chrome, highlighted with bright white lights.
"How'd long did I sleep for me to end up in a Hospital?" Twilight could only assume, trying to find if anyone else was around. Maybe a doctor or a patient could help figure things out. Twilight headed out and looked out the nearest window to hopefully find out where she was. And once Twilight did, her usually lavender coat turned pale as she observed something she never thought she'd ever see in her life. Twilight found herself gazing at the Earth from out into space. But how did she get here?
"Greetings, Princess Twilight," an unfamiliar voice greeted as a chrome door hidden in the wall opened up revealing a quite strange mare. She had green skin with no coat, violet-red eyes, and yellow-green tendrils alongside the top of her head and one large tendril for a tail. She wore a grey space-suit with green boots on the front legs and blue canisters at the side of the suit which seemed to be leaking.
"Who are you? Why have you abducted me? And how do you know who I am!?" Twilight demanded, threatening to banish the stranger to the moon ten times longer than Luna was stuck there. The alien looked to the side and noticed the operation tools.
"Oh! If you think I was gonna operate on you, then I apologize for the misunderstanding. Honestly, I had no other place to put you, and the Operation Room was the only one available. I don't have a guest bedroom," The alien chuckled and sheepishly blushed.
"Okay. That's one question asked. Now how do you know who I am?" Twilight growled as the alien gulped in worry.
"I spent a year in your planet's orbit, and I studied your world's culture and language. You and your friends have made quite the adventures together. So much so that I might say I'm quite a fan of your work," the alien explained, typing on a computer with foreign characters and showing videos taken from the past year all the way up to the present day. There was footage of one of Pinkie's parties, Rainbow Dash at a Wonderbolts meetup, Rarity designing her dress, and practically everypony in Ponyville living out their life from the previous year. Even had footage of Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis' petrification in there as well.
"Where I'm from, this is called 'Stalking' and this could get you very well arrested," Twilight disapproved as the alien put the footage back into her computer's folders.
"I'm sorry I had to resort to such scandalous methods. I had no other way to learn your language without getting spotted," the alien apologized as Twilight took a deep breath and looked out at the planet.
"That doesn't explain why you kidnapped me!" Twilight said, lowering her guard, however not letting it down completely. The alien stood there at hoof point and scratched her head in defeat.
"Okay. I know this looks bad, and I apologize for abducting you in the middle of the night. See, I needed to speak with you personally about your world," The alien asked as Twilight lowered her guard.
"Well, be quick about it!" Twilight said, finally raising her head.
"Listen, is it alright with you if I...move into your planet?" The alien asked as Twilight squinted her eyes in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"Well...I was kind of kicked out of my home planet because my suit malfunctioned and I spent a year in your planets orbit to learn about it, and now I'm kinda asking if I can crash here? Not crash as in ram my ship in, but--" The alien hastily explained before Twilight shook her head.
"No, I get what you mean. But what do you mean by 'your suit malfunctioned, and were kicked out'?" Twilight asked before the alien took a deep relaxing breath. She then turned her side to show the cracked leaking canisters of a blue-cyan fluid.
"This canister contains salt-water from my homeworld. It's supposed to suppress our emotions so our kind doesn't get distracted by our work on building our cities and spacecraft. My canisters have cracked, and I got so panicked about it. My kind saw me as a criminal and threw me out as a result," The alien explained, as if millions of memories came flooding in, causing a single tear to drop from her magenta eye. The alien caught the tear and showed it to Twilight.
"See this? I'm not supposed to do this, but now I am because my suit's broken!!!" The extraterrestrial pony cried, causing a few more tears to drip from her eyes
"Oh. I'm...so sorry to hear that," Twilight empathized. Twilight's compassion for a sad exile overtook her fear of a kidnapper and comforted the alien pony. The alien blushed in surprise at Twilight's comfort and did not know how to respond.
"Th--thank you," The alien sheepishly responded as Twilight sighed.
"You're welcome. Though...why did you choose Equestria. Why did you abduct me?" Twilight asked as the alien and Twilight got back up onto their hooves.
"Well, I was kicked out because the lack of my canisters made me feel emotions, which are taboo on my world. But your world? Your world revels in emotions. And if I can't fix my suit and remain the way I was, then I could simply live on your planet as one of you," The alien explained as Twilight smiled gleefully.
"Well, I'd be honored to let a Sister from the Stars live in Equestria," Twilight accepted.
"Thank you so much, Princess Twilight!!" The alien squeed as she leaped out and grasped Twilight in a rather tight hug. The alien stopped herself when she realized her emotions were getting to her.
"I'm sorry if this feels weird to you. I don't know what came over me," The alien stammered as Twilight chuckled.
"That would be your happiness," Twilight chuckled as the Alien let go of Twilight as took a deep breath.
"Computer. Set a course on the outskirts of the city. We can't let any civilians spot the ship!" The alien shouted in her native alien language, amazing and confusing Twilight at the same time.
"Setting a course approximately 500 clicks south and 225 clicks east towards Canterlot City. Standing by," The computer responded in the same alien language. Twilight took a deep breath and looked out at the planet, getting closer and closer to the surface.
"You know, you never told me your name. Don't you have a cool alien-sounding name?" Twilight asked as the alien gasped in realization.
"D'oh! How could I be so stupid!? I knew I was forgetting something," The alien cursed at herself.
"You...weren't given a name?" Twilight asked as the alien continued scolding herself.
"Of course I do. It's just that our names cannot simply be translated from my native tongue to yours. Trust me, I tried translating it time and again, and nothing came up. So, long story short, I may need a new pony name!" The alien ranted, as Twilight examined her new alien friend, stroking her chin. The alien looked at her in confusion.
"Princess Twilight? What are you doing?" The alien asked as Twilight smirked with creativity.
"Cosmica Emerald!" Twilight blurted out as the alien stammered in confusion.
"Twilight, I don't understand. What is a Cosmica Emerald?" The alien asked as Twilight smirked proudly.
"Why, that's you. You literally just said you wanted a pony name, so that's your new name!" Twilight explained as the alien thought it over.
"That's...actually not that terrible sounding. Thanks, Twilight," Cosmica said, accepting her new name.
"No problem Cosmica," Twilight winked as the ship made it past the planet's atmosphere. The spacecraft activated it's landing sequence and parked itself right outside of Canterlot, where nobody would immediately spot it. Twilight looked out and realized how little time she had.
"I gotta be right back! I need to raise the sun and take care of a few things, but I'll be back for you. You think you can stay in your little spaceship until I get back?" Twilight asked, realizing she was in a hurry.
"I need to ask you how that's possible once you get back," Cosmica said.
"Stay safe now!" Twilight called out before she teleported out the craft and into her castle, leaving Cosmica by herself. Just then, the sun began to rise as morning dawned across the land. the golden rays seeped into Cosmica's ship as she waited patiently for Twilight.
Twilight breathed a heavy sigh of relief as she raised the sun over the sky. With that out of the way, Twilight began making preparations in her head. Preparations she can't wait to begin.
"Morning Twilight! What's the plan for today? Sign more bills?" Spike asked as Twilight, who turned toward her dragon assistant.
"Spike, could you write a message to the girls and tell them I need them here? The girls need to know that we may have made a new friend," Twilight beckoned confidently as Spike groggily scratched his side.
"Sure thing. Just...who could you have made a friend with that late at night?" Spike asked while yawning.
"Trust me, it's a surprise," Twilight teased as Spike rolled his eyes.
Pinkie's cannon went off, decorating the entire room, as she giggled herself in excitement. The rest of the girls helped out as well by setting up custom made decorations, foods, gifts, and other assortments as Twilight oversaw preparations.
"Twilight, can you please tell us who this new mare is?" Rainbow Dash said as Twilight let out a chuckle.
"No matter how many times you beg, I'm still not revealing the surprise," Twilight teased as she went over everything one last time. Presents were wrapped, snacks were prepared, balloons were tied. This party looked like it could go off without a hitch.
"Seriously Twilight, at least give us a hint. It's not every day you ask all of us to help with a party. Usually, I do that with you instead," Pinkie stated as Twilight rolled her eyes.
"OK then, here's your hint: She's not from Equestria," Twilight said as the girls processed the hint.
"Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down? I mean, we've made so many friends that aren't ponies that it could be anything. And besides, we've made friends with literally every kind of creature, is there anything on the planet we haven't made a friend with?" Fluttershy asked, as Twilight smugly smiled at Fluttershy.
"You're getting warmer, by the way," Twilight teased as Rarity pondered Twilight's hint and Fluttershy's rant.
"What's that supposed to--" Fluttershy tried to ask before Rarity attempted to piece everything together.
"Hold on, Darling. We may have everything figured out. She said she's not from Equestria, plus she said we were close when you asked who we haven't befriended yet..." Rarity pieced together.
"Yeah, and don't forget, Twilight specifically requested Black and Green balloons and streamers. Did Twilight find another Changeling Hive or something?" Pinkie theorized before Applejack finished another hot fresh apple pie.
"Ah don't know about you, but Ah think we should just wait until we finally meet her to find out what's got Twilight so excited," Applejack stated before Pinkie's ears wilted in impatience.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Pinkie sighed as Twilight checked everything one more time.
"Well, looks like everything's all set up. I'll go get our new arrival, and you just sit tight and wait to surprise her," Twilight ordered.
"Okie Dokie Loki," Pinkie Pie replied as she hopped into position, followed by the other Elements of Harmony. Twilight took a deep breath and teleported herself to the location of Cosmica's spaceship, just outside of Canterlot.
"Hey, Cosmica?" Twilight called out from outside the ship, hoping to get an answer. Unfortunately, the little green mare did not respond, and Twilight glided herself over to the windows of the alien spacecraft to peer in to find her. Cosmica was typing away at her computer, writing what appeared to be a list. But Twilight couldn't tell what it was as the language was alien. Twilight knocked at the glass of the cockpit and got Cosmica's attention.
"Oh, Twilight! Please, help yourself in," Cosmica responded as Twilight lit her horn up and teleported herself a few inches past the glass and into the spacecraft.
"Hey there Cosmica. I got everything all set up, and there's something I want to show you," Twilight explained as Cosmica printed out her alien list.
"I got everything set up on my list as well," Cosmica explained, as she folded up the printed paper and held it in the back pocket of her spacesuit.
"Might I ask what that list is for?" Twilight asked, scratching her head.
"Oh. I put together a bucket list of things I want to do here, now that I'm living on your planet. I'm finally getting the chance to witness life in Equestria firsthand rather than just watching it from space after all," Cosmica explained as Twilight let out a cheeky smile.
"That's actually kinda wholesome now that I think about it. But first, there are some ponies I'd like you to meet," Twilight commented as Cosmica opened the bottom hatch of the spaceship letting herself and Twilight out of the ship. A staircase descended from the ceiling and assembled itself from the edge of the hatch to the grassy grounds outside the city.
"Funny. I was expecting your little tractor beam," Twilight commented as Cosmica chuckled a little.
"I only use that in flight," Cosmica replied as Twilight led Cosmica towards the grand city of Canterlot.
"OK, you ready to meet my friends?" Twilight asked as Cosmica beamed an excited smile.
"I like where this is going," Cosmica commented as Twilight lit up her horn. And in very little time at all, the Alicorn and the Alien made it immediately back to the location of the party.
"SURPRISE!!!" Twilight exclaimed, signaling the other Elements.
"Surpri--AAAAHHH!!!" The other girls gasped at what Twilight had brought in. Twilight was a little worried that everyone else wasn't on board with their new friend.
"Twilight? What is that supposed to be?" Rarity asked as Cosmica fiddled around with her tendril mane.
"Girls, this is Cosmica Emerald. Cosmica, these are my friends; the Elements of Harmony," Twilight sheepishly introduced as Cosmica stretched out her hoof.
"Honestly Twilight, we were expecting a Zebra or something," Rarity confessed as Pinkie Pie perked up at Rarity.
"I thought we were theorizing another changeling queen," Pinkie argued as the other girls had no idea what to think. Cosmica put her hoof back down as her first impressions were not looking too good.
"Excuse me? Ummm, I just wanted to say it's very nice to meet you Cosmica," Fluttershy sheepishly said as Cosmica's optimism raised once more.
"It is very nice to meet you as well Pinkie Pie," Cosmica replied, shaking Fluttershy's hoof and raising her eyebrow.
"Actually, I'm Fluttershy. The one with the poofy mane is Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy sheepishly corrected as Cosmica laughed at her own mistake.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I always get you two mixed up since your last names both rhyme," Cosmica noted as Fluttershy giggled a little bit after that realization.
"Yeah, I guess I can see why," Fluttershy said as Cosmica headed over to the snack table where she examined the foods for the party. As she was examining the snacks, Applejack thought it'd be best to introduce herself.
"Uhh...Howdy there, Cosmica," Applejack started off, tipping her hat.
"Hello there Applejack," Cosmica responded as Applejack took a deep breath, as this is the closest she's ever gotten to an extraterrestrial being before.
"Ah take it Twilight told you about us?" Applejack asked as Cosmica took herself a slice of homemade apple pie.
"No. I was watching Equestria from the planet's orbit and studied your world. Twilight doesn't think I should have done this, but I had no other option," Cosmica explained as Applejack cleared her throat.
"Ah see," Applejack responded.
"Isn't this dessert is a byproduct of your agriculture?" Cosmica asked, pointing at the Apple Pie.
"Ah beg yer pardon?" Applejack asked as Cosmica examined the pie just a little bit more.
"Did you make this dessert yourself with ingredients you made yourself," Cosmica clarified, taking a bite out of the slice.
"Oh. Well yes, sirree. I made this apple pie with the finest apples Sweet Apple Acers had to offer," Applejack answered as Cosmica had another bite of the pie.
"Well, I am glad to say you did an amazing job with this. Say, can you teach me how you pull this off?" Cosmica asked, surprising Applejack.
"You want me to teach you how to make an apple pie?" Applejack asked as Cosmica gulped the piece of pie.
"Not just that. I've been wanting to try out how you perform your agriculture techniques on the apple fruits you use to make these delicious desserts," Cosmica explained as Applejack's pride started beaming through.
"Aww, well shucks. Ah guess Ah'll be honored to teach ya to go apple-bucking with me," Applejack blushed, crossing her front legs. Cosmica smiled at Applejack's approval and examined the rest of the foodstuff. She had seen all these kinds of foods from the safety of her spaceship, and she was excited to finally try them all. That was until she got a tap on the shoulder from Rainbow Dash's wing.
"Yes? What can I help you with?" Cosmica asked as Rainbow Dash had an excited look on her face.
"It is true what they say about you Aliens?" Rainbow Dash asked, confusing Cosmica.
"I'm unsure what you mean by that," Cosmica sheepishly chuckled as she returned to examining the food. Especially since that root beer float was looking extra tasty right now.
"I mean, is it true you abducted ponies and performed messed up experiments on them?" Rainbow Dash asked, piquing Cosmica's curiosity.
"I mean, the only person I can say I've abducted is Twilight, and I didn't perform any experiments on her," Cosmica explained as Rainbow Dash gasped.
"You've abducted Twilight!?!?" Rainbow Dash shrieked as Cosmica was a little uneasy, now that everypony in the room was looking at her.
"Rainbow Dash, please. She just needed to make introductions to us without causing a ruckus," Twilight explained, backing Rainbow away in case the pegasus was preparing to knock Cosmica's lights out. Rainbow sighed and turned back towards Cosmica.
"I'm...sorry. I just thought that--" Rainbow Dash tried to apologize before Cosmica raised a hoof at her.
"No, I understand. I just...need some room is all," Cosmica sighed. The damage had been done, and Cosmica retreated to a safe room where she can be alone for a few minutes. Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash with a scowl.
"Is she gonna phone home now?" Fluttershy sheepishly asked before getting groaned on by everypony else.
"Fluttershy, now's not the time," Twilight commented as she went to go talk to her. Twilight followed Cosmica up the stairs to the bedroom where Cosmica hid, simply sitting on the floor all sad and alone.
"Hey, Cosmica," Twilight said as Cosmica turned and met her eyes with Twilight's.
"Hey, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how the girls are acting," Twilight said, as she wrapped her wing around Cosmica, holding her tight. Cosmica sighed and wiped a tear away before Twilight could even see it.
"Honestly, I should have seen this coming. Going to a primitive planet with advanced technology, and you'd expect people to look at you funny. You'd expect to be...alienated," Cosmica explained as Twilight held her closer.
"You'd be surprised how common it actually is here. I remember when we first alienated somepony and we ended up in a patch of poison joke thinking she cursed us. Ah, good times," Twilight chuckled as Cosmica turned to Twilight.
"I do not remember ever recording such events," Cosmica commented as Twilight turned back toward Cosmica.
"Oh, it was years ago. But you know what happened next?" Twilight asked as Cosmica sniffled and wiped another tear.
"Well, what did you do?" Cosmica asked.
"We simply tried again. We all mess up from time to time, and when we do, we simply clean up the messes we make," Twilight explained, wiping one of Cosmica's tears with her wing.
"So how about we clean up the mess Rainbow Dash made and try again at making friends? I think I hear some presents with your name on them being unwrapped," Twilight suggested as Cosmica warmed herself back up to Twilight. The alien simply followed Twilight back down the stairs and re-joined the party.
"Alright! Here we are! Sweet Apple Acers!" Applejack announced as Cosmica followed her past the fence of the barn. Cosmica was stunned at the barn's beauty. Sure, she may have seen the Acers from footage of her spacecraft, but actually being there felt like she stepped right into the footage itself. Cosmica followed Applejack closely as the two made it to the front door of the household, where Granny Smith slept peacefully in her rocking chair.
"Hey, Granny Smith?" Applejack asked although she didn't get a response. Granny was still fast asleep, after all. Applejack cleared her throat, which thankfully woke the elder mare.
"Wha? Whose that? Applejack? What brings ya here? Who's this little feller ya brought?" Granny Smith stammered, almost falling out of her chair. Applejack helped Granny back in and decided to make introductions.
"Granny Smith, this is mah new friend Cosmica Emerald. Cosmica, this is mah Granny Smith," Applejack introduced as Cosmica stepped up to make herself known.
"It is pleasant to meet you, Ms. Smith," Cosmica greeted, extending her hoof to shake Granny's, although Granny was skeptical. Granny's eyes may not work as well as they used to, but she can tell Cosmica was no ordinary pony.
"Applejack, where did ya find this feller? Did ya meet her in one o' those friendship missions ya keep goin' on about?" Granny Smith asked as Applejack knew this would be hard to explain.
"Actually, Granny. She's what ya call an 'extraterrestrial'." Applejack sheepishly explained as Granny Smith's eyes shot wide open at what she's seeing.
"Well, I'll be. A real Space Alien. Ah've been wondering when we'll finally get ta meet one. Big Mac! Get the pitchfork in the barn! We got an Alien Invader over 'ere!" Granny Smith ordered getting up from the chair.
"Eeyup!" Big Mac replied as he headed to the barn without hesitation.
"Granny, no! Cosmica's not trying to invade!" Applejack said as she headed over to stop her brother, who already had the pitchfork.
"Ey, Big Mac! We ain't under attack! Ya can drop the pitchfork now," Applejack explained as Big Mac simply shrugged.
"Okay then," Big Mac responded as he simply put the pitchfork down and headed back to work. Applejack then went back over to Granny Smith and a quite worried Cosmica.
"Ah'm sorry 'bout that Cosmica. Let's just say we ain't expecting visitors from where you came from," Applejack apologized as she patted Cosmica on the back.
"It's ok. No harm was done. Well, there would have been had you not stopped them, so I should thank you for that," Cosmica said, scratching the back of her head.
"Now then, Granny. Ah was hopin' I would show Cosmica how we do things here at the acers. She's been really curious about it since she got 'ere," Applejack explained as Granny Smith just eyeing at Cosmica suspiciously.
"Fine. Just make sure this here Space feller don't go drawing any crop circles," Granny Smith ordered as Applejack saluted and headed to the barn. Cosmica saluted at Granny Smith as well and followed Applejack into the barn, where Applejack had something behind her back.
"So, what's our first order of business?" Cosmica asked as Applejack smiled almost impatiently.
"Well first, we gotta get ya to look the part, so Ah got ya a little something before we begin," Applejack explained before handing Cosmica a little present. In Applejack's hoof, she held a dark grey stetson and a green bandana. Cosmica looked on at the gift and back at Applejack.
"Well, thank you for the gift, Applejack. But, I really must ask. Why?" Cosmica asked before Applejack took a deep breath.
"Well, Twilight told me what your spacesuit does to you, and honestly, Ah don't think that's quite right?" Applejack expressed as Cosmica looked on in surprise.
"What? What's wrong with my suit? It regulates my body temperature so I survive harsher temperatures, and the saltwater from my homeworld keeps my emotions in check so I don't get distracted--" Cosmica explained before getting cut off by Applejack.
"Now see, that right there Ah don't find right. Yer kind ain't the only one with emotion-blocking-magic water, and let me tell ya, it ain't right to block yer feelings like that. Besides, yer suits broke anyway, so why even bother?" Applejack asked before Cosmica looked on at the fractured canisters on her suit, now completely empty. Cosmica expressed regret at the suit and realize Applejack could be right.
"Alright then," Cosmica answered.
"Yee-Haw!!" Applejack whooped as Cosmica undid the zippers, only to stop and look at Applejack just staring at her.
"Ummm...I could use some privacy," Cosmica blushed. Applejack realized the alien's meaning and blushed in response and left the barn for Cosmica to change in peace, although it wouldn't be that different as she would be wearing a simple hat and scarf. Just then, Applejack was caught off guard by her younger sister.
"Howdy Applejack," Applebloom greeted as Applejack looked back at her.
"Howdy Apple Bloom," Applejack responded, showing gratitude for her sister.
"What was all the commotion about? Ah heard Big Mac gettin' the Pitchfork out and ya told him to drop it. What's goin' on?" Applebloom asked as Applejack looked back at the barn door in case Cosmica was ready.
"Well, the girls and Ah made a new friend yesterday, and she's one of them Space Aliens," Applejack explained, having no other way to say it. Applebloom gasped at the amazement of such an idea.
"A Martian? Here in Ponyville?" Applebloom asked as Applejack sighed in disbelief.
"Nah. She never said she was from the next planet over," Applejack explained. And judging from Appleblooms confusion, she can tell what the next question was going to be.
"Then what planet is she from?" Applebloom asked. Applejack sighed in defeat.
"She...never told us where," Applejack confessed, as the barn door opened.
"Never told you what?" Cosmica asked in curiosity.
"Woah nelly, Cosmica. You look like yer ready fer a showdown," Applejack said, reacting to Cosmica's new western get out.
"Why thank you, Applejack. Though what was it you were wondering about me?" Cosmica asked as Applejack straightened her hat.
"Mah sister, Applebloom, was wondering what planet ya exactly came from," Applejack explained before Applejack could catch them both off guard.
"And where's yer Cutie Mark?" Applebloom asked, staring at Cosmica's blank flank in confusion. Applejack turned to check and realize Cosmica's flank was indeed blank.
"Ya mean ya don't know what a Cutie Mark is?" Applebloom asked as Cosmica shook her head in denial.
"Applebloom, maybe her species doesn't have any Cutie Marks. Besides, this ain't the first time ya tried to figure out the cutie mark of somepony who ain't even a pony," Applejack theorized as Applebloom was bummed at the idea. Cosmica was still weirded out by the two farm girls staring at her flank looking for something she didn't know was supposed to be there.
"But yeah, could ya care to explain where ya came from?" Applejack asked, breaking Cosmica's train of thought.
"Oh, right. Well, to be honest, I cannot translate the name of my home planet, so I don't know how to say it in pony," Cosmica blushed as Applebloom jumped up in excitement.
"Then why not just say it in alien?" Applebloom asked as Cosmica was taken aback by the idea.
"Yeah, if ya can't find the pony word for yer home planet, then just call it what ya call it in yer alien tongue, and we'll just call it that," Applejack explained as Cosmica thought it over. For a year, Cosmica taught herself the ponies language with only a few words left out because she couldn't find the proper wording for it. And for these two simple farmhands to ask for her home would be like starting to teach them her alien language. Cosmica thought it over and decided to go through with it.
"Alright then. If you really want to know, then my home planet is known as Yuredues, a planet surrounded by 85% water with gigantic beasts and beautiful cities," Cosmica explained as the two apples awed themselves at their newfound knowledge.
"Wow! That's a mighty big word there. Ah've gotta see if Ah could remember it well," Applebloom said, running back to try to write it on a piece of paper while Applejack looked back at Cosmica.
"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" Applejack asked as she led Cosmica into the large forests of apple trees.
"Yeah. I guess it wasn't so hard," Cosmica said, feeling slightly proud of herself for teaching her new friend about her home.
"Now Ah think it's mah turn to teach ya how to buck an apple tree," Applejack said smugly in a perfect segway. Cosmica smiled with glee as she was finally about to see it happen for herself. Applejack prepared herself and targeted a tree while Cosmica sat down and observed. Then, with the strength of a mighty steam train, Applejack ran at full force into the tree and kicked the trunk with all she's got, knocking every single apple into the baskets nearby without a single one falling out. Cosmica applauded Applejack's iconic feat of strength.
"Now, would ya like to give it a try?" Applejack asked as Cosmica's face lit up like a starry night.
"I would be honored to," Cosmica answered as Applejack led her to the next tree over. Cosmica got into the stance she saw Applejack in and aimed right at it. And in an attempt to replicate it step by step, Cosmica ran at full force and turned to kick the tree, but missed the trunk entirely, falling on her belly, and having an apple clonk her on the head in the process.
"Not that easy, ain't it," Applejack asked as Cosmica got back up and picked up the apple that landed on her head.
"Not really. I'm just curious as to what I did wrong," Cosmica said, as she placed the apple in a nearby basket. Applejack examined the way Cosmica performed in her head and figured what went wrong.
"How 'bout we try that again now?" Applejack asked as Cosmica headed back over to where she started and got back into form. Applejack examined at least a few faults in Cosmica's stance.
"Ya might want to spread yer hind legs a big farther apart, your forelegs closer together and raise your chin up," Applejack advised as Cosmica did as Applejack instructed.
"Now, I want you to charge, and when I say 'now' you kick. Got it?" Applejack instructed as Cosmica nodded, prepping to charge.
"3....2....1....GO!!!" Applejack shouted as Cosmica charged full force into the tree, revving closer and closer. As she neared the tree, her instinct was telling her to kick now, except she didn't receive the signal from Applejack. She was a bit worried she was gonna miss entirely.
"NOW!" Applejack yelled as Cosmica quickly turned and kicked the tree, causing all the apples to fall. Although most of the apples made it into the basket, some of them missed and hit the ground instead.
"Not bad. You were able to get all the apples out of the tree," Applejack commented, although Cosmica was more worried about the ones that hit the ground.
"But I didn't get them all in the basket," Cosmica commented, picking up a green apple and wiped the dirt off.
"Neither did Ah when Ah first started out. But if ya practice harder, yer gonna be able to knock them all into the basket someday," Applejack assured as Cosmica put the apple she was holding into the basket.
"Now Ah think Ah smell an Apple Pie with yer name on it. Come on. Let's go have some before Big Mac eats it all," Applejack said as she and Cosmica raced inside the house ready for some sweet apple pie.
Cosmica headed over to Fluttershy's cottage and paused to catch a quick breather. She knew Fluttershy's cottage was distant from the town of Ponyville judging from her spaceship's footage of everypony, but Cosmica didn't expect her house to be that distant. In an attempt to regain her strength, Cosmica sat down on the ground and pulled out her checklist. Cosmica remembered all the fun she had at Applejack's farm yesterday apple-bucking and making an apple pie. The Apple Family was even nice enough to let her sleep in the barn that night.
"Learn of the Apple Family's agriculture and make their famous dessert? Check," Cosmica chuckled to herself as she drew a huge checkmark next to the first item on the list. Cosmica breathed for a second or two and checked the second item on the list.
"Tame myself a pet with the help of Fluttershy? On it," Cosmica said to herself as she folded up her checklist and tried to put it in her back pocket, except she remembered she gave up her spacesuit on accounts of Applejack calling the saltwater substance that neutralized her emotions immoral. She breathed a sigh of relief. As much as she was better off without them, she still missed her home. Cosmica cleared her breath and tucked the checklist in the stetson Applejack gave her. With that, Cosmica was ready to visit Fluttershy. Cosmica took a deep breath and knocked on the door, hoping to receive a warm welcome from her new pony friend. Instead, Fluttershy was hesitant about opening the door, checking to see who was at the door and...was she wearing a clothespin on her nose?
"Oh. Hey Cosmica? I uh...wasn't expecting anypony," Fluttershy confessed as she hid behind her mane as Cosmica raised her eyebrow at her.
"Why are you wearing that on your nose? Is that some kind of pony fashion I'm unaware of? And it looks like it hurts to wear," Cosmica observed as Fluttershy felt intruded by this sudden turn of events.
"Oh, it's not fashion. It's just, uh...there was an accident and uhh...I have to go clean it up," Fluttershy said worryingly, hoping Cosmica wouldn't be curious enough to look into it further.
"An accident? How so? Is there something you're keeping from everything?" Cosmica asked as Fluttershy muttered worryingly.
"Well...if you want to help, I guess you can. Just...you might want to wear this," Fluttershy advised, handing out another clothespin to Cosmica. Cosmica took off her hat and bandana and placed it on the table and followed Fluttershy.
"So...care to catch me up to speed?" Cosmica asked following Fluttershy to her backyard, where all of a sudden, the foulest and unimaginable stench hit Cosmica's senses like a brick wall. Cosmica looked at the backyard and saw a giant brown bear sitting sadly in an empty wooden tub as a ghastly green mist emanated from the bear, practically poisoning Cosmica's senses.
"Poor Harry Bear here got skunked, leaving me to clean up the mess," Fluttershy said as went back inside and came back out with a couple of bottles of dish detergent. With the smell too overwhelming, Cosmica now saw the logic in the clothespin and pinched it over her nose.
"I've evacuated all the other animals so nothing else has to smell him. I need you to grab the garden hose and spray him down while I pour dish soap over him," Fluttershy instructed while Cosmica was only behind by a couple of pages.
"Wait, what did you say happened to him?" Cosmica asked as Fluttershy took a deep breath once more.
"Harry met a bad run-in with a skunk and is now stinking up the place," Fluttershy explained as she opened a bottle and prepared to pour without getting too close. Cosmica aimed the hose at the large sad bear but didn't fire yet.
"Then shouldn't we be using the fluid known as tomato juice? I remember catching an incident just like this, except this one pony was cleaning his dog, and he used such a substance to clean him," Cosmica replied as Fluttershy was taken aback by Cosmica's attention to detail.
"Well, it's just a myth. Tomato juice doesn't actually work. Wait, why would you record such an incident?" Fluttershy asked as a drop of orange soap hit the top of the bear's head?
"I found the creature quite interesting. To the point where I would like to say I'm considering adopting one. If that's possible, at least," Cosmica confessed as streams of water hit the bear's body and covering him with sudsy bubbles.
"Well, you can always adopt a dog at the local pound. There's loads of cute dogs there. I tried adopting them all, but the owners wouldn't let me," Fluttershy said, chuckling.
"No, I meant I wanted to adopt...whatever it was that made this bear stink," Cosmica explained as she continued firing the water at the bear and into the tub.
"Oh! Well, I'll think about if I can get you in touch with one," Fluttershy said, as she snapped plastic gloves on her forehooves and scrubbed the stink away from the bear. After about an hour and thirty minutes of scrubbing, dish soap, and hose water, Fluttershy and Cosmica can finally breathe through their noses again as Harry no longer smelled like rotting garbage.
"Well, that was sure fun," Fluttershy sarcastically joked as she headed on into the woods, confusing Cosmica.
"Hey, where are you going?" Cosmica asked as Fluttershy turned with a witty smile on her face.
"You said you wanted a pet. You coming or not?" Fluttershy asked as Cosmica realized where this was going as the two mares headed into the woods to where Harry's little incident took place. The two wandered the woods for a good fifteen minutes before a familiar smell hit their noses.
"Yep. This must be where it happened," Fluttershy said, covering her nose with her wing. Cosmica had no such luck in bringing her clothespin, so she just settles for plugging her nose with her simple hoof. The leaves rustled and the twigs snapped from one of the nearby bushes. Cosmica and Fluttershy turned towards the direction of the noise until out popped a little black head with a white stripe on its nose and forehead. The critter crawled out revealing the white strip all along it's back spreading to the tip of its incredibly bushy tail. The critter growled and aimed it's rear at the two ponies. Cosmica was thinking back at the footage she saw of the similar-looking critter hitting the dog with such a foul spray, and realized what was about to happen. Out of everything Cosmica had seen from orbit and wanted to try out, this was something she did not want to try out. Cosmica braced for impact and closed her eyes as if a ranged weapon was aimed at her ready to strike her down.
"Stop! Hold your fire!" Fluttershy demanded, snapping Cosmica out of her panic and confusing the little skunk.
"So, you must be the little skunk who sprayed Harry the Bear," Fluttershy said, staring down the striped animal with little to no worry. And Cosmica wondered why she was supposed to be the shy one for a second there. The skunk faced Fluttershy and chipped and chattered away.
"I can see Harry was trespassing upon your den but isn't this the path he usually takes to get to the river so he could eat his salmon?" Fluttershy asked, causing the skunk to chatter in anger.
"Maybe if you moved your den away, then maybe he won't intrude upon it," Fluttershy argued as Cosmica can't believe her eyes. She's seeing a simple pony argue against an animal who can't speak pony. The skunk chipped in chattered a threat as he aimed his rear in Fluttershy's face.
"How about: Instead of leaving you alone, or else we get your stink, how about you go apologize to my friend, or you'll get my Stare!?" Fluttershy threatened, staring down the smelly critter. The skunk chuckled until he turned to actually face her. Suddenly, the critter didn't have the courage to spray her and Cosmica, instead pinning himself up against the wall with nowhere to go. Fluttershy continued the stare while the skunk whimpered and worried as he gave in and promptly surrendered and agreed to apologize, causing Fluttershy to end the stare.
"Woah...That was amazing!! How did you do that?" Cosmica asked as Fluttershy returned to her normal anti-social state.
"Oh, that was nothing. I do that all the time with animals that misbehave," Fluttershy said as she brushed her main all flustered again.
"And also, you were able to understand their animal language incredibly fluently. Your translator must be state-of-the-art," Cosmica praised as Fluttershy let out a weaker chuckle.
"Oh, I don't have a translator. I can naturally speak to animals. Except I didn't teach myself as you taught yourself pony, it's just the way my Cutie Mark functions is all," Fluttershy explained as the two ponies and the mean little skunk made it back to the cottage. Harry recognized the skunk and took cover in the wood tub as not to get sprayed again.
"There's that word again. 'Cutie Mark'," Cosmica noted as Fluttershy turned to Cosmica.
"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked as Cosmica examined her rear.
"Applejack and her sister noticed there was supposed to be...something on my flank known as a cutie mark that turns out isn't even there. Applejack thinks my species might not be capable of having a cutie mark, though I'm curious if this is the case" Cosmica explained as Fluttershy squinted at Cosmica's flank.
"Oh, would you look at that. It is blank," Fluttershy noticed as the little skunk made it over to Harry the Bear still covering in the wooden tub. The little critter made a couple of little squeaks with no longer made the bear scared, but rather a little happy that an apology was in order. The skunk breathed in relief as that forced apology was out of the way, so now he can go back into the woods and make himself a new den. However, that relief would be short-lived as Cosmica picked up the skunk and examined him closely.
"Say, do you mind if I adopt this one? I think he could be a good companion," Cosmica asked as the skunk growled in anger. Fluttershy and Harry ducked and covered so they don't get hit, and Cosmica now looked like she was holding something explosive.
Five minutes later, Cosmica walked out of the house with the little skunk in a tiny little cage as she and Fluttershy walked out of the door laughing.
"Thanks for the new pet Fluttershy, I really appreciate it," Cosmica replied as she gathered her hat, bandana, and list as Fluttershy waved goodbye to her alien friend and her new pet skunk.
"I still can't believe I got out of that debacle unsprayed. Now, what will I name you my little friend?" Cosmica asked as the skunk chattered his disappointment to her.
"You know, you remind me of the common Earth plant known as potatoes. They just look so grumpy and you're so grumpy, so I think I'm gonna call you 'potato'," Cosmica explained as the skunk whimpered in annoyance.
"Good. Come along Potato. We've gotta go where no Space Pony has ever gone before," Cosmica said skipping along the road as Potato continued being a grouch in his little cage.
The sun shone right through the dome windshield of the spaceship as Cosmica lounged at her computer. She had nothing on her computer at the moment. There were no questions Cosmica wanted to consult Princess Twilight or her friends about. Cosmica only had two items on her bucket list checked off, and only recently added on the very bottom to see if she can get a Cutie Mark. And even then, she didn't have the motivation to check off the third thing on her list. Cosmica's pet skunk, Potato was sitting quietly, sipping at his water bowl that Fluttershy had gifted him. The heat was really getting to the poor alien. So, it would be fair to say that Cosmica was bored.
"Hey Cosmica? Are you out there?" a voice called out. Cosmica's ears perked up as she had no idea who knew of her spaceships location. The only ones who knew were herself and Princess Twilight. Potato chirped in curiosity as he finally had the energy to stand up. Cosmica activated the entrance and headed down the stairs to reveal Pinkie Pie waiting at the bottom.
"Oh. Hello there Pinkie Pie. How did you find the location of my ship?" Cosmica asked as Pinkie held up a piece of paper.
"Twilight cast a spell on your spaceship so anyone who knew of your existence can see your ship. And then she drew a map to its location, and here I am," Pinkie explained as Cosmica looked back at her ship, looking perfectly normal to her.
"She cast a spell on it? Must have been in the middle of the night. I must really be a heavy sleeper if I failed to notice that," Cosmica theorized as Pinkie Pie giggled at Cosmica's reaction.
"Also, I see you ditched your spacesuit. You kinda just look like a normal pony without it," Pinkie commented as Cosmica blushed redder than a tomato.
"I was told my suit was immoral for pacifying my emotions. Besides, it was broken, so I ditched it anyways," Cosmica explained as Pinkie nodded.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to play a little game with me," Pinkie Pie offered as Cosmica was intrigued by Pinkie's abnormally large (and kinda creepy) smile.
"Just what is your idea of a 'game'?" Cosmica asked as Pinkie was worried Cosmica would get mad at her idea.
"So...is your alien race...known to invade other planet and take them over?" Pinkie asked, just to make sure.
"Honestly, not that I know of. Where are you going with this?" Cosmica confessed.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to pretend to be an alien invader with me," Pinkie Pie asked as Cosmica raised an eyebrow at her.
"What exactly do you mean?" Cosmica asked as Pinkie beamed, mostly due to the fact she hadn't offended Cosmica. And with that, Pinkie dragged Cosmica to Sugar Cube Corner, where she set up an entire military base with toy figurines of royal guards and soldiers and other toys in the "battleground". Cosmica surveyed everything and immediately figured out what Pinkie was planning.
"So...what do you think?" Pinkie asked as she placed a plastic helmet on her head.
"Bring it on!" Cosmica laughed as she picked up a water gun filled with lemon-lime soda. She pumped the water gun up and sprayed Pinkie's toy soldiers down as Pinkie retreated.
"The alien's are attacking!!" Pinkie laughed as Cosmica brought out a toy spaceship and alien minion toys supplied to her as Cosmica's army. Cosmica laid out her troops and laid out an evil cackle as she aimed her toy weapon at Pinkie's army.
"General! There are too many of them! What do we do now?" Pinkie dubbed, pretending to be one of her soldiers asking her.
"Don't worry brave soldiers. I have an idea," Pinkie schemed as Cosmica built up her forces and scattered her alien soldiers throughout the city made out of cardboard boxed and old cookbooks. Just then, Pinkie placed her tanks in the city to stop the aliens. The tanks rolled in and knocked over the toy soldiers as Pinkie made explosion noises. Cosmica's forces were failing to take control of the city until Cosmica made her toy spaceship fly over one of the tanks and blowing it up. Pinkie mourned the defeat of such a brave soldier as Cosmica cackled with her toy ship hovering around the city. Pinkie then had a nearby tank fire at Cosmica's ship as the alien ship simulated uncontrollable swerving. The tank had a direct hit!
"Sir! We're losing control!" Cosmica said, acting in a panicking manner as her ship crashed into the small city, knocking some of the cardboard boxes over!
"No! The civilians!" Pinkie cried as her soldiers ran over to the rubble to rescue any survivors. Cosmica, however, used this to her advantage and had her surviving soldiers surround Pinkie's soldiers at the rubble.
"There's no escape, General Pie!" Cosmica cackled, aiming the water gun at the toy soldiers.
"Pinkie Pie, what is going on back here?" Mrs. Cake asked as Cosmica and Pinkie snapped out of their playtime trance.
"We were playing Alien Invasion," Pinkie Pie explained, breaking character. Mrs. Cake simply laughed at Pinkie's childish and innocent ideas of fun as the Cake Twins crawled out to play with Pinkie.
"Well, could you play Alien Invasion with Pumpkin and Pound Cake? I need to get some sugar and some chocolate frosting. Princess Cadence has commissioned quite the cake," Mrs. Cake explained as Pound Cake knocked down another cardboard building.
"Okie Dokie Loki," Pinkie Pie replied, proudly saluting to her boss. Mrs. Cake was about to leave, but not until she noticed Cosmica sitting idly by and reacting to Pumpkin Cake knock down another building.
"Who's your new friend there?" Mrs. Cake asked as Pinkie grasped Cosmica in a tight hug.
"This is Cosmica. She's an actual alien from Outer Space," Pinkie Pie explained as Mrs. Cake chuckled once more.
"And I'm Discord. Nice to meet you. Good luck Pinkie" Mrs. Cake joked as Cosmica was confused by her sarcasm.
"Wait. Your boss doesn't believe I'm actually an alien?" Cosmica asked as Pinkie scratched her mane.
"It appears so," Pinkie responded as the two turned around and saw Pumpkin and Pound Cake destroy the makeshift city, defeating both Cosmica's invasion and Pinkie's military force.
"Well, that's that I guess," Pinkie Pie muttered, as she cleaned up the toy soldiers and boxes and spaceship. Cosmica picked up one of the larger boxes and got an idea.
"Well, it doesn't have to be," Cosmica teased, as Pinkie knew where she was headed with this. And it'd be even better as the Cake Twins can join in as well. Just then, Cosmica sat in the larger cardboard box with Pound Cake in hand and placed a bike helmet on her head.
"You ready to go into space, Astronaut Pound?" Cosmica asked as Pound Cake babbled confusedly. Just then, Cosmica began a countdown.
"5..." Cosmica said as Pound Cake heard the ignition of a rocket,
"4..." Cosmica continued as the little one strapped himself in.
"3..." the alien continued, with Pound Cake holding onto his helmet tightly.
"2..." she responded, holding onto her own helmet and keeping Pound Cake secure in the cardboard ship.
"1...and Blast Off!!!" Cosmica shouted, and the two were soaring into space in their cardboard box. Cosmica and Pound soared through space as they passed a rainbow nebula and landed on a planet with a brown crust and pink grass. The two astronauts scoured through the alien world and examined the peppermint trees. Just then, one of the peppermint twigs snapped, catching the attention of the two brave explorers. Cosmica and Pound Cake turned to the sound of the noise to find two creatures, one being a giant pink octopus monster made out of cotton candy, the other being a crab looking monster made out of pumpkin pie!
"Give us your candy!" the pink monster demanded as Pound Cake his behind Cosmica scared. Cosmica chuckled as she pulled out her secret weapon: a stalk of celery.
"Time to eat your greens," Cosmica remarked as the monsters stood back in fear of the veggie. Just then, Cosmica tripped on an oatmeal raisin cookie and dropped the stalk of celery. Without her stalk, the monsters promptly surrounded Cosmica, leaving her nowhere to go. Pound Cake, however, hiding behind a bush, saw Cosmica in danger and the nearby celery stalk. And just like that, the little astronaut knew what to do. Gathering up his courage, Pound Cake grabbed the stalk of celery and forced the monsters away from Cosmica.
"Great job Pound Cake," Cosmica said as Pound Cake blushed at her. Just then, the two space ponies made it back to their cardboard ship and flew off back home. Until something zoomed right past them. Cosmica turned around and couldn't believe their eyes. The monsters had their own spaceship as well!
"Pound Cake, they're on us!" Cosmica notified as Pound Cake looked behind them and saw the monsters chasing them. Pound Cake, however, inspired by his act of bravery before, wasn't worried. He promptly turned the cardboard ship around and prepared to fire at the alien monster's ship. Cosmica looked on at Pound Cake's bravery, ready to pull the trigger on the monsters when--
"Pinkie, I'm home," Mrs. Cake explained as she found Cosmica and Pound Cake making spaceship noises while Pinkie and Pumpkin in another as they made pew-pew noises at one another. Mrs. Cake spectated the dogfight and chuckled to herself.
"Ah, kids. Gotta love their creativity," Mrs. Cake commented as she placed the ingredients down.
5 hours later, as the sun was about to set on another day in Equestria, Cosmica and Pinkie chatted with one another as they shared plenty of laughs throughout the day. But now was time for Cosmica to head home and get some rest.
"I gotta say, thank you for inviting me over," Cosmica said as she helped Pinkie clean everything up.
"Thank you for coming over in the first place," Pinkie retorted as Cosmica began to pack her things.
"Alright, I'll see you, hopefully, Tomorrow maybe," Cosmica called as she and Pinkie said their goodbyes to one another. The trek back home to the alien spaceship was a dark and lonely one, but the fireflies helped Cosmica light the way, and she eventually found her spaceship, her actual spaceship, just as she left it. Cosmica headed inside and found Potato had somehow picked his cage lock and was just lounging around the ship being a complete and total grump. Cosmica picked him up and held him dearly as she sat back into her ship's chair and let her mind drift off as she fell asleep, ready for tomorrow, excited for what adventured come to her.
The summertime heat scorched the land as Cosmica's knees grew weak and found herself gasping for air. She took occasional trips from her ship to Ponyville in order to visit her new friend, or possibly even make new ones, but they were never this hot until now. It almost as if the planet fell out of orbit and was headed straight for the Sun. It was at this moment Cosmica slowly started to actually regret giving up her spacesuit, as it would have kept her cool in this boiling time. Over the course of the trip, Cosmica slowly lost track of the time as she made it at the edge of town, where she said she'd meet up with Rarity. As she reminded herself of the layout of the town and remembered where Rarity's Carousel Boutique was, she headed over there and promptly knocked on the door, completely tuckered out from the trip.
"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique. What can I--?" Rarity greeted before she gasped at the ghastly sight of Cosmica's slowly dehydrating body.
"Hey...Rarity..." Cosmica said in between pants, trying to look as if it was no big deal.
"Oh Cosmica, you poor thing. Come inside, and I'll patch you right up," Rarity offered as Cosmica let herself in and collapsed at the cool mercy of Rarity's air conditioning. With Cosmica able to relax, Rarity headed over to her fridge where she made herself and Cosmica a glass of lemonade.
"Seems the heat's been getting to you, huh darling?" Rarity asked as Cosmica headed over and drank the lemonade in one go. Cosmica gasped at the fine refreshment, satisfied at her friend's gift.
"No. what makes you say that?" Cosmica joked as Rarity snickered at her remark.
"But seriously though, this heatwave really is getting to all of us," Rarity commented, fanning herself with her one of her hat.
"I thought it was just me. And since your planet has less water than mine, we have no choice but to suffer in the heat," Cosmica complained, as she tried to mimic Rarity's fanning method, only to look awkward in the process,
"I see now. Well, I was gonna see if I could design some fashionable space-themed dresses for you when you got here, but I don't want you to suffer from the weather too much. So, how about we spend some time at the beach instead?" Rarity asked as Cosmica nodded at the idea. Rarity packed sunscreen, towels, sunglasses, a good book or two, and one of her prize-winning swimsuits, and then looked as Cosmica, aimlessly examining Rarity's best dresses.
"Darling, Is it OK if I make you a swimsuit right now before we go?" Rarity asked, throwing Cosmica off guard.
"I...huh?" Cosmica asked as Rarity got out her tape measure and examined Cosmica thoroughly, and then jotted Cosmica's measurements in a notebook for future reference.
"Well, it's only right, since we are gonna go swimming after all," Rarity explained as Cosmica's face beamed up with happiness.
"We're going swimming?" Cosmica asked excitedly as Rarity was taken aback by this.
"Well...yes. Why else would we go to the beach?" Rarity asked as Cosmica re-thought the conversation in her head.
"OH! Yeah, I forgot your language's definition of 'beach' and thought you meant something completely different," Cosmica chuckled as Rarity went over to find the finest clothes she could find.
"Also, if it's alright with you, I'd like to borrow one of your swimsuits," Cosmica thought over, hesitant about borrowing something that she didn't quite know about.
"But I insist, Darling. All my swimsuits are purple and glittery, and I don't think that's your style," Rarity explained as Cosmica blushed about having clothes specifically tailored to her that isn't her spacesuit.
"Now tell me, darling, what's your favorite color?" Rarity asked as Cosmica was flustered at such a ridiculous question.
"I...uhhh...green?" Cosmica asked as Rarity compared one of her green cloths to Cosmica's skin.
"Mmmm...I don't think we want green on green. Too monochromatic," Rarity said as she compared other colors to Cosmica's skin.
"Mono-what?" Cosmica asked as Rarity paused at a maroon sheet.
"It means only one color, darling." Rarity explained as Cosmica sat quietly while Rarity was busy designing the best swimsuit for her. It would go on for a few minutes until Cosmica had to speak her mind.
"Really, Rarity, you don't have to design a new swimsuit for me. My body is perfectly waterproof on its own and--" Cosmica tried to counter until Rarity had an epiphany. Rarity promptly shushed as she got her black cloth, paired it with some magenta cloth, and compared it to Cosmica's bright green skin.
"Eureka!" Rarity proclaimed as she got the black and magenta cloths and began to make a space-themed swimsuit with haste. Cosmica was confused by Rarity's exclamation.
"Rarity, I'm pretty sure I showered before I got here," Cosmica said, as Rarity cut the pieces up and sewed them in a new form and added a dash of night-time beauty to resemble the night sky.
"Darling, I wasn't saying 'You Reek'! I was saying lightning just struck my brain," Rarity explained as she was adding some final touches with a few green ribbons.
"That must hurt," Cosmica commented as Rarity was finally done her latest creation. It came in two pieces that were designed to cover the top and lower half of Cosmica's body.
"Now, I don't want to spoil the surprise, so how about you put this magnum opus on when we get there?" Rarity said, packing the newly designed swimsuit in with everything else. Cosmica just shrugged before she caught up to Rarity's side. As they headed out the door, the two mares headed 15 clicks north of the Boutique and 30 clicks just outside of town. Cosmica felt her body begin to tire again, but it wasn't that long of a walk compared to the one before. As they made it to their destination, the two ladies were met with the golden sands touching the crystal waves, populated by thousands of fun-loving ponies.
"Cosmica, welcome to Hoofton Bay," Rarity introduced as Cosmica marveled at such a beautiful spectacle.
"I mean...we have tones of beaches back home, but none of them was anything like this. Maybe it was the Sea monsters that didn't let us dive right on in," Cosmica pondered as the two found their spot on the beach.
"Well, we have plenty of sea monsters here, but they barely attack beautiful beaches like this one, so you should be fine. Besides, you're friends with the Elements of Harmony now," Rarity said reassuringly, as she placed her towel and another one for Cosmica. As Rarity got herself ready and helped Cosmica get ready by pitching the umbrellas and applying sunscreen, she handed Cosmica her swimsuit.
"You might want to go into the little mare's room so nopony catches you changing," Rarity advised she led Cosmica to a large tent labeled "Mares", though Cosmica couldn't tell because, although she could speak pony very fluently, she could not read and write it. Although, she took Rarity's word for it and headed into the empty tent with the swimsuit in hoof.
Rarity then headed back over to her spot on the beach and read a sappy, trashy novel about a Mad Scientist falling in love with a Vampire, which almost brought a tear to her eye. Cosmica finally finished herself up and unveiled herself to Hoofington Bay. The Black-and-Magenta style gave Cosmica a very beautiful aesthetic that reminded oneself of the night sky. A large, transparent Magenta skirt that was tied to Cosmica's waist made her look almost like an angel of the night. Cosmica, however, did not see the appeal Rarity was going for and felt so embarrassed by wearing something so lightweight. Cosmica headed back over to Rarity, sitting quietly while reading her book until Rarity got one good look at Cosmica's swimsuit and was simply stunned.
"Oh my, I've done it again," Rarity said, complimenting her own work. Cosmica wasn't sure she was gonna get used to this kind of praise and just ignored it, hoping everyone else would just ignore her. Unfortunately, fate would have other plans,
"Hey Rarity," A high pitched squeak called out as Rarity and Cosmica turned their attention to three small fillies, one of which looked familiar.
"Hello Sweetie Belle," Rarity greeted as she got back to her book.
"Is this the alien we've been hearing so much about?" the filly behind Sweetie Belle asked, as Rarity just nodded.
"Howdy, Cosmica. Good ta see ya again," The familiar-looking filly greeted as Cosmica finally recognized her.
"Apple Bloom? I didn't think you'd be one for swimming," Cosmica said as the three fillies chuckled.
"Well, it's mah day off on the farm, so the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I decided to take a stroll on the beach," Applebloom explained as Cosmica sighed at the repetition of a word she kept hearing ever since she ended up in Ponyville.
"You have an entire crusade dedicated to these Cutie Marks?" Cosmica asked as Sweetie Belle nodded.
"Yeah, we basically help people find their special talents, which is our special talent," The third filly explained, getting into Cosmica's personal space a bit before backing up.
"Wait, who are you again?" Cosmica asked the third filly as Applebloom chuckled.
"Right, so this right here with the tiny wings is Scootalo, and the one that looks like Rarity is Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom introduced.
"So...I take it you three are gonna help me find my cutie mark? Whether or not my species is even capable of one or not?" Cosmica asked as the Cutie Mark Crusaders glanced at each other with glee.
"That sounds about right," Cosmica replied, as she lied back down on the beach.
"She'll let you girls know when she needs your help," Rarity explained as Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootalo promptly left Rarity and Cosmica by themselves to relax in the warm embrace of the sun. Although that proved more dangerous than expected as the Sun was practically frying Cosmica's skin like an egg to the point one could even see her skin change to a red-ish color, while Rarity remained unaffected. Cosmica had no idea why she was sitting here, other than to follow Rarity's example when she saw so many ponies messing around in the water no problem.
"Alright, screw this," Cosmica blurted out as she got up from her seat and bolted into the water, while Rarity examined Cosmica's sprint in surprise.
"I never thought I would ever hear a space alien say 'screw it'," Rarity commented as Cosmica dived headfirst into the water. The cold, blue waves rubbed against Cosmica's body, nourishing it with its sharp touch. Cosmica swam freely and examined all that she could inside the blue oceans without going too far out into the beach. She may have even seen a fish or two playing around with her. After she was done playing around in the water like a child, Cosmica got up out of the water, where she found everypony had left except for Rarity.
"You must really like the water, huh?" Rarity asked, as she handed Cosmica the basked full of their stuff.
"What can I say? This is what I came here for," Cosmica said as the two girls chuckled and headed back home for some more lemonade.
It was a quiet morning, as Cosmica was hard at work writing her new notes on what she had already learned about the Equestrian way of Life from Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity, now that she had the time to hang out with them for herself rather than stalk them from her saucer. As she finished up her notes, Cosmica then began a few presentations of her own so she could share her alien way of life to Twilight and her new pony friends. Though her work would have to be postponed as a grumpy little growl quite concerned the space pony. Cosmica turned around to find Potato, her pet skunk, glaring with much rage in his eyes from within his cage. Cosmica decided it would be best to attend to her pet and continue her work later.
"And...uh...what is it you need help with now, my rather pungent friend?" Cosmica asked as Potato, as he squeaked a rant at Cosmica and placed a paw at the lock of the cage.
"So...it appears you need something. Alright, let me just get this out of the way..." Cosmica explained as she unlocked the cage and set Potato out of his cage. Potato grinned very mischievously as the moment he marched out the gate, he aimed his rear as Cosmica, preparing to fire his unpleasant spray.
"Hey, don't you point that at me. Remember what Fluttershy said?" Cosmica threatened though she was very worried as Fluttershy wasn't here to help Cosmica calm Potato down. Potato took advantage and snarled at Cosmica to back her off, to which she did.
"Computer! Activate defense foam!" Cosmica demanded in her native language, triggering a defense mechanism of her own, causing a mint-green substance to drop out of the ceiling and cover all of Potato, with the exception, right as he fired his awful stink. Cosmica breathed a sigh of relief as the smelly spray did not hit her and ended up in the foam encasement as it solidified.
"OK, if you could calm down and tell me why you're so upset, I'd gladly like to hear you out," Cosmica explained as Potato struggled to break free. Potato snarled and squeaked a long and loud rant at Cosmica, to which she could not understand what her pet was saying.
"Computer? Could you care to translate?" Cosmica asked in her alien language, as her computer flared up working on a translation.
"I'm afraid I cannot come up with an accurate translation as the supposed language the animal speaks is nothing like the language the ponies have been speaking. However, judging by the emotion the animal is showing, I'd say the animal is tired of being cooped up here and would like a breath of fresh air," The computer calculated as Cosmica turned to Potato, who had given up struggling to break free of the foam.
"Hey, is that why you're upset? You just wanna spend time outside?" Cosmica asked as Potato nodded, defeated.
"Okay, here's the deal. I'll get this foam off you, and we'll go for a walk together, but you cannot spray me," Cosmica proposed as Potato showed interest in Cosmica's proposal. Potato nodded in agreement as Cosmica broke the foam away from Potato, and threw the remains away. The entrance to the spacecraft lowered as Cosmica and Potato headed out for their long walk. It wasn't as hot as that heatwave a few days back, mainly due to a chill breeze calming everything down, showing signs of a perfect day. Potato galloped around playing in the grass after having been cooped up in a plastic cage in a metal alien ship for so long.
"You must really prefer the outdoors, huh?" Cosmica laughed as Potato nodded. Cosmica headed out to Ponyville with Potato close behind, as the two patrolled the outskirts of town, passing by everypony at least once without being spotted. Or, at least, they tried to. As Cosmica and Potato sat down at a park bench to take a breather, the alien got a gift for her little skunk.
"Hey, I have something for you," Cosmica said as Potato perked up in curiosity. Cosmica then got out a collar with Potato's name labeled on a flower pendant, and a leash so Cosmica doesn't lose track of him. Potato got the collar on and Cosmica hooked the leash up. And with that, the two continued their walk until they were approached by two mares; a cyan unicorn with a white stripe in her mane, and a cream-colored Earth pony with a purple and pink poofy mane.
"Oh, hi there. I don't think I've seen you around here before," The unicorn greeted as Cosmica got a little concerned as she didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, being an alien from another world and all that.
"Well, I'm new here anyway, so that must be why you've never seen me. Until now, at least," Cosmica said as she appeared to not seem conspicuous.
"You seem shy. Do you not have any new friends?" The Earth Pony asked as Cosmica backed up a bit.
"Well, I'm friends with who you call Princess Twilight, but I was told not to trust anypony other than her or her friends if that makes sense," Cosmica explained, backing up a bit more.
"Well, I'm an old friend of Twilight's from back when we were little Fillies, growing up together. I'm Lyra Heartstrings, and this is my girlfriend Bon Bon," Lyra explained as Cosmica breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, I reckon she's told you about me? I didn't see you or your significant other at my introduction party," Cosmica wondered as Lyra bumped her foreleg into Bon Bon's.
"Yep. Told us all about you. She even told us to come look for you," Bon Bon said, breaking a few sweats from her eyebrows. Cosmica then raised her eyebrow in curiosity.
"Did she tell you why?" Cosmica asked as Potato hid behind Cosmica for safety.
"You'll see it for yourself. Just come with us and we'll have ourselves a grand time," Lyra said, almost stuttering. Bon Bon chuckled nervously, making Cosmica suspicious now. Nevertheless, Lyra and Bon Bon led Cosmica and Potato out of the park and toward a rather large, black chariot with large pegasi stallions in black suits with sunglasses.
"This is...rather odd," Cosmica noted. "Aren't Princess Twilight's chariots gold with soldiers in golden armor?" Lyra and Bon Bon looked at each other rather worryingly.
"Don't...don't worry about it. Just get in," Lyra suggested as Cosmica hesitated. Potato sniffed around for anything suspicious, tugging at his leash, and ended up causing Bon Bon to drop her wallet, which had an ID. But it wasn't just any ID. It had an image of Bon Bon with dark shades over her eyes with the acronym "S.M.I.L.E." labeled on the top. Bon Bon gasped at the wallet as Potato wailed in alarm, warning Cosmica of what's to come. Cosmica then tried to gallop away with Potato following behind her as the two suit-wearing ponies unhitched themselves and surrounded Cosmica from the front. She then tried to make her escape from the rear but found Lyra and Bon Bon wearing the same shades and covering her exit. Cosmica was trapped.
"It doesn't have to be this way," Lyra warned as Cosmica backed herself up against the large cart.
"You're not really friends with Twilight, are you?" Cosmica asked as one of the stallions chuckled.
"To be honest, we actually are friends with Princess Twilight. But Twilight wasn't the reason we were sent for you," Bon Bon explained as Cosmica had a hard time trying to figure this all out without panicking.
"Now just come with us, drop your pet cat, and--" Lyra demanded as a large green foul-smelling cloud surrounded the mysterious ponies, stunning the ponies. Cosmica chuckled as she held her nose and let Potato hop onto her back.
"You might need to learn your biology again," Cosmica taunted as she made her get away from the shade-wearing ponies, who growled in disappointment.
"HQ is not gonna like this," Lyra commented as Bon Bon comforted her.
"This wouldn't have happened if you knew her pet was a skunk ahead of time," Bon Bon said, pushing the blame onto her marefriend.
"How is this my fault? You're the one who said she never had a pet, to begin with," Lyra said, shifting the blame back onto Bon Bon.
"Regardless, Headquarters isn't gonna like how you let her escape," one of the stallions said, covering his nose with his wing to bock out the smell of skunk.
"Shut up and capture the alien!!!" Lyra and Bon Bon yelled as the four agents charged after Cosmica with Potato in tow. Cosmica tried her best to keep her presence hidden. But with four angry ponies hot on her tail, she didn't have much of a choice. Cosmica hopped and swerved throughout the marketplace as Bon Bon and Lyra managed to keep up with her. Cosmica then made it to the outskirts of town, where she saw her spaceship in sight. Though Cosmica was slowly running out of breath, and Lyra and Bon Bon were catching up to her. Cosmica then sprinted back to her ship, but not before Bon Bon managed to pounce on Cosmica, holding her down. Potato rolled off of Cosmica's back and could only watch.
"What do you...even want with me?" Cosmica asked, struggling to break free of Bon Bon's grasp.
"To take care of threats Equestria doesn't even know exist. And that includes you," Lyra explained as she caught up to the two. Cosmica cried out for help as Potato prepared himself to spray the two, causing Lyra to chuckle.
"Don't even bother. I doubt it'd work a second time," Bon Bon said. Regardless, Potato sprayed Bon Bon off of Cosmica's back and even got Lyra while he was at it. Bon Bon coughed for fresh smelling air.
"Apparently it can work a second time," Lyra quipped as Bon Bon lied down.
"Shut up," Bon Bon coughed as Lyra chuckled. Cosmica then made it to her spacecraft, where Potato managed to get back into his cage, this time to protect himself for what's to come. Cosmica prepared herself as Bon Bon and Lyra then followed her into the alien craft.
"Nowhere to run," Bon Bon said as Cosmica smirked.
"I don't need to," Cosmica remarked as two large globs of foam landed on and surrounded Lyra and Bon Bon before completely solidifying and holding the two mares still.
"Now, what do I do with you?" Cosmica asked as Lyra and Bon Bon struggled to break free of the foam.
"Your invasion will never win, Alien!" Lyra snarled as Cosmica chuckled.
"I'm not here to invade though, so your pony-kind is safe. Though I can't let you leave with the knowledge that an alien is here," Cosmica said as she stroked her chin hoping to come up with some sort of plan.
"What are you going to do?" Bon Bon asked, worried Cosmica's gonna perform some sick twisted experiment on her. Though Cosmica had another idea in mind.
Lyra woke up soundly in bed as Bon Bon slept soundly beside her.
"Woah, I just had the craziest dream last night," Lyra said, as her head was pounding as if an entire orchestra fell on top of her head. Lyra sniffed around and noticed an awful smell.
"Phew! Bon Bon, was that you?" Lyra asked, holding her nose. Bon Bon then woke up, rubbing her eye as the awful smell hit her nose as well.
"Awww, gross. You stink!" Bon Bon groaned, holding her own nose. The two bickered much longer as Cosmica, Potato, and Twilight spectated from outside their bedroom window.
"Thanks for erasing their memories Twilight. I really owe you one," Cosmica said as Potato sat beside his alien friend.
"Yeah, don't mention it. Though it's strange I never heard of this 'S.M.I.L.E.' before until now. I'll try to see what I can uncover. In the meantime, just relax, and maybe get yourself a better smelling pet," Twilight joked as Cosmica headed back to her spaceship, now perfectly peaceful and quaint. But for how long?
"I'm so glad you could join me Cosmica," Twilight said as she and Cosmica sat side by side in a chariot headed to Canterlot palace.
"Don't mention it, Twilight. I'm looking forward to eating fancy tonight," Cosmica said, her stomach rumbling at the thought of what the Equestrian Royalty considers food, compared to the more local ponies at least. Twilight, however, shot a look of concern.
"Remember. You're not here to just simply hang out," Twilight informed as Cosmica tilted her head.
"What do you mean? I thought I was visiting to learn a thing or two about your world. That's what I've been doing for the past few days with your friends," Cosmica argued, scratching the tendrils on her head.
"Yeah, I know. But Cosmica, I warned you that you can't just simply make your presence known. And now we know there are ponies after you who'd like to keep it that way. I've never known Lyra and Bon Bon to chase down a new pony like this before," Twilight pondered, looking over Ponyville, wondering who else might be a part of this conspiracy.
"Well...to be honest, that is fair. But there are some things I need to figure out as well," Cosmica explained as Twilight sighed.
"Like a demonstration of moving the sun and the moon?" Twilight asked as she looked out of the carriage with Cosmica.
"Well, that...And I need to practice reading and writing in your language," Cosmica explained as Twilight raised an eyebrow in concern.
"I thought you taught yourself our language. And by the looks of things, you're still extremely fluent," Twilight reminded as Cosmica sat back down.
"Well...I can speak it. It's just that I can't read or write it, you know?" Cosmica explained, twirling one of her tendrils nervously as Twilight considered Cosmica's situation.
"I'll see if I can arrange anything," Twilight promised as the chariot landed outside Canterlot Palace, as Cosmica laid eyes upon the magnificent building in awe. Cosmica examined every little detail she always wanted to relish but was dragged into the building by Twilight. Cosmica could not help but to watch in awe as she followed Twilight.
"Hey, Twilight," Spike called out, catching Cosmica off guard.
"Good morning Spike. Anything on my schedule today?" Twilight asked as Spike paused at her strange guest.
"Well, you got, like, fifty bills to sign. And I don't recall you invited guests over," Spike relayed as Twilight turned back to Cosmica, totally forgetting to tell Spike about her.
"Oh! Well, could you postpone those bills for tomorrow? I need to look into the library for something," Twilight briefed Spike, as he sighed in disappointment.
"Of course, you're going to the library. Why wouldn't you be?" Spike sarcastically commented as Cosmica giggled at the little dragon's sarcasm.
"That's quite the joke you got there, dragon," Cosmica complimented as Spike scratched the back of his head in confusion.
"And...just who might this pony be, Twilight?" Spike asked as Twilight gave him a devilish glare.
"She's your new literacy student," Twilight announced as Spike shot up in surprise.
"No, seriously, Twilight, what's going on?" Spike asked as Twilight vanished from the palace and most likely into the library. Spike looked on at Cosmica, who gave him a cheeky smile and a cute little wave.
"So...I take it you're illiterate or something?" Spike asked as Cosmica followed him to his bedroom.
"Well...for lack of a better term, yes," Cosmica answered as Spike opened the door to his bedroom, which was rather messy, but still cleaner than most bedrooms. Spike searched his bookshelf for a good book to teach his new student.
"I never got your name, by the way," Spike reminded Cosmica as she was handed a rather old filly's book Spike must have been reading when he was but an infant.
"Oh. My name's Cosmica. You don't need to introduce yourself to me, Spike. Twilight told me all about you," Cosmica explained as Spike shoveled out some old fillies books and phonics learning books.
"Uh-huh. And just...where did Twilight find you exactly?" Spike asked as Cosmica realized that the young dragon might not take the news well that Twilight was abducted by a space invader.
Twilight approached the gigantic library with two golden-clad royal guards at the entrance.
"Princess Twilight! Your Highness!" The guards addressed as they stood firm for their powerful leader.
"Afternoon, sirs," Twilight replied as she opened the large doors and entered the building that was filled with gigantic shelves of hundreds of books. Which, of course, would only make sense as the library itself is massive. As she approached the center of the library, Twilight approached the desk of its librarian.
"Oh my. What a pleasant surprise, Princess Twilight. How may I assist you?" The Librarian asked as Twilight took a deep breath.
"Does this library contain any information about the organization known as S.M.I.L.E.?" Twilight asked, causing a sense of alarm for the librarian.
"Oh...Oh my...I'm not sure we do. Come with me out back, and we'll see if we can find anything," The librarian answered as Twilight followed her to the dimly lit halls of the darker ends of the library. Twilight lit her horn so she could find her way around better, but the librarian pushed a secret button hidden in one of the books before Twilight could notice.
"A...B....D...G...?" Cosmica tried writing out on a whiteboard under Spike's supervision while he read an issue of the latest Power Ponies comic.
"You do realize that isn't in alphabetical order, right?" Spike asked as he flipped the page of his comic.
"You know, if you think about it, there's no real reason this alphabet needs to be in this exact order," Cosmica pointed out.
"That's not...Actually, I don't think you're wrong there. But it still has to be in this order," Spike clarified as Cosmica groaned in disappointment
"Well, could you at least help me out here? I don't exactly know what I'm doing," Cosmica begged as Spike let out a sigh and put down his comic book.
"Alright, fine. This should be fairly easy, so just follow my lead," Spike said as he took Cosmica's whiteboard and prepared to wipe it down, but was rather stunned by what Cosmica had written.
"Cosmica, why did you just draw a bunch of crop circles?" Spike asked as Cosmica cleared her throat and tried to whistle away her worries.
As Twilight scanned the dark hallways, only lit up by her violet horn, she came across a large dusty book with its pages crinkled and yellow from age. Twilight blew the dust off and read the title: "The History of S.M.I.L.E." and was excited to finally get some answers and began investigating.
Long ago, before the time of Princesses Celestia and Luna, the world was protected by the powerful Starswirl the Bearded. But when things got tough even for him, his student, Clover the Clever, devised a solution. Clover trained a group of agents to engage in pre-emptive missions to take out dangerous Equestrian threats before Starswirl could take them down, unless if they had faith that Starswirl would be able to handle it himself.
One such instance involved a terrible dragon and his centaur minion who plotted to steal Starswirl's magic and rule Equestria for himself. Clover's agents intervened before the dragon's plan was ever put into action, and Starswirl was none the wiser. Years later, when Celestia began her reign as the princess, Luna was abducted by a gigantic monstrous squid that meddled with the minds of their enemies, hoping to turn Celestia and Luna into their mindless minions.
These agents, however, outsmarted the beastly squid and returned Luna before she realized she was ever captured. These agents are known as S.M.I.L.E. and have sworn a secret pledge to protect the world's defenders, should the defenders themselves be unable to handle it themselves.
As Twilight read the book more and more to learn about these agents, her nose perked up as she picked up a rather odd scent.
"Hey, what's smells like rotten ketchup?" Twilight asked. Just as Twilight asked and was beginning to flip the page, a single lone dart hit Twilight in the back of her hind leg, causing her to stumble. She turned around to find Lyra and Bon Bon in full black suits and shades covering their eyes.
"I'm sorry it has to be this way, Princess Twilight, but I'm afraid you know way too much and are gonna have to come with us," Lyra informed Twilight, as she got the dart out of her leg.
"Lyra? Bon Bon? What do you girls want with me?" Twilight asked as Lyra adjusted her shades.
"If you've read as far into that dusty old book as you did, you would know by now that it's our job to protect Equestria without Starswirl knowing, Celestia knowing, or even you knowing of this. And we can't exactly protect you without you knowing if you know S.M.I.L.E. exists, now can we?" Bon Bon explained as Twilight turned to the dart.
"What did you inject me with by the way?" Twilight asked as Bon Bon chuckled while Lyra pulled out her blow dart.
"Don't worry too much, Princess. The tranquilizer will take effect any second now," Bon Bon answered as Twilight prepared to fall unconscious, but strangely didn't feel the slightest bit woozy.
"Any second now. So that we can take you back to HQ and wipe your memory of all of this. Just like you wiped our memories," Bon Bon continued so the dart could take effect as Lyra inspected her blow darts.
"Oh, so you got your memories back?" Twilight asked, stalling for time.
"Well...no. But HQ filled us in on what you wiped from us. Though it is embarrassing to think about now that we learned that we got skunked badly. Nothing a Tomato Juice bath wouldn't fix, am I right?" Bon Bon said, hoping the dart would have taken effect by now.
"Oh, so that's why I smelled rotten ketchup. You girls used tomato juice! Hey, you do realize that stuff doesn't actually work, right? Spike and I learned that the hard way at our first Winter Wrap Up," Twilight commented.
"If tomato juice doesn't work, then how did it get so widely accepted in the first place?" Bon Bon asked as Lyra was in total shock after realizing something.
"Bon Bon? I got some bad news. We forgot to actually put the tranquilizers in," Lyra informed as Twilight snickered.
"You're saying you just hit me with an empty dart?" Twilight asked as Lyra and Bon Bon turned toward each other in great worry.
"Well, it's been nice meeting you girls. Good night," Twilight signed off as her horn lit up and cast a spell on Lyra and Bon Bon, putting the two in a deep sleep. The Librarian looked on in total fear of what Princess Twilight would do to her.
"Please don't arrest me for treason," The Librarian begged as Twilight looked at her with sympathy.
"Hey, don't worry. You were just doing your job is all. Just take these girls to a safe place until they wake up, write a message to S.M.I.L.E. not to worry about me, and maybe write some instructions for these two on how to actually wash off skunk smell. Just in case it happens again," Twilight said, as she headed off from the library to get back to Cosmica and Spike.
"I know it is wet, and the sun is not sunny, but we could have some good...bun that is bunny? Did I get that right?" Cosmica read out loud from one of the children's books as Spike spectated.
"Close. You got the letter B mixed up with F, Cosmica. You might want to re-read that," Spike advised.
"Fun that is funny. OH! OK, that makes much more sense. Thank you," Cosmica replied as Spike nodded in approval.
"You are ever so welcome, Cosmica. Say, you've been learning real quick," Spike complimented as Cosmica blushed a brighter shade of green. Just then, Twilight knocked on Spike's door.
"Cosmica, Spike, I'm back," Twilight announced as Spike lit up.
"Hey, Twilight. Did ya get what you were looking for?" Spike asked as Cosmica turned to Twilight.
"Is it bad? Am I in any danger?" Cosmica asked as Twilight decided to share what she learned.
"No, but Lyra and Bon Bon must think that I'm in danger and that you're a major threat," Twilight explained as Spike was immediately lost.
"Twilight, I don't know what's going on. Care to fill me in?" Spike asked as Twilight turned to Cosmica.
"You didn't tell him?" Twilight asked as Cosmica hid her left eye behind her front tendril.
"No. I was afraid he would freak out and panic," Cosmica explained as Twilight sighed.
"Spike, Cosmica's an alien. There, we told him," Twilight blurted out as Spike's eyes lit up like the stars.
"Are you serious, Twilight? Cosmica, you are immediately my new best friend! I hope you know that!" Spike casually announced as the girls laughed at the young dragon's response.
"Well, we'd best get going. See you later, new bestie," Cosmica said as Twilight and her headed out for the day.
"See you later Cosmica," Spike waved as he sat down in his seat and opened up his Power Ponies comic. The page, however, caught him off guard, causing his face to turn red, and his wings to shoot out from his back.
"...And I never kissed a chipmunk, and I have never gotten headlice, and I've never been to Boston in the fall," Pinkie Pie sang at the top of her lungs as Twilight and the others groaned. Twilight and the Elements decided to pay Cosmica a visit, and Pinkie decided to sing a little song, much to her friend's disappointment, while they traveled from Canterlot to the hidden location of Cosmica's ship.
"Pinkie, this is the sixth time you sang that song. At this point, it's stuck in our heads. So, with all due respect Pinkie, please stop," Twilight begged as she cleaned her ear out with her wing.
"Besides, Darling, What's a rooster and mashed potatoes have to do with being a pirate?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah, weren't ya singin' about bein a pirate or sumthin'?" Applejack asked as Pinkie bounced along.
"LET'S GO FOR ROUND 7!!!" Pinkie called out as Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash groaned. Twilight, however, breathed a sigh of relief as she could see Cosmica's ship from behind a few trees.
"No need, Pinkie. We finally made it," Twilight called out as the fellow ponies could see the white, green, and blue lights emanating from the flying saucer. As they neared the spacecraft, the doors opened, revealing Cosmica waiting ever so patiently to see her pony friends once more.
"Oh, Good morning Everypony. It's so nice to see you all again!" Cosmica said as she hugged them all one by one.
"It's good to see you too, Cosmica. You said you wanted to share something with us?" Twilight said as Cosmica's eyes beamed as bright as a unicorn's horn.
"Oh, yes. I was wondering if you'd like to go for a ride in my ship," Cosmica offered as the ponies gasped in surprise at the thought of their alien friend offering them a ride in her craft. Twilights reaction was more out of concern than the other ponies, which was out of bewilderment.
"Um, Cosmica? Do you think that this might not be a good idea? It's just that there's a secret organization after you that even I did not even know about. And I don't have any political influence over them, so I can't tell them to stop," Twilight reminded Cosmica as she thought it over.
"Don't worry about it, Twilight. We'll just have to fly into the middle of your planet's stratosphere, higher up than any normal pegasus would fly by my calculations, and we can just simply fly around. There's no way anypony would be able to see us from that high up," Cosmica planned out as Twilight thought over Cosmica's plan.
"I...suppose so," Twilight said as the 5 other ponies boarded Cosmica's ship.
"Come on, Twilight! The ride's about to start!" Cosmica said as Twilight followed her into the ship. The ponies were in awe as they toured around on a real alien spaceship. Pinkie was staring at all of the buttons and doodads wondering what each colored button did. Applejack examined the alien-looking tools next to the operating table. Rainbow Dash stared at the helm of the ship, which appeared to be both a steering wheel and a joystick at once. Dash held herself back to not take the helm for herself and be the new ship's captain. Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Rarity got acquainted with Cosmica's first mate.
"Ugh! Cosmica, Darling? Why do you have such a foul-smelling creature aboard your ship as a pet?" Rarity asked, holding her nose at the sight of Potato. Fluttershy chuckled at Rarity's overreaction.
"For starters, Fluttershy helped me tame him since I asked so nicely. Again, thank you for that, by the way, Fluttershy. Second, your planet's skunks actually remind me of a much similar animal that we have tamed as pets on my homeworld. They have similar scent glands right under their tails as well and are known for their sharp loyalty" Cosmica informed.
"Ah. Space skunks. That's something I didn't need to know about," Rarity commented as Cosmica headed to the bridge, only to find Rainbow Dash playing around with the helm as if she was about to race a horseless chariot.
"Having fun?" Cosmica asked, startling Rainbow Dash and causing her to jump.
"Oh! Hey, Cosmica. Sorry for messing around. Hope I haven't accidentally broken anything," Rainbow Dash said, backing away from the helm.
"Yeah, don't worry. We didn't begin our flight anyways, so you were fine," Cosmica informed Rainbow Dash as the six ponied gathered around the helm. Cosmica cleared her throat and sat in the driver's seat.
"Alright ponies. Who's ready to go for a ride?" Cosmica asked as the ponies cheered in response. Cosmica chuckled at their enthusiasm.
"Then buckle your seatbelts," Cosmica advised as the ponies noticed something was off.
"Uhh...Cosmica? I think you're the only one with a seatbelt," Pinkie pointed out as Cosmica realized she was sitting in quite frankly the only chair the ship has.
"Oh...uh...Didn't quite think that one through, now did I?" Cosmica said, blushing in embarrassment.
"So...where are we supposed to sit?" Rainbow Dash asked as Cosmica thought it over.
"Yeah, I was only saying 'Buckle your seatbelts' just to sound cool. In all honesty, getting this ship off the ground and into space would just feel like an elevator ride," Cosmica explained as she realized how less cool all of that sounded out loud to the ponies. She pressed a couple of buttons, causing the ship's computer to spring to life.
"Computer! Initiate take-off sequence, head to the planet's stratosphere, and deactivate auto-pilot. We're goin' for a bit of a joyride!" Cosmica called to the computer in her native language.
"Take-off sequence initiated," The ship's computer replied in the same language as the spacecraft hovered above the ground, allowing the ship's retractable legs to fold into the ship itself. The spaceship launched itself high into the air in record time, and not too long later, made it's way to the stratosphere, where the fun is about to begin.
"Computer, activate lower cameras," Cosmica said in her alien way as the Computer's monitor showed the city of Canterlot from way high up from where they were. The ponies looked into the monitor with much interest.
"So, this is how you were able to learn so much about us?" Rarity asked as Cosmica hopped off the driver's seat, causing the ship to sit still for a while.
"Uh-huh. Twilight said that this was wrong, but thankfully I don't have to stalk you the way I did anymore," Cosmica said as she went to the ship's monitor and clicked in a bunch of alien characters.
"So...what kind of ship is this? Is it a starfighter? a battleship? a scout ship for discovering new planets?" Rainbow Dash asked as Cosmica turned towards the operating table and alien devices.
"Yeah, no. This ship was basically manufactured to attend to the grievously and perilously wounded. The kind that was meant to operate this ship were more or less medical professionals," Cosmica explained, much to Rainbow Dash's disappointment.
"So you're saying you flew light-years from your home planet in what's basically an ambulance?" Rainbow Dash asked as Cosmica sheepishly grinned at Dash.
"Yeah, I didn't think I would need to tell you that part because I thought you'd find my ship not as cool as you hoped," Cosmica confessed, letting her head hang low.
"Hey, it doesn't matter if you got here in an ambulance or a limousine or even just a bicycle. Your spaceship will still be pure awesomeness!" Rainbow Dash assured Cosmica as she picked her head up and the two turned their heads to the driver's seat.
"Say, do I need to learn how to drive this thing, or can I go at it?" Rainbow Dash asked as Cosmica was caught off guard.
"You...you want to try and pilot my ship?" Cosmica asked as Rainbow Dash nodded.
"Well...OK, but it's gonna be very difficult to--" Cosmica tried to explain before Rainbow zipped through and hopped immediately in the driver's seat.
"Bah, how hard can it be. It doesn't look too different from a video game," Rainbow Dash analyzed as she got her grubby little hooves onto the helm, very much worrying Cosmica.
"Dash, I don't think--" Comica tried to warn, before Rainbow Dash made a quick turn on the helm, completely throwing the ship, and the ponies inside, all over the place. Cosmica, Twilight, and the others groaned in motion sickness and pain at Dash's reckless driving skills.
"Hey, can I have--" Cosmica tried to ask before Rainbow Dash's speedy little mind wanted more of what just happened.
"This is where the fun begins!" Rainbow Dash declared as she went berzerk with the helm, spinning and speeding the spacecraft all over the place, shaking the ponies inside like they're merely ragdolls in a toy chest.
"MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE INSTALLED EXTRA SEATS!!!" Twilight yelled as she almost slammed right into Pinkie.
"I'LL SEE IF I CAN GET THAT DONE!!!" Cosmica responded as she pushed Rarity off of her body. Just, then, the ship inexplicably stopped, causing Rainbow Dash's dangerous drag race to stop. All the ponies inside breathed sighs of relief and took the time to catch their breath.
"I think...I'll take...the helm back," Cosmica panted as Rainbow Dash continued moved the steering wheel, but nothing seemed to have happened.
"Hey, did you turn on autopilot or something? I can't seem to budge this thing," Rainbow Dash pointed out as Cosmica noticed something off.
"I mean, that is a good idea for next time you try to crash this thing. But...I didn't turn on autopilot," Cosmica informed Rainbow Dash as the two looked down at the recovering ponies below.
"Computer! What's going on? Why aren't we moving?" Cosmica asked the computer in her native language as the computer sprang to life but in an alarming red tone.
"Alert! The ship has been caught in a tractor beam! Prepare for emergency boarding!" The computer responded in the same language as Cosmica's face shifted into paralyzing fear.
"Cosmica, what's going on? What did your tech box thing say? I don't speak random gibberish!!!" Pinkie Pie panicked as everypony on the ship felt the ship descend down back toward the planet.
"The ship has been caught in a tractor beam! We have to brace for impact!" Cosmica warned everypony as they looked at each other in varying degrees of fear.
"Is it more aliens? Please don't let it be more aliens!" Fluttershy asked as the ship descended lower and lower.
"If it was, we'd be going higher into space. We're being forced back down to the ground!" Cosmica explained as Twilight came to a startling conclusion, but didn't want to spoil the surprise. As the ship made it closer to the ground, The ship's crew could see a makeshift landing platform with a big red target painted into the sand of a vast desert covered in nothing but the green cactuses that scattered the barren lands. The only other things they could find was a large dish pointed right at the ship, and two very familiar ponies in nothing but black suits and shades. As the ship landed and the entrance of the ship lowered, revealing the seven queasy ponies, the two agents stood firm with their hooves in their suits.
"Bon Bon? Lyra? What's going on?" Rarity asked as the two agents pulled out blow darts and fired tranquilizer darts at the ponies.
"LOOK OUT!" Twilight shouted as the ponies ducked and Twilight cast a force field, stopping the two tranq darts in their tracks. Twilight stared the two agents down.
"Princess Twilight, please. We don't want to hurt you! We just want to talk to Cosmica." Lyra explained as she took off her shades.
"You literally just shot sleep darts at us! This is quite literally kidnapping!" Twilight countered as Lyra scratched the back of her head.
"The only reason why is because we can't have non-S.M.I.L.E. agents knowing the location of our HQ if we need to speak with them. And we desperately need to speak with Cosmica, so..." Bon Bon said as she too took off her glasses. Lyra and Bon Bon glanced at each other, hoping that some way, they'll come quietly.
"Only if you let my friends and I go afterward?" Twilight bargained, hoping they don't lock ponies who know their secrets up.
"I mean, we'll be in big trouble if we don't. All of you are too valuable to keep prisoner," Bon Bon agreed as Twilight took a deep breath.
"Then there's only one way to do this," Twilight said, lowering her magic shield. Just then, Twilight's horn lit up and cast a magic pink and purple cloud of smoke around Cosmica, herself, and her friends. Just then, Cosmica felt woozy, as did the other ponies, as one by one, Twilight's spell put the seven ponies to sleep.
"See...works like a cha--" Twilight said before passing out, welcoming Lyra and Bon Bon to take the sleeping ponies into their secret HQ to talk things out.
"Well...I wasn't expecting that," Bon Bon commented as Lyra inspected her blow dart.
"Hey, how come we use tranq darts instead of sleep spells anyway?" Lyra asked as Bon Bon realized how easier their job would be if they did that.
Cosmica tossed and turned and rolled around until she came to and woke up, hoping she had not been taken prisoner or anything, as she did wake up in a large dark room. Instead, she found herself in a large green sleeping bag with a big, fluffy, white pillow, and snuggling on a toy cow. Cosmica's memory went black for a few seconds but remembered what happened before; She remembered Twilight cast a sleeping spell on everypony, including herself, so they could discuss Cosmica's...something. It was all so fast before the spell was cast. As she slowly recovered, she found her new pony friends all taken care of, put into comfortable and colorful sleeping bags. Cosmica's vision became clearer as she went for the door to examine more of where she was taken. Also, the door slowly opened on its own, revealing Lyra waiting just outside.
"Hey, you're finally awake," Lyra whispered, trying not to wake the sleeping ponies behind Cosmica.
"How long were we out?" Cosmica whispered as she rubbed her eye.
"You've been out for...I'd say an hour and thirty minutes," Lyra explained as she slowly opened the door to let Cosmica out, and closed it back up to let Twilight and the others sleep some more.
"So...it's just me you guys wanted to talk to? Am I in trouble or anything?" Cosmica asked as Lyra walked down the halls with her. The halls were a pristine white with glass windows revealing tons of weird alien technologies monitored by funky-looking scientists.
"Yeah, that's all we needed to do. And don't worry, Cosmica. You're not in trouble. If anything, Twilight is the one in trouble for figuring us out," Lyra explained as she took Cosmica to a chrome white door, revealing a rather large meeting room with a slender meeting table surrounded by up to 12 chairs, a vase of vastly colored roses and plates of baked goods at each side of the vase, and a large television hung from the ceiling for presentations.
"Bon Bon will be here in a moment with the Chief. Do you need Bon Bon and me to accompany you for this, or...?" Lyra offered as she decided to take a seat.
"Uh, yeah. I'm just so nervous about all of this is all," Cosmica expressed as Lyra sat down beside her.
"Hey. S.M.I.L.E.'s not a place for you to worry. It's kind of in the name, after all," Lyra said, nudging her to lift her spirits. Just then, Bon Bon came through the door with a rather tall stallion by her side. He had a dark brown coat, a shaved mane, a small beard, and wore the same suit and shades as Lyra and Bon Bon.
"Sir, the alien as you requested," Bon Bon said, as she sat down next to Lyra. Cosmica got up from her seat and got a closer look at "the Chief" while he took a good look at Cosmica's alien features.
"Ah. Welcome to S.M.I.L.E. Headquarters. Can I help you with something?" The large agent asked as he sat in the large seat in the middle of the table, and gestured Cosmica to sit next to him.
"Yes. My name is Cosmica Emerald. At least, it's my pony name, anyway. I've tried translating my alien name into your language with no result, so Twilight came up with the name for me. She's real nice, you know." Cosmica explained as the Chief kicked his hind legs up onto the meeting table, took a cookie from one of the two plates, and took a bite out of it.
"Yeah, I figured. You can call me Fresh Prince. As you can see, I run things here at S.M.I.L.E." Fresh Prince explained as he took another bite out of his cookie. He seemed out of place, with a chill and calm demeanor, compared to Lyra and Bon Bon, who acted almost soldier-like compared to him.
"Uh...right...So, is there anything you wanted to speak with me about, sir?" Cosmica asked as politely as she can so she doesn't anger him, though it doesn't look like you can anger this guy.
"Yeah. Plenty of things, actually. It's been a while since we've seen another one of your kind around here," Fresh Prince commented, catching Cosmica off guard.
"I...beg your pardon? My species didn't partake in intergalactic exploration or anything like that. My planet didn't know about your planet until I discovered it," Cosmica explained as Fresh Prince chuckled.
"Ah, looks like you Cloptrians kept it a secret too after all," Fresh Prince laughed as if talking to some old friends.
"I...I don't...what?" Cosmica asked as her world view was most likely shattered by this revelation.
"Alright, let me fill you in on a couple of things here, Cosmica, since you're not exactly in the loop yourself" Fresh Prince explained as the lights dimmed and the TV monitor went off showing an old black and white film.
The film showed a flying saucer and a group of explorers that looked almost exactly like Cosmica, except with a bit more armor, and they seemed broken and bruised. They landed in the grassy plains of Equestria, where they met with a group of S.M.I.L.E. Agents, except wearing black fedoras as well.
"Please have pity on us. We are simple freedom fighters in a civil war and are in need of food, supplies, and weapons in order to liberate our homeworld," One of the aliens pleaded as two of the agents looked at each other and nodded. A third agent came in carrying crates of food, medical kits, sleeping bags, and loaded them onto the alien spacecraft.
"Before you go, we would like to know what to call you guys, in case you come back. I think we could benefit off of becoming friends, you and I," One of the agents, a younger Fresh Prince, suggested as the aliens got their new gear aboard their craft.
"We have tried translating our language into yours with varying results. Unfortunately, our species name was too difficult to translate. The closest we ever got was Cloptrians, but that's about it," The lead alien advised as the young Fresh Prince smiled as a result.
"Then we'll look out to the stars for you, Cloptrians. Good luck out there," The younger Fresh Prince wished as the spaceship closed itself off and launched itself back into the night sky and the video ended.
Cosmica couldn't believe it. Her species actually did make it that far into Equestria, buy nopony from her home knew. She felt her entire view of the universe shatter before her eyes.
"And just as your ship entered our planet's orbit, we thought you guys were trying to contact us saying you were ready to be friends with us. Though you very much confused us when you abducted Princess Twilight," Fresh Prince said as Cosmica sat in her chair speechless. Lyra and Bon Bon didn't quite like how Cosmica was handling the situation.
"No. Wait a minute. This...it can't be real. As far as I knew, there was no civil war," Cosmica argued, almost begging for that video to be false. Fresh Prince was confused by Cosmica's claim and turned to Lyra and Bon Bon.
"Could you...tell us a bit more about what your home was like? On Yuredues?" Fresh Prince asked, catching Cosmica off guard once more. If he knew Yuredues by name, then he must be telling the truth. Trying her best not to cry, Cosmica thought it'd be best to explain it the best she could.
"Well...Yuredues is an aquatic planet, surrounded by beautiful oceans and seas painting the planet in shades of blue and green. The locals, the Cloptrians, as you call them, are an aquatic species that take pride in their artistic design and construction. We don't take pride in space exploration or warmongering conquests. We only took pride in our home. We made such beautiful buildings, a regular dumpy apartment would look like a marble statue to you. But we often had to work with canisters of saltwater that nullified our emotions as to not distract us from working on our buildings. My canisters were broken, and I was exiled as a result, soon finding my way here. I don't remember anything about a civil war though. It was much too peaceful for that," Cosmica explained as Fresh Prince looked back at Lyra and Bon Bon with a lot of worries on all three agent's faces.
"So...the only logical conclusion is that those funky freedom fighters didn't make it," Fresh Prince sighed as Cosmica sniffled and let a tear drip from her face. Fresh Prince patted her on the back and comforted her.
"Cosmica!" Twilight said, as Cosmica leaped into Twilight and just let it all out. Twilight comforted and held Cosmica tight as she cried while giving Fresh Prince a deadly stare.
"What did you do to her?" Twilight snarled as Fresh Prince grabbed another cookie.
"I didn't do anything. Cosmica just learned some hard truths that she didn't even know," Fresh Prince confessed as he ate the cookie. Cosmica and Twilight held each other closely as Twilight hushed her saddened alien friend.
"Hey, I know what'll cheer you up," Fresh Prince said with a cheeky smirk on his face as Cosmica and Twilight turned to the secret agent. Just then, Twilight and Cosmica followed Lyra, Bon Bon, and Fresh Prince down the maze-like halls of S.M.I.L.E. Headquarters, where Fresh Prince opened the doors and revealed Cosmica's ship parked in a safe and secure place.
"Oh, great...You, uh...took care of Cosmica's ship for us," Twilight said as Fresh Prince led the two in the ship.
"Yeah, we took the liberty of making some special modifications for you while you were asleep. We cleaned it out, put that little skunk of yours in the kennel for the time being--" Fresh Prince recapped as Cosmica gasped.
"Oh my gosh! I forgot all about Potato! Is he OK?" Cosmica asked as Fresh Prince sighed.
"He sprayed three of our top scientists before we lured him into what's basically a daycare for the little guy. We'll put him back on the ship when you're ready to leave. Oh, you're gonna love this!" Fresh Prince as he gestured Cosmica to speak into the computer, while it sprung back to life.
"Computer, Status report!" Cosmica ordered in her alien language.
"Ships hull integrity at a staggering 170% with local modifications given," The computer responded in the same alien language.
"Now Computer, switch to basic," Fresh Prince commanded as the computer started changing colors.
"Language switched to basic," The computer replied, no longer in its alien language. Cosmica gasped like a child opening a present.
"Aha! Now that's hot! That's hot!" Fresh Prince complimented himself, awaiting Cosmica's thoughts on the situation.
"This will make translating a whole lot easier! Thank you so much!" Cosmica answered as Fresh continued his encouraging laughter.
"Now wait just a minute! Just because you explained a couple of things to Cosmica and upgraded her ship doesn't excuse the fact that S.M.I.L.E. has been operating under Celestia's nose, and now my nose! I demand answers of my own here!" Twilight said as Fresh Prince shrugged off the Princess's dissapointment.
"And now you're putting our mission of protecting you and Equestria at risk by simply knowing we exist, your highness! And I can't exactly erase your memories, because I'll have to mind wipe the others, and Cosmica's learned way too much about herself that...I don't think we should erase. For her own good, I mean," Fresh Prince explained as Twilight understood the predicament she put herself in.
"Then...why not wipe the memories of only myself and the Elements, and leave Cosmica's memories alone?" Twilight asked as Fresh Prince came up with an idea.
"Because wiping your memories and not Cosmica's would mean she stays locked up with us while you forget she even exists. And Cosmica's not the kind of pony that would want to be stuck in one place for too long. But we also need to keep in touch with her," Fresh Prince countered once more as Twilight thought it over.
"How about we take a page out of your book, Princess?" Fresh Prince said, causing Twilight's ears to perk up.
"How about Cosmica writes friendship letters to us about her time on our planet, tells us a bit about her homeworld while she's at it, one copy of these letters will be sent to you, and the other will be sent to S.M.I.L.E., it's a win-win situation," Fresh Prince offered as the idea swirled in Twilight's head. On one hoof, she did not trust S.M.I.L.E. for keeping itself a secret for so long. But on the other hoof, it would give Cosmica a similar experience to the one Twilight, and later the other elements had with Celestia.
"I'll play your game. But no funny business!" Twilight warned as she shook Fresh Prince's hoof.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Fresh Prince obliged as Twilight nodded at their deal.
"Alright, load the rest of the ponies up and get them home where they belong," Fresh Prince commanded as Lyra took the command.
"Sir, the other five ponies are still asleep," Lyra pointed out, catching Fresh Prince off guard.
"Oh...uh...wait until they wake up then?" Fresh Prince suggested as Twilight waited in the ship for her friends. Cosmica was about to follow suit but stopped by something.
"Hold on. There's something else you need before you go," Lyra informed Cosmica as she went over back to the cyan agent.
"You left this back in the room when you woke up. We meant to let you keep it as a gift from us," Lyra said as she handed Cosmica the toy cow she was sleeping with. Cosmica had no idea why, but she was very much touched by this, almost on the verge of tears again.
"Thank you so much," Cosmica replied as she accepted the toy cow, and headed back to the spaceship.
Across the dark void of space, decorated only by the near-infinite amount of stars in the known universe and vastly colorful nebula, stray asteroids danced and drifted around aimlessly. That is until strange alien androids examined and investigated the asteroids in their general vicinity. The androids were circular in nature, with one giant eye in the center, a thruster in the back, and tentacles all around their metal bodies. The androids scanned the asteroids, shining bright, blue lights at the stray rocks, and continued on to the next batch of them. As the bots finished up their investigation, they floated on back over to a saucer in the middle of the asteroid field, retracting their tentacles as the saucer opened up its doors to let the droids in. The saucer was five times larger than that of Cosmica Emerald's saucer but was very much of Cloptrian design.
"Alright. Let's see what we have found," The pilot of the ship said in an alien language to the droids as they plugged themselves into the spacecraft. The pilot of the alien ship wore a light grey jumpsuit with cyan canisters, similar to Cosmica's space-suit, but wore blue gloves instead of green and wore a heavy helmet obscuring his face. The android's eyes went blank as the footage that they have collected had shown up on the saucer's computer screen. The only difference is a visible trail on the asteroids was detected that was unable to be seen by the naked eye. And there was more of this trail where it came from.
"I underestimated your spacecraft. I'm surprised you were able to get this far without running out of fuel," The mysterious pilot commented as he followed the leaky fuel trail for quite a long distance away until they found something very much peculiar. A stray probe drifting across the vastness of space with its tentacles dangling throughout the void, unable to move. This particular probe ran out of power and deactivated before it could return to its spacecraft.
"So that's where you went. Well, I hope you saved your footage," The alien pilot said as he moved his ship around and activated the tractor beam, dragging the dead android to the center of the ship. The alien then dragged the powerless bot to its charging port to gather whatever footage it has collected so they may continue their search for whoever the alien may be looking for.
"Hopefully, you have more footage of her trail," The alien commented as the footage showed up on the screen. However, what the alien found in his little lost probe was much more interesting. Footage of Cosmica Emerald's ship. And it was in orbit of the nearest planet, a bright luscious world teeming with primitive life. The alien couldn't believe his eyes as the probe managed to get as close to the cockpit of the Cloptrian spacecraft without being spotted. And there was still more footage to come. The footage showed Cosmica meeting with another creature, a local from the planet her ship was orbiting. The local had a bright purple coat of fur, with a darker shade of purple for the mane, and sported a horn and wings, and was clearly unaware of her situation.
"Who are you? Why have you abducted me? And how do you know who I am!?" The local in the footage demanded to know as Cosmica approached her. Cosmica and the primitive local continued their conversation as the alien examining the footage was simply lost in thought.
"I have finally found you, Sister. Though I am surprised you can speak their language. Computer. See if you can translate what they're saying. I can't seem to understand them," The alien pilot demanded as the computer sprung to life and analyzed the footage of Cosmica Emerald's conversation with the primitive.
"No known language in our Cloptrian Language Database has been detected within this conversation. However, various repetitions in language have been detected, able to give us clues as to the topic of the Exile's conversation," The computer answered as the alien pilot muttered a minced oath to himself.
"Do what you have to," Cosmica's alien brother responded as the computer got to work as he continued watching Cosmica's conversation with the primitive local. The more he watched the footage, the more he was able to figure a few things out. He quickly deduced the local Cosmica had abducted was the leader of the planet below them, and noticed one major thing about the footage.
"Cosmica Emerald..." The footage played, as the brother set the footage of Cosmica's name on loop.
"It's bad enough to give in to your blasphemous emotions with these inferiors, Sister, but to live amongst them with a new name?" The alien brother asked as if Cosmica were right in front of him.
"If I may, it appears standard Cloptrian names are not translatable in the primitive's language," The computer commented as the ship's pilot turned toward the computer.
"Then how was she able to translate and speak their language?" The pilot asked as the computer analyzed the footage some more.
"My hypothesis is that your sister managed to scan the local language and study it to a perfect tee," The computer said as the alien pilot bowed his head as turned to the still frame of his sister. He couldn't tell if he was feeling sympathy for his sister, wanting her to come back, or fear and anger at her for turning into what he viewed as an unholy abomination, but the saltwater canisters subdued him from feeling any emotion as to stay on task.
"If I may be so bold, I feel we may take the fugitive's steps to learn this language. And this may include a new name as our language may not be easily translatable in there," The alien computer suggested as its pilot breathed a sigh of defeat.
"Very well. We hide in the orbit of the planet, learn what we have to from them, then attack these primitive locals and capture my sister," The alien pilot schemed as the computer activated the autopilot and headed toward the alien world Cosmica has taken refuge in.
"Cosmica Emerald? What exactly does Cosmical Emerald mean to you, Sister?" The alien asked as if Cosmica were right in front of him as they neared closer and closer to the planet.
"Shall I send the probes onto the planet to simply capture Cosmica?" The ship's computer asked as the alien turned to the interface of the spacecraft.
"No. If we attack now but fail, then the locals will be alert for when we strike next. Hide in the planet's orbit and wait when their guard is at its lowest. Then we strike," The alien pilot demanded as the planet almost became visible from the cockpit. The alien then grew most ambitious and anxious for what he wanted to do next.
"I have been able to briefly scan the local's terminology and have calculated an alias for the locals to call you," The computer advised as the pilot turned to it in confusion.
"Now, why would you do that?" The alien asked as the computer flickered around.
"I have said before, our Cloptrian language is hard to translate for the natives of this planet," The computer said as its pilot sighed in defeat.
"Very well. What will these primitive locals most likely refer to me as?" The alien asked as the computer showed a list of strange letters in a formation that seemed unordinary even to a space alien.
"Cryptic...Sapphire? You want the locals to call me Cryptic Sapphire?" The alien asked as he was able to get a grasp at learning the local's language.
"Correct," The computer confirmed, shining a bright green checkmark for emphasis. The alien pilot thought the circumstances and the name over a while longer before he reached the orbit of the planet.
"Very Well. Dear Sister, be warned. For Cryptic Sapphire is now hot on your trail," Cryptic Sapphire threatened as his spaceship was hidden in the dark side of Cosmica Emerald's new refuge: Equestria!
Twilight woke up to the bright, shining sun beaming into her room. She stretched her forehooves and rubbed her temple, and found a note with her wax stamp on it. Twilight levitated the note over to her and opened it up to read it.
"Dear Future Twilight, To make a long story short, you agreed to a memory wipe from S.M.I.L.E. as long as you wrote this note. And S.M.I.L.E. wants you to monitor Cosmica's activities for her protection, as they couldn't think of anypony better to guard her. And in exchange, S.M.I.L.E. has agreed to notify you and the Elements of Harmony of any paranormal or extraterrestrial activity that may interest you.
Signed, Past Twilight"
"Huh. Strange. I actually remember writing this. Guess Fresh Prince really was careful with that memory wipe," Twilight muttered to herself as she headed out of her bedroom to get ready for the day.
"Hey, Twilight. Do you have any idea what happened last night? My mind feels very...blank for some reason," Spike asked as Twilight figured Spike must have been memory wiped as well.
"It's...nothing, Spike. Just a little side business going on is all. Also, have you seen Cosmica anywhere? I need to speak with her," Twilight asked as Spike scratched his head.
"She said she was working on a little something at her ship," Spike answered as Twilight nodded and headed out to meet with her outside of Canterlot, where Cosmica originally parked her spacecraft. As she neared the giant saucer, she noticed the blue, cyan, and green lights aglow, implying Cosmica was hard at work on...something.
"Cosmica? Can I come in?" Twilight asked as the lights paused and the ramp entrance lowered, revealing Cosmica with large bags under her eyes, startling Twilight.
"Hey, Twilight! You're just in time!" Cosmica said as Twilight walked up the ramp and found a stack of paperwork and folders sitting all over the computer and all over the floor, excepting the area around grumpy little Potato, who paid no mind and went fast asleep in his pen. Twilight couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. She might as well have met her match.
"Just in time...for what?" Twilight asked as Cosmica pulled out one of the folders and rushed over to Twilight.
"OK, so I was given this big to-do list, and I've been really busy trying to get it done in one go. I've been practicing how to read and write in basic pony, I've been studying your pony magic, language, art, and history, and I've been writing everything I learned down here," Cosmica said gleefully as Twilight couldn't believe her eyes.
"I mean...I am impressed you were able to do all of this, but I'm just concerned is all. Did...S.M.I.L.E. ask you to do this? And did they give you a due date for all this homework?" Twilight asked as Cosmica turned around, whose smile quickly shattered in embarrassment.
"Oh. Oh, crud, they didn't give me a due date. Oh gosh, I just wasted 8 hours of my life studying without sleep! Why would I do that!?" Cosmica sobbed as she dropped her folder and curled up into a ball, mentally scolding herself for getting way too ahead of herself.
"Hey, it's OK Cosmica. It's totally normal for ponies to make mistakes sometimes. Trust me, I made a similar mistake trying to solve a problem that didn't need to be solved. But...we learn from these mistakes. And that's what makes us better ponies in the end," Twilight said, as she patted Cosmica's back and wiped a tear from her eye with a single feather.
"Thanks, Twilight. I just...got way too lost in all of this because, well, we kind of did a similar thing back home," Cosmica explained as Twilight's ear perked up.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked as Cosmica began to reminisce on her old homeworld.
"Well, our kind...Cloptrians, as you ponies decided to call us, we're a more stern race of pony. When we're given a task, we won't stop until the task is done," Cosmica explained as Twilight began to understand Cosmica's dilemma.
"Oh. I see now. I remember a few friendship problems that related to this scenario. Maybe I should get you a copy of our friendship journal. Tell you what, Cosmica. I'll grade all these papers for you, and you just get some well-deserved rest. No pony should work as long as you just did. No matter how hard anypony tries," Twilight says as Cosmica nodded as Twilight used her magic to levitate every folder and paper scattered across Cosmica's now messy spacecraft and Cosmica simply hopped into her bed bundled up in a warm, green blanket with her gifted toy cow by her side.
"Good night, Cosmica," Twilight said, as the dome of the spacecraft automatically closed itself up to prevent any sunlight from peeking into the ship.
"Good night, Twilight," Cosmica said with a yawn and began to doze off to sleep, gaining some much-needed rest.
As Twilight left the spacecraft to close itself up, high up into the sky, higher than any pegasus could ever fly, a large alien orb resembling an eye looked down upon the landed craft and blinked multiple times with its burning red eye. The alien probe let out a couple of unsettling chirps, sending a message up into the atmosphere of the planet, where a much larger spacecraft hid in the planet's orbit. Inside the orbiting spacecraft sat Cryptic Sapphire, watching the planet from above through the probes.
"Looks like I've finally found you, sister," Cryptic Sapphire commented in the native Cloptrian tongue, as the probe's view of Cosmica's smaller craft and Twilight leaving the craft made it onto the screen. Although Cryptic's suit pacified his emotions, Cryptic couldn't help but let out a mischievous smirk as to what he was planning to do.
"COMPUTER! Send a couple of probes out and analyze the planet's strongest defenses! Then capture the strongest among them. Only then will we begin our descent onto the planet," Cryptic demanded as the alien spacecraft beamed to life as it shot out more and more alien probes to analyze the planet below, summoning more and more screens to the spaceship's interface through the probe's eyes, fulfilling Cryptic's wishes. Among the screens sat images of Twilight and the Elements of Harmony, Starlight Glimmer, Celestia and Luna, Princess Cadence and her family, Starswirl the Bearded and the Pillars of Equestria, the School of Harmony's students, and various agents of S.M.I.L.E. undercover. Among the various characters brought to Cryptic's attention, one of them stood out the most. A seemingly ordinary mare with a wine-red coat, bright, magenta eyes, and a messy violet-red mane donning an overstuffed cap on her head. The mare wore a white shirt underneath a black jacket and sported a magenta heart covered in a blue fire as her cutie mark. It didn't take Cryptic long for him to figure out she did not belong with the other ponies presented on the screen.
"Who is she and why is she among the targets I requested?" Cryptic Sapphire asked as the computer's interface sprung to life.
"Unknown, sir. My analysis indicates a strong supernatural presence, alongside the requested targets. If you wish, we can disregard her and continue on with the rest," The Computer replied as Cryptic Sapphire analyzed the footage.
"We cannot underestimate our opponents either. Keep an eye on this one, then continue on with the rest," Cryptic Sapphire ordered as the computer acknowledged his orders and did as it was told.
It was a bright sunny day in Canterlot, as the ponies rushed around doing their jobs, from the wealthy unicorns donating to charities, to the royal guards protecting the city (and failing at that). But none of that mattered to one simple pony who was trying to hide in plain sight. The wine-red mare sat down at a local diner, looking at all the ponies having the time of their lives, which was something the simple mare was not used to seeing, but paid no mind to it nonetheless.
"May I help you, Ma'am?" The gruff waiter at the diner asked as the pony looked up at the large-built stallion.
"Oh, no, I'll pass. I'm just waiting for someone," The pony said, adjusting her cap as the waiter left her to be. The mare lied, as she had a habit of doing, and wasn't actually waiting for anypony to sit next to her. She just wanted to sight-see the society Equestria has built. Though that didn't stop two ponies from sitting with her.
"Hey. Looks like we finally caught up with you," Bon Bon said, alarming the mare as she and Lyra sat across from her at the table laying a single paper folder beside them.
"Oh, hey, it's Tooth Paste and DumDum. Don't you guys have bigger fish to fry? Cause I think one of those nutjobs over there thinks he saw a UFO or something," The rather rude mare taunted as Lyra and Bon Bon stared her down with burning intent.
"Zip it, Pepper! You're lucky you're in public this time or else we would have hauled you back to HQ," Lyra relayed to Pepper as the rude pony snickered.
"Well, DUH! Don't you dumb ponies know what 'hiding in plain sight' means?" Pepper remarked, only making Lyra angrier by the second. Bon Bon simply rubbed her as Lyra began to calm down.
"What do you two losers want anyway?" Pepper asked.
"We just want you to turn yourself to S.M.I.L.E. is all," Bon Bon said as Pepper rolled her eyes.
"What? So you can figure out how demons work by sticking me under a microscope? Fat chance!" Pepper declined, garnering a sigh from Bon Bon. Pepper eyed the folder and yanked it from them.
"HEY! That's confidential information!" Bon Bon cried, demanded the folder back, but Pepper flipped through it like a secret diary. In the folder, she found images of the Elements of Harmony with a green-skinned pony and a profile page on that green-skinned pony with a simple title.
"Whose Cosmica? She seems like a cute pony," Pepper asked as Lyra's anger began to resurface.
"Cosmica is none of your business! Bon Bon and I were just finishing up her case!" Lyra fumed as she yoinked the folder back, much to Pepper's disappointment. Bon Bon tried harder to calm Lyra back down.
"Then why would you bring that folder if you didn't want me to see it? You two are just terrible secret agents!" Pepper taunted as now Bon Bon's anger began to surface.
"And you're just a good for nothing bully and a coward of a demon!" Bon Bon remarked as Pepper snickered at her remarks.
"Oh no. What ever shall I do?" Pepper sarcastically commented as she got up to leave. Lyra and Bon Bon got up and began to chase her down and arrest the visiting demon, but remembered not to do so because of the public crowd. As Pepper left Lyra and Bon Bon at the diner, she pulled out a photo of Cosmica that she had pickpocketed from the S.M.I.L.E. agents and began smirking devilishly.
"Guess I'm not the only paranormal being here Cosmica. I can't wait to finally meet you," Pepper said to the image as if it were the real Cosmica. Pepper put the photo back into her shirt pocket and went along her merry way.
