> A Stone Reborn
>  by Ghost Alvasa
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Rebirth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Emptiness of Darkness... a little lone light drifted.

"Where am I?"

Darkness...

"Oh right... Quintessa shattered me, I guess I'm... dead now..." 

Darkness...

"I hope father, Pyro, and Optimus save Cybertron. I really hope Optimus is okay...."

Darkness...

"I want more time..."

Darkness...

"I want to be with father more..."

Darkness...

"Why? It's not fair. I didn't even get to... experience the world..."

Darkness...

"IT NOT FAIR... I WANT TO LIVE!"

"SHHHhhhhhh..... Don't cry little one," Came a response in the darkness.

"Who's there?"

"Don't be afraid, little one," the voice cued. "I am Faust, or... one of the many Faust in the multiverse. I watched your birth, life, and untimely death. Your father wanted more time with you too..."

"How did you see?"

"I am always with Edward... I am is mother-in-law...Though my time in the spirit realm is running out and I must soon reincarnate into the physical world once more..."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Little Stone, you said it yourself. You haven't experienced the world or worlds at that... You are my grandson through Edward and I will grant you this request and once I reincarnate so shall you."

"WHAT?!"

"Though it will be in a new Equestria as your magic is too great for me to handle alone. You will be an alicorn in your own form and way though. Is this acceptable?"

"...."

"Y-y-y-es, Will I see father again?"

"It that something you want?"

"Yes, I want to meet him and hug him with my own form. Can I?"

"Eventually you would, but this means you will become a Displaced. Is that a responsibility you are willing to accept?"

"Yes..."

"Very well... but a condition to being reincarnated you will be stripped of most of your memories and knowledge of magic, others worlds, and the future... "

"Will I still remember father?"

"I well preserve as many memories of Edward for you as I CAN... But there will still be gaps in T..."

"I don't care as long as I can remember him... will I ... actually be born?"

"Yes... you will have a true mother and father and will grow from a child... it will be hard with what you will be but not even I can see your future my Stone..."

"Can... Can I... keep my name?"

"I am afraid not... Your birth parents will give you a new name and that is the name you must use..."

"As long as I live and can see father again I DON'T CARE..."

"Hmhmhmhm... ever the spirited one, you are indeed Ed's boy. I will do one last thing for you and give eyeS similar to those of your father's but this is the only other thing I can do for you..."

"Thank you... grandmother...."

"Good luck..."

Stone's spirit was sent hurtling through the darkness to no one knows where... until he saw a bright light...



 Stalliongrad



Somewhere on the outskirts near the Equestrian border in a lone one-bedroom cottage, there was a mare laying in bed with her husband next to her. The doctor had just arrived to help here as she'd just gone into labor only hours ago and a snowstorm had been scheduled to start keeping the couple from making the long tack into town. The couple awaited the birth of their long-awaited foal after years of trying to conceive they had all but given up hope until one day the mare began to act strange and become from simple eating a radish. Filly or colt they didn't care as they had long wanted a child and finally Faust had blessed them with one. The couple were blacksmiths by trade and made all sorts of items from guard armor to simple shoes.

The stallion was named Iron Hammer and was an earth pony of great stature and strength. He had a light bluish-green coat and dark grey mane and tail. He usually wore a simple white shirt and brown pants when not in the forge. While working the forge he wore a brown leather apron no shirt, brown leather pants, and heavy leather gloves. He garnered the nickname The Conductor, from the way he made the metal sing when he hit it, hot or cold.

The mare was called Mystic Hammer, formerly Mystic Weaver, and she was a very beautiful unicorn from Stalliongrad. She was descended from a long line of enchanting jewelers that would often work with the Hammer clan for the lord and guards of the region. Many sought her hand but as she met Iron Hammer she'd already met the stallion she'd call her husband one day. She had a cream coat and her tail and mane were a light icy blue that many say shimmer as the wind and light made it dance. Her attire was usually a dark royal blue dress adorned with little to nothing except for a silver amber pendant necklace around her neck that was given to her by her beloved as from when he proposed to her.

They weren't rich but not poor either. They had enough business to get by and were happy together. Except for a child, they were were content, until now...

"Come on honey," Iron Hammer encouraged his wife as that was all he could do. He held her hand with all his might as she squeezed.

"RRAAAAAAAAHHH...YOU BASTARD YOU DID THIS TO MEEEEE!!!" Mystic Hammer cried out as the foal crowned.

"That right keep pushing Ms.... I can see the top of the head now," Doctor Snow top reassured the couple.

"RHAHAAHA! WHEN I'M DONE I'M GOING TO KILL YOU BOTH!!!! AAHAAHAAHA!"Mystic cried in pain as she pushed.

"That's normal," The doctor reassured the stallion. "One more big push now!"

"GRAAHAAAHAH!!" Mystic cried out, then there was silence. "Doctor are... are they... are they alright? I don't hear them."

The doctor quickly cleaned up the baby after recovering from his initial shock. "Ah yes HE is perfectly healthy," the couple looked in shock as the doctor brought them their son.

He was a colt with a pure white coat, sparkling silver mane and tail, a white horn, and wings with silver-tipped feathers. He was an alicorn. The child blinked open his eyes for the first time to reveal a set of radiant burning golden eyes. the little foal reached out for his mother. 

She brought her child up to her face  and give him a nuzzle with her cheek against his, "Oh my baby boy..."

"Hello my big boy," Iron Hammer leaned over son. The child reached out again with his tiny hands and felt his father's muzzle, tenderly paws it all over

"I must say this is big news," Doctor Snow Top looked into the fire.

"What shall we name our lad dear?" Iron Hammer looked to his wife. 

Mystic Hammer looked down at the little one in her arms and how bright he seemed to shine in the light.  She then placed a hand on the necklace are her neck and rubbed the stone as the child had felt for it as well.

"Bright Stone," she smiled at her colt.

"I think that's a fitting name for our son," Iron pulled his family in with his massive arms. 

I few hours went by and the storm had died down but it to dark to travel. Mystic Hammer and her baby boy were sleeping peacefully in the bedroom while Iron Hammer was at the table with a hard drink known to the locals as Ale. The Doctor was there with him.

"What are you going to do Iron Hammer?" Doctor Snow Top asked his friend as he sipped on his own mug.

"About?" Iron stared into the fire.

"Your boy is an alicorn. He's royalty," Snow sipped. "I had no idea you or your wife we related to the princess."

"We're not, I'm from the Nordic tribes that came from across the Celestial Sea and settled this area say about a thousand years ago or so. Long before the Princess ever ruled. Mystic is descended from mainly the same," Iron took a gulp of his celebratory drink. "I think she has some ancient ancestor from an Empire that was from in the Far Frozen North close to the Yaks territory. But again that was a loooooonnnnnggg time ago now so much so it doesn't matter."

"This won't stay quiet old friend," Snow leaned back in his chair.

Iron Hammer let out a rough sigh as wiped his eyes with his free hand and then scratched the back of his head. "Are ya gonna tell the lord?"

"I won't if you don't want me to," Snow sipped as he looked to his friend out of the corner of his eye. "Knowing what he'd do is he'd try and claim your boy as his own to get closer up in Canterlot and the princess. Saying you shared your wife with him," He used air quotes. "And everypony around here knows it's not true but those nobles don't and they'd try to use your boy two."

"Are alicorns really that rare?" Iron set his mug down. "The only alicorns I know that have ever existed is that of her majesty Queen Faust and her two daughters, Celestia and Luna. Princess Celestia is the only one left as Princess Luna was killed by the evil alicorn Nightmare Moon. Most of the bedtime stories list her as a demon in the form of a pony who killed Luna and shifted into her shape. Celestia proceeded to destroy her to get revenge for the loss of her only sister."

"I have to ask you to keep this between us Snow," Iron sighed as he took another swig.

"I'll do what I CAN'T," Snow Top snickered, the two friends knocked mugs "Congrats on being a dad."






Two Years Later


"RUN!" Iron Hammer yelled as he strained to hold a flaming beam over his wife and foal. "GET OUR BOY TO SAFETY MYSTIC!"

"What about you?" Mystic Hammer looked pleading to her husband.

"I'LL BE... RIGHT BEHIND... YOU!" He said with gritted teeth as he fell to one knee.

"I love you..." Mystic said as she kissed him with Bright Stone in her arms she ran through the flames.

"Dada!" Bright Stone cried out as he reached for his father who only smiled at his son as the roof caved in.

A fire had broken out in their home. I pack of timberwolves had decided to try and sneak in and devour the chickens then had all gathered at the forge to warm up and dry themselves off. When Iron woke the next morning and went out to the shop he found the pack and slammed the door shut to keep the beasts in. That did little but slow them down as they pack soon broke out and attacked the ponies' home. breaking in Iron defended his family the best he could but one of the wooden beasts caught fire and set the house ablaze with the already split blood of its pack. Just before a beam could hit his wife and child Iron Hammer leapt up and grabbed the timber with all his remaining strength and held it as long as it took to keep them safe. 

Now Mystic Hammer stood before her collapsed burning home as her husband somehow walked out, though badly burned. She rushed over and hugged the wheezing brute with tears as their boy reached for him as well.

"Told ya I'd be right behind ya," he placed a kiss on his wife's lips and rubbed his boy's head. Though he seemed alright the damage had been done and Iron Hammer was laid to rest in his family's crept later on that year. He died peacefully in his sleep, the cause was lung damage due to smoke inhalation from the fire. Mystic Hammer was devastated and moved out of the newly built home and moved back into Stalliongrad's outskirts and into her family's jewelry shop. Though she remained strong and raised her son right, all while keeping his true nature and an alicorn as secret.






Fifteen years later


Now that Bright Stone was older it was much hard for him and his mother to hide he was an alicorn. His wings had grown to large to hide under his clothes so he to wearing a brown cloak of sorts in or to keep them from view. It worked for the most part but there wear times when he'd itch or sneeze. His attire was mostly white shirts and denim pants with a set of heavy leather gloves similar to his father's set. The lad had grown up to be strong, the strongest in the entire city of Stalliongrad in fact, partially because of his nature but mostly because he'd taken up his later father's family trade.

Bright Stone's creation we second to none. His armor craft was beautiful and ornate yet subtle and strong. His talent was reflected in his cutie mark, which ponies wore on their shoulders in this world. His cutie mark is a white diamond on a golden shield with a fire below it and a pair of blacksmith tongs holding one corner of the shield and a sledgehammer beating in the other side setting the gem in place with sparks flying off the strike.

Due to his appearance, Bright Stone was mistaken for a mare for a very long time, but once he started to build muscle he quickly gained a bit of a mean streak in knocking others out with a single blow for calling him a mare. Though he is still called the most beautiful blacksmith of the Reach with eyes of flames. Some say he had the ability to see the soul of the flames and imbue it into his works. Many ponies had heard of this magical forger and sought him out, making it even harder for him to keep his nature secret. Eventually, he and his mother moved back into the Hammer Homestead once it had been updated and away from prying eyes, though it didn't last too long. 

Only a few know of Bright Stone's alicorn nature and they vow to keep it till he chose to reveal it or till their deaths, whichever came first. Most of the ponies that did know were either family or very close friends of his father and mother, like his godfather the pony Doctor who'd delivered him on a snowstorming night, Doctor Snow Top. 

The last pony who knew was one he trusted himself and her name was Crystal Hymn. She was a Stalliongrad upper-class pony he'd met during one of his mother's deliveries and they became instant best friends. She was one of the few pegasi in the whole town. Her coat was a very light ice blue while her mane and tail were a shimmering sapphire with teal streaks. Her attire was that of gowns and dresses and she was known for her voice and her cutie mark was a treble cliff musical score made of ice and snow.

Bright Stone loved living as he and he lived his way. Mainly because it the gift his first Grandmother had bestowed upon him when he died before his time. He loved his mother, his family, and his friend. He wishes he could've known his father both of them. He dedicated himself to live this new life and he would see his first father someday... Sooner than he realized.






One week before the return of Nightmare Moon


"Why are we moving to Ponyville mother?" Bright Stone asked as his mother, Mystic Hammer, and his friend, Crystal Hymn walk along the trail with their cart was being pulled by a bear that Bright had befriended back in Stalliongrad, he named him Grover. "We had a good business in Stalliongrad. Why move?"

"Oh my son, I know you liked living out there but... I can't do it anymore. Not with your father gone, it hurts too much," Mystic let out a deeply saddened sigh. "It... it just felt right to move now as well."

"Why did you come, Crystal?" Bright looked to his childhood friend.

"A few reasons," Crystal Hymn shrugged as she looked off to the side while she blushed slightly. "You're my best friend, pretty much the only friend I have actually. The other upper crust is considered each friends for the money's sake. You like me for me. Two, I'm tired of the year-round snow and cold mountains, not to mention other wildlife," Grover grumbled. "Not you fuzz butt, I LIKE YOU. You're snugily," the bear put his nose in the air and puffed out his chest. That got every pony to laugh. "Finally it... ah... just felt right to go with you guys. Like the wind was pulling, you get don't you Bright?"

"I guess you can say that," Bright scratched his head slightly. "The earth has been feeling a bit off lately like it was saying I need to move on to a new spot. Kinda like that?"

"Yea," Hymn vigorously shook her head.

"What did your father have to say bout you leaving Hymn?" Mystic looked to the younger mare as she rubbed her arm.

"He... ah... he said no I wasn't and then I said he can't stop me," Crystal chuckled slightly. "Then I walked out of the house after gather my things and the money I'd made from working with you guys in my spare time. He had goons that may or may not have a few fractures here there."

"hahaha. Never change Crystal," Bright laughed as they arrived at a sign the said...

Welcome to Ponyville
> Next Few Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day one

Bright Stone and company had purchased land with an old homestead on it a little ways out from town that way they'd all have their privacy from town. Along their way to townhall they had been assaulted with questions by one of the locals, a Pink earth pony with a somewhat dark pink mane and tail with light cerulean eyes wearing an apron and pink sweater and skirt with yellow striped stocking saying her name was Pinkie Pie. She was particularly interested in Bright Stone and wouldn't leave him alone until she gasps and realized something proceeding to shudder and shake before running off at unknown speeds. 

The group looked at each other in confusion only to shrug the whole thing off and went on their way got the deed to their new home and proceeded to it. They soon met the town's resident animal caretaker. A butter-yellow pegasus with a soft pink mane and tail with turquoise eyes. Her attire was a white short sleeve turtle neck and green skirt. 

She was very much invested in Grover and how fluffy he was. Making note that his breed was a northern snow cave bear and that they're one of the few species of bear that don't hibernate and turn solid white in winter. Grover reveled in the attention and scratches the mare gave him. She later introduced herself as Fluttershy with a lite mutter and she would be their closest neighbor on the town side of there property with the Apple family being on the other. Crystal Hymn made note of how pretty this mare was and how interested she was to know how Bright Stone had befriended Grover.

Once the trio of ponies arrived at their new property they unhitched the wagon from Grover and let the big overly size teddy sleep in the barn from on the property. While Crystal and his mother took a look inside the house to figure out who got which room Bright Stone decide to tour the outlying property and scout where he could set up his new forge.

"Hey there!" Came the southern accented voice.

Bright Stone turned around to see and another pony. She was about the same height as the others with an orange coat, golden hay colored man, and tali with a set of bright green eyes. He attire was a red button-down shirt that was type about three-quarters of the way down slightly exposing her bell and the well-tone muscle on it while she was wearing blue denim pant that showed signs off great wear as the knee caps were worn out showing my of her well-toned body off. on her head was a brown stetson.

"Ya must be one of the new ones of the ponies Pinkie was goin on about earlier," She said with a smirk. "Nice to meet ya, mah names Applejack, but most ponies call me Aj." She stuck out her hand. "Ah run the Apple Family farm and orchard next door with mah family. Nice to see somepony finally bought the old Pear homestead.

Bright reached out and gave a hard handshake. Aj looked at his hand, "Mmmm.... yah sure have a pretty strong grip for such a pretty mare."

Bright Stone snorted in annoyance, but couldn't fault her as he was new to town and so to was his reputation a stallion hadn't  been established yet, just as the one he had for a being a blacksmith. He thought he'd play a little trick and went along with her train of thought for the time being.

"What ya doin all the way out here fer anyways?" Aj asked putting her hands on her hips. "Mah apple farm is just next door and Ah saw ya walkin so Ah thought Ah'd come and say hi."

"I am surveying the land and looking for a good spot to build my forge," Bright Stone said abruptly causing the farm pony to reel around in shock with her mouth on the ground. "Something wrong Ms. Applejack?" Stone tilts his head to the said with a smirk.

"Ah... ya.. pretty... stallion?" Appejack said trying her best to form words as her face lit up bright red from embarrassment.

"Worry not good Ms, I am in fact a stallion," Stone reassured her. "I am easily mistaken for a mare by most ponies upon our first meetings. If they continue to make the mistake, however," He smirked. "They usually wind up on the ground waking up with a big head and a massively swollen eye in a few hours."

"Ah'm sorry for-" Aj started to apologize.

"Hehehe..." Stone snickered "It alright. This is one of the few times I actually let it play on. But as I said, I was walking the property to see where it best place to set up my forge."

"Ah... okay then," Aj scratched the back of her head tilting her hat forward to slightly head her embarrassment. "So yer a blacksmith?"

"In a manner of ways," Bright Stone revealed his cutie mark. "Most call me a Forging Artisan."

"It sure would make things a lot easier for some of the folks out here as the nearest blacksmith was on in the next settle over." Aj whistle. "That sure is a fancy lookin mark there, but ya are a blacksmith?" 

Stone nodded. "Yes so if you have tools or equipment that needs repair bring them over and I'll cut you a deal. As soon as the forge is up and running of course."

"That mighty kind of ya... ah..." Aj started to say but realized she never got his name. "Sorry, there fella but ya never really said year name."

"Oh yes sorry," Bright Stone looked at eh apple mare. "My name is Bright Stone, but you can me Stone."

"Well, it's been nice chattin with ya Stone but Ah got work that needs finishin," She said waving as she left. "See ya later neighbor!"

"Nice mare," Stone said as he waved but let out a sigh, "But something tells me she's not good with keeping secrets from others and she couldn't lie to a fish say a barrel was the ocean."

Stone continued his walk and surveyed the land taking note of the fence and where things were. He wandered around till the sun was in its evening position. He walked back to the house to see his mother and Crystal sitting on the porch sipping tea while Grover snored in the shade of a tree nearby.

"You were gone longer than we excepted," Crystal Hymn crossed her arms.

"How's the property son?" Mystic Hammer looked at her boy with a warm smile.

"Needs cleaning up, and the fence needs mending in places," Bright Stone shrugged under his cloak. "But other than that its a nice place, a lot of pear trees. It must have been a competing orchard at one point." 

"Competing Orchard?" Mystic tiled her head.

"I met one of our other neighbors on my walk. Said her name was Applejack," Bright Stone tilted his head and Crystal looked away but listen intently. "Yes, she and her family run the farm slash apple orchard next door."

"They must be the owner of Sweet Apple Acres that the Mayor was telling us about," Mystic turned to Crystal.

Crystal looked a bit unnerved though, "What you talk about?"

"Professions and saying hello," Bright shrugged as he went to the wagon and pulled the rest of the craters from it "Told her to bring any equipment by that needs work done on it once the forge is up and running. All done." He stacks the box of equipment on top of one another and started to hall them all to the barn.

"Aren't you going to rest?" His mother asked him worried.

"I've been resting for over a month Mother, I NEED to get back to my craft as soon as I CAN," Stone retorted with a chuckle as he walked away with his hall.

"That boy.." Mystic sighed as she shook her head with a smirk. "ever his father's son. Go help dear. I know you'd like the alone time with him."

Crystal Hymn's face turned beat red. "No, I Don't!" She whined. "Besides, I won't be much help. You know how he gets when he's prepping. I say he has his forge setup by supper."

"He did bring what he cold shrink down fro easy setup after all," Mystic giggled. "Let's find the blankets, knapsacks, and pillows. We'll need them until we have proper beds." 

"Right," Crystal shot to her feet then looked to the barn and smirked while shaking her head. "Workhorse."

After Bright Stone had set up most of his forge away from the barn he'd come out to the front of the property to see what seemed to be the whole town in a massive welcome party. He enjoyed the music and had the occasional chat with some of the townponies about potential work once he gets metal in. He enjoyed a dance with Crystal and tried to convince her to sing but she was too nervous, from the dance that is. Next Stone danced with his mother and after that was done he went in back and kept to himself and out of sight until the party was done.

Day 2

The next day Bright get up before the Princess sun and went out to the forest with Grover and a small wheel barrel to gather wood for the forge, hands, the house repairs, and for the fireplace, the last one was mainly out of habit.

"There we go," Bright huffed as he threw wood into the wheel barrel. "Must say this place is dangerous but it reminds me of the forests back home at the base of the mountains around this time of the year." Grover shrugged as the duo walked along the path. "I think we have enough, for now, let's head back." The bear agreed and they went back to the house.

"Morning guys," Crystal Hymn yawned as he came out and stretched. "Up before everypony else as usual. You guys hungry?"

"I could eat," Bright shrugged and he looked to the bear who nodded vigorously.

"Your mom says we'll have to head into town for breakfast as there is nothing prepped and the rations we have would even make a meal," Crystal popped her knuckles.

"We need to run into town to get supplies anyways," Bright said dumping the wood out of the wheel barrel.

"Let me change out of my gown and we can all go," Crystal gives a bit of a blush and went back in the house.

"Grrrr...." Grover growled as he moved his eyebrows up and down with a wicked smirk.

"Whatever you're thinking you'd better stop," Bright placed a hand on top of the bear's head and leaned down. "Cart puller!" 

At that remark, Grover plops on the ground and rest his head in his front paw, and grumbled.

In town...

"I didn't think it was possible to live in a cake?" Crystal drool as the group[ stared at the bakery.

"It's impressive work," Bright Stone admires the workmanship of the structure. "If I weren't a craftsman I 'd be right in Drool land with you Crystal." 

Mystic giggled as Crystal wiped her mouth but Grover went over and sniffed the building before shrugging and proceeded to try and eat the side. Soon a familiar pink peppy pony popped out of the front door.

"Who's nibbling on my house?" Pinkie remarked in a very feeble granny tone then giggled. "Hi guys, come for breakfast?" 

The group nodded and Pinkie looked over to the bear still gnawing on the bakery side. "Silly Grover, you can't eat the building." she pulled a plate of red cupcakes out of her mane shocking everypony, even Grover raised an eyebrow pausing his chewing. "These are hydra steak flavor, a big hit with Harry the Bear when he comes over with Fluttershy some times. I always keep a plate in the fridge in hand. Sorry but you're gonna have to eat them out here. You too big and fluffy to come in," Pinkie set the trey dawn and the bear want to town. "That's one down three to go. Come on in!" She hopped into the building.

About an hour later the group came out with full stomachs and in a daze., except Bright Stone. Grover had finished his breakfast and proceeded to curl up into a ball of fluffy with the trey on his head.

"Okay," Bright raised and eyebrow.

"*Heck*We'll *heck* take him*heck* with us*heck*," Mystic tried to say as she was digested her breakfast.

"I'm going to as around where I can metal, gems, and other stuff. Stock and supplies for the forge," Bright helped the mares into the wagon and woke up the bear.

"Try*heck* the Beautique*heck*." Crystal pointed to an over to a round build down the road. "I *heck* overheard some mares *heck* talking about the *heck* dressmaker and how *heck* she uses gems *heck*."

"Thanks for the tip, go walk off those cherry pancakes," Bright patted his friends back. "Let's see what this dressmaker is like?" He grumbled as he walked down the road.

Bright Stone made it into the Beautique and a little bell went off above his head. He saw a fluffy white cat lounging about on a very odd-looking sofa. Stone had only seen sofas like this in the Lord of the Reach's house and a few of the upper-class ponies of Stalliongrad. 

The stone rolled his eyes at the thought of a posh pony but he needs materials for his work so he'd have put up with it."He then saw a little white unicorn filly with little purple and pink striped mane and tail light moss green eyes a wearing light pink t-shirt with a bell on it kacky cargo shorts and an explore vest.

"Rarity you have a customer waiting," The filly called out and then turned to look at Bright Stone who tilted his head let his mane fall to the side slightly, and as the light hit it the hair shimmered. The filly looked the stallion up and down and slightly winced after getting a look at him. "And she reeeeeaaaalllllyy needs you." She called out in emphasis. 

"I'll be there in a moment!" called a posh toned voice causing Stone to roll his eyes again.

"I'm sorry Miss, she was working on some last-minute stuff," The filly turned back to Stone. "My names Sweetie Belle. My big sister is Rarity, this is her shop."

Stone smiled and give a slight nod while there was the sound of hooves coming to the front. Out came another unicorn with an even whiter coat a dark purple mane and tail that looked like a corkscrew. Her eyes were a moderate azure like the early morning of the sky just as the sun was on the horizon. She was wearing a frilly white top and a black three-quarter long skirt.

"Now what is it, Sweetie?" Rarity asked putting her hands on her hips "I was in the middle of creating?"

Sweetie points to Stone. "Very pretty customer."

Rarity turned her head and scream with glee. "OH. MY. CELESTIA!" She rushed over and started to look at Bright Stone. "The shimmering mane and tail The glossy coat Those burning golden EYES!" She clapped. "Darling you're absolutely gorgeous!" Rarity eyed him up and down. "Why are you wearing such drab clothes. Some as beautiful must only wear the highest of quality of dresses. Come now I'll get you to fix right up," She grabbed his wrist.

"I'm quite comfortable in my clothes thank you," Bright Stone abruptly said. 

Rarity froze in placed and mechanically turned around to face the stallion. Sweetie Belle was putting on her best impression of a fish.

"Y-y-y-y-you're a s-s-s-s-s-s-stallion!" Rarity pulled back in shock.

"Very much so yes," Stone moved his fingers.

"Wait a minute," Sweetie said as she tapped her face. "Are you one of the new ponies that live next to Applejack?"

"I am," Stone nodded.

"Sweetie you know who this is?" Rarity quickly turned her head in annoyance.

"Kinda, this is my first time meeting him though," Sweetie chuckled. "Applebloom told me about him yesterday at the party. She said Applejack had stopped and talked with one of their new neighbors and how she thought he was a mare due to how pretty he looked but was totality surprised when he spoke up. Ab said she wanted to meet him and we were gonna get Scoots and see if we could say high see if it was true."

"Sweetie you know Applejack isn't a lair," Rarity grabbed the bridge of her eyes. She turned to Stone. "Sorry for that but you should speak up more. Mr...."

"Bright Stone," Stone smirked with a chuckle. "The reactions are always funny from mares. My mother and best friend just moved to town yesterday as your little sister said you didn't see me at the party cause I didn't want to be seen. I try to stay out of the light as much as possible. I did come here for a reason though. I overheard you know the best places to get gems."

"Yes I use them in my dresses," Rarity motioned to her parlor. "May I ask why you need them. Not to be rude, just curious."

"I am blacksmith by trade and use them in my work, much like you do," Stone stated proudly. "My mother is also a skilled jewelry crafter."

"I wish I could see some of her work," Rarity lightly clapped. "Your's too. Again not to be rude but I don't think many blacksmiths are up to the task of artistry with gems. There are a few but only one has ever caught my eye as a true crafter of metal and gems."

Stone tilted his head. "Who?"

"No pony knows the smith's name," Sweetie jumped in excitedly. "We only saw one of his works because the pony who'd brought it had is specially commissioned and had to pick it up in the fur. Here's a picture," she held the picture up to Stone.

The picture was of a helmet encrusted with various gems and made of gold and silver in a twisting swirls pattern giving the illusion it was on fire with a large horn on either side of the head. Stone remembered this helmet and it was one of his gaudier pieces He returned the picture to the filly.

"It said that the smith that makes that crafted lives high up in the mountain beyond Stalliongrad," Sweetie said with wonder in her eyes. "Where there is snow on the ground all the time. There are all kinds of weird rumors about this guy. Like how he is said to be able to output the soul of fire into what he makes. And how is eyes are shining like the sun! Cool right?"

"Indeed," Stone smirked then returned to Rarity.

"Let me get you a map and a small list of the traders I use. Tell them Rarity sent you," She sang as she went behind the desk and shuffled through draws.

"Hey Mister Stone, can... can I see your cutie mark, please?" Sweetie said using puppy dog eyes.

Stone knelt down and slightly pulled back his cloak to reveal his cutie mark.

"So cool!" Sweetie's eyes went as being as diner plates. "No wonder you said you use gems!"

"Sweetie quit bothering Mr. Stone," Rarity slightly scolded her sister. "Here's your list dear." She said handing over the list. "In return, I only ask you to come in to do some modeling for me."

"I 'll do a job for you instead," Bright said getting to his hooves. "I don't want to be noticed any more than necessary."

"Alright Darling I won't force you," Rarity said a little disappointed as Stone headed for the door.

"Hey Mr. Stone,"  Sweetie called catching him as he opened the door. "Where ya from anyways?"

"Stalliongrad." He smirked and headed out the door," But don't tell anypony." he remarked pointing a finger at the sisters as he shouts the door.

"Wait a minute," Sweetie turned to Rarity. 

"OH SWEET CELESTIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" the sisters squealed.



At that moment up in Canterlot, Prince Blueblood was sipping on a glass of wine when a slight squeal was heard, "What in auntie name is that?" Suddenly the glass shattered into pieces spilling the glass's contents all of its holders. "MY SUIT!"




Bright Stone was walking down the street minding his own business overlooking the map that the fashionista had given him. 

"Mmm... It looks like there's an old quarry not far to the northern area of town." Stone looked closely at the writing on the map. "Kind of her to leave a warning," he smirked a little at the many smiling faces of Rarity pointing at the writing over the quarry on the map. 

'Diamonds dogs have been seen here in the past so local ponies call it the Diamond Dog Quarry. They haven't been spotted in a few years but that doesn't mean they're not there now. Take care and keep a sharp eye out, dear!'

Rarity xoxo

"She's cute and very generous," Stone remarked folding up the map. "Not at all what I thought she'd be," he tucked the map in his clothing when all of a sudden she was lifted off the ground by a very colorfully maned and tail cyan pegasus in a pair of black jogging pants with a white stripe down the side and a tan tank top. She had a set of cerise eyes

"Okay, what you do to Rarity just a minute ago? TALK?" She demanded pushing her muzzle into his. "I want answers now!" she shook Stone.

"I would appreciate it if you put me down," Stone asked, his masculine voice throwing the pegasus for a loop.

"You're a stallion!" She said in shock as she quickly remembered what she was there for. She gritted her teeth, "What you do to my friend?!"

"I did nothing to Ms. Rarity, now would kindly put me down?" Stone scowled in annoyance.

"Not till I get some answer," The pegasus shook him slightly. "I've never seen you in town before which means you either just moved here or you drifted in today. Now talk!"

"I asked twice already now I demand you release me, girl," Stone said as his golden eyes met the Pegasus's with a bit more than an annoyance in them.

"You can't make me, you just a unicorn, all magic, and no muscle," She stuck her tongue out at Stone.

This irritation had run its course and he was done being nice. Bright Stone brought his hand up and place them on the Pegasus's wrist, "You will let go, now," he applied pressure and the mare winced in pain as they dropped to the ground.

"Geez, that was like a pair of pliers," The mare winced as she sat on the ground. By this time others had started to gather to see what was going on.

Stone got up and brushed himself off. He picked up his map that he'd dropped and started to walk away, "Mother and Crystal should be here at the local store 'Barnyard Bargains'. Mmm... Let see, the library should be this way..."

"Hey, there Mr. Stone I thought you were headed to the Quarry," Stone heard. 

He looked up from his map to see Sweetie Belle. "Not today little filly."

"What's with all the ponies? Thought you hated attention," Sweetie looked around.

"That would be her fault," Stone pointed to the pegasus mare getting to her hooves. 

"Rainbow Dash? What she do?" Sweetie looked back to Stone.

"She accused me of doing something to your sister, I think it has something to do with that squeal from the shop," Stone looked at the filly. "What was that by the way?"

"Oh, Ah. eh eh... that was..." Sweetie tapped her fingers together as she looked at the ground, her face growing red from embarrassment. "Us, we kind of got excited is all. "

Stone slapped his face. "Please tell your friend I did nothing then. I have things I must see to, have a good day Sweetie," Stone turned and left. What he didn't see was the single silver-tipped feather fall from under his cloak, but a certain prismatic pegasus did.
> RAINBUSTED!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rest of Bright Stone's day went on without much happening. He'd went to the store and met up with his Mother, Grover, and Crystal Hymn and helped them load up their wagon with non-perishable food items as well as minor building supplies that they needed for minor repairs to the house. 

"So, you find out where to get gemstones?" Crystal leaned over slightly, interlacing her fingers behind her back.

"Indeed," Bright Stone hefting a sack of flour into the wagon. "The owner of the shop was most generous in supplying me with the location of a nearby quarry, and a contact list she that uses to get gems for her dresses."

That remark caught Crystal's attention. "Was ah... was she pretty?" She scratched her face lightly while looking away.

"By most stallions' standards she'd be one of the most gorgeous mares ever seen," Stone commented nonchalantly loaded the boxes. "She had the most adorable little sister too." He looked at Crystal who looked a  bit annoyed. "Are you alright Crystal?"

"I'm fine," She walked off.

"Did I say something?" Stone looked at Grover who merely rolled his eyes and shook his head. 

His mother watched from inside the store as she paid for their supplies. 'Oh Bright, you can be even denser than you father sometimes.'

"That'll be two hundred and fifty bits ma'am," The stallion who was the proprietor and local mogle said.

"Here you go Mr... Sorry I never got your name," Mystic Hammer chuckled.

"Filthy Rich ma'am," He gave a slight bow. "May I have your name, Miss?"

"Mystic Hammer," She smiled.

"Where are you folk from?" He said as he counted out the coins. "A mare with a grown son and mare coming to town at this time wouldn't be unusual as the Summer Sun Celebration is only a few days away and while moving to town isn't unheard of but it's in the middle of the year so close to the festivities. Don't you think it would've been better to wait till after the commotion died down to move?"

"You make a lot of since Mr. Rich but at the time we left our home in the mountains outside Stalliongrad, we didn't know the Summer Sun Celebration was going to be held here in town," Mystic sighed. "We spent the last few months traveling to get here and we're out of the loop as far as information goes."

"Oh, that makes sense," He counted up her change. "Stalliongrad aye," Filthy rubbed his chin. "You would happen to be the jewelry smith, Mystic Hammer would you?"

"That's me. Why do you ask?" She tiled her head.

"I would like to put goods in my store for a small cut of the pay," Filthy offered. "You work is legendary, second only to that fabled blacksmith from your neck of the woods. How about it?"

"It's tempting Mr. Rich, maybe after we're settled in more," She chuckled then looked at him. "How did you know I had a son and not two daughters?"

"Hahaha... I'm a father myself," He belted. "I can tell the difference in his stride and the way he carries himself. His voice was a dead give away though. As for that girl out there, the way she looks at and acts around him, it's a dead give away that she likes him very much. That kind of love is different from the love of siblings, comes from knowing each other a long time. I see it in your eyes too."

Mystic looked down a little depressed. 

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you sad, I never met the Conductor but he had the deepest respect and I was sad to hear of his passing," Filthy tried to consul her.

"Thank you for your kind words Mr. Rich but... we must go now," Mystic left the store holding back her tears.

"Poor mare, I know they say time heals all wounds, but it's hard to recover from losing your soulmate," He said pulling out an old photo wedding of a mare and him, causing his own eyes to start to dampen. "Right Gleaming," He sighed as he returned the photo to his desk. "What would you say to me if you saw how our girl is acting and treating other foals, " He remarked as he rubbed the back of his while walking back into the store to stock it.




Third day

Stone was on the roof of the barn patching the major holes that had fallen through over time. He'd been up before sunrise as usual and had set up for the day while waiting for his mother and crystal to wake up. After they'd woken they all had a hardy breakfast and went to work on getting the homestead into more livable conditions. While the women worked on clean the house Stone focused on the repair work to it and the barn. He'd finished the house in no time at all and quickly moved to the barn.

He was just about to have way done when a familiar face from yesterday showed up. 

"Hey?" Said a multicolored mare.

"What do you want?"  Stone asked he continued to nail boards in place.

"Look, we got off on the wrong hoof yesterday and I wanted to apologize after Sweetie Belle told me what happened," Rainbow Dash rubbed her arms as she fluttered in place.  "Rarity is a really good friend. She's very generous and sometimes ponies take advantage of that. I thought you did something really bad to her and Sweetie from the screaming I heard while I saw you leaving from the shop."

Bright Stone continued to patch the roof. "So you put one and two together to make three," He said bluntly. "Then you  harass me in the street without even going to check on your friend."

He hit a nail into a board, driving it into the wood with a single strike while Rainbow winced at the sound.

"Look I'm really sorry about what I did, and I wanted to apologize right after Sweetie Belle told me what happened but I couldn't find you after you walked away and I had to get to work. So I'm sorry for... ya know lifting you up off the ground," Rainbow said sincerely.

Stone stopped hammering and looked over his shoulder. "HAAAAaaa..... Look, I don't want trouble, FROM anypony. It would cause necessary stress from my mother and friends. " He stood up and turned around. "Not to mention unwanted attention to be drawn to us. I'll accept your apology on two conditions." Stone held up two fingers. "First we start over with our names and two you help me fix this roof."

"Sure, I'm Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in Equestria. Weather pony of Ponyville, nice to meet you..." She vigorously shook his hand.

Stone notices the bruises on her wrists, "Bright Stone, and I'm sorry about your wrists."

"Don't sweat it, dude, I got worse bruises from crash landing when I was a filly," She pushed it off. "Got an extra hammer?"

"Look over by the bear," Stone said as he went back to work leaving Rainbow confused.

"Bear?" She raised an eyebrow.

Some time passed and Rainbow came back with a hammer in hand. "So, you have a pet bear... that's awesome!"

"He's not my pet, just my friend," Stone said as his attention never wavered. "He wanted to come with us when we came here so I let him come as long as he helps out and pulls his weight around here." He hit nail after nail.

"I have few questions for you and if you don't want to answer then just say so okay?" Rainbow hammer asked.

"Very well," Stone agreed.

"Where ya from?" Rainbow asked as she looked up. Her plan was to question him and lead up to the feather she saw fall from his cloak.

"Stalliongrad," Stone hammered.

"Wow, you guys sure came a long ways," Rainbow looked on in slightly shocked. "What're you doing all the way here?"

"My mother was reminded of my father constantly back home so we moved here, no more questions about why we came," He looked sternly at her. "It's personal and you're not close enough to know. "

"I get that," Rainbow threw her hands up in defense. 'Guess I better not push my luck?'

Between the two of them, the barn was done in the next hour. Rainbow waved bye and rushed off to only she knows where. 

Crystal Hymn noticed her fly away and grew a little concerned. "Stone, who was that?"

"Her, " He thumbed behind him. "The local weather pony. She got into a little tussle with me yesterday over a misunderstanding and came by to apologize. I roped her into helping me finish the roof. Is it time for lunch yet?"

'I need to tell him how I feel before one of these pretty mares asks him out, maybe.." 

"Yoohoo... Stone to Crystal. Ya, there songbird?" 

She had been caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realize Stone was now in front of her face. "Ah! " she let out a startled yelp and headbutted the alicorn stallion.

"OW! My horn!" Stone hissed. "Why'd you do that?!" he grabbed his head.

"You scared the crap out of me!" Crystal scowled. "Stupid Hammer Head!" She pouted storming off while she rubbed her own forehead.

Bright Stone rubbed the base of his horn. "Hammer head. She hasn't called me that in a long time..."

Stone looked at the ticked pegasus as she kicked the dirt. He wasn't sure what was up with her be he knew she was lost in her own world at the moment and it was best to let her work out her thoughts. In the meantime, his own thoughts drifted to his old life as a living magic stone. It made him miss his first father and want to like him what' he'd do if he was in the same situation. About how Crystal was acting and how best to handle it. He was so lost that he walked straight into the house. 

"Note to self, watch where you go," Stone said shaking his head.




Day 4

Stone was walking through the pear orchards on his property. He had the sense that someone was watching him but there was no pony that he could pick up. His ear twitched as he moved under a tree and then heard a quick whooshing sound above him. He looked up and then got noticed a rainbow tail sticking out of one of the clouds.

"Got you tail down!" He called out in annoyance, The tail slightly twitched. "I can see you tail Rainbow Dash! Now come out and tell me why you're  spying on me!"

The pegasus in the cloud let out a sigh. She fluttered down slowly to land in front of an annoyed Bright Stone who was scowling with his arms crossed.

"Well?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Look, I'm not trying to be a creeper here but the other day I saw something when you were leaving. I heard from Sweetie that you lived next to Aj and so I went to her and asked her if she met you," Rainbow Dash explained. "She said she did and I wanted to know what she thought of you and she said other than just meeting you for a little bit she said you were an honest guy, but she couldn't shake the feeling you were hiding something." 

She pulled out a silver feather from her pocket and held it in front of the stallion. Bright Stone's anger faded as the color faded from his face and his pupils shrank.

"What does that feather... h-have to do with me?" He looked away.

"I don't know, maybe because I saw it fall from under your cloak that day we met in town," Rainbow leaned in. "What up with you where that cloak anyways? Why is this feather silver like your fur? Tell me the." She stomped her hoof. "Who are you?"

Bright let out a rough sigh. "No hiding it when you find one of my feathers." He looked at Rainbow. "I'll tell you, but you have to swear on your life that you won't tell a soul, not even your friends can know about this."

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Rainbow said as she did the motions while Stone raised a confused brow. "It the Pinkie Promise. You can't ever break it, now spill the beans, Buster!"

"Fine," Stone gave a heavy sigh as he pulled off his cloak and unfurled his large shining silver wings. Rainbow merely stood there do her best imitation of a fish out of water.  

"Your... AN ALICORN!" She shouted causing Stone to rush over and place his hand over her mouth while tackling her to the ground.

"Keep your voice down!" he said through his teeth quietly.

"mhhmmhmhmh..." Rainbow mumble as her eyes were still as wide as dinner plates.

"What?" Stone raised an eyebrow while Rainbow gave him deadpan stare and then snorted. "Oh Sorry," he got off her and help her to her hooves. 

"What a prince doing here of all places?" Rainbow tilted her head as she fluttered over and poked his horn to make sure it was real. "I mean, the Princess Celestia's son hiding out or laying low is one thing, but how come you never mentioned."

"Yes I'm an alicorn, no I'm not related to Princess Celestia in any way shape, or form," Stone rolled his eyes as he threw his cloak back on. "My birth mother is Mystic Hammer and she is my only mother. She raised me back in Stalliongrad."

"But if you're not related to princess then how are you and alicorn?" Rainbow squinted.

"I was born an alicorn," Stone sighed. 

"Why'd you move here? And why are you keeping it a secret?" Rainbow simply curios at the point.

"Like I told you yesterday my mother couldn't move past the loss of my father, to many reminders back home," Stone sighed again. "We kept my nature a secret because the local lord would've tried to cash in on it. That he'd try and claim me as his son and use me as a tool to gain more power and influence."

"Well, now you live here. You don't have to hide it anymore," Rainbow smiled.

"There is still the threat that the lord will come here, and my reputation as a smith doesn't help me either," Stone sat on the ground. "Everypony knows me for who I am and what I do back home, not for what I AM."

"I get it," Rainbow come over and plopped down next to him. "You like what you do and you do it because you like it. That why I'm trying out for the Wonderbolts. You want to do what makes you happy and you don't want to be known for being an alicorn."

"You're not dumb as you look," Stone smirked as he looked at Rainbow out of the corner of his eye.

Rainbow annoyed at the last comment, "I may be a jock, but I got my smarts too," she pouted. "So who else knows about... you know. Anypony in town?"

"You're the first pony I've told since coming here, though obviously, my mother has known since day one," Stone lightly chuckled.

"What your sister?" Rainbow tilted her head.

"She's not my sister, but my best friend since we first met," Stone looked at the sky with a smile. "I told her not long after our first meeting and we've been together ever since then."

"So she's your friend and nothing else?" She raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Believe it or not Rainbow Dash, she's my best friend and nothing more," Stone gave a slight scowl. "I don't have romantic feelings for her, but I do hold her very close to my heart."

"If you say so buddy," Rainbow patted his shoulder. "And I SWEAR I won't tell anypony about your secrets. I've to get to work so see ya." She rushed off leaving a rainbow trail behind her.

"At least the Pink Demon didn't go advertising it, I'm pretty sure she knows, just a gut feeling," Stone sighed as he stood up. "Back to work. I can't wait for this day to end already," he complained.

Little did Stone know he was about to have a great task forced upon him.
> Saving his First Father from inner demons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





"What?!" Bright Stone said as he looked around to see nothing but empty white. "Where am I ? Mother? Crystal?" He called out in shock and fear. "Anypony? Someone, please answer me?"

"Awwww... Does someone miss his mommy?" a sadistic voice called out.

"Who's there?" Bright Stone called out with a scowl. "Where's my family and my friend?"

"Hehehe... You sound just like your father when you talk like that," the voice snickered.

"SHOW YOURSELF!" Bright Stone yelled in anger.

"Hush...' A white silhouette appeared with a wide toothy grin. "I am Truth, a Void Dweller, and I ... well, your father needs your help and I rather not lose a nice toy and source of knowledge like him. hehehe..."

"My father as in may first father? He's in trouble?!" Bright Stone said in horror. 

"His mind is breaking, and I'd rather not have him loose in the Void causing trouble for others," Truth rolled it head in a motion as if it rolled its eyes. "I can send you there but as soon as he's safe, you well fade away back to where you belong..."

"If I can save him then so be it..." Bright Stone looked at the Truth with determination. 

"Very well..." The Truth smirked. "I will also give you temporary knowledge of what has happened to him but nothing more. This knowledge will be erased as soon as you leave too..." the Truth snapped as everything Faded into a snowy mountainside.





Cliff side over the Battlefield


"I never imagined he'd be this powerful," Sombra laughed as he raised his hands up. "As soon as that body is mine I CAN CONQUER THE WORLD! RAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Sombra you have to stop this now!" The sister said in unison.

"It isn't Ed in control of his body anymore," Luna cried.

"That's Malice, a soulless mass of negative emotion born out of hate for Edward from the souls in a single body," Celestia explained. "Its goal is nothing more than the utter ravage the world and consume all living souls."

"Then it will serve me well," Sombra laughed as red lightning shot to the red armored giant. "Come my new body! Be mine!" Black smoke came from Sombra as his old body slumped over on the ground, dead.

The sisters soon found themselves freed from their shadowy prisons. They rushed to the children who'd also been freed from Sombra's hold during his lapse of control.

"How are they sister?" Celestia looked at Luna as she held Nyx in her arms.

"Shaken and scared but otherwise they appear fine, though I don't think they'll wake up anytime soon," Luna let out a sigh of relief as she held her children in her arms. "We must get them out of this cold, they won't last long in this state."

"Agreed, but we can't teleport without our magic and the winds are far too strong to fly," Celestia nodded. "Then there's that," she turned her head.

There was now a massive crystal behemoth fight with the full Susanoo.

"It doesn't seem like Malice can access all of Ed's powers, though he is getting stronger," Luna looked up.

"Edward is second to the children. We must get them out of the snow," Celestia looked to the now shivering children in their arms. "They won't last much longer in these winds."

"Perhaps I can help," came the voice of someone new.

"Who are you? Another one of Sombra's experiments," Luna clutched her children tightly to her body shielding them with her wings as Celestia did the same with Nyx.

The owner of the voice appeared cloaked in a tatter brown hooded cloaked. The sisters could feel a great magical power coming from him, one that was natural and far too great to be anything that had been artificially made with Sombra's second-rate alchemagic. They could make out a white horn under his hood and clock there wear signs of a glittering silver mane and tail sticking out. As he moved they heard the clopping of hooves on snow. The duo looked down to see he had hooves instead of feet. They also heard the clanking of what sounded like armor under his cloak as he moved. He also had a bit of a muzzle stick out from his hood and a coat of white fur matching his horn.

The stranger looked at the battle. "I must get you all to the Empire..." the stranger said in a saddened tone as he lit his horn in a silver magic and the five ponies vanish.






Crystal Empire


"Ed's right you're an ass," Polearm said from behind me suddenly.

"How did we just get here?" Spike said dazedly.

I noticed that there was a cloaked pony behind the others.

Not knowing if they work for Sombra I put a hand on my sword's handle but do not fully grab it. “Who are you?” I ask them as I step between Polearm and the unknown pony.

"Worry not red ranger, I am here to help," He spoke in a cool voice but sharp tongue.

I could tell he wasn't from this world once I got closer as I could see he was clear more pony than human. I felt he had a great magical power, which explains how he was able to get everyone so quickly.

"We must get the heart in place, but it must be Twilight Sparkle that puts it there," The mystery pony said. "Everypony is under the Spire now. We must hurry."

“Right...you heard him Polearm get Twilight and the heart to the bottom of the spire.” I start running and keep looking at the mystery pony as he runs with us.

We come across literally everyone, even the princesses are here with, children? I have to say they look a lot worse off than any pony and they had some sort of a black crystal on their horns similar to Shining.

Polearm set Twilight on her feet and she steadily made her way to the alter. I looked at Cadance and she was looking worse than ever, though the stone Edward gave her was glowing ever more brightly than when it was given to her. Just what is going to happen once the Heart is in place to amplify the love of this place?

The field flickered and we all saw two massive giants battling one another in the distance. The ponies started to panic and ran in all directions shouting "HE'S BACK!" At the top of their lungs.

'Fuck!'

I was about to step up but then Spike did the unthinkable, "SHUT UP! SOMBRA IS BACK YES BUT OUT THERE FACING HIM IS CRIMSON KING! WE HAVE THE PRINCESSES HERE AND THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY! THE CRIMSON KNIGHT HAVE FOUGHT SOMBRA'S ARMY TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND NOW WE HAVE THE CRYSTAL HEART! WE WON'T LET HIM TAKE THIS PLACE AGAIN!" He roared sending out a wave of purple flames. "Do it Twi, and all of you send the BASTARD PACKING!"

The crowd erupted in cheer and knelt down as Twilight placed the heart on the pedestal and everything went up in a blinding light as the Heart spun and the Stone around Cadance's neck glowed and worked in tandem with each other amplifying the magic.

I looked to the field flicker one last time and saw one of the giant form fall to paces with a lot of black smoke. I looked around and everypony looked like living crystal but the most shocking thing was the Twilight had wings.

‘The hell?! She got her wings earlier than normal, Hope Edward doesn’t blame me for this.’ I think then I pat Polearm’s shoulder and tell him. “I’m gonna go try to find Edward I’ll be fine out there you stay with Twilight and also congratulations your now dating royalty.” Smirking I start running to the edge of the city. ‘Don’t worry Edward I’m coming.’

"You must stop," The cloaked pony threw his arm in front of me.

I slide to a spot and stare at him. “If you have a plan then tell us if you didn’t know Edward is in trouble,” I tell him and point out to the battlefield.

"That isn't Ed anymore," Came Celestia from behind me.

"It's Malice who's in control," Luna added in a hurt tone.

I turn to face them a bit upset at them. “So what!? We find a way to kick his ass and out Edward back in the drivers seat!” I look at them and then to their kids and get an idea. “What’s the one thing Edward loves most in this world?”

"His family," The mystery pony said.

"Alright, I've had enough mister mystery pony guy, who are you exactly?" I rushed over and pulled off his cloak.

There standing in front of use was a stallion with a pure white coat, flowing sparkling silver mane and tail, a white horn, and wings with silver-tipped feathers. He was wearing a set of steel armor with a white diamond on a golden shield. The most catching feature was his eyes, they were a radiant gold.

‘Okay, he definitely wasn’t in the show that just leaves either from a different Equestria or he is an artificial Alicorn made by Sombra... but then why would he be helping us?’ I think to myself as my hand rests on my gun but I don’t act just yet.

"My name is Bright Stone, I am here to help you you bring my father back from his despair," He said calmly but with warmth and worry.

“Father?” We all ask simultaneously with different levels of shock some mild surprise like me, to pure Dumbfoundedment from the princesses. “Right...well if you have a plan tell us already.”

"There is only one thing we can do to stop him," Bright Stone took his cloak from me and threw it back on leaving his hood down. "The Spear of Longinus. If we couple the spell with everypony here's help we could snap father from his despair long enough to show and tell him that you are all okay."

"How do you even know about that Spell," Celestia gritted her teeth.

"I was informed by the one known as Truth when he pulled me here from my world," Bright said nonchalantly.

"How is Edward your father? I know he's had children in the past with others but he never mentioned an alicorn before." Luna scowled. "And I know our husband is not an unfaithful man."

There was a sudden crack and explosion heard from the throne room.

"It would seem the other Princess is free," Bright Stone looked at me.

“What, why are you staring at me?” I ask him with my arms crossed. “Also I don’t know if I can even use that spell it sounds like it takes a lot of magic and I’ve only had mine for,” I tap my chin. “About two days I suppose.”

"Can you pilot that strange train that brought you?" Bright Stone asked me with a hopeful tone as Celestia rushed to the throne room.

I tilt my head back and forth. “I can yes is it part of your plan?” I ask as I look over and see Celestia runoff.

"The Spear of Longinus is a holy sealing spell create through the conjoined power of Celestia and Luna when they wield the weapons of my father," Bright Stone explained. "It requires them to wield his keyblade and Diisword and summon a massive lance the must be launched directly at him. If I channel my magic into that machine while in its humanoid form do you think you can make sure the lance meets its mark?"

I think it over and nod. “Yeah I think I can though it will be hard especially if he sees me coming, but I won’t leave when Edward needs help.”

"We will have but one chance as the spell is extremely taxing and can't be cast multiple," Bright Stone sighed. "I wish I could've met him under better circumstances." Celestia soon returned with a taller unicorn, a very pretty one. I then recognized her as Princess Amore, could the outburst of magic have freed her.

I subconsciously wave at Princess Amore as I think about what’s going to happen then I look to Bright Stone. “Would it fuck up your plan if I had two megazords, someone else guiding a second one but not actually in it while I use the crimson streak?”

"It's too risky," Bright looked at me. "He must be focus on one opponent."

"Don't forget Ed can make multiple copies of himself," Luna said as the guards tended to the children.

I sigh and rub my faceplate. “Right damn ok, I’ll do my best how long does it take for you all to charge that spell?” I ask as I get the red mystic force key out of my belt buckle.

"It will take us an hour to charge the spell once our magic returns," Luna said summon a dual-handled scythe keyblade. "Once our magic is back then we can start, but that will take some time as well."

"Father's body has currently stopped moving. Think the magic outburst was much more powerful than he'd originally intended,"Bright Stone looked around. "He is frozen in place while his body repairs itself. Though he is immune to Equestrian magic he is not entirely without weakness. I remember him saying once that he is immune but Malice is not, meaning his body loses much of this immunity when the demon takes over, though demon itself does not know this."

“Hmm, it could be that his magic immunity is down to his very souls so when Malice takes over it’s a different soul driving so to speak, and seeing as we have time I have a plan to add to yours,” I turn to face the princesses. “I need a recording of all of you calling out to him, not for him to save you but for you to save him if that makes sense.”

“My idea is I play the recording while I’m fighting him and trying to hold him down the sound of your voices should give Edward the strength to fight malice enough to slow him down physically so I can finish him off,” I say to them all thinking it’s a smart plan.

"I... want.... to help," Princess Amore said. "Ed has been there for... me I love him just as much as... I love Tia here," she placed a hand on Celestia's. "I know.... Sombra... wasn't in.... his right state of mind... and had to be stopped... And I'm glad Ed didn't do it. It... would've... hurt him... more... if I .... can help... bring him back... then I WANT TO HELP!"

I smile seeing how much she cares for Edward I nod and say. “Well, there are two ways you can help the first is adding your voice to the recording and the second is make sure you are ready to give him a big hug once I bring him back,” I say with a smile even though she can’t see it and give her a thumbs up.

"In the meantime, you should rest," Celestia placed a hand on Amore's shoulder.

"Right..." she weakly agreed. "Though I must ask.... who's children are these? Your's and Eds Luna?"

"Yes, Solar Eclipse and his older sister Morning Star are mine and Ed's. We call them our Twin Stars," Luna giggled as she took her sleeping children in her arms.

"This one is mine," Twilight said as she picked up Nyx trying her best to balance with her new wings.

The alicorn filly slowly woke up and slowly opened her eyes, " Momma... MOMMA!" Nyx hugged her mother desperately. "I was so scared that that mean stallion would hurt us, but I knew you'd save us," She let out and excited gasp. "Mom... you have wings!"

I noticed Bright Stone was heading out of the area and decided to follow him. I wanted some answers.

Once the two of us are far enough away from them I call out. “Ok I need more answers how are you Edward’s son? Where are you from? How do you know so much and how do I know you're telling the truth?”

"You can believe what you want," Bright Stone looked at me with his burning golden eyes. "I will do what I must save to my father with or without your help. " I started to reach for my blaster. "But if you really want answers, then I'll give them to you," he sighed. "You know my father has the skill to manipulate the very magic around us yes?"

“Yes I saw him do it once before, what about it?” I ask him as I watch his movements to make sure he doesn’t try to attack me.

"He can create artifacts called Sage Stone,s similar to the one Princess Cadance now wears around her neck," He said as he paced and gestured. "These can differ on what he needs them to do. Well in a galaxy far away during the time of war, the War of Cybertron, he created a Mind Stone and gave it to a Displaced that was called Optimums Prime in order to shield the autobot leader's mind from the evil Quintessa." He looked up to the sky.

I nod following along and starting to relax a bit as I listen to him explain.

"Thanks to the stone having been linked somehow to the other artifact Optimus had known as the Matrix of Leadership," Bright Stone took a deep breath. "It gains a form of conscious thought from the knowledge of the past primes and thanks the experiences it went through with Optimus, a Displaced known as Pyro, and its creator Edward it gained a soul."

I start to piece it together but I decide to let him finish as i do I also put the key in my hand into a pocket.

"Well the stone did its job and did it well, but Edward did name it as he felt it deserved one and he grew to love it as his son," Bright Stone continued. "He named the stone, Stone Elric. Eventually, the war came to a head, and Optimus was captured and brought to Quintessa, who ripped Stone from Optimus's body and proceed to murder him. The last thing he did was give Optimus a fighting chance before he was crushed."

“And I’m guessing you are somehow that stone.” I guess while pointing at him.

"Yes, in part thanks to my grandmother I was somehow reincarnated in another Equestria as Bright Stone," He said gratefully. "I was born as an alicorn on the outskirts of Equestria to a blacksmith couple. My mother is called Mystic Hammer while my father was called Iron Hammer but he passed away when I was still very small in a fire caused by timberwolves. My mother raised me as best she could all while keeping me being an alicorn a secret as if anypony found out then they might try and claim me as royalty or cause the princess grief. We lived far out so we were kept out of the light of the prying eyes of most."

“Hmm... well once we save Edward you should talk with him about that personality I would go see the princess but that’s just me, now is there anything else you want to tell me? Because I’m thinking of resting and eating up on my ship.” I tell him then point at my ship with a thumb over my shoulder.

"I am afraid I can't speak with my father on this matter," Bright Stone looked down in disappointment. "The Truth, as the white being called itself, pulled me from my world by force and I must be returned immediately after my father is safe."

“Ah... I see well you could record a message for him before the mission to save him starts.” I say as I start to stretch.

"I thank you, I would like that." Bright Stone smirked. "Someday we will meet again, It is the nature of the Displaced after all."

I chuckle and nod then summon my red gokaiger key. “Do you want my token then?” I ask holding it up.

"Yes red ranger I would," Bright Stone continued to smile. "I am sorry for the secrecy, but you must keep the story from others except for Princess Celestia. Princess, Princess Luna, and Princess Amore. I will... fade away as if I was never here once my father is safe for sure."

I toss my token over to him then sigh. “That sucks do you know when you are in your world's history? And do you kind of we go to my ship I’m starving,” I rub my stomach as it growls.

Bright Stone nodded and followed me on to my ship. "As of history I do not know, as I was never told much of the history of the world of mlp beyond what I was gifted by my father and Optimus but much of it was erased when I was re-born. As far as I have come. I was in my bed asleep at our homestead outside Ponyville with my mother and friend in their rooms resting I was pulled away by the Truth. We were busy for the last few days 'setting up shop' as most say when we decided to rest for the night ."

I nod and say. “Well, I hope you can make friends and I’m sure Edward would tell you to be honest with those you care for.” Then I look up to my ship and grab the rope ladder and start climbing. “Do you know if Luna has returned from the moon in your world or no?”

"No she is still on the moon," Bright Stone looked down. "I want to help her, but I don't know if it's right too?"

I think to myself for a moment then when I get to the top of the ladder I look down at him. “I think it would be best if you set the groundwork and get five of the girls to be friends if they aren’t already so when Twilight comes to town they will be ready to help her.” I pat his shoulder and we go into my ship and relax once the door closes I can power down and I sigh and stretch then start looking around.

‘Huh cool my theory was right.’ I think to myself then I find a kitchen and go inside and look if there’s anything to eat. “But it’s up to you, it’s your world to me the knowledge from the show is more of a guide line as our mere presence in an Equestria well change things whether they be small or huge is up to how we interact with others.”

"I will follow your advice and let things flow from there," He looked out the window to the field. "I do wish I could've grown up with father like my little sister and brother. I'm grateful for all he did in the short time we were together for. A year is a short time to make a lot of memories."

I smile when I find a box lunch and come out to the living room and sit down but that’s when I notice a metal disk and I move to it and touch it and a holographic moogle appears. “Hey kid glad you got there safely, kupo. I left this message for you to tell you I realized I sent you in alone so I made a few modifications to your megazord, kupo. These modifications are that you’ll be able to pilot the Megazords by yourself and when you use a single keys Wollin ship mode it will give you a different effect for each key some more useful then others I also added a bit of time lord technology and your ship is bigger on the inside then on the outside, kupo. Well good luck kid kupo.”

The hologram shuts down and I smile softly. “Nice guy, and that may be for the best bright, and you can relax here or speak with the others I’m gonna eat.”

"I well return to the outside and speak with the Princesses, then I well enjoy my fathers world as best I can," Bright Stone said as he smiled and then got up and walked out.




Crystal Spire

3rd POV


Bright Stone steadily walked off the Gokai Galleon. He w head for the Crystal Palace and immediately went to look for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The first ponies he came across were Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Amore, who was still mildly suspicious of the silver alicorn and his claims.

"Hello your Highnesses," Bright Stone bowed.

"Ah... Bright Stone was it?" The Princess of Love guessed only for the you stallion to give a single nod to confirm. "How  can we help you?"

"What's your angle?" Shining squinted. "I know Ed has a big family but  I know for a fact that he'd never cheat on Princess Luna or Princess Celestia. What are yo-OW!" Cadance put a swift stop to her husband's nosing with a swift pull of his tail with her magic.

"Sorry, but you can't really but blame him for his suspicions," Cadance sighed. 

"It's quite alright. I would to be suspicious if somepony just appeared out of nowhere with the royal family claiming to the son of the reigning prince," Bright Stone gave a soft smile. "But if you wish to learn my story then you sit in with m  and the other princess while I speak with them."

"Is that why you're wondering the castle?" Cadance guessed again and once more Bright Stone gave a curt nod. "Come will show you the way, and I sure Shiny will want to keep an eye on you anyways," She looked at her husband, who was still rubbing the base of his tail.

The couple led their guest through the halls of the crystal palace. Shining ever closely watching the self-proclaimed son of his uncle. He knew Ed was a good man and wouldn't cheat on the princesses but figured that this stallion was either telling the truth out he was after something. The trio soon came upon a large set of ornate door red wooden doors with a black cross and silver crescent moon embedded in them. It was Ed's room during his stays in the Crystal Empire during his reign as the Crimson King.

"We put them in Ed's old room for comfort and familiarity's sake," Cadance said to Bright Stone who was staring at hid father's symbol. Cadance lightly knocked on the door. "Aunties, Princes Amore, I'm here with Bright Stone. He wishes to speak with you."

"Come in Cadence, but quietly," Celestia said as she slowly opened the door. "The children are sleeping."

"How are they?" Cadence asked ash she went over and checked on her little cousins.

"A few scratched, but nothing serious," Luna ran her fingers through her children's hair. "I was able to pull the bad dream away and erase most of Sombra's evasion from their minds and little Nyx, but they will still have the fear for a while."

'Nyx, is Twilight and Polearm's daughter, she seems older than the twins but wasn't she born around the same time?" Cadence tiled her head.

"Her birth is a complicated tale," Celestia sat on the bed wear Princess Amore was resting, but still awake. "She is Twilight biological daughter yes, but through a blood ritual. She's is Polearm's adopted daughter. Nyx actually started to call him her father before the paperwork was even drawn up." She giggled as she looked to Amore. "How are you doing?"

"Stiff, but fine," Amore smiled. "But we are here to listen to Bright Stone's story, yes?"

"Indeed," Luna's gaze shifted to the male alicorn with a bit of distrust and disdain, but also one of familiarity. Though she was sure they'd never met before. "Tell us, Bright Stone, how is Edward your father?"

Bright Stone told them the details and didn't hide anything when he retold his story. The story of his creation and first experiences as the Mind Stone and his time with Edward and the other Displaced during the War of Cybertron. Then he told them of his death. Luna couldn't hold back and held him tightly in a hug as her wings surrounded him.

"Thank you," he returned her hug.

"I'm so sorry Stone," Luna held on tighter as tears fell from her eyes. "Ed... he was devastated," She pulled back and looked down at him with a rear filled gaze. 

"Sometimes we'll see him at your grave in the gardens," Celestia was sad but couldn't bring herself to cry as she never actually knew Stone in his past life. "But how did you come to be an alicorn and be here.

Stone told them of meeting his grandmother's spirit, shocking the sister thoroughly, in the world between worlds and how when she reincarnated in this he was reincarnated into a new one of his own. He told them how he still remembers Edward and Luna some of the Displaced but most of his knowledge was gone upon his birth. He told them of his birth father and his earlier death in his life and his mother Mystic Hammer. His good friend Crystal Hymn, and his animal friend Grover the Bear. Pulling back his cloak he showed his cutie mark on his shoulder, a white diamond on a golden shield what a fire below it and a pair of blacksmith tongs holding one corner of the shield and a sledgehammer beating in the other side setting the gem in place with sparks flying off the strike.

"I don't know how much time has passed for you here but in my homeworld it has been around seventeen years since my death," Stone pulled his cloak back over his shoulder.

"You're alive Stone and that what matters," Celestia walked over and placed one hand on his shoulder and another on his face. "Ed will be so happy to see you."

"My father won't be able to see me," Bright looked down in disappointment. "The the white being that brought me here... said as soon as he is safe I will fade away back into my own world."

"Truth?" Amore said as she sat up holding the blanket up to keep herself covered.

"A powerful being that we know very little about," Luna expanded. "Ed deals with it and won't let us near it. He refuses to let it near us and absolutely hates it."

"If he keeps you two from it and say she hates it then this... things must...let's just do as Ed asks and stay away from it," Amore sighed. "In my time with Edward, I've ever known him to hate or despise anything but if he even keeps you two from it then its best we stay away." She looked at stone. "What are the details of this meeting and you're arrival here young one?"

He told them of how he'd arrived, "And that is show I arrived here," Bright Stone said with a warm look. He looked over to princess Luna who was looking a little disturbed. "Princess Luna are you alright?"

"No," Luna looked at Bright. "I sense a very dark nightmare close by. I think I should go into the dream realm right now."

"Be careful sister," Celestia looked at Luna with worry. "We still need to use Longinus." Luna nodded and laid down on the couch and closed her eyes and started to roam the Dream Realm.




Crystal Empire


Rodger's POV


I am having a nice relaxing day at a lake but soon black clouds cover the sky, I look up and frown then I look to Rainbow about to complain but then I see her in chains and heavily bruised in my shock I fall off my chair and when I stand up there’s no one around but I see a fire in town so I run over to help only to see puddies grabbing people I grit my teeth and try to summon my morpher but it doesn’t come.

When it doesn’t come I look up and run over kicking one of the puddies knocking them into each other I go to help the ponies but they seem terrified of me, before I can ask what’s wrong I get shot in the back and fall into the dirt. “Well well well, seems we have a hero.” I hear a very familiar voice.

I am forcefully rolled over and my eyes widen when I see a darker version of my red Gokaiger suit. “What the hell?!” He aims the blaster at me but I grab a rock and throw it making him miss but the shot hit a innocent pony instead. “No!”

He laughs and kicks me. “Even when you try to be the hero you’ll hurt those around you.”

I grunt from the kick and try to fight back but by the time I stand up he shoots my leg then grabs a filly and puts the gun to her head. “Keep fighting and she is next to pay the price for your behavior.”

“Damn you! Who are you!” I yell at him, He starts chuckling then powers down and I see he is me but looks similar to Lord Drakkon as he has black veins around his neck and face.

“Me? I’m the pirate king of the universe!” He says then laughs as he kills the filly.

"ENOUGH OF THE THIS," Came the booming voice of Princess Luna from all around. "BEGONE FOLLOW REFLECTION!" A blinding light enveloped everything and I soon found myself in the company of Edward's Princess of the Night. "Gear Rodger are you alright?" She reached her hand out to me.

I blink and shake my head before taking her hand and standing up. “Thank you, Princess, I’m alright now, I guess Sombra's trap had a bigger effect on me then I thought.” I sigh sadly.

"It seems so dear captain," Luna sighed. "It looks like my grandson wasn't able to purge you of the curse completely at the time and I can not fault as he is a more skilled magic weaver and alchemist than I. You shouldn't have to worry about it now as I am sure I purged the rest of the curse from your mind."

“Thank you, how are things in the waking world? As you can tell I’m taking a nap, oh that reminds me one of Edwards knights left their spear in my cargo bay.” I say to her as I take this chance to control my dream making it the inside of the Gokai gallon.

"Was it a crimson one with a golden blade?" Luna asked.

“Yeah it was I took it up into my living area and set it next to the airlock,” I tell her then make a copy of it appear in my dream to show her.

“I also found a medbay but unfortunately I barely have any surprises in it,” I tell her then sit down and rub my face.

"We can stock your medical supplies in Canterlot once the repairs are made to your vessel," She said nonchalantly as I froze. "Before you ask I can guarantee you that your ship will need major repair from the upcoming fight. As for the spear, it was a gift from one of the knights, they see you as one of them and left you the enchanted spear to mark you as a fellow knight in the Crimson Order."

I nod and smile a bit. “Thank you for telling me that I’ll find a good spot to keep it safe. I assume Edward loves knowledge, is this true?” I ask as I move us to the cargo bay with the crate and walk over to it.

"Edward is a quite the knowledge whorse, very much like our niece is with books," Luna giggled as she joined me. "I can also guarantee that he'll know how to build this vessel and many more like it in... no time at all. He has what's called a Gundam Death Scythe in one of the hangers in his lab area."

I tilt my head but shrug. “I don’t really know that much about Gundams but think he would be willing to give me a bit of training in exchange for copy’s of all these books?” I open the crate and she sees it is full of books each one about building and maintaining equipment.

"I assure you, he will be more than overjoyed to," Luna nodded. "I must leave as I must recover more magic for the Spear and this has cost me most of what I have managed to gather. Rest well Rodger as we are counting on you in the coming battle." She faded away.

'Can't blame her for that.' I shrugged.

I go back to my bedroom and lay down and start to rest in my dream.



Around five hours later



There was a slight thunder in the distance followed by slight rumbling throughout the Empire. I went to the window and looked out to see a mass in the distance spread open like a flower blooming.

"Edward must be waking up," I quickly turned and was met with a set of burning gold eyes in my face. "JESUS!" I shouted falling back on my ass.

"Don't sneak up on a ranger like that Stone," I grumbled.

"Forgive me Red Ranger but it is time," Bright Stone said as he helped me to my feet.

“Yeah, I guessed as much. Now let me get dressed!” I push him out of my room then quickly get dressed before coming out and rushing up to my living area seeing all the princesses and stone together. “So what’s the plan?”

“Fight with my father and keep him occupied long enough while the princesses finish forging the Longinus and get it to your machine," Bright said as we moved along. "They are almost done casting the spell. Then your machine must wield it will a channel my magic into it so it doesn't destroy your ship. It will be much fast than father's train and easier to maneuver with the massive spell in its grasp."

“Right, well unless you want to be inside my ship when I start, I suggest you all get off while I suit up and set course for the edge of the city,” I say as I summon my key and Morpher.

"Why would I leave?" Bright Stone tilted his head. "You need me here to channel magic in to this machine to wield the Spear. It would be better to use this boat than the Crimson Streak due to it speed and accuracy over the power of father's train."

“Right well come with me.” I slide the key into my Morpher and morph, calling out. “Set sail.” And a red X and V flys up and when the X lands on me I get my suit then when the V hits me my helmet appears and I start walking to the cockpit of my ship.

"We're coming too," Shining's voice came from behind us. We turned to see Shining, Spike, and Pole standing in the ship. "I morphed so I know having a team of five in here will make it a lot easier on you."

"He told us that but we were planning on coming anyways," Spike smirked. "Ed's family, and I won't to see mom in anymore pain. They just got together not that long ago. Besides, I think she has something she really needs to tell him in person."

"Spike's right he's family, and he's my mentor," Pole said. I noticed that he was gripping something under his shirt, some sort of pendant obviously. "I wouldn't have Twilight as my girl and Nyx as my daughter if it weren't for him."

I think for a moment then nod and point to my shelves of ranger keys. “Right then each of you pick one and once your morphed we will get moving, being inside a megazord isn’t a smooth ride.” I tell them.

Polearm Grabbed the Black Dino Thunder key and Spike took the Green Mighty Morphin key. While Shining once again took the Magna Defender key and Bright Stone took the Overdrive Mercury sliver key.

I smirk as they call out and morph, Polearm doing a back flip as black energy flies towards him and sticks to him forming the suit and once he lands he lifts his head and The spirit of a brachiosaurus comes up behind him and bites his head forming the helmet.



Next Spike was covered in green electricity as it formed his suit and the dragon armor around his chest and the arm bands.



Shining was also going through his morph again and the green energy hits him forming his armor again, becoming the Magna Defender once more.



And lastly Bright was surrounded by silver energy and was slid forward as the suit formed on him and tony was standing in full ranger suit that consisted of shiny silver primary coating and a black secondary color and Orange lines.




I clap and nod. “ Excellent now that you’re all morphed let’s get ready, the zords that you will be piloting until refuse even if only for a few moments can be found in the hanger bay one level down and through the big doors it say hanger bay, you should be there by the time I make it to the edge of the city.”

"Let's get this show on the road," Shining held his fist out. Then the others put theirs out waiting on me to join in.




Crystal Empire

(Play during take off)


I chuckle seeing as a bit of ranger spirit has sunken into them but bump my fist with theirs. “Right, let’s save Edward!” And with that I run to the cockpit and take my seat starting the engines. “ Attention any civilians near the ship, the ship is about to start moving please make away I do not want to accidentally hurt you.” I call out over the megaphone then the ship starts moving up and towards the edge of the city.


(Play during the first part)





It didn't take long for the ship to reach the out skirts of the Empire and it was after we passed through the barrier when I finally saw what exactly it was that we we'd be up against ans it shocked me to my core. There, coming at the Empire, slowly, was a massive red armor giant medevil knight style of samurai. It entire right armor and third of its left leg were silver as well as a large set of wings on its back. In its right hand was large katana. I could just make out a strange symbol on its chest and upon closer inspection I saw the demon possessed Edward, still in his demon form.





"This... could be a bigger problem than I 'd originally thought," I said to myself.

I take a deep breath then smile. “Ok time to form up!” I press a button and the deck of the ship opens up and out of it flies the four other zords first the blue mega jet, then the green mega racer, after that the yellow mega wheeler and finally the pink mega sub.”alright guys let’s do this, form pirate force Megazord!”





And with that the wings on my ship lower down while the sail turns around and folds flat against the deck, then the mega sub and mega wheeler’s front ends fold upwards forming the legs and feet, while mega racer and mega jet link with my ships sides.

Then the bow of the ship splits open forming shoulders and the head while the legs link to the body and polearm, shining, spike, and bright all rise up in the main cockpit in their own seats, finally the zord put on the pirate hat and pulls out two swords and land in the snow standing between Edward and the city.

“Pirate force megazord online! Alright guys let’s start by trying to get Edward to wake up a bit whoever has the recordings play them now.” I tell them as I move the zord closer ready for the fight.

"INCOMING ROAR!" Spike shouted.

Suddenly the red giant literally roared sending a tempest of red magic at us, knock the Megazord flat on it.s back.

"That hurt," Pole groaned.

"Looks like Malice was able to access some of Ed's dragon Slayer magic," Spike shook his head.

“Well isn’t that just peachy.” I grumble but spin the control wheel making the zord stand back up. “I need that recording!” I make the zord run forward and slash at the arm holding the blade hoping to disarm him.

The was a loud *shing* and I looked to see that Malice had counter the strike with a second katana.

"We must wait," Stone chime in as he adjust the power out put. "Malice's influence is still to great."

I grunt in annoyance but push forward lifting malice’s sword out of the way then use the second sword to cut across his chest. “Then we have to fight as hard as we can!” I make the megazord jump over malice and cut his shoulder with both swords then quickly turn around but I’m not fast enough as malice turns and cuts the zord across it’s chest sending huge sparks across it and shaking us inside. “Fuck! Damn it Edward you owe me a new paint job!”

The giant's wings then expanded. Malice jumped in the air a rose far above use and spread its wing to cover, god's knows how big the distance.

"Feather Rain!" We heard it shout and with a massive flap, Malice sent large red and silver feather hurtling at the Megazord. 

"FUCK!" I yelled as I spun the wheel, using the to most of the feather but a few still manged to embed themselves into the Megazord.

"Rodger, can this thing channel magic and does it have a voice outward option?" Spike looked at me over his shoulder.

“Possibly not sure if I can without all the mystic force keys though.” I say as I grab one of the feathers before it hits us then spin around before throwing it back at Malice. “But it’s worth a try ,hold on.” I take out my red mystic force key and slide it into my wheel and turn the key energy fills the megazord as the chest opens up revealing a dragons head.

The feather hit Malice but he merely absorbed it back into his body and let off a snide smirk.

"Didn't think that work any way," I deadpanned. "Hows it coming Spike?"

A microphone pops up in front of Spike, "You may want to, cover your ears," He said with a bit of a nervous chuckle. "Here goes nothing," Spike said taking in a deep breath, "Amethyst Dragon Slayer ROAR!" Spike roared into the microphone.

The a dragon's head came to life and the megazord reeled back with its elbows out and its arms pointed the dragons head upward at Malice. The dragon channeled Spike roar into a purple flame breath lazor hitting Malice dead center.

"RAAAAAA!" Malice roared in pain as he hit the ground, hard.

"Lets see if I can help," Pole said pulling out the Brachio-Staff.

I nod to him and remove the key and the dragon head pulls back in and the chest closes then I have the megazord lift both swords up and gets ready. “Ok Polearm give it your best shot.”

"Only got one options on this," Pole said as he change a dial on the staff. A port opens in front of him. "Let's go! WIND STRIKE!"

Whirlwinds covered the Megazord's swords and it sent wind slash attack at the still recovering Malice. Malice was still covered in purple flames as he was steadily raising to his feet wind the slash hit him knock him back. He used one of the katana to stead himself as he panted.

"Pathetic Displaced, you dare meddle in my affairs, take this," he yelled in anger as he made hands signs. "Fire Style: BRILLIANT DRAGON DANCE!" Malice spewed fire from the Giant's mouth and it took the form a a blue flaming dragon and began to assault the Megazord and heat the machine as it collide around use.

My eyes widen in shock and I think quickly and make the megazord jump back as the flames hit the ground but we are still hit by the splash damage and sparks fly everywhere in the cockpit. “Aaahh!”

The megazord falls onto its back sparks flying from the arms and legs then I feel something and look up to see a huge key start to appear I smirk and stand the megazord up and say. “ We may not be able to hurt him with the pirate megazord but let’s try something else!”

Our megazord grabs the key and holds it out as a key hole appears in front of us I slide it in and turn it and a beam of light shoots up around us and actually hurts malice’s wing enough he is forced to land as the light clears we are in a new strong megazord. “Wild force Megazord mode!”






Play during the fight





"You think changing your form will matter," Malice laughed. "I will continue no matter what you pathetic creatures look like! CRIMSON DRAGON SHOCKWAVE!" He roared as he send flying punches of red electrical magic from his fist.

I quickly roll the megazord to the left out of the way of the attack but it hits the city shield. “Shit! Damn it...I got a plan channel your magic into this next attack.” I turn the megazord to face malice and all the animal heads open their mouths as energy charges. “Wild force mega roar!” All five heads fire beams of energy at malice pushing him back and starting to break the energy armor around him.

"Pathetic creatures! You dare think you can damage me!" Malice yelled enraged as he held up his katana, the bladed turned solid red. 

"CRMSION CROSS SLASH!" He roared send a cross of red magic at us.

It was to large an attack to dodge and if we tried to jump up then we be hit along with the Empire behind us. I used the shark tail blade to try and hold it off.

'Christ! I knew Edward was strong but this is unbelievable!' I said gritting my teeth as sparks flew in the cockpit. 'We need a stronger sword, and a shield to block with!'

we manage to redirect the attack up "UARH!" Bright huff. "This isn't good. Even if Malice can't access many of my father's power he is still much stronger than us."

"It's like he's getting stronger the more we fight him," Pole huffed.

I think fast and spin the wheel forcing the energy attack to go over us and the city behind us then I see another key start to form in front of the zord and feel three hands on my back I look behind me only to see nothing thinking quickly I grab the key. “Ok, let’s try this zord out!”

The giant key fully forms and our zord puts it into the keyhole and turns it Malice try’s to stop us but is knocked back by the beam of light coming from below our zord and when the light fades we are in a new zord i smirk and say. “Dino Thunder Megazord online!”





“Take this malice, Dino drill!” The right arm starts spinning faster and faster then we rush forward and hit malice in the chest the drill arm starting to go into his energy armor. “Yes it’s working!”

Malice was pushed back and slightly slumped over, thinking it was just over I readied another strike and then I here Malice laughing. "NAHAHAHAAHA!" He belted. I noticed something was off and then his armor started to crack on is own.

"It's like he happy we cracked him open," Pole noted.

"Is it just me or are those crack expanding outward as if they can't contain what's in the armor of that thing!" Shining blurted out.

He was right. I spun the wheel getting as far back as I could and then then the giant burst sending a wave energy out. Suddenly Malice stood even taller than before. He now had two sets of wings, one set of feathers and another bat like. He was standing tall like a predator on the front of his feet. He had two sets on monstrous arms with giant spikes on his shoulders and a massive tail covered in thorns. He looked like when Ed first transformed but worse as eyes were in the creases of his body and a massive singular eye was in his chest. His head was like a smiling skull with a giant singular eye in the center it with two horns on either side of his forehead with one at the back o His body covered in a suit of twisted metal. He was now twice the height of the megazord. In the center of the giant's chest was still the symbol with the new looking Malice inside it.

"You have my thanks for releasing that accursed seal," Malice chuckled with thunder,

I gulp and say. “Damn I think we got played...what now?” I ask them as I make sure our megazord is between Malice and the Empire behind us while I also lift the right arm ready to block any attack.

"YOU FIGHT ON!" Boomed Luna's voice from above.

I am shocked to hear her and look up but that moment of distraction malice takes to hit us knocking us back but I stabilize our footing before we fall over and frown then the megazord runs towards malice and we punch his face with the triceratops shield all three horns digging into him before we swing the other arm across his legs trying to immobilize him.

Suddenly, a giant gleaming white slash comes from above use striking the monster in the symbol causing him to actually wail out in pain. Then a series of radiant golden slashes rain down cutting Malice's body all over. I see both Princesses land on the shoulder of the Megazord. Luna dress in a black metal armor in a form similar to Nightmare Moon, but much softer and with no slit eyes. In her left hand was the keyblade and steamed with the heat of a fresh attack. Celestia was wearing a set of rose gold armor and was in a form similar to Daybreaker but brighter and no slit eyes either. In her right hand was Edward's sword that he'd used in he battle, it to steamed with sings of a recent attack.

The megazord nods its head at them and in a flash of light we are changed back to the pirate force megazord I put my key into my wheel and turn it. “Take this malice!” The chest opens ope along with the arms and legs showing cannon balls in them while a huge cannon comes out of the chest and then I fire repeatedly hitting malice over and over with huge exploding cannon balls.

"Have at thee," the sister said in unison as the took flight.

"LUNAR CRESCENT!" Luna yelled send the same gleaming crescent slash out again but much more powerful. It looked as it if were the moon itself colliding with Malice.

Celestia held the sword above and the blade glowed with a bright heated gold color, "SOLAR RAIN!" She called, send a rain of solar light spears and slashes struck the monster.

We stood back watch as the smoke cleared from our volley and the stood Malice huffing with cracks and cuts all over his body. Unlike like last time he genially seemed hurt from our combine power.

'This Celestia and Luna are no joke," I thought to myself. 'And they're not even at full magic power either.'

I smirk getting confident and the cannon retracts as the megazord steps forward then stabs the swords into malice’s shoulders pinning him to the mountain behind him. “You ladies ready to get your husband back?” I ask them.

The two princesses flew high above the Megazord and crossed their weapons and from them spiraled and extended a massive rod of white light, Soon the rod turned in a double helix and spiraled into a two pronged spikes at one end and a a massive javelin with a green jewel in it at the other. There was a bright flash of bright red and the spear changed to have a red hew.





"Take it," the yelled in unison again.

"On it, Stone you'e on," I looked over.

Stone nodded then demorphed and channeled his magic straight into the megazord. A new key appeared in the form of the Spear of Longinus and I took hold of it and engaged it. The megazord's color shifted to a bright shining silver then dawned a flowing golden cape and took hold of the lance. "Pirate Megazord Holy Paladin Mode!" I yelled.

"I won't let you stop me!" Malice yelled in rage while charging forward.

"Final Crusade!" My team and I yelled as the megazord held up the spear and red lightning flashed around the machine and we threw the spear straight into Malice's chest, dead center into the symbol. The lightning flowed into the javelin and frying the beast as it did.

Celestia and Luna looked on as Malice stood froze in place with the Longinus rammed into his chest. They looked as if they were about to cry from the sight of their husband like this but their resolve stood true. Suddenly the voices of Edward's friends and family started to play from the megazord. i looked over to see a heavily breathing Bright Stone huffing with his fist on the play button. Suddenly the colossus started to stir and tremble. It sounded like creaking metal and then I head weak voice.

"Destroy... Sombra... Must... Destroy... Sombra... Couldn't... Save ... Them..." the giant wheezed in Edward's voice.

I smile as we are getting him back slowly I add my voice too. “Edward don’t you dare lose yourself you have a loving family waiting for you so don’t make them cry wake up!”

"Sister," Luna looked to Celestia and she nodded.

"You have done enough Rodger thank you," Celestia smiled warmly. "Now it is our turn to save him." 

The sisters suddenly transforms into balls of light and proceeded to in enter The demon's body after going through the wound in the colossus that had been made by the Longinus.

It was tough to say how long they'd been gone but we weren't really keeping track of time either. We stared at the scene for  some time until our attention was pulled away by a white glow from in the cockpit. i looked over to see Bright Stone fading away. 

"Looks like father is safe," he chuckled.

"Good luck my friend and may your Grid support you...." Stone smiled as he faded away.





> Awakening, the Coming Trails
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bright Stone shot up in his bed in a very cold sweat. He looked around his room and found nothing out of place. He dresser and closet were still all there and so was his bed obviously. Throwing the blankets off he turned and placed his hooves on the wooden floor then got up and walked over to his window.

Holding his head slightly he looked out, "Feels like somepony tried to... seehhh.. " Bright winced in pain. "Knock me out with a hammer." He looked out over his land and then down to the key in his hand. "I still have my memories but all the knowledge is gone. At least I was able to help father this time, even if I didn't get to meet him in the flesh other than that accursed demon." 

Letting out a a sad sigh his thoughts turned to that of his mother and his best friend. "Hopefully I can get some work done tomorrow, if not I'm just gonna relax with mother and Crystal. Perhaps I can take Crystal out to see the town. Been a while since we've spent any alone tome together as friends. I'm sure she'd like that," Bright looked at the mare on the moon. "Peace will end soon here and I intend to help out how I can but for the time I will enjoy my peace." 

Bright then returned to his bed, stopping at his dresser he smiled while looking at a photo of his paternal father

"Good night father, thank you grandmother for my new life."

He drifted off to sleep while in the background the stars shine and the image of the mare on the moon flickered ever so slightly.



Day five in Ponyville two until Nightmare Moon's Revival

Bright Stone hops out of bed and a lot of pops could be heard from his body. Though he was still sore from his previous adventure he was still in good enough shape to move around with out much complaint. He immediately started to go through his morning exercise routines and stretches, the ones he could manage at least. Bright ten head to the bathroom that led from his room. As he got out from the shower a familiar scent caught his attention. Taking a big whiff he immediately recognized that it was the scent of his mothers pancakes. 

There was a knock at his door then Crystal Hymn's voice came from the other side, "Bright! It's time to get up lazy ass the sun has been up for almost an hour!" There was a tapping sound on the floor. "I'm coming in!" 

Crystal opened the door to say Bright Stone coming out of his bathroom drying his hair. He through his towel and looked over to see Crystal frozen in place while shakily pointing. Her face was bright red and her moth was wide open.

"Take a picture Crystal it'll last longer," Bright commented with a confidant grin before he walked to his dresser and put on a shirt and a pair of shorts. He then walked over and threw on his cloak being sure to cover his wings walked next to Crystal and patted her on the cheek. "Hello? Song Bird you in there?"

Quickly being pulled back to reality for her personal nickname, "What in Tartarus is wrong with you? I come to get you for breakfast and you come out if the bathroom drying of and flash your, your, your-"

"Boxers," Bright cut in rolling his eyes.

"Yeah your Boxers at me!" Crystal yelled out of embarrassment and then the words hit her. "Boxers?!"

"Yes Crystal, you saw me in my underwear for the-," Bright counted up on his fingers. "I don't know, umpteenth time since we were children," He rolled his eyes as he left the red-faced pegasus alone in his room before stick his head back in, "Besides, even if I hadn't been wearing underwear is't not like ts would be the first time you've seen me without any clothes on," He smirked then quickly clopped off.

Turning brighter red with both embarrassment and anger the mountain pegasus gave chase after her crush. "Get back here horn head!" she yelled as she flew after Bright, who was belting the who time.

After a few choice words were exchanged the duo settled down after a good scolding from Mystic Hammer and sat down to enjoy their breakfast. Mystic was happily munching away on eggs and hash browns when she noticed her son was hadn't touched his food and was lost in thought. It wasn't unusual for him but the look on his face was one more of passion instead of one of invention, so she turned her to that of Crystal, who was style bright red in the face.

"So," Mystic spoke up. "Do you two have plans for today and tomorrow?"

"Not really," Crystal shook her head slightly. "I was going to go to town and explore a bit. I wanted to actually look around to see what all is here. We've been so busy moving in, fixing up and getting supplies I haven't had the chance to see anything other than where we've been."

"Hmmm...." Bright thought.

"Maybe you should have Bright show you around dear," Mystic stood up grabbing her plate and went over to the sink an washed it. "He's been all over the town getting a list of the ponies that he can go to for supplies or those who know where to go for them. He should have a pretty basic layout of Ponyville. Or at the least enough to where he knows where things are and how to get around."

"Hey yea..." crystal smiled as she looked over the the alicorn. "Wha'd ya say Bright, can ya show me the basics of the town map?"

"Ugh... wha?" Bright was pulled back to reality only slightly looking at Crystal then drifting back into thought again.

"Urahhh.... Typical!" Crystal let out a rough sighed then rolled her eyes and stood up and brought her dishes to Mystic. "So lost in thought that you don't eat and miss the whole conversation," She walked out of the room. "I'll go out in a few minutes Mrs. Hammer. Do you want anything from the market or do you wanna come with?"

"No thank you Crystal," Mystic chuckled. " I was planning on staying here to explore the property seeing as I haven't actually taken time to do that yet," She thought tapping her chin. "Mmm... if you could pick up some flour for me I would much appreciate it. I want to make a couple of Solstice Cakes for us and for the town's party the day after tomorrow."

"Is something going on? Do the ponies celebrate the Solstice here?" Crystal looked puzzled.

"No not like we do," Mystic shook her head. "They call it the Summer Sun Celebration and it's a form of party hosted by a single town which Princess Celestia selects. It's in celebration of the longest day of the year like we celebrate but the ponies in the lowlands here also celebrate the defeat of the dark alicorn Nightmare Moon by the hands of Princess Celestia."

"Neat," Crystal nodded. "Well, I'm headed out!" She left the room

"Crystal wait up!" Bright called out as he frantically scarfed down his cold breakfast and quickly brought it to his mother. "Thanks for breakfast mother," he kissed his mother's cheek and rushed after his childhood friend.

"That colt is so like his father," Mystic shook her head looking out the window as Bright caught up to Crystal and spoke with her as she somewhat ignored him until he got in front her and said something that caused the mare to cross her arms while looking off to the side with a soft smirk. One that only those who've known love would see. "Exactly like his father," Crystal shook her head as she rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Colts," she placed a hand on her necklace. "I hope you're looking down on us and watching over and smiling at the great stallion our boy has become, Iron." A few rears fell to the floor.



Day Six in Ponyville, The Day Before the Day of the Summer Sun Celebration and Nightmare Moon's return

No pony paid much attention to a purple hot air balloon touching down in the middle of Ponyville Town Square. This wasn't an entirely uncommon sight but as most rode ponies the trains balloons at the same time it wasn't entirely a either unheard of occurrence either as they were cheaper to travel as one merely had to buy the one instead of multiple tickets, though they were still slower. From the basket of the balloon hopped down a Lavender unicorn in a cyan sweater vest and a white top with a purple and black plaid skirt. On he face was a pair of black framed rectangular glasses and her mane and tail were a dark purple with raspberry and rose streaks. Her hair was tied back in a pony tail. In here hand was a clipboard. Twilight Sparkle personal student of Princess Celestia, had arrived

Next out of the basket of the balloon popped a short, roughly above Twilight's skirt length, whelping of a drake with purple scales with bright green spines and fines. He wasn't fat but wasn't toned either. His attire was a set of khaki cargo sorts, a black t-shirt under a bright green cargo vets. Enter Spike Everfree Drake, number one assistant to Twilight Sparkle and adopted son of Princess Celestia.
> A Bit of Commotion...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come on Spike," Twilight said as she and her assistant trucked along. "We need to get this done so we can get back to Canterlot and convince the princess of Nightmare Moon's imminent return."

"Twilight I'm all for a good scary story but aren't you taking this a bit far," Spike raised an eyebrow. "I mean... you of all ponies should know better than to put stock in fairy tails."

"I know but this isn't just some fairy tail Spike," Twilight whirled around on her heels. "I know it's facts. I found several books in the Canterlot Library detailing different aspects of the fight between the princess and Nightmare Moon. So we need to finish this to do ASAP so we can get back. Graa... why would she send me here to oversee the final preparations of the Summer Sun Celebration and when Equestria's greatest evil is said to return. It makes no sense!"

"Maybe because Nightmare Moon is an old foal's tale meant to scare fillies and colts in line to keep them from steal cookies at night," Spike snarked. "And because it shows how much mom trusts you. So let's get our priorities straight first," he said blowing some green fire as a scroll and quill appeared from it. "Let's see here... First, we need to tend check-in with all the ponies overseeing the individual events and... Huh?"

"What?" Twilight quickly turned around. 'Did the princess change her mind and decide to hear me out?!" she remarked excitedly.

"Not at all," Spike deadpanned. "She says here that you should also try and make some friends while you're here."

"WHAT?!" Twilight said in outright shock causing a few ponies to turn their heads at the outburst, particularly a pegasus with a very light ice blue coat and a mane and tail of shimmering sapphire with teal streaks.  "She must think I spend too much time in the library to put that on there! I have friends!"

"Twilight," Spike deadpanned with half-lidded eyes. "Who are your friends? List them off here and now, just three of your closest ponies other than me, Shiny, your parents, and Mom. Me and mom don't count because we're technically extended-family. So list now go!" He pointed at the lavender mare.

"Um... let's see..." Twilight rubbed her chin. "Well, there's Dewy."

"The librarian doesn't count," Spike waved his finger. "You barely ever speak to Dewy other than to see what books are in and new."

"Moon Dancer!" She snapped with a smile.

"And when was the last time you two had an actual conversation outside passing in the library?" Spike placed his hands on his sides with a raised eyebrow.

"Um... her birthday last month, "Twilight nervously chuckled.

"Her birthday is two months away Twi," Spike deadpanned again.

"Okay so I don't have much of a social life," Twilight threw her hands up. "Urgh... let's just get done with the list so we can get back to what really matters! What's first?"

"Fine..." Letting out a defeated sight Spike held up the list. "Let's see here... First, we have to... Oh, look a local say hello at least Twi."

An uber pink mare trotted up to the duo, "Ah... hello.'" Twilight gave a nervous grin and slow-wave.

*GASP!* ZOOM! Went the pink mare as she flew off through the air.

"Ooookay..." Spike raised an eyebrow. "So.... the list says the first thing is to check on the food. Prepped by the Apple family. There's no address, it only says go to the farm."

"That's preposterous, let me see!" Twilight snatched the list with her match. "That is what it says," She said flatly. "HOW THE HAY ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FIND A FARM IN A TOWN WE JUST CAME TO!"

"Um... excuse me."

"I mean it's a town, so we should be able to see it from the air but I DIDN'T SEE ONE!"

"EXCUSE ME!" Came a melodically loud voice knocking the dragon and mare on their butts. The duo turned their heads around to see and the earlier staring blue mare. Spike immediately got hearts in his eyes while Twilight shook her head to stop the ringing in her ears. "Sorry about that but you were making a scene and fools of yourselves," The mare helped Twilight to her hooves and dusted her off then helped Spike up. "I overheard the part where you were supposed to go to the Apple farm."

"Do you know where it is?" Twilight pleaded.

"Mhm..." The mare nodded. "They're my next neighbor's. We actually live outside the town on the edge of the forest." She pointed to the town leading.

"You're pretty..." Spike remarked while pointing at the mare.

"Why thank you little gentle," The mare gave a slight bow.

"Wait a sec..." Spike shook off his love struckedness. "You know I'm a dragon and you're... not scared of me..."

"No," The mare tilted her head. "Should I be? I mean I haven't seen any dragons other than you since coming to town. Are they not common here?"

"No," Twilight said in shock. "Dragons are more or less a mystery to ponies. Wait you said 'common here'" She lifted an eyebrow then thought it over before getting super excited. "Does that mean you come from a place where you have dragons as a common appearance?" She got in the mares face quickly before being thrown on her back "Ow..."

"Oh I'm so sorry!" the mare pulled Twilight to her hooves again. "Reflexes," she said sheepishly.

There was a sudden whoosh and a new pegasus mare with prismatic mane and tail appeared. "Are these guys giving you trouble Crystal?" she said in a raspy voice as she squinted at Twilight and Spike.

"No Rainbow they're fine," Crystal waved her hands in front of herself. "She just got too excited and shot in front of me and I reacted on instinct."

"Oh, okay. So you just flipped her," Rainbow backed off. "Sorry about that, I was clearing the sky when I saw you guys down here. Rainbow Dash, Ponyville's current weather team leader and fastest most awesome pony in all Equestria, not to mention future Wonderbolt."

"Aren't the Wonderbolts the top of the top?" Spike pointed out.

"It's why I said 'future Wonderbolt' little dude," Rainbow gave air quotes. "Well, I gotta get back to work. I would normally be done in ten seconds but we have the whole team today so... eh... Later Crystal," she saluted then zoomed off a rainbow trailed after her.

"She's... ah... yea..," Spike turned to Crystal, "So you think you can take us to the Apple's Farm if it's not too much trouble?"

"No issue at all my kind drake," Crystal smiled causing Spike to blush slightly. "I was heading back home anyways, and we live literally next door to the Apples."

"You think we can hear about some of those dragons from where you used to live?" Twilight asked" "Oh yea," she bopped herself on the side of the head. "My name's Twilight Sparkle, personal protege of Princess Celestia. And this is her adopted son and my number one Assistant..."

"Spike Forgorn Everfree Drake, at your service my lady," Spike gave a deep bow while Twilight shook her head.

"Royals," Crystal scratched the back of her head. "That's a first," Recomposing herself she cleared her throat and spoke clearly. "My name is Crystal Hymn and I am from Stalliongrad. I just moved here to town about a week ago, but if you'll follow me I'll take you to the farm and share some information about the dragons of the north."

"Great," Twilight smileI' This so awesome! Tartarus yea, new knowlegde! A Nordic pegasus and she knows about dragons! Perhaps this trip won't be a waste after all



After a while of hearing the stories of Crystal Hymn, the trio arrive at eh Hammer homestead. They all walked on a quaint little property with a barn and home on it. A trail of smoke coming from the smokestack of the house and another from behind the barn.

"So this where we live," Crystal motioned around. "I just have to drop these off in the house," she held a bag of groceries, "and speak with Mystic Hammer, and then I'll take you two to see the Apples. Feel free to look around but be careful," She flapped off to the house.

A scent caught Spike's attention, " Hmm... something smells good..." He said as he sniffed the air and while his mouth watered, he decided to wander off to the source of the smell, entranced by it.

Catching the lavender mare's attention was a large bear sauntering around with a bucket full of what sounded like pieces of metal, "Uh... well... that's something I've never seen before." She raised an eyebrow, "What do you make of it Spike?" She looked to her side. "Spike, where are you going?" She rushed after the dragon.

*BANG!*

"Woooooooow!" Spike said in awe at what he saw before him.

"Spike I know Crystal said we could look around but I don't... think.." Twilight started to scold the drake but was caught off by the melodic tones of a hammer on hot steel. "Wow... so pretty..."

*Bang!*

A heavy sledgehammer with a handle towards the back and most of the metal of the head forward was in the pony's right hand beat down on a bright orange piece of steel being held on a heavy anvil with a pair of long metal tongs. Sparks and scale flew in every direction with each it. Each blew sounded as if it were an entire symphony all its own. There standing at a hammer in hand stood a ponies glowing bright orange, red, white, and blue as the fire he was standing next to. The silver mane and tail moved and shimmered with each strike as if they were made of flames. The eyes of the pony were cover by thick black goggles and the body cover with a thick leather apron. The pony's arms were covered with thick sleeves and heavy leather gloves.

*BANG!*

"Beautiful..." Twilight commented, while catching the pony's attention was on the bear with the bucket of metal in its mouth from earlier sauntered up.

"Hmm..." The pony looked up from his forge as he placed the hot piece of metal in the barrel of oil next to him, it hissed and boiling instantly from the heat. Pulling it out it was revealed to be a shovelhead. "Hmm...." the pony looked over the work. "Need better light," he said in a masculine tone while he turned around to see Twilight and Spike standing there in awe. "Hello there, how can I help you two?" Looking over his shoulder to the bear. "Just leave them there Grover, thank you," the bear set down the bucket and then stared and opened his mouth. The stallion tossed Grover a treat and the bear then walked off happily smacking his lips. "Back to you two."

"Oh, I'm so sorry we were so caught up in watching you work, my name's Twilight Sparkle, and this my little brother slash assistant Spike," Twilight introduced the two of them.

"Give me a moment," the stallion held up a hand as he then undresses himself from his work attire and cleaned off the soot from his face. Coming out he reveals himself to have shining silver hair and a white coat and horn. "That's better," he pushed his goggles up to reveal a set of burning golden eyes. Overall his body was very toned but Twilight noted that if he were approached from behind before he'd spoken she would've thought her was a mare, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of... familiarity. "So Twilight and Spike, why are you here?"

"Crystal brought us out here cause your neighbors are the Apple family," Spike spoke up. "Sorry but I swore I smell cooking gems in there. This is a blacksmith forge but yet I smell roast gems of all kinds," his mouth water.

"So you're a drake," the stallion state down on a barrel with a stern look on his face.

"I'm sorry we interrupted your work Mr..." Twilight apologized again with a bow

"Bright, Bright Stone is my name," Bright Stone crossed his arms. "As for my work, I'm quite used to your reactions after the last few years of creatures walking in on me while I'm doing it. As for interrupting it, I just finished it. As for you young drake," His gaze shifted to Spike. "I am a blacksmith but I also set gemstones into my works and forge gemstone weapons."

"I feel like I have heard of somepony like you before point," Twilight leaned over to look at the smith better.

"Hard to have met somepony that just moved to town a week ago and one that only just arrived from Canterlot," The stallion let out a snort as he stood up.

"How'd you know we're from Canterlot?" Spike raised an eyebrow.

"You both stink of high-end perfume and posh living," Bright stood up. "Come to me for a commission or something? Cause as it stands I'm just the local smith and not taking requests from nobles," he scowled.

"Sure we're from Canterlot but we're not nobles," Spike scrunched his face. "Well... Twi isn't," Twilight looked like she'd just been slapped with a fart. "But she might as well be with her being Mom's personal student." He scratched his head.

"Do forgive me for being rude then," Bright rolled his eyes. "Who is your teacher Ms. Sparkle?"

"How do you not know who her teacher is?" Spike threw his arms up.

"Spike... they're from Stalliongrad remember..." Twilight got on to the little drake. "Sorry about him. He's loyal and can be somewhat defensive due to his nature as a drake.

"I'm well aware of the drake's honor code Ms. Sparkle," Bright crossed his arms again. "Now who are you and why are you here?"

"Like I said we're here to see the Apple Family about the Summer Sun Celebration's food." Twilight explained. "Crystal Hymn brought us here cause you're their neighbors and we're new here. As for who I am, I am the personal student of Princess Celestia and Spike is my little brother and her adopted son."

"Alright then," Bright shrugged off the annoyance of Sparkle. 

"You're... not gonna.. bow to us?" Spike said genuinely at a loss for words.

"Why would I bow to a student and her adopted brother," Bright said in disinterest as he walked into the barn and changed out of his dirty clothes and into his armor and cloak and personal armor. Walking back out he went over to a nearby wall and looked through the long-handled hammers and selected one. "I never cared for nobles growing up in the mountains. We were often overlooked as a Mountain settlement. Sure, my family was much better off than most of the other common ponies but the nobles kept to themselves and only turned to us for when they needed something pretty for themselves or the others in their inner circles." He leaned the hammer on his shoulder revealing his cutie-mark a white diamond on a golden shield with a fire below it and a pair of blacksmith tongs holding one corner of the shield and a sledgehammer beating in the other side setting the gem in place with sparks flying off the strike and the symbol on his breastplate.

"Now I remember," Twilight pointed at the symbol on Bright's chest. "You're the legendary blacksmith of the Reach. I recognize you're symbol from a piece of armor commissioned by a noble and given to the Princess a few years ago."

Spike's jaw dropped. "He's the child of the Conductor. The Most Beautiful Pony Blacksmith... is a dude!"

"Congrats, you found out my secret identity," Bright gave a mock clap. "And keep your big mouths shut about it," He demanded quickly pointing a sledgehammer at the dup. "We came here to get away from... personal reasons and I have a hard enough time keeping things quiet at home. I just want to be a normal blacksmith for a while, if only for a bit." He picked up the shovelhead. "Come on I 'll take you to the Apples, have to drop this shovelhead off anyways." he walked off.

"Shouldn't we tell the upper class he's here?" Spike raised an eyebrow as he looked to Twilight. "I mean his skills are legendary, he'd make a fortune," "He whispers.

"Leave him alone Spike," Twilight held her hand over her chest. "His eyes... they looked so sad. Like his been through a lot. I think it's best we leave him alone. Let's go, we have a job to do."
> Tour of the Town!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




Sometime Later...

"Ohhhhhh......" Twilight drawled on as she walked along. "To much foooooood!"

"I don't really see the problem," Spike licked his claws. "Those Apples sure know how to make a great pie," he remarked as he munched on slice of Apple pie he nabbed on the group's way out the gate. "So ah... Why are you hanging around us? And why are you dressed in armor and carrying a hammer?" Spike asked Stone. "And why aren't you complaining like a stuffed goose like the book pony?"

"The Apple's do know how to cook but they as seriously underestimating of a pony from Stalliongrad," Bright Stone proudly thumped his chest. "A feast as the one Granny Smith is but a small small one and only an appetizer for those of us raised in the mountains young drake. We sit at large tables with many and it is usually first come first serve to eat as much as you can. Due to living in the Mountains, how I was raised, and my profession I metabolize food much faster than a pony that would be from this small town or Canterlot for that matter."

"That still doesn't answer my first questions though," Spike pointed out.

"I have been making sure you you two don't get lost," Bright crossed his arms. "And the arm and hammer are part of a Stalliongrad thing as well, basically who I am. Up north things are a lot wilder than down here. A lot of feral weather not to mention a slew of wild beasts to contend with. I have them mainly out of habit. Where to now?"

"Hmm... Let's see," Spike shrugged and then pulled out the stop list. "Over to the Carousel Beautique to see a mare by the name of Rarity about decorations."

"I know that place," Bright sighed as he remember his first day in town.  "Follow me," he motioned as he got hit with a cloud in the face causing him to be knocked off balance and fall on his butt and knocked Twilight into a mud puddle.

"Twi," Spike rushed to his sister's side. "You okay?"

"I'm... beh... fine, *BURP!*" She suddenly let out a sonic burp lifting her about a foot into the air that caught the attention of everypony nearby, especially a prismatic pegasus. "Um..." She place a hand over her moth as she blushed slightly. "Excuse me..." she said shyly while Spike gave a smirk and thumbs up. Meanwhile a certain pinkie mare was hold up a '10/10' sign in the back ground.

"Whoa that was a seriously sweet one!" Came a compliment in a raspy mare voice. Rainbow Dash descended from above. "Hey there, Apple cooking I'm guessing. Sorry about the whole getting in your face earlier," she notice Bright with face in a cloud. "Sorry Bright, guess we missed one," She said pulling the cloud off the mock unicorn's head, much to his scowling annoyment.

"I'm fine Dash," Bright waved it off, "Though Twilight could use a shower," He smirked. Rainbow looked over and hissed lightly. "Yea I know just the shower what for you," she placed  the cloud over Twilight and before the lavender mare could speak Rainbow punched the cloud soaking the book keeper with a slight down pour and the whirled her drying her off and leaving her with a for of a mane style. 

"Thanks for your patronage at the RainboWash, please tip the washer on your way out," Rainbow bowed. "Later guys I gotta jet and make sure we didn't miss anymore of these guys," She twirled the cloud on her finger. "Laters," whooshed off.

Bright waved and looked at the dizzy unicorn and stifled a laugh, "Come on we need to get to Rarity's so you can check in with her and so she can help you with your head." He waved in the general direction.



A bell over the door rang as two ponies and one young dragon walked through the front of a carousel themed beautique. Anthro-ponyquines lined the entire parlor of the building with the sounds of a sewing machine working were coming from the backroom. Soon hoof steps came from the back out from.  Out from the current separating the back of the sore from the front stepped a unicorn filly.

"Welcome to the Carousel Beatique my name's Sweetie Belle, how may I help you," Sweetie gave a bow and then looked up. "Oh, hello Mr. Stone how are you today?"

"Afternoon Sweetie," Bright returned the bow. "I'm just making sure these two don't get lost on making their rounds to oversee the final preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration." He motioned to Twilight and Spike.

"Oh new ponies," Sweetie eyed the couple. "Wait... are you a dragon?!" She excited zipped in front of Spike and fidgeted with excitement. 

"Why yes, yes I am," Spike proudly stated as he grabbed either side of his vest smiling and let his teeth sparkle. "Name's Spike, and this is my adopted big sister slash boss Twilight Sparkle."

"Hello." Twilight waved sheepishly.

Sweetie was sort of put off be Twilight's mane style then turned back to the drake. "Nice to meet you Spike I hope we can be friends," she turned. "And while I m not one for Disco you... ah... you... ah, yea..."

Twilight felt her mane, "This isn't my usual..."

"Sweetie who are you..." Rarity came out and started to speak but caught sight of Twilight. "OH MY STARS!" She yelled. "In the back now!" She stomped at Twilight.

"But... wha..." Twilight stood there stumped.

"Now, get back here now!" Rarity stomped again. "We must fix that mane of yours! It's absolutely appalling!" She wasted no more time and pulled the lavender mare into her studio.

Bright Stone and Spike looked at each other then to Sweetie then to the current and the sounds of Twilight trying to talk her way out of whatever Rarity was doing. Rarity however was having none of it, then there was a lot of splashing, gurgle and rasping.

"Is she gonna be alright?" Spike pointed at the current.

"As long as she doesn't fight back to much the only thing she would have to worry about is the curling iron of Rarity uses," Sweetie explained the whipped around to he Blacksmith. "Hey Mr. Stone, how has the gem hunt been going? Find anything good? Could I and a couple of my friends maybe come with you next time you go out?"

"It's gone descent enough Sweetie," Bright shrugged. "Nothing to small but nothing in larger pieces but big enough to do small things and finish up some pieces I brought from back home. Most of it is seed materiel and sure you three can come along anytime but you you have have to ask your guardians first."

"Hey Bright," Spike called the smith's attention. "What did you mean by seed material?"

"Bright Stone hunts for the gems he uses at his forge," Sweetie cut in. "Usually he needs fairly descent sized gems but some of the rare stuff he uses he has to grow himself."

Spike tilts his head. "Gems are common but at the same time they can get expensive, especially the rare ones that we need for certain pieces of works that me or my mother create," Bright explained. "So we take the small gemstones and bites and paces like this and use them as seed materiel to grow the gemstones to the size we need if its a specific piece."

"Oh, smart," Spike said as he rubbed his chin. 'Maybe I should do that with some of my left overs that way I an have a steady supply of snacks.'

Soon Twilight and Rarity came out from the back "And don't worry about the decorations darling I have everything under control." Rarity saw Stone and her face went a little pink. "Hello Bright, H-how are you doing toady?"

"Do fine Rarity, thank you for asking," he gave a stoic nod. "Thank you for fixing Twilight's mane. I'm afraid we must be off now. Have a lot to do and have to keep these two on track and from getting lost."

"Alright then," Rarity Rarity gave a slight nod. "Come by for tea sometime when you have free time though. I'd love to talk shop and gems with you."

Giving another strong single nod Bright opened the door. "Let's go you." and then left with guests in tow.

"I need to pay," Twilight said as she reached into her pocket.

"She won't let you," Bright said flatly as he pulled the siblings out with Twilight flailing her arms.

"You like him don't sis," Sweetie Belle gave a cheeky grins.

"Oh be quite and get the mop," Rarity nipped that bud quickly. "How can one mare have so much fight for a simple scrub and rinse?!" She threw her hands up and looked over her soggy abode.



The trio trotted along. "Hmm..." Spike checked off the decorations off the list. "Looks like we only have to talk find the pony who's in charge of he songs and animals now," he rolled up the scroll and thwacked it against his palm. "Some pony by the name of Fluttershy."

"Oh sweet divine," Bright sighed as he pulled his hand down his face.

"Wait a second, you know this mare too?" Twilight crossed her arms.

"She's my neighbor on the other side of my property opposite the Apples," Bright groaned. "If ya would've said something earlier we could've stopped at her cottage on the way into town."

"Well we better get going if we want to get there in time," Spike blew dragon fire on the scroll. "Hey..." his head fins perked up, "Does anypony else hear music?"

Both Twilight and Stone's ears twitched in all direction and caught a faint melody from the bushes. "Oh thank Celestia," Stone sighed in relief.

"What?" Twilight said abruptly. "We don't have time to listen to music we need t-"

Bright put a hand over the obnoxious mare, "That song is who we need to see. Fluttershy is the resident animal caretaker and veterinarian. She will most likely working with the birds on their sing for the Ceremony." He released the mares mouth as she blushed slightly. "But we have to be careful. She is very timid and shy natured. The slightest abrupt motion or loud noise will startle her and then she'll hide under the nearest whatever it is that she can find. Usually a pony she's most comfortable with," he grumbled. "Follow me," Bright motioned to the bushes.

The group slowly walked into a clear with the timid pegasus working with her feathered friends in chorus. Holding his hand up everypony stopped behind Stone and his placed a finger over his lips. Spike and Twilight both rapidly nodded up and down. once the song was done Bright slowly and steadily walked up next to Fluttershy.

"That was very pretty," He said softly.

"Oh..." Fluttershy said softly. "Hello Bright Stone how long have you been here?"

"Long enough to hear most of the song," Bright Stone said as he looked to the pink haired girl sitting on the ground. He reached out and helped her to her feet. "I brought some ponies that needed to speak with you about the preparations of the Summer said Celebrations."

"Oh... um... can you tell them there all done, please... that is if you don't mind?" Fluttershy said softly hiding behind her hair.

"Don't need to," Stone shrugged while Fluttershy looked quizzically at the feminine stallion. "You just told them," he pointed over tot he area where Spike and Twilight were standing.

"Oh my gosh!" She said softly but loudly as she rushed to Spike . "A whelp! Where'd you come from little guy?"

The group got what they needed but Fluttershy continued to hound Spike with questions that the young drake was all to happy to answer. Bright Stone watched in shock as even though he'd only been in town for a week he'd already spent a good bit of time with Fluttershy and aside from the first encounter with her and Grover he'd never seen her so bold or talkative. He was eventually asked by Twilight to take them to the group to the library and he complied and somewhere along the way Fluttershy finally broke away saying he needed to check on something before she head ho home.



"Well this is it Ms. Sparkle," Stone motioned to the library.

"It's... a tree," Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Why? Who on Gaia thought it would be a good idea to make a library of of a still living tree?! Does it even have running water?" She looked at Stone who shrugged.Twilight grunted to herself and opened the door and started to reach for a light switch when...


SURPRISE!!!


"OH SWEET FAUST!" Twilight yelped out in a fright as she shot a beam of purple magic into the air as the lights were thrown on suddenly to reveal the whole town.

Spike and Bright both leaned over slightly; looked to the town then down to the mare who was grasping her chest as if she was having a heart attack and then to the entire of the Library. Spike looked in then to Stone then to  ponies.

"You knew they'd be here didn't you?" Spike smirked.

"I knew of the party but not how it would be delivered," Stone retorted. "Let's have some cake."

"I'm with ya brother," Spike smirked as he pulled his sister to her feet.



The party was in full swing. Everypony or creature was coming by to say hello to the newest pony and drake in Ponyville. It was then the turn of the odd somewhat familiar pink mare from earlier in the day.

"Ah oh... pink at twelve o' clock," Spike whispered to Twilight.

"Oh great..." Twilight muttered to herself as she looked for any other creature to meet with and then spotted Stone in the back of he room sipping on a glass of punch and leaning against the wall. "Perfect!"

Twilight steadily made her way to Bright Stone. "No,:" he said as she showed up. 

"I wasn't gonna say anything," Twilight scowled. 

"Didn't have to protege," He motioned to Pinkie that was still incoming. "Pinkie Pie , is the resident party planner pony. She is somewhat of an oddity so don't question what she does and she's the friendliest pony around."

"But she freaked out when I said 'hello' earlier," Twilight waved her hands.

"No, she just rushed off to set this up," He quickly motioned around.

"Hey there Stoney," Pinkie waved as she finally walked up. "Talking with the new pony. Sorry if I startled you earlier I just get so excited when I meet new creatures that I can be friends with. Hi my names Pinkie Pie and I'm the resident party pony of Ponyville."

"Twilight Sparkle," Twilight said hesitantly.

"Let's down a couple of ciders and start over," Rainbow came over with a few mugs and the rest of the commitee ffor the Celebration. "Kehe- here ya go guys," she held up the mugs.

"Stone noticed the snicker from Dash and took the mug that Twilight was going for," Hey!" she retorted, "that was mine!"

Stone quickly downed the drink without batting an eyelash at the remark while Dash was steadily snickering. "So-ke-Stone, how was it-ke?"

*BURP!*

Bright Stone belted the burp with a bright white flame catching everyponies' attention. "Pretty good stuff Aj," he said to the Apple with a nod then handed the smith a new mug. Rainbow Dash stared perplexed with soot all over her face and then let out a slight cough with a puff of smoke. "Even with Dash's additive of hot sauce."

"I don't think anypony here be able to best you in a drinking game," Pinkie jumped up. 

"Ah'd sure like to give it a try," Aj smirked.

"If Aj is in then so am I," Dash pointed at herself.

"I really don't want to," Bright shied away. He'd been drinking before and he's never been drunk due to two reason. One he was raised in a drink heavy cultured that allowed creatures to drink some from of light alcoholic beverages the gradually increased as the creature got older and two, his alicorn biology metabolized the alcohol almost right away.

"Are ya a stallion or mare?" Aj said with a smirk, the one comparison that would push his buttons.

"Drinking Contest!" Pinkie shouted.

"Bring it on," Bright chugged the mug and slammed it down on the table while everypony else set up a long table with mugs of  hard cider on it.
> Aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




The morning of Day Seven in Ponyville

Stone woke up against a wall in the library. He felt something heavy on his left side. He looked over to see Crystal with her head perched on his shoulder, comfortably snoozing away. stone decide to survey the aftermath of the party, he'd been awake for EVERYTHING after all. He just didn't fell right leaving everypony drunk off their asses to fend for himself.

Pinkie Pie some how insulted a chandelier on the ceiling them proceeded to swing from it after she'd had one to many and she was still up on it even now just snoring in a drunken slumber. Twilight passed out after her fifth pint of ale and she was currently asleep on the floor drooling over a pile of books in front of her. Something about them being her preciousness and  she started collecting them. 

Stone gently propped Crystal up and then quietly stood up and popped his back then walked into the kitchen to find Spike with coffee. "Morning Stone, some party aye? Have to say I've never knew somepony could drink so much!" he pointed at Stone. "And recover in the morning so fast. How's your hangover?" He smirked as he sipped on his mug.

"What hangover?" Stone said bluntly while Spike just stared at the pretty stallion shocked. 

"Uraaaaaawwwww...."

"Who else is in here?" Stone raised an eyebrow while Spike shook his head. 

"Yea look at fridge." Spike pointed at the fridge as he pulled a mug from a cabinet.

Stone turned his head to see Rainbow Dash with her head and top half of her body in the fridge. "So that's where she went?"

"I had Fluttershy flirting with me half the time dude," Spike said as his face lit up. "I think she had almost as much to drink as Applejack before she finally passed out on the couch."

'Shy mare can hold her liquor, noted,' Shone thought in honest shock. "Well that's four of the six that were causing the ruckus," Stone took the mug Spike poured of Black coffee and sipped it. "You seen Aj anywhere kid? She wasn't under the table when I woke up."

"Oh yea," Spike hopped in the opposite chair. "She woke up earlier and said she needed to get back to the farm to help out with the rest of today." He drank some coffee. "Held her head the whole time." Spike snickered.

"Hmm.... Wonder what Rarity is doing?" Stone pondered.

"Also gone," Spike answered. "Woke up paranoid and shot out the door. Screaming something about her makeup..." he waved his hands in the hair then his attention was drawn elsewhere. Spike tapped his chin then his attention was on Crystal Hymn who was just in view from the doorway.

"What is it?" Stone looked at the young drake.

"What are you to Crystal Hymn? I'd say you were her brother or sister on first glance but I saw your mom and she looks nothing like Crystal." Spike said eyes half lidded. "There is your dad but I didn't see him around and I can say neither of you look like him either, from the pictures in books I've seen of him. Are you adopted?"

"No, I was born to my parent like any normal, creature is," Bright Stone said coldly. "Most ponies tend to forget he passed away many years ago. Some of my early works are easily mistaken as his at first glance."

"I'm sorry I forgot," Spike looked down.

"I was very small at the time but I still recall enough about him to say I do love him," Stone said softly. "As for Crystal Hymn, she's my best friend and has been since we were kids. Best friends but not close enough to be considered anything other than that."

"Cool," Spike said as Stone stood up. 

"I'm going to get Crystal and we're heading out," Bright patted Spike on his shoulder. "You won't get anywhere unless you move forward on your own power first," He said softly as if her were speaking to  little brother. Turning swiftly Stone raised a hand and waved 'bye' and then went into the other room. "Thanks for the coffee kid."



"Crystal well you calm down!" Stone yelled at his 'best friend' as she pitched a fit and tossed scrap metal at him.

"I woke up to you carrying me like a new bride asshole!" She yelled. "Why the hell would you carry me through town like that!" She threw another piece of metal barely missing Bright.

"I didn't carry you threw town like that!" he ducked as a ding was heard. "I carried you on my back and then once we got home I set you down to get my keys. I unlocked the front door and then went to pick you back up the other way, that's when you woke up!" He popped up and was hit in the face with a piece of firewood. "Ow.... " he fill backwards and hit his head on the workbench causing a hammer to fall on his hoof. "OW!"

"You didn't carry me through town like that?" Crystal said sternly. "But on you back?"

"Yes," Stone winced in pain as he sat up and rubbed his foot. "I would never humiliate you like that Crystal. Honest. Beside everypony was still asleep or to hangover to notice."

She grabbed the nearest hammer and held it up to his face, "I swear to the all mother that if you ever, ever do something like bridal style to me while I'm asleep and I break that horn off and shove it where the sun don't shine, got it?"

Stone had his hands up and vigorously nodded.

"Good," Crystal slammed the hammer down. "And thanks for bringing me home," she said red-faced. "I'm going inside to take a shower and get some food." Crystal quickly turned and left, dropping the hammer on the anvil with a hefty *DING*.

Grover waddle up and looked from the stallion to the mare and do so several times before looking at Stone with a shit eating grin. Stone soon took notice of the bear, "What the hell are you smiling about?" Grover started to vigorously move his brow line up and down. "Shut up Bobo!" Stone threw a basket over the the bear's head. "She doesn't even like me in that way so stop thinking like that! Sheesh," he crossed his arm and looked away while the bear lifted basket and rolled his eyes while shaking his head. Stone in the mean time got a whiff of himself as he stood up. "Yea she had the right idea and it good we have a shower in the barn. Though cold it still better than waiting." He gimped into the barn for his cold shower.



"OooOOOOoooo..." Twilight bellowed as she along with the others that were still in the library with their heads on the table, even the pink demon had her head down.

"You girls feeling any better?" Spike smirked. "Or ya want aspirin," he held up a box of headache meds ad slightly shook causing the ponies the groan again.

"Asprin please?" Fluttershy held up a hand.

"Sure thing," Spike went and got some water and set it next to the pegusas caretaker. "Hey Spike," she lazily said with bloodshot eyes. "I... ah... I didn't do anything...ah to embarrassing last night... did I?"

"Not really," Spike shrugged. 'You were actually the most normal out of all of after Applejack. All ya did was flirt with me then pass out on the couch," he waved it off with a bit of a blush while Fluttershy went pepper red with a squee.

"Yea. Rainbow kept talking smack with fridge," Spike listed off. "After she that she saw a black coated mare with a light cyan mane, white splotch on her face with powder lavender eyes walk into it and slam the door in her face. So then she kept trying to get in to wherever that mare went to and wore herself out, eventually"

"Hey," Rainbow shot up causing the others to wince at her voice and she grabbed her head for a minute. "That mare has been dodging me for... ssssssss... for months," she threw her head down. "She owe me twelve bits for a gym visit in Cloudsalde."

"Pinkie pelted random ponies with water balloons and a cider gun," Spike held up another finger. "Saying something about a wet t-shirt contest," everypony blushed hard, except Pinkie.

"Hehe... worth it...ow..." Pinkie chuckled then winced.

"Twilight hoarded books for some reason... again..."

"Again?" Twilight looked up. "When was the last time I... oh... the toothpaste incident... yea shutting up now... ow"

"Rarity tried to get everyone to strip for some reason..." he blushed. "She was... some what successful for a few." Spike scratched the back of his head. " So... yea Twi, we're gonna wanna burn those sheets and deep clean that room before we go back to Canterlot." 

"Aj kept wanting to keep testing Stone so she kept challenging him to arm wrestling or in drinking ," Spike crossed his arms. "Safe to say which one he lost and which one he won. I still think he cheated some how. He lost at arm wrestling but when it came to drinking, after he lost he drank faster than Applejack so she kept trying to out do that by doing more drinks, which he still gulped down in one go every time!"

Everypony winced. "Spike voice please... hangovers from Tartarus..." Twilight complained.

Though  she was reeling from her hangover a thought popped into a certain prismatic pegasus's head, "'Hehe.. if you only new kid...' her voice echoed in her head. 'Oh that's cool... Echo..... Echo... ECHO!' sHE WINCED.

'Yea... never a good idea to scream in your own head with a hangvoer, Silly Dashie...

"What the buck!" Rainbow blurted out causing everypony, her included to grab their head.

"Yea, and ya told me not to yell," Spike rolled his eyes.
> The Return of the Moon!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




The Seventh Day's eve...

Stone was finishing up his work for the day and readying to close up shop. He'd only been in town for a little over a week now but he had plenty of customer already. Being more of a rural town most ponies needed farrier work done on their hooves for their more outdoorsy type task. Big Mac had been the first to come to the smith and ask if he did farrier work alongside his regular practice and Stone told the big red stallion he'd started out being a farrier as most blacksmith did but never actually openly advertised for it. He was more familiar with it than he let on though as the blacksmiths in the mountains of Stalliongrad made most of their regular end summer to pre-winter income this way. 

The big apple farm needed a sturdy pair of shoes as even though his sister was physically stronger than him she didn't have the body build for pulling the plow.. As a bigger stallion it was hard for the apples to find Mac a descent par of shoes and they'd often have to be custom ordered. As most of they're money was tied up in the form and homestead of both families, the stallion came to an agreement for a payment in the form of a few installments of apples  and a extra hand around Stone's place and forge every now and then. After the shoes were made Stone had his mother enchant them to never wear out so Mac could keep using them but he'd still have to keep them maintained with regular hoof adjustments before and after he wore them.

"Let's see here," Stone looked at his orders. "All caught up for the next few days. I should be able to make deliveries and help Mother and Crystal around the homestead."

"Mwroaor," Grover over an plopped his overly fuzzy-self down with a thud.

"Oh yeah I forgot the celebration was happening today," Stone took off his apron and tossed it over to the side. He sniffed his arm. "Yea need a nice host shower before I can leave the barn."

Grover leaned over slightly, *SNIFF* SNIFF*. The bear quickly reeled back and threw his fore paws over his nose, "Mrrrrw!" He let out a muffled growl while vigorously nodding his head.

"Can't deny ya there buddy," Stone slightly chuckled as he went in the barn and left a trail of clothes in his wake.

Crystal soon came out and saw the fuzzball. "Hey there Grove," she waved at the teddy. "Where's hornhead at? I wanted to see if he was still coming to the festival with me and his mother."

"Mraw..." The bear roared and pointed to the barn and trail of clothes. "Grawk!" Grover let out a gurgled growl as he waved his paw in front of his snout while holding his nose with his other paw.

"Not surprised," Crystal giggled as she rolled her eyes. "Anyways, tell him when he gets out to meet us at the front gate and we'll all go together," she put her hands behind her back while the bear rolled his eyes and slumped on the ground. 

"They're going to have crystallized summer honey..." The bear was soon one his rear paws and saluting, droll slowly hanging from the side of his maw. "That's better. Send him  our way and I'll bring you some from a stand. You're to big to come into town with all the booth but Pinkie said she has a special spot for you. So we'll meet her after we get there." She walked away.



Sometime later...

"At least the Mayor was nice enough to lit Grover stay at the petting so," Mystic giggled. "Though he'd never hurt pony let a lone foal even if he was provoked, the big ole teddy." The trio looked as a number of foals petted and scratched the overly fuzzy bear.

"I think we can leave him be for now," Crystal nodded as she gave the petting zoo owner a bag of Crystallized Summer honey. "Let the foals give him small pieces every now and then. If he has to much he'll just sleep." She explained to the owner. 

"We'll by back to get him at the end of the ceremony in the morning," Bright said before the trio left.

Mystic saw Filthy Rich and he noticed her and waved her over. Bright Stone saw this and looked at his mother who was hesitant. He knew she'd never love another stallion after his father and the Filthy was married himself but he still though she needed to have a friend to see outside any neighbors. One that would encourage her to come to town for more than just supplies or necessities, still he hoped she'd find some pony or creature to love again

"Why don't you go spend sometime with Mr. Rich mother." Bright suggested. "Me and Crystal can handle ourselves."

"I....ah...." Mystic looked form her son to his best friend. "I... don't think... I should..."

"That's it," Crystal placed a hand over her eyes. "You're going over to say 'hi'. You can't be around us all the time Mystic. We have our own lives to live and our friends we want to see. Speaking of which... you have one over there to go see," She pointed and wasn't taking no for and answer. "I'll be with her for a bit. You try and find some of our friends in the meantime and have some fun. Okay Bright?"

"Sure Crystal," Stone nodded as she and his mother went to see Mr. Rich. "Ooo… Pie contest," he walked over and to the pie contest and found a grumpy Pinkie Pie. "Hey Pinkie, why are ticked?"

"I made cause the writer decided to sideline me in the pie contest," Pinkie made a squinty face. "I mean, Pie, its in my name!"

"Ah... what?" Bright raised an eyebrow.

"Oh idea, why don't you enter the contest?" Pie jumped up quickly. "You're the main character after all, and you're from Stalliongrad, and you have your hidden nature!"

"Wha... how...you..." Stone started to say before he found himself on the stage when a bell rang and signified the start. 

Bright Stone soon found himself being dragged around by several of the mares he'd met this week. Crystal, while not particularly happy about Stone being surrounded be so many females, is still happy to spend time with Bright Stone and a few of their new friends. Spike in particular hangs rather close to Crystal, though she plays it off as a nothing more than a child wanting to spend time with somepony other than his older sister that knew about dragons.



Later on in the early morning hours

"Alright everypony it's time to gather round," Mayor Mare clapped her hands over the crowd from the balcony at townhall. "Now here to raise the sun, Princess Celestia!" She motioned to a current as everypony did there jobs for the reveal but no pony came out. "Ah..."

"There's no pony there!" A stallion in the crowd pointed out. 

"Shut up Derrick!" 

*WHACK!*

"OW!"

"There's no sign of her," Rarity examined the area. 

"Ooo, ooo, is she hiding?" Pinkie jumped about.

"She's gone."

"Man she's good," Pinkie said slyly.

"Oh no..." Twilight looked up as a purple glimmering smoke came out of nowhere and then form into a midnight black alicorn with draconian eyes  with a wispy sparkling mane an tail wearing ornate battle armor, "Nightmare Moon," She flatten her ears against her head.

Stone wanted to get a better look at the armor but he knew that would come later. He sleeked threw the awestruck crowd and with a hand ready on one of his hammers.

"Hello my subjects, it has been to long sense Iv'e last seen you all," Nightmare started to rant while Rainbow tried to charge in but was held back by Applejack. "Have you truly forgotten who I am? Did you not for see the signs of my return? Have a languished for so long that no pony knows me?!" She stomped her armored hoof on the ground.

Twilight spoke up, "I saw them. I know who you are, you are the mare in the moon , Nightmare Moon!"

The crowd gave a collective gasp.

"Well at least somepony remembers me," Moon smiled evilly. "Well if you know who I am then you'll also know why I am here!" She started to laugh as she rose from the ground with a flap of her wing while her mane and extended outward with lightening.

"EVERYPONY GET DOWN!" Bright Stone boomed Jumping up. As he did he threw several of his tools that he kept stashed on himself around the crowd in circle then slammed one of his hammer into the floor while he discreetly jumped up into the rafters. A large golden amber dome formed over the crowd, shielding them from the lightening.

Moon looked on in surprise, "A level eight arcane item barrier?" She smirked. "So there is a mage in this age that can still use the arcane magic of old. SHOW YOURSELF!"

"Over here!" Bright jumped from the rafters and swung his war-hammer down. Nightmare countered by summon duel moon themed black kopeshes.

"Hehehe..." Nightmare cackled as the sparked flew from the inter-locked weapons. "You've got guts and strength, not to mention potential in magic and magical artifacts. And you're gorgeous as well," She looked over her shoulder at the barrier. She'd even have a hard time breaking through it. "Things not common amongst many unicorns all at once," She forced him back causing him to land on the balcony. "I can see you're the one who cast that barrier. Why save them?"

"This is my home. My friends and family are down there," Bright scowled.

"Why waste time on insects like them?" Moon motioned to the still cowering ponies. "There nothing. You... you can be so much better, so much more," She dispelled one of her blades on held out her left hand. "Come and join me, and you can have it all. Money power mares, anything and everything you want is your's for the taking. Would do you say? She evil smiled at the stallion.

Bright Stone tightened his grip on his hammer and it was soon curved in and glittering amber aura as he reeled back, "GET OUT OF MY TOWN!" Bright Stone yelled as he swung his hammer but out was clear that it would reach Nightmare,. At least that's what everypony there thought. Suddenly as Stone swung his weapon the aura covering it extended outward, forming into a magical construct of a gigantic hammer.

"WHAT?!" Is all Nightmare could say as the hammer kneels her. Before she can anymore damage she turns to smoke and flies away.

Stone quickly deactivates his spell and uses the hammer to catch himself from falling. He places his weapon on his back and walks over to the barrier and deactivates it. The winded, he was still standing there in front of everypony who stares at like a deer stares at oncoming traffic. Crystal and his mother quickly rush to the Young stallions side.

"Bright," Mystic hugged her boy as she trembled.

"STUPID!" Crystal cried as she beat on his chest. "STUPID, STUPID STUPID!  WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE STUPID?!"

"Sorry," He hugged them both as they wept. "I kind of just acted on my own before I realized what was going on."

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Rainbow excitedly got in Bright's face, "You well I'm here. *jump* Everypony get down! *summons awesome shield* *vanish* Then you kicked some serious Nightmare flank dude!"

"You sure did a number on that mare sugarcube," Applejack gave a confident slapped to the back.

"While normally I appall violence I'm not against it when the moment calls for it," Rarity gave a sigh of relief. "Especially when a lot of ponies are in danger.."

"Oh... she didn't hurt you did she Bright?" Fluttershy asked. "I'll got get a med-kit. Somepony needs to treat your wounds... that is if you want?" She hurriedly clopped off.

"You-are-so-cool!" Spike jumped up.

"Yea," Pinkie chimed in. "You hit her so hard she exploded! Like a pony pinata!"

"That was not normal magic you used," Twilight stood in front. "That type of magic hasn't been used in centuries. Who taught you to use Arcane magic?" She pleased her hand on his shoulder and started to shake the smith. "TELL ME EVERYTHING!"

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa," Stone said as she shook the stallion.

"Twilight STOP THAT!" Crystal Hymn broke the unicorn's firm grip on the stallion and then pulled him into her arms. She glared at the librarian with reddened eyes. "Stone has been through quite a lot and he's just faced one of the worst demons of all Equestrian history will protecting the whole town and you're literally shaking him down for information!"

"Ah sorry," Twilight stepped back with a bit of red in her cheeks. "But in all seriousness? How do you know Arcane Magic? It's incredibly hard to learn even one spell of it let alone that shield spell you cast."

"Ya mean that wasn't normal magic?"  Applejack scratched her head tilting her head back.

"Far from dear," Rarity crossed her arms. "Arcane magic is one of the most powerful magics anypony can learn. Its basic attack spells can easily be an par with any high-tier guard pony attack spell. What's more is that even pegasi and earth ponies can learn Arcane magic, any creature can as long as they possess some merit of magic."

"Then why doesn't everypony learn it?" Dash pointed out the obvious question.

"It's incredibly hard to learn due to the raw magic used in its spell work," Twilight said. "But if somepony can learn it they and master it they would be almost unbeatable as a mage, except for the princess. I didn't know Arcane magic was still practiced."

Crystal pulls a chair up and helps Bright Stone sit while catching his breath. Meanwhile his mother stepped up in order to explain a few things.

"Arcane magic isn't practiced outside many circle unless its minor spells," Mystic Hammer. "Like beauty enhancement to make jewelry more appealing or shield runes on tools for a forge. Arcane magic lets items have types of enhancements in a single thing."

"So he learned Arcane from you," Twilight looked at the older mare.

"Some of it yes," Mystic nodded. "Bright Stone is... a very gifted boy. He always seeks knowledge in everything he does and that especially goes for his work. I taught him the techniques passed down from my family and he learned more from the books his father left him which he received when he was around six when he got his cutie-mark. He later took to learning by getting his hand on anything he could, even if it was a foal's story book," She shook her head and looked at her soon. "He learned that Arcane magic is something that one must create by imbuing magic into items, something that his father did with out realizing. Stone is so talented in that it comes as a second nature to it. The tools he used here were all forged and imbued by him."

"Dude," Spike looked over at the stallion leaning back in the chair nearby. "You're not cool, your freakin sick." Spike gave a rock and roll devil horns with his right hand.

"I'll say," Rainbow backed the dragon.

"Enough," Stone thumped his hammer on the floor as he stood up. His tools all floated in an glittering amber aura and return to him. "There is a job that needs finishing."

"What job? You beat the bad guy already?" Pinkie jumped. "Oh we need a 'you saved the day party!"

"I did not beat her," Stone said harshly as he slightly turned to look at everypony. "I may have damaged her armor slightly but she is far from beaten."

"Where are you going then?" Rainbow said. "Running away?"

"No, I'm going to the Castle of the of Day and Night to retrieve what can beat her and destroy her," he said walking out the door followed by everypony.

"How do ya know what can beat her and about the castle in the forest?" Applejack cut in.

"In the stories we're raised on in Stalliongrad they spoke of how the the Sun Mother defeat the evil demon who stole her sister's from after killing the Lunar Mother," Stone said as he pressed on. "Those stories spoke of six jewels the Sun Mother wielded with her sister but as her sister had been killed she wielded the jewels on her own to banish the demon to his sister's moon. But so great was the burden of the power of all six of the enchanted stones that without her sister to help bare the burden the Solar Mother lost her connection to the jewels."

"In the stories Stalliongrad the gems are called the Rainbow Jewels of Balance," Mystic added. "But you ponies call them The Elements of Harmony. Stone thinks they may still be in the castle, waiting for some pony else to bare them and take up the mantle to finish the battle with the ancient demon that was sated many moons ago."

"Then it's settled." Rainbow pounded her fist into her palm. "We're coming with you."

"No," Stone walked on as everypony stopped. "I'm going alone."

"Stone you're nuts if you think I'm letting you go in there alone," Crystal flew in front of his face. "No way in all of Neadhog's over grown roots of the world."

"Crystal," Stone placed a hand on her shoulder, "Thank you," he said softly as she then fill asleep and dropped into his arms. "Grover!" He called out and ass soon as he did the large fuzzy bear came barreling down the street. Stone set Crystal n his back. "Mother," he turned to face Mystic Hammer who wrapped him in a warm hug.

"I know you have to go," She pulled back with tears in her eyes then turned to the mane six with a stern gaze. "You six better watch my boy's back in there," "Yes ma'am" they all nodded. "Spike help me get the town in order." Spike saluted and trailed behind Mystic.

'"I know I can't stop you six with a simple sleep spell," Stone sighed as they shook their heads. "Let's go," He whirled around and trotted off with the six mares right behind him.
> Into The Everfree, the End to an Old Pony's Tale...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




Stone and the mane six walked into the Everfree. Most of them except for Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack wasn't familiar with the layout of the forest as they had made several occasional trips into the dark woods on their own. Rarity only went in when she was in need of gemstones that could only be found here. Many of Fluttershy's animal friends live in the outer lying less dense area of the forest. Dash knew a general map above the forest from having to fly over and buck off a few stray feral storm clouds but she never actually went into the forest itself. Applejack and her older brother along with the occasional Apple family member came in to retrieve wild Zap Apples when it was the fruit's time of year to be harvested and the Apple Family's own Trees hadn't yielded a will enough crop. But just because they went in often enough didn't make them any less than scared of Everfree Forest.

"So I have to ask," Twilight leaned over and whispered to Rainbow. "Bright Stone, he's only been here a week and yet all of you seem to really trust him. Why?"

"For me," Dash thought back to her first encounter with the 'unicorn' stallion in front of the group. "It's similar to how we first met." She motioned between herself and Twilight, "I accused Stone of doing something to Rarity but I got a lot rougher with him than I did with you. At the time I that he did something to Rarity and her little sister." Dash placed her arms behind her and looked over away from Twilight, "Then I went to apologize to him the next after Sweetie Belle, Rarity's little sister, had explained things to me. We hashed it out and he told me something about himself, it's totally private so don't ask to know. I made a Pinkie Promise to never tell anypony."

"A what now?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"A Pinkie Promise," Pinkie popped up between the two mares and pulled Twilight over to her cheek, and whispered. "It's a very special type of promise that you neeeeeeeeever eeeeeeeeeeeeever break not mater what, lest you wish to invoke dire consequences," She whispers ominously as she slowly recedes downward.

"Oooookkkaaaay..." Twilight raised a another eyebrow and then turned to Rainbow.

The prismatic mare merely shrugged, "It's Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, don't ever question it, like ever. As for the Promise... it's just like Pinkie explained. It's a promise you can't ever break unless you really wanna suffer for it," Rainbow looked at the smith as a lock of green hair fills in front of her eye. She pushed it up as she smirked, "As for Stone, the guy trusted me with a BIG secret of his and he trusts me to keep it so I trust him. That's my reason anyway and I'm sticking by it and him as I do with all my friends, I'm loyal to a fault that way," She looked up placing her hands behind her head again.

Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushed and out jumped a pack of five or six Timberwolves. The mares all froze but Bright Stone held up his warhammer and charged them. He smashed the first's head with his weapon and sired it as the hammer's head caught fire. Another jumped, mouth wide open, but Stone caught the beast with his free hand and crushed the wolf's skull, and tossed it into another. The animals explode and Bright threw his hammer forward and burned the remains without a second thought. "That leaves only two," he said looking at the wolves as they sneered at the group. Stone pulled out two knives and threw them into the Timberwolves' heads which then proceeded to erupt into minor fiery explosions. Stone used his magic and summoned his knives back to him and walked on.

"How?" Twilight looked shocked.

"Yah just took down a whole pack Timberwolves... single-handed and so fast," Applejack spoke up ."How come ya weren't even just a little bit scared?"

"I grew up in the mountains of the north, remember, and there are plenty of Timberwolf packs that are easily three times the size of the one I just put to rest," Stone shrugged off he comment only to slightly look back over his shoulder. "They were the problem up north and everypony is taught from a young age how to best deal with them. The trick to keeping them from regenerating is fire," he pulled out his knives. "These are Fire Rune knives a common staple for every house back home. The timberwolf sap is extremely flammable and doesn't go out once ignited and neither do they until the sap is completely burnt up. The trick is to target their heads and burn them. My knives are custom made by myself and inscribed with a special rune.  They're enchanted to actually boil the sap with extreme rapid heating instead of burning it thus the small explosions."

"Why not just obliterate them like you did the second two?" Twilight looked at the knives curiously.

"Timberwolf sap is good fire fuel for my forge," Stone placed the knives at his belt. "Even if the wood is very damp, if it has just a bit of the sap on it it will burn. It's great in the long winters plus the potent smell keeps the beasts away unless they're just really bold or really desperate. It's especially useful if you have wood that is thoroughly soaked or doesn't burn very well and takes forever to burn. Like I said I use it in my forge, for many reasons actually. If I have something that needs a long slow heat over an extended period of time I use a wood that burns for a long time but doesn't catch a flame very well. If it's been soaked in just in or even has a bit of a coat of the Timberwolf sap then I have a good burning fire that lasts a long time. Now, enough playing, we have a Castle to reach." He moved on.

"Applejack, was what he said true?" Rarity leaned forward.

"All the words that came out of his mouth were true," Applejack confirmed. "And I HONESTLY had no idea them varmints could be useful in the ways but I guess when ya have to deal with them on a more common basis like Stone had to ya figure out how they tick and ways to deal with them that most wouldn't think of as well as ways to use um. I know he's tellin the truth but at the same time he stilling ain't sayin everythin."

"The way he dealt with them though..." Rarity shuddered slightly.

"Yea, it wasn't just... dealing with them," Applejack noted. "Ah saw his eyes, they were full of anger."



After some time in the Everfree...

"So what's the plan once we find these Element thingings?" Pinkie asked as she bounced a long the trail.

"We use them," Stone said flatly.

"Do ya even know how to use these do dats?" Applejack looked at Stone as the group walked near the edge of a raven.

"No," he replied flatly again but stopped.

"Then how the hay are we supposed ta-oof!" Applejack was saying as she walked but was stopped by Bright's out stretched hammer causing the others to run into her. "What the hay did ya stop us fer?"

He looked at the girls then to the ground and tapped it with his hammer. As soon as he did the entire  cliff face crumbles away into pieces down into the gully below. The girls all looked over the side and took big gulps as Bright Stone knelt down and checked the soil. "The soil is saturated here," he held up a chunk of the cliffside and squeezed it, causing mudding water to flow out of the mud clod. "A heavy storm washed large piece of the side of the raven recemtly and left the surrounding ground water logged. It's common in valleies like this back home during spring. Tread carefully girls," he jumped off the side and slid down the steep ledge. 

He felt a trail of his tools as he did. They heat the generated quickly dried and hardened the mud into a walkable path.

"Applejack do you think that's really the best way to get down there?" Twilight asked.

"In my honest opinion, no, as we could just go around and find a descent trail ta follow but that's time we don't have Twilight," Applejack placed a hand on her friend's back. "But it is the quickest way and I do have faith in our friends. Stone is pretty tough has his tricks. He stood up to Nightmare so I'll put a bit more faith in him and what he's doin. I do know that he's said nothin but the truth so far but, it's clear he's... not just your average unicorn either. For now let's just follow his lead."

"If you say so," Twilight sighs and went down along with the others. 

As soon as everypony was down Stone summoned his tools back to him and they were on their way once more. Not longer after they were on their way again a gruesome howl cut through the night. A figure of a creature emerged from the shadows of the nearby trees. Everypony readied for a fight as the beast let out another hollow and raised its paws in the air. Stone took note that instead of trying to fight Fluttershy was trying to stop everypony.

Just as everypony was about to take their turn, "Stop," Cried Stone. "The beast is in pain otherwise a manticore would never raise both front paws off the ground except to frighten off potential predators. IF it hollows as such a us then it perceives us as a threat," He looked over to Fluttershy. "You can speak with animals correct," She nodded. "Can you help it and have it let us pass?"

"I can try," She softly responds before fluttering to the manticore and after a bit of baby talk and quick whimpering it showed the animal care taker it paw which had a rather large freshly plucked thorn in it. After a quick removal. another roar of pain, then some licking from their foe. "There we go all better. Now run along and play," Fluttershy patted the manticore's head and then it bounded off. The beast moved out of the way and the ponies once more went on their way. 

"How did you know it was defending itself?" Twilight asked stone

"Other than Nightmare Moon, we're technically the only predators on the path other than it," Stone pointed to the animal tracks in the mud. "The tracks all lead away from where we're going. The only reason an animal would still be here at this point is because it got left behind for some reason or another that prevents it from moving fast, thus the thorn in the beast's paw."

"That makes a lot of since," Twilight nodded.

"Ponies are typically viewed at prey but alicorns are the exception," Flutterhsy said. "That and or she is a demon. Manticores are some of the bigger predators of Everfree and if their frightened enough to run they are usually the first gone."

"I see," Twilight said as they group trotted along.

"I think somepony is playing games with us," Stone said to himself as the walked along.

Another hour soon passed at the friends came to an eerily darker part of the forest. Then there was a scream, followed by another, then another, and then followed by more girlish freaking out. Stone looked around and raised an eyebrow and then heard the giggling of a pippy pink pony. He looked over and saw Pinkie pointing and laughing at her friends and then to what looked like a scary face carved into a tree. When he actually thought about the girls' antics he could help but laugh too.

"What are you two doing? RUN!" Twilight shouted.

"Twilight," Stone calmed down and gad a glow on  his hammer, "It's nothing to be scared of," he held the hammer head up to the 'face'. "These are just trees," He snickered.

That's when Pinkie started to sing, which Bright Stone rolled his eyes to to and walked a long with the group. All the time Pinkie song and answered the girls' questions as they popped up and told them to merely laugh away their fears. Sure enough, the scary tree faces soon turned back into normal trees with a pink poof. It lasted for around three minutes. Once all was said done, they were on their way again.

It wasn't long before the group came upon a  fairly wide river that was churning with foam like that from the moth of a rapid dog. They then heard welling coming from down river and looked to see a darkish purple sea serpent with a brilliant orange lox and very uneven mustache.

"Looks like we found the source of the rapids," Twilight deadpanned.

"Let's see if he can help us cross, or at least shut him up so we can cross,"  Rainbow covered her hears as the serpent sent a large splash of water at the ponies.

"Nope, not getting my tools drenched," Stone said as he quickly put up a shield and splashed the serpent with his own wave.

As soon at the serpent was splashed he whaled out even hard, "OHHHH, WHY? WHAY MUST EVERYTHING BE SO CRUEL TO ME?! OH WOAH IS ME?" He balled. "FISRT MY FABULUS MUSTACHE IS RIPPED AWAY BY SOEMTHING AND NOW PONIES ARE SPLASH MY BEAUTIFUL FACE! OH WOAH IS ME!"

"He's beenin rather over dramatic over a bit of water to the face and some face fuzz don't ya think?" Applejack raised an eyebrow.

"I have to agree but I must also sympathize bit," Rarity added.

"I must also agree but to both," Stone added. "Being born in Stalliongrad every colt hopes to grow their own facial hair. Once they start the are no longer considered a colt but a stallion as it marks them on the path to adulthood. To take a males mustache against his well," Stone clenched his fist, " Is a crime of the highest order," he pounted to hte sky as Pinkie project a spot light on him from above. 

"In any case I think we should help the poor dear," Rarity said a she walked over and spoke with the serpent. She quickly found out his name was Steven Magnet and also that he was quite the 'Drama Queen'. "Mister Stone, You would happen to have a pair of tongs on you that I could borrow would you?"

"Here," Stone lent Rarity the tongs. Wondering what she was doing everypony and serpent watched as the yanked a scale from Steven cut off her own tail. Causing everypony to gasp in shock and the serpent to mock faint. She then used the scale and her tail to recomplete Steven's mustache. "There you are darling, though not entire the same length but better than it was. Thank you for the loan Mister Stone," she returned the tongs. "Mow if you'll excuse us Mister Magnet we must find a way to cross."

"Oh ho, please allow me," Steven said as he made a hopping path with his tail. "It's the least I can do for you giving me back my fabulous mustache."

No pony was going to argue with the drama serpent so the took the the opportunity as it presented itself. As soon as the ponies had crossed the river the walked a ways and soon came to see the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters in the distance. Twilight being the ever eager one quickly sprinted ahead. Sone however saw a thick fig in front of the castle and of he knew anything about castle, where there was fog there was water, and where there was water there was a moat.

"Come everypony, its right there," Twilight sped ahead. "Whoa!"

"Careful there egghead," Rainbow zipped over and pulled on Twilight's tail causing the unicorn to fall back on her rump. "Can't help us save the world if you go splat down there," she pointed to the bottom of a massive raven.

"Great," Pinkie hmphed. "How do we get across this one?"

"Ah bridge," Rainbow pointed, "Wings."

"Oh yeah," Pinkie giggled as Dash flew over and grabbed the bridge to tie it off on the other side. 

Then she did somepony started to call to her. "“Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiinnnnbooooooooooooooowwwwwww Daaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh, 

"What?" Rainbow looked around. "Who's there? Come out and fight like a pony!" She jabbed at the air.

"You are the fastest in all over Equestria..."

"What really," Rainbow answered back "You wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that would you? I am a huge fan and have been trying to get in with then for, forever."

On the other side Stone was staring at the Pegasus, hard.

Rainbow was wrapped up in compliments, "No Rainbow Dash we want you," said the voice as three pegasi galloped out of the mist in purple body suit with bronze reflective goggles on. "We are the Shadowbolts! We are greatest of all the Everfree and soon we will be the greatest in the world!" The pegasi laid it on thick. "We need a caption!" One who-"

Meanwhile, Bright Stone saw the pegasi come out of the fog. "She's not alone over there," He quickly turned to a nearby tree and pulled his warhammer from his back. The weapon glowed and he sung it hard against the tree's trunk brings it down.

"What are you doing with that darling?" Rarity looked in shock as Stone hoisted the tree on othis shoulder with his own strength. "Oh my," Rarity mouthed to herself a she saw Stone's muscle.

"Stone, we don't have time ta play with trees," Applejack scolded. 'Though ya do look good doin it.'

"Then help me throw this damn thing!" He growled. with some help from Applejack the duo threw the tree across the raven and manage to stick it into the other side's wall.

"What was that?" Rainbow was pulled from her compliment induced magic  stupor. 

"Nothing at all, now what do you say Rainbow Dash, will you join us?" The shadow mare asked.

"Yes sure, but first I have to help me friends cross, then we can talk shop after we save the world and junk," Rainbow waved off the mare as he went to grabbed the rope.

"NO!" The mare shouted. "You choose her and now Rainbow Dash! Them or us!"

"Oh okay I get it," Rainbow nodded solemnly.

"Good," the mare smirked. "Now-"

"I choose them," Rainbow pointed over her shoulder.

Meanwhile...

"This is crazy," Twilight motioned.

"Other then Fluttershy trying to fly over, which she won't do to heights, this is faster," Stone stated. As he looked at Twilight and Rarity, their horns lit aura, around him, 

Applejack was curled up and the ground with her hooves against a branch, "Still crazy," she pointed out.

"But it'll be funner," Pinkie added next to Applejack as their hooves were against a sturdy branch which Stone was standing on.

"I don't think that's a word," Flutter shy pondered.

"Just shut up and throw me women," Stone yelled, and they did. As they all acted like the parts of a pony spring bored and shot Stone across. "HOLY MOTHER OF THE SUN!" he remarks sailing through the air as he touched down on the tree and used it to spring board up.

"Yea, I 'll chose my friends any day over some stupid care," Rainbow scold.

"Stupid child," The mare seethed. "You will-" *whoosh* "What was that?" she looked around only for her eyes to come to rest on a pony surrounded by a dust cloud. "WHO THE BU-"

She didn't even get to finish her sentence a a hammer his her right in the face sending her flying back, "You okay Rainbow?" Stone asked.

"Hey Stone, yea I'm fine," Rainbow waved it off. "Thanks for coming over to help, let me tie up the bridge." After doing this Rainbow and  Stone laid the smack down on some evil to the point two went puff into purple smoke., one by Dash punching it hard enough in the face the other by her tossing it over the side of the cliff.

"I have to he tell the mistress," The mare panicked and tried to run only for Stone to grab her by the head and force her against the tree.

"You're not going anywhere," Stone said coldly as he looked at her with one eye as he applied pressure to the mare's skull, "Ah, it hurts please... stopped..." she wined.

Stone slammed her into a tree, cracking her goggles. If you listened close enough one could here cracks, "Why should I?" Stone said coldly as the others came over to the other side as bore witness to the seen. 

The mare's goggle cracked more and totally shattered to reveal a dark blue eye with tears running down her face, "Because I don't want to die!" she pleaded. 

"Stone..." Twilight started but was stopped by Dash and the others.

"I've lived here in this forest all my life and no pony has ever accepted me after my mother left me as a filly," She cried. "Then, this black mare came to me in my dreams and said to ready things for her return and she said I would finally be loved and accepted. So did what I was told and then she came," she cried. "She made friends for me and asked me to stop your group and persuade Rainbow Dash to join us, but if she didn't I was to keep you all here until she came," She whimpered. "Now you've caught me destroyed my friends. I might as be dead.. so go ahead and kill me... end this!"

Stone let her go and then took a handkerchief and dried the mares eyes after removing her goggles, "I kind of know how you feel, I was once all alone in nothing but darkness for a long time it seem. I was then living out in the woods, though I did have ponies to count on and I eventually met everpony here and they are my friends now," He smiled at the mare. "What's your name?"

"Midnight Whisper," She sniffeld.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted and I am more than will to be your friend but I must ask that you stay here until we return," Stone said.

"I know, you're going to stop the mistress," she looked down. "Am... Am I going to be punished?"

"In some way yes," Stone nodded causing her to flinch. "But I won't let it be to  bad," he stood up, "Just stay here until we come back for you and I promise you won't ever be alone again."

"Okay," Whisper looked down.

"I'll be wanting that back," Stone motioned to the handkerchief. "Com on everypony lets get to the castle," the girls unanimously nodded and they all took off again levering Whisper alone under the tree.

She looked at the group, "Friends," she looked at Stone specifically.





 Sometime later...

The group walked into the castle through the set of large old decrypted ornate cedar doors. Though the were indeed old they were still in much better shape than somepony would think with out further inspection. It took all seven ponies to heavy their way in to the main area of the place. All around them the walls were adorned with sun and moon symbols and tapestries lined the walls of the chamber. Even with the ravages of time and the wilds against it , the castle was still an imposing place. The roof in this area had long since blown off in a storm leaving the night sky in full view above them, a chilling reminder of what awaited forever if they failed. The large windows of the room were all destroyed and plants had long since crept into the building hugging the walls and pillars around the room. 

On the far side of the room sat tow thrones of equal size and regality, one was a blue sparkling one with a crescent moon as the topper while right next to it on its left was the other throne that was a shimmering gold throne adorned worth a sun as its topper. 

But there was an oddity that there in the enter of the room. It was a massive statue of some sort in the in the very middle of the room, some might consider it an eye sore or perhaps a center piece for a fountain that some pony was installing but never finished. Oddly enough it was there none the less, almost un touched it seemed.

Twilight blinked as she looked up at the statue curiously. Plant life covered it and it seemed to be a large planet with rotating arms that circled with five smaller moons around it. The arms were fixed and the large planet featureless, though the five moons, the planted seemed to be severally damaged. The five orbs had some sort of a gem shaped designs on each of them upon closer inspection. He'd never seen such a device before however Twilight recalled see it back in one of the books from the library. She knew exactly what it was.

“Hmm?” Rarity questioned.” What is it?”

“This statue was in a drawing in the book about the Elements of Harmony I read back in Canterlot and again at Golden Oaks,” Twilight explained.

“So what, these are the Elements then?” Applejack questioned as she pointed to the orbs.

“This screams trap if you ask me,” Rainbow Dash commented.

“The statues too new.” Pinkie Pie explained as she hopped up to poke at the base of it.” The rock around the base looks like some kind of cement was used to glue it down and the whole things newer than the flagstones are. ” The others looked at the pink mare curiously. "Sorry, I grew up on a rock farm. It was our job to push stones around in the dirt to pull the minerals in the soil to form pure rocks of specific minerals."

“It's not that new though. See the white streaks in the stone. That's caused from years of bird leaving their dropping behind on it. Even rain won't wash it away completely.” Fluttershy explained to the others.” There's a few small wren nests in the crook of the arm over there too. And there's a series of mud dauber wasp nests underneath the main globe especally in the missing part in the center piece. It has been here at least since the spring.” 

"I say this has been here for some time, not at long as the castle if you take into account all of what dear Fluttershy and Pinkie have just explained," Rarity added.

"Clearly," Stone put tin as he examined the statue then knelt down to look at the flagstone on which it sat. "I'd say the it's been here nearly a thousand yours though, judging by how old the marble and granite tiles it's sitting on. Like Pinkie said it was cemented in place. I've seen these patterns in earlier fortresses in the mountains back home that nobles used as homesteads.

“So it's not a trap then," Rainbow summed it all up.

"Quick every pony," Twilight caught their attention. "We need to those stones."

Rainbow quickly went at it, flying up and picking up the first orb with her hands. Twilight winced, though aside from the sound of stone rasping over stone as they were lifted. Fluttershy flew up to help Rainbow Dash, blinking as she picked up a orb and flew it down. Everypony else helped to steadily place the stones on the floor.

“Oh, this is very light.” Fluttershy commented.

“It's pumice.” Pinkie pointed out as she counted the orbs.

"A form of volcanic ash and limestone right?" Stone looked at the pink mare who vigorously nodded in conformation.

”There's only five here though," Twilight counted the stones. 

"Wasn't there supposed to be more?" Rarity tilted her head.

"Indeed," Stone rubbed his chin. "in all the stories I'd been told growing up there had always been six stones."

"What about that there middle piece Rainbow?" Applejack looked to the stunt fly.

Rainbow tried to but couldn't move the large orb, "Nada, it ain't gonna budge," She landed with a clop. "So where is it? In side the whole thing?"

"I don't think so, the book said that when the five are present a spark will cause the sixth to appear.” Twilight started to think.

“So what, should I go gather some clouds or something?” Rainbow Dash asked looking up at the sky. "It might take a few minutes to get enough together for some lightning, it's pretty clear out here right now.”

“Ah don't think that's the kinda spark she was talkin about Rainbow.” Applejack stated. "Got any ideas Twilight?”

“I might have something. I need to run through a few spells and I don't know what will happen if there's some sort of defensive enchantments on these.” Twilight stated as she knelt down before the orbs. “You might want to give me some space just in case anything happens. I have my shield, but it's easier to use it if it's just on me than on a group of ponies.”

“Alright ya'll, come on let's head back outside and check on Whisper. I know the filly was tryin to stop us but I still feel bad for her bein tricked like that, “ Applejack stated heading to the door, the others somewhat reluctantly following her.

“Don't blow yourself up now okay?” Rainbow Dash called back with a smirk.

“And watch out for Black Snooty.” Pinkie Pie called.

“Darling, do be careful,” Rarity said as she looked around. "And like Pinkie said, keep an eye out."

"We'll be just out here if you need use Twilight," Fluttershy added.

"Don't frit if you need use Twilight," Stone nodded and joined the others.

She watched as they left before turning her full attention to the orbs. Her horn glowed lightly as Twilight took a deep breath started to run a few initial scanning spells over the artifacts. She was looking for any hints that they were anything other than balls of rock. She could feel something in them from the scan, but nothing she could identify at first.

Suddenly, her ears flattened to her head as she heard the wind pick up.  Of all the times for the weather to pick up, a chill ran down her spine. Twilight opened her eyes and jerk back with a start, a dark blue vortex of magic had formed before her and had swept up the stones spinning them around in the air.

“GAAAAAAH!” Twilight cried out hearing shouting outside as the others heard her. 

"Twilight what happened?" Rainbow was the first in the room.

Stone looked around, "Where are the Element?"

In a whirl of purple and violet spun around the group with the Elements in its grasp, an evil cackle could be heard on the wind. Then it quickly darted out through a door that led to another large room.

"We have to get that orbs back," Twilight gave chase. The others rushed into the room just as the vortex vanished, taking Twilight and the Elements of Harmony with it.

"Twilight get back here," Stone said as he and the others followed.

“Twilight!?” Applejack called looking around fanatically.

“Over there!” Rarity called out looking out a window to the main area of the castle, the windows there flickering with light.

“Come on!” Rainbow Dash shouted and rushed towards the doors at the back of the room , the group charging deeper into the castle.

"Wait for me! Wait for me!" Pinkie yelped.

"On dear," Fluttershy flew after them.

Suddenly... a crack of lightning was heard and all fades to white.




Unknown time passed....

Nightmare stood over the defeated ponies before her laughing, "Pathetic Foals! KAHAHAHA!" She gloated. "Did you honestly think you could beat me with a mere seven! One of you certainly has the possibility of seriously hurting me but if he'd really wanted to kill me he would've done so back when I first arrived and while I was still weak from Celestia's insufferable seal."

"Look at you all on the ground," she dropped the elements from her grasp and they shattered to pieces as they hit the floor.

"Nooo...."Twilight reached out driving herself through the pain to reach towards the shards. "We... have...to... get... them..."

*Dung* 

There was the sound of a hammer against a thousand-year-old flagstone floor as Bright Stone hoisted himself to his feet. His burning amber eyes hidden behind his longer silver mane. Struggling to stand he forced himself up.

"You truly are a most remarkable example of a stallion," Nightmare Moon snickered. "I'll tell you what. I'm still feeling merciful and I'd really rather not waste such a rare specimen such as yourself. If you pledge your loyalty to me then I'll spare these mares and allow you to make them yours body and soul," She snickered with a wicked smile as the girls looked at Stone on horror, "How does that sound to you?"

Stone shifted his gaze to the left slightly and to the right. He looked over the injured bodies of his friends. There all but totally broken in from Nightmare Moon's magical Blast. He tightened his grip on his hammer as he steadied himself on two hooves. He grits his teeth in anger and looked at the demon alicorn with one eye under his mane, it burning like the hot fire of the forge he worked.

"I will never join!" Bright Stone yelled in fury as he grabbed the collar of his old cloak. "I will never abandon my friends, no matter what!" He gripped tightly onto his cloak. A golden amber aura covered Bright' Stone's body and his wounds started to heal instantly as he stood up completely unhindered by his wounds as they no longer exist.

"You truly are full of surprises," Nightmare clapped. "It's such a shame I have to kill such a pretty and talented stallion," She shook her head in a mocking notion with a sigh. "Oh well, you spurned my offer twice now and I don't do thirds. BEGONE GONE FROM MY SIGHT YOU INSOLENT BRAT!" Nightmare fire another blast of concentrated magic at Bright Stone and his friends. 

Bright Stone threw off his cloak and spread his wings eagle as he activated his true power and summoned a burning amber dome shield of magic over himself and his friends. As soon as Nightmare's magic blast hit the shield it was immediately knocked upwards into the heavens above.

Nightmare stood there in utter shock as Bright Stone glared at her, wings still fully spread. His horn glowing with the same burning amber aura as his shield. He deactivated the shield and then looked to the big eyes of all one him from his friends on the ground. He then turned his attention to Nightmare Moon as pulled in his wings and he lit his horn again and cast a quick healing spell over the mane six as he walked forward.

"You're...." Nightmare said. "An... Alicorn..." She seethed with anger before she started to giggle softly while grabbing her face and steadily she threw her back in a full-blown maniacal laugh. "I see Celestia was busy in the sack while I was gone. She had some foals and raised one of them to accession. I'll have to congratulate her when I see your mother later." 

"My mother is not the Princess Celestia," Bright Stone scowled as he twirled his war hammer with his right hand as he brought it up in front of himself with a stop at a slight slant. "I have no relation to the nobles or the Solar Mother in any way. And I didn't ascend to become an alicorn, I was born this way."

Nightmare's scowl lessened until it was a look of utter disbelief on her face. "How... No that's impossible," was a she could get out as Bright Stone rushed the moon demon. Using his wings he gained air and then rockets down with his hammer bared down on Nightmare with a ringing crack of steel gong. Nightmare spread her own wings as quickly as she could and took to the air with a single flap, narrowly escaping Bright strike.

The alicorn stallion quickly turned and looked up before speaking to his shocked friends, "I will do what I can to stop her while you six get out those Elements and get out of here. You need to find some way to make them work or find those who can," he said stoically as he spread his wing sand with a single flap shot up toward Nightmare. The dark alicorn summoned her lunar khopesh blades just in time. The weapon of the two alicorns collide as a thunderous roar rang out as the grand magical beings clashed in a fury of dark purple and burning golden amber fury. Sparks flying in all directions as their weapons collided with each other.




Meanwhile at Stone's residents...

Crystal Hymn groggily awoke to the sound of booms in the sky. She slowly sat up and looked around until her gaze came to lie on the back of Mystic Hammer who was looking up at the sky.

"Mmm... my head," Crystal grabbed her head as she placed her hooves on the ground. "Mystic? Where are am I?" her eyes shot open as she recalled what happened. "Where's Stone?"

"He's protecting us," Mystic hammer clutched the necklace around her neck. 

"What?!" Crystal stood up and rushed to Mystic's side and then looked up as she heard the booms again. In the sky, there was a furious clash of bright amber against the dark violet burst of color. "I have to..."

"What will you do Crystal?" Mystic Hammer said to the mare she came to view as a second child and that she one day wanted to call her daughter-in-law, if Bright Stone wouldn't be so dense. "He is an alicorn fighting against an alicorn Crystal. We'd only be in his way. We should just stay here and wait for him to come home to us." Tears fell from Mystic's eyes, it hurt her to say those words and she deeply wanted to help her son but she knew she couldn't.

"Okay," Crystal said begrudgingly as her own tears fell. "You bastard you better come back," she said to herself, "I still haven't told you how I feel."



Back at the Castle...

Rainbow was the first on her hooves and she then started to help the others until she came to Twilight as she looked up the  down, "Come on Twilight you heard what the big guy said, we gotta go."

"But the elements are in pieces," She pushed the shards with her fingers. "They were supposed to help us... He's an alicorn too. He could've beaten her on his own, especially if... we weren't here... He should've just let us ..."

Bright Stone channeling his magic into his hammer and sent a fiery hammer swing at Nightmare only for the mare to block the hit and try and slash the stallion with her free hand but Bright buried a hoof into her gut knock her back a good way. Not letting up Bright charged on.

There was a loud slap that rang out in the silent throne room, Twilight looked over and held her red cheek. She looked over to see Rainbow gritting her teeth, "Don't you give me that crap!"

He'd save the town and fought her head on.

He stood by us and let us come with him

He shielded use from her magic without a thought.

He hit Black Snooty with a gigantic mallet!

He healed all our wounds

"We are Stone's friends!"

There was a sudden spark from the shards.

"Could it be?" Twilight held her hand over the shards. "The Elements, we had it all along," She looked to the mares around her and then to the stallion in the sky. "You five are the Elements of Harmony!" the shards of the Elements glowed and surrounded the five mares and spun around them rapidly until they glowing in a bright white light.

Up in the sky, Nightmare Moon was thoroughly enjoying her battle with the young stallion alicorn. She definitely was going to kill him now that she knew his truth, She planned on breaking him and making him her consort and partner to rule over the Eternal Night she'd brought forth this day. Once she found out where the coward of the sun wielder was, she'd send her new general to run her through while she watched.

A bright light from below caught Nightmare's attention just long enough for Bright Stone to send the blackened mare plummeting into the old castle ruins. Nightmare coughed up dust and pushed herself up as she then staggered to get to her hooves. She looked out to see the bright light of the Elements and their bearers.

"This isn't possible!" Nightmare screamed as she blasted and the beam of magic only for Stone to fly in and knock it upwards with his war hammer again.

"Face it Nightmare Moon," the stallion fluttered down. "Your time is nye!"

"My friend each represents one of the Elements of Harmony and even though you tested our bonds they held true," Twilight called out. 

"Applejack didn't hide from the truth  that Stone was hiding something for good reason represents the spirit of Honesty. ” Twilight explained. The shards from the rose and started swirling around the farm pony.

"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion and has been taking care of all of us the entire trip is the spirit of Kindness!” She continued. Fluttershy eeped flying back into the air as the shards approached her and started floating around her form.

“Pinkie Pie who banished fear by giggling at it and has done her best to keep everyone's spirits up on this trek represents the spirit of Laughter.” Twilight stated. The pink mare smiled wide and hopped up and down as the shards circled around her.

“Rarity who calmed a sorrowful sea serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of Generosity.” Twilight continued ignoring those around her, somewhat. Rarity blinked looking at the glowing shards floating around her.

“And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own hearts desire, represents the spirit of Loyalty.” Twilight finished. Rainbow Dash blinked as the shards started circling around her.

“The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us.” Twilight snapped.

“You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark never came,” Nightmare Moon snapped.” And it NEVER WILL!”

The dark alicorn's horn glowed brightly as she charged a massive spell to unleash at the mares, to end this once and for all. She let out the massive magic blast at the ponies before only for it to meet a golden amber shield as Stone yelled and slammed his hammer's handle down imbedding it into the flagstone floor.

"I will not be sealed away again!" Nightmare roared, 'Help me...'

Stone's eyes widened as he heard another voice behind Nightmare's.

'No pony ever wanted praise my night... but I didn't want this... please... big sister... help me!'

"The lunar mother lives," Stone looked on to Nightmare. 'She didn't kill The princess's younger sister, she possessed the princess's younger sister.' "We will save her." 

He ignited his horn and teleported behind Nightmare. Suddenly the dark alicorn was yanked hard buy her tail distracting her. The Nightmare whipped her head around, seeing alicorn stallion as he came up behind her and had grabbed a hold of her tail then pulled into grasp. He had his arms come under and in front of hers and his hands was holding it tight on to each other behind her head.

“What!?” Nightmare Moon stammered the spell fizzling out. “This isn't real...... How is it even possible for you to be...... This can't be...... ”

“It did, the spark ignited inside me when I heard their voices again....I realized that you all... are my friends...” Twilight finished. She turned from the other five to glare back at Nightmare Moon. A massive flare of light appeared over Twilight, the brightness forced Nightmare Moon to flinch from it. “The final Element is Magic. The spark was brought about because of the friends I made." Twilight flattened her ears wondering why she was explaining this. “And Friendship is Magic.”

The broken shards swirled around the mares, forming together around their necks to create ornate pendants and chains, large gems shaped like their cutiemarks dominated the center of the jewelry. The glowing orb of light settled down atop of Twilight's head as she was lifted into the air, a crown with her cutiemark forming as all of the floating mares began to glow.

“GET OFF OF ME!” Nightmare Moon roared, lashing out with her tail and mane. "YOU STUPID FOOL! YOU'LL BE TRAPPED WITH ME!"

"I WON'T LET YOU GO!" Stone yelled as he grip grew tighter and tighter the more she flailed about trying to free herself. "I'D GLADLY GIVE MY LIFE FOR MY FRIENDS!"

The black alicorn spared a worried glance at the alicorn stallion before her horn flared again and she turned to face the ponies only for twin beams of rainbow colored light to erupt from the glowing ponies and rush towards the screaming Nightmare Moon. The light swirled around her and Stone, enveloping the screaming mare in a whirlwind of brightly colored lights.

As her screaming grew quieter looked on, peering out from behind Nightmare he smiled at his friends. The light from Twilight and her others got even brighter, the brilliant white light bathing everything and forcing him blinded as the whole world seemed to go white.



At the Castle...

"Twilight what happened?" Rainbow looked at were Stone and Nightmare had been standing. 

"I... I don't know... I think we won..." She looked at the others.

"Hey where's Stone?" Applejack looked around.

"Shouldn't he still be here darling?" Rarity added.

Suddenly there was a bright light from outside the window that entered the room to revel a tall white will endowed alicorn mare in a golden dress. 

"PRINCESS CELESTIA!" Twilight cried as he ran over and embraced her mentor. "YOUR BACK! But you told me Nightmare was an old pony's tale."

"Yes Twilight and I am sorry for lying to you but I told you what you needed to know," She nuzzled her student. " And I must tell how proud I am of you."

"Rarity, your tail," Fluttershy pointed.

"What," the dress maker looked behind her to see her tail had been fully restored. "Oh my I hadn't even noticed. It lovely," she swayed a bit.

"I hate to be the one to interrupt the pats on the back here," Rainbow cut in. "But what they hay happened to Bright Stone and Nightmare Moon?" Rainbow asked Princess Celestia who seemed a bit perplexed at the mention of Stone's name.

"Who?" Princess Celestia asked with a head tilt.

"What do ya mean who?" Applejack cut in. "His only the pony that's saved our flanks for the umpteenth tonight!"

"Yea he was all heroicy and slash boon bang crash total stallion hunk savior," Pinkie added.

"If it wasn't for him the townsponies would've been crushed along with all of us," Fluttershy nodded. "He helped all of use get here he even fought with Nightmare Moon, twice."

"Did you say fought with Nightmare Moon?" Celestia said with utter amazement and shock. She hadn't known that there was a pony in this era that  could match an alicorn. Even if she'd been seal away Nightmare would have still possessed much of her original power and thus fight her head on would still be no easy task and then to do it twice. "He sounds like quite the stallion."

"He is but it still doesn't answer my question of where the buck are they?!" Rainbow motioned to where the alicorns had been standing. Stone's hammer still imbedded in the floor.

"My what exquisite craftsmanship. i haven't seen a warhammer of the caliber in many years," Celestia reached out to touch the weapon only for it to shock her hand, the others all gasped. "So it's enchanted as well. This pony must indeed be a great deal powerful if he has an enchantment that even rejects me," she looked at her hand. "But that is for later," she clops over to where Nightmare Moon had been. Shards of her armor littered the area, "By the heavens please," she muttered to herself. There on the ground lay a blue alicorn mare, "Thank the goddess." Celestia sighed in release as the others came over to look.

"Hmm... sister..."The pony moved while the others gasped, again. "Big sister!" she jumped up and hugged Celestia's neck tightly. "I am so so sorry! Please can you forgive me?!" She cried.

"There is nothing to be sorry for Luna," Celestia wrapped her arms and wings around Luna. "I was the one who was blind."

"Princess Celestia," Twilight lightly walked over. "Who is that?"

"Elements of Harmony," Celestia raised a wing to reveal the smaller alicorn. "This is my little sister Princess Luna Nocturne Everfree."

Luna looked over her shoulder her eyes still watering, as she turned around to face those who'd saved her, "Hello," she said shyly shrinking away into Celestia. "Wait!," she startled them. "Where is he? What is te stallion who was with you?"

"We don't know," Twilight looked to her friends. "He was holding y-" She winced. "Nightmare Moon when the Elements hit here. I think he was caught in it to."

"He should still be here," Luna clutched her hands to her chest. "He was not evil, and he was an alicorn!"

"What?!" Celestia looked at them all. "Why did none of you not tell me this?!"

"We didn't really think about it tell now," Fluttershy noted. 

Suddenly Stone's hammer started to twitched and it dislodged itself from its spot in the ground. Spun through the air and then came to the other side of the where an white furred hand caught the weapon. Using it to steady himself Bright Stone rose from the floor and rubbed his neck

"Not doing that again," He popped his back as he made sure he had all his parts. "Who knew friendship could be so painful," he remarked with a smile as he looked to the girls and royalty, all of them stunned. "Where's me cloak,?" he looked around and conveniently it was right next to him. Pick up the brown cloth he quickly threw it back over himself and cover his wings. wings that Celestia had seen.

Stone was dusting himself off some more and looked up and was immediately tackled to the ground by a pink blur that buried her face into his neck balling streams of tears about how he was okay. Rarity scolded him about scaring them as Applejack and Rainbow even added in a heavily emphasized 'Seriously not cool man,'. Fluttershy was constantly ask if he was hurt anywhere and that she'd treat his wounds for once they were all back in town safely. Twilight like Pinkie was crying but nowhere near as heavily just thanking the stars he was okay. Finally Luna came up.

"Thank you for helping save me," She bowed with tears in her eyes, everypony was shocked by this even her older sister.

"Yes thank you Prince Bright Stone, for helping save my little sister, " Celestia to bowed. "Now can you tell me how I have have not heard of you or sensed your accesenion?"

"Simple," Bright Stood up again. "I was born this way and I am not a prince, just a humble blacksmith," he said as he turned. "I am glad you a safe Lunar Mother."

"Lunar Mother? No pony has used that name for Luna in some time and born an alicorn? Not possible. You even have training how to properly fight an alicorn," Celestia looked at him. "Who are you?"

"I am Bright Stone," Bright thumped his hammer on the floor his burning golden amber eyes cutting through the darkness of the night. "I am the son of Mystic Hammer and Iron Hammer. I was born nearly eighteen years ago now in the mountains of Stalliongrad on a cold snowstorm night. I was raised by my parents tell my father passed when I was two. Then my mother raised me. We kept my nature a secret as many would have sought to monopolize on it. Only a few know of my nature and my god-father and the man who delivered me on that night can confirm as well as my mother can confirm who I am. I am no noble I am a smith, do not seek my as royalty as I will deny it every time. I look forward to seeing you all later," he looked to the Element Bearers. "But now I must return home as there are those who are waiting for me," Stone turned and walked off then teleport on a shimmering golden flash.



The Hammer Homestead...

Stone appeared to see he mother and best friend on the porch of their home. Crystal Hymn wasted no time and rushed the stallion and landed a hard right on his cheek, berating him for what he'd done as tears filled her eyes. Then she hugged him very tightly and showed no signs of letting go. Mystic Hammer briskly walked up to her son as tears were streaming down her face. She then jumped up and hugged the two younger ponies causing them all to fall backwards on to the ground. The embraced one another, even after the sun rose to mark the endless night to be done...
> Royality
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





A few days after Nightmare Moon's return...





“My fire is extinct.”

CLANG!

“And my forge is decayed, “

CLANG!

“By the side of the bench”

CLANG!

“My old vise is laid.”

CLANG!

“My anvil and hammer”

CLANG!

“Lie gathering dust,”

CLANG!

“My powerful bellows”

CLANG!

“Have lost all their thrust.”

CLANG!

“My coal is now spent,”

CLANG!

“My iron’s all gone,”

CLANG!

“My last nail’s been driven,“

CLANG!

“And my day’s work is done.“

HISSS

Stone pulled a new piece of equipment from his oil. He brought the piece close to his face and looked over the smoke metal heavily scrutinizing it through his goggles, "Hmmm... Well, it's not my best but it will do for what I need it for until I can get the right materials to make proper tools to replace the old ones."

The continuous back-to-back use of all of his tools daring the events of Nightmare Moon slash Princess Luna's return had not drastically burnt out the pieces due to the overuse of the arcane rune magic on them. They still worked and could use the runes but it wouldn't hold up for much longer if he had an explosion or if anything caught on fire in his forge. Ponies didn't realize that a forge catching on fire was actually more common than they thought, even for well-seasoned blacksmiths, but that's one of the main reasons why Stone enchanted his tools. He did so in order to contain the fires to his forge and keep them from spreading. And due to his current ones being badly damaged he needed to replace his current ones immediately thus his work. 

"You have a wonderful singing voice," came a voice.


Elsewhere...

Crystal Hymn was out walking as she sang a sang very familiar to the trio of her current household.





*CLAPPING!*

Crystal Hymn looked over the see Fluttershy. "That was beautiful!" 

"Hello, Fluttershy and thank you very much," Crystal smiled at the yellow caretaker with a white rabbit on her head.

"I've never heard that song before," Fluttershy walked over. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

"I don't think many creatures have. It's a song from our home after all. It was passed down through the generations and it's usually song in celebrations of accomplishments but mainly in the mead halls about the found of Stalliongrad," Crystal sat down under a tree. "As for what I'm doing out here, I just wanted some time to think and I do my best thinking when I'm singing. I know you live close to us and the forest but what are you doing all the way out here? It's a good ways away from the homesteads."

"You have a lovely voice. Is it your talent to sing? " Fluttershy asks while Crystal nodded. "You should do it more often. As for why I'm here I was just coming back from bringing a few animals back to their burrows and nests."

"I used top sing all the time back home," Crystal sighed. "It got to the point my father started to present me every time there was a banquet or some pony getting married," She looked up to the skies. "I love to sing but as time went on it became more of a job or spectacle than my special talent and I couldn't stand to do so I stopped and when I did that my father decided if I wasn't going to keep up my role as a noble as a publicity stunt then it was time to marry me off."

Fluttershy gasped, as did Angle bunny, "He aranged for you to get married to somepony you didn't know? I thought that was illegal?"

"Not necessarily illegal as vastly looked down upon unless your a noble that is," Crystal flopped back spring her wings and reaching up to the sky. "I was only maybe fifteen pegasi in the mounts of our home so you can imagine what happened next..." she let her arm fall and cover her eyes.

"I can only imagine you had a lot of suitors show up," Fluttershy tapped her shin as the bunny nodded completely agreeing.

'Yes," Crystal confirmed with a crack in her throat. "But I turned every last pony down, even the good ones I knew that were good stallions to he core..." tears ran down the sides of her face.

"But if you knew some of the ones that well then why did you you turn them down?" The caretaker was confused while the bunny slapped himself in the face with his tiny paw.

"Fluttershy..." Crystal sat up. "What I am about to say can't be told to anypony okay? Do you promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye I won't tell any creature about this," Fluttershy and Angle both motioned while Crystal raised an eyebrow. "Its a Pinkie promise and you can't ever brake it with out consequences."

"EEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVEEEEERRRRRRRR.........." Whispered a pink demon's voice on a gust of wind.

"I'll hold you to it then," Crystal had grown up around many strange thing most ponies would consider out of the norm and learned from day one, 'Don't question Pinkie or anything Pinkier does, it's just Pinkie being Pinkie,'. 

"I turned them down because I..."




Back at the forge...

Stone looked to see Princess Celestia standing outside his forge. "Welcome to Concerto, how may I help you?" He noticed the guards where all a good ways off but that there was also a faint remnants of a soundproofing spell in the air

"I'm looking for Bright Stone,"  The princess said sternly. "He is the blacksmith after all. Are you his apprentice?"

"You're looking at him Princess," Stone replied in turn as he took a new piece of metal and place it inside his forge, and pumped the bellows, raising the temperature of his fire to heat the new piece of metal.

"You sound different than the other night when we last spoke," Celestia as she tried to come in but quickly found herself block by a shield. "Why can't I enter?"

"I'm clearly not exhausted anymore you can't come in because you're not allowed to," Stone said as he pulled the metal from the forge and began to beat it.

CLANG!

"It's an enchantment to keep the likes of thieves and anything I don't want in here," Stone explained.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as Stone struck the hot metal. They had out toward the princess but were caught by his barrier and kept inside the forge where they quickly died. "There is another enchantment to keep the heat and flames inside. Now, what can I do for you?"

CLANG!

Stone switched to s smaller hammer and bang to pick up his pace in shaping the metal.

"I have come to thank you for the part you played in saving my sister and have come to discuss acceptance as the newest prince of Equestria," She placed a hand on her chest. "After all it's not every day an alicorn is found and even more a male. Even impressive is the fact that you are and Arcane Arts user and enchanter. We are all look-"

"Yea no," Stone said flatly as he works and grabs the large hammer again.

CLANG!

"That's gonna very hard pass,"

CLANG!

"What?!" Celestia said in shock as her wings sprang open.

He set the large hammer down and summoned his tongs and place the metal piece back in the forge and pumped the bellows again. "I am not royalty nor will I ever be royalty and before you go into a rant about how it's my responsivity let me ask you this," He looked up to the princess,  "Where exactly does it say that I have the responsibility to be royalty? I never asked for it and I don't want it. I will not have it forced upon me either."

He pulled the hot metal for the forge and thrust it into the quench tank. The oil let out a hiss as steam filled the forge as he looked over his work. "Looks good," he set the piece off to the side next to the last one and then places a much smaller piece of metal in this time around.

"Tell us why thou hast turned down the crown," came a new voice. Stone turns his head to now see Princess Luna standing next to her big sister.




"So, you're in love with Bright Stone," Fluttershy said, cutting Crystal off as she petted Angel as he'd come over and hopped on her lap. 

"Isn't that obvious," Crystal sighed.

"It more than likely is for most ponies but I haven't really spent much time around you or Bright Stone when you two were in the same area," Fluttershy pointed out. "Most of the times I've seen you two you looked rather annoyed with him. I always got the feeling that you two have more of a sibling relationship then two ponies who deeply love each other if I am to be totally honesty."

"I think that's how Stone sees it too," Crystal sat up and pulled her legs to her body and wrapped her arms around them.

"And you turned down every marriage proposal your father set up because of that and once he said your choice was either pick somepony or he would do it for you," Fluttershy leaned forward slightly causing the bunny to hop off her lap.

"He gave me a month," Crystal tighten her grip. "That was... nearly a month before I left Stalliongrad with Stone and Mystic. I left a note saying I was leaving and that headed for Abysssiania. I took some treasure and head out that morning before anypony was awake. I met with Bright and Mystic on the road and... that's it... I left..."

"Do Bright Stone and Mrs. Hammer know that you ran away?" Fluttershy asked concerned for her friend sake only getting a silent slow nod.

"I told them about during our arrival here but not the entire thing but  neither of them pressed any further," Crystal sniffled. "They know my father, especially since Mystic did frequent jobs for my father. He always tried to wooh her too," She scoffed. "My father wasn't and isn't a bad stallion but he wasn't without his own forced arrogance either. The only real reason they kept me around after I was born was because I was a Pegasus."

"What do you mean Crystal? They?" Fluttershy was confused. "He's your father, even if he's a noble I would think he'd still want you around seeing as you're his daughter."

"I was born to a traders caravan family," Crystal looked away. "My mother wasn't a true noblewoman and I was the result of a party that my parents attended together.," She sighed as she let go of her legs and looked at Fluttershy. "Don't get me wrong Fluttershy, my father did care for and love my mother at one point and time. Though that was when he was still young and stupid according to him and my grandparents and my at the time step-mother. Nonetheless, my mother found out she was pregnant and came to see him and he did want to be with her but..."

"By the time you mother came by he was already in an arrangement for marriage," Fluttershy said softly and Crystal nodded again.

"Yes. And he said he would care for us and would make a herd just to be with her but the head mare never approved," Crystal said as Angel hopped in her lap now. She smiled and stroked the let white demon bunny," My father did get her a job in town to keep her close and then time drew near and my mother showed signs of me but there was no stallion in the picture other than the occasional drop in from my father, so naturally my grandparents and his then wife grew to find out what was happening. They confronted my mother forced her to stay at the family home until I was born took me from her as I was still a half their blood and pegasus. Then they had my father... educated."

"What happened to your mother?" Fluttershy voice croaked.

"I honestly don't know," Crystal shook her head. "My father came home a hardened stallion according to the house staff I'd spoken with. They also told me that he was still very kind to me, especially when my grandparents and step-mother weren't looking. I can honestly say he and the staff at the house were my only family," She sighed. "My grandparents died before I could really remember anything and not long after my father divorced my step-mother and had several things in place to keep her  and her family from laying claim to me or my family's assets."

"Did you or your father ever... fight or try looking for your mother?" Fluttershy said wit ha dryness in her voice.

"I asked him once if we could find her and he merely turned away to hide the tears that rolled down his face," Crystal looked at the ground. "I don't think my grandparent or step-mother kept any traces of her and even forced her to leave the country. The truth is simple for me, he gave up hope of finding her a longtime ago."

"I see and thank you for telling me all this," Fluttershy placed hand on Crystal's. "I think she'll find you or you her some day. as for Bright Stone," She looked at Crystal with a profound gaze. "I think you should tell him how you feel about him. Even if he does and never sees you then same way you'll feel better knowing you don't have to hide it anymore."

"I'm not exactly hiding it Fluttershy," Crystal said with a hard blush. "It's just that he's very... dense and when it come to a lot of things he is single minded."

"Most males are," Flutershy remarked with a simple roll of the eyes and both girls giggle. Angel rubbed his chin in thought and then merely shrugged and agreed.

"Thanks for the talk Fluttershy and I will tell him soon but just not right away," Crystal hugged her friend then pulled back. "As for my mother, I think I will start looking. I may reach out to some of my friends back home that I know can keep things about me a secret. I don't want my father catching wind of my scent. He'll know I 'll keep in touch with them but he won't be able to get my location from them either."

They giggled then a flash of light caught their attention. "What are the royal guards doing here?" Fluttershy asked totlally confused as she tilted her heard while she and Crystal saw serval gold ammoed ponies on the farm closer to the homestead.




"Princess Luna," Bright looked to the Lunar mother. "How are you faring in this age milady."

"Tis a struggle with speech and History of the current era," Luna sighed as her wings dropped in a pout but quickly recovered herself. "But that is not out our reason for seeing on this day. We ask thee again, why hath thou refused thine rightful place as royalty. Tis an alicorn's duty to lead the-"

"It's not a duty of any kind for me to lead because of what I was born as," Stone pulled his piece of metal from the fire with his tongs and held it on his anvil. Stone hit the piece once with his large hammer.

BANG!

Taking his smaller hammer he began his work of drawing out the piece of iron into a cylinder fairly quickly.

CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!

The speeds at which the blacksmith was working would've have thoroughly shocked any pony who'd seen this for the first time, leaving them with their mouths on the ground for sure.  The sisters however were indeed shocked at the speed he was working but for another reason. Celsetia had never seen such skill or speed in her many years on the throne. Luna never recalled a smith with such skill before her banishment. 

The way Stone was working with such skill, speed and precision with something  that very few had barely scratched the surface of in olden times. Celestia in all her years of ruling had yet to come across a blacksmith able to match the craftsmanship the Reachmen, except for one that stood above all of them but all her efforts into finding this rumored smith had always ended in failure. Only nobles told her of the vague appearance they'd heard of as they'd never met with the blacksmith personally. He would always send a proxy and never the same pony apparently. That's went it hit her, she recalled the one rumor of how he had eyes of golden amber like that of the flame of a forge itself and then she recalled all she'd witnessed just now, Stone's hammer, and most importantly Stone's eyes the night they first met. She added it all togehter

"You're the Smith of the Reach." Celestia said.

Stone's hammer stopped and he looked up at the solar diarch as did her younger sister. "The Smith of the Reach?" she tilted her head. "Tell us dear sister, of this 'Smith of the Reach'."

"In the eastern mountains ranges that border the Frozen North there is a stretch of mountains the border each other called the Reach and in the higher peaks there is a former settlement of Nordic ponies," Celestial explained. "Now it is The Great Stone Fortresse City of Stalliongrad."

"Those ponies are still up there after all this time. Nay they should've been forced down into the lower areas in order to survive," Luan said in out right shock., "We only estimated that they'd last a few generations up there due to the beast that stalked the area and the much more eradicate weather. The very least we thought the campaigns of the church would drive them to seek other lands back to wince they had come from."

"No Luna," Celestia shook her head. "I owe that city much for actually being the one city to completely deny the church and the ideocracy of solar conformation. They were much more resilient than even we thought. When the church came they stood their ground and had already built the great walls that surround the city now. They wiped out every last church zealot until none were left. As they did they gained a following form our ponies until the Church of the Sun was outright stomped out of existents completely. I made sure to destroy any stragglers myself."

"We see," Luna was even more shocked at this. "Tine made the correct choice on this sister. But back to our stallion here, why is he known as the Smith of the Reach? He's is a great smith indeed but for him to have such a well known title at such an age is unheard of. It take smiths many years to become master of their crafts even with a cutie mark in this field."

"He is simply that skilled sister," Celestia said as she looked at Bright Stone. "Many of the pieces in the halls and homes of the current nobles are done by the Smith of the Reach. He is so well known for his skill and work that many nobles seek him out on their own, hoping to see who he is so they can acquire him for themselves but the smith never meets in the flesh and always uses a proxy in his stead and never the some pony or creature twice." She looked at Stone. "My question is when and how did you ascend? Especially with out my notice?"

BANG!

Stone his his hammer so hard on the anvil and force that he sent flames outward in all directions. Runes activated and kept the fire in and all of the guards rushed in, spears drawn. One specifically was at the head of the pack. A white unicorn with a blue streaked mane and in mainly purple and gold TriMed roman style armor, On his chest was a shied with a purple starburst on it with three cyan five point stars above each point of the shield.

"Princesses Get behind my shield," He said as he threw up a pink bubble.

"There is no need to worry your horn off," Stone's voice came from inside the flaming shop as the runes glowed an the fire was sucked into the forge. "You honestly think I wouldn't have such measure in place, " the smith remarked as he walked out and pulled his googles and out coverings off to reveal his white fur.

"Don't get me wrong  pretty boy," the head pony scowled. "My job as guard captain is to protect the princesses at all costs and I damn well am gonna do it. Even if you have safety measures put up. I have my own reason for coming here today too?"

"And what would that reason be captain?" Stone let his sparkling silver hair down from the binding he kept it in while her forged.

"I wanted to thank you for saving this town, my sister and her friends, and princess Luna," the captain bowed.

"Sister?" Bright Stone raised an eyebrow.

"Bright Stone," Celestia cleared her throat. "This is Captain Shining Armor, older brother to my person student Twilight Sparkle."
> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





"Oh so your the apprentice's older brother," Stone remarks walking over to rummage through some metal.

"Yes, Twilight is my little sister and I would like to formally thank you for protecting her and this town," Shining steps up and bows. "Thank you for saving my sister."

"Your welcome," Stone says not really paying any head to the ponies outside his work place, in truth finding them rather annoying. 

He picks a piece of metal looks it over and then walks over to his workbench and takes a small pinch of red powder from a bag. Stone walks over to his forge then tosses the red glimmering dust into the glowing red hot coals causing the fire to glow brighter and hotter. The smith drops the piece of metal in his hand into the flame and coals before grapping a handle and pulling it out and pushing it back in several time. As he did the action the fire roared as it gladly inhaled an excess of air from the smithy's bellows.

"Well if you said your piece then you can leave now," Stone says concentrating on his work.

"I may have said my thanks but I have yet to hear an apology from you to the princesses for your blatant disrespect earlier and I am still waiting," Shining stands back up and glares at the smith.

Stone shoved the bellows back in place and locked them. He turns to the group outside his forge crossing his arms as he looked to the guard captain, "I never said I was going to give an apology to anyone."

"Anypony you mean," Shining points still glaring, "And yes you are."

"See that's where you're wrong my dear guard captain." Stone states as he grabs his warhammer and walks towards the entrance of his workspace to stare down the white unicorn. "It's anyone as anypony refers to ponies specifically where as anyone refers to all creatures in general. Anypony is just saying blatant race superiority, which ponies are far from the superior race on this planet."

"I'll give you that but you're still going to say sorry to the Princesses," Shining cracks his knuckles, "Even if I have to make you with force."

Stone smirks at his threat, "You're more than welcome to try captain," he welcomed, "But know that your going to severally regret sticking your horn into business that doesn't have anything to do with you," Stone points to his himself, "I'll even give you a free shot."

"You asked for it asshole," Shining reeled back and his fist flew straight at Stones face, when an orange field abruptly appears around the smith causing Shining to jump back on instinct. 

"You managed to catch it just in time," Stone notes.

"A personal shield?" he says in disbelief. "And on the spot too, you're much more skilled than I gave you credit for. Those are hard even for me with my special talent in shield spells. I didn't even see you're horn light to cast it."

"Shining Armor stand down now!" Celestia orders.

"But Princess he-" Shining retorts.

"I said, stand down Captain," Celestia says again much more firmly. "You are digging your own grave captain," she sighs, "You and the entire platoon could try to take him on all at once and it still wouldn't matter in the slightest to this stallion."

"Thou should heed mine sister's words dear captain," Luna adds. "Tis true he is much, much, stronger than any here besides mine sister."

"I'm sorry your highness but I find that hard to believe," Shining scoffs, "He may have helped save the town 
but-“

"He fought on par with Nightmare Moon, twice" Luna cuts him off. "Had he not waisted his mana on protecting the elements, and town’s folk  the first time he might have very will been able to tear Nightmare Moon limb from limb all the easier!" She looks at Stone, "Why did thou spare me? Even with the remaining power thou had at thou's disposal... thou could've easily slain me, why stay thine hand?"

"We are taught to praise all aspects in Stalliongrad, but the night in particular is held in the highest regard above all," Stone explains thoroughly shocking the lunar diarch, "In the mountains daylight is very abundant, but it is at night that we return to our homes or go to see our friends' homes and make merry with all. It is at night when we can be with those we care for and cherish. Night is a time for celebrating what he have and what we have done in the work of the day that has passed. Night is also the time when one certain flowers blooms for me… night time is when I can do my best work in my forge," he motioned behind him, "To take away the mother of the night would've been blasphemy and an outrage not only to me but also those I call my friends and family in the northern moutains.”

Luna was moved to tears. She had heard very few praise her night and her with such passion and words outside of the thermals that called her their goddess in the last thousand years.

"Thank you, noble Bright Stone," the mother of the night says having been moved to tears by the youth's words, "Thank you so very much for everything thou hath just said and for everything thou hath done for us."

"Luna..." Celestia moves closer to her little sister and hugs her looking to Stone, "Thank you for you kind words."

"There is no need to thank me for stating what is fact," Stone waves off the compliments, "But all the same you are welcome," he says as he returns to his forge.

"Your majesties," Shining speaks up, "We should be getting back to the palace before too long. Many of the nobles are still restless over Princess Luna's return and then your sudden wish to come here without telling anyone without reason has unnerved them more. They'll be unwieldy before long. But first," he attention turns back to Bright Stone who'd already started to hammer away.

"What do you want Captain?" Bright says not looking away from his forge, "I can feel those blue eyes trying to pierce through me the second you turned to look at me."

"Urrrr..." He turns back to the princesses, "We should go," the both nod and turn leaving Shining, "This isn't over pretty boy..."

"Keep telling yourself that," Bright looks over his shoulder at the captain, his eye shimmer like fire as the forges light was reflected in them. "Feel free to back to face me in a real fight anytime Shining Armor, then we'll see if all that guard training is really worth it."

Shining grits his teeth but turns away and places his helmet back on his head, "Ponies! We're moving out!" he yells out and all of the guards start to filter out of the area.





Later that evening...

I mysterious strange raggedly figure fumbled into town with ominous winds trailing behind him. 

He was old and weathered from days long past with a mane tail of dull grayish blonde and faded amber eyes that even though old could still cause even the most battle hardened guard flinch or even piss his pants. He wore a tattered and frayed black suit under a wither worn faded red cloak.

He stopped just on the outskirts of Ponyville just after Sweetapple Arces at the property next to it gate and stare into the distance. His face was on the lights in the distances. He shifted from the house then over to the barn.

A dry smile creaked of the haggard wonders muzzle.

“It took a a lot of power and time to track you down and quite a bit more power to get here,” he dryly chucked in a sandpapery tone, “but it was worth it to see you here, Bright Stone….”

The pony looked around, “I may as well explore and see what this place a little bit before I say ‘hello’ to the lad, hehe…” he shuffled on into the night allowing the darkness to consume his form as if he’d never been there at all, not even leaving a a set of parallel hoof prints in the dirt behind at the gate.
> Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





It had been about a month since the arrival of Bright Stone and company in Ponyville. The house and property had properly been fixed up into a fully functioning home for the family. 

Crystal Hymn had started working at the Boutique as Rarity's assistant of sorts. She was able to help the dressmaker with more intricate designs for the dress as well as some of the winter clothing designs. Mystic Hammer would occasionally help out with the setting of stones or advising Rarity and what stone would go best with which fabric. Rarity even went as far as to set Mystic up with her own private workspace in the shop. Bright Stone then took it upon himself personally to reinforce the security of the shop with his runes.

However, it was Bright Stone who was the busiest out of the whole group. Most of the townsfolk had made it a point to come to the smith to be fitted with a proper pair of shoes. When he wasn't working on shoeing ponies he was usually working on warn tools or farm equipment. Outside this, he did keep himself busy with his own side projects. 

The elements would occasionally stop by for a chat to, mostly Rainbow Dash when she wasn't napping or trying to prank someone. She did try that on him once but it was a severe mistake RD doesn't plan on making again, mainly because she doesn't think a hammer to the head is covered by her insurance.





Currently, Brisght Stone was on his way to Canterlot to deliver a commission to his most prevelant clients and long time backers. It took a lot to stay hidden from the public view while also trying to make a living with one of a kind works of art after all. There were very few ways to maintain this lifestyle as well, the two most promonate is to stay off the grid and only send in a piece of grandure that would sell for hte top most bag of bits that could sustain this lifestyle for a number of years or to just have the right contacts so they can act as the middel man in most situations thus leaving the artiasain's identity a total secret.

Obviously, Bright Stone fill somehwere in the midde of these two.

The ponis he was making his way to see though were actually a more of good friends that had comissioned many pieces from him but not for the showfloor but instead for actual use in their line of work. They were the two of his good friends outside of his family that knew his nature and were both actually part of the princess's inner cirlce. They never revealed his nature or work to Princess Celestia in all their time working together as well, to say they could keep a secret was will warranted.

The trained stopped at Canterlot station and Bright stood upand got of. He looked around and noted all the archittur of the pony captial. This was actually his first time setting hoof in this place and its art-style amazed, but the looks he got as he walked down the street somewhat annoyed him to the pointhe wanted to smash their faces with his war-hammer. He pretty much couldn't stand nobles and wanted nothing to do with, only interacting with them out of necessity.

Stone reached into his satchel and pulled out a the silver pocket watch given to him from his first father’s wife from his journey to the other world and hit the button to open it and glanced at the time.

“Hmmm… I still have a while before he scheduled time,” Stone murmured. “I guess I can check out some of the gem stores on the way to the castle.” He retuned the watched, “As long as I don’t linger to one I shouldn’t draw to much attention to myself.”

He walked on and hummed a familiar tune while doing so until he came a cross a hidden away gemstone shop with some rather sizable uncut gems. The smith he was couldn’t pass up the opportunity to by a few of these larger beauties for his personal stock and use in future projects.

Stone entered the shop with a ring o the overhead bell. He poked around and could tell his shop was a great find as all the the gems were top quality, even though the shop looked old and ratty.

“Who’s there?” Came a female voice. Soon an earth pony mare with with an auburn and tail, crimson red coat in a tube top worn jeans, and green googles over her eyes came out behind the counter. “What can I do for you pretty boy?”

“Hmm….” Stone smirked from amusement as most take him for a mare upon seeing him. “How did you know I was a stallion?”

“Simple, the earth told me. The sounds you made, and the way you moved,” She said as she raised a hand and leaned on the counter and pushed her goggles up to reveal a pair of of lavender eyes with white pupils. “Creatures like me are genuinely good at listening.”

“You eyes,” Stone rubbed his chin. “You’re blind, but you not totally blind, even if you listen to the earth. You can still see, if only slight outlines.”

“True. I can see shapes and colors but its sill counts,” the shop owner said as she pulled her goggles back over her eye. “Name’s Dark Shine but most folks call me Shiner. Nice to meet ya,” She held out her hand.

“Bright Stone,” Stone said as he confidently grasped Shiner’s hand.

“Hmmm…” she took note of his grip strength an hand. “You’re a blacksmith of considerable skill aren’t ya fella? What ya down in a shabby gem shop like this?”

“I am a black smith but at the same time I’m also a jewel smith,” Stone crossed his arms, “And I liked what I saw on your display so I came inside.”

“Based on what I heard you’re also wearing about fifty pounds of metal, with about two thirds of it being tools,” Shiner reached into her pocket and pulled out a cigar and lit it. “And it ain’t normal tools either. Hell, the air around you is so saturated in magi. I reckon you’d give Las Pegasus a run for its light shows if every pony could see it. You’re a special class of smith that I’ve only heard stories about from my grandpa. So… what can I get ya?”

Stone smirked, “Let’s make a few deals,” he said as he leaned on the counter across from the mare.





Canterlot Castle Drawbridge…

Given his dealings with the shop pony Shiner had gone off without a hitch Stone was in a pretty good mood, though one wouldn’t be able to tell with him keeping his usual straight face on. Well, someone was about to get on his nerves in the most round about way possible, by doing their job, or something else entirely.

Stone was crossing the draw bridge to the castle when he was suddenly stopped by the guards ponies’ crossing their spears in front of his face.  That’s all it took too. Stone only took a glance at the spearheads and he immediately clicked his tongue in disgust at the shoddy conditions of the weapons hampering his progress. Not only were they in disrepair but they were also well-made, but only those with trained eyes could tell by looking at them. At one point these weapons had been somepony else’s pride, but now… they would barely passable as wall decorations in a bar or battle openers even, and that was an insult to bottle openers everywhere.

“What business do you have here?” Guard one asked. “No pony is allowed in armed, let alone armored unless there a foreign diplomat’s escort.”

“If you want to continue then hand over the hammer and armor girly,” the second guard said with thirst in his voice.

Stone already knew the type and situation, he suspected this would happen, what he hadn’t suspected was the state of the weapons being brandished in front of him thoroughly getting under his skin. Taking a deep breath in Stone reached into is saddle bag and begins to rummage around for something until he pulled out a scroll and handed to the first guard.

The guard took it and examed it, noting the blue and gold outline ribbon used to tie it. He knew this deportation all to well as he had seen it many many time when working as a guard under the asshat that Princess Celestia called a nephew.

“Take this back,” he tossed the scroll back at Stone. “I didn’t work my way up to keep dealing with Blueblood’s horses.”

Stone’s eyes narrowed as he started to emit a slightly murderous aura, causing he guards to flinch ever so slightly

“You better read the scroll before tossing it back in my face,” Stone warned.

“Wait you’re a guy?” The second guard said in disbelief.

“Last time someone asked me that they weren’t left standing very long,” Stone glared.

“That sounded like a threat,” the first guard smirked,

“Yea it did,” the second guard agreed, “and that mean’s we can act!”

The guards jumped Stone with the stallion only giving an annoyed sighed as his personal shield activated and sent the troublemakers back with a zap,

“H-how d-d-did you act-t-t-tivate y-y-your s-shield-d-d?” The grist guard jittered with a deep glare.

“T-this c-c-c-count’s as as-s-s-salute!” The second shakily pointed.

“Actually its self defense,” came a new voice. 

The guards shakily turned and saw Prince Blueblood.

“S-s-Sir,” the guards stood up and saluted.

“I figured you’d show up about now old friend,” Blueblood walked past the jittering fools and looked at Stone.

“S-s-sir, t-this s-st-t-allion as-ss-us lted-“ the first guard started to say but was quickly shut off.

“Save it for your hearing,” Blueblood wave his hand. “I saw the whole thing. You asshats didn’t even bother to unroll the scroll Bright Stone brought with him and placed right in your hand!” The prince levitate said scroll in his magic as he fumed. “This stallion is also the first and foremost when it comes to the ancient runic languages. Not only that but his is also the only known prolific practitioner of runic magic and runic smithing! So tell me why, under my aunt’s scorching ball of fire in the sky would you turn down the only scroll in his fill with the knowledge to not only translate but also use ancient runes?!?!”

“Not to mention he’s a very accomplished blacksmith and fighter from Stalliongrad!” Blue yelled as he threw the scroll at the guards. “You two were just looking for a reason to knock somepony around and you had to pick the one creature that welcomes a fighting and bloodshed in front of the damn castle!”

“Can I knock some teeth out or are we going to go inside Blue?” Stone smiled as he cracked his knuckles a big grin as he looked down at the shaking guards.

“I would say go ahead but the scene is already big enough with me yelling my head off in front of the damn castle at these two idiots,” Blueblood sighed as he rubber the bridge of his nose. “Besides, we have another guest who urgently needs your skills and you know how she gets when she’s kept waiting.”

“Yea so let’s get going,” Stone agreed as he rubbed the back of his neck as the two walked on leveling teh idiot duo still twitching, having just been put in their place by not just a very Marish-looking stallion but also the supposed idiot mare chasing prince.

“Ah-“

“D-D-don’t,” the first said. “We-e-e-e let t-t-t-the capt-t-t-rain know…” he smiled evilly.





Blueblood and Stone walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle.

“So, this is the first time in Canterlot,” Blue spoke up. “Have to say I was quite surprised when you offered to meet here instead of at at one of the upper trade towns of the mountains.”

“We moved out of Stalliongrad so it makes more sense to meet you here,” Stone shrugged.

“Yes I know,” Blueblood groaned out of annoyance. “You didn’t even bother to write me and let me know!”

“Sorry Blue but it was a necessary precaution,” Stone sincerely apologized. “As I told you in one of my previous letters, we’d been planning to leave for Stalliongrad some time.”

“The nobles out there are more ruthless than the one here,” Blue sighed. “Bot what’s worse is that they're not even discreet about what they want. Here they try and save face but out in your neck of the would they’re more than willing to brag about their conquests. You northern ponies truly are frightening.”

“Yes we are,” Stone nodded once.

“I take it the swift departure has to do with that little mare you always mention,” Blue looked over his shoulder. “The singer, Crystal Hymn correct?”

“Yes and no,” Bright shrugged. “We were going to leave and bring her along anyways. She showed up a few days before and insisted we leave right away. Mother and I saw no issue with so we hitched the cart to our bear and did so. We didn’t know her father had plans to marry her off. She didn’t tell us to later.”

“From what you’ve told me, she’s a beauty with a voice to match,” Blue motioned a hand to the sky fro dramatic effect, “Not to mention she comes from a top pedigree and powerful background,” he crossed his arms. “With all that in combination it’s no wonder she would be sought after so openly, and the fact that arranged marriages aren’t uncommon among nobles isn’t uncommon. Even here in Canterlot it’s widely practiced to help consolidate power and money, not to mention form alliances.”

“Hmmm….” Stone snorted.

“Speaking of power,” Blue looked over his shoulder. “We’re taking the long way around so no pony will see you, especailly my aunt and newish aunt.”

“They both know what I am. I made it perfectly clear to leave me out of the royalty and succession bullshit,” Stone waved off the comment.

“I’m guessing it was during the Summer Sun Celebration and the Nightmare Moon incident?” Blue sighed with a bit of relief.

Stone gave a single nod, “They still don’t know that we’ve been working together for some time however.”

“If they know about you and what you are then I won’t cover for you if we come across them,” Blue warned.

“You don’t have to,” Stone threw up both hands in a nonchalant manner. “I made it perfectly clear on my standing with them.”

“Just making my own standing clear as well,” Blue smirked as they stopped at a large golden oak door. Blue reached for the knob and opened it too reveal his other guest, “I’ve brought him.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Yearling,” Stone smirked as he walked into the room.