> Dawn Before Twilight
>  by Dawn Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: Once Upon A Time on Earth...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


People say miracles can happen anytime.


Others say miracles can happen unexpectedly.


Me...I guess I’m lucky to say that I am truly grateful for how a miracle changed my whole life for the better.


Who am I? My name’s Daniel Clausen, and this is how I ended up gaining a new life in the magical land of Equestria.


But my story doesn’t start in Equestria, but some other place altogether.






It was a fresh day in my hometown of Kalundborg. I was sitting in front of my computer screen as I was typing something to a friend of mine online. He messaged me back with some words that said, “I’ll be back in a few; gotta go for a while.”

I wrote to him and said, ‘See you’, and I decided to do so as well after turning off the computer.

My name is Daniel Clausen. I’m a fourteen year old teenager who has a life that is rather boring. I have brown hair, blue eyes, and I wore a green T-shirt, as well as black jeans.

Throughout my life, I’ve only been loved by my parents. Yet despite that, I was getting constantly bullied in school without a friend to back me up against the bullies.

I was alone. However, I did have a pal who I will often write to in letters, which was alright, except that I never see him in person due to personal duties he’s had in his life. I wonder what holds him back.

I finished breakfast in a few minutes, and now I was getting ready for school. I stood outside waiting for the bus to arrive, and it did within a couple of minutes of waiting.

I got on the bus and sat in the back of the vehicle while the other students stared at me with their looks. I was different from them, but somehow, I didn’t care about it that much. I was my own person.

After the school bus arrived at the school’s parking area, I got off the bus and walked to where I would be in class.

“Hey there!” A voice called to me, and I flinched into a frozen state. “Sorry about startling you, friend! I didn’t mean it!”

How ironic. Usually when someone calls me a friend, they would always prepare to beat me up.

I looked to find a person, and interestingly, why was he wearing clothes like he was some kind of pirate. Mind you, his outfit reminded me of some kind of Japanese superhero TV show...Gokaiger, I think.

“And who are you?” I asked him, slightly fearful in my voice.

"Well, me arty..." said the guy in piratic clothing, as he took out what looked like a piece of paper, "perhaps this should ring a bell."

He cleared his throat, unfolded the paper, and began to read it:

Dear Merly,
It's been about a month since we last wrote to each other.
How have you been? Because it's been trash for me, as always.
Bullies constantly bother me, teachers constantly trying to purposely fail me, etc.
Good thing the principal is always on my side, no matter what.
I swear, sometimes I wish I could just leave the world and never return.
But hey, at least I have you to share my social stuff with.
You, Merly, are my only friend who truly understands me.
I guess I'll end my message here, seeing as I can't think of more to write.
Hoping you are well.
Sincerely yours...
Danny

He packed away the paper, and then said, "Well then, me arty... do you recognize me now?"

I took a moment to think it through. Next thing I knew... it hit me. "Merly?" I asked hopefully. “Merly, is it really you?” I was surprised to find him here.

“Ahoy, Danny,” said the boy, “It surely is me. Arrr!”

I was blinking. “Can’t believe I find you in my school, Merlin. How have you been? Was there something that held you from writing back?”

“Actually,” he said, “I only started learning about non-pirate tech.”

Now, for those of you who haven’t paid that much of attention, Merlin is a pirate.

"Non-pirate tech? Oh, you mean modern machines!" I realized as a small laugh came from me.

“Exactly!” said Merlin, then to take out a phone from his pocket, “I even got myself this handy gadget. I recall you calling this a phone.”

"Yep, that's a phone, alright!" I laughed. "Now, how about we go to schoo-" I heard the bell ring at that moment. I cursed under my breath. "I'm gonna be late!"

We both hurried inside the building, soon to arrive at our first lesson.

We arrived no sooner to the door we should have our class at. I got the look from my teacher, and I gave a low curse under my breath again. "This isn't going to go well..." I mumbled.

“Excuse us for being late, sire,” said Merlin all of a sudden, “Danny here was showing me the school a little and lost track of time.” He then got out an apple and placed it on the teacher’s desk, “Take this piece of fruit as a sign of our total respect.”

"You arrived ten seconds late, Daniel," said the teacher sternly to me. I cringed before taking my place on my seat. "Now," he cleared his throat. "Let us get the class started. First, we will be having our English lesson. You may begin the lesson, students!"

“Excuse me!” said Merlin sternly to my teacher, “What gives you the right to scold Danny here for being ten seconds late? Okay, if we were five minutes late, that would be something else, but ten seconds?! That is just disgusting of you, you uncouth peasant!”

Uh-oh. I’m not liking where this is going…

The students seemed to agree with my inner thoughts on it.

"Don't give me that tone, Mr. Merlin!" said the teacher as he slammed his hands on his desk. "If you're nice enough, you can see the principal right after class. Any questions?"

“Yes,” said Merlin, pointing to the apple on the table, “Are you gonna thank me for giving you this delicious fruit? After all, my mother told me that it’s to show the teacher how much you respect them, no matter what.”

The teacher looked at the apple in question, and then back at Merlin. "While that is true, I don't think you have the right to proclaim I am a peasant. That's one of the disrespectful things to say about teachers. Didn't your mother teach you that?"

Merlin sighed, “Forgive me, sir. I was just upset about how you scolded Danny for being late.”

I looked at him, but decided not to speak up as the teacher cleared his throat. "Now that this is settled, let us resume the lesson," he spoke up.

Merlin and I headed to our seats, unaware...that three bullies have looked at Merlin in a rather grim way.





Later, in the cafeteria...

Merlin and I were standing in line, waiting for our turn.

"What the heck were you thinking, Merly?" I asked seriously.

"I'm sorry, Danny," said Merlin apologetically, "That non-pirate talked with you in a rather unfitting tone. I couldn't let him get away with such baloney."

I sighed, rubbing my forehead with a hand. "That's no way to speak toward the teacher, you're making a bad impression on them, you know."

"They were making a bad impression on you ever since you started here," Merlin shot back, "Mom and Dad sent me here to bring justice to this school, and this is what I am going to do. But first, I gotta find out who runs things among the student body, and then show them who's boss."

I widened my eyes. "No...nonono! You can't do that! You'll get us expelled!" I was flailing my hands to him a little bit shortly before it was our turn to grab some lunch.

"I can," said Merlin, as he took his turn, "and I will, Danny."

It wasn't long before we both sat at our table, Merlin looking at his lunch in awe.

"Cold Cabbage and Custard," he said, as he readied his fork, "all the better to prevent scurvy with."

"Oi!" came a voice, "You there!"

Merlin and I turned and saw three thugs coming our way.

"Oh no," I said softly.

"Why?" asked Merlin, "You know those guys?"

"It's Buff, Butch, and Boris," I sighed softly. "They're bad things who are always happy to bully me."

I then saw Merlin pull a stern face. "Not on my watch."

"What?" I spoke in a whisper as he stood up to stand between the thugs and me. "Ohh, this'll be bad...I can't watch!" I let my hands cover my eyes, but I peeked through my fingers just in case.

The thugs came to a halt in front of Merlin. Butch was the most tough-looking guy of the trio, he has black hair and green eyes while his clothing consisted of a black jacket and blue jeans.

Buff was the idiot of the trio. His eyes were yellow while his hair was brown. He has a dark blue jacket on his body and a pair of green jeans.

Boris was the low bone head of them. His reddish brown eyes looked just as cowardice as before; while his hair was blonde and his clothes both yellow colored.

"I suggest," said Merlin, "you better think twice, or else."

Butch laughed. "Or else what, pirate boy? You gonna stop us from reaching that little whim?" His voice was always the same; tough and strong. He always thought of himself as the better level-head of the trio.

Merlin remained unamused. "You know," he said, "that's actually a great idea."

The bullies then started to laugh, when suddenly, something incredible happened.
Merlin gave Butch a kick in the gut, kung-fu style, and, no joke, that kick sent Butch flying, him landing straight in the school cafeteria waste.

Everyone was shocked, including the other two thugs.

"So..." asked Merlin, still unamused, "who of you two is next?"

"Uh...you wanna tackle this guy, Boris?" Buff asked his friend, and I had lowered my hands to see what happened.

"Nope! Not in my life! Let's get outta here!" Boris said immediately, and they rushed out not long after grabbing Butch by the arms and they were out of the cafeteria.

Merlin looked at the other students, all of them in shock.

"Danny," Merlin said to everyone, "told me a big deal about all of you. Everywhere he went, you guys constantly teased him here and there. Your teachers...they constantly try to purposely fail him for no reason whatsoever. Well, guess what? As long as I'm here, none of you shouldn't bother messing with Danny again...or else."

Merlin sat back down and began to eat his cold cabbage and custard.

I looked at him, both in surprise and shock. "How'd you know kung-fu fighting skills?" I asked as I resumed my own lunch.

"You see, Danny," Merlin explained, "I come from a long line of pirates who taught themselves various Asian fighting skills. My grandfather, Merlin Spark V, has fought enemies to the throne during World War II, using the way of the Ninja. My father, on the other hand, went for the way of the Bushido warrior. Me...I choose the way of...well, everything."

"Wow...that's amazing," I said, amazed. "Now I wonder if I could've learned such skills...but I'm just a Nobody...which sucks."

"Trust me," said Merlin, as he took a sip of his custard, "I can teach you."

It actually surprised me that he actually drank his custard like a glass of milk, but who am I to judge.

"You know," suggested Merlin, "you should come with me after school. I could show you Bloodonia."

"Bloodonia?" I wondered, finishing my lunch. "Is it...the kingdom by the docks? I've seen it a few times by the docks in the bus, but not actually been in the kingdom itself. When do we go?"

"Tonight," he said, "and make sure you're not followed."

"What do you mean?"

"Bloodonia has been a target of many non-pirate governments for a long time. They are always trying to infiltrate the city and overthrow the king and queen, along with wanting to end the Piratic Era for good. Which is why you must be sure not to be followed when heading to the docks tonight."

"Oh," I hummed, rubbing my chin. I smiled at Merlin. "Alright. Hakuna Matata, I will go by myself."

"Hakuna Matata," said Merlin, "I remember. The Lion King, from Disney. 1994."

I winked at him before the bell rang again. I sighed deeply. "This will be a long day..." I muttered.

Soon, school came to an end.

I brought Merlin home with me, where I introduced him to my parents.

Later, when night fell over the city, Merlin and I quietly hurried out the door.

"Let's go," he said, "and we better hurry. I promised my mother and father to be back by midnight."

"Alright," I nodded to him as we hurried over to the docks. I made sure that nobody followed us there.

It wasn't long before we made it to the docks, standing right before the city of Bloodonia.

"Isn't she a beauty," said Merlin, "and it's all kept overwater thanks to the latest hover technology."

"Whoa," I breathed in amazement. "Shall we go inside? I need to stop sight-seeing this."

And so, we both went inside the city, and what I saw... blew my mind.

The whole city looked like it came out of a movie that played within the 22nd Century.

"What can I say, Danny?" said Merlin, "Except... surprise!"

"This is...totally awesome!" I smiled in a giddily way. "Why does this look like a sci-fi city from a movie? I need to stop imagining that."

Everywhere I looked, it reminded me, no joke, of the Kingdom of Wakanda from the Marvel Movie "Black Panther".

"So...where do we start?" I asked him. "I'd like to...hold on...why are there coming guards out? Have I committed a crime?" I noticed some guards from the castle.

"Get behind me, Danny," said Merlin, "I got this."

"Uh...alright, since you're the chief here..." I shyly hid behind my friend from the incoming guards.

The guards formed a circle around us, aiming their cutlasses at me.

"Your majesty," said one of the guards to Merlin, "get away from this non-pirate this instant!"

I was surprised. I was only joking when I called Merlin the chief, but now it made sense why he called one of my teachers a peasant this morning. Merlin...was royalty.

"It's alright, gentlemen," he said, "I invited him here. He's my friend, and he's our guest, so please put down those cutlasses, or must I notify Okasan and Otosan about this?"

I noticed how the guards went pale when Merlin mentioned two beings named Okasan and Otosan.

"No, your majesty," said another guard, "we don't want to do something we would regret."

"Wait, wait!" I spoke, looking at Merlin in shock. "You're a king, or prince?!"

"Well," said Merlin, "I'm soon to be the next King of Bloodonia, if you're wondering. Right now... I'm their prince."

Just as I thought that this night could possibly get any better.

I had not realized how things would go like this, and I just had to ask him: "So, are those beings you mentioned your...?"

"My parents," said Merlin, "はい."

I did not understand the word he just spoke. "Um...translate that, would you? I don't speak Japanese."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "はい. It means yes.”

I facepalm myself. "My bad. Guess I need to learn the language," I gave a sigh.

"It's okay," said Merlin, "Now, I talked with your parents, and they are okay with you staying in Bloodonia for a whole year."

I was shocked.

 "Danny," said Merlin, "I learned about your lifestyle through your letters. I'm not gonna lie. Your life... is a toilet. Which is why you're coming with me, me arty. You shall come and see the world with me."

I stood there, speechless for a whole five minutes. "WHAAT! I'm gonna be living here?!" I was dead surprised on this.

"Uh..." said Merlin, "you're welc-"

It was then that I did the next best thing.

I gave my friend one heck of a hug.

Yup. This night just got better.

"Thank you!" I gave him a bone crushing hug. "I'm not gonna be in this hellish hole anymore, thanks to you, Merly! You're the best friend I ever have!"

I soon broke my hug with Merlin, and we were escorted by the guards to where I would be sleeping for the year.

I was mortified when I saw the size of the Spark Family Palace. It reminded me of the House of Versailles.

"Wow, it's big!" I marveled at the palace, eyes going wide. "This is where you live? It's incredible!"

"It's a living," said Merlin, "but once you get used to it, it's just a plain old house."

To me, it's more than just a plain old house. In fact, when I looked more and more at it, I could've sworn that it looked like that palace from that Disney Movie "Mulan”.

"Anyway, shall we go inside? I'd love to see the interior of the palace," I spoke with a hint of excitement in my voice.

"Let's go," said Merlin, as we entered the palace, but not before we heard the sirens go off.

"Blast it!!!" cursed Merlin. "We've been followed!"

"Huh?" I looked confused at his cursing. "What's going on? Who followed us?"

"I don't know," said Merlin, "but every time a non-pirate follows us here, we make sure to find them and expel them from the city." Merlin then took out what seems to be a smartwatch, attached it to his wrist, and spoke into it, whereas his voice could be heard all over the city's speakers.

"ATTENTION, CITIZENS OF BLOODONIA!!! A NON-PIRATE IS TRESPASSING WITHIN THE CITY!!! GET INSIDE YOUR HOMES AND REMAIN THERE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!"

I saw how everyone was doing exactly as Merlin told them, whereas within less than a minute, the whole city looked like a total ghost town.

Except for one. Much to my shock, it turned out to be...Butch, the one that Merlin took down like he was nothing.

I looked at Butch in my shock. "Wh-what the...Butch?! What the heck are you doing here?!" I asked him, voice becoming angrier at the bully. "Shouldn't you be at home tonight?"

"So," said Butch, as he looked around, "this is where your friend lives, eh? It would be kinda pitiful if the government found this place."

"What do you mean?" demanded Merlin to know, "Bloodonia is none of the Government's business, and the same goes with you, big guy."

"Get the Hell out of here, Butch!" I growled at the bully from the school. "This is none of your concern. You're just planning to ruin this for us, ain't ya?"

"Why, Danny," Butch grinned. "How come you will be saying that?"

I was confused, yet I held my ground at his mad grin he was having on his expression.

Merlin sighed and spoke into his watch again. "Okay, boys, like we practiced."

Next thing we knew, several guards showed up and surrounded Butch, aiming their cutlasses right at him.

"What's going on here?!" he demanded.

"This," said Merlin, "is what happens when you mess with royalty, you uncouth peasant."

Butch turned a little dumbfolded. He recalled Merlin calling our English teacher just that.

And then he realized what that meant. "You're royalty, aren't you?"

"Their prince, actually," said Merlin. "はい.”

"What do we do to him?" I asked Merlin. "Ohh, I got an idea. How about you guys can..."

"Rejected," said one of the guards. "No dungeon."

"I suggest we let him go," said Merlin, looking at Butch with a stern face, "and if you know what's good for you, Butch, you stay out of Bloodonia in future, AND...you will not spout a word of what you saw tonight, or I will personally hunt you down and keelhaul you. Do I make myself clear?"

"What?" Butch asked. "Oh, yes. I don't need to say a word about this place. At all."

I was disappointed the guard rejected my idea. But I couldn't let my eyes off Butch for his discovery of Bloodonia. I tapped a finger on my chin, an idea sparking in my head before I began to walk up to the bully.

“Hold on,” said Merlin, “Danny, what are you doing?”

“Something,” I said, “I should have done to Butch and his friends a long time ago.”

"And what is that..." Butch started to say, when I closed my hand into a fist and gave him a hard punch to the face and he fell on his butt with a groan coming from him. "What the Hell, Danny?!"

"You deserved that," I chuckled in response.

"Since when?!"

"Since I met you."

Butch quickly got up, only to see... a Victorian style gun, a Queen Anne Pistol, between his eyes, along with Merlin giving him an angry look.

"You know, Butch," he said, "Danny told me an awful lot about you. How you guys kept making fun of him, how you kept stealing his things, even mocking him for his love for this TV Show, what was it called? Right. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Basically, he told me everything via letters, and I never appreciated it."

I then saw how Butch let out a growl, looking in my direction.

"YOU TOLD SOMEONE ON US?!" he demanded in a ferocious tone.

You probably don't know, you guys, but whenever Butch and his friends bullied me, they would always threaten to kill me right on the spot if I told anyone. I knew I couldn't tell my parents, or anyone else, but when I first received a letter from Merlin, I knew then that I could trust him with everything, and I mean everything.

"Yes, I told him," I replied to Butch. "I couldn't let you keep getting it your way. I needed to do something with my life. And this is how I did: telling my good friend here about you and what you've done to me."

Butch fumed in rage at that moment. "You little piece of..."

Just then, there was a bang!!! Merlin shot right past him, missing the side of his head by an inch.

"I would be careful what I say next, if I were you," said Merlin, "or else the next one will be your one way ticket to Death's door."

"You wouldn't dare!" said Butch, only for Merlin to aim for his head again.

"Try me," said Merlin, remaining his stern face.

And then... it happened. Butch gave him a punch in the gut, then to pull a rather unpleasant face.

Merlin said nothing, slowly came face to face with him, and said in an unamused tone, "Ow?"

Butch let out such a painful scream. He took a few steps back, holding his fist.

"Um...what just happened?" I asked the guards.

"Okay, boys," said one guard, "It looks like his majesty got it all under control."

The guards walked away, as Merlin remained unamused.

"What's the matter, Butch?" he asked, "Did you eat too much sugar? Seeing as that stuff is bad for your bones."

"What the Hell are you made of?!" Butch demanded, holding his fist in pain. "Some indestructible stuff?!"

"It's for me to know," he said, "and for you to shut the front door!"

I blinked, too speechless as I had my mouth dropped to the ground, cartoon way. That was...way too cool.

"You go, Merly!" I cheered for him. "Kick him in the gut for good!"

Butch started to deliver one punch after another, Merlin blocking every single one of them with his hand, sporting a rather unamused face. It surely went on for five minutes, until Butch was completely out of breath.

Giving out a yawn, Merlin then said... "My turn."

Then, he gave Butch such a punch in the face, that it sent him out of Bloodonia, straight into 
the docks' nearest crate full of fish.

Merlin sighed. "The deed is done."

"Whoa...so awesome!" I said in awe, eyes widening in amazement. "You're, like, an incarnate of the beast itself, Merlin! You're cool, strong, and powerful! It was too cool to witness!"

"It's nothing," he said, "I'm not the town hero for nothing."

Holding his watch to his lips again, Merlin spoke into it again.

"ATTENTION, EVERYONE!!! THE THREAT IS TAKEN CARE OFF!!! I REPEAT, THE THREAT IS TAKEN CARE OFF!!!"

Moments after he said that, two things happened.

One...the citizens started to come out of their homes again.

Two...I witnessed how Bloodonia started to separate from the docks.

Just then, I noticed how Butch stood at the edge of the docks, angrily shouting after me.

"You haven't seen the last of me, Daniel Clausen!" he yelled, "One day, Bloodonia will attach itself against the docks, and when that day comes, my friends and I will be there!!!"

"Ignore him," said Merlin, as the city drifted more and more off to sea, "That day will not happen again. At least not in a year."

I simply shook it off, as I know that I was finally away from my horrendous night.
"Come on now," said Merlin, "Let's get inside the palace, shall we?"

I nodded to him. "Sure, since you promised your mother to be back at midnight," I recalled as we made our way to the palace doors.

Yup. Things will really look up for me in Bloodonia, no doubt about it.





ONE YEAR LATER...

A year has passed since I lived in the Kingdom of Bloodonia, and things have really gotten great for me.

You see, six months after I lived in Bloodonia, Merlin and his parents, Merlin Spark VI and Rosalinda Fujimoto, decided that perhaps they could make arrangements...for my family and me to come live in Bloodonia, permanently.

I was sleeping in my bed one day, within my new room that Merlin had specifically made for me. I was out like a rock, I might add. I didn't feel the ray of sunlight hitting my face, though I did let out a low groan of frustration before rolling to the side...and falling down from the bed with a thud. Ow. That hurt.

Makes me wonder...how Merlin was able to sleep on that kind of bed, seeing...as I was sleeping in a hammock.

"Good morning, sleepy head," said Merlin, as he came into my room, a beautiful owl named Polly sitting on his shoulder. "I see you still trouble sleeping in a hammock.”

"No kidding," I said, then added dryly; "And you're still having trouble getting your fat owl to lose some weight."

"Anyway," said Merlin. "Okasan and Otosan wish to see us. Apparently, something ain't right."

"What is it?" I asked, getting up from the floor and dusted my sleeping clothes before I got dressed. "Is there something wrong?"

"I don't know," said Merlin, "but your parents are involved too. Come into the dining room as soon as you're dressed."

Later, we were all in the dining room, whereas the Spark Family butler Tanaka was handing out the morning papers.

We were all shocked to see the headlines: CLAUSEN FAMILY STILL MISSING!

"Apparently," said Merlin, "Butch had been a complete sore loser when I took him down that night. According to that article, he reported to the police that I have apparently kidnapped Danny, followed by his parents six months later. Bloodonia is off the coast of Denmark, just as we speak, making us perfect prey for the Danish government."

I could tell already how upset my parents were because of it. Heck, my mom, Susan Clausen, even burst into tears as soon as Merlin finished explaining.

"That...little..." I let out a low growl, but stopped when I met my father's stare. I sighed. "How is that bully even considering us missing? That doesn’t seem right to me."

And then it hit me. "Wait. Do you think that..."

"That he probably couldn't let go of the fact that you're friends with royalty?" concluded Merlin, "That, and he's obviously trying to get back at you for ratting him out to me."

Moments later, we heard something landing outside.

We headed outside, and saw, much to our horror, Butch with...his Dad, who happened to be the General of the Danish army.

Merlin and Mr. Spark nodded, as they both headed towards the general.

"Hello there," said the Danish General. "You must be King Merlin Spark VI of Bloodonia."

"I am," said Mr. Spark in his usual Japanese accent. "And you, sir, are trespassing on piratic property. You have about five minutes to leave now, or I'll give my guards permission to skewer you and your army."

"We'll leave," said the General, "right after we take back the Clausen Family."

"Yeah..." said Merlin, "not gonna happen. Besides, why would we hand over three of our city's citizens?"

"Beg your pardon?" asked the General.

"Didn't that guy beside you tell you, sir?" asked Merlin.

Butch could not believe his ears.

I looked at Butch with a grin. Yup, since we are living in Bloodonia, we've been their citizens for half a year. I then began to think of what we could do if they were thinking of taking us back. Hmm, what to think...there are a few things.

One: They could be kicked out like that night with Butch, or...no, that will make us a better prey.

Two: They could be punished for their trespassing. Sounds fitting, I might add.

Three: We could either do it on friendly terms, or give them a hard choice. Hmm...lemme think.

I looked at Prince Merlin, whispering to him: "What do you think we should do?"

"Uh..." was all Merlin could say, before he pulled a rather unpleasant face.

He checked himself, and saw...blood coming from his chest.

He looked over and saw Butch holding a gun, sporting a rather furious tone.

"SON!" Mr. Spark hurried to Merlin, checking him up and down.

"I can't believe it, Otosan," said Merlin angrily, "the General's son...he tried to kill me!"

"What the..." I blinked in shock. "Merly!" I was in horror, and then glared at Butch. "What've you done?!"

"He did the right thing," said the General, "Now, your majesty...this is your last chance. Hand over the Clausens, or I'll have my army burn down this city."

"Well then," said Merlin, as he headed over to me, "I guess there's only one more option." He then grabbed my hand, and shouted, "RUN!!!"

No need to be told twice, Merlin and I ran for it.

"AFTER THEM, YOU FOOLS!!!" We heard the General scream, whereas about five guards started to chase after us.

I ran along with Merlin away from the guards that were on the General's side. "Which way?!" I yelped to my friend after the initial shock from earlier.

“To the basement,” he said, “I must get you to safety, no matter what.”

"Get me to safety, right," I nodded, running with him from the guards. "Where to?"

We kept on running until we came to some kind of vault. Good thing we lost the guards, because that gave us enough time to close the door behind us and lock it tight. I looked over and saw...some kind of interdimensional gate, which kinda reminded me of Stargate. Merlin walked over to the portal’s computer and started typing.

“That’s just great,” said Merlin, groaning. “Princess Celestia will kill me when she hears that one of this planet’s governments found Bloodonia.”

Was my ears deceiving me? Did Merlin just say...Princess Celestia?

"What...did you just say by name?" I asked, slowly trying to get it to sink in. "What are you doing, Merly?" I looked over to him after staring at the gate for a brief moment.

Merlin sighed. “Danny,” he said, “I think you’re ready to know the truth. But first...what do you know about...the magical land of Equestria?”

“Well...” I started to say, “I recall my parents telling me many stories about that place every night at bedtime. Why?”

It was then...that I realized something.

"Hold on..." I started to realize. "Do you mean that...the magical land is...for real? You’re not joking, are you?"

"No kidding," said Merlin, as he kept on typing, "and I was sent to Denmark that day to prepare you for this day on her majesty's orders, Danny...or should I say...Dawn Darkness."

"What...did you call me?" I asked, slowly letting the words from him sink it. "I don't recall me being called that...only by my birth name..."

Merlin sighed, "I knew this would happen one day. You see, Danny...that's because your parents...well..."

No sooner did Merlin mention my parents, it instantly hit me. My parents...they originated from Equestria.

"No...freaking...way!"

"Yes freaking way," said Merlin, "and since we're unveiling the truth here, my mom too came from Equestria, whereas I was born there myself. Solar Eclipse, at your service."

I was in pure shock of the revelation. First my parents, then me...what else happens now?

"What are...my parents' names from...Equestria, then?" I asked in a whisper. "I know that they're not...Jan or Susan...so what are they called?"

"They go by the names Night Shadow and Lunar Star," explained Merlin, "they both served as members of the Royal Day Guard in Equestria, until they both were assigned to explore this here planet when being disguised as Terran, or Earthlings, as they would say it." 

"So..." I asked, getting really curious now. "What kind of assignment did my parents receive?" 

"Well," said Merlin, "they were meant to document various lifestyles among the Terran, from Eurasia to America, North and South, to Africa to Oceania, all in that order, leaving out Antarctica for obvious reasons."

"Why didn’t they return to Equestria after they were done with their assignment?"

"You see, Danny..." said Merlin, "it was...because of you."

I was dumbfounded, but I decided to let Merlin explain.

"You see," he went on, "not long after your parents started to explore the planet...they slowly yet surely fell in love with each other. Time after time, they would go out on certain dates, may it be a movie or a dance or even a fancy dinner. And before you know it...your mother was pregnant with you. They knew by then that they had no choice but to settle somewhere, thus starting a new life on Terra, followed by your birth."

Next thing I knew, the portal before me started to open Stargate style, revealing...a magical landscape.

"Equestria," said Merlin, "That place is part of a planet called Equis. That planet is on the far side of the universe. You should be safe there."

"So..." I started, staring at the portal. "I guess this is goodbye, Merlin?" I began to have tears running from my face. I was hesitant, of course, to go through there. "What will happen to me in Equestria?" I had to ask him about that.

"You'll probably get changed into a pony to blend in," he said, as he handed me a scroll. "When you see Princess Celestia, a white tall winged unicorn, better known as an alicorn, give her this scroll, and tell her that Solar Eclipse sent you here. She'll know what to do."

I took the scroll with a sad smile on my expression.

I then looked at the portal which showed Equestria, taking a deep breath of air, and the next thing I did...was step towards the landscape and raise my hand to touch the light of the portal. What happened next, was that I was pulled right through the gate.
> Chapter 1: New Pegasus in Town, Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I groaned, shaking my head as reality returned to me. I felt the light of the sun shine on my face, letting me give out a hiss of irritation. I blinked my eyes open as consciousness finally got its grip back. I looked to find some trees around me, and I gave another blink.

Where was I? Oh.

It hit me. The portal! I remember going through the interdimensional gate to...Equestria? 

Yup. This is getting real now, I think. But, where in Equestria have I landed?

I grumbled. Then, I realized something: the scroll!

I need to get it to this Princess Celestia, like what Merlin had told me before I went through the gate. I looked to find it lying near my hands...hold on...hooves? Yeah. Hooves. And it’s dark blue hooves. Just perfect. How did I turn into...

Merlin said I would be changed to blend in. I guess he meant this.

And now, where do I go now that I have the scroll with me?

I got up and took a good look around.

From the looks of it...I seemed to be in some kind of forest.

I blinked. I wasn't sure if I knew this place...but somehow...it felt naturally familiar. Where did I see this forest from? Oh.

I facepalm...or facehoof myself. My stupidity got in the way. Well, wherever I am going, I need to find a town to see where I can have the scroll to the Princess before something bad happens. Who knows, maybe I could run into someone I can get some words with on what happened...no. The ponies here wouldn't know what is going on with me. I need to keep that thought to myself.

Let's see...where to now?

I shrugged it off and started trotting in some direction. I wasn’t really sure where I was going, because next thing I knew, I was in front of a path leading to...a cottage? It kinda reminded me of the same cottage from that movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.

Well, whatever that thought came, I need to find some help. I began to trot over to the cottage that was in the forest. And I seriously need to get to a nearby town, before it gets dark. Whoever lives here, I need their help in directions.

I stopped near the cottage, tilting my head as I inspected it further. Similarity or not with the Disney movie, I shrugged it off and went to the door and knocked on it gently.

“Coming,” came a rather sweet voice from inside the cottage. Moments later, the door opened, revealing a beautiful yellow pegasus in the doorway.

"Um..." I started to say while looking at the pegasus awkwardly. "...Hello?"

“Uh...” said the pegasus back, “...hello.”

Trying to get the awkwardness away, I cleared my throat, “You must be wondering why a stranger is standing in your doorway, right?”

The pegasus nodded.

“Forgive me,” I said. “I’m a traveler and I’m a little lost. Do you think you could show me directions to the nearest town...please?”

“Oh,” said the pegasus, “sure thing, uh...”

“Dawn Darkness,” I said, using my real name for the first time, even if it felt a little weird.

"Um...if you want me to escort you to the nearest town...um...come with me..." the pegasus spoke a bit quietly, but not too quietly that I couldn't hear her.

I smiled gently to her, and she gave a small 'eep' in response. Tilting my head, I shrug it off as she trotted out of the doorway.

“Hold on,” I said to the pegasus, “I never got your name.”

“Um...” said the pegasus, a little quiet, but not so I couldn’t hear her. “It’s Fluttershy.”

"Ah," I smiled gently. "A nice, fitting, and beautiful name for a pegasus such as yourself."

She blushed at my comment. We then began to make our way to the nearby town.

It sure seemed like a nice trot, and before we knew it, we got right out of the Everfree Forest, whereas we saw a small town up ahead. I saw a sign that read: PONYVILLE.

"So," I started to speak to Fluttershy. "This is Ponyville? Sure seems like a nice place to live."

She nodded, “It’s been home most of my life.” We then resumed our trot down the road, soon to arrive in town. Kinda reminds me of some kind of medieval village...minus the Black Plague, that is.

I looked around in Ponyville...before I saw something speeding its way to where I was. The pink pony had a huge smile on her face.

"That's Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy said, "she's the town's resident party planner. She also likes meeting new ponies."

"We'll see," I said. 

We came face to face with the one called Pinkie Pie. "Go on," said Fluttershy to me, smiling sweetly.

I took a deep breath and then... "Hi. You must be Pinkie Pie. My name is D-"

Next thing we knew, Pinkie gasped and ran off somewhere.

"What's up with her?" I asked Fluttershy, confused.

"She must be...planning something..." Fluttershy replied.

Planning something? It can't be a trap, can it? Oh, wait: IT'S A TRAP!

Or maybe not. Honestly, I haven’t been in Equestria for an hour, and I’m already assuming the worst. What is wrong with me?

I shook my head at my inner assumption, looking at a waiting Fluttershy. "How about we go and show me around? I'd like to see this place some more before going to that pony's...party, was it?"

“Indeed,” said Fluttershy, as we both set off to explore the town. 

But not before we heard a voice shouting, “LOOK OUT BELOW!!!”

I looked up, eyes widening before I ran and pushed a yelping Fluttershy away from the crashing owner of the voice. 

I shook my head, getting up with my pegasus companion. "Are you alright?" I asked her, and she nodded in response.

"Thank you..." she whispered to me.

"No problem," I smiled before turning to face the crashed being. "Alright, who are you? Didn't you know that it's not much appreciated to crash down to peo-...I mean, ponies?"

The cyan pony, another pegasus, got up, holding her head.

"Forgive me," she said, "I didn't know where I was going."

"Just look where you fly to next time," I sighed to the pegasus. "We don't want somebody to be hurt, would we?"

"No," the pegasus replied. "And, it's somepony!"
I rolled my eyes at the correction.

"Sorry," I said, "I pronounce things differently where I come from."

"Well, you've got to pronounce things here, then," the pegasus sighed. "Who are you? I've never seen you around before in Cloudsdale or Ponyville. Are you new?"

Cloudsdale? Where's that?

"I am new," I nodded in affirmative. "And the name's Dawn Darkness. A pleasure to meet you...uh..."

"Rainbow Dash," the pegasus, now named Rainbow Dash, smiled at me. "You're a new flyer, aren't you? I can tell by the looks of your unused wings."

Is it that obvious?

"Yeah," I said. "I have no idea how to fly."

"Say no more," said Rainbow Dash with a prideful smile. "I can show you how, if you want to."

"Perhaps at the weekend," I suggested, "Right now, Fluttershy here was gonna show me around town."

"Alright," Rainbow nodded. "See ya 'round, then!" She then went off to some other place at a fast pace.

"She seems nice," I noted to Fluttershy.

"She is very nice, and very loyal," the pegasus agreed. "She has been my friend since we were fillies."

"Huh, sounds like a nice story," I hummed before we resumed our exploration of Ponyville.

Pretty soon, the whole tour came to an end, whereas my stomach started to grumble a little.

"My," I said, giving a small flush. "I'm surely getting hungry."

I chuckled nervously before Fluttershy smiled sweetly at me.

"We can always take a look at...Sugarcube Corner...if you will, Dawn," she spoke to me softly.

"Sure," I nodded as we began to trot over to Sugarcube Corner.

We soon came to Sugarcube Corner.

We entered and were greeted by two ponies dressed in baking attire.

"Hello, how may we help you?" the one to the right asked.

"We would like something to eat, thank you," Fluttershy requested the female who had asked.

"Of course," she nodded. "Take a seat, and we will present you an order."

Huh, they're very nice. I seem to think that all ponies here are nice so far. Ah, who am I kidding? This is a pretty good place so far.

"Say, Miss..."

"Cup Cake is my name," introduced the one who called herself Cup Cake, "but everyone simply calls me Mrs. Cake."

What do you know? I guess the term "everyone" is okay to use here without any problems.

"Anyway, Mrs. Cake," I went on, "what do you recommend?"

"Well, we have some goodies here," Mrs. Cake took out a list of food and presented it to us. "We have..." She then began to read the list of food to us.

"Cupcakes, Cakes, and Pie."

I ordered an apple pie, whereas Fluttershy ordered a couple of cupcakes.

Later, we got out with full stomachs.

"That pie," I said to Fluttershy, "was genius. The best one I ever tasted."

It was a good sweet. I must've been feeling in heaven while eating it.

"They serve some very good sweets here," Fluttershy told me.

I licked my lips before I looked up in the sky, seeing the sun was getting a bit high on the blue sky. "I guess we'd better get to that party, with whom I'm guessing Pinkie had planned with, and get this over with."

"Actually," said Fluttershy, "I must do something for the Summer Sun Celebration. It's in Ponyville this year, you see."

The Summer Sun Celebration. I remember my mom telling me about it in a bedtime story.

She said that it was something like the Summer Solstice.

"Say, Fluttershy," I asked her, "this Celebration...will Princess Celestia be there too?"

"How did you know about Princess Celestia?" asked Fluttershy in shock.

I realized how I just asked that question, so I had to think of something.

"Well," I said, "my parents used to live here in Equestria before they moved to some other place in the world." I thought long and hard about what to say, until I recall my Dad once telling me about a place called... "Trottingham."

"It must have been some move," Fluttershy spoke, but smiled anyway. "But, yes. Princess Celestia will be in this year's Celebration. Why do you need to see her?"

I blinked, then remembering about the scroll I had with me. "Some...personal matters," I replied.

"No worries," said Fluttershy, smiling sweetly. "If it's personal, then I won't ask any further. I better go. Those birds won't orchestra themselves after all."

She trotted off, leaving me to wonder what she meant by that.

I then noticed something on her backside, or flank in that case.

"Say, Fluttershy," I asked, getting her attention, "what exactly is that beautiful picture on your flank?"

Fluttershy giggled. "My goodness. Don't you know a cutie mark when you see one?"

I remembered. My parents told me about that one. Apparently, everyone in Equestria has a so-called cutie mark on their flank that represents their special talents.

"Well, I..." I started to think. I was thinking before I decided to say, "I'm kinda new here. So, how should I know what a cutie mark is?"

"Well," said Fluttershy, "that on my flank is definitely a cutie mark. It represents my connection with animals."

"Oh," I gave a small chuckle in response. "So, it basically means which specific talent you have, right?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Exactly."

I then noticed some pony entering what seems to be the town tall. Maybe I can ask the town’s mayor to let me look into Equestria’s history...if they have enough books on it.

"I better go now, Fluttershy," I said to her as I dismissed her, "Good luck with those birds."

I soon trotted over to the Town Hall, and started to enter it.

No sooner did I enter the Town Hall, I was surely impressed on how beautiful it looked.

"Yes," I heard someone say, "the décor is coming along nicely."

"No doubt about that," I said, getting that pony's attention. "Hi. My name is Dawn Darkness. I'm kinda new here in town, you see."

The lavender pony, an unicorn given by her horn, gave me a smile. "Ah, a new face. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike," she gestured to the dragon she had with her. "A pleasure to meet you, Dawn."

"The pleasure's all mine, Miss--"

"Please, just Twilight," she interrupted me.

I shrugged, and then I saw the dragon she called Spike look lovingly in a direction. I looked to find a white unicorn looking through ribbons. I wonder who that is...she surely is beautiful.

"My guess," I said, "is that she is in charge of the decorations."

When I looked back at a surprised Twilight, I finally noticed what was wrong with her mane. I blinked, a few snickers coming out of me when she groaned in annoyance.

"Please don't," she warned me.

"Sorry," I apologized, clearing my throat before we looked at the white unicorn.

"Excuse us--" Twilight started to say when she was interrupted by the unicorn.

"Just a moment, please!" said the white unicorn, who was clearly looking at... ribbons, "I'm 'in the zone', as it were."

I looked as she levitated a sparkling ribbon to her.

"Yes. Sparkles always do the trick does it not?," she said before looking back to us. "Now, um, how can I help yo--" She gasped upon seeing Twilight's messed up mane.

Yup. Had a feeling this might have come somehow.

"Oh my stars, darling!" she exclaimed. "Whatever happened to your coiffure?!"

I had a feeling that the unicorn meant Twilight's hair, or rather her mane.

"Oh, you mean my mane?" asked Twilight. Called it. "Well," she went on, "it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!"

"Out of my hair? What about your hair?" The unicorn then pushed Twilight with her, and I looked as Spike somehow followed them in mid-air by his tail that was spinning around.

Just...how did he do it? I shrugged it off and started to head out of the Town Hall...before stopping by the doorstep and looked back, humming as I realized I could use a book on this world's history.

"I'll catch up with you guys later," I called after and headed back inside the Town Hall, then to bump into some random pony, who I guessed must be the Mayor of Ponyville.

"Please see where you're going," the pony grunted to me.

"Sorry 'bout that," I apologized. "You must be this town's mayor, right?"

"That I am," she said, "Mayor Mare, at your service. And you are..."

"Dawn Darkness," I gave her a polite bow, which she chuckled at. "I am a new face in Ponyville, and I could do it if I could borrow a book on a subject I'm interested in."

"Sure thing, Dawn Darkness," said the Mayor, as she led me to the Town Hall's archives.

"These scrolls," she explained, "contain everything there is to know about our town's past. Help yourself to whatever suits you, but be careful, as these are all one of a kind."

"I will be careful," I nodded to her in thanks and she trotted away for the moment while I looked at the scrolls. "Let's see...what is there to know?"

I then got straight to work, beginning with a very interesting scroll that was entitled "The Founding of Ponyville".

Interestingly, I instantly recall another story that my parents told me involving the exact same topic.

It was almost as if my parents were preparing me for in case I ever was sent to Equestria.

"Well then," I smiled at the memory as I began the reading. "Let's see if what they told me is true."

I opened up the scroll, and began to read it.

The more I read, the more I realized that what my parents told me about the Founding of Ponyville was completely accurate.

After some time reading, I finally had to let my eyes rest from the scrolls. I let them back to where they once were, and I got outside the archives and met up with Mayor Mare.

"Did you find anything useful in there?" she asked me.

"Yes," I nodded. "It was interesting while it lasted, but I need to rest my eyes for a while. I'll be out for the afternoon."

"I'm glad it was of any help, Dawn Darkness," the Mayor smiled as I trotted out of the Town Hall and wandered the streets of Ponyville.

Interestingly, I said afternoon to the Mayor, but much to my surprise... "It's night?!"

I was practically looking into the town's past all afternoon.

Talk about passing the time.

I still hope Pinkie's party was still happening. But hey, it's okay to be fashionably late.

I then made my way over to the Golden Oak Library, and when I opened the door…

"SURPRISE!!!" I surely was startled.

I fell on my rump by the loud call. I saw Pinkie in front of me with a, ahem, big smile on her face.

"Hi, Dawn! I'm Pinkie Pie! I made this party just for you!" the party pony said hyperactivity at a speed I could almost not understand. "And when I saw you at the edge of Ponyville, I was like--gasp--and then when you started to say my name, I just had the feeling to throw you a party! Are you excited? Were you, were you, were you?!"

"Very surprised!" I gasped, holding my heart as if I had just been given the biggest heart attack.

I looked around, and noticed that the party was inside the local Library.

"You know, Pinkie," I pointed out, "I know this is supposed to be a party, but why a Library of all places? I mean, it's kinda ironic, as Libraries are supposed to be, well, quiet."

"Well, silly, that's because quiet is BORING!" Pinkie rolled her eyes in a funny way.

Boring?

"Still though," I continued, "You could've just done this in a place outside the library."

I then noticed Twilight from before making her way upstairs.

"I'll be right back," I said, as I went upstairs after Twilight, who happened to be rinsing her mouth in the bathroom.

She noticed me in the glass of the bathroom, looking surprised. "I thought you were partying with those crazy ponies," she told me.

"Well, I wanted to see how you were doing," I replied with a shrug.

"I'm fine, just not with the ponies who think of making friends all the time." When she said 'friends', she rolled her eyes.

"Why do you think they're crazy?" I wondered. "Is it because of their friendliness?"

"No!" said Twilight. "It’s because those ponies are nothing like him!"

Twilight realized what she just said.

"Him?" That last part had definitely piqued my interest.

Twilight sighed. "Alright, I'll explain, but you must promise not to tell anypony."

"Cross my heart," I smiled, keeping it to myself in my promise.

Twilight then had me follow her to what seemed to be a bedroom.

Kinda practical. A bedroom inside a library.

Making sure the coast was clear, Twilight looked towards me, and began.

"I was only a little filly when I met him. I don't why, but he was different from the other foals. He was always there for me, no matter what. We would always hang out, we would always make each other laugh, we even would nap together. Mom once told me that he and I were so cute when they slept together. Heck, it went so far, that we considered each other as best friends. And then...five years ago...he just stopped showing up for the summer. I never saw him again since."

"Hmm," I hummed. "And did you remember his name by any chance?"

"I did," said Twilight, nodding. "His name...was Solar Eclipse."

Hold on a sec...

"Did you say...Solar Eclipse?" I asked, making sure I did not look that surprised.

"Yes," said Twilight. "Apparently, his mother gave him that name due to him being born within the time of a total solar eclipse. Kinda fitting, if you ask me. Why? Do you know him by any chance?"

Well, let's see...what to say?

"You can say that," I shrugged, as if it was nothing.

"Where is he now?" asked Twilight gingerly, "Is there a reason why he never returned to Equestria for the past five years?"

"Well..." I said, "I don't really know why he never returned. However..." I took out the scroll Merlin gave me and showed it to Twilight, "he wanted me to seek out Princess Celestia and give this to her."

"Well," said Twilight, smiling, "if that scroll is for Princess Celestia, perhaps I can give it her for you. You see... I'm her student. No wait. I meant to say that I am her protégé."

I was totally speechless.

"You're the Princess'...protégé?!" I asked in surprise and shock.  "Well...if you can do that...I don't see why you can't give it to her, then. I don't mind it, actually, if you're her protégé."

Using her magic, Twilight levitated the scroll out of my hoof and placed it in her saddle bag.

"Interesting," I said.  “It reminds me of a spell that I heard somewhere.”

"Really?" asked Twilight, "How did the incantation go?"

"Actually," I said, "there are two incantations. One is called Wingardium Leviosa, whereas the other one is Aloft Elevar."

"Interesting. How do you know about such incantation spells?" she asked.

"Oh, from somewhere, really," I shrugged.

I then noticed that Twilight was looking at the stars.

"Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars..." she began, when suddenly, “...will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night.” 

I practically took over with finishing the prophecy involving Nightmare Moon's return, taking Twilight completely by surprise.

"How do you know about the legend?" she asked, surprised.

"I just memorized it from my memory," I replied.

"Really?" Twilight was surely not buying it. "Because no one ever took that prophecy seriously, not even Princess Celestia."

"Okay, you got me, Twilight," I gave in. "My parents would often tell me stories about Equestria, day by day. I practically grew up knowing about this amazing country, yet I never thought that I would be going there one day."

"That would at least explain how you know about Nightmare Moon and that prophecy," assumed Twilight.

I smiled at her, before we heard the door open with the pounding of the party going on.

"Come on, Twilight! It's time to watch the sunrise!" Spike called us, and he noticed me. "Oh, you're that new guy."

"I am," I nodded as me and Twilight got up to him. "And you must be Spike."

"That's me," he smiled proudly. "Come on! We'd better not miss the sunrise!"

We hurried with him over to the Town Hall to see how the sun will rise and begin a new morning.

We took our places, ready to greet Princess Celestia.

Just then, the one known as Pinkie Pie came up to us, and I could tell that she was excited, like she probably always was.

"Isn't this exciting?" she began, "Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited— well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went [deep gasp] but I mean really, who can top that?"

Then, we heard the horns go off as we were shown Mayor Mare who was giving her speech.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!"

I heard the ponies cheer, and I just smiled while she continued.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..."

While the Mayor had spoken, Twilight and I noticed how the so-called mare in the moon had vanished.

That meant the legend was true. Nightmare Moon had returned.

Oh great. This just goes perfectly wrong...

"Ready?" I looked to see Fluttershy with her birds before the Mayor finished.

"Princess Celestia!"

The curtains were pulled by the white unicorn, revealing...nothing.

"Huh?" I heard her say in surprise.

"This...can't be good..." Twilight whispered, and I agreed with her silently.

"Remain calm, everypony," said the Mayor, "there must be a reasonable explanation!"

Twilight and I had a feeling what the explanation could be.

"Ooh, ooh!" I looked at an exciting Pinkie. "I love guessing games! Is she hiding?"

Kidding me?

"She's gone!" I heard the white unicorn call down to us, and the ponies gasped.

"Ooh, she's good..." Pinkie then yelped in surprise as a blue mist started to appear on the stage where Princess Celestia was to be.

Oh no...don't tell me...

And before we knew it, the one and only Nightmare Moon appeared before us.

"Oh no..." Twilight started before I finished for her, "Nightmare Moon..."

A chuckle came from the large black winged unicorn as she began to speak. "Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces."

"What did you do to our princess?!" came from Rainbow Dash, as she was about to attack Nightmare Moon, yet for some other pony to hold her back.

"Whoa there, Nelly..." the orange pony was the one who held Rainbow Dash by the tail.

Nightmare Moon chuckled again. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who 
I am?"

Oh, I don't know. Maleficent?

"Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!" said Pinkie Pie with excitement, as if the current situation was some kind of game to her, "Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty—" Good thing the orange pony shoved an apple into Pinkie's mouth, because this was really serious.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" Nightmare Moon asked us.

"We did!" Twilight called up, and the winged unicorn looked at me and my companion. "And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon--Nightmare Moon!"

The ponies gasped in shock.

"Well, well," Nightmare smiled, pleased. "Somepony who remembers me."

"And so do I." Yup, I just spoke right there.

"And who might you be, pegasus?" she asked.

"Why should I give my name to you?" I countered.

"Very well," Nightmare cackled, then said: "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" Then, thunder boomed from her starry blue mane while I gritted my teeth.
> Chapter 2: New Pegasus in Town, Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I then noticed that Nightmare Moon had her eyes on someone specific.

I didn't need too long to figure that she had her eyes on...me.

"Twilight," I said, looking at the unicorn in question, "hurry back to the library. As for me..."

I made a run for it, just like back in school on Earth whenever a bully was after me.

Now the interesting thing is that I was always the fastest in my school.

I was always able to outrun those suckers, leaving their fat bodies to catch for air.

Unfortunately, I did not expect how fast Nightmare Moon was able to fly.

I swear...she was almost as fast as a jet plane in an air show.

"Where do you think you're going, pegasus?" she questioned me. "I just want to have a little fun with you." She cackled while I went pale.

"Don't you try..." I couldn't manage to finish as she knocked me over and formed a blue swirling mist around me.

I had to think of something. Next thing I knew, I had just the thing. I positioned myself, focused on Nightmare Moon, who regained physical form, and then... "VOLTAR THUNDASIR!!!"

Nothing happened. I facehoofed myself. For just a single moment, I forgot that pegasi can't do magic.

"Oh...great..." I groaned while Nightmare Moon laughed humoredly.

"Oh, my! You were trying to use a SPELL? As a PEGASUS?" She laughed uncontrollably. "How foolish do you think you are, little one?"

Well, first timers have to try something...right?

"What do you want from me?" I asked nervously.

"Not sure yet," she said, "but I sense that you're not from here...or any other part of Equestria. My guess would be...another planet!"

"How..." I started to say before I demanded: "How do you know about other planets?!"

Little did I know was that five other ponies overheard our confrontation.

The orange pony with the hat, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and the white unicorn.

"Did you hear that?" asked the orange pony to the others.

"Did she really say that he's from another planet?" the white unicorn was just as speechless.

I growled at Nightmare Moon. "Do you really think you have the power to stop me from defeating you?" I snarled at her angrily.

"And how are you gonna do that, huh?" asked Nightmare Moon, moments before she cast a spell on me, locking me inside some kind of force field.

What the...

"Let me out!" I cried out, banging against the force field with everything I had in my hoof...and I groaned in pain at the impact it made on the force field.

"What do you think?" asked the orange pony. "Should we help him?"

I could've actually sworn that someone was watching us.

I took one moment to look behind me, and just as I suspected, somepony did follow me, or rather five of them.

However, their frightened faces were all I could see before Nightmare Moon cast another spell, teleporting both her and me to...who knows where.

(Twilight’s POV)

I made it back to the library, but no sign of Dawn Darkness anywhere.

"Hurry...we've got to stop Night--" Spike snored just then, while I put a blanket on his small body in his bed.

"Oh, Spike," I giggled. "You've been up all night. You ARE a baby dragon, after all."

True, Spike looked so cute when he's asleep, but it still didn't change the fact that Dawn still hasn't shown up.

I decided to take my mind off that by looking more into the Elements of Harmony and how to stop Nightmare Moon.

Just then, the door slammed open. It was those five ponies I only met yesterday; Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, and they all seem...concerned.

"What is it?" I asked them, slightly annoyed by the way they just barged in.

"I know it's bad timing, sugarcube," said Applejack, "but we just witnessed Nightmare Moon take somepony away. Dawn Darkness, I think."

What?!

I was too shocked to believe what I just heard from Applejack. "What do you mean...taken away? Has she done something to him?"

"Not exactly," said Rarity, "but she did mention something that had us utterly confused. Something about Dawn Darkness being from another planet or something."

What did she just say?

"Did she say anything else to him?" I asked Rarity. "Like, where he came from or in that regard?"

"We thought you could tell us," said Rainbow Dash, "seeing as Dawn was with you, the last time we saw before Nightmare Moon. Speaking of Nightmare Moon, how exactly did you know about her?"

Should I really tell them? I mean, what if they didn't take me seriously? Who am I kidding? After all that has happened just now, what else did I have to lose, besides my friend Dawn. Wait. Friend? 

I shook it off for later, whereas I knew what I had to do. I took a deep breath, and started to explain the whole situation. "I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!"

Just then, I overheard Pinkie saying, "The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide."

I hurried over to where Pinkie stood, and there it was. The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.

"How did you find it?!" I asked the party pony.

She simply hopped around and said in a sing-song voice, "It was under 'E'."

"Oh..." I flushed in embarrassment. I then levitated the book from the shelf and had it in the air before I started to read it: "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now--the Everfree Forest!"

(Dawn Darkness' POV)

Not long after Nightmare Moon kidnapped me, I was coming to.

I slowly opened my eyes, and found myself...in a cage.

"Oh...perfect," I groaned in Hades style again. "Just when I thought it was going good before..."

A laughter came in the silence of where I was put within. "My, finally awake, my little pegasus?"

Nightmare!

"Show yourself!" I demanded her.

I witness that same dark mist appearing before me again.

I growled at Nightmare Moon. "Just what do you think you've done?!" I sneered at her in anger. This was seriously not fine with me by being put in a cage.

"I said I wanted to have a little fun with you, if you recall?" she questioned me.

Right. Back there.

"What do you want from me?" I demanded her.

"Why..." she smiled cruelly. "I want you, of course."

Say what?

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"Why, don't you see it?" she questioned. "The way you tried so desperately to pull that spell off back in Ponyville. You've surely realized pegasi cannot do magic, haven't you?"

"So? What's the point?" I was afraid to ask.

"I want a deal."

What?

"A deal, that if the unicorn you were with happens to find this place and defeat me," Nightmare continued, "you'll be free. However...if I win...you will be my servant!" She laughed while I sweat dropped.

Since I'm certain that Twilight would win... "Deal."

Maybe I made a mistake, as she laughed.

"I'm glad you see it my way, pegasus," she said before disappearing into her mist.

I slummed back into the cage, shaking with fear. "Hurry up, Twil-What the...?"
I then noticed something. Out of nothing, two ponies showed up. I looked closer, and they both looked like...pegasi.

"Up here," I whispered to them in case Nightmare Moon was still nearby, getting the pegasi's attention.

"Don't worry," the one to the left spoke softly. "We've got you. Just keep still and silent." They moved up to the cage, and when I got a closer look at them, they looked to be blue and black in coat color.

I obeyed the one who happened to be female, yet somehow I felt reassurance by her voice. "Who...are you?" I whispered softly to her.

"We'll explain later," she said, "but now, we must get you back to Ponyville before Nightmare Moon returns."

The other pegasus, who happened to look quite bulky, noticed something.

"Blast it!" he said, "I think she's coming back. Hurry, dear! We need to get Dawn out of here now!"

I blinked...not remembering having told them my name.

"I am trying to hurry," she responded back low, trying to get the lock off the cage.

Just then...SNAP!!! The lock opened. "Bingo!" she whispered, as she opened the cage and I climbed out.

"Are you okay, Dawn?" asked the bulky male Pegasus. 

"Not sure how you two know my name," I said, "but yes, I am, thanks to you two."

"Let's get you out," the male pegasus said just then, and I trotted with them for a moment before realizing the deal with Nightmare Moon.

"Is something wrong?" the female asked me. "You look worried, Dawn."

"It's Nightmare Moon," I said, "I made a deal with her."

They blinked. "You made a deal with that villain?" the female asked, surprised.

"I did," I nodded. "If Twilight, an unicorn, doesn't find this place and defeats her, I'll be free. But..."

"If she wins, you'll be her slave," the male finished for me.

I was surprised. "How'd you know our deal?"

"It's a long story," said the male, "but now, let's get you to safety."

No argument there, I say. I started to make my way with them to where I could be safe from Nightmare Moon. When we got to the entrance of the place, I looked at the five orbs that were in the middle of the area.

Could those be the Elements?

"Dawn?!"

I looked and saw...Twilight, along with those other five ponies.

"What happened?" she asked me concernedly. "Did Nightmare Moon do something bad to you?" She looked all over my body.

"Twilight, I'm fine, really," I reassured her, and then looked at the five ponies. "Gee, thanks for the assistance back there on the street." Yeah, that was sarcasm.

"You're welcome," exclaimed Pinkie Pie with her usual smile, obviously not understanding the sarcasm.

It was then that I saw Rainbow Dash giving me quite a stern look.

"You have a lot to explain, Dawn Darkness," she said, "if that's even your real name."

"Twilight," I asked her, "what are they talking a-"

I then realized what Rainbow Dash meant. I recalled them being there when Nightmare Moon took me away. Basically...they knew that I was from another world. Great! So much for avoiding unwanted attention.

"How much exactly did you hear," I asked, "when Nightmare Moon attacked me?"

"I don't know," said Rainbow Dash, "Maybe...EVERYTHING!!!"

I groaned, realizing I was caught from Rainbow's look and there was no way around it.

"Now, just wait a moment," the female pegasus I was with started to speak. "We know you want some explanation from Dawn, but we've got to get back to Ponyville this instant. Because, who knows when..."

"I know, and I need to get the Elements," Twilight told her, and she had the pegasi she was with to bring the orbs down.

"One, two, three, four...there's only five!" I heard Pinkie exclaim.

“Where’s the sixth?” wondered Rainbow Dash.

Twilight thought of something; “The book said: when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed.”

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked.

"I'm not sure," Twilight replied uncertainty, "but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen."

Everypony stood back while I watched as Twilight bent down on the ground and concentrated on her magic to the orbs.

Just then, I noticed something. The same mist from when I was trapped in that cage. “Twilight!” I exclaimed, “Look out!”

Twilight looked up from her concentration, gasping while the orbs swirled around in the air in the mist.

Oh no!

I rushed over to them before the mist teleported us away from the entrance to some other place in the building.

“Dawn!” exclaimed the elder female.

“Not our grandson!” exclaimed the elder bulky male, getting the ponies’ attention.

I was on a solid stone floor with Twilight as I groaned and rubbed my head, and looked at my friend. "Are you alright?"

"Barely," she smiled reassuringly. She then realized something. "The Elements!"

We saw that Nightmare Moon had them. We won't let her take away the daytime forever.

"I know I haven't been honest to you about who I really am, Twilight," I said to her, "but do you still trust me?"

"Of course," she nodded.

Nightmare Moon laughed as Twilight was ready to charge her while getting ready. "You're kidding...you're kidding, right?"

Oh, no we're not, Nightmare. You just made us hate you.

I also got into a position before both me and Twilight charged Nightmare Moon, who charged herself. Twilight teleported from her sight as I rammed into the black mare, getting her attention while Twilight got straight to work.

"I'll hold her off," I called after Twilight. "You just try to get the Elements up and running."

"You foal!" Nightmare Moon growled at me. "Do you think you can stop ME?!"

Me, the mistress of all evil...wait. Wrong villain.

I smirked before getting into position and charged her again when she charged as well.

Big mistake, as she sent me flying into...a pillar.

Fortunately, I did not give in. I charged back at her.

However, she saw that one coming, thus using her magic to send me flying again. This time...towards Twilight.

Good thing she noticed me, because she jumped out of the way, as I crashed there where she just stood.

I slowly got back up, and noticed that Twilight was utterly mortified.

“No,” Twilight said in a shaken tone.

"Ugh," I groaned, shaking my head before realizing what happened. I looked at the broken orbs of the Elements. "S-Sorry, Twilight...I didn't mean it! Blame her!" I pointed at Nightmare Moon who laughed evilly.

"You little foals!" she exclaimed, "Thinking you two could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!"

We just watched, hopelessness coming over us before we started to hear voices coming from somewhere.

"Don't worry, Twilight, we're here!"

"Don't worry, we'll be there!"

"And you as well, Dawn!"

I heard the two older voices, and I looked surprised before smiling while Twilight looked at Nightmare Moon. "Do you think you can defeat the Elements of Harmony, just like that?" she asked the black mare.

"Well, think again," she went on, "because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here."

I saw that the five ponies from before appeared before us, along with the two pegasi that saved me.

"Applejack," Twilight started to explain, "who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of...honesty! Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of...kindness! Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of...laughter! Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of...generosity! And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of...loyalty!"

I witnessed as the orb shards levitated themselves over to those five ponies, circulating around each of them.

"The spirits of these five ponies," concluded Twilight, "got us through every challenge you threw at us."

"You still don't have the sixth element!" Nightmare Moon reminded Twilight. "The spark didn't work!"

"But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all...are my friends! You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the...the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of...magic!" I saw that she and the five ponies were then in midair while a rainbow from the Elements of Harmony was aimed directly at Nightmare Moon, who screamed in panic.

"Noo, noo!" And then, she was engulfed by the rainbow and we all went out for a moment afterward.

It wasn't long before we all came to being.

"Ugh," Rainbow Dash groaned, "my head."

"Everypony okay?" I heard the orange pony...Applejack asked us.

"I'm good," I replied to her. "But, my world is spinning in colors!"

The two elder ponies helped me up.

“Are you okay?” asked the elder female pony.

"I'm fine, it's just my eyes are spinning," I groaned while keeping my eyes in place with a shake of my head. I looked to find a crown on Twilight's head while she smiled happily. I don't think I could believe myself, either. This was unreal. "Happy now, Twilight?"

"No doubt about it," said Twilight, still smiling.

"Why, Rarity," said Fluttershy all of a sudden, "it's so lovely."

"I know," I heard the one called Rarity say. "I will never part with it again." She was happy about her tail.

I rubbed my head, trying to get some feelings in me away from my stomach. Ugh, those colors still won't go away from my eyes. I have probably gone colorblind.

"No," pointed out Fluttershy, "Your necklace. It looks like your cutie mark.”

"What? Ooh, so does yours!" Rarity smiled at Fluttershy, who looked at her own necklace.

I rolled my eyes at their happiness.

"Look at mine! Look at mine!" Pinkie pounced up and down in happiness.

"Aw yeah!" Rainbow was looking at her lightning necklace.

Now that I think about it, the six of them were all sporting various necklaces equipped with different shaped gems.

"Gee, Twilight!" said Applejack all of a sudden, "I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the Elements of Harmony."

"Indeed you do," said a voice from somewhere as we watched the sun rising on the horizon and a light appeared before we saw...Princess Celestia in her glory.

The five ponies, along with the two elder ponies, bowed to her while Twilight trotted up to the princess.

"Princess Celestia!" She smiled happily while the alicorn smiled.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student," Celestia nuzzled the unicorn. "I knew you could do it."

"But," said Twilight concerned, "you told me it was all an old pony tale."

Why would Twilight say something like that, if we witnessed Nightmare Moon's appearance?

"Excuse me," I said as I trotted up to both of them. "Sorry to interrupt your little reunion, but, Twilight, what exactly did you mean by that with an old pony tale?"

"Oh!" Twilight realized what I meant, "Princess Celestia, do you still have that letter I sent you recently?"

Princess Celestia summoned up a scroll and gave it to me.

I opened it, and began to read:

"My dearest teacher, my continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that something bad is about to happen! For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she's about to return to Equestria, and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight then gave me another scroll, "That," she explained, "was her reply moments after I sent her that message."

I opened that one, and began to read:

"My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely...but you simply must stop reading those dusty old books. There is more to a young pony's life than studying, you see, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!"

"So..." I started, giving the scroll back. "You had a task of befriending some ponies while having to oversee the preparations to Summer Sun Celebrations as well as watching out for Nightmare Moon's potential return?"

"It had to be done," Princess Celestia explained, "I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was Twilight who had the magic inside to defeat her, but she could not unleash it until she had let true friendship into her heart."

"Well," I said, looking at the scrolls again, "that would explain a lot."

"And now, if only another will as well," Princess Celestia began, looking at a light blue alicorn. "Princess Luna!"

The alicorn gasped and looked up in small fright at Celestia.

"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister."

"Sister?!" the five ponies exclaimed in surprise.

I, somehow, did not look that surprised for a moment.

"Will you accept my friendship?" asked Celestia to her.

I thought about what Princess Celestia just said. It's been a thousand years. I then recalled once again that story my parents told me about Nightmare Moon. I knew just what to do.

Putting on a neutral face, I began to trot over to them.

"Dawn," asked Twilight with concern, "what are you doing?"

"The right thing," I said, as I continued over to them, getting their attention.

"With your permission," I said to Princess Celestia, "I wish to speak to Princess Luna."

I got Princess Celestia to bend down, whereas I whispered my reason into her ear.

"Granted," she said, as she backed away to make way for me and Princess Luna.

"Greetings, Princess Luna," I said softly, "I am Dawn Darkness."

"What do you want from me?" asked Princess Luna in a just as soft yet nervous tone.

"I just want to talk," I said, maintaining low tones so I wouldn't freak her out, "about how beautiful your night actually is."

I saw how she raised her head to set eye contact with me. Apparently, I piqued her interest.

"You see," I explained, "I understand now why you refused to lower the moon that day, and I don't blame you, Princess Luna. The night can be such a beautiful sight, sure enough, especially since everyone gets to watch the stars at that time."

I could have sworn that Princess Luna had smiled when I mentioned the beauty of nighttime.

"I must know," I went on, "as I once partied the night away one time, where I come from."

Princess Luna remained interested. I decided to go on.

"It's true that many never appreciated the night as much as you did...but times have changed during those 1000 years since you were trapped in the moon. Ponies have found simpler ways to get by. They've become more advanced than they were before. Heck...they've even come to accept your beautiful night."

Princess Luna was speechless about that last part.

She looked over to Princess Celestia, who gave her a warm smile.

And then she looked back at me.

"1000 years may have passed since that very day, Princess Luna," I concluded, "But it's not too late to realize your mistake and redeem yourself. I know Princess Celestia asked you that question already, but...will you accept her friendship...along with mine?"

Twilight and her friends were speechless on that last part.

They then witnessed...how Princess Luna got up...and hugged me, tears streaming down her face.

Moments later, we broke our hug, whereas I let her run over to Princess Celestia, both of them embracing each other after being separated for the past 1000 years.

"I'm so sorry," said Princess Luna tearfully, "I missed you so much, big sister!”

"It sure was a touching speech," said the elder female pegasus just then, "my grandson."

Hold on...

"Say, what now?" I blinked in surprise.

"Surprised?" The elder male raised a brow. "I guess you must be, since you never have known us for that long. But, yes. You're our grandson, Dawn."

I could hardly believe myself. Those two...are my grandparents?

"Are you for real?" Rainbow asked for me to the blue pegasus, who nodded in affirmation.

"It's true," he said. "We're his grandparents. My name is Cloud Blitz, and this here is my wife: Bright Star. We're happy to meet your acquaintances, everypony."

"I don't understand," I said confused, "Mom and Dad...they never told me anything about you guys. Okay, maybe my mom told me about two pegasi named Cloud Blitz and Bright Star, and how t-"

"Your mom," asked Cloud Blitz, interrupting me mid-sentence. "Forgive me for interrupting, but do you happen to remember your mom's name?"

"Yes," I said, "It was Lunar Star. Why?"

I noticed how Cloud Blitz and Bright Star looked at me in shock.

"Well..." explained Cloud Blitz, "because we remember witnessing the day you were born. You may not remember us, but we were there at your home, every year on your birthday. Heck, I even remember that happy look on your face, every time your grandmother and I came through that door.”

Now that they mentioned it, I do recall two elder individuals showing up at my home back on Earth/Terra, wherever it was my birthday. I even recalled their names; Erling and Edith Fredrikson.

Cloud Blitz then looked over to Princess Celestia and said, "Your majesty...I think it's time that Dawn Darkness knows the truth."

"I already know the truth," I said, interrupting him. "I was sent here by my pen pal to live a normal life here in Equestria."

"Your pen pal," asked Princess Celestia, "do they have a name?"

"Yes," I answered. "He said his name was Solar Eclipse."

At that moment, I could've sworn that Princess Celestia had turned pale, much paler than she looked.

"Princess?" I heard Twilight's concerned voice for her mentor. "Is everything alright? You look worried. Is there something wrong?"

"Solar Eclipse," she said with concern, "I haven't heard that name within five years."

"Speaking of Solar Eclipse," I realized, "he said he had this message he wanted me to give to you. I gave it to Twilight last night, seeing as she is your student, whereas she might hand it to you once she could."

I looked at Twilight, who blinked in realization as well. "Do you still have it?" I asked.

"It's back at the library in Ponyville," said Twilight. "I wanted to make sure that it was extra secure, just in case."

"Speaking of Ponyville," Pinkie spoke up, "assuming this very victory, you know what this calls for?"

Oh no...don't tell me...

"A PARTY!!"

I let out a Darth Vader "NOOO!!!" scream after her loud call, prompting chuckles from my grandparents.

Soon, we were back in Ponyville. Correction, they were back in Ponyville, while my grandparents led me to where they lived.

Seeing as I could not fly, both of them didn't hesitate to lift me up like I was only a newborn.

"Grandma, Grandpa," I pouted, "This is downright humiliating."

"Come now, Dawn," Grandma chuckled. "You need to feel the wind of the skies. It's a refreshment for us pegasi to feel the winds."

"Besides," Grandpa added, "you know we had to since you cannot use your wings."

I groaned as they took off to their house, thankfully not many ponies saw this on the streets of Ponyville.

Soon, we made it up to their house. I must admit, it reminded me of one of the American houses from the 1950s.

I was soon off Grandma's back and touched the cloud...and for a moment, I was afraid to fall through...which didn't happen for some reason. I had my eyes closed when I touched it, but opened them to see I was standing on the cloud.

"Do you feel the softness of it?" Grandpa asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah."

"It's an ability we pegasi have to let us move, stand, and live on clouds," Grandma explained. "It's nice to have once you get used to it."

Huh. It would be nice to be able to fly, too. I always wanted to fly in the skies above. The feelings of calmness, and the excitement on how birds have it in their entire lives. There must be something for me to learn it...if I have Rainbow for fast lessons on it, that is.

Speaking of Rainbow Dash...she was behind us and has witnessed that I had to be lifted up by my own grandparents.

I could almost hear it. The sound of her burst of laughter when she saw me with my grandparents. I groaned in humiliation while the two elders were oblivious to the rainbow blue pegasus who was on her own outside.

This was just absolutely perfect!

“Wow,” she said, “why didn’t you tell me that you can’t fly, Dawn?”

"I did state I was new to being a flyer, didn't I?" I raised a brow at her. "That wasn't very fun, mind you, Rainbow."

“Believe me,” she said, “I am not laughing myself. By the way, Twilight wishes to see us tonight to discuss about you.”

I still had my brow up. "What is it?" I asked.

“Must I remind you,” she asked, “that you still have a lot to explain about who you really are?!”

I groaned, having been caught into a corner. "I was afraid of this..." I mumbled, which my grandparents heard and turned to see me with Rainbow.

"Ah, you're one of our grandson's friends," Grandpa noted. "Why do you think that? Has he got himself into trouble?"

“For starters,” said Rainbow Dash, “Dawn never mentioned where he came from. Not to mention, Princess Luna, when she was still Nightmare Moon, somehow knew that Dawn came from another planet. Must I say more?”

“She has a point,” said Grandma, looking at me. “Dawn, you have to tell them the truth.”

I only sighed this time. "Fine..." I looked at Rainbow. "Alright, I'll come with you. Just so you know, it isn't what you may think of me on what I'll explain to you all."

“As long as you come in peace,” said Rainbow Dash, “I’m good with having you around.”

I raised a brow, but didn't say anything on that matter as we--that to say Grandpa having lifted me on his back--got down on the ground of Ponyville before he flew back up to their house while Rainbow and I trotted over to the library.

A long walk later, we were back at the Golden Oaks Library.

We were assembled by Twilight, who spoke. "Alright, Dawn here has something he wants to say to us," she began before looking at me with a known look. "Will you begin your explanation on where you came from?"

“Alright,” I said, “You all deserve to know the truth. However..whatever I tell you all tonight stays between us and the princesses, seeing as they know already. Ergo...all six of you must promise to tell not one soul, and I mean it. What I am about to tell you guys will be a secret we're gonna keep from everyone, and I mean everyone, for the rest of our lives. Got it?!”

Just then, Pinkie Pie did a rather unusual movement while spouting following; “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”

"What was that?" I asked.

"It's my Pinkie Promise, silly!" Pinkie replied. "It is my way of keeping this as a promise to never tell a soul about it!"

I raised a brow, but didn't say anything on it. "Alright then...here goes..." I took in a deep breath before I began the explanation.

"What Nightmare Moon said last night is undoubtedly true. My home is far from this place...on another world entirely."

The girls weren't sure what to make of it.

"I was sent here by a friend of mine," I went on, "You know him by the name Solar Eclipse."

"I remember," said Rarity. "You mentioned him back at the Castle of the Two Sisters."

Rarity then noticed that Twilight looked away from all of us.

"Oh dear," she said, "Did I say something wrong?"

"That's just it, Rarity," I explained, "You see...you are not the first friends Twilight has made."

I was certain she would be fine with me telling them, and she looked at me with a nod. I smiled at her before I continued with the explanation.

"Solar Eclipse and Twilight...well...you could consider both of them as best friends. They both met when they were only little foals. Twilight didn't know why, but Solar Eclipse was different from the other foals. He was always there for her, no matter what. They would always hang out, they would always make each other laugh, they even would nap together. Twilight's Mom once told her that they both were so cute when they slept together. And then...five years ago...he just stopped showing up for the summer holidays. She never saw him again since."

The girls looked at Twilight with concern, Applejack lowering her hat in respect.

"We're so sorry about what happened, Twi," she said sadly. "We never knew that..."

"I still can't believe that would actually happen," said Twilight, tears running down her face. "Solaris was my first friend, and I haven't seen him for five years. He even called me his first true friend that didn't have a president printed on...whatever that means."

"Anyway," I went on, huddling against Twilight to comfort her, "my home in another world..."

"Go on, sugarcube," said Applejack in a calm tone. "We're all ears."

I sighed and continued; "My home, a planet locally known as Earth, is much like your planet, which I recall from Solar Eclipse, or Merlin Spark VII as he goes by there, is called Equis."

The girls remained silent as I kept on; "I would often hear about Equestria through a lot of stories that my parents told me at bedtime. How this beautiful country came to be, how the first Hearth's Warming was celebrated, and everything else.”

I went on and on and on, explaining to the girls everything about myself.

I told them how my life was a complete trash before moving to another place, how no one loved and cared for me, except for my parents, how I had to put up with a ton of bad things in my life, the list went on.

Eventually, my whole explanation came to an end, whereas everything went completely silent.

"So there you have it, girls. Everything there is to know."

"Well..." Rainbow was the first to speak after a moment of silence. "That's just...wow."

"My kind of words, Rainbow," I smiled.

"I didn't know you had that rough of a life," Applejack noted to me after my life was explained. "Sorry about that, sugarcube..."

"Hey, it's fine," I reassured her with a wave of my hoof. "As long as I'm here, it'll be a new beginning for me."

"But..." Applejack remembered something, "how exactly did you end up here in Equestria?"

"It's easy," I said. "A while back, my friend Merlin, or Solar Eclipse as Twilight would call him..."

"Actually," said Twilight, interrupting me. "Solar Eclipse told me his other name not long after we met."

I could not believe my ears. Twilight knew both of Merlin's names. It got me thinking.

"Say, Twilight," I asked curiously, "did Solar Eclipse...I don't know...tell you where he resides when he's not in Equestria?"

"Sure he did," said Twilight, "Just like you, Dawn, Merlin too resides on Earth. It even surprised me even further when he confessed that he was the prince of his own kingdom."

"Whoa there, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, waving her hooves in shock. "You actually befriended an alien apart from Dawn?!"

"Actually," said Twilight, "Merlin was born here in Equestria, whereas his mom resided here a long time ago before she was sent to that planet by order of Princess Celestia."

Rainbow was silent at what she had just spoken. "So, wait a minute! Merlin was born on this world before he was being sent to some planet out in space, and then he just disappeared for five years?!"

"It's rather complicated," I explained. "You see, Merlin was only the age of 4-5 when he not only first visited Equestria, but also when he and Twilight first met. They started off quite well, and since then, he would hang out with Twilight every summer. And then five years ago...well...you know the rest."

"Wow," said Rarity, "we don't know what to say."

Twilight nodded sadly.

"Anyway," I said, continuing how I got to Equestria. "A while back, back on Earth, we were sitting at the table in the Spark family palace, having breakfast, and next thing we knew, the Danish Government showed up, claiming that Merlin's family had kidnapped me and my family about a year ago."

"They thought you were kidnapped?" Twilight raised a brow. "By who had claimed that?"

I was unsure if I should tell them or not, but since I already explained most of my life... "It was by a bully from my school," I replied to her.

"Are you joking?!" asked Rainbow Dash angrily. "Why the hay would they do something like that?!"

"For starters," I explained. “It was when Merlin came to my school one day, claiming to be an exchange student, and knocked out that same bully during lunchtime without breaking a sweat. Not to mention, he did the same later at night back in Bloodonia. That bully sworn revenge that day, and from the looks of it, that was what he had in mind, which was taking my new life in Bloodonia away from me."

"That nerve!" Rainbow growled, but calmed down a bit afterward. "So, what happened after that?"

"Anyway," I continued my explanation, "we tried to reason with them, but that bully, his name was Butch, begging to differ, retaliated by shooting Merlin straight in the chest with a gun."

"That bully did what?!" Twilight was shocked.

"You heard me," I sighed. "But, that didn't kill him somehow. After Butch tried to kill him, his father, the Danish Army General, had about five guards chase after us."

"Goodness," Fluttershy gasped, "at least you've escaped, or else you wouldn't be here right now."

"No kidding," I went on. "Good thing Merlin knew his family's palace like the back of his hands."

That last part had everyone except Twilight confused. "What are hands?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Never mind," I said, as I continued. "We were able to lose the guards after a while, Merlin leading us both to a laboratory in the palace's basement. There, he had a little something pieced together. An interdimensional portal."

I then finished, "And that's how I got into Equestria."

I then recalled a little something that Merlin told me to do.

"Twilight," I asked, "you still have that scroll from Merlin on you?"

She blinked in realization, nodding to me in affirmation. "Yes, I have it," she told me. "Would you like me to send it to the Princess?"

"It will be better that you did," I said, "After all, whatever Merlin has to say to Princess Celestia must be very important."

"Alright." Twilight headed off to her bedroom, soon to return with the scroll.

She gave it to Spike who sent a gust of fire on it, resulting in it to disappear. "There. It is on its way."

"Excellent," I smiled. "I'm sure Princess Celestia will be happy to see what Merlin had written to her."

(Celestia's POV)

I was really happy that my sister Luna was back in my life.

I was sure that nothing could ruin my good mood this very night.

It was then...that a scroll appeared before me.

"Oh, what's this?" I wondered, looking at the scroll. "I wonder what Twilight would send to me at this hour." I then opened the scroll, reading what was written on it before a smile appeared on my expression.

It was from somepony I didn’t happen to hear from in five years. Solar Eclipse.

However, when I started to read it...my smile slowly vanished.

The scroll read,
Your dearest majesty,
if you are reading this then that means that this message has found you well.
Well...it's been five years since I last came to Equestria for the summer, and since I last hung out with Twilight.
I have this tense feeling that you and Twilight have been both very concerned about my sudden disappearance.
This message before should explain why I didn't show myself for the last five years.
I would say that it had to do with royal duties, due to my status as Prince of Bloodonia, and I know better than lying to you.
The truth is...I was banished from Equestria against my will.

I looked shocked to read that last part. I continued to read the scroll nonetheless.

You read that part right. Banished. I wasn't sure who had the audacity to do such a thing without consulting you, but whoever it was must have had something against me being in Equestria.
I can only hope that with this message, you'll be able to start a search for the landlubber who did this, and finally bring justice to them.
I'm hoping that our paths will cross again one day.
Until then...stay strong, and keep Equestria safe.
Warm regards...
Prince Merlin Spark VII, aka Prince Solar Eclipse
PS: Please tell Twilight I said Ahoy, and tell her that I've never stopped thinking of her, you or Equestria for the past five years.

As happy as I was to finally understand why Solar Eclipse never showed up for the last five years, I was furious.

"Is something the matter, sister?" I looked over and saw Luna in the doorway.

"Sister, please alert the guards," I told her immediately. "I shall prepare for something."

"Right away," she said, taking her leave.

I looked at a scroll, and I began to write on it after levitating it over to me.

My dearest Twilight,
I have terrible news.

(Dawn's POV)

Later that night, I was back at my grandparents' place, looking through a photo album I had just found.

Inside were pictures of my mom when she was only a foal.

I smiled at the photo before I sighed. I miss them, even if it has only been a little over a day being in Equestria. I put the photo album back to its proper place before I went to bed, and I went to sleep soon afterward.

Yup...things are really looking up to me. Here's to my new life...and here's to everything that is coming my way soon.
> Chapter 3: The Ticket Master
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A day or two has passed since I moved to Equestria and into my grandparents' place, and I must admit that things are starting to improve in my life. I mean, I only confessed my old living space to my new friends, and they've accepted me instantly, no judgement at all. I must confess that that was a good thing, seeing as I always longed for friends who would accept me for who I am and who I'm not. And right now... it was a beautiful morning, and Twilight and I were helping out Applejack over at Sweet Apple Acres.

"No, nope, nope." I saw Spike tossing some apples from the bags Twilight had on her, and I shook my head fondly to the baby dragon. 

"Thank you kindly, Twilight and Dawn, for helping me out," Applejack thanked us gratefully. "I bet Big McIntosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles." 

"No problem, Applejack," I replied as we trotted. "We were happy to help you."

Interestingly, I noticed this whole time how Twilight was wearing headphones of some kind. Also, those headphones were connected to a device I knew very well. It was a SONY Walkman TPS-L2.

"I'm glad the goal is lunchtime," Twilight said. "All this hard work is making me hungry."
 
"I know, right?" Spike agreed as he continued sitting on her back. 

"Puh-lease, Spike," the unicorn rolled her eyes. "You've been lounging on my back the whole morning while we worked."
 
"Not to mention," I added. "Why didn't you help us?"
 
"Because--" 

"You're lazy, I get it," I finished for him, smirking while he rolled his eyes at me. “Say, Twilight,” I asked the unicorn. “Where exactly did you get that Walkman?” 

Twilight sighed, “Merlin gave it to me when I was in Bloodonia.”
 
“No way!” I was shocked, “You’ve actually been to Earth?!”

“What now?!” Applejack was just as shocked.

I was shocked that Twilight had been to Earth before. "How did you get there?" I asked her.

"It's kind of a long story," said Twilight, "You could say that Merlin wanted to show me where he grew up, not long after his Dad showed up in Equestria one day. I only read in books that humans walked the face of Equestria before they were banished 1000 years ago, but I never thought that I would see them for real."

"Huh." I hummed, thinking. "That makes sense, I guess."

"Well," said Twilight, "this device here, I remember humans calling it a Walkman, was the last gift he gave me before he stopped showing up in Equestria... or rather... before he got banished."

"Hmm," I began to think about it. Just then, my eyes went wide, "Wait, what?"

Twilight sighed. "Princess Celestia sent me this scroll the other night," she explained, "Apparently, the scroll I sent to her in Merly's name... it mentioned that he was banished from Equestria five years ago." Twilight lowered her head in sadness, "I practically cried myself to sleep that night when I read her reply."

I was kinda surprised. I never thought Twilight would have done that. Well...maybe I would, too, if I hadn't seen my friend in a long time.

I looked over and I saw that Applejack too felt Twilight's pain. "I'm so sorry, sugarcube," she said, "I too would feel upset if something had happened to one of my friends... or worse... one of my family members."

Just then, I heard Spike belch as a letter came from his green flames. "A letter."

I watched it gently float down for Spike to catch in his claws. 

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia," said Twilight. Spike opened up the scroll, cleared his throat, and…

"Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest." 

One guest, huh? I wonder who that could be.

Of course, the girls were happy about this. Spike, on the other hand, oops, I mean hoof, was rather grossed out. 
"I remember," I said. "That's this social gathering, right?" 

The girls stopped their little happy dance, surprised at my comment. "No way, Dawn," said Applejack. "You know about the Grand Galloping Gala? But you only mentioned a while back that you were born and raised on this planet... uhm... Earth, was it, Twi?"

"Yeah," Twilight nodded. "How do you know, Dawn?" 

"My parents told me through bedtime stories," I said.

Twilight, Applejack, and Spike all raised their eyebrows.

 "Right," realized Twilight, "We were told that your parents originated from Equestria." 

I nodded. "They would often tell me stories about Equestria at bedtime, resulting in me having nothing but sweet dreams... or horrific nightmares, depending on what they told me. Basically, I grew up knowing about Equestria through bedtime stories... but I never thought I would see it for real."

Then, somepony crashed down from above us. I groaned, and I looked to find Rainbow Dash on top of us. 

She laughed nervously at me. "Sorry, Dawn. I couldn't help but overhear you guys talking about the Grand Galloping Gala."

"Rainbow, you could've at least watched where you land on ponies," I sighed.

Applejack, however, was not amused. "Rainbow Dash," she scowled, "you told me you were too busy to harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spying?" 

I looked up while Applejack had chewed out Rainbow Dash and noticed that there was a blanket and pillow lying on a tree trunk. "Actually, Applejack," I said. "I think Rainbow Dash was busy napping."

"What Dawn said," Rainbow nodded to me. "And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" she asked Twilight.
 
"Yeah, but--" Twilight was interrupted by the pegasus. 

"YES!" Rainbow cheered. "This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now..." 

I noticed she was daydreaming as she continued.

"Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly... Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Rainbow Dash: Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member."

I was unsure whether they would accept somepony as her, but I kept my mouth closed while Rainbow looked at Twilight. 
"Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!"

Just then, Applejack grabbed her with her teeth and pulled her back, "Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here." She spat out her tail to speak clearer, "I asked for that ticket first."

Rainbow stared at her. "So? That doesn't mean you own it." 

Oh, a girl fight. Just what I need this morning. 

"Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket," Applejack challenged Rainbow before they got to a tree stump and began their hoof-wrestle.

Good thing Twilight was having none of it. "Girls! These are my tickets, I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?" 

"She has a point," I said, "I must know, because I once had such a decision to make myself when I attended Bloodonia High School. Two girls wanted to go with me to this community dance, and they were both very eager, just like you two.  So as Twilight said, whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket."

"Drummin' up business farm?" Applejack. 

"A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow.
 
"Money t' fix Granny's hip." Applejack again.
 
"Living the dream." 

Oh, why not? "Girls!" I said. "Stop it, please. No fighting over the tickets."

"Oh my," thought Twilight, "those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?"
 
"No kidding," I said, "That makes things complicated who to give the extra ticket to."
 
Just then, Twilight's stomach started to rumble. "Listen to that, I am starving," she said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, "I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?"

Applejack and Rainbow nodded. "Okay." They then returned to their hoof-wrestling.
 
I rolled my eyes and spread my wings to fly back to my grandparents.

At least that was the plan... if it was not for the fact that I still can't fly. "Rainbow Dash," I kindly asked her, while she was still hoof wrestling, "a little help here, please."

Rainbow blinked. She looked at me and nodded. "Sure, Dawn. I'll get you there." She trotted over to me and began to assist me in getting up in the sky.

To be fair, she did feel sorry for me being in this situation. "Sucks to be unable to fly, eh? But hey, at least you have pegasi grandparents. I'm sure they'll get you up to speed before you know it."

"I'll be sure to talk with them about this flying thing," I promised. "Besides, I do want to feel the wind of the sky myself and not on somepony else. I still think this is humiliating." And that was true. Luckily I didn't have to bother with ponies laughing at me whenever Grandma got me down in the town, as we were going directly to Twilight each day to borrow books or talk with her.

"Point taken," said Rainbow Dash, as she kept on carrying me up and up, until we reached my grandparents' house. 
We dismissed each other, and I went right inside, where I was met by...my grandfather.
 
"So," he asked, "how did it go at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"It was fine, Grandpa," I nodded. "I enjoyed spending the morning with Twilight and Applejack."

"I see," he said, then to ask me, "Did you tell Granny Smith I said hello?" 

Just then, he was pelted in the back of his head with a wooden spoon.
 
I looked over and saw my grandmother giving him a smirk, "I heard that, you dirty bastard."

I chuckled while Grandpa rubbed his head with his hoof. 

"Anyway..." he said, looking at me. "You want to learn how to fly, Dawn? I could guess from the way Rainbow brought you up to the house, and the way you looked."

"Do I?" I exclaimed, "Heck, yeah, Grandpa! In fact, I was to be asking you myself."
 
"Very well," he said, as he went to grab... a uniform?

"You were in the Wonderbolts?" I asked him, noticing the blue uniform of the flyers.

"You know about the Wonderbolts?" asked my grandmother curiously. 

"Well," I explained, "when I was just a little boy, my parents would often tell me those bedtime stories about Equestria. They even told me about the Wonderbolts."

"I see," she smiled. "I'm glad they told you about this world."
 
I gave a single nod before Grandpa was finished putting the uniform on.

"It feels so great to have it back on," he said with joy as he and I marched right outside, only to see Rainbow Dash... napping... again.

"Leave it to me," said my grandfather, as he tiptoed over to the snoozing Rainbow Dash, and... roared like a manticore.

Rainbow screamed in fright and I couldn't help but laugh at her ridiculous reaction. Priceless.

Just then, she was in front of me, giving me the stinkeye. "You think this is funny?!" she asked angrily. "What if it was a real Manticore?!"

"Relax, we were only having some fun." Grandpa quickly spoke to defend me. "Besides, napping in front of our house? I couldn't help myself when I saw you."

"Yeah, Rainbow Dash," I said, "Besides, if it was a real Manticore, you surely would have known." 

Rainbow Dash thought for a moment. "You know, Dawn," she said, "you're making a good point."

She looked at Grandpa, then at me again. "Where are you off to?"
 
"Learning to fly," I said.

"I see," said Rainbow Dash, until she noticed the uniform my grandfather was wearing, and then... "Sweet Celestia!!! You're one of the Wonderbolts?!"
 
"I used to be," confessed my grandfather, "Not anymore, since I'm retired now. Why? Are you a fan of our work?"

"You bet!" Rainbow nodded. "I'm soo amazed at how the team performs their tricks." 

Grandpa chuckled. "Is that so? Maybe you could join Dawn and I in my teachings for him to fly."

"I've a better idea," she said, "Dawn... consider yourself two teachers for this." 

That surely made my day, being taught by a former Wonderbolt and a fan of them.

And so, the fun began. I started off by learning the basics from my grandfather, which was hard, due to how many teachers would also have different basics for their students to learn.

It was a fun time learning to fly. I was tired even after learning the basics of it. I was in town currently and I was soon met with Twilight and Spike. 

"So, how did your day go?" I asked Twilight.

"I CAN'T CHOOSE!!!" exclaimed Twilight suddenly, startling me a little.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Sorry, Dawn," said Spike, "but Twilight here has trouble with who to give that extra ticket to." 

"You know," I suggested, "perhaps you should give it to me. I mean..." 

Twilight just gave me a deadpan.

"Okay..." I went silent as she sighed. 

"What do you think, Spike?" Twilight asked the dragon. 

"I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" 

I looked at him. "I think she meant about the Gala, Spike."

"Oh," said Spike, "You're still on that, Twilight?"

"Spike, listen," Twilight said. "How do I choose? And when I choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up on my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies. What if I--"
 
"Ah, your food." The waiter came with their food on a plate. 

I looked at her while thinking to myself.

"Oh, thank you," said Twilight to the waiter, as he placed the plate down that had a sandwich with... daffodils and daisies and left, "This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat."

"Em, madam? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?" the waiter asked. 

Rain? That's odd. Shouldn't it be a clear cloud-free day?

It was then that we noticed that it really was raining.

But then, some sunlight came from the clouds. I was confused. Is it a double weather day?
 
"Hi there, best friend I've ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?" 

I looked up and saw Rainbow Dash having removed some clouds above us.

"Rainbow Dash," asked Twilight, "what are you doing?" 

I had a suspicion what was going on, but I decided to say nothing to see how this turned out.

"Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all." 

I looked at Twilight, who had the same thought as I do. 

"Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?" Twilight asked.

"Me?" Rainbow was obviously trying to hide the obvious, "No no no, of course not."
 
"Uh-huh," Twilight was not buying it. 

"Seriously," Rainbow Dash went on, "I'd do it for anypony."

She gulped as Twilight clearly looked not the least happy. 

"Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you'd close up that rain cloud right now."

"Ugh, fine." Rainbow did as told.

"That went well," I commented before rain poured down on us.

Well, it did make me wish that Rainbow Dash would have waited until Twilight had eaten her sandwich, because just as she was about to take a bite, the rain completely ruined it, making it all soggy. Heck, even her hair was ruined because of the rain. She was annoyed. As for Spike... he tried to hold back his laughter.

"Twilight, it's raining," said Rarity when she came over. 

"No, really?" Twilight looked at her. 

"Come with me before you catch a cold." Rarity then had Twilight follow her.
 
I watched them leave before deciding to trot from the restaurant as well before I saw a crimson red pegasus who looked quite beautiful...whoa, where'd that come from?

She obviously didn't see where she was flying, because suddenly, she ended up crashing into me.

"Oops. Sorry." Even her voice sounded beautiful. The pegasus shook herself and got off me. "Are you all right, sir?" 

I blinked. "Yeah. Just watch where you fly next time, all right?"

It was at that moment when we both looked into our eyes, and... I could have sworn that they were glowing pink for only a single moment.

"So...um..." I tried to find my voice after staring at her eyes. "What's your name?"
 
"Crimson Light," she introduced by bowing. "And you?" 

"Dawn Darkness." 

Crimson smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Dawn."

"Nice to meet you too, Crimson." We both shook our hooves.

"So..." I began, "what brought you to Phonyv-I mean Ponyville?"

"I was just doing my job with the weather," she replied. "Then, when I saw you, I couldn't control my flying."

"Yeah," I said, "me too." I finally got myself together, "I mean I'm not good at flying. You could say that I lived on the ground all my life."

Crimson raised a brow. "A pegasus living on the ground, and not up in the sky? Well, I guess we do have our meaning."

I nodded, "I only just moved in with my grandparents after my parents suggested that my grandfather would teach me to fly... along with other pegasi."

"I see." Crimson smiled. "Who else is teaching you to fly?"

"Rainbow Dash," I said, "Don't tell anyone, but my friend Twilight Sparkle has these tickets to this event called the Grand Galloping Gala, and..." 

"Woah now," said Crimson, interrupting me. "Did you say the Grand Galloping Gala? The one held in Canterlot? As in the fanciest party of the year?"

"Yes?" I said.

"I've always dreamed of one day going there," she said. 

"Just don't tell anypony, all right? I don't want to stress my friend out more," I added. 

"Oh." Crimson blinked, having not realized that. "So...how much can you fly, Dawn?"
 
"I've only learned the basics from my Grandpa," I said. "But I think I can manage a small flight." I looked at my wings and gave them a short beat. 

"Great. Let's go and meet him." Crimson smiled at me. 

"My Grandpa?" I wondered. "Sure, why not? I have a feeling he'll be happy to know you." At that, she turned a bit, unaware of my small flush but I shook it off quickly before we took off into the sky.

True, I may have learned the basics, but I must admit that it was not a bad start for my first time flying. 

Eventually, we arrived at my grandparents' place, where a good scent went up my nose. Smelled like... Ratatouille.

"Dawn! You're back early, I see." Grandpa greeted me as I trotted in with Crimson. "Oh? What's this? Do you have a special somepony, Dawn?"

I blushed, which Crimson did as well. "We-We're not really sure what you mean, Grandpa..." I stuttered. 

"We've only met," Crimson added.

"Of course you have," he said, winking at us, "Now come along. Your grandmother is making Ratatouille. Your mother used to like that stuff when she was a filly.”

And so, we ate together. It was...pleasant for me, to put it. I got to know Crimson a little more as we dined with Grandma and Grandpa.

"So, Crimson," asked my Grandmother, wanting to break the ice, "what exactly brought you here to Ponyville?"

"I was...looking...for something," said Crimson, voice unsure.

"I see," Grandma said, as she took another bite, this time it being a chunk of zucchini.

"What were you looking for?" I asked Crimson, curiosity in my voice.
 
She stayed silent for a long moment.

She was about to say something, when suddenly, we heard what sounded like a mob. 

"Grandma, Grandpa," I asked politely, since it is rude to just stand up during dinner, "may I go check what the commotion is about outside?" 

"Now, now," said Grandma, "we would... if you haven't left out the magic word."
 
I completely forgot about that, so I tried again. "May I go check what the commotion is about outside...  Please?"

She nodded. I stood and went out to the front of the house and looked down to find...a crowd of ponies chasing somepony I know. It was Twilight, and on her back was Spike.

"Not on my watch," I said, as I spread my wings and flew right after them, or, to quote a certain toy astronaut, fell with style.

I was falling down rather fast, until I steadied myself and gave my wings quick beatings before I managed to fly. I landed softly on the ground and I told myself to never do that again.

Eventually, I was able to catch up with Twilight and Spike, who seemed to have been in quite a predicament.

"Let me guess. Pinkie Pie, right?" I asked. "She practically told everypony about the tickets?"

"Less talking," said Twilight, "and more running."

I was about to look at the crowd that was closing in, but as quick as she was, Twilight's horn lit up and she, along with Spike and I were teleported away from the street.

Where were we teleported, you ask? The Golden Oaks Library.

"Ugh...warn me next time you're gonna do that," Spike complained as we were safe from the crowd of ponies.
 
I was just shaking my head as I looked at Twilight. 

"I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Quick, lock the doors," she said quickly as Spike and I closed the doors.

The deed was done... or was it? 

"Twilight," I said, "I can't seem to shake the feeling that we're not alone in here."

True to my words, the light turned on and Twilight panicked when our friends showed up. 

"Yaaargh! I can't decide. I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I want to make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!"

I understood her stress, and I was about to say something when Applejack began apologizing to her.

“Twilight, sugar. I didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don’t want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won’t feel bad, I promise.”

“Me too,” Fluttershy agreed. “I feel awful that I made you feel so awful.”

“And me too.” Pinkie added. “It’s no fun upsetting your friends.”

“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did,” Rarity apologized.

“Yes!” Except for Rainbow, she was cheering. “That means the ticket’s mine Ha ha. I got the ticket. I got the ticket!”
I gave her my glare, which prompted Rainbow to stop her singing.

“You know, I haven’t perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don’t need that ticket either.”

“We all got so gun-ho about going to the Gala that we couldn’t see how un-gun-ho we were making you,” Applejack added.

They then spoke in apologetically unison. “We’re sorry, Twilight!”

Twilight smiled, then to Spike: “Spike, take down a note.” As the dragon got a letter ready, she said, “Dear Princess Celestia, I’ve learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there’s not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“What?!” the five ponies gasped.

“If my friends can’t go, then I don’t wanna go either,” Twilight continued.

“Twilight, you don’t have to do that,” Applejack said to her.

“Nope, I’ve made up my mind,” Twilight told them. “Spike, you can send the letter now.”

Spike blew some green flames at the letter, and it was sent away.

“Now you won’t get to go to the Gala either,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“It’s okay, girls.” Twilight smiled at them. “And Dawn,” she added when I blinked. “I couldn’t possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me…”

There was laughter between them and some “Awww”.

“Hgh...hgh...urk...urk…” I looked at Spike.

“Well wallop my withers, Spike,” Applejack smiled. “Isn’t that just like a boy? Can’t handle the least bit of sentiment.”
He, however, burped out a letter.

“Whoa Nelly!” Applejack gasped.

“A letter from the Princess? That was fast,” Twilight noted.

“No kidding,” I agreed.

Spike cleared his throat. “My faithful student Twilight,” he read. “Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?” He picked up seven tickets. “Look! Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.”

I looked at the cheering girls. Then, I remembered somepony I met today. “Twilight,” I started, making her look at me. “Do you think there could be an extra ticket?”

“Why?”

“I’ve met...somepony who would like to go with me,” I said nervously, and they noticed my small blush.

“Do you mean to say that you’ve got a special somepony, Dawn?” Rainbow teased.

“N-No.” I shook my head. “I just wanted her to come along for the Gala.”

Twilight raised a brow, then nodded. Just then, Spike began to complain.

“How come I don’t get a ticket to the Gala?” He burped. “And one for you, Spike.”

“Spike, do you think we could get a ninth ticket?” Twilight asked him.

“Huh? Why?” he wondered.

“Dawn has met...ahem...somepony who he wanted to accompany to the Gala,” Twilight said.

“Sure, I can ask the Princess about it,” Spike nodded. He took a letter and began writing on it. Then, he stopped for a moment and looked at me. “Who is this somepony?”

“A pegasus named Crimson Light,” I answered.

Spike wrote it down, and he sent it with his green flames. “There.”

And after a short moment, he burped again and there was a folded letter. “And the ninth ticket has arrived,” he told me.

I was amazed how fast the Princess replied to him. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to let her have it.”

He nodded as I had two tickets, one for me and another for Crimson. I then saw him giggle a little to himself.

“I mean,” Spike said quickly. “Gross, I have to go too?” He continued to giggle.

Applejack chuckled at him.

I just shook my head fondly at the dragon.
> Chapter 4: Applebuck Season
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was another great day in Ponyville. Crimson and I were having a walk together, and mind you, we're not in a "date-relationship" type of thing. We're just friends.
 
"Well, we sure have a day ahead of us," I said, looking at Crimson. "With Applejack going to have her moment with the apples, I would say that everything will be fine today."
 
"Indeed," Crim nodded. 

Mind you, Crim is a nickname for Crimson I gave her. Although she still flushes in embarrassment whenever I say it, she doesn't mind it since we were good friends.

"Here," said Crim, "I heard Big Mac had injured his back super hard. Poor guy."

"Yeah." It was true. Big Mac, Applejack's brother, injured himself and was unable to work with her. I was sure that Applejack could handle it all fine on her end, but how would it be if she worked hard to kick those trees? I guess we'll just have to find out once we see her.

"It's probably gonna be hard for her," said Crim, "having to buck all those apples herself."

I nodded. As a matter of fact, I was rather concerned that she wanted to do it all on her own.

Then, we began to feel the ground shaking. Crimson and I hovered into the air to see the cause of the shaking. 

"STAMPEDE!" Rainbow shouted loudly. 

"Those are...cows?" I was surprised to find a horde of cows about to run into Ponyville.

Crim and I were able to get to safety alongside everypony else, but Pinkie, of course, just had to act all goofy again.

"Hey!" she laughed, her voice vibrating. "This is making my voice sound silly!" 

"Pinkie Pie, are you crazy?" Twilight called to her. "Run!"

The Mayor did the best she could to get everything under control, "Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic."

"But Mayor," started Rarity. "Whatever shall we do?"

"Look there!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash all of a sudden.

We looked and saw Applejack coming to the rescue with her loyal dog.

We simply sat back and witnessed her and her loyal dog rounding up the cows, one by one.

I was impressed by the display.

"Now that's what I call a rodeo show," I said. 

"Yep. This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen," Pinkie agreed and ate popcorn.

We could only watch as the cows were heading towards Ponyville. Fortunately, Applejack begged to differ.

"Come on, little dogies! Turn!" Applejack whistled. "Winona, put 'em up! Gotcha!" She managed to make the cows go to a different path from Ponyville and made them stop.


"Now," asked Applejack to one of the cows, "what was that all about?"

The cow she asked made a mooing sound before coughing. "Begging your pardon, Applejack, But, Moo-reilla here saw one of those nasty snakes." 

The cows were startled. 

"And it just gave us all the willies, don'tcha know," said the cow.

I rolled my eyes on that one. I recall back in my old high school, before I attended Bloodonia High, that one of my old school bullies once placed a live snake in my locker... and a poisonous one, too. I would have been a goner if the principal hadn't seen it and called both my parents AND emergency medical services in time. Not only did those bullies get suspended for the rest of the school year, but they were forced to do community service for that same amount of time because of that stunt.

"Applejack was just...just..." the Mayor couldn't find the right word. 

"Appletastic!" Pinkie finished for her. 

"Exactly," the Mayor nodded. "We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town."

"I know!" Looked like Pinkie Pie had an idea. "A party!" 

We were now in town setting up the party for Applejack—who, for some reason, we haven't seen the whole week. I wonder what is holding her? Oh, right. Those apples. Guess I might need to check up on her before the party preparations are done.

Interestingly, when I did go to check on her... well…

She looked very tired. Her mane was a bit of a mess. I blinked as I watched her. "Um, hi, Applejack."

"Oh...howdy...Dawn," Applejack yawned tiredly in her greeting. "Why are ya here?" 

"Well, I came to check to see how you were doing," I replied. 

"Just fine," Applejack said hurriedly. 

I raised a brow. She looked tired from bucking all those apples. She isn't even finished. And a week had gone since she started. "Do you need help—" 

"NO!" Applejack shouted. I jumped in surprise at her shout. "I can do this on my own. I don't need anypony to help me," she continued.

"Okay," I said, "but maybe you should at least come with me. We pieced together this little ceremony in your honor."

Applejack blinked tiredly. She nodded as we trotted away from the farm.

It wasn't long before we reached Ponyville.

"Awkward." I heard Spike after we heard our friends' speeches. 

"I'm here. I'm here." Applejack said beside me to them. "Sorry, I was just—whoa—I was just...whoa...did I get your tail? Miss Mayor. Thank you kindly for this here...award thingy." 

I knew she was a bit restless, but this? She surely needs something to get herself some help with her harvest. I looked at Twilight, who looked right back at me as we watched our friend.

She knew what I was thinking. I looked at Applejack, who dragged the Pony of Ponyville award with her. If she has worked restlessly over the past week with her apples, then I think she needs our help. She does look like one who is in need of it. I realized that when I came to get her for her honor celebration party for saving Ponyville from that cow stampede.

“Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little…” Twilight started.

“Tired?” Rainbow asked.

“Dizzy?”

“Messy?” We looked at Rarity. “Well, did you see her mane?”

“She seemed fine to me. Woo-ooo!” Pinkie, of course, acted silly.

I rolled my eyes at our party pony. I looked at Twilight, voicing my thoughts. “Twilight, I think we need to go and help our dear friend.”

The unicorn nodded in agreement. “Yes. She must have worked tirelessly on her own. She needs our helping hoof.”

I agreed with her. Whether Applejack wanted it or not, we’re going to assist her in her harvest of those apples. Heck, I want her to show less pride and just accept her friends’ help. Even...if it means being persistent about it.

Later, Twilight, Crimson and I were watching our friend Applejack snoring as she was continuing to buck a tree.

“What on Earth is that pony doing?” Good question, Twilight.

“She has worked tirelessly,” Crimson noted. “That poor girl must’ve been hard at work, that she is working in her sleep.”

I wondered how that was possible. Working while asleep is a bad idea, even if it means hurting yourself in the process while you need to do it. I looked at a snoring Applejack. She does look a bit cute while drowsily…

“Applejack.”

The said pony snored.

Twilight tried again. “Applejack. Applejack...AppleJACK!”

The Earth pony blinked her eyes tiredly open. “Oh...howdy, Twilight, Dawn, Crimson…”

“What is all this?” Twilight asked, gesturing to the bucked trees whose apples were collected in buckets.

“It’s Applebuck season,” Applejack replied.

“Applewhat season?” Twilight asked.

“Neh, it’s what the Apple family calls harvestin’ time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell them,” Applejack explained.

“But, you’re doing it alone,” I pointed out.

“‘Cause Big McIntosh hurt himself,” she added.

“What about all the relatives I’ve met when I first came to Ponyville?” Twilight questioned. “Can’t they help?”

Applejack sighed. “They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvesting their own orchards. So, uh, I’m on my own. Which means, I should really get back to work.”

We didn’t move an inch from her.

“Ahem...hint hint, guys? Get back to work?” Applejack said.

“Fine…” We sighed and stepped aside from her.

“Could you step aside, friends?” Applejack continued.

“We just did,” I said with a sweat drop.

“Yeah. Besides Applejack, you don’t look so good,” Twilight added.

Yep. She was right on that. Applejack was very tired and exhausted. She seriously needs to accept our help, or else she will collapse on the spot.

“Eh, don’t any of you three worry none,” Applejack said hurriedly. “I’m just fine and dandy. Whoa!”

I shook my head at her near fall.

“But there’s no way you can do it all on your own,” Crimson pointed out.

“Is that a challenge?” Applejack looked directly at her.

“Uhm...no?” Crim quickly shook her head.

“Well, I’m gonna prove to you that I can do it!” Applejack was stubborn for sure. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got apples to buck.”

We looked at each other and sighed simultaneously before trotting away from the stubborn Earth pony.

“This isn’t going to work, if she keeps that attitude up,” Twilight said.

“You got that right,” I agreed. “Even if we did try it, Applejack would just be angry if we were trying to harvest some of those apples without her noticing.”

“So that option is out,” Twilight sighed.

“I’d say that we should try and make her stop and realize what she is doing,” Crimson suggested.

“Would that work?” I asked, raising a brow.

“No,” Crim said.

I gave a frown. “This is going to become out of hoof. I’ll go and talk with Grandma and Grandpa to see if they have suggestions for our friend’s situation.”

They nodded and I spread my wings to fly up to my grandparents’ house.

I was soon up at the house and landed on the cloud before trotting inside the building. I was met with Grandma who smiled sweetly at me.

“Dawn, you’re here. What’s up, dear?” she asked.

I cleared my throat once Grandpa came beside her. “I came to ask for some things regarding my friend Applejack’s ‘applebuck’ she has going on.”

“Hmm,” Grandpa thought for a moment. “The best thing we can think of is to be patient. Once she has gotten to the point of admitting herself of her need for help.”

“But, what if she doesn’t?” I wondered.

“Then, just be a good friend to her,” Grandma said. “Whenever your mother had done something, such as being stubborn, we were patient to let her cool off.”

“Applejack is kind of different from Mom,” I noted.

“True,” Grandpa chuckled. “But remember. The best advice we can give is being patient. She’ll come around when she realizes it on her own.”

“I see,” I smiled. “Thanks, Grandma, Grandpa. I’ll go and see Applejack.”

“Have a good day!” They called as I went out and flew away from the house.

I looked down to find Applejack tiredly trying to help Rainbow Dash. Ooh, this is a bad idea. If she has gotten to her limit by bucking those apples, then I think I’ll need to stop this before it gets out of hoof.

“Well, I’m gonna stand on one end, then you’re gonna jump down from that platform,” Rainbow instructed Applejack by gesturing to some platform. “Launching me into the air faster than I can take off on my own. Once I’m in the air, I’m gonna do some amazing flips that are sure to impress the Wonderbolts.”

“Isn’t that a mita dangerous?” Applejack asked.

“Pfft!” Rainbow dismissed it with the wave of her hoof. “Not for one pony who can fly.”

“Well, all right-y then. Oh my.”

I could see Rainbow was unaware of our friend’s drowsiness.

“Ready? One...two...three!”

Applejack crashed down on the ground. I shook my head at the scene before me.

“Um...maybe I wasn’t clear enough…” Rainbow realized. “You’re supposed to land on the other end.”

“Got it.” Applejack grunted at least three times.

“Applejack. Rainbow!” I called to them from above and landed near them, safe from the platform. “What the hell is going on here?”

“You ask me, but Applejack was supposed to help me with my flips,” Rainbow replied, and then she quickly spotted Applejack. “Wait...Applejaaaaack!”

I looked as Rainbow was flung into the air with her scream. I sighed before hearing Applejack.

“You’re welcome!”

I shook my head at the drowsy Earth pony, who was oblivious to my presence for some reason as she trotted away.

I ran after her. “Applejack! APPLEJACK!” I called after her as she stopped. “I need to talk to you.”

“What? You need to walk to the zoo? Well, who’s stopping you?”

I shook my head. “I need to talk to you.”

“Oh! Well, why didn’t you just say so?” Applejack said. “What do you wanna talk about?”

“I want to know why you just sent Rainbow into the air,” I said.

“Yes,” Twilight appeared by my side. “And dropped Rainbow Dash in to see me today.”

I blinked. “She was sent onto your balcony, Twilight?”

“Indeed,” she nodded.

“That’s quite neighborly of her,” Applejack said.

“Yes, except that she crashed onto my balcony while I was reading after you launched her into the air,” Twilight said to Applejack.

Applejack realized, “Oh, yeah. I wasn’t feeling quite myself this morning.”

I shook my head. “No, definitely not.”

“Because you’re working too hard and you need help,” Twilight added.

“What? Kelp?” Applejack asked. “I don’t need kelp. I don’t even like seaweed.”

“HELP!” Twilight practically yelled. “You need HELP!”

“Nothin’ doin’, Twilight.” Applejack shook her head. “I’m gonna prove to you, t’everypony, that I can do this on my own. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta help Pinkie Pie.”

Twilight groaned loudly as well as I. “That stubborn, hard-working pony!” she exclaimed. “She is going to hurt herself if she keeps this up!”

“I agree,” I nodded.

“I’ll go and be certain she doesn’t get anypony else in trouble,” Twilight said.

“All right. See you later.” I waved to her as she trotted away.

I was alone now. Applejack has had her hard day with those trees. Sure she doesn’t accept our help if she wants to prove herself capable of doing it, I’m going to be firm and just try and mind on my own until Twilight has knocked some sense into her. With that in mind, I turned to the path of Ponyville trotted towards the town. I’ll be having some distance from Applejack, since if we keep on telling her to get help, she will no doubt snap at us. And I don’t want that to happen to me or my friends.

“Dawn!” I looked up and saw Crimson landing on the ground. “I looked all over for you today. Where were you?”

All I ever said was this: “One word: Applejack.” 

“Oh,” Crim blinked, something coming to her. “I too had her help me with something for today, but she made some bad food that made me a little sick in my stomach.”

“You were feeling sick?” I asked, worried about her.

“Not too bad,” Crim added. “Just a bit this morning when she arrived to cook with me. But, oh my, I shouldn’t have done that if she was so tired.”

“She indeed is tired,” I agreed. “Earlier, she launched Rainbow to Twilight’s balcony and is now heading for Pinkie Pie’s place at the Sugarcube Corner.”

“Wow...talk about some stuff going on,” Crim said.

“Eeyup,” I nodded.

Crim trotted alongside me to Ponyville as we were going to Sugarcube Corner to see Pinkie Pie. Once we got there, well…

Nopony was in the building, only the pink party pony was here at the desk. She looked to be crying but when she raised her head to find me and Crim, her eyes sparkled with hope.

“Oh. Dawn, Crimson!” Pinkie said as we trotted up to her. “What are you doing here?”

“We came to see if Applejack had been here,” I replied.

“She has,” Pinkie nodded. “She was going to help me with baking muffins this afternoon, but she made them sooo bad that the customers grew sick before they all went to the hospital.”

What?! “What the hell? Pinkie, you saw how tired she was, right?” I asked just in case.

“I did, but I never knew she was that tired,” Pinkie replied. “But she was making the muffins weird and all that with the ponies being in the hospital.”

I looked at Crim, who had the same thought as I.

“We’re going to stop Applejack before anything else is happening,” I said.

“Ooh, I would love to help!” Pinkie bounced up on the desk and landed down between us. “When do we start looking?”

“First, we’re going to the Urgent Care,” I said.

“Sure,” Pinkie nodded as we trotted out of the building, with the party pony bouncing along the way to Ponyville’s Urgent Care.

When we got there, the sight of sick ponies got me worried along with Crim. “Okay, I knew what Applejack did was not good, but this is worse.” I hated to admit it, but these poor ponies looked to be done for the rest of the week before they could go out again.

“Indeed it is,” Nurse Redheart agreed with me. “I take it you’re friends of Twilight Sparkle?”

“We sure are,” Pinkie nodded. “And my apologies for making those bad muffins. I had not realized what was in them when they were done.”

“Your apology is accepted, Pinkie Pie,” Nurse Redheart said.

While I was looking at the sick ponies made me think of one time I, too, had been sick from eating bad food. I never thought I would see others do it, but now that I think of it, I should probably get out of here.

Pinkie could sense my thoughts for some reason. “Let’s go and check on Fluttershy before anything happens.”

I nodded with Crimson before we went out of the Urgent Care.

We quickly saw Fluttershy at her cottage with Applejack and her dog Winona before the bunnies were frightened off by the Earth pony and dog.

“Well...damn,” I cursed as the bunnies were rushing off to Ponyville. “This isn’t going to go well…”

Pinkie and Crim could only nod in agreement.

We were soon at the farm again and saw Applejack continuously bucking trees. Twilight was also there with Big McInstosh by her side.

Applejack grunted. “Ha! No, I don’t. Look, I did it. I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without your help. How’d ya like them apples?”

“Um, how do you like them apples?” Big Mac asked in return.

Applejack mumbled as she saw the trees were empty of apples. “Where’d all the apples…?” She sighed.

I watched the brother of Applejack leave as I trotted toward the lone Earth pony. “Applejack…”

“Oh, hi...Dawn,” she greeted.

“Look, we respect the Apple family ways,” I told her. “You’re always there to help anypony in need, so maybe you should put your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help.”

She sighed. “Okay, Dawn.”

“And I am not taking ‘no’ for an answer—huh?” I blinked. “Sorry?”

“Yes, Dawn. Yes, please. I could really use your help,” Applejack finally said.

I smiled as Pinkie and Crim came into view. “Let’s get buckin’ away!” I said to them.

They nodded as we assisted Applejack in bucking those trees that remained.

Later, I was in the library with Twilight as she wrote to Princess Celestia through a letter.

“Dear Princess Celestia,
My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she’s always there to help anypony. The only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it’s also about accepting what our friends have to offer.
Your faithful student,
Twilight.”

I saw her have Spike send it to the Princess and I couldn’t be happier for Applejack to have finally accepted our assistance by the end of the day.

“It looks like we managed to get a good thing out of the day,” I said to Twilight.

“Yes,” she nodded. “Applejack surely was stubborn through the whole week, and now she accepted us for the harvesting. That is what true friends do.”

“By helping each other out,” I added in agreement.

Spike had gotten some of those trash-looking muffins out, and we were disgusted by them as we declined his offer for his special ‘treat’. He shrugged and ate one himself, which I could only do one thing and that was look away from the disgusting sight.
> Chapter 5: Griffon, the Brush-Off
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was yet another beautiful day in Equestria. Rainbow Dash and I were in town, her teaching me further how to fly properly. True, I may know all the basics by now, but I've got a long way to go if I want to prevent myself from crash landing in the dirt from time to time.

"Come on, Dawn," Rainbow said. "You are better than that." 

I was flying as she taught me more on learning the flying thing. However, I made something that got me to land face-first onto the ground. "Damn," I sighed. "I hate when this happens."

I shook myself off, then noticed Pinkie Pie down on the ground.

"Hi!" she greeted me as I pulled myself back in surprise. "What are you and Dashie doing?" 

"She's teaching me to fly," I replied.

“I see,” said Pinkie, “Say, wasn’t she just with you a moment ago?”

"Huh?" I blinked in confusion. "Rainbow?" I called up, but she had flown off in what seemed to be a hurry.

Pinkie simply bounced off to where Rainbow Dash dashed off.

I stood there, utterly confused. "What the hay's happening today?"

“OUT OF THE WAY!!!” 

I looked and saw something coming my way. It was… a griffon.

I jumped away before the griffon collided with me. "You could've watched where you were going..." I muttered.

The griffin stopped and slowly flew back to me. "What did you say?" she demanded in a soft voice.

"I said, 'You could watch where you were going next time'," I repeated.

The griffin and I gave each other the cold stare for quite some time, until eventually... she simply flew off without saying a word. I got a weird feeling that I have NOT seen the last of her. 

"Can I at least get your name?" I called after her.

The griffon stopped for a split second and looked back at me with that cold stare of hers. She continued on her way without answering. 

"Huh. She’s rude much?" I asked nopony in particular.

I then decided that I would go look for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, whom I found had just played a prank on Spike.

"Good..." Spike gave a hiccup. "...one, Pinkie..." He continued to give hiccups. "You're always pulling a fast one on...me..." 

I blinked. Did they really need to prank him? That is not cool, I'd say. I saw Spike hiccup again as he accidentally sent some scrolls off.

Good thing dragons are fire proof. That, and Princess Celestia will be in for a surprise.

I trotted up to Spike. "You okay, Spike?" 

"I..." he gave another hiccup. "...am, Dawn."

I found it quite amusing, but at the same time, I thought it was not funny in the slightest at the sight of it. I looked at the laughing duo, shaking my head. “Honestly, girls. You shouldn’t have done that to him.”

“Why not?” Pinkie asked. “Pranks are always so much fun to do!”

“Besides,” Dash added, “it’s not like nopony got hurt.”

“Yeah…” I sighed, looking away, which got them concerned.

I understood their looks. I didn’t like it when someone pranked another. Back on Earth, I was often being pranked on by the older kids and was always mocked by loving “girly” stuff. Good thing Bloodonia High was nothing like those older kids. The whole school there played pranks on each other all the time.

"But I didn't take you for a prankster, Pinkie," said Rainbow then. 

"Are you kidding?" Pinkie smiled. "I love to pull pranks!"

 I, however, didn't agree on that statement. Then they were off somewhere.

I rolled my eyes, and decided to go meet up with Rarity, see if she can help me fix up a new suit for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala.

When I came to her home, I knocked on the door before waiting for her to answer. It took a few seconds when she opened. 

"Oh, Dawn!" she said. "What are you doing here?" 

"I was going to ask if you could help me with a suit," I responded, then adding: "For the Gala.”

“Ah, yes,” said Rarity, “The Gala. Say no more, Dawn. I shall get to it right away… right after I take your measurements.”

Measurements? Oh. I guess she wants to see the size and how it should be beforehand.

I was actually kind of nervous about the Gala. I’ve never been someone who liked fancy parties, but if my friends would like to go, then I don’t see why I can’t go there to have some fun with them. After all, I wonder what kind of other ponies I will meet? And I wonder if they’re also friendly just like Ponyville. From what I’ve heard from my friends, it takes place in the capital, Canterlot. Now I’m only left to wait for the day to arrive.

Besides, what’ll happen if I didn’t go with my friends? They would be sad, I know that for sure.

The more I thought of the Gala, actually, the more I thought back on all the parties Merlin and I went to. He surely knew how to party, not gonna lie.

As soon as Rarity finished the measurements, I decided to take a trot outside to take a breath of air. She was fine with it, as it takes some time before the suit would be ready.

As I was left in my thoughts, I almost bumped into somepony I had met before. I blinked. It was the same pegasus on my first week in Equestria.

“Hello, Dawn,” she greeted me warmly.

“Oh, Crimson,” I recalled her name. “What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you,” she said. “I wondered if you’d like to hang out with me for today.”

“Sure,” I nodded.

“Where’s Rainbow Dash?” Crimson asked.

“Out with Pinkie Pie,” I replied. “They are having fun with each other.”

Crimson smiled. “Anypony can have fun with one another. Why don’t we go to your place?”

“Sure,” I smiled and nodded in agreement.

After we flew up into the sky, Crimson noticed something. “You’ve learned to fly better, Dawn,” she noted.

“Thanks. Rainbow’s and Grandpa’s lessons helped me a lot,” I said. “Though I still get crashing onto the ground from time to time.”

“That’s new to somepony who’s never learned to fly,” Crimson chuckled.

As we were flying, I noticed Pinkie together with Rainbow and that same griffin I met earlier. I saw how the griffin hissed to Pinkie and popped every last one of her balloons before her bicycle fell down with her. I gasped, before seeing that Crimson were hovering just above me.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’d better go check up on my friend,” I answered before diving to the ground near Pinkie. I landed close to the party pony. “Pinkie, are you all right?”

Pinkie groaned. “No, I’m not alright. That big, meanie griffin popped my balloons! And all that I wanted was to hang out with both of them!”

“What are you gonna do?” I asked, looking over her body once more to check her condition. She seemed perfectly fine, nothing broken.

“I’m going to observe Gilda.”

I blinked, unsure about the choice. “Isn’t that kind of spying on somepony?”

“No, silly. I mean I am going to observe what she will do next.” Pinkie blew a raspberry at me, and I chuckled at her exchange. “Will you help me?”

“Sure.” I nodded.

After that, we began to go into town where we would be observing Gilda's behavior. I was curious as to how Rainbow knew about the griffin, so Pinkie explained that they had been friends since a flying competition in school during their younger years. When I saw Pinkie’s look, I knew she was not happy about Rainbow pulling her away like she does today.

I understood her. Back in my old school, I never had a reliable friend to assist me, only when Merlin arrived at my school that everything in my life changed.

We were currently sitting on a table, having a drink together. “What do you think about Gilda, Dawn?”

“I dunno,” I shrugged. “She seems…cold and like a bully. I met her earlier today, and she was rude but I was unfazed by her glare.”

“Oohh, you must be some cool guy, eh, Dawn?” Pinkie smiled humorously as she took a sip of her chocolate drink.

I laughed a bit before spotting Fluttershy trotting on the street…and bumped into Gilda while she was unexpectedly behind her.

“Hey! I’m walking here!” Gilda growled rudely to her.

“Oh…um, I’m sorry,” Fluttershy apologized shyly. “I-I-I was just trying to…”

Gilda began mocking her. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Why don’t you just watch where you’re going, doofus?”

I widened my eyes in shock. Did she just call my friend a doofus?! That’s unacceptable!

“B-B-but, I…” Fluttershy began before Gilda inhaled as she roared in Fluttershy’s face!

“HEY YOU!”

“Dawn?” Pinkie gasped in shock as I stomped over to Gilda, stepping between her and Fluttershy.

“Oh, it’s you,” Gilda looked impatient. “Look, dweep. I’m going to be late. I have no time for you.”

“Why do you have to be so rude, you pile of shit!” I yelled at Gilda, earning gasps from everypony watching from the sidelines. “My friend here was just minding her business, for God’s sake!”

“Oh, really?” Gilda rolled her eyes. “Well, she bumped me.”

“No, clearly not,” I scowled in disgust. “It was you who bumped into my friend! I simply cannot forgive that!”

“Oh? What are you gonna do?” Gilda asked.

“This.” I growled before kicking right into Gilda’s chest hard which had sent her staggering back for a moment, causing more gasps of shock from those watching. I saw Gilda shake her head in disbelief, before that changed into a serious expression.

“You’re gonna regret that, dweep!” Gilda warned.

“Oh, come on, then! Let’s get this on!” I challenged the griffin.

Gilda didn’t need to be told twice as she charged immediately at me with claws raised. I ducked under her claws, giving her a kick in return before I “punched”—or, “hooved”—her in her face, causing her to get back a bit. Gilda growled, and she attacked me again. I dodged this time, before my expression turned serious as I kicked Gilda on her chest again, before I punched her in her chest. This caused the griffin to cough up some saliva.

I dodged more of her claw strikes, when I managed to land a kick of my own, hitting her on the face. Gilda looked mad and she struck me on my cheek. I cried out in pain, which had some ponies gasp in shock once more.

However, I didn’t let that distract me as I held Gilda’s next attack with my hoof. This prompted a shocked expression from the griffin before I punched her in her chest, making her staggering back for a moment. When I saw her coming straight for me, I flew up in the air, with Gilda following after me.

We attacked, kicked, and clawed and punched each other in the air for who knows how long. When I saw Gilda flying straight for me from above, I flew right up to her and punched her on the cheek, causing some blood to spit out from her.

“You’re gonna regret that, dweep!” Gilda shouted angrily and dangerously.

“Okay,” I said with a Saitama-like expression when she flew for me by rapidly beating her wings. Once she was close enough, I flew to the side rather quickly, making her stop in her advancement.

Once she tried to land another strike at me, I did the same thing again.

There was one thing I forgot to tell you all. Thanks to Merlin teaching me self-defense and combat styles, I am able to dodge relatively fast from an opponent’s strike. This came pretty handy in this situation.

Gilda continued to try and land a hit on me, but I continuously dodged every last of her attacks. When she got tired of attacking, I got serious before I landed a powerful “Death” punch to her face (which was Saitama’s ultimate attack) and she gasped before I stopped inches near her face. However, she was fooled and I managed to kick her underneath right afterward.

Gilda shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe she was deceived. She and I continued our fight well into the afternoon.

Once she was exhausted, I was nearby, still able to continue fighting. “Giving up?” I asked.

“Never, dweep!” Gilda answered back.

“Okay.” With that, I flew straight to her and kicked her hard in her chest, prompting blood to be coming out of her mouth. “How about now?”

Gilda roared, but regretted that as she gasped for air. “I’ll come back another day!” she told me before flying away in defeat.

I cheered in victory before I landed near Fluttershy, who had been staring in shock at my fight with the griffin. “You alright?” I gently asked her.

“Y-yeah…” she whispered low. “Thanks…Dawn.”

“No problem,” I smiled.

I noticed Pinkie who had been looking at me with saucer eyes. I then decided to trot away from the attention to mind my own business.

Two things were done today. One: Defend Fluttershy? Check. Fight Gilda into submission? Check.

I was strolling through Ponyville’s streets, whistling in my own thoughts before somepony crashed into me. I blinked, and realized who it was that bumped me.

Rainbow Dash. And she looked…mad.

“So,” I started, “you found out, huh?”

“What in tarnation’s name were you THINKING, Dawn?!” Rainbow shouted at me. “You attacked my friend!”

“Hey, I defended our shy friend from being bullied,” I retorted. “At least you could’ve thank me for that.”

“And you fought Gilda!” Rainbow continued on. “Tell me one good reason for why I shouldn’t scold you now that I got you.”

“Look,” I said. “I was only trying to defend Fluttershy from Gilda. I didn’t mean to attack your so-called friend, who happened to be a bully. I dislike bullies, especially those who threaten my friends.”

“Then, what about Gilda?!” Rainbow practically yelled. “She is hurt, because of you!”

“That was a slight mistake on my part, then,” I said dryly while rolling my eyes. “Can you let me up? I hate being locked on the ground by somepony.”

“Fine.” Rainbow scoffed before letting me stand. “You’re still going to apologize to Gilda for attacking her.”

“Me? Apologize? To Gilda?” I was confused. “As if.”

“If you don’t like to apologize, then I’ll let Twilight know about your fight,” Rainbow growled.

I sighed. “Okay. Okay. Fine. Whatever.”

“Good.” Rainbow narrowed her eyes at me for a moment. “And let me tell you: if I ever find you attacking one of my friends again, I won’t be so soft next time.”

“Understood.” I gave a nod of understanding before she left with that scowl on her face.

Man, this just wasn’t my kind of day. I’d better go back to my grandparents.

Once I was back home, I was faced with a very angry grandmother of mine who had that look I didn’t like whenever I would get scolded. Well…shit.

“Look,” I said. “I was already faced with scolding from Rainbow, can I be let off for now? I’m tired as it is.”

“Fine, but I’ll still be scolding you once you’re rested,” Grandma reminded.

I sighed before going into my room.

(Twilight’s POV)

"How could he do that? Attacking Rainbow's friend?" I was still in shock that Dawn would attack Gilda. I mean, sure. Gilda's been mean to Fluttershy and Dawn sprung into a defensive stance, but still. Violence is not the thing to solve every problem. 

"Maybe there was a reason for it, Twi," Spike shrugged.

"A reason?" I frowned. "Sure the reason was defending Fluttershy. But he must learn that being violent is not helping in making friends." 

We were in the library, with Spike and I conversing about Dawn's earlier attack on Gilda, a friend of Rainbow's. And for some reason, we need to know why he struck out at her like he did. I know we need to ask him directly, but he is resting for the afternoon. 

"Maybe we could host a party for Gilda," Spike suggested.

It was then that the door to the library opened, and we saw... Dawn Darkness and Rainbow Dash entering. Let me tell you, Rainbow Dash was livid.

"Was she really being rude to the ponies?" Rainbow asked him.

"Yes," he nodded. "I saw what happened back on the street. Nice of you to come to your senses about what actually happened."

"I still can't believe it," she said, "Gilda, my best friend, is actually a bully." 

"Okay," I piped up, "would somepony tell me what is going on?"

"Basically," Dawn shared in the short version, "Gilda has been bullying Fluttershy and others. It would continue if I didn't show and stop her from it."

"It's true," said Rainbow Dash, "All this time, my old friend is treating my new friends like they're nothing."

"Oh," I realized. "Then we've got to do something." 

"How about throwing her a party?" Spike requested again. "That way, we could let her show her true colors and let her have a taste of her own thing."

Dawn took in exactly what Spike had suggested, and then... he sported an evil smirk. "That is a great idea, Spike," he said, "and possibly the only way to reveal Gilda's true colors."

"All right," Spike nodded. "Let me get Pinkie Pie, and then we'll invite Gilda over at Sugarcube Corner."

Spike set off to notify Pinkie Pie. As for Rainbow Dash, she gave Dawn that same evil smirk he was sporting. 

"You're setting her up, aren't you?" she asked. 

"Even better," he said, "We're gonna set up a prank or two all over the party. We'll let her fall for it, and when we least expect it, she'll lose her cool in front of everypony, thus exposing herself as the bully that she is."

(Dawn’s POV)

I honestly couldn't wait to get Gilda for having done those terrible things she had to my friends. It's going to be amazing. Currently, we were off to Sugarcube Corner and joined Pinkie Pie and Spike before the rest of our friends got there. Once she has exposed herself, I'm going to enjoy this very moment.

"Welcome, welcome!" said Pinkie as we entered the building. 

"Who's this Gilda I've heard nothing about?" Applejack asked. 

"Let's just say, she is a friend of Rainbow," I replied.

 "A friend?" Applejack raised a brow.

"Remember the earlier conflict between her and me?" I asked. 

"Wait... say what?" Applejack blinked in shock.

“Did you really fight Gilda?” asked Rarity in shock and awe.

“And did it to protect our friend over there,” I smiled at Fluttershy who trotted up to Pinkie Pie to question her about the party.

Honestly, whenever I think of that griffon, I get bad feelings for her. It’s like I want to vomit just by the mere mention of her name. I mean, who wouldn’t after seeing how rude and unfriendly that griffon was to one of my friends? If only I actually had struck harder at her, I would have left her for… let’s not think of that right now. I should be focusing on the party that Pinkie had setup for the griffon with Rainbow’s help.

“Gilda!” said Pinkie with a smile as the guest of honor entered the Sugarcube Corner. “I’m so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties, and I really, truly, sincerely, hope you feel welcome here amongst us pony folk.”

As Gilda took her hoof for a shake, she got paralyzed by a buzzer Pinkie wore on her hoof.

I took that in for a laugh. Funny how that went, huh, Gilda?

“Oh, Pinkie Pie!” laughed Rainbow Dash. “The old hoof-shake buzzer. You are a scream.”

Gilda chuckled nervously. “Uh, yeah, good one, Pinkie.”

“Come on, G!” said Rainbow to the griffon. “I’ll introduce you to some of my other friends.”

“Right behind you, Dash,” Gilda replied.

I trotted along with Twilight and the others, but Gilda stopped me by pulling my tail. I blinked in shock.

“I know what you’re planning,” she growled low. “Both you and Pinkie.”

“Great,” Pinkie giggled. “I hope so. This wasn’t supposed to be a surprise party.”

“Yeah,” I agreed with her.

“I’ve got my eyes on you two,” Gilda told us.

“And I got my eye on you,” I replied seriously.

“Everyone, I’d like for you to meet Gilda,” called Pinkie, “a long-time friend of Rainbow Dash. Let’s honor her and welcome her to Ponyville.”

“Please, help yourself,” I said and gestured to some drinks.

“Vanilla lemon drops,” Gilda said. “Don’t mind if I do.” She took a sip and she was literally breathing fire. “HOT!”

We laughed at the sight before us.

“G, the punch!” called Rainbow.

“Huh?” Gilda looked confused.

“Well, whaddaya know?” Pinkie smiled as she held a drink in her hoof. “Pepper in vanilla lemon drops, and the punch served in a dribbled glass.”

“Priceless!” I laughed.

“Yeah, priceless!” Rainbow added.

Gilda gulped and gasped. “Yeah, hilarious.”

“Hey, Gilda, look!” said Rainbow. “Presents!”

Gilda immediately went over and opened one up…before a snake popped up from the box.

“Spittin' snakes,” said Applejack with a laugh. “Somepony pulled that prank on me last month.”

“I know who that was,” Gilda narrowed her eyes at Pinkie and me, whilst I whistled innocently.

“Cake time, everypony!” said Pinkie.

“Hey, can I blow the candles?” Spike asked.

“Why don’t we let Gilda do the honor of that, Spike?” I suggested.

“Yeah,” Twilight added. “She is the guest of honor, after all.”

“Exactly,” Gilda nodded in agreement and went to blow the candles…which didn’t actually go away as the flames returned. Gilda continued to blow the candles until she gave up.

We laughed again.

“Re-lighting birthday candles!” Spike laughed. “I love that prank! What a classic!”

“Now,” I said, “I wonder who could’ve done that.”

“Me too,” Pinkie nodded.

“Yeah, I wonder,” Gilda narrowed her eyes dangerously at us.

“Hey, y’all,” said Applejack. “Pin the tail on the pony. Let’s play!”

“Oh, my favorite game,” added Rarity. “Can I have the purple tail?”

“Well, I am the guest of honor,” Gilda reminded, “and I’ll have the purple tail.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Gilda should definitely go first.”

“Let’s get you blindfolded!” added Pinkie and put on a blindfold mask around Gilda’s eyes.

“Hey what –” started Gilda. “--what are you doing?”

“We’re spinning you around and around,” said Pinkie. “And then you can pin the tail on the pony. Now just walk straight and pin the tail.”

“Now just walk straight and pin the tail,” I heard Gilda’s mocking. “Hmph, yeah, right. This is another prank, isn’t it? I’m going this way.”

But Gilda stepped on something that was on the floor and began to slide across the room. “Whoa, whoa!”

And then she crashed.

“Uh, Gilda?” asked Pinkie. “You pinned the tail on the wrong pony.”

Lo and behold. Here comes the moment you’ve been waiting for. Gilda roared loudly in anger and glared heatedly at Pinkie.

“This is your idea of a good time? I’ve never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life!” she said loudly. “And Pinkie, you and you, Dawn! You two are king and queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks! Did you really think you could make me lose my cool? Well, Dash and I are ten times as cool as the rest of you put together! Come on, Dash, we’re bailing on this pathetic scene.” She waited, but Rainbow didn’t move an inch. “I said we’re leaving!”

“You know, Gilda,” Rainbow admitted, “I was the one who set up all those weak pranks at this party.”

“WHAT?!” Gilda gasped.

Shocker. Who would’ve guessed?

“So, I guess I’m queen lame-o,” Rainbow added.

“Come on, Dash, you're joshing me.”

Rainbow shook her head. “They weren't all meant for you specifically, it was just dumb luck that you set them all off.”

“I shoulda known, that dribble cup had Rainbow Dash written all over it,” said Pinkie.

Gilda couldn’t believe her ears. “No way, it was Pinkie Pie! She set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me.”


“Me?” Pinkie questioned. “I threw this party to improve your attitude.”

“She’s right,” I added. “And because she thought a good party would turn that frown upside down.”

Rainbow added, “And you sure didn't need any help making a fool of yourself. You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else.”

Gilda growled. “Yeah? Well you, you... you are such a flip-flop, cool one minute and lame the next. When you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call.”

She closed the door behind her.

Rainbow and I looked at each other before she looked over to everypony else.  “I'm sorry everypony, for bringing Gilda here. I didn't know how rude she was. And Pinkie Pie, I'm really sorry she ruined that awesome party you put on for her,” Rainbow apologized.

“Hey, don’t mention it,” I smiled at her.

“He’s right,” Twilight nodded. She turned to Pinkie, “Hey Pinkie. Sorry I accused you of misjudging Gilda. Looks like I'm the one who misjudged you.”

“It’s okay, Twilight,” Pinkie smiled. “Even you can’t be a super smart smarty smart-pants all the time. Come on, everypony! There’s still a whole lotta party to finish!”

We all cheered with her.
> Chapter 6: Boast Busters
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another day has arrived in Equestria. Things are looking great. Ever since my conflict with Gilda the griffin, and our eventual acceptance, Rainbow continued to teach me about flying as a Pegasus. It's been a great week of spending time with my friends. On that note, Crimson and I have been meeting for quite some time now. She practically calls me "My little Darkness" as her nickname for me. Somehow, that makes me blush whenever I see her. I have no idea why, but for some reason, I feel like we're getting closer and closer in our relationship with each other. 

Speaking of which, Twilight has been practicing new magical abilities lately. She was in her library with me and Spike. I just decided to join them to see some cool magic spells. I always liked to see magic being used this way. I know I had read Harry Potter in my youth, but that kind of magic is nothing compared to real magic that I see right now.

But to be honest, I didn't hesitate to teach her a spell or two I saw in the books and the movies, including the spells from ONWARD. And right now, I showed her the... "Growth Spell. Simply used for growing stuff. However, in order for the spell to work, you must follow what the characters from the movie ONWARD call a magic decree."

"Okay," Twilight nodded and she began to concentrate her horn.

"Wait!" I said, Twilight stopping her concentration, "I haven't told you yet, Twilight." 

"Right," she said, "proceed." 

"Okay," I started to explain, "first and foremost, the so-called magic decree. It's basically a special rule you must follow in order for the spell to work. Since I'm teaching you the growth spell, the magic decree is the following. In order to magnify a sudden object, you must magnify your attention upon it." 

"Basically," Twilight realized what I meant, "you're saying that while I perform the spell, I can't let anything or anyone distract me."

“Exactly,” I nodded. “Also, you need to focus on the object you wish to magnify.”

“Alright,” she said. “I’ll give it a try.”

She began to concentrate her horn again and focused her magic aura.

“Come on, Twi—”

“Shh,” I shushed Spike, preventing him from distracting her.

“Magnora Gantuan!”

The magic aura was growing before a ‘pop’ came.

However, something was off. I wondered why.

“Dawn?” asked a confused Twilight. “Where are you?”

“Uh, did he leave?” added a just so confused Spike.

“No, down here!” A squeaky voice from me reached their ears. “What happened to my voice?!”

Twilight blinked and looked down… and she gasped. “Dawn! What happened?”

“You look so tiny,” added Spike.

I looked at myself, and realized… “Looks like you shrunk me, Twilight.” 

“I don’t understand,” said Twilight, “how could that happen?” 

“Well,” I started explaining, Spike trying his best not to laugh, “in the movie ONWARD, there’s a catch to those spells, apart from there being a magic decree for some spells. You see… in that movie, when you mess up a spell, it has consequences… which you can see for yourself.”

No sooner did I finish explaining, Spike immediately burst into laughter.

"It's not funny, Spike!" My squeaking voice did not help, as he continued laughing his ass off.

"Oh my, Dawn! You..." Spike rolled on his back as his continuous laughter made me irritated.

“Dawn is right, Spike,” agreed Twilight, “It’s not funny.” 

“No worries,” I said, “As I recall, the spell eventually wears off. Yet it’s determined how long it will take.”

As soon Spike calmed down after his laughter, I sighed irritably. Honestly, this day could've been a lot worse if it weren't for the fact that I am now shrunk to a mini Pegasus. What else would the day show for me?

A knock on the door came just then. "Hello? Twilight, are you in there?"

"Oh, that would be Crimson," Twilight realized.

I sweat dropped in anxiety. I was afraid this would happen…

Twilight trotted over to the door and opened it with her magic aura. "Crimson, come in. We were just about to go out." 

Crimson thanked her and trotted inside. "Where is Dawn?" she asked, looking around. 

Oh gracious... I just hope she doesn't step on me... as soon as I thought that, I squeaked in fear before Crimson crushed me under her hoof. "Watch it!"

Crimson looked down and saw me. “Dawn?!” she was shocked, “Is that you?!“ She lowered her hoof for me to climb on.

I climbed on her hoof. "Who else would it be? I was just teaching Twilight some Growth Spell and this happened. I'm now a mini Pegasus for God's sake!"

"God?" asked Crimson. 

I was stiff. I forgot that she doesn't know that I'm technically an alien.

"Never mind that," I said with a shake of my head.

She gazed at Twilight who gave her a bit of a nervous grin.

I looked at Twilight. This was getting awkward. "How about we go out for a bit? I could use some fresh air."

To be honest, all I needed was some air after this unfortunate event which caused me to be shrunk into a mini Pegasus. What’s left for me is to know how long the spell would last, and that could take a day or two. It’s determined how long exactly, as I stated to Twilight.

Speaking of Twilight, she happily obliged to my request of fresh air as she, Spike and Crimson decided to go out of the library. If our friends saw me like this…I wouldn’t imagine their laughter towards me. They would find it pretty funny, considering I was in mini size. I just hope Grandma and Grandpa don't find me like this for today.

“Twenty-five, Twilight,” said Spike, counting the amount of spells she used while I was on top of Crim’s head. “Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting. I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their talents!”

“True, Spike,” Twilight said, “for ponies whose talents are things like cooking or singing or math. But what if a unicorn’s talent is magic?”

“It’s all in the moment, Spike,” I said to him. “If she wants to learn, she’s gotta learn more than just the magical abilities that match a standard unicorn.”

“Like you, Twilight,” continued Spike, “and you have tons of magic.”

“He’s right, Spike,” Twilight added. “And, please, stop. I’m sure there are lots of ponies here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as me.”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Yeah, like who would even come to town that would prove to be more talented than yourself?”

“Dawn’s got a point,” Crimson agreed. “Your prowess in magic is impressive, Twilight.”

“Thank you,” said a grateful Twilight. “I guess it comes with talent, after all.”

“Yup,” I nodded. “Talent is all that’s needed to be best at what he or she does.”

“Are you kiddin’?” asked Spike. “I don’t think there’s another unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability, Twilight.”

“Could you stop praising her, Spike?” I said, feeling irritated at his constant praise. “We get it already.”

“Are you sure, Dawn?” Spike asked. “And who do you think would be more talented than our Twilight?”

As I was about to open my mouth to answer, two unicorn colts rushed past us.

“Gangway! Comin’ through!” said Snails, whom I recognized by the golden fur he had.

“Hey, watch it, pals!” I called them. “Somepony are walking here!”

They stopped and looked around in confusion.

“Did you hear something, Snips?” asked a confused Snails. “Thought I heard somethin’.”

“Yeah, I thought so, too,” added a just so confused Snips.

“Over here!”

My voice reached their ears and they blinked upon seeing a small Pegasus on top of a bigger Pegasus’ head.

“Huh? Who are you?” Snips asked.

“His name’s Dawn,” Spike replied. “Snips, Snails! What’s going on?”

“You know ‘em, Spike?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “They are two colts who don't think before they do something.”

“Ah, like dumbs kids messing around with the adults,” I concluded.

“We’re not dumb!” Snips snapped.

“We’re more like cool guys!” Snails added. “Besides… there’s a new unicorn in town!”

“Oh, really?” I raised a brow. “Who would it be?”

“Yeah!” Snips continued. “They say that she’s got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!”

“Really?” Twilight asked.

“Are you certain?” Crimson added.

“Aw, no way,” Spike shook his head. “That honor goes to Twilight here.”

“Where is this unicorn?” Twilight asked them.

But Snips and Snails didn’t hear him. “Ho, she’s in town square. Come on!” said Snails

“Yeah,” laughed Snips. “Come on! Wooo!”

They rushed off again.

We stood there, looking at each other. Honestly, I thought those two were pretty funny. They were like twins who thought exactly the same thing. I have to admit, this day’s getting better by the second.

“What do you think?” Twilight asked. “Should we go and see?”

“Maybe we should at least check out what the two boys meant,” Crimson nodded in agreement.

“I’d love to see who this new unicorn is,” I added.

“All right, then it’s settled,” Twilight said with a smile.

We arrived in town square where I noticed our friends there, too, and when Crimson stopped along with Twilight beside them, Rainbow couldn’t help but notice my mini size and it looked like she was going to flip. I mouthed a “Don’t” look to her, and she looked at Twilight, who gave an apologetic expression in return.

“Come one! Come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” There was a magic sparkling show on the stage, and a blue unicorn with a wizard cape and hat came forth from a teleportation spell.

Everypony murmured in amazement, while I merely stared at her with an unamused expression. This Trixie looked like she was going to be a troublemaker, from what I could guess. However, I could not judge the fact that she was indeed “amazing” in magic shows.

“Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!”

And… fireworks sparkled on the stage around her. Although it looked impressive, I couldn’t comprehend the fact that she claims herself to be the “Great and Powerful” in any sense. Also… third person speech? This day’s getting a little better from the morning with Twilight’s accidental spell mistake upon me.

“My, my, my,” said Rarity. “What boasting.”

“You said it, girl,” I agreed with her. “Nopony can claim to have that kind of magic.”

“Nopony is as Twi—” Spike gave a nervous chuckle at Rarity's look in a panic of “Mustache!”

“There’s nothing wrong with being talented, is there?” Twilight asked Rarity.

“Nothing at all,” Applejack replied. “Except when somepony goes around showing it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons.”

“Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic,” Rarity continued, “does not make one better than the rest of us.”

“Agreed,” I nodded in agreement with her.

“Besides,” Applejack added, looking at me, “how did ya get tiny, Dawn?”

“Uh…” I blinked. “One slight mistake on my part.”

“Especially when you got me around,” Rainbow added to Rarity’s statement, “being better than the rest of us.”

Applejack’s glare prompted Rainbow to correct herself.

“I mean … yeah…” A slight chuckle escaped Rainbow. “Uh, magic schmagic! Boo!”

“Well, well, well,” said Trixie at that moment, having clearly heard Rainbow. “It seems like we have some naysayers in the audience. Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie?”

“Smooth, Rainbow,” I whispered to her ear, hovering with my wings near her. “Clearly you’ve not forgotten about her?”

“No,” Rainbow replied.

“Do they not know that they’re in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?”

Rarity gave a small raspberry. “Just who does she think she is?”

“Yeah!” Spike piped in. “Since we all know that Twilight here is—”

I hovered over to him with a glare while Crimson shook her head in humor at Spike.

Suddenly a fanfare and fireworks going off came from the stage while Twilight took Spike a bit away from the crowd in private.

I saw how Rainbow flew over to Trixie. I had an amused look on my face as she began challenging the unicorn.

“So, Great and Powerful Trixie, what makes you think you’re so awesome, anyway?”

I shook my head in disbelief. Why does Rainbow always think of the word “awesome” everytime? Can’t she think of something else, like “ugly” or “disgusting”?

Trixie giggled a little at her words. “Why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie, has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major!”

Everypony, except me, gasped in awe as a sparkling show appeared on the stage, showcasing an Ursa… what’s it again?

“What’s an Ursa Major?” I asked, confused, hovering near Crimson.

“It’s one of the beasts that live in Everfree Forest,” Crim explained.

“Oh.”

Meanwhile, Trixie explained her little show. “When all hope was lost, the ponies of Puffington had no one to turn to, but the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave… deep within the Everfree Forest.”

“That settles it!” said Snips.

“Trixie truly is the most talented, most magical, most awesome unicorn in Ponyville!” added Snails.

“No! In all of Equestria!” interrupted Snips.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation.

“How do you know?! You didn’t see it!” exclaimed Spike.

Before he could continue, Twilight closed his mouth with a zipper. Huh… that could be helpful next time he rambles on.

Trixie laughed. “It's true, my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville.”

We all went silent on the proclamation.

“Don’t believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?” she asked. “Well, then, I hereby challenge you, Ponyvillians, anything you can do, I can do better.”

Such pride. I don’t like that personality of others, who think they are greater than their opposites.

“Any takers? Anypony? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived?”

Once more, fireworks began sparkling at the prideful proclamation.

Spike unzipped his mouth and practically begged Twilight. “Please, she’s unbearable! You got to show her! You just got to!”

“There’s no way I’m gonna use my magic now, Spike,” she whispered. “Especially since—”

“Hmm… how about… you?” Trixie pointed her hoof at Twilight.

Great. Just perfect.

“Hold it right there!” I piped in after hearing Twilight’s nervous gulp.

Trixie blinked as I hovered in front of her eyes. “What do you want, tiny one?”

“A duel,” I challenged with a smirk. “A duel to determine if you have the right to challenge my friend here.”

“A duel?” Trixie echoed. “And what if Trixie wins, tiny Pegasus?”

I thought of one thing. “Then I will be your servant for today.”

Twilight and Crimson gasped.

“Sounds fair enough,” Trixie smiled in approval. “Then we need something to begin our duel with.”

She began to magnify two wooden swords, one in miniature size for me.

Ooh, she's gonna regret this. I learned so much from my friend Solar Eclipse, that she’s not going to like what I’ll do to that prideful smirk on her expression.

“Ready?” Trixie asked. “Trixie is waiting patiently for you to make a move, tiny one.”

“Okay, me first?” I smiled, readying my wooden sword. “Here goes.”

Before Trixie could act, I immediately tapped her with the tip of my wooden sword.

“One. Two. Three. Dead.”

Trixie shook her head in disbelief.

The gathered ponies chuckled at the display.

“Trixie wasn’t prepared,” she said. “Best out of three.”

“Okay.” I dodged her wooden sword and tapped her with mine. “One. Two. Three. Dead.”

And thus, the ponies gathered laughed at the scene before them.

“Looks like I win,” I said to Trixie.

Trixie huffed. “Trixie is not liking you one bit, tiny Pegasus. You made it unfair with your small size.”

“Size matters not,” I replied, remembering the thing about Yoda from Star Wars.

Trixie glared at me before looking at the crowd. “Anypony else?”

“That’s it!” Applejack said. “If my friend Dawn here could win against you, then I can’t stand any more of this nonsense.”

Woo! That’s it, cowgirl!

“Can your magical powers do this?” Applejack asked, spinning a rope with her tail around herself in a great speed, like I’ve never seen it.

Then everypony around the stage was cheering for Applejack as she began dancing with the spinning rope. And after that, Applejack threw the rope up and caught an apple before she ate it right after it flew into her mouth.

Everypony cheered in amazement for Applejack.

“A great show, A.J!” I cheered her on.

“Top that, missy,” Applejack challenged Trixie.

“Oh, ye of little talent,” Trixie’s hat began to rise in the air with a purple magic aura. “Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie.”

The rope began to lift itself with the purple aura from Trixie, and then wrapped itself around her feet while an apple was put into her mouth.

The ponies in the crowd laughed at the display, while I had to prevent myself from doing the same.

“Once, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails,” Trixie spoke.

“Yeah, yeah,” I rolled my eyes. “Except in our duel…”

“There’s no need to go strutting around,” Rainbow said as she hovered near Trixie, “and showing off like that. That’s my job!”

And thus, she began flying over to the wind turbine and spun around it before flying into the sky, smashing through the clouds until she went back down through the clouds she had smashed holes, taking the water from them, flying around the wind turbine before landing back at the stage with a rainbow over her.

“They don’t call me ‘rainbow’ and ‘dash’ for nothing,” she proudly said.

The crowd cheered for her.

“You go, girl!” I called up to her.

“When Trixie is through, the only thing they’ll call you is ‘loser.”

Her purple magic aura beam hit Rainbow Dash before the rainbow she made spun her around in the air and let her down on the ground again, rattling.

“I think I’m gonna be… sick…” Rainbow murmured.

I had not seen her be like that. I don’t like this Trixie pony one bit for making one of my best friends be like that.

“Seems like anypony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the great Trixie.”

I helped Rainbow up before noticing the black cloud above her flashing a lightning on her butt, causing her to cry out in pain. I glared at Trixie. “That wasn’t nice.”

However, Trixie didn’t hear me as she laughed.

“What we need is another unicorn to challenge her,” Spike said whilst I looked at him. “Somepony with some magic of her own.”

“Yeah! A unicorn to show this unicorn who’s boss,” Rainbow agreed.

“A real unicorn-to-unicorn tussle,” Applejack added in agreement.

“Enough! Enough all of you,” Rarity piped in. “I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense. Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace.”

“Ohh! What’s the matter?” Trixie gave her a mischievous grin. “Afraid you’ll get a hair out of place in that rat’s nest you call a mane?”

Ouch. That’s something Rarity’s not going to like.

“Oh… it… is… on!” Rarity challenged at last. “You may think you’re tough, with all your so-called powers, but there’s more to magic than your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle.”

Her horn lit up and she began to take the curtain.

“A unicorn needs to have style,” Rarity continued. The curtain she had in her magic aura began spinning around her and… made her stylish afterward. “A unicorn’s not a unicorn without grace and beauty.”

Trixie’s horn lit up.

“Rarity won’t let Trixie get the best of her,” Spike said.

I rolled my eyes at him in exasperation.

Thus… something made him gasp, along with the other ponies.

“What did she do to my hair?!” Rarity demanded.

“Nothing…” Twilight replied, unsure.

“Uh…it’s great,” I added.

“Looks fine,” Crimson said.

“It’s fine,” Rainbow said.

“It’s gorgeous,” Applejack added.

“It’s green,” Spike said all of a sudden.

I blinked as the girls glared at him.

“No!” Rarity gasped. “Green hair?! Such an awful color!” She runs off, whimpering and crying.

I shook my head in disbelief at Spike. “Next time, think before you say something to her.”

“Right…” Spike sweat dropped before he looked at Twilight. “Well, Twilight, guess it’s up to you. Come on. Show her what you’re made of.”

“What do you mean? I’m nothing special,” Twilight replied, though I sensed she was nervous while everypony stared at her.

“Yes, you are,” Spike continued. “You’re better than her.”

“I’m not better than anypony,” Twilight insisted.

Trixie gave a laugh. “You think you’re better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magical talent? Well, come on. Show Trixie what you’ve got. Show us all.”

“Who, me?” Twilight played innocent. “I’m just your run-of-the-mill citizen of Ponyville - no powerful magic here. I think I hear my laundry calling. Come along, Dawn!”

I blinked as I was engulfed in a magenta aura by Twilight before she rushed off.

Once we were inside the library, I was no longer in the magenta aura and was free to move. I groaned.

“I’m sorry, Dawn,” Twilight said. “But I don’t think I should let her or anypony think I’m—”

“—a show off?” I finished for her.

“Exactly,” she nodded. “You understand what it’s like when somepony boasts about being greater than yourself, right?”

“Yeah,” I said. “But you shouldn’t let anypony think of what you know they’ll think of while you use your magic. Heck, if I was like you would be in this situation, I'd be uncertain what my friends would be saying about me.”

“That’s just it,” Twilight sighed. “What if they think I’m like Trixie?”

Before I could open my mouth, Spike entered the library. He had a frown on his expression, from what I could tell.

“What’s up, Spike?” I asked.

“It’s Snips and Snails,” he merely replied and walked over to us.

“What? Did they do something to you?” I asked.

“No,” he shook his head. He noticed Twilight not listening as she was reading a book. “Twilight, would you put down that book and listen to me?”

“Didn’t you see how they hated Trixie bragging, Spike?” she asked. “If I go out there and show off my magic, I run the risk of losing them as friends.”

“It’s not the same thing, Twilight,” Spike insisted. “You’ll be using your magic to stand up to your friends!”

“No, Spike,” Twilight argued. “It’s exactly the same.”

“Come on, Twilight,” Spike argued back, “any of these tricks, even the teeniest, would be enough to show Trixie.”

I decided that I shouldn’t be part of this argument, so I chose to leave them be and go out for some fresh air. Ahh! The delicious scent of freedom! Nothing beats that in the world while others argue indoors about what happens today.

Once I feel better from the situation with Trixie, I might be able to spend more time with Crimson, ‘cause I want to be with her and all. Even if Trixie is a boaster, I feel like screwing her up in the face and doing the whole work, but that would strain my friendship with my friends if I did something dirty. So, I choose not to.

After my duel with her, I am better off without telling anypony where exactly I got swordsmanship from. Even if it was only a practice duel against a magic user.

Besides, who needs to explain that? Not me. Nuh-uh.

Just then, I saw two familiar shapes of ponies who were running for their lives. “Snips? Snails? What’s wrong?”

They were out of breath once they neared me. “Can’t talk now,” said Snips.

“Got a major problem!” Snails added.

“Yeah! Ursa Major, to be exact,” Snips finished.

“Oh, please. There’s no way that—”

A roar erupted from some trees and all three of us began screaming loudly in panic.

“See?! That’s the problem!” screamed Snips.

“What did you think of bringing an Ursa Major here?!” I screamed, flying for my life with the two ponies running beside me.

“Well…” started Snips.

“TRIXIE!” screamed Snails at the top of his lungs.

I groaned in exasperation. I noticed a rock and held it up in my hooves. “Hey, big Ursa teddy bear! Catch!” I threw the rock at the Ursa Major, which did not seem to like being attacked like it was.

It roared loudly in rage at me, and all I ever could think of was one thing:

RUN!!!

I flew away from the Ursa Major faster than I thought I could. I flew so fast that I did not see a tree in front of me and stopped just in time before turning away from the tree, as the Ursa Major slashed it to two pieces.

I felt my wings giving in as I was nearing another couple of trees before I knew that I was trapped. I looked back and paled when I saw the Ursa Major stop in front of me with rage in its eyes.

This is it. I’m gonna die today. There’s no way that I could survive a slash of the Ursa Major’s claw strike if it were to hit me.

Oh, but it looks like help arrived in the form of Twilight.

“What’s going on?” Twilight asked Trixie, who was also in the area. She noticed me. “Dawn?!”

“Nice timing, Twi! Get this thing away from me before it kills me!” I shouted back.

The Ursa Major roared and was prepared to strike and kill me, with its claws raised.

Twilight’s horn lit up and her magic aura began engulfing the Ursa Major, stopping it from striking me and then it became drowsy, eventually lowering its claws down and was magically teleported away from my sight.

Phew! That sure was a close call!

“Nice use of number sixteen!” Spike complimented Twilight.

“Unbelievable!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“That was amazing!” Spike concurred.

I sighed in relief and before I knew it, my body began to glow and I grew in size again.

“Whoa!” Applejack gasped. “How did ya do that, Dawn?”

“Well,” I started. “I taught Twilight some kind of Growth Spell. A mistake happened and I was accidentally shrunk. But, boy! Am I glad to be my normal size again!”

“But, Heavens to Betsy!” continued Applejack to Twilight. “We knew you had ability, but not that much!”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight apologized. “Please, please don’t hate me.”

“Hate you?” Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity all said.

“Why, whatever do you mean, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Well, I know how much you all hated Trixie's showing off with her magic tricks, and I just thought—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Rainbow said, waving her hooves. “Magic’s got nothing to do with it. Trixie’s just a loudmouth.”

“Most unpleasant,” Rarity concurred.

“All hat and no cattle,” Applejack added.

“So, you don’t mind my magic tricks?” Twilight asked.

I smiled, liking the interaction between them here.

“Your magic is a part of you, sugarcube,” Applejack continued, “and we like who you are. We’re proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn as our friend.”

“Indeed,” I nodded in agreement.

“And after whuppin’ that ursa’s hindquarters, we’re even prouder,” Rainbow continued.

“You are?” Twilight asked.

There were a couple of “Uh-huh”, and “Mm-hmm”.

“Wow, Twilight, how'd you know what to do with that ursa major?” Spike asked.

“That's what I was doing when you came looking for me. I was so intrigued by Trixie's bragging that I was compelled to do a little reading up on them,” she explained.

“So is it possible to vanquish an ursa major all by yourself?” Spike asked.

“That wasn’t an Ursa Major,” Twilight giggled. “It was a baby, an Ursa Minor.”

Wait… “A baby?! And I thought it was big enough to squash me,” I said, surprised.

“And it wasn't rampaging. It was just cranky because someone woke it up,” Twilight added.

“Well, if that was an Ursa Minor,” Spike started, “then what’s an Ursa Major like?”

“You don’t wanna know,” Twilight said.

“Huh. You may have vanquished an ursa minor, but you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She then trotted away.

“Why, that little…” Rainbow started.

“Let her go,” I sighed. “We’ve had enough trouble for one day.”

“Dawn’s right, Rainbow,” Twilight nodded. “Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson. Now, about you two.”

Snips and Snails looked at her, nervous as heck.

After giving her punishment for them, Twilight gave them, along with Spike mustaches, and they all cheered childishly.

Once we were back in the library, Twilight began writing her friendship report to Princess Celestia.

“Dear Princess Celestia,
I have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship: I was so afraid of being thought of as a show-off that I was hiding a part of who I am. My friends helped me realize that it's okay to be proud of your talents, and there are times when it's appropriate to show them off... Especially when you're standing up for your friends.”

“It was a great day,” I admitted.

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded. “I must concur. However, it started out as unexpected.”

“Yep!” Spike agreed. “With how Dawn shrunk in size and grew back to normal, I’d say it was a fantastic day. So, you finally admit that you’re the most talented unicorn in all of Ponyville?”

“Well, yeah,” Twilight nodded.

And then, it all continued with Spike saying about how it didn’t go well with Rarity while he had the mustache. I shook my head in good humor while he continued:

“Okay, imagine me with a nice, long, Fu Manchu type beard. Or maybe a goatee. Oh, no, a soul patch right on my chin!”
> Chapter 7: Dragonshy, Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was yet another beautiful day in Ponyville. It has been a couple of days since Trixie had been in Ponyville and showed off her magic tricks, along with the Ursa Minor incident that followed.

Currently, I was helping out Fluttershy with feeding her many animal friends.

It was not easy, when your special talent does NOT involve animals.

“Not too fast,” Fluttershy spoke. It turns out, she was feeding her pet rabbit, Angel Bunny. “You don’t wanna get a tummy ache,” she continued. Strangely, Angel only ate half of his carrot, before dropping it, clarifying that he was done eating. Fluttershy was simply surprised by that. “You really should eat more than that, don’t you think?” she told the rabbit. 

However, Angel had other plans, as he was hopping off, presumably to play around somewhere. “It’s not playtime yet,” said Fluttershy, flying after Angel. She landed before him, placing the half-eaten carrot before him. “I know you want to run,” she said, continuing to reason with him, “but…just three more bites.” Angel stubbornly shook his head. “Two more bites?” suggested Fluttershy. Angel stubbornly shook his head again. She then pushed the carrot in front of Angel and pleaded, “One more bite? Pretty please?”

I sighed. “It looks like he isn’t going to eat more, Fluttershy. He is a stubborn, little rabbit, that’s for certain.” My statement was confirmed, as Angel kicked away the carrot before him and hopped off. Just then, we both heard a cough coming from Angel. “What’s happening?” I asked. “Why does he do that? Is there something wrong?”

There definitely was something strange going on. Why does Angel cough like that? Fluttershy seemed to share my question with me.

“Oh goodness,” gasped Fluttershy. “Are you okay?”

The bunny continued to cough.

“Are you coughing because there’s a carrot stuck in your throat?”

“I…don’t think it’s that, Flutters,” I shook my head while Angel coughed in agreement, as he pointed to the sky.

Fluttershy gasped as she looked up to the sky. “Because of that giant cloud of scary black smoke?”

Angel threw his carrot at her.

“I will take that as a…yes,” Fluttershy finished while I sighed.

“We should get our friends,” I said.

“Good idea, Dawn,” Fluttershy agreed.

(Later)

We galloped through Ponyville, where ponies were conversing with each other and not noticed the giant, black smoke that’s literally trying to threaten us. I was hoofpalming while the ponies did not hear Fluttershy’s plea.

“Help. Help! Please?” she called weakly. “There’s—there’s a horrible cloud of smoke. It’s headed this way, and—”

Did she just shriek as Rainbow dashed forward with a ball bouncing from her nose. I trotted over to Fluttershy to comfort her. “Relax,” I told her. “It’s just Rainbow.”

“Yeah,” she added. “Don’t be such a scaredy-pony. It’s just me, future Equestria ball-bouncing record holder.”

I blinked as she counted her number up, such as “Three forty six” and “Three forty seven” while the ball was bouncing from her head.

“This calls for a celebration!” Pinkie’s voice called.

I saw Crimson was together beside the party pony. While we stared for a moment, we broke the contact as Fluttershy spoke in her low voice.

“Oh no, Pinkie Pie, this is no time for celebration. This is a time for panic, for—”

As for me, I trotted over to Crimson, who asked me, “Time for panic? Why? It’s a clear, blue sky today.”

I sighed, pointing my hoof upward. Crim followed my direction, with an “Oh” escaping her.

“Ooo!” Pinkie continued, not hearing Fluttershy. “I’m going to need balloons! One for every pony in Ponyville!”

“There’s—there’s smoke,” Fluttershy tried again. “And—and where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And—”

“Let’s see…that’s one,” Pinkie counted, clearly having not heard Fluttershy. “Two, three, four…”

“Three hundred fifty four…” Rainbow counted as Pinkie Pie continued her own counting.

“Five, six.”

“Three hundred fifty six, no…wait…” Rainbow realized, after Pinkie pointed at her belly. “Pinkie Pie! Now I have to start over.”

I shook my head fondly at my friends. They, especially Pinkie, sure can be oblivious to the current situation when they don’t count it in their day, such as today with the coming smoke.

“We’re all going to have to start over, in a new village,” continued Fluttershy in her low voice. “‘Cause ours is gonna be—”

Rainbow flew away from Pinkie, who called out, “Hey, Rainbow Dash, wait up!”

Crimson and I looked at each other. We both knew the situation, thanks to us spotting it quicker than the other ponies. Though, I had to say that Rainbow and Pinkie surely can’t keep this up with being so oblivious to their friend’s plea, and this is from my good friend Fluttershy, who tried again.

“Oh, please, this is an emergency. I—I need everypony to—”

“Listen up!” On cue, the heroine Twilight Sparkle comes to the rescue! Or would that be…to frightening everypony with what she is going to say? “Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria.”

“What?” Everypony gasped in unison. “Oh no! That’s awful!”

I hoofpalmed again, shaking my head in disappointment. Crim looked apologetically to either me or Fluttershy.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to—” Fluttershy started, but Twilight spoke up again.

“But don’t worry,” Twilight continued. “I’ve just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me that it is not coming from a fire.”

I raised a brow at the statement. I could only guess what it would be coming from, and Twilight affirmed it to me, after Fluttershy uttered, “Oh thank goodness.”

“It’s coming from a dragon,” Twilight finished.

Everypony gasped.

“A…a d—dragon?” Fluttershy repeated in worry.

(Later)

We were gathered in the Golden Oak Library, where Twilight had assembled the rest of our gang. I was standing beside Crim while figuring out why a dragon would be causing the smoke. If it is a dragon, I might have a guess about what it could be doing in Equestria, but the question is, who could it be?

Smaug the Terrible? Or something else?

The question remained in my mind while Applejack echoed my first question. “What in the name of all things cinnamon swirled is a full-grown dragon doing here in Equestria?”

Good question, Applejack.

“Sleeping,” was Twilight’s response.

We all blinked. “Huh?” We spoke in confused unison.

Why would a dragon be sleeping in Equestria and cause the smoke to all but threaten us and our town? It makes little sense, if you ask me.

“According to Princess Celestia,” continued Twilight, “he’s taking a nap.”

“Oh, that figures,” I said, mimicking the voice of a character from the video game I enjoyed playing in my childhood called The Legend of Spyro.

The girls looked at me with a shush.

“His snoring is what’s causing all this smoke,” Twilight finished after my sudden interruption.

“He should really see a doctor,” Pinkie Pie said. “That doesn’t sound healthy at all.”

I shook my head at the pink pony, fondly, as Rarity pointed out, “Well, at least he’s not snoring fire. What are we meant to do about it?”

Even I wonder about that same question. If we were to fight the dragon, I’m all up for a challenge, since my friend Solar Eclipse had taught me some of his kung-fu skills in my one year of living in Bloodonia.

Rainbow said, “I’ll tell you what we’re meant to do. Give him the boot!” She made some fighting motions as she kicked a statue in front of Twilight, who repositioned it on the table. “Take that. And that!” Aaand…she crashed when Twilight raised the statue in the air.

However, Twilight firmly said, “We need to encourage him to take a nap somewhere else.”

“And how, exactly, are we going to, Twi?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail,” she continued. “If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next one hundred years.”

I blinked. One hundred years of a smoking Equestria? That doesn’t sound good.

Fluttershy agreed with me, as she gasped.

“Hmph,” Rarity huffed. “Talk about getting your beauty sleep.”

Crim and I looked at each other, while Twilight finished her speech, “All right everypony, I need you to gather supplies quickly. We've got a long journey ahead of us. Let's meet back here in less than an hour.”

Rainbow smiled. “Okay, girls and boy, you heard her. The fate of Equestria is in our hooves. Do we have what it takes?”

The girls and I nodded in affirmations.

However, Fluttershy remained quietly, as she whispered, “Um, actually…”

(Later)

Once we were ready with getting our supplies, we met back at the Golden Oak Library, where Twilight was basically acting like a military general with how she was pacing back and forth in front of us.

I mean, sure, Fluttershy might be afraid to go up against a wild dragon, but what if we need to have some backup? Not to fight, rest assured, but to encourage the dragon somewhere else to nap.

“All right, girls, Dawn, listen up,” Twilight started as she paced. “I’m mapping out the fastest route, but we’ve all got to keep up a good pace if we expect to make it up to the mountain by nightfall.”

This is getting exciting. I was all up and ready for some adventure with these girls!

Fluttershy, however, didn’t agree with my inner thoughts. “M—m—mountain?” she whispered in fear.

I felt empathetic towards her. She was not ready at all to go up a mountain and come face-to-face with a dragon. However, Twilight continued speaking.

“The dragon is in that cave at the very top.”

We looked up to the mountain, where the smoke was coming from, with Applejack stating, “Looks pretty cold up there.”

“You bet it is,” Rainbow added in agreement. “The higher you go, the chillier it gets.”

“Good thing I brought my scarf,” Rarity noted.

“Same here,” Crim added with Rarity.

Now that I was sure of it, before we gathered, Crimson had a purplish scarf around her neck.

“Ooo! Pretty!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Heh, yeah, that’ll keep you nice and cozy,” Rainbow stated sarcastically to Rarity..

I heard Fluttershy’s nervous gulp as she trotted up to Twilight. I don’t mean to state the obvious, but she is seriously not going to trot up there, help us encourage the dragon, and be home by tonight.

“Um, excuse me, Twilight?” Fluttershy started to say with her low voice, while Twilight was mapping out the route on her map. “I know you’re busy, but…”

“Uh-huh, well, we can go this way,” Twilight spoke, not hearing Fluttershy.

“But if I could just have a second…”

“Uh-huh,” Twilight hummed. “No, we want to avoid that.”

Meanwhile, I was rolling my eyes while Crimson looked at me, whispering, “Do you think she’ll be up to the task?”

I shrugged.

“So, um, I was thinking that, um,” Fluttershy continued, “maybe I could stay here in Ponyville.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Oh!” Fluttershy smiled. “Good. I’ll stay here and—”

Twilight realized as she looked at Fluttershy. “Wait! You have to come!” she insisted. “Your way with the wild animals will surely come in handy.”

“I don’t think I—” Fluttershy spoke.

“Twilight, if I may?” I spoke.

She nodded to me.

I turned to Fluttershy, “Fluttershy, if I may say my opinion on the situation, then if you can come along with us, then we might be able to get that dragon out of Equestria and have everypony safe from the smoke. Do you really want to avoid Equestria being covered in smoke for one hundred years?” I asked softly.

“Um…” she started.

“Dawn’s got a point,” Twilight added. “And don’t worry about your little friends in the meadow. Spike’s got it covered while you’re gone.”

“You can count on me!” Lo and behold, the dragon in question spoke up! However, Angel was kicking on his head a couple of times before hopping off. “Hey! Hey! Wait!”

I chuckled at that.

Fluttershy was uncertain about it. “I don’t think he’s up to the task. Maybe…but…but…” she gave a squeak.

Twilight was met with Rainbow, who whispered to tell her, “Are you sure you want Fluttershy to come along? I mean, that pony’s afraid of her own shadow. She’s just going to slow us down.”

“Oh, she’s just a little nervous,” Twilight replied. “Once we get going, she’ll be fine.”

And…we heard a squeal from the pony in question. As pointed out by Rainbow, she was indeed scared of her own shadow.

I sighed in exaggeration. “God…this is going to be a loooong trip…”

Crim looked at me with a kind smile. “Don’t worry about Fluttershy. I will be staying with her.”

I blinked. “You will?”

“Sure. I mean she is going to need some encouragement once we get going.”

I then smiled at her statement and nodded.

“All right, everypony, move out!” commanded Twilight.

“But…but…” Then Fluttershy gave a scream as the girls grabbed her with them while Crim and I galloped along.
> Chapter 8: Dragonshy, Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of the dragon’s snore was loud. I blinked as I heard it. Dragons snore THAT loudly? Even I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I were to sleep beside one—not that I’d like to, of course. It was just a thought.

Fluttershy gasped, hiding behind Crimson, who comforted her.

“Whoa,” Rainbow breathed. “What was that?”

“A snore,” I said.

Twilight confirmed with a better explanation. “That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores.”

“It—it’s so…high!” Fluttershy said, looking up the mountain while we were at the bottom.

Rainbow stated the obvious to her, “Well, it is a mountain. I’m going to fly up and check it out!” However, Applejack held her back by holding her tail. “Wah!”

“Hold on, now,” said Applejack. “I think we should all go up together. Safety in numbers and all.”

“I agree with Applejack,” I nodded.

“Oh, all right,” said Rainbow with a pout, folding her hooves while she flapped in the air.

And thus, we began the journey up the mountain. I was trotting alongside Twilight and Crimson, while Rarity was speaking. “I hear the only thing that sparkles more than a dragon’s scales are the jewels they use to build their nests,” she stated.

“Well, dragons are gold-keepers, after all,” I added. I recall the dragon Smaug from The Hobbit and how he was kept upon a pile of golden coins and even slept in the gold, and how he would protect his wealth from intruders, such as Thorin Oakenshield and the Company.

“Ooo,” Rarity continued, daydreaming. “If I play my cards right, I might be able to convince him to part with a few!”

Pinkie Pie imitated the voice of a dragon, although I thought it didn’t go as well. “Welcome to my cave, Rarity. Care for a diamond?” She gave a friendly roar, then laughed.

Even Rarity wasn’t as impressed as I was.

“Girls!” Twilight reminded them. “This is no laughing matter!” She turned to the frightened pony, continuing, “Fluttershy, you’re the expert on wild creatures. What do you think the dragon will be like?”

“Fluttershy?” I called down to her.

Crimson sighed.

“Hey! What are you waiting for?” Rainbow called down, noticing the pegasus hiding. “An invitation?”

“Ooo, I think I have one in my bag,” Pinkie said, oblivious to what Rainbow said.

“I—it’s so…so…steep,” Fluttershy said in a nervous voice.

“Well, it is a cliff,” Rainbow stated. “You could just, oh, I don’t know, fly up here?”

“Come on, Fluttershy,” Pinkie encouraged. “You can do it. Flap those wings!”

And she flapped her wings and raised herself into the air. I smiled, thinking it was ‘bout time we got going…

I thought too soon.

At my inner hope, the dragon snoring bellowed from above us. Fluttershy gave a soft cry, when she folded her wings and fell down into a bush and whimpered.

Rainbow couldn’t believe her eyes. “Ugh.”

Soft grunting came from Fluttershy, who struggled to unfold her wings.

“Uh, we don’t have time for this,” Twilight pointed out. “What are you doing?” she asked Applejack, who took her map.

“I’ll need this if I’m going to take her around the mountain another way,” Applejack said.

Rainbow groaned.

I rolled my eyes. “Can’t we just go easy on her? I mean, Fluttershy do need to…”

“I will talk with Fluttershy,” Crimson announced.

We blinked and looked at her.

“You, Crimson?” Twilight asked.

Crim nodded. “Sure. If there’s anypony who can calm down a frightened pony, that would be me. I’ve got experience with this. And Fluttershy would be no different.”

“If you are certain…” I started, as I was looking at her.

“All right, Crimson,” Applejack nodded. “You make sure Fluttershy is in good hooves. Here, take this. You’ll need to take a path around.”

She handed Crimson the map, while Crim smiled.

Crim looked at us. “Don’t worry, we’ll be there in no time at all.”

Twilight nodded in thanks to Crim. She looked at us and said, “Let’s go.”

(Crimson’s POV)

I landed down at the bottom of the mountain cliffside as Fluttershy was standing, as if frozen. When she noticed me, she was sighing softly. “They are moving ahead,” I told her.

“Are…are you sure, Crimson…?” she asked in her ever soft voice.

“Sure,” I nodded. “I’m going to take you around the mountain, if that will make you feel better instead of going up the cliff like the others do. In any case, I’ll be here with you.”

“Oh, thank you, um, Crimson,” Fluttershy spoke.

I smiled gently at her. Ever since we were fillies in Cloudsdale I have always been by her side, as well as Rainbow, and defended her from bullies who mocked her for her shyness. “No worries, Flutters. Let’s go.”

She nodded and together, we took a path around the mountain.

(Dawn’s POV)

We were waiting on Crimson and Fluttershy, as Pinkie drew something in a cross and bun. I was smiling as Pinkie cheered and hopped up and down, exclaiming, “Woo-hoo! I win again!”

“Ugh,” Rarity groaned. “That’s thirty-five games in a row. Best of seventy-one?”

I must say that these two surely can compete against one another, although Pinkie wins each time they try to play cross and bun in the dirt. However, I feel like Crim is taking her time with Fluttershy. I wonder where these two could be?

Lo and behold, as soon as I thought that, they showed up!

Crim was panting as she tugged a frozen Fluttershy along the ground. “We made it!” she exclaimed as she removed Fluttershy’s tail from her mouth.

I was happy that they made it. So was Twilight and Rainbow, who were practically impatient when they took their time in coming from that other path.

Rainbow looked at Twilight, stating, “Told you it was going to take them forever.”

“Now, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “Ya shouldn’t rush them.”

“I agree, let Fluttershy take her time in this,” I added.

“Whatever,” Rainbow grunted.

“So…let’s continue onward?” I asked, turning to Twilight, who nodded.

“Onward,” she agreed.

Thus, we continued our journey up the mountain cliffside. Crimson was by Fluttershy’s side, along with Applejack. I was trotting behind Twilight, who led the way to our destination.

As we made it to a path with a deep bottom, Rainbow leapt and flew over to the other side. I smirked as she grinned at me. I took a few steps back and began running, spreading my wings, and flew over to her and landed perfectly safe on the other side of the path.

“Woo, way to go, Dawn!” Rainbow cheered.

We looked over to the others, who jumped over while Fluttershy gulped nervously and stood still by Crim’s side while she was smiling comfortably to her.

“Your turn, Fluttershy,” Twilight spoke.

“But…it’s so…wide,” she replied.

“Come on, Fluttershy,” Twilight said. “We should be much further along by now.”

“You could just leap over,” Applejack added.

“I—” Fluttershy started, before we heard the snoring of the dragon again. “I don’t know.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Crimson reassured her.

“Crim’s right,” I nodded.

“Yeah, it’s just hop, skip and jump,” Pinkie demonstrated to Fluttershy. “See?”

Is she starting to sing? Yup, she is.

It’s not very far,

Just move your little rump,

You can make it if you try hop, skip and jump

“We don’t have time for this,” Twilight recalled, but Pinkie continued her singing.

A hop, skip and jump,

Just move your little rump,

A hop, skip and jump,

A hop, skip and jump,

A hop, skip and jump,

A hop skip and jump,

A hop skip and jump!

“O-okay,” Fluttershy decided, coming from the rock she hid at. “Here I go. A hop.”

“That’s it!” Applejack encouraged.

“You’ve got it,” Twilight added.

“Almost there,” Rarity said.

“Skip,” Fluttershy continued, preparing the jump.

“Just don’t look down,” Twilight reminded her.

And…Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked down. I sighed, shaking my head to Twilight, who sheepishly smiled apologetically back.

However, Fluttershy noticed something. It wasn’t as wide as she thought it would be.

I hoofpalmed. “You see? It’s just a short jump.”

“Oh,” Fluttershy chuckled nervously.

 “Ugh,” Rainbow groaned.

“I guess I forgot to jump,” Fluttershy remembered.
> Chapter 9: Dragonshy, Pt. 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

How long have we been climbing the mountain now? I’ve lost track of time. And I was the one who was always good to keep track of the time back on Earth. I looked up to the sky, seeing both the smoke and the sun, with the sun which was high above in the sky. I guess it’s been near the afternoon since we arrived at the bottom of the mountain, and at least a few hours since we managed a good way up the cliffside.

Right now we were still trotting along the cliffside of the mountain, with Twilight leading the way as she was the one who got the map of the mountain. I was silent in my thoughts as I thought about the dragon we were supposed to be up against—or would that be, to encourage it to move someplace else, as Twilight put it.

“Let’s keep it down,” Twilight whispered to us. “According to my map, we’re approaching an avalanche zone. The smallest peep could cause a huge rock slide.”

Funny, I had once survived a rock slide back in south-eastern Zealand, when me and my parents were sightseeing the beach, and while I raced with my mother, a rock slide was caused by the rain that had poured one day on the cliffside of the White Cliffs, and let’s just say that my parents were both shocked and relieved to see me having survived by going on the other side.

Anyway, back to the situation at hoof.

“An…an…” I widened my eyes as Fluttershy whispered in fear. “Avala—”

“Shh!” Twilight shushed her.

We continued, but when Rainbow flew through a leaf branch, one small leaf landed softly on Fluttershy’s rump, causing her to react. “AVALA—”

Applejack quickly held her mouth with a hoof.

I looked around nervously, not wanting to experience a rock slide. We gave a collective sigh…which was a mistake, as rumbling was heard. I widened in horror as rocks began to come down from the cliffside.

“AVALANCHE!” the girls shouted in fear.

A rock was falling down above me, and I reacted fast as I dashed away from where I once stood. “Whoa!” I gasped. More rocks fell down from the side, while we all were avoiding them in panic. I looked around as I stood in an assumed safe spot, however that was a mistake.

“Dawn, look out!” Twilight cried.

I looked up and widened my eyes. A huge rock was falling down above me, and thankfully, Rainbow dashed towards me and pushed me out of harm’s way. We continued avoiding the rocks until it all stopped at last, dust covering the area as we coughed.

“Oh my,” Applejack stopped coughing. “Everypony okay?”

Twilight affirmed her safety by saying, “Thanks to you I am.”

Rainbow looked at me. “And you, Dawn?”

“Yeah, thanks for coming in the nick of time, Rainbow,” I said gratefully.

“No problem,” she smiled at my gratitude.

“Eugh, blech,” Rarity spat as she shook herself clean.

“Woo-hoo!” Pinkie cheered excitedly. “Let’s do it again!”

“Uh,” Rarity said, “this is why a girl always packs extra accessories. Oh, please tell me I brought the tiara that goes with this.”

I sighed. “I think we’ve got bigger problems than that, Rarity.”

“Oh, really?”

“I agree with Dawn,” Rainbow added. “We’ve got bigger problems than making sure our hair bows match our horseshoes.”

The path in front of us was now blocked due to the avalanche. I sighed, while Fluttershy looked down in apologetic. “Sorry,” she sighed.

“Aw, no big whoop, sugarcube,” Applejack reassured the pegasus.

“Yeah,” Twilight agreed. “We’ll just have to…” she sighed, “climb over.”

“Is that really a problem?” I raised a brow.

“Maybe not for you, Rainbow, Crimson or Fluttershy, but for the rest of us,” Twilight pointed out.

“Looks like we’re sticking to the ground, then,” I said.

Crimson looked at the apologetically Fluttershy. “Don’t worry,” she smiled. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Eventually,” Rainbow rolled her eyes.

(Later)

We climbed over the fallen rocks that had been caused by the rock slide. The girls were having a hard time, however I was having no problem since I was hovering with Rainbow and Crimson, though Fluttershy kept to the ground.

Suddenly, Fluttershy’s hoofing made a slight step as she fell on her rump, bumping into Rarity and Applejack, who were both in surprise.

“My apologies,” Rarity said, taking Rainbow’s hoof as she was gotten out from below Fluttershy, who whimpered after Rainbow said it wasn’t Rarity’s fault.

I saw Rainbow hovering over to Twilight, sighing. “Still think it was a good idea to bring Fluttershy along?” she whispered.

I could guess from the looks of her annoyance, she was about to have had enough of this.

“We’re about to find out,” Twilight replied to Rainbow’s question. “We’re here.”

I blinked as the cave we were meant to find was in front of us. It was looking dark from the inside, I noted. The cave wasn’t exactly what I had thought. 

I had more in mind of something like a cave that would be much more terrifying.

The smoke was clearly coming from the entrance of the cave. I looked at Crimson, who glanced back.

And thus, Twilight sprung into action with her orders. She looked at Rainbow, “Rainbow Dash, you’ll use your wings to clear the smoke with Dawn and Crimson.”

“Roger, roger!” I saluted, yet Crimson looked curiously at me before we got to work, hearing Twilight below us.

“Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you’ll create a diversion to distract the dragon if things get a little hairy in there.” And we heard a squeaking toy from Pinkie Pie. Twilight’s voice continued, “Applejack, you’re ready with the apples in case he decides to attack. But it shouldn’t come to that, because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up, and between the two of us, we should be able to get him to understand why he needs to go. Is everypony ready?”

We gave affirmatives to her.

“Okay then, we’re goin’ in,” said Twilight as she trotted inside.
> Chapter 10: Dragonshy, Pt. 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Twilight was inside the cave entrance, I was in my thoughts of what could happen if we were to upset the dragon. If it came to it, I would be defensive and make certain none of my pony friends get hurt by the dragon, who was still sleeping, thankfully, even if Twilight was in his cave.

So, what to do if things went on the bad side? Well, show my friends what I learned from Merlin, of course. He did teach me various kung-fu skills during my one year living in Bloodonia, and I was able to defend myself thanks to his teachings. However, most of my skills were by observing Merlin’s fighting styles, which he probably adapted from his family’s long-line of pirates from his father’s side.

We heard Twilight’s voice as she spoke from the cave entrance. “So, what is the best way to wake up a sleeping dragon without upsetting him? Fluttershy?” She realized somepony was missing and turned to us, where the pony in question was still outside with us, having dug her head in the dirt.

I was shaking my head in disbelief at the nervousness Fluttershy was showing regarding our situation.

“Oh, come on! Come on!” Twilight grunted, lifting Fluttershy up by tugging her wing. “We have to do this! Now!” She tried pushing the scared pegasus, with assistance from Rainbow.

I noticed Crim was also shaking her head at the frightened pony. I guess I’m not the only one who was disappointed today.

“Every…” Twilight grunted, still trying to push Fluttershy forward, “...second longer that dragon sleeps…” she grunted again, “is another acre of Equestria that is covered,” another grunt, “in smoke.”

The other four ponies with us assisted Twilight and Rainbow into pushing Fluttershy forward, but she was stubbornly refusing. “I…I…I can’t go in the cave.”

Our friends crashed onto the ground, groaning.

“Oh, great,” Rainbow said with disappointment. “She’s scared of caves now, too.”

“I’m not scared of caves,” Fluttershy stated, “I’m scared of…” She mumbled the last part, so we couldn’t hear it.

“What was that, dear?” Crim asked.

“Yeah, what’s that, sugarcube?” Applejack added.

“I’m scared of…” Fluttershy mumbled low again.

“What?” Twilight asked.

“What are you afraid of, Fluttershy?” I added, more gentler.

“I’m scared of dragons!” Fluttershy admitted.

A loud snoring sound came in response to Fluttershy’s admittance. We were blinking, both surprised and terrified.

Suddenly, smoke erupted from the cave entrance, engulfing us briefly. We coughed from the sudden appearance of the black smoke. I shook my head as I blinked to Fluttershy. “You’re really afraid of dragons?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

I was surprised. Why? Because of one particular thing: Spike was a dragon, too. So why was she afraid of them?

“But Fluttershy,” Twilight continued, “you have a wonderful talent dealing with all kinds of animals.”

“Yes,” she affirmed, “because they’re not dragons.”

“Oh come on!” Rainbow exclaimed. “We’ve seen you walk right up to a horrible manticore like it was nothing.”

They did? Huh. Now that she mentioned it, I wasn’t exactly present when they did see that from Fluttershy, due to me being captured and held hostage by Nightmare Moon.

“Yes, because he wasn’t a dragon,” Fluttershy stated.

“Spike is a dragon,” Pinkie added to my previous inner thoughts. “You’re not scared of him.”

“Yes, because he's not a huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, sharp-scale having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could eat a pony in one bite, totally all grown-up dragon!” Fluttershy reminded her.

A snore from the dragon inside scared her once more, causing her to whimper and shake uncontrollably.

“But,” Twilight recalled, “if you’re so afraid of dragons, why didn’t you say something before we came all the way up here?”

“She’s got a point,” I added.

“I was afraid to,” Fluttershy admitted truthfully.

“Ugh,” Rainbow groaned.

“All of us are scared of that dragon,” Applejack stated.

“I’m not!” Rainbow quickly said.

“Me neither,” I added. “I’m not afraid at all.” And that was true, because I’ve been fascinated by them, not scared, mind you.

“Almost all of us are scared of that dragon,” Applejack corrected herself. “But we’ve got a job to do. So, get in there with Twilight and show her what you’re made of!”

I hoofpalmed. She tilted her head toward me in confusion.

“I—I—I just…can’t,” Fluttershy stuttered, turning around.

“Oh, Fluttershy,” Twilight sighed sympathetically.

 I sighed as well. This was just great. Now we’re only seven to deal with that dragon. Ah, who am I kiddin’? Let’s show that dragon who’s the chief around here!

After a bit of consideration, I decided to follow Twilight inside the cave, which she was relieved since the dragon would probably react badly enough if she ventured in alone.

I was just making sure my friend here doesn’t blow it up.

“We’re goin’ in,” Twilight said. “He…probably just doesn’t realize what he’s doing…right?”

“Probably not,” I nodded.

The ponies outside agreed nervously.

“Mr. Dragon,” Twilight whispered with a nervous tone in her voice, bumping into the nose of the red-scaled dragon lying on top of a pile of gold.

Yup. It confirmed what I have seen in movies back on Earth: dragons DO sleep on gold.

Rumbling noise was heard from the sleeping dragon, who moved slightly in his sleep.

“Excuse me,” Twilight tried again. Another rumbling sound was heard from the dragon. “Mr. Dragon.”

And…after turning to scratch his stomach, his eyes opened! I got a small scare there, but nothing too noticeable for Twilight.

“Oh, good, you’re awake,” Twilight said, fearfully. “Please allow me to introduce ourselves. I’m Twilight—” A yawn interrupted her, a bad breath blowing into our faces, as she continued, “—Sparkle, and this is Dawn Darkness, and we and our friends are residents here in Equestria. Ponyville, to be exact. We’ve come here to ask that you find another spot to take your nap.”

The dragon looked out to see our friends staring back with nervous smiles.

Twilight continued. “It’s just that you seem to be doing an awful lot of snoring, and every time you do you send out a terrible cloud of smoke.” To prove her point, the dragon snorted a black cloud of smoke in her face. “Equestria simply can’t survive a hundred years in a dark haze. You understand, don’t you?”

The dragon raised himself, stretching and grunting, before scratching himself with his claws.

“So, you’ll find another place to sleep?” I asked hopefully to the dragon.

Aaand…he laid back down again with a huff, as if refusing to budge from his gold.

A snort came then, engulfing us once more in smoke. We coughed in response. Twilight and I hurried outside from the smoking cave.

“So much for,” Rainbow coughed, “persuading him.”

“Now what?” Applejack asked.

“Maybe, give up?” They looked at me with stern eyes. “What? It was just a suggestion.”

Rarity coughed. “Obviously, this situation just calls for a little ‘pony charm’. Allow me, girls, boy.”

I rolled my eyes in exaggeration. “Go ahead.”

At that, Rarity trotted inside the cave, to bring her ‘charm’ to work with the dragon. We heard her voice from the cave entrance: “I’m so sorry to interrupt,” and heard her clearing her throat, “but I couldn’t possibly head back home without mentioning what handsome scales you have.”

I shook my head. So much for preparing her ‘charm’...

“And those scales have to be hidden away in some silly cave for a hundred years?”

A loud, rumbling sound from the dragon was heard.

And from what I heard, was Rarity speaking, “Personally, I think you should skip the snoozing and be out there, showing them off. Hmm. Obviously, I would be more than happy to keep an eye on your jewels while you're gone.”

Was that the best she got? I think so, from the growling the dragon made and the crying from Rarity, as she came outside again, having failed to convince the dragon to part from his gold.
> Chapter 11: Dragonshy, Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rarity was behind a rock, complaining, “I was this close to getting that diamond.”

I raised a brow. “Don’t you mean, getting rid of that dragon?”

Suddenly, a party horn sounded from Pinkie Pie, who…I have no idea why she is dressed that way. She had balloons, a present box, and flippers on her hooves. I just stared at her, dumbfounded at the ridiculous appearance of her.

 Rarity voiced my inner opinion about Pinkie. “Darling, you look ridiculous.”

“Exactly!” Pinkie agreed, trotting inside while speaking. “Sharing a laugh is a sure-fire way to get somepony on your side! Hi!”And…pounding, crashing was heard inside the cave as Pinkie went back outside. “Apparently he doesn’t like laughing. Or sharing.”

Rainbow has had enough, from the looks of her annoyed expression. “All right, that’s it. We tried persuading, charm, whatever it is Pinkie Pie does.”

Pinkie busted the horn.

“It’s time to stop wasting time! I’m going in!” Rainbow decided.

Oh, this isn’t going to end well. I might as well join her. But Crim stopped me by extending her hoof in front of my path as Rainbow flew inside, with Twilight crying out, “Rainbow, no!”

“Get! Out!” We heard her angry voice from the cave and a smack.

I widened my eyes as I had a bad feeling about this.

And we heard a sneezing as well as a growl sound from the dragon in the cave.

“Uh, sorry…” A roar cut Rainbow off.

Suddenly, Rainbow was rolling in the air backwards, and I caught her before she crashed on the ground and hit our friends.

“Thanks…” Rainbow said, dazed from the rolling.

A paw came from within the cave entrance, and…the red dragon stepped out of the cave, looking as mad as ever because of Rainbow’s irritation.

I gulped nervously, while the girls were huddling together as he breathed smoke out from his mouth, covering the girls in the black smoke.

I growled. He looked at me as I prepared myself and spread my wings before charging at him.

“Dawn!” Twilight gasped in shock.

I kicked the dragon under his head, and he hit me with his paw, sending me flying to the ground, knocking me unconscious from the hard attack.

(Crimson’s POV)

“Dawn!” I cried out in fear.

“Well, that went smoothly,” Rainbow grunted at Dawn's unconscious form after he had attacked the dragon.

“Don’t forget you started it!” I scolded her with a glare.

“Oh, right.”

After the dragon breathed black smoke again, we were sent back towards a rock, moaning in pain as I looked up to see…Fluttershy in shock.

“Dawn, girls!” She was then staring right at the dragon. “How dare you…how dare you! Listen here, mister!” she spoke downright angrily to the dragon. “Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you get to be a bully! You may have huge teeth, and sharp scales, and snore smoke, and breathe fire. But you do not—and I repeat—do not! Hurt My! Friends! You got that?”

The dragon whimpered from her stare and anger.

“Well?” Fluttershy awaited an answer.

“But that rainbow and dark one kicked and attacked me,” the dragon spoke finally.

“And I am very sorry about that,” Fluttershy said. “But you’re bigger than they are, and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures.”

“But I—”

“Don’t you ‘but I’ to me,” Fluttershy cut him off. “Now what do you have to say for yourself? I said, what do you have to say for yourself?”

The dragon whimpered, then cried.

“There. There,” Fluttershy comforted the dragon. “No need to cry. You’re not a bad dragon, you just made a bad decision. Now go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep. That’s all.”

And we came over to her, except for Dawn (who was still unconscious), and cheered for her.

“You did it!” Twilight said happily. “I knew you could do it!”

(Dawn’s POV)

I grunted as I came to the world again after what had happened back on the mountain after…what actually happened? I opened my eyes and saw the girls looking down on me. “Where am I?”

“At the Golden Oak Library,” Twilight replied.

“What about…the…” I had a weird voice, it was moaning.

“Don’t worry about that,” Crimson smiled. “Fluttershy took care of it.”

“She…did?” I blinked, shaking my head before it returned to normal.

“I said come back here!” Spike’s voice came just then, chasing Angel Bunny around the library. “How does Fluttershy put up with you furry little things?” He was panting as he chased the rabbit.

At last he grabbed the rabbit’s tail.

“Spike, take a letter,” Twilight said.

Spike sighed. “With pleasure.”

“Dear Princess Celestia,

I am happy to report that the dragon has departed our fair country, and that it was my good friend, Fluttershy, who convinced him to go. This adventure has taught me to never lose faith in your friends. They can be an amazing source of strength, and can help you overcome even your greatest fears.

Always your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.”

And Applejack was calling out, “Twilight, Dawn! You gotta come see this! She’s just five away from a new pony record!”

We looked from a balcony of the tree to see what was going on outside.

“Three hundred forty-seven, three hundred forty-eight…” Rainbow counted as she had her ball bouncing on her head.

An imitation roar of a dragon sounded, causing Rainbow to lose focus.

“Dragon!” she screamed.

We all laughed at the display.

“Why are you laughing?” Rainbow demanded. “That dragon is back!”

“No silly,” I laughed, wiping a tear from my eye with a hoof.

Rainbow looked over to Pinkie. “Pinkie Pie, you scared me! I mean, uh…you broke my concentration.”

“It’s okay, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said. “Not everypony can be as brave as me.” And when Rainbow blew at a leaf, it rolled in the air onto Fluttershy’s rump, causing her to freeze up with a scream.

And we laughed.
> Chapter 12: Cloudsdale, Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Come on, Dawn! You know you can do better than this!” Rainbow cheered me on as she continued teaching me to fly faster than what I currently need to.

What were we preparing for, you might ask? A visit to Cloudsdale, the home of the Pegasi of Equestria. I was so excited to finally be able to see what Rainbow’s home was like before she had moved to Ponyville.

Since I was born a pegasus, I might as well learn more about them during my trip up to Cloudsdale with Rainbow Dash, who was continually commenting and commanding me on reaching better speed.

It was currently a beautiful morning in Ponyville. I was thankfully ready for the trip to Cloudsdale after my speed training with Rainbow Dash. She had indeed improved me on my speed through her training methods. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it helped nonetheless.

I was on my way to the Golden Oak Library to pack the things I needed ready for the trip. In case you’ve wondered, yes, I moved to the Golden Oak Library with Twilight after I had stayed a bit at my grandparents’ place for the first couple weeks I’ve been here in Ponyville, and Equestria, for that matter.

Although it was pleasant, I missed having my parents’ company. Thinking about them was making tears come from my eyes for a moment, but I wiped it before anypony could notice. There were currently ponies here and there outside in the morning, while the rest of Ponyville was just about getting up and about.

“Hi Dawn!” Pinkie Pie’s voice came just then.

I blinked and looked at the pink party pony, and I smiled. “Hello Pinkie, how are you doing this morning?”

“Good! I was just thinking about if you wanted to help me with something at Sugarcube Corner.”

“Sorry, but I’m currently planning to visit Cloudsdale,” I sighed.

“Oh,” Pinkie nodded understandingly. “How’s Crimson doing?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“I was just thinking out loud,” she smiled widely and turned, before bouncing away.

I shook my head fondly at the bouncing Pinkie Pie. She sure is weird sometimes, but that’s what makes her special in some kind of way. She’s happy, joyous, hyperactive. That makes me feel positive for some reason whenever I am around her. How she is doing that, I wonder, I may never find out.

I continued making my way to the library. Once I got there, I was met with Spike. “Hey Spike, what’s up?”

“Well, Twilight expects to have a slumber party with her friends,” he replied. “And by that, I mean Rarity and Applejack.”

I tilted my head. “They’re in there?”

“Yes, so it’s best not to interrupt.”

“I’m just packing my stuff, I’ll fly up to my room, then,” I said, spreading my wings and flying up to my balcony of the house.

I trotted inside the room, getting a bag ready with some stuff I needed for the trip. I might as well make sure to inform Twilight about the trip while I’m on it. Although Spike told me not to interrupt them, I made sure to open my door and peek out, seeing the girls having fun.

“Oh, Dawn,” Twilight noticed me.

“Twilight, I’m just here to tell you I will be out for a while,” I told her.

“Sure thing,” she nodded.

“Have fun with your slumber party!” I called before closing the door. I stepped out of the room and from the balcony, I flew up towards my grandparents’ house in the clouds.

Once I reached it, I knocked. “I’m ready, Grandma, Grandpa.”

Grandpa opened the door, smiling. “Good to see you here, grandson. And we’re just making the final preparations ready for the trip.”

“And while you do that, I’ll wait for Rainbow,” I said.

Lo and behold, the pegasus has arrived.

“I’m already here!” She landed beside me. “I was getting anxious, so I came just in case I got bored with waiting.”

I chuckled. “All right. So, are we good to go?”

“We are now,” Grandma announced, arriving at the door with two bags.

“Great!” Rainbow smiled. “Let’s get going!”

And so we took off.

I was actually very glad I was able to see Cloudsdale today with my friend and grandparents. I never had the idea to join Twilight, Applejack and Rarity in their slumber party for the day.

What actually surprised me was the fact there were black clouds below the sky and a thunderstorm. Huh, good thing I’m not down there, since I technically could control the weather as per my pegasus ability…

“Can you three teach me about controlling the weather?” I asked them.

Rainbow blinked. “You’ve never done that, Dawn?”

I stared at her, eyes with a reminder.

“Oh, right,” she recalled my explanation after the Nightmare Moon incident. “I forgot.”

“Sure we can, Dawn,” Grandma smiled. “You do need to be taught some other things, as well.”

“Indeed,” Grandpa agreed. “We shall help you with everything there is to learn as a Pegasi.”

“Thanks,” I thanked them gratefully.

“We’ve arrived,” Rainbow announced, looking forward as I looked ahead.

There, floating in front of us, was Cloudsdale. It was actually a great looking cloud city. If you could see me being surprised, that would be what I was.

“Let me show you around, Dawn,” Rainbow said, eager.

“Sure thing,” I nodded.

“We shall be looking elsewhere, then,” Grandma said.

“Have fun with your friend, Dawn!” Grandpa called as I followed Rainbow into the cloud city.

Rainbow was excited. “Let me show you where I used to go to school!”

I nodded to her and followed her toward the school building. As soon as we arrived there, I was immediately greeted with an amazing sight. There were clouds everywhere, and pegasus ponies were coming around from all directions.

“Rainbow!” Somepony greeted us. “It’s good to see you again.”

I looked to the left with Rainbow, who was surprised to see…

“Sapphire,” Rainbow acknowledged.

“Who is she?” I asked.

“A friend I once had in school here,” Rainbow replied.

“‘Once had’?” Sapphire raised a brow, her sapphire blue color showing her brightness. “We’re still friends, aren’t we, Rainbow Dash?”

“Oh, uh, sure,” Rainbow laughed nervously.

“And who is he?” Sapphire pointed at me.

“This is Dawn Darkness,” Rainbow introduced me before I could speak. “He is a friend I made when he and I met in Ponyville.”

Sapphire smiled. “Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Dawn Darkness.”

“Just Dawn,” I smiled in return. “And it’s my pleasure to be your acquaintance as well, Mrs. Sapphire.”

She recoiled at the politeness. “Sorry, but no ‘Mrs.’, please. I’m not too old for that yet.”

“Oh,” I gave a nervous laugh.

“So, what are you two doing here, Rainbow Dash?” Sapphire asked.

“I’m just showing Dawn here around, letting him see the awesome sights of Cloudsdale.”

Sapphire smiled. “Mind if I join you? It’s been too long since we properly had a conversation, Rainbow.”

“Sure!” Rainbow nodded her acceptance. “I’m more than happy to allow you to come with us. Won’t you agree, Dawn?”

“I don’t see why not,” I shrugged.

“Great!” Rainbow looked pleased. “Let’s get going, then!”

And so off we were.
> Chapter 13: Cloudsdale, Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After meeting Sapphire, she, Rainbow and I were trotting about in Rainbow Dash’s former school area. Rainbow and Sapphire, from what I had gathered as information, were friends and best friends with Fluttershy after the shy pegasus attended the school. It actually amazed me that Rainbow had such a good friend who would help them in defending Fluttershy from those who bullied her.

It kinda reminded me of Merlin when he defended me from Buff, Butch and Boris back on Earth. He always had my back whenever they bullied me before I and my parents were moved to Bloodonia and lived there for one year when Butch’s father, the Danish general, arrived with the Danish army.

Anyway, back to matters at hoof. Rainbow was showing me where they had attended school together, and then they decided to show me the Wonderbolt Academy after we had met Spitfire, the Wonderbolts’ leader.

I must say, when Spitfire showed us around, I was impressed with the Academy, which was Rainbow Dash’s big dream to join them. And I was sure she would be able to join them if she tried hard enough.

“And here is where we hold the Best Young Flyer competition,” Spitfire said as we were at the Cloudeseum.

I admit, it kinda reminded me of the Colosseum from Rome, except that this was made of clouds instead of bricks.

“So, Dawn,” Rainbow said. “What do ya think of Cloudsdale?”

“It’s impressive,” I admitted.

“Yeah, I know, right?”

When I saw Spitfire look at me, she said, “What do you think of joining the competition once it starts, Dawn?”

I blinked, but Rainbow came in my defense just in time. “Whoa, whoa. Easy there, Captain Spitfire! Don’t be so rushing on him. He’s just relearning what we Pegasi do.”

“Oh, right.” Spitfire recalled. “You did mention that, Rainbow Dash.”

“No worries. I shall see what I can do when I’ve got her teachings down,” I said, smiling at her.

Besides, what else can I do once the Best Young Flyer competition starts? Based on what Rainbow had told me, she had once entered the competition when she was a filly and performed this ‘Sonic Rainboom’.

“Good. That ends my tour for today,” Spitfire said. “I’m looking forward to the day when you decide to join the competition, Dawn Darkness.”

I smiled at her after she turned and left us to do her duties. “So,” I started to Rainbow, who said goodbye to Sapphire, “where else should we go?”

Rainbow grinned at my question.

(Later)

Let me tell you when I was surprised to see Rainbow’s former home before she moved to Ponyville. It was nice to see where she had lived when she was young. “So, this is where you lived?” I asked as we stopped by the door entrance.

“Yup,” she nodded. “My parents are inside.”

At that statement, the door opened, revealing a light blue female pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail. She had the same eye color as Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow!” she exclaimed, happily hugging her. “It’s so good to see you again!”

When she looked at me, she blinked.

“And who are you?”

It was a question, which I happily answered. “I’m Dawn Darkness, Rainbow Dash’s friend. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dawn. I’m Platinum Dash,” she introduced herself as she let go of her daughter, as she smiled at Rainbow, stating, “I never thought you’d have a special somepony, Rainbow.”

What?

“What?” Rainbow echoed my own thoughts. “No, Mom. He’s not my special somepony.”

“I’m just teasing you,” Platinum chuckled heartily.

Rainbow groaned. “And I said I don’t like being teased, Mom.”

I chuckled. They reminded me of my own parents who also liked teasing me whenever I was oblivious to what it was they were saying.

“So, are my grandparents here?” I asked Platinum.

“As a matter of fact, yes,” Platinum nodded. “They’re inside.”

And so Rainbow and I trotted in the house. I must say that her home was something I’d expect from a house in Equestria now. There was a carpet on the floor, while everything else was white from the clouds.

“Dawn!” Grandma spoke. “I see you and Rainbow has arrived.”

“How was the tour?” Grandpa asked.

“It went well,” I nodded. “Rainbow was showing me where she went, and where the Wonderbolts Academy was.”

“Good,” Grandpa said, sounding pleased.

“Why don’t you show him your room, Rainbow?” Her father asked. He was the same as Platinum; rainbow mane and tail, although his mane was a bit messier than Platinum’s.

Rainbow smiled, then looked at me. “C’mon, Dawn! Let me show you my former room!”

And we went to her room that was upstairs on the second floor in the house. Once we were in, I took in the room’s appearance. There was a poster of the Wonderbolts hanging on a wall, and there was a rainbow-styled bed near the window.

“So, what do you think?”

I looked at Rainbow, who was laying on her bed. “It’s nice. I see you are idolizing the Wonderbolts very much.”

“Are you kiddin’?” Rainbow smiled at my statement. “I dream of being in their team one day.”

“And I think you’ve got the talent for that to happen.”

“Thanks!” she said gratefully.

This was indeed a nice place. I looked around as Rainbow was lying on her comfy bed in the meantime as I glanced around. It’s a great place, I’ll admit. “So, what is there to do while my grandparents and your parents are talking downstairs?”

At that question, she gave a grin of happiness. “I’m glad you asked, Dawn.”

(Later)

I was playing with Rainbow as she had her cards and played one. I was having a bit of trouble knowing this card game. I played a game called Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG back on Earth, and since Rainbow knew where I came from, I told her about it.

“Sounds like it could be fun,” she stated.

“Yeah, but it’s pretty hard for newcomers to the game,” I explained. “Every Monster you plan on placing on your field needs to be four stars or lower to be played. Anything five stars or higher will need to be what they call, Tribute Summon.”

“What’s ‘Tribute Summon’?”

“It’s where you Sacrifice up to three cards for a higher leveled Monster.”

“Wow, it sounds hard,” she admitted.

“It is, believe me,” I nodded in agreement.

As soon as I finished my explanation, I continued the current card game with Rainbow and played what I had in my hoof.

“Ha! Bad move, Dawn!” She played a different one, and she had won the round. “All right!” she cheered.

“Damn, this is hard to get back into card games,” I sighed.

Rainbow chuckled. “Don’t worry; you’ll get the hang of it.”

“And once I do, I will beat you next time,” I grinned.

“As if you can!”

We laughed at our exchange.

A knock on the door was heard as Grandma peeked through the doorway. “Our late lunch is ready, you two.”

“Great!” Rainbow smiled, standing.

“I’m also a bit hungry, too,” I noted.

And so we joined them downstairs.
> Chapter 14: Cloudsdale, Pt. 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When we finished our late lunch, Rainbow and I toured a bit more of Cloudsdale. I was excited to be shown more of the cloud city. As soon as we made it out to the streets, Rainbow took me to someplace she knew of in Cloudsdale.

And where was that, you might ask? Well, I’ll just see for myself.

“So, where are you taking me this time, Rainbow?” I asked her.

“Let me find it,” was the only thing she answered and looked around. “There.” She pointed with her hoof toward a building, which was something I kind of expected for her to find for some reason.

“And what’s that?” I questioned her.

At first, she rolled her eyes. “A building, smart pony. Most importantly, it’s our next stop on the list.”

Smart pony? I tilted my head in confusion at the words, but I knew this was Equestria, so that should be expected from them.

Rainbow and I trotted toward the building, which was a two floor building with white stone, and of course, some clouds around the rooftop. We went inside, a doorbell ringing the second we opened the door.

“Welcome,” said somepony with a red coat and crimson mane and tail. “And what may I serve you?”

“It’s me, Berry Comet,” Rainbow smiled. “I can’t believe you forgot me.”

“Rainbow!” the mare realized. “I didn’t realize, sorry, dear. And who is this fine stallion with you?”

“Hello, I am Dawn Darkness,” I said before Rainbow could introduce me. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms. Berry Comet.”

“A gentlecolt, I see,” Berry chuckled. “No need to be so formal, Dawn Darkness.”

I smiled at her. She seemed to be one nice mare, I’d say. When I looked at Rainbow with a curious expression, she whispered to me, “We were just seeing an old friend of mine.”

I blinked, as Berry Comet stepped out of the bar to greet us properly. “So you’ve been hanging out with your friends from Ponyville, Rainbow?”

“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded. “They’re really nice, friendly and kind. A group of best friends nopony could ever ask for.”

“That’s good to hear,” Berry smiled. “What have you two been up to recently?”

“I was just showing Dawn here around,” Rainbow replied. “He was curious about where we Pegasi came from.”

I raised a brow at that. She looked at me with her mouthed, ‘I know what you wanted, don’t worry’. I decided to not pay my mind on it too much, so I stayed silent.

When the mares were finished talking, Rainbow treated me with some treats that Berry Comet had made earlier during the day in case she expected visitors. I must say that those treats were delicious. Equestria surely knows its stuff when it comes to making stuff like this.

As we were done visiting Berry Comet, Rainbow and I continued the tour of Cloudsdale. Let’s see…we’ve been at the Wonderbolts Academy, Rainbow’s old school, visited her parents’ house, visited Miss Berry Comet…what else now?

Apparently, there wasn’t anything more to be doing for the tour, so we decided to return to Rainbow’s house to join our families.

“We’re back!” Rainbow announced to them as soon as we entered the house again.

“And so have you, Rainbow,” her father, who I believe was called Thunder Dash, smiled. “How was the tour of Cloudsdale, Dawn? Anything you liked about the city?”

“It is a nice place,” I nodded. “I could totally see myself flying up here more frequently.”

“That’s good,” Platinum Dash was pleased.

“We were thinking about staying here for one day,” Grandma said.

“Oh?” I raised a brow. “How come?”

“We wanted to spend some time with our friends, because we have not talked much during the last couple of weeks,” Grandpa explained.

I smiled. “Okay. Rainbow and I were thinking of going back to Ponyville.”

“Yeah, since I believe Twilight’s slumber party has ended now,” Rainbow added.

Thunder Dash chuckled. “Have fun returning to Ponyville.”

After we had our things, I hugged my grandparents a short farewell until the next time we saw each other and joined Rainbow Dash on our return to Ponyville.

“Say Dawn,” Rainbow started as we flew in the sky. “When do you think you could teach me to play your card game, Yu-Gi-Oh!?”

“In due time, Rainbow,” was all I replied. Once I know of a way to get some of my decks here, that is.

As soon as we landed down on the streets of Ponyville, I trotted up to the Golden Oak Library, where Spike was waiting for something.

“Hey Spike,” I called.

“Oh, hey Dawn! Been enjoying your trip to Cloudsdale?” he asked.

“Yup,” I nodded. “It went well. So, are they done yet?”

“Yes,” Spike affirmed with a nod. “Rarity is just giving a friendship report.”

“Oh?” I gave a questioned look. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, so how was the cloud city?”

I smiled before I began explaining how it went with my visit to Cloudsdale. He listened instantly while I was telling him where Rainbow and I went when we managed to go from our families.
> Chapter 15: Bridle Gossip, Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was yet another great day in Ponyville, or should I say the Everfree Forest. I met a rather interesting pony the other day, or a zebra to be precise. Her name was Zecora, and she came from a place far away from Equestria. 

Currently, she and I were heading into town... only to find it like a ghost town.

"Weird," I said, "is it always like this when you show up, Zecora?"

"Most times," she said sadly. 

I sighed. "I don't get it. Why do ponies act like that when someone new shows up? They could at least be more welcoming than scared of a zebra."

Just then, Rarity teleported before me, gave Zecora the stinkeye, and teleported away with me, straight into Sweet Apple Acres.

"Whoa!" I gasped. "Okay, that was unexpected. What was that for, Rarity?"

"Oh, thanks goodness, darling," said Rarity, "are you alright? I hope Zecora didn't do anything to you."

I was confused at what she was talking about. "I'm perfectly fine, Rarity. She did not do anything to me. Though, what you did was kinda rude for someone with a new friend."

"Friend?!" asked Rarity in shock, "Did you honestly call her your friend?!" 

"Well," I was about to say more, until I saw Twilight outside the window.

She had Spike with her on her back, as I noticed Pinkie beginning to trot to the door. “Psst! Twilight! Spike! Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!”

I rolled my eyes in exaggeration at Pinkie Pie. I know for certain that Zecora hasn't done a single thing to deserve this from them. Yet they treat her like an outcast, while I know she’s just looking for a new home and to have friends.

Twilight groaned, and I saw her jump into the Sweet Apple Acres.

“Who?! The zombie pony?” Spike wanted to know.

“Z-Zombie pony?” Pinkie Pie gasped, light turned on from a flashlight.

“Spike!” Twilight reminded him. “There are no zombie ponies. Pinkie, what are you and Dawn doing here alone in the dark?”

“I’m not alone in the dark,” Pinkie replied. “Or…we are not,” she corrected herself.

Twilight gasped as our friends were behind her. “Okay, what are you all doing here in the dark?”

“We’re hidin’ from her!” Applejack said.

I sighed in annoyance as I stated, “Zecora hasn’t done anything to any of you. Why are you all acting as if she is a stranger?”

“See? She has hypnotized Dawn!” Pinkie said.

I rolled my eyes. “No she hasn’t, Pinkie.” I was getting irritated at how they were speaking like that.

“And why did you say her name?” Applejack scolded.

“Because she and I are friends,” I pointed out.

Rainbow huffed. “Nopony can be friends with that witch.”

“Did you see her, Twilight?” Applejack’s younger sister, Apple Bloom, asked. “Did you see…Zecora?”

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack scolded sharply. “I told you never to say her name!”

“Well, I saw her glance this way…” Twilight started.

“Glance evilly this way,” Pinkie interrupted.

I groaned.

“...And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason,” Twilight finished after Pinkie’s interruption.

“No good reason?” Applejack questioned. “You call protectin’ yer kin no good reason? Why, as soon as my sister saw Zecora ridin’ into town, with Dawn hypnotized, she started shakin’ her lil’ horseshoes.”

“You are overreacting,” I told her.

“Overreactin’?” Applejack repeated. “Now, listen here, Dawn. Just ‘cause ya think Zecora is here doesn’t mean I am overreactin’.”

“I did not,” Apple Bloom told Applejack in her earlier speech, and she was shaking just as she spoke.

“So I swept her up and brought her here,” Applejack continued with her speech.

“I walked here by myself!” Apple Bloom reminded her.

“For safe keepin’,” Applejack finished.

“Applejack, I’m not a foal!” Apple Bloom said. “I can take care of myself.”

“Not from that creepy Zecora.”

I sighed, shaking my head in irritation. “She is not evil or creepy, Applejack.”

“Yes, she is!” she countered.

“She’s not!”

“Is!”

“Not!”

“Could you two cut it out?” Twilight demanded us.

I glared at Applejack, who equally glared back.

“Well, Zecora’s mysterious,” Fluttershy stated.

“Sinister,” Rainbow added.

“And spooky,” Pinkie finished.

Both Twilight and I groaned. “Will you cut that out?” Twilight said.

“Just look at those stripes,” Rarity judged, looking at Zecora from the window. “So garish!”

I could not believe she just said that to my new friend. I huffed at her remark. “That’s because zebras were born with those stripes, Rarity.”

Rarity looked at me, as if shocked.

“A what?!” the girls, except Twilight, gasped at my word ‘zebra’.

I rolled my eyes. “A zebra. Have you girls not heard of ‘em?”

“I have,” Twilight nodded toward me. “And her stripes aren’t a fashion choice, Rarity, they’re what she was born with.”

And…Rarity fainted.

“Born where?” Applejack asked. “I’ve never seen a pony like that in these parts, ‘cept…her.” She was shaken when she mentioned Zecora.

“Well, she’s probably not from here,” Twilight explained, “and she’s not a pony. My books say that zebras come from a faraway land. But I’ve never seen her in Ponyville. Where does she live?”

“That’s just it,” Applejack said, “she lives in…the Everfree Forest.”

A crashing sound sounded like a thunderclap in the kitchen.

“Spike!” Twilight called.

“Uh, sorry,” he apologized.

I looked at the girls, who were still afraid. “Tell me this, girls…how does Zecora come here, with you thinking she does bad stuff, but in reality…”

“Not now, Dawn,” Twilight interrupted me.

I went silent.

“The Everfree Forest just ain’t natural,” Applejack said. “The plants grow…”

“Animals care for themselves…” Fluttershy added.

“And the clouds move…” Rainbow stated.

“All on their own!” they finished.

And…Rarity fainted once more.

“And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil…stuff!” Pinkie added. “She’s so evil I even wrote a song about her!”

“Here we go…” Rainbow groaned.

And Pinkie began to sing:

She's an evil enchantress
She does evil dances
And if you look deep in her eyes
She'll put you in trances
Then what will she do?
She'll mix up an evil brew
Then she'll gobble you up
In a big tasty stew
Soooo...Watch out!

I scowled. “How does that relate to Zecora?”

“I’m with Dawn,” Twilight added. “And, wow. Catchy, Pinkie Pie.”

“It’s a work in progress,” Pinkie replied.

“This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors,” I stated.

“I agree with Dawn,” Twilight added. “Now tell me; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?”

“Well…once a month, she comes into Ponyville,” Rainbow explained.

“Ooooh,” Twilight said dramatically.

“Then, she lurks by the stores,” Rarity added.

I said dramatically, “Oh, my.”

“And then, she digs at the ground,” Fluttershy finished.

“Good gracious!” Twilight dramatically gasped. Then she returned to her normal tone, “Okay, I’m sorry. But how is this any bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit?”

“And why did you think she ‘hypnotized’ me?” I raised a brow.

“Well…” Pinkie started.

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed with Twilight. “Maybe she’s just tryin’ to be neighborly.”

I nodded to the young pony. “And maybe she’s not lurking by the stores, maybe she’s going to them, lurk free, to do some shopping?”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed with me. “Everypony likes to shop. You know what I think?”

Applejack shushed her, “Apple Bloom! Hush and let the big ponies talk.”

“I am a big pony,” Apple Bloom mumbled under her breath.

“W-what about digging at the ground?” Rainbow asked. “You’ve got to admit that’s weird.”

“What if she’s digging for innocent creatures?” Fluttershy asked, worried.

I rolled my eyes. “She’s not doing that,” I told her.

And…Pinkie was singing ‘Evil Enchantress’ behind us.

“I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does. And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her, she would find out the truth,” Twilight stated.

“Well, I’m brave enough,” Apple Bloom declared. “I’m gonna find out myself.”

The girls gasped.
> Chapter 16: Bridle Gossip, Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was getting annoyed at my friends’ accusations on Zecora. I mean, and I really mean, that they should respect somepony who was just getting into Ponyville for some things, and I was helping her before Rarity showed up and the others were not letting me speak for one second! Seriously, why the Hell should they be this way?

After what things didn’t really happen in these last couple of days, why act like the way they do now?

And Twilight was agreeing with me with my inner thoughts. “You ponies are being ridiculous!”

And I knew that too well they were being ridiculous.

“Well, I heard that Zecora eats hay,” Pinkie stated.

I rolled my eyes. “We all eat hay.”

“As Dawn said, I eat hay, you eat hay, Pinkie,” Twilight reminded her.

“Yeah,” Pinkie continued, “I heard it’s the evil way she eats hay.”

I was getting frustrated. How can she know that when she hasn’t seen her do those…’evillness’...stuff? She and the others are making no sense. I’ve been with her since I met Zecora, so that makes me the more logical one in this group about her. “Why do you keep thinking she’s evil? There’s no proof.”

“Proof?” Rainbow raised a brow. “We don’t need proof to know that.”

“Hey!” Applejack called. “Where’s Apple Bloom?”

“The door’s open,” Fluttershy noticed the opened door by the entrance to the building.

“She went outside!” Rarity gasped.

“And Zecora’s still out there,” Rainbow added.

Applejack sighed. “That silly lil’ filly! I told her to stay put!”

Seriously, why are they worried? They should know that Zecora is a kind zebra. I should know; since she’s only wanted to make friends with ponies ever since she moved to the Everfree Forest.

“Spike,” Twilight said to the dragon, “you stay here in case Apple Bloom comes back.”

“Will do,” he nodded in a salute.

(Later)

I was with the girls, looking for Apple Bloom, but I was more to make sure they knew that Zecora’s not evil and to give her a chance. However, while I was bickering with Applejack about the zebra, we spotted Apple Bloom in a bush near the Everfree Forest.

I couldn’t believe the brave, little filly actually went there. I was sure that she was afraid of the forest, as all ponies were, but she was bravely going in. I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of her.

And Zecora looked behind to find Apple Bloom and us. I was trying to be friendly, as I was about to speak, but of course, Applejack beat me to it. “Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom! You get back here right now!”

“Zecora, please,” I spoke to my friend. “They are just uneasy with you. I wouldn’t want them to let you go.”

Zecora looked at me with kind eyes, but Applejack glared at her. “Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!”

Not a joke? Oh. I guess she meant…

“Y—you keep your creepy mambo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?” Applejack said, scooping her sister up on her back.

And…the girls were speaking over to each other against Zecora. Honestly, it was sad to see my friend being so accused of things she hasn’t done to the ponies. I was very angry at the girls, except Twilight. I glared at the five mares.

“Ugh! Can’t you girls just let it go?! Zecora hasn’t done a thing to you! How can you accuse her for something so little as entering the town? Seriously, I thought you were better than this!” I practically growled at them, except Twilight and Apple Bloom.

“And I thought you were good to us, Dawn!” Rainbow shot back.

I stepped back, surprised and shocked.

“How can you say that to him, Rainbow?” Twilight asked. “He’s helped us in our time of need!”

“Oh, I remember, but since he’s been hypnotized by that zebra, I dare say that he’s been manipulated,” Rainbow replied.

I was about to say more, but kept silent as I mumbled under my breath to Rainbow, “I thought you were loyal to your friends…”

I turned and left them, while the shocked group couldn’t help but feel a tiny shame.

(Later)

I was back at the Golden Oak Library, in my room, staring out at the window as I thought of Zecora and the event that happened earlier today. I was not having a good time, since what Rainbow had shouted at me back at the entrance to the Everfree Forest was something I pondered over.

“Dawn?” the voice of Twilight Sparkle came as she entered my room. “Are you okay?”

“No,” I replied. “This entire day has been…chaotic, to say the least. I never thought today that they wouldn’t be more acceptable to make a new friend of a species that was coming to live around these parts.”

“You should know that other species haven't been the least liked in Ponyville,” Twilight informed me.

I sighed. “I can get the picture.” I remember the griffon, Gilda, was a bully to the ponies for being friends with Rainbow Dash back then.

“Are you sure you’ll be able to convince our friends about Zecora?”

“I think not, since they’ve been very stubborn today,” I replied.

“Sure, they’ve been stubborn, that I can agree,” Twilight nodded. “But you shouldn’t have them judge your new friend for things she hasn’t done.”

“I need a good night’s sleep,” I told her. “I’m tired as it is right now.”

She nodded. “Good night, Dawn.” She left my room as the door closed behind me.

I sighed. Maybe a good night’s sleep will do me good to get the things in my head off of what happened today about Zecora. I laid down in my bed, as the dreamworld took over me.

(Later)

The next day’s morning, I was refreshed from yesterday’s event. However, something was off about me. I tilted my head as I opened my eyes, revealing…a human hand in front of me. I had an agape mouth, baffled, as I removed the covers from my body.

Yup. This confirmed it. I’m a human in Equestria…I panicked as I never thought I would transform into this body again.

“Dawn? Is everything okay?” Spike’s voice came as he entered the room. And let me tell you of how shocked he was to find me in a different form. “Wha…”

“Before you say anything, Spike…please don’t freak out,” I tried to speak, but he cried out in panic. I sighed in frustration.

“Spike, what’s wrong?” Twilight arrived at my door, and blinked in surprise upon seeing me as a human. “Is that you…Dawn?”

“Yeah, apparently,” I nodded, “it’s me, Twilight.”

“What happened?”

Thankfully she wasn’t freaking out as much as Spike did.

(Later)

We were in the main lobby of the library, trying to find a way to cure what happened to me in my ‘different’ form, but since I was born on Earth, this was thankfully easier for me to help with looking for a specific book about the Poison Joke.

As for Twilight, her horn was soft and wobbly, with blue spots.

I was grateful that she did not freak out earlier, due to me having told her of me being born human on Earth.

Twilight was frantically looking in the books. “No no no no no no! None of these books have a cure!” she groaned in frustration. “There has to be a real reason for this! An illness? An allergy?”

“A curse?” Spike asked.

“I said a real reason!” Twilight corrected him. “Something that points to something real, like Dawn being turned to human, for example.”

“Honestly, it ain’t bad being back to being human,” I said. “I missed having hands.”

“Is that so?” Twilight smiled.
> Chapter 17: Bridle Gossip, Pt. 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“How about this one?” Spike called, holding a book. The book was what I kindly took from him, reading it.

“Supernaturals?” I read the title. I looked at the dragon, stating, “Spike, supernaturals refer to ghosts and spirits, and zombies, which are as make-believes as curses. This book is just not the right match to what we are looking for.”

“But what if you two are wrong, Dawn?” he asked. “What if this really is a—”

“Ah pfurse!”

I jumped at the sudden appearance of Pinkie Pie, whose tongue was spitting out some saliva as she spoke. I removed the saliva from my face, shaking my head. “No, it’s not that.”

“A purse?” Spike wanted to know. “How could this be a purse?”

“Pinkie? What happened?” Twilight asked worryingly.

“Pee pah Zthecora! Sthe put a cursthe on me!” Pinkie spat saliva out while she was speaking.

“Hey, say it, don’t spray it, Pinkie,” Spike reminded her.

As she continued trying to speak, Spike and I were covered in her saliva. I sighed.

Suddenly, a thud crash was heard from the window. I blinked as Rainbow Dash was the one who was bashing the window. “Ow! Ow! She’s—” she bashed the window again, “—trying to say—” as she continued to bash the window, “—Zecora—oh!” As I was about to go to the door, she smashed it by repeatedly bashing into it. “She slapped us with a—curse!”

“I’m afraid I have to agree,” Rarity spoke, blowing hair out of her face.

Spike, Twilight and I yelled in surprise.

“I hate to say I told ya so, Twilight,” said somepony, “I told ya so.”

I blinked, looking down at where a tiny Applejack was standing on her sister’s back. “Applejack? How did you get small?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she rolled her eyes with her high pitched voice. “And what happened to ya, Dawn? You look different!”

Pinkie, Rainbow, Apple Bloom and Rarity—who tried to look out of her covering hair—looked stunningly surprised.

“Oh, come on,” I groaned. “Stop staring. You girls should know that I don’t like being stared at for too long with attention.”

“Really?” Applejack’s high pitched voice asked. “It’s a curse, I tell ya!”

“Okay…for once, I have to agree,” I folded my arms. “This is getting into some serious consequences from those leaves we stepped on earlier…”

“You know about them?” Twilight asked.

“Well,” I started, “my mother told me once about a blue leaf called the Poison Joke. If you step on it, you’ll be affected unless a cure is found.”

“So, what does that mean?” Rainbow asked.

“It means we have to find the one thing we need to cure ourselves,” I said. “And by that, it is to find Zecora and have her help us.”

“No way!” Applejack called up from her tiny size. “We ain’t gonna have her cure us for whatever the effect of this ‘poison joke’ is!”

“God, you sure are stubborn,” I rolled my eyes.

“What does that mean?” she demanded.

“Okay you two, stop bickering, we need to find something that can help cure our…afflictions…as you put it, Dawn,” Twilight said. “But to me, Fluttershy seems to be just fine.”

“I don’t think so,” I said.

“Why’s that?”

“Let’s ask her,” I looked at the pegasus. “Is there anything you’d like to say about our situation, Fluttershy?”

“Yes,” Rarity pointed out, “there doesn't seem anything wrong with her.”

“Fluttershy?” Twilight asked gently. “Are you okay? Is there something wrong with you? Would you care to tell us?”

A shake of Fluttershy’s head was what we got.

“So…you’re not going to tell us?” Twilight wanted to know, as a nod was the next answer. “Yes you’re not, or yes you will?”

“Good gravy, girl!” Applejack said, jumping in front of Fluttershy on the table. “What’s wrong with you?!”

Then, what surprised us all, was her sudden deep, male voice, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Spike snorted, then burst out laughing, tears coming into his eyes. “This is hilarious!” he laughed. “Look at all of you! We got: Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, and…uh, I got nothin’...Twilight Sparkle and Dawn Darkness. I mean seriously, I can’t even work with that.”

I grunted. “And what are you, Spike? Greenie?”

He blinked. “Say what?”

“‘Greenie’...you know, for your green spikes,” I raised a brow.

He chuckled for himself. “I guess…”

“This is no joke, Spike,” Twilight scolded with a sarcastic laugh. “Now start looking for more books so I can find a cure!”

The dragon groaned.

Rainbow groaned as well. “I think we’ll find a cure to this curse at Zecora’s place.”

“It’s not a curse!” Twilight reminded her, then Rainbow crashed into a wall.

“I agree with Dash,” Applejack added. “We’ll go to Zecora’s and force her to remove this hex!”

I shook my head. “You just can’t force her to remove it.”

“Says the human, who is all ‘know-it-all’.”

I glared at the tiny Applejack.

“It’s not a hex, either!” Twilight continued denying our friends.

Everypony, except Apple Bloom and I, shouted at each other all at once. I knelt down to Apple Bloom, whispering, “Think we should let them be?”

“Yeah,” she agreed with a low voice.

“Now where do they think they’re goin’ this time?” Applejack’s voice came as her sister and I left the library.

(Later)

I was with Apple Bloom, as we reached the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. The young filly was, of course, when we came to a stop. I smiled reassuringly at Apple Bloom, speaking. “Don’t worry. I will defend you if necessary, in case we come across some wild creatures.”

“Thanks, Dawn,” she thanked me as we entered the forest.

As we pressed on, moving along the path that might lead us to Zecora’s place, we soon began to see a building in the dark forest. I smiled as Apple Bloom was relieved. “Let’s pay a visit to my friend,” I told the filly.

She nodded and so, we went to the door, with me knocking.

“Are you friends, or are you fiends?” Zecora’s voice came from within.

“We’re friends, Zecora,” I replied. “It’s me, Dawn. I’ve brought along a friend of mine.”

Soon, the zebra opened the door, noticing us. “Ah. Dawn, it’s been a while since we were together with a smile.”

I chuckled, while her rhyming was fun to listen to, I was more to the point. “We’d like to have you to help us, Zecora. Our friends were afflicted with the poison joke.”

Then, her eyes turned serious. “Then we must not waste time, for we’ve got no longtime.”

We entered her house, as she soon explained the cure she was making in the cauldron to us.
> Chapter 18: Bridle Gossip, Pt. 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Twilight’s POV)

I was concerned. This was getting worrying.

“I don’t care what you say, Twilight,” said Rainbow Dash, trying to stay in one place. “It’s time to pony up and confront Zecora. Come on, girls. Are you with me?”

“Ah am—pft,” Pinkie nodded.

“And I as well,” Rarity added.

“Uh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said in her deep, male voice. “Seems awfully dangerous.”

Spike was giggling at Fluttershy’s voice.

“How about you, Applejack?” asked Rainbow, but we soon noticed she was gone. “Applejack?”

“Pf—she’s gone—pft!” Pinkie spat saliva from her tongue.

“Aah! Or somepony stepped on her!” Rarity gasped.

“...Or sat on her?” I suggested.

“Rarity’s hair!” Rainbow realized.

As Pinkie reached into her hair, Rarity panicked. “Oh! OH! Pinkie, what are you doing? Ah, really. Aah! You ever heard of personal space?”

Pinkie soon shook her head. “Nopthe!”

“Apple Bloom and Dawn are gone, too!” I realized.

“I bet they went after Zecora,” Rainbow guessed, then she fell to the floor.

“Well, we better go find them,” I decided. “Come on, girls. Let’s go!”

I heard Rarity’s grunting. “Oh dear. This is so unseemly.” She was freed after Pinkie released one piece of her hair.

“Hey, a little help here?” Rainbow called out.

“Oopsie,” Fluttershy said in her male voice, helping Rainbow with Pinkie lift her up. “Sorry.”

And then Rainbow crashed into a wall. “Ow!”

“Uh, Spike?” I managed to hear Fluttershy ask my assistant. “Are you coming?”

“Nope! Uh…gotta stay here and look for a cure,” Spike then gasped, pointing at me, “Twilight Flopple!”

(Dawn’s POV)

I was out with Apple Bloom, finding some ingredients before I decided to head back to Zecora with some of the things I gathered in my hands. God, how I missed having hands and standing on two legs. I know I was born a pegasus, but this was another side of me while I was a human from Earth.

(Apple Bloom’s POV)

I was just about to turn around and run back to Zecora, before I heard a squeaky voice. “Stop right there!” I looked up to find my sister, Applejack, in my mane. “Turn around right now, missy!”

I smiled, then replied, “No.”

“No?!” she repeated. “You can’t ignore a direct order from your big sister!”

I immediately let her off my head, catching her in my mouth, then placed her on a branch. “Sorry, Applejack,” I laughed. “But I’m the big sister now.”

“Apple Bloom! You come back here right this instant!” Applejack yelled after me. “I’m gonna tell Big McIntosh on you!”

(Twilight’s POV)

We were running into the Everfree Forest and pressed on. “C’mon, girls. We’ve got to get to Zecora’s. Hurry!”

We heard Rarity crash onto the ground. “Easier said than done!” she complained.

(Applejack’s POV)

I heard somepony crash to the ground, groaning and owing, while I was in that somepony’s mouth. I got free, relieved to see… “Rainbow! Thank Celestia! There’s no time to lose! I need to get to Zecora’s pronto! Giddy-up pony!”

She was muffling, while I put on a harness made of leaves, a stick and some vines, and got up on her belly.

“Ex-CUSE-me?!” Rainbow asked.

“Yee-haw!” I called out, kicking Rainbow’s belly as she began to fly up with a “What the” from her. “No, Rainbow Dash! The other way!”

(Dawn’s POV)

I was finally done getting a few of the ingredients for Zecora while she quickly got into work on the cure. I assisted her by putting the ingredients into the cauldron while she was making it cook.

(Twilight’s POV)

“Oh, I look horrible,” Rarity complained while we waited a few yards away from Zecora’s house.

“Plis place plooks horrible!” Pinkie pointed out while spitting saliva.

“Oh my,” Rarity agreed. “That place really does look horrible. Nice decorations, if you like creepy!”

We gasped as we saw Zecora speaking in a native language…with Dawn inside her house! We noticed as we snuck closer to the window.

“What is he doing?!” Rarity continued. “Why is he in there?”

“I have no idea, Rarity,” I shook my head. 

“Sthe sthole my sthong!” Pinkie realized upon hearing Zecora singing while she was waiting for…whatever it was she put in the pot. “Shthe shtole mm mm!”

“She stole your song?” Rarity asked.

“Oh Pinkie,” I sighed. “Doesn’t sound like your song.”

“Ah, hmm…pbth!” Pinkie looked at Fluttershy with pleading eyes.

Fluttershy sighed deeply as she sang:

She's an evil enchantress

And she does evil dances

And if you look deep in her eyes

She will put you in trances

Then what would she do?

She'll mix up an evil brew

Then she'll gobble you up

In a big tasty stew

Soooo... Watch out.

“You saw those terrible things,” Rarity told me, “Now do you believe us, Twilight?”

“Scary looking masks, confusing incantations,” I hummed, “and a great big bubbling cauldron?” I sighed as I looked at the decorations. “Everything is pointing to Zecora being…bad. Or…what if Zecora is just making soup?”

“Mmm,” Zecora spoke from inside while Dawn smiled. “The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume. Now, where is that little Apple Bloom?”

I realized something. “Or…what if she’s making Apple Bloom soup?!”

(Dawn’s POV)

I was smiling. It was a good thing Zecora was here to help us in making this cure. Currently all we need is Apple Bloom to return with the final ingredients…

Suddenly, mares screaming and barging in the house caused me to gasp in surprise, and then Rainbow came crashing into the house, causing a ruckus. I winced, as did Zecora.

“Oh!” Zecora gasped, speaking in her native language.

I looked around, focusing on Rainbow with Applejack on her…belly? Was she stabilizing her or something?

Rainbow screamed, while Twilight demanded us, “What have you two done with Apple Bloom?!”

I grit my teeth…

“No! No!” Zecora gasped while the tiny Applejack jumped onto her back with a rope.

I closed my hands into fists…

“Ponies! What is this you…” Zecora started.

Suddenly, Rainbow hit the cauldron with her uncontrollably flying.

“No! You know not what you have do!” Zecora said. “You’ve gone and spilled my precious brew!”

“We’re onto you, Zecora,” Twilight said. “I didn’t want to believe that you cursed us, but the evidence is overwhelming!”

“You made me look ridiculous!” Rarity spoke.

“You made me sound ridiculous!” Fluttershy added.

Incoherent, Pinkie spat, “You made me speak ridiculous!”

“You ruined my horn!” Twilight finished.

“How dare you!” Zecora said angrily. “You destroy my home, you destroy my work, then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?!”

I was giving a low growl…

“You put this curse on us, now you’re gonna uncurse us,” Rainbow spoke with venom in her voice.

“It is unwise to venture down this road,” Zecora said. “Your actions will make my anger explode…”

“ENOUGH!” I roared suddenly, startling them all.

“Dawn…”

I pointed at Twilight, who tried to speak. “Don’t say another word! Zecora was only helping us with a cure to our problems!”

“Wha—” Applejack started.

“Don’t!” I growled angrily. “Say! A! Word! Let me finish!” I looked at Zecora, “I’m sorry for the troubles they’ve caused you ever since you entered town the other day. As for you girls,” I continued, glaring at them, “all you have been doing was accusing my FRIEND as being evil, when ALL she was trying to do was looking to make friends with ponykind. How can you six be so rude and unacceptable for someone like that?! And I thought that humans were this bad when acknowledging others.”

“But…what about Apple Bloom?” Applejack asked. “You two were trying to cook her, didn’t you?!”

“No!” I shouted, but calmed down. “We weren’t trying ANYTHING like that. We were only trying to make a brew for the CURE to the poison joke!”

“Zecora, Dawn! I found all the things ya asked for,” came the voice of the filly. “What in Ponyville is goin’ on here?”

I sighed, looking at the filly, who was by the doorway. “Take a guess, Apple Bloom.”

She tilted her head, but saw some items destroyed around the house. She widened her eyes. “You don’t mean, Dawn…”

“Yup,” I nodded, pointing at the girls. “They came in here and destroyed most of our work for the cure.”

“Apple Bloom! You’re okay!” Applejack’s relieved voice sounded.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.

“Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you into soup!” Twilight stated.

Zecora, Apple Bloom and I looked at each other, then we laughed.
> Chapter 19: Bridle Gossip, Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh Twilight,” Apple Bloom said. “Did those silly fillies get in yer head? There’s no such thing as a curse.”

“Apple Bloom, sweetie. You can’t just stand there and tell me this isn’t a curse,” Twilight reminded her.

“This isn’t a curse,” I put in the conversation. “Zecora, if you will?”

The zebra nodded. “If you will remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact: Beware, beware you pony folk. Those leaves of blue are not a joke.”

“It was a warnin’,” Apple Bloom finished. “About that blue plant.”

“So you see, girls,” I added. “There’s no such thing as a curse. It was the Poison Joke.”

“Like you told us…” Twilight recalled.

“Exactly,” I nodded, glad she realized it.

“That plant is much like poison oak,” Zecora added. “But its results are like a joke.”

“What in the hay does that mean?” Applejack asked, confused.

“It means this plant does not breed wrath,” Zecora explained, “instead this plant just wants a laugh.”

“Will somepony talk normal?” Applejack asked.

“I think what she’s saying is that when we ran in to save Apple Bloom,” Twilight recalled, “we ran into the poison joke. All our problems are just little jokes played on us.”

“Little jokes?” Applejack was disbelieving it. “Very funny.”

“It’s true,” I added, “the reason why I turned human was what the poison joke played on me due to me missing something.”

“Okay, fine,” Rainbow sighed, still trying to stay in the air in one place. “But what about the cauldron?”

“And the chanting?” Fluttershy added in her male voice.

“And the creepy décor?” Rarity finished.

“Treasures of the native land where I am from,” Zecora answered, “this one speaks ‘hello’, and this ‘welcome’.”

“Not ‘welcoming’ at all, if you ask me,” Rarity said.

“But the cauldron…” Twilight started asking, “the Apple Bloom soup?”

Apple Bloom chuckled. “It wasn’t meant for her, Twilight. It was for the herbal ingredients. The cure for poison joke is a simple old-natural remedy. You just gotta take a bubble bath!”

“But,” Twilight said, “I tried to find a cure in all my books and couldn’t find anything. What book has this natural remedy?”

“Here is the book, you see?” Zecora said, closing the book for Twilight, revealing its title. “Sad that you lack it in your library.”

“Actually,” Twilight spoke, recalling what I and Spike had found, “I do have this book, but I didn't look inside because the title was so... Weird. Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-alls That Are Simply Super. I...I... I'm so sorry, Zecora. I had the answer the whole time, if only I had bothered to look inside.”

Zecora chuckled, as did I. “Maybe next time you will take a second look, and not judge the cover of the book.”

Apple Bloom laughed.

I smiled, while Twilight asked Zecora, “Would you be kind enough to mix up another batch of the herbal bath?”

“Mix it up I certainly will,” Zecora nodded, “yet I am missing an herb from Ponyville.”

Apple Bloom recalled, “But whenever Zecora comes to town, all the shops are mysteriously closed.”

“Oh,” Twilight realized, “well, I think we can help you with that.”

(Later)

After everything that happened, we returned to normal. That evening, at the library, I was a little in a pickle.

I was searching my room over and over, desperately looking for… my saddle bag.

Inside of it were a number of items that were brought over from Earth to remind me of the long time I grew up there, and now, I can’t seem to find it.

I tossed myself onto my bed, groaning deeply.

Just then, the door to my room opened. I looked to find Twilight at the doorway, looking concerned. “Is everything all right, Dawn? You look distressed.”

“It’s my saddle bag,” I said, “I can’t find it.”

“Your saddle bag?!” questioned Twilight in shock, “The one containing your momentos from Earth?!”

“That’s the one,” I said, “It had everything I had on me every day on Earth, including a music device called an iPod.”

“i…Pod?” asked Twilight curious, “Maybe I should check your memory to see for myself.”

Using her magic, she focused on my forehead, revealing my memories like a projector.

And then she saw one memory of me lying there in the grass, listening to music. She looked closer and saw that I was holding a device in my hands.

“Is that it?” she asked, “The device you call an iPod?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “It’s what I can listen to different music with.”

“Wow,” said Twilight, levitating over the Walkman I saw the other day, “So it’s much like my Walkman.”

“Indeed,” I nodded. “I listened to music every day back on Earth, because that’s what most people did when they did not have anything else to do.”

“As I recall,” said Twilight, “this device had some serious competition when this thing called a Zune came along.”

“Yes, it competed with the Zune product,” I said. “The Zune was made to beat the iPod device within the digital media.”

“I remember,” said Twilight, “One time, when I was on Earth visiting Bloodonia, Merly told me that at some point, the Zune 
had been taken off the market. Say… does he still have his on him?”

“I think so,” I answered. “He was learning how to use ‘modern devices’ when we first met at school one day. I recall he did still have it, even after I moved to Bloodonia with my parents.”

“Classic Merly,” sighed Twilight, “He only knew about simple devices when we first met. He told me that he was trying to broaden his horizon on modern conveniences every day.”

I chuckled. “That’s him, all right.”

(Third Person POV)

Little did they both know, as they resumed their conversation, two ponies dressed in armor were standing outside the library, having a close eye on Dawn.

“So our suspicions were correct,” said one pony, “I told you it was a good idea to follow him around since the Summer Sun Celebration. I mean, seriously, what pegasus tries to use magic on somepony else?”

“Not to mention,” said the other pony, “that apparent spell he tried to use. Voltar Thundasir? Is that even a spell?”

“I am not sure,” the first pony replied. “Where did he know that spell?”

“No idea,” said the second pony, holding up Dawn’s saddle bag, “but the items we found in this saddle bag… they must be… instruments of torture.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“What do you think?” said the other pony, “We tell Princess Celestia.”

“What should we tell her? Does she know what he is?” the first pony asked.

“Well,” said the second pony, “she might know one thing about him.”

They both agreed and tossed over their hoods, revealing themselves as two of Celestia’s day guards.

Looking back at Dawn again, the first guard asked, “Say… doesn’t that pony look… familiar to you?”

“Now that you mention it,” said the second guard, “he does look a bit like Night Shadow when he was only starting out as a guards pony. How time flies.”

“Indeed,” the first guard agreed. “I wonder how Night Shadow is doing? It’s been a while since we last saw him.”

“Never mind that for now,” said the second guard, “Let’s get those instruments of torture to Princess Celestia as soon as possible.”

Thus settled, they set off back to Canterlot, where, much to their annoyance, Princess Celestia was already fast asleep.

“Just great,” sighed the first guard. “She’s asleep. I guess we must wait for the morning, then.”

The second guard sighed as he used his unicorn magic to take out something from the saddlebag; some kind of device.

“i… Pod?” he questioned, reading the back of it.

“That must be what this thing is called,” suggested the first guard, “An iPod.”

“What can it do?” the other guard asked.

“I’m not sure,” said the second guard, “but we should hold on t-Oops!”

The second guard took a wrong step, and dropped the iPod, and it started… making noise.

Both guards took cover, as the iPod went on with… playing music.

“What the…” the first guard blinked, confused. “Is that…?”

They listened closely.

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena

Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa buena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena

Hey Macarena, ay

They both bopped their heads to the music.

“It’s music,” said the second guard, levitating the iPod off the floor. At least that was the plan, until… ZAP!!! …something shot at it, destroying it in the process, much to the guards’ disappointment.

The guards turned to find…Prince Blueblood.

“What kind of heinous weapon was that?” he demanded.

The guards looked at each other confused, then one of them asked, “Prince Blueblood… you are aware that that was music that iPod played, right?”

“i…Pod?” he asked, “And now you two are making up words.”

The guards deadpanned. One of them levitated the now destroyed iPod to Blueblood for him to see that it indeed said *iPod* on the back.

 “So…who would have this here?” Blueblood asked.

When the guards explained, he smiled deviously.

“So… why don’t we have the pegasus have a visit to Canterlot?” Blueblood said. “I am sure my auntie would like to see him.”

The guards looked at each other, uncertain.
> Chapter 20: A Canterlot Visit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been a few days since the Poison Joke incident, and with Zecora having moved to the Everfree Forest and being part of Ponyville. I must admit, I was sure glad that the girls finally forgave my zebra friend after the fiasco with Poison Joke and their problems.

I wonder what will happen now? Things sure are more interesting in Equestria than they are on Earth, I’ll admit that for certain.

Currently, I was in the Golden Oak Library with Twilight and Spike, helping make the place look comfortable by cleaning up. I must say this place is making me feel more at home every day, since Twilight was somepony who had also been to Earth where I was from. As for Spike, he was placing some books on their respective shelves, making sure that they were easy to find.

“So Dawn, what do you plan now?” Twilight asked. “Your momentos are gone, right?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, as I thought about my items in the saddle bag that went missing for several days now. “I miss having my items to remind me of my time on Earth.”

“Well…if you ask me,” Spike started, “then you could seek out the culprit who stole your items.”

“That wouldn’t be good, Spike,” I sighed. “What if I get into trouble with the Princess about that? Wouldn’t I be sent into some sort of prison for that?”

“Dawn, that’s a silly thought,” Twilight giggled. “Princess Celestia isn’t like that. She’s understandable and wise. You know that, and I know that.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I agreed.

Suddenly, Spike belched a letter out of his stomach. “Huh, a letter from the Princess.”

“Speaking of the devil,” I rolled my eyes. “What does it say?”

Spike unfolded the letter, clearing his throat and read it:

“Dear Dawn Darkness,

It is with my great attention to let you come visit Canterlot today. If you decide to accept this request, then I will send a chariot down to Ponyville to get you to Canterlot.

Your princess,

Celestia.”

“Huh, a direct request from the Princess,” I rubbed my chin with my hoof.

“I wonder why she wants you to come?” Twilight wondered.

“I have no idea, honestly,” I shrugged. “Spike, send a letter of my acceptance to let her know I would like to visit.”

Spike nodded. “You got it, Dawn!” Then he wrote a letter from my words, then sent it off with a green breath of fire.

Soon, another letter came from the Princess. Spike unfolded it and read it, before I soon smiled as I heard some pegasus guards outside.

I bid farewell to Twilight and Spike before getting on the chariot.

(Later)

As soon as the chariot arrived at the station of Canterlot, I was met with somepony clad in golden armor. He had blue eyes.

“Welcome to Canterlot, Dawn Darkness,” he spoke in a friendly voice. “My name is Shining Armor, Captain of the Day Guard. Allow me to escort you to the Princess.”

“Sure thing, Captain Shining Armor,” I nodded.

He turned around and together, we trotted on the streets of Canterlot towards the castle. While most of the trip to the castle was silent, I was beginning to be bored of it.

“So…” I started speaking, trying for a conversation. “What kind of things are you doing as Captain?”

“I train trainees,” Shining replied. “I am managing the Day Guard so that everypony is ready for anything.”

“So basically like a trainer who trains young cadets,” I concluded.

“Indeed,” he nodded.

I guess he is not like anypony I’ve met before. Heck, he wasn’t even mentioned once by Twilight to me. I feel like he was shrouded in the shadows by her, or something like that.

“How’s my sister doing?” Shining asked me.

I looked at him. “Twilight’s your sister? I could’ve sworn you two weren’t.”

He chuckled. “I guess she hasn’t talked much about me, am I correct?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“Understandable of her to do,” Shining said. “We’re here,” he announced as soon as we neared the castle.

I blinked and looked up. The castle’s majestic structure was indeed a sight to behold.

“Let’s go inside, the Princess is waiting,” Shining said to me.

“Then let us not let her wait for too long,” I agreed.

And we entered the castle, where two guards saluted to their captain and allowed us to pass through.

While we were inside the castle, I noticed several guards looking at me curiously. I leaned to Shining Armor, asked in a quiet voice, “Why are they staring at me?”

He looked at them, before replying, “You may remind them of somepony who used to be in the Day Guard.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, or otherwise, it’s just a coincidence,” Shining said with uncertainty in his voice. “I’ve never met somepony who looks identical to you before.”

I only stared at him. Why would the guards think I look identical to somepony who had used to be in the Day Guard? Who could it have been? While I was thinking about it, we soon arrived at the door that led to the throne room.

Shining stepped forth and opened it, allowing me inside.

I trotted into the room. There were a few pieces of glass on the walls in between the windows, most likely depicting the rulers of Equestria. I looked towards Princess Celestia, who was smiling down at me from her throne.

“Welcome, Dawn Darkness,” she spoke. “I see your trip here was pleasant enough?”

“Yes, Princess,” I nodded. “It was.”

“Good,” her smile widened.

“Princess, if I may ask, what is the reason for why I am here in Canterlot?” I wanted to know.

“Straight to the point, dear Dawn?” Celestia chuckled heartily. “Can’t a Princess see somepony who is a friend of her personal student?”

I smiled. “Of course, Princess Celestia. But if I may ask… why is it I’m here?”

She sighed, standing from her throne, and trotted down to me. “Dawn, I know you’re feeling distressed about something.”

I lowered my head. “So… you knew that I was missing some precious items?”

“Indeed,” she nodded. “However, before we go further into that, I want Captain Shining Armor to help you on your tour of the city.”

Shining stood, nodding to her. “Of course I will, Princess Celestia.”

Celestia looked pleased, then turned to me. “Dawn, we will get to the bottom of your items. For now, please enjoy Canterlot. That is the only thing I’d like you to do.”

I was a bit quiet, then nodded to her. “Right, Princess.”

“You may leave,” she told us.

Both Shining and I bowed respectfully to her, then turned and left the throne room. I was quiet while I was trotting alongside Shining Armor, who looked at me. “You know you don’t have to think about it,” he spoke.

“I know, but those items… they mean a lot to me,” I sighed.

“As Princess Celestia said, you should enjoy Canterlot while you’re here,” Shining reminded me.

“You’re right, maybe I am overthinking and getting stress.”

“Good,” Shining said.

“So…where should we go?” I asked.

“Anywhere you’d like to,” was all he replied. “I am only here to escort you around.”

“Like a bodyguard,” I concluded.

“More or less.”

I was beginning to like Shining Armor. He is that type of guy you’d hang out with for protection… he kinda reminds me of Merlin back on Earth.

As soon as Shining had said I could go anywhere I’d like, I went down to the main street of Canterlot, with Shining Armor right beside me.

(Later)

“I never thought you were somepony who liked books,” Shining commented quietly as we were in the Library of Magic, with me looking for a particular book on magic.

“I guess it’s a trait your sister got on me,” I replied just as quiet, before I found a book that caught my interest. I pulled it out, its title reading; On Magic and Transformation.

“You’re interested in transformation?” Shining whispered, eyeing the book title.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “One of my friends is unique in these, you see.”

Shining knew I wouldn’t say more, so he shrugged when I finished my response. We came over to a table and sat down on the floor.

I enjoyed his company. While I was reading, I found a page that looked rather interesting:


When a user is using their magic to perform several spells, they are able to use it to transform their shapes. This is called the “Transformation Spell”.



Only used by certain individuals, they are able to take the shape of somepony to either help others, or defend themselves from threats by taking the form of their adversary.


The page ended there, with the next page beginning the next chapter of the book. I pondered over what I’ve read.

“Is there something the matter, Dawn?” Shining asked in a whisper, knowing the library were supposed to be a quiet place.

“Oh, nothing,” I shook my head in response. “I was just lost in my thoughts, that’s all.”

Shining nodded in understanding.

(Later)

If I told you I loved books, would you believe me? Shining had to practically drag me out of the Library of Magic in order to get to move on with the tour by reminding me that I could go somewhere else, since reading books on magic seemed to be something that would bore him if it went on for many hours.

Maybe a trait Twilight had put on me, seeing as I now lived inside the Golden Oak Library with her and Spike, and even that place is full of books. I guess I must have been in book heaven for a long moment in the Library of Magic.

Anyway, currently, Shining and I were walking through the main streets of Canterlot, to our next destination: Shining and Twilight’s house. I’m pretty excited to meet their parents, and I’m getting more and more familiar with the capital of Equestria while I was touring with Shining Armor who, I should tell you, was feeling excited to get home after a day of work at the castle.

“Allow me to introduce you to my parents,” Shining told me, “if there’s somepony who could be interested in meeting a friend of my sister and I, it’s them, and they can get a little thrilled to know somepony.”

“Understood,” I nodded.

As we neared our destination, Shining opened the door to his parents’ tower with his light rose aura. Once I got inside, I was blinking at the sight before me.

Of course, as expected, the house had a few bookshelves on the walls. This was the first thing I noticed, since it was apparent they had studied magic in those books.

“Shining Armor, dear, is that you?”

I turned and… confusion washed over me as I tilted my head. The mare who spoke was like a differently colored Twilight Sparkle, with her coat being light gray in tone, and her mane purple and light gray. When I looked at her, she was definitely reminding me of her daughter.

“Yes, Mother,” Shining nodded, then turned to me, adding, “This is Dawn Darkness, a friend of mine and Twilight’s. He is visiting Canterlot, and I am showing him around.”

“Oh, I know what you’re thinking,” the mare giggled. “I look a lot like my daughter, don’t I? Don’t worry, I get that fairly a lot.”

I managed to get a hold on myself. “Yes, it’s just… unexpected to see you two resemble each other… very closely, I’d like to add.”

“My name is Twilight Velvet,” she introduced herself. “But you can just call me Velvet. It would confuse a colt like you if me and my daughter were in the same room.”

“Indeed,” I agreed.

“Dawn is just here visiting Canterlot,” Shining explained, while Velvet looked expectedly at him.

“Ah,” Velvet smiled. “Here for sightseeings, Dawn?”

“Yes,” I said. “And I like the city and what it has to offer so far.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Why don’t the two of you stay here for a bit?” asked a stallion with dark blue mane and tail, and his coat was a grayish azure. “I’m sure we can talk about how things are going in Ponyville for our daughter and you, Dawn.”

I looked at Shining, who smiled. I glanced back at the stallion. “Sure thing. We’re in no rush, right?”

Shining shook his head. “No, we’ve got plenty of time.”

“Great!” Velvet said with a joyous smile. “Then allow me to prepare lunch.”

I blinked. It was already noon? Wow, how time flies by in Equestria.

Thus, Shining and I joined his parents for lunch.

(Later)

After joining Shining’s parents for lunch, he and I were making our way through the streets of Canterlot, heading off to our next destination of the tour.

I really enjoy Canterlot. It seems like a nice city, although a bit too… ‘fancy’ for me to live in. There are a lot of unicorns who preferred high-class like them. But I prefer to live in Ponyville for obvious reasons.

While I was thinking about where to go next, Shining had already a plan for us. He decided to have me go with him to somepony’s shop.

(Later)

We were at Joe’s donut shop. And let me tell you when I said I didn’t expect this from Shining, I truly didn’t. He basically wanted to see this stallion they called Joe.

And it certainly surprised me.

“I never thought we’d be here,” I told Shining while we were waiting for our order.

“Well, this is a shop that’s a favorite in Canterlot,” Shining replied. “Besides… I was surprised to see you even liked donuts.”

“Are you kidding?” I smiled. “Donuts are amongst my favorite snacks.”

“Good to know,” Shining chuckled.

“Excuse me for the wait, gentlecolts,” said Joe as he arrived with our order. “Here’s your order.”

“Thank you,” Shining thanked him, while Joe placed the donuts on our table.

(Later)

When we were finished eating our donuts at Joe’s shop, we continued on with the tour. As I previously stated, it’s too fancy for me to live in Canterlot. Although it was a good home for Twilight, I’m glad she decided to live in Golden Oak Library in Ponyville, because, well… how would I have met her if she didn’t? There were still much to do on this tour around Canterlot, and I was itching to get around and explore the city.

Shining shared my inner statement. He, too, wanted to get on with the tour while we continued through the streets of Canterlot.

I must admit, these ponies are looking like they shared some similarities with the higher people of Earth, who seemed to regard themselves above others who were not politics and such. I’ll be honest when I say I am glad that my parents originated from here than Earth, ‘cause then I couldn’t be more fitting in with the ponies.

Anyway, back onto track. Shining was taking me to his tower, which did confuse me at first. “I thought we were supposed to be touring the city?”

“We are,” Shining answered. “I’m showing you my tower. And while we’re at it, you’ll be able to see where I live while not at my parents’ place.”

I guess he must have meant that he moved away from home, because he looks old enough to be do that. He was around the age where somepony was capable of living alone.

As soon as we neared his tower, he opened the door with his magic aura. We made it inside, and I must say that it does look comfy for somepony like him to have living quarters like this one.

There were a few items which was royal guard regalia, and a coat of arms and some suit of armor, which I assume was where he have his armor close by in case he was having work at the castle.

“So, what do you think?” Shining asked, turning to me.

“Looks nice,” I replied. “Your house do seem to be fitting for a royal captain such as yourself.” And I was honest with that, of course.

“Thank you,” he said gratefully.

While I was having myself a tour of his house, Shining trotted over to a sofa and sat down while looking at me (probably to make sure I don’t break anything).

As I looked at his stuff, I began to think about my own parents. What would they be doing now, now that I was in Equestria? They must’ve been afraid that I was not alive, since Merlin practically sent me here without much of a warning to them. Although it was understandable, considering that the Danish military had tried to take me and my parents “back”, maybe I wasn’t much for Earth anymore. Possibly due to the fact I was in reality a pegasus and not a human.

While true, I was having some sort of mental thoughts about them. Though I was sure glad to have met Twilight, Spike and the girls. They helped soothing my thoughts about that day when the military had attacked Bloodonia.

If it weren’t for these girls, I wouldn’t have made it very far as I did if I only had my grandparents to look after me. Whenever I think about my parents, I couldn’t have helped but question myself: did they survive the attack? Were they captured, or worse… dead? However, I knew that with Merlin, his parents and guards would protect them, I shouldn’t be pondering over it.

“Dawn, you’re crying,” Shining spoke up.

“Huh?” I blinked, then wiped the tears from my eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Shining asked.

“Oh, nothing,” I lied.

“Clearly it’s more than ‘nothing’,” Shining stated. “I may not be the Element of Honesty, like your friend Applejack is, so tell me what’s wrong.”

I sighed. “I miss my parents.”

“The two royal guards who went missing?” Shining asked.

“How’d you know?” I asked, rather harshly.

“Their mission wasn’t unnoticed by most of the guard,” Shining explained. “Although it was private, which is understandable, Princess Celestia had something to do with it, didn’t she?”

I was staring at him. “I have no idea what you are talkin’ about, Shining Armor.” And I was being honest. What mission? Had my parents gone on some sort of exploration if they ended up on Earth without a way back? Thinking about that, I realized what my friend Merlin talked about before I walked through his gate to Equestria.

“It’s understandable that you knew nothing about the mission,” Shining sighed. “Let’s just say that we only know they needed to explore some sort of distant planet, and they never returned to Equestria since.”

“I thought it was supposed to be private?” I said.

“It was, but she only told it to somepony who is important of the guard,” he replied.

“Like you,” I concluded.

“Like me,” he agreed.

“So…” I started, “is there anything else we could do while we’re in Canterlot?”

He smiled, as if he knew I was going to ask that.

(Later)

I was finally back in Ponyville, having enjoyed a great tour of Canterlot with Shining Armor. Whilst I was trotting along, I was met with Pinkie Pie, who was happy as usual.

“Heya Dawn!” she said. “Did you enjoy Canterlot?! Huh, did you?!”

I chuckled at her happiness. “Yes, Pinkie. I did enjoy the city.”

“Good to know!” Pinkie smiled. “Oh, I was meant to tell you that Twilight is expecting you at the library.”

“Thanks,” I thanked her before I trotted towards the Golden Oak Library. The door was closed, but I opened it as soon as I neared. What I was met, was Spike stacking up some books on the shelves.

“Oh, hey, Dawn!” he noticed me. “How was Canterlot?”

“It was great,” I replied. “I must admit, though; Ponyville is more where I would live than with those higher rank ponies.”

“Good to hear, and I agree,” Spike nodded. “Ponyville is quieter, and it sure is a better place without much less of criticism from the higher ranks.”

“So, I was told Twilight was expecting me?”

“She’s in there,” Spike pointed to my room.

I raised a brow. Why would she be in my room? Hopefully she didn’t do something that I would dislike… then again, my saddle bag was in fact stolen from me a few days ago.

I trotted towards my room, stepping through and indeed, I saw Twilight turning to face me.

“Oh, Dawn,” she realized. “I didn’t expect you to be back so quick.”

“Well, the tour of Canterlot was over, so I thought I’d return home,” I said.

“I see,” was all Twilight said.

“Is there anything you’d like to speak to me about, given that you’re in my room?” I asked with a slightly raised brow.

“Actually, yes,” Twilight nodded. “There is something.”

And so she began telling me about what she had been doing while I was in Canterlot. Apparently, she was looking for my saddle bag, knowing I would feel happy if she had found a clue to where it disappeared to. Although it was sad I’d lose my momentos from Earth, Twilight had thought all day since I was at Canterlot she would find it for me.

“That’s sweet of you, Twilight,” I said finally after she finished. “Indeed I would be happy to have my stuff back.”

“Then how are you not sad for the time being?” she asked curiously.

“Truth is…” I started, “Princess Celestia is also on the case regarding my saddle bag.”

“Really?”

“Yup,” I nodded.

“If that’s the case, then maybe we shouldn’t worry as much,” Twilight sighed. “So… did you meet my brother?”

“Yes,” I said. “He is a nice guy. It’s somepony who I’d like to talk with some more often.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Twilight smiled.

“I also met your parents,” I told her. “Some great folks. Reminding me of how my parents were sometimes back on Earth whenever they were together.”

Twilight giggled. “I see you’ve met a lot of ponies, Dawn.”

“No kidding,” I grinned.

“Well… I’ll be outside, then,” Twilight said, trotting over to the door.

“What happened here while I was gone?” I asked her.

“Nothing much,” was her answer. “There wasn’t going anything on in Ponyville while you were in Canterlot.”

“Good to know.”

I then looked at the window, seeing the sun was about to settle down for the evening. “Say, anything for dinner, maybe?”

Twilight stopped by the doorway, then smiled at me. “I could get Spike to cook it for us.”

“Sure thing!” was the dragon’s response to Twilight, who was blinking. “I was done stacking up the books, anyway.”

“What would you like, Dawn?” Twilight asked.

“What’s on the menu?” I grinned, joining them in the main lobby of the library.
> Epilogue: Dawn of the Century, Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful day in Ponyville. The sun was up and everypony was doing their daily stuff. I was trotting alongside Crimson who was smiling at me as we were together. It has been at least two weeks since my return from Canterlot, and everything was well. My friends had been doing better, so has Crim.

“It’s such a good day outside, wouldn’t you say, Dawn?” Crim’s calmed voice sounded in my ears as I nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. I think it’s about time no bad disasters happen in Ponyville for a while,” I spoke. Then I added, “Besides, wouldn’t it be strange if one was to happen later today out of the blue?”

“It would,” she agreed. “But I don’t think it will be going that way, my little Darkness.”

I looked away from her, cheeks reddening at the nickname she had given me since we have been together for a couple of weeks. I didn’t mind it, since I knew she means it well and I wasn’t angry or anything at being given nicknames — well, except that time my bullies from the school had called me rude names. “So,” I started, looking at her. “What is on the list today?”

Crim raised her hoof to touch her chin. “I thought about flying to my parents’ house in Cloudsdale. You?”

“I have got nothing to do,” I shrugged in admittance. “So I’m free to do anything I want. Twilight’s been busy organizing the library with Spike, and our friends are doing their own things.”

“Would you come with me to my parents?” she offered.

“I’d love to,” I nodded. “Would be nice to know them.” And since it would be the first time I’m getting to see them, I’m more than happy to oblige to know my friends’ families.

“Great!” Crim beamed. “Let’s get going, then! Last there will be the one doing the meal!” She spread her wings and took off.

I chuckled softly, then took off after her. I was getting the hang of flying now, thanks to Rainbow Dash’s teachings and they really paid off with how much better I’m becoming to flying each day. Everytime she and I were together, she would teach me new skills to learn on using my wings.

Getting the thoughts out of my head, I continued after Crimson, who had briefly stopped to let me catch up to her.

As we flew, I was feeling the excitement of feeling the wind blowing in my head, and I relaxed. We soon saw Cloudsdale in sight and landed on the cloud city.

It has been over a month since I last was here with Rainbow Dash to see how big the city was. Once I get to know my way around, I might be able to go here by myself. For now, though, I have my friends showing me around so I don’t get lost.

Crim and I headed down the road as we made our way through the city. Pegasi were going about, chatting with each other and going into shops to buy some accessory or items they could use.

“It’s nice to be here again,” I spoke.

“Have you been here in Cloudsdale before?” Crim asked, then realized, “Oh, right. You and Rainbow was here to see what the city was like. How was it?”

“It was good,” I replied. “It was good to know where the Young Flyer competition takes place. Have you participated in it?”

“I have,” she nodded. “While I was a filly, I participated.”

“Imagine my surprise when I found it was held in Cloudesuem,” I stated. “Boy, I was amazed at how we pegasi are in this kind of stuff. Definitely better than being stuck on the ground.”

Crim nodded in agreement. “Flying is a relief. Sadly most of our friends are Earth ponies and unicorn.”

“Don’t forget dragon with no wings,” I added.

“Right.”

I was thoughtful at my own statement. If Spike was able to grow wings at some point, would he be able to walk on clouds as we pegasi do? Or would he be relying solely on his wings if he were to grow them?

“Here we are,” Crim announced.

I blinked and looked at the building in front of us. I haven’t realized we were trotting while I was in my thoughts. I must’ve been drifted off there. Heh…whoops. “So, this is where you live?”

“Yes,” Crim said, opening the door to the medium-sized house that had a rainbow above its rooftop.

Once we were inside, I was amazed at how neatly organized the place was. Everything was in place, there was a bookshelf with books in a row. To the right was a window where you could look down to the ground below. To the middle was a stair that went up to the next floor. On the floor was a cloud-based carpet.

“What do you think?” Crim asked me, interrupting my thoughts.

“Seems neat,” I answered. “It looks like a great place to live.”

“Thank you,” Crim said. “My mom is an organized pony who would place everything in order so it is easier to spot and clean.”

I must say, being an organized pers—or pony—tend to have its own advantage when you want to look through things you have in the house.

“Crim, dear, is that you?” A sweet, soft voice greeted us from the stairs.

We looked and saw a crimson colored pegasus with the same eyes as Crimson had. Her wings were folded and the smile on her face was shown as motherly.

“Yes, I’m home, and I brought a friend of mine with me,” Crim gestured to me.

“Oh, who is this sweet little colt?” Her mother trotted up to me.

“My name’s Dawn Darkness, ma’am,” I greeted with a short bow.

“A gentlecolt, I see,” the mother of Crimson laughed. “You don’t need to be like that, Dawn. Oh, and call me Red Pearl. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” I smiled at her.

“We were just about to be ready for a trip downtown,” Red Pearl said to us. “Would the two of you like to join us?”

“Sure, we wouldn’t mind. Right, Dawn?” Crim looked at me.

“I wouldn’t mind joining you,” I nodded.

“Great!” Red Pearl cheered, clapping her forehooves for a second. “Blue Sapphire, dear!” she called up. “We’re ready when you are!”

“I will be down in a minute!” called the voice of Crim’s father. “Who is joining us?”

“Our daughter and her friend, Dawn.”

The head of a male pegasus stallion looked down to spot me. “Ah. Hello, Dawn. Be sure to feel right at home with us.”

I nodded to him in thanks, as his head disappeared upstairs again.

After a while of waiting, we were finally ready to leave as Crim and I were eager to leave for downtown in Cloudsdale. I was definitely excited to have another trip through the cloud city. It feels like I was right at home up here in the clouds than down in Ponyville.

We spread our wings and took off towards the main street of Cloudsdale. As soon as we landed, we trotted forward.

It was a little busy on the streets of Cloudsdale, as ponies were trotting along as they were going about their daily lives. Sometimes even if I was amongst a busy city, I wouldn’t be able to go around for much longer, but since I was with Crimson and her parents, things were a little easier for me to be around them—since I know Crim and all, and also her parents now.

“So Dawn,” started Red Pearl as she looked at me. “When was it that you met our daughter? We’d love to know a little more about you.”

I blinked, as I began to recall the event that made me remember when it was the first time I had met her. “It was when…Twilight Sparkle, a friend of ours, were feeling stressed one day due to the rest of our friends practically begged to go with her to a large event that’s going to happen later this year.”

“The Gala?” Blue Sapphire asked, looking for confirmation.

“Yes,” I confirmed with a nod.

“It’s not good to let their own friend to be stressed about something so small about being taken to the Gala,” Red Pearl commented. “I’d rather not think about what would happen if it were me or Blue Sapphire who was asked it.”

I smirked. “Believe me, it’s a good thing it was resolved at a later time, and all our friends—us included—was invited.”

“How wonderful,” Red Pearl smiled happily. “I hope you will have a good time at the Gala, dear.” She looked at Crim.

“I will,” was Crim’s answer.

While I knew what would be a fantastic time for the two of us, I couldn’t help but understand what I was to do once we get closer to the Gala. It was still far away from now, and that was a good sign for me. I will have more time to have the courage to tell Crimson who I really am. As soon as we were alone at the Gala, I’ll tell her my origin and where I was born—not before then.

(Later)

We were sitting in a restaurant of the street we have been trotting on for a few minutes. I must say, the place was nice. There were just a few more customers than I’d liked than how it was down at the Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie worked with Mr. Carrot Cake and Mrs. Cup Cake.

I was sitting beside Crimson as we were waiting for our food. Her parents were sitting in front of us, and we were talking about how Ponyville was as a place for us to live in—well, mostly Crimson they were speaking to.

“So, dear. How’s Ponyville?” Red Pearl asked.

“It’s a good place, nice and easy, and quiet, too,” Crim replied. “And since there hasn’t been anything going on there, I’d say it is a perfect place for me to live. You should come down and join us, Mom and Dad.”

“We might.”

I looked at Crim with a secret, raised brow. Nothing’s been going on in Ponyville, huh? I began to recall the events of the dragon, and Trixie and the Minor Ursa, as well as the Nightmare Moon incidents and the misunderstanding with Zecora. If those things weren’t much of “anything going on”, I can’t wait to see her parents’ reactions when they find out about them.

“So Dawn,” started Blue Sapphire as he looked at me. “How did you came to know your friends?”

I rubbed my chin with my hoof, thoughtfully. “Well, I was passing by,” I half-lied. “And I happened to come across them as they were preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration. At first, I met Fluttershy, a relative quiet pony. As we were going around Ponyville, I met the rest of our friends.”

“And their names are…?”

“Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie,” I explained.

“Sounds like good friends,” Red Pearl commented.

“They are,” I confirmed with a nod.

As soon as our food arrived and we had eaten, we began to trot around Cloudsdale to look over the cloud city. The pegasi were hovering over the streets and made their own way.

(Later)

We were now at the Cloudeseum, where I had previously been at with Spitfire and Rainbow Dash some weeks ago. I was beside Crimson as we were trotting about, and I was having a closer look at how the Cloudeseum was like. It confirmed my theory that it was inspired by the Olympian and Romanian colosseum.

As we looked around, I was soon spotting a familiar orange colored mare who was talking with a Wonderbolt. It was their captain, Spitfire.

“Oh, hello, Dawn!” Spitfire greeted with a wave for us. “I see you’re looking around again, hmm?”

“I am,” I nodded as we trotted closer to the two Wonderbolts. “How’s things, Spitfire?”

“It’s going well, I am still training the trainees at the Academy.”

“Do the two of you know each other?” Blue Sapphire asked, glancing between Spitfire and I.

“Well, we’re acquaintances,” I said.

“Acquaintances is right,” Spitfire nodded. “Soarin,” she added, “please return to your duty.”

“Will do, Captain,” the light blue pegasus known as Soarin nodded and he flew away from the area.

Spitfire looked back at us. “Why don’t you guys look around more? I am a bit busy right now with the training of the new Wonderbolts.”

“Sure,” I nodded. “Have a good time with them, Captain Spitire.”

“Just Spitfire, really, Dawn,” she chuckled.

We trotted away from her as we went to another location in Cloudsdale.

(Later)

I was getting a little bored, I have to admit. Today was mostly being going around in the cloud city and see how things were doing. Nothing exciting, really. I need some action if it was to be a more interesting day. If things were this easy in Equestria after those eventful days, I can’t wait to see what the next few months will bring me.

Right now, Crim and I were trotting around Cloudsdale ourselves. Her parents were home and checking up on their house. I let out an audible sigh. Crim looked curiously at me, “Is there something the matter?”

“Yes, it’s too…boring today,” I admitted.

“I must admit, I feel the same way,” she agreed.

I was getting tired of having nothing to do than walk around and talk with ponies. Why would some days in Equestria feel so boring? I must be over-exaggerating a bit here. As soon as we get back to Ponyville, I am going to have some sort of better eventful days.
> Epilogue: Dawn of the Century, Finale
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

While it was fine to live here in Equestria, seeing as my grandparents enjoy the quiet life rather than that of a human, I’ll admit that.

As we were trotting through the street of Cloudsdale, I was getting restless. Eventually we came to the decision of leaving the cloud city, and we returned to Crim’s parents’ house.

“I hoped you had a good time, Dawn,” Red Pearl spoke to me.

“Eh, could’ve been better for a more exciting day,” I replied honestly.

Blue Sapphire chuckled. “You’re one pegasus who enjoys the thrill of excitement, aren’t you?”

“You could say that.”

While I enjoyed being able to see Crimson’s parents after so many weeks of living in Equestria, I was feeling better, if I am to be honest. But now I was getting a lot more bored of doing the same stuff each day.

I was in my thoughts as Crim and I were flying back down to Ponyville. Although I enjoyed being with my pony friends, I would rather have an adventure of my own. What would I ever do to be able to experience such a thing? Probably nothing, I guess. However, I’ll be more than happy to journey across Equestria to spread friendship around the land and get their trust in ponies.

“What are you thinking, Dawn?” came Crim’s voice.

“Oh, nothing,” I replied.

“You can tell me, you know.”

I sighed. “It’s just…the more I think about it, the more I would like to experience something exciting for a change.” I was being honest, of course. “I had the idea of spreading the friendship across Equestria, though I doubt Twilight would approve of this.”

“I think that’d be an excellent idea,” Crim said. “If you could get everypony in Equestria to accept friendship, that’d be much better for everypony.”

“What about those beyond Equestria?”

“Well…I would avoid them,” Crim told me. “They’re more to themselves than anypony in Equestria.”

“You don’t know if they’ll accept friendship,” I spoke.

“But they’re different.”

“So?” I raised a brow, as if I, too, was offended by the statement. “That doesn’t mean if I am given the chance to change their views of us ponies.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

As soon we landed on the ground of Ponyville, I trotted forward to the Golden Oak Library that were in sight. While I got inside, Spike looked at me. “Oh, hey, Dawn!”

“Spike? Twilight’s not here?”

“Nope. She and the girls are dealing with something.”

I was curious. But I didn’t ask him the details, as I went to my room.


…


“Dear diary,

Today has been a good day for me. I’ve been at Cloudsdale for some weeks ago. After that there has been Winter Wrap Up during the spring, and I’ve been a part of the pegasi team as we helped clean the snow alongside the Earth ponies.

As the days passed by, I was involved with my friends’ activities. One day there has been an incident with creatures known as Diamond Dogs who wanted Rarity to dig up diamonds for them, but Spike and I, along with the rest of our friends, managed to stop them from their ‘scheme’. I also met Apple Bloom’s two friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. I must say, I enjoyed their company.

There had been a competition between Rainbow Dash and Applejack called ‘Iron Pony competition’, to see which of them was better than the other. Of course they apologized after the sportsmanship competition.

As for the then upcoming Grand Galloping Gala, Rarity was tasked with making dresses and a suit for us. It went well in the end.

And then there was the situation with Pinkie Pie and her ‘Pinkie Sense’. I must say, I was intrigued by her ‘ability’ to sense danger in the future, however Twilight didn’t believe it at first.

Then there was the Best Young Flyer competition in Cloudsdale. I was among the pegasi who was present, as I accepted Rainbow’s proposal of participating in the competition. It didn’t go well at first, but I caught up with Rainbow’s speed, which surprised both her and the Wonderbolts. Nopony had been able to catch up to Rainbow as she was faster than most.

After the Best Young Flyer competition, I helped Fluttershy in getting the Crusaders out of the Everfree Forest before anything bad had happened to them.

The week afterward, the Crusaders participated in a talent show as the ‘show stoppers’. I was amused by their performance.

When all seemed well, a pony by the name of Photo Finish wanted Fluttershy to be her model. I was not present, however, as I had dealt with a more personal subject when Princess Celestia summoned me to the palace in Canterlot. I met Shining Armor again, which was a relief to know somepony I had previously met.

There had been an incident in a western pony town. However, I was still going on by myself to someplace else, and it was Dragon Lands to learn more about Equestria’s dragons from Dragon Lord Torch. I must admit, I was intimidated by his presence, due to I was smaller in comparison to his size.

After a while of other events, I was intrigued ti learn my friends’ histories of when they gained their cutie marks. They explained in eagerness, of course, as the Crusaders and I were listening to each of their stories.

Then I met an owl I had previously gotten to know in Bloodonia by my friend Solar Eclipse. At the same time, Twilight had gotten an owl as well, and Spike was jealous by her ‘new assistant’.

And then finally, the Grand Galloping Gala had arrived. I confessed who I was to Crimson when we were alone, and she accepted me as who I am. I was happy, and we began dating soon after the Gala was over.

Yours truly,

Dawn Darkness.”