The staff and some of the students find out that Smolder has been hiding a human turned dragon in the catacombs underneath the School of Friendship, and they want to know how it happened. And eventually, why she agreed to help him.
Smolder has been sneaking through the School of Friendship, getting wondering looks from her friends and her teachers. Then one night, when Smolder thought that everyone was asleep, Smolder's friends, Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie followed Smolder to the catacombs, where they find Smolder with another dragon. And to surprise them all, the dragon she's with was once a human boy named Aaron Blazer.
The group wanted to know how Aaron got to Equestria in the first place. And they even wanted to know why Smolder was keeping Aaron hidden from her friends and the teachers. And, eventually, they're gonna have to find a way to get Aaron back to his home before his family starts to worry. They contacted new High Princess, Twilight Sparkle, to see if they can find a way to get Aaron back to his world.
But it would take time for Twilight to find the right spell to send Aaron home, so Smolder spent as much time with Aaron, trying to teach him how to fly like a dragon, and avoid causing fire damage with the fire breath he now has. And maybe, the two hang out.
In the land of Equestria, there was a small town known as Ponyville. And in that town, there was one specific building that was there to teach creatures across the land lessons about the importance of friendship. This was Princess Twilight's School of Friendship. In that school, a bunch of students were being taught by the Princess's friends. Since Princess Twilight Sparkle was now the high Princess of Equestria, her friends have been tasked with running the school. Starlight Glimmer, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Trixie and Sunburst were all running the School of Friendship, doing what they were assigned to do.
Inside one classroom, Applejack was teaching the class the importance of honesty.
"Ya see class, it's important ta tell the truth," Applejack said. "Otherwise, y'all will just end up regrettin' what ya say when somepony tries something that would end their lives. Like how Ah almost got mah Granny Smith killed that one day."
Most of the students were writing the lesson down. One student, who was a griffon known as Gallus, was holding his head with his left talon.
"Professor Applejack, I'm not sure that this kind of lesson will be repeated," Gallus said. "This lesson was so boring, it would put us to sleep."
"Boring?" Applejack asked. "Now, hold on fer a minute. Not all o' mah lessons are that boring. Ah'm just teaching the importance of honesty. None of mah lessons would be able to put ya ta sleep."
"Tell that to Smolder," Gallus said, pointing at the sleeping dragon in the class.
Applejack leaned her head back, groaned and said, "Not again!" She then went to her desk, pulled out an air horn, put it on Smolder's desk, and she used it to wake Smolder up and falling out of her desk.
"Ha-wha!!" Smolder said as she was waking up and falling out of her desk. The other students laughed at Smolder when she was awoken from her sleep and falling out of her desk.
Smolder got up from the floor and shouted, "What was that for?!"
"Ya fell asleep in class... again!" Applejack shouted back. "Are ya feelin' alright, Smolder? Have ya been gettin' enough sleep?"
Smolder yawned and said, "I'm fine. I just... haven't been getting much sleep these past few nights."
"'Past few nights?" Applejack asked. "Ya've been drowsy and fallin' asleep in class fer 'bout a month. Ya mind tellin' me what ya've been doin'?"
"Uh... well..." Smolder said, coming up with an excuse. Just then, the bell rang.
"Class dismissed," Applejack said. "'Cept for you, Smolder. Ah wanna have a talk with ya." Smolder rolled her eyes as Applejack turned around. After all the other students left, Applejack then started talking. "Ah wanna know what ya've been doin'. Ya can't just come up with an excuse ta get out of this." Applejack then turned around. "Ah just want ta know..." She noticed that Smolder was gone. "Ah, c'mon!"
In the teacher's lounge, the staff of the School of Friendship were all talking about Smolder. How she's been falling asleep in class or going somewhere without telling anyone.
"That is odd," Sunburst said. "Smolder has been doing something like this for the past month and she hasn't explained why."
"Well, the only way we have to get her to explain herself is to find out what she's been doing," Trixie said. "Perhaps her friends know what she's been doing."
"Not a bad idea, Trixie," Starlight said. She then walked to a microphone and spoke into it. "Would Sandbar, Gallus, Ocellus, Yona and Silverstream report to the Teacher's Lounge? We all want to speak to you about an important matter." Starlight then moved back over to where the others were sitting.
"Okay, so you believe Smolder's friends will know about Smolder's strange behavior?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"It would be bad to peek into somecreature's private time," Fluttershy said. "I'm not sure that it's really wise to do something like this."
"Ah still wanna know what Smolder's been up ta," Applejack said. "Surely, her friends have something to say about it."
"Yeah, we all wanna help her," Pinkie Pie said. "She keeps falling asleep in class. Or sometimes, goes to the bathroom and comes back longer than expected."
"That is strange," Rarity said. "I just hope that her friends are able to give us some answers." Just then, there was a knocking on the door. Sunburst walked towards the door and opened it up.
"Okay, you five, step right in," Sunburst said. Then the five students who were called in came into the Teacher's Lounge.
"Is there a reason why the five of us were called in here?" Sandbar asked.
"Yes, there is," Starlight said. "We're starting to get suspicious of Smolder. Do any of you have any idea what she's been doing for the past month?"
"Actually, no," Ocellus said. "She's been sneaking off somewhere during some time we've been studying, or hanging out at the clubhouse."
"Smolder acting weird," Yona said. "Like when she went to get second helping of lunch and taking it somewhere else in school."
"Really?" Rainbow Dash asked. "She eats a second helping of food at lunch?"
"But what's strange is, I thought she'd be a little more chubby after that," Silverstream said. "But, she doesn't seem to be out of shape at all."
"Then why is she getting a second helping, and where is she going with it?" Starlight asked.
"Has anypony been in the school ever see where she's been heading to?" Sunburst asked.
"Not that we know of," Ocellus said.
"Yeah," Pinkie Pie said. "It's not like she's doing anything suspicious. Like yesterday when I saw her coming out of the library right before the lunch period ended." Every creature looked over at Pinkie Pie with surprised looks on their faces. Pinkie looked at them and asked, "What?"
"You mean to tell me... that you saw Smolder... coming out of the library... before the final class of the school day starts?" Starlight asked.
"Well, yeah, I just told you!" Pinkie said. "So she likes to eat in the library, so what?"
"There's no eatin' allowed in the library," Applejack said.
"There isn't?" Pinkie asked.
"Come to think of it, when I was coming out of the bathroom one night past curfew, I saw her sneaking out of our room heading off somewhere," Silverstream said. "I don't know where because I was too tired."
"Okay, that's understandable," Starlight said. "Looks like we got a dragon stakeout tonight. And it's a good thing it's the weekend. Let's get to work."
Later that night, Silverstream was sleeping in her bed with Smolder in the bottom bunk of the bunk bed they shared. Smolder then opened her eyes and sat up. She looked up to see if Silverstream was asleep. She quietly got out of bed, and started walking towards the door. What Smolder didn't see was that Silverstream was faking being asleep. She saw the door closing with Smolder not in the room. She then pulled something from under her pillow. It was a small plank of wood. She then knocked on it.
Meanwhile, in the library, Starlight, Sunburst, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Trixie, Sandbar, Gallus, Ocellus and Yona were waiting for Silverstream's signal. Which was thanks to that band that Starlight had on. The band on her hoof was glowing and making a noise.
"Okay," Starlight said. "Smolder's on her way. Everypony, stay quiet." Starlight then lit up her horn and she used an invisibility spell. Then the door opened, revealing Smolder. She looked around to see if any creature was in the room. She then went out for a second and came back in with a plastic bag full of food and gemstones. She flew over the room and over to the vent that led to the caverns underneath the school.
Smolder opened up the vent grate, grabbed the bag of food, and went down into the hole. Smolder then reached up and moved the grate back into the position it was before.
Starlight lifted the spell and said, "That's a little peculiar. Applejack, weren't you supposed to lock up that grate so no creature ever goes in it again?"
"Ah was about to, but Apple Bloom said Ah needed to get home to help with Applebuck season, so I asked, Rainbow Dash to do it," Applejack said.
"She did," Rainbow Dash said. "And as I was getting ready to, Soarin came in and told me to get back to Wonderbolt Headquarters for a performance that day. Then I went to find Pinkie Pie to do it."
"I would've done it, but I had to help Mr. and Mrs. Cake bake a huge cake for an order," Pinkie Pie said.
The others looked at her. Trixie then asked, "Did you ask somepony to deal with the grate?"
"Nope!" Pinkie Pie said. "I completely forgot to do it!" That made Starlight facehoof herself.
"Okay," Starlight said. "As soon as Silverstream gets in, we'll head down there." Just then, the library door opened and in came Silverstream.
"Okay, where'd she go?" Silverstream asked.
"To the caverns below," Starlight said. "Now, let's go." They all headed for the grate, and Starlight used her magic to open it up.
Starlight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Trixie, Sunburst, Sandbar, Gallus, Yona, Silverstream and Ocellus went into the grate to the caverns underneath the school. Starlight, Rarity, Trixie and Sunburst lit up their horns to light the way.
"Where is she?" Starlight asked. "We should've found her by now."
"Yona really wonders what Smolder do down here," Yona said. She then stepped on something. "Huh?" Yona looked at something and saw something on the ground.
"What is that?" Starlight asked, lifting the item with her magic. She then read the word on the bag. "'Cheetos Crunchy... Party Size.'"
"PARTY?!" Pinkie Pie asked loudly. "Is Smolder hosting a secret party down here?!"
"I've never seen anything like this before," Starlight said. "Ever. It's so weird." Starlight moved the open part of the bag to her muzzle and gave it a sniff. "Smells... cheesy."
"A cheese flavored snack?" Sunburst asked. "That's odd. I have never heard of such a thing." He then took the bag in his magic. "Especially something called Cheetos. Whatever those are."
"Wait," Rarity said. "Look." Rarity looked at the ground and saw two sets of dragon foot prints. "Dragon prints."
"So what?" Rainbow Dash asked. "She probably goes for a walk down here to clear her head. She probably eats on the way as she's walking."
"No no," Rarity said. "Look." Rarity pointed at one set of prints. "These are Smolder's prints. And look at the other set. It's slightly bigger than Smolder's prints. Which means..."
"She's not alone down here," Starlight said. "There's another dragon down here."
"What is it, Garble?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Why would she bring Garble down here?"
"I'm not so sure it's Garble," Rarity said. "His prints are bigger than these ones."
"Then who is it?" Fluttershy asked.
"It's probably a solid illusion done by the spirit of the Tree of Harmony," Gallus said. "Let's follow the prints to see where they go." Then the group followed the prints to where they were heading. As soon as they followed them to a certain distance, they heard a voice.
"ARE YOU NUTS?!" Smolder's voice came in. "You can't just go out there without warning! And besides, I don't think they'll believe that you're from... you know...!" The others looked at each other, wondering who Smolder was talking to. They then went closer and closer as Smolder was still talking. "I don't think that the others meeting you would be a good idea."
Starlight got tired of listening to Smolder's voice and called out, "Smolder! What are you doing down here?!" That question made Smolder gasp. The group then started running towards where Smolder was. When they got there, they saw Smolder all alone.
"H-hey, guys!" Smolder said. "W-what brings you all down here?"
"Smolder, what are you doing down here?" Sunburst asked. "And who are you talking to?"
"N-no one," Smolder said. "Just... by myself down here."
Applejack scrunched her face and said, "She's lyin'. Ah can tell when somepony's lyin'. Or in this case, somedragon."
"I... don't know what you're talking about," Smolder said.
"We know you're hiding something, Smolder," Starlight said. "You obviously can't hide it. We just wanna know what you're up to."
"Ugh, here we go," Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes. But when she rolled her eyes, she noticed something to her right.
"I know you want your private time, Smolder," Starlight said. "But it's okay to tell somepony what you're up to. We can understand." Rainbow Dash wasn't paying attention as she hovered over to what she thought she saw. Smolder noticed what Rainbow Dash was doing and got nervous. She started sweating. Starlight followed Smolder's eyes and saw Rainbow Dash inspecting a stone column. "What's going on over there, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash then went around the column and said, "Hey! Looks like Smolder has a guest!" Rainbow Dash came out carrying... a dragon. The dragon was jade green with brown spines, and blue eyes.
"Hey, hey, hey! Put me down!" the jade dragon said as Rainbow Dash was carrying him.
"You've been hiding another dragon down here?!" Starlight asked.
"Oh, boy," Smolder said. "Okay, okay, yes, I've been hiding him down here."
"That explains the second helping of food she's been taking," Ocellus said. "She's been keeping him fed down here."
"But why haven't you brought him up sooner?" Sunburst asked. "We could've helped."
"Well..." Smolder said before she was cut off.
"Smolder," the jade dragon said. "I'll tell them."
"No way, Blazer!" Smolder said. "They'll think you're crazy!"
"Blazer?" Starlight asked. "Is that some kind of nickname of some kind?"
"Not exactly," the jade dragon said. "My name is Aaron Blazer. And I'm... actually a human from another dimension."
"WHAT?!" Starlight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie asked in unison.
"WHAT?!" Starlight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie asked in unison.
"This dragon... is actually a human?!" Starlight asked.
"No way!" Rainbow Dash said, dropping Aaron in the process. "That's impossible!"
"Wait, you honestly believe him?" Smolder asked.
"I've been to a human world before, Smolder," Starlight said. "If you have told me about him a lot sooner, I would've helped sooner."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Pinkie Pie said. "By the way, I have a question. How long has he been down here?"
"I found him in the Everfree Forest a month ago," Smolder said. She then looked over at Aaron. "You wanna start off on how you got here?"
"Sure," Aaron said. "I might as well." He then sighed. "As you have been told, I'm a human from another dimension. But not the same dimension on the other side of that mirror."
"There are other human dimensions out there?" Starlight asked.
"Yes, there are," Aaron said. "But, this one dimension I came from has knowledge of this world."
"Wait, what?!" Rainbow Dash said. "How?!"
"In my world, the adventures you all went on are a part of a TV Show," Aaron said.
"Wait, you mean... we're famous in your world?!" Rainbow Dash asked.
Applejack chuckled and said, "Only you would get giddy about being famous, Dash."
"Well, it's not exactly what you'd think it is," Aaron said. "The show was supposed to be a work of fiction."
"Guess you got a big surprise when you somehow ended up in this world, huh?" Pinkie Pie said, getting up in Aaron's face.
"You can say that," Aaron said. "All I can say is... it's been kinda boring being underneath the School of Friendship for this long."
"Well, I'm sure your mother and father must miss you terribly," Rarity said. That comment made Aaron bow his head. Rarity raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's the matter?"
"My parents are dead," Aaron said. "They died when I was four."
"Oh, I'm so sorry about that," Rarity said. "Do you have any other family?"
"I'm actually staying with my mom's twin sister, Aunt Marissa," Aaron said. "Mom wanted me to stay with her for a while until she got back. But... she never came back."
"And your pa?" Applejack asked.
"I never knew much about him," Aaron said. "All I know is that he left mom when she was pregnant with me."
"Oh, my," Rarity said, putting a hoof to her mouth.
"I know how you feel, dude," Gallus said.
"You were trying to survive while living on the streets of Griffonstone," Aaron said.
"How did you know that?!" Gallus asked.
"I told you, the show I watched in my world is based on this world," Aaron said. "There were even some flashbacks."
"Wow," Gallus said. "So, you saw me confess about..."
"Yep," Aaron said. "Even saw how the changelings celebrate their own version of hearth's warming." He then snickered. "When they said that you put up the tree and build a fire, that's not what they meant, Ocellus."
"Really?" Ocellus asked.
"Yeah," Aaron said. "You don't actually have to literally build a fire. They meant you have to grab some wood and set it ablaze for warmth."
"Ohh... that makes much more sense!" Ocellus said. "And about the tree?"
"Put it on a stand to keep it from falling over," Aaron said. "Oh, and you should probably buy a book of Hearth's Warming Carols before you get on the train back to the hive."
"He's right," Rainbow Dash said. "We'll get you a book of carols before you leave this winter."
"Anyway, can we get back on topic?" Sunburst asked. "How did you arrive here?"
"Right, right," Aaron said. "Anyway... after mom passed away, my aunt Marissa was struggling to keep us both alive. Especially living in the streets of Chicago."
"Chicago?" Applejack asked. "Is that a city in your world?"
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Anyway, my aunt tried keeping us alive by working off for a fashion company that she absolutely hated doing."
"Your aunt was not a fan of fashion?" Rarity asked. "That's a fashion pony's worst nightmare."
"Oh, no," Aaron said. "She enjoys designing fashion. It's just what she's been making for the fashion company she works for that makes her do it. The owner of the company my aunt worked for believed that fashion is for pets only."
"Ouch," Rarity said. "That's just rude."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "And that boss hates kids. She kept me a secret from the owner. But when she wasn't working, she designed clothing for what she wanted to do. Design clothes for people. She actually sold some clothing designs to famous figures that came. Those figures paid millions for their designs."
"So, your aunt quit that job she hated?" Starlight asked.
"She did, but her boss didn't want that," Aaron said. "Aunt Marissa went to work to quit, but her boss said that she was her best designer ever and tried to make her stay. But all that changed."
"What happened?" Fluttershy asked.
"I was in the room and revealed that I was her nephew," Aaron said. "She tried to force me to stay with another relative, but my aunt didn't allow it. And neither did all the other employees. They all quit their jobs there, and she tried suing them all for quitting their jobs, but the judge had her accusations revoked and she lost her company."
"Okay, that she deserved," Pinkie Pie said.
"Indeed," Rarity said. "So, what happened next?"
"My aunt decided to start her own clothing business somewhere else, far away from Chicago," Aaron said. "So, we moved to Orlando. Although, she spent a lot of money on buying a building for her business, paying for the repairs and renovations, but eventually, she got it all paid for. But with what was left, we ended up starting to live in a hotel room."
"You mean you're staying in a hotel until you find a home?" Fluttershy asked.
"No, I mean we're literally living in a hotel room," Aaron said. "It's legal to actually buy a hotel room."
"Wow," Starlight said. "Never thought that was possible."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Although, when I was there, I got some video game systems, a new phone, even a new tablet computer."
"It was due to that computer that proved to me that he was human," Smolder said.
"Then last month, the night I arrived, Aunt Marissa was working late," Aaron said. "I waited back home. Things haven't been the same since. I barely had any friends. Even before I moved. I actually wanted to go for the basketball team to keep in shape, but I was always booted. They barely knew I was there. In fact, all the students and faculty thought I was a new student there. That school said that new students weren't allowed to participate in school teams in that semester."
"Ouch," Rainbow Dash said. "Those idiots. How did they not know you weren't a new student?"
"Now I know how Wallflower Blush felt before she used the Memory Stone back in the other dimension," Aaron said. "So, I hoped that one day, I could try it at my new school. We just moved there a week before I ended up here. I was a lonely child when I was there. And that night, I made a wish that for once, I'd have a chance to make some friends. And as I made that wish, a meteor shower started over at the hotel I was living in."
"Yeah, it was," Aaron said. "But as I was grabbing my backpack that had my stuff in, my computer, my phone, and the styluses I got for my computer, I saw something coming from my closet. Some kind of light. I headed for it, curious what was going on, and then..." He then took a deep breath. "And then I was here, as what you see before you."
"I found him unconscious in the Everfree Forest," Smolder said. "He was wearing ripped clothing and holding his backpack in his right claw. I couldn't just leave him there to be eaten by the Manticores or the Timberwolves, so I brought him back to the school. The nurse's office was closed for the night, so I set him here and then I went to get the nearest first aid kit."
"I woke up to see her treating whatever wounds I had," Aaron said. "I remembered having a bump on my head."
"He must've bumped his head on a nearby tree after arriving here," Sunburst said.
"That would make sense," Starlight said. "Must've come as a surprise to him."
"He was surprised to see that he somehow ended up in Equestria," Smolder said. "He even surprised me when he saw who I was. I had never met him before, but somehow, he knew almost everything about me."
"Really?" Yona asked. "Because of show based on our world?"
"Exactly," Aaron said. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up here last month. I just hope my aunt doesn't worry too much. She's probably sent out a search party to find me, but she doesn't know I'm alive in another dimension."
"Hopefully, she doesn't go bankrupt," Rarity said. "She worked so hard to get that company up and running."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "I know." He then yawned. "Guess it's already that time."
"Ah, man," Smolder said. "I was hoping that you and I would be able to play one of those games on your computer."
"Actually, Smolder," Starlight said. "You're not doing anything tonight. You've been falling asleep in some of your classes for the past month. And now we know why. So, you are going straight to bed."
"What are you gonna do, make me sleepy?" Smolder scoffed. Just then, she felt woozy. "Whoa. What's happening?"
Starlight had her horn lit up. She then said, "I personally found this spell earlier today so you wouldn't be able to sneak off at night anymore. The drowsiness spell."
"You... sneaky..." Smolder said before passing out.
"She's been sleeping in some of her classes the past month?" Aaron said. "I tried to warn her."
"Okay, so what are we gonna do about Aaron here?" Sunburst asked. "All of the boy dorms are already packed."
"He's right," Applejack said. "We don't have any more rooms available for him ta stay at in the dorms."
"Actually, if it's okay with you, Headmare Starlight, Gallus and I would be more than happy to let him stay in our dorm room tonight," Sandbar said.
"We will?" Gallus asked.
"Would you rather have him sleeping out in the courtyard or in the pond?" Sandbar asked.
"Good point," Gallus said.
"Well, I guess that'll have to do for now," Starlight said. "We might even have to get an extra bed in there for him until we find him a way back home."
"Oh, oh, I got an inflatable mattress," Pinkie said. "I can bring it over."
"I don't think it's a good idea for me to sleep on an inflatable mattress," Aaron said. "Especially with these." Aaron held up his claws. "I'm still not used to having one short of a digit."
"What does that mean?" Ocellus asked.
"He means that humans have hands which are similar to dragon claws, but not as sharp and there are five fingers on each hand," Starlight said. "Now, we'll just find you something different until..."
"I don't mind giving up my bed for him," Sandbar said. "My mattress isn't inflatable."
"You'd do that, Sandbar?" Aaron asked.
"Sure, dude," Sandbar said. "C'mon. Let's get to bed."
"And finally get Smolder some sleep," Starlight said using her magic to put Smolder on Applejack's back.
"No..." Smolder said. "I can still..." Smolder then yawned. "...go on for a few hours."
"No more sneaking out late for you, Smolder," Sunburst said. Then the group started heading out of there.
Back in the dorm area, in Sandbar and Gallus's room, Pinkie Pie was blowing up the inflatable mattress while Starlight was talking to Aaron outside the room.
"So, in the morning, I'm going to send a letter to Princess Twilight about you," Starlight said. "I'm sure that she'll find you a way home as soon as possible. I'm sure it's going to be fine."
"Thanks, Starlight," Aaron said. "I guess I'm gonna have to get used to this place until I get home." Then Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy walked up and stood by Starlight.
"So, the show that is based on our world, it doesn't show everything we do, does it?" Rainbow Dash said.
"No," Aaron said. "It doesn't show everything you do."
"So, it doesn't show any of our private moments, like when I'm in the shower?" Rarity asked.
"Well... it was only one time... with you," Aaron said.
"One time?" Rarity asked. She then got nervous. "Which one?"
"The remover potion," Aaron said. That answer made the five mares in the hall wince at the comment.
"That... was the most shocking thing I have ever seen!" Rarity said. "My wonderful mane was mostly gone!"
"That was really disturbing to see," Starlight said. She then shuddered.
"It didn't show anything embarrassing that we did, did it?" Fluttershy asked.
"Besides the Poison Joke incident?" Aaron asked.
"Oooooh," Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy said in unison.
"Okay, that day was freaky for all of us," Fluttershy said.
"Yet, you had that deep voice twice," Aaron said. "When Big Mac lost his voice and his chance of winning Turkey Call Contest. And let's not forget the time you and Angel switched bodies."
"You and Angel switched bodies?" Starlight asked.
"That was really strange for both of us," Fluttershy said.
"That sounds strange," Rarity said.
"Yeah," Applejack said. "Luckily we don't do anythin' embarrassin' all the time."
"Says the farmer who gave half the town of Ponyville food poisoning," Aaron said.
"Huh?" Applejack asked. "What do ya mean?"
"Remember when Big Mac hurt himself and you had tried to buck all of Sweet Apple Acres all by yourself?" Aaron asked.
"Ohhhh!!" Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy said in unison.
"Okay, in mah defense, Ah was really exhausted them days," Applejack said.
"You got that right," Rainbow Dash said. "I've never been caught doin' somethin' embarrassing."
"Secret spa day," Aaron said. "Caught by Rarity and Applejack." That made Rainbow Dash freeze up. That made Starlight, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy giggle and laugh.
"Wow," Rainbow Dash said. "Those guys are good."
"And let's not forget the time that Pinkie Pie cloned herself," Aaron said.
Pinkie Pie then came out of the room, saying, "I wanted something easier to do more than one thing at a time. Big mistake."
"Your clones basically made a mess all over Ponyville," Aaron said. "Oh, yeah, that reminds me." Aaron then grabbed his backpack and pulled out his computer and a stylus. He then tapped something on the computer screen and said, "You missed one." He then showed a video of Pinkie Pie being interviewed.
"There was one Pinkie clone in Manehattan?" Rarity asked. "During the Saddle Row Review interview?"
"Remind me to write that down when I write the letter tomorrow," Starlight said to Rarity, who nodded in response. She then looked back at Aaron and asked, "You... didn't happen to see what I've been doing in the show, have you?"
"You didn't officially make your debut until season 5, out of 9," Aaron said. "I did see you at the restaurant spying on Twilight, Spike and Twilight's old study buddies."
"Okay, I assumed that she lived in Canterlot at the time," Starlight said. "But then I figured out that she was currently living in Ponyville at the time."
"And then you got the idea for time travel from Pinkie Pie," Aaron said. That made Starlight freeze up.
"Hey, what makes you think I gave her the idea?" Pinkie asked.
"Remember the day when Twilight wanted to know when Discord purposely did not invite her over the weekend?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, why?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah, I was hiding in the bush nearby," Starlight said. "That was when you asked Twilight if Time Travel was the way to go, wearing that weird outfit."
"Meh, I couldn't help it," Pinkie Pie said. "Anyway, the mattress is ready." Just then, Gallus and Sandbar started walking into the room.
"Well, it's getting late," Starlight said. "Get to bed."
"Alright," Aaron said, putting his computer back into his backpack. "Might as well get to bed." He then yawned and headed into the room, closing the door behind him.
Sandbar got into the inflatable mattress while Aaron and Gallus got into the bunk bed.
"Luckily they brought a spare set of blankets and pillows for this bed," Sandbar said. "So, are you excited to actually see the area tomorrow?"
"Might as well," Aaron said. "I never thought I'd actually be in this world. It was all a work of fiction back in my world."
"Guess it came as a surprise that you ended up here," Gallus said, laying on his back on the top bunk. "Guess this is an experience that you'll never forget."
"I know," Aaron said before yawning. "Finally..." He then shut his eyes. "A nice... warm... bed..." He then fell asleep.
"Good night, Aaron," Sandbar said before turning off the light.
In the city of Canterlot, just before sunrise, Princess Twilight Sparkle, the high Princess of Equestria, was waking up due to an alarm spell that she put on herself, telling her that it would be time to raise the sun and lower the moon. Twilight got out of bed and went over to the balcony, grabbing the magical device that allows her to raise and lower the sun and moon with her magic.
Twilight then used the device and lowered the moon, then brought the sun up.
"Okay," Twilight said. "Time to start a new day." Twilight then put on her royal regalia. Her crown, her necklace, and her horseshoes. She then stepped out and headed on to another room. Twilight knocked on the door and said, "C'mon, Spike! Time to start the day!"
The door opened up and Spike, Twilight's number 1 assistant turned royal advisor, walked out of the room, rubbing his right eye with his claw, saying, "Another day, a lot more meetings to do."
"Don't worry, Spike," Twilight said. "It'll all be just another day. Sooner or later, we'll get used to all of this."
"I sure hope so," Spike said. "I'm getting tired of getting nothing but complaints from those stuck up nobles. They make me want to..." Just then, Spike started gagging.
"Oh, Spike," Twilight said. "Just because some of the nobles aren't all that nice doesn't mean that they'll make you..." Twilight was interrupted when Spike belched out a scroll from his emerald flames. "Oh... I guess that makes much more sense. And somehow, the timing was a little too perfect."
"You can say that again," Spike said, grabbing the scroll and unrolling it. He then read who it was from. "Hey! It's from Starlight!"
"Starlight?" Twilight asked. "Why would she write to me this early?"
"I don't know," Spike said. "Only one way to find out." Spike then cleared his throat and started to read. "'Dear Twilight, for the past month, Smolder has been sneaking off somewhere. For a while, we've been wondering why. That's why last night, we decided to follow her to where she's gone. We followed her into the caverns underneath the school, and it turns out, she's been hiding a dragon down there.'"
"A dragon?" Twilight asked. "It could be just a relative of hers."
"I don't think so," Spike said. "Because right here, it says that this dragon... was originally a human from a dimension alternate to the one on the other side of the mirror."
"What?!" Twilight asked, looking at the letter over Spike's shoulder. She then started reading the letter as well. "'For all we know, this human has been separated from his world for a month, and Smolder has been taking care of him. Right now, we need to focus on getting him home, and I know you can help with that. Signed, your friend, Starlight Glimmer.'"
"Wow," Spike said. "He must've been weirded out when he woke up here in Equestria."
"Yeah, he must have," Twilight said. She then saw some more writing at the bottom of the letter. "Oh, look there's more. 'PS, it turns out that in his world, the adventures you, me and the rest of our friends had were all a part of a TV show back in his world. It also shows that... apparently, showed that... you missed a Pinkie Pie clone... which was in Manehattan during the interviews for the Saddle Row Review.' Oh, boy."
"Looks like we have two problems to take care of at the moment," Spike said.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Twilight said. "Looks like I have to deal with that one Pinkie clone in Manehattan. Why don't you head on over to Ponyville to meet this human that's currently a dragon, and get me as much information from him as you can." She then started walking away.
"Okay, Twilight," Spike said. He then went back into his room, and came back out with a bunch of parchment in a bag. "As soon as I get as much information, I'll send it to you."
"Thank you, Spike," Twilight said. "I'll send some guards to escort you to the School of Friendship." Just then, Spike's stomach growled. Twilight smiled and said, "As soon as we get some breakfast in our systems." Spike nodded and both of them headed down the hall.
At the School of Friendship dorm, Aaron, Sandbar and Gallus were asleep in the room. Just then, there was a knocking on the door. Gallus heard the door knock, got up, flew down from his bunk, and went to the door. Outside there was Starlight.
Gallus looked behind him and saw Aaron in Sandbar's bed. He turned back to look at Starlight and said, "Oh. I thought it was a dream at first. Guess I was wrong."
"Yeah, I thought so too," Starlight said. "Then I remembered this." She held up the empty bag of Cheetos.
"Okay, okay, I'll wake him up," Gallus said. He then turned to walk over to the bed where Aaron was asleep. He then started shaking Aaron. "Up and at 'em."
Aaron groaned in his sleep and said, "Five more minutes, Aunt Marissa." He then covered himself with the blanket.
"Wow," Gallus said. "I guess he's dreaming about being back in his world."
"Yeah, I guess it would make sense," Starlight said. "It has been a month since he slept in a bed." Starlight then walked over to the bed and tried shaking him. Aaron groaned and turned in the bed. Starlight put a hoof on her chin to think of something. She then thought of something, smirked, and used her magic to teleport an airhorn.
Gallus snickered and then he covered where the spot where his ears should be. Starlight then used the airhorn to wake up, not only Aaron, but Sandbar as well.
"What just happened?!" Sandbar asked, quickly.
"Oh, nothing," Starlight said. "I just needed to wake up Aaron."
"An airhorn?" Aaron asked. "Really?"
"Sorry, Aaron," Starlight said. "But I just wanted you to know that I sent a message to Princess Twilight. I'm sure she'll get right on it as soon as possible."
Aaron yawned and said, "I haven't slept in a real bed for a month."
"You called it," Gallus said.
"Well, I want you to come with me to my office to get you set up for a few things," Starlight said.
"Is this going where I think it's going?" Aaron asked.
"Until we find you a way back to your world, you're gonna have to stay here," Starlight said. "And for you to stay in the School of Friendship's dorms, you're gonna have to be a legitimate student here."
"You're gonna make him a student, aren't you?" Sandbar asked.
"Just until he gets home," Starlight said. "How old are you, anyway?" Starlight was looking at Aaron when she asked the question.
"13," Aaron said.
"13, huh?" Starlight asked. "Wow. You certainly are young. You're just about a couple years older than Spike."
"I guess that makes sense," Aaron said. "Hopefully the other students here don't get confused when they see a new dragon on the school campus. Especially one... who was originally a human... from a world... where this world is a part of a TV show."
"You might... want to keep that a secret from most of the students," Starlight said.
"I'd have to agree with Starlight, dude," Sandbar said. "If ponies knew that they were a part of a fictional show, they'd be freaking out and not know what to do next."
"Yeah, good idea," Aaron said. "I might as well keep this a secret from all the other ponies." He then looked over at Starlight and asked, "Did you tell Twilight in the letter?"
"Yes I did," Starlight said. "I even told her about the Pinkie Clone that's probably in Manehattan as we speak. First off, we'll get you registered, then we'll get you some breakfast." Just then, Aaron's stomach growled. "Should've known that was coming." Aaron smiled.
In another dorm room, Smolder was sleeping in her bed. That was until she woke up in realization.
"Oh, no!" Smolder said. "I fell asleep!" She then ran out of bed to the door. When she opened it, she saw Ocellus there, and she was about to knock on the door. "Oh, sorry, Ocellus. I can't talk now."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Ocellus said, blocking Smolder's path. "It's okay. Aaron's out of the caverns, remember?"
Smolder thought about it and sighed. She then said, "Right. I almost thought that was a dream." She then closed the door behind her. Then she and Ocellus started walking down the hall.
"So, how did you find Aaron when he arrived?" Ocellus asked.
"Remember when I left my assignment at the clubhouse last month?" Smolder asked. Ocellus nodded. "Well, I flew back to the clubhouse to go get it. Since it was getting way too close to the curfew, I had to fly there fast."
The Night Aaron Arrived in Equestria...
Smolder flew out of the School of Friendship towards the Everfree Forest as fast as she could. Just to avoid the turns in the path, she flew towards the Treehouse of Harmony. She flew in, and searched for her assignment. As soon as she found it, she grabbed it, put it in her bag, and flew out.
"Perfect," Smolder said. "And with 10 minutes left until curfew." Just as she was flying over the Everfree Forest, she saw a flash of light coming from the forest below. "What was that?"
Smolder flew down to the ground where she saw that flash. When she landed she saw something on the ground. A backpack she had never seen before.
"Huh," Smolder said. "Never seen one like this before." She then looked ahead, saw something in surprise and gasped. Laying face down on the roots of a tree, wearing ripped clothing, was a jade dragon with brown spines, unconscious. "Oh my Dragon Lord." Smolder flew over to the jade dragon to see if he was alright.
Smolder checked the jade dragon's pulse and breathed out in relief. Just then, she heard the sound of wolves howling. She then took the backpack and put her arm in one of the straps, then she grabbed the jade dragon and flew him towards the School of Friendship as fast as she could. As soon as she arrived at the dorm the doors were locked.
"Shoot," Smolder said. "How am I gonna get in?" She then looked around for a way to get in. She then saw a vent, remembering that it led to the caverns underneath the school.
Smolder opened up the vent grate, and dragged the jade dragon into the grate. But since there was no footing from inside the vent, both of them went in and landed on the ground with a thud.
"Ow," Smolder said, the jade dragon passed out on top of her. "Okay. That... was surprising." She then pushed the jade dragon off of her and then she got up. She then dragged the jade dragon over through the caverns and when she came into one cavern, she was greeted by the two stepford ponies that were a part of her fear.
"Oh, my gosh!" the stepford unicorn said. "Look at what we have here!"
"If it isn't our cute, dragon friend," said the stepford earth pony. "And she brought a guest."
"Not the time," Smolder said. "This dragon needs help. I have to... get him... into the school..."
"Now, hold up," said the stepford unicorn. "You can't just..." They then stopped and looked at the jade dragon. "Well, that's odd."
"What?" Smolder said, getting confused.
"You'll seem to find out for yourself later," the stepford earth pony said. "Right now, you need to get him healed up. Go get a real first aid kit."
"Let me guess, when I come back, there'll be a doctor in your place?" Smolder asked.
"Might as well," the stepford unicorn said.
Smolder then started flying away from there and went into the school. She then started searching for a first aid kit in the library. She went behind the book checkout desk and found a first aid kit. She then flew back into the caverns and went back to where she left the jade dragon. Then there was an illusion of Nurse Redheart.
"Who are you?" Smolder asked.
"Technically, I'm an illusion of Nurse Redheart, who is a brilliant nurse here in Equestria," the illusion of Nurse Redheart said. "Now, let's get this dragon patched up."
Smolder then treated the jade dragon's injury, merely a bump on the head, and laid him on a smooth rock. Smolder then said, "C'mon. Wake up, wake up."
Just then, the jade dragon started squirming and he started opening his eyes, making Smolder smile.
"Hold it!" came Ocellus's voice, making the Smolder in the flashback look up.
"Didn't he freak out when he saw you, you know, since he used to be a human and all of this was a work of fiction to him?" Ocellus asked.
"Well, yeah, he did," Smolder said. "At first I thought he was crazy. And yet, he told me something that only you and I know."
"Oh..." Ocellus said, thinking about something. "You mean... when we were facing our fears down there?"
"Yep," Smolder said. "Luckily, he only showed me that event on his computer thing."
"Aren't computers supposed to be, you know, bigger than a yak?" Ocellus asked.
"In his world, technology has gotten really advanced, and smaller," Smolder said. "Even mobile, meaning they can take them wherever."
"Wow," Ocellus said. "Must be really high in technology in his world."
"Yeah, but he says that there's no real magic in his world," Smolder said. "Just illusions and a slide of hand magic, whatever that is."
"Oh, the kind of tricks that Trixie does," Ocellus said.
"Yeah," Smolder said. "And for some reason, ever since I brought him to school, he says that his technology is fully charged the next day."
"Weird," Ocellus said. "Well, maybe we can find out more about him when we see him again today."
In the cafeteria, the Young 6 and Aaron were all sitting at a table together, laughing about the adventures that were seen on the show, and also eating their breakfast.
"Are you serious?" Gallus asked. "Princess Twilight didn't know how to use technology in the other world?"
"In her defense, she didn't know the basics about being human at the time," Aaron said.
"And I bet that there have been a bunch of conspiracies made by other fans of the show," Ocellus said.
"Yeah," Aaron said. "But we don't know if they're true or not." Just then, Sunburst came up to the group.
"Hey, guys," Sunburst said. "Aaron, I came to let you know that you are now fully registered into the School of Friendship. Just until we can get you a way back home."
"Thanks, Sunburst," Aaron said. He then thought of something. "Hey, Sunburst."
"Yes?" Sunburst asked.
"A lot of fans in the show have come up with a theory and according to the show, they don't know if it's true or not," Aaron said.
"And that theory is?" Sunburst asked.
"I'll start this theory off with a question," Aaron said. "Do you have any siblings?"
"Actually, I do," Sunburst said. "I have an older sister. She was actually one of Princess Celestia's prized students. Her name is..."
"Sunset Shimmer," Aaron said, making Sunburst surprised.
"You... you know of my sister?" Sunburst asked. "Was she in the show?"
"Actually, in a side story series that connects to the series," Aaron said. "Remember when I said that I'm from a different dimension that's full of humans?" Sunburst nodded. "Well, the dimension they were thinking of first was the dimension where Sunset Shimmer now calls home."
"Really?!" Sunburst asked.
"Starlight knows it, too," Aaron said. "In fact, she even went to that dimension with your sister to try and study more on the magic of friendship while in another dimension."
"It seems that everypony around me is having an adventure," Sunburst said after readjusting his glasses.
"Well, we got the weekend until school starts," Sandbar said. "So, who's up for some time in the clubhouse?"
"Actually, I think we should show Aaron the sights around Ponyville," Ocellus said. "After all, he's been cooped up under the school for a month. For obvious reasons." They all looked at Smolder.
"I had to keep him down there for his own safety," Smolder said. "Plus, I didn't have a good cover story for him."
"It would be nice to actually see Ponyville," Aaron said. "I have seen the town through the show, but not actually in person. I would actually like to have a walk through to see the town for myself."
"Why can't new dragon just fly?" Yona asked. That made both Aaron and Smolder wince. "Why you two making weird faces?"
Gallus looked at Aaron and asked, "You can't fly yet, can you?"
"Smolder's actually been teaching me, but..." Aaron said. "Every time I do, I keep banging my head on the ceiling."
"That explains the random poundings coming from the floor," Sunburst said. "Maybe now that you don't have to hide anymore, you can finally go out, spread your wings, and actually not bump your head on something."
"I can probably teach him how to use his wings at the same place where I trained Spike how to use his wings," Smolder said. "But right now, we can just walk around town."
"Maybe we can even show him around all our homes," Silverstream said.
"Maybe not yet on seeing your homes yet," Aaron said.
"He's right," Sunburst said. "Let's let Aaron get used to the area he's living in for now."
"I guess that makes sense," Silverstream said. "It took me just about a couple months to get used to being back on dry land. And then I was sent here by Queen Novo."
"Well, as soon as we get done with breakfast, we'll head on out to the town of Ponyville, show him around," Sandbar said. Then they all kept eating their breakfast as Sunburst walked away.
The Young 6 showed Aaron all over Ponyville. The town residential area, the shopping area, they even had a picnic at the lake where they played hooky from the School of Friendship when the classes weren't up to their expectations, which was where they are currently. All of them were laughing at a funny moment.
"Applejack and Rainbow Dash couldn't stop trying to get each other to do whatever they wanted to do," Ocellus said. "They've basically got caught up in their own work."
"And they still didn't end up as teacher of the month," Aaron said. "I mean, how does Fluttershy keep getting that same exact pose every time someone takes a picture of her?"
"Hey, it's a mystery for all of us," Ocellus said.
"So, how long do you think you're gonna stay here in Equestria?" Gallus asked, looking at Aaron.
"I don't know," Aaron said. "Hopefully, I can get back home before my aunt gives up hope."
"Hey, it's good to keep up hope," Sandbar said. "It'll keep you strong until then."
"He's right about that," came another voice. The gang looked towards the tree and saw Spike leaning on the tree.
"Hey, it's Spike!" Smolder said. Then the Young 6 walked up to Spike with excited looks on their faces.
"What are you doing here?" Ocellus asked.
"Aren't you supposed to be the Princess's Royal Advisor?" Gallus asked.
"Well, since we got the message from Starlight, Twilight asked me to take the task of meeting this human-turned-dragon so we can confirm where he originated from," Spike said. "Meanwhile, Princess Twilight had to do with one last personal matter that involved something before she officially became an alicorn."
"Let me guess, the last Pinkie clone?" Smolder asked, making Spike freeze up.
"How did you know that?" Spike asked.
"Aaron showed me the show on his computer from his world that has every episode of the show that's based on this world," Smolder said.
"It's true," Aaron said, walking up to the group.
"Oh, really?" Spike asked. "Well then, tell me something that nopony here in Equestria knows."
Aaron put a finger to his chin to think of something, smirked, and said, "You ate dog treats when you weren't even a dog at the time." That made Spike freeze up and the Young 6 started laughing.
"You ate dog treats?!" Gallus asked, looking at Spike, still laughing.
"Why?" Ocellus asked.
"I couldn't help it if they tasted better than they look!" Spike said. He then looked at Aaron. "How did this show know about that?"
"Guess there's somehow a connection to this world and the minds of the ones who came up with the storyboard for the show," Aaron said.
"I guess that makes sense," Spike said. "But, we're gonna have to get back to business on finding a way to get you back to your world." He then looked up and down Aaron's body. "In your original form of course. Let's take this meeting back at the School."
Then they all packed up their picnic supplies and headed on back to the School of Friendship.
It had been a couple weeks since Aaron had finally come out of the caverns underneath the school. Spike stayed in Ponyville to keep an eye on Aaron and he'd inform Twilight if he had any more information, and he'll also inform Aaron about any progress via magic flames.
Aaron had become a student at the School of Friendship. Starlight had also put another bed into the room that Aaron, Sandbar and Gallus share, that way Sandbar would have his bed back and Aaron would be able to sleep in a bed and won't feel bad about taking up Sandbar's place anymore.
In the room they all share, Aaron was drawing something on his tablet while Sandbar and Gallus were reading books. Gallus was getting a little annoyed when there was too much silence.
Gallus turned towards Sandbar and asked, "Hey, Sandbar, mind if we play some music? The silence is kinda bothering me."
"Sure thing, Gallus," Sandbar said, heading to a dresser. "Let me just activate my new crystal powered music player." That made Aaron lift his head in confusion.
"Your what?" Gallus asked, confused about what Sandbar was getting.
"It's this awesome device my parents got me for my birthday," Sandbar said. "It allows you to record your favorite songs and play them whenever you want." Sandbar pulled out the device and put it on the dresser. "Player, activate my song list! And make it random."
Then music came from the crystal powered device. But not music from Equestria. The device started playing the song "Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen.
"What the...?" Gallus asked.
"You've got to be kidding me," Aaron said.
"Uh... next," Sandbar said. Then the song changed. It was now playing "I Like Big Butts" by Sir Mix a Lot. Aaron and Gallus looked towards Sandbar as the young Earth Pony was trying to cover the blush on his face in embarrassment. "Dang it, next!" Then the song changed and started playing "Apple Bottom Jeans" by T Pain. That made both Aaron and Gallus snicker as Sandbar was covering his entire face as it went red. Sandbar then said, "Please kill me... Next!" Then the song changed again. This time to "Shake Your Bon-Bon" by Ricky Martin. This time, Sandbar covered himself entirely.
"Well, now I know why you're interested in Yona so much," Gallus said before laughing.
"Shut up, Gallus!" Sandbar said.
Aaron laughed harder than Gallus and said, "I can't believe this actually happened." That made Sandbar and Gallus confused and look at him.
"Player, shut off," Sandbar said before the music stopped. "What do you mean?"
"Back in my world, people had done fan comics, and this moment was one of them," Aaron said. "Although, I am wondering about something." He then looked at Sandbar. "How did you get all of those songs when they originated from my world?" That made Gallus laugh.
"I... I don't know," Sandbar said. "I don't even remember how those songs ended up on my music player in the first place. Honest."
"Weird," Aaron said. He then thought of something. "Wait. In some of the shows I watch, including the show based on this world, some characters manage to look towards the camera, even talk to the viewers of the show. We call that breaking the 4th wall."
"Oh, yeah," Gallus said. "When one of the characters talks to the audience like in the school plays. We got that idea from Pinkie Pie."
"That makes sense," Aaron said. "She did it all the time in the show." Just then, Pinkie Pie came out of the screen of Aaron's computer.
"I sure do!" Pinkie Pie said, surprising the three boys.
"You knew you were being watched, didn't you?" Aaron asked.
"Uh-huh," Pinkie Pie said. "Like when Discord ordered all of the cakes and I shook the thing that views us into the show." Pinkie Pie then flashbacked to a certain moment.
Aaron shook his head and said, "Breaking the 4th wall. Classic." He then thought of something. "Wait a minute." He then looked towards Sandbar. "I think I know who put those songs on your music player."
"Really?" Sandbar asked. "Who?"
"It was Discord," Aaron said. Just then, Discord's tail appeared, stroking Aaron's chin.
"Well, it's kinda rude to assume something like that," came Discord's voice. The group followed the tail to Discord's face and saw him knitting something. "Even if it is true."
"Oh, boy," Sandbar said, covering his face again.
"Oh, and by the way, Aaron," Discord said, getting the human-turned-dragon's attention. "Smolder is coming here to get you."
"For what?" Aaron asked.
"Nothing bad," Discord said. "Just wanting to teach you about all things dragon."
"Seriously?" Aaron asked.
"That would make sense," Gallus said. "Might as well get to learn of your current physiology as you can."
"Yeah, we don't know how long you're gonna be here," Sandbar said. Just then, there was a set of knocks on the door. "I'm guessing it's for you."
Aaron went to the door and standing outside the room was Smolder.
"Hey, Aaron," Smolder said. "Are you up for learning about being a dragon for real?"
"Well, I might as well learn how to use these without bumping my head," Aaron said, unfolding his wings. "At least I got these without going through the molt. Compared to Spike's, it must've been irritating." Then the two of them started walking down the dorm hall.
"It was," Smolder said. "Spike's was basically the worst molt I've seen." She then sniffed Aaron. "At least you didn't have the smell from the molt when I found you. Otherwise, whew, that would be troubling."
"I still can't believe that dragons isolate the young ones going through the molt," Aaron said. "That's just wrong."
"Hey, it's a part of being a dragon," Smolder said, shrugging her shoulders and raising her arms. "Now, let's get you all to know about being a dragon."
Outside the School of Friendship, Smolder was teaching Aaron the important things when it comes to being a dragon. Mostly flying. Aaron kept crashing a lot.
"Ow..." Aaron said after recovering from a crash.
"Wow," Smolder said. "That's the 20th time you crashed today." She then helped Aaron up. "Good thing dragons are more durable than they look."
"Wow," Aaron said. "I can see why. I fell 20 times and not even a scratch."
"Yeah," Smolder said. "Although, throughout every dragon I've seen in the Dragon Lands, I have never seen a dragon your color."
"Really?" Aaron asked. "You've never seen a jade dragon?"
"Not even once," Smolder said. "It must be because of some legend from old times in the Dragon Lands."
"What legend?" Aaron asked.
"Meh, I might as well tell you," Smolder said. "After all, all dragons need to know of this." She then breathed out. "The legend of the Reaper goes like this."
"Centuries ago, the Dragon Lands were very territorial. The dragons didn't trust any other creature. All of them were just... vile, savage, and some of them, really, really bad tempered. Especially the current dragon lord. His son, Ragnarok the Reaper, was next in line to the throne. Back then, nepotism was still a thing. Ragnarok the Reaper was a little too savage for the throne. He claimed that the ponies were too good to have any nice things, so he proclaimed, as his first thing as Dragon Lord, to go to where the ponies are, and take everything they have for the dragons to keep. But the current Dragon Lord didn't have it. So he went to the dragon that could see into the future, the Oracle, to see what would happen if Ragnarok continued with his path. The Oracle claimed that if Ragnarok continued down his path, eventually, he would be taken down by a dragon as green as jade, one who believed that peace between lands, no matter what distance, can be achieved. Ragnarok the Reaper overheard Oracle's prophecy and went on a rampage. He hunted every jade dragon across the Dragon Lands, and with the help of a life stealing potion, drained the entire life source of each jade dragon he could find, so the prophecy would never come true. Ragnarok the Reaper went back to his father, proud that the Oracle's prophecy didn't come true, but his father hadn't liked what Ragnarok had done. Ragnarok was then deemed unworthy of leading the Dragon Lands, and was to be put down. The Oracle was able to contain Ragnarok into the deepest part of the Dragon Lands, but before Ragnarok was forced into a forever sleep, he proclaimed..."
"When a jade dragon will be in the land, I will return from where I stand. My time to rule will come when I return, the jade dragons will perish and the ponies will burn. You all sealing me will be your biggest mistake, I will rule the dragon lands at my fullest wake!"
"The Oracle was already dying when sealing off Ragnarok the Reaper into his immortal prison, but he made sure that whenever there is a jade dragon among the world, that would be Ragnarok's forced slumber is useless. And each time a jade dragon had been born into the world, Ragnarok the Reaper returned and drained the life force out of the jade dragon, keeping him young in his sleep. And to this day, no one has ever seen a jade dragon."
Aaron was surprised by the legend that Smolder had said.
"Whoa," Aaron said. "That... That is super intense."
"Yeah," Smolder said. "But no one had seen a jade dragon for 500 years. Even if the legend was true, no way Ragnarok the Reaper would be alive for that long."
"And I'm guessing why the Dragon Lords now make obstacle courses for choosing the next Dragon Lord?" Aaron asked.
"Pretty much," Smolder said. "And since then, they've been a little tense."
"You were in the last Gauntlet of Fire?" Aaron asked.
"I was about to be, but my bro said if he'd win, he'd make our lives better from then on," Smolder said. "So I dropped out. But..."
"You got confused when he hugged Torch's snout?" Aaron asked.
"Big time," Smolder said. "But in the end, the dragons started a peace treaty with the ponies, we've been getting along a lot better. No trouble here."
"Maybe some minor dragon trouble," Aaron said. "Especially from that bum of a dragon, Sludge." That made Smolder laugh.
"Oh, man," Smolder said, swiping a single claw across her eye like she was wiping away a tear. "That's funny!" She then stopped laughing, but kept the grin on her face. "But, yeah. That Sludge dragon is a total bum. I swear, he's been out of the dragon lands long before we started the peace treaty."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Thanks to Spike."
"You know it," came the voice of Spike. The two looked at Spike who was walking up to them. "Well, I got a message from Twilight. She says that she's making progress on trying to find you a way home. It might take a while, though."
"How long is a while?" Aaron asked.
"Approximately, six months at least," Spike said.
"Six months?!" Aaron asked. "Oh, man. My aunt is gonna kill me for being away from her for that long."
"Oh, that's not gonna happen," Spike said. "When she finally finds a way for you back home, she'll adjust it to make your way home back to when you first arrived here. So, it'll be like you never left."
"Whoa," Smolder said. "That's actually a good idea."
"Time travel and dimension hopping?" Aaron asked. "Sounds very risky."
"Don't worry," Spike said. "You'll be in good hooves. Hands? Whatever. Everything will be fine." Spike then started flying off. "Well, I got all I needed to help with the portal. See you guys another time." He then started flying off towards Canterlot, but then he stopped. "You know what, I'm just gonna get on the next train to Canterlot. It's a long way there." He then flew towards the train station.
Smolder then looked at Aaron and said, "You wanna give flying another try?"
"Sure," Aaron said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to fly without crashing."
"Don't worry," Smolder said. "If you start to fall, I'll catch you."
"Wow," Aaron said. "Okay. I guess I can be okay with that." Then both of them got into position to fly.
"Ready?" Smolder asked.
"Let's do it," Aaron said. "Might as well enjoy the moment as much as I can."
Smolder nodded and then the two of them started flying.
Dragon Lands... 1 1/2 months ago...
All of the dragons of the Dragon Lands were doing their usual business at the time. All of them were heading to their caves when there was some rumbling. It was from neither volcano, nor earthquake. Coming from the ground away from the homes of the Dragon Lands was the arm of a giant dragon, larger than Torch. The dragon was black and purple, and he roared enraged. His eyes were dark orange, and he looked towards the Dragon Lands.
"Where's the Jade Dragon?!" the giant dragon roared.
Ember flew up to the face of the giant dragon and said, "You better explain yourself on what you're doing here?! But first, I want to know who you are!"
"You don't get to talk to me like that!" the giant dragon said, blowing Ember back. "I... am Ragnarok!"
"Ragnarok?!" Ember asked, starting to get scared. "As in Ragnarok the Reaper?!"
"I am the true Dragon Lord!" Ragnarok said. "You all follow me now!"
"I don't think so!" Ember said. "I am the Dragon Lord by right! Behold! The Bloodstone Scepter!" Just then Ember was grabbed by the giant dragon.
"Pathetic... little... dragon..." Ragnarok said. "The Scepter shall go to the one who is worthy of it! And that is me!" Ember was trying to pull herself out of the grip of Ragnarok, but then Ragnarok used his other claws to grab the Bloodstone Scepter.
"No!" Ember said, still trying to grip the scepter. "That's mine by right!" Then she lost her grip on the scepter. "No!" Ragnarok then threw Ember away and then Ragnarok made the scepter glow, and he shot a beam of crimson energy towards Ember, trapping her in a cage of crimson lightning. "Hey! Let me...!" She was cut off being electrocuted by the crimson lightning.
"Dragon Lord Ember!" Garble shouted as he and his dragon buddies started flying towards Ember. "You let her go!"
"Quiet, my subject!" Ragnarok said.
"And who are you?" Garble asked.
"Garble!" Ember called out, making Garble and his friends look towards her. "That's Ragnarok the Reaper!"
"The Reaper?!" Garble asked.
"That's right, fool!" Ragnarok said. "Did you not hear the legend?! I am the rightful ruler of the Dragon Lands! But Oracle made sure that I won't be ruler of the Dragon Lands by keeping me asleep! So, I take my revenge on the Oracle's prophecy by making sure her prophecy doesn't come true! My ultimate demise by a jade dragon?! I will not let that happen! So, whenever a jade dragon appears, I must drain his life source!" Ragnarok then raised the Bloodstone Scepter and a giant barrier surrounded the Dragon Lands. "Bring me the jade dragon, or never leave the Dragon Lands again!"
"No!" Garble said, flying towards the barrier. As soon as he reached it, the barrier prevented him from leaving. "Smolder! No!" Garble then started banging on the barrier, trying to get out, but the barrier wasn't letting him. Basically, no matter what, the Dragon Lands was basically a prison for the dragons until the jade dragon has been found.
The Students of the School of Friendship were in line for getting their mail. All except for Aaron and Gallus.
"Meh, they're lucky," Gallus said. "All of them have families all across Equestria and beyond while we don't have family."
"Oh, I do have family," Aaron said. "I'm just separated from them while I'm in this dimension."
"Oh, that's right," Gallus said. "I keep forgetting that." He then looked towards the cafeteria and asked, "You wanna get a snack? Might clear our heads."
"Sure," Aaron said. Then they headed into the cafeteria and they saw Smolder, sitting alone at a table. "Smolder?" Aaron and Gallus walked over towards Smolder with concerned looks. They sat next to her. "Something wrong, Smolder?"
"Just leave me alone," Smolder said.
"Wow, she has never acted like this before," Gallus said.
Aaron sighed and said, "You mind telling us what's wrong?"'
"Nothing," Smolder said. "Just leave me alone."
Gallus then looked around. He knew that Smolder always took her mail to the cafeteria to read, but looking around, no letters, no packages, nothing.
"Did you not get any mail?" Gallus asked.
Smolder sighed, got up, and started walking away. Aaron got up and walked up to her.
"Were you expecting something from Garble?" Aaron asked.
Smolder sighed and said, "I always get letters from him once a week. But... for some reason, I haven't gotten anything from him. Not even anything from the Dragon Lands."
"That's odd," Aaron said. "How many times has this happened?"
"Today would've been the seventh time," Smolder said.
"Something must be going on there," Aaron said. "I'm sure that Starlight can find out what's going on there."
"I'm not so sure," Smolder said. "Maybe I should go check out what's going on with the Dragon Lands."
"I'm sure that if you talk to Starlight, she might understand what's going on," Aaron said. "I'm sure she can help out with what you're going through."
"I'm sure that can work," Smolder said. She then sighed, once again. She then walked towards the door, but as she was about to open it, the door slammed open on her by Yona.
"There Yona's friends are!" Yona said. She then looked around. "Have any of you seen Smolder?"
"You just slammed the door on her," Gallus said. Yona then closed the door, revealing Smolder smushed against the wall.
"Sorry, Smolder," Yona said.
Smolder got herself unstuck from the wall and asked, "Why were you searching for me?"
"Headmare Starlight wanted to talk to you," Yona said. "She told me to bring Gallus and new dragon friend with. Rest of friends waiting."
Aaron, Smolder and Gallus followed Yona to Starlight's office. They all went in and saw Sandbar, Ocellus and Silverstream standing in front of Starlight's desk. Starlight was waiting for the others to arrive.
"I assume you wonder why I asked you all to come?" Starlight asked.
"Well, yeah," Sandbar said. "We were all going back to our rooms after getting our mail." He then looked over at his two roommates. "Well, not all of us."
"Yeah, I can understand that on Aaron and Gallus's side," Starlight said. "Aaron's basically from another dimension, and Gallus lost his family a long time ago. But for some reason, for the past seven weeks, Smolder hasn't received even one piece of mail from the Dragon Lands. In fact, we went to the Dragon Lands to see what was going on, but it would seem that the Dragon Lands are... abandoned."
"Abandoned?!" Smolder asked. "But it's not Dragon Migration Season! That isn't for another three months!"
"Well, we'll get the answers on that when we all head on to Canterlot for a field trip," Starlight said. "Luckily, I had Dragon Lord Ember sign the permission slip for Smolder to go on a field trip before the dragons of the Dragon Lands disappeared."
Smolder sighed and said, "That's good."
"Guess I won't be going," Aaron said. "Since I don't have any parent or guardian in this dimension."
"Oh, you're going alright," Starlight said, making Aaron stop as he was turning towards the door. "Princess Twilight especially wants to meet you personally."
"Wait, seriously?" Aaron asked, turning back towards Starlight.
"Yeah, seriously," Starlight said. "She wants to meet you face to face. Or, in your current state, muzzle to snout."
Aaron snickered and said, "I still need to get used to this place as much as I can." Aaron then looked towards the group and said, "If Princess Twilight wants to meet with me, I'd be glad to get a chance to meet her, and have all of you standing by my side."
Silverstream flew towards Aaron, giving him a big hug, saying, "That's what friends do! Always have each other's backs."
"Yeah, dude," Gallus said. "No matter what, we'll never leave your side."
"Thanks, guys," Aaron said.
"Guess you guys are all getting along," Starlight said. She then looked at Aaron. "And I'm guessing that you'd never get a chance to meet any of us before you arrived here."
"Well, back in my world, the closest thing I'd get to meeting you all was meeting the voice actors and actresses that played you all," Aaron said.
"Oh, right," Starlight said. "This show is animated, like moving pictures and such. And I guess it would make sense that we'd all be played by actresses or actors by their voices."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Some of the characters even share the same voice actress or actor."
"Really?" Smolder asked. "Like who?"
"For starters, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are voiced by the same actress," Aaron said.
"Seriously?" Starlight and the Young 6 asked in unison.
"And let's not forget Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, the same actress as well," Aaron said.
"Wow," Starlight said, "This is really interesting. Although, are there any other things we should know?"
"About the show?" Aaron asked.
"Are you sure that the show hasn't shown anything... embarrassing?" Starlight asked. "I mean... I was thrown out of the castle while I was still in the bathtub that one time."
"Oh, man. I forgot about that!" Aaron said. "Guess I was too focused on what happened to Rarity's mane that one other day." Then both Aaron and Starlight shuttered.
"That was disturbing for us all," Starlight said.
"Zecora should've marked the vials before handing them out," Aaron said, making Starlight nod.
"Anyway, you all should rest up," Starlight said. "The eight of us got a long train ride to go on."
"It's 3 in the afternoon!" Gallus said.
"It's probably gonna be a long trip there, so we might have to get up as early as possible," Aaron said. "My aunt and I had to get up on an early flight to Washington DC."
"See?" Starlight asked. "We're all booked for the early morning train, so you might as well get an early dinner and get yourselves to bed."
Then the seven students walked out of there.
The next day, on the train to Canterlot, Starlight was keeping her eyes on the window as they were getting closer and closer to the city. The seven students on the other hoof were all watching a movie on Aaron's computer. They were all watching the Disney Channel Original Movie, Hatching Pete.
"Dude, that Pete guy is funny in that rooster costume," Gallus said, stopping the laughing.
"Yona thought it funny when chicken boy copied what coach was doing," Yona said.
"Wait, look," Sandbar said as they watched a scene in the movie. They saw Pete, in the chicken suit, in the coaches arm, and made the mask of the chicken kiss the coach's head.
"Flirting with the chicken, huh?" Ocellus said. "That's funny."
"It's too bad that other boy Cletus was allergic to the suit," Silverstream said. "It must've been hard for him to wear that thing all the time during a game."
"Yeah, I don't think they should allow people who have allergic reactions to the suit be allowed to be the school mascot," Aaron said.
"Next stop! Canterlot!" came the voice of the conductor. Aaron then shut off his computer.
"We'll watch the rest on the way back to Ponyville," Aaron said.
"Good call," Starlight said. "I'm surprised that that thing gives you some entertainment as well."
"You kidding me?" Aaron asked. "It's also giving me Wi-Fi for some reason. I don't know how, but it sure is working out for me. I still don't know how it's possible."
"I'm sure that Twilight might be able to explain that in her way of finding you a way back home," Starlight said.
Starlight escorted Aaron and the Young 6 towards Canterlot Castle. They walked up the steps to the front gate of the castle. As soon as they walked in, the guards stopped them from entering.
"Halt!" one of the guards said, blocking their path with their spears.
"Excuse me, sirs," Starlight said. "Princess Twilight has asked us to come here for an important meeting."
"I don't think so," came another voice. The group looked ahead and saw a white unicorn stallion wearing a tuxedo collar. "Princess Twilight is not to be disturbed by anyone.
"Who that pony?" Yona asked.
"Prince Blueblood," Aaron said. "One of the most pompous jerks in all of Canterlot. He even thinks that he doesn't deserve to get his hooves dirty, especially at the Grand Galloping Gala. He made Rarity open the door for him when it's the gentleman that's supposed to open the door for the lady."
"Wow," Smolder said. "He does sound like a jerk." The rest of the Young 6 and Aaron nodded.
"Listen, Prince Blueblood," Starlight said. "I don't know what you're doing, but we're being expected by Princess Twilight as soon as possible."
"I won't let some... peasants, or monsters, enter the castle!" Blueblood said, making Starlight, Aaron and the Young 6 gasp in anger.
"Why you..." Starlight said before Aaron stopped her.
"You know what, Starlight?" Aaron said. "He's right. Just... teleport us... outta here." He then tilted his head upwards. Starlight then looked up towards the balcony behind the thrones of the throne room of Canterlot Castle.
"Oh," Starlight said, getting the idea. "I getcha. Alright. I guess we'll just leave." Starlight then lit up her horn, and teleported the eight of them out of there.
"Finally," Blueblood said. "Now that they're gone..." Blueblood then got a realization. "Hey, wait a minute!" Blueblood then turned towards the guards and said, "Guards with me!" Then the two guards at the door followed Prince Blueblood towards an area of the castle.
In the Throne Room of Canterlot Castle, Twilight was waiting for her guests to arrive. Spike was waiting right by her.
"I guess they're not in Canterlot yet," Twilight said. But then a flash of light blue light appeared and revealed Starlight, Aaron and the Young 6. "Oh, never mind." Spike then flew to the group.
"You guys made it," Spike said.
"Sorry it took so long," Aaron said. "That idiot, Blueblood, tried keeping us out of the castle even though we told him we had a meeting with the Princess."
Twilight groaned, leaning her head back and said, "I told him I had an important meeting today!" Just then, the guards and Prince Blueblood ran in.
"I'm sorry about this, Princess Twilight," Blueblood said. "These... beasts... were trying to get in. I will personally see that..."
"Blueblood!!" Twilight shouted. "I actually had these creatures summoned here because I wanted to speak with them!"
"WHAT?!" Blueblood asked. "But they're just...!" Blueblood was cut off.
"Hey!" Spike said, cutting off Blueblood. "If Twilight says she's meeting this group of creatures, she's meeting them. So why don't you back off?!"
"Why you little...!" Blueblood said, about to punch Spike, but he was stopped by the guards.
"You wanted us to keep the Princess's guest from her even though she said she was expecting them?" one of the guards asked. "And now, you were about to assault the princess's royal advisor?"
"Blueblood, I want you to pack up, and move out of the castle!" Twilight said. "As High Princess of Equestria, your royal status has been stripped."
"WHAT?!" Blueblood said. "You can't just..." The guards then blocked him from getting near Twilight. Twilight then walked towards Blueblood.
"I can, and I am," Twilight said. "Guards, escort Blueblood out." The guards nodded and pulled Blueblood out of the Throne Room. Twilight then looked towards the group. "I'm so sorry about Blueblood's attitude. Sometimes he can be... unbearable."
"There are ponies like that everywhere," Starlight said.
"Like that Spoiled Rich pony," Aaron said, getting the attention of Twilight, Starlight and the Young 6. "She's basically the one who raised Diamond Tiara to be a bully in the Ponyville Schoolhouse."
"You must be Aaron Blazer," Twilight said, making Aaron nod. "It's finally nice to meet you, face to face. Or in this case, muzzle to snout."
"It's an honor meeting you, Princess," Aaron said, bowing.
"No need to bow," Twilight said. "I'm... still getting used to..."
"You've been bowed to before ever since you became an Alicorn back in Ponyville," Aaron said, interrupting Twilight.
"Wow, you really have seen the adventures of me and my friends," Twilight said. "What else do you know about me?"
"You were basically socially distant before Princess Celestia assigned you to check on the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration," Aaron said. "You also made Ponyville go gah gah over your old toy, Smarty Pants. Oh, and you're afraid of quesadillas. How is that even possible? It's food." Twilight felt ashamed of being socially distant, embarrassed of the Smarty Pants incident, and shocked when quesadillas were mentioned.
"No I'm not!" Twilight said. She then shuttered. "They're just so... cheesy!"
Aaron looked towards Spike and said, "You're gonna have to explain to me about that." Spike nodded.
"Okay, Aaron," Twilight said. "You've had your amusement for today. Now, we're gonna have a talk about your world."
"I'd be happy to share as much as I can," Aaron said. "Although, the human world where I'm from isn't 100% like the world you, Spike and Starlight went to on the other side of the mirror where Sunset Shimmer now lives."
"Good to know," Twilight said.
On the train back to Ponyville, Starlight, Aaron and the Young 6 were riding the train back. Aaron was looking out the window, seeing all the sights as they were passing by. Smolder fell asleep on Aaron's shoulder. Aaron looked towards Smolder and gave a sad smile.
They arrived back at the School of Friendship. Aaron helped carry Smolder into the room she and Silverstream share. Silverstream thought it was sweet for Aaron to do that for Smolder.
"I can't believe you carried her all the way from the train station to here," Silverstream said.
"Well, she did carry me from the Everfree to the caverns underneath the school," Aaron said. "I might as well do something for her." Aaron then put Smolder into the bed that she usually sleeps in. Aaron then walked out of the dorm room and closed the door behind him. He then headed over towards the room he was sharing with Gallus and Sandbar. As he was walking in, Gallus and Sandbar were getting ready for bed.
"Still can't believe that you got us past that pompous prince with that idea," Gallus said.
"Yeah," Sandbar said. "Your idea was brilliant."
"Starlight had teleported all across Equestria just to find the Changeling Hive with Trixie by her side," Aaron said. "I knew she'd get us into the Throne Room. She just needed a little push."
"And that push was just what we needed," Sandbar said.
"I'm sure Princess Twilight will get you a way back home," Gallus said. "Maybe even find a way for us to come and visit you."
"I'm not sure that would be possible," Aaron said. "If there was a way, there'd have to be another portal on the other side that way you guys would have a way to get back home. Like the Portal to the other human dimension."
"Meh, maybe she'll also find a way," Gallus said, shrugging his shoulders. "Who knows?"
"It would be sweet to see your world," Sandbar said. "I bet you'd show us a bunch of amazing things while we're there."
"My aunt just started her own clothing business there," Aaron said. "It might take a while before we make the big bucks."
"I guess that's true," Sandbar said. "I bet the music is good there as well."
"Oh, it is," Aaron said, smugly. "Especially to a colt who likes big butts and he cannot lie." That made Sandbar blush and Gallus started laughing. He then flew towards Aaron and the two high-fived, or in their current state, high-four.
"Let's just go to sleep," Sandbar said, hiding under the covers. Gallus then turned off the light and they all went to sleep.
In Applejack's Honesty Class, Applejack making sure the class was all in there, including the school's new student, the human turned dragon, Aaron Blazer.
"Alright, everycreature!" Applejack said to the class. "Welcome to class. We're gonna pick up where we left off yesterday."
Aaron then thought of something. He remembered those words used by Applejack before in a fan comic. He then looked towards Gallus, who was looking at Silverstream, not seeming to be paying attention to the class. Aaron smirked at what Gallus was getting at.
"A good amount of the time, someone being dishonest can be shown by their behavior," Applejack said to the class. "Signs of stuttering, facial expressions, and even denial. For example..." She then yelled out loud. "GALLUS, QUIT MAKIN' GOO-GOO EYES AT SILVERSTREAM!"
Then the whole class started laughing. Aaron laughed as well. He then silently said, "Here we go again."
"W-w-what?" Gallus stuttered as the class continues laughing. "I-I-I wasn't doing that! Th-th-that's ridiculous!" He then continued stuttering.
"See class?" Applejack asked. "Prime example."
Aaron shook his head, still chuckling at what was happening.
Later in the cafeteria, Aaron and Gallus were in line together, getting their lunch.
"I still can't believe everyone thought I was making goo-goo eyes at Silverstream," Gallus said.
"Well, you were," Aaron said. "In fact, that moment was made into a fan comic."
"Oh, great," Gallus said, covering his face.
"Basically, you have a crush on Silverstream," Aaron said. "Don't you?"
"Uhh... I-I-I... I don't r-really know if I..." Gallus stuttered. Aaron smirked at that. Gallus then looked around and quietly said, "Meet me in the bathroom after we're done eating." Aaron nodded in response.
Later in the boys restroom, Aaron and Gallus were there as Gallus was checking under the stalls for any other creatures being in there when it was supposed to be a private meeting.
"Okay, I'll admit, I may have a crush on Silverstream," Gallus said. "There, I said it."
"When did this all happen?" Aaron asked.
"It... happened not too long before you came to our world," Gallus answered. "I guess I never wanted to admit it, but she looks so cute. I don't know why, but... she's so... attractive to me."
"I can see why," Aaron said. "After all, both the griffons and the hippogriffs are both species that are half eagle."
"Oh," Gallus said. "Right. I guess it's the eagle in me that's attracted to the eagle in her."
"Tell me what happened long before I came here," Aaron said.
Gallus sighed and said, "It all started when one night, when Sandbar was visiting his family, I was sleeping in the room all by myself. That was until one night, Silverstream woke me up, saying that she dreamt of the Storm King. She feared that one day, the Storm King would return. She came to me, cuddled with me in her sleep... and she woke up feeling better that she had me for support that night. And then when she left..." Gallus then started blushing.
"She kissed you on the cheek," Aaron said.
Gallus's blush darkened and he asked, "That entire event was a fan comic, wasn't it?"
"I thought that was adorable," Aaron said. "But I think where and when all of that really happened. When you were helping Silverstream overcome her fear underneath the school."
Gallus thought of that and said, "I guess that would make sense. When she felt that the Storm King would make her feel trapped underwater again. Like how I was afraid of being trapped in tight spaces."
"Claustrophobia," Aaron said. "The fear of tight spaces. That's a common fear."
"Yeah, it is," Gallus said. He then sighed. "I just hope that one day, I can do something special for her."
"You know what, Gallus?" Aaron asked. "I'm gonna help you with that."
"You are?" Gallus asked. "How are you gonna do that?"
"Leave that... to me," Aaron said.
The weekend came up already and Aaron was flying back towards the school. Smolder was flying besides him.
"Where have you been?" Smolder asked, crossing her arms and flying besides Aaron.
"Let's just say I had something to do today," Aaron said.
"Like what?" Smolder asked.
"Remember when you and Gallus went to go back to see if the others made it out of the caverns after your tests by the Tree of Harmony?" Aaron asked.
"Oh, here we go," Smolder said, rolling her eyes.
"Something happened when Gallus helped out with Silverstream," Aaron said. "A certain... spark."
"Oh... that," Smolder said. "The two may have been getting along with each other. I mean, one night, Silverstream woke me up, screaming. She must've had a nightmare that night."
"Let me guess, she left the room and didn't come back that night?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah," Smolder said. "How'd you know?"
"She slept with Gallus that night," Aaron said. "And she appreciated his help. She kissed him on the cheek the next morning to show appreciation."
"She did?!" Smolder asked, shocked.
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Gallus wanted to do something special for her, so I decided to help him out."
"So, what did you do?" Smolder asked.
"I helped out by setting up a picnic for the two," Aaron said.
"A picnic?" Smolder asked. "How do you know if that's gonna work?"
"Oh, sometimes sharing a meal brings two young souls together," Aaron said. "Although, I've had to get some more information on Silverstream on what she enjoys."
"How did you get that kind of information?" Smolder asked.
"She's almost as open minded as Pinkie Pie," Aaron said. "She basically gave me a list of all of her favorite foods. Both on land and in Seaquestria. Although, it was hard for me to get all the Seaquestrian food."
"Oh, yeah," Smolder said. "Princess Twilight wanted to make sure to know where you are at all times, so she ordered you to stay in Ponyville unless you were being summoned to Canterlot if she wanted to talk to you."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "I might as well see how they're doing."
"I gotta see this," Smolder said. "And if anyone asks, I'm saying that it's a part of our flying training."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Aaron said.
"Hey, do you think Twilight got rid of that last Pinkie Clone you were talking about?" Smolder asked.
"Nah, Twilight couldn't do that," Aaron said. "For two reasons. One; the clone had already got her own life there and she doesn't want to abandon her friends in Manehattan. And two; the clone was scared of Twilight for what she did to the other Pinkie Clones that day."
"Really?" Smolder asked.
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Besides, I saw that clone story in a fan comic story. Too bad it was cancelled at the beginning of the third chapter."
"Wow," Smolder said. "Did she change her whole identity?"
"Just to avoid Twilight from recognizing her," Aaron said. "Now, c'mon. Let's see how Gallus and Silverstream do." They then flew towards the park.
In the park, Gallus and Silverstream were walking there, Gallus holding a picnic basket.
"I still can't believe you actually wanted me to go with you for a picnic," Silverstream said.
"Yeah, well, I guess I wanted to do something special," Gallus said. "I'm sure that the two of us are gonna enjoy this."
"Oh, Gallus," Silverstream said, blushing.
"Now, how about we go and enjoy this food?" Gallus said, pulling out a picnic blanket and putting the picnic basket in the middle of the blanket.
"Oh, I thought you'd never ask!" Silverstream said. She then opened up the picnic basket and gasped. "Are these...?"
"Your favorite snacks, along with some sandwiches, juice boxes, and..." Gallus said, pulling out a watermelon from the basket. "...a watermelon."
"Ooh... sounds delicious!" Silverstream said. The two then started setting up plates.
As the two were setting up their picnic, Aaron was watching them from a distance with a sextant. Smolder was with him on a rooftop.
"Looks like they're doing good," Aaron said.
"What is that thing?" Smolder asked.
"It's a sextant," Aaron said. "It's like a telescope, but used for measuring distances. In the future, you'd be using one."
"Wait... you've seen my future in the show?" Smolder asked.
"It was the series finale," Aaron said. "It showed Twilight's coronation as the high princess, and some parts of the future."
"How long in the future?" Smolder asked.
"I'd say about, 20... 25 years," Aaron said. "And in the future, Gallus actually made it from rags to riches."
"He became a rich griffon?" Smolder asked.
Aaron grabbed his computer and showed an image of Gallus in the future. He then said, "More like Captain of the Royal Guard."
"Whoa!" Smolder said, looking at the picture. "So, Gallus ended up Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard?! He must've come a long way!"
"You all have," Aaron said. "You, Silverstream and Ocellus all work in the School of Friendship, and Yona works at Carousel Boutique."
"What about Sandbar?" Smolder asked.
"I don't know what Sandbar was doing in the future," Aaron said. "I don't know what came of him in the future."
"Guess we won't know until another... I don't know, 15-20 years," Smolder said. "Heck, I don't know how pony ages work."
"Neither do I," Aaron said. "Although, ever since the Cake Twins have been born, they've looked the same since they did in Season 2."
"Meh, they probably didn't show it in the show, but they have grown up here," Smolder said. "Take a look for yourself."
Aaron looked towards Smolder with a confused look. She then pointed towards somewhere and then Aaron used the sextant to see Mr. and Mrs. Cake, along with two young foals with normal looking eyes.
"Huh," Aaron said. "So that's what they look like when they reach a certain age."
"Pretty much," Smolder said.
Aaron then looked back towards Gallus and Silverstream, Aaron saw the two were confused about the supplies used to make s'mores.
"Seriously?" Aaron said. "They don't know how to make s'mores?"
"What are s'mores?" Smolder asked. Aaron looked back towards Smolder with a surprised look.
"You mean to tell me that you never had a s'more in your life?" Aaron asked.
"Dragons don't have everything ponies have," Smolder said. "Heck, your world is a lot more technologically advanced than our world is at the moment."
"Meh, that's true," Aaron said. He then sighed. "I might as well show all of you. Heck, maybe I should also get Ocellus and Yona in on this. Sandbar probably knows how to make s'mores in the first place."
Later that night, Aaron was showing the Young 6 how to make s'mores.
"And once the marshmallow is at a golden brown color, you put the marshmallow on the chocolate that's on one of the graham cracker pieces. Then you put the other piece of graham cracker on top, crush it down, and then enjoy."
The Young 6, except Sandbar, were amazed by the way Aaron told them about s'mores.
"Dang, this does look good," Gallus said, preparing his own s'more. "I wish I'd have some when I still had my parents around."
"What happened to your parents?" Silverstream asked.
"I don't know," Gallus said. "One day, my parents had left Griffonstone for something. They said that they would be back as soon as possible. But then..." He then sighed. "Two days later, I received a message. My parents... they were..." He then shed a couple tears. "All I can say is it involved a bugbear."
"Ooh," Sandbar said. "Those things are vicious. Let me guess, you were sent to an orphanage?"
"I would have if they hadn't shut it down just to keep up with the taxes," Gallus said. "I ended up living on the streets. No family. Barely any shelter. Stealing just to survive."
"You know, Gallus, your story just reminds me of Aladdin," Aaron said.
"Aladdin?" Gallus asked. "Who or what is that?"
"Well, guess it's movie time," Aaron said. He then pulled out his tablet and he started showing the group the movie, Aladdin, the one from 1992.
In the School of Friendship, at night, in the room where Aaron, Sandbar and Gallus share, Aaron was in his bed, stirring around. He was having a dream about his past, a dream about how he lost his mom. He remembered him being taken to his aunt's place. He also remembered that after she left Aaron, he knew that his mom wouldn't be coming back, even though she promised him that she would come back as soon as possible. And the following morning in the memory, he saw his aunt crying. In the memory, Aaron walked towards his aunt, and she grabbed him, hugged him, and told him what happened.
"Mom, NO!!" Aaron said, waking up. He was breathing hard. He then looked around to see that he was still in Equestria. Aaron looked over at Sandbar and Gallus, seeing that the two were still asleep.
Aaron sighed and got up from his bed. He then walked out of the room, heading towards the restroom.
In the Dragon Lands, more like under the Dragon Lands, all of the Dragons were lined up and chained up in red electrical restraints. All of them were struggling to get out, but the more they moved, the more pain they got from the restraints.
"For two months!" Ragnarok said, looking down at all of the dragons. "For two months, there are no jade dragons here! I know there's one here! So where is that dragon?!"
"Jade dragons have been extremely rare because of you," Ember said, still in her electrical cage. "You'll never find a jade dragon around here!"
"Silence, peasant!" Ragnarok shouted towards Ember. "I am the true ruler of the Dragon Lands! And as long as I'm awake, I will rule this place as long as that Jade Dragon is alive!"
Garble was looking towards the exit of the area where all the dragons were. He was thinking about his sister's safety. He was hoping that Smolder wouldn't be coming to the Dragon Lands soon.
"I am the true Dragon Lord, Ragnarok!" Ember said. "I've passed the Gauntlet of Fire and earned the Bloodstone Scepter! You are not worthy of the title of Dragon Lord!"
"The title of Dragon Lord was always destined to be mine!" Ragnarok said. "And no dragon is gonna leave the Dragon Lands until I have that jade dragon!"
"There aren't any... jade dragons... anywhere here!" Garble called out.
"I know there's one here!" Ragnarok said. "I can sense him!"
The next morning, Smolder, Ocellus, Yona and Silverstream were walking down the halls of the school, and they met up with Sandbar and Gallus.
"Hey, guys," Smolder said.
"You girls haven't seen Aaron, have you?" Sandbar asked.
"He wasn't in his bed when we woke up this morning," Gallus said.
"Aaron's gone?" Smolder asked. Then the six of them started running out of the school. "If Aaron's gone, I'm gonna..." They made it out of the school and they saw Aaron at the edge of the lake, skipping rocks. "Huh. I was not expecting him out here." Then the group walked over towards him.
"Aaron?" Gallus asked. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Aaron said. "I'm just... trying to clear my head."
"You're feeling distressed," Ocellus said. "I can sense it."
"I thought changelings only sensed love," Aaron said.
"We can do more than sense love," Ocellus said. "What's bothering you?"
Aaron sighed and said, "It's personal."
"Was it that dream again?" Smolder asked.
"Yeah," Aaron said, sighing. "I really hate that memory."
"What memory?" Yona asked.
Smolder looked towards Yona and said, "The memory... the last time he saw his mom... alive."
"Oh..." Yona said.
"I know how it feels," Gallus said, sitting down next to Aaron. "You were lucky to have someone take you in." He then sighed. "Me? I'm just..."
"A diamond in the rough," Aaron said.
"Yeah," Gallus said. "That was a good movie though, Aaron."
Aaron smiled at that and said, "It was. I guess that things will look up from here on." They then looked up and saw something they were not expecting. "Are you kidding me?!"
The group looked over where Sludge was flying towards. They saw that Sludge was checking out the castle.
"Who that?" Yona asked.
"Sludge," Aaron said.
"Who's Sludge?" Silverstream asked.
"He's basically a bum of a dragon," Aaron said. "He'll do anything to get what he wants. Even deceiving those around him. Mostly orphaned dragons."
"He tried to trick Spike into thinking he was his father," Smolder said. "I think he was kicked out of the Dragon Lands before I was even hatched."
"Sounds like a real jerk," Ocellus said.
"He is," Smolder said. She then called out to Sludge. "Hey!"
Sludge looked towards the Young 6 and Aaron with surprise in his eyes. He then said, "Oh, great. It's her again!" He then looked towards Aaron. "Is that...?!"
Aaron leaned towards Smolder and asked, "Why's he looking at me like that?" Smolder shrugged her shoulders. Sludge then started flying towards the group, all of them, except Aaron, got into a defensive stance.
"Let me see the jade dragon," Sludge said.
"Ooh, yeah... uhh, no!" Aaron said, before taking off. The Young 6 then followed Aaron through the skies. Smolder and Silverstream were carrying Yona, Gallus was carrying Sandbar, and Ocellus was flying by all of them.
"You think he's gonna try the dad card on you?" Smolder asked.
"What else would he come up with?" Aaron asked. "Too bad he doesn't know I'm from another dimension. And I plan to keep it that way." Just then, he was grabbed and carried downward towards the castle, and put onto the floor.
"You shouldn't be out in the open, my son," Sludge said.
"You're not my father!" Aaron said.
"Oh, and how do you know that?" Sludge asked.
"You tried that trick with Spike, but you're not gonna try it with me," Aaron said. "Get off!"
"Sorry, but you're not going anywhere, but with me, back to the Dragon Lands!" Sludge said.
"I don't think so," Aaron said. "You're not the boss of me. I'm definitely not going with the bum of a dragon, especially after he gets a yak attack."
"A what?" Sludge asked before his back was collided with Yona's head, sending him flying away from Aaron.
"Human dragon friend okay?" Yona asked.
"I'm fine, Yona," Aaron said. "Let's get somewhere safe." Then they headed off somewhere. Sludge then recovered and saw Aaron and Yona running towards the door.
Inside the School of Friendship, Aaron and the Young 6 were hiding in Headmare Starlight's office. Starlight was with them, waiting for a response from Princess Twilight.
"I'm sure that Twilight will respond soon," Starlight said. "Is he still out there?"
Gallus looked out the window, peeking around the curtain covering the window. He then saw Sludge flying over the school, looking through all the windows, except for the one that was in Headmare Starlight's office.
"Yeah, he's still out there," Gallus said.
"We're just going to have to wait until Twilight comes," Starlight said. Just then, by a teleportation spell, Twilight and Spike came in.
"I got your message," Twilight said. She then looked towards Aaron. "Don't worry, Aaron. Whatever Sludge is up to, we'll make sure he'll stop."
"He tried to pull the dad card on you?" Spike asked.
"Right before he got a yak attack," Aaron said. That made the Young 6 laugh.
"You were basically born human," Starlight said. "There was no physical chance that you could be related to that sloppy, fat dragon."
"So, I better take care of this mess right now," Twilight said, walking out. The group looked out the window to see Twilight flying up to Sludge. The two were arguing.
"What do you think they're saying?" Gallus asked.
"Well, I have been learning to read lips," Starlight said. "I'm sure that Twilight will convince Sludge to leave Aaron alone." She then looked at what the princess and the bum of a dragon were saying. She then smiled, turned around, walked towards the door and said, "I think our troubles are over." Just then, Twilight came crashing through the window, laying on the floor.
"I think you might have to work on your lip reading," Aaron said.
"There you are!" came Sludge's voice. The group looked out the window. Starlight used her magic to carry Twilight out of the room. The group were running or flying through the halls of the School of Friendship.
"How are we gonna get out of this?" Ocellus asked.
"I don't know about you, but I really want to introduce Edith to all of you," Silverstream said.
"Who's Edith?" Gallus asked.
"Edith's a cockatrice that volunteered to help Silverstream on a project," Starlight said.
"Wait," Aaron said. "Is it Cockatrice migration season already?"
"You got a plan?" Starlight asked.
"I do," Aaron said. "Silverstream... lead the way." Silverstream nodded and led Aaron towards the Everfree Forest. Smolder decided to follow.
"Aaron, you don't have to do this!" Smolder said. "You know what will happen if you look into the glare of a cockatrice."
"I know," Aaron said. "Which is why we're leading Sludge to the cockatrices."
"Get back here!" came Sludge's voice. The three of them looked back to see Sludge gaining on them. They then went into the Everfree Forest.
"I can't believe how fast we flew to the Everfree Forest," Aaron said.
"I know," Silverstream said. "We flew over Ponyville very fast." The three of them flew past Zecora's Hut as she was heading in. She waved towards the three, but then Sludge came in and flew past. He then came back and took something from Zecora's saddlebag.
"Thief! Thief! You've stolen a special prune!" Zecora called out. "I assure you, you will face certain doom!"
Aaron, Smolder and Silverstream heard Zecora calling out.
"Did Zecora seriously just get robbed by Sludge?" Aaron asked.
"Well, she ain't wrong," Smolder said. Just then, they all stopped in mid air from shock. They then saw who they were looking for.
Just then, Sludge came out from a bush behind them and said, "Enough... games! I'm not leaving... without... that jade dragon. You!" Aaron turned around and saw Sludge. "You have no idea what's out there!"
"Oh, and you do?" Aaron asked. "I don't need to listen to you. You're not my dad. You don't even know anything about me."
"I know that you know nothing of your true heritage," Sludge said. "Now, you are coming with me... and no one gets hurt."
"I don't think so," Smolder said, walking up to Aaron. "He's not going anywhere with you. You're untrustworthy!"
"You don't know what you're dealing with!" Sludge said. "I want to do what's best for all the dragons, and he's putting all of them at risk!"
"You're blaming me?!" Aaron asked. "You're a bum who'll do anything just to get what he wants. And for that, you're gonna get punished."
"Oh, yeah?" Sludge asked. "How are you gonna do that?"
"Silverstream, why don't you introduce Sludge to a friend of yours?" Aaron asked. Silverstream then turned around, and she had something on her foreleg.
"What is that?!" Sludge asked.
"Do it," Silverstream said.
"A cockatrice," Aaron said. "Fun fact about them, whoever looks into their glare slowly turns to stone."
"What?!" Sludge asked as Edith the Cockatrice glares at Sludge. Then his feet started turning to stone. Then the stone feeling started spreading upwards. "No, no, no!"
"Enough is enough," Aaron said. "Do bad things, bad things always come to you. Bad karma."
The stone feeling was all the way up to Sludge's chest. He then said, "You'll be ending everything! You should've come with me to the Dragon Lands so every single creature will be safe! You will feel the wrath off..." Then Sludge's entire head turned to stone, completing the petrification.
"Better take him back so Twilight can lock him up," Smolder said. "Just in case she wants to interrogate him, we better have this cockatrice go with them."
"That would be a good call," Silverstream said. Edith then pirched herself on Sludge's head, then Aaron and Smolder grabbed Sludge's arms while Silverstream grabbed Sludge's tail. They then carried the statue of Sludge towards Ponyville.
"Wow, he's really heavy!" Aaron said.
"Because he was so fat?" Silverstream asked. "Or is it because he's stone now?"
Aaron and Smolder looked at each other. Then they both said in unison, "Yes." Then the three of them laughed together.
Later that night, Aaron was walking through the School of Friendship to the cafeteria. He went in and saw Smolder behind the food counter.
"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Aaron asked.
"Couldn't sleep," Smolder said. "Something about what Sludge said had gotten me a little anxious."
"Like what?" Aaron asked.
"You, being the doom of us all," Smolder said, shaking her head. She then got out a couple cups and filled them with what was left of the hot chocolate. "Hot chocolate?"
"Sure," Aaron said. He then took a sip. "Cold. If only there was a..." Aaron then stopped and remembered. Smolder looked at him with a smug look. Aaron then let out a small breath of fire, warming up his cup. Smolder put her cup next to Aaron's and his fire breath warmed up the hot chocolate, making bubbles coming out of the drink. "Keep forgetting I can breathe fire once in a while."
Smolder snickered and said, "Well, you were born human. But, I guess I can't blame you for forgetting." She then snorted. "I still remember the first time you actually let out your burst of fire the first time."
"That was a lot of smoke," Aaron said. "I'm surprised I didn't suffocate."
"Dragon's are able to keep cool heads in smokey places," Smolder said. "Anyway, Sludge blaming you for the devastation of every creature in Equestria. Why would he do something like that?"
"He's just trying to get into our heads," Aaron said, taking another sip of his hot chocolate. "There are so many jerks here in Equestria. Some of them are still jerks. Sludge, Lightning Dust, Iron Will, Zesty Gourmand, Suri Polomare, Svengallop, Blueblood, and last but not least, Spoiled Rich."
"That mare who thinks she should have sections of the school named after her?" Smolder asked. "Wow. No wonder she was booted from being vice headmare."
"You kidding?" Aaron asked. "She always has been a snot nosed, bossy, and no good mare who thinks that being rich is more important than royalty." He then thought of something. "And recalling her in the episode where she made her official debut in the show, I'm pretty sure she's been embezzling from the Ponyville Schoolhouse."
"What does embezzling mean?" Smolder asked.
"Basically, it means taking money that doesn't belong to you, and saying it's your own," Aaron said.
"What makes you think she's been doing that?" Smolder asked.
"Because in that episode, Diamond Tiara proclaimed that when she won, she'll put a statue of herself in the schoolyard," Aaron said. "She lost. And some time later, there was a statue of her, and the next morning, Pipsqueak announced that the school funding was low. Coincidence? I don't think so."
"We should tell Princess Twilight tomorrow before she leaves back to Canterlot," Smolder said.
"I'll even show her the episode on my laptop," Aaron said. Smolder nodded. Then both of them yawned.
"Guess we should head back to bed," Smolder said. "By the way... why are you up?"
"Dream again," Aaron said. He then sighed. "Being here for so long... I'm starting to miss my family." Smolder then put her cup down on the counter and hugged Aaron.
"I know," Smolder said. "It's gonna be a while until you can see them again." Aaron then hugged Smolder back. Smolder then blushed at the embrace. Just then, she gave a bit of a shocked face. Aaron then let go of the embrace.
"Well, I gotta get back to bed," Aaron said. He then finished up his hot chocolate. "I better wash this up."
"Y-you go to bed," Smolder said, a bit of a stutter. "I'll... I'll take care of these cups."
"Okay," Aaron said. He then headed out of the door, leaving the cup.
Smolder grabbed Aaron's cup and thought to herself, "Am I...?" She then shook her head. "No. No. It can't be. Besides, he's from another world and is really another species." She then looked back towards where Aaron walked in. "Am I...?"
The next morning, Aaron was looking out the window of the room he, Gallus and Sandbar share. He was using a sextant to see all the ponies of Ponyville. He then came across Princess Twilight, Spike, a couple royal guards, and Spoiled Rich. Spoiled Rich behaved like she usually does. Wanting everything she asks for and getting it. But then, the guards grabbed her and she demanded that she was to be let go.
"Looks like she's finally gonna get it," Aaron said.
"Who's gonna get it?" Gallus asked.
"Spoiled Rich," Aaron said. "Looks like the theory of her is correct."
"And that is?" Sandbar asked.
"Embezzling from the Ponyville Schoolhouse," Aaron said. "She's too spoiled and thinks she deserves to have anything. She even tried to make her own daughter, Diamond Tiara, do the same thing." He then noticed something. "Speaking of whom."
Through the sextant, Aaron could see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking by and Spoiled Rich trying to tell Diamond to convince the princess and the guards to let her go. Princess Twilight then told Diamond Tiara what Spoiled Rich had done. Diamond Tiara then thought of something, nodded and then spoke something, which made Spoiled Rich's pupils and irises shrink. Twilight then looked at Spoiled Rich with a smug look. She then lit up her horn and the four grown up ponies and Spike all vanished by a teleportation spell. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon then continued walking away after they vanished.
"Looks like she's being taken away," Aaron said.
"Okay," Sandbar said. "Well, time to get to class."
"I'll be with you guys in class," Aaron said. "I'm gonna go for a fly around town."
"Okay, just be back in time for class," Gallus said.
Aaron then grabbed his backpack, and flew out the window.
Aaron went around Ponyville, and landed on a rooftop. He took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh air. He then noticed all around him. But for some reason, all the ponies on the ground were looking up at him. Aaron then got confused, and then the ponies started whispering to one another.
"Huh?" Aaron asked. He then flew down to the ground and looked around. "This is getting strange." Just then, he turned around, only to see a familiar mint green unicorn standing in front of him, a big grin on her face.
Aaron got confused and asked, "Um... can I help you?"
"Is it true?!" Lyra asked, getting up in Aaron's face.
"Is what true?" Aaron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You know," Lyra asked. "About your... origin."
"Sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about," Aaron said, walking away. He then thought to himself, "No way. There's no possible way that she could..." Just then, a flash of golden light appeared in front of him, showing Lyra Heartstrings.
"Oh, c'mon," Lyra said. "You can say it. Everypony is talking about it if it's true or not."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Aaron said. "I gotta go." Aaron then started flying, but then he was grabbed in Lyra's magic aura. "Hey, let go!"
"C'mon!" Lyra said. "You've got to tell us!" Aaron was getting more and more confused about what Lyra was saying, and all the ponies around them were looking up at him. Just then, Aaron was grabbed by Rainbow Dash.
"Whoa!" Aaron called out. He then looked up at Rainbow Dash's face.
"You should've stayed in school this morning!" Rainbow Dash said.
"What's going on?!" Aaron called out.
"Somehow, I don't know who, but somepony found out about your human origins," Rainbow Dash replied.
"WHAT?!" Aaron asked. "How?!"
"Yeah, I know," Rainbow Dash said. "Now, c'mon. We've gotta tell the others about this." Then they went into the School of Friendship.
Hours later, in the teacher's lounge, Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Sunburst, Trixie, Aaron and the Young 6 were all there. Starlight was looking out the window to see a bunch of ponies looking towards the School of Friendship, some of them whispering to each other.
"How could this have happened?" Sandbar asked.
"I know," Starlight said. "It doesn't make any sense. We specifically made it clear that nopony outside of this group, along with Twilight and Spike, is to know about Aaron's origin."
"No wonder Lyra was trying to get to me," Aaron said. "The fans of the show thought that Lyra had an unhealthy obsession with humans."
"Well, they weren't wrong," Applejack said. "This obsession that Lyra has is pretty much... out of control."
"Who could've told all of the ponies?" Ocellus asked.
"Yona not tell," Yona said. "Yak made promise to Aaron not to reveal human's origin."
"You didn't use that term, did you?" Rarity asked.
"Yona just told them jade dragon's origin," Yona said. That made the others sigh in relief. Aaron then looked around at the group. He then noticed Pinkie Pie, sweating like crazy and biting her lip.
"Pinkie?" Aaron asked. "Are you... okay?" The others looked at Pinkie with worried looks. Then Aaron came to a conclusion. "You told them, didn't you?"
Pinkie Pie then started crying loudly. She then said, "I'm sorry... It just... slipped out."
"Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash said. "We all agreed we wouldn't tell anypony about Aaron. How could you let it slip out?!"
"Great, just great," Aaron said. "Just another obstacle that'll keep me from getting home."
"Oh, don't worry about that, Aaron," Sunburst said. "I'm sure that we'll let everypony in Ponyville let you live here in peace until you can get home."
"Not them," Aaron said. "It's Lyra that might not make me leave."
"Yeah, you may be right about that," Rainbow said. "We're gonna have to explain to her that you'd have to go home eventually."
"And no doubt she'll be wanting to convince me to stay," Aaron said. "But, she might understand that I have a family to get back to when I leave."
"This is definitely gonna be difficult," Rarity said. "But, eventually, she'll understand."
In the evening time, all of the students of the School of Friendship were all having dinner, and most of the students were looking towards the table where Aaron and the Young 6 were sitting at.
"Boy, we're getting a lot of attention," Gallus said.
"It's me they're looking at," Aaron said.
"Oh, that's right," Gallus said. "Because of your origin."
"I'm sure everypony will move on to their regular lives when you eventually go back to your world," Sandbar said. "Although, it is gonna be a real shame to see you go."
"Yeah," Yona said. "Things have been more interesting since new friend came to School of Friendship." Just then, Starlight came into the room, making an announcement.
"Alright, everycreature! Listen up!" Starlight called out. "Now, I know you're all very curious about our new student's origin, but that doesn't mean you have to treat him differently. He's just staying here temporarily. After all, he has a family to get back to and Princess Twilight is working on it. So, everycreature, go on about your business."
Then all of the other students went back to their meals. Starlight then walked up to Aaron and the Young 6.
"Alright, Aaron," Starlight said. "Everypony in Ponyville has been advised to not disturb you until we can get you home."
"Thanks, Starlight," Aaron said. "Perhaps now none of these ponies will ask how I have so much information on this world."
"Yeah, about that," Starlight said. "You're gonna have to share the fact that you've seen just about every adventure around Twilight and her friends had."
"Oh, crud," Aaron said. "I got a lot of explaining to do."
"Why not just show them the series premiere?" Smolder asked.
"Really?" Aaron asked. "You do realize you don't officially make your debut until the eighth season of the show."
"I know," Smolder said.
"Plus, to show everyone, I'm gonna need a bigger laptop," Aaron said.
"Or, I have something else in mind," Starlight said.
At the School of Friendship's Amphitheater, all of Ponyville were sitting in any empty seat. There weren't a lot of empty seats there, so a bunch of pegasi had to sit on clouds. Backstage, Aaron and Starlight were setting up Aaron's laptop.
"Are you sure this is gonna be a good idea?" Aaron asked. "How do you think the ponies will react when they see this?"
"I'm sure they'll be fine with it," Starlight said. "Now, I'm sure there are some things in this show that aren't 100% accurate. You might want to tell them before you start it."
"I might as well," Aaron said. "So, how are you going to..." Aaron was then lifted out of the way by Starlight's magic. She then used another spell to enlarge Aaron's laptop. "Oh, a growth spell!"
"Exactly," Starlight said. She then headed for the curtains and came out to the stage. She then made an announcement. "Welcome, everypony!" She then looked towards the Young 6, who were sitting on the right side of the stage, all in seats, with an empty seat next to Smolder. "And others. Now, we all heard that there is a rumor of a human here in Ponyville. And how he is currently in the form of a dragon. Well, I'm here to put those rumors to rest. They are true." That made all of the ponies gasp. "But don't worry. He is not here to harm us. He's only here temporarily, just until he can get back home. And a message for Lyra, you're not gonna force him to stay!"
"Aw, come on!" came Lyra's voice.
"Anyway, he's right here," Starlight said. "May I introduce... Aaron Blazer!" Then the curtains opened up, revealing Aaron, hovering on stage.
Aaron saw all of the ponies, staring right at him. Aaron sighed and then he said, "H-hello, all of you. M-my name is Aaron Blazer, and..." He was sweating through his scales.
"Oh, boy," Ocellus said. "He's getting nervous."
Smolder sighed, got up from her seat and flew towards Aaron. She then said, "Calm down. You got this."
"I'm not so sure, Smolder," Aaron said. "They're all..."
Smolder sighed and said, "Where was the confidence you had when introducing yourself to the others back down in the caverns?"
"I was ready to open up to just them," Aaron said. "This is different."
"It'll be alright," Smolder said. "Just show them how much you know about this world." Aaron then inhaled and exhaled.
"Okay," Aaron said. "You all wonder how I know so much about this world. And I have the answers on my computer here. Although, some parts of what I'm about to show you might not be accurate. So, I know you all might have some questions for me, but I might not have time to answer them all."
"I have a question!" came the voice of Filthy Rich. "My daughter, Diamond Tiara, had seen my wife, Spoiled Rich, get arrested. Is there something on that thing you have that has the answer to why she's been arrested?"
"Actually, yes," Aaron said. "And why she's been arrested, I can tell you now. She embezzled from the Ponyville Schoolhouse to prepay for a statue of Diamond Tiara for winning the election for Student Pony President, the same year she lost and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, finally gotten their Cutie Marks."
A bunch of the ponies were murmuring about the information about Spoiled Rich.
"Now, let me introduce to you all... the show that's based on this world, 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'," Aaron announced. He then flew up to the screen of his laptop, and pushed the play button, starting the show.
Later that night, Aaron, Gallus and Sandbar were heading back into the room they shared. Smolder and Silverstream did the same with the room they shared. Smolder went to her bed and laid on it.
"That was some show that was based on our world, wouldn't you agree?" Silverstream asked.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Smolder said. "Although, you and I haven't made our official debut in that show until the eighth season. That was just the first two episodes of the first season."
"How many episodes are there?" Silverstream asked.
"Aaron said that there are over 200 episodes of the show," Smolder said. "And that's just without all the specials and the adventures in the other world."
"Wow," Silverstream said. "So that explains how he knows about the cockatrice migration."
"Yeah," Smolder said. "Although, it is a little freaky how he's able to remember it all, and recall certain events that happened in our past."
"So, he knows your greatest fear?" Silverstream asked, making Smolder blush.
"W-what?" Smolder asked.
"C'mon," Silverstream said. "If you don't feel comfortable, I can always check Aaron's laptop to see.."
"Don't. You. Dare," Smolder said, getting up in Silverstream's face. "Besides, Aaron locks up his computer before he goes to bed."
"How does he lock up a computer?" Silverstream asked.
"His world's technology is more advanced than Equestria's," Smolder said. "His computer is locked and can only be opened by a password, which I have no idea what it is."
"Does Aaron know your fear?" Silverstream asked.
"Just drop it," Smolder said. "I'm going to sleep." She then got under the covers and covered herself up. Silverstream sighed and turned out the lights. While under the covers, Smolder was thinking to herself, "Aaron's gonna go home eventually. But why does something inside of me keep telling me to be with him." She then turned her body. "I guess I'll just... sleep on it." She then closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
At the School of Friendship's Generosity Class, Rarity was finishing up the final class of the day. All of the students were packing up their stuff to get to head on back to their dorm rooms.
"Alright, class," Rarity said. "You've all been doing so well in class. Perhaps it's time you all enjoyed some time at the carnival that's opening up tomorrow. Go on and enjoy yourselves." Then all of them headed out of there.
Aaron and Sandbar were heading out of the room. Sandbar said, "A carnival. Sounds fun."
"I haven't been to a carnival in years," Aaron said.
"Really?" Sandbar asked. "When was the last time you've been to a carnival?"
Aaron thought about it and said, "I don't know. It was maybe a month or two before Aunt Marissa got that job at that dog's boutique." They continued walking down the hall. Back in class, Smolder was getting her books and she headed out of the room quickly. But then, Ocellus came up to her.
"Hey, Smolder," Ocellus said. "Mind if I talk to you about something?"
Smolder stopped and said, "I really don't have time for our... private stuff."
"No, I'm not talking about that," Ocellus said. "I'm talking about the way you were looking towards Aaron throughout the class."
Smolder blushed and said, "That... That's nothing."
"Smolder, you know I can tell," Ocellus said. "You've fallen in love with Aaron."
"L-love?" Smolder said. She then put her right claw on her chest, feeling her heartbeat accelerating. "N-no. It c-can't be. I c-can't fall in love with him."
"Hey, it happens, Smolder," Ocellus said. "Even if you two aren't born the same species. Sandbar is into Yona for some reason. Gallus and Silverstream started dating. What's to stop you from finding love with Aaron?"
"He has a home to get back to," Smolder said. "A home in another dimension, his family. Plus, he's probably not into me anyway."
"Oh, you don't know that," Ocellus said. She then brought Smolder into the same closet that Spike was hiding in when Smolder told him about the molt. "You could try hanging out with him at the carnival tomorrow, and see how well it goes."
"I'm not so sure," Smolder said. "Besides, even if we did start seeing each other that way, it's not gonna last forever. You know long distance relationships don't work out that much."
"But you can at least try to give it a try before he leaves," Ocellus said. "Why not practice asking him out?" She then shapeshifted into Aaron. She even used Aaron's voice. "Hey, Smolder. You wanted to see me?"
Smolder then got nervous and said, "Well, Aaron. I... I don't know how to say this, but..." She then bit her lip.
"Smolder?" Ocellus, still as Aaron, asked. "Are you okay?"
Smolder groaned and said, "I can't do this, Ocellus!" Ocellus then turned back into her regular form. "Listen, I don't have time for this. I need some time to think." She then headed out of the closet.
Ocellus sighed and said, "C'mon, Smolder. You just need a little push."
Smolder was dreaming of herself and Aaron sitting at a table. Aaron looked around, looking for the others.
"When do you think the others are gonna get here?" Aaron asked.
"I don't know," Smolder said. "I told them we were all going out for dinner. What's taking them so long?" Just then, everything around them changed. From a large booth to a table for two, with a red and white checkered tablecloth, a lit candelabra, and romantic violin music playing in the background. "What... just... happened?"
"What do you mean?" Aaron asked. "You asked me out on a date, remember?"
"I did?" Smolder asked. She then saw a stallion carrying a huge plate of spaghetti.
"Your meal," the waiter said, placing the spaghetti on the table. Smolder's heart was racing.
"So, you ready to eat?" Aaron asked. Smolder blushed at the remark. Just then, her arm started moving on its own, grabbing a fork, and using it to twist the spaghetti onto it. She then pulled the fork towards her mouth, and the spaghetti went in. But then a line of spaghetti that was coming out of her mouth was also connected to Aaron's mouth.
"Uh oh," Smolder thought. "Just like in that movie he showed me. Lady and the Tramp." They then started getting closer to each other. "No. I'm not ready. I'm not ready! I'M NOT READY!" Just then, something black came in and grabbed Aaron.
"Whoa!!" Aaron called out. Smolder looked up to see a black and purple dragon.
"FOUND YOU!!" called out the dragon.
"What in the...?!" Aaron said. "Ragnarok the Reaper?!"
"No! It can't be!" Smolder said.
"You're mine!" Ragnarok said. He then opened up is mouth sucking something from Aaron. Aaron started groaning, and his body started getting scrawny and losing so much wait. Then something bright started coming out of him.
Smolder woke up gasping, nearly shouting.
"Aaron, no!" Smolder said. She then put a claw to her chest, breathing in and out with hesitation. She then saw that she was back in the room she shared with Silverstream. She then checked the alarm clock. It was a minute to 6. She then sighed. "It was just a dream. It was just a dream." Just then, the alarm clock went off, surprising Smolder. Silverstream woke up.
"Oh, yeah!" Silverstream said. "The carnival's today! Might as well get ready for breakfast!" She then flew out of the room.
Smolder than sighed. She then felt her sheets, and they were a little damp. She saw some sweat soaked into the sheets. Smolder sighed and stripped the bed. She then headed out of the room, carrying the sheets to see a maid in the hallway.
"Give me those," the maid said. "I was just about to come and strip your sheets next." Smolder then put the sheets into the basket. The maid then went into the dorm that Smolder and Silverstream share.
Smolder then went towards the bathroom to clean herself off. As soon as she cleaned herself, she went off towards the cafeteria to see the other students eating breakfast and talking to one another. She then noticed her friends sitting at one table. She then went and got her food and then went over to the table.
"Hey, Smolder," Aaron said. "What took ya so long?"
"Sorry," Smolder said. "I just... had to take a shower. It was hot last night."
"Hot?" Sandbar asked. "I thought dragons could take the heat, especially in the dragon lands."
"Smolder okay?" Yona asked.
"N-never mind," Smolder said. "Let's just eat and get through the day." She then started eating her breakfast. The others were looking at her confused.
Aaron looked towards Ocellus and asked, "What's up with her?"
"I'm not at liberty to say," Ocellus said. Aaron raised an eyebrow in confusion. He then shrugged his shoulders and started eating.
Later, Aaron and the Young 6 arrived at the carnival that came to Ponyville. The group looked around at all of the games and rides that were there.
"Wow," Aaron said. "This is one heck of a carnival."
"Yeah," Sandbar said. "So, does everycreature have any more bits on them, because I used up all mine to pay for my ticket." The others, except for Aaron shook their heads. "We all spent our bits up?"
"Not me," Aaron said. He then brought out a sack of bits.
"Where did you get all of those?!" Ocellus asked.
"Rarity asked me to help her with some gem collecting," Aaron said. "She gave me a fair amount to trade them in for some bits, enough to share with all of you. And a little extra just to pay for a ticket to get in."
"Wow," Gallus said. "How are we gonna divide them all?"
Aaron looked around towards where the eating areas are. They then walked over towards one open table. Aaron sat down, emptied his sack of bits, and then he divided them up into seven shares. They each got 20 bits.
"I still can't believe you got 140 bits," Ocellus said. "There must've been a lot of gems you collected."
"Oh, there were," Aaron said. "So, everyone, grab a stack and head on and do something fun." Then the Young 6 grabbed one stack of bits each, and they spread out to do something fun. Aaron then headed out on his own to see what they had.
Time had passed and the Young 6 were all having as much fun there. Aaron on the other hand was looking at all the games. He then saw a stand with a bunch of complaining ponies. He then walked up to the ponies and saw a bottle knock down game.
"What's going on here?" Aaron asked.
"Oh, there's nothing to peak your interest, my dragon friend," the carny said. "All of these ponies here just failed to knock down all of the bottles to win a prize."
"Really?" Aaron said, looking at the bottles. He then smirked and thought to himself, "This dirty trick again." He then put a single bit on the counter and said, "Just... one."
"Seriously?" the carny asked. "One ball? Alright. If you somehow knock down all the bottles with just one ball, you can have as many prizes as you want."
"We shall see," Aaron said. He then grabbed the ball that was placed on the counter and got ready for a pitch.
"Alright, there, my young drake," the carny said. "You give it your best shot."
Aaron then looked towards the stand that holds up the bottles. It was a small circle on a single pole. Aaron then smirked, and threw the ball. Instead of heading towards the bottles, it headed towards the stand. The ball hit the pole hard, making the stand fall over, the bottles going with it. The ponies around him gasped.
"Hey, hey, hey!" the carny shouted. "You were supposed to try and knock over the bottles, not the stand."
"You said nothing about the stand," Aaron said, crossing his arms and smirking. "Besides, you've been cheating the entire time." He then pointed towards the bottles, all of the ponies looked and they saw that the bottles were connected by some small planks and nails, and the bottom middle bottle was connected to the table by another pole. The carny got nervous and started sweating. Aaron looked over and saw a security pony. "Security!" The guard's attention was caught. "This carny's a cheater!"
The security guard stallion ran over to the game and looked at the bottles on the floor. He then looked towards the carny and said, "Seriously, Cheap? Up to your usual tricks again?! I told you, the next time you get caught, you'll be fired!"
"No!" the carny, now known as Cheap Trick, said. "I was just doing my job!"
"All games are to be won or lost fairly," the security guard said. He then looked towards Aaron and the other ponies. "Help yourselves. Anything he's got is yours."
"Let the dragon choose the prize first," a unicorn mare said. "After all, he exposed this guy as a cheater."
"That's a good idea," said a pegasus stallion. "Go ahead."
Aaron smirked and then he looked at the prizes. He then saw one prize that peaked his interest. He saw a couple of star shaped lockets. Aaron then pointed towards the lockets, and a unicorn mare used her magic to grab the lockets and handed them to Aaron.
"Have a special somecreature in mind?" the unicorn mare asked.
"Not yet," Aaron said. "Maybe one day. Might as well keep it in case I meet someone special."
"Sounds nice," said the unicorn mare. "Go on. And thank you for exposing that carny."
"No problem," Aaron said. He then started flying up and over the other games. He looked around and then he saw the Young 6 gathering up. He then smiled and started coming down.
"We should ask Aaron if he wants to go," Sandbar said. "Where is he anyway?"
"Yona sees him!" Yona said, pointing upwards. The group looked up and saw Aaron descending.
"Good thing you've finally mastered your wings," Smolder said. "It'll be a shame you won't have them when you go home."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "I might as well use 'em when I have 'em."
"Hey, guys!" Silverstream said. "What's that?!" Silverstream pointed over at one ride. It was a Ferris Wheel.
"What, you've never seen a Ferris Wheel before?" Sandbar asked.
"She's been underwater for a long time," Aaron said. "She gets easily excited from time to time at things she's never seen before. Like when she saw Ocellus shapeshifting on opening day of the School of Friendship."
"He's right," Smolder said. "Silverstream even got excited about the stairs of the Castle of the Two Sisters."
"So, who's up for it?" Sandbar asked.
"Well, it would be a great way to see all around us without wearing ourselves out," Aaron said. "Who's up for it?"
"Sure, why not," Gallus said.
"I'd love to!" Silverstream said.
"Yak in!" Yona said.
"Me, too," Sandbar said.
"Let's do this," Ocellus said.
"Meh, whatever," Smolder said. Then the seven of them headed for the Ferris Wheel.
As soon as they reached the end of the line for the Ferris Wheel, they reached the end, and they saw a sign that said, "Only two riders per cart."
"Two riders per cart?" Silverstream asked.
"That's right, Missy," the ride operator said. "It only has room for only two creatures. So, you better choose who's going with who in each cart."
Gallus and Aaron smirked and Gallus said, "Say, Yona, how about you go in with Sandbar?" Sandbar started blushing. "I'm sure he'll enjoy the company."
"Yona would love to ride with Sandbar!" Yona said. She then pulled Sandbar into the cart and the ride operator closed the cart, and they moved the Ferris Wheel to load up the next riders.
"Next," the ride operator said.
"You wanna go in together, Gallus?" Silverstream asked.
"Why not?" Gallus asked. "Could be fun." Then the two went into the next cart. Then the operator closed the door and moved up the next cart. Just then, Ocellus moved her hind legs closer together, like she was holding in something.
"Uh oh," Ocellus said. "Not now."
Aaron and Smolder looked at Ocellus and Smolder asked, "You okay, Ocellus?"
"Bad time for me to go to the bathroom," Ocellus said.
"Oh, boy," Aaron said. "We can wait for you if you'd like."
"Sorry, young drake," the operator said. "We got a strict policy. No holding up the line. Plus, this is the last empty cart. You two get on." Aaron and Smolder looked at each other.
"Just go on without me," Ocellus said. "You two have fun."
"Uh... okay," Aaron said. "See you after the ride."
"Yeah, whatever," Smolder said. Then she and Aaron went into the cart. The operator then closed up the cart and started the ride. Ocellus's legs then went back to normal and she smirked. She then got out the bit bag she had and handed five bits to the operator.
"Worked like a charm," the operator said. "Nice job, young one."
"I'm so glad that Silverstream pointed towards this right at the exact time," Ocellus said. "I was going to, but she beat me to it."
"You've been wanting to get those two dragons together?" the operator asked.
"Might as well get them together at the time," Ocellus said.
In the cart that Aaron and Smolder were in, the two of them were looking around at the sights from where they were.
"Wow," Aaron said. "What a view."
"Meh, not so different from what I'm used to," Smolder said. Just then, the ride stopped. "What's going on?"
"Sorry for the inconvenience, everypony," came the voice of the ride operator. "The controls seem to be a little jammed. We'll get the ride moving as soon as possible."
"How long is that gonna take?" Smolder said.
"I guess we'll just have to enjoy the view," Aaron said.
"Or we can watch something on your phone," Smolder said.
"Good idea," Aaron said, reaching out for his bag. He then reached in and tried finding it. But he was surprised when he couldn't feel it. "Where's my phone?"
Back on the ground, Ocellus had Aaron's phone. She then spoke with Aaron's voice, "Hey, Siri?" then the phone responded by humming. "Set a timer for five minutes."
"Your timer is set for five minutes," the phone responded.
Ocellus then spoke in her normal voice, saying, "Until the timer goes off, then you can start the ride again."
"You got it," the operator said. "I'll just look into the controls to make myself look busy."
In one cart, Gallus was banging on the door to get out of the cart. He was shouting, "Let me out, let me out, let me out!"
Silverstream then grabbed him and said, "There, there, Gallus. It's gonna be alright. We'll be out of here as soon as they fix it."
Back in the cart with Aaron and Smolder, the two were looking out the windows of the cart.
"It sure is a nice view," Aaron said. He then sighed. "I have no idea how long we're gonna be up here." Smolder then started blushing, getting nervous about being stuck in the cart with Aaron. Aaron noticed that Smolder was sweating and asked, "Are you okay? You're sweating."
"I'm fine," Smolder said hurriedly. "Is it getting hot in this cart?" She then started fanning herself with one of her claws.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Aaron asked. "You can tell me. I can listen."
Smolder sighed and said, "Fine. This is really... getting so... so complicated."
"What is it?" Aaron asked.
"Ever since we met, I've been... interested in what you've been doing," Smolder said. "You're so smart, and cool, and you are so good at making friends."
"It's easier here than it was back in my world," Aaron said.
"Yeah," Smolder said. Looking away from Aaron. "You said you weren't remembered by any of the other students or faculty of your last school." She then sighed. "But here, you've been... so cool. So amazing. So..." She then turned her head back towards Aaron, not seeing how close she was to Aaron, and her lips connected with Aaron's, the two kissing. The two then broke away and Smolder said, "Oh, my gosh. Aaron, I'm sorry. I didn't know we were that close to each other."
"Hang on, Smolder," Aaron said. "That... that was unexpected for me as well." He then smiled and said, "You know. You and I haven't known each other for that long. Well, I might have known you longer than you have known me."
"Right, since the show started not too long after you were born," Smolder said.
"Anyway, you were always so... incredible," Aaron said. "I've gotten so into how you did all those amazing things. You stuck with your friends when the School of Friendship got shut down by Neighsay when he was racist at the time, you helped restore the Tree of Harmony, you helped save Equestria, twice."
"Guess there are a lot of things we accomplished," Smolder said. "You've been brought here from another dimension, you basically mastered dragon flight and fire breathing, and let's not forget when you brought Gallus and Silverstream together."
"Yeah, I kinda had to help Gallus with that," Aaron said. He then looked towards the cart where Gallus and Silverstream were. "Speaking of which, Gallus is claustrophobic."
"I'm sure he'll get over it," Smolder said. She then looked out the window of the cart and asked, "So, when you get home, do you think it's possible for us to visit you in your world?"
"I think it might be better if you ask Twilight about that," Aaron said. Smolder then started leaning her head on Aaron's shoulder. Aaron looked down at Smolder, him smiling at Smolder's gesture. "I guess that we'll just have to wait and see."
"Kinda wish that long distance relationships aren't a problem," Smolder said.
"I guess we're just going to have to wait and..." Aaron was then cut off when Smolder kissed him on the lips again. Smolder was being more passionate with this kiss. Aaron felt the passion in that kiss and accepted it as well.
Back on the ground, Ocellus held out Aaron's phone as it started beeping, meaning the timer was done. Ocellus then said, "Okay, start it up again." The ride operator then started the ride again. As the ride was spinning, Ocellus felt something. She looked towards the ride and she saw Aaron and Smolder kissing on the ride. "Wow. That worked better than I thought."
Later in the day, Aaron and the Young 6 were coming out of a photo booth. All of them were laughing at what they did for the photos taken there.
"Wow," Gallus said. "That was so much fun."
"I'm glad you suggested this, Aaron," Silverstream said. "I hope we can make copies of these photos."
"I'm sure we can," Aaron said. "We're just gonna have to find someone who's good at copying photos."
"Yeah," Smolder said, smiling at what Aaron said. Just then, her stomach started growling, making her blush.
"Guess we've got to get some food in our stomachs," Aaron said. He then looked towards the others and saw something poking out of Ocellus's sack. "Is that my phone?!" Ocellus then gave a nervous smile.
"You set up the ride for us, didn't you?" Smolder asked.
"Did somecreature say they were hungry? I could really go for something to eat," Ocellus said, running ahead towards the eating area.
"I knew she was smart, but I didn't think she'd be able to come up with this kind of love trap," Aaron said.
"She is sneakier than I thought," Smolder said. The others nodded in agreement.
Smolder walked down the halls of the student dorms, heading towards the room where Aaron, Sandbar and Gallus all shared. She was about to knock on the door, but the door opened, revealing Gallus. He flew out of the room, grabbing the nearest fire extinguisher, and flying back into the room. Smolder looked in and saw into the room and saw some stuff on fire.
"Whoa!" Smolder said. "What happened?"
"Sorry you had to see this, Smolder," Sandbar said. "It would seem that Aaron seems to have caught a cold." Aaron then sneezed, blowing fire straight up. The ceiling caught fire and Gallus used the fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
"Yeah, I think we might have to put him somewhere that's fire proof," Gallus said. Then he and Sandbar put on masks so they wouldn't catch a cold as well. Gallus then handed a mask to Smolder as well. She took it and put it on.
"Where would we even find a place that's fireproof?" Sandbar asked.
"Well... I know a place," Smolder said. She then got Aaron on his feet and carried him away. Gallus helped out. Sandbar followed the two as Smolder was leading them somewhere. They eventually came to a room somewhere in the School of Friendship. The door was marked, "Sick Room: Dragons Only".
"A dragon's sick room?" Sandbar asked.
"Ever since that trip that Princess Twilight and her friends have been sent on a fake friendship mission, Starlight had come up with the idea in case me or any other dragons that would soon attend this school get sick," Smolder said. "Everything in this room has been enchanted with a fireproof spell thanks to Starlight's magic." They then carried Aaron into the room and put him onto one of the beds there. Just then, Starlight teleported in.
"Whoa!" Starlight said. "I'm guessing you all know about why we built this room?"
"Specifically for sick dragons," Smolder said. "And since Aaron is currently a dragon, he'll be sneezing fire as well. I might as well get him some soup." Aaron then started coughing.
"Sounds like he needs it immediately," Starlight said. "I'll go and make a big tub of soup. And I need some creature to watch over him."
"I'll do it," Smolder said. "Besides, who else is better off to watch one dragon with a cold than another dragon?"
"That's not a bad idea," Starlight said. "I heard that you two... at the time being..."
Smolder blushed and asked, "Who said?" Starlight then motioned her head towards Sandbar and Gallus, who smiled nervously.
"Along with Silverstream, Ocellus and Yona," Starlight added.
"Oh, man," Smolder said. "I still can't believe she faked a bathroom trip just to get me and Aaron in the same cart together."
"Guess there was some sneakiness still left in her since before the changelings became friends with the rest of Equestria," Starlight said. She then sighed. "I'll give you a pass from your classes to take care of Aaron until he fully recovers from his cold."
"Whatever," Smolder said. "Might as well get his laptop so he can be entertained when he recovers."
"I'll put a special enchantment on it so he doesn't accidentally burn it," Starlight said. "You better go get it." Smolder nodded and headed out of the room to get Aaron's computer.
Up in Canterlot Castle, Twilight was looking through every spell book on transportation magic. She was searching for a way to find a portal for Aaron to get home.
"There's got to be a way to open up a portal to Aaron's world," Twilight said. Twilight then looked in the last book left on the table. She then looked through all the pages on it and just groaned out loud. She threw the book at a wall right as Spike was passing where the book was being thrown towards. He was also holding a tea set on a platter.
"Whoa!" Spike said, dodging the thrown book and almost losing balance of the tea set. "Careful, Twilight."
"Sorry, Spike," Twilight said. "I looked through every book here on portal magic, but I just can't seem to find the right one." She then sighed. "I have to get him back home. He has a family to get back to."
"It must be hard," Spike said. "It's not like you know somepony who knows of a way to create a portal to another dimension."
"That would be useful," Twilight said before putting her head on the table, then covering it with her forelegs. Spike then counted with his claws from three. Then Twilight then rushed her head off the table quickly and gasped. "Star Swirl!"
"I knew you'd eventually come up with that eventually," Spike said. "You just needed the right push."
"Spike, get me in contact with Star Swirl the Bearded," Twilight said. "If anypony can find a way for Aaron to get back home, it'll be him."
"I'll go contact him immediately," Spike said, leaving the tea set. He then flew out of the room, leaving Twilight there.
"Actually, tea sounds nice right about now," Twilight said. She then used her magic to prepare the tea, getting it ready for her to drink.
In the room that Aaron was taken to in the School of Friendship, Aaron and Smolder were watching another movie together. This time, they were watching the original Shaggy Dog movie.
"Wow," Smolder said. "And they haven't put this movie into color on this website yet?"
"Kinda wish they did," Aaron said with a stuffy nose. He then started to sneeze. Smolder then aimed Aaron's snout straight up as he sneezed fire from his mouth.
"Gesundheit," Smolder said. She then brought out another tissue for Aaron to use. Aaron blew into it. But then it caught fire.
"Sheesh," Aaron said. "Even my boogers are on fire."
Smolder laughed and said, "Well, at least you won't have to worry about that when you're back home." She then sighed. "It is going to be a shame to see you go, Aaron."
"Yeah," Aaron said. He then sighed. "If only there was a way for you to come to my world, but there has to be a permanent two way portal."
"Kinda like that mirror in Equestria Girls," Smolder said. "Although, I do not wanna end up as a dog like Spike did."
"I'm sure that the portal Twilight is gonna make will not turn us into animals," Aaron said. "Although, there are some intelligent creatures in this world that are just animals back in my world."
"Including ponies?" Smolder asked.
"Just the Earth Ponies," Aaron said. "The other types of ponies are just mythical. Along with the anthro animals of Klugetown, and all the other intelligent creatures. Except for the yaks, donkeys and mules. We have those in my world." He then felt a sneeze coming in. Smolder aimed Aaron's head straight up, right before he sneezed.
"And you being human again will also mean when you won't have to sneeze fire again," Smolder said.
"Yeah," Aaron said. Smolder then poured soup into the bowl on the table next to Aaron's bed.
"You should get more soup in your system," Smolder said. "It'll make you feel better."
"Yeah, yeah," Aaron said. He then grabbed the bowl and started drinking the soup from it.
"Well, I have to use the restroom," Smolder said. "If you need anything, I'll..." Smolder wasn't facing Aaron at the time when she was heading towards the door. When she turned around, she saw Aaron sleeping in the bed that he was put into. Smolder smiled at that and said, "Now that's cute." She then walked back towards Aaron and tucked him in comfortably. She then stopped the movie on Aaron's computer and then she pushed the lock button on the computer, and then she closed it.
Aaron was dreaming of the time his mom was still alive. Aaron knew what was going to happen but he couldn't do anything about it. His mom had left Aaron with her twin sister, Marissa.
"Now, please take care of Aaron until I get back," Aaron's mother said.
"Don't worry, Ronnie," Marissa said. "Aaron will be okay here."
"Mommy," Aaron said in the dream. "Please don't go."
"I'll be back as soon as possible," Aaron's mother, known as Ronnie, said. "You stay here." She then kissed Aaron on the forehead. She then headed out the door.
"Mommy," Aaron said, reaching out. But then he noticed that his hand was different. He looked in a mirror and saw that he was a baby dragon version of what he was in the current waking world. He then looked around, searching for his aunt Marissa, who was nowhere in sight. Just then, the door opened up again.
"THERE YOU ARE!!" came a deep voice. Aaron looked at the door and saw a giant black dragon's claw coming towards him. Aaron then started running, but then he was grabbed by the tail.
"No!!" Aaron shouted. "Mommy!" Then everything started shaking and the entire world around him was cracking.
In the waking world, Smolder was shaking Aaron awake. Aaron woke up immediately.
"Wha--! Let me go!" Aaron said. "Let me..." He then saw that it was Smolder shaking him.
"Whoa, whoa," Smolder said. "Take it easy, Aaron. It was just a dream."
Aaron sighed and said, "That dream... was even worse than how it usually was."
"What happened?" Smolder asked.
"The usual," Aaron said. "But as soon as my mom left, there was a twist. Somehow, my aunt Marissa vanished, and then I found myself as a baby dragon, and the next thing was a giant black dragon reaching in through the door to grab me."
"Whoa," Smolder said. "Now that's a sick twist." Then Aaron was about to sneeze. "Speaking of which." Smolder then aimed Aaron's head upward and Aaron sneezed fire. "Hopefully by tomorrow, you'll be up and at 'em in no time."
"I hope you're right," Aaron said. He then noticed the time. It was already past 9:00 at night. "Dang, is it that late already?"
"Yeah," Smolder said. "I should head to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." Aaron smiled at Smolder as she was leaving the room. But then she stopped. "On second thought, you might need someone to watch over you if you have that sick dream again. She then walked back towards Aaron and got into the bed with him.
"Are you sure you'd want to share the bed with me?" Aaron asked. "What if you get sick as well?"
"I'd be willing to risk it," Smolder said. She then pulled the covers over both of them. Then the two of them fell asleep.
A couple days have passed, and Aaron got better in health. Aaron and Smolder were in line for breakfast in the cafeteria and when they got their food, they ended up sitting with their friends.
"Hey, guys," Aaron said.
"Hey, there he is," Gallus said. "You're looking better already, Aaron."
"I am," Aaron said. "Thanks to Smolder here."
"Yeah, I'm surprised I didn't catch his cold," Smolder said.
"Yeah," Sandbar said. "Even though you were sharing the bed with him." Sandbar then pulled out a picture of Aaron and Smolder sharing the bed in the sick room. Smolder blushed, making the other five laugh.
"You know what," Aaron said. "Smolder is just being a good friend. Even though we have been getting closer and closer together." He then looked at Ocellus. "Thanks for that, Ocellus."
Ocellus smiled and said, "It's only for a little while. After all, you have to get home soon."
"But, we won't know if Princess Twilight has found a way to open a portal to your world," Silverstream said. "Hopefully, we can come and visit you."
"Which might be shocking for all the people in my world since all of this is known to them as a TV Show," Aaron said. "Well, to those who watched the show."
"That would make sense," Gallus said. "Perhaps we can find a way to be humans like you."
"Hopefully we'll talk with her the next time we see her," Aaron said. They kept on eating and talking about what they were going to do throughout the day.
In the cafeteria, Aaron and the Young 6 were all finishing up their lunch. As soon as they put their lunch trays on top of the trash cans, there was an announcement on the PA system.
"Aaron Blazer, report to my office!" Starlight said over the PA System. "Aaron Blazer, report to my office!" Aaron and the Young 6 got confused. Then they all walked towards Starlight's office. They eventually made it to the Headmare's office.
"She asked for only me to come," Aaron said. "Wait here." The others nodded as Aaron went in. "You wanted to see me, Starlight?" Aaron said. He then stopped when he saw somepony else was in the room.
"No... way..." Aaron said in surprise.
"So, this is the dragon that used to be human, huh?" Star Swirl asked.
"Aaron, I'm sure you know who this is?" Starlight asked.
"Yeah, I know of him," Aaron said. "The Legendary Star Swirl the Bearded. Although, he did make some hurtful comments in the past."
"Oh? And what would those hurtful comments be?" Star Swirl asked.
"Once a villain, always a villain?" Aaron asked. "That was really hurtful to those who had made bad decisions in the past and left them in the past. In fact, one of them is in the room right now." He then tilted his head towards Starlight.
Star Swirl looked towards Starlight and said, "Oh. I am so sorry I said that. Guess I didn't think about those who turned over a new leaf as you young folk say. Are there any other characters that reformed since I've been stuck in limbo with the others?"
"Let's see," Aaron said. "There was Luna when she became Nightmare Moon, Discord, Gilda, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer; who helped with stopping the Sirens in the other dimension by the way, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, and about 99% of the changelings. And that was all before you, the other pillars and Stygian returned."
"Wow," Star Swirl said. "Are there any other figures that..."
"Well, there are, but they're either in another dimension or known throughout Equestria as works of fiction," Aaron said. "But you didn't hear that from me."
"Understandable," Star Swirl asked.
"Star Swirl has been tasked by Princess Twilight to help you with finding a way back to your world," Starlight said. "And to do that, we're gonna need to know where in Equestria you ended up when you came to our world."
"I'm afraid that I can't help with that," Aaron said. "I don't even know where I ended up before waking up in the caverns underneath the school."
"Oh, right," Starlight said. "It was Smolder that found you. I better get her to come here as well."
"She's right out the door," Aaron said.
"Oh," Starlight said before teleporting by the door. She then opened the door, looked out of it and said, "Smolder. Mind coming in, Smolder? We're gonna need some information from you." Smolder then walked in as Starlight was heading back to the desk.
"If this is about the..." Smolder said before she saw Star Swirl. "What's going on here?"
"Smolder, we're gonna need you to show us where you found Aaron the night he arrived," Starlight said.
"Why?" Smolder asked.
"Because I'm gonna need to see if there is any residue left of the portal that brought Aaron here in the first place," Star Swirl said. "That way, I can replicate the portal to get him back home."
"Oh," Smolder said. "Well, I guess I should. This should be interesting." Then she, Aaron, Starlight and Star Swirl left the room, on their way out towards the Everfree Forest.
Aaron, the Young 6, Starlight and Star Swirl were all in the Everfree Forest, Smolder taking the lead. Smolder was looking around, trying to find out where she found Aaron on the night he arrived in Equestria.
"Are you sure this is where you found me?" Aaron asked. "I swear, throughout the show, the Everfree gets darker and darker in the day time every time they put it on the screen. And it seems darker than it was last time."
"Well, if we don't get there soon, I'm gonna..." Gallus said before tripping on something. "Waaah!" Gallus fell over and looked at what he tripped on. He then picked it up and said, "Some kind of cloth or something."
The group looked towards Gallus and saw him holding something. Then Aaron said, "Are those my jeans?"
"Jeans?" Ocellus asked. "What are jeans?"
"They're a piece of clothing," Aaron said. "They go on your legs, up to your waste, if you were a biped."
"Oh, right," Smolder said. "I left your clothes here to know where to find where the spot I found you was. I can't believe I forgot about that."
"Well, to be fair, it has been three and a half months since you found me," Aaron said.
"True," Smolder said, nodding her head.
Star Swirl then lit up his horn, looking for something. He then looked around and came across something. It was a very small portal, nearly closed.
"Well, the portal is just nearly gone, but I believe I can replicate it," Star Swirl said. "That's what I did when I made that one portal."
"Wait," Aaron said. "Are you saying that the portal that led to that deserted island in the other dimension came first?"
"In a way, yes," Star Swirl said. "Although, I had to place the other end of the portal somewhere where there was more... public."
"That explains why the other end was placed in front of where a high school now stands," Aaron said. "Which... is basically the same dimension where you and the other pillars sent the sirens."
"The sirens aren't a threat when they're there," Star Swirl said. "After all, there's no magic there."
"Not until a few years ago when Princess Twilight went there the first time," Aaron said. "And when they tried taking that magic, they were defeated, and the rubies on their chest, they broke. And they can no longer feed on negativity."
"Oh, right," Star Swirl said. "Their rubies allow them to make creatures around them fight verbally and they could feed on their negativity."
"I'm surprised those three still lived for a thousand years," Aaron said.
"They were still alive?" Star Swirl asked.
"They're still alive," Aaron said. "The rubies made them look like teenagers through centuries. But now, since the rubies are done for..."
"They'll get older and older like any normal human and eventually die of old age," Smolder said.
"And besides... without their rubies... they're also really bad singers," Aaron said.
"That would make sense," Star Swirl said. "Anyway, I should find a way to replicate the spell and send you home. It'll take a while for me to recreate it with magic, but I believe it can be done."
"Alright, everycreature," Starlight said. "Back to the school." She then lit up her horn and found every piece of clothing that was around the area.
Back at the School of Friendship, Star Swirl was using his magic to do a magical scan on Aaron, trying to figure how he became a dragon in the first place.
"It would seem to be that whatever brought you here wanted to make you fit in as a creature that is intelligent here," Star Swirl said. "Although, it must've been weird for you to be a dragon."
"At least I'm still a biped," Aaron said. "Although, at first, I was really off balanced with this tail I have coming from my backside. Along with these." Aaron then unfolded his wings.
"Yes, I suppose being transformed into a different creature must've been a completely new experience for you," Star Swirl said.
"Yeah, it was," Aaron said. He then thought of something. "Is it possible to make that portal a two way portal, that way my new friends can come to my world to visit?"
"I don't see why not," Star Swirl said. "Although, I might have to find a transformation spell for them to blend in like you humans."
"Speaking of which, you might want to modify the transformation spell," Aaron said.
"And why is that?" Star Swirl asked.
"The transformation spell in the mirror turned Spike into a dog when he went through," Aaron said. That made Star Swirl snicker. "A little purple and green dog." That made Star Swirl laugh.
"He didn't eat dog food, did he?" Star Swirl asked.
"He was still eating dog treats, even when he was a dragon," Aaron said. That made Star Swirl laugh harder.
"What was wrong with him?" Star Swirl asked. "That should've been disgusting for him."
"Trust me, he ate worse," Aaron said. "If you don't believe me, ask Twilight Sparkle about the 'Baked Bads' incident."
"I'll have to look into that," Star Swirl said. "For now, I must return to Canterlot. I shall see you another time." He then lit up his horn and teleported out of there.
Aaron then walked out of the room and saw Smolder holding Aaron's laptop. She then said, "Starlight wants to know if there's something in here that might entertain us for tonight."
"What do you mean?" Aaron asked.
"Everyone wants to see a movie from your world," Smolder said. "How about you show them all one movie tonight?"
"Where?" Aaron asked.
"Amphitheater," Smolder replied. "They're already gathering up there."
"Okay," Aaron said as Smolder handed him his laptop. "I better see what's good to show the students and faculty." He then saw something that came to his attention. "Oh, this one will do."
Later that night, Aaron, Sandbar and Gallus were all heading to the room they shared. Aaron was already getting into his bed.
"Boy, Aaron," Sandbar said. "That movie you showed us was incredible."
"Yeah," Gallus said. "Although, I doubt that Smolder was happy about that one dragon acting like a dog."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "I guess that was a bit of a sick twist in that movie. Although, it was all interesting."
"Like that rock dragon curse near the end of that movie," Sandbar said. "That was one crazy twist that Onward had in it."
"I still don't see why they had a centaur for a police officer," Gallus said.
"Hey, that centaur wasn't Tirek," Aaron said. "Although, I have been wondering about something."
"And that is?" Sandbar asked.
"In the show, no one has ever shown Cozy Glow's backstory," Aaron said. "What troubled past had she gone through before showing up?"
"Hey, he's got a point," Sandbar said. "We actually never heard what really happened in her past."
"Well, when Twilight comes back to the school, we might have to ask her about that," Gallus said. "For right now, let's get some sleep." He then shut off the lights as the three of them headed on to sleep. "Night, guys."
"Good night," Aaron and Sandbar said in unison.
Back in Canterlot, Star Swirl was working late in the study that Twilight had let him use. That is until Twilight walked in to see him hard at work.
"Star Swirl, are you still working?" Twilight asked. "It's late."
"I know, Twilight Sparkle," Star Swirl said. "I just want to make this portal perfectly correct, and quickly."
"Oh, c'mon, Star Swirl," Twilight said. "How bad can it be?"
"Very bad," Star Swirl responded, making Twilight go wide eyed.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"Before the pillars and I had trapped ourselves with the Pony of Shadows in Limbo over a thousand years ago, I heard the tale of a beast of a dragon known as Ragnarok the Reaper," Star Swirl said. "And I can tell you, it was no myth."
"What?!" Twilight asked, shocked. "You mean there's a killer dragon out there who's probably on the hunt for Aaron as we speak?!"
"Yes," Star Swirl said. "And to make sure that he doesn't get the human turned dragon, we must perfect this spell."
"But, Aaron's friends would be wanting to visit him on his world," Twilight said.
"That's something we cannot allow," Star Swirl said. "For if there is a way to get Aaron home, it has to be one way. No exceptions."
Twilight couldn't believe what she heard. In order for Aaron to get home, he'll have to leave the first real friends he made behind, never to see them in person again.
"There... there has to be another way," Twilight said.
"I'm afraid that there is no other way, Twilight Sparkle," Star Swirl said. "This has to be done." Twilight then walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. She then went into her room and read the reports of Aaron's time in Equestria. There were even pictures of him with the Young 6. And in some pictures, it was just him and Smolder.
Twilight sighed and said, "There has to be another way. No way a friend should be permanently separated."
At the School of Friendship, Aaron was walking through the halls of the school. But then he saw a bunch of ponies looking at something on the bulletin board. He then started flying over the group of ponies and saw his friends in the front.
"What's going on here?" Aaron asked as he was landing.
"The School of Friendship is setting up a talent show," Sandbar said. "Man, I'd so like to be a part of it."
"Hey, what if the seven of us did something together?" Ocellus asked. "Perhaps something from Aaron's world."
"Are you sure?" Smolder asked. "Like what?"
"Aaron, are there any shows on your laptop that show some funny things?" Ocellus asked.
"Sure, there are," Aaron said. "But, we're gonna have to do it somewhere privately."
"Right, so none of the other ponies steal our idea," Silverstream said. "To the clubhouse!" Then the seven of them headed out of there. Starlight, Sunburst and Trixie watched them as they were leaving the school.
"Should we let them go out to their clubhouse?" Sunburst asked.
"Meh, they're probably just gonna come up with something for the talent show," Starlight said. "They'll be fine."
"Well, hopefully those young creatures can protect themselves from whatever's out there," Trixie said.
"Don't worry, Trixie," Starlight said. "Aaron's with six of Equestria's youngest heroes. I'm sure they'll be fine out there as long as they stick together."
At the Treehouse of Harmony, Aaron and the Young 6 were trying to come up with ideas for the talent show, trying to figure out what to come up with.
"So, what are we gonna do for the show?" Silverstream asked.
"Yona wishes to do something to win," Yona said.
"I'm sure we can come up with something before the talent show," Sandbar said. "But what to do." He then put a hoof on his chin.
"There's so many possibilities to choose," Ocellus said. "Hopefully, what's on Aaron's laptop can help. We can't just pick something random."
Smolder then got an idea. She then snickered and said, "Hey, Aaron." Aaron looked towards Smolder. "How about we do something random? As in 'So Random'?"
Aaron laughed and said, "That's good. I'll look up something."
"So Random?" Gallus asked.
"It was this show from Aaron's world that was originally in another show," Smolder said. "He showed me some sketches from that show, and I think we should do a comedy routine for the show."
"Really?" Ocellus asked. "I'm not too sure about this."
"Well then, let me show you one of my favorite sketches from the show," Aaron said, turning his laptop around, showing a sketch from the show, So Random.
The sketch from the show made them laugh loudly. Gallus then said, "That was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen." He then spoke in an Irish accent. "Don't tell me how to do my job you babby! How old are you? Farteen? I'm farty! Farteen! Farty! Farteen! Farty! Farteen! Fffffffarty!" That made the others laugh.
"M-maybe we should stick with a sketch that doesn't make you want to keep on laughing, even during the next performance," Ocellus said, still laughing.
"Ocellus is right," Aaron said. "We should... do something that's not as funny as that." Then someone's stomach growled. "Whose was that?"
"Yona apologizes," Yona said. "Yona had early breakfast this morning."
"I guess we should get something to eat," Sandbar said. "I can gallop on over to hayburger to get us all something."
"Guess we could use some fast food," Smolder said.
"Even though the food isn't as fast as you think," Ocellus said.
"Wait a minute," Aaron said. "That's it." Smolder then looked at Aaron with a smile. "You know how fast food restaurants aren't all that fast, right?" The others nodded. "But what if there was a fast food restaurant that was fast? Or in this case... too fast?"
"Oh, I see what you're saying," Smolder said. "So, what do we need?"
"We're gonna need two fast food polo shirts, a cheerleader's outfit, a trash can lid, and a bunch of fake food props," Aaron said. "And the stage has got to have the theme of a fast food restaurant."
"I Ocellus and I can get the outfits done," Smolder said. "But we might not have time to work on the set by tomorrow night."
"Not unless we have a certain... chaotic friend set it up for us," Aaron said. Just then, Discord came in, leaning on Aaron's back.
"I thought you'd never ask," Discord said. He then snapped his fingers and a bunch of food came in. "I thought you should all get something to eat while you discuss what you want to do for rehearsal."
"Rehearse than play for the public," Aaron said.
"Who should portray who?" Sandbar asked.
"Gallus should be the counter guy, I'll play the manager, Smolder will play the first customer, and Ocellus will play the cheerleader," Aaron said.
"What about us?" Silverstream asked.
"Silverstream, you, Sandbar and Yona will handle the props," Aaron said. "Sandbar will be on the right side behind the curtains, Silverstream on the left, and Yona will be up above."
"What will we be doing?" Sandbar asked.
A week later, Starlight Glimmer was on the stage of the School of Friendship's amphitheater, announcing about the School's Talent Show.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, I am proud to represent the School of Friendship's very own, talent show!" Starlight announced. "We have a lot of talented students participating and we got three rewards. One for best magic act, one for best dramatic performance, and one for best comedy act. And to judge the performances, we have... drumroll please!" On the side of the stage, Pinkie Pie was playing a drumroll. "Judge number 1 is... a friend from way out of town, and the older sister to the School of Friendship's vice headstallion, Sunset Shimmer!"
Just then, a light showed up on the judge's table, revealing Sunset Shimmer. She then called out, "Hey, everypony. Glad to be a part of this."
From backstage, Aaron and Ocellus were looking from there, seeing Sunset Shimmer. Aaron then said, "I wonder how they got Sunset Shimmer to come back to help judge this talent show?"
"She was probably begged by her brother," Ocellus said. "After all, you told him where his sister was."
"Good point," Aaron said.
"And now!" Starlight called out. "Judge number two, somepony who helped out on Rainbow Dash's birthday and anniversary of coming to Ponyville, before that castle right there appeared..." Starlight pointed towards the Castle of Friendship, "...give it up... for Cheese Sandwich!"
Then a light appeared over Cheese Sandwich, making a bunch of ponies cheer for him. Aaron and Ocellus kept looking out at the crowd, seeing Cheese Sandwich being applauded.
"I can't believe it's him," Aaron said.
"Who?" Ocellus asked.
"Cheese Sandwich, voiced by a very popular music artist back in my world," Aaron said. "Al Yankovic, also known as 'Weird Al' Yankovic. I have a bunch of his songs on my phone and computer."
"You'll have to let us hear some later," Ocellus said.
Starlight then announced the last judge. "And last but not least, one of my old town friends who came up to visit, I give you, Night Glider!" Then a light appeared over Night Glider, making some of the ponies cheer.
"Huh," Aaron said. "Haven't seen much of her in the show."
"Really?" Ocellus asked.
"She first appeared in season 5 with Starlight, but didn't make an appearance in season 8," Aaron said. "That's when the School of Friendship started and Cozy Glow being put in Tartarus was the season finale."
"Oh," Ocellus said. "Makes sense."
"Alright, everypony," Starlight said. "We'll get started on this talent show!"
It then made a montage of the students of the school of Friendship doing their talents for the talent show. Meanwhile, in the crowd, Princess Twilight arrived with Spike flying right with her. They then found their friends. Twilight then sat down next to Rarity.
"Oh, Twilight, you've made it," Rarity said. "I'm so glad you've come to watch."
"Y-yeah," Twilight said, unsure of herself. She then looked towards the others. "Has... Aaron... entered the show?"
"He's doing something with the others in the show," Pinkie Pie said. "But, according to the scheduling, he and the others aren't performing until all the other students have done theirs. So basically, they're up next."
Twilight then looked towards the stage with a sad look. She knew that she'd have to tell Aaron the truth eventually.
In the Dragon Lands, Blueblood was walking towards the center, muttering to himself.
"I can't believe they banished me from my own home," Blueblood muttered. "Stripped me of my royal status, all because of creatures that don't belong in Equestria? I'll show them, I'll show them all." What he didn't know was that he was being watched. "That dumb green dragon is the worst one of that bunch." Just then, he was grabbed by Ragnarok. He then screamed.
"Green dragon you say?" Ragnarok asked. "What shade of green?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about!" Blueblood said in fear.
"Was this dragon's shade... jade?" Ragnarok asked, smirking.
"Jade?" Blueblood asked. He then remembered the dragons that were in Canterlot. He then went wide eyed and said, "Y-yes. He... he was a jade dragon!"
"FINALLY!!" Ragnarok roared. "Where is he?!"
"I don't know!" Blueblood said. "Because of him, I was banished from my home of Canterlot!"
"Then you're useless!" Ragnarok said, throwing Blueblood into the nearby forest where the phoenixes lived, the former prince screaming as he was falling. "I will find you, jade dragon. Your life... will be my meal."
Back at the School of Friendship's amphitheater, Aaron and the Young 6 were getting ready for their part in the talent show. Then due to Discord's magic, a set of a fast food restaurant came in behind the curtain. Aaron and Gallus went behind the counter to get into position. Smolder and Ocellus waited on the right side with Sandbar standing next to them, Silverstream was on the left side with a bunch of food props, and Yona was on an overhead balcony with a wheelbarrow full of fries.
"Alright, everypony!" Starlight announced to the audience. "We have one last talent for you. This last talent will be performed by our best students, who happen to be six of Equestria's heroes that helped fight off Lord Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. And they'll be with our first human student who is currently a dragon. Behold." Then Starlight stepped away, and the curtains opened up, revealing a fast food restaurant set. Smolder was walking towards the counter with Gallus at the cash register.
"Welcome to Fasty's, what can I get for you?" Gallus asked, quickly.
"Hi," Smolder said. "I think I'll have a... hayburger."
"Hayburger!" Gallus said quickly into the microphone. Then a wrapped up burger was thrown and hit Smolder on the forehead. The audience started laughing.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" Smolder asked, a little angry.
"Well, most places only offer kinda fast food, but here at Fasty's, we specialize in really, really, really fast food," Gallus said quickly.
"Yeah," Smolder said, a little angry. "I can see that."
"Anything else for ya," Gallus asked.
"No thanks, I don't feel like being hit with chicken bits," Smolder said.
"Chicken bits!" Gallus said into the microphone. Then a bunch of items that look like chicken nuggets came in and hit Smolder. The audience laughed again. Smolder then got angry, and started walking off and Gallus waved goodbye to her. Then Ocellus walked in, dressed up in a cheerleader's outfit.
"Hi!" Ocellus said.
"Welcome to Fasty's, may I take your order?" Gallus asked, quickly.
"O...kay!" Ocellus said in a cheery tone. "I'll just get a..." Gallus then started repeating Ocellus's words. "Er... Ssssssss... Salad with dressing on the side."
"Salad!" Gallus said quickly. Then a salad was thrown towards Ocellus, making the ponies laugh. "With dressing on the side." Then Silverstream got out a squirt thing full of salad dressing, firing the dressing at Ocellus. The ponies laughed even harder.
"My... My tummy hurts!" Pinkie Pie said in the audience.
"Well, now that's just too fast," Ocellus said. "Good thing I didn't order soda."
"Soda!" Gallus said as Silverstream threw a pitcher of soda towards Ocellus, drenching her cheerleader outfit. The ponies laughed again.
"I sa..." Ocellus started to say before being cut off.
"Ice!" Gallus said into the microphone. Silverstream then grabbed a scoop full of ice and launched it towards Ocellus. The ponies laughed much harder that time.
Ocellus then reached for the microphone and angrily said, "This is really, really not cool. If you think I'm paying for this, you're nuts."
"Nuts!" Gallus said into the microphone after Ocellus let go of it. Then a bunch of nuts were thrown towards Ocellus, making her jaw dropped in frustration.
"I'm not paying for those nuts either!" Ocellus said before walking off.
"Nuts!" Gallus said into the microphone. Then more nuts were thrown towards Ocellus as she was walking away. She then turned around and then went back to the right of the stage. Gallus then waved, saying, "Hurry back!"
Then Smolder came back, holding a trash can lid behind her back. She then said, "Hi, I was here two seconds ago. You pelted me with chicken bits."
"Chicken bits!" Gallus said into the microphone. Then a bunch of fake chicken nuggets were thrown towards Smolder, but she used the trash can lid as a shield. It protected her from all of them that were thrown. After the chicken nuggets were done being thrown, Smolder unshielded herself. Then one last nugget hit her head. The ponies were laughing as the nuggets were being thrown.
Smolder then angrily said, "I would like to speak with the manager!"
"Manager!" Gallus said into the microphone. Then Aaron popped up next to Gallus.
"I'm Mitchel the Manager, what seems to be the problem?" Aaron asked.
"Did you ever stop to think that your restaurant is just a little too fast?" Smolder asked, trying to hide her anger.
"I'm... I'm really sorry, let me make it up to you," Aaron apologized.
"Thank you," Smolder said, feeling relieved.
"With a year's worth of Fasty's Fast Fries," Aaron said.
Gallus gasped and said into the microphone, "Fast Fries!"
"No!" Smolder said, trying to shield her from what was coming from the left side of the stage. But the fries didn't come from the left, it came from above her. The crowd laughed. Smolder then angrily asked, "What? No ketchup?"
Gallus gasped and said into the microphone, "Ketchup!" Smolder then shielded her to protect her from potential ketchup raining on her, but the ketchup came from the left side of the stage, covering Smolder in ketchup. Aaron and Gallus just smiled as the crowd laughed. Smolder then threw the trash can lid to the ground and started walking away. Then Gallus called out, "Come again!" Then the crowd started applauding as the curtains closed.
In the crowd, the Mane 6 and Spike were laughing at the performance. Twilight just giggled at the performance. She then remembered why she came to the talent show in the first place and her smile faded.
After the show, Aaron and the Young 6 were walking back towards the dorm, Aaron holding the trophy for their comedy routine in the talent show.
"That was awesome," Smolder said. "I can't believe we won that part of the talent show."
"Yeah," Yona said. "Yona loved dumping fries on friend for entertainment."
"And let's not forget the other food thrown at the characters," Silverstream said. "I loved doing that."
"Let's get a picture of us holding the trophy," Gallus said. Aaron then pulled out his cell phone, Ocellus held it in her magic and Aaron used the stylus to get the phone's camera. Then Ocellus took the stylus in her magic and used it to take a picture of the group, all smiling. "Dang, your technology is very amazing." They then headed into the dorm room and headed down the hall. But then they stopped when they saw Princess Twilight and Spike standing there.
"Princess Twilight? Spike?" Aaron asked. "What brings you here?"
Twilight sighed and said, "Aaron, we have some good news, and some bad news."
"Really?" Aaron asked. "What is it?"
"The good news is... we found you a way home," Twilight said.
"Really?" Aaron asked.
"That's good," Smolder said. "Which means we'll be able to come and visit you. But, we're gonna have to be humans to blend in on your world." The others nodded.
"Did you forget that I mentioned bad news?" Twilight asked. The others then frowned.
"What bad news?" Yona asked.
Twilight sighed and said, "Smolder, you remember when you told Aaron the legend of Ragnarok the Reaper to Aaron. Spike overheard and told me about it. It turns out... according to Star Swirl the Bearded... it's true. The legend is true."
"What?!" Aaron and Smolder asked.
"Ragnarok is still alive out there, and is searching the entire Dragon Lands for Aaron," Twilight said. "He probably kept all of the dragons there hostage. That's probably why there aren't any dragons in the Dragon Lands. Star Swirl says that for Aaron to be safe... the portal has to be one way."
"One way?" Sandbar asked. "What are you saying?"
"She means for Aaron to be safe..." Spike said before being cut off.
"We'll... have to say goodbye to Aaron," Smolder said. "Forever." She then started shedding tears.
"There's gotta be another way," Gallus said. "We promised him we'd visit him on his world."
"I know you would have promised him," Twilight said. "But I know there will be another way for you all to see Aaron again. Star Swirl isn't going to take any chances with that and..."
"Gah!" Aaron scoffed. "Typical Star Swirl. Always focused on getting things done the way he wants, and once again, he refuses to see another way. This is Stygian all over again."
Twilight then thought about it and said, "You know what, you're right. Star Swirl said he'll have the spell ready in two days. So I'll just fly back to Canterlot and tell him that there has to be another way, and I'll remind him of what happened with Stygian."
"Yeah, you tell him!" Sandbar said.
"Nice going, Princess," Smolder said.
"You give him what for," Silverstream said.
"I will," Twilight said. "But for now, you all should go on to your dorm rooms. And spend as much time with Aaron tomorrow. He's going to have one last day to remember." She then lit up her horn and she and Spike teleported away.
"Well... I guess this is it," Aaron said. "I'm... going home."
"And... possibly our last goodbye," Smolder said. She then bowed her head in silence.
Ocellus then looked at the group and said, "Maybe... we should give them some alone time." She then took the trophy in her magic and she, Sandbar, Gallus, Yona and Silverstream walked away.
"Smolder, I know it must be hard," Aaron said. "But I have to go home. I miss my aunt. She took me in when my mom died. And..."
"I get it," Smolder said. She then hugged Aaron. "You have family to get back to. I understand." She then sighed. "It won't be the same without you."
"I know," Aaron said. "Guess... we'll just have to make the best of it. But... we'll make it through it. No matter what happens." Aaron then pulled something out. "I... guess I might as well give this to you." It was the locket he got at the carnival. "So you won't forget me."
Smolder then opened up the locket and saw a group picture of them and the rest of the Young 6, along with a picture with just the two of them. Smolder gave a sad smile and she hugged Aaron.
"One last day together," Smolder said. "Just you and me."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "You and me." Then the two of them separated and headed on to their rooms.
Back in the Dragon Lands, Garble was trying to escape from his prison. He had been hoping that his sister wasn't in trouble yet. It was the only thing that kept him going.
"I must... protect... my sister," Garble said. But his words did not go unheard.
"Sister, huh?" came Ragnarok's voice. Garble froze at the words. He then looked over and saw Ragnarok standing tall. "Then perhaps I should pay her... a little visit. She must know where the jade dragon is."
"NO!!" Garble shouted. He then burst out of his electrical restraints and flew out of there. Not knowing that there was a black and purple scale attached to his back. As soon as Garble was out of view, Ragnarok smirked.
"Like a moth to a flame," Ragnarok said. "He'll lead me right to the jade dragon."
Morning arose over Ponyville. At the School of Friendship, Aaron was heading towards the table where the Young 6 sat. But Smolder wasn't there. He then went over to the table and sat.
"Where's Smolder?" Aaron asked.
"We don't know," Ocellus said. "We haven't seen her all day."
"I saw her this morning, but she didn't seem all that interested with the day for us," Silverstream said.
Sandbar then looked towards Aaron and said, "I think I know where to find her." Aaron then got up and the others followed. But they left their food on the table, so they went back and got their trays and headed back on out.
They went outside of the school to see Smolder, sitting in front of the pond in the same spot where Spike told her about Sludge's teaching of all things dragon that wasn't true at all. Smolder had some tears coming from the corners of her eyes, hoping for the next day wouldn't be the last time she saw Aaron. Aaron and the rest of Smolder's friends walked up to her.
"Smolder?" Aaron asked, getting Smolder's attention. She then noticed the others with Aaron.
"I'll be fine..." Smolder said. "It's just... gonna be a lot different without Aaron once he leaves here."
"It might not have to be," Sandbar said. "Besides, Aaron might be leaving, but it doesn't mean we can't visit him."
"I wish I could take you guys with me, but you all belong here in this world," Aaron said. "Besides, how would I explain it to everyone why six cartoon characters from a TV show in my world?"
"That... would be a tough thing to explain," Gallus said. "After all, most of us aren't really real creatures back in your world. Although, your world is probably full of things we have yet to see."
"Well, we should at least prepare for tomorrow," Sandbar said. "It's gonna be a long day, today."
"Yona wishes Aaron good luck when going home," Yona said.
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Thanks Yona." He then looked towards Smolder. "I guess you and I should... you know."
"Yeah," Smolder said, getting up. Aaron also stood up. "But, it won't be the same without you here."
"I know," Aaron said. "How about we fly? To clear some heads?" Smolder nodded and the two of them flew off, Aaron leaving his breakfast.
"Hey, Aaron!" Silverstream called out. "You forgot your breakfast!"
Throughout the day, Aaron and Smolder had been flying over the town of Ponyville, looking down at all the peaceful things happening through town. They then saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders going through town. Aaron and Smolder then went down to land. The Crusaders saw them land and walked up to them.
"Hey! You're that human, ain't ya?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Actually, yes," Aaron said. "I'm... actually surprised I've never got to meet the three of you sooner."
"Oh, right," Scootaloo said. "Rainbow Dash said that this world is a work of fiction to the people of your world. Guess it was a surprise that you ended up in this world."
"You know it," Aaron said.
"So, I'm guessing we're a part of the show?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Yes, you are," Aaron said.
"In fact, there are some episodes of the show that basically show you three around most of them," Smolder said. "I know. I watched them all." She then thought of something. "Did you three actually wish yourselves to be older?"
"That was a mistake," Apple Bloom said. "We've made pretty bad decisions that day."
"Yeah," Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said in unison.
"Although, that one pegasus you've met on the way to that fair in Appleloosa almost gave me the chills there," Smolder said.
"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked.
"Is it the fact that she almost looks like Cozy Glow?" Aaron asked.
"Ohhh!!" the Crusaders said in unison.
"Yeah, we should've seen that," Sweetie Belle said. "Maybe those two are related."
"Who knows," Aaron said. "Well, gotta fly." Before he could take off, he thought of something. "Speaking of which. Scootaloo, you knew that flower was able to grant wishes, so why didn't you add that your wings would be big enough to get you off the ground on your own."
Scootaloo went wide eyed and asked, "I could've done that?!" She then face-hoofed and groaned. That made Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle snicker.
"You didn't think of that as we were makin' that wish?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ya shoulda thought o' that sooner, Scoots."
"Yeah," Scootaloo said. "Still wish I could fly though."
"Maybe when I leave tomorrow, you can ask Princess Twilight to see if there's a spell that would make your wings big enough to carry you off the ground," Aaron said.
"Oh, yeah, I guess I can," Scootaloo said.
"Wait!" Sweetie Belle said. "Did you say you're leaving tomorrow?"
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Tomorrow, I'm going home."
"Aww..." the Crusaders whined in unison.
"Do you have to go?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Can't you stay?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Aaron said. "For two reasons. One, obviously I have a family to get back to. My aunt would be worried if I never came home."
"Oh, that's a good point," Scootaloo said.
"But, what's the second reason?" Apple Bloom asked.
Aaron sighed before he was about to tell them, but Smolder put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll tell them," Smolder said. She then looked towards the Crusaders and said, "Let's just say there's an evil ancient dragon out there that wants to kill Aaron here."
"What?!" Scootaloo asked. "Why?!"
"That ancient dragon, Ragnarok the Reaper, has heard a legend that he'll be defeated by a jade dragon," Smolder said. "But if Aaron's no longer in this world..."
"He'll be safe from that Rag... Ragni... Rokta..." Apple Bloom said, trying to remember Ragnarok's name.
"Ragnarok," Aaron and Smolder said in unison.
"Yeah, that," Apple Bloom said.
"Well, I hope you make it home safely," Scootaloo said.
"Me, too," Aaron said. He then looked back towards Smolder and said, "How about we keep going on a flight?"
"Okay," Smolder said, sadly. Then the two of them took off.
Apple Bloom looked towards Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and asked, "Did Smolder seem down?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded while looking at the two dragons flying away.
Aaron and Smolder came to a descent at Sugarcube Corner. They walked in and saw the Cake Twins running around the floor.
"Gonna get you!" Pumpkin said, chasing Pound.
"No you're not!" Pound said, running from Pumpkin.
"Are too!"
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Are not!"
Then Mrs. Cake walked into the room and said, "Pound, Pumpkin, no more playing tag in the restaurant area!"
"Awww!!" the Cake Twins said in unison. Then they headed up the stairs.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the two dragons of the School of Friendship," Mrs. Cake said. "Even though one of you is a human from another dimension."
"Well, eventually, I'm gonna go back," Aaron said. He then sighed. "Although, I wish I could've seen more and more of Equestria during my time here."
"I wish I could bring you to all the places here," Smolder said. She then sighed.
"Oh, don't you worry about that, dearie," Mrs. Cake said. She then pulled out two cupcakes with gems on each of them. "Why don't you two enjoy a gem topped snack? On the house."
Aaron and Smolder then took the cupcakes and went to an empty table. As they were sitting down, they saw Lyra and Bon Bon walking in. Lyra then noticed Aaron and Smolder and smiled.
"Look, Bon Bon!" Lyra said. "It's Aaron!" Then the two ponies walked up to Aaron and Smolder. Aaron looked towards the counter to see Mrs. Cake walking back into the kitchen.
Aaron then looked back towards the two ponies and Bon Bon said, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Aaron."
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well... Agent Sweetie Drops," Aaron said, making both Bon Bon and Lyra go wide eyed in shock about that. Bon Bon then looked around, hoping nopony else was around.
"How do you know about that?" Bon Bon, really named Sweetie Drops, asked angrily.
"Cranky Doodle Donkey's wedding was on the 100th episode of the show," Aaron said. "Although, I still find it believable that you were the one who captured a bugbear."
"I got lucky when that bugbear just happened to fall into one of my traps by accident," Sweetie Drops responded.
"Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you something Aaron," Lyra said. "I know you don't have a way back to your world yet, but when the time comes, probably during summer break, you can come and live with me and Bon Bon. I'd ask you so many things about your world and people."
"Sorry, Lyra, but that won't be possible," Smolder said.
"WHAT!?!" Lyra shouted. "You can't just...! I have so many questions that need answering!" She then reached over and hugged Aaron's torso tight, crying. "Please don't leave!!"
"Oh, boy," Aaron said, rolling his eyes.
Later that night, at the Castle of Friendship, Twilight and Star Swirl were there, preparing the spell needed for sending Aaron back to his world.
"I still say that there has to be another way for Aaron to see his friends here in Equestria again, Star Swirl," Twilight said. "He should be able to see them again, and not from that TV show that's based on our world."
"I'm sorry, Princess," Star Swirl said. "But for his own protection, he must never come back, and nopony, nor creature, must ever see him again."
Twilight sighed and silently said, "This is gonna break Smolder's heart." Just then, Starlight walked in with a piece of parchment.
"Okay," Starlight said. "Hopefully, with a few modifications to this spell, we can send Aaron back to the time he got sucked into the portal in his world."
"As it'll be like he never left," Star Swirl said. "That's actually brilliant. I didn't even think of that." Just then, there was a knocking on the door. The three ponies looked towards the door and saw Smolder there.
"Princess, you might want to help Aaron out," Smolder said. "Lyra's trying to convince Aaron not to leave our world."
Twilight groaned, facehoofed, and said, "This will take just a few moments." She then followed Smolder out the door.
Outside, Lyra was trying to pull Aaron back towards town with her magic, but Aaron's wing power was too strong for her magic to pull him back.
"Let go of my tail!" Aaron shouted.
"Never!" Lyra said. "I'm also never letting you leave!"
"Lyra, stop it!" Bon Bon said. "You keep forgetting he has a family of his own to get back to."
"But I have so many questions that need answering!" Lyra said.
"ENOUGH!!" came Twilight's voice when it was in the Royal Canterlot Voice. The group looked towards Twilight and saw her and Smolder walking towards the group. "Lyra, I know it must be painful, but Aaron has a family. If you were in Aaron's horseshoes, figure of speech, how would you feel if you wanted to go home and something wanted to keep you there?"
Lyra thought about it, sighed, and said, "I... I guess you're right." She then relinquished her hold on Aaron's tail. She then started walking away. Bon Bon followed her.
"Aaron, why don't you go get your stuff packed?" Twilight asked. "It's gonna be a big day tomorrow." Aaron sighed and started walking away.
"I still wish I could've seen more before I leave," Aaron said. He then started flying towards the School of Friendship. Smolder gave a sad look.
"I know it must be hard," Twilight said. "But, at least the two of you made some memories here."
"Yeah, but..." Smolder said. "Something's telling me to... to..." She then let out some tears.
"Smolder... I know it's hard, but..." Twilight said before being cut off.
"SMOLDER!!"
Twilight and Smolder looked towards the sky and saw Garble flying down. He then landed in front of his sister, and pulled her in for a hug.
"I'm so glad I got to you!" Garble said, hugging Smolder.
"G-Garble?" Smolder asked. "How did...? Where have you been?"
"Ragnarok... he's real!" Garble said. "He's taken the entire Dragon Lands hostage and is waiting for the jade dragon to reveal himself! But don't worry. I have a plan. We'll just have to find the jade dragon and bring him to Ragnarok so he can eventually go back to his sleep, how it should be."
"Uh..." Smolder said, blushing. She then chuckled nervously. "About... that."
"Don't worry, Smolder," Garble said. "As soon as Ragnarok is gone, everything should be back to normal." Garble rubbed the back of his head, not seeing Aaron right behind him.
"Oh, boy," Aaron said. Garble then turned around to see Aaron.
"Y-you!" Garble said. He then got angry and started flying towards Aaron, but Aaron jumped out of the way, making Garble tackle nothing. Aaron then landed next to Smolder. "Get away from my sister! You don't know what you'll do to us all!"
"Uh huh," Aaron said. "I know a way to avoid Ragnarok." Garble jumped towards Aaron again, and Aaron started flying above Garble. Just then, he noticed something on Garble's back. "What's that on your back?"
"Huh?" Garble asked. He then reached for what was on his back. Twilight then grabbed that thing from Garble's back and examined it.
"Uh oh," Twilight said. "This... this black scale. It has some sort of tracking spell. Which means..."
"You've led Ragnarok right towards us!" Smolder said. "And with that, Ragnarok will go back to his original plan!" That made Garble go wide eyed. The group then looked towards Aaron.
"You've got to get that portal opened ASAP," Aaron said.
Hours had passed since Garble had found Smolder. Along with Aaron. Ragnarok was waiting in the Dragon Lands, waiting for the tracking spell to locate his target. Ember was still in her electric cage, trying to get out.
"You'll never get away with this!" Ember shouted. "The ponies will stop you!"
"Not if I take them out first!" Ragnarok said. "Starting with the leader of all those ponies, Princess Celestia!"
"I don't think so," Ember said. "For two reasons. One, the ponies and dragons have a peace treaty. I know, because I'm the Dragon Lord. And two, Princess Celestia, along with her sister, Princess Luna, have both retired. Leaving the throne to the new high princess, Twilight Sparkle."
"Well then," Ragnarok said. "I'll make an example of those ponies. By showing them that dragons are to rule all! I'll show them by taking out that new high Princess, Twilight Sparkle."
"NO!!" Ember said.
"And I'll let you watch as I take down that Princess!" Ragnarok said. He then sensed something. He then smirked and said, "So that's where the jade dragon is." He then started flying up with the Bloodstone Scepter and Ember, flying towards Ponyville. "Prepare for your doom, Equestria!"
In the School of Friendship, Twilight was preparing some supplies. She then heard somepony open the door. She turned to see Starlight standing there. Along with Star Swirl the Bearded, Shining Armor, Cadance, Flurry Heart, Sunburst, and the Young 6, except for Smolder.
"I'm glad you two could make it," Twilight said, walking up to her brother and Cadance. "We're going to need as much protection in case Ragnarok comes for Aaron."
"If it means protecting Equestria, especially my sister, I'd protect whoever may need it, no matter what," Shining said.
"Thanks, Shining," Twilight said. She then looked towards her former students, looked around and asked, "Where are Aaron and Smolder?"
"We were waiting for him to come back to our room last night, but he never came," Gallus said.
"Smolder didn't come back to our room either," Silverstream added.
"Weird," Twilight said. "Well, if Garble is trying to take Aaron to Ragnarok, I'm gonna..."
Just then, Garble busted in, shouting, "Where's my sister?!"
"What?!" Twilight and the rest of the Young 6 asked in unison.
"Where could they be?" Twilight asked.
"I can find them," Starlight said. She then pulled out the bag of Cheetos and said, "We'll just use the locater spell with this and locate them."
"Good idea," Twilight said.
Starlight then lit up her horn and she pulled up a map. She then used the Cheetos bag to locate where Aaron was. She then said, "It seems that they're located in..." She then sighed. "The Everfree Forest. More importantly, the Castle of the Two Sisters."
"The clubhouse," Gallus said. "Of course. Let's go."
"You may be right," Twilight said. "It might be best if we do this spell in the most magical place in Equestria, the Treehouse of Harmony."
"Oh, right," Star Swirl said. "Since Sombra destroyed the Tree of Harmony and those six students rebuilt it into a clubhouse. It might be best to do the spell there." Then they all headed out of there.
The group arrived at the Treehouse of Harmony, along with the rest of the Mane 6. When they got inside, they saw Aaron and Smolder sleeping together, on a sofa that was put in there before Twilight became High Princess of Equestria.
"Aww..." Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy cooed before giggling.
"Alright, wake 'em up," Star Swirl said. "We got to start the spell."
"Okay," Twilight said. She then walked over to the two sleeping dragons and she shook them awake. Smolder woke up shocked and she tackled Twilight. "Whoa! Smolder, it's me!"
Smolder realized who she tackled and said, "Whoops. Sorry." She then got off of Twilight. Aaron then got up from the sofa and looked around.
"Whoa!" Aaron said. "Is there a party going on?"
"No time for a party when it comes to getting you home and away from that mean meany mean dragon!" Pinkie said.
"Good point," Aaron said.
Twilight then looked at Aaron's face and asked, "Have you been up all night?"
"Since I got sucked into a portal at night, I thought I'd rather stay up all night here and then go straight to bed when I go home," Aaron said. "Even though it's..." He then thought of something. "What time is it?"
"Eight in the morning," Twilight said.
"Huh," Aaron said. "Guess I got just a half hour of sleep there."
"Actually, that'd make sense," Twilight said. She then saw Smolder, who also had bags under her eyes. "Let me guess... you also stayed up all night just so he would stay awake?"
"It was my idea," Smolder said. "Plus, we watched some movies on his computer to pass the time." She then yawned. "I might be sleepy, but it was worth it."
"This'll be just like when the Tantabus invaded our dreams," Twilight said. "Well, we should get started on the portal."
"I'll open the portal that will lead to Aaron's world," Star Swirl said. He then looked towards Twilight. "Twilight, since you're able to transform creatures from one species to another, you'll be able to make the transformation enchantment." He then looked towards Starlight. "And since you've mastered the time travel spells, Starlight Glimmer, you'll be able to transport him to the right time of when he left his world to our world."
"Right," Starlight said. "And probably with that, we'll be able to align time lines. When's the date in your world, Aaron?" She was looking towards Aaron when she asked.
"At least we won't worry about date aligning," Twilight whispered towards Starlight, making her snicker.
"Okay," Star Swirl said. "It's time to get this young human back to where he..." Just then, the ground started shaking instantly, making everycreature go off balance.
"What was that?!" Aaron asked.
"Oh, no!" Garble said. "It's him! Ragnarok!"
The Young 6, Shining Armor and Cadance ran towards a balcony and saw Ragnarok, right outside the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters.
"Shoot... He's bigger than I thought he was!" Smolder said. Ragnarok looked and saw the Young 6, Shining Armor and Cadance. He then roared.
"I'm coming for you, Twilight Sparkle! And the jade dragon as well!" Ragnarok said after he roared.
Shining Armor and Cadance lit up their horns and a barrier of light blue and magenta auras surrounded the Treehouse. Shining then called out, "Start the portal!"
Star Swirl then lit up his horn. He then started locating Aaron's world, more importantly, where the portal on his world was exactly. He then smiled.
"Found his home," Star Swirl said. He then created a portal to the exact location where the portal was in Aaron's world. "Twilight, the enchantment!"
"Got it!" Twilight said. She then cast a spell and a beam of magic was shot into the portal. "Okay, it's good enough for..." She was then cut off.
"Starlight!" Star Swirl said. "Now the time spell!"
"Got it," Starlight said. She then cast a spell and it went into the portal.
"Okay, Aaron," Star Swirl said. "It's time for you to go home. Say goodbye to your friends." But then, the place started shaking. Ragnarok was banging on the barrier. "And do it quickly."
Aaron then looked towards the Young 6. He walked up to them, trying to keep his balance during the banging. He eventually made it to them.
"Well... I guess this is it," Aaron said, trying to keep his balance.
"I guess it is," Gallus said.
"Gallus, don't ever give up on what you do," Aaron said. "Your future will turn out bright."
Gallus smirked and he and Aaron did a fist bump. Aaron then looked towards Silverstream and said, "Silverstream, even though you were afraid of the Storm King before, remember this, if something's bothering you, remember, you have good friends by your side. Don't ever forget that."
"I won't," Silverstream said. She then hugged Aaron. She then let go of him and he continued with the others.
Aaron then walked up to Sandbar and said, "Sandbar, you really need to see a counselor about those weird fears of yours. And you have to do something about the music on your music player."
"Yeah, I know," Sandbar said. "I wish this wasn't the last time we see each other again."
"Me too, pal," Aaron said. Then the two bumped fist to hoof. Aaron then looked towards Yona and said, "Yona, you keep doing what you're doing. And try to be careful when you smash something."
"Yona will be careful," Yona said. She then pulled Aaron into a bone crushing hug.
"Yona... can't... breathe..." Aaron said. Just then, Yona let go of him. Aaron then got up and walked towards Ocellus. He then said, "Ocellus, you don't have to worry about ending up like Chrysalis. You make your own choice. Be sure it's always the one chosen by your heart."
Ocellus smiled and said, "Thanks, Aaron." She then hugged him. She then let go of him.
Aaron then looked towards Smolder, who had her backside facing him. Aaron then walked towards her and said, "Smolder. I guess this is..." He was then cut off when Smolder turned around quickly and hugged him tightly.
"I wish this wasn't the last time..." Smolder said, tears coming out of her eyes.
"I know," Aaron said. He then hugged her back. "But I know you'll be okay."
Garble leaned towards Starlight and asked, "Those two aren't..."
"Well, they were," Starlight said. "Until today."
"Oh, boy," Garble said. "This is gonna be heartbreaking."
Just then, the pounding started getting more rapid. Ragnarok roared, making the shaking worse. Aaron then went off balance and he bumped his head on a wall, him going unconscious.
"Aaron!" Smolder said, running up to him.
"Oh, no!" Star Swirl said. "He has to get through the portal!"
"Then we'll just throw him in!" Garble said.
"It won't work!" Star Swirl said. "He has to walk in because this portal has a little bit of resistance! The portal won't be open for long!"
Smolder then clenched her fists and said, "Then I'll carry him through the portal myself!"
"Smolder, no!" Twilight said. "The portal will..."
"If Aaron doesn't go home, we'll all die," Smolder said. "And even if I get stuck on the other side... I'll never forget this place." She then grabbed Aaron's backpack and put it on. She then picked up Aaron and started carrying him towards the portal.
"Smolder, no!" Garble said. "I just got you back! I can't lose you!"
"I know, Gar-Gar," Smolder said. "But I have to do this." She then walked through the portal, taking Aaron with her. As soon as they went through all the way, the portal vanished. Just then, the banging started slowing.
"NOOOOOO!!!" Ragnarok roared. He was getting drowsy. "Must... stay... awake...!" He then tried slapping himself to stay awake.
Twilight, Star Swirl and Starlight ran towards the balcony, along with the rest of the Mane 6, the rest of the Young 6, Sunburst and Flurry Heart.
"He's trying to stay awake!" Rainbow Dash said. "What do we do?!" Twilight then lit up her horn and a portal to Tartarus opened up. Ragnarok was then pushed through. Rainbow Dash then rushed to grab the Bloodstone Scepter, and she threw it towards Ember, who was still in the electric cage next to Ragnarok, and she used it to free herself.
"Good to be free again," Ember said. She then used the Bloodstone Scepter to force Ragnarok into the portal. After Ragnarok was through, the portal closed. She then flew towards the others and said, "Thanks. I don't know what you all did, but it worked." She then looked around. "Where's Smolder?"
The Young 6 were giving sad looks. Twilight then said, "It's... gonna be hard to explain."
"At least they're safe," Star Swirl said. "As long as they're in Aaron's world as humans, they'll be safe."
"Actually..." Twilight said, grinning. "That's... what I was trying to tell you. The transformation spell I used... it was only meant for one creature."
"What does that mean?" Starlight asked.
"It means... both of them might, and I mean might, be able to transform from dragon to human and vice versa whenever they want to," Twilight said, giving a sheepish grin.
"Oh, that can't be too good on their part," Star Swirl said.
The portal from Equestria to Earth was like how it did in Equestria Girls. Smolder was screaming all the way through a spiral of white with colorful streaks going around.
And on Earth, the night Aaron was sucked into the portal, the portal stayed in the closet. Just then, Smolder and Aaron were thrown from the portal, still in dragon form. They both landed on one of the two beds that were in the hotel that Aaron said that he and his aunt were living at the time.
Smolder then recovered and looked around. She then said, "Wow. This place is..." She was cut off when she heard a door opening, and a woman's voice came in.
"Aaron, I'm home!"
Smolder gasped. She then saw Aaron, still as a dragon. She quietly said, "Uh oh." She then quickly dragged Aaron towards the space between the beds and then she got under the covers of one of the beds and covered her entire body, making sure that her tail didn't make it too obvious that something was wrong. Just then, the door opened, revealing Aaron's aunt Marissa. She was in her late 30's with brown hair, green eyes, light shade of skin, wearing a pink business blouse, a black skirt, and black high heeled shoes.
"Huh," Marissa said. "Guess he's already asleep." She then smiled and said, "Sweet dreams, Aaron." She then closed the door. Just then, Smolder uncovered herself and sighed in relief.
"That was close," Smolder said. She then looked down at Aaron and got confused. "Weird. I thought the portal was supposed to turn us into humans." She then shrugged her shoulders, got out of bed, and picked up Aaron to put him into the bed. She then pulled the covers up over Aaron's body. She then started getting into the other bed, but then she turned back to Aaron. She then smiled and then she got into the same bed as Aaron. She smiled, kissed Aaron's cheek and said, "Good night, Aaron." She then wrapped an arm around Aaron's body, and fell asleep.
In Equestria, at the Castle of Friendship, Garble was trying to convince the ponies to bring back his sister. Although, he was being a bit rough on the convincing part.
"Bring her back!" Garble said, pinning Twilight to a wall.
"I'm sorry, Garble!" Twilight said. "She cares a lot for Aaron! There was nothing we could do to stop her! Besides, if she didn't, we'd all be killed by Ragnarok!"
"I just had her back!" Garble said. "I can't lose her again!"
"I know, Garble," Twilight said. "But it's not going to be as simple as that. I've been trying to convince Star Swirl to try and find an alternate way to make the portal a two way so the other students, including Smolder, to visit Aaron in his world, but with Ragnarok alive, he'll be awake whenever a portal to that world opens up."
"But my sister is..." Garble said, being cut off.
"There's a good chance that she's doing what her heart is telling her to do," Twilight said. "And according to Cadance, she has really deep feelings for Aaron. She's... in love."
"Smolder? In love?" Garble asked, smirking. "Yeah, right. You don't know what you're talking about. Smolder doesn't fall in love."
"Well, it seems she has," Twilight said. "Why else would she drag Aaron into the portal?"
Garble was about to protest, but then he thought about it. He then let go of Twilight, groaned and said, "Oh, if he does something to her on that side, I'm gonna beat him up."
On Earth, in the hotel room that Aaron and his aunt live in, Smolder was coming to. She sat up, stretched herself out, yawned and looked around. She saw that where she was wasn't her dorm room at the School of Friendship. She then remembered.
"Oh, right," Smolder quietly said. "I'm in Aaron's world." She then looked down at Aaron, who was still asleep, and still in dragon form. "What?" Smolder then got out of bed. "He's still a..." She then looked down at herself, seeing that her body was still a dragon's body. "Why am I still a dragon as well?" Just then, she heard the sound of a door closing on the other side of the closed door of the room the two were in.
Smolder walked out the door and looked out to see if anyone was there. She then started flying around to see if there was anyone there. She flew into another room of the hotel, seeing another bedroom. No one there. She then flew into the kitchen and living area, no one. And she went into the master bedroom of the hotel suite. No one.
"Weird," Smolder said. She then walked out of the room, and then she saw a note on the fridge. She walked over towards it and started reading the note aloud. "'Aaron, I've gone to work. I need to make some new designs for my company's outfits. Once I'm done, I'll call you and then you and I can head out for breakfast. Your Aunt Marissa.'" She then got worried for Aaron. She had no choice. She had to wake him up. She then walked into the room where Aaron was asleep in the bed she shared with him. She then shook him awake. "Aaron. Aaron, wake up."
Aaron groaned and said, "Ow. My... head."
"It's okay, Aaron," Smolder said. "I got you."
Aaron opened his eyes to see Smolder. He then smiled, but then he got a shocked expression. He then said, "Smolder?! What? Why are you...?" He then looked around. "Why are you here?"
Smolder sighed and said, "Ragnarok shaking the barrier caused you to bump your head on a wall. You went unconscious and I had to pull you through the portal to get you out of there before he could get you."
"I guess that explains why my head hurts," Aaron said, feeling his head, wincing in pain where the bump was.
"Let me help with that," Smolder said. "Does this place have an ice pack?"
"Under the kitchen sink," Aaron said. Smolder then flew out of the room, heading towards the kitchen. During the time, Aaron looked at his hand, still seeing that he had his dragon body. "Hey, why are we still dragons?"
"I don't know!" Smolder called out. "Hey, what's this thing attached to the left door of this fridge?"
"That's an ice and water dispenser!" Aaron called out to her.
"Oh, I see it," Smolder said. Just then, the sound of ice coming out of the ice dispenser came in. "Whoa! Okay. Next time, into the ice pack." The ice dispenser then went off again and later, Smolder came back into the room with the ice pack. She then put the ice pack on the spot where the bump on Aaron's head was. "There you go."
Aaron winced for a bit when the ice pack was placed on his head. He then said, "Thanks." He then looked at his hands. "I don't understand. The spell that Twilight was supposed to do was make me human again. It should have made you human as well. Why didn't it?"
"I don't know," Smolder said. She then looked at the closet. She then grabbed Aaron's right arm and put it on the ice pack. "Let me check something." She then opened the closet up to see the portal no longer there. She then thought about it. She then got a realization. "What if... and I'm just spitballing here, but what if the transformation spell was supposed to be meant only for one?"
"What?!" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, I mean, if the portal was supposed to send only you here, it would've transformed you as soon as you got on the other side," Smolder said. "But since we both went in..."
"The transformation spell wasn't strong enough," Aaron said. He then groaned. "I can't go out there as a dragon! Who knows what they'll do to me?"
"Who are you talking about?" Smolder asked.
"The government," Aaron said. "You see, dragons don't exist on Earth. They're mythical here." He then leaned back onto his pillow and said, "If only the spell was strong enough. I wish I was human again!" He then groaned. Not knowing that he changed back into a human before.
"Whoa!" Smolder said, jumping up and flying.
Aaron looked towards Smolder and asked, "What?"
"Aaron... you just changed," Smolder said. Aaron then looked at his hands and saw they were human hands. He then looked down at the rest of his body, seeing it was all human as well. He then saw that he was completely naked.
"Whoa!" Aaron said, covering up. "You're not supposed to see that."
"You... need me to step out of the room?" Smolder asked.
"Yes, please," Aaron said. "I need to get dressed."
"Right," Smolder said, stepping into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She then thought of something. "So, if you can transform into a human like that, does that mean I can, too?"
"Maybe," Aaron said on the other side of the door. "But I don't want to see a naked girl, who's human by the way."
"Right," Smolder said. "Not mature for that yet. Humans."
"Hey, where'd you put my backpack?" Aaron asked.
"I put it between the beds in there," Smolder said.
"Oh, yeah, there it is," Aaron said. "Alright, Smolder, I'm all dressed." Smolder then walked back into the room. She then saw Aaron. Aaron's brown hair was a little messy, but not too much of a mess. He had on a plain green shirt with brown cargo pants, and a pair of blue and white running shoes.
"Wow," Smolder said. "Is that what you humans usually dress like?"
"There are a lot more different styles of clothing for boys and girls," Aaron said. "You'll see. That is until Aunt Marissa knows about you."
"She's gonna freak out," Smolder said. "Since this world's knowledge, I'm a fictional character from a TV show."
"Yeah," Aaron said.
"Oh, by the way, your aunt left you a note," Smolder said. She then grabbed the note and gave it to Aaron. Aaron grabbed it and read the note. Smolder then took a look at Aaron's hand. "How does it feel to have five fingers again?"
"It's good having it back," Aaron said. He then looked at his hand. "I wonder..." Aaron then changed back into a dragon, and his clothes vanished. "Whoa." He then looked down at his body. "Huh. My clothes disappeared." He then changed back to his human form with his clothes on. "Cool."
"That... would be useful," Smolder said. "Although, I'm gonna have to wait until your aunt Marissa gets home." Just then, the sound of an iPhone ringtone came in. "What is that?!"
"That's my phone," Aaron said, pulling out his phone. He then pulled out his phone. "Oh, it's my aunt Marissa." He then answered the phone. "Hey, aunt Marissa."
"Hey, Aaron," Aunt Marissa's voice came from the phone. "Listen, I'm on my way home. One of my employees needed to see if she did it right. She did it correctly. So, right now, I'm coming home. Are you up for some breakfast at IHOP?"
"Actually, Aunt Marissa, something happened last night," Aaron said.
"What is it? What happened?" Marissa asked on the phone.
"Well, you'd think I sound crazy, but..." Aaron then sighed. "Remember that TV show, My Little Pony?"
"That show you've been watching since you were four?" Marissa asked. "Yeah, I remember. Why?"
"Last night, I made a wish, and somehow, I ended up in that world," Aaron said. "I even turned into a creature of that world. Which was a dragon."
"Oh, Aaron," Marissa said. "It was just a dream. There's no way something like that can happen."
"He's telling the truth!" Smolder called out.
"Who was that, Aaron?" Marissa asked.
"Aunt Marissa, that... was Smolder," Aaron said. "She... she helped me out when I was there. For four months when I was there."
"It's true," Smolder said. "Your nephew has been in Equestria for four months, and some ponies there had to use a spell to send him back here. On this specific date and... back as a human. Although, the transformation spell might have been... a little messed up."
"What?" Marissa asked. "What do you mean?"
Later, Aaron and Smolder were sitting on the couch in the living room while Marissa was still trying to process. She was walking back and forth trying to understand what was going on.
"So, let me get this straight," Marissa said. "You've been transported to the world where the series, My Little Pony, is based." Aaron nodded. "And she..." Marissa pointed at Smolder. "...found you and took care of you."
"I took care of him secretly for an entire month," Smolder said. "That is until my friends and teachers found out about him."
"Right," Marissa said. "And you were only there until you had to come back here."
"Basically, yeah," Aaron said.
"Did... something else happen while you were there?" Marissa asked. Aaron and Smolder looked at each other, Smolder was blushing. Marissa noticed and asked, "Wait. Did you two...?"
"Ocellus tricked us into it," Smolder said. "Although... I've been... so interested in Aaron ever since I found him that night. I still don't know why..."
"Sounds like the Florence Nightingale Effect," Marissa said. "It usually happens when doctors fall in love with their patients." That made Smolder's blush go deeper than it already was.
"R-really?" Smolder asked. "Is it... that obvious?"
"Looks like it," Marissa said. She then looked at Aaron. "Did you two... you know. The K word?"
"Honestly, at first, it happened when we were too close to each other," Smolder said. She then covered her face with a couch pillow.
"Well, at least Aaron's still human," Marissa said. She then looked at Smolder. "It would be easier to let you see the rest of this world if you were human as well."
"Actually, aunt Marissa," Aaron said. He then transformed back into his dragon form, shocking Marissa.
"You can... change from human to dragon anytime you want?!" Marissa asked. "That's..." Aaron then changed back. Marissa then looked at Smolder and asked, "Does that mean... you can do it, too?"
"Probably," Smolder said. "But, I haven't done it yet."
"And why not?" Marissa asked.
"I was still a dragon this morning," Aaron said. "And when I first changed back into a human, I was naked."
"Oh," Marissa said. "And... you don't want to see her..."
"Yeah," Aaron said.
"Okay, that's a good call," Marissa said. "Well, first, if she's going out as a human, we need to get her some proper clothing. First, I need to get her measurements."
"Measurements?" Smolder asked.
"No one wants to see a naked human teen," Aaron said.
"Oh, okay," Smolder said. Smolder's arm was then grabbed by Marissa.
"Let's get your measurements," Marissa said. "When I get them, I'll go out and get you some clothing for the first day. Then we'll get you some more clothing when we go out this afternoon."
"Oh, boy," Smolder said, being pulled into Marissa's room. Marissa then closed the door after she and Smolder went into the room. Aaron then looked out towards the balcony.
"Hopefully, she can adjust here like I adjusted there," Aaron said. He then went back to the couch and turned on the TV. He then said, "Well, there's not much to catch up on when you've been gone for a few seconds on the same day."
Aaron and Smolder were waiting in the living room of Aaron's home. Smolder had her arms crossed, frustrated that she has to wait for Aaron's aunt to return with some proper human clothing.
"How long do we have to wait for your aunt to get back?" Smolder asked.
"She should be home any time now," Aaron said. Just then, the front door opened.
"Hey, kids," Marissa said. "Alright, Smolder, I got you some clothes and some essentials."
"Essentials?" Smolder asked, raising an eyebrow. "What essentials?"
"Well, it's human girl stuff," Marissa said. "And as for the clothing, I manage to get you some clothing that's based on your personality." She then looked towards Aaron. "I do hope that it's just her world that's real."
"Why?" Smolder asked.
"Well, let's just say I don't want to come home with half the population turned to dust," Marissa said. "I'm sure you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I watched those Marvel Movies," Smolder said. "Although, the magic of Equestria was bleeping out the swear words. I'm guessing it's because the magic doesn't want any repetition of those human adult words."
"So, you haven't heard those swear words?" Marissa asked.
"Oh, we know them," Smolder replied. "We're just not allowed to say them." Marissa then closed the door leaving Aaron in the living room. He then turned on the TV and started watching a short via Disney+.
As soon as the short finished, the door opened. Marissa walked out and said, "Aaron, say hello... to the human Smolder." She then revealed Smolder, in human form. She had a rose beige skin with purple hair with two streaks of blonde hair on the sides over her ears. Her hair styled similar to the Linda cut hairstyle, but with some tufts of hair coming from both sides. She was wearing a purple shirt with an orange jacket with yellow sleeves, blue jeans with some tears, and purple shoes with white soles.
"Whoa," Aaron said. "Dang, Smolder, you look good."
"Thanks," Smolder said. "Although... is it natural for humans to have purple hair?"
"Not usually," Marissa said. "Usually when you see someone with purple hair, it's when someone dyes their hair."
"Just like Mayor Mare does," Aaron said.
"Mayor Mare dyes her mane?" Smolder asked.
"You don't remember that one episode?" Aaron said. "The Crusaders and the Foal Free Press?"
Smolder then went wide eyed and said, "Ohhhh, that episode. Now I remember it."
"You've let her watch the show?" Marissa asked. "Isn't that a little... dangerous?"
"The time has passed since the series finale," Aaron answered.
"Really?" Marissa asked. "Okay. Well, we won't have to worry about them knowing too much about their future." She then said, "So, who's hungry?"
"I could eat," Smolder said. "What are we having?"
"We'll all be heading out for brunch," Marissa said. "And after we're done, we'll get Smolder here some more clothing."
"Why do I need more clothing?" Smolder asked.
"Not everyone wears the same clothes everyday," Aaron said. "Only in cartoons." He then thought of something. "Although, the human versions of Twilight and her friends do wear the same clothes in some of their specials and shorts. But that's a query for another time."
Then the three of them headed out of there. Smolder was then surprised at the outside world. She then said, "Whoa. This place is... Whoa!"
"You'll get used to it," Aaron said. "C'mon. Let's get going."
"Now, Smolder," Marissa said. "While we're out in public, you cannot go into your dragon form."
"Right, if people see a dragon, they'll be very surprised at something they don't understand," Smolder said. She then shivered. "Is it usually this cold?"
"How are you already cold?" Aaron asked. "You're wearing a jacket."
"I have no idea," Smolder said.
"C'mon, you two," Marissa said. "We got to go." Marissa then headed over towards an elevator which Aaron and Smolder followed. Smolder was confused.
"What is this room?" Smolder asked. She then saw the doors close. "What? Hey, let me out!"
"Relax!" Aaron said. "It's just an elevator. It's a room that can move from one floor to another by just pushing one of the buttons on that panel." He pointed at the buttons and Smolder saw the buttons. She saw that one button was glowing. The glowing button had the number 1 on it. As Aaron pointed out the buttons, the room elevator started moving.
"Whoa," Smolder said, holding onto Aaron. She held onto him as the elevator made it to the first floor. Then the doors opened up, and Smolder ran out of the elevator.
"Is she claustrophobic?" Marissa asked.
"No, Gallus the griffon is claustrophobic. "She just hasn't been in an elevator before."
"Really?" Marissa asked. "They don't have elevators in Equestria?"
"She wouldn't need to use them," Aaron said. "She could fly as a dragon."
"Oh, yeah," Marissa said. "Well, we're gonna have to get Smolder used to riding elevators."
"Smolder, you and I got stuck in a Ferris Wheel in Equestria," Aaron said. "An elevator is almost like that."
Smolder then thought about it. She then said, "I... guess that makes sense." She then sighed. "But we never had anything like that in Equestria." Then Marissa started walking towards a Ford Expedition. Smolder was surprised and said, "Whoa! That's a big car!"
"Yeah," Marissa said. "As soon as we moved into that hotel room, we went to a car dealership to get a bigger car for my fashion line. It's also good for loading big stuff."
"Wow," Smolder said.
"Now let's go," Marissa said. She then pulled out her keys and unlocked the car. "Now, let's get you into the car. Aaron, you mind helping Smolder with the car?"
"This is gonna be a long day," Aaron said.
Aaron, Smolder and Marissa arrived at an IHOP. Smolder looked at the building in confusion.
"What kind of restaurant is this?" Smolder asked.
"It's more of a breakfast place," Aaron said. "Although, it did start serving burgers."
"Welcome to IHOP, the International House of Pancakes," Marissa said. "It doesn't just sell pancakes. It also has waffles, french toast, and omelettes."
"What's an omelette?" Smolder asked.
"This is awkward considering what female dragons do," Aaron said. "But, omelettes are eggs similar to a folded pancake with choices of meat, cheese and vegetables."
"Huh, sounds good," Smolder said.
"Seriously?" Aaron and Marissa asked, confused.
"Dragons do eat eggs," Smolder said. "Not dragon eggs, but we do eat eggs."
Aaron thought of something and asked, "Phoenix eggs?"
"Nooo..." Smolder said. "Garble's friends just wanna smash them. They try, they always get punished." She then snickered. "You saw what happened to them in that one episode."
"Dragon Quest," Aaron said. "Classic." Then the three of them headed on into IHOP. A waitress then escorted the three of them to an open booth. They were then handed their menus.
"Alright, mind if I get everybody's drinks?" the waitress asked.
"Apple juice," Aaron said.
"Warm tea," Marissa said.
Smolder was thinking of what drink to get. She then shrugged and said, "I'll take some apple juice as well."
"Okay," the waitress said. "Two apple juices and one warm tea. I'll be back with your drinks while you look up what you wanna order." She then walked away.
Smolder then looked over at the syrup selection and got confused. She then asked, "They serve different types of syrup?"
"Yeah," Aaron said. "They have old fashioned, blueberry, butter pecan and strawberry flavor."
"Meh," Smolder said. "I'll just skip on the blueberry."
"Why?" Marissa asked.
"I have a strange allergy to blueberries," Smolder said. She then looked around to see if anyone was listening in. She then leaned in, making the other two lean in, and she silently whispered, "If I eat too many of them, my scales turn blue for a certain amount of time depending on how much I eat." They all then went back to their normal sitting positions.
"Well, no blueberries for you," Marissa said. "Who knows what would happen to you in your... current form." Smolder then nodded in agreement. Let's see what's on the menu."
Aaron, Smolder and Marissa arrived back at the hotel room with bags of clothing. Smolder was confused about why there was so much clothing for her.
"Is it necessary for me to have all these clothes?" Smolder asked. "I don't usually wear stuff like this."
"That's when you're a dragon," Marissa said. "Plus, Aaron and I have seen you in that cute dress of yours." Smolder then blushed at that comment.
"I... I should... put these... away," Smolder said. She then headed towards Aaron's room.
"Are you sure it's okay for her to be sleeping in the same room with you?" Marissa asked.
"She helped me out when I was in Equestria," Aaron said. "Plus, there's another bed in there for her to use."
"Well, alright," Marissa said. "As long as you two don't do anything... mature. After all you're 13 and she's..." She then thought about something. She then called out, "Smolder, how old are you?"
"Thirteen!" Smolder answered from the room.
"Wow," Marissa said.
"Glad when I was a dragon I didn't go through the molt," Aaron said. "Spike sure did look uncomfortable during his molt."
Smolder then came out of the bedroom to grab more bags, saying, "Don't forget the random fire bursts and the uncontrollable volume shifts." She then thought of something. "Say, how long have you two been living in this hotel resort anyway?"
"It's been two weeks," Marissa answered.
"Two weeks?" Smolder asked. "Then why isn't Aaron in school?"
"I had to finish school early back in Chicago," Aaron said. "I got some good grades when I was getting ready to move."
"Alright, Smolder," Marissa said. "Whenever it's just us, you'll be okay to be in your dragon form, but if someone else is around, you have to be human at all times."
Smolder groaned and said, "Fine." She then changed back into her dragon form, the clothes she wore disappeared as she transformed. She then breathed out in relief. "That feels so much better. Much warmer."
"How are you warmer in dragon form?" Marissa asked.
"She's a fire breathing dragon, aunt Marissa," Aaron said.
"Speaking of which, I don't want you blowing fire anywhere in this hotel room," Marissa said.
Smolder sighed and said, "Fine. No fire breathing in the hotel." She walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
"We wouldn't want you two starting unnecessary fires," Marissa said.
"Or letting the people see something that isn't from here," Aaron said. "I'm starting to feel like Jake Long."
"Well, I'm just glad you're okay," Marissa said. "And I can't believe that you've brought someone home with you from there."
"Actually, she was the one who brought me home," Aaron said. "I was unconscious."
"You slipped on something and bumped your head?" Marissa asked.
"You can say that," Aaron said.
"Why don't you and Smolder go get yourselves bathed?" Marissa asked. "Individually of course. Then we'll go out for a movie."
"Alright," Aaron said. Then he headed to his room, seeing Smolder putting some of the purchased clothing that was for her into the lower dresser drawer attached to the entertainment center. "Hey, Smolder."
Smolder smiled at Aaron, and then she thought of something. She then silently asked, "Did you tell her about... you know... Ragnarok?"
"No," Aaron said. "If she knew about Ragnarok and what he'd tried to do to me, she'd never let me out of her sight again."
"I... guess that makes sense," Smolder said. "But, usually dragons aren't all that concerned about certain feelings. But me... ever since I went to the School of Friendship..."
"You've become a good friend to those around you," Aaron said.
Smolder smiled and said, "Yeah." She then started sniffing herself. "Whoa. Guess I need to get a shower."
"You go ahead and get in," Aaron said. "We're going out for dinner and a movie. You, me and aunt Marissa."
"Alright," Smolder said. She then changed into her human form and sniffed herself. "Hoo. Hopefully when I take a shower, the smell will be gone in both forms of mine."
"Don't forget to close the bathroom doors," Aaron said. "I'll be waiting."
"I've put in some necessary bathing products in the bathroom for you, Smolder," Marissa called out. "Also, bring in some of your new clothing to put on after you finish."
"Okay, Marissa," Smolder said. She then grabbed some of her new clothes to wear and she headed into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her. Aaron then opened up the doors of the entertainment center and turned on the TV.
In the hotel room that Aaron and his aunt lived in, Aaron and Smolder were watching the movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, in the living room. Smolder was in her dragon form.
"Wow," Smolder said. "That is some game they were trapped in. Although, that one character was pretty cool. Especially his name."
"Why? Because his nickname is the same name as your real name?" Aaron asked. Smolder smirked.
"Alright, kids," Marissa said. "Dinner time." Then the two of them got off the couch and headed for the table. On the table was spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and green beans.
"Huh," Smolder said. "Guess I'm gonna have to get used to these kinds of meals." She then used a pasta server to get some spaghetti. "I miss the gemstones of Equestria."
"Too bad real gemstones are very hard to find on Earth," Aaron said. Then there was a knocking on the door. Smolder quickly changed back into her human form.
Marissa then walked towards the door and opened it up. Outside the door was a big package. She then said, "Oh, good. It's here. Just in time, too."
Smolder looked at the package bringing right towards them and she asked, "What is that?"
The package was actually a box for a suitcase. Marissa then said, "It's a suitcase. For you."
"Why would I need a suitcase?" Smolder asked.
"Every July, we go up to Washington DC for our family 4th of July Family Barbecue at Grandma and Grandpa's house," Aaron said. "For the past few years, we could barely come home with any souvenirs on aunt Marissa's paychecks."
"Kara purposely makes us work overtime with no extra pay," Marissa said. She then sighed. "Well, now that I now own my own business, we can now afford proper souvenirs."
"And, why did you buy me a suitcase?" Smolder asked.
"We can't leave you here all alone," Marissa said. "You're coming with us."
"Seriously?" Smolder asked.
"It wouldn't be wise to go there and leave you behind," Aaron said. "And hopefully while we're there, we might have to have a talk with the President."
"The President?" Smolder asked. "The President of what?"
"The President of the United States," Marissa responded. "For some... official record for you."
"I need official records?" Smolder asked. "Why?"
"To make you an official citizen of this country," Marissa answered. "Unless you want to go back to Equestria."
Smolder thought about it. She then sighed and said, "Well, maybe being here might not be such a bad thing. That is of course..." She then changed back into her dragon form. "I'd have to keep hiding my true form from most of the people of this world."
"Yeah, that's true," Aaron said.
"As soon as we're done with dinner, you two need to pack up," Marissa said. "We'll be gone for an entire week."
"A week, huh?" Smolder asked. "Well, at least I'll be able to see more of this place. More than just Orlando that is."
"Well, I also got you... one of these," Marissa said, pulling something out. She then tossed it to Smolder who caught it. And she was confused on what she grabbed.
"What is this?" Smolder asked.
"Since there's a pandemic, you're most likely to catch it," Marissa said. "And these masks are to protect us from catching it."
Smolder then took a look at the image on the front of the mask and asked, "Is that my snout?! Is that what it really looks like?"
"Luckily, I found it in time before we headed on the trip," Marissa said. "Now, eat up and then go pack up. Our transport to the airport will be here at 6 in the morning to pick us up."
"Six AM?" Smolder asked. "Why so early?"
"Our plane leaves for Washington DC at 8 in the morning, and we need to get through a security check," Marissa said. "And usually, the lines are long at that part of the airport."
"I... guess that makes sense," Smolder said. Then they all kept eating their food.
Back in Equestria, Star Swirl was in his personal studies, working on something. Then Twilight and Spike walked into the room, looking around on the projects he was working on.
"Wow," Twilight said. "You've been busy."
"Of course I have," Star Swirl said. "I needed to get this stuff done."
"Okay," Twilight said. She then looked around. "So, which one of these projects is the one to get Smolder back here?"
"None of them," Star Swirl replied, making Twilight and Spike freeze in shock.
"WHAT?!" Twilight and Spike asked in unison.
"Why aren't you working on that?" Twilight asked.
"If I open a portal to Aaron's world, Ragnarok will awake and will destroy Equestria within that time," Star Swirl said. "For all of Equestria to be safe from his wrath, Smolder must remain in Aaron's world. Permanently." Twilight was shocked at Star Swirl's words. But then she got really angry. She fired a laser right by Star Swirl's head as a warning shot. "Hey! What was that for?!"
"You're forgetting that Smolder has family here in Equestria," Twilight said, walking towards Star Swirl. "Garble keeps coming up here every Saturday since then to see if Smolder was brought back yet. If you had family stuck in another world you've sent them there to keep them safe, would you forget about them?"
"Only for their own safety," Star Swirl said. He then thought about what he said and said back, "Wait. That didn't come out right."
"None of that came out right!" Twilight said. "You've been focused on saving Equestria that you overlook the consequences of who or what would be affected. Like Stygian for example. He brought you and the Pillars together, and you didn't appreciate his work. Star Swirl... you leave me no choice. I'm forcing you to retire from your duties."
"WHAT?!" Star Swirl asked.
"Eventually, Smolder has to come home," Spike said. He then pulled out a book from his backside. "And well, we did create this communication book. Instead of messaging the other by writing, it makes the two open books see and hear whoever they're communicating with. Kinda like a video phone like from the world Sunset is living now."
"That... sounds... useful," Star Swirl said. He then sighed. "Just for a few seconds. I'll open the portal to Aaron's world, and we'll send one of the books to them. Hopefully, they're alright." Star Swirl then opened a portal to Aaron's world. Spike then took the book he had and threw it into the portal." Then the portal closed. Star Swirl then sighed and said, "I'll... star packing... first thing in the morning."
Back at Aaron's home, Aaron and Smolder were getting ready for bed. Smolder was wearing a night gown in her dragon form. Aaron shook his head and sighed.
"I still don't understand why you cut wing holes in that night gown of yours," Aaron said.
"Meh, it gives my wings some breathing room," Smolder said. "Sometimes, when I sleep, my wings try to flap open. Just be glad it doesn't happen to you."
"Good point," Aaron said. Just then, there was a pound coming from the closet. Aaron and Smolder looked at each other and Aaron asked, "What was that?"
"I don't know," Smolder said.
Aaron then opened the closet and saw something that wasn't there before. It was a book with an emblem on it. The emblem was of two dragon heads in front of a six pointed magenta star. And the dragon heads looked like Aaron and Smolder's heads.
"A communication book?" Aaron asked.
"Just like the one Sunset Shimmer uses?" Smolder asked.
"Looks like it," Aaron said. "I hope it works." He was about to open it but then Aaron's aunt called out.
"Aaron, did you set your alarm for 5 AM?"
Aaron groaned and said, "I'm about to, aunt Marissa!"
"Alright," Marissa said. "Head straight for bed."
Aaron and Smolder sighed, and Smolder said, "Looks like we're gonna have to wait until morning to find out if this thing works."
"Yeah, it's probably for the best at the time," Aaron said. He then pulled out his phone. "Hey, Siri." Then the phone responded by humming. "Set an alarm for 5 in the morning."
"Your alarm has been set for 5 AM," the phone responded.
"We should go to bed," Smolder said.
"Yeah, we got to get up early tomorrow," Aaron said. "Good night, Smolder."
"Good night," Smolder said, getting into her bed. Then Aaron turned off the light and then headed to his bed, and they both drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Aaron, Smolder and Marissa were at the airport. They were currently going through airport security. Smolder was the last one of the three to step through the metal detector.
"Enjoy your flight, young lady," the security guard said. Smolder then proceeded to follow Aaron and Marissa. The three then headed towards where a bunch of restaurants stood.
"Alright, kids," Marissa said. "We got half an hour until our flight leaves, so we have time to get some breakfast. Let's go find something to eat."
Smolder then started sniffing around and said, "I smell cinnamon." Then they looked over towards the source of the smell and saw a Cinnabon. They basically got some cinnamon rolls and ate them before they got on the flight to Washington DC. Smolder had a window seat and was looking out the window, seeing that they were high in the sky.
"Whoa!" Smolder said, covering her ears because of the noise coming from the jets. "Is it always this loud?!"
"Pretty much," Aaron said. "But don't worry. It'll just be for a couple hours."
Time passed as the airplane landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Smolder was trying to pick the noise from her ears.
"Maybe we should get her some earplugs to put in before the next flight," Aaron said.
"WHAT?!" Smolder asked, loudly. "I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING!"
"This is gonna be a long day," Marissa said. "Let's go get our bags. Aaron, could you help her?"
"On it," Aaron said. He then grabbed Smolder's hand and the two of them followed Marissa over to the bag claiming area. The three of them grabbed their bags and headed out to a Subway right outside of the airport.
"What is that?" Smolder asked, getting her hearing back.
"It's a subway station," Aaron said. "It's like a train that takes you across certain close areas. Not long distance ones."
"Cool," Smolder said. "So, where are we going?"
"We'll be taking it to a station that's near the hotel we're going to stay at for the week," Marissa said. They basically got onto the subway, and reached the subway station near the hotel they were going to stay at for the week. They arrived at the hotel and eventually got into the hotel room they'll be staying in. "Alright, kids. Since this hotel doesn't allow rollaway beds, you two are going to have to share the couch."
"I'm okay with that," Smolder said. She then lifted her suitcase onto the couch, opened it, and pulled out the book.
"What is that?" Marissa asked.
"It's a book similar to the one Sunset Shimmer uses," Aaron said. "Let's see if it works." Smolder then opened the book. But when she opened it, it was just a big black spot where there should be room for writing.
"There's no room to write!" Smolder said. "It's just a rip..." She was then cut off when something came from the black spot. It then showed Twilight Sparkle in the book.
"They opened it! Finally!" Twilight's voice came out of the book. "Whoa! Guess the transformation spell worked on both of you fully."
"Not exactly," Aaron responded. Then both him and Smolder changed into their dragon forms.
"Whoa!" Twilight said. "Guess that's what happens when two creatures go into a portal with a transformation spell that's enough for one."
"You called it," Smolder said, looking towards Aaron.
Twilight looked through the communication book, looking at the hotel room. She then asked, "Is this where you live, Aaron? Nice place."
"No, it's not where I live," Aaron said.
"But I could've sworn you said..." Twilight tried to say before being cut off.
"What he means is this is a hotel, but it's not the one he lives in," Smolder said. "His aunt took both of us here for their family barbecue on the 4th of July."
"Wow," Twilight said. "I have to ask, what's so special about that day?"
"It's to celebrate the United States of America officially being founded in 1776," Aaron said. "Although, I read online that the document that made the United States officially its own country, the Declaration of Independence, was actually signed August 2nd of that same year."
"Wow," Twilight said. "So, I'm guessing Smolder being transformed part human affected her food diet?"
"Actually, it did," Smolder said. "On my first week here, I tried avoiding eating the meat here. But when I started feeling sick. I was feeling tired... and weak."
"Well, according to Sunset, humans need meat to survive, and now that you're part human, your body must need meat to survive," Twilight said. "And I don't think Sunset has a human's taste buds even though she's currently human in the other world."
"I guess that makes sense," Smolder said.
"Alright, kids," Marissa said. "Get back to your human selves. We've got to get to my Mom and Dad's place. But first, we better get some fireworks."
"Fireworks?" Smolder asked. "Why do we need fireworks?"
"It's a part of the celebration," Aaron said. "Gotta go, Twilight. Try not to call us within the next few hours. We'll call you."
"Alright, but there's one thing you should know," Twilight said. "Your friends told me before going on their summer breaks to tell you that they hope you both are doing alright in that world. And Garble is coming every weekend to see if Smolder is back here."
"Tell Garble that I'm fine," Smolder said. "I hope he's doing fine. Gotta go." She then closed the book. She then changed back into a human, along with Aaron. "Hopefully they'll be okay with me gone."
"I'm sure they're fine," Aaron said. "After all, they're on Summer Vacation."
"Yeah, that's true," Smolder said. "Let's get going. Hopefully, your family will understand why I'm here."
"Which is why they're not going to find out who you really are," Marissa said. "You'll be going as Samantha Drake. You're posing as the daughter of an old friend of mine who lives in Orlando, and wanted me to take care of you while your parents are out of the country for business."
"Really?" Smolder asked. "A cover story?"
"Smolder is more of a nickname here," Aaron said. "Like in the Jumanji movie."
"Good point," Smolder said. "Guess I'll get used to it. But really? Samantha? Is that the best you can come up with?"
"Samantha is the closest name to your name," Aaron said. "Now, we should get going. Hide the book." Smolder then put the book into her suitcase. Then the three of them left the room, heading out to their next destination.
A van pulled up to a house in Washington, DC. Aaron, Smolder and Marissa got out of the car and they had some TNT Brand Fireworks. Smolder was struggling to carry the bags in her hands.
"Why are these things so heavy?" Smolder asked. "I know I can lift more than this." The car started driving away as the three were heading towards the house on foot. "Silverstream and I could lift Yona for crying out loud."
"While you were a dragon," Aaron said. "Actually, when I was a dragon, I actually felt stronger."
"I guess that makes sense," Smolder said.
"Alright, Smolder," Marissa said. "Behave yourself when we're here. And don't do anything... you know."
"Nothing dragon like," Smolder said. "I got it." Then they all headed towards the front door. Marissa knocked on the door. The door opened, revealing an elderly woman.
"Hey, mom," Marissa said.
"Hey, grandma," Aaron said.
"Glad to see you both are here," Aaron's grandma said. She then noticed Smolder. "Who's that?"
"This is Samantha," Marissa said. "She's the daughter of an old college friend who's out of the country for business. She asked me to watch over her until she comes back from there. Which might be a while." Smolder smiled nervously at the statement.
"Well, welcome to our home, Samantha," Aaron's grandma said. "Come in, all of you." She then noticed the fireworks in their hands. "Oh, good. You've brought more fireworks."
"Just like old times," Marissa said. They then headed inside. Inside, Aaron's family was inside preparing some food. Hot dogs, burgers, chips, watermelons, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cobs, vegetables for the burgers and condiments. There was an old man, Aaron's grandfather, a woman, Aaron's aunt Zoe, a man, Aaron's uncle and Zoe's husband, Jerry, and Aaron's cousin, Reggie.
"Whoa," Smolder said. "Nice kitchen."
"Why thank you," Aaron's grandpa said. "I had to do some remodeling here whenever I'm not working at the restaurant. I'm guessing you're the guest that's staying with Marissa and Aaron?"
"Yes, sir," Smolder said.
"Wait, Marissa told you?" Aaron's grandma asked. "How come she didn't tell me?"
"She told us last night," Aaron's grandpa responded. "You were too exhausted last night to get the full details."
"Oh, that's right," Aaron's grandma said.
Aaron walked towards the kitchen to see the rest of the family. He then said, "Hey, everyone."
"There he is," Aaron's uncle Jerry said. "How's it going?"
"Pretty good, uncle Jerry," Aaron said. "How's your construction company doing in New York?"
"Pretty good," Jerry responded. "Business has been in dire need there since we moved there three years ago."
"I still hate living in New York," came Reggie's voice. They all looked towards Reggie as he said, "The other kids there always have the best stuff there while I get not even a decent piece of tech from this decade."
"Is Reggie still complaining about that?" Aaron asked. "Dude, you've got to chillax. I'm sure that one day you'll get something good." He then whispered into Smolder's ear. "Probably something that's not mine. He tried to take my computer that I got on my birthday."
Smolder sighed and shook her head. Just then, her stomach growled and she blushed.
"Looks like someone's getting hungry," Zoe said. "Well, we should get the barbecue started?" The rest of the family nodded as they prepared the barbecue. They all headed into the backyard to get the barbecue started.
Later that night, Aaron, his family, and Smolder were all in seats in the front yard, watching some fireworks that were over the Smithsonian Plaza. They all watched as so many fireworks were shot up into the sky.
Smolder was impressed by the display and quietly said, "They look so much better from a distance than up close."
"What do you...?" Aaron silently asked before he remembered one episode. "Oh, right. The play." Smolder nodded. "Well, at least this is so much better."
"Yeah," Smolder said. She then leaned her head on Aaron's shoulder, still looking up at the fireworks. She then started getting sleepy and yawned.
Marissa noticed that and said, "Alright, you two. Let's get back to the hotel."
"See you around, Marissa," Zoe said as she and the rest of the family waved goodbye to the three. Marissa then pulled out her phone to get something on an app. It was at least 30 seconds later that a car pulled up, and it had a sticker with the word, LYFT, on the back. The three got in and the car drove off.
Eventually, they made it back to the hotel. Marissa walked in and prepared to open up the couch into a bed. Smolder then changed back into her dragon form after closing the door. She was too tired to do anything else and just got into the bed. Aaron then joined her after getting on his pajamas. Smolder then held on to him in her sleep, making him wince in pain after her claws nearly dug into his skin. He then changed into his dragon form, decreasing the pain. Smolder then snuggled in closer to Aaron.
Marissa watched as the two sleeping dragons were in bed. Aaron eventually fell asleep as Marissa said, "That is something that I'll have to get used to." She then turned off the lights and prepared for bed by going into the bathroom, and would prepare for what's coming next.
The next morning, Aaron, Smolder and Marissa woke up and got ready to go out. They had breakfast at the hotel, went up to the room to brush their teeth, and then they headed back down, went to the subway, and headed towards the Smithsonian, where the White House was nearby.
"Well, here we are," Marissa said. "The Smithsonian."
"I thought we were gonna head to the White House," Smolder said. "Whatever that is."
"The White House is a place where the President of the United States lives and works during his term," Aaron said.
"And how long is the president's term?" Smolder asked.
"Four years," Marissa said. "Sometimes eight years if the voters vote for the current president."
"Well, we should probably head over towards the White House," Aaron said.
"Yes," Marissa said. "Let's go." They then headed towards the White House. They started walking towards the White House. They eventually made it and were on a tour of the place with a bunch of other people.
Smolder was getting bored and asked, "Excuse me, ma'am, but where's the bathroom?"
"Oh, it's just around the corner, on the right," the tour guide said. "Be sure to wash your hands." Smolder nodded. When she was about to turn the corner, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry, sir," Smolder said, not knowing that she bumped into Joe Biden.
"It's the President! No way, no way!" the tour guide said. Joe Biden then waved towards the crowd, getting the attention of the people.
"Good day, everyone," the President said. He then looked at Smolder. "Young lady, how about I give you and your family a personal tour of my office?"
"Technically, I'm not with my family," Smolder said. "I'm actually here with a friend of mine and his aunt." She then pointed towards Aaron and Marissa, who waved as Biden was looking towards them.
"Alright, then," the President said. "I shall take you all three of you on a personal tour of the Oval Office."
"That would be nice," Smolder said. She then remembered. "But first, I have to use the restroom." She then headed for the girls restroom. Aaron and Marissa walked up to the President.
"Mr. President, my name is Marissa Blazer," Marissa said. "It's actually a lucky break for you to invite us. We need to have a private chat. Me, my nephew, and her."
"Really?" the President asked. "Alright. We'll... wait until that young lady gets out and we'll head on over to the Oval Office. I can wait for her."
Later, the four of them arrived in the Oval Office. The President had some scientists and some advisors there. The President went over towards his desk.
"I apologize for my sudden surprise, everyone," the President said. "But I invited some tourists here for a personal tour of the Oval Office."
"Mr. President," one of the scientists said. "We got to figure out where that mysterious energy spike originated. All we know of it is that it originated somewhere in the Orlando, Florida area."
"Sorry about this," the President said. "Let's just say something happened about a couple months ago somewhere in Florida." He then looked at the scientists and said, "We'll continue this later."
"Hold it," Marissa said. "Actually, we might know what you're talking about."
"What do you mean?" the President asked.
"That energy spike your machines detected, it was actually a portal to another dimension," Smolder said. "And it originally opened up..."
"Right in my closet," Aaron finished. "I got sucked into that portal and got stuck in that dimension for four months, and came back like no time had passed."
"He even got transformed into an intelligent creature of that world to blend in," Smolder said.
"How do you know that?" asked the same scientist.
"Because I'm from that world," Smolder said. "He got unconscious and I had to carry him through the portal. Although, the transformation part was only meant for one creature."
"Really?" the President asked. "Who are you?"
"A lot of people know who I really am," Smolder said. "Have you heard of the show, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic?"
"I hear that the show is popular with many people," the President responded. "Why?" Aaron and Smolder looked at each other and nodded. Then the two of them revealed their dragon forms to the people in the room. "Whoa!"
"Incredible," a female scientist said. "Wait a minute. I know you. You're that orange dragon who debuted in Season 8 of the series. My daughter watches that show. So, everything in that show..."
"Really happened," Smolder said. "It did."
"Incredible," the female scientist said.
"Mind if we get... a blood sample from both of you?" the first scientist asked.
"What for?" Smolder asked, crossing her arms.
"It's for scientific research," the first scientist said. "Just to make sure that what you've got in your blood isn't too dangerous."
"It's magic," Smolder said. "I'm pretty sure that the magic they used isn't too dangerous. I helped save my home... twice." The scientists escorted Aaron and Smolder onto one of the sofas.
"You better drink a lot of fluids before we start extracting blood," the first scientist said. The President then walked towards his desk, opened up a drawer, and pulled out two 1-Liter bottles of Aquafina. "Oh, perfect." He then grabbed the bottles and handed them to the two dragons in the room. "Now drink up."
"Sheesh," Smolder said. "Something tells me I have to use the bathroom a lot today." She then opened the bottle and started drinking. Aaron was also drinking the bottle as well. As the two dragons were drinking, the scientist walked out of the room to get something. He then came back as the two dragons finished drinking their water.
"Wow," Aaron said. "Now I really have to go."
"Well, we're also gonna need... a sample of your urine," the first scientist said. "We're just gonna have to find somewhere for you two to do it in private."
"I have a private toilet behind a secret door in here," said the President. "One of you can use it to do a urine sample while the other one gets blood drawn."
"I'll use the restroom," Aaron said. The scientist handed him a urine sample cup as he was heading to the restroom. The scientist then sat down next to Smolder, put a tightened rubber band on her right by the elbow, and searched for a spot to put the needle in. He then tried putting the needle in, but her scales were too tough.
"Wow," the scientist said. "Your scales are tough." Smolder smirked.
"Is there something else we can do for you?" the President asked.
"Well, we don't know how long Smolder is going to be staying here if she returns to Equestria, so we're gonna need to get her some official documents," Marissa said.
"That I can do," the President said. He then started typing on a computer. "Okay, I'm guessing that you've given Smolder a cover name."
"Samantha Drake," Marissa said.
"Okay," the President said. "That's done." He then looked towards Smolder and asked, "When's your birthday, and how old are you?"
"April 8th, and I'm 13," Smolder responded.
"Okay," the President said before typing on the computer. "Date of Birth, November 8, 2009." He then looked up a list of Social Security Numbers. "Okay, we're gonna have to put the place where you arrived at as your place of birth, which is Orlando, Florida."
"Meh, alright," Smolder said and her blood was getting extracted. "Whoa. What's happening?"
"What you're feeling is what normally happens when you get your blood drawn," the scientist said. "Just relax." Just then, Aaron came out of the bathroom with a urine sample and handed it to one of the scientists.
"Okay," Aaron said. "I'm done."
"Alright," the scientist said.
"And I'm guessing that you don't need any important documents?" the President asked.
"Nah, my Aunt Marissa has the documents somewhere," Aaron said.
"He's right," Marissa replied. Smolder then headed for the bathroom, nearly losing balance. She then walked up to Smolder and said, "Let me help you."
"Thank you," Smolder said. Marissa helped keep Smolder balanced until they reached the bathroom.
A few days had passed since they went to the White House. They were currently coming out of an AMC Movie Theater near the hotel they were staying at, Aaron and Smolder in their human forms.
"That movie was awesome," Smolder said.
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Good thing we stayed until after the end credits. Most of the Marvel Movies have after credit scenes."
"And we got good seats while we were there as well," Marissa said. "When you go see a movie on opening day, it's best you prepay for your tickets at least a week before opening day."
"Good to know," Smolder said.
"C'mon," Marissa said. "Let's get some ice cream." They walked over to a nearby ice cream shop. They went in, got their orders, and walked back towards the hotel. But when they reached the hotel, they saw a limousine parked in front of the building. "That's something you don't see everyday." They went into the hotel to see the scientists waiting for the three.
"Ahh, there you all are," the male scientist said. "You remember us."
"Reynolds and Reynolds?" Smolder asked. She then thought of something. "Are you sure you two aren't related?"
"No," the female scientist said. "Anyway, mind if we have a talk with you upstairs? In your hotel room?"
They later went into the hotel room and the scientists started talking with the two teens, who went back into their dragon forms after closing the door.
"We ran some diagnostics on your blood samples," the male scientist, known as Xander Reynolds, said. "It would seem that something in your blood just might be a breakthrough. We tested the blood sample against COVID, and it seems that your blood has somehow burned the virus."
"You mean something in our blood is an immunity to the virus?" Aaron asked.
"Exactly," the female scientist, known as Lexi Reynolds, said. "We're gonna see how well it works with other subjects. And if it's safe, then we can prevent so many people from death."
"Theoretically speaking of course," Doctor Xander Reynolds said.
"So, does that mean you need more of our blood?" Aaron asked.
"To be certain, we're gonna have to draw blood from you... monthly," said Lexi Reynolds. "Also, for us to keep in touch, we're gonna have to get all three of your cell phone numbers."
"I don't have a cell phone," Smolder said. "Although, I do enjoy playing some games on Aaron's phone sometimes."
"What phone do you use, Aaron?" Lexi Reynolds asked.
"iPhone X," Aaron said. "Although, it's just about worn out for using it so many times."
"I've been meaning to get us some new iPhones, but I never get the time to go to the phone store to upgrade," Marissa said. "I'll try and get some sometime after we get back to Orlando."
"Actually, we might just surprise you," Xander Reynolds said. "Well, that's all we're here for. We'll see you some other time." As they were getting up, Marissa handed the scientists their home address and the phone numbers of both her and Aaron. The scientists then headed out.
Eventually, the three of them made it back to the hotel they were living at. When they reached the door, there was a small package left there, with a letter taped to it. Aaron walked towards the door and opened the door. Smolder then grabbed the box as she was pulling her suitcase into the hotel room.
They put their bags into the rooms they slept in and then Aaron and Smolder changed back into their dragon forms. Aaron then used one of his claws to tear open the letter. He then opened it up. Marissa then took the letter out of the envelope and read it.
"'To Aaron and Marissa Blazer, and Smolder, we are proud to announce that Smolder's official documents as an official United States Citizen. The documents that she needs are all inside this package, along with something for all three of you. And Smolder, enjoy your time here. Signed, President Joe Biden.'"
Aaron then opened up the box and inside were Smolder's official documents as Samantha Drake, along with three boxes of the iPhone 13 Pro Max. One in blue, one in green, and one in purple.
"Sweet! Three new phones!" Smolder said.
"That's lucky," Marissa said. "Tomorrow, we'll get these phones set up, and we'll get Smolder her own phone plan." Just then, the home phone started ringing. "I'll get it." She then answered the phone. "Hello? Oh, hang on." She then looked towards Aaron and said, "Aaron, do you know someone named Kirk Fogg?"
"Kirk Fogg?!" Aaron asked.
"As in the host of that old game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple?" Smolder asked.
"Huh?" Marissa asked, putting the phone back to her ear. "Oh, right. I'm here. Oh, really?" She then looked towards Aaron and asked, "Did you sign up to compete on the game show?"
"I did," Smolder said. "I heard that whenever someone competes on the show, we can get prizes."
"Okay," Marissa said. She then said, "They're interested in competing on the comeback show. Okay." She then looked towards the two and asked, "Kirk Fogg wants to know what team you two are interested in joining."
Aaron and Smolder then looked at each other, trying to choose which team they wanted to be on. Aaron then said, "Give me the phone." Marissa then handed Aaron the phone and he said, "This is Aaron Blazer. Samantha and I choose..."
In a television studio in Orlando, there was an animatronic stone head by a set of stairs. Its eyes started glowing as it spoke out to the people in the audience.
"Legends... of the Hidden Temple!" the stone head spoke. The audience started applauding. "With your guide... Kirk Fogg!" Then swinging up from one side of the building was a man in a gray shirt, a blue button up shirt over it, cargo shorts, boots, and a belt with a pouch connected to it. "And here he is now!"
Kirk Fogg then walked up a set of stairs and said, "Thank you! Thank you, Olmec. Welcome to the Hidden Temple. The rooms are full of lost treasures that are protected by mysterious Mayan temple guards. Only Olmec knows the legend behind each of the treasures in this treasure." He then turned towards Olmec and asked, "Which one are we gonna hear about today?"
"The legend of the lost slingshot of David," Olmec said.
"The lost slingshot of David," Kirk Fogg said. "Well the legend is set and one of these six teams will have a chance to retrieve the lost slingshot. Will it be the Red Jaguars?" The crowd started applauding at the red jaguars. "The Blue Barracudas?" The crowd cheered again. "The Green Monkeys?" More cheering came from the crowd. "The Orange Iguanas?" The crowd cheered again. The Orange Iguanas were really Aaron and Smolder. "The Purple Parrots?" The crowd applauded them. "Or the Silver Snakes." The crowd applauded them. "They're gonna have to pass some difficult and mental tests, and in the end, only one team will have the right to enter Olmec's temple. But first they're gonna have to pass the moat. And Olmec will tell them how they'll have to do it today." Kirk then looked towards Olmec.
"Before you are a series of ancient rings suspended over the rope," Olmec announced. "When Kirk gives the signal, one player will crawl through the first ring and into the next one. Then, keep pulling yourself forward through the rings to get across the moat. Once the first player is safely across, that's the second player's signal to cross. As soon as the second player crosses the moat, run over and hit the gong." Kirk then pushed the button on top of a small light up podium that was glowing a silver color. The first four teams to hit their gongs will go on to the next round."
"Alright, let's get going!" Kirk announced. "Teams, are you ready?!" Then the teams on one side of the moat started applauding, telling Kirk that they're ready. "Olmec, are you ready?"
"This rock is ready to roll!" Olmec said.
"On your mark, get set, go!" Kirk announced. Then the teams started crawling through the rings. On the Orange Iguanas, Smolder was going first. She was pulling herself through the rings, reaching through the rings and pulling herself through. She was the first one to get to the other side of the moat and stood up. That was Aaron's signal to go. He then started pulling himself through the rings, and he eventually made it to the other side. As soon as he got out of the rings, he and Smolder headed for the gong. Smolder was the one who pushed the button. Then the Blue Barracudas came in and hit their gong. Along with the Red Jaguars and the Purple Parrots. "Oh, ho! Nice job!" Kirk Fogg then looked towards the camera with Aaron and Smolder. "The Orange Iguanas were the first ones to make it across the moat, and they barely had any trouble. They're going on to the Steps of Knowledge along with the Red Jaguars, the Blue Barracudas, and the Purple Parrots." The teams that made it in time cheered along with the crowd applauding. "The Green Monkeys and the Silver Snakes gave it their all, but they're not going home empty handed. We got a great gift for them."
Then the lights went out and the workers of the show escorted the four winning teams to the dressing rooms to change into dryer clothes for the next round.
In the dressing room, Aaron and Smolder were changing into a new set of clothes for the Orange Iguanas. Smolder was talking as she was changing her clothes.
"That was awesome!" Smolder said. "I can't believe we went through that so well."
"That was just the first part of the game show," Aaron said. "We're gonna move on to the Steps of Knowledge next."
"Right," Smolder said. "This next part is about both the body and the mind. So we're gonna have to pay close attention to what the legend is."
"We'll make it through it," Aaron said. "Just be careful and don't say the wrong answer. If we don't get it right, we won't get another chance to answer it until the next question."
"Right, and we have to be one of the first two teams to make it to the bottom step to get to the next event," Smolder said. She then came out of the small booth in dryer clothes and put her helmet back on. "Let's do this." Then she and Aaron headed for the door, where the other teams were waiting. Then they all headed out of the dressing room.
The lights went back on and the camera was facing Kirk Fogg, who was heading towards the Steps of Knowledge where the four winning teams were standing.
"As the quest continues, it's time for Olmec to tell us of the Legend of the Lost Slingshot of David," Kirk Fogg said. "Pay attention, teams, because your knowledge of the legend will bring you one step closer to Olmec's temple."
The four teams looked towards Olmec as he was speaking of the legend.
"One of the famous biblical legends is David. David was the youngest of eight brothers. He was tasked with being a shepherd, meaning he was their sole protector from predators. Meanwhile, some of his brothers were off at war against an army of Philistines that the Israelites had to fight. One day, David had taken food to his brothers under his father's request. But his brothers thought he was there to watch the fight instead of the sheep. David knew in his heart that he was just obeying his dad, and with that, he didn't mind being misunderstood. But as David was about to leave, he noticed one Philistine man walking through a crowd of other Philistine men, the biggest one of them all, Goliath. He had a huge helmet, thick armor, and wielded huge weapons. Goliath demanded that the Israelites that one man should represent his opponents to fight him, and if they win, the Philistines would surrender, but the Israelites were too cowardly to stand up to Goliath, not even the king. David didn't like that the giant man was intimidating the Israelites, so he volunteered to the king to fight Goliath, but the king thought that David was too small, but the King gave in because he didn't have anyone brave enough to take on Goliath. David was faithful that he would be able to take down Goliath because he believed that God was with him. David was then fitted into some armor, but none of them fit him, so he decided to go to battle in his regular clothes. David then went to a nearby stream to collect five stones for his slingshot. David stepped forth into battle against Goliath, which the latter was furious. He was expecting the strongest of the Israelites to come and face him, but David was the only one brave enough to step onto battle. David was so brave, he even defended his sheep from bears and lions. David announced that God would be his protector, which made Goliath furious. David then took a stone, put it in his slingshot, and prepared for battle. When the battle started, he shot the stone from his slingshot, hitting Goliath directly in the forehead, not giving him a chance to swing his sword. As Goliath was down, David took Goliath's sword and cut off the giant's head. The Philistines surrendered and ran away. David became one of the greatest heroes of Jerusalem, and eventually, his slingshot was lost through the ages. Your quest is to find the lost slingshot of David and bring it back here."
"Thank you, Olmec, now tell us, where is the slingshot?" Kirk Fogg asked.
"The lost slingshot of David can be found in the Shrine of the Silver Monkey," Olmec said as a light shined over a room.
"Teams, you are now standing on the Steps of Knowledge," Kirk Fogg said to the teams. "In a minute, Olmec will ask you a question. If you think you know the answer, step on the ancient marking. If you're right, you'll move down to the next level. If you're wrong or run out of time, I'm gonna give the other teams a chance to answer." He then started walking down the steps. "The first two teams to make it down to the bottom level will be one step closer to Olmec's temple. Olmec, we're now ready for your first question."
"David was the youngest of how many brothers? 4, 6, or...?" Aaron then stepped on the marking.
"What was David's job?" Olmec asked. "A shepherd, a gladiator, or a..." Smolder then stepped on the mark.
"Orange Iguanas," Kirk Fogg said.
"A shepherd!" Smolder called out.
"That is correct!" Olmec said.
"Step on down, Orange Iguanas," Kirk Fogg said. "Orange Iguanas, one more step, and you'll move on to the temple games. Next question, Olmec."
"What was the name of the Philistines greatest warrior? Hercules, Goliath, or Thor?" Smolder then stepped on the marker.
"Orange Iguanas," Kirk Fogg said.
"Goliath!" Smolder said.
"That is correct," Olmec said. Then the two of them stepped onto the bottom step.
"Way to go, Orange Iguanas! They're moving onto the Temple Games!" Kirk Fogg announced. "The Red Jaguars, the Blue Barracudas and the Purple Parrots are all behind but they can catch up. Alright Olmec, next question."
"Which of these animals did David fight to protect the sheep? Tigers, Lions or..." One of the Blue Barracudas stepped on the ancient marker.
"Blue Barracudas," Kirk Fogg said.
"Lions!" the male Blue Barracuda said.
"That is correct," Olmec said.
"Okay, Blue Barracudas, step on down," Kirk Fogg said. "Next question."
"Who was David relied on? His father, his brothers, or God?" Olmec asked. The Blue Barracudas stepped on the marker.
"Blue Barracudas," Kirk Fogg said.
"God!" the girl of the Blue Barracudas said.
"That is correct," Olmec said.
"Alright, Blue Barracudas, step down," Kirk Fogg said. "One more correct answer, and you'll be going onto the Temple Games. Alright Olmec, next question."
"Where did David go to collect the stones? The Stream, the Ocean, or the Lake?" Olmec asked as the boy of the Purple Parrots stomped on the marker.
"The lake!" the boy of the Purple Parrots called out.
"Incorrect!" Olmec said. Then the Blue Barracudas stomped on the marker.
"Blue Barracudas," Kirk Fogg said.
"The Stream!" the boy said.
"That... is correct!" Olmec said. Then the Blue Barracudas celebrated as they went down to the final step.
"We got our two teams going to the Temple Games!" Kirk Fogg said, walking up to the two teams. "It's the Blue Barracudas... and the Orange Iguanas! Good job! Red Jaguars, Purple Parrots, come on down!" The two teams came down the steps. "The Purple Parrots and the Red Jaguars almost had their chance to go down, but they gave it their best. They're not gonna go home empty handed. Here's what they're getting." Then the Red Jaguars and the Purple Parrots were escorted off the steps. Kirk Fogg then said, "These two teams will be playing for the right to enter Olmec's Temple, and they're gonna do it right after this!" Then the crowd started cheering for the contestants left.
In the dressing room, Aaron and Smolder were getting ready for the Temple Games. Smolder was getting into some blue jeans and some elbow and knee pads.
"This is getting intense," Smolder said. "We're one step away from reaching the temple."
"Yeah," Aaron said, getting into some blue jeans as well. "We're gonna have to pay attention to the rules of each game. They change the games every time, so we won't know which one will be up first."
"Good point," Smolder said. "So, we better win this event."
Then there was a knocking at the door. Aaron and Smolder looked towards the door and saw someone standing there. He then said, "Orange Iguanas, get ready for the Temple Games."
"Guess that's our cue," Smolder said. "Ready?"
"Always," Aaron said. Then the two of them headed for the door. Then the two of them were given name tags with their names. Well, Aaron's name. Smolder's name tag had the name Samantha on it. They put them on their shirts and headed out of the dressing room to get ready for the next event.
The lights came across the areas in front of the temple, where a bunch of things were set up for the temple games. Standing in front of Olmec were Aaron, Smolder, Kirk Fogg and the Blue Barracudas.
"Welcome back to Legends," Kirk Fogg said to the camera. "Now the glory goes to the fastest and the strongest. Now let's hear it for James and Sasha of the Blue Barracudas..." The crowd applauded. "And Samantha and Aaron of the Orange Iguanas. Girls, you head on over for the first temple games, and the guys, you head on over to the second." Then they all headed for their respective destinations. "Now, the teams are competing to win pendants of life." He then held out a pendant. "The winning team will need those pendants to protect them from those dreaded temple guards as they make their way through the temple." He then faced Olmec. "There are three temple games. Olmec, tell us about Temple Game Number One."
A light shined on Olmec as he said, "When David was watching over his sheep, he was a great defender to those beasts that tried to go after them. Especially the lions." Smolder and Sasha were sitting on poles that had lion heads on them. "When Kirk gives the signal, the lion beneath you will begin to spin. The player that's still on the lion after sixty seconds, or... the player that stays on the longest... wins."
"Oh ho," Kirk Fogg said. "Wrestling some lions, huh? Now that's something that's gonna be tough. Let's see who'll stay on the longest. Let's put 60 seconds on the clock. On your marks, get set, go!" Then the two men spinning the poles started and the two girls started holding on tight to the handles on the pole. Smolder was holding on tight along with Sasha. The poles started spinning faster. Smolder was about to lose her grip, but Sasha fell off first, then Smolder followed. "Oh, that was a close call!" Smolder and Sasha got off the padding underneath them and headed for Kirk Fogg. "Both of them fell off the lions, but Sasha was the first one to let go, so that means the Orange Iguanas get the first half pendant of life." Kirk then held out a half piece of a pendant. "The Orange Iguanas have a half pendant, and the Blue Barracudas don't have any. But the next game is worth a half pendant. Olmec, tell us about it."
The light above Olmec shined as he said, "David was tasked with delivering food to his brothers in the war against the Philistines." Aaron and James were in harnesses attached to a line above two platforms. "When Kirk gives the signal, you will deliver the first food from one side to the other and come back for the next piece of food. The player who brings the most food to David's brothers in 60 seconds wins."
"Alright, this is all about speed right here," Kirk said. "Let's get 60 seconds on the clock." Aaron and James were preparing to grab the food. "On your marks, get set, go!" Then the two boys grabbed a piece of food and rode the line to the other side, dropping the food into the basket below them. As they dropped them, there was a line attached to the back of their harnesses, being pulled by a man, each. Aaron and James continued to do it over and over again. But both of them each missed the basket twice. And the time stopped. "Okay, times up. I'm gonna go check out the score." Then Kirk grabbed the two baskets and checked to see how many each player got delivered. "Okay, we'll start with the Orange Iguanas. We have... One... Two... Three.. Four... Five... Six! Okay, and the Blue Barracudas have One... Two... Three... Four... Five... Six! It's a tie! Both teams get the half pendant of life. But the Orange Iguanas are still ahead with one full pendant. The Blue Barracudas can still catch up in the last Temple Game. Olmec, tell us the last game."
Then a light appeared over Olmec as he said, "David volunteered to go into battle, and his weapon of choice was his slingshot, and five stones." Both teams were harnessed to each other with the rope going through a hole in a wall with a ramp above them, and some paper mache rocks in a box. "When Kirk gives the signal, one of you will grab a stone, toss it over you and your partner to catch it and put it into the box. The first team to get five stones or the team that has the most stones in the box within 60 seconds wins."
"Okay, this is a race now," Kirk Fogg said. "Let's put 60 seconds on the clock. On your marks, get set, go!"
Aaron and James each grabbed a paper mache rock and threw it onto the ramp above them. As Aaron went back to the wall, he pounded on the wall, and Smolder ran forward to reach for the paper mache rock. She caught it and put it into the box.
"Whoa, nice teamwork from the Orange Iguanas," Kirk Fogg said.
The Blue Barracudas weren't so lucky with catching the rocks. Eventually, Aaron and Smolder finished gathering five rocks with 2 seconds left to spare.
"Okay, okay, that's it!" Kirk Fogg said. "Stop the time!" He then walked up between the two areas. That was when the other workers helped Aaron and Smolder out of the wall. "With only two seconds left on the clock, the Orange Iguanas have gotten all 5 stones collected while the Blue Barracudas only got 2. The Orange Iguanas get the full pendant of life. They're going to the temple." Aaron and Smolder high fived each other. "The Blue Barracudas did their best. They're not gonna go away empty handed. We got a great gift for them. Here's what it is."
Then an announcement was made as the Blue Barracudas were escorted off the set.
"The Orange Iguanas were amazing throughout the way to the temple, and they never failed," Kirk Fogg said. "Now we're gonna see if they can make it through Olmec's temple, and retrieve the slingshot of David, right after this."
In the dressing room, Aaron and Smolder were preparing for the last challenge. Both of them were thinking to each other. Just then, one man entered the room.
"Okay, you two," the man said. "The temple's all set up. Better get ready."
"Alright," Aaron said. The man then left the room. "We're gonna have to decide who's gonna go into the temple first. And we're also gonna decide to see where to go first."
"Actually, I think you should go first," Smolder said.
"Really?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah," Smolder said. "You've been clever enough through a similar obstacle course back... you know."
"Ah, I see," Aaron said. "That was some obstacle course she did."
"Alright, let's go," Smolder said. Then the two of them got up from their seats and headed for the door. They were then escorted to where Kirk Fogg was standing.
The crowd applauded as Aaron and Smolder were standing next to Kirk Fogg.
"Welcome back to Legends," Kirk Fogg said into the camera. "The Orange Iguanas have blazed all the way, proven themselves worthy, and now earned the right to enter Olmec's temple. But first, Olmec will now give them some information on how to retrieve the lost slingshot of David." Then the three of them looked towards Olmec.
A light shined over Olmec as he spoke. "You could start with the crypt. Pull the right book to open the door and enter into the pit. Swing across the pit and then you could ascend into the King's Store Room. Smash the clay pots to find the key, and then descend into the Mandarin Hand room. Put the fingers on the globe, and that'll give you access into the Room of Ancient Warriors. Pull the correct lever and enter into the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. Put the pieces into the right spot, and enter into the Room of the Secret Password. Say the right password, and slide down into the Quicksand Bog. Then, break through the wall into the Dark Forest. But beware the dark spirits that may lurk in one of the trees. Find the key in one of the trees, and enter the Jester's Court. Align yourself with the paintings and enter into the Laser Light Room. Find the right light to open the door, back into the pit, climb through the ledges, and come back here to the temple gates. You've won two pendants in the temple games. Who's going first?"
"I am," Aaron announced.
"Very well, Aaron," Olmec said. "When Kirk gives the signal, you'll race through the gates, into the temple, and make your way towards the lost Slingshot of David. And inside the temple are temple guards signed to protect three specific rooms. You can trade your pendant for an extra life, but if you're caught without a pendant, you'll be taken out of the temple and it'll be Samantha's turn to enter and try her luck. If you reach the slingshot, all the rooms in the temple will instantly unlock and the temple guards will vanish. Return to the gates within 3 minutes, and you'll both be handsomely rewarded. And here's how."
Then an announcement was made. "First you're gonna get... some mountain bikes. YETI Mountain bikes. For those tough terrains through the mountains. Grab the slingshot within 3 minutes and you'll also receive... this pool table. A Spencer Marston Arlington Pool Table. One of the best brands there is. And if you can get out of the temple with the slingshot within 3 minutes, you two are going to Hawaii! You'll enjoy all the fantastic things there, including hula dancers, native shows, and other fun activities, and you'll be staying at the Aulani resort, where you can meet and dine with Disney Characters."
"Wow, a trip to Hawaii! That's amazing!" Kirk Fogg said. "Okay, let's put 3 minutes on the clock." Kirk then faced Olmec. "Olmec, open the gate." Olmec groaned as the gate was opening. Kirk then handed Aaron and Smolder a pendant each. "Okay, on your mark, get set. Go!"
Then Aaron ran in through the temple, very quickly. He ran into the crypt and pulled on the three books. Then the door to the pit opened up and he ran down the steps. He then jumped into the pit and opened the small door into the Laser Light room. He pulled one plate and it was a white light that opened the door to the Jester's Court, but before he could, he was ambushed by a Temple Guard. Aaron then gave the guard a pendant and continued. He then went into the Jester's Court. He started with the middle one and the light in the room went out, and the wall art started glowing. Aaron then went through the next door into the Dark Forest. He then jumped through the wall into the Quicksand Bog. He then went to the ladder and climbed up it. He then pushed a button that opened a door to the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. He then ran towards the slingshot and all the doors in the temple opened up. He then started running through the room of ancient warriors, up the stairs, and ran through the King's Store Room. Then he reached the pit, and Aaron used the slingshot to grab the rope and pulled the rope to him. He then swung over the pit, and then went through the crypt to the Temple Gates. The crowd cheered as Aaron went through the temple gates.
"He's done it!" Kirk Fogg said. "Aaron has blazed through the temple so quickly! With a minute and 55 seconds left on the clock, the Orange Iguanas have made it through! They get the mountain bikes, they get the pool table, and they're going to Hawaii! Congratulations to the Orange Iguanas! And thank you for watching! We'll see you next time on Legends of the Hidden Temple!"
Aaron and Smolder arrived back to the hotel room, and they went into the room that they were sharing. Just a few minutes after they walked in, Marissa came in and saw the two laying on their beds.
"So how'd it go?" Marissa asked.
"Aaron raced through the temple and did it all by himself," Smolder said.
"Really?" Marissa asked. "What did you win?"
"A couple mountain bikes, a pool table and a family trip to Hawaii," Aaron said. That last prize made Marissa shocked. She then started shedding tears of joy.
"I've always wanted to go to Hawaii," Marissa cried in happiness. She then pulled the two in for a hug. We can all go there for a Christmas Trip."
"Christmas?" Smolder asked. "Is it that holiday that's similar to Hearth's Warming?"
"It actually is," Aaron said. "Glad you actually paid attention."
"Well, I'm glad you've both won the trip," Marissa said. "And I think you two should bathe yourselves. After all, both of you went through the entire game show."
"Yeah," Smolder said, before sniffing her armpit. "I'm gonna need a deep scrub." She then grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom to get herself bathed.
With permission from their families, and Grandpa Gruff for Gallus's sake, Smolder's friends arrived in the Castle of Friendship. They were currently talking to Smolder and Aaron through the communication book.
"And then, Aaron used the slingshot to pull the rope closer to him, swing across the pit, go back through the crypt and run out of the temple just a few seconds after the first minute," Smolder said.
"Wow!" Gallus said. "That must've been a walk in the park for him."
"Well, we did do a lot of practice before the big day," Smolder said. "It's been a while since we've seen each other in person."
"If only there was a way for us to open up a portal to that world without that Ragnarok dragon finding out," Ocellus said.
"Does Aaron's aunt know about Ragnarok?" Sandbar asked.
"We thought it would be best if she doesn't know about the giant, evil dragon who wants to kill Aaron," Smolder said. Just then Smolder heard a knock on the door. "Alright, guys. I gotta go. Bye." She then closed the book on her side and then Twilight closed the book on their side.
"Well, looks like Smolder is doing just fine in Aaron's world," Twilight said. "But don't worry. I'm working on a spell to see if we can bring Smolder back home. But that is of course she wants to return back here to Equestria."
"Eventually, she will want to come back to see her family," Silverstream said. "I know I'd miss my family if I was stuck in another world."
"Me, too," Ocellus said.
"Yak agree as well," Yona said.
"I would also," Sandbar said. Then the four of them looked at Gallus.
"I don't have a family, but I would miss my old friends," Gallus said.
"Well, perhaps I can figure out a way to get you to Aaron's world, and bring you guys home if you want to," Twilight said. "Just for a visit."
"Well, I'm sure that you can find a way," Ocellus said. "You are the most magically gifted pony we know."
"Well, I'm glad you think so," Twilight said. "I'll also make something to disguise yourselves as humans while you're there. But there's the fact that I have to use it to activate the transformation spell."
"Wait, what about something similar to Silverstream's necklace?" Ocellus asked.
"Oh, yeah!" Silverstream said. She then sat on the steps. "I almost forgot about this." She then activated her special seashell and she changed into her seapony form.
"So, we're gonna need something to put the transformation spell into," Twilight said. "Why don't you all head onto your homes and I'll send some of my royal guards to pick you up."
"Okay," the five students said. They were then escorted out of the Throne Room. As Gallus was leaving the room, he was looking towards the Royal Guards and he got to thinking.
Back on Earth, Aaron and Smolder were playing a video game on Aaron's Nintendo Switch. Smolder was in her dragon form. They were playing Mario Kart. Aaron was playing as Yoshi while Smolder was playing as Peach.
"How are you beating me?" Aaron asked. "This is your first time playing."
"Meh, I was paying attention to the way you play," Smolder said.
"So, how are the others doing?" Aaron asked.
"They're doing fine," Smolder said. "I'm sure they're gonna find a way to come here. Along with something to make them blend in."
"I'm sure that Twilight will think of something," Aaron said. Just then Aaron jumped in frustration. "Gah! Seriously?!"
"You snooze, you lose," Smolder said.
"You've been hanging out with Rainbow Dash too much," Aaron said. "Kinda wish I would've seen you in that cute dress in person."
"Oh, that?" Smolder asked. She then blushed. "I... wish I could have brought it with me. But it's been so long since I put that on." Aaron was confused about that. She then quickly looked at the bottom of her bed and looked back at Aaron. Aaron then looked towards where Smolder looked. He then smirked and quickly jumped towards the bottom of her bed. "No!" Smolder then tackled Aaron, but Aaron grabbed something from the bottom of her bed. It was a small suitcase. Aaron then opened it and saw a light blue sparkly dress.
"You made a dress here?" Aaron asked.
Smolder blushed in embarrassment and said, "I... might dress up in it when you're not in the hotel room."
"Don't worry, Smolder," Aaron said. "If it's what makes you you, I'm fine with it." Smolder smiled at Aaron's comment. Just then, Marissa knocked on the door.
"Knock knock," Marissa said.
"What is it, aunt Marissa?" Aaron asked.
"I'm going to be doing a fashion show of my line of teenage clothing for my fashion company," Marissa said. "And that show is going to be in Las Vegas, Nevada."
"Las Vegas?" Smolder asked. "Is that similar to Las Pegasus?"
"Sort of," Aaron said.
"Well, two of my teenage models cancelled, so I want you two to fill in," Marissa said.
"Really?" Smolder asked.
"Yes," Marissa said. "So that means, we're all going to Las Vegas."
"Sweet," Aaron said. "We should pack up." Aaron and Smolder then started getting their stuff ready. Marissa then noticed Smolder's dress and smiled.
"I see you discovered Smolder's dress," Marissa said, making Smolder blush.
"You knew about that?" Smolder asked.
"I've seen those parts in the two episodes of the show Aaron watches," Marissa said. "Why did you think I left out those specific fabrics and my sewing machine out that one day?"
Smolder's blush faded. She then continued packing her stuff.
A couple days had passed, and the three of them arrived at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. The three of them headed into the hotel and went to the check-in desk.
"Welcome to the Wynn Resort, how may I help you?" the man at the desk asked.
"Reservation for Marissa Blazer," Marissa said.
"Marissa Blazer, Marissa Blazer," the man said, checking on his computer. "Ah, yes. Room for three. Okay, and here is your room key card. Would you like me to give two more for these two young ones?"
"That would be good for them to have," Marissa said. Then the man gave Aaron and Smolder some key cards.
"Enjoy your stay," the man said.
They eventually walked towards an elevator and went up. Soon they went into the room they were staying at.
"Whoa," Smolder said. "This room is huge."
"Yes it is," Marissa said. Then there was a knocking at the door. The bellhop brought in a luggage cart full of hung clothes. "Oh, thank you, sir." She then tipped the bellhop as he headed out.
"So, what can we do first while we're here?" Smolder asked.
"Well, there are a lot of things to do here in Las Vegas," Marissa said. "Aaron, what are you interested in doing?"
"Well, we can do some zip lining down Fremont Street another time," Aaron said.
"Yeah, we can do that some other time," Marissa said. "But for right now, let's go explore the strip." Then the three of them headed out of there.
Aaron, Smolder and Marissa were walking around the Las Vegas Strip. They eventually made it to the New York New York hotel and went up to the arcade.
"Whoa," Smolder said. "This place is amazing."
"Yeah," Aaron said. "Now this is an arcade."
"Alright, you kids," Marissa said. "You two have some fun. I'm gonna go look around."
"You're not gonna gamble, are you?" Aaron asked.
"This is a business trip, not a money seeking trip," Marissa said. "We've got a fashion show to do tomorrow. Don't do too much today. We'll do a lot more the day after tomorrow."
"Okay, aunt Marissa," Aaron said.
Aaron and Smolder then started playing some video games. Aaron and Smolder had gained a lot of tickets from the games they played. Smolder's phone then started ringing.
"Hello?" Smolder asked, answering the phone. "Oh, hey, Marissa." She then listened to Marissa. "Uh-huh. Okay. We'll meet you there." He then looked towards Aaron. "Hey, Aaron."
"What is it?" Aaron asked.
"We got to meet your aunt at the Hershey's shop," Smolder said. "Let's go." Then the two of them walked out of the arcade, heading downstairs, heading towards the Hershey's shop. They went inside to meet with Marissa.
"Alright, you two," Marissa said. "We'd better head back to the hotel. We've got to get ready for the show tomorrow. We'll have some dinner there, and you two have to get bathed before the show."
"Okay, Aunt Marissa," Aaron said.
"Now, c'mon," Marissa said. "I've already called for a Lyft to pick us up. Now, let's get going." Then the three of them headed out of there.
Back at the hotel, Aaron and Smolder were getting ready for bed. Marissa went to check on the two.
"Are you two kids ready for bed?" Marissa asked.
"Yeah," Aaron said. He then sighed.
"What's wrong, Aaron?" Marissa asked.
"He's only known so much about his mom from you, but never learned anything about his dad," Smolder said.
Marissa then sighed. She then said, "I guess it's time for you to learn the truth. Your father... he wasn't... interested in having children."
"What?" Aaron asked.
"What do you mean?" Smolder asked.
"When my sister found out she was pregnant with Aaron, she was ecstatic to having a child of her own," Marissa said. "But when Aaron's father found out, he wanted her to abort Aaron. Aaron's mother, Ronnie, really wanted to be a mother. But she knew for her to do so, she had to break up with Brad. She hasn't seen him since then. That is until when Aaron was four. She was called by Brad, and he threatened her to end Aaron's life. But she wouldn't allow that. She had no choice but to go into hiding."
"So that's why she left me with you that day," Aaron said.
"Yes," Marissa said. "But that night, Ronnie was on her way out of there, but Brad thought that you were in the car. The police saw him attacking Ronnie and attempted to arrest him, but he..." She then sighed.
"Let me guess. He did something that was unforgivable and he eventually got killed?" Smolder asked.
"He didn't want any witnesses, so he almost killed the cops," Marissa said. "But in the end, he was the one who got killed in that battle." She then shed a few tears. "Ronnie and I were..." Aaron then walked up to Marissa and hugged her.
"I understand, aunt Marissa," Aaron said. "And it's okay. I'll be fine. Thanks for taking me in."
"Of course I'd take you in," Marissa said after giving a small smile. "I loved you just as much as your mother did." Smolder was shedding some tears of her own.
"W-well, we should... get to sleep," Smolder said. "We've got a big day tomorrow."
"She's right," Marissa said. "You two head for bed. I'll see you in the morning." She then walked out of the bedroom for the two to head to bed."
Back in Equestria, Twilight was testing out some enchanted metal piece on a string on Spike, hoping that it would work.
"Okay, this should do it," Twilight said. "Try it out, Spike."
Spike then tapped on the metal piece necklace, and a spell was cast, making him a human. He even had clothes on. He then said, "Whoa! Cool!"
"Good," Twilight said. "It works. Now, tap it again." Spike then tapped it and he returned to normal. "Okay, the enchantment is there." She then looked towards the five friends of Smolder who were there. "Now that the necklaces are ready, I'll send you to Aaron's world." She then remembered something. "And you're gonna need these as well." Twilight levitated five wristbands over to the five of them.
"What are these for?" Gallus asked.
"They're to make sure you're ready to return," Twilight said. "Just tap on them and I'll use the returning spell to bring you all home."
"Yona understand," Yona said.
"Okay, here we go," Twilight said. "I'm gonna send you all to where Aaron lives. Once you're there, be sure to keep your real identities a secret." At the time, Twilight was levitating four necklaces to the students, Ocellus the only one not getting one.
"How come you didn't give me a necklace?" Ocellus asked.
"You're a changeling," Twilight said. "You can basically look like anything you want."
"Oh, that's right," Ocellus said in realization.
"Okay, now to start the spell," Twilight said. Twilight then lit up her horn, trying to concentrate on sending the five students to Aaron's world. But as she cast the spell, she somehow surged. Instead of transporting the five students to Earth, she accidentally made the entire Equestrian Continent vanish from where in the multiverse they were. Twilight then stopped the spell and groaned, holding her head.
"What was that?" Sandbar asked.
"I... I don't know," Twilight said. "I must've... surged."
"Another surge," Spike said. "Okay, that could be a problem. Depending on how much magic was used, it might be a problem." Just then, there was a small quake. All of them fell onto the floor. "What was that?!"
Just then, a couple royal guards ran in. One of them said, "Princess Twilight! There's a problem!"
"What is it?" Twilight asked.
"It would seem that... Ragnarok... has broken out of Tartarus," the royal guard said.
"What?!" Twilight, Spike and the five students asked.
"But how?" Gallus asked. "That shouldn't be possible unless..." He then thought of something and flew out and onto the balcony. He looked up and saw an airplane. "Oh, no." The others ran outside.
"What is it, Gallus?" Ocellus asked.
"I think I know what the surge did," Gallus said. "Instead of transporting the five of us to Aaron's world... she accidentally transported all of Equestria to Aaron's world."
Aaron and Smolder were asleep in the same bed. Smolder was in dragon form. She was then awoken by her phone ringing. She then reached for it as she grumbled. She then tried to answer it, but her phone wouldn't accept her thumb claw swiping it to answer. Smolder sighed, transformed back into her human form, and answered the phone.
"Hello?" Smolder asked.
"Smolder, I'm glad you answered," came someone's voice.
"Who is this?" Smolder asked. She then yawned. "Why'd you wake me up so early? It's... 5:30 here in Las Vegas."
"This is the President," answered the voice. That woke Smolder up completely.
"Mr. President?!" Smolder asked, sitting up. "W-what's going on? Why are you calling so early?"
"Have you seen the news lately?" the President asked. "Turn on the news." Smolder then ran over to the remote, turned on the TV and switched the channel to the news.
"We don't know how it happened, but it would seem that an entire continent had appeared out of nowhere in the Atlantic Ocean," said one female news reporter. "Scientists are still wondering how this is possible and..." The news reporter then read something. "Am I reading this right?"
"Yes ma'am," came one person's voice from behind the camera.
"Oh... kay," the female reporter said.
"Well, it would seem that this entire continent has been described as the land of Equestria from the TV Series, My Little Pony," the male reporter said. "We have no idea how something like this is possible, but we are all hoping that President Joe Biden will tell all of America what is happening."
"No... way..." Smolder said.
"I know, right?" the president asked. "Don't worry. But as long as the ruler of Equestria is okay with it, she will continue to lead Equestria and be a part of the United Nations."
"Well, for one thing, that's good," Smolder said. "But for another, it's bad that Equestria has come to Earth."
"Why? Because of the Anti-Bronies?" the president asked.
"No, not because of..." Smolder said, but got confused. "What's an Anti-Brony?"
"Someone who doesn't want any fans of the show to be fans of it," the president answered. "Anyway, you were saying before?"
"Right," Smolder said. She then sighed. "In Equestria, centuries ago, there was this evil dragon who was out to rule Equestria and there was a prophecy that said that he would basically be taken down by a jade dragon."
"Oh?" the President asked.
"And as you recall, Aaron is a jade dragon in his dragon form," Smolder said. "That evil dragon was put under a special enchantment, and that if there is no jade dragon in Equestria, then he'd be put in a long slumber. And now that Equestria is on Earth, everyone is doomed."
"Okay," the President said. "Well, since you guys are in Las Vegas, the evil dragon will never find you."
"I wouldn't think so much," Smolder said. "The last time we encountered him was actually our first time. Ragnarok found us and was planning to drain Aaron's soul, and destroy Princess Twilight."
"Alright," the president said. "You tell Aaron and his aunt what's going on, I'll head over there in one of my helicopters to go pick her up. Along with your friends if they're there."
"Good," Smolder said. "I'll talk to you later." She then hung up. She then went over to the bed and shook Aaron awake. "Aaron! Aaron, wake up!"
Aaron groaned and said, "Smolder... it's early."
"I know," Smolder said. "But we've got a big problem."
"We'll discuss it later," Aaron said. "Besides, it can't be that bad."
Smolder then thought of something. She then smirked and said, "Equestria has been transported to this world!" That made Aaron wake up and sit up.
"WHAT?!" Aaron asked.
"If Equestria's here, so is Ragnarok," Smolder said. "We have to talk to Twilight." She then headed for her luggage and opened it up, pulled out the book, and opened it up.
Back in Equestria, Twilight was pacing back and forth in shock, still processing what she had just done.
"Okay, I accidentally transported all of Equestria to Aaron's world," Twilight said. "That's not so bad. Oh, who am I kidding?! It's majorly bad! Ragnarok is now awake, and will eventually be on his way here!"
"Twilight!" Spike said, grabbing Twilight's head. "Calm down! I'm sure Aaron and Smolder are fine! Wherever they are." Just then, the communication book started vibrating, getting the attention of the seven creatures in the room.
Twilight opened the book and Smolder, who was still in human form, was coming from the book. Twilight then said, "Smolder, why are you calling so instantly?"
"Oh, no reason," Smolder said. "Just trying to figure out..." Then she raised her voice. "...why Equestria had just appeared in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in Aaron's world!"
"Oh, you noticed," Twilight said, nervously.
"Noticed?! Equestria is all over the news!" came Aaron's voice.
"Oh, that can't be good," Ocellus said. Just then, she saw something. "We've got company." The group saw Dragon Lord Ember flying in.
"We've also got trouble," Ember said. "Ragnarok is on his way here. What happened?"
"We accidentally transport the Equestrian Continent to Aaron's world," Twilight said. Ember was confused about who Twilight was talking about.
"Aaron is the jade dragon," Gallus said, giving Ember the memory from when she was set free.
"Okay, so Ragnarok is still on his way here," Ember said. "So we need to get out of here before..." Just then, the wall behind the throne was broken through, revealing Ragnarok.
"FOUND YOU!!" Ragnarok roared. The others in the room all yelled.
"Get out of there! Now!" Smolder said from the book. Just then, Twilight, Smolder and Aaron's friends, Spike and Ember all vanished. "That's odd. Where'd they go?" Just then, the book closed.
Smolder was still holding the book back in the hotel room they were staying at in Las Vegas. She was wondering where they've gone until the book on the other end closed.
"What?!" Smolder asked. "C'mon, where are they?!"
"Smolder?" Aaron asked. "What happened?"
"I don't know," Smolder said. "They just... vanished on their side."
"Vanished?" Aaron asked. "Where'd they go?" Just then, a flash of light appeared in the room and there stood Twilight, Spike, Ember and the friends of Aaron and Smolder. "Never mind."
"Hey, guys!" Gallus said. Aaron and Smolder transformed back into their dragon forms. Aaron and Gallus did a fist bump while Smolder, Ocellus, Yona and Silverstream did a group hug.
"Okay, how did we get here?" Twilight asked.
"I think I know," Aaron said. Just then, Discord appeared, leaning on Aaron's head.
"Well, I wouldn't want any of you to be hurt by that destructive dragon who's bent on rage and revenge," Discord said. "So, I thought it'd be best to teleport all of you here where it's safer." Just then, Aaron saw something on the back of Spike's neck.
"For now," Aaron said, walking up to Spike. "Look." Aaron then pulled something off of the back of Spike's neck. "He's got a tracking scale on Spike. He's coming for us."
"Oh, man!" Ocellus said.
"First Gar-Gar, now Spike?" Smolder asked. "We're so doomed."
"Not necessarily," Aaron said. He then changed back into his human form. He then said, "It's really good to see you guys again." Aaron then grabbed his phone. He then called someone on his phone. "Mr. President. Aaron Blazer here. We might have some unfortunate news for you."
Aaron and Smolder were sitting on the couch while Marissa was pacing back and forth after hearing what happened back when Aaron was still in Equestria.
"I still can't believe you'd keep something like this from me, Aaron," Marissa said.
"Marissa, he just didn't want you to worry," Smolder said. "Besides, he and I didn't know about the legend of Ragnarok being real. We found out the day before the spell sent him and me to this world that the legend was real."
"And this legend, what really led to all of this?" Marissa asked.
"The legend will end unless Ragnarok is defeated," Aaron said. He then transformed back into his dragon form. "By a jade dragon."
"No way!" Marissa said. "You could die if you get near that evil dragon! I've already lost my sister! I can't lose you, too!" She was holding down Aaron.
"Aunt Marissa," Aaron said. "I know you're scared. Believe me, I'm scared, too. But we can't let fear rule our lives. I have to do this."
"And he won't be alone," came Twilight's voice. Marissa saw Twilight walking into the room. "Aaron will not be alone. We'll protect him if Ragnarok gets near him."
"I'm not too sure about this," Marissa said. "And by how big he sounds, he could be very tough to beat. You'd need an army to stop him."
Aaron thought about something. He then smirked and said, "I think I know where we can find an army." He then looked towards Discord. "Can you gather everycreature that was at the fight for Equestria? The one with Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow?"
"Why yes, of course I can," Discord said. "I'd have to let them know what's happening first."
"Oh, I think I have something to say to them all," Twilight said. "But I'm gonna need your help to get it out to all of Equestria."
"That I can do," Discord said. He then snapped his fingers and a TV camera appeared in front of him, and he aimed it towards Twilight. "Alright, Twilight. The camera's ready. And... action."
Over multiple parts of Equestria, including other areas like Mount Aris and Yakyakistan, a holographic screen with Twilight Sparkle appeared. All of the ponies, yaks, changelings, griffons, dragons, hippogriffs, seaponies and kirins were watching the message.
"If you're seeing this, then you may have noticed something strange has happened. Well, it has. I was trying a transportation spell to transport five creatures from our world to another for a visit of a couple of their friends that are in that world. But as I was doing the spell, I surged. And during that surge, instead of transporting those five creatures to that world, I accidentally transported all of Equestria. And with it, a major threat that could lead to such major catastrophes. An ancient dragon known as Ragnarok the Reaper is planning on taking control of Equestria, and soon, beyond. So, we're gonna need every single creature's help to help save this world. Are you all with me?"
The creatures looked at each other, not knowing how to take in this new experience. But for their freedom, they're willing to defend it. Even if it means going to an entirely different world.
The President's helicopter was coming towards the Wynn's resort. Aaron and Smolder ran through the door to the roof, but there was no helipad on the roof.
"Where's the helipad?" Smolder asked.
Aaron then looked towards the Encore building and saw the helicopter landing there. He then gasped and said, "It's over there." Just then, Twilight, Spike, Ember, and the rest of the Young 6 walked through the doorway.
"Looks like there's no helipad up here," Gallus said. "But there is over there."
"Did you guys watch some of my movies while I was sleeping?" Aaron asked.
"They were actually very good," Sandbar said. "This is almost like that movie, Paul Blart Mall Cop 2. But no villains and art thieves. And we're not doing a zip line from here to there."
"Good idea," Aaron said. He then unfolded his wings. "I haven't used these things since my time in Equestria."
"Gotta stretch first," Smolder said. Then the two of them started stretching their arms and wings. Then they reached to touch their feet.
"Let me help you get your wings set," Ember said, helping out Aaron.
"Ooh!" Aaron said. "That actually feels good."
"Alright," Smolder said. "We're all limber enough." She then started flapping her wings. The other flying ones also started flapping their wings, followed by Aaron. Smolder and Silverstream then helped up Yona while Gallus picked up Sandbar. Then all of them started flying from the Wynn to the Encore. When they reached the helipad, they saw Marissa standing there.
"Aunt Marissa?" Aaron asked. "How'd you get over here so fast?"
"You always underestimate me, Aaron," Marissa said. "But I know that your new friends will be there to help you." She then hugged Aaron. "Just be safe."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Blazer," Twilight said. "He'll be fine."
"Actually, it's Ms. Blazer," Marissa said. "I'm not married."
"She's still single," Aaron said.
"She needs to find someone," Smolder said, making Aaron nod. Then the helicopter opened up, revealing the President.
"Alright, all of you," the President said. "Let's get going." Then all of them got into the helicopter.
"Where's Discord?" Aaron asked.
"He's going to meet us there with all the good creatures of Equestria," Twilight said. "We'd better get going." Then they all started getting onto the helicopter, Marissa watching as her nephew was leaving to go into a battle. She was afraid that she might not see him again, but she knew this was the only option right now.
At Red Rock Canyon, Aaron was sitting on the highest part of the rock, waiting for Ragnarok to come. He was holding Ragnarok's tracking scale to lead the revenge driven dragon towards him and he was also on the phone with the president.
"We've told the public about what is going on, so that's a good thing," the president said.
"Not for all those who see it differently," Aaron said. "I know for a fact that the anti-bronies aren't gonna be happy living with ponies or other Equestrian creatures living on Earth."
"Yeah, I hear that," the president responded. "I was actually contacted by the Army General to ask for permission to actually destroy all the life in Equestria. What do you think I told him?"
"Obviously, since you're now in an alliance with the Equestrians, we definitely cannot allow the destruction of all those innocent creatures," Aaron said. Aaron then sensed something. "Hang on a sec." He then looked off into the distance and saw something big, black and purple, and is coming closer to him. "He's here. Time to get to work." He then hung up. He then transformed back into his human form, put his phone in his pocket, and went back to his dragon form.
Ragnarok came in, landing at least 100 feet away from Aaron. He then noticed him and said, "So... you are the jade dragon that has eluded me for all these times."
"I wasn't always a dragon," Aaron said. "In fact, I have to say... welcome to my world." He then transformed back into his human form.
"A human, huh?" Ragnarok said. "I should've known. Your smell was different than any other creature in Equestria. Now that I have you, this time, I'll take my sweet time of draining your life force, after I eliminate all of the rulers of Equestria, and then this world, and only dragons will rule!"
"I don't think so," Aaron said. "You're in my world now, and things are more advanced here. And there's no way you'll take down my world's leaders."
"You seriously think you can defeat me all by yourself?" Ragnarok asked. "Don't make me laugh. No one will ever defy my will. The will of Dragon Lord Ragnarok!" He then blew a dark purple fire into the sky.
"I think you'll find our will... more equal... to yours," Aaron said, transforming back into his dragon form.
"Our?" Ragnarok asked. Just then, a magenta blast was fired at Ragnarok. He looked towards where the blast came from and saw a large group of ponies, yaks, hippogriffs, griffons, changelings, dragons and kirins all standing there. Even Tempest Shadow was there.
"Your time of conquest is never to start, Ragnarok!" Twilight called out. "Stand down, or face the consequences!"
Ragnarok chuckled and shouted, "NEVER!!!" He then blew a huge burst of purple flames towards the Equestrians, but the unicorns used their magic to create a barrier to shield them from the flames. Then the yaks started charging at Ragnarok, but he swung his tail towards them, knocking them all back. Then he was being attacked by the dragons, the griffons and the hippogriffs. The changelings were also up there, all of them firing that green slime at Ragnarok's feet and tail, trying to contain him. But Ragnarok was too strong to be contained. He also knocked back all the current creatures containing him. He then saw Ember, holding the Bloodstone Scepter. "My scepter! Give it to me!"
Ember then started flying away, but Ragnarok grabbed her by the tail. She couldn't let Ragnarok get it, so she had to throw it towards a random creature. She then called out, "Don't let Ragnarok get the scepter!"
The creature who caught the scepter was a changeling. Ragnarok then started reaching for the changeling, but he threw it towards a griffon, who then threw it towards a yak, who then threw it towards a hippogriff. Basically, they kept throwing it towards any other creature to keep the scepter away from Ragnarok.
"Keep away!" Rainbow Dash. "That is awesome!"
"It's just gonna make that dragon real mad," Applejack added.
"As long as Ragnarok doesn't get the scepter, it's safe," Twilight said. "Let's just hope that this world's forces don't see us the wrong way."
10 miles from their current location, the Army was on their way to Red Rock Canyon with a lot of arsenal. The general was looking towards the battle.
"It's worse than we thought," the general said. "All those creatures have no decency for our world." He then looked towards the Army, but then he saw the President's helicopter coming into land. The helicopter landed and the president walked out.
"General, what are you doing?!" the president asked. "I did not give the order for you to roll out."
"Sorry, Mr. President, but I'm taking the only choice that needs to be taken," the general said. "Take the president somewhere safe." Then some of the soldiers grabbed the president, taking him to a safer place.
"You can't do this!" the president said. "I told you not to do this!"
"Prepare the nuke!" the general called out. Then the men did as they were ordered to. The President was locked up in a tent for his own protection. He then got out his phone and started calling someone.
During the battle, Aaron, the Mane 6 and the Young 6 were being protected by the barrier. Just then, Smolder felt her phone vibrating. She then turned into her human form and answered it.
"Hello?" Smolder asked.
"Smolder, I'm glad you picked up," the president said. "Listen, the army general has disobeyed my orders. They're gonna engage. They're preparing a nuke right now."
"A nuke?" Smolder asked. "What's a nuke?"
"A nuke?!" Aaron asked. "That's a nuclear bomb! That thing could kill us all!"
"He's right!" the president said. "So you need to stop that nuke before it hits you all!"
"How are we gonna do that?" Smolder asked. Just then, they heard the sound of a missile fire. They saw a large missile shooting straight up.
"Oh, no!" Aaron said. "It's too late!"
"If that thing is as powerful you say it is, then we're doomed," Twilight said.
"What are we gonna do?" Fluttershy asked, feeling more scared than she was in her whole life.
Aaron then looked around. He saw Ragnarok trying to chase down the Bloodstone Scepter with the other creatures keeping it away. He then looked up towards the missile, climbing higher and higher into the sky. Aaron then sighed.
"I have to do it," Aaron said.
"What?!" the Young 6 asked.
"The prophecy said that Ragnarok could only be defeated by a jade dragon that believes in peace," Aaron said. "No matter where peace can be obtained." He then looked towards the missile. "This isn't peace. But I'm gonna fix this."
"Aaron! No!" Smolder said, holding him down. "Your aunt Marissa would kill us if we'd let you go out there!"
"I know, Smolder," Aaron said. "But it has to be done." He then pulled her in for a hug. "And I'm sorry for this." He then threw Smolder towards her friends and then he started flying towards Ragnarok. He was thinking to himself. Thinking about his friends being in danger. His family. His country. His planet. This is something he wants to protect. He then said, silently, "Aaron want..."
Ragnarok was about to grab the Bloodstone Scepter, which was in the claws of Gilda. He then said, "Now the scepter is mine!" But then, he was grabbed by a dragon as big as him. It was a jade dragon. It was Aaron, in greedzilla form. Ragnarok noticed this and loudly asked, "WHAT?!"
"NO ONE HURTS MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!" Aaron roared, carrying Ragnarok into the sky, following the missile. The missile reached outside the atmosphere and then it started to descend. Aaron noticed it descending. Then he started spinning around, doing a hammer throw with Ragnarok. He then threw Ragnarok towards the missile and then he got smaller, shouting, "See ya, Ragnarok!"
Ragnarok recovered in mid air, but then he saw the missile heading right towards him. And with final breath, he shouted, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" The missile then collided with him, blowing him up to smithereens.
The force of the explosion was so powerful, it pushed Aaron down faster, knocking him out in mid air. But the Equestrians weren't aware that Aaron was knocked out. They just saw him coming down. They were all cheering. All except for the Mane 6 and Young 6.
"Alright!" Spike said. "He did it!" As Aaron was coming closer to the ground, they saw that he was coming down fast.
"Wait!" Rainbow Dash said. "He's not slowing down!"
Twilight then used her magic to create a telescope to see why Aaron wasn't slowing down. She saw that Aaron was out cold. She then said, "He's out cold!" She was about to fly up, but Smolder was flying towards Aaron quickly. She then caught him, losing at least 30 feet in the air, but eventually, recovered enough to carry Aaron towards the ground safely.
"Aaron!" Smolder said, putting Aaron down. She then turned Aaron's head to face her. "Please wake up!"
"Anyone know CPR?!" Twilight called out. Smolder then remembered something from the movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. She then started performing CPR. She started with pressing down on Aaron's chest, and then she opened up Aaron's mouth and started breathing into it. She did this a couple more times. But then eventually, Aaron woke up.
"Whoa!!" Aaron said, sitting up. He then coughed loudly. "Oh, man! That was intense!" Smolder then hugged him tightly.
"You're okay!" Smolder said, shedding some tears. She then broke the hug and slapped him. "Don't ever scare me like that again! In fact, don't ever do anything like that again!"
"I won't," Aaron said. "I promise." He then looked towards where the missile came from. He then said, "Discord." Then Discord appeared next to him.
"Yes?" Discord asked.
"Escort these creatures back to their homes," Aaron said. "But not my friends, Twilight and her friends, Spike and Ember. We've all got an army to talk to."
At the army base camp, the army was setting up another nuke to launch. The general was watching the Equestrians through a pair of high tech binoculars.
"Alright, men!" the general said. "Fire away!" Just then, the nuke became disarmed and disassembled. "What?!" Then Aaron, the Mane 6, Spike and the Young 6 arrived in a flash of light. "We're being attacked, men!" Just then, the army started aiming their weapons, but they disappeared in a flash of light. Then the President came out of the tent that he was locked up in.
"Stand down, men!" the president ordered. "That is a presidential order!" The army looked around as the President walked towards the general. "General, I told you to stand down, but you refuse to listen."
"Those beasts were attacking our country!" the general shouted.
"They were saving the world from that giant black and purple dragon!" the president shouted. "As of now, you are fired! Dishonorably discharged!"
"You can't do this to me!" the general shouted.
"I can, and I am," the president said. "These creatures actually came here in peace. They didn't come here on purpose to permanently live here on Earth. How they arrived was purely accidental."
"I will not live in a world with these... disgusting creatures!" the former general said.
"Who are you calling disgusting?!" Rarity shouted.
"We're as intelligent as you, you know!" Twilight stated. Then she sighed. "But, he's right. Our world is already known to some people of this world. If only there was a way for us to get back to our dimension."
Discord then appeared, saying, "Perhaps there is a way to get our world back to our dimension, and for still the two to be connected."
"And how is that supposed to happen?" Twilight asked. All Discord did was smirk in response.
A couple days have passed since Ragnarok's death. And within those couple days, Twilight Sparkle, along with Princess Cadance and Discord, had all successfully transported the land of Equestria back to their original dimension. Twilight and her friends, along with the Young 6 and Garble were saying their goodbyes to Aaron, who was in dragon form.
"It really was good to see you guys again," Aaron said.
"Yeah, dude," Gallus said before fist bumping Aaron. "It really was."
"So, I guess when summer's over, it's back to the School of Friendship, huh?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, I guess so," Ocellus said.
"I don't think so," Twilight said, slightly stern.
"What?!" the Young 6 asked in shock.
"After what you've all done in the past, including helping out Aaron both here and back in Equestria," Twilight said before smirking with pride. "you all have graduated from the School of Friendship." Then Spike came in with diplomas for the Young 6. There was even a seventh one. "And Aaron, since you helped save both our worlds, and made some great friends, we'd figured you deserve one, too."
Spike then handed the seven diplomas to the seven students. And just then, some graduation hats and robes appeared on them. The group looked towards Discord and shrugged his shoulders.
Aaron smirked and said, "You know what a graduate does after they've all received their diplomas, right?" Aaron asked.
"Oh, yeah," Sandbar said. Then all seven of them tossed their graduation hats up into the air. Then the graduation hats and robes vanished from their bodies.
"Now that that's settled, I believe it's time for us to go back home," Twilight said. Then Twilight opened up a portal back to Equestria. Twilight's friends walked in. The Young 6 started walking towards the portal, except for Smolder. She didn't want to say goodbye to Aaron.
"Sis?" Garble asked. "You coming?"
Smolder looked back at Garble and said, "I... I actually want to stay in this world."
"What?!" Garble asked. "Please don't kid with me, sis! I just got you back!"
"I know, Gar-Gar," Smolder said. "But..." She then looked over at Aaron with a smile. Aaron returned the smile.
"Oh, I get it," Garble said, getting the hint. "I guess you've made your decision." He then chuckled. "And to think, I thought you'd end up alone in your future. Guess I was wrong. But are you sure he's the one for you? He's human after all."
"I'm sure of it," Smolder said. "Besides..." She then transformed back into her human form. "With this new trick of mine, I can easily blend in with the people. Almost like Sunset Shimmer."
"Well, yeah that's true," Twilight said. "And you don't have to worry about waiting for another portal to open up. I can just send you a magic mirror that will bring you to Equestria. But we're still gonna have to decide where to put our end of the portal."
"Is the portal like that mirror?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, on both sides," Twilight said.
"Put it in the Treehouse of Harmony," Aaron said. "We'll decide where to put our end."
"Sounds good," Twilight said. Then the Young 6 decided to give Smolder one last hug.
"Don't forget to come and visit us," Silverstream said.
"Oh, I won't," Smolder said. "Like I'd ever forget you guys."
Gallus then sighed. Aaron then walked up to Twilight and said, "Why don't you bring Gallus with you to Canterlot. Have him sign up for Royal Guard training."
Twilight thought about it and asked, "Are you sure?"
"In the series finale, he ends up as Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard," Aaron said. "And that was just the opening of the series finale."
"Alright," Twilight said. She then called out, "Hey, Gallus." That got Gallus's attention. "How would you like to be enrolled as a trainee of the Canterlot Royal Guard?"
Gallus then thought about it and said, "Well, I don't really have anywhere to go in Griffonstone. I guess I'll give it a shot."
Aaron then looked at the rest of the group and said, "So, what are you four gonna do? Head back to your homes?"
"Are you kidding?" Ocellus asked. "I'm actually thinking about staying in Ponyville. Help future students learn the values of Friendship."
"Me, too," Silverstream said. "The School of Friendship is gonna need more to help teach."
"Yona would like to help out Rarity at her boutique," Yona said. "Was really fun!"
"I'd like to stick around as well," Sandbar said. "Maybe teach at the School of Friendship as well."
"Well, looks like you've all know what you're gonna do," Twilight said. She then walked over towards Smolder and said, "And I am impressed that you'd want to stay in this world. You're a brave dragon for doing this."
"Yeah," Smolder said, rubbing the back of her head. "Although, I may have to hide my dragon form in this world. There are a lot of people who aren't fans of us Equestrians."
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Twilight said. "So, I heard you two are gonna be modeling some of Marissa's new clothing line. Is that true?"
"Yeah," Aaron said. "It was postponed due to Ragnarok the Reaper and the Army. Now it's today, and we have to be there by 10:00 to get ready. What time is it?"
"It is..." Smolder said, pulling out her phone. "9:50. Oh, shoot!"
"I'm on it," Twilight said, teleporting the two to the hotel room. Twilight then looked towards Garble and said, "She'll be fine, Garble. I promise."
"I hope so," Garble said. He then looked towards where his sister and Aaron stood. "Aaron, you'd better take good care of my sister." Then they all headed through the portal to Equestria, and it closed after they all walked in.
A few days have passed and Aaron, Smolder, and Marissa arrived at the hotel room they were living in. But when Aaron and Smolder were about to walk into the room, Smolder noticed something on the table.
"What's that?" Smolder asked. They all looked at the table, seeing a package there. It was sent to Samantha Drake, which was Smolder's cover name. Smolder changed back into a dragon and opened up the package. Inside were a bunch of textbooks. "Textbooks? For me? Really?" Smolder then saw a letter. She then opened it up and read it.
"Dear Smolder, Aaron told me that you've decided to stay here on Earth. And I admire you for that. Otherwise, we wouldn't have a way to help stop the pandemic. We've also checked the blood samples of the other creatures of Equestria to see if they have what you and Aaron have. But sadly, they did not. But at least you and Aaron will be helping a greater cause. And as for the textbooks, you're gonna have to study to be an official student at Aaron's new school alongside him. Hope to see you again. President Joe Biden."
"Meh, might as well," Smolder said. "After all, I'm half human now. But before I study, I'm gonna unpack." She then headed into the room she and Aaron shared. She then saw something on Aaron's bed. It was a note saying: Look in the closet. And there was an arrow pointing towards it. Smolder then opened the closet and saw a mirror right by the wall, and a small bookshelf connected to it. Smolder then pulled the book from her backpack and opened it up.
"Oh, good," Twilight said. "I see that you've noticed something I left in your closet."
"A mirror portal to Equestria?" Smolder asked.
"That's right," Twilight said. "Now that Ragnarok's gone, you can come visit Equestria whenever you want, and your friends can visit whenever they want."
"As long as they give me a heads up on when they want to come visit," Smolder said.
"That is what I told them," Twilight said. "So, anything happening back there?"
"Meh, nothing too much," Smolder said. "Although the president sent me some school books to study so I can attend human school with Aaron. Since I am gonna have to attend school here."
"Well, I hope you'll adjust there," Twilight said. "I'll tell the others you said hello." Smolder smiled and then closed the book. She then put the book onto the shelf next to the mirror and the portal started reacting. She then closed the closet and started unpacking. This would be her life now. A human/dragon hybrid on Earth, living a new life. And eventually, going back to Equestria to visit her friends, or them visiting her and Aaron.
This will be a very complicated life for both Aaron and Smolder from now on.
