#what if I just lived in Equestria with the my little ponies please and thank you

[annoyingenthusiastperfection]

Summary : headcanon version¡ Miles (42! & 1610!) Hobie brown , Pavtir Prabhakar , and gwen stacy. Finding out your Mlp collection.

Miles Morales

●It all started with u beeing good at drawing horses. Miles was impressed and asked how you draw so good.

"LIKE HOW??? ARE YOU SO GOOD AT DRAWING HORSES???

"Its cause I drew them alot"

●Miles was amazed on how knowledgeable about real facts on horses and the mythologyical one too. Unicorns? Alicorns? Pegasus? Please you can draw them blinded.

●But no matter what your explanation may be Miles just has a little suspicion that its not just cause your born to draw horses. He caught u doodling a purple oddly familiar alicorn.

"Hey what's that?" Miles pointed at your doodles as you closed your sketch book in emberassment. "nothing!"

●It was a normal day you and Miles on your dorm room studying suddenly beeing called by your roomates outside for some help. Miles was left in your dorm he was kicking his foot til he hit a box to hard making it fall down to reveal....

Ponies???

●You walked in to your dorm Miles brushing celestia's hair. You froze. Your soul leaving your body. Miles turned to you in a innocent smile.

"So you like my little pony? I still remember you drawing the purple one! What's her name? Sprakle Sprinkle?"

"IT'S TWILIGHT SPARKLE"

●It was funny when Miles deliberately or unintentionally mistakes the ponies name and you always corrected him. He once called chrysalis the alien pony. He called Cozy glow a crazy bitch when you forced him to watch all 9 seasons of the show including movies and mlpstopmotion videos.

●Loves the apple family and pinkie pie.

"I cant believe you watched this as a kid. I can understand how your so good at drawing horses now"

Gwen Stacy

●Gwen and you werent too close in the beginning .It was just you two were seatmates so she notice on your "subtle" referance to the show. Be it the elements of harmony colored gems sticker on your notebook. Your twilight sparkle cutiemark earings. Or just you doodling the treehouse of harmony.

"I like your earings"

"T-thank you"

●It was kind of normal of your friends picking or joking on your mlp obsession. It sometimes makes you left out since you couldnt for the life of God relate to alot of they're series of the month. It was hard for you to not cringe at Live action. You were used to animation. The live action just felt stiff compared to animation. Gwen never understood your friends she thought it was cool how you memorize ponies name cutie marks even backround ones.

●It was lunch time and Gwen went to her classroom early and theyre she saw you watching the wedding of shinning armor and cadence. Face full of food as you watch intently.

●Gwen smiled sitting next to you. "Mind if I sit next to you?" You jolted and fell of your chair luckily Gwen caught you. Eversince that day you watched mlp episodes with Gwen everylunch.

●She loved doing theories. Like why theyre never been a baby alicorn born till flurry heart. The connections of equestria magic and the human worls. Loves the idea of Discord beeing the last draconequus and finding solice in invading worlds to feel not alone.

●Loves the seaponies.

"God I love applejack love her honestyand loyalty to her family! And the cutie mark crusaders are adorable! Sweetie Pie is the cutest!"

Hobie Brown

●He didnt meet you as Hobie brown but as spider-punk. It was an accident when beating up some corrupt cops near by he saw you full pinkie pie cosplay. You wearing a pink wig with a blue , pink , and yellow cupcake dress. It caught him off guard of your ballon accecories. He got kicked in the face becuase he was distracted watching you.

●Eversince he saw you he tried seeing you again but god hates him. He couldnt find for the life of himself. He tried going to cons wandering around finding any familar cosplay. He called it a night at 3rd day going till.

"I am sorry-"

●It was you with the same pink wig , ballon clips , pink , blue and yellow cupcake dress.

"You look dench in that."

"Thank you! I worked really hard on the dress"

●Eversince that day Hobie offered to ask you about the cosplay finding out your suppose to cosplay pinkie pie from mlp. He was a little confuse at first but after watching 4 seasons he gets it. It took him a while to catch up but he thinks the show is enjoyable at the least.

●You convinced him to cosplay twilight as you cosplayed spike. Imagine him with purple glitter extensions , a pony ears and horn with wings. It was funny but he didnt mind. He was Qreally into you wearing loads of spikes on your outfit since you were cosplaying a dragon.

●When he showed up like that on a meeting with Miguel he didnt give a single crap only reapeting.

"I look awesome and you aint doing nothing about it"

●He loves discord and pinkie pie but has a soft spot for thorax.

"The changelings look cool before and after. You can't CHANGE my mind"

Pavtir Prabhakar

●200% already knew about the show. Was actually obsessed as a kid but nobody like to talk about it with him well except for you.

●You two rant about the better element and pony almost every week.

"RAINBOW DASH ISNT A SELF CENTERED FASHINISTA!"

"How dare you ..."

"I am sorry-"

"You say that to Rarity" *caressing Rarity plushie backpack*

●He honestly jsut took potery just to make mlp statues why? To flex on you thats why.

●Will and have bought every single main six plushies but you have the cards of the mainsix and princesses. Even his favourite. Big Mac. This man has begged and pleqded for that card but he held it ONCE.

●How can you hate him so much? It was all for the tease and who got the best merch.

●Loves loves spike and starlight.

"C'mon trade with meeeeee"

Miles G.

●You hid your mlp intrest from him to the point he never even visited your apartment. Not once.

"Hey can we hang out your place?"

"Sorry I have a rat infestation"

●He didnt push it any further and so everytime he asked theyre was a new excuse. The bathroom sink broke. My AC isnt working well. The place is a Mess. A fire recently happend. I almost got robbed so its unsafe. Excuses and Excuses.

●But this time you can't escape. It was you having you having a fever so he had to go your apartment. Nothing out of the ordinary it wasn't to big or to small but when he entered your room.

●Your bed was surrounded with mlp plushies from the main six , to the princesses , to the ponies of pony vill and more. Rapped in a twilight cutie mark pattern blabket sick out of your mind you stood up looking at Miles in you fluttershy pajamas.

"So this is why you dont want me to come here?"

"Ughhhh ... Shut up your lucky I am sick"

●Since you getting sick it became a habit of Miles just watching an Mlp episode or two to cool off. One time Uncle Aaron walked pass him watching the mlp movie and he was flabergasted to the brim.

"The hell are you watching?"

"Something good got a problem?"

●He likes to see your collection of mlp castles his favorite the crysatl empire the little flurry heart jusg warms his heart.

●He loves fluttershy but relates to applejack about family and uses Raindbow dashed motto.

"I GIVE AM 120% AWESOME STFU"

[schnuffel-danny]

Please please please infodump about your dp x MLP crossover idea I used to be obsessed with MLP and now I'm obsessed with Danny phantom these are my two loves

This AU takes place in the MLP universe not too long after the last of Twilight's friends has passed and decades before the events of g5, as such the setting is much more modern than g4. There is a general unrest amongst the population of Equestria and life is noticeably bleaker, but no one wants to acknowledge the situation and most choose to pretend nothing has changed. The magic of friendship is taught more as a religion, and Twilight is seen as a god-like figure (much like Celestia was during her reign) despite barely interacting with the public as of late. BUUUUUUT- aside from that.... I guess I can start by spoiling what type of ponies the main gang are :3c Danny - pegasus (Jack is also a pegasus) Despite being a pegasus Danny can't actually fly, his wings stopped growing when he was little and are too small to lift him off the ground (this is also the case with Jack). Danny also didn't get his cutie mark until he began fighting ghosts. However, his mark is thankfully vague enough that he's been able to lie about how he got it. In ghost form Danny's wings appear bigger thanks to ectoplasmic glow and resemble partially feathered bat wings, he also gets a horn made out of solidified ectoplasm. (He doesn't have a cutie mark in ghost form as ghosts don't have cutie marks. Yes, this AU has pony ghost lore...) Jazz - unicorn (Maddie is also a unicorn) Jazz may have started as a proper unicorn, but since being introduced to the world of ghost fighting she does most of her magic with her back hooves. Jazz is the terrifying combination of a skilled magic user and a ferocious fighter. Her distaste for her parent's wacky behavior manifested in dedicating herself to magic studies so she could one day move to Canterlot with her brother and live a normal life. She heavily researches healing magic and one of her main goals is to write new healing spells. Sam - unicorn (both her parents as unicorns, and her grandmother is as well) Sam's family comes from a long line of Canterlot unicorns, the reason why her parents moved from Canterlot to Amity Park is unknown, but from the way they talk about the move it seems like it was grandma's decision. Sam is very interested in magic although, despite being a unicorn, she's mainly interested by the kind of magic done by earth ponies and other species. Sam believes magic should be accessible to anyone and so she puts effort into educating ponies about, and preserving the art of, all kinds of non-traditional magic. Tucker - earth pony (dad is also an earth pony, but his mom is a unicorn) The last thing that's expected of earth ponies is being tech savvy programming geniuses obsessed with all manners of futuristic gadgets, but that's exactly the kind of earth pony Tucker is. Tucker HATES the assumption that earth ponies aren't interested in tech and modifies common technology so it can only be used with hooves just to spite others (and also because it's fun), this actually ended up working in his favor as he's become famous in online tech communities for his modifications.

[detective-marshmallow]

So i don’t really talk about it often but I really like mlpfim….Equestria girls. My reasoning is bc Sunset Shimmer is the best character in my humble opinion. So below the cut I will be rambling about an au/headcanon focusing on sunset shimmer and her relationship with both her worlds.

I see you stayed, epic >:)

I would like to start off with my biggest headcanon/ au, whatever you wanna call it: Sunset doesn’t have a dimensional alternate.

Obviously this could just straight up be because we only focus on a small part of the human world, but please let me explain.

I think Sunset did have an alternate….. in the pony dimension. What i mean is our current sunset was originally from the human relm. So heres what i have come up with:

Before Twilight, Celestia had sunset shimmer as a student. She was more lax back then, and became sunset’s teacher really early in the fillies life. However this was short lived as an accident occurred and Equestria sunset had ended up passing away due to this.

Celestia, in desperation to fix her mistake, used the dimensional mirror and ended up essentially kidnapping current sunset. She was too young to really remember it though. Celestia took her as her student once again but this time was extremely strict and over protective. Sunset ended up rebelling a lot because of this which eventually led to her going through the mirror.

Celestia learned from this and was much more careful with twilight.

So one thing I want to add is that the dimensions are different to some extent. So in equestria Sunset’s family was trusting of Celestia until the incident that took their child from them.

In the human dimension Sunset’s family consisted of a single mother. Sunset was taken when she was at a daycare most likely. Sunset with maybe 4 when this happened. The equestria sunset was celestias student for a year before she passed at 4.

Something that i like to add to equestria girls designs (in my head at least) are that unicorns of the group get markings of their cutie mark on their forehead when they transform. Maybe i’ll draw it at some point.

But i bring this up bc equestria twilight and sunset would have this permanently. Why they both have it is bc they both used unicorn magic. So even if sunset was from the human dimension she’d still have the forehead marking bc she used equestrian magic.

Anyways this was just a fun little idea i had. I really like Celestia and Sunset having a complex relationship, and I like celestia not being perfect. Its fun. Give me morally grey royalty!!!

Thank you for reading and i hope you enjoy mu silly headcanons!

[that-was-anticlimactic]

well. that was anticlimactic.

[rainypaperangel]

Another one, thank you!

I did another Live-Action-Movie-Costume dressing, this time of My Little Pony Equestria Girls, and......... y'all are nasty. I need to burn my eyes now, enjoy the results of my pain!

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight is preppy and studious in her clothing, and I think I found a pretty good solution for that! I changed her purple hair for a straight, black ponytail, because I think that'd suit the whole ensemble really well!

The clothing is pretty simple, but with nice colours and starry imagery hidden on the hair tie and the bracelet! I was thinking it'd look really good to hand-stitch a star on the skirt, but I'm not about to Photoshop that unless someone'll buy the program for me...

Pinkie Pie

Pinkie was surprisingly difficult to make, but I think I landed on something fun! The biggest change is the hair and the shoes: I get their hair resembles a mane, but I think short, pink curly hair would suit her better in live-action. It'd make her look quirky and bubbly, and it's more hygenic when baking!

She'd wear fun and cozy clothing, always ready to any kind of party! A balloon shirt? Uh, yes please! Cake-patterned flats? Say no more! A fluffy tutu? Why of course!

Rainbow Dash

Rainbow Dash will be queer-coded no matter what you do, deal with it.

That said, short rainbow hair would translate soooo well into live action! I like the idea of a sporty look, because... she is. So, flat shoes, sensible training shorts, and of course a rainbow sweatband (is that what they're called for the wrist? Wristband? IDK, it's late...)

All in all, I think this turned out really well! Can't you just see her as the football captain?

Rarity

I like Rarity's design plenty enough, but I wanted to make her stand out a bit more and look more regal. Instead of a short skirt, like they all wear, I gave her a more "ladylike" young skirt, which'd make her look a bit older, which I think is what she'd be aiming for. Puffed sleeved for a regal look, and of course, a lot of jewelry!

Yeah, I don't have much to say! I like the idea of a simple, classical Rarity <3

Fluttershy

I will never recover from what I saw while looking for reference pictures of this one... ya'll need Jesus*!

Anyway, I gave fluttershy a green bunny hoodie to hide in - I think it'd look absolutely adorable, and it'd make sense with her being so shy. I paired it with a loose, white shirt and a poofy floral skirt. I think green slippers would suit her well, especially paired with some adorable, almost cottagecore-like socks!

And, of course, I gave her butterfly clips for her hair!

Applejack

Applejack was surprisingly difficult to find items for, but I think I got some good things! I went for a denim-pant instead of the skirt - I think it'd be more practical for a country girl! The iconic cowboy hat is back, paired with an apple belt and an apple pin!

I liked the idea of a shorter hairdo, which'd be more practical for farmwork - much in Applejack's spirit!

Sunset Shimmer

This would either be too sexy for a children's movie, or it'd be someone's awakening... Anyway! With a red/black color palette with gold accents, I think Sunset Shimmer came together really well! Instead of stripy hair, I think a fade from orangy red to yellow would look fiery good!

I changed the purple skirt for red, because I don't think the eggplant-color would match well in live-action. I really like the matching red leather gloves too, she could wear just one or both of them! With a yellow crop-top combined with a black leather vest, we have something much like the cartoon design, and a sun-pendant necklace ties in her cutie mark!

[ask-iamnotanalicorn]

The Crystal War Timeline

Equestria had already been stunned by the return of Nightmare Moon - learning that one character of myth and legend was real, was the sister of Celestia herself, proved a powerful blow to the nation. Their princess was in a period of mourning after the re-banishment of her sister, and uncertainty crept across the land.

When the Crystal Empire returned, bringing with it living shadows and mind-controlled armies, that shock was compounded twofold. 

But shock gave way to determination. Princess Celestia rose from her grief. The ponies of Equestria rallied. Peaceful ways of life had to give way to sacrifice for the good of the nation. 

At first, there was concern among the alicornis imitato; where could they serve? A few felt capable of joining the call for volunteer fighters, but found themselves rejected. Too handicapped magically. Too great a distraction. Too high a personal risk if they were targeted for their alicorn appearance; too great a chance the few with cult followings would accidentally cause dissension and disobedience in the ranks. 

Then Celestia called them in. Each one of the twelve, and their families, escorted to the castle in Canterlot under guard. For their safety, she assured them. They would bear no suspicion, they would not be harmed, and their loved ones were welcome to the same protection unless they wished to help the cause in some other capacity. And the AIs trusted her, for hadn’t Princess Celestia always made an effort to get to know each AI, to befriend them, to demonstrate to them her friendship and wish for their good?

None were aware of the ulterior motive behind this special consideration. True, keeping them safe, keeping them under a watchful eye, was a wise tactical move. But in truth, Princess Celestia had need of something else they had power over - power none of them realized was theirs:

The Guardians.

With each AI safely protected in the castle, the Guardians were now available. Twelve of the most skilled, elite agents in Her Royal Service. Twelve ponies picked for their patience, their decision-making, their stealth, and their fighting skills. Twelve ponies who had proven themselves not only strong and capable, but compassionate and rational - ponies with the rare skillset required for competently watching over, protecting - and, if need be, stopping - another pony in secret, for decades on end. And never once be found out, or require gratitude, for their service.

She had a special mission for them, if they agreed. They did. And so the Guardians gathered, trusting their charges, their foremost responsibility, to the Princess’s care.

There had been a Crystal Heart once, she told them in the secret meeting chamber. The Crystal Ponies had once powered and protected their city with its strong enchantment - an enchantment fueled by their love for one another. It had been a beacon of hope and light, a physical manifestation of the King’s love for his creatures. And Sombra had stolen it from them, filling the void left behind with his malice and lust for power.

He could not have broken it, she was certain. It must be hidden in the castle. And if they could find it... reactivate it... free the crystal ponies from their enslavement... the war would end, and no more innocent lives, lives utterly overshadowed by Sombra’s wicked hubris or laid down to defend Equestria’s freedom, would be lost.

The plan might not work. It might be too dangerous. It might be a fool’s errand.

But there was no group of ponies, Celestia felt sure, who could be more well entrusted to such a task.

-----

Welcome, one and all, to this special What If? series of “I Am Not An Alicorn!” 

This has been a LONG time in the works. I initially started brainstorming this project back in January with Reversalmushroom, as his Patreon reward for supporting me under the Resplendent Royalty tier. He asked if his comic reward could be used to give a glimpse of what life would have been like for Salespitch & Co in the seven alternate timelines created by Starlight Glimmer in the Season 5 Finale, The Cutie Re-Mark. As you can tell from the time gap, it took me quite a while to get it done, and now I’m very excited to show you all the result!

I am quite pleased Reversal wanted this for his reward, and also for his commissioning of Panel 7 - as you may or may not know, there were seven timelines, but the Patreon reward only allows for up to two pages of comic, and I could only satisfactorily fit six of these panels onto those pages. So he commissioned the seventh one out of his own pocket (and lemme tell ya, I REALLY like that one :D) Thank you again for your patronage, Reversal, and I’m glad you have been happy with the results so far!

The descriptions I’ve added are not part of the original reward; I just really like adding lore, and thought ya’ll would enjoy some further elaboration of what’s going on in each timeline. It’s not a full story, but hopefully gives you enough fun details to imagine how things might have gone. I know I have fun with that kind of thing. :D 

There will be a long post at the end with all of the timeline art cards together and links back to these description posts, but I hope you will enjoy the next seven weeks with me as we explore these different What Ifs! Also, feel free to send additional questions in about each timeline; I might answer a few of them during the week.

(And remember: no matter how dark or catastrophic things may seem... there is always hope.)

Some Fun Facts About The Crystal War Timeline/Art:

- All of Sales’ family is safe and well in this timeline. Pitch Black is the only one going into danger (and I assure you, he doesn’t die; the mission, while not without some serious roadblocks, is successful.) 

- Sales feels a little cooped up at the castle, but Celestia has people who try to give all the AIs ways to put their talents to good use, and he ends up making some solid connections with the ponies of the Department of Equestrian Commerce. He actually has some suggestions that help streamline the war effort supply lines. 

- All of the AIs in the upper half have appeared in the comic before! Some are from the MLP show, others (like the little red foal) are made up by me, and Willow Resin (the blue and blonde mare talking to Sales) was the winning entry for my Alicornis Imitato contest, created by @johndoestudios! 

- The yellow AI is based off the show glitch of Lemon Hearts that made her into an alicorn, and the sunglasses guy is obviously Neon Lights, but while this is NOT Lemon Hearts and I made a new cutie mark for her lookalike, Neon Lights is still Neon Lights. I figure he just hides his wings under his vest when he’s working with Coluratura’s shows. Also, that purple tail is one of the VERY obvious on-screen “alicorns” in the episode where Rainbow Dash goes to Las Pegasus (named Purple Rain by me).

- The ponies with Pitch Black and Celestia aren’t all named yet, but I like them all, and I named the green guy Strawberry Spice.

- The blue pegasus Guardian ended up looking so much like Agent Windigo that I decided he is her twin brother. Their real names are Storm Front and Spring Frost. I haven’t decided a codename for Frost yet, but all the top-level special agents have codenames based on dangerous creatures or constructs (i.e. Black Knight, Windigo, Phoenix, Golem, Manticore, Hydra, Chimera, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, Siren, etc.) Kinda too bad his sister stole the ice monster already, I bet she ribs him about that. XD

Hope you’re all well and taking time to relax and appreciate the little joys in life! They’re still out there, I promise. :) And let me know if anyone has any prayer requests! Jesus is still Lord, and He’s never surprised no matter what craziness we run into!

~River Babble

Next Week: Changeling Times

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 5: Starlight’s Secret

A few hours after Twilight suddenly popped up through a portal in her wagon, Trixie has finally woken up again after having gone back to sleep. She yawns and stretches her hooves. Once she gets out she looks at the face of the pony that makes her the happiest… her own face in the mirror.

Trixie: Today, Trixie starts the preparations for a grand show in Saddle Arabia! But first, to fulfill a mission the Princess gave me in getting Starlight there.

Trixie grins at herself in the mirror

Trixie: Granted, Starlight has been a wonderful assistant in many of my shows. I probably would of smuggled her in, even if Twilight explicitly told me NOT to bring her. But as is, inviting Starlight is now Trixie’s good deed of the day!

Trixie steps out of her wagon and proceeds to head to the School of Friendship, where Starlight has recently been promoted to be the new Principal when the previous one got a promotion of their own in Twilight becoming the sole princess ruling in Canterlot. Trixie herself with a job at the school as the new counselor. She approaches the Principal’s desk.

Trixie: Hello Principal Glimmer, is it fine for Counselor Lulamoon to have a few words?

Starlight turns around her swivel chair and smiles

Starlight: Hey there Trixie, good to see you! Though I don’t know why you’re being so formal. We’re currently on break between school years, I’m just here because I still have some paperwork to fulfill before the next school year starts.

Trixie: Maybe Trixie just wanted to start getting used to saying Principal Glimmer and Counselor Lulamoon for when it is time.

Starlight: Haha, I guess it does give you a sort of professional title to boast. Though please focus on using your job on helping out students and not flaunting the fact that you were hired to counsel students. Helping students shouldn’t be something you brag about doing. You just do it, you’ll get the praise you want when the students say you helped them. I may be your friend, but I’ll still be your boss. I will not hesitate to fire you, if I feel like you’re using your title over the concerns of the students

Trixie: Ok, ok, ok. I’m sorry, guess I was just a little excited that we’re going to be working together. Though speaking of together, I actually got something to invite you to. And believe it or not, Twilight herself told me to go invite you after inviting me herself!

Starlight: Huh, Twilight visited to invite you somewhere?

Trixie: She did, yes!

Starlight: Well, I guess you two have actually been friends longer then you’ve been friends with me.

Trixie: Just want to say that despite having been friends with Twilight for longer, you’re still my BEST friend. *winks*

Starlight: Aw, thank you Trixie. But anyway, what did Twilight invite you to and in turn, what are you inviting me to?

Trixie: Saddle Arabia is apparently having a Royal Ball in the palace. There’s also a wedding between 2 of Twilight’s friends that live there, though it’s your choice if you want to attend both. I don’t know if I’ll be at the wedding, but Twilight invited me to the Royal Ball both as a guest and an entertainer. I’ll be on stage, and of course I’d like to have you as my assistant for another show.

Starlight: Sure thing, Trixie. It’s good that we may finally get to see Saddle Arabia after we failed a little while ago.

Suddenly, a door knock is heard outside the office door.

Starlight: Trixie, could you go see who’s here?

Trixie: Sure!

Trixie opens up the door, and it’s Sunburst. Another friend of Starlight who will be in the staff as the Vice Principal.

Sunburst: Hi Trixie! Hi Starlight! Are you two already discussing the next school year?

Starlight: Maybe a little tiny bit, but Trixie actually had something else in mind that we’re talking about a little more.

Sunburst: What’s that?

Starlight: Twilight and her friends are going to Saddle Arabia for a Royal Ball and a wedding. Trixie was invited to go from her, and she’ll be among the entertainers to go on stage. She was also tasked by Twilight to invite me.

Trixie: Oh yeah, Twilight also mentioned you Sunburst so if you want to come too, we can make sure you’re invited as well.

Sunburst: Sure, why not?

Suddenly a portal appears in the room of the office

Starlight: What the?!

Twilight: Hi there, Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst!

Trixie: Twilight?! What are you popping in for, if you were going to talk to Starlight. Why did you even task me to go invite her?!

Twilight: I… didn’t pop in for that, but at least I know you went and did it. In fact, I tried seeing you in your wagon first in case you were still there, but you were gone, so I guessed that you went to the school to do what I told you. Thank you for that. Buuuut I just realized I forgot to give you something before I closed the portal into your wagon. Your own pack of portal gum for you and Starlight to use in case you have others outside Ponyville you want to invite. Me and my friends are gathering friends and family from all over the world. I need to give you the chance to do the same if you have any in mind.

Twilight tosses a pack of gum that lands on Starlight’s desk.

Starlight: Thanks Twilight, I guess. See you at the ball, then?

Twilight: Yup! Have a good day!

Twilight waves goodbye, and closes the portal

Trixie: Well, I guess this time we won’t have to worry about the long travel like we went on last time.

Starlight: Yeah, true. That was such a horrid trip, we didn’t even get to Saddle Arabia. So it’ll be great to have a shortcut to anywhere in the world. Though now the question is, who should we invite? I was going to say maybe Maud first, but I have a feeling Pinkie Pie’s likely already got her covered.

Trixie: I might go get my Mother in Canterlot

Starlight: Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever met your Mother. What’s her name?

Trixie: Dandy Lion, and she is somepony I love very much.

Starlight: I suppose while you’re mentioning a parent, what about your father?

Trixie just gives an annoyed expression

Trixie: No comment…

Starlight: Oh… sounds like you don’t want to talk about him… though I sympathize sometimes given what my own father is like… You’ve just never ever brought up your parents before, so you never really told us how you feel about them

Trixie: I’ll just say my past in Canterlot was… complicated.

Starlight: You’re not the only one with a complicated past, Trixie. Trust me

Starlight looks to the side solemnly

Sunburst: I suppose we have our own parents we can invite, my mother is obsessed with plans. But I wouldn’t mind letting her have some fun in a vacation. Maybe she’d loosen up a bit from her plan-oriented lifestyle.

Starlight: Ugh… going to see my father is like going face-to-face with one of the sources of my complicated past I just mentioned… But I guess I can.

Sunburst: Do you perhaps want to talk about said complicated past?

Starlight: Not really at the moment, but perhaps I should sometime... But I guess for now, we three should get going to invite the parents we can or at least willing to reach. Here’s your own piece Trixie, so you can go see your Mom. And this one is for me and Sunburst to go to Sire’s Hollow.

Trixie: Thank you, Starlight! I’m gonna go see my Mom right now, I’ll come back here after I’ve invited and finished talking to her.

Starlight: Alright Trixie, seeya in a moment.

Trixie blows her portal gum bubble and heads off to see her Mother. Meanwhile Starlight takes a deep breath.

Starlight: So back to Sire’s Hollow, huh?

Sunburst: At least for only a few minutes. We don’t have a a whole friendship quest to figure out this time around. We only have to say “Hey Mom, or in your case Dad. We’re going to Saddle Arabia soon, would you like to join us when we do?”. And then regardless whether they say yes or no, say we can’t stay for too much longer, and if they ask why, just bring up our school jobs.

Starlight: I guess you have a point there, Perhaps it won’t be too bad.

Starlight proceeds to blow her bubble and the portal that pops from it, is a view of Sire’s Hollow the town where many awkward memories for both Starlight and Sunburst persist. Starlight closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and enters the portal.

((Story continues after the break))

Upon entering Sunburst can already see his mother is out and about keeping an eye on any progress of the town being made. Sunburst sighs.

Sunburst: I might as well talk to her to get it over with…

Sunburst walks closer and starts to call out to his mother.

Sunburst: Um, uh… Hi! Er, Mom?

Stellar Flare’s ears perk up, and she turns around with a wide-eyed, big grin hearing the voice of her son.

Stellar Flare: SUNBURST!

She trots up and hugs him tight.

Stellar Flare: How’s my little vice principal of the next year of the Friendship School doing?

Starlight: Wait, you already know that Sunburst was hired as Vice Principal?

Stellar Flare: Oh yes, and of course that means I also know about you, Principal Starlight! *winks*

Starlight: But how? We definitely haven’t been here since that happened.

Sunburst: I told her recently, I’ve actually started to respond to her letters more often. Maybe if she knew more recent news about me more often, maybe she’d at least think I wasn’t doing nothing… honestly maybe I should of at least told her last time that I helped with babysitting Cadence’s daughter in the Crystal Empire. She would of thought that I was doing an important job then.

Stellar Flare: You did mention that in one of your recent letters, yeah I probably would of been a little more satisfied knowing that before the previous visit. Though certainly having a role in the School of Friendship is a much bigger deal, you’ll be shaping the future of the next few generations of not just Equestria but some students from outside of the country as well, non-ponies included! I just want to say I’m proud of you, Sunburst. This is all I wanted for you, a solid future for yourself!

Sunburst: Heh heh, thank you Mom. Though perhaps you should be thanking Starlight, she was the one who was promoted from counselor and then hired me on as Vice Principal.

Stellar Flare: I guess that’s fair too. *She turns toward Starlight* Thank you Starlight, for being such a dear friend and selecting my son as your Vice Principal!

Starlight: You’re welcome, I guess?

Sunburst: By the way, Mom. Looks like you’re overseeing something getting built. How did you get Firelight to sign up on it, weren’t you two still at odds about construction?

Stellar Flare: Well, we still fought over things a little bit after you left last time. But some time ago, we finally reached a bit of a compromise. Remember when I said I wouldn’t let Firelight turn this town into a museum?

Sunburst: Yes?

Stellar Flare: Well, I thought of something. If I let Firelight have a museum in the town, then I can have something I want, once that’s done! What’s being built is a Sire’s Hollow museum!

Starlight: I guess that would be one way to satisfy my Father.

Stellar Flare: We together will make a museum that both respects the history of our little town while the building itself will have plenty quirks about other thriving cities! It’ll have something for the both of us, and after that I’ll get to have one thing I want. Though I haven’t even decided yet, do I want a casino? A sports arena? Perhaps, a hotel? Oh, just thinking about the possibilities has me filled with excitement! *She has both hooves on her cheeks with star-filled eyes*

Sunburst: Well either way, it sounds very nice. Glad you two came to a good deal that benefits both of you.

Starlight: Ahem, Sunburst... I think we may have gotten a little sidetracked of what we came here to do

Sunburst: Oh shoot, yeah. Blame my Mom’s way of carrying a conversation. Um, Mom we actually came here to invite you to something.

Stellar Flare: Wait, are you actually saying you… hehe…

Sunburst: No…

Stellar Flare: Came here…

Sunburst: No no no no no no, please don’t say it….

Stellar Flare: WITH. A. PLAN?!

Sunburst: ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sunburst yells in mental agony as her mother implies he’s becoming like her. Starlight giggling a little bit. Stellar Flare looking at Sunburst with a smug grin.

Stellar Flare: Hehehehe, sorry I just had to. But where and what did you PLAN *winks* to invite me to?

Sunburst: Ugghhh, well Mom. There will be a royal ball in Saddle Arabia, Princess Twilight and her friends will also likely bringing many of their family and friends from across the world. That included us, and she gave us free reign to invite whoever we wanted to bring as well. We thought it’d be a good gesture to bring you and Starlight’s father along to it.

Stellar Flare: Sounds like fun! I’d love to be there, consider it my plan to be there.

Sunburst: Alright, we’ve got my Mom invited. Now I suppose it’s your dad’s turn.

Starlight: *sigh* Yeah… Stellar, have you seen my father?

Stellar Flare: I believe he’s currently in your old home, Starlight.

Starlight: Well then, I’m gonna head in and get this over wi-

Stellar Flare: Though there is one thing I admit is odd, he has not come out at all today. Like I know he’s still alive at the very least, I heard him mixing up his coffee in the morning. But he hasn’t come out all day. Which is weird because I would of thought he’d enjoy watching his museum’s construction being underway.

Starlight gives a somewhat concerned look to both Sunburst and her mom.

Starlight: Well I’ll go in alone and see what’s up, you’re right that it doesn’t sound like him to stay in the house like that…

Starlight walks on over to the house that she grew up on, she knocks. But even after a few minutes, there’s no answer. Now Starlight got really concerned, Sunburst’s mom said she thinks he’s not dead based on hearing the sounds of coffee being mixed, but who knew if that coffee had like poison or something else happened since then. Starlight barge opens the door and yells out.

Starlight: Dad? Are you feeling alright?

After quieting herself, she hears the faint sound of… a stallion crying. Her father’s alive which was a relief, but sounds like he’s really upset about something. Starlight goes in the direction in which he can hear the sobbing and eventually finds her father just sitting up on the side of his bed. Tears streaming down his face.

Starlight: Dad?

Firelight is surprised by the sudden appearance of his daughter, he was still in the house and didn’t hear any part of their conversation with Sunburst’s mother, so he didn’t know Starlight was in town.

Firelight: Starlight?! I didn’t even know you were here, um… nice to see you… dear…

Starlight: Now I know something really is wrong, you didn’t begin with calling me “pumpky-wumpkin” or “sugarplum”.

Firelight: *sigh* Am I that predictable?

Starlight: Come on, Dad. Fess up, what’s on your mind that’s got you in such an emotional mess?

Firelight just closes his eyes and turns away from his daughter.

Firelight: If you must know… today happens to be the date of when… she… left…

Starlight: She…?

Starlight ponders for a moment, but suddenly realizes what he meant

Starlight: You mean… my mother!…

Firelight just nods

Starlight suddenly gets a determined look on her face.

Starlight: Perhaps it’s time then you finally tell me who she was, you still haven’t told me at any point my entire life. I asked you so many times when I was a filly, you just kept either dodging the question or said you’d tell me later. I think we’re well past later at this point, will you finally at least tell me her name?

Her father just stays silent, Starlight gives him a few minutes to say something. But still nothing. Starlight’s anger starts rising.

Starlight: Father! Please! Tell me something for Equestria’s sake! Maybe you don’t even have to tell me her name! At least tell me if you know what happened to her after she left, maybe?!

Another minute of silence passes before Firelight speaks at least a little.

Firelight: That last question, I still don’t know for sure yet myself… but… I still don’t think it’s time yet to share who she was…

Starlight now fully in a rage, perhaps the most anger she’s felt since prior to her being reformed by Twilight.

Starlight: FINE! JUST STAY AND MOPE THERE WHILE LEAVING YOUR ONLY DAUGHTER IN THE COLD ABOUT THE VERY THING YOU’RE MOPING ABOUT, YOU APPARENTLY DON’T HAVE A BUCKING CLUE HOW MUCH KNOWING WHO MY MOTHER WAS MIGHT HAVE HELPED ME YEARS AGO! I SHOULD TEACH YOU A BUCKING LESSON BY BURNING DOWN YOUR BUCKING PRECIOUS MUSEUM BEING BUILT RIGHT NOW!

Getting such a tongue lashing from his daughter, all he can do is simply just hunker down further and remain silent. Tears streaming down his cheek again.

After a few heavy breaths after her angry rant. She takes one, large deep breath. And says a more calmer but not any less stern talking to her father.

Starlight: You’re lucky vengeance isn’t my style anymore, I won’t really destroy it. But what good is holding on to the past of the town if there’s something about the past you won’t even tell your own daughter? Just what is it that makes it so important for me to not know? Do you plan on keeping up this secret even past the day you’re buried six feet deep?

Firelight: Of course not…

Starlight: Then why not just tell me now? Please don’t tell me you intend to make me wait until you’re super old and/or on your deathbed to tell me…

Firelight: If it’s any comfort, I don’t plan to tell you on my deathbed. But… I’m still not ready to quite say it yet, Starlight. I’m sorry.

Starlight huffs in her failure to get anything out of her stubborn father. She finally gives up, and turns her back on her father.

Starlight: Well… before I go… I just want to tell you that me and Sunburst are going to a Royal Ball in Saddle Arabia where Twilight and her many friends and family will also be attending. We came here to invite you and Sunburst’s mom. I won’t rescind your invitation just because of our conversation, you can still go and Sunburst can come pick you and his mom up when it’s time. But... you’re not exactly doing yourself any favors in the near future to convince your little “pumpky-wumpkins” to even bother make another visit to this forsaken town.

Firelight is silent for a little bit before finally saying

Firelight: Yeah… I’ll go…

Starlight: Then my business is done here, goodbye father.

Starlight finally leaves the room, Firelight just sulking and now probably his tears aren’t going to be just about what the date was, but also the problems between him and his only daughter.

Starlight walks out of the room but with a very noticeable angry expression. Sunburst looks very concerned for her.

Sunburst: What happened in there Starlight? I couldn’t hear exactly what you were saying, but I’m pretty sure I could feel the familiar vibes of your voice whenever you were SUPER angry.

Starlight: We’re getting out of here Sunburst, our parents were invited. We got what we came here for...

Sunburst: Starligh-

She gives Sunburst such a mean stare that if looks could kill, would probably drop him dead instantly.

Starlight: Sunburst… Lets. Get Back. To. The. Bucking. Office.

Sunburst just remains silent, and follows Starlight back into the Principal’s office of the School of Friendship. Once they’re back in the office, Starlight slumps back into her desk chair still with that angry expression that she left her house in. Sunburst seats himself a distance from Starlight and stays silent. And for a little while, it stays that way. It was perhaps a good 15-20 minutes before something broke the silence. A portal re-opening back from Canterlot, Trixie was back. And she was overjoyed in happiness in huge contrast with a silent room of anger and awkwardness.

Trixie: Oh my Celestia, my mom is so amazing! She accepted my invitation, and also gave me humongous congratulations on getting the school counselor job. Then we had a mother-daughter snuggle hug, she gave me cookies, and even perhaps gave me the greatest idea for the finale of my act in Saddle Arabia! Oh, I love my mom so much!

Starlight utters a big strong growl at Trixie. Sunburst looking at Trixie, just moving his head to side-to-side to signal that Starlight’s really not in a good mood at the moment. Trixie never really knows what to say when Starlight gets this angry, so she just sits a distance away from Starlight along with Sunburst.

Trixie leans over to Sunburst’s side to whisper

Trixie: Sunburst, what in Equestria happened in Sire’s Hollow for Starlight to be this angry?! I swear this is scarier then when she was bottling up her feelings, when she was angry at me!

Sunburst: I’m not exactly sure either, Trixie. She just stormed out of her father’s home like this, obviously they had a tense moment.

The room is silent once again for another few minutes with Starlight still not changing her expression as Trixie and Sunburst just awkwardly sit there, occasionally side-eyeing each other waiting for an unclear sign of when to approach or say something that could help calm down Starlight. 

But a few minutes later, Starlight’s expression finally changes. She goes from unrelenting anger… to absolutely overflowing sadness. Sobbing, her face on her desk with her hooves on top of her head from what seems like utter despair to Trixie and Sunburst. Starlight’s tears even make a puddle on the desk that makes all the paper on the desk soaked.and even drags pencils off the edges of the desk from the sheer flow. That’s when Trixie and Sunburst finally approach to try to comfort their upset friend. Sunburst and Trixie both each with a hoof on Starlight’s shoulders.

Sunburst: Starlight, we don’t know what you talked about with your father. But obviously something was very distressing about it to you, you don’t have to tell us what exactly is wrong. But let us at least try to perhaps help you calm down, in any way we can.

Starlight still has tears streaming down her eyes. She raises her head off the desk and looks side to side to both her friends. And then finally speaks again.

Starlight: Actually, I probably should tell both of you what it was. So at the very least, I can be better then my bucking useless father in terms of telling important secrets that probably would be beneficial for friends to know now...

Trixie: You have some kind of secret that you’ve never told anypony else?

Sunburst: Yes, tell us Starlight. You’ll get things off your chest much easier if you just trust us to understand what’s upsetting you.

Starlight sits up a little more strongly, and takes a deep breath.

Starlight: Alright, Sunburst… Trixie… I’ll tell you now, I’ve held this up from almost every pony I’ve come to know for years. I probably haven’t even mentioned it to anypony other then my father since before I started that “Our Town” cult.

Sunburst and Trixie are metaphorically and almost literally on the edge of their seats. Whatever it is that Starlight has to tell them, must be huge.

Starlight nervously looks side-to-side through the entire office, and looks at each of the concerned but eager friends to know what she’s trying to say… until finally she just snaps and blurts out…

Starlight slams her hooves on her desk, before going back into another tearful sob fit covering her eyes with her hooves, tears streaming down her forelimbs. Sunburst and Trixie both wide-eyed, and huge gasps coming from their mouths.

NEXT UP: Chapter 6: Starlight’s Cutie Mark

[mlpdestinyverse]

“Gems and Flora”

Feat.  Astral Dusk, Terra Rosa, Eventide Twister,  Nova Spark

"S-she's really pretty..." At one point in time as a child, Astral Dusk's younger sister Eventide Twister was also brought over to visit the human world. She had a harder time adjusting to the other dimension compared to her older brother, but at the very least she got to meet Astral's friendly and pretty friend Terra Rosa. It didn't stop little Eve from hiding behind her brother or any objects in her field of vision every chance she got. That visit was Eve's first and last dimensional-hop. Like her father who was able to visit the human world once before with his wife, Eve prefers standing on all four of her hooves. And while Eve had developed an itty bitty kiddy crush on Terra, it was a short-lived one as the two never really saw each other as often as Astral and Terra did.

After the expulsion of (most) magic from the Mirrorverse, Princess Twilight tried to keep the Crystal Mirror's existence as obscure as possible, only allowing Sunset Shimmer (and eventually Astral Dusk) free passage between dimensions. But upon Terra Rosa's eager request, and after gaining Princess Twilight's approval, Terra was given permission to visit Equestria as a sort of one-week cultural field trip! After crossing dimensions, to both Astral and Terra's surprise, it turned out her pony form was that of a unicorn's! Astral would've been lying to himself if he had claimed he hadn't felt even a tinge of envy, being an aspiring researcher of gems and magical properties who couldn't wield magic himself. But Terra was having a blast with her new form, and well, that's what ended up really mattering to Astral. Meanwhile, it's preeetty uh...weird to enter a world where being naked is a norm.

While meeting her alternate dimensional daughter was surreal and rather mind-boggling for Princess Twilight, Terra Rosa was filled to the brim with excitement over meeting not only her pony-mom, but her technical half-dimensional brother, Nova Spark! Nova didn't...quite share the same sentiment, preferring to stare at Terra bug-eyed and fluffed up from behind his mother's leg. Though to be fair, having a strange energetic kid appear from another dimension and call your own mother 'mom' would be a little alarming. Just a little. Astral didn't really appreciate the distrusting glances the brat prince would shoot at his friend whenever she gushed and rambled at the three of them over the new sights around her. He especially didn't appreciate catching a soft mutter of "weirdo" from Nova when the younger colt thought no one was listening. It took everything in Astral not to trip the snobbish boy right then and there. Safe to say while Terra found her younger half-sibling adorable and huggable, Nova as a child waaasn't really about that. Weirdly enough, Astral found the boy avoiding her whenever she treaded his castle while simultaneously watching her from a distance around corners.

Terra came to visit Equestria at least two to three other times after her first initial visit! While her visits couldn't be as frequent as Astral's were to the Mirrorverse, she and Astral used the Equestrian-visits to the fullest! Showing Terra more of their world, giving her a few magic lessons thanks to Sunset, and of course...some collaborative research action~ Astral can't go one scientific project without wearing a lab coat. It's like a thinking cap, allowing him to channel his inner researcher whilemakinghimfeelreallycool,shh. Naturally, it only made sense if Terra joined in on the scientific channeling. The sessions mainly contained crazy idea pitching and aimless notes for the endless possibilities of combining flora and gems and magic. Whether they really got anywhere with their combined efforts was really up in the air, but at least they had fun~

Entering their teen years, both Astral and Terra were granted part-time jobs as junior counselors at the family camp, Camp Everfree! The job mainly consisted of assisting with activities and easing the burden of keeping track of a class of kids from Terra's father Timber Spruce and aunt Gloriosa Daisy. It was around this time that Terra managed to see old photos of Sunset Shimmer back when she and Terra's mother were high schoolers. Sunset's old leather wardrobe, as well as a childhood photo of Astral wearing a tiny leather jacket, had Terra demanding that Astral bring the leather back!! Immediately!! While Astral gave in (quietly swearing he'd only wear it indoors), Aunt Gloriosa kind of just...gave him her infamous disapproving squint. Terra always seemed pretty unaffected by "the squint", but for some reason Astral always found himself wanting to duck in a corner in the face of Gloriosa's authoritative side as head Camp Counselor.

If you haven't seen the glorious scene this is based on, please do oh my gosh. Astral wasn't sure how many hours had passed in the aftermath of the apparent war Terra had waged on the ring toss booth. Astral realized that day the lengths his friend would go for her fixations. He was left feeling weirdly exhausted, but Terra's bright beam and the hop to her step as she nuzzled her plush made it all rather worth it. Twilight and Sunset always got a kick out of seeing their kids getting along and working well together...to the utmost degree.

Welcome to "I might be feeling things for my best friend but I don't want to ruin what we have so I just won't acknowledge it and cherish things as they are" the unholy novel. Neither of them ever realized the other had the exact same thought.

[heartfullofpony]

Celestia’s Last Letter

Art by My Little Sheepy

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

You're probably wondering why this letter was sent to you by mail rather than through Spike. I could easily blame Luna's bizarre infatuation with the Royal Equestrian Postal Service, but that would be a lie, and tempting as that may be, it would be unfair to you, who have always been so brutally forthcoming with me in all of your letters, both as my student, and as my friend.

The truth of the matter is that, by the time you read this, Luna and I will no longer be at Silver Shoals, or any place else that you can find on a map. 

This, I'm afraid, is my final letter to you, and where I'm going, you won't be able to send a reply.

Don't panic.

Let me start by assuring you that my sister and I are both quite alright. In fact, we are more than alright. 

Our retirement together has made up some of the happiest years of our lives, second only to our time spent watching you and your friends grow.  I've had such amazing adventures since giving up the crown.  I've hacked through jungles, and climbed whole mountains without use of my wings - simply for the sake of the challenge!  I've galloped through such amazing meadows, and tasted cleaner air than I ever dreamt of!  I have journeyed from the ocean realm of the sea ponies, to the bitter tundras of Yakyakistan, and loved every minute of it.

Luna has occupied her time soaking up the symphonies and operas of the past thousand years, studying every sculpture, and painting that Equestria has to offer, from the prestigious Silver Shoals Cultural Center to Manehattan to Trottingham.  (I don't pretend to get it myself, but most of those works had been inspired by dreams, and created under the moonlight, so it's hardly surprising that my sister is a sap for them).

We've both traveled so far, and it's all been so wonderful, as I'm sure you've gleaned from our many postcards and letters.

However, that excitement could not last forever. There comes a time when the world of ponies passes from under you and becomes a place you no longer consider home.  For me, there was no grand incident.  It felt simply like a blanket slowly draping itself over everything - a heaviness I could not pierce, or see through, or bear.  For my sister, “the call” took the form of a sharper heartbreak - when a grown pony first failed to recognize her.  Luna has always been the sensitive type, and while it's not my place to get into the details, suffice it to say that she didn't take it well.

The point I'm making is this: our time is up.  My sister and I both have felt it, each in our own way, each on our own terms.

You'll feel it someday too, and while I am sure that that day is countless moons in the future, sadly, it will come, and when it does, you don't need to fear, nor should you despair.  If ever you valued my counsel or my judgment on anything, I beg you to please trust me on this. 

You're going to be alright, and when you are finally ready, you'll know what to do. 

I never told you this, but I've often envied my subjects.  Each of their lives are so brief, yet so wonderful - their passions like bursts of fireworks that light up the sky for just a tiny shining moment before fading away to streaks of ash hanging over the night.  I'll never know that feeling - the urgency of their impermanence.   The life of an alicorn is more like a slow-burning candle, even when our hearts are broken, or our tempers roused.  

Our feelings my be just like anypony else's, but our experiences are not.

I confess to you now that Princess Luna and I chose Silver Shoals as the location not only for our retirement adventures, but also as the leaping off point for our eventual escape.

By the time you receive this letter, we'll have set sail, out into the great wide open, just like Luna and I had always dreamed of when we were fillies.  Did I ever tell you of our pirate games?  No, I don't imagine I have.

No worries.  I'll tell you about it face to face someday.

In the meantime, all I can say is thank you.  Your legacy is my greatest pride, and my greatest joy.

In my heart, I know that Equestria has never been in better hooves, and that knowledge has granted my sister and I both freedom and peace.

Think of me when you raise the Sun.  Think of Luna when you raise the Moon.  And in those cherished moments between night and day - in dusk or in twilight - do me one small favor, and look to the stars.  The first to twinkle, and the last to fade.  It is there you'll find my sister and I.

We will be with you always.  I promise.

Until we meet again,

Princess Emeritus Celestia

Celestia’s Last Letter, by Sprocket

Thiis is a slightly shorter version of the same fic posted on FimFiction.  

SUPPORT:  My writing is a labor of love.  However, I also have mouths to feed.   If this story, Hooves of Fate, or my Heart Full of Pony essays have touched you in any way, and you can manage to spare a few bits, I'd very much appreciate your support on Patreon.  I could really use the assistance.

[ask-the-chan-family]

It’s Time for Uncle Ancient Wisdom

Continuation from last wisdom Outside from the internal airport, Viper was standing by the corner of the street, waiting for someone that was meant to pick up. Usually she had no problem using her car, and drive to the museum, but she remember during her conversation with Carmen Pondiego that she was going to pick her up with one of her agent that work for her.. Viper look around the street to see if the car she was there, but so far all she see was people being pick up from the airport, and several cabbies waiting for escort. Viper was thinking about the heist she was about to do with Carmen, and she starting to have second thoughts about it. She know that Carmen only care about stealing the Dragon Ball that Jackie research team were able to find, and leave, but deep inside her heart that this is her boyfriend big break, and she doesn’t want anything bad happened to him. While her mind was thinking of what she going to do next, she heard a car horn a few times that caught her attention. At first she thought it was just one of the cabbie that was bothering her, but she notice a red limousine that park right next to her. Viper was shock to see a limousine was right next to her, but never saw it drove by before. She look at the limousine for a moment, until she saw a door opening from the driver seat. Viper see a guy with orange hair walk up to her, but this person was a bit out of the ordinary. She look at his face to see what he look like, but his face was cover with sunglasses and a cap. Viper wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but she notice that the guy was asking her name. Mysterious guy: are you the human woman that go by the name Viper? Viper: yes that me, who is asking? Mysterious guy: before I give you the answer, I need to ask you one thing. Do you believe in mystical creatures, and magic? Viper: Mister! I been through a lot of weird things helping out a pacific family that are huge magnet to magic, and demons all the time. So if you going to try to scare me, you best try harder. Mysterious guy: *he laugh* very well then, I guess you’re alright to see the real me. Viper wasn’t sure wasn’t sure what the mysterious guy said, until she saw him walk back a few step from her. He remove his glasses and able to see his green eyes, but the eyes themselves weren’t human. Next thing she know it, the guy body shape started to change, and alter into a bug like pony with a horn. Viper was lost in words, wasn’t sure what to say next. The bug like creature look at Viper and started to laugh, liking how every time he able to shock people like that. Before Viper able to find the words she need to say to him, another voice came out of nowhere, but this voice was familiar to her. She look at the end of the limousine and see a women with a red hat peeking out from the window. The bug like creature knew that his boss was about to lose her patient with him, so he had to quit playing with Viper, and have her in the car. Marehem: *he laugh* sorry about startle you like that miss, I tend to trick people like that all the time. The Marehem by the way. Viper: Viper, and you not need to worry, I’m very use to seeing things that out of the ordinary all the time. It just I never seen someone like you before. What are you exactly? Marehem: I’m a changeling Miss Viper, but that all I’m going to say. There are some thing you don’t want need to know very much. Now then Miss Viper, I best have you inside right now, before my boss lose her temper on me. Carmen Pondiego: a little too late Marehem, because I was getting tired waiting for you to finish your little game, M. Marehem: come on Red, can’t a guy have a little fun messing with human once awhile. I rarely go to the human world very often. Carmen Pondiego: there are many good reason why you can’t go to the human world anymore, M. But I’m going to save this talk another time, right now we have an important mission, and we are on the clock. Marehem: very well then, do you still want me to escort Miss Viper in the car? Carmen Pondiego: I do that myself, just get inside and be ready to go. Marehem: But Carmen Pondiego: two words M. Wood Chipper. Marehem didn’t said another word, and do what his boss said. Once he got in the car, Carmen sigh to herself wondering how she deal with him for so long, and yet still work for her. She look back to Viper, and did her best to apology about her assistant behavior. Carmen Pondiego: I do apology for M behavior Viper, he tend to have a little fun when messing with humans like that, but he is a nice guy once you get to know him. Viper: it no problem Carmen, I have a habit to mess with people head when they first me the first time. Have to admit, I never seen someone like him before. Carmen Pondiego: well you don’t really see changeling like him around the human world, especially most of us are from Equestria. Viper: Equestria! What is that? Carmen Pondiego: Equestria is a special place where ponies, and creature’s live in harmony, or something like that. There is more detail about it, but it would take a whole day to explain it to you. Viper: thanks, I would have been board halfway is you did, but if you are from that world, why bother coming to the human world all the time. Carmen Pondiego: simple really, it a lot more fun here. The human have better artifact to track down, less magic defenses to deal with, and the location of fancy restaurant I do like. Viper: well I can’t blame you for some of things you said, but I sense there something else that made you want to come to the human world very often. Carmen Pondiego: well there are two reason really. One is personal, and the other, you might know him already. Viper: know who already? Carmen Pondiego: you and Jackie may know him as Thomas the writer, well Thomas is actually an old friend of mine. Viper: …….. Hold on a second, you knew Thomas the writer, and you never mention this before? Carmen Pondiego: well you never bother to ask me Viper, and beside, this is the first time you seeing me, and learning a little bit where I came from. Viper: that true, it just felt a little weird the very person that been my rival in thievery, is actually a pony from another world. Carmen Pondiego: I would like to be known as a unicorn please. When a human said pony like that, it make me want to slap them on the face, and your too cute slap for me to do that. Viper: *she blush* um, thank you I guess. Carmen Pondiego: now then, if that all you needed to ask me Viper, can we get in the limousine and head for the museum. I want to get there as soon as possible, before they raises the security at the place. Viper: oh you won’t need to worry about that. I actually have a friend who did some favor for me from the past. My cellphone have a special function to cut off any security system in a ten mile radius, which give you, and your friend to get inside without a problem. Carmen Pondiego: Clever girl. There a reason why I want you to join me on this mission. Viper: well you made an offer I couldn’t refuse, but remember our deal though. Carmen Pondiego: I’m a mare of my word, Viper. There will be no harm on your boyfriend, M and I will be in the area to stop any kind of danger that will come on our way. Viper: you think there will be a great threat to deal with? Carmen Pondiego: Maybe, especially when the museum donor gave them a lot of money for that artifact, they might send someone to double check for any problem. But I could be wrong, and it nothing at all. Viper: well if you think things be alright, let do this then. Marehem: hey, if you two done talking, I would like to get there, before I lose my mind of boredom. Carmen Pondiego: what happen to the handheld game I lent you, before we got here? Marehem: the only game that came with it was Tetris, and already board after beating it a few dozen times. Carmen Pondiego: Sigh, then I guess we have to go, before you started nagging of being board. Marehem: first of all, I don’t always nag. I only nag when things get boring. Carmen Pondiego: whatever make you feel happy, M? Viper laugh to herself after seeing how funny Carmen and her friend Marehem bicker with each other. Viper was thinking about the time when bicker with her for being a thief, which she always tell him that she was a formal thief. Part of her already know that she going to break her promise to Jackie, and Jade that she wasn’t going to steal anymore, but Carmen told she only care about getting the Dragon Ball, and Viper be in the clear. While Viper was thinking to herself, she notice that Carmen was calling her name, letting her know that they were ready to go. Viper head inside the back of the limousine, and they were off to the museum. While at the Museum of National of history, inside one of the research room, Jackie was studying one of the Dragon Ball from his archeological dig site. During his examination, Jackie was impress of how the Dragon Ball still have it shine, while burring inside a sunken ship for many years. When he stop looking at the Dragon Ball, Jackie look at his notes for some of the information he had written from learning about the Dragon Balls from old scrolls. So far he learned that they were some kind of ancient artifact that someone grant people wishes, after they summon an old dragon from the Dragon Balls. He also learn that in order to gain a single wish, you must gather all seven in order for it to work. Jackie sigh to himself, knowing that he got himself into something weird again. Usually he never attract supernatural stuff, but it always bond to find him. Jackie step away from his desk for a moment, just to get stretches his legs. Before he walk away, he grab something from one of the desk draw, which he kept hidden from anyone else to know about it. Jackie grab what look like a small black box, he smile when he look at it, knowing that the person he going to give it to, will like it a lot. While looking at the black box for a few minutes, Jackie heard someone was knocking at his door. Normally someone knocking at his door wasn’t weird, but most of his people he work with went home early, and he was the only person at the museum. Jackie heard the knocking again, which force him to see who it was. Once he reach the door, Jackie turn the doorknob, and open the door. From there, Jackie saw a bovine women wearing an officer uniform, and an eye patch covering her right eye was standing in front of him. At first, Jackie would have been surprised to see her appearance, but after dealing with a friend who was a talking pony, it was a normal thing to him. The bovine women stare at, Jackie with her one good eye, then speak to him in a professional way. Elizabeth Redfield: greeting good sir, are you happen to be Jackie Chan? Jackie Chan: yes that me, and who might you be? Elizabeth Redfield: *she gently bow to him* my name is Elizabeth Redfield, I’m the mysterious donor personal secretary. Is it possible I can come in, and speak with you? Jackie Chan: oh of course you can *he open the door to let Elizabeth in* I wasn’t inspecting anyone to come here this late at this hour. Elizabeth Redfield: my apology. My client wanted me to come here to check up on the ancient artifact that you, and your research team had found. At first I told my client to see if come by in the morning, but they insisted to come here at once. Jackie Chan: well normally I don’t have anyone come here this late at night, but since your client was nice enough to donate a lot of money for the museum, I don’t see why not. Jackie escorted Elizabeth, and walk her over to his desk. From there, Jackie show her one of the Dragon Ball he was examine at. Elizabeth was amaze of how wonderful it look, which part of her wanted to pick it up to examine it closer. Jackie grab one of the pair of gloves he had on the side, and grab the Dragon Ball. He show the artifact to her. Jackie Chan: as you can see, my research team and I were able to find one of these Dragon Ball from an underwater abandon ship. I had to admit, I’m still surprised how good condition they are in. Elizabeth Redfield: they look marvelous, but were you able to find the rest of the Dragon Ball? Jackie Chan: not quite yet. We thought we had them all, but after reading a little more about these things, there are a least seven of them, and we going to need more time to find them all. Elizabeth Redfield: I see, and by chance, were you able to locate the others yet? Jackie Chan: almost, I just need more time to read the captain old journal, and see if it had any information about them, and that will take time. Elizabeth Redfield: …. Sigh, very well then. I was sort of hopping that you would have all the dragon balls, but at least my client would know that you retrieve one of them. I’ll let my client know to send the museum more funding to get them all, at once. Jackie Chan: actually, the funding your client send us is enough to last us for a little while. He didn’t need to *before he could finish his sentence, Elizabeth stood in front of him, with her one good eye* Elizabeth Redfield: listen here, Mr. Chan. My client is very keen on wanting these Dragon Balls to be find. I know you, and the rest of team have several other research, but the Dragon Ball must be your high priority. Do I make myself clear? Jackie Chan: …. Gulp, crystal clear. Elizabeth Redfield: excellent, and my apology for my reaction, Mr. Chan. I tend to take my job too seriously Jackie Chan: it’s no problem at all. You’re not the first women to yell in front of me. But any case, I make sure that my team, and I will put a lot of effort of finding the other *just before he could finish his sentence, Jackie check his pocket and notice that his cellphone went off* Elizabeth Redfield: is something a matter Mr. Chan? Jackie Chan: nothing big, it just someone is trying to text me *he look at his phone* oh! It look like I have to go for a second. Someone I personally know is here. Elizabeth Redfield: is it one of your coworker that work here? Jackie Chan: not really, I could say more, but I need to get going. You can stay here for a moment, until I get back. Elizabeth Redfield: fare enough Mr. Chan. I’ll wait here when you get back. Jackie nodded to her, and step out from the office for a second. Part of him know that he shouldn’t leave her like that, especially when he had the artifact on his desk. The text message he had was from Viper, and she was inside the museum. Jackie wanted to catch her quick, and ask her something very important. Somewhere at the other side of the museum, Viper was standing around by the exhibit of spies. Viper at some of the old artifact that famous spies use over the years, she even stood by a black leather suit that once wore by a famous female double, which her true identity haven’t been known yet. Viper look at the suit, and was impress how it would look on her. While her mind was occupied of looking at the suit, she gotten a call from Carmen, and joke around with her a bit. Carmen Pondiego: you know, Viper if you wanted that outfit, I can easily steal it for you later. Viper: hmm very tempting, but I’m going to pass on the offer. I still promise, Jackie that I’m going clean on stealing things. Carmen Pondiego: I understand that my dear. It not that easy to be in a relationship, especially when you to balance being a master thief who run an organization, and a mother of two at the same time. Viper: Oh! I didn’t know you’re a mother? Carmen Pondiego: I try my best to not talk about my personal life while I’m working. I have a tendency to talk about some embarrassing thing my children do. Viper: *she laugh* and I’m guessing both your kids are professional thief like you? Carmen Pondiego: not really. My daughter Adora is an archaeologist like your boyfriend, and my son does some minor work like his father. Sure part of me would be happy to have them continue my work, but the same time. Viper: you want them to have better life being normal, then fallowing a mother who a master thief. Carmen Pondiego: Exactly! Viper: I have the feeling you would say that. I felt the same way when, Jackie ask me out on a date. I thought it was going to be hard at first, but over time we seeing each other more, and feeling much closer. Carmen Pondiego: that the same sign with me, and my husband. I to do your best to keep that feeling with him, Viper. Viper: don’t need to tell me twice. I best get ready, I hear some foot step from a distance. Carmen Pondiego: fare enough, I continue walking down from where I am and. Before she could finish her sentence, Viper lost communication with Carmen, after the line went blank. Viper tried to call her back, but no sign from her at all. Viper was plan to see if she could search for her, but she stop when a familiar voice was calling her name. She look and saw, Jackie was running towards, after running through the hallway to get to her. Viper was happy to see him, which made her wanted to give him a hug. Instead, she made a sarcastic joke that made her chuckle a little. Viper: it look like someone been slacking off on their training. Someone like you should have easily run through those hallways without any problems. Jackie Chan: *breathing heavily* give me a break, Viper. Ever since they gave me this new position, I barely have time to train every day. Viper: *she laugh* I know that, Jackie, but you know that I can’t help myself to pull your leg all the time. Jackie Chan: *he laugh* yeah that is true, and I tend to pull your leg for doing something good for a change. Viper: the only reason why I’m doing “Good Things” is because I’m keeping a promise with someone I love with. Jackie Chan: *he laugh again* yeah that true, and I thank you for keeping that promise. Viper: of course, Jackie. Ever since you first ask me on a date, I want to do my best to be a great girlfriend for you. Jackie Chan: and you have, Viper. But the funny thing with that, you had the opportunity to say no, and continue with your life as a thief. Viper: I would have, but I guess I wanted something a little different in my life, then just stealing valuable items all the time. Jackie Chan: and I’m guessing I was that something to change your life. Viper: in the beginning not really, but after being together with you for a few years now, I feel like my life is almost complete. *she place her hand by her heart* but something else is missing, and I’m not sure what it was. Jackie was trying to figure what she meant, but part of him already know what it was. He check his pocket to make sure the gift he gotten for her was there, but had to wait for the right time. He look up to, Viper and speak with her some more. Jackie Chan: I may not be an expert on love like Jade, but I would understand how you feel. Viper: believe me, Jade may think she know what love is like, but she still have a lot to learn. Any case, tell me what you trying to say. Jackie Chan: you remember my friend, Thomas the writer, who use to live our world. Viper: yes, I still remember him. He had a daughter named Dashie, and they use to visit Uncle Shop all the time. What about him? Jackie Chan: I remember long time ago, Thomas use to tell me a lot about his ex-girlfriend Princess Celestia. Viper: oh my, he was into royalty. I give him credit for having god taste. Jackie Chan: the funny thing with that, Princess Celestia was already on him first, before he ever had a chance to tell her how he feel. Before I forget, Thomas use to tell me a lot of good story he had with her in the old days. He remember when he was the captain of the royal guards, he use to see Princess Celestia play some games on him to gain his attention. He gotten use it in the beginning, but over time Princess Celestia finally came to terms and ask him to be her boyfriend. Viper: she went up to ask him first, instead of him? Jackie Chan: their relationship tend to be weird, but he said that no matter how far they were, or how long they haven’t seen each other. Thomas and Princess Celestia still show their compassion for one another, which why Thomas finally ask her to married him. Viper: but don’t forget that he was a good father to his daughter. Jackie Chan: I never forget that, or Jade would be upset with me. But still, I do miss seeing Thomas, and Dashie. They been part of our family life for so long, it just not the same without them. Viper: I would understand. I know I met them a couple of time, but part of me felt like they been a family to us. Jackie Chan: Yeah, I figure by now he would be married to Princess Celestia, and have a family of his own to add with Dashie. At least for now I have the memories with our friends, but ready to start new ones. Viper: what do you mean by *before she had the chance to finish her sentence, Viper see Jackie was standing on one knee, and look straight at her* Jackie, what going on? Jackie Chan: Viper, I know you didn’t came here to chat about the past, but I know I wanted to show you something important. Viper: ……… Jackie Chan: when I first met you at the museum, during the time I have to get the snake talisman. All I thought about you as being nothing more than a thief. But Jade see you more than someone cool, and deep down … I think so too. Viper: Jackie, what are you trying to say? Jackie Chan: sorry, I’m not really good with these sort of things. *he grab the small box that he had in his pocket and reveal a ring inside* Sigh, Viper, would you married this over work archeologist? Viper was speechless of what going on. Not only she see a wedding ring, but hearing Jackie asking her hand in marriage. Viper wanted to say yes to him, but before she got a chance, she heard someone clapping from a distance. Both Jackie and Viper look and notice a female cow in proper uniform was standing from a distance, clapping for the entertainment she was watching. Jackie look at the female cow and knew it was, Elizabeth Redfield. Jackie Chan: Elizabeth, what are you doing here? I though you was staying at my office. Elizabeth Redfield: my apology Mr. Chan. I know I was meant to wait for you, but I sort of got bored and figure to search for you instead. Viper: Jackie, who is this women? Elizabeth Redfield: you don’t need to say anything, Mr. Chan, I’m capable to introducing myself. My name is Elizabeth Redfield. I’m the personal assistant to an important client that donated a lot of money to this museum. Ad you might be Viper, a formal international thief that have a very bad habit of stealing valuable items. Jackie Chan: hold on, how did you know about, Viper? Elizabeth Redfield: it my job to know everyone, Mr. Chan. Including my rival allies. Isn’t that right, Carmen? Viper and Jackie were confuse of what she said, until they saw two people walking from the other side of the museum. Viper, and Jackie saw Carmen Pondiego being held captive by a female Dalmatian, while holding some sort of magic idol. Jackie was a bit surprise to see, Carmen here, but part of him already figure out what going on. Jackie Chan: Carmen, you’re here too? Carmen Pondiego: yeah I’m here too, but it good to see you thought. Oh! Congrats on getting engage. Agent K-9: that enough talking from you thief, or you want me to use this idol to make you confuse even worst Carmen Pondiego: I dare you to try it again, but this time I won’t make it easy. Elizabeth Redfield: that is quite enough, Delilah. We still need to keep them around long enough, so we can gather the things we need. Agent K-9: yes, Auntie Elizabeth. Elizabeth Redfield: sorry for my niece, she can be a bit passive at time. Jackie Chan: why are you doing this Ms. Redfield? I though you was just a normal assistant with an important client, but I’m guessing you’re a thief as well. Elizabeth Redfield: True *she grab something out of her coat pocket, which was the dragon ball* but I prefer to think of myself a professional Thief, than some boring assistant. Viper: Jackie, you actually let her steal the Dragon Ball? Jackie Chan: no I didn’t, the only way she got it, is that I …. *face palm* I left it on my desk table without putting it away. Carmen Pondiego: don’t worried Mr. Chan, we all make mistake on things. Viper: you rarely make mistake. Carmen Pondiego: I know, which why I was able to swipe the idol from that little K-9 hand. Agent K-9: *she look at her hand, and notice the idol is gone* hey, hand over that idol or *before she could finish her sentence, she was knock out and fell on the floor, after being hit by the idol* Carmen Pondiego: lesson taught kid, never mess with someone with many years of experience. Now then, Elizabeth was it? How about hand over that dragon ball, before we make this a show. Elizabeth Redfield: humph, you think you can take me on, Carmen. I know everything about you, and there is no way you can take me down that easily. Carmen Redfield: you’re very confident of yourself. You remind me a lot of an old friend of mine. Elizabeth Redfield: you should, that friend of yours happen to be my uncle, Thomas the writer. Everyone stood quite for a moment of what she said. Jackie, and Viper knew that name from anywhere, but never would guess that he would have a niece already. Carmen wasn’t that much surprise since she know about Thomas family, but not that much of his sibling side other then, Nova. Viper look at Jackie, and ask him to see if what she said is true. Viper: Jackie, is she telling the truth. Is she really, Thomas niece. Jackie Chan: I don’t know, I know most of Thomas family members, but I don’t remember mention about having a niece. Elizabeth Redfield: of course my uncle won’t know about us, especially when our mother told us to never mention of how we are. Carmen Pondiego: if your mother told you to never mention of who you are, why you still telling us? Elizabeth Redfield: because none of you going to leave here alive *she search through her coat pocket, and grab a blaster. Then aim it at them* Carmen Pondiego: really now, I thought you plan to defeat me with your skills, but I guess I was wrong to think you’re a professional thief. Elizabeth Redfield: I don’t care what you think of me. I got what I came for, and that all I care about. Jackie Chan: come now, Elizabeth, you don’t need to do this. If what you said that your Thomas niece, do you think he be proud of what you’re doing? Elizabeth Redfield: …. No he wouldn’t. I never really met him in person, but my mother always talk about him, like he was the most important person in the world. For years, K-9 and I been wanting to meet him but no matter how much we tried, being the daughter that nearly cause trouble towards the family, isn’t the good reputation to have on your shoulder. Carmen Pondiego: no family isn’t perfect, Elizabeth. I have an older daughter who still upset that I still for a living, but still don’t understand why I do it for. I can see that you only doing this, is because you are trying to draw out your uncle to see you, so you can tell him that you actually exist. Elizabeth pause for a moment, after hearing those words from Carmen. She know what, Carmen said are true, all these things she doing was nothing more, but gaining the attention from an uncle that doesn’t know her yet. Elizabeth sister K-9 finally got up from the floor, trying to see what going. When she saw Carmen in front of her, which give her a chance to attack. K-9 stop in her track, when Elizabeth call her name out. Elizabeth Redfield: stand down k-9! We are done here. K-9: what! Don’t tell me we aren’t going to attack them? Elizabeth Redfield: sigh, I’m sorry K-9, even though it temping to attack them, but part of me would feel ashamed if I dare harm our uncle friends. K-9: true, but what about the Dragon Ball, aren’t we still plan to steal it for our mom. If we don’t take it with us, everything we did was for nothing. Elizabeth Redfield: your right, K-9, this very Dragon Ball is the key reason why our mother show any care for us. Raise us to be nothing more than her pawns to steal things. But not anymore. Elizabeth walk towards the direction where, Carmen Pondiego was standing. She stood in front of her, glaring at her rival. Carmen wasn’t sure what, Elizabeth was up to, until she saw her hand over the Dragon Ball. Everyone in the room were a bit confuse of what going on, but Carmen understood what, Elizabeth had done. Elizabeth took a deep breath, and then walk away from Carmen, not saying a single word. Once she reach K-9 side, she tell her to grab her bag from the table, and tell her that they were going to leave. K-9 did what she said, and grab the bag from Jackie desk, and hand it back to her. Before they left, Elizabeth look back to Jackie, and Viper, then apology to them for everything. Elizabeth Redfield: Mr. Chan, and Viper, I do apology for tricking you, in order to gain access for the Dragon Ball, and drawn in my rival. Jackie Chan: it no problem, but what about the fund, and the research that my team are doing. Elizabeth Redfield: the funds, and research are real. I may be a thief, but I do respect on persevering all ancient artifact, and place them in the museum. I do hope we can continue to work together in the future, Mr. Chan. I do like to know you, and your family better. As for you, Carmen Carmen Pondiego: I know what your going to say. You going to keep an eye on me, and hope we can be friends. Elizabeth Redfield: I was going to say thank you for the kind words, but now I just going to say tread carefuly K-9: yeah, because I’m keeping an eye on you for tricking me like that. Elizabeth Redfield: oh don’t worry sweety. I got a lot more tricks to show you. I might bring you some dog biscits if you like. K-9 nearly lose her cool, and want to go after her, but Elizabeth grab her by the collar, and pull her away. Once they were gone, Jackie and Viper were happy that was all over. Carmen on the hand was happy to gain one of the Dragon Ball she was looking for, and she didn’t need to do that much. She look at Viper, and wanted to thank her for the help, but she was caught off guard, when Jackie was asking to see what going on. Jackie Chan: alright you two. You guys best tell me the truth, and don’t try to lie about it. Carmen Pondiego: whatever do you mean, Jackie? Jackie: don’t play dumb with me, Carmen. I know you’re a thief, and the only reason of you being here, is to steal the Dragon Ball. So if you either hand it over, or I will call the authorities Viper: hold on a second, Jackie. Can you just let her go, and call it a day? Jackie Chan: what! But, Viper I can’t just let her go like that. She have one of the Dragon Ball, and it belong in the museum. Viper: true, and she also the one that saved our lives. Carmen Pondiego: she got a point there, Jackie. I did my best to save both your lives, so you kind of owe me. Jackie Chan: you got to be kidding me. Viper: please Jackie, do it for me It took, Jackie a moment to think about it, but then decided he was going to let her go. Jackie Chan: alright fine, you can go Carmen. But you had to promise not to steal anything else once you leave here. Carmen Pondiego: no problem, Jackie. I be leaving here with the Dragon Ball. But first, I had to look for my friend of mine. M normally never let his guard down, but he might be occupied looking at something that catch his eyes. Oh I nearly forgot one thing. Congratulation to you both. I knew you guys would be a great couple. Both of them blush a little, not sure what to say next. Viper already know what to do, and gave Jackie a kiss on the cheek. Happy to be with his future husband. Jackie smile back to her, knowing that his life is perfect with her by his side. As for Carmen, she leave the two love birds, and go on her way. That was Uncle Ancient Wisdom Special Guest Carme Pondiego: @ask-carmenpondiego

[tirimsil]

“Alicorns” are dumb

Please see “How fantasy works: Symbolic magic / thematic magic” for context.

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In Friendship is Magic, there are four basic pony races, defined here as cartoon horses who normally have cutie marks:

Earth pony, look like normal cartoon horse, much stronk, good w/ plants

Pegasus, have wings, can stand on clouds, fly, generate wind currents

Unicorn, have horns, can do telekinesis & other magic stuff

Stronk + wings + horn, eventually called “alicorn”

When the show was first conceived, the only “yeah I’ll take everything” ponies were Celestia & Luna, the mysterious Princesses of Equestria. There was no special term; both were considered unicorns in early promo material.

Lauren Faust made them like that to symbolize that they were unbiased representatives of all three pony races.

Because they were all three races at once, and so far as anyone knew at that time they always had been, and they were the only two around, they could not be racist in favor of their own race.

... of course, due to Half-Elf Syndrome, this would not completely stop racists from hating them for being two-thirds another race... but it’s a big help.

Now let’s get into the nomenclature of “alicorns”...

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The word “alicorn” originally referred to the material composing a unicorn horn, or to an entire horn intact. In ancient times, swindlers would pass off various animal body parts as alicorn, claiming that alchemical mixtures containing it would promote health and long life. The most popular actor to play alicorn was the spiraled tusk of the narwhal, and today unicorns are almost exclusively depicted with very similar spiraling horns.

Sometime around 1984, fantasy author Piers Anthony re-appropriated “Alicorn” as the personal name of a specific winged unicorn; he apparently saw it used in reference to a statuette of a winged unicorn in an ad, and had never heard of the word before then.

Anthony was a prolific enough author for this errant usage to quickly spread into the fantasy vocabulary of several languages - as in, several besides English, the only language where the word already meant something. Like “Pegasus”, it quickly changed from the name of an individual to the name of a species.

"Alicorn” eventually found its way into the brony fandom, where it became one of those words used obsessively to make sure everyone knows you know the word exists, even though Celestia and Luna are all three races and not only the two covered by the term, and the show lifted it from there.

Oh, right, let’s talk about that.

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We’re all aware that Twilight, originally a unicorn, later became an “alicorn” (with the first in-show use of the term uttered by Rarity) thanks to a Deus Ex Machina. “Here’s a song, have some wings, OK bye”.

I got childishly butthurt about that like everybody else, but I realized in hindsight that it should have been very predictable: The most popular MLP toys were always the most princess-y ones, and Twilight was the main character and easily the most popular of the six both with little girls and with poonhounds, so of course they’d make her a Princess (at least in form) so they could release a whole second toy to make, to use the industry term, “a buttload of money”.

Twilight transforming into an “alicorn” was only mildly a problem unto itself:

It questioned the viewers’ natural presumption that “alicorns” were always that way and not a transformation to begin with.

It threw off the balance of two to a race the main characters had.

It worsened the narrative underuse of Rarity’s unicorn magic by making her even more obsolete in favor of Super Twilight.

It was a very clumsy end to a very clumsy season.

Still, it opened the door for further alterations to the “alicorn” concept.

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What walked in the door was Cadance. She ruined everything.

Faust originally designed Princess Cadance (supposedly a royal family member) as a normal unicorn, the same way that Prince Blueblood (supposedly a royal family member) was a normal unicorn. I distinctly recall Faust’s immediate reaction to first seeing Cadance with a horn and wings was grumpy drunk-Tweeting, but don’t take my word for that.

The spinoff novel Twilight Sparkle & the Crystal Heart Spell, which was obviously written to send back in time to a little girl from the mid-1800s, clarifies that Cadance was born as a pegasus. She just kinda worldspawned in the woods like Minecraft. She beat an evil witch with the witch’s own magic that Cadance turned into love magic despite not being a unicorn and then Celestia showed up out of nowhere like Gandalf to just POOF make her “an alicorn” because apparently Celestia can just do that.

Also Cadance is adopted.

The adopted pegasus is an “alicorn” whereas the actual blood relative of the “alicorns” is just a unicorn. No wonder Blueblood has nothing but contempt for all living things.

───────────────────────────────────

The malafest pit of corruption that is Cadance’s uterus had to make her kid (Flurry Heart) “an alicorn” right at birth.

Celestia and Luna said they’d never heard of a pony being born as an “alicorn”, which means Celestia and Luna weren’t born that way either.

This destroys the entire reason “alicorns” were ever conceived.

If Celestia and Luna were once any of the normal three races (presumably unicorns), then they are no longer race-neutral; racists will still treat them like the race they started as, and the public can accuse them of bias in favor of their original race, all the same as if they were never “alicorns” at all.

Of course, Twilight (unicorn) and Cadance (pegasus) would suffer the same obstacle, with a mild advantage to Cadance in that what her original race is may not be public knowledge since that happened off in the magic fairy forests of horse-Germany and only Celestia, Princess of Trolling, is a credible witness.

Only Flurry Heart, 15+ years down the line, could reasonably claim to be race-neutral... but who’s going to believe her? That’s never happened before. The greatest living minds and oldest memories of Equestria, Celestia and Luna themselves, said they’d never heard of such a thing. The public will much more likely forget any proof they ever had of Flurry Heart’s birth and presume that, like every other “alicorn”, she wasn’t originally one and that she’s trying to hide “what she really is”.

After all, racism is founded on delusion; it doesn’t matter what race Flurry really is, merely what parody of race she can be plausibly dubbed as.

───────────────────────────────────

Race-neutrality was the only reason to have any “alicorns” at all and none of them can fulfill that purpose; not even the one who’s actually race-neutral.

Here’s what we got in exchange for that blunder:

Absolutely nothing

"Alicorns” gained no consistent lore or mechanics for how they occur, nor any clarification of how or even whether they differ from unicorns in magic or from pegasooses in flight.

There is no clear meta-reason why the writers even need them, other than as bland children of destiny, drivers of toy sales, and general fanservice.

None of the events centering around the game of Who’s The Next Alicorn adds anything particularly profound or even consequential, and none of the characters seem to really give a damn about “alicorns” in general. Nobody is even all that surprised to see Twilight’s transformation; they just go “Wow cool!” and roll with it. The only strong reaction is the characters’ horror when they see Flurry Heart’s wings and realize the show officially doesn’t give a shit anymore about making sense or having cohesive themes.

It doesn’t even benefit the people who make bad Mary Sue OCs on DeviantArt, because they were already making “alicorn” OCs when it was only Celestia & Luna. That’s where the show got the term from, after all.

What a complete waste of potential.

[diamond-song42]

Pone Reviews 108: A Rockhoof and a Hard Place

Happy Day-Before-School-For-Me and welcome to Pone Reviews! It's been a while since America has aired an episode that got me thinking. This is one of them. In my opinion, it's the deepest episode of the season. Yes, what could beat "Surf and/or Turf" and "The Hearth's Warming Club?" You're about to find out as I take a look at "A Rockhoof and a Hard Place!"

Starting with the moral as usual, though I'm not gonna ease into the deep stuff. Nope, I'm going full force right off the bat. "Everybody has something to offer, and your experience can influence other things - you may not feel like you belong, but your friends feel like you do." Um, how do I put this lightly? ROCKHOOF WAS SUICIDAL, GUYS. HE THOUGHT HE'D BE BETTER OFF BASICALLY DEAD THAN WORKING IN THE MODERN WORLD. HE WAS ASKING TWILIGHT TO HELP HIM WITH HIS ASSISTED SUICIDE. (You know, for kids!) Poor, poor Rockhoof. Even if you don’t think so, you DO have something to offer the world. Everyone is good at something! You just need to find your calling (even if it’s 1,000 years in the making!). If you feel dejected and can’t seem to find something you’re happy with (a la Zephyr Breeze), look to your friends and other loved ones. They think you belong and that you could do so much. With mental health becoming such a hot button issue, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what the writers had in mind for this ep. If you’re feeling like Rockhoof, please, PLEASE don’t give up. I promise it gets better. Talk to someone you know and love. They can help you. You too can find your position like Rockhoof, Keeper of Tales.

Onto the plot. Now that the Pillars are living in modern-day Equestria, they’ve all found new jobs... except Rockhoof. His shoveling gig didn’t work out, so what now? I feel like Rockhoof got the least attention out of all the Pillars in “Shadow Play.” He spoke so little that I couldn’t figure out what his accent was until this episode. Now he’s getting the attention he deserves. He’s a great character! He’s an actual pony viking and has great hair. I’m admittedly surprised he didn’t end up with some construction job or another profession involving his shovel, but then again I can see where the other Pillars aren’t using their signature items in their new lives. I love the message Rockhoof sends to viewers, too: Big guys can be vulnerable, too. “Dragonshy” and “The Last Roundup” showed this a little bit with the aforementioned dragon and Big Mac, but in those cases, it wasn’t a huge driving point for the episodes. Rockhoof is just like us in a way. He wants to belong and do the right thing. I love his interactions with Yona and with his old Pillar friends. Just like how you can find your place as a Keeper of Tales, you can be a Rockhoof by allowing yourself to feel things like vulnerability and sadness. (I told you this episode was really deep!)

Here are some other things that stood out in this episode: *HOLY SHIT YONA’S CUTENESS METER WAS IN OVERDRIVE! Everything she did in this episode was awesome and adorable! Not to mention her little garden spade to go with Rockhoof’s shovel! I NEED A YONA PLUSHIE *I love all the things the other Pillars are doing now! I figured Mage Meadowbrook would somehow be doing medicinal stuff in her swamp, but I didn’t expect any of the others. Now I want them to recreate Stygian’s books just like they did with some of the Daring Do stories. *HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BULK BICEPS SCREAMING LIKE THAT *There’s that princess power being exerted! Why can’t we get more diplomatic or “diplomatic” decisions from Twilight? *I spy with my little eye Cattail in one of the shots of Meadowbrook’s home! Wonder what that reunion was like. ‘Sup, I’m just your long lost descendant that returned from limbo. How are things with you? *Rockhoof really is a sweetie. His actions may have caused more trouble than good in the end, but his heart was in the right place. I think that’s best shown when he literally brings Zecora a whole beehive because he thought it’d be convenient. *Blink and you’ll miss it, but when Yona pushes Gallus, he makes a rooster noise. “Gallus” is the Latin word for chicken/rooster. *I wish Mistmane would have had kids because she would make a great mother. I can see her sitting her kid’s friends down and serving them tea and cookies.

And here are some things that were just as shaky as that sweat lodge: *Cool, Rockhoof is the Keeper of Tales. Where the heck does he go from here? Does he take up shop at a library and tell stories to the foals? Go around performing like he did for the students? I NEED CLOSURE DAMMIT *I... seriously have no idea how to feel about Rockhoof alluding to birds pooping on statues. *You wanna know how Seaspray got those scars? Me too, actually. He didn’t have them in “School Daze.” *Continuing Applejack’s line of questioning, why do the hippogriffs need boats? I’m guessing they had them before the Storm King forced them underwater, so even if they couldn’t swim then, they could certainly fly. Not to mention that I haven’t seen any goods the hippogriffs are generating (like the Apple family’s apples), so even if the boats were for that purpose OH IT JUST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE OKAY?! *Somnambula. How. The actual fuck. Do pony legs work. *I gotta side with Rockhoof on the frequent fire-breathing contests. I get that no creature was in danger, but still, FUCKING FIRE! What would happen if another creature saw those flames and thought the same thing? *Wait, the Ponyville Post Office doesn’t tell the mailponies where to find the mail recipients?! Siding with Rockhoof again because that is just bad business practice! *And siding with Rockhoof YET AGAIN because you cannot tell me that one of the other creatures didn’t mistake those centerpieces for actual food! I know I may sound a bit discriminatory, but I don’t see any centerpieces like that in Yakyakistan, the Dragon Lands, or Griffonstone.

In short: A rock-hard episode with a moral as deep as the Earth’s core and vulnerable men expressing emotions for once. Sometimes I fail to understand how episodes like this can be so impactful to both kids and adults. 4.75 out of 5 rainbows  🌈 🌈 🌈 🌈%

Thank you for reading another Pone Reviews. Come back same time next week for an episode about our favorite students, including some movie callbacks and... an ever-growing psychotic filly? Diamond out!

[valo-the-pony-drawer]

Wen Limit Coming To The Ends At Shimano village Lord Ti-Zan Lu Xi see his village under attack by the nordwhood army from Nordwhood Kingdom seeing his belove pepol hurd and pain only his anger grow and see his brother in-law Susano coming quick and and lok face showing not good ting. Ti-Zan Lu Xi:..what is it Susano..tell me what is going on now... Susano: the village is deep trubel army of Nordwhood full attacking and our scout saw dragon ponie here.. Ti-Zan Lu Xi: uh Dragon Ponie..our pepol is save one is here thets mean..*look at bell and look at Susano*...my old friend...i ting is time wake our pepol time for heal of sounds of bell.. Susano: huh you do not mean..you crazy...huh no wounder you my brother-law...*fly up too bell*..oh gret red eye dragon cristel give us power too heal our home and pepol we lost we beg you now we need you now...*look up and kick hard on bell being move and sounds of bell wave village here it*..please look over us.. Will bell ring all over Shimano village every one here it and feel magic flow fro them all even Knight Warriors reborn back alive full enegy again. Nordwhood Soldiers: w-what the buck..no way..there is now way they coming back..*slowy walk back bump into one of Knight Warriors..AH! Knight Warriors:.power of dragons inn us will grow and fetser..*full speed hit one of Nordwhood Soldiers off*..we are Knight Warriors who never give up!! Nordwhood Soldiers: buck me..RUN WAY WE HAVE TOO RUN WAY!! meny of Nordwhood Soldiers runing way quick but they see alot mare's and stellion stop them middle door way they sacrm and yell they attack them one by one. Alpha 2.0:..99% of our Nordwhood Soldiers are gone and som of them run way. Ledy red:...the red dragons eye cristel...so..my father told abut thet is true...humf..we need camp us here we will attack again..no one live til we gat thet cristel... Icesickle: ooh boy oh boy what be fun ice round all way..HAHAHAH! Ledy Red:..you know how world this ting is crazy as me... meanwhile long way from Shimano village inn deep rock of Dragon Castle kingdom Drawer Valo was looking for Elder Dragon Thinox but as he trun next coner slowy meet Queen Dragon Aurora. Queen Dragon Aurora: you! Drawer Valo: me..*see her horn glow and push into wall quick and gulp*..wow hold on...Queen Dragon Aurora..you not mad at me are you.. Queen Dragon Aurora: oh thet no i'm not mad abut thet just love too talk too you now becos told you befor i have not see nice cute pony who talking back too like thet thets trun me good mood..*smile grin her face* Drawer Valo:.wow..wow..hold on..err..i'm going marrie one mare i love Dashie writher... Queen Dragon Aurora:..ooh her she nice and sweet and saw your little filly too i need say you lucky stellion love her she is part of dragon femily so thets mean you are one of us Drawer Lidvia Valo now what you like need to know.. Drawer Valo:.err..can you put me down..please..*see Queen Dragon Aurora put him down and he look at her*..i'm looking for Thinox he need tell more abut Guardian of Equestria and I need to know who that pony that became the guardian.. Queen Dragon Aurora: i see..will lucky for you i know abut thet thet becos i meet her ones way back but better you and Dashie need here this story from me.. Drawer Valo:.huh you meet Guardian of Equestria...*look shok*..i will get Dashie quick and we will here it from you..*run off get find his marefriend* Queen Dragon Aurora:..*giggles*..so yong and happy like good time is it Tira Shark..*look over coner smile happy*...your son grow biger you and him land this ples.. Tira Shark:.hehe..yeah..like good old time..demm i missed this ples..gald you opend your hoovs fro little Valo again you two are kin you know thet. Queen Dragon Aurora: ofcos his my kin darwer valo is part of this family even you Tira Shark efter all you my bloodline sisther.. somewhere at Nordwhood Kingdom The Prince was walking fro his castel area and try looking for Toriel becos he need ask her somting abut what next puzzle is but as he look back big purple fire coming up it was Glader. The Prince: uh Glader..what you doing here did i told you attack Shimano village ? Glader:.uh..uh..uh..uh..i'm..sorry...i'm sorry..my The Prince..gah...it..hurt it hurt... The Prince: hurt..what you mean hurt your body is full of purple flame how you can get hurt..? Glader:..huh..he..he did it..he hurt me...s-seed of o-of... The Prince: of what tell me GLADER!! Glader: huh..*look up quick at The Prince*..the legendary knight warrior inn Shimano village he hurt me cut my aer off but i stil feel pein!!! The Prince: the legendary knight warrior...*see Glader aer's was cut off and he can not see regenerated back*...this..legendary knight warrior..have name..? Glader:..Chin Lu XI..my Prince..forgive me..i lost meny times and i can't not win...*bow down too him tirs up*... The Prince: go take rest my little flame..your Prince forgive you go too my hot spring and my maids heal you up..*put his hoovs on his face pull him up too his eye level*..i can't not loos my best fire pony and mine number one Assassi. Glader:..uh..*look up him tris*..my..Prince...t-thanks you..*flowy walk too hot spring see his maids coming inn help him*...thakns you... The Prince:..*see his fav Flame poine going inn hot spring he slowy walk being talk too himslef*...they will pay hurt my commders's and make them look week...*he growld and yell*..TORIEL WHERE ARE YOU COME HERE NOW!! Mod:.will this is very very mad news...look like The Prince is more mad as ever and did we here right Tira Shark is bloodline sisther...and the bell was really red Dragon eye crstel this mena Chin Lu Xi will be heal..who know need wait and see.

[peculiar-bonds]

Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind - Chapter 1: Accomodation

Synopsis: While Mane 6 are on a research mission in a small town from another world called 'Earth', they learn about an old myth among the inhabitants: the Slender Man. What is the ugly truth of this haunted town? Will they survive the monster's deadly grasps?

A loud thud was heard. Mane six found themselves in what seemed like a small, dark room. The space felt tight between them.

“Wh…Where are we?” Twilight asked, blindly struggling to make her way through her friends’ limbs. “Girls, are you here?”

“Yeah, Twilight. Kinda crushed, but fine” Rainbow Dash confirmed. “Better ask, what are we? Because I don’t feel myself at this moment…”

“Let me see if there’s a way out…” Twilight’s limbs felt weird when she moved, like she was on sticks; with all her efforts, she touched something that seemed like a door knob. Her new members made it difficult to open the door and get out, but she finally managed. The unicorn tripped and fell on the floor; it felt rough.

“This is strange…” she muttered.

Meanwhile, Rarity rose to stand on her feet and turned around to look in the mirror. When she saw her reflection, she gasped in awe. She wasn’t a pony anymore, but a being with two long legs and other two members with…claws? Her skin was a light shade of peach instead of white and her face was totally different, she noted as she patted it; it lacked the nuzzle, but there were other new features instead. Rarity descended her upper extremities to the chest and squeezed the two mounds of flesh on it. This felt even weirder to her.

“What are those?” she asked, completely puzzled by the sight of her new body parts.

“I don’t know, let me see if there’s a library…Ah, here we go…” Twilight replied. She struggled to rise from the floor and stand up while approaching the small bookshelves in the wall near her; squinting her now small eyes at the titles, she noticed a book titled: “Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy by Jonathan D. Spratt & Co.”. Twilight stared at the book for a second, then tried to pick it up with her little long ‘branches’.

“Sweet Celestia, how can I even open it without magic? Or at least a nuzzle…”

After a while, she finally figured it out; she had to pick two of her bony extremities in order to turn the pages of the book. Twilight took a look on each of the pages with beautifully-colored illustrations and essential information about this weird species called ‘human’…species to which she and her friends belonged at this moment, it seemed.

“Girls, I found something! We are some beings called…humans. Seems like they’re the inhabitants of Earth. And that’s what the princess meant when she said that ‘we’ll blend in’ “

“Humans? What kind of sorcery is this?” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Well, get over here if you wanna know more! Here, let me show you how humans walk…”

Twilight applied the new theories on her friends, and taught them how to walk and keep their balance while standing up. The six girls spent the entire night doing research on the humans’ complicated anatomy, structure and customs.They learnt that the long extremities that grew out of their ‘hooves’ are called ‘fingers’, and that they have many uses, like picking up objects and writing. They also learnt about the physiology of the human body, like its stages of development: baby, child, teenager, adult and elder. From what Twilight read, she placed herself and the others in the ‘teenager’ category, considering that wrinkles weren’t present on their faces, and they looked too mature to be children.

“How old are we, I wonder?” she asked. “If we are teenagers, it seems that we also study in a school or something. Right?”

“I suppose, darling” Rarity shrugged. “Why not ask the locals about it?”

“Not yet…” Twilight murmured. “I don’t think it’s safe for us to go out for now. There has to be brochure or something with information about this town.” She spoke while searching through the shelves. “I don’t even know where we live, to be honest!”

Meanwhile, someone was knocking at the door. The girls panicked and and started hiding around the apartment. Only Twilight approached the entrance door and looked through the peephole; she saw an old female human that seemed quite harmless, even well-intentioned.

“Hello? Is anybody there?” the woman asked with a soft voice.

“Um, yes?” Twilight replied.

“I heard a young girl moved in our complex and I wanted to give her a warm welcome…I even brought something sweet for her; I hoped she would be home”

Twilight quickly opened the door and stood in front of the old lady. She had greyish white hair tied in a bun; this hairstyle pinpointed her glimmering brown eyes that were surrounded by deep wrinkles and eyebags. Still, her expression gave a hint of kindness in her heart. The woman wore a perriwinkle angle-length dress with a white ruffled apron over it. She held a tray with a big pie in her small and wrinkled hands.

“Oh, you must be miss Tara Sparkle, right?” she asked while pinching one of Twilight’s cheeks.

“Uh, yes, I guess…” the young girl answered, puzzled that the human had addressed her with another name.

“You guess? Ahahaha! Youngsters nowadays and their odd sense of humor!” the old lady chuckled.

“Um, excuse me, ma’am, but what school for teenagers is in this area?” Twilight interrupted.

“Oh, you mean highschool, sweetheart? You must be new here…Welcome to Waukesha, by the way! The nearby highschool that you’re asking about is Waukesha South High School, dear! It’s a few meters from here. I’m sure you’ll find it easily, you’re a smart girl, from what I see…”

Twilight noticed a hint of irony in the old woman’s sayings, but she decided to ignore it.

“Well, thank you for the information, miss…” “…Abigail. Abigail Wilson. But you can call me miss Abby, my dear!” the woman added with a smile on her face. “Oh, almost forgot! Here is your pie! Hope you like it, and have a great time, sweetie! Good night!”

“Um, thank you…You as well!” the teenager replied while taking the tray. She smiled at miss Abby, then closed the door slowly.

“So, who was at the door?” Rainbow Dash asked, dumbfounded by their conversation at the doorstep.

“One of my neighbours. Yeah…” Twilight sighed, while putting the pie on the kitchen table. “Seems like we’re students at Waukesha South High School or something”

“Wau-what? Woah, this must be a secluded place in this world…”

“It might be, who knows? What time is it, by the way?”

Pinkie Pie looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s eight o’clock…”

“…In the evening.” Fluttershy pointed out while looking through the window. “What’s the date though?”

“Is there a calendar? Oh, right; it’s Sunday, 21st May…We can go tomorrow then” Twilight replied.

“Where are we gonna stay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“Here, I suppose…” Twilight said with uncertainty. “Please, make yourselves at home!”

Say no more; Rainbow Dash already started looking for food, and found nothing more than a few tomatoes in the fridge and five bread slices in the cupboard.

“Aww, that’s all we’ve got to eat? Bummer!”

“I’ll buy more tomorrow, after I finally figure out how humans’ system works.” Twilight explained while rifling through another book that she just found in the bookshelves: ‘Life in the USA, by Planaria J. Price and Euphronia Awakuni’

Two hours passed and the girls already fell asleep one by one, except Twilight, who was still reading information about the human society. She was eager to find out more about this entirely new species, and she couldn’t stop just now.

“A little less sleep won’t kill anyone, so let’s dig deeper into all of this…” she said to herself while continuing her studies.

*Next day*

A rooster’s cry sounded in the distance, which woke up Twilight despite her tireness, and she startled, suddenly realising that it was morning and she had to go to school. She watched the clock in deep shock.

“Girls, wake up, it’s half past seven!”

“Mph, what the heck is so important today, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash muttered, visibly annoyed by her friend’s call.

“It’s a school day. Good morning sunshine!” Twilight ironically whispered in her ear. She furiously draped the curtains.

“Ugh, sweet Celestia!” RD screamed in ‘agony’, blinded by the light outside.

The others woke up slowly to the noise, completely confused. It took a while for everyone to get ready and Twilight grew impatient with each minute.

“Come on, we’re going to be late!”

“Be patient, darling! Nobody will kill you if you’re five minutes late…” Rarity said, trying to comfort her.

“Unless it’s the very first class…and it’s been more than five minutes!”

“Calm down, egghead. We’re ready to go now!” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “Though, I don’t have any books with me…”

“I’ll just take three books and these papers over here for now” Twilight replied while grabbing said pieces of paper.“Took the key, let’s go!”

Almost everyone got outside, except Twilight, who struggled to lock the door with her new assets called ‘hands’.

“What is it now, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash yelled from downstairs.

“I don’t know how to lock this thing…Just a second”

“Let me show you, sweetheart” a voice offered from behind. It was her neighbour, miss Abby.

“Goodness, it was you, ma’am!” Twilight startled. “Please do…”

“Alright, so you use your fingers like this and then you rotate like this…” miss Abby explained patiently. “Are your locks different than ours?”

“Not really. Only the way of locking doors is…quite different.”

“Ah, I see. Here you go” the old lady nodded, then gave her the key. “Have a nice day at school, dear!”

“Thank you!” the youngster replied while heading downstairs.

*at the school courtyard*

“Here we are! Wow, this is nothing like what is in Equestria…it’s more grey in the surroundings” Twilight pointed out.

“So, which one is our class, Twilight?” Pinkie asked in excitement. “I can’t wait to meet my new classmates and make new friends!”

“Be patient, we have to ask the principal first. They must have one, right?”

“There’s only one way to find out. Come on!” Rainbow Dash called out to her friends.

The school hallways were definitely duller and less colourful than the equestrian schools, but at least there were a few strange ‘colour patches’ that lightened the halls, and way larger than any other school they had ever seen before. Twilight was astonished by the organised atmosphere of the high school, and she was eager to discover more.

“So, does anybody know where’s the principal’s office or something?” Rainbow Dash asked, interrupting Twilight’s current state of trance. “Or lemme see if one of these people do” she continued while going to a group of students.

“Um, hey, we’re new here, and we need to see the principal. Can you give me and my friends some directions please?”she asked to a long-haired brunette dressed casually, who seemed pretty nice.

“Welcome!” the girl greeted with a broad smile. “Well, the principal’s office is not too far, just turn to the left and you’ll find it in no time; the door actually has a sign on it, and it can be easier to find. Good luck!”

“Thank you lots! See you later” Rainbow Dash replied, completely satisified on the inside. “Yes, it was too easy! Come on girls, to the left!”

[icarusthelunarguard]

Dreams Chap 2 - "Understanding"

Princess Luna formed The Lunar Guards shortly after Equestria itself, housing us in The Castle of the Two Sisters. She felt it necessary to have a force for the safety of the young kingdom and argued with her sister at great lengths on this point. We batponies were exceptionally suited for the job; Patrolling the night with little more than the stars and Luna’s Moonshine to guide us, we kept the troubled spirits and dangerous fauna at bay.

Few, if any, of the day-walkers ever knew what we accomplished for them while they slept. Both the Lunar Guards and Princess Luna.

And because of our positions and having proved our loyalty, She decided that we were the best suited to hold other secrets and knowledge. We kept track of various treasures, relics, and artifacts of great power, ensuring we could access them should the time be needed. After Nightmare Moon’s banishment, for instance, should Princess Celestia have ever turned on Equestria itself, we would have retrieved The Alicorn Amulet and allowed an Earth Pony of non-royal blood to use it to fight the princess.

That’s why the crystal caves under Canterlot were constructed in secret; as a prison for an alicorn, should it ever become necessary.

How that BUG found out about the caves is still a matter of conjecture for our security. But because of that and the rogue element that sold the Amulet to a shop, both are public knowledge, though nopony knows how they are linked.

But in those early days and moons, we were tasked with more clandestine security concerns. We were the emissaries for The Crown, delivering scrolls of the highest secrecy across the known world. The use of unicorn magic to teleport scrolls was perfected relatively quickly, but Princess Luna always wondered, “What If--?” and refused to rely on that system fully. Because of that She quietly created a very small office in the Royal Communications division.

The office I was eventually recruited into. The “Greeting Card Writing Pool”.

At least, that’s what my parents and my mare knew my job as. It disappointed them to think that’s what I had become after my cutiemark developed.

Being a Royal Secure Courier is not a job anypony speaks about anymore. The concept itself is an anachronism; a cute idea from a time long-gone, lost to history by more efficient teleportation or magically entangled books and quills. Even were the topic to come up we’d be able to talk at great length about the history of the office and how it was discontinued after the last perfected Directed Quill writing spell.

We learned how to make most of it very dull and boring to listen to.

But the crown knew our job was still vitally important for the security of the kingdom. Magic conveyance, however reliable, has a small but exploitable gap in the chain of custody for anything sent that way.

Our job is to take physical correspondences to-and-from secure locations across the world. We launch harder, fly higher, and soar longer than any pegasus would think possible. Even the best-trained most-fit weatherponies wouldn’t be able to keep up with us. It’s exhausting work: physically, emotionally, and mentally.

And having all this training behind me to hold my nerves together, It’s fair to say I was “On Edge” when Her Majesty’s summons for me finally happened a week later after returning to Canterlot from Yakyakistan.

“Night Court Is Adjourned. Thank You All For Coming. Guards, We Will Require Privacy. Icarus. Remain And Attend.”

As always, Princess Luna’s voice carried the air of her authority. She did not request, she commanded, owing back to her first co-rule of Equestria so many moons back.

Still standing at attention on the rug leading to the thrones, I flicked my ears once, visually acknowledging her order. My eyes directly ahead, looking at the second step up the dias.

The honour guard lieutenant at the doors TAP-TAP’d her spear butt on the floor, signaling the marching cadence for the team, and with matched hoof-falls they marched their exit formation. Ponies applying for guard duty don’t understand why music performance is a required subject in the training classes at first. But watching the guard’s public displays of precision marching bring that into perspective eventually. You can tell a lot by the L-T’s butt.

Even the L-T thinks that’s a funny joke.

The doors closed behind me and Princess Luna’s gaze dropped to me. This was the first time I’d been in her presence since my commissioning, and our only time alone, ever.

Physically.

“Your cards have sold well, Icarus. We are pleased with your abilities.” She paused a moment. “Ah! We will require privacy for this discussion. We have a new card program we wish to discuss. Corporate espionage and all….”

My eyebrow raised under my helmet, fur rubbing the inner layer. The only thing I could hear was her magic energizing before painting an arc of glowing midnight blue thaumic runes on the floor to my left. The glow swept clockwise, behind the thrones, and ended in a completed circle with us at the focus before a shimmering wall climbed up from the outer edge.

Princess Luna’s horn dimmed as she looked around and up, ensuring her spell, the one she developed generations ago, was in place. “The cone of silence is set. We may speak plainly now.”

I cocked my head and looked up. It was as she said, a cone from floor to ceiling. Returning my head to attention I again flicked my ears.

She was speaking. I was not to interrupt.

“Icarus, you know why we have called for you. We have…. matters.... to discuss.” Her pause and emphasis spoke volumes to me and she knew this. She had lived lifetimes and had knowledge that spanned areas that most of us could not even fathom. “You disturbed the Dream Realm in a way few ever have. We would have you explain how this came to be. These words will not leave our ears, so you will speak plainly with no evasion or embarrassment.”

My Princess, my Sovereign, She Whose Existence Was The Reason For My Cutie Mark, commanded. How could I not fulfil her order?

“Majesty, it was never my intention to disturb the Dream Realm. I only wanted a small bubble for myself for-” My voice hitched involuntarily. The full answer was asked for, but it was a terrible burden to give her.

--but she had commanded me to answer.

“-for my own personal enjoyment, away from the reality of others and myself. It was a shield I could keep between me and the rest of Equestria.”

Princess Luna nodded once and stayed silent. I could almost feel her eyes watching me, waiting for the remainder of the information she sought.

“I learned how to make a dream pocket accidentally a few years ago. I dreamt of a time with my mare while we were still dating. A festival where we… where she and I….”

My breath caught again. Fighting the emotions welling up in my throat was getting more painful as I thought back. I followed my training and found a way around the worst of it.

“-- where she and I fell in love. I enjoyed it. It comforted me after she died; being able to revisit our times together. I could almost forget she was gone and the pain she’d been in. It was… comforting.”

Luna’s horn bobbed as she nodded once and held up an armoured hoof a moment. “I am sorry for your loss. You may be at ease with me, now. Do continue.”

I nodded and relaxed my stance a bit, but still didn’t look up at her face. I plowed on through the tightening of my throat and blinked a few extra times. “It wasn’t something I intended to do, majesty. It just happened once in a while. And we did different things in the dreams. Things, on waking, that I knew we’d never done. Food we ate, rides we went on. Even…. Even when we….”

Luna interrupted with a direct and simple, “Mated.”

Not a question.

I could only nod and go on. “Yes. My dream version of her was as skilled as she was before her death. I knew she was barely experienced before we met, but she was….”

“She was your married mare. Healthy, vibrant, and alive for you.”

I couldn’t help myself this time and turned my head to look at Luna, barely able to focus through my tears. But I could still see that she was hardly cold and unfeeling. She had concerned interest in her eyes. She was understanding what I had to say.

I opened my mouth to continue but she re-raised her hoof to silence me. This time her voice was sadder. Remorseful. Respectful, even.

“We have outlived many who have been close to us. Some we would have even wed, were it not for our having to watch them die. All of them. We…. I …. Understand what you are describing. Please, continue.”

I was so wrapped up in trying to give her what information I could that I missed that “please” for a moment. “She was young. We were both so young. She didn’t deserve to die. But, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was just…. So, yes. I had days of sleep with her. And I realized that I could guide our time together to change it. We could go back to every good time we had, experience different parts we hadn’t before. Eventually I learned that we could--”

“Yes”, Luna said, bringing my brain to a screeching halt.

“Majesty, what you saw--”

Princess Luna drew herself up on her throne, wings ruffling up as her voice regained her imperial tone. “What we saw was barbaric abuse of she who you say you loved. Had this happened in the Dream Realm or the Real World with somepony who was unwilling, you would have been--”

“--she wanted it”, I mumbled.

I blinked hard and dropped my face, mortified! I interrupted the Princess! How could I have--

“I beg your pardon?” Luna’s question shocked me so much more I snapped my head back up and looked at her directly. She was baffled, frozen in place with a question holding her still.

I had to go on before I lost my nerve, or was banished to Tartarus. “Majesty, we enjoyed times like that together. She was my mate, my half. She allowed me to be free to hurt her, to ravage her, to rut her senseless in the privacy of our home, however and whenever I wanted, and she enjoyed it! She wanted me to do that for her, with her. She asked for things I hadn’t known about sometimes, and we enjoyed our times together! She told me once, in no uncertain terms, that she wanted to be a drooling, sloppy--”

“WAIT.” Luna’s eyes had gotten bigger and bigger as I’d spoken, all while hardly blinking. And her ears and head kept flicking slightly side-to-side, like she was trying to understand all of what I’d said. “She desired this? She agreed to being abused like this?!”

I swallowed hard. This time not of fear or sadness, but because I knew I was about to divulge something about her that nopony had ever, would ever know. I answered the only way I could.

“Enthusiastically so… Yes Majesty.”

The Princess’ hoof dropped slowly as her eyes looked off to the side slightly, deep in thought.

“And that was why I kept those activities in my own pocket dreamscape; I didn’t want to accidentally pull somepony into my desires. And in the real world meeting a new special somepony with the baggage I have is challenging, some would say.”

Luna’s eyes zeroed back on me, listening but warry.

“Majesty, I am sorry you saw what you did. Not because I’m ashamed of it, but because you saw without knowing what we were doing or what I was doing. I can only hope you will accept--”

“Icarus, stop.” Her voice, though a command again, was gentle this time. She closed her eyes and took a breath before continuing. “What you have described, we are….” Her eyes opened, saw me back at attention, and paused. “We are… familiar with these relationships.”

There was nothing I could do to stop my own eyes from flying open and looking at her, barely keeping my mouth closed. As she continued to speak her voice took on a gentler tone; less the voice of a princess and more of a mare.

“Once, long ago now, we…. I… enjoyed such a coupling. He was…. We were…” The sound of her voice, the choices in her words, I understood. Instead of interrupting her I just nodded slowly. “That you found a natural entrance to the Dream Realm is interesting. I would learn more about how this happened. However more troubling would be what you had used the Dream Realm for.”

I could only nod once more and resume my formal stance. “I only ask that Her Majesty be merciful and allow me to die in my sleep with my mare.” I knew one day this might be the case, but a very outside chance. I had trespassed into Princess Luna's domain, learned how to manipulate a small part of it. Tartarus would be too--

“DEATH?! What?! Why would you…?! What made you….?! What? NO!”

I don’t know which of us was more surprised now. She was rocked so hard, she came down off her throne and walked quickly before me. With a sad look in her eyes she bowed her head slightly and whispered at my shin, like she had only once before…

“You are worthy of more mercy than that, Lunar Guard Icarus.”

[i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle]

Chapter 8: The Pink Party Pony Preparations

Pinkie Pie bounces out of the castle and immediately gets to work getting to ponies she wants to invite. Even if the ponies weren’t really expecting it. Like poor Bon Bon and Lyra, just about to kiss in their home when suddenly…

Pinkie Pie: HIIIIII

Lyra & Bon Bon: AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH

The engaged couple fall down after being scared by Pinkie’s appearance.

Bon Bon: Pinkie! This was not the time to suddenly pop in on us!

Pinkie: Oops, sorry Bon Bon. But by the way, congratulations on getting engaged! Speaking of weddings though, I’ll be heading soon to Saddle Arabia where there will be a Royal Ball and a Wedding. I know you also have to think about planning on having a wedding soon, but in case you feel like you can go to one more wedding before you have your own in Ponyville, eventually.

The two ponder for a moment. Lyra just shrugs.

Lyra: Sure why not, we’re actually in no rush as we haven’t decided a date yet

Bon Bon: I guess we can, Pinkie. But next time you plan on popping in on us, can you knock on our door beforehand instead?

Pinkie: I’ll keep that in mind, again apologies for the sudden entrance. But, I’ll see you lovebirds later. Seeya!

Pinkie waves and closes off the portal. As the couple becomes alone once again, hopefully with no more interruptions they give each other half-lidded eyes.

Bon Bon: Now where were we?~

Pinkie realizes she probably should be using the portals just outside the door so she doesn’t get yelled at like she just did. Next she puts another portal up close to the door of Cranky Doodle Donkey and his wife Matilda. She bounces out of the portal and knocks. Matilda is there to answer the door.

Pinkie: Hiya Matilda!

Matilda: Pinkie Pie! How nice to see you again, what brings you here?

Pinkie: I have something to invite you and Cranky to! Is he home?

Matilda: Yep, he’s just reading the newspaper over here.

Matilda looks into the house and starts calling for her husband

Matilda: Doodle! Pinkie Pie’s here, mind coming over even if only for a short bit to say hi?

Cranky: Oh, sorry Matilda and Pinkie. I was just pretty engrossed with the news, and hearing about the big battle ended not too long ago, not to mention Twilight’s going to be leader of all Equestria in about a year. It feels like just yesterday she was just a librarian in our quaint little town…

Pinkie: Yeah, things have been pretty crazy isn’t it? But looks like we have some time for some relaxation and fun. How would you two like to go with me and my other friends, including Twilight. To Saddle Arabia for a Royal Ball and a wedding for two of Twilight’s friends that live there.

Matilda: Hm, going to a wedding long after our own might be nice.

Cranky: Wait, this wedding isn’t for Lyra and Bon Bon? I thought they were the next ones getting hitched.

Pinkie: Well this is entirely different area of the world, but yeah looks like they beat them to the punch.

Cranky: How are we even going to get there, I’m looking at the map and Saddle Arabia is pretty darn far.

Pinkie: Oh don’t you worry about that. Twilight gave me portal gum. When it’s time you’ll only have to go through them, and when we need to go home, get another!

Matilda: Very convenient!

Cranky: Well if the Princess is making it that easy, she must really want the ones they invite there. Guess it could be interesting. We’ll see if we can go, Pinkie. Thanks for inviting us.

Pinkie: No problem! Hope to see you there!

Pinkie bounces out of the donkey couple’s house before stopping and pondering who to try to get to next.

Pinkie: Ooooo! I can’t forget Maud’s in ponyville! I’ll try to find her!

Pinkie first tries the underground cavern that Maud chose as her home in town. But she sees no sign of her.

Pinkie: Huh, wonder where she went? Maybe she went to visit Starlight in her school office?

Pinkie uses another gum portal to peek into the Principal’s office. But no one is there either.

Pinkie: Darn it! Where could she be?!

Pinkie suddenly starts using many of the gum packs all over Ponyville, if she happens to teleport near another pony. She asks if they’ve seen Maud but usually Pinkie’s sudden appearance just spooks them away before they answer. Eventually it gets to a point where Pinkie… runs out of gum to use.

Pinkie: Oh no! I used all my gum, I sure hope Twilight isn’t going on her invitations right now…

((Story continues after the break))

Pinkie runs back to the inside of Twilight’s castle, and to her luck Twilight is still there. She decided to get some royal paperwork done before heading off to get her invitees.

Pinkie: Hey Twilight!

Twilight: Pinkie? What you doing here back so soon? Did you already get your invitees or something?.

Pinkie: I have a few already… but I kinndddddaaaaaaaaaa used up my entire gum pack looking for my sister…

Twilight: *facehoofs* Pinkie, be a little more efficient with your portal use next time. I can give you another pack, but please think a little more before deciding to try using so many on finding one pony…

Pinkie: Sorry Twilight… It’s just I know Maud is SOMEWHERE near Ponyville as she probably would of told me if she was heading out of town. But she’s not in the usual spots I usually find her.

Twilight: If it’s any help, I know where Maud is. She’s with Mud Briar seeing Treelight again at our student’s treehouse.

Pinkie: Ooooooooooooooh, thanks Twilight! I’ll head there right away!

Twilight: Seeya, Pinkie!

With Pinkie directed to the location of her sister, she portals close to the treehouse that was made after the Student Six had. And just as Twilight said, Maud was standing next to her special somepony Mud Briar in front of the spirit of the Tree of Harmony. A sparkly version of Twilight that guided the Student Six, even if in a rather creepy manner. Though not on purpose, since the spirit was of course accustomed to being a tree rather then a talking being. Twilight’s been teaching the tree more normal behavior to make her less unsettling and by now, while she still speaks generally monotone, her body language is more normal. Pinkie meanwhile, bounces toward the two ponies and the spirit.

Pinkie: Hiiiiiii Maud, Mud, and Treelight!

Maud Pie: Hi Pinkie. Did you come to see Treelight too? She’s pretty fascinating. pretty neat that she describes both being crystal…

Mud Briar: But also actually still a tree!

Maud & Mud: At the same time

Pinkie: Huh, that does sound like something that’d interest the both of you. Though come to think of it, I think only Twilight of my friends have spoken with the spirit. Maybe I should talk with it a little bit. Hi there, Treelight!

The spirit looks over to Pinkie and smiles.

Treelight: Hello bearer of the Element of Laughter, your sister and her mate have been very friendly And they’re both also pretty funny.

Pinkie: Wait, can trees like you even understand humor? And even laugh?

Treelight: Of course, laughter is your element. It’s therefore, part of me. Allow me to show.

Treelight proceeds to laugh, which at first sounds just like whenever Twilight was laughing, but then it starts getting higher pitched. And suddenly the spirit shifts into a new form, purple coat becoming pink, horns and wings disappear, the dark blue hair with highlights becomes poofy and a darker pink color, eyes turning blue, it’s now a sparkly Pinkie Pie.

Maud: Whoa, that’s cool. Looks like whenever it does something that reflects one of the elements of harmony, it switches form to the other elements. Even the voice changes.

Pinkie: That IS pretty cool! Quick, say something that’s honest.

Treekie: Ok then.. I am…

The sparkly pinkie turns orange, the poofy pink mane turns blond, and the spirit’s eyes turn green

Appletree: …ah tree!

Pinkie Pie claps her hooves

Pinkie: Now try listening to me in loyalty by following something I want you to try, jump up in the air for me!

The sparkly Applejack spirit jumps up listening to Pinkie, turning sky blue, growing wings, and mane and tail going from blonde to a full rainbow range of colors, and now a sparkly Rainbow Dash hovering in the air and flapping wings

Treebow: Like this?

Pinkie Pie: Sweet! Now say something kind about anypony here

Treebow: Maud, you are…

The sparkly Rainbow turns yellow, the rainbow mane & tail turns pink and grows exponentially longer 

Fluttertree: a nice pony!

Pinkie: Neat! But now who do we make a spirit do a generous act?

Fluttertree: Allow me…

The Spirit floats back down to the ground, wings disappear. Yellow coat becomes white while the long pink mane & tail shrink back a little but into fancy purple curls and a horn grows.

Raritree: …to show you,

The sparkly Rarity makes a white transparent tentacle comes from the side of her body and grabs some apples that were growing nearby and drops them to the ground for the 3 ponies.

Pinkie: Wow! Though how do you usually go to Twilight’s form then?

Raritree: Oh I can do that, at literally any point…

The spirit’s horn & coat becomes purple, big wings grow, the fancy purple mane & tail become the more simpler mane & tail Twilight normally has.

Treelight: There’s kind of a reason I’m in the form of the bearer of Magic most often, as it’s sort of my default form as a spirit.

Maud: Very interesting

Pinkie: Indeed! Thanks for the demonstration! But now I need to speak with my sister if that’s ok.

Treelight: No problem.

Pinkie: Maud, I’m going to Saddle Arabia with my friends to attend a Royal Ball as well as a wedding pretty soon. Would you like to come with?

Maud: Sure, Pinkie. I can bring Mud Briar too, right?

Pinkie: Of course! You two can have a nice night together there. But now I’m going to head to the Rock Farm to get the rest of our sisters and our parents!

Maud: Bye Pinkie

Pinkie opens another gum portal and she’s now at the Rock Farm where she spent a good part of her childhood before finding happier pastures in Ponyville. She finds both of her sisters who still live here mining outside.

Pinkie: Hi Limestone & Marble! How’s it been?

Limestone: What do you think it’s been? Just more work mining rocks!

Pinkie: Heh heh… well. If I can get our parents out here, I actually have something that could get you girls out for a nice break!

Limestone: That could be nice… let me call them out first. Ma! Pa! Pinkie’s here, and wants to ask us something

Pinkie’s parents walk on out to greet their visiting daughter.

Cloudy Quartz: Pinkamena! What a nice little surprise to see you back here

Igneous Rock: Limestone mentioned you came here to ask us something. What is it?

Pinkie: I came here to invite you all to Saddle Arabia! There will be a Royal ball and many of my own friend’s families and friends will be there too and we can just enjoy ourselves with entertainment. Oh, Maud will also be there, so if you miss her and would like to see her again. Would be a good opportunity for you all to do so!

Cloudy Quartz: I guess every once in a while we should break the monotony of our mining. What say you Igneous, dear.

Igneous: Sure, why not.

Marble: Mmhmm *Marble nods a yes indicating she’d like to go*

Limestone: I guess if you’re all going, I might as well, better then rock mining alone if I were to say no.

Pinkie: Great! I’ll come back to pick you up through a portal when it’s time. I’ll see you all later!

Pinkie portals back to Ponyville and ponders who to go see next.

Pinkie: Hm… maybe I should bring along Prince Rutherford. Besides… I’m not sure I want to have a yak like him find out I didn’t invite him to a large party like this next time I see him. Probably good for Yakyakistan to be there for diplomatic reasons as well.

Pinkie once again does another portal this time to the cold tundra of Yakyakistan. The yaks were at first a pretty dangerous bunch that smash everything the moment things are even a hair out of place. But as things opened up for relations betweens Yaks and Ponies, including having a representative at the School of Friendship in Yona. The Yaks have generally learned more to forgive if there are tiny mistakes, though certainly still never a good idea to anger a Yak in any fashion.

Pinkie enters the largest hut in the capital village to find Rutherford drinking with his royal ensemble.

Pinkie: Hi Ruthy!

Prince Rutherford: Well if it isn’t Pink Pony! Come to visit our great land once again, eh?

Pinkie: It is a great land, your majesty. Buuuuut I actually came here to ask if you’d be interested in going to Saddle Arabia with me and my friends. A Royal Ball is taking place, probably a good idea for you to be there for diplomatic reasons between the nations too I imagine

Rutherford: Hmm… would like to go. But Saddle Arabia, very hot. Exact opposite of Yakyakistan where fur makes cold bearable.

Pinkie: Well I’m sure as long as you’re in the palace they’ll have some form of air conditioning. Just try not to go to the desert perhaps.

Rutherford: Good point, pink pony. We’ll see if conditions are fine, but if we end up profusely sweating at any point. We might have some trouble…

Pinkie: Don’t worry if at any point it starts getting too hot for you yaks we can just make a gum portal to get you back to Yakyakistan. Also, while I’m not totally sure, there’s a chance Yona could be there. You could see how she’s been doing lately.

Rutherford: In that case, suppose us Yaks can go. And Yona might show? Excellent, hope she is well.

Pinkie: I’ll come back when it’s time! See you all then!

Pinkie Pie bounces out of the hut and goes back to Ponyville through the portal she left. She thinks once more of where to go, and realizes she hasn’t even gotten an entertainer yet, unless she wants to count if Maud did stand-up but she never asked if Maud wanted to do that, and assumes it won’t happen anyhow. Pinkie said she’d try to get Cheese Sandwich to Twilight earlier, so looks like it was time to return to his laugh factory. Even though Cheese started traveling again, he still stops by the factory to check on Sans Smirk. Sans has also livened up the factory with a little more color to make it look less dreary. Even when Pinkie sees the same security guards that were at first tough on her until they realized she had an invitation has gotten much softer.

Security Guard #1: Good day there, Pinkie

Security Guard #2: You want to see Cheese Sandwich? He is with Sans in the factory.

Pinkie: Huh? You two were tougher guards last time I was here. I don’t even have a technical invitation here.

Security Guard #1: Well, since that day Cheese Sandwich has kinda authorized a sort of permanent invitation for you that Sans Smirk agreed to let you have specifically. He doesn’t give that to many ponies, but you get special permission.

Security Guard #2: And besides, we’ve loosened up ourselves as well.

Pinkie: I guess, thank you then!

Pinkie bounces toward the factory and eventually reaches the office. It’s now Sans Smirk’s since Cheese stepped down as president of the factory but Pinkie still finds Cheese there meeting up with Sans.

Pinkie: Hi Cheese & Sans!

Cheese Sandwich turns around and is immediately excited to see Pinkie’s here.

Cheese Sandwich: Pinkie! I’m so happy to see you again! Say did you ever find out your life’s purpose you mentioned in your last visit?

Pinkie: I just found my purpose to be similar to yours: To spread the joy and laughter wherever I am. I can’t travel as much as you can, as I have friends in Ponyville. But I think what I’ve been doing already already does a lot of my purpose.

Cheese: Ah I see, though uh I do have a bit of an update on my situation. While I don’t live at the factory any more. I have been thinking of finding somewhere to call my new home. And I’ve been thinking of maybe making that home in Ponyville. Where… we could see each other everyday.

Pinkie raises one eyebrow with a skeptic face, which worries Cheese a little bit of what she’s about to say

Pinkie: Could Ponyville really handle two super duper party ponies living there on at least a semi-permanent basis?

Cheese: Uh… I hope so?

Pinkie Pie just grins and laughs

Pinkie: Of course it can! It’d be great to have you around more often!

Cheese: Oh *phew*

Pinkie: Though before you get set on moving, I actually came here to invite you, as well as give a place you can have another show at!

Cheese: Oh really? What super fun event are you inviting me to?

Pinkie: Saddle Arabia’s hosting a royal ball, and there’s also a wedding between two of Twilight’s friends who live in Saddle Arabia. The Royal family is also looking for entertainers, and you were the first name that came up for me in terms of that!

Cheese: Oh sure! I’ll definitely go! Hey Sans, would you like to go Saddle Arabia with me and Pinkie later?

Sans: Sure thing, sire!

Pinkie: Great! I’ll be so excited for your show! I think you may be my last invitee, so thank you Cheese! I’ll be heading home.

Cheese: Wait! Pinkie, I have something important to tell you.

Cheese Sandwich blushes

Cheese: There’s another reason I decided that I wanted to get a home in ponyville, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time but I didn’t know yet if it was the right time. Pinkie Pie… I lo-

Pinkie: OH SNAP! I ALMOST FORGOT THE CAKE FAMILY! AHHHHHHH

Pinkie freaks out and immediately makes a portal to Sugarcube Corner

Pinkie: Sorry to cut you off short on what you were saying but I gotta get them on board. I’ll see you at the ball and you can finish there! Byyyyyeeeeeeeee!

Pinkie pie bounces out and the portal closes.

Cheese: Well dang… guess I’ll have to tell her at the Ball instead.

Cheese ponders for a moment

Cheese: Actually, that might work out for the better anyway. I might have a more… super duper party pony way of telling her in mind…

Cheese muses to himself while thinking about his plan

Pinkie is back in Ponyville and immediately rushes to Sugarcube Corner. Mr. and Mrs. Cake ae just attending to their little foals Pumpkin and Pound Cake.

Pinkie: Hi Mr. & Mrs. Cake!

Pinkie looks down on the floor towards the two foals. And of course I can’t forget the two littlest cakes in the family.

The babies giggle and cheer that their favorite babysitter is here.

Mrs. Cake: It’s good to see you, Pinkie!

Mr. Cake: Do you need anything from us Pinkie? Or just stopping by and heading to your room upstairs?

Pinkie: Actually, I came here because you’re the last ones I want to invite you all to a Royal Ball in Saddle Arabia I’m going to! My family back in the Rock Farm as well as many of my friends with their own ensemble of family and friends of their own are going so thought I’d offer!

Mrs. Cake: Oh sure, that sounds like a great time. Though uh, we have a favor to ask of you, Pinkie.

Pinkie: Oh? What’s that?

Mr. Cake: We need to go out to the markets to buy more supplies. We need both more supplies for baking, and we also need a restock on just about everything for our little twins here. From food, diaper, and maybe even a few new toys for them to play with.

Mrs. Cake: But of course, I imagine you know what that means

Pinkie: Ah, you want me to babysit while you’re shopping! I can do that, certainly!

Mrs. Cake: Should only be for about an hour or two, but thank you Pinkie.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake start heading out, they wave back at Pinkie and the Cake Twins before heading off. Leaving Pinkie to entertain the babies for a little bit.

Pinkie: Are you two ready for play time?!

The babies cheer once more and can’t wait to have more fun with Pinkie. Pinkie is just satisfied to have her invitees done and now have an hour or two of babysitting before waiting for when the go ahead for the Royal Ball is done.

NEXT UP: Chapter 9: The Sands Of Time & Love