"Aiyah…this forest is so creepy, aru…" China whispered, shivering slightly at the combination of the Everfree Forest and Russia's aura. Why did he always get stuck with him? Half the reason China even tolerated him was because they were allies. The other half was because no matter what he did, Russia seemed to find him. If it were up to him, Russia would be booted out of the Allies for good. The pair now stood before a menacing looking forest, twisted branches reaching like fingers toward the sky.

"Should we go in?" Ivan asked cheerfully, completely oblivious to the spookiness of the forest in front of him. "Perhaps we find home of other pony?" He added. China gulped nervously, shaking slightly from fear.

"What pony in their right mind would live here, aru?" He asked incredulously. Russia pulled him closer, despite Yao's struggling.

"Aw, little China is scared, da? No need to fear. Ivan will protect his toy, da?" Ivan laughed. China had enough, and pulled away. He was not going in that forest, and he knew Russia was going to pull him in. There was only one way to stop Russia.

"Ivan, before we go, we need to think, aru. What if we weren't only ones who got sent here aru?" He pointed out, leading Russia closer to the bait. Russia froze, a horrifying idea forming in his brain. "This does look like place Belarus would be, right aru?" China said, glancing towards the forest for effect. Russia whimpered softly in fear. A breeze ruffled the leaves on the trees ominously, and Russia could imagine ice blue eyes watching him from the darkness. Big brother, big brother…the leaves seemed to whisper, trees reaching their branches towards him, pulling him closer to Belarus.

"You make good point. We should NOT go in forest." Russia whimpered and China breathed a small sigh of relief, glad his plan had worked for now. A loud boom thundered, and both Russia and China looked up in panic to see a peculiar sight; a rainbow streaking across the sky and a red white and blue star forming underneath it. A faint cry of "I'm the hero!" could be heard.

"That must have been America, aru." China said, pointing to the star and Russia nodded. "Though I do not know who the other one could have been aru." He sighed. This whole pony universe was getting to him. Suddenly, the bushes lining the forest rustled, and a hoof appeared. Russia, with his head full of thoughts about Belarus, jumped behind China, shaking and crying slightly. China glanced back exasperatedly, then turned toward the newcomer.

Out of the bushes came a zebra, with gold earrings and a necklace to match. Golden bracelets covered her right leg, and she had a saddle bag strapped around her middle. She stopped, seeing China pawing at the ground and snorting and Russia cowering behind him. China stopped pawing, seeing that it wasn't Belarus. What? He was scared of her too! Who wasn't?

"Why, it is odd to find a new pony. I am Zecora, and who are thee?" The zebra, Zecora, asked. China nudged Russia, who was still whimpering.

"I am Wang Yao, and this is Ivan Braginski, aru." He explained politely, and Russia stood up, smiling his signature grin. Zecora and China looked at each other oddly. So she is a girl…China thought. So he is a boy…Zecora thought at exactly the same moment. Both had been confused at the other's gender until they spoke. Finally, Russia broke the awkward silence.

"Perhaps Zecora could become one with Russia?" He asked, and both Zecora and China took a step back. At that moment, China noticed three pairs of curious eyes watching them from the bushes.

"Excuse me Zecora, but who are they aru?" He asked, pointing a hoof at the eyes.

"Forgive me for not introducing them to you! These are my friends, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo." Zecora introduced the Cutie Mark Crusaders to the new ponies. Each one emerged from the bush as their name was said. At this point, both China and Zecora were staring at each other again. Why does she always speak in rhymes? China thought. Why does he always say aru? Zecora thought, once again, at exactly the same moment. During the silence, Scootaloo looked up eagerly at the rainbow/star combination.

"Who do you think made that pretty star up there? They'd have to be an amazing flyer to keep up with Rainbow Dash!" She excitedly asked the older ponies. China glanced at the sky again.

"That was probably our friend America, aru." He told her. At this point, he was seriously holding back the urge to squeal "CUTE!" and tackle the little brightly colored fillies. "We're not from around here, aru. Can you tell us where we are?" He asked, shocking Zecora a bit that he didn't say 'aru' at the end of that sentence.

"You're in the kingdom of Equestria, near Ponyville. Would you like to come with us, over that hill?" Zecora asked, recovering quickly. China nodded, and they all stepped on the path leading towards town, the CMC following in single file behind Zecora with China walking happily alongside them and Russia in the back. The CMC were terrified of Russia, but of course they didn't say that, remembering to be polite around strangers.

"How come you three don't have these, aru?" China asked the CMC, pointing backwards at his Cutie Mark. An emo cloud formed over their heads.

"We haven't found our special talents yet." They said simultaneously, heads lowered in shame. Seeing that he hit a sore spot with the three, started chatting excessively about pandas in an attempt to cheer them up. Russia looked back at the sunflower on his flank, a bizarre warmth growing in his chest. These marks represent our special talent in life? He wondered. It should be vodka in that case, he added absentmindedly.

"When we get into town, could you three do me a favor, aru? Keep an eye out for two unicorns, aru. One is green with red white and blue hair, and the other is pure white with a black mane and tail, aru. The green one has a skull with wands behind it for a Cutie Mark, and the white one has a sunrise, aru. They're our friends, and we need to find them, aru." China explained, and the CMC nodded, happy that China trusted them with an important job.

France and Prussia had long since walked into Ponyville, happy with all the attention they were getting. Two steps into the town, they discovered that the vast majority of the population were females. France was winking and smiling at every mare he saw, Prussia doing the same with Gilbird resting happily on his head. Prussia was a bit bummed out because none of the girls were griffons like he was, but it faded over time. Eventually, France leaned over to Prussia.

"We need to find clothing, my friend." He said, looking around. Prussia stared. Since when did FRANCE want to wear clothes? "Clothes would be the perfect way to accent my natural beauty in this place." France finished, and Prussia mentally facepalmed. Of course. France soon spotted a carousel shaped building with the word 'Boutique' scrawled in fancy writing above the door. "Perfect!" France exclaimed, trotting up and knocking. Prussia followed, Gilbird chirping.

"Be right there!" A feminine voice called from with in, and France wiggled his eyebrows and Prussia. The door opened, revealing a snow-white unicorn with a violet, stylishly curled mane that tumbled over the left side of her face. On her flank was a mark of three sparkling diamonds. Her tail was styled in the same way as her mane, held ever so slightly off the ground to keep it from getting dirty. Her sky-blue eyes were accented with makeup and beautiful, long eyelashes. France was speechless from her sheer beauty, and Rarity was staring at him in the same way. Never before had she seen such a handsome colt.

His coat was a gorgeous light blue, hovering in the range between blue and purple. His mane was wavy, and slightly long for a colt and his tail was the same, golden yellow. His hooves were excellently manicured, and blue and red streaked his tail. A small fringe covered his chin, and his eyes were the same blue as hers. He was ruggedly handsome, and he held himself with an air of confidence. His Cutie Mark was a beautiful red rose. Paying little attention to Prussia, she blushed.

"Bonjour mon ami, I apologize for bothering you, but my companion and I am in need of clothes. I'm sure you can help us with our dilemma, non?" France winked at her, laying on the charm. She nodded breathlessly.

"Of course I can. I am the leading authority on fashion in this town, after all. May I ask your names?" Rarity asked the two, standing back and letting them in.

"How very rude of me. I am Francis, and this is my close friend, Gilbert." France introduced the two, kissing Rarity on the back of the hoof. Seeing Prussia's glare, he sighed. "Sorry, the awesome Gilbert."

"I am Rarity, and it is wonderful to meet you both." She said, doing the pony version of a curtsey. "And I would be delighted to give you clothing. I've never had to design for a griffon before." Rarity said excitedly, leading the two to the back of the boutique. "Now, for you, I'm thinking this would suit you perfectly." She said to France, holding up royal blue overcoat with a white ascot and golden lace lining the sleeves and collar. It was not unlike the one he used to wear during the War of Austrian Succession. France beamed at it.

"It is beautiful! But might I suggest adding this as a final touch?" He asked, leading Rarity over to a table, somehow finding and holding a pencil. On a random piece of paper, he drew a quick sketch of the cloak he usually wore as a human. Rarity examined it, then held up the coat to compare.

"I think that would be perfect! Of course, it would need to be darker than the coat for it to work." She agreed, quickly using her magic to cut a few pieces of cloth and assemble the cloak. "I must ask, do you design clothing as a profession, Monsieur France?" She asked him.

"Non, I do not. I am but a simple soldier for my country. And you know French! I think you and I will be good friends in the future, Mademoiselle." He laughed. Rarity blushed and floated the finished article of clothing over to him.

"It is finished. You can go behind that screen to change, and tell me if it fits when you are done." She instructed him. She turned to Prussia. "Now then, I'm afraid I don't have any clothes for you. It's very rare I even see a griffon, much less design clothing for one." She giggled. Prussia grinned and Gilbird cheeped happily.

"Not a problem, ja? I'm sure you can make something to fit my awesomeness." He laughed. Rarity smiled and magicked a tape measure over to Prussia, and it began measuring his height, width, wingspan, you name it as Rarity made a few quick sketches on a notepad. The tape measure dropped as France came out from behind the closet, looking absolutely radiant.

"It is amazing! You truly have a talent, mademoiselle." He exclaimed, trotting around to let Gilbert and Rarity get a look. Prussia nodded.

"Even I gotta admit, you look pretty spiffy in that." Prussia admitted, absentmindedly reaching over and closing Rarity's mouth, which had recently hit the floor. His action seemed to snap her out of it, and she shook her head a bit.

"Um, would you mind standing over their so I can get your friend some clothes?" She asked breathlessly, heart pounding in her chest. France smiled charmingly at her.

"Anything for the lady." He said, prancing over to a corner. Rarity giggled, blushing, and started designing clothing for Prussia. After a few moments, during which Prussia started humming 'Mein Gott' and France killed time by posing in the mirror. Finally, Rarity held up Prussia's clothes.

"Here, these look perfect for you!" She said cheerfully, holding up a black sleeveless tee with holes in it for his wings. On the front of the shirt was a white cross, and it had a white jacket to match with red stripes running down the sleeves.

"This. Is. Amazing." Prussia told her truthfully, taking the clothes in his talons and heading behind the screen to change into his clothes. France cantered forward.

"I must thank you for your generosity, Rarity." He said, bowing slightly. Rarity looked sort of flustered.

"Oh no, you don't have to, monsieur." She protested.

"I insist." France said, leaning in close. "I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you in all my life." He whispered, then pressed his lips against hers. Instead of pulling away like she normally would, Rarity instead leaned into the kiss, happy that he loved her the way she loved him. Prussia poked his head out from behind the screen, already changed. Seeing France and Rarity making out with each other, his jaw hit the floor with a thud.

"This…has got to be a new record." He muttered.