Chapter 5

"I really appreciate you helping out putting my house back together." said Fluttershy who put a couple of carrots back in one of the cupboards to feed the bunnies.

"It's nice to help out every once in a while." Crimson replied.

"I guess." Fluttershy said. She couldn't help but feel somewhat improved, especially when she felt comforted by the same pony who threw the glass vase at her. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you comfort me right after you threatened me? I mean I knew there was a reason why but it's just the mood. Your mood just shifted suddenly. Why?"

"It's a bit complicated." Crimson explained. "But once you start to master your emotions using mindfulness, pretty much anything can be possible."

"I still don't fully get how I got rid of those apparitions." said Fluttershy.

"You don't need to fully understand." Crimson implied. "As long as you start to accept and control your emotions, the apparitions will understand you." Fluttershy started to see things in a new perspective. "I've never thought of it that way." she said.

"You'll get used to it. In a nutshell, those apparitions aren't just a part of you, they are you. And by using mindfulness, you treated yourself as you would treat others." Crimson said back.

"I see, fascinating. By the way, it's getting late. Why don't you head back over to Twilight's house and rest there?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You've helped me plenty already. I can get the rest done. I'm sure she needs some help though."

"Okay. If you say so." Crimson replied. He headed out of Fluttershy's house and headed towards Twilight's treehouse. Along the way, he began to become mindful of the surrounding town of Ponyville. He hadn't taken a long nice look at it on account of what happened last night. It seemed to dazzle him. Since he was a part of a different culture, he was at first a bit nervous. He had been out of Mount Apexia for so long in pursuit of his brother that he almost forgot what civilization looked like. But then he just drank in all of what was around him while still focusing on getting to where he was going. He helped Twilight clean up her room when he got there. He was perfectly content with sleeping on the couch again which seemed to help him befriend the little alicorn more. As he pondered on that, he wondered, how long it has been since he has actually made friends. The last time was in his early years with his brother as well as his friends back at the academy. He realized that if he was going to earn the other ponies trust, he would have to do those techniques that now seemed to be vague to him. But he reminded himself to be confident, for that is one of the foundations of friendship itself. The next day, he went to Sugar Cube corner to help out Pinkie Pie. When he got to Sugar Cube Corner, he looked at it so see that the outside of the house was completely clean. She must've gotten it earlier. As we walked into the door, he couldn't help but feeling grateful for helping out his new friends. The only thing is that feeling of gratefulness turned into a feeling of pain when Crimson by accident slipped on an egg yolk lying on the floor from the mess earlier that day and fell smack dab on his noggin. In his blurred vision, he saw Pinkie Pie giggling above him.

"Hee-hee. Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." said Crimson as he shook his head got back up. "It's been a long time since I made a mistake like that. I feel like my senses have gotten dull." Pinkie Pie giggled.

"That's okay. We all make mistakes." she said.

"I guess so." Crimson responded. "Gah, I hate when I get eggshells stuck in my hair." As he helped her clean up the kitchen, he felt comforted more than ever by Pinkie Pies words. Was it so long to him that he had almost forgotten the concept of friendship? If it was, he decided that he should try to rebuild it. He looked around to see loads upon loads of kitchen equipment.

"Isn't all this a bit too excessive for one pony to handle?" Crimson asked.

"Oh please!" Implied Pinkie Pie as she washed some final dishes and put them back in one of the cupboards. "No kitchen job is too hard for me, especially when it comes to making my delicious cupcakes!"

"I beg your pardon." replied Crimson Forge. "But what are these… cupcakes you call?"

"You mean you've never ever heard of them?"

"I guess not. At least back at Mount Apexia I never heard of such a thing. What are they?"

"They are the most delicious treats in all of Equestira!"

"Really?" said Crimson as he raised an eyebrow. He was actually curious to see what this type of food was.

"Yeah!" she said. That gave her an idea. Without hesitation, she sped to the refrigerator and grabbed out a cupcake with blue frosting leftover from the night when Crimson Forge first arrived.

"Is this a cupcake?" asked Crimson.

"It sure is! Try it!" Pinkie Pie insisted. Crimson shrugged. Why not? He thought. Using his magic, he raised the cupcake from the place and brought it to his mouth and bit down on it. After a couple of chews, he began making a chocking sound. Pinkie Pie scared at what was happening to Crimson looked at him and prepared to slap him on the back to stop the chocking until she felt Crimson swallow it and continuing to cough. "What's wrong?" she asked dumbfounded since she usually received praise for her baking. "Is it not sweet?"

"No, it's sweet." Crimson managed to get out. "But it's just too sweet."

"Too sweet?"

"Yeah. How much sugar is in these things again? Did I even ask before?"

"Uh, no you didn't. But I usually to a cup or two of sugar, maybe even three…"

"Seriously?" exclaimed Crimson as he pulled himself together. "Well, I hadn't tasted anything that sweet for as long as I can remember so excuse me that I am just no used to that level of sweetness. I kind of made my heart skip a beat, and not in the good way either."

"Are you saying I'm not a good cook?" Pinkie Pie said in a sad tone.

"Nonononononono, I believe you are a very good cook indeed. I just like something else. That's all."

"Well, what do you like?"

"Back at Mount Apexia, we like our things spicy."

"Spicy?" Pinkie Pie asked. She was curious to know what Crimson meant, but before he had a chance, a couple of Celestia's guards showed up with chariots with Twilight and a couple of her friends in them. Crimson knew that Celestia was expecting them so he got on one of them and they headed to Carrousel Boutique to pick up Rarity and Trixie. When they got there and saw both of them waiting out of the lawn, they began to see that Rarity had done a lot of work to fix up Trixie. She didn't even look like the old Trixie. Her hair was rearranged to look a bit like Twilight's hair, expect the back part was much shorter. She also wore an indigo vest instead of a cape. Twilight, Crimson, and the other were impressed. "Wow Trixie!" said Twilight. "You look amazing!"

"Thanks." Trixie replied. "But all in all, I think you should really compliment Rarity. She did give me one haystack of a makeover after all."

"No worries. It's what I do." Rarity implied.

"Anyways, let's get going." Twilight said. "Celestia is expecting us." The others got in the chariots and headed to Canterlot where they entered through the main doors and into the throne room where Celestia as well as her sister, Shining Armor and his wife were. "Your grace." Crimson said as he bowed his head.

"As you were." Celestia responded. "The council and I have made the decision that under my jurisdiction, you Crimson Forge will have my permission and the authority to lead these ponies to Mount Apexia."

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"If what Crimson Forge says is true, in which I have faith that it is, than you must embark on this journey. However…" she said as she turned her head back to Crimson. "There will be some rules I will have to set up with you. Firstly, you cannot act high and mighty towards my little ponies. Keep in mind that they have a will of their own."

"I understand." Crimson Forge responded.

"Secondly, if anything were to happen to them in such a way that it would be life-threatening…" The princess's horn started to glow. "You will regret it." Crimson Forge gulped knowing how powerful the princess was compared to him. "I understand."

"Is something wrong Celestia?" asked Twilight who noticed that Celestia's face seemed a bit weird. As if she was hiding something else. Celestia immediately turned her head to her student. "No. But there is one thing I need to ask you."

"Be our guest." Applejack said aloud.

"My little ponies." announced Celestia. "Do you promise to listen to Crimson Forge and treat him kindly?" The mare six all nodded their heads. After all, this was the golden rule, treat someone else just as you would treat yourself.

"With that being said, I now leave these ponies under your watch Crimson." Celestia said. "My chariots will bring you back to Ponyville."

"Thank you Princess." Implied Crimson as he led the rest of the mare six back out.

"How long will this journey be?" asked Applejack.

"Even I am not quite sure of that." Crimson implied. "From what I experienced on my travel here, it may take weeks, probably months."

"Months?!" the mare six burst out.

"Yes. So you better pack up what you need and pack it up well girls. You should probably also say goodbye to your loved ones. We've got a long hike ahead of us." Crimson said as he and his new students boarded onto the chariots and started their way back down.

The news of the mare six's departure spread quickly around Ponyvile. Crimson Forge, being proactive with his time waited on the edge of the town for six of his new students. A couple of ponies came into the meeting spot. Although these weren't the ponies he was expecting. Now a few more came as well as another and another until a crowd formed. As a space formed in the middle of the crowd, Crimson knew what this was, a going away party. He saw the mare six saying their goodbyes to their friends. He saw Applejack hugging Big Macintosh.

"Don't ya worry big brother," she said. "I'll come back soon now ya hear?"

"Eeeeeeeyuuuupp." was all that came out of her big brother's mouth. Though Big Mac was usually strong and brave, he never was in a situation where he would not be his beloved sister for a long time and couldn't help but shed a tear. Cheese Sandwich was there trying to prevent Pinkie Pie from being upset by handing her a cupcake he made on his own. Twilight was saying farewell to Shining Armor, Cadence, and her new friend Trixie.

"I'd never thought I'd say this, but take care my friend." said Trixie.

"Don't worry. I will." Twilight responded. Fluttershy came with a sad face. Even though she appointed a babysitter for her animals, she wouldn't have the privilege of being with them for a long time. Rainbow Dash then entered the scene with a stubborn face. Why should I even go on this stupid journey with Crimson? Can't he tell that I am trying to get into the Wonderbolts? she thought. Fortunately, her fellow flyers were there to bid her farewell. The only one left was Rarity who came in a few minutes after the others showed up with their necessary belongings.

"Hey Rarity." said Twilight. "Glad you could make it. What took so long?" Rarity sighed. "It was Spike." Crimson nodded and then spoke, "Okay, listen up mares! This trip you are embarking on is for quite a while and let me remind you that this trip at times may be unsanitary." Rarity felt a bit disgusted. "This is a long hike so it will require muscle." Rainbow Dash gulped. She may be fast at flying, but she was much weaker than Applejack. "So what I would like for you to do is to just keep moving forward. Can you do that?" The ponies nodded their heads in silence. Celestia made the decision for them to travel to Mount Apexia, what else could they do? This must mean that something was terribly wrong in Equestira, and they were just the ponies we would answer the call. Crimson continued, "All right. Let's go."

Flashback:

As Crimson Forge got off his Chariot, he went over to Charity and tapped her. "What is it?"

"Rarity, would you come over here away from the others for a second? I need to talk to you." Crimson responded. Rarity hesitated. "This isn't what I think it is, is it?" she sputtered as her eyes focused on Spike.

"No it isn't. But it is about the journey." he said as they walked over to the spot and Crimson leaned into her ear. "I don't think Spike should come on the journey with us."

"But why?" Rarity asked.

"Because… well the prophecy…" Crimson sputtered.

"You'd trust the prophecy to the point where you would exclude my crush?"

"Well, regardless of the prophecy I fear that if we bring him with us, we will put him at a greater risk of him getting hurt."

"Are you that paranoid darling? Spikey Wikey has been with us before on many journeys."

"Trust me Rarity. There are really dangerous creatures I have encountered that you would not believe existed. Plus I cannot break Celestia's promise that I won't let harm come to you or him." Crimson implied. Rarity sighed. Crimson Forge did have a point. Spike wasn't as experienced as the rest of the mare six were, and he was still at a young age and even though he was on most adventures with them, this was like nothing they ever heard of or even fathomed before. It seemed like Rarity would have a hard choice to make.

Present:

The sounds of the crowd still echoed at Crimson and the mare six as they began their journey into the Evergreen Forest towards Mount Apexia. But they knew that if Celestia approved of Crimson being their new instructor on this journey, then something must be really wrong wherever or whatever it was. Crimson turned around to see sad looks on all the girl's faces. Crimson broke the silence, "Cheer up! At least you won't get lost in the Evergreen Forest with me right?" None of the ponies said anything. He tried to sympathize with them by saying, "Look. I can understand that this must be hard for you. But we will all perish if we don't pick up the pace a bit." He knew this would be even harder for them to understand with the fact that they could still hear them clearly saying goodbye to them. But as they continued, the sound started to grow. But this one wasn't saying goodbye. It sounded like, "Wait up! Wait up!" The other ponies started to turn around to see a backpack just peaking from the brush. That backpack was strapped onto something or somepony as it stepped into the clearing.

"Spike?" Rarity managed. The not-so-little-anymore dragon stopped behind them and caught his breath. "Yeah, that's me alright."

"Confounded Spike!" Crimson shouted out as he marched right over to where he was. "Just what in Equestira do you think you are doing?"

"I wanted to come along!" Spike responded.

"I told Rarity to tell you that you couldn't!"

"Why not?"

"Because by coming along with us, you would put yourself in a greater risk of danger! I cannot break my promise to Celestia!"

"But that doesn't mean that don't you pose any lesser risk of coming along either let alone coming into our town!"

"Don't justify me for your own means young dragon!"

"They are not my own means. They are Rarity's as well as Twilight's, Applejack's, and the others!"

"And how do you know this?"

"Because they are my friends!" Crimson paused. His height isn't the only thing that has grown overnight. He thought. His logic has as well. This surprised him. Not for a long time has somepony or somedragon of lesser age won an argument against him. Back at Mount Apexia in his young years, he was usually the one who was wisecracking against the bullies that used to taunt him and his old friends. He couldn't think of anything else to say, he turned to the other ponies and asked them, "How many of you are okay with Spike coming along?" Everypony else raised their hooves. Crimson turned away and muttered under his breath. "Well…I guess…but then…on the other hand…" He faced Spike. "Okay, you can come on the journey on one condition."

"I would do anything just be with you guys, especially you Rarity." he winked to her marefriend who felt flattered. Crimson coughed to get Spike's attention. "Listen up youngling!" His voice became very stern and serious. "If you want to come with us, you will need to toughen up and not be codependent on the others as often as before. You're growing faster than average even for a dragon." Spike's body stiffened up and was all ears at that remark. "Like my father said to me, you need to buck up and not back down. Do I make myself clear?" Spike a felt a bit uncomfortable, but knowing that he often had self-esteem issues, he knew this was a chance to prove himself. "Yes sir." He said.

"Alright. Now let's get a move on." Crimson said as he turned around and started walking, the others following his lead. "It's time you see how small of a world you live in, and experience what world there is in front of you."