“I…I…I,” John stuttered. He couldn’t talk. He could only stare at the beautiful mare before him. Rainbow was still red and starring at the ground. She finally looked up.

“Well?” She asked her eyes close to tears, “please just give me an honest answer.” Her head sank.

John still couldn’t speak. The only thing he knew was that in about ten seconds he was about to create the happiest mare in Equestria.

He turned to Rainbow, “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, you nutty Pegasus.” He put his arm around her and whispered, “yes.”

Rainbow looked up, “What?”

“I said I like you too, you nutty Pegasus.”

John barely had time to take his next breath before a cyan, rainbow blur smashed into him with the force of a train. He felt his insides begin to crush and the air slowly being squeezed out of his lungs as Rainbow hugged him. He returned the hug and let his head fall into her mane.

They stayed there for what seemed like forever. Finally John was able to pry Rainbow off of him. He looked at her and smiled. Her rose colored eyes ripped away all previous feeling of apprehension. The sun was beginning to set.

“We should probably be getting home now,” He said.

Rainbow leaned against him, “Do we have too?” she sighed.

“Sorry but yes. I have a rave to prepare for tomorrow night. But I can walk you home.”

They got up and headed to Rainbow Dash’s cloud house. They reached her home.

“This has been the best day ever,” Rainbow sighed, nuzzling his side with her head. John knelt and returned the gesture with a hug.

“I don’t know why but all the guilt and sorrow I’ve been carrying around disappeared when you…well you know,” John said blushing.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?” Rainbow asked hopefully.

“You bet! You’re still coming to the rave tomorrow night?”

“You bet your flank on it!” she yipped.

“Well I guess this is goodbye for now,” John said as Dash began to slowly fly up to her home. As soon as she was at head level with him he planted a kiss on her cheek.

Rainbow gasped and turned and looked back down at him. Her eyes wide she slowly touched her cheek with her hoof. John grinned like fool back up at her. He waited until Rainbow was at her doorstep before turning to leave.

Rainbow walked up to her room, her eyes still wide as saucers as she entered her room. She jumped into the air and squealed with happiness before floating down onto her bed. She blissfully fell asleep.

John reached the Apple family’s farm. He nodded at Big Mac before heading up to the guest room. He sat on the bed before jumping up and whispering as loud as he could, “YES.” He fell back onto the bed, not caring how small it was he fell asleep.

***

John rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he headed down into the Apple family’s dining room. The whole room said a friendly greeting. John took his seat at the table, smiling contently.

“So sugarcube, you made a little ruckus when you came back last night; mind tellin what it was about?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, I just feel like I got a huge weight off my chest,” John sighed.

“We’ll good for you.”

“Eeeyuup,” Big Mac commented.

“So, are you guys coming to the rave tonight?” John asked.

“What’s a rave?” Applejack asked.

“Well I guess it’s a kind of party. It has a DJ or two to select and play the music. The music is commonly electronic and is accompanied by light shows. You might like it.”

“Eh, what the heck? I’m game.”

“What about you Big Mac? You game?”

A flicker of a smile appeared on his face, “Eeeyuup.”

“Can I come?” Appleboom asked, with big pleading eyes.

“I don’t know. Raves in my old world weren’t normally the place for young fillies but here I guess it’s OK,” John said.

“Yay! I’ll go tell Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle,” She zipped out the door.

“She has such energy. Reminds me a lot of my little cousin,” John sighed.

“So, now how ‘bout you tell us what really has you all happy an such,” AJ said grinning.

“What are you talking about?” John said blushing, “I said I just got a weight off my chest. I’m feeling a little lighter is all.”

“You’re feelin a little more than lighter from what I’m hearin,” AJ giggled, “Rainbow stopped by this morning and told me everything,” she dragged the last five words out, “You. Two. Are. In. Love.”

John was as red a stop sign, “She told you huh? Fine, I’ve been thinking about Rainbow a lot and yes I like her a lot.”

“Heh heh, well I’ll be. I’d never think I’d see the day where Rainbow was dating a stallion from another world but here it is. You’re all she’s been talking about since you came here.”

“Really? She’s an absolutely amazing pony. I really think I can make a life for myself here now, thanks to her.”

“Well none the less, we’re all happy for you and Rainbow.”

***

John awoke. He was in a tree this time and he wasn’t alone. Rainbow Dash lay on top of him. All at once a thousand things went through his mind. What the fuck happened last night? How did I end up in this tree? Did me and Rainbow…?

Slowly it all started to come back to him. His pleasant thoughts were interrupted as he and Rainbow fell out of the tree and landed in a bush. Rainbow jumped up rubbing her head.

“Eh wha? What happened? Where am I?” She asked.

“Some party last night, huh?”

“Oh, that’s what happened,” she smiled.

“Wanna get some breakfast? It is about that time,” John grinned at her. He couldn’t help it. After last night it was almost a natural reaction. John ran over and scooped her up and carried her into Ponyville. She sighed contently and nuzzled his chest. It was a perfect moment soon to be gone.

A rumbling noise followed by the sky going dark destroyed the moment. John looked up and nearly dropped the cyan mare in his arms. His jaw dropped in horror.

“Hey, who turned off the sun?” Rainbow asked.

“No, this can’t be happening,” John said in shock.

Rainbow looked up and gasped. A huge arrow head craft at least a mile long was making its way into the skies of Ponyville. All around, ponies of all types screamed in terror of gaped at the sight. The ship was battered. Fresh metal plating covered the ship’s wounds. Scorch marks failed to hide the insignia on the bottom of the hull. The Solar Empire had arrived in Ponyville.

“Look!” some random pony shouted.

About five miles away, another dark shape came over the mountains. John’s heart sank even more. Even at this distance he could tell it was a Lunar ship. John’s heart sank; even here, in this world, war still found its way to him. He felt like crying. A hoof on his shoulder brought him back to reality.

Rainbow looked at him, almost desperately, “what do we do now?”

***

A few hours earlier.

John looked at his phone. He was pretty sure that the time was synced to this world’s clocks so he was also sure that Rainbow was late. He stood outside of Sweet Apple Acres waiting for Rainbow to stop by so they could walk to the club together. He looked towards Ponyville, a small cloud hung over head. John sighed and headed over to Lightning’s barn. He put his Aviator sun glasses into his pocket and pulled on his flight helmet. Directing the plane out of the barn he set it to VTOL and took off.

***

Rainbow napped happily. Life was good. She had a nice job, great friends, and now her crush. Things were good. She dreamed of John. Her happy dream was interrupted by a whirring of an engine. She woke up annoyed. John stood in front of her smiling with his hands crossed. She smiled back at him. Wait. How was he standing next to her when she was on a cloud?

“Having nice dreams you nutty Pegasus?” John asked. He stood balanced perfectly on the wing of lightning.

“Yeah, why?” she asked.

“You kept moaning my name.”

Rainbow turned red, “Uh, how much of that did you hear?”

“Enough,” John said grinning as he carefully navigated his way back into the cockpit of the plane; careful to avoid the lift fan.

“You ready?” John asked.

“You bet. Race ya there,” Rainbow said zipping off.

John accelerated after her, he knew better than to try to race her in an urban area. He kept Lightning in VTOL and navigated the plane toward the club. When he landed Rainbow was waiting for him.

“Guess I win,” she said smiling.

“And here’s your reward,” John ran over to her and scooped her up, giving her a noogie.

“Ah, hey. Stop that,” she giggled.

John put her down only to have her tackle him to the ground. She smiled at him and pressed her lips against his. He didn’t fight it and returned the kiss. John’s face was on fire. He swore that if someone put a piece of paper on his face it would burst into flames. Slowly, her tongue slipped into his mouth, exploring the unknown spaces. John’s tongue met hers and they danced around each other. They would have been there all night if John didn’t have to breathe. He broke the kiss and stared at her face, grinning like an idiot.

“Whoa, that was…awesome,” Rainbow gasped, “Where did you learn to kiss?”

“I never did,” John laughed. He got up and dusted himself off. Rainbow walked next to him as he entered the club.

“Yes! You made it!” Vinyl yipped, “The party starts in thirty minutes and we’ve got a lot to do.”

***

♫ It’s all right
You’re ready for the night of your life ♫

♫ Stars will shine show bright
They say, we’re dancing the stress away. Hey hey ♫

♫ This beat gets underneath your feet
Right now, together we will meet ♫

♫ This place will blow your mind away. Hey hey ♫

♫ Welcome to the club now
Gonna pump it up now
This is an emergency
Music is my galaxy♫

♫ Welcome to the club now
Everypony’s up now
We’ve got it going on
Till the break of dawn
So put the record on ♫

John and Vinyl stood at their turn tables, nodding their heads to the beat. They both wore their respective glasses; Vinyl with her purple goggles and John with his aviators. The crowd was going wild. Dancing along to the beat. John spotted his friends. Applejack had left her Stetson on a table and let her mane down and let herself go crazy. Rarity sat the bar with Octavia, chatting away over some margaritas. Twilight was doing her signature yet scary party dance. Pinkie quite literally was bouncing off the walls and Big Mac looked like he was getting some liquid courage before heading over to Fluttershy.

He and Vinyl nodded to each other and placed the next record on the turn tables and began to sync the beats. The party was perfect. The light show worked like a charm. The bar tender was busy mixing drinks for all the ponies. Though John noticed that something wasn’t right; a certain rainbow manned Pegasus was sitting at a table alone. She didn’t look to be enjoying herself.

“Hey, can you take over for a few?” John asked Vinyl.

“Sure,” she smiled.

John headed off stage and toward the tables. Rainbow didn’t appear to notice him.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Ah it’s nothing. Go have fun, I’ll be fine,” She sighed.

“Not without you, now tell me what’s bothering you.”

She took a deep breath, “I’ve never been to a rave before and I never learned how to dance at a party like this,” she said in one breath.

“Well that’s no excuse. When I was in the eighth grade they held an end of the school year party for us. Believe it or not, my parents paid me to go there and have fun. I sat a table for about ten minutes, kinda like you are now. I finally worked up the courage to join the mass of people dancing. I figured, ‘what did I have to lose?’ and let the music take control and all my apprehensions disappear. I had no idea what I was doing but I danced anyway and had the time of my life. It was one of the happiest nights of my life.”

A new song began to play.

♫ Captured by the light
Like it’s coming from your eyes
Like diamonds ♫

John smiled. He knew this song. He looked over to Vinyl and gave a salute. She winked and mouthed, ‘Go get em tiger’

“Come on, you never know if you don’t try.”

♫ Dancing in twilight
I’m blinded by the lightning
And now I’ve got your stare
You’ll see my love is shining ♫

Rainbow looked around, “But what if I’m laughed at by the others? What if they make fun of me?”

♫ Just for tonight let me inside
And I can show you the time of your life
Just for tonight let us explore
Places you’ve never been before♫

John smiled and held out his hand as he stood up.

♫ Suddenly you see how foolish
And unruly love can be
Just for tonight let me inside
And I can show you the time of your life ♫

Tentatively she took his hand and let herself be pulled onto the dance floor. John pulled her into a hug and whispered, “Just let the music take control.”

He pulled away and headed back up onto the stage. Giving her an encouraging smile he watched as she let herself get pulled into the sound. He turned to Vinyl and said, “Thanks.”

He pulled on his headphones and continued to party, every now and again glancing at Rainbow. She now had a huge grin on her face and was dancing with Pinkie. Once again, everything was perfect.

***

The party ended at two in the morning. All the guests had left for home. John and Vinyl stayed behind to lock up.

“Wow, that was some rave. I can’t thank you enough for the new songs. I don’t know what I would have done without them,” Vinyl said.

“You would have figured something out, but you’re welcome anyway,” he smiled.

“Well I guess I’ll see ya tomorrow,” she said as she began to head across the street.

“Same time?”

“Yup. See ya round big guy!”

John smiled as he walked back toward the Apple farm. He thought a lot. He needed to get a house. If he was going to live here for the rest of his life, not that he minded, he was going to need a place to live that wasn’t on the Apple family’s farm. He was also gonna need a hanger built for Lightning.

“Aw shit,” he said aloud. He’d forgotten he flew to the club. He turned around and headed back to the club. He walked past the park and suddenly found himself getting pulled up into the sky. He was placed in a tree and found a certain cyan Pegasus on his chest. She was grinning like mad.

“So I’m betting you had fun tonight?”

“Oh my gosh, it was so awesome! You were right; I did have the time of my life. I never had a chance to thank you for that,” she purred.
She had a mischievous look on her face as she leaned in for a kiss. John smiled as their lips met. He stroked her mane as she forced her way into his mouth…

***

Present.

They ran toward Twilight’s tree. Above them the two ships got closer to each other. Weapons systems activating as they prepared to fight once again.

Above them Celestia stood on the bridge of her ship. The Daylight Flare was somewhat repaired. Communications were up again. Sensors were up but with limited range. Weapons were functioning. Engines were at 50% power.

She was tired. And now the wind brought them to the one place they both swore to never fight in. Through a steak of luck the two ships ended up in Ponyville.

“The Eclipse is arming itself ma’am.”

“Then let us do the same,” she sighed, “Prepare to launch gunships.”

***

Luna hadn’t gotten any sleep in the few days since Stalliongrad was turned into a sheet of glass. In all senses of the word she was tired.

“Launch the gunships,” she ordered.

Her ship systems were somewhat repaired. The holes in the hull patched up. Sensors, communications, weapons were all at about 50%. She sighed as she watched the topside hanger open and release the firefly gunships.

***

John and Rainbow burst into the library. Rarity, AJ, Fluttershy, and Pinkie were all there. Twilight stood over a case.

“Twilight! What’s going on? I thought that they both swore never to return here until the war was over,”
Rainbow cried.

“I don’t know but we have to be ready for anything,” she said as Rainbow’s element hovered in front of her. She placed it around her neck.

“Alright, let’s go.”

They all galloped out of the tree followed by John running on foot.

“Hey wait,” he said. The six ponies halted. He said, “I recognize those ships. They were shooting at each other when I first entered this world. Though last time I saw them they were accompanied by a fleet of ships and they weren’t in such bad condition. Needless to say, they’ve seen my plane and I refuse to let either one of them have it. I’ll meet you guys in town square.”

He turned and ran towards Vinyl’s club. He found Lightning right where he left her, “Alright girl, get ready. This time, we fight the good fight.” He pulled on his helmet and climbed into the cockpit. The plane chirped to his presence and took off as the cock pit closed.

He flew over the town towards the square.

On the ground Vinyl looked up and saw him go by. He gave her a quick salute, before continuing one. The ships had stopped above the town; their gunships hovering around their mother ships. John had seen this before. It was a standoff. John set down next to the elements.

“Oh no,” Twilight said, “Their going to destroy each other. I…I…I,” the normally calm Twilight stuttered. “I don’t know what to do.”

John spoke up, “When I left my world there was no hope for my race. We had been at war for thousands of years. When I came here I thought I found peace, no I did find peace here. And now I refuse to lose that peace to two princesses who can’t get along. I’m sick and tired of war and for once I’m going fight for something worth fighting for. Its end. Now let’s fight for peace and harmony in the world again. Let’s fight the good fight!”

He hadn’t realized a crowd had gathered around them and heard his speech. A cheer rose up from the crowd. The looks on their collective faces said everything. They had had enough of the fighting.

The Elements smiled with a new found determination.

“Let’s do this,” Rainbow shouted. John pulled lightning into the air and brought her to a hover between the two armies. Twilight’s horn glowed as the ground they were standing on was ripped up and into the air. The six of them hovered next to John. On the ground, Pegasus ponies took to the skies. They stood facing the two armies, unwilling to let them fight.

***

Celestia watched the scene unfold. There was a small army of pegasi hovering in front of her army. They made shields out of their bodies, preventing any side from fighting. The elements stood on a floating rock in the middle of the wall of pegasi. And right next to them was that strange craft. The one factor in the war no one could control. It somehow found its way into Ponyville. From the looks of things its owner made friends with the elements. She sighed and teleported onto the bow of her ship.

***

Twilight watched as her old mentor appeared before her. She looked like she’d aged a lot in the war’s four years. She sighed, “Please move.”

They all stood their ground, unwilling to move.

“Twilight, please listen.”

“My sister is right Twilight, please move,” said Luna who had also appeared near her ship.

“No. You two listen. You’re sisters for crying out loud. You’re not supposed to fight like this. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. You told me princess that everything could be resolved peacefully. Is that true? Were you lying to me all those years ago?”

“Young one, this is different,” Luna said.

John opened the cockpit of lightning. He stood up and pulled off his helmet. The princesses gasped as he revealed his face. John spoke up, “NO it isn’t. Nothing justifies war. My people never learned that and were nearly always at war. This supposed to be a peaceful paradise, don’t let it succumb to the cancer to war. Resolve your differences.”

The princesses’ expressions softened. They stared at each other for the longest time before finally speaking.

“What have we done sister of mine?” Luna started to cry

“I don’t know, Luna,” Celestia began to cry also.

A flash of light, “I do. You’ve been doing exactly what I’ve wanted you to do.”

Everypony turned to the source of the voice. The ponies all stared in horror at a certain fanged Chimera.

Next Chapter: Chapter 11. The Truth Revealed. Estimated time remaining: 5 Minutes