Whoops, Wrong Lone Star! Man, why did I even go there? It must have been my brain on Ludicrous Speed…

At the Ponyville Train Station

Beatrice Lulamoon, once known as the great and powerful Trixie, is sitting on a cedar bench just outside the train depot. The station itself is but a quick gallop from Golden Oak Library, making it an ideal place for pony watching. Trixie never really put much stock on the bobby, preferring to gauge strings of ponies from onstage. Considering that her career as an illusionist is getting her nowhere and she has resolved herself to plant roots somewhere, it made good sense to her to settle where her greatest failing and greatest lesson were taught.

Ponyville reminded the showmare of the little hamlet she was born and raised. The earth pony village she once called home played host to very few unicorns. By all accounts, there weren't that many Pegasi, either. The Winter-Wrap Up that happened there was not that much different than what happened in Ponyville, so Trixie felt right at home here. She wouldn't admit that on a stack of Starswirl the Bearded tomes, but it was a comfort to see all the elements of her father's people here.

Her mother was a unicorn in a traveling circus that passed through some of the more barren regions of Equestria. Like Trixie, she had considerable aptitude towards magic, although her chiefest skill was in illusions. Her father saw her when the circus was in town; he was at first disgusted by the beautiful, if egocentric, young showmare. Yet, when Belladonna Lulamoon called on her father to assist in her magic show, he didn't have to be asked twice. After the show was over, she purposely sought after him. She complimented him on his poise in the limelight while her father begrudgingly admitted that Bella had an impressive array of tricks.

At first, the stallion Rough Shod hadn't thought the meeting was all that important. He was a tinker and cobblestone layer who dabbled in some juggling; he wasn't that important. Yet, a day before the circus packed up and left town, Ms. Lulamoon sought him out again, this time, she surprised him with a pale azure bellflower. He had no idea where she learned of this ancient earth pony courting ritual, but accepted the flower graciously. The two made plans for dinner and dancing that evening, although the circus was pulling up stakes. Shod was certain that he would never see the mare again, but he turned up local diner, anyway.

To his surprise, Bella was there at the appointed time. He backtracked home to retrieve the bellflower she gave him and returned. She was a tad disappointed that he didn't have a flower in his mane colors to give, but she brushed that off easily. He asked her why she wasn't with the circus folk heading out of town. Her response was that she was "tired of pulling up stakes and forever pitching up tents." Another date was set up after the rather disappointing first one.

When next they met, he came with an ivory colored nightshade. She readily accepted it and the second date went even better than the first. Within two months, a whirlwind romance by earth pony standards, they were married and a year-and-a-half later, Trixie was born. She young unicorn filly was never without the essentials in life nor was she bereft of loving parents. The Lulamoons were never rich but were a long way from destitute. Between her mother's magic skills and her father's tinkering and cobbling business, they all lived rather comfortably.

When she was accepted into Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, her mother was positively delighted! Her father was a little disappointed, though, as he wanted to train his eldest daughter in his trade. That was the only time Trixie had ever hear her parents fight. She still went to Canterlot for school, although when she returned home for summer, she was given training in tinkering and cobbling. (She hated those lessons, but they served her well both on the road and whilst in exile.)

Her education was varied whilst under the tutelage of the finest mages and conjurers of the age, but only once did Trixie regret coming to the school. It was one time, after school, and most of the corridors were deserted for the afternoon. Back then, she had a few good friends and she was invited that afternoon for tea and biscuits by one of her Canterlot friends. On the way to her dormitory, Trixie passed into a hall that was nominally barred from students. It was even believed that that Celestia's Protegé, Twilight Sparkle, wasn't allowed down this corridor. Many of the rooms of this passage were locked, but she noticed one door that was partly open, a steady amber light issuing from within. Curiosity got the better of her, so she peered inside the chamber.

Inside, she saw something that still haunted her. (It was a sight that, while she was adamant to deny, fostered her decision to leave the school. It was also an event that prompted her very first meeting with the Princess of the Sun. ) At the center of the chamber, interdicted by copper, silver, platinum, and lead wires, was a glowing amber crystal floating above a deep, conical pit. Runes of spells and enchantments were either painted or carved into the floor. Trixie had seen such crystals while in class, though most were much smaller; the one she witnessed now was large enough to hold a pony. Indeed, trapped inside the translucent amber facets of the crystal was a young unicorn mare, only a few years older than Trixie was at the time.

The mare's coat was a light amber paired to a mane and tail in vivid crimson with streaks of brilliant yellow. Her cutie mark was of a swirling sun in the colors of her mane. Her cutie mark bore only the slightest resemblance to Princess Celestia's. Whether she was the monarch's daughter or maybe a half sister, Trixie was unsure. To have given such a fate, locked away in a faceted jewel prison, was about as much as Trixie could bear. She would prefer a hanging; it was relatively fast and cheap. Executions were rare in this day and age after Unification, but that didn't mean they didn't happen. One would need to be a traitorous coward or brazen, unrepentant murder to be sentenced to the gallows…

"Lo, who the mighty have fallen," spoke a soft, musical voice behind her, "she would have been the greatest sorceress of her age. Now, she is imprisoned here whilst another has eclipsed her. I may, one day, decide to release her, her time and penance done, but that day has not yet come."

Trixie turned on the spot to see the porcelain coat and aurora-colored mane of Princess Celestia standing behind her.

"Your Majesty!" The future showmare bowed, "I- I was- Trixie was curious as to why this corridor, neigh, this chamber was open and emitting light!"

"It is quite alright, Miss Lulamon," the Princess said, "it is probably best you see this."

"Y-your M-Majesty," Trixie stammered, "wh-who is that, trapped in that crystal c-cocoon?"

With a heavy sigh, the Sun Princess replied, "She was a former student of mine, a promising protegé. She has an incredible gift with magic, but she was impatient-" the Sun Monarch tilts her head slightly to look at the mare's twisted face, "and selfish. She sought to make herself not unlike myself, an alicorn. With such a boon, she wanted to rule, if not a kingdom of her own, then all Equestria. As skillful as she was in the mystic arts, her vanity and hubris were her undoing. She tried to overthrow me, but was ill prepared for my power. She may have had the talent, but she lacked the wisdom or the experience to use it well. I, fortunately, had both. When at least she was defeated, I was given an option: banish her from the realm after snapping her horn off, a death sentence in more ways than one, or encasing her in this geodesic cocoon, interdicted by a magic sink and cordoned off by numerous, high powered wards and bindings. You can see what option I chose."

"A-and the runes? On-on the floor?" Trixie asks.

"An insurance policy," Princess Celestia says, "jinxes designed to countermand any escape. For the last five years, they've held. I see no reason to dispel them."

"You still haven't answered Trixie's question," the younger unicorn stated, "who is she?"

"Her name is Sunset Shimmer," answered the Sun Goddess heavily, "I loved her as she was one of my kindred. She betrayed me for a taste of power… and I was merciful to that mare…".

Trixie would ruminate on Ms. Shimmer's fate for years, even onto today. As boastful and as deceitful as Trixie was in her hayday, she knew she didn't deserve to spend the rest of her natural life bound and warded, encased in a magical gem. The very idea of such imprisonment still sent shivers down her spine… To be separated from the weave and aether like that was a fate worse than death in her mind.

Nostalgia is broken when the express train from Canterlot rolled in. Trixie wasn't going to be on that train; she had seen Canterlot already. The nobles and upper class ponies there mocked her for her earth pony heritage. She would have loved to tell them that any earth pony, even one like that ruffian Applejack of Sweet Apple Acres, was worth more any ten of them combined. So, the showmare watched as various mares and stallions disembarked from the train. Her mirth was stoked by an eager conductor trying to transfer the luggage of one particularly pudgy unicorn mare; she insisted that every article of her matching impedimenta to be brought out at once without damage or delay.

Her mirth was short lived as she caught sight of a being that haunted her nightmares for years on end. A determined unicorn mare trotted past the struggling conductor, almost through the corpulent mare and directly at her. Her purposeful walk parted the crowd like some great, hungry predator. Trixie thought of manticores, timber wolves, dragons, or any number of wild things that eat a pony whole. Her mind races to the incident years ago with the Ursa Minor. That's how this mare moved along the platform, like an an Ursa Minor… The mare stopped within inches of Trixie, then proceeded to rifle through a pair of ill fitting saddle bags for a piece of parchment. The mare read the parchment with a scowl then returned it to her bags.

"Excuse me," the mare asked in a haughty Canterlot accent, "can you tell me where a 'Princess Twilight Sparkle' lives?"

Trixie, frightened out of her wits and a stage shy of catatonic, nods.

"Trixie can- Yes, I can tell you."

The mare looks on as Trixie gathers her nerves.

"F-from here, take this lane here to the end, h-hang a right at the Statue of Kinfolk and at the end of that street, where the houses end, is Golden Oak Library. That's where Tw- uh, Princess Sparkle lives."

"A library?" the mare declaims in frustration, "Nine years; I've been out of touch with the world for nine years and now She has a Princess living in a library? Whatever happened to The Dignity of The Crown?!"

Trixie meekly shrugs and watches the mare walk away, fuming. Never in her life had Trixie been so happy to see the hind end of a mare. Yet, curiosity had its hooks in her again. As uncomfortable as that conversation had been, Trixie had to know, needed to know, who this unicorn was.

"Excuse me," the showmare calls out, watching as the mare in question stops abruptly and turns around, "I never got your name."

"I am Sunset Shimmer," the mare replies, "and I am to be an adjunct to Princess Twilight."

Two weeks ago…

An octet of hooves steadily made their way through the halls of Canterlot palace. The wing they strode down was a cordoned off section that had not seen hide nor hair of anypony in almost a decade. Even with a warm summer breeze pervading the corridor, Princess Luna couldn't quite get the chill running down her spine to subside.

"Praytell, Tia, whatever are we doing here?" The Dark Alicorn asked.

"We're here to meet an old friend," Princess Celestia answered, and even though her voice was light and friendly, there was no disguising the frown that crossed her muzzle.

"You seem distressed, Sister," Luna added, "it is not like you to be so, how it is said, glum, when meeting a friend."

"I know," the lighter alicorn replied, "but this friend is somepony that I- failed."

"Failed?" Luna asked, "Do you mean- like you did with me?"

"In a sense," Celestia said, "but unlike you, she wasn't possessed of her own negative emotions. She was- conceited, avaricious, and ever so impatient. Yet, I do not believe that whatever her mindset, this mare was acting maliciously because she beset by a demonic…"

"Delusion?" Luna reposed, a flicker of shame crawling onto her face. Her sister merely nodded, the Regent of the Sun's eyes firmly closed to hold back tears.

The two marched on, nary a word spoken, until they reached a room in the middle of the hall. A faint glimmer of rose colored light emerged from the chamber, where ruins could be seen edging the portal's frame.

"She's in here," Celestia mumbled, "I pray that this time, she is willing to accept my offer."

Luna's tongue was caught in her mouth. Her sister was being far more cryptic than usual. And given how long she knew Celestia, that was really saying something. She realized the sombre note of these proceedings and elected not to issue a retort . Instead, she watched patiently as Tia's horn begin to emit magic, breaking the seal over the threshold, dissipating the arcane barriers that prevented mundane and curious onlookers from peering inside.

Celesita then walked into the room, Luna flanking her. As the Regent of the Moon peered over the solemn furnishing of the room, the eery chill returned, this time with a vengeance. The floor was covered in sealing runes and wards; an arcane gravity well was set in place in the middle of the room, over which a amber crystal floated in place. The features of the room didn't disturb Luna nearly as much as the pony that was cocooned away inside the crystal itself.

"Who-?" Luna began, as her mind spun up to try to bring itself to some measure of cognitive thought.

"My former student, my greatest failure, second only to you, Dear Sister." Celestia answered, "If she had continued on the course provided, she would be where Princess Twilight now sits in Our Pantheon. Instead-"

"What happened, Tia?" Luna whispered.

"She-" Celestia began, before a saddened hiccup disrupted her, "She was to be my greatest triumph, the newest Princess in Equestria in over a millennium. Well, before Cadence, naturally… She was so gifted, so eager to learn, she practically worshiped me… And- I doted on her like she was of my own blood. Alas, her gaze into The Mirror of Erised was- was fraught with hazards. It awoke a monster within her… She saw what she could become; she found herself enthralled with new ambition. When my methods didn't yield the results she desired…"

"She did as I did, didn't she?" Luna proffered.

Celestia sniffed, tears forming at the corner of her eyes, "Yes, in a way. As you can see, she is a unicorn. She is of some minor house here in Canterlot. gifted, not unlike a certain filly we know… The youngest filly to admitted to my school, before Twilight…"

"Naturally." Luna said, earning a nod from her elder sister.

"She," Tia continued, "she found a tome, one of Starswirl's old journals. Did you know he devised a way to turn an ordinary pony into an alicorn?"

"No," Luna replied, "but it makes sense he would delve into such research. Brilliant as he was, he was always pushing boundaries. Sometimes to the detriment of his fellow ponies."

"Agreed." Tia said, "and this time, to my detriment. She used his spell, became like unto us. She marshaled an army, attempted to wrest the crown from my head. Maybe you can complete the tale?"

"She lost," Luna completed, "she had raw might, but you had ages, neigh, eons of prowess and experience. You bested her in magical combat, didn't you, Sister?"

"Aye," Celestia said, "and for her crimes, she warranted death."

"Or banishment." Luna added ruefully.

"Aye, that, too," Tia continued, "but I had enough sadness from banishing my own sister; I could not and would not suffer another to face such a harrowing experience."

"I'm fine, by the way," Luna remarked, "thanks for asking."

In characteristic giggle, Celestia gave her younger sister a playful glare.

"So, you imprisoned her, in that?" Luna inquired.

"I did," Celestia replied, "not the finest of my hours…"

"And what are we doing here today?" Luna asked, pointing at The Mare Encapsulated in The Gem, "With her?"

"Ah, yes," Tia mused, "Today, we see if my gamble has paid off."

As before, Celestia's horn began to glow. All around, the wards, seals, and other magical controls began to disappear. And, much to Luna's surprise, so did the crystal. She saw the mare within land with a heavy thud to the floor, her coat, mane, and tail matted, bearing the scars and assorted war wounds of her last battle. The mare shivered upon realizing her mode of imprisonment was gone. Luna noted the sense of fear emanating from her…

"Wha-?" moaned the mare, "What's going-?"

The formally captive mare gasped as she saw the two alicorns standing nearby, the darker one with a look of curious pity, the lighter one with a somber, serious hum in her throat.

"Good morning, my former student," Celestia announced, "welcome back to Equestria, Sunset Shimmer."

Okay, that's it! That is the sixth time today the Rainbow Dash has buzzed me today and I have had it! It's bad enough Midway suspended me indefinitely from work pending my apologies to RD. (How in the fuck was I to know that she and him were tight?) Before even that, though, there was the soap opera antics to Rarity while I tried to issue a heartfelt apology about the other day. She was going in extra, extra melodrama mode about the now confirmed rumors of the failed courtship between RD and myself. She wailed on end about how devastating it must have been for a mare of her caliber to be cast off by some hairless monkey.

When I finally did get her calm enough to explain that I was here to apologize for my antics regarding the suit, she didn't want to hear me; she acted like she had ear muffs on her. I gave up trying to explain; she was more furious at me about Rainbow Dash then the suit, although Ms. Sweetmint mentioned that the suit was revised. She couldn't show me the result, on Rarity's orders, so I had to take what Charity said at face value.

Then comes Midway, telling me in an icy voice that I don't have to come in to work today. Then he lays into me for a half hour about commitments and promises. Honestly, I tuned most of it out. I have enough trouble as it is. Then came the Dash Attack. What I wouldn't do for one of those energy shields right now… If this keeps up, Dash is not just gonna knock me over, she's gonna bowl over some innocent bystanders in the process. This needs to end now.

Dash is gearing up for another strafing run. I can't evade her forever… Oh, now there's an idea, I could get her caught in a net. But just where in the Hell am I going to get a net large enough.I guess I could run- Wait… Okay, this is odd. Dash is slowing down. It doesn't look she means to, but… Oh, I get what's happening now! It's the same effect I used on Trixie, where I experience time slowing down for me. Is this- No, it can't be. Am I wielding magic?!

No time for that now, Dash is in hot pursuit. Too bad I don't have a cage- Can you feel the weave? Huh? What was that? Can. You. Feel. The. Weave? Uh, I'm gonna go with yes? Imagine your spell and what it does. See it, feel it, than pull it from the aether. That is the mark of a true Archmage. Okay, okay, whatever you say, creepy, disembodied voice.

So I need a cage, or a trap. Maybe a net? Let me think- Do I want a a Predator style net? Nah, that would be gruesome. I need something that stop Dash from flying into me without breaking all the bones her body. Wait, weave? I think I can work with this. Okay, it's like the pot holders I used to make back in Bible Summer Camp. Under, over, under, over, loop. A weave!

Yes, exactly. Now, can you feel the aether? Can you manipulate it?

I can try… Hmm, this is curious. I never noticed this airy, silvery stuff before. It's not really cold or hot. It's just kinda- there. Is that the aether? It is. Now, can you pull at it? By George, I think I can! Alright, gotta weave this stuff. Man, Dash sure is taking her time. She's been flapping that wing for God know how lon- Hold a mo. That wing is still coming down. She hasn't moved an millimeter since this weird freak out began. And- what? Is Dash- crying? Damn it all if she ain't! Wow, she has a face full of rage, and eyes filled with tears! Archmage, you need to focus. Oh, yeah-

Ah, yeah, one weaved net of aether! If I planned this right, the net will lock onto Dash's hooves and trap her, allowing me to get away. I don't know how long the spell will last, but it should keep her occupied for a while. The spell will hold as long you keep it in mind. It can be dismissed only when you desire. That's a good bit of leeway. Thanks! Alright, let me see if I give this alacrity effect a bit of slack. Yeah, there we are. Dash is now moving at roughly three-quarters speed… My aether net is primed to capture her. She's barreling right for me but she doesn't seem the least bit concerned that she's going to knock me down. Wait, spoke to soon, her face gets a quizzical look on it despite the tears…

"Gotcha!" I exclaim.

"Hey, what? Whad'ja'do? Let me down!" Rainbow Dash squawks.

The two of us are in the market square and ponies everywhere are giving us the stink eye. Best to take this elsewhere.

"Are you gonna let me down, or what?" Dash growls.

"Or what," I answer, "you and me need to talk."

Struggling in a net she can't see and thrashing all around, Dash says, "We can talk right here!"

"Nah," I counter, "I want someplace quiet."

"All right," Dash seethes, "where're we goin'?"

I need a minute to formulate a response to this. There aren't that many places in Ponyville that a body can have a private conversation. There were very few outside of Ponyville, too. So where does that leave us? Wait, I know!

"Esmer?" I call.

"You rang?" Esmer calls deeply, then giggling, "I've always wanted to do that!"

"Addams Family, nice!" I exclaim, "Esmer, can you get Dash and myself over to Sweet Apple Acres, over by the the Crusaders Clubhouse?"

"Can do, boss!"

"Get ready for jump," I start, "Esmer, was that you telling me about the aether and the weave and everything?"

"I don't think so, boss," Esmer says, "I was doing routine maintenance checks."

"Well, yeah, that makes sense," I muse, "the voice I heard has a deeper registry, very masculine."

"EXCUSE ME?!" rasps RD, "you mind tellin' me what we're doin'?"

"Neutral ground," I retort, "Esmer, if you please?"

"You got it, Boss! CON-TACT!"

Good news about these new skills I've devised/learned/come into: getting warp zoned doesn't dispel them. According to the voice that spoke to me, I could undo the weave with but a though. But first, I wanted to experiment a little. While Dash is thrashing about in my aether net, yes, I went there, I begin pulling the threads of the weave. The strands respond less to my touch than they do my thoughts. So when I think that a certain strand needs to pull to the right, it pulls to the right. I can be totally hand free with this if I so chose. So awesome…! with Dash captive in my net, I can pull strands hither and thither and her limbs are given no choice to be obey the weave as it pulls, pushes, expands and contracts. The heady feeling of control is starting to me lightheaded…

"Dash-" I say to the thrashing Pegasus, but she's a flurry of activity that is several decibels louder than I can manage to shout, "Dash-" She utters a few choice Equish swears pass through her lips. "Dash-!" Still nothing.

"RAINBOW PRISM DASH!"

Holy fuck! That was LOUD! That was- was- I think the only equivalent is the Royal Canterlot Voice. Whatever it was, it's got Dash's attention. (And a trickle of fright, I may add, too.)

"I'm gonna set you down now," I explain, manipulating the weave to set her upright on all four hooves, "if you promise, and it better be a Pinkie Promise, that you won't attack me again, then I'll let you go. Crystal?"

"Crystal," Dash replies, her voice a mere whisper of it's normal tomboy swagger, "I cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

I nod, and dismiss the weave; the silvery vapor only I can see evaporates into nothing.

"So, this is about last night," I begin.

"Don't," Dash growls venomously, "I don't wanna remember."

"Fuck that," I spit, "we're talking about this. I don't know if you remember, but I told you that I wasn't completely enthused with this herd idea. I'm pretty sure I made that abundantly clear last night."

Dash gives me a querulous look; she isn't having this this afternoon.

"Okay, I should have handled things better than I did. I was a complete asshole for storming off like that, I get it. But from what I learned this morning, Flutters needed me. She- she had a flashback to something terrible last night while you and I were- or at least tried to, in any case, start. Like you, there's no way I would abandon a friend, even though I pretty much did that to you. My only excuse is that I love Fluttershy and I couldn't in any conscience let her face this trauma by herself. I know this a roundabout way of saying this, but I'm sorry."

Dash is still looking querulous; nothing I've said has made an impact.

"Oh, is that what it is?" Dash retorts, "Perfect Little Fluttershy, who is oh so helpless and oh so darling needs her big, strong hooman to help her out. Meanwhile, I'm sitting here, pouring my heart out to some insensitive idiot who can't even see I'm head-or-hooves in love with him!"

Oh, goddamnit, Dash…

"Are you jealous of Flutters, Dash?" I ask.

"OF COURSE I'M JEALOUS!" screams the prismatic Pegasus bitterly, "I'm not that one that every stallion in town ogles at every time I set hoof in town! I'm not that one that every mare in Equestria wants to emulate! I'm not a former fashion model admired by even the most popular of supermodels, Fleur-De-Lis! I'm just Rainbow Dash, the hard bodied, death defying, utterly amazing stunt mare that not even the WONDERBOLTS would take a second glance at! Heck, even Rarity got more attention to me when she had those gossamer wings!! So why wouldn't I be jealous when my very best friend has the stallion that I love. It's not like any stallion would have me anyway…"

"Well, that- that cuts right to the middle of it," I say, "Dash, ugh, you are, most likely, the single most amazing entity I've ever encountered. And I've met with Lady Celestia and Lady Luna, so that should tell you something. I don't- quite understand why you seem so bent over me. I honestly don't get it. Yet, I don't think you understand just how hard I work to keep in Fluttershy's good graces and how often I find myself frustrated to no end because of her compassionate nature. But that what draws me to her in the first place: she's everything I am not. You- You are too much like me, in quite a few respects. If we were to get together I'm betting we'd be at wits end by the end of a week, let alone a month."

"But-" I cut Dash off, because she is almost beyond seeing; her obsession over me is that strong.

"Okay, admittedly, Flutters and I look good. On paper. I gotta tell you though, we do have our fair share of arguments. They're usually fairly quiet and none of the furniture gets bandied about, but they happen."

"Oh, yeah," Dash challenges, "name one."

"I can name several," I reply, "but I'm going to give the biggest I can think of and it happened only just a few day ago."

I explain that Flutters and I were feeding the chickens that morning. It was a warm and sunny Tuesday, if memory serves me right. We were laughing it up a bit, and enjoying each other's company, and the chickens antics, that we didn't notice how quiet it had gotten near the Everfree. When we did notice, we also paid heed to the lack of other animals nearby; they seemed to have fled for cover. That's when Flutters paled in fright and when I looked here she did, so did I.

Standing at the fringe of Flutters property, foam dripping from lethal fangs, stood a cyclone of manticores. There were tow large males and slender female, who was storm leader, by the looks of things. With Flutters and I the largest targets in sight and the chicken coop behind us, the manticores were looking at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Flutters backed away towards the coop, barricading herself against the entrance. She gave a small trill and a puma, whose name I later learned was Katherine, and Fluttershy's ursine pal, Harry, emerged from the other side of the clearing. They took in the sight of the manticores and while looking scared, dove forward and engaged the two males.

The female advanced on us, a ravenous growl coming from it's open maw. I didn't have the brute strength of a bear or the claws of a puma, but I did have the barrier shield, if I could deploy it, to defend against this creature. I felt a rush of power, different from any time I found the shield erected before, course through me. With the shield up, the manticore was denied it's choice of appetizers; it's entree was putting up greater resistance that anticipated. The puma and Harry were holding their own against the others in the cyclone, but that soon changed.

The female 'core bellowed, something akin to a train whistle through an amplifier, and the cyclone regrouped. This time, the largest of the males took on Harry and the puma, while the female and the smaller male advanced. They rushed past me, in my surprise my shield failed, and the slipped past heading for Fluttershy. I felt lost, hopeless. Here were two beasts that Flutters had encountered before, but her stare was failing now. These were not the manticores she had seen before; these monsters were out for blood.

Cadavera Ardevarda… I heard, rend from flesh and make undone…

I don't know why I heard that voice, which was even more of a whisper than Flutters normal speaking voice, or what spirit possessed me to even think of casting with those words, but all though was driven from me by the advancing manticores on My Butterfly…

"Cadavera Ardevarda!!" I shouted.

The larger male stopped when I bellowed. Then it- shrank, like it was getting hollowed out where it stood. Then it- then it erupted into a claret geyser. Minuscule pieces of the body fell down, a claw, the stinger, an ear, a fang, then there wasn't a manticore anymore. The female stopped her charge and turned on heel. Seeing her pack mate obliterated, she then scrambled to me to rend me limb from limb. Yeah, that was happening…

"Cadavera Ardevarda!!" I bellowed again. Once more, the creature shrank, then detonated into a fountain of blood and giblets. I was very humorlessly reminded of the computer game, Doom, especially when the chainsaw was in use against the Hellions of Io. The last standing member of the cyclone paused, looking at the scene before him. A lone human, with naught but a word, destroyed his pack leader and wingman. Even though he held off a bear and a puma, this was too much for the beast. It broke the engagement and turned tail, bounding in overwatch towards the Everfree. I think I saw the lug tuck his stinger between his legs…

Fluttershy, incomprehensible about this all, then rushed to aid her two animal defenders. Harry had taken a stinger to his arm. Thankfully, the manticore wasn't pushing any venom; Harry was exhausted, but fine by all accounts. The puma Katherine was in a worse state, but overall fared better in the fight. She took a paw to the ribs, and a trio of claw marks seeped blood. She, too, was exhausted by the fight; her tawny coat glistened with sweat. After attending to her companions, Flutters then rounded on me. She wanted to know what I did and what happened to her attackers. I did my best to explain but I didn't much understand it myself, so I could only offer a hypothesis.

This did not please My Butterfly in the least. She railed against me for hours, letting me know in no uncertain terms that I was not allowed to such things, even if it was perceived that her life was endanger. She couldn't believe I would be so heartless as to destroy those manticore, but no amount of reasoning persuaded Flutters. Even in the face of certain death, Fluttershy shows kindness… It was our most tense argument to date. Eventually, Fluttershy forgave me. She had to thank me for saving her life, once again. And, ah, the sex! You don't even wanna know…

Rainbow was still miffed when I finished. I could see in the glint of her eyes that was still fuming and was determined to win this game, even if it wasn't a game neither Flutters or myself wanted to play.

"You say that, Steve," Dash warned, "but it doesn't matter. I'm never gonna give you up."

Inwardly, I groaned; if she continued with "never gonna let you down," I was gonna get the Equestrian version of Rickrolling. She didn't, but the thought wouldn't leave my mind ever after she took off. I walked back to town in a dour mood. Of course, this being Ponyville (quite possibly the largest little town in the known Universe), rumors spread about the failed menage-a-trois. As I passed by the Boutique to check on my suit, I was forced to listen as Rarity had some rather choice words for her spa mate. The weren't all ladylike words, either. (At least my suit was looking better. I caught a glimpse of it when Rarity wasn't looking. The slacks were still too short, but the shoulders in the jacket were back to a more normal look.)

Arguably, Rarity is one of the prettiest mares, and to some the prettiest, in Ponyville, if not elsewhere. As Rarity vented her considerable spleen about my "deplorable actions" with Rainbow Dash, she just happened to mention the herd. I cringed as she let her unfavorable opinion of that out, unknowingly allowing a certain mulberry drake to listen in. When I saw him, his face drooped in despair before turning to me and giving my the most vile look he could muster. Before Rarity finished her rant, he stomped out of the Boutique. I made to chase after him, but the fashionista bodily checked me to the floor so she could continue to rage against me.

I'd like to say the next few days were better, but admittedly, they were most certainly not. I got glares, angry leers, grimaces of uttermost contempt- and those were the nicer ponies. I actually got chased away from Roseluck's both while trying to get some pansies for Flutters garden. My only solace in this mess was Applejack, who should have been more sympathetic than most. Unfortunately, I hadn't seen her most of the week and Big Mac, when he caught sight of me, decided my business wasn't worth it and refused to sell me any apples without a ridiculous amount of markup. I left the market that day empty handed.

The worst didn't come until today when Dash, keeping to her promise, dived bombed me as I was walking down Stirrup Road. It was strangely fitting that Fanny Lu's No Tu Eres Para Me was pumping from my earphones. Even stranger, during the song, the whole town acted out various bits from the song and even sang some of it. I'm pretty sure Fanny Lu isn't a household name here on Terra Firme, but Ponyvillians belted out the tune with no trouble whatsoever. They even performed a dance number at the bridge that I was forced to perform alongside in an impromptu disguise. I swear, by all things bright, the whole town was going to go Bollywood or Bust on me. She still spots me, so I said a quick prayer to Our Blessed Lady of Acceleration to not fail me now. The song ended, as did the musical number, when I reached my loft at Sweet Apple Acres and bolted shut the door, keeping Rainbow Dash out.

Exhausted as I am now, I couldn't rest. I was frustrated, I was ostracized, and I was turned into a pariah. My own damn fault really. I should have never allowed Dash to get that far so quickly… Hey, did I just see Applejack? I'm pretty sure that was Ay Jay. Applebloom shares her sister's coat, but her mane is a shock of scarlet; Ay Jay's mane is a tumble of blonde tresses. She sounds- upset. I wonder what's wrong.

I have to- No, wait, you don't have to do anything, boyo. Your Black Irish ass should just set her and wallow in you misery. You should- Damn. Well, it is said that misery loves company. Okay, I'm unbolting the door now… Need to make a quick check that Dash is waiting to ambush me. Okay, I don't see a rainbow hued mane or tail from the clouds above and I definitely don't detect that smell of curry and paprika in the air. And now that I listen closely, I hear feminine sobbing and not the kind Dash does. Now where is it coming from? It's not here up at the homestead… Hmm, it sounds like coming from the Southfold of the orchard. I'll check there.

Why are there so many trees?! Oh, wait, this is an apple orchard! Gadoy! The sobbing is louder here. Now I just need to source it. The trees ain't helping much; they make a perfect auditory baffle. And considering my quarry is a pony, that means the sound is supposed to come from the ground, but the trees make it sound like it's coming from all directions.

I don't know where I'm going. The orchard is dense with apple trees; finding a lone mark without a map is nigh impossible. I should just- no, wait, I see her! Whoa-! Who up and killed Applejack's dog? (I know the name of the pooch; she's called Winona. It's just an expression.) I don't think I've ever seen Applejack so downhearted before. From the tears cascading down her muzzle, you think she just been told she has cancer and has than a week to live.

"Ay Jay?" I call out.

"Huh," the apple farmer starts, "oh, Steve, I didn't see ya there."

I tilt my head in confusion.

"Sorry ya saw me like this," she explains, "I just- I just ain't had the best day, is all."

"Well," I begin, "if by the best day you mean you just found out that you lost something most precious to you, then I'd hate to see a bad day."

Ay Jay sniffled, apparently ill at ease with whatever was eating her up.

"I-" Ay Jay starts, "I don't know what ya'll talkin' 'bout."

"Really, Ay Jay?"

Ay Jay, as strong mentally as she is physically, looks like she's about to burst into a fountain of tears. I don't know what the fuck is going on, but my friend is hot mess and is in need of comfort. She turns to me with eyes fit to burst.

"Steve, do ya think I'm purty?" Ay Jay queries.

"I'd say you be fetching, yeah," I answer, "why do ya ask?"

Ay Jay stops and starts, her mouth opening but no sound comes forth. Then just breaks down. She wails the way of the damned. I bend to my knees, taking the weeping mare into my arms. She takes to me, lowering her muzzle into my right shoulder and sobbing to no end. My prompts to tell me what's wrong go unanswered for a long while.

"He called me a skinny, colt-tease, no flank whorse," Ay Jay finally admitted, "he left me for some high falootin', chunky little filly at his f'vr'te bar. Can ya believe it?"

"Just who're we talkin' 'bout here?" I ask.

"Lone Star," Ay Jay says, "Lone Star done up an'-" then the weeping starts again.

Christ, this is about as bad as when Flutters was crying the other night. She was having a PTSD episode; Ay Jay here sounds like she got dumped. And to think I actually liked that colt…

"Ay Jay," I call; the farmer is still crying, "Jackie, listen to me."

The gamboge Earth mare finally starts sobbing. Her eyes are swimming in unshed tears, and her voice, well, it was as steady as a painter can mixer set on high.

"Y-yeah?"

"I don't think I should tell you just how many stallions in town are watching you as walk about town. I think only Fluttershy gets as much male attention. Now mind you, the selection and quality here is pretty damn low. You'd have a better chance of getting a good stallion if you left for Zebrica, like now."

Ay Jay giggles a bit at this, even though the smile on her face doesn't necessarily reach her eyes, "Yeah, I guess yer right."

"You're a good mare, Applejack Apple," I continue, "You're honest, hard working, and easy to get along with. You know these things. You're also damn cute, if I do say so myself. It takes a strong mind, and a strong heart, to continue a family business the way you do. And I've never seen a family as strong knit as yours. That says something about you that can't be put into words easy. So what if Lone Star can't see what I see. Hell, you're the best thing to ever happen to him and if he can't see that, well he and prairie dogs got something in common: they're both blind!"

"Aw, yer just saying that," Ay Jay laments, "I ain't nothin' special."

"You know," I scoff, "for the Element of Honesty, you sure don't know the truth about yerself. Jackie, you are a beautiful mare, inside and out. Don't you ever forget that."

Ay Jay looks at me like I have an extra pair of ears, then smiles, a wide, genuine smile. She then nuzzles into my chest, tears of joy spilling on her cheeks.