Chapter 1

It was a bright and sunny day in the land of Equestria, and at the docks of Manehatten, some ponies were getting on a huge ship to go to the new world. Many ponies were bidding farewell to those who were going to the new world. One of the ponies going to the new world was a unicorn named Dusk Shine. He was saying goodbye to his sister named Princess Cadence, his brother-in-law named Prince Tempo who is the male version of herself, and their daughter named Sweetie Belle who gave him a light purple hat. Just then, a pegasai pony with a pale, light grayish rose mane, moderate cyan eyes, and three pink butterflies for his cutie mark named Butterscotch stepped out onto the docks while carrying a brown bag. "Ready to hoist the cannon?" The captain named Top Notch asked. "Aye!" A pegasai pony named Soarin said. A unicorn named Sunset Glare looked out, and saw Butterscotch as he said "Hey look! Is that Butterscotch?" "That's him, all right. the old sea pony." A unicorn named Elusive said. Dusk Shine got on the ship, looked at Butterscotch, and said "Captain Butterscotch! I've heard some amazing stories about him!"

Sunset Glare looked at Butterscotch, and said "Are you coming on this voyage, too?" "Of course he is, you half-wit." Elusive said. "You can't fight savages without Butterscotch." Butterscotch flew to the ship, and said "That's right. I'm not about to let you colts have all the fun." Suddenly, the carriage arrived at the docks, and parked near the red carpet near the pony guards. The carriage door opened, and out stepped a unicorn with a light amber mane, light brilliant arctic blue eyes, a white prince's outfit, and a rose compass for his cutie mark named Prince Blueblood. Next to him is is pet dog named Winona, and following them was a unicorn named Trixie. They walked to the ship, and once they got on board, they prepared to make sail. The ponies at the docks waved goodbye as the ship started to sail. Butterscotch walked to the front of the ship, and looked out into the sea.

A few hours later, a storm suddenly started brewing, and the crew were trying to keep the ship steady. "Full anchor release!" Top Notch said. "Come on, lads, come on!" Soarin said. "Give me a hoof, somepony!" A unicorn named Trenderhoof said. "Watch out!" Another unicorn named Claude said. "Faster! She's taking up more water!" Top Notch said. "Look out!" Claude said. "Butterscotch! Get down here!" Dusk Shine said. "The cannons are breaking loose!" Butterscotch flew down, and helped him keep the cannons from breaking loose. Butterscotch looked at Trenderhoof, and "Reef the topsails!" "Aye, sir!" Trenderhoof said as he did as Butterscotch said. "Steady on the course." Butterscotch as he was helping Dusk Shine keeping the cannons from breaking loose. "It's all right, Thomas. We'll get her tied off." When Top Notch saw a huge tidal wave coming, he said "Say your prayers, lads!" "Look out!" Trenderhoof said as the tidal wave started coming in on the pony sailors. "Oh no!" Claude said as the tidal wave came crashing down on them. "Dusk Shine, watch out!" Butterscotch said as the tidal wave forced Dusk Shine off of the ship. "Help!" Dusk Shine said as he struggled to swim back to the ship. "Pony overboard!" An earth pony named Cheese Sandwich called out from the crow's nest.

"Help!" Dusk Shine called out. "Stay your course!" Elusive said. "He's lost!" Butterscotch quickly tied a rope to himself, looked at Claude, and said "Pull the pin!" "Aye sir!" Claude said as he did what Butterscotch told him. Butterscotch jumped into the sea as Elusive said "Butterscotch! Butterscotch! Are you crazy?!" "Hang on, Dusk Shine. I've got you." Butterscotch as he held onto Dusk Shine, and kept him from drowning. "Quick, the rope!" Sunset Glare said as he, and the other ponies grabbed the rope that snapped, and almost fell into the sea. "Heave!" Elusive said as he, and the other ponies started to pull Butterscotch and Dusk Shine back onto the ship. "Come on, lads, pull! Pull! Pull! Put your back into it!" "Pull! Pull!" Trenderhoof said. "Hang on!" Sunset Glare said. "Yeah!" Trenderhoof said as they finally got Butterscotch and Dusk Shine onto the ship. As Dusk Shine coughed from the water, Elusive put a blue blanket on him, and said "There, my lucky lad." "Well, that was refreshing." Butterscotch said shaking the water off of him. "Well done, Butterscotch." Sunset Glare said smiling. "Of course." Butterscotch said. "You'd all do the same for me."

Elusive thought for a minute, and said "Oh, sure, sure, of course we would." "Yes, yes, yes. We would." Sunset Glare said. "Absolutely." Elusive said. Prince Blueblood appeared when the storm finally calmed down, and said "Trouble on deck?" "Prince Blueblood." Dusk Shine said standing up. "Dusk Shine fell overboard, sir." Butterscotch said. "Thank Celestia he's been successfully retrieved." Prince Blueblood said. "Well done, Butterscotch." Butterscotch nodded, and said "Thank you, sir." "Don't lose heart, gentlecolts." Prince Blueblood said talking to the ponies. "It won't belong before we reach the new world, and remember what awaits us there: freedom." Winona barked with joy. "Prosperity." Prince Blueblood said continuing his speech. Winona barked two times. "The adventure of our lives." Prince Blueblood said. "You are the finest crew Manehatten has to offer, and nothing, nor wind, nor rain, nor a thousand bloodthirsty savages shall stand in our way. Carry on, gentlecolts!" The ponies cheered at the speech as Prince Blueblood started to walk back to his quarters with Trixie following him with an umbrella above his head she was carrying with her magic as she said "A stirring oration, sir. I'm sure the stallions were most exhilarated." "Let us hope so." Prince Blueblood said as he looked at Winona. "I'll need those witless peasants to dig up my gold, won't I?" Winona nodded in agreement.

Back on deck, the ponies started cleaning the ship from the storm as Dusk Shine said "This new world's going to be great, Butterscotch. I'm going to get a pile of gold, build me a big house, and if any savage tries to stop me, I'll blast him." "You just worry about that fortune of yours, Dusk Shine." Butterscotch said. "Leave the savages to me." "You think they'll give us much trouble?" Sunset Glare asked. "Not much as trouble as Butterscotch will give them!" Elusive said as he, and the other ponies started to cheer and celebrate. As Butterscotch and Dusk Shine climbed to the top of the ship, Dusk Shine said "What do you suppose the new world will look like?" "Like all the others, I suppose." Butterscotch said as he looked beyond the horizon. "I've seen hundreds of new worlds, Dusk Shine. What could possibly be different about this one?" Little do they know, they were soon to find out.

In a small village called Ponyville, a group of ponies led by the Ponyville chief named Shining Armor were traveling by small boats because they were returning from the war they had won. A pegasai pony named Flash Sentry saw the boats, and blew his horn. A unicorn named Fancy Pants got the signal, and he ran to the cliff overlooking the field of corn where a group of ponies were gathering some corn. He blew his horn, and the ponies took their baskets full of corn as they ran to the river. The ponies waved to the boats as they passed by. Two ponies were fishing in the water, and the saw the boats as they waved. Some ponies were gardening, and some were walking back to the village with baskets filled with food. An elderly earth pony named Pappy Smith was entertaining a group of colts with a rabbit made from the smoke that was made from the fire. They looked to see the boats coming in, and they followed the other ponies. The boats stopped near the shore, and the ponies got out as the walked to the shore. Shining Armor walked to the shore as some of the ponies cleared the path for him. He looked back, and smiled as he saw loved ones being reunited.

"Ka-ma wingapo, Shining Armor." Pappy Smith said as he hugged Shining Armor who said "Ay-man-ay-cho, Pappy Smith. It's good to be home." He turned to the ponies, and said "Chesk-cham-ay! The Appleloosa ponies are defeated! With the help of our brothers, our villages are safe again!" The ponies cheered with delight. "Your return has brought much joy to the village." Pappy Smith said looking at the smiling faces of the ponies. "Look at all the smiling faces." "Yes, but there is one smiling face I don't see." Shining Armor said. "Where is my daughter?" Pappy Smith smiled, and said "You know Fluttershy. She has her mother's spirit. She goes wherever the wind takes her." Meanwhile at a very high cliff a few miles away from Ponyville, Fluttershy who is the female counterpart of Butterscotch was standing on the edge, feeling the wind on her face, and her mane. She then heard a voice that said "Fluttershy!" She looked down to see her earth pony best friend named Pinkie Pie who said "Your father's back! Come down here!" Fluttershy looked at her breezie friend named Twilight Sparkle, and said "He's back, Twilight!" "Let's go!" Twilight Sparkle said smiling. A little white rabbit named Angel was laying on a berry bush, eating berries when Fluttershy ran past him, and said "Come on, Angel!" Angel finished eating his berries, and followed Fluttershy.

Then Fluttershy suddenly stopped, looked back, and suddenly started running in that direction. When she jumped off the cliff, Pinkie Pie panicked, and said "No, not that...way!" Fluttershy dove right into the water. Pinkie Pie shook her head, and said "Show off." Then Angel jumped off the cliff, and he realized that he made a big mistake doing that. As began to panic, Twilight Sparkle flew to him, and said "Angel! How many times do I have to tell you?! Look before you leap!" Angel suddenly grabbed Twilight Sparkle, much to her dismay, and they plunged into the water. "Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie called out unaware of Fluttershy sneaking up on her from behind. "Fluttershy? Are you all right? Well, you better be all right, because I'm not coming in after you...!" She yelped as Fluttershy tipped the boat over. Under the boat, Pinkie Pie looked at Fluttershy who came up to her, and said "Don't you think we're getting a little old for these games?" Fluttershy responded by spitting water in her face, and they started giggling and splashing water at each other. Twilight Sparkle recovered from what happened to her, and she got so mad. She looked at Angel climbing onto the boat, and tried to get back at him, but he slipped, and she got stuck onto the boat. "Ow." She muttered in pain.

"Help me turn this thing over." Fluttershy said. Twilight Sparkle panicked, and muttered "No, no, no!" But she was too late, because Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie already turned the boat over, leaving her in the water. As they climbed back into the boat, Pinkie Pie said "What were you doing up there?" Angel climbed onto the boat as Fluttershy said "Thinking." As Angel shook the water off of himself, Fluttershy said "Angel!" "About the dream again?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Oh, have you figured it out yet?" Fluttershy squeezed the water out of her mane, and said "I know it means something, I just don't know what." "You should ask your father about it." Pinkie Pie said. "Maybe I should." Fluttershy said. Angel pointed to the end of the boat, and Fluttershy pulled Twilight Sparkle out of the water as she said "Come on, Twilight. Quit playing around, we have to get back. Angel poked Twilight Sparkle's belly, making her spit the water out. "I'm okay." She muttered. They then pattled back to Ponyville.

Moments later, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, and Angel arrived at Ponyville, and they joined the crowd listening to Shining Armor talking about the war against the Appleloosa ponies. "Faced a determined enemy." Shining Armor said. "The battle lasted from the rising of the sun until the evening shadows fell. Our warriors fought with courage, but none as bravely as Starbeam Glamour." He placed a bear mark on Starbeam Glamour's hoof, and said "He attacked with the fierce strength of the bear. He has proven himself to be the greatest..." Pinkie Pie looked at Starbeam Glamour, and said "Oh, he's so handsome!" "I especially love his smile." Fluttershy said looking at his frown as if he doesn't feel anything at all. "Tonight we will feast in his honor." Shining Armor said. As the ponies cheered, Fluttershy went up to father who said "My daughter." Fluttershy hugged him, and said "Wingapo, father!" "Seeing you gives me great joy." Shining Armor said. "I am so glad you've come home safely." Fluttershy said. "Come with me." Shining Armor said. "We have much to talk about. I want to hear everything you've been doing." Fluttershy and Shining Armor went inside their large house as Twilight Sparkle and Angel entered through the hole in the roof.

"Father, for many nights now, I've been having a very strange dream." Fluttershy said. "I think it's telling me something's about to happen. Something exciting." "Yes, something exciting is about to happen." Shining Armor said. Fluttershy smiled, and said "Really, what is it?" "Starbeam Glamour has seeked your hoof in marriage." Shining Armor said. Fluttershy frowned, and said "Marry Starbeam Glamour?" Twilight Sparkle smiled, and said "Ooh! How exciting!" Angel just gagged in disgust as Shining Armor said "I told him that it would make my heart soar." Fluttershy looked out the window to see Starbeam Glamour standing near the fillies and colts, and ignoring them, and said "But he's so...serious." "My daughter, Starbeam Glamour will make a fine husband." Shining Armor said "He is loyal and strong and will build you a good house with sturdy walls. With him, you will be safe from harm." As Angel pretended to be Starbeam Glamour, much to Twilight Sparkle's dismay, Fluttershy said "Father, I think my dream is pointing me down another path." "This is the right path for you." Shining Armor said. "But why can't I choose-?" Fluttershy tried to say, but because that Angel played around so much, he fell from the shelf, and landed on Fluttershy's back.

"Fluttershy, come with me." Shining Armor said as he and Fluttershy walked out of their house to look at the river nearby. "You are the daughter of the chief of Ponyville. It is time to take your place among our tibe of ponies. Even the wild mountain stream must someday join the big river as the river cuts his path. Though the river's proud and strong, he will choose the smoothest course. That's why the rivers live so long. Because they're steady like steady beating drums." He gave Fluttershy an element of kindness necklace that once belonged to her mother named Glimmer Shield, and said "Your mother wore this for our wedding. It was her dream to see you wear it at your own." Fluttershy put the necklace on, and Shining Armor said "It suits you." Later that day, Fluttershy was sitting near the river when Angel and Twilight Sparkle went over to her. "Ooh! What a pretty necklace you have!" Twilight Sparkle said. "Thanks. It was my mother's." Fluttershy said. "So, what did your father say?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "He wants me to be steady. Like the river." Fluttershy said. They looked at the river, and suddenly, two brown otters popped out, startling Twilight Sparkle and Angel. As the otters swam away, Fluttershy giggled, and said "But's not steady at all. Come on, Twilight and Angel, we'll go see Grandmother Princess Celestia. She'll know what to say about my dream." Angel hopped on Fluttershy's back, and Twilight Sparkle hopped on her head, and as Fluttershy began to fly, they took off, following the river that leads through the Everfree Forest.

Moments later, they arrived at the shady tree in the middle of the lake that connects to the river. The animals inside the tree woke up as they went up the tree, and sat down on the stump. "Is that my Fluttershy?" A voice asked. "Grandmother Princess Celestia, I need to talk to you." Fluttershy said. The bark on the tree came to life, and Princess Celestia' face was formed as she said "Good morning, dear mare. I was hoping you'd visit today." She gasped at the sight of Glimmer Shield's necklace, and said "Oh! Why, your mother's necklace!" "That's what I wanted to talk to you about." Fluttershy said. "My father wants me to marry Starbeam Glamour." "Starbeam Glamour?" Princess Celestia asked. "But he's so serious." Fluttershy chuckled, and said "I know. My father thinks it's the right path for me. But lately, I've been having this dream, and I think it's-." Princess Celestia interrupted her, and said "Oh, a dream! Let's hear all about it!" The animals started chattering excitedly as Princess Celestia said "Quiet!" When the animals didn't listen, Princess Celestia took a deep breath, and said "QUIET!" A frog ribbited, and Princess Celestia glared at him. The frog gulped, and hid under a lilypad. "Now, dear mare, you were saying." Princess Celestia said. "Well, I'm running through the Everfree Forest." Fluttershy said. "And then, right there in front of me, is an arrow. As I look at it, it starts to spin." "A spinning arrow." Princess Celestia said. "How unusual."

Fluttershy nodded, and said "Yes. It spins faster and faster and faster until suddenly it stops." "Hmm. Well, it seems to me, this spinning arrow is pointing you down your path." Princess Celestia said. "But, Grandmother Princess Celestia, what is my path?" Fluttershy asked. "How am I ever going to find it?" "Your mother asked me the very same question." Princess Celestia said. "She did?" Fluttershy asked. "What did you tell her?" "I told her to listen." Princess Celestia said. "All around you are spirits, dear mare. They live in the earth, the water, the sky. If you listen, they will guide you." Suddenly the wind started blowing agains the leaves. "I hear the wind." Fluttershy said. "Yes." Princess Celestia said. "What is it telling you?" "I don't understand." Fluttershy said. "You will understand if you listen with your heart." Princess Celestia said. Fluttershy then began listening with her heart, and then she said "It's saying: Something's coming. Strange clouds." She flew to the top of the tree while being followed by Twilight Sparkle, and Angel who was climbing on the tree. They reach the top, and looked ahead. Twilight Sparkle screamed, and flew back down into the tree. Angel screamed, and followed Twilight Sparkle as the animals hid in the tree. "What do you see?" Princess Celestia asked. "Clouds." Fluttershy said. "Strange clouds."

The strange clouds were actually sails because the boat that came from Manehatten had arrived. Inside a cabin, Prince Blueblood looked out onto the water, and said "Look at it, Trixie. An entire new world chock full of gold just waiting for me." "And scores of adventures waiting for us." Trixie said as she was grooming Winona with a brush. "Right, Winona?" Winona barked as if she's saying that's right. As Trixie sprayed Winona with some perfume, she said "Do you think we'll meet some savages?" "If we do, we shall be sure to give them a proper Manehatten greeting." "Ooh, gift baskets." Trixie said as she lifted some gift baskets with her magic. Prince Blueblood rolled his eyes as he muttered "And she came so highly recommended." He took out a map, and then sat down at his desk as he opened the map to look at it. Just then, Butterscotch knocked on the door, opened it, and walked up to the desk as he said "It's perfect, Governor. The water's deep enough. We can pull right up to shore." He patted Winona's head, and said "Hey, there, Winona." As Winona glared and growled at him, Prince Blueblood said "Very well, then. Give the order." "Already done, sir." Butterscotch said. "I've got a crew assembled, and they're ready to go." "About the natives." Prince Blueblood said. "I'm counting on you to make sure those filthy heathens don't disrupt our mission." "Well, if they're anything like the savages I've fought before, it's nothing I can't handle."

"Right." Prince Blueblood said as he poured some apple cider into his glass. "That'll be all, Butterscotch. There's a good stallion." Butterscotch then patted Winona on the head again as he said "See you, Winona." Winona glared and growled at Butterscotch as he walked out, and closed the door. "The stallions like Butterscotch, don't they?" Prince Blueblood asked as Winona growled. "I've never been a popular pony." "I like you." Trixie said. "And don't think I don't know what those back stabbers at court say about me." Prince Blueblood said. As Trixie placed a black belt on Prince Blueblood, she said "Oh, yes. All that talk about being a pathetic social climber who's failed at everything he's tried." "I'm very well aware that this is my last chance for glory." Prince Blueblood said as Trixie placed a red cape on his back. As he placed his purple on his hat, he said "But mark my words, Trixie. When Prince Artemis sees the gold these peasant ponies unearth, success will be mine at last."

On the deck of the ship, the settlers got ready to get off their ship as Elusive said "Wake up! Shake a leg!" "It's incredible!" Sunset Glare said as he and Dusk Shine lowered the small boat, and looked at the view of the land they arrived at. "And it's all ours." Dusk Shine said in awe. "I've never seen anything like it." "It can look like Blueblood's knickers, for all I care, just as long as we get off of this stinking boat." Elusive said as he placed the wooden ladder on the side of the ship. "Come on, everypony, we didn't come all this way just to look at it." Butterscotch said as he climbed down the wooden ladder while being followed by Dusk Shine, Elusive, and Sunset Glare. As they rowed to shore, the settlers looked around in awe. Fluttershy, Angel, and Twilight Sparkle was going down the hill to get a better look of the newcomers. The settlers looked around their surroundings, completely unaware of Fluttershy, Angel, and Twilight Sparkle watching them. The small boat pulled up to shore, and the settlers got off. Then, the settlers began to pull the ship up to the shore as Elusive said "Keep it taut, everypony, keep it taut! Steady, steady!" "Ah, that's far enough!" Sunset Glare said. "All right now, tie her off." Dusk Shine tossed the end of the rope to Butterscotch as he said "Here, Butterscotch, tie up this end." When he didn't hear a response, he turned around to see Butterscotch flying to the top of a tree, near a cliff on a rock as he said "Butterscotch? Butterscotch? What are you doing up there?!" "Getting a better look!" Butterscotch said.

Fluttershy couldn't help but be attracted to the settler who was busy taking a look of the beautiful view. Angel started to walk to Butterscotch, much to the dismay of Fluttershy, who tried to hold him back, but failed. Twilight Sparkle gasped, and muttered "Angel, no!" She tried to pull him back, but failed, and she flew backwards. Angel bumped into Butterscotch who reacted by taking out his knife, and prepared to strike as he said "Hey!" He looked down to see Angel who smiled near his hooves, and Fluttershy silently gasped in horror. Butterscotch smiled as he put his knife away, and knelt down in front of Angel. Like Fluttershy, Butterscotch is always fond of animals. "Well, you're a strange looking fellow. You hungry?" He took out tiny biscuit, broke it in half, and showed one of the to Angel as he said "Here you go, it's a biscuit. It's food. Well, sort of." Angel took the biscuit, and started eating it as Butterscotch gave him another biscuit, and said "You like it, eh? Well, try eating it for four months straight." Fluttershy smiled at the sight, knowing that the settler likes animals as much as she does. Angel turned to look at Fluttershy, and showed her the biscuit as Butterscotch said "You got a friend back there?" Fluttershy's face paled in fear, and backed away into her hiding face as Butterscotch started walking towards her. Before he could get a better look at Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle flew out of the hiding place to attack him as she said "Leave us alone!"

Butterscotch struggled against Twilight Sparkle as he said "Hey, what, what, watch out!" As he struggled, more biscuits fell out of his bag, and Angel took them all. "No! Get that...look out!" Butterscotch said as he swatted at Twilight Sparkle. "Butterscotch!" Dusk Shine called out from below. "You better get down here! Prince Blueblood's coming ashore!" "All right, all right, I'm leaving." Butterscotch said as he flew down to the other settlers. Twilight Sparkle flew back to Fluttershy who said "Thank you." "You're welcome." Twilight Sparkle said smiling. Angel ate all the biscuits he collected, and ate the crumbs. Back in Ponyville, the ponies had gathered together at Pappy Smith's home as an earth pony named Double Diamond said "Did you see their faces? Very strange and sickly. Another earth pony named Marble Pie nodded, and said "They have eyes that are too dark to be normal." "My brothers, we must know more about these visitors." Shining Armor said. He looked at Pappy Smith, and said "Pappy Smith, what do you see?" Pappy Smith started chanting as he tossed some small rocks into a small fire, and made smoke take on the shapes of the images that he saw. "These are not ponies like us, but strange beasts with bodies that shine like the sun, and weapons that spout fire and thunder." Pappy smith said. "They prowl the land like ravenous wolves consuming everything in their path." As the ponies gasped in fear, Starbeam Glamour stood up from his seat, and said "Great, Shining Armor. I will lead our warriors to the river, and attack! We will destroy these invaders the way we destroyed the ponies from Appleloosa!" "Starbeam, in that battle, we knew how to fight out enemy, but these odd visitors are strange to us." Shining Armor said. "Take some ponies to the river to observe them. Let us hope they do not intend to stay."

Back at the settlement, Prince Blueblood placed a flagpole with a flag for Manehatten on it into the ground, and said "I hereby claim this land, and all its riches in the name of his majesty, Prince Artemis, and do so name this settlement: Unicornia." The pony settlers cheered, and Trixie cheered from the ship as she said "Bravo! Bravo! Beautifully spoken, sir!" As she gave Winona a bath, she said "Hurry now, Winona. We must be all squeaky clean for the New World." She then walked out as Winona relaxed in her bathtub, and ate some maraschino cherries. Angel was climbing on a tree branch near the ship's window, and admired the cherries that Winona was eating. Angel tried to clutch onto the ship's cannon, but he fell and splashed into the bathtub, splashing water in Winona's face. She growled in anger, but became shocked when she saw Angel sitting in her bathtub. Angel placed the cherry that was on Winona's bubbly head into her mouth, and ate all of the cherries in the bowl. He then stole the cherry from her mouth as she glared. Angel ran for his life as Winona chased him. She tried to catch him, but he slipped away and climbed into a tree as she tripped, and fell into a pile of mud.

Prince Blueblood looked around, and said "Captain Butterscotch! It appears I've selected the perfect location, eh? Not a savage in sight." "Just because we don't see them, doesn't mean they're not out there, sir." Butterscotch said. "Well then, perhaps you should venture forth, and determine their whereabouts, hmm?" Prince Blueblood asked. "If there are any savages out there, I'll find them." Butterscotch said as he walked off, unaware of Fluttershy watching him. "Now, gentlecolts, to work." Prince Blueblood said. "You stallions, get the ship unloaded." A group of stallions obeyed as one of them said "Right sir!" Prince Blueblood looked at another group of stallions, and said "You stallions build the fort." They obeyed as he said "The rest of you...break out the shovels! It's time to start digging!" "Digging?" Elusive and Sunset Glare asked at the same time. "Why, of course!" Prince Blueblood said as he placed a map on a wooden table. "Let's not forget what the ponies in Fillydelphia found when they came to the New World. Gold, mountains of it! Why, for years, they've been ravaging the New World of its most precious resources, but now...it's our turn. Okay, everypony, let's get started." The ponies got out the shovels, and started digging for gold.

In the Everfree Forest, Butterscotch walked the trail, and took in all the sights that nature had to offer, unaware of Fluttershy who was watching him. "Oh, my." He said in awe as looked at his surroundings. He flew down a hill, and landed on the ground near the waterfall. He splashed some water in his face. He was about to do it again, but he saw a faint image of Fluttershy in the water he scooped up. He looked up, only to see nothing because Fluttershy hid before he saw her. He placed his helmet he brought with him on his head, and looked around. Fluttershy quietly made her way down the hill, and went through blades of grass, only to see that Butterscotch left already. Angel and Twilight Sparkle poked their heads out, but Fluttershy pushed them down a little. She went up to the spot where Butterscotch was, and hopped on a stepping stone. Little did she know that Butterscotch was hiding behind the water fall, and holding his gun. Fluttershy hopped on another stepping stone, and Butterscotch jumped from behind the waterfall, and prepared to shoot her, but something in him held him back when she looked at him. They stared at each other for a long time as Butterscotch placed his gun on the stepping stone, went into the shallow water, slowly walked up to Fluttershy, and took off his helmet. Suddenly, Fluttershy took off running as Butterscotch said "No, wait!"

Fluttershy ran as fast as she could while being followed by Angel and Twilight Sparkle. They went past the big and old tree, and got into a small wooden boat as Butterscotch caught up with them when he placed the gun on the tree, and said "Please! Please! Don't run off. It's all right. I'm not gonna hurt you. Here, let me help you out of there." Fluttershy said something in Old Equestrian, and Butterscotch didn't get that as he said "You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you? It's all right." Fluttershy looked down at Butterscotch's offered hoof as she began remembering what Princess Celestia said to her. She took the hoof, and Butterscotch pulled her, and the boat towards him, and she stepped on the shore. Twilight Sparkle then got angry, and tried to stop them, but Angel held her back. "Who are you?" Remembering what Princess Celestia said to her earlier, she took a deep breath, and said "Fluttershy." Butterscotch tilted his head in confusion as he said "What? What did you say?" "My name is Fluttershy." Fluttershy said. Angel and Twilight Sparkle stared in shock as Butterscotch said "I'm Butterscotch."

-Meanwhile at the settlement-

The pony settlers were busy digging up the ground while searching for gold as Prince Blueblood said "That's it. Keep at it, everypony. Keep digging. It's got to be here somewhere." "There's thirty more of them down by the ridge." A unicorn named Bluenote while hiding in the bushes with Starbeam Glamour who said "That makes more than a hundred." Prince Blueblood looked down the hole that Dusk Shine was digging in, and said "Anything yet?" "Nothing but rocks and dirt, sir." Dusk Shine said. "Um, how long are we going to keep digging like this, sir?" Sunset Glare asked. "Aye." Elusive said. "We're slaving away, busting our backs day and night for-" Prince Blueblood interrupted him as he said "For prince and country, I know, I know. And I share your fatigue." He took a bite of his hay burger, and said "Mmm, Trixie?" Not too far from the settlement, Trixie was making some topiary animals when she heard Prince Blueblood say "Trixie?!" She quickly finished her horse topiary, and went over to Prince Blueblood as she said "Coming!" Prince Blueblood gave her the half-eaten hay burger as he said "Dispose of this." Trixie then waved the hay burger in front of a bored Winona with her magic as she said "Who's a good doggy, hmm? Who's a good doggy?" She threw the hay burger away as she said "Fetch, girl!"

The hay burger landed near Bluenote, and he took a peek from behind the bushes. Winona spotted Bluenote, and barked in fear. Then everypony noticed the unicorn spying on them as Prince Blueblood said "Savages! It's an ambush! Arm yourselves!" Trixie hid behind one of the topiaries as she said "Run!" Bluenote ran over to Starbeam Glamour as the pony settlers started grabbing their guns. "Make sure everypony has a musket!" Prince Blueblood said as he picked up his musket with his magic. "Shoot!" Dusk Shine ran with his musket, but he tripped on a log, and accidently shot between Prince Blueblood's legs, and the bullet shot through the barrel of water. Prince Blueblood glared at Dusk Shine as he said "Them, you idiot!" The pony settlers then started firing their guns at the Ponyville villagers who shot their arrows at them as Winona hid behind a helmet. Prince Blueblood was shooting from behind a barrel of digging tools. He ran out of bullets, and grabbed another gun as he said "Where's that blasted Butterscotch when I need him?!"

Bluenote prepared to shoot an arrow, but Prince Blueblood spotted him, and shot him in the leg. He fell down and groaned in pain as Starbeam Glamour started running towards him, and said "Bluenote!" Elusive tried to attack Bluenote, but Starbeam Glamour stopped him with his magic. He then picked up Bluenote with his magic as he said "Back to Ponyville!" The pony settlers cheered as the Ponyville vilagers retreated. "Shut up! Shut up, you fools! They'll be back!" Prince Blueblood said. Trixie came out of her hiding place as she shook in fear. "Everypony, back to camp. Get the rest of the cannons ashore, and finish building the fort!" Prince Blueblood said. "Aye, Prince Blueblood." Elusive said. Prince Blueblood glared at Dusk Shine as he said "And you. Learn to use that thing properly. A stallion's not a stallion unless he knows how to shoot." Dusk Shine frowned in despair. In Pappy Smith's home back in Ponyville, Pappy Smith was trying to heal Bluenote's wound as he chanted while his wife named Amethyst Skim tried her best to comfort him. "These beasts invade our shores, and now this!" Shining Armor said in anger.

"This wound is strange to me." Pappy Smith said as Bluenote groaned in pain. "We will fight this enemy, but we cannot do it alone." Shining Armor said. "Starbeam Glamour, send messengers to every village in our nation. We will call on our brothers to help us fight." He walked out of the house, and looked at the pony villagers as he said "These strangers are dangerous! No pony is to go near them!" Pinkie Pie then began to worry about her friend Fluttershy.

At the shady tree near the river, Fluttershy was examining a silver helmet as Butterscotch said "It's called a helmet." "Helmet." Fluttershy said. Twilight Sparkle tapped on the helmet, and she screamed in terror when she realized how big her reflection was. "So, what river is this?" Butterscotch asked. "Quiyoughcohanock." Fluttershy said. "You have the most unusual names here." Butterscotch said. "Chicahominy. Quiyough-Quiyoughcohanock. Fluttershy." "You have the most unusual name, too." Fluttershy said. "Butterscotch." Butterscotch then spotted Angel digging into his bag as he said "Hey!" He pulled the bunny out of the bag as he said "Is this bottomless pit a friend of yours?" "Angel!" Fluttershy said as she held onto him. Butterscotch held up his hoof in front of Angel as he said Well, how do you do, Angel?" Angel grabbed Butterscotch's hoof, thinking that he may have more biscuits, but there was nothing there, and he pouted. "It's all right, it's just a hoofshake. Here, let me show you." Butterscotch said as he held his hoof in front of Fluttershy who said "Nothing's happening." "No, no." Butterscotch said. "I need your hoof first." Fluttershy touched his hoof, and they shook as he said "It's how we say hello."

"This is how we say hello." Fluttershy said as she waved her hoof. "Wingapo." "Wingapo." Butterscotch said as he waved his hoof. "And how we say goodbye." Fluttershy said as she waved her hoof. "Ana." Butterscotch touched Fluttershy's hoof as he said "I like hello better." Twilight Sparkle got in between the hooves, and flew in Butterscotch's face as she said "None of that, mister!" "Yeah, I remember you." Butterscotch said. "Twilight Sparkle just doesn't like strangers." Fluttershy said. "But I'm not a stranger, anymore." "Don't push your luck!" Twilight Sparkle said getting defensive. "Hmm, stubborn little one, isn't she?" Butterscotch asked. "Very stubborn." Fluttershy said. Twilight Sparkle chuckled nervously, and said "I'm just a bit protective." Suddenly, Angel took out a compass out of Butterscotch's bag, and hopped over to a rock as he said "Hey!" "Angel, come back here!" "Don't worry, he can't hurt it." Butterscotch said. Angel began hitting the compass against the rock as Butterscotch said "Hey, what are you doing?!" He tried to catch Angel, but he hopped away, and climbed into a tree as Fluttershy said "Angel, bring that back!" "No, no, it's all right. He can keep it." Butterscotch said. He looked at Angel as he said "Call it a gift!" Angel just banged the compass against the tree as Fluttershy said "What was that?"

"My compass." Butterscotch said. "Compass?" Fluttershy asked. "It tells you how to find your way when you get lost." Butterscotch said. "But it's all right, I'll get another one in Manehatten." "Manehatten? Is that your village?" Fluttershy asked. Butterscotch nodded as he said "Yes. It's a very big village." "What's it like?" Fluttershy asked. "Well, it's got streets filled with carriages. Bridges over the rivers. And buildings as tall as trees." "I'd like to see those things." Fluttershy said. "You will." Butterscotch said. "How?" Fluttershy asked. "We're going to build them here." Butterscotch said. "We'll show your ponies how to use this land properly. How to make the most of it." Fluttershy tilted her head in confusion as she said "Make the most of it?" "Yes, we'll build roads, and decent houses, and-." Butterscotch tried to say, but Fluttershy interrupted him as she said "Our houses are fine." "You think that, only because you don't know any better." Butterscotch said. Fluttershy got offended, and she started to leave as Butterscotch said "Wait a minute, don't take it that-!" "You said enough, mister!" Twilight Sparkle said as she interrupted him, and attacked him.

Fluttershy got into her boat, and started to leave, but Butterscotch stopped her as he said "Hey, hey, wait! Wait, wait! There's so much we can teach you! We've improved the lives of savages all over the world." "Savages?!" Fluttershy asked getting even more offended. Butterscotch gulped, and said "Uh, not that you're a savage." "Just my ponies!" Fluttershy said. "No, listen, that's not what I meant." Butterscotch said. "Let me explain-." Fluttershy interrupted him as she tried to paddle away, and said "Let go!" "No, I'm not letting you leave." Butterscotch said. Fluttershy then flew up into the tree, and Butterscotch followed her as he said "Look, don't do this. Savage is just a word. You know. A term for ponies who are uncivilised." "Like me." Fluttershy said. "Well, when I say uncivilised, what I mean is-is-." Butterscotch tried to say, but when he landed on a tree branch, it broke off the tree, and he screamed as he fell, and landed on the ground. Fluttershy flew down to Butterscotch, and landed on the ground as she said "What you mean is, not like you. All you will own is dirt until you can paint with all the colors of the wind." Suddenly, she heard the sound of drums playing in the distance, and she gasped as Butterscotch said "What is it?" "The drums." Fluttershy said. "They mean trouble. I shouldn't be here." She started to leave, but Butterscotch stopped her as he said "I want to see you again." "I can't." Fluttershy said. "Please, don't leave." Butterscotch said. "I'm sorry." Fluttershy said as Butterscotch held onto her. She pulled away as she said "I have to go." She then took off as Butterscotch just watched her leave.

-A few days later-

It was a dark rainy day at the settlement, and the pony settlers were hard at work bulding a fence surrounding their fort. They cut some trees down, and used them as materials to buld a fence while Angel was sneaking around the settlement. "All right! This one's ready to hoist!" Elusive said as the pony settlers got the part of a fence that was once a tree ready. "Two on each side!" Sunset Glare said as they struggled to push the piece of the fence. "Ready now, push!" They nearly slipped as he said "Watch it! It's slipping!" "Come on, colts!" Elusive said. "It's only a little picket fence!" There were able to get it up, and standing straight as Sunset Glare said "Steady, steady!" "There you go!" Elusive said as Angel climbed up the fence. "That'll keep out everything, eh, Butterscotch?" Dusk Shine asked as he looked at Butterscotch who was unusually silent the whole time. He stared at his friend in concern as he said "Something wrong, Butterscotch?" Butterscotch looked up at Dusk Shine as he said "What?" "You've been awfully quiet the last few days." Dusk Shine said. "Oh, he's just mad that he missed all the action." Sunset Glare said.

"Ah, don't worry, Butterscotch." Dusk Shine said. "You'll get your chance to deal with the savages." "Yeah, we'll take care of them like that we did last time, right guys?" Sunset Glare said as he fooled around a little. Elusive smacked him in the head as he said "All right, you howling nutter, get to work!" As Sunset Glare rubbed his head, he said "Come on, Elusive. It's just a little fun!" "Oh, sure. We're having loads of fun. Right, look at us. No gold, no food, while Prince Blueblood sits up in his tent all day happy as a clam!" Inside his tent, Prince Blueblood was not at all happy as a clam. In fact, he was filled with worry as he looked at maps, and said "I'm doomed! I should be wallowing in riches right now, and I haven't found so much as a speck!" Winona was getting her dinner while Angel was sniffing around the tent. Winona removed the plate cover to reveal some dog biscuits on a toy merry-go-round as Prince Blueblood said "Think! Think! It's got to be around here somewhere! Where could it be?!" Winona spun the toy merry-go-round, and ate a dog biscuit. Before she could eat another, she realized that her dog biscuits were gone. She looked up to see Angel eating them, and she growled at him as he smiled back. He then ran for his life, and she chased after him as Prince Blueblood said "I've mined the forests, and the hills, and swamps, and nothing! Why can't I find it?! What am I overlooking?!"

Just then, Trixie walked in the tent as she groaned. Prince Blueblood looked at her, and gasped when she saw an arrow in her head. "I...I...I made it myself!" Trixie said as she revaled that the arrow in her head was actually an arrow made into a headband. Prince Blueblood took it from her as he said "Take that silly-!" Then an idea hit him as he looked at the headband arrow, and said "Of course, the savages! Trixie, why do you think those insolent heathens attacked us?" "Because we invaded their land, and cut down their trees, and dug up their dirt?" Trixie asked. Prince Blueblood shook his head, and said "It's the gold! They have it, and they don't want us to take it from them! Well, I'll just have to take it by force then, won't I?!" He went out his tent, and approached Elusive and Sunset Glare who were laying on the dirt as he said "You there! Where's Captain Butterscotch?" Sunset Glare and Elusive jumped up at attention as Sunset Glare said "Well...he's gone!" "Yes, your clowning around must have scared him off." Elusive said. "Well, then go get him, for Celestia's sake!" Prince Blueblood said. "What if we run into the savages?" Sunset Glare asked. "That's what guns are for." Prince Blueblood said. "Now, arm yourselves, and get moving!" Elusive and Sunset Glare obeyed as they got their guns, and took off running.