“It's PARTY TIME!" Pinkie said, appearing for some reason on the wall above the door as Twilight, Spike and Robert entered. “Welcome to the neighborhood!” she waved her hoof. It was, as could be expected, of any party in which Pinkie was involved, a massive bash. The only downside was a small handful of earth ponies were the only ones in attendance, which got even smaller on discounting the Mayor and the Apple family. Twilight was slightly surprised to see Applejack at the party. She'd been sure her friend would have found somewhere else to be.

“Ah considered it." Applejack admitted. “But it was Granny who changed mah mind.” Twilight smiled slightly. She'd never known a pony yet who could resist once Granny set her mind to something. She certainly dreaded the idea of Celestia and Granny coming to a difference of opinion. She doubted that Celestia would use her powers, but she also doubted her mentor could come out on top without them. “Ah don't understand it Twi." Applejack said, snapping Twilight from her train of thought.

“Understand what?" Twilight asked.

“Granny." Applejack replied. “Ah mean, she knows what happened, and yet, she's not phased." Twilight followed her line of sight and saw that she was looking directly at Granny, who was talking to Robert. And laughing apparently at something he'd said.

“Maybe she's just at an age where she doesn't care to hold a grudge." Twilight suggested. “Or perhaps, she's learned to forgive and forget." she looked at Applejack in time to see both suggestions whiz by without entering into her mind. “There's something you're not telling me, isn't there." Twilight knew here friend well enough that she might be completely honest, but she wasn't above leaving things out.

“No. Yes. I don't want to talk about it." Applejack looked the other way.

“Fine. Then let's enjoy the party." Twilight said, gently shouldering her friend.

“Alright Twi, I guess I can do that." AJ said, and lead the way into the fracas of fun lovers.

“Hello Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash said, landing just outside Pinkie's place.

“Oh. Hello.” Fluttershy answered, almost too quiet to be heard over the din of the party. “Who moved in?”

“Some big tiger.”

“T-tiger?" Fluttershy swallowed.

“Yeah, he seems a bit of a softy though. So don't worry about it." Dash said, throwing a leg over Fluttershy's shoulder. They walked inside and just as the door opened, a water balloon flew through the air and hit Dash in the face. The party stopped dead, the music even coming to a halt as Vinyl Scratch popped the needle. For a second there was silence. “Who threw that?” Roger laughed uproariously. “Oh, you think that's funny fur-face?” Roger laughed harder, nodding. “See what you think of this!” Dash ducked forward, her wing scooping up an unthrown balloon. Roger's laughter ended in a splutter as he got a mouthful of water.

“My name is Robert, son of White-tail and Moonstalker. You have soaked my honor, prepare for vengeance.” He ended his speech with a tail flick that launched a balloon. Rainbow reared up to deliver a counter speech and got hit full in the chest with the balloon.

“Oh, you want to play like that huh?” Her wings swept up two more balloons and launched them. One hit Robert square on, the other sailed wide, and hit Big Mac. Mac turned his head slowly, reached out with one foot, and stomped the edge of a table, sending a veritable barrage of balloons back into the crowd. Scratch dropped the needle.

A couple hours later, the last of the now tired and sopping ponies left the building. The Apple family, after getting in more than a few good licks, including Granny cheating with an entire tub of water poured in the middle of the room, had headed home, to be back in time for chores. Twilight and Rarity were the last two to leave, with Robert and Spike. They'd offered to help clean up, but Pinkie, still full of her usual bottomless energy said Gummy was all the help she needed and shooed them out the door.

“Robert, I must say, it has been a pleasure to meet you.” Rarity said. “I never knew my designs had reached the very edges of Equestria.”

“Indeed. Though I never realized that they were all the product of one pony.” Robert replied. “I always thought ''Design by Rarity' was the name of the group of ponies. Like the Apple family.” Rarity flushed.

“Oh, how I wish, but it's just me and my little Sister. Even so, it's a bit hard sometimes.”

“I understand. Wait until I write my sister. She will be beyond jealous.” Robert grinned. Rarity blushed even brighter.

“Twilight, I'm going to walk Rarity home, okay?” Spike said. Twilight nodded. He walked off with Rarity.

“I'm sensing some jealousy there.” Robert said, as the Dragon and Unicorn walked away. Twilight laughed.

“Spike has a bit of a crush.” she smiled and told him about the diamond dogs. Robert laughed. “So we try not to tease him.”

“Well, does he have any other guy friends?” Twilight blinked.

“I don't know. I don't think so, except for maybe Big Mac. I never noticed that.” she started thinking about it.

“Don't worry, I'll talk with him. So, tell me, the yellow Pegasus. What's her name? I never got around to meeting her.”

“Oh, that's Fluttershy. She's... not a big party pony.” Twilight laughed. “I don't know that it was necessarily the best place to meet her. Maybe we'll see her before you leave.”

“Maybe. If not, I'm sure I'll run into her sometime.” Robert smiled. “So, I've had a bit of a long day, why don't we head back to the library.”

Twilight lead the way, and settled Robert into the pillows on the floor. She found a blanket for him and trotted upstairs. She'd considered flying but was too tired to trust her wings. She sat down at her desk, and began composing a letter to Celestia. She thought about how to address it for a long moment.

'Dear Princess Celestia,
Ponyville has a new visitor. A tiger, if you can believe that, by the name of Robert. Well, that's what he says, Pinkie is the only one who can pronounce his name in Tiger. He's here to see Zecora, to learn from her. He's not what I expected from a Tiger. For one, he doesn't have any stripes, and for another, he seems to be a wizard. I didn't know there were tiger wizards. Applejack doesn't seem to like him. She says it because of some war that happened between tigers and earth ponies, but she seems to be the only one who it bothers. Robert said I should ask you, so his opinion didn't bias me. I'm not sure what he meant. Other than that, he seems to be alright.

Your friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle'

Twilight rolled the letter and sealed it with ribbon and wax. Then she climbed into bed, adjusted her wings and settled down to sleep.

---

The door clicked softly under Spike's claws, and he stepped inside, then closed it behind him. It clicked again.

“Spike.” The purple dragon jumped. “Sorry.” Robert's eyes glowed slightly.

“I didn't mean to wake you.” Spike said.

“It's alright. I was waiting for you.” Spike blinked.

“For me?” he shook his head. “Why?”

“Twilight explained your crush on Rarity.” Spike flared red. “Don't worry. I think she's kind of oblivious as well. However, I also want to ensure you that you face no competition from me.” Spike blinked, and tension seemed to wash out of him.

“I didn't think... I'm glad to hear that.” Spike sighed. “Of course with all the pony competition, I probably don't stand a chance.”

“Don't worry. Things like this have a way of working out for the best. Now, as for the other thing, Twilight was telling me you don't have many guy friends. At least not that she knows of.”

“Well...” he rubbed his foot on the floor. “Not really, I mean there's Big Mac, and Pip. But there aren't a lot of guys around town.” he shrugged.

“I had noticed that. And that being the case, I hope we can be friends.” Robert held out his paw.

“I think I'd like that.” Spike shook his hand, and yawned. “For now though, I think I'm going to bed.”

“Indeed. Good night Spike.”

“Good night.”

---

The following morning, after breakfast, Twilight, Robert, and Spike left the library. “So, tell me more about your mentor.” Twilight asked.

“Hmm... let's see. His name, translated as near as I can manage, is: The inestimable Dawn-seer the True Eyes of Dawns First Light.” He muttered the name under his breath. “Yes, I think that's right.”

“Does he have a shorter name?” Spike asked, beating Twilight to the punch.

“Dawn-Seer. That's what my mother calls him. My father calls him Dawny for reasons he rather adamantly refuses to explain. I call him sir.”

“How did he get that name?” Twilight asked.

“He was born as Dawn-seer. When he became apprenticed to the previous Shaman, he was given the name True Eyes, because one of his special talents is seeing through illusions. And when he became Shaman himself, His last right of ascension was completed just as Dawn broke. So his mentor gave him the name Dawn's First Light.”

“Makes sense. Twilight nodded. “Did you get one?”

“No.” Robert was not telling the truth. She knew, and she knew that he knew that she knew. She decided not to press the issue. Spike smiled.

“Liar.” he poked Robert's shoulder with a claw. “Tell the truth.”

“Spike.” Twilight half-yelped.

“It is Wing-kisser.” Spike laughed out loud. Twilight looked confused.

“My talent for shape shifting. I used it when I fought my brother, and it didn't go quite according to plan.” Robert sighed. “I attempted, to use my wings to stymie him long enough to grab hold with my jaws. He dodged my attempt. But I did not miss.” Spike fell to the ground laughing.

“So you... ow...” Twilight shook her head.

“Indeed. My brother made fun of me for it then, and the name stuck. My mentor made it official when I became his apprentice. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will never live it down.” Twilight Sparkle nodded. Spike continued to laugh. “You think that's funny eh? How about this?” Orange light flashed in Robert's eyes. Spike's scales vanished, replaced with short, soft fur. “Laugh that off Fuzzball.”

“Robert.” Twilight said, in that scolding tone of voice all student's know. Before she could even start though, there was another flash and the scales returned. Spike dusted himself off as he stood up.

“That's a cool trick. How'd you do that?” Spike asked, a little awestruck.

“That? It's a prank charm. Only takes a little juice and doesn't last for more than a minute at most. Good for pranking friends, but not much else.” Robert coughed. “My mentor is a great believer in practical lessons.” Twilight rolled her eyes. Just what she needed, another prankster. As if the very thought summoned her, Twilight saw Rainbow Dash's trail in the sky, plummeting towards them. She was intent on tackling the big tiger. Twilight opened her mouth, to explain exactly why that was a bad idea, then closed it. Some lesson's couldn't be explained. The noise from the impact was not unlike a piece of meat slamming down on a cutting board. A dull meaty thud. In fairness, Roger did stagger sideways under the impact, but beyond that, he seemed unaffected.

“Oh. G--” Spike ended up covered in oat muffin. Twilight had to laugh. Dash fell back on her flanks and shook her head.

“Note to self: Don't do that again.” She looked around. “Morning all.”

“Morning.” Twilight managed, still laughing. “We're on our way to the Everfree forest. What's the morning weather?”

“Clear and sunny to the edge of the forest. After that, it's anyone's guess.” Dash grinned.

“Do you think I could get a little rain?” Spike asked, from somewhere beneath a mountain of regurgitated muffin. Dash laughed, and disappeared for a moment, then returned with a small raincloud. Once Spike was clean, she shooed it away, and then left them alone. They continued to the edge of the forest, and as Twilight predicted, they encountered Fluttershy. As well as Applejack and Applebloom.

“Twi.” Applejack ignored Robert. Robert ignored her. Twilight idly wondered if she'd done something to make the universe was mad at her for.

“Hello Twilight.” Applebloom said. “Hello Robert.” Robert dipped his head.

“Hello Applebloom.” Applejack pretended to study a tree.

“Hello.” Fluttershy's voice was softer than usual. Robert smiled, mouth closed. And he purred. Twilight blinked. Tigers weren't supposed to be able to do that. But then... he could do magic. Why wouldn't he be able to purr? Fluttershy reached out and rubbed his chin. He purred louder. Twilight rolled her eyes.

“I'm Robert.” He said, after a moment, and held out his paw.

“Fluttershy.” she answered and put her hoof in his paw. “Pleased to meet you.”

“As I am you.” he bowed his head, as he had for Applebloom. Fluttershy blushed. Twilight walked around, and sidled up to AJ.

“Surprisingly interesting tree.”

“Don't start.” AJ grunted.

“Wow, what's up with you?” Twilight asked.

“Ain't no one seems to agree with me.” AJ said, in a slightly accusatory tone.

“And why do you think that? Hmm... everyone else seems willing to let it go. Even Granny Smith seems to like him.”

“An I don' understand that either.” AJ shook her head. “It's not him Twi, not who he is. It's what. I just, I can't do it.” Twilight reached out, and put a leg over her friends shoulder.

“Listen, I know you don't want to talk about why. I understand wanting to keep somethings to yourself. If you ever want to tell someone, I'm here for you.” Twilight squeezed the earth pony's shoulder.

“Thanks Twi.” the two turned back. To see the others covered completely in butterflies. Four pairs of eyes looked back out of butterfly suits. Spike sneezed and the butterflies exploded away.

“Awww.” Applebloom said and laughed.

“Sorry, they were tickling me.” Spike said, smiling.

The group continued forward into the forest, Applebloom leading the way into the woods, Birds flocked around Fluttershy, tweeting and singing. She listened intently, nodding occasionally, and replying to particularly interesting comments. Twilight found herself hard pressed to understand how her friend did it. Once she'd cast a spell to let her understand birds, and while one or two was interesting to listen to, the chorus that surrounded Fluttershy had been enough to make her head ache. And yet her pale friend had no problem listening and answering them all. It impressed her to no end. They paused a few times on the path, Fluttershy calling out to Applebloom. There seemed little rhyme or reason for the stops, though Twilight suspected they were being warned of the movements of the more dangerous beasties. Eventually, they reached the edge of the clearing to Zecora's house. Even as Twilight opened her mouth to call, the exotic Zebra stepped around the side of the house. She seemed completely unsurprised to see the visitors, not even Robert. Twilight had a feeling that Fluttershy wasn't the only one being warned of things by the birds.

“Welcome my friends, both old and new. It is nice to see and meet you. She looked around. "I don't suppose you mind if I don't rhyme for a bit? I don't see the need to keep up the charade, since we're all good friends.” She looked at Robert. “Or we will be soon I hope. I am Zecora.”

“I am Robert, son of White-tail and Moonstalker. Student of Dawn-seer the True Eyes of Dawn's First Light. I seek your tutelage in the ways of magic.” Robert said, bowing his head low.

“You are truly Dawny's student?” Zecora asked, then burst out laughing.

“I am.”

“Then tutelage you shall have. Come in, come in all.” she motioned them inside, then shouldered the door open..The others followed her in, a bit reluctantly in AJ's case. Twilight nudged her gently in the door. “Now that we are all here, why do you not show me what you can do?”

“As you wish teacher.” Robert's eyes flashed bright-red-orange, and his fur rose up. He unfurled his wings above him, and then folded them down back into his body. Light rippled the length of his body, turning his fur to scales and back again. He disappeared, from his tail forward, into nothing but a set of teeth and glowing eyes. Then snapped back to sight. Light flickered in the pantry and the table instantly set itself, including a teapot. A moment later the teapot whistled cheerily. He blinked once and sat down heavily. “That's all I can do.”

“Very impressive that is. I can see why Dawny would send you to me. Those are certainly potent tricks, but to harness your talent, more than magic you will need.” Zecora paused to pour the tea. “While magic has it's place, knowledge of the wilds in the world will serve you well no matter where you roam. I will teach you what your mentor cannot, because he himself is a student. Though value you might not see in it now, in the future you will come to know what use it can be.”

“I thank you for you words. I shall hold them in mind, as I learn.” Robert bowed his head.

“Indeed. Also, you should learn from Twilight Sparkle.” Zecora said. Twilight choked on her tea.

“Me? Wh-” Applejack stopped her with a hoof on the shoulder.

“Please, don't. Trust me Twi, that comment never leads to anything good.” Twilight nodded.

“I'm a student myself. These wings don't exactly make me all knowing.” she flexed her wings slightly.

“Which is why you Twilight Sparkle, will be a perfect teacher. You understand that all continue to learn. Even as you teach, you learn. I have learned much as I have taught you and your friends. And I think you will learn much from Robert.” Zecora nodded at him. “If of course he has not learned already the lesson.”

“I...” Twilight blinked. “I only know how to learn, not how to teach.”

“It's not so hard. Find out what the student knows, and then teach what you know that the student does not. And learn what he knows that you do not. Is that not how you were taught?”

“I guess it was.” Twilight nodded. “I guess maybe we should leave you two to get started.”

“Us three.” Applebloom interjected. Applejack opened her mouth to object and was immediately subject to a tiny, angry version of Fluttershy's stare. She didn't back down and returned the stare. “Big Sis, we've been over this. Granny said I could come here and learn from Zecora.”

“And I said you shouldn't be around him alone.” Applejack fired back.”And since Granny Smith ain't here that means...”

“Nothin', because I'm not alone. I'm here with Zecora. Besides, your fear is completely irrational.” Applebloom answered the taunt. Applejack inhaled. Twilight opened her mouth.

Zecora slammed a hoof down onto the table. “You two will stop. You are upsetting the balance of my home, and endangering us all.” Twilight looked around. Several of the magical implements were definitely looking unhappy. On reflection, she realized she wouldn't be able to explain exactly how she knew that. “If you wish to fight, you will do it outside my home. As for my student, he will behave as I expect all my students to behave.” Applebloom lowered her head. Applejack stood her ground for a moment. Then she looked away. “Now, I have lessons to teach, and too little room in which to make my speech.”

“Thank you for the tea.” Twilight said.

“You're welcome Twilight.” Zecora said. “Come again soon.”

“I will. Come on AJ.” Applejack looked at her and nodded.

“Thank ya for the tea Zecora.” AJ turned and headed out the door. Twilight followed, and Fluttershy joined them a moment later.

Walking back through the forest, the three walked in silence. At the edge of the forest, Fluttershy said her good-byes, and flew away, followed by a swarm of birds. Twilight smiled and shook her head. She continued on with Applejack and they reached the fork leading to the Farm and Ponyville. “Have you heard back from Princess Celestia?” AJ asked, as they stopped.

“Not yet, but I think she's in the Crystal Empire for a meeting with Cadence, so it might be a day or so before she can reply.” Twilight answered. She looked close at Applejack. “Are you going to be alright?”

“Eeyup.” Applejack smiled. It wasn't her usual exuberant smile, but it wasn't as forced as Twilight expected.

“If you need anything, you let me know, okay?” Twilight said.

“I will Twi, I promise.” Applejack turned and walked down the road home. Twilight watched her go, and saw Spike off to Rarity's, then turned and took a few steps, before leaping into the air. She winged her way home, enjoying the feeling of flight. She took to it like a duck to painting, as Rainbow Dash had pointed out once, after Twilight had smashed into bank of clouds, and become stuck. Rainbow Dash's raucous laughter hadn't helped matters. That said, even if she wasn't very good, flying itself was a feeling she enjoyed. Landing on the other hand. She still couldn't quite get the of. It wasn't that she didn't understand the technique. It wasn't that she was incapable of doing it. It was the transition that got her. Every single time. She slowed down, gliding towards her balcony. Her wings spread out, flaring to bring her to a stop and she lost it. She tumbled through the air, out of control for a moment. Then. A flash, and she was standing safely and perfectly on the balcony.

It seriously annoyed Rainbow Dash, but she was not above doing it, if it saved her injury or embarrassment. Besides it wasn't as though Rainbow Dash was around to...

“Twilight.” Rainbow Dash shook her head from inside the tree. “You're going to have to learn to land sometime.”

“But not today.” Twilight said, slightly smugly.

“Incorrect Twilight.” Rainbow Dash grinned, tapping Twilight's nose. “I just had your number one assistant rearrange your schedule. Today is dedicated entirely to flying practice. I was going to take you up for a lesson in advanced cloud busting, but now I see we need to spend the day landing. Time to learn the fun of Bump and Go.” Dash's smile was immense.