Twilight opened her eyes, finding out that she has been sleeping on the floor, out in the open, along with all the other ponies in the group. After recovering her senses, she finds a rainbow-maned, blue-coated pegasus standing in front of her.

  "W... w-who are you?", asked Twilight.

  "Oh hey.", said Rainbow Dash. "Pleased to meet ya. My name's Rainbow Dash. You're Twilight Sparkle, aren't ya?"

  "Um... yeah, that's me."

  "I was sent from the sky-high lands of Cloudsdale to this land, to serve and obey Twilight Sparkle, while fighting by her side. My life is now on your hooves!"

  "You don't have to act like that... I'm a teenager just like you are."

  "Yeah, I considered figuring that out. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: I completed my Mu Training, and now I gotta join you and your group of worldsavers to destroy some evil entity that's going to make the world go boom, or something."

  "Welcome to the team, Rainbow Dash. Let's just wake the others up, and we'll resume our adventure."

  Twilight proceeded to wake all the others up, while Rainbow Dash analyzed them for recognition purposes. When she was done, their attention was turned to the strange blue pegasus in the middle of the crowd.

  "Twilight, who's that pegasus over there?", asked Derpy.

  "Oh, this is Rainbow Dash.", said Twilight. "She's the new member."

  "Hey there, Rainbow Dash!", said Pinkie Pie. "Welcome to the team!"

  "Care to introduce them to me, Twilight?", asked Rainbow Dash. "I gotta know how to deal with your friends, and all."

  "Well...", said Twilight. "... this is Pinkie Pie. She spreads happiness everywhere she goes. That is Derpy Hooves. She's quite a genius, if I do say so myself."

  "My pleasure.", greeted Derpy.

  "This is Trixie, the powerful wizard. She's a good friend, even though she's quite a showoff sometimes."

  "Hey!", said Trixie.

  "This is Spike, the baby dragon. He may look weak and helpless, but he packs quite a punch."

  "Hey there, li'l fella.", said Rainbow Dash.

  "Hey.", said Spike.

  "Last but not least, this is Fluttershy. She saved us a lot of trouble back in Spooktown, and has good nursing talent."

  "... hi.", said Fluttershy.

  "Ooh, hi there.", said Rainbow Dash.

  "Anyway, enough introductions.", said Twilight. "Is everyone awake?"

  "Yep."

  "Okay, let's go to... um... where are we supposed to go again?"

  "No clue.", said Spike.

  "Maybe I can help.", said an old-looking earth pony who was just passing by.

  "Who are you?", said Twilight.

  "Doesn't matter. I've been shufflin' through the scripts, and according to what I've read, you're supposed to go to the museum."

  "Wait, AG doesn't use scripts...", said Pinkie Pie.

  "I'm talking about the game's script, not the fanfic."

  "What are you two talking about?!", said Twilight.

  "You wouldn't understand, Twilight.", said Pinkie. "Anyway, what else did you see?"

  "Nothing else.", said the hint pony. "AG caught me in the middle of my spying, and kicked me out."

  "Well, it wouldn't be as exciting if we knew what was going to happen anyway."

  "Whatcha waitin' for? To the museum!", said the hint pony, before walking away like nothing happened.

  "You heard him.", said Pinkie Pie. "To the museum!"

  At the museum, Pinkie Pie had forgotten to ask the hint pony where exactly they should go. Oh well.

  "Five bits per pony.", said the receptionist.

  Twilight paid for everyone in the group, while Spike tried to enter without paying, since he wasn't a pony. Didn't work.

  "Oooh, this stuff looks so funny!", said Pinkie Pie, rushing all around the museum. "You should totally see this!"

  "Wait a minute...", said Rainbow Dash. "... I remember being here before... oh yeah! Twilight, follow me!"

  "Alright!", said Twilight, hoping to make some progress in her adventure.

  The group followed Rainbow Dash to the back room door. There was a funny-looking pony, apparently waiting for her, blocking the way.

  "This room is being remodeled.", said the funny-faced pony. "I can't let you in-- oh, aren't you Rainbow Dash?"

  "Hey there, Alfred.", said Rainbow Dash. "I still owe you that, don't I?"

  "Yep. But we'll get there in a minute. I'll let you guys in."

  The back room had a really cool-looking Egyptian-styled statue in the middle.

  "Whoa... cool!", said Spike.

  "Wait, what's with all these strange symbols?", said Twilight, finding an ancient scroll containing some rather weird drawings.

  "It's the ancient pegasi's language.", said Rainbow Dash. "Let me read it for you."

  To fight against invaders, we built this pyramid fortress. However, our efforts were futile, and we lost. Nonetheless, our pyramid was protected by the gods of Scaraba. The invaders will be reborn every millenium and will attack again. Even now, the invaders hide beyond space and time and build their evil stronghold. A place out of time is beyond the Dark, and is even farther beyond the Lost Underworld. The Everfree Forest is shrouded, it is without light. Only one with the Hawk Eye can pierce the dark. The Sphinx now watches over everything, waiting for the coming of a truly brave hero.

  "The Everfree Forest?", said Fluttershy. "It's right next to Ponyville! I never bothered to go deeper into it, though."

  "Anything else?", said Twilight.

  "Yeah, but we probably wouldn't care about the rest. But I know what we gotta do now: we must go to Scaraba. The pyramid is the key!"

  "But wait, there's something I want to ask you first."

  "What is it?"

  "Do you know about any special places around Equestria? You know, places with special powers, and all that?"

  "You mean sanctuaries? I think there's one in Manehattan, and another one in Cloudsdale. However... the Pink Cloud, in Cloudsdale, is locked by some wacky bunny statues. I've been to the Magnet Hill in Manehattan. It feels really good to just lay there and get some sleep."

  "Yes, I know. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. We're going to Manehattan."

  "WAIT WAIT WAIT!", said Alfred. "Rainbow Dash... aren't you forgetting something?"

  "Oh yeah.", said Rainbow Dash, before pulling out a tiny ruby from her empty saddlebag and giving it to Alfred.

  "Here's a copy of the hieroglyphs. It's a reward for studying so hard."

  "Thanks, dude."

  "Are we ready?", said Twilight.

  "Ready!"

  Twilight teleported the whole group to the big city.

  "Here we are!", said Twilight.

  "Now, I remember that the Magnet Hill was located near the dinosaur museum.", said Rainbow Dash.

  "Okay, let's go then."

  At the museum, Pinkie Pie kept zooming around the room again, giggling at all the dinosaur skeletons. The group followed Rainbow Dash to the back room again. This time, the pony blocking the path was Applejack.

  "Hey there, Applejack.", said Twilight. "Could you excuse us? We're going to the Magnet Hill."

  "Yeah... 'bout that.", said Applejack. "Ah talked to Braeburn 'bout all this adventure stuff y'all guys are doin', and ah decided to join y'all, if that's okay."

  "That's great! Talah Rama did mention you, so I guess I should accept this."

  "Who's that again?"

  "Nevermind... welcome to the team."

  "But that's not the only reason ah'm here... ah was wonderin' if ah could ask you a favor."

  "I suppose we have enough time... what is it?"

  "Y'see, Octavia's in town today, and her show's 'bout to start at the Topolla Theater... ah'm a big fan of her music, but ah don't have a ticket, so ah can't go. Ah was wonderin' if you could help me out."

  "Are you kidding?", said Spike. "She's the most beautiful and talented pony in Equestria!... in my opinion, anyway. Twilight, can we go?"

  "Well...", said Twilight. "... after three PON-3 concerts, I think you deserve some time for yourself. Okay, Applejack, we'll take you to the show."

  "Ah'm sorry if ah'm wastin' your time.", said Applejack.

  "Not at all. Snips probably doesn't even know what he's doing now."

  "Who's that?"

  "The antagonist of the whole story."

  "Oh, ah'm sure he's as lost as a squirrel in a hat factory!"

  At the Topolla Theater, Twilight bought tickets to the whole group. The show was crowded, as Octavia showed up on stage, along with her band. She played the cello for her opening song, and showed amazing talent. It was instrumental, and Twilight noticed that the ponies around her were begging to hear her singing.

  "What's her voice like?", asked Twilight to Applejack.

  "You kiddin' me?", said Applejack. "She sounds like an angel!"

  "I never heard her music before... what does she usually play?"

  "Pretty much everythin', from jazz metal to progressive polka. She's never lackin' creativity."

  "Sounds like fun."

  It was very fun, indeed. Octavia often switched instruments throughout the show, according to the music style. Besides her cello, she played piano, oboe, accordion, and even a harmonica solo. The music wasn't as good as Vinyl's work (in Twilight's opinion), but it was fun to listen to. Spike drooled, pretty much through the entire show. Rainbow Dash managed to get a few quick glances at Fluttershy, who was enjoying the show in her own introverted way. Pinkie Pie loved Octavia's accordion playing in the "Polka Dots" song. Other good songs included "Social Mindstate", "Happy Times", and "Love Theme". It was a pretty fun show, overall.

  "Twilight...", said Spike. "... could I ask a smaller favor?"

  "Go ahead.", said Twilight.

  "Can we get an autograph from her?"

  "Haha... sure."

  At the backstage door, the guard seemed to recognize the group.

  "Wait a second.", he said. "Aren't you a friend of Vinyl Scratch?"

  Twilight nodded.

  "You wanna go backstage?"

  She nodded again.

  "You promise not to jump on her and start shuffling through her stuff?"

  "We do. Right, Spike?"

  "Right.", said Spike.

  The guard knocked on the door.

  Yes?, said Octavia through the door.

  "There are some fans here, wanting to see you.", said the guard.

  *sigh* Tell them I'm busy.

  "They promised not to be any inconvenience... and they're friends with Vinyl Scratch."

  Really?... fine, let them in.

  Backstage, Octavia was putting her cello back into its case, while listening to some classical music.

  "Well... what brings you here?", asked Octavia.

  "Hey, Octavia.", said Applejack. "Um... ah'm a big fan of yours."

  "If you weren't, why would you even be here?", joked her, giggling politely.

  "Well, Octavia, we're just here to ask you a small favor.", said Twilight. "My friend Spike is a huge fan of yours too, and he would like your autograph, if it isn't too much worry."

  "Oh, not at all. I don't have any papers with me... do you mind if I use this banana peel instead?"

  "I don't care if it's written on toilet paper.", said Spike.

  "Hahaha! Okay then!"

  Octavia gave the autograph to Spike, and then pecked on his cheek, which turned Spike's eyes into hearts.

  "Think of this as a bonus.", joked Octavia. "Is that all?"

  "Yeah, thanks for your time.", said Twilight. "Now, I think we should be going."

  "Hey, aren't you Twilight Sparkle?"

  "Yes. That's me."

  "Good luck on saving the world!"

  "Thanks!"

  Back at the museum, at the back door, the only thing in there was a ponyhole leading to the sewers.

  "Who's going to climb down first?", said Rainbow Dash, with a joking tone.

  "We gotta go through the sewers?", said Twilight.

  "Well, yeah. And I hope we don't have to deal with that giant rat monster as well."

  "A rat... monster?!", said Fluttershy.

  "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.", said Trixie. "We're the winning team, aren't we?"

  "Let's go down then.", said Derpy.

  At the sewers, the group walked through the corridors, while Rainbow Dash led the way, looking for a ladder to the surface. Derpy was relieved that it wasn't another maze. Suddenly, a huge rat monster showed up.

  "EEK!", squealed Fluttershy, hiding behind Pinkie Pie.

  "Never fear!", said Spike. "The Butt Kickers are here! Bring it on, you rat-brained knucklehead!"

  The rat monster took Spike by his tail and threw him on the floor, like a miserable bug.

  "He's too strong!"

  "Stand back, everyone!", said Rainbow Dash, before giving the rat monster a flying kick to the face. The rat monster fell down, with his eyes derped out.

  "Wow!", said Twilight. "You really are strong. Congrats on that."

  The rat monster struggled to get up and started attacking again.

  "Oh no you don't!", said Trixie. "How about a freezing spell?"

  Trixie cast a freezing spell on the rat monster, freezing him for a few hours.

  "That should take care of him."

  "Hey, guys! I found the ladder!", said Rainbow Dash. "The Magnet Hill is up there!"

  "Alright, everypony.", said Twilight. "Just do whatever you want, while I try to get that song on my head again."

  "What she talkin' 'bout?", whispered Applejack to Trixie.

  "Just ignore it.", said Trixie. "You wouldn't understand."

  "Hey, Fluttershy!", said Pinkie Pie. "Look what I found!"

  Pinkie Pie had a strange, neat-looking object on her hooves.

  "Looks like some kind of key...", said Derpy.

  "... shaped like a carrot?", said Fluttershy.

  "Oh, so that's where I dropped it!", said Rainbow Dash, taking the carrot key from Pinkie Pie's hooves. "The folks at Cloudsdale went all out on me just because I dropped it here. It gives us access to the Pink Cloud sanctuary."

  "Gosh, I want to learn that song so bad!", said Twilight. "Just a few more notes and it's done! I'm so frustrated!"

  "Hey, Twilight!", said Rainbow Dash. "We found the key to the Pink Cloud sanctuary, in Cloudsdale!"

  "That's great news!"

  "But how are we going to Cloudsdale if you have never been there before?", asked Fluttershy.

  "Hmm...", wondered Rainbow Dash. "... maybe if I touch you while you're concentrating your magic, and I'm concentrating on our destination, then we could do a Dual Teleport, or something... I mean... you know what I mean, right?"

  "Yeah, maybe it'll work...", said Twilight. "... okay, let's try that."

  Twilight concentrated on the teleport spell, while Rainbow Dash concentrated on the group's destination. Guess what? It actually worked, for some strange, sense-lacking reason.

  "I don't believe it!", said Twilight. "It actually worked!"

  "Ha! I didn't think it would work either!", said Rainbow Dash. "I'm quite amazed!"

  "Rainbow Dash!", said Scootaloo. "You're back already?"

  "Oh hey, Scootaloo. I just came back so I could go to the Pink Cloud along with Twilight and her friends."

  "But... didn't you lose the key six months ago?"

  "Hehe... yep. But I got it back!"

  "Well then... good luck to all of you!"

  "Awww, such a cute little filly!", said Pinkie Pie. "Good luck to you too!"

  "Thanks. I got a school test today, so I'll need all the luck I can get."

  "Don't tell anyone that I'm here, okay?", said Rainbow Dash. "I want to make it out of this as soon as possible. The world's waiting for me, and all."

  "Got it!"

  "Rainbow Dash, I got a question.", said Derpy. "If the Pink Cloud is... basically... a pink cloud, why don't you guys just fly toward it? I mean, I can see it right there."

  "I don't know.", said Rainbow Dash. "I tried it, but there's apparently some kind of invisible wall around it. The only way we can get on it is by that door over there."

  Rainbow Dash pointed to a nearby cave, with three bunny statues blocking the path.

  "Is that what the carrot key is for?", asked Fluttershy.

  "Exactly.", said Rainbow Dash. "Funny, isn't it?"

  "Yes... kinda. *giggle*"

  "So, how does it feel?", asked Rainbow Dash, as the group arrived at the Pink Cloud sanctuary.

  "It feels like I'm stepping on cotton candy!", said Twilight.

  "Try laying down."

  Twilight laid down on the cotton-candy floor. It was enough to put an owl to sleep.

  "Nice! Two sanctuaries in less than an hour!", said Twilight. "I think I can remember a few more notes."

  "I remember that time when Scootaloo was a young foal...", said Rainbow Dash. "... and I told her about this place, and then she kept begging me to take her here, to see what it was like. Then I helped her sneak out of her house, and I took her to this place, and we played around until she got tired and fell asleep. She now tells me that it was the happiest day of her life."

  "Awwww...", said Pinkie Pie.

  "You're sisters or somethin'?", said Applejack.

  "No, we're just really close friends, that's all.", said Rainbow Dash. "But I treat her like she was my younger sister, since I don't actually have any family left."

  "Aww, that's so sad...", said Fluttershy.

  "I got used to it."

  "How's the song going, Twilight?", asked Derpy.

  "Just a few more notes... I think I'll remember them later. It doesn't help that this cloud is too comfortable, and it keeps distracting me."

  "Well, guys, it was nice writing biographies here...", said Rainbow Dash. "... but I think we should be heading to the pyramid, shouldn't we?"

  "Rainbow's right.", said Trixie. "We must go, before Snips figures out what he's supposed to do."

  "Don't worry.", said Twilight. "I'm sure that, in the end, we will be the ones laughing."

  Heading out of the cave, Twilight was preparing to teleport back to Sunland, when Rainbow Dash interrupted her.

  "Could you wait just a few minutes?", said Rainbow Dash. "I gotta say goodbye to my number one fan."

  "Go ahead.", said Twilight.

  "Rainbow Dash!", said Scootaloo, flying over to their location. "Are you coming back soon?"

  "I don't know, Scootie.", said Rainbow Dash. "While I'm out, do you promise not to make any trouble?"

  "I promise you not!"

  "Haha, that's my girl. I promise I'll be back. I just don't know when... but I will be back."

  "I'll try not to get my cutie mark while you're gone."

  "Heh, why not?"

  "'Cause I want you to be here when the time comes!"

  "... I- I gotta go. Goodbye.", said Rainbow Dash, sharing a friendly hug.

  "That was so cute of you.", said Fluttershy, while the group was heading down to the city of Toto, looking for that sailor pony.

  "It was nothing.", said Rainbow Dash. "We're like, best friends, you know? She loves me more than her parents. Heck, I love her more than her parents."

  Twilight found the sailor dude, in the same place he was before. This time, he looked much happier, and he was chowing down on some Magic Cake.

  "Hey there.", said Twilight. "Is everything okay?"

  "Okay?!", said the sailor, spitting cake crumbs all over. "You made my wife wake up! She finally quit talking about all that serious crap... now our relationship is back on track, and she's returned to making Magic Cake once per month! I feel motivated!"

  "Is the sea-crossing business open?"

  "Heck yeah! Since you're such a heroine, I'll let you guys ride a boat for free!"

  "Why, thank you."

  "Where do you guys wanna go?"

  "To the deserted lands of Scaraba!", said Spike, with a heroic tone.

  "Well, hop in. You'll probably get to see the Kraken, and experience getting seasick. After all, it could only cost your life, and you got that for free. Luck will determine the outcome of this voyage."

  "We're a working team.", said Trixie. "The worst that could happen is... I don't know, somepony getting badly injured?"

  "But I don't wanna get badly injured!", said Derpy.

  "Well, me neither. But that's how it'll have to be."

  "I like your style.", said the sailor. "Now: set sail to Scaraba!"

  The burning sun didn't have that much effect on the group, now that they had water splashing all around them. Spike wasn't liking the trip very much, since he got seasick very easily. Eventually, the sailor had to stop the boat.

  "Why did you stop?", said Twilight.

  "It's been a long time since I was out in the open sea, so I'm feeling kind of seasick... how come you guys are feelin' alright?"

  "I sure am not.", said Spike. His face could easily be mistaken for a lime.

  "So... that blue pegasus over there... she came from Cloudsdale, right?"

  Rainbow Dash nodded.

  "Heheh! You guys must be quite the adventurers! Haha! I'm feeling much better now! Anchors aweigh!"

  The ride continued for a few minutes, before the sailor noticed something on the horizon.

  "... could it be?", said the sailor.

  "What's wrong?", said Twilight.

  "No... I knew it! GUYS! I GOT TERRIBLE NEWS!"

  "What happened?!", said Trixie.

  "It's... IT'S THE KRAKEN! THE KRAKEN IS HERE!"

  "Oh no!", said Derpy. "What are we gonna do?"

  The Kraken came out of the water, creating a huge wave of seawater around the group. Luckily, the boat was unmoved. It then let out a loud roar.

  "H... h... here it is!!!", said the sailor. "EVERYPONY FOR HIMSELF!!!" Next Chapter: I Think I'm Kraken Up Estimated time remaining: 57 Minutes