"... yellow submarine!", sang Pinkie Pie, putting an end to the epic musical session that lasted through the entire ride. That was somethin' to see, I tell ya.

  "We're here!", said Derpy, as the group arrived at the Everfree Forest. The awful smell of swamp waters and stinky flowers surrounded the area. Spike was cool with it, but the others weren't, obviously.

  "Ugh!", exclaimed Trixie, covering her nostrils. "This is unbearable!"

  "I agree with you, Trixie...", said Twilight. "... but we can't worry about this stuff when Equestria is nearing doomsday. Come on, let's go."

  While the group walked through the swamp (and eventually finding out that the deep water is really dangerous), they saw something they thought they'd never see again... it wasn't a good thing, oh no. It was the ripest, slimiest, stinkiest, barfiest thing they had ever seen...

  "Who the diddly squat is that mucky ol' fella?!", said Applejack, having never seen Master Belch before.

  "It's YOU again!", said Spike.

  "I thought you had forgotten about me...", said Master Barf, before letting out a loud, talented belch. "I'm the return of Belch!"

  "Oh great... it's Master Belch.", said Pinkie Pie. "What disgusting thing are you up to today?"

  "I've fought you before. Peeeeyouuu! Don't you remember my ripe odor?"

  "More than I wish I could...", said Spike, with a vengeful tone. "... and we don't have any fly honey!"

  "Belch has trained more and has returned much stronger!... *buuuurp!* Belch has also changed his name to Barf! Barf! Vomit! Barf, barf! Chuck! Chuck! Drown to death in puke! Don't you think that's an incredibly masculine taunt to throw at you?"

  "Bring it on, shithead!"

  "Twi'light...", said Applejack. "... is Spike gunna beat up that slimy critter all bah himself?"

  "He's done it once.", said Twilight. "I'm sure he can do it again."

  As Twilight finished her sentence, Spike ran away to her direction, covered in... a disgusting fluid. He tried his best not to look defeated, but he was just too grossed out to care.

  "Spike? What happened?!", said Twilight. "I thought you were much stronger than him!"

  "He's just too disgusting! Not even I can stand it!"

  "Is this how we're gunna end?", said Applejack. Master Barf was way too gross, even for her. "What a horrible way to die, ah'll tell ya."

  Suddenly, the group felt something above their heads. Master Barf noticed it too, before getting surrounded by a rainbow-colored hurricane, and having himself splitted into endless pieces of vomit and organs, spraying all over the place.

  "Whew, that was... intense.", said Rainbow Dash, finishing her brand new hurricane attack. "Are you guys alright?"

  Rainbow Dash noticed that her friends were practically covered in puke. Trixie had fainted quite some time ago, and Spike was wondering if the vomit all over him was his or not.

  "Wow... you guys sure need a shower."

  "Well, thanks for coming back, Rainbow.", said Twilight, diving in the shallow water to wash up.

  "That was awesome, Dashie!", cheered Pinkie Pie, while the others washed up. "The way you shredded him into pieces was worthy of an action movie!"

  "You're welcome.", said Rainbow Dash. "Oh, Fluttershy, did something hurt you?"

  "No... I'm fine, thanks for asking.", said Fluttershy, coming out of the water, having removed all the puke from her body.

  "Heh, your mane looks so funny!", said Derpy, seeing Pinkie Pie with a straight mane, seconds before it popped back to its normal style. "That's awesome!"

  "Ugh...", said Trixie. "... my mane is all wet now."

  "At least we ain't dead.", said Applejack. "Thanks a lot, Rainbow."

  "... wha, oh! You're welcome, Jack.", said Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy looked cuter with her mane wet.

  "Hey, Twilight!", said Spike. "There's a cave right over there!"

  "It's the Tenda Village!", said Fluttershy. "I've heard about it when I was at the library... there was a book that explained about various different species around Equestria. They're very friendly, according to what I've read."

  "Well, finally some civilization for a change.", said Twilight.

  At the Tenda Village, everypony was amazed at what they saw. The Tendas looked like normal ponies, except tinier, greener and overall cuter. They were also very silent, since they couldn't hear a single word coming from their mouths.

  "Awww, aren't they just adorable?", said Pinkie Pie. "Look at them!"

  "The book also said that they're not much into social interaction.", said Fluttershy. "Try not to scare them off..."

  "Well hey there, little guy!", said Spike to one of the Tendas.

  "... hello.", said the Tenda.

  "Hey!", said a voice coming from a small distance. Spike looked up to see a white little unicorn with a curly, light-purple mane. She didn't look as shy as the Tenda tribe. "You guys are tourists?"

  "Not exactly.", said Twilight, as the unicorn filly skipped in their direction.

  "I'm Sweetie Belle. Nice to meet you!"

  "Sweetie Belle!", called another voice in a slightly larger distance. "What did I tell you about strangers?"

  "No, Rarity, they're friends! Come see them!"

  "You better head back right now!", said Rarity, as she went to "rescue" her younger sister, before recognizing Twilight's face. "Oh, aren't you Twilight Sparkle?"

  "Yes.", said Twilight Sparkle. "Am I really that famous?"

  "Well, you're the one who will be saving Equestria, dear. Of course you're famous!"

  "Um... I'm looking for--"

  "--a special place, right? You're in luck! There's a wonderful place under that rock, over there!"

  "Well, that's great... but isn't it way too heavy?"

  The rock in question was huge, and looked way too heavy to be lifted by twenty ponies, let alone eight of them.

  "There's one Tenda here that has enough power to lift that rock.", said Rarity. "But he's too shy to demonstrate his talent..."

  "Sorry for going out of the question here...", said Twilight. "... but why are you living with these Tendas anyway?"

  "Oh, I'm just staying here to find some gems and take them to my boutique back in Ponyville. Fluttershy, your dress is almost done, don't worry about it."

  "Oh, I'm not...", said Fluttershy.

  "Oh, how silly of me! You came from the Everfree Forest, didn't you?"

  "Yes...", said Trixie, traumatized by the whole "drown in puke" thing.

  "Please be my guests. You must be pretty tired."

  "We don't want to be any worry...", said Twilight.

  "Oh, no, I'm fine with it. Feel free to sleep here as well... you need a place after all, right?"

  "... I guess so. Okay then!"

  "Good. Sweetie Belle, we've got special guests tonight!"

  While Rarity ran back home, Twilight noticed hearts on Spike's eyes. Looked like Octavia wasn't a big deal now.

  ...

  "I'll have to join you too?", said Rarity, feeling honored from the opportunity to have a place in saving Equestria.

  "According to Talah Rama...", said Derpy. "... you are the only one left."

  "Wait a minute...", said Spike, finally snapping out of his trance. "... weren't there nine ponies?"

  "Maybe they got their numbers wrong.", said Twilight. "I don't know anypony else..."

  "Well, I'm sure we'll know the answer soon.", said Pinkie Pie, always optimistic.

  "Rainbow Dash, what happened?", asked Trixie to RD. "You look nervous about something."

  "Oh?", said Rainbow Dash, staring at the yellow pegasus next to her. "... it's nothing."

  "Are you sure?", asked Fluttershy.

  Rainbow Dash blushed slightly. "I need to talk to you for a few minutes..."

  "Just you two?", asked Rarity. "Just go to my bedroom. Nopony's there."

  While the two pegasii walked to the room, Rainbow Dash spotted Pinkie Pie winking at her, jokingly. She responded with a smile.

  "So...", said Fluttershy. "... what is it?"

  "Well...", sighed Rainbow Dash. "... I've been wanting to tell you something."

  "Okay... all ears."

  "It's been quite some time... while I was up there, living with that old pegasus, I often caught myself thinking about you. Ever since I first saw you, I found you to be the prettiest creature in the world."

  "... well, thank you. I'm flattered to hear that."

  "I just want to say that I love you. Very much. Will you please stay with me?"

  Fluttershy couldn't say a thing.

  "Please don't hate me for this! I... I just can't help it!"

  "... don't worry. I don't hate you... in fact, I think I'll give you a chance."

  "REALLY?!"

  "Might as well... right?"

  Rainbow Dash kissed and hugged Fluttershy with all of her emotion. Suddenly, she heard some romantic music in the background.

  "Do you hear that?", said Rainbow Dash.

  "Yes...", said Fluttershy. "... wanna dance?"

  "I'd love to."

  "Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?", asked Trixie. Pinkie Pie was outside the room, playing some romantic music.

  "Oh!", said Pinkie Pie. "I just wanted to hear some music. I'm in the mood for this kinda stuff, y'know."

  "Ah didn't know ya had such an electric taste!", said Applejack. "Heh, ah'm quite surprised."

  "Eclectic.", said Twilight.

  "Say that 'gain?"

  "You said she had an electric taste. The correct term is 'eclectic'."

  "'Zat even a word?"

  "Nevermind. So, Rarity, where can we find that book?"

  "'Overcoming Shyness'?", said Rarity. "I found it at the library in Ponyville. Quite a masterpiece, if I do say so myself. However, the book is actually in the hooves of a girl called Peppermint Twist. She didn't return it yet."

  "I know her! This will be easier than I thought!"

  Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It sounded fast-paced and desperate.

  "Who's there?", asked Rarity. No sound was heard. Just another knock, this time even faster. Sweetie Belle opened the door to find Photo-Finish (taking pictures everywhere, as usual) and Angel Bunny, who zoomed in Twilight's direction.

  "Angel?", said Twilight. "What are you doing here?"

  "Angel?!", said Fluttershy, before flying out of the room, with Rainbow Dash behind her. "I missed you so much!"

  No time for greetings, ma'am!, "said" Angel. Something AWFUL has happened!

  "What is it, boy?", said Applejack.

  "Back there at Dr. Peanuts' lab, we found out that he was missing! And then, when I double-checked the room, I noticed Twist was gone too! I saw her getting kidnapped by a star-shaped weirdo, that kept saying something about some Discord dude. But that doesn't matter! Twist is gone!

  "Twist is gone?!", said Twilight. "How are we going to get that book?!"

  "Forget that dumb book!", said Derpy. "My father is gone!"

  "Wait, didja say somethin' 'bout a star-shaped weirdo?", said Applejack. "Ah've seen 'em before, destroyin' our crops and kidnappin' our ponyfolk! Ah followed 'em all the way to where they came from, and ah ended up at the Stonehenge in Ice Cube Land. Ah tried followin' them a little further, but there was some kind of eraser-like statue on the way. Ah couldn't get past it, so ah just gave up and tipped mah hat to the ponyfolk who couldn't make it outta there."

  Oh yeah, I forgot. Here, this should take care of your problem.

  Angel pulled out a weird-looking gadget from Photo's saddlebag. It looked similar to the Pencil Eraser.

  "Thank you, Angel!", said Twilight. "Let's save some ponyfolk!"

  Twilight teleported the whole group to the Ice Cube Land.

  Arriving at Dr. Peanuts's lab, the group saw a nerdy-looking pegasus at a short distance. He noticed Derpy and ran up to their direction.

  "Derpy!", said Maxwell. "Thank goodness you're here!"

  "What happened?!", asked Derpy. "... wait... is Timmy okay?"

  "Unfortunately... no. He got kidnapped too."

  "Oh no! Not Timmy! Anypony but him!"

  "Hey, we didn't bring Rarity along.", said Twilight.

  "She said she would get herself ready before she joined us.", said Trixie. "We'll get her on the way back."

  "Okay then. Now, Applejack, do you know where that place was?"

  "... can't remember.", said Applejack.

  "Applejack, please! Those ponies depend on us!", said Derpy. "Timmy depends on us! MY FATHER depends on us!!!"

  Applejack didn't want to cause anyone's misfortune. She tried her best, but still couldn't remember a thing. Suddenly, she had an excellent idea.

  "To the Stonehenge!", exclaimed Applejack.

  At the Stonehenge, the ponies saw a hole in the middle, leading to a strange place. Applejack nodded, indicating that it was their destination. As the ponies proceeded, they saw an eraser-shaped statue. Twilight used the Eraser Eraser, and Applejack led the way. The ponyfolk were depending on them. Rainbow Dash flew as fast as she could, but got surprised when Derpy flew even faster. Those aliens were going to pay for what they did to her family. Applejack had the same revenge in her eyes. Arriving at the base, they were surprised by what they saw: dozens of ponies were being held in capsules. Some of them were sleeping, and others kept bashing on the glass at the sight of the group.

  "Father!", exclaimed Derpy, crying her poor little heart out. "Don't worry, I'll save you!"

  "Big Macintosh! Granny Smith! Apple Bloom!", exclaimed Applejack.

  "TIMMY!!!"

  "Is he your boyfriend?", asked Pinkie Pie.

  "Why... yes he is. Poor guy..."

  "What's all this racket?", said a robotic voice coming through the door.

  "You!", exclaimed Applejack. "Are you responsible for this?!"

  "Twilight Sparkle. *whirrr* I heard about you." The voice revealed itself. It was a strange, star-shaped man figure.

  "Hey! Answer me!"

  "You are much stronger *whirrr* than our intelligence indicated. We were not *beep* prepared for that eventuality."

  "Aww, dagnabbit."

  "The prophecy from the *click* Apple of Enlightenment may be true... but you must not *whirrr* underestimate us."

  The Starman attacked Twilight, only to get bucked in the head by Applejack.

  "Ah'm the one that's got business with you.", said Applejack, while the Starman got back up, to get flying-kicked in the back by Derpy Hooves.

  "Yeah!", cheered Pinkie Pie. "Kick him in the pancreas!"

  "Starstorm.", said the Starman, while charging up a very threatening energy ball. Before he could do anything, though, he received a bottle rocket to his chest and exploded.

  When the Starman got destroyed, all the lights went off, and all the capsules were broken.

  "Applejack!", exclaimed Apple Bloom, hugging her big sister. "Thanks!"

  "You guys alright?", asked Applejack.

  "Eeyup.", said Big Macintosh.

  "Thank you so much, grandsweetie.", said Granny Smith.

  "TIMMY!", exclaimed Derpy, kissing her boyfriend and then realizing her father was there in front of them. "Father! You're okay too!"

  "Derpy, I missed you so much!", said Dr. Peanuts. "Those aliens broke into my lab and trapped me inside that capsule for no apparent reason. How insulting."

  Derpy hugged her small, but nice family. Everypony was okay.

  "Hey, Twilight.", said Twist. "Thanks for being here. I expected there to be a 7% chance that you would rescue me."

  "You're welcome, Twist.", said Twilight. "I'm looking for a book called 'Overcoming Shyness'. Do you have it?"

  "Oh, I returned it to the library. Quite a masterpiece, if I do say so myself."

  "Oh, that's okay. Guys, we're going to the library."

  "Are you going to help the shy Tenda tribe with it?"

  "Yes. How'd you know?"

  "I heard about them, and feel bad for them. I'm glad you'll be there to help."

  "Okay, everypony. We're teleporting back to Ponyville."

  Along with all the other victims, Twilight teleported the group back to Ponyville.

  Before returning to the library, Applejack said goodbye to her family before they returned to the Sweet Apple Acres. At the library, they found a pink-coated, light purple-maned filly at the counter. Her name was Diamond Tiara.

  "How can I help you?", asked Diamond Tiara.

  "Can I get 'Overcoming Shyness'?", asked Twilight.

  "Okay."

  "... where is it?"

  "I don't know. When Twist returned it, I just stuck it wherever it would fit."

  "Is that how you deal with these books?", said Twist. "They're important information, you know!"

  Diamond Tiara raised her hooves, sarcastically. "Ooo, I'm sorry for not doing things the same way as you. Maybe one of the ponies here knows where it is."

  "Ugh... fine."

  "Rather disrespectful, if I do say so myself.", whispered Dr. Peanuts to himself.

  Twilight poked one of the ponies' shoulder, to get his attention. He turned around, with a rather surprised look. His name was Pipsqueak.

  "Um... yes?", said Pipsqueak.

  "Excuse me...", said Twilight. "... do you happen to know where 'Overcoming Shyness' is?"

  "Oh, it's in the bookcase on the left. I tried finding it, but everything's so messed up that I just took a random magazine from the counter and started reading it. It's called the Midnight Star, and it says a lot of interesting stuff."

  "Um... okay. You guys wait here, while I try to find it."

  Twilight went to the bookcases with a determined look in her eyes.

  "So... what kind of stuff is in that magazine?", asked Derpy.

  "Well...", said Pipsqueak. "... did you know that Hitler's brain is being kept alive inside a jar?"

  "I've heard of that magazine.", said Spike. "I never saw that many lies contained in such few pieces of paper."

  "Well, with the current technology available to the first-world countries in Equestria...", said Dr. Peanuts. "... it's actually possible to preserve the equine brain's life by keeping it inside a jar full of a special, pony-made fluid called--"

  "Enough with all the optimism. Hitler blew his brains out. There's no way this fact could be true."

  "Found it!", said Twilight. "It was a really difficult task, but I have found the 'Overcoming Shyness' book!"

  "Twilight, before we go back to the Tenda Village...", said Derpy. "... you should teleport us back to Winters, so these guys can work on the Phase Distorter."

  "Okay."

  Twilight teleported the whole group back to the laboratory in Ice Cube Land.

  "Goodbye, daddy.", said Derpy. "I'll be back soon."

  "No hurry, sweetie.", said Dr. Peanuts. "Just kick butt like I know you can!"

  "I will. Trust me."

  "Goodbye, honey.", said Timmy, finally being able to say something after quite a long trance.

  "Goodbye, dear.", said Derpy, kissing her boyfriend again.

  "Goodbye, Twilight.", said Twist, with a proud look in her eyes. "The Phase Distorter will get done much faster now."

  "Good luck.", said Twilight. "I guess we should be going then."

  Twilight teleported the group back to the Tenda Village, after quite a long adventure just to find that stupid book. It was worth it anyway. It was a masterpiece, after all. Next Chapter: A Penny for Your Thoughts Estimated time remaining: 34 Minutes