"Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone, umm. Excuse me, sir? I mean, no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off. Now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-" the butter colored pegasus spoke quietly until she cut herself off, as the birds she had been trying to coordinate suddenly scattered into the air. "Oh no! Come back!"

"Sorry, I must have scared them off," I said, apologizing with an embarrassed look. "I didn't mean to." All I had done was approach, but that was often enough for birds. I heard a voice of a woman speaking, soft though it was, and had come to investigate, only to find a talking pony. A talking winged pony. With a butterfly brand. "They sounded pretty good. I'm Cloud Strife, by the way. What's your name?"

I couldn't hear her the first time, but with my legendary SOLDIER attention to detail I managed to barely make out her name the second time. "Nice to meet you, Butterfly," I said.

"What are you, if you don't mind me asking," she inquired very softly. It was a good thing there wasn't any other noises, or I wouldn't have caught it. The birds were slowly returning, so I might really have my hearing abilities tested soon with this one.

"Me? Oh, I'm a mercenary. I do whatever needs doing, whatever someone's willing to pay to have done, anyways. Oh! Did you mean race? I'm a human," I said. It hadn't occurred to me at first that she wouldn't know what a human was. I didn't know what she was either, but I hadn't wanted to be rude about it. Fortunately for her, mercenaries aren't easy to offend unless you skimp on their payment. And that goes double for ex-SOLDIERs like myself.

"Oh, that sounds nice," she said a little louder. I didn't often hear mercenaries referred to as nice, but I didn't care to correct her. Besides, I could be nice. Especially since her voice reminded me a bit of Aeris'. "Tell me all about yourself? Perhaps over some tea?"

We spent a few hours in her little cottage, having a pleasant conversation. It bothered me a bit, as I knew Tifa was in a dangerous situation. But I didn't have any way to get there and do anything about it. I would have to have faith in my childhood friend to get herself out of it, perhaps with a bit of help from Aeris. As protective as I was of the flowergirl, I knew she was used to danger and tougher than she looked. Honestly, that Don Corneo character was probably fucked, and not in the way he wanted to be.

By the end, she knew a lot of things about humans I rarely even thought about, and I had a basic understanding of the varieties of colorful ponies that made up the local population.

"You'd better get back to your birds," I suggested. "Weren't you trying to conduct them or something?"

"Oh, yes! We need to rehearse for the Summer Sun Celebration," Butterfly said, starting to head back out.

"Sounds good. By any chance could you recommend a seamstress for me? This dress is not fitting quite right," I inquired.

"Oh yes, of course. Rarity at the Carousal Boutique will make it perfect, I'm sure," Butterfly suggested. She gave me directions, and sent me on my way. As I started on my way, I noticed a purple unicorn trotting away, a floating quill checking something off a floating scroll as she walked. But she didn't seem important at the time.

Travelling through the town full of ponies I got a lot of curious looks, but most ponies just kept walking. One in particular pointed at me and gasped the loudest, deepest gasp I had ever heard from anyone before running away. Funny, she didn't look scared. I wondered what that was about, but she was already out of sight. I would have to wait to see what became of it later.

Finally, I had my eye on the prize, so to speak; I saw a building that looked very much like a giant carousel, almost certainly my destination. As I approached though, a blur of motion caught my peripheral vision. Acting fast, I started to dodge backward. Seeing it wouldn't be quite enough to avoid the multicolored projectile, I reached out my arms, deflecting its course just enough for it to shoot past me, leaving a multicolored streak in its wake. It came to a stop, revealing a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane.

"Woah! You have some serious moves!" she complimented, darting in close in a controlled manner this time, and offering a hoof.

After a moment's uncertained, I closed a fist and bumped it lightly against her hoof. "Cloud Strife," I introduced. "exSOLDIER. Hands for hire."

"Rainbow Dash," she replied. "Future Wonderbolt. And all-around awesome mare. We should hang out sometime, Cloud. Oh, shoot! That reminds me, I've got a job to do!" She blurred up into the sky, bouncing around from cloud to cloud and scattering my namesake out of view leaving a perfectly clear sunny day. Butterfly had mentioned that pegasi managed the weather, but seeing it in action was something else.

While Rainbow caught her breath after a job well done, I headed into the boutique, idly noting the same purple unicorn passing by with her checklist.

"Oh, darling, that simply will not do," a voice said as I strolled in. Turning, I found another unicorn, this one white furred with a violet mane. She was quite pretty, I could tell, despite the species difference.

"Rarity, I presume? Butterfly recommended you as a seamstress. You see, I wasn't able to get this dress quite properly fitted, as I'm sure you see," I explained.

"I can see. I can't say I've worked on anyone of your... body type before, but this is a simple enough matter. Though you really ought to liven it up a bit, add a few sapphires to match your eyes," she began.

"That sounds great, but I must admit I don't have any money with me. I was brought here rather suddenly against my will, and didn't manage to grab my wallet. I'm happy to work to repay you, whether directly or earning what I owe you," I offered.

"What? Oh, you poor dear, I didn't realize. Well, here, let me at least adjust your dress for you, it's the least I can do," Rarity offered.

"That's quite generous of you," I pointed out. "But I don't forget my debts. I owe you one."

"Nonsense, darling," she insisted, as her magic lifted my clothes from me and she got to work, letting out some seams and taking in others.

I got her chatting as she worked, talking about fashion. I guessed it wouldn't distract her too much from her work, and it didn't. I studied her every word like it would be on a test. I wasn't used to being a woman, but I knew women needed to know these things, and so I did my best to cram for it, getting at least a start. I was sure it would be easy to get Rarity on the subject again in the future as often as I needed.

"Excuse me," came a voice from the entrance. "Just here to check on the decorations."

"They're on the table, darling," Rarity called back.

"Okay," the voice answered, followed shortly by a checkmark being added to a scroll. I had a guess as to who it was, though we hadn't been introduced yet. "Let's go, Spike."

They were long gone by the time I walked out, enjoying the much improved comfort of the better fitting silk dress. Rarity had added a few stylistic flourishes as well, adding to the debt she insisted I didn't owe her.

"Even if the dress is free, I still need some work. Do you have something I could help you with for the time being?" I inquired.

"Sorry, darling, I'll keep you in mind. But you should try Sweet Apple Acres. They always have plenty of work on their farm. Hard work, and I'm sure it will simply murder that lovely dress of yours. So perhaps take it off when you're working?" she suggested.

I blushed. I had noticed the ponies didn't usually wear clothes, but humans usually did. "I could use something a bit sturdier for working in. Once I can afford it," I said.

"We'll talk later, dear. Now it's getting late. Perhaps you should stop by Sugarcube Corner for a snack?" she suggested.

"No bits," I lamented.

"Oh, I'm quite sure that won't be a problem this time. No get along, darling," she insisted. She knew something, but it probably wasn't bad, so I let it go.

Sugarcube Corner wasn't hard to find, and there was a pony with a cowboy hat and an apple brand heading that way.

"Excuse me," I asked. "Do you work at the Sweet Apple Acres?" It seemed a reasonable guess.

"Sure do," the mare replied. "What can I do for you? Looking to buy some apples? Sorry, I don't have my cart on me at the moment."

"No, no. Actually, I was looking for work. Rarity suggested your farm can always use a hand or two," I answered.

"A hand? Oh, like a hoof. Got it. Well, if you're willing to work hard, we're glad to have you. Now, tomorrow's a holiday, but after that just follow that road out of town and you can't miss it," she explained. "Just ask for me, Applejack," she added, offering a hoof.

With a firm bump, I agreed. "Cloud Strife. I'll see you there." Picking apples wasn't a dream job, but it would get me paid, and I desperately needed an income.

We both headed into the bakery, and both jumped in surprise as a cannon went off right next to me, dropping confetti over the two of us.

"SURPRISE!" yelled the pink mare who had run off earlier. "Welcome to Ponyville!" she welcomed, repeating the text of the banner that hung overhead.

"Phew! I didn't think I could hold in that secret much longer, Pinkie," Applejack said. "I was just lucky she was already heading this way without any prompting."

"I knew she would get here. It was in the script," Pinkie said, ignoring my questioning look. "Anyways, have some cake, everypony. That means you too, Cloud!"

Looking around, I noticed Butterfly sitting in a corner, quietly enjoying a slice of cake. Rainbow Dash was near her, mixing with guests I didn't recognize. Rarity joined us, not long after, admitting to knowledge of Pinkie's intent to surprise me.

I couldn't keep track of all the other ponies' names as I learned them, but all were friendly, and I could hardly say no to the free food. Still, I didn't stay that long, slipping outside and resting against the wall as the party carried on.

"Is something the matter?" Butterfly asked me quietly after a few minutes. I hadn't heard her come out.

"My friend, Tifa, was in a dangerous spot when I was magically whisked away here. It just doesn't feel right partying right now, when I don't know if she got out of it okay. I'm sure she did. She's tough. But I don't actually know. I wasn't there to help," I said.

She nuzzled up against me, and I reached down to lay a hand on her head, both of us appreciating the gentle touch.

"Well, if you say she's tough, then I'm sure she'll be okay," Rainbow Dash added as she zoomed out to hover before us. The few other ponies whose names I knew were out with us soon thereafter.

"Well, I'm sure somepony can find a way to send you back," Applejack said. "Don't you worry none."

"In the meantime, let's enjoy some wacky hijinks!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"We'll make you feel right at home as long as you're here, darling," Rarity offered.

"Oh thank goodness! I finally found somepony!" the purple unicorn said, catching her breath from her run.

"What's the matter?" I asked seriously, approaching swiftly. I could tell by her expression that this was something serious.

"Nightmare Moon is going to escape at dawn!" she declared. "If she gets loose, she'll bring in an era of eternal night, unless somepony can get the Elements of Harmony and activate them to stop her!" She lifted a book from her saddlebag in that weird way unicorns did, and opened it to a page showing a number of round stones with symbols carved on them.

"Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty," I read aloud. "And the sixth element is unknown? Any idea where to find them?"

"They're in an old castle, deep in what is now the Everfree Forest," the unicorn said. "But I'm new in town and don't even know where that is."

Pinkie gasped another of her extremely exaggerated gasps.

"It's not that strange. I'm new here too, though... is it the forest next to Butterfly's cottage?" I asked. "If so, I do know the way there."

"It's Fluttershy, Cloud," Rainbow Dash pointed out. "Get it straight."

"Oh, sorry. She said it so quietly when we were introduced, I misheard," I apologized. "Why didn't you say anything sooner, Fluttershy?"

She mumbled something too quietly to make out.

"Well, that's better," Rainbow said, satisfied.

"Alright then, I'm going. I don't suppose anyone has a sword I can borrow though," I said.

"Woah there, partner. I can't let my newest farmhoof head out there without backup. We're coming with you," Applejack said. "We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple." Every pony but Twilight nodded and hmph'd in agreement.

"Especially if there's candy apples in there," added Pinkie. "What? Those things are good."

"Alright! I'll be at the library. Just bring the Elements there when you return, and hurry! It's already sundown, you only have until sunrise tomorrow! I'll be researching anything I can find on the Elements to help you activate them," Twilight said. Agreed, we parted ways. One I thing I knew from my time in SOLDIER; a good researcher was a critical ally, just not on the front lines.

"So, have any of you been in here before?" I asked as we started into the forest.

"Of course not," Rainbow Dash. "Because nopony who has ever come in here..."

"Cut it out, Rainbow Dash," Applejack said firmly.

"...has ever come out!" the pegasus concluded.

"I've been in more dangerous spots," I boasted. "Even recently. Though I admit I wasn't unarmed at the time."

"You don't think we'll need weapons do you?" Fluttershy inquired. "Oh, I really hope not..."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from anything scary," Rainbow and I said simultaneously. We glared at each other a moment and then broke out in shared laughter as Pinkie interrupted us by calling out "Jinx!"

The tension broken for the moment, we continued forward. The cliff face shifted a bit under our combined weight, giving us pause. "Lookout, everypony!" Applejack said, as the pegasi took flight. Their launch, however, made the situation less stable for the rest of us, causing chunks of rock to break off. However, we were far enough back that we didn't lose our footing. "Whew, that was close. A little too close for comfort. Let's head down to lower ground. Carefully," she suggested.

With a bit of effort, we found a way around to lower ground and continued onward, deeper into the forest. A deep growling noise made its way to our ears from the distance ahead.

"Sounds like a fearsome beast," Rainbow said, looking for a target to charge. "You ready, Cloud?"

"I was born ready," I said, balling my fists and looking for the oncoming threat.

Fluttershy said something quietly, barely tickling at my perception.

"Well... come on then. Where is this creature?" Rarity questioned, getting a little impatient. "Are we under attack or aren't we?"

Fluttershy said something a bit longer and slightly louder.

"What's that, Fluttershy?" I asked, still scanning the woods around us.

"I said, I think some poor creature is hurt. Let me take a look. I'll be okay, I promise," she said.

"We've got your flank," Rainbow promised, as she and I trailed after her at a distance, letting her put her talent to work. Shortly, she had found a dangerous looking creature, a lion like body sporting massive wings and a deadly looking tail. It roared out a warning, but rather than heed it, Fluttershy waved us back.

"There now, widdle kitty, no need to be afraid. Fluttershy will help you right out," the pegasus said sweetly as she approached. I had been tensed to charge in, but I realized that was making the creature tense. I was more of a danger to my new friend being ready to protect her than if I wasn't. So I forced myself to relax, forced a casual smile. Rainbow looked at me questioningly before trying to do the same. Despite the failure in sincerity, it seemed to put the creature at ease enough to show Fluttershy its paw, where a massive thorn was stuck. Gripping it with her teeth, the pegasus pulled it free, releasing the creature from its pain.

Continuing on, we reach a shadow copse of trees which surprisingly set Pinkie off giggling. "What's so funny, sugarcube?" Applejack questioned.

"Just look at all these spookie faces!" Pinkie said, bounding from tree to tree. In the dim light of the moon and stars, the shadows did make for some amusing caricatures of tooth filled maws and massive claws.

"Yer right," Applejack giggled. "I'm sure some of these would be perfect for our Nightmare Night maze."

The laughter proved infectious, spreading from pony to pony. I managed to keep it to a grin, myself, which was already dangerously infringing upon my cool, tough gal motif.

We came next to a river. It seemed nice and calm, but as we approached, a massive serpent rose up from within. "Halt! Who trespasses upon the domain of Steven Magnet?" he demanded.

Finally, my element. A fight. One I was terribly underprepared for. But I was determined to win anyways. There were six of us, twice the size of any squad I had ever fought in. And with her innate magical powers, I was sure Rarity would have something great up her... well she wasn't wearing sleeves at the moment, but that horn of hers could surely do something. She stepped up...

"This is the domain of the fabulous Steven Magnet?" she inquired. "Oh, I feel so ashamed to have come without my camera. Those beautiful scales, the perfectly coifed mane. The incredible mustache!"

"Oh, you're too kind, too kind. You really are a fan, are you?" Steven inquired.

"How could I not be, faced with such beauty?" Rarity continued.

"Oh brother," Rainbow commented, nearly giving away the game as she and Fluttershy flew Applejack and Pinkie Pie over the river while he was distracted.

Rarity kept the compliments going for a few minutes while the pegasi returned. Fluttershy carried me across in her hooves while Rainbow Dash waited impatiently. "Now then, I really must go, but we must meet again!" Rarity said, before letting Rainbow Dash dart her across before the serpent could react. "Goodbye now," her final words drifted back to him before he sank beneath the waves, subdued.

At last we came in view of the ancient castle. Naturally it was on the far side of a chasm, spanned by a rickety old bridge. WIth a probing touch of my foot, I sent the bridge tumbling down into the chasm. "Alright... are you two ready to carry us across one more obstacle?" I inquired.

"No need, I got this," Rainbow Dash said, before blurring off with a rainbow contrail. She returned seconds later with the end of the bridge which had followed. Applejack secured it with some rope I hadn't realized she was carrying, and I tested it again.

"Alright... it seems secure this time, but let's not take chances. One at a time. Rainbow, be ready to dive in if you're needed," I commanded.

"Roger that," Rainbow saluted reflexively. We made our way across, one by one, safely. Despite the lack of further incident, everyone was quite glad for Rainbow's vigilant overwatch.

"Does anypony feel like this was all too easy?" Pinkie Pie questioned.

"I bet it would be a lot harder if we had waited until that Nightmare Moon character had already broken free," I pointed out. I know we were already racing against time, quite late into the night, but it would have been much harder with someone trying to actively stop us."

"That's true, darling," Rarity agreed. "Now let's just get this over with so we can get back to civilization. I'm desperately in need of a spa day as it is. And your poor, poor dress."

"This looks like the elements from the book," I commented as we entered a side chamber with something vaguely resembling a stone planetarium. "Let's grab them and go."

Each pony took one of the stones, leaving me empty handed. "There's only five of 'em," Applejack said. "Aren't there supposed to be six?"

"Well, what about this?" I said, reaching for the larger sphere in the center, where the sun should be. When my hand touched it, I froze in shock. I knew this feeling. This power. It wasn't shiny, or a convenient size. Perhaps it wasn't refined. But it was materia. I could tell.

I struggled to lift it free. It was massive, and seemed set into the stone more strongly than the others. My pony friends came to help me, all five laying hooves on it to push it free. When they did, it started to resonate, glowing and spreading its glow into us. I could feel the power, and the knowledge of the power, flowing into my heart, mind and soul. It was materia all right.

Well, okay. It was different than any materia I was used to. As I accessed it with my mind, it taught me how to activate it, and the others... they were a set, and all worked together. I focused my will, my eyes glowing as the mako within me reacted, and beams of light lanced out to each of the other element stones, dissolving the stone and revealing crystal shards within. Those closed on my friends before transmuting, becoming necklaces with central icons matching their brands.

And lastly, my element landed on my head, taking the form of a tiara. Of course. The one I left behind in my own world's dressing room simply had to be replaced.

"What an odd shape," Rarity said, commenting as she pointed a hoof toward it. "Ours all match our cutie marks, but yours. What is that even supposed to be?"

I took the tiara off and turned it to look at it. It was my buster sword. I laughed, before putting it back on my head. It fit me, already, despite being horrible asthetically. If it cut down my foes, I could forgive it for that.

"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!" the mayor began. "And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..."

"Ready?" I asked the mares beside me quietly. They nodded with determination in their eyes and a glow in their new jewelry.

"...Princess Celestia!" the mayor called out expectantly.

There was a pregnant pause, as everypony awaited their sovereign's arrival.

"This will be good," the librarian commented with a conspiratorial grin.

"Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!" the mayor insisted.

"Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie guessed.

"Pinkie darling, you know what's coming," Rarity pointed out.

All around us ponies gasped as a dark figure appeared, a massive horse with wings and a long, pointed horn. She was covered in imposing looking armor, annoying me with the reminder I lacked my own. But now at least I had one weapon.

"Oh, my beloved subjects," Nightmare Moon began sarcastically. "It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces."

And then we blasted her with a rainbow of devastating magic. She became much smaller, lighter in fur tone, and her armor vanished, but she was still there.

"Watch out, she's entered her second form!" I warned. Boss monsters were usually harder in their later forms, I knew, so I began charging up a second blast.

"No, wait!" another winged, horned, horse demanded as she floated in on a beam of light, as daylight suddenly, blindingly, filled the sky. "Nightmare Moon is no more. This is Luna, my sister!"

Pinkie Pie played out a celebratory ditty on a kazoo. I fidgeted uncontrollably, wanting so badly to spin my sword around before dramatically sheathing it. But the only sword I had was a tiny emblem on my tiara, far too small for the maneuver.

Pinkie's Welcome Back to the Light Side Party for Luna was well received by all the residents of Ponyville but one. Their new librarian, whose name I learned to be Twilight Sparkle, seemed to be having a bad time. Finally I approached her.

"What's wrong, Twilight? With your dedication and rapid research, we were able to save the day. You deserve as much credit for this win as any other member of the team," I said.

"I know that, and I'm glad we saved the day. But I'm a bit torn. All of my friends are back in Canterlot. But there's a whole new library here full of books, several of which I haven't read," Twilight explained. "And if I go back, who will run the library?"

"For a few bits, I can keep the library safe until a new librarian can be appointed," I offered jokingly.

"Thanks for the offer, Cloud, but somehow you don't seem like the type to be able to properly file the reference section, much less the rest of the shelves," Twilight said. "Thanks though, you've really helped put things in perspective. Anypony can make friends, but only a select few can keep a library like this one in tip top shape."

"Glad I could help, Twilight. Still, you shouldn't dismiss the power of friendship. I miss the friends I left behind, sorely, but I'm still glad to have made a few new ones here. Look around, and I'm sure you'll find some good ponies that you enjoy spending time with," I encouraged. Sadly, the words fell on deaf ears. She was already reading a book and tuning me out.

"It's not you, it's her," said the little reptilian creature I hadn't noticed by her side.