Sora and I just smile at the now stoned draconequus, thinking back to how he really wasn’t evil in the show, he was just a prankster with the powers of a god. He wasn’t like Bill Cipher or any of those other supposed ‘chaos users’. I look back into our purse looking for anything out of place. Unfortunately something was missing.

“Huh? Where..?” I quickly lower myself and the bag and begin to empty its contents. My wallet, phone, headphones, and a replica Aura Reader from Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness fall out, but one thing is missing. I begin to look deeper, not noticing how a small green and black orbs and a folded up note fall out as well.

“Natali darling? What are you looking for?” Rarity asks, the others equally confused by my actions. As I go to answer, Spike feels something bump his foot. He looks down seeing the orb and the note in confusion.

“I am looking for my Zorua plushie! I know I had it in my purse before I got here.” I tell them, the girls surprised by my answer.

“Pfft, a plushie?!? HAHA, that is hilarious, the badflank Vector user losing her favourite toy!” Rainbow laughs, only to shut up and freeze as she feels several of our Vectors hovering around her.

”You wanna go flying higher than you ever have before?” Sorano threatens coldly, causing Rainbow to shake her head rapidly, before dismissing the Vectors and helping me think of where my Zorua could be.

You see, before we got sent to Equestria, we had managed to haggle a hand made shiny Zorua doll, with the Aura Reader for only $75, which was good since together they could go for $150. Most would think it is childish, and they are not wrong, but the Plushie was made so realistic and I really was hoping it was still in here.

I try to think back, but get interrupted by Spike poking my arm. “Hey, Nat. I think these are yours?” He says handing me the orb and Note.

“What the? I don’t remember buying a miniature dusk ball.” I say in confusion. Looking at the orb, it is barely bigger that a cherry and can easily fit between my fingers. I see the button meant to expand the ball and just figure ‘screw it’ and press it, not expecting anything to happen. Imagine our surprise when the ball expanded into the size of a soft ball within our hand.

“Whoa! How did you do that?” Twilight asks, her curious eyes taking in every inch of the Dusk ball and drawing it onto a sheet of paper she poofed in. Meanwhile, my mind was drawing a blank on how this happened. I know we didn’t buy this ball, so how do we have it?

”Hey Nat! Try checking the note. Maybe it has some answers.” Sorano tells me, brining me back to the present. Quickly unfolding the note, I find a rather well written letter, as opposed to Discord’s mess.

Dear Natali,

If you are reading this then you have found my little surprise gift for you. I saw as you were passing the dimensional barriers you had a couple of things that didn’t go with Elfen Lied. Normally I would just ignore it, but I figure, why not be nice for a change? Especially for someone as shy as you, you could use a small companion.

Anyways, if you found what’s missing and what’s new, I am sure you could figure out what I did. Make sure to take care of her, it took a while for me to get her ready. Enjoy your new partner!

Sincerely yours,

The Displaced Merchant.

This causes my eyes to widen as I reread the letter a couple of times to make sure I didn’t miss anything than look back at the Dusk ball in my hand. ‘No way...’

“Well Nat? What does it say?” Spike asks, unable to see the note. I look at him, then at the girls, each of which have varying faces of concern and curiosity, before looking back at the ball and gaining a small grin.

“You guys might wanna back up. Also Fluttershy? Try to control yourself when you see her.” I tell them, much to their confusion, Fluttershy in particular. But they listen to what I say and back up a few steps. I take the Aura Reader and hook it around my ear, finding it fits perfectly, before looking at the ball one last time and smile.

“Ok. Come on out Zorua!” I say as I toss the ball into the air. It does nothing in the air for a few seconds, before opening with the iconic pokeball sound and a small beam of blueish white light goes down to the ground. I hear several gasps behind me but ignore it as the light bursts away.

Standing there, about three feet away was a gray fox-like creature with a black shoulder fluff, a tuff of gray fur with light blue tip on the end, with two similarly coloured dots between their red eyes, standing on blue coloured paws. A Shiny Zorua.

The area was quiet, the group behind me likely having eyes as wide as dinner plates and jaws on the ground, (in Pinkies case possibly literally) me with the biggest grin ever. The silence lasts a bit before getting interrupted by an adorable yawn from the dark fox. Before anyone reacts, my Aura Reader begins to beep and activates, a screen covering my right eye. Looking though the screen, it shows Zorua’s basic info like in the games.

Zorua: Level 5
HP 21
Atk 7
Def 6
Sp.Atk 6
Sp,Def 5
Spd 7
Attacks: Scratch, Growl, Shadow Ball.

That last one caught my attention as Shadow ball is a really powerful move. Looking back at the the tiny Pokémon, it is looking back at me with curious eyes. ”Zorua Zoru?” it asks, tilting its head. Before I could respond, a text box appears in my reader. ”Are you my new trainer?” it reads. I realize that it was actually translating what Zorua says.

“Um, I guess so?” I respond lamely. Zorua gets up and walks to me as I crouch down to be closer to eye level with it. She starts sniffing me and walking around before sitting in front of me again.

”You look and smell like a human, yet also different. What are you?” Zorua asks. I think for a second before choosing to tell her.

“Well that’s because I am a different type of human, called a Diclonius. We are like humans just with better speed, strength, durability and these horns.” I tell her, pointing at my horns. Zorua looks for another minute before getting up and jumping onto my shoulder. “What is it with you Pokémon and resting on your trainers shoulders?” I ask with a small giggle, getting up.

”Hey, its comfy up here, and I can see better.” she says with a small chuckle of her own. I turn back to the others with Zorua resting on my right shoulder, only to be greeted by a pair of cyan eyes looking at me and Zorua. ”Who the heck?”

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness, I have never seen an animal like you before, what’s your name, what’s your diet, where did you come from, what’s-“ Fluttershy asks rapidly before getting cut off by Rarity covering her mouth.

“Now now darling, you’ll overwhelm the poor dear. Though I will admit I am curious myself.” Rarity says, calming the exited Pegasus down. I look back at Zorua before processing Fluttershy’s questions, one in particular standing out.

“Actually, now that I think about it, how would you like a nickname, so we don’t just keep calling you Zorua all the time.” I ask her, already thinking of tons of names that would fit her.

”Really? You want to give me an individual name?” she asks in surprise, likely from not having a trainer before.

“Well sure, but first I wanna know, what did you used to do for fun before coming here? That’ll help.” I tell her. Zorua looks down for a moment before looking at the sky in thought.

”Well, I used to live outside of Littleroot town in Hoenn before coming here. I didn’t do much aside from play with the local Pokémon like Poochyena and Zigzagoon. Though I did watch the night sky a lot, hoping to see a shooting star so I could meet a nice trainer. she says reminiscing.

’Well she is definitely going to get along with a certain princess of the night.’ Sorano comments, helping me narrow down the list of names.

“Ok, so you like the night?” I ask receiveing a nod from the fox. “Well how about we call you, Selene?” She looks up at the sky in thought, before jumping onto my head from my shoulder and nuzzling there. “I’ll take that as a yes?” I ask, giggling at the sensation.

“Oh my, she is sooo cuuuuttte!” Fluttershy And Pinkie say in unison. I just smile at our group before Selene jumps down from my head and walks over, to all our surprise, Spike.

“Um, hi?” He says awkwardly, the small fox looking at him with curious eyes. Spike just looks to me for help. I take of my Aura Reader and hand it to him.

“Put this on, it will let you understand her.” I explain before he puts the A.R on one of his fins where his ears should be, before looking at the Pokémon, who begins to talk to him, Spike replying in kind. I just smile at the duo before getting a tap on my shoulder, turning to see Fluttershy.

“Um, so sorry for going off like that. It’s just I have never seen a creature like Selene before.” She says in an apologetic tone.

“Eh, don’t worry about it Futters. Honestly, if I didn’t have my Aura Reader, I would probably be acting ever crazier than you were.” I wave worries off, earning a smile from her. Before she can begin to question me, Selene suddenly jumps onto my shoulder again, and Spike comes by and gives me the A.R. “Thanks Spike. I hope you two got along.” I say with a smirk, earning a nod from the dragon and fox.

Before anything else happens, Spikes stomach begins to growl and his cheeks puff up, before letting out a large belch and a small torrent of green fire turning into a scroll with a sun seal. Twilight quickly grabs the letter and reads aloud.

My Faithful student,

I believe congrats are in order for you and your friends. I can see all the chaos around the realm being dispersed, so I see that you have managed to defeat Discord and end his impromptu rule of Ponyville.

I expect a full report, and for you and your friends to come to Canterlot as soon as possible for a reward ceremony in your honour. I cannot tell you how proud of you I am Twilight.

I’ll be sending a group of soldiers to come pick up Discord’s statue in a few hours after you get this letter, and I hope you and your friends will be on your way to the royal palace after. Again, congrats and thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Your proud teacher and friend, Princess Celestia.

“Oh my, I have to get home and pack!” Rarity says urgently before rushing off to her Boutique. The other’s quickly realize they have to get ready as well, quickly returning to each of their homes, leaving just me, Spike and Selene in the middle of town. I look down at the shorter drake with a raised brow.

“Well I’m going to the library to help Twilight pack. Maybe you should head to Rarity’s to get your clothes cleaned.” Spike says, pointing at my dirt and grime covered outfit. I just nod with a smile before leaning down and giving him a quick hug before walking off, not noticing the blush adorning his face.

At the Golden Oaks library, Twilight quickly teleports in, and begins to grab her traveling kit for their trip to Canterlot. Good thing she was already packing when she was Discorded, so didn’t take long for her to pack both hers and Spikes things for the trip.

After all that is done, she grabs a new scroll and quill and begins to write her report of the events after her and her friends left to find the Elements at the royal palace. Though when she got to the part after she got Discorded, she was struck with a dilemma. Should she tell the princess about Nat and Sorano’s abilities?

Princess Celestia is a fair and just ruler, but some may see them as a powerful threat. Considering they were able to hold off and outsmart Discord and has currently unknown abilities that could be used for the detriment of Equestria. After some thought she chose to merely tell the princess that she made a new friend that helped her in getting the others back to normal, and saying that they will explain in greater detail face-to-face.

After all that is written out she rolls up the scroll and places a seal on it, ready to send. “Spike! I need you to send the letter please!” She yells out to her assistant, only to get no response. “Spike?” She calls out, before remembering she only teleported herself and facepalming in embarrassment. She quickly get up from her desk and prepares to look for her assistant, before the door to the front opens and the drake in question walks in.

“Oh Spike, sorry about leaving you like that. I was so worried about packing, I didn’t reali-“ Twilight cuts herself off, looking at her young companion. He seemed to be lost in thought with a barely noticeable blush on his scaly face. “Spike? Are you ok?” She asks.

Spike shakes his head and regains his bearings and looks back at Twilight. “Huh? What was that Twilight?” he asks. Twilight just looks at him before choosing not to continues her chain of thought and let him tell her later.

“I asked if you can send this report to the princess for me?” She asks handing him the scroll. He just nods and lights it up with his fire, the smoke going out window and towards the royal palace. Spike just walks up to their bedroom to pack his stuff. ‘Spike, what happened after I left?’

After walking a bit, and running into a few familiar background ponies, we make our way to Carousel Boutique to see if I can get Rarity to clean my outfit before we leave. Entering the establishment we are greeted by the unicorn in question levitating a dozen suitcase and dresses around herself, seemingly looking for the perfect ones.

“Hmm, no, no, not that one, wrong shade...” Rarity mumbled to herself. Selene looks at the distracted mare and soon gains a mischievous grin as she jumps of my shoulder. She crawls close and once close enough jumps and latches onto the unicorns tail. “Aaiiie!!!” She shrieks in surprise, before looking back and seeing me and Selene rolling around laughing.

“HAHAHHAH! Oh my goddess that was hilarious! Her-her face!” I yell in between hysterical laughter, Selene in much the same position. Rarity looks at the two of us with an unamused expression, before cracking a small smile.

“Ok, ok that was at least a little bit funny.” She says reluctantly. It takes a bit before the two (three) of us calm down from our laughter.

“O-okay, I’m good, I’m good.” I say catching my breath. “Sorry Rarity, but now you know why Zorua are known as the trickster fox Pokémon. Anyways do you think you could help me wash my clothes before we leave?” I request, gestureing to my outfit.

“Oh of course darling! Just take the second door on the right down the hall into the laundry room. You can borrow one of my robes till they are done.” She says pointing back down the hall. Placing Selene on the couch nearby, alongside her purse and finding the laundry room before grabbing a pale pink robe.

Quickly stripping down, I place my clothes into the washing machine, making sure set it to ‘touchup’ and pressing the button before retuning to the front room, Selene immediately jumping onto my shoulder. Looking back into the room I find Rarity looking at me and Selene with a critical eye, all her suitcases and dresses packed up by the door.

“What is it?” I ask. Before we could react, she suddenly levitates Selene off my shoulder and summons an armies worth of fabric, measuring tapes, rulers and sketchbooks. “Nyu?!?” I say in alarm as she starts to take my measurement, levitating different fabrics by my head and around Selene too. It is only when she starts to undo the belt holding the robe that I intervene with a Vector around her horn, cutting off her magic and causing her to let out a shout in pain.

“OW! What was that for?!?” Rarity yells indignantly, before noticing that my face is as red as an apple.

“What was that for?!? Rarity, you just acted and started taking our measurements without warning, and just tried to strip us in your front room where anypony can walk in and see us! If that were to happen I make no guarantee that you wouldn’t end up like the Discord puppet.” Sorano says, giving a glare that could freeze a windego solid.

Rarity begins to shake violently, sputtering, trying to think of a way to apologize. This goes on for a solid minute before we get interrupted by a cough by the front door. Turning we see somepony I honestly wasn’t expecting. Rarity’s younger sister: Sweetie Belle. Her hair was the same two shades of pinkish purple, same pale emerald eyes, wearing a white and pink striped shirt, a hot pink jacket and a yellow denim dress. She just looks at the three (four) of us with a raised brow before looking at Rarity.

“Big sis, are you measuring someone against their will again?” She asks with a knowing look in her eye and a hand on her hip. Rarity stutters for a few seconds before sighing and hanging her head in shame. Sweetie just nods and walks up to me and Selene. “Sorry about my sister, but there is little that can stop her when she gets exited with the prospect of new designs.”

’Oh I know one way to make her stop.’ Sora thinks before I give her a mental smack to the head. Literally. The last thing we need is for Sorano to be antagonizing one of the main six. I heard the beep from the washing machine so I quickly walk back with Selene and put my clothes into the dryer.

Walking back into the the front room, I notice Sweetie walking up the stairs with some fabric in her hands. Looking down at Selene, I nod to the way Sweetie went and give her the A.R. She just nods and takes the A.R to Sweetie. Looking back I see Rarity sitting on what I recognize as her fainting couch. I walk up and sat on the opposite end just looking through my purse.

We just sit in silence, barely hearing Sweetie and Selene talking. I look through my phone, finding that Discord had decided to take some selfies while he had my stuff with him. Kinda funny. I can clearly see Rarity fidgeting in my peripherals so I just sigh. ’yeah, yeah, I’m on it.’

Sora takes control and turns to Rarity, cutting the white mare off as she was about to speak. ”I’m sorry. For snapping at you like that.” looking at Rarity, she has an expression torn between curious and shamed.

”I know I may have gone a little over board with my threat, but it is a psychological imperative of mine to keep Natali safe and I tend to wanna make sure nothing happens to her.” Rarity just tilts her head, obviously not fully understanding. Sorano just sighs and turns to face the mare fully.

”I am not like most Rarity. I wasn’t born like a normal girl, nor was I created through some random chance or disease, I was made after Nat nearly died.” she explains, Rarity’s eyes widening in shock. ”I don’t really wanna repeat myself so please, just wait until I can talk to the others. Just know I was originally just a defence mechanism within Nat’s mind.”

Rarity just looks at us with wide eyes before scooting closer and embracing us, something I made Sora return in full. After that was said and done I changed back into my clothes and go to get Selene, the Pokémon posing for Sweetie to draw. “Okay you two. Sweetie can I have the A.R back, and Selene get ready. We are going to Canterlot.” I tell them, Selene walking up to Sweetie and giving her a nuzzle, the filly hugging her in return, before jumping up to my shoulder, Sweetie giving me the A.R.

Walking out the door, Rarity has all half a dozen suitcases on a wagon and was about to start pulling, before I stop her by grabbing it with my Vector. Rarity looks at me surprised so I just give her a smile and nod, turning to walk to the train station. Rarity soon follows walking beside us.

“Even though Sorano said it first, I feel I still must apologize for how I acted earlier Natali.” Rarity says suddenly, an apologetic look on her face. “Like Sorano, I sometimes let myself go a little overboard when new inspiration hits, so I try to capitalize whenever it strikes, I just forget about some peoples personal space and preferences sometimes.”

Not long after she says that I see the train station ahead, Twilight, Spike, and Pinkie waiting there already.

“Rarity, I know you can sometimes go overboards, and please don’t take it personal how Sora acted. I just hope you realize that you need to control yourself sometimes.” I tell her, patting her on the shoulder with a smile. We soon join the others on the platform to wait for the others and the train, Pinkie vibrating on her spot.

”Is she ok? Selene asks, looking at the bubbly pink mare.

“Don’t worry Selene, it’s just Pinkie being Pinkie. If she does something seemingly impossible, just remember that.” I tell her, the Pokemon looking at me and then to Pinkie in confusion.

“Oh yeah! Nat, Spike, I forgot to ask. How is it you two are able to understand Selene. All we hear is her repeating or shortening ‘Zorua’.” Twilight asks, notepad at the ready.

“Oh, its simple Twilight.” I says, unhooking the A.R from my ear and giving it to her. “This device is called an Aura Reader. As the name implies, it can read the aura of a creature, in particular Pokemon, seeing into their hearts. The way we are able to understand her is its translation feature.”

Twilight looks at the small machine in her hands in awe, the taking notes with her magic as well as a very detailed drawing accompanying it. “May I?” He asks, to which I just nod. She smiles wide as she puts it onto her head, the visor covering her eye. “Now what?” She asks exited.

“Zor Zorua” ”Now all I do is talk.” Selene says, the words being translated for Twilights view.

“Incredible! I just wish I understood this tech better.” She says with a slightly worrying smile, so I use a Vector and take the device back, much to her disappointment.

“Don’t even think about dismantling it Twilight. Even I don’t know how it does what it does.” Sorano says.

After our conversation ends, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash show up, Selene jumping into the yellow Pegasus arms and snuggling up to her, much to her delight. Fluttershy had a simple yellow suitcase with her cutie mark on it, RD having a military style Wonderbolt duffle bag with her mark on it as well.

I was while looking at the Zorua and Pegasus that I realized something. “Hey Twilight? What’s the trains policy when it comes to small animals?” I ask, slightly worried for Selene.

“Well for most pets, they are normally kept in a cargo hold as to not run around the cabins and cause any problems.” She says, not seeing the problem. That is until she looks at Fluttershy and Selene, realizing why I was asking. “Oh...well, maybe we could convince to conductor to let us keep her with us?”

I begin to think, trying to find a way to keep Selene close without causing any problems, when a rather obvious answer comes to mind. I quickly look into my purse for the Dusk ball Selene came in.

“Howdy ya’ll!” I hear AppleJack say as she walks up, just as I find the ball. Fluttershy sees the orb and remembers what it was.

“Oh-oh dear. Isn’t that the orb that little Selene cam from?” Fluttershy asks worried, to which I just nod. “Um, are you going to force her into the ball?”

”Don’t worry Miss Fluttershy. It’s actually pretty comfy in a pokeball. It’s like, taking a power nap when I am in it.” Selene explains.

“Oh. Well if your sure.” She says to the fox-like Pokemon, Selene soon jumping to my shoulder as we hear the whistle of the incoming train. We wait by the platform for the train to stop and for the ponies to finish filtering out, more than a few casting passing glances our way. After the last passenger get off the conductor come out the front of the train.

“Next train to Canterlot! All aboard!” He yells out, our group walking up to him and showing our tickets. The conductor notices Selene on my shoulder and stops us from entering. “I am sorry, uh, miss? But all animals need to be secured into pens and placed into the cargo hold.”

I just smirk at him before lifting and activating the Dusk ball. “Selene, return.” I say as a red beam shoots our and onto Selene, the Zorua being sucked into the ball. The conductor steps back in shock, looking from the ball to me and back a few times. I shrink the ball and place it into my purse. “That work?” He just numbly nods letting me onto the train.

Next stop, Canterlot.