My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - The Team Light Chronicles

by Harrisonhearts

Who is Team Light? Who are their members? Are they the heroes that the light has chosen? Only these adventures will tell. Join Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the Mane 6 as we see their adventures outside of the TV show as they continue learning new ways of friendship and witness the battle between light and darkness.

1. The Aura Pony - Part 1

Introducing the new story written by the one who brought you Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie 2, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rise to the Top and Dimensions: Fate of Many Worlds. Just like the stories I mentioned, I will try to stay as true to the source material as possible. Even going as far as writing the story in the same vein as an actual My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic episode. So now, let us find out who the Aura Pony is and if he's a friend or foe in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – The Aura Pony.

Long ago, before Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, ponies from across Equestria and beyond had learned the ways of aura. A form of spiritual power described as the essence of every living creature. Many ponies would tap into the power of aura to do incredible things. Such as sense their surroundings, the aura from other creatures, or channel into powers beyond your imagination.

The most common technique in aura is the Aura Sphere. A sphere of aura used for combat. But the technique had not been used a lot due to the ever-growing peace from aura users.

And one of the best ponies to use aura was Polstow. A young blue male Pegasus stallion pony. He could sense aura from miles away and could see deep into not only the thoughts, but also in the hearts of other ponies. Many were impressed and considered Polstow to be the most powerful aura user in all of Equestria. He was only a novice when his power had been noticed. He had quickly began his training when he had learned about his power.

However, one day, Polstow discovered a way of aura to do even more incredible things. At least, he believed them to be incredible. He had discovered the ways of darkness. Using the dark power he found, he reached levels of aura that no pony had ever reached so quickly. He had skipped his lessons with this power and gained the title of master easily. However, the other aura users and masters feared his power and tried to convince him to discard the dark power before something terrible happens. He refused and thus was banished from the village of aura users and into a prison for his misguidance and blindness.

Feeling humiliated and betrayed, Polstow believed that ponies were weaklings and decided to reach a new power by taking on a new appearance. Using his darkness, Polstow transformed himself from a Pegasus to a cat-like creature that was not a part of Equestria. With this new form, he had reached horrifying heights with his darkness. He escaped from his prison and hoped to take over Equestria with his power and his new dark army. An army of dark aura creatures he created.

He had nearly succeeded, until an aura master, who was an earth pony, challenged him to a test of aura. A challenge in which two aura users compete to see who's aura was stronger. The aura master struggled at first, but prevailed in the end and banished Polstow into the Realm of Atmosfere. A prison made for aura users who wanted to use aura for evil. Peace returned to Equestria and the earth pony was called a hero by many aura users. Polstow, however, promised that he would return and finish what he had started and prove himself as the ultimate aura master. While many laughed at his promise, the earth pony didn't take his word lightly and had hoped that his word meant nothing.

Years passed, and the amount of aura masters or users started to decrease. And by the time the year before Nightmare Moon would return came by, the ways of aura had nearly been forgotten. No one had remembered how ponies from before channeled into its great power, or the villain who tried to use the darkness of aura to rule Equestria. History had nearly forgotten that aura even existed. And only a hand full of aura masters remain. One of them being an earth pony, Lurio. The descendant of the hero who banished Polstow into the Realm of Atmosfere. Knowing what his ancestor had accomplished, Lurio had prepared for the worst in case Polstow's words were not for bluff. Little did Lurio know that his aura would not predict what would happen in the near future.

The year before Nightmare Moon returned…

On a bright sunny day in a field far from civilization, the animals were all singing and traveling in perfect harmony. The day they were having was as beautiful as the day before and the day that would come next. So long as Princess Celestia raised the sun. The peacefulness seemed endless until suddenly…

A blue portal suddenly appeared. The animals didn't know what to think of the portal and ran off without any second thought. A figure came through the portal. The figure was in the form of an anthropomorphic cat-like creature with a staff and wore purple and black clothing. The creature took a deep breath in and then breathed out.

"Ah." The creature sighed happily, "Good to finally be out of that garish prison. Also, good to take in this beautiful fresh air. Oh. What am I doing?"

He then turned to the portal and shouted, "Oh faithful servant! You can come through now!"

The figure behind the portal followed the cat-like creature's command and went through the portal to enter Equestria. The figure was a male blue Pegasus pony with a dark blue mane and tail and brown eyes. His cutie mark was two blue arms with black paws and spikes performing an Aura Sphere. As soon as he entered Equestria, he came up to stand right next to his master with a serious face. The portal then closed as soon as he came in.

"So, kind of you," The cat-like creature commented, "To allow your master to go first. An aura master is only as good as the loyalty of his servant. Didn't you know that?"

"No master." The pony answered, "I didn't."

"Of course, you didn't! Because you're not an aura master! If you were an aura master then you wouldn't be my servant now! Would you?!"

"No master." The pony answered, "I wouldn't."

"Well good enough."

The creature, who was the pony's master, turned away from his servant and took some more deep breaths.

"Beautiful world, isn't it?" The creature asked with a heavenly voice, "Look at it! The sky! The grass! The trees! The water! Doesn't it make you feel good!? Doesn't it make you want to smile?!"

He then turned to his servant again to see if he was smiling like he was. But to his surprise, the pony's face didn't change.

"It is a peaceful world master." The pony replied with his serious voice.

"Come on now." The creature said with a deep voice, "You can do better than that. Can't you give a little smile? Enough with that old look. We're in a new place now. No longer in that prison. Doesn't it make you happy?"

"No words can describe the joy I'm feeling master." The pony answered with his serious voice.

The creature was disappointed to see that his servant was not feeling the same joy he was feeling. He had hoped that he would be more excited than this. But he decided to change the subject for now.

"Well," The creature said, "We'll work on that later. First things first, pop quiz!"

"Again master?" The pony asked.

"Yes again. I must quiz you many times a day! I need to make sure you don't slip up or that you haven't forgotten anything! Because an aura master is only as good as the intelligence of his servant! Didn't you know that?! No, you didn't! Because you're not an aura master!"

"Very well then master." The pony said with a nod, "I'm ready for your questions."

"Good. First question. What is your name?"

"Aurachalcum, master." The pony answered.

"Good." The cat-like creature praised with a chuckle, "You should know that well considering it's your own name! Now the next question. Where are we now?"

"Equestria, master." The pony known as Aurachalcum answered.

"Correct. Now, who is your creator?"

"My master, master." Aurachalcum answered.

"And who is your master?"

"You are, master." Aurachalcum answered again.

"Hehehehe!" The creature chuckled, "Oh, I just love hearing you call me that. It makes me feel powerful! Just like an aura master, such as me, should feel. Now what's the name of your master?"

"Your name is-"

"Silence!" The creature demanded, "You are not to answer that question! Must I remind you that you are to refer to me as master and nothing more?! I have the feeling that I need to bring the muzzle in this if that's what you want!"

"No master!" Aurachalcum denied, "I'm sorry master! Forgive me master!"

"That's more like it. Hehehehe."

The cat-like creature continued walking around as he asked the questions on the quiz.

"Now then," The creature began, "What is your purpose in this world?"

"To serve you and only you, master." Aurachalcum answered.

"Good. Now, last question. Who is the most powerful, most talented, most authentic, most genius, most cunning, most delicate, most handsome, most skillful, and most evilest aura master to ever exist!?"

Aurachalcum noticed something in what he said in the question and grew a little concerned about it.

"Evilest, master?" Aurachalcum asked with concern.

"Huh?!" The creature yelped, "Did I say evil? Oh, no, no, no, no, no! You must have misheard me. What I meant to say was most peacefulest. Yes, yes. Most peacefulest. A little slip of the tongue. My mistake."

"Are you sure master?" Aurachalcum asked, "Because I'm pretty sure that I heard-"

"Are you questioning me?! Because you do know what happens when you question me, do you!? I really don't want to, but it seems that the muzzle has to be brought into this."

"No master!" Aurachalcum exclaimed as he bowed, "Please forgive me! I didn't mean to offend you in any way! I regret it!"

"I'm sure you do." The creature replied, "Now, I asked you a question. And I don't seem to be hearing an answer from you!"

"Sorry master." Aurachalcum apologized as he stood up straight, "The question to who is the most powerful, most talented, most authentic, most genius, most cunning, most delicate, most handsome, most skillful, and most peaceful aura master to ever exist. That is, you, master."

"Good." The creature praised, "You have answered all my questions. You passed the quiz. But I will have to remind you to answer them quicker the next time we begin the quiz. You were a bit slow because of your unnecessary need of questioning me. I am your master and you are to not question your master. I was generous enough to create you. So be grateful to me and do as I tell you! Is that clear?!"

"Yes, master."

"Good." The creature replied as he turned around, "Now, I believe the first order of business is to bring our lovely home from that aura realm to here. But in a more suitable location. This place will not do at all."

"Is there something wrong with this area master?" Aurachalcum asked.

"Yes. It's far too bright for me. To open to the sun. I'll burn my eyes or even get a sunburn. We wouldn't want that to happen, would we?"

"Not at all master."

"Then I believe the best thing to do is the fly to the sky and see where our home should be."

"Very well, master." Aurachalcum replied as he turned around and lowed his body, "Get on and I shall fly you around."

"Excellent thinking!" The creature cheered as he got on Aurachalcum's back, "Fly my servant!"

Aurachalcum then opened his wings and quickly began flying to the sky. His master looked down as they got up there and grew nervous. Even began to sweat.

"Ohhh." The creature groaned, "Not too high though."

"Master?" Aurachalcum said as he grew confused.

"Oh! Because, I need to be able to see the land better. I can't get a good look from this height. I mean just look at those trees. They look like something out of a kid's playset."

"As you wish, master."

Aurachalcum then lowered himself down a little to, for what he knows, help his master get a better look at the land. His master sighed of relief since they weren't as high as before.

"Good." The creature thought, "I can't stand heights. They give me chills. At least it's not as bad from here."

So Aurachalcum flew his master through the skies of Equestria. Looking for land that suited his master's tastes. They examined fields and flower beds. Hills and mountains. But none satisfied the creator and master of the Aura Pony. It wasn't until very late in the afternoon where Aurachalcum was getting exhausted and couldn't find himself to fly for long. Thankfully for him…

"There it is!" The creature suddenly exclaimed, "That land shall do perfectly!"

Aurachalcum snapped out of his exhaustion and looked to where his master was pointing. And to his surprise, it was a dark land. A large pit with dark clouds circling it. It had seemed like no one had come to this land in years. Aurachalcum grew confused as to why his master chose this land compared to the beautiful fields that had passed before. But seeing that he couldn't disobey, he landed to the land that his master chose.

"Ah yes." The creature said as he got off Aura's back and on the land, "This shall do perfectly. It is dark and scary. Just the way I like it."

"But master, "Aurachalcum said, "We may not get any visitors here. The surrounding area may frighten them off."

"Aurachalcum. You know nothing. Of course, they'll be frightened! We aura users will only improve our techniques if we are far from other inhabitants as possible! That means we need the most unpleasant looking area to keep them away from us! I am not surprised that you don't know that, because you are not an aura master like I am!"

"You're right, master." Aurachalcum replied as he bowed, "This area it shall be, master."

"I'm glad you see it my way. I didn't even need to mention the muzzle. You are learning a lot in such a short time."

The creature then walked toward the middle of the dark land and started to tap into his aura. He then began to mumble a chant and soon, the aura surrounding him grew larger. And soon, a giant portal appeared from below and out came the castle that he had created in his prison. When the job was done, the home of the cat-like aura master now stood in Equestria. The darkest part of Equestria.

"Ahhh." The creature sighed in happiness, "Our home is finally here. But applesauce, that did take a lot out of me. I'm feeling rather hungry."

"Would you like some apples, master?" Aurachalcum asked, "I saw some trees nearby with apples in them."

"Oh yes. That would be perfect! Excellent idea my faithful servant. Why don't you fetch me some?"

"I live to serve you, master." Aurachalcum replied as he turned to fetch some apples for his master.

As soon as Aurachalcum left, the creature entered his castle home and climbed up to the top and entered the balcony that was in his bedroom. He stood outside and took another deep breath in and out. The emotion his was feeling was rather joyous.

"Equestria." The creature said to himself, "How I've missed this world. For so many years I've been banished in the Realm of Atmosfere for my so called 'wrong doings'. But now I shall show this world that I am its rightful ruler with the power of dark aura. And with my new army by my side, I cannot fail. Hahahahaha!"

Meanwhile, nearby…

A cream-colored earth pony with a dark brown mane and tail and blue eyes and blue cape with a blue hat was traveling the lands of Equestria on his own. He had just left a town that he had stayed the night in and continued his journey across the land.

"Such generous ponies." The earth pony said to himself, "Quite lively as well."

Suddenly, he felt something in his chest and quickly stopped his walk to see what the matter was.

"What's this?" The earth pony asked himself as he closed his eyes.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he began to feel other aura surrounding him. From the animals, to plants, to one he was not familiar with.

"A new aura?" The earth pony said, "And it does not feel pleasant. What could it-"

His statement to himself was halted when something else arose in his aura.

"No! That can't be!" The earth pony said in a concerned tone, "How has he returned?! I thought my ancestor…. Never mind. I certainly cannot let that go unchecked! I must find out why he had returned and stop him!"

The earth pony then quickly ran toward the place of which he felt the terrible aura.

Back with the cat-like creature…

Aurachalcum returned to the castle with apples in some baskets. He presented them to his master in hopes of satisfaction.

"I have returned master." Aurachalcum said as he entered his master's room, "With apples and you wished."

"Very good." The creature praised, "Very good indeed. Now let me see those juicy delights."

He approached Aurachalcum and his baskets and took an apple from one of them. He examined it clearly to make sure it was exactly what he was expecting. Aurachalcum gave a soft smile after seeing how impressed his master looked. However…

"How dare you!" The creature exclaimed as he threw the apple on the ground, "You call these apples?! They're not even worth being called fruit!"

"W-what is wrong master?" Aurachalcum asked, "Did you not ask for apples?"

"I asked for apples, but I was hoping to have apples with the color of a rose red! These are just regular red! They won't do at all! It's only the most red of apples that are the most nutritious! I cannot eat anything that lack nutrition!"

"Sorry master." Aurachalcum apologized with a nod, "I shall get you more apples. And I promise that they will be as red as the rose."

"They'd better be," The creature threatened, "Or else it will be muzzle time for you!"

Aurachalcum then quickly took to the skies from the balcony and headed back to the forest where the apple trees were.

"It feels so good," The creature said, "To have a servant who is most loyal. I should just have him instead of my dark army since he's the one who has a clue. Unlike my army who only knows how to destroy! Quite a design flaw that I have yet to fix. Just like another one that just seems to keep coming back to bite me."

Shortly, Aurachalcum returned with more apples and had his master check them. He didn't seem impressed at first, however he seemed satisfied enough in the end.

"Very well done Aurachalcum." The creature commented, "These apples are just the color of the rose. These shall do nicely!"

The then took the basket of apples and sat down in a table to eat his juicy fruits.

"Master?" Aurachalcum said softly as he slowly walked toward his master, "I don't suppose I could have a little bit? I've never had such a food before."

"Are you still here?!" The creature exclaimed, "You know where your food is. So, go eat up!"

"But master, I've had hay since you created me. I would like to try something new."

"Shhh." The creature hushed, "Do you hear that?"

Aurachalcum then looked left and then right. But he didn't hear anything but the silence that he had heard before.

"No master." Aurachalcum answered, "I do not hear anything."

"Well I do." The creature said, "I hear the muzzle. And you know what its saying? It's calling your name Aurachalcum."

"I-it is?" Aurachalcum stuttered.

"Oh yes. It's saying how it's been wanting to get to know you better. And also, how you always question me when you know clearly that I do not wish to be questioned by my faithful servant!"

"I see your point master." Aurachalcum replied with a sad tone and face.

He then lowered his head and started walking toward his room where his hay waited for him. Meanwhile, his master ate more apples without any guilt of the sort.

As soon as Aurachalcum entered his room to eat his hay, he looked at the hay for a second and thought about his master and creator. He had remembered other times where he had been cruel. He didn't have many memories that he was fond about. Let alone any at all. He began to wonder why it is he serves him despite the cruelness that he gives to him.

"Master sure has an unpleasant attitude at times." Aurachalcum said to himself, "But he is my master and I shouldn't question him. He is an aura master after all."

So, he smiled weakly and took his first bite of hay. While he enjoyed the hay he was served, he couldn't help but wonder what an apple tastes like. These thoughts made his weak smile disappear.

Once he and his master were done eating, Aurachalcum returned to his master with an unhappy look. His master on the other hand was fully energized and happy.

"About time you returned!" The creature yelled, "I don't like to be kept waiting! Especially when I've got wonderful plans for this world!"

Aurachalcum looked at the baskets on the table and saw that there were no apples left. None for him to taste. Aurachalcum's feelings grew even more hurt than before. But seeing as the time for disappointment was not now, he decided to try and ignore those hurt feelings and focus on his master's plan.

"What is it," Aurachalcum began, "That you plan to do to Equestria, master? It is a wonderful plan, right?"

"Oh," The creature replied, "It is the most excellent and most wonderful plan of all! By the time we're done, this world shall be more marvelous than it is now! Once I rule it all."

"Rule it all?"

"Yes." The creature said as he started to sneer, "Once I gain enough power from my dark aura, I shall complete my plan from years ago and turned this world into my own personal dark landscape! Ruling everywhere and have everyone fear my power! Just like those fools did before I was banished!"

Aurachalcum grew confused and surprised about his master's sudden change. He wondered as to what he meant and grew worried about the answer to his question.

"W-what are you talking about?" Aurachalcum asked with worry.

"You shall see." The creature said as he walked closer to Aurachalcum, "You will see very soon. Very soon we shall become the dark rules in a dark empire. All of this will certainly be possible!"

"Turn it into a dark empire?" Aurachalcum repeated, "B-but, you said we would improve the life of the citizens here! You never said anything about ruling it with an iron hoove!"

"Ohhh, but we are going to improve life. Under our rule! All the inhabitants of Equestria have been nothing but weaklings! Not seeing what darkness can truly do when you combine it with aura! Soon, their light will be no more and everyone shall serve us forever!"

"I never agreed to this!" Aurachalcum shouted, "I only wanted to come to this world! I won't do anything like that!"

"What's that?!" The creature growled.

"This world is already peaceful! And I want it to stay that way! Please don't do this, master! I'm begging you to!"

"Where did this come from?! When we arrived here, you didn't seem to care about how this place looked!" The creature stated.

"That was only because I didn't get to see it more!" Aurachalcum argued, "But once we looked for land for our castle and I got you apples, I began to see what Equestria is! I may not have seen civilization, but I know that this world is already perfect as it is! The animals live together in perfect harmony! There's no reason to change that!"

"Grrr!" The creature growled again, "I've reminded you a thousand times before, but it seems you haven't learned a thing from all those times! You question my plans for Equestria?! You dare to turn against me!?"

"I don't want to. But unless you change your mind, I don't want to serve you anymore!"

The creature grew silent from Aurachalcum's words. He took one step back, which made Aurachalcum worry about what was going to happen next.

"It seems," The creature began, "That I have put up with this mistake of mine for too long! I was generous enough to let you have free will, but it seems that that's the only thing that's keeping you from becoming my perfect faithful servant! Your free will has done nothing but make you question all my orders and plans! It makes you weak just like all the weaklings of Equestria! Now, I must fix that mistake!"

Suddenly, dark aura creatures appeared around the cat-like aura master and stared at Aurachalcum with sinister looks.

"M-master?" Aurachalcum stuttered as he took some steps back, "W-what are you-"

"Minions!" The creature ordered, "Capture him!"

The aura creatures then started marching toward Aurachalcum to capture him. Aurachalcum started moving back from them and grew scared of what would happen if they caught him. He kept backing up until he had reached the wall. Feeling the dead end from behind him, Aurachalcum grew more scared of the amount of dark aura creatures that were ordered to capture him.

"Master!" Aurachalcum pleaded, "Please!"

"Oh!" The creature replied, "Does that mean you'll go along with my plan to rule all of Equestria with my darkness?"

Aurachalcum grew angry again and answered, "Never!"

"Then I must do this. For me and you. Hahahahaha!"

As the aura master laughed evilly, the dark creatures got closer to Aurachalcum and were ready to grab him.

"No! Please!" Aurachalcum pleaded as the creatures got ready, "Don't! Please! No!"

But before they could grab him, they suddenly disappeared.

"What?!" The aura master yelped, "My minions! What happened to them?!"

Aurachalcum calmed down and noticed that there were tiny crystals on the ground. Looking inside them, he noticed that the dark creatures his creator made were inside the crystals.

"Where did these come from?" Aurachalcum asked.

"Polstow!" A voice cried suddenly.

"Who's that?!" The aura master demanded as he followed the voice.

Looking at the balcony, the aura master noticed an earth pony in strange clothing standing there with a brave stance.

"Who are you?!" The aura master yelled, "And what're you doing here?!"

"Polstow!" The earth pony said again, "My ancestor feared that you'd return! But I will make sure your evil does not affect Equestria!"

"How do you know my name?!" The creature known as Polstow yelled, "Huh? Wait a minute. You look strangely familiar."

"How does this pony know my master's name?" Aurachalcum thought, "Who is he?"

"Ah!" Polstow said as he figured the puzzle out, "I see now! You look just like the foolish mule who banished me to the Realm of Atmosfere! You say that you are his descendant?!"

"Yes." The earth pony answered, "I am Master Lurio! And I shall not let you do what you want!"

"You believe that you can stop me?! I have grown much more powerful during my time in that prison! I've even gained the power to escape! So, put me back if you want to, I'll just keep coming back!"

"I had a feeling you'd find a way." Lurio replied, "Which is why I had prepared for that!"

He then started running toward Polstow with pride and courage. Polstow just laughed at him and found his actions to be foolish.

"You dare to challenge me?!" Polstow scoffed, "You don't stand a chance against-"

Lurio then suddenly jumped high in the air and landed right behind Polstow.

"W-what?!" Polstow exclaimed, "He moved so fast! Where did-"

Suddenly a glow started to shine from behind. Polstow turned to see what it was, and he found Lurio standing there with a much bigger crystal. The crystal was glowing with a bright light. So bright that it nearly lit the whole room.

"Woah!" Aurachalcum exclaimed, "What is that!?"

"What trickery is this?!" Polstow wondered.

"By the power of this crystal and my aura," Lurio chanted, "Fall into this prison you accursed aura master of darkness! Never shall your power bring the peace of Equestria down!"

The light then grew brighter than before. And soon, nothing but white could be seen.

"Noooooo!" Polstow shouted as the light grew brighter.

"Augh!" Aurachalcum mumbled as the light grew brighter.

Soon, the light was gone. And Polstow was no longer in Lurio's sight. Lurio stood up straight again and looked at the crystal he had. The crystal had a dark force surrounding it. Seeing that force convinced Lurio that his plan had succeeded. And he was grateful that it did not take much work.

"Ah." Lurio sighed as he put the crystal in his bag, "Good. The great evil has been imprisoned again. But only as long as I keep this crystal from falling into the wrong hooves. I can't let anything happen to it."

Lurio then remembered the other creature standing in the room and wondered how he was.

"Oh." Lurio said as he turned around, "How rude of me. Are you alri-"

He stopped his question as he noticed that the blue pony from before was no longer there. He grew puzzled at this and wondered where he went.

"Where did he go?" Lurio asked himself, "Did he leave? … oh no!"

Lurio then got the crystal back out and used his aura to sense the aura inside of the crystal. He had hoped that his assumption was wrong. But when something came up, he found that he was right after all.

"No." Lurio said to himself, "That pony has been imprisoned too. But how? I only meant to-"

He stopped talking as he looked more into the aura of the young pony who was imprisoned in the crystal with Polstow. He then grew horrified at what he had learned.

"That can't be." Lurio said, "That pony is… I'm very sorry young one. But I cannot let evil roam this world with thoughts of ruining peace. I hope that you'll understand and learn to forgive me."

After putting the crystal back into his bag, Lurio left the castle and continued walking through the lands of Equestria again. Though he felt terrible about what he had done despite saving Equestria from danger before it had began. He had wished that it had turned out differently. But sadly, fate was cruel this time.

"I must not," Lurio said to himself as he walked away from the castle, "Let anything happen to this crystal. I mustn't."

And so, the story of the aura pony begins.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – The Team Light Chronicles

The Aura Pony – Part 1

One year later…

In the town of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle and all her friends were enjoying their early morning. Just recently, Twilight Sparkle learned about Pinkie Pie's different senses and what they mean*. Let us see how our friends are doing on their first day of spring.

(*See Episode 15 of Season 1 called Feeling Pinkie Keen.)

Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Spike, a purple baby dragon, were in their home cleaning the library. Dusting the dusty areas, rearranging books, and making sure everything is neat.

"Twilight!" Spike complained as he carried some books, "Do we have to do this now? Everyone else is enjoying the sun. Why don't we enjoy it too?"

"Soon Spike." Twilight answered as she used her magical horn to dust off the shelves, "But first, we need to make sure everything is all clean and neat. And to make sure no book is out of place. After all, new day means new studies. I have to make sure I keep up my work for the princess."

"I get the feeling that spring cleaning is your favorite time of the year."

"If you're really that tired of all this work," Twilight said, "Then why don't you go and enjoy the sun? I can take care of things here."

"And not keep up with my title as Number 1 Assistant?! I don't think so."

"Then what were you complaining about silly?" Twilight chuckled.

"Heh, heh." Spike chuckled along with his unicorn friend.

"Say," Spike said as he decided to change the subject, "I wonder how the others are enjoying their morning. Rainbow Dash?"

"Probably just flying through the skies, showing off her speed as usual." Twilight guessed with a smirk, "You know how she is."

"Yeah. Always working hard to become a Wonderbolt."

With Rainbow Dash…

Our high flying and high-speed Pegasus friend is found taking her usual nap on a tree. This is a rare occasion for us. For she's always blasting through the skies like Twilight said. It's not every day that we can catch her without having to search the skies.

"Zzzz…" Rainbow Dash snored, "Zzzz… Wonder….. Zzz…. Bolts….. Rainbow….. Zz… Dash…. Greatest…. Wonder…. Zzz… Bolt…. Zz…. Ever…. Zz…."

It seems like she's dreaming about the day she joins the Wonderbolts. As usual. Even when she sleeps, she can't get that dream out of her head. She kept snoring as loud as a horn, until…

"Nap time's over!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she suddenly woke up, "Time to fly!"

She then blasted off to the skies with her supersonic speed. Leaving behind a strong wind from where she was flying.

In a few seconds, she was high in the skies and began practicing her tricks for when she would try out to become a Wonderbolt. She flew pass clouds and around them too. She did woop-de-loops and twirls. And all around, she was having a blast.

Soon, she stopped and floating in the skies for a minute and shouted, "Hello Beautiful Sunny Day!"

She then continued flying fast through the clouds as she shouted, "Aw Yeah! This Is Happening!"

Her fun just kept going until suddenly, she spotted Fluttershy on the ground. Walking toward her cottage with some food in her bags.

"Hey." Rainbow Dash said to herself, "It's Fluttershy. I wonder how she's enjoying this awesome sun."

She then started flying to the ground really fast to see her pink-maned Pegasus friend.

With Fluttershy…

"I certainly hope," Fluttershy said to herself with her quiet, "That Angel will learn to eat more this season. He certainly is a picky eater. I'd hate to see he hasn't changed."

"Hey Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash called from the skies.

"Huh?"

Before Fluttershy could finish turning her head to the sky, Rainbow Dash landed right in front of her without her noticing.

"Hey Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash said.

"Eek!" Fluttershy yelped as she heared Rainbow Dash's voice, "Oh. Hi Rainbow Dash. How are you on this lovely spring day?"

"Awesome!" Rainbow Dash answered as she floated in the air with a pose, "I just finished my work with those puffy evaporated water, took a short nap, and blasted through the skies like a fire work. Did you see any of my moves?"

"Oh." Fluttershy said quietly, "No. I was too busy getting food for my animal friends. I'm very sorry. I could stop for a moment to watch if you want me to."

"Nah. That's okay. It's not really as cool if you do it twice in a row anyway. I'll show you tomorrow maybe."

"I'd be happy if you did." Fluttershy replied, "And I'll give you my best cheer yet."

She then took a deep breath and then…

"Yay." Fluttershy cheered very quietly. Actually, not even cheered. Just whispered.

"….Yeah." Rainbow Dash said with a weird out voice, "Anyway. Just wait to you see those moves. And once I show them off to the Wonderbolts, I'll be flying with them before anypony will have the chance to blink."

"You must be really confident about your new moves."

"Oh, I'm more than confident," Rainbow Dash bragged, "I've got this in the bag. It used to be that to be this good takes ages. But now, to be this good takes Rainbow Dash!"

"I'm so happy for you." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Thanks. Well, Gotta go. Gotta keep practicing."

"Would you like to join me in feeding my little friends?" Fluttershy asked politely, "I think they'd love to see you. But, only if you want to."

"Nah. I'm good. Tell them I said hi though. Later!"

Rainbow Dash then took to the skies again. Leaving the shy animal-loving pony behind.

"Rainbow Dash is so energic." Fluttershy commented, "Oh my goodness. I've kept my friends waiting long enough. I'm sure they're hungry by now."

Fluttershy then entered her cottage and saw that all her animal friends, the birds, the bunnies, and others welcoming her home.

"Hello everyone." Fluttershy greeted, "I've returned with everything to have your feast."

She then prepared all the food for the animals and put them all out for them to eat.

"Here you all are." Fluttershy said as she put out the last bowl for the last animal, "Everyone has what they wanted. You may all eat now."

The animals began to eat the food that Fluttershy kindly set out for them. All the animals were enjoying their feast. All except for the bunny who gave Fluttershy the most trouble. Angel. Angel had refused to eat the food he was given.

"Oh Angel." Fluttershy said softly, "Don't be like that. Don't you think it's time to try something new for the season? For me?"

Angel turned away with his arms crossed.

"Please Angel. You won't grow big and strong if you don't try these."

Angel then gave a small look at Fluttershy, but then turned away immediately after.

"Good goodness." Fluttershy said to herself, "I surely do hope all my other friends are having a better time than I am."

Meanwhile, at the Sweet Apple Acres…

"Yee hah!" Applejack cheered with her southern accent as she used her hind hooves to kick a tree.

As she used her strength against the tree, apples from the tree fell and landed in some baskets next to the tree.

"There are some more apples ready to be sold." Applejack said to herself as she turned to her older brother Big McIntosh, "Woo. Ain't apple bucking just something?"

"Eeyup." Big Mac answered with his smile.

"We sure got some juicy looking apples this year. This aughtta put a sweet taste in the ponies' mouths."

"Eeyup." Big Mac replied.

Applejack then headed for the next tree with more baskets to buck some more apples.

"Get along now apples!" Applejack shouted as she kicked the tree with her hind hooves.

The apples from the new tree then fell into the baskets as soon as she kicked the tree.

"Whew. That's another down. Time to deposit the next."

After Applejack and Big Mac got enough apples, they headed back to the farm where they met with their grandmother Granny Smith, and their little sister, Apple Bloom.

"Hey! You're back." Apple Boom said with her southern accent as they came through the entrance, "Did you give those trees a good kick?"

"Ah think ah gave it to them pretty good." Applejack answered, "How ya doing Granny?"

"Oh mighty fine, Applejack." Granny Smith answered, "Might fine."

"Alright then. I'm gonna go set up to sell these good ones to Ponyville."

"I'm gonna go meet up with Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo." Apple Bloom said, "We're gonna continue finding out Cutie Marks!

"Alrighty then." Applejack replied, "Just don't go being ugly now*, ya hear?"

(*That's southern slang for don't misbehave)

"I won't."

Apple Bloom then headed for Ponyville as she shouted, "Cutie Mark Crusader Apple Bloom! Away!"

"Ha ha." Applejack chuckled, "That little filly and her crusading friends. There as cute as a newly hatched chick on a sunny morning. Well, Ponyvile's a waiting. And apples are waiting to be sold."

Soon, when the southern cowgirl pony arrived in Ponyville…

"What better way to spend your morning than enjoying a sweet apple?!" Applejack shouted happily to the ponies of ponyville, "Get yer apples here! Fresh from the trees of Sweet Apple Acres! You won't regret it!"

Some sales were made, but Applejack just enjoyed seeing everyone up and about on a nice day.

"Everypony sure is jumpy today." Applejack said, "The morning really gets them going."

"Hello Jeremy!" A voice from nearby said, "Hello Jerimiah! Hello Lucas! Hello Mandy!"

Applejack heard the voice and recognized that cheery, high-pitched voice. It was her party friend, Pinkie Pie.

"Hello Applejack!" Pinkie Pie greeted as she bounced toward Applejack's stand.

"Howdy there Pinkie Pie." Applejack greeted back, "What'cha doing on this fine morning?"

"I'm checking off the first thing on my 'things to do when I wake up' list! And that's to say hi to everypony here in Ponyville! And I just said hi to you! Ohh! This is so fun! I can't wait to see who I say hi to next!"

"That sounds exactly what I thought you'd be doing. Say, you want an apple for the road?"

"You want an apple for the road?" Pinkie Pie repeated.

"Say what now?" Applejack asked with a confused look, "I'm the one selling you the apples. Not you."

"But you said to say 'you want an apple for the road'." Pinkie Pie explained as she continued bouncing, "Oh! Is this a game where we tell each other to say random things?! I love that game! My turn! My turn!"

"No, that's alright. We'll play that later. Right now, I'm selling apples while everypony's still waking up. That some juice will wake them up."

"Where's Apple Bloom?" Pinkie Pie asked, "I haven't said hi to her yet."

"Probably with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo right now. You know the whole Cutie Mark Crusader thing they've got going."

"Oh." Pinkie Pie said with her cheery voice, "Right! I think it's so cute how they've made a little club! I wish I could join their club! Only I've got my Cutie Mark already and I can't join if I already have my Cutie Mark because the Cutie Mark Crusaders are all finding their Cutie Mark! OH! Maybe I could paint over my Cutie Mark so they'll let me join! You think they will?!"

Applejack gave silence at first and then responded, "I don't think my little sis is that dumb enough to think you lost your Cutie Mark, Pinkie."

"Ohh…." Pinkie Pie moaned sadly.

Suddenly, her sad face turned happy again as she said, "Okay! I'll go find her and said hi to her anyway! Bye Applejack!"

Pinkie Pie then bounced away to continue saying hi to the ponies of Ponyville.

"Catch ya later Pinkie." Applejack said as she watched Pinkie Pie bounce away, "That little old nut. Always on the randomness of things."

While Pinkie Pie goes through Ponyville again, let's check on another friend of ours. The stylist pony, Rarity.

In the haute couture salon called Carousel Boutique…

The violet-maned unicorn, Rarity was in her working room, observing her new dress for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala. She had her cat Opalescence with her as she just couldn't get over how it looked.

"Oh, I just cannot wait Opal!" Rarity cheered with her mid-Atlantic accent, "This dress will be make me look absolutely divine at the gala! This will surely bring out the beauty inside of me."

"Meow." Opal meowed.

"Oh, I'm so happy you agree. I've been dying to go to the Grand Galloping Gala for years. And I certainly can't wait to present myself there in this new design of mine. And I have my special friends to thank for finishing it for me*. All the eyes will be on me. Especially the eyes of HIM! Princess Celestia's nephew! I can just imagine the moment where I eyes meet. It's certainly breath-taking! Oh, all this talking has distracted me from working on the plans."

(*Suited for Success in Season 1: Episode 14)

"Hi Rarity!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she barged in Rarity's design room.

"Oh!" Rarity screamed from Pinkie Pie's outburst, "Please don't do that Pinkie Pie. You nearly gave me a heart attack. And I must have peace and quiet when I'm thinking. The dresses only become more beautiful if so. So please don't make me ruin it now."

"Okay" Pinkie Pie replied with a big smile, "Anyway, happy morning Rarity!"

"Huh? Well, a happy morning to you too. What is it you're doing on this fine sunny day?"

"Well," Pinkie Pie began, "I'm doing the first thing I do every time I wake up in the morning. Say hi to everypony in Ponyville! I just love to say hi to everypony! Don't you! I kept thinking that everypony doesn't get a good hello in the morning and it just makes me feel sad about that. So, I've decided to give everypony a hello from me so they don't every feel sad or left out! I'd feel sad and left out if nopony every said hi to me. I'd be depressed and lost. I'd feel like my day wouldn't be as good as the morning. Wouldn't you?"

"That's…. very considerate of you." Rarity replied.

"Thanks. I'm very considerate. Especially when it comes to making sure everypony has a smile on their faces."

"Meow." Opal meowed to Pinkie Pie.

"Oh. I almost forgot." Pinkie Pie said as she bounced over to Opal, "Hi Opal. Who's a good kitty?"

"Meow." Opal meowed again as she rubbed against Pinkie Pie's hooves.

"That's right, you are. Yes, you are!"

She then looked back at Rarity and asked, "Where's your sister Sweetie Belle? I've been looking for her and her friends but haven't found them yet. You think they turned invisible?!"

"I'm not sure. You can probably find them anywhere. They don't have a clubhouse just yet." Rarity guessed.

"OH! A clubhouse!? They should have one! Every society should have a clubhouse! Anyway, I'm gonna keep finding them. Have fun with your dressing thinking winking!"

Pinkie then turned around and bounced her way to the exit and to the outside again.

"Goodbye Pinkie Pie." Rarity said as Pinkie Pie bounced away.

Rarity then got back to observing her dress and said to her cat, "Oh Pinkie Pie. Always thinking about others and making sure everything's fair and everypony's smiling. That's why we love her."

At the entrance to Ponyville…

Lurio, the aura master Earth Pony, arrived at Ponyville during his travels. He walked through the entrance with his bags on his saddle. As he walked through Ponyville, he looked around and saw the ponies of Ponyville enjoying their day. Some went shopping, others went to eat, and the fillies played together. He enjoyed the town he was in very much.

"Quite a loving village." Lurio said to himself, "I seemed to have come here at a perfect time. I wonder what's a good place to sit down and eat."

Nearby, Pinkie Pie continued bouncing through Ponyville saying hello to everypony again. She had greeted them with her most elegant of smiles.

"Hi Jacky!" Pinkie Pie greeted to one pony and then moved on to the next, "Hi Zoey! Hi Martha! Hi Eric!"

Lurio saw the pink pony bouncing around and greeting everyone and grew curious of her behavior.

"What a cheerful one that is." Lurio commented, "I wonder what has her spirits so brightened."

So, he walked up to the pink pony to see what was on her mind.

Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie continued saying hello to all the ponies she saw. Until…

"Hello there." Lurio greeted to Pinkie Pie as he approached in front of her, "May I ask why you are so cheerful today?

Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped bouncing and her smile disappeared as she looked at Lurio. Lurio grew concerned and wondered what the sudden change was about.

"I'm sorry." Lurio began, "Are you alright?"

"AHHHHH!" Pinkie Pie gasped as she quickly ran the opposite direction.

"Oh dear." Lurio said as he witnessed her running away, "Was it something I said? Goodness. I sure do hope that I haven't offended her. I'd hate to hurt one's feelings without even being properly introduced. I suppose I shall meet her again and make sure that I have done nothing wrong."

Lurio then continued walking through Ponyville as he said, "Until then, I must satisfy my hunger."

Our aura master friend then traveled through Ponyville to see where he could sit and eat. He went to the first restaurant, but saw that it was closed. Checking that off the list, Lurio then moved on to the next place to eat. It too was closed. As he moved to the next place, he had anticipated the worst and predicted that the next eating place would be closed as well. His prediction would be correct. Soon, he began to notice that Ponyville had suddenly grown quiet and empty. He grew surprised by this as he remembered seeing other ponies wondering Ponyville earlier.

"Well Jiminy Crickets." Lurio said to himself, "Where has everypony disappeared to? I could've sworn that everypony was outside of their home earlier. Is there a warning of some sorts?"

He walked through Ponyville some more and noticed something was happening in the town hall. Looking through the windows, he noticed that the bakery was packed with ponies of every size and wondered what the occasion was.

"How curious." Lurio commented, "It must be some gettogether. I surely hope I won't be interrupting anything. But I must have something to eat."

Lurio entered the town hall and found it incredibly dark. He couldn't even see his hoof.

"Excuse me." Lurio politely said, "I do hope I'm not intruding, but-"

"SURPRISE!" The ponies in the town hall screamed as the lights came on.

"W-what?!"

"Hello there!" Pinkie Pie greeted as she came up to Lurio.

"Why, hello. What is the meaning of this?"

"It's a welcome to Ponyville party for you mister!" Pinkie Pie answered as she bounced cheerfully.

"A welcome to Ponyville party?"

"Oh yes!" Pinkie Pie cheered, "As soon as I saw you I didn't recognize you and I know all of the ponies in Ponyville except for you. Which meant that you must be new here and knowing that, I just had to throw a party for you and invite everypony in Ponyville to welcome you! Because since you were new here that must have meant that you didn't have any friends! And if you don't have any friends then you must've been sad! And I didn't want you to feel sad! So now you have lots of friends! Everypony in Ponyville!"

"Goodness me." Lurio commented, "I'm very flattered by this. But you didn't need to do that."

"Of course, I did!" Pinkie Pie disagreed, "It's the perfect way for you to get to know everypony and to feel like you're right at home! Come here. Let me introduce you to my friends!"

She then started pushing Lurio to introduce her to the friends she mentioned.

"I "W-w-wait now!" Lurio said as he was being pushed, "Let me walk on my own!"

As Pinkie Pie pushed Lurio, she introduced him to some of the ponies that she saw. Lurio, however, was too distracted by trying to stop Pinkie from pushing him. The pushing had stopped as soon as they approached the friends Pinkie Pie mentioned.

"Mister," Pinkie Pie said as she got in front of him, "These are my friends, Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Oh, and I'm Pinkie Pie! And my favorite color is pink!"

Lurio got a good look at the other ponies and decided to properly introduce himself to them.

"Well then," Lurio said as he adjusted his hat and dusted his cape, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Lurio. Aura master and a traveler of Equestria."

"Well, howdy there Lurio." Applejack said as she shook hooves with him, "It's a mighty pleasure to meet you too. I really like that hat of yours partner."

"Thank you. Yours is fine as well."

"Why thank you." Applejack thanked.

"This is quite a gettogether." Lurio commented, "But I feel guilty to make your pink friend go through all this for me."

"Feel guilty?!" Pinkie Pie yelled, "Parties aren't meant to make you feel guilty! They should make you happy! I'm feeling happy right now! My friends are happy! I just love parties! I love throwing them, planning them, setting them up, and going to them! This party has everything! Cake, games, punch! All this is for you!"

"It's okay." Twilight said to Lurio, "She does this for all the ponies that are new to Ponyville. She did it for me when I came here*."

(*See the first two episodes of the entire show)

"Well," Lurio replied, "It certainly is calming knowing that I'm not the only one."

"Well, Pinkie Pie just loves to party. She likes to make everyone happy. And throwing parties is near the top of the list of things that make ponies happy the most."

"It's at number four actually!" Pinkie Pie added as she popped up from the ground, "Right after laughing, playing, and singing!"

"It was quite a party when me and Twilight came here." Spike said, "Too bad Twilight didn't enjoy it all that much. Because she had her mind on the whole Nightmare Moon story."

"It wasn't a story and you know that now!" Twilight defended, "Plus, I was the only pony who knew and kept hoping it wasn't true. I didn't have time to party knowing that the eternal night was on the horizon."

"Still, you missed a fun night."

"I had fun at the next party." Twilight added.

"After not having fun at one that Pinkie Pie set up to welcome you."

"Spike!" Twilight yelled

"Heh, heh." Lurio chuckled, "Well, Pinkie Pie seems like a rather lively and festive pony."

"Oh, I am!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she bounced, "I've already got a party set up for tomorrow. It's the called the After Welcome to Ponyville Party Party! And you'll be our guest of honor!"

"Ehhh…." Lurio hummed as he didn't quite know what to make of it.

"That's good old Pinkie Pie there." Applejack said.

"Indeed."

Suddenly…

"Cutie Mark Crusaders Indoor Hang Gliding Go!" Three voices screamed.

"Sweetie Belle?!" Rarity exclaimed as she looked around the room.

"Apple Bloom!?" Applejack exclaimed as she looked around the room as well.

Suddenly a hang glider that carried three fillies came flying down the room. The glider nearly hit Lurio and the others, but missed by an inch.

"What madness was that?" Lurio asked.

"It's the Cutie Mark Crusaders." Spike answered.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders?"

"They're a really cute team!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "They're a group of fillies who work together to find their Cutie Marks! OH! I just thought of something! What if they're Cutie Marks are about them finding their Cutie Marks?! After all, they've been a team for a while now!"

"They're Cutie Marks will be a trip to their room when I'm done with them." Applejack said as she marched over to the little fillies.

"That didn't hurt as much as I thought it would." Apple Bloom said as she came out of the ruins of the hang glider.

"Speak for yourself." Sweetie Belle said as her head spun a little.

"That was awesome!" Scootaloo cheered, "We got to have gotten our Cutie Marks from that!"

They each checked their flanks, but none of them had a Cutie Mark.

"Nothing." Sweetie Belle said with a sad face.

"Just like last time." Apple Bloom followed up.

"Aaugh!" Scootaloo screamed, "This is getting a little frustrating."

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack yelled as she approached them, "What in tarnation are you doing?!"

"Well," Apple Bloom began as she tried to think of a way to explain, "You see, we uh…"

"I thought that maybe we'd get our Cutie Marks if we did something awesome like Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo said, "And I thought that indoor hang gliding would be it!"

"Goodness!" Rarity exclaimed as she came over to the group, "Sweetie Belle! Are you alright!"

"I'm fine Rarity." Sweetie Belle answered, "Just a little dizzy, that's all."

"That's was mighty reckless of y'all." Applejack said, "Don't go pulling stunts like that again!"

"You could've been hurt!" Rarity added.

"Sorry." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said at the same time.

"I'm sorry too," Scootaloo said, "Sorry that this was a bust."

"Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom whispered as she pumped her with her hoof.

"Okay, I'm sorry for indoor hang gliding."

"Alright." Applejack replied with a smile, "Go have fun now."

"Alright." Apple Bloom agreed as she and her friends got up, "Come on girls, let's go."

"I've got a new idea for how we can get our Cutie Marks." Sweetie Belle said as she and the others walked away.

"What is it now?" Scootaloo asked.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity yelled, "You'd better behave yourself!"

"Ha, ha." Lurio chuckled happily, "They seem rather troublesome."

"What? Them?" Rarity asked as she and Applejack returned to their group, "No. They're just a little clumsy at times."

"But they mean well and fine." Applejack added.

Lurio then chuckled silently at that comment.

"So, what brings you to Ponyville?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah." Twilight followed up as she walked up to them, "And what's an 'aura master'? I've never heard of anything like that."

"Well," Lurio began, "I don't really have a reason for being here. I just simply travel across Equestria and stop where every cavillation is. As for what an aura master is, I'm very glad that you ask. You see, aura is-"

"Oh!" Rarity cheered as she quickly came up to Lurio to look at his cape, "Your cape is so… so…. Heroic! What a marvelous cloth! It suits you perfectly! Like a real gentlepony! And the hat is so exquisite. Oh, good Lurio, you've really inspired me! I sure hope that you don't mind if you can come to my salon so I can examine your clothing. Do you? They've given me such brilliant ideas for new clothing! Your fashion is a little retro, but I think I can alter it to make it more 'in the now'."

"You design clothes?"

"Only the finest. My special talent may be finding rare jewels with my horn, but my real life is in the designing business. You won't find anything better to wear than at my salon called the Carousel Boutique. Do stop by when you get the chance."

"I will very well do so my lady."

"Ohhhh." Rarity chuckled happily, "Now there's a gentleman that has wonderful manners. Ahhh… I sure hope that my prince charming is like you."

"Um… excuse me…." Fluttershy whispered as she slowly walked toward Lurio, "Um… it's very nice to-"

"So, you were going to tell us what an aura master is." Twilight said.

"I would like to say hello to-"

"Ah yes." Lurio replied, "How rude of me. It's quite an interesting tale, really."

"Mister Lurio, could you please-"

"You see," Lurio began, "Aura is an-"

"Please excuse me mister Lurio." Fluttershy interrupted as she tapped on left side, "Oops. I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

"Oh?" Lurio responded as he turned to Fluttershy, "No. I'm sorry. Have you been trying to talk to me? I'm very sorry. That was terrible of me."

"Oh, please don't be sorry. I was the one who interrupted your explanation. I just wanted to say hello to you, but you can keep talking to Twilight if you want to. I'm very sorry."

"It's okay Fluttershy." Twilight said, "You can talk to him. He can just tell me about aura later. Right Lurio?"

"Exactly." Lurio agreed.

"Oh…" Fluttershy whispered, "Well, okay. If you really want to."

"Your name is Fluttershy. Correct?" Lurio asked.

"Yes." Fluttershy answered quietly as she made a shy face, "That's my name. I'm really good with animals."

"How intriguing." Lurio commented with a smile, "You certainly look like one who would be good with animals. May I ask what your favorite animal is?"

"Oh. I don't have one. It wouldn't be fair to the other animals if I picked a favorite."

"How kind of you." Lurio replied.

"Fluttershy lives in a cottage in Ponyville." Twilight explained, "She takes care of different animals there."

"One that has grown the closest to me is my rabbit, Angel." Fluttershy added.

"Angel?" Lurio repeated, "I suppose that means she behaves as one."

"He's a boy actually. And yes, he can at times. But sadly, he doesn't always live up to his name."

"Is he troublesome?"

"Oh no. Nothing like that. He'd never have a mischievous side. He can just be difficult sometimes. Especially when I try to get him to try new things. He's quite a picky eater."

"I see." Lurio said, "Well, I'm sure you'll get him to try new foods. After all, I'm sure he knows that you care for him very much."

"With all my heart." Fluttershy replied with a small smile, "Just as I do with all the other animals. From the birds, to the mice, the bunnies, every kind of animal."

"Even snakes." Twilight thought with a disgusted face, "Why did she have to have a way with snakes too?! If anything, the only animals that she should have a talent with are the furry, non-slithering kind."

"Twilight!" Pinkie Pie scolded, "How dare you think that way about Fluttershy!"

"Well, it's what I think and-" Twilight responded before she stopped after realizing something, "Wait! You knew what I was thinking?! How?! That's scientifically impossible!"

"I checked the script for the story and saw what you were thinking at this moment. I never thought you say something so mean!"

"What did she think Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked.

"No!" Twilight denied, "Don't tell her!"

"I can't." Pinkie Pie responded with a smile, "My contract says I can't tell anything that has or will happen in the story. It just wouldn't be right. Plus, it'd ruin the fun for the readers."

"Hm?" Lurio hummed, "Whatever are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about getting some punch for everypony here. I'll go get us some!"

The group grew silent after Pinkie Pie left to fetch some punch. Lurio grew slightly confused at her sudden behavior.

"That was rather strange." Lurio commented, "What she said contradicted what she had said before that."

"That's Pinkie Pie for ya." Applejack said, "Her mind's just all over the place."

"I do get a terrible headache from her nonsense sometimes." Rarity added.

"Twilight." Fluttershy said, "What were you thinking? Why was it mean?"

"Oh, uh…" Twilight began as she sweated, "I was thinking about…. Uh….. Hey, Lurio! Why don't you tell us what aura is already? I'm dying to know!"

"You're always interested in stuff you've never heard of." Spike commented.

"But what about-" Fluttershy whispered, "Oh. Never mind."

"Anyway, as I was saying." Lurio began, "Aura is-"

"I'm back everypony!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she came back with some punch for Lurio and the others, "And I got us punch for each of us."

"Aaugh!" Twilight screamed in anger, "Can we just hear what aura is already?! I'm tired of all these interruptions!"

The group grew silent for a second and Twilight got a little embarrassed about her sudden outburst. Especially since it was in the middle of a party.

"Oh…" Twilight said as she blushed, "Heh, heh. Sorry."

"Wow Twilight." Spike said, "That was really out of nowhere."

"You can say that again partner." Applejack followed up, "That was kind of unlike you Twilight."

"Do mind your manners." Rarity warned, "We are in a party after all. Ladies should never raise their voice unless they are being pestered."

"My dear Twilight." Lurio said, "I suggest that I explain to you what aura is when we are in a quiet place. It seems a party such as this is an unfitting place."

"You're right." Twilight agreed, "Let's just have fun and talk more about each other instead."

"I agree." Lurio replied, "So, tell me what it is you do Twilight. I don't believe I've heard what your job is here."

"Well," Twilight began, "You see, I'm the faithful student of Princess Celestia."

"Princess Celestia herself? She's your teacher?"

"Yep. And she's appointed me as a finder of ways of friendship here in Ponyville. Spike and I used to live in Canterlot. But we've lived here after the whole Nightmare Moon plot."

"Whenever she learns new ways of friendship," Spike explained, "she has me write it down and I send it to the princess herself."

"It's ironic really. I never really thought about friendship at first. But after meeting my five friends, I got the job of learning the ways of friendship."

"That's amazing." Lurio replied with an impressed voice, "Friendship truly is a wonderful thing. You should be honored that you have such a responsibility."

"I am." Twilight said, "It's been a whole lot better for me actually."

Suddenly, Rarity's horn started to glow on the tip.

"Huh?" Rarity yelped, "What's this? My horning is reacting?"

"OH!" Spike exclaimed as his mouth started to water a little, "If your horn is shining like that, that must mean…"

"There's a jewel nearby?" Applejack asked.

"Huh?" Lurio puzzled.

"That's my special talent." Rarity explained, "I can find rare jewels with my horn. Whenever I'm near one, my horn reacts to it.""

"A rare jewel?" Lurio wondered as he thought about what she was meaning, "Oh! I think what your horn is sensing is my bag."

"You have a jewel in your bag?!" Rarity exclaimed with a big smile, "May I see it?!"

"Me too!" Spike exclaimed, "Me too! Can I see it!?"

"You don't get to see it Spike." Twilight denied.

"Oh man. I wasn't going to eat it…. on purpose."

"My fair lady," Lurio replied to Rarity, "I shall let you look at it. But you must promise you will not touch it. Because I really am not supposed to take it out. However, since you seem to have a taste in jewelry, I shall allow it."

"Oh!" Rarity cheered, "You're too kind!"

Lurio then opened the bag on his right side to show the big pink crystal that laid in it. Rarity was amazed by its shine and overall look. Spike got on Twilight's back to look at it, and his mouth started to water even more.

"Ahhh!" Spike thought, "It looks so delicious! If only I can get one bite out of it."

"Spike!" Twilight scolded as she felt the water falling on her mane, "Gross! Stop that!"

"Oh!" Spike yelped as he snapped out of his thoughts, "Sorry. Heh, heh."

"That'd be one big rock." Applejack commented, "Where'd ya find that beaut?"

"Oh! It's amazing!" Rarity commented, "The sharpness in the corners! The color! The way it shines! It'd be perfect for the clothes I have planned! You must tell me where you found it!"

"Didn't she say that a lady never raises her voice?" Twilight thought, "It doesn't seem like she's being pestered."

"This is a very rare and powerful jewel." Lurio explained, "It's so powerful that I never let it out of my sight. Which is why I never let it out of my bag. I shouldn't actually be showing you this. I'm running the risk of something happening to it."

"Why is it so powerful?" Twilight asked.

"Something that gorgeous couldn't possibly be dangerous." Rarity said, "And even if it is, I'm sure somepony here would be happy to keep it safe for you. *cough* *cough* me *cough*."

"Oh uh," Spike began as he grew hypnotized at the jewel again, "Can I touch it? I'm kind of into jewelry myself, and I hoped that-"

"Spike." Twilight interrupted.

"Come on Twi. I just want to touch it."

"I know how you are with jewels." Twilight responded, "And you're not touching that one."

Spike then turned away from all the other ponies, sat down on Twilight's back, and crossed his arms hard.

"No fair." Spike grumbled.

"If it makes you feel better," Twilight said to Spike, "We'll get you some gems to chow down on later. Okay?"

"Okay…" Spike grumbled.

"OH!" Pinkie Pie cheered, "That jewel looks pink just like me! Is it called the Pinkie Gem, or Pinkie Diamond? It'd be so fun to have a jewel named after yourself! Maybe a Pinkie Sapphire, or Pinkieretteite. Pinkie Topaz! Oh my gosh! I just love looking at things that are pink! Especially when they're pink like me! My name is Pinkie Pie by the way. In case you didn't know, it's because I have a pink coat and a pink mane. And a pink tail. I was just making sure that you all knew."

"Yeah." Spike joked, "We had no idea why you were called Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie."

"Oh good. You all were paying attention."

"Anyway," Twilight said as she wanted to get back on topic, "What's so powerful and special about that jewel?"

"It has an evil creature imprisoned in it." Lurio answered, "A creature that had threatened to rule all of Equestria with his darkness and dark army."

"Huh? His darkness?"

"That sounds pretty scary." Spike commented.

"Sounds like he was a heap of trouble." Applejack said, "I bet you gave him the horns pretty good if he's in there."

"I have him stopped, yes." Lurio replied, "But only so long as this crystal stays intact. I can't afford anything to happen to it. If something does happen, I'm afraid I may not be able to stop him again."

"Well," Twilight responded, "Looks like you're doing a pretty good job so far."

"OH MY GOSH!" Pinkie Pie screamed.

The screaming caused Lurio, Twilight and the others, as well as the other ponies in the party to stop what they're doing. The attention was then turned over to Pinkie Pie.

"What in tarnation!" Applejack said as she rubbed her eyes.

"Goodness Pinkie Pie," Rarity complained, "Have you gone mad?! May I remind you that you're in a party right now!? You're causing a scene!"

"As if you're doing any better Rarity." Applejack thought.

"What's wrong Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"We're missing somepony!" Pinkie Pie answered as she bounced around the town hall, "I could've sworn that I gave an invitation to everypony in Ponyville! Everypony should be here! That's what the invitation is supposed to do! Bring everypony to a party! So why isn't everypony here?!"

"The place looks jam-packed to me." Applejack replied as she looked around.

"Yeah." Twilight agreed, "It looks like everypony in Ponyville is here. Who else could we be missing?"

"Ah!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "I've got it! We're missing-"

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie felt something in her tail. Her tail had begun to twitch.

"Huh?" Pinkie Pie said as she looked at her tail, "Oh! It's my tail! It's a-twitch a-twitchin'! And you know what that means!"

"A twitching tail?" Lurio wondered, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Oh no!" Spike panicked, "That means something is going to fall!"

"What?!" Rarity yelled, "Right now?! Not on my beautiful mane! I just had it brushed and cleaned!"

"Everypony!" Twilight yelled to the entire town hall, "Get under something! Quick!"

As soon as Twilight gave the order, everpony in the town hall, except for Lurio, quickly got under something that they could get under. Some got under tables while others got under something else. Lurio grew confused as to what had happened.

"What in Equestria is going on?" Lurio asked, "Why is everypony cowering?"

"Partner." Applejack said from under a table, "Just trust us when we say this: get under something for your own safety."

"My tail is twitchin' a-witching." Pinkie Pie explained, "That means something is going to fall."

"You're saying that something shall randomly fall from the sky just because of a reaction from your tail?" Lurio said with a chuckle, "That's ridiculous."

"It sounds ridiculous, yes." Twilight agreed, "I didn't believe in it at first either*, but I've seen that her Pinkie Senses are real. So please, get under something before it's too late."

(*Feeling Pinkie Keen Episode)

"There's no need to be alarmed. Nothing is going to fall from the-"

Suddenly…

"AHHHHHH!" A pony screamed from the roof.

"Huh?" Lurio yelped as he looked up.

And then before he could react, the pony fell right atop of Lurio.

"Oof!" Lurio and the pony blurted as they hit the ground together.

The ponies that hid under something looked out and saw that the pony that landed on Lurio was their high-speed cloud-moving friend, Rainbow Dash. At that moment, she was sitting right on Lurio's back.

"Oh man." Rainbow Dash moaned as she rubbed her head, "I hit the wrong note there. Maybe I was supposed to do the Corkscrew Loop before the Shuttle Loop. Or was it the Shuttle Loop, Barrel Roll, then the Corkscrew Loop?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie cheered as she bounced over to her, "You're here! Now everypony is here at the party!"

"Oh. Hey Pinkie Pie. Sorry I'm late. I was working on one of my new moves for the upcoming Young Flyers Competition. It's called the Blast Processor! I'm not so sure if I'll use it though since it's still a work in progress."

"That's okay." Pinkie Pie responded, "You're here now and now the party can really get started!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity yelled, "How dare you!"

"What?" Rainbow Dash asked with a shrug.

"Get off of that gentleman right now!"

"What gentleman?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I believe she's referring to me." Lurio said from the floor.

"Huh?"

Rainbow Dash then looked down and saw the pony she was sitting on. She saw his head spinning, meaning that he felt dizzy from the impact.

"Oh." Rainbow Dash said as she got off of him, "Sorry. I didn't see you there. I guess I move too fast."

"That's quite alright." Lurio replied as he stood up, "I'm not hurt much."

"It's absolutely not alright!" Rarity yelled as she went up to Lurio, "Is your cape hurt?! Your hat?! You?!"

"Miss Rarity, I assure you. Everything is alright."

"Not when you're running the risk of fashion like that getting ruined!" Rarity disagreed, "Rainbow Dash could've ruined them! I can't stand the sight of such wondrous cloth getting wrinkled!"

"Would you chill out Rarity." Rainbow Dash asked with an annoyed voice, "The dude says it's cool."

"Please my dear." Lurio pleaded gently, "There's no reason to start a riot."

"Oh! Very well then." Rarity settled, "But I still think you owe him an apology for landing on such clothing."

"Whatever." Rainbow Dash replied.

"That was quite a crash Rainbow Dash." Spike pointed out.

"Yeah. Are ya hurt?" Applejack asked.

"That looked rather painful." Fluttershy followed.

"Don't worry." Rainbow replied as she floated in the air with her wings and laid her hooves behind her head, "Not a scratch on me."

"That's a relief." Twilight said, "That crash looked pretty bad."

Suddenly a light started to appear brightly. The light started to spread across the entire town hall. The ponies in the town hall shielded their eyes with their hooves as the light spreaded.

"Woah!" Applejack exclaimed, "What the hay now?!

"So bright." Fluttershy whispered.

"What's going on?!" Twilight asked, "Where's that light coming from?!"

"It looks like it's coming from Lurio's bag!" Spike answered as he pointed at the bag.

"My bag?" Lurio asked as he looked over at his bag.

And surely enough, Spike was right. Rays of light were coming from the bag that held the crystal. It was then that Lurio had feared of what had happened.

"Oh no!" Lurio worried as he quickly got his saddle off to look into the bag, "It can't be! It can't be!"

"W-what's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Oh my gosh!" Rarity yelled as she looked at the newly opened bag, "The beautiful crystal has been cracked!"

Everypony else looked into Lurio's bag to find that the crystal that was in there had a large crack around it. The light was coming from the said crack.

"It must've cracked when your friend landed on me!" Lurio thought, "The impact on the floor must've damaged it!"

Rarity then looked over at Rainbow Dash with an angry look. Rainbow Dash got more annoyed and slightly scared of her face.

"But what's with the bright light?!" Applejack asked, "What's going on?!"

"Everypony!" Lurio said as he pushed Twilight and her friends back, "Get back!"

Suddenly, the light covered the entire room. At that point, the only thing that could be seen was white. The light covered the room for about a second or two and then diminished. Once the light faded, all the ponies in the town hall looked toward where the light came from and couldn't believe their eyes.

"Oh my gosh!" One pony screamed.

"Who is that?!" Another asked.

"What is that is a better question." Another said.

"Oh no." Lurio said quietly as he looked toward where the crystal was.

The sight that everypony saw was an anthropomorphic cat-like creature with a staff and purple and black clothing. He stood there looking at Lurio with an evil grin.

"Well, well." The cat-like creature said evilly to Lurio, "It seems my time in my prison has come to end. Wouldn't you agree Lurio?"

"Polstow!" Lurio shouted as he got in a ready position.

"Polstow?" Twilight repeated.

"Woah." Spike blurted, "He looks weird. What is he?"

"A freak of nature, that's what he is." Rainbow Dash answered.

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie cheered, "Is it a guessing game?! I love this game! Okay, let me see…"

She then got to thinking about what the creature's name is. After some thought was made, she decided to give her answer.

"Are you a cat mixed with a sage?" Pinkie Pie asked with a smile, "Or uhh…. Cuddly Feline mixed with a magician? Or even better: The Cat in a Robe!"

"I am," The creature known as Polstow began, "The greatest aura master in all of Equestria! And soon to be its greatest ruler as well! For I shall finish what I started in the years long past and cover it with my eternal darkness!"

"R-r-ruler?" Fluttershy stuttered as she shivered, "D-d-darkness?"

"What the heck is that creepy feline talking about?" Applejack asked Lurio.

"Augh!" Lurio suddenly yelped.

"Lurio!" Rarity exclaimed, "Are you alright?! What happened?!"

"I felt something in my back hoove." Lurio answered.

"Ah!" Spike screamed, "W-what is that?!"

Twilight and the others looked at where Spike was pointing and saw a small dark creature near Lurio's back hoof.

"One of Polstow's minions!" Lurio explained loudly.

"Eek!" Fluttershy screamed, "Keep it away! Keep it away!"

Before anypony could do anything, the creature disappeared in the floor.

"W-what was that?!" Spike freaked out.

"Thought I'd give you a little gift in return for when you gave me the gift of imprisonment." Polstow snarled with a grin, "And now that that's done, it's time for me to return home so I can begin my plan!"

He then turned to the citizens of Ponyville that were inside of the town hall and continued, "Listen well you weaklings! The sun may brighten your light now. But soon, the light will be extinguished and only darkness will exist. So, enjoy the last moments of light while you can, because the darkness will be coming very shortly! Hahahahahahaha!"

Polstow then laid down his staff and stood on it like a balance beam. He then flew off through the broken roof caused by Rainbow Dash as he laughed evilly all the journey home.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash yelled, "Get back here you cat!"

Rainbow Dash then began flying fast to follow him.

"Stop right now!" Lurio ordered, "You can't handle him. He's too powerful."

Rainbow Dash then stopped to look over at Lurio and responded, "Well we can't just sit here and let him get away with what he wants. We've got to do something."

"I agree, but-"

"Hey." Spike said as he looked over at the crystal, "The crystal that was in Lurio's bag. It's still glowing."

"Spike's right." Rarity said, "It's still glowing. And very brightly at that."

"What's happening Lurio?" Twilight asked, "Why is it still glowing?"

"Because somepony else is in there." Lurio answered, "But why hasn't he come out yet?"

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie yelped, "Is it another guessing game?! Are we guessing what's going to come out?! Okay, okay! I guess it's uh… a dog with the body of a mouse!"

Suddenly a white beam came out of the crystal. It flew through the air for a second, causing some of the ponies to flinch. The light soon passed Rainbow Dash. She made a small flinch but tried to hide it as much as possible.

"That's weird." Rainbow Dash commented as she watched the beam fly, "What's that? Not another weirdo I hope."

"Such pretty lights." A gray-coated and yellow-maned female Pegasus* said as she watched the lights fly.

(*The popular Derpy Hooves.)

After making a round around the air, the beam finally landed in front of the crystal and began to form something. It began to form a shape of a pony, which made all the ponies in the building wonder who it was.

"It's him." Lurio said quietly.

"What in Equestria?" Applejack said as she watched the figure form.

When the light faded, the figure turned out to be a blue-coated and maned Pegasus pony with a blue tail and his eyes closed. He was in a bowing-like position and didn't move a muscle.

"What?!" Some of the ponies exclaimed as they witnessed the Pegasus that bowed before them.

"Woah." The white-coated female unicorn with a blue and cyan mane and glasses and headphones* said, "Wicked."

(*The pony known by fans as DJ Pon-3.)

Some of the ponies then began to wonder and talk about who the pony was and why he was not moving from where he was. Lurio looked at the Pegasus with a normal face. The feeling that was in his chest was a mixture of worry and relief.

"Woah!" Spike yelled as he pointed at the mysterious Pegasus, "It's a Pegasus! And he just came out of that crystal!"

"A Pegasus has been inside of that wonderful gem?!" Rarity asked with a surprised voice, "How odd. I had no idea jewels were capable of keeping a pony imprisoned."

"AHHH!" Pinkie Pie gasped, "A new pony in Ponyville! You know what that means! Another party! He must not have any friends and-"

"Not the time sugah." Applejack interrupted.

Twilight also witnessed the Pegasus before them and noticed his Cutie Mark on his flank. It was two blue arms with black paws and spikes forming a blue ball of some sorts.

"His Cutie Mark." Twilight thought, "I've never seen anything like that one. I wonder what it means. Who is he?"

"Lurio," Twilight began, "Who is he and why was he in that crystal with that cat-like creature?"

"I don't know his name." Lurio answered, "But he was not supposed to be in there. However due to the circumstances, there was nothing I could do about it. He was sealed in the crystal with Polstow."

Suddenly, a blue force appeared around the Pegasus' body. This caused some of the ponies to grow frighten of the sudden appearance of the force. Even when it appeared, the Pegasus stayed where he was and kept his eyes closed.

"W-what's going on with him?!" Twilight wondered.

"Aura." Lurio said, "That's his aura we're seeing. He's using his aura to sense his surroundings."

"That's aura?"

With the Pegasus that was released, he still maintained his position and used his aura to feel his surroundings just as Lurio explained.

"I'm…." The Pegasus thought, "I'm free…. I'm free from that crystal….."

He then felt the aura around him and was puzzled about the amount of aura there was.

"So much aura…" The Pegasus thought as he looked around with his eyes still shut, "Where am I?"

Suddenly, he felt an aura that was strange. Sensing that aura caused him to flinch and grow curious.

"What's that?" The Pegasus thought, "That aura?"

He then suddenly jumped up from where he was standing and then landed in front of Fluttershy. His eyes still remained closed and his aura continued showing.

"Oh…." Fluttershy weeped as the Pegasus got closer, "C-c-can I help you?"

The Pegasus didn't respond. He didn't do anything but stand in front of Fluttershy and continued sensing aura.

"Excuse me!" Rarity yelled at the Pegasus as she got in front of him, "How dare you treat a lady like Fluttershy with such disrespect! Just charging at her so rashly! A gentleman never approaches a lady like that! You need to learn some manners! And please open your eyes when somepony is talking to you! Do you know how odd you're being by keeping your eyes shut like that!"

Suddenly, his aura disappeared. This caused Rarity, Fluttershy and the other ponies to wonder what was happening at that time. The Pegasus then slowly opened his eyes just as Rarity ordered. His eyesight was blurry as he opened them. But after a second, his eyes adjusted and his eyesight was clear.

"Huh?" The Pegasus said as he looked at Rarity with a confused look.

He then looked around the town hall and saw the different Ponies that were in the building. He looked uncomfortable and started to breathe a little heavy.

"W-who are you?" The Pegasus asked Rarity, "W-w-where am I?"

"Hi there." Pinkie Pie greeted happily as she approached the confused Pegasus, "It's really nice to meet you. My name is Pinkie Pie. And-"

"N-never mind." The Pegasus interrupted as he nodded no, "It doesn't matter. Tell me, did you see an other-worldly-like creature here?"

"Oh, you mean that cute-cuddly cat with a stick? He just left."

The Pegasus didn't say another word after getting his answer. After noticing the broken roof, he opened his wings and immediately took flight and flew through the broken roof. The ponies that he left behind were all confused at the events that just took place. Two mysterious creatures appear out of nowhere and out of a crystal no less. All seemed puzzled, except for Pinkie Pie.

"Bye somebody-I-don't-know!" Pinkie Pie said as she waved goodbye to the Pegasus, "It was great meeting you! Come again!"

"Whew." Applejack said, "My head's spinning faster than a twister in a barnyard. My mind's still trying to catch up."

"I hear ya." Spike replied, "Can somepony explain what just happened and if I should be worried?"

"I believe I can fill you all in." Lurio answered, "But we must go somewhere quiet. This location will not do."

"I know the perfect place." Twilight said with a grin.

"To the library!" She and Rainbow Dash shouted at the same time.

Twilight then gave a surprised looked at Rainbow Dash after they finished the shouting.

"Ha." Rainbow Dash chuckled, "Knew you were going to say that."

Meanwhile, with the mysterious Pegasus…

After flying through the broken roof and entering the outside, the Pegasus stopped and floated right above town hall. He then looked to the left and then the right to find the creature he was looking for. But seeing that he was at neither direction, he decided to take a different approach.

"I don't see him anywhere." The Pegasus said to himself, "So maybe…"

He then shut his eyes tightly and tabbed into his aura to feel other aura around him. As he felt the aura surrounding him, he flew around Ponyville to see if he can get a reading of his target. But nothing came to.

"No good." The Pegasus said as he opened his eyes, "He must've left already. Probably on his way to his castle now."

He looked over at the distance. Seeing the trees and fields outside of the village he was in. He knew the only way to find him was to go out and search for him. But there was something that seemed to bother him for some reason.

"My body," The Pegasus said as he looked at his hooves, "Is still not used to being outside of that crystal. I have been in there for nearly a year. I should rest first."

He then flew over to a tree that was near the Everfree Forest and laid on its branch to take a nap.

"I can't sleep for too long." The Pegasus continued, "I need to stop Polstow quickly."

Before shutting his eyes to sleep, the Pegasus thought about the events that happened a short while ago. He had suddenly been freed from his prison. And he was surrounded by other ponies. What caused him to roam free in Equestria again? That was the one question that boggled his mind.

"How am I out of that crystal though?" The Pegasus thought, "Did somepony set me free? Well, one thing's for sure, if I'm here then Polstow is too. And that means he can continue what he was going to do when we first got here. But I will stop him before that happens."

After getting the thought over with, he closed his eyes to nap.

At Twilight Sparkle's Library and home…

Twilight and her friends as well as the new pony Lurio all entered the home of the magical unicorn. Lurio was amazed at how many books where in the little house.

"Goodness me." Lurio marveled, "Books upon shelves upon walls of literature. You're one that loves to read. I'm surprised that you're Cutie Mark isn't a book."

"Yeah, me too." Rainbow Dash agreed quietly.

"Well," Twilight responded, "As the princess' student, I've got a lot of studying to do. And there are so many interesting things in Equestria that I just can't help but want to learn about them."

"We always having to clean up after the end of each day." Spike added, "Bet you can guess why."

"I see." Lurio said with a smile, "Very interesting."

"Ahem." Lurio cleared his throat as he got serious, "Now anyway, you all are wondering who that creature was and why he was in the crystal. Is that correct?"

"Darn tootin'" Applejack said, "Things seemed to have gone all cattywampus in the blink of an eye."

"Who was that Pegasus?" Rarity asked, "And why was he in the crystal with that monster?! Oh, I may not look at Opal the same way again."

"Where should I throw the party for the new pony in town?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"How's that gonna help?" Rainbow Dash asked her with a confused voice.

"To help him make some friends! Don't you know?! If he's new here then he doesn't have friends! And if he doesn't have friends then he must be sad! And if he's sad then he's not happy! And if he's not happy then he's sad! And I can't let anypony go a day without being sad! We need to throw a welcome to Ponyville party for him! Oh, I just can't wait to see the look on his face!"

"Now's not the time for partying Pinkie." Rainbow Dash said, "We've got more serious matters to deal with."

"You're right!" Pinkie Pie agreed as she suddenly got serious, "We haven't finished Lurio's party yet! We had to cut that one short. And it wouldn't be right to have an unfinished party on my list. We need to finish it later."

Rainbow Dash then sighed and put her hoof on her head.

"I believe the best way to answer your question is by starting at the beginning." Lurio explained while ignoring Pinkie Pie's excited outburst, "The very beginning. Twilight, you wanted to know about aura and what it is and where it came from. Well, here's the whole story."

Lurio then walked up to a window while facing away from the six ponies. He then breathed in and out, and prepared the story.

"Long ago," Lurio began, "Many generations before us, ponies from across Equestria learned the ways of aura to do extortionary things. You see, aura is a spiritual energy or essence that exists within every living thing. And using aura is almost exactly like how a unicorn uses magic. Aura is something you can study and tab into and learn, just like magic. But the difference between the two is that magic can only be done by unicorns while aura can be done with any pony. An earth pony like myself, a unicorn, and a Pegasus like the one we saw before. The very first creature to use aura the way the future aura users would was a Zebra named Hugo. One day when he was meditating, he had found himself feeling a force he had never felt before. And with that force, he was able to jump to higher grounds and high branches in trees. He felt faster and stronger. And felt like he could do so many things. That force he had tabbed into was aura. He had tried to show his people about his new technique. But they had feared that he was cursed and banished him from his people. Traveling alone for a week, he had found himself a home with a village of ponies that lived far from where he had come from. He showed his aura to the good ponies that fed him and gave him a home and they were fascinated by his power. He had decided to teach the ways of aura to them and help them improve their way of life with the power of aura. This is how a society of aura users was made. And as new masters came along, new abilities were discovered. And the most famous technique in aura was the Aura Sphere. A move in which an aura user can create a sphere of aura with his or her hooves. This technique was mostly famous for combat, but the peace between aura users grew so mighty that there was hardly any need for the Aura Sphere at all. The only times it was used was on non-combat circumstances. Which was also rare."

"Good golly." Applejack said, "Something like that exists in us?"

"We have aura too?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, my dear." Lurio answered, "Even though you can't feel it. It's in you at this moment."

"I've never heard of any of this." Twilight commented as she looked through her books, "I've read all these books over fifty times and I haven't seen anything about what you're telling us. Unless I missed a page. Or a book."

She then turned to Spike and asked, "Spike, did we read all the books we've got here?"

"Of course we did." Spike answered, "Well, at least I think we did. I kind of forget the things I've read as soon as we move on to the next one."

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "I've got an idea!"

She then charged up at one of the book shelves and caused some of the books to land on her.

"Pinkie Pie!" Rarity yelled, "What in Equestria are you doing?! You're making a mess!"

"I just had those organized Pinkie." Twilight told Pinkie Pie.

"I'm seeing if the book that has the stuff about aura will land on me." Pinkie Pie answered as she picked up the book on her head to read it, "Hmmm… nope. Not it. Darn. I thought that would work."

"Oh my goodness." Fluttershy said with worry, "Are you alright Pinkie Pie?"

"Definitely!" Pinkie Pie answered as she got back up with a bounce, "I feel funny though."

"You always feel funny Pinkie." Spike pointed out.

"May I continue?" Lurio asked politely.

"Yes. You can." Twilight answered as she turned back to him, "So tell us. What does this have to do with that monster we saw or that Pegasus?"

"That's the next part of the story." Lurio explained, "You see, out of all the aura users in Equestria, the most skillful one was a Pegasus named Polstow. He could-"

He then stopped talking as he noticed that Twilight was looking through her books again. Probably searching for aura in her books. Lurio gave a hum to get her attention.

"Huh?" Twilight said as she heard the hum, "Keep going. I'm listening."

"She's always got her nose in the books." Rainbow Dash explained.

"Right. Anyway," Lurio said as he focused back on the story, "Polstow could sense aura miles away from where he was. Farther than a normal aura user can sense. He could see things before they happen. He could do an Aura Sphere without any trouble. He grew so passionate about it that he began learning how to use it."

"Polstow?" Applejack asked, "That same guy who just popped out of your crystal?"

"Precisely."

"But you said he was a Pegasus." Rainbow Dash said, "That guy looked nothing like a Pegasus. I should know."

"Are you expecting us to believe that he just changed himself or something?" Spike asked with some disbelief.

"Well," Lurio replied, "Actually, yes I do. Because that's exactly what happened."

"Huh?"

"You see," Lurio continued, "Polstow desperately wanted to become an aura master. But he couldn't stand the wait and wanted to find a quick and easy path to get there. That was when he discovered darkness. And he used that darkness to create the dark side of aura. With it, he was able to skip lessons and become a master-like aura user in a short manner of time. However, the aura users feared that the darkness would overtake him. And when they tried to convince him to let go of the darkness and start again with his training, he refused and was imprisoned for his belief about how darkness was the only way. It was then he believed that ponies were frail and decided to rule all of Equestria with his dark aura. To make a world where only the dark side of aura can be used. And to gain the power he needed, he used the darkness in his heart to transform himself from a Pegasus to the other-worldly creature you saw at the party."

"Woah." Spike yelped, "Hey. I got that on my first try. Not bad for a baby dragon, huh?"

"So Polstow was a pony before?" Twilight asked.

"Yes." Lurio answered, "Just like you and me. But he transformed himself so his darkness would reach terrifying heights. His power was so great that he nearly did rule all of Equestria with his dark aura and dark army. However, an aura master stepped up to challenge him to a Test of Aura. A competition to decide whose aura has grown stronger. The hero of that day prevailed and Polstow was imprisoned in the Realm of Atmosfere. A prison made for aura users who would use aura the way that Polstow did. That hero that defeated Polstow was an ancestor of mine. And ever since I heard about his heroic deed, I dedicated myself to preventing his plan from coming true if he were to ever return."

"I'm guessing he did return, didn't he?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He did. About a year ago. He somehow found a way to escape. I sensed his aura and rushed over to him as quickly as I could. I knew that I wouldn't be able to defeat him in a Test of Aura. So, I sealed him in the crystal I had. And I hoped to keep it from ever breaking. But it seems I've failed to keep that hope. Now that he's free, he will try to finish what he started and cover Equestria with his darkness."

The five ponies and Spike then looked over at Rainbow Dash with some mad looks.

"What?" Rainbow Dash said as she looked at their faces, "It was a mistake, okay?! I didn't know he was there!"

"It is alright." Lurio said to Rainbow Dash, "Accidents happen."

"Well," Twilight said as she turned back to Lurio, "What about that Pegasus that was in the crystal? How does he fit in all this?"

"And why was he so barbaric at the party?!" Rarity asked, "Staring at Fluttershy while so up close to her. How rude of him. And then he leaves without explaining who he is."

"I don't know much about him," Lurio answered, "But here's what I know. The reason why he was sealed in there with Polstow is because some of the darkness that Polstow has rests within that pony."

"Huh?!" The six ponies and Spike exclaimed.

"P-p-olstow's darkness," Fluttershy stuttered, "Is in him?"

"That crystal is made to imprison all users of a certain darkness. And since that young Pegasus has some of his darkness, he was imprisoned as well. There wasn't anything I could do about it."

"So, he was imprisoned because the crystal imprisons all the darkness of the user?" Twilight asked.

"Yes." Lurio answered as he lowered his head, "An easier way to explain is that if he were to give you some of his darkness and I where to imprison him in the crystal, the crystal would imprison any users of that darkness. That would include you. These magical crystals are made to imprison all users of a certain darkness."

Lurio then took a short pause before continued the story.

"I felt horrible about what I did. He had done nothing wrong and he still was forced to live in that prison. I kept dreaming night after night that things should've been different. But alas, there was nothing I could do."

"It's alright sugah." Applejack said as she went over to put her hoof on his shoulder, "You didn't know. And ah'm sure he'll forgive ya."

"I appreciate that."

"Can you tell us anything else about that Pegasus?" Twilight asked.

"Not a lot I can tell." Lurio explained, "But there was something that I sensed in his aura when I imprisoned him and Polstow. I felt…. Anger and sadness."

"Anger and sadness?" Twilight asked, "Do you think you know why?"

"I'm not sure. What I can theorize is that he felt anger toward me for imprisoning him. And I can't blame him for that. As for sadness, that's where I'm unsure."

"If he has the darkness that Polstow has," Rainbow Dash said, "That means that Pegasus is a bad guy. Right?"

"He didn't seem like a sour apple." Applejack commented.

"He looked a little confused." Twilight pointed out, "Like something wasn't right to him. But what?"

"I do not know if he is on our side or not." Lurio answered, "If he was, then why didn't he appear at the same time as Polstow?"

"Are we just going to keep sitting here talking while that freak of nature is out there to cover the world with his oh so scary darkness?!" Rainbow Dash asked impatiently, "Or are we going to do something about it?!"

"Rainbow's right." Applejack agreed, "We can't that furry magician get away with this. Time to get our saddle and give him trouble."

"I'm a little scared to go." Fluttershy said, "But I think I'll be fine. I have gotten over my fear of dragons, for the most part at least, so this won't be as scary."

"We need to show him that he doesn't just get to cover Equestria with dark." Pinkie Pie added, "The dark is no fun. The dark is where everypony goes to sleep. And fillies are scared of the dark. And you can't have a party in the dark. Then you can't see anything!"

"I for one," Rarity said, "Think that that feline does deserve a good lesson from us. We may not know much about him, but I know that he's messing with our beautiful world."

"Lurio," Twilight said, "Let us help you defeat Polstow. You may not know us all that much, but the princess would want us to help you. We represent the six Elements of Harmony. And therefore, it's up to us to make sure Equestria is safe."

"You six are the ones who represent the Elements of Harmony?" Lurio asked with a fascinated voice.

"Yes. Magic, Loyalty, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, and Laughter. We worked together to defeat Nightmare Moon, so we can handle this one together too."

Lurio turned away from Twilight again and made a quiet mumble. Twilight heard the mumble and wondered what he was saying.

"Huh?" Twilight asked.

"I said," Lurio began as he turned his eyesight back to the six ponies, "You're right. The princess would want you to do this. So, I will allow you to help me."

"Great. So, we're do we start?"

"The first thing we need is to create a new Prison Crystal for Polstow." Lurio said, "But in order to do that, we need two things."

"What are the two things we need?" Twilight asked.

"In order to create the crystal, we'll need the right materials to synthesize it. I've got three of the needed materials, a Mystery Goo, A Frost Gem, a Mythril Stone, and one other thing. An Orichalcum Gem."

"Synthesize?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Back in the time we now call 'the Age of Aura'," Lurio said, "Synthesizing was discovered as a way to craft things just by having the right materials for it. With these materials, ponies could craft a cottage, or a tent, and even a crown. Sadly though, that way of creation has been forgotten along with aura."

"Frost Gem and a Mythril Stone?" Rarity thought out loud, "I've never heard of such things. But they sound quite alluring."

"Rarity." Lurio said, "You can find jewels and gems with your horn. Correct?"

"That's correct." Rarity answered with a smile, "My horn can find the most glamorous of jewelry."

"Can you perhaps find us an Orichalcum Gem? It won't be easy to find because they're very rare."

"Darling." Rarity replied, "Rare gems are my specialty. We'll go to the outside part of Ponyville and I'll find one for you no problem."

"Very good." Lurio praised.

"So, what's the other thing we need?" Applejack asked.

"A zebra to help us. But I doubt we'll be able to find one around here. They don't live around this part of Equestria I bet."

"A Zebra?" Spike asked as he thought of somepony they know, "Hey. We know one."

"You do?"

"Zecora." Twilight beamed, "She's a Zebra. She can help."

"Excellent." Lurio praised, "Once we get the Orichalcum Gem, let us pay her a visit."

"Oh no." Fluttershy wept, "If we want to go to Zecora, we need to go through the…"

"The Everfree Forest." Applejack finished.

"It would seem that you aren't very pleasant with the idea." Lurio assumed.

"The Everfree Forest is a strange and dangerous place." Twilight explained.

"Yeah!" Spike exclaimed, "There, the animals thrive for themselves!"

"The plants grow on their own!" Pinkie Pie continued.

"The trees lose leaves on their own!" Applejack continued.

"And the clouds move by themselves!" Rainbow Dash finished.

"There are all sorts of dangerous creatures in there." Twilight added, "So we need to be careful."

"So, we shall." Lurio replied, "Shall we go?"

"Yeah. But first, I need to write a letter to the princess about what's happening and let her know we've got things under control."

"Wise decision." Lurio commented, "I'd expect no less from Celestia's student."

"Spike," Twilight called, "Take a letter."

So then Spike got a feather pen and some paper to write on and got ready to write.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight began as Spike wrote down what she was saying, "It would seem a sudden threat to Equestria has appeared. An evil aura master by the name of Polstow. I don't know much about him, but our new friend Lurio seems to know how dangerous he is. I'd like you to know that there's nothing to worry about and we'll be helping Lurio deal with the problem. Please wish us luck. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

"Got it all down." Spike said as he finished writing.

Spike then rolled up the letter, tied it up in bow, and blew on it to magically send the letter to the princess.

"Watch this Lurio." Rainbow Dash said as she got closer to him, "We'll be getting a letter from the princess in three, two, one."

"Umph…" Spike said as he felt something funny in his stomach and then his mouth, "Blech!"

Suddenly, he belched some green fire from his mouth. And when he did, a letter appeared from the flames.

"Right on the tick." Rainbow Dash chatted as she bumped her shoulder against Lurio.

"It says," Spike said as he opened the letter, "Twilight, Lurio explained to me the situation when he came to Canterlot. I'm just as in the dark as you when it comes to aura, but I do know that the situation is dire. Please help Lurio stop Polstow. I trust that you and your friends will do your best to help in any way you can. Oh, and if you see a Pegasus with a powerful aura, have him assist you. You may need his help too. Yours truly, Princess Celestia."

"That Pegasus with the aura?" Spike asked, "The princess wants him to help us?"

"Goodness me Lurio!" Rarity exclaimed, "You got to meet the princess!?"

"I have." Lurio answered calmly, "I crossed paths with her when I traveled to Canterlot. She was awfully kind and becoming. She offered me a room to stay in her castle for a night."

"Why," Rarity responded, "I've always dreamed of getting such treatment from the princess! Getting a room to stay in at her castle! Designing clothes for her and even her nephew! And perhaps even getting treated like a princess! You must've felt honored."

"It was quite an honor." Lurio replied, "When I was there, she spotted the Prison Crystal and I explained to her about Polstow, aura, and the Pegasus inside. She was quite vague on the details, but she told me that if I were to run into a problem where Polstow were to return and the Pegasus with aura is released, I should have you six ponies help me and have the Pegasus join us on our journey."

"But that Pegasus was in the crystal with Polstow." Rainbow Dash pointed out, "How do we know that he isn't a bad guy?"

"I explained what emotions I sensed in the Pegasus' aura to the princess." Lurio continued, "And when I mentioned sadness, that's when she mentioned you six. I have a feeling the princess knows something that we don't. Ironically enough, she had very little knowledge to the ways of aura, and yet it seems I was in the dark in the end."

"Well," Twilight Sparkle said, "Even if he is a bad guy, the princess says that we need him to work with us. So, I guess we'll just have to make him reform."

"We shall see." Lurio answered, "For now, let us get the Orichalcum Gem to synthesize the Prison Crystal."

So, then Twilight and her friends, as well as Lurio, headed outside of the library to journey through the outside of Ponyville for Rarity to find an Orichalcum Gem.

The outside of Ponyville*…

(*The same place that Rarity and Spike will go in the episode A Dog and Pony Show. Season 1: Episode 19.)

Rarity used her horn to detect different kinds of gems and jewels like a metal detector. Or in this case, a jewelry detector. Once she spotted some jewels, Spike would dig up the spot in which they were found. She had found gold and silver and crystals. Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Diamonds, pearls, and platinum. And soon, she began to find materials that she was not familiar with. Lurio however, knew exactly what her horn found. Rarity began to find Lightning Shards, and Spirit Gems. Frost Crystals and Shiny Crystals. While Rarity was fascinated about her discoveries and Spike wondered what those discoveries tasted like, Twilight and Lurio began to worry about how much longer it would take to find the needed gem. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy had the mysterious aura pony on their minds, and Pinkie Pie only had the idea of what kind of cupcakes Mr. and Mrs. Cake would make next.

"Looks at all these magnificent baguettes!" Rarity said to her friends, "The cuts and shines are absolutely divine! I feel silly not knowing about these a long time ago!"

"Me too." Spike said as he glared at the Spirit Gems, "But for a totally different reason."

"Spikey-wikey." Rarity said with a smile, "I promised you that I'd save you some for later. These are for my new ideas. Be patient."

"Y-yes Rarity." Spike answered as he looked at Rarity with googly eyes.

Twilight gave a small chuckle at how Spike responded. She knew about how Spike feels about Rarity and always thought he looked silly from how he looks at her.

"She's rather passionate about jewelry." Lurio said.

"You can say that again." Rainbow Dash replied.

"Rarity is jewelry's biggest fan." Applejack said, "Whenever there's shiny gem around here, she's most likely here too."

"But don't worry." Twilight assured, "She may love jewels, but she's really generous. She kindly made us dresses for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala."

"Did she now?" Lurio asked.

"Well," Pinkie Pie answered, "After we stopped being picky wicky. In the end, we just decided to let her design her way and not ours."

"It was a really unpleasant time for her*." Fluttershy added.

(*Suited for Success, Season 1: Episode 14)

"We even finished her dress to make up for what happened." Twilight finished.

"It must be swell to have a generous friend like her." Lurio thought out loud.

"Oh!" Rarity groaned, "Where is the Orichalcum Gem?! Not only will we not be able to imprison Polstow without it, but I won't see its glamorous glow! Why must the most beautiful of gems be the rarest?!"

"Uh oh." Pinkie Pie said, "Rarity's starting to worry. Should I get my party cannon to calm her down?"

"Seriously?" Rainbow Dash said to Pinkie Pie.

"Hey. Big surprises can calm ponies at times. It makes them forget why they were worried. How do you think I get through party planning without stress?"

"… I always thought you just rolled with the punches." Rainbow Dash replied.

Meanwhile, while Rarity was stressing, Spike noticed a glow coming from the ground near him.

"Huh?" Spike huffed to himself as he noticed the shine, "What's that?"

He approached the shine and noticed that it was the tip of a white gem. He grew curious about what the gem was and dug it up to find out.

"Ah!" Spike moaned happily as he looked at the white gem, "So bright and delicious. I've never seen anything like it before. Maybe I can just take a nipple in case Rarity notices me."

Spike then picked up the white gem and prepared to take a taste with just a small nipple.

"Over the teeth and under the gums," Spike said as his eyes sparkled at the sight of the gem, "Look out tummy, here it comes!"

He then opened his mouth wide and prepared to take a bite. His thoughts danced with the joy of what taste he would get. All seemed like it would go well, but unfortunately…

"Ah! There it is!" Lurio shouted with grace, "Right there! The Orichalcum Gem! Spike's found it!"

"Huh?" Spike said as he turned his head over to Lurio.

"Oh, my goodness!" Rarity exclaimed as she used her magic to take the Orichalcum Gem from Spike.

"H-hey!" Spike thought as he noticed Rarity taking it off his paws.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Rarity beamed with her sparkling eyes, "Is it not beautiful?! The cuts and the glimmer! Doesn't it make you want to cry!? *sniff* *sniff* Because I could cry at its presentation right now!"

"Ohhh…" Spike moaned at the loss of his prize.

"Spikey-wikey. Thank you so much for finding it for me."

Rarity then gave Spike a small kiss on the cheek. Spike felt frozen from that kiss and his face grew as red as an apple. He nearly fell to pieces, so to speak.

"D-d-did she just…. Kiss me?!" Spike thought, "If I'm dreaming, I never want to wake up!"

Spike then looked at his cheek to see if her lipstick got on his cheek. Sadly though, he seemed like she didn't have enough on to leave a print.

"I had a feeling this moment was too great." Spike thought with a disappointed face.

"Here you are darling." Rarity said as she gave Spike a shining diamond, "For being such a dear."

Spike took the diamond and looked at it for a second.

"A gift from Rarity." Spike thought with sparkles in his eyes, "This is almost too good to eat."

After waking up from his fantasy, he then chowed down on the diamond in just three bites. Then licking whatever crumbs were on his face. Yes, there were diamond crumbs.

"But it's too good not to eat." Spike said to himself with a smile.

"Very well done." Lurio complimented, "Now that the Orichalcum Gem is found, shall we visit your friend?"

"Yep." Twilight answered, "But let's be careful. The Everfree Forest isn't the most safest of places."

"Whatever." Rainbow Dash scoffed, "I ain't afraid of no forest."

"The same can't be said for dragons." Applejack teased.

"What're you talking about?"

Suddenly, a dragon roar screamed loudly near where they are.

"Eep!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she laid fully on her back on the ground in total fear.

"D-d-d-ragon!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Roar!" Pinkie Pie roared with a dragon imitation.

Seeing Pinkie Pie giggle of Rainbow Dash's position and seeing how she imitated the dragon roar, Rainbow Dash started to piece together what was happening.

"Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she got up from the ground, "Don't do that! You scar- uh, I mean…. Caught me off guard!"

Suddenly, the rest of the group laughed with Rainbow Dash.

"For a brave spirit," Lurio commented, "It seems even you have fears Rainbow Dash."

"I'm not afraid of anything!" Rainbow Dash argued.

"Well, whether you are or not," Twilight said as she stopped laughing, "We're not dealing with dragons this time. Enough standing and laughing. Let's go see Zecora."

"Alright!" Spike cheered, "I can't wait to see that cat freak get sealed in a crystal! And that aura Pegasus. I wonder if he'll teach me aura if I ask him."

"Sorry Spike," Twilight apologized with a smile, "You're not seeing anything, because you're staying at the library like always."

"Oh man. I was afraid you'd say that."

"Don't worry surgarcube." Applejack said as she patted him on the head, "We'll tell ya how it all went down when we get back."

"I guess so." Spike replied.

Back at Ponyville…

After dropping Spike off at the library and reminding him to leave notes to remind Twilight to get more notes to remind her of things she might forget and to reschedule organizing plans for Ponyville, studies, and the plans for organizing next months plans, Twilight and the others now with the Orichalcum Gem in possession headed off to the Everfree Forest to meet up with their sage-minded zebra friend, Zecora. However, fate had interrupted them once more with the appearance of Mayor Mare.

"Twilight." Mayor Mare said, "I surely do hope that whatever's going on, you know what you and your friends are doing. Because nearly everypony in town hall is asking questions. And I don't know what to tell them."

"My dear." Lurio responded, "Tell your citizens to have no fear. I assure you that Polstow will be dealt with in no time at all."

"He's right." Twilight added, "By the end of the day, Equestria will be Polstow-free. Lurio's explained to us what's going on. And the princess has faith in us."

"If the princess believes that," Mayor Mare replied, "Then it must be so. Be careful though. For if you're going into the Everfree Forest…"

"We shall proceed with the utmost caution." Lurio said.

After seeing the Mayor depart for town hall, Twilight and her friends continued traveling to the entrance to the dangerous Everfree Forest.

"Alright," Twilight said, "Let's go see Zecora. Remember to stay together."

"Right behind ya gal." Applejack replied.

"Hey." Pinkie Pie said as she looked ahead, "Look. It's Somepony-I-Don't-Know."

The others looked at the same direction and saw that the figure Pinkie Pie was talking about was the Pegasus that was in the crystal with Polstow.

"He's going into the forest in the west side of Ponyville on his own." Pinkie Pie continued, "And he doesn't look scared."

"Perfect timing." Lurio resounded, "We can now live up to the princess' wish and have him join our journey."

"Let's go talk to him then and see if he'll help us." Twilight said.

"Just keep a close eye on him." Rainbow Dash warned, "Cause Lurio said he has Polstow's darkness."

"I sure do hope he's not as bad as Polstow." Fluttershy hoped.

The group then went to approach the Pegasus.

"Now that I'm well rested and my body has adjusted," The Pegasus said to himself, "It's time to find Polstow and put an end to his plan."

"Hello there." Twilight called out.

"Huh?" The Pegasus said as he stopped to turn toward the voice.

"Howdy there partner." Applejack greeted, "What's up?"

"You." The Pegasus said, "You all were at that gettogether, weren't you?"

"Yep. We sure were." Pinkie Pie answered with a hop, "We were celebrating Lurio's welcome to Ponyville! I threw the party so he'll have lots of friends. And now I'll throw you one too so you'll have lots of friends!"

"On a more related note." Twilight said as she got closer to the Pegasus, "We were wanting to talk to you."

The Pegasus' surprised face grew serious again as he replied quite rudely, "Well, I'm not in a mood to talk! Now go away!"

He then turned around to continue walking to the west forest.

"That wasn't very nice." Fluttershy said softly.

"Extremely not nice." Rarity agreed.

Twilight then stopped him by walking in front of him.

"Hold on." Twilight said as he approached in front of the Pegasus, "Let's start again. Let me introduce myself first. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and-"

"I don't care." The Pegasus responded harshly as he walked passed her.

Twilight then looked at him with a surprised face as he walked away.

"Did not expect that." Twilight said to herself.

She then followed him and tried to convince him again.

"Wait!" Twilight Sparkle called to him, "Don't go in there by yourself! You could get hurt out there!"

"I won't get hurt." The Pegasus argued, "I'm not afraid. It's what in there that should be afraid of me."

"Just hold on once second so we can ask you a few questions."

"I don't want to be asked anything!" The Pegasus scolded, "Now leave me alone!"

"Please wait!" Lurio said as he approached him, "We just want to know-"

"Do I need to spell it out for you?!" The Pegasus asked with an annoyed voice, "I don't need you to come with me in there! Now get lost!"

"Are you in league with the villain known as Polstow?!" Lurio asked without hesitation.

The Pegasus then grew silent of the sudden outburst. He then just looked over at Lurio with a strange face. Lurio wondered of the sudden reaction of the pony before them.

"You." The Pegasus said softly, "You're the Earth Pony from a year ago. The one who sealed me and Polstow in that crystal."

"...yes I am." Lurio responded with some guilt in his heart, "But that's the past and this is the present. Are you working for the villain we speak of or not?"

The Pegasus seemed distracted by something in his head for a moment and then quickly reverted back to his angry appearance from before.

"Why do you care!?" The Pegasus yelled.

"Hold your horses now." Applejack said, "There's no need to raise your voice like that."

"Got an attitude problem or something?" Rainbow Dash joked.

"Watch it Rainbow Head!" The Pegasus insulted.

"What'd you call me?!"

"Ponies!" Twilight yelled to them, "Calm down!"

She then turned back to the Pegasus and continued, "Look. We're going on a mission to defeat Polstow and we hoped that you can help us. That is if you're on our side."

"You want me to help you?" The Pegasus asked.

"Yep."

The Pegasus' face didn't change a bit. In fact, he looked even angrier than before.

"I don't need anypony's help!" The Pegasus denied, "Nor do I want it! Polstow is my problem and mine alone! So, stay out of this and leave it to me!"

"That's not an option young one." Lurio explained, "You don't have the requirement to beat him."

"That won't stop me from trying! Now do yourselves a favor and go home before you get hurt!"

The Pegasus then turned away to start walking again.

"Can we at least know your name?" Twilight asked.

The Pegasus stopped walking yet again as soon as he heard the question. He then gave a small peek over to the seven ponies behind him. His face seemed rather confused at that time.

"You want to know my name?" The Pegasus asked with a calmer voice.

"Of course we do." Rarity answered, "We've got to call you something now, don't we?"

He then closed his eyes and remained quiet for a second. The seven ponies were stunned at this sudden behavior. A second ago, he was yelling at them without hesitation and now is sudden quiet as a mouse.

"Aurachalcum." The Pegasus answered, "My name is Aurachalcum."

"Aura….calcum?" Fluttershy asked, "That's a pretty nice name."

"I agree." Rarity added, "Quite a fancy name."

"Catchy too." Pinkie Pie commented, "Aurachalcum. Aurachalcum. It's fun to say. You can say it so many ways."

The Pegasus turned his entire body to them again and seemed rather surprised at their reaction. But it seemed the ones more surprised than him, were the seven ponies.

"T-thank you." The Pegasus known as Aurachalcum thanked.

"You don't mind if I call you Aura for short. Do you?" Rainbow Dash asked, "That sounds like a way past cool nickname for a name like Aurachalcum."

Twilight and Lurio began to feel hope for Aurachalcum and thought that his sudden behavior meant that he would consider changing his mind.

"Call me whatever you want!" Aurachalcum yelled as his face returned to his normal angry behavior, "Just stay away from me and leave Polstow to me! You don't know what you're getting yourself into!"

He then turned away and continued walking yet again. This time, he was not interrupted again. As the seven ponies were shocked at the sudden outburst.

"Buzzkill if I ever saw one." Rainbow Dash commented with a blinking facial expression.

"Something tells me his knickers are in a knot." Applejack said.

"It would seem like the princess' wish may not be so easy to attain." Lurio added.

"Still as rude as he was at the party." Rarity snarled, "I can't believe the princess wants him to help us."

"Well," Twilight said, "The princess said that we need him to help us. And we can't go against the princess' order. She'd be disappointed if we did. That, and he doesn't seem to be serving Polstow."

"Twilight's right." Pinkie Pie agreed, "Maybe he's one of those characters who act mean but are actually good. I've seen those types before when I look over my lines for the episodes in our show."

The ponies were confused about Pinkie Pie's statement there, but decided to ignore it and just continue the conversation.

"Not only do we need him because of orders from royalty," Lurio replied, "But for another reason."

"What's that?"

Lurio then closed his eyes and remained completely still. He then entered a meditation form and stayed that way for a second or two.

"What're you doing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'm trying to tap into my aura." Lurio answered, "But it seems what I feared is true. I can't seem to feel my aura at all."

"What happened to it?" Twilight asked.

"My guess is that creature that bit me back at the party seemed to have had some kind of effect on my aura. It's like it turned it off completely."

"So now you can't sense aura?" Fluttershy asked.

"Not at the moment." Lurio answered, "And without my aura, I can't sense Polstow's aura. And I don't know where he is now. So therefore, that Pegasus, Aurachalcum, is the only one who can guide us to him since he can sense aura too."

"Twilight." Applejack said, "Can't you try and fix this with your magic?"

"I don't know." Twilight answered, "Let me see."

Twilight then used the magic in her horn to try and bring back Lurio's ability to sense aura. A single glow from the horn and a poof of magic.

"Try it now Lurio." Twilight said.

Lurio did as she said and tried to tap into his aura again. Sadly, the results were no different.

"Thank you for trying." Lurio thanked, "But no success. We'll need Aura's help after all."

"Looks that way." Twilight agreed, "Then let's go see Zecora first, then we'll deal with Aura."

"Everypony's already using the nickname I came up with." Rainbow Dash thought, "Awesome!"

After finishing the conversation, Twilight and the others headed for the Everfree forest to reach Zecora's hut. All seemed well, until…

"Woah!" Pinkie Pie yelped as she suddenly shook up and down like she was cold, "Unexpected!"

"Pinkie Pie!" Lurio said with concern, "Are you alright? Are you cold?"

"Uh oh. I've got that one Pinkie Sense."

"The one where a doozy is supposed to happen?" Applejack asked with worry.

"Yep." Pinkie Pie answered.

"Where anything totally unexpected can happen?" Rainbow Dash asked with worry.

"Yep, yep."

"And that the doozy can either be extremely dangerous or completely silly?" Twilight asked with worry.

"Yep, yep, yep. Yepidy, yepidy, yep."

"A doozy?" Lurio asked.

"Yeah." Pinkie Pie responded, "I get that feeling whenever a doozy's going to happen."

"Is this like the one where if your tail twitches, something will fall?"

"That's right." Pinkie Pie answered, "Wow. First day in Ponyville and Lurio has already learned so much. That's an A for effort there."

"Darling," Rarity said, "Do you know what the doozy is or what it relates to?"

"I don't know." Pinkie Pie answered, "But whatever the doozy is, it involves Aurachalcum. Heehee. Still fun to say. I should write a song about him. I'll call it: The Aura Pony!"

"Aurachalcum eh?" Rainbow Dash said some suspicion, "I've got a bad feeling about this."

"I guess that means we'll have to be careful around him." Twilight deduced.

"Let us hurry to your zebra friend." Lurio suggested, "The longer we remain still, the better chance Polstow has of accomplishing his goal."

"Then let's ride!" Applejack said.

The seven ponies resumed their walk through the Everfree Forest and didn't stop another time after that. During the walk, Lurio kept thinking about Aurachalcum and the reason as to why he was angry. Those thoughts only made his guilt worse.

"Aurachalcum." Lurio thought, "I believe I know why you're angry. I'm deeply sorry about what I did to you. I only wish you can understand why I did it."

In the castle of Polstow…

Polstow arrived in his home which had been sitting in it's same position since he brought it to Equestria a year ago.

"Ahhh." Polstow sighed happily, "Home sweet home. Nothing better than to come to your comfortable bed after being imprisoned for nearly a year."

Polstow then journeyed to his bedroom to lie down for a minute or two to adjust himself to being free form the Prison Crystal.

"Nothing can ruin this peaceful moment." Polstow said to himself as he got comfortable in his bed.

As soon as he finished his statement, the thoughts of Aurachalcum popped in his head. He had been reminded as to what had happened. His sudden betrayal, showing weakness, and questioning him yet again.

"Except," Polstow growled as he sat up in his bed, "The betrayal of my now former faithful servant! I had a feeling that giving him free will was a foolish mistake! The worst design flaw I could ever make! Now all I have are just a bunch of dark minions who can't even speak English! The worst part of it all is that I've lost the power I had before that allowed me to nearly conquer Equestria! Now I'll have to find another way! But how!?"

The anger and stress grew inside of him. Causing him to toss and turn as he laid back down in his bed.

"I've already promised those curs my rule over this world." Polstow said calmly, "To go against it is like false advertisement. And that only gets you no audience. And therefore, no slaves."

He laid on his back as he continued thinking about the events that had just happened and how he had hoped to rule Equestria with his darkness.

"I suppose one bright side to this is that foolish Earth Pony can't sense his aura." Polstow said with some relief, "At least if he finds another way to imprison me, he won't be able to find me. And that traitor is the only one who will be able to find me. And considering the situation he's currently in….. Heh, heh, heh."

Polstow then got up from his bed to go stand outside of his balcony and look at the dark area he was in. The gloomy scenery soothed his worries a little. Soon, he thought of the one idea he has for Aurachalcum.

"Whether he lets that sun hat weakling come with him or not doesn't matter to me." Polstow said to himself with an evil grin, "Because one way or another, I will have my faithful servant back. Make no mistake of that."

He then peeked over at his staff and got a brilliant awful idea as to how to have some fun while he waits.

"I can sense Lurio's aura from here." Polstow said, "So…."

He then tapped his staff on the ground twice and summoned five of his dark aura minions behind him.

"Find the Earth Pony that can sense aura and make his little journey a little more difficult for him." Polstow ordered, "I might as well get some enjoyment while I patiently wait."

The dark aura minions followed his command and set out to look for Lurio. Leaving their master behind with the same evil grin from before.

"Good luck Lurio." Polstow challenged, "You'll need it very much."

In the Everfree Forest…

Twilight Sparkle and her friends, along with Lurio, began their way to Zecora's hut in the Everfree Forest. While on the way there, four of the ponies felt uncomfortable about the setting, while two of them seemed unbothered. Lurio, having no fear of the forest. Rainbow Dash, not being afraid of anything, or she wants you to think that. And Pinkie Pie, bouncing with a carefree smile.

"Is it me," Applejack said, "Or does this place give me more goosebumps every time we come here?"

"This place is quite unsettling." Rarity replied, "It's frustrating having to get the dirt off my hooves every time we come here."

"It's not all that bad." Pinkie Pie said, "It's just trees, grass, sky, animals, environment, air, and pathways just like the woods in Ponyville. It's kind of nice once you look at it in a funny manner."

"My goodness Pinkie Pie." Lurio said, "You seem rather content of being in this forest."

"I sure am. It's because I've learned how to laugh at the scary stuff to make them not scary."

"Is that so?" Lurio asked.

"My Granny Pie said that hiding under my pillow from the what I saw isn't how to deal with my fears. She said to me 'Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall! Learn to face your fears! You'll see that they can't hurt you, just laugh to make them disappear.' And I haven't been afraid since."

"Laughing to make things disappear huh?" Rarity asked, "So why isn't it working for us like last time?"

"Maybe you're not laughing hard enough." Pinkie thought, "Or maybe not loud enough. Have you been practicing your laughs lately?"

"I had to practice?"

"I sure do hope that we get there soon." Fluttershy said as she shivered, "This place is too dark. And I don't like it when it's dark."

"We'll be there soon sugarcube." Applejack said to Fluttershy as she patted her on the back.

"Lurio." Twilight said as a thought came to her head, "Can you tell us more about aura? Earlier you kept mentioning darkness to us. What about the light?"

"A very good question my dear." Lurio praised with a smile, "You're one who looks for education."

"Well," Twilight said with a flattered face and voice, "I do like to learn."

"Well," Lurio began, "The answer to that is yes. There is light. Just as you were probably thinking."

"Can you tell us how light and darkness works?"

"Do we need another lesson?" Rainbow Dash asked harshly, "Why don't you ask him on your own time Twilight?"

"I'm curious now." Twilight answered.

"What an egghead." Rainbow Dash thought, "She has to bring us into her boring interests too."

"I will gladly explain light and darkness to you." Lurio answered, "You see, we didn't know that darkness existed until Polstow discovered it. Light and darkness are a force that exist inside of ponies similarly to aura. And just like aura, you can tap into your light or darkness to do extraordinary things. Unlike aura, however, that is much more difficult to do. Even I have not found a way to use the light inside of me."

"How does light and darkness relate to aura?" Twilight asked.

"Light and darkness would not be studied," Lurio explained, "Until Polstow's attempt of ruling Equestria with darkness. For a long time, the ways of aura were simply just called that. The ways of aura. But once Polstow discovered darkness and used that darkness for his aura, the proper way of aura was dubbed 'the Aura of Light'. While the way of aura Polstow discovered was dubbed 'the Aura of Darkness'. Some ponies grew fascinated with the discovery of darkness and wanted to learn more about it. I still do not know why Equestria forgot about aura. But I do believe that Polstow's actions had something to do with it. At some point, it was discovered that the world of Equestria is completely warmed with light."

"How's the Aura of Darkness any different from the Aura of Light?" Twilight asked.

"The Aura of Darkness allows you to progress becoming a master much quicker. You can do much more things with the dark aura. Things you can't do with the Aura of Light. You can even possibly see the answers to life's most mysterious questions. However, there comes a terrible price for when you use the darkness. For it can easily overtake you and change you if you are not careful with it."

"Huh?!" The six ponies yelped.

"Change you?!" Rarity asked, "In what way?!"

"You may be a kind-hearted pony that cares for his family and friends one day," Lurio answered, "But once you use the darkness, you can become a heartless pony who cares about nopony other than himself."

"That's terrible." Twilight replied, "Why would anypony want to use the darkness then?"

"Sadly, my dear, there are those who cannot resist the power it holds. Polstow is one of those who couldn't just let the darkness go."

"Whew." Applejack said, "Thanks for telling me that. Now when things get hard bucking trees, I'll know not to use the darkness to speed up the progress. Last thing I need is to turn into a grumpy old cowgirl surrounding herself with a goldmine of apples and not sharing them."

"Or for me to turn into a scary clown pony who likes to party too much to the point where it's freaky." Pinkie Pie added.

"I don't think you need the darkness to do that." Rainbow Dash whispered to herself.

"What's that Rainbow?" Pinkie Pie asked with her cheery smile.

"N-nothing."

"So, does light and darkness exist in us all like aura?" Twilight asked Lurio.

"Most ponies have darkness." Lurio answered, "But there are rare ones who are purely filled with light. Not a single touch of darkness in their hearts."

"Really?" Fluttershy asked, "There are some ponies who don't have darkness in their hearts?"

"Yes. But that is a rare breed. Once of the ways for one to be completely devoid of darkness is if their hearts are pure. Their hearts being filled only with righteousness, faith, love, and peace. For most ponies however, they have darkness in their hearts along with light. Due to them not being completely pure."

"A heart of pure light?" Twilight said to herself, "Princess Celestia has to be one with pure light. Right?"

"Oh absolutely." Lurio answered, "She has all the qualities and characteristics of a heart without darkness. I couldn't feel it in her aura, but it doesn't take looking more into her background to realize that she is pure."

"That doesn't surprise me at all." Applejack replied, "That princess is purer than a sun flower on a beautiful spring day. She raises the sun after all."

"I never had doubts about the princess not having darkness." Rarity added, "She's the kindest pony in all of Equestria. Unlike that Aurachalcum character whose as barbaric as I thought he was."

"He did act quite unpleasant." Lurio concurred, "And I'm afraid I'm the reason for his angry behavior. Seeing him with that cross feeling in his heart only feeds my guilt for what I did to him."

"I'm sure that once you explain why you did it," Applejack thought out loud, "He'll understand. After all, he seems to really want to beat down this Polstow guy. Like he wants a piece of him."

"Applejack is right." Twilight added, "He seems really mad at Polstow."

"That can only add to how evil he is." Rarity said, "Polstow I mean."

"I still can't believe that Aura treated us like that when we nicely asked him to join us." Rainbow Dash said, "He acts like we did something to him. I can probably understand why he'd be mad at you Lurio. But why the rest of us?"

"Did anypony else notice how he was to me at the party?" Fluttershy asked.

"Hey. Look." Twilight said as she pointed forward, "There it is. Zecora's hut."

"Perfect." Lurio praised, "The time has come to synthesize a new Prison Crystal."

"How can we be sure that she even knows about how to do it?" Applejack asked.

"While the Age of Aura may not be known well with ponies," Lurio answered, "The zebras are more familiar with it to this day. Most likely because the first aura user was a zebra. So, she should know how to synthesize. If not, I'll gladly show her how."

"Then let's go see if she knows how." Twilight said like a leader.

Fluttershy grew slightly unhappy with how her friends didn't hear her question. But due to circumstances, she decided to just let it go and wait for a proper time to ask the question again.

"Well," Fluttershy said quietly, "That's okay. We're pretty busy anyway."

Twilight and then others then approached the hut of their sage-minded friend, Zecora.

Inside Zecora's hut…

The zebra, Zecora, was balancing on a pole while on her head doing some meditation. All seemed to be going well for the striped one. Until she felt something funny coming up from her nose.

"A-a-a-achoo!" Zecora sneezed.

The force of the sneezing caused her to lose balance and fall to the ground. Her head spun a little and then stopped.

"Zecora." Twilight said as she and her friends entered the hut, "We need help with- Zecora. Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Do not worry." Zecora answered, "Though for a second, my eyesight was blurry. Seeing you all here makes me pleased. I had a strong feeling you'd come by from the way I sneezed."

"From the way you sneezed?" Rainbow Dash questioned, "What're you talking about?"

"Is that like a weird sense you came by?" Applejack asked.

"Is it like my Pinkie Senses?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Did you not know?" Lurio asked, "It's been said that when you sneeze, somepony is talking about you. She must've sneezed when we were approaching her hut."

"I had no idea." Twilight commented, "I may need to look more into that later."

Deciding to get back on subject, Lurio faced the zebra before him.

"Zecora, I assume?" Lurio asked.

"Twilight." Zecora said, "It seems you've made a new friend. A new pony for you to depend."

She then looked at Lurio and continued, "Zecora is my name. Can you now please tell me why it is you came?"

"My dear," Lurio began, "My name is Lurio. And I certainly hope you understand me when I say: I am an Aura Master."

"Does that mean anything to you Zecora?" Twilight asked, "Lurio said your people played a big part in aura back in the day."

"An Aura Master," Zecora responded, "In my eyes the title is familiar. For I have seen clothing like yours that is quite similar."

"Translation: Yep. She knows what you're talking about." Rainbow Dash translated in her own way.

"So, you know about aura and its history?" Lurio asked.

"For me, aura is no mystery." Zecora answered, "For it is a big part of my people's history. The first aura user, and how he passed his teachings to other ponies. The sad times came to how it is now seen as a phony."

"Good Zecora." Lurio said, "A great evil has been freed. And we need your help to synthesize a Prison Crystal for that evil."

"You do know how to synthesize, right?" Twilight asked.

"Synthesizing is an easy feat." Zecora answered with a smile, "Who is the enemy you wish to defeat?"

"Polstow. The Aura Master of Darkness." Lurio addressed.

"Polstow?! No, he cannot be real! The villain with a heart of no feel?!"

"Aura is a big part of your people's history." Rainbow Dash pointed out, "You thought he wasn't real?"

"He has only been mentioned in stories." Zecora replied with an uneasy feeling, "The one with a dark power that he carries. If he is real than we must act. Because the plan he has is more than bad."

"I have the required materials for the Prison Crystal." Lurio said.

"I'll get them out of his bag." Twilight said as she began using the magic in her horn.

The magic of Twilight Sparkle caused the Mystery Goo, Frost Gem, Mythril Stone, and finally the Orichalcum Gem to float outside of the bag magically. Seeing that all that was needed was present, Zecora knew that creating the Prison Crystal was possible. But sadly, she wasn't too familiar with her people's backstory.

"Please forgive me." Zecora apologized, "For I may be a slight be rusty. I know about the Age of Aura as you have known, but synthesizing is something I've barely been shown."

"I will guide you through it if you need help." Lurio said to ease her.

Zecora nodded and then said to Twilight, "Put the materials in. And from there we shall begin."

Twilight then used her magic to put the materials in the cauldron. The process of synthesizing began. Zecora seemed to have been familiar with some parts. However, the path to a completed Prison Crystal was halted due to her not having complete knowledge of the process. Lurio helped some with the synthesizing. The rest of ponies sat back and watched it all happen. Twilight seemed the most interested in what was happening. The more she watched how synthesizing worked, the more she wanted to learn more about the Age of Aura. Pinkie Pie, on the other hoof, was eating popcorn as she watched the process move along. Where she got it is anypony's guess. At long last, the synthesizing was complete.

"The Prison Crystal is complete." Zecora said as she presented the crystal, "It would seem I was wrong about it being an easy feat."

"You did a fine job my lady." Lurio assured, "Your help has been most beneficial."

"Way to put on a good show." Pinkie Pie commented, "It almost looked like a cooking show."

"So that's what synthesizing is." Applejack said, "Well I'll be. It looks more complicated than I thought it would be."

"You can say that again." Twilight agreed, "But still. It looked so fascinating. This could solve so many problems in Equestria. Being able to create anything just by having the right materials."

"It's not as bad as I thought it would be." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk, "Maybe I could try making myself a cool tent to chill-lax in."

"Imagine what divine clothing could be done just by mixing together such gorgeous jewels." Rarity said, "But then where would all the hard work be? A dress isn't worth wearing if you don't put your back into making it now that I look at it."

"Maybe I should try it some time." Fluttershy thought out loud, "It looks rather useful."

"Now then." Lurio said as Zecora put the Prison Crystal in the bag on his saddle, "Let's press on. First, let us search for Aurachalcum."

"Good luck my friends." Zecora bid farewell, "And may your quest have a happy end."

"Thank you."

Lurio and the others then left the hut of Zecora to find the Aura Pony known as Aurachalcum.

Outside of the Hut….

"Well," Rainbow Dash began, "We've got what we need to beat the cat wizard guy. But how are we going to convince Aura to join us? He seems rather set on going it alone."

"I'm unsure." Lurio answered, "But I what know right now is that we need to have him by our side before we do anything else. So, we'll deal with Polstow later."

"Then we'd better head for the forest he went to." Applejack said, "Standing around ain't gonna make him appear."

"I sure do hope he's not hurt." Fluttershy hoped, "The forest is pretty dangerous."

"I suppose the only thing we can do is continue our quest until we find him." Lurio suggested.

"Then we'll do just that." Twilight declared, "Let's go find him."

The seven ponies then ventured back to Ponyville to head for the forest that Aurachalcum went into. During this time, Lurio's guilt kept rising and rising as he knew about what they were planning. To seal Polstow in the crystal again. In doing so, will seal Aura in there as well.

"Am I doing the right thing?" Lurio thought as they walked back to Ponyville, "Aura has done nothing wrong and I plan to seal him in the crystal again. I am ashamed to call myself an aura master."

Lurio had to swallow his guilt and focus on the mission though. He had no time to let those feelings get in the way.

In the forest where Aurachalcum went into…

Twilight and the rest of the gang walked through the beautiful forest that felt more refreshing and safe than the Everfree Forest. Their feelings here were rather more pleasant than how they were in the Everfree Forest. The sunshine shined on their faces, the birds sang, and the sky could be seen.

"Now this is a forest I can get along with." Applejack said, "It ain't anything like the Everfree Forest."

"The trees are gorgeous," Rarity commented, "The air is clean, the birds are singing."

Rarity seemed rather fine of being out in the forest for a minute. However…

"And I'm in nature." Rarity finished as her face turned to disappointment, "And who needs that? A place where you can get your hooves dirty and live so uncivilized."

"Ahhhh." Lurio sighed calmly, "The fresh air is lovely. Surely can make you forget that a great evil is out there."

"It is nice to see where I can fly again." Rainbow Dash commented.

"This place is great." Twilight said as they walked, "But it's still so big. And Aurachalcum can be anywhere here. Lurio, can you sense aura again?"

Lurio closed his eyes to see if his power has returned. But sadly, nothing came up.

"I'm sorry." Lurio apologized, "I still cannot sense anything. And at a worst time. Aurachalcum could be miles from where we are."

"I can look in the skies for you flightless ponies." Rainbow Dash said, "And the one Pegasus who's afraid of heights. Seriously. What's up with that?"

"That's great, but let's stay together. We can only do this as a team."

"I sometimes hate it when you're right." Rainbow Dash complained.

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "Maybe this scenery will make Aurachalcum more happier. I feel happier just being here! Like how I was happier to be in Ponyville or Sugarcube Corner! Maybe this could be his happy place!"

"I'm not sure he has a happy place." Rainbow Dash disagreed.

"But everypony has a happy place. I've got lots of them! There's Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner, Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy's Cottage, and…"

As they continued walking, Lurio thought of something to give as a warning to the others.

"Be careful." Lurio warned, "Polstow has incredible aura and can sense us all the way from here. He may of something planned for us."

"We'll be ready!" Rainbow Dash replied, "Or at least I will be."

"The way Aurachalcum looked at me." Fluttershy thought, "Why did he come to me at the party? He looked a little confused. I sure do hope he's not acting like this because of me."

"Maybe when we find Aura," Pinkie Pie began as she got out a cake, "I can give him my 'Join Our Team' cake!"

"A join our team cake?" Applejack asked, "When did you make that?"

"You remember when I said I needed to make preparations for when we were heading for Aurachalcum after we fixed the Prison Crystal?"

"You mean that's what you had to prepare?" Twilight asked.

"Yep. A little frosting and chocolate ought to do the trick. Everypony will do anything for cake!"

"I am glad you prepared the cake." Rarity commented, "Because it gave me time to get some of my best clothing to wear out here. A lady always must be prepared after all."

Applejack then looked at the suitcases that Rarity had and grew a little bit annoyed with how many there were.

"Seriously?" Applejack said, "Can't you go one day in the forest without having to bring your whole room with you?"

"Always have everything you need. Better safe than sorry." Rarity replied, "Not that I'd expect somepony like you to understand."

They continued walking through the forest. Searching for Aurachalcum to convince him to join them. And as they approached a cave that was the only way to continue forward, Twilight began to wonder if he was too far ahead of them already.

"Alright!" Rainbow Dash cheered, "A cave! Finally, some excitement!"

"A c-c-c-c-cave?!" Fluttershy stammered as her hooves shivered.

"Doesn't look like there's any way around it." Applejack said, "Guess we just press on through."

"I was afraid you would say that." Rarity complained.

"Do not worry Rarity." Lurio said, "You'll be fine."

"I'm not worried about me." Rarity responded, "I'm worried about the new elegant hat I've made. I've worked so hard on it and I'd hate for something to happen to it in there."

"That's why you shouldn't bring clothes that you aren't willing to mess up with you." Applejack said with a smirk.

"I don't believe I asked you for what you think."

"Regardless," Twilight said, "Let's keep moving."

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "Maybe we'll see some monsters in there! I don't know why, but I've always wanted to see monsters in a cave! It's like I want to get scared, but at the same time I don't want to get scared. I know I've said all those thing about what my granny told me about earlier, but I've never been scared in a cave before and it's always been something on my mind for years. It's just it sounds to fun to go in there and get all scared and frighten by something that just comes out of nowhere! Isn't that so weird?"

"M-monsters?" Fluttershy asked as she shivered, "Scary m-m-monsters?"

"Come on now Pinkie." Applejack yelled, "You're giving sugarcube here the heebie-jeebies."

"Oops." Pinkie Pie chuckled with a red face, "Sorry Fluttershy. Guess I said too much."

"Don't worry Fluttershy." Applejack said as she patted Fluttershy on the head, "We'll be just fine. Trust me."

"O-okay." Fluttershy said softy.

"Besides," Rainbow Dash said, "The only thing you should be scared of is the Headless Horse."

"Rainbow!" Applejack scolded.

"Just trying to help."

"Perhaps we'll find Aura in there." Lurio thought out loud, "If not, maybe on the other side."

"Let's go then." Twilight said.

So, then our heroes headed for the cave to continue their search.

Inside of the cave, it was nearly pitch-black. Almost nothing could be seen. This was not tolerable to our pony friends.

"It's so dark that I can't see my hoof." Pinkie Pie said.

"Ohhhh…" Rarity groaned as she had a yucky face, "I just hope I don't step in something dirty. I just did my hooves earlier."

"I can't see a thing." Fluttershy said with some tears forming under her eyes.

"If I had my aura working," Lurio said, "I might be able to light the way."

"Then it's a good thing Rarity and I have the next best thing." Twilight said, "Magic."

She and Rarity then used their horns to bring up some light.

"Marvelous." Lurio praised, "A fine use of your magic."

"Golly." Applejack said, "What a relief. I'm glad you're with us."

"Is my hoof dirty?!" Rarity asked as she looked at one hoof and then its twin. She then saw that they were as clean as she had left them, "Phew. Nothing's got on them."

"I do hope you don't mind if I stay by you." Fluttershy said to Rarity as she got closer to her, "Do you? Am I bothering you?"

"I don't mind at all Fluttershy. I could probably use somepony by my side as well."

"This looks like a dream I had once." Pinkie Pie beamed as she bounced, "It was the one where I saw a cupcake that kept saying 'eat me'. I got all curious about how it could talk and then I followed it into a big scary looking cave. I went inside to look for the cupcake and then suddenly a spider came up and said to me, 'Pinkie Pie. Do you like cupcakes?' Then I said, 'oh you bet I do'. The then he asked me if I like to party. And I said to him, 'buddy, I don't like to party. I like to PARTAY!' Then the spider said to keep going in the cave to find a Super Hyper Fun Absolutely Must Go and Can't Miss Once In A life Time Party at the end of the cave! So I went deeper inside the cave and the lights just kept dimming and dimming to the point where it felt like nighttime. Then I saw a big light up ahead. And then….."

"Then what?" Fluttershy asked.

"I woke up."

Suddenly, everypony grew quiet.

"Oh." Lurio said, "You must've awoken before you could see the party you were invited to."

"Yeah. I was pretty bumped." Pinkie Pie replied, "But I did the one thing to make myself feel better."

"Let me guess," Applejack said, "Ya threw a party?"

"No way. If I did that, you'd know that because I would've invited you."

"Hmmm." Applejack hummed, "Good point actually."

"No. I did a couple of funny, harmless pranks on Spike and some other ponies. And I had Rainbow Dash help me."

"Oh yeah." Rainbow Dash chuckled, "Those were hilarious. Remember the one where we replaced all of Twilight's books with the books at the Ponyville Schoolhouse?"

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie laughed, "She didn't expect to see old Little Red Riding Pony when she was studying a new magic trick."

"Ha, ha." Twilight said with a smile, "Very funny. And I promise that'll be the last time you girls get me."

"We'll see about that." Rainbow Dash whispered as she chuckled.

"Do ya'll think we're getting any closer?" Applejack asked as they continued walking, "Cuz it don't look like we're making any progress."

"We have to be getting closer." Rarity said.

"Why is that Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.

"Because I won't be able to see well enough if we stay in the dark any longer."

"I think we're almost there." Twilight said, "I can see some light up ahead."

"Just like in my dream." Pinkie Pie said, "Although, where's the spider I told you all about?"

Suddenly, something appeared right in front of our pony friends. A big spider created from the darkness of Polstow. The sudden appearance of the creature startled the group of ponies.

"Oh. There it is." Pinkie Pie said as she pointed at the spider, "A little late though."

"Eeek!" Rarity screamed, "Spider! Spiders are icky, icky, icky! Don't let it touch me!"

"Where'd this big fella come from?" Applejack asked.

"It has darkness around it." Lurio said, "Polstow! He must've sent this creature to stop us from reaching him!"

"This doesn't look good for us." Twilight said as she and the others stepped back, "Any pony got any ideas?"

"Let me see if I can reason with it." Fluttershy said as she approached the spider, "Perhaps it's not as bad as it looks."

Fluttershy then got close enough to the spider to try and do her trick.

"Hello there." Fluttershy greeted, "Aren't you just a big adorable thing."

"You call that ugly thing adorable?!" Rarity thought.

"With your many eyes and eight legs," Fluttershy continued, "You just look like a thing of beauty. Now could you be so kind as to let us pass? We're in quite a hurry."

The spider didn't do anything at first. It just remained where it was as it listened to Fluttershy's words. Suddenly…

"Rwar!" The spider roared at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy felt scared to death from the roar and quickly hid behind Applejack.

"I suppose not." Fluttershy whimpered.

"I'm afraid your persuasion won't do anything." Lurio said, "That's Polstow's creature. It won't listen to anypony except him."

"Then leave him to me!" Rainbow Dash said as she flew into the air, "I'll get his attention while you all get to the exit ahead!"

"But Rainbow Dash!" Twilight responded, "What about you?!"

"Just go! I'll catch up!"

Rainbow Dash then went up to the spider and said, "Hey Multi-Eyes!"

She then made some faces to mock the eight-legged insect. This caused the spider to grow angry and grow the nerve to attack.

"Rwar!" The spider roared as it threw a leg toward Rainbow Dash.

"Whoops." Rainbow Dash mocked as she dodged the leg, "Gotta try harder than that."

"Now's our chance!" Rarity called out.

"Let us move!" Lurio said to the other ponies, "Quickly!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy called out, "Be careful!"

As the other ponies headed for the exit, the spider kept trying to hit Rainbow Dash with its legs. But luckily for the speed demon, none of the hits were successful.

"You're too slow!" Rainbow Dash mocked again as she continued dodging and flying around the spider's head, "Where'd ya learn to punch?! A kindergarten's class?!"

"Rwar!" The spider roared in anger.

"Well, I gotta catch up with the others. But before I go…"

Rainbow Dash then quickly flew up to one of the spider's eyes and kicked the eye hard with her back hooves.

"Rwar!" The spider roared in pain as he covered its eye.

"See ya!" Rainbow Dash said as she headed for the exit.

As she left for the exit, the spider's pain stopped and it looked toward Rainbow Dash. It grew angrier as she flew away. Suddenly, an idea came to its head. And then its darkness began to form around its body as something began to happen.

Meanwhile on the other side of the cave, Twilight and the others managed to make it out. However, they worried about their rainbow-maned friend.

"Rainbow Dash is crazy to try and take it on alone!" Rarity exclaimed.

"She's more reckless than I thought she was." Lurio commented.

"And she's A-Okay!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she came out of the cave, "A for awesome that is."

"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack cheered, "You're alright!"

"Don't tell me you all were worried."

"Of course we were." Fluttershy replied, "Why wouldn't we be?"

"I wasn't worried!" Pinkie Pie said, "Nothing can stop Rainbow Dash!"

"Still," Twilight said, "Let's handle things together in the future. Okay Rainbow Dash?"

"Fine." Rainbow Dash scoffed, "You're welcome by the way. That exit is too small for that big spider. So, we should be fine."

"I think you spoke too soon Rainbow Dash." Rarity said.

"Why's that?"

"Behind you!" Lurio shouted.

Rainbow Dash then looked behind her and saw dark minions created by Dark Aura.

"Woah!" Rainbow Dash yelped, "Where did they come from?"

"They don't look very friendly." Fluttershy pointed out quietly while shivering.

"They're minions of Polstow!" Lurio explained, "They must've formed that dark spider in there!"

"They can form together to create new creatures?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. And they're probably here to take us to Polstow themselves."

Suddenly, one of the dark minions jumped up high and landed on Applejack to try and force her to come with them.

"Woah nelly!" Applejack said as she looked at the minion with fighting eyes, "If you think you can take this bull by the horns, you'd better be ready for a ride!"

She then began to move around and try to kick the minion off like a bull. The minion tried its best to hold on, but felt like his hands were slipping.

"Kick 'em up, kick 'em out!" Applejack said as she continued trying to shake the minion off, "Buck 'em up, buck 'em down!"

At last, the minion lost its grip and then Applejack kicked the minion hard with her hind hooves while it was in the air. Doing so, caused the minion to suddenly disappear like magic.

"Yee yah!" Applejack exclaimed, "That'll teach that varmint to try and horse me around!"

"Here come more!" Lurio said as he prepared to fight, "Get ready!"

"Oh no." Fluttershy whimpered as she crawled over to a rock, "I'll just hide over here where I won't get in the way."

"I surely hope this doesn't ruin my manicure." Rarity hoped before turning into her fighting position, "But still, I will not let you take me or my friends!"

Then more of the Dark Aura minions came to try and capture the seven ponies. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Lurio got ready to fight while Pinkie Pie got her party cannon to surprise the minions and Fluttershy just hid behind the rock to avoid having to fight.

Twilight used her magic to blast the minions that came by her, Rainbow Dash used her speed and agility to land hits on some and cause the others to get dizzy, Rarity used her martial arts to knock out some, and Applejack used her hind hoof kick to deal with the ones after her. Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie tried to entertain some of them with her cannon.

"Hey fellas!" Pinkie Pie said to the minions that came to her.

The minions halted in front of her to hear what she had to say.

"Want to see something funny?" Pinkie Pie asked.

The minions then looked at each other, shrugged and decided to see what she had.

"Party Cannon!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she brought out the party cannon she always brings with her.

The cannon blasted and shot out party confetti. The blast caused damage to the minions and caused them to vanish like the rest.

"Ohhh." Pinkie Pie moaned as she grew disappointed on how they vanished, "Didn't want a second showing? Tough crowd."

Lurio struggled in the battle since his aura was still out.

"Lurio!" Rarity shouted as she noticed that he had more minions after him, "Oh no, he looks like he's in trouble!"

"I've got him!" Rainbow Dash said as she went over to help.

She quickly took out the minions using her speed and saved Lurio before they could touch him.

"That was close." Rainbow Dash said, "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Lurio answered as he got up, "But I'm not used to having to use combat without using my aura. Tapping into my aura made me stronger and faster. Also, my Aura Sphere would be useful at this moment."

"Lurio!" Twilight said, "Go to Fluttershy and wait there until we take them all out! At least you can keep her safe!"

"She's right." Rainbow Dash concurred, "You're in trouble if you deal with the ones we're dealing with."

"Very well then." Lurio replied.

He then quickly rushed over to Fluttershy to avoid having to battle without his aura and to protect Fluttershy.

"Lurio." Fluttershy said as he came over to her, "I'm starting to get worried. It doesn't look like they've defeated half of them."

"Do not worry." Lurio assured, "They can't keep coming forever."

Suddenly, Lurio felt something in his chest. It was faint and weak, but it was a feeling he had felt before.

"What's this?" Lurio asked himself as he felt the feeling in his chest "Could it be…. My aura?"

"Your aura?" Fluttershy asked, "Is it back?"

"No. Not yet. But it seems to be returning at a slow pace. I think I might be able to fight off the minions better now."

It was then he noticed some of the minions heading towards him and Fluttershy.

"Stay here." Lurio said to Fluttershy.

"Trust me." Fluttershy replied, "I'm not going anywhere."

Lurio then turned to the minions and said, "My aura may be weak, but I won't let you harm this fine lady! The Aura is With Me!"

He then tapped into his weak aura to try and fend off the minions that had approached them.

As the battle went on, some of the ponies began to grow tired and even exhausted. This was a bad time considering that not even half were defeated.

"Anypony starting to notice," Applejack asked as she panted, "That the number of these fellers ain't dropping?"

"It didn't look like there were this many at first." Twilight said as she continued using her magic as much as she could, "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

"And I'm running out of confetti in my cannon." Pinkie Pie said, "And the party here isn't even over."

"Oh no." Rarity said as she grew horrified about what she felt on her head, "I'm….. I'm sweating! No! I can't sweat now! It'll get on my beautiful coat! A lady should never sweat!"

"Come on guys!" Rainbow Dash encouraged, "Just keep it up a little while longer! We can beat these bozos!"

Lurio was the most tried out of them all since his aura was still weak and his body was not used to fighting without aura.

"It's no use…" Lurio panted, "We can't…. keep this up for long. If only my aura were stronger."

"Ohhhh…." Fluttershy moaned as tears began to form under her eyes, "Somepony help us!"

Up from the top of the cave came a figure that approached the edge to see the battle. That figure was Aurachalcum. After standing near the edge for a second with a serious look on his face, Aura leaped down and opened his wings to fly down to the battle.

"Heh, heh." Twilight panted as she began to lie down on the ground.

A minion stepped forth to the now exhausted Twilight Sparkle with an evil grin. It then reached out its hand to try and grab her.

"N-no." Twilight said softy as the minion's hand came closer.

Suddenly, Aurachalcum landed straight onto the minion before it could touch Twilight. The minion vanished as Aura landed on its head.

"A-Aura?" Twilight said as she looked up at him.

Without lifting his head up, Aurachalcum then tapped into his aura and crossed his front hooves together across his chest. He then spread his hooves out quickly to launch two aura disks at the other minions targeting Pinkie Pie and Rarity.

"Woah!" Pinkie Pie said in amazement.

"Was that aura?" Rarity asked, "An aura attack?"

"Oh! Maybe it was an Aura Frisbee!"

"Huh?" Lurio said as he looked over at Aurachalcum, "It's him! He's here!"

Aurachalcum then opened his wings and flew to the minions targeting Rainbow Dash.

"Come on!" Rainbow Dash said to the minions as she put her front hooves up, "I can do this all day!"

Suddenly, after bringing his aura to his front hooves, Aurachalcum quickly took out all the minions in front of Rainbow Dash before either they or she could do the first move.

"H-huh?! Hey!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "I had it under control! Though, that was pretty cool."

Without a word escaping his mouth, Aura then proceeded to the minions surrounding Lurio. And he defeated the minions there as fast as he got to them.

"Such powerful aura." Lurio commented as he watched Aura defeat the Dark Aura Minions, "Tremendous speed. He must be more skillful with aura than I had anticipated."

All the minions seemed defeated, but one remained and was sneaking up toward Fluttershy. Who was distracted by the performance of the Aura Pony before them.

"That was incredible." Fluttershy said quietly as she looked over the rock, "He seems pretty good with aura."

"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she noticed the minion, "Behind you!"

"What?!"

She then looked behind her to find the minion that was sneaking up on her. The minion chuckled evilly as he got ready to grab her.

"Ahhhh!" Fluttershy screamed as she covered her face.

Suddenly, Aurachalcum flew right in front of the minion and put his front hooves to his right side and began to form a big sphere of aura.

"Aura Sphere!" Aurachalcum shouted as he launched the Aura Sphere at the minion. Defeating the enemy before him.

The other ponies watched as Aurachalcum returned to standing on four hooves. Fluttershy was the most surprised since she was the one who was saved. Aurachalcum slowly turned to look at Fluttershy. The look he had made her feel slightly afraid. He had the serious angry look from before as if his face had been frozen. He looked at Fluttershy with that face for merely a second and then turned away to start walking.

"Um." Fluttershy said quietly as Aurachalcum turned away, "Thank you for…."

She had stopped talking as soon as Aura started walking.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew over to him, "Dude! That was so awesome! I'm still not happy with you not leaving some for me, but still. The way you just came in really fast and took them out like it was nothing! You barely even broke a sweat! And that Aura Sphere you did! You are just something else! I wish I could do something like that!"

"That was amazing!" Lurio added, "I had no idea you were so talented with aura. You may just be one of the best aura users I've seen in years. Well, granted there aren't that many aura users left in Equestria."

"Oh my gosh!" Twilight geeked out, "You need to tell me! How much aura did you use in order to form the Aura Sphere!? Does it take as much focus as magic?! What sort of practicing did you need to go through in order to prefect it?! I can imagine that it was as difficult as the way I learn magic."

"Twilight." Rainbow Dash said as she looked over at her with an annoyed look, "Don't ruin the moment with your questions. You're making his power sound boring."

Aurachalcum didn't answer a question that escaped from Twilight's mouth. He just remained still as he heard all the statements from the ponies behind him.

"I gotta say." Applejack said, "You're a pretty talented pony you are. I didn't think aura was that strong until you went and whooped those dirt bags into last night."

"You've come to save us, didn't you?" Rarity asked, "That's quite noble of you. Perhaps there's more to you than I first thought."

"Hey!" Pinkie Pie said, "You think you can teach me how to do that? I wanna make an Aura Sphere Confetti!"

"Save you?" Aurachalcum finally said as he shut his eyes, "I didn't come to save any of you. I just came to defeat those dolts that Polstow sent. Any monster that he creates will be crushed by me."

He then opened his eyes again and proceeded to walk his way.

"He didn't come to save us?" Fluttershy asked.

"That looked like saving to me." Rainbow Dash commented.

"Wait!" Twilight said to Aurachalcum, "Hold on. Don't go."

Aura then stopped to look over at the other ponies and asked, "Why are any of you here? Didn't you hear me from before? Go home and leave Polstow to me."

"You're still on that?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Come on."

"Aura," Lurio began, "Please listen to us. You must join us. You can't do this on your own. The princess says that only when we're united can we defeat this evil."

Suddenly, Aurachalcum's face turned from angry to nervous. It seemed like what Lurio said triggered the sudden reaction.

"P-p-princess?" Aurachalcum stuttered, "W-w-w-what princess?"

"What's going on with him?" Rainbow Dash thought, "We've got a wizard with a great powerful darkness and his stuttering at the mentioning of a princess?"

"Princess Celestia." Twilight answered, "She requested that you join us. And before we defeat Polstow too."

Aura remained silent for a moment as his nervous feeling grew. Lurio and Twilight thought that he might reconsider at this point.

"Well too bad!" Aurachalcum blurted as he returned to his angry tone, "Tell your princess that I don't want to join you! Now stay out of this! This doesn't concern you!"

"But this is an important request!" Twilight responded, "If we don't, then the princess will be disappointed. We don't fulfill her wish, she gets mad, and possibly pushes me back a few lessons and if not completely stops my lessons entirely."

"You making it sound like it's all about you, you know." Applejack teased.

"But that's not the point." Twilight continued, "The point is, we want you to join us for more than the princess' orders. But we've got what you need to beat Polstow."

"And Equestria is our home." Rainbow Dash added, "And since Polstow plans to conquer it with his dark aura, this does concern us."

"I don't need your help!" Aurachalcum shouted, "Do I need to spell it out for you?!"

"This isn't a time for spelling." Pinkie Pie said, "Though I do find it awfully fun. This is a time for team work. So, come on Aura. Don't be such a grouch. Come join our team couch."

"Team couch?" Rainbow Dash repeated, "Seriously?"

"Yeah. Couches are so comfortable. And so is team work. So, they go together perfectly! Like smoothies and pickles."

"I don't want a team!" Aurachalcum denied, "Now go back to where you came from before those creatures come back to hurt you again! I'm going it alone and no request from any royalty is going to change my mind!"

Feeling defeated again, the seven ponies decided to let him walk away. The seven ponies were left behind, feeling slightly upset, but more confused.

"Guess not even the princess' word is enough for him." Applejack thought out loud, "This might be harder than we thought."

"Did he really mean it when he said he wasn't actually saving us?" Fluttershy asked, "Because now I'm confused."

"I know! Me too!" Pinkie Pie agreed, "How can he say he wasn't saving us when he clearly did?! We were in trouble and he got us out of the trouble. That's saving us. It's like if you add sprinkles on a cupcake and you say you're not adding sprinkles. You're just making it taste better. That's still adding sprinkles! What difference is there! Hmmm…. Now I'm in the mood for cupcakes. Good thing I always keep some in my mane when I need some."

She then digged in her mane to get a cupcake to eat. After reaching and grabbing it with her left hoof, she took a bite and hummed happily at its sweet taste.

"Anypony want a bite?"

"No!" The six other ponies exclaimed after seeing a hair piece on the cupcake.

"Suit yourself." Pinkie Pie said as she took another bite.

"Well," Twilight began, "He seems pretty set on going it alone. But we can't give up. The princess says we need him to join us. And as her faithful student, I refuse to let her down! He's going to join us if it kills him. I'm not going to be pushed back in my lessons just because he thinks he can handle this by himself!"

Twilight then looked over at her friends and felt slightly embarrassed after seeing the looks on their faces.

"B-but more importantly," Twilight said with red cheeks, "He needs to learn that team work is better than doing things alone."

"I agree." Lurio said, "And while my aura is returning, it's not coming back at a fast pace. We still need him to guide us to Polstow with his aura."

"Shall we then?" Rarity asked with a radiant voice.

"Let's keep going." Twilight said as she guided the ponies to follow Aurachalcum.

"Did anypony notice," Rainbow Dash asked, "How he reacted when we mentioned the princess?"

"Oh yes." Fluttershy answered, "He looked-"

"His hooves were shaking more than a frighten kitten." Applejack responded.

"Maybe he was-"

"Could it be that the mentioning of a princess causes him to feel uncomfortable?" Lurio asked, "Such a strange reaction."

"Do you think that-"

"How can anypony feel uncomfortable hearing about royalty?" Rarity asked, "Hearing just the name of royalty is a dream. One should feel honored."

"Whatever it is," Rainbow Dash said, "That weird reaction did knock some points off from how cool he looked when he did the Aura Sphere. He became such a scaredy cat ten seconds after he showed off his coolness."

"This cupcake tastes like cotton candy. And slight touch of hair." Pinkie Pie said as she kept eating her cupcake, "Just how I like it."

"Twilight." Lurio whispered, "I'm a little bit concerned with your pink friend."

"Don't worry." Twilight whispered back, "She's always that silly."

"I've been told that there is such a thing as being too silly."

"Not to Pinkie Pie." Twilight said with a chuckle.

Meanwhile, at Polstow's castle…

Polstow grew infuriated, heated, angry at what he felt in his aura. Feeling his minions defeated so easily caused him to feel like exploding.

"That miserable little, treacherous, horse!" Polstow yelled in anger, "How dare he interrupt my minions like that! I can't believe he took them all out so easily! I get the feeling I taught him too much when I was teaching him my way of aura."

He then proceeded to the balcony in his room to take in some fresh air.

"Well," He continued, "I suppose that was only the first try. That doesn't mean the other attempts I try won't succeed. After all, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again."

Something then came to his mind suddenly. A little idea of his own. Something that could possibly not fail. Possibly.

"Hmm." Polstow hummed as he used his aura to feel aura from miles away, "I can feel his aura. Aurachalcum. The darkness I gave him seems to be rising the more angry he gets. And if his anger keeps growing…. Yes, yes that's it!"

Polstow then began to feel more cheery about himself. Feeling like he accomplished something great and felt like dancing to celebrate.

"Those imbeciles who are following him seem to be causing him to feel angry. And they're still following him according to my aura." Polstow said to himself, "Darkness feeds on anger. And since he has my darkness, then those ponies will meet their doom once they've pestered him enough. Because once he grows angry enough…. Heh, heh, heh. How ironic it will be! How Lurio and his pathetic friends will lead themselves to the end of their journey!"

He then laughed manically outside of his balcony as he thought about how he hopes things will go.

Back with our heroes…

Twilight and her friends continued through the forest to find Aurachalcum. Lurio kept tapping into his aura to see if it would keep recovering. The pace of the recovering seemed like it was against him however.

"My aura." Lurio said as he felt ignorant about what happened to his aura, "Why did I just let something like that happen?"

"Nopony saw that creature coming." Twilight said with a smile to cheer Lurio up, "It's not your fault that you lost your aura."

"I wouldn't let that happen to me if I had powerful aura." Rainbow Dash said, "I would've been on my hooves the entire time. I mean, I would be able to sense other aura around me. But hey, what're you going to do?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity yelled, "Don't be so rude!"

"No." Lurio said, "She's right. I should've been more careful. I should always remember to have my aura ready when trouble is amiss."

"Can you do those things that Aura did Lurio?" Pinkie Pie asked, "With all those frisbees and the Aura Sphere?"

"And move so fast and more agile?" Applejack added.

"Yes." Lurio answered kindly, "As a matter of fact, I can. Tapping into your aura can help increase your speed and movement. By transferring your aura to your hooves, you can run faster. Or into your wings, you can create a bigger breeze with a single flap. Aura can also help increase your strength as well."

"So, I can fly faster if I use aura and transfer it to my wings?" Rainbow Dash asked with a more interested tone, "Do lots more tricks than I already can do?! Be more agile and cool!?

"Indeed."

"Oh! So cool!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "You've got to show me how to tap into my aura then! Where do I start?! How do I feel my aura?! How long would it take to transfer it to my wings and make me faster than I am now?!"

"Normally, being able to do that can takes months." Lurio answered, "Maybe even a year or two. Depending on how strong your aura is."

"Months?!" Rainbow Dash asked with disappointment, "Years?!"

"Maybe one year."

"On second thought," Rainbow Dash said, "I'm good with increasing my speed on my own. I kind of got my own gig anyway. Yours is aura."

"I just still can't believe we got to see the power of aura right in front of own eyes." Twilight cheered, "It was incredible. I had no idea such a power existed. I really need to learn more about it now."

"His aura power was splendid." Lurio agreed, "That much is true. However, his power is different from mine."

"Different? How?"

"His aura is the Aura of Darkness." Lurio explained, "While mine is the Aura of Light."

"You can tell the difference?" Applejack asked, "How's that?"

"His aura was a slightly darker shade of blue unlike my brighter shade." Lurio answered, "It is because he has the darkness of Polstow that his aura is the way he presented it."

"I get it." Twilight said, "Because he has Polstow's great darkness, he can only use the Dark Side of Aura. And since you choose the light, your aura is the Light Side of Aura."

"Exactly." Lurio responded, "But you must understand. Aurachalcum doesn't have a choice unlike me and you. The darkness of Polstow is so mighty that it overtakes any light that exists. Because he left the light when he found darkness. The light inside of Aura is weak and there is no way for that to change unless Polstow takes that darkness away."

"Being forced to be one with darkness without a choice." Twilight pondered, "That sounds terrible. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a choice to let go of darkness."

"Now I just feel bad for the poor pony." Applejack said.

"He must really be hurting." Fluttershy thought.

"Gee." Rainbow Dash said, "I guess when you put it like that, I do kind of feel sorry for him."

"I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have a choice either." Pinkie Pie added, "If I had darkness and I wanted to forget about it and be part of the light I think I would just be so upset I would never be happy again! And if I'm never happy again, then Ponyville would never be happy again! And if Ponyville would never be happy again, then Equestria would never be happy again! And if Equestria would never be happy again, then life would just be unhappy! And if-"

Pinkie Pie then covered her mouth with her front hooves and looked at the other ponies. Each of them looking at her with an awkward look in their eyes.

"Too much?" Pinkie Pie asked as she removed her hooves from her mouth.

"Just a bit." Rarity answered.

"I wish I could cast a spell to help him." Twilight suggested.

"I know." Lurio replied, "I'm sure he'd feel happy to hear you say that. Even if he doesn't show it."

"We could always give him a cupcake." Pinkie Pie suggested as she got out another cupcake from her mane, "It's one of three things that cheers anypony up. Right after parties, and funny jokes."

Knowing where she keeps her cupcakes, Applejack quickly reacted.

"I think we should just try talking to him again instead sugar." Applejack said to Pinkie Pie.

"Why's that?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Oh. No reason."

"That." Applejack thought, "And we've seen where you keep those cupcakes."

"Okie-dokie." Pinkie Pie accepted.

Twilight and the others continued to follow Aurachalcum as much as they could. Catching up to him at times and continuing to try and convince him to join. However, his responses were the same. Leave me alone. Stay out of this. This doesn't concern you. It seemed like the seven ponies were getting nowhere with him. Despite how close they were getting to Polstow by following Aura. And it seemed like Polstow's wish was to come true. The darkness inside of Aurachalcum began to grow stronger and stronger as he got angrier. Little did Twilight and her friends know that if they keep up their repeated action, something terrible was about to unravel.

After tracking him down again, Twilight and the others walked slowly towards Aurachalcum. The slow pacing of their travel was because of some doubt the ponies had.

"Twilight." Applejack said, "I don't mean to be the defeatist one here. But I don't think we should bother him again. He looks hot enough to erupt like a volcano."

"Just like how you did when we went to help Fluttershy from that Hydra." Pinkie Pie added.

"First off," Twilight replied, "I didn't erupt. I got overly stressed and decided to accept your senses without explanation. Second off, I'm not giving up like this. He may have said no before…"

"You think?" Rainbow Dash asked as if the answer should be obvious.

"But if the princess says he needs to join us before we beat Polstow, then there's a good reason to follow that order."

"We've got Lurio to guide us there." Rainbow Dash argued, "Lurio. Is your aura back to a hundred percent yet?"

Lurio then closed his eyes to try and tap into his aura. His aura then appeared around him. However, its glow was still not completely bright.

"My aura feels much more powerful now." Lurio answered, "But it still has yet to completely recover. I can barely feel the aura of the creatures from five trees away from us."

"I for one think we should just let him do what he wants." Rarity suggested, "I can't bear to hear him yell at us again. I don't think I've ever felt this insulted in one day."

"He may have been mean." Fluttershy said, "But I don't think he's said anything insulting."

"He insulted us with his loud voice. A gentlepony should never raise his voice at a lady."

"Regardless," Lurio said, "We still have to try. He needs to learn that sometimes you need to rely on friends to help. Now let's go talk to him again."

"Fine." Rainbow Dash pouted, "But like it'll do us any good."

"I think maybe if hears the song I wrote about him," Pinkie Pie said, "He'll change his mind. You'll all love it and so will he."

Upon approaching the Aura Pony, Fluttershy grew nervous to meet up with him. They've tried numerous times to try and convince him. None of those attempts succeeded. Pinkie Pie even sang a song as if it were a montage. Fluttershy's nerves who calmed as she remembered that her friends are with her.

"Hey Aura!" Twilight called out.

Hearing her voice caused Aura to feel angry again. He began to grit his teeth in anger and kept his face away from them to avoid making eye contact.

"Please don't rush off again." Lurio pleaded, "Just hear us out."

"Come on now." Applejack said, "Don't go out in the big doggy dog world on your own. A pioneer never journeys alone."

"Don't you know why a fashion show has multiple contestants?" Rarity asked, "Because if there were only one, then the show wouldn't be as exciting. Plus, no competition which is unrelated to our point."

"Come on dude." Rainbow Dash said, "We're just asking you to let us help you. Quit being so stubborn. It's really getting on my nerves. And you know that we're just going to keep following you until you do."

"Oh Aura." Fluttershy said, "Please don't be rude again. Rarity wishes for you to talk with a more gentleman like tone."

"I bet you'll change your mind if I sing a song about you." Pinkie Pie added, "Do you want to hear it?! Come on! Say you want to hear it! I want to hear it!"

The next attempt of theirs made Aura so infuriated that he felt like screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Grrr….." Aurachalcum growled as a dark force appeared around him.

"Woah!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed in an impressed tone, "Never seen that one before."

"W-w-what is that around him?" Fluttershy asked as she hid behind Lurio.

"D-darkness." Lurio answered, "That's darkness! I believe we may have irritated him too much!"

"That's his darkness?" Twilight asked, "The one Polstow gave him?!"

"I've got a feeling we're in big trouble now fellas." Applejack worried.

Aurachalcum then turned around to face the ponies that kept following him. The look on his face was enough to tell that he had enough.

"What is with you?!" Aurachalcum screamed, "Why can't you all just take no for an answer?! Why can't you understand that I don't want any of you to help me?!"

As Aura continued to unleash his rage by his voice, the darkness around him began to form a big dark creature behind him. The seven ponies noticed the creation of the creature while Aurachalcum was completing unaware of what was happening.

"A-Aura?" Twilight said, "There's a-"

"Shut up!" Aurachalcum interrupted, "You all must have dust for brains! Because you don't listen! I don't want your help nor do I need it! So why don't you make like a dog and get lost?!"

The ponies in front of him seemed distracted from what Aura could tell. He seemed confused and wondered what it was they were staring at.

"What?!" Aura screamed, "What is it?! What are you all looking at?!"

"What the hay is that?!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she pointed behind him.

"What is what?!"

"ROAR!" A monstrous voice roared from behind Aurachalcum

The sound of the roar caught him off guard and caused his angry emotion and face to change to surprised. The dark force that surrounded him disappeared as soon as he heard the roar. Aura then turned around slowly to see what had appeared behind him. And what waited for him was a dark bear with yellow glowing eyes. The bear was created from the darkness coming from Aura.

"Oh." Aurachalcum said with his surprised face, "That's what."

The dark bear then tried to hit Aura with its claws. However, Aura used his aura to increase his speed to evade the claws of the dark beast.

"Woah." Aurachalcum said as he dodged the attack, "Where did that thing come from?"

"Look out Aura!" Twilight warned, "It's coming after you!"

The dark bear then tried again, but Aurachalcum flew to the air to dodge the attack.

"What in Equestria is that kind of bear?!" Rarity asked, "I've never seen anything like it!"

"Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash said, "You're the animal expert. What do you think?"

"I don't know." Fluttershy answered, "It's a new kind of bear to me too."

"Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked as she looked over at Twilight, "You read books. Got any ideas?"

"I don't have a good answer either." Twilight answered.

"Whatever it is," Applejack said, "It ain't friendly. We've got to do something! We've got to help Aura!"

"I can feel some of my aura returning." Lurio said, "Stand back. I'll try to defeat this monster!"

Lurio then went up to battle the dark bear with Aurachalcum.

"Leave the young one alone!" Lurio shouted to the bear, "Or else you will face the great power of aura!"

"Hey!" Aurachalcum shouted at Lurio, "Get back! I don't need your help!"

"This creature has a great dark power in it!" Lurio argued, "You cannot face it alone!"

"You're going to get yourself hurt!"

"ROAR!" The bear roared as it charged at Lurio.

Before it could touch him, Lurio used his aura to increase his speed and evaded right. The bear then fell on its head.

"Now's my chance!" Lurio said as he got on his hind hooves and put his front hooves on his right side.

He then proceeded to create an Aura Sphere in his hooves. Twilight examined the Aura Sphere and noticed that the one Lurio was making was a lighter shade of blue unlike Aurachalcum's aura.

"This is so great!" Twilight said, "Seeing two kinds of aura in one day! I have so many questions to ask those two! Why have I not heard about aura a long time ago!?"

"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash snapped, "Not the time!"

"Aura Sphere!" Lurio shouted as he launched the Aura Sphere at the dark bear.

"Oh." Fluttershy wined as she covered her face, "I can't watch! I can't watch a furry creature get hurt like that!"

"Go Lurio!" Rainbow Dash cheered, "Hit him hard!"

"Look at that bright blue fly!" Applejack shouted.

"Marvelous!" Rarity commented.

"Darn." Pinkie Pie said as she made a small stomp with her right hoof, "You all used the good cheers. Save some for me next time."

The Aura Sphere landed on the dark bear, but hardly did any damage.

"Augh." Lurio perplexed as he got back on four hooves, "My aura. It's still too weak. My Aura Sphere isn't powerful enough."

"ROAR!" The bear shouted as he charged at Lurio again.

"Fluttershy." Applejack said as she looked at the cowering Pegasus, "I think maybe it's time to do your thing."

"But I tried with the spider and it didn't work." Fluttershy countered.

"Well maybe if you give him the stare, it'll work."

"Come on Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie encouraged, "Give him the best stare you've got!"

Fluttershy then saw the bear charging at Lurio and saw what Applejack was talking about. Her attitude went from cowedly to more aggressive.

"You idiot!" Aurachalcum insulted Lurio, "I told you to leave this to me!"

He then proceeded to put his hooves together and place them on his right side. Soon, an Aura Sphere in the shade of dark blue grew.

"Aura…" Aurachalcum began shouting.

Suddenly, he noticed Fluttershy flying over to the bear.

"Erk!" Aurachalcum yelped as he quickly stopped his Aura Sphere, "What're you doing?! Get out of there!"

"Don't you dare try and hurt my friend here!" Fluttershy scolded at the dark bear, "I know you're big and scary! But that doesn't mean you get to be like that! You should be ashamed of yourself! I'm very disappointed!"

"Huh?" Aura perplexed as he watched the whole thing.

"Now you stop being mean to him and act like a normal bear!" Fluttershy continued to scold, "Because bears should never act as mean as you!"

The bear, at first, didn't change his attitude. However, one look at the stare Fluttershy gave and suddenly his angry face turned into a sad guilty one.

"Wah!" The dark bear cried as the tears fell from its eyes.

"My word." Lurio commented in amazement, "Fluttershy has tamed the beast without so much as a little bit of trouble. She seems gifted."

"That's our Fluttershy." Rarity said, "Her reputation as the stare master proceeds her."

"I can see that."

"Don't feel sad." Fluttershy said softly to the dark bear as she rubbed its head softly with a smile, "I didn't want to be like that. But you wouldn't learn unless I did. Now do you promise to be nice from now on?"

The dark bear looked at Fluttershy with tears falling from its eyes and nodded yes.

"Thank you. I knew you would."

Suddenly, the dark bear grabbed Fluttershy and gave her a big hug and a big lick to go with it.

"Heh, heh." Fluttershy laughed as the bear licked her, "You really are a big sweet heart after all."

The dark bear then took off to the forest to live like a normal bear. The six ponies in the group were impressed with Fluttershy's performance. However, Rainbow Dash also had another thought in her mind as she praised the Animal Pony.

"Won't the animals or the ponies that come by here find it weird how there's a bear made from darkness roaming around here?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Or maybe get a little scared of it?"

"There's an Ursa Minor and an Ursa Major out there." Twilight replied, "I don't think a dark bear will really be that out of place."

"True enough."

"Anypony got any idea where that critter came from?" Applejack asked.

"I noticed some dark force coming from Aurachalcum." Twilight said, "And once it started coming up, that dark bear shortly appeared."

"Hmm…" Lurio said as he thought about an answer, "I believe I know what happened."

"Is it that the darkness inside of Aurachalcum grew stronger and stronger as he got angrier and angrier and soon all that anger and darkness formed that dark bear and Aurachalcum has the ability to do so because he has Polstow's darkness?" Pinkie Pie asked really fast.

Lurio grew surprised and impressed with how Pinkie Pie put all the pieces together and form the conclusion he was heading for.

"Yes." Lurio answered, "How in Equestria did you know that?"

Pinkie Pie smiled and said, "Just a hunch."

"So, he created that bear to attack us?!" Rainbow Dash asked with some aggression.

"That's what I believe happened." Lurio answered, "However-"

"Grrr! I knew it! Where'd he go?!"

Rainbow Dash then flew up to the sky and find Aurachalcum from the air. After spotting him, she quickly flew over to him really fast.

"But wait Rainbow Dash!" Lurio cried as she flew off, "I'm not entirely sure that's the case!"

"It's too late." Applejack said, "She's gone. Blasted off as quick as lightning."

"Let's go after her!" Twilight said, "She knows where Aura wondered off!"

"Yes! Let's hurry!" Lurio agreed as the group followed Rainbow Dash.

With Rainbow Dash. She spotted Aurachalcum walking through the forest by himself and flew toward him as fast as she could. She planned to shove the Aura Pony as soon as she got close enough to him

"Augh!" Aurachalcum cried as Rainbow Dash shoved him to the ground without any hesitation.

After hitting the ground, Aura turned to Rainbow Dash with a face that showed he was not happy about what just happened.

"You shoved me!" Aura shouted angrily, "Why'd you shove me like that?!"

"What is your problem?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as the group caught up to the two, "Look. I get you want to do this alone. Really, I do. But you didn't need to go and summon that dark bear on us like that!"

"What?!" Aurachalcum said as he got up on his four hooves, "You think I summoned that thing?!"

"Oh yeah." Rainbow Dash replied, "A DARK bear just appeared out of nowhere and YOU just so happen to have the ability to create DARK creatures using that DARKNESS that you have!"

"I didn't make that bear!"

"That's just as believable as you saying you're not working for Polstow!" Rainbow Dash argued, "Why else would you want to go to him by yourself?!"

"Are you saying I'm lying?!"

"If the horseshoe fits!" Rainbow Dash answered.

Aurachalcum's face then turned from angry to surprise for one second. However, it quickly turned angry again as the words of Rainbow Dash made him furious.

"Say that again!" Aurachalcum demanded, "I dare you! Say that to my face and see what happens!"

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash got right into his face and said with some pauses, "If! The! Horse! Shoe! Fits!"

There was a silence then. Not a word from the ponies against each other nor the six ponies that watched it all. Though no insults were being traded at the moment, the six spectators were frightened about what was going to happen. As the faces of the two enemies did not show that they were having a swell time.

"AHHHH!" Aurachalcum screamed angrily as he pushed Rainbow Dash to the ground.

As soon as he pushed her, the two began fighting each other. One pushing the other, and vice versa. The Aura Pony hurting the Speed Pony. It was not a fun sight for the six ponies. Rarity quickly stepped forward to try and stop this.

"You two!" Rarity said as the two-continued fighting, "Stop this now! You're behaving like kindergarteners! And you're getting dirty!"

"Come on guys!" Twilight joined in, "Stop fighting! This isn't how-"

"Stay out of this!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she continued fighting Aurachalcum.

"Please stop!" Fluttershy begged, "This is now how friends work things out!"

"If you stop fighting," Pinkie Pie said, "I've give you each a cupcake!"

Their words didn't make the fighting stop however.

"Two cupcakes each?" Pinkie Pie asked as the dust in the fighting refused to clear, "Three? I've got a whole warehouse full of them in my mane."

"Enough!" Lurio shouted at the two ponies, "Stop this at once!"

"Hold on yall." Applejack said as she got out her rope, "I've got this."

She then spun her rope around a few times and then finally threw it into the fighting cloud and caught the two ponies by all four of their hooves. Without their hooves, the fighting stopped.

"Nice throw Applejack." Pinkie Pie praised.

"Very well done." Rarity added.

"Heh heh. A cowgirl's gotta be good with a rope if she's gonna enter the rodeo. Or if a herd of cows almost wrecks Ponyville." Applejack said with a smile.

Lurio then went over to the roped ponies to untie the rope. As soon as that was done, he separated the two opponents.

"Now listen!" Lurio yelled, "I don't know how that dark bear came to be created! But fighting about it isn't going to solve that mystery!"

"You aura using mutt with wings!" Rainbow Dash insulted Aurachalcum with a whisper.

"Quiet Rainbow Dash!" Lurio said, "Even if he did create that creature, that's no reason to resort to such actions!"

Aurachalcum couldn't believe what he was hearing. Does Lurio think that Aura created that bear too? Was it two against one? Was it possible that the entire group before him thought the same way? The thought of that made him angry.

"You think I did that too?!" Aurachalcum asked with a mad tone.

"Aura." Lurio replied as he turned over to him, "Listen. I didn't say that-"

"I can't believe it! You all think that I made that thing! Don't you?!"

"Aura! You don't understand!" Twilight said.

"I understand completely!" Aurachalcum interrupted, "You all think that I'm working for Polstow! You all think I summoned that thing to attack you all! You all…. Think I'm evil!"

"Now that's not fair!" Applejack shouted, "We never said any of that!"

"I'm saying that!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Augh!" Aurachalcum shouted as he started walking away again.

"Please Aurachalcum!" Twilight said, "Just listen to us!"

"We don't think you're evil!" Pinkie Pie said, "In fact, we think you're really good! Rainbow Dash is just pulling your hoof."

"No, I'm not." Rainbow Dash declined.

"Quiet!" Aurachalcum shouted as he turned to face the ponies again, "I told you once and I'm going to say it one more time! So, you'd better listen to me this time! None of this concerns you! You all are going to get yourselves hurt out here! Go home now! Leave Polstow to me! He's my problem and mine alone! So, stay out of this and stay out of my way!"

He turned around after finishing he's yelling and continued walking alone.

"You know!" Rainbow Dash shouted, "You're not going to make any friends like that!"

"Good!" Aurachalcum shouted back, "Because I don't want any!"

The entire group gasped about what he said. They were all surprised at him. They had never thought that such words would come out of him. They remained silent long enough for Aura to leave them behind.

"Aura." Lurio said quietly, "Surely you jest."

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie cried as she hugged Rarity, "Make that mean pony take it back! How can anypony not want friends?!"

"I never thought he'd say anything like that." Rarity said as she comforted Pinkie Pie.

"Me neither." Applejack replied, "He's even more steamer than I thought. Not wanting any friends."

"Well…" Rainbow Dash said as she floated down with a guilty face, "Well…. Fine then! Let him do what he wants! Who cares?! I don't!"

"Not wanting friends?" Twilight said, "That's a terrible thing to say. I'd feel horrible saying something like that."

"Twi." Applejack said as she placed her hoof on Twilight's back, "I think maybe we should listen to Aura this time. It's clear that he doesn't want us to help. Let's not ruffle his feathers any further than we already have."

Twilight closed her eyes as she lowered her head. And after some thinking it over, she made up her response.

"No." Twilight denied as she turned to the group, "We can't give up. The princess says-"

"Will you forget about what the princess says?!" Rainbow Dash yelled, "Can't you see what a jerk he's being?! He summoned a dark bear just because we wanted to help him!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Lurio shouted, "Let's not accuse him of such a thing! I'm not entirely sure that's the case! It was only a thought!"

"Either way." Rarity said, "Rainbow Dash is right Twilight. The last thing we need is for him to throw his Aura Spheres right into our beautiful faces."

"I can't believe he said such a thing!" Pinkie Pie shouted angrily, "He really is a dark-aura-using-meanie-pants! I came up with a song just so show how mean he is!"

Pinkie Pie's Song: The Aura Pony

He's the Aura Pony and he's very quite mysterious!

He was created by an aura master whose quite villainous!

He's not just mean he's also quite monstrous!

The Aura Pony! The Aura Pony! Don't mess with the Aura Pony!

He has a strange and a very unique power!

He can sense you all the way up from the highest tower!

If you mess with him then it's the danger hour!

The Aura Pony! The Aura Pony! Don't mess with the Aura Pony!

Pinkie Pie then finished her song and dance with a final pose on her hind hooves.

"Granted, it's quite tune." Lurio commented, "But there's no reason to talk, or sing, about him in such a harsh manner."

"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, "It fits him perfectly."

"Exactly!" Pinkie Pie added, "I'd better send this song to the writer after this."

"Back on topic." Twilight said, "It's not just because of the princess' request. But also…. We can't let him think like this. I used to look down on friendship before I met all of you. And seeing him not wanting friends reminds me of those times. We need to show him that friendship is a wonderful thing to have. Let's show him the magic of friendship."

"Twilight is correct." Lurio concurred, "It saddens me to see that pony so lost and confused. I just know that deep inside, there's a flame flickering for the knowledge of what friendship is truly about. Perhaps it's time we lend a helping hoof."

"Who's with us?" Twilight asked the group.

"When you put it like that," Applejack said, "I know I'm in."

"Hmm…." Pinkie Pie hummed as she thought it over, "Absolutely!" She exclaimed with a big smile, "I'm glad I always keep my funny kits in every tree in the forest in case something like this were to happen!"

"I'm in as well." Rarity said, "He must see the error of his ways."

"I still think we should just forget about him." Rainbow Dash said as she looked unexcited with the idea, "We can beat Polstow without him."

"What about you Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, "What do you think we should do?"

Twilight kept quiet to hear her response. Much to her surprise, no words came from Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight said as she looked around the group, "Fluttershy?"

But it seemed the animal-loving pony was nowhere to be found. It was as though she disappeared like magic.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash said as she looked around, "Where'd she go?! Fluttershy?!"

"I had a feeling the little gal was quieter than usual." Applejack stated.

"Goodness me!" Rarity exclaimed, "Did she wonder off by herself?! In the forest?! She should know better than that!"

"Oh no!" Pinkie Pie shouted with a shiver, "She could get devoured out here! By an Ursa Minor! Or a Ursa Major! Polstow's minions! Or even worse! An Ursa Mega!"

"First off, you just made last the one up." Twilight said as she turned over to Lurio, "Second off, Lurio. Can't you use your aura to find her?"

Lurio then used his aura to sense other aura around him. While his aura was stronger than the moment before, it still was not a hundred precent.

"My power is still not fully restored." Lurio answered, "I still can't sense other aura very well."

"Darn." Twilight said as she quickly thought about Plan B, "Okay then. Let's go look for her! But let's stay together!"

"Yes." Lurio added, "Let's quickly find her before she gets hurt! And we'd better make haste! Because Polstow can sense aura from miles away!"

"Okie-dokie!" Pinkie Pie replied with a salute.

"Hang on Fluttershy!" Applejack said, "We're coming for you!"

The gang then went out to search for Fluttershy. They stuck to their usual plan of staying together instead of splitting up.

"Fluttershy." Twilight thought as they searched for her, "Please be okay. With Polstow being able to sense us from here, it's dangerous out here! Where'd you go?"

Meanwhile with Fluttershy…

Fluttershy walked through the forest by herself in search of Aurachalcum. She felt the need of talking to him alone, but felt guilty of leaving behind her friends.

"I'm sorry everypony." Fluttershy thought, "But I promise I'll be back and fine. I just need to talk to Aurachalcum. I noticed some tears in his eyes before he left. I think maybe if I talk to him about what's troubling him, he'll feel better."

Fluttershy then looked around her and remembered that she was alone in a forest. Not as scary as the Everfree Forest, but still enough to make her shiver.

"Eep." Fluttershy wept as she walked, "I do hope I find him soon. This place is really scary. Why did Polstow have to come through here? Why couldn't he just to rule Ponyville or Canterlot so we wouldn't have to pass on through a dangerous and frightening place?"

Suddenly, she heard a chirp from a bird. The bird sounded close by and didn't sound well.

"Oh my." Fluttershy said as she heard the chirp, "It's a birdie."

She followed the sound of the chirping and from over a bush, she saw a poor blue bird standing on the ground with a hurt wing. The way it chirped up to the nest with its family in it above it saddened Fluttershy.

"Oh no." Fluttershy said quietly as she felt sorrow for the bird, "That poor thing must've hurt its wing and now it can't get back up to its family. I should help the hurt birdie."

She then began walking towards the hurt bird. However, before she could get across the bush she was behind, a familiar blue-coated pony came up to the hurt bird.

"Huh?" Fluttershy said as she stopped to see the pony.

The pony that went up to the bird was Aurachalcum. The Aura Pony. After seeing how angry he was, Fluttershy was nervous about what he was going to do to the bird. She even worried that he caused its pain.

"Aurachalcum?" Fluttershy whispered as she looked at him from behind the bush, "Please don't hurt that poor thing. Please."

Her worries grew greater when she saw that he lifted his right front hoof and moved it toward the bird.

"No!" Fluttershy whispered loudly, "Don't!"

She then witnessed him land his hoof on the bird. But to her surprise, he was not hurting the winged feathered creature. But rather, petting it softly.

"Oh?" Fluttershy perplexed as she had a surprised look, "He's petting the bird?"

"There, there." Aurachalcum said softly as he petted the bird with a small smile, "It's okay. Don't be afraid."

He then kneeled down on all four hooves to get closer to the poor bird. The bird was nervous at first, but stopped its shivering and trembling when it saw how friendly Aura was being.

"Did you hurt your wing?" Aura asked with his soft voice, "It looks pretty bad. Let me see if I can help."

He then sat up and moved his right hoof toward the hurt wing. He then closed his eyes and tapped into his aura. Soon, his aura appeared on his hoof and he had hoped to use his inner power to at least heal the wing a little bit. However, it didn't seem to do the trick.

"No good, huh?" Aurachalcum asked as he opened his eyes again, "I didn't think so."

Aura then looked up to see the two other blue birds that were on the nest above the hurt bird. He then put two and two together and knew what to do.

"Is that your family?" Aura asked the bird.

The bird chirped two times giving the signal that the answer was yes.

"Here." Aurachalcum said as he moved his left hoof down to the bird with a smile, "Let me help you. I'll get you up there."

The bird seemed skeptical at first. But seeing as how nice Aura seemed to be, the bird accepted his offer and jumped on his right hoof.

"Alright then." Aura said as he put his other hoof next to the one with the bird so he wouldn't drop it.

He then opened his wings and floated toward the nest with the other two blue birds.

"There you go." Aurachalcum said as he placed the hurt bird in the nest with the others.

Fluttershy witnessed the entire thing from behind the bush and couldn't believe her eyes. She felt like she was dreaming. She just couldn't believe the way Aurachalcum was behaving. He actually smiled and helped a poor creature without a single sense of self-thinking. He seemed kind and nice. Not like how she had thought he was.

"You all look happy together." Aurachalcum said to the birds as they chirped in happiness.

He then looked at the hurt bird and saw how happy it was. It even looked like it was thanking Aura for helping it.

"You're lucky." Aurachalcum said to the bird as he started to sound sad and his smile slowly disappeared, "You're surrounded by others that care about you. Because….. you're not like me. You're not a creature with a dark power that nopony would ever love or accept. You're…. just like…. Your family."

He then floated back to the ground with a lowered head. His smile completely gone. And had a feeling of sadness in his face. He then turned around and walked away from the nest and walked up to a lake that was nearby. The birds watched him leave and their cheering stopped by the sight of his sad walk. Fluttershy watched him walk away too and wondered why he was feeling that way. It wasn't until Aura sat in front of the lake, looked at his reflection, and tears began falling from his eyes. Causing ripples in the water with his reflection. That sudden event caused Fluttershy to feel sad for him.

"Poor Aura." Fluttershy said at last to herself, "This doesn't seem like him at all. Why is he feeling like this? I should talk to him and show him some kindness."

And that's just what she did. She walked through the bush in front of her and slowly walked toward the sad Aurachalcum. She couldn't deny that she was nervous to do that. She remembered that it was the same pony with great darkness and the pony that said he didn't want friends. But she felt too sorry for him to not approach and talk to him. She didn't get close enough to sit by him, but close enough to where she felt like she could talk to him clearly.

"H-h-hello Aura." Fluttershy stuttered.

The sudden sound of her voice startled Aurachalcum and caused him to turn around fast to look at the pony that called his name. Fluttershy noticed the tears falling from his eyes. But also noticed how he suddenly looked mad at her.

"What are you looking at?!" Aurachalcum asked with his mad tone from before, "Go away!"

Aura then turned away and looked back at the water. Fluttershy felt like doing what he said considering she was a little shy and nervous. But after seeing how he helped the bird and how he had tears in his eyes, she couldn't leave him alone.

"I saw what you did with the bird." Fluttershy said, "That was a very kind thing you did. That bird looks like it'll do just fine."

"Great." Aura replied harshly, "Now please leave me alone!"

Fluttershy listened to his tone and knew she wasn't getting anywhere fast. It was then she decided to move on to his sad feeling.

"Why are you crying?" Fluttershy asked nicely, "I hope you don't mind me asking that."

"I-I'm not crying." Aurachalcum denied as he whipped his tears, "It's just the wind!"

Fluttershy knew that that was a lie since she didn't feel anything that felt like wind.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Fluttershy asked as she got closer to Aura, "I think talking about it would make you feel better. If that's okay with you."

"No I don't!" Aurachalcum declined, "Now please go away! I don't want to talk about anything with you or anypony!"

More tears began to fall from his eyes. He even began to sniffle and cry. Seeing this broke Fluttershy's heart and knew for a fact that something was wrong. Despite his constant demands, Fluttershy went up to sit next Aurachalcum and prepared for her next question.

"Why don't you want me and my friends to help you Aura?" Fluttershy asked softly.

Aura didn't answer. He just peeked over at he and then turned away without a word escaping his mouth.

"Is it because you don't like us?" Fluttershy asked, "You don't like me?"

Aura's silence continued. Fluttershy's opinion about Aura changed when she saw him help the bird. She began to think there was more to him than she thought. And she had thought that it was time to let him know that.

"Well," Fluttershy said as she smiled, "I like you a lot."

Hearing those words, Aurachalcum flinched and widened his eyes in surprise of that new information.

"Huh?" Aurachalcum wondered as he slowly turned to look at her, "You…. You….. like me?"

Fluttershy nodded up and down as she answered, "Yes. I do."

Aurachalcum grew confused about this. Remembering how he treated her before, how could she feel like this?

"But…. But why?" Aurachalcum asked, "After the way I was to you and the others, how can you say that you like me?"

"Because I've seen how caring you are." Fluttershy answered, "The way you helped that poor birdie showed me there's more to you than I thought. Also, I like animals too. So that's something we have in common."

Aurachalcum was at a loss for words. He was surprised to hear that somepony likes him. Especially after being horrible to that pony before. He couldn't believe that a single good act could make all the difference.

"Oh…." Aurachalcum said softly as he turned to the water again, "Uh…. Thanks…."

The two didn't say anything after that. There was a silence for a minute or two. Fluttershy just kept smiling at Aura, and Aura just kept his eyesight on the lake. Aura then remembered that she asked to talk about his problems a moment ago. He denied the request at first, but after hearing that she likes him, he decided to reconsider.

"You….. said I should talk about my problems?" Aura asked Fluttershy as he peeked over at her.

"If you want to." Fluttershy answered, "But I won't force you to. Just know that I'll respect your privacy."

Aura then closed his eyes, gave a soft sigh and said, "Okay. I'll tell you."

Fluttershy prepared herself for the story that was about to be told. Aurachalcum didn't seemed to be thrilled to tell the story however. As from the look on his face, it was not a happy story.

"I don't hate you or any of your friends at all." Aurachalcum began, "In fact. I really like all of you. And I really want all of you to be my friends. But…."

"Then why all those horrible behaviors to us?" Fluttershy asked calmly.

"I acted that way to protect all of you."

Fluttershy was stunned to hear the answer. To protect them? She had no idea on how to react to such a reason.

"Protect us?" Fluttershy said, "From what?"

"From me." Aurachalcum answered with his sad face, "You all shouldn't be near me."

"Why is that?"

"Because….. I have darkness." Aurachalcum answered as his voice began to sound sadder and sadder, "And… that means I'm just as evil as Polstow is. I can't believe I believed him when he said darkness was a wonderful power when he gave me that power. When we were imprisoned in the crystal, he told me the truth about the power I have. My darkness, my dark aura. They're all terrible cruses. They don't do any good. They only cause chaos and ruin. Like how my darkness created that dark bear. You saw what my power is capable of. I almost hurt all of you like I was afraid I would. My darkness will hurt anypony that comes near me. I shouldn't be with anypony. No pony would ever accept me with the cruse I have. They'll only be afraid of me. I want to have friends. But how can I have any when I'm not like any of the ponies here?"

Fluttershy felt sorry for Aura. She couldn't believe that he was talking about himself like that. She even noticed the tears that stood in the bottom of his eyes. He was hurting himself. He wants to have friends, but feels like he can't. And forces himself to be alone.

"So, you really did create that dark bear?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes." Aura answered with his face looking at the water, "I did make it. I didn't mean to, but I did. Because I was angry. But I only acted that way so you would all stay away from me. Or at least I thought you would. I knew I made the dark bear with my darkness, but I didn't want to accept that I did."

The two were silent for a moment. Fluttershy thinking of what to say next. In hopes of cheering Aura up. To blow away his troubles.

"So," Fluttershy said at last, "You're afraid to show yourself to the world?"

Aura kept silent for a moment and then answered, "Yes. I mean, can you really look at me with this dark evil power and say that everypony would accept me? Everypony?"

Fluttershy looked him in the eyes and answered with a smile, "I would. And I think everypony else would accept you."

"Why do you say that?" Aura asked, "I'm just a spawn of darkness."

"But you're also just like me and my friends." Fluttershy said, "And I'll show you why. Put your hoof on your chest and close your eyes."

"Why?" Aurachalcum asked.

"You'll see."

Aura then looked at the water again and gave a small sigh. He then closed his eyes and put his left hoof over his chest like Fluttershy said.

"Now," Fluttershy said, "What do you feel?"

Aura felt something with his hoof on his chest. He felt a beat in his chest. And another beat that came a second after the first. And another to follow up. He knew what the feeling was. It was his heartbeat. The feeling of it grew stronger with his eyes closed.

"My heart." Aura answered as he looked over at Fluttershy with his eyes opened again, "What about it?"

Fluttershy then grabbed his left hoof and placed it on her chest.

"Close your eyes again and tell me what you feel now." Fluttershy said to Aura.

Without any second thoughts or hesitation, Aura did as she said and closed his eyes again. He felt the heartbeat again. But this time, it was Fluttershy's heartbeat.

"Your heart." Aura answered as he opened his eyes.

"That's right." Fluttershy said with a smile.

"What's your point?!" Aurachalcum yelled in frustration as he stood up on all four hooves, "What is it about my heart and you heart that you want me to see?! I don't understand at all!"

He then sat back down, faced away from Fluttershy and continued with a softer voice, "And our hearts don't even feel any different!"

Fluttershy, without moving her position at all, smiled bigger as she said, "Exactly."

Aura grew confused from her reaction and peeked over at her as he said, "Huh?"

"Our hearts." Fluttershy said, "They beat the same way. You have a heart just like me and my friends do."

Aura then turned around completely and asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"You may be different from us on the outside, but as long as you have a heart like we do then you're just like us. And I think everypony would accept you if you just try and show them the real you. Don't be afraid. Your power is not a cruse."

"It's not?" Aura asked.

"No." Fluttershy responded, "It's your special talent. Like how my special talent is with animals. You've got a Cutie Mark to represent your talent just like I do. So, we're not that different at all really. At least, that's what I think."

Aura looked like he was at a loss for words. And that's exactly how he was at that moment. He then looked at his left hoof again and saw the dark blue aura that he can tap into and projected it on his left hoof. He then began to wonder if what Fluttershy says is right. Is he really just being afraid for no reason? Is it time to stop forcing himself to be alone?

"What do you think I should do?" Aura asked as he looked back at her.

"Let us help you?" Fluttershy answered as she suddenly looked shy, "I mean, if you want to."

"But what if I hurt you or your friends?"

"I really hope it doesn't come to that," Fluttershy replied, "But at least you'll know. Then you won't have to be afraid anymore. But I won't force you to do it if you don't want to. But don't you think it sounds better to take the risk and have friends rather than be alone?"

Aura then thought about the question. He didn't want to be alone. He did want friends. And his fear of showing himself to the world is what frightens him. With the dark power he has, he feared nopony would ever want to be friends with him.

"You really think I should?" Aura asked Fluttershy to be sure that she was serious.

"I do." Fluttershy answered, "So very much."

Suddenly, the two heard a chirp of a bird coming their way. And then a blue bird flew up to Aura and looked him in the eyes with a happy look on his face. Aurachalcum noticed, however, that it was the same little bird that was in the nest of the two bigger birds. It was their child. And it was already flying. Much to Aura's surprise.

Fluttershy chuckled and said, "See? Even this cute birdie wants what's best for you. Even he wants you to open your heart."

Aura's focus was on the bird for a second. He then turned over to Fluttershy. Seeing her happy face soothed him. And made his sadness drift away. It was then his mind was set.

So, he gave a small smile at her and said, "Alright. I'll give it a shot. I'll let you and your friends help me."

"Oh Aura." Fluttershy said happily, "Seeing you finally smile makes me so happy."

"Yeah. It's been a while since I've really smiled. It…. feels good."

As the two got up to go to the others, Aurachalcum grew nervous about what was going to happen when he shows himself to the others. Especially to Rainbow Dash.

"But," Aurachalcum began as his smile went away, "Do you think your friends will accept me after how I treated them?"

"Just ask them to help you and you'll see." Fluttershy answered, "My friends are really nice."

Suddenly, they heard rustles in the bushes and hooves running on the grass. And soon, the ones behind the bushes came through and they were Twilight and the rest of the gang that went to search for Fluttershy.

"There she is!" Twilight said as she spotted Fluttershy.

"Oh, thank goodness," Rarity said in relief, "Fluttershy. We've been looking everywhere for you."

"Don't you know better than to run off like that?" Applejack asked.

"Luck was on our side." Lurio said, "My aura is getting better. I was able to sense you from where we were."

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she looked over at Aurachalcum, "What's he doing here?! You better not have been saying anything to hurt Fluttershy!"

"Did he say anything mean to you Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Because if he did, I've got just the things to cheer you up."

"Oh no." Fluttershy answered, "He didn't say anything mean. In fact, Aura has something really important to ask you."

Fluttershy then cleared the way for Aura. Aura was nervous at first. Even shy. The look he made even reminded Twilight and the others of how Fluttershy looked when she was shy.

"Go on Aura." Fluttershy encouraged, "Don't be afraid. Just ask them what you want them to do."

Aura then gave a small gulp as he walked up slowly to the group.

"Um," Aura began as he grew even more nervous, "I…. I know I ended things badly the last time I saw you all. And… I feel really bad about it. But the thing is, you're right. I can't do this by myself. I need some help."

The six ponies before him were surprised to see this behavior from Aura. Fluttershy on the other hoof was feeling excited to see Aura treating them so nicely.

"What I'm trying to say is," Aura continued as he grew a little red on the cheeks, "Will….. will you all help me defeat Polstow?"

A silence bloomed. And Aura's nerves just grew worse as he waited for an answer. He began to think that it was too late to change now. He thought that maybe they had already established him as a pony they shouldn't be with.

"Well of course we'll help you!" Pinkie Pie finally answered with a cheer.

"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle." Applejack said with a smile, "It's about time you accepted our offer."

"How nice of you to finally let us help you." Rarity commented, "I suppose you're not as bad as I thought you were."

"Aura." Twilight said with a smile, "I'm so happy for you."

"I'm pleased to see that you can't do this alone." Lurio said, "You're growing really fast."

"Well," Rainbow Dash said with a smirk, "It's about time. I was getting tired of being yelled at by you all the time."

Aura smiled to see that all six of the ponies were on a positive side of things.

"You won't regret this Aura." Applejack said to Aura, "You'll see that you made the right choice."

"Thank you all." Aurachalcum thanked, "I'm so glad you all with help me."

"How'd you do it Fluttershy?!" Pinkie Pie asked with an excited mood, "Did you give him the stare?! Does it even work on ponies?"

"No." Fluttershy answered, "I just showed him kindness."

"That's our Fluttershy."

"Well then," Lurio said, "Now that Aura has finally decided to join us, we should make haste for Polstow. He's still weak from being in the crystal for a year, but I doubt that he'll be that way forever."

"Okay then." Twilight said, "Ponies, now with Aurachalcum, let's go."

And so, the pony group started journeying again. On their way to find Polstow. Now with Aurachalcum by their side, the journey was easier to do since he could sense aura. Aurachalcum, during the journey, was thinking about how the ponies were treating him so nicely. He only hoped that nothing tragic would happen since he still has darkness.

"This feels just like I thought it would be." Aura thought, "I just hope I don't hurt them. Not when I'm finally making friends without being afraid. Well, mostly not afraid."

He then grew a more determined face as he continued thinking, "Polstow. I won't let you use your darkness or your dark aura to rule Equestria. With my new friends by my side, I will stop you."

To Be Continued…

Aurachalcum has finally accepted their offer to join them. But will their team work be enough to defeat the villainous aura master? Will Aura be able to keep himself from hurting his new friends? Find out, next time.