The ponies stood in awe at the creatures ahead of them. In front of them stood six ponies, however, their bodies seemed to sparkle in the sunlight and chunks of their hair glittered as it flowed in the wind.
"I don't believe it," gasped Sundance.
Magic Star approached the ponies a few steps, then stopped. A sparkling green unicorn did the same, but she kept her horn down and ready to attack if needed.
"We don't mean you any harm," Magic Star announced. "We're just trying to get to Flutter Valley."
The unicorn raised her head and looked back at Magic Star. She let down her guard and looked back at her herd.
"Why are you going there?" asked a purple earth pony.
"We're meeting our friends there," replied Magic Star. "We're trying to get away from some horrible flying monsters."
"Well..." began the green unicorn. "That's why we're going to Flutter Valley too."
"You know the Flutter ponies too?" asked Sweet Stuff.
"Of course," replied a purple Pegasus. "They're good friends of ours."
A loud screeched echoed through the trees. The creature was out looking for them again. They needed to get to Flutter Valley and they needed to get there soon.
"We have to get out of here," said the Pegasus. "I'm Twinkler by the way. This is Napper, Star Dancer, Sky Rocket, and Sunspot."
"I'm Star Hopper," said unicorn. "We're sparkle ponies."
"I've heard of you," said Paradise. "I remember reading a book about you."
"Enough idle conversation," Wind Whistler demanded. "Of course we're much obliged to make your acquaintance, but we really must be on our way, post-haste!"
"What she said," said Applejack. "Why don't you come with us. We'll be safer in a bigger group."
The ponies quickly made their way through the forest. They could hear the creature following them, but it never appeared. After what had seemed like hours, they reached Flutter Valley. Fizzy burst out of the hideout to greet them and show them the way inside. Baby Lofty was given the medical attention she needed, while the other ponies introduced their new friends to the others. Outside, the clouds began to drift closer to Flutter Valley until they were completely surrounding it.
The ponies could run, but they weren't going to be able to hide.
