Fluttershy's kiss lasted for what seemed to be an eternity to her. Ash finally got his body to move and he gently pushed Fluttershy back with his hooves.

"Whoa wait, hold on!" Ash had to take a breath before he could speak again. Fluttershy's shocked eyes stared deep into his; she was shocked that she would have done something so brash.

"Fluttershy, I… I think we need to talk about this!" Ash didn't want to sound angry but he really wanted Fluttershy to understand him.

"I… I'm sorry!" Fluttershy's apology was quick as she knew her action was inappropriate. She began wondering why she kissed him so suddenly. "I should have asked. Oh I knew you wouldn't feel the same way!"

"No…" Ash shook his head trying to get his thoughts strait.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you that I already have a special somepony! This… this is my fault." He could sense Fluttershy's change in mood before her eyes started tearing up.

"I'm really Sorry Fluttershy." He took a step back.

"No, it's ok…. I'm sorry." Then she took off galloping while she sobbed. Ash watched as she galloped off. His heart sank.

"Oh boy, this is bad!" He thought to himself. He knew he would have to let Twilight know what happened. He would keep no secrets from her. He decided to finish preparations on security. Then he began galloping off to Town Hall.

Rainbow Dash couldn't hear what happened but she had a bad feeling one of her best friends had just been let down. She wanted to fly up to Ash and buck him in the face, but she instead felt it more prudent to go after Fluttershy. Her friend came first.

Twilight Trotted slowly through the streets making no eye contact with any pony, her head hung low with sadness.

"How could he do this?" She constantly mulled over in her mind. The same thought rematerializing in her mind over and over again. The whole sight was so surreal and so against what Twilight thought to be true. How could he have cheated on her, or worse yet, with one of her best friends? The more she thought, the more she realized that maybe he had lied to her or didn't tell her that he was taking already. He must have not told her because Fluttershy would have never allowed for anything to happen if she knew. At least that's what she believed.

As She trotted it seemed that all of Ponyville was out to mock her. Every street had at least one couple whose love them couldn't help but show to the whole world. Even Bonbon and Lyra were out enjoying the nice day. Their happiness was modest yet it was still apparent.

Twilight eventually made her way back to the Palace. She wanted nothing more than to be alone but she knew she had to help prepare for the coming of three other Princesses, She decided to put on the best fake smile she could muster and get to work. However she wasn't sure how she would handle being around Ash now or if she should confront him about his actions. All she knew was that it was over between them.

She made her way to her Audience Chamber where The Mayor was waiting to speak with her.

Rainbow Dash Flew around Ponyville in random Patterns. She flew just over the roof tops looking for Fluttershy, who she somehow lost sight of when the Pegasus galloped off.

"Where is she?" Rainbow thought to herself. "She has to be here somewhere, There's no way she could have left back home, I would have seen her leave Ponyville!" Rainbow flew all over Ponyville not once touching the ground.

"What am I even supposed to say? I not Rarity, I can't give advice to her about anything having to do with love?" Rainbow Dash then stopped when she heard her name.

"Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie screamed at the top of her perky voice.

"Pinkie Pie, AJ! Have you Seen Fluttershy?" Rainbow said as she began to descend.

"No. Why do you ask?" AJ asked.

"Well… something happened... and it's Ash's fault!" Rainbow shouted the last bit of her explanation.

"What do ya mean something happened?" Apple Jack cantered up to Rainbow. Pinkie Pike hopped up behind her.

"Well, I don't know exactly, but I Saw Fluttershy Kiss him and then she ran off like she was crying. I haven't been able to find her since." Rainbow looked around as if she might miss Fluttershy trotting by.

"Wait, you mean Shy actually Kissed him? Am I missing something 'cause that just don't make sense!" Apple Jack was shocked.

"I think we all are." Rainbow Dash replied.

"Wait, Fluttershy and Ash kissed? That changes everything!" Pinkie butted in.

"What do you mean Pinkie?" Apple Jack cocked her head to the left.

"Well Ashie and Twilight seemed to be an Item by the time we left Canter lot, but now that Fluttershy and Ashie are together then I was wrong?" Pinkie stopped to ponder. Her friends stared at each other with confused looks.

"Pinkie what do you mean about Twilight and Ash being an Item?" Rainbow Asked. Her eye brow raised.

"Oh come on Dashie, you don't mean to tell me you didn't see it?"

"See what?"

"After Twilight met Ashie, Things started happening!"

"Like what?" Apple Jack demanded with a hint of anger.

"Twilight started acting funny! You know how she gets supper happy when she's reading a book? Well whenever she would talk to Ashie, she would get just as happy." Pinkie smiled.

"But maybe Ashie Like's Fluttershy More." Pinkie then began to think about that and how Twilight wouldn't be happy.

"Pinkie that can't be true! I saw what happened. Fluttershy went up to him and kissed him. Then he pushed her back. Then she galloped off like she was crying."

"Oh no, Then maybe it's the other way around and Fluttershy is the one who's unhappy!"

"Can you two just please tell me what happened in Canterlot? I knew I should have been there!" Apple Jack was now angry.

"AppleJack There's a lot that happened and if I tried to tell you everything it'd be an all-day thing. Listen why don't we go find Twilight and figure this whole thing out? "Rainbow Wanted to get to the bottom of this.

"That sounds like a good plan but I reckon we ought to find Fluttershy first!" Said Apple Jack.

" Rogger that!" Rainbow Replied. Then the three took off together to find Fluttershy.

"What a busy day!" Rarity said to no one in particular as she trotted to Carousel boutique. She needed more ribbons for the Grand entrance to the Palace. Unfortunately she didn't have spike to help her out as he was looking for Twilight in case she needed him.

"And to think Love has bloomed right under my nose and with one of my best friends no less! I should have known something was up this whole time!" Rarity barraged herself. The intricacies of courtship and dating were no simple matter, yet Twilight seemed to not even consider her help. Worst of all, Rarity didn't see the signs.

"Well it's not too late to offer help now. I mean it certainly doesn't seem that he knows of her affection….Or does he?" She said, once again, out loud to no one in particular.

She pushed through the doors of her Store, jingling the doorbell. She was met with the voice of her little sister calling her from one of the dressing rooms.

"Rarity is that you?"

"Yes Sweetie Belle! What is it?"

"Come Quick! Fluttershy is here and I think something is wrong with her!"

"Oh Dear! "Rarity dropped the boxes she had levitating with her and she trotted to the back. Fluttershy was sitting inside one of the dressing rooms sobbing. Sweetie Belle was standing next to her trying her best to console her, but she was at a loss as to what to do.

" Fluttershy! What Happened?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy could only speak in incoherent gibberish between sobs. Clearly she was beyond distraught. Rarity galloped over to the kitchen, and after a short while of rummaging around she reemerged with two objects.

After trotting up to Fluttershy she forced a spoon full of ice cream into Fluttershy's mouth. Instantly Fluttershy calmed down enough to speak coherently.

"Ok Darling, What happened?" Rarity asked inquisitively.

"I got rejected by a stallion!" Fluttershy muttered. It was barely audible but Rarity her loud and clear.

"Oh Fluttersy! I'm so sorry!" Rarity began hugging Fluttershy almost against her will.

"Who In the Wide world of Equestria would reject you?"

"It… it was Captian A…"

"Ash?" Rarity was shocked. When did Fluttershy take a liking to Ash?

"It must have been at the party, Fluttershy must have fallen for him or something to that effect while dancing with him. But why would he reject Fluttershy?" Rarity thought to herself.

" Fluttersy, did he tell you why?"

"He said he already had a special some pony." At that Fluttershy began to cry again. Rarity began brushing Fluttershy's mane with her hoof to calm her down. Rarity's suspiciouns about something going on between Twilight and Ash were sounding more plausible. Fluttershy shoveled another spoon full of ice cream into her muzzle.

"It seems darling, we need to have a little talk with Twilight." Rarity looked at Fluttershy who in turn looked back in confusion.

"Princess, It's clear that We are ahead of schedule with the Town hall preparations. Perhaps we could allow Apple Jack and her Family some extra help. " The Mayor Said.

"I Agree, we should send some helping hooves her way!"

"It's too bad we can't get the help of the Royal guards."

"They...Have their own orders. I won't keep them from their work." Twilight explained.

"Very well then Princess, I'll get to sending those ponies to Sweet Apple Acres! " Said the Mayor.

"Thank you Mayor for all your hard work, especially these past few days." Twilight smiled at her. The Mayor nodded in gratitude and then she was on her way out. When the Mayor was gone, Twilight slumped in her throne a little, exhausted from the trip back from Canterlot. It had been a while since she had been in town.

She originally went to Canterlot three weeks ago to find a suitable captain for her personal guard. Two of those weeks were spent reading over countless applications from officers throughout the Royal Guard. Then the last week was spent getting to know the candidate she chose. Not only did she put her analytical skills to use in finding the one guards pony to take on the task of keeping her and her friends safe, but she also used what she had learned about friendship as well.

However, none of that could have prepared her for what she and Ash had gone through. All the emotions had gotten to her and blurred her focus. Before she knew it, she was in love, something that she had never felt before. Sure she had a couple of crushes before, but this was something different. Her Intellectual side told her to keep Ash at a distance only regarding him professionally, but her heart wanted something completely different.

Unfortunately it seemed that only she felt that way as Ash clearly showed no respect for the relationship they had forged. Clearly these feeling were one sided. Twilight stood up from her throne and trotted over to the entrance of the hall. Spike was waiting on the other side of the doors.

"Twilight, I've made a list of the Guests coming from Canterlot, including Nobility, honored guests and press. We're going to have a hard time finding them all places to stay here in PonyVille. I don't understand why the celebration is going to be so big this year."

"Spike, Now that PonyVille is has its own Princess and Palace, PonyVille is going to get a lot more attention." Twilight explained.

"Wow, it's not the small quiet town anymore is it?" Spike said solemnly.

"No, Things are different for sure." As Twilight said this, she looked at the ground.

"Twilight, is everything ok? You don't seem happy. "Spike asserted. His right brow raised and his left claw scratched his head. Twilight looked up at him and gave him a smile.

"Everything is fine Spike, Just make sure to find a room for every pony on that list. I'm counting on you."

"You got it Twilight!" Spike said proudly. Then he scurried off. Twilight smiled as she watched her number one assistant go to work. She was glad she had someone she could count on.

Twilight made her way to her bed room. She had ordered her guards away because she needed to be alone. She sat at her desk with a quill dancing around in the air over a piece of parchment. She was making a new list of items to be completed.

Then there was a knock. Her eyes glanced at the mahogany doors with her Cutie mark painted over them. The knock was heavy sounding like a Stallions.

"Come in It's open!" Twilight said. The doors creaked open and Ash trotted in. Immediately Twilights heart began to race.

"Twilight it's good to see you! We're almost done with all the preparations for security." Ash didn't go over to Twilight immediately. Twilight's gaze flashed over Ash and her heart was pounding. There was much to be said, but she didn't want to spurt anything out until he was done talking.

"That's good." Twilight said almost flatly. Ash found it weird but he didn't peruse the sign. He had a lot on his mind and he intended to speak to her about it. However he could feel his hooves getting sweaty.

"Twilight, I have something to talk to you about." His tone changed. Twilight frowned and her eyes fixed on his. The anger was very evident.

"Oh do you?" her voice low and flat.

"Twilight?" Ash asked in confusion. He could sense the ominous atmosphere, Calm and foreboding.

"You don't think that id find out?" she said with a tremble in her voice as she held back tears.

"Twilight..." It was now apparent to Ash that Twilight knew.

"What convinced you that anything you did with FlutterShy, one of my best friends was ok?" Twilight raised her voice. She stood up and turned to him. Her cheeks were now damp from tears.

"Twilight I can explain!" Ash took a tentative step towards her.

"Explain? What is there to Explain, I Saw you Ash! I Say you today with Fluttershy!"

"Twilight, but it's not what..."

"Please Ash, spare me the Cliché. I can't believe you. I should have known not to get involved with any pony like that, but silly me, I fell in Love with you!"

"Twilight…"

"I trusted you!"

"Twilight, I wanted to explain everything! I've been thinking..."

"Forget it, Just forget everything...do you have anything important to talk about as far as the celebration is concerned?"

"No, that's pretty much taken care of? What does that have to do with what we're tal..."

"Are you finished with preparing security? "Twilight cut Ash off. Her emotions removed.

"... No not yet."

"Then I suggest you get back out there and do you Job Captain! That is all!" Twilight's use of Ash's Rank rather than his name struck Ash right in the heart. Her words purposely stung.

"...Yes your Highness." Ash bowed, did an about face and slowly trotted out of her room, his head hung low. As he left he could her writing at her desk and sobbing.

Ash trotted up to Town Hall, where his CP Was located for the time being. Royal Guard Activity was high and many pegasie flew in and out of the tower. At the center of everything were the brains of the whole operation. Lieutenant Sage Dust worked with the scheduling of Guards as he was the Supply and logistics officer. Ash Trotted into his office.

"Morning Captain." Sage greeted him without looking up from his desk.

"Morning. How's the full Schedule coming?" Ash stood next to Sage's desk. He was looking at nothing in particular and he seemed unhappy to Sage. Noticing his demeanor, Sage then asked,

"Is something wrong Ash?" Sage was looking up at Ash now with a look of confusion.

"It's nothing Sage just tell me where you are with the Patrol Schedule."

"It's done, I'm just working on supply inventory."

"Very well, I'm going up to the white tail post. I need to check up on something so if any one comes asking for me, tell them not to bother me." Ash spoke as calmly as he could.

"Even if the Princess asked for you?"

"She won't be." Ash exclaimed ash had turned to the door.

"Good work Sage, I'll be back later." on that note, Ash left the room and exited Town hall. Sage looked on, worried.

Rarity and Fluttershy were trotting towards the Palace, Rarity was ushering Fluttershy on by encouraging her. Fluttershy was still confused as to what twilight had to do with Ash rejecting her.

"Rarity I don't understand, what makes you think Twilight has anything to do with me and Ash? Don't you have a better understanding about this stuff?" Fluttershy asked shyly.

"To be honest Fluttershy, I'm not sure, but I have a feeling Twilight knows something. She's been acting strange since she had met Ash." Rarity suspected more than just a connection but she wanted Twilight to explain her self-first. After all, this could be nothing.

As they were trotting up to the entrance, which was guarded by a couple of pegusie guards, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie and Apple Jack showed up.

"Fluttershy! Where have you been?" Rainbow asked relived. She landed next to Fluttershy making her shrink back.

"Yeah sugar cube, we've been worried sick about you!" Apple Jack trotted up to her as well.

"She was at my Boutique Darling. What brings you here?" Rarity asked.

"Well I saw what happened with her and Captain Idiot!" Rainbow Dash made no effort to hide her frustration with him.

"Yeah, we were mighty afraid about how Shy was doing after Rainbow told us about it."

"Me too!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"That jerk said something to her to make her cry and I'm gonna pay him back for it!" Rainbow threatened.

"Now wait just a minute Rainbow Dash, I will not allow my friends to make Threats of violence against any pony, especially when you don't have a good idea of the whole picture."

"What do you mean Rarity?" Apple Jack asked.

"I'm not entirely sure but I think there is more to the situation than any of us know and I believe Twilight has some part to play in all of this."

"Twilight?" The others asked in surprise.

"Wait hold on, where does Twilight fit in?" Rainbow asked abruptly.

"It is simple. Fluttershy told me she was rejected because the Captain already has a girlfriend, Twilight has been acting weird since we left Canterlot and I believe it has something to do with Ash."

"What makes you say that, Rarity?" Apple jack asked, taking a step towards her friend.

"Well there are signs a mare shows when in love darling." Rarity fluttered her eyes.

"That's it we need to go talk to Twilight!" Rainbow couldn't take the speculating anymore. It was disturbing that Twilight would want anything to do with Ash, in her mind.

"Yeah we need to get the truth from the horse's mouth!" Pinkie shouted. Clearly warranting a look of confused shock from her friends.

Fluttershy was not so adamant about talking to Twilight, if she was in love with Ash, then wouldn't Twilight be upset about her kissing Ash. She might be devastated and this would clearly change their friendship. Fluttershy was continuing to regret her actions. However, they all trotted into the palace.

Twilight was in her room working on the same list and trying to forget what had happened that morning. She was trying to forget Ash. She was mostly done with her list when she heard another knock and a voice.

"Twilight Darling, are you in there?" Rarity's voice echoed in the hallways along with several others voices muttering around her.

"Yes Rarity, It's open!" Twilight quickly put on a perky demeanor. Rarity pushed the doors open and trotted in, followed by Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy. Twilight's narrowed as she saw Fluttershy. She wasn't entirely sure if Fluttershy knew what she had done, but Twilight couldn't help but feel some anger towards her friend.

"Twilight, we have something of the utmost importance to discuss with you!" Rarity got down to business.

"What do you mean? How are the preparations going?" Twilight asked hoping Rarity wasn't wanting to talk about what she thought they were there to talk about.

"The preparations are moving along ahead of schedule, but darling there's something we need to ask you and you need to answer us truthfully!" Rarity locked eyes with

Twilight to show how serious she was.

"Rarity… look I don't think we need to discuss anything." Twilight's eyes showed the slightest hint of sadness.

"No Twilight, We do!" Rarity continued her look of determination. Twilight looked at her bogglingly but she knew her friends weren't going to give up on the matter.

"Something happened today between Fluttershy and Captain Ash. Isn't that right darling!"

Rarity looked at her with a sense of encouragement. Fluttershy looked down at the ground. All she could mutter was,

"Yes." Fluttershy felt guilty.

"Yes I know, I was there!" Twilight muttered. Fluttershy looked up in horror. The other girls turned to Twilight with shock.

"Twilight, Did something happen between you and Ash?" Rarity asked, taking the lead in the discussion again. Twilight looked at the ground, she was silent. Eventually after a moment of silence, she spoke.

"Fluttershy, did Ash tell you about his Girlfriend? Did he tell you he already had somepony as a mare friend? " Twilight then looked up at Fluttershy with a look of anger.

"Yes." Was all Fluttershy could say.

"And you kissed him anyway? How could you? I'm your friend!"

"Wait Twilight!"

"Don't worry Fluttershy, you can have him! I don't want anything to do with that jerk anymore and he knows it!"

"Wait! What do you mean? What did you say to him?" Fluttershy raised her voice shocking everyone else.

"What do you think?"

"Twilight, He Told me about having a Girlfriend only after I kissed him. That was the only time I did and he rejected me because of you! "Fluttershy's voice was filled with assertiveness and her eyes burned holes in Twilight.

"Wait, that was a onetime thing?"

"Did you even hear anything he had to say?" Fluttershy

"... No. I Thought…" Twilight began to tear up.

"You mean...you two weren't seeing each other?" Twilight looked at Fluttershy with eyes of sadness.

"No...I only mint to tell him how i feel, but i guess I jumped the gun and kissed him instead." Fluttershy also began tearing up.

"Oh Fluttershy! I'm sorry!" Twilight went to Fluttershy and hugged her. "I can't believe I thought one of my best friends would cheat with Ash… I'm such an idiot!" She began crying.

Fluttershy hugged her back as well.

"No Twilight I'm sorry, I should have talk to him first!" Fluttershy cried as well. Rarity spoke,

"Yes darling that was quite foolish but I don't blame you. I can very well see myself in your shoes. However, this could have been prevented if you had just told us!" Rarity gave Fluttershy and Twilight a hug. Then Applejack, then Pinkie and then finally Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah Twilight, You can tell us when you are dating somepony, we promise not to make too much fun of you!" Rainbow jested.

"Oh Girls I'm so sorry! Fluttershy can you forgive me?" Twilight looked at her friend. Fluttershy was tearing up still but she was smiling.

"Only if you forgive me!" at that the two girls hugged tighter.

"Darling, I'm happy that were are all still friends, but shouldn't you go talk to somepony else too?" Rarity managed to say despite being crushed in the group hug.

"Oh no! Where is he?" Twilight horrifying realization came to her. She had to find Ash. After breaking the embrace, Twilight flew out the door, through the hall, down the stairs and into the main entrance hall. The others followed close behind. Twilight found one of the guards and she flew up to her. She asked,

"Guard! Do you know where Captain Ash is? It's imperative I find him right away!" The guard froze to attention, she said,

"Your highness I'm not sure but you might be able to find out where he is if you go to the CP…. err I mean Town Hall!" The mare stared at Twilight with her right hoof up to her head in a salute.

"Thank you Sargent!" Twilight said as she turned to her friends.

"Twilight do you want us to split up? " Applejack asked.

"Yes Please!" Twilight looked at her friends and smiled with the realization that they would always help her and always be there for her.

"I'll be going to Town hall! Can you all look for him elsewhere?"

"Of course Sugar Cube." Applejack replied,

"Well find him in a jiffy Twilight!" Rainbow Dash added.

"Thank you!" Twilight said.

"OK I'm off!" Twilight then flew through the doors and out towards Town hall. Once she had arrived she was saluted by several guards and other citizens bowed to her.

"Does any pony know where Captain Ash is?" Twilight looked as many shrugged. Then one of the guards directed her to Sage Dust's temporary office. Trotting up the stairs and through his doors she found him sitting at his desk.

"Lieutenant?" Twilight asked. Immediately Sage Stood up and saluted her.

"Your Highness, what can I do for you?" Sage looked as if he was not surprised but confused.

"Where is Captain Ash?" She said. Sage looked at her quietly as he contemplated disregarding his friend's orders.

"Princess, I was ordered to not let any pony disturb him. Something happened, didn't it?" Sage asked politely.

"I don't have time to explain Lieutenant, I need to know where he is now." Twilight persisted.

"He's in the white Tail forest, I Imagine he is inspecting the guard post out there." Sage decided to do as Twilight asked.

"Thank you Lieutenant! If he comes back here tell him I'm looking for him!" Twilight then returned his salute and left his office. Sage followed her out but she had taken flight once she was outside. Star Tail was descending down from the tower when he noticed Sage on the ground.

"Sage?" he asked

"Star go get the others and follow the princess, I think something is awry!" Sage was looking off into the distance.

"Understood!" Star Tail said as he saluted Sage and flew off.

Rainbow Dash could see Twilight flying off towards the White tail forest so she went to get the others.

Ash was trotting down a dirt road that lead into the white tail forest. His saddle bags had various scrolls, each a detailed map of the surrounding area. His hooves made a slow rhythmic thudding in the dirt as he trotted slowly. He felt weighted down by sadness.

Upon reflection on the day's earlier events, he was sad and confused. Many thoughts went through his mind, and they all lead to a decision he felt he had to make. It was a shame he didn't' get a chance to prevent what had happened. However, there was something he could do before things had gotten worse.

Trotting along he was making changes to a map he had unrolled. The White Tail Forrest needed to be watched more carefully as there were plenty of hiding spots for anypony with malice to use. He had been all over the forest making corrections to his maps and marking areas of interest.

Suddenly he heard the beating of wings just over the tree tops. His Horn glowed and his sword began to slide out of its sheath.

"Ash!" Twilight's voice sounded through the canopy. Ash was shocked to hear her voice and he slid his sword back into place.

"Twilight?" Was his only response. Twilight descended through the trees and landed behind ash. Their eyes met.

"Ash there you are!" Twilight said. She began to trot up to him. Ash didn't seem happy to see her.

"What are you doing here? Why don't you have an escort?"

"I've been looking for you!" She explained.

"Oh. So I have a name now?" He said with angrily.

"Ash. I'm sorry! I should have listen to what you had to say!"

"Oh really?" Ash returned a look of anger still.

"Fluttershy told me everything! I wish I had asked questions first before making judgments!" Twilight's eyes showed she was sorry.

"Princess, is there something else you need to talk to me about?"

"Ash please I'm sorry! I was stupid to act like that!" Twilight began to feel tears welling up in her big lavender eyes. Ash's anger seem to fade away.

"(Sigh) Twilight stop saying that please. You are far from stupid!"

"Please don't hate me." Twilight's tears were rolling down in tiny rivers.

"I don't' hate you, so stop worrying about that! Its ok I understand your feelings. I'd be pissed too if I saw you with another stallion." Ash smiled, but he wasn't sure how to say what he needed to.

"Ash, I've never been so depressed! Can we just forget this happened?"

"Yes Twilight, We can forget this whole thing happened."

"Oh Ash, I missed you!" Twilight took a few steps towards Ash as a smile graced her face, but he took a step back.

"Twilight I have to talk to you about something I've been thinking about." His tone was low. His gaze met the ground. Twilight's smile disappeared and she was confused.

"I… I don't' think we should see each other anymore. Not like that." Silence ensued for a moment.

"Ash. Why?" Twilight's tears returned.

"It's better if we don't, I don't need to be causing problems between you and your friends." Ash looked Twilight in her eyes.

"But Ash this was …."

"It's the first of many problems that are inevitably going to come. There's no other way of putting it, I'm only going to cause problems for you and others if we continue!"

"No that's not true! Ash Please!" Just then a flash came from the trees and it hit Twilight. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Ash watched Twilight fall to the ground. Instinct took over as he formed a force field over her. Then he was hit with a bolt of magic as well.

Ash's body was racked with pain but his Training took over and he took his sword out with his magic. However, his magic faded and his sword dropped to his side. Looking around he could now see several forms hiding in bushes.

"Ash!" Twilight shouted. She was feeling the same effects of the attack. She was trying to get through the shield Ash had put up.

"NO Stay there!" Ash shouted as watched Twilight struggle. He turned his attention back to the attackers. They had closed in on him and another force shield appeared around them as well.

Five other ponies stood all around him and Twilight.