The sun was bright and the day was young. The tan-flesh colored pony was looking out from under his straw-rimmed hat. His black eyes matched his mane; a black wavy mane curled over his head and between his pony ears. His tail was the same color, and medium length, blowing in the wind. The most noticeable feature was the two-inch long scar under his left eye. It had been self inflicted when he was young and never completely vanished.
The light bouncing off the rippling water was blindingly brilliant. Brony D. Luffie didn't care; he pointedly avoided staring at the bright, reflective patches on the water and traced his black eyes around his ship. The ship, a grand white-ram's headed ship was drifting along the ocean currents. Today he and his crew, a crew of six, sailed on the ocean unknown; looking for adventure.
He was the captain of this ship and his flank mark mimicked the red-ribbon strawhat he wore. His second nakama, Three Swords, was a fierce mustang brony who used three katana – those three katana were the belt-wearing brony's flank mark. When Three Swords used his flank-mark the swords became real, leaving his flank blank. Three Swords' green man was currently covered in a dark green bandana; sleeping against the railing and under the sun.
"Oy, Luffie." Another voice called out from above.
"What is it, Soge-King?" Luffie looked away from the ocean's surface and turned his eyes upward. The fifty-foot crow's nest was way up there. Luffie's best friend was in the crow's nest, using his spyglass invention to peer across distances. It was quite handy to have when sailing on an ocean of unknown origin.
"I've spotted land." The sniper colt announced. The male, four-legged pony (brony) was a tanish-brown in color and his curly-black mane was currently tied back with a tie; giving Soge-King a bush for a hairstyle.
"About time!" Tangerine Gold the pony-burglar neighed. The orange-maned mare clomped out from the ship's inside. The gold-loving pony mare was the ship's navigator, and was absolutely the best at it. The tan-orange mare's mane and tail were short-cut, accentuating her burnt-orange eyes. Her front-right leg jangled with her orb-compass, a log-post and three bracelets. T-Gold lifted that leg and peered at the floating compass needle within the glass ball. It was pointing to the land. "Yup, there is land ahead; the float-compass says so."
"WHY DON'T YOU TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!" Soge-King screamed down at T-Gold. She loved pushing Soge-King's buttons.
"MELLORINE!" The fifth voice of the crew, Love Cook, echoed from behind Tangerine Gold.
The black-suit wearing brony danced out of the ship's galley, carrying a tray of seaweed sandwiches. L-Cook's blonde mane was cropped short, and covering one side of his face. His tail was also short, almost not there. L-Cook was the food-preparer on the ship, it wouldn't do for him to turn around and have his tail drop hairs in the soup of whatever it was he prepared. His thin, curled-at-the-end eyebrows wiggled up and down as he trotted over to T-Gold, holding out the tray to let her choose her sandwich.
"Is it lunch time already?" Tony-Tony exited from within the ship. Tony-Tony was a reindeer instead of a brony, but his body was built nearly the same. Tony Tony was ship's doctor, and often was found eating lots of cotton candy.
"YAY! Food!" Luffie cried in joy. L-Cook finally let his captain choose his sandwiches.
"Now I'm ready for adventure." The brony captain laughed in joy as he jammed the sandwich in his mouth.
"Whoa, would you look at that!" Soge-King cried again.
"What!" Luffie, T-Gold and Tony Tony cried in unified curiosity as they ate their sandwiches.
"A bunch of bat-creatures are flying over the land." Soge-king repelled down the main mast, his custom made carrying sack sitting on his back. "They are carrying ponies with them. The bat-creatures look really mean!"
"It looks like we are going to rescue damsels in distress!" L-Cook cooed in joy. "Love-Cook to the rescue!"
"Alright, let's go see what this land has to offer." Luffie crowed as he stretched his front legs to reach for the front of the ship. "Let's go, crew!"
"HURRAY!" The rest of them cried.
Elsewhere, in Canterlot:
"Are you sure this is the place, Princess Celestia." Twilight Sparkle glanced at the map for the hundredth time. The map sat on Celestia's largest table in the throne room. Sunlight poured through the stained glass windows to slap color on the old world map. The magic-using unicorn shifted in her silver, custom-fitting protection. The unicorn was the group's leader on this mission, and as such, she had to act and fill that role: if that including wearing steel-hard armor, then Twilight would do it twice over.
"Yes." The princess's voice was stout and firm. The tall and elegant alicorn princess nodded to her student.
It was a day after the surprise attack. Ponyville, Cloudsdale and Canterlot had joined together with the Canterlot Royal Guard and fought off the invasion of dregasi, the dragon-pegasus hybrid. It was quite surprising for the Mane 9 to meet the multitude of guards that Canterlot had produced to protect Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle had finally introduced her brother, Shining Armor, to her friends and worked with him to plan a rescue team for those ponies who had been foal-napped by the nasty dregasi. All this had taken the rest of the day – the same day.
Today was day two, since the freak invasion of the dregasi. Twilight Sparkle had put together enough effort to send a rescue team after their friends. Now, the Mane 9 were in the castle, gearing up for battle and protection.
"Alright, girls." The lilac unicorn turned on her back hooves to face her friends. "Are you ready to kick some dregasi tail?"
"Yes, I am so ready to show those brutes a thing or two about dropping in and stealing our friends." The purple-maned regal unicorn, Rarity, stomped her front hooves in earnest. This was most likely the first – and only – time that her need to look fashionable was taking a backseat to necessity.
Her white pony body was covered in gold-colored armor, leggings covered her four slender legs and greaves filled in the spaces between. Her long, equine face and head sat snuggly under the helm of Celestia's royal guard uniform. Her normally curly-wavy tail was braid-plated and pulled back out of the way; as was her mane.
"Are you sure this is the right thing to do, I mean, can't we just go and ask for our friends back?" The soft, caring voice of the pale-yellow Fluttershy sounded pained. She, like her friend Rarity, was decked out in golden armor. Her wings were sheathed in a light, airy chain mail, shimmering gold in the day's light. Like Rarity, Fluttershy's puff-pink tail and mane were braided back and restrained.
"Fluttershy, if we do that, we'll get nowhere." Rainbow Dash hovered in the air next to the tender-hearted pegasus. The sky-blue flier was grinned beneath her golden helm; Cloudsdale's fastest flier was ready to bust some meanie-mean heads. The rainbow-colored tail and mane of Rainbow Dash was cut short, giving the flier a punk-ish type look.
"Ah don't know about y'all, but Ah'm right bucking mad that them nasties had the nerve t' show the'r ugly faces in Ponyville." The earth-based, apple-caring pony snorted through her nose. Applejack stood there, bristling at the bit. Her golden armor was custom made to allow her strong back legs freer movement. Her tan farming hat was gone, and replaced by a golden helmet. Applejack's mane and tail were tightly braided and held out of the way with ties.
"Ah'm real glad ya managed t' save me, Big Sis." The young filly Applebloom stood off to the side, her dandy-fluff colored back wrapped in bandages. Her face was still full of pain, sadness and fear. The young filly had sustained injuries during the initial battle between the invading forces of the far-away nation of Ponitropolis. She had been caught by a dregasus but was rescued. It wasn't so for her friend, Scootaloo. Scootaloo had been whisked away faster than anypony could get to her.
"It was the fast thinking of the Wonderbolts and Dashie that saved you guys." Color Jam's angry voice came as the black-bodied pegasus exited from the side room armory. "I'm just right flapping mad that we couldn't save every pony. My brother is with Scootaloo, so don't worry Applebloom, I'm dead sure we'll get them back."
The black pegasus snorted and stomped to show her displeasure. Like her near-look-alike, Rainbow Dash, the poly-colored flier had her armor on, the special wing armor lying lightly on the wings. Color Jam's tail was braided and coiled on her rump, as the flier had opted to buzz her lovely mane down to her skin. This showed the six angry red slashes; something the black-flier had gained after failing to save a certain weakling brother of hers. Cloud Color was out there – somewhere – scared and foal-napped.
"Relax, C.J." the still jovial voice of Ponyville's party-master chirped in from behind the black pegasus. Pinkie Pie bounced out of the armory and smiled. "We'll save everypony and be home in time for dinner!" The pink earthen pony, like her already assembled friends, wore gold armor. Her curly pink mane and tail stuck out from under the golden helm and rump-armor.
"Well, this is something that none of us have gone through before, Pinkie Pie." The butter-yellow earth pony, Butterpond, hesitantly stepped out from behind the pink pony. Applejack's rival farmer pony looked completely uncomfortable in the armor. "I agree with Fluttershy, I don't want to fight those scary dregasi."
"Thank you, B-Pond." Fluttershy lifted her head to look at her yellow-hued friend.
"Well, not fighting is not an option we have, B-Pond." The older mare, Dung Red, stepped out of the armory. "They brought it upon themselves by attacking our cities and foal-napping our young and our friends."
The dung-red colored mare-pegasus stood at a height higher than her younger friends because she was older, yet shorter than Princess Celestia. The armor the dung-studying flier was gleaming in the light, and unlike the gold protocol armor of Canterlot, Dung Red's suit was grey, steel-made and older, like the mare herself. The helm had a strip covering the mare's broad nose, was dinged like the rest of the armor. "I will use my cunning and sh*t to bring back all those who were snatched by those scummy baddies."
"Dung, watch your mouth please." The alicorn Fairy Dust sighed as she, Dragon Fly, Shly, Spike and Flawless exited the armory. The younger alicorn twins were decked out in fancy silver armor – imported from their Mystic Isle home armory. Dragon Fly bounced herself around in tight circles, making her armor click and clank with each jolt.
"For the love of Celestia and Luna, would you STOP making a nuisance of yourself, Dragon Fly." The un-unicorn, Flawless, rolled her eyes as she moved away from the goofy alicorn. "Your incessant jumping in armor is hurting my ears."
"Oh Flawless, you are funny." Shly meowed in smug humor. "You are doing it all wrong."
"Doing what wrong?" Flawless looked at the cragon, confusion clouding her face.
"Trying to tell Dragon Fly what to do." The black and white cat-dragon wiggled his whiskers and oozed over to the still-clanking alicorn. "Dragon Fly, I'm sleeping on your rump."
"Yes sir!" Dragon Fly ceased movement like a switch was flipped. The green and blue pony stood at attention and allowed the cragon to jump onto her rear and curl up to rest.
"Geez, Shly, that's really clever." Spike spoke to Shly. The two became better friends since Shly learned more about Spike, and opted to stop bullying the young dragon. "You gotta teach me that, so I can…"
"Spike! Please, focus on the task at hand." Twilight Sparkle sighed to her protégé. "We are here to save our friends."
"Yea, I want my precious Muffin back, Twilight Sparkle." Derpy Whooves exited last from the armory. "I am so worried about my honey muffin." The yellow-eyed mail-carrier looked incredibly sad and worried. The slate-grey pegasus looked overwhelmed in her silver pegasi armor. Her fluffy wings drooped to the floor and her head hung low.
"Derpy, dear, don't mope." Behind the grey, kind-hearted pegasus, walked a brown-hued earth brony who was well-known, but looked upon with confused curiosity.
Doctor Whooves was Ponyville's resident scientist and experimentoor; a brony who dabbled and built things that were too advanced for the average pony to understand. Often seen in Everfree forest, ponies in Ponyville didn't quite know where the dark-brown maned brony came from. Nopony really knew who had birthed such a brilliant, quarky brony. But if Derpy was the Doctor's friend, then the brony wasn't bad at all. It was unnerving to see that tall blue box where-ever the Doctor went; along with that queer thin stick that did abnormal things.
"Ok, Doctor Whooves." Derpy smiled and lifted her head.
"That's my Derpy." Whooves gave a dazzling smile and nuzzled her.
"Hello Doctor Whooves." Princess Celestia nodded to the brown brony. "Are you joining this rescue mission?"
"I am including myself in this expedition." He answered. "Dinky Doo was foal-napped yesterday and I will not let it stand. Derpy hasn't slept at all since her foal was taken."
"Doctor…" Derpy sputtered.
"Do not worry, Derpy." Celestia smiled warmly. "I am sure that the Mane 9 can handle themselves if you choose to stay here and rest."
"Princess Celestia, that is not nice to ask that of a mother looking for her foal." Shining Armor stepped out of the armory and smiled brightly. The white brony shook his blue hair and stepped up next to his younger sister, Twilight. "Or a friend looking for a friend."
"Oh, hay, Shining." Twilight sighed in joy. "Thank you for doing this for us." The unicorn meant the armor the guard-captain had loaned the Element holders.
"No problem, Twilii." Shining smiled to his sister. "I wish you luck in rescuing your friends."
"Thanks brother." Twilight nodded at him. It wasn't the best time to chat up a storm with her BBBFF, but Twilight was glad to see her brother anyway. She closed her eyes and leaned against him for strength. Then, turning to the armored array of ponies, T-Sparkle's face took on a fierce grin. "Are you all ready to use the Teleportation Circle, girls?"
The large area in front of the throne was cleared and a magical circle painted on the stone floor. Not quite a magical pentagram-shape, the star-like design had a point for each participating pony in the rescue mission. On each star-ray point sat the bejeweled Element of Harmony. Twilight Sparkle stepped up to the only larger star-point, the top of the circle. She placed her star-shaped Element of Magic upon her head and waited.
"Yes!" Pinkie Pie crowed; bouncing into her place next to Twilight Sparkle's left flank, or the 1-0-clock position. The pink pony slid her balloon-shaped Element of Laughter around her neck.
"I'm ready, I think." Fluttershy moseyed into the 2-0-clock position in the circle, standing on Pinkie Pie's left. The pink-haired pegasus let Twilight Sparkle place the butterfly-shaped Element of Kindness on her neck.
"Count me in." Rainbow Dash grinned fiercely and hovered on Fluttershy's left. "Scootaloo is out there, counting on me." The rainbow flier clicked her bolt-shaped Element of Loyalty onto her neck.
"Of course." Rarity answered, stepping firmly onto her place and lifting her diamond-shaped Element of Generosity to go around her neck. "We are going to bring Scootaloo and the others back. So don't you worry, Sweetie Belle."
"Ah'm ready." Applejack stepped away from Apple Bloom and stood in her designated spot in the forming circle. Her apple-shaped Element of Honesty took its place on her neck.
"I am going to kick some bad pony butt." Color Jam trotted into her place, the 7-0-clock spot. Her olive-green jagged arch Element of Trust sat high upon her neck. "You ready, B-Pond?"
"As I'll ever be." The yellow-gold pony quickly jammed the rest of the stick of butter into her mouth and stepped up next to C-Jam. Her long fern frond shaped Element of Faith sat snugly on her upper neck; its golden-orange color complementing her eyes.
"Why are you always stuffing straight-up butt-E.R. in your mouth?" Dragon Fly asked the butter-loving pony on her right. The green and blue alicorn shook her head to allow her silver tiara-d Element of Humor to settle on her narrow forehead. Dragon Fly gave a cross-eyed tongue-out silly face. "I'm ready."
"Really, sister, be nice." Fairy Dust chided her brethren as she joined into the circle. Her silver tiara, holding the wing-shaped Element of Wonder jewel, sat on her narrow forehead. The blue and purple-maned alicorn friend of Glittermind sighed in annoyance. Her sister could be so random at times. "B-Pond loves what she loves. Nothing wrong with that."
"Indeed, One must eat before battle to keep their stamina up." Doctor Whooves acknowledged the fact. The brown brony stepped into the middle of the star-circle and held his blue sonic-driver in his mouth.
"Indeed." Derpy stepped behind Whooves, and next to him. The mail carrier had no Element of Harmony, so she opted to be in the middle for the ride.
"Let's get this rescue mission started." Dung Red followed Derpy and Whooves into the middle. The older mare did not have an Element of Harmony either, but was not about to be left behind when her younger sister was foal-napped by idiot dregasi. "The longer we stand here, the longer something bad might happen."
"Such lovely thoughts, my dear Dung Red." Flawless spoke, moving into the last open position, on Twilight's right. The misshapen unicorn already had her rose-shaped & colored Element of Friendship around her head. "Let's go rescue our friends!"
"Ok! Do we have everything?" Twilight Sparkle pulled out her check list. "Pony Rescue Team?"
"CHECKAROO!" Pinkie Pie answered.
"Elements of Harmony?"
"Wait!" Spike interjected. "You might need The Element of Reliability!" The small dragon ran up, holding the triangular-shaped that was Glittermind's jewel. "Don't want to forget this."
"Thank you Spike." Twilight smiled as she lifted the tiara-set turquoise Element. "Dung Red, would you hold onto this." The lilac unicorn gave the tiara to the older mare.
"Well, let's get this party started." B-Pond rolled her eyes as Twilight went through the rest of her check list. "You've read that teleportation spell like, a hundred times. Don't you know it by heart now?"
"Relax, B-Pond." Color Jam snorted. "Twilight, Flawless, Rarity, Fairy Dust and Dragon Fly are all giving their magic to help the spell."
"Here we go, girls!" Twilight called out and lifted her head, closing her eyes in concentration. Her horn began producing light; a light that jumped clockwise around the magic circle. From Pinkie Pie, to Fluttershy, to Rainbow Dash, to Rarity to Applejack, to Color Jam, to Butterpond, to Fairy Dust, to Dragon Fly and finally, Flawless.
Each of the Elements lit up with their natural colors and added their magic to the pool.
"ELEMENTS OF HARMONY, TELEPORT!" Twilight Sparkle cried out and those ponies who made the circle and those within vanished.
"I wish you luck, Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia murmured to herself.
Suddenly, with an audible pop; there were more ponies in the middle of the circle. It was the pony-napped group that had been snatched from Ponyville, Cloudsdale and Canterlot the day before!
"What on earth?" Princess Celestia looked astounded.
"Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle cried as their third friend suddenly reappeared.