"Well, that's something you don't see every day," Neil commented.
"What are you guys staring at?" Rainbow asked, until she looked down and noticed she was back to normal "yeah okay, I'm a Pegasus who can talk. You gonna freak out or something?"
"Actually, we've seen Pegasi before," Archie told her "you're just the first one that we've seen that was blue and could talk."
"Wait, what do you mean you've seen Pegasi before?" Rainbow asked.
"Rainbow, there you are!" Twilight's voice called out from nearby. Rainbow craned her head to see the others heading down toward her.
"Are you happy now? Thanks to your reckless actions, you exposed yourself!"
"It's cool Twilight, these kids say they've seen Pegasi before," Rainbow told her.
"You have?" a confused Twilight asked.
Jay nodded "let's just say we have a little more experience with strange things than you might think. And the fact that you know this Pegasus makes me think there's more to you than what we can see."
"Well, I guess we can trust you," Twilight said "okay girls, back to normal."
With that, the three deactivated their ID masks and reverted to their true pony selves.
"Ah, I'm so glad to be back to my normal lovely self," Rarity commented "that disguise was okay, but I don't know how you can stand walking on your hind legs all the time."
"Okay, this is weird," Neil commented "we've got multicolored horses that can talk and have strange tattoos on their sides, plus a ninja, a guy in a superhero costume and…just a kid, I guess."
"Oh, I'm more than an average kid," Ben said.
"Alright, I think the most important question is, what are you doing here?" Atlanta asked.
So Twilight explained about the founding of L.O.V.E and Chrysalis' evil plans.
"What I don't get is why those villains would attack you; they're our enemies."
"I think I know why; Cronus," Jay replied.
"Who?"
"Kind of a long story," Jay told her "but since it's clear we're on the same side, I think we can trust you with it."
"Come on, we'd better get back to the school before those rejects from a sci-fi convention come back," Herry suggested.
"Good idea," Jay said, then turned to the others "you're welcome to come with us."
"We'd be happy to," Twilight said "it sounds like we need to compare notes and plot our next move."
"Man, Odie is gonna be surprised when he sees what we're coming back with," Neil commented, as the two groups of heroes headed off.
A few moments later, they arrive back at Olympus High School, and the kids used their medallions to open the secret part of the school.
"So let me get this straight; you guys are the descendants of some heroes from like, long ago, and your mission is to defeat this Cronus guy?" Rainbow asked.
"That's pretty much it, yeah," Jay told her.
"That is so awesome!" Rainbow replied "I wish I was descended from a cool hero."
"Well if this Cronus is half as bad as you said, we need to stop him and Chrysalis from joining forces as soon as possible," Twilight added.
"But how? We don't even know where they are." Archie asked.
"Maybe not, but we might be able to find out," Jay said, as they entered the main part of the school.
"Hey guys," Odie said, greeting his friends, before noticing the odd characters behind them "brought home some new…friends, I see."
"It's a long story," Archie told him.
"Get Hera, she's going to want to hear this," Jay told the nerdy boy.
A few moments later, Hera, the great matriarch of the Greek gods had been summoned and met the new arrivals.
"I am honored to make your acquaintance," Hera told them "you may have free run of the school, while I decide what to do about the current situation that has brought you here."
"Thank you very much," Twilight said, bowing in respect "I promise we shall treat this place with the utmost respect. Right everyone?"
"Uh huh," "yeah," "sure," came the responses.
"Very well then, please let me know if you need anything else," Hera told her "for now, Jay and the others will attend to you."
"You mean we have to spend our day catering to some weird humans and a bunch of ponies?" Neil asked.
"Hey, can't be any worse than most of the things we deal with," Archie said.
With that, the heroes split off to explore the school. Twilight opted to hang back, as something was on her mind.
The design of this place is very similar to buildings in Equestria, what with the large columns and all she thought and why weren't those kids freaked out by Rainbow? They said they've encountered Pegasi before, but how is that possible?
"Hey," Twilight turned and noticed Theresa coming up to her.
"Oh hello," Twilight replied "it's Theresa, right?" she asked, as the redhead nodded in confirmation. "I know this is going to sound weird, but you sound quite similar to somepony I know."
"Oh, who's that?"
"My student, Starlight Glimmer," Twilight explained "I regret not bringing her along; I'm sure there is much she could've learned here."
"Oh yes, I've learned far more than I wanted to since I started going here," Theresa replied, slightly joking "so anyway, I believe you mentioned you were a princess back in your world. That must be interesting."
"It can be, but some days it's also a lot of work," Twilight said "but, I love helping my fellow ponies."
"I understand, sometimes the whole 'hero' thing can be kind of a grind," Theresa told her "I mean, I realize it's supposed to be my destiny and everything, but there are times when I just want to be a normal teen, you know? Well, maybe you don't."
"No I understand; if somepony had told me it was my destiny to one day be a princess, I'd have thought they were as crazy as Pinkie Pie," Twilight replied "but the one thing I've learned is, you may not be able to control your destiny, but you can shape it."
"What do you mean?"
"When I became a princess, it wasn't what I planned, but I didn't let it change who I was; rather, I use my position as princess to help the ponies of Equestria, and to help spread knowledge and friendship. You may not like having to save the world, but I'm sure you can find a way to work it to your advantage."
"Wow thanks Twilight, that actually helped," Theresa told her.
"That's what I do," Twilight said "by the way, I was curious about how you kids have met Pegasi before; I've never heard of any of them leaving Equestria."
"Well I've never heard of a land of colored ponies before," Theresa replied "I always thought that Pegasi came from ancient Greece."
"Hmm, I think I need to do some research on this," Twilight mused, rubbing her chin with her hoof "is there…"
"A library? Yeah, come on, I'll take you there."
"Oh goodie, I love libraries!"
"A pony princess who likes libraries? This is truly the weirdest thing I've ever seen," Theresa commented.
Meanwhile, Rarity had wandered off into Neil's room.
"Oh my goodness, this room, it's so…stylish!"
"Thank you for noticing; my friends never seem to," Neil said "though I am surprised a unicorn can understand style."
"Where I come from, I am a very successful fashion designer," Rarity explained "I run two boutiques, and I'm thinking of adding a third."
"Fashion huh? But, you're not wearing any clothes."
"Just because we ponies do not wear clothes all the time does not mean we do not dress up for the occasion," Rarity replied, swinging her mane to make her point "we are not barbarians!"
"Okay, jeez, somebody's a little testy," Neil said.
"Terribly sorry; it's not proper for a lady to raise her voice like that," she replied.
"No, believe me, I understand; I'm a bit of a fashion icon myself," Neil explained.
"Oh yes, I can tell," Rarity said, looking in the blonde boy's closet "you have almost as many wonderful clothes as I do" she added, using her horn to levitate one of the garments over to her "good fabric, fine stitching," she added, examining it "this is marvelous! Wherever did you get it?"
"I just buy them," Neil admitted
"Oh, idea!"Rarity commented "why don't I design an outfit for you?"
"Really? But I'm not a pony."
"True, your proportions are…different than what I'm used to. But, a good fashion designer must learn to adapt to any challenge! Besides, someone as fashionable as you will appreciate my designs all the more."
"That sounds good, but I should mention, I'm a little light on cash right now."
"Not to worry darling; for someone as fashionable as you, I shall make it for free."
"Oh, well okay then," Neil said, "wow, I never would've guessed that I'd meet a magical talking unicorn that makes clothes."
"And I never thought I'd meet a 'human' who was into fashion as much as I am," Rarity said "perhaps we aren't so different after all."
"Well, except that we don't have horns or wings, or walk on all fours," Neil commented.
"Yes, there is that, I suppose."
Elsewhere in the school, Atlanta showed off the training course to Rainbow.
"Whoa, you guys got a really awesome course here," Rainbow said "you use all this stuff?"
"Sometimes," Atlanta replied "I really like that hair of yours; the rainbow coloring is neat."
"Thanks, I like your hair too."
"So, what exactly to you do? Do you have like, a job or something?"
"Eh, I mostly help the other Pegasi with the weather in Ponyville," Rainbow explained "but my ultimate goal is to be a member of the Wonderbolts. Right now, I'm just on the reserves, but I'm hoping they'll soon have a spot open for me on the main team."
"The Wonderbolts?"
"They're Equestria's best team of Pegasus fliers! I've wanted to be part of them for years. I figure they'll take me because I'm probably the fastest flier in Equestria; well, as far as I know, anyway."
"Oh really?" Atlanta asked, with a smirk "You know, I'm pretty fast myself."
"You? You don't even have wings, how fast could you possibly be?" Rainbow asked.
Atlanta smirked and took off down the race track in the room as quickly as her speed would allow. The blue Pegasus watched in shock, her jaw dropping, as she saw the human girl run nearly as quick as her.
After showing off, Atlanta ran over to the still stunned Rainbow "I'd say, that fast."
"That…was…awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed "I've seen ponies who could match me, but never a human; although, to be fair, I've never met a human before. You and me totally have to race!"
"You're on, just don't be too upset when I beat you."
"Don't worry, I won't, since I'm gonna win."
"You think so, huh?"
"Uh yeah, seeing as how I have wings and you don't."
"I don't need wings to beat you!"
"It's like looking in a mirror, huh?"
Both girls broke from their argument to notice Herry nearby.
"What are you talking about?" Atlanta asked him.
"Oh come on, you and that pony are practically twins" Herry replied "you both have similar haircuts, you're both super fast, you're both vegetarians…"
"So we have a couple of similarities, big deal," Atlanta replied "that doesn't mean we're the same!"
"It's just kinda funny is all."
"No, it's not," Atlanta said "now don't you have something else you could be doing?"
"Fine, I guess I'll go help Athena then," Herry replied, as he walked out of the room.
"Can you believe him? Thinking that we're like twins?" Atlanta asked.
"Yeah, that's totally crazy!" Rainbow added, until she noticed she and Atlanta were both standing with their arms, or forelegs in Rainbow's case, crossed "um, I should probably go get ready for the race."
"Yeah, me too," Atlanta said, as both headed off.
As for Pinkie, she was doing what she does best; baking.
"Thanks for letting me help you cook Miss Athena ma'am," Pinkie said.
"I really didn't ask for your help, you just came in here and started touching things," Athena replied "but it is nice to have some help with the baking I guess."
"So, what are we making today? Pies? Cakes? Muffins? Muffin pie? A cake made of muffins?"
"Nope ambrosia," Athena explained "it's what gods like me eat."
"I've never heard of that," Pinkie said "and is that all you eat? You don't ever eat cake, or pancakes, or celery, or hay, or oats, or…."
"We eat other things, but ambrosia is specially made for the gods of Olympus," Athena explained.
"Ooooh, I get it...no wait, I don't."
"If you want to help, find me a tray I can put the finished stuff on."
"Okie dokie lokie," Pinkie replied, bounced over to where the trays were and grabbed one in her mouth.
"Hey Athena, you need any help in here?" Herry asked.
"Sure," Athena told him "you can help Pinkie take out the ambrosia when it's finished."
"Okay," Herry said, and went over to Pinkie, who was watching the stove "so um hey, Your name's Pinkie, huh?"
"Yup, and your name's Herry, which is funny, because you aren't!" the pink pony said with glee
"Oh I get it, Herry and 'hairy'; yeah, that's funny."
"Really? Because you didn't laugh."
"Okay, it wasn't that funny."
"So I heard you're really strong and you grew up on a farm," Pinkie said.
"That's true," Herry said "I still visit my grandma there from time to time."
"I know somepony who was strong and lived on a farm and had a grandma," Pinkie said quickly "but you two don't sound alike; also, he was red, and wore a collar, and doesn't talk much."
"You really like to talk, don't you?"
"Yup."
Meanwhile, as the teens were getting to know their pony visitors, over in Cronus' lair, the evil god was not pleased with what had happened.
"You promised me the destruction of those children, and yet, they still live, and your forces come home with their tails between their legs," Cronus said "if you can't deliver, than our deal is off!"
"Patience Cronus, I was unprepared for the kids this time, but now I've had time to study them," Chrysalis told him "we'll attack again, this time with reinforcements, and my plan to eliminate them will be put into effect."
"Let's hope so, for your sake," Cronus told her.
Next time, Twilight tries to find a connection between the Greek myths and Equestria, and Chrysalis puts her master plan into effect.