> be Anon > be unicorn stallion newly reincarnated into Equestria > you have no home or friends (this part isn't new) > its night time in ponyvile > you try to sleep on a park bench > its cold and uncomfortable > sleep wont come > with eyes wide open you watch stars dance above > suddenly a shadow appears blocking your view > the shadow lands next to you > its a pegasus in mail uniform > having pity with your plight, she invites you to sleep in her post office > you gladly accept and follow her > arriving at the office, she brings you a pillow and two blankets to make yourself comfortable behind the counter > you sleep > it's morning again > she pokes you > she needs you move out of the way, so that she can open the store > you tell her that you have no were to go > "Can you read?" she asks "Of course I can, I'm reading right now!" > you point at her name tag "Derpy, right?" > "Great! How about a job then? Can't pay much. But as an official employee I can allow you to sleep in the mail storage room. How about that?" > sounds like you won't have to learn to sleep outside anymore "Awesome. Thanks a lot!" > be Anon > be sorting mail into buckets > Derpy is happy to have your help > she can read, but her cross eyes makes it much harder > from your place in the storage with the door open you observe how other ponies treat her > they tolerate her, but they don't respect her > Derpy always tries her best, but she is clumsy and makes many mistakes > it annoys her customers > at least with you around the mail gets where its supposed to much more often > she seems to know everyone in town by name (and address), but she isn't really friends with anyone > many years of bad customer interaction have stopped her from trying > now she has you though > you don't have an address to receive mail, so there is no problem there > her kindness towards you and spending so much time with her each day really endeared you to her > she is a flawed pony, always struggling and too often failing to meet other's expectations > but she keeps trying, which you admire a lot > over the weeks you two become friends and start hanging out after work > she gives you a tour of the the village freely gossiping about all the embarrassing mail she delivers to the various houses > you have picnics outside > sometimes if you can afford to you go into the local bar and get rat-arsed together > over the months you two become more than just friends > she offers you to move in with her > now, instead of on hard concrete floor you sleep in a real bed with her by your side > be Anon > be sleeping in today (past 8am) > its monday so its okay > Derpy is on her usual morning route > suddenly a metallic sounding voice with the intensity of a stadium announcer blares through the open window > "We are beep 0101 boop. Bring us beep to your leader or boop face extermination!" > you almost fall out of bed in surprise > through the open window you see 5 robot ponies with heavy weaponry mounted to their backs and sides > one carries a banner with y“%8hQ%¤¬ŒÒFE on it > whatever that is supposed to mean > "We are beep 0101 boop. Bring us beep to your leader or boop face extermination!" > they keep repeating that while slowing walking down the street > a pony approaches them head on > "What do you disturb the peace of this village for?" > its major mare > she must have insane balls to face them, despite their clearly visible rocket batteries and miniguns > "Beep we bring a simple message boop. Surrender or beep die!" > holy shit > you are looking around the bedroom for something heavy to levitate and throw at them > sadly or fortunately you spot nothing heavy enough that would also fit through the window > "I can't decide that. I'm just the mayor of the town." > even from your vantage point you can see her shaking in fear > "So you are not beep the leader?" > "No, not of this country. But I am major of this town." > To your horror the leading metal pony raises his mini gun, revs it and shots major mare in the head. > "We will not accept beep our time to boop be wasted." > all the onlookers ponies disperse in panic > you try to make yourself scares in front of the window while still being able to see what is happening on the street > suddenly in a deafening bang of displaced air Celestia appears in front of them > before they can ask her if she is the leader, Celestia lowers her head and blast them with her horn > all that remains of them are pieces of hot glowing metal > you pinch yourself to make sure this all really happened > it did > what horrible way for a week to start > be Anon > be standing in front of a massive tree > no official statement on yesterdays incident yet, but it has left a deep impression on you > you felt helpless and that's the worst feeling of all > when you told Derpy she was completely besides herself with worry and hugged you for a long time after you finished your account of the morning > if more of these things ever show up again, you want to be prepared > that's why you are here, knocking on the door of someone who might be able to help you *knock* *knock* > a purple mare opens the door > "What?" > she is obviously annoyed at you for disturbing whatever she was up to "Oh, ahem... I'm Anon. Derpy told me you where the brightest unicorn in town. And I wanted-" > "The mail mare told you that, huh? All the books she delivers to me have worn out edges, because she keeps dropping them. I'm fed up with her incompetence." "She is trying her best!" > "Nice platitude, but that doesn't unfuck my books." > You would like to defend Derpy more, but you depend on this unicorn's good will to help you "Ah, anyway. I wanted to ask you to teach me about unicorn magic." > "What are you a kindergarten dropout or something? Why should I waste my time with you? Go ask your mommy or something." > Harsh. But Derpy had warned you. > The mare living in the tree was something of a hermit, preferring the company of books over that of other ponies. > But she was the best at magic in all of ponyvile, that much Derpy had assured you. > It's time to bring out the big guns. "If you don't want to help me, that's fine. But maybe from now on this inattentive mail-sorter pony will keep displacing your mail. Maybe delivery times will become a few weeks longer than you are used to." > "I should have you arrested for making threats like this." "Buuuut if you help me, your mail will be delivered by an overeager pony with better eyesight. No more accidents." > "I shouldn't have to bargain for this. THIS SHOULD BE NORMAL!" "So... Will you help me?" > The scrunched up face she makes is hilarious and you have to try your hardest to not grin at her. > "Ugh... fine come in. But I expect my books in perfect mint condition from now on. Understood?" "Sure!" > With her back to you, you allow yourself a full on grin from ear to ear. Victory! > You follow her inside. > Books are everywhere, lined up on shelf's, stacked to meter high towers on tables and thrown into piles on the floor. > There is not a free surface in this entire room. > The smell of old paper, binding glue and dust is overwhelming. "Damn, you life like this?" > "Shut up, simpleton. Let's get this over quickly. Do you know how to levitate objects?" > You levitate her tail upwards, exposing her behind for a laugh. > A book hits you in the back of the head. "Ouch!" > "If you dare do that again I will use something heavier than 'Anger management for dummies'. Your skull won't survive it." > Why is a mare who would use a book as weapon so anal about them being delivered in pristine condition? "Sorry" > You are not sorry. > "We are done here. You know as much magic as any other ordinary unicorn. Please leave now." "But Celestia did that cool thing with her magic. Just blasting these robots turning them into hot scrap. I want to know how to do that!" > "Oh pardon me. I must have overlooked your non-existing wings, your alicorn highness." > She bows exaggeratedly. "Derpy told me that you are able to do it too and you don't have wings either." > "Derpy talks too much... but yeah, I can do that. But only because I have the talent for it. Let me guess your cutie mark is a very 'manly' flower? Please leave." "I don't have a cutie mark. Haven't been here for very long." > The unfriendly book mare walks around you, inspecting both of your flanks. > "Huh... This shouldn't be... Interesting... But how?" > She finishes your encirclement and is facing you again. > "Where are you from?" > There is a smidgen less aggression in her voice now. "I don't know." > She lets out an annoyed sigh. > There it is again. > "Whatever. All it really means is that you are not limited by your bodies special talent. But that still doesn't mean that your mind is up for the task." > She trots over to a small pile of books on the far left corner of the room. > Levitating the books, she pulls out a small fashion magazine from under the pile. > The dust this operation whirls up, makes you cough. > "Another Derpy screw up; wrong address. I don't care if you destroy it. Now, lets see if you can teleport it." > The magazine vanishes with a *flup* and appears on top of your head. "How do I do that?" > "With your horn dumb ass. *sigh* Okay, magic 101 the short version. Magic is magic and thus limitless. But a normal horn can't access it all and thank sun-god for that. Could you imagine what the imbecilic flower obsessed mares running around this town would do if they had access to Celestia's disintegration beam? We'd all be extinct by now." "You are pretty cynical you know that?" > "Evolution agrees with me. We wouldn't have this restriction if it wasn't necessary. You and I don't have it though." "Because of the cutiemarks?" > "Correct. Mine is literally the concept of magic itself." > As if a book wouldn't have fit her one-thousand times more accurately. "And why can't I do what Celestia and you can?" > "Please let me finish before you ask anymore dumbass questions okay? There are 3 limiting factors: body, mind and energy. While we aren't limited by our body, you are limited by your peanut sized brain and by the simple fact that you are much smaller than Celestia. Your body can't store as much energy as hers can." "I think I now what the energy thing is about. When I levitate heavy stuff I get exhausted quickly. It's like magic stamina right?" > The magazine on your head gives you a slap. > "Stop interrupting me. But yes, you are correct. There is tissue inside a unicorn's body that stores magic, like fat tissue stores energy for muscles. If you deplete it, it recharges on its own over time. I wouldn't recommend going past the point of exertion though. When your magic storages are depleted, your body will start cannibalizing all your other tissues for more power. *sigh* I've seen a unicorn dissolve from that in front of my eyes. Her body cannibalized itself until it couldn't supply her brain with oxygen anymore." > your jaw drops to the floor. > no one told you being a unicorn was this dangerous. > "Do you get it? Magic isn't a plaything." "Why didn't she just stop?" > "She couldn't. Someone shot an arrow through her horn and it wouldn't stop glowing." "Thats crazy, how does that even happen?" > "Well... among the guard it's a tradition to shoot at apples placed on other guard member's heads. Proofs their skill and bravery. Fucking retards. Someone had the bright idea of using my friend's horn as an apple skewer. Stupid idiots should have known better. It was a good shot though, straight through her horn, perfectly centered." "Are you really admiring the shooters skills right now? Someone died, thats so messed up." > In the shelve to your right you see the complete encyclopedia of Equestria's flora and fauna start to float. > Twilight is giving you the death stare. > Oh no. > A few moments pass with the book just hovering in place and her looking pissed off at you. > Then her facial expression returns back to normal. > The heavy book flies back to its place on the shelve. > You must have overstepped some invisible line with your last remark. "Sorry. I didn't mean to-" > "Anyways..." > She cuts you off and continues as if nothing happened. > You are glad to play along. > "Do you get now why dear leader can munch on so many cakes without gaining any weight? She isn't secretly a sports fanatic I tell you." "That's all interesting and stuff, but it still doesn't explain how I can teleport this magazine." > "Right, the last limit; your mind." > The magazine gently boops your forehead. > "... will be something we discuss after you manage to teleport this magazine." "But *how* do I *do* that?" > "Levitate it, but do it so fast that it magically appears where you want it too. Nothing hard about it." "Okay" > Finally she got to the point. > You concentrate. > The magazine flies of your head towards her head at the speed of a moderately fast owl. > She deflects it out of the air to the ground with the ease one would squash an annoying fly with. > Another books hits your head from behind. "Owww. What was that for?" > This one will leave a mark you can feel it. > "Don't THROW shit at me and I won't THROW shit at you. Understood?!" > As if she hadn't just been repeatedly hitting you with the magazine herself. > Training under her turns out to be quite hard on your head. > "Try again." > You try again, this time in a different direction, but still no success. > "Try again." > No success. > "Again." > Failure. > "Again." > This time the magazine moves even slower than before. > "AGAIN" > You put all you have into this attempt, sweating profusely. > The magazine is pulled in all directions at once and ripped to shreds. > Twilight sighs. > "Well cutiemark-less guy..." "I'm *Anon*." > "Okay an_noob. I'm Twi_light." > She is talking to you as if you where brain damaged, which maybe you are now thanks to her. > "Can you remember that an_nope? Because thats whats on my packages that you are gonna deliver from now on." > Got she is so annoying! > But your desire to be taught keeps you from screaming your mind at her. "Okay... Twilight. Please teach me. What am I doing wrong?" > "No no no no no." > She laughs. > "We are done here. You clearly don't have any talent for this. Hopefully delivery will be more your speed." "What? You can't give up on me this quickly! I've only tried a few times. > "And shown no talent for it whatsoever. Face it, you are and forever will be a magic noob. Such a shame all that potential is wasted on you." "WELL, MAYBE YOU ARE JUST A SHIT TEACHER! FORGET ABOUT GETTING MAIL EVER AGAIN!" > with that you storm out of the house, banging the front door closed as hard as you can. > be anon > be walking through town homeward, fuming with anger > fuck her, you think to yourself > what does she even know? > you'll proof her wrong. > you'll show her what you are made of > its gonna be hilarious when you teleport a boat load of books above her head > yeahhh! > yeah > that no-mail thing was a bluff though > Derpy takes her duties very seriously > she would never let personal feelings come before her job > even if she'd somehow agree to play part in your petty feud, you are not sure if you even still want to do that to Twilight > books seem to be her life, what would she even do without new ones to read? > you'd rather punch her and get it over with, than sabotage her life for years to come > a calmness overcomes you upon reaching this conclusion > you turn your attention from the past to the present > Ponyville's streets are empty > not a single mare or stallion can be seen anywhere > almost all windows are covered up > only the odd shadow behind a curtain or the sound of whispering voices betrays that there are still ponies living in this town > since yesterday the word of the incident has spread like a wild fire > the word on the street is that robo-killer-ponies are loose outside shooting citizens-ponies on sight > fear has gripped the town > you wouldn't be outside yourself, if it wasn't for your stupid hope to get some private magic tutoring > Derpy's unwavering sense of duty still compelled her to fly her mail route this morning, despite your insistence that she should just take the day off > now you are outside yourself, like a hypocrite > you reach the red door of Derpy's house and search in your saddle pouches for the key > before you can find them the door opens on its own > gray hoofs pull you inside, quickly closing the door behind you > "How was it? Could you convince Miss Bookworm to help you? Will you be our strong protector now?" > She grins, one eye looking at you, the other looking somewhere else as usual "Uhm. It could have been better." > "Aww, told you she isn't a very friendly pony." "You were absolutely right about that." Derpy turns around and trots to the living room, sitting down on the couch. > "For me you will always be my strong protector unicorn. Don't worry about it." > You follow her > as you sit down, she immediately slides over and leans against you. > Her mane smells nice, a little bit like blueberry muffins > her wing feathers feel soft and soothing against your short, rough, summer fur > you wrap your right hoof around her to hold her closer > you will learn how to do that damn teleporting thing for her, even if it takes you forever > something so precious needs to be protected and not just from trees and furniture she keeps bumping into > "I think..." she says while turning her head to look you in the eyes, "we will be alright" > for a brief moment she manages to make her eyes look straight > "I just know it!" > be anon > be awake in your bed next to your waifu > today is wednesday, two days after the incident > it's extremely unusual for you to be awake before her > but worries compounded by yesterday won't leave your mind > on normal days Derpy is the first up and about, having to get ready for her early morning mail route > she always tries her best to stay quiet and let you sleep a little longer > this day it's on you to return that favor > gently and slowly you slide out from beneath the blanket, careful not to disturb her sleep > "huh... were are y-you going..." Derpy asks still half asleep > crap "Just down stairs. Can't sleep no more. Today's breakfast is on me." > "that sounds *yawn* nice... *zzz*" > with that remark she rolls over and drifts back to sleep > in the kitchen you prepare some pancake batter, while letting your mind wander freely > the incident won't leave your mind > it changed everything > before it happened the town was like a paradise > not like an actual paradise of course, but close > there was no violence or serious conflict, at worst Derpy got yelled at by some angry customer for screwing up their delivery > but that illusion is now shattered lying in a pool of mayor mare's blood > "What are you so worried about anon?" asks the rational side of your brain > "Cheer up! Celestia took care of them like it was nothing." > right, of course > maybe your worry too much > but the feeling of dread won't go away, no matter how much you try to rationalize it away > they will be back > there can be no doubt about it and you are but a helpless sheep hoping for someone else to save you and yours -- > Derpy comes down half an hour later > she devours the whole stack of blueberry pancakes you had prepared for her in almost no time at all > she is as happy and cheerful as always, thanking you for the special breakfast and getting ready to head out > but this time you somehow feel disconnected from her, something you have never felt before > there is a weight on your shoulders that you are not sure she would even understand if you tried to explain it -- > this day you do your best to get your sorting duties done as fast as possible in order to get some alone time at home > there are important matters at hand after all > you have to train yourself in the art of teleportation > how else will you show that know-it-all purple mare who is boss? > but more importantly it gives you something that you can do to feel like you are preparing for the upcoming disaster > these robots were obviously just heralds for a larger army of killing machines that could arrive in town any day to kill you, to kill her, to kill everyone > at home, even though you give it your all, hours of repetitive semi-fast-levitation pass without any noticeable training progress > over and over you levitate the object you are training with, a small pillow with an embroidered muffin on it, from one side of the room to the other > over and over > again and again > it does not move any faster after the fifties try than it did after the first try > repeating, repeating > left to right > right to left > over and over > again and again > maybe you are to weak for this > or is there something you are missing? > but you won't give up so easily > persistency is key > repeating, repeating > left to right > and back again > circles and circles the pillow moves around > repeated action is a flow. Making repeated actions is being in the flow > one last try > left to right > one last try > right to left > one last try > left to right > one last try > right to left > "Honey, I'm home! What's for dinner? I'm positively starving!" > one last - huh? > you let the pillow drop to the floor in front of your Derpy as she enters the living room > the hours training like a mad pony have passed quicker than you realized "Uhhhh. Nothing... sorry" > "But I already had nothing all day." "So you would certainly not mind having a little more nothing, right?" > this poor attempt at a pun earns you a glare from Derpy as she bends down to pickup your training pillow. > "Hold still while I throw this at you!" > you oblige, with her aim there is no telling where the pillow while go anyway. > as she lets go of the pillow and it flies sort of in your general direction, you stealthily give it a little nudge with your magic > it hits you right in the face. > "Hurray!" Derpy exclaims full of pride spreading her wings in a little victory pose as Pegasis have a habit of doing > you grin back "Feel better now?" > "A little, but still so hungry. I just really thought you would have something prepared, cause of the big deal you made of getting home early..." "Sorry, I just got caught up in my magic training. I'm actually starving too now that you mention it." > she tilts her head looking at you with concern, probably wondering what compelled you to train all these hours > you don't feel like talking about that right now though, so you keep your snout shut > "It's alright I guess..." Derpy continues the conversation slowly, "I can still make some grass soup for the both of us!" > you're glad she changed the topic, but also disappointed that her dinner suggestion is grass soup > grass soup is cheap, easy to make and fast to prepare, but also just tastes like wet grass > before you moved in with Derpy, she basically lived off that stuff though "Uh, how about we cook together instead? Twice as fast you know. And maybe it could be something else than grass soup?" > she smiles and nods > "Twice as fast sounds really good to my stomach." > in the kitchen you handle the cutting of the vegetables while she manages the pan > knifes and cutting stuff in general is not exactly Derpy's thing, which is probably the main reason why she grew fond of grass soup > it saved a good amount of trips to the local nurse pony, who already knows her far too well > Redheart's earth pony healing magic has already on countless occasions saved Derpy from the consequences of her clumsiness > but even healing magic can't prevent the constant string of injuries from leaving their marks > running your hoof over her body in the right places with just enough force, has revealed numerous bumps and creases of scar tissue hidden under that gray fur > she didn't like you touching them and had twitched away > "You know... " she starts tentatively, momentarily looking up from the pan she is stirring > her voice pulls you back into the present at just the right moment to realize that you have run out of carrot to cut. > the next chop would have gone straight through your hoof > thankful to have been saved from gaining a little mark of you own, you drop the knife, then turn your head to look at her > "they added an announcement for a mayor-mare memorial to the town's black board." she continues > "Saw it while walking past. It's going to be tomorrow afternoon. I..." > she pauses turning her head away from you staring at the pan > "I... I want to go, b-but it's okay if you don't want to..." > she starts fiddling with the ladle in her hoof "No, I'll go with you. The whole town is gonna be there. Wouldn't want to be the missing one." > "Well, but you know... I mean... you have seen her be murdered, first hand!" > even looking at her sideways you can see her eyes getting a little more crossed than usual > she'd be a terrible poker player "It's alright, really." you placate her, "I can handle it." > in truth, while you don't have strong feelings about mayor mares 'absence', you are terrified by their implications and the things to follow > Derpy lets go of the ladle letting it slide into the pan and walks over to you > her wings unfold wrapping around you > the outside world vanishes from your sight as your vision is filled by gray feathers; gray feathers everywhere > you find yourself in a new world, a tiny one with the head of a cute mare framed by blond hair at it's center > anything outside this new world stops mattering for just a bit as you realize that all that is really important is right here with you > her gold colored eyes each looking at you in their own unique way, seem concerned > "You know", she whispers, "you can always talk to me about anything. I mean it." > instead of responding, you give her a kiss on the lips > her eyes widen as the corners of her mouth move upwards to form a smile. You smile back > for a few more moments you remain like so, then she releases you from her hug again > she walks back over to the pan > "How are the carrots coming along Anon? I'm positively starving!" >be anon >be sitting on a grassy field at the outskirts of town surrounded by what must be every other inhabitant of town >even though almost every Pegasus has opted to witness the proceedings from low-hanging, tiny clouds, the field is still crammed with unicorns and earth ponies >Derpy decided to stay with you rather than gathering together a cloud of her own, earning her some reprimanding looks from a few ponies >but she doesn't care, or might not have noticed you aren't sure >a little podium has been hastily build at the front side of the field, featuring a big portrait of mayor-mare and many flowers >a few ponies give prepared speeches which the crowd listens to respectfully >most ponies around you have a rather neutral expression, but there are few in the front - probably family members or good friends - that seem more emotional about the whole thing >you wonder who would be sitting at the front when your time comes >a morbid thought, but fitting to the current situation >you may have the body and intellect of a fully grown stallion, but the memories of a one year old >there is no family you can remember even though you surely must have had a mother and father >this doesn't really bother you a lot, after all a pony can't miss something a pony never had, or better can't remember to ever have had >same thing really >all you have right now is her... but that ought to be enough right? >the speaker on the podium calls for anyone who wants to say a few words about mayor mare to please come forward >most ponies around you, Derpy included, start to look around trying to spot who might volunteer >after a few moments, an aquamarine colored earth pony stands up making her way through the crowd >she reaches the podium, climbs it's stairs, then walks towards the voice amplifier at it's center >"I-I...", she stutters. >she starts to tear up, takes a step back and runs off the stage again >the crowd starts to murmur >you yourself turn to your right to ask Derpy "What was that about?" >"Hmh. I don't know her directly, but I do know she lives on the same street as us." "Oh" >"Yeah... Poor mare." >seeing her reaction, makes you wonder why seeing blood and bits of mare brain splattered on the road, things you have never seen before, haven't traumatized you as well >it's like you have seen these things before, however you can't remember anything... and you don't want to anyway! >Life since you 'awoken' in town was simple, happy even. >no conflict, no strive, just working a simple sorting job, coming home to your Waifu and being happy. >the fucking incident ruined it everything. All you want is the power necessary to stop things further spiralling out of control >the master of ceremonies quickly walks up the amplifier >"It's okay Sea Shell. We all feel it. Does anyone else want to say something?" >A few more ponies speak, none as shaken as Sea Shell was though >you are not really listening anymore, stuck inside your own mind pondering questions without answers >all the more surprised you are when suddenly a majestic voice brings you back to the present >you look up, seeing a tall night-blue mare of stunning beauty standing on the podium >"That's Luna, oh wow it's really her!" Derpy whispers excitedly while poking you in the side >"I offer the crowns's deepest condolences thee citizens. It shall never befall again. We hast a resolve to brow this new threat, which we shall announce today at sunset in the town square. Prithee let everyone know and make sure everyone attends. That is all." >The crowd is set a light by hundreds of pony voices excitedly whispering to each other >"Why not tell us know?" one pony yells above the noise >"What's thou waiting for? We are all here!" someone yells down from a cloud. >"Please trust her, she knows what's best!" a third one retorts and is promptly shouted down by the crowd >"We have a right to know!" a shrill voiced mare screams; lots of agreements follow. >"Hear me! We thought this be not the right place for such announcements, but if thee insist we shall grant it. It is true that this land is in great danger." >the crowd gasps >one Pegasus falls of her cloud, but catches herself quickly again >"A new threat has revealed itself. Our hardy reconnaissance team hath report back to us of a great power of what we have arriveth to bid 'mecha-ponies'. The same kind that hath already caused us all such grief. Yet fear not!" >"WHY NOT?" a cocky earth pony interrupts, earning a disapproving stare from Luna. >"As we were saying, fear not! We hast one advantage over 'em. We arriveth to discover that these mecha-ponies canst not fly. Every pegasis pony is save as long as they keep occulted in the clouds." >A few "Yeah." and "hurrays" come from above, much to the displeasure of the non-pegasus ponies below them >looking over to Derpy she seems a lot more relaxed now than she did at the start of Luna's speech. >"But what about us?!" one unicorn in the front row demands to know >lots of grounded ponies nod in agreement >"What be why we need our hardy pegasis citizens now more than ever" Luna continues >"We shall rely on 'em to evacuate each and everypony should'st the mecha-pony power decide to attack. Our castle shall be the refuge. Bear we out there till the threat is over. Nay pony else shall be harmed! We and my sister warrant this." >thunderous applause erupts from all around you >ponies stomp with their hoofs, shaking the ground beneath you >you can't help but get swept up in their enthusiasm, stomping your own hoof in rhythm with everyone else >through all the noise and unbridled fervour of ponies relieved of the anxieties of the past few days, no one really notices Luna teleporting away >Derpy tips you on the shoulder