My Little Pony Monthly Issue 64 (July 1, 2002)
My Little Pony Monthly
Established June 1997
This Newsletter is Safe for All Ages
If you would like to be removed from the My Little Pony Monthly mailing list, simply send a blank e-mail to mlpmonthly-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Issue 64
July 2002
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Index
1. Letters to the Editor
2. Stranger Than Fiction Chapter Three (by Berry Brite)
3. Magical Pony Girl Enchantment (by Clever Clover)
4. The Beginning (by Ringlets)
5. Contest
6. Paradise Estate (by Baby Jedi)
7. The Bigfoot Hunter (by Tabby)
8. “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls” (by Starre)
9. Blind Love (by Sugarberry)
10. The Tabby and Sugarberry Gossip Hour! (by Tabby and Sugarberry)
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Letters to the Editor
Subj: Newsletter . . .
From: OpalStarre@aol.com
Kinda sad the way it’s going down isn’t it? Well, I still think it’s great :) And now since in 5 days I’ll be on summer vacation I’ll try to write something. After all, plenty of lonely time on my hands LOL. Gosh, summer vacation makes me depressed! Talk to you later,
*Rissa*
Subj: Don’t give up!
From: alicorn_83@yahoo.com
Hi Tabby!
Yes I am still reading you mag and liking it! I think it is one of the most worth while things to come out of the MLP community in a long time. I think since it is summer now more people will submit stories. If you need any submits also a good place to go would be the MLP fanfic group at yahoo and just post a little note asking if anyone would like to submit :) Some thing I would change? Let’s see ummm...I’ve noticed for a little while now that some stories seem to be getting a bit too wordy. I understand it may be just a matter of style and taste but it’s the only thing I can really pick out and even so not truly a bad thing. So please don’t lose faith:)! If you just hang in there I’m sure people and ponies alike will return.
~*~Moonstar~*~
Subj: MLP Monthly
From: eightiestoyboy@yahoo.ca
Hi,
Just wanted to let you know that I love MLP Monthly, and definitely think it should continue. I’ve even thought about submitting something, if I can ever find the time to actually sit down and write. ;-)
I think what I love best is the fact that everyone who writes stories has a unique perspective on Ponyland, and it’s fun to see those. (I love the current story involving Star Trek-- I’ve always loved throwing My Little Pony into completely unexpected situations like that!)
Just thought you’d appreciate the input.
Jaye
Subj: ?
From: mlplover_2000@yahoo.com
I don’t know....it would be nice to see it continue. But, as you said, it seems that what was once a thriving idea, is starting to wither. I’d like to help, really....but what good could someone who’s more out of the loop, than you are, be?
Subj: MLP Monthly
From: goldendragoneye@hotmail.com
I love checking my email to find new MLP Monthlys. I enjoy reading the stories and using my imagination. You keep MLPs alive! I would love to see many years of MLP Monthly to come.
Subj: Re: [My Little Pony Monthly] ~Part One
From: jykle2@yahoo.com
I love to read your letter every month. I hope it keeps coming! In fact I would love it if you could send me the address to the site where I can read/print back copies! I’d love to add the wonderful stories to my My Little Pony Collection!
Sincerely
Kathy
AKA Mystic
Subj: re mlp newsletter
From: swanson@swnebr.net
Dear Tabby,
Yes, I like to read the newsletter when the mood so strikes me. I must admit I’m totally lost on all of Sugarberry’s stories because I just have no clue and I doubt I’ll ever catch up (unfortunately) on them. Also we are very busy, as I am sure you understand. If you want my opinion, the newsletter needs more original and independent stories. (i.e., stories not connected to the basic Ponyland plot. For example, Tabby does not always have to be married to Thomas for every story concerning Tabby. I like to follow basic plot sometimes. It all depends on my mood. Stories should be kept pony-related. {duh.}) Another thing that would help is more finished stories. (i.e, what happens to Silver Swirl and Sandstone??? What happens to the hobbits in Ponyland?) LOL, I am very guilty of this. If anyone just is dying for me to finish Alien Invasion, I will try.
Point 1: MLP Monthly has a lack of support. It would probably help authors to know that other people besides the editor like their stories. If you (the reader) particularly liked a story, please send in compliments. This encourages continued stories.
Point 2: A story does not need perfect grammar to make it a good story. In my opinion, some of the best stories are haphazardly written, funny stories. (i.e., the less intelligent thought required, the better!) If you notice, very few of the stories I submit are serious. Don’t get confused: I like serious stories. ... Ponies are a lighthearted subject and require bubbly, funny stories to make them most enjoyable.
Point 3: More non-story subjects required. For instance, I liked the invento ponies section. More contests would be nice. This raises, however, another issue. “Who will provide the prizes?” asked the little red hen. “Not I,” said the duck. “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” grunted the pig. The prize could be as much as a simple picture that says, “congratulations, you won” or something to that effect. Also, a contest does not require a prize to make it a contest. It can be just a fun thing wherein people compete, like a monopoly game. Various pony hypotheses speculating on various pony subjects always make for funny reading. Also, phony Ponyland news reports are hilarious when you make them up. A good idea for a column would be “Ask So-and-So” having it be similar to a “Dear Abby” or “Miss Manners” thing. Of course, the questions and answers would be written be the same person. Here the basic Ponyland plot is required for things to make sense.
Anyway, that is my opinion of what the newsletter is lacking. I am not perfect, so I realize a may be guilty of a few of the things that I criticize.
Your Friend,
BB
Subj: MLP Monthly
From: cloewen@superpa.net
I’m very sorry to hear that you’re considering closing down the monthly magazine and I for one would be sorry to see it go. As I am moving into the realm of professional writing, it’s rare for me to find the time to write an MLP story with copyrighted characters, however, I do believe I have one more left in me. Problem is, I may not have it ready for the next issue. :-(
Until then, may I suggest that if you run out of submissions, consider doing a “Best Of” Issue with the stories that you think were the best of the best (or have a poll and get your readers to pick from a list of twenty or so). You’ve had some great writers that have written on a consistent basis and some of the stories, as well as yours, have been quite good (I dimly remember a Christmas story somebody wrote some years ago that was unusually good and I wrote a note to you about it .... sigh. Me and my memory.)
Anyway, let me see what I can do. I’ve written the first five paragraphs of a story where the minds of Ember and a little girl on Earth accidently end up in each other’s bodies. I’ll get on it as soon as I polish off my current project.
C. A. Loewen @ Gettysburg, PA ><>
http://www.angelfire.com/pa/cloewen/
Subj: Keep ‘em coming!
From: ryo_oki64@hotmail.com
Hi Tabby!
In response to your inquiry at the beginning of the newsletter-- please don’t quit! I look forward to MLP Monthly every month and after reading each issue, I agonize over having to wait 30 days for the next one! I really enjoy the stories, my favorites having to do with Tabby, Sugarberry, and everyone else in the Dream Valley/Vulcanopolis world. I’ve been reading for probably about 4 or 5 years now and look forward to being able to continue doing so! My only questions are: what ever happened to the story concerning the pony with a formal name but I believe was shortened to “Moment”? She left the stable that she had grown up in and her parents and went to England. She then got married (I believe his name was “Caesar”), only to have her husband struck by a car and killed. She returned home, heartbroken, and tried to continue on with her life and raise their foal in the stable where she grew up. It seems like all of a sudden the writer just stopped in the middle of the story because I haven’t seen any more chapters in months! I also miss some of the contests.
Anyway, please keep up the fabulous work! I love the Dream Valley page, the Tabby page with the pictures of your characters is wonderful, and I will continue to be an avid reader of MLP Monthly! :)
Hang in there!
Michelle aka Pika-Chan aka Baby Glory
P.S. The infusion of Pokemon into your stories was a great idea!
Subj: MLP Monthly
From: ZdreamspeakerZ
Please keep up the GREAT work with MLP Monthly. I’m a huge fan and I really look forward to seeing it in my mailbox every month. Please keep it going! I would hate to see it go!
~Harmony Pony
Subj: MLP
From: ringlets_@yahoo.com
Hi! :)
I LOVE MLP MONTHLY!!! I look forward to reading each issue. I especially love reading about Sugarberry, Vanguard, Tabby, Wigwam and the rest of the “family”. I can’t wait until the little ones arrive this fall. There seem to be some events that mysteriously parallel ones here, such as SNOW refusing to stay within its season. A sign that the dimensional veil is thinning? :)
Ringlets :)
Subj: My Little Pony Monthly
From: 80spony@mail.com
Dear Tabby,
I love the My Little Pony Monthly stories! Keep them coming! I like the stories that have a continuing story line-- I like to know what is happening in the ponies lives! But all your writers are good. It’s nice to see the masculine influence, too. Really enjoy Cloewen’s stories (the one where the ponies turned into real girls was way cool!) and Barnacle’s adventures (don’t you love a pirate?); and, let me see, who else... Clever Clover (all those girl problems!) and Steamer and Baby Steamer with their cute little tales. Wish some of your writers would do more, like the one who wrote about a pony whose husband died and she had to raise her foal alone. And the one with Silver Swirl, was it? So many good writers-- Baby Jedi, Sugarberry, Starre, and especially you, Tabby! Thanks for keeping My Little Pony alive!
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Stranger Than Fiction
Chapter Three
by Berry Brite (swanson@swnebr.net)
Janeway, Tuvok, Seven, and Baby Noddins continued down the street.
“Where exactly are we going?” Janeway asked Baby Noddins.
“To the ice cream parlor.”
“The ICE CREAM parlor???” Janeway asked. “What on earth for?”
“Because,” said our equine heroine, “that’s where you go to get all of the latest gossip. C’mon, it’ll be fun.”
“Gossiping,” said Tuvok, “is an illogical waste of time.”
“Agreed,” said Seven. “It is inefficient.”
“No, it isn’t,” quipped Baby Noddins. “You listen to gossip to find out what bizarre things are happening. Duhhhhhhh!”
“Oh, well, we stand corrected,” said Janeway. “Tuvok, Seven, as of this moment,” Janeway quietly added, “you love ice cream.”
“Yes, captain,” they both said reluctantly. Janeway brushed her hair out of her face and sighed.
“Hey!” a voice cried. “Who the heck are you guys?”
“Oh, no!” cried Baby Noddins.
“What? What?” shouted Janeway.
“Meet ‘Bob’,” said Baby Noddins. A bizarre-looking worm crawled on the sidewalk.
“I said,” it squeaked, “who the heck are you guys?”
“Bob,” said Baby Noddins, “meet Captain Kathryn Janeway, Tuvok, and Seven. Guys, meet Bob.”
“Bob,” said Janeway uneasily. She didn’t like talking Annelids. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Hi,” said Bob. “What the heck are you doing here?”
“That’s what we’d like to know.”
“Oh, well, I’ll see you later,” said Bob, and crawled away. And so, the talking Annelid ceases to be of importance to this story. Or does he?
“Well,” said Seven, “I’m sure there is an interesting story behind Bob’s existence.”
“Yeah,” said Baby Noddins. “I don’t like him. He came last year from the planet Mars and ate my mom’s rosebush. Now he walks around complaining about this place and yelling at people and threatening to use his frightening powers.”
“Oh, I see,” said Janeway disgustedly. The four walked into the Satin Slipper Sweet Shoppe.
“Hi, Baby Noddins,” said Scoops. “Got some new friends?”
“Yeah,” Baby Noddins said. “They are from outer space or some bizarre thing like that.”
“What?” said Janeway. “How did you know that?”
“Well, heck! You guys look like you walked straight out of the sci-fi channel or something.” Silence filled the room. A dark cloud labeled “lame plot” floated in the door.
“I am the foe of lame plots!” it cried.
“AAAAAAAH!” all the ponies cried, knowing their fate was imminent. CRACK! Lightning struck one of the ponies. Tuvok whipped out his phaser and fired on the cloud.
“AAiiiieee” it said less than enthusiastically and vaporized.
“Hooray!” all the ponies whooped. Tuvok had saved them from the foe of lame plots.
“What were your orders?” Scoops sweetly asked, as if nothing had ever happened.
“Four root beer floats, Scoops,” said Baby Noddins. Just then, Tabby and Thomas walked in the door.
“Hi,” said Tabby. “Give me the usual, Scoops.”
“Right.”
“Hi,” said Thomas. “Give me the usual, Scoops.”
“Right,” Scoops said a little nervously.
“Thanks,” said Tabby.
“No prob.”
“Thanks,” said Thomas.
“No problem...”
“What do I owe you?” said Tabby.
“One dollar and twenty-eight cents.”
“What do I owe you?” said Thomas.
“The same. Here, guys, here are your root beer floats.” Scoops handed our four semi-main characters their floats. Then she handed Tabby and Thomas their orders. Thomas jumped when he saw Seven.
“Borg!” he cried fiercely.
“Borg?” Tabby asked.
“Yes!”
“AAAAA!” Tabby cried. She glared at Seven.
Seven screamed and was thrown to the ground by a telepathic force. “8472!” she cried.
Tuvok drew his phaser, but Tabby and Thomas escaped. So far, whatever the 8472's plot was, it either was really bad, or harmless.
Janeway’s communicator buzzed. “Kathryn! This is Chakotay!”
“Chakotay, what’s going on?”
“THE ship was under attack by the 8472. They are in orbit of the planet and transported several people down. They are going to try to take the planet!”
“No!” cried Janeway. “We will free the ponies! Wait until my command. Prepare a security detail!”
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Magical Pony Girl Enchantment
by Clever Clover (Swordrat@aol.com)
Author’s Note: This story parallels the events in“History,” in which Clever Clover vanquishes the Furby from the Isle.
Enchantment rushed urgently through the passages of Malachite Castle toward the magical laboratory of her teacher, the mysterious Magus. She brushed past the ponies of the castle who now wandered aimlessly about, their minds virtually blank. They had been that way when she and Magus had returned from a magical herb gathering expedition on the north slope on the mountain. Raven, the regent and the king’s most trusted advisor, was unaffected as was Enchantment herself and hopefully Magus. Raven had sent word to Prince Clever Clover in Friendship Garden, but Enchantment feared he would not arrive in time to save them.
The young pony knocked on the door of her teacher’s laboratory. “Master Magus, are you there?”
“Oh, Enchantment. Come in, we’ve got work to do.”
She entered the laboratory to find it more cluttered than usual. “It looks like you’ve been busy. Do you know how to deal with that thing?”
“What? Thing? Oh, no, the others will see to it. We have more important things to attend to.” The pink-maned Magus rummaged through bottles and bowls on the workbench.
Enchantment was dumbfounded. “What! That thing is stealing the minds of everyone on the Isle. What could be more important?”
“The force behind our uninvited guest. Our old friend Jack O Lantern has returned.”
“Jack O Lantern? Are you sure?”
“Quite. This is just the sort of thing that he would try. If he’d unleash that vile imp Bic upon his own people, there’s no telling how low he would go.”
“But how will we defeat him? When I encountered him at Clever Clover’s, I was able to catch him off guard. I doubt that will work again.”
Magus grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ve got other tricks up my sleeve.” The master magician produced a small glass vile apparently from out of nowhere.
Enchantment stared in wonder. “Oh, what is it?”
“It is something I found in the laboratory shortly after Jack O Lantern was banished and I became master wizard. It seems to be a base for a potion Jack was making for himself. To insure maximum potency, he concocted this preparation using a sample of his own hair. Any potion we choose to make from it will be a powerful weapon against him.”
“So, what sort of potion are we going to make?” Enchantment asked eagerly.
“That is a good question. Since we don’t know exactly what he’s up to, we don’t know exactly what type of potion to make.”
“So what do we do?”
“We make a general potion, like the one in your pouch. It will lose some power, but the preparation Jack O Lantern left us will make up for it. Now, you get to work on gathering the ingredients while I prepare some special equipment.”
Enchantment went to work gathering the necessary bottles for the potion while Magus disappeared down one of the many winding passages of the laboratory. By the time the ingredients where assembled, Magus had returned with a large chest. The master magician began to carefully mix the potion, with help from his apprentice Enchantment. When the potion was finished, Magus produced an ancient key.
“Oh, is that for the chest?” Enchantment asked.
Magus proceeded to unlock the chest and lift the heavy lid. Inside lay the most gaudy magical device Enchantment had ever seen. Some sort of wand perhaps? But it was too big to be a wand, and it was decorated with pink and red hearts and bows.
“What is it?” gaped Enchantment in disbelief.
Magus lifted the object from its resting place. “It is an ancient talisman of great power.” He grabbed the large heart on the end of the wand and pulled it off, reveling a hollow inside. He proceeded to pour the potion into the hollow and replace the heart. “There, it is ready. But you must be careful how you use it. The potion will only be good for three spells, so use them wisely.”
“Me? I have to use that? Why can’t you?”
“I am going to be busy making sure that this cannot happen again. Don’t worry. I’m sure you can handle Jack O Lantern.”
“That goes without saying. But do I have to be seen in public with that?”
“What’s wrong with it? Besides, the only one who will see you will be Jack O Lantern.”
“Oh good. He’ll be laughing so hard I won’t even need to use magic. I’ll just club him over the head with that doohickey.” Enchantment picked up the talisman and swung it like a baseball bat.
Magus grabbed it away from his apprentice. “That is not a toy! Treat it with respect. Now, I have determined Jack O Lantern’s location in a valley to the east; but I’m not sure exactly where in the valley he is, so you will have to do some searching once you get there.”
“But how far is the valley? If Jack O Lantern is there now, how can we know that he will still be there when I get there?”
“It is far, but I can open a portal. You will be there within minutes.”
“Hey, if you can open portals like that, why do I have to hike all the way to Friendship Garden to visit Clever Clover?”
“This is powerful magic that I reserve for urgent maters such as this. Now, are you ready?” The master handed the talisman back to his apprentice.
Enchantment took the magical item, twirled it deftly in one hoof, and struck a pose. “You can count on me!”
Magus waved his hooves and spoke the ancient magic word, “Adarakadabara!” A swirling, floating disk of nothingness appeared before the ponies. “Now, Enchantment, all you have to do is step through and you can begin your search.”
“And away we go!” Enchantment hopped through the ethereal portal. When her hooves touched ground, she stood on a wooded hillside. Birds sang in the distance and the sound of flowing water filled the air. There was no sign of Jack O Lantern, or anyone else in the tranquil valley.
“I’m not going to find Jack O just standing around, but I have no idea how to find him. If I had been studying tracking instead of magic, I might have a chance; but all I know is magic. And not even Magus’ magic could find his exact location. Hm, I wonder if this thing can help?” The red and white pony held the talisman in front of herself. “It only has three charges; but if I can’t find him, I won’t be able to use any of them. Here goes nothing.” A word appeared in the pony’s mind, and she somehow knew it was the ancient spell she needed to find her adversary. “Hocus Pocus!”
The talisman began to glow and Enchantment was lifted into the air. In a trance-like state, she lowered the talisman and began to swivel on air. A moment later she was once again standing on the hillside, holding the talisman pointing down the valley.
“Well, that seems to have worked. I hope.” And she began to walk.
* * *
Down the valley several miles, in a cave overlooking the river, Jack O Lantern sat hunched over an ancient magical text. He lifted his head as if he heard something. “Hemlock, come here!”
A black-maned, green pony entered the cave. “What do you want, master?”
“I have sensed something. I wondered when my old apprentice would use that preparation I left him. But he sends his own apprentice in his place. He does not even respect me enough to come himself! I had hoped to provoke the Magus himself. I will not even worry myself with this; I shall leave the apprentice to you.”
Hemlock bowed. “As you wish, master.”
* * *
Enchantment strode cautiously through the wooded valley. She knew what direction to go, but she didn’t know how far. She could come upon the evil wizard at any moment. The talisman was held at the ready as she contemplated how to best use the two remaining spells. If she caught Jack O Lantern unaware, she could finish it with just one... a sleep spell perhaps or freeze him in a block of ice. But if he was aware of her presence, she would have to do something to distract or confuse him. Little did she know it was Jack O Lantern’s new apprentice, not the master himself, who would confront her.
An unusual odor met the young pony’s nose. A fire... and something else. A familiar smell. Something magical, a potion of some sort. She was getting close. Focusing her mind on her mission, she crept forward, keeping to the bushes. Up the hillside toward the cave she crawled, preparing her spell. She paused at the mouth of the cave. Holding the talisman in one hoof, she took out her magic pouch with the other. “Mana of all creation, hide me from the prying eyes within.” And with that, she turned invisible.
Jack O Lantern was still hunched over his book when Enchantment entered. She held up the talisman and concentrated on the sleep spell, waiting for the magic word from the talisman; but before she could speak it, Jack O Lantern broke the silence. “Hemlock, see to our guest.”
Enchantment gasped in astonishment, then she noticed the smoke swirling around the floor of the cave and around the voids where her unseen hooves would be. In her shock, the invisibility spell faded. Before she could recover her composure, a handsome young stallion stepped out of the shadows between her and Jack O Lantern. Their eyes met and time seemed to stand still.
Shaking her head clear, Enchantment blushed and held the talisman behind her back. “I have come to put an end to your evil, Jack O Lantern!”
Hemlock still stood slack-jawed before the filly apprentice. “Hemlock!” Jack O Lantern bellowed at his apprentice. “Deal with her!”
“Uh, yes master.” Hemlock formed a magical sign with his hooves and mumbled a spell in an ancient tongue. Tendrils of darkness swirled around him, reaching out for Enchantment. The tendrils radiated cold.
Enchantment felt them come near to her. She could not use the talisman; it was only good against Jack O Lantern. Again she wielded her magical pouch. “Mana of all creation, drive back the darkness with the warmth of your light.” A ring of fire appeared around her. Hemlock’s tendrils evaporated as they neared the flames.
The villain’s apprentice formed another sign, and a heavy rain fell from the roof of the cave over Enchantment. Her protective flames where quenched, and the cave filled with steam. The water vapor was so thick that Enchantment couldn’t even see her hoof in front of her face. Thinking quickly, she twirled the talisman and shouted the magic word, “Alakazam!”
Hemlock was frantically trying to come up with a spell to entrap the magical pony girl. Making another sign he cast a spell of wind, which quickly cleared the cave of steam. It also filled the cave with the confetti-like remains of Jack O Lantern’s tomes, which Enchantment had shredded in the confusion.
“That brat!” The evil pony bellowed. “She ruined years of research! And you, Hemlock, what were you thinking? Why didn’t you deal with her when you had the element of surprise?”
Hemlock hung his head. “I am sorry master. But you didn’t tell me Magus’ apprentice was a…girl! It caught me off guard, but I won’t let it happen again. I promise.”
“See that is doesn’t. Now we have a lot of work to do to make up for this setback.”
* * *
Enchantment returned to Magus’ laboratory through the portal. Her teacher was waiting for her. “Weren’t you supposed to bring Jack O Lantern back? How can we make sure he won’t cause any more trouble if he’s still on the loose?”
“Well, things didn’t go exactly as planned. But I did manage to destroy a lot of his research.”
“I suppose that’s something. But unless you did it without wasting the potion, he’ll be considerably more difficult to defeat next time.”
Enchantment hung her head. “I used two spells.”
Magus shook his head. “Only one left? I suppose it’s better than nothing.”
“We could always make more of the potion,” Enchantment suggested.
“How? Without the preparation or something from Jack O Lantern himself we cannot make a potion to combat him.”
“Would this do?” Enchantment, grinning, produced a large part of Jack O Lantern’s tail. “I chopped it off while shredding his books. I figure we can make quite a bit of potion with this.”
“Ha ha! Enchantment, I’m sorry I doubted you! But if you were able to bob his tail, why couldn’t you defeat him?”
“He had an apprentice (a really cute one).”
“Oh? Hm, I should have expected this. That will complicate matters a bit.”
“The apprentice, Hemlock, is from the Night clan.”
Magus recoiled at Enchantment’s announcement. “That’s impossible. The Night clan never made the great migration. They haven’t been seen in centuries.”
Enchantment grinned knowingly. “True, but neither have the Fire clan.”
“Hu? Fire clan? What do they have to do with this?”
“Oh, nothing I suppose. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go wash up and get some rest.”
“Yes. You deserve some rest. I have everything under control here.”
The young apprentice trotted off to her room. Magus began to return bottles to the cupboards. “That girl is clever. Yes, I made a good choice for my apprentice. Given time, she will figure everything out.” He took off his pointed hat and hung it from a peg. Inside, hidden from view, was a small pin. A silver disk with an emerald in the center. “The lost clans will return soon. But if Jack O Lantern has influence over the Night, I dread to consider the consequences.”
Epilogue
After his encounter with the Furby, Clever Clover made the long trek home and arrived at Friendship Garden early one evening. As he lazily plodded down the path to his house he ran into Morning Glory.
“Hey Clever Clover, how’s everything going back home?”
“Oh, hey Morning Glory. Fine, now.”
“I was talking to Lady Moonshine the other day and she told me the most fascinating things about the Isle.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Well, like that when you were sent here as a baby, so was another pony, a princess. And she was going to marry you some day.”
“Uh hu, I’ve heard this all before.”
“And do you know who she said the other pony was?”
“No. And as I told Raven, I don’t think I want to know. Not right now any ways.”
“Do you mind if I told you what she said about me? That I’m a princess!”
“Uh hu, that’s nice…” The purple prince froze in his tracks. “Princess?”
Morning Glory threw her forelegs around Clever Clover’s neck. “That’s right. You and me are destined to be together!”
Clever Clover hung his head. “Oh boy.”
The purple pony arrived at his doorstep shortly, followed by Morning Glory, who had been going on and on about their destiny together. Clever Clover opened the door, which wasn’t locked, and headed right for the kitchen. As soon as he set foot inside, his black and red houseguest, the pirate pony Minoko jumped from the couch where she had been reading romance novels and bounded toward the front door.
“Oh, Clever Clover, you’re home. How was the trip? What lies did Raven tell you about me?”
Morning Glory scowled at the pirate. “Oh, you’re still here?”
Minoko returned the pony’s scowl. “Yeah, so what’s it to you?”
“Well everyone knows that you’re a freeloader, and Clever Clover has exceeded every reasonable expectation of hospitality; and you have done nothing to repay him. And while I respect his compassion, I’ll have to insist he throw you out. It just wouldn’t look proper for my fiancé to have another woman living under his roof.”
Clever Clover poured himself a glass of milk, apparently oblivious to the other ponies.
Minoko turned to her host. “Hey Cleve, you’re not going to marry this chick, are you?”
“Of course he is,” Morning Glory didn’t give Clever Clover time to respond. “Our marriage was arranged before we were born!”
Just then the front door swung open to revel Belle Star. “Mr. Clever Clover, I heard you were back and wanted to return your iron. Thank you so much for letting me borrow it. I have no idea how mine bust into flame like it did. Are you having a party?”
Clever Clover drained his glass in one long draw. Minoko and Morning Glory were too busy arguing with each other to worry about Belle Star and Clever Clover’s iron, even though it had been Minoko who had loaned it to her while Clever Clover was away.
“Clever Clover doesn’t have to marry you just because your parents made an arrangement. He’s free to choose whoever he wants, even me.” Minoko had never thought of marrying Clever Clover before, but with Morning Glory threatening to have her evicted with the same breath that she announced she was going to marry Clever Clover made her want to crush all of her ambitions. And if that meant marrying Clever Clover, then so be it.
“Oh, and why would he choose you? I am a princess, and a beautiful one at that. What have you got to offer? You’re a pirate and you’re not that much to look at.”
“Why you…”
“Now both of you,” Belle Star cut in. “There’s no need to argue. I’m sure if we just talked this out…”
“You keep out of this,” Morning Glory snapped.
Belle Star began to pout. “B…but…”
“Shuddup will ya?” Minoko commanded. “Mind your own business.”
As Clever Clover rinsed his glass, Belle Star began to bawl at the top of her lungs. Clever Clover would normally have wanted to comfort her and try to calm the others down, but tonight he was too tired and afraid it would just cause more trouble. So he decided to go to bed. “Good night everybody,” he said wearily as he shuffled off to his bedroom.
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This story is an old legend passed down by the ponies. I heard it one night as Firefly tucked the energetic baby ponies into bed amid the remnants of a large pillow fight. One can only guess that Coco, Sugar, and Sunshine mentioned here are the three ponies we know simply as My Pretty Pony.
The Beginning
by Ringlets (ringlets_@yahoo.com)
Now listen little ones and gather round, this is a story of how the Ponies and Ponyland came to be. It all began long ago with Coco. She was an ordinary brown pony with tan hair, a white blaze on her forehead and white on her forelegs. She had two peculiar daughters. These two were very unlike the rest of the ponies. Coco believed it was because they were born under the rainbow.
They were very strangely colored. Both shared the same dark pink heart markings on their sides. Sugar was entirely pink with a white blaze on her forehead. Sunshine looked exactly like her sister, except that she was yellow.
They all lived with the other ponies and worked in the king’s fields. Although they had a simple life, they were happy. The elderly king was kind and loved them all. He was fascinated by Sugar and Sunshine and often brought them sweets. He loved his land and the animals in it. The Ponies had little work to do because the king had turned most of the fields into tree-shaded meadows amid rolling hills of grass. Thus it was for a long time.
Then one day the old king died; and, since he had no children, his nephew assumed the throne. His name was Adrian, a cold-hearted man, with a face of etched steel. He looked upon his lands and saw, not the beauty, but what he could earn from it.
Gone were the happy days of the kingdom. King Adrian tore up the trees for lumber, killed the animals for sport, and dug up the rolling hills for the stones within. Soon all the birds and animals had fled; the kingdom was silent. The Ponies worked from dawn til dusk, collapsing when they were finally allowed to rest. One by one they wasted away.
Coco and her daughters saw their land ripped bare and friends dying. Not knowing what else to do, they went to the grave of the dear king and, weeping, told him of what had happened to his beautiful kingdom. Exhausted, they slept at his graveside.
That night Coco dreamt of the old king. She found herself once more in the kingdom as it had been. Coco wandered with wonder under the forgotten trees and beside the laughing brooks. Finally she found him. His face was lined with grief. He had seen what his nephew had done, but there was no way for him to save his land although he had tried again and again to change his nephew’s beliefs. He was weak from his efforts, so could not warn the Ponies from their impending doom.
Yes, doom was coming and soon. Their land was dead. No food would be able to grow there for years to come, but the rain would be there soon. With no trees to hold the soil, the land itself would run like a river. The strong storm winds would blow everything into the muck and bury it.
Coco’s heart burst to know she would never again see the land green and fruitful nor her friends happy and free. She would prefer to die rather than see these horrors; the king offered hope.
“There is a safe place for you if you can reach it. You must travel long and far. I do not know if you can make it or if you will, but it is your only hope. Nor will my nephew let you go. His greed has eaten his soul, so he causes others to suffer rather than feel the emptiness. Everything else is gone; without the Ponies he will have nothing to sell for his supplies or anything to torture to fill the hollow that is his heart.
“When the world was created, all the leftover magic was set aside. Over time, it claimed its own space in the universe, as magic is inclined to do if left alone. Once every millennia it opens its doors in welcome. If someone can enter before they close, the land will claim them as its own. If no one comes,...there’s always the next millennia. So far none have made their way through its gates.
“The easiest entrance is over the rainbow; but since you have no wings to fly, you’ll have to take another path. It is riddled with dangers. You must pass three tests before it will lead you to the door. Then the door itself will test you. Only the worthy can complete the journey.
“Go, time is short. The gates will only be open until the harvest moon. The nourishing power of the planting moon tonight allowed me to enter your dreams. The rains will come soon, and your quest is long. I know in my heart that you are destined for this land.”
“But how will I find my way?” cried Coco.
“Follow your heart.” whispered the old king tenderly.
Coco awoke to the sun peering through a bank of clouds. A light mist was falling. There wasn’t much time to prepare. She woke her daughters and went to gather the herd. When she told them of her dream, many agreed to follow. Coco was a trusted member of the herd and had been closer to the king than any of them. That day they planned their escape.
They would have to leave a few at a time. Those that had decided to stay would cover up their disappearance. Adrian had never paid much attention to the ponies and had never visited the foals. He couldn’t really tell any of them apart, which was a great asset to their escape. But it would be hard on those who stayed because they would have to work throughout the day without rest.
That night, Coco sent the foals ahead to a meeting spot with a mare that was too old to work, but still strong enough to manage the excited brood. Throughout the next day, each pony was replaced by one of similar size and color. Before going ahead, each pony headed back to the stables to make it appear that they were going to rest with the others supposedly there. Eventually all of the escapees reached the meeting place safely, and they began their journey. When no one had ridden after them by the next evening, they knew the plan had worked and that they were free.
The ponies wandered for weeks, searching for the hidden path. At first all was well. The land bordering the kingdom was thriving. There was more sweet grass and clear water than any of them had seen since the old king’s death. Some of the youngest foals had never seen green meadows and bubbling brooks. They rejoiced in the clean air and grew quickly. They seemed to become half-grown in the blink of an eye.
Slowly the land changed. It flattened out, water became scarce, and the grasses became a burnt brown. The summer sun beat down upon their shoulders. The ponies had to travel by night to survive on what little food and water they found.
They had been on the dry plain for almost a week when they suddenly came across a beautiful pond fed by a small spring. The grass boarding it shone a rich green. The ponies ate their full, but were careful only to eat what they needed to keep from being sick.
As the herd prepared to sleep out the heat of the day, a few of the younger foals reported finding a small orchard. They insisted that Coco should see it, hoping she would approve the treat.
It was very small. Four gnarled trees had been carefully nurtured and were just starting to bear small green apples. Coco looked down at a hopeful face and sighed.
“Now don’t you little ones even think of eating these apples. They don’t belong to us.” said Coco.
“But...” whined one of the foals.
“No buts. Someone has gone through a lot of effort to keep these trees alive. We are not going to spoil their harvest.” Saying this, Coco led the reluctant foals back to the herd. She warned all of them to stay away from the orchard. Then everyone settled down to sleep.
Coco awoke suddenly to the sound of a gruff voice.
“WHO TOOK MY APPLES?” it thundered.
Coco stood up, but as she tried to move her hooves became cemented to the ground. Looking around, she saw that the others were similarly bound.
“WHO TOOK MY APPLES?” it shouted again.
The voice seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Coco pieced together what must have occurred. She looked for the foals in the dim moonlight and found them huddled together a few yards away.
“Don’t tell me. I can guess what happened. I know at least one of you ate some apples when I specifically forbid you to,” Coco said, giving them all a steel gaze. “Come forward and apologize right this instant.”
Meekly, three foals, two young mares, and a young stallion bowed their heads. Each quietly gave an answer.
“I took an apple,” whispered a foal
“We took two,” said the others
“We’re sorry for what we did,” apologized one mare as the other nodded in agreement.
“We’ll work for you until they’re paid off,” offered the stallion
The voice seemed to consider his offer for a moment, then asked another question.
“Who are these thieves with? Those that came with them here, join them now.” it commanded.
They could move. Coco took one step and another. Then she merged with the frightened trouble-makers.
“I am with them,” she answered
“So am I...” “And I...” said Sugar and Sunshine as they come forward together.
About three-fourths of the herd joined them. As the last pony stepped over an imaginary line toward Coco, all went dark.
“You have passed the test of Truth. We need to be truthful before we can trust and be trusted. Remember, it is never too late to ask forgiveness. You may now continue on your way.” The voice seemed to rebound off stone walls then abruptly silenced.
As the sun crept over the horizon, the ponies discovered a path at their feet. They gasped in joy. They had found the path to the magic! Then voices whispered from all around them.
“What is it?” asked one pony.
“What have you found?” asked another.
It was then that they realized that only those who had stood with the guilty and the guilty themselves could see the path.
After the two groups said their good-byes, Coco’s group continued down the path. The land hazed out around them then reshaped itself into something different. The ponies were soon walking in a swamp. As the land regained its final details, the path disappeared.
“Now where should we go?” inquired one of the older mares.
Coco glanced around her worriedly. Then, remembering the old king’s words, she turned to her heart. Something seemed to call to her. It flashed like a beacon in the night. She knew that they had to go toward it.
“This way,” Coco answered.
The ponies trudged through ankle and sometimes knee deep muck, ducking branches all the way. Mosquitoes coated their faces. The humidity drained even more of their energy. The ponies were exhausted. They found a relatively dry piece of land, but it was too small and damp to sleep on comfortably. They had no choice but to sleep standing up.
The next three days went about the same as the first. The ponies covered what ground they could, snatching their meals along the way. Ferns, lichens, and twigs sustained them along with the rare pools of mostly clean water.
On the fourth day, the ponies came across a group even more miserable than they were. The creatures remotely resembled small, furry foxes. Their legs and nose were shorter than a fox’s and their fur seemed to be tan under the mud. They appeared to be trying to cross the swamp, but the poor things were almost swimming in the mud. They stretched out in a long chain across the wetland.
As the ponies started to catch up to the straggly group, Coco overheard two of the younger fillies talking.
“Oh the poor things....” sighed the first
“No. Don’t you even think about it!” exclaimed the second one.
Coco smiled as the foal stopped to help a mother fox-thing and her little ones onto her back. The other filly soon gave in when she came face to face with a pair of big brown eyes. Coco looked at the poor creatures and decided to help too. They seemed to be harmless and were grateful for the rest.
As the herd past through the cluster of animals, everyone eventually relented and allowed a few of the fox-things on their backs. Although the mud they had soaked up made them heavy, no one had the heart to drop the poor things back into the mud.
Finally the ground became solid again. The trees thinned and the ponies saw the sun for the first time since they had left the plains. When they came to a fresh, green meadow surrounding a crystal blue lake they allowed themselves to drop to the ground. Mindless of their hunger, ignoring the mud, and forgetting all about the fox-things, they fell asleep.
When the ponies woke-up, the fox-things were gone. The ponies ate, drank, and washed away the layers of mud adhered to their bodies. Coco was helping Sugar and Sunshine finish cleaning up when she heard one of the ponies gasp.
It appeared that the fox-things had taken time to refresh themselves too. Their coats were the color of burnished copper and shone brightly in the sunlight. One stepped forward and spoke.
“You have passed the test of Compassion.” he said. “We were nothing to you, yet you took the time to help us. No matter the outcome of your quest, you will always be welcome here. Just wish to return, and you will be here.”
Just as he finished, the meadow vanished. Suddenly they were in a dark, cold place. The wind-driven snow stabbed through the ponies’ thin summer coats. The only thing visible, barely, was a faint path that seemed to be leading uphill. The ponies braced themselves and began the climb.
Their ears burned with cold, and it became harder to breathe the higher they climbed. Even though they were almost full-grown, the foals had trouble keeping up. As the white snow surrounding them darkened with the coming night, they found a small alcove to shelter them. After drying off as well as they could, they drifted off to sleep.
The storm had let up slightly when the ponies continued on their way the next morning. It was little comfort because now they could see they were following a narrow, rocky mountain path. On one side was a rock wall; the other side dropped off into darkness. Rocky spires rose from hidden bases. What little else they could see was either rock or snow.
It was roughly midday when Coco heard a panicked shriek from the back of the herd. She carefully threaded her way back towards the cry. There was little room to spare but the ponies gave her what space they could.
“What’s wrong?!” Coco asked as she came upon a crying mare.
“They’re gone! My twins! They wanted to be with the other foals their age, so I let them drop back. Now I can’t find them!” she cried frantically.
“When was the last anyone saw them?” inquired Coco.
A gray foal stepped forward. “We were talking just a little while ago. I guess the last time was just before that curve when it started snowing hard again.”
“The edge!” screeched the hysterical mother.
After having several ponies restrain the mother, Coco carefully made her way back to the treacherous corner. A few of the stronger ponies followed. Dread overcame Coco as she neared the curve. Her fear was realized when she heard a weak cry. As she looked over the edge, it became apparent what must have happened.
When the storm had blinded them for that instant, the one nearest the edge had slipped and fallen. She was sprawled on a small ledge several feet below. Her brother had tried to help and had only succeeded in getting stuck.
As soon as she had reassured the foals, Coco sent a messenger back to inform the herd about what had happened. Most of the herd returned with the messenger; but with time so short, a few had decided to press onward toward the gate.
The ponies looked at each other helplessly. What could they do? There was no way to get to either of them, and the sky was beginning to darken. They couldn’t leave them there overnight either. The wind could blow them off their perches at any time. Or worse, small predators could easily climb down where the ponies couldn’t. The foals would make easy meals.
Then Coco noticed a vine clinging to the rock and another rooted a short distance away. Although they were too thin to use separately...if they could somehow weave them together like the humans did it, might just be strong enough.
Coco had Sugar and Sunshine gather what vines they could. After some tangles, they managed to twist the vines together. What resulted wasn’t pretty, but it would do. The only problem was the sharp cliff edge. To keep it from fraying, one or two ponies would have to guide the vine over the edge while leaning out into blank space.
The brother was closer, so the ponies lowered the rope down to him carefully. Gripping the line with his teeth, he hung on tightly. As several ponies pulled, two more kept the rope as far from the rocks as they could. Slowly, the foal walked up the mountainside. When he reached the path, the ponies had to pry the rope from his teeth so that they could rescue his sister.
The sister was in a more difficult situation. The slightest move could crumble the ledge beneath her. She was also too far down for the ponies to get the rope to her without snagging it on the rocks. One of the ponies would have to bring the rope to her.
“I’ll go,” offered a small blue-gray foal. As the others began to protest, she replied, “I’m the only one small enough and light enough to carry the rope and not add too much extra strain on it.”
Reluctantly, the others agreed. They carefully lowered her down to the frightened sister. The foal slowly lowered her head just enough so that the bruised filly could reach the rope. She took it in her teeth; and ever so gently, the ponies started pulling them up the slope.
Then disaster struck. As the stranded filly stood up, the ledge crumbled. She went over the edge and the force of her fall carried the other foal over too. It was just too much for the rope to bear; it snapped. The ponies cried in horror as the pair plummeted toward the rocky needles below.
Then before their eyes, the two slowed and came to a stop just inches from the angular spikes. Gradually the pair rose until they could step on the path and join the other ponies.
Below them in the rocks appeared a rugged face. When it spoke the wind hushed to honor it.
“You have passed the third test, the test of Courage and Honor. You honored your responsibility to care for those who put their trust in you. You had the courage to put your own lives at risk for theirs. The right to seek the gate is yours.”
As the face vanished, a cave opened in the rock wall behind the ponies. Quietly they hurried into the dark. The wall closed again behind them. After a time, the tunnel slowly widened. Suddenly the cave opened onto a high plateau. Before them stood a magnificent gate; but just as they neared it, it slowly faded away.
“We’re too late!” cried a foal
“No, we can’t be. The old king believed in us. He believed that we could reach it. It is only another test; the door will come back,” said Coco confidently.
“Stop this. You are reaching for something that just isn’t there. Come, let’s return to the meadow, it is a nice place to make a home,” replied a bay mare.