My Little Pony Monthly Issue 41 (August 1,
2000)
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@eGroups.com
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Issue 41
August 2000
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Index of this issue--
1. Contest Corner
2. Chapter 1 by Yum Yum
3. The Adventures of Baby North Star and Baby Brother Bright Bouquet Chapter 2: The Fair by Baby Steamer
4. ICQ Column
5. My Little Pony: Tirak’s Revenge Chapter Two: Going Totally Mental by Crash Cymbal
6. The Uncanny X-Ponies Part 1: Awakening by Moonstar
7. Clever Clover vs. the Flatlands Chapter 4: Homecoming by Clever Clover
8. Poll
9. The Tale of the Sunfire Dratini by Moonstar
10. Ponies at Camp Chapter 1: Pals Provincial Park by Cinnamon Sugar
11. Invento Ponies by Cinnamon Sugar
12. The Evil Dragon Parts Eleven through Fourteen by Starr
13. The Mystery of the Golden Glory Chapel by Fizzy
14. Fly: Shining Series #14 by Shining
15. Alien Invasion Part One by Berry Brite
16. Ginseng and Sassafras Tea Chapters Nine and Ten by Sugarberry
17. The Battle of the Bands by Steamer
18. The Tiffany and Tabby Gossip Hour! by Tabby and Sugarberry
19. Reverie’s Journal by Princess Silver Swirl
20. Antique Store by Clever Clover
21. Dancer’s Story #9: Orion's Star by Wonder
22. Wedding Bulletin
23. Early Pony Special
24. My Little Pony Monthly Sister Newsletter
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Contest Corner
The winner of last month’s contest (to find the hidden horseshoe) was cmrsar@jps.net! She will be receiving an autographed copy of Chris Platt’s book entitled Derby Day.
There are still more books to win, though; so even if you missed out on one in the past, keep trying! ^.^ This month’s prize is another autographed Chris Platt book-- Willow King. A summary is as follows:
“Thirteen-year-old Katie Durham can’t allow the newborn colt Willow King do be killed just because he has twisted legs. After all, one of her own legs is nearly an inch shorter than the other, and nobody killed her at birth! Feeling an immediate kinship with the imperfect colt, Katie successfully bargains for his life, but the real challenge is still ahead.”
To win a copy of this exciting book, we’ve come up with a riddle you must correctly solve. With school starting within the next month or so, we thought we’d better get your brains into thinking mode. So here’s the riddle; and, appropriately, it is about ponies.
How can you get TEN PONIES into nine stalls? P.S. You can’t squeeze two ponies into one stall!
Thank you have the answer? Please e-mail me at TabbyMLP@aol.com and let me know. Correct answers will be entered in a drawing to determine who will get the grand prize. Entries must be received by July 15. Good luck! ^.^
If you would be interested in purchasing other books written by Chris Platt, try doing a search for her on www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com
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Chapter 1
by Yum Yum (yumyum@twinstarsmail.com)
Yum Yum licked a taste of her lip gloss. Mmmmmm! she thought, savoring the flavor. Boredom usually followed her every morning when she came in to work the sweet shop. She was normally rather garrulous; but when no one came in, she had to resort to her lip gloss licking-- it was the only make-up item she bought from Candy Kisses.
The jingling bells she had strung over the door rang as a familiar face popped in.
“Hey, Yum Yum,” Tootsie called from the doorway. “What’s up?”
“Hi!” Yum Yum smiled. “Nothing much, just simply bored to the brink of insanity-- as usual.”
Tootsie walked in and hopped on a stool at the counter in front of Yum Yum. “You poor thing. I’ll have a strawberry slushy-- ooh, one with a, um, little pink umbrella.”
Her hostess nodded. “Coming right up.” Yum Yum turned and began filling a glass with tiny bits of crushed ice and lurid, artificially flavored syrup. She popped in the little decoration on the side and handed the glass to Tootsie. “So, Tootsie, what do you do with all these umbrellas?”
“Why, don’t you know?” She slid the glass close to her and took a sip. “I collect them and those cute little swords you get out of the cherries in the drinks at Salty’s Tavern.”
Yum Yum raised an eyebrow. “You go to Salty’s Tavern? But I thought I was the only one!” she said sobbingly. “Anyway, I’m gonna have to start charging you extra. I’m running out of pink.”
Cocking her head to the side, Tootsie asked, “You mean you have other colors?”
“Yeah! There’s purple, blue, green, yellow, orange-- bunches!”
“Gee,” Tootsie grinned. “Oh, by the way, I saw Neartic on my way here.”
Yum Yum paused. “You saw Neartic? Where? Did he say anything?”
Tootsie swallowed another sip of her slushy. “Yeah, he, um, wanted me to tell you he’s going to call tonight--”
The pegasus gritted her teeth. “Why that little-- he always says he’s going to call, but he never does!”
Her customer’s mouth opened to reply, but was interrupted by the jingling of the doorbells. Baby Pictures and Baby Schoolbag walked in and climbed up on the stools next to Tootsie and stared at Yum Yum. “Hi!” they both chirped.
School must have just ended. “Hi!” Yum Yum smiled at them. “What can I do for ya’ll?”
“I want a... vanilla ice cream cone!” Baby Pictures told her.
“I want a... chocolate one!” Baby Schoolbag added. “And some rainbow sprinkles!”
“I want those, too!” Pictures whined.
Yum Yum nodded. “Okay, so it’s one vanilla--”
“Chocolate!”
“Two chocolate ice cream cones with rainbow sprinkles. Coming right up, cuties.” I really do not like kids, Yum Yum thought in annoyance to herself.
Tootsie handed Yum Yum the empty glass. “See you later.”
“Yeah, bye.” Yum Yum washed it out and began fixing the childrens’ ice creams.
When finished, Baby Pictures and Baby Schoolbag each grabbed their cone and began to eat. Yum Yum smiled as they devoured the last crunchy bit of cone.
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The Adventures of Baby North Star and Baby Brother Bright Bouquet
Chapter 2: The Fair
by Baby Steamer (Baby-Steamer@excite.com)
One day, Mommy Bright Bouquet asked her son, Baby Brother Bright Bouquet, if he wanted to go to the fair that was in town. Baby Brother Bright Bouquet nodded excitedly. “I’d love to go to the fair, Mommy!” he exclaimed.
“Why don’t you invite Baby North Star to go with us?” suggested Mommy Bright Bouquet.
“Okay, I will,” said Baby Brother Bright Bouquet. He then called over to Baby North Star’s house, and her mom answered. “Hello, Mrs. North Star; this is Baby Brother Bright Bouquet; may I talk to Baby North Star, please?” he asked.
“Sure, just a minute and I’ll get her for you,” said North Star.
When Baby North Star came on the phone, Baby Brother Bright Bouquet said, “Hi, Baby North Star; Mama is taking me to the fair, and said I could invite you. Do you want to come?”
“Sure, just let me ask my mom,” said Baby North Star. She went to her mom, who said her daughter could go. Baby North Star ran back to the phone and told Baby Brother Bright Bouquet, “She said it’s okay!”
“Great! We’ll pick you up in a little bit,” said Baby Brother Bright Bouquet.
“I’ll be waiting,” said Baby North Star and with that they hung up. Baby North Star then went to get ready and wait for her friend.
* * *
Soon Mommy Bright Bouquet and Baby Brother Bright Bouquet had picked up Baby North Star and were heading towards the fair. On the way, they met up with Moondancera, Baby Steamer, Baby Advenger, Wisdom, and a big horse that they did not know.
“Mama, can we go say ‘hi’ to Miss Moondancera?” asked Baby Brother Bright Bouquet.
“Sure, go on, but stay where I can see you,” said Mommy Bright Bouquet.
“We will,” said Baby Brother Bright Bouquet, and with that he and Baby North Star went up to Moondancera and her group. “Hewwo, Moon,” greeted Baby Brother Bright Bouquet.
Moondancera turned around to see the newcomers. “Hi, you two; are you going to the fair, too?”
Baby Brother nodded excitedly. “Yup!” he exclaimed.
Baby Advenger and Wisdom then said ‘hello’ to Baby Brother Bright Bouquet and Baby North Star. “Do you know Circle Dancer?” asked Baby Advenger as she indicated to the bigger horse.
“Hi,” she greeted, “I’m Circle Dancer.”
Baby Brother Bright Bouquet and Baby North Star looked up at the big pony. “Whoa!” they murmured.
“Circle Dancer, these are my friends, Baby Brother Bright Bouquet and Baby North Star,” said Baby Advenger.
Circle Dancer smiled at the two baby ponies. “Pleased to meet you,” she said.
Then Mommy Bright Bouquet caught up to the group, and from then on they decided to spend the day at the fair together. On the way home, Moondancera bought everyone ice cream.
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ICQ Column
Looking to get in contact with other pony collectors? If you have the ICQ chat service, try sending some of these My Little Pony fans a message.
Baby Sparkles: 63411762
Baby Lickety Split: 14409477
Baby Mischief: 35100651
If you have an ICQ number and would like to be listed here, e-mail your information to TabbyMLP@aol.com.
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My Little Pony: Tirak’s Revenge
Chapter Two: Going Totally Mental
by Crash Cymbal (XMyLittlePonyX@aol.com)
I sat down on a large rock and looked around. There was nothing but woods everywhere. Ingenious. I left the group in the middle of the woods, miles from anywhere. Plus, all I had was my discman, twenty CDS, some Pringles, a change of clothes, a notebook, a pen, and the red heart locket that my mom gave to me before she disappeared.
Well, I wasn’t getting anywhere by just sitting on a rock, so I stood up and started walking in a perpendicular direction to where the campers were hiking.
After an hour or so, I thought I heard footsteps about fifty yards away. I looked and squinted, but the trees were blocking the view. My first instinct was to run, because it might be Austin and the rest of the gang. But curiosity took over and I squatted down and listened.
“What I’d like to know is how Taffeta expects us to find one person in this whole messed-up world. It’s impossible!”
“Don’t talk that way, Gusty! I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. When Princess Taffeta told us where to wink to, she said it was within five miles of the camp she’s at.”
“And that’s another question. How, may I ask, are we supposed to walk into a summer camp without anyone noticing us?”
Okay, this was weird. First off, who was this Princess Taffeta character? Were these women from the Russian Mafia or something? And second, who were they looking for? Why would they be noticed at the camp? What does winking have to do with transportation? The curiosity again took over. “Hello?” I shouted to the nearing voices.
“Oh no!” whispered one of them. “We’ve been heard!”
“I’m not going to hurt you!” I said. “Come out where I can see you!”
“Okay, but... don’t be alarmed.” Out from behind the trees trotted two ponies.
That didn’t surprise you much? Well, what if I told you that these two ponies were unicorns? Much less a white one with green and red hair, and a turquoise one with multicolored hair and sparkling red-jeweled eyes. The white one had pictures of oak leaves on her flanks and the turquoise one had ice cream sodas on hers.
“Hi! I’m Fizzy!” said the turquoise one excitedly. “This is my friend Gusty. We’re Little Ponies!”
“That’s great,” I said. “Now excuse me while I pass out.” I slapped myself in the face and was dismayed when I saw that the talking unicorns were still there. You are going totally mental, I told myself.
“Wow!” said Fizzy, giggling. “You people sure have a funny way of doing things! When we pass out, we usually just fall on the ground!”
Gusty rolled here large blue eyes. “Anyway, can you tell us where Camp Getaway is?”
“No. That’s where I’m supposed to be. But I can’t stand that place.”
“So you don’t even know where it is?”
“No; I lost my group a couple hours ago.”
“Oh, no! How are we ever going to find her?” exclaimed a dismayed Fizzy.
“Find who?” I inquired.
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The Uncanny X-Ponies
Part 1: Awakening
by Moonstar (alicorn_83@yahoo.com)
Imagine waking up one day and finding out you were different.
You didn’t feel any different inside; but somehow, outside, your whole world and yourself would never be the same.
That’s what happened to me.
I was called once by the name Blue Glory, as my body was of the deepest pretty royal blue in all Ponyland. But on the very day of my thirteenth birthday, everything seemed to happen at once.
My body grew small with longer legs and a smaller head, and my body color faded to a light ice blue; my symbol (a dove) and hair turned white as snow. And from that moment the whole world sang to me and was connected to me, for I could control the weather. So it was on that day, after a completely out of control display of my newfound power, that I was renamed Storm Lark. At my home, too, my people regarded me as more than a pony-- a living goddess... but then, I was one of the lucky ones...
I wasn’t the first pony this unearthly change had taken place in. There had been a lot of such happenings in recent years-- teen ponies suddenly changing in their appearances and becoming smaller, thin earthling ponies (no matter if where they were born pegasi, unicorn, or flutter) with twinkle jewels in the center of their eye (not like Twinkle-Eyes), and wonderful powers of every type-- far more powerful than any present day unicorn.
We are known as the next evolutionary stage in Little Ponies, Equus-Superior; but to toughs that hate and fear us because of our different appearances, we are known only as mutanonys.
* * *
I flew low over the southern coast of Ponyland, the mist doing nothing to enable me to see down toward the land. I would have been quite a sight, I was sure, if any pony had been out this way.
My body was that of an earthling pony... but here I was, flying along gracefully in the air, carried by winds of my own making. My eyes were pure white with the jewel part of them shining like crystal as they always did when I used my mutanony powers.
I had decided to leave my island home about five years ago to go out in search of the legendary Friendship Gardens and Dream Valley, places where our new race of pony lived peacefully...
“I said I WAS SORRY!”
...unlike the rest of Ponyland, were hate was everywhere for us...
“You’ll have to do better than ‘sorry’, filly!”
...even where you never expected it.
The sounds of fighting and the cries of a young filly came to my ears from far below and I swooped down... down... down. The sight that met my eyes was not a welcome one.
About ten big thug-like stallions had formed a ring around a small filly mutanony wearing yellow hoof-gloves. They were armed with pitchforks, wooden rods, and just about anything a small farming pony community could think up to use as a weapon.
The filly, unarmed, was getting a few good kicks in; but it looked as though she was greatly outnumbered. I alighted on the ground just at the moment the ring was starting to close in on her.
“Okay, I didn’t want ta’ have it come ta’ this, but y’all...” The red filly was lifting her hooves but stopped talking and turned one eye to me. “Who are YOU, lady?”
“Your savior, little one... now GET DOWN!” I said quickly.
Though she was a little unsure at trusting some pony that had just dropped out of the sky, the young filly obeyed, dunking down and putting her hooves over her head.
“Aah... what’s the mare gonna do, ribbon us to death?” one of the stallions taunted toward me.
“Actually, I quite like my tail ribbon, thank you!” I said quietly. Rearing up, I held my head toward the sky and called, “RAGING WIND, AID ME!”
A wind of hurricane force whipped down from the heavens to twist around me, my symbol and eyes glowing as I took in its power and sent it blasting out in every direction. The stallion bullies were sent flying every which way. The sky cleared slowly and my eyes turned back to their normal jeweled sky blue.
The little filly, I found, had been hanging on to my back leg the whole time with both hoofs to keep from being blown away. She looked up at me now with large green jeweled eyes, her red and white striped mane frizzled. “Whoa! That was some trick you did there, umm... Ms...”
“I am called Storm Lark.”
“I can see why!” The little filly turned sideways so that her symbol showed clearly; it was a crystal-colored tiger lily. “My name’s Tear.”
“Really? That name doesn’t seem to match your symbol,” I added softly.
“I know... well, it’s not my REAL name and all... I can’t really remem’er that... the name’s ‘cause of this.” Tear pointed to her forehead. Right in the middle of it was a tiny raindrop-like scar... showing that she must have been a unicorn before she became a mutanony.
“I see... so, what is your power, little one?” I asked, deciding the fact that she had been a unicorn might be useful later but not now.
“Darn it! I wish you’d stop callin’ me that. Anyway, my powers are act’ally what got me into that fight; I can absorb anybody’s energy through touchin’ ‘em skin to skin...” A groan met her words and I looked around to see the stallions, starting to come to after my attack.
“Come. We can talk while in the air. Those enemies of yours will not be down much longer!” I grabbed one of the teenage pony’s gloved hooves in mine and took to the safety of the sky faster than she could speak another word.
“Hey, hey! Le’go! I’m a big girl, ya know... I can fly by myself!” Tear huffed, jerking her hoof from mine and hovering beside me.
I was shocked. “But you said you power was only...”
Tear laughed. “It’s a lo-o-o-ong story.”
“One you’ll have to tell me in time, I’m sure.”
“Where are ya headed, Storm Lark?” Tear asked, cocking her head to the side. “I know ya can’t be from around HERE... if we had mutanonys like you around, tough boys would give our kind more respect where it’s due...”
I turned my muzzle to the climbing golden sun. “No, I am journeying to a place called Dream Valley and Friendship Gardens to see a mushromp man named Professor Moochick Xavier... do you know of him?”
Tear’s eyes twinkled. “Know of ‘im? I was hoping to go there myself; I hear he can help with power troubles... can I tag along with ya?”
I smiled. “Sure, always happy to have company.”
Tear grinned, tying a green hair band across her forehead and mane, and flying ahead with renewed energy.
“ ‘KAY! Let’s GO-O-O!” Crash! “O-O-OW! Darn TREE!” Tear eyed the tree that she had managed to run into head first in her enthusiasm. “Take... THAT!” She rudded her muzzle and gave the giant willow a swift kick that bashed wooden splinters out the other side of its bark.
I watched in awe as the mighty tree that had probably lived for over four hundred years gave a groan of surrender and crashed to the ground. Super strength, too?! I gasped in my mind.
Tear merely dusted off her hooves. “It’s a very, very lo-o-o-ong story...” she grinned.
I shook my head. If nothing else, my mission to find Friendship Gardens and Dream Valley would not be boring...
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Clever Clover vs. the Flatlands
Chapter 4: Homecoming
by Clever Clover (Swordrat@aol.com)
The lake was calm. What breeze there was came from the north, which aided Clever Clover as he rowed. Despite the ease of the endeavor, the purple pony was not at ease. Bic the imp had lured him to this lake. And the calm waters of the lake could hide all manner of danger. All he could do was row on and hope that on the isle he could finally rid himself of Bic’s torment.
As he came near the shore of the isle-- near enough to smell the pines-- the wind shifted to the south and picked up. Clever Clover struggled as he rowed into the wind. “Bic, you’ll not stop me, not since I’ve come this far!” he said through clenched teeth. He leaned heavily on the ores. The small boat progressed slowly but surely toward the shore. After what seemed like hours of fighting the wind, the keel of the boat struck bottom. He had made it.
Clever Clover pulled the boat onto a small beach and recalled Farfetch’d. There was a path leading away from the beach through the trees. “Well, that’s convenient,” the pony mumbled. The path through a mixed forest of oak, pine, cedar, and yew rose slowly from the beach toward a cleft in the large hill-- a mountain, almost-- that dominated the isle. Several tendrils of smoke rose from the cleft. “That smoke could mean civilization, or another of Bic’s tricks. In any case, I don’t have a lot of options,” Clever Clover said to himself as he started up the trail. He expected to confront some terrifying apparition around every turn. Every time he found himself alone, though, and he almost wished he would encounter some monster and be done with it.
Finally, something did appear from around the bend-- the cleft, and the source of the smoke. Clever Clover stood atop a ridge overlooking the cleft, which was almost a valley between two arm-like ridges projecting from the hill. Nestled within the cleft was a quaint village. On the far side of the village, where the ridges met, was a castle of greenish stone that was built into the side of the hill. The buildings of the village had whitewashed walls and roofs of thatch.
Clever Clover walked cautiously into the village. The main street was lined with shops, but there were no signs of life save for the smoke. A flash of motion caught Clever Clover’s eye. It looked like a baby pony ducking into an alley. The purple pony continued down the main street. A door squeaked behind him. He turned to see a pony peeking sheepishly out of one of the shops. There were other ponies watching from the windows. “ ‘Allo!” said Clever Clover as cheerfully as possible. “There’s no need to be shy. Come out. I won’t hurt you.”
The ponies began to emerge from their homes and shops slowly. They kept their distance from Clever Clover while whispering to each other and glancing nervously at the stranger in their village. “Uh, could you tell me--” Clever Clover began to say before one of the Isle Ponies cut him off in a hoarse whisper.
“They’ll be expectin’ you at the castle, I figure.”
Clever Clover looked over his shoulder toward the hillside castle. “The castle, eh? Thanks.”
“It’s my pleasure,” said the other pony with a bow.
Clever Clover turned to resume his path down the main street, which led right to the castle gate. The entire length of the street was lined with ponies now, whispering, glancing, and bowing as Clever Clover walked past. Something strange is going on here, Clever Clover thought. Either this is part of Bic’s game, or they have me confused with someone else. The ponies lined the street all the way to the castle gate, and a crowd followed behind Clever Clover, always maintaining a polite distance. The gate itself was flanked by two large stallions, one dark green and the other dark blue, holding long hafted elaborately decorated halberds.
At the sight of Clever Clover, the guards genuflected. “Welcome home, your highness!” they said in unison, with booming voices.
That tears it! They definitely think I’m someone els;, but if it’ll get me some answers, I might as well play along, for now.
The castle gates opened. A young red mare greeted him. “Welcome home, your highness. The Regent and Stewardess await you in the audience chamber. Please follow me.”
“ ‘Kay.”
Clever Clover followed the red pony through the grandiose Gothic halls of the castle. Paintings on the walls depicted noble-looking ponies, many of them holding weapons-- swords, spears, axes, and the like. One pony, who bore a striking resemblance to Clever Clover, bore an unusually large and intimidating axe. The painting nearest the audience chamber door looked almost familiar to Clever Clover, like something from his distant past that he had forgotten. The painting also featured the axe he had noticed earlier, though this pony held it much less threateningly.
The young pony guide opened the doors to a grand, semi-circular chamber. Along the circular wall, high windows hung with heavy curtains admitted surprisingly little light. Torches along the flat wall illuminated the room with an eerie light. Two large ponies stood across the room from where Clever Clover entered.
The smaller of the two (a red and white mare who was still half a head taller than Clever Clover) began the introductions. “Welcome, my prince. I am Foxglove, Stewardess of Malachite Castle. This is Raven, Reagent of the Isle.” She indicated the huge black stallion standing next to her. He wore a crimson cloak and a silver pin set with an emerald stone.
“Ah, yeah, nice to meet you,” said Clever Clover, nervously.
“Do not worry,” said Raven in a deep, yet strangely soothing voice. “You have been away for most of your life. It is natural that you are confused. Allow me to explain. You are the son of a king, the last king of the isle. Before you were born, a terrible curse befell your father and all his kingdom.”
Clever Clover almost fainted. He staggered and mumbled, “Bic!” Then to himself he said, “Stay calm, this is probably all part of his scam; or could it be true?”
“Aye, that imp was the perpetrator of the curse. He stole all hope, joy, and happiness from the land-- and from your father’s heart.”
“You seem to have shocked the prince,” Foxglove interrupted. “Perhaps you should slow down.”
Raven scowled at Foxglove impatiently.
“I... I’m alright,” stammered Clever Clover. He wasn’t sure what to make of it; but for the time being he would listen, at least long enough to figure out what was going on. “Please continue,” he said.
Raven bowed. “Very well, my prince. Bic dictated that no new king would be crowned until the curse was lifted; and that only the king, or his kin, could lift the curse. It is because of the curse that when you were young, you and your betrothed were sent to Friendship Gardens to ensure your safety-- and the safety of your line.”
“Um, did you say ‘betrothed’?” Clever Clover stammered.
“Yes,” replied Foxglove. “Your marriage was arranged at your birth, to guarantee a suitable heir if you were unable to break the curse.”
“ ‘If’? Then this betrothal thing is dependant on the curse?”
“You sound as if you are discouraged at the thought of marriage.”
“Well, uh, not marriage overall, just this prearranged thing.”
“Oh, do not worry. It was merely a precaution and would not be enforced unless it seemed necessary. But now we have more pressing matters that require our attention.”
“Aye, young prince!” boomed Raven. “The curse should be your main concern at the moment! You must not allow yourself to be distracted!”
“Calm yourself, Raven. Allow the prince to be pony; we cannot expect more of him than that.”
“Well, about that curse,” said Clever Clover. “How am I supposed to stop it?”
Raven explained, “Your father struggled with that very question to his last days. He sought the wisest counsel in the land and studied many arcane texts. When he discovered the solution, it was too late for him. We have held the wisdom that he discovered to pass on to you when the time was right.”
“And the time is now right,” said Foxglove. “Your father discovered that Bic had played his game many times before, and was able to learn the pattern of his tricks. There are three challenges that must be overcome to release the curse. The first is the Green Knight, whom your father saw with his own eyes. The knight fights without sword or armor, and yet is a match for any warrior. He guards the entrance to an ancient cave high on the mountain where Bic bound the curse to the land. Within the cave dwells the second challenge, the Fire Dragon. Little more is known of this challenge. The third challenge is the Mystery, which can only be overcome by confronting it directly.”
“Gee, that sure cleared things up,” mumbled Clever Clover. “Okay, assuming I pass all these challenges, how does that release the curse?”
“That, my young prince, is the Mystery,” replied Raven.
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Poll
Wow, we haven’t had one of these for awhile! I discontinued the use of polls because I wasn’t getting much of a response, but maybe we can start them up again! Here’s this month’s poll question:
What is your version of Ponyland like?
And, what is your version like? Do all the ponies live in Paradise Estate, Dream Castle, or in homes of their own? Are there any other cities? Who rules them, and from where? Are there special relationships between any ponies? Are some enemies, best friends, or sweethearts? Please tell us! ^.^ To get you in the flow of things, here is an example for an entry which was sent in by Steamer (MLPLover@excite.com):
In my herd there are some ponies happily married, and they live in their own place; the others live in Paradise Estate. The couples are Sundance and Salty, Sweet Stuff and Quarterback, North Star and Steamer, Bright Eyes and Barnacle, and Streaky and 4-Speed.
So, what is your Ponyland like? We want to know! E-mail your responses to TabbyMLP@aol.com. ^.^
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The Tale of the Sunfire Dratini
by Moonstar (alicorn_83@yahoo.com)
Author’s Note: This is the first of my stories that takes place in Tabby’s version of Ponyland! (Everyone else has been having so much fun in it that I decided it was high time for me to join Tabby’s universe, too. :))
It was a hot summer day in Dream Valley. A small group of ponies was having a picnic under the shade of a leafy maple tree near a pond and chatting about Pokèmon, the shapes of the clouds, and all the other things that it was usual to talk about on long lazy summer days.
“You know, I already have all one hundred and fifty-one Pokèmon,” an orange flutter pony bragged with a yawn, stretching his hoofs out toward the sky.
“Oh, Alchemy, stop saying that already!” Gusty groaned. “Sheesh, if I had a jangle for every time you said...”
“Yes, I think we’d all be rich, Gusty!” said Cotton Candy, laughing.
“Well, I think you’re telling the truth, Alchemy-honey...” said Cloud Puff, nuzzling him.
“Thanks, ‘Puff...” Alchemy mumbled, nearly asleep.
Cloud Puff waved a hoof in front of his sleeping face and turned to the others. “Sad. I think he must be delusional or something. I mean, yesterday he said he’d caught Mew!” The other ponies nodded in sympathy.
“Hey, look over there!” Starry Wings shouted from a little way off where she and Baby Cotton Candy were playing.
“What in the world...?” gasped Cotton Candy.
“Speaking of delusional ponies, Cloud Puff, here comes another one...” said Gusty with a smirk.
Marching slowing though the tall glass of the outer meadow was a sky blue flutter pony. Her moon and stars symbol was barely visible though a thick coat of mud; and her white hair was dripping wet, covered with burs. The Squirtle riding on top of her head and the Pikachu scampering along beside her looked about the same, their pride more ruined than their bodies.
“WHA-OH, looks like Moonstar has been out on her great Dratini search again!” said Alchemy, seeming to wake from a dead sleep.
“I HEARD THAT, ALCHEMY!” said Moonstar, trotting over.
Alchemy put his hooves over his head protectively, but to his surprise Moonstar didn’t hit him like she usually did for making fun of her (which was nearly every hour of the day).
“Alchemy, for your information, it is no longer a search,” she said, flying up in the air and extending a hoof (with those little glittery sparks her wings always made when she was excited). “For at long last after all my years of hunting, I HAVE FOUND A DRATINI!”
The Squirtle that sat on her head stood up and peace-signed, “Squirtle! Squirt!”
“Oh ? So where is it?” asked Gusty.
Moonstar dropped back earth with a groan, so fast that the Squirtle had to hang onto her ears. “Sqqquuirtllle!”
Moonstar sweatdropped. “Well, I haven’t actually CAUGHT it yet...” She noticed her Squirtle climbing down her leg. The creature took a few dizzy steps on solid ground and fell over. Her Pikachu rushed over to look at it.
“Pika, pika?”
“Oops. Sorry, Ryo.” Ryo was her Squirtle’s nickname. “Anyway, I didn’t actually catch it, but I did see one...”
“Moonstar, be honest now, there’s no way you could have seen it,” said Cotton Candy.
Moonstar stomped a hoof. “Why does everyone always say that?! I’m not crazy! The Dratini are real! Pokèmon number one hundred forty six! Just because they’re really, really, really rare...”
“I have one,” Alchemy said, munching on an apple. Gusty and Cloud Puff mysteriously pulled out huge cartoony mallets and bopped him over the head.
In the background, Ryo was laying backwards on its shell and Pikachu was poking a tender spot on the little turtle’s exposed underbelly.
“Pika?”
“Squirt!”
“Chu?”
“Squirt!”
“Pika?”
“Squirt!”
“Chu?”
“Sqqquuuirtle!!!”
“Why do you wait a Dratini so much, anyway?” asked Starry Wings, trotting over.
“Yeah, why?” mimicked Baby Cotton Candy, picking up Ryo.
“Because I want to be...”
“Uh-oh, here it comes...” said Alchemy, bracing himself and holding an umbrella.
“...THE BEST WATER POKÈMON TRAINER IN ALL PONYLAND!! A-HA-HA-HA!” A tide crashed dramatically behind Moonstar at her last words, making her clean and sparkly.
“Swell,” said Gusty from under her dripping wet mane; the rest of the ponies were soaked through, too (except for Alchemy and his little umbrella).
“Well, water Pokèmon ARE the best,” said Moonstar.
“Squirtle!” said Ryo, hopping down from Baby Cotton Candy’s hooves and hugging Moonstar’s leg. “Squir... tle!”
“Pika? Chuuuu...” said Pikachu, its eyes getting teary and ears drooping. But Moonstar didn’t seem to notice.
“The only reason I couldn’t catch the Dratini is there’s a really HUGE Gyarados lurking around in Sunfire Lake... I was hoping maybe you guys could help me.”
“Ah, so you want the help of Alchemy, the Pokèmon Master, huh?” said Alchemy. Cloud Puff and Gusty malleted him over the head again.
“Actually, I was hoping to ask Gusty and Cotton Candy. Got any Pokèmon with ya?”
“Well, no,” said Cotton Candy. “All I brought today was my daughter’s pet Jigglypuff, and it’s never really fought...”
“Mama! I wanta help!” Baby Cotton Candy piped up. “WOKÈBALL, GO!” she said, tossing the ball. Pink light blasted out and took shape as a little puff of pink fur with huge eyes and short little arms and legs appeared.
“Jigglypuff, jigglypuff, jiggly!” it shouted for joy.
“Guess what, Wigglywuff? You get ta fight taday!” said Baby Cotton Candy.
“Jigglypuff? Puff! JiiigglyyyPUFF!” it said, trying to do a mini megakick and falling over.
Moonstar sweatdropped. “I see we’ve got a lot to work on...”
“Not to worry; I brought my plant Pokèmon with me! And we all know about water versus plant; it wouldn’t have a chance!” said Gusty.
“Okay then, let’s fly!” said Moonstar, taking to the air. Alchemy and Cloud Puff followed, having nothing better to do that day.
“Um, Moonstar, aren’t you forgetting something?” Gusty shouted up.
“Oh, silly me! Come on! Ryo! Pikachu! It’s time to go!” she called down.
“Squirtle!” said Ryo, starting to go, but then saw that Pikachu wasn’t following. “Tle? Sqi?” he asked, pulling on Pikachu’s paw; but the little Pokèmon just stood with its arms crossed, looking mad.
“Chu!”
“No, Moonstar, that not what Gusty mean. We can’t FLY!” Baby Cotton Candy yelled, leaping up and falling back down to prove her point.
“Oh... yeah... hee-hee... I forgot...” mumbled Moonstar. Everyone sweatdropped.
“I don’t know the place well enough to wink there; we might end up at the bottom of the lake!” Gusty added.
“No problem,” Moonstar said, pulling out a little silver whistle. Even before she stopped blowing it, a yellow pegasus with rainbow hair flew in at super sonic speed and rammed into Alchemy. The pegasus hovered in the air catching her breath and Alchemy spun wildly off into a cloud.
“Skydancer’s Pokèmon Air, we can fly you most anywhere!” she huffed.
* * *
About twenty minutes later, three flutters, two earth ponies, a Jigglypuff, a Squirtle, a Pikachu (reluctantly being dragged along by the Squirtle), and one very charred unicorn arrived at Sunfire Lake.