Episode Two: The Story is Still Beginning
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"So," Sally began as she looked at everyone, "shall we go visit Ponyville?" Everyone blinked in confusion as they continued to process what had happened to them.

"Let me get zis straightened," Antoine said. "You, Eggman... Eggpony, whoever you are. You caused all of us to go to zis... pony wairld. Deed you want us to go here? Deed you cause us to turn into zese ponies?"

Eggpony shook his head vigorously. "Of course not! I was going to send you to a horrible dark world full of monsters and... Scary things! Not this... this PONY world," Eggman said angrily as he pounded his hoof on the ground. "As to why we have these horrible four-legged bodies I could not begin to imagine. Perhaps when my machine malfunctioned it changed our bodies to match those most commonly found here. Though, my machine was not designed to do that, so... I have no idea."

Sally cleared her throat and asked, "Then tell me Eggman, what did your machine do to the rest of our friends? Where's Tails and Amy? Because if... if you've killed them..."

Eggpony cackled. "I've done nothing to them! They're likely still back on Mobius with my sniveling nephew. I only hope your idiotic friends are smart enough to get us back there."

"Hey!" Sonic replied as his mane bristled. "You should know better than to talk about my pals like that Eggpony. Unless you want to get spindashed into the moon!"

"You? Spindash? Look at you! You're a PONY Sonic! You've never been less threatening in your life!" Eggpony said laughing.

Sonic looked over himself. He was still his awesome color of blue, though he now had four legs, a mane and a flowing tail. His mane was slightly spiked like his spines used to be and on his rear leg was some sort of symbol. It was a picture of his old shoes, except now on his leg. "Hey guys! What's this picture on my butt?" He asked suddenly. Everyone looked at him strangely. "No really, look. See? You guys each have one too."

Bunnie was to first to realize that her symbol was an iron fist. "Well lookee there. It looks like mah bionic hand. Never thought ah'd miss that," she said quietly as she looked herself over. Her bionics were completely gone along with her jacket, though she still had a braid in her yellow mane and a hat on her head. "And look 'Twan, your symbol, it looks like a sword."

Antoine admired his symbol, for it was indeed a sword. He had no idea why it was painted yellow, but it suited his brown coat. He too had lost his jacket, though his ponytail remained intact in his yellow mane. He thought he was definitely the most handsome pony here, certainly far more handsome than Sonic and Eggpony.

"Mine's... Nicole," Sally said as she hung her head. Everyone saw that she had a picture of the small handheld computer they used when taking Nicole on their missions. Silence overtook the group, until Sally shook out her red mane and smiled. "Well, I'm not sure what these markings mean, but I imagine they're important."

"Then what the heck is mine supposed to mean?" Eggpony asked angrily as he motioned toward his behind. Everyone looked at it and snickered.

"Heh, I think you've got a bad egg there Eggpony," Sonic answered before he fell to the ground laughing. For on his flank was a picture of a rotten egg, perfectly matching his bright red coat of hair. His mustache sagged and it seemed his light brown mane did as well.

He immediately bristled and snorted. "Well. Clearly it's symbolic of my... great... mind... Yes! Now if you'll excuse me," Eggpony said as he picked a pair of goggles off the ground with his teeth and placed them on his head, "I've got an evil plan to... plan! Toodles!" He immediately ran off into the nearby forest.

"Well, that was quick," Sally remarked before turning to face her Freedom Fighters. "Alright guys, I'm not really sure why we're here but we might be able to get some answers from Ponyville. So, shall we head off?" Everyone shrugged their shoulders and nodded. Sonic quickly took the lead as he zoomed off to the town.



"Waaaah! How do I stop?!" Sonic screamed as he scrambled against the ground with all four of his legs. He had run right into the center of the town and was now surrounded by ponies and various buildings. "Sorry!" He shouted at a pony that ran out of his way just in time. He turned his head momentarily to ensure she was alright, only to find himself sliding into a fruit stand, sending apples flying everywhere.

"Hey! Watch where you're headin' stranger," a voice called out as Sonic spit an apple out of his mouth and stood up groggily.

"Ugh... sorry Bunnie, I didn't mean to run into you," Sonic said sheepishly as he turned around. "I'll try to... hey! You're not Bunnie!"

The pony began picking up apples with her teeth and putting them in the baskets lying around. "Of course I ain't a bunnie, I'm a pony. Name's Applejack. Your's?"

"Uh... I'm Sonic. Sonic the hedgehog!" He said, striking a pose.

Applejack laughed. "Naw, you ain't a hedgehog! Ya okay up there?" She tapped a hoof on Sonic's head before turning back to her apples.

"Oh, uh right. Yeah, I'm Sonic the... pony... I'm sorry, that... that won't work for me. Why couldn't I be a... an anything except a pony!" Sonic cried. Applejack rolled her eyes and mumbled something about crazy strangers. "Uh, say, this is Ponyville right?" he quickly asked, changing the subject.

Applejack nodded. "Ah reckon it is. Me and my family own the apple orchards 'round here so I've lived here mah whole life. Nice place, it's quiet. We don't get much ruckus that-"

"There you are Sonic!" Sally shouted as she ran towards Sonic and tackled him, knocking over the apple baskets Applejack had filled up. "You can't run off like that around here! Who knows what might happen?" She helped Sonic to his feet as Bunnie and Antoine filed in behind her quietly.

Applejack sighed as her ears drooped. "Ah take it you're all new here, am ah right?" Sally looked at what she had done and gasped.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to knock over your apples!" She began helping Applejack pick them up, bringing a smile to the orange pony's face.

"Thank ya kindly stranger, the name's Applejack!" She shook each new ponies' hoof vigorously before restacking all of her baskets again. "This heah's Ponyville, though ah already told your blue friend here that."

Sally breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness, we don't really know our way around here. A pink pony told us Ponyville was nearby but we-"

"Pink pony?" Applejacked smirked. "Take it ya'll met Pinkie Pie then. Ah reckon she'll have a party ready for ya soon."

"A... a party?" Bunnie asked. It was then that Applejack noticed Bunnie for the first time. She rubbed her eyes and blinked, amazed at what she saw.

"Well... I'll be a coon's tail dipped in apple butter! Ya look... Eerily similar to me..." Applejack stated cautiously as she looked Bunnie over with a sharp eye. "Though yer cutie mark's definitely not the same as mine."

"Okay, what the hoo-hah is going on?" Bunnie asked angrily. "Ah don't know what a cutie mark is or why ya look just like ah do, but it's freakin' the tar outta me."

"Well how do ya think ah feel?" Applejack retorted. "And how could ya not know what yer own cutie mark is?" She motioned toward the symbol on Bunnie's flank.

"Ah-ha!" Sally interjected. "So that's what those symbols are, cutie marks!"

"CUTIE MARKS?!" Sonic and Antoine moaned at the same time. "No," Sonic said as he stomped his hoof, "there is no way I have a... cutie mark." He shuddered as Antoine made a face to show his displeasure.

"Our marks are representing ze manliness inside of us," Antoine said hotly as he puffed out his chest. "Zey are not... cutie marks."

"Yeah, uh... They kinda are. Cutie marks that is," Applejack replied as she held back a laugh. "Uh, anyway. Is ya'll here for a visit or are ya movin' in?" She asked, changing the subject. Everyone looked to Sally for an answer.

"We're... not sure yet," Sally said as she looked around. "It depends on if we can find our way back home."

Applejack's eyes widened. "Ya'll are lost? Oh deah, okay. Ah think ah know a pony who can help," she said as she put a closed sign over her broken apple stand.

"Oh, uh... it's not quite like WHOA!" Sally exclaimed as Applejack gave her a shove from behind.

"Come on ya'll, it's this way. Yer gonna meet a good friend of mine, she knows a lot about this place and can probably get ya a map or somethin'," she said as she pushed them all toward a large tree with windows up and down it's trunk. Everyone stopped to drop their jaws at the sight, before Applejack again began pushing them towards it.



"TWILIGHT!" Applejack shouted as she threw the door open with a bang. The purple pony inside dropped her book in fright and turned around quickly.

"Applejack! Don't startle me like that!" Twilight said as she picked her book back up and placed it carefully on the shelf.

"Sorry Applejack, but have ah got somethin' for you!" She immediately pushed all four ponies inside. The four looked around and realized they were inside a large library. The walls were lined with books of every size and color, giving the air an academic smell. Applejack slammed the door behind them as she came in and stood beside Twilight.

"APPLEJACK!"

"Sorry," Applejack replied as she blushed. "But anyway, these four ponies, uh... ah know one of 'em is Sonic and the other is Sally," she said as she pointed to them respectively. "And mah look-a-like is named Bunnie or something or other, and the handsome devil in the ponytail is Antoine. And everyone, this heah is my best friend Twilight Sparkle." Twilight looked at each of them and smiled.

"I take it you're new in Ponyville then! Welcome, I hope you enjoy your-" she began before Applejack cut her off.

"Wait Twilight, they said they was lost. Ah figured maybe ya had a map or somethin' that could help 'em. You bein' surrounded by all these books and all." Applejack continued staring at Antoine, making him blush furiously as he slid closer to Bunnie.

Twilight shook her head. "I don't know Applejack, I mean, I can try, but I can't promise results."

"WAIT!" Sonic shouted as he stepped forward and closed one eye, gazing at Twilight with one eye. She grinned uncomfortably as she took a step back. "I just wanna ask... what's that growing out of the middle of your head?" Twilight looked up and giggled.

"Ha, you certainly have a sense of humor Sonic. All unicorns have a horn; it's how they use their magic." She demonstrated by moving a book from the top shelf to the ground level as her horn glowed purple.

Sonic's jaw dropped and his left eye began twitching. "U... unicorn... magic... ponies..." He plopped to the ground and covered his face with his front hooves. "Oh please make it stop, make it stop make it stop!" he sobbed. An awkward silence took over the room as Sonic continued making whimpering noises.

"So! Where are you from then?" Twilight asked loudly, trying to break the silence. Sally stepped in front of Sonic and pushed him to the side with her leg.

"We're uh... well, could you tell us where exactly we are first?" Sally asked.

Applejack shook her head. "Ah already told 'em they was in Ponyville. Even Pinkie told 'em that."

"Pinkie?" Twilight sighed. "How long ya think until the party?"

"Eh, a few hours," Applejack replied shrugging her shoulders. "Now as to where in Equestria these four came from..."

"Equestria?" Sally tilted her head. "What's Equestria?"

"Whaddya mean what's Equestria? It's where all ponies live!" Applejack said incredously. "Ya sure these ponies have all their eggs in their basket?" She whispered to Twilight. Twilight shrugged.

"Tell you what, why don't you four rest here for today and tonight, and tomorrow we can figure everything out. You seem to be tired and some of you... look like you could really use some rest," she said as she looked over at Sonic, still whimpering on the floor.

Sally sighed. "Yes, that might be for the best. Is there a place you recommend we can stay?"

Applejack threw a hoof around Antoine then Bunnie and pulled them in. "Ah can put you up back at the farm! Ya can help me work the orchards there and we'll give ya some food and a place to rest!"

"Ah think we'll pa-" Bunnie started to say as she glared ever so slightly at Applejack.

"Zat would be perfect!" Antoine said as he pulled himself free from Appejack's grasp and stood next to Bunnie. Applejack grinned.

"Perfect! Ya'll tell me when yer ready! Ah'll be at the stand cleanin' up a bit," she said as she left the building. Bunnie shot daggers through her eyes at Antoine, who stood there oblivious to what he had done.

"Well," Twilight said, "I guess that leaves you two then. You're welcome to stay here Sally; I have plenty of room in this library."

Sally smiled. "Thank you Twilight, that's very kind of you!" She looked over at Sonic and frowned. "What should we do with him though?"

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "I suppose he could room with my assistant Spike, if he'll take him. I'm not entirely sure where he went anyway..." she said as she looked all around. "Oh! That's right, I sent him out to collect some writing supplies. He'll probably be back soon."

"Spike? Who's Spike?" Sally asked.

"Oh, he's my friend and the best assistant a student could ask for. Though, he is only a BABY dragon, so he can't do everything," Twilight replied nonchalantly.

Sonic immediately sat up and screamed. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE!!" He fled the building in the blink of an eye, leaving a bewildered Twilight and Sally behind.

"Well... I see where he gets his name from," Twilight said. "Is he going to be alright?"

Sally nodded her head and smiled. "Oh yeah, he's fine. He's probably just going to go out exploring and be back a little later."


Sonic ran through the streets of Ponyville, dodging ponies and buildings. He was getting better at running on all fours, though he didn't really know how he was going to stop yet. Still he kept running, leaving the town behind as wide fields opened up before him. "Now THIS is more like it!" Sonic thought to himself as he poured on even more speed. The wind in his mane, his hooves pounding on the ground; even if he had to be a pony he was thrilled he could still run as fast before.

"Hey!" A voice called out, breaking through Sonic's thoughts. He quickly glanced around, but seeing no one he continued on running. "HEY!" the voice shouted again. This time Sonic pulled to a full stop and looked all around him.

"Coulda swore I heard someone," He muttered. He set off at a trot as he continued looking for the source of the voice he heard. Suddenly, a pony head appeared right in front of him and grinned. Sonic took a step back and saw that it was a flying pony. "Oh great, you guys can fly too! Isn't that swell?!"

"Uuuh, sure!" She replied as she fluttered down to the ground and started walking around Sonic, looking him over. "But I haven't seen you around town before, and I couldn't help noticing how fast you were running there." Sonic immediately swelled with pride as he always did when someone praised his speed. "Course, it wasn't nearly as fast as me, but still, not bad. I guess."

Sonic's eyes narrowed as the winged pony stopped right in front of him. "Did you just say you were faster than me? ME?" The pony crossed her front legs as she gave a short, terse nod.

"Don't take it personally or anything. But I'm Rainbow Dash, the fastest Pegasus to ever fly in the skies Equestria! And someday, I'll be able to fly with the Wonder-" She was cut off as Sonic stomped a hoof on the ground and grinned at her.

"Dashy, you obviously never met me. I just happen to be THE fastest thing alive, too fast for the naked eye, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG!" He loudly proclaimed. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow and rubbed her head with her hoof.

"You don't look like a hedgehog to me," she said smirking. Sonic's ears drooped for just a second, before he raised his head high.

"Well, whatever I am, I'm still the fastest!"

"Care to... prove it?" Rainbow Dash asked threateningly as she spread her wings and raised herself off the ground.

"Pff," Sonic snorted, "I don't have to prove anything." Rainbow Dash's grin turned into a frown, until Sonic smiled up at her and said, "But that still won't stop me from having fun kicking your butt!" He immediately took off at an incredible speed, leading behind the rainbow-maned pony in a cloud of dust.

"Hey! NO FAIR HEAD START!" She shouted as she flew off after him. It only took her a few seconds to catch up to Sonic, much to his surprise. He quickly kicked the speed up a notch, leaving behind a shocked Rainbow Dash. Still she poured on even more speed, each of them going faster and faster until their faces began rippling in the wind.

Sonic suddenly caused Rainbow Dash's jaw to drop as he jumped in the air and landed facing her, running backwards at the same speed he was before. "Heh, you're pretty fast for a pegawhatsit!" He laughed. Rainbow Dash glared at him, before reaching for every ounce of speed inside her. She took off straight up into the air, leaving Sonic on the ground. "What the...?"

Far up in the clouds Rainbow Dash still pushed on, determined to prove her awesomeness to this blue upstart. "Almooost... theeere..." she managed to chatter out as she pushed against the barrier forming around her. Moments later she broke through, sending a loud boom out everywhere along with a circular rainbow. She flew faster than ever before, a rainbow trailing behind her as she grinned down at the blue speck on the ground that was Sonic the Not-So-Fast Pony.

Sonic gazed in awe at his first Sonic Rainboom. "Whoa... I've never... that's..." he stuttered as he looked into the air, still running backwards. Unfortunately for him, he tripped over a rock in his path which sent him flying head over hooves into some nearby shrubbery. "Urgh..." he moaned before picking himself out of the shrubs and shaking the leaves and sticks out of his mane.

Rainbow Dash flew in and circled around above Sonic's head, creating a swirling vortex of rainbows. Sonic closed his eyes from the cacophony of colors. "Guess you just can't take the rainbow can ya Sonic?" Rainbow said laughing. She landed in front of him and folded her wings in.

"Hey, just because you can make rainbows doesn't mean you're faster than me," Sonic retorted. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she started walking back to town. "I mean... that just proves you're... rainbow-ier! I'm STILL the fastest!" He said as he fell into step beside her.

"Yeah, in your dreams!" Rainbow Dash replied loudly. They both stopped and looked at each other. Sonic grinned along with Rainbow Dash. "Betcha can't beat me back to Ponyville!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew off.

"NO FAIR HEAD... aw forget it," Sonic snorted as he zoomed off behind her.



Back in Ponyville, Antoine and Bunnie walked out of the library into the open sunlight. Antoine breathed in a deep breath of fresh air. "You know Cherie, I zink I can get used to zis world. Eet may be different but eet's quite colorful, non?" Bunnie responded by grabbing his tail in her teeth and pulling him behind the nearest building. "What iz wrong mah Cherie?"

Bunnie spit out his tail and huffed. "Look 'Twan, ah'm glad you're so gung-ho about this place but we need to figger a way back home. Plus," she leaned in close and whispered in Antoine's ear, "Ah don't really trust Applejack."

Antoine giggled. "Why are you not trusting of Applejack? She has been nice to us so far." Bunnie shook her head and glared at him.

"She's too dern nice! Plus any one who looks that much like me is downright freaky!" Bunnie peered out from behind the building to make sure no one was listening in.

"Applejack looks like you? I saw no resembling," Antoine whispered back.

"That's resemblance 'Twan. And she looks jus' like me!" She replied hotly. Antoine looked at her innocently then peeked around the building at Applejack, still working on cleaning up her stand.

"Non. No resemblance," Antoine stated matter-of-factly. Bunnie glared at him as her face turned red. "Are you feeling alright Cherie? Perhaps we should be resting..." Bunnie let out a long breath of air as she hung her head.

"Ah'm fine sugah, jus' fine. Worryin' that's all," she said meekly. She rested her head on Antoine's neck as she sighed. "Ya know, even if I am a pony now, ah'm glad ah can be a pony with you." Antoine nuzzled her softly in reply.

"And I wouldn't dream of being a pony with anyone else," Antoine said quietly. "And besides! You have no more metal! Ma Cherie is completely wholly!"

Bunnie giggled. "Right. Well, ah guess we better git going." She stepped out and went over to Applejack, Antoine following right behind her.

"There you two are! We best be headin' to the orchards if we want to git any supper!" Applejack grinned as they started to head off. They hadn't gone more than a few feet though when Applejack was suddenly tackled to the ground by a yellow flying pony.

"Oh... oh Applejack! It's simply awful! There's... and... it's awful!" The pegasus stuttered fearfully as she curled up behind Applejack and hid her face with her wings.

"Fluttershy? What's the matter sugar cube?" Applejack asked worriedly as she stood up. Fluttershy peeked out from behind one of her wings and whispered.

"There's a horrible, awful monster out there. And... and... there was a terrible, terrifying pony helping it!" Fluttershy whispered.

Applejack turned to Bunnie and Antoine. "Guys, this is another friend of mine, Fluttershy. I ain't sure what she's talkin' bout but it sounds mighty bad."

"Could it be Eggman... Eggpony?" Antoine asked fearfully.

"Eggwho?" Applejack raised an eyebrow. Suddenly their conversation was interrupted as two streaks sped by, knocking Bunnie and Applejack's hats off. "What the hay was that? Rainbow Dash!"

The rainbow colored streak came to a full stop. "Hey AJ! You won't believe my new friend; he's ALMOST as awesome as I am!" The blue colored streak came to a stop and pulled up beside Bunnie and Antoine.

"Hey, almost? I'm waaay cooler than you Dash and you know it!" Sonic winked as he bragged on himself.

"Soneek? Where 'ave you been?" Antoine asked. Sonic quickly began relaying his afternoon adventures to Antoine as Bunnie and Applejack picked up their hats, placing them on their heads. Then switched them around.

"Ah think this be your hat," Applejack said giggling.

"Hey!" Fluttershy said quietly. Everyone continued talking, leaving poor Fluttershy in the center. She folded her ears back and again quietly said, "Hey!" They still didn't hear her, though they did hear a loud, earth-shaking sound that sent Fluttershy scurrying under the nearest pony, Sonic. "Eep..." she moaned, shaking in fear.

Sonic looked down at her and stepped aside. "Hey, it's gonna be alright!" Fluttershy looked up at the unfamiliar blue pony smiling down at her confidently. She couldn't help but feel just a bit safer looking at him. "I'm Sonic, and strange sounds that come from nowhere are my kinda business!"

"Th-thank you..." Fluttershy blushed as she spoke barely above a whisper. Seconds later the same sound shook the entire village, but Fluttershy didn't feel as afraid as she did before. Sally and Twilight appeared from the library and ran towards the group.

"Sonic," Sally began," you don't think it could be-"

"It's about time he showed up!" Sonic laughed as he pounded the ground with his hoof in anticipation.

"Okay, can somepony tell me what's going on here?!" Twilight asked with heat in her voice. Sally took a deep breath and spoke quickly.

"See we're a group of people who are called Freedom Fighters, and we fight against the evil mad Doctor Eggman who wants to rule the world! But he built a machine that took us from our world to your world and then we got turned into ponies because we didn't used to be ponies, I used to be a squirrel and he a hedgehog and she a rabbit and him a coyote-fox-whatever and our other friends are back home and they're probably worried about us and... and..." She stopped when she realized all eyes were on her. Applejack's and Twilight's mouth hung open, though Rainbow Dash seemed almost excited by this news.

"That. Is. AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she did a quick loop in the air. "So this sound is coming from that Eggpony fella?" Sally and Sonic nodded their heads. "And we get to beat him up?!" Sonic grinned. "BEST. DAY. EVER!" Dash shouted loudly.

"Rainbow Dash this is most certainly not awesome!" Twilight interjected. "This is... terrible! What if he destroys Ponyville?!" She looked down as she felt a tug on her tail to see Fluttershy hunkered down along the ground.

"Egg... Eggpony won't destroy Ponyville," she said confidently, pointing to Sonic. "He said he would keep us safe!" Twilight looked in surprise from Fluttershy to Sonic and back again.

"Did you really say that?" Twilight asked. Sonic nodded in reply.

"Not only did I say it, I meant it!" Sonic stated matter of factly. A loud cackling suddenly broke through their thoughts as a shadow fell over them. Everyone simultaneously looked up and saw, much to their shock... a giant metal pony. It was at least twenty feet tall, its gleaming steel shining in the sunlight as it stood there to do Eggpony's bidding.

"Oh the horror, the HORROR!" A white pony with a red mane shouted as every pony in Ponyville began running and screaming at the sight of the monster.

"It's okay guys; it's just the entertainment for my party!" A pink pony said happily as she bounded out into the open. She looked up at the metal pony and frowned. "Aw, that's not what I wanted at all!"

"PINKIE PIE!" Twilight shouted. Pinkie turned her head and smiled at the sight of her friends. "Will you get over here?!" Pinkie Pie nodded and bounced over happily.

"Oh, hi Ponyville visitors!" Pinkie Pie said as she jumped up between the four new ponies and somehow pulled them all to her. "We're gonna have a party in celebration of you guys being here!"

"This is the best welcome ever," Sonic sniffed as a tear of joy rolled from his eye.

"Focus team!" Sally said as she got out from under Pinkie's arm and stood defiantly in the large robot pony's path. "EGGPONY! Ugh, I can't believe I just said that..." Sally hoofpalmed and shook her head. "What are you doing here Eggpony?"

A small flying vehicle appeared out from behind the towering monstrosity. The roundish object flew towards Sally and the rest of the ponies, piloted by a familiar mustached face. "Dohoho! Well, if the Freedom Fighters haven't already gathered to defeat me! It's too bad NONE of you have your abilities any more! Unlike I, the EGGPONY!" Everyone was silent for a moment until Eggman groaned. "Curse that hedgehog, now he has me saying it..."

"Heh, guess you haven't been paying attention Eggpony, since I've still got my super speed!" Sonic shouted back. He glanced over at Rainbow Dash and laughed. "And I'm not the only one with super speed here!"

Eggpony raised an eyebrow and snorted. "I don't care what you have Sonic, I'm still going to beat you! Because my new Mechapony is more powerful than you can ever imagine!"

"Wait a darn-tootin' minute here, what did ya build that out of?" Bunnie asked suspiciously.

"Ah, the southern hick tries to show some intelligence!" Eggman laughed derisively. Antoine's blood boiled as he made a step forward to protect his Bunnie, but was caught by surprise when Applejack strode in front of Bunnie and glared at Eggpony.

"Ah don't care who you are or what yer doin' here, but ya ain't gonna talk 'bout my new friend that way!" Applejack shouted. Eggpony ducked slightly behind the windshield of his Egg Flyer, before sticking his tongue out at the two. He was instantly hit by a thrown apple, much to the delight of the ponies on the ground. Applejack high fived Bunnie and took a slight bow.

"Wow, thanks Applejack," Bunnie said happily.

"No problem sugar cube, ah always stick up fer my friends!" She replied. Pinkie Pie suddenly bounded out in front of them all and began jumping up and down.

"Ooh ooh! Eggpony! Why are you called Eggpony? Do you like eggs? And why did you build that robot? What did ya make it out of?"

"I... what? I... I built it out of my last machine," Eggpony answered the last question first, considering it was the only one he heard.

"Your last machine?!" Sally asked incredulously. "You mean the machine that sent us all here?" Eggpony nodded. "THE ONE THAT COULD HAVE SENT US BACK HOME?!" Eggpony nodded again, before his mustache sagged in realization.

"Er... well. I... I was going to go back home myself you see! But I knew... I knew that it would be far more torturous to leave you all here in this terrifyingly cute and cuddly PONY WORLD! YES!" He laughed loudly at his own joke, even though no one else did. "Ahem, where was I. Oh yes! Destroying you all! GO MECHAPONY!" With that the robotic pony lifted one of its large hooves and brought it down right in front of the group, sending them all in the air.

"Wheeee!" Pinkie pie laughed as she came back to the ground. Fluttershy immediately ran behind the nearest pony mumbling something about terrible awfulness while Sonic and Rainbow Dash ran to the front of the group, ready to fight. Bunnie and Antoine took their places beside Sonic as Applejack and Twilight stood beside Rainbow Dash.

"Eet's times like this I weeshed I had my sword," Antoine said. Bunnie smiled a small, comforting smile at him, giving him a boost of confidence.

"Okay guys, here's the plan! Sonic and Rainbow Dash will rush him head on, Sonic at the bottom and Rainbow Dash at the top! Bunnie and Applejack, throw him off balance using those apples! Antoine and Twilight, land a hit in wherever you can! Fluttershy," Sally looked down at the frightened pony at her feet, "You... can stay here beside me."

"Oh... thank you," Fluttershy said meekly.

"Oh! Oh! What can I do?" Pinkie Pie asked excitedly as she hopped up and down. Sally opened her mouth to answer her, before Pinkie Pie gasped as her eyes shone brightly. "I KNOW! I'll sing a good luck cheer for you all!"

"What." Sonic stated more than asked as Pinkie Pie pulled a pair of pom-poms out of nowhere.

"Um, Pinkie? I don't think this is the best time for a song," Sally said.

"Oh silly, I'm not going to sing! I'm going to CHEER!" Pinkie Pie giggled as she shook her pom poms.

"Erm, you know... I think we could... use more apples actually! Yes, could you get some more apples?" Sally asked. Pinkie Pie blinked before nodding her head.

"Of course! I'll be right back! Bye bye Eggpony!" She waved to the giant robot before she hopped away.

"Can I start attacking you all now?" Eggpony sighed.

"Everyone! Remember your postions! MOVE OUT!" Sally shouted as she motioned forward.

"Who put her in charge?" Rainbow Dash asked defiantly. Sonic shrugged.

"Eh, just roll with it, her plans usually work," Sonic replied. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and took off to the sky, heading straight for the Mechapony's face. Applejack and Bunnie began picking up apples and kicking them at the robot, sending applesauce splattering everywhere. "Uh, Sal? How do I hurt it? It's not like I can spindash any more!"

"Just do what Antoine's doing!" She shouted. Sonic looked over to Antoine and saw him drop kick the Mechapony's leg, causing it to teeter slightly. Sonic ran quickly towards the robot and jumped into the air, spinning around once before kicking his back legs out, putting a dent in the Mechapony's side. "Look out! IT'S COMING DOWN!" The Mechapony's metal began to groan as it tilted to the side.

Eggpony pulled at his mustache and screamed. "Well at least my robot will still crush your puny town!" Just then a purple aura appeared all around the Mechapony as it hovered in the air. Everyone looked at Twilight, whose horn glowed with the use of magic. Sweat beaded on her head as she moved it up in the air and outside of the town. "HOW CAN YOU...? What sort of trickery is this!?"

"It's not trickery Eggpony," Sonic said, "It's just good ol' magic." He grinned as Eggpony's mustache sagged in defeat.

"Aw yeah! Go Twilight!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she made kicks in the air.

Fluttershy peered out from behind Sally and smiled. "Yay!" She said quietly. Applejack and Bunnie gave each other high fives as Antoine tried to clap his hands. Finding he couldn't do that, he settled for pounding his hooves against the ground.

Twilight stepped out of the town, still holding the large robotic beast in the air. Sweat visibly rolled down her face as exhaustion began to hit her. She only focused harder on her mission, carrying the Mechapony to a large nearby lake before finally dropping it into the water. The Mechapony sputtered sparks as it sank beneath the waves, affectively destroying all of its machinery.

"Wow!" Fluttershy said as she fluttered in beside the now tired Twilight. "I can't believe you destroyed that malevolent metal monstrosity so magnificently!" Twilight smiled sheepishly as the other ponies ran to congratulate her as well.

"Here's the apples!" Pinkie Pie said happily as she suddenly appeared with two full bags strapped across her back. She looked around the scene and moaned, "Aaaaaw, is the party over?"

"YOU THINK THIS IS OVER?!" Eggpony shouted as he pounded on his flying machine in a fit of anger. It promptly began to cough and sputter before falling out of the sky, sending a screaming Eggpony to the ground below. He threw himself out of his broken machine and rolled along the ground as the Egg Flyer crashed into the ground, exploding with the least grace and dignity possible. "Uuuugh..." he moaned.

Sonic stood over Eggpony and grinned. "Well Eggpony, you were defeated even faster than usual this time. All thanks to our new friends!" He looked around at the new ponies he had met. Each and every one of them had helped in some way; well, except maybe Fluttershy but she was still one of his new friends.

"Bah!" Eggpony said as he stood up and shook out his mane. "Your friends had nothing to do with it! It was that accursed 'magic' that they used."

"Well, you know what they say," Sonic began. The other ponies gathered around him and grinned at Eggpony, making him step back uncomfortably. Sonic looked at each of them before stating in a dramatic voice, "Friendship is magic."

"What the heck?" Sally broke in. "What kind of cheesy line is that?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "That was not cool bro, not cool." The ponies muttered to each other as they walked away, leaving behind a bewildered Sonic and Eggpony.

"You... you thought it was cool, right?" Sonic asked Eggpony. The mustached pony shook his head.

"That was the worst line I ever heard anyone say. Ever. In my life," He replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to plan some sort of counter-attack even though I have no base. Or machines. Or anything to build machines with." He continued mumbling as he walked off towards the forest.

Sonic now stood alone as he took a deep breath. Sure, maybe it was a different world, but there was still plenty of action and friends to share it with. Even if they didn't appreciate his awesome one-liners. He walked slowly back to Ponyville as he took in the sights. For as much as he enjoyed running, he still liked to take it slow sometimes.

Back in town everyone was still congratulating Twilight when a white unicorn pranced up to the group. "Twilight darling, what am I hearing about a large robot pony attacking the town? I don't see any robot pony out here. Did I miss anything?"

Twilight laughed. "Oh Rarity, you didn't miss much. But... why don't you meet our new friends?" Rarity blinked as she saw for the first time the new ponies.

"Well helloooo there!" She said sweetly. Sonic joined up with the rest of his friends as she continued talking. "I am Rarity Unicorn, Ponyville's number one FASHION DEISGNER!" Sonic's eye immediately began to twitch as he screamed and ran off. "Oh dear. Does he need a new suit THAT badly?" Everyone laughed as Rarity looked on in confusion and Sonic ran out of Ponyville.

"So who's ready for a party!?" Pinkie Pie shouted joyfully.



Twilight Sparkle stood in her library as Spike put away some books she had left out earlier. "Wow," he said excitedly, "I can't believe all the cool stuff I missed!"

"Shhh," Twilight hushed him and motioned toward Sally, who was sleeping in the next room.

"Oh, right. Sorry," Spike replied sheepishly.

Twilight smiled. "Spike, take a note." The baby dragon leapt to the nearest desk and pulled out a scroll. Dipping a quill in ink, he poised his hand over the paper, ready to begin. Twilight cleared her throat.

Dear Princess Celestia, today was a more exciting today than usual as I made several new friends. They claim to be from a world different than ours, yet alike in so many ways. They have settled into Ponyville nicely, thanks to the kindness of my fellow friends. So I think I can say that I have learned that it doesn't matter where you come from or what you can do. There will always be something that can draw ponies together as friends.

Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle

"Sound good Spike?" She asked as he rolled the scroll up.

"Sounds perfect!" He said right before he burped on the scroll, causing it to disintegrate. "Now, I just have one more thing to ask..."

"Yes?"

"Why has HE taken over my bed?" Spike asked as he pointed toward Sonic, who somehow had managed to go to sleep on Spike's basket bed. Twilight giggled at the sight and shook her head.

"Oh Spike, I'll get you another bed." She said softly. Spike smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.