Project Gaia : The arrival of humanity

Chapter 15 : Friendship

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."

- Muhammad Ali

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Ponyville, central Equestria. June 25th, 2038, 2038. 1100 hours.

Under the late morning sun, Ponyville's streets bustled with the usual cheerfulness as ponies went about their business. The gentle warmth brought a golden glow to the thatched rooftops, and the cobbled streets echoed with laughter and chatter. The small town was alive with the scent of fresh apples from the market and the gentle murmur of ponies enjoying the bright, cloudless day. But amid the busy thoroughfare, five familiar friends strode with a purposeful stride toward the train station at the edge of town.

Rainbow Dash, trotting with an almost electric energy, flexed her wings and gave a few playful punches in the air. "Alright, what do you think it'll be this time, huh? Some ancient dark king we gotta put in his place? A giant bug thing? Ooh, maybe even aliens?" Her voice was brimming with excitement, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Spike, hurrying alongside her, rolled his eyes. "I think that's just a [i]little[/i] ridiculous, Dash. I don't know any details yet. Twilight said it's some strange species that's causing trouble and could be dangerous. She was kinda... vague about the whole thing, but I'm sure she'll explain more once we meet up at the station."

"Oooooh!" Pinkie Pie bounced along with her usual spring, her voice as light as the pink curls bouncing around her face. "Do you think they'll like pancakes? Or maybe a nice party?"

Applejack gave her a flat look. "Pinkie, Ah wouldn't count on these critters bein' the party-lovin' type if they're attackin' the Royal Guard. From the sound of it, they might not even like cupcakes." She shuddered, as if the idea of any creature not liking cupcakes was a genuine tragedy.

"Well..." Fluttershy's soft voice barely rose above the chatter as she timidly looked around the group. "I hope they're not too scary. Do we... do we know what they look like?"

Rarity, who had been trotting gracefully at the back, perked up. "Yes, and do they have a... certain style to them? I mean, creatures causing havoc is one thing, but it'd be just dreadful if they have no sense of fashion!"

Rainbow Dash waved a hoof dismissively. "Who cares how they look or what they wear? I wanna know what they're capable of. These new creatures think they can mess with Equestria? Well, they're gonna get a taste of a Rainbow-powered beatdown!" She smirked, clearly itching for action.

As the group chatted, they reached the train station platform, where Twilight Sparkle was waiting, her eyes scanning the crowd anxiously until they landed on her friends. She gave a sigh of relief, her posture softening as she waved them over.

"Girls! Thank you so much for coming," Twilight said, her tone appreciative yet tinged with a subtle undertone of worry. "I've already got our tickets, so we can head to Canterlot right away." Her eyes moved quickly over her friends, the words in Celestia's letter fresh in her mind, but she hid her unease behind a calm demeanor.

Applejack trotted forward, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Sugarcube, ya gotta give us somethin' more here. What exactly are we facin'?"

Twilight shook her head, frustration flickering across her face. "I wish I knew more, Applejack. All I know is that there's a new species-creatures who seem aggressive, and the princess is really worried about them. She said they're very dangerous...We'll find out more when we get to Canterlot."