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The Fall of Equestria

Author's note:

Never before have I known that an author's note would be important! Already I'm sure the title of this story alone has caused some tension. The Fall of Equestria and the caribou story lines that have come from it is one of the most shockingly detested story threads I have ever encountered. This isn't without undue cause. In saying that, I also understand some of the appeal.

What I propose with my fiction is a completely different take on the caribou story arche and by extension, the fall of equestrian. This will be, to what I comprehend, is a somewhat realistic approach. What this means is that I am yheeting massive sections of what might be called 'cannon' caribou law.

I understand that it doesn't matter how I write, there will still be many who will hate it and that's perfectly fine. This story will not be the hardcore torture porn power play that many expect from a caribou related fic but neither will it be a 'friendship saves the day' happy go lucky fiction either. I ask that you read with an open mind and leave comments that are constructive.

The characters of the My Little Pony universe do not belong to me nor does the character of the Caribou King Dainn universe. Flyingstar is a mare of my own creation and design. Please do not use her for your own work without consultation.

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Chapter One

A New Friend

--

It had been early spring when they had first met the new mare. It had happened as a complete accident. Rainbow Dash was clearing the last of the snow clouds towards the edge on Ponyville. The group was going to meet for a picnic. Fluttershy was laying her patchwork quilt, smiling as Pinkie talked her ear off.

Rarity was chatting with Twilight and Spike. Applejack was coming towards the group with Starlight Glimmer, several wicker baskets between. The scent of warm apple pie and sugarcane slice drifted up to the flying pegasus. It was whilst she was shaking a particular stubborn cloud from her wing and inhaling the smell of her soon to be lunch that she didn't see the rather tall tree...

"Rainbow Dash look out!" Twilight yelped. It was too little too late as her friend smacked into the pine branches with a thud. There was a thundering of hooves as the ponies cantered over to her. They expected to find her in tangled heap. To their surprise, there were two lumps on the ground. The first was Rainbow Dash but the second...?

"Oww," Rainbow moaned as she tenderly picked herself up. She looked around to see what or rather whom had broken her fall.

"Hey, sorry about that. Are you okay?" In the shadow of the massive tree and the covering of leaves and twigs they really couldn't see much of the other pony except that she must have had a particularly dark coat.

"I'm alright," said a quiet voice. The mare shook herself. Not just twigs and leaves but dirt and mud fell from her coat. Applejack winced.

"Are you sure sugar cube?" She took a step forward and she surprised when the mare took a hesitant step back.

"We aren't going to hurt you." Spike said, head cocked to one side. The mare looked uncomfortable.

"I'm sure. Well, I must be going," she said. She tried to turn around when Pinkie Pie leapt in front her with a noise that could only be described as a squeal.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! These are my friends! What's your name? Are you new to Ponyville? Are you moving here? Where are you from? Do you want to be friends!?" She said all this very fast and very loud. The mare was rocking so far back on her haunches she was almost sitting down, her eyes wide.

"Pinkie! You're scaring her half to death," Applejack admonished. Pinkie blinked.

"I am?" she asked. Applejack shook her head.

"Good grief," muttered Starlight Glimmer, rolling her eyes. Rarity stepped forward.

"Pinkie Pie means well. She's just a little... excitable. Are you sure you're alright?" The unicorn asked uncertainly, looking over the stranger's filthy coat and taught posture.

"I'm not hurt. I've just travelled a long way. I just came to the town to pick up some supplies then I will be on my way again," the mare said.

"All by yourself?" Starlight Glimmer asked. They couldn't head much further out of the town before they hit the forest. Had this mare come through it?

"I have always travelled alone," the mare muttered, shifting from one hoof to another.

"Where are you staying?" Applejack asked. Sure, they were being a bit noisy but it wasn't often that a stranger just wandered into town like this. The mare's head dropped a little.

"Umm, no where yet."

"Now that won't do!" Rarity said.

"Please, I really should just go, I'm sorry to have bothered you." The mare said. Rainbow Dash snorted.

"Bothered us? I fell on your head," she snarked. Rarity gave her the stink eye.

"Please, we really don't mean you any harm. Would you like something to eat?" This time Fluttershy cut in. The mare was still for a long moment as she looked at the Pegasus. Fluttershy's own quiet manner seemed to calm her a little.

"I... I suppose, if you want me to," she said finally. Twilight beamed.

"Please do. We have plenty of food. I'm Twilight Sparkle," she said.

"I can see that," the mare said, not impolitely.

Twilight flushed a little. She still wasn't entirely used to being an alicorn. The mare stepped out into the sunlight and the group got their first proper look at her. Rarity bit her lip. Her coat really was filthy. They could see a silvery cutie mark of a shooting star on her flank. No wings or horn but long in the leg with mane and tail that fell in soft curls despite the dust.

"My name is Flyingstar," the mare said reluctantly. When Fluttershy gave her a gentle smile, she gravitated towards her then baulked when Pinkie rushed in again.

"That's a pretty name! Are you from Canterlot? How-"

"Pinkie!" Applejack snatched her friend back. Flyingstar had shrunk back against Fluttershy.

"Take it down a notch will ya?" Rainbow snapped. Pinkie pouted. As they led the new mare back to the picnic basket, they introduced themselves. Star was polite but was careful to say little about where she was from. She tried to refuse the food at first but her stomach growled as Applejack removed a large apple pie from the first basket.

"Help yourself. We always end up packing too much," the earth pony said with a large grin. After a moment's hesitation, Star took a piece.

"Thank you," Star said softly.

"You can't honestly be thinking of camping outside tonight?" Rarity asked. The mare hesitated.

"Why don't you come stay with us? There's plenty of room at the farm." Applejack offered. Star jerked her head up.

"I couldn't do that!"

"Why not?" Star shook her head.

"I don't mean to be rude but I'm not looking for handouts. I don't mean to be a burden on anyone," she said quickly.

"If you feel that strongly about it, we could always use an extra pair of hooves around the farm. Plenty to do," Applejack insisted. The mare seemed to consider this for a moment. A cold breeze picked up her dirty mane and made them all shiver.

"If I do stay, I want to work for it," She said. Twilight frowned.

"You really don't ha-"

"Please," the mare insisted. The ponies exchanged glances.

"Sure thing," Applejack shrugged. She certainly wasn't going to turn down the help though she hoped the mare would be up to the job. At the moment, she didn't look like she could handle much.

After the picnic they had walked back to the farm. Flyingstar had only a small saddle bag. She had not been very fourth coming about where she was from or if she had any other belongings. Applejack had a strong suspicion that the saddlebag was all she had. Flyingstar paused at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, apparently impressed. Applejack's chest puffed out with pride.

"You have a beautiful orchard," Star commented.

"You're to kind. I'll introduce you to ma brother, Big McIntosh but everyone calls him Big Mac. You'll also have to meet Granny Smith and my little sis Apple Bloom," Applejack called over her shoulder. When she turned to look, Flyingstar still hadn't moved.

"You coming, sugar cube? I promise they're all kind folk." The mare hesitated a moment longer before coming forward after her. Rarity and Twilight shared a baffled look. A loud barking made them all look up to the barn as Winona came tearing down the dirt road to meet them. To Applejack's surprise, the dog went right by her and stopped at Flyingstar's feet. She lowered to muzzle to the excited pup and Winona licked her right across the nose.

"Sorry about that. She really seemed to like you," Applejack said with a laugh. Flyingstar nuzzled the little canine, making Winona's tail wag into a full body wiggle.

"It's alright. I like dogs," came the soft reply.

"And who's this then?" Granny Smith's voice startled the small group. Big Mac came along behind serenely. Apple Bloom wasn't far behind her brother, bow bouncing as she pranced.

"Granny, Big Mac, this is Flyingstar. She will be staying with us for a while in exchange for helpin around the orchard," Applejack explained. Granny's eyes took in the filthy mare with surprise and mild concern. Applebloom just look confused.

"Did you fall in a mud puddle?" the filly asked. Applejack glared down at her sister.

"Something like that," Star offered. Applebloom giggled. Big Mac offered a friendly smile but Star took a hesitant step back. The stallion tilted his head, confused.

"Well, I'll show ya where ya can take a bath. Follow me!"

"Urm..." Star looked around nervously.

"It's okay. Come on!" the filly all but pushed Star up toward the house.

"She's certainly an odd one," Granny said. Twilight shook her head.

"You could say that again," Rainbow Dash snorted.

"Perhaps she's just shy?" Fluttershy offered.

"She's a nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs," said a bewildered Applejack.

"Yup," added Big Mac.

--

"Aren't you going to hop in?" Apple Bloom asked. Maybe she had added to much bubble bath. The mare looked very uncomfortable. She didn't smell great neither but Apple Bloom decided it would be rude to say that out loud.

"I..."

"It's just a bath. See, nothing to be afraid of," Apple Bloom said, dangling a hoof in the steaming water. Bubbles spilled over the sides of the bath onto the floor.

"It's not that... the mud is... on purpose," Star said, giving the water and uneasy glance. Apple Bloom frowned.

"On purpose? It's it uncomfortable though, having it stuck to yur fur like that?"

"A bit," admitted the mare.

"No one's gunna make fun of ya. I promise," Apple Bloom drawled thinking that maybe the mare was embarrassed. Finally, she climbed into the bath.

"I'll leave ya to get cleaned up," Apple Bloom said as she trotted from the room and closed the door behind her. The others were all clustered in the kitchen. Applejack glanced at her sister.

"She in the bath?"

"Yeah, she said she was all muddy on purpose. I don't think she really wanted to wash it off," Apple Bloom said, her face puzzled. The group shared another round of puzzled and interested looks. Pinkie Pie, acting the whirlwind, rushed around organising tea and cupcakes. It took quite a while for Flyingstar to be finished. When she came timidly out, she was so wrapped up in towels they could only see her eyes which were a lovely pale blue.

"Urgh, it's not that cold in here," Rainbow Dash said, trying to hide her snort of laughter. Star hesitated.

"Would it be alright to go to the spare room? Or I can sleep in the stable. I don't mind," Applejack had to lean forward to hear what she had said, she was nearly whispering.

"You're not sleeping in the barn. Come on, I'll show you to the spare room." Flyingstar started to follow but just then, Pinkie stepped back, her hooves balancing a tray of cupcakes. She stepped on the corner of the towel and as Star shifted, the towel unravelled. The group gasped.

Twilight had to blink hard to make sure she wasn't seeing things. For the briefest of moments, she thought she was seeing Princess Luna but no, that wasn't right. The mare had no horn or wings.

What she did have was an incredible dark indigo pelt that glittered like diamonds with a black and navy sparkling mane.

"You're a crystal pony!" shrieked Pinkie, sending Star stumbling backward in alarm. Realising her cover of towels was gone, her eyes widened in panic.

"It's alright, wait a moment!" Starlight Glimmer called as Star turned on a dime and galloped from the room, heading straight for the front door, the group still calling after her. She had not expected Applejack to step right out in front of her. Star skittered to a halt, her elegant hooves slipping on the tiles.

"Now wait just a gosh darn second would you! No one here is gunna hurt you! Please just calm down," the earth pony barked. The mare's eyes went from left to right, up and down like a trapped mouse being drown in a bucket.

"I'm sorry we scared you. We were just surprised. Please sit down, please?" Twilight asked gently. Slowly, very slowly, the mare's coat lost the staring look that fright gave it and she stopped looking around for an escape. Fluttershy came forward and carefully guided the mare into the sitting room. Pinkie was pointedly escorted to the opposite side of the room with her trays of cupcakes.

"You're really pretty!" Apple Blood said, staring up at Star with wide eyes. The mare flushed slightly.

"I thought I was seeing Princess Luna for a moment there," Rarity admitted, her own gaze taking in the glittering mane and tail.

Finally, Star was relaxed enough to sit down, her flank pressed against Fluttershy's.

"So did I. We don't see to many Crystal Ponies here. Did you come all the way from the Crystal Empire?" to their surprise, the mare shook her head.

"No. I've never been to the Crystal Empire," she whispered. They all stared. Even Winona stared. Rarity gave an uneasy laugh.

"You must have darling. All the crystal ponies were... well. That is to say-"

"I know what you're trying to say. Not all the crystal ponies stayed in the Crystal Empire when King Sombra took over. There weren't many who managed to escape. Maybe ten or less. My family's ancestors were some of those ponies. They didn't believe anyone could help them so they left Equestria." This took a lot of processing.

"So, you were not born in Equestria?" Twilight asked breathlessly. Star shook her head.

"I was. My grandmother was the first to come back. She settled somewhere in Western Equestria and had my mother. We moved around a lot though."

"Where are your mother and grandmother now?" Fluttershy asked gently but Star head drooped and she didn't say anymore.

--

It took a little while for the ponies to convince Flyingstar to stay in Ponyville for awhile.They began to understand why Flyingstar had covered herself in mud. As much as she tried to hide, the mare really did stand out. The sun glinted off her coat and attracted the eye of any stallion or mare that saw her.

The problem was, Star was very uncomfortable around crowds and ponies she didn't know. Though she hadn't said much, they all guessed she had been on her own for a long time. It took quite a while for the group to get Star to visit Ponyville's shops properly and even then, she never went by herself.

Applejack had bonded with the mare. Flyingstar had kept her word. Despite her elegant frame, she was surprisingly tough and could kick just as well as any young earth pony. She rarely asked questions, just requested her list of jobs for the day and did them without complaint.

Flyingstar became like a comfortable shadow, un-invasive but notably absent when she wasn't with them. She carried a sort of patience quiet about her that the others found enjoyable. Twilight had been surprised when, on one late afternoon Star had entered the library and asked to sit with her for awhile whilst she read.

"Sure, it's urh... it might be a bit boring though." Twilight said, nervously trying to brush the twenty or so books into a pile. Several of them fell off the desk completely with a loud thump.

"That's alright. If you don't mind the company?" The mare had said softly. Twilight shook her head.

"Not at all!" Star curled up on one of the large pillows. She didn't say anything. After an hour or two, Twilight realized the mare was dozing.

Star also often had tea with Fluttershy. She was quite at ease with any and all of the animals that lived in and around the Pegasus's home and Fluttershy had come to look forward to her company even if she never said much. It was good to finally have another pony around that was of a quiet nature. There were strong differences between the two though. They were beginning to understand that Flyingstar was not timid or afraid but rather uncomfortable with attention and weary of her surroundings.

Apple Bloom in particular had become very attached to the crystal mare. Flyingstar never seemed frustrated or annoyed by the constant chatter that came from the little filly. When the Cutie Mark Crusaders broke apart for a day or two to do their own things, Apple Bloom's first action was to find Flyingstar. Applejack smiled to herself as she watched the chatty filly bounce after the elegant stride of the dark mare.

Rainbowdash and Pinkie Pie had been a little more difficult. It had taken a long time for Star to even be in Pinkie's presence without flinching or fleeing. The loud noises and louder voices often made the mare disappear. She was nervous and uncomfortable around large crowds and Pinkie's over the top personality and Rainbow's brash nature had taken awhile to become accustomed to.

Sometimes even Ponyville was too much for her. On these occasions she retreated back into the forest and spent a day or two with Zacora. The first time this had happened they had all been sick with worry.

"You were worried about me?" she asked, truly sounding astonished when they had come looking for her.

"Well duh! Of course, we were!" Pinkie exploded. Star took a reflexive step back. Rarity shot the pink mare are a warning look.

"What she means, darling, is that we were all very worried. That's what friends do," Rarity said gently. Star stared. She looked a little shell shocked.

"Friends?" her voice was barely audible.

"Of course, sugar cube. We are your friends. You've come to mean a lot to us," Applejack cut in. The look of shock, sadness and hope was almost painful to see and again Applejack had to wander exactly where this mare had come from.

"I've never had this many friends before." Flyingstar said. She shifted uncomfortably from one hoof to the other. Twilight took a chance and stepped up beside her.

"I was pretty overwhelmed myself when I came to Ponyville but once I got the chance to meet everyone, I found out how amazing having friends was. Please come back with us Flyingstar." The glittering mare looked at each of them.

"You... you want me to come back?"

"Please," Fluttershy put in hopefully. After an encouraging nod from Zecora, Flyingstar stepped out into the forest, followed by her new friends.

--

END

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