Adventures in Equestria Ep. 6

*It was morning in Ponyville as everypony was getting up from their beds. All except one strangely dedicated pony, who was already awake. Dizty Doo, the local mail mare, was doing her usual morning route. Which, as of late, started at Mezmo's residence. There, she was having a little trouble with his mailbox*

Ditzy: *tries to shove some mail into the closed mailbox* Open up, Mr. Mailbox, its time for your breakfast.

*Just then, Mezmo came outside to see Ditzy fumbling with the mailbox. He smiled silently and started walking towards her and his mailbox*

Mezmo: Morning, Ditzy.

Ditzy: *sees Mezmo* Oh! Hello, Mr. Magic Man. I brought you a letter! *holds out a muffin in her hoof*

Mezmo: *raises an eyebrow* Ditzy… That's a muffin.

Ditzy: It is? *looks at the muffin in her hoof* Oh! *chuckles* Oops! Sorry! That's the third time this week that's happened. *blushes out of embarrassment*

Mezmo: No sweat. *takes the muffin* I haven't had breakfast yet anyway.

Ditzy: My doctor friend says I need to work on that. Well, when he's not talking about wibbly wobbly time stuff. *takes an envelop from out of her mailbag and hands it to Mezmo* Here you go!

Mezmo: *takes the envelope* Thanks, Ditzy. Have a nice day.

Ditzy: You too. Buh-bye now! *flies off into the sky*

Mezmo: *goes inside and closes the door behind him* Nice pony… A bit strange, but nice.

*Just then, Salem came walking up to Mezmo from his resting spot on the couch*

Salem: That strange cross-eyed pony again?

Mezmo: Yup… She's definitely in need of a good eye correction spell.

Salem: I don't think all the magic in the world can fix that pony… Anything new?

Mezmo: Just this letter from… *eyes widen when he looks at the envelope* Nikola and Lian!!

Salem: Well, isn't that nice of them. What's it say?

Mezmo: *opens up the envelope and reads it as his eyes grow even larger* Hoo boy… I got to tell the girls this!!

*Later, at Twilight's library, the Mane Six had gathered around Mezmo as he was showing them all the letter that he had received from his friends back in Mareheim*

Rainbow Dash: So what's this all about? I was trying to sleep in.

Applejack: Rainbow, you always sleep in.

Twilight: Yeah, I'm kinda curious as well. What's so important about this letter?

Mezmo: It's from Lian and Nikola, my old friends from Mareheim. I want to read it to all of you… It's quite amazing…

Pinkie: Well, go on, read it!

Mezmo: Alright. *holds up the letter and begins to read it* Dear Our Great Friend, Mezmo… Nikola and I are writing to you today to let you know that we are leaving Mareheim together.

Twilight: *eyes widen* What?!

Rainbow Dash: *eyes widen* Whoa!!

Rarity: *eyes widen* Are they…eloping?

Mezmo: No, nothing that serious. Now let me keep reading.

Rarity: Sorry.

Mezmo: Anyway… *continues reading the letter* We came to this decision shortly after we arrived home in Mareheim…

***Flashback***

*Nikola and Lian were looking down at Mareheim from the top of a grassy hill*

Nikola: Be it ever so humble…

Lian: Well said. *sighs* I'm not looking forward to meeting with my father.

Nikola: I understand. I suppose the most I could do for you is wish the best of luck.

Lian: Thank you.

*The two friends then headed off in two different directions, both of which led to Mareheim*

*A while later, as Lian entered her home, she was greeted with the sight of her home's outstanding architecture and fine art that decorated the halls. Statues made of fine jade, beautifully rendered landscapes, and wall scrolls that depicted many unique sights and stories. One such scroll depicted the tale of Luna's decent in jealousy. Another showed her transformation into Nightmare Moon. The final one showed her banishment by Celestia's use of the Elements of Harmony. All of which were done in the art style of her homeland. As Lian continued through the immense halls of her home, she stopped for a moment and looked at the paneling of one the doorways. She looked some strange imprint on the paneling that appeared to be in the shape of a cogwheel with a capitol T in the center*

Lian: We all miss you very much, Dr. Thomason.

*Lian continued down the hallway, she eventually came to a set of large doors at the end of the hall. Taking a deep breath, Lian pushed the doors open. She entered a large room with granite stone floors and a gigantic glass case wrapping around the room. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the case is filled with live scorpions of varying sizes, shapes, and colors. Across the room sat a man. This man was an older man of eastern decent, same as Lian. He wore a fire red silk robe with golden scorpion designs all over. His hair was black but with some signs of graying and twisted into a long braid in back. The end of this braid was decorated with a golden ornament that resembled the tip of a scorpion's tail. He grew a long thin bread that went along with his fu man chu mustache. This was Chano Hu, Lian's father and the infamous Scorpion Emperor*

Chano Hu: Welcome back, daughter.

Lian: Hello…father.

Chano Hu: You didn't come home in time to meet with your suitor.

Lian: *sarcastically* Oh, what a shame…

Chano Hu: How many times do I have to tell you that your responsibility for your family comes first?

Lian: Responsibility? Marrying someone I don't even know is your idea of responsibility? This is Equestria, father, not Ib'Xian!! Things work differently here!

Chano Hu: That's enough, daughter! It's bad enough you have to be friends with those delinquents. Thank the gods that two bit wizard and his annoying spells are gone. Now we just need to get rid of that son of a crackpot scientist and maybe we can get you to behave.

Lian: *narrows her eyebrows in anger* You take that back!!

Chano Hu: I have no reason to.

Lian: I'll make you!

Chano Hu: Ha! You know that you don't stand a chance against my scorpion fist.

Lian: You're right… In that case, I'll use a different strategy… I'm leaving.

Chano Hu: And where do you think you'll go? Back to Guaxia Shin? That's thousands of miles from here. You'll never make it.

Lian: Anywhere is better than living under your roof. *turns and walks away*

Chano Hu: This discussion is not over, daughter.

Lian: It is now.

*Out in the hall, an older woman met up with Lian. Her hair was long and black. She wore a giant silk robe with a floral pattern and a golden sash around her waist. This was Chi Hu, Lian's mother*

Chi Hu: My darling daughter, you're back.

Lian: No, mother… I'm leaving.

Chi Hu: Already you are leaving? But you just got back. Can't you stay just a little while? I missed you so much and I know I'm not the only one. Li Li has been waiting so very patiently for your return.

*Just then a mass of red fur came scurrying up to Lian. It climbed up her leg and onto her shoulders. It was a small red panda, Lian's pet; Li Li*

Lian: Then I'm taking him with me. I'm never coming back, mother… I'm sorry. *a tear slides down her right cheek*

Chi Hu: Lian, please, I know you want to leave and I sympathize with your blight, but can you at least give your mother one last night with her daughter?

Lian: *pause* Alright… *hugs her mother*

Chi Hu: Thank you. *hugs Lian back*

*Later that evening, Nikola came walking up to Lian's house. He was muttering various physic equations and scientific theories. In one hand he carried a cage that contained live guinea pig with a label that read "Einstein" on the outside and he carried a telescope in the other. He set the cage down for a second and knocked on the front gate in hopes that someone would hear him*

Nikola: Hello! *pause* Lian! *pause* Mrs. Hu!

*Just then, Lian came running out the door and up to Nikola, quickly embracing him in her arms, lovingly*

Nikola: Oh my, I didn't think I'd be missed after only a few hours.

Lian: Nikola, I cannot stand living with my father anymore! He insulted you and Mezmo, calling him a two bit wizard and you the son of a crackpot!

Nikola: Well now that is just lower than protozoa! Not only insulting our dearest friend, but my father whose been missing for nearly ten years!

Lian: It's why I've decided that first thing in the morning, I'm leaving.

Nikola: *eyes widen* Leaving? And going where?

Lian: Anywhere but here! Please do me the favor, won't you?

Nikola: What is it?

Lian: After I have left…tell the king and queen about my father forcing me into marriage, and the terrible things he has said about you, Mezmo and your father? He has gone unpunished for far too long now.

Nikola: Well…I don't know if I can, but maybe before you go, you'd like to do some star gazing with me? It's why I brought my telescope.

Lian: *smiles* Okay.

Nikola: Fantastic! Now let's get up to roof. But first… *picks up the cage* Don't want to leave Einstein behind.

Lian: Of course.

Mezmo: *narrating* Nikola was a truly friendly sight to be sure. We spent the evening looking at stars and talking. We talked about many things to be sure, but when it came to one subject in particular, that's when things got serious.

Nikola: You see, Perseus is that one right there. That's his sword and that's the head of the gorgon Medusa in his left hand.

Lian: Incredible…

Nikola: Yes, the stories from beyond Equestria are very exciting. But now here's one set of stars you won't see in any book. *shows Lian a long and winding connection of stars that almost look like a road map* This one is called the Trail of Lemuria.

Lian: What is Lemuria?

Nikola: My father used to tell me stories about it. Its a lost civilization. There it is said that the people of Lemuria, the Lemurians, have achieved through science what some of the greatest wizards, unicorns, or any magic user took centuries to figure out. Its a scientific utopia and my dream is to see it one day.

Lian: Lost… Like the continent of Marelantis?

Nikola: Maybe, or maybe the Lemurians don't want to be found.

Lian: Strange…

Nikola: But that hasn't discouraged me. I am going to find Lemuria one of these days and learn its secrets. That is my dream.

Lian: Its an ambitious dream to say the very least. But I can't say mine is any different.

Nikola: Oh? *pause* And why is that?

Lian: There is an old legend in the Ibex Empire about a valley and a pony who achieved greatness from going into that valley.

Nikola: Now this is starting to sound its going to be a very exciting story.

Lian: The old legend tells of a pony named Tai Chi. Tai Chi was a simple pony who asked a lot of questions. Questions about the world he lived in, the life he was given, purpose of everything. He traveled the entire empire in search of such answers. One day, he came across a valley, a lush, beautiful valley. In this valley he encountered eight powerful and wise beasts. These beasts were the legendary Eight Immortals. Tai Chi stayed with the immortals, learned from them, and soon found all the answers he sought through powerful physical discipline. Tai Chi emerged from the valley and taught what he knew to other and became the first martial arts master. My dream is to find this valley and learn from the immortals, the same as Tai Chi.

Nikola: Wow, now that's a dream… That's what you were planning on doing, wasn't it? You were planning finding that valley, weren't you?

Lian: I wasn't…until now.

Nikola: Well Lian, after hearing this, I'm afraid I have to tell you that can't do that favor for you.

Lian: Why?

Nikola: Because I'm going to be leaving Mareheim with you.

Lian: *pause* Oh Nikola… Thank you, very much! I would love to have you by my side as I journey to the valley… But we must still inform the king and queen of my father.

Nikola: Don't worry, I got it. Just meet me at my home and bring everything you'll need for a long trip.

Lian: *hugs Nikola* Yes, of course! Thank you, Nikola! *runs back into her house*

Nikola: Very good. Now come on, Einstein, we got a trip to get ready for. *collects his things and leaves*

Mezmo: *narrating* With that, I collected everything I needed. Plenty of clothes, food, water, Li Li and his playthings, and even gold that I "borrowed" from my father's treasury. After I had everything I needed, I left to meet up with Nikola at his house.

Lian: Nikola, I am here!

*Just then, a mechanical hum could be heard as Nikola pulled up next to Lian in a large mechanical device. It looked like a large gray carriage with a motor instead of horses, two lanterns at the front, along with a windshield and what looked like a steering wheel in the driver's seat*

Nikola: Lian, this is the new and improved automatic mobility device. Automobile, for short.

Lian: *eyes widen* By the gods! A horseless carriage!

Nikola: That's the idea. No doubt we'll be able to get further in this than by foot, don't you think? Now as for informing the king and queen, just write up the note and I can make sure they get it.

Lian: Yes, of course! *takes out a quill and scroll and begins writing a letter*

Mezmo: *narrating* With that, I wrote up everything I wanted to say about my father and we delivered it to the night guards at the castle. With that done, we left together and onto our own adventures. We'll stay in contact with you, our dearest friend. We have our own dreams to pursue, just the same as you. We wish you the best. With much love, Lian and Nikola.

**Flash-Forward**

*Back at the Library, Mezmo and his friends were in awe of the story he had just finished  reading*

Mezmo: My dearest friends… I wish them luck on their journey.

Twilight: Well from what it sounds like, I think we have the subject for my next friendship report.

Rarity: And what's that, Twilight?

Twilight: That dreams are what truly motivate us to do great things. But in the end, its the support of our friends that give us the strength to work hard and make our dreams come true.

Mezmo: Very true…Very true.