I’d been confined to my bed in the Ponyville medical center for almost two whole months now. Sky Flare had been adamant that I fully recover from my injuries before we did any more traveling, and she even threatened to get the Princesses if I refused to listen to her. I wasn’t scared of Celestia or Luna, but my pride would have preferred that as few ponies as possible knew of my little… Mishap in the Everfree Forest. So, I had agreed, albeit reluctantly.
Despite my promise not to leave the hospital, Sky Flare had insisted on spending every single day with me in my room. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was out of concern for my safety, or just to make doubly sure that I didn’t sneak off again, but she never left my side for more than an hour at most unless there was somepony else with me. It was amusing at first, but it quickly became rather annoying…
Luckily, though it pained my pride at first, Princess Twilight Sparkle had somehow learned of my extended stay in Ponyville and came to visit. Apparently, she had quite a few friends in this town, so word of the Pegasus that placed second against Rainbow Dash being in their hospital had reached her in under a week. She had politely informed me of the stupidity of my little adventure into the Everfree, alone, and at night, then had proceeded to ask how I had survived with great interest.
I told her that I had been chased by the Timber Wolves and had fallen into a cave, where I wandered around for a while before finding an exit and the Inn beyond. I had decided from the moment that Sky Flare had first left me in that Inn to find help that I would keep my little run in with Perdias a secret. I recalled quite clearly how Celestia and Luna had first reacted to Dawn’s mention of her ‘Teacher’ and I had no interest in sitting through another lecture about the dangers of certain magics and beings. If Dawn couldn’t get me home in the long run, I wanted to keep Perdias as a backup plan, no matter how dangerous the Princesses might think he is. I couldn’t risk someone barring me from him with magic, laws, or military might. I’d rely on Dawn for now, but if that plan falls through, Perdias could be my last hope at ever getting home, and I would not lose that chance.
Twilight Sparkle had taken my recovery time to ask me a great many things about my world, as well as pass on some tips about her world that she felt I might benefit from knowing. She had managed to convince Sky Flare to leave during her visits under the guise of taking a much-needed break and stretching her wings, but the real reason for her leaving was so that I could speak freely with Twilight about my human life.
Twilight knew a surprising amount of details from my world, and had apparently been to it, or at least, one similar to it at some point through Starswirl’s Mirror. Apparently, there was a time frame where the mirror simply wouldn’t work, almost like it was out of alignment with a given world, or set of worlds, but she quickly assured me that my case was different. My connection was broken due to my worlds mirror being shattered, not out of alignment as was sometimes the case. It was disheartening, but this news was no different than what I already knew. I was stuck here for now, and nothing currently available to me would change that.
Another thing my recovery time granted me, was a chance to practice using my magic bracelet. It took some time to master it, but before long, I could move items around my room as easily as any Unicorn, though I was limited by the bracelets apparent weight restriction. Dawn had said I wouldn’t be able to lift heavy things, but that didn’t stop me from trying.
I even managed to get some practice using the new magic Perdias has imbued into my bracelet, though I made certain to only use it when no one would catch me. Through my bedside window, I could see a great many birds in the nearby trees, and before long, I had my windowsill lined with chirping birds. Through experimentation, I came to realize that it didn’t have to be just fear, or anger that would affect an animal, but a sense of calm and safety also worked. By projecting a sense of comfort and peace, I could calm a bird so much, that I could call it right up onto my arm and even pet it on the head without it becoming concerned. I wasn’t sure how this magic would help me in the long run, but the more tricks I had up my sleeve, the easier my stay in this world would be.
It was early morning, and I sat impatiently on the edge of my bed as my Doctor gently poked and prodded my side and wings.
He was an older male Unicorn with a white main and coat. He’d been checking me over like this every morning for the last week now and I was starting to get tired of it.
“Alright Silver Wing, I think you’re good to go.” The Doctor said with a smile.
“Wait what?” I gasped, “I can leave now?”
The Doctor nodded and took a step back. “I think so, yes,” he said, “I was going to discharge you a week ago, but Ms. Sky Flare insisted I keep you another week for observation.”
I frowned heavily at Sky Flare who was standing nearby, but she simply smiled back at me and shrugged. “I figured an extra week would do you good Silver,” she smirked, “Now maybe you’ll think before you sneak off and do something stupid again.”
I hated this place, and she knew it, so finding out I could have left a week ago irritated me greatly, but I’d refrained from speaking my mind this time. I know I had worried her, and I had nearly died so she was allowed a jab or two at me.
“Just be sure not to venture into the Everfree again,” the Doctor chuckled, “As nice as it is to have patients to treat, I’d rather not have to hear any more tales of close encounters with Timber Wolves or other such beasts.”
“No worries Doctor,” I said, looking back to him, “I don’t plan on going back any time soon.”
“He means ever.” Sky Flare chimed in.
“Yes Mother.” I sighed under my breath.
“What was that!?” Sky Flare barked.
She took a threatening step towards me and I quickly hopped off my bed and dashed to my rooms closet. “Nothing!” I said quickly as I withdrew my vest from it. Using the magic of my bracelet, I slipped into it in a flash and looked back at the Doctor. “So I’m good to fly now too, right?” I checked.
The Doctor nodded. “I’d say so, yes. But do be careful. Your wings will be weak from lack of use, so break them back in gently. Don’t push yourself too hard just yet.”
“No worries, I’ll be careful.” I assured him.
“Since when?” Sky Flare scoffed.
I rolled my eyes at her. “Fine,” I said, “I’ll try to be careful, okay?”
The Doctor chuckled at us and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you two be now, I have other patients to attend to.” He excused himself from the room and closed the door behind him.
“So, where to now then?” I asked, “Or are you still planning to break my wings now that I’m better?”
“Don’t tempt me,” Sky Flare warned, “I just might you know.”
I let out an amused snort and shrugged. “You just might try,” I said, “But that doesn’t mean you’ll succeed.” I gave a few test flaps of my wings and grinned at the lack of pain I felt in my chest. I could tell my wings were weaker, but it was nothing a few days of flying wouldn’t fix. All the soreness I had felt was gone, and in its place, was a child-like rush of eagerness and an almost unbearable desire to get back in the air. “I’m all healed up now Sky,” I mused, “And since you’ve yet to actually beat me in a serious fight, do you really think you’ll be able to break my wings if I don’t let you?”
She glared at me angrily, but before she could say or do anything, I threw open the door with my bracelets magic and bolted down the hallway.
“H-hey, get back here Silver Wing!” I heard her yell after me, but I wasn’t going to listen, not this time. I had promised to stay here till I was better, and now that I was fully healed and the Doctor said I was free to go, there was nothing that was going to stop me now. I had to get back into the sky and off the ground, even if it meant Sky would be breathing fire at me for the next while.
I burst out the front doors of the Ponyville Hospital and in one smooth leap, took off into the sky. I heard a surprised gasp from nearby as I no doubt startled someone, but I was too excited to see who it was. I was flying again, and that was all that mattered to me at that moment.
I grinned into the rush of wind as it flowed over me and through my wings. It was cool and refreshing and I breathed in it deeply. I had missed this sensation so much the last few weeks, almost too much to bear.
Grinning wider, I flapped harder and harder as I climbed ever higher into the sky. I had barely made it above the clouds when a sudden weight slammed into me from behind. I yelped out in surprise, and before I could recover, I was bore head first into a large cloud that drifted lazily nearby.
Thanks to my inherent Pegasus magic, I came to rest against the fluffy mass instead of passing straight through it, though I wound up half embedded in its surface thanks to force I had struck it with. I pulled my head out of it and shook the lingering fluff off as I glanced back at what had struck me. I found Sky Flare to be standing just behind me, her lips curled into a victorious grin.
“Looks like I’m faster than you now, Silver Wing,” she cooed, “Guess all that lounging in bed has made you soft, just like this cloud.” She tapped her foot against it, emphasizing her point, and continued to smile at me as I got to my feet.
I snorted at her and gave a final shake of my head, before rising to my hind legs and assuming my typical fighting stance. “Care to test that theory?” I asked.
She accepted my challenge and followed suit. She assumed a stance mirroring my own, and for a moment, we both stood at the ready atop our fluffy battleground.
Seeking to catch her by surprise, I made the first move. I leapt towards her and struck my left forehoof for her stomach.
She swept her own forehoof down and moved my strike to the side, following her block with a strike of her own.
She had been learning quite well, but ever since I found myself in this new form, I’d been refining my style constantly to better utilize my new body’s potential.
I let myself fall backwards to avoid her strike, and focusing on my feet, I willed myself to fall through the cloud we stood on. I sunk into it about a third of the way, then twisted my core and swept a leg right into Sky Flare’s rear legs.
She gasped as I knocked her off balance, but quickly recovered thanks to her wings.
With a flap of my own wings, I rose back above the cloud and smiled at her. “What’s the matter Sky?” I teased, “I thought you were faster than me now?”
She snorted and flew straight towards me.
‘Still too easy to annoy.’ I thought, half shaking my head as I readied myself for her attack.
She flew right for me, pulling a forehoof back for a powerful punch. It was too direct and obvious an attack. She knew I’d be able to counter it, so she had to have a plan.
Instead of countering it as I usually would have, I dodged to the side, and fell right into her trap. As she sailed past me, she lashed out with her tail and whipped me right across the nose. I winced and grasped at my face with my hooves as tears welled in my eyes. It didn’t hurt all that much really, but it stung like you wouldn’t believe.
I tried my best to look around for her, but the tears in my eyes blurred my vision. I only had a flash of red as a warning, then a strong pressure made itself known in my stomach. I flapped my wings to move myself with the punch to lessened the blow, but it didn’t help as much as I’d hoped.
I dropped to a knee atop the cloud and wheezed for breath. “T-that’s new.” I barely managed to say. God I hated having the wind knocked out of me. It was such a helpless feeling, and it forced you to remain motionless for so long…
“You’re not the only one that trains on their own you know,” Sky Flare stated, “Now get up, you’re embarrassing me.”
I shook my head and smirked as I slowly got back to my feet. “You’re gonna regret letting me catch my breath,” I said.
She shrugged at me. “We’ll see.” She said.
She seemed to be almost bored, but I knew it was all an act. I could tell from the blows we traded a moment ago that she was as eager for a good fight as I was. With how much we sparred every day up until I had injured myself, how could she not be missing it after so long? The thrill of it, the rush of adrenaline, the split-second decisions, it was an experience like no other.
“Well then,” I said, feigning indifference, “If you’re so confident, then I’ll let you make the first move.” She knew I was better on the defensive, but I was hoping I could entice her into testing her luck. Weakened as I was from my lack of doing anything, I could still read her moves as good as ever, so speed alone wouldn’t be enough for her to beat me today.
She snorted at me, then like a flash, closed the distance between us.
Leading with her left forehoof, Sky Fare unleashed a flurry of strikes at me, each one aiming for a different opening. It was a good assault, but I managed to fend it off. She didn’t slow her attacks however, she kept me dodging and blocking constantly, most likely trying to capitalize on my lessened stamina from my hospital stay.
I could feel my breathing getting harder by the second and I cursed my weakened muscles. Her plan was working, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t manage to turn things around on her. I had to break up her attacks somehow, but every time I tried, she shut me down instantly.
Giving up my ground, I leaped back and took flight, diving off the cloud and racing away towards another that drifted nearby. I wasn’t sure how well this would work, but I had to try something or I would wind up losing due to exhaustion.
Glancing over my shoulder, I found Sky Flare to already be on my tail. She was barely a second behind me, and in another moment, she’d be on me.
I waited for her to close in, then I flared out my wings and ground to a halt. My plan was to have Sky Flare fly past me, which would give me a few seconds to catch my breath, but I underestimated her aerial grace. She flipped back around on me before I had even managed to come to a complete stop and began her assault anew.
Sky Flare started forcing me towards the earth, cutting me off every time I tried to break free and fly to higher ground. I knew I was going to be weaker for a bit after my injuries, but I didn’t think I had become this weak. All I could do was defend myself and wait for my stamina to fail.
As my feet touched the grass of the fields outside Ponyville, Sky Flare stopped her relentless attack and gave a hard flap of her wings. She sailed a few feet away and landed calmly.
I dropped to the ground and sat heavily, panting hard for much needed breath. My wings burned from the exertion and I felt like I had just run a marathon, but I was glad beyond words that my ribs were healed, or this’d hurt like hell.
“You’re overconfident Silver…” Sky Flare said softly, “You think you can take on anything because you have some fancy moves no one else knows, but you’re not invincible… So please, stop taking so many risks. Your luck won’t last forever, and I don’t want to see you hurt again, or worse….”
I half frowned at her, but stopped as I saw a look of genuine concern on her face.
She turned away from me before I could reply and flicked her tail playfully in my direction. “Come on, let’s head back and get some rest,” she said, “We should head out first thing in the morning.” Then she laughed and added, “I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of this place.”
I smiled and followed after her. I guess it wasn’t just my exhausted imagination back in that Inn, she really was worried about me. I felt terrible that I had worried her as much as I had, but I promised myself that I’d be more careful in the future, for her sake and for my own. I’d never get back to my world if I died here doing something stupid, so I’d have to start taking things a little slower from now on, or at least, try to.
We set out from Ponyville the next morning without issue. Princess Twilight had seen us off at dawn, and had been kind enough to give us some supplies for the road. Unlike our departure from Canterlot however, this time, we left by air. My wings were still weak though, so we were forced to alternate between flying and walking, but neither of us minded. We weren’t in any real hurry and we didn’t have a destination in mind, we just wanted to head out into the world and see what laid ahead of us.
Over the next several weeks, we visited one place after the next. From a great Pegasus city in the sky, to a city that rivaled Canterlot in grandeur called Manehattan. There were so many similarities to my world, but altered slightly to fit the Equine nature of this world. It was almost eerie just how similar some places were to what I was used to. As close as some places were though, it didn’t compare to what I was used to, and more than once I had nearly broken down as my memories got the better of me.
Sky Flare had been like a kid in a candy shop with a hundred-dollar bill. Anything we came across, big or small, was like a new wonder of the world for her. She actually had to buy another journal so she could continue recording everything she found noteworthy. It was amazing just how much she knew about things she’d never seen herself before. Every landmark, every library, every nuance a given town or city had, she already knew them all. She was an incredible woman to have memorized so many things by her age. I’d have felt a little intimidated by her intellect if we were in my world, but here, where I knew next to nothing to begin with, it was more a relief than anything. She knew so much, I never had to worry or ask about anything. And the more she rambled on about some historical figure or event, the more my own knowledge of Equestria grew.
One thing that stood out to me more than anything though, was that the further we traveled from Canterlot, the less perfect and peaceful everything seemed to get. The Princesses had warned me that bandits and the like existed in Equestria, but with how friendly everyone seemed to be, it just didn’t seem possible that anyone here could think like the criminals I was used to dealing with. At least, it didn’t seem possible until I was met with such ponies head on.
Sky Flare and I had been flying over a forest and heard a commotion below us, so we landed to investigate. What we found was a pony by the name of Clyde Blackcoat, a massive Earth Pony that stood nearly twice my height. I’d never see a pony so big before, but he wasn’t the problem. The problem was the three ponies wearing cloth masks that were attacking him. They had him surrounded and were trying to steal his wagon.
I acted without thinking and jumped right in to help him out, and Sky Flare followed right after. With us there to even the odds, the three of us managed to drive off the bandits, and together we walked to the next town in case they decided to come back.
Clyde had told us that he had been traveling from one town to the next looking for work. He was a master smith, and claimed to be an excellent carpenter as well, so he had all his tools and possessions with him in his wagon as he was always on the move.
He was grateful for our help and offered his services if we ever needed them, though I politely declined his offer.
When we reached the next town, we reported the attempted robbery and assault to the local law enforcement, but to my astonishment, they did nothing. They informed me that their main purpose was to keep the locals safe and in order, and that anything beyond their towns borders didn’t concern them. They filed a report, got our statements, drew up a couple of wanted posters and sent the works to Canterlot, but they told me not to expect much. The only ponies that could handle something like this were the Wonderbolts, or the Canterlot Military. But being as far from Canterlot as we were, the chances of anyone being sent to scour the woods for a few bandits was slim to none. If they became a bigger problem, then maybe those in charge of the Military would take notice, but as it stood, there just wasn’t enough of a problem for them be bothered.
Sky Flare and Clyde told me that was normal out here, and were surprised when I told them that where I was from, we’d always investigated such reports.
It took some persistence on my part, but eventually, I managed to get the local sheriff to put up a few warning signs along the edge of the woods alerting travelers to be cautious. But there wasn’t anything else I could get them to do beyond that. It was infuriating, and Sky Flare had to practically drag me away from the Sheriff’s office when my temper started to get the better of me.
We had parted ways with Clyde Blackcoat there and continued on our journey. We traveled ever farther from Canterlot, and with each new town we visited, I came across more and more stories of ponies with issues that the local law enforcement simply ignored. Not everyone had trouble with Bandits of course. Some were with the wild life, a few of which I managed to help resolve with the subtle help of Perdias’s magic. And there were even a few times where Sky Flare and I offered to escort some travelers to the next town, since they couldn’t find anypony to hire for protection on their trip.
Aside from those that we helped out though, the general tone was always the same… If it was outside their little towns, then you were pretty much on your own.
If I had any say in the matter, I’d have fired every single one of those so-called Sheriffs, but as is stood, I couldn’t do anything. I was a guest in this world, and no matter how much I didn’t like something, it wasn’t my place to try and change it. That didn’t mean I had to like though.
I let out a heavy sigh and tossed a twig into the fire before me.
Sky Flare and I were sitting around our small campfire in the woods. Night had fallen some time ago and were relaxing before bed.
“Something on your mind Silver?” I heard Sky Flare ask.
I shrugged and glanced over at her. She was laying on her stomach, with a book open before her. A pencil was sticking out of her mouth and the firelight danced in her eyes.
“And don’t say ‘nothing’,” she added, “You’ve been lost in your own little world the last few days now, so what’s up?”
I glanced back to the fire and frowned at it.
“Well?” she pressed, “Spit it out already. Or I do I have to beat it out of you?”
“You can’t beat me anymore Sky, I’ve got my stamina back.” I sighed.
She shrugged and rolled over onto her back lazily as she waited for me to speak my mind.
I tried to ignore her gaze, but she gradually overpowered my stubbornness. “It’s just your law enforcement,” I said, “I don’t understand how they can ignore so many ponies in need.”
“That’s just how it is,” Sky Flare stated, “That’s why ponies live together in towns or cities. The locals take care of each other. It’s not like any of them would want to go hike into a mountain to help somepony that doesn’t want to be part of the community. And it’s not like the Military can go chasing after every problem a farmer or hermit has. If you need help, you join with others. Traveling ponies, or those that don’t want to settle down someplace are on their own by choice.”
“But they’re still part of Equestria, so don’t they deserve the same amount of help as everyone else?” I asked, “I mean, we helped out how many ponies over the last few weeks?”
“In a perfect world, yeah,” Sky Flare admitted, “Everypony would get the same amount of consideration. But just because we helped some ponies out, doesn’t mean everypony else will, or even can. There’s a lot out there that most ponies just can’t handle. Not everypony can fight like you can Silver. Even I couldn’t until you taught me. Most ponies out here couldn’t fight their way through a hay bale, let alone a Bear or a group of Bandits.”
“And those that can?” I asked.
“Those that can usually become those locals that defend their towns and friends,” she explained, “Or, they join the Military to protect the bigger picture. I know things were different where you’re from Silver, but here… We’ve had our fair share of big troubles. It wasn’t that long ago that the Changelings attacked Canterlot, or Tyrek tried to steal everypony’s magic. Most everypony is too worried about something big like that happening again to try and weed out smaller comparatively mundane problems.”
“Alright, then why don’t the Princess just make a smaller division of the Military that’ll help with those ‘mundane’ problems?” I asked, “It wouldn’t have to be that big.”
“I don’t know,” Sky Flare said, “I’m not a Princess. But they probably either don’t have enough ponies, or they’d rather have their forces available in full when needed, as opposed to spread out all across Equestria doing who knows what.”
I frowned heavily and stared into the fire thoughtfully. I could understand not wanting to send an army to help a farmer with a bear problem, or a wandering merchant with bandit issues, but why couldn’t the Princesses send just a few ponies to help? A small group could weed out a lot of the issues I’d been coming across in time, it’d just take some work.
“I’m gonna turn in for the night Silver,” Sky Flare sighed at me, “Don’t stay up stewing on this too long, alright?”
I nodded, but I didn’t take my eyes off the fire. I listened to rustle of Sky Flare’s tent fabric, then heard the zipper buzz closed and dropped my head low.
Not helping people in need didn’t sit right with me at all. That’s the main reason I joined my worlds Police Academy in the first place. I could see why the locals treated things beyond their towns the way they did, but that didn’t mean I could agree with it. I had been doing my best to ignore it and accept it as the way things were, but I just couldn’t let it go. It was too much against my nature to just look the other way. The Princesses should do something for those the locals don’t want to help. The wellbeing of all their people is their responsibility, not just those that like in or near the cities. But they didn’t seem to give a damn. Sky Flare seemed to the think they had more important things to deal with, and who knows, maybe she was right, but maybe she wasn’t.
I knew I didn’t have the whole picture, but someone had to help if no one else would. Sky Flare and I took care of a half dozen issues on our own without a problem, so there had to be someone else like us out there that’d be willing to help, I mean, it’s not like I could keep doing it-
I shot up from the ground as my own train of thought struck me like a bolt of lightning. “I could do it!” I gasped aloud. I was stuck here for god knows how long right? And I have nothing else I can do besides sit around a palace being lazy. I can’t use magic like Dawn can, so I can’t even try to figure out a way home on my own. I might be able to get a job as a Palace Guard if I asked the Princesses, but that’d just get so boring. And I don’t know enough about the politics or culture here to get a real job anywhere else, so what if I just made my own? Who says I can’t keep doing my old human job here while I wait for Dawn to learn what she needs to send me back to my world? I could make some sort of a group to help ponies in need. A group that’d be able to stick around and continue to help others after I’ve gone back home. Even if it was just me at first, I’m sure others would join eventually. And with every new member, the number of ponies that we could help and the scope of the jobs we could take would increase drastically. I’d have to charge something for the travel and food expenses of course, and any members I might have would need to get paid something for their efforts, but none of us would be in it solely for the profits. I know I wouldn’t be. I’d take bits, food or anything relating to magical items or books that might help Dawn fix the mirror faster.
I grinned widely at the prospect unfolding in my mind. I’d be able to do something that would theoretically better the lives of others, and I might even come across something that’d speed up Dawn’s efforts to get me home. It was a win win situation.
I got to my feet and dashed over to Sky Flare’s tent excitedly. “Sky?” I called softly, “Sky Flare, you still awake?”
“No…” I heard her groan out from within the tent, “…What do you want Silver? It’s the middle of the night…”
“I can do it!” I said quickly.
“Do what?” I heard her rustle in her bed, but she didn’t come to the door of the tent.
“I can help the ponies the locals won’t,” I explained, “Like we’ve been doing. I can make a group that ponies will go to for aid when no one else will. I’d be doing what I did back in my w-” I caught myself and corrected my sentence quickly, “Back where I’m from. Helping those in need and keeping criminals in line.”
I heard more rustling, then a moment later, Sky Flare unzipped her tent and looked at me oddly. “What are you talking about?” she asked, “Do you have any idea how much work that’d be? And what happened to being more careful!? You do something like this, and you’ll be begging for things even worse than Timber Wolves to come after you.”
“I can do it though,” I assured her, “It’s something I love doing too! Hell, look at my Cutie Mark, it’s got a shield right there. Doesn’t that mean it’s my passion to protect people?”
She tilted her head at me, then shook it tiredly. “You can be so weird sometimes Silver,” she sighed, “The way you talk, the way you think, the way you fight. I don’t think there’s a single normal thing about you...” She let out a soft chuckle then smiled at me, “But if this is something you want to do, then I’ll help any way I can. But tomorrow… For now, just go to bed.”
I watched as she disappeared back into her tent and zipped the door shut once again. I retired to my own tent, but I still couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing with all the things I’d have to do and figure out if I really was going to try and do something like this.
I’d have get the Princesses permission first of course, but then what? Assuming they said yes, I’d need a place to set up shop, a base of operations where we could all call home. I’d also need to figure out a grading system to sort requests from most dire to least, though they’d all be deemed important. I’d also need a name for the group. Every organization needed a name, but what?
I frowned and rolled over in my bedding. There was no point dwelling any more until I had spoken with the Princesses about my idea. Come the morning, we’d set out back for Canterlot. I’m sure Sky Flare would like to see her parents again by now anyways, it had been three months since we first left. She’d written a ton of letters to them as we went, but seeing her parents in person would be infinitely better that letters on paper could ever be.
I grinned at the thought of getting back to work. Being able to do something I was actually familiar with nearly made me giddy with excitement. In this place, where nothing was like I was used to, being able to make something like I had was too big a lure to ignore. I had to do this, or at least try. And who knows, maybe something good would come out of it in the long run, for me, Dawn, and the ponies of Equestria I’d end up helping.