//------------------------------//
// new chapter 11 edited 
// Story: The ultimate surprise 
// by shadowshild612 
//------------------------------//

Dillan and his Rainbow dash spent three days in Kendra's dimension, spending hours training Kendra to fully control her powers before getting stolen away by Applejack, Rarity, and Kendra's Rainbow dash for a while leaving Kendra and King outside for a few hours. Dillan and his Rainbow dash smiled at Kendra and her friends, as the two prepared to leave back to their own dimension. "It's been fun." Dillan said with a smile.

“Yeah, even though you made my home smell funny.” Kendra said while making a face.

All the adults blushed as Dillan chuckled nervously. "Y-yeah… um… if you need anything just have Paradox get me ok?" Dillan said with a smile, while changing the subject. 

"Come now, surely you'll come visit us darling." Rarity said with a flutter of her eyelashes, making Dillan gulp. 

"Oh we will." Dillan's Rainbow dash said with a cheeky grin. "Also thanks for the tips." She said to her counterpart. 

“No problem, if you two do get together permanently then you better live up to our reputation of being the most awesome, or I will show up and snatch him up.” Kendra’s Rainbow said with a laugh.

Dillan blushed deeply as he turned away. "Aww, he's trying ta act bashful… nice try partner. We all know how you really are." Applejack said with a grin, making the girls giggle as Dillan turned away. 

"A-anyway, Kendra, is there anything else you want me to teach you before we leave?" Dillan asked the young girl. 

Kendra tapped her chin before saying. “I don’t know if there is anything else.” 

"Alright…" Dillan said with a sad smile. "Guess we'll see ya around." 

Kendra looked down. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

Dillan smiled softly and knelt down, hugging her close to him. "Me too, but we have responsibilities back home… but I promise we'll come visit." 

“Ok.” Kendra smiled weakly. “Don’t go turning yourself to stone with glyphs ok?”

"I promise." Dillan said with a smile, rubbing her head gently. 

"Ready to go?" Dillan's Rainbow dash asked him with a smile as she sat on his neck. 

"Yeah…" He said with a small sigh. "Thanks for everything Kendra."

“Of course, I like to help.” Kendra said with a smile.

Dillan smiled as Rarity, Kendra's Rainbow dash, and Applejack stepped forward, kissing his cheeks and a quick peck to his lips. "Come back soon." Applejack said as Dillan blushed deeply, holding the bags of books as a portal opened. 

Kendra and all the women waved. “Bye!”

Dillan and his Rainbow dash waved before they walked through the portal, and back to Dillan's house. “You should go lay down while I take these books to Twilight to be copied.” Rainbow said with a small frown.

Dillan smirked a bit as he looked at her. "You didn't seem too worried while they were draining me." 

Rainbow blushed and looked away. “Well they are human and you’re human….”

Dillan slowly knelt down to her, lifting her head before kissing her. Rainbow blushed and slowly kissed back as her wings folded out.

Dillan slowly stood up with her in his arms, deepening the kiss. Rainbow fluttered her wings softly. “W-wait…are you sure?”

Dillan smiled softly at her. "I'm sure I want to be better than I have been, it may be a bit fast but I'm willing to try to make you happy… if you'll let me." 

Rainbow smiled as tears filled her eyes and then she kissed him, wrapping her wings around him. Both of them felt a warmth in their chests as they headed to Dillan’s bedroom.


Twilight walked through the white tailed woods with Cadence, sighing softly as they trotted along the path. "I'm sorry you came all the way here for a few days and they just vanished like that." 

“It’s ok Twilight, it has been fun spending time with you when the world isn’t in danger.” Cadence said with a giggle.

Twilight giggled softly. "Yeah, it is nice. But we called you here to help figure out what's going on with Dillan and Rainbow and all this now…" 

“I know Twilight, but didn’t you say Dillan could disappear randomly?” Cadence asked.

"He said he could… but he never had before." Twilight sighed as they approached Dillan's home.  

Cadence was about to say something but her ear twitched and she looked at the cabin, stopping in her tracks. “Twilight, I think they are back.”

Twilight stopped and looked at Cadence, before looking back at the cabin. "That's good then, we can have you find out what's going on." 

“Um…Twilight, perhaps you should wait outside.” Cadence suggested.

Twilight raised an eyebrow as she approached the front door. "Why?" She asked as she opened the front door and looked around. "I don't see them anywhere." 

Cadence bit her lip. “I think they may be…busy.”

"With what? They've been gone for days and who knows when they got back last night, what could they possibly be-" Twilight started asking, opening the door to Dillan's bedroom as she froze up. 

Dillan and Rainbow laid silently and happily in each other's embrace, their hair and bed a mangled mess as the scent of sweat and moisture flooded Twilight's senses. Dillan's arm gently wrapped around her friend's body and wings as the two rested their heads against each other with small smiles on their faces. 

Twilight blushed bright red and was about to scream but Cadence used her magic to stop her and closed the door. “That.” 

"W-what in, Celestia's name!?" Twilight shouted with her mane beginning to friz. "I-how… what!?" 

Cadence giggled a bit. “Well Twilight, when a mare and stallion love each other very much-”

"That's just it!" Twilight said in shock. "Rainbow only just remembered him! And even if he remembered her this is just too fast! He just lost his family!" 

Cadence rubbed her chin. “Hmm, that is true. I will have to check their emotional connection and see if it has been messed with.”

The two mares heard movement form Dillan's bedroom, both too curious to not put their ears to the door. "Morning Skittles…" they heard Dillan's voice say. "How are you feeling?" 

"Happily… Sore." Rainbow's voice said with a chuckle. "I guess I'll have to take Pinkie up on that losing V-Card party." 

Cadence giggled softly at the thought while Twilight looked horrified. "Wait, I was your first?" Dillan's voice asked. 

"Yes you were." Rainbow dash said with a small giggle. "And I wouldn't have it any other way… it was perfect." 

Twilight lifted a hoof and knocked on the door before Cadence could stop her. “Dillan, where have you been!?” She asked angrily to hide her embarrassment.

"T-twilight!?" Dillan's voice asked in embarrassment and shock from the door. "I-i um… m-me and Skittles- uh Rainbow dash ended up meeting another displaced person and uh spent some time in their world." He said as they heard some quick and hasty movement from within. 

"Twilight, that was a sweet and tender Moment you interrupted." Cadence whispered to her sister in law. 

“It was gross, and could be unnatural.” She whispered back before yelling through the door. “Do you have any idea the amount of worry you caused disappearing like that?”

Cadence giggled at Twilight's reaction as Dillan called through the door. "Sorry! But she was a fourteen year old child that needed help. I'm not the kind of guy to just abandon a child when they need help."

"Yeah, you're really sweet like that." Rainbow dash said, before a quiet pause. 

“Rainbow…I know you’re there.” Twilight said with a frustrated sigh.

"And?" Rainbow dash asked from the bedroom, making Cadence giggle. "I was awake when you walked in." 

"Wait, she did what?!" Dillan asked in shock.

“Yeah, I walked in…and I brought Cadence to test your connection for any manipulations.” Twilight said with a frown.

Dillan groaned from the bedroom. "Don't you know how to knock! That was kind of a special and private moment!" 

Cadence grinned. "Oh we know, you two looked quite cute as well." 

Twilight groaned and yelled. “Just clean up and meet us in the living room!” Then she stomped off.

"I think she's mad she won't get a V-Card party." Dillan said, making Rainbow laugh as Cadence giggled and went to the living room. The two lovers coming out of the bedroom a few minutes later, completely cleaned and in Dillan's case dressed. 

Twilight still had a light blush and a frown. “What were you two thinking?”

Dillan and Rainbow glanced at each other and blushed, smiling softly as Cadence noticed the look of pure love in their eyes. "That… we should have stopped fighting whatever was pulling us together." Dillan finally spoke. "We haven't had the chance to discuss if we're going to be a full item yet…" he paused as he looked at Twilight. "Thanks for that, but… we decided we were always gonna be there for each other and try our best to make each other happy."

Twilight groaned and lowered her head. “And what if somepony is messing with you?!”

Dillan sat down on his couch as Rainbow dash sat on his lap, leaning against him with a small smile as he wrapped his arms around her. "Twi, even if someone is messing with us… we're both grown adults and… I honestly don't trust anyone as much as I trust Dillan." Rainbow said. 

Twilight put a hoof to her chest. “You…but he isn’t….I mean…how….why….” Her mane started to go wild.

"Twilight, it's because of what we both went through in his world." Rainbow said, looking up and nipping at Dillan's chin making him blush. "He saved my life and when I was all alone, in a place where everyone wanted me dead… he kept me safe and helped me eat… he's one of my dearest friends." 

Twilight shook her head. “That isn't what is confusing me!”

"It's because I'm not a girl." Dillan said with a soft chuckle. 

Rainbow dash blinked before chuckling. "Oh, I mean while I've mostly stuck with mares I am BI." 

Twilight groaned and pulled her mane. “I mean how do you two even fit together!?”

Cadence frowned at Twilight, before waving a hoof at her. "Twilight, species doesn't have anything to do with love." She said, making Twilight shout in frustration as Dillan laughed.

"T-twilight, I can turn into a pony remember?" He asked with a laugh, holding up his Ultimatrix. 

Twilight blushed and looked down. “C-can we stop talking about this now?”

"You're the one that wanted to know." Rainbow dash said, before getting up and whispering in her ear. "If you want he could show you how we fit together." 

"Rainbow…" Dillan said worriedly. "What are you whispering about?" 

Twilight blushed so hard her ears turned red. “NO! ….no thank you…”

Rainbow dash giggled softly as she sat back down on Dillan's lap, leaning against him again. "Relax, I just got him, I'm not letting him do anything like that for a while." 

Dillan blushed and looked away. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable talking about all this…" 

Cadence giggled softly and nodded, smiling at Dillan and Rainbow. "I am happy for you two, however… the circumstances of this all is strange… maybe check your connection?" 

“As long as you don’t mess with it…when Twilight did it threw Dillan into depression.” Rainbow said with a frown.

Twilight's ears folded down as Dillan glanced at her with a soft sigh. "Yeah it did but um… thank you for it Twilight." He said as Cadence's horn began to glow. 

“What do you mean thank you?! You almost killed yourself!” Twilight shouted.

Dillan sighed and nodded softly, as Rainbow looked up at him. "Yeah I did, but… I did that before I came here… and after I did I got so distracted by the connection to Rainbow dash and everything…" he sighed before smiling at her. "And when you severed our connection it made me realize that I had basically just forgotten about them and I never… worked on my depression. And who knows what that would have done to me. So thank you, thank you for helping me work to get better." 

Twilight looked more confused but said nothing.

Rainbow smiled softly as Cadence's magic enveloped them a little. "Twilight, he's saying thanks for helping him move on. Or at least beginning to move on."

“I guess..I just wish he didn’t have to almost die because of me.” Twilight said with a sigh.

Dillan smiled softly as Rainbow nuzzled his chin. "Twilight, it's not your fault. I let the depression take over me and-" he started to say, before Cadence gasped in shock as she backed away from Dillan and Rainbow. 

“What’s wrong Cadence!?” Twilight asked. “Are they being controlled?!”

Cadence started at Dillan and Rainbow dash for a moment, before her shocked face turned into a wide smile as she danced on her tippy hooves. "No! This is something so much better!" 

“Why are you so excited, what is going on between them?” Twilight asked.

Dillan and Rainbow looked at each other, while cuddling closer together before Cadence giggled. "The two of you are soulmates!" 

"S-soulmates?" Rainbow and Dillan asked, getting a nod from Cadence. 

"Yes! It's a very old and very rare magic. The two of you built such a close bond when you were together, your souls even without your minds remembering we're drawn to each other when you saw each other again. The two of you are literally the missing piece of each other's puzzles." She said with a happy smile. 

“How could that be possible? They only just reunited.” Twilight said, confused.

Rainbow and Dillan looked at each other in surprise, as Cadence smiled. "Twilight, a soulmate connection transcends time and space, it's why they're so rare. While ponies may say they've found their soulmates… but these two." She said with a small smile as Dillan and Rainbow held each other. "Have truly found the one that will make them happy." 

“Wow, and I just thought he was an amazing friend.” Rainbow said.

Dillan smiled as he held Rainbow closer. "A little bit more than friends now, and I agree. But I'm happy it's you." 

Rainbow blushed and smiled a bit, before kissing him quickly. "Same here."

Cadence smiled and lowered her eyelids. “So Rainbow, how was he?”

"Cadence!" Twilight shouted with a blush and shock, as Rainbow giggled with a smirk. 

"He's bigger than Most of Rarity's toys. And we've all seen those." She said, making Dillan blush. 

“Oh my.” Cadence said with a blush and giggle. “You are a lucky mare Rainbow.”

Twilight blushed deeper as her wings popped open, while Rainbow giggled a bit. "Sure am, I'm still… burning." She glanced back at Dillan with half lidded eyes. "Too bad you can't feel it, it's magical." 

“Rainbow! Ugh, what has happened to my friends, first Pinkie, then Cadence and now you Rainbow. Ever since Dillan arrived everyone started becoming so..so…” Twilight yelled and covered her face.

Rainbow and Cadence giggled softly. "Twilight we're mares, it's only natural to talk about this stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love your brother and believe me. I absolutely love how he feels and I wouldn't cheat on him or anything. But I do love some gossip." 

Rainbow smirked a bit at Twilight's face, as she wiggled on Dillan's lap a bit, making him blush and squirm. "Judging by your face I'd say you want to try but don't want to intrude…. Maybe we'd be willing to let you join in once or twice to study-" She started to say before smirking at Dillan. "And I know he's up for it." 

"God kill me." Dillan mumbled. 

Twilight groaned and put up a soundproof bubble around her. “Oh dear, I think we went too far. Dillan, could you be a dear and let us have some mare time? Shining should be back at Twilight’s castle.” Cadence said with a smile.

Dillan nodded once before, kissing Rainbow's cheek and standing up heading to Twilight's castle. "Dillan!" He heard a familiar voice shout as Scootaloo ran up to him.

"Hey Scoots, what's up?" Dillan asked with a smile, gently picking her up as he walked. 

She hugged his neck before weakly hitting his chest with her hooves. “Where have you been!?” Now that she was in his arms he could see some discoloration in her fur.

"I'm sorry, a friend of mine needed help. Scootaloo what happened?" He asked her worriedly as he gently touched the different colored fur. 

She hissed softly and wiggled away from the touch. “I…uh…hurt myself trying one of my stunts.”

Dillan frowned as he noticed a mare with a light pink coat and red mane watching them. "Are you sure? Do you need to go to the hospital?" 

“I…uh…already went.” She said and her ears folded back.

Dillan frowned as he hugged her gently. "Sorry I was gone for so long, wanna come with me to Twilight's castle?" 

“Sure.” She said with a smile.

Dillan smiled softly as he walked to the castle with her in his arms, as Scootaloo saw the mare glaring at her behind Dillan's back. She whimpered softly and looked away in fear.

Dillan gently set a hand on her head, holding her close as she set her head on his shoulder. "It's ok Scootaloo, I won't let her get you again." He whispered. 

Scootaloo went stiff and shook out of fear. “Y-you can’t.”

"Yes I can." Dillan said softly with a determined look. "You can stay with me for a while, someone like that won't care." 

She whimpered softly. “B-but my stuff and…my dad…”

Dillan looked her in the eyes. "Scootaloo, it'll be ok. Once your dad comes back you can go home." 

Scootaloo sniffled trying not to cry. “o-ok.”

Dillan frowned and sat down with her. "Scootaloo, what's wrong?" 

“I found a letter….from the princess yesterday…that…that…my dad is…is…” She said before she started to cry loudly and pushed her face into his shoulder.

Dillan's eyes widened in shock, before hugging her close while avoiding her injuries. "Oh Scootaloo I'm so sorry." 

She cried into his shoulder the whole time he walked to Twilight’s castle. Dillan simply held her in his arms as he knocked on the castle door. The door opened and Spike was the one to answer. “Hello…oh hey Dillan, you are back!” He tilted his head. “Why is Scootaloo crying?”

Dillan glanced at Scootaloo sadly. "I'll explain later." 

“Oh, ok. Me and Shining armor are hanging out in the map room, do you want to join us?” Spike asked.

"Yeah, that's why I'm here. Cadence, Twilight, and Rainbow kicked me out of my house." Dillan chuckled as he rubbed Scootaloo's back. 

“Kicked you out?” Spike asked as they walked down the hallway.

"Mare talk, or something." Dillan said with a shrug, as they entered the map room. 

“Oh that stinks, they may be busy for hours.” Spike said.

“Who is this Spike?” Shining Armor asked.

"Dillan, don't you remember from his welcome to ponyville party?" Spike asked as Flurry heart giggled and clapped at Dillan. 

"I'm sure he's busy running the empire to remember every person he meets." Dillan said with a small smile, as he sat down in Rainbow's throne. 

“Oh right.” Shining said nodding his head. “You are the guy that saved those fillies.”

Dillan smiled softly as Flurryheart teleported into his lap, bouncing her as he rocked Scootaloo. "So how are you guys doing?" 

“We are fine, Twilight was just freaking out because You and Rainbow disappeared.” Spike said.

“I just arrived to bring Cadence back as she has been here two days.” Shining said.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Dillan said with a sigh. "Me and Rainbow ended up going to another dimension, Twilight and Cadence um… caught us this morning and that's why they kicked me out."

Spike looked confused but Shining blushed. “Oh geez, uh should I expect some stories from my wife when she comes back?”

Dillan blushed a bit. "Probably… s-she um… asked Rainbow how it was before I left so…" 

“Oh man.” Shining said as he shook his head. “I hope you don’t make me look bad or Flurry will have a sibling in the future.”

Spike looked between them both confused. "Hey man, I can't control that!" Dillan said with a chuckle as Scootaloo snuggled closer to him. 

“Anyway, I guess you and Rainbow are together now.” Shining said with a smile.

Dillan blushed and looked away a bit. "I-i Don't know… Twilight and Cadence interrupted us before we could um… fully decide." 

“Oh geez, I hope they didn’t scare you off.” Shining said while sighing. “Mares can be a bit…extreme when they are emotional.”

Dillan blushed a bit and glanced away. "I-i'm not fully sure if I'm ready for a full relationship. But I will be there for Rainbow whenever she needs me for anything…" 

“That’s good. Maybe one day we can go on a double date.” Shining said with a smile.

"Wait you and Rainbow dash!?" Spike asked as he realized what they were talking about. 

Dillan blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling softly as he glanced at Scootaloo who was asleep in his arms. "Y-yeah…" 

Shining chuckled and leaned on the map table. “Spike, come on, you are already a teenager, I know dragons age slower but you must be past the phase of thinking fillies are gross.”

"I don't think fillies are gross, I just didn't expect Dillan and Rainbow dash to end up together. I thought she liked mares." Spike said. 

“So did I.” Shining said with a chuckle. 

Dillan chuckled softly as Scootaloo and Flurryheart slept in his arms, before he slowly unzipped his jacket and wrapped it around the two sleeping foals. "Well, she did say that while she leaned more to mares she is BI." 

“Not that surprising, most mares are.” Shining said with a shrug. “So do you have any friends besides Twilight and her’s?”

Dillan hummed a bit. "I suppose the crusaders, Kendra and her Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity… thought those three might be a bit more than friends." He said with a blush. "Um… not really no…" 

“A shame, you need more friends, especially some stallion friends to help you not become all girly.” Shining said with a chuckle.

Spike grinned. "You could join me, Discord, and Big Mac in our O&O games!" 

Dillan laughed a bit. "I actually asked Big Mac about joining when I met him." 

"Did someone say O&O?" A disembodied voice asked, before Discord and Big Mac appeared in the map room. "Is it time for our game?" 

“O&O? Huh, it has been a while since I've played.” Shining said with a smirk.

Dillan chuckled softly as he looked down at Scootaloo and Flurry heart. "I'd love to play but my arms are full." 

Discord smirked and snapped his fingers making a large crib. “There, now you can play.”

Dillan chuckled again, setting FlurryHeart down in the crib. "Thanks, but I'm gonna keep Scootaloo in my arms…. She's been through a lot and I don't want her to think I left again." 

“Oh yes, nasty business that mother of her’s is.” Discord said while looking at his claws.

Dillan stared at Discord in shock that quickly turned to anger as he marched over to the Draconequus. "You know about her mother and you didn't try to help her!" 

"Uh oh." Spike and Shining armor said together. 

“And do what? I would get turned to stone for doing anything to her.” Discord said in an annoyed tone. 

Dillan glared at him more. "You have magic, you could have anything to help her. You could have used your magic to send proof to Celestia and Luna of what her mother has been doing! To the guards to her… father…" Dillan said with a sigh. 

Spike, Shining armor, and Big Mac glanced at each other before watching the two talk.  “Celestia made it so I can’t use my magic to record ponies after I recorded her in the bath.” Discord said with a huff. “Do it one time and she never lets me live it down.”

Dillan groaned and sat down, holding Scootaloo close. "You could have told someone so they could check… I know Fluttershy would have believed you and when it comes to Scootaloo, I know Rainbow would."

“Maybe, but really with how ponies are, would you think they would believe one of them is capable of doing something like that?” Discord asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m sorry but what are you two talking about?” Shining asked.

Dillan glanced at shining armor before slowly removing his coat from Scootaloo, letting everyone see her discolored fur. "Her mom has been abusing her… starving her, and who knows what else…" 

“What? That can’t be right.” Shining said as he stood up.

“See, I told you.” Discord said while rolling his eyes.

Dillan glared at Shining armor. "Don't you dare tell me it's not right, I saw it for myself right before I came in here. Scootaloo is terrified of her mom… she came to my house just to eat and she ate so fast she threw up because she hadn't eaten in so long."

"So that's why Scootaloo has been hanging around you!" Spike said in realization, before smacking his forehead. "And Twilight locked you up for weeks because of it! Oh Faust, poor Scootaloo." 

"Don't you dare pity her." Dillan said to Spike, not noticing Scootaloo was awake. "She's been keeping all this in for who knows how long, she's tougher and stronger than any of us." 

“But ponies just aren’t like that…there has to be a reason.” Shining said while shaking his head.

"Does it matter?" Dillan asked him with a glare, making shining armor flinch. "Would you just forgive her for what she did to Scootaloo? If that's the case what about Sombra? I know why he did the things he did, if I told you would you forgive him?" 

“He did those things because he was corrupted by dark magic.” Shining armor said defensively.

"Yeah, but he willingly accepted that dark magic." Discord said. 

Dillan nodded. "Besides, her reasoning doesn't matter. She hurt anan innocent child, she starved her and I am NOT. Letting Scootaloo go back there." 

“Well unfortunately without proof if you keep her you would be foalnapping.” Shining said sadly.

"She can go back if she wants to, I'm not holding her there. And proof? Cast a memory spell or something on her, or a truth spell on her mom." Dillan said, holding Scootaloo close still making her nuzzle into him. "Scootaloo just lost her father…" he said, getting a sob from the filly, as everyone looked at her. "So I will do what I have to do to keep her safe, if I'm the only one that noticed what was happening after only knowing her for a few days, all of you should have seen it a long time ago. She needs someone to keep her safe and obviously you all won't!" 

"W-what are you talking about?" Rainbow dash's voice asked, making all the boy's heads turn to see her, Cadence and the rest of the main six. 

“Oh boy, this is gonna be good.” Discord said and made some popcorn.

Dillan and Rainbow stared at each other for a moment, before he sighed and looked away sadly. "Scootaloo's mom has been abusing her." 

"She's what!?" Everyone shouted as Rainbow dash growled. 

"I'm gonna bucking kill her!" She shouted angrily, about to fly out the door. 

"No!" Scootaloo shouted. "That's why I didn't tell you! I didn’t tell anypony because…she is still my mom…” Scootaloo said weakly.

"So it's true?" Shining armor asked shocked, getting a sad nod from Scootaloo. 

"Scootaloo, just because she gave birth to you doesn't make her your mom. Moms are supposed to love you and protect you unconditionally, not starve and beat you!" 

"He's right Scootaloo." Cadence said, walking up to them slowly. "How long has this been going on?" 

Scootaloo was quiet for a while before saying. “Ever since I started hanging out with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.”

"That long?" Fluttershy asked in shock, covering her mouth as tears pooled in her eyes.

Rainbow dash stared at Scootaloo in shock, tears forming in her own eyes as Scootaloo nodded. “That…that is unbelievable. No mother should act like that.” Shining said.

Scootaloo broke down crying as she buried her face into Dillan's chest, causing the human to rub her back and rock her. "I-i'm a horrible friend…" Rainbow dash said, tearing up. 

“None of us knew Dash.” Applejack said while grinding her teeth.

"It's different!" Rainbow dash yelled, stomping her hoof. "Scootaloo is practically my sister! And I'm the element of loyalty… i-i… I'm so sorry, Scootaloo!" She said, shaking in anger as tears fell down her cheeks. 

“I hid it from you Rainbow…I’m sorry…” Scootaloo said sadly.

Rainbow dash trotted up to her and rested her head on Scootaloo's forehead. "No, I should have noticed…" 

Dillan smiled softly at the two, before gently handing Scootaloo over to Rainbow dash. "Hey Spike, mind sending a letter to Celestia and Luna?" He asked, standing up and walking to the door. 

“Uh, sure, what do you need?” He asked as he got a paper and quill.

"Tell them to bring a body bag." He said angrily as he walked out the door. 

Everyone paled a bit as Twilight followed after him. “Hold on! You can’t be serious!”

"Twilight there's one thing I do not take lightly, and that's child abuse." Dillan said as he stomped to the front door before Rainbow dash flew in front of him. 

"Think about what you're doing! If you do this you're no better than her! Don't stoop to that level… please, you'll ruin your life…" she said sadly, causing Dillan to pause as she looked at him. 

“She is right, Dillan.” Cadence said as she caught up. “Let me, Twilight, and Shining take care of it.”

Dillan growled angrily but sighed. "Fine, but if she somehow gets out of this I have and will use a transformation that can mentally break her." 

The ponies looked at each other before Shining stepped forward. “She won’t get away.”

Dillan nodded a bit, looking away. The two princesses and prince leave the castle. "I-i'm so sorry for dragging you all into this!" Scootaloo said, covering her face as she cried. 

Dillan quickly hugged her, holding her to him. "Scootaloo it is not your fault!" 

“Yeah! If anything you should have told us sooner.” Rainbow said as she hugged her too.

Scootaloo sobbed into their embrace, while the others stood around them sadly. "Ah can't believe a mother would do that!" Applejack said. 

"Me either, and today started out so perfect!" Rarity said angrily, as Rainbow glanced at Dillan. 

“M-maybe Dillan and Rainbow could adopt Scootaloo.” Pinkie suggested.

Rainbow and Dillan looked at each other, before blushing a bit. "I-i wouldn't mind. But, I… um…" Dillan said, looking away as he rubbed his head. 

"W-we uh… we haven't talked about… anything…" Rainbow said with a blush, confusing their friends.

"What do you mean darlings?" Rarity asked as Discord chuckled. 

"Twilight and Cadence walking in on them this morning." He said making the two blush deeper. 

Rarity gasped and grinned, “Oh darling you need to tell me everything!”

Rainbow chuckled and blushed a bit as she glanced at Dillan a little. "Well, um now's not the time but um… it was magical." 

Dillan blushed deeply as he looked away with a smile, nodding a bit as Applejack, Pinkie pie, And Fluttershy gasped. "Oh congratulations you two!" Fluttershy said. 

"W-wait a minute, w-we haven't had a chance to well… decide if we're going to be anything more…" Rainbow said. 

Rarity rolled her eyes with a disappointed huff. “Rainbow, it isn’t very lady like to do that and not be dating at least.”

Rainbow glared at her a bit. "Hey, it's not that simple Rarity… we trust each other and we do like each other! It's just…" 

"I don't know if I'm fully ready to… move on." Dillan said softly, rubbing Scootaloo's head gently as she leaned on him. 

Rarity blushed and took a step back. “Ah yes, I apologize.”

Dillan shook his head softly, smiling a bit up at Rainbow dash who blushed at him. "It's alright, but I do know one thing, when I am ready I hope it'll be Rainbow dash…" 

“Aww that's sweet.” Pinkie said before she gasped and grinned at Rainbow. “Rainbow.~” She said in a sing-songy way.

Rainbow laughed and nodded a bit. "Yes pinkie I know, but not right now. Scootaloo is more important." 

Pinkie nodded so fast her head was a blur. “Oki Doki Loki!”

Dillan chuckled softly, covering Scootaloo's ears. "Just no male strippers please." 

“Aww but those are the best part!” Pinkie whined.

Rarity giggled softly before grinning at Dillan. "Looks like you may be moving on faster than you thought."

Dillan blushed a bit and looked away, scratching his neck as Rainbow giggled. “I think it is sweet that you two are together.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

Rainbow smiled softly as Scootaloo looked up at them both confused. "Have you two gone on your date yet?" 

Rainbow chuckled and rubbed her head. “Not quite.”

Scootaloo pouted. "Aww come on! I had you guys make that bet forever ago!" 

Rainbow blushed and shook her head. “Scoots, we were busy helping someone.”

"A-and that was before I got locked up…" Dillan said blushing. 

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure Dillan isn’t just scared to date someone as awesome as Rainbow?”

Dillan moved his head away from her looking offended. "Hey for your information I've a date planned that's both awesome and romantic." 

“You did?” Rainbow asked, surprised. “You? The nerdy little dinosaur geek, planned something romantic?”

Dillan blushed red as everyone giggled at him while he crossed his arms. "Hey, people change as they grow up… besides… I know you too well to make it anything but amazing!" 

Rainbow chuckled and rubbed her head on his side. “Of course you do.”

Dillan blushed deeper and smiled softly, before gently rubbing Scootaloo's head. "Since you're gonna be staying with me for a while, is there anything you want for your room?"

Scootaloo hummed and thought about it before she smiled sadly. “Just my scooter.”

Dillan raised an eyebrow. "That's it? I can buy whatever you want to decorate it." 

“My dad got it for me.” She said softly. “All I really need is a bed.”

Dillan smiled softly and picked her up, hugging her. "You're a strong kid Scoots, your dad would be proud."

“Thank you.” She said with a small smile. “Can you take me to see him?”

Dillan smiled softly and stood up, holding her in his arms. "I'll find out where he is, and yes. I will." 

She smiled and nuzzled him. “You are a good friend.”

Dillan smiled to one side with Rainbow dash smiling at them, as he rubbed her head. "This is sweet and all, but shouldn't we see what Twilight and the others are doing?" Discord asked. 

“Yeah, I wanna see what happens.” Applejack said.

Dillan nodded and frowned down at Scootaloo, before looking at Rainbow dash worriedly as they all went outside. “Finally, does anyone want some popcorn?” Discord asked as he floated after them.

"Eh why not?" Dillan said, taking some as they saw Twilight arguing with Scootaloo's mother.

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" The pink mare said angrily. 

“We have evidence and your daughter told us herself.” Twilight said, though she wasn’t very confident while Cadence looked pissed.

The mare scoffed. "What evidence? And you shouldn't listen to that little… horse." 

Twilight gasped in horror while Cadence growled. “She is your daughter you missable-” 

"No she's not." The mare said, shocking everyone, even Scootaloo. "She's my late husband's ex wife's daughter. She's been nothing but a nuisance." Scootaloo stared, unable to believe it.

Dillan growled angrily as he gave Scootaloo to Rainbow dash, getting ready to go over to them. "You bitch!" Shining armor said angrily to the mare, shocking her. "How dare you treat an innocent child like that!" 

“Innocent!? Do you have any idea how much money she wastes on that wonderbolt crap?!” She shouted, making Dillan growl more as Scootaloo cried softly in Rainbow's hooves. 

"That does it, you're under arrest!" Shining armor said, using his magic to lift her into the air. 

“What!? You have no right! You aren’t captain of the guard anymore!” She yelled and struggled in his magical grip. “You are a foreign leader!”

"He is however correct." A familiar voice said as Celestia and Luna flew down to them. "You are indeed under arrest." 

“Princess Celestia!? Wh-what are you doing here?” She asked terrified.

Celestia frowned at the mare. "We received a letter from Spike, telling us everything."

"We do not tolerate the abuse of one of our friends." Luna said glaring at the mare. 

“I would never hurt one of your friends Princess!” The mare said fearfully. 

"You hurt Scootaloo." Dillan said walking up to them with a glare at the mare. "Scootaloo is her friend." 

"Indeed she is." Luna said with a frown to the mare who stared at them all in shock. 

“Th-that can’t be right, you are a princess and she is…is just a street rat.” She said weakly.

Dillan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "A typical stuck up bitch." 

Luna nodded her head. "While we don't appreciate your language, we couldn't agree more." 

“Is it true?” A quiet voice asked. “A-are you really not my mom?” Everyone turned to look at Scootaloo who was on the verge of crying.

The mare glared at her for a moment, before sighing. "No I'm not. Your biological mother died giving birth to you." 

Scootaloo sniffled as she started to cry. “Why do you hate me?”

The mare looked away from Scootaloo, frowning softly. "Because you're nothing but a reminder of the pain my husband had gone through, you killed your mother and he was never the same." 

Scootaloo choked a sob as she started to cry heavily. “I’m sorry!”

Dillan knelt down and picked up Scootaloo. "Scootaloo it isn't your fault, you were a baby you didn't do anything." 

"He's right!" Rainbow dash said, flying over and nuzzling Scootaloo's cheek. "Scootaloo you're an awesome young filly and this… bitch has no right to take her anger out on you!" 

The mare scoffs. “You have no right to judge me, you just waste all your time practicing for a sports team you'll never join.”

Rainbow dash lunged at the mare, only for Dillan to wrap his arm around her and keep her still. "Get her out of here!" Celestia said angrily to two guards who took the mare away. 

“Aww is it over? I was hoping to see someone lose some teeth.” Discord said as he ate some popcorn.

"Discord please…" Fluttershy said with a soft sigh as Scootaloo bawled her eyes out. 

Dillan rocked her gently in his arms as everyone watched sadly. "Hey, hey it'll be ok." 

Celestia walked over as did Luna. “We are so sorry something like this happened.”

Scootaloo sobbed into Dillan's chest, hiccuping from time to time as he gently rubbed her back. "Don't you have aunts?" Dillan asked her 

“Y-yes I do, but I miss my dad..” She said weakly between sobs.

"And you always will… believe me I know." Dillan said, rubbing her back more. "You'll always wish you had more time with him, and you'll always regret the times you fought with him. But you'll always remember the good times and that's what matters… keeping the good memories in your heart. I had forgotten that but… an old friend helped me remember. So I know you can do it too." 

Rainbow smiled softly and rubbed Dillan’s back.
"P-please don't leave…" Scootaloo whimpered as she clutched onto Dillan. "Y-you we're the only one to n-notice… a-and help me…"

“We won’t leave you Scoots.” Rainbow said.

Twilight sighed as she watched the three. "I guess this explains why Scootaloo was hanging around Dillan so much…" 

“Yeah, I said the same thing.” Spike said from beside her.

Twilight's ears folded down sadly as she watched Dillan comfort Scootaloo. "She was alone with that… monster for weeks without food… all because I locked up Dillan… I'm such a fool!" 

Spike patted her shoulder. “You didn’t know.”

"He is right Twilight, you must not beat yourself up over it." Luna said, wrapping a wing around her. 

“Hey, maybe we can speak with all the foals in town to see if there are any other cases like Scootaloo’s.” Spike suggested.

"I know of at least one, or at least that's how it was in the show." Dillan spoke up, looking down at Scootaloo. "Diamond tiara and her mom…" 

“Diamond Tiara? I know she can be a bit of a bully but she usually seemed happy.” Twilight said.

Dillan lifted Scootaloo up into everyone's view. "And she didn't?" 

"He's got ya there Twi." Applejack said, as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle walked up. 

Scootaloo looked back at Dillan confused. "Are you sure she's being hurt? I mean we saw her mom yelling at her when we got our Cutie marks, but I didn't think she would hit her." 

"There's a lot of different kinds of abuse, Scoots, including verbal." Dillan said with a frown. "I could be wrong, it might be different than the show, I'm just saying it's worth looking into." 

“I agree, it would be a good idea to look into it, even if this world is different from the show.” Luna said.

"I just hope it's not for the worse…" Dillan said looking at Scootaloo sadly. 

"Is there something different here than the show?" Celestia asked, making Dillan nod with a small chuckle. 

"A lot of things…but that's probably my fault since I'm here." Dillan said with a sad smile. 

“You are a hero Dillan, you need to start seeing yourself as such.” Celestia said.

“Yeah, you are starting to sound like Spider-mane with all your self doubt.” Spike said.

Dillan laughed a bit. "That's not what I was talking about, I meant the timeline and how things played out in the show are different because I'm here. Basically when I got here it created another timeline. One where I'm here and one where I'm not." 

“Still, you need to cheer up.” Spike said.

Dillan smiled at him again. "It's not that simple Spike, back home… before I remembered Rainbow dash had been my friend… my fiance was the only friend I had. She was my world. I dedicated my life to her… and that was ripped away. It'll take a while until I feel better enough to fully cheer up." 

Spike rubbed his chin. “I see, geez this sounds like a superhero origin story. Some bad guy kills your family so you go out to take them down.”

Dillan laughed a bit along with Rainbow dash. "Since he is a hero now I guess that makes it his backstory." She giggled.

Rarity smirked playfully at Rainbow dash. "He's even stolen the heart of the hardest mare to impress."

Rainbow blushed and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I guess he did.” 

"Ya guess? Rainbow you've been giggling up a storm! Ah never heard ya giggle before Dillan came back into yer life. You're like a school filly!" Applejack said with a grin, making Dillan blush in embarrassment at her words. 

Rainbow blushed brighter red. “Hey! I can’t help it! He is perfect.”

Dillan's whole face turned bright red at the words making all the mares giggle. “Oh gag.” Discord said before disappearing.

"I think he liked being called perfect." Rarity teased Rainbow dash with a nudge. 

Rainbow chuckled and smirked up at Dillan. “Maybe, but that's because he is.”

Dillan blushed deeper yet. "C-come on, you're giving me flashbacks to Kendra's friends…"

Rainbow chuckled with a smirk as the others looked confused. “Who is Kendra, and why does Rainbow remind you of her friends?” Scootaloo asked.

"A-a um, displaced we met like me. We went to her dimension and um… let's just say her Rainbow dash, Applejack, and Rarity got to know me…  very well." He said, rubbing the back of his head. 

“Oh my.” Fluttershy said with a blush.

“Dillan, you stud.” Rarity teased with a smirk.

“Boy howdy, you sure do get around.” Applejack said with a chuckle.

Dillan blushed deeper as Scootaloo, Spike, Sweetie belle and Applebloom looked confused. "T-to be fair it was Skittles' idea." 

"Darn right it was, and you loved every minute of it." Rainbow said with a teasing smirk. 

“I don’t get it.” Scootaloo said with the other kids nodding their heads.

"You don't need to!" Dillan said with a deep blush as Rainbow whispered something in Rarity's ear making her go beat red. 

"Another Version of me said that!?" She asked in shock with a red face. 

“Said what?” Sweetie Belle asked.

"Nothing!" Rarity said, shaking her head violently. "We really shouldn't be talking about this in front of foals." 

"Thank you!" Dillan said dramatically. 

Celestia giggled a bit. “It is true, why don’t we all head to Twilight’s castle for some lunch?”

Scootaloo's stomach growled loudly. "Yes please… Can we have Dillan's spaghetti!?" She asked excitedly, making Dillan laugh. 

"Was it that good?" He asked with a smile. 

“It could use some hay but yeah!” Scootsloo said while licking her lips. “Best spaghetti I’ve ever had!”

Dillan laughed a bit. "If you need hay we'll get you hay, but I appreciate the compliment." 

"Actually that really was the best Spaghetti I've ever had." Rainbow mumbled. 

Dillan heard her thought and scratched behind her ear. "Thanks, my family is part Italian so I used my family's secret recipe." 

“Secret recipe?” Pinkie asked with a grin as she got close to Dillan.

"I'm not telling, otherwise it wouldn't be a secret." Dillan said with a chuckle, noticing Rainbow's feathers had poofed up slightly when Pinkie got close to him.

“Aww come on, please? Pretty please with Pinkie on top?” She asked with a flutter of her eyes.

Dillan blushed redder yet, his ears turning red. "I-i um… uh…" 

Pinkie giggled and walked away, swaying her hips. “I still got it.”

Dillan glanced away from Pinkie, his face still red. "Why me? I've never had this much attention before…" 

Rainbow huffed as she stood closer to him. “It is probably because you are a rarity.” Celestia said with a giggle. “If you haven't noticed Equestria has very few stallions, and the stallions that are here are either too busy with their careers, a bit too stuck up, or are already taken.”

Dillan blushed deeper. "O-oh… I uh, hadn't had the time to notice…" 

Luna hit Celestia with her wing. “Sister, stop teasing him, look at poor Rainbow, she looks about ready to defend her stallion in battle.” 

Rainbow blushed and looked away quickly, as Dillan blushed even redder. "I'm gonna get a nose bleed…" he mumbled, but smiled softly at Rainbow. 

Celestia giggled softly. "Don't worry Rainbow, I doubt any of us would try to take your stallion." 

“I would!” Everyone heard Pinkie say from across town with a giggle.

Rainbow dash growled a bit as Celestia giggled softly. "Maybe you three could form a herd." 

"A what?" Dillan asked, confused. 

Rainbow blushed and fidgested. “A herd is when multiple mares are with one stallion.”

Dillan blushed deeply, as his nose began to bleed before he passed out falling backwards onto the ground. “Dillan!” Rainbow tried to catch him but got knocked to the ground under him. “Ow.”

Everyone giggled at the scene, before Celestia gently lifted Dillan off of Rainbow dash. "Are you alright Rainbow?" 

“Yeah.” She said weakly as she stood up with a groan.

"Rainbow darling, I know you love him, but you should be more careful." Rarity said with a giggle. 

Rainbow blushed a bit and glanced away. "W-well i-i can't exactly let my soulmate down…" 

“But it looks like he is too much for ya, he laid you flatter than a pancake.” Applejack said with a chuckle.

Rainbow blushed a bit as she looked away. "I didn't mind it last night…" she whispered to herself. 

"Wait a moment darling, did you call him your soulmate?" Rarity asked, with a devious grin. 

“Y-yeah?” Rainbow said hesitantly as she did not like that grin on Rarity’s face.

"Why darling I didn't think you believed in that sort of thing." Rarity said with a grin. "When's the wedding?" 

Rainbow blushed brighter and mumbled something.

Cadence giggled and wrapped a wing around Rainbow Dash. "Rarity, it's not a matter of belief. They're literally soulmates, as in their souls are intertwined." 

“Oh my, how romantic!” Rarity gushed.

Rainbow blushed and looked away. "Kn-knock it off Rarity…" 

"Wow, ah never expected you to be the first of us ta find love Rainbow. What with all the wonderbolt training and such." Applejack said. 

“Hey, what is that supposed to mean?” Rainbow asked with narrowed eyes.

"Ah just mean yer always so busy… not that I'm one ya talk." Applejack chuckled. 

“Oh don’t worry Applejack, I am sure you’ll find love.” Cadence said.

"How about we all just form a herd with Dillan?!" Pinkie said, popping up out of nowhere. "Well, except for Fluttershy and Rarity since they already have guys they like!"

“Pinkie.” Cadence said with a smile. “That would only work if Dillan and Rainbow were comfortable with that.”

Pinkie giggled a bit. "I know, I'm just teasing." 

"Please don't…" Rainbow said as they slowly walked into the castle. 

“Oh! I nearly forgot, Rainbow, I will need you to come in one more time for it to be finished.” Rarity said with a smile.

Rainbow blushed and smiled a bit. "Alright." 

"Oh, getting ready for your date?" Luna asked with a smile. 

“Yeah! Rainbow and Dillan had a race and he won a date!” Scootaloo said with a smile.

Luna giggled. "I'm well aware, he asked for my help with the date. He's out a lot of thought into it." 

“He asked you for help? What is he planning?” Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow while looking at Dillan.

Luna giggled. "All we shall say is that it has never been done before, and that only some creature with his powers can do it." 

Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she looked at Dillan. “What are you planning?” She asked herself softly.

Twilight smiled as she wrapped her wing around Rainbow. "Come on, let's get your Colt friend in a bed to rest." 

Rainbow blushed. “Twilight, while I am happy you have apologized for what you did to Dillan, I'm still not in the mood to be around you.”

Twilight's ears folded down sadly, as she moved away from Rainbow. "I-i'm sorry…" 

“RD, don’t ya think ya are being a bit harsh?” Applejack asked.

Rainbow's eyes softened as she sighed. "I'm sorry Twi, I don't know what's going on. I forgive you, but whenever I remember what happened I can't help but get angry." 

"Oh that's because of your soulmate connection." Cadence said as they walked into the map room, as Celestia summoned a mat and laid Dillan down. 

“What do you mean? I thought it just drew us together.” Rainbow said.

"Oh it does, but if the connection is strong enough and knitted early on you can feel a deep and burning urge to protect your other half and keep them safe." Cadence said with a smile. 

“Oh.” Rainbow looked at Dillan. “Because we met as kids our bond is that strong?”

"Oh how romantic!" Rarity said happily. "Rainbow, you're so lucky to have such a kind, gentle, and heroic young colt!" 

Rainbow blushed and shook her head. “A hay of a lot better than Thunderlane.”

Pinkie giggled softly. "Oh he's gonna be mad when he finds out you have a lover!" 

“Think we should warn Dillan when he wakes up?” Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow smiled softly as she nuzzled Dillan's cheek. "A guy like thunderlane has nothing on Dillan, I know he'll be ok." 

Cadence smiled and leaned on Shining. “They really are a nice couple together.”

Shining armor smirked. "Yeah they are, hopefully the girls don't make him faint repeatedly." 

“Dear, they are young mares, of course they are gonna do that.” Cadence said with a giggle.

Shining armor shook his head with a grin. "Lucky bastard." 

Cadence elbowed him with a smirk. “What, is an alicorn wife not good enough for you?”

"Of course you are, you're perfect." Shining said, kissing her cheek. "But you know fully well it's every man's dream to have multiple mares chasing him." 

Cadence chuckled and shook her head. “Oh yes I know all too well.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “As do I, dear niece.”

"Are you ok Luna?" Scootaloo asked with a tilt of her head. 

“Let us just say we have seen the dreams of many lonely stallions.” Luna said with annoyance creeping into her voice.

"Oh, are they annoying?" Scootaloo asked, as a couple of chefs brought out plates of food, confusing Twilight. 

Luna looked down at Scootaloo. “I will only say, the things I've seen are not for filly eyes or ears.”

"Oh." Scootaloo said, as Twilight looked at all the chefs. 

"I had some chefs come here so you wouldn't have to worry about food while studying." Celestia explained to Twilight. 

“But princess, I don't feel comfortable having somepony being paid to cook for me.” Twilight said with a small wine.

"Hey you have no problem when I do it." Spike said. 

“That is different Spike, you are my friend, they are…employees.” Twilight said with a sigh. “I don’t want to seem better than other ponies.”

"Twilight darling, you're a princess, you should be pampered a little. And even if you weren't think about it, you're helping them. You're paying them for a service it's just like any other job." Rarity said with a smile. 

Twilight sighed. “I guess so.”

"Ugh… my head…" Dillan mumbled, slowly opening his eyes.

Celestia got a smirk and leaned her head over him. “Oh good you're awake, I had a wonderful time.”

Dillan's eyes widened as he blushed deeply. "WHAT!?" 

Celestia giggled and leaned away. “I’m sorry Dillan, I couldn’t help myself.”

Dillan groaned and covered his face. "God help me…"

Pinkie giggled and stuck her tongue out. “You are gonna have to get used to mares messing with you Dillan, your authors just love teasing you.”

Dillan sat up with a sigh. "It's Pinkie…. Don't question it." He said, before standing up. "What else is going on?" 

Pinkie winked at the readers before ducking under the map table. “Pinkie, where are you going?” Rarity asked before peeking under then sighing. “She is gone.”

"I would love to know how she does that." Dillan said, sitting next to Rainbow dash. 

“Don’t bother, I tried to study her, but it didn't go well.” Twilight said with a sigh.

Rainbow nuzzled into Dillan's side with a smile, making him blush and smile at her. "Sorry if I scared you." 

“Let’s eat.” Spike said as he looked at all the food.

Dillan looked at all the food and frowned slightly, not seeing anything he could eat. Rainbow nudged him. “Are you ok?”

Dillan smiled at her, before whispering in her ear. "Of course, I have you." Rainbow smiled as she leaned on him.

Dillan smiled and watched as everyone ate, his stomach growling softlynas Celestia noticed he wasn't eating. The princess smiled softly and whispered to a chef, who nodded and went back to the kitchen. 

“Sir Dillan, perhaps you can tell us of your time with Rainbow on earth?” Luna suggested.

Dillan blinked a few times, before chucking. "Let me guess you already know Skittles' perspective so you want mine?" He asked, getting a nod from everyone. 

“I do not know the story at all actually.” Luna said with a small smile.

"I uh… was kinda too um… happy and relieved you were alive to tell them…" Rainbow said with an embarrassed chuckle. "They basically only know how you saved my life." 

"Yes, and you are quite the prince charming for doing so." Rarity said with a giggle. 

“Sadly I only know part of the story myself.” Celestia said with a chuckle.

Dillan chuckled softly and smiled as he looked up at the ceiling. "Well let's see… I was twelve when I first met Rainbow dash-" 

"Wait you were twelve?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. "But Celestia said it was about twenty years ago." 

"And?" Dillan asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"If you were twelve then that would make you thirty two… Rainbow dash is thirty three…" Twilight said, making Dillan blink and look at Rainbow dash.  

"You're a cougar?" He asked with a playful smirk. 

“No, I am a pony.” Rainbow said with a raised eyebrow.

Dillan blinked a few times before facepalming. "Right ok… for humans the term Cougar is an older female chasing a younger guy. I was trying to be funny…" 

Rainbow smirked and giggled. “I wouldn’t say I am, but that sure does sound like Rarity.” She said teasingly.

"Hey!" Rarity said with a pout. Everyone laughed a bit from her reaction.

"Anyway. My family went on vacation every year and it had been my turn to pick where we went. So I decided to go to the Red wood natural parks in California. While I was walking around I ran into Rainbow dash… well she ran into me." Dillan said with a laugh. 

“So basically she flew right into you, didn’t she?” Spike asked with a snicker.

"Well… not really, she tried to fly above the trees but for her age she said it was too high up." Dillan said with a grin. "I caught her as she was falling and we slammed into a tree."

“Red wood…red wood…” Twilight muttered as she was thinking about something.

"What is it Twilight?" Celestia asked as a chef brought out a plate of meat and set it in front of Dillan. 

"Whoa…" Dillan mumbled, before taking a bite of sausage. 

“Red wood, it sounds familiar…oh! Do you mean like the trees from the forest of giants?” Twilight asked.

"Forest of giants?" Dillan asked, chewing on the food as the ponies aside from Rainbow looked green. 

Twilight had to look away as she explained. “Yes, it is a forest on the edge of Equestria where everything inside is huge.”

"Huh, neat." Dillan said, as he began eating another sausage. "I wonder if it's connected to my dimension." 

“Do you…want to check it out…maybe find a way home?” Rainbow asked.

Dillan blinked a bit as his chewing slowed down while he thought about it. Rainbow’s ears slowly folded back and Dillan felt a kick from under the table, coming from Cadence.

Dillan stared at his plate for a while, not noticing the kick before he swallowed the food. "Of course not, I chose to come here. Besides, if I did I wouldn't be with you." 

Rainbow sighed with relief and nuzzled him. Everyone smiled as Dillan wrapped his arm around her. “Now that you mention the possibility I want to go there and study it if it's ok with you princess.” Twilight said, ending while looking at Celestia.

"That is a very long journey, Twilight, and if you end up in the human world you may not be able to return." Celestia said with a worried frown.

Twilight lowered her head. “I understand.”

"It's probably for the best, you don't want what almost happened to Rainbow dash to happen to you." Dillan said. 

“What did happen? Perhaps we can make contact with earth and become friends.” Luna suggested.

Dillan looked off to the side sadly. "I don't see that happening…"

“If a being as noble as you can come from earth it can’t be that bad.” Luna said.

Dillan looked down. "You'd be surprised, there's a reason I was an outcast back home…" 

“It’s true. Earth isn’t a nice place, and what I’ve seen is years ago.” Rainbow said while leaning on Dillan.

Luna looked at Dillan sadly. "Humans are… we can be destructive… There aren't a whole lot of us that are empathetic to others. most just go on with their day. And the governments are typically worse.." Dillan explained. 

“That is…saddening to hear.” Luna said.

Dillan stared at the table for a long time, only looking up when Rainbow nudged him. "Are you ok?" 

He nodded. "Y-yeah, just… I guess I never actually thought about it all before…" 

Rainbow hugged him. “Do you need some time alone?”

"No, I'll be ok…" He said as he took out a small bottle of pills and took some with water. 

“What are those?” Fluttershy asked.

Dillan slowly lowered his glass of water and sighed softly. "Antidepressants… I got them in Kendra's dimension." 

Everyone’s ears fold back. “M-maybe we can take those pills to one of our doctors to see if they can make you more.” Twilight suggested.

"You guys don't have antidepressants?" Dillan asked in shock. 

“Not really.” Celestia shook her head. “Depression is extremely rare in ponies, and in the few cases that have been recorded it is usually solved shortly after.”

The human sighed and slumped back in his seat. "Great, that means I'm gonna have doctors probing my brain…" 

Celestia rested a hoof on his shoulder. “You have my word, if you say you want them to stop, I will make them stop.”

Dillan sighed softly and nodded again, his eyes staring at the floor as Rainbow set a hoof on his leg. "Dillan?" 

Luna clears her throat. “If you would allow me, I could enter your dreams to help you work through your problems or at least let you get a restful night's sleep.”

Dillan sighed softly, before smiling. "Don't worry about me, let's focus on Scootaloo." He said rubbing the fillies head. 

Luna smiled softly. “Your intentions are noble, however in the dream world I can be in multiple dreams at once.”

Dillan frowned slightly, before grinning. "Are you sure? I'm a Lucid dreamer." 

Luna giggled and smirked. “If that is true I may have a job offer for you at a later time.”

"Sister, I have already offered him a job." Celestia said with a slight frown. 

Luna smirked softly. “He can do both, dear sister.”

"Hey wait a minute, you can't just force him into two jobs! He needs to rest and recover!" Rainbow said, her feathers bristling. 

Luna giggled and held a hoof up. “Relax, this job is only an offer, if he does not wish to take it he does not have to, and if he chooses to take the job his body shall be able to rest while his mind works.”

Rainbow looked at Dillan before sighing and looking away and crossing her hooves. "Oh fine…" Dillan smiled softly as he kissed her head, making her blush deep red as steam came off her ears. "Not in front of others!"

“Aww what's wrong Dash, afraid to be mushy with your stallion in front of us?” Applejack asked with a teasing smirk.

"I have a reputation to uphold!" Rainbow said looking away, making Dillan smirk and wink at everyone.

"Oh ok, so I'm not awesome enough for you to show affection to?" Dillan asked, hiding a grin.  

“What!? You are too awesome enough! It's just…I have a reputation of being a tough mare.” Rainbow said while waving her arms around in panic.

Everyone giggled as Dillan turned away. "No I get it, I'm just not cool enough for you to be mushy around others with." 

Rainbow whined as she stared at him before sighing. “I’m sorry!”

Dillan quickly turned to her and hugged her, kissing her. "Relax Skittles, I was only messaging with you. I know you need to keep up your reputation." 

Rainbow blushed and her wings popped out from the kiss, Flutterhsy blushed and covered Scootaloo’s eyes, as Rarity and applejack covered their sisters’ eyes.

"Hey, Applejack ah wanna see!" Applebloom said, trying to move her sister's hooves. 

“No ya don’t.” Applejack said with a roll of her eyes as the princesses besides Twilight were giggling.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." Dillan said with a soft chuckle as Rainbow dash smiled dopely. 

"I guess your heart decided it was time to move on." Cadence said with a giggle as Rainbow leaned in Dillan still smiling like a school filly. 

Pinkie showed back up with a large cake and set it in front of everyone. “Aww did I miss the kiss?”

Rarity nodded with a grin, letting Sweetie Belle go as she giggled. "You did, and it would appear these two are quite infatuated with each other." 

“So lucky.” Pinkie said then looked at the readers and whispered. “Think I could get a colt friend?”

"Pinkie, who are you talking to?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“Oh no one.” Pinkie said with a smile.

Dillan chuckled and shook his head with a grin as Rainbow dash tapped her chin with a smirk forming. "Hey Dillan, isn't your birthday in a month or two?" Rainbow asked him. 

"Uh, yeah… why?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Oh no reason, just an idea I had to make it extra special." She said with wink. 

Pinkie’s eyes widened and she ran out of the room saying. “IgottogoplanapartytalktoyougirlslaterandDashywecanworktogetherforhispresent.”

Dillan blinked a few times as he looked at the door before down at Rainbow dash. "Should I be worried about what you have planned?" 

“I didn’t catch that either.” Rainbow said with a shrug.

"Oh no I understood her fine." Dillan said, surprising everyone. "I asked if I should be worried about what YOU have planned." 

Rainbow blinked before she chuckled and smirked. “Only if you are suddenly a colt cuddler.” 

"A what?" Dillan asked with a frown. 

Rainbow blinked before explaining. “A stallion that likes other stallions.”

"Oh… eh, it wouldn't be the first time." Dillan said with a shrug. 

Rainbow blinked as her ears twitched. “Wow, that is a surprise.”

Dillan shrugged with a grin. "I'm comfortable with my own sexuality to experiment. Alyssa and I had some wild stuff during our time together."

Rarity sighed dreamily. "You just keep getting better and better, it's a shame not all stallions are like you." 

"I agree." Cadence said with a smirk as she glanced at her husband. Shining blushed and looking away embarrassed. 

Dillan chuckled before smirking. "Oh yeah, Cadence Shining Armor said he was thinking about giving Flurry Heart a sibling." 

Shining’s eyes widened as Cadence’s eyes turned to him as she grinded. “Naughty stallion, you are so gonna get it tonight.”

Shining Armor blushed deeper as he looked away whistling. "Finally someone other than me is embarrassed." Dillan chuckled.

Everyone chuckled at that as Rainbow nuzzled close to Dillan. Dillan smiled and kissed her forehead, making the mares aww at the sight as Shining armor whispered in his wife's ear making her blush and grin a bit. "Not a bad idea honey, Rainbow dash may I speak with you in private?" Cadence asked as she got up and walked out the door. 

Rainbow pouted and got up. “Better not be more mare talk, I had enough of that earlier.” She said as she trotted after Cadence.

Dillan raised an eyebrow as he looked back at Rainbow and Cadence, before turning to Shining armor. "Why do I get the feeling I should be drinking a lot of water today?" 

Shining just shrugged with a smirk. “Maybe you have strong instincts.” 

"Maybe you're dehydrated." Twilight suggested. "Didn't you say you uh… got to know another realitys Rarity, Rainbow and Applejack very well?" She asked uncomfortably. 

"Yes." Dillan said, his voice cracking a bit at the look Rarity and Applejack gave him. 

“My my my, at this rate you will have been with all of us in some way in no time at all.” Rarity said with a teasing smirk.

Dillan blushed deeply once more, before looking away. "I-i'm surprised you're all just accepting different dimensions so easily." 

“Darling, you are walking proof.” Rarity said with a giggle.

Dillan chuckled as Cadence and Rainbow dash came back, both with wide grins on their muzzles as they each sat down next to their respective lovers. "So what did you talk about?" Dillan asked. 

“Oh nothing too important, just coming up with a few date ideas.” Rainbow said with a grin.

Dillan smirked back at her. "Speaking of dates… how about we go on the one we promised to go on tomorrow night?" He asked, keeping his eyes on her as the mares in the room gasped in surprise with some in excitement. 

Rainbow blushed and stammered a bit. “I..I uh, I…sure.”

Dillan chuckled and smirked more. "What? Getting cold hooves?" 

"Ooo." Applejack and Applebloom said together. 

"Are you kidding! Rainbow dash doesn't get cold hooves!" Scootaloo said. 

Rainbow smiled nervously. “Scoots is right, I don’t get nervous.” 

Dillan smiled at her with a knowing look. "Alright, I'll pick you up tomorrow night at sunset. And bring a jacket." 

“O-ok.” Rainbow said softly as her feathers ruffled.

Rarity grinned a bit. "Rainbow Darling, I know you aren't much for it but would you like to join me and Fluttershy at the spa tomorrow before -" 

"Yes!" Rainbow said, before blushing and looking away. "I-i mean, why not?" 

All of Rainbow's friends giggled at her reaction as Rarity smiled. “Don’t worry darling, I will pay for the whole treatment.” 

Rainbow looked down with a small thanks as Dillan rubbed her head and whispered in her ear. "Don't worry, I'll make it extra special." 

Rainbow blushed and fidgested. “You are going to spoil me before our first date.” She said shyly.

Dillan laughed a bit. "Well what do you expect? When we were kids you never acted like this. It's cute."

Rainbow pouted in a very cute way. “I am not cute.”Rainbow pouted in a very cute way. “I am not cute.”

Dillan grinned and picked her up, rubbing her wings behind her back so no one could see. "Yes you are." 

She gasped and started wiggling. "H-hey!" 

Cadence grinned a bit at them as Luna pouted. "you still haven't finished your story…" 

"Oh, sorry." Dillan said with a smile. "Well… let's see…" 

Chapter end.