//------------------------------// // Chapter 63; The Other Other Side // Story: The Wander Through Lands Unknown // by Tomas Lutwig //------------------------------// The rainbow of nausea inducing colors flashed across Sunset Shimmer's eyes. Part of her, a larger part than she would like to admit, was glad she was returning to Equestria. Even if she wasn't going to be ruling it, immediately. The weight of the guard turned teenager on her shoulder felt like it grew in weight as she seemed to fly through the realm between the worlds, even as she felt her body shrink down back to it's proper shape and size. Hooves replacing hands and feet, her face elongating and regaining the bony protrusion that she had never quite gotten over losing. Despite her misgivings of returning, she knew at this moment; it was the right thing to do. Returning to her original form was beyond words in it's... rightness. As the blinding white light at the end of the tunnel of insane colors approached at breakneck speeds she could only wonder, what exactly did Celestia have planned for her once she returned? Pain encompassed my being. The feeling of a starvation that needed filling. Why? Why was it not gone? Why did it want souls? I groaned as the unholy light of the tunnel shined on the other side of my eyelids. Perhaps, it was simply that I hadn't reached Equestria yet. I was still between worlds or dimensions, or whatever in God's name these planes of existence and suffering were. Silently I cursed myself for suggesting that I go retrieve Sunset Shimmer and the three sirens. 'I just want the pain to stop...' I whimpered mentally. The light from the other portal was blinding, even through my eyelids. Causing spots to form under them in the darkness even after we passed through. “Whoaa!” Sunset's voice sounded moments after stepping through the other side followed by the strange feeling of falling. Opening my eyes for a moment, I quickly regretted it as the cold steps leading up to the mirror rushed to meet me. Pain radiated from my face and chest as my forehead collided with the crystal floor with the steps threatening to crack a rib or two. I waited for a moment on the floor, waiting for the pain to fade, hoping the pain would fade. Moments later I felt something different. Empty. As if the pain, the utter agony from the other dimension had taken something, ripped something important from me as I had left. For one terrifying moment I tried to feel for the cool flame that going through the portal had extinguished before it's cool burn caressed my senses. 'What?' I found myself wondering as I slowly put my hands on the ground to sit up. “By the stars... Was... was he always like that?” I heard the voice of one of the sirens sound out. Looking up I could only just recognize the sirens. Barely remembering the scenes from the movie where they looked as they originally did, through the storybook or during that strange music battle which always reminded me of that scene from Scott Pilgrim. The strange mix of equine with the aquatic features had always reminded me of what I though seaponies would look like. Sonata quickly joined the other two, fear obvious in her eyes matching the trepidation in her fellow siren's. A magical aura formed around me lifting me up into the air before I could manage to reply making me turn my head to Sunset Shimmer, who returned to her former pony glory looked on with a mixture of suspicion, fear, and anger. “I cannot say I know, though I believe we will be given a few answers.” Opening my mouth to reply, I stopped as the doors on the other side of the room opened as a guard poked it's head in. Silence filled the room as the five of us stared at the lone guard. The head retreated for a moment and a voice was heard on the other side of the door before another guard, armed with his spear, strode in. Through the open door I could see what I presumed was the guard that had looked in galloping away full tilt down the hall. “Alright, which of you is The Wanderer?” The guard asked looking around the room before finally stopping on Sunset Shimmer, who's horn still shined as it held me in the air. I cleared my voice getting the eyes of the lone crystal guard. “That would be me.” I said raising my hand. The guard cocked an eyebrow before shrugging, “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor will be here momentarily, though I do ask that you put him down.” The guard said, finishing as he looked over at Sunset. The unicorn's eyes narrowed for a moment before her magic suddenly cut out allowing me to fall back onto the cold crystal floor. An audible “Hmph” sounded from the mare. “And when is Princess Celestia going to be gracing us with her presence?” The guard looked over at the mare again in agitated confusion. “I can't say I know. The last I heard of anything involving Princess Celestia is when she sent a delegation of the Princess of Friendship and one of her guards around three months ago.” My squirming from the injured tailbone stopped dead as I looked at the guard in disbelief. “W-what?” I managed to stutter out. 'Three months?! I understand some form of time dilation or whatever, but Three months?!' Nodding the guard turned back to me. “The Princess of friendship had been making regular trips every other week, though I heard she had started simply sending letters.” “My and what things have changed since we've been gone? This castle is positively splendid!” the Orange siren, Andango? Andigo?, said her eyes glittering. “Is this Crystal?” “Adagio, I think he is crystal too!” Sonata said as she floated closer to the guard looking him over. The guard's spear tip came to bear as he eyed the blue siren cautiously. “This is the Crystal Palace in the Crystal Empire. I would also like to know who, and what you all are.” Adagio looked at the other two sirens before smiling, it was a very unfriendly smile, an almost predatory one. A quiet hum started in her throat before being joined by the other two sirens. “That's enough of that.” I said glaring at the three as a yellow aura formed around my hand and clamped down on their mouths. The feeling of magic flowing through me once again, mixed with the surprised then annoyed looks on the trio's faces made a small smirk form on my own. “If you three but remember, we're going to try things a little differently instead of immediately causing disharmony.” The trio of sirens grumbled silently as I continued to hold their mouths, with Aria looking at me with the kind of hate and blood lust I could only imagine coming from Chrysalis. Turning back to the guard who still kept the three in his vision while looking at me. “These three are a trio of sirens who were banished from Equestria a few hundred?... thousand?” Looking over at the three in question Sonata shrugged while Adagio rolled her eyes leaving Aria to continue sending bedroom eyes my way. “Eh, you get the picture. Long time ago they got banished for being mean and causing ponies problems.” I said dismissively letting their mouths go. “My, it almost sounded like he was calling us old girls.” Adagio said, the sarcasm practically dripping from her voice. “I wouldn't worry about it, you don't look a day over a hundred.” Sonata chimed in chipperly. A snicker sounded from Aria before a glare silenced them both. “Right...” The guard said turning to Sunset. “Are you at least normal?” A scoff sounded as the unicorn seemed to physically reject the concept. “Psh, normal? I am the most powerful unicorn alive! The only one beyond me is the Monarch of the Sun herself! Why if-” “Diarch” Sunset glared at me causing a smirk to form across my face. “Princess Luna was freed from N-” I stopped as my mouth was forcefully closed on my tongue and held. “As I was saying...” the unicorn started again as I attempted to remove the magic holding my jaw closed. “The only reason Princess Celestia is more powerful is due to age and the wisdom that, normally, comes with it.” A sigh sounded from the guard as he held his head. “Today is a good day, today is a good day...” he muttered quietly. “Alright, for now just don't do anything super stupid that'll make me stab you alright? Just wait nice and calmly for Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor. Then I can go back to pretending the world is normal.” He finished. “Now, I believe we were owed an explanation as to why you're still human, Wanderer?” Sunset said after a few more moments of watching me claw violently at my mouth. “God I should have let that skinhead fuck you up.” I said after I could feel my tongue again. “I'm originally human, that's why.” The blank stare the unicorn offered along with her horn re-igniting asked for more information. “Well I come from a different universe from even that one.” I said motioning towards the portal. “Got dragged here by some jerk in a trench coat, been kinda living here ever since.” A sigh sounded from the mare before she rolled her eyes. “You're probably the worst source of information I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with.” “Aw, I hope to see your entrails exit your body as well you vapid cu-” I replied only for her magic to once more snap my mouth closed. “The Princess and Prince will be here soon...” I heard the guard mutter as he looked on towards the door and hallway beyond, almost as if he was trying convince himself. Moments later a number more guards filtered into the room causing our guard to stand at attention. I rolled from my position on my butt to a kneel trying to ignore my knee popping as Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor walked in. “Ah, so you've finally returned Wanderer.” Shining Armor spoke up. “With the Sirens and Sunset Shimmer, I presume?” I nodded, “Yes your majesty. I admit that I was unaware of the time displacement that would take place in the other dimension, however I returned as I said I would.” A critical “Hm” sounded from the stallion. “I'm sure Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight will be thrilled that you made it back safely, if a bit late.” Cadence said, “Please rise.” Standing up I grimaced as my knees popped once more before looking at the royal pair. The two didn't look much older than last I had seen them, though the did seem more tired. “I presume that Princess Celestia will be informed of our return along with Princess Twilight?” Cadence nodded, “They have been informed, I sent a letter before coming. For now I would appreciate to hear of what happened while you were there.” I nodded, “Understandable your highness. I would however suggest that the mirror itself be either destroyed or hidden more... permanently to prevent more instances of this dimension seeping into theirs and vice versa.” Shining Armor's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, 'Ah that skepticism and mistrust that I missed so much...'. “Might I ask as to what is so dangerous as to fear it 'seeping over'?” Princess Cadence offered her husband a tired look, but stayed silent turning back to me. I nodded before motioning towards the three floating sirens and the unicorn beside me. “Well I apologize if I sound uncouth your highness, however these four are a good example. The sirens themselves caused, admittedly minor havoc with their singing and collecting of the disharmony that it spawned, however if Starswirl the Bearded had come up with a better idea then I can only imagine how many situations that could have prevented in a dimension which is without magic entirely.” A chuckle sounded from Sonata which was quickly silenced as Aria smacked her upside the head with a fin. Rolling my eyes at their antics I motioned towards Sunset again. “And Miss Shimmer here turned an entire school over in the time she was there, if not more. Ruining many relationships and hurting multiple students who were simply trying to live out their lives while she performed her coup of a high school....” I stopped holding my head in my hands and sighing. “God that sounds so fucking stupid...” I muttered. “In hindsight...” Sunset started, “Perhaps the high school, while it was only the first stepping stone, was starting kind of low.” I nodded offering the royal pair a tired look. “My point being, that if it was either hidden better, or destroyed in it's entirety, then we wouldn't have to worry about situations where we may have to go retrieve wayward citizens of this dimension. To top it off, if that world which is inhabited by humans similar to myself, is anything like my home, then we want to destroy the portal immediately.” Cadence spoke up with a raised eyebrow. “Why go from hiding it to insisting on it's destruction simply if they're similar to your home?” I blew a breath out from between my lips. “Sunset, you were there longer, in history class did they ever mention two Japanese cities? Hiroshima and Nagasaki” the confusion written on the unicorn's face quickly faded as her eyes widened. “As much as I hate to say it, I may have to agree with the monkey.” She said motioning to me. I rolled my eyes before letting my hands fall to my sides with a slap. “Really? Monkey is the first thing you think of? Good Lord...” I muttered. The pair ignored my comment, “And what is so significant about some cities?” Cadence asked confusion written across her face. I looked over at the unicorn offering a concerned look, she simply rolled her eyes at me. “Well... to put it bluntly, they made a bomb. The kind of bomb that easily killed hundreds of thousands in seconds and killed many more in the days after due to a sickness the bombs themselves unleashed.” Cadence covered her mouth with a hoof as Shining Armor's eyes widened. “How...” was all he managed. I shook my head. “Things like that is what I'm trying to avoid letting come here. While I could argue all day about magic being terrible for that world, reasons like that are the actual thought process behind it. The weapons that humans made to kill one another can make magic look paltry in comparison, in some situations.” “No one has enough magical power to unleash that kind of destruction alone. Even Celestia would be unable without dropping the sun or moon directly onto a continent which would destroy more than just a few hundred thousand.” Sunset Shimmer chimed in, drawing all eyes in disbelief. “It's Celestia, I seriously doubt she would purposefully try to destroy the world.” I nodded in acknowledgment. “I may not of known her for as long however I can see that.” “What are they talking about?” Sonata asked quietly. Adagio shook her head. “For the most part we stayed out of the spotlight, and we have little interest in the history of that land. I cannot say I know myself.” “If hundreds of thousands of lives were lost, I don't think I want to know myself if I'm honest.” Aria muttered, turning paler. Shaking my head. “Back on topic. If I understand correctly, Princess Celestia sent the mirror to you both to watch over and protect, and I plan on talking to her about said atrocities myself, but I would sincerely suggest destroying it.” Princess Cadence shook her head. “Honestly this is a lot to take in... and so soon after the changelings... I will speak to Celestia about this myself as well. Though I admit that even if we wanted to I can't say I know of a method of destroying the mirror. Supposedly Starswirl the Bearded made it himself, I doubt he would go through the trouble of making a portal that connects two dimensions together, only for the magic sustaining the spell to cause it to destroy itself.” I nodded, inwardly chuckling at the thought of Sunset attempting to destroy the mirror with a sledgehammer. “Hm, a valid point.” I said looking back at the mirror. 'Perhaps if we had a way to take the magic away from it...' I thought as I saw a small smile form on my reflection's face. “I may have a solution, though I will have to consult Celestia on it, if we do decide the destruction of the mirror is the best idea.” Shining Armor's reflection glared at me before I turned around. “A wise decision,” he said before motioning with his hoof, come we'll have the guards escort you two to your rooms. We may have to figure out what to do with you three however...” he said looking at the Sirens. The room the royal pair had left me with before was in exactly the same state I had left it. Which was only explainable by maids coming in to dust and other such things. 'Makes you wonder how much dust is accumulated in a room after three months of nothing going on in it...' I thought remembering something I had heard about most dust being dead skin, hair, and other detritus from humans or other animals. Shaking my head I felt for the things in the bag on my hip and retied the knife to my belt. Untying the bag itself from my belt and putting it inside my poor threadbare backpack, I put said pack on the ground before flopping onto the bed. Sighing in relief as I sunk into the soft cushions I couldn't help but curse that damnable statue pedestal. 'Nothing better than a real bed...' I thought slowly taking my boots off from my position with my face buried in the pillow. I had lost the shirt and nearly gotten my pants off when a knock sounded from the door. Groaning into my new lover I raised my head glaring at the door. 'Better be something really important or we're going to have some problems...' I thought as I gave a tired “Come in”. The door opened revealing Shining Armor wearing a look that spoke of not only confusion, but aggravation. He stopped at the sight of my nearly unclothed form. The muscle shirt, while without holes due to Rarity's magic, was so old and well used that the fabric did little to hide the pale skin of my back. In addition to my nearly undone pants, shoes sitting at the side of the bed along with my quite hole ridden socks, really should get those fixed up by Rarity as well if she'd be willing, I could only imagine what thoughts were going through his head. “Sorry, this is the first time I have gotten to lay on a bed in around three days, I was planning on taking a nap.” I said looking at him from the corner of my eye. The prince shook his head as I rolled over to face him propping myself up on the headboard. “I suppose that is how long you were there from your perspective?” he finally asked, attempting to change the subject. I nodded, “I admit, it felt like a lot longer what with being a teenager and going to school again.” I said scratching at my full beard before shrugging. “Running around the city looking for clues to three random young women causing havoc and discontent was less that fun too...” Other memories popped back up of the pain causing a hand to go to my chest, the empty feeling coming to the forefront of my mind even past the calm cool flame that burned within. “I can only imagine.” Shining Armor said, his voice devoid of any sympathy. “It does answer the question of why exactly the portal stays open for indeterminate and short times though, assuming it opens only when the moons of the two different worlds align in a full moon.” Shaking my head with a furrowed brow I pulled at the beard. “The only issue with that is the fact that to my knowledge the portal was open every single night I was there. I may not be very well versed in lunar patters, let alone here where Princess Luna herself controls the patterns, but I do know that normally a full moon is only a single night in my dimension.” I motioned out with a hand towards the direction the portal was. “With as many correlations as there are between my own dimension, that one, and this one. Well... I don't know exactly what to think on the full moon aspect, seeing as how I seriously doubt the Vice Principal of Canterlot High school controls the moon.” I finished with a bit of a smirk. The dumbfounded look on Shining Armor's face was priceless. “Vice Principal... of Canterlot High school? Are you serious?” I chuckled nodding, “It's ridiculous, like something out of a bad novel. I mean at least make them the president and vice president of whatever country that was.” I shook my head again, “What exactly is the ruling power if the Princess, who is by normal standards here ancient and powerful beyond measure, is reduced to a simple principal? I mean hell I think she even mentioned that their version of Discord was a principal at some point. Really? The spirit of chaos himself. Not only would I think I like that version of the school better, but good Lord that's sad.” Shining Armor just shook his head, a hoof rising to hold it. “I don't think I want to know anymore. I only came to ask if you had any opinion on the Sirens. I think Sonata Dusk has a chance of entering back into society if we can figure out a way to separate her from the other two and help her use her singing to cause harmony for her to absorb instead. Adagio Dazzle and Aria Blaze however will be much more difficult, even if we took their magic away and helped them with sustenance. Cadence said that Twilight mentioned you having insights to different situations. She was a little vague as to why as it seems though.” I looked back up at the suspicious look that Shining Armor was giving me before sighing. 'Almost thinking that it might be easier to simply leave now and take a lonely train ride back, or chance the Frozen North.' I thought. “Alright, your majesty.” I said, trying to sound somewhat respectful. “Look, I understand you don't like me. I won't pretend there aren't a number of rather good reasons not to trust me under your own roof, with your child and wife here none-the-less, but... hell I can't think of any other way to put this; Shit or get off the toilet man. Either send me away, to the dungeon for the rest of my short stay here, or hang my dumb ass from the gallows. From what I have heard and know, you're a reasonable kind of stallion. So please just quit the cordial attitude, glares, and generally expecting me to turn into some kind of pony eating monstrosity.” The Prince stared at me in a shocked disbelief, allowing me to continue. “To answer your question, I would honestly agree with your assessment. Adagio and Aria are kind of psychopathic after years upon years of feeding off disharmony and beings literally butting heads in some cases, however Sonata has a bit of a cruel streak herself seeing as how she's been doing the same. If you want the quick solution, send me in there with a kill order. You want to actually help them and see what they can do for others, it's going to be a long road, admittedly one undertaken by Princess Celestia and her court unless you intervene. If you want my personal opinion for right now, I would either put them in separate rooms, if you feel nice, or cells if not. Give the guards some good earplugs as well.” By the time I finished Shining Armor simply looked me over. I can only imagine how I looked, exhausted if how I felt had anything to do with it. “Hmph. When you first walked in with my sister and her friends, I had already heard quite a bit about you. Twilight sent me a few letters of the interesting new being that had appeared in the Everfree forest. How he was 'cursed' by his own description, to turn into a mindless animal focused only on killing, and how he had agreed to being turned to stone.” The stallion looked down at my bag and clothes. “How he had been moved to the Canterlot Gardens from the Everfree forest, before finding out that he had killed Tirek who had already been defeated. She told me much about you Wanderer, how she believed you weren't a bad person or anything, simply misguided. I heard through the guards however that you were admitted to the guards as a punishment for killing Tirek, being unable to serve your sentence within your stone prison, and your subsequent desertion.” I nodded, only sinking lower into the bed, due to a sudden weariness of more than just body as memories came back. “I presume you've heard pretty much everything that Twilight knows then. My point still stands, Prince. Banish me, kill me, or just; let me alone. I grieve myself enough over my foolish mistakes and failings. I don't need someone reminding me of them every time I look at them.” Shining Armor snorted looking away towards one of the windows. “Wow. You make yourself out to sound mature, your mistakes were just running away from the initial one. You made yourself into what you are today, and all I can see is a waste. A waste of potential if anything I heard from Captain Silverhoof when you were in basic was right. He said that his two minotuar, Iron Arm and Strong Horn, had the hornless minos that the Princess had asked him to train, up to royal guard standards.” the ex-Captain turned prince tried his best to glare through me. “And you threw all of that away.” “Why?” I looked away from the agitated prince, looking down at my barely decent form, a small twinge of insecurity hit me before I shook my head. “At the time it made sense. I may of killed Tirek, but after being imprisoned, driven insane, and sent through boot camp all by what seemed to be a more tyranical ruler than I had initially imagined.” I let out a sigh meeting the Prince's disappointed anger with a look of exhaustion. “I took his sentence for killing him. A thousand moons, within a stone prison, slowly losing my mind. I only lasted two years. After they woke me up and 'Freed' me from said insanity, my mind was still broken. Memories of home were gone, I was emotion driven, not much better than those teenagers I had to deal with.” I said offering a hollow chuckle. “You think that excus-” “I don't think it excuses anything” I said, a sudden vitriol to my voice. “Frankly Prince. After what I've been through, I have a mind to not give a shit what you or anyone else thinks anymore. I have a total of two friends here. Which is really more than I had in my past life. I have at least two people that care enough about my well being to want to see me come home. I have been imprisoned no less than four fucking times, if you're willing to count the time I was put to sleep by the princesses. It's easier for me to say the time I've been free than the time I've been in either a cell or stuck in my own mind. Some of it might have been my fault, and I may have been rightfully imprisoned, but did I deserve to be stuck in a cell with Queen Chrysalis herself using me as a love battery, when I've never even loved anyone?! When the closest thing to a romance I've had is something as simple as a young woman back home dancing with me at my aunt's wedding. She was my cousin no less!” I was nearly shouting as I finished sitting up and glaring daggers at the prince. Flopping back down I shook my head. “And no less, my only real hope for the future, is that eventually, I'll get killed. Then after enough time, I'll go hollow... A crazy animal, bent only on killing those around me.” I said looking down at my hand. “Maybe I sound melodramatic, self centered, I don't care. Now if you would be so kind Prince Shining Armor, I would like to take a shower. I have gone three days without one.” Shining Armor watched as I slowly got up from bed and made my way towards the adjacent bathroom before snorting. “Very well Wanderer. Princess Celestia sent a reply saying she would be coming to gather Miss Shimmer, the Sirens and yourself tomorrow.” The unicorn turned towards the door and started out of it. “Personally I would say she could not get here soon enough.” he said just loud enough to hear before slamming the door shut. I sighed letting my forehead impact the wood of the door to the bathroom. 'I can't help but agree.' I thought. After a long hot shower I laid back down in bed, trying to relax even as memories came and went. Remembering before I had gotten dropped off in the world of my little pony, my family, the people I associated with on occasion. A part of me missed that life. A life where I didn't have to worry about being imprisoned by the next psychopath or by one of my only friends. A life where I didn't have to deal with the fact that I was, to my knowledge, immortal until I finally went hollow. A life where I may not of had magic, but one where I didn't have a nagging emptiness that seemed to seep into my very being, demanding to be filled. Memories of after I had gotten sent here only filled me with dread or weariness. Rolling over I pulled the sheets up over my exposed shoulder, clutching them tightly as I waited for dreams to take me. Other thoughts continued to assault my mind as I tried to relax. Wondering what my next assignment would be, if I would be allowed to work as I had discussed with Celestia; as a blacksmith fixing tools, weapons, and armor. Wondering how Sundance and Celestia had been doing. Celestia was no doubt stressing out behind her regal mask, trying to come up with some way to talk to Sunset Shimmer when she arrived. Sundance, I could only speculate. I knew the mare fairly well, but I was never the best at reading women. I could be thinking that she'd show up tackle me to the ground while yelling at me for taking so long, only for her to be very standoffish, punishing me through the silent treatment until I apologized and begged for her forgiveness. Shaking my head I tried to wonder what the six, er seven counting Starlight Glimmer I suppose, were doing right now. Before long my eyes felt heavy as I imagined a number of picnics and other small parties between the friends, glad to be rid of me with my strange antics. The soft sound of a heartbeat seemed to echo through the room, interrupted only by the sound of breathing. Warmth was coiled around me even as low light shone against my eyelids. The soft mattress beneath me far more comfortable and warm than the cold stone slab that had acted as my bed for the last few nights that had seemed to drag on for far longer than they should have. Light shown as I opened my eyes, looking out over a large field green blending into the blue sky at the horizon. Empty beyond the sun shining down over the grass that moved in waves in a breeze that blew past. Looking back a single tree stood on my hill, it's large trunk rising up to shade the area beneath with leaves. Starting over towards it the brown of the wood shifted, moving like watercolors mixing with the green of the grass beneath. Standing before a muted red building I looked at the white door before it opened. A young woman stepped out, her brown hair tied up in a conservative bun over top a plain dress of light blue and white. “Bye Mom, I'll see you when I get home!” she called back inside only for a light purple mare to wave a hoof back to her and say something inaudible before the girl shut the door. Making her way down the street I watched as she waved to a couple of colts and young men that walked from their houses, backpacks and saddlebags dispersed intermittently. The young woman joined a group of three, a boy and what looked like a pair of twin ponies, a colt and filly. Blinking I looked up from the four to see multitudes of other ponies and humans walking together, chatting away as if there they didn't have a care in the world. Blinking again I watched as the colors mixed, forming a dark near black color that seemed to consume the world around me. An impact to my side sent me into a tree with a sickening crunch that didn't seem to hurt. I watched however as the scene played out before me, unable to move. A large ursine creature stalked away from me towards a young woman who cowered away, her eyes shooting to me and then back at the monstrous bear. Turning to run an unnatural burst of speed from the bear brought it right behind the woman before a large paw stopped her in her tracks, pinning her to the ground with a bone chilling crunch. A scream echoed through the dark forest around us before being silenced as the bear closed it's jaw on the back of her neck with a sickening slurp. Opening my mouth to let out a scream I found it didn't work, anger and fear bit at me. Taking in a breath that seemed unnatural for my broken form I opened my mouth. A scream echoed through the small room making my eyes shoot open. Shooting up from the bed the sheets seemed to constrict around me causing me to fall to the hard crystal floor with a muted thud turning the scream into pained grunt. The sound of the door slamming open made it's way to my ears as I sat up untangling myself from the sheets. Looking over a pair of wide eyed crystal guards stood in the doorway the light of the moon shining in through the window making their features blurred beyond the sleepiness that I rubbed from my eyes. “Are you alright Wanderer? We heard a scream, what's going on.” The guard holding the door asked as the other quickly made it's way through the room, checking the bathroom, under the bed, and wherever else something, or someone could hide. Untangling the sheets from around myself I shook my head putting a hand up to the place I had smacked it on the floor. “I believe so...” My voice was groggy from sleep. The memories of the dream quickly fading, the only remainder was the sight of a large ursine tearing into a young woman. My eyes slammed shut as I realized. “Julia...” The sound of hooves clopping came closer as I looked up to find the guard standing closer. “What was that?” His voice sounded again making me shake my head. “It's nothing of any concern. A... I've been plagued with a recurring nightmare. Thank you for your concern.” I said, a weariness entering my voice. The guards looked at one another before their gaze returned to me. “Very well. If you need anything let us know. Princess Mi Amor Cadenza has offered you the same privileges as a servant to Princess Celestia herself. If there's anything you may need let us know.” I rubbed at my eyes again before nodding. “Thank you gentlemen, and if by some strange circumstance I do not see Princess Mi Amore Cadenza again before I leave, please give her my same thanks.” The pair nodded, the one who spoke offered a concerned look before making their way to the door. Before they could close it however a small pink form blew past them. “Who scared?!” A squeaky voice sounded in juvenile english, er equish? A small alicorn, perhaps a few years younger than Apple Bloom's age during the show flew into the room, her eyes scanning the room. “Who screamed?” I blinked looking over the small pink pony. She was maybe the size of pipsqueak though obviously younger if her voice said anything for her age. A small pair of what I could only describe as “pull ups” hugged her small abdomen with a pair of unnaturally large wings shooting out from her back with a similarly over-sized horn jutting from her face splitting her purple and light blue curly mess of a mane. “Flurry Heart?” One of the guards asked as the juvenile alicorn's eyes fell on me. She flew up right into my face, “You scared?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked into my own. “Uhhh?” was my eloquent reply. She started patting my head cooing softly before coming to rest on my shoulder, continuing the head pats. “It alright, no need be scared.” she said rubbing her hoof through my hair. I offered the two guards a look of utter confusion which they could only reply with one of apology. “It's alright Princess Flurry Heart. I think he's better now.” One said making the small alicorn look back at him. “No! He still scared!” She said shaking her head before turning back to me and continuing her cooing. “Flurry Heart!” Cadence's voice sounded from the hallway making me turn there to see the mare in question, a concerned look on her face through the gloom. “Where are you sweetie?” The small parrot on my shoulder stopped her attempts to comfort me turning to the door and mare beyond. “Mommy will help!” She said flapping up and out the door. The sound of her voice was audible, though the words she was saying was beyond my hearing. I shook my head, fully awake now. “Ohhh what the hell?” I muttered holding a hand to my head. “Was that the newest Princess I've been hearing about?” I asked the two guards who nodded, a tired look in their eyes. “Every so often she gets a wild knot in her tail and starts flying around the castle during the night. You know how kids can be right?” He asked to which I nodded, “Well imagine that, only worse when they have the ability to fly not only faster than some adults, but also use magic beyond most unicorns.” “Ohhhh....” I managed slowly deflating. “I am so sorry...” I said slowly getting up. The guards shook their heads. “Normally it isn't too bad, I mean she's a lovely, and loving filly, but absolute chaos when the mood strikes her or she doesn't get what she wants.” “Wanderer?” another voice sounded turning me back to the door towards a concerned looking Cadence holding the filly in question. “I was informed that you were screaming, is everything alright?” “Ugly pony scared Mommy” Flurry Heart added. I sputtered chuckling at the child, before shaking my head. “It's nothing to be concerned for your highness. It was a nightmare, nothing more. I apologize for waking you.” I said grabbing my sheets from the floor. “See Flurry Heart, Wanderer is alright. Nothing to worry about.” The mother said holding the filly close nuzzling her lightly. The infant shook her head though. “No! Ugly pony sad an scared!” Flurry Heart insisted. I cocked an eyebrow at the filly before turning to Cadence offering her the same look. “Flurry Heart is something of an empath, she can sometimes sense the feelings of those around her. It has caused some interesting incidents with some of the guards or staff if they've had less than great days.” she explained, a weariness evident in her eyes. I nodded slowly. “Interesting, I admit I had yet to meet your filly, which it is nice to meet one so young who cares about others so much.” I said aiming the latter at the filly herself. “I'm fine though, simply what happened after I was captured by our resident favorite bug queen...” I sighed remembering what happened. “Nothing time and, Lord willing, a bit of time with friends won't heal.” Cadence's face hardened as I mentioned Chrysalis before nodding. “I remember hearing from Twilight about what happened with the changeling queen.” she said quietly glaring at the ground, before turning back to me her eyes softening. “If it's any consolation, I am sorry that happened to you. The queen is a cruel vicious creature...” “Mommy...” The small voice of her filly seemed to break the princess from whatever dark thoughts the mention of the bug queen had brought back. Nuzzling the filly she smiled cooing quietly at her. “If you ever need to talk to anypony.” She said looking back to me. “I understand we may not know one another, but I will be willing to listen.” I let my eyes close as I sighed, adrenaline from the unknown being popping into existence and trying to console me fading away. Weariness echoed from my being as I looked at the cautious concern in the mare's eyes. “Thank you Princess Mi Am-” “Please, just call me Cadence” she said interrupting me. I shrugged a shoulder. “Regardless, thank you Princess Cadence. I admit that I have talked to a few peop- er ponies about what happened, which has helped thankfully, it seemed I have yet to completely get over what happened though.” Cadence looked as though she wanted to say something, but stopped looking towards the bed before back to me. “I understand all too well Wanderer. I apologize for my daughter's intrusion and my own rudeness, but I must return to bed. Goodnight and may Luna watch over your dreams.” Nodding I offered her a tired smile “And you as well Princess Cadence. Goodnight Flurry Heart, thanks for trying to make me feel better. Thank you gentlemen again for checking on me, I will inform you if I need anything. Goodnight.” The four of them left with Flurry Heart staring at me with a strange intensity. When the door shut I looked back down at the bed before making my way to the bathroom to splash my face, drinking some water for my parched throat. “I'll never understand these ponies... Or this magic...” I muttered looking at my tired reflection before wiping my face and turning to bed.