//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 pt2. 
// Story: Fiend Shifter 
// by Xinrick 
//------------------------------//

The sky around us shook and then became the normal sky back on Equis… wait… I ran to the edge of the ship...yup. Equis, We're in Fluttershy's back yard… huh.

“How in the hell?” I frowned. “Discord!” I called out.

"Hello." He said, appearing next to me. "My, that was quite the unexpected event. How interesting."

“So there’s a lot of things wrong here, and you know something about it.” I frowned. “But let’s start with how are we in Fluttershy’s backyard on a massive ship?”

"That is what I was wondering. The only thing that makes sense to me is that this rift isn't like the ones from before, this was made. Since the source of its creation is gone it dumped whatever was inside it through the rift." Discord then looked over the edge of the boat. "Good news Fluttershy! You get a huge boat!"

"Uhh… thanks?" Her distant voice from below replied.

“Alright, so who the hell is Father? You know something important about that rat bastard I just know it.” I frowned.

He snapped his fingers, dawning an Abraham Lincoln look. "I can not tell a lie. I have no idea." He replied, a flash and he was back to normal. "Honestly, I'm the lord of chaos not the god of knowledge. I only know what doesn't make sense and even then I can get stumped."

“Goodie…” I frowned. “Can’t wait to never get answers ever...why did this have to happen?”

"Well, think of it this way Anna, you have a pretty good stress relief option now." Discord elbowed me, making me nudge into Gilda. 

"I mean...that's true." I blushed. "And stress relief is something I need after… that."

"We'll have to file the report first, but after that we can get a quickie in on lunch." Gilda said with a shrug and a smile.

"That would be great." I sighed out happily. "But do we head back now or deal with another rift close by?"

We did just that, flying back over to HQ and filling out the report. After that Gilda and I had our quickie. At this rate I am so ending up pregnant… not that I'd mind, though having to fight while pregnant would be worrying…

When the day was over Blueblood, ugh, needed to speak with us. "I'm reassigning you two. From now on you two deal with these Rifts as you can. I know Discord gave you a map of their locations so take them out as you go." He said plainly.

"And what about our other assignment to the badlands? Is that not happening?"put I asked, given he told us we were reassigned.

He sighed. "Aunt Luna made a suggestion and frankly while I'm opposed to it, she ordered for this to be the case. Arrived shortly after you left for patrol to inform me of it in person even. Starting tomorrow you two will operate more along the lines of freelance agents. Your primary mission is to travel and locate the rifts and close them, while I can also assign you two on missions that could require your skills. So no, the Badlands mission isn't off, it's still planned just now you two have more free time to either focus on the rifts, personal affairs and the like."

"What does that mean for pay?" Gilda asked.

"For every rift you close it's a months pay upfront after completion and for every mission I place you two on it's half a months worth, per day."

"How are you able to afford that? As is we get paid a crap ton."

"Income from all the crowns and soon, once their unification marriage is done with, funds will be a nonexistent issue at all."

"Sounds about right." I shrugged. "And damn, Luna ordering this in person? Wish I could have seen it."

With that done I was heading back with Gilda to their apartment, ready to just crash and sleep. "Pssst. Anna." I turned, Gilda and I halfway to the apartment when a nearby bush began calling me.

"I must be more tired than I thought, cause that bush is talking to me." I said, honestly exhausted from today.

"It is." Gilda said.

At that moment Tommy popped their head out. "Yo, you see any of my classmates around?"

"No." I started. "Why are you in the bushes? Cause I'm honestly stupid tired from work today and thought the bush itself was talking…"

He sighed in relief and got out of there. "I swear the whole class has gone crazy. Mind if I crash here, like six of them were prowling around Twilight's so."

"Prowling?" Gilda asked.

“And you called me a harem protagonist.” I chuckled. “Who’s chasing after you?”

"Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Twist, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. I mean, fuck Tiara and Spoon don't even like the other four yet for some reason they all band together to stalk me."

“So while I’m the harem protagonist that actively tries to get a harem for my boyfriend here, you’re the oblivious harem protagonist.” I chuckled. “But uh...considering their stalking...uh Gilda, what’s the legal age for sex?” I asked nervously, having a feeling it’s at least eighteen or something but wanting to make sure my baby brother isn’t going to have problems walking for a while.

"How old is he now?" Gilda asked.

“He’s fourteen, the same as the rest of his classmates.” I said honestly.

"Equestrian laws last I remember… well he's an adult at sixteen according to Equestrian laws." Gilda said.

"Wait, seriously?" Tommy asked.

"Yup." Gilda nodded. "If we were in the griffon territories you'd be an adult in just one more year."

"Cool."

“So start dating them and wait two years.” I shrugged. “They all like you if they're stalking you.”

"Why?"

"Why do they like you or why should you date them?" Gilda asked.

"Both. I mean, I guess I'm a furry to a degree but not like Anna is." I bonked his head. "Ow!"

“First up, rude.” I frowned. “And secondly, what would make them like you? What did you do?”

He rubbed his head, both to think and to ease the bonk I gave him. "No idea for Twist and Spoon, didn't talk to those two much. All I can think of for Applebloom is that I helped her with some chores."

"What chores?" Gilda asked.

"Those apples. Kicking the trees to make them drop the apples."

"How many trees?"

"I dunno. She made it a game and I didn't bother counting. Sweetie Belle I helped her sew, like how we used it sew with mom. She's bad but can be taught apparently, her sister sure seemed surprised. Scootaloo… not sure, I mean, I guess I helped her with some stunts she wanted to try out but that was it, and I'm surprised Tiara is there considering I cursed her mom out and made her run away crying."

“My dude…” I sighed out. “You’re proving to them that you are dependable, strong, caring, and willing to defend them. Also with Tiara, her mother is a deplorable bitch from what I’ve heard her say about me and everyone else in the GoE.” I rolled my eyes. “Women find those things very attractive, plus you always were a handsome little man.” I teased as I ruffled Tommy’s hair like I used to back on Earth.

"I still don't see how it was impressive."

I groaned and looked over at Gilda who shrugged. "Well, we have time. How about we ask them and Translate it into Tommy?" Gilda suggested.

“Alright.” I nodded while picking up and putting Tommy over my shoulder, thanking my Griffon strength for making this a lot easier. “No use running Tommy, we’re going to get you six girlfriends.”

"Coming from you that's probably gonna double." I pouted, Gilda trying to suppress a snort.

“It’s not my fault that this world literally demands herds through magic.” I frowned.

"Is… that actually a thing?" Tommy asked as Gilda and I nodded. "Magic is a pervert then. Good to know.

“I mean...when the gender ratio is fifteen females to one male in Equestria, they have to fix it somehow.” I shrugged. “Haven’t you noticed how you’re like...one of four guys in a group of twenty?” I asked.

"Five. Myself, Button Mash, Tender Taps, Pipsqueak and Rumble." Tommy said.

Huh, funny since half of them will be his brothers soon.

We first headed for Twilight's place, where indeed six small teen fillies were all standing around failing to act all casual.  Upon seeing Tommy they all perked up a bit. Tommy just groaned.

"Hey girls, why do you want to date my little brother?" I asked curiously.

They all blushed to various degrees. After a bit of adorable contemplation, Applebloom stepped forward. "He uh, he's really good at hard work."

"I just helped you with chores." Tommy said.

"Ya kicked over two hundred apple trees clean in under an hour." She replied. "Planted just as many in two and beat my brother in arm wrestling."

“Good lord little bro when did you become Superman?” I asked in surprise.

"You are a shapeshifter with monster forms and other race forms, and two armored forms based on the sun and moon. Why do you sound surprised?" Tommy asked.

“I can shapeshift, yes, but you don’t need to be super strong and fast.” I said honestly. “Big Mac is one of the biggest earth ponies I know, and you beat him in arm wrestling when I'm pretty sure I couldn’t in my human form.”

"It just happens, like instinct." Tommy shrugged.

“My point hasn’t been disproven.” I said honestly. “Next, Sweetie Belle.” I started. “Cause AB here really likes how hardworking and strong you are.”

"Well, he's patient." She started, twirling a finger in her hair. "When he saw me trying to sew he showed me each step to get it right, how to plan before I cut and how to thread the needle. Rarity and I have been spending so much more time together since then."

“Still have to thank grandma for the sewing lessons.” I said honestly. “Always told us we’d need to sew, either for our own belongings, hobby, or for our kids, and apparently now for your new girlfriends Tommy.” I teased at the end.

"He helped me to fly!" Scootaloo said, flapping her wings and flying up two feet.

"You're a Pegasus, that's normal." Tommy pointed out.

"Not for me. It just never clicked. Not until you threw me into the air like that! I landed on a cloud and once the wind hit it just clicked for me."

“Huh...I’ve heard of picking up chicks but I didn’t think throwing them would help.” I said honestly.

"When he yelled and called out my mom, she broke. Went into a full on midlife crisis and left for a week, came back a whole different mare, and with Grandma. I've never met my grandma before, she's so…. The milk version of her anyway, apparently mom came from Milk farmers, something I never knew and has been so nice and… different. Heck we made butter last night, and I had fun. With my mother! I've never had fun with her before." Tiara said.

“Honestly if it wasn’t my little brother here calling her out on her bullshit, it was gonna be me.” I shrugged. “But good to know he helped solve that massive problem.”

"I was the one who suggested we all try and make a herd with Tommy." Silver said proudly. "Twist here knows as much as I do on herd gathering."

"Yes, we were hoping for Tommy to pick one of us for the head female." Twist said simply. "Once he picks one for the head female the rest of us join in and marry once we graduate."

"Am I the only one having to deal with this?" Tommy asked.

"Nope." They all replied happily.

“Listen Tommy, you have six cute girls, and most likely more, all wanting to date you because they see great things about you.” I said honestly. “Can you at least give them a chance? I promise, when you graduate, I’ll have medical staff on hand.”

"Medical staff? Why?" Tommy asked.

"Think about it." Gilda said.

Tommy pondered it for a while then turned a bright red while mouthing an 'oh'. He sighed. "Fine." He said getting off me and walking over to them. "How does this picking a head female work?"

"Just choose one of us for the head female role and she and the rest of us will take care of the rest." Silver said.

"Fine…" Tommy said, looking between them and placing a hand on Twist's head. 

The small white and red filly squeed happily, tackling Tommy hugging him.

Pop. Crack.

"Owe…" Tommy wheezed from.the small earth pony filly's hug.

Wow, she's small but really strong… huh, she actually looks a lot like Peppermint now that I think about it. Same coat and mane colors.

“Uh...you’re mom wouldn’t happen to be Peppermint would it Twist? Also I...think we need to get Tommy to a doctor...I actually heard him snap, crackle and popping…”

"Hm? Peppermint isn't my mom silly. She's my big sister, and Hope is my niece." Twist stated.

That makes sense… wait… does that mean Twist could grow up to be as big as Peppermint? Oh I might have just given my bro a death by snu snu in a few years… eh, he'll survive.

“Ah, alright.” I nodded. “Just making sure given the same color scheme for you and your big sister...uh...does being that big run in the family or something Twist?” I asked, honestly curious if Peppermint was just a special case for being really big or if it runs in the family.

"Yeah. At least for the fillies in the family, which is weird cause that only started happening with my grandma Cinnamon. Before that we were all pretty average sized, but since Grandma, my mom, sis and all my aunt's all got way bigger."

"This more of that magic stuff you talked about?" Tommy asked, still alive it seems.

“Just...don’t be surprised if she looks like Peppermint with glasses in two years.” I said sheepishly. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it either way.”

“But...I like my hips…” Tommy said in aroused fear.

“I know you’ll work through it.” I chuckled, gently patting my little brother's head. “But glad to have worked that out...is there anyone else that you six think will tag along on this love train?”

"The other fillies in class are trying to figure out who they'll group with and which colt." Applebloom said.

“Alright.” I nodded. “But...how many others are there in your school? I only know about as much as Tommy tells me about his day.”

"Well, for our class there's five colts, and twenty five fillies. The other schools though I'm not sure."

"Other schools? Swore Cheerlie was the only teacher and school here." Gilda said 

"Nah, she teaches you if you're nine to fourteen. Next year we all gotta move to the school in the town square so we know how to function in the adult world. Taxes, job applications, things of that nature for the last year before we're adults."

Wow… why the fuck didn't my world ever teach us that stuff? I'd have killed for a class on how to pay my taxes!

“You kids are very lucky.” I said. “Cause where me and Tommy come from...we don’t have ‘adulting’ classes as it were.”

"Why?"

“Because.” I answered.

"Our race was very retarded." Tommy said simply.

“But also really smart at times, like when we went to the moon for instance.” I shrugged. “Without magic.”

"That's not that impressive." Tommy replied.

“For this world yes it is.” I said honestly. “Plus I didn’t disagree that most of the people on earth are raging dipshits.”

After some more banter Tommy accepted his fate and the group of girls followed him around the rest of the day, but I ended up heading inside to speak with Twilight. I need to ask just how many people Pinkie invited into this herd. 

“Twilight...how many people did Pinkie invite to mine and Gilda’s herd?” I asked Twilight, even though I am so ready to go home and crash I need answers.

"Well… I got an invite, so did Rarity and AJ, and Fluttershy… so the six of us I know for certain but not sure who else." Twilight said.

“Fluttershy joined in just so you know.” I brought up. “Me and her talked about it while she taught me how to wash my wings.”

"Oh, good. I've been thinking about it and I'm waiting for some advice from Cadence. I'm actually surprised she hasn't replied sooner. I've never actually given romance a thought before and…Well…"

"We didn't exactly have the best terms of a relationship last time." Gilda sighed.

"Yeah. I already know… what happened, but yeah, last time we interacted wasn't the best first impression."

“But it really wasn’t Gilda’s fault...they were under a lot of stress that no one was willing to listen to.” I pointed out. “Right now...we can make amends, fix a troubled start with a good one.”

"That's what I'm hoping to do… I was actually curious on what the griffon lands are like. I've never been and I've only ever read about it in history books."

"I guess I can talk about my old home, sure."

With that I took a nap In my bed here while Twilight and Gilda talked and made peace.





"Good, you're up." Tidus said as I woke up in Zanarkand. "What did you do? There was this grey Pyreflies that flew around the place for a while then into the hospital. It's unlocked now."

“A lot has happened since I was last here, please don’t get on my back about it right now.” I said worriedly. “If you need, check the graveyard...it’ll explain enough…” I muttered bitterly as I started walking towards the Hospital.

Once inside it I saw… tubes. Well, more like giant glass cases, filled with some liquid and a fiend inside each… and my Minotaur, Pony, Griffon forms too… creepy. "Well, this was remodeled." Tidus said.

“Uh...huh…” I blinked. “That’s… concerning.” I started. “Why the hell is this a thing?”

"Heck if I know, this is supposed to be the lobby." Tidus said, walking over to the Dingo display. He tapped the glass and it lit up into a circle.

“Oh?” I questioned, seeing the circle and looking to see what was in it.



 Maximize Form Potential of Dingo. 
45,000 Pyreflies required.
Current Pyreflies, 5,487,250



“Excuse me what?” I started. “Maximize form potential? And also christ that’s a lot of Pyreflies in me.”

"Maybe it's like upgrading gear?" Tidus suggested.

“That...would make sense.” I said while deciding to press the ‘okay’ button on maximizing Potential on the Dingo.

I looked at the Dingo form change. It's fur going from a matted blond color to a pure white, grew to be easily ten feet, claws looked like they were made from metal, same as the teeth, tail covered in barbs and an armored underside. "Yeah I'm Glad I never fought that Dingo." Tidus said.

“The actual hell.” I blinked several times at seeing that. “That’s...not a Dingo...the hell is that?” I asked while checking the things name, never seeing this thing before and only knowing the max it could go was Fenrir in the Monster Arena, but it was black and red, not pure white.



 Maximum Dingo. 
Nickname: Ethereal Dire Wolf



“An Ethereal Dire Wolf…” I started. “Also, Maximum Dingo? What, did it grow up from stealing baby’s to stealing mothers?”

"Probably." Tidus said.

“So...I have a shit ton of Pyreflies left, and bunch more races to max out...and then I have all the rest of the Fiends to capture and max out...and I still have no idea who or what those Grey and Black Pyreflies belonged to.”

"So, more questions. Sounds like your typically Monday "

“Sadly.” I sighed out. “Okay, so time to start maxing these things out...god this is gonna take a while.”

I spent about an hour maxing out all the forms and then testing them all out. Oddly enough the Equis forms, Griffon, Pony, ect, don't upgrade like the fiend ones do. While the fiend ones upgrade all to max at once the Equis ones increase speed, strength, things like that. Even my armored forms are here which is really cool. 

“This is very interesting, and very cool.” I smiled at all the massive buffs.

With all that done I headed off to find Jecht. He's been practicing in the Blitzball Stadium since it opened and has rarely left. I got to watch him try out his moves and it was pretty cool.

When I finally woke up back on Equis it was night already. Getting up and heading down I saw Twilight and Gilda still talking, something about Griffonstone culture or something like that. "Hey Anna." Gilda said as I happily took a seat on their comfy lap. "Have a good nap." He asked while giving me a hug.ug.

“Well I certainly learned a bit from my sleep...like I can upgrade all my Fiend forms surprisingly.” I said honestly.

"How so?" Twilight asked.

“Well…” I started nervously, as I turned into Murussu given it was small enough that I wouldn’t break something. So about Murussu, it’s the same species as Raldo, but it was adapted to the cold and had ice covering it’s hide and crystal’s mostly growing from it’s back.

The Maximum Murussu is about Gilda's height, far more streamlined, fast, and still retains it's tank factor. Its nickname is called The Crystal Assassin.

"Damn." Gilda said.

“Yeah, gets rid of the slowness and short stature, for more speed, agility, and ice magic without sacrificing any of its durability.” I said happily. “Plus, with all that I did, I learned how to talk in Fiend form so yay.”

"That is amazing." Twilight said, looking my firm over. "Are you still capable of shifting into the earlier variation or is that not possible?"

“I don’t know actually.” I said as I focused and tried to turn into my unmaximum form.

I shrunk, finding myself in the normal form. Sadly in this form I still can't talk. Eh, should have guessed. I shifted back to human and sat down. "That's a lot of new tricks." Gilda said.

“Yes they are.” I said honestly. “And all it cost me was a few...million pyreflies.” I said nervously.

"You used Pyreflies to upgrade them? Hmm… well, that would make the most sense. Is there a limit to how many you can hold?" Twilight asked.

“I had close to five and a half million Pyreflies to spend...which I don’t remember getting that many but...I blame the Deer Kingdom…”

"That would explain the high number." Gilda nodded. "Plus that Rift we just closed had who knows how much in it."

"Well, that talk aside, would you two care to stay for dinner? It's pretty late, Spike and Tommy are both already asleep."

“Sorry for just...passing out on you two.” I said sheepishly. “Just...it’s been a trying day.”

"Heh, it's fine Anna. Gilda and I actually got along pretty well. Gilda taught me a lot about the modern griffon kingdoms and I taught him about the past." 

"Still find it funny the father of all Griffons is Poseidon." Gilda laughed.

“I thought Poseidon was the father of all horses?” I asked curiously.

"Maybe on your world, but not here on Equis." Twilight said.

“I mean...myths back on earth are pretty wild sometimes.” I said sheepishly.

"Eh, gods can never keep their families in order." Gilda shrugged.

"So, about that dinner? I hope you two aren't opposed to a pot pie. No meat though." Twilight said a bit awkwardly.

“I’m starving, I can’t be picky.” I said honestly.

"Eh, I can make up the protein with breakfast." Gilda said.

The veggie pot pie was amazing. After that Gilda was ready to crash but I was still very much awake. Damn nap threw my sleep clock off.

"So, care if I crash on your bed here Anna?" Gilda asked.

"Umm…" Twilight started, gaining our attention. "I mean… you two can… sleep in mine. It's pretty big and… can be good practice for… since I decided I will… join…"

"Oh, heh, thanks Twilight." Gilda said, standing up and patting Twilight's head. 

“I don’t know if we won’t…’have fun’ as it were, but probably crashing into a cuddle pile is probably gonna happen.”

"Let's save the adult fun with the others till after we've gotten to know them better. Night then you two." Gilda said as they headed off.

"N-night." Twilight said. Once Gilda was gone and upstairs she dropped her head against the table with enough force to shake all the dishes.

“You okay there Twilight?” I asked curiously.

"I invited a male… to my bed…" She raised her head up. "I know there's nothing… sexual going to happen, but I mean… I've never shared a bed with anyone before, let alone a male! And what if his…" She blushed. "Anna, how do you sleep in the same bed as Gilda, and please don't say it's naked."

“Have you ever slept with a stuffed animal?” I asked gently.

"... I've slept with a book but only cause I've passed out reading it…"

“You are just adorable.” I chuckled. “But it’s basically like that...but you’re the book in this scenario.”

"I have to sleep on Gilda's chest?!"

“Have you felt his chest? It’s like two wonderful fluffy pillows.” I sighed out dreamily. “But no...uh...have you ever had to have Spike sleep with you because of a nightmare or a thunderstorm or something? You said you raised him since he hatched right?” I asked.

"Yeah but Spike sleeps like a brick, especially when he was a baby. Only ever cried when he needed food or a diaper change."

“Looks like you’re going to need some first hand lesson’s in cuddling young lady.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “Cause cuddles are amazing.”

"Okay… I can do this." She said, taking a deep breath. "So… is there a book on it I can read or are we… jumping right into hands on learning." Saying that part about hands on turned her face from purple to red.

“Oh my god…” I muttered before picking up Twilight. “Come on you, stop being adorkable and let’s get to cuddling.” I said while carrying the cute librarian up to her room we’re all going to share.

"What, already, but I didn't study! I didn't get to practice!" She yelped, panicking now.

“We’re going to practice cuddles, and you don’t study hugging Twilight jeez.” I chuckled. “Please, just calm down. It’s not the end of the world ya dork.” I told her playfully.

We made it up to her room, Gilda was already under the sheets when I arrived. "What…?" Gilda asked, half asleep seeing my holding Twilight like a princess.

“It’s cuddle time.” I said playfully. “And we have an adorkable mare here who needs to learn about them.”

"Oh. Heh, toss her over then." Gilda said, pulling the sheet off to let me drop Twilight into Gilda's ready arms. Immediately he wrapped arms around her and pressed himself close against her.

Twilight was steaming from the contact and I climbed in too, pressing myself up against Twilight's front and wrapping arms around both her and onto Gilda. "This is cozy. Feels a little odd cuddling someone between you and I though but it's not bad." Gilda said.

“This does feel nice.” I said warmly. “Wonder how it’ll feel when we have everyone else join in.”

"Crowded I imagine." Gilda laughed. "That bed is gonna have to be custom made if we all plan on sleeping in the same bed."

“Well...it’s gonna be interesting and nice either way.” I said honestly. “So how do you like cuddling Twilight?”

Gilda and I looked down between us at the purple mare, who was unconscious. She fainted… that's hilarious. Gilda and I reflected that fact by chuckling softly. "Guess we should get some sleep. I'm tired and while you did nap, that pie was filling."

“Yeah, and sleeping with you is so much better than alone.” I said softly, moving a hand over and gently taking Gilda’s. “Love you Gilda.”

"Love you too Anna. Night." 

“Night.” I smiled, cuddling up closer as I drifted off to wondrous sleep after a long day.





The next morning Gilda and I woke up to a blushing, bubbling Twilight and it was adorable. All morning she made little squeaks and eeps and it was just cute. She was somewhere between pure bliss and complete embarrassment. Might have something to do with Gilda's morning wood poking her in the butt and getting a face full of both of our fun bags squishing her face.

“So how was your first cuddle session Twilight?” I asked curiously.

"Aih… hehehe." Was her reply.

“Spike, uh...I think we broke her.” I said nervously to the young dragon cooking heavenly smelling breakfast.

"Probably. Twilight's typical idea of a good time and warm feelings involve tea, a long book and total silence. I guess you put her into a sensory overload and overdosed her with endorphins." Spike said casually. At least he seemed to be okay cooking the meat we got from that Rift with Twilight here not quite right in her mind.

“Yeah...that sounds about right.” I agreed. “But mind if I ask how good you are at cooking Spike? I normally cook my own food or had whatever the GoE made.” I said, never actually having seen or had Spike’s cooking.

"Celestia and Twilight Velvet actually taught me. I can survive off of pony food and gems fine but for my magic and fire to work I need more protein plants alone can't give. So they taught me to cook with meat and without. Apparently Velvet learned under a major griffon cook while she traveled to those lands in her youth and Celestia had a few friends with some Minotaur land chef's." Spike said.

“Sounds like we’ve got a professional in the house.” I chuckled.

"I had a lot of good teachers. And I'm glad Twilight is joining you guys in this herd, she deserves someone, or a lot of someones, she can love."

"You talk highly of her." Gilda said.

"I do owe Twilight my life." Spike said.

“I heard she hatched the little guy and got her Cutie Mark the same day.” I said honestly. “So Twilight would be Spike’s mother at that point.”

"Did way more than hatch me." Spike said, flipping the bacon over. "My egg was dead. Two thousand years ago I was laid, and never hatched. Too cold and I was frozen in ice, and when that melted I sunk in the mud and was fossilized. Twilight's magic surge revived me then hatched me."

"She actually brought you back from a dead egg?!" Gilda said, surprised.

"Celestia told me the story of my egg. You can ask her if you want more details."

“Jesus hell, Twilight’s a lot stronger than I thought.”

"Well, a unicorn surge is raw, uncontrolled magic from what Dash told me." Gilda said. "Typically the surge and what it does can reflect what the unicorn is best at when it comes to magic."

“And that’s reviving a dragon long since dead and hatched it all in one go?” I asked.

"Among other stuff. Transfiguration, transformation, thunderstorm, ect." Spike said.

“So is that why her special talent is just ‘magic’ from what I’ve been told?” I asked curiously.

"I guess." Spike shrugged.

"So when will she come down from her self intoxicated state?" Gilda asked, giving a poke to Twilight.

“I hope it’s soon. But do you have any ideas on how to fix this Spike?” I asked curiously.

"I have an idea…" Spike said thoughtfully. "Can one of you go get the book on the podium over in the library?"

“Uh, sure.” I said while getting up and heading to the book on the podium. “Wonder what book would be on a podium?”

Finding the book I picked it up and looked at the cover title. Archeology and You, A Beginners Guide To Digging Up The Past. Huh. I brought it over to Spike.

“So an Archeology book will help?” I asked curiously.

"Sorta." Spike opened the book, and then dogeared a page.

"Noooo!" Twilight was suddenly between spike and I, trying to undo the fold. "That will ruin the paper!"

"And she's back." Spike said with a shrug.

“Welcome back to the land of the living Twilight. How you feeling?” I asked teasingly.

"Annoyed. This crease isn't coming out. I have a spell for this somewh- Spike are you cooking bacon! I need some air!" With that, Twilight ran off.

Gilda gave a laugh. "Wow, and I thought Grandpa Gruff was a hound when it came to his bits." 

“Well that solved that.” I chuckled. “But hooray for the majesty that is bacon.”

Once Breakfast was done Gilda and I headed back out again. "So, what's on today's agenda?" Gilda asked as we began heading for their apartment.

“I don’t know if we have work today.” I started. “Er...well because we’re freelance now...we could work whenever we want?” I questioned, not really sure how that’s gonna work.

“Yeah. That kind of work is common in the griffon lands. Basically whenever we close one of those rifts we show where it was on the map Discord gave us and file some paperwork and we leave with our pay once the boss clears it all. So, we have free time. At least until we decide to work.” Gilda laughed. 

“Hooray! Lazy time!” I cheered happily. “Or dating time given we have so many other girls to talk to.”

"That would be the most proactive use of our time to be honest. Ten bits says Pinkie has a checklist for what order we should take… or She gave an invite to all her friends, maybe we should check on the last two. Rarity and Applejack, right?"

“Yeah, those are the last two.” I nodded. “Wonder what those two will think about dating us...even if in some cases I’d rather stay at home and snuggle the day away.”

"We can do that after. Plus for as long as you've been able to shift into a Griffon, you don't actually know what it means to be a griffon huh?"

“I...technically have the memories of the people I’ve absorbed but...I haven’t looked at any of them given...the Graveyard isn’t a good spot I’d go to normally…” I said nervously. “So how do I be a Griffon?”

"After we talk to those two, I'll school you." Gilda said. 

With a nod we both walked our way to Rarity's shop. It was closed. Weird, she should be open at this hour, is she out or something?

I walked up and knocked on the front door. “Hello? Anyone home?” I called out, hoping there would be someone in there.

After a little bit, Sweetie Bell opened the door. "Hi Gilda, Hi Anna." She said. "What are you two doing here?"

“We came to talk to Rarity about some important things. Is she here?” I asked politely.

"Yeah. She's been muzzle deep in some new magazines she bought about… two days ago I think? She's in her room, you two are welcome to go in there." 

“Oh boy, can’t wait to figure out what she’s looking at.” I chuckled. “Thanks Sweetie.”

Gilda and I headed up and into Rarity's room where. "Gah!" I yelped, getting a cuteness overload and massive arousal.

Gilda was a shade of red. The Magazines Gilda posed for. Rarity somehow got them all.

“Oh no…” I muttered nervously. “Where...where did you find these Rarity?”

"Hm?" She asked, looking through magazine with… woah… "oh, well when Pinkie Pie gave me an invite into your herd I wanted to do a little research, cause Gilda's name kept ringing a bell, so I made a few calls to a friend of mine who works in photography and they mailed me all these magazines. Gilda, you are quite the idol!"

“And that is a very touchy subject on Gilda’s past.” I started bluntly. “You could have at least asked first instead of just...doing this, even if I was to be giddy as hell talking about most of what Gilda wore.” I said nervously, blushing a little at some of Gilda’s memories on their idoldom.

"Actually, while it was annoying it wasn't that bad." Gilda said. "I was more embarrassed than anything."

“And I can see why considering you are absolutely adorable in some of those pictures.” I said honestly. “But...I didn’t want to assume you were all better considering...who was ‘helping’ you with those photos.”

Gilda sighed, shifting to a sorta self huffing pose. "I know. And I have to accept that Zer was a large part of my life, my past… While Zer did basically torment me, I did make my own fun. And I'd be lying if I said they were all bad, it was mostly that cat outfit I hated." Gilda said, knocking over a magazine showing off said outfit. "Seriously, we're already part cat, so why with the ears and paws?"

“Because the ears and paws make you look adorable.” I chuckled.

"Eh, they seem a bit much… so this is how many magazines I posed for?" Gilda asked as they looked around. "Wow… I did not get paid enough for this many magazines."

“And you look fantastic in all of them.” I said honestly as I casually picked up one of the magazines to see what Gilda was posed as.

Oh my! Lingerie! Woah… 

"You're drooling babe." Gilda said.

“No I’m not!” I yelped as I quickly wiped away my drool. “I totally wasn’t drooling over you in lingerie…”

"Relax… I still have that outfit~" Gilda teased.

"Oh my." Rarity said with a blush matching mine. "Well, in any case, what brings you two here?"

“We wanted to ask you about joining the herd.” I said, a tad too quickly as I wanted to get away from the train of thought that was making me weak in the knees.

"Oh. Well, I was researching Gilda before I decided, but I will say yes on one condition." 

"Being?" Gilda asked.

Rarity was suddenly right up in front of Gilda. "Model my clothes please!" She begged. "Your style, your body, your attitude is perfect! Your action shots for the GoE are wasted on you and your beauty."

“Jeez Rarity, while all those things are true, does modeling help you that much?” I asked curiously, wondering how much Gilda would be helping her business.

"Manikins can only display so much, especially when sending sample photographs. A proper model, aside from yours truly, I could publish my own fashion magazine."

“Sounds about right.” I shrugged. “So what do you think Gilda?”

"I mean… so long as I'm not the only one dressing up. That can work." Gilda said.

"Oh thank you!" Rarity said, giving Gilda a tight hug.

“Well...I hope I can compare to Gilda’s modeling if I ever have to help out with it.” I said in hope to help Gilda look amazing.

"Yeah, with some makeup Anna looks amazing. Course, even without it she's pretty damn hot." Gilda said to my pleasure and embarrassment.

"Well, if that's the case I really will be able to make my own magazine sooner than expected." Rarity said happily. 

“Good to know.” I nodded. “Plus, another way for revenue is always good.”

"So, we should stop by later then?" Gilda asked.

"Next Monday should be fine." Rarity said. She then grinned at the both of us. "But a date Sunday night would be fabulous."

“That sounds great.” I nodded. “We’re gonna need to set up...a lot of dates the coming weeks.”

"I can imagine." Rarity said with a nod. "So, I'll be seeing you both Sunday night, eight?"

"That works." Gilda said.

“Works for me.” I said honestly. “Hopefully we don’t get interrupted before then.”

With that settled Gilda and I headed out for Sweet Apple Acres. "That went easier than expected." Gilda said. 

“A lot easier than I thought.” I shrugged. “Albeit becoming models wasn’t entirely the first thought I would have had when dating Rarity, but if I see you in sexy outfits that’s a plus.” I chuckled.

"So that mean I get to see you in Lingerie too or just me tonight?" 

“Uh...I’ve...never worn Lingerie…” I blushed brightly.

"Relax, I'm an expert in dressing in them." That made me blush brighter.

Making it to Sweet Apple Acres we were met by Granny Smith. I've never met her before in person, just heard about her. "Well I'll be damned, the young'uns who are getting my granddaughter inta a herd." She said. "Get in then."

“Oh, thank you ma’am.” I said politely. “You seem...rather happy about this.”

"Of course." She said, taking a seat over at the table she led us to. "I love my granddaughter but she's so focused on work she never makes time for herself, I had up and given up on her finding someone to love, then her Pink friend came by and gave her that herd invite. Happiest day of my life."

“Well, considering there’s only...what, three people to work the farm before my little brother came along, that might have at least been a reason.” I shrugged.

"Nah, it's not any of that. Applejack just has a workaholic complex. Can't relax even when she's asleep, counts apples in her dreams."

“Sounds about right.” I said honestly. “So where’s AJ right now?”

"Let me guess, working?" Gilda asked.

Granny Smith nodded. "Eyup. She already told me she's join, but as expected she's too busy working herself to death to inform any pony else. It's why I have a favor to ask of you two."

"Kidnap her and try to make her relax for more than five seconds?" I joked.

"That's plan B." She said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a folded paper. She then gave it to us. "That there is a joint ownership document. So long as you two have it, you're half owners of the farm. Use that authority to do what Applejack is too proud to do, and hire help. This farm was meant to be run by a minimum of thirty ponies, and Big mac, Applebloom and AJ have been splitting that workload, AJ taking on most of it out of pride and stubbornness. I've tried hiring folks before but she always finds a way t'a either make them quit or hides the resumes from me."

"Definitely a workaholic. And after she's basically been replaced in terms of the farm's labor?" Gilda asked.

"Date her, marry her then have some kids with her." Granny said with a laugh. "Trust me, that would be a perfect retirement for her."

"Gonna need to learn Equestrian Labor laws first." I sighed out. "But we'll try, I know my little brother wouldn't mind the work given he doesn't have much to do besides school." I said honestly. "Or if fourteen years olds aren't allowed to work…"

"Maybe, but good luck. AJ won't be happy about this, but it's fer her own good. She needs a life. As for your brother we can't hire him til he's sixteen."

"She can argue all she wants, not our problem she's damn near working herself to death." I frowned. "Oh, also, you do the bookkeeping? Like all the finance and supply checking? I kind of doubt AJ would also do that while busy on the trees."."

"Big Mac and I, yes. Why?"

"Just checking." I said honestly. "Cause we're also going to need to know all that to see if hiring help won't start hurting the farm more than helping." and more." 

"Fair enough."

"Looks like we got a lot to cover. Heh, I'm surprised Pinkie didn't invite Big Mac to our herd." Gilda said.

"She did but he denied." Granny shrugged.

“That’s fair.” I shrugged. “Don’t expect everyone to join.”

"Yeah, and I don't worry about Mac, he can get himself a life whenever he wishes, and hopefully once the farm gets help he can. Used to be so smooth with the fillies when he was younger so I'm not worried about his love life." Granny said with a laugh.

“Honestly surprised he doesn’t already have a herd himself to be honest.” I shrugged. 

"Put the family and the farm first, not to the degree of AJ but at least he keeps a social life going."

"Heh, sounds like Big Mac has his life together." Gilda said.

"Well, you can come back later to check the paperwork. Big Mac and I can walk you through the fancy numbers and all that."

“Alright, we might as well go find AJ if she’s not busy doing ten times the amount of work she’s supposed to.” I said simply.

"She is." Granny sighed. "You can come by after seven, she should be done by then. Can even whip up some dinner for you two."

“That would be nice.” I nodded. “Uh...what time is it?” I asked, not really knowing what time it is at the moment.

"It's about five by now. So still two hours away."

"We can kill two hours easily." Gilda said. "Gives me time to teach Anna about being a Griffon if she's gonna be shapeshifting into one a lot of the time."

“That’s good.” I nodded. “Can’t wait to learn about griffons from the best griffon in the world.” I said happily.



]

With a goodbye to Granny Smith we left for the Everfree, Gilda said it would be the best place for us to start. Once there I shifted into my Griffon form. "Alright, so first up, what can you tell me about being a griffon?" Gilda asked me.

"Well…" I started. "Not much besides what earth history has on them. Either them being great protectors and symbols of strength, greedy assholes that hate horses...or something else that I can't remember."

"A bit of both really." Gilda said with a laugh. "As you can guess our earliest ancestors were children of Zeus with an eagle. He took the form of a lion at the time and tada, griffons. Being related to two top tier predators, our instincts are above those of most other races. Take a deep breath and tell me, what do you smell?"

I sniffed the air, taking in the farm land. "I smell a lot, the trees, the...ripeness of apples what?" I blinked in surprise. "That's weird...also jesus AJ needs a shower." I wrinkled my nose at that.

Gilda chuckled at that. "You learn to block some scents out. But take a deeper breath, process all the smells and see if you can link them to scents you didn't even know you could pick up before."

"Alright…" I nodded while taking another deep breath, trying to see all the new smells I wouldn't normally know.

… I smell… Water, at least a mile away… brews… magic brews. Zecora must be making something. A squirrel that ran up a tree… and down again… it's faint, kinda old… maybe a day?

"How can I tell what people and animals are doing by smell alone?" I asked, honestly shocked at how detailed this was.

"Think of it like a memory of the air when something walks through it. With our advanced sense of smell we can process when And where someone or something went and for how long. A lot like a dog's sense of smell actually."

“Except this seems a lot better than a goddamn Bloodhounds sense of smell.” I said honestly. “I mean jeez...this would be amazing for tracking stuff.”

"Which brings me to our next lesson. Tracking. There's a wild boar we can make all kinds of yummy from." He sidestepped a tree he was next to. Scratches were all along the lower end of it. "It dug for truffles here, catch it's scent and go hunt it."

I nodded and stepped towards the tree, trying to catch the scent of what scratched the tree as I looked to see if there was any other signs it was here, like smushed grass or moved soil.

I caught the whiff of… pork. Live pork. My mind filled with images of this boar digging up truffles, eating then running off. Without thinking I followed the mental map my brain built from scent. It stopped at this pond to drink then… this way. I was flying now. My eyes stayed closed but I could perfectly see the surrounding thanks to my head and nose working to build a map of the area. Finally I smelled the boar strongest…

I opened my eyes, seeing the boar below me, unaware as it ate at a blueberry bush.

"Good job." Gilda said, flying up to me quietly. "Normally a hatchling can't pick that up til they're ten, you mastered it in seconds."

“It felt...so natural…” I said quietly, keeping my voice low so the boar didn’t hear us but Gilda could. “Like...a mental map appeared in my head…”

Gilda nodded. "Yeah. So, care for the next lesson or you think you got it?" Gilda asked, flashing their talons.

“I think I got it.” I said, preparing my talons as I flapped up a little more before diving down like a bullet.

In a rapid eye blink I had both talons all the way down into the boar. It roared and tried to bite at me, and on instinct I did something That surprised me. I slammed my beak right Into its head. It fell limp as blood and brain matter hit my tongue…

It was… good. I've tasted blood before my own from a cut, but this was… different. More intense like a strong wine that told me this Boar's state of health. It was a strong healthy male, good breeding. The brain matter was like a meaty jelly slime that was like candy. 

“Huh…” I started. “This...tastes good...not as good as cooked, not by a long shot, but still…”

"That's a Predator's taste buds, but don't indulge them too much. Eating too much raw meat can be unhealthy. Physically and mentally."

“Yeah, I can imagine.” I said honestly.

I got up, cleaning off the blood from my beak and feathers. Gilda brought out a knife and began skinning, cutting and cutting the boar up. "You did surprisingly well Anna. You're a natural."

“Well...I suppose I also absorb their experience?” I asked nervously, not sure why this felt so natural to me.

"Maybe." Gilda said the boar now just sliced up meat he placed in the bag of holding. Thankfully nothing food related goes bad while it's in their so it works out. "Well, that went by faster than I expected. Onto a new lesson then. How good are you at swimming?"

"I know how to swim if that means anything." I said simply. "Also helped teach Tommy how to swim."

"Good. Now, remember when I dive bombed into a lake and came out with lots of fish? That's your next lesson. Learning how surprisingly hydrodynamic Griffons are."

“You just want to see me naked don’t you?” I teased, knowing my clothes will get wet enough that I’d need to take them all off.

"I'd be lying if I said the thought didn't cross my mind, but that's just a bonus." Gilda said with a laugh. "If it helps, I'll be naked too~"

"Things are gonna get pretty steamy with our hunting." I giggled happily.

We flew back over to that pond from before and once we both were nude Gilda flew me up above the water some feet. "They key with this one is your eyes, but once in the water, it's a different ball park." Gilda explained as I tried really hard not to look down and keep eye contact with him. "Once below the water you'll be relying on your hearing."

"Wouldn't my ears not fully work underwater?" I asked curiously. "Given water would be rushing into my ears?"

"Maybe for your human form, but griffon ears are built differently. They have a thin but strong cover over the drum that we can use to hear sounds underwater. By using our beaks to make clicks and taps, we can emulate sea animals that use echolocation. Same applies when in the dark."

“I thought we were half lion half eagle, not half those and half dolphin and bat?” I joked a little.

"Heh, yeah it's a lot but when you grow up doing this it's not that big of a deal. Now then, eyes at the water, look for a fish."

I nodded while turning around and looking at the lake instead of looking straight down cause something just as big as the fish I’m hunting would distract me a lot.

Looking at the water my eyes first spotted our reflections. A blushed but focusing more the reflections seemed to fade away, as it removing layers of the water til I spotted the first fish. Then another, and another, all the way to the bottom of the pond where I saw turtles, moss and such all down there. Woah…

"That is actually one of a Griffons magical abilities. Earth ponies make plants grow, Pegasus controls weather, unicorns have sorcery, Griffons see, smell, taste and hear on a level that makes us a top predator."

"That's great." I said honestly. "This is really cool." I said as I enjoyed the sights that was not Gilda's reflection.

"No, find your target, ready your claws, take a deep breath, and fly right at it."

"Alright." I nodded as I looked back to the lake, seeing a particularly good sized fish. "We're gonna be eating good tonight." I smiled as I took a deep breath and dived down like lightning towards the fish.

In a flash I was in the water, the fish stuck on my talons like large hooks as it bled out. I could… hear the other fish, swimming around, the turtles under me walk along the bottom and swim around. It was amazing. Instinctually I flapped my wings, rocketing myself up and emerging from the water and back into the air.

"Amazing!" I said happily, holding up the fish I caught in triumph.

Gilda laughed. "Guess given you've never been a griffon before, it would be."

"Being a Griffin is really cool." I said happily.

"Well, let's get that fish in your bag and get our clothes back on."

"Uh...yeah…" I said, still trying not to stare at Gilda's junk and blushing brighter.

Gilda just laughed as we flew down and got redressed. Once we were and the fish was put away we still had an hour to kill. "Well that went by much quicker than expected." Gilda said as now we just sat around the pond. 

"Sorry, didn't expect to be so natural at it." I said sheepishly.

"It's alright. So, since we got time to kill what else was on that cargo ship? I know you put a lot of stuff in your bag while we were on it and not all of it was food."

"Hmm…" I started while pulling out my bag of holding and searching through that cargo container to see what else was there.

Let's see here… first non food item out is
… a machete. It was sealed in a plastic package with a sleeve for it too.

"Uh...huh, that's weird." I said nervously. "Don't know why this was the first thing there."

“Eh, either way.” Gilda said, taking the packaged tool/weapon and using a claw to cut it open. “Huh, pretty light.”

"Well, that's what a machete is, light and made for cutting." I said honestly .

“Not bad.” Gilda says, giving it a few swings. “Can I keep it?”

"You can if you want." I shrugged while digging into the bag again to find something else that isn't good or drinks.

As Gilda put the machete away I pulled out… Shampoo? Oh wow and this brand is expensive! Next to come out was notebooks. Huh, was this going to a Walmart or something? Actually that would make sense. Hmm… Okay, are you in here and yup, Walmart brand soda. That explains a lot.

“So how much do you think you got in there anyway?” Gilda asked.

“Price tag wise?” I asked curiously. “Or something else? Cause the cargo container we got was actually filled with stuff being sent to a pretty big supermarket chain back on my world.”

“I mean in terms of quantity. Cause I know those metal crates held a lot, I’m just wondering is all.”

“It...depends, but with the size of the container it would fit at least a few...tens of thousands of pounds of stuff.” I said sheepishly.

“Damn. Your world made a lot of stuff didn’t it?”

“Anything we could with the resources we had.” I said honestly. “Sadly...money blinds people easily…”

“Yeah that’s true anywhere.” Gilda sighed. “So, any other weapons besides the blades?”

Hmm… Well, depending on the walmart… 

“Well…” I started as I started to dig deeper. “Depending on the Walmart there...could be more…”

Let’s see, bow and arrows, pellet guns, slingshots, hatchet, a shotgun… oh fuck!

“Is that one of the Machina guns?” Gilda asked, looking the twenty gauge shotgun in my hands over.

“Except if it wasn’t built from scrap metal.” I said nervously while taking the gun away from Gilda. “Like...this is a Shotgun, it’s made for hunting anything from birds, to full grown animals like deer, bears, and the like.” I said honestly while looking over the thing carefully.

“This one of those ‘don’t let Blueballs get his hands on it at all costs’ things?” 

“Kind of yeah.” I said honestly. “While the Machina guns can shoot magic out...this shoots hot lead at basically the speed of sound. I know you can heal cuts, and magical damage...but how does hot lead punching a bigger hole out of you from it’s exit wound sound?”

“Kinda like a handheld cannon.” Gilda sighed. “Which is what I imagine that is, more or less. You’re home… your race knew war huh?”

“When this is used for small game and practice, while a twelve gauge is used for bigger and stronger things...but human’s know war too well...they even know world wars.” I sighed out sadly.

“Sounds like stories I heard about when the God’s enter wars against monsters. Did you fight Monsters… or each other?”

“Each other…” I sighed out. “And I don’t know how bad God’s fighting wars against monsters are...but humans have killed hundreds of millions of each other for reasons ranging from petty as shit like bananas, not joking, to actually important things, like gaining independence from a bunch of assholes or stopping literal world domination because some douche bag doesn’t like a group of people.”

“Huh. I know some of the races have been at war before, Griffons against Lions, the three tribes of ponies, but casualties were never that high.”

“That’s why I told Blueblood he doesn’t know much about this...cause when one war equaled seventy million people dying…” I shuddered. “That’s why I don’t want war happening in this world...it’s too clean...it’s too happy for any of that…” I said sadly, not wanting to lose this world to that horrid crap.

“Tell that to ‘father’.” Gilda sighed. “Hopefully once he’s gone, whatever he is, this will all calm down.”

“Yeah...it’ll all calm down.” I said as I hugged Gilda. “And we’ll raise our kids in peace.”

“Heh, guess we better start practicing safe sex til then. Would suck to have kids while the world is at war.”

“I hope there’s a contraceptive spell, cause I don’t want plastic to get in the way of our fun times.” I said honestly.

“Well, we could also give anal a try.”

I gulped… I have no idea if it will stretch that big… maybe my Minotaur form but the other’s…

“I uh...would it even fit back there?” I asked nervously, curling my tail up around that sensitive area.

“Talking from experience… it gets easier over time.” Gilda said, laughing at my blush.

“Well...let’s hope so.” I said honestly. “But we’re going to be starting with my Minotaur form cause...that’s the one I know for a fact can fit all of it.” I said sheepishly.

Gilda just laughed again. “Fair enough. Guess that would also be different, you’d be taller than me for a while.”

“And a lot...plumper in area’s.” I blushed brighter at remembering how big I am in my Minotaur form.

Gilda just rolled their eyes. “Stars help us if you get your hands on body enhancement potions.”

“You know you’ll love it.” I teased.

“While true, just try not to turn yourself into a bimbo bod, pretty sure Caramel would take offence.”

“There’s no way in hell I would go that far.” I said honestly. “And Caramel...jeez, why is his female form so big?” I huffed.

“Eh, it varies from person to person. You… already know that it basically only changes what’s between my legs for me, for others it alters them to appear as they would if they were born that way. Might be that whole magic altering the generations to rebalance the genders amplified a bit, guess Twilight would know better.”

“Maybe, but we’ll ask her later.” I shrugged.

“Yeah.” Gilda said, looking up at the sky. “Still about thirty minutes to kill. Should start heading back. If we walk and walk it will better kill time.”

“Sure.” I nodded. “Haven’t really been walking much because flight is a lot better.”

With a nod Gilda and I started heading off. For a while we just enjoyed the sounds and smells. It was nice, peaceful. “Anna.” Gilda started.

“Yeah Gilda?” I asked curiously. “What’s up?”

"Is it okay if we try that tonight? Ya know, back door stuff."

"Sure, I don't see why not." I said honestly. "As long as it's you Gilda." I said lovingly and giving them a quick nuzzle.

"I'll make it special. Promise."

I smiled. "Can't wait." I said happily. "Now, where's our work pony?"

"If what Granny Smith said is true, probably blowing a fuse about now." Gilda said with a laugh. "And they say Dragons are prideful."

"If she learned about what happened." I shrugged. "But let's go see if she didn't accidentally table flip the entire house."

We got back to the apple family home and saw AJ sitting on the couch. She had that million mile stare you get when you hear news that breaks your brain. "How long has she been like that?" Gilda asked.

"About ten minutes." Applebloom answered, poking her immobile sister. "Granny told her the news, and while Big Mac and I were happy and began planning some actual fun with the soon to acquire free time, AJ just kinda… shut down."

"Are...are you serious?" I blinked. "Her life is so revolved around work, being told 'no' makes her break?"

"Considering she's worked the farm since she was younger than AB, it's not that surprising." Big Mac said with a chuckle. "Working the farm is all she knows, all she's done. Yeah she makes time for her friends, goes with them when there's some threat and even helps with that GoE business, but she always comes back to the farm and works."

“That’s...a little sad to be honest.” I said nervously.

"Eyup." Big Mac said with a nod.

"She's just being silly." Granny Smith said as she came into the living room with a plate full of glassed iced tea. "I've told her this farm needs at least thirty ponies to be run properly but she never listened. Honestly, we never needed help like this before because we had thirty ponies working the farm back in my youth."

"You did?" Applebloom asked.

"Eyup. I grew up in a herd. I had seven mothers and two father's, fifteen sisters and twelve brothers."

"No wonder we have so many cousins." Big Mac chuckled.

“Damn.” I said in surprise. “Quite a family you got there.” I said while taking a step towards AJ and starting to poke her along with AB. “Yo, Applejack, you there?”

No response.

"Eyup. And when I grew up me and a few of my sister's made a herd with a nice stallion who was your grandfather. It was just myself, my two sisters and him. Never had as many kids as my ma and pa, but we were family. Sadly though as time passed the kids, save for your father, left to pursue their dreams and talents. My sister's passed and so did my husband. My other siblings did too." She said, her smile falling to a sad frown. "I'm the last of two herds, last of the herd I was born into and last of a herd I was in. I even outlived my own son and daughter in law."

“Jeez...that sounds really sad…” I said bitterly.

"Was worse for Big Mac and Applejack."

Big Mac nodded. "When Ma and Pa passed, AJ and I had to do all the work. Granny did what she could but Applebloom was barely a year old, so AJ and I did all the work, and missed some days of school too. Was hard but we got by."

"What… happened, to your parents I mean?" Gilda asked.

Big Mac took a deep breath. "Honestly. No idea. They left on a delivery to Drift Water. Swamp town, they've done it a lot before, I even went with them once, but they just… never came back. Town sheriff and the store owner who ordered the apples said they never even arrived in town, just that their wagon was found abandoned. No sign of them, just a cart full of apples."

“Is...there any legends about the surrounding area?” I asked curiously. “Like some swamp monsters or something along those lines?”

"No. It's a well used pathway. Still used to this day." Big Mac said with a shake of his head. "That's what makes it even more strange."

"Well...looks like we got a mystery on our hands." I said honestly.

"Think you can find something the police and royal guard couldn't?" 

"There's a lot of things I wish weren't found right now all things considered." I sighed out. "But it's worth a shot...and even if I don't find the bodies...if they had Pyreflies for whatever reason...I can at least get their last thoughts and prayers."

“Well, if you find anything that would be nice.” Granny Smith said. “So anyone here got any ideas on how to snap AJ out of that?”


“Um…” I started as I just decided to grab her breast and give a little squeeze, wondering if that’ll snap her out of it.

Nope, but damn that’s firm. “Just don’t go between the legs while Applebloom’s here.” Big Mac said.

“I wasn’t planning on that, but kind of expected something to happen.” I frowned. “Uh...hey, want a job?” I asked AJ nervously.

Still nope. Huh… 

“Oh, let me try.” Applebloom said. “Hey AJ, I found a pear in your bedroom.” Still nothing. “Huh, that usually gets a rouse out of her.”

Big Mac Shrugged, knocking her hat off. Still nothing. “Wow, she’s really busted up in there.”

“Anyone know how to knock her out? I’m gonna need to go dream hopping again to help another person.” I frowned.

“I got it.” Granny Smith- THUNK! I jumped when I saw Granny Smith produce a cast iron pan and whack Applejack on the back of her head. The mare in question immediately went limp and fell over snoring. “What?” She asked as I just stared at her.

“Uh...is she gonna be okay given you just clocked her upside the head that hard with cast iron?” I asked nervously. “I mean...she might have a brick instead of a skull for how stubborn she is but damn lady.”

“She’ll be fine, it’s not the first time I’ve had to use the old frying pan on her noggin when she’s having a freak out.”

“Well...alrighty then.” I nodded as I put my hand on the unconscious Applejack. “It might take me awhile, but just gonna take a quick nap and make sure our Workaholic here doesn’t have some deeper rooted issues than just ‘work is my life’.”

“On it!” Granny- No wait!





Ouch… Ow… ow… Fuck she hit’s hard. I woke back up in Zanarkand with the mother of the mother of all headaches and slightly dizzy.

“Christ that fucking hurts…” I groaned in pain. “Damn Granny Smith…” I grumbled as I rubbed my head. “Okay...so onto the train station to find AJ’s mental state…”

As I shook off the dizzy and headed out I ran into Jecht. “The hell, was that an earthquake? Er, Annaquake?” He asked, looking like he was tossed around a bit.

“Don’t worry...just got hit really hard upside the head by a grandmother with a cast iron frying pan.” I said, still holding a hand up to my head. “I didn’t want that to happen but it did...fuck that hurt…”

“Damn. Guess that makes some sense. So, where you headed?”

“To another person’s head.” I said honestly. “Such an absolute workaholic that the moment she was told she doesn’t need to work so much she kind of...shut off.”

That made Jecht laugh. "Wow, she sounds kinda sad."

“I mean...considering she’s been working her ass off since she was a child and...ever since her parent’s magically disappeared…” I said nervously.

"Ah. Still, sad. Well, good luck with that. I'm gonna go find Tidus and make sure he's alright."

“Hopefully he’s alright after that.” I said nervously. “Well have fun making sure nothing broke, I’m off.” I said while jogging off to the train station.

I headed over there and once I was out in the dream realm found AJ's door. It was a barn door. Makes sense. I walked in and unlike with Gilda's mindscape I was immediately someplace. The farm, as expected, and look, there's AJ working… and there's AJ in a fancy dress looking fine as hell at a selling cart… and a sad looking young AJ… and an AJ hiding behind a tree… naked… looking very… needy… the actual hell?

“Okay AJ, the hell is going on?” I called out to all the AJ’s, not knowing if this is some metaphor for multiple personalities or if she’s really mentally scarred.

The one at the seller booth called me over. "Hello Anna." Southern belle voice… damn! "Sorry for the mess, as you can see Darling I'm quite… not well processing the news Granny gave me."

“Seems less ‘not well processing’ and more ‘my brain shattered’.” I said nervously.

"Sweetie, please. A mind is more than just one representation. We are all Applejack, but we all represent her different traits. You know Workaholic AJ over there." She pointed at the AJ who was kicking the apples off the tree… the same tree that gave neverending apples with each kick. "And over there is our Inner Child." She motioned to the sad child. "And there's our Physical needs and desires." She pointed to the AJ naked behind a tree with a bad case of bedroom eyes. "And I am our femininity. The least suppressed of us all, second to the busy bee head trait there."

“Alright, so right now I’m here to make sure you don’t just end up comatose because worker bee over there can’t take a chill pill.” I said while pointing my thumb at the worker AJ.

"She's been the head trait for years darling, are you that surprised that now she's retiring that title we couldn't decide who will take over next? Yes we share and switch off and on as needed, but a head trait is what defines someone. We just need a new head trait and everything will settle itself afterwards."

“Then why the hell did I do this once before and Gilda only had the one being?” I asked bluntly. “This...seems like a personality problem rather than a ‘head trait’ thing from my point of view.”

"Because darling, Gilda went into hiding inside themselves. All their traits and emotions, personality, came together in a collective desire to hide. One thought, one goal, so there was just the one Gilda."

“So anyways, how the hell do I help get AJ back to being a functional person and not a vegetable?” I asked, still finding it weird how there’s multiple persona’s of AJ here but just letting it slide cause I don’t know much about magical pony psyche’s.

"Like I said darling, with Workaholic retiring/taking the back seat, a new head trait is needed."

“So any of you have an idea as to who might lead?” I asked curiously.

"That's what led us here. We'd all like the spot but it was a rush. You see, we were actually quite happy, and so we rushed, then Pride blew a fuse and, well, you saw what happened. While we'd all like a chance for the head trait, frankly I think none of us are actually qualified for it. We'd change how AJ interacts with the world outside too much."

“And this is why I think there’s a deeper problem here than just AJ being a workaholic.” I frowned. “I don’t know much about psychology, but what I do know is that this...seems more like you’re all separate personalities.” I said. “You’re all AJ, I agree...but you’re all separate with wildly different personalities...god I wish Luna were here to help explain this…” I groaned as the headache I had earlier is flaring up because of this confusing thing.

"I don't understand it fully either, be us representations of her traits or just parts of her personality as a whole, hard to say. Perhaps one of the others can be of better help? Though… be warey of Desires there, she hasn't looked away from you this whole conversation."

“Trust me, I noticed.” I said honestly. “But who should I talk to first in your opinion?”

"Well, Child knows most all of the traits, same as Pride and Worker, but I guess I'd start with Worker given she was the head trait for so long."

“Right...the one that might be a tad pissed at me…” I said sheepishly. “Good place to start.”

With a deep breath and a sigh I walked over to Workaholic. When I got next to her she turned her head to look at me. "Well howdy Anna." She greeted me warmly.

“You seem...a lot happier than I thought to see me.” I said sheepishly. “But how are you doing?”

"Good. Like the tree?" She asked, kicking it as more apples fell from it. "Never ends. Always some work. Figured it's a good way to pass the time now that I'm not gonna be the head trait anymore."

“Alright, so were you once a whole person at one point?” I asked honestly.

"We are a whole person Anna, we're just representations of Applejack's traits given a form and personality that you can interact with while in our head."

“Alright, that makes...a bit more sense with more knowledge.” I nodded. “So anyways, who would be a good ‘head trait’ at this point?”

"Anyone who can help keep Pride under control. Honestly, I know it's not nice to talk bad about yourself, but Pride can be a real bitch at times. Caused more trouble than it was ever worth for us most of the time and is so bossy. Only other trait able to keep her in check aside from me was Ma, and she ain't been around that much since Applebloom turned ten."

“Uh...huh…” I started. “Where was the last place she was seen?”

"Pretty sure she hangs around the eastern part of the orchard, hanging out with our memories. Poor thing, misses the days when Bloom was a little baby. Can't say I blame her, Bloom was so cute."

“So...she wants to be a mother?” I asked honestly.

"Well she ain't called Ma for nothin. Came around after, well, after our Ma and Pa vanished. We needed to care for Applebloom, so we stepped up and Ma came into existence here. Got along well with all of us, even pride, butted heads with Sister a lot but that's to be expected. We're Bloom's sister, but we raised her like our daughter, so those two conflicted a lot."

“Right…” I said nervously. “Well...AJ agreed to be apart of Gilda’s herd so that’s a plus.”

"Oh yeah, we did agree to that didn't we? Well, best go get her over here then, odds are she'll be back in the saddle again soon. Especially if Desires takes controls for a spell." She chuckled.

“Thank you, should I get any second opinions before I go and find Ma?” I inquired to the work horse.

"Well, you can ask Child for any, but she ain't much of a talker. Not since Mom and Dad vanished. Rarely smiles anymore either. Darn shame too."

“Oh yeah, I was also going to bring up that I’m going to be looking for your parents.” I said honestly.

"I know, we heard. Might not have been responding but we heard."

“Honestly expected at least one of you to at least scream ‘what’.” I said honestly.

"I mean, Surprise sure did." She chuckled, kicking the tree again to make more apples fall. "But, yeah, Ma should be in the eastern part of the orchard. Just walk east from here til ya see her, can't miss her. Looks like, well, us but her hair is all poofy."

“Cute.” I chuckled. “Thank you, and I shall be back with a Milf…” I trailed off with what I just said. “Uh...didn’t...mean for it to come out like that.”

"Nah, give it a year, that'll be true."

“Oh yeah.” I chuckled. “Gilda will make sure of that.”

"Don't count yourself out of that either partner. I know them unicorns have spells that can make ya the father of a baby, and I'll bet you anything Twi knows it."

“I mean…” I blushed brightly at the thought. “Don’t...don’t give me more ideas, darn it.” I huffed as steam puffed out of my head as the steamy thoughts tried to rush on in.

"Yeah~ that's my job." I went stiff as a pair off hands grabbed my knockers from behind, and a pair of firm, shirtless, braless ones pressed into my back as a very lusty AJ began nibbling at my ear… oh damn that feels amazing~

“Whoa there, don’t get frisky here.” I said, even though it felt amazing I needed to help AJ.

"Why not?" She asked, still groping me and began moving a hand down my tors- OH!

“Whoa whoa hold up.” I said quickly, grabbing the wandering hand quickly. “N-need to...help a herd mate first...I haven’t even taken you on a date…”

"I'm the pure physical needs and desires baby, dates are for the emotions." She cooed at me, then received a punch to the face by Workaholic AJ, knocking the horny AJ flat on her back.

"You best get before she gets back up. But yeah, she's that bad cause she's been largely repressed all our life. Well, since we got our first heat anyway."

“Oh boy…” I started nervously. “Yeah I’m just...gonna go…” I said before bolting to the east end of the orchard really quickly.

Once the barn and house were well out of sight I slowed down to a jog. Christ AJ is gonna be something akin to Twilight come the time we're all ready for sex.

As I jogged along I spotted another AJ. No poofy hair but she was sleeping under a tree.

“Probably her laziness or something…” I muttered as I walked over and walked over, kneeling down and softly shaking the sleeping person. “Yo.”

"Hm?" The sleeping AJ said, eyes opening, looking quite relaxed as they saw me. "Howdy Anna. What brings ya this far into the orchard?"

“You know, looking for Ma to get AJ to stop acting like it’s the end of the world.” I shrugged.

"Ah. Saw her a bit ago." She yawned. "Went that way." She pointed a bit north east. "Went right for The Pitt."

“Uh...why do you have something called ‘The Pitt’ here?” I asked nervously.

"It's where we toss memories we'd rather forget. Like seeing Granny naked in the shower, walking in on Big Mac giving himself a wank, a pear in Applebloom's trash. Things like that."

“What’s the deal with Pears?” I asked in confusion. 

"Used to be a pear farm next to ours. Farmers moved away before we were born, Granny just kept the rivalry alive I guess."

“How soon before you were born?” I asked carefully, finding that a tad convenient a rival farm moved just before they were born.

"About… five years before Big Mac came along I believe, not too sure. Granny doesn't like talkin about it."

“Hmm…” I started. “I have an idea...but I don’t know if it’s true…” I muttered. “So anyways, which way is the pitt?”

"North east, maybe a mile distance? Can't miss it, big hole in the ground."

“That sounds like the start of a joke...but I don’t know why…” I muttered to myself. “Well, thank you my laid back friend.”

"You're welcome." She said.

With that I rushed off, finding The Pitt, it was indeed a big hole in the ground, and Ma, a poofy haired… AJ? She looks like AJ, same face and body, same mane color but her coat color was a more… tan white I guess? Well, eh. Colors are hard. She wore a nice and simple long blue blouse. She sat by a tree, looking at a glowing white orb I almost mistook for a Pyrefly, but it's core glowed out with a rainbow of colors.

“Hello?” I asked carefully. “Also...you’re actually AJ’s mother huh?”

She looked up at me, smiled but shook her head. "Based on her. When I was made, we only knew how to be a mother from watching mom. So, my foundation was based around her. Hence why look more like her than the other traits."

“Alright.” I nodded. “So AJ kind of...broke, and we need your help and what is in that orb?”

"Memories. Of Applebloom, bathing, changing, feeding her. I owe my existence to her. It's only fair I carry them with me. But, she's grown up. Making her own herd. She's not a baby, nor much of a child either. Heh, most of the time. It's why I was so happy when we decided to join in on your herd, finally, I could have purpose again."

“Then why are you at the pitt?” I asked the blatantly obvious.

"Take a look. It's the top most memory right now. I always make sure it is."

Confused, I carefully walked over to the Pitt, looking in. Dozens of white, rainbow orbs floating about til one began playing.

"Another one?" A young Applejack asked.

"Yes Applejack, I'm pregnant again. I know it's soon, but I promised your Granny a family that can run this farm like her old herd did, and I plan on keeping it.

I looked back over at Ma. "She told us that a few days before she and dad left and never came back. Applebloom is a big sister, or was going to be." 

“Oh no…” I muttered sadly. “So...good thing I’m going to go find her then.”

"It's been twelve years. I'm not sure how much there is to find."

“There has to be something, people don’t just disappear without rhyme or reason.” I said honestly.

"Maybe. So, I guess we'll head off then?"

“Yes.” I nodded. “And trust me...I’ll find your parents, and however many siblings you have gotten wherever they went. Cause I’m certain they're still alive, and you have a wonderful family in waiting.”

“One can hope, sugarcube.”

“True.” I shrugged. “Now come on, you need to help get AJ back to functioning like a normal person again.”

“Heh, fair enough.” She said, getting back up and the two of us walked back.





Waking up, my headache hurt TWENTY times worse… ouch… fuck… Oh thank god for that ice pack~ “You fix AJ?” Gilda’s low, gentile voice asked.

“Maybe...also go to hell Granny...that fucking hurt…” I groaned.

Gilda laughed a bit. “She’s making you some food to help the headache. Apparently she thinks the best way to take medicine is in a meal where you don’t even taste it.”

“That’s what Dash’s parents said.” I groaned. “I lost too many good taste buds that day, I don’t want to lose more.”

“Yeah, but this is just food with some pain meds mixed in. Not a hangover cure.”

“It better…” I grumbled. “But...does anyone know anything about a person’s psyche? Cause I’m confused on something…”

“You’d probably have to ask Twilight.”

“Yeah...that would make sense…” I sighed out as I just let the soothing bag of ice deal with my pain. “But she should be waking up soon…”

“She actually woke up before you. She seems… happy. Do I wanna know what you did in there or for a later date?”

“AJ kept telling me that ‘she’s whole’...with multiple personalities in the farm from what I experienced.” I said. “And what’s at the forefront right now...is the motherly personality, which looks like her mother.”

“Huh… yeah best to talk to someone smarter than me on that.”

“Gonna have to happen…” I muttered. “I hope the food she’s cooking is good...haven’t actually had any apple family stuff besides just a plain apple once in a while…”

“Well, given they’ll be family sooner or later, guess we’ll enjoy it more often.”

“Oh yeah.” I sighed out. “Let’s hope they also got strong pain meds…”

My food finally came and… woah… it rivals Pinkie’s baking. The cooked in pain killers helped a lot. Finally most of the Apples went to bed, Gilda went out for a quick fly before we headed off and I was left alone with AJ. She seemed normal all day, happy and… content, in a word. We sat next to one another. I was reading a book about proper tree health care when she leaned onto me.

“So...how are you feeling AJ?” I asked the apple farmer curiously.

“A’h feel… good. Sorry for makin ya have ta’ fix my head. I just… got so overwhelmed. Working the farm is all I’ve ever done that, I realized I’ve never even thought about what else in my life I could do with myself.”

“You’ve been on enough adventures to know there’s more to life than work though right?” I asked.

“Well, yeah but, that’s working on the Princess’s orders, or somethin along those lines. I’ve never wanted to do anything for myself is what I mean.”

“And that is a very unhealthy thing for you to have done...especially when you were doing ten times the work.” I said honestly.

“A’h know. Which is why, this is for me.” AJ sat up, hopped herself onto my lap, took my face, and kissed me. 

I blushed… the darkest shade of red. I mean, I’m bi yes, but I’ve never kissed a girl before! And now, shortly after just making a sex life, kissed the other side of the gender coin!

After a while I melted into it a bit, and at some point I stopped thinking about it, and we don't stop til she pulled away… My first kiss on a girl… and my first makeout session with one too!

“Did ya’ like it?”

“Whoa…” I muttered in amazement. “That...was great…”

She giggled, still holding my face. “A’d be lien if A’h said I was joining cause I liked Gilda.” She admitted, now blushing. “I’m not against the idea of bein with him, but I’ve always prefered mares. A’h know time will come where I’ll embrace Gilda, but for now, I just wanna stay right here with ya.” With that, AJ leaned in, giving me a hug that rested her head on my neck.

“Glad to hear that.” I said, giving the farm mare a loving hug in return. “Things are going to get better...I know it.”

I sat there with AJ for hours til she fell fast asleep. When Gilda returned we got her up to her bed, and decided to spend the night there. Might as well, it was late. I happily snuggled between AJ and Gilda. Two people who love me. Well, one who definitely loves me, and another who really likes me.




To be continued...