//------------------------------// // Chapter 39: NOT AGAIN! // Story: Balance of the Mind and Body // by Swift Blaze //------------------------------// Blaze woke up the next morning feeling very groggy. He was thinking, ”Ugh, why do I have this headache. I only had one drink of alcohol punch. That must have had very hard liquor in it. Need to remind myself not to drink the punch if Berry Punch made it.” He rolled out of bed to get ready for the day. *THUD* “Oww.”  Blaze landed on the floor, hard. He didn’t think his bed was that high off the ground. He assumed his balance must just be off. As Blaze began to push himself up, he noticed something different. He was in a pony body, but this one was different. It had a green coat.  Blaze sat up and rubbed his eyes with his forehooves to get them to focus. The stallion then noticed something was very off. Everything in the room was bigger than normal. He walked to the mirror on the back of his door and saw his worst fear. The room did not get bigger, he shrunk.  “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” the colt screamed at the top of his lungs. Blaze was now in the body of a colt, Earth pony with a green coat and black mane. He also saw his cutie mark was also gone. Al opened the door a few minutes later. “What is with that wake-up scream? You ruined the dream I was having,” he said as he looked for the human. He then spotted Blaze in my new form. “Hey there, little guy. What are you doing here?” “Shut up Alvin. It’s me, Bob,” the colt replied in an aggravated tone. “Bob, is that really you? Why did you transform into a colt?” “I DIDN’T! I WOKE UP LIKE THIS!” “Have you tried changing forms?” Blaze face hoof myself. He started to try to do the shadow transform back into a human. That didn’t work. He went for his real pony form and got nothing. The colt tried several times and still got nothing.  “Al! I Can’t Do My Shadow Transform Jutsu!” “Check your other abilities to see if they are working.” Blaze went down the list. Basic jutsu, check. Wind jutsu, check. Water jutsu, check. Earth jutsu, check. Fire jutsu, check. Lightning jutsu, check. Ki energy, check.  “Everything else is working. Why can’t I do my Shadow jutsu?” Just then, the doorbell rang. “Shit! I can’t let anyone see me like this. You answer the door.” “Alright, Alright. I’ll get whoever is at the door to go away. You just need to stay quiet.” As Al headed downstairs, Blaze stayed at the top so I could listen to who was down there. Al opened the door to see who was there. “Morning Al!” said Rainbow Dash. “I was wondering if Blaze is up for our rematch race. I think I can now beat him.” “I’m here to cheer Rainbow on. So, where’s Blaze?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I’m sorry girls. Blaze is not feeling too good,” replied Al. “A ‘little’ under the weather.” Out of reaction, I shouted, “I HEARD THAT!” “Funny, he doesn’t sound sick,” said the blue Pegasus. “Are you afraid I’m going to beat you?” Without warning. Rainbow flew past Al and was making her way upstairs, fast. Blaze ran to the bathroom and closed the door and locked it. There was banging on the door soon after. “Go away Rainbow! I’m not feeling well to race you,” Blaze said while trying to sound sick. “Just open the door so I can SEE how sick you are. Unless you want me to go around Ponyville and say you’re chicken to race me.” Chicken? CHICKEN! Out of impulse, not thinking of his condition, the colt quickly opened the door.  Blaze shouted, “Nobody, I mean NOBODY, especially a PONY, CALLS ME A CHICKEN!” “Is that really you Blaze?” Rainbow starts to laugh on her back. “Oh My! You are a little kid! This is HILARIOUS!” Al and Pinkie Pie finally come upstairs. When Pinkie saw the colt, she too joined in the laughter. “Oh, man Blaze! I never expected it to do this to ya!” Pinkie said while laughing. “Wait, you did this to me!?” Blaze shouted again. “Um.” They both said as they have stopped laughing.  Before they could get up and escape, the colt performed a wood jutsu and had a piece of wood pop out of the floor and wrap around their chest. Pinning them to the floor.  “Alright you two. Time to talk,” Blaze said where they could see him. “I ain’t talking!” Rainbow said. “Please Blaze. This isn’t funny anymore,” Pinkie said. “It’s also not fun being turned into a young colt against your will,” he replied. “It kinda is, Blaze,” Al said. “Shut it. Thinking back on it now, you two must have put something in that cupcake to cause it. What was it?” “We never thought it would do that to you. Just some simple joke.” said the pink mare. Hearing that, the colt was thinking, Hold on. Joke? Did they put Poison Joke in that cupcake?  “A joke? I’m beginning to recall a plant I read about in the EverFree Forest. Was it a blue flower that acts like poison oak, but the results on the infected creature is some kind of a joke?” “Buck! He’s onto us,” said the blue mare. “And you just confirmed it. That cupcake had Poison Joke in it. I have one more question, why?” “BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN PRANKING US AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET YOU!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “Oh, cruel irony. What comes around, goes around.” Al said with a smile. Blaze pointed a hoof at the human and sent a ki ball into his face. It went off. Now, his face was covered in black soot. He coughed some out. The girls laughed at what happened. The colt joined in the laughter and realized that it was funny that this happened to me. He released the wood jutsu and allowed them to get up.  He said, “Ok, I do see how funny it is. Please tell me there is a cure.” “There is. We were exposed to that also while you were gone. You just have to take a dip in a special herb bath,” Rainbow said. “We are sorry for doing this to you. Do you forgive us?” Pinkie Pie asked with her pouty face. “Aw, I could never stay mad at you gals. I forgive you,” replied the colt. “I also want to say I am sorry for the way I reacted. I was having an adrenaline rush trying to figure out what happened.” They both bent down and gave him a hug. Al was just beside himself, making some awe sounds. When the hug session ended, Rainbow Dash said, “Let’s go and get you cured so we can really race. We will have to stop at Twilight’s place to pick up the book with the cure.” “Fine. Guess some more laughter is to be expected. Let’s just keep this knowledge between our close friends. Not like we have to inform everyone in Ponyville of what happened to me.” They stepped outside and made our way to Ponyville.  Blaze soon heard a burst of faint laughter, it almost sounded like the Princesses. The colt looked around in the sky for their peep portal. Blaze soon found it and reacted quickly before they could close it. The green Earth pony did an Icy Water Jet Jutsu and aimed it at the peep portal. He had it blasting it for a few minutes, until they heard a scream in the distance. When the jutsu ended, the colt turned to the others. He could tell they had some questions. “What were you hitting at with your jutsu, Blaze?” Al asked. “Just someone that I thought was going to stop peeping in on me,” he replied. Just then, a letter magically appeared before the colt. It rolled out so he could read it. Dear Swift Blaze, Another point to you for hitting my sister. I told her not to as she promised you to stop. Now her mane is filled with ice. I take it you have found out with her Royal Voice laughter. I think she will take down the portal spell now so you don’t have to worry about it. Sincerely, Princess Luna. Blaze did a Fireball jutsu at it before the others could read it. “So who was this pony that was spying on ya. Anyone we know?” Rainbow Dash asked. “That letter was from them and they promised to not do that anymore. I think I got that pony good with an icy water blast this time.” “You’re not going to say who it is,” Al said. “Nope.” The group continued their journey to the library, with no other hiccup. Once there, Pinkie Pie knocked on the door. Spike showed up and answered the door. “Morning Pinkie, Rainbow, Al. What brings you here?” the dragon asked. “We need the book that has the cure for Poison Joke. Another pony has come into contact with it,” Rainbow Dash said. “Who is it!? What funny thing happened to them!?” “You laugh, I will zap you,” Blaze said in a low voice. “That you, Blaze? When did you come into contact with the plant?” “You can blame it on these two jokers. Gave me a laced cupcake with it.” Spike was doing his best to hold back his laughter. The colt just continued to stare at him. “Alright, come inside and I will get you that book.” They entered and heard Twilight speak up, “Spike who’s at the door? We don’t open for another hour.” The purple Unicorn was coming down from the living quarters that were upstairs. “It’s Rainbow, Pinkie, Al, and Blaze,” replied the dragon. “Blaze got infected by Poison Joke by Rainbow and Pinkie. They are here to get the book that has the cure.” “Did they not learn their lesson when it infected them? Wait, where is Blaze?” He replied, “I’m right here.” Twilight just burst into laughter when she saw him. Spike couldn’t hold it in and joined in the laughter. Blaze just sat there with his forehooves crossed as they laughed, waiting for them to finish. Once they were done, Twilight regained her composure and said, “I’m sorry, Blaze. That plant really pulled a big joke on you. Instead of getting the book, how about we go and visit Zecora. We are going to have to see her get the ingredients anyway.” “Let’s get going then. I want my human body back.” As the group left the library, they bumped into Applejack as she was pulling her food cart to the market. “Howdy, everyone. What are y’all up to?” She asked. “We are on our way to see Zecora. A certain someone got infected with Poison Joke,” Twilight Sparkle replied. Applejack had a shiver run down her spine. “I never want to go anywhere near that dang plant again. So who is the pony that got infected?” “Take a wild guess,” the colt said while sounding annoyed. “Blaze? You are a little colt? How in tarnation did you get infected?” “That credit goes to the pranksters of Ponyville. Gave me a cupcake yesterday that was laced with it.” “Now why would you two do something like that?” Applejack said, now sounded angry. “We already said we’re sorry for it. Was supposed to be a harmless joke. You know, change his hair color, mess with his abilities, something harmless,” Pinkie Pie said. “We never expected it would change him into a young colt,” Rainbow Dash said. “I reckon he is about the age of my little sis, Apple Bloom,” said the orange mare. “I don’t want this to go any further than the ponies here, Al, Spike, Fluttershy, and Rarity,” said Blaze. “Of course. If Apple Bloom does see ya, I think she will want you to join the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” “The what now?” the colt said acting dumb. “It’s a club that my sister, Rarity’s little sister, Sweetie Belle, and an orange Pegasus filly named Scootaloo. They go around and try to get their cutie marks at everything they can think of.” Blaze saw Al snicker a bit of the thought of that. He stared at the human with the eyes expressing that he’s lucky these ponies are around or he would have given him another beatdown.  The colt said, “Well, let’s get to Zecora before they see me.” The group continued their trek to Zecora’s place in the EverFree Forest, now with Applejack in tow. They soon came near Carousel Boutique. As everyone walked by, the door to the place opened and Blaze saw Fluttershy and Rarity were coming out. He guessed they were on their way to the spa. But, they saw the group and headed over to them. Fluttershy was the first to speak. “Morning everyone. Who’s this little colt? He is SO cute.” She said. Before Blaze could stop her, she picked him up and began to rub his belly, causing the little Earth pony to laugh. “Umm, Fluttershy. That’s Blaze you’re holding,” Twilight said. Fluttershy ‘Eep’ and quickly put him back down on his hooves. “How can this be our darling Blaze? Was it another magic overload, Twilight?” Rarity asked. “It wasn’t. Pinkie and Rainbow gave him a laced cupcake of Poison Joke.” Pinkie and Rainbow were feeling sheepish again for being blamed for his condition. The colt caught them both back up as to what happened and of today’s morning events. They decided to come with them for moral support. Once the group entered the forest, they decided to share what happened to them when they were exposed to the plant. It did cheer up Blaze’s mood as he laughed at what happened to them. Al joined in the laughing. They soon arrived at Zecora’s hut. Twilight walked up to the door and knocked. Zecora came to the door and said. "Hello Twilight Sparkle and companions,” she said. “Seeing you here so soon brings me quite a confusion. For what do I owe for this visit?” "Hello, Zecora. A friend of ours got exposed to Poison Joke. It turned him from a human to a little colt as you can see," Twilight said as she pointed to Blaze. Zecora looked at Al and said, “Ah, so this is what a human looks like what you said we last spoke.  I must say they are more unusual than they look.” She then turned towards Blaze. "Pray tell how did this little one get infected? You all know what Poison Joke will do to those affected.” “It was supposed to be a harmless prank. He has gotten us several times and we could never get him. Until now,” Rainbow Dash said. “We already said we were sorry for what we did and he did forgive us. Can you make another bath to cure him?” Pinkie Pie asked. “I would if I’m able to, but I’m out of the ingredients to make the brew,” Zecora replied. “Great, how long is it going to take to get them?” Blaze asked, sounding frustrated. “A few days to a week perhaps. You will just have to deal with it, those are the facts.” “That Long! I just got my human body back! Now I am stuck as a pony! AGAIN!” “Hey, look at it this way,” said Al. “You get to have fun as a child to replace those bad memories. Think of all the fun you could not do back on Earth. What can go wrong?” “Actually, being around Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s age. He’s going to have to go to school,” Twilight said. Blaze looked towards Al and said, “You just had to jinx it by saying ‘What can go wrong?’. There’s your answer.” “Um, another thing is the Gala is not this Friday, but next Friday. If you want to know,” Fluttershy added. “I AM NOT GOING TO THE GALA LIKE THIS!” The colt shouted. “Calm down there, partner,” said the orange mare. “I’m sure Zecora will have the ingredients by then. Just enjoy your time off from big pony things. Though, we can’t really call you Blaze for obvious reasons.” “I need time to think. Let’s head back to Twilight’s library. I promised everyone that we’ll talk about what happened during training. Specifically, finding Al, that book, and how my other forms changed. Zecora, will you get started on gathering what you need to change me back?” “I shall and don’t you fret. You will be back to yourself in no time. That you can bet,” the zebra replied. The group left Zecora’s hut and headed back to Ponyville. The girls and Al were talking about something, but Blaze didn’t listen. He was deep in thought of what he was going to do. His thoughts were, “Great, I’m stuck as a colt till Zecora can make the cure. Worse, I have to go back to school. All because of my size. I’m going to need to come up with a name for me as I don’t want everyone to know it’s really me and start to laugh. It will be kinda fun to be a kid again.” The colt continued to be in deep thought until a voice interrupted his thinking. “Blaze. You alright there sugarcube?” the orange earth pony asked. He looked around while they were still walking to see who called his name. He then saw it was Applejack. “Sorry. I was gathering my thoughts for the discussion,” the colt replied. “ Just so much as happened recently, I’m still trying to figure it out.” “We are all here to help you out however we can. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. You taught me that.” “I remember. I guess the horseshoe is now on the other hoof.” Everyone started to laugh. They laughed the rest of the way to Twilight’s place. Once inside, everyone grabbed a cushion and formed a circle. Blaze began to tell them the tale of finding Al staying at the old castle. He didn’t go into detail about how he was first reacting. Just finding him drained and barely alive. The colt could see Al was happy that he didn’t tell the whole truth. Blaze did notice Applejack was giving him a little stink eye but did not say anything.  Before the green Earth pony went into the next topic, he had everyone Pinkie Promise not to tell any other pony about what he was about to discuss. Except, the Princesses and Shining Armor, as they know about this as well. They performed the promise. Blaze began to tell them about finding the mysterious room in the castle. Al helped out in telling the tale. After telling them about my pony transformation, the colt summoned the Elements of Order book to him. He was glad that was still working.  “Just like your Elements of Harmony book was used to help you find the elements, this is supposed to help me find the Elements of Order,” Blaze said. “How are you able to read that?” Twilight Sparkle asked. “When I looked at it, I could not make any sense out of it.” “That is because Merlin, a human wizard, had cast several enchantments and spells on it. Another thing is that it seems I’m the only one who can read it. Even Al isn’t able to read what is in here. The book chose me to find it.” “How is that possible? If that book has been here for over a thousand years, how could it have chosen you, darling?” Rarity asked. “I’m still not sure myself. A good chunk of this book has not even revealed the info to me. The only info I know is what the book is about and a letter from Merlin himself.” I began to read the letter to prove that I can read from the book. Once done, everyone had a look of surprise and confusion on their faces. “So you have to travel over Equestria, wait for your body to tell you are close to an element before you can go and retrieve it? That’s messed up.” Rainbow Dash said. “I’m sure it is more than that,” Al said. “He’ll probably be given clues to the locations at some point. I don’t know about any of you, but I haven’t eaten since last night. I’m going to grill up some of that tasty stuff we humans can eat.” “No, you’re not. Not while I’m stuck like this,” Blaze said. “You can’t stop me.” “I already have. My weapons room and meat locker in the basement are made of granite walls that are a foot thick. There is no seam where a door will be as I use my jutsu to open and close them.” “You can’t do that! I need meat to survive.” “My house, my rules. Besides, you need to get used to eating other things besides meat. I don’t mean to start eating hay and flowers. There are plenty of fruits, veggies, dairy, and eggs to give you the same nutrition.” “You are a real jackass. It wasn’t my fault you got changed into a little kid.” “Think of it this way, this is the first step towards balancing yourself. The step of a balanced meal.” Several ponies groan. “I blame this child's body for coming up with that joke.” Blaze’s stomach let out a loud growl like a dragon’s roar. “Spike, I told you to not roar in the library,” Twilight said. “That wasn’t me. Honest,” replied Spike. “I think that was Blaze. He might have a body of a colt, but his stomach is still as big as ever,” Al said. Everyone was now laughing at the human’s joke. “How about I make some daffodil sandwiches and a salad for you Al. Sounds good?” Twilight asked. “Can I get a dozen of those then?” the colt asked. “You think you can eat that many?” “I could eat more, but I don’t want to clear out every food item you have.” “Eeyup. Bottomless pit,” Al said with a little Big Mac style of speaking. Twilight just shook her head. “Spike, care to help me with making them? Seeing I have to make more than I planned for a little colt,” She said. Blaze just sat there and snorted out a breath. Not wanting to fall into that joke trap. While Twilight and Spike were making lunch, Applejack spoke up and said, “After lunch, I think someone should take Blaze to see Miss Cheerilee get him enrolled in school and tell her what is going on.” “Remember, I don’t want to use my name so the other ponies won’t laugh at me. Had enough of that growing up once already,” Blaze said. “Then what name do you want to be called while in public?” Rarity asked. “How about Rocky?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Now why would he want to be called after a rock?” Rainbow Dash replied. “Hold up. I think it might be appropriate,” said the colt. “I look like an Earth pony and it will allow me to use my Earth Style jutsu without being suspicious.” “True. There was a Pegasus pony that trained with us that can manipulate lightning. He can call it a rare gift an Earth pony can get.” Al said. “What? A Pegasus can literally control lightning? What sort of a freak is he?” Rainbow Dash asked. On pure instinct, Blaze sent a lightning bolt at Rainbow. It was weak, but the blue Pegasus still screamed from being zapped. “I would have never expected a Pegasus would call another one of them a freak. Let that be a warning,” Blaze said in a stern voice. Rainbow coughed a little smoke out of her. She then shook herself to get her fur and feathers straightened back out. “You did not have to zap me to make your point,” She replied. “I’m sorry about that. That’s one word I didn’t like while growing up. I was called that for being too smart for my own good. Out performing the entire class in projects and assignments. I could have beaten up the ones who were calling me that. I didn’t though as it would bring me down to their level. I just did my best to ignore them and remain calm.” “Yea, I can kinda see where you're getting at. I hated the name I was being called during Flight School. The other ponies were calling me Rainbow Crash on the account I flew into several things while there.” “One of which was the principle. On more than one occasion,” Fluttershy said. “I thought you promised not to tell any ponies.” “Technically he is a human. Not a pony.” Everyone was laughing again. Twilight and Spike soon came back with a big stack of sandwiches and a bowl of salad. The salad was split between Spike and Al. Everyone else got a sandwich. Blaze ate his dozen with no issue. Once lunch was done, the green Earth pony asked, "Alright, who wants to go and see Miss. Cheerilee and explain the situation?" "OH! ME! ME! ME! ME! ME! PLEASE PICK ME!" Pinkie said while waving her forehooves above her head. "No volunteers? Then I guess I have to choose. Hmm. . . . Pinkie, would you like to?" "Let me check my schedule." She pulled out a notepad and began to flip through the pages. "I think I can squeeze you in for this afternoon." "Pinkie, you are so Random," Rainbow Dash said. "Let's get going then. Al, I will see you at home once we are done." He gave a hand wave as he was busy talking to Rarity about something. Pinkie and Blaze left the library to go and find Miss Cheerilee. He didn’t know where she would be today, so the colt just followed Pinkie Pie. We soon find her in the park. When we were close enough to talk, Pinkie Pie said, "Hi Miss Cheerilee! It’s a beautiful day we are having." "Hello, Pinkie Pie. Yes, it’s quite lovely today. The Pegasi did a nice job. Who may I ask, is this cute colt with you?" asked the magenta mare. "This is my cousin, Rocky." "Second cousin," the colt corrected. "He’s from Dodge Junction and is staying with me for a week. His parents have some important business in Canterlot but didn’t want to drag him around to BORING meetings. I offered to watch him. They agreed as long as he gets to go to school so he doesn’t follow behind." "Well, hello Rocky. I am Miss. Cheerilee and will be your teacher. Can you tell me what you have learned so far?" the magenta Earth pony asked. Blaze was thinking, “Oh straight to the hard question. Um,  . . . Let's see . . . Ah! "Well, I’ve learned so much. It will take a while to go over every single thing. How about if I have trouble with what you’re covering, I can let you know," he said. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. I will look forward to seeing you in class tomorrow. The class starts at nine am." "Thank you for accepting me to your class while my parents are in Canterlot," Blaze said as he bowed to her. "Oh, what a polite little colt you are. I think you’re going to fit in just fine." "Bye Miss. Cheerilee. Need to get some school supplies for him," the pink mare said. They waved goodbye to the teacher and walked away. Once they were far enough away, Blaze said to Pinkie, "Nice cover story. That was very creative. I was expecting you to tell her about me getting infected with Poison Joke." "You said you didn’t want anyone else to know. I’m glad you caught on and went along with it." "Thank you for that. You know, finally talking to you one on one, I think you are hiding how smart you really are." "I prefer to be the fun, party pony instead of a serious know it all like Twilight, no offense. I was pretty sad growing up on a rock fan. Not much fun there when your work is to push rocks around in fields." "You don't have to tell me. I had my fair share of boring jobs I didn’t like." Just then, Twilight magically appeared in front of the two in a panic. "BLAZE! You forgot to tell me what my next assignment from the Princess is. I need to get a start on it!" She said. "Excuse me, ma'am, I think you have me confused with some other pony. My name is Rocky. I’m Pinkie Pie's second cousin," Blaze said with a wink after. "Ah, I'm sorry about that." Twilight leaned closer to whisper. "So what’s my next assignment from Princess Celestia?" "It was going to train me in magic. That’s now on hold while I’m in this form." "Oh, I can still teach you. I’ll bring some books to your house so you can get a head start on reading before the actual lessons." Before the colt could object, Twilight disappeared the same way she appeared. Blaze was not excited about doing a double assignment. Schoolwork and whatever Twilight is going to be leaving at his house. More than likely, he’s expecting an entire bookcase on Unicorn magic. Pinkie headed off to do her thing and Blaze returned to his home. When he opened the door, the colt got buried beneath a pile of books. He wondered why the purple Unicorn placed the books there. He climbed out from the pile so the colt can see just how many books she sent over. He estimated the size to be about fifty. That was not a few books. Not wanting the books to stay like that, Blaze did several wood jutsu to create a bookcase in the library room and then placed the books in it. Just as he got done, Al came into the living room. "Hi Blaze, you all set to be taught by Miss Cheerilee?" the human asked. "Yea and by Twilight now too," the colt replied as he looked at all the books. "Was that there yesterday?" "No. Twilight said she was going to send a FEW books over to read before I can do the actual lessons." "To her, this is a few books. Just be happy she did not send the entire library over." "Nah, she would have just moved the entire library closer to here." they both laughed at that sight. Once both had calmed down, Blaze said, "You know, I think it is finally sinking in that we are in Equestria. How can two bronies get so lucky." "You got lucky. I went to hell and have to fight my way to earn the chance to leave. You think we will see any more humans?" "Who knows. There are infinite dimensions of everything and timelines based upon our actions. Anything can happen. I just never expected these Elements of Order stuff. Do you recall anything from your school time about something like this?" "Can't say I have. Of course, I was not an egghead, unlike you." "I’m not an egghead. I’m well-read." They both began to laugh some more. Blaze led Al to the Zen garden. "Seeing I’m going to be taught by two ponies, I think we should get started to control your anger and gravity powers." "Shoot. I thought I was going to get a pass while you are like this." "Nice try. Lesson number one." "Wait, I thought the first lesson was a balanced meal?" "Of course not, that was a joke." "OH THANK GOD! I thought I would have to borrow Pinkie Pie's cannon and use it like a cannon to break into the meat locker." "I would never do that to a fellow human. Now, where was I? Ah, lesson number one." Blaze used jutsu and created a wood stick and hit Al on the top of his head. "No back talking to the teacher." "OW! You like to play it rough." *WHACK* "Alright! Alright! No backtalk. You are just as bad as Rafiki.” “You are the one that is a baboon,  and I’m not. Now then, the actual first lesson is to learn how to calm the mind. Find the place in your head where you can go to shield yourself away from anger. This Zen garden will help you. Sit down here and close your eyes.” They sat on the grass by the stream. “Now, close your eyes. Breathe in slowly. Hold it for a few seconds. Then breathe out slowly. Repeat. Breathe in. Breathe out. Concentrate on the calmness of the surroundings to guide you to calm your mind.” The two of them did this for several hours. The colt could sense the human’s anger was slowly disappearing. When they were almost done, Blaze decided to test it. He quietly picked up the stick to give Al another wack. He swung and the human caught it. He opened his eyes and said, “Nice try. You are not going to get me with that stick.” “I just proved what the first lesson does. By calming the mind, you were made aware of your surroundings,” said Blaze. “Soon, you will be able to see anything in the bitch back as though it was daylight. That is enough for today. Time for some dinner.” They entered the house and noticed two full sacks on the table with a note. Al picked it up and read it out loud: Dear Al and Blaze, Here is your first payment for now being part of the Royal Guard. You will receive this once a month. The one that is slightly fuller is for Blaze. Compensation for I was still spying on you and you caught me. You actually froze my mane with that water. I have taken down the spell so you will not be spied on. Sincerely, Princess Celestia They both opened their sacks and did a quick count. Al got 1,500 bits and Blaze got 2,500 bits. “That was very generous of the Princess to do that,” Al said. “I know, so I’m going to write her a thank you letter,” replied Blaze. He went to grab some paper and pen when he realized something. He never wrote with hooves or his mouth before as a pony. “Umm, Al, do you think you can write it? I’m all hooves at the moment.” Al replied, “I suppose. Just don’t start calling me your number one assistant. Writing as a pony might be something you want to learn from Cheerilee.” “True, it would be useful. Thank you.” Blaze dictated to Al what the letter needed to say: Dear Princess Celestia, Thank you for the money. We shall spend it wisely and not on junk food (Earth joke). I was wondering, can also please send us a slab of pig meat. You can do so by placing the second paper with this letter onto the meat. The symbol on it will activate when you touch it twice within a few seconds. The meat will be sent to the meat locker. I have a barrier jutsu seal in my basement. I look forward to the Gala (and getting my real body back, again). Sincerely Swift Blaze and Al P.S. I would have not caught you if you did not do the Royal Voice Laugh. Al rolled up the letter with the seal. Blaze used a jutsu and sent it to the Princess. A few seconds later, they heard a thud come from downstairs. “Let me show you how you can access the basement. I didn’t show this to you yesterday on account all the ponies that were here,” Blaze said. The colt leads them to the wall with the hidden door. “Now then, all you have to do is say, ‘Al, the Demon Blood Human requests access’.” Al repeated the line and the door revealed itself. “Nice trick. I was expecting to say Open Sesame,” he said. “I’m not going to rip that off. Besides, not many ponies know you have demon blood.” The pair headed down into the basement and Blaze showed the human the two storage rooms and explained the same phrase will grant you access. They first entered the meat locker and Al grabbed a thick steak that was sitting on a stone table. On the middle table, that’s where the pig slab landed. They exited and then the colt then showed where all Earth possessions are to be kept when they are not on them. Once the two entered, Blaze just heard Al say, “DHAAAAMMMM. What were you preparing for, war?” “On the Mayan D-Day, I told you, I stayed home in my rural house. What I didn’t say is that I heard some of the riots were spreading out to the suburban areas. I didn’t want to take a chance on getting killed. I went to my collection and only grabbed this stuff that I know I could carry. I had a lot more but didn’t want to weigh me down if I was running. I hope I never have to use these guns in this world. I’m only keeping them as a reminder of the world we left.” “Dude. I know what you’re feeling. We both lost friends and family on that day. I failed the test as I went on a violent rampage when my pet got killed. I know we could have asked to restore the earth back to the way it was. But, the violence would have still been there. I’m sure some other humans must have done that way in another dimension. Come on, let me grill this steak and get something you can eat too.” They left the basement and headed to the kitchen. Blaze lit the fire pit outside that can also serve as a grill. The colt informed the human the grill was ready. Al was preparing some veggies to grill at the same time. He grilled the steak and veggies. They ate in silence, cleaned up, and got ready for bed. Blaze began to ponder what he will be in store at the pony school.