Reku'un jumped from the thick Defili branches to navigate through the area. He couldn't travel as fast as his brothers or most others, since he just learned how to travel by tree. It still made him feel older as he jumped to the next branch. Only the young ran through the vast forests down below. The soldiers did too when they were training, but other than that the trees were their form of transportation. He loved the feeling of the wind in his face, his robe and cape fluttering behind him.
A familiar scent tickled his nostrils. A huge smile appeared on his lips, and he stopped on the next branch. He hopped around impatiently as he waited. A minute later, another person landed on the same branch. Jerosh, Reku'un's eldest brother, stood up in front of him. Reku'un wrapped his arms around big brother in a tight hug, and Jerosh laughed as he kneeled down.
"Deposh, mijor manol (Hello, little brother)" he chuckled, ruffling his brother's hair. Reku'un laughed and stepped back as he smiled.
"Jerosh! Jra bechet jro (Jerosh! I missed you!)" Reku'un laughed. Jerosh ruffled his hair again and laughed with him.
"Jra bechet jro, bikir (I missed you, too)" Jerosh smiled. "Jorr dit temalosh? (How is everything?)"
"Kerakno ignash felq hiwak, grak dot'it wenil farq. Herodo dest jra meesh et ikanaq… peb jra'll ket bimar demi (Training started last cycle, and it's really hard. Daddy says I need to practice… but I'm not doing good)" Reku'un muttered.
Jerosh sighed, understanding how Reku'un felt. It was long ago that he started his own training, but now he was an adult. And there was the matter that his little brother was receiving special training since he was the Doshu'um. Even so, he couldn't stand seeing him like this. He used his index finger and thumb to guide Reku'un's gaze back to him.
"Det hyuug jro gav meep, feder? (In time you will learn, okay?)" Jerosh smiled.
"Feder (Okay)" Reku'un grinned. It was then that Reku'un noticed the last rays of the sun beginning to ebb.
"Duke meesh blerk, Heraj kaja jro minosh (One more thing, mother wants you home)" Jerosh grinned stupidly. Reku'un groaned dramatically, then fell on his back.
"Dot'it relf metew zachra! (It's not even sundown!)" he whined. Instead of becoming annoyed, Jerosh smiled and huffed in mock annoyance.
"Feder, feder (Okay, okay)" Jerosh chuckled as he turned his back to him. "Jra vetes jro'ak ket vitalip hokor erit mita (I guess you're not getting hokor for dinner)"
When he turned around, the boy was gone. Down the path he could see small footsteps cracking the branches. He chuckled to himself.
Boy can move when he wants to.
It wasn't long before Reku'un made it to his home. There was really no way of missing it. It was the tallest tree on Loki'ir. The Lithifer Tree. He had heard stories of each Makti that lived there, along with their sons. Not all lived there, only the Makti's after his many-great's grandfather Alamazeu. It was thousands of years ago, but the tree still stood.
Climbing it was something Reku'un had gotten used to. The braches were as big as Defili trunks and four times as strong, making stable footing available. Of course they didn't hollow out the entire tree, that would take ages! But Alamazeu did put their home in the best possible place. With one more leap Reku'un reached that place: the middle of the Lithifer.
The view was breathtaking. It was one of his favorite things to look at. The sun retreating over the horizon, all of its fading colors painting the skies. And below those colors was his father's kingdom. Well, some of it. It was hard to believe that, one day, they would all bow to him. His father had said it was a great responsibility and the highest of honors, but that only made the idea of ruling a planet scarier.
It was another worry for another time. Reku'un dashed inside and was immediately hit with the smell of cooking hokor meat. He ran through the main room and into the dining room. It was a large room, meant for their family to enjoy their meals together. The table had been carved out from the floor, and designed with many of Loki'ir's flowers and animals. The fires underneath the kettle and the rotisserie'd hokor were managed by ancient energies of his ancestors, who made it so that the fires never burned out, but never spread beyond their own space.
His other brothers, Agner, Derekosh, Fermot, and Jaqeluu were already at the table. Agner was the closest to his age, by 14 years. It wouldn't be long before he was gone to fight in the war. Agner was a bit more slim than the rest, but it went well with his speed-based fighting style. Like all others he had black hair, a fit body, green eyes (which were rare in their family) and an olive-tan skin tone.
Derekosh was the third youngest, being just three years older than Agner. Derekosh was very disciplined, since he just got back from the war. That didn't mean he lost all sense of happiness, but he did lose some of it. He was toned enough to look carved from marble. His bright grey eyes held an icy feel to those outside his family.
Then there was Fermot. He was the third eldest, and the gap between him and Derekosh wasn't that big. Two cycles by the look of it. Fermot had served long ago and returned when he was born. Fermot had taught Reku'un all he knew about music and dance. He led the ritual ceremonies to celebrate the founding of the Lithifer tree, the completion of the lunar cycle, and, as silly as it sounds, the Doshu'ums birthday. While their family had straight, ragged hair, Fermot's was loose and fell over his eyes and around the sides of his head.
He was very fun to have around, though he lacked Agner's sense of humor. Fermot always managed to cut Reku'uns training time and have some fun like hunting and racing. He even turned some training exercises into a game.
And the second eldest was Jaqeluu. Even though Jerosh was the eldest, he was the calculating one. Jaqeluu was the wisest.
Many said that the two looked very similar, and Reku'un hoped it was true. Whenever he saw his big brother, he was reading, meditating, controlling his rites, or all three at once. Jaqeluu was gifted in Loki'irian fighting styles and using mental abilities. Once, he managed to lift their home, but Herod punished him. Something about uprooting it, whatever that was. Out of all his brothers, Jaqeluu was the one he was closest to. Whenever father or his other brothers couldn't train him in weaponry or fighting styles, Jaqeluu made him meditate. It was all so boring, sitting for hours just doing nothing. But Reku'un did feel a lot calmer than he should, and he even got a rock to float!
He jumped into his chair and greeted his brothers. He arrived just in time, as Heraj had begun to serve them. She never just set the plate, it was always with her rites. Today, she made their food disappear, then reappear in front of them. For Reku'un, she made it appear on his head, then on his lap, and finally on the table.
"Setri jro, Heraj (Thank you Mommy)" he giggled. She kissed him on the head and smiled warmly.
"Jrok nyrok (Your welcome)" she smiled. Reku'un was a bit sad that Jerosh couldn't be there, or his father. Being the eldest in the royal family meant helping the Makti. He was just glad his brothers could entertain him.
Some time later, Reku'un finished his meal and ran to his room. He had more training tomorrow, with Jaqeluu, so he wanted to get up extra early. Agner would be awake in his chamber training with his Fimalsh. Basically, he had to learn how to channel his energy into his Fimalsh, his spear. Unlike other spears, however, his had a dagger tied around the top, making it a double bladed staff.
"Demikla, Reku'un (Goodnight, Reku'un)" Heraj said.
"Heraj! (Mommy!)" he called after her. She came back in to see what he needed. "Bikut jro… neji jra makov nejor? Ekuzaak? (Could you… sing my favorite song? Please?)"
His mother smiled and laid next to him. She gave him a moment to snuggle up with his Nera'ak plushie. One day he would have one just like Gagoz, his father's Nera'ak.
He gently tugged on her wing, and his mother laughed as she draped it over him. "Feder (Okay)" Reku'un said.
"I'm going to sing in English, okay?" Heraj said out of her usual language. Reku'un groaned dramatically.
"I no know a lot," he complained. His mother just ran her fingers through his hair, moving her raven black hair out of her face.
"Then that is why you must listen. You've only learned eight languages," his Heraj reminded him, smiling softly.
"Jra gev engachigo i mijor (I only understand a little)" Reku'un sighed.
"Just listen," she smiled. "Perhaps you'll learn."
She dimmed the light beside his bed, softly clearing her throat and running her hand through his ragged hair.
"Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
Pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.
Cares you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While over you a watch I'll keep.
Sleep,
Pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullabyyyy."
She held the last note beautifully for her beloved son. Quietly she slipped out of his bed, smiling as she heard him gently snoring. She opened the door and turned back to him.
"Demikla… jra ninjot (Goodnight… my son)" she whispered.
She smiled as the memory went on. The larger female had a beautiful voice, much like the singers of old. It was such a warm memory. Even she couldn't help but smile. Yet she sensed emotions other than happiness. She sensed… sadness… longing… and guilt. Many long for the days when they were young, she knew that. But not many showed sadness. Much less guilt.
"Such strange lands," Luna said to herself. "And many tall trees." The blu-ish green of the trees had caught her eye, as there were no trees like that in Equestria.
The sun was beginning to peak over the horizon, signaling her imminent retirement for the day. Just as she stood up from the cloud, a nightmare's presence alerted her. She concentrated her magic on the source, her mana lighting her horn and bringing her mind below her. She was a bit confused as to who could be having a nightmare here, but she ventured on. It was the other man, Tony, if she remembered. Now she was really confused. He had just been dreaming of his childhood… what could be troubling him?
She tried to enter his mind, but met a significant amount of resistance. Unlike before, where she slipped into his mind with ease, she felt like she was using all of her strength to force herself in. Even when she did manage to, she was pushed back out. But not before a number of images flashed in front of her.
It was… horrible. Death. Destruction. Slaughter.
All of these were layed before her in seconds. Equestria had many wars, long before her banishment, but little blood was spilled between them and their adversaries. From what she saw, bodies lay just about everywhere as more and more fought to avoid becoming part of the piles. And there was more guilt in it. For some reason, Tony was feeling guilty about the whole thing. But why?
Answers would have to wait, since she could see Celestia exiting her tent. As she flew down to meet her, one particular image lingered in her thoughts.
Four figures, side by side, in front of a horde. Each of them were armed with their own weapon… charging forward.
"Tony? Come on man."
"Herod, hraak dit jrem bijar?"
"Dush jrall hurv. Bichal."
"Well ain't he a heavy sleeper?"
"Maybe… he's not usually this tired. Tonyyy. Come on, wake up."
"Herod! Sobalka! Hraak rak jri gret?! Herod! Herod!"
"Milch jrok feduqet!"
"Tony! Get up!"
"Is he okay?!"
"I don't know! Snap out of it Tony! Hold his arms down! Wake up!"
"Ut Lithifer! Ekuzaak, jra bech et bur et ut Lithifer! Herod!"
"Jre zek'et!"
"Ekuzaak! Ekuzaak, tanaska! Jaqeluu'it gesk heak grote!"
"JREM ZEK'ET!"
"Nraaaaaa!"
Tony forced his eyes open. In front of him, Dan was vigorously shaking him awake. He could see some guards, Celestia, and Cadence behind him and the girls. He felt something around his arms, which turned out to be Rainbow and Applejack. His arms were still shaking, even as he pushed them off. He forced himself up, only to fall back onto his hands and knees.
"Tony! Tony, take it easy!" Dan said as he put Tony's arm over him.
With a slight strain, Tony turned to the lake. "I'm fine just… ngh, get me to the water," he grunted. Dan was becoming more and more worried. First Tony wasn't waking up, then he was sweating when it was chilly in the forest, and then the shaking.
Twilight was just about to follow before Applejack put her hoof on her shoulder. Reluctantly, she stood where she was. Dan guided Tony to the water's edge, where he knelt and removed his rags for a shirt. The images still lingered in his head. The ship… the Arthanians… the Lithifer. It was all coming back to him… and with it, the pain he felt. With his hand still trembling, he reached into the water with his cloth in hand. The black and red blood over him had dried, mostly. He hated the feeling of dried blood on his skin.
The two just sat there as Tony cleaned himself, trying to stop shaking. He could could guess as to why Dan was being quiet. When he peered to the side, just as he expected, he could see Dan looking down, his face filled with shock as he gazed at Tony's back. He ignored him and wiped more blood off his torso. The battle left him with zero energy, stamina and rite wise. A little more rest would fix the stamina problem, but his rites would take a while before they were ready to be called on.
Behind them, Tony could hear the girls whispering. "What was all that about?"
"What's with the scar on his back? Shouldn't that've, y'know, fixed right up?" he heard Applejack whisper, much more softly than Rainbow.
"Maybe it takes more time? His arm seems fine," Twilight observed. Tony ignored them and kept cleaning himself.
"What's with the mark?" Dan asked. Tony smirked inwardly, as he was too tired to actually do it.
"I was born with it, remember?" he quipped, trying to dodge the question. Failing miserably, one might add.
"The mark on your back," Dan said sternly. "Does this have something to do with the dreams?"
"I don't dream," Tony said. Dan deadpanned, but shook it off.
"When did this start happening?" Dan further inquired.
"Five years ago," he sighed. "Look… just forget it."
He finished cleaning the blood off, then put the soggy cloth back on. He stared at his reflection in the water. Though his mind was tired, he still couldn't keep his excited thoughts from going on. Dan was here… after ten years they were together again.
Not the best reunion, but it was one way.
"You oka—"
Dan was cut short as Tony quickly hugged him. He had his arms wrapped around him, tightly, and held him close. Dan's initial surprise wore off almost instantly, and he smiled as he returned the gesture.
At least It's satisfied.
"It's been so long," Tony whispered. Dan chuckled.
"Too long," he laughed softly.
The mares watched Tony hug Dan as old friends would. Cadence, being the princess of love, could see the bond the two shared. Tony seemed to care for him like family, but… it was hesitant. Still, she smiled at them, as did the others.
"Come on," Dan said. "We need to go. I don't think with the condition you're in we're gonna get outta this forest easy. If there's any more, I mean."
"Right," Tony grunted. "Help me up." Dan grasped his hand, helping Tony back onto his feet, acting as a support.
"Are you ready to leave?" Celestia asked. The two of them nodded. "Shining Armor, lead the way."
"Finally! I was startin' to get the willies again," Applejack shuddered. The group chuckled a bit and made their way back onto path.
The trek back to the chariots went without incident, thankfully. Tony hesitated to get into the chariot, but couldn't resist, even if he wanted to. Dan climbed in after him, and they set off back to Canterlot. Tony closed his eyes and tried to think of anything else but the ground thousands of feet below them. While Tony did this, Dan chuckled at him.
He had seen Tony take on entire hordes of Arthanians, three Signa, and a Kortol (a giant horned and tusked animal from his home). Every time, he ran in without second-thoughts, fearing nothing. And his biggest fear: was heights. It was ironic in a way. They both rode Nyla several times, but Tony seemed easy with it. When he wasn't with Nyla, heights scared him into a hole. A warrior, afraid of heights.
"Don't worry," Dan chuckled. "I can see a city on the side of the mountain." Tony knew he was talking about Canterlot, but could only nod.
He felt the uneasy lurch of his stomach as they descended. It was like expecting the ground to just suddenly slam into them. The anticipation was unbearable, and he nearly exclaimed when they finally landed. He exhaled in relief once he saw the familiar courtyard of the castle. Trembling, he got out of the chariot and Dan helped him walk again. The others landed before them, and were waiting by the steps that led inside. Tony's hearing picked up on dozens of voices, clammering and shouting over one another.
"Is the Princess back yet?!"
"What happened in the castle?!"
"I heard somepony say there was a creature in the castle!"
There were other similar shouts throughout the crowd. It seemed rumor had spread of his entrance. And the absence of the princesses. He ignored it for now and kept walking/limping up the steps. At the top he was already exhausted, even if it was just 10 steps. The doors opened to reveal the throne room, with a brilliantly red carpet rolled all the way up a set of stairs. At the top of the steps was a golden throne and a teal throne. A symbol of the sun was on one, and the moon was on the other. The second throne reminded him that there were two princesses of the land, which were sisters, and only one was present.
"Ce-ngh-Celestia," Tony called ahead. "Where's… Princess Luna?"
"Seeing as how it's morning, my sister should be asleep by now," Celestia answered. In the middle of the room Celestia stopped and turned to the Elements, namely her student. "Twilight, I want to speak to our guests. Alone."
Twilight nodded and turned to her friends. "Come on, girls. There's a guest room in the west wing." They followed her to a side door, Celestia leading the two visitors down a different hall.
Tony gave Dan a questioning glance, to which he replied by shrugging. The pair followed after Celestia down several halls and turns. Tony could just feel the eyes of the guards watching his every move. They didn't trust him, that much was clear. The last turn led them to a dead end, where a set of doors made the back. There were a couple of Solar Guards in front of it. They stood at attention when their princess approached.
"You're dismissed. I need to speak to my guests in private," she ordered. They were hesitant at first, obviously uncomfortable leaving their princess with two creaures, one of which they'd fought. He looked injured though, so she could take him if she needed to.
"Yes, princess," the commanding officer saluted. "You heard her. Out." The guards trotted out of the hallway, and Celestia opened the doors.
The entrance led to a large room with a huge bed opposite the door. Next to it was a nightstand and next to that was a closet. Opposite the closet was a mirrored dresser with all sorts of statues and objects. Dan helped Tony to the bed, where he layed wearily. Dan sat at the foot of the bed beside his friend.
"So, Celestia," Dan began. "What'd you need?"
"I have a few questions I'd like to ask, but first I need to get rid of this," she said, tapping the torn gold armor on her. "Not many ponies have seen me with it, and I'd prefer to keep it that way."
In a flash, she was gone. Dan rested on the soft bed. It felt better than anything he'd ever slept on.
"What do you think she needs us for?" Tony croaked. Dan put his arms behind his head and exhaled.
"Don't know," he shrugged. "Maybe she'll ask about Netu'ung, maybe the Arthanians, maybe you and your rites—"
"We're dodging that question," Tony quickly said.
"I know. To tell the truth… I don't really know what she's thinking," Dan sighed. "There aren't any humans, or Loki'irians by the looks of it."
"So… how'd you get here?" Tony managed to ask. Dan let out a small, wry laugh.
"I was walking to fix something at the Microsoft office, y'know the one by Moe's?" Tony nodded. "When I got there, some lady screamed that I was burning, and my arm was breaking off. It looked like—"
"Glowing dust."
Dan exchanged a glance with Tony, then nodded. "Yeah. When I woke up I was in a forest, the one we were in. A group of soldiers came, I tried fighting back, managed to mount one on a tree, then they dragged me into the damn lake."
"Well… if it makes you feel better, I met the tree'd bastard," Tony chuckled, then winced. Dan laughed a bit, knowing what he meant by ‘met’.
"And you?" Dan asked, grinning slightly.
Tony sighed. "I may have… crashed a dinner. Well, crashed into a dinner table," he grunted. "Then fought a now dead Signa in said dinner."
"You always get the best places," Dan sarcastically remarked.
"I know," Tony chuckled, softly shaking his head.
Another flash of light made Dan sit back up. It was Celestia without her armor. Tony was surprised she didn't get hurt, since he swore he saw a scout jump on her. Her flawless white coat said otherwise.
"Much better," she said. "Now, as I've said I'd like to ask a few questions."
Tony and Dan glanced at each other. I know, read Dan's expression.
"What do you want to know?" Dan questioned.
"I'd like to leave the cultural information to my student. She's very eager to ask you about humans," Celestia smiled. "As for me, I'd like to know the two who saved my sister."
Tony was gonna love this part. "That's very generous of you," Dan smiled. "Guess I'll start. Uh, my name's Daniel Fondor, or Front Door for my friends."
"Front Door?" Celestia giggled.
"Yeah, Fondor, Front Door." Celestia understood it after a moment and laughed lightly. "Clever right?"
"Yes," Celestia smiled.
"Okay, I was born in St. Mary's hospital, March 18, 1983. Uh, I lived with my parents in Virginia. I went to grammar school for six years until we moved to South Carolina. Then I went to middle school and got breezed through. High school wasn't that different. I got into DJ-ing, and met Tony. It wasn't until after graduating we went on our little ‘quests’. I went to MIT and got out a year ago, got my PhD in engineering and here I am."
"Interesting," Celestia mumbled. "And you Tony?"
"I'd rather not talk about it," Tony muttered. Celestia didn't want to press for information, as she thought she would just anger him again, so she stopped there.
"What's your full name?" Celestia decided to at least get that.
"Anthony Lorenshi," he said. "Tony for short."
"And you don't have to call me Daniel, princess," Dan said. "Just Dan is fine."
She smiled at him. "Then Celestia will be fine," she said. They nodded, Tony wincing right after.
"So, you said Twilight had some questions about humans," Dan reminded her. Really he just wanted to let Tony get some rest. He knew about Tony's energy recuperation cycle, and talking and walking around wasn't doing much to help.
"Yes," Celestia said. "She should be with the others in the guest rooms. Will you be okay here, Tony?"
Tony nodded his head, as he was fading into his subconscious again. "Yeah… I just need… some rest," he groaned.
"Then follow me Dan," Celestia said as she started for the door. Dan nodded to Tony and followed after the princess.
The doors shut and Tony gave in to the darkness that was his mind. Rest wouldn't be the word for it, more like waking up in a body you had no control over. Tony had to watch his past unfold again… just like he had millions of times. Hours asleep were just a few minutes in his memory. His younger self was forced to watch everything that ever happened.
It was so painful, seeing all of this but not being able to look away. He could remember the soft touch of his Heraj, who was fading into death's slumber. He cried for her to stay awake, to help him find Herod. She couldn't speak, not with the gash in her neck. All she could do was smile and cry, then slip away as she held his hand. He screamed, for her to wake up, and for someone, anyone, to help. He looked at his hand, and saw her medallion in it. Herod's Daedalak was beside her body. A howl made him jump, signaling the Arthanians were coming back.
He took one last look at her, then ran off into the night. He didn't know where he was going, but he ran. For three days and four nights he ran until his legs could carry him no more. The only thing he could think about was Heraj and Herod. He would never see them again, ever.
The memory ended, and Tony gasped as his eyes shot open. He was left shaken and with another piece of his past on him. He sat up in bed, tears rolling down his cheeks along with a cold sweat.
He wiped the tears from his face and got out of bed. The door next to the dresser led to a bathroom. With some minimal pain, he stood up and walked into the bathroom, then turned the knobs to cold water and splashed it on his face. He dried himself with the small towel, and gazed into the mirror at his reflection. The memories were getting more vivid and more realistic each year. It wouldn't be long before he started bleeding in the middle of the night.
There was a small pain in his back that caused Tony to stifle a grunt. He turned to see what it was in the mirror. From shoulder blade to shoulder blade… was a perfectly horizontal scar.
To make sure he wasn't imagining it, he ran his fingers across the line. The small bump confirmed his fears. The second scar had appeared. The scar itself wasn't an issue… it was the timing. Every year prior, the scars had formed weeks apart from one another. There were twelve in total, and two had already appeared within a day. He hoped it was just some freak incident, a random acceleration. He shuddered to think how disastrous it would be if he were to get all twelve. Especially in the castle.
He pulled his shirt back on and stepped out of the bathroom. Glancing outside the far window, he could see the sun falling from its crescendo, meaning it was probably early to mid afternoon. Sleep wasn't an option he was comfortable with, and the long rest had helped with some of his weariness. As long as he didn't have to fight another Signa, he could walk around before he tired again. Dan still hadn't come back, so he decided to check on him. He opened the doors and stepped out, the guards posted outside making way.
Didn't do that before. Maybe something Celestia said?
The guards weren't giving the soul piercing glares from before, so it only supported his theory. His nose had been damaged in the fight, he could barely smell anything distinct from other scents.
Without any direction, he wandered aimlessly through the castle. It was a bit vast. What confused him a little was the height of the halls, considering the fact that the guards stood at the columns of the halls. He was answered when he saw a pegasus guard pass him overhead. He facepalmed mentally, forgetting that some ponies had wings.
The walk brought him to several dead ends, rooms that were meant for meetings or guards, some mess halls, and servant rooms. The ponies all eyed him cautiously, but with a bit of fascination.
Another dead end frustrated him enough. He walked over to one of the many guards and asked where the princess' were.
"Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence are in the west wing with the Elements," the guard replied. "Make a right, then another, go down two halls and take a left, and it should be the last room on the right."
"Thanks," Tony said. A few steps away, he stopped and walked back to the guard. "Um… where is the west wing, exactly?"
He expected a facepalm, or facehoof. "The other door in the throne room will take you there. Just down this hall," the guard said, nodding to a set of large doors. He recognized it as the one he knocked open when he first woke up.
"Thank you," Tony sheepishly smiled. The guard nodded and resumed his post while he walked to the door.
He followed the guards instructions to the letter. He went through the door opposite the throne room, then made a right, and then another. He went down two halls before going left and walking down the hall.
Last room on the right.
A few feet away from the door, he heard their voices. Dan seemed to be speaking over them, mostly.
"…put a man on the moon not too long ago," he heard Dan say. "We don't do it anymore, since it was a close call the first time, but we do send probes once in a while."
"Probes?" he heard Twilight ask.
"Yeah. They're like little ships with cameras on them that feed data to these guys behind computers to see what's going on. We've sent them to Mars and some other planets, too."
"Humans are fascinating!" Twilight exclaimed. "It must have taken hundreds of years to get this advanced."
"Well, we're not that advanced," Dan chuckled.
"What are you talkin' about? Ya put a man on the moon, made 'em phone things, and ya send them cameras to outer space! Ah don't see any o' those around here," Applejack chuckled.
"And I like those jet thingies," Rainbow added. "It'd be cool if I could ever face one."
"You do seem to be very advanced," Celestia's chimed.
"Trust me," Dan laughed. "From what the kid showed me, we're not that far with tech."
"Where is he anyways?" Pinkie asked. "I wanted to show him these cupcakes! Oh, and by the way, did ya like 'em?!"
"They were awesome Pinkie," Dan laughed. "Tony's probably asleep. After a fight like the one he just had he'll need some rest."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was out of it for a while," Rarity commented.
"Nah, he'll be walking by the afternoon," Dan assured them. "He's a tough sonuva gun, that's for sure."
There was a moment of silence, only to be broken by Rainbow's question. "Hey, Dan?"
"Whatcha need?" Dan asked.
"Are you and Tony friends?" she questioned.
"Best friends," Dan said resolutely.
"Why?" The question surprised Dan, and Tony a little. Some others seemed to be surprised as well.
"Rainbow!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Why would you even ask that?!" Twilight questioned.
"Because Dan's kinda cool. Why would he be friends with a jerk like Tony?" Rainbow asked.
"Still, that doesn't make it okay to—"
"What do you mean jerk?" Dan asked above Twilight's scolding.
"Before we found you he was being a huge flankhole," Rainbow said.
"Rainbow!" Twilight shouted.
"You guys know I'm right!"
"He was acting very rude, and disrespectful," Rarity admitted. "But we shouldn't use foul language in front of the princesses!"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry… but seriously, why are you friends with him?" Rainbow repeated her question.
"Before I answer that, I want to ask you this," Dan said. "When Tony came here, did any of you act aggressive with him? Not name-calling or jeering. Did you get physical with him, or cross the line with him?"
There was another moment of silence. "Define ‘cross the line’," Celestia hesitantly inquired.
"Taking his medallion, or his sword, probably."
Celestia hesitated, but she spoke up. "Both… and I may have nearly crushed him in a manipulation spell."
"Then, I'm sorry to say," Dan sighed. "But you guys are kinda at blame."
"How could we have made him act so… rude?" Twilight questioned.
"Listen… Tony sort of has a short fuse, especially with anyone he argues with. He's not as mean as you think. He just isn't mean right from the start. Trust me, he's sorry for whatever he did or said to any of you. Taking his stuff though, probably did it. Did he tell you about them?"
"He said they were from his parents," Fluttershy said. "What happened to them?"
"They're gone. They've been gone since he was ten. That sword and medallion are all he has to remember them."
"So… Tony was an orphan?" Rainbow asked.
A short sigh reached Tony's ears, which he presumed was from Dan. "He doesn't like to talk about it… but believe me, he isn't a bad guy. It's… it's just not his fault." Dan took a deep breath for what he was about to say next.
"And to answer your question Rainbow… I'm Tony's only friend. When I met him freshman year, he was this quiet, smart kid. Stayed away from everyone… even me at first. But he was getting bullied. And I don't mean name-calling, I mean some dickheads I knew beat him up. Even then, he could've taken the six of them—"
"He got beat up by six guys?!" Rainbow shouted. "Why didn't anyone help him?!"
"Because, they were too busy laughing at him. It finally stopped after I sent four of them to the hospital and two back home with black eyes. After we picked up his stuff, he was gone. I know I shouldn't've fought, but he always came to school with new bruises, new cuts, and there was one time he was limping through school. I just couldn't see him like that… so I made sure they never did that again." Tony remembered that day, how they first started out as friends. Or something close to that.
"Well, I say they deserved it," Rainbow huffed.
"Me too… and I'm glad I made that decision. We were hest friends throughout high school. He still got name called a lot, but with me around no one tried anything funny. Then we graduated, and that's where I learned who Tony really was. A kid who lost everything, got dealt the bad hand too many times, and a helluva fighter."
"Killing those Arthanians became a regular thing. He dragged me along, and we actually saved the world from what could've been an invasion. And every time we went out, Tony got stronger… more caring… and he never let anything happen to me. Even when we saved the world, he tried sacrificing himself, but he pulled through. So, I guess you could say… we're friends because, not only did he save my ass a bunch of times, but because he's someone who needs a friend. Even if he wasn't cooperative, he still helped you because he knew he had to. I don't know if this means anything… but you've gotta give him a second chance. See how he really is."
He heard a few clopping of hooves, then a few springs creaked. "You two are very close," he heard Cadence's voice. "Remember when I said I'm the princess of love? Well… its not just romantic love. Tony loves you like a brother. Has he ever told you?"
"No, but I've told him. He treats me like a big brother, so I acted like he was my little brother. Now it just sounds kinda dumb, since he's bigger and all," Dan laughed. "But still, I don't think he wants to be around anymore."
"What are you talking about? He loves you," Cadence reminded him.
"Yeah, which is why he left ten years ago. Thought it was too dangerous to be around me… so one day he left without a word. I missed him… but, he did leave me something to remember him by." The tinkling was all too familiar.
"It's so pretty," Fluttershy stated in amazement. "Did he buy it for you?"
"Better… he made it for me," Dan smiled.
"Wow. What does it say?" Twilight asked.
"It says, ‘As long as one of us has this… we'll never be apart’," Dan translated. "He left this on his bed for me. I've never taken it off."
"I guess a few of us have apologies to be made," Celestia said. "And as for Tony… I'm sure we can give him another chance."
"Thank you, Celestia," Dan smiled.
Tony heard enough. He opened the doors and walked in. Dan was sitting next to Celestia, whose wing was draped over him, the girls were on other beds, and Cadence was standing in front of Dan. The medallion Tony made was still in his hand.
"I thought I said you'd get fingerprints on them," Tony joked. Dan smiled and rolled his eyes, putting it back in his shirt. "Are you girls alright?"
They nodded softly, and he guessed their attitudes had changed, after what Dan had told them. As soon as he asked, Pinkie jumped up into the air with an enormous smile.
"Yup! We're better than Applejack's apple fritters! Did ya sleep well?!" she said in one continous breath. Tony chuckled.
"Yes, Pinkie," he smiled. "What were you all talking about?"
Dan's stomach growled, giving him the perfect excuse. "Well, Twilight and everyone else were asking me about our world when I asked where the food was at," he grinned, getting some giggles. "So I was gonna ask Celestia if we could get somethin' to eat."
Celestia caught on. "I am a bit hungry myself," she smiled, playing along. "I could have the chef prepare some lunch."
Applejack jumped off the bed and flipped her stetson onto her head. "Well, what're we doin' sittin' like sacks of potatoes? Let's get some grub!"