//------------------------------//
// ...We All Have Them 
// Story: To Call the Moon My Own 
// by That_Random_Pony 
//------------------------------//

 
                  " Twilight! Twilight!", Spike shouted from downstairs. The bookworm jumped out of her bed and galloped down to where her assistant was waiting.

                   " What?! What is it?!", she worriedly asked.

                   Pinkie Pie zoomed in past Spike with a gleeful smile. " Fluttershy checked on Dan and Tony and they're okay!", she happily hugged the mare.

                   " Yeah! And we're gonna go see them now!", Spike matched Pinkie's happiness. 
      
                   Twilight broke out of the hug and rolled her shoulders. " They're awake? Great! I'll come along!", Twilight smiled. 

                   The two ponies and baby dragon raced to the hospital to see their awoken friends. Fluttershy had told them they were alright, but that still didn't ease their worries. They checked in at the front desk and made their way up to their rooms. When they got there, the others were waiting with Vinyl.

                   " Glad you guys made it", Vinyl chuckled. " Dan just woke up".

                   " I'm weak not dead", Dan called from inside. They peered in to see a nurse giving him a small motor test. " Everything's fine Nurse Redheart".

                   " Just checking, doctors orders and all", she smiled. 

                   Said doctor was not currently present. " Where is he anyways?", Rainbow questioned.

                   " This is a hospital Rainbow", Redheart chuckled. " Which means other patients. He'll be here shortly".

                   " If I'm correct we won't need him", Tony's voice came from behind the gathered mares.

                   They all turned around to see him standing with another nurse at his side. 

                   " Tony!". Pinkie jumped onto him and gave him a powerful hug. " We were so worried!".

                   " I can tell", Tony strained from the breath he didn't have. Another squeeze later she hopped back to the others.

                   " Good seein' ya up Tony", Applejack tapped his thigh. " Thought ya got hit with somethin' pretty bad".

                   He forgot the black eye from the few days ago was faded but present. " Actually Applejack", Rarity began. " That happened a while ago, when we ran into some Diamond Dogs".

                   " More like they cornered you when I left", Tony rephrased. " So how you holdin' up Dan?".

                  Dan stood back up and stretched his body. " Good as ever!", Dan hopped for emphasis. " So can we leave?".

                  " Not until the doctors sees you again", Nurse Redheart sternly said. " We still don't know why the two of you fainted, and it could happen again".

                   " Wait, why did you guys pass out?", Rainbow asked. The others voiced similar questions.

                   " I don't know, I was just DJ'ing then my arms and legs just gave out", Dan shrugged. " Pinkie was the last thing I saw".

                   " You're lucky you didn't fall off stage", Vinyl said to him. " That would've hurt".

                    " That still doesn't explain why you guys passed out", Twilight reminded them.

                    " It's simple", Tony said as he sat down on the bed. " Humans aren't like ponies. We need more iron and protein in our systems to keep us healthy. Know what happens when we don't get enough?".

                    None of them knew the answers except a certain bookworm. " You're supposed experience motor loss, headeaches, and fatigue which could lead to fainting", Twilight explained.

                   " Exactly. Now what I want to know is, why didn't you remember to eat the specific foods I told you about?", Tony directed the question at Dan. 

                   Dan scratched the back of his head, then shrugged. " Guess it slipped my mind?", he smiled sheepishly.

                   The nine of them deadpanned, aside from Pinkie of course. " Really? Your own health slipped your mind", Spike facepalmed. 

                   " Dan, this is way worse for you than me", Tony reminded him. 

                   " Whatdya mean?", Applejack questioned. 

                   Tony sighed and thought carefully about what to say next. " It'll be easier for me to get the iron and protein I need, but he needs to eat certain foods to get what he needs" Tony explained.

                   " Like pasta and beans?", Fluttershy suggested. 

                   Tony nodded to the meek pegasus. " Then I don't get it, what's the big deal?", Vinyl raised a brow.

                   " To get what I need, I have to eat like 5 cans of beans or two boxes of pasta a day", Dan sighed, knowing what Tony said last time. 

                   " That's a lot of spaghetti", Rainbow snickered. " Can't you get the whatever ya need another way?".

                   Both men kept silent, Dan opting to nod towards Tony. With a sigh he formulated the inevitable fact. " There is another way. It's how almost all humans stay healthy. Since Dan won't do it, I need...meat".

                  The entire room fell silent, both men looking away from their shocked faces. At around the same time Doctor Aid walked in to see a few white faced mares. Vinyl's went paler than the rest, given how her coat was already white.

                   " You look like you've seen a ghost", the doctor chuckled. " So you're both awake. No dizziness? Or headeaches?".

                   " None yet Doctor", Tony sighed. " But I think we have a problem".

                    Doctor Aid furrowed a brow. " How so?".

                    " The two of us need iron and protein in our systems and the only way to do that is by...eating meat". Instead of another frightened expression the doctor sighed.

                    " Yeah, I came to that conclusion myself", he admitted. " When we examined you we saw your canines, and when you said you needed more iron and protein I put two and two together". Tony was a bit surprised and relieved at the same time.

                   " So, how can we get some?", Tony asked.

                 " That's another problem", he sighed. " Only way to get it is to buy it off a griffon, or get it yourself".

                 Tony knew what he meant. " There is no way I am going to eat meat", Dan crossed his arms. " It's wrong, and even more here".

                  Internally, Tony sighed and groaned. " Dan it's the only way, so it's either that or-"

                 " Wait", Twilight intervened. " When I was a filly, my dad used to take suoplemente to keep himself healthy. Don't you have iron and protein supplements?".

                   The doctor and Tony turned to Twilight. " I hadn't thought of that", the doctor slapped his hoof over his face. " Yes, but there's only a limited amount in stock. And from what Tony told us before, one bottle would last just under a month for one of you".

                  The bottle would probably last Tony a week or two, but he kept to himself. " So, Dan can take the supplements, and I can have me-"
 
                  " You can't eat another animal!", Fluttershy spoke up. " That's...it's just wrong!".

Damn, why did it have to be animals you were good with Fluttershy?

                 It had completely slipped his mind, the fact that Fluttershy was an animal caretaker only made this harder. He respected nature, just like Eishla taught him to. But she also taught him that Minira would understand why he killed, as long as there was a good reason. This was as good as any.

                 " Fluttershy, I know how hard it is for you", Tony sighed as he placed a hand on her shoulder. " But if I don't want to be in this hospital until the princesses find a way back, I need to".

                  Fluttershy dropped her gaze to the ground. She was strongly against the idea of an animal eating another, but her friend's life was depending on it. Tony waited patiently for a reply, since he could see how torn she was.

                  " Fluttershy please, I won't do this unless you say its okay to". He really couldn't do it, as much as he wanted to, without her permission.

                 They all waited for an answer, which finally came out as a squeak. " Okay". Tony sighed with relief, he didn't want to fight over it or do it behind her back. 

                 " Thank you", he gave her a brief hug. 

                 " So how're you gonna...y'know", Rainbow questioned. 

                 Tony thought of the possible places he could hunt. There was the Everfree to the east, and there was Whitetail Woods to the west. If he was going to hunt in either one, first he needed permission. And it was Loki'irian tradition to ask the current ruler(s) for permission.

                 " First things first", Tony said as he stood back up. " Twilight, do you think you could send a letter to Celestia to come see me?".

                  " Sure, but I don't think she'll answer right away", Twilight nodded. 
 
                 " If we're lucky she will". Twilight wrote the request letter and her assistant sent it on its way. " So Doc, can me and kid leave?".

                  The doctor adjusted his glasses. " As long as you're up to it", he chuckled. " I'll have Nurse Redheart give you the supplements, but be sure to take two per day".

                  " Yes sir", Dan saluted. They all walked into the hallway and to the lobby. " So V, when can I get hack behind the stand?".

                  " Soon as you get your medicine", Vinyl laughed. Dan groaned playfully while the others laughed.

                 " So what do you need the princess for?", Spike questioned. 

                 Tony sighed once more. " I need to ask if it's okay to go into one of the forests to...get what I need". Spike nodded in understanding.

                 " I'm sure she'll let you", Rarity told him. " She does what she must for her subjects".

                 " Even if it's nasty", Rainbow added. Tony took no offense, since what he was doing was wrong in each of their eyes.

                  The group waited outside for Doctor Aid to give Dan the supplements. Once that was in order they left the hospital and went to their respective homes. Dan, Twilight and Spike talked a bit as they went to the library, but Tony was deep in thought. 

                   Discord's visit had given him a lot to think about. Like why he came in the first place, and his 'advice' to Tony. It sounded more like a threat to him, but there wasn't any evidence in his voice. In fact, he seemed rather calm about his past. He was God of Chaos after all, but it still felt like there was something else.

                  But what was really bothering Tony was the image he saw. He could still vividly picture Luna in his arms, her blank stare directed to the sky. It couldn't have been a dream, Loki'irians don't dream. It could have been Discord just making him see things, but he probably would have felt it. There was only one other thing it could have been.

A vision.

                  Only Oracles, Makti, and Doshu'um ever experienced these kinds of things. The idea was quickly pushed out, they were rare in Makti and Doshu'um. Oracles were the ones who saw vision often, and he was no Oracle. Jaqeluu was, but not him. It still didn't bring him any peace of mind. 

                  When they reached the library Tony went straight to his room and checked under the bed. He pulled out the black scabbard that held his Daedalak and he held it in both hands. He made sure to lock the door before he took deep breaths as he focused his mind. The technique was one Jaqeluu had taught him to do when he was stressed or bothered. Just deep breaths, and slow releases. In...and out...in...and out. 

                 After a few minutes of the meditation he opened his eyes. When he was little it worked, and it still did. He was calm, relaxed, and focused. The image of Luna didn't plague his thoughts like before, instead the issue with meat. And just in time...

                  " Tony", Twilight's voice carried through the door. " The princess is here to see you about that request".

                  Tony hid the Daedalak under his bed again. " Okay, I'll be right there", he answered. Taking one more breath for good measures he left his room and went down the stairs.

                   Standing in the living room was the celestial princess herself. " It's good to see you two again", she smiled.

                   " Likewise", Dan said. 
  
                   " It's good to see you two well also", she said a bit more seriously. " I wanted to ask what was wrong".

                   Dan scratched the back of his head sheepishly. " Yeah, I uh, forgot to mention that since I'm both human and vegetarian I need a lot of iron and protein", he chuckled. " Keeps me going like any other person".

                   " And that was also why I needed to talk to you Celestia", Tony said. He came down the rest of steps to stand in front of her. " I need more than what Dan's getting from the supplements Doctor Aid's giving him. And the only way to do that would be if I had what I normally do".

                  " Which is?", Celestia tilted her head. 

                  " Meat". She went from confusion to serious as soon as the word left his mouth. For some reason, it softened up.

                  " If that's what it takes to keep you out of the hospital", she began. " Then I'll allow it".

                  " Thank you. But that wasn't what I wanted to ask", he chuckled nervously. " I wanted to know if I could...get what I need from one of the forests".

                  " I'll let you as long as you don't let the ponies see", she smiled. " They tend to overreact around here".

                  Tony nodded and turned to Dan. " So guess I'll be back in an hour?", he raised a brow.

                  " Do your thing", Dan shrugged. 

                  He turned back to Celestia and smiled. " Thank you again", he nodded. 

                  Celestia returned the gesture warmly. " You're welcome. Now if that's all I'll be heading back to Canterlot now".

                  An idea quickly shot through Tony's head. " Wait!", he shouted rather loudly. " Uh, just, give me a second".

                  " Where ya goin'?", Dan questioned. Tony ignored his question and ran into the upper library.

                   He rummaged through several drawers before finding the parchment Twilight kept. It was neatly stacked beside an inkwell and quil. He fumbled with the paper before finally seperating a piece. After dipping the quil he scribbled swiftly and neatly over the paper. He never did tell Dan that on Loki'ir he would draw with Mijick feathers. 

                   The letter finished, Tony bolted back downstairs before Celestia left. When he came back they all had questioning faces, which was answered when he handed the rolled up parchment to Celestia. She took it in her magical aura and looked at it.

                   " Make sure Luna gets that", Tony told her. A small grin crept across Celestia's face, but it hid itself behind a smile.

                   " Of course. See you soon", she nodded. In a flash of gold the princess vanished. Tony turned back to see more questioning glances, minus Dan who was smirking.

                   " What did you need to tell Luna?", Twilight asked. There were two matters of which that Tony wrote on the letter. 

                   " Just wanted to ask both princesses if I could use the forests", Tony answered her. She nodded in undersfanding, but Dan kept smirking.

                   " You should get goin' then", Dan grew serious. " Don't need another fainting episode right?".

                  " Right". Tony ran to his room once more and grabbed his Daedalak. With another dash he made his way out of the library and to the Everfree.

                   The quickest route was to Fluttershy's cottage, which also gave him time to check on her Kital songs. With her house in sight he made his way around the side to see if she was in the backyard. It was empty, prompting him to knock at the front. He rapped on the door several times before Fluttershy answered. 

                   " Oh, hi Tony", she smiled. " What're you doing here?".

                   " I just wanted to check on your Kital lessons", he replied with a small smile. " Last time I showed you how to fold it, but I wanted to see how you're doing". 

                   With a gentle nod she waved for him to come inside. The bunny, Angel as he remembered, glared at him from the couch. There was something really strange about that bunny, like how protective he was. Still, he could relate but that was for a different matter. The other animals had warmed up to him in their own way, and some even followed him until they reached the backyard. 

                 The last time Tony was there, he helped Fluttershy get the hang of folding the grass. Her first few were messy, honestly, but so were his. In fact, his were so bad he couldn't get a single note out! But he learned, and so did she sort of. Using her wings like hands, she twisted and folded the blade of grass close to how it was supposed to be. Or how he did anyways.

                 " Okay, just like the last time I showed you". Fluttershy blew softly and tilted the vegetation against her lips as she made the small notes. 

                 Indeed she had been practicing, as her notes were very fluent and well played. Some were off timing, but then again she didn't have the lungs of a Loki'irian. It was still a pleasant tune, as her animals were gathering to listen. The song ended with one last high note delivered quickly. Tony gave a small round of applause while the animals chittered. Fluttershy blushed slightly and did a small bow.

                 " That was very good, you really have been practicing", Tony beamed. Fluttershy's cheeks tinted pink slightly.

                  " Thank you. I practiced every day after you showed me", she rubbed a forehoof as she looked away. " Did you like it?".

                 Tony chuckled a little. " Of course, you're really doing good with this", he smiled. " Maybe I can show you another song next Friday".

                 " Okay! See you Friday!", Fluttershy chimed. He waved her farewell before heading towards the Everfree. She was really excited about these Kital songs. 

                                                                                       
                  


                   The Everfree was as strange as the last time. The trees were twisted and looked as though they had faces. Various smells were coming from nearly every direction, like the last time he still had little idea of what creatures they were. Without a bow or a spear he would have to kill something small, so as to not attract any others. 

                  Because the trees weren't tall like the library he was forced to walk through the brush. The familiar pricks on his skin weren't bothering him, rather the lack if any animals was. He could hear tons of them, but everything seemed to be avoiding him. The relief he felt was greater than any when he saw a rather large rabbit. And just in time too, since he was having another dizzy spell.

                  The swaying in the bushes alerted the small mammal as it turned in his direction. Tony forced himself to get a grip as it darted over bulging roots. He chased after it with great speed, gaining several yards every stride. The rabbit managed to duck under a root and into its burrow, but Tony was right behind it. He shot his arm into the hole and grabbed it before it could escape.

May Minira forgive me, for I have harmed her creatures. It is not without reason, for I will not mature properly without the nutrients it does provide. Minira bless

                  In no time Tony started a small fire, after cleaning the animal of its unnecessary organs. He buried the remains under the fire pit he made. Using any fallen branches and leaves and rocks, the rabbit was turning on a crude rotisserie. The sight of it reminded Tony of his origins, and how he would often be out with Jaqeluu, Agner, and Fermot. Derekosh always was too busy with training, since he was determined to get as strong as he could.

                   A stray tear dropped beneath him as he remembered their last trip before it all happened. This time Derekosh came with Jerosh, and they all went down to the beach of Nikamor, their continent. Jaqeluu taught him how to swim, his older brothers used their rites to make a large sandcastle. With Fermot's rites over earth he solidified it for him, tower and all. Tony absentmindedly chuckled as he remembered the five of them bowing to him from his sand balcony. 

                   A growl snapped him back to reality, and when he spun around he saw two green eyes watching him. The eyes belonged to a wooden wolf roughly the size of a scout, and there were more.

Timberwolves

                    Instead of fighting the beasts, Tony reached deep within himself. He stood up to his full height, and let loose a ferocious roar. It's not like It didn't come in handy now and then. The timberwolves all began to whimper and back away, except for the leader. It barked at him, but made no advancements towards him. Even as Tony ate, it just circled him and barked at him. It was afraid, that much was certain, but it didn't want to look that way in front of its pack. 

                   Tony noticed the darkening forest around him. If daytime accompanied timberwolves he didn't want to be around for night. Maybe a manticore or something. He kicked more dirt onto the fire to douse it and the sticks crumbled. On his way back to the trail the wooden wolves followed until he was out of their territory. The path leading back to Ponyville gave him a view of the low lying sun. Minira always found a way to make even the darkest of things hold their own beauty. Eishla taught him that.

                  Before any more memories could flood back he made his way back to the library. The meal already made him feel better, and he could go for a good book. Now that his fainting chance was zero at least. 

                                                                                      


                  Deep within the caverns the hooded figure was disrobed. Instead he donned the Loki'irian Armor of a Protiiglo, very sleek and formal but still provided protection. The Alpha waited outside for him, knowing his master did not want to be disturbed. Taking a deep breath, the now armored figure exited his chambers.

                    " Jra lekov (My master)", he bowed as usual. Behind him two Loki'irian Signa were waiting with the armor of a Mendigino on. " Ut kev gak binat (The boys are ready)".

                    " Gef. Dron nukar dat ut vuvash pikos, jra bendt vek horf (Good. Leave them in the holding cells, I won't be long)", he ordered. The Alpha bowed and pushed them off to their newer cells.

                   The armored Loki'irian walked to the secluded hatch in the tunnels. Flying up out of the tube he flew fast towards the nearest mountain. The dim sky secluded him from any pegasi that would look in his direction, or any earth bound ponies. Right now he was only interested in one pony, a certain unicorn pony. 

                  Said unicorn was in one of the spires of the castle. The armored man gently lowered himself to the balcony of the tower and he stepped inside. He glanced at his wrist and saw the yellow blip coming closer to the room. He stepped into the shadows and let the black armor hide him. The door swung open to reveal a fuming white and pale-yellow maned unicorn prince. 

                   " Those griffons are unbelievable! So uncivilized as to mock me!", he ranted on to himself. " They remind me of that other imbecile Tones, or Toneet or whoever he was!".

                   Waiting for the prince to calm down, the armored figure couldn't help but smirk. It seemed he was still going on about his little adversary. When the prince seemed calm enough he decided to make his presence known. 

                  " Greetings prince Blueblood", he said formally. The prince turned around expecting some nosey guard or servant. Instead, in front of him stood an armored creature taller than his aunt and Tony. 

                   " W-Who are you?! How d-did you get in here?!", Blueblood stammered in fear. The armored man chuckled and dropped onto one knee.

                   " I mean no harm prince", he said. " I am merely here to discuss a matter that threatens your nation".

                   Blueblood kept his distance, but neared his bed. " What sort of threat? Usually my daft aunt worries over that", he said.

                    The man sighed fake stress. " That is the problem. Your princesses have grown close to certain individuals, and you seem the only one to be aware of his danger", he fed his ego. Naturally, it worked like a charm.

                   " And who might these individuals be?", Blueblood raised a brow. 

                   The smirk was hidden behind the helm of the armored man. " Two criminal, by the name's Daniel Fondor and Anthony Lorenshi", he said. " They escaped here to run from the authorities".

                   A grin formed on Blueblood's face, but then turned into a glare. " I knew those two were nothing but trouble! We'll have them in chains by the end of the day! They're living in-"

                   " I, am aware of their location", the armored man interrupted. " Unfortunately Anthony is a very powerful adversary, and Daniel is very cunning. In order to detain them, I need permission from your princesses and my own men. They are due to arrive in a few weeks, until then I must ask you alone keep an eye on them".

                   Blueblood groaned much like a child, making the armored man think twice about this decision. " Fine! But have your guards come quick. The sooner they're gone the better", he huffed. 

                   The armored man bowed in 'respect'. " Thank you, until then, farewell". He walked out onto the balcony and took off.

Arrogant buffoon. It's no wonder no mare sees value in him. I wonder what Reku'un will do to him once I am finished with them? If the Ashla takes hold, maybe there will one less unicorn in the Royal Family