//------------------------------//
// Chapter 18 It Belongs In A Museum! 
// Story: Wayward Hearts 
// by SilverTopHat 
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Chapter 18
It Belongs In A Museum!

We walked side by side through a pleasant glade that Glitterlamp had visited once enjoying the cool calm breeze which touched our faces.
“Eh, Can we be somewhere else? I think I've seen enough trees for a while.” Glitterlamp asked looking bored at all she saw.
“Anything you want to see in particular?” I asked in turn personally enjoying the atmosphere.
“Can you show me a human city? I mean, how big do they get?” Glitter asked with calm excitement as the world began to shift around us.
“Pretty big, depending on which city you want to visit.” I answered as buildings replaced the trees and the ground became hard underneath our feet. “In some places, there aren't any trees.” Electric wires traced the air above us and soon the picture was complete. A city devoted to industry producing the trade goods for the rest of the word could be found here. Streets filled themselves with cars and other noisy vehicles shaking the very ground despite its firm solidness. The comforting electric whine hummed in my ears and infected everything. 

“Funny, when somethings gone long enough, you begin to miss it.” I noted as the harsh 'reality' was brought around me.
“I don't think I'll ever get bored of this view.” Glitterlamp breathed in quiet wonder. I tried to see what she saw in all of this but couldn't get the sterile color of gray and white with forced pained colors on the billboards.
“I think I lived here for about a year I think. Can't remember why we left.” Then joy filled me as a victorious smile spread across my face. “I can't remember why! Step one down!!”
“What? Why is it good that you can't remember?” Glitterlamp asked confused. “I don't understand and why did you only live here for only a year?” I rubbed my head and felt kinda bad.
“Well, um, forgetting is only bad if it was WORTH remembering. I kept getting sick here, the house had some mold in it or something.” I said wracking my brain for the answers. “When I hate someone or something enough, I forget them. Utterly and completely, but not always forgiven.” I kicked a loose piece of concrete, funny on how well I remember this place, I wonder what happened here?
“How often did you move?” Glitterlamp asked curiously but the way she said it was clear that I killed her mood.
“Not important, it really isn't.” I said waving a dismissive hand. A soft glow of her horn and I knew she was compelling me to say it, it was hard to resist. “Once a year for five years. Always during summer break for one reason or another.” I said mechanically frowning at her.
“Just tell me everything, you can trust me.” She said hurtfully. I nodded my head and looked to the side.
“I haven't thought about this place for years. Can't say I'm glad to see it again.” I mused trying to recall why I didn't like it here and found delight when I couldn't.
“C`mon no need for thinking like that! Could you show me a happy memory? A holiday maybe?” Glitterlamp asked and I obliged. The world shifted and the light fell into darkness leaving Glitterlamp alone.
“My favorite holiday? Why, that's easy!” I said as shadows moved around as a yellow moon lit a town with ghouls and monsters filling the streets showing their gruesome faces as bigger monsters chortled merrily and gave the tiny fiends small wrapped objects.
“Michael, this isn't funny!” Glitterlamp said trying to avoid the fiends but there was simply too many of them even though none of them paid her any mind. “Why is it so dark and what are these things! AHH!!” Her voice rose with fear as the fiends cried 'Boo' to each other.
“One more joke and that's all,” I said holding Glitterlamp's head held straight forward while I stood behind her. Spider webs filled every crack and carved jack-O-lanterns graced every possible space for one. 
“Let go of my head.” Glitterlamp demanded feeling frightened and angry at my antics.
“I will, but I wanted to tell you; Halloween is by far my most favorite holiday. I get to dress up as something I'm not!” My mind's voice took an ethereal quality, similar to Glitterlamp's voice but where her's is mellow and ghost like mine sounded like seven of me spoke at the same time at different pitches. I released my grip on her head and she whirled around to glare at me before shrieking. This year I had dressed as the Grim Reaper just to try something besides a living scare-crow. The black flowing tattered robes was the work of my mother that had strands of tattered black fabric to blow in the air while my bigger sister helped paint a skull on my face. To even add to the painted mask was two eye patches colored black glued to my face to make my eyes appear hollow. In my hand was an actual honest to goodness scythe with orange duct-tape covering the blade of it.

The overall costume was obviously homemade and I may have exaggerated the exact details in my dream but the effect was just like it had been that year. Looming over her I must have appeared fearsome indeed.
“AHHH!! WHY!?” Glitterlamp shrieked as she backed away. “Why would you do that!?” She demanded shaking violently. Fearing that I went to far in my joke I took a few steps back to give her space.
“It's part of Halloween, dress up scary and run around scaring your friends and getting candy. I meant no harm in it.” I said wounded. “Messed things up again.”
“So it's, like Nightmare Night then?” Glitterlamp finally spoke after a few minutes as she noticed the monster were only small children. It took only a moment to transfer the knowledge of this 'Nightmare Night' and in my eyes it was almost the same but the origins couldn't be anymore different. Nightmare Night was declared when Luna turned into Nightmare Moon and, apparently, the costumes were so you could hide from her and sacrifice candy in exchange for your soul. Halloween definitely had some elements like this but had a larger emphasis on 'Death' than Nightmare Night.

“Why is your kind so obsessed with dying?” Glitterlamp asked me as we chewed on the fake candy. 
“We are all aware of our mortality. Some fear it so bad while others ignore it or accept it early.” I answered making the night at least brighter so we could see down the road.
“Where do you fit in?” Glitter asked me still disturbed by the conversation but intrigued on what my answer would be.
“Death is the other part of life that people don't talk about, some would have you believe that when you die; that's it, you simply don't exist.” I said as the costume faded away. “I don't think so. When we die, we level up, get stronger, reach a new way of understanding things, whatever. But this world has it right. Celebrate life, not death.” Glitterlamp sat somewhere between fascinated and mortified. “But sometimes, some things or people really do NEED to die. Like, like, uh, when, OK I don't know how to put it words. I just feel it.”

“Can we never talk about this ever again? When are you happy? Or have you ever been happy before?” Glitterlamp asked seriously.
“It's up for debate. I find video game's fun, but I don't think you could play them.” I said drawing circles in the dirt. “Never mind, I just made things worse. This is stupid, just forget what I said.” I tried to force myself to wake up but sleep held a strong grip on me and I settled with obliterating everything diving into the heart of my Void. The stars remained and the wispy ribbons of color remain to my increasing annoyance. Glitterlamp could still find me somehow floating pointlessly as I drained myself into the Void.

We merely sat there just keeping our distance but still within contact.
“So, what's a video game? Is it like normal games?” Glitterlamp asked speaking loudly trying to get my attention.
“Yeah, pretty much. Minus all the running around.” I begrudgingly answered.
“Was it something I said?” Glitterlamp asked as soon as I ended.
“Just forget it, I wasn't making sense anyway. Not everything can be said with words, that's why we can act.” I curled up and twisted around to face her. “I won't talk about death anymore, it's just a human thing.”
“That's fine, it's just I really don't like Nightmare Night. I dress up everyday and I'm already afraid of being found so I really don't get why everypony loves it so much.” She explained with sincerity carved into her voice.
“It's one of the few days of the day I can relax my serious face and have some fun.” I offered in return. “And I really like chocolate.” I added rubbing my arm.
“Well I know what your getting this Hearts Warming!” Glitterlamp said cheerfully. It only took a moment to pull the information and learn that it was this worlds version of  Christmas. I didn't know what to feel but admired Glitterlamp all the more for even putting up with me, very few people have that brand of patience.

“One more question.” Glitterlamp asked slowly.
“Ask, and I'll try to answer.” I responded.
“Do you ever wish you didn't have to move so much?” She asked touching my shoulder. “Y`know, stay somewhere for good?”
“All the time, just looking for the right place. And right now, I think I'm more lost than ever before and yet more on track. It's weird.” I answered looking Glitterlamp with a weary eye.
“When we get this Amulet, let's stop for a while. I know you have happy memories in there and I plan to make more.” She vowed to me and with that she planted a kiss on my forehead.





Sleeping upon the hard stone floor no matter how many blankets were laid down; sore backs were the only thing that could be gained. The sun was above the tree line but didn't hit me in the face! It instead lit the room up with half the roof missing letting the light to flood the room making sleep impossible anyway. The Alicorn Amulet was close and I could feel it! Maybe another hour or so of walking and I'll be there. Breaking camp was spent in silence but it wasn't stressed nor uncomfortable. Both of us wanted to sleep for a few more hours but not on some hard floor.

The fog lifted entirely from the courtyard and everything was in plain view. The architecture wasn't at all like Courage's Folly but had the same style of modern day buildings I've seen. We explored the ruins shifting through dust and piles of rubble here and there.
“Find anything?” I called after yet another chest full of crumbling garbage, old paper reduced to flakes, fine clothes that tore just by thinking about touching it, rusted bits of metal that might have been jewelery, moth eaten tapestries littered the walls, moss and other forms of decay destroyed any tome that might have been of any use.
“No, just really old junk.” Glitterlamp called back feeling just as frustrated at the whole mess.
“Never mind, let's just get going. Probably going to get some long forgotten disease from this crap.” I announced and began leaving the biggest headache behind. “How long did we waste on that?” I asked when Glitterlamp came around the corner.
“Too long.” Was her grumpy reply.
“Let's check out the throne room, if there is one.” I motioned for her to follow.

The throne room looked like it was the center of a fierce battle. The ceiling was blown clean out, the throne was split in half, a crescent moon was burned into the floor over a sun and moon picture engraved into the stone, nothing in this room was whole anymore but it wasn't the destruction which brought me down to my knees. 

No, not at all.

It was the strongest feelings of anger so hot it clawed from within me, sorrow and regret closing their hands around my mouth and throat, fear driving knives into my flesh without mercy, a loss so great my Void looked full in comparison. Already the voices and images played across my pain stricken eyes making them watch ghosts yell at each other.
“Sister, please! Talk to me, what bothers thee so greatly!” A white and multicolored mane of a  mare with a crown begged a darker mare which looked like a younger version of Luna.
“Dost thou not remember Draiden's sacrifice! How vain it was! How such a gallant effort made wasteful by your hoof! How such a thoughtless act our parents made! Twas no wonder why they could not touch the Elements of Harmony!” Young Luna raged at her sister from a balcony in the side of a wall. 

“The Dreaming ones threatened the balance of Equestria! The spell was to protect everypony!” Celestia pleaded with the fury that shadowed her sisters face. “Please, Luna! Our parents are gone! You're the only one I have left!” Luna seemed even more enraged and something changed about her as if magic reshaped her. Luna's, no that's not Luna, teeth sharpened to needle like fangs her coat drenched in hostile black and her eyes held a quality that of a Fear-Beast.
“Luna is no more, her heart is dead.” The beast intoned cracking the stone tiles with each step. Her mane turned into a swirling mass of terror and nightmares with eyes full of destructive anger while anguish drove this wagon. “Nightmare Moon sees that this is a selfish and low plot to have Luna all to herself!” A tone so dangerous my breath caught in my throat. The images became blurry as they flew about casting magics that wrought destruction to everything around them. Celestia crashed through the ceiling tears rolling from her eyes and she gripped six gems in her magic glow then looked determined back to the sky.
“Sister, you leave me no choice.” A whisper so soft I barely heard it over the sound of Nightmare Moon's cackle. One flap of her wings vaulted her back through the hole, one flash of brilliant light blinded the night and an agonized scream escaped from Nightmare Moon. Darkness began to close around me choking out my sight approaching ever patiently.




“ Back! You can't have him! Back to the shadows! Back!” Glitterlamp yelled. I felt magic jolt me rhythmically as something growled in frustration. The darkness peeled back from my eyes enough to see Glitterlamp flinging glowing bolts into a mass of twisted shadow of dozens arms, eyes, maws, fleshy parts from all manner of creatures I couldn't even begin to guess. It would flinch back as the bolts sunk into its flesh and burn violently gushing out a foul smelling liquid. When the monster was far enough Glitter would turn to me and pound me with a different spell muttering. “Breathe, breathe! C`mon help me here!”
I was on my knees, my eyes were open but I couldn't move. Large orbs of emptiness lingered about and my Void pooled around me; clinging to me occasionally belching an empty sphere into the air. Every time Glitter turn her back the monster would shuffle on its horrid collection of legs and arms mismatched and bleeding with jaws snapping at her. Despite its attempts it moved at a snails pace but the bulging, bucking and rolling mounds of flesh gave it a sense of unholy strength.
With one more blast of magic my lungs were free and I regained a little more control over my body. Fearbane locked in a death grip in my mailed fist; the Void swallowed me up and reformed into my black and gold armor with living, twitching, writhing white filigree. The tendrils emerged from my back and I sprang to my feet as the monster was no longer caring about the bolts.
“Glitter, I'll show you what I saw but,” I said brushing her mind. “what is that thing?!”
“I don't know! Just help me!” Glitterlamp's voice suggested that this battle has been going on for a while now. The pool of the void left the ground around my feet and clung to my shoulders like an inky cloak flaring around in a high wind. This abomination was horrifying to behold with its mismatched voices crying out at random but all just shrieks and wild calls. Glitterlamp no longer needing to divide her attention began slinging really painful looking spears into the glistening, slimy flesh with thundering success as the detonated blasting flesh chunks away.
Even then it didn't even think about slinking away! It just lumbered at us with madness in its eyes, no not madness. It had nothing to lose! The same look in Nightmare Moon before she chased after Celestia. Lingering memory or dormant emotion locked in stone? No way to tell for sure. Switching from left to right hand Fearbane slid eagerly out of its cradle and we ran toward the freak as magic hissed through the air around me. The freak lifted the bulk of its body into the air standing of feeble legs like a tower of tortured meat. A slight chuckle, or was it cracking bones? Regardless. Some noise sounding like low laughter came from it as it began to fall on me!

Shadows fell over me as the pillar of flesh came crashing down on my armor pinning me to the floor. If the armor had not been on me, no I don't even want to consider it! Something clinked and cracked against the armor as I saw maws breaking their teeth upon my armor. The damn thing was trying to eat me!! I struggled to move my arms and legs trying to at least get up but the monster's girth kept me pinned despite the thundering reports of Glitterlamp's spears assailing it.
Glitterlamp began to really burn through her magic reserves at the sight of my fall. My tendrils burned its flesh and began slicing through it like a white hot wire though warm butter but it still wasn't enough! I felt like a tiny bug being crushed underfoot and immediately felt sympathetic and swore to never crush another bug like this ever again! Then I remembered the beetles with tiny little spikes and small seeds that had long, cruel hooked barbs to dig into flesh. I didn't feel so bad about killing those at all but they had a great way of discouraging being crushed. Wait, brain that's brilliant!
My armor grew spikes in every direction but it didn't stop there, oh no! Large plates emerged from my armor to make a small dome around me as the spikes grew and when I had enough room to at least push myself to my hands and knees; the spikes erupted into long thick spires to impale this freak to all the walls of this room! I have no idea what the look on Glitterlamp's face was but I would have paid handsomely to have a picture of it.

The Freak, OK I need a name for it, screamed as the spires ripped through its flesh and couldn't move but now held mere feet above me as the spires began to curl inward.
“Dreamer!” Glitterlamp called out to me as I stood up looking into the Freak's eyes, well one cluster of them at least. “Get over here!”
“Odd isn't it? The Freak I mean.” I thought as I looked at it better. “What could have made such a horror?” I thought as the void began to crawl up the walls around the Freak. 
“I don't know! I think it's a curse! Now will you please get away from it!” Glitterlamp pleaded still hurling spears into it and flinching as it screamed in agony. I started walking towards my dear friend but I had perfect clarity of what was happening behind me and I put my hand over her eyes so she didn't have to see it.
The Void had been shaped as an Iron Maiden and it snapped shut silencing it with a loud metallic slam. The Maiden had been divided into sections and each section spinning in opposite directions with the grinding of metal on metal; accompanied by wet ripping and dry hollow cracking.
“I-is it ove-over?” Glitterlamp stammered in my grasp. I could feel her tears and her body tremble violently. “Ca-can we leave now, please?” 
“Yes, we can leave.” I said gently lifting her off the floor so she didn't have to step in the filth that coated the floor but began to disappear as if being swallowed by the thirsty stones around us.




“It just wouldn't die!” Glitterlamp cried out as she wiggled out of my arms and began to walk on wobbly legs. “It would just snarl and hiss but when I started screaming! Oh Luna, it sounded like a dozen little foals!” 
“It was horrible but now it can sleep forever.” I tried to comfort her. My armor hadn't disappeared since the fight and we had found the glass path again. Still, the battle was hours ago and the horror was still very fresh in our minds.
“You walked in and just fell to your knees and startled choking on something! Then,” Glitterlamp told me this a dozen times now but I think it was because she was still in shock and I had no idea on how to help her but to listen. “Your shadow twisted from you and started to get up! Then, oh Luna, it turned into that thing! I know it wasn't really you but it touched me before it really looked like what it did!”
“Are you sure it didn't hurt you?” I asked but I couldn't see any injuries on her. 
“No, other than scare the green out of my mane!” Glitterlamp snapped. “Then I realized you were being choked by it! And then it grew mouths and tried to eat you! I flung it away but it wanted you terribly. I kept trying to wake you up but it kept interfering and it felt like an eternity of fighting that thing and the more magic I used the bigger it got, at first it was no bigger than a cat!” She raved raising a hoof of the ground to show how big it started out.
“But then you woke up and just,” Then she paused. “What DID you do to it?!” Glitterlamp cried out buzzing beside me now trying to get a better look through my lifted visor. The look wasn't accusing or of fear but she wanted to know. “I saw the weird thing open behind it but what was it?”
I guess it's better just to answer such questions rather than keeping her ignorant.
“It's called an Iron Maiden. It is a cruel and evil contraption made to kill people slowly. It had a thousand or so spikes inside but when closed each spike sticks you.” I thought bringing a small hand held example into my open mailed hand. Showing how it would be used as I talked about it. “I didn't think of any other way to keep the Freak still or kill it, it was the first thing that came to mind really.” Glitterlamp was quiet for a moment before asking her next question in a very soft tone but pleaded for a quick answer.
“Does your world still use it?” 
“No! A thousand times no! It is an old relic of the past! Nothing more than a reminder of our cruel and wicked history so we can rise above such things!” I explained crushing the example. “I only used it on that Freak because it was trying to kill us and it isn't a person, or a pony.”
“I see, yes it wasn't a pony. It, it was a monster.” Glitterlamp tried to get used to the idea but it still bothered her. “Just a monster. A real monster.” She said quietly.
“You are not a monster, just cursed. Monsters don't feel emotion, just blood lust..” I said gripping her hoof as she buzzed next to me. Black metal on black chitin. She felt a little better but only time will heal these wounds. I stopped messing with my armor hours ago unable to find any straps of latches that normally links armor to together and even putting distance between me and Fearbane didn't dismiss it. It was part of me now, like it always had been I guess. My mind I meant, it's just physical now and I didn't quite feel safe since that battle either.

“What did you see, Dreamer?” Glitterlamp asked instead of repeating her experience of the battle.
“ It was horrible but now- oh, um.” I thought before I even realized what she said. “Well, I saw Luna and Celestia arguing. They spoke in an old speech pattern.” I said remembering the scene perfectly. “Luna was really angry at Celestia since the Dreaming ones were banished from Equestria, Draiden too. Celestia said that she hasn't seen their parents since then, perhaps they died in the attempt? But then Luna turned into something called Nightmare Moon and attacked Celestia. Not sure what happened after that. Celestia seemed regretful about her next decision though.” I finished letting the info flow into her head.
“That's when Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon for a thousand years!” Glitterlamp exclaimed. 
“A thousand?! How is she still alive? How are either of them still alive!?” I spoke aloud shocked. OK, horrible mutated freak? I can handle that. Small talking unicorns and vampire like changelings? Easy. Wolves made of wood wanting to rip me apart? Simple. But living for a thousand years? That didn't sit right with me. That means that Luna was correct in being afraid of Celestia's power! A thousand years of practice with magic versus my mere few weeks of magic? Celestia would win hands down. I was better off just hiding underneath a rock, and I so wanted to go back home where ancient rulers weren't searching for me to do who knows what to me!

“They just are.” Glitterlamp said as if this was the most basic thing of all. “Celestia is the one that raises the sun every day.” I stopped dead in my tracks as I tried to comprehend the amount of power one would need to do such an act. 
“I am so dead.” I said and I could clearly hear Fear-Me saying it with me as well. At least we saw eye to eye with this one.
“No you are not,” Glitterlamp said sternly. “The worst thing Celestia has ever done was banishment. That's it.” OK, I had that in my favor. But what if Luna told Celestia what I'm willing to do if I'm pushed? That could change things. Not even the suns warmth could shake this chill I feel. The glass path gave way to dirt and we could see a zebra styled in a very tribal-like manner with gold rings around her throat and hair cut short so that it could stand up.

“An ancient story comes to life before me, I had hoped to live long enough to see.” The Zebra said and the voice sounded female enough. “You can't fool these eyes, no magic I need to see through that disguise.” She said pointing at Glitterlamp which had turned into her unicorn 'Springdew' shape. Then with a frown Glitterlamp turned back to her regular form.
“I have been told that the Alicorn Amulet resides here,” I said hesitating trying to find something to rhyme with 'here'. Hard to tell with these magic types, sometimes they will only talk if both sides speak in rhyme.  “I didn't know that you were such a powerful seer.” The zebra smiled and my eyes already found the amulet before she pointed to it.
“The Amulet is in its place away from temptation,” The zebra said.
“Zecora.” Glitterlamp whispered to correct me.
“where no pony would bring unwanted devastation.” Zecora finished sprinkling some herbs into a bubbling cauldron in the middle of the room. “It has wrought doom and disharmony in its wake,” she said without breaking stride as she went about the room tossing a fig or some other spice. The smell was starting to make my stomach growl something fierce. “Ask me for something else, for your sake.” 
“The Amulet has humiliated my friend and I would see this quest to the end.” I responded to Zecora's dissatisfaction.
“The amulet will enhance many things but your greed the most, how can I trust it with a new host?” Then Zecora met eyes with Fearbane and visibly paled. “That thing is a most evil design! Nothing it can do can ever be called benign!” A tendril lashed out against my will and grabbed the Amulet. When the energy touched the Amulet's gem I was aware of the Amulet having a mind of its own, and Fearbane was attacking it! Just like how it attacked me!
“Ack!” I cried out holding my head. “Feels like they've met before, ouch!”
“Zecora, what's happening?!” Glitterlamp snapped not sure what to do herself.
“Sisters of the same forge they are.” Zecora stated looking on intrigued rather than afraid. “though this is the strangest reaction I've seen by far.”

My vision splintered several times in a few seconds and I had to sit down while I fought the will within the amulet.
“Will he be alright?” Glitterlamp asked as Zecora offered her a seat.
“His kind's will was renowned for their endurance.” Zecora comforted her. “I would to know more about your travels, since your union is such an odd occurrence.”
“Well, it started on the day of the great Canterlot Wedding.” Glitterlamp said with contempt of that day. Another spike of pain slammed into my brow and all of my attention went directly to the Amulet. The Amulet's shell was placed in my hand, I don't recall walking or picking it up, and placing the amulet around my neck.

The blasted blighter tried to choke me! If it wasn't for the metal guarding my throat I'm pretty sure it would be a lot worse than what it was. The mental war with Fearbane only lasted mere moments! This is talking a lot longer! Was it because I'm not fighting its will but Fearbane is? Whatever the reason the army of needle armed spiders crawling around on my brain was NOT welcome. UGH! If only I knew more about the damned thing!! What did it feed off of? Pride? Greed? Annoyance?!

“Humans were close to my tribe but only their stories survive.” Zecora said the Glitterlamp and Glitter said something but I couldn't catch it.
“Yes, I believe it to be true. Humans are of strong hearts, capable of being both loving and cruel.” Zecora commented thoughtfully. “Do not worry over it my dear, from what you told me there is nothing to fear.”

Snatches of conversations wafted into my ears occasionally but more often than not the cries of the Amulets dying Will drowned them out. Soon the barrages of pain and cries began to still themselves as Fearbane merely outlasted its opponent in an unseen battle. My eyes no longer splintered around and I could focus again. The duo laughed merrily at some joke that I had missed but seemed happy.
“I thought you were scared to death to be seen like this.” I said as I rubbed my head trying to recollect myself.
“Turns out Zecora's tribe used to house Changelings a long time ago and found ways to live in harmony with us.” Glitterlamp answered then turned to Zecora. “I can hear his thoughts.” Glitter explained and Zecora just nodded sagely.
“Since you have bested the amulet and made it your own. You may have it and reap what you have sown.” While Zecora said it with the most friendly tones and sincere intentions it left a bad taste in my mouth. “Great is the Amulets power, but too much of anything can be sour.” Was her warning that she left us with but in a heart beat she shared with us her stew that she was preparing the entire time I was there and added something to my bowl. Little hunks of something drifted in the thick stew and Zecora encouraged me to eat it.
“It is to give you strength to travel back home and stay the night, night in not the time you should roam.”
“Very well.” I accepted and Glitter felt strangely at peace in the presence of this rhyming zebra. Zecora, as I was corrected with a nudge, didn't show any reason to be wary of but I can't help but wonder why she lived this far from civilization. I began spooning the stew into my mouth and it tasted wonderful. Potato chunks weren't over or underdone, carrots were tender and garlic was generous but the little pieces of spiced meat was awesome!
“Wait a minute.” I thought suddenly after I started in on my second bowl. “Um, Zecora? Is this meat?” I asked a little, OK a lot unbelieving that a pony had prepared meat.
“Yes, I saw the marks of power at least, so I spent the time and honor you with a feast.” Zecora said a matter of fact, like it would have been rude to do anything less. I nodded my head and looked back down to the bowl and to where Zecora had stored the meat. Glitterlamp had stopped dead in her tracks and just stared at Zecora.
“Can I ask what animal is was? It's great by the way.” Oh crap! I forgot to rhyme! I hope she understood me just fine.
“An unrulely boar that won't trouble anypony no more.” Zecora said nodding her head just as pleased as can be. Seeing Glitterlamp's look she spoke again in a grave voice. “My job is to help correct imbalances in the wild, not a duty for the mild.”



“Hey, Dreamer.” Glitterlamp whispered hours later and well after Zecora was asleep. 
“Hm?” I answered physically exhausted from the day and from the battle but my mind was to awake to even think about sleep.
“How did it taste?” She whispered even quieter. I guess in any other situation this would have very much have creeped me out.
“You're not going to guilt trip me are you? Got enough of that from vegetarians. Erm, humans who tried to not eat anything meaty.” I responded really hoping this conversation wasn't happening but I guess back in my mind it was going to be brought up sooner or later.
“No guilt trip here. I'm no better than you, having to feed off of living things just to stay alive.” Glitterlamp spoke softly. “Its just that I might have found a place where my kind of ponies can live! Without having to go behind everypony's backs just to survive!” Glitter struggled to whisper now so full of hope and excitement.
“But would Chrysalis listen?” I asked doubtful of their leader.
“Probably not but all I have to wait for her to pass away!” Her eyes snapped wide and her mouth snapped shut in a perfect face of shock of what came out of her mouth,
“I think you've been wandering in my mind a little too much.” I teased lightly tapping her nose. “I told you not all my thoughts are pleasant.”
“But it's the only way any other Changelings will listen. Chrysalis is all we got, as sad as that is.” Glitterlamp mumbled.
“Maybe.” I mused for a moment. “Things like this needs time though. Changing the mind of anybody takes a long time, an entire country or gathering of people? Even longer.”
“Do you think it's hopeless?” Glitterlamp asked.
“Not at all. I said it was going to take a long time is all and it's not like we can just mail them a letter.” Glitterlamp snuggled closer to me and touched her horn to my forehead glowing ever so dimly barely illuminating our faces. Her big eyes seem to open up to a lush verdant field of green and I could only wonder what she saw staring back into mine.
“We don't have much time left. Do you think that we can get to Courage's Folly and back to Appaloosa in time?” Glitterlamp asked as she dimmed her light.
“It would be nice to be within the time limit but if it takes us longer, it takes us longer.” I said reassuring her. “The only thing I would have to do is apologize for taking so long and I don't think he'd hold it against me or anything.”
“Yeah, you're right. He's too nice for that.” She agreed and made her horn glow once again and I didn't resist when she put my mind at rest. Falling comfortably into blissful oblivion.