//------------------------------//
// What Happens in Las Pegasus.... 
// Story: Legacy 
// by NFire 
//------------------------------//

	I am making good time in the scout vehicle from the town, we had packed up quickly once everything was over. There were a few tearful goodbyes as Twilight and everyone had made new friends here. It’s going to be a good thing, this town will blossom and grow, perhaps being as nice as Ponyville soon.

Driving however, is fun. Period. I like it even as I am, sometimes the computer controls have to take over, but I am doing it for the most part. Rainbow is not even flying, preferring to sit in the backseat and raise her hooves into the air and scream in delight whenever we go over another hill.

Rarity and Fluttershy on the other hoof, are screaming for different reasons.

Rainbow leans forward on the seat and starts talking to me.

“Hey! Know where we ought to go?”

I can’t look away, but yell back, “Where?”

“Las Pegasus! We got transportation, got time, and some money! Let’s go have fun!”

Pinkie immediately starts bouncing on the seat, “Oh! Let’s go! Let’s go!”

Twilight is shaking her head, holding onto the roll bar, “Don’t you think we’ve had enough excitement for a while?”

The one who surprises me is Applejack, “Oh c’mon Twi! Let’s go tear it up and have some fun! We ain’t even celebrated your bein’ an Alicorn with just us yet!”

Rarity is looking thoughtful as she taps a hoof on her chin, “I think that’s a marvelous idea!”

Fluttershy is even nodding, “I heard they’ve got wonderful gardens there too!”

Rainbow pffts at her friend, “Forget that! Let’s go gambling, see the sights and what else they got!”

“Well, um...what else is there to do?”

“They have rides, a whole fun park! The casinos! We could win a million bits or something!” Rainbow is clapping her hooves in delight.

“I dunno Rainbow, maybe I’m needed back in Ponyville. Being a Princess I’ve got a lot of duties.”

“Duties schmuties! Let’s go have fun!”

Applejack winks at her friends, “I know jes’ the place! After a big rodeo near there, me and some of the other gals found this place where..oh lessee.. Them stallions looked mighty nice!”

Everypony looks at her in shock.

“What? I’m a farm gal, I ain’t dead!”

“Well darling, we just never expected that sort of thing from you is all.” Rarity is trying to be tactful.

Applejack gets a ‘really?’ look on her face, “Look, we’re all grown ups, we done things that’d make somepony’s coat turn white. Can’t we cut loose for a while?”

“Well, just that we’d never think of you..well...you..”

“Lookin’ at something nice?” She rolls her eyes, “If ya’ll don’t learn to relax, you’re gonna end up old maids and livin’ with about a thousand mean ol’ cats.”

Rarity blinks for a second, thinking of Opal and a few more like her, “Oh my, well..”

Twilight is definitely having a problem with it, “I don’t know, I mean it wouldn’t look good for a Princess to..”

Rainbow Dash stops her with a hoof over her mouth, “You honestly think in a thousand years and more, that Celestia or Luna, or both.. haven’t had fun a few times?” She cackles, “I bet there’s stories somewhere about it!”

Twilight is blushing, “Well I did hear rumors...”

“See? Let’s go!” Rainbow is pointing towards the southeast, “Thataway!”

“But what about Crusader, he’s expecting us back?” Fluttershy is sounding nervous.

“Him?” Applejack is grinning, “I’ll ask!” She hits her link, hearing the chime as Crusader comes online.

“Yes Applejack?”

“Crusader, me n’ the girls are gonna take some time off, have some fun in Las Pegasus. Keep an eye on things willya?”

“Of course. I assume Athena will be taking you there?”

“You bet, she’s drivin’! We’re gonna tear a strip off the strip, have a vacation and be back whenever we get tired or broke!” She grins at all of us.

“If you need anything, just call. Have a wonderful time Applejack.”

“You bet, see ya soon!” She cuts the link off with another smile as she looks at her friends, “I love him to death, and I know he loves me bar nothin’, but that don’t mean we can’t go have some us time and he knows it.”

“Crusader?”

“Yes Athena?”

“Are..Are you okay with this?”

“Of course, have fun, go see new things.”

“You’re too agreeable, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, it’s about time you and they had something else other than duties. I will keep the watch. Do you have money?”

“I do, and if there’s gambling I can make more.”

“That’s the spirit, don’t let Applejack catch you.” He chuckles over the line. “Turn command over to me, dedicate cores for your avatar so you don’t have to concentrate on anything else. I will take all duties.”

“Done, I need one thing though. Can you air drop more fuel and water and some food, maybe a portable shelter in case?”

“Hammerhead being loaded now, it’ll come to a hover and drop a disposable container near you. Anything else?”

“N..no. I’ve never been to a big city like this, even as a Bolo we were always on the outskirts or in laager somewhere. What’s it like? Is it as interesting as humans said?”

“There’s no one explanation, but I believe there is a saying, “You have to see it to believe it.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll have to go see!”

“Good, time to make memories other than war my sister. Have fun, try not to destroy anything.”

“No promises!”

“That’s good enough. Hammerhead ready and gone, out the silo and heading your way. It’s locked on your IFF, time on target, ten minutes.”

“Thank you!”

“You are always welcome Athena. Go have fun, be happy.”

“I will! I’ll bring you back a souvenir, I promise!”

“Just have a good time.”

With that, the link clicks off. My duties and command cores have been delegated to him, all I have is me now. It’s a ...different.. feeling. Free and nothing to do except concentrate on being me. I still have my computing power and systems, but other than that, nothing. So odd this, but so..lightening.

‘Y’all right Athena? Something wrong?” Applejack is looking at me.

“No, oh no, just talking to Crusader. He’s sending a resupply by air, should be here in about nine minutes.” I stop the vehicle, getting out for a badly needed stretch. Everyone groans in delight to get the kinks out.

Driving is okay, but sitting the same way for hours stinks.

Rarity is shaking out her mane, the usual brush running through it as she tries not to step too hard on the dusty soil, “Ugh, this dirt is everywhere. How am I going to look my best when we get there?”

“Uh.. yeah Rares. Dirt is everywhere, makes up the world ya see.” Applejack chuckles.

“Well it could be a bit less magnetic, gathering everywhere!” She looks at her tail, “Even in places I’d rather not mention!”

Rainbow Dash cackles, “Yeah Rarity, don’t mention ‘em.”

Rarity points a hoof at the cyan mare, “One day Rainbow Dash, you will have a reason for looking the best you can be. When that day comes I’ll hope you’ll be mindful of all this joking.”

“I’m awesome as I am!” She hovers in the air, stretching her wings, “I don’t need any dresses or any of that fancy stuff.”

“One day you will, and when that moment comes, I will gladly tell you I told you so!” Rarity looks smug.

“Pffft.. Nothing like that’s ever gonna happen!”

Twilight is shaking her head, “I don’t know about that Rainbow. Cadence says it happens at the weirdest times.”

“Well she’s all about love and junk like that. I don’t think there’s anypony good enough to keep up with me.” She folds her forelegs over her chest, looking confident.

Twilight just grins, “Wait and see Rainbow, one day.” She exchanges looks with everyone else.

“Bah, forget that.” She flips her mane out of her eyes and looks around, “Look!”

We watch as the heavily laden drone comes into sight just above the scrub, moving towards us in a ground hugging glide. Coming to a dead halt for just a second, the bay doors open and drop a large container. In a burst of energy from the contra-gravs it takes back off, I see it returning to Crusader’s AO.

“Drop confirmed, all good!”

“Understood. I will have no drone coverage over you, and will not eavesdrop in any way. Have a good time Athena.”

“No..no coverage? But..but what if there’s..”

“You can handle it as well as our friends. I think perhaps it’s time I should not worry so much as well after the last adventure in these few days. You and they are more than capable. Please do not level the town though.”

I laugh, “I won’t. Leave a channel open, I want to send scans.”

“Done, a dedicated line is open, it will be stored.”

The link goes dead with a final farewell and I am alone with my thoughts. It’s...almost frightening.. I don’t like being left alone. But I’m not anymore am I?

No, never alone anymore. 

“What’s in the crate? C’mon Athena! Open it!” Rainbow is pointing at the container impatiently.

“Oh I hope there’s something to refresh my makeup with!” Rarity is always Rarity.

“Geez Rares, ya ain’t carrying enough in yer bags there?”

“One can never have too much style dear.”

Pinkie bounces alongside her, “I think you’ve got enough for all of us Rarity!”

“As it should be dear Pinkie, one must set the example.”

I can’t help but chuckle at the conversation as I hit the quick release latches, letting the side slam into the dirt with a bang. Looking in, I see the packed shelves, Crusader must have shoved in everything he thought we’d need and then some!

Pulling out the smaller crates, I come to the fuel, setting it aside for the vehicle. Applejack helps me tug the larger portable shelter into a clear area, watching as I slap the inflate button.

“What’s that Athena?”

“Portable shelter, it’s getting late already and I thought you might like to sleep somewhere comfortable.”

“Kinda like a big balloon?”

“Well sort of, but more than that. Our creators liked their comforts, so they put a few more things in it other than just a cover from the sun.” Like air conditioning, water collector for the small shower, beds, nanites to clean clothes. We Bolos always thought they were a bit decadent, but then we were nothing but durasteel and weaponry, what did we know?

Setting up the add-ons takes a few more minutes, the shelter is ready to go quickly and we move the rest of the containers inside. It’ll be good to sit and get out of the hot sun for a while until we’re on the move again. I put the cover on the vehicle while telling the others to go inside, showing them how to work the opening.

Rarity is first through the door of the dome, “Oh my! It’s wonderfully cool in here!” She stands in front of a vent, letting the breeze hit her face.

“How about some help with these boxes Rarity, or are ya gettin’ a bit sweaty?” Applejack’s deadpan delivery makes us all laugh.

“A lady doesn’t sweat Applejack, we perspire.”

“We’ll ah’m perspiring from moving these things! How about some help?”

I put the container of water in the collector/recycler, it’ll allow us to have showers and fresh water for tonight and in the morning. Applejack and Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie and myself move the rest of the containers as Rarity tries to ‘help’, pointing out where they should go.

“Thanks a lot there Rares.”

“Anytime Applejack dear, organizing is hard work you know!”

Twilight rolls her eyes, opening a small container of food while Pinkie bounces around the interior.

“Wheee! It’s like a big balloon, only we’re inside!” She’s ricocheting off the walls as I wonder if it can withstand the assault.

Twilight points a hoof to a small pad that serves as a chair, “Pinkie, that’s not polite!”

“But it IS fun!” She slams off another wall, ending up setting on the chair. “This is so cool!”

Rainbow flops down on a larger pad, meant to serve as a bed, there are eight of them around the perimeter, “Eh, not as comfortable as a cloud, but it’ll do.” Her disdain is plainly false as she snuggles into the pad, it being very soft and body hugging, though large for a human instead of a pony.

I help Twilight with the food and drink. Crusader seems to have thought of everything from fresh apples and vegetables, to cold cider stored in freeze flasks. Every one gets a platter of something and settles down for a nice slow meal.

Fluttershy is munching on some carrots when she looks at me, “Um..Athena?”

“Yes?”

“What were humans like?” Everyone turns their eyes on me as I think for a moment.

“Humans? Well.. there were good and bad like anything else.”

“No..I mean..” She gets a look of concentration on her face, “I mean, what were they like? You’ve mentioned Marcus before, what was so special about him and others? Was he like us? Wanting to make friends and help others?”

“He did, he wanted the galaxy to be at peace.” I remember so well... “ He was a warrior through and through, but all he wanted was to sit with his wife and enjoy their days together. To that, he was the finest commander any Bolo could ask for.”

“So he fought, to bring peace?” Applejack is curious.

“He did, he had hopes that the war with our enemies would perhaps ground to a halt, that we would all realize it was fruitless. Even early on when it was just skirmishes on the outer reaches.”

Rarity’s voice is soft, “But it didn’t, did it?”

I shake my head, lying on a bed pad, “No. No it never ended. The whole of the Concordiat and the Melconian Empire were so enmeshed in the thought that they should be the only ones to bring rule to the galaxy, that they rushed to destruction like insane people..ponies.”

I’m sure my eyes have a faraway look as I remember it all, “Even we Bolos were caught in the bloodlust. Wanting nothing more to fight for the Concordiat, to help our creators bring a peace to the galaxy by reducing it to a wasteland if we couldn’t have it.”

“It was such a failure.” I wipe my face for a moment, “We landed on planets held by the enemy, and when we couldn’t take them we reduced them to cinders, leaving nothing alive. If we couldn’t have them, no one could. So many billions of lives, wasted for nothing.”

“But in the beginning of it all, before it got so out of hand, Marcus met me and my sister. He brought us joy and hope. He taught us to fight smart, to bring the war to the enemy and stomp them until there was nothing left. He showed us how to live.”

“You loved him didn’t you?” Twilight this time.

“We did, with all our hearts. Hera and I loved him so fiercely we would do anything for him. We were his ‘Ladies of Steel’. He was married, and his wife loved him like we did, he was a man that could give courage to others so easily.”

“But you still loved him?” Twilight is curious now, how we could do that.

“As hard and as deep as was possible Twilight. He was a human, we were in war hulls massing thousands of tons. But still he was the focus of our desires and will. He meant everything to Hera and I.”

“Did he know?” Pinkie is looking inquisitive as I tell them about Marcus.

I laugh, “Oh he did, he knew without a doubt.” I point a hoof at her, “But never once in all our years together, did he ever do or say anything that showed he did not love us back. His wife knew us, we’d met her, we liked her, they were ours.”

“She never got jealous?”

“She did at first, when he was assigned to us. But you see, they couldn’t have children..er..foals.” I see the sad looks on my friends faces, “But they adopted us, my sister and I. We were the children they couldn’t have, they loved us like their own.”

“But it wasn’t always smooth. We were assigned to a task force near Fomalhaut Five, a planetary system on the outskirts of the Sagittarian Arm of the galaxy”, I pause, looking up and pointing, “Right about out there, a long way away. She had come with him as wives did. When the enemy crashed our line, the planet that they were on was endangered.”

I feel pride remembering this, it was one of our finest hours.

“Our regiment held them, we broke their backs against our will. Our weapons glowed so bright from continuous firing we had to scrap them afterwards. Hera and I bored through the enemy and rescued the people from the town where they were staying. The Regiment covered us, we were not going to be stopped, oh we were so proud of ourselves.”

I remember Marcus’ wife screaming in joy when she saw us looming out of the smoke and fire, dropping our ramps and herding people into our cargo bays as we blasted enemy mechs around us. The thunder and lightning from nuclear weapons going off just miles away pounded at the civilians. But we got them all, every last man, woman and child was safe in our bays.

“She was different after that. She came to visit us, teaching us how to be proper ladies. We weren’t very good at first.”

Everyone laughs.

Rarity hmphs, “Well I think she did a fine job.” She points at me, “You are a wonderful and giving mare, you should be proud of that.”

“I..I am, I always try to remember what she taught us. But sometimes..”

Twilight giggles, “Oh we know.”

Fluttershy is smiling gently, “Were they all like that? They sound so..so courageous.”

I shake my head, reaching for a cherry tomato, popping it in my mouth and munching for a moment, “No Fluttershy, I’m afraid to say they weren’t all like that. Bolos got the best, but even then there were some who were cowards, or criminals, or plain scum that tried to cheat and rob others.”

“That’s sad.”

“Don’t get me wrong, there were humans that were so brave and wonderful that you would look to them in times of darkness. They loved, they lived and lost, but they persevered through it all.”

Pinkie pops up beside me, “Like the Marines he talks about?”

“Oh the Concordiat Marines?” She nods.” Oh they were very special. To fight on a Bolo battlefield would kill a normal human, so these humans had themselves altered.” At their curious looks I explain, “They added artifical parts to their bodies, muscle, bones, all the things that would let them do what they needed to do.”

“So kinda like you?” Rainbow is pointing at me.

“Kind of, but they were partly alive while I am all machine.”

A gentle hoof presses my shoulder, Twilight’s voice is soft, “I don’t know about that, how many machines can cry?”

“Well..true..” I think on that before Fluttershy asks again.

“So they were good too?”

“Oh they were. So many of them lost in battle but they were the best and bravest men and wo... er, mares and stallions that humanity had, more volunteered each day to take the conversion process, to fight and help others.” I pause, “But they had to be brave, once they were changed, there was no going back. They couldn’t be human again.”

“But was it all war? I mean..um..you talk about battles so much.”

“No, but it’s most of what I knew. But there were times when we could sit and think, pondering questions and helping communities build or rebuild. That’s one of the parts we liked. It was always a joy to help rather than destroy, to see a safe place for people of all races in the galaxy made with our own tech spiders.”

“So, what happened to Marcus?” Applejack is setting close to me now.

I bring up the memory of a message received as I close my eyes.

“He died. He passed away at ninety-two years old, with his wife beside him and memories of decades of good works.” I can’t help it, I start crying. “He was in his bed, in a wonderful home here on Earth. His wife said he..he..” I wipe my face, “He held a picture of us in his hands when he passed on. She said he was smiling and told her to tell us he loved us always.”

Twilight hugs me as the tears flow, “What about her?”

“His wife?” She nods.

“The doctors said she died of a broken heart. They’d been married right out of high school, they’d been with each other so long she just couldn’t go on without him. She had never left his bedside when he was ill and passed on a few days after him.”

“Ah know it might not be the thing to say, but.. You can only wish for a love like that.” Applejack’s voice is low.

I point at her, “You don’t have to wish.” She looks at me with surprise. “Crusader loves you so deeply he would do anything to be by your side. He would move the heavens and Equus if you just asked him.”

“I dunno ‘bout all of that now..” The orange Earth pony is blushing.

“Take this as truth, I know him Applejack. I’ve fought with him, we’ve almost died together, I know him. If anything happened to you,” I sweep my hoof around to encompass all of them, “Or any of you, even Ponyville or the Princesses. There is nothing that would stop him from exacting a price on whoever or whatever did it.”

Twilight thinks for a moment, “Well I know he’s threatened a few of the more hostile races.”

“They are not threats, he never threatens, those are promises. A nation would cease to exist if he thought it had anything to do with harming those he cares for.” I stamp a hoof on the floor, looking at Twilight, “And I would be right there beside him helping.”

Fluttershy is covering her mouth with her hooves, “But..but I thought he’d changed.”

“He has, in ways we can’t imagine, we both have. But at his core, his true self, he is a Bolo. You keep him tempered and even, your friendship is all that matters to him. His love of this world, Applejack and our new home is everything, we’ve both lost all we knew and he has taken this to his heart now. Should that be taken away by force or otherwise, those who offended would pay.”

Applejack slaps a hoof imperiously on her bed pad, “Well he better ask me first!” She grins at all of us, I start laughing. 

“He probably would. Pardon me Applejack, mind if I wipe this nation from the world? Pretty please?” I emulate his voice perfectly as Applejack laughs so hard she can’t breathe for a moment.

Fluttershy giggles but then turns serious, “But it’s still kinda scary, I wouldn’t want him to hurt anypony.”

I try to be as gentle as I can, “Fluttershy, don’t worry, he’d try his best to not do anything harmful. You accepted him when you had no reason to. He was a voice in a box, something you had no idea about and you made him your friend.” I smile, “You made me your friend, and friends stand up for each other.”

“Well, that’s true..it was nice making new friends.” Fluttershy is smiling again.

“And we will always be your friends. Always. Being with you all has given us new things to think about, to wonder, and to learn. We’ve left a galaxy in war to end up in someplace like this, it’s truly a miracle.”

Twilight is scuffing a hoof as she chews on some greens, “But..we didn’t quite make that good a first impression.”

“I know, he told me. You left and probably thought it might be best to leave him alone.”

She nods, “We did, we weren’t quite sure what to make of him after he told us what a Planetary Siege Unit was.”

“I take it you and Applejack had a long talk?”

The Earth pony nods, “We did, long hours of talking ‘bout him.”

“I’m sure it was your common sense that helped Applejack.”

She shakes her head in the negative, “Nope, it was all her.” She points at Twilight.

I turn, “Really?”

Twilight is not immediately forthcoming, so Applejack continues, “Yep, I was worried about everything and what kinda problems would happen but Twilight was goin’ on about if she’s the Princess of Friendship, then that meant everypony, regardless of what they were.”

“Well I couldn’t say I was if I refused to try and make a new friend.” She looks adamant, eliciting a laugh from everypony.

Applejack however, “Oh not only that, she sat down and wrote out this big thick pile of parchment about apologizing and how she wanted to be friends, and all kinds of stuff she’d thought she’d need to convince Crusader to be friends.”

“He kind of blew that didn’t he?”

Twilight throws her hooves up, “I spent days on that! All the arguments for being a friend, why I needed to apologize and he just says yes he’d like to be our friend! All that work! And he was just so..so...”

“Reasonable?”

“YES! Augh!” Twilight’s frustrated look gets more giggles.

“He was pretty nice about the whole thing.” Applejack is still chuckling, but she eyes Twilight closely, “You still got that pile of parchment don’t you?”

The Alicorn looks from side to side, “Maaaaybe...”

She sees us all looking at her, “What? It was a lot of work! I’m not just going to toss it!”

Pinkie slides up next to her, “You’re writing a book aren’t ya?”

“I am ..” She’s stopped by Applejack’s stare and one raised eyebrow, “Alright I am! Yeesh!”

I am curious now, “What kind of book?”

Twilight looks at the floor, rubbing a hoof along the other, “It’s a chronicle, about how we met and what’s happened since. Everything that’s gone on.” Her eyes look upward quickly, “But it’s private, nopony gets to read it. Princess Celestia says it’ll be in a restricted section of the archives if I ever decide to publish it. Until then..well..I just add things..”

“Like what?”

“Well... Everything. All the stories he tells us, his history, your history, He’s told me about Old Earth and how it was. All the stuff you guys talk about..well...I write it all down.”

Applejack nudges her, “And how many books in the set so far?” She knows her friend too well.

“Only four..well for now..” She looks abashed as if she’d violated privacy or something.

I smile at her, “I think it’s wonderful, he will too.”

Her face changes to a hopeful look, “You think so? I didn’t want to hide anything, just it was all so interesting and it shouldn’t be lost!”

“I know it.” Leaning against her I give her a push with my wing, “Twilight, stop worrying so much, there is nothing you can do to offend him. Nothing any of you can do. We are content here, happy with everything we learn and do each day.” I give them all a look, “You enrich our lives every moment we’re with you, it gives us a reason to be, to do things for you. He, and I, would never want to stop you from doing something.”

I lean in again, giving her a wink, “He’ll want a copy of the set you know.”

She brightens, tapping her hooves together joyfully, “Really?”

I nod, “He loves things like that. They mean the world to him.”

Rarity interrupts, standing up and complaining, “Oh dear, I just cannot get all this dust off!” She’s been working at brushing her mane and tail out while we talk.

I am pleased to help, “You should have said something sooner,” Walking over to the only compartment in the shelter, I open it, tapping a control pad and letting her see the shower start up, water washing along the sides, small for a human but large for a pony. I show her the soap dispenser and shampoo that Crusader kindly put in the package.

“Here you go, something to get the dirt off.” I lift a hoof and with a squeal of delight she hugs me, leaping into the shower and shutting the inflated door. I push a pile of towels nearby, included in the resupply for them.

“Oh great, we’ll never see her again, much less get a chance ourselves.” Rainbow is looking a bit disgusted.

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of water.”

Twilight’s ears perk up, “Where’s it all come from?”

“A container I loaded into the system, it recycles itself continuously. The dirt and debris are scrubbed out of the water as it’s used, then the water is put back to be reused. There are limits, so there’s a water collector on the side, it supplements what’s lost from drinking.”

“Ew gross! I’m not using water that’s been used by somepony else!” Rainbow is definitely looking disgusted.

“It’s as pure as it ever gets Rainbow, there’s nothing left but water after it’s scrubbed.”

Lifting a small packet, I slap it over to her lying on the bed, “But if that still doesn’t appeal then use one of those, I’m sure it’ll do just fine for a spit bath.”

She looks at it in her hooves, “What?” Then gets an odd look, “What’s a spit bath?”

“Oh! Oh! I know! It’s when..” She’s stopped by Twilight’s hoof on her mouth.

“No Pinkie, let her explain. Your explanations tend to be a bit more than we need.”

We all get a good laugh, knowing it would be something outrageous from Pinkie.

“It’s a slang term, when you don’t have enough water to take a bath and have to conserve. The only water you have is a mouthful of spit, hence, spit bath.”

“Oh that’s just gross!”

Pinkie has broken free of the restraining hoof, “But wouldn’t spitting on another pony get them a little angry?” She bounces around once more, “That’s a lot of spit though!” She sticks her tongue between her lips and ‘phttbbbbts’ at everyone.”

Twilight is crinkling her eyes and mouth, “Pinkie, stop talking about spit! Ew! She said it was slang, it’s not real!” Shaking herself, she turns once more to me, “What’s in the packet?” She’s watching Rainbow try and get it open, resorting to using teeth.

“It’s a cleanser towel, used for when you don’t have time to take a bath or shower, not as good as one, but it’ll do in a pinch.”

“Ohhhhh no!” Rainbow tosses it away after getting it open, “It smells like the inside of Rarity’s house!”

“It’s lavender.”

“I’m not smelling like flowers!”

Applejack reaches over, mussing up her mane even more, “Awww, doncha wanna smell pretty when we get to town?”

Rainbow knocks away the offending hoof, “I don’t want to smell pretty. Got anything in there that smells like cool?”

Flipping through the packets, I read them off, “Lavender, Jasmine, Floral, Peach..” Stopping for a second I make sure I’m reading it right, “Chanel No. 5, Amber, Cool Water, and Bouquet.” Oh nice Crusader, perfumes..you and I are gonna have a talk.

Rarity interrupts Rainbow’s snorting disdain, “Chanel No. 5? That sounds heavenly! May I try?” She’s stepped out, toweling herself off and looking quite clean. “That shower is marvelous, and the shampoo, oh it makes the skin glow!”

I hoof her the packet, her horn glows as she finishes drying herself, already smelling fresh from the cleansers. I don’t tell her they’re nanite infused, the thought of billions of tiny machines crawling all over her would probably put her into hysterics.

Opening the packet a warm smell permeates the area around her, “Oh my, oh this is wonderful!” She immediately dabs it all around her body, “Oh I LOVE this! It’s such a warm fragrance, doesn’t it just make your senses tingle?”

Applejack gives a sniff, surprising everpony, “Ya know, that really does smell good.”

She turns to see all of us looking at her, “What?” She settles into a pad, pointing a hoof, “Now look, just cause I work hard and get dirt under mah hooves don’t mean there ain’t times I dab a bit of rosewater on for special occasions. So stop looking at me like I’m some minotaur in disguise.”

She hmphs and settles back on her pad, but I see her looking through the towelette packages.

Rainbow does see her chance, leaping for the shower and slamming the door shut, well slamming is a bit harsh for inflatables. She doesn’t sing very well in the shower either by the way.

“Hey Dashie!” Pinkie’s standing outside the door.

“What? I’m showering, go ‘way!”

“What’d you do with all those bits?”

Silence for a second, “What bits? What are you talking about?”

Pinkie grins, “The ones your parents gave you for singing lessons!” She cackles madly and runs off to hide behind Fluttershy as Rainbow sticks a soaked head out of the door, “Pinkie!”

I lean over close to the others, “Just so you know, the shampoo and soap are going to make her smell like roses.” I have full control over the infusions.

They all try to stifle giggles, but just end up laughing out loud, waiting for Rainbow to discover the truth.

The perfumes are specially made, they don’t fill the room but sit around the body like a glove, anyone near can catch a delicious whiff, but it doesn’t overwhelm. I watch as Fluttershy looks through them, “What..um..what do you think would be nice?” She’s looking at Twilight as she flips the packets.

“Amber,” The Alicorn’s voice is firm, “I bet Amber would be nice.”

“Oh that does sound nice,” She looks nervous, “Is..is it okay to try some before I take a shower?”

I nod, “We’ve got plenty, he really overstocked on the supplies.”

“Well, he’s always thinking that way, hard to get him to stop helping on the farm some days.”

“That’s my brother.”

Fluttershy dabs the towel on her body, wiping herself down for a quick clean as well, she’s immediately surrounded by a fragrance that almost defies the senses, setting her looks off perfectly. It is heady and deep, something out of romance books.

Rarity leans in, giving a dainty sniff, “That suits you perfectly Fluttershy dear.”

“You don’t think it’s too much?”

“Of course not, it’s you darling.”

“I like it, it makes me feel like I’m getting a big hug.”

Rainbow finally steps out of the shower, shaking herself off and grabbing a towel as she hums softly, suddenly stopping. Leaning her head down she gives herself a good smell, “What the hay?” Inhaling once more, “Oh come on! I smell like Roseluck’s garden!”

The golden Pegasus smiles, “I think it suits you Rainbow Dash, you need to smell nice some times.”

“Not like a buncha flowers! AGH!” She throws her hooves up, “I gotta get this off!”

Tossing her a packet, “Try this, it’ll cut the scent.”

She looks before saying anything, “Well at least it’s got cool in the name.” Though she does look quite unhappy with the rose smell still.

I leave them to it, as evening is falling now and the night outside is cool and inviting. So I excuse myself, letting them rummage through the containers for more food or drink.

Sitting outside, the sky is so clear it almost shimmers with vibrancy. I settle myself down and stare at the stars, knowing this is what Crusader does and seeing why it’s so. They’re so bright, sparkling like diamonds against velvet. The moon is up as well, shedding it’s glimmer everywhere.

The door opens, a tentative hoof steps out and I tilt my head slightly. By weight and step it’s Twilight. I don’t wish to unnerve her by acknowledging her presence so I wait politely until she sits down by me.

“They’re so beautiful aren’t they?” Her voice is soft in the still air.

“They are, Crusader got me interested in them, and I sit and stare for hours some nights.”

“I do, as much as I can, looking at them and wondering about out there.” She stops, pointing a hoof at a cluster near the moon.

“I can tell you what I saw sometime, everything we know is still with us.”

“I know. We’ll have to sit and talk some day.”

“There’s plenty of time Twilight.”

A moment of silence passes as she seems to be gathering her courage.

“How.. How long will you live Athena?”

“With proper care, and barring a supernova, probably as long as the Princesses themselves, or more. Theoretically there seems to be no limit.”

I notice her looking back into the shelter, seeing her friends laughing and having a good time.

“Did you ever think..well.. Ever think that living so long..I mean..about losing friends?”

“I have, I’ve lost so many that meant so much.”

She scuffs a hoof, silent as we both stare at the sky.

“Is this about you being an Alicorn?” I do not wish to be so blunt, but oftentimes it helps.

“Yes. I’m worried..no.. I’m scared of losing my friends.” She stares at me, “How do you do it? How can you live so long and lose..lose everything? And still be..be you?”

How do I tell her? How do I explain the cold nights when we returned to base with half the Bolos we started with? What can I say about a commander that last I saw was hale and warm, then getting a message he had died of aging? The pictures flash through my mind, the memories are bright and clear and they always will be. Laughter, loving, celebrations, our joys and sorrows. Our grief.

What do you say to comfort a possible immortal?

“Do you know that you’ll live that long?”

She nods, “There’s indications that once ascended the aging stops, or is slowed so much it’s almost not there. Luna and Celestia have studied it for centuries.”

I think for a moment, watching her out of the corner of my eye. Her face is sad, hearing the giggles behind her I can relate.

“I can only say this," Her eyes turn to me, looking for something, “I will be here. I will be beside you through whatever comes. You have given me something that will stay with me forever, a friendship I’ve never had after Marcus.” 
I put my hoof on her shoulder, “I will be there with you through anything if you’ll have me.” She gives me a look, I can read it clearly.

“No Twilight, not quite that. But if we were needing commanders still, it would be you whom I’d ask. You are have the qualities that the best ones in history had. This is what we Bolos give, undying, unswerving loyalty to those who we choose or choose us. Until the stars fade I will be there, to do whatever you ask of me, to accomplish any task you give.”

Her faces brightens, her voice low as she questions me, “Is..are you in..”

“I don’t know exactly what it is, I have changed so much since I awoke. But I do know I respect you, and that is something I do not give lightly. I wish to be a friend, a true friend.” 

Twilight blushes in the night, I see the changes on my thermal scans.

“Before this, before Crusader and I became..real.. in a sense. We could only watch and try to be a part of things with those we cared for, sharing their joys, their heartache, their wonder. So it became normal for us, but something even humans failed to understand when our emotions ran deep.”

I point up to the sky, glittering with more stars. “Out there, Bolos gave themselves to the fires out of feelings for a human, a commander, a fellow Bolo.” I look at her surprised face, “Oh yes, sometimes and so very rarely Bolos felt that way for each other. But when they did it was..was..”

“Magic?” She has a mischievous grin.

I laugh, “Yes, yes it was.”

“This is what I offer to you Twilight, everything I am. I will be your friend no matter what comes.”

She scuffs a hoof, smiling to herself, “But, I’m not perfect.”

“Nopony is. No Bolo ever was, we all make mistakes, that’s part of life.”

Her face is thoughtful as she ponders what I’ve told her.

“I think that would be nice.” She smiles and I return it, “But..can I ask something?”

“Anything at all Twilight.”

“Can you find a way to help them?” She points at the shelter, “To..to..”

“Find a way they can stay with you?” She nods, “Have you asked them?”

“No.. I mean we’ve all talked about it. Celestia thinks maybe the Elements confer a longer life, but not as long as mine might be.”

“Before I say anything, I have to know. Do you think you’re being selfish?”

“Yes, I suppose I am,” She stamps a hoof, “But they mean everything to me.”

“Then I promise I will see what I can do.”

I am hugged with warm Alicorn hooves and wings, so very tightly, “Thank you!”

I am nose to nose with her as we hold tight, “But there must be a discussion before anything is done. I will never force anything on them, ever.”

“Yes, we would have to, and that’s fine. Thank you!” Her eyes are merry once more, the worry gone for the moment.

“Hey! Are you gonna stay out here all...whoa...” Rainbow Dash is staring out the shelter door. Her eyes are quite wide above the growing smile.

Oh for crying out loud.

We let go of each other and look anywhere but at Rainbow for the moment, Twilight tries to smooth things over.

“Rainbow it’s not..” She’s stopped by a cyan hoof held up.

“Hey, ain’t my place to say..”

“That’s not what..I mean it was a hug!”

“Riiiight..” She’s nodding as she backs into the door, “We got a trip to do, gonna join us or stay out here and..” Her voice gets smug, “Stay out here and stare at the stars?”

More heads pop out the door, eyeing us and wondering what Rainbow is going on about.

“C’mon! We got a trip to plan!” Pinkie is bouncing in place.

“Don’t bother ‘em, they were just getting to the good part.” The cyan pegasus is being a smart aleck.

We both reply this time, “RAINBOW DASH!”

She laughs and runs back inside, we follow to the curious looks from everyone. Fluttershy is questioning Rainbow.

“What are you snickering about?”

“I popped out the door and they were this close,” She holds her hooves an inch apart, “To mashing lips! Guess I musta come at a bad time!” She laughs on her bed pad.

“Rainbow Dash, it’s not nice to make up stories!” Rarity is appalled.

“I’m not! They were!” She looks appalled no one believes her.

Applejack however, can see the truth in her statement. She eyes me for a moment as I shake my head slightly. She smiles and understands.

“Jes’ you calm down Rainbow, I’m sure it weren’t nothin’.” Twilight looks relieved that someone believes her, I just chuckle, shaking my head.

“Even if it was it’s none of your business Miss Nosy!” Rarity is pointing an accusing hoof.

“None of my business? I just walked out and saw it!”

Fluttershy’s voice is actually firm, “Well it doesn’t matter who somepony likes, just as long as they like each other.”

Pinkie nods, “Right! I like Gummy but that doesn’t mean we go out on dates or anything! Or do we..I mean long walks..he’s a great listener..huh.. Nah, never work, he’s too excitable!” She grins as she bounces on her bed.

“Ah dunno bout you sometimes Pinkie.”

“Neither do I! Isn’t it great?”

Everypony just sighs, accepting that it’s Pinkie, that pretty much sums it up. The rest of the night is spent planning what to do and showing me the way to Las Pegasus.

It’s been a good night. I am feeling better now that I’ve told Twilight how I feel. Perhaps it’s just friendship, but now she knows I will be there for her when and where ever. That is all that matters.

I close my eyes and rest, knowing that the days to come will be filled with things that I will enjoy so much more.

------------

Packing up was easy, we roared along the desert heading for the city. Everyone is excited, a trip, no mission, nothing but a fun filled time in a city that some of us have never visited. I even taught Twilight to drive, though from the looks I’m still getting from all the others, it perhaps wasn’t the smartest move, though it was fun.

We found a place to store the vehicle out of sight, a few extra bits and a spell lock ensured it’s safety. Enough of worry about that for now. Twilight assures us that anypony touches it, they’ll regret it very quickly.

She had a sly grin on her face saying that, it made me slightly uneasy.

It is huge this city. Magic powered lights that emulate neon are everywhere. There are ponies going in and out of buildings and casinos and restaurants even as the evening falls.

Rainbow tells us this city rarely closes down.

I start taking snapshots and shipping them over the communications channel to storage, I hope Crusader likes them.

We look for a good hotel, the amount of bits we have was supplemented by Crusader so we choose a nice place on the main street. It’s large and comfortable and we even have room service!

It’s above a large casino wherein familiar activities are played, most assuredly to the benefit of the casino of course, but Rainbow is adamant we try some games of chance.

So everyone gets a share of money, we pile down the stairs for some fun!

Rainbow hauls me over to a game of cards, one I recognize, it’s Blackjack!

Setting on a nice cushion, we do a buy in, exchanging chips for bits and settle down to play cards. Accessing my data banks I can see exactly how the game is played, the odds and the ability of myself to count cards with a ninety-nine point two percent accuracy, thus, I rarely bust.

Rainbow is having the time of her life, I make absolutely sure I squeal like some innocent girl whenever I win. Rainbow is looking at me funny as the dealer pushes another stack of chips my way, I am clapping and shouting happily. Actually, I’m not faking it much, I am having a great time.

That is until I notice Applejack standing next to me, watching as I rake in another haul.

“H..hi Applejack! Look what I won!” I point to a pile of chips that’s of good size. The dealer is looking disgusted.

“Uh huh...ever play before?”

“Nope! Beginner’s luck I bet!”

“Uh huh...” She’s eyeing me, she knows what I can do and is thinking along that line of logic. But she surprises me, suddenly smiling wickedly and pulling me aside for a moment.

“I..I don’t mean to cau...cause trouble..”

“Nono, doncha worry none, these places’ll cheat ya soon as look at you.” She looks around and whispers, “I got a favor to ask.”

“Anything Applejack, you know that.”

She taps a hoof on the floor for a moment, making up her mind, “You know how to play poker?”

“Of course, all the variations on Old Earth are in my..” She shuts me up with a hoof, looking around.

“Last year after the rodeo, some friends of mine got into a poker game, I was jus’ watchin’ but I knew the stallion was cheatin’ ‘em blind.”

I nod.

“Now I ain’t one for revenge, or anything like that. But mah friend lost a good deal and he’s been struggling ever since to keep his farm goin’”

“You want me to win it back? But why don’t we just give him money from what we earn by jewelry? It’d be easier.”

“No,he’s stubborn as a mule, but if I tell him we won it from the same stallion that done him wrong, well, I think that’ll settle two accounts. Don’t you?”

“I do. I think it would serve that pony right to lose.”

“Especially against some mare that seems like a totally naive filly. Ya get mah meaning?” She nudges me, “You were puttin’ on a pretty good act back there.”

I can’t help but smile, “I really was having fun, but yeah, kinda overdoing it. But Applejack, I mean you’re the Element..” Once again my mouth is blocked.

“I am, I know. But it ain’t hurtin’ nopony and getting some satisfaction would be the most honest thing I can think of.”

“But I’ll cheat, I can do things that they can’t.”

“I know that. Lemme look at it this way. You can do things cause you’re made that way, like using your Cutie Mark’s skills.”

She’s right, “Well true.”

“He’s rich anyways, so he won’t suffer. Even made a pass at one of my friends, offering to settle the debt for a ‘favor’.” Her face takes on a grim look.

That does it, “I’m in.”

“Really?”

“You bet, I’ll strip him blind.”

“Now don’t go gettin’ crazy, maybe just enough to give back to my friend and a bit more in interest, think that’s fair?”

“I do. But I’m still going to humiliate him.”

She holds up a hoof, “That’s on you, I’m pushing being honest, but I think fair’s fair.”

“I agree. Do you know how he cheated?”

“Ah think he was dealing from the bottom, not sure, I wasn’t watching real close, but ya know I pick up on things sometimes.”

“Okay, just tell me when.”

“Alright, I’ll see where it’s goin’ on. I’ll come get ya and we’ll get a little balance on the scales.” She smiles and hugs me, taking off for parts unknown.

I return to Rainbow, seeing she’s been winning a few hooves, I decide it’s time to cash out and maybe have a nice cool drink.

“I’m turning in my chips Rainbow, wanna drink?”

“Sure! You buying?”

“On me, your choice.”

“Yeah!” She slams her chips forward and cashes out like I do. We put it into  our saddlebags and walk out to the haggard looks from the dealer.

Rainbow points to a small bar off the gaming floor, it looks so very nice, and expensive.

“You said my choice right?”

“Yep!”

“They’ve got like ten different types of cider here, you’ll love it! Cloudchaser told me about it when she was last here.” She looks around, “Don’t tell Applejack, it’s not all apple cider.”

I laugh, “I won’t Rainbow.”

“Alright, let’s go get something to drink!” We pass by Fluttershy and Pinkie who are trying what looks like slot machines, the buttery mare squealing with a slight ‘Eep!’ as she wins a jackpot on one.

Pinkie’s giving her a hug as the coins come rolling out. “Alright Fluttershy!”

We wave at them, inviting them for a drink which is cheerfully accepted, Rainbow telling them I’m paying.

We enter the bar, a comfortable candle lit place that has soft music from a quartet in the corner. We’re led to a table and handed menus, but Rainbow doesn’t even glance at it.

“One large salad with everything and a round of Peach Cider for all of us.”

She looks at us, “Oh, hope you don’t mind me ordering? The salad is big enough for all of us.” She smiles sheepishly.

“I don’t mind Rainbow Dash, it’s nice in here.” Fluttershy is looking at all the lovely decorations.

Pinkie however, is not one to let some things slide, “Isn’t Applejack gonna get mad at the cider?” She wiggles her eyebrows at us, teasing her friend.

“Nah, it’s okay, she understands.”

“Understands what?” The southern voice is quite close as Rainbow about jumps out of her seat.

“Uh..nothing, just talking.”

In a show of the universe being perverse in it’s humor, the waiter arrives. “One round of Peach Ciders and a large salad, enjoy!” He sets them out and leaves while the cyan Pegasus is smiling crookedly at a glaring Applejack.

“Uh..thought we’d try it?” She proffers a mug, “Want some?”

Rainbow wilts visibly under the glare of green eyes that seem to smolder with discontent, until she winks at me while Rainbow’s not looking.

I can’t help but snort a laugh as Rainbow looks up, “What?”

Applejack points, “I got ya! Ha, thought you’d get away with trying other cider huh? Guilty conscience maybe?” She nudges her friend as she sets at the table, taking a big drink of the cold fresh liquid.

“Oh that hits the spot! Gotta try the competition sometime, makes us work harder at makin’ ours better.”

Rainbow watches with dismay as the Earth pony finishes guzzling the entire mug, wiping foam off her lips with a satisfied “Ahhhh!”

“Oh come on Applejack!”

“Hey, you offered!”

I wave at the wait stallion, signaling for more mugs, “Don’t worry, there’s more Rainbow.”

“Thank Celestia! I never get any at the Cider Festival!”

“Yes you do Rainbow Dash, doncha go tellin’ stories. We can make enough now for everypony.”

After the new mugs arrive, Rainbow is busy drinking. Wiping foam off her muzzle she grins, “Well.. before that Pinkie bought a ton of it.”

The pink mane flounces as she nods, “You bet, it’s good!” She is unrepentant.

“Well ah’m glad ya like it Pinkie.”

I take a drink of the Cider. It’s smooth and very cold, with a slightly high alcoholic content since this is an adult place. It does hit the spot, leaving a large foam line across my lips as I smack them.

“Good stuff huh Athena?”

“Oh definitely, really nice!”

We all drink a toast to friends, laughing and enjoying the meal. Applejack informs me on the sly that she has it all arranged, we’re to go tonight. I’m glad, anything to help.

Rarity joins us mid-meal, she’s had a few rounds of cards and actually came out ahead, telling us a bit of flirting with the baccarat dealer didn’t hurt at all. We get a good laugh at that.

Twilight however, is looking a bit disgruntled.

Setting down heavily, she grabs a mug and takes a long drink before setting it back down, “Agh, even here I can’t get away from royal duties. 'But we want to petition Celestia for this and that.' Told em to buzz off, I was on vacation!”

Rarity is aghast, “You didn’t?”

She nods, “I did. I’m here to have fun, they can go to Canterlot!” She slams the mug down and waves for another.

“Good on ya Twi, ‘bout time ya said that!” Applejack is looking mighty proud of her friend.

“Well..” Twilight rubs the back of her neck, “We’re on vacation, we’re here to relax, not listen to ponies complain.” She looks slightly abashed.

Pinkie raises her mug, “To Twilight, Princess on Vacation!” We clank them together and drink. 

Applejack, as is her wont to be honest, tells her friend of what she has planned for the cheater. Twilight is nodding, along with the others, thinking it’s a good idea to serve a bit of honesty with justice.

She sways a bit as she downs another mug, “Yep, temper justice with no mercy!..Er... Mercy!”

I am laughing with the rest when I feel a hoof on my flank.

“Hey good looking, ya want to go somewhere for a good time?”

I turn my head slightly to see a blue stallion with a slight tan mane, he’s smiling at me, reminding me of the word ‘oily’.

I can only blink, “Pardon me?”

“I like your Cutie Mark, what say we let your friends enjoy themselves while we...” His hoof rubs down father along my backside, “Go enjoy ourselves.”

“Do not touch me. You need to leave us alone.” I am firm with my request. I see Applejack holding Rainbow Dash in her seat.

“Take your unwanted advances somewhere else you ruffian!” Rarity is sounding aggrieved.

“Oh stop, she’s a grown mare, she can make her own decisions.” His voice gets worse by the second, his hoof rubs a place I darn well know wouldn’t be tolerated if I was biological.

But he is right. So I make my own decision.

Twisting in my seat, I swing my right hoof around and connect with a low power punch to his jaw, seeing a few teeth go opposite of his own direction when he hits a table near us, slumping to the ground. Pity it couldn’t have been full power, but then it would be most of his skull lying on the floor.

“Oh my!” Fluttershy is peeking over the table.

“Athena!” Twilight’s voice is near as she looks over my shoulder aa the waiters picking up the unconscious stallion.

“I told him not to touch me.” I am not in the mood for any recriminations.

But she surprises me, laughing and trying to look regal at the same time, “Well, as Princess of Friendship, I’d say you failed making a new friend.” She’s giggling uncontrollably now.

“That..was...awesome!” Pinkie is bouncing, “Did you see that? Smack! Out like a light!”

Rainbow Dash is looking a bit bleary as she cackles, “I’m taking her with me everytime I go drinking, she’ll cover my backside!”

“Rainbow Da...” Applejack snickers, then howls in laughter at her friends innuendo. “Oh that’s awful!”

The waiter stops at our table, we’re expecting to at least be ejected.

“My apologies young mares, please accept a token on the house from the management.” He sets down two bottles of something I’ve never seen before, pouring them into crystal glasses.

“We do not like our customers to be bothered by,” He sniffs disdainfully at the exiting waiters holding the stallion between them, “By such low lifes.”

“Well mighty nice of ya mister!” Applejack tips her hat to him.

“You’re very welcome, enjoy your meal.” He leaves us staring at the ruby red fluid in the glasses.

I see Applejack looking at the bottles intently, “What is this? Wine?”

Applejack nods, “It sure is, but it’s like a few hundred bits a bottle. Comes from the vineyards to the north, called Frost Wine, it’s really expensive.” She lifts the glass, eyeing it like a professional, which she probably is, “It’s only made at certain times, and it’s rare enough to be in high demand.”

Everyone is silent as we stare in absolute amazement at her pronouncement. She doesn’t notice for a moment, swirling the liquid around in the goblet.

“Yeah, from the labels it’s a fifty year old vintage, last time I saw one was a few years ago, went for two hundred bits.” She points to the bottles, “And they gave us two, that’s some service.”

All of us are still staring as she finally notices, “Uh..well it’s some mighty fine stuff here!” Her blush is a dead giveaway.

Rarity leans across the table, “One day dear Applejack, we’re going to have a talk.” Twilight is nodding along with her.

“Ain’t nothin’ to talk about, ya pick up a few things here and there. Yeesh!”

I point a hoof at her, “Crusader was right, you’re not just a farm mare.”

“When ya been in the business long as I have, you haveta learn or you get out done by competitors. I’m sure there’s ponies know where my Cider comes from and in which part of the orchard.” She waves the glass around, “Hay they probably know which tree!”

Twilight smiles, “I guess we all have hidden talents.”

Rarity is still eyeing her friend, “Some more than others I’d guess.”

Fluttershy giggles, “Well you’ve got a mean left hoof Rarity.”

“Oh stop, that’s just when we were fighting those dreadful Changelings. Necessity dear Fluttershy.”

Rainbow pipes up, “That’s so not true, I’ve seen her deck a pony that was bothering others a few times, she may look fashionable, but she could probably go a few rounds with Snowflake easily!”

“A proper lady does not lower herself to brutish pursuits, only when needed.” She lifts her nose, then grins, leaning across the table to whisper, “But that was definitely needed!” Reminding us of Mr. Slick. 

I place a hoof on my chest, “I am shocked, shocked I tell you. Such fine upstanding mares, the Elements of Harmony, cheering me on for hitting another. Why..why that’s just wrong!” My mock look gets a loud round of laughter.

“I thought it was appro..appro...appropriate,“ The Princess of Friendship is swaying in her seat, three mugs already emptied as she signals for more, “Some times even being nice doesn’t work.”

Pinkie giggles, “There you have it! You are now Royally pardoned for knocking his teeth out.” She’s having a hard time holding on to the table as well. I notice all of them have been ordering as we’ve talked, downing mugs like they’d been in the desert for weeks.

“Uhm, this cider is a lot harder than you all are used to, are you going to be okay?”

Fluttershy hiccups, covering her mouth.

Rainbow laughs, “Athena’ll put us to bed, won’t ya?”

“I will, I’ll make sure you are safe.”

“Then more cider!” She waves to the waiter who is happy for the business. But they are putting quite a dent in my winnings so far.

All but Applejack, she’d had a few as well but is still rock steady, seeing my look she grins. 

“All that cider makin’, think ya don’t build up a tolerance?” She raises her eyebrows at me and downs another mug.

We stop with the cider for a moment, everyone grabbing a fine goblet and trying the wine that was given to us. I analyze it as it rolls along my tongue. A crisp taste, like early frost on a grape, it’s amazing even for me. The others are nodding and drinking theirs with great delight.

We decide to save the second bottle for a special occasion, something to remember our trip with and also to celebrate something. Applejack says bottles get really hard to find as the season wears on as only so many are done. It’s a treasure that is entrusted to me and I will make sure it remains in top condition.

As always though wonderful things end, Applejack and I hauling our friends to their beds as gently as we could.

She and I seem to be the only ones not having problems standing as we help our friends back to their rooms. The waiter was very kind, showing us a back way that VIP’s used when they didn’t wish to cross the gaming floor. We both made sure the tip was large enough he’d remember us.

Fluttershy hiccups so much along the way we think she’s having a seizure for a moment, but no, just her. I’ve never heard her squeak like that before. It’s really amusing to us both as we drag our friends into the room. Rainbow is leaning against Applejack asking her if she’s awesome, if everypony thinks she’s awesome, her eyes are not focusing well on her surroundings.

“Yes Dash, yer awesome, the awesomest pony in Equestria.”

“That’sh right! I am!” She makes this pronouncement before toppling into her bed with a snore, out like a lantern.

Rarity is amazing, she’d drank as much as the others but instead of her normal demure self,  she was telling the most incredibly dirty jokes on the way up the stairs. Applejack is laughing so hard she’s having a hard time keeping herself up.

“And then the mare says...” She hits the pillow and is snoozing daintily into it.

“Well shoot, she’ll never tell us the punchline now,” Applejack is grinning.

“Even I had never heard those jokes, that..that was different.” I’m blinking to get the tears out of my eyes from laughing.

A giggle distracts us as Pinkie is bumping into walls, we try and direct her to her own bed so she can sleep it off, “But mooOOOooom, I don’t wanna do the rock fields today! It’s so boooring!”

“That’s all right there Pinkie, no rocks today, just need to get ya some sleep.” We both push at her, toppling her into the sheets.

“Okey dokey loki!” She’s snoozing when she hits the soft pillow.

Twilight on the other hoof, is standing nearby, lifting her head and looking as if she’s addressing the court, “You will all be friends! I’m the Prin..Prin..” 

I try to help, “Princess?”

“Right! Princess of Friendship! ‘Cause if you don’t I’m gonna friendship you so hard your grandfoals are gonna feel it!” She spreads her wings, raising a hoof, “Respect my authority!”

Applejack’s eyes get wide as she tries not to laugh, “You bet yer Highness, let’s get ya into bed now.”

She gets nose to nose with the Earth pony, “Yep! I’mma Princess! Got wings and everything!”

“You sure do, and now it’s time to get your royal backside into the sheets,” Applejack shoves Twilight into the soft mattress where she snuggles into the blankets, grabbing the pillow like a teddy bear.

She looks at me as we both make sure our friends are resting well, “We ain’t gonna ever say...”

I stop her, “Not a word. But it sure will be fun telling them later.”

“Oh you darn betcha!”

We lock the door behind us as we head back out into the city. Applejack tells me where the card game is and we gallop there, bringing all the money we can. We have to make it look like we’re high rollers, she doesn’t think the pony remembers her but I doubt that, she’s unique in many ways especially with the hat. I hope we don’t get in too much trouble.

Big Bits was the stallion’s name, he ran a high stakes poker game out of a small club. Very elite and only for those who wanted to really try their skill. He practically ran the town by his intimidating ways. Applejack fills me in on all this.

“But how did your friend get in it? He couldn’t have had that much money?”

“A friend of a friend, the usual. He thought he could win a few hands and go home with more than he came with from the rodeo. He sure got cleaned out.” She’s looking down as we trot to the club.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get it back, and more.”

“You sure about that?”

“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.” I grin at her.

“Alright then, let’s go clean some clocks!”

We enter the club, nicely furnished, expensive things. Applejack let’s me explain who we are and we show the money before we are let into a back room. I keep it simple, just a filly with more money than sense finding out about a game.

We are escorted to a table where a few others are, one stallion slamming his cards down and leaving with a look of disgust on his face. A couple of cigar smoking ones laughing at his retreat as we are shown to our seats, being served chilled drinks while we make a buy in.

I am given a large pile of chips and I am making my plans as we are introduced. Lose a few hands, and then really tear into them. As I watch for a moment, I can see the body language, the giveaways and tells of the players. My odds are rising the more I observe the play, a variation on seven card stud.

I bring all my cores online, every erg of computing power I have bar my command cores is now dedicated to one thing..playing cards.

Applejack is staying as silent as she can while the owner Big Bits talks to us, she cannot lie and I will not ask her to.

“So just how did you two find out about our little game here?” His raspy voice is grating on me already as I arrange my chips.

My voice and mannerisms take on a perfect emulation of a girl one of my previous commanders had dated. Hera and I had despised her to no extent. But now, she was providing my role model, I believe the word was ‘air-head’.

I talk sweet and high, just blathering like I haven’t a care in the world. Applejack is struggling not to howl in laughter as I start to speak, her eyes watching me completely change my mannerisms.

“Oh! Well you know, a friend said, like..you know check this game out when I was in town. So you know, I did! And here I am!” I give a glassy smile and a giggle, fluttering my eyes as flirtatiously as I can. If I had bubblegum I’d be blowing bubbles and snapping them annoyingly.

I am so disgusted with myself right now.

The grins exchanged when they think I am not paying attention as I fumble with my chips, tells me they’ve bought it. Hook, line and sinker. All that’s left is to reel them in.

A smarmy stallion on my right grins, “Well, that’s just fine. Do you know how to play?”

“Oh, well I’ve seen my dad play!” I end each sentence high and brassy. “So I think I’ll do ah’kay! Ah’kay? Ah’kay!” I make sure my eyes stay wide as if just being happy to be breathing. Although from the way I’m acting it seems as if I’ll forget to do that sometimes as well.

The rules of the game are explained, I can cash out anytime I feel like it, so there’s just no limit to what I can bet. We play a hand for practice, so they can make sure I know how to play, or to fleece me more properly by studying my tells.

I lose, horribly and on purpose. Making sure the artificial body signals I give are working well.

Now I’m prepared. Applejack’s been watching the whole time with a sly grin on her face, trying not to blow the whole deal as the first batch of cards is dealt. I watch closely, there is no bottom deck dealing, so there must be some other way of..oh there it is.

I see the marks, clearly. They are crudely done as if just beginning to understand the method. But if you know what you’re looking for, and they plainly do, then you can read a ponies cards easily. By them dealing me in and my recording, I now know in a few minutes what every symbol means.

Hmmmm..how to defeat this in detail..?

Oh Athena, one who I was named after, so wise and wicked in your ways when waging war against the unjust. I have a plan.

They give me the deck, I am allowed the first deal. While I am trying to ‘shuffle’ the cards to their amusement I am also infesting them with nanites from my internal reserves. Every symbol in a minutes’ time will be changed, making the cards unreadable to everypony except me.

Ah the things you can conceive.

Applejack excuses herself to the little mares’ room, I continue with my shuffling for a moment more, making sure each card is soaked in nanites before dealing the cards. 

“Athena?” Her voice is whispering as the link clicks on from the bathroom.

“Yes Applejack?”

“What in..that was so funny! How’d you DO that?”

“Turn into a ditzy bubbleheaded mare? Easy to do.”

“Ah’m sorry, I almost laughed so hard I coulda blown it.”

“Don’t worry, just remember it’s still me.”

“Ah know, but you gotta show Twilight and them later, they’re gonna bust a gut!”

“I can do that. Are you calmed down now? Remember, I’m a rich silly filly, so expect it.”

“Long as I ain’t gotta lie or anything, ah’ll be fine. I know what we’re doin’s kinda dishonest..but..”

“It isn’t, it’s getting your friend’s money back. What “I” am doing is dishonest. Stop worrying, you’ll always be as honest as the day is long, just let me do the talking.”

“Ah can do that!”

She clicks the link off as I hear her heading back to the table.

We play the hand..er..hoof?..out. I lose a large bet and pout like a school filly. As I am ‘comforted’ I can see the looks, the sly glances. They know exactly what they are doing and not a care in the world.

Applejack rejoins me, my nanites are done. Now it’s time to start the game for real.

They deal me in once more, I lose a few more, then win a big pot, lose then win. But each time I am ramping up the wins, placing larger bets as they think I have no clue what to really do, but I am enjoying their dismay when a squealing, clapping filly rakes in a large pile of chips.

This goes on for a while, even with changing the decks I one up them with changing the symbols. I even notice a unicorn off in a corner, his horn glowing as he checks for magic. There is none, just a silly Pegasus and her Earth pony friend, somehow winning a lot of money. I lose, enough to give them hope, then yank it away like a cruel master teasing his pet.

They just can’t gather how a squealing little bubble brained filly like me is winning, and that makes it all the sweeter. The nanites aren’t magical, just plain technology, thank goodness otherwise they’d see them all over the cards. They simply cannot understand how these failures are occurring.

These ponies even try to get us drunk, can you believe it? I’m not even real so it doesn’t affect me as I drink the high alcohol content mixtures. Applejack’s got the constitution of a durasteel wall in her hard working body, so she’s just having the time of her life with free alcohol.

But we laugh and giggle a lot. Applejack’s not faking the laughs though, she’s really howling at their losses although they think it’s because she’s loaded.

They are sharks though, marking is the least of their talents. They know how to read ponies, the tics and giveaways. There I have them, I am still as a pond on a quiet summer day. There is no muscle movement, no body language to give anything to them. It is almost Zen how peaceful I am when reading my cards, then suddenly bursting to life and placing a bet. It’s confusing them as I get nudged under the table by a 'tipsy’ Applejack.

The stack of chips in front of me is getting high by the end of the third hour and I decide to make my move.

“I’m all in! Ah’kay? It’s gettin’ late and daddy is probably wondering where I am, it’s rilly annoying but I’m afraid I have to go!”

I see the grins. My body language has told them I have nothing, I’m bluffing. I have a full Castle..what they call a full house. The symbols only I can read on their cards are telling me they have nothing that can win. But they are so confident, so smug and self-assured.

Pride goeth before a fall.

The bets are placed, a huge piles of chips in the middle of the table as I lay down my cards, “Full Castle! Right? Right? That’s what it is right?”

As I ‘realize’ I’ve won, I clap and squeal loudly, ignoring their dropped jaws and astonished faces. Applejack and I know we need to leave and quickly, so we grab the chips, say our farewells and scoot as fast as is appropriate for a couple of fillies who don’t realize what they’ve done.
They are too aghast at the amount lost, we are not stopped by the waiting thugs outside the door, just exiting as nice as you please.

Cashing them out was a bit problematic, I had overdone it and won more than we needed so Applejack got herself a set of bags to carry half of it.

We are howling in laughter as we hit the full streets, saddlebags clanking with the sound of money as we trot back to the hotel in high spirits.

I am reminded of an old novel and a saying, though I modify it somewhat.

Didn’t you know? Never deal with a Bolo.

-------------

Before we hit the room, Applejack sent a good amount to her friend with a note through the Royal Mail. She says he’ll accept it this way and I am pleased I could help her.

“Ah know what we did was kinda wrong..” I stop her.

“No, I think you’re fine. You didn’t lie, you never said a word during the game. Your reputation is still the best Applejack, it was I that did the talking and doing.”

“Well, it was my plan.”

“But you were honest with our friends about it, even Twilight agreed they should be knocked down a peg or two.” I give her a nudge, “A Princess said okay, you’re good.”

“Well...”

“We could give it back?”

The look on her face would have burned through steel, “What? Give it back to them no-good lying self serving thieves? No way Missy! No way no how!”

“Then stop worrying. You helped a friend, you brought a lesson to those who would cheat and steal, and you never lied once. Though we are pushing it, it’s true.”

“Well, alright. I guess ah’m not comfortable even if it was mah own idea.”

I take her hoof in mine, “Point at me and tell me cheating is bad.”

“What?”

“Just do it.”

“Cheatin’s bad! You shouldn’t cheat!” She’s smiling.

“I am properly punished, feel better?”

“Yeah..strangely enough.”

“Good, let’s hit the room and get some sleep. It’s been a long day and we’ve got many more to do!”

“So what do you want to do with all this money?” She’s looking at me as we open the door on our sleeping friends.

“I have a plan you’ll like, trust me, it’s right up our alley.”

We fall into the soft warm beds, our friends are snoozing lightly, well except for Fluttershy who keeps hiccuping.

Before I close my eyes for the night I grip my pillow tightly and smile.

It’s been such a good day Crusader. Such a good day.

-------------

The morning comes bright with the rays of the sun flashing through the gauzy curtains. It also dawns on what I see is Rainbow Dash staggering to the bathroom to clean up. She’s rubbing her head and looking worn.

“Augh, too much cider.”

“Serves ya right featherbrain, drinking that much.” Applejack’s always up before the morning sun.

Rainbow turns, raising a hoof, “And I’ll do it again!” Her voice raised enough to have her groan once more at the hangover.

Twilight’s head peeks out of the shower room, “It’s a beautiful morning everypony! We’ve got the whole day ahead of us.” She looks at the weary eyes and headaches of her friends still on their beds.

“Nope, this won’t do!” Her horn lights up, a powerful burst of magic rams through the room as she waits a moment.	

Rainbow rubs her head and brightens, “That’s awesome! How’d you learn that?” Her headache has faded into nothing.

The lavender mare grins, “Well since we were on vacation, I stopped and picked up a few quick spells at the local library, one of them was a hangover cure.”

Rarity pushes her mane out of her face, “Well I for one am grateful, I was feeling dreadful this morning!”

“Oh me too, thank you Twilight!” Fluttershy is smiling as she makes her bed.

“You do know they have ponies to do that, right Flutters?” Rainbow is eyeing her.

“Oh I know, but it’s nice to help.”

The cyan mare shakes her head, turning and tripping over mine and Applejack’s saddlebags, the money spilling out is far, far more than I had last night.

A gasp is heard from everypony as the pile of money lays there, all the eyes turning to Applejack and me.

Pinkie is looking at it all, “Wow, what’d you do rob the Royal Treasury?” She bounces a moment, “No, looks more like you robbed all of Canterlot!” Her eyes get distraught, “You didn’t invite me?”

“We didn’t rob anypony Pinkie, we just went and played cards, taught a big shot he can’t cheat nopony all the time.”

Twilight is still blinking at the pile, “So it went well?”

“Oh more than!” I reply, “We really nailed him to the wall!”

Rarity is peeking over the edge of her bed at the bags, “Goodness, you said you’d teach him a lesson, but that is quite the amount!”

Twilight is tapping her chin, “So what are you going to do with it all?”

Applejack and I exchange smiles, “We got a plan.”

After cleaning up, we all readied for another day of fun. Applejack and I led them to a huge amusement park, it was said to be the best one in town, though a bit pricey.

Rainbow looks at all the rides and games, the flashing lights and screaming ponies, “You’re going to buy an amusement park? COOL!”

She gets hit on the back of the head by Applejack, “No ya featherbrain!”

Rainbow rubs the spot, “Ow! Then what?” As we approach the ticket booth, a small shack that held the entrance to the park and a ticket counter.

Applejack slams down the heavy saddlebags on the counter, gesturing at the pony behind it, “This money, all of it, is gonna buy passes for every foal, colt and filly and their parents and anypony who wants one until it runs out.”

All day passes at this park were expensive, but it allowed one to have access to everything, all the games and rides. I had noticed it when we were going back to the hotel last night, and asked the desk clerk about it. Food was separate, but that was a minimal cost, you could tour the entire park on a pass.

Applejack was thrilled when I asked her about it, she laughed when she thought of that ill-gotten money going to good use.

The pony behind the counter though, we all saw the look, thinking he could get away with maybe taking a few for himself since we were turning it over. I was about to say something when Twilight got nose to nose with him, snorting as she let him have it.

“You even think about taking any of it, you or the managers, and I’ll have the Royal Revenue Service on your backs so fast your ears will slap from the wind.” She’s pointing a steady hoof at him, “You make sure every foal, colt, filly and their parents get an all day pass! Plus anypony else that wants one!”

He gulps loudly, being confronted by a glaring Princess.

“I guarantee we’ll look over every slip, bit and account book you have if I ever suspect you’re skimming anything. We’ll dig a hole so deep you will all never see sunlight! Am I clear?” She pokes him with her hoof, “We know exactly how much is there and I will be asking for receipts!”

Twilight had us count the entire amount before we even stepped from the room. Now I understand why. We figured it up and Twilight did some quick sums, realizing it was enough to give day passes for the next week to anypony that wanted to go inside the park. That was one hay of a lot of ponies.

He nods, what we assume is the manager standing behind him nodding as well, his eyes telling us he’s suspected something for a while about the counter stallion.

“And if you think you can falsify receipts to maybe get some extra, we’ve got that covered too. We hear one complaint, one! And I will personally shut this place down. This better be the happiest place in Equestria for the next week or you’ll regret it!”

She pokes the pony, “You got me? Happy!”

“Y..yes Princess!”

Applejack and Rarity pull her aside, “Twilight, what’s gotten into you?”

She sighs, “It feels like everypony here has some kind of scam or con going on, it’s not right!” She gestures out the door with a hoof, “I’m the Princess of Friendship, I keep saying that a lot but never quite doing enough. Well for once I am, there are going to be some happy ponies around here!”

“Well darling, it’s just this town, so much going on behind the scenes. It’s a wonder Princess Celestia doesn’t shut it all down.” Rarity is watching the counter pony with a jaundiced eye.

Twilight nods, we’re all talking in hushed voices, “She’s had her eye on this city for a while, but I didn’t realize it was so bad!” 

“It ain’t bad sugarcube, there’s good folks here too! Look at that restaurant last night.” Applejack is trying to be reasonable.

We watch as a Pegasi family with twin fillies walk in the door, politely nodding and smiling to us as their little ones chatter happily. 

The mother is grinning at the two foals, “You’ve saved all your allowance, are you positive want to spend it all here? We’ll get the tickets, but are you sure?”

The two fillies are nodding, “YES!”

The father shrugs, “It’s their birthday honey, we promised them whatever they wanted, so here we are.” He turns to the counter pony, “Four all day passes please.”

“That’ll be..” The voice stops dead as he sees all of us eyeing him with murderous intent.

“Th..that’ll be free.” He hoofs over four shining gold slips of parchment.

The parents are glancing at each other, not sure they heard right,  “Pardon, did you say free?”

“Y..yes. Yes!” The manager comes from behind, “A donation was recently made and is being used to purchase passes for anypony that wants one.” He gives the two smiling fillies one each, their parents stunned for a moment. The manager is kind, his actions proving he is nothing like the counter attendant.

He gives the two squealing children a tap on the nose, “You two go have the best day ever, and happy birthday!”

“But who..” The parents are examining the slips they’re holding, “Who would do such a thing?”

The manager just smiles, but I see his eyes slide to us, “Oh, a good bunch of ponies, some one who cares.” He makes absolutely sure that they know it’s us just by his eyes.

The family turns to leave after profusely thanking the manager, who waves off any responsibility, saying it wasn’t anything he’d done. As they pass us though, their eyes go wide, recognizing Twilight who is trying to act normal. The mother mouths “Thank you” as they go by, leading two very excited fillies into the park.

The manager smiles at the retreating forms, turning to Twilight, “I assure you Highness, there will not be a single bit out of place. I will have all receipts ready for your inspection by the Royal Revenue Service, you have my word.” He glares at the counter pony who we suddenly realize won’t have a job much longer.

Twilight looks a bit abashed by the forthrightness of the statement, “I..”

“No, you’re right in your demands Princess. We will make sure everything is correct.” He leans out the door, calling to another burly stallion who stands behind the ticket pony.

“I’m the owner, not the manager, my name is Park Ride.” He chuckles at our looks, “I promise you, this will be the happiest place in Equestria even longer than a week if I can help it. I’ve been wondering why things weren’t going as well while I’ve been away, but now, it seems my suspicions have been correct.”

He gestures, the burly stallion taking the counter pony off, a replacement comes in, a smiling mare who is bright yellow and happy. Her Cutie Mark is a smiling flower.

“I started this park because I wanted everyone to be as happy as I was when I was a foal coming to places like this. But there have been rumors, of theft and bad  conditions. I will see to it Your Highness, this is taken care of today.” He bows low to her for a moment.

“Oh..please don’t..” Twilight hates that stuff.

“As you wish Princess. This is the largest amusement park in Las Pegasus, and by Celestia it’s going to be full of joy!” He points a hoof out the door, “Everything is at your disposal Your Highness, on me. Enjoy yourselves, smile and laugh!”

He bows once more, “You also have my friendship, if it is ever needed, for showing me something I needed to see Princess Sparkle. Thank you, you will always be welcome here at my park.” He leaves before we can say anything, Twilight is looking stunned to her hooves.

Rarity clears her throat, “Well...that was unexpected.”

The mare behind the counter calls to us, giving us all lanyards with cards on them, “This will let you on any ride and anyplace else you want, you’ve got all access!” She’s as pleasant as can be while talking to us. “That’s my dad, he loves making ponies happy, he’s been worried about the park, but I think you gave him what he needed to make it better!”

“Well, I’m...I’m glad I could help.” Twilight is not going to take credit for something she hasn’t done, “But it really wasn’t me..”

“Oh it was, you and your friends! My name’s Sunflower by the way! It was you telling that counter guy off, he was such a jerk. We all knew he was stealing but couldn’t prove it. Dad was trying to decide whether to shut the park down or try and do something about it. You helped him make that decision from what I can see.”

She smiles, it’s as bright as Celestia’s Sun, “He loves his work, he loves this park. I think you just saved it.”

Her bright yellow face turns to see her father with some burly roustabouts, giving orders and making things his way now, better, happier.

Her voice is soft as she talks to us, “He’s been moping for days, wondering what to do. Then you come in, drop more bits than we’ve ever seen and tell us this place needs to be happy, that’s all he wanted.” She never loses her smile watching him, ponies jumping to listen to the loud voice which is roisterous and warm.

She turns that wonderful smile on us again, “He doesn’t makes friends easily, you really are the Princess of Friendship!”

“But he didn’t know I..”

“Oh he knew the second you walked in. He keeps up with the news and stuff. He was listening to everything.”

She gets out from behind the counter, shooing us off, “Now go into the park, have fun! There’s so much to do so if you don’t see it all come back!” She waves at us as we walk into the common grounds, surrounded by rides and games and exhibits, “Go on and have a great time!”

We are left standing in the middle of organized chaos, wondering what to do first. It is an amusement park and carnival rolled into one and it is astounding.

Twilight though is looking back at Sunshine, “What just happened?”

Rainbow is not to be deterred, “I dunno Twilight, but you made a friend and we all get to see the park for free!”

“That’s not why we did this Rainbow Dash!” She stamps a hoof.

“Ah know sugar, but ya know, sometimes things happen. You helped a pony who was feeling down, and look at him now!” Applejack points to the owner again, he’s smiling and laughing with a few workers.

Pinkie is bouncing around, peering at all the sights, “You can’t explain everything Twilight, let’s go have fun!”

And we did, oh did we ever.

There were rides that screamed along a track, making us all hold on for dear life as we rolled through loops and turns. A haunted house that almost scared the nanites clean out of me at a point or two. So many things to smile at or watch, or do! We are not allowed to pay for anything, which frustrates Twilight, and Applejack and the others including myself. They are used to at least giving gratuities, but are waved off with smiles and grins.
Apparently when he said we had all access, it also meant we don’t pay. It does not stop all of us from leaving money on the counters as a thank you anyway.

Rainbow drags me to games of skill, I turn off all my processing and tactical cores, leaving me with just me and my instincts. I lose some, but I do win a few and that makes me more happy than anything else. Though what I’ll do with a large stuffed representation of Princess Luna I’m not sure yet.

Applejack of course, is quite content with a few exhibitions of strength, out-doing even the minotaur who was running the booth. Her kick on the paddle making the weight slide up and ring the bell while knocking it off the backboard was amazing to see.

Rarity even has a great time, losing herself for the moment, she is deadly accurate with a ball, knocking over milk bottles to win prizes. She said it’s her eye for fine sewing that does it.

I think she’s an assassin in disguise, that’s what I think.

We ate more fair food than is healthy for us, but it is fun, cotton candy is something else to try for the first time as I enjoy it so very much. There are caramel apples, grilled vegetables, all the things that are made are here in one place.

There were even logic puzzles that attracted Twilight, who was frustrating the pony running the booth by answering everything in record time. She was finally told she couldn’t win any more prizes. We all had to help her haul away the winnings.

Fluttershy found the petting zoo, she was happily still there when we came by hours later, telling the rabbits how to decorate their homes more warmly. She attracted a crowd by having the different animals doing tricks for them, receiving applause and murmurs of appreciation. She stopped when she realized that such a big crowd was watching her, hiding behind us when we came by.

We found Pinkie late in the day, she was with a pack of roving mimes that were entertaining everypony. Pinkie was all dressed up in a striped shirt and beret, giggling madly when we saw her and having the time of her life. She still wouldn’t tell us how she’d got in with them and why she had a whole bunch of clown noses in her saddlebags.

Rainbow was amazing to see, Pegasi being athletic, there were games that required their particular skills. Dodging through hoops and flames, being missed by swinging weights and magically tossed boulders (fake of course) it was a daring challenge. She came through with flying colors and won a first edition Daring Do book signed by the author. I thought her smile would never fade as she clutched the tome tightly.

The owner Park Ride, catches us as we walk around his amazing place, asking if we are having fun, are we doing well? We assure him that his park is beyond imagining.

He points a hoof at all of us, telling us to stop paying for things, he had already arranged it. Twilight tells him politely, but firmly, we will pay for some things, that it is only right. This pleases him to no extent.

He is smiling, he looks..different somehow. He’d had a worn look when we had seen him in the morning, but now it was as if he glowed with renewed energy and life. His daughter was with him, making sure he didn’t wear himself out doing too many things.

We watch him as he bids us farewell, waving to ponies and joking with little ones. He has a renewed sense of purpose, given to him by a band of friends I can only be pleased to accompany.

But what we didn’t know, and were to find out later, was that a story was being told. We never found out who started it, but we had our suspicions.

A Princess had come to his park, telling him that it was to be the happiest place in Equestria. The owner had made a vow that it would be, for as long as he lived it would be a place of smiles and laughter. That no matter what, ponies would be able to enter and have the time of their lives.

It was changed in the telling of course, but the main thing was that the owner had given his rare friendship to a Princess who had given him the will to remake his wonderland into an even greater thing.

Ponies believed that story, the workers, the ones who visited the park that day. All of them believing even more that the Princesses looked out for every pony no matter who, by making their lives better in various ways.

When you ignite a spark of hope in a heart, it can change the world.

--------------

It’s an exhausted group that lands in their beds as we toss everything onto the floor, Twilight’s prizes being the biggest bundle as we all compare stories of the park. It had been magical, a true land of entertainment and delight that would only get better if Park Ride had anything to do with it.

He and his daughter had met us as we were leaving, him promising that there would be more changes, good ones, coming and that it would truly be the most joyful place in Equestria.

Twilight had been a bit embarrassed as he renewed his vow of friendship, telling her that should she ever need his assistance she had only to call.

I was elated at winning a few prizes, because I did it, not my cores or programs, but me! I hug the stuffed pony tight and listen to the stories around me.

“Ya know, we ought to come back in a year and see what he’s done with the place.” Applejack is lying back on her pillows.

“I think it’s wonderful already, how could it get better?” Fluttershy is smiling at her time there.

“I don’t know, but winning a First Edition Daring Do? How much better CAN it get?” Rainbow is clutching the book like it’s solid platinum, never having let it go for a moment.

Pinkie is trying on different clown noses, “I don’t know, but it’s gonna be great!” She still won’t tell us where she go those.

“And it’s all thanks to you darling," Rarity is pointing at Twilight, “You did what you thought was right and it was! Bravo!”

Twilight is surrounded by stuffed animals and prizes, “I..well I just thought I’d try harder is all.” She’s rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment.

“Ya done good sugarcube!”

“I think you did great Twilight.” Adding my two cents, she beams at all of us.

“Well.. Don’t tell the Princesses I threatened anypony okay?”

“We won’t, though I’m sure they’ll find out, somehow they always do.” Applejack is laughing lightly.

“Well I for one am for sleep, it’s been such a wonderful day but I am worn out!” Rarity is unpacking her sleep mask.

Everypony agrees, getting things in order for some rest, though the floor is covered with gifts and stuff we’ve brought back.

Twilight is looking at me oddly for a moment, “What happened Athena? You never lose at games.” Referring to my losing quite a few.

“I..I tu..turned everything off..” I don’t know what else to say, “I..was just me, no tactical programs or anything.”

“So you were just a normal pony?”

“Y..yes. But it was neat, I didn’t win a whole lot, but what I did was all me!”

The Alicorn points at me, “That’s because you’re used to being able to do all those amazing things, you’re out of practice without them.” She grins, “How’d it feel?”

“It was..wonderful. I didn’t know anything but simple things, nothing but my own thoughts and wishes. It was different.”

“But she put that ball right in that milk jug! In one shot!” Rainbow is sounding proud, “She’s good!”

“But I did lose quite a few times.”

“Can’t win ‘em all.” She looks around at the shocked looks, “What? I’m awesome no matter what I do. Even losing I can look good.” She immediately gets smacked upside the head with a thrown pillow.

“Hey!”

“You ain’t that awesome ya smug mare.”

“I am too!” She throws the pillow back, “Even when I lose I make things twenty percent cooler!”

She gets buried by an avalanche of pillows.

Fluttershy excuses herself, wanting to stretch her wings in the cool night air as we all sit and talk about the day. Everything is still sharp, I’ve taken plenty of pictures and recordings, I can’t wait to share them with Crusader when I get back. I really don’t want this to end.

As the talk goes on, they all drop off one by one into the realms of sleep. It’s been quite the day and I am not feeling sleepy, nor is Pinkie for some reason. She’s telling me jokes when I finally realize that Fluttershy is not back.

Checking my internal clock since I last saw her, it’s been three hours.

“Pinkie, Fluttershy’s not back yet.”

“Huh?” She looks around, “Maybe she found a nice raccoon to talk to, she does that ya know.”

“I know, but she was tired as well.”

Pinkie taps her chin, “That’s odd, she usually doesn’t like crowds that much either.”

“I’m going to go look for her.”

“You sure?” She yawns widely, “I’ll help!”

“No, stay here and get some rest, it’ll be fine.”

“I dunno, I mean I like to help..and...go...look...” She drops right off mid-sentence and snores as she falls over into her pillow.

Shaking my head, I make sure they’re all tucked in, leaving the room and securing the door tightly just in case. I don’t like this, Fluttershy is not one to just up and leave for hours.

I start with the obvious, the lobby of the hotel. Looking around, it’s just the desk clerk this late, but he is eyeing me as well. 

Walking up to the counter I politely ask him if he’s seen my friend, describing her and her Mark.

“Nope, haven’t seen her I’m afraid. Maybe she went to a late night casino or something?”

He’s lying. Scanning his body I can see he’s nervous about something. He’s seen us before, all of us together.

Putting my front hooves on the wooden counter I remain calm, “Let’s try this again. Did you see my friend?”

He shakes his head once more, denying he ever saw her tonight.

Pushing down on the wood, it starts to crack as I lean forward, “You saw her and now you’re lying, why?”

“Look miss, I didn’t see nothing!”

I push harder, my hooves pressing into the top of the counter now as it creaks ominously, “Tell me what you saw or I promise you’ll regret it.”

He is shaking as he finally relates to me what he had seen.

“She was comin’ in the door about three hours ago, two big stallions stopped her and dragged her off somewhere, that’s all I know!”

“And you didn’t see fit to report this or let anypony know?”

“Look lady, I don’t get involved. I just do my job. I have a family to think of.”

He’s scared, but not just of me, of somepony else. I can’t fault him, I really can’t no matter how my anger is rising right now. Most folks want to do their jobs and live quietly. 
I take some money out of my bag and slide it across the counter, “For damages, and some for you. Who were they?”

He thinks, he’s thinking very hard right now as he looks around the lobby. There is nopony else but he and I right now.

“Lady, you and your friends have been nice, but you never heard it from me. There’s only a few ponies strong enough to do something like that and try to get away with it. You must have made someone mad.”

“Who?”

“There’s Crookshanks who works the lower town, Shady runs the upper, but they all answer to Big Bits.”

“So he runs the criminal activities?”

“He runs it all, you get him mad and ponies disappear.”

“Why doesn’t the Guard do anything?”

“Lady, they’re as intimidated as I am. He’s got dirt on everypony who runs things. We’re so far from Canterlot, it’s rare a Princess visits, and when they do they’re kept away from the underside on purpose. He’s got eyes everywhere and knows everything going on.”

“Thank you.” I turn to go back to the room.

“Please don’t say...”

“Not a word, take care of your family.”

Walking back up to the room I ponder my solutions to this. Crusader could have tanks here by midday, we could have full drone coverage hours before then, we could lock this city down so tight not a mouse would get out. But we don’t know where Fluttershy is. If I activate the trackers, Crusader will know immediately as they are wide band, he'll know something's wrong. I rule this out, we have to find another way.

I clamp down my cores, keeping this information sequestered and not available. I have to inform Twilight and the others.

Before I start ascending the stairs, my ears catch another pony coming in to the lobby, asking the clerk for Princess Sparkle’s room, that he had a message to deliver.

I turn to see the clerk pointing at me.

“That’s her friend, she can take it.” I trot over to see what it is.

The colt delivering it smiles at me as he hands the folded parchment over, “Here you go miss!”

“Thank you.” I give him a tip as he nods, heading out for more deliveries I suppose.

Unfolding the paper, it confirms my fear. We had angered the wrong pony and now here was the proof.

Your friend for my money. You’ll be given instructions where to go. 
Don’	t get smart, be there to pay or your friend will pay for you.

BB

I make absolutely sure this information is locked away in my systems, away from any possible sharing. Fluttershy holds a special place with Crusader after he healed her, the wounds he blamed on himself. If he even suspects this, he will tear this city apart looking for her.

This idiot is unknowingly going to unleash his own destruction if we cannot solve this quietly.

I am mindful of all of this as I race up the stairs to wake my friends. Evening has fallen, but we don't have much time.

-------------

“Oh no, this is all mah fault.” Applejack’s voice is sorrowful as she reads the note.

I had woken them all up, not long after they went to sleep, but the weariness faded quickly when I told them of what I knew and showed them the note.

“We didn’t know Applejack, we had no clue he could trace us or even know where we were, we just thought he was some rich bigshot.”

“I shoulda left well enough alone.” She looks at all of us, “I’m so sorry.”

Twilight shakes her head, “We all knew, we all agreed it was fair. Nopony is to blame, and it’s too late for that now, we’ve got to find her.”

“We don’t have the money anymore, we gave it to the park. I can try to win more but it would take a few hours. It was a lot of money.”

“No,” Twilight is pointing at me, “We’ll find her.” She thinks for a minute, “Alright, we’ll split up, start looking around town and asking..quietly!..where he might be.”

Applejack, you and Athena go together, they know you know each other. Me, Rainbow and Pinkie will start looking elsewhere. If he’s got eyes everywhere, we’ll just have to be a bit more circumspect. Let’s do this fast.”

We move out, Applejack and I know the first place we’ll stop. She is commiserating on how it’s her fault when I stop her.

“Look, we didn’t think it through, even I didn’t. Yes I cheated, yes I took his money. But you don’t kidnap somepony because of money, he’s got more than he’ll ever need. He’s trying to show he’s a power by intimidating us to give his money back. We’re going to show him he’s wrong.”

“Ah know, but I started all this.”

“And we’ll end it, simple.” I give her my best smile.

She returns it as we head back to the park, maybe Park Ride would know something since he’s the owner and would have to deal with this Bits pony while in town.

-------------

He listens closely to our tale after we beat around the bush slightly, seeing if he would listen or ignore it as the clerk had done. The look on his kindly face is a bit grim as we tell him who the perpetrator was, but we don’t know where he operates out of.

He nods, “I think I know, I’ve got a pretty good idea. Though I’ve only seen him in a few other places where us business owners have to pay a ‘toll’ to operate in this town.”

Applejack’s jaw hits the floor, “He’s extortin’ you?”

“Yes. For years now ever since he became the boss, lording it over others and ponies who didn’t pay up found their businesses ransacked or worse. He’s a blight on this town.” He spits on the ground, “Celestia damn him for all he’s done! Pardon my language of course.”

His daughter standing beside him gives a poke with her hoof, “Dad! You know what mom said about using those words.”

“I know, I know. Love your mom to death, but that Big Bits needs to be locked up.”

He looks thoughtful, “You give me one hour, I’ll have something for you, I promise.” With that he’s off with Sunflower.

“Well ain’t that somethin’. Guess ah’m used to small town life and it bein’ quiet and all.” We walk back onto the street, wandering around while waiting.

“Things may not be perfect here Applejack, but like you said, there are good ponies.”

“Yeah, but life ought to be better than some criminal taking things from the hard workin’ folks.”

During our walk, we notice things we hadn’t before. There is a darker side to this town, behind the lights and the glamour there are hard working ponies quietly trying to make their way through life. All anyone ever sees is the shiny things, never the dull or the faded.

Applejack and I do as we walk and talk with different folks, she is respectful and polite, seeing the things we never thought existed here but suspected. You don’t pay any mind, being distracted. But now, we’re focused and can truly see what lies behind the facade.

We will tell Twilight when we meet up next, tell her all that’s been going on, perhaps we can come up with something to change things.

Meeting Park Ride and his daughter once more, he tells us there is a warehouse on the outskirts of town where Bits does his business, a headquarters for his criminal operations.

We thank him profusely, telling him we’ll be in touch after everything is settled and go on our way.

--------------

Park Ride watched the two mares trotting off, his hoof tapping the ground as his daughter looked at him curiously.

“What’s wrong daddy?”

“This isn’t right.” He turns to her, “Go get Lucky and Hard Hat, get all the roustabouts you can find, tell them 'Hey Rube’. I’ve got to contact some friends.”

Sunflower’s eyes go wide as she nods, rushing off to find the ponies he asked for as he walked towards his office, “No, no this isn’t right at all.”

--------------

We find Twilight and the others, passing along what Park Ride said as we head back to the hotel.

The clerk at the desk calls us over, telling us he had a message. It’s exactly what we suspected, deliver the money to a warehouse. How convenient that we already know. We have to be there in one hour, but fifteen minutes has already expired from our being absent.

I speak up, “He’s going to act like royalty, we’re to come in and grovel, beg his forgiveness and hoof over the money. It’s all about power.”

Twilight stamps a hoof and snorts, “Well he’ll find out real quick we don’t give in to threats or anything like that.”

“You have a plan darling?” Rarity is calm and collected, it makes me suspicious, thoughts of assassins come to mind again. I’ll have to watch her.

“I do, we’re going to walk in and get our friend! If they don’t give her to us, well the Forest Foals and the Changelings found out what happened when they messed with the Elements of Harmony.”

Rainbow taps her hooves together while hovering near, “We’re gonna harmonize them all right!”

Twilight nods firmly, “I think it’s about time somepony finds out they can’t bully others.”

We head out to the warehouse, it’s quite a distance away and very large, the perfect place to store ill-gotten gains and traffic them.

Entering the large doors, we are confronted by two thugs, asking us why we’re here and smiling nastily when Twilight tells them we’ve come to retrieve our friend. I mark them as targets, making sure my threats file is open and processing, I make plans for a fight.

Twilight has told us, we go in as one, we leave as one, if anything breaks out we act together. I know I cannot do everything and I will stand with them. Seeing the grim look on the Alicorn’s face though, is disheartening, she should be smiling.

Coming to a large room, we are greeted by a horde of what appears to be the typical scum that infest such places. Human or pony, the look is the same. Big Bits is sitting in a chair at the end of a long table, smiling at us smugly. Fluttershy is being held by two large earth pony types and looking scared.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash is held back before she can go to her friend.

“Calm down Rainbow, we’ll get her.” Applejack is telling her.

“You hurt her and you’ll regret it!” The cyan pegasus is pointing a hoof.

His voice is raspy and low as he laughs, “You’ll get her back when I get my money.”

“You’re not getting any money!” Twilight steps forward of our line, “You turn her over now by my authority as Princess and maybe we won’t have you locked up!”

“Your threats don’t bother me..Princess... I’ll be out in a day doing what I do. You don’t rule here, I do, you visit and smile and then leave.” He stomps a hoof, “But I am always here and I run this town!” The murmurs of his criminal associates agree with him.

“Not any more!” A voice makes us turn, seeing Park Ride and his daughter. Ponies are piling in behind him and it looks like he has every construction and park worker in the city pouring in behind him like a solid wall of muscle. They are shoving the goons at the door in front of them, looking worse for wear.

“Well, well Park Ride, got a bit of guts now do you?”

“More than that, I think it’s time for a change in this town!” The ponies beside and behind him are nodding as more are trying to fit in the warehouse.

A hoof is waved disdainfully, “Nothing changes, if not me then somepony else. Go back to your lives and leave the thinking to us.”

“You’ve got one chance Bits, release that mare and get out or we’ll do it for you!”

The smile on the smarmy face is looking a bit nervous now, seeing the looks on all the ponies he’s probably hassled over the last few years. They aren’t leaving, and when they do it’s going to be right over the line of criminals in front of them.

“Be reasonable, you won’t do a...”

“GET HIM!” Park Ride points a hoof and it’s like a wave of colors as the ponies rush the end of the warehouse. All we can do is hope we don’t get trampled as hooves stampede past us, leaving us all looking on in wonder as a full-blown riot breaks out.

I didn’t know Mimes could fight so quietly.

We’re standing in a group surrounded by grim looking workers who are keeping us all from harm in the scrum as we watch the criminals get taken down and hauled out of the warehouse. Fluttershy is brought to us where she receives hugs from Rainbow Dash.

Exiting the building, there are crowds all over the street, hauling in more of what appears to be the ring of criminals and handing them over to the Guard. Sunflower is trying to keep her father out of the way, but he’s having the time of his life directing the near war in the city streets.

It is a full scale revolution in the city of Las Pegasus, those who were browbeaten or bullied are coming to the streets in their hundreds to help haul away the ones who’d done the wrongs.

Twilight steps clear of the warehouse to see this happening as ponies recognize her and whispered words spread.

“The Princess!”

Ponies near to us start bowing to her dismay as it ripples outward like a wave, ending in silence as they all look at her for a word or two.

The lavender Alicorn is motionless until nudged by Applejack and Pinkie, “It’s all you sugarcube, say something.”

She steps forward, her horn lighting up to spread her voice to the waiting crowds.

I’m sure she’s going to say something nice, momentous even.

“Will you please stop bowing!”

Ah well, one can hope.

All the ponies rise, still waiting for her to say something. It’s inevitable, they want her to tell them they’ve done right.

She looks back at us, seeing hooves pushing at her, urging her to say something.

“Uhm... thank you for helping us get our friend back. I know things are tough sometimes, and life isn’t all perfect, but maybe now things can get better. It’s up to you, and you’ve proven that in Equestria, we can do anything.” She smiles, “Thank you, thank you all again.”

“Three cheers for the Princess!” Park Ride is yelling from the front of the crowd.

The roar is deafening.

------------

Setting in our hotel room, the noise from the street outside comes in clear even through the concrete walls. It is a city wide party. There are streamers and laughter, everything that is wonderful is out there. I watch the fireworks in the sky from the window as we all talk.

“Wow,” Rainbow Dash is beside me, “Who knew a vacation would start a war in this city. But for the better!”

“Well Rainbow, sometimes when ponies have had enough, all it takes is a single match to light the flame.”

She sighs, “And I didn’t even get to show my awesomeness in a fight.”

I give her a hug, “You’ll still be awesome.”

We turn to Twilight’s voice, “But they’re saying I started it! I didn’t do anything!”

Applejack and Rarity are laughing, “Well it’s better than being blamed for the bad things isn’t it?”

“But..but that’s not the point. I am not going to take credit for this!”

“You don’t have to, their givin’ it to ya sugarcube.”

“Augh! I’m the Princess of Friendship but it seems I’m now the Princess of Riots!”

Everypony laughs, long and hard.

A knock comes at the door, Twilight stomps over to it, “I’m not giving any interviews! I’m on vaca...” Her voice stops as we peek around the corner.

Princess Celestia and Luna are standing in the doorway, smiling warmly, “Well, that’s fine, we didn’t want to interview you anyway.” Luna giggles.

“P..Princess Celestia!” She hugs her mentor and Luna, inviting them in.

We bow as is only appropriate, watching them look around the somewhat messy room.

Settling down in comfortable chairs, I see Princess Luna eyeing the prize I won, looking it over. 

“It’s..uhm.. I won it at a game.”

“Well they need to make sure the eye color is better, hmph, if you’re going to make a stuffed version, they could at least get the color right!” She’s grinning at me.

“We’ll let them know Your Highness.” We both share a laugh as Twilight speaks with Celestia.

“Uh..so.. enjoying Las Pegasus?” She’s looking a bit nervous.

“Oh yes," Celestia’s voice is calm as always, “We just thought we’d drop in, hearing a Princess was on vacation, thinking we’d see how it was going. Imagine our surprise when we hear of a..well..upset in the town that seemed to have cleared out the criminal element we’ve been worried about.”

She eyes Twilight mischievously, “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

Twilight taps her hooves together, smiling nervously, “Uh..no?”

“Are you sure?” She is still smiling with a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh all right, yes! We know about it. Augh! It wasn’t my fault!” She throws her hooves up in the air, explaining what had happened in the past days, she does gloss over Applejacks’ and mine own part in the poker game, saying we just won money that we donated.

Celestia just nods, Luna however is chuckling.

The alabaster mare taps a hoof on the floor for a moment, “But you did make a friend didn’t you?”

“Yes, but that’s all! I didn’t do all this, but they keep saying I did!”

“It’s not about doing something Twilight, it’s about inspiring others to do for themselves.” She looks at all of us. “You can’t do everything for everypony, they must live their own lives.”

Leaning down she beams at her former student, “But by making one friend, and doing the right thing, you made a difference. They did it themselves, but choose to think that perhaps you had somehow done this.”

“But it’s not true.”

“What’s not true? You making a friend? Helping him to make a decision he had a problem with? This led to the excising of something that was rotten to the betterment of all? You gave them a push, a gentle nudge and it helped. That’s all, that’s all it ever was. You cannot control what they believe, but you can try and make sure it’s for the better.”

“So just making one friend, can change things so much?”

“Yes. All it takes is one and some very special ponies to do things to make others take heart.” She presses a shod hoof against Twilight’s chest, “That is you and your friends.”

“Well...I guess so..” Twilight is still uncertain, but the comforting words from her mentor are striking deep as she smiles in return.

“Cheer up Twilight, it’ll fade, then you can look back on this.” She laughs brightly, getting to her hooves. “Enjoy your stay.”

“We will!” Everyone is smiling once more.

Celestia leans down to me for one second, whispering in my ear before she and Luna exit with warm farewells, leaving me to sit there blushing furiously.

Applejack is looking at me, “What’d she say?”

“She said..uh...”

“Well tell us darling!” Rarity is wanting to know.

I tap my hooves together in front of myself for a moment, “She uhm..said nice young mares shouldn’t cheat at cards.”

Applejack almost falls out of her chair before laughing so hard she can’t breathe. The others join in the merriment to my somewhat dismay, though I laugh as well. I can only sit there and wonder how she even knew!

-------------

We have a few more days to spend here, so much to do and see. But the atmosphere of the town has changed in a way that’s hard not to notice, airy, lighter on the chest. Ponies seem to smile more, to bid hello to each other more often.

I don’t know what to say, or even think. From a simple trip to a city-wide change, it is amazing how such things can happen. I don’t know what to say to Crusader when I get back, but I don’t worry.

I’ve learned that a simple thing, such as donating money to see that others can benefit, or even a smile and greeting, can change things so drastically you wonder how it all happened.

For all our might and power, all our capabilities, Bolos cannot compare to the warm heart of a true friend. I am humbled by this. There are still things to learn in this world, and I look forward to each and every day.

Each and every day with my friends.