1. End of the Line

“Hey!”
Go away.
“Wake up!”
No, mom! I don’t wanna wake up!
“I’m not your mother you silly colt!”
Wait, what?!

I opened my eyes, blinking in the sunlight. I was in a carriage. Not the fancy kind, mind you, with the gold and embellishments and whatnot. This carriage was the kind that was simple and rickety. Every rock and hole on the ground made the cart creak in ways that did not instill much confidence. The landscape which the carriage was crossing through was rough and hilly, and heavily snowed upon. Not exactly ideal traveling conditions, either. I saw that the carriage was pulled by two stallions, wearing traditional imperial army garb. There was a sudden crack, and I was sure I jumped at least ten feet into the air. As I settled down again, I heard laughter behind me. I turned around to see the source of the laughing.

“Hey there!” Giggled a pink earth pony. Imperial, probably. Did I mention that I’m a pony? An upstanding dark unicorn, at your service. None of that fancy southern deerfolk nonsense, just a regular old unicorn. Now that I think about it, I wasn’t able access my unicorn magic then. I reached up to my forehead, only to feel some sort of ring. A ring of suppression, no doubt.

But anyway, the pink pony. She had a pink coat, with an mane of a deeper shade of pink. Speaking of her mane, sweet Celestia it was crazy! It just seemed to bounce everywhere whenever she moved her head. I certainly don’t recall seeing anyone with anything like it before. Her cutie mark was three balloons. Spirits know what that means. “You’re finally up!” She giggled again.

“I guess...” I mumbled, trying to remember why I was on this crummy cart again. “So... why are we on this cart again?” I instantly regretted saying that, as the pink imperial just seemed to deflate. Literally. Her mane turned flat, and even her coat seemed to desatu... desature... dim.

“Pinkie Pie does not like to think about the reason. Pinkie Pie has been... bad.” She wilted further, immediately making me feel bad.

“Pinkie has been convicted of murder...” A lavender unicorn piped up beside her. Her mane was, like Pinkie Pie, a darker shade of her coat. A bright sash of magenta ran down her mane. “Framed, of course, but I think the pressure has gotten to her... My name is Twilight Sparkle, by the way.” Her face saddened. “We should get to know each other before we are... put down...”

“Woah woah woah wait. Put down?!” Oh no. Oh no. What have I gotten myself into?! “As in... executed?!” Twilight nodded sadly.

“I’m afraid that’s the way law works, darling.” A white unicorn with a curly purple mane said said. “You get caught, you go to the block, as they say.” Oh no oh no oh no.

“Rarity, what’s the problem with you?” Said a scaly cyan pegasus with a... woah. A rainbow mane? Those are rare, belonging only to a few argonian pegasi. “Can’t you see you’re scaring poor Fluttershy?” She pointed at a shivering butter colored pegasus. “Plus, I’m sure we’re gonna turn out just fine. You’ll see! Rainbow Dash guarantees it!” Was that bravado or real confidence? I wasn’t sure.

I turned my attention to the cowering pegasus. The most striking feature of this little mare was that she was a cat - a khajit pegasus. They were rare outside of their homelands, and absolutely freakin’ adorable. This ‘Fluttershy’ was no exception. Except for the fact that she was clearly having a nervous breakdown. “We’re all gonna die we’re all gonna die we’re all gonna die we’re all gonna die-” Tears were streaming down her face and she was huddled up in a ball.

I’m not sure what happened afterwards. I sort off walked over to her, nuzzled her, and scooped her up in my forelegs. Then I whispered soothingly “Shhh... it’s going to be fine, trust me. Just calm down.” while gently patting her head. I’m nothing like that normally, so even I freaked out internally when I realized what I was doing. However, it seemed to work, as she slowly calmed down and looked up at me. Then she smiled at me, and whatever hardness I had in my heart just melted helplessly at the freakin’ adorable smiling little kitty pony. Although I felt quite guilty for lying to her, as we all knew inside that we were doomed. But if I was going to die, might as well do something good before that happens.

“Well... that was... unexpected.” Remarked an orange earth pony. Judging by her features, she was probably nordic. “Name’s Applejack.” She added, noticing that I was looking at her. “...I don’t believe you’ve told us your name yet, actually.” She looked expectantly at me, and so did the others.

Sighing, I hesitantly told them my name. “Bladesong...” I mumbled. “My name is Bladesong.” Now I’m not a shy pony, not at all, but my old granny was real superstitious like, and she used to tell me that names had powers. ‘Don’t tell ponies your name unless you have to.’ She used to say. I guess it engraved itself in my head over the years. It happens, mind you. It does.

“Well Bladesong, welcome to the carriage for the soon-to-be-executed.” Applejack glanced at Fluttershy. “Of course, we’ll figure something out. I hope.”

“Why there it is. Helgen keep.” One of the carriage-pullers said, pointing at a distant structure. “Heard the General is there today.”

“Wait, General Golden Shield? The greatest military genius of our time?!” Rainbow Dash suddenly sprung up.

“Shut up, prisoner.” The soldier laughed, but quickly changes his mind when he saw how dejected Rainbow looked. Criminal she may be, but she was still a pretty filly and our soldier here had a soft spot for girls. “But yes, it is indeed the empire’s war hero, Golden Shield himself.” Rainbow’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Wait... if Golden Shield is there...” Twilight thought for a moment. “We’re just... well, mostly just petty criminals! Why is somepony as important as Golden Shield present?”

“Hah! Petty criminal?!” The soldier cackled, before coughing as he tried to recover from choking. “You know who’s in that carriage at the back?” The ponies in my cart, including myself, looked at where he was looking. There, at the back of the line of carriages, was the most ridiculously fortified prisoner carriage I’ve ever seen. “That is old Blizzard Stormcloak himself.”

“What?! THE Blizzard Stormcloak?! The leader of the stormcloak rebels?!” Twilight gasped, triggering a wave of chattering between the prisoners. Fluttershy just cowered, just as before.

What have I gotten myself into? All I did was cross a border! “But... but...” I stammered. “All I wanted was to visit Skyrim! Why...?”

“Wrong time at the wrong place, partner.” Applejack sighed. “That’s why. Life is unfair.” The bitterness in her voice was unmistakable. Here was a pony who had gone through more than her fair share of hardships. It was only from Applejack’s sadness that I realized how upbeat I was, despite the fact that I was getting the chop. Hysteria, I guess. What is hysteria anyway? Maybe it was a way of my body to deal with the crushing revelation.

“It’s going to be fine! Aunty Pinkie knows it!” Pinkie, somehow, ‘teleported’ from the back of the cart to the front, and was giving me a friendly noogie. “A dragon will come swooping from the skies and save us!” She grinned widely. Now she, she was definitely hysterical. And mad. I think.

The entire cart fell silent at her absolutely random comment, and remained as such until the carriages entered Helgen. Such was the power of the awkward silence, as my old friend... what’s his name? I forgot. Before we knew it, we were herded off the carts and into what seemed like the town square. And placed in the center of the square was...

My blood froze.

The executioner’s block.

“Is that red dye?” Everyone stared incredulously at Pinkie. “What?”

“Pinkie... that’s the... chopping block.” Rainbow Dash whispered. “End of the line.” It was then that reality caught up with my delirious mind, and the seriousness of the situation crashed down on me like an avalanche. We’re gonna die here. I don’t want to die. I’m still young- I wanna see my parents again- I... I don’t want to die alone.

“Oh. But it’s going to be fine! The dragon will come and save us!” She said adamantly. Rainbow just sighed and stared at the block with sadness belying her age.

Just then, an imperial (Imperial as in occupation, not race, of course.) soldier walked up to us, and pulled out a piece of parchment. “I will read out your name, race, and I want you to acknowledge me, do you understand?” A halfhearted mumble was all he got, but hey, we’re criminals sentenced to death, how enthusiastic could we be?

“Twilight Sparkle, Highborn unicorn. Rainbow Dash, Argonian pegasus. Pinkie Pie, Imperial... Imperial earthfolk.” He looked up from his list. “I’m sorry to have to execute a fellow Imperial.”

“Don’t worry, silly! A dragon will swoop down and try to gobble us up, but accidentally help us escape instead!” Pinkie answered, smiling sunnily.

“Erm... yes. Ah...” The soldier, confused by Pinkie (can’t blame the guy, really.), resumed his reading. “Applejack, Nordic earthfolk. Rarity, Duskborn unicorn. Flutter...” He looked up, and his eyes widened. Struck by her adorableness, no doubt. “Fluttershy, Khajit pegasus. And...” He frowned. “You. We don’t have your name down, only your crime. Who are you?”

“Does it really matter? I’m going to die anyway.” I sighed. Fluttershy broke into tears, sobbing about wanting her ‘Angel’.

“Yes. Regulation.” The soldier was visibly pained from watching Fluttershy cry, but his duty came first. Bloody duty. “Name?”

“Bladesong...” I muttered, surrendering to the ‘imperial might’. It was no longer force of habit that stopped me from telling them my name. I didn’t want to go down in history as ‘Bladesong, the unicorn who was executed for crossing a border’. Even if it meant not going down in history at all.

“Right. Bladesong, Duskborn unicorn. And... of course. Blizzard Stormcloak, Nordic earthfolk.” The soldier said, before turning to a more elaborately armored mare. The commander, I think. “Commander. I think that’s it.” Even in the last moments of my life, my military knowledge wouldn’t fail me. I’m so proud of myself.

“Bladesong, follow the commander to the executioner, please.” the soldier said, somewhat regretfully. It was like he truly didn’t want to see this happen. It restored some hope in me. Not all hope. Just some.

“Psst! Remember, have trust in the dragon!” Pinkie whispered to me. I pointedly ignored her. I would not succumb to delusional beliefs, not in the final hours, heck, minutes of my life.

I strode to the chopping block, head held high and proud. The message was clear - I’m not afraid of you. The executioner chuckled, before properly positioning me on the block. “You got guts, kid. Shame to see you go.” He laughed menacingly, then hefted his massive, killing axe. I closed my eyes, preparing for the end. You want me? Come get me, you stupid hunk of metal!

It never came. Instead I heard an almighty roar and an explosion like the apocalypse. Heck, now that I think about it, it WAS the apocalypse. I opened my eyes, only to close them again. A dragon? REALLY?! Pinkie was right?!

“Guards, FIRE!” I heard the commander shriek, and arrows whistled as they flew through the air. I opened my eyes, to see what was going on. The dragon, with spiky black scales, was perched on top of a tower, roaring triumphantly. Dead soldiers were strewn across the streets. Then it stared straight at me.

“YOL!” It was the only sound I heard, before a white hot fireball left the dragon’s maw and streaked towards me.

“Bladesong! Run!” I heard someone scream. Was it Rainbow? Or was it Twilight? I forgot. But run I did. I ran like a maniac, barely evading the fireball and the burning rocks falling from the sky, most probably conjured by the great beast. “Into the keep! Now!” I obliged without hesitation.

Stumbling into the stone structure, I tried to blink the soot from my eyes and inspected my burns. Not too bad, I suppose. I turned to the girls, who had also taken refuge inside the keep. “So... what now?” I asked, careful not to step on the wounded stormcloaks lying on the ground.

“We need to get out of Helgen, that’s what.” I turned around to find a stallion with an electric blue coat and silver mane. He smiled crookedly. “Blizzard Stormcloak, at your service.”

“You’re Blizzard Stormcloak?” Rainbow asked, skeptical. “I was expecting someone... less shabby.” Blizzard Stormcloak jokingly cuffed her over the ears.

“Respect your elders, lass. And we have to move. This tower won’t last for long.” As though on cue, the top floor wall burst open, revealing a vicious (and hungry) looking dragon. The girls and I could only watch as the soldiers on the top floor was incinerated by the black monstrosity, armor and all. Then it flew away, throwing up dust and ash with every flap of its giant wings. “Through the hole. Go! I’ll follow once I’ve secured my soldiers!”

The six mares, led by yours truly, rushed up the stairs and leapt out of the hole made by the dragon. Fortunately, it was too busy snatching up soldiers to notice the intrepid band of ponies sneaking along the rooftop of a neighboring house. We safely clambered down back onto the streets, only to realize that we didn’t know the way out. “Uh...” I scanned for any signs of an exit.

“Hey, you! Prisoners!” A voice sounded nearby. It was the soldier with the list, the one actually with a shred on conscience. For once, I was actually glad to see him. “Come with me if you want to live!” For a moment he had a very strong accent that I just couldn’t place. How strange. He led us down behind a building, and was quietly creeping down when the dragon landed almost directly in front of him. Luckily the dragon was only interested in grilling a soldier on the opposite side of us, so we were able to sneak by undetected.

“Get to the keep, don’t stop for anything!” He pointed at a fort-like structure. “Going underground is our best bet!” He pulled out a bow and aimed at the flying dragon. “I’ll cover you. Go!”

We made a beeline for the keep, stopping only to dodge fireballs or falling brimstone. We were just beyond a portcullis when a black leathery wing swept us off our feet. We landed in a crumpled heap, dazed and out of breath. The dragon towered above us, glaring at us with its blood red eyes. Then... it spoke. “Dovahkiin. Hi nis iliis nol zey. ILIISNI NOL ZEY!” It was unlike anything I had seen, or heard. Aside from the fact that it was a DRAGON, its voice was... impressive. It reverberated deep within my body, shaking my bones and making my eyes jiggle in their sockets. It roared, jolting us from their pain induced stupor... and making us scream like little fillies. Then it raised its tail, and sent it crashing down like a cascade of condensed darkness.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!” I roughly shoved the girls out from under the tail, before rolling to the side myself. I steadied myself before glaring up at the black serpent. “Hey you! Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?!” I picked up a nearby sword and gripped with in my mouth, something I’m not at all used to as a unicorn. But the sword felt right in my mouth. I was born to wield swords, with magic, or with my own bloodied jaws. Even my name had the word Blade in it.

“Come on, you overgrown lizard!” I growled though a mouthful of sword handle. “Let’s see what you can do!” I launched myself at the dragon, burying the blade hilt-deep into the cursed beast’s leg. It screeched and kicked out with a massive clawed foot, throwing me halfway across the courtyard. I picked up another sword from a nearby corpse - it’s a wonder how many of those were littered around at the time - and staggered to my feet. That strike would have killed a normal pony. Why didn’t I die? I’m not sure, even now, but I know that I was the only one standing between the girls and a massive dragon.

My not dying apparently provoked it to open its mouth, either to spit fire, or speak some more, but was cut short by an arrow straight to the eye. Blood spurt from the wound, splattering the ground with crimson. Screeching with pain, the scaly brute flew off to tangle with less annoying prey.

We looked back, and saw the soldier who’d promise to cover us, notching another arrow into his bow. His mane was ragged and his coat was stained with soot, but otherwise he seemed to be fine. He knelt down to inspect us for any sort of injury.“Are you alright? No one hurt?” When we nodded mutely, he stood and ushered us towards the keep. “Come along, before the dragon returns.”

We entered the keep courtyards, where a few soldiers were making a last stand. “Iron Pauldron!” One of the soldiers called. “Get the civilians to safety!” That was the last thing he said, as a fireball engulfed him and he went down.

The list-guy, who we now know as Iron Pauldron, pulled out a key from his belt and opened a door to the keep. “This is the barracks, you can gear up inside and then we can find a way out. Go!” We piled inside just as the door was slammed shut by some supernatural force that shook the entire building. Just in case, I tried the door. It wouldn’t budge, as I predicted. Whoever (or whatever) shut that door must’ve been adamant on keeping us inside the keep.

Iron Pauldron cleared his throat to gain our attention. “We’re safe... for the moment. This keep was built to withstand all but the strongest of enemies - bandits, trolls, even giants... but clearly not dragons.” He walked around the room, looking through chests and weapon racks, picking out gear that wasn’t completely bust. “Right, unicorns and pegasi, come here, I’ll undo your bindings.” He pulled something like a lockpick from his pocket, and fiddled with my ring of suppression for a bit. It came of with a little click, and he moved on to the next unicorn. “In the meantime, you can go pick your gear.”

I nodded, and knelt down in front of the selections of weapons. There were daggers, war axes, swords, battle axes, and a variety of other miscellaneous weapons. “You should take the swords, Bladey!” Pinkie Pie chirped, just randomly appearing in front of me. “You’re good with them!”

“Yeah, you were awesome back there! You just stabbed that dragon, right in the knee!” Rainbow Dash said, picking up a pair of steel wing blades. “Hmm... Well balanced, sharp edge, long reach... perfect.”

“I did, didn’t I?” I smiled, levitating an imperial sword. It was quite well forged, a simple but effective blade of imperial steel.

“You sure know what you’re doing.” Applejack remarked, choosing steel studded horseshoes as her weapon of choice. “I wouldn’t have the courage to go challenge a dragon like that.”

“Uh huh.” I wasn’t really listening, mind you. I was picking which sword to use, the traditional steel sword, or the imperial steel sword.

“That was awfully brave of you to save us, darling.” Rarity said, fluttering her eyelashes. She picked out a bow and inspected it from all angles. “Oh, this looks absolutely smashing!”

“Why, thank you.” I muttered, lifting the regular steel sword and weighing it mentally. A tad lighter than the imperial steel sword.

“Do you think it’s fine if I just go with my magic?” Twilight asked nervously. “I’m not that good with other weapons... maybe I should take a dagger, just in case? Oh, it’s so hard to decide!”

“Have faith in yourself.” I told her, before giving the imperial blade a test swing. Yes, definitely better. It could hit hard with lots of precision.

“Hey, Bladey, does this make me look fat?” Pinkie asked.

“No Pinkie it doesn’t make you look...” I looked up. “SWEET CELESTIA! Pinkie, what are you doing with that thing?!” Pinkie was hefting a massive battle axe. It was at least twice her length.

“I’ve been using battle axes since I was small! Actually, want to hear a song I wrote about it?” Pinkie bounced around the room in excitement and broke into song. Music somehow sounded from a hidden source. “I used to live around an axe~ My friends would call me a hack~” She tripped and the music cut off abruptly.

“Oh my... Pinkie, are you alright?” Fluttershy poked Pinkie with a tentative hoof.

“Um, Fluttershy? Why don’t you have a weapon?” I asked.

“I... I’m...” Fluttershy hid behind her mane. “Imapacifist.” She whimpered adorably.

“It might not be safe for you in the outside world...” Iron Pauldron overheard our conversation, and dropped in.

“I’m sorry...” Did I mention that she was adorable?

“It’s fine. It’s fine. I’ll defend her if the need arises.” I stepped in, always glad to play the role of the gallant knight in shining armor. “You’ve seen me fight. I’m more than capable of protecting another pony.”

“...It’s your choice.” Iron Pauldron shrugged. “But we’ve got to get going, before the dragon decides to visit us once again.”

“Where to? Not even my magic or Applejack’s bucking can break down the door.” Twilight asked.

“Underground. I remember that there’s a underground passage leading to a path to Riverwood. It’s perfectly safe, unless I’m much mistaken.” Iron Pauldron said. “Come on, time is a wasting.”

“Let’s go, girls. I’m sure everything will be just fine.”

2. Teary Goodbyes

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“RARITY! NAIL IT IN THE HEAD!” I was practically screaming as I struggled to hold down the demented cave bear, combining both magic and physical strength. “I CAN’T HOLD IT!” I watched as Rarity calmly notched an arrow, take aim, and let it fly.

THUNK. The arrow slammed into the beast’s brain, slashing clean through its skull and exiting from the back of its head. However, it also meant that the arrow very nearly impaled my head as well, fortunately missing by an inch or so and clattering to the cave floor. “Too close! Too close, Rarity!” I yelped, dropping the heavy corpse.

“Sorry, darling. Maybe my kills are too clean...” She smiled apologetically. “But we should tend to the others now.” I nodded in agreement. “Fluttershy, dear, you may come out now.”

The butter colored pegasus crept out of her hiding place. “Oh. My.” She squeaked when she saw the corpse. “I should have been able to calm it... It’s all my fault...”

“No, of course not!” I rushed up to comfort her. “It was feral - wild, and completely mad. You couldn’t charm it if you tried. Now, our friends here need your help, alright? So chin up, lass.” She nodded bravely. And adorably. With Fluttershy present, adorable will eventually be overused.

Somehow, the girl managed to mix up a batch of healing poultices using only glowing mushrooms and bits hanging moss she gathered along the way. Now THAT, is talent. “Um, this is going to hurt a bit...” She dabbed some poultice and smeared it over the wounds of her fallen comrades. Rainbow Dash yelped in pain, and Fluttershy squeaked. “Sorry...” But their wounds healed, and that was all that mattered.

“So, Iron. Perfectly safe, eh?” I sat down in front of the recovering soldier. He glared balefully at me. “Tell that to the stormcloaks, bandits, GIANT SPIDERS, AND FREAKIN DEMENTED BEARS. But yes, perfectly safe, eh?” I elbowed him, making him hiss in agony. So his ribs haven’t healed yet. “Oops, sorry.”

“Y’know, I’m in half a mind of stabbing you right now.” He shakily drew his sword, which I playfully parried away. “...Never mind. You rascal.” He laughed, finally feeling his bones mend. He staggered to his feet, retrieving his sword. “Right...”

“Everypony alright?” I asked. “AJ? Twi? Pinkie? Wait, where’s Pinkie?”

“Heeeey! Hey girls... and guys!” The pink pony in question bounced over from a branch cavern. “It’s safe in there! And I think I saw the exit!”

Everypony stared incredulously at her.

“Did you say... exit?” Rainbow asked, tentatively. Pinkie nodded, and skipped back into the side cavern she came from, beckoning for us to follow.

“C’mon, let’s go.” We followed suit, trotting after the energetic pink pony. “She might get hurt.”

The cavern, enclosed at first, began to widen as we progressed further. We also started to feel wind in our manes, which was a sure sign of an opening in the cave. Which probably meant... the exit! “You feel that?” I asked, gesturing at his rippling mane. “Wind... which means a way out!” I gave an excited whoop and dashed forwards, breaking into a full speed gallop as I headed for the tiny pinprick of light which progressively grew larger. I was close. I could sense it. I could smell the clean, surface air. My hooves pounded at the rocky ground, until...

I tumbled, out of control, straight into a faceful of snow. The snow of freedom. I breathed in deeply, to drink in the taste of finally being out of danger. All I got was a noseful of ice cold snow, but it was totally worth it. I pushed down to pull myself out. “Um... I’m stuck. Help?” I asked, meekly.

After being tugged out by AJ our group settled down to discuss the future. “So, uh, what next?” I asked, scratching the back of my head. “Do we just... split up?” I bit back saying “After all we’ve been though?”, figuring that even though it seemed like a long time, it was only a day or so. It would be silly to assume that we were friends after such a short time.

“Well... I guess so.” Twilight sighed. “That would be the logical thing to do. I mean, there’s nothing else we can do together, right?” Her voice quavered.

“Well, I must say that I’ll miss you girls.” Rarity smiled sadly. “It’s been a fantastic adventure, but even the best of experiences end at some point.”

“Could we at least share where we plan to go? So that we may find each other again later?” I asked, hopeful. “I mean, if you don’t mind.”

“Well... I’m planning to go to the College of Winterhold.” Twilight said. “It’s the only place I can learn magic in peace.” Applejack muttered something about creepy going ons there.

“I’m heading back to Riften. I have family there.” Rarity smiled at the mention of her family. “I do hope you visit. Sweetie Belle would love to meet you girls.”

“Sweetie Belle... she your sister or something?” I guessed. “Of course, I don’t mean to pry...”

“How did you know?” Rarity gasped. “You’re not a spy, are you?”

“Of course not!” I said, indignant. “It’s just the way you referred to her... there’s a fondness there that I can’t explain...” Rarity decided that it was a suitable answer and apologized for calling me a spy. “Hey, Rainbow? How about you? Where’re you headed?”

“Oh, I dunno. I was thinking of joining the Wonderbolts, but... I don’t know.” She sighed. I’ve read about the Wonderbolts. Best fliers in Skyrim or something. And judging by the moves Dash pulled off in the caves back there, she did sport a fighting chance.

“You’ll make it. Trust me.” I patted her shoulder. “After all, you’re the most awesome pegasus to ever grace Nirn. Nopony can catch up with you.” She smiled at that.

“Well I’m heading home.” AJ said. “I have roots in Riverwood, y’know, the little town down by the river.”

“Wait... you’re from Riverwood?” Iron Pauldron practically shouted. “My uncle Iron Anvil works the forge there!” He grinned excitedly at AJ.

“Old Anvil?” Applejack chuckled. “I’m a regular customer! He’s always fixing our tools and things. My family is apple farmers, see.”

“...How did you learn to fight then? I’ve seen your moves back in the cave...” I asked, afraid of the answer.

“My father is a retired dueling grandmaster.” Applejack stated, matter-of-factly.

“...Ah. I see.” I muttered. “And you, Fluttershy? And Pinkie?”

“Pinkie... is homeless. Exiled, for her crimes.” Pinkie deflated yet again. Evidently, she didn’t like being reminded of her past.

“It’s okay Pinkie, I am too...” Fluttershy said, hugging Pinkie. The pink pony promptly re-inflated and hugged Fluttershy back, making her squeak in a very unnatural fashion. The rest of the group smiled at the sight, and turned to me.

“What about you, Bladesong? Where will you head?” Twilight asked, tilting her head. “We don’t really know much about you, besides the fact that you’re great with the sword.”

“I...” I stopped, thinking things over. Did I have plans? Not really, especially not with my things confiscated. I had a bit of money, but now I’m plain broke. “I honestly don’t know. As for my story, well... there’s not much to it. I was in... a more well off family, let’s say. I had the chance to study and learn more about the world. I wanted to see more of Equestria, so I came to Skyrim... and the rest, you know.” AJ narrowed her eyes, and I could tell she sensed my hesitation. She knew that I was hiding something.

“Well... the farm could use more help...” Applejack started, before hurriedly stepping backwards, taken aback by three pairs of puppy dog eyes shining at her. “Uh... no promises, you all.” That was all she managed to say before she was tackled by three ecstatic ponies. Namely, me Fluttershy and Pinkie.

“OMYGOSH THANK YOU!” Pinkie licked. Actually licked. Applejack. Pony-piling AJ was one thing. Licking her, that was another deal entirely. But perhaps it’s some sort of Skyrim tradition...

“Pinkie, did you just lick me?!” AJ asked, shocked. “That’s just weird!” Or maybe not... I wisely pulled Pinkie and Fluttershy away from AJ, although I must admit that being that close to three beautiful fillies was... pleasant. “Thanks, Bladesong. And, as I said, I can’t guarantee anything, but you bet I’ll try my hardest to help you.”

I nodded. “You gave me a fighting chance. That’s all I ever need. I mean, I could always go and be a bandit or something...” The looks I got from the girls quickly made me chuckle. “Just joking, just joking...”

AJ turned to Iron Pauldron. “I assume you’ll be coming with us? To crash at your uncle’s or something?” He grinned and nodded.

“Well then... I guess it’s time we actually split up...” Twilight mumbled. There was a lengthy silence following that sentence, when nopony spoke, nor moved a muscle. Then, as one, the girls broke into tears, and huddled together in one big pile of crying ponies. Iron and I just stood next to them, rather awkwardly.

“I’ll... I’ll miss you girls!” Fluttershy sniffed as she hugged Twilight.

“I’ll miss you too!” Twilight bawled while clinging on to Rainbow Dash, who was trying hard not to cry and failing badly.

“I’m... I’m not c-crying!” She said, angrily, before being brought under by Pinkie. “GURL, WHO AM I KIDDIN’?! IMMA MISS YAH FLANK PINKS!” Oh dear. Vulgar much?

“So, uh...” I mumbled, really quite awkward in this situation.

“Nice weather.” I face hoofed. Really, Iron?

It took quite a while for the weeping mares to untangle themselves, but it was done, sooner or later. Mostly later. But, finally, we bade each other goodbye, and went our separate ways. Well aside for Pinkie, Fluttershy, Iron and I. We were like a party of adventurers, in those tales of wonder my mother used to read me when I was small. I smiled, wrapped up in my foalhood memories. Too wrapped up.

So wrapped up, in fact, that I walked straight off the path, off the hill, and was sent tumbling downhill, where I was stopped abruptly by a tree stump which caught on my... gonads. I groaned in pain as I flopped like a fish out of water, clutching my bits which was pounding with agony from the impact.

I happened to catch sight of some sort of hole while I was flopping. Focusing and desperately trying to push down the pain, I forced myself to observe my surroundings. There was a smallish cave like hole dug into the hillside, surrounded by some sort of paw-print. I stared at the prints for a while, before looking up at the sound of a growl.

Then I saw what did the marks belong to. They were wolf paw marks. I wheezed and yelled “Help!” Well, since I was pretty winded by the impact, it came out as more like “Help!”. I tried again, this time after a barely managed deep breath. “Help!” It was louder, but still raspy, and not quite loud enough. I would have to defend myself from one, and possibly more than one, wolf. I hissed in pain as I struggled to my hooves, drawing my sword as I did. “HELP!” That was more like it - good and loud, should be enough to reach the others.

Then I cursed my brilliant luck as five more wolves emerged from the shadows, each one fully grown and combat ready. Then at least a dozen smaller ones appeared behind the big ones, not quite as large but not pups either. Adolescents, by their looks. Finally, I heard multiple whimpers from behind the swarm of wolves. Great. This was a den. They were protecting their young. And what did say about animals protecting their young? Oh right - THEY FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.

I gulped as they advanced, as one. “Um... nice little doggies.” I said, pathetically.

They pounced. I leapt backwards, slashing one in the neck as I did, and watching its head roll off and blood spray everywhere. Then I swung my sword and caught another neatly by the shoulder, severing its right foreleg. It was in incredible pain - and still alive, as it hit the ground. There it lay, slowly bleeding out. In one smooth motion, I brought my sword downwards, slicing straight into the skull of a wolf. Unfortunately, the sword was lodged there, and now I had to fight the wolves barehoofed. It was over before it began. The wolves tore into me, tearing off chunks of my flesh before my very eyes. I watched as part of my forelegs went. I saw what I thought was a part my flank be devoured by the blood crazed beasts. I think I saw bone once or twice, and I swore I saw an organ in the mix. All the while pain ravaged my mind.

Then - the feasting ceased. I dropped to the ground, like a rag doll, as the wolves lost interest in me. It was Fluttershy. “Run...” I mustered up what I could with my broken body, but it was evidently too weak. “Don’t... reason... with...” The sentence ended in gurgling as blood filled my lungs. I was going to die.

“HOW DARE YOU.” Holy shit is that Fluttershy? “HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO MY FRIEND.” Even in the final moments of my life, my heart warmed at the sentiment. “JUST CAUSE YOU’RE BIGGER, AND STRONGER, DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN HURT PONIES LIKE THAT.” It was pure rage, the anger of the earth incarnate. Even in my ruined state, I could sense the power emanating from her voice. The wolves shuddered collectively, and seemed to be actively backing away from the small yellow pegasus. She took a step towards them, and they ran for their sorry lives. I smiled at her amazing feat, before succumbing to the numbing cold. It was welcome really, wiping away the pain in my mind. I was falling... falling...

“DON’T LEAVE ME!”

Reality came crashing down again, as the temporarily numbed pain returned, tenfold. I felt every inch of my brain scream in the pain it was forced to bear. But I kept of taking it, taking it for the pegasus knelt before me, the pegasus who was no longer the pony who scared the entire pack of wolves away. I saw a filly, frail and on the verge of breaking. Her world was about to collapse around her. I won’t allow it.

“Flu...tter...shy...” My voice was barely a whisper, the overwhelming sound of blood churned by air in my lungs overpowering it. The numbness was coming back, and I no longer had the strength to fight it. Darkness claimed my vision once again, and... I heard a rumble. My eyes shot open as I cast my eyes skywards. Black clouds were converging on our location, fast. And there was a bulge in the clouds directly overhead. “Light...ning...!” I gurgled.

A bolt of rending plasma struck the pair of us.

3. Druidic Mastery

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I blinked. The plasma had passed right through us, sinking into the earth. Then I looked at Fluttershy, and whatever sane part of my wreck of a brain seized up.

She was glowing. The last vestiges of the lightning strike had snaked up to Fluttershy, where it remained, lacing her forelegs. An eerie green light poured from her eyes, as invisible waves of incredible power poured from her very being. The trees themselves leaned towards her, losing their leaves, which circled around us in a strange, magical dance. It took my ragged mind a few moments to realized that the leaves were forming a dome around us. It had grown so thick that the sky was blotted out, leaving Fluttershy’s strange glowing eyes as the only light source remaining.

“Flutter...shy?” I gurgled, staring at her. She was so full of power, her strength so immense, that I... I began to like her? Yes, strange as it sounds, her power wasn’t oppressive or overpowering. It was calm and gentle, yet vast and immeasurably powerful, like the sea on a calm day. Playful, but not to be crossed. I shivered.

She fixed those glowing, energy charged eyes on me. Then she spoke, in a strange, thrumming, multi-layered voice. “Don’t be afraid, Bladesong. Help will come soon.” She smiled at me, gently. Chillingly gently, for it was not the smile of a friend, or even family. It was the smile a god would wear when observing its creations. Benevolence, and most of all, with an air of observation and curiosity about it. It was exactly what Fluttershy was doing. Actually, I could tell that this wasn’t Fluttershy. “Mother Earth, I Invoke Your Power With The Ancient Tongue! GAEA. TOLSEK DAAR JOOR, FAH ROK DREHLAAN NID VOKUL.” There was a brief moment of silence as the echoes of her voice died down.

Fluttershy extended her legs, and the strings of lightning arced off the tips of her hooves and into... myself? I expected pain. I expected to be electrocuted. I did not, however, expect to be healed. Fresh green sprouts burst from the ground, wrapping around my ragged limbs. More sprouts wrapped around my body, with a few more layers covering my midriff, which was completely torn open with some of the organs spilling out. Speaking of organs, I felt the most quaint of sensations where my guts had fallen out - a slight pressure, as though something was pushing the displaced organ. But something distracted me from the strange tingling. The sprouts on my forelegs were wilting. I watched, open mouthed, as the crisp green plants slowly turned yellow, then a brilliant orange, then finally becoming browned and fragile. The slightest tugs with my limb made the now dead vegetation disintegrate into little flakes. I wasn’t sure what I would see. A badly mauled leg, mutilated beyond recognition, perhaps? I had seen so much harm come to myself that I wouldn’t be surprised if my entire leg was dissolved or something. What I found shocked me... for the billionth time this day.

“It’s... perfectly healed...” I whispered to myself, marveling at the flawless recovery. Such healing abilities were unheard of. “How...?” I tugged at the sprouts covering my other limb. They, too, broke away, revealing an unblemished foreleg. As I lay there, dumbstruck, feeling suddenly returned to my abdomen. Somehow, without me realizing, my organs have been pushed into place, and my flesh had healed. And, once the greenery had crumbled away, I saw that my body was whole once again. Looking at myself, it was hard to imagine that just barely minutes ago, I was lying on the floor bleeding out from savage wounds.

“Take care of her, Bladesong.” Whaaat?! “Take care of this young mare. She plays an important part in your story.” The entire dome of swirling leaves started to wilt and crumble as she said those words, those words uttered by Fluttershy’s mouth but not Fluttershy’s soul.

“Who are you?” I managed to ask, lifting up my weakened body. Healed it may be, but the stress of nearly being eaten alive was still strong in my mind. I could barely stand up straight, let alone speak.

“Know that in your future endeavors, Mother Nature will be watching over you...” Intoned Fluttershy, the light fading from her eyes and the dome of leaves collapsing completely. She stood there, swaying for a moment. Then she landed on top of me, and I staggered, my newly reformed legs protesting at having to hold the weight of two ponies.

“AJ!” I cried, struggling to stay standing. “Pinkie! Iron Pauldron! Help!” This time, my shouts traveled far, right into the ears of my intended recipients. I couldn’t help but grin in spite of my condition when I saw a ball of pink barrel down the hill.

Pinkie looked like she was going to tackle me, but even she waited for AJ to load Fluttershy on to her back before she did so. “Bladey, we were so worried!” She said, holding me close. Maybe slightly too close. Her eyes were wide with panic and worry, and her mane was flattened. “We saw you fall, and we heard growling and howling, then Fluttershy rushed down before we could stop her, and there was the lightning and the thunder and-” I hugged her, and her hair slowly inflated.

“Shh... Everything is fine now. It’s okay.” I stroked her increasingly more bubbly mane, whispering softly. Surprisingly, she was really cuddly, considering the fact that most Imperials had really . “I’ll explain everything later, when we’ve settled down a bit and Fluttershy comes to, alright?” She nodded, and we smiled at each other.

The trip to Riverwood was relatively uneventful. There was the odd wolf here and there, nothing I couldn’t handle. We came across that weird guardian rock thing, where I touched the warrior stone and made it glow. But aside from that, we traveled in silence.

I was mulling things over, mostly what happened to Fluttershy. AJ and Iron Pauldron obviously trying not to disturb me mulling things over. And Pinkie... well, she was in her own little world, bouncing happily along the path. She’s a strange one, I’ll give you that, but really, she has a good heart. She’s also smart when she wants to, and deadly if she must. A true wild card, that. She usually means well. Just needs to rein in her enthusiasm, is all.

We made it to Riverwood by midnight. The night sky was inky black and Luna’s night was in full splendor. The village was quiet, save for the occasional hoot from owls and the clucks from the odd chicken or two. It seemed absurd to think that just a few hours ago a dragon had sacked the nearby keep of Helgen. It was so... peaceful. Untainted by outside influence.

“It’s nice...” Fluttershy had pretty much recovered from her ordeal, and could walk on her own. “It’s really quiet.”

AJ cleared her throat. “Well, maybe you three should follow Iron Pauldron. I’ll go hit up Big Mac and... discuss things.” She coughed at the term ‘discuss’. “Keep em safe, Iron.” She flashed a grin at the soldier, and walked off in the opposite direction, towards a large farm house next to a grove of fruit bearing trees.

“Right then... You guys, ready to meet Uncle Anvil?” Iron asked, walking up to a house with an attached forge. He took a deep breath, raised a hoof, and tapped on the door. When no one answered, he whipped around and slammed down with his powerful hind hooves, smashing down the door and instantly turning the remains into a wooden missile flying at terminal velocity. It punched through the thin back wall of the house and the crumbled door and walls fell into the river. Iron Pauldron stared in surprise at the ruined entrance.

“Nephew... why in Celestia’s name are you demolishing my house in the middle of the night?!” A gray Nord spluttered as wood dust spread across the inside of the house. “And... oh, hello. Why do you have two beautiful mares with you?” He grinned. A cream colored mare emerged from the wreckage a few moments later and slapped who I assumed to be Anvil across the head. His wife, I suppose.

“Uncle Anvil. I, ah, apologize for the door.” Iron Pauldron scratched his head in embarrassment. “I... knocked.” He blushed. “Too hard. Military training and all, I suppose. Sorry.” He laughed uneasily.

“It’s... fine, I guess. Doors can be replaced, and walls can be rebuilt. But you! Why are you visiting, in the dead of night? I thought you were up at Helgen? And who are these? Your friends?” His questions came as a barrage of words, nearly knocking Iron Pauldron flat.

“Woah, Uncle! Slow down!” Iron chuckled. “One thing at a time. So, Helgen. Yes, I was stationed at Helgen. Note, was. In truth, Helgen was sacked.” His face turned serious and his normally warm eyes hardened.

“What?! By who? Stormcloaks?!” Anvil cried, worriedly.

“No. By what. By a dragon.” Anvil laughed, but was silenced by a stone cold gaze from Iron Pauldron. “You laugh, but you have no idea what we’re up against. It can soar through the sky, torching anything that gets in its way. As far as I can see, It’s impervious to both the best of our arrows, and the magic of our spell casters. It was only after our resident swords master Bladesong here,” He pointed at me. “Stabbed it in a kink in its armor, that we could finally escape from it. It was... death incarnate. That’s the only thing I can use to describe it.”

“My sword was made of tempered imperial steel, and it barely made a dent in its scales.” I added, and the group fell silent. Somehow, they had the crazy idea that he was the leader here, just because he could sword fight better than most. “But that thing wasn’t completely impervious. As long as you hit it where it counts, you can definitely bring one down.” I smiled confidently, and the rest of the ponies smiled with me. Yeah, something about crowd men... crowd mentala... mentality? Crowd mentality, is that when you’re the leader amongst ponies, you pretty much control everything that goes on - even impose your own feelings upon your group members.

“So... we know that they’re tough, but not invincible.” Anvil said, slowly. “...If that dragon comes down here, I don’t think Riverwood will survive. To have firepower strong enough to lay down a beast like that, good old fashioned steel won’t work. We’ll need those fancy elven things, maybe even dwarven or orcish.” He thought about the fighting men in the town. Enough to count with only one to ten. “The manpower, too... We need help from Whiterun.” He decided. I smiled, glad that he finally came to the decision. From the beginning I could tell that Riverwood would be helpless against that flying brute.

“We’ll go.” I said, much to the surprise of Iron Pauldron and Fluttershy. “It started with us, it might as well end with us.” My voice was completely without any hint of weakness. Since when did I grow balls? I have no idea.

“Bladesong... are you sure?” Iron asked, concern in his eyes. “You just survived what I’d chalk down as one of the most traumatic events in the era. And you’re leaping into more adventure?”

“We’re in Skyrim now, lad!” I laughed brazenly, the way I figured heroes should. “What’s the point of life without the clashing of steel on steel, the taste of strong mead, and the touch of fine mares?” Fluttershy blushed.

Anvil and Pauldron stared at me for a moment, studying my face. Then they split into grins. Anvil slapped me on the back. “Said like a true nord! You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say the Dovahkiin just possessed you and instilled you with nordic valor!” Pauldron just smiled and nodded approvingly.

“Blade! Fluttershy! Pinkie!” I heard a familiar southern accent, and sure enough, AJ came running up the stairs into the ruined house. “I got it down - you all can stay here and work the farms!”

“Well, forget that notion, AJ, at least for a while.” I grinned. “We’re heading to Whiterun to petition the Jarl for more troops.” Her jaw dropped. “I... understand if you don’t tag along. I mean, you do have the farm to care for.”

She snorted at that, and waved a hoof in response. “I may be a farm pony, but I’m still a nord. And a nord strives for adventure!” She smiled and placed a hoof on my shoulder. “I’m going with you.”

I smiled. Our party was complete. Except for one thing. “Fluttershy, I never explained what happened back there, when you saved me from the wolves.” That.

“Oh, um. I don’t remember much.” Fluttershy mumbled. “Just telling the wolves to-”

“I thought I could fight the wolves. I was wrong. I was in the process of being feasted upon alive when Fluttershy here came and told them all to fuck off.” I put it bluntly, rather more rudely than normal. “It worked, and the little varmints buggered off. But at that point I was too damaged to salvage. Or so I thought.” I thought about what I saw.

“You... called down lightning. But not just regular lightning. It was the embodiment of nature. You absorbed the power, Fluttershy, and your body was temporarily hijacked by a nature spirit. You healed me, the spirit left, and the rest is history.” I finished lamely.

“What? But I... I...” Fluttershy stared at her hooves, as though expecting them to morph into wooden talons. “I’m not a nature spirit.”

“Of course you’re not, Fluttershy.” I reassured her. “But do me a favor, and hold out your hooves, like so,” I stretched out my forelegs, followed by Fluttershy. “Now, I want you to focus, and concentrate your energy in your hooves.” She shook her head, signifying that she had no idea how to do such a thing. “...Think about it as trying to pee through your hooves.” I said finally, to the great dismay of just about everypony.

“...WHAT?!” AJ screeched. “Sugarcube, that’s just WRONG.”

“Please at least try - it’s vitally important.” I insisted, staring into Fluttershy’s eyes. She stared at me for a moment, her crippling shyness threatening to take hold. Then she nodded, and held out her hooves once again.

Then the most unexpected thing happened. Pinkie stepped up to Fluttershy, placed her hooves on top of Fluttershy’s, and closed her eyes. “The machinations of Sheogorath allow this pony to unlock her true potential.” She intoned. Then she stepped away, winking at Fluttershy. “I think you’ll find that peeing out of your hooves is much easier now! ...What? I’m just sticking with the metaphor!”

Fluttershy, however, nodded her thanks and closed her eyes in concentration. Peeing out of her hooves... She heard a gasp, and opened her eyes. There, she saw green balls of energy float around her hooves. She screamed, swinging her forelegs around to dispel the balls, only to find that the energy tracked her hooves.

“Fluttershy, calm down.” I said, smiling. “This is your power, Fluttershy. Speaking with animals is only the first step. With this energy, you can manipulate nature itself. Try it. Just think about what you want to happen.” Fluttershy seemed rather taken aback by this - she had never thought she had that kind of power inside her.

Looking at the ruined wall, she pointed a the hole with a glowing hoof. Instantly, a tree sprouted, followed by another, and another, and another, until the wall was repaired with a living barrier of trees. She was about to turn to the door when she collapsed, the green spheres spluttering out. “I... what?” She mumbled.

“That was druidic magic, Fluttershy. I recognized it from a few books I’ve read about magic.” I said, still grinning. “Congratulations, you’re now a druid - a being blessed with nature magic.”

“So... weak...” Fluttershy moaned.

“You’re just tired, Flutters!” Pinkie smiled. “Take a nap!” She booped Fluttershy’s nose, and Fluttershy just curled up into a ball. Fucking adorable as shit.

“Well then. I think we leave at sunrise.” I said, grinning. “This is gonna be one hell of an adventure.”

Then I collapsed from sheer exhaustion.

3.5 Don't Fuck with the Multiverse AKA I get high and what is this

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I blinked. The plasma had passed right through us, sinking into the earth. Then I looked at Fluttershy, and whatever sane part of my wreck of a brain seized up.

She was glowing. The last vestiges of the lightning strike had snaked up to Fluttershy, where it remained, lacing her forelegs. An eerie green light poured from her eyes, as invisible waves of incredible power poured from her very being. The trees themselves leaned towards her, losing their leaves, which circled around us in a strange, magical dance. It took my ragged mind a few moments to realized that the leaves were forming a dome around us. It had grown so thick that the sky was blotted out, leaving Fluttershy’s strange glowing eyes as the only light source remaining.

“Flutter...shy?” I gurgled, staring at her. She was so full of power, her strength so immense, that I... I began to like her? Yes, strange as it sounds, her power wasn’t oppressive or overpowering. It was calm and gentle, yet vast and immeasurably powerful, like the sea on a calm day. Playful, but not to be crossed. I shivered.

She fixed those glowing, energy charged eyes on me. Then she spoke, in a strange, thrumming, multi-layered voice. “Don’t be afraid, Bladesong. Help will come soon.” She smiled at me, gently. Chillingly gently, for it was not the smile of a friend, or even family. It was the smile a god would wear when observing its creations. Benevolence, and most of all, with an air of observation and curiosity about it. It was exactly what Fluttershy was doing. Actually, I could tell that this wasn’t Fluttershy. “Mother Earth, I Invoke Your Power With The Ancient Tongue! GAEA. TOLSEK DAAR JOOR, FAH ROK DREHLAAN NID VOKUL.”There was a brief moment of silence as the echoes of her voice died down.

Fluttershy extended her legs, and the strings of lightning arced off the tips of her hooves and into... myself? I expected pain. I expected to be electrocuted. I did not, however, expect to be healed. Fresh green sprouts burst from the ground, wrapping around my ragged limbs. More sprouts wrapped around my body, with a few more layers covering my midriff, which was completely torn open with some of the organs spilling out. Speaking of organs, I felt the most quaint of sensations where my guts had fallen out - a slight pressure, as though something was pushing the displaced organ. But something distracted me from the strange tingling. The sprouts on my forelegs were wilting. I watched, open mouthed, as the crisp green plants slowly turned yellow, then a brilliant orange, then finally becoming browned and fragile. The slightest tugs with my limb made the now dead vegetation disintegrate into little flakes. I wasn’t sure what I would see. A badly mauled leg, mutilated beyond recognition, perhaps? I had seen so much harm come to myself that I wouldn’t be surprised if my entire leg was dissolved or something. What I found shocked me... for the billionth time this day.

“It’s... perfectly healed...” I whispered to myself, marveling at the flawless recovery. Such healing abilities were unheard of. “How...?” I tugged at the sprouts covering my other limb. They, too, broke away, revealing an unblemished foreleg. As I lay there, dumbstruck, feeling suddenly returned to my abdomen. Somehow, without me realizing, my organs have been pushed into place, and my flesh had healed. And, once the greenery had crumbled away, I saw that my body was whole once again. Looking at myself, it was hard to imagine that just barely minutes ago, I was lying on the floor bleeding out from savage wounds.

“Take care of her, Bladesong.” Whaaat?! “Take care of this young mare. She plays an important part in your story.” The entire dome of swirling leaves started to wilt and crumble as she said those words, those words uttered by Fluttershy’s mouth but not Fluttershy’s soul.

“Who are you?” I managed to ask, lifting up my weakened body. Healed it may be, but the stress of nearly being eaten alive was still strong in my mind. I could barely stand up straight, let alone speak.

“Know that in your future endeavors, Mother Nature will be watching over you...” Intoned Fluttershy, the light fading from her eyes and the dome of leaves collapsing completely. She stood there, swaying for a moment. Then she landed on top of me, and I staggered, my newly reformed legs protesting at having to hold the weight of two ponies.