> Family of the Blanks
>  by HumanSVD
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> I'm not old!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"See you later...friend."

Ruby's hoof made contact with the light next to her; she smiled as Konrad limped his way towards Ponyville. The sight in front of her was drowned out by the light getting brighter and brighter, and she could not block it out from her eyes. Ruby found herself screaming from the sudden sensation of falling and flailing her legs all over the place. The sight of a blue light tunnel surrounded her as if she was falling down a pipe drain.

While continuing to fall, Ruby could also spot her mother falling and screaming. Calling out to her,

"MOOOOM! NOOO!!"

"RUUBY!" shouted Mitta, looking above.

Seeing no other solution, the former ghost dived through the air, making her way closer to her mother. Reaching her mother, the two embraced in a hug refusing to let go of one another. As the wind blew through their mane and tails, the sound, for an odd reason, did not drown out their ears. 

"Mom! What's going on?!"

"I don't know, but this can't be heaven! Konrad said we wouldn't suffer! That lying boy!"

"MOOM! Stop it!"

"Ruby! Look below! Is that us?!" said Mitta as she pointed a hoof below.

Looking below in fear, Ruby noticed something very odd. Below the scared mare was her mother and herself lying on a field asleep. Both couldn't believe what they saw, even as the sight below became more transparent. Screaming in confusion and fear, the mares closed their eyes, no longer wanting to see the view. Even though her eyes closed, some light still made it through Ruby's eyelids. 

"NOO! What's going on?! Konrad, help me! I need you."

"Everything will be fine, Ruby, I promise. Your life is just beginning."

"What?! Who are you?!"

Her eyes closed, and a glowing white pony image began to form before her. The mare couldn't determine who this mysterious stallion was but felt his presence, loving and familiar. Unable to tell any of his features except a smile, the stallion replied,

"Somepony who's watched you for a long time. Please take care and say hello to them for me."

Before Ruby could reply, everything went dark and quiet.





The first thing Ruby could feel was the warm heat radiating from the sun on her left side while feeling the cool grass on her right. As she slowly opened her eyes, Ruby blinked a few times before letting her eyes adjust to the sight before her. She found herself lying on a field with the edge of a forest next to her. It appeared to be the middle of the day as birds flew around and numerous butterflies landed on a few wildflowers nearby. 

"Is this heaven? Who was that guy? This place looks so lovely."

Slowly getting up and sitting on her rump, Ruby looked around and spotted her mom lying nearby,

"MOM!" shouted Ruby as she got up.

Mitta shifted a few times before saying,

"Mommy needs some more sleep."

Laughing at her mom's refusal to get up reminded her of when she refused to get out of bed when she was a filly long ago. With the tables being turned, Ruby found the irony humorous as she shook her mother awake.

"Mom, you need to get up! We need to find out where we are."

She rubbed her eyes; Mitta slowly opened them, got up on her legs, and made eye contact with her daughter. Both mares gasped at what they saw. No longer did either of them have glowing yellow eyes but the natural ones they were born with. Pointing at each other with a hoof, they both gasped before saying in unison,

"Your eyes! They're not glowing!"

Spotting a pond nearby, both of them ran to it, hoping to see their reflections. As they saw their images, both noticed they had, in fact, normal eyes. Smiles formed on their faces as they hugged each other.

"Mom! We're not ghosts anymore! We're in heaven!"

"I'm so happy, Ruby! No more suffering for us!"

Both mares squealed and cried happily for a few seconds until something unexpected happened. The sound of hunger, to be precise.

BUUUUUUURRGH!

Letting go of each other, Ruby blushed as she apologized to her mother.

"Sorry, I guess I'm a bit hungry."

With a confused look on her face, Mitta asked,

"Didn't Konrad say we would never be hungry?"

Ruby's ears perked up at that question, and she remembered that the man indeed made that claim. Here they were, seemingly alive, hungry, in a field near a forest that seemed eerily familiar. All of these facts confused the mares even more. As Ruby pondered these facts even more, she noticed something different about her mother, subtle if one wasn't paying attention. 

Despite not having any gray mane or tale showing, she appeared older. Her eyes were starting to show signs of bags underneath, and her face had, while very subtle, small wrinkles. 

"Mom, you look..."

"I look what, my dear?"

Ruby blushed in embarrassment and struggled to point out that she was older without being offensive.

"I...umm....mom?"

"Yes, dear, go ahead. You can tell me-"

"You're older."

"-anything...pardon me?" asked Mitta with an eyebrow raised.

"I'm sorry, mom, but you do!"

"The proper term is Mature."

"But...you do look more mature! Look again!" said Ruby as she pointed a hoof back at the still pond.

As Mitta returned to the pond to check out her reflection, Ruby looked around to see where they were. In the distance, she could see what looked like a town. It was too far to recognize, but a few fields with various crops along the pathway. With the other path leading into the forest, it made sense to head into town and see where they were. No matter what, they would need a place to stay, and the place ahead was the best bet to find something.

As Ruby turned back to face her mother, she noticed a frown on her face. 

"You're right...I'm old."

"But I thought you said you were mature."

Rolling her eyes with blush, Mitta replied,

"Oh, hush! No mare wants to hear she's old, but I can't deny it. I'm older...older than I used to before..."

Mitta lowered her head in sadness and shame before Ruby lifted it with a hoof.

"It's okay, mom. I love you, and we're here now. It's all over. Let's just move on, okay?"

Wiping a tear away with her own hoof, Mitta nodded. The mare's frown was replaced with a smile of her own.

"Ruby?"

"Yes, mom?" smiled Ruby.

"You're older too."

"WHAT?!" shouted Ruby as she jumped in the air.

"Older?! I'm 18! Well, before I died, that is, but how do I look older?!'

As Mitta chuckled at her daughter's reaction, Ruby ran to the pond to look at herself. After looking at her reflection one more time, she, too, could see the age difference. 

"I look older but...well, more mature."

Ruby could see the similarities of a middle-aged mare and noted that she no longer had the teenage appearance she once had. While she found the look to be an exciting change, like a mother in her foal-raising years, Ruby was annoyed that she had aged with no beautiful memories to come with such a change. As Ruby returned to Mitta, she began to form a pout on her face, eliciting more chuckles from her mother.

"Ahahahahah! Oh, Ruby! You should see the look on your face!"

"Mom....stop. It's not funny! I'm...older!" said Ruby with disgust for the word.

"So am I! At least you don't have the bags and worn-out look on your face. You look like I used to...all grown up." replied Mitta with a sad look.

Ruby let go of her pout as her eyes widened, realizing what was about to happen. 

"Oh no, she's going to do it...I just know it."

"WAAAAAAAAA! My precious Ruby is all grown up! You're not so little anymore! WAAAA!" cried Mitta.

"And she did...Oh, mom! You always get so emotional when you remember me as a little foal."

"Mom, please stop-"

Suddenly, Mitta put her forehooves to her daughter's cheeks and shook them from side to side as she reminisced about Ruby as a baby.

"But my widdle Wuby all grown up!" 

"MOM! Stop! Please, let's just go," shouted Ruby with her face turning bright red, hoping nopony would notice.

Fortunately, Mitta nodded her head before wiping more tears away. As Ruby pointed towards the town in the distance, Mitta asked,

"That town...it seems familiar, doesn't it?" asked Mitta.

"Yeah...it kinda does. Should we go there?"

With the sound of hunger coming from both mares, the mother and daughter looked at each with a blush.

"Well...I think that's our cue to head into town," said Mitta.

"I'm hungry...hungry! That means..."

"Mom! You know what this means?" 

"What?" 

Ruby jumped up in down in excitement that she hadn't felt since she was a young filly on her birthday. 

"FOOD! I get to eat food again! Real food!" answered Ruby as she jumped around her mother.

Realizing what her daughter was saying, Mitta smiled and immediately began speaking of foods she had always loved.

"Fried Hay patties...Oh, how I haven't had that in ages!"

"AAAAHHHH!! FRIED HAY PATTIES!!

"Mmm!! I likey hay patties! Me likely hay patties!"

Mitta chuckled at her daughter, who continued to jump around her like a young filly.

"I'm not so sure you got mature, Ruby. I think you might have regressed to a filly."

Immediately Ruby stopped her, jumping at the realization of what her mother implied. Backing away from her mother, Ruby asked,

"Mom...please don't."

"Do what, Ruby?" said Mitta with a sly grin on her face.

"Don't do it! I'm not little!"

"Let mommy squeeze those cheeks!"

"NOO!" cried Ruby from her mother's advancing forehooves as she shielded her face.

Instead, Ruby was treated to the sight of a mother pointing a hoof at her face.

"Gotcha!" 

"Mom..." said Ruby pawing the ground with a red face.

"You'll have to catch me!" replied Mitta.

Ruby's mother suddenly broke into a gallop, heading full speed into the town ahead. With a look of surprise, Ruby broke into a gallop of her own, chasing her mother.

"Mom! Just give up! You know I'll just beat you!"

"You sure?" shouted Mitta. "I've never felt more alive!"

As both mares continued to run ahead, a figure above smiled joyfully.
> I don't think we're in heaven...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watching above his wife and daughter, the former pony and volunteer Guardian smiled with happiness seeing the two enjoy each other’s company after many years of suffering. He could see a return of spunk and youth that Mitta once had when they were just foals many years ago. Even after their honeymoon phase, she still had it, and it pleased him, bringing back many fond memories. Then there was Ruby, the daughter who he got robbed of raising. Frowning, the former pony thought,

" I was a fool to go off and explore...if I hadn’t, I might have been there still with them and not a Manticore’s lunch.”

Throwing away thoughts of what could have been, the former pony focused on the happy scene before him. He saw the best mares in the world experience happiness after such long years of sorrow. But a smile did not return, for he felt a familiar presence around him.

" Why are you here? Can’t you see I’m maintaining my deal of the bargain?”

The Angel that belonged to Konrad formed next to him as he sat on his rump, electing to stand above him in the same Human form from earlier.

" Just letting you know what you’re dealing with.”

" I already know; now, can you please leave?”

The Angel sighed as he watched the former pony’s family below, frowning at the sight.

" I don’t think you fully understand the major task you’ve just undertaken. You just pasted a soul from another dimension onto another one. That will cause quite a few conflicts in more ways than you think.”

The former pony snorted in anger before getting up on his hind legs to face the Angel in Human form. Poking the Angel with a hoof in defiance,

" Oh really? I don’t think YOU know what you’ve gotten into! You pulled a Human from his universe and threw him here for your fantasies! While I’m grateful your actions helped my wife and daughter, they also hurt my daughter’s heart! That was the last straw for me! I’ve seen her cry too many times, and enough is enough! I will ensure she has her happy ending, and I don’t care what happens to me! So if you-” 



Rolling his eyes, the Angel clamped the muzzle of the former pony shut, making him red-faced.


" Relax, I’m not here to interfere or back out of our deal. I’m just warning you about the problems you need to be aware of.”

Letting go of the former pony’s muzzle, Stallion snorted in anger before taking a deep breath. Calming down substantially, the Stallion returned to all fours and looked below at his wife and daughter, laughing below him.

" Okay.....what is it then? Just tell me, okay?”

Looking at the sight of the running mares, the Angel said,


" Like I said, you passed two souls onto others from a different dimension. This will cause a conflict between the two souls and shock for the ones you pull from your dimension.”

" Well, I figured there would be some shock, but I just thought it would be resolved after she saw him and her-”

" Kids? Foals? Oh, she’ll be shocked, alright. Your wife will be shocked too, but that’s not the primary concern. The point is the soul is in conflict.”

Sitting on his rump once more with worry over taking him, the Stallion asked,

" Conflict? What will happen? And what do I need to do?”

The Angel frowned as he watched Ruby slowly catch up to her mother, making their way closer to the town with every second passing.

" For starters, she’ll start to get conflicting memories; this will be the first sign. At some point, the two souls will clash to control the body. Chances are one will win, and the other will dwindle out of the body, with nowhere to go. And when that happens, one Ruby will be lost, losing everything. The same will happen with Mitta as well.”

The former Stallion’s ear lit up as he took the severity of the situation. On one hoof, he wanted his daughter to experience her dream of motherhood and the simple life she always wanted. If the soul from this dimension was lost, that one would lose everything dear to her. All the memories and, essentially, her life would be gone. It would rob her of her current life and her husband and foals of their mother. On the other hoof, the daughter from his dimension would be lost forever, crying and confused, never to be happy again as well as his wife.

With determination on his face, the Stallion asked,

" Okay...now, as I wondered, what can I do?”

The Angel rubbed his chin in thought, contemplating a solution. Clapping his hands with a smirk, the Angel said,

" Well, there IS a way to merge them, but it depends on if the two souls can join in agreement.”

" How can I help do that?! PLEASE TELL ME!”

The Stallion was now on his belly, wrapping his forelegs around the Angel’s feet. The Angel looked that the Stallion begging for advice and said,

" First of all, get up; it’s kinda silly. I’m not used to anyone begging me. Second, I’ll tell you, just listen carefully.”

Getting up, the Stallion looked and listened to the Angel with every word spoken and burned into his head. There was no way he would forget any of this advice, for his wife and daughter’s well-being, was at stake. After the Angel gave his advice, he looked at the mares, who were now just yards away from the entrance of Sunny Town. Pointing a finger, the Angel said,

" Well, get ready for it. It’s about to begin, just remember what I said, don’t do it too much, and if you’re careful enough, it just might work.”

" Thank you...I really mean it thank you!”

" You can thank me later when it works....hopefully.”

With a snap of his fingers and a sudden sound of large wings flapping, the Angel of Konrad disappeared, leaving the former pony alone to his devices. With a determined look, the Stallion watched as the mares slowed down, taking the new sight before them.

" Don’t worry, my favorite mares! I’ll help you every step of the way.”

A long task of ensuring their happiness lay ahead of him, and it would be a while before he could sit back and watch their news lives with a smile on his face. The sight before him would soon get out of control, and he was not looking forward to it.





Both mares ran in a full gallop towards the town, intent on beating each other. Both giggled in delight, cherishing the time together that they were robbed of. It reminded Mitta of the time Ruby used to chase her in the fields years ago when she was just a filly. Summer was always Mitta’s favorite season, and with the fun her daughter had during that time, it soon became Ruby’s favorite.

” My precious Ruby.... You’ve grown up into a mare! If only she could just have her early adult years back. I want her to be my little baby all the time since she doesn’t have any of her own!” 

Looking back at Ruby, Mitta blew a raspberry in her direction, something she used to do when she played with her long ago. This elicited a response of disbelief from the now middle age mare.

" Really, mom?! We’re going back to that now? I’m not a little filly anymore!”

The older mare chuckled in amusement before replying,

"  You’ll always be my precious little filly!.... Until you give me outstanding foals, that is. Now come and get me, little Ruby!”

Blowing one more raspberry, Mitta picked up her speed, causing Ruby to press harder to catch up.

" I’m NOT little!” shouted Ruby.

Chucking along the way, Mitta kept galloping, getting closer to the town. Even with her newfound youthful spirit, the older mare simply couldn’t keep the speed up as Ruby continued to make gains on her tail. The older mare could see the entrance to the town coming up ahead and pressed as hard as she could.

” Almost there, I’m... Almost...WHAT THE HAY!?” 

Reaching the entrance, Mitta came to a sudden full stop causing Ruby to shout,

" MOOOM!”

Ruby collided with Mitta, sending both mares tumbling forward past the town’s entrance. When both mares stopped, their vision blurred from the impact, causing both to get up and stumble around. Shaking her head, Mitta looked around and went wide-eyed at what she saw. Around her was Sunny Town, the same town she had grown up and died in. There was no mistake about it; everything was just as it was, except for a few newer buildings that she did not recognize.

It was as if somepony had gone through the trouble of expanding the town and adding new residents to the already secluded village. She could also easily recognize Starlet, Roneo, Gladstone, and Three Leaf’s homes. And in the center of the town stood a more spruced up and decorated version of Gray Hoof’s house, complete with the party decorations he was so fond of.

" No.....no, no, no! This can’t be heaven! Why?! Why?! WHY!?”

With her legs shaking and teeth clattering, Ruby shook herself out of her disorientation before walking over to her mother angrily.

" That wasn’t funny! I know it’s great to be in heaven, but-”

" Ruby...I don’t think we are in heaven...”

Pointing a hoof around the town, Ruby followed it as she took the sight before her. Soon her reaction would be the exact same as her mother with her legs shaking and teeth clattering as well.





Ruby couldn’t believe what she saw as the sight before she brought back many memories, all of which were poisoned. She couldn’t remember the times when she laughed, nor the times when she cheered in glee. The only thing that came to her mind was the suffering that she went through. The times when they would catch her as a ghost and force her to relive her death. And even when she did not get caught during a cycle, the memories of sorrow and loneliness crept in. Walking and wandering, forever stuck in the forest that she was tethered to, Ruby could not approach another pony for company.

They would either run in fear, and if they didn’t, out of curiosity, they would be in danger should the others catch them. The memories of wandering ponies getting curious made her feel guilty. Their fate often resulted in being cursed and effectively robbed of their lives. The screams of the innocent crying out in the night brought tears to Ruby. The cries remained fresh to her, even to this day.

It was even worse when she saw them later as a Blood Hoof. Their newly acquired zombified bodies transformed them into monstrous shells of their former selves. As the memories flooded Ruby’s mind, she crumbled to the ground in emotional agony.

" Mommy! I...I can’t be here! I don’t belong here!”

Hot tears flowed from her eyes to her muzzle and caused Mitta to snap out of her panic. With fear gone, the fiercely protective mother that Mitta was, ran to her daughter. Running a hoof over her daughter’s mane, Mitta cooed her daughter and said,

" There, there, Ruby, I’m here now. Nopony will hurt you ever again. Not now or-”

" HIYA! Oh, hey, Ruby! Are you ready for your special celebration later? You weren’t supposed to be back here just yet, but oh well...Surprise!”

Their ears perked up as they turned around to see the last pony they ever wanted to see again.

" GRAY HOOF!” shouted Mitta and Ruby.

" That’s me!” beamed Gray Hoof as he stood on his hind legs giving a salute,” Celebration Planner Extraordinaire! But you two already knew that. You two weren’t supposed to come back early; now you’ve found out the surpri-AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!”

The Stallion immediately crumbled to the ground and began screaming like a young colt losing his favorite toy. The reason was his pride being assaulted in the worst way, which was a buck to the groin.

”AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!”

" Stay away from my baby! Stay away!”

" Get him, mommy! Get him!”

Not wasting the opportunity, Mitta pounced on the wounded Stallion, giving him a flurry of hoof strikes.

" Hurt my baby, huh? Best for the town’s interest, eh?”

" What?! What are you-”

SMACK! SMACK!

" OOOOOWWWW! STOP! PLEASE!” cried Gray Hoof as he tried to shield himself to no avail.

" Stop? Why should she? Like you and the others stopped for me? Like how you killed me?”

" BUWHAAAAT?!” cried Gray Hoof in confusion.

The Stallion’s eyes widen to the size of saucers, with a black eye on his eye starting to form. His face looked as if he saw a mad mare ranting and raving, unable to comprehend his friend before him.

" He’s acting as if he doesn’t know? How could he do that after everything he did to me!”

The feeling of anger began to take over Ruby, with the memories of Gray Hoof beating her filling her mind. To exact revenge, Ruby moved her mother out of the way, who smirked, knowing what her daughter had in mind. With three quick hoof stomps, Gray Hoof began to cry and begged for mercy,

”PLEEEAAAA-WAAAHAAA-SSSEE!”

SMACK!

" All the times you made me cry!”

SMACK!

" When you hurt me because of my cutie mark!”

SMACK!

" Uh, Ruby...” said Mitta poking a hoof at her.

SMACK!

" And you tried to kill Konrad!”

SMACK!

" RUBY!” shouted Mitta,

Stopping at her mother’s command, Ruby looked up and saw that she and her mother were no longer alone with Gray Hoof. There were ponies around them, coming out of their houses, most of which Ruby did not recognize. Not only were there adults she was unfamiliar with, but there were also fillies and colts. Near Gray Hoof’s house stood four other familiar ponies, which Ruby and Mitta recognized.

Three Leaf, Gladstone, Starlet, and Roneo were the four ponies before them. Everyone had at least one type of party apparel, such as Gladstone and Three Leaf, wearing the conical party hats. In contrast, Starlet and Roneo wore matching party bead necklaces. Noticing a banner being held up over the pathway to where her house should be read,

" HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!”

The letters were colored with two shades of orange, the same as her mane and tail. Everypony looked at Mitta and Ruby with their jaws down and eyes wide at the scene before them.

” What is going on?! They....they are celebrating an anniversary? For what? And who are all these ponies?!” 

Looking back at Gray Hoof, Ruby could see something familiar in his eyes as he cowered and whimpered with a bloody snout and black eye.

It was fear. The same fear she experienced in her final moments and as a ghost several times over.

" No...I...but he...”

" Please don’t hurt me again, Ruby! I’m sorry if I didn’t make it the way you like it or if you wanted something private with him instead. He...he asked me to set this up! Please don’t hit me!”

Tears flowed down his eyes, with pain evident from his eyes producing liquid despair. Shock, embarrassment, and guilt flooded Ruby all in an instant. She had become what he had been before she passed on and was ashamed of what she had done. She couldn’t understand why he was in heaven with her and Mitta. Did everypony have their sins forgiven when they passed on? Was he forgiven when he understood what he had done? Or was life just an endless repetitive cycle of the same thing with a good or bad outcome?

Another thing Ruby noticed, perhaps the biggest shocker so far, was that everypony had a cutie mark. Gray Hoof had one that was in the shape of a pink birthday cake with candles lit on the top of it. Even Roneo, Gladstone, Three Leaf, and Starlet had cutie marks on their flanks. Because of this, Ruby now looked like a raving mad mare hellbent on making Gray Hoof suffer for no valid reason.

" I want to go home!”

No longer able to take the existential confusion and emotional torment, Ruby bolted in the direction of her home, desperate to escape the scene before her. Looking around and lowering her ears in shame, Mitta ran after her daughter to comfort her. The tough-as-hooves mother couldn’t understand what had transpired before her but knew she had to stay with Ruby to prevent retribution for their actions. The thought of the same thing repeating was still in her mind, and the mother would do anything to prevent it from occurring again.

As both mares quickly exited their old home, a more emotional and shocking sight would greet them very soon.





Roneo, Starlet, Gladstone, and Three Leaf galloped over to assist Gray Hoof in helping their friend first before confronting Mitta and Ruby for their violent and bizarre behavior.

" Gray Hoof!” shouted Three Leaf, “Are you okay?”

Sniffing up some of the blood coming from his snout and moaning in pain, the Stallion responded,

" I....n-nooooo....ouuuuuchh!”

Shaking his head, Gladstone pulled out a white rag from his saddlebag and began to wipe the dripping snout blood with his right front hoof. After wiping the excess blood off, the orange-maned Stallion gave the rag to Gray Hoof and said,

" Okay, Hoofies, hold this and keep it until it stops.”

Chuckling a bit before wincing in pain, Gray Hoof replied,

" H-hey, you’re not my mother. Only she’s allowed to say that to me.”

Chuckling before giving him a playful hoof punch, Gladstone asked,

" Why did Ruby and Mitta do that? Did they say why? That’s not like them at all! They are the nicest of the mares around here!”

" Not nice anymore if you ask me. That was very rude and mean of them. It looked like they were going to kill him!” said Starlet.

" I...I don’t know,” replied Gray Hoof as he checked the rag and noticed he was still bleeding. “She...they said that I had killed Ruby or something then beat me up. Something is very wrong with them. It’s just...not like them at all!”

Everypony looked at each other with confused looks on their faces. Several ponies began to come out to aid Gray Hoof while others moved the curious eyes of their foals inside and away from the scene before them.

" Everything is fine, everypony; we have a misunderstanding, that’s all. We’ll deal with it. Until then, the celebration is on hold.”

While this seemed to satisfy most of the ponies, two, in particular, refused to leave with very concerned looks on their faces. As the majority of the town was, both earth ponies walked over to Gray Hoof. One was a mare with a bright red crimson mane and tail with a white coat with a cutie mark of a red bass guitar. Even her eyes were revealed to be crimson red as she waved her jagged cut mane back to see Gray Hoof better. On the other hoof, the Stallion had a gold blond shaggy mane and tail with a light green coat. His cutie mark resembled a Lemon and a Lime being crushed by a boxing glove.

" Why did this happen again? I didn’t catch what he said.” asked the Stallion.

" Gray Hoof said Ruby claimed to have murdered her or something to that effect. She seemed emotionally unbalanced and upset for some reason,” replied Roneo as he began to help Gray Hoof up.

" What?! The hay is wrong with her?” shouted the mare.

" Probably going crazy from her estrus-induced hormones.” whispered the Stallion.

Receiving a punch from his mare friend, the Stallion turned around to her and said,

" OW! Crimson Bass, the hay?!”

" I heard that, mister Sprite Punch!” chided Crimson Bass. “So, you guys going to confront them?”

Watching Roneo put Gray Hoof over his back, Three Leaf replied,

" Yeah, we’re going to put Gray Hoof in his house for now and go find out what’s happening. Something is very wrong.”

" I want to come along, her hubby and I are pretty good friends, and he’s going want to know about this,” said Sprite Punch.

" Yeah, and find out his wife beat the hay out the party organizer for their anniversary is going to drive him up the wall. He’ll be able to tell us more about her mental state later and let us know if we need to cancel the party or not. Poor Gray Hoof.” said Gladstone shaking his head in disapproval.

As the rest of the town’s residents went inside their homes, Roneo returned after taking Gray Hoof home. The Stallion held the rag over his back and gave it back to Gladstone, who simply put it in his saddlebag.

" Well, his party mood will be dead for a while,” said Roneo.

" Oh no! Poor thing! Is he okay, honey?” asked Starlet.

Letting his wife join him, Roneo nuzzled her before saying,

" Yeah, his snout stopped bleeding, and he’s got a black eye, but he’ll be fine. He’s lying down now; he’ll probably fall asleep soon since he took some sleep medicine. He asked me to tell you guys he’s not going to continue with the party until Mitta and Ruby apologize. Does anypony know where that human hubby of hers is?”

" He should be home. I saw him take his kids home from school today, so he should be there,” said Sprite Punch.

" Okay then, let’s go, everypony. Hopefully, this won’t get any worse than it already has,” said Gladstone.

As the oranged maned Stallion led the way with a gallop, the others followed behind, eager to discover why Mitta and Ruby assaulted their dear friend. Everypony hoped that her husband would be able to help as he always had in the long time they’ve known him.





Ruby kept galloping and galloping as fast as she could, with her mother following close behind. Nearing her house, Ruby continued to cry the entire way, reflecting on what had happened.

” What have I done?! I’m just as bad as Gray Hoof! I’m a bad pony! This isn’t heaven! What is this place?!”

" Ruby! Wait up! We’ll solve this together!”

Hearing her mother close behind, Ruby continued forward, anxious to just hide from the embarrassment she brought upon herself. As Ruby continued to cry as she galloped, she couldn’t help but notice that her old house and the area around it had been maintained very well. The grass was cut, there were no wild thorn bushes to be seen, no weeds at all, and a flower bed with various bright flowers was in front of the house. The house was kept very well, with no broken wood or rotten wood planks in sight and no broken windows with lovely sunny colored curtains held open.

The entire atmosphere of the cabin was nothing short of friendly and harmonious, all the more reason for the upset mare to take refuge in it.

” Oh, Konrad...I need you more than ever!”

Finally reaching the door, Ruby extended a forehoof to open it but found it locked.

" No! Locked?! But this is my house! Open the stupid door!!” shouted Ruby as she banged the door in frustration.

" Ruby, don’t fret. Just look for where we usually kept the spare key.”

" RUBY! MITTA! WAIT UP! WE JUST WANT TO TALK!” shouted a stallion in the distance.

Both mares recognized the voice belonging to Gladstone, causing their ears to perk up in a panic.

" Mom! They’re coming!”

" I’ll hold them off, Ruby; you look for the key.”

Heeding her mother’s word, Ruby headed to the well where the spare key was usually kept. Turning the crank, the bucket filled with water but lacked a key. As Ruby began to panic, the sound of ponies galloping at full speed continued to get closer and closer.

" Mom! The key isn’t there!”

" Ponyfeathers! Break the door down! We’ll barricade it after we get in. Just keep trying!”

Ruby ran to the door and began buckling it as hard as she could. The door turned out to be sturdier than she remembered it to be and quickly began to wear out. The door would not break down, or buck open no matter how hard or desperate Ruby tried. Sweat and tears began to form as she tried vainly to break the door open until she heard the sounds of ponies behind her.

" Please, we just want to know what’s wrong. We’re not going to hurt you.”

Turning around with her back heavily pressed against the door and standing on her hindlegs, Ruby noticed Gladstone leading the pack of ponies. Roneo, Starlet, Three Leaf, and two other ponies with whom she did not recognize but had an air of familiarity.

" BACK! Stay away from my daughter! You won’t get her this time! Not now, not with me in the way.” shouted Mitta.

Mitta began to buck the area near anybody who dared to get close, doing her best to prevent a repeat incident of Ruby’s past demise. Everypony looked at each other in mass confusion from Mitta’s threat before something else happened. The door Ruby pressed against suddenly opened, causing the mare to fall on her back.


" OOF!” cried Ruby at the impact of her head, making her eyesight blurry.

" Alright, who’s banging on my door?! My kids are doing homework! I don’t want...honey?” said a familiar voice.

Shaking her head to clear the dizziness, Ruby’s jaw dropped at sight above her. Looking right down at her with his blue eyes was none other than Konrad. Despite him being a different species, she could see the subtle appearance of an older middle-aged man. He was wearing a green shirt with a pair of loose blue jeans and an apron with something she couldn’t see from this angle. With his more mature look, Ruby couldn’t help but find his appearance of him very attractive, and the best part for her was the fact he referred to her as “honey.”

” He’s here! He’s here! He called me honey! We are together! I take this back! This is heaven!”

While no one could see it, tiny little hearts popped all around her, causing the man to be greatly confused by the love-struck expression before her. On the other hoof, Mitta couldn’t believe the sight before her. As Konrad stood over her daughter, she noticed what the light pink apron said,

" World’s Best Cook and Daddy.”

Surrounding the sentence was the outline of a heart with 3 crudely drawn stick figure ponies and 2 stick figure humans that she couldn’t identify who they were supposed to represent. However, the word “Daddy” caused Mitta to take notice very quickly. As if to confirm her suspicions and hopes, the sound of a young filly could be heard, but neither she nor Ruby could ever have guessed the sight that appeared before them.

" Mom? You okay?”

Both mare’s turned their attention to take notice of a young human girl. She wore a simple white t-shirt and skirt in the same orange & yellow highlights as Ruby’s mane with the emblem of a Ruby gem at the bottom right corner. Even more noticeable was that her hair was the same as Ruby’s mane, while having the same blue eyes as Konrad. Neither mare could comprehend the sight before them as they witnessed an impossibility. As if things couldn’t get any more shocking for the mares, the sound of a colt could be heard galloping on the hardwood floor.

" MOOOM! What are you doing? Is this a game? Oh, I wanna play! Homework’s boring!”

The young colt appeared on the opposite side of Konrad and jumped up and down, seeing his mother lay before them while smiling. His mane was very similar to Konrad’s hair while having the same coat as Ruby and Mitta. Instead of having Konrad’s blue eyes, they were golden yellow, just like his mother’s eyes. He did not have a cutie mark on his flanks. Looking at Mitta, the young colt waved to her and said,

" Oh, hi, Nana!”

Looking back and forth at both the apparent son and daughter of Konrad and Ruby, both mares muttered in turns,

" I have two-” said Ruby.

" Grand-” said Mitta.

" Foals-”

" I can’t-”

" Believe-”

" This.” said both of them.

" Well, you better believe it; you gave birth to them after all.” said the man.

Both mare’s eyes widened as the human daughter’s face palmed while the young colt asked Konrad tugging on his jeans with his hoof,

" Daddy? What does “birth” mean?”

" Uhhh.... You’re not old enough for that talk yet, son.”

" Son...daughter...mine. All mine,” said Ruby.

" Yeah, that’s about right, hun.”

No longer able to take the shocking information presented before them, both mares fainted, leaving a confused group of ponies and humans.

" Uhh...Kids, go to your rooms.”

" But dad, I need mom’s help with this one question!” asked the human daughter.

" And I wanna play the fainting game! Wee! Ow!” said the colt trying to fall down safely but failing miserably.

”Katja, Blau Streifen, go to your rooms NOW.”

Stomping on the word “now,” the children got the message and quickly made their way to their rooms. As Katja and Blau Streifen made their way to rooms, Konrad looked confused at his wife and mother-in-law.

" Umm...what happened?”

" Oh, nothing much, except your wife and mother-in-law beat up Gray Hoof pretty badly in front of the whole town,” replied Sprite Punch.

”WHAAAAAT?! Why?”

" Don’t know; we were wondering if you could help us find out. It’s strange; they acted like we were murderers. Ruby kept shouting that Gray Hoof did something, and her mom helped her.” asked Starlet.

" What the...”

" Hey Konrad, the rest of the town is shaken up. Gray Hoof won’t let your anniversary party go forward until they apologize. We think it’s best if they stay home for a bit until we can get this sorted out,” said Gladstone.

" Y-yeah...I gotcha. Damn...” facepalmed Konrad.

" Yeah, sorry, but hey, nice apron,” said Sprite Punch with a snicker.

Looking at his close friend, Konrad crossed his arms and glared at the green Stallion.

"  What’s wrong with wearing an apron?”

" Oh, nothing; you just need to hand over your stallion card, though.”

" Sprite!” chided Crimson Bass.

Everypony either chuckled or smirked at the man’s apron, giving his close friend the middle finger.

" Yeah yeah, whatever, buddy. Okay, guys, I’ll come by Gray’s house tomorrow. Tell ol’hoofies my apologies.”

" Will do!” replied Three Leaf.

As soon as everypony was out of sight, the man sighed, looking at the passed-out mares before him.

" Mares... Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them.”

The man began the task of bringing his wife and mother-in-law into the house, muttering swear words that nopony had ever heard before.
> Give mommy a hug!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shifting in the bed, Ruby slowly opened her eyes and saw what appeared to be a master bedroom. Waking up fully alert, Ruby noticed the large bed she was lying on, enough for a human to lay on. Hearing a snore to her left, Ruby saw her mother lying beside her, still fully asleep. Relieved that her mother was safe, Ruby turned her attention back to the master bedroom and noticed many details about it.

To the middle-aged mare, it had a very personal touch to it. There was a dresser, a mirror, and a lamp on a small table, followed by a closet and two doors. On a wall was a hoof-stitched portrait of Konrad holding Ruby in a hug while standing inside a heart. Below the heart were the words,

"Always forever."

Tears of happiness formed in her eyes are Ruby continued to look at the portrait.

"Always forever...we...are married! I have children! I'm so happy! But...Why don't I have any memories?"

Without any warning, a massive migraine took hold of her making her suffer in excruciating pain. The mare fell back on the bed, writhing in agony as new memories surged through her mind. A portrait shown by her mother flashed before getting her daughter at a younger age running through the field giggling like she once had as a foal. Ruby was chasing her and calling out her name,

"I'm gonna get you, my precious sweetie!"

"Nope! Can't find me, momma! I'm gonna hide!" 

"I'll always find you no matter what!"

Both giggled before the bright day changed into darkness, and the warm air from the sun turned cold like the winter chill. Thorn bushes spouted from the ground at freakishly fast speed, cutting off any chance of escape. Ruby watched in horror as the thorns formed a thick wall behind her, making the young girl no longer visible.

"What's going on! Where's my daughter!?"

"The mark...she has the mark."

Turning around, Ruby saw Blood Hooves with their eyes glowing dark red, looking menacingly at her. 

"She must go...it must be done."

"NOO! This can't be real! This is supposed to be heaven! Konrad! Help me!"

As the wall of Blood Hooves advanced on her, a bright light appeared before her, blinding the blood hooves in the process.

"Follow me; I'll help you find a way out."

"That voice....it sounded like...me"

The light continued to shine bright as the Blood Hooves regained their senses, continuing to advance on Ruby. Not wasting any more time, Ruby touched the glowing ball of light. No longer was she surrounded by Blood Hooves or a wall of thorn bushes but instead was surrounded by a black void, unable to see anything around her.

"Where am I? Am I dreaming?"

"Who are you?" said a voice from the void.

Turning to the sound, an outline of a mare appeared before her continuing to walk towards her. The voice made Ruby's ears perk up as she tried to process who was hearing.

"Who is that? It sounds....kinda like me."

"I'm Ruby. Who are you?"

The mare stopped in her tracks and froze upon hearing Ruby's answer. 

"What's wrong?"

The mare shook her head in disbelief before replying,

"No, you're not! That's not possible! You can't be!"

As the mare ran towards her, Ruby quickly backed up in fear.

"W-what are you doing? Stay back!"

The mare ignored her command and continued to run towards her as if she were charging at her.

"You can't be real! This isn't right! None of this is real!"

Ruby froze as an image of a middle-aged version of herself came into her view with a look of panic.

"WHAT ARE YOU?!" it cried.

"I can't believe it! It's me! What's going on here!"

The mare that was not an apparent copy of herself continued to run towards her with no sign of stopping. With fear taking over her, she turned around and ran as fast as possible.

"I've got to get out of here! That can't be me! None of this is real! What's going on!"

With no warning, the feeling of free falling took hold of her and made Ruby scream at the top of her lungs.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Ruby, wake up!"

Opening her eyes, Ruby was greeted by her mother, who had a look of worry on her face.

"Mommy! I just had the worst nightmare!"

"Shhh! It's okay, my precious Ruby; we're safe now."

Hugging her mother and wiping her tears, Ruby made her way off the bed before wondering to herself.

"What was that dream about? What did it mean? And why did my head hurt so much?"

"I hope you're okay, Ruby; I too had a nightmare dream."

Looking around her now an apparent master bedroom, his eyes rested upon the hoof-stitched portrait. The feeling of love and happiness could be felt coming from the picture every time she laid her eyes upon it. The fact that she was married and with foals was more than she could ever have hoped for.

"I'm a wife and a mommy now...it's all I ever wanted, and I get to have it with him!"

While smiling at the picture, Ruby replied with a simple question, smiling happily at the sight.

"Oh really? What was it about?"

Getting off the bed herself after adjusting her mane, Mitta walked over to Ruby, curious about what she was seeing. 

"I had a dream I saw myself, but it seemed very real. I accused myself of being an imposter."

Ruby froze at the revelation given to her by her mother, remembering her own nightmare.

"It's just like mine...what could this mean?"

"Mom, I had something like that too. I saw myself in the dream."

Mitta's eyes went wide upon hearing her daughter's answer, trying to make sense of it.

"I...I don't know what to say, Ruby. A coincidence, maybe?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Ruby replied,

"Umm...I don't know."

Shaking her head, Mitta hugged Ruby once more before saying in a soothing voice.

"Look, Ruby, we've been through a lot; I think we need to just relax. We're in our home safe and sound."

"And I'm married! Look, mom!"

Pointing a hoof at the portrait, Mitta took in the sight of love and shed a small tear before saying,

"Oh my....my little baby is all grown up! Oh, Ruby!"

Blushing with a smile, Ruby said,

"Mom!"

"Oh, hush! You're not embarrassed at all. Now give your mommy a hug!"

Ruby gave her mother a firm but gentle hug before both mares cried happily. What seemed like a silly dream was now a complete reality for Ruby, and the feeling of happiness was overwhelming. She was alive, had the husband of her dreams, and more importantly, she had the foals of her dreams. The mares continued to cry in a happy mother and daughter hug; Ruby snapped back to reality.

"Foals? I have foals?! Where are MY babies!?"

"Mom! I have foals! I have foals!"

Letting go of her daughter, Mitta's eyes widened, remembering the sight of her grand foals. A beaming smile formed across her face before she replied,

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find them!"

Running to the door, Ruby opened it and was greeted by a hallway that she never remembered having. Her old home used to be a simple cabin much smaller. 

"Must have expanded; makes sense considering I have a family now, and OH MY GOSH! Family Photos!"

"Mom, look!"

On both sides of the hallway were numerous photos adorned in decorative frames giving off a homely atmosphere. In one picture, they saw Ruby and Konrad surrounded by her old friends in what appeared to be a wedding photo. Both were smiling while looking at each other in a more youthful appearance. In the background, Ruby could see her mother crying while holding a tissue to her eyes. Ruby couldn't help but giggle as she thought about what that day must have been like.

"Oh, mom! No doubt you were crying about me growing up."

In another picture, her daughter is a human baby, smiling with innocence. This one she just had to point out to her mother.

"Mom! It's my daughter!"

Mitta turned her attention to the new picture, fully enraptured by the image of pure cuteness.

"So that's a human baby looks like...Ruby....she's beautiful. Reminds me of you when you were born. And she has Konrad's eyes! How is that possible?"

Shrugging with a smile, Ruby replied with glee,

"Don't know, don't care! I got what I wanted!"

"Oh, look, Ruby, your son!"

The following picture was of her son, smiling like his sister in the other picture. Like most foals, his pupils dominated most of his eye's color, with bright gold shining in the picture. Ruby's heart began to beat rapidly at the sight of the images of her foal, excited that she would get to see them soon.

"Mom...I'm a mother...I still can't believe it! I mean, this should be impossible! All of it, really."

"Well, impossible or not, it's right here before our eyes, and let's enjoy every minute of it...do you hear that?"

Both mares stopped and listened to a sound coming from what they thought was the living room. Both could make out the sounds of two foals arguing back and forth, but what the argument was about, they couldn't tell. Neither cared what it was about, even if they had heard it, for only one thing was on their minds.

"My babies!"

"My grandfoals!"

Both mares ran as quick as they could before coming into the living room and seeing both children sitting on the couch. Neither of them moved as they watched Ruby's daughter and son banter back and forth, taking their appearance and voices with glee. Neither could get over the similar appearance that Ruby's daughter had, even as a human. Even her son had a mane identical in color to Konrad's. 

"They look like us! I had his babies! I'm so happy!"

"Please? I just want to."

"No! I did that earlier this morning! It's not easy!"

"Buuuuut dad does it all the time! Why can't you do it again?"

Rolling her eyes, Katja replied,

"Because dad is stronger and bigger than me, that's why! Plus, you move too much, so no."

In desperation, Blau Strifen gave his sister his most considerable effort at puppy eyes.

"Please-"

"No!"

"eeeeaaaa-"

"Noooooo-"

"aaassseee?!"

"ooooh-oh, thank goodness! Mom, can you tell Blau Strifen to stop begging?"

"Oh, mom! Can you tell Katja to give me a shoulder ride? Please?"

"What?! No! Please, mom, don't make me do it!"

Neither Ruby nor Mitta did anything except stare at the young siblings in awe. Both were adorable to the mares and couldn't get enough of the pretty sight of the children before them. The siblings looked confused as their mother and grandmother continued to stare with smiles plastered on their faces.

"Umm...mom? Nana? What is it?" asked Katja.

"You two," replied Mitta.

"Huh? What about us? We didn't hit each other; if we did, it would have been her fault!" 

Katja turned to her brother and stuck his tongue out, who blew a raspberry at her. 

"Yeah, you're the renegade in the house, not me!"

"And cool, I should say." replied the colt while puffing his chest out.

Squealing with glee, Ruby commented,

"My little colt...he's so handsome! Just like his father!"

"What? Mom, you're embarrassing me!" replied the young colt while blushing.

Katja snickered at her brother's embarrassment before receiving hers.

"And my little filly! Oh, you're so pretty! Just like me!"

"Mom!" blushed Katja, covering up her blushing face.

Ruby and Mitta looked at each other before turning back to the children with huge grins. Both Katja and Blau Strifen looked at each other nervously, not understanding the odd behavior coming from their mother and grandmother.

"Mom? What is it?" asked Katja.

"Um, sis...I got a bad feeling about this."

"Yeah, me too...so um, mom, we're gonna go help dad with the dinner-"

"Play outside!"

Both siblings looked at each other and gave each other a look of annoyance. Both attempted to get their story straight but failed to come up with an agreement.

"Draw art!"

"Play soccer!"

"Find gems!"

"Shoulder ride!"

"Gah! For the last time, I'm not doing that!"

"Please?"

"You're not going anywhere, young ones," said Mitta as she walked toward the children.

"We're not?" answered both in unison.

"Nope, we've got something planned for you two."

Both siblings look nervously at the advancing mother and grandmother, worried about potential punishment for unknown wrongdoing.

"Mom...you're scaring us," said Blau Strifen.

"We've got..."

"Oh boy!" said Blau Strifen.

"Here it comes, our punishment. Grounding?" asked Katja.

"Cleaning?" asked Blau Strifen.

"HUGS!"" cried shouted Mitta and Ruby.

"WHAT?!" cried both siblings.

Katja attempted to get away but was quickly stopped by Mitta and was effectively in a tight hug. The human girl never knew how strong her grandmother could be until now as she tried in vain to break free from the older mare. Even the advantage of arms and hands was no match for a Grandmother's love. Blau Strifen fared no better as his mother moved toward him fast, not even getting a chance to get off the couch like his sister had.

Both siblings struggled to break free as the mare began to nuzzle and hug the children tightly, firmly in their grasp.

"Mom! What are you doing?! Too tight!" cried Blau Strifen.

"Let go Nana! Gah!" cried Katja.

Both of their pleas fell on deaf ears as the mares continued to hug and nuzzle them.

"Give Nana a hug!" said a happy Mitta. 

"My babies! My precious babies!"

With no other option left, both children cried out for the only other soul capable of saving them. 

Their father.

"DAD! SAVE US!"



In record time, a middle-aged Konrad ran out from the kitchen and into the living room, worried that something was wrong with his kids. The man was still wearing the apron that Katja had made for him years ago in arts and craft class, a favorite he always wore when cooking.

"What's going...on?"

Looking at his kids, the man saw his wife and mother-in-law hugging and nuzzling his son and daughter as if they had never seen them before. The man raised an eyebrow at sight, chuckling,

"For a second, I thought you two were in trouble. Ehehehe."

"DAD! We ARE in trouble!" cried Katja.

"Get them off us!" cried Blau Strifen before receiving a flurry of pecks on the cheek from his mother.

"Honey?"

Looking at her husband, Ruby made eye contact with Konrad. Her heart began to beat with love as he smiled at her. There he was in a cute apron that was obviously made by one of her children.

"It's him! My husband and father of my babies! He's so handsome like my little colt!"

"Yes?"

The man smiled before saying,

"Give them a hug for me. Dinner will be ready soon."

"WHAT?!" cried both Katja and Blau Strifen.

"Sorry, kids, I know better than to get between a momma and her love for her children. You're on your own."

"Will do, honey!"

As the man walked back into the kitchen, both Mitta and Ruby continued to hug the children while they cried out,

"NOOOOOOOO!!"

Both siblings wished their suffering was at an end, but unfortunately for them, forced family hugs would not stop anytime soon.
> Supper time!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the past thirty minutes, Katja and Blau Strifen suffered agony from the loving maternal mares. No matter how hard they tried, they simply could not get away. They resigned to their fates as their mother and grandmother gave them loving affections in the form of hugs and motherly kisses. Looking at each other, Katja and Blau Strifen silently agreed to a truce. It was almost as if the siblings had telepathy, but it was no more a particular skill than simply knowing each other too well. As if the family hugging would never cease, their father's voice could be heard from the dining room.

"Dinner is ready! Wash up!"

Ruby and Mitta ceased their hugs and kisses, turning their attention to Konrad's winner announcement. 

"Food? I don't even remember what eating is like..." said Mitta in disbelief.

"What's for dinner, honey?" asked Ruby.

Seeing that their attention was now focused on dinner and, more importantly, their grip no longer tight, the children immediately seized the moment of opportunity. The colt and human girl broke free from the clutches of their mother and grandmother, running straight for the bathroom with lighting speed.

"We're saved!" cried Katja.

"Freedom!" cried Blau Strifen.

As the two young members of the family disappeared, both Ruby and Mitta felt a sense of disappointment. No longer were the children in their forelegs to be hugged, nuzzled, or kissed.

"Aww." said a sad Mitta.

"My babies...they're gone," said Ruby while looking at the ground floor with a sad face.

"They're just in the bathroom washing up. Like they always do."

Turning their attention to the newcomer, Ruby and Mitta saw a confused man looking at them. The man who had saved both of them ended the curse and risked his own life for them now stood before them as he took his apron off. Ruby looked over Konrad, taking in the details of his appearance. He was wearing a simple green shirt, blue jeans, and simple white socks on his feet. Usually, for ponies, this would be considered an erotic form of clothing, but for humans, it appeared to be necessary for their feet as their daughter was wearing them. Looking at Konrad, Ruby took in his new middle-aged appearance and couldn't help but find it attractive. 

To Ruby, he seemed more confident, strong, and mature. His entire demeanor was different yet so familiar, and the set of blue eyes that she loved seemed to be as handsome as ever. Combined with the fact she was now married to him, Ruby hopped off the couch and jumped straight up at her husband. The man reacted quickly, catching her with his hands, holding her firmly on her plot. Not knowing why his wife was so excited to see him, the man's eyes widened as Ruby gave him a passionate kiss. The feeling and sensation of kissing Konrad was pure bliss, just as before coming through the bright light.

"I'm kissing him! I'm kissing him again! Oh, it's so good!"

As they broke their kiss, Mitta growled at the sight before saying, "Excuse me, boy, but you are grabbing my daughter's rear in front of me!"

"Oh no! This is so embarrassing! Mom! Let me have this moment! I'm not a teenager anymore! He's more mature and-"

Turning his attention to Mitta, Konrad gave her a puzzled look. After setting his wife down, the man replied, "Excuse me, golden oldie, but I'm married to your daughter, not dating her. I can damn well grab her plot whenever I want. Hell, I can smack that sexy thang if I want to!"

Walking behind his wife, Konrad smacked Ruby's plot hard, causing her to jump up with a feminine yelp. The man stared at Mitta, who returned his gaze with her red scolding eyes. While the stare-off was happening, Ruby blushed, feeling flattered by her now-human husband. 

"Oh my! Is he standing up to my mom? And finds me sexy? Despite my age? Oh yeah, I'm making love to him tonight. I'm going to lose my virginity to him! Well...again, I guess?"

"And besides, I'm not the one who caused trouble and acted bizarrely before everypony in the town square! Seriously?! You two beat the crap out of Gray Hoof?! Why?!"

Both mares lowered their ears and heads in shame at the mention of Gray Hoof's beating. Everything was different for them; the reality, as they knew it no longer, seemed accurate. Ruby and Mitta looked at each other, expecting the other to come up with a reason or valid explanation. Turning her head back to face Konrad, Ruby gave him a nervous smile before saying,

"Umm...we-we got scared.", said Ruby.

The man couldn't fathom the reasoning behind his wife's statement and asked,

"What?! I don't...I can't even...WHAT?!"

"What do I say? Oh no, I looked crazy out there! it's like what happened to me never occurred!"

"Ruby...I asked you and your mother to go to the fields and find things. You know, what you usually do?"

Pointing at her cutie mark Ruby turned her head around, taking note of the magnifying glass on her flanks.

"I'm doing my special talent for a living while having a family? This is paradise!"

Turning her head back to her husband, Ruby found herself lost in her husband's eyes. The former ghost mare could feel her heart beat faster, looking at him, remembering everything he had done for her. However, the same could not be said for him, as his face gave a clear look of anger away. Ruby backed away from her husband, no longer smiling as he slowly walked toward her.

"Uh....yes?"

"I did that to set up a surprise anniversary celebration for you. I asked Gray Hoof to do most of the heavy work because I have to look after the kids while you are out. And he's busy enough as it is getting other parties prepared."

Ruby suddenly found herself backed into the wall, no longer able to keep the space from her husband. The way he slowly approached her began to bring up memories of her past, of how she was backed into a corner. Fear began to make her heart beat faster as he continued to close in on her. Mitta scowled at what she perceived to be potential domestic abuse and prepared to intervene should he hit her. Unable to come up with an answer, Ruby just simply looked at him in fear. 

"So why would you get scared from one of the most cheery guys I know, doing us a favor so we can celebrate our anniversary? You beat the hay out of him, honey! WHY?!" 

Not expecting Konrad to yell at her, Ruby covered her eyes and crouched on the floor while Mitta ran between them. Mitta bucked Konrad in the gut using her forelegs, making the man collapse in surprise on the living room floor. As he huffed and gasped in pain, Mitta stood over him and yelled into his face,

"Don't you ever threaten my daughter again! Neither you nor anypony else will hurt her again!"

The man simply looked at her with confusion on his face while holding his belly, with too scared young voices crying out,

"Don't hurt daddy!" cried Blau Strifen.

"What's going on?!" asked a scared Katja.

Mitta and Ruby turned their heads towards the voices of the children present before them. The looks of fear on their faces made Ruby's heartache.

"My babies are scared! I have to do something!"

"Mom! Get off of Konrad! He wasn't going to hurt me!"

Coughing, the man added,

"Hurt you? Why would I ever do that?! What's wrong with both of you?!"

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Mitta got off Konrad as Ruby ran over to help him. As the man stood back up on his legs, he glared at Mitta before walking to his kids. Kneeling, both children hugged the man tightly as the mares watched from across the room.

"Dad, what's going on?" asked Katja.

"Why did nana hurt you?" asked a shaking Blau Strifen.

As the kids buried themselves into his shoulder, Konrad replied,

"It was a misunderstanding, kids. Mommy and Daddy will talk about it later after you go to bed. But for now, let's eat, okay?"

"My babies...they're so sad. Why would I ever think he would've hurt me?"

As Ruby and Mitta watched across the room, guilt on their faces, the children broke their hug with their father. Wiping their tears away and nodding in reply, the children walked towards the dining room with Konrad, Ruby, and Mitta following from behind. The scene broke Ruby's heart, and never before had she felt so guilty for causing such pain, especially towards her children. Mitta couldn't even look at the kids due to the shame of hurting their father as she followed everyone with her eyes looking at the floor. It was especially painful to Mitta as the kids kept their distance from her while walking into the dining room, something Ruby noticed all too well. 

The silence that permeated the house was painfully awkward as everyone sat at the table. Neither the kids nor Konrad looked and made eye contact with the mares instead of staring at the empty plates. Ruby and Mitta could only frown, thinking about how they inadvertently hurt those close to them, something they'd never want to do. After a minute of silence, Konrad looked up from his plate and scanned both sides of the table. Seeing that no one was doing anything, the man sighed before saying.

"Okay, I guess I'll start serving then."

Reaching for the lid covering a pot on the table, Konrad pulled it up, revealing the contents of what appeared to be steamed vegetables. The hot and fresh smell made Ruby's mouth drool, something she failed to notice. Mitta was also enticed by the contents, completely forgetting about the assault on her son-in-law. Lifting another pot's lid, Konrad revealed what appeared to be spaghetti. While the pasta wasn't something ponies ate very often, it seemed to be a favorite of her husband and daughter. Both humans smiled at the pasta before them, making Ruby take a mental note for later.

"So humans like pasta? Good to know; I'll make that for them later."

Setting the lid down, Konrad made his way to the last pot on the table and revealed what was Ruby's favorite meal since her filly years as a young filly. 

"HAY PATTIES!! He made me Hay Patties?! Best hubby ever!"

"Okay, everyone, let's-"

"Honey?" 

Turning his head toward his wife, Konrad asked,

"Yes?"

"I love you."

While he loved his wife, Konrad was taken aback at the out-of-field comment coming from her. Katja and Blau Strifen gagged at the show of affection. Blushing slightly, the man smiled and replied,

"You too, honey, now why don't we-"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Ruby and Mitta immediately moved in on the pot of hay patties, taking all of them like a pack of hungry Timberwolves. Konrad and the children stared in awe at the mares devouring the fried hay patties, unable to comprehend the most well-mannered family acting out of character. Eat with their mouths open, pieces of fried hay plastered on the side of their faces with not a care in the world. Mitta growled like a hungry timberwolf feasting upon a fresh kill, while Ruby made chewing loud noises. The children were scared of the behavior coming from them, while Konrad was disgusted with his wife and mother-in-law. 

Turning to her husband, Ruby smiled, showing not just her appreciation of Konrad's 
cooking, but the bits of hay between her teeth as well.

"It's the best I've ever had! Dinner is delicious!"

Giving his wife a weak smile, Konrad replied,

"Uhhh...thanks?"

"Good job, human boy; I didn't know you could cook so well."

Konrad glared at Mitta, offended that she referred to him as a boy in front of his children. Katja simply stared at her mother with her mouth open, unable to believe the mare that taught her how to act like a well-mannered lady could act like a slob. Blau Strifen, on the other hoof, simply stared at the now empty pot, sad that his favorite food was not gone. Unable to contain his feelings, Blau Strifen cried,

"Waaahaaahaaa! DAAD! Mommy and nana ate all the patties!"

Looking at the pot, Ruby realized not only her poor table manners but the fact that she had deprived her young colt of one of the most popular foods to ponykind.

"Oh no! I'm such a horrible mother!"

"I'm sorry! I was just...so hungry!"

After facepalming, Konrad got up and set his napkin on the table. Taking the empty pot, Konrad patted his son's head before saying,

"I'll make some more, son; just eat your vegetables and have some pasta in the meantime."

Blau Strifen's face visibly changed to disgust at the mere mention of pasta.

"Eww! It looks like worms!"

"Oh, don't be such a baby! Pasta is delicious!"

Slurping a noodle up, Katja beamed a smile while Blau Strifen continued to make a grossed-out face at his sister. The siblings continued to look at each other until Konrad snapped his fingers. Katja and Blau Strifen ceased and turned to their father, paying all their attention to him.

"Katja, eat with manners. No more slurping your pasta," said Konrad with authority.

Nodding her head, Katja returned to her plate and ate with the manners she was raised with. Blau Strifen snickered at his sister until Konrad pointed his finger at him. 

"As for you, Blau Strifen, you WILL eat pasta or no hay patties!"

Gulping in fear, the colt nodded and helped himself to a decent serving of pasta. As the man walked into the kitchen, Ruby admired Konrad's authority and parenting skills in ensuring their children behaved.

"He's so wonderful! I'm so dreadful."

Realizing her face was dirty, Ruby embarrassedly wiped the mess and helped herself to some vegetables after her children. The rest of dinner went by quietly as Mitta and Ruby were too embarrassed and hungry to talk to Katja and Blau Strifen. Konrad eventually came back with fresh hay patties for their son, who gladly took them after finishing his serving of pasta. After eating their meal, the children took their dirty plates to the kitchen and helped clean the dishes. Ruby and Mitta were both impressed at the children's actions, happy that they had behaved well and did chores like Ruby was raised. After doing the dishes, their father sent the children to get ready for bed, giving Ruby a perfect chance to speak to him.

"Mom, I'm going to talk to Konrad. Can you watch my children and make sure they're getting ready for bed?"

Mitta squealed in excitement at the prospect of being in a motherly position.

"I get to watch over my grand foals! I finally get to be a grandmother! It feels so great to be alive again!"

Ruby giggled at her mother and watched as Mitta happily trotted down the hall, leaving Ruby with Konrad.

Sitting on the couch, Konrad sighed with his eyes closed in the exhaustion of the day's events as Ruby watched him peaking from the corner of the hallway. Ruby felt guilty for making the day stressful for him, regretting her actions in the town and at the dinner table. She vowed to make it up to him and find a way as she always had.

"He's done so much for me...saving me from the curse, ending my suffering, and giving me a chance to be happy, even in this new life. How do I repay him? By taking him from his home and having him fight my battles...NOT NOW! NOT AGAIN! I will make it up to him, and I will repay him...starting tonight."

A seductive smile came across her face as she slowly walked toward him, eager to repay him for his hard work. Konrad opened his eyes as Ruby moved onto the couch, sitting next to him.

"Hey...you okay?"

Konrad turned to Ruby and asked,

"Shouldn't that be my question? I still want to know what the hell happened today."

Turning away from her husband, embarrassed and uncertain what to say, Ruby closed her eyes. The memories of dying, suffering for years as a lost spirit in the forest alone, not knowing how her mother was doing, and being forced to replay her death again took quite a toll. It was even harder to explain to the man that had saved her, who had no clue what nightmare she had been through. Looking back at her husband, Ruby replied,

"Something...I...honey, it's tough to describe. I don't know how to say it!"

Frowning, Konrad shook his head and put his right hand on one of her hooves.

"Ruby, we've been together since you said yes to me long ago. Being married hasn't always been easy, but we've managed it so far, especially raising our kids. I think we can get through this too. You know I'm here for you always."

Running his right hand through her mane, a sense of safety and love was felt, giving Ruby the much-needed comfort. Looking straight at his eyes, Ruby smiled before kissing him once more.

"I'm never going to get tired of this."

Breaking the kiss, Ruby took a deep breath, trying her best to describe her pain and suffering in a manner that wouldn't make her seem like a mad mare. It was tough having to lie to her husband in a way, but she decided to opt for a slightly different way of telling her tale. For the next hour, Ruby told her husband that the last thing she remembered was waking up in the field with her mom from a terrible nightmare. She told him everything about the nightmare, from being murdered at 18 for her cutie mark by her friends to bringing him from the past of humanity to help her fight her undead enemies to his heroics of saving Apple Bloom and Princess Luna. Konrad didn't say a word as Ruby spoke, listening to his wife's story with undivided attention. His facial expression didn't change at all the entire time she told, which was very surprising and worrying to Ruby.

"What is he thinking? Please don't think I'm crazy, honey! This is so complicated to explain..."

After finishing her explanation by waking up in the field to their encounter with the rest of the town's ponies, Ruby awaited Konrad's response to the ordeal. She didn't wait long as her husband brought her into a hug. Ruby melted in his arms and felt completely safe from anything that could harm her. Feeling his lips kiss her neck, Ruby moaned at the sensual feeling Konrad gave her. Breaking their embrace, Konrad said,

"Well, Ruby, that's one hell of a nightmare you went through. I know I've had my fair share."

"You have?"

Rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous look, Konrad replied,

"Y-yeah...but anyway, that's a pretty big and detailed nightmare you've been through...very detailed...isn't that right, Mitta?"

A gasp could be heard from around the corner before an embarrassed Mitta walked into the living room. Standing before her son-in-law, Mitta bowed her head in shame as she remembered hitting him earlier.

"Konrad, I'm sorry for earlier; I just-"

"Stop.", interrupted Konrad. "I have a good idea why you did it, based on what Ruby told me. But you already heard the whole story while she told me, not to mention dreaming it yourself, no doubt."

Mitta was at a loss for words, unable to understand how Konrad knew she was there eavesdropping. 

"How did you-"

"Know you were there? Well, I WAS in the military back when humanity existed, and having two sneaky kids trying to get cookies up at night gives me practice using my sixth sense."

Ruby giggled at the thought of her foals trying to sneak cookies at night as she did the same thing when she was young. Her mother had stopped that every time she tried, and now history was repeating itself with Konrad in place of her mother.

"Plus, it's something you have as well, consider you'll beat me to stopping their midnight raids."

"Oh my gosh! It's happening again! Just like when I was a filly!"

Smiling at her husband's statement, Ruby held a giggle back while her mother smirked.

"Okay, I understand," replied Mitta. "But I'm still sorry I did that, especially in front of children."

Waving his hand in dismissal, Konrad smiled before saying,

"Well, what can I say? When you have tough love as your special talent, you'll do anything to protect your loved ones, especially after that nightmare. Let's put it past us, okay? I think you two have had enough for the day."

Both mares replied, "Mmmhmm," before Ruby asked,

"Wait! Honey, how did you arrive in Equestria? And you said back when humanity existed? Where did they go? How did we have our children?"

"And you said my special talent is tough love? What do you mean?"

Konrad's eyes went wide in shock hearing Ruby and Mitta's questions. Looking back in forth between them in worry, Konrad asked,

"First, how do you not know your special talent? It's tough, loves Mitta, what it always has been for years!"

As Konrad pointed her flanks, Both mares turned their heads and saw a cutie mark. Both had failed to notice the cutie mark of a shield with a heart emblazoned in the middle. Seeing the cutie mark made complete sense for both mares, especially Mitta. For years as a single mother raising a filly alone, Mitta had to be stern and protective of her only foal. Never before did she expect that to be her talent until now. Both mares turned their attention back to Konrad as she asked,

"And Ruby? Do you remember how we met? And I mean really met?"

Thinking real hard, the only thing that she could remember was meeting him in the forest and watching him shoot his weapons. It was the first time she had seen him, and considering the new reality she and her mother were in, it was most likely the wrong answer.

"I...don't remember," answered Ruby.

"What about our wedding day? Or when our kids were born? Do you remember any of that?"

Ruby couldn't answer her husband's question as she frowned and looked at the ground in sadness. Konrad facepalmed before turning his mother-in-law.

"Please tell me you remember something."

Mitta shook her head, causing the man to double facepalm. Taking a deep breath, Konrad pulled his hands away from his face and said,

"We've got a REALLY bad problem here. We need to find out why something happened to both of you out there. Tomorrow, I'm coming with both of you out to the fields. Katja and Blau Strifen will be at school tomorrow, giving us more flexibility to look around. We'll try and find any clue of what's messed with your memories. Hopefully, it's not that damn Poison Joke plant."

Ruby remembered the plant quite well; Konrad had used it to interfere with the town's "protection ."If it could do something like that to them, then it could have been the cause of her memory loss.

"If that's the case, have I been living a nightmare for years? It was all so real to me..."

"For now, I think it's best we just sleep. We'll deal with this tomorrow."

Both mares nodded as the man got up and headed down the hall, with Ruby and Mitta following him. Neither of them could believe how bigger the cabin was, as it used to be just one large room with two beds with a connected outhouse. Halfway down the hallway, Konrad stopped as Ruby asked,

"Honey, why is my old home bigger? It never had a hallway or other bedrooms."

Turning around, the man looked at his wife before shaking his head and answering,

"Another thing you don't remember...great."

Frowning, Ruby was about to apologize before Konrad beat her to it.

"I'm sorry, honey, I'm just worried about both of you. After we got married, all three of us, with the help of your friends, expanded the house. It took us about four months, but we did it."

"Where's your truck? Do you still have it? And where are your weapons?" asked Ruby.

"Yes, are they safe away from the children?" asked Mitta.

"Guns are safe, in a spot where they can't find them. And the truck? Eh...we still have it, but we can't use it as much as we used to."

"Why is that?" asked Ruby.

"Not having an auto store/repair shop makes it difficult."

"Aww, I wanted to ride it."

"Me too," added Mitta.

"We'll look into that later; let's get some sleep. Come on, honey, let's go."

Just as Ruby and Konrad were about to walk into their bedroom, Mitta said,

"Excuse me, boy, where do you think you're taking my daughter?"

The man turned around, giving her another look of "WTF?!" before saying,

"Mitta, you may have forgotten this, but I'm MARRIED to your daughter. I've been sleeping with her for years. You may have made sure we didn't do anything while dating, but those years are long gone. You're going to have to get used to it again."

Mitta was shocked at Konrad's statement but couldn't refute a single word. It was true; he was indeed married to her daughter and, from looks of it, was a good husband and father. Had he picked her in the other life, Mitta had no doubt he would have been just as good there as he was here.

"C'mon, mom! You approved of him before we woke up here...if that was a dream."

"I...you're right, Konrad, I'm sorry...which one is my room?"

Pointing the finger at a door between two other rooms, Konrad answered, 

"It's that one; Blau Strifen's door is on your right, and Katja's is on the left. Hopefully, they won't wake up and cause any mischief, but I'm sure you'll stop them if they do."

Giving Konrad a smile that sent shivers down his back, Mitta replied,

"Oh, I will, alright. Nana will put a stop to it."

As Konrad gave his mother-in-law a nervous look, Ruby's face hoofed in embarrassment. As Mitta walked into her room, the older mare added before closing the door,

"Try not to wake them up as well; the sounds of flanky spanky isn't something they nor I want to hear."

Ruby glared at her mother with her face beet red, who chuckled at her daughter's embarrassment. As the door closed, she turned her head away from her husband, fearing him seeing her face that was no doubt reddened beyond belief.

"Wow...even with her memory scrambled, she still knows how to tease like there's no time tomorrow."

"You have no idea, honey."

The man chuckled as he ran a hand through her mane, putting her at ease.

"We've been married for a long time, Ruby, and she lives with us. I know VERY well indeed."

Suddenly, Ruby's heart began to beat as she turned her head towards Konrad, making complete eye contact with him.

"We're married."

Konrad smiled at her, replying,

"Uh, yeah. We are."

"We're married...and finally alone together. I've been waiting for this, and now I can share myself with him...again I suppose, but it will be like it's the first time!"

"And it's just us now, honey."

The man failed to understand what his wife was getting at until she walked past him, brushing her tail against his waist. The man grinned as the realization of her true intentions hit him like a ton of bricks and immediately followed Ruby into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. While the events of today were tiring, she was glad to at least finally be alone with the man of her heart, free to do what any married couple could do in bed. 

"This is going to be SOO great! I better get him in the mood."

Jumping on the bed eager, Ruby laid her front body down and propped her plot upwards, seductively swaying it back and forth. Konrad, in return, began taking his clothes off, revealing his bare chest as he advanced toward her.  

"Honey, I'm sorry for causing trouble today, especially on our anniversary. You've done so much for me today; I think I should reward you."

Lifting her tail, Ruby gave her husband a wink before saying,

"Come and get it, honey."

"I feel so dirty, but dang it! I'm married, and I'm going to have him!"

A thrilled Konrad began to take his pants off quickly, and just as he got down to his boxers, something unexpected happened. The same pain began to take over as the image of the dark void was now around her again. Her other incarnation suddenly appeared with a vengeance, bucking her straight in the face. Ruby found herself lying on the ground as the other Ruby yelled,

"Stay away from my family imposter!"

"W-wait! Don't-"

Before she could finish, the other Ruby disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone in the dark void. Neither Konrad, Mitta, nor her children could be found anywhere, making the mare scared beyond belief.

"Who was that?! She looked like me! Where am I? Konrad! Mom! My babies!"

With nothing to do, and fear taking over, Ruby curled herself into a ball, crying nonstop. She was now just as she was when she was a ghost, all alone.





"Ruby? RUBY! Are you okay?"

The man feared for his wife's safety as she collapsed on the bed and began to convulse uncontrollably. But as soon as it came, it quickly disappeared as Ruby shook her head and smiled at her husband.

"Oh, honey! You won't believe the crazy dream I had! It was like this other me took over, and it was soo scary!"

"Uhh..."

"But I'm glad it's all over! And...you're in your boxers?"

Frowning, the man replied,

"Yes...I thought that we were going to...you know...make love? It is our anniversary, after all."

Ruby giggled at her husband's statement, making him feel like an idiot.

"Oh, honey! I know it's our anniversary, but I'm not in the mood right now. Let's just cuddle and get some sleep. I promise we'll have fun tomorrow."

Looking down in disappointment, Konrad replied glumly,

"Okay..."

"Damn flip floppy mare...can't live with her, can't live without her."

"Oh, don't be that way! I promise, honey! Just cuddle with me; I need it."

Sighing in defeat, Konrad got under the covers with his wife and cuddled with her, not sure which side of his wife he wished for.

"It's like she's another pony now; I think I miss the horny version of my wife. She acted like she's never been with me before. Oh well, fuck it. Got to figure this whole thing out tomorrow. Could she be from...gah! I'll think about this tomorrow."

The man kissed his wife on the neck, with his arms wrapped around her. This elicited a moan of happiness from Ruby as she whispered,

"Goodnight, honey. I love you."

"You too, Ruby."

"Fucking Story of the Blanks! Stopped me from getting some."

Both of them closed their eyes and slowly fell asleep, letting the day pass, unaware that another lost soul was suffering alone, just waiting to find a home of her own.





Watching everything was painful for the volunteer angel and father of Ruby. The stallion could not help his daughter as she suffered alone in limbo when the original soul of this dimension retook control. As much as he wanted to go down and comfort her, he couldn't as any interference could complicate the souls from merging. His former wife also suffered the same issue, and he could not help, watching helplessly as Mitta shouted and screamed in the dark void the moment the other soul took over. Burying his face with his hooves, the stallion was on the verge of crying, wondering if he even made the right decision taking the risk of bringing them here in the first place.

"Hey, you alright?" asked Konrad's angel.

"No, I'm not, my wife and daughter are down there in pain, and the original souls are resisting the merge fiercely. I'm starting to think it was just better to let them go to heaven."

Looking at the soul of Ruby and Mitta below, the angel of Konrad facepalmed before turning back to the stallion.

"Well, I can't blame you; you're just trying to ensure your assignments are happy."

"Family. Not assignments."

"Sorry." said the angel holding his arms up defensively. "Anyway, you might not be able to interfere with their souls directly, but...you can make it easy another way."

The stallion's ears perked up and turned back to the angel, asking,

"What can I do?"

"Pay attention because you'll have to be subtle about it."

The stallion listened intently to the angel's advice, smiling as he heard more and more details. He might not be able to speed it along, but there was undoubtedly a way he could help make things easy for them. There was a silver lining to this situation, and he had finally found it.

"At least I didn't have to watch my daughter have sex, thought would have been painfully awkward to see."

However, the struggle for his daughter and wife was far from over.
> A cookie solves all problems.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night for the family was rough despite the home's quietness. Mitta's body lay still, with only her lungs slowly rising up and down. While this may have been the sign of a mare sleeping peacefully, a fierce storm was raging inside the mind of the mature mare. Like Ruby, Mitta found herself trapped in the void of darkness, finding only a flat unforeseen surface for her to walk on. However, she found herself fighting what appeared to be a clone of herself, asserting that "she" was the real Mitta. No stranger to conflict and fighting, the mare grabbed the clone by the tail using her teeth with a fierce yank. 

The clone lost her balance and fell, giving Mitta a chance to lay a few hits on her muzzle. 

"Stay away from my family and me, you fake!" 

The clone knocked her off and regained her ground with a powerful counter punch.

"No! You're the fake! How dare you try to steal my place! My happiness, and MY family!"

Staggering backward, Mitta shook off the punch and took a new stance against the clone. The clone of Mitta finally got back up but failed to react in time as Mitta suddenly slammed head first into her. The headbutt into the clone was enough to knock the less experienced fighter out, giving Mitta the satisfaction of her victory. This was enough for a bright light to shatter the void and the image of the clone before her. The light temporarily blinded her, causing her to wipe her eyes with her hoof. 

After a few seconds, she removed her hoof and was stunned to see the image of a stallion covered in bright light. Taking a step back in fear, Mitta tried to recognize the mysterious stallion before her.

"Relax, I mean, you know harm. And neither did she."

Shaking her head in disbelief, Mitta asked, 

"What are you talking about?! Who are you! And that fake tried to beat me to death!"

With apprehension, Mitta kept her fighting stance, unsure of this stallion's intention. The stallion chuckled but otherwise did not approach her. 

"Ever the tough mare, I see. You always were strong and fiery; I loved that about you."

"Who is this? He seems to know me very well, and he seems familiar...."

"Who...who are you? Why am I here?"

The stallion examined her intently, despite Mitta being unable to see his face. Even his voice seemed to have some familiarity to it. But no matter how hard she tried, she simply could not recognize him, almost as if some mental blocking was going on.

"I'll tell you sometime in the future, but now is not the time."

Unhappy with his answer, Mitta formed a frustrated look on her face and replied,

"I asked you a question! This isn't funny, and my daughter and I have been to Tartarus and back! Now tell me what is going on!"

The stallion chuckled more and started to walk around as if examining her. Mitta, on the other hoof, couldn't help shake the feeling he was looking at her was of the more "intimate" variety. With a blush on her face, Mitta asked,

"Are....are you checking me out?!"

"Can't blame me, can you?"

His admission of her suspicion completely disarmed Mitta, with her face even more beet red than before. It had been a long time since any stallion had ever shown any appreciation of the sort towards her. The last time had been before her husband's death, and she never cared for romance after his death. Looking back at the stallion, she attempted to respond but found herself interrupted.

"In any event, that other mare is more like you in many ways. Listen well, for I won't be able to help much; this depends on your understanding."

"What? but I don't-"

"Understand? In time you will. Ruby can find the answer; she could always find things. This new struggle will go better if you learn about the other one. In the meantime, you're going to wake up and take the time to learn everything new when you're in control. Be the tough motherly figure that you excel at. Do this, and your new life will make sense. And be nice to your son-in-law; he's a nice man."

Before Mitta could reply, a bright flash overtook her and covered her vision. Mitta found herself awake in her room, sweating and panting with shock. Realizing she was asleep, the mare shook her head and got out of bed. 

"Who was that? What happened?! This doesn't make any sense...I need a glass of water."

Quietly walking towards the kitchen, Mitta couldn't help but check up on her grand foals. Her grandson was asleep in bed, slightly snoring, albeit very cutely. His room was that of a typical colt, with pictures of comic book covers on the wall, soccer items on the bookcase beside his bed, and drawings most likely made by him. One of them appeared to be that of Konrad, inside a blue box with black wheels. 

If Mitta remembered correctly, that was what he and Ruby called a truck, a ponyless carriage. On the top of the image was red lettering, "Daddy is awesome!". A crude but cute smile was adorned on the figures in the drawing, reflecting the happiness the young colt had for his father. Being careful not to wake Blau Strifen, Mitta whispered with a small tear in her eye,

"He's happy...I guess Konrad was great for Ruby after all."

Smiling at her grandson, she silently backed up, careful not to wake him, and looked into her granddaughter's room. It was also typical of a young filly's room, though with a rustic touch that was common within Sunny Town. It almost reminded her of what her late husband had planned to do with their one-room cabin back when she was just born.

"It would seem Konrad helped make that dream come true. I can't believe they had foals together. I really need to be nice to him."

Quietly walking into Katja's room, the mature mare took a quick minute to inspect it, hoping to glean more insight into her granddaughter's personality. While she wasn't as good at finding things as her daughter, she was a mother after all, and she could learn a lot with simple observation being one. There was a small dresser opposite her bed, where she slept peacefully, piquing Mitta's curiosity. 

While ponies didn't wear clothing that much, it wasn't unheard of, even in a small hamlet such as Sunny Town. The difference between Sunny Town and most other places was that there wasn't much need to wear such things. However, according to what Mitta observed from Konrad and Katja, clothes were necessary.

"I guess not having a coat would mean they need clothes. Must be cold for them without them."

In the top drawer, clean white socks were stuffed neatly in order. Initially, Mitta blushed as socks were considered a more "intimate" form of clothing. But after thinking about it, it probably had to do more with comfort, as Mitta remembered seeing her wearing them earlier in the day. Relaxing, Mitta closed the drawer and opened another to discover several white shirts and a few skirts, and feminine blue jeans, all conservative in nature. Mitta approved of the style seeing it as appropriate for a young girl.

In the last drawer, however, she discovered a new form of clothing.....

"P-panties?! Why would she wear such a thing? Even though she's a human, she can't be old enough to wear such intimate things! Is this necessary for her?!"

As if to make things worse, a young filly's voice was heard behind her.

"Nana? What's going on? Did dad ask you to see if I did my laundry?"

Quickly putting the undergarment back in the drawer, Mitta quickly but carefully crafted a lie to explain to her human granddaughter. 

"I was looking for something; I thought it might have fallen in the laundry basket, is all."

"Great. Lame excuse. I hope she doesn't ask what it is."

As Mitta looked at Katja, she saw her wearing a human-shaped one-piece pajama, similar to one Ruby wore when she was a small filly. Mitta couldn't help but smile at her appearance. She was literally a human, a species previously thought of only as a fairy tale, that now stood before her. However, she clearly had pony characteristics, similar to that of Ruby. She had her hair along with Ruby's beautiful face when she was a filly. Only her eyes differed as they were the color of her father. Even the rest of her body screamed feminine in human form; that much was obvious.

"This is my granddaughter. I can't believe this is possible or even how we are here! I have to find answers. And I need to keep my grandbabies safe! I owe it to Ruby!"

"Nana? Is something wrong? What was it that you were looking for?"

"No, my granddaughter. It's all fine, and don't worry about it. I'll look for it later, maybe with your mother's help.....You look amazing."

With a confused look on her face, Katja asked,

"Why? I'm only in pajamas. And my hair is a mess. Besides, you hit dad earlier. Why did you do that?"

Guilt took over Mitta as her ears lowered with a frown on her muzzle. She tried to explain the truth to the young filly human as best as she could without lying.

"I...I thought he was going to hurt her for some reason. Your dad didn't, they were merely having a heated discussion, and I reacted badly. Nana won't do that again."

The young girl started to relax hearing her grandmother's explanation and sat back down on the bed. Mitta took the opportunity to sit next to her, hoping she could learn more about Katja. 

"So...is there anything you want to talk about before you return to bed?"

The girl blushed a bit before replying with a slightly guilty smile,

"Um...I want to know more about...colts."

"Oh horseapples!"

Mitta blushed and forced a smile before saying,

"How about we get some cookies, then I'll tell you about colts sometime this week, perhaps?"

Shrugging her shoulders before beaming a happy smile,

"Okay, that works! Thanks, Nana!"

Mitta quietly returned to the kitchen and retrieved two large chocolate chip cookies. She had to admit that they were really well made, making her wonder who made them. After giving Katja her cookie, who ate the savory treat with glee, the girl went to bed after receiving a hug from her grandmother. After ensuring Katja was tucked in, Mitta made her way back to her bedroom and lowered herself back into bed. After eating the delicious cookie, she sighed and closed her eyes, only to realize. 

"Konrad said to watch out for the young kids sneaking cookies. And I got one for her all because she said the word colts...Ruby did the same trick once when she was young if I remember correctly."

Opening her eyes and moving them towards the direction of Katja's room, Mitta narrowed her eyes and gave a slight smirk, and whispered,

"Clever girl. Just like your mother."

Laying back down, Mitta's dreams were the most peaceful they had ever been. And it was all accompanied by the smile of a stallion watching over her.
> A new morning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night came and went as the family slept in the home. The sun arose on the horizon, shining its comforting rays over Sunny Town. Those rays eventually made their way to the residence of Ruby’s family. The sunbeam pierced the window pane, touching Ruby’s eyelids. The light’s stimulation awakened her from sleep, making her stir about in bed. Ruby opened her eyes and saw her husband with his back facing her, still asleep. She nuzzled him lovingly on his neck and whispered into his ears,

“Wake up, my sleepy human hubby; we need to get our foals up for school.”

Konrad turned around and opened his eyes slightly. He saw her golden eyes happily watching him. He grunted in a groggy tone despite waking up to his wife’s lovely face.

“Can’t you or your mother do it? I didn’t sleep well. This human needs more sleep.”

Ruby giggled, nuzzled him again, and finished with a kiss on his forehead.

“No, silly, it’s your turn to cook and wake them up.”

Konrad grunted again and went back to bed, ignoring his wife. Ruby lightly “Hmph’d,” and brushed away a few mane strands covering her eyes. She did not expect her husband to simply ignore her wishes. Thinking of an idea, Ruby made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. She whispered seductively into his ear,

“It’s our anniversary today; you can do whatever you want to me tonight. I know how you love to worship my plot and-”

His pointer finger silenced her on the lips, surprising her with how fast and accurate he was.

“You had me at “Do whatever I want.” And yes, prepare to be worshipped tonight.”

The man quickly got out of bed, wearing only close-fitting underwear shorts. Konrad chose it, knowing she loved seeing his athletic rear end. Ruby watched as he put his blue jeans on, enjoying the view. He turned his head back to her and winked. The mare blushed and giggled at his flirting, something she never got tired of. After putting on a simple white T-shirt, Konrad walked out to the hallway, knocking on their children’s doors.

“Wake up, kids! Get ready for school.”

Konrad closed the door to the master bedroom and walked to the kitchen. Ruby laid back on their bed and stared at the roof, happily smiling that their anniversary morning was going well. She waited for this day for months, almost impatiently. Sighing happily, Ruby made her way out of the bed and into the bathroom.

Ruby brushed her mane, tail, and teeth and finished with a minty mouth rinse for good measure. She couldn’t wait to seduce her husband tonight with a special surprise gift. For the past few months, she had saved a few Bits from her daily searches around the town. Ponies around Sunny Town often lost their personal belongings, constantly asking for her help finding things.

Her special talent was in demand, whether it was lost Bits, toys, or an odd artifact from older times. This allowed her to make a discreet purchase from a Canterlot fashion shop. The vendor clarified that the utmost discretion would be taken, and she hoped they would keep their promise.

”It would be awkward if Roneo delivered the mail and saw what it was. Not that Starlet would let him blab about it if he did. She’s such a good friend.”

After collecting herself, Ruby stared in the mirror. Minor signs of aging were taking place, but nothing radical. She did admit she missed being 18 now and then. For Konrad, it seemed to not matter to him. He still had that same look of love towards her from the early days. Ruby blushed at the memories, happily reflecting on her life since he entered it. Once she was satisfied she looked well, Ruby walked out to the hallway.

The doors to their children’s rooms were open, meaning they were likely in the kitchen already. Her mother’s door remained closed, which was strange since Mitta was usually first waking up. Knocking on her door, Ruby called out to Mitta.

“Mom? Are you there? It’s time to get up! Konrad should have made breakfast by now.”

The door opened enough to show Mitta with groggy eyes and a disheveled mane. The mare yawned and stared at her daughter, not fully awake.

“Ruby...I didn’t sleep well. I had a nightmare...Is there coffee?”

”Oh dear, I hadn’t seen her like this since she watched the foals when they were infants!”

Ruby smiled and reassured Mitta, pointing towards the kitchen.

“Konrad should have made some already. I asked him to get the kids ready this morning.”

Mitta raised an eyebrow, slightly opening one of her eyes while the other remained barely open.

“Oh? Is he up already? How much of a good rutting did you promise to give him? He’s always slow in the mornings.”

Ruby blushed beet red and looked down the hallway, hoping her children didn’t hear.

“Mom! Stop it!... Okay, maybe I did but so what? It is our anniversary, though.”

Mitta chuckled and smirked.

“You’re my daughter, alright; I did the same to your father when he was alive. Stallions... They always think about tugging on a mare’s tail-mph!”

Ruby put a hoof to her mother’s mouth, silencing her. Mitta was always a teaser and knew which buttons to push.

“Okay, mom. I got the message. I’ll bring you some coffee.”

Mitta chuckled before closing the door, leaving a still blushing Ruby. After collecting herself, she made her way into the kitchen and was greeted by her children.

“Hi, mom!” greeted Blau Streifen cheerfully.

Katja was finishing her cereal and waved to Ruby. She still was wearing the adorable one-piece yellow pajama suit Konrad custom ordered from Ponyville. The neighboring town was still relatively new, having only been founded shortly after Konrad arrived. Despite being a new town, they had decent and plentiful goods to buy. It was a rapidly growing town, and the family made a trip there every month to get away.

Returning her little colt’s greeting, Ruby replied,

“Good morning, Blau Streifen. Did you sleep well?”

She gave a small kiss on his forehead, causing him to blush. The young colt protested,

“Mom! Stop that! It’s embarrassing...”

Katja snickered at her brother’s blushing, but she too was not spared affection from her mother.

“Oh, my little filly! How was your night too?”

Ruby suddenly hugged her human daughter, catching her by surprise.

“M-mom! Please stop; you already gave Blau and me tons of hugs yesterday.”

Ruby let go and paused, unable to remember what Katja was talking about.

”Hugs yesterday? I don’t remember that...I remember being in the field with my mom... And that terrible nightmare but...”

“I...don’t remember that, sweetie...but...”

Both Katja and Blau were grabbed by Ruby and pulled into a small group hug. Both siblings protested but to no avail. Knowing it was useless to try and escape a mother’s loving embrace, the children returned the hug. Satisfied, Ruby let them go, and the kids returned to breakfast.

“Don’t forget, you’re never too old for hugs from mommy.”

“A repeat from yesterday, I see.”

Turning to her husband’s voice, Ruby noticed Konrad holding a small plate with a cup of coffee. As he was handing it to her, Ruby asked,

“Why is everypony saying that? I don’t remember it at all.”

The man raised his eyebrow, unsure how to respond to her statement. Shrugging his shoulders, he handed her the plate and coffee cup.

“Here, it’s for Mitta. Tell her I said she’s welcome.”

Smiling at his thoughtfulness, Ruby took the plate with her teeth and brought it to Mitta’s room. The door immediately opened as she arrived, and the plate was taken from Ruby. Setting it on the nightstand, Mitta took the cup off the plate and held it with her hoof. She smelled the fantastic cup of brew, savoring the scent. Taking a small sip, Mitta’s eyes opened fully and a smile formed on her face.

“Tell him he’s outdone himself. This is a delicious cup of coffee. I’m surprised he still had some of the Canterlot’s Finest leftover. I thought we were out.”

Ruby beamed with happiness at her mother’s satisfaction before realizing she had mentioned the brand of coffee.

“Canterlot’s Finest? I don’t remember ever getting any.”

Mitta took another few sips and blew cold air on the cup.

“Gray Hoof gave it to Konrad two months ago. He had some extras from his trip to Ponyville.”

Ruby smiled at Gray Hoof’s thoughtfulness, as he was probably the most positive pony in Sunny Town. She remembered the wedding party he threw for them, a small but very well done and memorable event. Remembering what Gray Hoof asked her yesterday, Ruby asked Mitta,

“Mom, do you know where the Daffodils are? Gray Hoof asked me to gather some for a soup. The gossip going around is he met a mare in Ponyville! And that she’s coming here sometime this week!”

Now fully awake from the coffee, Mitta opened her eyes in surprise at the news.

“Really? If that’s true, it’s about time he found his special somepony...and no, I don’t remember where the Daffodils are.”

Ruby made a quick “oh darn!” gesture with her right foreleg and pondered where they could be. Remembering her special talent was finding things, she figured it wouldn’t be too difficult to search. Finishing the cup of coffee, Mitta stopped her daughter before she could walk away.

“If you’re going to look for them, let me come along. I want to walk the foals to school with you. I’ll quickly brush up and join you in the living room.”

Nodding in agreement, Ruby returned to the kitchen, hoping to get some breakfast of her own. She was greeted with the sight of a plate of fried hay patty, scrambled eggs, and strawberry jam toast. Aside from it was a cup of coffee with a glass of water. Ruby smiled at the breakfast Konrad made for her, noticing him take his apron off. Katja made it for him years ago in school, and he made it a point to wear it every time he cooked for the family.

“Thanks, honey! It looks delicious.”

Her husband smiled before he directed his attention to their children.

“Alright, you two, put your dishes in the sink and get ready for school.”

Blau Streifen and Katja put their dishes in the sink as commanded and returned to their rooms. Konrad sat down with a plate of eggs, strawberry toast, and coffee. Taking a sip of coffee, he asked,

“So, what’s on the agenda for today with your mother and you?”

Once Ruby swallowed a bite of her hay patty, she replied,

“We’ll drop the foals off at school and return to the field near the town entrance. I meant to gather Daffodils yesterday, but I can’t remember where I put them. I”m hoping I simply left them there. If not, we’ll just pick some fresh ones.”

After taking a couple of bites of his breakfast, Konrad sipped his coffee and continued,

“I see, so that’s what you two decided to search for. A shame you didn’t find a treasure trove of bits.”

Ruby giggled and finished her breakfast. Ruby looked at Konrad with loving eyes when she wiped her muzzle of any food.

“Well, I’m good at finding things, but I’m not a treasure hunter going through ruins, honey. Besides, I found my treasure long ago.”

She extended a foreleg and touched Konrad’s hand with her hoof. The man noticed this and returned her affection with a loving smile. The moment was ruined when Mitta entered the kitchen and interrupted the pair.

“So cheesy! Your father, rest his soul, had better love lines. I’m going to need wine at this rate.”

Both Konrad and Ruby turned to Mitta, both blushing.

“Mom!”

“Mitta...”

The older mare laughed and made her way to the food on the counter. Konrad had made her plate but forgot to put it on the table.

“Oh, lighten up, you two! I didn’t say cheesy was bad. Besides, he’d agree with me if he were here.”

Konrad grunted in annoyance before replying,

“You know, you could lay off on the teasing now and then.”

Taking her plate in her mouth and setting it on the table, Mitta smirked before eating her breakfast.

“I could...and I will try. It’s just too tempting to see you get embarrassed over something you never should.”

Konrad opened his mouth, intent on saying something snappy, but held it back. Thinking her words over, he shrugged his shoulders.

“I guess you got me there. Point taken.”

As he set his coffee down, the children entered the kitchen. Blau Streifen had his saddlebags while Katja had her backpack. He wore a simple blue bandana over his neck, slightly covering his chest. Katja wore a simple white shirt and yellow skirt, with a patch depicting a red gem sown on it. She wore simple shoes with low-cut socks, with her mane well brushed, flowing freely.

Ruby felt pride and happiness with her children, who stood before her. Both were images of Ruby and Konrad in their unique way. She had always wanted to be a mother like Mitta, who raised her single hoofedly. And despite being different species, she realized that dream with Princess Celestia’s help.

“We’re ready! I just finished up my homework too!”

Katja smiled, confident in her homework’s quality. Blau Streifen couldn’t resist commenting about the timing.

“Took you long enough! You cut it down to the last minute.”

Katja turned to her brother, refusing to take his grief without a fight.

“Oh, so I take it you understand math better than me? What’s an exponent then?”

A look of confusion took Blau Streifen, unsure how to respond. He settled on the most mature answer he could think of.

“It means I’m exponentially cooler than you! Like infinity plus one!”

Blau Streifen puffed his chest out while Katja rolled her eyes. Ruby and Mitta giggled at their antics before Konrad settled them down.

“Alright, you two, cut it out. I want you to double-check and ensure you have everything.”

Satisfied her children were ready for the day; Ruby put her plate back in the sink. Just as Mitta finished her breakfast, Konrad quickly took the dishes from the table and put them in the sink.

“I need to do some things around the house. When I’m done, I’m heading to the town center. I guess I’ll meet you there when you’re done?”

Ruby nodded and smiled, showing her clean, bright teeth. She motioned for him to come down to her, giving him a kiss when he did so. Blau Streifen gagged in disapproval as most colts his age would before puberty. Katja, however, thought it was romantic and challenged her brother’s opinion.

“Oh, hush! It’s romantic and wonderful! Why do colts have to be such plots?”

Blau Streifen stuck his tongue at his sister before Mitta stopped the bickering.

“Stop it now! Off to school, you two. Mommy and I are going with both of you.”

Both siblings did as commanded and made their way outside, followed by Mitta and Ruby. Just before Ruby stepped out the door, she turned back to Konrad.

“See you later...honey.”

Blowing him a kiss, she closed the door behind her, leaving Konrad alone to clean the dishes. He turned to the sink and began cleaning off breakfast leftovers. He sighed just as he filled the sink with soapy water, saying to himself,

“See you later...sexy.”

He smiled as he cleaned the dishes, thinking of Ruby’s promise. If he wanted to “worship” her letter, he would have to be the best husband a mare could want. He refused to be anything but the best.





The sun continued to rise, giving light to the beautiful clear sky over Sunny Town. Ponies could be seen coming out of their homes, ready to greet the day and friends. Fillies and colts came outside their homes and made their way to school. Katja waived to two earth pony sisters from her class, smiling and greeting them. The two returned with greeting waves of their own before running off to school ahead of her.

Blau Streifen, on the other hoof, was given a surprise arrival he didn’t expect. A filly from class walked up to his left while Katja kept pace on his right. The filly had a white coat with a single braided blue mane and tail. Her eyes were orange behind the thick black framed glasses she wore. In addition, she sported braces on her teeth, which gave her a lisp when she spoke. Mitta pointed out the newly arrived filly to Ruby, both of whom recognized her.

It was none other than Starlet and Roneo’s daughter, born shortly after Blau Streifen was born. There was no mistaking whose parents she belonged to; the physical appearance she inherited from her long-time friends was distinct. She was one of the most recognizable foals of Sunny Town. Happy and eager to strike up a conversation, the filly asked Blau,

“Hi, Blau! Are you ready for class today?”

Blau Streifen turned his attention to the filly and greeted her unenthusiastically.

“Oh...Hey Ivory...Yeah, I guess so. It’s just going to be boring Math and Equish today. Whoopie-do!”

Katja looked back at her mother and nana, smiling at her brother’s uncomfortableness. The mares also smiled, knowing how Ivory felt about Blau Streifen. Ivory didn’t expect Blau Streifen’s response, frowning he wasn’t happy she was near him. She pressed on anyway, hoping to get him to talk to her.

“So...the rest of the class is playing soccer after school. Wanna join-”

Blau Streifen’s eyes lit up in excitement as he jumped in the air, interrupting Ivory.

“SOCCER!? Hay-yeah! I can’t wait! My dad and I play that all the time! Of course, I’ll be there!”

Ruby, Mitta, and Katja did their best to suppress grins before Blau Streifen turned to his mother.

“May I, mom? Please?”

Ruby feigned an expression of pondering, but her mind was already made up.

”His grades are good enough, and he’s been a good colt...mostly. No reason to say no!”

“As long as you do your school work and don’t interrupt Miss Marker, yes, you may.”

Blau Streifen jumped in the air again, happy to play his favorite sport. Before he could celebrate further, Ivory pulled out a wrapped package from her saddle bag.

“Here, Blau! My mom helped me make this for you.”

Ruby and Mitta looked at each other; both were surprised Blau Streifen was receiving a gift. His 11th birthday was four months away; he didn’t expect anything from anypony this soon. He stood on his hind legs and held the wrapped package in his forehooves. It was a flat, square-shaped package wrapped in simple brown tissue paper and tied with jute twine in a simple loop knot. He pulled the knot with teeth to unwrap the present, revealing a new piece of clothing fit for a colt.

His jaw dropped in amazement; it was a homemade soccer jersey. The jersey was a clean ivory white base with three orange stripes. They began from the blue neck sleeve to the end of the blue foreleg sleeves. The number 11 in blue was stitched in the center, where his chest would be. And to top it off, his name was in orange letters, stitched just above the number.

As Blau Streifen held it up, Ruby noticed another detail. The fabric itself did not appear to be simply cotton but a blend of some sort. She could not identify the material, which gave off a slight shine and was no doubt smooth to wear. The stitching was very well done, with no flaw to be found. All of Blau Streifen’s female family members were surprised, not expecting to see such a well-thought-out present. Blau Streifen himself was thrilled and thanked Ivory.

“Ivory, this is cool! I love it! I’m going to wear it during the game!”

Ivory blushed and turned away, not to give away her feelings.

”This is so adorable! My little colt has a special admirer! He’s going to grow into a fine stallion like his father!”

“Thanks, Blau; my mom taught me to stitch with the sewing machine. She said it’s a special fabric too she got from Manehatten. I know you liked the number 11, so I stitched that there too. Well, I stitched the whole jersey together.”

Blau Streifen kept admiring the jersey before the filly turned to Ruby.

“Oh, this is for you, Mrs. Ford. My mom said she didn’t trust my dad to deliver this.”

She pulled out another package from her saddlebag, a thin but well-wrapped package in a small box with a Canterlot originating address. Ruby immediately knew what it was and took it from her quickly. Roneo was Sunny Town’s mail pony and routinely delivered packages via Ponyville’s Post center. When Sunny Town ceased seclusion, the mail system expanded its delivery routes on Princess Celestia’s decree.

He was a reliable mail pony and sometimes carried news across from Equestria, often hearing essential updates and events from Ponyville.

”Phew! Thank you, Starlet! I owe you one!”

“Thank you, Ivory. And please, tell your mother my thanks. I owe her a favor.”

Ivory smiled before turning back to Blau Streifen.

“So...you wanna sit together in class?”

Blau Streifen nodded while staying focused on the jersey.

“Yeah, sure. See you there.”

The filly squealed  in happiness and galloped ahead to the school. Blau Streifen put the jersey in his saddlebag before noticing his family staring at him.

“What? What is it?”

Katja facepalmed herself.

“Oh, my little brother! You were just given a homemade present by a filly, who made it herself.”

The colt shrugged his shoulders before asking,

“Yeah? So what? It’s pretty cool; now I can play soccer the right way.”

Katja facepalmed and sighed in frustration while Ruby and Mitta giggled. Removing her hand from her face, Katja continued as all four walked to the school.

“Blau, she made the jersey herself, in her own colors. Do you have any clue how personal that is?”

Blau Streifen put a hoof to his chin and replied,

“It’s personally awesome. I’m so cool to get a jersey of my own! Oh yeah!”

Katja groaned once more as Ruby and Mitta laughed.

“Ugh! Colts are SO dense! It just goes right over their manes!”

Mitta finished laughing before telling Katja,

“First lesson about colts, Katja, they are always dense. Subtlety isn’t their strongest trait, if at all.”

Katja pouted cutely as Blau Streifen asked Ruby,

“Mom, what did you get for your present?”

Ruby blushed, knowing the present was too intimate and personal for Blau and the rest of the family. She elected to make a simple explanation that was safe for all.

“It’s a special present for your father. And no, do not tell him or anypony else about it. The same goes for you, little lady.”

Katja turned back to her mother and gave a bewildered look. Ruby sternly gazed into her daughter’s eyes, making clear the girl was not to question her. Katja nodded and turned her attention back to the school now in sight. As the group almost reached their destination, Katja noticed something was amiss.

“Mom, why is everypony staring at you and Nana?”

Ruby and Mitta’s ears perked up with alertness, and they realized Katja was correct. Several ponies were staring at her and Mitta, all with looks of either worry or fear. All of them were parents of students and kept their foals close by. Neither Ruby nor Mitta understood the reason for the stares and refocused their attention on Blau Streifen and Katja.

“I’m not sure, Katja, but don’t worry about it. Just focus on class today.”

Both siblings hugged Mitta and Ruby once more before walking into Sunny Town’s School. While keeping their attention not too far away, the other parents hugged their own foals. The bell rang, letting the entire town know school was in session. As the door to school closed, everypony walked back to whatever job or place they needed to be.

”This is strange; it’s almost as if they think I’m going to hurt them.”

“Mom, any ideas on what’s going on?”

Mitta shrugged before walking to Bread Basket, the local baker Sunny Town gained six years ago.

“Bread Basket, can you-”

The stallion was nothing but a positive and friendly pony. Bread Basket always wore a baker’s hat whenever he planned to bake bread or whatever anypony asked. He had a cream-colored coat, curly light brown mane, and tail, with bright green eyes with a bread loaf cutie mark. He moved away from Baltimare when he heard about Sunny Town, hoping to live a more quiet life. Baltimare was an interesting but ultimately “too noisy” city for him.

If anypony was approachable, it was him. Just as Mitta began her question, the friendly baker ran away screaming. Ruby and Mitta couldn’t understand why he was so scared, though the older mare concluded,

“I think I know why he never got married. Too scared of mares, I guess...”

The fleeing baker dropped his hat in panic, prompting Ruby to pick up his hat.

“I wonder why he did that...He loves this hat; it’s not like him to just drop it.”

Just as things couldn’t get more strange, other ponies walked away quickly or galloped away from the duo. The area around the school was empty, with only the birds and winds being heard. Ruby became frustrated, feeling like an outcast in her own town. Many of the ponies in Sunny Town were new arrivals, with the earliest arriving 10 years ago.

Her mother, Starlet, Roneo, Gladstone, Three Leaf, and Gray Hoof were all descendants of the families who founded Sunny Town long ago. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she narrowed her eyes in determination to find answers.

“Come on, mother, let’s ask Grey Hoof some questions. I’m a little...peeved.”

Mitta turned to Ruby and raised an eyebrow, surprised to see her daughter’s angry side. It was rare to see Ruby angry, as she had a unique way of expressing her displeasure. Ruby chose to be sharp and to the point when voicing grievances. It often threw ponies off, and they found out the hard way if they crossed her.

“Oh, look at that, my wittle Wuby is adorably peeved!”

Ruby held a hoof to her mother, making her stop the teasing.

“Not the time or place, mother. We got a problem to settle.”

Mitta then pointed at the wrapped gift Ruby held on her back.

“And your special present? What about that?”

Ruby’s anger was suddenly put on hold and replaced with a blush and smile.

“Oh...um...yeah, we’ll quickly drop this back off home. And then to Gray Hoof.”

Ruby then galloped ahead with Mitta in close behind, both eager for answers. Bread Basket’s hat was left on the ground, with not a care from either mare to return it to its owner.





Ruby dropped off her “special” present for Konrad in a safe place. He wasn’t found in the house, which meant he was in the backyard doing yard work or checking on the truck. Ruby wanted to let him know she and Mitta were heading to Gray Hoof’s house instead of the fields. Once the note was left in the kitchen, she and Mitta made their way to Gray Hoof’s home.

The walk would have been pleasant if ponies weren’t scared of them. The sun was bright, and the sky was clear, with hardly any pollen floating around. It was springtime, and the flowers were blooming, making it perfect for picking them. As the mares exited the path leading to their home, they entered the central area of Sunny Town.

The water fountain came into view and still looked new six years later. It depicted a mare holding a bucket of water in her forelegs, pouring it out as she stood on her hind legs. Gladstone took it upon himself to carve the impressive water fountain, and Ruby had to admit, he did well. Gladstone always loved playing with rocks and stones; he even made somepony a tool shed with stone bricks. It wasn’t long after Ruby’s old friends discovered their cutie marks that he found his special talent.

He received a stone and hammer cutie mark, signifying his crafting skills with stones. The water flowed gracefully as Ruby and Mitta passed it, but only the water could be heard. Nopony was around the center of Sunny Town, and not even another soul could be found. Ruby could only think that the ponies were hiding in their homes, no doubt watching their every move.

The feeling was very unsettling for both of them, causing them to pick up the pace to Gray Hoof’s house. They eventually found the party planner’s home, with pink and yellow colored flowers in the flower beds leading up to his front door. A “Welcome!” banner hung above his front door on the house’s front wall. His party tables in the front yard were bare, but if Ruby knew anything about Gray Hoof, it wouldn’t remain that way for long.

Walking to the door, Mitta knocked on it with enough force that nopony could fail to hear it. Both mares anxiously stood their ground, hoping he would answer. Gray Hoof’s unmistakable voice could be heard on the other side with slightly muffled clattering sounds.

“Horse apples! Just a minute! I’ll be there in-oh there is!”

The sounds of his hooves could be heard getting louder until the noise of the door unlocking happened. The door opened completely, revealing Gray Hoof with a pink party hat. This usually would be a funny sight, but Ruby and Mitta noticed something out of place. He wore a band-aid above his muzzle and sported a nasty black eye.

“Hello, Ms. Surprise! I didn’t expect you this early but welcome to my....house?”

Gray Hoof’s blue eyes shrunk as his jaw dropped in fear. Ruby and Mitta looked at each other in confusion before Gray Hoof screamed.

“AHH! Please don’t hurt me again! I’m so sorry for whatever I did to get you upset yesterday!”

Ruby and Mitta took a step back, shocked at what they heard. The words were clear, Gray Hoof’s apparent injuries were caused by Ruby and Mitta. Neither of them had any recollection of beating up a long-time friend and couldn’t imagine any reason why. Both Ruby and Mitta exclaimed,

“WHAT?!”

This did nothing but cause Gray Hoof to fall backward on his plot. He tried to retreat back into his house, but it was cluttered with party supplies. His retreat was blocked as Ruby and Mitta advanced to him, intent on helping him back up. Ruby extended a hoof to him and offered,

“Here, let me help you up.”

But it was in vain as he swatted her hoof away.

“NO! Please don’t touch me! I’m so sorry, just, please don’t hit me again!”

Gray Hoof was almost on the verge of tears as he genuinely feared Ruby and Mitta. Both Mitta and Ruby were sad seeing their friend in such a state. Mitta took charge as Ruby herself was about to cry.

“Gray Hoof, we’re not going to hurt you. We’re just trying to find answers. Why is everypony avoiding us, and why are you saying we hurt you?”

Gray Hoof ceased his cowering, his fear now replaced with puzzlement. Catching his breath, Gray Hoof asked,

“Wait...what?! You...you don’t remember, do you?”

Ruby and Mitta shooked their heads, unable to remember any of his claims. His legs still shook with adrenaline; despite this, he answered,

“You two beat me up yesterday. You-”

Gray Hoof pointed a hoof at Mitta.

“-said that I hurt Ruby. And hit me several times. And you-”

He pointed at Ruby, who recoiled in shock.

“-said that I made you cry, tried to hurt you because of your cutie mark, and tried to kill Konrad! I mean...”

Gray Hoof got up and dusted himself off. Knowing Ruby and Mitta wouldn’t hurt him, he tried to collect himself and was embarrassed at his own cowardness.

“I mean, why would I do any of those things? I mean, there was that time we thought cutie marks were a disease. And we did chase you and Konrad out of town, at first, but look at all of this!”

Gray Hoof walked out of his home and past Ruby and Mitta. He pointed to the whole town, intent on driving his point home.

“None of this would be possible without him! He’s the reason we avoided a terrible fate. Konrad is why the whole town grew better than we could ever hope for. He’s not just my friend but everypony’s friend. I owe him basically everything. And I’m not the only one here who does.”

”This can’t be real! This can’t be happening! I don’t understand this at all! My memories....they don’t make any sense...”

Ruby began to experience a massive headache as her legs became weak. Her vision began to blur with white splotches taking over. Ponies started coming out of their homes after seeing Gray Hoof emerge and talk to the violent offenders of yesterday. He turned back to Ruby and Mitta, staring at them with newly found determination but sadness in his eyes.

“I just want to know why you two have forgotten all that. It’s almost as if you think the past went another, terrible way...almost-”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence as Mitta and Ruby collapsed and went into seizures. Their eyes twitched, and their legs spasmed uncontrollably, almost hitting obstacles near them. Gray Hoof gasped at what he was seeing and shouted,

“Somepony help! We need help over here!”

Mares and stallions galloped over as fast as they could to render assistance. Gladstone, Roneo, Three Leaf, and Starlet were among the first to arrive.

Gladstone immediately took control and directed the mares to hold them still.

“Three Leaf, grab Mitta! Starlet, grab Ruby! Don’t let their heads hit anything!”

The mares did as commanded and took Mitta and Ruby’s heads in a lock. Their body spasms were fierce, but the mares’ grip held true. Three Leaf and Starlet did their best to calm Ruby and Mitta. Starlet whispered into Ruby’s ear with a gentle, reassuring voice,

“It’s okay, Ruby; we’re here for you. Everything will be fine. Just hang in there, okay?

Three Leaf held Mitta’s head just fine and said to her,

“If you can raise a filly by yourself, you can get through this too, Mitta. Hang in there, you iron mare!”

Ruby and Mitta continued to convulse while Roneo ran over to Gray Hoof. The party planner dismissed the mail pony, instead asking Roneo a favor.

“Go find Konrad and bring him here now. He will want to know what’s going on with his wife and mother-in-law. If you can’t find him at his home, ask Sprite Punch. If anypony can find Konrad, it’s him.”

Roneo nodded and galloped off with speed not seen in a long while. As two minutes of holding Ruby and Mitta passed, the seizure-induced mares finally stopped. Three Leaf and Starlet let go of the mares and stood near them in case they needed to be held again. A crowd of ponies formed a circle, worried about Ruby and Mitta on the ground. Gray Hoof noticed this and took the opportunity to calm the newly formed herd.

“Everypony, listen up! We have a medical emergency, and we’re taking care of it now. I know what happened yesterday scared all of you, but these two need our help. It was a misunderstanding, so please do not treat our fellow Sunny Towners with fear and suspicion. Take it from us...”

Gray Hoof used his right hoof and pointed to Gladstone, Starlet, and Three Leaf.

“We know how that almost destroyed us many years ago. Don’t let it happen now.”

Many ponies looked at each other, worried, but they trusted Gray Hoof’s word. All ponies nodded and gave their voices of agreement.

“RUBY! MITTA!”

Everypony made way for Konrad, followed by his good friend Sprite Punch and Roneo. The man ran and knelt down to Ruby, holding her head. Nopony blamed the man for being upset and worried about his wife as she lay on the ground with her mother. He tried to wake her up by putting fingers through her mane, but this did nothing to awaken her.

“What happened?! I want some answers.”

Gray Hoof walked up to Konrad and stood next to him.

“They came to my house, asking why the town was avoiding them. They couldn’t remember what happened yesterday and were shocked when I told them. They went into seizures once I finished explaining.”

The man’s eyes widened at the revelation before Gladstone chimed in.

“I remembered the free medical courses held in Ponyville last year to hold their heads when seizures happen. Three Leaf and Starlet did very well, and our friends seem okay now. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say what will happen next for them.”

Konrad closed his eyes and put his forehead to Ruby, whispering into her ear. Nopony could hear what he was saying but left him alone to comfort his wife. Once he was done, Gray Hoof put a hoof on Konrad’s shoulder and said,

“Konrad, go ahead and take them home. One of us will help carry Mitta while you take Ruby. I’ll make sure nopony tells your foals so they can finish up school today. Once you’ve settled them in, we need to have a talk.”

He looked up at Gray Hoof and nodded in agreement. Konrad grabbed Ruby into his arms without saying another word and carried her home. With Starlet’s help, Three Leaf put Mitta on her back and followed suit. Sprite Punch and Crimson Bass followed suit, ready to help Konrad with whatever he needed at his house. The herd of ponies walked back to their homes or jobs, leaving Gray Hoof alone with Gladstone and Roneo.

“Are you okay, Gray Hoof? They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

Roneo looked at Gray Hoof to see if Ruby or Mitta had assaulted him. Gray Hoof noticed this and dismissed his friend’s concern.

“I’m okay actually, and no, they didn’t. It’s...bizarre guys...”

Gladstone and Roneo looked at each other in confusion as Gray Hoof took off his party hat. He walked to one of his party tables, set it down, and shook his mane free. Gladstone didn’t understand and asked,

“What’s bizarre? Ruby and Mitta hitting you? We all got that but-”

Gray Hoof held up a hoof and stopped his friend from continuing his statement. He turned back to Gladstone and looked into his eyes, making his concerns more understood.

“No, it’s why they did it. They told me things...things I wouldn’t believe until I remembered what happened that day, long ago.”

Gladstone took a step back as he understood what Gray Hoof was talking about. Roneo’s ears perked up, and eyes widened as he, too, understood Gray Hoof’s message.

“You...you can’t be serious, Gray Hoof! That...that day we almost-”

Gray Hoof turned to Roneo, sporting a sad expression.

“Yes, Roneo, I think it’s related to that day. It’s the only thing I can think of that makes sense. I don’t understand it myself, but my instinct is saying it’s about that day. That’s why I’m going to talk to Konrad about it.”

Gladstone and Roneo looked at each other, worried about the implications of what their friend told them. Regardless of their fear, they nodded in agreement and determination to help their long-time friends. Gladstone stepped towards Gray Hoof and put a hoof on his shoulder, comforting his friend.

“We want to be there too. I want to fully know what we’re dealing with here.”

Roneo did the same and put a hoof on his opposite shoulder.

“Me too; I owe it to Ruby.”

Gray Hoof smiled and was happy he had the support of his “bros.” Gray Hoof chuckled on the inside as he remembered Konrad introducing the slang to them over a decade ago. Gray Hoof devised a plan to deal with Ruby and Mitta’s problem. Gladstone and Roneo removed to their hooves off of Gray Hoof and again listened to him speak.

“Thanks, bros! Okay, here’s the plan. When they return, we’ll meet inside my house and share all the details we know so far. Once that’s done, we’ll develop a management plan for Ruby and Mitta. I’ll see if we can scrounge up some bits for a doctor or any professional help we can get from Ponyville. After that...we’ll figure it out.”

Roneo nodded and puffed his chest out, showing his determination to help his friends.

“And we won’t quit either! They didn’t quit on us years ago, and neither will we!”

Gladstone raised a hoof in the air and shouted,

“Hay-yeah, we won’t quit! Team Sunny Town forever!”

Roneo and Gladstone smashed hooves together and made a loud bro hoof.

“YEAH!”

Gray Hoof laughed at the display of bro-ness but was happy to see Sunny Town’s spirit was as strong as ever.

“Darn right bros! Alright, let’s go inside my house until they get back.”

Gray Hoof picked up his party hat and put it back on, making his way to his front door. Roneo and Gladstone turned to Gray Hoof and brought up a concern.

“So, when is your special somepony arriving? You don’t think she’ll be here before we resolve Ruby and Mitta’s problem, do you?”

Gray Hoof stopped in his tracks and perked up in surprise. He didn’t realize that word about his “special visitor” would spread so fast. He blushed a bit before turning back to his friends.

“I-uh...gah! I swear you can’t keep a secret in this town! I don’t think she’ll be here so soon. I was hoping she would've been here yesterday, but it’s better she comes later. Again, no clue, but we will see. And she’s really nice, and we have a lot in common.”

Both of them chuckled before Gladstone asked,

“That’s good to hear, but you don’t think she’ll approve of your messy house, do you? You’ve been busy as of late, and we can listen to all that clattering noise coming from your home.”

The party planner extraordinaire scoffed and dismissed his friend’s concern before walking through the doorway.

“Oh please, my house isn’t THAT bad; it’s a bit-WOAH!”

While Gray Hoof was confident his house was fit enough for guests, he failed to notice the rubber chicken on the ground. He lost his balance fell forward, and knocked over a shelf of party and gag supplies. Party hats, balloons, candles, and anything and everything party-related toppled onto Gray Hoof, covering him in a pile-sized mess. Roneo and Gladstone ran inside to help their friend and began moving supplies off him.

Gray Hoof poked his head out of the pile, holding the rubber chicken in his mouth. Gladstone and Roneo busted out laughing at the hilarious scene as Gray Hoof spat out the rubber chicken. It made a squeaky noise which set off the laughing bros even more. Gray Hoof wore a look of annoyance before laughing himself.

“Okay, maybe you have a point.”

Roneo and Gladstone finished laughing and began the task of helping Gray Hoof clean up the mess in his house. As humorous as it was, they knew they had a more important job at hoof. Helping Ruby and Mitta was their top priority, and as stallions of Sunny Town, nothing would get in their way.
> Forming a game plan.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gladstone and Roneo didn’t take long to help Gray Hoof clean up his house. Despite numerous party supplies littering the floor, the cleanup was easy. Gray Hoof, in return, arranged drinks for everypony.

Gray Hoof set the drinks of fruit punch on a table in the living room as the door knocked. He opened the door and saw several ponies outside, including Sunny Town’s resident man, Konrad. The ponies and the man walked into the house, and the expression on Konrad’s face told Gray Hoof all he needed to know. The look of anxiety on the man’s face told him he was scared of losing his loving wife. Ruby was the first friend he ever made after being found in need having been lost in the Everfree Forest. She was there for him from the beginning, and Konrad told him she was his rock and center long ago.

”Such devotion and love from that man. I hope to earn the same from Ms. Suprise in due time. I hope we can figure out what’s wrong with Mitta and Ruby.

Ruby owed her life to Konrad as he stopped them from committing a terrible crime. Despite having been 13 years since that dreaded day, Gray Hoof remained haunted by how he and everypony had almost walked down an evil path of no return. Konrad’s determination and unwillingness to give up on them saved their souls. He also knew that everypony else in Sunny Town wouldn’t stop.

Three Leaf, Starlet, Sprite Punch, Crimson Bass, and Konrad walked in and sat down on Gray Hoof’s couches. Roneo joined his wife, Starlet, while Gladstone sat next to Three Leaf. The two finally dated after Gladstone relented to Three Leaf’s advances, and the stallion was noticeably happier. Crimson Bass was next to Sprite Punch and was the first to take a drink. Nopony was saying anything due to the difficult situation before them, which prompted Gray Hoof to start.

“So...well, everypony, it seems we have a problem with Mitta and Ruby. They keep going back and forth from thinking we...”

Everypony focused their eyes on Gray Hoof, expecting to say the horrible answer they knew. Konrad, however, kept staring at the drinks on the table in the center, lost in thought. The man was the one to finish Gray Hoof’s sentence as he added, “Murdered her. She thinks you guys murdered her over her cutie mark.”

Everypony, except Crimson Bass and Sprite Punch, lowered their heads in shame. The two ponies looked at each other in confusion before Roneo spoke up.

“13 years ago, all of us were blank flanks. We didn’t understand what cutie marks meant. The town suffered cutie pox generations before us, and we assumed they were a disease.”

Crimson Bass and Sprite Punch dropped their jaws and couldn’t believe what they had heard. The thought of cutie marks being a disease was lunacy to any average pony. But Sunny Town was unusually isolated from the rest of Equestria due to the Everfree Forest. When Konrad’s discovery went public to Equestria and Ponyville rapidly grew, Sunny Town itself finally started to expand. As word had spread about the unknown and secluded town, Konrad drew many ponies to Sunny Town. Many ponies were curious to see the only human in existence.

Such a secret about Sunny Town was shocking; what followed next was even worse. Starlet added, “My husband, then special somepony, wanted to gift a gem to me, but he lost it. He asked Ruby to find it, but she found Konrad instead. He was hurt and almost on the verge of death. We were all scared and shocked to find a human, but she and Mitta helped him recover.”

Gladstone then chimed in, “Months went by, and he slowly became our friend over time. We protected him from the outside society because he was afraid of how Equestria would react to him. And to be fair, that was understandable. Sunny Town had been isolated for generations and forgotten over time, and we enjoyed the privacy it brought us.”

Three Leaf took a drink and sipped a little before jumping into the conversation, “He helped us improve the town during that time. He even helped me get rid of those nasty forest grubs that ruined my carrot crops!”

Konrad smiled before lightly chuckling and added, “Yeah, I remember those stupid things. They bit my fingers so many times. They were like little razor blades, but I got them out of there. A shame they ate half of your carrot crops.”

Three Leaf shrugged her shoulder before replying, “Oh well, better to have some than none.”

Crimson Bass asked, “That’s interesting, but what about the other stuff you were talking about?”

Three Leaf blushed before continuing, “Sorry, got off track. Anyway, months had passed since Ruby found Konrad, and things in Sunny Town continued fine. Then....”

Roneo face hooved as Starlet put of hoof on his back as she attempted to comfort him. The blue maned earth pony lowered his hoof and continued the story.

“I still wanted to give Starlet the gem. This time as a marriage proposal. So I asked Ruby to find it again.”

Now it was Konrad’s turn to explain his part of the story. The man took a sip of the cup of fruit punch before adding, “Ruby found it close to where she found me. Once she realized her special talent was finding things, Ruby’s cutie mark appeared, and everything went downhill.”

Gray Hoof lowered his head in shame and remembered his behavior that day all too well. The screaming, the panic, and the banishment under the threat of death sickened him. However, he was not wholly to blame due to the supernatural influence held over him at the time. Gray Hoof took a breath and added, “I accused Ruby of trying to spread disease to us, and I tried to banish her from Sunny Town. We were all freaking out, and I tried to harm Ruby, but Konrad stopped me.”

Crimson Bass dropped her drink in shock as Sprite Punch attempted to make sense of what he heard. The stallion asked, “I’m sorry, but WHAT?!”

”Why did I have to find that thing in my house!? Why did my great-grandfather even have it?!”

“I tried to harm Ruby. I thought she had cutie pox and would destroy the whole town. I was...under the influence of an evil spirit at the time. Something that we found out after the fact after Konrad took Ruby, and both went to Canterlot for help. I still remember the whisperings in my mind, telling me to do things I would never have imagined.”

Gray Hoof took a sip of the drink and continued, “It...it made things seem like they were the answer. Bad things that should never be done, but it...I had no clue about the power it held over me! Princess Celestia came to Sunny Town and removed it from me. The thought of doing something terrible to the ponies I care for still sickens me today!”

Crimson Bass and Sprite punch held each other while Konrad consoled Gray Hoof, “Dude, you didn’t know any better at the time, and that thing possessed you. You aren’t to blame for it.”

Gray Hoof set his drink on the table and looked at the man. “Am I?! Am I not to be blamed for it?! I found that stupid spirit board in my attic and used it! I brought that thing into my life and to our town! I endangered all of us!”

Gray Hoof covered his face in shame as Sprite Punch asked, “What is a spirit board? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Konrad sighed and explained, “A spirit board is usually a wooden board with letters and numbers, with the words yes or no. You’re supposed to put your hooves, fingers, whatever on a centerpiece with a lens over it. You’re supposed to use it with two or more players, but I’ve heard of people using it solo. They existed when I was around other humans. Still, many, including my family, shunned them because spirit boards believed them to be sources of evil and no good. Other people thought it was just a joke game; it was anything but a joke. After what happened, I learned my parents were right.”

Gray Hoof uncovered his face and added, “In my case, I found it in my attic after doing a spring cleaning. I thought it was, as Konrad put it, a game. I figured I could learn about it and use it for a party with everypony for entertainment. My great-grandfather left instructions behind with a few notes saying how he read about the board in ancient Equestrian scrolls and made one himself. I asked the board questions, and it worked every time I put my hooves on the darned thing!”

Sprite Punch and Crimson Tail held each other, worried about what they would hear next. Konrad put a hand on Sprite Punch’s shoulder and shook his head as the stallion looked at him. Knowing his friend was telling him to chill, the stallion smiled embarrassedly before telling Crimson Bass to relax.

Gray Hoof continued, “I asked it simple things like: “What would be a good game?” or " What time would be good to set up a party?”. Every single time, from the moment I put my hoof on the planchet, it worked! As the days went by, I found myself using the thing more and more. It became an obsession, and if I failed to use it for even a day, strange things would happen around my house. Random knocking sounds and stinky smells for no reason. Finally, I started hearing a voice in my head.

It would try to tell me things I won’t repeat to anypony, but it slowly got worse and worse. I snapped when Ruby found Roneo’s gem and earned her cutie mark. It was like I lost complete control and freaked out, and it made me try to hurt Ruby! But Konrad stopped me and got her out of the town. Princess Celestia purged it with, what was it, Konrad?”

The man answered, “The Elements of Harmony.”

Gray Hoof clapped his front hooves together and said, “Yeah, those. Once she did that, my mind became clear, and I felt like me again. She even cleansed the house and took the board away. If Konrad weren’t here to help, we probably would have killed Ruby and, who knows, forever cursed our town!”

Sprite Punch and Crimson Bass were at a loss for an explanation from their friends. To hear that their closest friends had almost committed murder was a hard horse pill for them to swallow. Roneo held Starlet as she cried into his chest at the hard memories. Gladstone looked solemn while a sad Three Leaf put a hoof on one of his hooves.

Konrad sighed, “Yeah...I’m sure this whole town would have been cursed if that thing got a kill. It didn’t happen, though, and it’s a distant memory. Or so we thought it was. Which brings us to our next question; where do we go from here, Gray Hoof?”

Everyone turned their attention back to Gray Hoof, and the weight of the leadership was once again on his shoulders. He felt like he was almost in a frying pan, and the heat was rising. For some reason, Ruby and Mitta were going back and forth between acting like life went on as usual to an almost different timeline. Before Gray Hoof could come up with a suggestion, he needed to rule out any other factors. More likely than not, they would have to seek outside help, medical or therapeutical.

“Well, before we do anything, like seeking outside help, is there anything in Sunny Town that might have caused them to act this way? Anything we could narrow down or rule out?”

Everypony was brainstorming possible causes for Ruby and Mitta’s condition. Gray Hoof tried to think hard about the day Ruby and Mitta panicked and beat him up. He remembered Konrad asking him to create a distraction so the town could set up their anniversary party. It was a surprise he wanted to throw her, and it was a relatively uncommon request for married couples to celebrate with a town-wide party. Most Sunny Town couples would celebrate privately or head to Ponyville or other towns for a vacation.

”What was the request again? Oh! Daffodils!”

“I have an idea where we can search. I asked Ruby and Mitta to head to the fields near the town entrance to search for Daffodils. Maybe they came across the Poison Joke plant!”

Everypony, except Crimson Bass and Sprite Punch, groaned in annoyance at the mere mention of the Poison Joke plant. During one of Sunny Town’s improvement and expansion projects, several ponies were unfortunate to come across the plant. Even Konrad fell victim to the plant as he attempted to help Three Leaf remove the plants. She had been the first to fall victim, with Konrad being the last one.

It took the efforts of Ruby and Mitta to find a cure. They were fortunate enough that a Canterlot Apothecarist was passing through Ponyville, who made a potion batch for a reasonable price.

”That day was one heck of a hay ride! I still get flashbacks trying to manage everypony’s affliction.”

Three Leaf’s eyes widened as a scowling expression formed on her face. Gray Hoof understood why the Poison Joke plant took an especially cruel prank on her. The same plant mocked her special talent for Gardening and warped her cutie mark of three green leaves on her flanks to a set of wilted brown dead leaves. But that wasn’t even the worst of what it did to her.

“Those stupid plants! They made a mockery of me! I”LL DESTROY EVERY SINGLE ONE IF THEY’RE THERE!!”

Sprite Punch and Crimson Bass were surprised, as Three Leaf was one of the least anger-prone ponies in Sunny Town. Crimson Bass asked, “Dang! What did these plants do to you? Are these bad?”

Three Leaf’s face was red with anger, and it took Gladstone nuzzling her to calm her down. This did the trick before Gladstone answered Crimson Bass, “Yeah, they’re bad enough, alright. They literally will change your body if they come in contact with you. You could get hurt if you weren’t careful with your altered body.”

Sprite Punch asked, “Wow, did all of you get hurt or altered?”

Konrad pointed at Three Leaf, Gladstone, Roneo, and himself, before answering, “Just us four. We cleared weeds, removed plants, and chopped trees to make space. They walked into the plants when we got closer to where the town’s entrance now sits.”

Roneo added, “It stopped me from being able to talk. Every time I opened my mouth, parchment paper would come out as if I was a typewriter. Since my name means the rotary part of a typewriter, it decided that would be a good joke. My mouth even made the darned clicking noises too!”

Sprite Punch started laughing, making Roneo blush in embarrassment. Crimson Bass lightly punched Sprite Punch’s right foreleg, annoyed that her colt friend was laughing at Roneo’s tale.

“Stop it, Sprite Punch! This is serious.”

The stallion laughed while Konrad rolled his eyes while everypony else looked at him with annoyance.

“I’m so sorry! I’m just laughing at the thought Roneo had a typewriter mouth!”

Roneo shook his head while Gladstone sighed and added his story, “The plants made my face turn into stone. My face would change expressions, but I couldn’t talk.”

Sprite Punch stifled a laugh, knowing his mare friend would punch him again. Turning to Three Leaf, Sprite Punched asked, “Well, what was so bad about yours?”

Three Leaf huffed air through her nostrils and tried to calm down. Taking a sigh, she explained, “It...it turned me into a plant pony. My mane and tail were leaves, it warped my cutie mark into three brown leaves, and my teeth were wooden. And my hooves were turned into roots. I couldn’t walk, and I could barely talk. Konrad had to carry me back into town, and I had to stay outside in the sun, or else I got really cold.”

Three Leaf lowered her ears and face in embarrassment, but for once, Sprite Punch didn’t find it funny. The Poison Joke plant made a complete mockery of her and her special talent for gardening, and it was easy to see why she was so upset about it. After calming down, Three Leaf said, “Yeah, that’s why I hate those stupid things. I’ll see if they have returned and kill them with some leftover herbicide.”

Sprite Punch nodded, “Sorry you had to go through that.” He turned his attention to Konrad and asked, “So...what happened to you?”

Konrad sighed, “When I was carrying Three Leaf back to town, Poison Joke stuck a few leaves in her mane. They fell out and touched my fingers as I set Three Leaf on a flower bed Gladstone made for her. As a result, the leaves made my hands lose their finger bones. I had butterfingers and couldn’t grab anything to save my life. I couldn’t open doors or do anything. Pretty much useless, and it sucked standing around.”

Sprite Punch shook his head and replied, “Dang, that sucks, bro.” He turned his attention to Gray Hoof and asked, “Is that what we will do for now? Are we just going to look for this Poison Joke plant? What if we don’t find it?”

Gray Hoof sighed and said, “Failing that, we’ll take them to Ponyville Hospital and get them checked out. If that doesn’t work, we can seek a psychiatrist that specializes in magical treatments. In the meantime, we’ll just have to watch them and act accordingly to whichever “ponysona” they are experiencing at the time.”

Konrad nodded and replied, “Sounds like a plan. I’m going home to check on my wife and mom-in-law and wait for my foals to get home from school. I’ll let you guys know if anything changes. See you guys tomorrow... I guess.”

As the man got up, Gray Hoof addressed Konrad, “Hey, Konrad, we’re here for you and your family. We owe a lot to you, and if we can get through what we’ve faced in the past, we can do it again.”

Konrad turned and faced everypony, nodding and lightly smiling, “Thanks, guys, it means a lot. Sorry, Ruby and Mitta beat you up, Gray Hoof.”

Gray Hoof waved a hoof in dismissal. “Think nothing of it; I’m already over it. We’re friends, and nothing is going to stop the friendship of Sunny Town!”

Everypony started stomping in applause and cheer, giving the man needed encouragement. He smiled and closed the door, heading back to his family. Three Leaf and Gladstone left and headed to her house to gather tools and herbicide just in case they needed it. Roneo and Starlet helped clean up the place before they left for their home. Gray Hoof heard Starlet talk about their daughter, Ivory, giving a gift to Blau Streifen at school today just as they walked out and closed the door.

Gray Hoof chuckled, knowing that love still was going on in the town despite the severe matter at hoof. Roneo and Starlet’s daughter had a great affection for Konrad and Ruby’s son. It was well known among the parents of Sunny Town, and many were placing small wagers when they would become special someponies. Gray Hoof himself hoped Ms. Surprise and him would become something more and hoped to have foals of his own finally.

Seeing the town grow and his friends being happy was one of the most satisfying feelings for the stallion. He vowed to do anything in his power and abilities to ensure that would continue. If he had to give up his house to save Ruby and Mitta, he would do it.

“One thing at a time Gray Hoof, one thing at a time. Let’s hope tomorrow will be a better day for them.”

Gray Hoof sighed, made his way to his desk, and sat in the chair. He wrote many notes about the events of yesterday and wrote down as many ideas as he could think one. If he could plan a party, he could plan for solutions. Satisfied, he came up with a few plans to execute should the Poison Joke possibly be a bust. Gray Hoof sighed as he looked out the window and asked, “I hope we can fix this. I’m not sure what will happen if we don’t.”

With the weight of his friend’s health and well-being on the line, Gray Hoof didn’t sleep well that night.