Chapter One (Trouble in Canterlot? Hmm, must be Tuesday.)

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You know when I was growing up I thought being an adult would answer all my problems, all questions only to find all the problems and questions changed and there were no real answers. There will always be those who disagree with you and you them but most people can't seem to understand why... Just muddle along doing the best we can.

Then a strange twist of fate and I found myself here, Equestria. A land of colorful ponies, Unicorns and Pegasus even! And the 'regular' ponies? Nothing regular about any of them I had to let go of old preconceptions very quickly, intelligent, articulate and living their lives the same as any of us and that wasn't the end of it. Dragons, Griffons, Manticores and much, much more. A whole new world, new problems, new questions...

But I found an answer, a reason, love... And with it a million more worries, problems and questions but every single one was worth it. I've long since stopped worrying about those I left behind, they'd carry on we all had to.

Twilight Sparkle... My lover, best friend, soulmate, wife, life... I try my best to learn from the past, my mother and father... They parted ways not long after I was born they simply weren't ready, I lived with my grandparents for many years, they taught me so much I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t, the road not traveled but I can say it was a wonderful time. They made me who I am today, a man, a husband, a father... I just wish they could have seen it...

"Rick!"

"Hmm?" I closed the notebook I had been writing in turning to face Twilight as she came down the stairs into our study. "What’s up love?"

"What are you writing?" She asked looking curiously.

"Oh just some random thoughts and such..."

"Can I read it?"

"Someday sure, I've only just started."

"Oh... I guess that makes sense, but I want to..." She whined adorably sitting in my lap letting me wrap my arms around her breathing her in.

"Well if you just can't wait..."

She squealed happily turning to kiss me as she levitated it up before her, she looked at it a moment cracking it open it an inch before lowering it back down into an opened lockable drawer locking it and putting the key into my breast pocket. "I can wait..." She smiled nuzzling my neck.

"Thanks..." We sat that way a few minutes just enjoying the feeling of one another breathing in and out our hearts beating as one.

"So what’s on the agenda today?"

I could feel her smile as she stretched against me. "Staying just like this could be nice... But I do have some shelving to do now that Sparkler has introduced her friends to horror novels, a day doesn't seem to pass without one of them stopping by to drop one off or pick one up. We'll have to pick up some new ones the next time we're in Canterlot maybe some adventure and mystery's as well it's a natural progression."

I chuckled giving her a squeeze. "You know I'll always defer to your knowledge when it comes to books Twi."

"And you promised to help Rarity today searching for some gems, without Spike around..." She slumped slightly and I squeezed her comfortingly. "I miss him; we all do... I guess, We... I kind of took him for granted..."

"You were brother and sister practically it's only natural you would miss him, and I know he misses you too but he's with his mother now. At least the only one he's ever known and John... Well I think being a father figure might just grow on him."

"I still can't believe he and Princess Celestia..."

"What?"

"Not that their together silly, after everything we've been through I can understand that."

"True enough, but?"

"His life... He'll barely be around for a moment of hers, it's not fair!"

"I know... I know, but they'll have that moment. And I'm willing to bet no matter how much it hurts they wouldn't trade it."

"No, they wouldn't... Well I suppose we had best get busy then."

Neither of us moved for another moment not wanted to let go until I lifted her up carrying her upstairs sharing a kiss before I set her down. "I'll pick up Star from the Cakes and bring her along I'm sure Rarity won't mind."

We often dropped Star off to play with Pound and Pumpkin and vice versa had them over for playdates, there were only a few other fillies and colts near to Star, Pound and Pumpkins ages, they were a bit apart too but they got along well.

The little bell above the door tinkled as I entered, there were several ponies lined up waiting to be served. Pinkie peeked around the waiting ponies waving.

"Hi Rick! Star's just in the other room with Pound and Pumpkin!"

"Thanks Pinkie." I waved back making my way into the kitchen carefully stepping through the swinging doors not wanting to bump into anyone finding Mr. and Mrs. Cake putting the finishing touches on several batches of cookies and cupcakes.

"Hi Rick, their just in the living room coloring last time I checked on them." Mrs. Cake smiled.

"Thanks, we'll have the twins over on Wednesday eh?"

"Sounds good."

All was quiet which usually wasn't a good sign even when coloring but when I stuck my head around the corner I immediately relaxed at the adorable sight, all three of them must have tuckered each other out as they were sprawled out napping together Pounds tiny wings placed protectively over his sister and Star as they snuggled together.

I crouched down watching them for a minute with a smile before carefully slipping Star out from their warm embrace into mine not wanting to disturb them, she stirred a bit either from the motion or perhaps a daydream before she turned snuggling against and burying her head in my chest as I rose and exited nodding to the Cakes shushing Pinkie and waving goodbye on my way out.

I took a roundabout way to Carousel Boutique avoiding the noisy market letting Star sleep, I could see through the window that she had a couple customers so with a wave and nod to her I went around back where she had her wagon all ready. I sat down in the shade gently rubbing my baby’s back letting my mind wander until I heard the back door open and a quiet giggle.

"So sweet... Can you not make it darling? I completely understand if..." She whispered.

"No, no... I just thought she, and you might enjoy spending some time together but I guess she must have just layed down for a nap when I went to pick her up..."

"That’s all right, you just carry her and I'll tend to the cart until we reach the mountain."

"That would work..." I stopped suddenly struck by inspiration. "Or we could..."

And off we went out of town, I pulled Rarity's spacious cart while she relaxed in it Star snuggled against her both of them shaded by a parasol she had brought along with a picnic basket and some tools.

"Very generous of you darling but you needn’t do all the work."

"Not a problem, I could use the exercise really." And it wasn't too difficult her wagon was well made and maintained, when we reached a rockier area I would have a bit more trouble but for now no problem.

"If you insist..." She smiled.

We talked quietly as we traveled, chit-chat about our lives and our mutual friends enjoying the sunny day and scenery. After an hour we reached the foot of a small mountainous region Rarity finding she had to range further and further to collect gems which made sense.

"She certainly moves around a lot in her sleep doesn't she?" Rarity smiled looking down at Star laying across her body upside down now.

I chuckled nodding. "True, now that she sleeps on her own... Well most nights..."

"Most?"

"Well sometimes she still needs her mommy and daddy snuggle time, and sometimes she manages or maybe her sister helps her up onto the top bunk and we find them snuggled together but on her own sometimes she's half in and out of the bed when we check on her." I grinned.

"Aww... Sweetie Belle is growing up so fast I regret not spending more time with her..." She sighed wistfully looking out at the horizon.

"She still idolizes her big sister believe me, you've got time yet and someday when you have foals of your own..."

She looked back to me with a wistful smile. "Someday perhaps... I would like... Oh! Sweetie I'm sorry but you won't get any milk out of... Eek!" She jumped slightly gently pulling Star away from her as I turned red bringing the wagon to a stop.

"Mmm, mommy?"

"No, it's auntie Rarity..." She whispered stroking her gently as she stretched and yawned her beautiful brown eyes fluttering open.

"Auntie!" She squealed hugging her tightly giggling.

"I'm glad to see you too little Star..."

"I'm here to baby." I rubbed her back and she turned jumping into my arms.

"Daddy!" We hugged a moment as Rarity got out of the cart before she pulled back from me a confused look on her face. "What appened to Pound an Punkin?"

"Their probably waking up from their naps now too but I came to get you, we thought you might like to come with us as your auntie and I looked for gems."

"Jems? Kay!"

She struggled to get down full of energy now galloping around sharp rocks, treacherous sinkholes and dangerous outdoor bacteria! Okay... Maybe those sharp rocks were more like gravel and the sinkholes little more than deep footprints and as for the bacteria... Playing outside and being exposed to all those kinds of things was important, at least according to several books we'd read. And admittedly to me too but still it sometimes made a first time dad want to scoop his baby up and keep her safe and secure with him until she was... Twenty! But on the other hand to see her so happy and carefree... What could I do? She'd fall down, get scrapes, bruises and even colds I couldn't cure! But I'd be there to kiss it better and take care of her, always.

Star was fascinated by Rarity’s spell how she could unerringly locate even the smallest gem buried or even embedded in rocks! You could see the little wheels in her mind working, she knew it was magic believe it or not she'd seen more than her fair share in her short life. We knew she wanted to try, to do it herself so much but her mother and I tried to keep her safe until she could get some beginners education in magic kindergarten but that was still some ways off and she wanted to do it now! Still other than the occasional magic surge she couldn't get the hang of it yet but I knew she would, I had every bit as much faith in her as my little Angel.

We spent a few hours acquiring gems, I would dig them up or break them free of their stony prisons keeping a close eye out for a curious baby naturally. While Rarity detected, cleaned and separated them according to color, quality, size and value. Even the small ones would shine in her fancy designer outfits. Star loved the pretty sparklies playing with and messing up Rarity’s piles a few times though she never lost her temper.

A little after noon we stopped finding a flat and shaded spot to spread out a blanket and enjoy Rarity’s picnic lunch, I was a bit worn out and appreciated the break. It was hard work, I probably could have accomplished most of it using magic but I tried not to rely on it too much, you never knew when you might be in a situation when you couldn't use it. Twilight was quite the opposite really, she used magic all the time but still tried to keep in shape believing you couldn't use physical force to overcome every obstruction.

Still I knew it was different for her and most Unicorns, her magic was a part of her since she was born a big part. And in a Unicorn at least in my eyes it replaced arms and hands though I was constantly amazed at the skill Earth ponies showed using only their hooves and mouths, same for Pegasus as well as their incredibly dexterous wings.

Star was still full of energy racing around curious about everything, Rarity and I had to remind her a few times to stay in view while we finished eating.

"Your very good with her Rare."

"Oh I just have some experience is all..."

"Still I think you'll be a wonderful mother someday..."

She smiled wanly a faraway look in her eyes. "Someday... I would like that but we'll have to see..."

"Hmm? You'd have stallions lined up around the block to ask you out if you gave them the time... Or mares I guess, sorry..." I added embarrassed.

"Oh you think so do you?" She smiled slyly. "Perhaps but you need not fear I'll steal your wife away..."

"I didn't mean..."

"I know darling; I know..." She leaned over to give me a kiss on the cheek. "I'll find my stallion in shining armor someday, these things take time. After all you had to come to a completely different dimension to find your true love." She giggled.

"I guess you’re right, I suppose there might be someone like Twi back there somewhere..." I shook my head. "Doesn't matter, I wouldn't trade what I have for anything..." I smiled watching Star race up a bunch of dandelions in her mouth giving some to me and Rarity before gobbling up the rest getting a drink and taking off again.

"So adorable."

We rested a bit more before getting back to work, apparently there were still gems in them thar hills! As we managed to fill her wagon about half way which was still impressive her new wagon was quite a bit bigger than the old one. Her detection spell made the task a hundred times easier to be sure, not having to search out the gems was a great boon though to dig them out was still quite the chore. I could only imagine the riches she'd find if she ever made her way underground!

On the way back to town we took turns pulling the cart the other carrying Star her energy waning again but I knew after a little rest and some supper she'd need wearing out again lest she be up half the night! Sounds like a job for a big sister...

"Thank you so much for your assistance Rick."

"Always glad to help Milady." I grinned. "Right baby? Say bye bye to auntie."

"Bye... Bye... Auntie..." She yawned returning Rarity’s nuzzle sleepily.

"Take care little Star, see you both later and thank you again."

I waved with my free arm as we started back home more directly this time and we stopped a few times for small talk with various townsfolk who were always happy to see Star and tired or not she did love attention... It was too late to pick up anything much most of the market closed down for the day but we did stop by Sugar Cube Corner to pick up some cookies for dessert and so Star could say goodbye to her playmates.

We got home just in time for dinner, we washed up and ate all four of us telling each other about our days asking questions and laughing together. After dinner as expected the girls played a bit while we cleaned up only stopping when it was time for Scootaloo to do her homework.

Star was of course very interested in anything her big sister did though truthfully she was far more of a hindrance then help, before Scootaloo got too frustrated with her Twi swept her up the two of them going for a short walk while I helped my little Angel with her homework.

"It's soo booring dad!"

"Angel..." I chuckled mussing her mane. "I know some of it seems boring, and pointless..." I leaned close and whispered. "And the truth is some of it is."

"Wha?!"

"Shh, don't let your mom hear. But it is part of growing up, even when you grow up some things will always seem boring and pointless but you've got to remember that even though you think that way others don't and you shouldn't belittle them."

"But..."

"And some of the things you learn are important."

"Aww..."

I kissed her forehead and gave her a squeeze. "Let's go over it again..."

She didn't have anything too difficult and truly she was a smart little filly but her impatience often got the better of her making little mistakes then getting even more frustrated trying to find and fix them! I had quickly learned just pointing them out didn't help much, instead I tried to walk her through the problem so she could see where the mistake was. Didn't always work but she was getting better bit by bit.

It was getting late by the time Twilight and Star got back so it was off to bed with them Twi reading them a story while I watched smiling as they dropped off. We took turns reading to them a book at a time, they had to be simple enough Star could enjoy it but with something Scootaloo would like as well.

Finally, we relaxed in bed together window open to let a breeze through as we read leaning against one another, I put my book aside quite ready for sleep tired from a long day. I turned wrapping my arms around her nestling against her neck careful not to disturb her, as always while she was reading she was 'in the zone' the flipping of pages, her soft breaths, her scent and the beating of her heart soon lulled me into sleep...

"Hmm...? What’s this?"

Didn't quite make it, still I was warm and comfortable listening to her as she set her book aside for something else, she was quiet a minute one of her forehooves gently rubbing my back.

"Rick, are you awake?" She whispered in my ear.

I stretched a bit opening my eyes as she leaned down for a soft kiss. "I am, what’s up?" She levitated an official looking scroll over to me as I sat back up. Here we go again...

Rick!

Truthfully it had been almost three months since the crown debacle and Celestia had wisely decided to keep all the Elements in Canterlot well defended but thinking back to the events in the high school dimension as I had dubbed it either the crown had been powerful enough to override Sombra and call forth the Elements from another dimension to empower the girls or... Well all I could do was guess really, their use... Exposure, to the Elements may have had deeper repercussions... Even across dimensional barriers to their counterparts? Who knows? I was just grasping at straws...

"Let's see..."

My Dear friends

I must apologies again for calling upon you but as the Element bearers there are things only you can handle, only you I would trust with... This is such a thing, the Elements themselves are calling out... For you mayhap or something else I cannot say but for the time being they are contained. So I ask that you come, please. The stakes could be high, so at your earliest convenience thank you.

Celestia and Luna Me as well if anyone was wondering, Discord!

Discord! Ach! Look what you made me write...! Luna!

"Well that’s something... You don't feel strange do you?" I asked putting the scroll aside ribbing her chest.

"Nooo...? I mean, I don't think I do..."

I scanned her thoroughly finding nothing out of the ordinary but I really didn't know what I was looking for. "We'll have to ask the others and they'll want to read the Princesses message as well."

"Definitely! Oh..." She covered her mouth a yawn escaping making me yawn as well. "In the morning..." She snuggled down against me putting the light out.

"Sounds good, I hope it's nothing serious..."

"Well, it does sound serious but her scroll didn't appear too urgent..."

"Strange... I hope we don't need to leave the girls for long, I'm still trying to make up for lost time..."

"You never can my love..." She kissed me softly both of us sinking into sleep. Just make the most of the time we have...

Your right, and I will...

We will... Oh! We'll just bring them with us!

Hmm?

Schools out for the summer on Friday, so if we wait until the weekend to go which would give the girls plenty of time to get ready as well. I can only assume Princess Celestia will have sent word to the academy for Rainbow Dash too.

Well... She did say at our convenience...

Exactly, I'll write her in the morning and make sure it's alright.

Good plan, goodnight. Love you.

Love you...

Like I said, here we go again... But still it shouldn’t be too important, there'd be more panic if it was right...?

Interlude: Something wants out.

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Thrummm...

Her eyes opened immediately feeling the force and power of the pulse, but from where...? She remained still barely breathing waiting to see if it would happen again so she could pinpoint the source. With a snort and grunt John rolled back over facing her again, he tossed and turned so much she often wondered how he stayed asleep at all. She'd grown used to it and though it often woke her up she didn't mind, her sleep requirements were quite minor and hour or two refreshed her nicely, but this...

She sighed soothing back his unruly mop of hair gently, having someone to fall asleep with, wake up with... Fall in love wi... No... She still couldn't bring herself to admit it, not fully. The past still had a grip on her heart and even though it had been so long she still remembered the pain she didn't want it again; she did want it again... Not the pain but the feeling, sometimes the pain was part of that feeling...

She smiled her mind clearer, she leaned over to kiss John's forehead softly. "I do..." She whispered. "I'm just not ready to say it out loud yet..." She sighed drawing him closer letting her eyes close, still on guard but mayhap it had just been a dream, a one-time occurrence or a mishap at the laboratories at the university. Although such mishaps were far less common since Twilight's move to Ponyville...

She smiled to herself in memory of that little filly crackling with magic but no clue how to control it, baby Spike... There was a bit of tension between Spike and John both vying for her attention, them and the dozens if not hundreds of others... Still she made all the time she could for her two special men, and even though they might deny it she could see the bond between them growing too.

Thinking of Twilight, Rick and their family, Spike, John... Reminded her just how long it had been since she had let herself connect with anyone... A thousand years... Easy to say but the sheer weight of it staggered even her, for so long after realizing her sister wasn't coming back for a very long time she had been nothing but numb. Simply going through the motions day after day, years and years... Ponies born, passed away and more born again. Even when she had recovered somewhat there was still so much to do, far more important things then relationships... Friendships... She smiled softly, we are more alike than you might think Twilight my faithful student... No, student no more her ascendance and transference... She still had no idea how she had managed it! Old magic in that transference spell to be sure but it shouldn't have been able to affect a spell of that magnitude... Well you always did manage to surprise me Twilight, from the first moment we met...

Your bond with your bother and the spell binding you to Rick was likely the case, strange though... To give up so much for love, would I...? even with so many that depend on me? She smiled nuzzling the top of Johns head softly. Maybe... No... But still... All this conjecture and no real answers, she would weather her worries as she always did and now with Luna, John, Spike and even Discord she had to reluctantly admit things looked bright but still... She yearned for something more, something she'd never had but witnessed thousands of times, a foal... She loved Spike with all her heart but a foal of her own... She'd have to talk to Luna about that spell, John was not ready she was sure but someday mayhap... Even some facets of regular everyday Equestria life still freaked him out, or maybe just finding himself here... Though to her he'd adjusted quite quickly it seemed, all their time talking while she had him a 'captive' audience helped but even after that they'd talked at length many times. He never treated her differently, in public he showed proper deference as expected by society but she was just Celestia or Tia when they were alone, he tried to avoid being in public whenever possible mind you but she dragged him out by her side occasionally and be damned to the nay-sayers!

She'd found herself more and more attracted to him the more they were together and was surprised when he reciprocated despite the 'differences' between them. One thing led to another and... Well, nature took its course. It had been so long she’d worried she'd be... Unable, unsuitable, unwanted... But again she'd been surprised by him and herself, his passion rose to meet hers feeding on each other growing and growing... She shuddered slightly a longing building in her, it wasn't too long until dawn... Perhaps a little early morning glory? She shifted over slightly to wake him...

Thrummm...

She couldn't have been more surprised if the tower itself shook distracted as she was she slipped right out of bed pulling the sheets and John along to fall on top of her.

"Whoa! What...? Oh..." He smiled sleepily then leaned down to kiss her shyly. "Morning Tia, what happened?" He asked yawning looking around confused.

Before she could reply she felt her sister teleporting in as well as the now all too familiar feeling of Discords unique magic.

"Sister did you feel..." Luna and Discord appeared she looking around franticly her gaze finally falling on the two of them sprawled on the floor intimately her face going a bit red. "I think perhaps this is not the best time for that sister." She slyly smiled at Celestia with a wink pulling the sheets up with her telekinesis to cover Johns bare butt eliciting an amused snort from Discord before she turned her gaze to John. "And you John, dallying about in my sisters bed without a care! I doth see no ring upon her horn yet." She teased with a smile.

"What?! But I... We... Wait a sec, Discord still hasn’t given you a..."

"Irrelevant! As a Princess of Equestria I am entitled to my perks..." She giggled giving Discord a hip bump though he looked a bit uncomfortable.

"But Tia is a princess as we..."

"Irrelevant...!"

Thrummm...!

This time the windows really did rattle everyone froze each trying to gauge where it came from.

"As much as I love watching you tease Celestia’s pet human my sweet, and I do..." He grinned. "But perhaps something else needs our attention?"

Luna rolled her eyes slightly at her beloveds continued hostility... Well perhaps just considerable dislike of humankind, he'd never tried to hurt John thankfully she really didn't want to deal with the can of worms that would open should that happen. Her sister’s wrath was not to be taken lightly, but through herself and more so perhaps her precious little godchild Star he seemed to accept Rick now at least though the fact he lived in Ponyville might have something to do with it. Still other than then occasional snarky comment he left John alone and for now she supposed that was the best she could hope for.

"I guess your right Dissy..." She teased making him blush again. "But where is it coming from?"

"Is Canterlot under attack?" John asked concerned.

"Anyone would be exceedingly foolish to attack here boy." Discord sneered.

"Chrysalis attacked." He shot back unimpressed.

"Humph, I wasn't here then, if I had..."

"Shush you two, Tia...?" Luna leaned down to her sister noticing her eyes closed and look of concentration on her face.

"Got it." Suddenly her horn lit up filling the room with light teleporting them all before a large sturdy door decorated with Celestia's star and Luna's moon before it two frantic guard ponies who spun around freezing finding their two Princess’s, Discord and a naked human with a pile of clothes beside him.

"Sorry John." She apologized as he frantically covered himself and tried to get dressed at the same time. "Report."

"Princess!" They snapped to attention facing her and bowing turning awkwardly to Luna. "Princess!" And Discord. "Milord!" And even half-dressed John. "Sir!"

"About fifteen minutes ago someone? Something? Tried to get out of the vault... I think, it was a strange pulse of energy, no damage to the door but the wave passed through effortless..."

"No, not effortlessly..." Celestia whispered looking past the door to the many wards she and Luna had placed on the room within, cracked, badly damaged. "Sister..."

"I see, what could have done this?"

"I'm not sure... we will have to keep a close eye on it, but first..."

"Together?"

"Together."

They stood side by side eyes closed and horns aglow power passing between them growing and growing... The guards fur and Johns hair began to stand on end Discord ushering all three of them behind him surprisingly enough.

"I think that will quite do ladies, wouldn't want the whole castle falling down on us now would we?" He chuckled.

Finally, their horns touched setting off their spell replacing the damaged ward with another a hundredfold stronger and a little something else... As they finished Discord sent a bit of his own power into it, practically unnoticeable to anyone, almost anyone...

"Discord!"

"Relax Celestia, simply a bit of extra insurance."

"How did you even manage to lace that into our spell... Luna!"

"Sister it's fine, trust me..."

"I do; I do..." She shook her head and forced a smile. "Guards?"

"Yes Princess?" They rushed up front and center.

"Keep a close watch and let us know if anything changes, let your replacements know as well."

"Of course Princess! Um... What exactly are we watching for?"

"Cracks..." She spun gesturing Luna, Discord and John close. "There may be some concern today, we must downplay what we can."

"What did happen though Tia?" John asked.

"I'm not sure, if something broke in and couldn't escape... But this is where we keep the Elements..."

"Oh..."

"We understand sister, should we contact Twilight and..."

"Not yet... I hate to bother them should it turn out to be nothing..."

"Nothing? Very well, tonight when we have more information..."

"Tonight..."

Chapter Two (To the north.)

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It didn't take long for a reply from the Princess, Friday evening she requested as our latest arrival which was fine though she still provided no details of what was wrong. So secretive when they want to be, still we would find out soon enough. Star and Scootaloo were both excited for a trip as was Pinkie, Applejack was more reserved but still curious about what might be happening, Rarity was as always quite eager to go to Canterlot see the sights, mingle and shop but I wasn't so sure we'd have time for any of that... Fluttershy was a bit nervous but she'd be with us and Discord was there, she didn't get to see him as much as either of them would like I was sure.

Friday came and the last day of school ecstatic filly and colts all over parents already looking forward to summers end, probably not there was plenty to do outside with no TV to distract them parents might see their children in the morning then the dirty, bedraggled and mud-splattered little filly’s and colts that dragged themselves home for supper adorable and excited to tell of their day’s adventures.

We spent the majority of the day getting everything packed, we weren't sure what we were getting into but we were going to try to be ready. Everything was ready by the time Scootaloo got home so we relaxed a bit before having dinner, I had made sure the Ward stones were charged the day before so I wasn't worried about that. Pearl and Magnum would be taking care of Pan and promised to stop by the house on occasion to see if Owlicious needed anything but as we knew he was a very independent owl so I wasn't too worried about that either. Just what awaited us in Canterlot...

We got to the train station after supped finding everyone packed and ready to go surprisingly Rainbow Dash was there too!

"Hey, I could just fly there but why when I could take a train and see my friends?"

Even more surprising was the addition of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, I hadn’t really planned on them coming along too.

"Now Rick you can't expect my dear Sweetie Belle to stay home while her two best friends are away do you?"

"But I..."

"Don’t you worry none Pardner, Rare an I can look after our kin."

Not what I was worried about, we were headed into the unknown and I was worried enough about bringing Angel and Star... I hoped there was no real danger but you never knew... But looking into their happy smiling faces why burden them with worries? I had plenty to go around mostly for my own family but I wouldn't let anything happen to them if I could help it. It seemed most ponies had a very upbeat and optimistic attitude which was uplifting to see and at the same time extremely annoying.

It was a long train ride and the novelty of it wore off pretty quickly for the girls as time passed. Soon they were yawning trying to keep their little heads up, Star settled down in my lap as I rubbed her back Scootaloo curled up between us, Sweetie Belle snuggled up with her sister and Apple Bloom the same. They were all growing up so fast, too fast. Before we knew it they'd be in high school and all the trials and tribulation it would bring... New experiences, friends, enemies, frenemies, colts... Good thing it was such a long ride it gave me plenty of time to think while the girls chatted. Stupid brain...

Finally, we pulled into Canterlot station to a strange sight, a dozen guards and not another soul in sight.

This doesn't bode well...

It's... It's just late is all, right...?

I hope...

Thrumm...!

A wave of power ripped through the city popping streetlights and rattling the train windows.

"What was that?!"

"Not sure Pinkie... We'd better hurry."

The filly’s and foal were still asleep thankfully, the pulse though powerful had made little sound. Star and Sweetie Belle weren't attuned to their magic enough to feel it I assumed as Rarity, Twilight and I shook feeling it down to our toes / hooves, hair and fur standing on end.

"Please come with us." The guard captain asked as soon as we disembarked and I noticed another couple of strange things, for one every one of them looked extremely tired and worn out with bloodshot eyes, manes and tails out of place. They were doing their best to stand at attention but some slouched a few even leaning against their partners. The second was that every Unicorn among them, five in total had a damper on their horns...

The damper had been created ages ago by... You guessed it, Starswirl the bearded as a way to control or at least manage Unicorn prisoners. I had read, (naturally Twilight had a great many books and manuscripts about him) that to completely block a Unicorns magic was nearly impossible, even a broken horn couldn't stop it altogether! Though I knew of at least one thing that could having experienced Sombras crystal formations myself. But these were simple devices that could be locked around a Unicorns horn limiting their magic and preventing teleportation altogether which was the idea. They were hardly used these days but clearly they still possessed them, I was curious but as soon as we had our luggage, sleeping foal in my arms and fillies on their sisters and mothers backs they hustled us off directly to the castle.

Several more times on our way the burst of power erupted cascading through the town and as unnerving as it was something about it felt familiar too, I had a million questions as no doubt Twi and the others did too. One thing was clear it was coming from the castle which is where we were headed...

No sooner than we had entered the castle and another group of guards awaited us, Thestral's... Bat ponies, Lunas personal guard though I was sure they could be found elsewhere I had just never seen any outside Canterlot... The two groups saluted one another the first group heading to the barracks to no doubt try to get some sleep, couldn't be easy.

The Thestral's however looked far better rested their captain immediately stepped up saluting which I returned.

"Bearers, sir... We're to take you immediately to the Princess’s, but first. Private Malone."

A young Thestral stepped forward saluting, she had fairly typical coloring, dark grey fur and a black mane and tail her eyes however deviated from the norm, rather than a bronze or gold her were pure silver.

"Sir."

"Take care of the children." He turned back toward us. "They'll be safe with her I swear to Luna."

"I understand." I nodded, she retrieved a small cart which Rarity, Applejack and Twilight placed their sleeping fillies gently in. I stepped up placing Star on her back kissing her brow as she slept on. "See you soon baby..."

"I'll guard them with my life sir." Malone whispered clearly uncomfortable having a foal on her back but at the same time amazed at the feeling.

"I know you will." And with only one chance for a last backward glance for us we were lead onward through the corridors past the audience chambers deep into the castle, I knew my way around the castle a little bit, Twi knew the ways much better but the situation, pulses of energy and the speed they were leading us we quickly lost track.

Finally, we came to a wide hallway I did recognize, last time I had been here the sun shone through the many stained glass windows depicting important scenes throughout Equestrias history. Now... We stepped cautiously to avoid the thousands of shards of glass a mere few managing to cling to the window frames.

"No..." Was our echoed whisper.

"It can... No, will be repaired believe me. Come..."

Luna's voice echoed down the hall luring us down the hall to a wall of darkness, our honor guard faded back as I tentatively reached out to touch the wall only to have a hoof reach out to pull me in!

"Rick!" The girls cried out.

There was only a moment of darkness then blinding light, I instinctively clamped my eyes shut reaching out to locate whoever pulled me in finally contacting soft fur firm muscles underneath. Along with that came a giggle I knew fairly well, Luna. And a cleared throat...

"Humph... If your quite through groping Luna's hindquarters..." I yanked my hands away before they got chopped off recognizing Discords voice eliciting a chuckle from him. "Here, put these on."

A pair of heavy glasses were placed into my hand, made for a pony but they fit well enough that I could crack my eyes open without being blinded, Luna and Discord stood beside me a scowl on him and a cheeky grin on her. They too looked tired, no dampeners on them though I didn't know if they would even work on them, Luna's horn was lit up and Discord... Well until it happened I never really could tell when he was using magic.

"What’s going on?"

Luna shook her head. "No need to explain it multiple times, bring the others through and we'll show you."

Discord handed me a box with more 'sun' glasses in it and I passed back through.

"There you are! I was worried."

"Sorry love." I leaned down to give her a soft kiss before straightening up to address everyone. "They want to explain everything to us altogether, so if you'll each put on a pair of these and pass through..."

"Ugh... Is this all they had? How gauche..."

"Now’s not the time fer fussyness Rare."

"Fine, I just hope no ponyatzi are nearby..."

I passed out the glasses all the girls curious about just what lay beyond the barrier, well Fluttershy might have been a bit more terrified then curious but she was a lot better, braver... She had her moments, didn't we all? She'd been through a lot but she was still here, she'd never abandon her friends that much I knew.

We passed through, even with the glasses I couldn't really see what lay ahead as Luna and Discord led us on. The pulses hadn’t stopped either if anything they seemed more frequent their strength undiminished.

"We sent you the message the evening after this began, it wasn't nearly so strong nor as frenzied as now." Luna began explaining as we walked, it was slow going besides the pulses there was another energy here as strong if not stronger, it made the air thick with power honestly the combination was beginning to give me a headache though the others didn't seem adversely affected by it.

"Once we determined where the disturbance was coming from it was a fairly simple task for the three of us to seal it though we weren't quite sure what was causing it..."

"Celestia wasn't sure..." Discord interrupted. "You and I my dear have had a much closer encounter with it."

"Discord! She's felt its power as strongly as us I'm sure... Anyhow, our wards held, only the occasional burst could be felt on this side and not far until yesterday..."

Discord stepped up rubbing her side comfortingly and continued. "All of us were taken by surprise, it burst through... The power and force echoing through the city and beyond." He glanced at Luna then back to us. "We have protections you understand? The ponies... Well the Pegasus and Earth ponies suffered not much more than horrible headaches and many hours of lost sleep these past few days." He grinned but it slipped almost immediately. "The Unicorns... Their magical sensitivity... It was a bad reaction."

"What do you mean?! Did my...?"

Luna was quick to answer. "No no Twilight, your parents are fine..." She soothed guessing her concern. "There have been a few fatality’s, older ponies whose hearts couldn't take the strain..." She whispered. "Please don't mention it, she already blames herself for everything..."

She hung her head and Discord continued. "Unfortunately that isn't all, many Unicorns simply couldn't handle the magical strain. They shut down, catatonic every one... Nearly half the city’s population."

"What can we do to help?"

"There’s nothing you can do 'sir' Sparkle." He jokingly sneered. "I'm afraid it shall be fully upon them as it so often is..." He smiled apologetically gesturing back to the six mares behind me.

"Us?" They echoed.

"Surely we can help somehow?"

"No..." Luna whispered. "It's the Elements themselves you see; they've gone berserk..."

The light level dimmed no doubt thanks to Luna reveling to us what was once a strong door Celestia and Luna's marks barely visible on it through the damaged and fractured surface, with every pulse they seemed to spread they were coming faster now at least once a minute but another even greater power held them in check... She stood not ten feet from the door her horn aglow with blinding light containing the energy within and she didn't stand alone, John was by her side heedless of the pulses his eyes covered and wrapped to protect him from her radiance. But he didn't let that stop him he had a small cart laden with food and drinks which he plied upon her when he could. There was evidence that Spike had been here too a small pile of comics and toys to the side though how he read them I had no idea.

"Thank you for coming, things have gotten... A little out of hoof..." She smiled wanly looking back to us her radiance undiminished.

"Princess!" Twilight rushed to her mentors side the others close behind. "Are you alright? How did this happen? What’s going on in there? What kin we do ta help? We're ready to kick some butt Princess!"

While the girls bombarded the Princess with questions I moved over by John clearing my throat quietly. "So we meet again blindfolded one." I chuckled.

He jumped slightly but grinned. "Funny, it's just I knew you were coming so I took precautions so I wouldn't have to see that ugly mug."

"Nice, so seriously what’s going on?"

"No idea. Tia fell out of bed pulling me along with her that’s how it started for me."

"Oh really...?" I teased.

"Hey! It's not like that... Well, maybe a bit like that..." He blushed.

"You dog... Congratulations, how’s it going here in the castle?"

"Good, good... I still have some days where I don't believe this is real... She's real..."

"You and me both." I chuckled.

"Every day is a bit more amazing, though... Well, unless this thing kills us all..."

"If I've learned anything it's to trust the Princess’s and the girls to come up with some kind of plan..."

"Stand back we're going to open the door!"

"See... Wait, what?! I think I missed something important here."

Celestia pulled John aside, Luna, Discord and I also moved aside as the girls lined up before the door.

"We don't know what’s going on inside, if it's something trying to use the Elements, corrupt them as Sombra tried or something completely different! We're going to try to take control of the Elements as soon as the door opens then we can deal with whatever else there may be." Twilight explained and I could see by Celestia and Luna's faces they weren't completely sure about this plan but they had few options.

I don't like it...

We'll be fine, I trust you and Princess Celestia and Luna to keep us safe.

I'll do what I can but I think I'll rely heavily on the Princess’s here, just as their relying on you...

I know... "Ready girls?"

"Ready!"

"Princess Celestia..."

She nodded the light radiating from her ebbing off slowly, strangely the pulses too seemed to slow and by the time Celestia had lowered her power levels to simply lighting the room they had stopped altogether.

"What in the...?"

The badly damaged door collapsed causing us all to back up a step several protective wards springing up to shield the girls but whatever I and everyone here expected when the dust cleared we were all at a loss for word at what was waiting for us...

Just the elements, no intruder, no hostile magic... They floated there as if waiting but the moment the dust cleared they flew across the space separating them from the girls in a split second, the wards slowed them not a moment but thankfully all they did was attach themselves around the necks where they belonged Twi's crown settling on her head. There was silence a moment then they all glowed together suddenly a last pulse flying out from them this one soft as a whisper passing through us, Canterlot and beyond in an instant.

We all stood still afraid to break the silence for nearly a minute, finally I took a step towards them and they suddenly stiffened all six of them turning in unison facing north-west whispering as one. "There..."

I moved to Twilights side kneeling down but not quite sure if I should touch her. "What was it?"

Her eyes were glazed but she blinked several times shaking her head clearing them. "We... We need to go that way." She pointed the way they were all looking the others coming out of their stupors nodding in agreement.

"Why? What’s out there?" Discord asked peering out the window as if it would be obvious.

"Ah'm not sure..."

"Something important..."

"Something awesome!"

"Something scary..."

"We just gotta go!"

"It's the elements, they want us to go but... What’s out there?"

"Atlantis..." Celestia and Luna whispered together, I had all but forgotten that it was there that they had found the Elements of Harmony! Or I suppose that was just what they'd named them...?

"Prepare the north train immediately!" Luna called out.

"Yes Princess!" Answered the group of Thestral, they'd been so silent I had forgotten they were even there!

"North?" I asked watching the girls, they seemed alright a bit dizzy and flustered, no matter which way they turned or looked it seemed they'd return pointed towards their... It's goal.

"To the Crystal Empire, it's as close as we can get them..."

"Us."

"Of course..." Celestia smiled softly, now that she wasn't holding back the force of the Elements she looked weary too leaning against John who was busy trying to unwrap his head. "I'm so sorry, if we had any clue this could have happened..."

"We know Princess, how could..." Twilight began but her head slowly moved as she talked facing north-west again, she jerked it back with an irritated but adorable grunt. "How could any of us have known? Please don't blame yourself, we'll do what we can to make things right. See what they... It? Wants, right girls?"

"Of course, ah got some plantin an clearin ta do but I recon Big Mac an Inkie kin handle things... Tarnation! What about Apple Bloom?"

"And my dear Sweetie Belle?"

"Star and Scootaloo..." Twi and I echoed looking at each other.

"Fear not my friends, I shall look after the young ones while you are away."

Celestia looked at her sister amazed. "You?!" Then covered her mouth. "Was that out loud?"

"Very amusing sister, we will." She smiled nervously pulling Discord to her side.

"We will?!" He gasped.

"Oh Discord don't be silly, I know you and Luna will do just fine." Fluttershy encouraged.

"But Princess, your duties..."

"Nonsense Rarity, what bigger duty could I have then watching over my god-daughter, her sister and friends?"

"Thank you Luna, that does make me feel a lot better, Twi?"

"I'll trust my daughters to you both then." She smiled nodding to them.

"Well if your certain Princess... Sweetie Belle can be quite a hoof-full by herself, with her friends..."

"Worry not."

"Well then thank ya kindly."

"You'll have so much fun! Babysitting great!"

"Remember what I told you Discord, patience."

"I... I'll try Fluttershy..."

"You'll clear it with the academy Princess?"

"Of course cadet Rainbow Dash." Celestia smiled letting herself relax a bit now that the immediate danger had passed.

I sidled up to Discord nudging him in the ribs. "A little practice for you both for later eh?"

"What? Practice...? Nonono..."

I left him sputtering going to Luna and putting my arm around her neck giving her a quick hug. "Thank you, if you need any help with them Twilights parents..."

She gave me an 'as if' look then smiled. "We will be fine; I've spent some time with her... With all of them truly in the dream but to have her here... A real physical connection..."

"The train is ready Princess." The Thestral captain flew up surprising me.

"Right now? But... I guess time is imperative..."

"It may well be..." She turned and addressed everyone gathered. "The train is ready! I'm sorry you must go so soon but time may be of the essence..." Everyone thought a moment then nodded together. "Not to worry there are sleeper cars prepared for you on the train, I hope... I pray for your safe journey..."

"As do I, safe journey and a swift return home..." Celestia nodded to us and John urged her towards the door and no doubt her bedchambers waving to us as they went.

"Please follow us..." The Thestral's led us through the back ways of the castle again and out the back quickly through town and despite the late hour there were plenty of lights on in home ponies no doubt grateful for the quiet and I hoped for the awakening of those who had been catatonic... We reached the train station and just as they had said the train was waiting steam venting.

"We will be accompanying you as far as the Empire."

"I don't think that’s necessary..."

"Princess Lunas orders sir, we Thestral have some inherent resistance to magic and if the need arises you may be grateful we are with you."

"Good point, consider my objections withdrawn glad to have you with us."

"Thank you, we will watch through the night and you have but to wake us if you need us during the day."

"Understood."

They'd already brought and loaded our luggage into the train separating out what had been meant for the fillies and baby, the whole train was ours so we all found our own cabins storing our luggage and getting ready for bed.

Despite being keyed up from the evenings events I at least was quickly getting tired, Twilights yawns told me she was the same. We settled down having to take a few moments to find a position where she was comfortable and could still 'face' the way the Elements wanted. The crown was another issue, apparently the Elements did not want to be separated from the bearers as it wouldn't budge I imagined the necklaces of the girls was the same.

"Are you sure you’re comfortable?"

"It's fine Twi."

"Okay..." She yawned again as I squeezed her from behind my arms wrapped around her in the classic little spoon, big spoon position.

"Are you sure you’re ok?" I whispered kissing her neck both of us closing our eyes and relaxing drifting off.

"Yes... It's so strange, the Elements have been such an important part of our lives for so long... I never imagined they could be so dangerous, I guess I really should have..."

"Mmm... You are amazing in every way love, but try as you might you can't know everything or be ready for everything."

"That sounds like a challenge." She giggled. "But your right, though we can't afford not to be ready..."

"I know, one of the many things that I think about. I'm sure there will be things we won't be ready for, giant monsters, natural disasters, Scootaloo's coltfriends..."

She giggled again turning so we could kiss before settling back down. What about Star?

Oh no, I'm not going to think about that until I have to!

Silly...

We'll be as ready as we can be, it will have to be enough...

It will be, sorry to worry you.

My job love, sleep tight, love you.

Goodnight, love you.

Sleep snuck up on us and though the road ahead was unknown tonight at least we and Canterlot could sleep soundly...

Interlude: Taming Chaos

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"Hey! Watch where your galloping, you'll knock over that vase!"

"Can't you just fix it with magic uncle Cord?"

"Naturally, and don't you call me that... Scoota... Belle?"

A trio of giggles was his only reply for a moment.

"No, I'm Scootabelle!" The cute yellow furred filly with her red mane and tail as well as her pink bow.

"And I'm Appleoo!" Another adorable filly pure white with a purple and pink mane and tail.

"And I'm... Um... Sweetie Bloom?" Giggled the last cutie with her orange fur and messy mane and tail.

"Riiight... As much as I love chaos I must..."

"Can you turn into a bug uncle Cord?" Appleoo interrupted smiling angelically.

"Of course I can but that’s only..."

"What about a piggy?" Scootabelle grinned?

"Or a kitten!?" Appleoo chimed in.

"Anything! I can turn into anything, see?!" And with a poof he was a filly sized bug causing Appleoo to shriek and duck behind her friends, another poof and he was a pig resplendent in a three-piece suit, monocle and top hat then a cute kitten with his own face. But he wasn't done there, poof and he was a dragon! Who barely managed to avoid cracking his skull on the roof. Then an elephant the size of a mouse, then a mouse the size of an elephant! Birds, fish and ponies even a few they recognized! Finally he was himself again breathing heavily leaning against the wall. "Now will you..."

"My dad says you were really dangerous once..."

"Once...?"

"And that all Equestria was in your grasp until you were stopped by the only thing that could stop someone as powerful as you." Sweetiebloom smiled a matter of factly.

"Oh really? The elements of Harmony I presume?"

"Nah, though that would have been a lot cooler..."

"No? Then what?!"

"Love... That’s what he said, mushy I know but he said it must have changed everything for you. Not only with auntie Luna but Fluttershy too."

"Well I..."

"Is that true uncle Cord? Aww... It's so romantic!" Appleoo cooed.

"Eeyuk, but ah guess it's alright cuz now we get ta spend time with you an auntie Luna." Scootabelle smiled.

"Yes... I suppose... And your father is?"

"Rick."

"Rick... Ah! Then that makes you Scootaloo, you Sweetie Belle and you Apple Bloom!"

"Aww he figured it out."

"That’s ok it was fun anyhow."

"Ah'll say!"

They jumped him altogether knocking him over flustering him as three adorable fillies hugged him.

"Oh let them play Discord, come here." Luna's voice came from another room.

He disengaged himself gently patting each of them on the head. "All right you three go have some fun, but be careful don't be smashing too much. And don't be breaking any walls, especially not that one..." He pointed behind him. "I've always been fond of that fourth wall." He chuckled leaving the room and three confused fillies.

"What was that about?"

"No idea..."

"Who cares? Tag your it!"

"Ah! No fair Apple Bloom!"

Discord winced a moment hearing a crash behind him then sighed closing the door to their bedroom behind him finding Luna kneeling before their bed nuzzling the cute little foal on it, her... No, their god-daughter and he didn't care who said otherwise. He leaned on her back massaging her shoulders peering over her at the little foal.

"Unca!"

"Hello little Star, you’re not giving your auntie any trouble are you?" He grinned leaning down so she could boop his nose.

"How are the girls doing?" Luna asked turning so they could kiss.

"Fine... Though we'll likely have to mend every vase in the castle at this rate, are you sure you want one of those...?" He gestured behind him.

"A child of our own my love? Of course, someday... And those three fillies would be fine daughters for anyone, over exuberance just comes with the whole package." She giggled.

"I suppose... Why can't they be more like Star?"

"Oh just you wait, she'll be as much of a hell-raiser as they are I have no doubt." She giggled again as they turned their attention back to her, she just lay there between Lunas fore hooves watching them talk. When she was with a group she knew she tended to be more outgoing but in a group of adults or those she didn't know very well she seemed happy to stay quiet watching and listening cuddling up with someone she loved.

"Perhaps, but for now she's perfect as is." He chuckled scooping her up tossing her in the air making her squeal in delight catching her dexterously with his tail holding her behind him.

"Where did she go? Did I toss her out the window?!" He rushed to the window to look out in mock horror ignoring the giggles behind him. "Nope... Aha! I must have caught her with my tail!" He swept his tail around theatrically though she'd climbed out of its grasp and onto his shoulders a moment before. "Well I'll be..." He scratched his head thoughtfully as Luna and Star giggled. "I know! I'll listen for the sound of her little hooves!" He rotated his ears back and forth only to have a pair of little fore hooves cover them.

"Any luck?" Luna smiled barely able to contain her mirth.

"What? I can't seem to hear anything... I know! She had peanut butter and jelly for breakfast, I'll locate her by her peanut butter breath!" He prepared to take a mighty sniff but something stopped him, perhaps those same two sneaky forelegs reaching out to cover his nostrils.

"Anything?" Luna asked sweetly.

"Nod a thing..." Luna burst out laughing at his nasal voice and the adorable little filly on his back.

"Maybe... You should... Try... Something... Else...?" Luna gasped.

"Now that you mention it my shoulders do feel funny... Mayhap I'll just turn and look in the mirror..." He turned slowly to the mirror then stopped. "Well isn't that strange? The lights seem to have gone out..." The two little hooves covering his eyes might have something to do with that.

"Luna... Ach!" He turned moving toward her bumping his shin on a table. "Ow... Oh, let me try..." And in a blink he was a foot behind himself, the 'Discord' Star balanced on dissipated into mist letting her fall all of an inch before he caught her up in his powerful paw and claw. "Gotcha!"

She froze in shock a second then broke out in squeals and giggles hugging his muzzle then eliciting an adorable yawn as she calmed down.

"Oh dear, looks like it's time for a nap little Star."

"Kay... Auntie..."

She swept her up and away from Discord laying her down on their bed slowly but with great determination changing her tossing the old diaper over her shoulder with a grin. "Catch!"

"Hmm... Oh!" The rolled diaper bounced back and forth between his claw and paw several times as he desperately tried to catch hold of it before it slipped by landing on his face. "Curses!" He yanked it away in disgust then confusion as it wasn't even soiled! "What?"

Luna and Star both giggled as she put the finishing touches on her diaper job. "Forgetful? Stars been using the potty lately, and doing such a good job!" She nuzzled Star gently as she was trying to keep her eyes open.

"Of course..." He tossed the diaper into the hamper coming over to kneel by Luna one arm over her but his head detached floating on her other side. "I swear if I didn't keep my head securely attached I'd lose it... Oops!"

"You’re such a ham..." She chuckled kissing him before he could turn into a pig, boar or any other type of porcine.

Together they tucked her into their large bed one on either side of her.

"Sleep tight Star..." Whispered Luna.

"Sleep sweet little one..."

"..." She was already out like a light, they watched her a moment before looking up at one another.

"I know you'll be a great and entertaining father one day."

"Luna I..."

"When you’re ready my love, we have time..."

He smiled and nodded. "Yes..."

They kissed passionately each stretching out on either side of Star watching her sleep and smiling knowingly at one another at the occasional bump, squeak and crash from the other rooms.

Everyone knew music and singing were an important part of Equestrian culture and life but no one really knew why, even she and her sister only knew the barest of basics. A very old and very powerful spell cast... Intertwined into pony kind and could affect them no matter when or where sometimes even others with them. All ponies were affected differently, a few like Pinkie Pie needed little urging to burst into song. Some it was an occasional thing and others maybe only once or twice in a lifetime. It never forced anyone to sing but if one chooses to it helped, lyrics, rhyming and even music from nothing on occasion!

She'd felt her fair share of urges but she and Tia she knew had few occasions to let them happen with the expectations on them and all. Discord even less so, he wasn't a pony of course but he'd spend nearly all his life among them and it had happened before, more common long ago before... She could feel it rising up now and while she worried about waking Star she wanted to, needed to sing...

Song

She finished, they finished... Discord had sung as well somehow keeping time and rhythm with her. They both smiled Star still fast asleep between them.

"Well now, that was unexpected..." Discord chuckled quietly.

"A bit, but you kept up beautifully... Thank you."

"I still have my moments..."

"That you do beloved..."

They kissed again pausing hearing a couple of 'eews' and three sets of staring eyes.

"That was amazing!"

"Ah liked it, thar's been a lota singin on the farm lately with Mac an Inkie... It's sweet ah guess."

"I wish I could sing like that..."

"Ya can sing like that Sweetie Belle, heck it's yer dang talent!"

"That and being a dictionary..." Scootaloo giggled.

"Well sometimes, but I get it wrong a lot too..."

Luna and Discord stood and ushered them out of the bedroom sitting them on the couch.

"Let's let Star sleep, practice Sweetie Belle. Practice is what you need, you know the basics and in time you'll learn more and more."

"It's true, you think I just became the master of chaos overnight? It's been a long road paved with pies, pranks, puns and even the occasional chocolate rain..." He chuckled.

"Not the best role-model for you fillies..." Luna laughed as he clutched his chest in mock heartbreak. "However he's quite right, Celestia and I both trained and worked hard and we still do there’s always something new to learn. Be it a new verse, an aerial trick or even a better or faster way to fix or build something. The important thing is we keep trying, keep learning, keep moving forward."

"Does that make sense girls?"

"You bet!"

"Darn tootin!"

"Indubitably!"

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle confused. "What?"

"Um... I think it means okay? Rarity uses it sometimes..."

"Dictionary and thesaurus..." Scootaloo whispered making Apple Bloom giggle and Sweetie Belle blush.

"Hey! Thesaurus is a pretty big word too!"

"Nah, mom's always got one laying around. She's got books on everything... Wait!"

"What?"

"I've got a great idea but it'll have to wait until mom and dad get back."

"What? Tell us! Tell us!"

"Nope, ya gotta wait Sweetie Belle."

"No fair!" Apple Bloom chimed in the two of them looking ready to tackle her.

"That’s enough! Clearly we need to burn off some of that excess energy before supper, I know just the place where you can wrestle, fly loops and circles, sing your little hearts out and mayhap I'll bring a vase or two and you can try your hoof at putting them back together..." Discord chuckled.

"Kay!" They echoed.

"I'll keep an eye on Star, try not to have too much fun without me. Bye girls!"

"Bye auntie Luna!" They called out as they rushed out the door and down the hall.

"Wait! I need to show you where..." He sighed coming over to give Luna a quick kiss. "I'll get you for this you know?"

"Oh I know beloved, better hurry before they get away!" She grinned winking as he scowled shaking his head and blinked away.

She pulled herself up still smiling heading back into the bedroom retrieving a bottle of milk laying down with Star letting her cuddle up she'd surely be hungry when she woke up. She let her eyes shut touching Stars daydream and thinking to herself letting her mind wander. If only you could see how good you are with them Discord... Someday, someday... Just keep moving forward.

Chapter Three (Know the past.)

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Clickity clack, clickity clack... The wheels on the rails, Twilights soft fur and scent. The last things I remembered as I drifted off than nothing, but only for a moment as I opened my eyes to a sky full of stars and a beautiful little foal on my chest.

"Daddy!"

"Hiya baby..." I pulled her close giving her a kiss before looking around, Twilight and Scootaloo right beside me smiling. And off to the side Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom waiting eagerly to surprise their sisters when they fell asleep, they didn't have to wait for long...

"Hi sis!"

"Sweetie Belle...?! You should be asleep... I should be asleep!" She looked around confused holding her sister tight, Twilight and I smiled to her and gave her a nod.

"Runnin off ta adventure without me again sis?" Apple Bloom accused but still threw herself on her sister hugging her tight.

"You know it ain't like that Apple Bloom, but ah am sorry for havin to leave so soon... Wait a sec, where are we exactly?"

"We're dreaming! I've been here before." Scootaloo piped in before either Twilight or I could answer.

"Well I couldn't leave you three fillies nor my godchild without a proper goodbye, now could I?" Luna sored down smiling to us all.

"Auntie!" Star scrambled up leaping impossibly far through the air into her embrace.

"Hello my special little Star..." She whispered nuzzling her.

"Thank you Luna." Twilight rose bowing to her Rarity and Applejack following suit.

"Yes thank you so much Princess."

"Thank ya kindly Princess."

Luna blushed fetchingly. "No problem at all... I'll let you say your farewells, I shouldn't keep you all connected for long."

I gathered my little Angel up giving her a hug and kiss. "Sorry Angel, looks like we'll be a few days at least..."

"Dad! Why does it always have to be you two? Can't someone else go?"

Her ears drooped and she looked so forlorn breaking my heart thankfully Twilight was there to try to brighten her day... Night. "Honey... We're sorry but sometimes these things will happen, ponies depend on us and we can't let them down. I know you’re on that list too, and we have let you down..."

"Nope. Not even a little, I just get a bit worried when you’re gone but after all you've done for me... For everyone! I'm just proud, proud of my mom and dad ok?"

We held her tightly between us. "Thank you honey, that means a lot to us to hear that. We'll be back as soon as we can but until then we need you to look out for your sister and you'll be staying with Princess Luna."

"Really?! Awesome!" She looked up at Luna in awe.

"Yes you and your friends will be staying with Discord and I, hopefully we'll have lots of fun. Y... You can call us auntie and uncle if you like...?"

"Thanks auntie Luna!"

She smiled widely. "Go let your friends know, would you?"

"Ok!" She took off like a shot troubles for now put aside her sister squirming down to chase after her.

"No..." Luna held up her forehoof stopping us before we could speak. "Thank you. Thank you for trusting me with them, it's been so long since I've had any connection... Any at all, but now with my sister, Discord and even John. My special little Star... She looked back at her playing with her sister and friends smiling. "So much has changed and yet our past keeps catching up to us and endangering everything and everyone who we care for now... Please believe we would take this burden if we could but the torch has been passed to you for the Elements..."

"There’s no need to feel that way Luna, we chose to use the elements... Or maybe they chose us? I'm not sure, but we wanted to help and we'll continue to as long as we're able. Not to speak for everyone but I'm pretty sure they feel the same."

"And you Rick? Can you forgive me for endangering your wife and yourself?"

"There’s nothing to forgive, I don't own Twilight but I'll always stand by her. You and Princess Celestia have put your trust in me and I shall do the same, we'll work together to keep Equestria and each other safe eh?"

"Yes." She smiled sadly letting Twi and I hug her between us a moment. "We'll all play our parts, some of us a thousand times or more..." She whispered.

Suddenly our hug was joined by three giggling fillies and a foal all eager for some attention, we all joined in for a hug before the sky faded away returning each of us to our own dreams...

I jerked awake suddenly, nothing new I usually did once a night at least. It was still fully night out a glance out the window reveled the moon still high in the sky reminding me of the meeting we'd just had. They'd be safe with Luna, the danger we were carrying with us. I scanned Twilight carefully but I couldn't see a thing amiss with her, the same pony I loved. But the Elements... I shook my head gently, too tired to make any sense of things, I let myself relax Twi's soft breathing lulling me back to sleep, still at least a day and a half even at the trains considerable speed then how far to Atlantis? Tomorrow, tomorrow I reminded myself sinking back into sleep.

I woke again but this time to daylight and delicious smells, Twi just settling down with a tray of assorted breakfast goodies.

"Morning."

"Morning love..." I stretched with a yawn. "Did you make all this?"

"No, no..." She blushed slightly settling down beside me, while she could follow a recipe to a tee somehow the intricacies of cooking evaded her. Admittedly she sometimes got distracted, checking through the recipe again while it cooked, noticing an ingredient or even terminology she might not recognize going to look it up and... Well, let's just say I'd found use for my fire extinguishing spell more than once. Not that I was much better, simple stuff only but together we managed to keep our growing filly and foal full.

"The Thestral’s had everything ready for us before they went to bed themselves."

"Well that was nice of them." I helped myself Twi following suit. "we should do something similar for them this evening."

"Definitely, the others are eating in the dining car but I thought I would let you sleep in a bit..."

"How thoughtful..." I reached over to rub her neck a different kind of hunger awakening. "Are you sure you didn't want to be alone for some other reason...?" I asked my hands wandering over her.

"M... Maybe..." She gasped levitating the tray aside meeting my hungry kiss with her own.

We made our way to the dining car after hoping our dalliance went unnoticed but clearly to no avail, between Rarity’s knowing smile, and, Applejack and Pinkies mischievous grins and Fluttershy’s blush... A round of hoof claps later as we took our seats blushing.

"Ok, ok... Nosey mares." I teased back good naturally.

"Who us?" Rarity covered her chest feigning ignorance. "We would have to be up at the engine to remain oblivious... Hopefully you didn't awake the Thestral’s." She grinned with a wink Dash, Pinkie and Applejack bursting out laughing.

Twi recovered quickly no doubt used to a bit of teasing on their many mare nights. "Tisk, what’s the matter girls? Jealous?" She giggled sticking her tongue out.

"J-jealous? Moi? How could you say such a thing?! Of course, I am darling, but Applejack and Rainbow Dash are far more jealous then I."

"What?!"

"Ah recon ah can admit that, seein you an Rick not ta mention Mac an Inkie... Well..."

"Not me!"

"Oh Rainbow Dash honestly, there’s nothing wrong with wanting your special somepony."

"Well... Ya, but I've got plenty of time. Don't need no stallion holding me back!"

"Dash..." I chuckled. "Any stallion holding you back better be one strong son of a bitch!"

"And what about you Fluttershy?" Twilight asked quietly.

"Me? Oh... Yes... Someday, I do miss having someone..." She broke off a little pained everyone quiet suddenly.

"Well..." Pinkie looked around at us all smile breaking through. "That’s ok! There’s someone special for each of us I know it! It may take time to find them, but someday..." She grinned drawing everyone in for one of her many group hugs.

We hugged it out a moment before drawing back. "Okay, so... Does anyone know anything about this 'Atlantis'?" Twilight asked turning to me all the other girls following suit, at least until their heads were pulled back to the north-west, all of them snapping back to me with irritated grunts.

"Oh! Well let’s see... Just myths honestly, fanciful stories told of a race of 'humans' long ago their civilization having highly advanced scientific discoveries and even magic some say, far ahead of all others at the time maybe even now! There has never been any concrete evidence of its existence so far as I know, abandoned villages by the sea, roads and walkways that seem to lead to something lost beneath the waves but with so many searching and the advanced submersibles and diving equipment... Well, nothing even came of it, if it ever had really existed it simply disappeared. Impossible by our logic, but with what I know now... Maybe it's been here the whole time."

"But what about the humans living there?!" Pinkie asked.

"Well, the most portrayed story in books and film was as their civilization grew so did their arrogance, lust for power and control. To that end they developed a power... And here’s where no one can really agree is what it was, a type of magic, weapon possible biological. An army of invulnerable golems, the list could go on and on. One thing though remains consistent, whatever it was they lost control and the resulting backlash was the end of them all..."

"So the Elements..."

"They’re going home...?"

"But why now? The Princess’s had them for so long..."

"They only used them two times, we've used them so much more and remained connected to them... Someone, something must have noticed..."

"Now Twi..."

"Someone?! How could any of them still be there?"

"Pinkie, I don't know. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, there were theory’s that the Atlanteans were immortal but that's just one theory in a million. We'll just have to wait and see with our own eyes."

"Ah recon yer right Rick, still ah wish they wouldn't keep makin me look this way, ah'm gettin a crick in mah neck!"

We all got a good chuckle out of that before looking into the distance together straining to see... Anything, but whatever awaited our arrival was still too far away, only time would tell.

We spent the rest of the day catching up on each other’s lives pointedly ignoring anything to do with Atlantis then in the early evening making supper for us and the Thestral's, Twilight knew a bit about them so we made a meal we hoped they would like. When they awoke, we were on our way to bed, we bid them good night leaving them sleepy and a bit confused at our grins.

Twilight slept soundly but again my mind kept me awake, I'd told them everything that came to mind but still I tried to dredge up more, hell even if I had access to the internet I doubt I could come up with any truly useful information.

I pulled myself away from her gently trying not to disturb her slipping out of our cabin once I've pulled some shorts and a shirt on. We weren't far from the caboose so I made my way there for some fresh air and hopefully clear my mind...

The night air was quite chilly as we had been heading north and even in the summer the nights got quite cool as least until passing through the protective field around the Empire. Despite the cold it was a beautiful night, clear showing the stars and moon clearly reminding me of Luna making me smile. Hopefully she and Discord weren't finding the girls too troublesome, though of the past was any indication... I chuckled at the thought stretching out to grab the roof support bars on either side of the cabin pulling until I felt a few joints pop pleasantly, I cracked my neck and knuckles as well things that helped me relax though as I did so I heard a small squeak above me? Looking up I could just make out the outline of a small pony... No, Thestral head peering down at me the eyes, her eyes were somewhat familiar...

"Malerie?"

"Malone, sir." With a flap of her bat-wings she soared out and around landing gracefully beside me. "You... You should be asleep sir."

"Heh, true." I looked back out at the horizon. "Long way to go into the unknown..."

"Yes sir..."

"You’re the mare who took care of my girls?"

"Briefly sir, just watched them sleep really before Princess Luna dispatched us."

"Never the less I appreciate it."

"Thank you, sir."

"That's not really necessary..."

"Oh the Princess told us you would say as such and that it was very necessary." She smiled. "But it's an honor to make this trip with you, it's only my first year with the Nightguard and Canterlot is quite peaceful... Well until recently."

"Yes..." I chuckled. "If you don't mind me asking where do Thestral's usually live? I mean, I've only encountered them as part of Luna's guard."

"Well most of us are nocturnal so unless you were on a night schedule you likely wouldn't meet many of us but to answer your question we are found all over Equestria in small communities, other ponies find us... Odd, I suppose would be the best way to put it, our nocturnalness and appearance. We tend to keep to our own kind but not entirely I've heard of a few who have good friends even partners outside our race..."

"Only a few? That’s unfortunate..."

"It's not so bad, but in Canterlot we are something more... Special, privileged many might say I guess. As Princess Luna's guards, we're viewed differently, feared unfortunately but also respected, it's a strange situation but we appreciate all Princess Luna has done for us."

"Now that’s something else, how did you... The Thestral's this is become Luna's guards and confidents?"

"Oh, well..."

"I would like to know too..." Twilights voice came from behind us as she stepped out onto the platform closing the door behind her. "I've read a little about it but the subject matter is very sparse..."

"I'm sorry Twi did I wake you?"

"No and Yes." She smiled sitting on the small fold down bench where I joined her. "You didn't wake me when you left but I can't sleep very well without you, you know?"

"You and I both." I chuckled kissing her softly then we looked over to find Malone frozen like a deer in the headlights.

"Magic... I mean, Element bearer!" she bowed deeply stammering. "Princess and friend to Princess Luna!"

"Princess...? Twilight blushed. "Well for all of a few months, really don't worry about it."

"It counts..." She whispered wide-eyed but smiling. "And you can touch the dream..."

"Wow, she wasn't this impressed when she met me but then again I've always said how amazing you are."

She blushed again giving me a gentle shove. "Oh you. Anyhow, please tell us."

"If... If you’re sure?" At our nods, she continued hesitantly at first but gaining confidence as she spoke. "My great-great Gran used to tell me so many stories, long before the Princess’s there were the three tribes though in reality four. The Thestral's, though we shared similarities with each tribe they were welcome in none..."

"What similarity’s?" Twilight interrupted clearly interested.

"Well I'm not sure... But from what she told me we had a portion of the Earth ponies spirit making us robust and strong, the Pegasus’s affinity for flight though perhaps not as skilled as the Wonderbolts we have a few talented flyers among us..."

"And the Unicorns?"

"We have a few spell casters though none that could match your skill Princess..."

"Twilight. Please just call me Twilight, and I'm still learning really." She blushed.

"I... Very well, Twilight..." They smiled together as if sharing a secret, for a pony who's only friends were books for such a long time you certainly have a knack for finding new ones, bringing out the best in them and you...

"But deeper than that was our connection to the Dream, it was also this that caused our ostracization at least partially. Even then the three tribe’s cooperation was only for the sake of survival and we... Well, I guess we didn't fit into that picture."

"Hmm..." My disapproval must have shown as she quickly continued.

"It was a very long time ago, things have changed. But back then... Back then we teetered on the brink of survival, scrounging and scavenging but we did have an edge. Like Princess Luna and you Twilight we can touch the Dream, we can't affect it as you do nor view the dreams of those capable of shielding themselves but most others we can see easily."

"How would that help you?" I asked a bit confused.

"Ponies... And perhaps even you sir, dream of many things often in the same night. Some you remember but others are only fragments of your day, random thoughts... But mixed within are secrets, with patience and time they learned what was important and not. Information about stashes of goods, places of importance, unguarded food stores, secrets so many secrets... I know, they kind of sound like the bad guys here but they were just trying to survive!"

"Fascinating! How did they...? How you do it?! Is it a spirit walk as part of a meditative process? Or more like peering through a window do you have to be close or touching them? What about..."

"Twi... Love, give her a moment to answer." I chuckled as she blushed sitting back leaning against me.

"Right, sorry."

"It's fine! It's difficult to explain... Each of us has over own level of skill but for most I guess it's like ... Watching a movie, you have to know or have closely observed the target then when they sleep by freeing your mind in the correct way concentrating on that one pony we're drawn to their dream and can observe as long as they sleep. We don't do that now! Princess Luna is very strict about such things and rightly so."

She was an apt storyteller and the light hoofclicks I heard above us suggested others were listening to but thankfully they didn't seem to mind her talking to us.

"Everything I know comes from my great-great-gran, when I was young she just told me fanciful tails to entertain a young filly. Then as I got older darker tales and truths to try to prepare me for adulthood, she passed away when I was nineteen..." She hung her head sadly.

"Sorry..."

"My condolences..."

"She had a long full life..." She smiled wiping a tear away. "But I had just truly begun to gain an interest in what she had been telling me, learning about our history. My dream was always to become a member of the Night guard but I also wanted to learn all I could about our past, my gran... All my grans lives to honor them..."

"I'm sure she and they would be proud."

"Thank you sir. Anyhow, the three tribes at first had no clue of our abilities but as time passed and they looked deeper into it they made some discoveries and one pony, a Unicorn named Clover the clever discovered and exposed our secret..."

"What?!" Twilight burst out.

"I don't think she knew what would happen, how badly we needed that edge and she naturally had to answer to her superiors. The word spread though and they were even more hated but at that time there was little they could do about it; the summer had been merger and an even harsher winter loomed..." She smiled and nodded to Twilight. "Yes I've heard the story of Equestria’s founding and I think it lines up with that fateful winter. Truly the Thestral's found the least hardship that winter deep in the caves, they were hungry but safe and warm. Lichen, moss and mushrooms kept them alive and when the spring finally came and they emerged they found the ponies all gone! Homes and fields abandoned, at first they were happy the ponies who looked down on them for so long were no more but before too long it turned to concern. What happened to them? Did they all die off? Attacked?! Enslaved?!"

Twilight tensed against me though she well knew the stories outcome at least so far as the three tribes were concerned it was the story she loved either reading it herself or being well-told like this one she got so into it.

"At the time though they had problems of their own, the monstrous winter had finally given way to a fertile spring and they had to try their own hooves at farming! Though nocturnal the premise remained the same unfortunately few of them had any experience, thankfully some of the orchard trees had survived and as they began to bear fruit things slowly began to get better, the first few years were hard but working together they managed to grow but never really prosper and always in the back of their minds they wondered what became of the three tribes... Finally, five years after that fateful winter they felt self-sufficient enough to begin sending out scouting parties. The trail was long gone but they felt if they could find something, anything!"

"Hmm... Why did they feel such a compulsion?" I wondered aloud.

"Gran never told me but I can guess... The three tribes and us, despite our differences we're joined ponies all of us one way or the other... That’s my theory anyhow."

"I think that’s a great theory Malone." Twilight smiled.

"Thank you." She stopped a moment looking thoughtful perhaps remembering where she left off. "The scouts had to go further and further afield often gone for days at a time but no one protested the use of resources though time and again they came back with no news. But they persisted and months after they had begun they came upon the first of many pony settlements, still small but growing and stranger still was the mixed populations! Before the three tribes kept to themselves with very little intermingling. But now all three tribes were working together, living together, they saw some signs of tension still but clearly something had changed..."

The hearths warming story?

That was a part of it I think but ponies can be just as stubborn as any and I'm sure many of them resisted that change but something else happened... Something big...

Such as?

I've read a bit about it but it's her story to tell remember? Her great-great-grandmother must have lived a long time!

How long do Thestral's live?

Quite a while, sometimes up to two hundred years.

Interesting...

"Once they reported back more and more scouts were sent out finding many small towns and villages all in a short radius and in the center, was a great mountain with several peaks the largest of which had been flattened! Sheared off, removed in some way, the power required... They couldn't even comprehend, all three tribes working in unison even with the magic of the Unicorns it would have taken centuries! And upon that surface they seemed to be building a great walled city and castle, Pegasus seemed to be bringing materials and workers but far below a road was beginning to take shape carved into the mountain itself!"

She's quite the story teller, now if I know you you're memorizing all you can so you can write it down later eh?

Maybe... You have to admit it's fascinating, so much we still don't know and understand.

True, there’s always more to learn.

Isn't it great?!

"This information pushed our ancestors to action! The three tribes must have discovered something immensely powerful to have advanced so far and so fast. They quickly made arrangements abandoning their new homes migrating en-masse under the cover of night taking all they could along with them, they flew on and on the young and old help by those who could. The scouts leading the way, they had found deep caverns in and under that very mountain and those were their target."

"What did they hope to accomplish?" I asked.

"No one knew! There were those who hoped the three tribe’s new harmony would extend to them, others who thought that they might have something worth searching their dreams for and those who just wanted to be free of pony society altogether to live on their own! But every one of them came willingly, no coercion or intimidation... Almost as if they were all of one mind. The caves were beautiful, unmarred with large crystal formations and room for them all a thousand times over! But there was something else as well, waiting for them..."

She paused a moment eyes closed wings wrapped around herself. "I have to remember this right, what my gran told me and hers before her and before her..." She smiled opening her wings hopping up onto the guard rail balancing easily spreading her wings wide. "Taller than any three Thestral's he was, black as deepest night but with silver shot through his flowing mane and tail, his horn and wings marked him as something none of them had any experience with and when he spread those wings..." She gestured out into the night. "Like a sky full of stars, his silver eyes were stern but welcoming and his smile warm. 'My children, welcome. Welcome home.' He said. Naturally there was more than a little confusion and a thousand or more questions but to their immense surprise he sat his horn glowing pulling each and every one of them into the dream with him! There within he answered all questions explaining that he, Night Sky and his wife Solar Wind had come from far, far away drawn by the three tribes and them. They wished only to help them, lead them if they would allow. The three tribes had acquiesced seeing their power and most were quickly won over by their kindness and compassion. But now he put the question to them, would they join? Become a part of the newly created kingdom of Equestria? He could promise them little but fair treatment, there were still dangers aplenty. Neighboring kingdoms that may well resent this new upstart kingdom, the wild tribes of Buffalo to the west, dangerous monsters in the forest, Dragons and more! But he knew and deep down so did they that if they all worked together Equestria would blossom!"

"I wonder how he knew they were there, were coming...?" Twilight mused.

"He was an Alicorn..."

"Still..."

"Maybe the first, he and his wife that is."

"And where did they come from?! I have a few very old books about them but nothing about that."

"I don't know, no one does. Maybe not even Princess Luna or Princess Celestia..."

"I'll have to remember to ask... Oh! I'm sorry, I keep interrupting. Go on please."

"There’s not much more to tell to be honest, our ancestors accepted his offer of course bringing us into pony society, difficult with the three tribes only just beginning to learn to work with each other! Through it all I think we've all grown and become closer, with a few... Hiccups. But now with Princess Luna's return we've again began our re-insertion into pony society."

"That’s right, what happened when she was... Gone?"

"A lot!" Someone must have signaled her from out of view as she hopped down from the railing folding her wings. "But that’s a story for another night, even hero's need their sleep." She smiled.

My interest in the story had kept me awake but now I felt my weariness fall on me like a stone, Twi was the same barely keeping her head up.

"Thank you for the story, I would be very interested in hearing the rest another time if you don't mind?" Twi yawned letting me scoop her up as I rose to head back inside.

"It would be my pleasure." She smiled blushing.

"Thank you, good night. To you all." I managed a short bow then made my way back to our cabin settling down.

So amazing, I wish I could have seen it all.

It would have been something for sure, goodnight love you.

Love you.

The past shapes the future; the future forgets the past then repeats it... We can only hope each new generation retains... Something.

Chapter 4 (Dark nights, dark days.)

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Seven am was far too early after last night but apparently, no one had told Pinkie that...

"Wake up sleepyheads! It's time for breakfast! Ooh! Maybe they made pancakes, with syrup! And strawberries... Ooh, ooh! And powdered sugar! And..."

"Pinkie..."

"Whipped cream and..."

"Pinkie!"

"Yes Rick?" She smiled adorably and I couldn't be mad at her.

I sighed with a grin. "You’re standing on Twilight."

"Oop! Sorry Twilight!" She giggled hopping down.

"Pinkie..." She growled but much like me she couldn't resist that smile. "Ugh, fine. Coffee first, then breakfast."

"Okie dokie!" And she was off like a shot, to get coffee or dig into breakfast I wasn't sure. That question was quickly answered as I'd only just swung my legs off the bed and she was back depositing a steaming mug beside Twilight on the nightstand. "See you soon!" And she was gone again.

"Pinkie... Thanks." She shook her head smiling levitating the cup over for a sip. "Ugh! Jeez Pinkie did you put any coffee in this cup of sugar?" She giggled.

"Of course there is silly! And it's only thirteen spoonful’s." Pinkie head popped out from around the corner making us both jump. "Bye!"

This time she proceeded down the hall, or did she? I peeked out in time to see her exit into another car before closing the door so I could get dressed in peace, turning back I found Twi dumping the mug out the window her look of distaste clear. I knew she liked her coffee black and even her tea only occasionally sweetened with a spoonful of honey.

I chuckled falling back into bed with her wrapping my arms around her pulling her close. "Mmm..." I breathed her in. "My favorite place to be..."

She turned to face me and we looked into one another’s eyes before kissing softly. "Definitely... But I suppose we had better get up or Pinkie will have everyone down here and breakfast with them!"

I chuckled giving her one last squeeze and kiss before getting up and dressed, before long we were enjoying a delicious breakfast with our friends. conversation was minimal all of us getting a bit nervous knowing we'd pass through the barrier soon and arrive at the Empire proper later that afternoon.

And with a sudden jolt of magical energy and greater brightness through the windows we'd passed through! We all looked out excitedly seeing fields and farmhouses a few ponies looking up from their work to wave to the train.

"Won't be long now, I just hope Cadence and my brother can tell us more..."

"I'm sure they can... What...?" I stopped mid-sentence feeling the train slow then grabbing my armrests along with everyone else as the wheels squealed rapidly slowing bringing the train to a sudden halt."

"What'n tarnation!"

Before any of us could move or comment further a flurry of activity erupted from the Thestral sleeping car and we were surrounded each of them taking up defensive positions.

"What’s happened?!" The captain barked neither he nor any of the Thestrals showing any sign of just being jerked from a sound sleep, I was impressed.

"I'm not sure..." I could hear a faint commotion outside the train and inched my way to the door to look well aware of everyone right behind me. Closer and closer until I could slip the door open and risk a quick look out... right into the middle of an argument.

"I told you Hun, too much power. You need to take it slow, I've had a lifetime to get used to it..."

"Ok, ok... Your right, I just thought..."

"I know..." Cadence smiled wryly kissing her husband then noticing and turning to me. "Sorry for the rough stop, someone doesn't know his own strength." She gestured to a sheepish Shining Armor.

"I said I was sorry... Hey bro, everyone ok?"

That question got answered pretty quickly by an excited purple Unicorn nudging by me excitedly hugging her brother and sister. "Shining Armor, Cadence! Sunshine, sunshine..."

Everyone disembarked as they did their cute greeting including two angry engineers at least until they saw who stopped them then they were all smiles and bows. Last I'd seen him after my recovery Armor had changed quite a bit and that seemed to have continued, he and Cadence had always been near to the same height but now he stood about half a foot taller than her and considerably bulkier though he always had been. Despite it all he still remained the goofy stallion we knew and loved.

"What’s with meeting us way out here? Trouble?" I asked looking around suspiciously and with everything that had happened lately one could hardly blame me.

"Nothing like that." Cadence answered smiling but then turned serious. "Auntie Celestia and Luna spoke to us last night in our dreams filling us in and we agreed with them that whatever lies out there..." She gestured out the way the girls were trying very hard not to turn their heads toward. "You'll need to sort it out sooner than later."

"I suppose that means my hopes of a hot bath and a fluffy feather bed are dashed." Rarity sighed.

"We can promise you that and more when you return Rarity." Armor smiled. "But for now, we can only make sure your properly prepared." He gestured behind them to a wagon laden with winter gear, packs and supplies.

"Not necessary sir, did the Princess’s not inform you that we thoroughly prepared?" The captain asked gesturing to his own pile of supplies the Thestrals had quickly retrieved.

"They did but we have first-hoof experience with what’s out there and we just want you to be well-prepared." Armor countered calmly.

"Of course, sir." He replied clearly unconvinced.

"Better to be over then under-prepared, right?" I asked. "And if we can use that wagon as well we'll be able to take all we'll need."

"Sure, I mean the terrain can be a bit rough out there but with all of you I'm sure you'll be able to manage."

"Sounds good, right?"

The captain grudgingly nodded. "It would be advantageous..."

"Good, now that's settled let’s get you all kitted out." Cadence smiled warmly.

It took a good half-hour or so to get everyone suited up for moderate cold with extra layers stored on the wagon for when they'd be needed along with traveling ration and containers for water which would be plentiful lots of snow and ice where we were going and we were capable of melting and purifying it thankfully.

They didn't have too much for me personally, a hastily adjusted jacket, scarf and cap but I wasn't too worried I liked the cold and could handle it. Twenty below was a bit chilly, thirty getting a bit nasty, forty or fifty? Well that’s when things get really bad, I had experienced fifty below once winds howling and snow blowing. I trudged to work and home in it once but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it.

Besides magic would even things up with the insulation spell though I would have to be careful. One of the many lessons in my training involved casting in extreme cold conditions how it would sap your strength much faster, not a problem in town, out shopping or out for a walk but out here... I would be careful to ration my strength but with Twilight here I was sure we would be fine.

"No one we asked has ever been out that far so be careful and return safely and soon." Cadence smiled sadly.

"We'll know the moment you pass back through the shield and come as quickly as we can, just a little something I thought of." He grinned buffing his forehoof against his chest a moment before getting a playful shove from his wife.

"Showoff..."

We all got a good chuckle out of that as we reached the shields edge. "Swift journey my friends, stay safe." Armor and Cadence grabbed Twilight and I for one last hug before we passed through.

"Bye! We'll bring you back a souvenir!"

"Pinkie! What sort of a souvenir do you think we will even find?"

"I dunno Rarity... Rocks? Ooh! My sisters would love souvenir rocks! Remind me to get some rocks!"

"Rocks...? Pinkie I... Never mind." Rarity shook her head with a bemused smile.

Outside the shield the temperature dropped significantly but not to an unbearable level maybe ten below but there were no complaints not even from Rarity which I half expected, the girls chatted as we walked more at ease now that we were on course. The Thestrals walked and flew around us at ease but still watchful showing no sign of weariness from their interrupted sleep.

"Captain... I'm sorry, what was your name? I never thought to ask."

"No need, but it's Cords sir."

"Thank you, will you all be alright? Not much sleep."

"Thank you for your concern sir but we've trained long and hard, we can go for days without sleep if we need to."

"Very impressive, however at this time you don't need to. You could take shorts sleeping in the cart as we travel keeping you all refreshed and ready for whatever might lay ahead."

He considered that a moment regarding me with his golden eyes. "She was right about you."

"Who?"

"Princess Luna, she said I could trust you and while I was resistant to put my faith in such an unknown but it seems I should have trusted my Princess."

"Always a good idea, and I appreciate your trust. I'm still new to this whole 'knight' thing."

"Yes, the Princess did mention you were looking to train your abilities, I'm sure your lovely wife handles your magical training?"

"A bit, she likes to learn all she can while I've been focusing on healing and defensive arts though I must learn the offensive as well to know how to cancel them out... Wait, how did Luna know I...? Oh, right." I really needed to learn how to shield my dreams, not that I minded Luna looking in but if she could so could others and their intentions might be much less benevolent.

"Interesting, might I have a small demonstration? Just for my own insight."

"Sure..." We moved away from the main group and I focused summoning the biggest ball of fire I could, pushing myself a little perhaps trying to impress Cords. It had been a long time since that day in the woods and the marble sized ball of fire I had summoned to protect myself and the fillies from Timber wolves. Training with magic wasn't really a chore, there was always something new, something to strive for. And so, it was easy to make a little time every day for at least a bit of practice.

Therefore, there came a ball of fire easily the size of an inflatable beach ball maybe even a bit bigger, it must have surprised him as he took a step back. Before I snuffed it out Pinkie was there with a many-pronged branch filled with marshmallows. Where she even... Never mind, I held it a few more moments while she twisted and turned her stick browning the marshmallows then zipping off with a 'Thanks!' passing them out to everyone. I sighed smiling releasing the magic turning to Cords again.

"Considerably more than I imagined, there are few casters among us, the Pegasus, Earth ponies and even many Unicorns who could match.

"Well it’s no Kama-Hama-ha but..."

"What?"

"Uh... Nothing, not that impressive really."

"Modesty, no need. Well your clearly covered in that area but she also mentioned you might be interested in some physical training?"

"Exercise or...?"

"Something a bit more involved, I suppose you might have been training with the Loyalty bearer, I've heard she's excelled at close combat at the academy."

"No, it's never come up."

"Then if you’re willing we'll begin tonight."

"Ok then..."

Turns out combat training at my 'level' mostly involved getting kicked around both in hand to hoof combat and with wooden practice weapons and in front of an audience no less. Twilight and Fluttershy covering their eyes half of the time, Rarity and Applejack wincing sympathetically but offering words of encouragement, Pinkie cheering it up sometimes for me sometimes for them. And Dash offering me valid tips when she wasn't laughing at me, so not many.

Needless to say, I was quite ready for bed that evening, a few magically heated rocks kept our campsite warm and combined with sleeping in two's and three's everyone was quite cozy. I lowered myself gingerly onto our sleeping mat my bruises and sore muscles letting me know I was a long way from combat ready.

"We could heal some of that, you don't have to try so hard you could get hurt!" Twi settled down beside me levitating our rations concern in her eyes.

And while she was quite right what little of my pride remained after being tossed around by Malone of all ponies kept me from doing so. "It's alright love, all part of the learning process..."

"It's too much! I don't care if you’re not as good at fighting as them..."

I cut her off pulling her close and kissing her soundly. Has any husband ever been so lucky? I've still got a lot to learn and some discomfort won't help me, I've got to be stronger to protect you, Star, Scootaloo, our friends and the ponies of Equestria...

You don't have to shoulder all that burden...!

I'm not, I have you by my side now and forever. You, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and even Pinkie Pie all do your share and more but you can't do it all on your own, you shouldn’t. You'll let me be your backup, won't you? Your shoulder to lean on?

That and so much more... Her tears fell freely, as I kissed them away her horn glowed softly lessening my fatigue and muscle ache. I'm yours to lean on too don't forget, never feel you can't.

I won't. "Love you."

"Love you."

"Was that a fight? It sure looked like a fight but then you made up without saying a word!" Pinkie giggled jumping onto us. "I'm so jealous, I can't wait to find my special somepony..." She sighed wistfully.

"Oh Pinkie..." Twilight smiled hugging her tightly. "You will, and it will be amazing you'll see."

"Really?"

"You know it Pinkie, you were just telling everyone how they'd find their special someone remember? Why would you think it wouldn't happen to you too?" I asked giving her a squeeze as well.

"Well... It's easy to want to cheer everyone up but sometimes it's not so easy to convince myself..." She admitted.

"Just you wait, someday out of the blue..." I chuckled.

We all settled down half the Thestrals planning to sleep for a bit while the others stood / flew watch, I'd tried to convince Captain Cords that we could share the watches as well but he was firm in his decision that they were here to protect us so we would be ready. Or more so the girls who would likely have to deal with whatever awaited us and I could respect that.

Twilight and I snuggled together smiling as Rarity tried to get Pinkie and Applejack settled down 'her' way.

"Pinkie dear you lay here and then Applejack and I will... Applejack!"

"What? It's been a long day Rare, ah just wanna git some shuteye."

"Not with those dirty hooves! However did you get so much filth in your hoof-covers?"

"Ah don't think it matter..."

"Please darling, for me?"

"Darn fussy... Fine."

"Thank you." She and Pinkie settled down and Applejack joined them after a moment.

"Spic an span yer fussyness."

"Oh, don’t be like that Applejack it's just... Aah! Your hooves are like ice!"

"Well ah did clean em with snow... Hmm, cold are they?"

Suddenly there was a flurry of action under their covers as Rarity tried to escape cold poking and tickling hooves, Pinkie not to be left out of the fun but they tried out quickly enough. Applejack, Dash and the Thestrals being the only ones used to this much constant physical excursion. Dash and Fluttershy were snuggled together near us also giggling at the antics of those three. Sleep came easily and for our first day things looked good but I wasn't naive enough to believe things would stay that way...

Baying howls woke me with a start, I had no idea how long I had slept but I felt well rested and the second shift of the Thestrals supported that though it was still dark. Looking around I could barely see everyone awake moving and wide-eyed the sleeping Thestrals quickly moving to surround us defensively.

"Wolves?" I asked getting up Twilight beside me.

"Wolves." Cords nodded looking out into the darkness, I couldn't see a thing but I was sure their night vision was near perfect.

"How many?"

"Lots..." Malone whispered I hadn’t even noticed her take up a position beside us.

"Forty-Two." Cords corrected. "If they attack keep them out of the circle no matter what."

"Sir!"

They made preparations herding us back to the middle, as insulting as that might be to Dash and I truly we weren't much use if we couldn't see. I felt a small tug on my hand, looking down I found Fluttershy. I knelt down giving her a comforting squeeze.

"It'll be ok Flut..."

"Can you make a light?"

"Uh, of course but what...?"

"Quickly please, I don't want any of them to get hurt!"

"Ok..." I slowly raised the light level expanding it reveling shadowy forms circling the campsite the first to be fully exposed narrowing its eyes growling at us. Typical coloring for a grey wolf but much larger more akin to old tales of Dire wolves... Well tales from Earth, or D&D maybe, easily as large as a pony and beyond the light there were larger shapes...

I raised the light further exposing more of the pack including what must be their leader, a grizzled but large and powerful bigger than any other.

"They’re so beautiful..." Fluttershy whispered taking a few steps toward them before I stopped her.

"I'm not sure that’s a good idea, it doesn't look like they want to be friends."

"You never know unless you try, and if a fight breaks out they or the Thestrals might get hurt!"

"Ok, ok... Are they intelligent?"

"Of course, they are!"

"I mean like you or I?"

"Oh... Well, not quite that intelligent."

"Fluttershy... Ok, we've got your back."

"Thank you."

"Fluttershy is going to try to talk to them, let her through."

The Thestrals looked back in surprise but moved aside to let her pass with a whispered 'Kindness...'

You’re ready to pull her back if things go badly right love?

Naturally, trust Fluttershy. Her empathy with animals is amazing.

Ok.

She moved up and sat a respectful distance from the circling wolves and began talking to them calmly and quietly, no matter how many times I had seen her calm and befriend an animal it never got old. And it seemed to be working, most of the pack stopped circling many sitting and listening to her, I even saw a few tails wag happily however several pack members weren't convinced the leader among them though they stood aloof at least they weren't baring their teeth anymore.

The leader growled and barked at Fluttershy looking us over and then at his pack. "Oh! Yes, of course this is your territory but we are just passing through..." More barks, yips and growls a very one sided conversation from our point of view. "We don't mean you any harm, can't you...?" A low growl was her only reply. "I'll tell them..." She sighed and got up patting a few of the wolves that had sat beside her then making her way back to us.

"Well?" We asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't convince them. They won't attack us..." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at that. "But they won't let us pass through their territory either. They insist we go back or..."

"We can't go back! Their territory could extend fifty miles!" Cords burst out.

"Just a moment." Twilight spoke up. "What was the alternative Fluttershy?"

"A challenge, one of their pack against one of ours..." She whispered.

"That’s more like it." Cords grinned. "I can take any one of these..."

"Not you... Rick."

They all turned to me and I suppose it wasn't too strange, out of our 'pack' I was the only one like me. Did that make me the strongest or weakest of us to them I didn't know...

"Just until one of you surrenders." Fluttershy quietly added. "No need for anyone to get hurt..."

"Alright then."

"You don't have to do this sir, we can break through and outrun them..."

"No Cords, best not to make any enemies out here." I quickly stopped Twi before she could object. "I'll be careful Twi."

"Humph... If you get hurt, I'll... I'll... Well I'm not sure but at the very least I'll be very angry with you."

I smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "I know it, now which one of them will I be fighting Shy? Please tell me not the leader."

"No not him, that one there." She gestured over to a young wolf pacing back and forth, he had typical coloring but was quite large even compared to most of the rest of the pack. "One of the leader’s sons I think, be careful..." She whispered backing off to join the others.

I moved up, the pack and our group spreading out to form a large circle. Surprisingly intelligent for animals... Though it seemed most of the animals here were more intelligent then back on Earth but even animals there could constantly surprise you, maybe they were less dependent on instinct? I would have to discuss it with Twi later.

I examined the wolf as I approached, I couldn't see much resemblance with the leader, well he was a wolf... What the hell did I know about wolves? Somehow, I had to defeat him without hurting him too much or 'offending' the pack leader. Not to mention getting hurt myself though I wasn't as worried about that, while I wasn't a combat master by any stretch dogs and wolves tended to telegraph their attacks that much I knew, their teeth being their only real mode of attack, just keep those teeth from latching on...

We faced off his hackles risen teeth bared waiting for some signal, I could likely end this quickly with some flashy show of magic but I didn't want to scare them, or did I...? As the leader growled and the wolf tensed up to charge I made a snap decision. The young wolf hurled himself forward trusting his speed and strength to carry the day, even if he didn't get his teeth in me his weight and momentum could easily bowl me over. He didn't have his packmates assisting him this time though letting me focus solely on him.

As he came on I sidestepped his teeth just catching my sleeve ripping fabric, the split second he was parallel to me I acted putting everything I had into a two-handed push with all my strength and some magic trusting these wolves were as tough as they looked. He flew about five feet hitting the ground hard with a small yelp but I didn't give him any time to recover pursuing him as soon as I'd struck tackling him forcing him onto his back grabbing one of his back legs with my right hand pushing his jaw up with my left darting down with my own jaws extended closing on his exposed neck digging my teeth in a bit.

While a human does have, an impressive bite force I wasn't fooling myself piercing his fur, skin and muscle wasn't likely but I didn't really want to hurt him anyway. It was the gesture that was symbolic... At least I hoped so, I'd read it somewhere though from something reputable or some adventure novel I wasn't sure.

He struggled claws scraping and scrabbling against me ripping up my jacket as I tried my best to maintain my hold keeping him pinned. If felt like much longer but in moments it was over, he stopped struggling letting out a low whimper. I held on a second longer than released stepping back massaging my sore jaw looking around, a sea of astonished stares all around. Wolf, pony and Thestrals, I guess they weren't expecting that... Snap decisions aren't always the best ideas but I figured a quick decisive strike that showed them we weren't to be messed with but in a way they were comfortable with... I hoped I hadn’t offended the pack or leader by his son’s swift defeat.

A moment passed then the leader tossed his head back howling to the moonlit sky the rest of the pack following suit even the wolf I'd just fought and most surprisingly Fluttershy threw back her head her long pink mane cascading as she let out an adorable howl. "We're members of the pack." She blushed with a smile.

"Temporarily at least." Cords grunted.

Fluttershy looked at him strangely a second then shrugged. "They really don't see it that way, either you are or you aren't. And we are, I think you impressed them Rick."

"Well one predator to another I suppose..." I chuckled.

One by one each pack member came up sniffing my hand and on to each member of our group until we'd all been integrated... Accepted. Then they went back to doing what they do, being wolves.

We still had a few hours of sleep left so we settled back down surrounded by the... By our pack, Cords wasn't quite convinced but Fluttershy assured us all we were perfectly safe and that was good enough for us.

Well that was... Something!

Hope I didn't give you too much of a fright.

A little, but in a good way.

What do you mean?

Seeing you so... Savage, strong... Feral... Mmm... She stretched against me teasingly. Maybe next time we get some alone time... She left that linger snuggling up.

Oh! I'm sure we can make that happen. I growled softly nibbling her neck before wrapping my arms around her holding her close as we all slipped back into sleep.

We were their enemies, now we're friends... If only all things in life could be so simple.

Interlude: The space between spaces

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The night sky shone with a billion stars, Luna looked out smiling as she turned her gaze down to the city below. She closed her eyes letting her mind touch dream after dream, long ago she resented those ponies she now smiled upon, watched over, protected.

A thousand years gave you a lot of time to think and while she had been mostly subjugated by the Miasma she could still think, ponder, regret, agonize and sink into madness... But that didn't happen... While the nightmare raged against her imprisonment a piece of her, a tiny piece still reached across the vast distance to touch the sleeping minds of the ponies. She wasn't able to interact with them and they never knew she was there but she saw, saw them grow, struggle, fall and get up.

And through them she saw her sister, through their eyes... Regal, powerful, perfect and serene... But even though they couldn't see it she could, that she was cracked, damaged... By her, the weight of a kingdom. She made a promise to herself then, no matter how long it took she would make it up to her, to them all once she was free...

She liked to think she'd made strides in that direction, through the night court, friends she'd made but mostly in the Dream. Even those few she revealed herself to few remembered but that didn't matter to her, she just wanted to help.

Tonight, however she had other plans, a quick pass over the dreamers and the night court closed. Tonight, she and Discord would try to expand the Dream. Her father had first taught her about the Dream, showed her it's beauty. While she knew, the Dream encompassed the whole world and every creature on it she could only touch those within Equestria. The Crystal Empire and even a few pony settlements on the border were beyond her reach, tonight she hoped to remedy that.

She could control the Dream, change it but there was still so much she didn't know, her father had barely begun her training before... She frowned shaking her head, no time to dwell. Tonight, I expand on your domain father, you and mothers dream... She took a deep breath turning back into her chambers the scene there bringing her smile back.

Her precious little god-child, her sister Scootaloo and her friends Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom all together on their large bed Discord with them, the girls snuggled together another long day of exploring the castle driving the staff nuts. And her beloved curled around them, not quite touching, not snuggling, just watching them until she entered then looked up to her with a grin.

"Finally, a little peace and quiet."

"Hardly your style at all dear one."

"Yes well... I suppose my time as a rock must have influenced me a bit." He chuckled stopping as he saw her face fall. "No, no..." He pulled her onto the bed across from him looking her in the eyes. "Not your fault, my fault. Never think otherwise." He smiled softly kissing her.

"But we..."

"Nope." He interrupted kissing her again.

"But you..."

"Nope." He repeated.

"You’re so infuriating sometimes!" She grumped.

"That’s why you love me..." He chuckled.

"Hmm... Maybe." She giggled sticking her tongue out. "But enough teasing, let’s get to work."

"As you wish..."

They settled down closing their eyes, their breathing slowed as time seemed to stop. They opened their eyes and they were on the very boundary of her influence in the Dream. She, Discord, a foal and three young fillies...

"What?! Luna, we are here at the edge of our world to try to expand what your father made, expending huge amounts of energy and power and you brought them?!" He accused trying to ignore the foal determinedly climbing his paw.

"Aww, you’re worried about them. I told you they'd grow on you..."

"Like a fungus..." He muttered.

"Their perfectly safe here, you or I can send them back in an instant. Your just being overprotective, and I love it." She giggled, the girls along with her.

He blushed slightly. "Hardly, more concerned that they'll distract us or knock over a vase that breaks the Dreaming..." Looking over he could see the condescending smirk on his beloved's face, three angelically grinning fillies not to mention the little foal now somehow nestled in his arms and he knew he was beaten. "Fine." He gave Star a kiss on the forehead putting her gently down. "But you listen to Luna or I, what we say goes understand?"

"Yes, uncle Discord!" The girls echoed.

"Yes, unca Cord!" Star beamed happy to be included.

"Just sit quietly and watch for now, or its back to sleep with you."

Surprisingly they did just that as he and Luna turned to examine the boundary.

"Shall we give it a small push?"

"Y... Yes." She was a bit nervous now that it came down to it, they'd talked about it, thought up scenarios and surveyed every last bit of the boundary. But now they were finally ready to take action, her fears and worries seemed magnified but with her beloved by her side... She'd endure.

Together they gathered their magic and will, force of will being just as if not more important than their magical prowess here. And they pushed, not with their bodies but minds. Gently first then increasing and increasing until the boundary moved ever so slightly.

"It moved!" She squealed jumping with excitement buoyed by the cheers from behind her and the fact it hadn’t just snapped back when she broke her concentration.

"It's a start." Discord smirked giving her a squeeze. "Strange though... This energy we're struggling against feels so familiar..."

"You’re right, I just can't pinpoint it..."

"No matter, ready to try again?"

"You bet!"

Again, they focused, pushing, pushing until again the boundary moved slightly but this time they kept the pressure on and bit by bit it moved. Their excitement was palpable, they could feel the boundary expanding across Equestria, they might have pushed only a few hooves distance but that was multiplied across the land when suddenly their progress stopped dead.

"Ugh!" They collapsed together.

"What was that?"

"Just temporary, maybe we were telling ourselves it was time to take a break?" Discord smiled stretching out and immediately getting pounced by Star and the three girls.

A flurry of tickling and wrestling quickly followed Luna being pulled in until they all collapsed, tired out for the moment.

After a few minutes, they arose ready to do battle again, they focused and began to push, push and push... But to no avail, the boundary didn't budge. They pushed harder funneling more and more of their magic, determination and will but nothing...

Even in this place such excursions took their toll, they were both gasping for air, hardly necessary here but back at their bodies... Sweat poured off them again not so much a product of their excursions in this place but it did affect their physical bodies.

Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Star pushed against the boundary with all their might while Apple Bloom tried her apple bucking training against it the four of them bringing smiles back to Luna and Discords faces, but still it didn't budge.

"What exactly are you doing?"

They'd been so focused on the boundary they'd seen nothing beyond it, surprised they fell back concentration broken staring up at the being on the other side, it appeared human which was strange enough, extremely tall nearly seven feet but very thin. White skin, messy black hair and plain black robes, most strange were his eyes pools of shadow sparkling stars in the middle.

"Are you a human?" Scootaloo asked staring up at him.

"Girls!" Luna and Discord both intoned spells to send them back to their normal dreams from here but his eyes flashed and the girls didn't disappear.

"Hmm..." He looked down at himself then to them his form shifting finally settling into a pitch black Alicorn with a flowing silver mane and tail his eyes the same as before. "Sorry, I forget on occasion. Now why are you here?"

"Woow..." All four girls gawked at him heedless of Discord pulling them away Luna quickly putting herself between them.

"This is my realm, what are you doing here?"

"Your...?" He looked around seeming to notice the boundary finally. "Interesting, I wonder who taught you that...?" He whispered.

"Who are you?" Apple Bloom asked peeking over Discords tail.

"I am Dream, Morpheus, many other names to others. But Dream is who and what I am, I rule the Dreaming on this world and countless others..."

"What?! But my father..." Luna gasped.

"Your father?"

"Night Sky..." She whispered, saying her parents’ names still hurt sometimes.

"Night... Ah, yes. It's been some time, how is he?"

Luna looked up her eyes wide. "Gone... For a long time..."

"Killed by humans!" Discord growled somehow able to cover each of the girl’s ears.

"Hey!"

"Humans...? How would they even come here...? Well, they’re always managing something they shouldn't." Without a pause, he walked through the boundary nodding to her. "I remember him now, an age ago when he came to this place seeking a home... With another..."

"My mother..." She sobbed tears falling though he seemed not to notice.

"Hey!" Scootaloo shouted again struggling out of Discords grasp rushing up to stand defiantly before Luna. "You’re making aunt Luna cry you big jerk!"

"Hmm?" He looked down at her then to Luna his gaze softening somewhat. "I see, her too. My condolences, unfortunate. While the dream realm is mine and always has been there have always been those who can affect it either by natural talent or long study. Your father was one such, we met when he came here even fought so long ago. He thinking me an invader and I him..." He chuckled with a small smile. "In the end, he did concede but only just, still he impressed me. So, we began talking, it was nice to have someone to talk to... After many conversations spawning a few years I agreed to let him oversee this world, to take care of his tribes. A task it seems that has fallen to you, but what I'm not sure of is why you've constrained yourself this way?"

"Constrained?! We've been trying our hardest to expand this..." Discord growled.

"Restricted myself...? I don't know what you mean..."

"The dreamscape of this world is yours to control, surely your father told..." He stopped perhaps seeing the anguish in her face. "His passing was that swift then... These is no true barrier here." He again passed through looking back.

"We can see it! Just because you can pass..." Discord grumped.

"This, like everything here is all created from the Dream and as such has no effect on me, but for its unwitting creator..." He gestured towards Luna. "And her friends it's as real as you make it, and in a struggle against yourself that you don't even know you’re in you can't triumph, no matter your assistance..." He nodded to Discord and the three fillies and foal watching wide eyed. "Best of luck, I'm sure we will meet again..." And just like that he was gone.

"What was that Luna? Did you know...?"

"No... Father never mentioned, we were so young..." She muttered walking up to the boundary everyone following. "Is this really my doing...?"

"I hardly think we can trust that, that... Whatever he was."

Luna smirked leaning against him. "A term more often used to characterize you beloved... Though this is my realm made for us, or I suppose bartered for by my father before his passing..." She sniffed then gasped immediately feeling a small pair of forelegs wrap around hers quickly followed by three more. She laughed kneeling down and gathering them in with her wings for a hug. "Thank you..." She whispered wiping a tear away. "Since then and my imprisonment it's felt different here, not how I remember it. I've tried to change things..."

"And you have auntie Luna! Right?" Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Star all nodded in agreement with Scootaloo.

"Maybe, but perhaps I could have done so much more! My own fears and insecurity’s holding me back...? Holding us all back? Well no more!" She stood up confidently striding to the boundary striking out with her forehoof only to have it stop against it. "What? But I..."

Discord was already by her side catching her forehoof before it fell pressing it gently against the barrier. "Remember, remember your father Night Sky... Everything he taught you, all three of us. Your mother, Solar Wind... Their love for you..."

"All three of us..." She whispered with a small smile nuzzling against him closing her eyes and letting herself relax smirking at the insistent pushing on her side and puling on her mane as a determined little foal climbed up her side with her sisters help.

"Careful Scootaloo, you'll push her over..." Sweetie Belle warned.

Another small shove and she could feel Stars little hooves on her back, she sighed opening her eyes. "Girls I'm... What?" All three fillies were staring down at her leg, looking down herself she stiffened finding her foreleg having slipped from Discords grasp while her mind wandered had fallen across the boundary! Ever curious Star reared upon her back trying to reach out and touch but went too far overreaching and tipping over.

There was no danger, even awake a fall that far would only end in a scrape or two that would need a kiss and band-aid. Here she couldn't be hurt by such things at all but she didn't think of that she just reacted, side-stepping to keep her centered on her back and stable ending up half in, half out of the boundary. Her eyes went wide as tiny cracks began forming across its surface quickly spreading in all directions until it disintegrated into tiny fragments each disappearing before they could hit the ground. "It was me..."

The world fell apart, bit by bit reforming into a familiar scene. Fluffy clouds and a sky full of stars...

"Woww..." The girls gasped staring up.

Luna herself looked up feeling Discord put his arm around her. "So many... Finally..."

Together they sat a moment looking up to the stars the girls fading away joining them leaving the two of them alone.

"So... What now?"

"Now beloved, the real work begins..." Luna grinned.

Chapter 5 (Slipping into trouble.)

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The morning found us all partially buried from the blowing snow, the temperature had dropped sharply as well but despite that for the moment we were quite comfortable. each sleeping group had been joined by a few of our new packmates sharing their warmth with us and vice-versa I suppose.

Before long we broke our fast sharing with our new friends whatever they found palatable at least and then bundled up ready to head out again. Some of the pack stayed with us while the rest departed to roam their territory and hunt. We bid them farewell, we knew where we were going thanks to the girls unnerving sense of direction. Well one direction in particular so we had no need of guides but they insisted and it couldn't hurt.

We made good time our packmates loping ahead then waiting for us to catch up, the slowest member of our group was definitely me. Without the wolves, ponies or Thestrals quadruped stability I stumbled over plenty of rocks hidden in the snow, holes, ruts and slippery patches but they didn't give me a hard time about it, other than Dash but that’s just her.

The pack knew these lands well and led us well clear of any hazards across the tundra, even though the terrain was quite flat we couldn't see anything that might look like our destination even when the sky was clear which was rare enough. The further we traveled the colder it got, that evening we broke out the rest of the cold weather gear making sure everyone was properly protected. Tired as I was I still sparred with the Thestrals not only in hand to hoof but with weapons as well, training weapons of course, I wouldn't risk a stray strike with my sword, skilled as they were it was a dangerous weapon. I did marginally better at those having done some practice on my own for my own safety as well as others.

The wolves watched curiously Fluttershy having explained to them that there was nothing to be worried about. The rest of the pack rejoined us as night fell the ones that had accompanied us leaving to hunt or just to partake of the rest of the packs successful hunt. Those who joined us must have been joined by other members of the pack as there were even more of them including seven pups, they certainly made the evening entertaining curiously sniffing everyone and everything climbing fearlessly over their packmates including us which was fine, most of us were more than willing to cuddle and play with a pup or two.

By the time we were ready to turn in exhaustion was setting in, two of the pups apparently decided Twilight and I were quite comfortable snuggling down with us, two little she wolves... Made my heart ache for my own two girls, so far away... Too far. Twilight I knew felt the same and it was clearly evident by the cuddling and attention she lavished on them enduring their playful nips without complaint. We got them settled down between us sharing a kiss before we drifted off. Sleeping in a frozen tundra with a pack of wild wolves surrounding us...? Nowhere safer.

I found myself suddenly alone on the tundra naked and confused, the wind howled around me as I cast my gaze about desperately searching for Twilight or anyone?! I clutched myself for warmth suddenly realizing I couldn't actually feel the cold... A dream? "Luna...?"

For just a moment I thought I heard her but something else overrode it, a humming... Not unlike a florescent light but a thousand times louder and more intense, a strange red glow broke through the storm descending on me..."

"No!"

Twilights cry woke me, she clutched me and I her still careful of the two little fur balls between us.

What...? What was...?

That strange hum...

And the red glow...

Thousands of human-like silhouettes just staring...

What? I hadn’t seen anything like that, it strengthened my suspicion that this was somehow connected to Atlantis and only through Twilight and I's connection did I experience it.

"What, what was that?" She whispered.

"I'm not sure love, but we must be getting close."

We could hear disturbances and low voices across the camp in the dark, it seems all the girls had been affected. We gently stroked the pups helping us calm down, the pack seemed unaffected as did the Thestrals though I imagined they had ways to shield themselves in the Dreaming...

"You've been studying Dream magic with Luna haven't you?"

"A bit, things have been so busy though... Oh!" She gasped catching onto my drift, her horn glowed its aura enveloping her, I and others around the campsite. "That should keep us protected, but like any spell it can be broken with enough effort..."

"Of course, I'm not sure it was an attack though..."

"Maybe... It's like it was trying to... Connect, converse with us?"

"Strange, if that’s the case maybe we shouldn't keep them out?"

She thought about it a moment in the darkness. "Whatever it is, whoever it's trying to reach... we can't communicate, I tried... Until we can meet, figure something out... We had better play it safe."

Sounds like a good idea." We kissed softly settling back down and drifting restlessly back off to sleep.

The morning, at least I thought it was morning found nothing but snow and howling wind, I gathered up the two sleepy little pups in my jacket as we emerged slowly and carefully making our way to the middle of camp to hopefully meet up with everyone else.

Fortunately, the others seemed to have had the same idea as we ran into several Thestrals with Fluttershy and Dash headed our way.

"Good you’re up, we're getting everyone together to figure out what to do."

"A... And warm up... It's so cold." Fluttershy shivered.

"Good idea." Twilight smiled sidling up to her the two of them leaning together sharing warmth as they walked.

The camp wasn't that big though in the whiteout conditions the walk seemed much longer but still we came to a group of ponies, Thestrals and even a few wolves together sheltered in a natural wind break. With a little relief from the wind I could see better finding several dens dug into the snow and the happy yipping and barks of the pups and wolves within. I wasn't the only one to hear as the two little she-devils napping in my coat awoke struggling and scratching.

"Ok, ok..." I chuckled fishing them out and putting them down at a dens entrance. "You two be good." I gave each of them a pet as they scampered off yipping excitedly as I returned to the gathering.

"...can we even proceed in this?" I arrived in time to hear Twilight ask Cords everyone else huddled together but listening intently.

"Normally not a chance, with no way to see let alone navigate and not knowing our destination we would be doomed to wander aimlessly circling or freezing to death." He let that sink in a moment before continuing. "However, we don't need to know where we're going for the Bearers can lead us unerringly there without fail, the cold we can steel ourselves against. But if we are to do this we must be extremely careful, with little to no visibility and no aerial reconnaissance we'll have little warning of peril. Tied together in two's and tethered to the next two, 'If' we do this, I wouldn't force any in my command, our mission is urgent but..."

"But nothing! A little... Even a lot of snow isn't going to stop us! The sooner we get there the sooner we get back home right?" Dash boldly stated looking around.

"We're with you." Many of the Thestrals whispered but all nodded.

"Well I guess a lil snow never kept me from workin."

"When it's all chilly whilly like this you just gotta cuddle up more!"

"Well... I guess..."

"Not to worry Fluttershy dear, we're in good hooves."

"Ok then." Twilight and I nodded.

We quickly got ready, the wolves watched our preparations curiously they having every intention of hunkering down and waiting out the storm expressing concern when Fluttershy told them of our intention to go forth into it. She reassured them we'd be fine though she looked a bit unconvinced herself.

Twi and Dash were in the lead followed by Cords and one of his squad then Applejack and Pinkie, two more Thestrals than Fluttershy and Rarity followed by the rest of the squad and holding up the rear was me and Malone. I wasn't insulted by it, Malone was quick and skilled but not that strong. I had no doubt I wasn't the strongest member of our group but I had my advantages.

We moved out as one, a long lumbering beast covered and well insulated. Quite a bit slower than normal but at least we were moving and safely. I could see the two Thestrals in front of us and about half of the ones before them, other than that it was nothing but an ocean of billowing white. Eyes open or closed it didn't matter much though I kept them open trying to see anything I could.

I glanced over at the small mare beside me, she was wrapped from head to hoof with only her silver eyes showing. If they cold bothered her she hid it well determinedly pressing on. "They trained you for situations like this?"

"Like this? No, nothing this extreme but we have done cold weather training, it was tough but nothing like this..." She shivered pulling her muzzle cover up further.

I chuckled putting an arm over her to share what warmth I could, the cold was intense but what I was really worried about was what we couldn't see...

I couldn't quite tell but I think she smiled shuffling a bit closer. "Thank you." She looked out at the white giving her head a little shake. "I hope we don't run into any cracks or crevice’s..."

"Well at least you have your wings." I chuckled.

"Wrapped up like this they won't do me much good." She sighed moving them slightly under her heavy coat.

"True, I think we'll be fine though. Nothing but solid ground so far."

She perked up a bit. "That’s true."

Somewhere on our endless plod night fell though one could hardly tell, slightly darker I guess. The storm hadn’t lessened so sleeping arrangements were much more... Cozy. A big group, blankets, ponies and Thestrals close together and draped over one another to maximize warmth.

Cords still insisted on sentries though still tethered securely, a few missteps in the blizzard and you could be lost for good. He wasn't taking any chances and I was grateful for that.

Each of the girls had reported feeling an increase in the strength of the pull, hopefully that meant we were getting close. Tonight, though we were surprisingly warm, our food might be cold but we still had plenty, all in all things could be much worse...

Grey... That’s what we woke up to this morning, the cold remained but think grey fog surrounding us blinding us just as effectively as the blizzard had. Very little light permeated but we got ready to push on regardless, still tethered together we started out and thankfully the day lightened as we traveled steadily until something loomed out of the fog!

Shocked and surprised Malone and I jumped slightly as it looked like a huge beast about to set upon us until we took a step closer and snow covered branches and boughs came better into view. A great old and massive tree, we both laughed a little at our own nervousness feeling silly. I turned back to the path getting two steps before running into the Thestral before me.

"Sorry!" I put my hand on his back partially to steady myself so I didn't trip over him and partially as an apology... He didn't even notice, he and those before him were all staring up at the back half of the tree. My gaze naturally followed theirs to a disturbing sight that my mind couldn't quite grasp at first...

The back of the tree was dead but not just dead, desiccated like it hadn’t been touched by water in a hundred years. I reached out despite Malones panicked hiss, the bark felt normal at first but then crumbled into tiny chunks. The tree beneath wasn't any better breaking away as I applied minor pressure which I immediately backed off of, Malone frantically pulling me back.

"Careful! Who knows what could have done such a thing!?"

"You’re right, sorry. Just a moment..." I was sure there was plenty of discussion going on up ahead so I took the opportunity to sit, clear my mind and try to reach out to the tree like Granny Smith had taught me.

It was in pain but not in the way I would have thought half its body being dead, more a distraction as it continued to grow and survive on the other side away from... What? I didn't know.

I heard them calling for me up front and untied myself giving Malone a reassuring pat on the back as I headed up. The girls, Cords and his lieutenant were circled in deep conversation as I joined them.

"... this place is wrong! Even in the Everfree forest there’s still life, here there’s... Nothing!" Fluttershy squeaked clearly on the edge of panic.

I knelt beside her pulling her into my embrace giving her a tight hug. "We'll be ok Shy." I whispered letting her bury her head in my chest, as I comforted her I again reached out to find living things nearby but nothing, other than our group and the tree just on the edge of my senses. Well it was winter, I expanded my reach as far as I could about a hundred feet. Behind us past the tree I could feel life, a hare bounding nearby avoiding this area, hardy winter plants and even minute seeds awaiting the warmth of spring, insects too cocooned and waiting... But past an unseen barrier of some sort there was nothing other than us, like it had all been expunged in an instant. I pulled myself back glad to escape that feeling of complete emptiness.

"We can't venture into this, just look around!" Cords gestured angrily. "We have to backtrack and go around."

"We can't." Twilight shook her head. "The pull leads this way and we're close, so close..."

"It's in here?"

"Yes... Yes, it is." I stood up, far in the distance I could just see the tip of a tower, strangely here the wind, fog and even the cold seemed muted.

Everyone turned to look, Cords gestured and two of the Thestrals untethered shedding their heavy coats launching themselves into the air.

I wanted to warn them not to go too far though it wasn't my place to do so but I needn’t have worried, they were clearly as freaked out by this place as I was as they traveled only high to get a good look before circling a few times then coming back down quickly donning their coats again.

"It's a castle...?" The first started.

"No, a city..." The other contradicted.

"It was huge and completely enclosed, clearly a fortress of some kind."

"Maybe, but there were hundreds, thousands of chimneys! Certainly, a city as well..."

"Either way, and this...?" Cords interrupted gesturing around us.

"Hard to tell but it looked like it spreads out in a radius around the citadel."

"City... Tough to judge just how far but in all directions though it looks like the oceans at its back, we could... Get closer if you need us to...?"

"No. We stick together, get hitched back up."

From my shoulders up the pervasive fog had mostly cleared but below it still clung to the ground thick as ever, my bipedal height was finally useful! Or it would be if there was anything to see other than the tower in the distance, but the girls didn't need me to guide them so we continued on as we were.

Hours passed and we were getting closer bit by bit but still there was nothing around, no trees, other buildings even hills or dips in the land! At our current pace, it looked likely we'd make the city... Castle, whatever. Before nightfall though I wasn't sure that was all that great, a giant dead city in the middle of the night? Great...

My wandering mind was drawn back into reality hearing Malones hooves scrabble beside me the tether between us pulling taunt, felling she’d just slipped I leaned over to help her up when my feet slipped out from under me as well as I was yanked to the side and into open air.

My cry of surprise was drowned out by her scream both cut short as the tethers holding us did their job one of them parting with a sharp crack leaving her only attached to me.

"Nonono... Pull me up, pull me up!"

"Relax, just a moment and they'll pull us up..." The initial shock wore off as soon as it came on, I felt fairly secure the tether around my chest attached to the two Thestrals above was holding steady though the one between she and I creaked alarmingly and her struggles weren't helping any. "Just shed your coat and use your wings."

"I can't, I can't! It's cinched too tight! Don't let me fall!"

Who would have thought a creature so used to soaring through the sky would be so scared of falling...? Actually, I guess that made a lot of sense. I reached down to steady and calm her managing to grab both her fore hooves just as her anchor snapped.

"Nooo!" Her facemask had been ripped aside eyes squeezed shut tears streaming out the look of terror on her face was heartrending.

"I've got you, calm down, calm... Malone!" Her eyes flew open staring at me. "I'm not going to let you die."

She nodded slightly stopping her struggles, the two Thestrals above had managed to keep themselves from slipping and us from plummeting any further, word must have passed up the line as I could feel us being slowly pulled up.

"I'm slipping... Please... Rick!"

Hooves, especially ice coated ones are not easy to hold onto, I couldn't adjust my grip without losing her nor could I hold on indefinitely. My mind raced trying to think of something...

A second too late as is so often the case, her hooves slipped away from me... If I'd been born with these powers maybe I could have reacted faster... Time seemed to slow as she slipped into the mist her wide silver eyes pleading with me as she was swallowed up, I was already moving blade unsheathe and flicked behind me to sever my tether embedding in the stone, I left it there falling after her. Snap decisions again... Throwing the good after the bad some might say but I had a plan of sorts. It all depended on how deep this chasm was, fifty feet? We were both going to be very hurt but we might survive, a hundred? Still not even nearly deep enough but we'd both die... It had to be deeper, much deeper... The echoes from our struggle above and Malones scream seemed to indicate it was but if I was wrong...

I tried to streamline myself like I'd seen in the movies to fall faster but it's not that easy especially all bundled up. I let pieces fall away while trying to catch up, the fog was still very think down here I could see little more than the occasional flash of wall, jagged stone fractured all over. Her screams still echoed, it felt like we had been falling for ages though it really had only been seconds, I knew it only took so long to reach terminal velocity then it was just a matter of time even if this crevasse reached the planets core we wouldn't have much time, I had to reach her...

Suddenly there was a cry of pain below, a split second later I briefly glimpsed a jagged and broken outcropping stained with a bit of blood. I hoped she was alright but if nothing else that impact slowed her slightly... There! Flailing hooves barely visible in the mist, the broken end of her tether flipping back and forth just out of reach. I stretched out trying to snatch it, missed and again, third times the charm... weather that adage was true or not I managed to snag it gripping it tightly pulling her to me with a sigh of relief.

There was no time to lose, I had no idea how far we'd fallen but the grounds approach was inevitable. Gathering every bit of strength, I had I teleported us, straight up as far as I could. While I had made headway in my magical strength teleporting that far was well beyond me, nothing more than a very temporary respite... However, I knew someone who could...

Now...

The moment we materialized from my teleport I felt a familiar magic enveloping us sweeping us away, when I opened my eyes we were surrounded everyone looking down with concern. Malones eyes fluttered open looking around confused before focusing on me.

"You... You didn't let me fall..."

"Well you fell, but I couldn't let you land."

"Thank you!" She sobbed throwing herself against me crying out in pain as she did.

I looked her over then scanned her to verify what I thought, a nasty gash on her right back leg and two fractured bones. I gently straightened them trying to heal her but I was quite spent until I felt her magic flowing into me bolstering my own.

Ah, deus ex wifeu...

You. She bonked me gently on the head before laying against my back watching my knit-up Malones bones her gasp closing as well leaving little more than a small scar. Trying to give me a heart attack? You’re lucky I could sense you from that far, what if...?!

I have complete faith in you love. I smiled caressing her face and kissed her softly.

A... Shudder, for lack of a better word came from the city making the ground tremble slightly and it was returned by the articles of power on six mares. Reminiscent of what happened back in Canterlot, each of the Elements glowed pulsing together and suddenly the wind picked up scattering the fog reveling a dead and blasted land, deep cracks and crevices in the ground everything else flattened and destroyed for miles around...

And in the center of it all it stood, a huge city, fortress, castle... Whatever you choose to call it no description or name could truly do it justice save one...

Atlantis...

Chapter 6 (Their past is ours.)

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We all stared in awe until Cords broke free of his amazement barking orders to spread out a bit and memorize the terrain in case the fog returned, as they did that I retrieved my blade from its sheath in the stone of the crevasse.

Though it still lay more than a kilometer away with only wisps of fog remaining we could see it in much greater detail, the fortifications including the 'roof' of the city seemed indistinct patches phasing in and out randomly. What architecture we could see looked smooth, molded... Like everything had been cast or mayhap even painstakingly carved one titanic rock.

However, it had arrived here it had been violent, the city lay at the center of a huge radius of destruction as if it had fallen from orbit like a meteorite... Maybe it did? We cautiously approached avoiding the rents in the ground, nothing remained to give us any clues as to what might have been here before, a forest? Mountain? Even a village? Anything that hadn’t been destroyed time had taken care of.

As we approached the strange phenomena of phasing walls became even more obvious, all but the bottom fifty feet of wall, that remained solid. Lined around the wall every hundred feet or so stood a titanic figure / statue only slightly shorter than the wall itself, featureless and smooth much like the city itself. The light began fading as we approached the gates, none of us were eager to spend a night out here in this wasteland though again I wasn't sure inside the city would be any better...

The gates too were impressive, forty feet tall they glittered dully appearing to be made of iron perhaps though I doubted it was anything quite so mundane. Before we could approach any closer a momentary hum filled the air gone as quickly as it started, the two nearest statues from either side of the doors animated stepping casually away from the wall like they had been waiting all this time to do just so blocking the door their blank faces lighting up with a dull red glow.

As they turned to face us they appeared non-threatening though I had no doubt they were more than capable of violence. Sound... Speech emanated from them startling us, it was... Virtually indescribable, like water flowing through thin crystal pipes... Words, a scant few were familiar even though I couldn't understand their meaning. Chinese? Latin mayhap? Suddenly it ended and again their blank faces stared at us.

"What'n tarnation was that?"

"A smattering of ancient languages... Poniese, Ejyptponia... So many others, fascinating!" Twi grinned excited.

Fluttershy was trying to make herself look as small as possible hiding behind the Thestrals while Applejack held Pinkie back from prancing up to introduce herself. Dash looked ready to fly right at them until I put a hand on her shoulder giving her a comforting squeeze.

"Well they certainly look formidable but so drab, didn't these Atlanteans know about color? Honestly." Rarity scoffed.

"I don't know if we can take those bearers... Especially if they all animate like that, but we can distract them long enough for you to get in..."

"That shouldn't be necessary captain, after all we were called here..."

"True Twi, though communication could be a problem..." There was something rattling around in the back of my mind, a phrase or sentence? Something that used all the letters of the alphabet, what the hell was it called? I racked my brain a few moments as our Equestrian standoff continued, Twi trying simple phrases from languages she'd heard it use but getting no response.

"Ah!" Everyone glanced to me as I finally pinpointed what I'd been trying to think of. "Ahem... The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

"What the heck was that?"

Well Dash, in theory at least it should help them understand us... I mean it has all the letters of the alphabet in it, in time... Well faster with magic I'm sure..."

She rolled her eyes with a grin. "Seriously? You’re so weird, you do something awesome like diving down a giant crevasse to save someone then you nerd it up. You sure picked the right mare." She laughed.

"Hey!"

We had a good chuckle for a moment before the golems stepped back from the doors their 'faces' glowing again.

"Elements..." They seem to have gotten the hang of the language, because of me? I wasn't sure, but I'd take the credit if only to annoy Dash. Their red gazes passed over the girls and Thestrals who stood close by safeguarding them. "Enter." Their gaze then turned to me the proverbial odd man out scrutinizing me a moment before moving back to their positions the titanic doors swinging open. "Human... Slave, enter." Then they were silent as if they'd never moved in the first place.

"We were expected after all..." Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as we all cautiously moved through the gates together.

"Not much of a welcome... Where’s the party? Streamers? Balloons?! It's like the city is totally dead! Oh... Right..." Pinkie sheepishly grimaced.

"Somethings still here..." Applejack gestured around to the clean swept streets lit up by globes of soft blue light hung from regular posts.

"Some sort of servant like those things out there? Or perhaps more like our own helpful 'slave'." Rarity teased nudging me.

"Heh, whatever gets me through the door I suppose... Though something called you here, strange no one's here to greet you..."

"The pull hasn't gone away sugar cube, it's still pulling us on." Applejack took a faltering step forward then caught herself stepping back with a disgruntled snort.

"You all still feel it?" I asked and they all nodded. "Well I guess we had best continue on then, not much point camping on the doorstep."

"We don't even know what could be in here! As I said from the beginning this whole situation stinks of an elaborate trap!" Cords stated nervously he and the troop still holding a defensive formation around the girls.

"And we appreciate that your here for us captain, but this is something we have to do. Let's see what this mysterious power wants..." Twilight spoke gently she and the girls forming up to enter the Thestrals quickly adapting to cover them and me stuck in the back again. Not that being in the back was necessarily a bad thing, it often gave opportunities to see and react to things other might miss. I kept a close watch behind us and down the many dark alleys we passed but all seemed far too quiet. Glancing up at the 'roof', barrier, whatever you wanted to call it I could barely see it looked quite solid so either it's shifting wasn't visible from the inside or something had changed...

I had my own theories of what that could be, looking ahead to the girls as they boldly advanced, well as boldly as their Thestral guardians would allow. The city twisted and turned with no clear path to whatever the central building might be. We passed what looked to be stores, homes and even small restaurants... When this place had been filled, alive... It must have been so vibrant, full of life!

We came to a small gatehouse or guard station beyond which lay open space, but far from empty... A huge expanse, I had no idea how large...? A football field? Two? Ten?! All throughout lay trees, bushes and flowers many bearing fruit. Fields, parks and water fountains... Nearly dry, stagnant water only remained but somehow the plants still survived, they and their fruits were wasted but still hanging on. Despite their rough shape there was finally life all around, I could feel it, smell it and off in the distance the silence was broken by the sudden sound of running water...

We rushed to the source finding a once dried out shallow pond one of its spigots trickling water into the basin. As we watched another sprung to life, the slow trickle turned to a steady flow as another and another flowed free until they were all steadily running. All around us we could hear more and more returning to life, a beautiful sound but why? Was it simply our proximity or something else? Here in the park area it was darker the lamps still prevalent but more widely spaced. In the dim light I could detect a faint glow off the Elements though the girls seemed oblivious looking about in amazement though fighting back yawns, something else...

"Perhaps we should rest here? It's been a long day." I offered, we were close, so close but whatever awaited... I'd prefer that we were fully rested and restored before we faced it.

"Whaaat? But we're so close! It's just a hop, skip and a jump away!"

"Pinkie, ah know yer always fulla energy but even you must be exhausted after these last few days..."

"No way! Too much to see! Too much excitement! why I..." And just like that she was out like a light collapsed on Applejacks back snoring softly.

"That’s what ah thought." She smirked.

"Pfft, what a bunch of lightweights. I could stay up..." A yawn caught Dash mid-brag making her blush and the rest of us laugh.

"Personally, I could use some beauty sleep and these accommodations while hardly five star are far superior to what we've had as of late."

"I'm all for staying here..." Fluttershy had shed her heavy coat already and was scooping some of the water from the basin onto the nearby trees.

"Well it's a bit exposed but we've got a good view if anything comes at us, it will do." Cords looked about then to Twilight.

She considered a moment her eyes closed horn and tiara glowing softly. "So close... But another short while won't hurt. It won't... Can't meet us here but just our presence here is having an effect..." She gestured around at the fountains trickling to life. "Tomorrow will be soon enough."

When we'd first entered the temperature was only slightly higher than outside but that too had been slowly changing, above freezing now. We all shed our heavy coats for now they weren't needed but they did make comfortable bedding.

Twilight and I bedded down the seven of us central with the Thestrals forming a perimeter around us asleep and on watch. Cords wasn't taking any chances and I didn't blame him, despite the emptiness of this place it still felt as if we were being watched, no matter, we were here.

"I hope the girls are ok..."

"They’re with Luna... And Discord, I'm sure their fine. But I miss them so much too..." She comforted giving me a soft kiss.

"Mmm..." I squeezed her tight both of us settling down. "We'll find out what this is all about tomorrow and get back to them as quickly as possible."

"Yes, love you sleep tight..."

"You too, love you." And off to sleep we went lulled by the gentle trickle of water...

The splashing from the fountains much stronger than before as well as some happy squeals from Pinkie Pie woke me up, I just lay there a minute eyes closed enjoying the sounds and the feeling of Twi asleep against me, pleasant as it was all this water really made me need to take a piss...

I gently disengaged myself from Twi moving a bit away to relieve myself behind a bush. Most of the fountains were running and all the plants around seemed much healthier, there was even new buds and fruit. Far more than I would think could happen overnight... Magic, I guess but you can't just lean on that crutch for everything you can't explain...

Suddenly a small wave splashed me Pinkie giggling as she waterskied by on her back hooves towed by a pair of Thestrals. "Saw your dingle!" She laughed speeding away.

"Pinkie!" I nearly took off in pursuit before remembering to pull my pants up and zip up, by the time I did so she was too far off to bother chasing hopping from pool to pool acrobatically the Thestrals pulling her seeming to be having as much fun as she was.

I brushed off myself trying to dry myself as I rejoined our group Twilight was awake seeing my bedraggled condition she just shook her head with a wry grin.

"Pinkie..." I shrugged.

"Oh, I figured." She giggled.

Everyone looked rested and in good spirits, the girls marveling at the trees trying some of the fruit. The Thestrals however were surprising in that most of them were just lying about comfortable and unconcerned. Even more shocking was that Cords was among them!

"Cords...? Captain?"

"Hmm...? Oh, Rick... How are you?"

"Fine... You’re all a bit too relaxed, aren't you?" I didn't want to tell him his job, but something was wrong here.

"Nah, your safe here. We're just gettin a bit of rest you know...?"

Anyone else I could see that after what we'd gone through to get here, but him? Or any of the rest of the Thestrals? Not a chance. "Alright..." I moved away, and he seemed to forget me immediately laying back down. All the Thestrals seemed affected one way or another, resting, playing or just sleeping. All but one, Malone. She galloped back and forth between her squad mates trying in vain to get some response from them, when she spotted me she quickly flew over.

"I don't know what's gotten into them! It's not the food or water, the captain had us all stick to the rations! I... I..."

"Shh, relax..." I squeezed her shoulder comfortingly. "magic no doubt, but why not you? Me or the girls..." I asked looking over to see them all acting normally... Well as normal as Pinkie gets, most of them too casting concerned looks at the Thestrals.

"What are we going to do?"

"Well let’s see what everyone else thinks." We approached catching the back end of their conversation.

"...true it is strange, but it's been such a harrowing journey who could blame them for needing a bit of time off?"

"You know that ain't like them at all Rare."

"I know, just wishful thinking..."

"It's some sort of magic I'm sure but I just can't tell from what!"

"Oh, that’s your answer to everything Twilight!" Pinkie giggled.

"This is serious Pinkie!"

"No, it isn't, their ok. Look! Their having fun!"

I well knew Pinkie's inability to take things seriously some of the time was something Twilight had a very hard time with, so I broke in before things got heated. "Maybe, but the question isn't really how it's happening but why? And why hasn't it affected us?"

Everyone was quiet a moment thinking before Dash spoke up. "Well, the Elements, right?"

"Maybe..." Twilight mused still deep in thought.

"That don't explain Rick an Malone though."

"Um... Rick's always with Twilight some of that Elemental goodness musta rubbed off on him!"

"Uh huh, care to explain Malone then Pinkie?"

"Umm... Uhh... I don't have the answers to everything! Just mostly everything." She smirked sticking her tongue out.

"Rubbed off... That could be..."

"But Twilight you've been around all the Thestrals and only Malone is unaffected..."

"Hmm...? Oh! Sorry Rarity, I was lost in thought what did you say?"

"I... Ugh!" She shook her head in frustration but then smiled knowing Twilight all too well. "What are we going to do about this?" She gestured around. "We can't leave our brave protectors here like this."

"No... Of course... That's it!" Her face lit up as we all looked to her. "Rick and I, we're... Joined yes but that might not be the cause of his immunity."

"All right, what then? Honestly darling you overthink things so often..."

"That’s just it! The answer was so simple! The only thing Rick and Malone have in common is that I teleported them both recently!" She waited a moment for us to catch on, failing that she continued. "They've been marked by my magic, well more like a lingering resonance perhaps... And because of the Element of magic it must offer them some immunity or protection against this... Whatever it is!"

"Okay, only one way to find out." I gestured towards Cords, a moments concentration and he was suddenly beside us.

"Whoa! I could have sworn I was just..." His eyes seemed to clear, and he shook his head. "What’s going on?" He looked around confused. "Fall in!" He bellowed looking around again when Malone was the only one to obey. "What in the hell's going on?!" He repeated.

By the time we got him calmed down then explained the situation Twilight had several more Thestrals teleported to us, she was taking her time between them strong as she was we still had no clue what we were walking into. If this was a trap of some sort it was a bit overly subtle...

Before long every Thestral was accounted for many of them a bit embarrassed remembering what they'd been doing but not knowing why. Forming up we quickly left the gardens making for our destination, so close now the girls had to resist galloping forward. We proceeded with caution, but nothing blocked our passage to the central citadel, its doors hung open invitingly the interior dimly lit.

"Looks innocent enough..." Cords nodded. "I don't like it, we'll enter first and signal if it's clear."

"And if it's not clear?" Twilight asked.

"Then you'll have a whole different kind of signal, if that happens... I have no authority to command you but proceed cautiously please."

"We will." She assured.

"All right then, by the numbers troop." And with silent and surprisingly effective hoof, ear and wing signals they disappeared into the building.

We waited nervously even Pinkie was quiet waiting for the signal, seconds stretched into minutes until finally after ten agonizing minutes a series of low whistles sounded throughout the huge structure signaling all was well.

I let out a relieved breath smiling as I heard the same from all around me. "Let's see what we can find shall we ladies?" I stepped aside with a short bow gesturing them in with a grin.

"Why how gentlemanly." Rarity smiled curtsying as she swept in, Pinkie right behind excited to finally see where our journey had led us.

"How gentlemanly..." Dash mimicked teasingly giving me a punch in the shoulder as she and Applejack entered giggling.

"Come on Fluttershy, this is so fascinating! I could spend a lifetime trying to learn the history of this place..."

"I'd be happy to just go home soon..." She whispered.

I put my arm over her giving her a comforting squeeze. "Soon Shy, I'm sure." The large doors opened into a short hallway which quickly expanded into a massive multi-level room, even though from the outside this building looked huge certainly the biggest in the city but inside it appeared even bigger, level upon level of balconies with no apparent way up to them. Small collections of for lack of a better term hollows in the floor, shallow with cushions to sit or kneel on flat spaces that appeared to be for food and drink.

Hundreds of those and if the balcony’s contained the same thousands all surrounding a raised dome the top flattened and all around more sitting positions. Other than us it was abandoned, hoof clicks and footsteps echoing around. The girls still felt the pull approaching the dome as they did the Elements began to glow softly.

"Well it's about damn time..." An unfamiliar voice echoed, we all looked about trying to pinpoint its location to no avail, the Thestrals quickly closed ranks shielding the girls. "Oh please, if I wanted to harm you I would have arranged it last night while you slept in the gardens..."

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Twilight demanded.

"Fine..." A figure stepped out of thin air as if it had simply been standing behind a wall, he... At least the voice suggested a he, was quite tall seven feet at least though quite thin but somehow didn't appear fragile at all. His head was narrow, ears and nose even smaller but well defined. No hair and light grey skin, the eyes however garnered the most attention large almond shaped dominating his face, I first thought they were dark and featureless but as he turned I could see he did in fact have pupils they were even darker than the rest of his eye blending in.

"A pack of animals and a monkey, great..."

"You’re the one who called us here Jerk!" Dash snorted.

"Hardly." He gestured around stepping off the platform walking into the air as natural as could be. "This place called you, called you in need I might add."

"What happened here?"

He looked down at Twilight his expression difficult to read then shrugged making his way down to the floor. "I suppose if the Elements have chosen to bond with you any misgivings I might have about you don't really matter do they? It... They've always had a mind of their own ever since we found them..."

"Please... Oh, we haven't even asked you your name! I'm..."

"Twilight Sparkle, I know. I can monitor nearly everything that goes on within these walls as such I've overheard all your names. As for my name you wouldn't have a chance of pronouncing it even if you turned your tongue upside-down..."

"Lif tis?" Pinkie asked her tongue twisted nearly all the way around.

Ignoring her he continued. "However, you may call me Siphon, yes that should do."

"Then tell us please."

"Wee! Storytime!" Pinkie hopped onto one of the cushions in the depressions settling down others doing the same though the Thestrals remained on edge.

"Very well then, the beginning I suppose..."

"The beginning? Everyone has their own beginning and end... But for us, we 'Atlanteans' as you've named us. Our beginning was many millennia ago on the far-flung world of R'lyeh, our race arose as one of many on that world. Our natural mental powers gave us an edge and before long we developed technology expanding our influence and holdings while other races clung to archaic beliefs and superstitions, old gods..."

He paused in thought a moment then shook his head. "Old, backward... We lived in relative peace but when we questioned their more unsavory practices, tried to show them our way of doing things... Well that didn't go over so well, they lashed out and truly we had expected them to an... Excuse to subjugate them, take full control of our world. A mistake, miscalculation... With our weapons and mental powers, it should have been a foregone conclusion!"

"Little did we know those 'old gods' were far too real, we had ignored them so long their power easily outstripping anything we could have imagined, the followers we could match even with the 'gifts' given to them. Them alone we could have eventually triumphed over but when their 'god' revealed itself manifesting on our world we were broken... Our world no longer, we scrambled to buy time, to evacuate try to save what we could... Where to we didn't know, anywhere but there. This city was the fruition of our desperation, the guardians... Automatons our only saving grace against the hordes besieging us we had lost so many..."

"So, we ran... This city propelled into the vastness of space the remains of our race seeded within as the greatest of us stood against their god buying time... They didn't survive, but still they triumphed. They gave us the time we needed and more so trapping it on that world in a deep death like slumber from which I can only hope it never awakens..." He nodded to himself looking over us as if hearing some of our unanswered questions. "Yes, I was there... Just a child not even a hundred. Truly I remember little from then, just overwhelming fear overriding everything... The tale I'm telling you comes from our records."

"Life continued as we travelled, year after year putting as much distance between us and our old world as we could passing by many unsuitable worlds and systems. A hundred years passed, and another... We survived, the guardians you've seen sustained us easily the city only half full, but new life continued to be made. The source... No, we'll get to that. Needless to say, something guided us other than our leaders even if we knew it not at the time, another hundred years and we approached another system. It's sun central like many others we'd seen, the first planetoid we passed disappointingly small, barren and frozen. The next dark and cold with supersonic winds whipping across its surface, unsuitable. Next an ice giant, with work it could be made useable, but it would take thousands of years... We passed it by the next already easily visible. A huge gas giant and another, both useless to us then a red planet appearing barren though much closer to our liking. Next was an ideal world, amazingly lush with water and an atmosphere. Two more planets lay beyond, but we didn't even bother surveying them, this was the one."

"So, there we settled, the planet was old but the life upon it still young. Many creatures had lived and died there but only one had taken root all around the planet, humans..." He gestured to me offhandedly. "Your ancestors unless I miss my guess, primitive but they shared a similarity to us in shape and form. A fascinating coincidence and we spent a great deal of time studying them before reveling ourselves... On the long journey we'd... Backslid a bit perhaps, feeling our natural superiority meant we had the right to rule over those we thought less of... A mistake we'd made once to our sorrow, but the past is easily forgotten, ignored or hidden by those in power. They weren't fools however, outnumbered a million to one had humankind the ability to unite, still they tried a subtler approach..."

"There were a dozen small tribes situated where we planned to land and that was our first 'attack', simply the sight of our great city cowed and sent them into hysterics as we settled down. We could have easily taken all the surrounding area by force then and there but that was not the plan, we simply waited doors open our populace staying close to the city simply enjoying the feeling of the sun, the breeze, the water... So much like what we'd left behind but so subtly different. Many had been born during our journey, they knew little of our old home but stories. Now they... We all of us, had a chance for a new life."

"Slowly at first, they came, their curiosity overriding their fear and we welcomed them warmly though still cautiously revealing only what we wanted them to see. Communication was a problem at first, it seemed every rag-tag tribe even those within the same geographical area had a different language or dialect! Still it was a simple matter to create easily transported devices... Necklaces in this case which allowed us to understand them and they us though only a chosen few among their number were given the honor of wearing them. Chieftains, head shamans and the like truly we had to do very little to ingratiate ourselves to them as gods..."

"The elders had seen firsthand the power of religion and were eager to exploit it, not all of us agreed of course but at the time it was seen as a necessary evil as we acclimatized ourselves to our new plant. Time passed and word of the gods of Atlantis passed among the humans spreading further and further gaining us even more followers from afar eager to do whatever the living gods commanded. But with those who worshipped us there too came those who coveted our power, enemies first spending spies to weed out what secrets they could find... Pointless of course, no uncontrolled human was permitted to enter Atlantis..." Seeing my questioning look he sighed. "Controlled means... Well just that, our mental powers used to break down human psyche’s. Making them more docile, compliant... Everything the elders wanted, here our history begins to split. But let me continue with what I know..."

"The dissidents, spies managed to infiltrate the faithful but were unlikely to learn much and those that were caught... Well, we needed no urging to convince humans to kill each other... Eventually, many years had passed, and they came at us en-masse, hundreds of tribes united under a warlord. The faithful fought with fervor but without our help they could not prevail, still the Elders only allowed a few dozen lesser guardians to be dispatched safe within our city. Some of us felt we owed them more... We stepped out in our battle garb to fight alongside them, the younger of us mostly, hotheaded and ready to prove ourselves... Yes, I too, still they pressed in again and again who knew there were so many? Soon we found ourselves on the losing side of this war..."

He took a deep breath a slight smirk forming on his lips. "That last battle, only a small few of the faithful remained and even with our superior powers and weapons we were pushed back, we could have retreated to the city, left those who followed us to their fate, they might not have even blamed us... But we couldn't, wouldn't. We likely would have fallen all of us together, but I suppose the Elders had seen enough. They unleased the wall guardians, all of them... They smashed through their lines as if they were made of no more than cobwebs, the carnage was horrific, merciless as our attackers were the guardians were more so. Relentless, untiring, unfeeling, unstoppable... The battle, slaughter rather took less than an hour and not one of the enemy remained, those that fled found more of the faithful coming from outlying settlements, they were not merciful. I almost felt pity for them though as I was missing both my legs and an arm I was a bit biased against them..."

Seeing our questioning looks at his full body he waved them aside. "In good time, after that our control of the surrounding area was absolute, many more villages, towns and even small kingdoms joined us eager to serve, others out of fear and even others fled from our expanding influence unwilling to bow. The Elders were unconcerned certain our dominion over this planet entire was only a matter of time, they should have been worried..."

"As I told you some of us disapproved of the Elders methods, after that last battle they became much worse. A few small groups formed voicing their opinions... Some of them 'disappeared', our own people! Though nothing official was said the message was clear and all visible disillusion vanished, we were still free to come and go from the city though and in one night well over a hundred of our brothers and sisters escaped taking what they could..."

"The anger of the Elders was limitless; the city was closed all traffic tightly regulated but it was too late they were beyond their reach. Me? Unfortunately, not, while we have great psychic potential and advanced technology the regeneration of limbs was still beyond us, replacement however... That could be done but they had plans for me and the others who had been gravely wounded. Our city was strong, nearly invulnerable and with its new power source, which we have yet to discuss, practically eternal. An amazing feat but it still required maintenance, from the humdrum daily activities to waste disposal and work on the guardians. They wanted more, so we 'volunteered' for a radical plan designed to fix that. Powerful psionic power, technology and magic fused our consciousness to the city itself our bodies destroyed but our minds... Well, unfortunately or perhaps fortunately I was the only one to retain any semblance of individuality. I remember the moment even now a feeling of joining something greater... More, other minds joined with mine but faded fast, far too fast..."

"The others remain even now keeping the streets clean, mending, repairs... Mindless..." He shook his head in disgust. "I retained a bit more freedom but still bound to this city, the will of the Elders..." He looked over to the girls thoughtful. "The Elements as you call them, a seemingly limitless power source and from its discovery that is how it was referred to us as that... The source."

"There are no complete records of where it came from, somewhere on our long journey we had found it, or did it find us...? Some said it came from the heart of a star, others the depths of a black hole and even others say stolen from that same ancient god we had fled from... No one knew for sure, but everyone had their own idea's, oblong ten feet tall and four wide, heavy beyond its stature. A far cry from how it appears now isn't it?"

"During our long journey we had learned much from it most importantly how to use it as a power source, strong as our city had been the source made it a hundredfold more. The Elders studied it intently trying to learn its secrets, but it was surprisingly... Resistant. It almost seemed there was an intelligence there... Though at that time no one was able to make contact, so we had no idea. Shortly after our arrival it was fully integrated into the city much as I would be, they'd somehow managed or perhaps convinced the source to separate itself into six pieces one for each of them for as much as they were the ruling body of our race they trusted one another very little each enmeshed in their own little plots to gain more power, prestige or even greater position..."

"Still despite their petty machinations our influence spread drawing more and more of the human cities under our control and those that refused control...? I think you could guess, beatings, enslavement or destruction, and for a time that was our lives. A few hundred years, nothing to us but long for humankind. Our power and influence spread far and wide until it ran into several small fiefdoms that refused control and even fought back repelling the advanced forces! Those same rebels who fled long ago..."

"Needless to say, the Elders took it poorly demanding their immediate surrender, they of course refused though were willing to live and let live. The Elders didn't send a reply immediately instead forming a small army they felt suitable to deal with a few of their upstart kin sending that as their answer. We never heard from them again... I had friends that left with that force, though there were those among the rebels too that I counted as friends..."

The Elders egos would not let them accept such a defeat forming another army immediately mainly culled from the humans with a few trusted commanders and guardians. A holy war to smite the heretics they called it gathering even more followers lured / fooled by their 'godhood'... That army too failed though this time some survivors made it back to tell the tale, the rebels hadn't been idle forming alliances and friendships all over gathering humans to them not to celebrate their divinity but working together toward a greater purpose. This frightened the Elders more than they would ever admit."

"An immense force was assembled over several years to crush them once and for all led by three of the Elders themselves, a vast array of guardians, humans and my kind many against their will. And that was their undoing, so assured of their immortality and invulnerability with our great city and the source to back them up they couldn't see the dissension in the city, the people, their own ranks! The battle was horrible I've been told, I'm glad I didn't have to witness it. Even with a third of their army turning against them as the battle began the carnage was widespread, the three Elders retreated far too quickly showing their cowardice but just as well it's likely their power could have swayed the balance, they returned with exaggerated tales of the rebels treachery but reading between the lines one could see their forces were impressive and they had guardians of their own, crude but just as dangerous. And so, the city prepared for a siege, shaken as they were the Elders still had little worry that any army no matter how vast could ever penetrate these walls..."

"It took over a year for them to come and their army was indeed vast, they blockaded the city from shore to shore staying far enough back to be able to retreat should the deadly wall guardians be sent afield. They didn't attack though, not yet. Simply made demands, the Elders to step down and relinquish the Source, face trials for their crimes and the city to be opened for all again. Reasonable demands but... Well I imagine you can guess how the Elders might react. For a month they waited a response all the time fortifying their position and pacifying the surrounding countryside. When no answer was forthcoming the attack began, fruitless of course the stones thrown by their war machines had no effect on the walls, gate or guardians. They were still unwilling to advance to try battering rams or their own guardians against us the danger was still too great. I couldn't see at first what they hoped to accomplish, wasting their time and effort for nothing! But days passed then weeks and months and an effect began to be felt from the human slaves trapped within the walls with us all the way up to the Elders themselves!"

"Anger, despair, hopelessness... I began to see their plan, have the city tear itself apart from the inside, smart but they far underestimated the Elders. Publicly they dismissed the rebels as unimportant but while in private they laid blame on their commanders, the rebels, populace and each other for this situation. I thought perhaps they might again lift the city and find a new place either on this planet or another they certainly had the power. But instead their plan was one born of madness, they planned to use the Source as a weapon. Wipe out all the rebels in one fell swoop..."

"No one, not their advisors, generals or any of the populace had any idea... Only me, part of the city as I was. Am, I could listen in unnoticed or maybe they didn't even care if I knew. I tried to warn others but even the kindest felt this had to end, one way or the other... All of us though had forgotten one very important thing... The Source, the Elements. As they began their plan of elimination it refused, they thought it was under their control, they were wrong. Confused they tried again to force their wills upon it to no avail, who knows what it was 'thinking' but apparently it had seen enough of their 'leadership'. They began pushing with their own powers which were not inconsiderable, and it pushed back."

"The energy built and built tearing through the city and beyond, the rebels ceased their attack stunned by the conflict within as the city again lifted off rising slowly as the battle raged within. The humans were the first to fall, they simply couldn't handle the amount of power surging through the city but before long our kind too began to succumb, the old and young... And still the battle of wills raged on, days passed the Elders would not budge an inch their greed, tenacity and insanity overriding everything else. The Source too gave no ground perhaps knowing that if it gave any ground it would be subjugated forever. The city began to sink back down to the ground all power being drawn in by both sides to strike a final blow, suddenly we plummeted the final few hundred feet striking the ground at high velocity the sudden release of two massive energy surges cracking the very walls and foundation of not only the city but reality itself!"

"I think the source was trying to transport us away, between dimensions, trying to save all it could from destruction... Best laid plans, the rebels had been a safe distance from the battle but even if they'd fled the moment it began I doubt they could have escaped the force of the blast. In this dimension too as you have plainly seen the destruction was enormous... No survivors... None of those within the city, not even the elders their last callous act of destruction, if they couldn't have it no one could. Even the Source I feared had been eliminated, no sign of life, power, anything... For years and years, I desperately clung to the shreds of power left in the city, taking any nearby power I could, solar, life energy... Still compelled to follow my directives even though those who forced them on me were long gone."

"Finally, I felt a stirring from the Source, power flowing from it into the city but no attempt at communication. I was quite certain now it was 'alive' in some sense of the word, but it had closed itself off completely. Still I had power and busied myself repairing the city, fixing cracks and crevices, mending and cleaning up and of course disposal of what was left of the bodies... Practically all guardians had been destroyed save the very great and very small, the tiny cleaners responsible for cleaning and repair and the great wall guardians practically invulnerable. This state of affairs went on for fifteen years repairs finally taken care of as well as could be and again I had nothing to do but think and try to access the source..."

"I suppose we could have gone on like that forever but one day things changed, the gates opened! I certainly hadn’t given the order to do so and didn't notice any changes from the source either, but still it had. I quickly cast my gaze to the gates and beheld something very strange in a lifetime of strange things. Two quadrupeds similar to the equines I knew from Earth. I had no idea how the gate had opened but it couldn’t have been these two animals, I was about to manifest and shoo them away when a glow emanated from them lighting up the area reveling them as much more than typical equines. They had horns to start with, wings too and looked around with what could only be awareness and intelligence. Further proving this, they began talking to each other! Human speech, very curious. I watched as they explored much as you did though they had no connection to lead them on, but they were clearly looking for something... Their wandering eventually brought them to this very spot." He gestured to the main platform six indentations visible. "This is where the pieces of the source resided, I was concerned that they'd made their way here so easily, but I well knew the source could defend itself, so I continued to watch curiously."

"Perhaps they could feel the power however muted from the source as they cautiously approached whispering to each other examining and touching each piece. I fully expected them to get a small shock or pushed back at any moment, that didn't happen though as they continued down the line. After they had examined the last piece they froze suddenly pulling back and speaking together in hushed tones then stepping forward as one each putting one of their forehooves against that piece eyes closed. For nearly a whole day they remained that way, I feared perhaps the Source had done something to them, but I was powerless to intervene, finally the trance broke and the two of them staggered back to the gardens to eat, drink and rest. I listened in on their conversation finding the source, or rather Elements of Harmony as they called it had 'communicated' with them. Its intelligence was so strange and foreign the only way they could communicate was through feelings, fragmented thoughts and images and even that was highly difficult, but it seemed it was willing to help them, with what I had no clue but with their agreement, acceptance of its assistance something they'd been seeking for some time apparently. When they came in the next day and again communicated accepting it's help the Source became alit with power, channeling into the city strengthening and powering it like it had not been in an age. It felt... Hopeful."

With that declaration the Elements themselves lit up pulling away from the girls slowly settling in those nearly invisible niches in the main platform, as they settled there was a sudden flash, but nothing appeared different for a moment then Siphon suddenly appeared hazy and indistinct which might have been normal I wasn't sure but looking around all of us looked the same! I looked over to him, but he seemed as confused as we were, before we could comment the main doors opened, and didn't open at the same time two familiar mares walking in. Celestia and Luna, younger though it was hard to tell with them as they were both near a thousand years old into their lives that could span tens of thousands. I suppose looking at it that way they were still babies... Foals... A sudden pang missing my own little Star and Angel...

I pulled myself out of my melancholy thoughts as they passed by chatting to one another smiling oblivious to us, the biggest change I noticed was their manes and tails. They hung normally without shifting, Luna's still the same color I remembered though without the sparkle and shimmer I knew, Celestias even more different long and pink. I recalled seeing a picture of Luna's showing them as such when they were young, I guess something in that thousand years changed... They passed by heading straight to the main platform where the Elements were resting in two forms, reaching out to place their forehooves on the central stone, I realized now they too were different. Not the necklace’s and crown I knew but stone with faint markings on them. They rested there a moment eyes closed before stepping back nodding to one another.

'Are you ready Luna?'

'Yes sister...'

'I...'

'Tis not you at fault.'

'We'll help him...'

'I... We...' She shook her head. 'See it through sister.'

'Yes. Let's go then.'

As they both turned the stone Elements pulled free three floating behind each of them, the 'camera' for lack of a better word followed them as they left out the front gates those closing quietly behind them as the two of them plus the Elements of course made their way through the wasteland both visibly relaxing as they passed its borders late in the day. Thus, began a fast-forwarded tableau of their travels, the weeks or months it took to return to the Equestria border.

On their way they stopped by many places, small towns and villages meeting ponies and others always happy to see them. By the time they reached the border they had amassed a small army of Ponies, Bovines, Griffon, Thestrals even a few Minotaur’s! At that very border they encountered their first challenge things slowing back down to normal as a huge chocolate milk storm broke over them, rain, hail and a powerful tornado tearing up small trees bearing down on them!

While I was sure the two of them could easily handle this storm on their own they called upon the Elements to help them, showing off their new toy... No, that wasn't like them. More likely to reassure those that followed them, perhaps even themselves! The Elements rotated lazily above their heads until the storm was just upon them, then they channeled a bit of power into them Elements which took it, magnified it then discharging it in a burst away from them shattering the storm leaving nothing but a few puddles...

The crowd was stunned silent for a moment before breaking out in wild cheers, there were even a few cheers from those of us watching rapt and eager to see a chapter of the Princesses lives that we'd heard about, but no telling could truly do justice to it seeing it for ourselves. They both looked pleased soaking up the adulation though it was easy... At least from our vantage point and with our insight to tell the lion’s share of that adulation was going to Celestia. Neither of them seemed to notice or mind but to us it was a dark reminder of what was to come...

They didn't head directly to Discords seat of power instead circling around freeing town, villages and cities from his various 'gifts', more like afflictions bestowed by Discord. In one such the ponies had been encrolled so they could neither hear, see or interact with one another everything else they could see fine, they'd spent a long time feeling very alone. Another village whose entire population couldn't stop hopping their legs moving of their own violation day and night, they were very grateful all of them passing out immediately.

There were many more cases though I noticed despite his 'evil' and chaotic nature no pony had been hurt, not unto death. It made me think that somewhere trapped in his own mind and body Discord still had a bit of control... Maybe it was wishful thinking, I'd never seen Luna as her alter ego Nightmare Moon, but it seemed likely to me she would have been the same, strong enough to resist, prevent harm from coming to others... I'd had my own experience with the Miasma and I had little doubt over time it could fully corrupt almost anyone... Though Luna had remained in her imprisonment for a thousand years... I knew she was strong but perhaps I underestimated just how strong.

More passed by at a swift pace slowing momentarily here and there at the Elements whim almost randomly with a few exceptions, every time the cheers and praise came Luna seemed a bit further back... A bit more in Celestias shadow... On occasion Celestia noticed this as well pulling her sister to the for front with her but they were few and far between. We could see, were forced to watch Luna's transformation, not into Nightmare Moon. Not yet. But an angry and jealous young mare glaring at her sister and those gathered around her from the shadows. We all knew what would happen, just not when or how powerless but to watch...

Finally, they came to Discords home... Their home, the Sisters Castle it was called, named so by their parents when they gifted it to them. Built when they first came to Equestria before Canterlots construction began. It was in those now twisted halls and broken corridors that the young princesses used to run and play to the delight of their parents and all who visited. It was here of all places they finally found him, Discord self-proclaimed god of chaos reclining on a throne that appeared to be made of... Spaghetti? One of his servants rushed forth with a mug of some boiling substance, he blew on it then immediately dumped it behind him taking a slow and deliberate bite of the mug. There were more ponies through the castle 'servants', each wrapped head to hoof in sheets like inexpensive Halloween costumes but with no eyeholes. The few the Princesses had managed to speak to had explained in hushed whispers they were never to take them off or be punished horribly...

He looked different, younger? Perhaps though it was difficult to tell with him unlike the Princesses, his usual chaotic self to be sure but... Darker, twisted...? As they entered his gaze immediately went to Luna smiling warmly but just as quickly was overridden to a venomous grin as he pulled himself up his throne collapsing like the wet spaghetti it was as he left it.

'Well, well look what the Manticore dragged in! How nice to see you both, I have missed you. And what fun you've missed! Oh, but you've seen some of it haven't you? Plenty more where that came from don't you worry a bit... Worry a lot.'

'Discord...' Luna whispered trembling slightly.

'Gone for so long and not even a postcard...' He continued ignoring her. 'And what’s this you've brought? Pet rocks?! Not that useful unless you plan on beating me with them!' He laughed manically smashing his head against the ground repeatedly making Luna shriek.

Celestia stepped forward shielding her sister from him. 'We are here to ask you one last time to stop this Discord, return things to how they were and let us help you.'

'Help me?' He hissed glancing at her almost eagerly. 'Help me?! Like you helped your parents? Helped the humans perhaps?! No. This is only the beginning, once this world is a swirling void of chaos and entropy the humans will be next...!" He ranted eyes wild jaws snapping as he spoke, tail lashing and clawed hands slashing the air.

"We have to stop you beloved, I'm so sorry..." Luna whispered again.

This time he reacted. "Stop me?! Stop... Me? Stop... Us...!" A moment's clarity seemed to break over him but was just as quickly smashed as he threw back his head laughing manically foolishly or deliberately ignoring the two mares before him.

Celestia and Luna put their horns together channeling a huge amount of power into the Elements all six now rotating around them gathering, focusing their power, magnifying and releasing in a heartbeat cascading over him and when it's radiance finally subsided only a statue remained... For a moment, just a moment I thought I saw his shadow itself writhe and pull away from him, but I must have blinked because when I tried to see it again nothing was amiss...

His transformation though I knew it would happen was still an important sign, we knew the Elements to be capable of great destruction and with the amount of power it combined with the Princesses released... He could have just as easily been wiped off the face of the planet, but it... They held back, a piece of a larger puzzle.

Discord wasn't the only one to have changed though, as Luna cried over her love and Celestia comforted her we could clearly see their manes and tails had changed to what we were familiar with, Celestias multi-colored and flowing and Lunas as well dark sparkled with pinpricks of light. This was the moment, was it something to do with the Elements? Or a change within them? I suppose I could ask them someday bit it seemed a bit... Private.

Word of his defeat not to mention the massive discharge of energy had quickly spread through the castle bringing all the 'servants' out from hiding casting aside the sheets blinking in surprise their lives changed in an instant the small army of followers flooding in as well cheers and excitement all around as they packed the halls and throne room... This time I had been looking for it trying not to be distracted by the hoopla, a sliver of darkness like a small snake moved from the shadows threading it's way slowly and easily unnoticed between ponies heading not for Luna as I expected but for Celestia! At the last moment Luna stepped between them about to speak, it merged with her shadow not reappearing. She froze shivering a moment until her sister noticed her.

'Hmm?'

'Let us go sister.'

'Go? But there’s so much to do, repairs and...'

'No. There’s nothing for us here now...' She turned to the statue touching it gently both disappearing leaving a confused Celestia. A few hour’s time fast forwarded and Celestia, their followers as well as Discords 'servants' exited the castle bringing everything useful and valuable they could find. Outside they found Luna waiting Discord strapped to one of the many wagons they'd brought. Another fast-forward, their triumphant return to the still under construction Canterlot merely a small collection of buildings walls barely started. Time passed... Day, night, day, night... The days seeming to grow ever brighter the ponies rallied to Celestia, Canterlot and the surrounding countryside flourishing! The night... Grew darker, no ponies seeking Luna at the night court unlike now, just her... Alone. Even the Thestrals kept a respectful distance though they saw to her every need.

All this appeared to be from the view of the Elements themselves, it seemed they had been given a place of honor in the throne room well above everything. Lunas evenings in the night court degraded to her simply stalking about talking to herself, arguing with herself... More and more troubling but past events no matter how you wish you could intervene... They were the past; bad and good they shaped the future.

More days and nights passed, I wasn't sure how long it had been. Months surely if not more since Lunas 'infection' but one morning the sun simply didn't rise... Then out of the shadows strode a mare I didn't know at all, her coat, her mane even her eyes and voice. Only her cutie mark remained the same...

'Now the reign of eternal night begins...'She chuckled.

'Mistress Luna what...'

One of the Thestral servants approached freezing in his tracks when she spun about furious. 'Never speak that name again!'

'Princess...'

'Not your Princess... Hah! I am your Queen, your master, I am Nightmare Moon! Bow before me!'

Other Thestrals had gathered attracted by the noise, they hesitated a moment glancing to one another before all bowing together. Why I wasn't sure, she clearly wasn't Luna so why did they...?

"To save her." Malone spoke up all of us looking to her even the picture stopping, she blushed slightly with the attention on her. "This moment, our history speaks of it clearly... I just, none of us ever thought we would see this moment..."

All around the Thestrals nodded wide eyed as she continued. "This moment, those six servants made a decision... A choice, one we all echoed. To help Luna, anyway we could even if it meant serving this alter-ego of hers, we would do what we could to help her..."

The scene continued as Luna... Nightmare Moon that is instructed the Thestrals to grab the Elements, their fellows and supplies then left the castle together everything going dark as the elements were shoved into saddlebags. When we could see again it was a familiar place... The sisters castle, the courtroom still as broken down and dilapidated as before, the lithe form of Nightmare Moon entered looking at the Elements with... Disgust? Longing? I couldn't quite be sure...

'We shall see how well she does without her toys...' She smirked disappearing.

More time passed... Hard to tell in the shadowy courtroom the occasional Thestral speeding by in fast forward, a few minutes passed for us then there was a change. The Elements turned slightly as if they were watching something above though all we could see was the domed ceiling cracked and missing pieces. Their gaze zipped back and forth up and down as if they were following a fly on crack or perhaps a vigorous tennis match...

Suddenly a large hole was punched through the roof pieces and a familiar mare falling, Celestia. She lay there a moment breathing heavily before bolting upright powering a shield against a lance of power colored very similar to Lunas magic but... Something else, dark magic? I couldn't quite tell, beam after beam struck it was all she could do to repel the onslaught until finally her shield cracked and she threw herself to the side milliseconds before being struck. She pulled herself back to her hooves quickly and we could all see singes, scorch marks, missing feathers and how tired she was...

She glanced over at the Elements her jaw tightening then back out the hole in the roof, the Elements had moved as well now flanking her.

'Please don't make me do this Luna...' She whispered tears falling seconds before half the roof was torn aside and Nightmare Moon dove through straight for Celestia a wordless guttural scream coming from her, horn alight. She too showed significant battle damage but in her maddened state she seemed unhindered by it.

Time slowed to a crawl though if it was the Elements slowing the scene or it really happened that way I couldn't tell. We could easily see Celestia close her eyes tears still falling then moments before Nightmare Moons impact they flew open blazing with pure magic, I had seen her as such before just before she plunged her horn into my chest...

Her horn, her whole body and the Elements too blazed with that light channeled into a single moment casually pushing Nightmare Moon aside she faded into nothingness... If I didn't know better, I would have thought she'd been disintegrated!

Celestia collapsed and for a long while just gasped for air her horn still faintly lit, finally her eyes opened looking around surprised. 'Luna...?' She pulled herself up on shaky legs her horn brightening the room. 'Luna?' Her horn grew brighter yet as she frantically searched for her sister her gaze finally settling on the Elements still floating patiently.

'What did you do? What did you do?!' She accused threatening with her horn catching a glimpse of herself in the half-broken pane of one of the windows, she stopped looking at herself carefully. 'What did you do...?' Her gaze suddenly shot upward through the destroyed ceiling to the moon above now adorned with what appeared to be the silhouette of a horned mare...

'No... No! This isn't what I wanted! This isn't what I meant...! Lunaaa...!!!' She screamed to the heavens her horn again flaring up sending a ray of power, warmth and love gently coaxing the moon back to its proper place in the sky. 'Luna... I'm so sorry...' She whispered looking around the Elements had already returned to their resting places a few of the bolder Thestrals peeking in trying to see what had happened. 'I... I must go... I have to think...' She stammered lowering her head and teleporting away.

Time again sped showing Thestrals searching the chamber for their mistress ignoring the Elements completely faster and faster they came and went fewer and fewer then there were none. Day, night, day, night again and again faster and faster the castle decaying even further parts crumbling before our eyes until everything returned to normal suddenly and six familiar mares seated right beside me entered the picture. I'd heard this story too many times from many different viewpoints but again to see it for myself, watch Twilight face down Nightmare Moon alone trying to 'spark' the Elements interest but only when they all came together... The Elements, choose? To help, again to try after a thousand years of self-imposed exile. Though to be honest the Elements motivations though seemingly benign were still a mystery.

The rest we knew, Lunas return, Twilights assignment to Ponyville. I wondered though why the girls had succeeded where Celestia had failed, not failed. She'd saved her subjects and Kingdom, but she certainly hadn’t wanted to banish her sister for a thousand years... The power of friendship? Still seemed as corny to me now as when I first heard it, but I couldn't deny together the six of them... Even separate they were something else, so through kindness, loyalty, honesty, generosity, laughter and magic... The Elements somehow attuned to them, learned from them and freed Luna... That I could believe in...

"So, what happens now? What do they want?" Twilight asked.

"No idea." Siphon shook his head with a small smile. "A thousand years and more and I haven't figured out a thing to be honest. I wasn't even sure they would answer the call when summoned... But I guess they still feel some small kinship with this place."

"Well duh, I mean this is like it's birthplace, right? Even though the Elders were meanie weanies this is still their home! And you, well you’re like their only friend!" Pinkie squealed excitedly.

"Me...? Friend...? I don't think..."

"Don't be so modest darling, you called to them for help and they came. Do you think anyone else, even one of us could do that?"

"Perhaps, I don't know..."

"Nuthen to know, ya just gotta feel it. Don't overthink it."

"There’s nothing wrong with overthinking..."

"Twi..." Applejack and the rest of us chuckled.

"It would be nice to have a friend again after so long..."

"Well then this is your lucky day cuz you just got six! No wait..." Pinkie looked around counting and muttering to herself. "Do I count each piece of the Elements...? Nah, that'd be silly! Ok! Anyhow, lots!"

He looked at her like she was crazy a look I knew all too well before a smile cracked through. "Well that’s... What...?! Ahg!!!" He fell to one knee a grimace of pain replacing his smile.

Several of us made a move to help him forgetting we couldn't even touch him but we noticed the Elements glowing, channeling their power into him, through him, the whole city! The power grew pushing us all back Siphon collapsed clutching himself and all we could do was watch. And just as suddenly it was over... Siphon lay there motionless the rest of us frozen in shock, what the hell just happened? The Thestrals had protectively surrounded us. I rose making my way through and over toward the main dais despite Cords hissed warning.

"Stay calm..." I tried to look calm though I was anything but, these were forces well beyond my ken... But hell, my own wife was! His form was still but I could see a reassuring rise and fall of his chest... Wait a minute... I knelt down beside him reaching out to check for a pulse, or... Something, I didn't even know what.

I wasn't sure what to expect, fully intangible like Alzarian or something in-between... I pulled back surprised at the solidity of his form, his skin was warm, dry and slightly bumpy akin to someone with goosebumps. He groaned as I gently turned him over, far heavier than I would have imagined despite his thin build.

"Ugh... What, what happened?"

"No idea, how do you feel? Just rest a moment."

"Alright..." He still seemed stunned having not even opened his eyes yet.

I scanned him not sure what if anything I would find, there were organs... Heart, lungs, liver maybe...? Some were simply unrecognizable which shouldn't have surprised me. But the strangest was the brain, or what I thought was his brain, as expected a good size mass in his skull but it didn't stop there it extended down his spinal column halfway down his back well wrapped and protected by flesh and bone. Amazing!

Nothing appeared amiss, but would I even recognize it? "Well you seem fine, and for a projection you seem awfully solid..."

"What?!" His eyes flew open as he tried to sit up, failing that he struggled to lift an arm letting it fall back after a moment. "What, is this...?"

"Gravity, it's been awhile but I'm sure you'll get used to it again."

"What?! Is this some pony magic?" He cast an accusing glare at the group which had crept closer only now to step back quickly.

"No, I think... The Elements somehow, why? I could think of plenty of reasons for us but they...? No idea." I glanced over at the girls seeing their excitement and relief. "Well maybe I can, I think the Elements have bonded with the girls here..."

"Obviously..."

"More than that, more than Celestia and Luna in a way your Elders couldn't even have imagined."

"How?"

"It's all guesswork really, love, respect? Helping others, just something about them resonates with the Elements... Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter... Magic." I smiled.

"Hmm... I've had a long time, a very long time to study, learn many things but there are always those that can't be explained... And I'm ok with that." He chuckled sitting up slowly just to be plowed over by an overenthusiastic pink pony’s hug. "Wha..."

"One of the 'perks' of friendship with Pinkie Pie." I grinned helping him to his feet the pink hug machine still holding tight.

"I... See." He smiled gently patting Pinkie on the back of her head. "Thank you, bearer... Pinkie Pie, friend." He almost looked disappointed when she finally let go but the others quickly gathered around re-introducing themselves shaking hands and hooves, not that he didn't know them it just seemed the right thing to do. By the time he got to me Cords and the rest of the Thestrals seemed more at ease everyone chatting together in a good mood.

He offered his hand and I shook it firmly. "Not what I expected."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Everything..." He chuckled. "This world, these ponies. the Elements, you. You were unexpected, to be honest I had no idea what would happen when I tried to call out to the Elements, weather they had forgotten me and this place... A human accompanied by a bevy of the same type of creature that took the Elements in the first place was unexpected to say the least. But now I can see they had their reasons, the sisters and the Elements, I may not be able to speak to them or even understand they truly, but it seems they can on some level understand us, that’s something."

"So, what happens now?"

"It will take some time for the city to be fully restored, a year perhaps then... Strange... I can still feel the city whole, my connection remains despite my... Life. Never thought, another chance... Sorry, my minds a bit of a mess at the moment."

"No problem, it's late anyhow." The narrative of Celestia and Luna had taken some time and night was upon us, Siphon excused himself encouraging us to rest there. It was far more comfortable than in the garden and despite the strange situation we all drifted off easily though I suspect Cords still posted guards...

"Good mooorning!"

I was jerked from my sound sleep by an excited, irritating, adorable, vexing... Pinkie Pie. I groaned rolling over burying my head in Twilights mane. "Must you be so cheerful in the morning?" I grunted peeking out.

She cocked her head in that adorable way considering. "That’s so weird..."

"What is Pinkie?" Twilight asked sitting up stretching and exposing me to the light, I quickly pulled covers over my head as she giggled.

"Well I mean I've heard that before from my Ma and Paw, my sisters, ponies around town, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, even Crankey if you can believe that?!"

"Even him? What a shock!" I sarcastically quipped from under the blankets which quickly became crowded as the pink one invaded eroding the last of my bad morning mood snuggling up and tapping me on the nose. "Boop."

I sighed. "Most of us just don't have your energy first thing in the morning Pinkie, you have to let us wake up in our own ways." I gave her a hug pushing the blanket off.

"Oooh... That makes sense, thanks!" And with a squeeze in return she was off like a shot though I could still hear her.

"Hey Dashie! Rick said I should let you wake up at your own pace... Soo are you awake yet? How about now? How about..."

I chuckled stretching out to pull Twi down against me. "Silly Pinkie."

"She's just... Pinkie." She giggled.

"No better description... So, what happens now? We've learned a lot and reunited the Elements with their... Home I guess? This place needs them but Equestria might as well..."

An apt question. Siphon's voice filled my head.

"Keep out of there..." I warned jumping slightly in surprise tapping myself on the side of the head.

"Hmm?" Twilight asked.

Just simple telepathic communication, no intrusion.

"Just Siphon communicating with me, sorry for the hostility. I've had... Something, in my head before... Didn't care for it."

Well not everything.

True enough, some things take up a permanent space.

Oh? Limited telepathic communication between two beings, fascinating. To answer your question, I'm not sure to be honest. I had hoped we might discuss it over breakfast?

Sounds good.

Sure.

And just like that small perfectly hidden doors opened along the walls making the Thestrals jump to a defensive stance until they saw what emerged. Tiny... Constructs I supposed, no two the same some like miniature humanoids, animals and even more bizarre and fantastic things. They carried out plates of food and decanters of water cleaning up any crumbs or drips they dropped as they went. We watched fascinated as they deposited their burdens then retreated from whence they came.

"So cute..." Fluttershy squeaked.

"Just the work of one who had far too much time on his hands..." Siphon entered from the main doors. "Sleeping again feels so strange... Eating, eliminating... Like a memory from long ago, still it seems I remember a few things." He chuckled. "Please friends eat, and we will discuss the future of this once great city."

"I recon it's still purdy dang impressive Siphon, just kinda empty... Lonely I recon, but we could fix that."

"What do you mean?"

"We've discussed it a bit darling and we're sure there are plenty of ponies... Any race truly who would be very interested in living here, learning from you. Though not in this desolate place..." Rarity smiled wanly.

"You think others would want to make this their home? This place of loss...? The Elders would never...!" He stopped himself realizing what he was saying.

"Um..." Fluttershy peeked up from where she was eating still quite intimidated by him. "Well I mean... You’re the Elder now..."

"I am...? Me?"

"Darn tootin! Heck, who knows this place better'n you?"

"That’s right! You’re in charge now! This place could be amazing again... Even more amazing! You know what I mean." Dash cut in with a devil may care grin.

"I'm not sure I..."

"Everything you've told us, everything we've seen... I think you can do it, the Elements trust you and so do I." Twilight smiled putting her forehoof on his shoulder though she had to stand to do so even he was seated.

A sentiment the rest of us echoed nearly all at once as he sat there flabbergasted.

"Well... What can I say but thank you? I'll do my best to prove I'm worthy of that trust..." He shook his head brow furrowing. "But, how can you? I could turn out a worse tyrant then they ever were!"

"I don't think so, you've personally seen horror and joy on a timescale and level we can't even imagine, look at you now... I think you'll find your way." I offered.

He thought a moment looking around at the smiling ponies and myself. "Very strange, I thought I was used to being on my own now it seems I am enjoying having some company again... Very well! I'll do it! It will take time of course, perhaps a year before the city is sufficiently powered to fly." Sensing our unasked questions, he held up a hand. "Naturally the Elements could provide enough power to life the city up right now, but it would be dangerous, it's been so long... I've done my best to repair but truly far more work and power is required."

"That’s not a problem, that time we'll need to explain to Princess Celestia and Luna, my brother and Cadence too! Finding a suitable place for you to touch down, planning a route to keep you clear of Cloudsdale and Las Pegasus..." Fluttershy looked like she wanted to add something, but Twilight was on a roll. "Good point Fluttershy! We'll have to be careful of migration patterns too! So much to do, so much to plan! Fun!"

While Twi was going on Dash sidled over to me with a grin. "If this much planning goes into the bedroom it'd be a miracle if you ever get lucky!" She laughed.

"Sometimes, but the planning can get derailed with a touch, kiss or even a little ear nibble..." I chuckled gently flicking one of her soft ears causing her to blush backing off a step.

"Hey! Oh, I'll get you for that!" She laughed.

"So, the Elements have to stay here then? What if there’s an emergency and their needed?" Fluttershy asked raising her hoof.

Siphon looked thoughtful a moment. "I can't say for certain, but the six of you... Your bond with the Elements is far deeper than I could have imagined, if you have need of them I wouldn't be surprised if they came to you, or perhaps even acting through your connection no matter the distance..."

The mirror world!

Hmm?

You and the girls... Their human counterparts that is, you used the Elements there!

A separate world you say? Where doubles of the bearers were able to use the Elements power?

Well Twilight was there with the Elements of magic, so she might have been the catalyst for that... Dammit, what did I say about peeking around in my head?!

Apologies, I just couldn't help 'overhearing'...

Fine, fine. And why am I the monkey in the middle here? Can't you eavesdrop on someone else?

Not a bit I'm afraid, but your right it's quite rude of me to intrude, especially to a non-telepath such as yourself. Rest assured I have strayed no deeper than your surface thoughts, I will have to be more careful. I've spent far too much time casting my mind out trying to find... Someone... Anyone...

Twilight and I looked to one another understanding, not the same thing of course, the time he'd spent alone...

What did you mean Rick is the only one you can speak with like this?

The Elements provide you with numerous protections but in this case a powerful mental barrier, your bat winged friends have highly trained and disciplined minds not against mental intrusion of this type it seems, but the result is the same, difficult to get into but to do such a thing would be... Well, an assault. Dangerous, breaking into a mind can break other parts of the psyche, this I know... Anyhow, other telepaths we leave... The top of our minds open to explain it simply, our deeper thoughts and secrets protected but open to telepathic communication quick and easy.

Fascinating!

Heh, so I clearly need to learn how to shield my mind is what I'm hearing.

Not a bad idea though I don't imagine those with psychic power are too common?

I haven't done a lot of research into it... But from what I know they aren't, I'll have to investigate!

"Anyhow, it seems things will be fine hopefully. The Elements will have to stay here but their attunement... Partnership even with each of you means they'll never be far."

"Eloquently put." Siphon smiled.

"I have my moments, few though they may be." I chuckled.

"I'm sure, I agree though and I look forward to hearing from or seeing your Princesses here again. This notion... Being part of a society again, I think I like it."

That decided we quickly prepared to head back, not that I didn't have the urge to explore every inch of this place, learn more of its people and history. And I well knew Twi could spend years here but Ponyville called us, our girls, friends and the simplicity of home...

Before long we stood before the massive front gate, as it opened five of the Thestrals standing aside Cords looking them over even he unable to keep the look of pride off his face.

"You'll hear from the Princesses as soon as we get back I have no doubt. Until such time, learn all you can. And be careful..."

"What’s going on Cords?"

"Sir Sparkle..." Seems this diplomatic situation had him slip back to his formal manners. "These five will be staying, they can keep Siphon company, answer some of his questions and..." He leaned close whispering. "Keep an eye on things here."

He doesn't trust me?

Don't be offended that’s his job, being ready for the unexpected.

I certainly can't blame him, I'll do my best to alleviate their worries and make them comfortable.

We know you will.

I noticed Malone was one of those staying so I excused myself standing aside to talk to her. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

"It's my duty, besides there’s so much to learn here... Unless... You... You want me to come with you? I... I owe you my life, you can have anything, anything I can give you, anything you want... Anything..." She whispered blushing.

Well that was a surprise. "You’re a beautiful mare Malone and if I wasn't married I might just... You don't owe me anything, Twilight really saved us anyhow."

"I know, I owe you both, if she’s interested... I'm not shy about other mares..." She left that hanging and I was the one blushing now.

"I don’t know... I mean it's never..."

She smiled sitting back looking at me. "That’s pretty much what Princess Luna told me you would say.

"When did you talk with Luna?"

"Last night in the dreaming, I imagine we all did. This place was blocking us from her, this whole area... But last night it lifted, no doubt due to what happened here. She contacted us, I was surprised at how concerned she was."

"Oh? And here I thought you knew a great deal about Luna, she's a very caring mare she and her sister. I imagine the two of them will be watching over us our whole lives and long after."

"It's true, we've spent so long telling storied of her while she was gone, putting her on so high a pedestal, romanticizing... But since her return, well the reality is even better. Different to be sure and now with Discord...!" She giggled smiling. "We'll continue to serve, follow and tell the old stories and now new."

"She's lucky to have such dedicated followers, friends... We'll meet again I'm sure of it." I gave her a warm hug and kiss on the forehead.

"Safe journey to you both, all of you..."

And out the front gate we went, the fog hadn’t returned, and the sun shone warmly though it only cut back the bitter cold a little. The mornings light showed us fully the carnage the city’s landing had wrought, dirt and stone tossed aside as well as huge rends in the earth I was all too familiar with. Fallen trees tossed aside long since dead some even petrified amazingly enough. We wove our way cautiously through the danger, it lessened the further we got from the city eventually we reached the end of the deepest crack looking back. The five Thestrals still watching and behind them the towering figure of Siphon raising his hand in farewell as if he could tell we were looking.

Of course, I can.

Would you stop that! I snapped jumping slightly.

Take care, I hope to see you all again soon.

Take care.

With the fog gone we made much better time quickly reaching the edge of the devastation and the artic planes looking just as we left them, for the moment the sky was clear, and we had no trouble traveling until nightfall making a small sheltered campsite. I thought we might see our 'pack' but as I understood it a wolfpack could have a huge territory, so it wasn't too strange for us not to see them.

We settled down Cords still insisting on guards though we were all much more relaxed with our journeys purpose achieved. Twi and I snuggled together worn out from the days march.

"Mmm... You smell so good love." I squeezed her softly inhaling.

"Ha, it's been some time since we've seen a bath or shower. I probably smell terrible."

I pulled her even closer taking another deep sniff. "Nope, still can't get enough." I chuckled. "If anything, I should be grateful I haven't driven you off."

"Oh you... A bit musky but nothing I don't like... Crave..." We kissed softly then with greater need but held back still quite aware of our surroundings and even more so those around us.

A day or so to the Crystal Empire then.

Mmm... Can't wait.

Night, love you.

Love you, sleep tight.

I slipped into a mostly dreamless sleep, fleeting images and thoughts but no Luna. Busy I suppose, it couldn't be easy tending to everyone’s dreams not to mention the night court and many other responsibilities she had... She, Celestia, Cadence and Armor too! More responsibility then I would care for, I'll keep my little slice in Ponyville. My girls, job and life. All I need, more than I ever thought I would have...

With the morning came a light snowfall but it didn't slow us down much, we were all eager to get to the empire or at the very least close enough to see the border. But the store worsened, and our visibility disappeared those scouting from above returning lest they be lost in the storm. We were beginning to lose hope of making it today or tomorrow and if the storm continued things would be much harder, unlike our journey to Atlantis on our return we had no guiding force to lead us.

We were preparing to find or if need be dig shelter for the night when a strange 'pulse' of magic unlike anything I knew of but still somehow familiar...

"Found them Shiney!" Came a familiar voice from above us as she swooped down.

"Cadence!" The girls excitedly called out rushing over to her.

"Princess." Cords and the Thestrals bowed then ducked as Shining Armor hurtled from the sky crashing into a snowbank clumsily.

I rushed over but he appeared unharmed, so I chuckled helping him up. "Smooth landing bro."

He smiled good-naturedly dropping a wing full of snow on me. "Thanks, still haven't gotten the hang of these things yet..."

"Practice my love, practice." Cadence giggled.

"How did you find us?" Twilight asked hugging her brother then Cadence.

"We've been searching since this morning, we weren't sure how far you've gotten but we knew you were on your way thanks to Luna."

"Brr..." Cadence shivered leaning against Armor. "Let’s talk more somewhere warmer, shall we?"

"We've still got some way to go, honestly we weren't quite sure we were heading in the right direction."

Cadence looked around orienting herself. "A little off Rick but you would have hit the railway eventually, we were thinking of something a little faster..." She smiled slyly her and Armors horns lighting, they touched them gently together and just like that we found ourselves in a crystal hall all of us still snow covered but far warmer.

The look of amazement on Twilights face must have been showing as Armor chuckled giving her a nudge. "Cadence and I know a few tricks too Twily."

"Come, just leave your cold weather gear here we will have it cleaned. Let's get some food and a nice warm bath for you all."

None of us needed to be asked twice, we shed our gear and followed the two of them through the palace until they stopped at a large pair of double doors.

"Shh..." Cadence whispered cracking open the door she and Armor peeking in while the rest of us tried to sneak a peek through my height gave me a bit of an advantage. It was the throne room empty but for a few ponies, a pretty little filly sat upon the throne her brother sitting grumpily on the floor beside her several guards nearby.

"My royal decree is... For a juice box to be brought to me immediately!"

"Of course, Princess..." One of the guards bowed heading off.

"What about me...?" Prism grumbled quietly.

"Two juice boxes!" Shimmer called out giggling.

"When's it my turn to be ruler?" He whined adorably.

"I told you, later."

"But that was this morning!"

"Are you pushing your brother around again Shimmer?"

"Nooo I... Daddy, Mommy!"

"Mommy, Daddy!" They both scampered off the dais as Armor and Cadence entered scooping them up for hugs and kisses.

"I was gonna give him a turn... Oh! Uncle! Auntie!"

Aegis looked over excitedly both he and his sister squirming away to gallop over to us.

"Look at you two! Your growing like weeds!" I swept them up hugging them between Twilight and me. We talked to them a bit before heading to the royal baths, a large swimming pool as well as multiple hot soaking pools, a sauna, steam room, the works! I certainly hadn’t packed any swimming trunks and I doubt anyone would have cared but my own embarrassment kept me to one of the smaller pools with a towel for protection while everyone else splashed and played in the big pool.

A few hours later we were all quite clean and feeling a hundred percent better enjoying a lavish dinner in which we tried to explain exactly what we had discovered, even with everything I'd seen and done here it was a wild and fantastical tale.

Finally, late in the day we relaxed in our room everyone else doing the same I imagined, we lounged in bed soft kisses growing more heated then... Things, happened...

"Daad! Ew. Didn't anything else exciting happen?!"

"Angel..." I chuckled leaning back exhausted from recalling our story. "There was an awful lot of excitement before we got back to the Empire, we rested there another day then took the train back to Canterlot to speak to the Princesses though they knew the story well. Picked you two troublemakers up and came home! Then you wanted to know everything that happened..."

"Aww, I wanted more like you fighting the wolf!"

"Once was more than enough." I rubbed her back as she cuddled against me, Star had tried to stay awake but dropped off about half way through the story sleeping between Twilight and me.

"It was an amazing journey sweetheart, but here at home with you two is more than enough excitement for a while." Twilight giggled.

"You said it."

"Booring... What if..." She interrupted herself with a huge yawn.

"There will always be more adventures Angel, but they can wait until morning."

"Aww, ok." She burrowed under the covers snuggling up as we got comfortable.

She's going to be a wild one when she grows a bit more.

She is now!

True, and I wouldn't change her for the world.

Not a hair nor feather, night love.

Sweet dreams, love you.

Atlantis... I'd thought of it every day since we left, so much time, history, power. All the places it had been and now here in Equestria, where would it end up...?

Interlude: One night in the Empire.

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A low 'psst' awoke me, looking around in the dim room I found the source Shining Armor looking through the cracked door gesturing with his head to come out. I carefully disengaged myself from Twilight smiling at the little frown that formed when I did so, I kissed her softly pulling away joining Armor in the hall easing the door closed.

"What’s up?" I whispered.

He looked around cautiously. "Let's walk a bit..."

I glanced down at myself, nothing but a pair of shorts. "I'm a little underdressed for wandering around."

"Ah relax no one’s around at this time of night..."

His reassurance was interrupted by a gasp of surprise and clatter, turning we found a young pony maid blushing as she gathered up her spilled supplies trying to avert her gaze.

"Ok almost never." He chuckled levitating her supplies back onto the cart with an apologetic smile as he passed, any embarrassment I felt was quickly overridden when I noticed she wasn't even looking at me all eyes for Armor.

He led me up through the palace to a flat section of roof, an assortment of blocks of differing size, toys and a couple of slightly singed training dummies. Seeing my confused look, he chuckled. "Magic practice for Prism and Shimmer, sometimes it gets a bit exciting."

"I bet, alright what's bothering you?"

"That transparent huh?"

"Well I'm all for some brotherly hanging out but usually not this late at night." I chuckled.

He tried to smile but just looked distressed.

"What...?"

"I'm scared..."

I let that sink in a moment. "You? Shining Armor? Youngest captain of Princess Celestias guards ever, defeated Chrysalis with his wife, co-ruler of an Empire! Now one of the most powerful... Oh..." He'd twitched at that last bit wings unfurling before he got them back under control and pinned back. "I see..."

"It's not that I don't appreciate what Twilights done... This gift... I mean I never could have done it..."

"It's a big change for sure but..."

"Shimmer and Prism... I... I always knew Cady would outlive us and there wasn't anything I could do about that but treasure every moment with her, live my life... Barely the blink of an eye for her but to me it was understood... Planned! I would pass before them... I wouldn't have to see... I didn't think I... I can't, I can't bury my babies..."

His composure broke as he slumped down sobbing, I put an arm around him holding him tight, these thoughts and fears how could I have seen?

"I know how you feel brother."

"You do?"

"Twilight and I's 'joining', it seems likely we'll live a very long life together, and I look forward to it but..."

"Scootaloo..."

"Yes, and Star maybe I don't know... I've gone from possibly living to eighty if I was lucky to five hundred or even more! It tears at me and Twi too I'm sure. Luna, Celestia... The loved ones and friends they've seen pass, will see pass... And you and Cadence now too, nothing we can do but be there for them in every way we can until..." I slumped down beside him trying to shake off these melancholy thoughts, but I just couldn't deny them. In my mind’s eye I saw Scootaloo, my little Angel propped up in a bed, old, grey, eyes dimmed by time. I wanted to reach out, hold her as my tears fell but then slowly my vision... Awareness, opened, slowly other ponies began to appear. Friends, family, children, grandchildren... A life lived, fully... I didn't know if this vision was real, magic or just my imagination fate being kind... I might not know if this was real, but I knew my Angel, she would live, fully, without regrets, without limits, without fear... She would fight, hurt, cry, laugh and love and we would be there for her, for Star whenever they needed us and others when our parental instincts pushed us to interfere... I chuckled to myself softly.

"This isn't funny." He snorted.

"Your right..." I rubbed his back comfortingly. "Your fears, my fears their real but..."

"What?"

"Time, we have time to come to grips with it. Watch them grow, make mistakes, fight, overcome, live..."

"And we'll be there..."

"Every step, it's not going to be easy for either of us but... For them."

"For them..." He drew a deep breath letting it out slowly. "Heh, I do feel better. It's a long road but at least I'm not alone..."

"You never were buddy, I think you'll find Cadence will understand far better than you think. You should talk to her, seriously."

"Yeah... I've probably been a bit distant... Difficult lately, she doesn't deserve that she deserves..."

"You. By her side, through thick and thin, ups and downs... Eh, other motivational stuff... I'm tired."

He burst out laughing and after a moment I joined in, two proper idiots laughing like maniacs on a roof in the middle of the night.

"Don't think you’re off the hook either, you should talk to Twi too."

"Your right, I know she worries too but we haven't talked in depth about it."

"You will, we will. Thanks bro, it means a lot I appreciate it."

"Anytime, helped us both and family is something I would never turn my back on no matter what."

"You and me both." He yawned widely setting me off as well. "We'd best get back to bed."

"Sounds like a plan."

We hadn’t been too long and not surprisingly the palace was still quiet, he led me back to the room and we shared a last hug and smile before parting ways. I eased my way back into the room trying not to wake up Twi, right where I left her, sort of... Sprawled out now like she'd searched every corner of the bed in her sleep. I slid in behind pulling her close breathing her in.

"I don't know what the future holds but I'll be by your side every step if you'll have me." I whispered kissing her neck settling down to sleep.

Forever and a day...

Chapter Seven (What’s in a name?)

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Another day, another train ride far from my loved ones... I sighed stretching out in my cabin. It had been a little over four months since the whole Atlantis debacle, still felt like nothing more than a dream though the lengthy preparations, meetings and planning that took place afterwards were nothing but. I looked out the window watching the scenery fly by. "Don't you have guards and ambassadors to handle this sort of thing Celestia?" I grumbled to myself though I already knew the answer to that, she and Luna did, often combined those known as Knights... And I took my duties as a Knight not to mention my debt to Celestia and Luna very seriously. So here I was, other more experienced Knights being unavailable i.e. all of them.

Roan city, ironically named, small and recently founded town roughly seventy miles north of Dodge Junction where Applejacks cousin Baeburn lived so she told me, provided a picture, his address and a detailed description of their last time there. Clashes between the settlers and indigenous buffalo... Hmm, far too familiar but thankfully dealt with far better.

The line stopped at Dodge Junction where I was to meet the town Sheriff hopefully, he would be able to point me in the right direction and maybe provide some insight. All I currently had to go on was a report sent from that same Sheriff, strange goings on at the small town. Ponies missing some coming back with little to no memory. They were out in the wilds to be sure and accidents do happen but that couldn't account for everything nor why it took so long for them to send for help.

The official report stated the request was finally sent or rather brought by a young mare who had trekked the seventy miles alone to Dodge Junction, Brook Tam... Why did they wait so long? And why send just one young mare? Well, no need for endless speculation it wasn't much further now and maybe I would have some answers though likely just more questions...

The train eased to a stop in front of a very western style town plenty of ponies going about their business, most of the ponies departing the train had others waiting for them. Visiting or perhaps come to join their families I guessed, I was given a great many sidelong glances but no hostility which was always nice. I waited a bit to see if anyone was here to greet me, failing that I shouldered my pack and made my way into town the Sheriff’s office wasn't hard to find. The citizens gave me space but seemed as curious about me as I was them. Unicorns, Pegasus and many Earth ponies I suppose this sort of venture must resonate with them, building, growing... But also, among them were Bovines, Sheep, Goats and massive Bison the males far bigger than the females all seeming to co-exist nicely. I entered the office and a couple of ponies looked up leaping to their hooves quickly.

"What... Can... Can we help you?"

"Here to see the Sheriff." I smiled friendly like making sure my medallion was clearly visible, its purpose was largely symbolic a means to identify Knights but also attuned to their owner by the Princesses. If lost or stolen it would find its way back to them, how I wasn't quite sure, but they assured me it would. I still let my little Angel wear it when she wanted to but made sure to have it on hand for this sort of 'special' circumstance.

It didn't take long for the Sheriff to emerge prodded by his deputies, an Earth pony with a light brown coat and a dark brown mane and tail as well as impressive moustache. A silver star on his vest and his cutie mark mirrored it. He looked me up and down suspiciously his gaze finally falling on the medallion eyes widening slightly. "Well, welcome to town! Sorry fer the poor reception, when they sent the message sayin their representative was comin they could have been a bit more specific... No matter, come into my office and I'll tell ya what I can."

"Fair enough." We adjourned to his office where he filled me in on the details, Roan city was a gold prospecting town. These towns popped up on occasion when and where gold is found sometimes flourishing surviving even after the golds played out though more often than not abandoned folks moving away to find a new home. This town was no different, simple folk just trying to get ahead. But something had happened, this young mare had braved the wilds to seek help...

"She was exhausted when they found her just outside town before long there was a crowd offerin food an drink askin questions worried about her you know? Small town livin, by the time I got there and dispersed the crowd she seemed well recovered. A quick stop at the doc to get her looked at and I was ready to take her disposition..." He looked through one of the drawers in his desk locating a folder placing it before me then continued his explanation as I read. "Seems folks began goin missing in her town coming back hours or even a day later confused and forgetful, didn't seem like a big deal we all get a touch of the sunstroke on occasion not that different. But she claims it kept happening and one day when she got home, she didn't even know her own parents! That’s when she ran, just one ponies word is a tough sell, but strange things do happen an I would be remiss if'n I didn't report it. I was surprised how quickly the Princesses responded sayin she knew just who to send to help out."

The file not surprisingly corresponded with what he said, suspicious of course but I would have to talk to her and see for myself. "Thank you, Sheriff you’ve been very helpful, I would like to talk to her before I head out."

"Now...?" He glanced up at his clock which showed almost a quarter after two. "Gettin a bit late, we'd be more than happy ta set you up at the hotel fer the night. Get a fresh start in the mornin..."

"Tempting, but if this is in fact a serious problem I'd best get there as soon as possible."

"Suppose that’s fair enough, I'll requisition some supplies for ya while you speak to her, she didn't want to stay in town suppose she didn't care for all the attention ah don't blame her. Left her in the care of one of the locals, Baeburn. He’s got a small farm on the outskirts of town, I'll send the supplies there he can send ya in the right direction as easily as I could. Good luck an no offense but ah hope the Princesses sent ya out here for nothin." He added with a smile extending his fore hoof which I shook.

"We'll see. thanks."

Didn't take long to walk out to Applejack's cousins farm, apples... Go figure, but there were a few small plots of vegetables as well. A small well-built home complete with several lines of drying laundry and there I caught a glimpse of motion, so I headed that way. I dodged my way through the wet linens coming face to face with a young buffaloian? Dark orange with a lighter orange mane wearing a headband with a feather. Her dark brown eyes went wide as she stumbled back tripping over her basket.

"Ahh! Baeburn!"

"Whoa! Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to startle you."

She flipped backwards acrobatically onto her hooves looking ready to bolt but we could hear galloping hoofbeats approaching which seemed to steady her resolve. At least for a moment until his gallop came to a crashing halt catching a line, uprooting poles and laundry burying the two of them.

"Baeburn!"

"Sorry hun, what’s the matter..." He struggled out from under the pile retrieving his Stetson looking at me. "Oh! Hey there Rick, pleased ta finally meet ya!"

"You know this... What is he?"

"Human, though that doesn't mean much to you I bet." I chuckled helping the two of them up levitating and resetting their poles putting the laundry back up.

"This here’s the fella my cuz mentioned in her letters remember? Rick this here’s my mare friend Strongheart"

"She didn't say he was so big..."

"Heck your daddy’s twice as big, didn't stop me from courting you did it?" He chuckled kissing her cheek making her blush.

"Almost did, you were shaking in your horseshoes when you first met him... But I'm glad you stuck it out." She smiled kissing him back.

They seemed to remember me both blushing. "Ahem... Sorry bout that."

"Not a problem Baeburn." I grinned being a big sucker for love myself. "I'm here to talk to Brook Tam, is she around?"

"Sure partner, Brook!" The three of us looked around seeing no one he sighed. "Dang filly could hide in an empty room. Come on out, everything’s fine!"

We heard a slight rustle behind us turning to find a pair of aquamarine eyes peering at us out of a bush. "You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure, this here’s Sir Sparkle, he was sent by the Princesses to look into those disappearances in yer town."

"Oh?" She emerged from the bush a pretty young mare with a white though dirty coat and a light orange mane and tail both fairly short. "Really?"

"Yes, I just need to ask you a few questions before I go."

"Go...? Oh! Well you kin ask me all ya want on the way there."

"On the...? I wasn't suggesting you come with me, it may be dangerous..."

"It's dangerous on the way there! Ya need someone who knows the land and what to watch fer! You need me, sides... Ah wanna see what’s happened, help if I can..."

I wasn't so sure about that and I certainly had no plans to drag a traumatized young filly with me on this journey but the look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. If I turned her away, she'd be following at my heels or sneaking ahead neither of which seemed wise, best to keep her close and hopefully safe.

"All right Brook, you win. The Sheriff’s having some supplies delivered, be ready to leave when they get here."

"Ok!" She rushed off excited leaving me with Baeburn and Strongheart.

"You sure about this partner?"

"She's definitely... I mean... Somethings wrong with her... Bothering her!" Strongheart burst out.

"I understand, but I don't think we can convince her to stay. Hopefully it's something she can work through."

"Ah guess, she's a sweet girl but... Somethin's missing inside er, when she first came, she didn't remember too many things... Ah mean, like what a well was fer! We've tried ta fill in the gaps as well as we could..."

"Still she's very affectionate once she gets to know you, not afraid of a hug that’s for sure, sorry to see her go but hopefully all will turn out well." Strongheart smiled.

"I'll do my best."

The Sheriff was true to his word and we didn't wait long before one of the deputies rolled up with a small wagon, food, waterskins and various other survival and camping items. He must have anticipated her eagerness to return to her home as there was enough for two including a pair of saddlebags which she eagerly donned.

Supplied and ready we were ready to go pausing only to say our goodbyes Brook hugging both Baeburn and Strongheart promising to come see them again someday.

There was a road of sorts clearly there was travel between the two towns however sparse, Brook walked beside me looking suspiciously at me as we traveled.

"Sooo..."

"Hmm?"

"What'r you?"

"Getting that a lot today..." I mumbled.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. A Human, not from around here clearly. I came from... Very far away, I was going to return home, but things happened. I found something I thought I never would..."

"What?"

"Love, a mare who... Understood me, made me whole, pulled me from the darkness..."

"Wow..." I looked down smiling at the goofy grin spread across her face.

"What?"

"I... I don't know love like that... It sounds... Amazing."

"It is at that, one day Brook, one day."

We moved a short way off the road as the sun dipped in the sky to make camp setting a small fire dolling out some of our provisions, dried fruit and nuts simple but filling. Looking over I could see she was just picking at her food.

"Not hungry?"

"Oh... Not really, just kind of nervous."

"About what?"

"Being out here..."

"You made this trip on your own."

"I hid at night, I was scared... Am scared..."

"There’s no need to worry, I will protect you."

"You... You would? You will? I'm not worth protecting..."

"Why would you say that?"

"I ran! From my family, my friends... I couldn't help them, I didn't even try!"

"That’s enough." I laid a hand on her shoulder comfortingly feeling her tremble. "Fear can get the better of anyone even me, it can make you do something stupid, something you regret but it can't stop you. Only you can do that, you can always go back try to right those wrongs real or imagined. Just don't give up, don't give in to despair."

"Heh..." She pulled away gently with a small smile. "I'm not sure I believe you, but you make me want to believe... Thanks."

"I'm here to help. So, tell me what happened, if your comfortable doing so that is."

"I... I don't remember much I'm sorry, but I'll tell you what I can..."

So, she told me what she remembered, bits and pieces. Going out into the woods to forage and when she came back everything was... Different. She couldn't recognize friends, family! Something had changed, changed them... The whole town! That was her theory at least and much of what she said rang true. Her memory loss, there were spells even poisons that could have had this effect on her, and if this was the case something was truly wrong. I would need to see the town and ponies there to figure out more, she fell asleep as I pondered looking up at the stars. I placed a ward around our campsite before drifting off better safe than sorry.

The morning came with no trouble Brook was up already watching me intently until I pulled myself up. "Early riser eh?"

"Not usually, just worried."

"I understand, I'll do my best to get to the bottom of this trust me."

"I will... I mean, I do!"

I chuckled and we quickly packed up having a quick breakfast as we walked.

"So, tell me about where you’re from, you have family there?"

"And here I thought I was supposed to be asking the questions?" I chuckled but played along telling her about Ponyville as well as Scootaloo and Starswirl. She lit up as I talked about them awwing when I produced some pictures as any proud father would. She peppered me with questions here and there throughout the day but for the most part we just hiked quietly, the sun shone brightly but it wasn't too warm Celestia was taking it easy on us today. There was plenty of wildlife about but nothing threatening to us.

Not for the first time and I was sure not the last I pondered Equestria as we walked, this world as a whole really. Why were some... Animals I guess was an appropriate term we're all animals after all, why were some sapient and others not... Some in-between, Ponies, Griffons, Bovines, Donkeys, Goats and many others I was sure then the birds, fish, bears, wolves and once again many more again that were not. Then there were the Angel Bunnies’, Winona, Tank, Owlicious... Those who's intelligence was far above their normal kin but lacked only speech perhaps. What was the reasoning? Evolution? Maybe but with magic thrown in the mix... Maybe I would never know but it was interesting to think about, by the time I cleared my head I noticed dusk was upon us, Brook was lagging behind a bit clearly tired.

"I'm sorry about that Brook, kind of got lot in my thoughts there."

"It's fine... I'm ok..." She gasped sitting down.

I looked around finding a reasonably flat piece of ground. "Let’s stop here for the night eh?"

"Ok..." She collapsed for a few moments then took a long drink from a proffered waterskin before helping set up camp. She was still very curious about Ponyville asking about the town and friends I had there, I had no trouble talking with her about it both of us laughing about some silly thing Pinkie had done, I may have embellished a little but with Pinkie you really didn't need to. Again, the night passed without incident, another day would see us there and maybe I would get some answers though I would have to proceed cautiously if something nefarious was afoot... Ahoof? Whatever.

Midday found us stealthily approaching the town through the bush, no need to draw undue attention to us yet. No guards I could see just ponies going about their day to day business, as we watched I considered what to do next suddenly a rustling and crashing came toward us through the bush. I couldn't see what was causing it and moved into a defensive stance hand on the hilt of my blade pushing Brook behind me. Closer and closer it came pausing occasionally before coming on again were they tracking us?

The myriad of defenses I had begun to surround us with collapsed immediately as two young colts burst through the underbrush wrestling back and forth. "Your it! No, your it!" They collapsed together staring up wide eyed at me.

"Whoa..." They echoed edging away until they spotted the mare hiding behind me. "Oh! Hi Brook! Where ya been?" The bolder of the two smiled reaching out to poke me in the knee as the two of them scrambled to their hooves. "Your it!" They giggled scampering off.

I stood there dumbfounded a moment before collapsing back on my haunch’s steading myself with an arm over Brooks back, we looked at each other a moment before bursting out in laughter, there might be danger here, but some things never changed.

"Friends of yours?" I managed after a minute.

"I... Maybe...?" Her pained look reminded me why we were here, I gave her a comforting squeeze getting back up.

"It's fine, let's head in, I think it's safe enough for now."

"Ok..."

The moment we entered town ponies recognized her calling out, they were wary of me but seeing her stick close to me the must have assumed I was alright. Several of them gathered around obviously happy to see her and she seemed ok with it at first answering a few questions mostly about me, but she grew more and more anxious when they asked about her pulling back into herself until I had to intercede worried, she might breakdown.

"That’s enough for now, we're on our way to see her parents. I'm sure she'll want to talk later."

They accepted that easily enough, I had been watching their interactions hoping to find some irregularities, but it looked for all intents and purposes seemed normal.

"Which way to your house?"

"I... I... I don't know!" She sobbed.

I pulled her aside out of view giving her a gentle shake. "It's ok, we'll just ask someone. No big deal."

"How can I not know? What’s wrong with me?!"

"We'll figure it out, just give me some more time."

"Okay..." She sniffed.

In a small town like this everyone knew everyone, and it wasn't difficult for me to get direction to Brook's parents farm. It was a moderately sized farmstead on the south-east corner of town their fields stretched out towards a looming forest nearby.

"Brook...!" A middle-aged Earth pony mare with an off-white coat and a bright orange mane and tail, pretty obvious where she got her coloring. She rushed off the porch dropping her watering can with which she'd been tending to some flowers, she headed straight for her daughter and I saw nothing but love and concern in her eyes, but she pulled up short as Brook took shelter behind me averting her gaze.

"Brook darling... What’s wrong? What'd we do ta make you run off? Just come back home an we kin talk it over, you, me an yer paw. Please..."

"I... I don't know you..."

I could see that hurt her, she stepped back shaking her head. "Ah don't know what ta do..." She stopped looking up at me as if just noticing me. "Goodness who'r you stranger? An what'r you doin with my daughter?" She asked suspiciously.

I smiled giving a small bow. "Rick Sparkle, one of Princess Celestia and Luna's knights. I've been sent to investigate the strange going on's here."

She gave me a questioning look. "Strange goin on's? Haven't hearda none other’n my daughter runnin off... Recon you should talk to the Mayor though, you kin always find em in town helpin folks out, settlin disputes an such. He's a bit hard a hearin though so be sure ta speak up." She tried to look around me at her daughter. "Now why don't you an I sit down with a nice glass'a cider an talk?" She smiled hopefully.

That seemed reasonable and considering her memory loss prudent, but I could feel her shaking still pressed up against me. "If you'll let me keep her with me a little while longer ma'am, the Mayor might want to ask her a few questions too."

She thought about it a moment nodding finally. "Ah suppose your right, don't worry darling we'll work this out no matter what."

I felt her give a little nod which was heartening then we turned making our way back to town she giving many a backwards glance.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

"No... Yes... Maybe? How kin I not even know my own ma?! Is it me? Is somethin wrong with me?"

"Not enough to go on yet, and if that’s the case we'll do what we can about it. Maybe you bumped your head or something..." Can't believe I hadn’t thought of it sooner, I scanned her quickly, but it revealed little more than an average mare in average physical condition, no bumps, bruises or broken bones. Whatever it might be it didn't appear to be physical in nature...

Lo and behold the first pony we encountered was the mayor himself on his way to find us, well me to be more accurate. Not every day one of the Princesses Knights visits our little town he said. An Earth pony he had a dark brown coat and a light grey mane and tail despite looking only middle aged... Hmm, must be a Mayor thing.

Though I had to repeat myself several times often raising my volume as I did, we found out a few things, first he was very pleased to see Brook back the whole town had been concerned. Second was nothing strange had been going on here to his knowledge. No disappearances nor memory loss other than Brook, he was very sorry he couldn't be of more help, but I assured him (hopefully not falsely) that I would get to the bottom of it.

The mayor treated us to lunch leaving us to think, Brook just picked at her food still clearly distracted and I couldn't blame her.

"Alright... You said you came back from going out into the forest when everything changed right?"

"Yes..."

"Then let's retrace your steps and see what we can find there."

"That makes sense..."

She led the way skirting the town and her family’s farm trying to avoid encountering anyone else I imagined, I let it go but she was going to have to face that fear soon. We came to a light trail into the woods clearly, she'd spent some time out here. The woods weren't very thick but there wasn't much too see either any tracks she or anyone else may have left were sparse at best.

In the distance I could hear the sound of water as good a place as any to begin looking. As we approached the ground grew rockier the local mountain range extending all the way down to here in a gradual slope, the sound of water grew louder around the bend but just before there appeared to be the entrance to a small cave, a pony could enter easily enough. I moved to take a look hearing Brook stop.

"Hmm?"

"You’re not going in there are you? I'm not going in there."

"That’s all right, just a quick look and I'll be right back."

"Fine..."

Ah good old teenage sneakiness, I had a lot of that to look forward too I chuckled to myself. I ducked down crab-walking forward into the darkness, I cast a simple light spell a small globe of light hovering just above my head illuminating a ways in front of me. The cave opened surprisingly wide and a bit higher, the light revealed a small hole dug near the entrance peering in I wrinkled my nose at the smell, a refuse pile the bones of small animals visible within... Someone... Something was living here? I looked around almost expecting something to rush out of the shadows at me! Nothing though, I brightened the light a bit exploring further.

There was a small pool of clear water the occasional drop falling from the ceiling, nearby whomever had placed a small store of food. Nuts and berries mostly and beyond that grass, moss and fir boughs formed into a cozy bed. I inhaled deeply, it wasn't a pony scent really, vaguely familiar but... Beside the bed lay a small trove of treasures, a broken pony doll, bent horseshoe, a collection of pretty stones and half a worn and dog-eared book Twilight would hate to see... Something lived here and recently it seemed, but they weren't here now... I realized suddenly I'd left Brook alone and I had been in here some time, I made my way out as quickly as I could to nothing. No Brook, no sign of a struggle... I circled around looking for her tracks finding them leading around the bend to and around a small waterfall. I followed down a small stream created by the fall, her path meandered a bit but still followed the stream much harder to track on the rocky ground.

As I followed, I got more and more nervous, I held back from calling out for her not wanting her to give herself away if she was hiding assuming this was something dangerous not just some teenage rebellion... The stream flowed crooked but there was evidence it ran straight sometimes too, runoff I suppose. Coming up was another small out cropping that could hardly be called a fall though from the top of that twenty foot drop I finally spotted her laying half in half out of the stream. "Brook!" I shouted but she didn't stir.

No time to waste, I teleported down fighting off the momentary dizziness to kneel beside he recoiling immediately, she was dead?! Not just recently dead either, decomposition began the moment of death naturally, but she'd been here for some time the stench of putrefaction hung in the air but how...?

"I... I..." Her voice drew my attention looking around confused I found her hidden to the side under the pine boughs staring horror struck. "I..." Before my eyes her form shifted to a black and teal female changeling, then back to Brook, back and forth the pain in her eyes unchanged despite her form. I reached out for her breaking her trance. "I'm sorry!" She screamed galloping away back up the stream.

I let her go for now having some idea where she might be going, for the moment I had to figure out what happened here. Scanning her thoroughly I found multiple broken bones and contusions but those had not killed her, her water laden lungs and prospecting pan trapped beneath her put the pieces together for me. She must have been panning for gold further upstream when a storm likely further up the mountain must have caused a massive surge in the steams flow catching her off-guard dragging her along... Drowning her as she fought for life... But where this changeling came in, I didn't understand, was she trying to replace her? Then why get the authorities involved? Everything she'd told me before rang true to me but now... Still so many unknowns, I removed my backpack unfurling my bedroll carefully gathering her up suppressing my gag reflex, I wrapped her up carefully grabbing her pan as well then levitated her behind me as I made my way back up the stream to the cavern.

I sat her down gently outside making my way in illuminating the way softly, things had changed from last I'd seen it the food and treasures scattered, and a small form curled up in the bed sobbing. I sat beside her reaching out to gently rub her back, not hard like I thought a chitinous shell might be but soft and supple. She jerked pulling away. "Leave me alone! Alone..."

"I'm not going to do that, I just need to know what happened, how did you end up here? Are you with Queen Chrysalis?"

She jerked upright staring at me. "That name... So familiar but... I... I can't remember! A burst of light... And the sensation of great force pushing me... When I came too, I was near here, found this cave... I don't know who I am, what I am! I hid here, taking the towns leftovers but never getting too close for so long... I heard a scream nearby one day and when I snuck out to look, I found her, me... Her. She was dead! But when I caught my reflection in the water, I was alive... She was!"

She was shaking uncontrollably and didn't resist when I pulled her into my embrace, things were beginning to make sense. If she had been part of Chrysalis’s army thrown this far by Cadence and Armor, it's a miracle she survived at all! While everyone knew Changelings fed on love, I had learned from Twilight that they could survive on regular food too but not for long. She must have been starved, running on instinct alone when it happened.

"I went back to town and everyone was so glad to see me, I felt so loved, wanted... My mind began to clear, but then I realized I didn't know any of them, ponies I should recognize... I got scared, paranoid and pulled away from them worrying them more. When my parents, her parents wanted to take me to the doctor I panicked, ran! Fabricated the only story that made sense to me... If I didn't know them, they must be imposters! I lied... Lied to my... Her! Parents, the mayor of Dodge junction, Sheriff, Baeburn and Strongheart after they'd been so kind to me, you...

She burst out in tears again burying her head in my chest, I let her get it out gently stroking her mane thinking things over putting the last few pieces together. After about an hour her sniffled had died down and I knew what I had to do, not what might happen but a shot. I chuckled softly pulling her gently up to look in her green eyes.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"But..."

"Shh, I don't know how this will end but you won't spend another night alone in this cave I promise."

"You..."

I pulled her close and she clutched me tightly a moment before I pulled, he back up wiping her tears away. Let's get out of here, I've got to take Brook home then we'll figure some things out."

"Okay..."

"Anything you want to bring?"

"No..." She hesitated a moment before picking up the book putting it on her back. "Ok."

I didn't want to scare or shock any of the ponies in town who likely have never seen a changeling and probably only knew the rumors of their worst, but I didn't want to leave her alone either. So, a compromise, I cast a spell to make her invisible... Sort of, while I had heard and read of true invisibility spells they were still beyond my capabilities, the spell I cooked up simply 'bent' the light away from her effectively making her invisible but it left a blank spot which was easily noticeable if you knew what you were looking for and often if you didn't. I kept her behind me making my way through town to the mayor’s residence easy to find once a helpful pony pointed me in the right direction.

Of any pony here I hoped he could be the most open minded, he was the mayor for a reason, right? Thankfully I wasn't wrong, he had heard of Changelings and what they'd done but also had heard of Princess Celestias armistice and after quickly explaining the situation he agreed to let her stay here with him while I took Brook home and made explanations... Or try to. He was saddened by the news but glad the truth was now known.

I retrieved Brook from where I had hidden her on the outskirts of her parent’s farm and approached the house and again her mother came out to greet me, seems she had been watching for us.

She looked at me and the bundle levitated beside me suspiciously. "Where is my daughter?"

"I'll explain all I can, is your husband home?"

"He got home ah short while ago, takin a nap right now. Where is my daughter?"

I could see her eyes widening tears forming in their corners as if she'd already guessed, a mother’s intuition I suppose... "I really think it would best if I explained it to both of you..."

"Where is my daughter!" She screamed looking torn between assaulting me and fleeing.

I gently lowered the bundle before her peeling it back, as prepared as I was her anguished screams still tore through me, I tried to comfort her as she struggled pounding her hooves against my chest, painful but nothing compared to what she was feeling...

Before too long the noise roused her husband coming out to see the commotion, a smaller bespectacled Unicorn stallion. Tan coat and a surprisingly pink mane and tail. Later I learned he was the towns banker and postmaster. He broke down as quickly as she and I didn't blame either, in a situation like that... Well I didn't know what I would do.

Several hours later and after explaining everything I knew and things I had guessed at multiple times I excavated a deep grave in their backyard finally laying her to a proper rest. By then it was quite late they offered me a bed, but I wanted to get back to the mayors to update him and her... They wanted to meet her, this changeling who thought she was their daughter even though I thoroughly explained she had meant nothing malicious in it. Once I was sure they didn't mean her any harm I agreed to bring her by in the afternoon, they still had a lot of grief to work through...

Back at the mayors I found things going much better than expected, he had poked and prodded her with conversation not getting far but when he noticed her one possession and asked to see it, he recognized it having a copy in his own collection. When he gifted it to her it opened things up considerably, he showed her more and varied types of books and music. She wanted to learn more and more an insatiable seeker of knowledge, reminded me of someone.

They were sitting in his living room when I came in a small pile of books before them, he pointing out his favorites while soft music played from his record player.

"Ah! There you are, good to see you. Tess and I were just getting to know one another." Seeing my confusion, he nodded pointing to a nearby portrait of a pretty mare. "My wife... Passed some time ago but she didn't mind me suggesting her name and I know my wife wouldn't have minded..." He added softly.

The changeling... Tess, I suppose shifted and there beside him sat that same pretty mare smiling at him, he gasped choking up slightly tears coming to his eyes. I was about to protest her manipulation even if she hadn’t meant to, but he held up a fore hoof stopping me. "No... No, I... Broached the subject with her, I... I just wanted to see her, if only one last time..." He smiled sadly then cleared his through wiping his eyes as she changed back. "How did things go with the Tam's?"

"Hard, hard for anyone to have to bury their child... But they will be all right in time, I hope. They would like to meet you by the way."

"Me?! Why?"

"It will be fine my dear, I know them both quite well they are not the type to point blame. I imagine they just want to talk to you, the last one to see their daughter alive..."

"Oh... I... I'll do it."

"They've still got a great deal to come to terms with, tomorrow afternoon. It's late anyhow."

"What?!" I repeated myself louder and he nodded. "Oh yes, we've already eaten but there plenty of leftovers in the fridge... Well I ate anyhow, when absorbing emotion, it seems to sate them quite easily, simply talking about my dear wife was more than enough to fill her up. Quite fascinating really."

"It is at that." Certainly, an interesting subject of study I would have to mention it to Twi. I left them to talk a bit more excusing myself to the kitchen enjoying a quick meal, the majors house was quite large having several guest rooms more than enough room for us both. I had just laid down when I heard a light tap at the door.

"Come in." Tess entered looking apprehensive. "What’s up?"

"I'm scared..."

"Come here." She came over and I sat up sitting her down beside me giving her a comforting squeeze.

"I... I'm glad things turned out this way... Other than Brook dying of course!" At my understanding nod she continued. "You and the Mayor, Baeburn and Strongheart, you've all been so kind but... What’s going to happen to me now? I'm myself but... I don't even know who that is! I have a borrowed name but nothing else..."

I pulled her trembling form close. "It's ok, everything will be fine now. What happens next? I'm not sure, you'll have to be the one to decide that. I'm sure you would be welcome here you've made a friend already and I know you will make more, you could also return to Dodge Junction I'm sure Baeburn and Strongheart would love to have you there, you could come with me to Ponyville, it's a wonderful little town and you could find your place there easily enough. If you wanted, we could find where the other Changelings have gone, and you could rejoin them..." She immediately stiffened at that suggestion. "No?"

"The mayor told me a little, how they tried to take over a kingdom but failed and their eventual acceptance and forgiveness from that same kingdom! I... I don't know what I may have done back then, I don't want to know."

"Ok, no one will force you to but remember you might encounter some of them on your own someday."

"I know, I'll deal with it when that day comes."

"Fair enough, feel better? You need you sleep."

"A little... Can I stay here?" Her big green eyes looked up at me hopefully.

"Of course."

We lay down and she snuggled up, after being alone for so long it was only natural. She was enjoying being around others even aside from her need for love as sustenance. I held her as we drifted off to sleep, I don't know what the future holds for you little Changeling, but it will be better than your past...

I felt quite refreshed when the morning light peeked through the window, no worries troubling my sleep. A lot of questions still but... Well here was a new one, what was a teenaged Scootaloo doing in my bed? I shook her gently and she murmured in her sleep shifting back into Brook then her natural form. Right, I had shown her pictures. Very impressive she could copy her and come up with what she would look like older.

"Tess..."

"Mmph..."

"Time to wake up."

She just buried her head under the blankets making me grin, that was fine, no rush. I pulled myself out the other side of the bed careful not to disturb her further and got dressed pulling the curtains closed as I exited. I found the mayor busy down in the kitchen smiling as he saw me enter.

"Good morning, sit please breakfast will be ready soon." He glanced towards the stairs. "Tess still asleep, is she? Well you know teenagers." He chuckled.

"I remember a bit, thankfully my two girls aren't quite there yet."

"Pardon?" I repeated myself and he smiled again. "Two? My, my you’re going to have your hooves... Hands that is full, won't you?"

"It'll be an adventure for sure."

"What?"

That was getting on my nerves, not his fault of course but still... While he concentrated on cooking, I took the opportunity to scan him paying close attention to his ears. I still wasn't an expert on equine physiology, but I had learned quite a bit and I was surprised to find his problem was simply a slight misalignment of his ear bones, an accident in his past maybe? Fixable at any rate I wonder if he'd never gone to see a doctor about it? Two slight breaks to move them into the right position then some healing and done...

The effect was immediate, his head shot up ears twitching. "What...?"

"Sorry about that, I should have asked your permission first."

"Sorry?" He laughed. "I never thought... It was just something I had to live with... Thank you!"

"Heh, happy to help my friend. After everything you’ve done for her..." I gestured upstairs. "Least I could do."

"She's something special, it's no coincidence she's here. I don't believe in coincidence." He smiled turning back to his cooking.

"Maybe..." It didn't take too long for the enticing breakfast smells to lure Tess out of bed sleepily stumbling into the kitchen.

"Morning..." She mumbled sitting down.

"And a good morning to you sleepyhead, how are you feeling today?" I asked.

Her head was on the table with her eyes closed but she smiled. "Good..."

"Glad to hear it!" The mayor exclaimed heaping up three plates with pancakes syrup and fruit, the three of us dug in even Tess, mayhap she was more used to eating then other Changelings? With her lost memory mayhap... Who knows, maybe it was just that good. I ravenously devoured my fill and a bit more, I sat there feeling very full as he sprung up. "Well, time to do my rounds about town. See how ponies talk about me when they think I can't hear them." He added with a grin and a wink. "I'll clean up when I get back don't you worry about a thing." And he was off and out the door.

We just sat for a bit full and content then I began gathering up the dishes transferring them over to the sink.

"But he said he would handle it..."

"True, but as good houseguests it would be nice of us to take care of it, so he doesn't have to worry about it later."

"I guess..." She grumped.

I put her on drying duty and after a while she got into it even sending back a few dishes to me she felt weren't clean enough, after she excitedly showed me the mayor’s small library and some of them, she hoped to read. If she saw Twilight and I's collection, she would go nuts I chuckled to myself. By noon the mayor still hadn’t returned, no big deal he was a busy pony I had no doubt.

"Well are you ready to talk to them?" I asked.

"No, yes... I don't know... What if they hate me?"

"I don't know, they might. If they see you and think only of their daughters passing... Well then you tried, there are plenty of other places, ponies, griffons... Well a lot of others to meet."

"Maybe... But... I want them to like me, I want to explain... Ugh! How can I even!?"

"Just do the best you can, that’s all you can do." I comforted giving her a squeeze.

"Okay... Let's go."

So, we made our way out of town no hiding this time and she got a lot of stares not too different from when I came through the first time. As we approached the farm, I had to restrain her gently a few times from galloping away, not that she really wanted to run but nerves will get the better of anyone. They must have seen us coming as they were both waiting on the porch.

"Please come in Tess." Mrs. Tam smiled at her confused look. "Mayor Walnut dropped by for a spell earlier."

"I'll be right out here if you need me." I patted her on the back feeling her tremble. "It will be fine, remember what I said." I whispered to her nudging her forward. She reluctantly trotted in and I hoped I wasn't lying to her, but I really did feel one way or another she would be fine.

I wandered around the property killing time enjoying the clear sunny day, it was a well-disposed farm small but well-tended and like farms the world over mine or this one it had several 'farm' cats. Tough and battle scarred used to working for their living everyday catching mice, rats and other pests. Fluttershy would be appalled... Or maybe she wouldn't, she might be a timid little mare, but she knew how nature worked. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten...

Tough though they might be once they got used to me a bit, they were happy to get some attention, two purring kitties rolling in the dirt adorably. As the sun began to set my playmates had abandoned me earlier heading out to hunt and I was getting a bit worried. I heard the back door open and checked around the corner finding the three of them before the grave heads bowed, I kept my distance not wanting to disturb them but sending a prayer of my own. I wasn't much for religion but the idea of an afterlife... Something that comes after... Well, it was a nice thought.

"There you are, sorry ta keep you waitin all day." Mrs. Tam beckoned me over.

"Not a problem."

"We've had a nice conversation about... Well a great many things." Mr. Tam smiled.

Tess was quiet but seemed much more at ease with them.

"We've talked an done plenty a thinkin yesterday an today an come up with one certain thing." She looked over to Tess. "Yer not our daughter." Tess’s eyes filled with tears her head dropping momentarily before it was gently tipped back up. "Shh... But that don't mean you can't be part of our family..."

"Wha... What? Me? Really?" She asked staring in sheer disbelief.

They both nodded teary eyed holding out their fore hooves for her.

She hesitated but only for a second before throwing herself into their embrace tears falling again but for a wholly different reason now, admittedly I may have had to dry my eyes a bit too, just that prairie dust kicking up...

"Well..." I smiled nodding to them. "I guess my work here is done then."

She spun around galloping over to throw herself into my embrace. "Thank you." She whispered.

I squeezed her a little tighter. "Anytime."

"Yer more than welcome to stay the night."

"Thank you, I appreciate that, but I should be getting back home. Plus, you three have a lot of getting to know one another to do."

Mr. Tam smiled pulling the two of them close. "I think we'll be ok, thank you again. For everything."

"As I said, anytime."

The three of them stood together waving as I walked off, I hoped everything would work out for them. I was a bit surprised at their decision but... What did I know? They had an empty hole in their lives and Tess... Well she needed someone, not just for her sustenance for her life...

It was still quite late though so I stopped by the Mayors to let him know what happened, he was quite pleased promising to keep an eye on them then offering me a late meal and place to sleep which I politely declined heading out after my snack. Only making it a mile out of town before night fell on me, thankfully the temperature was mild as I no longer had my bedroll. I stretched out backpack as my pillow looking up at the stars, long walk back to Dodge Junction, long train ride home... Gives me plenty of time to figure what I was going to write in my report to Celestia and Luna, happy ending... I hoped.

Three to Five

by TwilightsmyMare

Chapter One (Trouble in Canterlot? Hmm, must be Tuesday.)

Interlude: Something wants out.

Chapter Two (To the north.)

Interlude: Taming Chaos

Chapter Three (Know the past.)

Chapter 4 (Dark nights, dark days.)

Interlude: The space between spaces

Chapter 5 (Slipping into trouble.)

Chapter 6 (Their past is ours.)

Interlude: One night in the Empire.

Chapter Seven (What’s in a name?)

Interlude: Smarty Pants 2.0