> Forever Roaming
>  by Yuki Harima
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Midnight Arrives
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter: 1
The Midnight Arrivals




The Everfree, a place avoided by most ponies and essentially, a big hunting ground. The forest was untamed, its instability was just another matter. The weather controlled itself, the plants grew alone, and worse of all, the animals care for themselves. To the man standing before the forest, this was just a normal thing. He grew use to the changes ponies controlled, weather, the celestial bodies, and could grow food quicker than normal. To him the forest seemed a distant memory of home, but this was not what he was there for.

He was there for his objective, and he was going to stick to it.

He stood tall, decked out in clothing of another home. Dark camouflage pants and a blouse over his chest helped him to blend into the forest with a matching Kevlar helmet. He checked the small pendant around his neck, the badge of his position, his profession.

The bag on his back carried the tools of his trade. His M16A2, his Ruger MK II, a K-bar knife, a set of mysterious blades made for a Pegasus, ammunition, camping materials, rations, and even reading material 

He looked onward, a creature, one of the nightmares, was sighted near the edge of the forest. These creatures, created, and controlled, by the Nightmare itself. The creatures were that of your greatest fears, bundled into a being. Nopony went into the forest, its abundance of violent creatures kept them clear of it. Of course, most of the creatures remained in the forest, choosing to stay in familiar territory., Nightmares on the other hand, roamed, explored, and killed what they chose to.

He was there to stop this one, it was considered deadly, but, no description was given about it. He looked at the other guards, all of them Ponies, they were all there on the mission. Only he was the one that at the moment had the tools to fully dispatch this nightmare.

The group slowly moved into the forest they ignored the recent trail they made to Sunny Town, instead they worked forward into a unknown part of the forest. The hunter looked up at the sound of something behind him. He turns to face the sound only to feel himself be slammed into at his chest and he fell backwards only, he wasn’t hitting ground it felt like he was falling from a great height and he could only think of something to do, he clutched the pendant and closed his eyes concentrating on something. His world utterly black.





Through the windows of the car, trees of a forest passed by at a fast rate. The man driving the car looked around him, distracting himself from the road. “I need to hurry before the others get there.” He placed his eyes back on the road, it seemed to stretch on forever.

The man wore cheap blue jeans, a basic brown tee-shirt he bought at Kohls along with size 7 sneakers. He had spiky brown hair to match his carefree attitude and dark blue eyes. He was laid back in his seat to give his legs more space.

On the passenger side seat sat a old styled camera, one that uses film. Inside the car, papers were scattered about, sightings, newspapers, stories, even a couple of books sat inside the car. On top of his camera was a hat, a baseball cap to be exact. It featured some band on it, one named Lord Buck. His friends were in that band and decided to support them by wearing one of their hats. 

Though their music wasn’t what he was into, he still enjoyed their company nevertheless. In front of him, just a good distance away, was the end of the road, turning into a parking lot due to the place turning into camping grounds. Pulling into the parking lot he turned his key, shutting off the engine. He then reached over, grabbing his camera and hat. Upon opening the door, the tinted windows no longer supplied him with a cover to the sun, causing him to squint. After adjusting to the light, he slowly looked around. “This should be the place.” He said while looking around. “Looks like I’m the first one here.” In fact, he was. There were no other vehicles in sight, leaving him alone in the woods.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small flip notebook from his messanger bag that contained his notes, pictures, film, and camera bag.. “Alright, what was going on around here again...”

He slowly read the paper, listing what was going on and what he should look for around the area. He was a journalist willing to take risks, showing up alone to find out what was going on. He read on the paper of people seemingly vanishing, without a trace. There was also talk of some figure being seen around the woods. Of course this could just be another murderer on the loose once more but still, a story is a story,  and he needed the money.

He was there to write what was on the scene and any notes that should be kept to mind, he placed his notepad and pen into his pocket once more. “Lets see...” He looked into the forest in front of him, the trees stood tall, their leaves seemed to cut off light into the forest, leaving the area below to dance with shadows.

“Eeh...” He moaned quietly. “For crying out loud, if this place had blood marks on it, I would think I’m in a horror film.” He said while walking into the forest, camera hanging around his hip by a loop. He studied the area as he walked deeper into the dark forest, passing up a sign at the entrance. 

The Forever Free Forest.

Stay out.

“Wow...that has got to be the most stupidest name for a forest I have ever heard. Might as well just remove the space, The Foreverfree forest, For... Everfree.” He shrugged. “Eh, Everfree would possibly be better, Forever Free makes it seem like it was from a Japanese RPG game.”

Paying no more mind to the sign, he ventured onward, over some surfaced roots and small water sources. After walking long enough, he noted no signs of anything going on, no signs of a struggle, blood, marks, chipped wood, not even animals.

That’s when he noticed the lack of animals in the forest. Normally this forest was home to a plentiful source of animals, ranging from squirrels to bears but, at this moment, there was nothing, no creatures, no marks, no anything, not even an echo of sound. Slowly this began to unnerve him as he started to walk again, this time back in the direction he came from. Suddenly he realized something.

“Oh you gotta be kidding me...”

He had ventured to the point in which he has no idea where he ended up.

Slamming his palm against his forehead in frustration, he let out a long sigh. Slowly he began to walk once more, heading in the direction he hoped was the right way.

He kept an eye on his foot placement, not wanting to take any nasty falls on the large amount of surfaced roots and rocks that laid scattered about the forest floor. He walked for what seemed to be hours, possibly days, but in reality perhaps a couple minutes. The silence unnerved him. Where are the animals, why can’t I hear anything in this forest. He thought to himself. He raised his hands and clapped them together, the sound echoed through the woods, taking out the possibility it was him somehow going deaf.

A twig snapped, slowly he looked to his feet, but realized he didn’t step on anything. Slowly one more, he turned around, a dark figure stood behind him, its features were unable to be seen. It then took a step forward, slowly towards him.

With fear in heart and the urge to live pounding into his mind, the man took off on a sprint, turning the other way. He ducked and weaved through the trees, some clipping him, causing him to get his shirt to get ripped and take his hat off. He could always get another one, panic was too set in for him to even turn around.

”I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you Slenderman!!” He yelled, screaming for his life.

While running his mind ran through everything, the blood that ran down his arms, shoulder, and even a little on his head. The forest wasn’t very kind to him. He noted the stream to his left, the rocks to his right, but what he failed to notice was the large root that was surfaced right before him.

His foot slammed into the root, causing him to lunge forward, in a quick motion he placed his arm in front of his face for the blow of the forest floor.

But it never came.





Equestria seemed to be having a calm, sunny day. The Everfree on the other hand seemed to be growing its own thunderstorm. The clouds were rumbling and lightning arcing around the clouds themselves. Something was off, and a certain group of ponies decided to investigate.

“Twilight, that weather is looking really rough.” Rainbow Dash spoke eyeing the storm clouds with an eye of expertise.

“I know, that’s why we were asked to find what is causing the disturbance. The Everfree forest has been flowing with a powerful source of magic as of recently and it is causing some of the creatures to act wild.” Twilight said.

“Oh...d-d-d-dear.” Fluttershy stuttered and hides behinds Applejack. 

“Don’t ya worry Fluttershy,” AppleJack says, trying to calm her friend, “I am sure ya would be able to handle any critter in that dern forest.” AppleJack turned to Twilight, “Twilight, what is exactly going on in the Everfree forest.”

“Well, Princess Celestia sent me a letter saying that there is a strong magical disturbance in the Everfree Forest. She asked us to investigate the forest to see what is the root of this strong magical disturbance.” Twilight informed to all present

“Well whatever it is, I am sure we can handle it” Rainbow Dash boasted, brimming with confidence. 

“And after we do stop it, I can throw a giant party for all of us to celebrate!” Pinkie Pie gleefully exclaimed.

The group of ponies each went into the forest to face the unknown danger that might await them on the other side of the trees. 





While the man tried to lock his concentration the sensation of hitting the ground finally caught up with him, throwing him off his game. Upon opening his eyes he looked to his chest in a flash looking at the location he got hit. To his surprize he found nothing there, not a scratch, nor creature. 

“Stupid Nightmares.” The man muttered as he rolled to his side as he began to scan the forest, his first realization was that he was missing his entire squad. In fact he seemed to be in another part of the forest.The wind was cold, and the forest darker than what it was before. Some water fell on his head causing him to look up and notice the large amount of clouds overhead, electricity snapping around them.

“Well, that was not there before.” he muttered at the sky. He began to look around for his gear. “Better find shelter before that storm breaks.” He found his gear laid on the floor, feet away from him. He picked it up, testing its weight and checking inventory to make sure he did not lose anything.

After finding that all was in order he placed the rucksack onto his back and began to use the compass to get his way out of the forest, his first stop was Ponyville. He shivered, something felt off to his mind. Shaking his head, he began his trek, quickly moving towards where he believed was the exit.

He moved slowly, his rifle in a semi raised position. He was slowly stepping forward. He didn’t recognize the surroundings, but he could see. Seeing he knew in the Everfree was a good thing. His steps were cautious. He would ever once in awhile stop at a tree and rap out a sound. He was looking for something while still keeping bearing around him.

A sudden flash to his right followed by a thud alerted him, causing him to quickly raise his rifle, pointing in the direction of it. There on the ground was a bipedal creature, seemingly human, on the floor, his arms raised to his head mumbling something loud enough to be heard.

“PleaseDon’tKillMePleaseDon’tKillMePleaseDon’tKillMe-” He cried at a rapid pace. 

The Soldier blinked and while keeping his rifle raised pointing at the figure, barked out. “Who are you!” The mumbling human ignored what the man said and continued crying to himself. The Soldier growled out as he stepped forward. “Cease your babbling or you’ll draw upon us all the terrors of this forest.” His voice sharp, hard, and hissed out now as he looked around in worry at the way too silent forest.

The person stopped his crying and turned around to see a man geared up for a tour of duty. “Who are you and what do you mean by terrors of the forest?” Then his eyes widen as he starts to panic. “Are you here to kill Slenderman?”

The soldier just looked at the other person, mentally he was happy, though confused at hearing English, after hearing Equestrian for a while now. “Slenderman? No, but I had to fight the Slenderpony.” His facial expression softened. “What’s your name? What are you doing in, How did you get into the Everfree?” he paused and looked very worried. “Actually, can you walk? Move?”

The person seemed to calm down after seeing a friendly face. “Yea, My name is Chris Olsen. I think I can walk fine and what about a skinny pony?” Chris speculated at the idea of a slenderpony.

“Skinny Pony?” The soldier asked before shaking his head, “Come on Chris, let’s get you to Ponyville medical, they can look at you there.” He paused and raised his pendant he had around his neck to his eye and Chris saw the pendant, a green eye with a black dragon slit in the middle. Making it look like a dragon’s eye that was glowing a dull green. “Good you are not infected. They didn’t get you.” he paused. “But then, how did you get into Equestria?” he got up from kneeling and moved to watch the surrounding. “Let’s move out.”

Chris stands up and starts to follow the soldier. “Okay but first, where is ponyville, what is the weird pendant you’re wearing and what did you do with it, and why did you think I was a zombie?” Chris asked.

The Soldier blinked and looked back at Chris. “A zombie would have been a better fate than what I feared what might have happened to you.” He paused and shivered. “Still I am glad you are not a zombie either.” He paused a little and looked around then at a compass before moving off in another direction. “Ponyville is at the edge of the Everfree, the largest in the Equis valley. Saddle River flows through it.” He spoke with with smile. “The pendant? Sorry that is classified.” He paused at another point and then looked at Chris. “Name’s William.”

“Okay William, I can understand if you don’t want to tell me about the pendant.” I am going to find out eventually. Chris devilishly thought. “but I think you have the name of our current location wrong. You mean the Forever Free forest, not the Everfree forest.”

William paused and looked back at Chris. “My fine person, I do not think you are in Kansas.” he looked at the forest and pointed at a small patch of a strange blue flower. “See that?” He pointed at the plant. “It is dangerous, and not in earth. That is called Poison Joke.” He looked around the forest. “We will have to move around the patch. Don’t walk through it, touch it, or anything else. Understood?”

The soft sound of crunching leaves alerted them to a new presence. They both turned towards the sound and in the distance a group of ponies seemed to be exploring, looking around. They were not noticed by the group at the moment.

Chris’s mouth was agape at the sight of colorful ponies. He notices that two of them have wings and that another two had horns. I think I just found proof that unicorns and pegasus exist!” Chris takes out his camera and gets it ready.  I am going to make a fortune off of this discovery! That or I might be crazy.

“Stay right here. Don’t move, I am going to move on ahead. It looks like they sent in the E-team.” He actually placed his rifle into a safe setting before moving forward looking like he is going to approach the group. 

Chris grabs his shoulder and pulls him back. He whispers to him, “What are you doing! You are going to scare them away!” 

“Scare them? If I do not anything, we could be attacked by them.” He shivered and moved forward. “If you get this tight at seeing just six, wait till you see Ponyville.” he chuckled a little and moved forward a little. Chris sighs and follows behind him.. William took a breath. “HEY Twilight! This Sector’s clear of nightmares, How was your search with Luna?” He didn’t want to say that he got attacked and separated from his squad. Chris blinked, did William just speak another language?

The ‘E Team’ froze, locking their sights to the two humans, one standing with some object in his hands, the other with the hand to his forehead.

William was confused at their frozen sights and he steps slowly towards them and shoulders his weapon. “Uh... You were sent here to help with nightmare clean up, right?” his voice becoming unclear. However to Chris, William was still speaking another language from what he had been using with Chris. Chris was just confused as to what he said.

“Did you just try to speak to a bunch of colorful ponies with gibberish?” Chris asked William in a harsh whisper.

Twilight placed a hoof to her chin, slowly she began to speak in the same language.

“Just, what are you two?”

A certain cyan colored mare decided to interrupt their moment.

“Uhh, Twilight. Could you translate for us?”

William stopped and froze, tilting his head at Rainbow Dash. “Dash... when did you learn English?”

> Nights to the lost mind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 2
Nights to the Lost Minds



Chris’s mouth fell onto the ground from hearing Rainbow Dash talk. “Talking Pegasus! How is that possible!” Chris took out his camera and start taking pictures of the group, but he forgot to turn on the flash on the camera. 

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight and moved in the air to stand between the two humans and her friends. “Okay mister, who are you? What are you doing out here? How do you know my name? and What was it you were trying to talk to Twilight about?”

“Rainbow!” Twilight shouted in shock. “He was speaking ancient Equestrian.” She looked curiously at the two. “Well, I would like to know as well.”

William blinked three times in quick succession as something seemed to click in his mind. “Uh... you don’t recognize me? Uh, anything? Fluttershy taking care of my snake bite? Princess Luna dragging me around on her back while I was on the edge of death? Being summoned to Canterlot Castle as a safety protocol with the Elements?” Each time they all shook their equine heads in the negative. “But how?”

At that question William began to pace back and forth but never going any closer to the group of six ponies, the entire time his lips were moving in the shape of words but only very few reached any pony or human ears as he seemed to descend into self detective work. 

Chris on the other hand, is still taking pictures of the ponies. “Wait till I send this to Time magazine. I am going to make a fortune.” His camera runs out of film. “I think I have enough pictures for now.” Chris happily cheered. 

“Uh, did you know that your flash wasn’t on.” A bubbly voice spoke up as it seemed to popped up from out of nowhere. The voice came from a pink pony with curly poofy mane and tail and was grinning and bouncing in one place. “So what is your name? Mine’s Pinkie Pie! I’ve never seen you around do you live in the Forest? Do you know Zecora? You must know Zecora if you live in the forest!” All of those words and questions were spoken in one single breath. 

Chris just stood in shock to see a pink pony appear out of nowhere and manage to say all of that in one breath. He walked back a little to get some personal space from the pink pony. “Umm...my name is Chris and no I am not from the forest. I don’t not know of this Zecora of which you speak of.” Then Chris facepalmed. “I can’t believe I forgot to put on the flash to my camera.” 

“That’s okay we all forget to do things like this morning where I forgot to set two timers and so the cakes I had in the oven were in the oven just a tiny bit longer than needed but that is okay I was able to still use them!” Pinkie replied with a grin and hopped closer, closing the space that Chris had just created. “You don’t live in the forest? Then where do you live? I mean you don’t live in Ponyville because I know everypony in Ponyville and I never seen you before!” She gasped in a loud and dramatic way. “OH! Are you are space monkeys?” Chris was starting to get uncomfortable with how close Pinkie Pie was. 

“Pinkie!” The other five shouted in shock.

“How could you ask such a uncouth question.” Rarity murmured a little with a look that was the most shocked of the group. However Rainbow Dash smirked before returning to glaring at William who was still pacing.

William just blinked and paused and stared at all of them. “This is not possible. This is not. Are you all figments of the Nightmares?” he paused. “No,” he spoke much softer then. “No, it cannot be, the nightmares couldn’t be, you are too solid, yet...” He looked up into the angry sky. “Tell me the date please.”

Rainbow Dash snorted. “April-” Rainbow Dash was cut off by two voices.

“April? It’s July.” Chris yelped.

“Impossible it was November,” William growled before blinking a few times while still staring at the sky. “though it does explain why it is warmer.” He looked back down at the six ponies.

“Well it could be time travel,” Chris joked. “like Doctor Who only there seems to be a missing tardis.” All the ponies just looked at him like he was some crazy person. 

William saw the expression and sighed. “You don’t have the Doctor do you?”

“Who?” Twilight asked making William smile and laugh a little. 

“That’s the question never meant to be answered.” William respond before looking to Chris. “So  you have time travel science fiction, well, welcome to real life Chris, We are stuck here for the time being.”

“Wait...” Chris just stars at WIlliam confused, “What do you mean? This is New Jersey right?”

William actually began to laugh. “We are as far from New Jersey as we can be-”

        “So...New York?” Chris said in a puzzled tone.

“No, this not New York. This is the lands of Equestria.”

“Uh, don’t you mean New Yoke?” Rainbow Dash asked in confusion. 

William laughed, “No, New York that is a state or territory in our homeland.” He looked at Chris. “Also you are not on Earth, At all!”

Chris just stares at William like he was a person stuck in a crazy asylum. “Sure...and I am the president of the United States of America.”

William looked at Chris before looking back at the E-Team. “I would advise you all to help. This man needs more than me talking.” He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I also needs to speak with Princess Luna due to some problems.”

“Wait, how do you know Princess Luna?” Twilight asked while tilting her head in a confused look. 

William blinked and sighed. “Based on Starswirl’s multilayer world theory, I in another ‘world’ work directly for Luna’s personal guard.” He crossed his arms. “Other than that, I cannot tell you anything more, you do not have the Security Clearance to-” 

“Now see here.” Rainbow Dash squeaked, flying up and actually poking a hoof at William’s chest. “I don’t like this idea of you hiding information,  How do I know you are not causing this weather?”

William sighed yet again and rubbed his eyes. “Because humans cannot control the weather.” His voice showing to those who can tell emotions that he has had this discussion many times before.  “Please, do you know how confusing this is for me? I am having this conversation again, with the same ponies as before.”

“The same ponies...again? But i never seen y’all in my life.” AppleJack accused. “Ain’t that right Twilight.” 

Twilight was pondering over what William said to them before. Chris was lost during the entire conversation. “Okay...seriously. Where the fuck are we.” 

Rainbow Dash’s eye twitched and she turned to Chris. “Equestria, Ponyville. We are in Everfree Forest and you have a Spider on your shoulder.” She looked at Twilight. “I like the other one, That one listens.”

Chris Flicks the spider off his shoulder. Pinkie Pie was still at Chris’ side and looking at him with an odd look. “You're funny you know that?” she giggled.

“And you are extremely pink.” Chris turns to the other ponies. “and what do you mean Equestria. I never heard about it or seen it.” 

“Yep, I’m Pinkie Pie and you’re Chris.” She chirped with a giggle.

William sighed and held up a hand. “I’ll answer that.” He walked over to Chris while the others just watched the two strange creatures of the same species interacted. “You are in another dimension, another world. Earth as you know it, is not real in this world. For me, we are in a cartoon world.” This caused gasps of confusion, and shock from the other ponies but William ignored it as he continued on. “You never heard of a cartoon show called Friendship is Magic?” 

“Oh yea...I heard about that show. Hasbro wanted to create another series with that name but due to low views they canceled it after the first season.” Chris stated. “Their ratings went down the drain. It was produced by...Bob Saget or someone with that name.”

William just paused and stared at Chris. “That,” He paused and blinked. “Well you and I are not from the same world. My world had the show grow in popularity, It was set for at least three seasons, with some rumors but only the second aired so far.” He sighed. “Welcome to the World of Equestria, home to Nightmare Moon, Changelings, Diamond Dogs, Pegasus that control the Weather, Unicorns that can teleport, Earth Ponies that can harvest anything in the world, and two princess that can control the Sun and Moon themselves and another who is able to remind all about love.” William was smiling. “Basicly,” he lifted his rifle. “This is the only thing that makes us even close to competitive with the native life forms.” He smirked even more. “Oh and Dragons.”

Chris’s mouth hung open from what William told him. “So you are telling me that the mythical creatures that I read about are true and are in this world.”

“Yep, but the majority, are friendly, like the Princesses, Earth, Pegasi, and Unicorns. Dragons stay out of the way a majority of the time, just watch out for the Migration.” Chris just fainted from the shock that mythical creatures exist. 

William blinked and looked at Twilight and the others. “Okay, can you help out here? I am not going to leave him to the Manticores and frankly.” he was smiling. “I like Chris, he is easy to rile up and blow his mind.”Chris leg twitch at the mention of his name. 

Pinkie Pie adds, “Me too! He is so much fun and his reactions are funny! Also he has Pinkie Senses.”

William looked at Pinkie. “What does twitchy leg mean?”

Pinkie Pie smiled. “Oh, that means that something is going to surprise us.” She spoke happily before William in one fluid motion and before Rainbow Dash could react, had raised his rifle, fired off a burst of three shots in Pinkie’s direction but it went over her head and impacted something wooden that roared in pain.

“TIMBERWOLF!” They all screamed. Twilight without much thinking picked Chris up in her telekinesis and all six began to run while William Stayed back and they heard him slowly fire his rifle into the monster all the while running away from the now three Timberwolves.





The Everfree Forest was as normal as it usually is. Dark, foreboding and the wind made it sound as if something moaning was in the air, the dark storm clouds were not helping either. Its usual quiet The edge of the Everfree Forewind was louder than normal, a large amount of thuds and bangs could be heard as six ponies, one unconscious human, and one human awake firing his rifle into the forest burst out of it. The human firing into the forest stopped, he peered into the forest making sure they were not being followed anymore. When he couldn’t see anything he called out.

“All clear.”sensation

A soft mumbling began to escape Chris’s mouth. Something about his whole body feeling like its numb, a type of pricking . 

William chuckled slightly, knowing how magic must feel to him. The rest of the group was panting after running away from the timberwolves. Rainbow Dash was the first to recover from the ordeal since she is use to exerting herself so much and flew right into William’s face. 

“Alright you! What the hay did you use back there!” she pointed towards the forest as she spoke.

Twilight chipped in. “And what do you you mean by us being a show. Where did you come from and how do you know about Starswirl the bearded?”

All the ponies eyes turned towards William who was just staring off into the forest. He looked to see that they were staring at him. “Well, lets start at Rainbow’s question.” He looked at his weapon and moved a switch. “I just put my weapon on safe,” he motioned with a hand. “As for what I used, this is a military grade weapon on earth, that I just used to keep you all safe from a pack of Timberwolves.” William was actually showing just as much aggression as Rainbow Dash was showing to him. He turned to Twilight. “Simple, to me you are all as much a set of fiction as Daring Do, at least until I was pulled to another Equestria, and now, I am in a third world.” he closed his eyes. “As for Starswirl. I know about him because you told me about him in another dimension I assume.”

Twilight was just about to ask another question until William interrupted her. “Yes, I know you want more questions, but first, Chris,” he pointed to the fainted human, “Will have questions, second, You have asked me questions already that I frankly know the Princesses will ask as well. I want to deal with this all at the same time, so I do not repeat myself. So let’s all retire to someplace cozier than the edge of the Everfree Forest, Contact the royals, and hold A Pow Wow either here, or in Canterlot, I don’t care.” William spoke with a huff.

“I do hope it is Canterlot.” Rarity muttered as she was fixing her mane with a mirror and brush while looking back at the forest with a wary eye. 

Fluttershy was staring at the humans while hiding behind her mane. She was the farthest away from the humans but also double that distance from the edge of the Everfree forest.

Applejack was pulling on Rainbow Dash’s tail as she almost exploded into attacking the two humans upon hearing the rather flippant manner in which they were talked to. Pinkie Pie was looking at Chris. While Twilight just slowly nodded her head as it was making sense.

“I think I understand what youre saying.I have been studying Starswril the bearded’s theory on other universes out there and that it is possible.” Twilight said to William. “I also think that it would be wise if we head to my tree house. That way we can send the princesses the letter about two weird beings in our world and explain it to all of us.”

Rainbow Dash interjected. “Twilight, are you actually going to believe what this guy said? He could be just lying to us and possible going to hurt us with the thing he has.” Rainbow Dash pointed her hoof to the rifle. Fluttershy cowered in fear at the mere mention of getting hurt. “Applejack are you with me on this.”

“Ah’ believe what he’s sayin’. Ah can tell he ain’t lyin’ and so far what he’s sayin’ is the truth”

William smiled. “Thank you Applejack.”  He looked at Chris. “Shall we get him off the ground or shall we move him to a more comfortable-”

A loud splash of water alerted them to the fact Pinkie was holding an empty bucket, tilted just right over Chris. He bolted upright, startled yelling things at William.

“Dude! I just had the freakiest dream! I was in a forest with ponies but then this alien artifact called The Marker fell to the planet and started making these creatures called Necromorphs and then Master Chief flew in on Commander Shepard's ship with Isaac Clarke at his side, and Duke Nuke-” Chris looked around to the scene of ponies and William just staring at him. “Oh wait theres the ponies.” He began to fearfully look towards the sky, fear of this ‘Marker’ showing up. “Ponies are better than creepy creatures of death.” he mumbled to himself, out of most of their hearing range. The only ones that heard him were William and Pinkie.

William smiled and shook his head, yet Applejack saw the look of a haunted past in his eyes. “Chris, I can tell you that to my knowledge we will never have to face the Markers.” he shivered when he remembered his friend talking about those games. He looked at the others. “Arcade game, but... well more, advanced, and with those he said, scary.” He sighed. “Okay, we are all awake now, can we go now?” he was looking a little impatient. “Timberwolves can rebuild themselves.”

“What can rebuild themselves and do I want to know?” Chris asked, not sure on what dangers lurk in the forests. 

“You do not want to know, just, let’s get away from the forest, okay?” William growled at him. “Also, if I keep saving your life, you are going to be the death of me.” Chris grumbled to himself and did what he was told. 

The others just blinked but Pinkie was the first to start hopping down the road as William finally got a good look at Chris before blinking. “Okay, we really need to get you to Ponyville, well maybe not.” He looked at Twilight, “I’ll need some first aid supplies Chris got some bad scrapes on his body from falling in the forest.”

Twilight only nodded her head and the group started to walk back down the road towards Ponyville and Twilight Treehouse.





The group arrived at the front entrance of ponyville and proceed to enter the peaceful town. The citizens were going about their daily chores until the group of ponies plus two humans walked into town. The ponies just stopped in their tracks and stared at the two humans and wondered on the two mysterious creatures. Then they went back to what they were doing. 

Chris noticed the the ponies just staring at them or ignoring them. He goes over and asks Pinkie Pie. “Why are they not freaking out? From my knowledge of movie and books, people tend to freak out at something they don’t understand or know about.”

“Well the ponies freaked out about Zecora being and evil enchantress that was going to cook you up in a stew which i sang in a nice clever song and so did fluttershy who had a really deep voice at the moment cause I had a swollen tongue at the moment and..” Rainbow Dash stopped Pinkie pie from speaking due to the conversation going nowhere and was heading off tangent. 

“That did happen before hoof when a pony by the name of Zecora came to town. We realized that she was  just a nice pony that we thought was evil for being different. Also this town has seen some weirder things besides you guys.” Twilight studiously informed the others.

Pinkie Pie manages to take Rainbow Dash’s hoof off her mouth. “Yea! There was the parasprite invasion, Nightmare moon returning, Discord causing chaos, an Ursa Minor attacking the village, Twilight’s mental breakdown...” Twilight blushed when Pinkie Pie mentioned it. Chris just raised an eyebrow. 

“This place is fucking crazy. How can anybody stay in this place. I would have left when the first disaster happen.” Chris sighed “I think I need some Nicotine in me or I will go crazy.” Chris grabs his messenger bag and opens it up. He reaches in and grabs a carton of cigarettes. He takes one out and puts it in his mouth. He grabs the lighter and to light it and takes a long drag. 

William looked at Chris. “Just, be careful, this place doesn’t have those sticks.” William moved to be up wind but he still coughed from the smell. He cleared his throat a little and worked to try and keep away from the smoke. William began to smile. “Don’t come to me when you run out, I don’t smoke.”

“Well no shit. Ponies don’t smoke at all.” Then he started to ponder over the idea of these ponies smoking a cigarette. “or do they? I don’t know. Umm...pony with purple hair. Do they have cigarettes here or not.”

Twilight responded, “ Well my name is Twilight Sparkle and-” Chris started to laugh. “What’s so funny?”

“You name...it sounds funny!” 

“Why is that?” Twilight questioned.

“I mean... ah you won’t get it. It is an inside joke. 

William only groaned at the implied joke and shook his head. “Don’t remind me of that.” He held his stomach with a grunt of pain.

Twilight just looked at Chris before she began again. “I don’t think we created anything like umm...cigarettes was it?” Chris nodded his head. “I don’t know anything about them but they are really smelly. Why would you enjoy it.” 

“Thank you.” William shouted with a look of relief. Right before he crashed to the floor with a grey mare Pegasus sitting on his chest looking confused.

“Opps my bad.” came the female voice, while William actually began to laugh at what just happened. “Are you okay Mister?”

William only nodded his head. “Yeah, I just forgot to look where I was going.” He smiled as he got off him and adjusted the mail pouch and took off into the sky. 

“Oh, mister I owe you a muffin for running into you.” She called off as she took off rather well and back into the sky.

Rainbow Dash was face hoofing. “At least she wasn’t with that crazy pony that the Mayor has that keeps our clocks running, those two get on the strangest ideas together.”

William only smiled and laughed a little. He was sitting up and dusting himself off. “Well, that fact is the same, no matter the time or form, I seem to be struck and knocked down by Miss Hooves.”

Rainbow Dash only twitched a little before growling. “Can we just get to the library now? I am missing my nap, and the weather is way too nice to waste here.”

“Okay okay. Hold your horses...” Chris facepalmed at what he just stated. 

William only groaned. “Please in all that is kindness let that not be an insult.” 

Rainbow Dash only gave Chris an odd look. “We are ponies not horses. Sheesh.” 

“Nevermind what I just said.” Chris said.

The group arrived at Twilight’s treehouse to which Chris stared at with his mouth wide open. William only laughed and pushed Chris on the shoulder. “Just wait till you see the inside.”  WIlliam walks inside with the rest of the ponies.

“I swear if this place has a swimming pool in it, I will quit smoking.” he mumbled to himself and followed the rest in. He takes one last intake of his cigarette and snuffs it on the cobblestone. 

> Dawn of Reason
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 3
Dawn of Reason



Twilight walked into the middle of the main room. “Welcome to the local library, and my home.” She spoke with a grin. “Now, all,” She paused as Spike came running up to her with a scroll in his claws.

“Twilight,” He yelled in his young voice. “We got some letters from the Princesses saying that we need to head to Canterlot tomorrow. We are getting some high dig..” he paused and looked at the two humans. “Woah, who are these guys and where did they come from?”

William on instinct went to a military attention. “Lor...” he coughed and moved to relax. “Sorry, at least where I come from you are a Lord for saving the Crystal Empire.”

Spike only looked confused. “Uh what?”

William blinked and looked very worried. “Never mind.”

Chris stared at Spike. “So you’re a dragon. you look more like a scrawny lizard. Do you even breath fire?” 

Spike seemed to puff up at that and burped a bit of green smoke. “I am a Baby Dragon.”

“Oh, spikey wikey I know you are a dragon.” Rarity shot the humans a slight look for Spike’s sake.

“Thanks Rarity.” Spike muttered in a love struck manner.

Chris noticed the love struck eyes Spike gave to Rarity. “Aww looks like someone has a crush on a certain unicorn. 

William coughed into his hand while talking. “Cough ‘Somepony’ Cough”  

Chris turned and gave him the stink eye “Really...everypony...just kill me now. I don’t think I can handle a world with pony puns. 

“Well that is the correct terminology here.” Twilight began. “For you I would take it that someone is your phrase like we use somepony.”
“But Spike isn’t a pony!” Chris pointed out. “it makes no sense and just sounds stupid.That is like me saying somehuman all the time” 

Spike huffed. “Anyway, what should I reply to the Princess?” He asked as Twilight was reading the parchment before looking at Spike.

“Spike, take a letter,” Twilight replied. “Due to events in the Everfree, we shall be taking the next available train, we have two new creatures that need to be cataloged, as such we need a meeting as soon as is possible. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” Spike was writing all of this down before he rolled it up, took a breath and breathed fire to burn the message, all making sure that Chris would see it happen. The smoke acted odd and flew out an open window.

“Yea that doesn’t surprise me lizard boy. I seen enough in my job and right now I am in a world of colorful, talking ponies. Nothing bothers me.” Chris said to him with a stoned face. 

Spike only grinned and a minute later he put a clawed hand to his mouth and burped loudly as green flames left his mouth and a scroll materializing a scroll.

“Really...he burps out a scroll ‘cause that makes so much sense!” Chris exclaimed. “What’s next he going to burp out a million dollars!”  

“Dollars?” Pinkie Pie asked in confusion. “Don’t you mean bits?”

“Whatever! I give up!” Chris throws his hands in the air while saying this. 

“You’ll get use to it.” William spoke softly, “Or you’ll go insane, I hope you get use to it.”

Twilight during this entire time just read the letter before looking at all present. “Well girls.” She paused at the eye twitch from Chris. “And human beings, we are all been asked to arrive to Canterlot Castle and meet with our leaders.” She looked at Chris. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” She looked at the six. “I am sorry to ask you all short notice but I need all of you to come with me, the Princesses asked that we are all present for a very important dignitary that is retiring to our lands.”

“Wait dignitaries are going to be there. But I need more time! I must go back to my shop to pick up something more suitable for royalty to see.” Rarity worried thinking about how she looks in front of dignitaries. 

Spike quickly volunteered to help Rarity and the two left the library. Pinkie was there one moment, and just, well hopped out of the room talking loudly about party supplies.

Applejack looked a little downcast. “Ay might be able to get away for a time but Ah got to talk ta Granny Smith for this, just tell me when y’all will be leaving.”

Fluttershy spoke in a voice that only Twilight could hear before she left as well. Then Rainbow Dash flew off as well leaving the two humans and Twilight, with Spike.

Twilight looked at the two humans and gives them an awkward smile. “So... uh, what have you all been reading?” She realized that she was talking to Chris as William had moved to a corner of the library leaned his rifle on the wall and pulled a book out of his shoulder pocket. He didn’t even respond to Twilight’s response.

“Do you have any manga. I could use some to read or any graphic novels.” Chris asked.

Spike blinked. “You mean comics?” He asked being unsure what manga was.

“No, graphic novels are not comics books and are completely different.” Chris started to explain to Spike. Twilight walked over to the group to hear about an interesting concept of books. “Graphic novels tell the read a long term story in a series of picture panels. Comics are short strips that tell a small tidbit of a story. Manga is also another story that is too long for me to go in detail.” 

Twilight shook her head. “I do not think so. You can talk to the Canterlot library about that.” She looked around and looked at Chris before smiling a little nervously. “So, you have any questions for me?”

A small gleam appeared in Chris’s eye as a devilish grin appeared on his face. “Oh do I ever.” Twilight started to worry about her safety from the creature she never seen before. Chris takes out his notebook with a pen. “Now. “What other species of creatures populate the area, what are the main diet of ponies eat, what is your current government situation, any celebrities you have, what type of technology do you have...” Chris was asking twilight so many questions in rapid succession that would almost make Pinkie Pie jealous. Twilight started to back away from Chris at how uncomfortable Chris was making her. 

Twilight blinked a little. “First of all, personal space please.” She poked a hoof into Chris’ chest from how he has approached her while asking the questions. “Second, There are the three pony races. Well four if you count our Princesses, they are Unicorn, Earth Pony, Pegasus, and Alicorn.” She smiled a bit wider at being able to give information. “There are then Griffins, Cows, Dragons, and Diamond Dogs that are sentient and have their own laws and regulations. Diamond Dogs are a bit more, nomadic with hunting for gems and more, bandit like as well.” She magic's a glass of water to herself to drink from before continuing.

Twilight continued with the back and forth and to the surprise of all five other ponies the two were still going on about their discussion, mostly on the current political situation, well, more on the fact that the two Princesses were able to raise both the Sun and Moon. This continued all the way to and onto the Train to Canterlot.

At the back the entire way, William was shaking his head watching the exchange, remembering how Twilight had picked his own mind upon learning about how his planet orbited the sun.

The train ride, considering all things, was rather normal. Rainbow Dash was agitating and moving from place to place. Applejack spent the time talk to Pinkie Pie about some party for Granny Smith, Rarity actually dozed a little due to the lull of the train. Spike sat near Twilight as she dictated a list. Chris was once again taking pictures due something that Chris said that caused her to be now making a list of questions to ask the two humans. William, was sitting next to Fluttershy and the two were only watching the scenery in silence. The Rifle leaning against the wall of the train car.





“This is canterlot!” Chris exclaimed while staring at the gorgeous city. “How the hell did they manage to get this on a mountain?” He took out his camera and proceed to take pictures of the city. 

Twilight smiled with pride. “Magic. Plus some of those building go into the mountain itself.” She was happy to share that tidbit of information.

“Damn, this looks amazing! I can probably sell these picture back home and make some money off it.” Chris continued to take pictures as a scheme forms in his head. 

“Chris, you return home, and show those photos, you’ll be getting awards of having the first real photos of an alien civilization on another planet.” William muttered with a voice of annoyance. “Anyway, lead the way Miss Sparkle.” Pinkie could see that for some reason William’s mood had taken a step down.

Twilight smiled and led the group to the Canterlot Castle, while on the way, William blinked and looked around. “Higher Security than I remember Canterlot being.” She paused. “I wondering if I can see Shining.” 

William looked around and for an odd reason, his rifle was missing from his grip. As if the rifle has just vanished. He too was looking around the city and the castle and all the guards, yet he was also keeping his head low.

“So who is this shining fellow you’re talking about?” Chris took a picture of the guards. 

“He’s my BBBFF.” 

“Your what?” Rainbow Dash asked. 

Twilight smiled and began to speak. “Before I found the magic of Friendship, Shining Armor was really the only pony I would consider being a friend.” Chris and William heard some music in the background

“If you break into song, so help me God...” Chris growled.

“Who?” Applejack asked.

“I swear to whatever God you worship that if you break into song I will...” Chris was cut off as Twilight broke into song.

“When I was just a filly I just found it rather silly to see how many other ponies I could meet.” She began.

BBBFF Song





Upon reaching the castle, Chris’s expression was that of constipated fury. William on the other hoof, had joined in singing with the chorus with the others members of the Mane six, a goofy grin on his face as he seemed to have cheered up.

“Okay...I have a serious question. How do you all knew the lyrics to the song!? Is this practiced? Do you hold weekly song meetings to schedule when you’re going to put off the next one? If so please leave me out of it!” Chris complained 

Before anyone or anypony could answer the questions, the doors to the Throne Room opened on their own accord as a flock of doves flew out as they seemed to be practicing some music.

Fluttershy made a small face. “They all are out of tune, oh dear.”

Where the doors had parted a vibrant red rug laid across the long hall, the marble tiles seemed to stretch to the sides of the room, the marble pillars rose to the high ceiling, and the windows let in a large sum of light from the setting sun just outside on the horizon. Towards the end of the rug was a throne, golden framed and red cushioned, elevated by what seemed to be two slabs of marble. At the sides of the slabs were two miniature waterfalls.

Upon the throne Celestia finished writing a letter with her golden magic. She rolled it up and sent it off with a flare of golden fire. Seconds later a burp sounded in the silent room, making Celestia look up as Spike was holding the very same letter she had just sent. “Oh, you are here already. Rise my little ponies.” She smiled a little at the slight humorous event that happened. Behind Chris the group of ponies rose from bowing to their ruler. William had only saluted, then dropped it upon hearing the words rise.

Chris in a burst of sheer annoyance. “Why did you send them a letter when she is in the same room as you! You’re just as bad as teenagers in my world.”

William just looked at Chris with a groan. “You just yelled at the solar princess of the lands of Equestria, or in words that will make sense, you yelled at the ruler of this land.”

Celestia just smiled and looked at Chris with the look of one enjoying the joke.Then she had a look of bewilderment as she gazed fully upon Chris and William. “Is this the reason why you requested meeting with me so soon?”

Twilight only nodded her head in an eager manner. “Yes, they are the situation I wrote to you about this morning.”

Chris suppressed a giggle when being referred to as a situation. The ponies, who have better hearing, heard the suppressed giggle. 

“What so funny?” Rainbow Dash growled

“Nothing, just an inside joke where I’m from” he calmed himself. 

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at Chris’s behavior “As I was saying,” Twilight continued on, “These two we found in the Everfree Forest near the epicenter of the disturbance, we were then chased by Timberwolves out of the forest, and the storm, currently has dissipated.”

“I see and where do the two creatures hail from?” Celestia asked her pupil.

“We’re right in front of you.” Chris pointed out. 

“Oh, I am sorry.” Celestia apologize. “Where do you hail from?”

William moved to a military stance and gave a salute. “I hail from the Nation of Equestria Ma’am.”

“You do realize that you are in Equestria.” Celestia spoke with a bemused look.

“Different Equestria Ma’am.” He paused. “Before that, I hailed from the United States of America, planet Earth Ma’am.”

Celestia only nodded a little. “At ease.” She spoke and for a moment to her it was as if seeing the old style of Luna’s guards salute. Before she turned to look at Chris, “What about you?” Her voice calm and motherly in tone as she spoke to Chris.

“Well I am from a very populated town in the state of New Jersey in the good old United States of America just like soldier boy over there.”

        “Oh my I forgot to ask for your names.” Celestia added.

        “Well my name is Chris Olsen.” Chris replied. 

“William Jefferson Howard.” Came the curt response as William stayed a rigid stance.

Celestia only smiled before focusing on William. “Now, solve this mystery for me will you Mr. Howard, why are you wearing, was to my eyes are clearly, Lunar Guard regalia, some of which was used when my Sister was ruling with me one thousand years ago.”

William stood at fuller stance. “I was a front line soldier against living Nightmares.” He ignored a small snort of contained laughter from Rainbow Dash and Chris. “Due to my actions, I was conscripted into the Lunar guard, the insignias are that of a Nightmare Templar. Ma’am.”

Celestia looked concerned, “Living Nightmares?”

“In the Equestria I came from,” William continued, “The forces that corrupted Princess Luna were that of living Nightmares that wished to enslave the entire planet for hosts. They then would move to my world.”

Celestia looked worried. “How... likely would it be that some of these things came with you?”

“Unknown your Majesty.” William replied honestly. “But your world walls are strong, so, less likely, still best to be on your guard.”

From a back door that had two royal guards standing guard, the door swung open in a light blue color as a lighter blue coated alicorn stepped into the throne room. To William’s eyes she was smaller than his Luna, and maybe looking a little more shy as well.

“Tia tis almost time to lower the su-” Luna blinked and looked at the crowd, confusion and bewilderment playing on her features. She stepped fully into the room to get a better look at these newcomers.

William however due to training, as soon as she walked fully into the room snapped from his relaxed to full rigid stance, faced forward and yelled in Celestia’s presence. His voice ringing in the chamber in a language that was for all extents and purposes, archaic. The only thing that all but three ponies knew was it seemed he had just announced one of the monarch personally.  “Royal dictator of the Moon Luna, ON DECK!” To Celestia and Luna, it was a rather impressive mortal mimic of the royal Canterlot voice.

Chris put his finger in his ear to clear out the ringing in the head. “Why don’t you scream that louder I don’t think they heard you on the moon.” 

William did not even give Chris a look he was still at his full military attention.

It took Luna a moment to form the correct words into the correct language to match. Upon realization, she had responded simply with. “At ease.” in Old Equestrian language.

William moved to a relaxed stance as he visibly loosened up. His face moving and brightened a little at hearing the words. “Of course your majesty.”

The group of ponies were confused at the conversation going on. “Uh...Twi. Can ya help translate what they are sayin’.” Applejack asked. 

Twilight waited for a small nod from Celestia before speaking. “William yelled out Luna’s name with a very old title of hers, as well as yelling her presence. Luna gave the command to go to an ease stance, and William thanked her all in proper military manner.” This showed that she was not fully fluent with the smaller nuances. 

Celestia upon seeing this exchange, smiled. “I see that we all will have questions, however, since we have one more guest coming tomorrow, I believe that we should adjourn for the evening, and give Twilight time to read her new messages I was sending her. Is that agreeable to all present?”

William nodded his head. “Of course your Majesties.”

The Ponies agreed as well, and Chris, Chris made a meh sound. 

“Very well, Guards, please show our guests to the guest chambers for the evening,” She looked at Luna, “For the night, All will stay in the guest hall, William can be talked to in the morning.”

The group of ponies were taken to their rooms by members of the royal guard. William and Chris were taken to separate rooms. He opens the door to see a fancy room that can rival with the five star hotels in Las Vegas. “Holy crap! This room is fancy. The last time I stayed in a five star room was never ago. This is awesome!”

> Morning of Understanding
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 4
Morning of Understanding



The Sun was barely rising and the Moon was setting when William walked from the small balcony he had. He was dressed in black shorts and a t-shirt the same color as Luna’s main coat color with the Lunar Guard emblem on the front with ancient Equestrian characters on his back. He looked like he had just done some exercise as he was sweating a little. he moved to pick up one of the soft fluffy towels and began to dry his face. He paused as he heard a soft knock upon his door and he looked towards the door before walking towards it. Still in shorts and a T-Shirt. He opened the door to look outside to see who was knocking at his door.

“We are sorry to bother thee, but we must ask a question that has bothered us. We can feel our own magic seeming to come off of you, how could this be if we have only just met?” Luna questioned.

William opened the door fully for her to enter into the room, he goes and sits on the bed as he took on a faraway look. Luna meekly followed as well, her eyes wanting the answer to the question as she stood waiting for William to speak. “In, I hail from two worlds, my home world, Earth, and another Equestria.” He shivered a little. “From the first Equestria of my viewpoint. That world’s Equestria saved my life, with, some interesting side effects.” He blinked back tears as he shivered. “I was given equipment to fight nightmares, creatures that created Nightmare Moon.” he sighed, “They even gave me means to hide among ponies.” He sighed. “I, it is hard to explain, I, I cannot fully explain it to be honest.” He paused and shook his head. “No, you, not they.” He looked up at Luna. “You gave me the means to fight, to be a force for good to keep the monsters at bay. I became a shadow in the night, to hunt shadows. I am one of only two that fought the nightmares. The other was you, well other you.” He smiled with pain. “My Luna.” He spoke as if speaking of a leader that has his upmost respect.

“We see...”





“That was the best sleep I have ever gotten.” Chris said in utter bliss. “It felt like I was sleeping on a cloud.” 

“You haven’t felt sleeping on a cloud until you actually slept on one.” Rainbow Dash added. “Those things are the most comfortable things you can ever sleep on.”

Chris was dumbstruck with the news of being able to sleep on a cloud. “That sounds awesome! No more back problems for me if I can get a cloud for a bed.” 

William smiled. “I am sure we can enchant some sleepwear for you to wear while sleeping on it, Cloud walking is a natural pegasus ability, which allows them to sleep on the clouds as well.”

“Damn...I really wish I can sleep on a cloud...for the rest of my life.” Chris hoped. 

“I know, why do you think I do all my work so fast and so well, so I can get back to napping on those wonderful Clouds.” Rainbow Dash gushed towards the human about the superiority of cloud support.
.
Princess Celestia’s horn was lit for a moment, signifying something was happening. “He should be here in a minute.” She said, a small smile on her face. “Please try not to overwhelm him with questions, he is being sent here as a reward for what he had dealt with.”

William nodded his head. “Understood your Majesty.”

A small orb of light seemed to materialize in the center of the room, slight sparks were coming off it. It began to rise, slowly becoming more and more intense. It got to the point where most had to close their eyes, within a moment the light had darkened, seemingly finished.

In its place was an older looking man, kneeling at the spot. He wore a blue overshirt and underneath was a white long sleeved white dress shirt, the sleeves of the shirt seemed pulled up slightly showing a bit of his forearm, brown fingerless leather gloves were on his hands. On his brown messy hair was a pair of goggles, the lenses seemed to be changeable, his eyes were closed and had a slight bit of a beard.  He had a darker grey pair of pants along with belt buckled boots, brown and leather once more. He had a satchel at his side, and on the other side was a sheathed sword, along with another sheathed sword on his back, this once seemed different however, it had a slight glow to it.

The man opened his eyes, revealing his darker blue eyes. Slowly he began to stand and take notice of those around him. In a swift moment, he began to bow.

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna it is an honor.”

“It is an honor to have you be a guest of our land.” Celestia spoke with a small nod of her head.

Slowly he began to stand tall once more. “Might I ask a question though. I am curious to the others of my kind being here, for I was told I would be the only one.” He placed a hand on his chin in thought.

Luna looked at the other two creatures. “As for that question, we do not know ourselves. We were preparing for your arrival when they, appeared in a dangerous part of our lands.” Her words slow, and deliberate.

“Nevertheless it is quite interesting to meet others. Pray tell, what kingdom do you two hail from? I myself am from the western land of Yalin, though I was born in the land of Olvin.” He said while facing the two others.

“Well, this is the first time I talk to someone using ‘Ye Olde English’” Chris started, “ Well I hail from a small town in New Jersey. Not just plain old Jersey; but New Jersey in America.” Chris put emphasis on the word new. 

William looked at Chris with a look of, well it was not of disdain but it was not one of amusement either. “I am William Jefferson Howard and I hail from the United States of America on the landmass of North America, on the Planet Earth.”

The man seemed puzzled. “I have not heard of the United States of America, or of the town New Jersey.” He crossed his arms in thought. “Planet Earth, do you mean Sera?”

William looked at Chris. “I shall handle this I think.” William looked around a little. “Uh, can I have a Chalkboard or a paper?” To his surprise Celestia had one appear behind him. “Ah, right.” He turned to face this new comer. “May I know your name?” He moved and picked up a piece of chalk. “Okay, this for purposes is Sera.” he drew a circle. “This,” he drew another circle. “This is this world.” he pointed the chalk to the circle he drew. He drew two more circles. He put CE on one and WE on the other. “This is Chris’ Earth, and this is My Earth.” He paused. “Welcome to interdimensional travel. Each of these circles represent the worlds we come from.”

“I feel a bit foolish, for two reasons it seems. My name is Rick Fuoco, and I am sorry to say I have not read about dimensional travel in quite a while, it takes too much power to create a portal and I am afraid I can not support a full portal. I have not used my magic to the fullest for quite some time and I can not support powerful spells like I use to.”

“Wait you have magic and weapons!?” Chris pointed out, a little bit annoyed that the new human can do things in the books he reads. 

Rick looked to the sword sheathed at his hip with a grin and then to the one on his back. When his eyes reached the sword on his back his eyes dilated slightly. “Er...uh, yes...” He turned towards the group with a small smile, Chris seemed to be studying Rick like a scientist on a new specimen. “As for magic.” He raised his right hand palm up and a blue fire like glow around it. “I do not use it daily and thus I am not as strong with it as I use to be in my youth.” He clenched his hand into a fist and canceled out the magic, returning his hand to his side.

Chris and the ponies were shocked at Rick performing such a spell in front of them. 

“Hey Chris can you do that fiery hand thingy?”  Pinkie Pie gleefully asks. 

“No...no I can’t.” Chris stated in a depressed tone. 

William looked on in shock. “You, you know, but,” He shook his head. “Magic, just, of all,” His face fell a little. “Oh Luna what will thou doest without me?” he turned around and walked away a little. “The Nightmares,” he bowed his head as he furrowed his head and fell into muttering ancient Equestrian.

“You seem to be in a bit of distress friend.” Rick said tilting his head slightly. “What is the matter?”

William turned and snapped at Rick actually. “The matter is that me being out of my dimension may very well disrupt the entire world I came from... the Nightmares can, they, She is,” he was tripping over his own words so he stopped took a breath to calm himself.

“I understand some of your pain, but...” Rick exhaled. “Would you like to talk with someone from your home?”

William looked and shook his head. “My home? That would.” he had a deeper longing look before shaking his head. “No, I need to speak to the other Equis, the one I first came from... complicated story already.” He paced a little. He pulled an amulet out from his shirt. “I was told to protect her, and to defeat the nightmares amassing.... I, I need to return, or... stop myself from being brought here.”

“Do you have something from there, or with the essence of said person you wish to talk to?”

William blinked and held the amulet. “As long as it remains safe, I cannot let this be destroyed.”

Rick nodded. “This is going to drain me for some time. I can only perform this once.” Rick grabbed the amulet. “You will be placed as a projection to the one you are talking to, they can see you, hear you, and even feel you but you will not be seen or heard by any other. Your body will stay motionless until you are finished or I run out of energy to supply it. I would say you have a few minutes.” Rick’s hands began to glow once more. “Are you ready?”

William nodded his head as he moved to a military stance. “Ready.”

Rick placed his hand on William’s forehead, and began to make the connection. The amulet and William seemed to have a slight glow around them. William’s eyes closed and Rick seemed to be focused on what he was doing.





William blinked as he found himself on Luna’s personal viewing balcony. Luna was looking into the night sky with a worried face. She sighed and turned around and froze upon seeing William.

William saluted her. “Your Highness, the nightmares attacked and, I am talking from another plane, another Equestria. This is new magic I have seen.” He spoke quickly and with worry that his time was short. 

Luna only smiled a little, “Are you alive? Or are, is this the Equestria of the afterlife?” Her voice showed worry. She laughed a little as she realized the last part. “Same here, but I shall commission Twilight right away to study this interesting idea, this is new magic indeed.”

“No, This is not the afterlife, unless you have a twin that controls the moon as well.” He began to pace along her balcony. “But first off, the amulet that grants me the disguise ability is burned out, the second assault in the Everfree forest went well, but we might have a new foe, one that can send others to other planes of existence, no clue how many, or how powerful they are.” He seemed a little agitated at those words. “Be careful, I, I have failed in my duty in protecting our worlds from the Nightmares.”

Luna looked saddened. “Please, be careful, and I shall then charge you with a new order, find any means possible to return, I can keep the Nightmares thinking you are still here, but I do not know how we can keep them, how do you put it? Wool over their eyes?”

William smiled a little. “Yeah, that works, keep an eye on the Mane Six, and, please, don’t fret, this is rather,” he felt some pain and Luna gasped. As she saw his body flicker.

“Your, the time is short?” Luna queried.

William nodded putting a hand to his head. “Yeah, I am guessing. I do not know the next time I can talk, but I will do my best to keep you up to date. As well as getting back in one piece.” He saluted again. “I shall see you again Luna.” He smiled but the pain in the head was hurting again. “I better go I think this pain is connected with the Nightmares.”

Luna smiled. Before yelling as he faded. “Be sure to ask my counterpart if she knows about master hiding spells.”





“So what do you think is going on” Chris whispers to Pinkie Pie. 

“No idea, but do you know what this means.” Pinkie replied back.

“No what does it mean.” Chris answers.

“I’ll have to throw an even bigger party!” Pinkie Pie shouts which startles Chris. Rick winced slightly at Pinkies loud shout. 

“Pinkie Pie, not so loud. He is trying to focus since this spell cost a lot of magic to use. that type of magic is taxing to the body and the mind as well.” Twilight informs. 

“Sorry” Pinkie Pie sheepishly apologized. 

“It is... Perfectly alright. It is just a little, tougher, with loud noises.” Rick said, slightly straining his voice.

“Wait, how, how can you still be creating that spell? The focus required,” She paused as she began to mutter to herself with different equations and as Rainbow Dash would put it. Egghead talk.

“I... Can not explain at the moment. Most of my mind is focused on this... I can not fully explain with, only a piece.”

“Sorry” Twilight apologies with a slight blush on her face, embarrassing herself in front of the new guest. 

“Well now we found somepony...some...human...who can actually keep up with Twilight’s egghead talk.” Rainbow Dash joked. “Hey Twil, he might know more than you about magic.” 

“Ha ha, very funny Rainbow Dash, I am sure his magic is different from our magic so there is no comparison between me and him.” Twilight tried. 

Rick seemed slightly off balance slightly teetering on the spot. The aura around his hands seemed to flicker for a moment. Celestia and Luna noticed this and used their magic to help Rick stand up straight; the other group of ponies unaware of the situation at hand. 

Rick shook his head. “No, stop... This might cancel, it out forcibly... I can hold it for a bit longer...”

Celestia and Luna nodded, accepting the fact that this might make this slightly worse.

After two minutes Rick removed his hand off William’s forehead, he wobbled slightly as he took a step back before coughing into his hand.

William blinked took a step, clutched his head groaning and fell to the ground pain on his face.

“That is one of the side effects to a first time.... It should subside in a minute...” Rick said before coughing more into his hand.

William shook his head. “No, that is, this is, the nightmares were trying to force my location to take me over.” William growled through the pain. His hands balling into fists from the pain and the surge of anger.

Rick turned towards William once more. “I could feel that, but it is a bit weak, it seems to struggle. It may have a chance to be too weak to find you. I am not certain, but...” He coughed more. “Ah... I used all my reserve... I had to draw from the planet and now I can feel the side effects...”

Twilight asked, “What do you mean you can draw from the planet? Shouldn’t your magical reserves be low?” 

“That might be where we differ.” He paused to calm his breathing, coughing slightly here and there. “After my reserve is out if need be I can pull from the planet itself, which is pulsing with power, and force it to go through me to continue what I was doing. Though it does have problems, I was willing to deal with it to make sure he could finish what he was doing.” 
 
“So if you need to use your magic as a last resort, you can take some of the magical aura that exist on the planet and use it as your own.” Celestia understood with the magical abilities of the new human. Rick only nodded in response.

Celestia looked to her left. “Guards, I need to speak with the Elements for a moment, if you could take our guests to a room to rest, we can figure out these items at a later time.”

The guards saluted and gently led the three humans out of the throne room. As they were leaving Celestia spoke to the six remaining Ponies. “Now, as my letter might have suggested, I need some help with the upcoming wedding.”





The three were lead down hallways to the residential portion of the castle and were placed into a single room with almost three of everything, bed, chest, cabinet, but sadly not three bathrooms.

“Um...this isn’t the same room I was in before and why am I sharing it with them?” Chris speculated. 

“Due to guests arriving today, the castle is at peak capacity, this room was reserved for Sir Rick here.” the guard ignored the look that Rick gave the guard, as it was similar to the looks he got from other royalties who didn’t like their titles spoken. “Since there are three of you. You all get to share the room.” He turned around. “We shall have guards at the ready if you need anything. Good day.” He paused, “Oh, don’t be afraid of the Night Guards, they don’t bite, much.” He blinked in confusion as William just broke up laughing as he left.

Rick shrugged towards the other two. “Oh well, still no matter, company was always welcome in my book.” Rick said as he took of his satchel, placing it on a bed and beginning to examine its insides.

Chris groans, “Fine I guess I can room with these two.” Then an evil idea hatched in his head. ‘And afterwords, I can try to sneak in and take scandalous photos of some of the guest here and send it to their equivalent to TMZ.’  Chris walked to one of the beds and proceeded to take out the contents of his messenger bag. 

William while Chris moaned, moved to a bed that gave a good view of the room and placed his rucksack on the top of the bed. “I claim this in the name of the Lunar Guard.” he blinked and sighed, “Sorry, forgot you weren’t my unit.” He shook his head and sat down as he opened up an outer pouch to remove some smaller items.

“Lunar Guard you say, you did seem to match the foundation of a Knight.” Rick said while placing his swords at his bedside, still in their sheath.

“Well, thank you, but,” he sighed, “It’s complicated.” he moved and pulled a smaller satchel from the top of his Rucksack before tying it back up and began to unpack the satchel, of what looked to be sleepwear, a Ruger, a Magazine for said Ruger and, a book.

“I am in a world where a guy can shoot fire from his hands and talking magical ponies...nothing can be as complicated as that.” Chris stated. 

Rick shook his head. “Things can always be complicated, some have just hit the slowly rising elevation, others are near the fall.” Rick said while glancing at one of the swords once more. “and some have already fallen...” He mumbled.

Chris picked up on the body language Rick was sending him with the depressed look Rick gets from looking at his sword and the choice of words. “So are you going to tell us a little bit about yourself mister magic man like why you get so sad when you look at your sword.” Chris started to interrogate.”You also had eyes that were dilated and your face was of that you seen something terrifying earlier in the throne room.” Chris became a little bit more hostile to Rick. “So tell us, about your past cause frankly I don’t trust you as much as I can throw you.” 

“Hold on...” William held up a hand. “Please, slow down. Let’s not, we all have our secrets, I am sure you don’t want us to know about your life, so, let’s just take this easy.” He looked at Rick. Before bearing his gaze upon Chris again. “You are talking to a vet of a war. I have seen the look myself, guards that faced an...” His face paled. “Mother Russia.” He muttered. “I got to,” He moved to stand up. “I could, if I can get, I could prevent, but, should I? If I do, it would not draw the two closer to-” He was muttering and here he slipped back into Ancient Equestrian or to him, normal equestrian as he tried he did his best to make sense of what was going on. He stood up fully and was pacing the middle of the room. Concern and worry on his face.

“And another thing. William, can you speak the same language. I don’t know if you are plotting some evil scheme right in front of us or saying mean things to us. I mean...I just met you but I am not one to trust others so easily.” Chris confronted William. ‘Except for that pink pony who reminds me of a friend I use to have in college.’ 

William paused and looked at them. “Oh no, I assure you, I am not talking evil about you, I am talking about the changing of the space time frame. I mean...well...nevermind. Just, look after a few days of speaking a language you associate with one place, and have it change, I am still working on that.” He frowned. “Also, Chris, in Equestria, I will say this, you can trust the ponies, you can trust me, okay?” He paused and looked around. “I think, if we are to get along, we should lay some ground rules of trust for one another, is that okay with you all?” Rick nodded in response, sitting on his bed.

“Well of course I can trust those ponies. They looked like they wouldn’t even kick a puppy.” Chris went to his bed to see if his camera needed any batteries. 

Rick stood up, grabbing one of his sword, the one that didn’t invoke any negative emotion, and headed towards the door. “I am sorry, I need to think, I am headed to a park or garden or even if need be, a forest.” Rick said shaking his head. “Please tell me of anything that transpires while I am away.” He said to the two. “If should a situation arise, have one of the knights, or guards, come and get me, I will make post haste.” He said while walking out of the door.

Once Rick left the room, Chris started to rummage through Rick’s satchel. “Alright...what’s he hiding. I need to see if he is hiding anything suspicious or dangerous. 

William blinked and moved in with a look of anger on his face. “What! Are! You! Doing?” His voice was level, calm, but there was an emphasise on every single word. He also had a small growl to his voice as well. “That is private property, do you have a search warrant?” His hands were moving to take hold of Chris’s dominant arm. 

“No but neither did the paparazzi who took candid photos of Princess Kate and Prince Williams on their own private beach.” Chris grabbed onto the strap of the bag and all the contents fell down on the ground, making a loud thud as it hit the ceramic tiles. “Jeez, what was in that bag.” 

The contents of the bag were scattered on the floor, what looked to be spare clothing, the exact same color and all, were scattered along with a pair of leather gauntlets. There was a decent sized metal hammer that looked as though it had cracked one of the tiles. There was two decent sized books and a wooden case containing items to maintain swords and tools. 

Chris tried to free himself from the grasp of William. He manages to get free from the grip by making him lose his balance; a trick that he used to escape from guards at celebrity's houses. 

William tried to fix his balance but in the end actually fell to the ground hitting his head on the wooden case, causing him to curl up as he clutched his head. Most likely surprising the reporter in how easy it was to break free of the other man's grasp.

“Okay now time to see that sword that is put in a metal plated sheath looks like.” Chris took of the bag covering the top of the sword to reveal a very different sword. The swords handle looked to be made of richer metals. Gold and platinum made up the grip of the hilt. Two forms of diamonds were into the bottom of the hilt, one pure and the other dark. the handguards sides swirled and contained two marbles, slightly glowing. One was swirled with darkness and the other pure white. In the center of the hilt sat two rose petals, one black the other red.

“Geez” Chris eyed the hilt of the sword. “This sword must have costed him a fortune. I bet you there is over 20K in jewels alone.” 

William groaned as he sat up and his eyes narrowed. “Put, That, Down!” He tapered off from pain in his head, He swayed a little, and one could see a goose egg forming on his head. “That is not yours, that is a man’s weapon and depending on the culture, you just insulted him greatly.” he coughed and it looked like he might actually throw up but he staggered to Chris. “If, you do not step away from that gear, I will be forced to intervene.”

“Don’t worry about that. I have some standards and I am above stealing what isn’t mine.” Chris still looks at the hilt in wonder. 

“You are still touching, private.” He swayed and stumbled forward, resting his body on the footboard of the bed. He groaned as the hinges of a door swung open. “Stop Criminal Scum.” He wheezed.

Rick walked into the room a small smile on his face in which slowly dropped upon seeing the sight before him. Chris seemed to be messing with his sword, the contents of his satchel were scattered about on the floor, and William seemed to be injured. “What in the name of Clarity is going on?!”

William looked like he was going to answer before he turned green and raced to the bathroom where one was quick to hear noises of one losing the contents of his meal.

“Dude, learn how to fight. I didn’t even hit you that hard.” Chris still looked at the hilt, being unaware that Rick just walked in. Rick cleared his throat to get the attraction of Chris who nervously smiled and hid the sword behind his back. “So how was the walk.” Chris said as if a child was trying to hide the fact that he took cookies from the cookie jar. 

“Fine, until I had arrived to the door hearing all this nonsense. What are you doing? Why did William have what seemed to be a swelling bruise, and why in the name of Purity are you searching through my stuff?” Rick questioned, sounding as though he was worn out. Then he noticed the handle slightly sticking out of Chris’ back. “My word... must- must you really know about that sword?” He said, sounding slightly worried.

Chris started to feel slightly guilty for going through his things. “Well it is part of my job. I have to get information about other people and...well it kinda makes me invade other people's privacy. It is a bad habit of mine but still. Curiosity gets the best of me.”  Chris stated as William walked out of the bathroom having a wet cloth pressed to his head. “I miss cloud ice, that sooths the head.” William moaned.

Rick faced the floor, his eyes closed. “Do you really want to know?” His voice breaking ever so slightly as he spoke weakly.

“Yes, as it will help us understand each other better.” Chris stated.

Rick began to mumble slightly, shaking slightly.

“What was that?”

Rick raised his head and faced Chris and William, his expression full of pain and sorrow.

William groaned and shook his head. “If it hurts you, I do not need to know, I,” he moaned as he clutched his head. “I wish my pendant didn’t burn out. My head is killing me. Do you have anything that might help? Or can you get one of the guards?”

“I think I have built up enough...” Rick mumbled, his hand starting to glow a more red hued color. He raised his palm upward and a small sphere began to slowly form. It seemed to be a small ball of pure red fire, no other colors seemed to mesh in with it. “Here... Just, place it on the place it hurts and...” He exhaled. “Should feel better after a minute.”

William grunted taking the ball of light and placed it on the rather large bump on his head. There also as what looked to be a little bit of blood from where he hit his head. “Sorry, I, I got hurt trying to protect your privacy.”

Rick looked towards him. “No problem, I should have brought my stuff with me in the first place...” He closed his eyes. “I might as well say what I must now, less this question burn in our minds.”

“The reason I am here is not a happy tale, though I wish I could forget it I must hold onto it and try to get past it. That sword-” He said, grabbing the sword from Chris and unsheathing it to reveal its glass like blade, swirled with a fogged glass into a interesting blade. “This sword... It was named the Bane of the Spirit, it is blessed by our gods and cursed by our demons.” He placed it back into its sheath. “The reason it hurts to look at it is... Well...” He took a breath.

“I wielded it... After watching hundreds-If not thousands of knights, guards and even citizens fall to the corruption the demons set forth... I was the last one left...”

“This sounds like a long story.” Chris interrupted, “I might as well sit down.” Chris went to his bed and sat down on it. Trying to get as comfortable as he could. 

> Questions meant to be buried.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 5
Questions meant to be buried.



Rick leaned against the wall. “The physical form they use could be damaged by this weapon. Each piece is what would describe them.” He pulled the sword out once more and pointed to the glass blade. “Clarity, and Insanity.” To the golden hand guard. “Charity and Greed.” He pointed to the handle. “Sacrifice and Summoning.” Than to the split diamonds. “Life and Death.” He made a circular motion around the diamonds showing how they were being held. “Purity and Corruption.” He moved his hand up to the hand guard once more, pointing to the rose petals. “Love and Hate.” Then finally to the marbles at the end of the spirals. “Order and Chaos.”

He sighed. “It took so long to get all these materials and make the sword just right. After I had constructed it, I had brought it to our king, King Olven.” He sheathed the blade. “Upon his inspection he had to choose who would wield it, to fight off and finish the demons. He chose me.” He shook his head, eyes closed. “I had served as a knight before but, I was out of practice... I do not know why he chose me. He could have chose one of his best knights, but instead he had chose me.”

“I had to lead them. Through the corruption we walked, and even then we were constantly attacked. The more we went on the more people died, some of those knights looked to me as though I could help save them all... But, what happened was worse... Much, much worse...” A tear fell from his eye. “They all died, my friends, those who were like family to me, died within my sight, or even in my arms. I had to fight some of them even! They rose from the dead and attacked us!” He placed a hand on his forehead, looking towards the floor. “All those people, all of those people who died by my hands... I had no choice! It was to either kill them and finish what had to be done, or die and let the whole world fester!” His hands covered his eyes. “But it did not get better as we rode through the land, no... Clarity graced us with his presence and told me a small message... To fully bid the world rid of these demons, I had to die. My body and soul in my world would have to leave because I was the one to get rid of them.”

William turned his head, he looked at him. “So, coming here, was a gift then? A reward for giving up everything at home?” He turned back to look up at the ceiling. “Lucky,” he spat that word out. “You got to prepare for being gone.”

“Prepare for death? For being gone? I already lost everything through death and fire. I did not get to say goodbye to my family, they died in my arms. I did not say goodbye to my friends, they died from the demons and came back just to try and kill me, I had to kill them myself! Prepare to lose my home, no I lost it in a explosion that nearly killed me and that was not the first time, nor the second or third. I had to run. I ran for years with those around me! I am thirty-nine years old and I had started running over thirteen years before, facing death and destruction at every turn.” His gaze rose and he looked to William, his eyes brimmed with tears. “Tell me, do you think I was I prepared to deal with this for thirteen years?”

William blinked and curled up as he has a look of anger on his face. He was grumbling and smacking his right hand on his left arm as if trying to punish himself. He was berating himself for the question and being a jerk and insensitive to causing more pain. But those were barely audible as he was mumbling more than speaking coherently.

“Well I can safely say that you are the first person to tell me his friends and family died and brought back to life to kill him.” Chris bluntly stated not caring about the others feelings. 

“From what I have heard your people have no magic. Tell me, has that ever happened, has that happened to anyone else as well?” Rick questioned not even looking at anyone anymore, he had sounded tired.

“To us,” William spoke, his voice sorrowful and had pain in it upon seeing Rick’s expression. He had moved to sit on the bed as if hoping to amend for his rather rash question. “That is just stories, fiction, from zom...zombies, to wizards and what not... you faced a living hell, and I don’t use that word lightly.” He paused. “Please, forgive me for my unthinking question.” He muttered. “I do not know what it is like, I can never know. But, you, you are here, you won, and,” he paused and it turned out that he was not going to continue after a few more seconds of silence.

“It... It is fine.” Rick said, his voice soft. “By the gods... I would never wish that on a man or creature...” he mumbled.

“Tell me if you will Chris. Has that ever happened to your world?”

“Well not as extreme as what you said with your loved ones coming back from the grave but I seen similar cases. Families mourning over the lost of their child, people mentally scarred from wars, etc.” Chris started. “I learn to forget the past or don’t dwell on it so much or else it will just hurt you in the end. It is part of the job to interview these people just to make a living. Sure it makes me heartless but it isn’t like I am not upset about what they tell me.” 

“It is easy to ignore pain when you do not deal with large portions of it at a time... I will not pretend to know everything that has happened to both of you. I may be old in the eyes of my people, unless you live just as long, seventy years or so, but I can still see the line between pure and corrupted.” He shuddered. “Sadly in more than one way...”

“Well I can’t say I have experience such tragedies to know what you are going through but I dealt with people who have gone through them. So I know what you are going through.” 

Rick shook his head not wanting to respond. By now he had slid down the wall and was sitting on the floor, his knees up and his arms around them.

William blinked and found that his head was no longer hurting him. He sat up and saw Rick on the floor and, moving slowly, he got off his bed and walked over to the wall and sat down next to him. “take your time, I can wait at least.” he glared at Chris before looking down as well. “Sorry again for, for what I said, I, I’m a little bitter over some items, I hope you can forgive me for... being a part of this.”

Rick didn’t really move but words could be heard from him. “It is, no problem. I do not hold it against you...”

William only closed his eyes and smiled a little bit before looking at Chris, a small smile twitched on his lips, but what the emotion that was connected to it was masked by other emotions more easily on his face. The major one now was peace. 

Chris was fooling around with his camera, trying to see how much battery power that was left from it. “Well know that you told us your story Rick, “ Chris turned around towards William, “I think that William should tell us his story and how he got here.” Chris spoke while looking at William with a glint in his eyes.

“So, do we get to learn about you?” William asked as he looked up at Chris with a glare of, well it was a glare of curiosity. The same one that Twilight gave Chris a day ago.

“Well there is nothing interesting about me to say.” Chris pointed out. “I grew up in New Jersey, went to school, dropped out of college, became a reporter/photographer and been living off the money I make from the job. That is it, nothing special.” Chris didn’t have any emotion behind what he said and just stated it as facts. “Your turn soldier boy.” 

William shook his head. “Soldier boy, an odd nickname, but, thank you?” he asked as if wondering if it was a compliment. “As for me..” he closed his eyes. “I was ripped from my world by forces of darkness that wished to use me, to corrupt me to become a tool to enslave the worlds of Equis, and then, move to my own home world. Taking the technology and improvements and, creating, an empire of evil that would have dwarfed anything Humanity ever saw.” He shivered with a sudden shake of his body as he closed his eyes. “I saw nightmares that I fear only Rick could beat in how terrifying they were, I faced things in the dark that no normal pony would ever see.” His voice a low whisper now. “I fought the darkness and, the darkness took me out of the equation. Here I am, lost in another Equestria that is not my Equestria, and I just want to go home, see my family, and-” He cut himself off as he looked up at Chris. “Be grateful, you had a boring life, if this world is like my own, or the TV show, you just stepped into having an adventure, welcome to Oz.” he smirked and laughed a little as if something was not there at the moment. “Your life is forever changed.” he lowered his voice and seemed to channel a line from some type of media. “Foreverrrrr” he droned out.

Chris was a little taken back at what William did with forever but ignored it as him being weird. “So you fought evil beings bent on taking over the world by capturing Earth, and Rick lived in a place that had magic and other magical beings as well...” Chris paused to see if he got everything in there, “Damn...makes my boring life seem like a luxury.” 

“Be thankful.” Rick said, almost in a whisper, slowly getting up and headed towards the balcony.

William nodded his head. “Agreed, at times, a soldier does what he does so that you can have your boring life, be, be happy about it.” He paused before standing up. “If you keep up with your photo taking, you may just become famous back home.” He moved to look out the window and Chris saw him drop into some memories.

“Doubt I will be some great photographer.” Chris flopped backwards onto the bed. “I rather just see the sights and document them for others to see. Doing so is really expensive and I am not made of money.” 

“Then try it here.” Rick was heard from the balcony. “Things unexplored... I do not know...”

“Things of interest, and if the time lines is correct, dangers.” William muttered to the space in front of the window. “You might be famous here, you never know, besides any picture taken here, will be eaten up by any news agency back in your world. Unless interdimensional travel is as common as a cruise in the Caribbean.” he paused. “or Space travel,” he trailed off again.

“You’re probably right on that.” Chris was just staring at the ceiling. “I mean, I am in a new magical world to explore, new places, new people to meets, just like the stuff I read in books.” Chris started to sit up in the bed. “I just hope it won’t kill me in the end.” 

William paused and looked around. “Anypony else hungry?”

Rick waved his arm from where he was on the balcony. “I am not, but the guards should be outside the room. I will be here.”

“For the love of God! No pony puns!” Chris bitterly exclaims.

“But that is what they say here in Equestria... anyway, I think a Griffon Salad would do us all good.” he moved to the door and opened it, two Solar Guard ponies stood on the outside. “Three Griffon Salads please.” He blinked as if having second thoughts before nodding his head to confirm the meals. “Also, some mineral water for the three of us.”

“Of course.” One guard replied as he teleported away and another teleported in to take his place, looking just like the one that left. William smiled and closed the door. “There, Lunch has been ordered.” he walked to the beds. “I really wish I had my pendant working, I, I haven’t had a Griffon Salad in weeks.” He sighed. “At least it is chicken.”

“I am too starving to care about what I eat. As long as it doesn’t have any human meat in it.” Chris said. 

“I assure you that human meat will not be in the salad, as we are the only three humans in the world.” William spoke cheerfully as he sat down on his bed. 

“You may never know.” Chris stated. 

When lunch arrived Chris and William ate and talked to each other about how the pony culture is, or was in Williams world. He had made key notes on how things work, such as weather, farming, the type of ponies, and even how to deal with some of the royalties. After some time Rick had joined the group once more and listened to William, learning about some of the pony cultures.

Eventually Night had fallen and after many questions from Chris, they finally set off to bed. 





When morning arrived, William was the first one up, mostly due to some internal clock telling him to wake up. He smiled as he went to the balcony to do his work out, as he slept in his PT uniform of the Lunar Guard. Rick woke up next, grabbing his satchel and sword before he noticed where he was, placing the satchel back down, he sat on the bed with his hand on his chin, thinking of what he was going to do. Chris woke up much later, reached over to the bedside table, mumbling about a cellphone, before rolling over too far and ended up on the floor.

“I’m up...” Chris groaned in pain. “but I think I’m in pain.” Chris start to rise up from the floor trying to stand up. He arches his back and hears a loud pop. “Definitely in pain.” Chris said again while flopping to the floor.

William looked at Chris. “Ouch, I had that happened, only with my neck and sleeping in the wrong position.” He looked around. “When we get back to Ponyville I will have to take you to the Ponyville spa.”

“That sounds nice...” Chris said while on the floor. “I think I rather stay on the floor...I am getting an amazing view of the ceiling.”

Rick looked up for a moment, realizing it was a plain white ceiling before turning towards where Chris was. “Yes... Amazing...” Rick said rolling his eyes with a slight grin on his face.

Before Chris could respond there was a knock on the door.

William blinked, he had come out of the restroom dressed in his ACUs, he walked to the door before anyone could say anything and opened it a crack to see who it was that knocked on the door. Standing there was a solar guard.

“I have a request that all three of you are to come to the Throne room as soon as you are able, her highness Princess Celestia wishes to meet with you all there.” He gave a small curt nod and turned around waiting for them to be ready and to escort them to their destination.

Rick leaned on the wall next to the door, waiting for Chris to get up so they could go. Chris on the other hand stood up and went to the bathroom and took his time. After a couple minutes they set off towards the throne room.

Upon reaching the large doors, the guards snapped to attention, opening the doors for the three guests. Celestia looked up from what letters she was reading and with a smile placed them onto a table at her side.

“Perfect timing, I had just finished.” She said with a small smile. “I wanted to ask you three a question, you can decline, but if you accept it would make it all the more better.”

“What might this request be your highness?” Rick questioned.

“I wish to ask all three of you if you would like to help out with a wedding coming up. William, I would like to ask if you could assist the guards due to your past as a lunar guard if I am correct. Chris, If you could, would you like to take photographs of the wedding, you seem to have your camera on you at most times so I would assume you like to do so. Rick, I wish to ask you if you could help set up the main hall for the wedding, decorations and such, Pinkie would be nearby if you were to need help. You can all decline if you wish, but I would be grateful if you all could help, we are lacking in some areas.” Celestia said.

“Are you sure your highness?” William spoke with an uncertain tone. I mean, I know this and that, but I have not had full training yet in either my original verse, or the Lunar Guard of my Equestria to feel that I could be of full help.” His voice showing that he did not fully trust his own abilities.

“I am sure, I think you would be fine for the job, you seem to know what to do and how to deal with it. You won't be alone if you are wondering about that. It’s like, a team effort in this I guess you could say. It’s not like I am having you command all the royal guards.” She ended with a chuckle.
 
William chuckled back. “I, I guess that can work. I will do the best of my ability.”

“I never got a photo gig at a wedding and a royal wedding at that. I just hope that this will end better than the last gig I did at a college party.” Chris stated. “I ended up waking up on the top of a roof with no pants on and for some reason a goat was next to me.” 

Celestia raised a brow in question but decided against asking about it. She turned towards Rick.

“Sure, I would enjoy helping out with what I can.” He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I could never sit around long, I had to typically distract myself with my work.”

“So, what did you do? I mean, you’re outfit reminds me of those blacksmiths from Williamsburg, and the Lunar Forgers, but, I could be wrong.” William muttered as he noticed Rick twirling his hammer while speaking.

“You just remind me of that steampunk fad that people seem to be into.” Chris pointed out. 

“You my friend, are correct. I worked as a blacksmith, but I did more than that. I, at some points, had to help with construction of our city walls, or just some item that came to mind. I had once set up a way for shop keeps to remain safe behind their desks and still be able to deal with customers.” Rick remembered with a smile. “Nevertheless it seems we all accept! When is this wedding coming up?”

“Two days.”
	
	

> Preparations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 6
Preparations



The three walked down the endless hallways, heading towards where they needed to be. They talked about a multitude of things, ranging from Chris’ stories, Ricks tales, and even some side stories about William. They all took note of a split off point, all needing to go the other way. Before they could say goodbye to each other they were bumped, or shoved, out of the way by a pink alicorn, saying something along the lines of ‘out of the way’.

Rick had his hand on his chest, near the center of his chest, his eyes following her as he was shaking slightly.

“Well, that was unique.” William looked at Chris and smiled. “I’ll see ya around, better report in to get my rotations started,” he leaned in and whispered into his ear, “Just stay safe, and keep your gruff exterior, that’ll keep you safe during the wedding.” He began to walk down the hallway leading to where the Royal Guards would congregate.

Chris followed suit, heading down the other hallway to figure out the layout and key locations for pictures, already fully gone.

Rick seemed distracted, no longer moving, as he stared down where she had walked off to. His arm still near the center of his chest as he slowly turned away, starting the walk down another hallway, the main halls direction. Slowly he removed his shaky arm from his chest, looking to the underside of his forearm to notice something off...

His veins took on a dull grey shade.





William looked behind him with a little worry. “that,” he took a deep breath, “was close.” He shook his head and continued on his way. “Okay, first things first, contact Luna, Warn Luna, second follow her orders, third, ask Rick if he was okay as it looked like he saw a ghost.” he paused as he looked up as he saw two Solar Guards approaching him. Only they had a little Crystal Heart shaped emblem. “Hello.” he called out.

“Greetings,” The guard on the left spoke and William noticed something off, a little bit of fidgeting. “We know you are needing to report to your station, however Princess Mi Amore Cadenza wishes to speak with you on some placings she wishes for the Lunar Guard.”

William slowly nodded his head having a feeling already that this was not so. “I am sorry, but I must-”

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza has already cleared it with the Lunar Commander.” The other guard replied. “In fact she wishes you and Twilight to help plan so that the guards do not interfere with the setting up of her wedding.”

William blinked but finally nodded his head. “Very well. Lead the way my good Stallions.” He saw them turn around and began to walk him back down the same way he had just come from.

As they continued on he saw that Princess Cadenza was leaving the main hall with Twilight trailing behind her. “Uh, can you give me one moment? I need to check on a friend real quick just to make sure that a mutual snoop stays out of my stuff?”

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza actually paused and turned around. “I do not see why not. One does like their privacy.” She gave a nod, “Nector, can you follow him to keep him safe?”

“Of course your highness.” The Unicorn guard replied with a bow of his head, following William into the Main Hall where Pinkie Pie was working with Rick. William blinked as he had gone on heightened alert blinked with worry as he saw Rick was shaking with a hand on his chest.

“Rick? are, are you okay?” William asked as he steps picked up speed to be of help if he falls.

Rick, slightly offset, looked up to William. “Y-yes, just... not feeling well.” He said dismissively waving his arm.

William nodded his head as he stepped forward and shook his head a little moving his arm a little. “I hope that isn’t infected.” He muttered as he looked down at the skin. “Look, I need you to keep an eye on my stuff if the guard duties keep me away for the next couple of days, do not worry if I do not show up, and by golly keep Chris taking photos, he will like this wedding I think.” The entire time his voice was low, and he hoped Rick caught the worry in his voice. “Just stay safe, and keep an eye on the others for me okay?”

“I shall, but I wish, to tell you something. Remember how I came here right?” He said, in a low voice, he seemed very weak.

William only nodded his head as he helped to guide Rick to a chair that Pinkie Pie had, gotten from somewhere. William wasn’t going to question where it came from, nor the glass of clear liquid she was balancing on the top of her head not spilling a drop.

“Alright, had to check. You are going, to be outside right?” He questioned.

“I think so, maybe later today, but I can see some sunshine in my future.” William responded with a smile as he did his best to quell the butterflies in his chest.

Rick reached up slowly, grasping his goggles. “Here, it is a bit windy, dirt and such...” He said, reaching out. William slowly reached out to take the goggles and stopped for a second as Ricks magic seemed to flash, a dark black, his grey veins seemed to pulse with it. 

“I, won’t need these for awhile, the lenses are strong so no worry of damage... Some things added as well.” Rick said as he drank some of the water, a small nod to William as he turned his focus elsewhere.

William nodded his head as he took them and wore them around his neck. He turned around to the guard. “I am ready now.” For a moment there was a hitch in his voice. But it was so small one might mistake it for having some dust in the air.

William slowly moved up to stand next to Twilight as they both were being led towards a part of the Castle that was where she was staying for the time being.

“So, William?” Twilight spoke as no one else was speaking for the most part. “What is, what is the other Equestrian like?”

William shrugged a little, before answering in Ancient Equestrian, “Well, it is very much like this place.” He paused, “However the Luna here,” he paused. “To be honest this timeline is behind the one I came from.”

“What?” Twilight yelped using the same language as William was speaking, before a grin formed on her muzzle. “Thank you for letting me practice the spoken part of Ancient Equestrian.”

“No problem.” William replied.  He slowly counted down and sure enough Twilight blinked and prodded his hand with her horn. 

“What do you mean timeline? That you are from?” She trailed off as William chuckled.

“An alternate timeline Dimension that is in the future as well.” He paused as they turned into a small meeting room. The two were silent as they walked into the room. One of the Guards only smiled and closed the door before closing his eyes and suddenly the Unicorn Guard vanished in a burst of green flames.

Twilight gasped in horror. “A, A,”

“Why Twilight I knew you could see who we are.” Another voice came from the small elevated sitting area used for important guest. Twilight spun around ignoring William who was standing there as he appraised the situation. 

What Twilight saw was horrifying her. Cadence her foal sitter had her horn glowing. “I felt that you would be a problem.”

“So,” A new voice spoke, one that was very familiar to all the ears in the room. Twilight spun around and came snout to snout with herself. “We decided to take you out of the equation.”

William seemed to move to act only to have the other unicorn now in its normal form of a changeling attack him and wrapping him up in a sticky goo. “Don’t think we would let you try anything.”

Twilight growled and lowered her head ready to also use magic only to have a circle of green flames erupted around them both as the fake Princess Cadence laughed as they began to sink into the floor. Both of them covered in the icker of a Changelings.





Rick looked around, the decorations for what seemed to be a party were strung up and about in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. Then again, he could hardly stand let alone work at the moment. William had just left towards wherever he had to be at, though Rick knew otherwise, too much emphasis on things lead him to the conclusion.

Pinkie seemed to be gone, something about checking up on someone or something, so Rick seemed to be by himself. He didn’t like the situation Pinkie and he were in, having to rework the decorations because they were not good enough, too ‘childish’ as Cadenza would say. He shook his head at the name, she held no respect in his book at the moment, though other matters made him very cautious.

Lifting his arm he looked once more at the underside of his arm, the dull grey still remaining.He had given William his goggles for more than one reason, though it was actually windy outside. He lit his hand, the magic hue was entirely different from his typical blue. It was a dark black flame.

He stood up, shaking his hand clear, and started to head to their room, he felt too weak to continue work. He walked slowly, near the exit of the door. As he walked out of the room, what felt like a pulse had hit him, causing him to stumble, less than five feet away from the door frame, to a kneeling position, his left hand on the ground.

He looked around, his eyes slightly glazed, he wasn’t ready at the moment. He needed rest, he could feel his energy sapped out.

After walking so far he finally got to the hallway the room was located in. He walked slowly, until finally, he reached his door, leaning on it for a moment before he finally opened it, taking a wobbly step in, closing it after himself.

From afar two guards with the crest of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza smiled and looked back at each other. “That is the other warrior going to bed, he looks like he caught something from the Ponies.”

“Yeah, I hope he stays ill till after the wedding.” the other whispered back. “report this back to her majesty, this is good news.”





Chris was walking down the hallway in the Canterlot Castle. He noticed many things, the sights, the way things were made down to the simple etching on stone, and even the animals themselves seemed to be more cheerful.

He didn’t like it.

Cautiously he looked, William had told him to act tough, but this was just too... Good.

He glanced over his shoulder. “It’s a bit quiet, and nice... A bit too nice.”  He mumbled incoherently.

He pulled out his camera, fumbling through some features it had, now it wasn’t very expensive or fancy but it did what it did, though he started to wish he had gotten more film before heading to Equestria.

While searching through the hallway he every now and then took pictures of the scenery, the landscape, through a window of course, he had even got some ponies to pose for pictures as well.

Needless to say, he got lost.

        Very lost...

“Oh come on...” He grumpily mumbled, looking around the area, attempting to find some area that he could recognize.

That’s when the second thing hit him. He was alone.

With several looks around him, through hallways and such, he realized something important that he would never forget again.

“This castle is huge! Where’s the map of this damn place?!” He shouted, looking up towards the ceiling, fists in the air with as much fake fury as he could muster.

“Ahem...”

His eyes snapped open, slowly looking down he noticed a Solar Unicorn Guard in front of him.

“I can help you if you need a guide till you learn the layout of the castle.” he replied with a smile.

“You seem very friendly for a guard...too friendly.” Chris stated, oversuspisously. 

“Because we are ordered to help you, and you look like you need a friendly face to talk to.“ the guard replied cheerfully and with a smile to Chris in a friendly tone. “We are only serious in actually guarding duty, in areas outside of the public eye we can be more relaxed.”

Chris start to stare at the guard squint his eyes as if to see if the guard was lying. The guard started to sweat under the watchful eyes of the human. “Works for me.” Chris just shrugs his shoulders. The guard let out a sigh of relief. 

The guard started taken Chris on the tour of the castle. The first stop was the gardens. “Here we have the royal Canterlot Gardens filled with some plants and statues of important figures. The guard stated. 

“Well who's that weird looking figure over there?” Chris pointed to a statute which resembled a creature of mismatched proportions. 

“Oh him. He isn’t worth talking about. Moving on.” The guard said, not caring about what Chris said. Chris stared at the statue since he never saw anything like this before. He looked at the eyes of the statue. For some reason the eyes were staring back at Chris. Chris moved to the left of the statue and then to the right and the eyes still followed. 

“Are you coming or what?” The guard shouted impatiently at Chris falling behind. 

“Yea, Yea, hold your...”Chris stopped himself before saying something that either might offend the pony or make him look like a fool. “I’ll be there soon.” Chris took a picture of Discord and ran back to the guard, cackling like a madman. 

The guard shrugged off a little, why would he laugh at the - “Moving on.” the Guard quickly spoke to try and shake the scared feeling in his gut.

The guard took Chris around the castle show off the many features it had. He showed Chris the different gardens, the throne room, the main hall, the dining area, and the library.

“Uhg...a library. Too many words! I liked the picture books. I can at least look at the pretty pictures than those giant books filled with boring stuff like history or physics.” Chris said, rolling his eyes and waving his hand dismissively.


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

Somewhere, in a certain cave system, Twilight looked up as she woke up, a feeling of anger slightly rising as she pushed herself to her hooves. “Who dares belittle the Canterlot Archives?” Her anger allows herself to break out of the bonds of Changeling Icor. To William who was also waking up he thought for a second he had a Rapidash in the same room as him.

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

Cadence in her beat up state sealed away in her own small cave looked up. “Oh my, Twilight isn’t happy.” She shivered a little at memories of when she was younger.

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

Celestia shook her mane. “it can’t be.” She whispered, “She got better with her anger.”

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

Rick, even in his weakened state sat up, his tired eyes looking across the room. His eyes squinted slightly as he looked to the corners of the rooms. Something had bothered him, ever so slightly. With a ‘hmph’ he fell back onto his pillow.

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


 They ended tour after showing Chris the library and are back to where Chris first met the guard. 

“Well that is the end of the tour. If you have any questions, please withhold yourself from asking them.” The guard told Chris. Chris was unhappy with the way the guard said and had a ton of question to ask the guard but can be saved for a later time. 

“Now I needed to be heading off. I have to go work at my shift in the royal chambers.” The guard leaves Chris and heads towards north of the room.

“Well thanks for the tour.” Chris thanked the pony who just ignored him. “Well he seemed pretty rude. Now I need to go...” Chris stopped mid-step due to a realization. “I forgot to pay attention to the tour and I am lost again!” 

A creaking snapped Chris out of his trance, turning quickly he noticed a certain man standing in a doorway. “Could you go to sleep, please...”

Chris raised a brow. “What are you talking about it’s the middle of the-” Chris turned his head looking out the window to notice it wasn’t very bright out, in fact, it was night. Turning back to Rick with a sheepish smile he replied. “Eheh, sorry.”

Rick rolled his eyes, his hand on the side of his head. “Just, please get some rest. I feel you might need it for the wedding tomorrow.”

With a sigh Chris entered the room, quickly heading to the bed, and placed his camera on the bedside table, drifting to sleep quickly.





William sat up. “Oh dear,” he shook his head. “I saw Twilight become a fire pony.” He blinked as Twilight walked over to him and her horn lit up.

“Be calm,” She paused as they all heard laughter echoing and Cadence’s face appeared over all the crystal surfaces. “Oh, did somepony upset the bookworm?” 

“How-” Twilight growled.

“I have been with your brother for a long time, I know you well enough I can replace you with one of my underlings.” The fake Cadence cackled again. “Enjoy your stay in the Canterlot Caverns, You will never get out in time. Soon all of Canterlot shall be mine. All mine.”

William tuned out the rest of the conversation to try and ascertain the situation. First he saw about twenty royal guards missing armor and their weapons. He saw the still living forms of the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy of Castle Security, their wives, and their small foals. Upon seeing the last group William’s face contracted with anger. “Oh, this is so on.”

Suddenly the noise of shattering crystals snapped all eyes and heads to Twilight who was huffing and puffing. There was a giant hole in the wall and-

“Cadence?” Twilight asked softly her voice ringing through the now silent chambers. Twilight’s eyes were focused on a beat up and very unpampered pink Alicorn who had raised her head up at the words, the first emotion William saw was pain and fear.

However Cadence shakingly got to her hooves and began to do the Sunshine, Sunshine rhyme. Well half of it as Twilight was still too stunned to move from her spot in the caverns. Twilight smiled as she sat down while she tried to use some of her magic, but it only flickered before fading. “What? But I just busted all these Crystals to nothing.”

Cadence looked down. “The caves here soak up the magic. You will have to be more careful and slower in freeing the others, I can, I will help where I can.” The two went to work on freeing the others in the cave but they knew it would take time, much precious time in freeing up the others in the room.





The sun shined into the room, slowly waking the two humans, one by one.

Chris woke up in a typical form.

On the floor.

“Son of a-” Chris started, then closed his mouth and let his head drop to the floor. Rick was still asleep.

Chris slowly pushed himself up. With a crack of his back he relaxed. He looked out the window to his right to see a giant, what looked to be a bubble, surrounding the castle.

“Uhh, note to self... Question that later.” He mumbled to himself.

Chris shook his head and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

With a smile he exit the bathroom, prepared to take pictures and having to shove other paparazzi out of the way. He reached for the door handle but stopped short when a sound caught his ear. He looked to his right to see Rick asleep still, but he seemed to be mumbling in his sleep, shaking slightly. 

“He is probably having a nightmare about something.” Chris said to himself. “I still get nightmares of that slender man game...” Chris shutter at the thought of it. “Why did I play it to impress some chick my friend introduced to me.”

Ricks mumbling became slightly louder as he turned his head to the left.

Chris rolled his eyes. “I wonder how long you will-” He stopped, noticing something on the right side of Ricks neck. His veins seemed grey, traveling up to his head.

“What the hell...” Chris trailed off. He walked closer to Rick to scan what was going on with his body. When he reached Rick he noticed more than just his neck had the grey veins, in fact they seemed to be on his arms as well.

“Damn...Rick has some body issues.” Chris takes out his camera, turning off the flash so he doesn’t wake up Rick, and takes a couple of photos of him. “Rick has some explaining to do when he gets up.” Chris walks away from Rick and leaves the room. 





It was hours later when all the unicorns and the earth pony ministers were freed. “Okay,” Twilight muttered. “We cannot teleport through the rock, but hopefully we can find a way out, all we have to do is follow the caves up to an exit.”

William only nodded. “As well as avoid any Changelings that might be patrolling the corridors.” he looked at the others. “What? I am sure she wouldn’t have just left the cave system empty for in case we got loose from our bounds.”

The others only nodded and they began their slow track forward through the cave system. Their pace was as quick as they could make it.

Meanwhile, above them in the castle, guarded by her changeling guards, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza began to sing. “This day is going to be perfect-”

The kind of day of which I dreamed since I was small





Somewhere in the castle Chris looked up, feeling as though he should be yelling at something ridiculous.





William glared down the two Changelings that were circling him and the guards while ahead of them Cadence and Twilight were struggling with a mine cart while Cadence continued to sing. A smile spreading across William’s lips in joy before he ducked under one of the Changelings swings before punching the Changeling with the improvised knife he created. “Haha!” he crowed as he saw the mine cart launch into the air and the two continued on their way. 

“This way.” A guard yelled, “I think this cave leads up as well.” William only nods his head with a grin. Thinking and hoping that Luna was already at work. He hoped so, unless she delegated to one of her guards.

Once the Changelings were taken care of. William wiped his face as he hand brushed on the goggles over his eyes to protect them from the Changelings attack. Doing so finally moved the outer rim of one of the lenses. William blinked in shock and confusion and took them off and turned them back to normal. 

“Hold... We, we got time, let me figure this out.” William sat down on an old bolder that came from the ceiling and began to fiddle a little bit with the goggles, wondering if their was something else.

Williams hand paused as he began to think, while doing so his finger began to tap out a tune on the top of the goggles, but before he could get past the first tap he was blinded by a light shining in his eyes. “GAH!” he taped it again and the light shut off. “Oh, okay.” he stood up. “Let’s go.” He put on the goggles, tapped the top and he smiled at the brighter surroundings, He was grinning a little. “Ponies, move out.”





Rick woke up with a gasp. He went to rub his eyes only to reveal his shaking hands. Trailing down his arms he noticed his veins, in which were still grey. Slowly he pushed himself up, holding his head as he started walking. He felt much better that what he did the day before.

With a sigh he reached over to his sword before he stopped, his eyes trailing over to the other one, still fully covered. With a shake of his head he turned back and grabbed his steel blade.

He headed out the door, looking both ways. He had his satchel at his left side and the sword sheath at his right, his typical clothes, he didn’t have a suit really. He reached for his neck only to stop short when he realized he gave his goggles to William.

With a small nod he continued his walk to the throne room, he was going to stick with Celestia so he couldn’t get lost really. He had never really been to a wedding before.

He stopped, his mind racing with thoughts, and with a heavy sigh turned around.





        At the Wedding that was taking place in the main hall. All the guests were gathered together, there were guards around the edges of the palace keeping watch. Inside the hall the six elements of harmony were standing there. Twilight looking proud and happy next to her big brother. The others on the side of Cadence, and all was ready to begin.

Celestia looked out upon the crowd and cleared her throat a proud look in her eyes and voice. “Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor.”

 Chris starts to take pictures of the happy couple. “Damn, this wedding is big...and colorful. If didn’’t know these ponies came in so many colors.” Chris continues to take picture of the wedding and the other guest in there.

        



Twilight and Cadence raced through the streets of the city causing confused looks of when they blinked into existence and out of existence as they raced towards the castle. The Guards at the front were utterly confused as the two disheveled and bruised ponies, one an Alicorn and the other a normal unicorn raced into the castle towards the doors.





Princess Celestia: Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, it is my great pleasure to pronounce you... 

Twilight barges in to the gasps and confusion of all the ponies around as their on the stand was also Twilight Sparkle who was standing right next to Rainbow Dash. Chris proceeds to take a picture of them in the same area. 

Behind Chris, William charged in with the guards from the caverns and took a knee and rose the rifle to his shoulder and aimed it at the Changeling Queen as Princess Cadence walked in. “Stop the Wedding!” her voice rang through the hall.

> This day, is... going to be perfect?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 7
This day, is... going to be perfect?




The entire audience was stunned to see two Twilights in the room as well as another Princess Cadence. The room was dead silent except for the faint clicking noises of Chris frantically taking pictures of the scene.  

“Damn...I need to change the roll.” Chris muttered to himself. 

“Now why are there two twilights and two Princesses?” Applejack muttered to Rainbow Dash who looked at the Twilight next to her.

“Egghead?” Rainbow asked the Twilight who was standing there frozen.

“Because they are Changelings” The Princess Cadence at the altar yelled. By this moment Chris had replaced the roll of film.

“So...what the Hell is a Changeling?” Chris asked Pinkie Pie. She shrugs her shoulders not knowing anything about the species. 

The Twilight that was at the front door yells out. “They are a changeling.” she pointed a hoof at the two up at the alter. “They replace those you love and feed on it.”

“No, they are the imposters.” Twilight at the altar yelled. This caused the crowd to look back and forth between the four ponies.

Causing William to twitch an eye. He looked at Cadence who was standing next to him. “Permission to open fire your highness?”

“No, no, not yet. I want to stay out of violent force for the moment.” Cadence muttered as she glared at the Cadence at the alter.

William only nodded his head before thinking on something. “Go on, use some of your magic.” he called to the two ponies up at the alter. he turned to the others. “Okay, use some magic as well. They will hopefully glow green.”

The two Twilights grinned and to William surprise the magic was the same color. Along with the Two Cadences. William muttered in ancient Equestrian a Lunar curse.

“Language.” The Two Twilights called out in shock causing William to twitch an eye as now they were walking down the aisle towards him and with a sudden poof of smoke William saw that their were two Twilight next to each other, and two Cadences glared at each other. “Shoot.” William muttered as he stepped back trying to understand what to do next.

Off to the side of the room Rick finally stood up, starting his walk over to the group. “Stand aside for a moment William.”

William looked at Rick. “You are not well, I, I’ll stand at your-”

“I am alright.” Rick interrupted William, his gaze set towards the two Cadences, a glare in his eyes. He stood before the two, looking left and right at them. His right hand flickered with a black aura, his fist clenched.

With a quick drawback of his hand he proceeded to uppercut the Cadence standing to his left, the one that had been in the room the whole time. 

All the ponies gasped in shock, while Chris still took pictures, and the guards were already moving to engage Rick before Rarity screamed in horror as the felled Cadence began to be enveloped by green flames as Cadence slowly staggered back onto her hooves but was grinning and laughing. “What a smart looking man, I should have taken care of you sooner.”

Rick lowered his arm, the black aura flicking off, still glaring at the fake. “You would have made matters worse.”

“My name is Chrysalis, queen of the changelings. Equestria has more love than anyplace I’ve ever encountered and my subjects need food to nourish them. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!” Chrysalis said, while she was walking down the steps to stop, face to face with Cadence.

“They’ll never get the chance! Shining Armor’s protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us!” The real Cadence challenged back

Chrysalis started chuckling. “Oh, I doubt that.” She looked over her shoulder to Shining Armor. “Isn’t that right, dear?” Her horn flared its sickly green, Shinings eyes took on a green tint, his eyes glazed over.

“Mmm-hmm.” He mumbled.

“Soon my changeling army will break through! First we take Canterlot, and then... all of Equestria!” Chrysalis said, smiling.

“No. No you won’t. You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects.” Celestia said, as she charged her horn and attacked Chrysalis. Only to have Chrysalis return with the attack and drew upon the love of Shining Armor to fuel her magic.

To everypony’s shock the magic of Crysalis overtook Celestia blasting her back and harming her. Twilight ran to her mentor with fear only to have Celestia weakly raising her head. “Go, get the Elements of Harmony.”

Twilight only nodded her head and yelled out to her friends to get going to get the Elements. William while others were screaming and running out had charged forward and looked at the Guards above them and saw Changelings dropping their guises and William pulled up his rifle and popped off a few rounds upon the smaller insects who were attacking the normal guards.

“Fools, take the bipeds first. They are the danger now.”

“William, Chris!” Rick yelled, getting their attention. “Follow them, help with what you can!” He said, pointing towards where the Mane 6 headed off to while he ran over to Celestia.

“I am not dangerous! I’m a photographer!” Chris frantically yelled and run towards the direction which so happens to be where Rick was pointing. 

William moved to where Celestia had fallen. “No can do, I am held by laws to protect Luna and then Celestia.” he turned around and popped off a few more rounds causing hissing anger from the changelings that were trying to swarm the Princess and William.

Celestia glared at William, “I need you to cover Twilight and her friends. I will be fine. Please, GO!” She commanded in a tone of voice that William could not argue with. He nodded his head before turned and running out of the room.

“So, You have sent away your own protection from you, oh how it will be sweet to feast upon this love you have of your nation.” she slowly stepped forward. Rick on the other hand, lowered himself into a defensive stance in front of Celestia.





William raced out the castle with a few guards behind him that he had pulled together they were from three different guard units. “Okay, start helping the citizens, and preparing for-” He was overpowered by the sound of the dome crashing down like shattering glass. “Oh snap.” he muttered. “OKAY MOVE!” he yelled as they all took off.

William turned a corner and saw Chris staring at the crater that a Changeling created. “USE FLASH-” William shouted only to be cut off as his shouting jerked Chris out of his frozen state.Chris saw a changeling about ready to pounce him. In a fit of panic, he pushed the flash button on his camera and stunned the changeling. 

“Heh...the only time the move flash is good in the heat of battle.” Chris joked to himself. More changelings started to approach Chris. A devilish smile appeared on his face. “Chris used flash!” He pressed the button on his camera again to blind more of the changelings. “It’s super effective!”

William only laughed at the joke and worked on his own set of changelings. “There’s just no end to these guys.” he muttered at the invasion force.

William looked towards one of the balconies and saw Twilight and her friends battling their own changelings. In fact a Pinkie Pie Changeling was flung from the landing and landed right in front of William. Only to have another Changeling crash into the Pinkie Changeling causing both to be knocked out and the Pinkie to revert to normal. William looked to the right and saw Octavia already fighting another Changeling. William only nodded his head in thanks as he fought towards Twilight and friends.

Chris was surrounded by a group of changelings. He tried to use his camera but it wouldn’t go off. He checked the camera to see that the battery died out. “Ahh... Crap.” He mumbled to himself.





While Chris and William had gone to help with what they could, Rick stood in front of Celestia his arms raised up with his left hand covered in a black aura. He held his glare against the Changeling queen while looking around to understand his environment. With a glance at his aura he began to mumble, frustration in his voice.

“What’s wrong? Having trouble with your magic?” Crysalis asked with a condescending laugh.

“Not again...” He mumbled slightly louder, still not loud enough for Chrysalis to hear.

“So, you have troubles like this? Is it because of my lovely personality?” She asked as she placed a hoof to her chest with a fake sweet smile. “I am honored by that.” She looked to the other Changelings in the room. “Go on, Feed upon this human.” Her minions grinned and hissed as they moved in to swarm Rick.

“I shall not fall again!” Rick yelled, his hand flickering with a powerful blue hue. With a swing of his fist he planted his hand on the ground pulsing outward, knocking changelings away from him. 

He stood tall once again, anger clear on his face. “I will not fall to the likes of you.” He said, slowly reaching for his sword.

With a roll of her eyes, Chrysalis chuckled. “You’re going to need more than a little sword to help you.”

Rick smirked. “That is why I did not bring a ‘little sword’.” He said while uncovering the handle of the sword on his back, it’s gem glowing, ever so slightly. With a tug he unsheathed the blade, it’s clear and fogged blade reflecting light around.

Rick held the sword in his right hand, his left having a strong blue fire-like aura around it, and stood, prepared for a fight.

“I defeated Celestia, I can handle anything you can throw at me.” She hissed and charged Rick.

Chrysalis was cut short of her charge as she slammed into what felt like a wall. Before her stood Rick, his left hand raised, his palm pointing towards her. His expression was that of anger and disgust.

“What a queen you seem to be.” Rick said, his voice mixed, anger seemed the most obvious. With a shove of his hand Chrysalis was pushed back.

She only smirked and lowered her head drawing on the love of Shining again to shoot a beam of light at Rick’s shield. “I am not done yet foal.”

Without a second thought Ricks shield canceled out, his sword slanted with his hand on the flat part of the blade, braced for impact.

The spell collided with the sword, but no movement had happened. With a swipe of his blade he pushed the blast, redirecting it to somewhere off to his side. He returned to his stance, prepared for the next move.

Her eyes narrowed. She looked at her hive and directed them to charge Rick again while she also attacked with her magic. Lowering himself, Rick prepared for what was to happen.





Chris was surrounded by changelings and was about to get attacked when Rainbow Dash came down and dive bombed them out of the way. 

“Thanks Rainbow Dash.” Chris thanked. She was about to say something when another Rainbow Dash came flying towards her. Chris started to look around the battle scene in front of him.

Over to his left, William himself was pinned down in an ally as he faced another horde of Changelings. He was working hard with his weapon and starting to make himself a little bit of a problem with having him taking out changelings. Behind him were a group of young fillies and colts that he was protecting to his best abilities.

Rarity was trying to use her magic to zap some of the Changelings while Applejack stood next to her bucking every changeling the was getting close to them. Fluttershy was kicking at nothing but the air in front of her with her eyes closed. For some reason the changelings thought that she was one of them and avoided her. Twilight and Pinkie Pie were fighting side by side of each other. Pinkie Pie got a brilliant idea and picked up twilight in her hooves like she was using a gatling gun and started to fire magic shots at the changelings taking them out left and right. This made an open path for the group to reach to the door. 

From the distance they heard a strange noise that Chris could tell was the firing of a weapon. it lasted for a little bit before falling silent as they charged the doors where the Elements of Harmony was stored.

“Quick we must head to the door before more changelings come after us” Twilight urged the group.

The group rushed to the door, fatigue took over them from attacking the changelings so they weren’t running as fast as they could. They manage to reach the door without any incident. 

The group kicks the door open and to their horror triple the number of changelings they just fought were hovering and crawling all over the walls, in the air, on the ground, and all were staring and hissing at the group. They turn around to make a tactical withdrawal only to have another huge swarm land in the space they just fought cutting off any retreat. The six ponies and the human all stared in horror as they watched the changelings slowly advanced upon them.

As the captured ponies and one human were escorted through the streets with a large group of Changelings guarding them. Midway through their parade a group of Changelings flew to the front of the group with a large cocoon with a clear membrane that as Chris and the others saw William eyes open and looking around the fluid filled membrane still in his hand is the shape of his rifle. He was immobilized at the moment. Around one of the changelings necks he was carrying Chris’ camera.

The rest of the trip was in silence as if the very air was holding its breath at the situation of near defeat. Chris was being very quiet as he continued to hold his hands on top of his head so the Changelings could see them at all times. Soon they were at the doors of the once grand wedding hall. Without any ceremony the guards pushed the doors open to reveal a still raging fight that was finished as Rick turned his head at the sudden noise giving Chrysalis the perfect opening to hit Rick with all her might. The power sent him flying across the floor to the wall before finally slamming into it, leaving an imprint before he fell forward a little and landing on his feet albeit staggering. He wavered on the floor a little and looked like he might actually try to fight before falling forward onto his knees, then his face, out cold, the sword clattering to the ground as he lost his grip.

William could only watch on in horror at seeing the situation deteriorate around him and unable to move. Chris just stared in shock at seeing the final moment of the battle. The others were also stunned.

“HA, even you alien champions mean no match for me. I shall become the undisputed ruler of all of Equestria, Feed my Changelings, feed upon the city.” With that a good chunk of her army in the room left to terrorize the world outside while Chrysalis slowly walked towards the window.

Music began to play a little in the background as she sang the first line. “This day has been just perfect. The kind of day of which I’ve dreamed since I was small.” She smiled at the terror of the streets. “Everypony I’ll soon control, every stallion, mare, and foal.” She began to laugh as the music ended at her last lines. “Who says a girl can’t have it all.”

While all were stunned and looking like all hope was lost. Twilight began to sneak towards the real Princess Cadence. “Go to him.” Twilight whispered as she used her magic to strip away the gunk. Cadence only nods her head and quickly moves to Shining Armor.

“You think you can stop me? I have already won and poor Shining Armor is still too weak to beat me. Face it, I have won.” Crysalis began to cackle while Twilight moved to her mentor and did her best to help her.

“Wake one of the humans, caused a distraction.” Celestia muttered as Twilight was about to free the gunk from Celestia. “I will be fine my faithful student, but we must give the others time to do something.”

Twilight only nods her head slowly and with pain. “Of, of course Princess.” She began to move only to epp and jump as Crysalis began to blast magic at her.

“Oh no, I won’t let you get any more freed, you are too much of a threat.” She began to try to incapacitate Twilight.

Twilight finally paused long enough to blast a burst of magic at William’s cocoon before she was hit and knocked into a wall and knocked out.

William rolled out of the ruined cocoon coughing and hacking and looking a little weak. However he grinned a little and pulled the rifle up a little as he still lay prone on the ground and weakly pulled the trigger of the rifle causing the Changeling Queen to erect her own barrier that was keeping the bullets away. This allowed Cadence to free Shining Armor and helped add her love to his shield magic as it surged and blasted the monsters away. As well as pushed William into a wall as it stripped the gunk off him and his weapon. It still hurt a little. 

Chris blinked as a warm fuzzy feeling engulfed his body as the shield passed over his own body.

The others were silent as they saw the city purged of the Changelings and their gunk before the five ponies began to move to help Twilight up while Cadence and Shining Armor went to help Celestia up. While Chris moved to poked William a little before offering a hand for him to take.

William takes the hand while coughing a little. “Thanks.” he muttered, “That, hurt behind slammed against the wall hurts.” He began to move a little before seeing Rick. “Oh dear, we better go help him.” he muttered and without thinking about anything else moved to Rick’s side and blinked in worry.

Chris walked over as the other Ponies moved to stand around Rick. William was already kneeling and had rolled him over onto his side and he was staring at Rick’s face. “That, is not good. I have a very gut dropping feeling at this.” he muttered.

Rick’s right side of his face had dark grey almost black colored veins leading from the neck and surrounding the closed eyes. “I don’t like this at all.” William muttered in fear.

“I knew something was up with Rick.” Chris stated when he walks over to Rick’s body.

“Wha’ do ya mean somethin’ was wrong with him?” Applejack asked.

“His body was showing some signs like that before the wedding while he was asleep. Took some pictures on my camera if you want.” Chris told the group. “I wasn’t going to pressure him until after the wedding.”

William looked up and at the group. “Contact Princess Luna, she might know more than what we do.” He looked back at Rick. “Right now, we need to get him out of the way and under medical care.”

> A fogged mind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 8
A Fogged Mind




The Party after the real wedding went off without a hitch. William enjoyed helping out with preparing for the real wedding. While Chris ended up being asked by three major Canterlot Newspapers to join their staff full time. He was given the time of a week to think it over. There was magic and music and dancing and Twilight singing Love is in Bloom, which Chris for once did not complain about due to the setting. It was enjoyable, however William and Luna were still giving odd looks at each other and looking back towards the city proper.

During the time between the invasion and the real wedding the entire castle was in overdrive to recreate the royal wedding, this time without any risk of changelings. Rarity had cornered the three humans and upon demanding that she make some more presentable clothing for the three humans. In fact she was really excited in trying out making pants for humans. So those three days between the invasion and the real wedding was spent on top of preparations with measurements, fittings, and finally the end product of three tuxedos for the humans.

The others didn’t notice it, but it seemed that one moment William and Luna were there at the party, and then the next moment they both were gone. They discovered this after the carriage that carried Cadence and Shining Armor rolled away into the night.

William and Luna walked into a nondescript hospital room that had one bed and many medical instruments taking care of measuring vitals of the patient in the bed. Rick was still sleeping even though it was three days now since the battle that knocked him out.

“I am worried.” William muttered to Luna as he adjusted the royal clothing of a Lunar Advisor. “This is not good, the veins blackness appeared to have spread.”

“Be it may, We think we may have to venture into his mind to wake him from his slumber.” Luna looked at William. “As thou are closer to his race then I, shall you be willing to enter his mind with me?”

William looked at Luna and back at Rick. “I can give it a try, but no sharing memories with me.”

Luna made an odd sound, “There is magic that can let one do so? I knew not that was possible.”

William’s mouth twitched. “Oh heavens above, let not my world and thy world’s Twilight meet, or all would be lost for knowledge.”

Luna sighed and closed her eyes and began to have her horn glow in magic. William closed his eyes on instinct before he felt a lurching feeling and found himself seeing even though he did not remember opening his eyes. They were in a hallway of some kind to WIlliam’s eyes. The hallway itself was not in a peaceful state, the floor seemed to be fractured and split apart in some areas. The walls themselves had some doors but most of them were covered in what seemed to be blocked by a black gelatinous fluid. The hallway spread forward, and at the end, was a door still somewhat clear of the fluid. Just being in there made them feel as though they were being watched.

William looked at Luna. “I hope you know how to fight and work here. I sure don’t I am more use to fighting Nightmares in the real world, not in somepony’s mind.”

Luna remained silent as she walked forward towards the door. William followed a little behind wishing he had a rifle with him. Yet he had nothing to really protect himself. He was a little lost in his mind that when Luna actually kicked the door in with her front hoof; it caused him to jump a little and had to race a little to catch up to Luna as she entered the door.

On the inside was several things, what looked to be a busted cage with the fluid all around it, what looked like a screen, which was displaying something floated by, a bed was off to the right side of the room, and at the other end of the room was another door, the floor and walls around it were black, and spreading very, very slowly.

William quickly looked to the bed to see if anything was on it. Luna took to the air and flew to look at the screen to see what is on it. William blinked as he saw a bump under the blanket. William being cautious and began to step towards the bed as he avoided the growing blackness. It took a while in WIlliam’s mental timekeeping to get to the bed. While Luna kept watching the scenes playing on the screen. William looked one more time before he made a connection that it looked like a sheet of torn out glass. Still must have been his mind working on connecting things.

He returned to the bed and slowly moved the covers and found, a sword. He moved the blanket more and realized it was the sword that Rick always had at his hip. “Well, I got a weapon.”

His voice shook Luna from watching the screen. “That,” She began sounding distracted. “is good, this man. He survived a airship crash. I am, for a non winged being I am impressed.”

WIlliam nodded his head before looked at the spreading darkness and decided to tap the sword again the blackness hoping that it might hurt the darkness. A faint chuckling could be heard coming from the closed door on the other end of the room.

William was startled at the noise and stepped back as he heard a small squish sound and he looked down in horror as he had stepped onto a black spot only to slowly relax as he saw that the blackness was not going to spread over his foot. He looked at Luna and it seemed she got the question as she moved and without ceremony kicked the door down while William Charged into the room hoping to scare whoever was in the room.

Inside the door was another hallway, this time the black material was all over the walls. In the center of the hall looked like Rick for a moment, before realizing something was terribly wrong.

His iris held a red hue while the rest of his eyes were black, the veins around them spread it down. A dark grin was plastered on his face, and a faint black aura surrounded him.

“Oh, would you look at that... Guests! Perfect, I do enjoy more fun.” His voice was distorted and combined with a darker one. “Perhaps you might be just as fun as this fool.” His twisted grin grew slowly.

William glared as his hand tightened on the sword’s handle. “Luna, how much can I control of my own self in this dream self?” He looked right at this Nightmare Rick.

Luna didn’t have time to respond as the Nightmare Rick responded quickly. “Little to none.” and with a swipe of his hand he faded.

“Lets see what you can do here, I think I might be getting bored...” his voice echoed all around them.

William growled a little as he moved to his neck before smiling. “I fought Nightmares, I defeated an entire town of whispers and shadows.” He closed his eyes hoping to channel some mental power into the sword.

“Nightmares? Shadows? Whispers? Pathetic, this man has done the same, and look at him now. Broken. Like the fool he was, is, and forever will be.” The dark voice said in response. “I for one, am no mere nightmare, though you may dream of my torment. The shadows twist with my energy and your mind is my toy, from where I come from, that wretched little world, I am the Demon of Insanity, and you are just another fool fallen into darkness.”

William began to laugh. “A Demon of Insanity? I faced the combined might of War and Greed, with Insanity sprinkled in. I charged a Castle that tried to corrupt me and turn me. They are all sealed beyond the wall. I do not fear you like a child stricken by the fear of shadows on the wall. I fear you as a soldier and an army fears the enemy. You want fear? Insanity. Let us dance and play.”

Luna looked back at William with fear. William was looking a little dark around the edges as it seemed that whatever taint William might have had was feeding on the darkness around him. She could feel something, it was something that harkened back to her darker days of the time right before Nightmare Moon came to being.

A dark chuckled reached their ears and a faint whisper circled them. “Oh, this is going to be fun...” And with that said, the shadows began to contort, collapsing on themselves and rising slowly off the floor. Glowing orange lights entered the creatures as they stared at the two, their image always shifting and altering its form. One minute it was a legless creature, the next on four, but one thing remained true, the eyes that pierced the mind.

William only chuckled a little, his voice going a little deeper. He swung the sword and it passed through the shadows as if nothing happened. The chuckling deepened more. “Oh... you are good, protecting yourself from others, but what of the mind you reside in?” William’s own shadow seemed to dance a little now on its own accord as a light scattered around the blade returning it to the state before William tried to put his own good mind into the blade and he swung again.

Luna moved a little. “Fight it William.” Her voice sounding young, scared, and trembling in her voice as she saw the small tiny moment of grey growing in William from the NIghtmares of William’s previous world.

William only smirked. “Oh, I am fighting it, I am fighting Insanity. Come now. You think you can meet me?” William stepped forward as Insanity pulled a trick and the two shadows of Luna and William pulled away from them and began to form into creatures. William knew right away that the shadow of Luna was turning into Nightmare Moon, however he blinked as he found his mind clear of that. He stop frozen as he stepped back and saw his own shadow began to form into a hybrid creature. 

A dark voice, darker and more sinister sounding then William began to chuckle from a newly formed mouth. As he looked he gasped as a wall sprung up between Luna and William. 

Insanity chuckled even harder. “Oh I don’t think I will let you exchange each other’s foes, I want this to be somewhat fair for the fun factor.” He chuckled again.

William turned back to his nightmare form. “So, you are what I was to become that night of Nightmare Night?”

“Oh yes, and I would have return our Queen and you become her King.” The voice responded. “King of Nightmare Earth.” He began to chuckle. “Whose throne was once the capital of a free nation. That is still possible, you just need to drop your sword and let me win.”

William growled and swung the sword only to have it knock off the armor that appeared on King of Nightmares. William stepped back as pain coursed through his arm allowing him to fully see what he would have become.
One thing he saw was that from his back grew large black featured wings that were flared open in an attack manner. The armor as black as the darkest forbidden caved had dark blue veins coursing through the armor while the face was scarred from battle and the eyes were blazing cold fires of hatred and anger. 

William took a deep breath and attacked again only to be pushed back once more. “Owww.” He muttered as the King of Nightmares walked forward. Only to have the stone wall explode behind him as a raging blue fire covered alicorn ripped the shadows apart and drove the Nightmare King away. 

William looked behind him and widened his eyes in fear. The fading shadows of a mangled Nightmare Moon that had been defeated.

Luna smiled a little. “That was, very therapeutic to be honest.” She looked at the fleeing nightmare. “I should teach thee a way to fight them. That sword without armor is nothing and I cannot make thee any at this time. This Insanity is,” She paused as they both noticed a lightness around the hallway.

Both of them began to step forward, the blue flames from Luna was still flickering as she looked rather angry for some reason. Still they both remain silent as they slowly moved through the hallway and found the light growing more and more. Suddenly they found themselves at a T and the light appeared to have been coming from the right corner and so with caution they slipped around the corner and found it much more lighter. Both of them doing their hardest to avoid looking at the screens after the first few videos in the darkest hallways had black aura’s around the memories. These memories were twisted and frankly unnerving pictures of screaming, yelling and to William, felt like some of Insanities memories he was showing the two as another way to torment the visitors to the mind. Yet both were not going to look at them for fear of adding more nightmares than what they had seen already in in their own personal moments of living nightmares. However due to this, they did not noticed that every once in awhile they would pass a screen that had no black aura around it.

Another corner was coming up and the screens were fading away as the light seemed to be the brightest around the corner. With a hurried pace the two moved around the corner and saw sitting at the back of the wall of a dead end was Rick, curled up and rocking back and forth muttering over and over again the phrase “not again, not again.”

William here noticed cracks of faintly seen grey matter and it looked to be slowly, ever so slowly bleeding out like that of an sheet of ice that is slowly ever so slowly melting away. Luna looked at Rick and spoke. “Rick, Rick, we are here, we-” She trailed off suddenly as she and William realized that they were unseen. William tried to step forward but found his feet stuck to the ground and so was Luna. Even her wings were unable to be opened.

From around them dark laughter spread around causing Rick to cringe from the noise. “Oh, this is so much fun, but you can’t have this so soon, no one can help Rick, he is mine to do as I please, besides I think a little fun is in order.” As those words the darkness began to seep out into the air surrounding the two and cutting off their vision of Rick.

The entire time the two were shouting with all their might in hopes of contacting Rick. But nothing happened and they soon found themselves back in another hallway. This one had cobwebs and spiders crawling over the walls. The moving creepers all paused at the new comers. Luna only smiled a little, while William froze in utter terror at all the spiders and he could feel in his mind a lot of them now crawling up his neck and back. “Mommy.” William whimpered.

Luna looked around after seeing the fear on William’s face as she saw spiders starting to spin a web around him. Luna with a light touch of magic slowly pulled off the spiders and put them back on their webs before picking William in her magic and she slowly moved and entered into second door that appeared to have some light coming from it.

As they entered the door the light faded to the point they could see once again. They stood on hard wooden floors and all around them were shelfs, specifically bookcases. The rows reached high to the ceiling which seemed to be made of a darker, and looked to be dense, stone. Screens flew around the area, each showing something different, while the books themselves seemed to flow through the air into other shelfs, seeming to be organizing. This part of Ricks mind seemed to not have been tampered with. The light was a blue spherical object in the center of the open area in the center of the shelfs, lighting the whole room.

William and Luna looked at each other and one of the few unspoken orders passed between the two as they began to move through the LIbrary. Luna began to look at the book covers and WIlliam looked at the screens hoping to glean an idea of how to seal this monster away so they could deal with it safely and hopefully eradicate it.

One of the screens showed what looked to be a airship flying through what appeared to be a storm. The scene was skipping some parts, but it showed Rick, at a much younger age, on the deck of the airship, holding his hand out grabbing onto something in the air, ash. With a fearful look he looked out into the distance and saw what was causing this, a small town by the ocean, burning. With a hint of panic he ran towards the airships controls only to be thrown to the ground as gust winds knocked the airships around. Next the ropes began to break, one by one, and he gave in, running below deck and being tossed around as the ropes on one side broke, leaving the ship sideways. All that he could see next was the ship impact the floor, then darkness. 

The image flew away, off into another part of the library.

William just stared in shock and awe. “he, he survived?” he shivered a little. “I, that must have been pure terror falling in the wreckage of an airship.” He shivered a little and tried to not think too much on it as he worked on finding another memory.

Luna on the other hand picked a book, and read its title. ‘The Bedrock Library’. After reading a bit of it, it made note of a library underground encased in stone, a darker stone that was dense and packed with enchantments to keep those of bad will out. It contained knowledge of things that never existed before, things that happened, and creations of high interest. The book was like notes, notes written by Rick so he could remember what it was.

William by now had found another of the floating memories and watch. The memory flickered, from darkness to light, the light from fire, spreading across the wood scattered across the planet. There in the wreckage was Rick, his side had been gashed open and bleeding terribly, other wounds scattered across him. With a shaky hand he pushed himself up and got to his feet, slightly wobbling. A look of fear took his face as he quickly began to walk over to a not so broken part of the airship. It contained scattered books and papers, but most of all, it had his satchel and sword. With a grunt of pain he took the items and placed them on, then he started off, not caring about his wound, to the burning town, in hopes of finding a living soul.

And with that, the memory blackened and flew off, heading to a place unknown to William.

William blinked and shivered at the memory and looked around the library. “I am,” he took a deep breath as he continued unable to keep from replaying these moments in his head. “What happened?” he muttered. His gut told him he was not going to like what he saw.

Surprisingly he did not have to move as another screen flew in front of him, a crack straight through it as well. The image seemed to be broken, but still showed what it could. It revealed Rick, on his knees crying. His sword off to the side, stained in blood. He appeared to be in the middle of the burning town, but, the bodies around him showed something worse. Their veins were black, their faces were stuck in a expression of fear and horror. Rick was crying terribly, mumbling, saying that it had to be done.

It had to be done.

Behind him, the shadows grew, they twisted, and soon a dark shrouded figure stepped out, clapping its hands together.

Rick paid no mind to it as it walked closer, its voice sounded somewhat familiar to William. It was the voice of Insanity, but less mixed. “Aww, look at what we have here... Wow, what a blood bath I must say. I mean, these were all your friends! Sure I had a small hand in corrupting them, but still...” Insanity Chuckled. “You lasted this far, I have to give you some credit. How about a small gift. I am sure this will cheer you up...” And with that he placed his hand on the side of Rick’s face. The image began to shake, tearing ever so slightly as Rick screamed in agony as his veins turned from normal, to grey, to black. Soon the image stopped its shaking, but seemed darker, Rick sat on his knees and Insanity was nowhere to be seen, but his voice echoed ever so slightly. “Go have some fun.” Slowly Rick smiled, his head lifted up, the veins black, and his eyes burning with darkness. The grin on his face was of pure madness, as he grabbed his sword, and step by step, slowly walked out of the town laughing a dark laugh.

William stepped back almost as if fearful of the being stepping out of the screen and into the room. “Okay, okay, I need to find how to defeat this thing, how to, How do I beat him?”

The screens around him seemed to teleport around, seeming to glitch around, the screens portrayed darkness, and some, a new burning town, each one the corrupted Rick stood in the center of, his smile still big, and his laughter still strong with madness, but then, in the back he saw a small one, this one seemed to be slightly hidden but it had a glow around it, the screen perfectly clear.

William blinked and found suddenly all the other screens swarmed around him to keep him from the smaller screen, with a grunt of pain as if the screens were hurting him when he touched them. He kept on pushing forward towards the small screen pulling more and more energy into the event as Luna was suddenly he realized somewhere else as he couldn’t realize or call for help. He was doing enough hard breathing to just keep from crying out in pain. He grunted and shoved harder than before and found himself face down on the floor in front of the smaller screen as the other screens now created a small protective cover around him and the screen.

The screen flickers for a second, and it showed Rick, not corrupted, but at the same time, inside a cage in a dark room, the bed in the corner of the room was messy, and the room lurked with a black fluid. He sat in the cage, seemingly too weak to fight, but, he could still hear. The pain the demon was causing. Each scream something seemed to change in Rick slightly, he seemed to grow more and more, angry. With a final shout of pain from the outside he stood up, his expression full of anger and with a shout he grabbed the bars. “Enough! I will not stand for this any longer!” A light blue aura surrounded him faintly as he gripped the bars, and with force, he parted them. He stepped out of the cage and his blue aura seemed to interact with the darkness, leaving a light trail behind. In an instant the corrupted form of him appeared through a doorway, seemingly surprised. “How... How are you out!? I won, you lost!”

With a step forward the corrupted Rick unsheathed its sword. “No, I won before, I can win again. You. Lost. And you will forever lose again!” With his arm raised his brought the sword down onto Rick only to stop short. Rick had his hand out, one encased in his blue aura, and the other grabbing the sword. With a yank he removed the sword from its hands. “The rules of this game have changed.” He said, then quickly grabbing his corrupted counterpart, lifting him off his feet. “But you have cheated from the beginning... Some do not like that.” And with a grunt he threw him into the wall. “I have fallen once, but this time, I will not stand for failure.”

And with that the screen faded out, showing all it could. It was, after all, a smaller and weaker memory. One thing was for sure, Rick could not stand to hear, or see those around him being hurt.

William looked up and saw that the screens were gone. He took a breath and quickly went hunting for Luna, hoping she was okay with the idea he was going to go through on for Rick. He soon realized how big the library was.

William found Luna who was just staring in awe at a large book at a table as she had a pile around her. William walked up behind her and touching her shoulder blade only to find himself on the floor as Luna had knocked him back with her wings opening and she was glaring at WIlliam. “Don’t ever touch there. That is not a place a common citizen is-” She trailed off before bowing her head meekly. “Sorry William.” She looked confused. “Did you find what you wanted?”

William only nodded his head a little. “Yes let me explain to you before the Insanity finds us.” He paused at seeing Luna snicker a little.

“This library is unassailable by the Insanity, we are safe, please, tell me what you have learned.” Luna looked at the books. “However I dare say with how you look, you would not like what I have learned of the Demons.”

William only nodded his head before pausing. “Wait, Demons? as in, oh right his sword.” he muttered while Luna slowly nodded sadly. “Anyway, this is what I learned Luna, and a plan I have.”





The two slowly walked down the no longer spider infested hallway, as they left by another doorway. As soon as they left they began to hear the laughter of Insanity as he slowly crafted the shadows to his will again and William remain calm. However they were feeling him slowly drawing closer to them. They quickly began to step up the walk and it was at this faster pace they began to see a tiny strand of light hidden in the shadows leading away from the library and into the darkness ahead. The two quickly began to follow the pale light and soon they began to see it grow a little lighter, a little brighter, and a little bigger.

Suddenly they were in front of a door that was closed and sealed. Luna actually began to kick at it, but it didn’t budge at first. In a moment of frustration Luna turned around and like a real horse kicked it with both rear legs sending the door flying through the room and crashed through ornate windows that overlooked a blackened and dark rage filled sky and lake.

William and Luna quickly walked in as the air was filled with howling wind, thunder from a few lightning strikes and the ground and walls were beginning to get soaked from the downpour outside.

From all around them laughter that sounded and penetrated to the depths of both Luna and William’s bones as they saw Rick double over even more clutching his head in pain and his teeth gritting to stop it.

“I thought my hint would have been enough.” The voice of Insanity came from behind them. This time, it was not in the form of a corrupted Rick, it was a dark shrouded figure with a dark blade. “I took you away so you could be of no trouble. I gave you a warning, now I will give you the reason why you should have stayed away.” The black aura around him fluctuated and seemed to grow in a very unstable way. “You are going to leave, Dead or... Actually dead sound nice.”

William looked at the room and looked at Luna. “Leave, get out and warn Celestia of what we have learned in case I fail.”

Luna blinked and seemed to argue only to William to do something with his hands and Luna vanished. William hoped that this would attracted the attention of this demon to him. “I am not afraid of you, I faced Nightmares and I won. You are just another monster for me to face and win.” He was speaking forcefully and move to the middle of the room. He knew he was going to face pain.

“Aww, trying to play hero? I hate heroes, they die too quickly.” he laughed.

William began to chuckle. “Oh? So you want to fight the nightmare that I have in my head? I have no clue what it does or how to get it out.... why not try yourself?” He taunted him as he drew Rick’s sword and took up a defensive stance.

“Please, I have seen nothing that shows your ability to keep on going. I had that fool Rick running and building for years, and you know what, all it took was the death of his family, his friends, and an entire town he built with all his friends, now dead, and it all just fell into play. You on the other hand, I know only of, what was it, less than an hour? Pah, lies are easy to say, whether or not they are true is up for choice.” Insanity said. “Having to corrupt a being that could be pathetic would be a shame, one I would have to put down myself, so why not skip those steps and get on to it...” it said while pointing its blade at William.

William only nodded his head. “Right, you have me at a weakness but you know that, you saw me fight my doppelganger. Where is the fun in this? I am a new toy am I not? Am I all talk and nothing more?” He shrugged. “I can fight you, but you know you will win. I am not a swordsman, I have not the skill nor expertise. You will cut through my defenses faster than you sneezing or shaking someone’s hand.” He stepped closer, “where is the fun in that?”

“The fun,” He said, pausing. “Is the fact I can finally spill blood again. The fun part of this, is I get some practice at an open target.” And with no more words he lunged forward, bringing his sword downward.

William did his best to defend himself and Insanity saw that William did not hold back his attempts to keep his life, but like a master going after a beginner he tore the sword from William’s hand and promptly plunged the blade into William’s right shoulder right above the heart missing major stuff. “What’s the point of dying quickly?” He pulled the blade out as William didn’t hide the pain. “Not so much big actions for big words.” He attacked again going for a leg.

The entire time William cried out in pain and anguish and as Insanity got into the heat of the moment Rick began to hear William’s cries. Another leg, the other arm, a deep cut on the side of his body. Insanity enjoying the time of his fun, his back to Rick. Rick on the other hand, began to stand, his eyes focused on Insanity, and with his fist drawn back, he punched the barrier that was around him, shattering it. Both William and Insanity had heard this, and Insanity realized what William had done. “Oh you clev-” He was cut short as Rick grabbed him, tossing him against a wall, his blue aura burning. With a snarl Rick began to speak.

“Not once, but twice. Twice you do this, and twice I will put you back where you belong!” He grabbed onto Insanity by what William could guess was his throat, and began to flow his blue aura around him, the black aura being extinguished in the process, and with a blink of an eye, he was gone. “Back where you belong. Locked away.” He turned towards William, his expression showed regret. With a sigh he walked over, helping William on to his feet before placing a hand on his shoulder, his aura covering the cut and slowly spreading around his body, slowly healing him.

“I, am sorry. Sorry for what you had to deal with” Rick said loud enough to be heard.

William looked at Rick. “No worse than what I faced when I saw, The physical pain is nothing compared to the pain and fear and anguish of getting a full colored detailed step by step plan of seeing two worlds enslaved by Nightmares and darkness.” Physical pains will heal, and go away sometime or another, the scares of the mind.” he tapped his head. “I am sorry for screaming too loudly, I had to get you moving on your own as quickly as I could. I hope you liked my solution to a No Win Scenario.” He was acting a little loopy from the healing magic as he smiled a little.

“You figured out what angers me, thankfully to your advantage. Good job finding the Library.” Rick said with a smile. “Now, if you are ready, I think you should head back, I have to clean up.” Rick said, making a gesture with his head towards the black fluid.

“Right, if you want me to help, let me know, I, I,” He paused and trailed off as he found himself fading and shivering at his own memories. His last words were to Rick before fading from his mind were, “See ya later Rick.”

“You have seen a lot, I do not blame you.” He said while raising his hand, placing it on Williams head, removing him from the nightmare he had to call his mind. 





William slowly opened his eyes only to find himself laying in a bed. With Luna watching him and Rick. “Whatever you did, it worked the veins are fading, but you, never do that again. Your mind was in pain a lot of it from the looks of things.” She leaned in closer. “I do not know what you have in your mind, but I rather you not have a death wish. Also, How did you get me to speak modern Equestrian?” She pouted. “I miss using ye olde tongue.”

William could only chuckle a little only to find that his body was sore and it hurt to move. “How long will I be here?”

“A day.” Luna replied before turning around. “Or Less if you ask the right things or not, now I must go find my sister and inform her of Rick’s recovery.”  She left the room that was currently now occupied by two persons, Rick and William.

Slowly Rick opened his eyes, before squinting them due to not seeing light for quite some time. He turned, looking towards William. “How much?”

“How much what?” William asked as the question was asked in a dead silent room that he could hear it fine. “How much were you out? Three days. We beat the Changelings and the real couple had a grand old time are on their honeymoon.”

Ricks expression didn’t seem to cheer up. “That is good, but not what I wish to ask... How much did you see... I feel them returning again.”

“Ah,” William paused and closed his eyes. “The crash of the airship. The waking up in the rubble. Finding that Insanity took and destroyed your town, your home, you,” WIlliam’s voice broke in sadness and anger. His voice retaining it’s angry tone. “How he used you like Nightmare Moon to destroy Towns, and,” His voice tapered out. “How, how to wake you up.”

William took a deep breath. “Sir, I am, I was just a squire before being pulled into the world before this, and, I want you to know that even with your, with what those nightmares did, I want to say you are a role model for me on how to keep fighting even when, when it is the darkest.” He looked up at the ceiling, he spoke something without realizing it. “It is always the darkest before the dawn. Always the coldest before the light of day breaks.” He closed his eyes as sleep began to take him. “Hold on a little longer and light will find thee.”

William was pulled out of his trance by something light hitting his stomach then landing into his lap. A small red fire-like orb. Looking up he noticed Rick already on his feet. “Come on, I have a feeling they might question where you are soon. Don’t want to be bedridden do you?” He said in a soft voice smirking slightly. “Crush it, it should be absorbed by you naturally and heal as a whole rather than a single spot.”

William blinked at the orb and looked up at Rick before picking it up and using some of his frustration he had for Insanity and the Nightmares he faced let him actually finally crush it, and he felt a surge of energy and was smiling. “Oh man, okay, okay time to get up and out.” he spoke as he found himself much more awake and ready to leave. “Yeah, the debriefings, those are going to be the long ones.”





 The partygoers at the afterparty finally left and are heading back to their homes. The guest that stayed at the castle are making their way back to their rooms. Twilight was carrying a drunk Rainbow Dash and AppleJack when they got into a drinking contest. Chris and Pinkie Pie were walking next to her, talking about the party.

“That was an awesome party Pinkie Pie.” Chris complimented the party mare. “I never been to a wedding party that grand without getting kicked out because I wasn’t invited in the first place. “

“Don’t worry chrissy! When we get back to Ponyville, we have to throw you and William, and Ricky a huge party since I never got to throw you a welcome to ponyville party cause there was the emergency here and...” 

“Be quiet Pinkie Pie...I have a throbbing hangover...” Rainbow Dash painfully replied. 

“Sorry dashie” Pinkie Pie apologize.

“It’s your own fault for getting into that drinking contest with Applejack. Now you are suffering for your mistake.” Twilight ribbed back

“I don’t need...ugg...criticism from the egghead right now.” Rainbow Dash bitterly stated.

Chris noticed William and Princess Luna walking in the distance just leave from one of the rooms they were in. “Hey there William. Hello Princess Luna. We didn’t see you at the afterparty. It was a real treat.” Chris greeted. 

William smiled a little but the smile did not go further then the corners of his mouth. “checking up on a friend to be honest.” He moved further into the hallway. “Luna, do you know of anything that is not alcoholic yet a little strong?” He shivered and rubbed his forehead. “Anyway I am happy you had a good time at the party.”

Chris picked up on the good friend part and realized who he was referring to. “Oh you saw Rick then. Well I hope he is feeling better. He is an enigma so he can be unpredictable.”

A chuckle ran through the air. “Oh, more than you would believe friend.”

The door opened, revealing Rick standing tall, his veins clear and he looked better, with a small smile on his face.

Chris jumped. “Damn it! you scared me!”

Rainbow Dash groaned a little and looked up. “Woah, I didn’t know you had a twin Rick.” Dash placed her head back down and moaned. “Stop rocking the boat egghead, you’re making me seasick.”

Pinkie Pie only quietly hoped to Rick and presented him with a small plate of cupcakes for him to eat. “I hope you like them.” She whispered.

Applejack was out like a light and sleeping as soundly as one could after a drinking contest. Twilight only sighed and waved a little with a hoof. “I’ll put them away for the night, we can talk in the morning.”

William nodded his head. “You all get some sleep, I am going to be up a little longer.” He looked around the group. “Chris, the Equestrian Daily asked me to tell you that their offer still stands with an increase of twenty bits to the signing bonus.”

“Wait what about a signing bonus and Equestria Daily?” Chris asked. “I never got any news from them or know them.

William blinked and pointed above him. “They have a contract up on your desk. Plus I think two other papers, all of which are the big names in the regions of Canterlot and beyond. Oh, the Ponyville Gazette also gave a contract too.” William shrugged at Chris’ gaze. “What, they all asked me to give them to you when they learned I was not thee. I find it hard to believe that they got me confused with you.” WIlliam laughed a little.

“Well the confusing you for me makes sense...sorta. Also, I am about to faint.” Chris just fainted right there from the information he just got from William about getting hired for the newspapers.

Twilight only sighed and picked Chris up as well and moved to take three persons, one human and two ponies to get some rest. Ignoring William’s smile and Luna hiding a hoof over her own small giggle while Celestia decided to help with the load her most faithful student was under. Leaving it really now Rick, Luna, and William.

“Anypony requireth warm milk to help with their sleep?” Luna asked the last of the people in the hallway.

> Chapter 8 ALT END The Bright Side of the Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 8 ALT END
The Bright Side of the Moon




“I, am sorry. Sorry for what you had to deal with” Rick said loud enough to be heard.

William looked at Rick. “No worse than what I faced when I saw, The physical pain is nothing compared to the pain and fear and anguish of getting a full colored detailed step by step plan of seeing two worlds enslaved by Nightmares and darkness. Physical pains will heal, and go away sometime or another, the scares of the mind.” he tapped his head. “I am sorry for screaming too loudly, I had to get you moving on your own as quickly as I could. I hope you liked my solution to a No Win Scenario.” He was acting a little loopy from the healing magic as he smiled a little.

“You figured out what angers me, thankfully to your advantage. Good job finding the Library.” Rick said with a smile. “Now, if you are ready, I think you should head back, I have to clean up.” Rick said, making a gesture with his head towards the black fluid.

“Right, if you want me to help, let me know, I, I,” He paused and trailed off as he found himself fading and shivering at his own memories. His last words were to Rick before fading from his mind were, “See ya later Rick.” Only for him to fade back into existence with a smiling Rick. “Yes?” William asked as he saw he was still in his mind.

“You have seen darkness, and much of my mind, would you like to help clean a little and see some light?” Rick asked.

William blinked and looked around before slowly nodding his head. “I, I can help I guess.”

“Come, I think you might find this to be better than you expect.” Rick said while making the gesture to follow him as he walked through a doorway.

William nodded his head as he looked behind as the slowly self repairing windows and the angry sky beyond was looking like dawn was approaching on the horizon. He looked back at Rick and slowly followed out of the room and into the hallways beyond.

The hallways seemed to stop spreading darkness but they remained still. Rick raised his left hand as he walked, brushing it against the walls as the darkness faded to light.

William didn’t try the same move, this was not his mind and he was not going to make a mistake now. “That is, that is a rather good cleaning trick.”

Rick chuckled in response. “If only it worked outside of my mind, cleaning would be easy.”

“Indeed, you might want to talk to the cleaning staff in Canterlot, they might have a few tricks of helping clean if needed.” William chuckled a little. “Trust me on that. I have seen impressive feats but that takes Celestia’s cake.”

After walking in seemingly random directions the two had come across a door, both familiar with the door. The blue light shined out faintly through the door.

“The Library?” William asked in shock. “We are back here?” He looked at Rick. “Are you sure? This is your sanctuary.”

“It is, but as it was created it still remains, that of goodwill can enter, and that you did.” He said as he pushed the door open, walking into the library.

William slowly crossed the threshold. “ peace on earth, Goodwill to man.” he muttered as he remembered an old phrase from his youth. “I, thank you for wanting to share with me this again.”

“You earned what I have to show, it is not often I have company here.” Rick said while walking to the light in the center of the room.

William only slowly followed and remained silent, something in the air was tingling his spine and he felt that whatever it was, it was going to be something that he should remain silent for.

Rick placed his hand on the orb of blue light in the center of the room, dragging his finger in which left a trail, across it in a pattern. Soon he stopped and raised his hand off the orb, it began to shine brighter and brighter, to the point in which William had to cover his eyes. With his eyes covered he felt something different, it seemed to push in one direction, but at the same time it wasn’t forcing movement. It was wind.

William blinked upon feeling the wind, what confused him was that the wind had no currents or directions or patterns. He slowly lowered his arm that covered his eyes and he blinked to regain his sight as he wondered just what and where he was. He tried to listen with his ears at the moment.

When his vision returned he was looking out across a large portion of land. Where he was standing on the other hand was a ship, specifically one flying through the air, the airship Rick had built.

William was in shock. “Oh, oh wow. This is.” he walked on the wooden planks of the ship and looked at the balloon overhead. “Completely different from the Equestrian models, let alone the Zeppelins of Germany, but, but still a beautiful invention, a beautiful craft.” He moved to the side and looked out upon the land. “Is this... your homeland?”

“Well,” Rick said from behind William. “Yes, or close enough to it, but this is not the best part of it.” He said, leaning on the rail pointing off in the distance. To a small town at the edge of land near the ocean.

William looked out towards the town. “Is that where your, your home was?” he asked with worry. “Still, all of this, it is beautiful.”

“Soon, soon you will get to see the town I had built with those around me. The town of Gardavia.” Rick said while making a gesture to the town.

William could only nod his head, looking back at Rick. “May I ask why you wish to show me this? You are not the first who has shown me precious places and memories of their lives with me. What makes you wish to open up to me?” He looked curious and actually a little uneasy.

“I wanted you to see and talk to those before everything happened.” Rick said while headed towards the controls of the airship, getting it ready to dock.

William only nodded his head once before returning to look out at the skies. He had a faraway look in his own eyes. He blinked once and turned back to look at Rick. “Wait, talk to them?”

Rick only smiled from where he stood, with a careful hand he messed with the controls moving the airship into a slower speed, preparing altitude, stuff as such. He walked back onto the deck as the airship stopped it’s movement and grabbed a rolled up ladder and rope. both attached to the ship. With a throw he tossed them onto the wall below. “Come on then, we can not wait all day.”

William blinked in confusion and slowly moved to ladder to climb down each rung towards the ground. As he began to descend he grumbled to the heavens. “I really wish I had my wings, this is way too nerve wracking.” He looked down and looked at the ground he was now half way down or up depending on your perspective.

When they reached the bottom of the ladder, or the top of the wall, Rick turned and walked towards a part of a the wall in which seemed to be connected to the roof of a house nearby. Walking along the path he stepped onto the roof, he then turned and waited for William to catch up, a small smile on his face.

William slowly followed and seemed impressed. “Solid roof it looks.” He looked around and followed along the wall to the roof. “So, what is your plan of action here?”

“Simple.” Rick said with a tap of his foot on the roof, with two steps over he tapped again, this time it sounded more hollow, with a stronger tap the roof opened up at his foot, a hidden hatch revealing a ladder down into the attic. “First, how about you come inside.” He said as he started down the ladder.

William blinked at the antics before slowly moving down into the strange building not sure what to say at the moment. 

Inside the attic seemed to be some dust covered bookshelves, though it was obvious that a good fortune of them had been moved and taken off the shelf several times. There was another hatch and ladder leading down into what would be the second floor. Off to the side was what looked to be pieces for a bed. Other than what was mentioned the rest of the stuff was storage chests, some metals, spare wood, and a table with a couple of tools and writing instruments. Rick seemed to be headed for the next hatch.

William only followed Rick, the last time he had poked around another’s attic he had discovered a rather sensitive secret from Luna. He was not going to repeat that mistake again. “Well, looks like an attic.” William muttered with a light chuckle.

With a slight roll of his eyes and a smirk, Rick responded, “Well I am sorry that I do not have a amazing attic, though the basement is better.” He said as he swung the hatch open and started his way down. “I do not keep much up here, but I still checked the books. If things are correct you might find something interesting.”

William laughed a little. “Sorry, but anything that is not Luna’s attic is just an attic. I was trying to be funny.” William sighed and bowed his head in shame as he felt like his joke failed not seeing the smirk Rick gave him.

“Come on then, I think I would like you to try something.” Rick replied from downstairs.

“Uh, okay, just, just lead the way.” William replied with an uncertainty in his voice as he followed even further down stairs and into the second floor of the house. 

The second floor had some windows in it, allowing light through. On one side of the floor it seemed to be where Rick would keep his clothes and rest, as a bed and dresser was in the corner, but around that sat tables and chairs with countless quills and inkwells. Papers were scattered about looking like blueprints to some contraption that might have been worked on. There were several chests and even more surprising was a large collection of books, placed neatly in a corner of the room, dedicated to a quiet area. It did not have a large amount of clutter, only a small table and chairs along with the shelves that lined the walls. Rick seemed to be looking at a couple of the book titles.

William looked at the setting and to his own surprise the first words from his mouth were, “Well, don’t let Miss Twilight Sparkle to see this, it would cause mayhem as she would get a thrill from all the ink and parchments and books.” He paused and smiled a little. “I like the book look myself, I use to have a few bookshelves in my own room, and I always had a book to read at times.” He paused before laughing a little. “Uh, I won’t look at the books as I highly doubt I will be able to read the text too much.”

Much to his surprise Rick picked up a book, read the title and proceeded to pass the book to William, the words, “Heads up,” leaving his mouth.

“Ejha?” William made a strange startled noise before catching the book and looked down at it as he wondered why he was tossing books at him now. William shook his head with a small smile on his mouth.

To his confusion the book seemed to be written in an entirely different language, one he couldn’t understand or even decipher. It showed symbols across its front, most likely its title.

William laughed a little. “I was right, the language is different, so that makes me feel better in that, well the talking with one another.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Trust me, when Ponies started to speak my native English in my mind’s ear, it drove me nuts as I knew they were not speaking... Uh, never mind, seeing this actually makes me feel a little better.”

“Look again at the title.” Was the only response he got from Rick.

“Uh, okay.” William looked down at the book in his hands just to humor the other human.

In his hands was the same book, but this time the letters were different, not just different, but understandable. ‘Dimensional views and theories’ was the title of the book.

“Because of how my mind and magic work together, my memory is stored and better yet, if there is others with me, it can help transmit it, making things like that readable. Do not worry about you now being able to understand the language, it simply changed it into a way you could understand.” With a small smile Rick added. “I did mention I have not read that book in ages, but, there it is.”

“This is, You do realize you can get Chris and I back home if needed?” He seemed a little happy at that thought. “This can help all of us maybe... but still, we need to be careful, this book, I just know this can be a bad or a good thing.” He blinked and shivered. “Sorry if any of my demons got in your head.”

“You know there is a reason I never brought up trying to send you back home, if I tried to open the rift by myself, even with everything in my being, I could die in the process.” Rick said with a shake of head. “But other than that, it is just a pain as it is. Come, I did not bring you here to bring sad memories, how about something you might find interesting.” He said as he headed towards the stairs. “You can keep that book on you if you wish, when this is all over it will return.”

“Well that is good security then for your books, thank you.” William muttered tucking the book under his arm and slowly followed Rick down some stairs. He decided to bring up a problem he realized once more at a later date. He wondered if his nation knew about blood types he wondered.

The first floor was pretty simple, a couch, a table, another storage unit and what seemed to be a metal box. Off to the side seemed to be a sink of sorts, or at least it was close enough to one, and finally a glass like stone, clear and clean. Rick didn’t seem to be headed towards any of it as he rounded the stairs and headed towards a door on the side of the stairwell. “Come, the best part is down here.”

“Ah, into the depths of the ground. Makes sense some of the best places to keep the best stuff can be either in the sky or under the surface of the earth. Lead on.” William muttered with a smile and a chuckle.

As he stepped down the steps he noticed that it actually seemed to get brighter as they continued down, until finally he reached the bottom step and the room opened up before him. The room consisted of what looked to be thick stone walls and floor, but at the very end it seemed to open up into a blazing fire. The fire was intense and bright, yet the room remained cool. All around the room was open chests, having metals, blueprints, diagrams, all sorts of things. An anvil sat off to the side, and next to it was a table. All sorts of things were across the room all with a purpose, to build, and create. Rick walked across the room, his hand dragging across the surfaces of the tables which held his tools.

“Oh wow... a Blacksmith, I only saw one at a living history village and this, this was amazing, you have more information and events here than I ever saw, and I am in the actual smith itself. Amazing.” William stood there in amazement at what he was seeing.

“It is my pride and joy, just to create these things.” With a smile he turned towards William. “To create things that can help so many.” He walked back towards William. “I have a choice for you. Would you like to either, read up on some of the books that I had upstairs, or would you like to meet some of the town members?”

William looked a bit lost in thought. “I think a view of the town would be good. Mind you I may just ask silly and odd questions.”

Rick shrugged in response. “You might, you might not. It is an interesting town in the first place.” He started his walk to, and up the stairs, motioning William to follow. “Let us go then.”

“Uh, okay.” William shivered a little. “Sir, I must say that this, sorry but the last time I was in this detailed of a place I saw the subjection of Equestria, and... plans that would make a warrior sweat a little.” He finally realized why he had been feeling a little off, it was so slight he had only noticed it a minute ago, and now, he knew why. “I have had bad luck with mind places.”

Rick only smiled slightly. “That is why the only way to get here, is through the library. Only my own corruption can alter a memory, but, I am free and I have been taking care of it this whole time.”

William still took a sharp breath in. “Still, You don’t mind if I am on edge? Coping with all of this still.”

Rick turned to William as he stood at the stop of the steps. “You will be fine, trust me. If need be, try not to attack people in the town, but you can be ready for it.”

“Thank you. I am..” He paused and blinked when an equestrian short sword appeared at his side. He looked at his side and relaxed a little. “Uh... mental powers, are strong I think.” He smiled a little. “Better not introduce a M16 to a population, they would think I am some herald of some god of war or something.” Still he looked a little on edge still.

Rick only raised a brow at his choice of words before shrugging to himself and continuing out the door, waiting for William to continue following.

William followed slowly from a few paces away keeping an eye on everything. His clothing shimmered and changed to be a full battle armor of the Lunar Guard. As this was a mental security blanket he currently was having and using.

“I was waiting for that to happen.” Rick commented at what he saw.

“You, you were?” he looked down a little. “Rather normal, usually this is what happens before I fight the nightmares in my head, but then there usually is music around, unless I am near a magically charge artifact like anchor crystals then the music plays for all to hear.” His voice low and mumbling.

They stepped out into the town itself, after stepping out of his plot of land and closing the gate Rick started to head off, naming places here and there. There wasn’t that many people out it seemed but Rick only responded with the fact that the town had just been built, at this point in time, about four to five months. After rounding a corner they came face to face, nearly bumping into, a man who was covered from head to toe, cloth and leather straps could be seen across his odd set of armor while his face was covered by a hood and bandana.

The man looked up for a moment and seemed to recognize Rick immediately. “Ah Rick, good to see you have returned.” His voice was like a whisper, but still loud enough to be heard. He turned towards William and squinted his eyes, studying him. “Who is this, also might I ask where from. I do not recognise this armor he wears...” His eyes traveled up and down constantly, seeming to take every detail of the armor in.

Rick only shook his head. “A friend, now why not introduce yourself to each other.” Rick stepped to the side one step to allow them full view of each other.

“I am William Jefferson Howard, as for my armor, It comes from a kingdom far away.” He placed his right arm across his chest. His armor had the Dragon’s eye as well as a few motifs of the moon.

The man never let up his squint while looking at William. “Elestor.” He walked closer to William. “I do not like you, but stay out of my way and I will not have you wanted across the kingdom.” He proceeded to walk past William, not bothering to continue the conversation.

“uh, okay.” He paused and bit back the same reply if he ever visited his own princess’ lands. He turned to Rick. “I am impressed by you making friends, you seem like a friend of mine, friends with all, even the local bullies of our school.”

Rick shrugged. “He is a great friend when he knows you better. In his line of work it is hard to make him trust others.” He made a gesture to where Elestor was walking away, but he seemed to be gone already. “Your armor might have reminded him of his past, he tends to talk about it here and there.”

“Ah, well, is he a spy for the king? or the right hand? And what about my armor that reminds him of his past? The design is not like anything you have in your world.” William was still rather confused with what was happening.

“No no.” He leaned in slightly. “He leads a group of assassins, the order was created to make sure things were balanced in the power of our king, and the power of the people.” He looked towards Williams armor. “Your armor has near similar color to what he mentions, that is most likely the case.”

“Wait, your’” he turned around and looked back at the vanished person. “I meet, woah, that is kind of cool, grandma’s luck holds out again.” he turned around at the odd look Rick had. “Uh, she served tea to a princess from my world while they visited the states... or something like that,” his brow furrowed before waving his hand as if to dispel cobwebs, “Or something like that, still Grandma always meet and dined with interesting folks.”

Rick simply shrugged. “I fear I might never understand some of the things you and Chris say, or things you have done.” He smiled lightly. “But you still are great friends.” He patted William on the shoulder. “Even if we are plenty of years apart.”

William nodded his head. “Yes, but in others I am the master and you are the apprentice.” He grinned. “I still plan to have you learn how to handle some pistol training, or weapon use in case I fall.” His smile twitched and faltered. “How are you holding up with being home sick?”

Ricks gaze went towards the floor. “If need be I can still return to a memory to see them once in a blue moon.” 

William paused, “uh, that means once in a rare moment? right?” He asked a little bit. “Because back in the old Equestria, blue moon means mourning.” He just smiled a little.

Rick hummed in thought. “ A Blue moon here is that of which the magical energy in the air is built up to the point in which it develops a thin layer of magic over the entire world, typically in the atmosphere, thus giving it the tint of blue.” He scratched his bearded chin in thought. “During the night any magic user or caster is at a higher power until the night is through. It happens once every,” He paused in thought. “Well I can not say, they happen at random.”

William nodded his head. “For your world, a blue moon, is just that, a blue moon, a blue moon on our world is where their are two full moons in one month.”

“Interesting, though quite the shame. I could perform great feats to assist if need be.” He frowned slightly. “Though now that I think about it, I do not think I will need to do that...”

William gave him a small look of confusion before moving to look into the rest of the streets. He smiled a little, it reminded him very vaguely of a Zelda game.

Rick sighed slightly. “Anyways, would you like to see anything else, and do not be afraid to ask, even if it something that you think would be best not to ask.”

“Will do, I will keep that in mind.” William spoke with a small grin. He looked at the surroundings. “So, is there something or someplace to go? Do you have a barracks? Guards?” He paused, “or a Library, a open square for debate?”

Rick raised his hand to stop William. “At the current time, no, this town was finished and able to be moved into around four months before.There are guards, but the barracks are not finished, the library never opened in this town sadly as it seemed not that many would even bother to read. I could only show you any place I have visit, or anything I have seen.”

“Ah, well, I rightly don’t know. Stranger here.” William admitted. “Why not show me around and introduce friends if that is not too painful?”

“It is not painful but I can not hold your mental form in my mind much longer, which is why I must say, one last place, or person if you can think of a group or such, or even a event that I might have said at one point or you have seen in my mind.” Rick explained.

“Okay, how about your most fond memory?” William asked.

Rick smiled slightly. “I have an idea.”

The world seemed to shift around them and soon they found themselves in Ricks home once more, it seemed to be very dark out. The amount of people inside the house wasn't what brought the attention, but instead they all seemed to be flowing their own aura into a man in the center of the room who appeared to be lit in a blue fire. Upon looking closer William noticed it wasnt fire, but a magical aura, specifically Ricks.

The present Rick stood by Williams side, and he uttered one word. “Watch.”

The world seemed to start up once more, the auras flowing through the air into Ricks past self. Several people were talking at once and they seemed to be worried.

“Can he handle it?”

“Can he do it?”

“Will it work?”

The questions ran through the air until finally Rick, with his eyes closed, put his arms out, one on his left and one on his right. His right palm faced the sky as his left faced the earth. He then started to move them, his right hands fingers to point at the sky and his left to the earth itself. His aura seemed to be slowly fading as he seemed to be using powerful magic. He slowly trailed his hands together and after a moment his aura flickered out and he dropped to his knees, then forward, unconscious. The people stopped channeling their aura and went to help the man when they noticed it getting brighter.

With a glance outside it seemed that the clouds that were overhead were dispersing, making the area much brighter. Even though Rick was unconscious his memory seemed to be continueing, they began to cheer, and quickly helped Rick to his bed upstairs. Then everything slowed to a pause, Rick was asleep and the others in mid cheer. The last words escaping their lips. “He did it.”

William only smiled. “Well done.” He didn’t know what it was that happened but he was getting caught up in the atmosphere and attention of the others celebrating something.

“Do you know what I had done?” Rick seemed to fade into the area, his past self still asleep on the bed. He looked to the people in the room as he smiled. “I nearly died this day, but, it was worth it to see this.”

“I don’t know, but from what the others did and reacted, it was a big thing, but you did a duty, nothing more and nothing less.” William spoke with a soft tone of voice. “At least that is how I see it. I can be wrong after all.”

Rick only smiled. “The demons of my world, they had stopped the shifting of our world, sun and moon, as well as clouding the skies.” He walked over to the window, looking out. “I knew the chances of my death, and I gladly tried. I had to use the power from powerful magic users to shift them, to start the movement once again.” He turned around and faced his past self. “I was knocked unconscious for several days, but my own aura lingered in the area for the whole time I was asleep, and that allowed me to remember these things, though I should not.”

“Oh wow.” he paused a little out the window. “Maybe that is what caused Equestria, a round world frozen in time, having to have two creatures take control and keep the world safe.” he shook his head. “What you did, amazing, I have known only four beings that could do what you did, and two of those four are copies of the first two.” He twitched his mouth into a small light smile before turning to look out the window at the weather.

Rick seemed to falter for a minute, the world shifted and returned to the form of the bedrock library inside his mind. He seemed off balance. “Gah, it is getting hard to hold the timeframe outside. If we continue any longer time will start to pass again outside my mind...”

“Then I shall bid thee adieu, and see you when you wake up I guess.” William replied with a small bow as he was once again back in his original clothing from the start of the adventure.

Within a blink of an eye William found himself outside Ricks mind. 

He looked up and saw Luna looking at him. “uh, Hi!”

“Hi to you as well, you were out for a day.” She replied even toned and with worry.

“What?” William sat up fast and looked around only to look back at Luna laughing.

“Tricked you. Only a second really.” She giggled a little.

“Celestia is a bad influence on thee.”

Whilst the two talked they didn’t notice the small grin growing on Rick’s face.

> Down time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 9
Downtime




William was sitting on a stool that had been provided as he slowly sipped the warm milk that Luna had provided those that wished to partake of the sleep aiding drink.

Rick on the other hand was out on the balcony, leaning against the rail looking out to the valley below. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts at the moment, then again he explained to William how he is dealing with his memories once again.

Chris was asleep on his desk while trying to read over the contracts that were sent to him. He managed to get four contracts altogether. One from Equestria Daily, one from the Canterlot Times, one from the Daily Canterlot, and the Ponyville Gazette. Royal News, and still on the desk was the smaller newspaper Ponyville Gazette. All had also left him with a lifetime subscription of their paper as well. At some point in reading the contracts he had fallen asleep on his bed, the contracts still in his hand and one on his chest.

William looked up a little and back at the large mug of warm milk. “So, how,” he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts and ended up speaking his thoughts aloud. “How did you survive that fall in the airship?”

Rick slightly looked up before turning towards the doors. “I had to take some precaution towards that, it was afterall, a new design. I had reinforced the hull to withstand hits incase I happened to mess up somewhere.” He said before mumbling slightly. “Though I wish it stood up more.” He mindlessly placed his hand on the side where he had been cut open.

“A reinforced, that is why the ship was more or less intact when you crashed.” William paused a little and looked at the sky that he could see from his position. “So, the town, the, Insanity called them your friends and family and neighbors, did, did insanity kill them? Turn them into monsters?”

Rick didn’t seem to shift in the slightest, and eventually he responded. “He thought it would be fun, to make them corrupted. They were still in there too. They were begging for death, and I did not understand why until I had fallen myself.” He turned towards William, now that Rick was standing in the doorframe. “He was able to do it by forcing me to watch, every mistake, I have ever made. All the people I failed...” His head fell slightly. “And I had to rewatch them, over and over...”

William set the mug on the ground and looked at Rick. “That can destroy one’s mind, tell me, have anyone shown you your accomplishes the good you did to your world? Maybe you can talk to Luna to help there. Still, I, I, I see what what it means, and what might have happened. Know this, you got friends here, no, warriors who will stand, and.” He lowered his eyes. “As well as one that might have faced demons of another world.” He moved to pick up his mug his hands shaking a little. “I, I think we should call it a day and get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day and a new dawn will bring new life.”

Rick mumbled something, in which William couldn't hear but from what he could see Rick wasn’t moving.

William finished the mug and stood up and walked to the doorway leading onto the balcony. “I just want to let you know that, I want you to know that I will call you a friend.”

“They tried to call me a saviour.” Rick mumbled softly. His stare was blank as he looked out into the valley below.

William walked to the balcony and leaned forward upon the stone railing. “I never called you that. I call you a friend. I only have one person that I call a savior and his is the Son of God.” He smiled a little. “So I will not call you that.”

“I’ll be to bed momentarily. I have some things to work with first.” Rick said.

William only nodded his head before turning to face the moon while snapping to attention and saluted the moon. He spoke in ancient equestrian before dropping his salute and turned around and went to the restroom to change for bed for the night.





Chris was the first to wake up from the group. He raised his head from the desk and sat up straight in the chair. A piece of paper was stuck to his face. “Damn...I fell asleep while looking over the papers. I never did decide what to pick. I might as well think this over in the shower.” Chris mumbled to himself. Chris gets out of the chair, grabs the towel from the closet and heads to the bathroom to shower. 

While Chris was in the shower William woke up and seeing that the shower was in use as the door was locked william walked out to the balcony and worked on some push up and sit ups for the morning before deciding to go for a run around the castle while Chris was using the only bathroom in the suite. However he did run a hand over his chin and the week’s amount of growth there. “Okay, find a shaving kit... or get my pendant fixed.”

Eventually Rick got up grabbing onto his satchel, and grabbing his boots. He had questions he wanted to ask and he figured he would do it to start the day. With a quick stretch he headed out the door, looking for one of the Princesses.





William was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt once again of the Lunar Guard as he was sitting on a bench out in the Royal Gardens and was just taking a breather from his jogging. At the moment there were no ponies around and he was just enjoying the smells, sights, and the sounds around him. “Always nice to relax here.” He muttered to himself. He didn’t noticed that he was being watched.

He smiled and just took a great sniff of the flowers in the air around him. “I never get tired of the Canterlot Gardens.”

“I am pleased to hear that you enjoy my gardens.” Princess Celestia spoke while smiling at her phoenix that was flying over her head. “I hope it is similar to the one you are familiar with.”

William only smiled a little at seeing the fire bird. “I never grow tired or old of seeing a real life phoenix.” He smiled as to his amazement the fire bird landed on his shoulder making some cooing noises before turning and pecking his head lightly. “OW!” William yelped as the firebird too to the air and make avian noise that William felt was laughter.

Celestia only smirked. “Well, that was unique, it seems Philomena decided to peck you with one of her feathers.”

William blinked slowly a few times. “That is a good or bad thing?” All he got was a wing shrug before William smiled. “Oh, Princess, I got a question for you that might need some of Luna or your help.”

“Well, I think I can help, what is your question.”

William only smiled. “Well...” 





Chris gets out of the shower with a towel around his waist and one to dry off his brown hair. “Alright guys. You can use the shower.” Chris announces. He looks around the room to see that it was void of people. He looks at the clock in the room to see that it was 45 minutes later when he first took the shower. 

“I gotta take quicker showers.” He mumbled to himself. He goes over to his side of the room to get his clothes and puts them on. Chris puts on a pair of jeans with a basic shirt that rarity made for him. The shirt was a plain blue color to match the color of the jeans. Chris grabs some hair gel to put his hair in his usually spiky way. 

“Now that is out of the way, I need to go check those offers the newspapers offer to me.” Chris looks at the pile of papers on the desk. They were the basic contracts that had the salary he would get paid for and the signing bonus for signing up with them; however each newspaper company gave Chris a newspaper to look over as well as a lifetime subscription to them. 

“Okay, first is Equestria Daily.” Chris picks up the Equestria Daily contract. The signing bonus for them was 1,000 bits and at 10 bits an hour. “Damn that is more then I would get paid at any job I was in.” He picks up the paper and reads a couple articles. “Hmm...Equestria Daily seems like a popular magazine filled with gossip. It talks about certain famous ponies, some different types of clothes, and other things in the media. Not really a source of news, more like People magazine back at home. The pay is good so I might put this to the side for later.” He puts it to the right to check it later.

The next contract was from the Royal News. He picks it up and reads the contract which gives him a 800 signing bonus but an hourly pay of 12 bits an hour. “Well the signing bonus is less than Equestria Daily but the pay rate is better in the long run.” He reads the rest of the contract. “Well the contract is pretty strict with what I do and what I may take pictures of.” He picks up the Royal News and reads it. “Yea, I don’t think this is my style. The way they go with it is too formal. The style is similar to CNN which I can respect but with the uptight guidelines they have and how formal they write it wouldn’t fit my style. Pass.” He puts the paper to the left side to know that he won’t accept the job. 

The next paper was the Daily Canterlot. The contract was similar to Equestria Daily’s so there was no restrictions or guidelines that bothered him. The signing bonus was 900 and the pay rate was 11 bits an hours. Chris picks up the newspaper and reads it. “Well this seems like a basic daily newspaper that talks about the general things that are happening around the area. It seems more local and its main audience is the ponies of Canterlot. This is possibly a choice I am going to choose.” Chris puts the paper contract nexts to the Equestria Daily contract. 

The fourth one was the Canterlot Times. Chris reads the contract which has a signing bonus of 1,200 and a pay rate of 10 bits an hour but there was only one problem for him. “The contract states I must stay within the area of Canterlot to work with them. They would send me out when they need me to cover a report or news. The other three let me live wherever I want but this one requires I get a home in Canterlot and I must be within the working location of the company. This one is a no even though the pay is good.” Chris places the contract next to the Royal News side. 

“Finally the last contract which is called the Ponyville Gazette” He picks up the contract. The contract was the most basic out of the other four. The signing bonus was 500 bits at a rate of 8 bits an hour. “Damn this paper doesn't pay well compared to the other choices.” Chris picks up the paper and reads it. “Wow this paper has some good quality work in it. Not as top notch as the Royal News but it could have potential.” Chris said approvingly. “The paper is even located in the nice town of Ponyville which was where the Pinkie Pie and her friends live.” 

Chris looks over at the contract one more time for Equestria Daily, Daily Canterlot, and the Ponyville Gazette. After careful consideration Chris came to a conclusion. “Ponyville Gazette since it reminds me of the local newspaper I use to work for. It also seems like a nice paper and pleasent to work with. 

Pinkie Pie comes in with her bubbly mood. “Chris” Pinkie Pie sang. “It is time for dinner!”

“No it is...” Chris stopped himself when he checked the clock to see it is 6 in the evening. “Oh...well damn it is late.” As if on cue his stomach growled. he gave a nervous chuckle. “I be there in a minute.” Chris put all of his gear away and walked with Pinkie Pie to the dining hall.





Rick seemed to be walking down some darker hallways, guards walked around the area most likely headed to their post or something of the sort. As he walked his eyes scanned every guard by him, checking their armor, weapon, and just their mobility itself. He was given directions to where he wanted to go and free reign for what he wanted to use there.

He turned a corner and faced a set of doors, his destination. With a smile he pushed the doors open to reveal something familiar to him. A forge.

Reaching into his satchel he pulled out a tool which had been with him for ages, his hammer. With a twirl he headed over and began to scan the room for, metals. He found all kinds of metal, ranging from Copper to Mithril. With a smile he pulled out a bar of metal and turned towards the forge, a smile on his face as he returned to what he enjoys to do. He reached into his satchel and pulled out his leather gauntlets, sliding them on he walked over to begin his work.

Time slowly began to drag on, Rick was given time for his work and most of the guards did not disturb him while he worked. Mostly what they could hear on the outside was the sound of a hammer meeting the anvil.

Tink....     

Tink......





Chris and Pinkie Pie walked into the dining hall, well Pinkie Pie bounced into the dining hall. They notice that some of the seats were empty. Currently, Princess Luna and Twilight are sitting next to each other talking about the recent changeling invasion and what they plan to do with it. Rarity was admiring some of the new features they added to the dining room since she last visited. Spike was sitting next to her with his lovestruck face. 

“Hey there,” Chris greeted the group. 

“Greetings,” Princess Luna responded to Chris.

“Hello Chris, did you make your decision for which newspaper you want to work for.” Twilight asked. 

Chris and Pinkie Pie walked over to an empty seat at the table. “Yea I did. They were all well and paid better than I got paid back on Earth. I decided to go work for the Ponyville Gazette. 

        “But why did you not take the Equestrian Daily offer? They are a world renown paper.
I even have a subscription to them.” Rarity pointed out. 

        “Well they aren’t my style but with the Ponyville Gazette, it makes me feel like the company I use to work for back on Earth. Just a simple group with great values.” 

        “Well I think that is a great choice Chris,” Twilight replied. 

        “So where is Ponyville so I can meet my employers?” Chris asked them.

        “You don’t know where Ponyville is?” Pinkie Pie questioned him. “You were just there silly filly! That is where we met you and took you to Twilight’s house and took the train to-Mphh” Twilight put her hoof over Pinkie Pie’s mouth. 

“I think he gets it.” Twilight chuckled nervously and smiling while looking at Chris.

“Well...that is convenient as hell! Makes my job easier and I can see you guys there.” 

The doors opened at this moment and Celestia and another pegasus pony walked into the dining hall. “Your majesty, I must say again that I am grateful for your help.” The pony gave a small bow before walking up to Chris. “Hello, so you must be those new creatures that helped defend the castle. Thank you for your actions.” The pony was smirking a little before he shook his brown mane a little before walking towards the table. The dark olive green coat accented with a white five point star. The new pony walked to an empty seat next to Chris and sat down. Around his neck was the same pendent that Chris had seen around all of Luna’s guards. “So, what is your name?” The pony asked Chris.

“My name is chris” Chris put out his hand.” Photographer and reporter for the Ponyville Gazette. What is your name.”


“I am Nightstar, I am a Lunar Guard retired at the moment, but I have been asked to keep you safe a little. I hope you don’t mind but... I am going through the humans asking a simple medical question, what is your blood type?” He was smiling a little as he looked around. “Do you know what they are going to be serving for dinner?”

“Umm...my blood type is O positive and I am not sure what they are serving.” Chris told the guard.

“Oh good, that is the universal Donor.” Nightstar sighed as if some weight lifted from his shoulders. 

“Wait...that is a good thing...right?” Chris asked.

The pony grinned. “Well, maybe... you can donate to any human, but the other human, William is A Positive, meaning he cannot donate to you.” The pony frowned. “This is... complicated.” He smiled and grinned as if he was holding a big secret. “I think you might make a good unicorn disguise.” He held out a hoof again. “Nightstar, AKA, William.” he was looking at Chris’ face for a reaction to his words. “This is my safe form in Equestria without fear of dying of bleeding out.”

“Wait...what...William is a pony!” Chris shouted. The other ponies were shocked as well to hear that except for Princess Celestia. 

Nightstar face hoofed. But began to speak before anyone could even ask questions. “Chris, back in my equestria, I was the only human. In the entire land. My blood was unique, not even minitours could donate to save my life. Can you imagine that? we didn’t know this till two days after the guise was set. Can you imagine the relief and horror upon realizing that if I didn't have this.” he pounded his hoof on the table rattling a few plates and silverware. “I could risk dying from not being able to be treated?” William looked at Chris. “If it comes to push or shove. Would you like to live for a week as a pony to live years after as a human? Or die a human because nothing can be done to save you?”

“Well when you put it that way I guess it makes sense that you would be turned into a pony.” Chris pondered. “I would rather be a human than a pony, no offense.”

Twilight just looked back at Celestia, “So, this, is this new magic?” She asked in worry.

“Oh no Twilight,” Celestia replied in a warm friendly tone. “I only had to restore the magic stores after resetting two spell matrixes.”

William chimed in. “Even the others are unsure of the magic, seemed some kind of … magic power surged invented this medallion.”

Pinkie who was sitting next to Chris was only vibrating before she launched into the air with a squeal of delight. “PONY PARTY!!!! I can get to know what humans think of hay fries, or daisies, or, or...” She was lost to all others as her talking jumped to hyper speeds as she began to zoom around the room in a pink blur.

“Wow, I don’t know how she does that.” Chris wondered. 

Twilight shrugged, “Never question Pinkie Pie, otherwise you might end up having things fall on your head. Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie.”

Over the next half hour the others walked in, most of them looking at Nightstar before moving on, the entire time was filled with idle chit chat, and thanks to Pinkie Pie all in the room knew about the strange disguise that WIlliam had. After the last pony of the group entered another ten minutes past before Chris started to be a little antsy.

“Where in the name of whatever god you worship is Rick!” Chris said impatiently. “I haven’t eaten in awhile.”

Celestia blinked and looked around. “Odd, surely he would be hungry by now, last I saw he was heading toward the royal blacksmith.”

William looked up. “Oh, a blacksmith.” he looked around before blushing a little. “Sorry, I, I had a passing interest in forging.” He bowed his head a little as he remembered that this world’s Luna was not a weapons smith.

Pinkie Pie without missing a beat raised a hoof. “Oh, William should, I mean that was an awesome trick he pulled and he should totally do that on Rick.” 

William blinked before getting up and clip clopped out of the dining hall. “I shall return as quickly as I can.” He looked at Chris. “hold the fort down okay?” He left without waiting for a response.

“Sure but I might get hurt in the process.” Chris replied, William ignoring what he said.

William was soon walking the hallways and finding that the blacksmith was actually two floors further down than what he remembered, he was walking through the doors of the shop to look for Rick.

Finally arriving to the floor William could hear a faint noise echo through the hallways. The sound grew as he made his way to the smith, the sound now distinguishable, was the clank of metal hitting metal.

Tink

William or rather Nightstar focused on the tink with his equine ears and quickly honed in the direction of the sound and quickly moved forward at a trot towards the sole occupant. Eventually he found his way to the door just as the sound had cut off, seemingly over for the time being.

Nightstar continued forward, he heard the noise and knew the direction and with a shop as it was, he was going easily find Rick without a problem. After a moment he arrived at the door and listened in for a second to perhaps hear something that would indicate he was right. With a shrug he Opened the door and found Rick facing the opposite direction, seemingly messing with something on a table, before leaning back slightly and scratched his slight beard in thought.

Nightstar found himself in the actual forge area as the rooms before were the storage area for the weapons already made or tools for the castle as well. He walked up to look at what he was making at the moment. “Sir Rick, Her Royal Highness requests your presence for the evening meal with the other heroes of Equestria.” he spoke in a stiff tone he had adopted at times when having to be an officer in the other Equestria.

“One moment, just let me finish this... There we go.” Rick replied as he stopped what he was doing for the moment and turned around to face the pony before him. His goggles lenses were darkened so he could work, with a raise of his hand he turned the frame around the lenses and they started to lighten up to a clear glass-like shade. His eyebrows lowered as he looked at the pony standing in front of him, he eyes constantly moving, seemingly studying Nightstar.

After a moment he spoke once again. “Commendable, I will give you that. Now, who are you really?” He said while reaching for his equipment, along with something wrapped in cloth.

The pony looked at Rick in confusion. “Excuse me?” The wings bristled a little as he seemed to have taken offense. “Are you implying I am a Changeling?” There was an undertone of something in his voice and it wasn’t a friendly type either.

“I never said that, but I have learned enough illusion based spells to notices some of the signs of those under it.” Rick said while placing his equipment into his satchel once more. “So, may I ask again, who are you really, or shall I take a guess William?”

Nightstar laughed at the question. “Are you saying I am a human? How can that be? I walk on four hooves, don’t need all the clothing you wear, and I have wings. How am I a human? Let alone a specific one?” His voice was harsh and seemed to be finding it funny that he was called a human.

Rick only smirked slightly. “Two reasons, one, the illusion based magic, and two, because my magic is still slightly on that pendent around your neck.”

Nightstar looked down at his pendant and then up at Rick. “not a word, I, I am not happy at knowing their is a breach like that, this was to hide me from enemies and and if any Nightmares came with me... Even one, they find me, it will be a disaster, so do not ever again connect that I am.” He paused and groaned. “I need to tell the rest of the mane six and Chris as well. I am such a silly filly there.” He sighed. “Come on, I got damage control to do now... I, sorry, been living in fear can make you paranoid over things like that. Hiding from enemies and trying to have a normal life.” he paused and shook his mane. “Rambling, let’s move, also, might I see what you made later on?”

“You will see it soon, in fact, very soon. Trust me when I say this though, the only knowledge of how to do what I just did is in my head. I had to make a way to see through illusions less I died by foreign creatures, so I will say I am sorry for that, but it is a habit of mine to check these things.” Rick said, finished packing at the moment. “What time is it?”

“Right, let’s just move okay? Chris is getting hungry and antsy. As for the time? It is according to my own time about six at night, here by Equestrian terms the last watch of the day guards before the night guards take over guarding the castle.”

Rick hummed in thought before speaking again. “Then let us make haste, I did not know it was this late.”

Anonymous:
hi i am anon

> Moving Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forever Roaming
Chapter 10
Moving day




Chris notice Nightstar and Rick walk into the dining room. “Finally!” he exclaimed. “ I can have some food.” 

Nightstar chuckled as he walked into the room. “That is good. I hope the chefs don’t mix up the orders, from what I have been informed humans cannot eat a good amount of our food.” The way he was acting he was trying to act like a normal pony.

Rick didn’t respond but was reaching into his satchel, after a moment he pulled out an item wrapped in cloth, specifically the one he was working on before. “Chris, catch!” Rick called out and after a moment, giving Chris enough time to get ready, gave them a under arm toss towards him.

Chris caught the item that Rick threw at him. When the item reached him the sound of metal hitting metal could be heard. Nightstar perked his head and ears up and in Chris’ direction wondering what it was that was wrapped in the fabric. He was currently sitting away from Princess Luna and was sitting more with Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

“A small gift, go ahead, open it.” Rick said with a nod of his head as he walked over to take a seat somewhere.

Chris open up the item in the fabric to reveal a pair of steel gauntlets. With a curious glance he looked towards Rick for an explanation.

“I figured how William and myself seem to have something to defend ourselves with I thought perhaps I could make something for you to use as well, though I do not know what type of weapon you might have been use to I thought of hand to hand, or to claw or hoof and whatnot.” Rick replied with a spiral motion of his wrist.

Chris carefully put on the gauntlets on his hands. “Wow...metal boxing gloves.” Chris moved his fingers in the piece of equipment to get a nice feeling from them. “These seem nice and all but I don’t know how to fight well with these.” 

With a shrug Rick replied. “Well, perhaps one of these days I can teach you how to defend yourself. I know how to wield a good fortune of things so I should be able to help you.” With a shake of his head he realized something. “I am sorry for the wait, I had distracted myself to the point in which I did not know the time of day.”

“Well I am sure I can put these to good use and I might last longer out there with them on.” Chris thanked Rick.

“OH!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she leaped into the air. “How did the prank go Star?” She asked with a giggle as she created a nickname for William’s pony form. 

“Not well, seems that he was able to see through it, but thankfully it was in a way that only he knew it.” he paused. “Oh... this secret.” He waved a hoof over himself for emphasis. “Remains a secret please, if needed Pinkie Promise level.”

Chris was pondering over the idea of a pony doing a Pinkie Promise. “But...how can you do that without any pinkies...or finger for that matter?”

“But I’m right here silly!” Pinkie replied next to Chris making him realize what he meant. “Ooooh... I see.” He replied a moment after still not getting it at all. He looked at the gauntleted hands, realizing that he might want to take them off to eat. “So what is for dinner, I am starving that I can eat a...” Chris stopped himself before saying something he might regret. 

“Eat a what?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Nevermind.” Chris replied. 

After a moment a small, herd of wait staff came out with trolleys of plates with round domed metal containers. The unicorns used their magic to place a plate in front of every single person and pony and then as one pulled the trays lids off showing a very delicious meal. Even the salads for the humans were presented in a grandiose and pleasing presentation to the eyes.

“I just want to let you all know that these apples are from Sweet Apple Acres courtesy of the Apple Family.” Applejack called out with pride.

Rainbow Dash looked over to Applejack. “Really AJ? That is awesome, please tell me you brought cider with you as well?”

“Yep, thought it would make a good wedding gift to Shining Armor and Cadence. But we have two extra barrels. So enjoy Rainbow.”

After the short conversations the group started their meal. The group enjoying themselves with small idle talk and some jokes passed around, though a couple remained quiet during the meal it was still a wonderful time for them all. After some time they had finished and were on the conversation topic of where the three humans would live. Chris having mentioned  the want to join the Ponyville Gazette gave them the basic idea.

“You three could all live in Ponyville. I know of a house that hasn't been sold and is still available. Does that sound alright for you three?” Princess Celestia mentioned.

Rick, having no knowledge of the town only shrugged and looked towards the others. “I know the six of you live there so, perhaps you could enlighten us about the place?”

“How do you know about the unused buildings and homes within Ponyville? Were you planning something with Rick when he arrived? Is that why you knew this information?” Nightstar looked down at his empty plate. “I don’t know, I’d rather live in a cloud villa, clouds are more comfortable.” It seemed being a Pegasus had made him a little more confrontational.

PInkie Pie only laughed. “Oh, Ponyville is the most wonderful exciting none boring town you can live in. I mean We all live there and we never are bored.” She paused putting a hoof to her mouth. “Well there was that one time-”

“I think they got the point Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash interrupted quickly. “But I would agree that Ponyville would do well, not as crowded as Canterlot, and would be better for a Pegasus to stretch their wings, after all I am the Captain of the Weather team so I can approve flight times for any Pegasus, which right now is Open skies, unlike here in Canterlot where you have to go through three different folks usually to fly around.”

“How do you get around that?” Nightstar asked with curiosity.

“Oh, I got a license for unlimited flight from the Princesses, it also doesn’t hurt that I am the element of Loyalty.” Dash chirped in pride of the accomplishments.

“That makes sense.” Nightstar muttered with a small grin.

“I guess this seems like an appropriate place, though I am curious, does there happen to be a forge I would be able to work in, or perhaps even a run down forge I could fix up? I do not mean to seem ungrateful for the home but I will be honest, I might need that less my mind wander.” Rick said, then placing his hand on his chin in thought. “A distraction of sorts...”

Nightstar looked up with a grin. “If their isn’t I am sure you can build one from scratch... that might be better actually, since if I recall the forge from the other world, they worked on simple farm tools so another forge for your use could help and not clog up things.”

Applejack paused and furrowed her brow in thought before speaking slowly, “Well, the Apple Family does have an on site forge for repairin’ of tools, but it is a bit small and we’d wouldn’t mind it iffin’ you expand it as you wish. You can use the forge, but we might be asking you to help here or there on a few repairs iffin’ that fits your preference.”

Rick eyes widened a small bit. “That sound wonderful! It would be a pleasure to fix up any mishaps and things that need repair.” Rick said with a small smile on his face. With a glance at the other humans he shrugged. “Shall we give it a try? Moving to Ponyville?”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind going there. It saves me money on traveling fees and I at least know some ponies are there.” Chris said. “I am not a fan of the upper class ponies as they don’t like the “garb” I am wearing.”

“Well, I think I wouldn’t mind going back to Ponyville, its a nice town, and I might need the time to actually fully plan on what to do, and if I can return home, most interesting things.”

“Then I guess it is settled, from what I have heard we will move to Ponyville.” Rick said with a smile.





The group ended up staying for one last night in Canterlot and packed their gear so they can leave bright and early tomorrow to arrive at Ponyville in the afternoon.Chris packed all of his gear into his messanger bag, Rick’s gear into his satchel with his swords sheathed one on his side and one on his back, his hammer was on his other side, and William with his rucksack and rifle. 

When tomorrow came, they woke up early to get their gear packed into the chariots so they that they can leave after breakfast. They ate a light breakfast with the rest of the ponies. After they finished eating, they left for ponyville on the chariots. William was in his pony form and was looking like he was going to fly next to the chariot. The rest of the ponies and two humans instead chose to ride inside.

After a very eventful flight, involving Pinkie, Chris, and a whole lot of cupcakes, they arrived a Ponyville, only to step off and immediately lose Spike as two small colts ran through the group towards somewhere.

“Well there goes Spike with his friends doing what youngsters do best...cause trouble” Chris mumbled to himself.

Nightstar looked at Chris, “It looks more like he was shanghaied to me.” He blinked and looked towards where the two colts took off to. “I wonder what’s going on over there, looks like a literal herd of ponies gathering.” He looked at the others. “You want to check this out?” His voice showing giddy excitement. “This is Ponyville, excitement happens all the time.” He smiled and looked at Dash, “You want to race there?”

Dash only grinned and the only answer was a cloud of dust, moments later a smaller dust cloud formed where Nightstar had been.

“Gosh Darn it Dash.” Applejack swore, “Now Ah got to make sure those two don’t hurt themselves. What is the deal with Pegasus and antics like that, no offense Fluttershy.”

“Oh, no problem, I’m okay with keeping my hoofs on the ground.” Fluttershy began to slowly canter away. “I better go check on Angel Bunny. He doesn’t like it when I leave suddenly.”

Twilight sighed and began to canter towards the crowd. “I hope Spike is okay,” She looked back at the other two Humans. “Uh, you are more than welcomed to follow, seems we won’t be moving you in just yet.”

With a shrug Rick replied. “No problem, things are always bound to happen.”

“And when things do happen, Chris Olsen is there to report it for the Ponyville Gazette.” Chris tries to say it in a heroically manner. 

“You mean the job you have not accepted yet.” Rick said while starting to follow Twilight.

“Hey! I did accepted it. Thi-” Chris started to say but was cut off by Rick.

“You still have yet to head to their building and accept it, I would suggest doing that tomorrow, for today you can settle in.” Rick told Chris, his head turned to face him.

“Fine, I do it tomorrow and give them this as a thank you for hiring me present.” Chris complained. the two started walking to the big crowd that was forming in front of them.

Nightstar landed just as he heard Dash’s voice responding to a reply he did not hear. “No one can beat Twilight with her magic, She’s the best in magic.” Nightstar landed and snorted a little before looking around. 

“Did I miss anything Miss Dash?” His voice showing confusion while his eyes scanned the area and already something was forming in the pit of his stomach.

“Oh, just that Snip and Snails think that this Unicorn is the most powerful magic user in all of Equestria.” Rainbow Dash responded with her own snort and ruffled wings.

“Ah, well, you ever thought that maybe it’s an act?” Nightstar spoke as he sat down for the moment. “From what I see, a traveling wagon, a wooden sign with what is a traveling permit of some sort, and an audience and the proclamations. It could be all an act and a stage production.”

Dash paused and looked at Nightstar in confusion, So Nightstar decided to come from another place. “You know about plays and acting right?”

“Well, duh, I was Commander Hurricane for Hearth Warming Eve pageant.” Dash was puffing herself up in pride.

“Then this Unicorn is proclaiming this to bring in a crowd. All I can say is,” here he lowered his voice so only Dash could hear. “She is more powerful than any magician in my world, she had the real stuff no need for smoke and mirrors.”

Rick simply shrugged in the background towards Chris, both of them just barely hearing the conversation. Chris then took out his camera and started to get it ready in case something special happens

Before anypony could really respond to Nightstar’s comments smoke and fireworks exploded around the wagon as it expanded into a stage. A puff of blue smoke erupted on stage and where it was once empty was now a blue unicorn with a star cape and pointed hat. “Come one, Come all and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Power Trixie.” She yelled as she rolled the r sound.

“Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes.” She looked up and blinked at seeing the two tall beings in the back. “As well as creatures from far away.” She pointed a hoof at the two humans. “Come now, what be your names? Let us see if I am not the most powerful. Come on stage and let us see if I am more powerful than these creatures from afar. We all know I am the best at Pony Magic, but what of these? Can they even know Magic?”

Nightstar blinked and looked befuddled. “This already happened, this happened before hearth warming, but...” he shook his head while Rainbow Dash was laughing a little at what was happening.

“Oh, she is going to be in for a surprise.” Her voice speaking to Applejack. They were actually in the back of the crowd due to them getting into Ponyville by chariot.

“Come on up, or are you both too stunned by the Great and Powerful Trixie.” Once more magic fired off causing sparks and fireworks to explode around and some of the props to move.

Rick simply crossed his arms. “I have seen showing off, but this is just...” He commented while shaking his head, not going to finish his sentence.

“I can do some amazing magic!” Chris exclaimed. He made his way through the crowd of ponies with Rick following behind, arms still crossed. 

“Then I shall let you show what you can do, and then the Great and Powerful Trixie will show she can do it better than you.” Trixie reared back onto her hind legs and pawed at the air with her front hooves.

“Okay then. First, I will need a deck of cards.” Trixie levitated a deck of cards for him to use. “Alright. I the Great and Amazing Chris Olsen will do a spectacular card trick to amaze you all!” Chris boasted, trying to mock the same tone Trixie did. Chris took a pause to see if fireworks would come out for him. “Hey...why didn’t the fireworks come out for me?”

Trixie only smirked and one small firework exploded for him. “Happy?” Her smile just patronizing him.

Chris frowned at the display trixie did but went back to doing his trick. “Okay, for my trick I will be able to read the mind of my partner and pick the card he has chosen.” Chris turns to Rick. “Rick pick a card for me.” With a shrug, Rick picked a card from the deck. “Thank you Rick. Now I want you to memorize that card and put it back into the deck.” He then placed the card back in. “Now I will shuffle the deck and pull out the card that he chose.” Chris shuffles the deck so that the card is mixed in. “And now the moment of truth. Rick, is your card the...two of diamonds!” Chris pulls out the card in a dramatic fashion to make it look flashy. 

“No.” Rick bluntly stated with a raised brow.
Chris started to get nervous as he goes through the deck to find the right card as Trixie in the background laughs at his screw up. Rick tapped him on the shoulder to gain his attention. “I think she was meaning arcane magic. You know,” His hand lit in its typical blue fire. “This.”

“Oh...” Chris understood what Rick told him. “Well I got nothing.” 

Trixie smirked. She first took the cards in Chris’ hand in her magic aura and turned the cards into multicolored cards as they began to float and spin around the stage before they all vanished into puffs of blue smoke and flames. She yawned a little. “So I have bested one without a problem and used the second’s magic to beat the first.” She looked at the creature with the blue flames. “Tell the Great and Powerful Trixie.” Fireworks exploded around her as she reared up suddenly and looked more eager at the coming challenge. “Is that the best you can do?”

Rick rolled his eyes. “No.” He then mumbled something under his breath about showoffs. Which no one heard but Trixie who only grinned. 

“Welcome to show business.” She replied. Her voice rose for all the crowd to hear. “The Great and Powerful Trixie shall let the creature from afar to go first.”

Ricks right hand lit itself as he slowly started to raise his hand, only his two left fingers out. In the process of this the stage seemed to be covered lightly in his blue aura and began to lift. Ricks expression did not change in the slightest as he seemed to be slightly annoyed. After raising the stage about two or three feet he closed his hand and his aura cut out, the stage hitting the floor once again. “Though I am not one to show off, if you ask I shall show.”

Trixie only grinned. “Now, it shall be my turn.” She lit her horn with her magic and lifted Rick up and carried him over the heads of the crowd and dropped him lightly to his feet. “Now, as it seems that we have seen the very first magic of a new creature on the stage of the Great and Powerful Trixie. Who shall step forward to test her skills?”

Nightstar just stared in wide eyed wonder. “Wow.. this, she’s got her attitude but,” he paused... “Maybe us being here caused a change and show how her show really was meant to be.” He stood up and began to walk towards the other humans only to hear Trixie’s voice call out.

“The Olive Green Pegasus, are you willing to test the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Nightstar turned and looked up at the stage before shaking his head.

“No thank you, I have had a long day and wish to rest. I was just moving.” Nightstar spoke.
“Oh, so are you in awe of the Great and Powerful Trixie’s powers to attempt?” Trixie’s eyes shone in victory. 

Nightstar found that a Cyan multi hued mane mare had taken to the air. “Oh yeah? I think he is too modest to step up there but I think he can beat you in tricks.” Rainbow Dash landed and looked at Nightstar and whispered something into his ear only to cause Nightstar to shake his head frantically. 

Still Nightstar found himself picked up and carried to the stage and placed upon it. “Now, Show the Great and Powerful Trixie what you can do.”

Nightstar sighed and took up a stance that a few ponies in the crowd recognized but not many. Without any warning the Dark Olive Green Pegasus began to move and jab and kick. Many other Pegasus recognized the martial arts fighting style. Still he worked hard. Not seeing Trixie adding her own magic to create the illusion of him fighting a Ursa Minor. The magic and effects hiding most of what Nightstar was doing, however with his eyes closed he did not know that he was being upstaged by magic.

When it was done Nightstar found that the crowd cheered for the performance, Trixie yelled out. “Give a stomp for a veteran of the Royal Guards. For only one of them can perform like that.” She smiled as Nightstar slowly stepped down from the stage. She began to speak. “It was thanks to their training that the Great and Powerful Trixie was able to defeat an Ursa Major in combat and save a small traveling band of mages who taught many of the Great and Powerful Trixie’s skills and knowledge. The Great and Powerful Trixie has traveled from the Griffin Empire to the Badlands all to become and show the world that Trixie is truly Great and Powerful.”

In the background, Chris had started and continued to photograph the exchange and events of both Rick and Nightstar. As Nightstar stepped down the stage, Applejack stepped forward. 

Nightstar stepped next to Rainbow Dash who raised her wing to give the equivalent of a high five. “That was awesome.” She cried with a squeak of her voice. “Those were intense moves, but not as intense as my moves.” 

“That was awesome Nightstar.” Chris complimented, “You should teach me some of those moves.” Chris turned to Rick “Rick that was weak. We all know you can do more than lift a stage. 

“Well, I cannot really teach you, unless you become a Pegasus, then I can teach you some of those moves.”

Rick simply crossed his arms. “I would rather not attempt to show off. In all honesty, I would rather head to our home.”

“Fine, we can head home. I don’t want that blue pony making a fool out of me again.” Chris said.  

Rick started his walk towards their new home, Chris and Nightstar following behind him.