Derreck's perspective...

I crept through the luscious jungle. My white tank top clung to my torso with an elastic feel, allowing my body to breath while still clasping snugly to my body. The pants were simple jeans along with a set of work boots that slushed through the grimy undergrowth of this forest that was more like a jungle.

My ears perked at the sound of a yipping fox. My movements slowed to a crawl, not even the sound of the mush squelching beneath me audible. My arms moved in front of me, gently pushing aside the thick foliage.

Sweat dripped down my face, some rolling past my eye patch. I let out a quiet exhale. The smell of this place was strange. It had a distant aroma that seemed to be everywhere. Even the creeks and rivers inside the jungle seemed to emit the faint smell.

I pushed past the insignificant scent and searched for the more pressing odor. My nostrils twitched as I took a silent sniff of the air. My nose scrunched back as my lips curled into a smile. The yip of the fox returned, seeming ever so calm.

I stepped through the brush and into a clearing, my body tensing slightly. Out near the center of the clearing...

My mouth slightly gaped, I exhaled. 'Destined... never to be caught!' My hands clenched as I grunted slightly. The vulpine's fur was mostly flaming red, from nose to tail. Unlike most foxes, the tip of it's tail was not black nor were its paws white, instead being the same red as the rest of it's body.

It's eyes were a golden shine, having no pupils whatsoever. The only parts of its body, aside from the golden eyes, that weren't red were it's black nose... and the strange black glyph marks spread across it's body. The markings looked ancient, Romanian or Egyptian...

The fox was massive by average vulpine standards but not as large as the legends had it out to be...

I stepped into the clearing, but it didn't even acknowledge my presence here. For something so destined to never be caught... I was surprised to find it so carefree. Instead of fleeing, the beast simply started grooming itself.

I continued to pace forwards, stomping ever louder as I approached to try and gain it's attention. Earlier moments arose in my mind. I had recently snuck up on it, but when I pounced to snare the beast, it simply vaporized into a sparkling dust... well, not this time.

I kept moving forwards. As I got near, the beast looked to me, tilted its head to one side, then again resumed grooming itself. “Ugh! HEY!” I growled but it ignored me. I was left in a state of shock. The fact it didn't even try to run... that it simply treated me as though I wasn't a threat...

I snarled loudly, so that it could hear me. 'Shouldn't it be running?' I thought quietly. I sniffed the air and smirked... well, he'd have quite a surprise coming his... or maybe, her way... its way.

I walked forwards and stopped just a mere few feet away. While it sat on it's rump, the beast stood just a bare inch taller than me. I huffed out my nose but it still ignored me. I scrunched my facial features and swiftly reached out to grab it.

As my right arm darted for the beast's neck. Before my arm even reached it, the fox slipped behind me in a blur of motion and kicked me in the back, sending me tumbling forwards. Pushing against my heel, I launched myself back at the beast, grunting as I went to deliver an elbow strike to the base of its neck.

Whilst still licking its left paw, the beast swiftly, and most calmly, slapped its free paw at my exposed ribs. The blow was brutal. With an angered grunt I pivoted my body and swung with a hard left.

With the same free paw, the creature gave an effortless, yet staggering, blow to my diaphragm. I gasped loudly as spit and blood spewed from my mouth and the wind was knocked from my body. “UGH, HGHNGH!”

I stepped back, regaining my posture. The beast looked to my spat blood that had landed on its fur and licked it off. “NGH!” I grunted in disbelief. It was mocking me... making a fool of me!

Wiping the blood from my lips, I smirked. “Alright... no more playing around!” I warned audibly but still the creature calmly groomed itself. I bolted forwards and threw a volley of quick jabs. To my utter shock, the beast simply dodged its head from side to side and avoided every single blow.

With a final blow, I let out a roar as I threw a mighty punch with my left. In an instant the creature used its free paw and caught my punch, stopping my blow in mid stride. I grunted in disbelief. For a brief moment the vulpine stopped licking its other paw, tongue still extended as though time had stopped.

I huffed but before I could do anything else, the giant fox swung my body over its own, flipping me head over heels and ramming my body into the ground, my back breaking my fall with a loud crash.

The brutal impact left a small crater, dirt and debris flying up with my crash. The creature inhaled, mingled away a few steps, sat back down then started grooming itself again. With staggering discomfort, I once again stood to my feet, blood oozing from my mouth. Rolling my shoulders, I stretched out my already sore body.

I chuckled to myself, closing my eye and sighing as I dipped my head. I spoke out to the creature, eye still closed. “You know... for a creature as legendary as yourself... you really are a fool...” I trailed off, opening my eye as I looked up.

With lightning fast movement, I rushed at the beast, letting out a roar as I cocked back my right arm and threw a heavy punch at the beast. With effortless motions, the beast tilted its head to one side, while still grooming itself and flicked its tail against my abdomen. The blow was crushing, sending me stumbling back, gasping for air, eye wide as a saucer.

Lifting its head up from grooming itself, the vulpine twirled in a graceful manner and swished its tail against the side of my shoulder. Though a seemingly blissful motion, the impact from the hit was so intense it sent me catapulting across the clearing, crashing brutally through trees and into a boulder which broke my motion that would've probably sent me flying another few hundred feet.

I huffed for air, my body now littered with scratches and cuts. Standing up only a moment after I had been stopped by a boulder, I pressed my left hand into my right shoulder and relocated it into the proper position.

Arching my back I readied myself for, what I was sure to be, the fight of my life. Instead I was stunned to see, in the far off clearing I had recently been in, the vulpine grooming itself again. I was panting heavily. “Wow... he... she... its good!” I grunted.

Flexing my entire body, I rushed forwards with gaining speeds. As I built up momentum I began to roar. I felt flashes of electricity sparking off my feet with each step, as though my legs were strikes of lightning that left charred marks were they stepped.

I moved at a blinding speed. At such a fast speed the creature was only able to barely look at me as I jumped through the air and delivered a powerful blow. Kicking hard, my boot tip connected with the side of the fox's head, lighting striking out from my foot and frying some of the creature's fur.

The kick sent the fox tumbling aside but it quickly sat back upright. I curled its lips, now ready to fight... 'Heh! About time!' I thought to myself, now ready to see what the Teumessian Fox was really made of.

I readied myself in a combat stance. With blinding speed the fox rushed at me. I crossed my arms up in front of my body in a form of block. The fox's strike was painful and sent me skidding back, my arms blown to my sides from the sheer force. Before I could even blink the fox was in my face and struck my exposed gut with a fury of paw strikes.

The motions were just blurs and every strike sent me a few steps back but even then the fox was always in my face. Stopping for the briefest moment, the fox twirled in a one-eighty motion then booted me with both hind legs, sending me crashing through several trees.

I kept my footing and skidded to a stop. 'Wow... for something that's destined never to be caught... he's good at fighting!' I thought through a wince. Just as I went to rush back to the fight, the fox materialized in front of me with a sly look on its face. My expression turned to one of shock.

In a flash it simply headbutted me to the ground. Though just a mere headbutt, the force of the strike had enough kinetic energy to crater my body into the ground. With a push, I flipped myself backwards, making sure to kick my boot into the creature's chin while I was at it.

I landed on my feet in a hunched position, quickly launching myself forwards and driving home a punch to the fox's gut. The hit was enough to deter my foe and allow for a second strike. However, after that my enemy was back on the offensive, slapping me with that tail of his and sending me back into the clearing.

I staggered to my feet. I needed to end this, and now. Maybe another time I'd have a chance to prove my abilities but I was obviously outmatched this time. As I tensed my body, some of my torn shirt fell off my body. Flaps of torn fabric hung off my jeans. The only garment of clothing that remained intact were my boots.

The fox zipped into the clearing. I crouched low and as the beast leapt at me, I kicked hard with a roar of anger. The impact force of my kick sent it hurtling into the air. Regaining its posture mid flight, the beast scowled at me.

I smirked. “NOW!” I roared out and with that, a manticore... my manticore, flew out of the forest and dive bombed towards the giant fox. It only had time to turn its head over its shoulders as my hulking friend slapped its scorpion tail across the back of the fox.

The Teumessian Fox was sent hurtling into the ground, crashing with such force I nearly felt the vibrations in my feet. Flying downwards with increasing speeds, my manticore roared out loudly.

However, just before landing the finishing body slam that would've most likely incapacitated the fox, the sly vulpine simply slipped out from the manticore's path. My friend crashed into the ground, an eruption of dirt and rocks shooting up out of the now larger crater.

The manticore stood up but only managed that as the fox lightly tapped my friend on the back of his neck with that damned tail. The seemingly light blow was enough to make my ally's eyes roll back while he fell forwards without a sound.

My jaw dropped. The clouds in the sky moved along, the crescent moon coming into view and shinning down upon the world... upon me. I grunted as my body tensed. “NGH... UGHAHHH!” I roared out.

Wind started to gust around me, at first lightly then before long it was rushing about like a storm. Veins bulged from underneath my skin, muscles flexing and expanding further than before. I reached a slightly larger mass as a dim blue aura started to surround me. As seconds progressed the aura became ever brighter though the hue was a dark flaming color.

Before long a dark midnight blue flaming aura encased my body, burning outwards as electricity started to course around my body.

As the aura intensified, my eye patch was blown off, revealing my damaged eye. A pupil came into view which shifted into a vertical slant. My eye glowed dark blue, fuming off jet dark smoke. “COME NOW... AND FACE ME!” I challenged the fox.

The beast at first simply began grooming itself again, as though to mock my new power. I moved my body in an instant, seemingly teleporting to his side. The creature's eyes went wide but nothing else. I hammered a powerful punch across its jaw, electricity spurting from the impact and sending the creature bouncing away.

In seconds it was back on its paws. I smiled darkly. “Indeed... now, are we going to get serious?” I taunted and the beast didn't need to be asked twice. It rushed forwards at blazing speeds, its fur seeming to release burning red flames as it rushed at me.

Stepping lively, I merely sidestepped its pounce and drove a quick jab to its ribs that knocked the wind out of him.

The beast wheezed but didn't have a chance for anything else as I clasped my hands together and drove a hard blow to its back that crashed it into the ground with a fume of dirt puffing upwards.

In a flash, the beast cocked back its tail and slapped hard, slamming a strike to the side of my head. I tensed and held my ground, taking the full brunt of the blow. My head cocked to the side, the fox snickered at first but then went slack jawed as I cocked my head back towards it.

“That one... was free!” I snarled as I grabbed its tail and began twirling our bodies in circles. Finally gaining enough momentum, I let the beast go, flinging its body high into the air. Stepping my right foot back, I cocked my arms at my sides, palms cupped together. “Let's see how you like this...” I commented under my breath.

I felt warmth in the palms of my hands. My body tensed, the ground beneath me shaking. Breaking the surface of the forest floor, my feet dug into the dirt while the ground around me began to crack and split, small rocky protrusion springing up.

The energy between my hands crackled and sparked, building up pressure and force. My eyes squinted, fuming dark smoke still coming from my damaged eye. My brows furrowed down, sweat beading down my face.

My body shook as I contained the ever increasing power of energy that resided between my palms. Clouds swept across the skies, looming darkness over parts of the lands. In the depths of the darkness was the illumination of my dark blue energy, still growing in power.

The Teumessian Fox regained its posture in the air and looked downwards, struck in shock. Lightning crackled out from my hands, blazing across the planet's surface nearby and even tearing down trees. Deep trenches were cut into the earth as the lightning from my hands crackled about, slicing open the ground around us.

There was nowhere for it to go. This ended here, tonight. I stomped my right foot forwards, swinging my arms in front and aiming straight for the fox that stayed lingering in the skies. I let out one final roar and exerted everything I had, draining all my power into the intensified blast.

The recoil was severe, pushing my rigid body backwards, creating ruts in the ground were my feet skidded past. Even the trees behind me were pushed back as though caught in a storm. The beam broadened out as it left the confines of my palms. The Teumessian Fox's eyes went wide. Having realized it should have ran when it had the chance, it resorted to a last ditch effort. Opening its mouth, a red beam shot out and towards my own blast.

The two beams of energy collided for a brief moment before his was absorbed by mine and continued towards him. I don't even know if it made a sound when the blast struck him. The energy beam erupted into a fiery explosion that shook the very ground beneath me.

Seconds past by, smoke emulating from the explosion. Clouds covered the moon's shine upon the world, leaving me in darkness. My aura, along with the electricity, faded from my body. I felt exhausted, wiped... beat.

The smoking body of the Teumessian Fox plummeted from the sky, still smoldering from the blast. Amazingly its fur was still intact and in some spots, red fur remained. I coughed and reached deep for any remaining strength. Finding it, I grabbed the lasso that resided on the back of my hip, clung to my belt.

I twirled it over my head like some stereotypical cowpoke and whipped it at the descending fox. The lasso looped around the fox's body and snared tightly, the whole rope glowing dark blue. I yanked it in, viciously pulling it towards me.

I grabbed the giant fox in my burly hands, holding it by tuffs of fur. The rope squeezed tightly, the dark blue aura around it brightly shinning. The fox squirmed weakly. In it's state, courtesy of my energy blast, it hadn't the strength to break free of the magical lasso.

My manticore friend stood up shakily from behind me and I let out a whispered gasp. The fox hadn't killed him, just rendered him unconscious... though I bet he could've killed him if he wanted to. “Huh... heh...” I chuckled, looking at the defeated fox... the one who by legend was destined never to be caught...

“I've caught you...” I snarled and the fox writhered in my hands. I exhaled deeply. I realized in my mind that despite not offering a whole lot of support, I couldn't have done this without my manticore's help. “Hmm...” I unwrapped the fox from the bindings of the lasso and gently set him on the ground. “Or have I?” I asked rhetorically.

The fox blinked in confusion, unsure of what was happening. My manticore stepped up beside me and I handed him a fish, though mushed to pulp from the fight. My... thing, ate the food with grace. I looked to the fox as the manticore enjoyed its treat. “I hope to meet you again someday... and to best you in battle, mono e mono,” I told the fox.

Standing up, the fox stretched out. I swear, from the corner of its lips, I saw a smile. It started to walk away but stopped a few yards from me, turned back and held its paw up beneath its mouth. With a gentle blow, red sparkling dust puffed towards me. The dust turned into the shape of a heart and splashed against me.

I felt a tingling in my nose and sneezed hard. I felt... slightly different, I wasn't sure how but knew something about me had changed. As I recovered from my sneeze, I realized the fox had dissapeared.

“I really hope it was a she or I'm gonna feel really...”

Burdy's perspective...

I awoke rather silently. Not a single grunt, groan or cursed mutter left my mouth. I felt the hair on the back of my neck prickle up as the heat from Celestia's sun, amplified by my basement window, bathed on my skin. I went to stroke back my hair then realized how short it was.

“Mmm...” I yawned. I stretched out wide, beams of light shinning past me and making all the fine particles of dust gleam. I blinked several times before reaching for my eye patch and slipping it on.

I didn't bother with my necklace or watch, knowing full well I'd need a shower. I could feel the dried sweat on my body, the stickiness of it. I grabbed some clean clothes from my dresser and proceeded upstairs.

It only took me a moment to slip into the bathroom, start the shower and slip out of my boxers. Just as I was about to step into the shower I stopped dead in my tracks. I held my finger out as if to make a point across to somepony. “Uhhh... uhm... hold on...” I muttered to myself.

There was something... “Bah, if it was important I'd know,” I said as I jumped into the shower. I let myself relax in the heated water. “Ahhh...” I sighed in comfort. A luxury most take for granted, I always enjoyed a good warm shower, hell just warm water.

I quickly soaped up, using that new grape stuff. I twitched my nose as I sniffed the bottle. “Definitely something wrong with those grapes... or maybe this shampoo has gone bad?” I chuckled to myself.

I washed off and quickly ended my shower. Steam smogged the bathroom, fogging the mirror and window. Just as I went to step out I stopped mid stride. “!” I gasped. I dipped my head as I let out a long groan.

I had forgotten a towel again. I banged my hand against the shower walls in distress. “Ahh fu-” I was cut off by the sound of Lassie rapping on the bathroom door.

“Hey... you in there? Applejack wants to talk to you,” she called out and I fist pumped the air.

“Yeah, the door's open. Lassie, I need a towel,” I said and I heard her snicker, saying something about 'Again? Figures, dunce.'

I used the shower curtain to conceal myself as she walked inside, hopped up to her hind legs and fetched me a towel. As she turned to hand me the towel, she cocked an eye brow and gave me a once over.

“What are you doing?” she asked, motioning towards the shower curtain.

“To conceal myself,” I replied. She rolled her eyes and just tossed me the towel.

“Have fun with that,” she mentioned. I rose a brow in wonder by what she meant by that.

As I took the towel and stepped back from the curtains, I realized they were the see through curtains and not the colored kind. I slapped a hand over my face as I sighed. “Oh my goddess...” I quickly toweled off and stepped out, slipping on my fresh set of apparel. I stepped lively, leaving the towel on the hanger.

I walked out into the library area feeling refreshed. At the door stood the farmer pony... my kinda friend... I guess. We never really hung out, I just helped her out from time to time. Heck, I spent more time with Big Mac than her... ah that's it. She was my friend's sister I guess.

I stepped up to the door and gave her a nod. “What's shakin?” I asked and she rose a brow.

“Shakin?” she asked and I just shook my head.

“Uhm... what's up?” I asked more blatantly.

“Oh... uhh... say, what were yah'll doin the other day?” she asked interrogatively.

“Uhm... uhh... well... had breakfast, went to Rarity's to pick up my truck then went with Ma to go learn some spells... had a picnic with Derpy later on too.” I scratched the back of my head, “Not much really,” I stated and she sighed.

“UGH! Not yesterday, the day before!” she said, almost angry as though I should've known what she was talking about.

“Uhh... pfft... I went to Rarity's and got a haircut?” I asked, wondering why the farmer pony was acting a little agitated.

She rose a brow, giving me a peculiar glare. “And then?” she asked.

“Well... uhh... oh she measured my body so she could make me a suit. Wanted to go to the Grand Galloping Gala and said I had to look nice... suit looks pretty cool actually,” I informed her.

“Anythin... outta the ordinary... somethin' yah wouldn't rightly do on yer own time?” she asked, getting in close to my face with that stare of hers.

“Uhm... well we did go to the spa...” I trailed off as she continued questioning me.

“Yah didn't do anythin' inappropriate... did yah?” she asked. I rose a brow in thought.

“Uhh... well... I did bathe in mud,” I replied and she sighed.

“Ah mean... Rarity didn't talk yah inta doin' somethin'... did she?” she asked.

“Well... I mean... she talked me into going into the spa... well, rather she dragged me in there,” I replied with a chuckle and she rose a brow.

“And... anythin' strange in there happen?” she asked and I furrowed a brow.

“Well... now that you mention it... I'm not sure why I bathed in mud... oh, and the spa pony was relaxing on the job. Something about the changeroom... and they had funny smelling candles,” I replied, leaving out the finer details about the candles and my... fantasy.

“No funny business?” she asked and I laughed.

“Nah. Rarity's pretty serious. I usually do my funny business with Lassie and Derpy. I don't think Rarity would be into sneaking around in a box to escape the hospital.” I chuckled while scratching my chin, remembering all the good times I had doing that.

Applejack sighed and dropped her face into a hoof. “Like talkin' teh a toddler,” she groaned then looked back to me. “Can yah do me a great, big ol' favor... actually, yah'd be doin' Twi a favor too,” she asked and I nodded.

“Can yah stay away from Rarity when yer alone? She's a little weird an... well let's just say we wouldn't want nopony gettin' hurt,” she mentioned and I rose a brow. 'How was Rarity gonna hurt me? Why would she hurt me? Could she even hurt me?' My continuing thoughts were cut off by Applejack's voice. “Just trust me. It'll be better for everypony. Just... if she ever comes around or yah meet her by yerself just... stay in public err somethin', okay?” she asked and I nodded. “Pinkie Pie Promise?” she asked.

I went through the motions as I vaguely remembered them. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, needle in my...” I trailed off as I went to motion a needle in my bad eye. I rearanged my hand over my good eye and made like I stabbed it.

Applejack shuddered. “UGH! Needle in yer eye?” she asked and I nodded.

“Ain't that right?” I asked and she shook her head.

“Nah... Cross muh heart, hope tah fly, stick a cupcake in muh eye,” she said and I chuckled.

“Well... okay, but this one's better cause I have a phobia of needles plus this is my last eye so...” I said as I went to give her props, a sign that we acknowledged my promise to stay outside in public if Rarity and I were ever alone.

We shared a brief chuckle before I thought to myself. “Are you secretly a cop... or detective or something?” I asked and she cocked her head back in shock from the question.

“No... why?” she asked, just as curious as I was.

“Well... why'd you wanna know what I was doing? Alibi?” I asked but she shook her head.

“Just makin' sure Rarity's behavin'...” she trailed off and thought to herself as I thought to myself. 'Behaving... I dunno, she seems high-class and a little uppity, just a little, if somepony were to ask my opinion.'

Just before I could speak, AJ spoke first. “Well, actually... now that yah mention it. Mac's come down with some kinda bug. Real sick like. Might need an extra hoo...err hand when ah go down south tah help muh cousin,” she mentioned.

“Down south eh... hmm... I kinda like the sounds of that,” I said, figuring it perhaps to mean sunny beaches near the equator and stuff like that. “Yeah, definitely. When?” I asked.

“Well... probably leave this weekend. Mornin' train, so be up bright an' early come Sunday. Be down there fer roughly a week err so. Be back Friday, probably in the evening. Right?” she asked and I nodded. That seemed fair enough. I figured I'd be up late tonight with the gala so I'd have tomorrow to sleep than get up early Sunday to go on a vacation.

“Sounds good. Next Saturday's my birthday,” I commented and her ears perked up to the sound of it.

“Saturday... well gee-golly. Ah never knew that,” she commented and I nodded.

“Well I wasn't too knowledgeable about it until my mom mentioned it. Actually she talks about it frequently with me... I think she might be planning something,” I said, remembering how lately she'd remind me every so often that my birthday's coming up and not to be gone that day.

“Alright, we'll make extra sure tah get yah home than,” she mentioned and I nodded.

“I'll be by your house bright and early,” I said and she nodded, telling me to be there before 6am. I thought to myself about time... I needed to remember a schedule or... 'SHIT! THE GALA TRAIN!'

I looked to my watch and my eyes went wide as I realized it was just past 11am, when I said I'd meet Rarity. I was a little hungry but that'd have to wait for now. I rushed around frantically, not exactly sure what I should do. I began slipping on my boots and was about to put on my duster. 'Nope... she's got a suit, remember?' my conscious added in.

I went for my cowboy hat but my conscious again intervened. 'Not fancy. That thing ain't a fedora,' it commented. I began stumbling about, going for the door. I stopped last moment as the smell of fresh, buttered popcorn caught my attention. I turned to see Lassie sitting on her rump, gulping down pawfuls of popcorn, some spilling to the floor, as she watched me.

Twilight trotted out of the kitchen. “Morning-” before she could say another word I rushed forwards, kissed her and Lassie and sputtered out my farewell for the day.

“LOVEYAHGOTTAGOBYE!” I blurted out and with that I zipped out the door, grabbing my wallet from my truck as I left for Rarity's. I zipped down the street, passing several familiar faces as I went by.

Heh... funny really how many ponies I knew now compared to how many I knew a few months back. I scampered up to Rarity's door and simply let myself in, not bothering to knock. Rarity spun to see me, looking slightly distraught.

“Darling! Oh darling, thank goddess. I thought perhaps something awful had happened and tonight's plans were canceled,” she wailed. I looked at my watch. Okay... I was fifteen minutes late... truthfully I was more concerned about the fact I had peacefully slept from 8pm the night before until just recently.

“Sorry, sorry just... showered before I came over,” I mentioned and she let out a sigh.

“Well... at least that's out of the way. Well, I'll just have a quick shower. Do put on the suit and we'll be out of here before you can shake a stick,” she mentioned and with that was off to the upstairs bathroom.

I looked over to the pristine suit. 'Bon-' I cut my thoughts of. 'Burdick, Evan Burdick...' I smirked as I undressed and slipped on the new suit. “Wow... cool!” I mentioned just before I heard something mingle over to my side. I looked down to see Rarity's fluffy white cat.

It rubbed itself against my leg, fluffing its tail up high as it did circles around my ankle. “Ahhh... yes of course,” I said in a sinister tone. I hefted the cat up in my arms and began to stroke it, the said cat purring even louder than before. “One day Whiskers... we will own all our eyes can see,” I said in a low tone. The cat continued to purr and squirmed over onto its back, still in my arms.

I chuckled with a bright smile. “Or just tummy rubs,” I laughed lightly as I began rubbing its tummy. The cat just lay in my arms, enjoying the attention. I walked into the kitchen and searched for biscuits as I continued stroking my new found accomplice... heh.

I finally found Rarity's stash of cookies and cracked a corner off one of the cookies for the cat. Walking back into the living room... or sewing room... whatever the hell it was, I fed the morsel of food to the cat whom ate it with both paws, which was adorably cute... pfft, I was getting too soft.

I set the cat down and waited for a little while... “Huh... Rarity must take long showers...” I muttered, looking to the time. It was nearly quarter to twelve, meaning I had been standing around for nearly half an hour petting her cat. I wondered what in blue blazes she was doing... maybe she's just like one of those ponies that likes long showers.

Finally her presence came into view. My lips parted slightly. Her mane and fur had a most stunning shine that was only bested by the ridiculously fashionable dress. I mean, there was nice and then there's overdoing it... she was going beyond both of those.

She had eyeliner, makeup, even shoes... I scratched on side of my forehead with my index finger. Rarity stepped up in front of me and swished her mane. “How do I look darling?” she asked and I twitched my jaw to one side.

A single sound escaped my mouth before I caught a grip on something nice to say before I bumbled out something like 'Try-hard' or 'Over-done'. “Purty fine,” I replied then bit my lip. That didn't come out as well as it had sounded in my head, nor did I speak the way I wanted to. “Dazzling,” I stated with a smile and she smiled wider.

“Thank you darling, now come. We must hurry if we want to catch the train,” she ushered me out the door and down the street. The train station wasn't far and I could see that the train had already arrived and was loading passengers.

Arriving at the station, Rarity directed me to a ticket booth. The station attendant looked to me and I scratched my head. “Uhm...” I trailed off. I had never ordered tickets before. I was kinda figuring they were just like buses, just drop change in a booth or something. “Two?” I asked and he nodded, going to retrieve the passes... or tickets, whatever they were. Rarity however, stopped him.

“First class darling. We are royal guests after all,” she announced and I shrugged, looking back to the ticket pony.

“What she said,” I stated, rather blatantly. He handed me the bill and my eyes went wide. I tossed him a few Luna bits from my wallet to cover the expenses then retrieved our tickets. Looking at the tickets I thought aloud. “Huh... so these things are worth a few hundred bits...”

Rarity spoke up. “It's not the tickets so much as the luxury we are serviced to in first class darling. You'll see,” she informed me as we boarded the train. I looked down one aisle, then down the other, then to my ticket. Rarity tugged on my hand and led me closer to the back.

Eventually we reached a cabin car that was kinda swanky to say the least. The seats looked a little more comfy than the other seats and there were cooler curtain drapes. “Come darling, this way,” Rarity led me towards the back and sat us on the one side.

She sat in first and I gave a pouty face. “Nawww... I wanted the window seat... oh wait,” I trailed off as I realized there was a seat opposite her. I slid in and started to get comfy. Rarity looked to me with a most peculiar gaze as I squirmed around to get settled in.

“Have you ever been in first class before darling?” she asked and I shrugged.

“I was only on a train once... and I was kinda too young to remember. I only remembered...” I looked around and finally spotted it. I slid out from my seat and proceeded to the back of the cabin where there was a water dispensary and little white cone cups.

“Oh man... these are sooooo cool,” I said, fascinated by the plain cone cups that were so mezmorizing to me. I poured myself a cup and took a sip. “Yech!” I spat my tongue out. The water was kind of warm and heavily chlorinated. It reminded me of school fountains during hot summer days.

I poured the water out but kept the cup. For the duration of the train ride it would be my cup because... well, there wasn't really any reason other than just because.

I took my seat and got settled in. Another few moments past before the ticket master passed by and punched a whole in our tickets. I looked to the ticket that I had paid so much for. “Huh... guess it's worthless now,” I chuckled as I set it to the side. I looked to Rarity and placed the cone cup on my nose, tip pointing outwards as though I was a bird. After a brief laugh, I set the cup aside and relaxed.

Soon after the train whistled and with that we departed. In moments after leaving the train station I found myself bored, Rarity having occupied herself with a small mirror as she further applied some kind of powder to her face.

I watched her for a little while and eventually she caught my stare. “You know darling, tonight... we're going to be the talk of the gala. Everypony is going to know us...” she trailed off and muttered something under her breath about 'showing that good for nothing...' I couldn't understand the rest.

She gave me a once over. “And I do say darling, you look most stunning. It's easy to make someone fashion ready when they're already as handsome as you,” she said with a bash of her eyelashes. I chuckled, blushing slightly.

“Thanks... ah-ha... I uhh... you look pretty good too,” I replied and she smiled with a sigh.

“You think so darling. To tell you the truth I've been fretting about it slightly and...” she began to ramble on. At first she had my utmost attention but after around an hour of her talking about how stressed she had become... she kinda lost me.

Instead of thoroughly listening, I just leaned my face into my supporting hand and kept nodding like I was intrigued by the story. Even with my new position her rambling got tiring and I found myself lingering off.

She wasn't really paying attention to me and instead was acting out something. At one point she started crying a little but then bucked up and continued going on and on and on... and on... and... on. My eyes started to take longer to blink. I'd rest my eyes for a few seconds than open them, taking a nod like I understood what she was saying.

I shut my eyes at one point then suddenly felt my head slipping down and jerked up in attention. I had passed out. My sudden jerk caught Rarity's attention. “Something wrong darling?” she asked worriedly but I shook my head.

“Sorry... just uhh... not used to train rides,” I replied, partly lying.

“Oh... well, like I was saying-” I was about to dip my head when another voice cut in.

“I thought I recognized you!” said a stallion standing in the aisle. I blinked as I looked at him. I gave him a wide eyed look.

“Uhhhh... uhhhm...” I blinked blankly several times.

“May I?” he asked, motioning to the seat beside Rarity. “I'll only be a moment.” I shrugged. He took a seat. “I knew it was you. I just knew it!” he exclaimed and I continued to blink blankly, Rarity having a similar expression.

“So... I know you from?...” I trailed my question off, letting him pick up.

“Well... actually you don't. I was just... well you see, I read about your adventure up Mount Tia. How you helped that terminally ill mare fulfill her final dying wish,” he mentioned. I placed a hand over my face, stroking it down in a slow manner as I groaned quietly.

'Oh goddess...' I thought inwardly. “Yep... that was me,” I replied in a semi-modest way. He smiled as he extended his hoof. I reach out my hand and shook his hoof firmly. “Nice to meet you Mr.,” I offered.

“Sundrop... Mr. Sundrop. I must say though sir, it's an honor to meet you. I never thought I'd be in the presence of somepony as famous as yourself,” he stammered like some kinda fancolt.

“Nah... you're overdoing it. I'm not some kinda famous, world touring, high-society musician or something. I'm just your average Joe that lives in his mom's basement,” I replied and he blinked in shock.

“W-w-well... surely you could... ah-I-I mean...” he trailed off in shock. “But you climbed to the summit of Mount Tia!” he exclaimed and I shrugged.

“Yeah... I dunno. I just... you know? For the mare, right?” I replied and he was stuck in a state of shock. I twittled my fingers as he just stared at me in disbelief. Maybe it was as though I wasn't everything he was hoping I'd be.

“Well... c-c-can I at least get a picture or something?” he asked and I rose a brow.

“A picture?” I asked in curiosity and he nodded, taking out an old school flash camera. I rubbed my chin as a sly grin went across my face. “Okay, just give me a second.” I ruffled my hair and slipped out of my suit jacket and dress shirt, revealing my bare torso.

The stallion was a little taken back at first. “Here...” I trailed off as I flexed. “Get a picture like this,” I replied and he flashed off several photos. In a matter of seconds the photos developed, faster than what I remembered them back on my world.

He looked to me. “I know I'm probably already bugging you but... could you sign one for each of my family? Just My wife, my daughter and I?” he asked. I shrugged.

“Got a pen?” I asked. He nodded quickly, fishing out a pen from his coat pocket with his mouth.

“My wife's name is Moonstone,” he replied and I rose a brow.

“Moonstone and Sundrop eh?” I chuckled and he nodded with a feverish smile.

“Y-yes... and our daughter's name is Sunny,” he replied. I quickly scribbled down my name on the back of each photo before handing them back. He took each photo, nearly trembling as he held them. “T-thank, thank you so much!” he said as he stood up. "I'll never forget this!"

“No problem. Have a good one-” I was cut off as he simply collapsed. I shot up, one of the train attendants rushing over as well. I felt his pulse. He was alive... and seemingly healthy. His breathing was normal too...

The attendant lifted an eyelid and examined his eye. The mare attendant hefted him up into a vacant seat and began further examining him. After a few moments had past, the stallion came to and I sighed. He had just fainted... heh, fancolt.

I took a seat back down across from Rarity who gave me a genuine smile. “Darling, that was so thoughtful of you,” she chimed and I just rolled my eye.

“Meh... I mean, it's not like I had anything else to do,” I said with a chuckle. “Really... I mean, other than the fact I'm a human, I'm not much different than him. Just a living being,” I said while slipping my shirt and suit jacket back on. Rarity just continued to beam at me.

“Regardless darling...” she took my hand with her hoof and held it dearly. “It was very kind of you.” I just smirked.

“Well... if you say so.” We didn't speak much after that and I just looked out the window, watching the open fields fly past as the train continued to chug along. 'How long is this train ride?' my conscious asked.

'Long, it took me a few hours in the truck and I was going faster than the train,' I replied back and it just groaned.

'Awwww...' there was a slight silence. 'Are we there yet?' it asked and I just groaned inwardly.

'No! And don't play this fucking game!' I growled. I looked out to the mountain. 'See that mountain?' I asked. 'That's where we're going,' I informed myself. Afterwards there was a long peaceful silence which I enjoyed.

Suddenly my conscious interrupted my peace. 'GUESS WHAT?!'

The suddenness of it took me by surprise and I yelped. “GAH, WHAT?!” I gasped, Rarity jerking from my outburst.

“What?! What, what, darling?” she asked in shock, I wiped my brow, breathing heavily.

“Sorry... sorry I just... zoned out. Noise of the...” I trailed off as I turned my head over my shoulder, seeing the food cart rolling along. “The... the attendant and her food cart,” I breathed out.

Rarity looked down the aisle then back to me. “You must really have sensitive hearing for that to shock you in such a way,” she said, still a little in shock. I just panted.

“Yeah I... was really zoned out.” I replied. I dropped my head into a supporting hand and sighed as I spoke to my conscious in secret. 'Okay... what?' I asked irritably and he began to hum a tune.

At first I was confused by the tune, as he mostly just mumbled the lyrics he obviously didn't know. 'Life is a highway!' he shouted out in my mind, the words seeming to echo.

I rolled my eye. 'Great... well, at least you have a nice singing voice,' I thought sarcastically but that didn't stop him from singing. 'At least he has nice instrumental.' I turned to Rarity who was just mingling to herself. “Thanks for coming with me.”

She turned to me with a smile. “Well of course darling. I wouldn't miss this for the world,” she chimed with a beautiful smile. I looked out the window again, leaning my head into my hand. The scenery blew by as the locomotive hugged along.

My conscious just continued singing and... as bad as he was, it was somewhat soothing. I began to doze off, my eye closed longer than it was open half the time. Eventually I found my arms lying on the table, supporting my head. I saw figures in the fields, playing together. I think I was just daydreaming.

I squinted my eye to focus the figures a bit better. There was two that stood on two legs, one taller than all the others and one the shortest. Than the other two stood on all four, one being a dog and the other... 'Heh... I'm daydreaming...' I thought quietly, realizing it was some scene with Lassie, Spike, Twilight and myself all out in the field playing together.

I smiled faintly as my eye closed, my world fading into darkness as my conscious continued his horrible singing...

I didn't even want to open my eyes. The train shuddered as it moved along the tracks. It was so bitterly cold I could feel my breath as it left my mouth. I was bundled in heavy, rather uncomfortable clothing... though it did keep me warm so I shouldn't complain.

The smell of human defecation made my stomach twist. 'I've had enough of this train ride,' I thought silently to myself, though I didn't really think it... it just sort of rang through my head as if a recording.

My hands were wrapped with fabric, the best I could do for gloves. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and looked up. I saw the battered face of my old friend yet... I couldn't open my mouth to say his name.

He had several deep scars in his face, partially covered by a medium beard. “Stand up... we're almost there,” he told me, heaving me up. A rifle clacked and rattled as I stood up. Unlike many of the others around me, I had magazine pouches littering my waist.

The train continued to shake along the tracks, several of the men peeking out holes in the shoddy walls of the train car. I went to look as well but my big friend held me back. “Don't look... the anticipation may kill you,” he joked.

A shiver went down my spine. He seemed to notice my nervousness and jest gave me a shake. “Don't worry, it will be fine. You'll see,” he stated. Despite not having a clue what he was speaking of, I had a feeling he was trying to be overly optimistic.

Before I could speak, there was hollering, along with the sounds of incoming planes. The sounds of machine guns firing rang out. With natural instinct I dropped to the floor, just as bullets chewed through the wooden walls of the train. Several men were chopped into mincemeat as German attack planes riddled us like sitting ducks.

The sliding door to the cabin opened and several men fired back with their bolt action rifles in an attempt to defend themselves. Time seemed to slow as I watched a German plane fly low, muzzle flashes lighting up as it hummed along.

Bullets rippled the bodies of several men, tossing them back into heaps on the floor. The door leading to the next train car slid open and Derreck dragged me off my back. “This way! Hurry!” he roared, pulling me along. My feet scampered to catch traction as he heaved me through the door and onto the flat deck of the next train car. On the floor lay a few bodies, riddled with gaping bullet wounds. One man's head was missing, his brain matter spilled all over the ground.

Derreck dropped me and rushed over to a heavy machine gun mounted on a tripod. Just as he reached the gun, I spotted a German fighter coming in low. I gulped, my world blurring around me, screams and gunshots echoing out into silence.

Out of my peripheral vision I saw Derreck pulling back on the charging handle of the big gun. The German plane began to fire it's machine guns, tuffs of dirt spewing up not far from the train.

Just as everything seemed like it was going to end, Derreck let loose with the machine gun. Massive muzzle flashes spat out of the gun, partially redirected to the sides by the gun's muzzle compensator.

The German plane was close enough that I could see the heavy slugs chew the pilot apart, spewing his insides all over the cockpit. Within seconds the plane was shredded from the heavy gun and it careened into the ground, erupting into a ball of flame.

“Suck that, German cunt!” Derreck yelled out, swinging the machine gun in another direction and firing it at high flying planes. Despite being mounted to a tripod, the gun looked as though it kicked like a mule.

Time returned to normal and the booming of Derreck's machine gun rang in my ears. Muzzle flashes sprang out all along the train, soldiers firing back with their rifles and submachine guns.

Before I could cover my ears, Derreck pointed out to a large crate. “AMMO! HURRY!” He roared as his gun ceased firing. I rushed over and cracked open the crate, gabbing a belt of the large anti-material ammunition.

I looped several belts of ammo over my body and carried them over to the empty gun. Derreck flung open the top of the gun and rushed the belt of ammo into the weapon. Just as we were about to close the gun up, I caught sight of a fighter plane flying in low. My eyes went wide and I pulled both Derreck and I to the ground, shielding his body with my own as the plane littered the train with bullets.

Splinters of wood jabbed me in the cheeks as bullets narrowly missed our bodies. Before the plane had even passed over our bodies, Derreck pushed me off and was grabbing at the charging handle of the weapon.

In seconds he was back in the game, putting German fighters out of action. In the midst of the chaos, I spotted a German bomber coming in for a pass. “Derreck!” I yelled, motioning to the bomber and shifting his attention.

He swung the business end of the gun towards the bomber but only managed to get off a handful of shots before the gun ran dry. Our eyes went wide. “SHIT!” Derreck yelled rushing my way and tackling my body off the open deck train car. The bomber flew low and dropped its payload. The explosion ripped apart the train but the resulting blast still struck us, sending us catapulting even further away.

For such a short time, I felt as though my world was in an eternity of pain. My vision came in and out of blurred darkness. I stared at the dark gray sky, the flames of war illuminating the world below.

I heard Derreck calling my name, but it seemed so distant with my temporarily impaired hearing. He grabbed me by the collar of my coat. “Hey... hey! Wake up... wake up!” he yelled and I began to faze out. “WAKE UP... WAKE UP!” His hands seemed to smooth out into larger single masses rather than palms and fingers. “Hey... hey, wake up already...”

I was startled awake, my eyes wide as I gasped for air. Rarity jumped back in her seat, startled from my abrupt awakening that she had most likely caused. In seconds I settled, realizing that the dream was just a dream.

I tried to think back on it but couldn't seem to come up with any recollection of what I had dreampt about. Rarity looked to me with a slight bit of worry. “Darling, are you... okay?” she asked and I nodded with a sigh.

“Fine-fine... just... just startled.” I had a growing urgency in my bladder and groaned. “Ugh... I gotta use the washroom.” I stood up and as I did, realized the train was traveling through some kind of mountain passage. 'Must be getting close,' I thought to myself, remembering the one time I had been before with Twilight. We had taken my truck opposed to the train and I remembered having to ascend a path that wound up the sides of a mountain to get to the big city.

I walked down the illuminated aisle of the train and to the back of the cabin car where there was a washroom on each side of the walkway. I turned to the washroom door on the right side but the little slip near the handle said it was occupied. I turned around but as I looked to the second washroom door I was greeted by a 'Out of service' sign.

'SHIT!' I thought to myself, doing a little dance as I tried to hold back my need to go. Figures all I could think about at this point was waterfalls. I began to dance on my tippy-toes as I fidgeted, wondering what it is I should do.

I looked down the aisle, only to see there was no longer an attendant. 'First class my ass...' I thought to myself, looking back to the sign. 'Well... I only need to take a leak... not like I need to flush or anything...' I thought to myself.

I gripped the door knob and tried to turn it but found it was locked stiff. “Ugh! Mpfft!” I gasped, holding back my need to answer nature's call. In my frustration, I accidentally squeezed the knob too hard and pulled it free. “GAH... GUH!” I gasped, the handle's inner working's being revealed.

I needed to go... bad. I looked over my shoulder, still seeing no sign of the attendant... though I did see her cart.

“Ohh pfft... dammit!” I groaned, taking a quick look at the inner working's of the door. The lock was a simple one, the only trouble would be turning the internals with my big fingers. I'd need something small... like a toothpick but sturdy like steel...

I looked over to the cart and spotted some utensils, specifically the forks. I grabbed one and bent the middle tines down. With the middle ones out of the way, I bent the outer tines closer together so I could use them to turn the internals of the door and work the lug piece.

It took a bit of fidgeting but finally I got it. I swung the door open with a relieved exhale, only to be greeted by the scream of the attendant mare and the gasp of a pegasus stallion. The mare had cream white fur with a blonde mane.

She quickly tried to button up her blouse, covering up her breasts with a free hoof. The stallion nabbed my attention as he tried to conceal his lower region with some kinda blue leotard suit.

His mane was a very dark grayish blue, while his fur on the other hand was a very pale blue. His green eyes darted to me with a gasp as he yelled out in shock. “GAH! GET OUTTA HERE!” He yelped.

I leaned back and looked to the door sign. I cocked an eyebrow as I looked back to them. “So... does this mean this washroom isn't out of service?” I asked blankly. The mare shot me a glare then slammed the door in my face.

“UGH! DICKS!” I grunted, holding my crotch as I started to dance again. I frowned and looked to the busted door knob. “Okay... wanna leave an out of service sign up so you can take a nice relaxing shit without anypony bothering you...” I snarled, picking up my fork.

“Take a nice relaxing shit!” I growled, jamming the fork tines into the door handle's inner workings and breaking them off, jamming the door from working. Just as I stepped back and smirked, the cabin door leading to the next train opened up.

A light brown mare with a dark brown mane and attendant uniform stepped through. “Uhm... excuse me, Miss?” I asked, catching her attention. “This washroom door is broken and... uhm, is there another washroom I can use?” I asked in discomfort. She nodded and pointed down the aisle of the next train car.

“Next train car after that one, back left door,” she informed me. I gave her a nod and rushed along, snickering to myself as I looked over my shoulder and to the jammed door.