Luna and I make our way home after a nice long walk together, made longer with our constant nudging and playful flirting. I consider myself lucky to have calmed down after her little flight lesson... though I don't look forward to future ones. My initial thoughts were that flying would be as instinctual as walking and running, but that's clearly not the case. I understand why, I never knew how to fly so why would I just be able to pick it up, but... I don't know. I guess it bugs me a bit that I'm not making any progress.

"... and then I'll be able to make it, sound good?" Luna asks as she hops in front of me, blocking the front door.

"Yeah."

"... you weren't listening, were you?"

"Not a word, but I did enjoy all of the physical contact. Thanks for that!" I say a I walk around her and open the door. "FAH!"

"BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK!" I fall over as Lupus and Hati assault me, going straight for my face.

"LUPUS! HATI! ENOUGH-GAH! NO TEETH!" I yell as I try to get them off of me. Luna just rolls her eyes and walks past me, not even offering to help. Once I get back up I run over to her, following her closely as we go up the stairs. "Why do they always do that?"

"Because they love you. Now, pay attention. I'm going to be in the Griffin Colonies for the next few days. But don't worry, I'll make it back for your birthday-"

"Birthday?" I ask as I come to a stop. "Wait, I don't have a birthday this year-"

"Nice try mister." She says with a sly smile as she turns back to me. "The actual day may not happen, but we're still going to celebrate it-"

"But-"

"No buts. I've already sent a letter to Pinkie Pie, so this is going to happen. Now be a good boy and see your wife off." She tells me before pecking my lips and heading into the bedroom. I stand there in a daze as I try to get the gears turning in my head.

I was gone for two months...

Everyone thought I had almost died...

Now it's going to be my birthday, a day to celebrate life...

"LUNA!" I yell as I run over to the bedroom. Before I could say anything she wraps her forelegs around my neck and presses her lips against mine. I lose track of thought as I close my eyes and give in to the kiss. She leans against me as she slowly rocks from side to side, also running a hoof through my hair playfully.

"Please Miles?" She asks when she breaks away, still rocking from side to side as she begins to press herself against my chest. "Just a little get together- *kiss* some friends- *kiss* a few gifts- *kiss* maybe a little fun afterwards *kiss with tongue and oh sweet Barbra did she just roll her tongue?* please?"

"Well... if it's just a little get together... and if only a few people show up... sure- but only because you really want it." She gives me a little squeeze as she gives me another kiss. *sigh* the things I do for my woman.

"Thank you, now I really have to get going. But before I go, I need to borrow something from you. No questions, asked. All I can say is that it's for a surprise, now... Can I borrow the Elements of Harmony?"

"... the... you want to borrow-"

"No questions!" She yells as she covers my lips with her hoof. I glance down to the necklace and think about it for a moment. I really don't see why not. I can't even use these things right now anyway. I lean forward and give her a quick kiss before lifting the necklace off and laying it around her neck.

"Try not to break anything with them, okay?" I say as I give her chin a playful nudge. She gives her thanks and hugs me again.

"Don't worry, I'll bring them back real fast. I just need to see if I can do something with them. Okay bye!" And like that she runs to the closet and teleports away. I stand there for a moment before shrugging and heading downstairs. I don't know what she could possibly be planning, but I have a feeling I'll find out soon enough. I make it down the stairs and turn-

"BAAAAAAAAAALLLS!" I freeze up when I hear Damian’s voice from behind. Of course he's here. They're all here. I told them to be here, and now they are. I turn around and glare at all of the Spartans sitting in my living room, minus Storm and Big Mac of course.

"Yes, well... glad you all-"

"Dude, you've got some serious-"

"Damian if you finish that sentence I'll fuck you up worse than Night Fury." Damian pauses and thinks about his next choice before leaning back in his chair. "Right, so-"

"COCONUTS!"

"DAMIAN!" I yell as I start to chase him.

"WORTH IT!" He yells as he runs away.

............................................................................................................................................................

I flash into the furbished mico station cave and find Regina napping on the bed. Oh, it's time for some payback. I tip-hoof my way over to her side and bring my mouth to the side of her head, trying my best to wake her with my giggles.

"Oh Regina-"

"COME HERE BITCH!"

"EEP!" I yell as she suddenly grabs me and tosses me on the bed. She quickly gets over me and pins my down, smirking as she looks down at me.

"Luna, you really shouldn’t sneak up on a griffin like that. I nearly hurt you." She says innocently as she smiles down at me.

"Yes... well, you can let go of me now... also, why did you call me that?"

"Oh, I was just teasing you. Don't tell me Miles doesn't talk dirty with you." She says playfully as she lets me go.

"Well.... no, he's more of the quiet, respectful kind-"

"So boring?"

"ANYWAY! Come on, let's see if this works." I say as I start to walk out of the cave. "Let's get going already. We don't have much time."

"And why's that? Are you trying to keep this a secret?" She asks as she hovers at my side.

"No... well, only for a bit. I don't even know if it's going to work. If it doesn't, then no secrets-"

"And if it does?" She asks. I pause as I try to think of a way to word my answer. "You have issues."

"I do not!"

"Yeah, you do. Now let's go do this probably dangerous and stupid thing that you don't want to have be known while I'm still in the mood to try it." She says before leading the way. I smirk to her as I keep up with her. I know I can count on her to help me with almost anything... well... if there is anything she won't help me with, I don't know what it is.

She keeps quiet as we make our way down the mountain, heading away from Canterlot. She gives me a few questioning looks, but doesn't question me any further. When we make it to the mouth of the Crystal Cavern, she lands and gives me a look.

"What?"

"What exactly are we going to do here?"

"Well, with the Elements, I was thinking that I could somehow turn into a human-"

"Why!? Miles is a pony now! Why would you want to turn into a human at this point?!" She asks as she cuts me off from the cave.

"*sigh* well, I know how important Terradisia is to Miles. If I turn into a human now, any foals we could possibly maybe have will come out human. I don't think society would be as welcoming to a new alicorn as it would be to a human. So, I'm going to try to turn myself into a human... or at least try." Regina gives me an even stare before suddenly going wide eyed.

"YOU'RE PREGNANT!?"

"SHH! NO! MAYBE! MILES CAN'T FOLLOW ORDERS!" I yell as she begins to shake in excitement.

"AHHHHH! THIS IS SO AWESOME! Can I be the aunt!? Please, please, please, pleaaaaaaase!? OOO, filly or colt- wait! It may be human! Boy or girl! Are there ways to find out early? How long have you been expecting?! AAAAH BABIES!" She leaps over and hugs me tightly.

"Uh... are you going to be okay?" I ask uneasily as she continues to hug me, still shaking in excitement.

"Sorry." She says as she releases me. "It's just... well, you know I can't have children. Not anymore at least. So, when one of my closest friends is suddenly expecting... yeah. I tend to get a little... I don't know, I just don't like it when bad things happen to hatchlings." She says as she rubs the back of her neck. I smile to her and give her a soft hug, rubbing her back gently.

"It's okay. And yes, you can be the aunt as well. Just... don't get your hopes up, okay. We only did... it, yesterday. I may not even be expecting." I tell her as I let go.

"Pfft, please. Did you see the coconuts on Miles? If he didn't get you pregnant then I don't know what will. But... isn't there a chance that this machine will harm the baby? Aren't there risks?"

"Well, Fluttershy and Twilight were pregnant when the beam went off for Miles. They seem to be coming along just fine. Plus, if I turn into a human and am not pregnant, then we can just change Miles back and try again... I think. We'll never know until we try for ourselves." She nods to me and we head into the cave together.

We find Outpost Zero easily, and thankfully empty. I guess the researchers took what Miles said to heart. Regina and I head over to the beam machine and examine it over. The cylinder has slid forward and is now pointing at the ground, leaving the gem compartment open. We look to each other before flying up to the back and try to set the Elements into their slots,quickly finding them unable to fit. I guess I won't be able to change after all, unless I can find a way to form the Elements.

DO YOU TRULY WISH FOR THIS?

"WHAT!?" I yell as I jump back, hitting the cylinder and somehow making it spin around. Regina and I watch it for a moment until it finally comes to a stop.

"Well... that might be a problem." Regina says as she walks around it and looks it over. "What was that all about?"

"My soul spoke to me! Didn't you hear it?"

"Uh... no." No? How could she not hear it? Either way, yes! Yes I'm sure about this! Can you help me?

I CAN IF YOU GIVE ME CONTROL. BUT KNOWLEDGE COMES AT A PRICE

I think about it for a moment before nodding my head. If you’re willing to help, and as long as you will not harm anyone around me, then I will allow you control. I take a breath in and close my eyes as I give control to Soul Fire. My mind begins to numb a bit as something begins to happen. I feel... I can't explain it. One second it just feels like a small headache, the next my mind feels as if somepony is trying to shake me awake. The two feelings alternate, slowly at first but steadily keeping to the latter of the two. I can feel a heat begin to form over my forehead as the mind numbing sensation intensifies, blocking out all other thoughts from me.

During one of the more intense moments I begin to hear voices. It starts out as a few whispers, but slowly begins to build in volume. Soon I cover my ears as the sound of thousands of voices fills my head, screaming at me! Telling me a thousand upon a thousand things! I try to yell out to them to stop but they won't- or can't- hear me. No matter how much I strain myself they won't stop!Please, I'm begging you! Stop, please stop! I can't take anymore of this! JUST STOP! PLEASE STOP-

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

"LUNA! Luna are you okay? What was that? Luna, please answer me!" I blink a few times as the numbness begins to fade from my head. I'm laying on the ground in Outpost Zero, a layer of sweat has formed all over me. My horn feels numb and I feel....

"Regina?" I ask as I look up at her. "What happened?"

"You stood there for a minute with your eyes closed. I tried getting you to respond to me, but no matter what you just stood there. I was about to get help when you suddenly started blasting your magic at max power. Your eyes opened up, but they were pure white energy. After that you started running around the room, doing things to the Elements and machinery here. I tried to stop you again but you held me back. What was that?"

"It... it didn't work then. But, how am I still awake? Miles went unconscious, why not me?" I ask as I sit up, finding myself still in pony form. "It did hit me... right?"

"Yeah... it did." Regina says as she tries to think of an answer for what happened. "Maybe... maybe... I don't know Luna. I simply don't know the answers to this. Look, let's just get up and take it easy for a bit, okay? Don't stress yourself with this." She says she rubs my back, trying to comfort me.

"Yeah... yeah, relax. That's what I need to do. Who knows, maybe it'll change me in two months like it did Miles... right?" Regina thinks about before rubbing my back a bit more. "You really don't think so?"

"Well, no. But what do I know? I'm not a magic user. Let's just go and get you some water, okay?" I let out a sigh of disappointment and nod to her. It was worth a shot at least.

"Let's not forget the Elements-"

"I'll get them, you just take it easy." She says before flying up to the cylinder. She fumbles with some of the lateral latches, as well as the primary... coupling... coils... how did I learn that? How can I name the parts of the machine... and understand their use...

"I think I need to sit down."

THUD

.........................................................................................................................................................

"Right, now that I've dealt with that-"

"Worth it!" Damian yells from the back as CC treats his nose wound.

"Back to the matter at hand. We need to re-establish ourselves with Moosden and prepare an expedition to New Garnet. Last I checked we had a new family move in, so we need to make sure we're up to speed with them. We need to asses the Unfamiliar in New Garnet and determine if they are a threat or not. And then we need to prepare for a possible war with Equestria, any questions?" I ask, getting True Will to raise his hoof.

"Um... care to explain that last part Captain?"

"I am apparently the king of Equestria at the moment, but I don't want the job. So, when I go to refuse it and they try to enforce it, I'm going to need some back up-"

THUD

We all look up as something drops to the floor above us.

"Um.... I'll go deal with that. You guys just get your gear ready." I say quietly as I turn and head up the stairs. I make it to my room where I open the door and find Regina standing on my bed, trying to pull Luna up by her hips.

...

...

...

"I swear, I'm actually the hero right now." Regina says as she lets go of Luna.

"What happened?" I ask as I step in.

IT HAS BEGUN!

I jump back when Luna suddenly springs up and tackles me. I try to fend her off, but the amount of raw energy emanating from her horn blinds me long enough for her to touch my horn with her hoof. The last thing I hear is the sounds of thousands of voices speaking out at once.

IT

WILL

BE

IT

WILL

BE

Brony on!