I can hear the clamor of people around me. I can see them approaching, tentative and scared. I can feel them pulling me to a nearby bench and seating me. Water pours over my head and starts to wash the rust from me. I even couch a bit from it all. But none of it seems real to me. Was this all a dream? Where was I? And where was I before that? Nothing here makes any sense, even as magic is used on and around me. I can feel their presence from within. Which is what I was taught to believe to be real. It's here, with me, in this place.

But I'm starting to doubt that anything is real now.

"Miles?" I look over to Storm as he sets a hoof on my shoulder. "What happened?" I consider the question for a moment. It's hard to answer, but at the same time it's easy.

"I went home." He gives me a confused look before taking his hoof back. He can tell that there's more to it then just that, but he's not going to press the issue. He's a good friend like that.

"No, but seriously, what happened?" Damian asks from across the bench. I ignore him as I look around the town a bit more.

The decorations are new, meaning someone came here and put them up. Everyone seems to be preparing for a large festival, but I can't recall anything that would be coming up right now. Not unless it's someone's birthday. But even then that doesn't make sense. Why would the whole town be getting ready for something like that?

... and then it hits me.

"What day is it?" I ask as I start to stand, tripping slightly over the bench. Those around me hesitate to answer. But I can already tell what it is. But if that's true, then that means I've been gone for almost a week. How can that possibly make sense? I spent a day in the past, but it math'd out like that? One day there is a week here? How could that possibly make any sense?

"It's Friday Miles," Storm starts to tell me. "The Grand Galloping Gala is about to start... Nationwide."

I chuckle. When I chuckle, I chuckle some more. Is this some kind of sick, cruel joke? I should have had a week to mentally prepare for this! And then... then... that happens, and I show up just as the Grand Galloping Gala is about to start! Not even just that! No! I show up to the Grand Galloping Gala, nationals! The universe hates me. The stars have aligned in such a perfect manner that they all get to butt fuck me without so much as spitting first!

"Miles... you're scaring me," Storm tells me. I grab a nearby drink and down its content in one full swing. I was hoping for alcohol, but got fruit punch instead. I toss the cup behind me and start to back away, getting everyone to follow after me.

"Oh sweet Barbra... oh sweet Barbra... OH SWEET BARBRA!" I yell as I start to grab at my hair, tripping over a chair along the way.

"Miles... take it easy. Let's sit back down and relax for a minute, okay? Let's not do anything brash," Storm cautions as he follows me, keeping a safe distance.

"OH SWEET BARBRA!"

Everyone jumps back from me as I pull my hair and start to have the world's largest panic attack. This isn't happening! Nope! I've clearly gone insane and this is my mind punishing me. What else would be happening right now? Clearly not that! Anything but that! I'd take an Unfamiliar invasion over this! A dragon attack! I... I... I'd take a day in prison over this! Can I get imprisoned right now? If I can trick the bots and do something simple enough, probably. I could start a fight, whose the closest to me that is a civilian? Na-Da? No... not her. Bad Brew? ... that could work.

"Miles?" That voice does wonders for me. I soothes me in ways no other voice can. Like a cool cloth to a scorching wound. Look over to Luna as she sits beside me, wrapping her silky wing over my back as she pulls me in for a light hug. I can smell a perfume wafting over her. She's wearing an ornate dress of black and blue and has a few pieces of jewelry added to her usual get up. "I'm glad you're back."

"... glad to be back... what'd I miss?" I ask her quietly, softly leaning against her. She supports my weight easily, gently resting her head against mine.

"Oh, the usual. Political rivalries, Shadow trying to systematically destroy Diamond Tiara, Tempestive getting into his usual hi-jinks; pretty standard week really. You?" I hesitate to answer her at first, but force myself to speak. I could never lie to her really. I don't see how now is any different.

"I went home." My answer confuses her, so I elaborate. "I woke up in Topaz Falls. I was in my bed, as if nothing had happened. Auxy, Dolum... Susurrans, they were all there. It was as if nothing had happened at all. I was even able to check for other souls! It was real! I can't explain it, but it was real Luna. I went back to a time where the attack never happened. I went home."

The crowd around us starts to murmur with one another. Questions are being raised. Uncertainty is settling within the town. Luna takes a look around and nods to Storm. He, along with the other Spartans, start to disperse the crowd, letting them know that everything is going to be okay.

"Let's get you home so you can get cleaned up, okay?" Luna asks as she stands. She offers me her hoof and helps me up. My knees nearly give out on me, but she gives me the support I need. I stare at her for a moment before nodding. After all of this, and she's still here, helping me. Of all the things to fear, I know now that her leaving will never be one of them. There is a powerful comfort in knowing that. In having proof of that. The line is... pretty far out there. So far I don't think I could reach it even if I wanted to.

We walk back home together. I keep quiet though. I don't want to say anything further. It would only sour the night. Though, I'm pretty sure it's already soured. Luna is giving me glances, waiting for me to do or say something. Or maybe she's expecting me to just up and disappear again. It's hard to tell, and I wish I could give her the answer.

We make it home to find it too quite. The kids must not be here. I take a few steps around and stop in the middle of the living room. I don't really know what to do with myself right now. Should I go out and pretend nothing happened? Should I stay home and try to relax? It feels like I just got out of a car accident and I'm trying to piece everything together.

"First, why don't you take a shower," Luna tells me as she walks up beside me. "I need to send a few letters out, but we'll spend the day here so you can relax-"

"No!" I scare myself with how quick I said that. I wasn't expecting to just blurt that out. But there was something in her tone of voice. I don't think it was intentional, but there was a clear sign of disappointment coming from her. She must have been looking forward to this night. Maybe because I never join her for these kinds of things, or maybe she was looking forward to the distraction. Either way, she wanted this night. "No... there was too much planning and effort for this night. I... I can tough it out. I'll take a shower and get dressed."

She gives me a concerned look before reaching forward and grabbing my hand. "Miles, that's not necessary. With everything that just happened, I don't think going out to the public right now would be the best idea. Especially with how the night is going to go. You should stay home and relax."

I think about it for a moment before shaking my head. Tonight is too important for her to take it easy. I know she wanted this night. Not to mention the world will be looking. I cannot afford to appear as weak. Both as the leader of the Spartans, and the king of Equestria. This is not a night for me.

"Give me twenty minutes to shower and change and I'll be ready to go." She gives me a concerned look, but I do my best to ignore it for the time being. I have a job to fulfill. Nothing else should get in the way of that.

I took twice as long as usual to shower up. The amount of rust all over me was astounding. I didn't think about anything during either. I'm too focused at the task at hand to really reflect on anything. I don't even know where I'm supposed to be at this moment. My assumption is that we'll spend the night at Canterlot Castle, but this is supposed to be a nationwide gala. Shouldn't that mean that we're supposed to be everywhere? Pinkie should have the answers, as she planned... all of this, so I should really meet up with her.

When I dry off I go to the closet to find something to wear and find a suit with a note. It's made for me in pony form and is a simple black jacket with a white button up and black tie. The pink paper and glitter ribbon tells me that the note is from Pinkie, so I read it.

Miles,

I had Rarity throw this together for you! It should fit, but if not she can make some last second adjustments at Canterlot.

In your pocket there should be a note with a schedule (Luna has one too). Assuming you're back in time, just follow the instructions and you should see most of the parties major gala events!

Also, you need to be in pony form. I have Easy in disguise with the Spartans (Did you know he can make holograms!? How cool is that??? We also got him to sound just like you!!!). When they show up to Canterlot he should appear as you. So, get changed and get going! Bye!

P.S. I hid a little flask in the other pocket in your jacket. Just in case.

I go through the jacket and find the flask she mentioned. I almost cry as I twist the top off and take a swig... I almost cry again when I realize that it's hard cider. It's nice, but it won't be enough to take the edge off. Especially at the amount. It's okay, I'll find something along the way and top it off. I'll be fine.

But that does raise another problem. How am I going to change myself? Normally I'd do something that would knock me out, but I don't want to do that now. I'm afraid that if I do, it'll force me back to Topaz Falls. But I don't know how I'm going to change otherwise. There has to be another way, and I have ten minutes tops to figure it out!

"I'm doomed." I mutter as I stare at the suit.

"Miles?" I jump from Lunas voice. She enters the room as stops at the entrance of the closet. She takes one look at the suit and sighs. "It'll be fine love. I don't want you hurting yourself. Just stay here and relax. I'll send the letters and it'll all be fine."

"It won't be fine," I tell her, a little to aggressively. I take a step back and try to calm down. She's being patient. She better than me like that. "I know you've been looking forward to this. And there's a lot riding on tonight. If I want to call myself Captain of the Spartans, or King of Equestria, or... whatever title there is, I need to be more than just a man. If there's a way to just... turn this all around, or flip it... I don't know! There has to be a way of making this work!"

I step back and lean against the wall. I know she's right. There isn't a way we can fix this right now. I'm just being stubborn and making it her problem. I should be better than that. I look over to apologize, but see that she's deep in thought. Something I said seems to have resonated with her. I want to ask, but she's piecing it together still. She has a very obvious thinking face.

"I was helping Pinkie with the hologram earlier in the week and Twilight was there. She kept asking about the enchantment and how it functioned and... and it all came back to how human magic functions differently from pony magic. Pony magic flows inward while human magic flows outward. What if... somehow, we got the energy within to... switch? Maybe it's not that you're going unconscious, but, rather, you're forcing yourself to alter the course of your magic?"

I give it a moments thought but come to several dead ends. I've changed before without knocking myself out. Though, it was far and few between. But she is on to something. Something is... altering me. Giving me that push to switch. But... what?

"Harmony."

"What?" I ask. She's clearly made some sort of epiphany, but there seems to be a catch to it. I look down to my arms and note that I don't have them. Which is odd. I had them before I went to Topaz, but I didn't have them there. Where did they go? Are they what made all of this happen?

"My hunch is that this all has to do with the alignment you're in. Somehow, you're either too close to the Elements of Solitude, or Harmony, or too far, I don't know. Either way, I think they are messing with you somehow. But... I don't know how to test this idea."

I think about it for a second before shaking my head. "There is no way of testing this. Not without having someone who knows more about this present. And I don't know how to test this kind of idea. I've had the Elements with me before, and I've been without them. And in the end, we have maybe ten minutes to get me to change before we go out tonight. Not that it isn't good thinking, but we need the quick fix for tonight."

"What we need is an expert in this matter," Luna tells me, stepping forward. "I need to speak with Soul Fire."

"... how do you plan to do that?" I ask nervously. In all honesty, she's right. He would be the one to talk to. But... do we really have time for this right now?

"I... don't know. We've never voluntarily spoken," she tells me, stepping into the bedroom to sit on the bed. I walk towards her and lean against the doorway of the closest. There has to be some sort of trend that can help us. But I'm never really... aware, when these things happen.

"What happens when he does want to speak with you? What does he... or I, do?" She thinks about it for a moment, staring me over as she recalls every change I've ever done.

"Well... for starters, you're magic maxes out every time. Your eyes... either they roll into the back of your head or they glow with energy. Also, your voice deepens and... you always grab my horn." This already sounds too dangerous. "Miles-"

"I'm not going to do that Luna," I cut her off.

"It may be the only way Miles. We can't be afraid to try-"

"Is this really the time though? Aren't you supposed to be in Canterlot by now?" My questions seems to anger her slightly.

"Miles, this is more important. Yes, the Gala tonight is important too. But being able to speak with Soul Fire on a whim is far more valuable than swaying a few nobles. Imagine what he can teach us about magic! About how to control your changes! We should have been trying this sooner in all honesty."

I try to think of something to argue with, but I can tell it would be pointless. She has that determined look on her face. She isn't going to budge on this. I have a feeling this is going to be as bad as when I was shooting Damian with Icy Void. But, I guess we're going to just roll with the punches again.

"Okay... so... how are we going to do this?" Luna pauses for a second before pulling herself completely on the bed. At the same time, she levitates me to the other side. A little too forcefully for my taste. She takes a moment to get comfortable before giving me a determined look.

"Okay. Max out your magic and grab my horn. And... if memory serves me right, you should be able to do this without harming me. At least, that's what I recall in the past. And then... we'll see what happens from there."

I try to think of any last rebuttals before doing this. But there aren't any. And stalling will only make matters worse. I take a moment to remove my clothes, using the remedial task as my last moment of clarity. With that done, I begrudgingly start to flare my magic.

Immediately I feel something is off and I'm reminded that I have a new set of potestam annuls on my arms. It's strange to think that, even though I've had them off for such a long time, that they still felt natural on me. I have to push a little harder to get past them, something that feels practiced yet foreign to me. After some effort, I get past them and manage the rest easily enough.

We give each other a look before I do anything further. She puts on a determined face before nodding to me. It amazes me how she can appear so brave when I'm so scared. She has a drive to find answers that inspires me, while terrifying me at the same time. I take a deep breath and nod back to her before reaching forward. I pause just before I grab her horn, but force myself to close the distance between us.

I wait for something to happen as I wrap my fingers around her horn. At first, nothing happens. I guess it wasn't going to be that easy after all. Luna seems to have a thought though. She starts to flare her magic and I feel something within me start to stir. I can't fully describe it, but... it's like a breath of fresh air hitting you when you didn't know you were hot. Some part of me starts guiding the rest of the way. I focus in on that energy. It's... like a road, with two lanes of traffic flowing through it.

Since we're trying to figure my stuff out, I start to let the energy towards me. Luna seems to have had a similar idea. I can feel her pushing in towards me, rushing the energy into me. It starts to become uncomfortable though. Like when you down a beverage when you're too full. I try to slow it down, but the floodgates have been opened and it starts to become too much for me. In a panic, I try to let go, but I can't move my fingers! They feel welded to her! I close my eyes and try to yell out, but nothing comes out. Everything turns white, and I feel myself start to fall.

I feel drained, but ecstatic! It worked. I've made my way into his mind once more! But, something is off. The white field is still there, but I don't see any of the panels of memories. As far as I can tell, there isn't anything here. I turn around, expecting to catch something sneaking up on me, but there is nothing to see.

"Come on Miles, give me something to work with," I mutter as I start to walk around. My hoof steps echo lightly in the empty space, driving home how alone I am. Where did Miles go?

"What's that?" In the distance I can see a speck. It's too far to make out, so I hurry towards it.

I give my wings a try, but nothing happens. That's the same at least. I try my own magic as well, finding similar results. When I feel that I've made no progress I start to gallop. But now it seems as if I'm making no progress at all! Galloping turns to running, which in turn becomes a full force sprinting. The speck slowly becomes the silhouette of a person, pushing me to run even faster.

The distant figure slowly turns towards me, and my perception is thrown off when it appears before me. I brace myself to stop and crash, but it never happens. I just... stop. Was I even moving to begin with? The figure before me fills me with an eerie dread I've not felt in a long time. It appears to be a solid white skeleton that's hunched over. It's disfigured, with one arm being far too small and its legs curved and bent incorrectly. Its head is oddly shaped, being one solid stricture with a pointed chin and a round skull. Its eyes are just two indents that seem to pierce into me coldly.

"Who are you?" I ask as I try to back peddle. The figure hobbles towards me, rubbing its hands together slowly as it bores into me with it's icy stare.

"Can you grasp the concept of... nothing?" It asks in a voice that's barely over a dry whisper.

"Are... are you Corpus Glacius?" I ask as I try to widen the gap between us.

"Could you imagine going from nothing... to being a part of everything? Do you know the pain there is in being taunted with such splendor?" I stop moving as I think about what he said.

"I do." He stops and eyes me quizzically. "I was imprisoned on the moon. Or, within the moon. All I had were my thoughts, but those ran out after... days."

"What did you have after that?"

"... anger. Rage. All I had was... what I planned to do when I was free. I knew it would happen eventually. But... I didn't have a concept of time. So all I had was the thought that... one day... I would be free." It stings to think about this. The memories flood in so easily. A thousand years of being driven by one thought is not forgotten so quickly.

"You and I, we are one in the same. We have risen from the ashes. And now... and now we are poised to claim what is rightfully ours. Time is on our side, we just need to be patient. One false move, one over step, and not even the intruder can stop us."

"... what intruder?" He ignores my questions. A darkness emanates from behind him and starts to drape itself all over his body. I try to stand my ground, but the darkness starts to make him grow to the point where I have to look up to him.

"Even a pawn can kill a king. Patience blue one, your time will come. We all just need to have patience. Nothing... last forever..."

I awake back in the bedroom with my head draped off the edge of the bed. Miles is on the floor beneath me in his alicorn form. Whatever we did worked, but did we really do anything? We created more questions than answers. There is some form of turmoil happening within Miles right now. Whatever it is, I don't know what there is for me to do to help. Where was Soul Fire? Why did Corpus look like that? And what did he mean by an intruder?

My trail of thought ends when Miles mumbles awake. He lifts his head slowly and takes a look at himself. A moment later a firework draws his attention outside and he begins to stand.

"It worked, I'll be damned. What happened?" he asks, keeping his gaze outside.

"I'm... not sure... Nothing happened really." I don't know how to put it into words. I need a moment to really think on it.

"That's... good. That's really good actually. Give me a minute to finish getting ready and we'll get going." He moves to grab his suit, but I reach out and stop him.

"How... how do you feel? Is everything okay?" I ask him, unsure how to approach the subject. He takes a moment to consider the question before shrugging to me.

"I honestly feel fine. A bit of a stiff neck, but that's to be expected. Did something happen in there?" I try to think of an answer, but I don't want to stress him.

"It... yes, something happened. But, I can't really think of a way to phrase it that won't stress you. Can I think on it for a few days before I tell you?" He nods to me before leaning down and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I welcome the affection, feeling better already.

"Of course, but the sooner the better, love. Now, the night still seems young, and I am far too sober for what we're about to do. Let's get shitfaced already." I laugh a little at that. He helps me to my hooves and we look to each other for a moment. I move in and hug him. He takes it as affection, but it's really out of worry.

I'm worried I'm going to lose him soon.

Sorry for the delay on this chapter. I had to go through several rewrites before I was comfortable with the end result. In other news, I have opened a Discord for the Mowverse group! You can join in on the link below. If you don't have a discord don't sweat it, it's free to join.

MoWverse Discord!

Also, more content will soon be coming to the Mowverse Group herer on Fimfiction! So be sure to join for more lore and Ponyrun Forums! Mowverse Group.

Brony on!