I open the door to my quarters in the Crystal Castle, Applejack had returned to hers to pick up her gear. I proceeded to levitate over my bag and place it on the bed. I walked over to the table by the bed and picked up the picture of Applejack, I smiled as I placed it in my bag. I didn't take long to pack up my gear as I never really unpacked much of it. I go to sling the bag over my shoulder when I hear knocking on the door to my room, I place my bag back down and walk to the door.

I open the door to see Shining Armour outside.

“Prince Armour? What are you doing here? Though I'm not implying you can't go anywhere in your own empire.”

Shining chuckles. “It's ok John. May I come in for a second?” I step aside to let him enter. “Thanks.” Shining walks in and sits by the large window at the back of the room. “I wanted to speak with you before you go.”

“Oh? If I knew I wouldn't have left the city centre so quickly.” I say.

“I just needed to ask you something and I really need a sincere answer.” Shining states, turning to face me. “It's about Twilight.”

“Look Shining if you have any quarrel about me asking Twilight to be my sister....”

Shining throw up a hoof. “No it's not about that, actually I'm glad and happy you have. From what Twilight has told me about you, you are more than enough to be part of our family.”

“Then what's wrong?”

“Nothings wrong!” Shining snaps, he lowers his head when he sees me raise an eyebrow. “I'm sorry, you see John I have always been there for Twilight, in our youth we would do everything together. She always made time to hang out with me our do fun stuff, I was the only pony that could bring Twilight out of her books.” Shining sighs. “I won't be around much with me being the co ruler of the empire, I just want to know that you will look out for her. To be there for her when she needs you.”

I walk over and place a hand on Shinings shoulder. “I would never let anything happen to Twilight, you have my word on that.” I remove my hand and pick up my bag. “But one thing you have to understand Shining is that Twilight is not a young filly anymore, she doesn’t need our protection.”

“I know that, but please just keep an eye on her ok?”

I smile. “You know I will, now I must be going, was there anything else?”

“No, and thank you John, Twilight and I am happy to have you as a brother.”

“Twilight has done so much for me over the months, and I love her as if she was my own sibling. As long as I draw breath, Twilight will live safely.” I state.

Shining bows his head and walks back to the door, as he leaves he almost runs into Applejack. Applejack bows and Shining smiles before walking away.

“What was that about?” Applejack asks, walking into my room.

“Brotherly business, he had something to ask.”

“Ah hope it wasn't ta run off again?”

“No, far from it actually, he just wanted to make sure I take care of Twilight.”

“Take care of Twilight? She ain't no filly.”

“I said that to him, but I think he just being protective.”

“Ah know, ah always think ah hold Apple bloom to close, but she's getting older now and ah think ah might be smothering her.”

I laugh. “And here I thought it was me you liked to smother.” I walk pass Applejack and slap her flank. “Come on we might miss our train!”

Luna walks down a hallway, her steps were heavy and full of thought. The last few days had been exhausting. Luna comes to a halt in front of two stallions dressed in her Lunar Guard armour.

“Princess, you are back, was the mission successful?”

“Yes it was, I wish to sleep now though.”

“Very well, we shall keep you from being disturbed.”

“Thank you.”

The guards open Luna's chamber door and she walks inside, when the door shuts Luna sighs and removes her regalia. Walking over to her bed Luna flops down and quickly drifts off into sleep.

Usually Luna goes into her regular sleep mode, sorting out the days events and then visiting other ponies to make their dreams comfortable. However this time one of her followers had other plans.

Luna was standing on a white platform that signified that one of her followers had something to report. From a single bright light in front of the platform a pony emerged, it was a pony Luna knew all to well.

“Clairvoyant, it is nice to see you again.”

“Princess Luna.” Clairvoyant bows. “I'm afraid I haven't come here with good information.”

“What is wrong?” Luna asks, clearly Clairvoyant was troubled.

“Princess, I believe John is in great danger.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I have had a vision, it showed me something quite graphic.”

“Show me.”

Clairvoyant approached Luna and they both touched horns, a few minutes later they both part.

“You must not tell anypony of this, not even your fellow sages.”

“I understand princess, but what of John?”

“I will tell him, but first I must tell my sister of these turn of events.”

“But princess you said not to tell anypony!”

“My sister already knows this information.”

“Very well princess, I shall return now and try to vision more.” Clairvoyant says, turning and walking back to her light.

As Clairvoyant disappears Luna stares out into the dream scape, several seconds later many types of dreams appear before her. Looking for a specific dream Luna nods and walks into it, a large hill top stretches out with Ponyville in the distance.

“You really should stop coming into my dreams.”

Luna spins to see John leaning against a tree.

“No marefriend?” Luna asks, walking over and sitting beside John.

“No, this dream is just mine, it's where I go to mind unwind.” John chuckles. “But anyway, what brings you here.”

“I have received some troubling news, it's about the Griffon Colonies.” Luna notices Johns turn in expression.

“What about them?” Johns tone had become hard.

“One of my followers have shown me a vision, it depicts several griffons attacking you in Ponyville.”

“Didn't that happen?” John chuckles.

“Yes, but these are different griffons.”

“How so?” John asks, one eyebrow raising.

“They are Steel Talon.”

John shoots up and walks away. Luna stands and trots after him.

“John?”

“Those fuckers! I knew it! They couldn't let me go!” John turns to the tree from before and lifts up his right hand, seconds later the tree is crushed. “I told them! If they follow me, I'll destroy them!”

“You have met these ponies before?” Luna asks, shocked.

“Many times, a reneged group hunted me under Varala's command. When almost half of their squads never returned they made a truce and broke their allegiance with Varala. I had their word they would never pursue me again!” John clenches his fits and his body glows yellow. “I warned them! I physically warned them! When is all this supposed happen!?” John turns to Luna, his eyes glowing.

“Not for some time, I haven't told you the rest.” Luna states, her voice rising to calm John. “In the vision you were a pony.” John's hands fall to his side, and his eyes return to normal.

“I was a pony?”

“Yes. A white pegasis stallion as large as my sister and still able to wield your magic. Though you did so without a horn.”

John falls to the floor landing on his backside. “So the attack doesn't happen for some time?”

“Yes, it happens after your final transformation. The vision also showed an army behind you, all Crescent Guards.”

“How do you know?”

“They were all wearing armour with the Crescent Guard emblem.”

John sighs. “I want to know if anything changes with this vision, I don't want it hidden from me.” Luna looks at John with a scowl. “I know it is not my place to demand such a thing but please Luna, I must know if the vision changes.”

Luna extends out her wings and lifts off the ground, looking John in the face she replies.

“My time here grows short but....I will inform you of any changes.” Luna turns to look at the setting sun. “I must go, but rest assured John when this vision comes true, you will be ready!” In the next few seconds Johns dream fades away and Luna awakes in her chambers. Luna lifts up her head and looks to the nearest window, sunlight streams through a tiny gap in her curtains.

“Too early...” Luna says, dropping her head back down and returning to slumber once again.

I open my eyes as a I hear the trains whistle blow, the dream with Luna still vivid in my mind. Yawning I look down to my lap and see Applejack still fast asleep. I scratch behind one of Applejack's ears and get a heavy sigh in response. I carefully remove Applejack's head from my lap and stand up, feeling every joint in my body crack. Sleeping on a train seat is not the most comfortable thing in the world, me and Applejack should really have gone to bed proper.

I notice that the sun was up and by it's height it was just approaching noon. I flex my wings out and yawn again, I leave Applejack sleeping as I head for the bathroom. Several minutes later I walk out to Applejack staring out the window.

“There ya are, ah was wondering where ya got to!” Applejack says, turning to face me. “Judging by the scenery we ain't far from Ponyville, ah say about hour at most.”

“Good, I'll be glad to get home!” I say, leaning to the window. “I have a couple of errands to make, then I'm all yours!” I add, chuckling. I feel two legs wrap around my waist.

“Ya promise?”

I spin around in Applejack's grip. “You bet I promise.” I lean down and kiss Applejack on the lips. “Now, what should we do for an hour?” I ask, tapping my chin. My answer was Applejack's hooves moving to my butt. “I guess we can do that.” I chuckle, lifting Applejack up and placing her down on the carriage seat.

“Wait! What if somepony comes in?” Applejack asks. I lift up a hand and magically seal each door with a magic field. “Oh.”

The train whistles as it approaches Ponyville station, me and Applejack were already waiting by the exit doors. Our little carriage embrace was not as frivolous as we liked, although it did at some point just break down into mindless animalistic sex.

I readjusted my shirt as the train started to slow down.

“Ya never told me what those errands of yours were.” Applejack says, looking up at me.

I look down and smile. “None of your beeswax.” I reply. Applejack let's out a humph as I laugh. “I won't be gone long ok? I'll meet you back at the farmhouse.” Applejack nods. “Besides it's something I’ve been meaning to do.”

Applejack never said anything more than just lean on me as we waited for the carriage doors to open. I place a hand on Applejack's head and gently rub behind her ears. The train stops and the carriage doors open, I get a slight chill through my skin as I step out.

“It's slightly colder than a few days ago.” I say, looking to the sky.

“Yup, winter is coming soon, the pegasi are getting the weather ready. Ya should see a major change over the next week or two.”

“So, the pegasi bring in winter?”

“Yeah, didn't ya know? Ah thought ya read Twilights books?”

Me and Applejack headed into town as several ponies give me a wave when we pass.

“I did read many books but I didn't really read everyone, I skipped a few.”

Applejack chuckles. “Don't tell Twi that, ya will never hear the end of it!”

“I don't intend to.” We both laugh. “Though, I do need to ask Twilight if she has a book on magic attacks, I need to expand my arsenal.” I notice Applejack wince. “I only have a few attacks Applejack. I have a few blast attacks and a couple of beam attacks, not enough to be effective.”

“But do ya really need more?”

“Yes, I can't be an effective leader if my guards have better attacks than me.”

“Ah guess.” Applejack lowers her head. “Ah just don't want ya turning yourself into a weapon.”

I scratch behind Applejack's ear. “I already am Applejack.” Applejack nuzzles my hand. “But I'm your weapon.” I turn my gaze away and smirk. “Your weapon of mass sexual destruction.” I look to Applejack and notice her face was turning red quickly. I laugh.

We both continued walking until we reached the centre of town, Applejack looked up at me.

“Ah have ta get back ta the farm, let everypony we are back home.”

“Ok, I have a couple of things to do in town and I'll meet you back at home.” I saw Applejack smile as I called the farm home.

“Ah'll see ya later....My weapon!” Applejack chuckles and runs off before I can say anything more.

“That mare.” I say to myself. I turn towards the town hall and clap my hands together. “Now first things first, I have land to buy!”

Author's Notes:

Hello fellow readers and authors, you may have noticed a reference to a game in the chapter, though only the most intrepid gamer will get it.

the next chapter will commence at once and you will see more of winter being brought in. The next four or five chapters will be in Ponyville with one not being about the main characters, but more on that later.

I hope my story is still capturing your attention and i hope you all have a good time reading it, until next time.....

Brony on!