Author's Notes:

Okay, so... a little bit of a warning. This chapter is absolutely Massive! But it is a holiday chapter so that's why. As for why don't I split it into a few chapters. I am extremely lazy to rework the later chapters I have pre-written up to this point. But I will point this out, the original chapter was roughly 4,000 longer that it is now. With that all being said, if it's not to much trouble some feed back would be rather nice. So I can help improve the story in the later chapters.

On one final note, I do refer to two songs I made myself. I will be posting a link here in the Author's notes to my BandCamp so if you want to give them a listen while you read. They are there, it's the red album for those that want to know which. If you want to Private Message me your thoughts on the album go right ahead or just post them in the comments, that's fine too. With all that said, on to the chapter.

Six days, it took six days for me to be healed. The only reason it took an extra day was because Celestia and Luna almost demanded me to be transferred to Canterlot General Hospital so I could get the best treatment. Which was most of the same but I really didn't mind honestly. Twilight and Spike both came with me. I was in the middle of my final check up and I was doing better than what was predicted. A lot of my coat color came back, still pale but mostly orange again. The doctor was scanning me to make sure everything was fine again. The funny thing about getting scanned was that now I knew how a piece of paper felt in a scanner. The doctor was passing over me with a large beam of light. Twilight was nose deep within a book while I sat here. Spike was in a middle of a few gems enjoying them.

“So Twi, If my memory serves me correctly. Isn't Hearth's Warming coming up?” I asked mainly because I did remember our talk about holidays. It was back when I still had my own house. She looked up at me and nodded.

“That's correct it's next week. Why?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. Honestly I figured that answer was obvious this was my first Hearth's Warming period.

“Isn't because it's his first one?” Spike said with a mouth full of gems. It dawning comprehension finally struck my marefriend.

“Oh my. It is isn't it. Oh there is so much we need to do.” She said bouncing a bit. I looked over to the doctor who in turn was looking at me. Our gazes turn back to watching the lovely mare stop and blush in embarrassment. “Ah, sorry.” She said to the doctor and I couldn’t help but just smile. Well that was on the outside, inside I was laughing. She was so adorkable when she's like that. Well she was adorable too but I love puns. Rainbow wouldn't stop making the silent treatment joke every time I saw her. About seven times in I started to retaliate with a pillow to her face. She got good at dodging them until I launched a snowball at her from the window. The doctor finished his check up and gave me more pills to have. These should help return my remaining color to my coat. But for the most part I was back to full health. So the three of us left and I continued to watch all the wonderful holiday decorations. I saw giant candy canes, snow ponies, which were snow men but in the shape of ponies, greenery and streams of lights. This reminded me of the holiday times back home. With family and friends, back when things were so dark back there. I sigh left my mouth as we continued our way through Canterlot. I looked over to see Twilight giving me a worried look and Spike still enjoying his gems. “What's wrong?” She asked.

“It's nothing important just remembering is all.” I said as I continue to look around watching the little foals play in the snow. Remembering the days when I was that young and had fun sledding down hills and playing in the snow with friends.

“Why don't you tell me about what you're remembering Storm?” She asked and I lightly smiled.

“I'm just remembering when I was back on Earth, I always enjoyed the holiday season for a holiday we called Christmas. It's pretty close to Hearth's Warming on how it's celebrated with a few differences here and there, but for the most part it's the same. I remember as a kid sliding down a hill in a little sled. Me and my friends had a hill close to my house that was always steep enough that our parents had no problem with us going down it. Well that was before the school that the hill was at redid the area for a baseball field. I’m also remembering the time me and my family would decorate around the house. My dad and sister hated it but my mother and I always enjoyed doing it, well mostly. My only problem was having to drag the containers of them up from the basement and the tree from the attic.” I started to ramble.

“Why was there a tree in the attic?” She asked.

“Well it wasn't a real tree Twilight. It was a fake one that you could set up and take down. It was always stored in my room so for at least most of the year I saw it.” I answered.

“You slept in an attic?” She asked and I nodded.

“Yeah, it was my room for a good chunk of the time. Most of the seasons it was fine, except summer when it got so hot that I couldn't stay up there.” I said before a small chuckle came from me. “I wonder if I could stand it now.” I smiled for a moment before I remembered that I wasn't going to see them again and have that feeling. My smile faded as we continued.

“Anything else?” She asked.

“Well I don't know if you have them here but back during that time we had a little tradition that we would watch old cheesy holiday cartoons. It was something we all watched together either just to watch them or with dinner. My favorite was about a magical snowman.” I smiled as we got to a patch of unused snow. I couldn't help it as I floated the snow up to take the form of the character. I smiled as I had it do a little dance before I made it a little solid and let it stay there. We continued to watch all the families run around shopping with their kids. It was nice to see... but in the same sense it was depressing too. All this did was remind me of something I'll never have again.

“So what are some of the differences between your Christmas and our Hearth's Warming?” Twilight asked.

“Well for the most part your Hearth's Warming is historic in the sense. It was based off events that happened. From what I could tell and it's hard to prove otherwise that Christmas was mainly faith based. To a point after a while things changed and it became more of an economy thing. One of the figures we use in Christmas is called Santa Claus.” I answered.

“Saddle Claus?” She asked.

“No, San-ta Claus. He was a jolly old fat man, but some people called him Old Saint Nick. If you need a comparison think of an old jolly fat stallion with rosy cheeks and a belly full of jelly. Now lets say he wore red all the time and rode in a sleigh with had nine reindeer pulling it like... um.” I had to think for a moment before I saw a pegasus pull a sky wagon over us. “Ah, like having nine pegasi pulling it. The one up front having a glowing red nose.” I explained. Twilight looked at me a little puzzled.

“I think I follow along but what was his role as a character?” She asked.

“Well he was the one to bring gifts to good little kids and coal to naughty little ones.” I answered as we entered the Castle. The guards bowed to us and I smiled. “Hello” I say to them.

“Hello Prince.” They replied back. We continued our way through the castle.

“So was there anything else?” She asked and I smiled at one last memory.

“Yeah, I remember the dinner we would have. We had my grandmother and great grandmother over before she passed to have one large dinner. It was nice just to sit there eat, talk, and be happy. Then it came to the gifts. I remember the first time I got to get the gifts out I dived right into them and started to just rapid fire them to people er... ponies.” I corrected myself remembering that I had to explain it using ponies. “I was a kid in a candy store back then. Kind of like you with a new book to read.” I said with smirk. She blushed and gave me a playful glare.

“Hey.” She said and Spike started to laugh.

“He's right Twilight, you're just like that with a new book.” He said. I couldn't help but just laugh at this. Of course I get a telekinetic slap on the back of the head for this. A flustered Twilight is a cute Twilight. I yawned again since I hadn't been sleeping well for the six days. I had nothing but nightmares with those nightmare versions of my friends. The worse two of the six were Nightmare Twilight and Nightmare Fluttershy. Twilight dissected me thoroughly as the other one ripped parts out so she could replace them with steampunk machinery. Each one I felt almost as if it was real and I had woken up a few times with pains from the spots. Luckily Twilight stayed with me those nights so I had someone to keep me grounded. But lately I couldn't help but see them when I looked at my friends. I haven't seen the nightmare versions of Celestia and Luna yet. I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse yet. I shook the images out of my head we continued to look forward. We got to one of the private studies where we had set up to relax in. Inside we found both Celestia and Luna talking over their plans for Hearth's Warming. I didn't mind really listening in for the most part. I did wonder what they did. Well it seems they set up a large play for all of Canterlot to watch. Twilight had told me that her and her friends performed in it last year. So it was nice to just listen for once as I placed my head on the table and zoned out for a bit but I zoned out too much and fell asleep right there. Once again I found myself in the hell scape that was Ponyville in my dreams. For once I didn't start up with dead bodies everywhere but for some reason it left me unnerved more than before. Just to know that these ponies didn't have to suffer anymore was a little comforting. I slowly walked down the street, the buildings were still on fire and a lot of them were destroyed. I slowly made my way towards the outskirts of it. All around the outside of the village was a giant metal and barbed wall. I sighed and started to follow it hoping for a way out of it. Alas the only exit seems to be Pony Hill Asylum. Oh... wonderful, I get to journey through an Asylum in the middle of my nightmares. This so... says good idea, right? Knowing the hell that I was about to face, I stepped forward towards the only way I could see out. That was when I heard the siren, that creepy fill the air siren that only told of dark things to come. I gulped at I reached the door. The door was clearly rusted but opened up like it was nothing. I stepped in to find the only illumination was the welcome desk that had a flickering white light. The door behind me slapped and I heard the loud click of the lock. Creepy movies trope 101: when door closes and locks behind you, you're pretty much fucked. I stepped further in as the speakers came to life.

“Welcome to Pony Hell Asylum” was said in a distorted voice. Oh I so hoped it said hill and not what I thought I heard. I continued on my way down the hallway. The walls looked rusted over and made out of metal. No where close to what the real Asylum looked like the same could be said about the red and black metallic floor that clanged with each step I took. Only the echoing sounds of my hoof steps could be heard as I went down the main hall. I was close to one of the Asylum’s holding rooms when the light in the dark square turned on blinding me for a moment. I froze when I looked inside to see a spade torso of me in there. The head was removed and placed on a pike. I couldn't hold it and just lost my lunch there. I ran down the hall to get away from the slight but it got worse. Another room lit up with another desiccated corpse and not just of me. But every pony I knew was in a room I passed. When I finally got to one of the larger rooms this one looked like an auditorium. I slowly made my way in when the door behind me shut and disappeared into the wall. Oh please for the love of all things holy, please tell me this isn't like a boss room. No, I couldn't be lucky for once. I had to be right because a spotlight came to life and pointed directly onto the stage. The curtain drew apart to reveal some pony I didn't even know. He smiled sitting in a chair of pony bones. The heads where the arms the rib cages and miscellaneous bones where most of the seat. The back was made from wings alone. My blood ran cold just looking at the chair he sat upon. But what really turned it from cold water to arctic ice was the coat he was wearing. On him was a coat of the purest white and the darkest blue. On left shoulder held a marking of the sun and the right the moon. Both with a spiral spike at the top of them. No, it wasn't a spike. I knew what it was but I couldn't let my brain process what it was. It did anyway, on his shoulders where Celestia and Luna's horns. I froze there just looking at the outfit he wore before he spoke to me.

“So we finally meet face to face Prince Firestorm” The pony in the horrid outfit said. I turn to look at him to see a brown earth stallion with jet black hair. But what got me to stare at him was his eyes those empty eyes with only a red dot in them.

“Who... who are you?” I asked as I slowly backed away from him. I kept him within my vision the whole time while I looked for a way out.

“Oh, that's not important Storm, once I'm done you won't be you anymore.” He said in a very B villain style. Of course that didn't take away the meaning behind it.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Oh well see, I'm in need of your body. But I have to evict the current tenant so I can move in.” He said as he hopped down from his throne of bones. “You and your friends have thwarted my plans so far. I figured I needed to see the pony I was facing.” He said walking closer. I was close to the door. At this point my brain said screw it and I tried to buck the door. It opened to show me the one pony I never wanted to see again, Vermom. She latched onto my neck and held me up in the air. “Ah I've seen you've met my dear friend.” He continued in a very Hannibal Lecter tone. “It's funny really, I figured you would have broke by now. Especially after that storm of yours. But nope, I underestimated you. You and those friends of yours.” He said.

“Oh please can we get this over with?” Said another familiar voice. I turned up to the throne to see Shadow Storm relaxing across the arms.

“Shadow, where's the fun if I end it so soon?” This pony said looking at him.

“Well I'm tired of seeing his face. Why don't we get it done and over with before his 'friends' can do anything about this?” He asked.

“Oh worry not. Luna can't enter these dreams.” He said before Vermom tossed me against the wall. I heard something break as I landed in a heap on the floor. I tried to get to my hooves before bone hands reached up and grabbed me pinning me to the floor. My heart rate spiked as I looked up at this bastard of a pony. He only smiled quietly. “You have no idea what you really are, do you?” He asked.

“A drony.” I answered and he shook his head slowly.

“I'll take that as a no then. But you know, I'm a nice pony. So I will give you a clue, when you're reading the journal go to page twenty eight then the last page.” He said with a grin. He turn lifted his hoof up and an green energy filled my vision. With that my dream had ended. I shot up out of sleep finding myself still in the private study. I fell backwards and I got to my hooves again. Looking around for the ponies that were in the room. This caused all three ponies to jump and watched me with worry. I continued to rapidly look around for these three bastards. But none of them were there. I took a deep breath trying to get my heart rate down.

“Storm, are you alright?” Twilight said as she got right up in my face. I stared right into her eyes and I noticed the red glow on her face. My eyes had turned into my dragon like ones. I finally got calmed down a bit my sweat was cold as I shivered just thinking about that dream. Just the images just of that asylum hall still bothered me to the point I dashed over to the nearest trash can making me lose what I had left in my belly. I sat there looking into the trash as I felt a hoof on my back. I spit out the last bit I could from my mouth before I moved my head away, looking at the three ponies in the room. Seeing Celestia and Luna so close reminded me of that coat that bastard of a pony wore. I shuddered just thinking about it and turned from them. It took me a few times to get something out of my muzzle other then vomit.

“Just... a nightmare was all.” I said shuddering thinking about it. I took a deep breath and turned to the ponies in the room. I found them staring at me. I couldn't help but gulp. “Yes?”

“What kind of nightmare?” Luna said looking directly at me.

“Same bloody and gory one's I've had for the last six nights.” I answered. She looked seriously at me and I worried I did something wrong when it was beyond my control.

“What's wrong Luna?” Celestia asked.

“I didn't sense any nightmare from him and he was only a few feet away.” She said. Wait... if she didn't and that pony said- That can't be right. Maybe it was a fluke, or just by chance she didn't catch it.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Of course I'm sure Tia. I should be able to sense any ponies’ nightmares.” Luna shot back and I gulped at this. “I'm going to have to look into this.” She said before she walked off.

“Luna.” I started causing her to stop. With a turn of her head she looked at me worried. “It's alright, don't worry about it. I've dealt with nightmares before far worse than these. So please just relax and enjoy the holidays coming up.” I said to comfort her. They had helped me enough as it is and I wanted them to be relaxed. If it means having to deal with vomit inducing nightmares then I will deal with them.

“Are you sure?” She asked and I nodded. She gave out a huff and nodded in return. “Alright, but I want to request you relax as well and also enjoy Hearth’s Warming.” She requested and I smirked.

“Well of course Luna. It's my first Hearth’s Warming. Granted I don't completely know what to do.” She said. Celestia smiled and turned to me.

“That's true isn't it. Then we need to make sure you get the full experience. What did you do about the holiday season?” She looked at me. So I launched into the same explanation I did with Twilight before we arrived. For much of their credit they did listen to everything. By the end of it I felt a little happy and bit depressed about it too. I did miss those days with my family and friends. I looked out the window and watched the snow start to fall outside. I smiled quietly watching it before I felt something against me. I turned to see Twilight leaning against me and I smiled down at her. I placed a wing around her as she nuzzled into the hoodie I still had on. I gave a content sigh and continued to watch the snow. We sat as both of the royal sisters came up next to us, before I began to sing a song that I loved to listen to and sing.

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful, And since we've no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” I began to sing having three of the ponies looking at me before they smiled and listened. “It doesn't show signs of stopping, And I've bought some corn for popping, The lights are turned way down low, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” For some reason I thought I heard music to accompany it as I had begun. I smiled as Twilight looked up to me as I continued. “When we finally kiss goodnight, How I'll hate going out in the storm! But if you'll really hold me tight, All the way home I'll be warm.” My voice was surprisingly nice as I leaned down and nuzzled the little unicorn beside me, “The fire is slowly dying, And, my dear, we're still goodbying, But as long as you love me so, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” I finished as the music died away. I smiled quietly as I closed my eyes, a gentle smile on my face.

“That was a lovely song.” Twilight said.

“Most definitely” Celestia added.

“Thanks but it was a song that I enjoyed listening to during the season. It's right up there with Carol of the Bells.” I said with a smile as I remembered listening to it with Jessica one of our few Christmases we spent together. How she asked me to sing it when we listened to it. There I wasn't the best of singers, so I was kind of surprised that my singing voice was far better here then back there. I sighed with another note of depression. That was one of my more favorite memories. I looked over to Twilight who looked at me before she nuzzled into me. I smiled quietly as we sat there. Celestia and Luna looked down at us before a guard came in.

“Sorry to interrupt princesses and prince.” He said “I was told to inform you when the preparations were done.” he said with a bow. Preparations, for what? I turned to look up at Celestia.

“Thank you, please tell the staff we will be there shortly.” The princess of the sun proclaimed. Being the confused idiot I was I couldn't help but ask.

“Preparations for what?” I asked.

“Oh well, During this time we have a huge Hearth's Warming tree set up in the main hall where Luna and I place a star each year. We thought you would like to join us and watch.” Celestia said with a smile and I returned it. I turned to Twilight who smiled and nodded. Returning my gaze to Celestia and Luna.

“I would be glad to.” I said as the four of us left the private study and headed to the main hall. All throughout, the halls were decked in garlands, magical lights, and decorations. I felt like a little kid again seeing Christmas for the first time when I knew what it was. I couldn't help but just beam as we walked. That was shortly lived when a bright red, orange, and yellow bird flew over to Celestia giving a playful squawk. I turned my head a bit looking at it. The way the colors on its feathers reminded me of fire. Wait... don't tell me. “Celestia is that bird what I think it is?”

“Oh you mean Philomena here?” She said with a smirk. I nodded and she smiled. “Then yes, Philomena is a phoenix.” I couldn't help but grin like a mad pony. They had real life phoenixes here. Oh happy day, I was always fascinated by a lot of mythical creatures and the phoenix was a bird of fire. Of course nothing topping Twilight in my mind but that's neither here nor there. Philomena turns to me and smiled before letting out a little puff of fire at me. I smile back at her and shot one back causing her to be a little startled by this. Couldn't blame her honestly thinking of playing a little cute joke with a pony not realizing it could return the favor. Celestia just started to lightly chuckle watching this. “I see Philomena has a new friend.” She said before the phoenix came down and landed on my back. I didn't mind it much since she didn't dig her claws in. I couldn't help but squee at that this. Twilight looked amused and I turned bright red blushing. Okay note to self that was a bit embarrassing. I gave a nervous laugh and looked over at her.

“Sorry.” I got out before we arrived at the main hall where the large pine tree filled with magical lights, ornaments, and garlands galore rested. I couldn't help but smile just looking at it. Celestia and Luna walk up to a wooden box that's lid was open. Twilight, Philomena and I sat there to watch them place the topper on it. Philomena moved up from my back to sit on my shoulder. Both royal sister's horns became a light as something in the box started to glow to reveal a bright golden star flowing wrapped in a yellow and midnight blue auras. It drifted up to the top of the tree and gently sat down on it. As soon as it was placed two sparkling balls of light flew around the tree as all the lights brightened on the tree a little. It was a magical sight, literally. Twilight leaned into me as I placed my wing around her watching it.

“This is just wonderful.” She said and I agreed. Just being here with family and my marefriend. An idea struck me and I couldn't help but grin.

“Hey Twi, I had an idea.”

“What's that Storm?” She asked looking up at me. I smiled at this and leaned over whispering my plan into her ear. She smiled and nodded to me. “That does sound like a good idea.” She said. With that we sat the plan into action after talking to Celestia and Luna who agreed with the idea.

***---***

Several hours had passed with the six of us and several of the royal guards including Nightling. Where sitting at the Canterlot train station waiting for everypony to arrive. Celestia and Luna sat next to us as we waited. Twilight was nose deep in a book about Hearth's Warming traditions. I had asked if she wanted to organize the whole thing and she jumped at the chance. She bounced around like a little kid when I asked her. She stopped and blushed when she noticed Celestia, Luna, and I watched, she was so adorkable. On the way to the train station Cadence and Shining Armor found us walking through the halls. They joined us since we were all family now. It seems that the rulers of Equestria always had family over to enjoy a good meal for the season. Which meant I was going to be meeting Twilight and Shining Armor's parents this evening, I was nervous as hell at the thought. After the couple joined us and I explained the plan they were all for it. So here we are sitting her the guards joined us mainly to protect. It took another hour, which was filled up ironing out the details as best we could. Though I didn't tell them that I was going to be doing something special for each of them by myself. Finally the train arrived was a lot of ponies. I had requested that all the Elements of Harmony and their families be invited to join us for Hearth's warming. Since I knew Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle would be included. I had made sure to tell the guards that dropped off the invites to have Scootaloo come too with her family. As they all got off the train, Rarity was standing next to a large very light gray unicorn stallion with a lightly fade brown mane, tail, and mustache. He also had a set of blue eyes and three hoofballs on his flank, his wife and Rarity's mother was a bright pink unicorn mare with a large two tone purple mane and tail. I couldn't see her cutie mark as it was obscured by the light red and white outfit she wore. Sweetie Belle was bouncing about happy as she can be.

“I can't believe I get to see Canterlot, yay!” She said as she bounced around.

“Sweetie don't be rude. We were invited so show your manners.” Rarity said.

“It's fine Rarity, I want all of you to have a good time. It's not like I haven't seen that before. Right Twilight?” I asked giving Twilight a sly grin. She predictably blushed.

“Hey!” She said as both Shining and I laughed. Shining predictably got smacked on the back of the head from Cadence as I got from Twilight, totally worth it just to see her blush like that. I saw Applejack, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom get off with an older green mare with a white mane and tail. Around her neck had an apple spotted neckerchief. On her flank was a pie. I blinked for a moment looking at that. She was asleep at the time being pushed around in a wheel chair.

“Hello there Storm. Nice to see you up and about again.” Applejack said.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac added.

“Thanks you two. It's nice to see you all as well.” I said as Applebloom bounced over.

“Hey ya Mister.” she said.

“Hey there, did you ever find another pony to face in snowball fighting?” I asked.

“Well we found a few others to fight but we didn't get too many wins.” she said a little down trotted.

“Cheer up. I'm sure you'll find a pony to face soon.” I said with a smile. She returned the smile and went over to Sweetie belle. I returned my gaze to ponies departing to see Fluttershy with an older and darker yellow pegasus stallion. His main and tail where a dark brown like dark chocolate in color. On his muzzle sat a pair of small reading glasses and on his flank a red plus with a caduceus in blue over it. The two of them trotted over to us. Both of them bowed to all of us.

“Princesses and Princes” The stallion said with a tone that could only be best described as from a doctor.

“Hello again Heart Shy” Princess Celestia greeted him.

“Hello again Princess Celestia.” He said then turned to me. “It's a pleasure to finally talk to you Prince Firestorm.” He said and blinked in confusion.

“Have we met?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“In person technically no. But I was one of the doctors that was assigned to your case when you were in the coma.” Heart Shy explained.

“Oh. Well thank you for taking good care of me.” I said with a smile. He nodded as Fluttershy came up.

“Hello... this is my... um dad.” She timidly said. Okay wow, to find out that one of my best friend's father was the one that took care of me. When I was comatose was kind of cool.

“It's an honor to meet you” I said turning to him. He smiled warmly.

“The honor is mine.” he said.
I shifted a bit and a small pang shot up my right stump, both noticed my discomfort.

“Oh my.” Fluttershy said as she came over.

“Do you want me to check that out for you Storm?” Heart Sky asked. Yup, Fluttershy was just like her father. Always worried for her friends.

“You can when we get to the Castle.” I said giving a small wave of my prosthetic hoof. He nodded and he picked up his medical bag. He placed it under his wing and walked to the rest of them. I watched him for a moment with a raised eyebrow but said nothing. Next Dash came out with who I could guess was her parents. Her mother was about the same size as Dash, come to think of it, they looked almost like sisters, or twins if Dash's mother didn't have a slightly dark blue mane and tail with a pink coat. Her eyes were a nice dark purple maybe a shade off of Twilight's and her cutie mark was two blue lightning bolts. Dash's father on the other hand was a mixture of very blueish purple coat. His short mane and tail was in the same rainbow spectrum as Dash's was. His eyes were a nice yellow and for a cutie mark he had a paint can with a rainbow thunderbolt on it dripping a bit.

“Hey Dash.” I said as the three of them came over, as a flying tortoise flew over us with an aviator helmet and goggles on, being held up with a magical propeller. Dash went up and grounded the tortoise.

“Hey guys, this here is my mom and pops, oh and Tank.” She said that last one with two knocks to the shell of the tortoise.

“Hello.” the two of them said.

“I'm Firefly.” Her mother said giving us a bow. “And this is her father Rainbow Shine”

“Hey there.” He said in a very father jock kind of way.

“It's a pleasure to meet both of you.” I said as they nodded and went to talk to the other families. Next up was the paradox perplexing pink party pony's personal family. Coming up with her was four other ponies. The stallion of the group was a brown coated and gray maned wearing a small tie. He wore a black at and had a nice set of yellow eyes. As for the two younger mares, one of them reminded me of a sad pinkie when her mane went all flat. They was gray coated with a dark gray mane and a set of purple eyes. Next to her was a slightly younger grayish purple coat and light gray maned mare with a short cut for both her mane and tail. Her eyes were a nice and rich dark yellow. Pinkie's dad had a pickaxe, her mother had three stones, the gray mare had gem rock formation, and the last one had what reminded me of limestone for their cutie marks. So they all had something to do with rocks. I turned to Pinkie who had three balloons as hers. At this point I shouldn't be surprised that Pinkie was the oddball of the group.

“Dad this is the stallion I told you about. The one that can do oh so many tricks with fire, rock, water, and so many wonderful things. It's all so super duper fun to watch and see. I wonder if he could.” Was all that came out of her mouth before her dad put a well timed hoof in her mouth.

“Pinkie I think you should let him speak for a moment. Sorry my name is Igneous Rock and here is my lovely wife Cloudy Quartz” he said in a tone that I could finally place where he reminded me off. “And here are my daughters Marble Pie and Limestone Pie.” He finished introducing. “It's an honor to meet you.” He finished with the four of them bowing. I smiled quietly.

“Please Mr. Rock the honor is mine, to finally meet one of my best friends parents.” I said smiling back he nodded and went to talk to the rest of them. I looked around having the feeling I was missing some ponies.

“Hey Twilight. Where's your parents?” I asked she smiled.

“There going to meet us back at the castle. I had Spike sent them a letter to let them know.” She answer before Celestia spoke up.

“Alright my little ponies we shall head to the castle. Rooms have been set up for all of you. Guards if you would please bring their luggage to the castle?” She turned to some of guards they nodded and went to pick them up. We left heading towards the castle Nightling just off to our side.

“Nightling how are the holidays treating you?” I asked and she remained silent. I think I just stepped on a landmine here. She closed her eyes for a moment took a deep breath.

“Survivable.” she answered before she went up ahead. Yup I just stepped on a social landmine me and my big mouth.

“That was rude.” Twilight said with a little huff.

“Twilight it's fine. I most likely asked something I shouldn't have.” I said before we reached the castle. The guards showed everypony to their rooms as Twilight and I went to her old room at the top of one of the towers to find two ponies there. The unicorn stallion had a moonlight blue coat with a darker blue mane. His eyes were a nice golden yellow and on his flank were two crescent moons, one in the other. The light gray mare had a white, purple and long mane and tail that reminded me of Twilight's with three purple stars for her cutie mark. I smiled quietly as they turned to look at us and I could see the mare's sky blue eyes. They both bowed to me. “Please rise” I said as they did. Twilight bounced over to them.

“Mom! Dad!” she said as she started to hug them. Shining and Cadence came in behind me with Shining walking over to the two of them.

“Twilight remember you're in front of royalty” Her dad said.

“It's okay dad. I would like you to meet-” She started.

“Prince Firestorm.” He finished as he made another bow to me.

“And my coltfriend” She added which got him to shoot up and look at me. I gulped because he started to give me a deadpan stare, I nervously scratched the back of my head.

“Hello.” I said followed by a gulp.

“Dear remember he is royalty” Twilight's mom said to her husband repeating his prier comment.

“Have you been treating her right?” He asked me. I blinked for a moment at the question. Then relaxed a bit.

“Sir, I treat her for who she is, not what she is. That and I bet she could launch me to the moon if I did something wrong.” I offered she squeaked at that.

“Storm, you know I'm not going to hurt... oh it was a joke.” She said noticing my look. Her father on the other hand still keep that cold deadpan stare. I leaned over to Cadence.

“Okay have to ask. How doomed am I?” I whispered.

“Pretty doomed.” She answer and my ears go back.

“Dear be nice, this is Twilight's first coltfriend.” Twilight's mother said and that got my attention before Twilight turned around red like a tomato.

“Mom!” She shouts.

“Well it is true dear. This is the first stallion you brought to meet us, you have a good pick in stallions.” She said eying me. I double took at that did she just... Nah, it had to be a joke right? I gulped as her father's stare got angrier. Please some pony for the love of all things holy save me.

“Prince Firestorm it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Twilight Velvet and my husband there is Night Light.” She introduced with a bow.

“It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Velvet and Mr. Light.” I said as she smiled and looked at me.

“So you're the stallion that caught my daughter's eye?” She said eying me. I really felt awkward as she looked me over walking completely around me, like a shark after a piece of meat. “I do see why she likes you.” She said in a purr. I looked at Cadence who looked as weird-ed out as I felt. I turned to Twilight with that please save me look.

“Mom! Dad! Please stop, can't you see how uncomfortable he is?” She said almost in a yell.

“You two seem to be more... pushy than normal.” Shining added. They stopped and looked at their kids. “What's gotten into you two?” He asked.

“We just want to make sure he's right for her.” Night Light stated.

“You never gave Cadence this kind of treatment.” Shining shot back.

“Well she's a princess.” Velvet replied.

“And he's a prince.” Twilight said. Okay where Pinkie with the awkward bomb because she must have set off another one because, what the fuck is all this? I sighed quietly I knew I was going to get the riot act but this was weird. Twilight Velvet made me felt like she was wanting to jump me for herself and Night Light wanted to stab me with his eyes alone.

“But Twilight. We just want to make sure he's treating you right.” Twilight's mother said.

“Well if you didn't make him feel so awkward and talk to him then maybe you would know that he treats me right.” She said now looking a little angry.

“So you say. But I still have my worries about him.” Night Light said. I couldn't blame him really with my track record.

“Twilight it's alright. It's not the first time I was untrusted by any pony when they first met me. They can have what ever opinions they want of me. The only opinion to me that matters is yours.” I said which got everypony to stare at me. Night Light predictably with a glare, Velvet with a smirk alongside Twilight and Shining. Cadence just smiled next to me.

“See Mom, He's a gentlecolt.” She said disappearing and reappearing next to me. She leaned into me and I blushed a bit. I gently placed a wing around her as I continued to get a death glare from her father but I didn't care, what I said was true. Twilight's opinion was the only thing that mattered to me in this instance, because I loved this unicorn. She smiled up at me and I couldn't help it. I kissed her on the cheek and she gave the cutest of blushes. Yup, she was going to kill me later for it but I didn't care, totally worth it.

***---***

All of us joined Celestia and Luna in the royal dining room with chairs sat about for every pony. Twilight was next to me to my left and her parents where to my right. I was still getting death glares from her father the whole time. Cadence and Shining Armor sat to the other side of Twilight. Across from us sat the Apples with Applejack directly across. Next to her was Pinkie and her family. Applejack was looking a little angry towards Night Light and I was worried that something was going to go down between the two, Dash had a similar look on her face. Twilight had the look the shared my worry. It took a few minutes for the servers to come out with every pony’s food. I ordered a light salad minus all the flowers, to be honest I haven't really tried them yet. Even with Twilight pressing me into trying them. She did make a good point saying that I was a pony now and flowers were a part of their diet. Anyway we all started to eat as this air of awkward filled the room. Celestia and Luna both watched every ponies reaction. So we all sat there and ate as it got later in the day. The stare down continued well through the meal. The plates were picked up and taken away. Twilight insisted that the two of us went to the Canterlot archives to do some research. At this point I couldn't help but agree. Mainly because I didn't want to be the reason that a fight broke out. Which from some reason I still saw coming, it was just waiting for somepony to tap the jar for it to go boom. So we left everypony back there to talk to each other. Hopefully cool off a bit before round two of Night Light wanting to kill me with his stare. I swear, if he continued to stare at me like that, lasers are going to fly out of his eyes and turn me to ash. A cold shiver ran down my spine as I stopped and looked around to see if somepony was there. But there was no pony but Twilight and I. We entered the archives and headed towards the back.

“Sorry about my dad.” She apologized which surprised me a bit.

“Twilight it's not your fault. I understand he doesn't like me.” I said gently holding her.

“I don't know why though. Even my mom is acting a little weird.”

“Twilight look don't worry about what they think. What I said still holds true. The only opinion that matters to me is yours.” I said giving her a gentle nuzzle. “If your dad doesn't like me then I don't care or if your mom- Well what ever that was, let's just put it that way.” I said still a little crept out by that. Twilight looked up to me worried.

“I still worried that my dad may try and do something.” She said and I could see the worry on her face.

“Twilight, if your dad does something as long as it doesn't come down to killing me. I can take it. If it makes him feel better he can hit me, kick me, or what ever. But I'm not going to give up on you because your dad doesn't like me for whatever reason.” I said as I held her close. A clearing of a throat caused both of us to turn to see Shining and Cadence behind us.

“I see we weren't the only ponies thinking of hiding out.” He said with a nervous chuckle. Twilight got out from my hooves and walked over.

“Shining do you know what's wrong with dad?” She asked hoping for some light to be shined on this.

“I don't know sis. I can only guess that he's worried that after everything you'll forget about being Celestia's student. You know how dad likes to overreact.” He said giving a nervous look back.

“But surely he should know that I won't stop being Celestia's student and continue to study on the magic of friendship.” She said. Magic of friendship? This was the first time I've ever heard about it. Now Equestria being the way that it is and Celestia being her mentor, having such good friends as Twilight did. Now that I really thought about it, the girls were my best friends. Shining was more a brother to me and we did hang out a bit. He is my brother-in-law technically so it was fitting. I lightly laughed at that thought before I thought about all of it. I wanted to get to the bottom of this.

“Twilight, I'm going to be right back.” I said getting up. She looked at me a little surprised.

“Where you going?” She asked.

“I'm going to have a word with your father.” I said before I blinked back into the hallway. I was so happy to have that spell at times. I walked back up to Twilight's old room and knocked. A few seconds passed before I heard.

“Who is it?” I heard from Velvet.

“It's Storm Mrs. Velvet.” I said as the door opened up to see both her and her husband standing there.

“Hello Storm.” She said with a purr. A shiver went down my spine at that. If I didn't know better I’d say she was trying to hit on her daughter's coltfriend, wrong, on so many levels. “How can we help you?” She asked. I closed the door behind me and sat down.

“I would like to get to the point.” I said before bowing to them. “I would like to know why you disapprove of me dating Twilight?” I requested. Both of them looks a little surprised at this.

“Dear, I don't disapprove at all. I think it's wonderful that my daughter has found her prince charming.” Velvet answered. I sat back up to look at her and then back to Night Light. Who was still giving me a glare.

“I don't hate you honestly.” He started before turning away. “I just worry about Twilight is all. She worked so hard to get into Celestia's school for gifted Unicorns and became her personal student. I just don't want her future to be destroyed by some stallion that just wants my daughter as a prize.” he said not looking at me.

“Mr. Light, I can assure you that I don't want to destroy anything. In fact I owe Twilight and her friends so much. When I arrived on Equestria I had barely anything. I had no memories, no friends, no nothing. I didn't even have my name. I was just somepony that didn't have a clue what was going on. After the nurse asked for her help and she did, my magic revealed itself and doing so hurt Twilight. I still regret that happening. She was my first friend and I ended up hurting her, but she still remained my friend through all of it. Honestly I don't care if you don't like me, either of you. All I do care about is making Twilight happy. That is all I can ever give her. I would give her everything I could to make sure she is safe. Even though I had failed that so many times.” I started to say as my head lowered not looking at either of them. “I doubt you'll ever understand what she means to me. She is always there for me. When I fell like broken glass with that little spell to make me whole again. She makes me smile just watching her be her. She makes me want to be a better pony, I couldn't tell you why or how but she does. I wouldn't be sitting before any of you if it wasn't for her and her friends. Who all have became my best friends. I would be either lost about like some kid in the middle of a forgotten forest or worse.” I continue a light smile on my face as tears flowed readily from my eyes. “She is my everything and I want you two to know that. I would do anything she asks of me. If she wanted me to give up my spot as a royal I would in a heart beat. If she wanted me to die for whatever reason. I would gladly give my life. I would do anything to protect her as best as I can. So I don't want to be in her way for anything. I rather be that stepping stone to help her across to her goals. Even if it means leaving me in the dust. I will gladly do it. I hope you understand that now.” I said as I got up and bowed to them before I turn to leave.

“I understand.” Night Light said which got me to stop. I turned back to look at him. “I was worried you were like Prince Blueblood and saw Twilight as an object to just own, but you don't. I doubt I can forgive you for what you did to her but I can at least respect you as her coltfriend. I give my blessing if you want to make it more.” He said. I blinked for a moment.

“You know you two that was the hammiest thing I've ever heard.” Velvet said “But I assume that was from the heart?” She asked looking at me and I nodded. “Well then you have my approval too. but I warn you.” She said giving me a frightfully stern glare. I gulped at this. “You better give me grandfoals.” And I turned beat red in the face, I didn't even think that far ahead. I didn't even know if Twilight was already thinking of that. Wait... but what if she was. I mean being a father would be nice. But that would really distract her from her goals. Come to think of it what was her goals to begin with? I was going to have to ask her. I looked up to Twilight's mother for a moment.

“I can only agree to that if Twilight wants it. Otherwise I would have to apologize to you for it.” I said looking at her. She gave me a knowing smirk.

“She's got you whipped doesn't she?” She asked as I gave her a look of confusion. “Your wrapped around her little hoof.” She said and I turned red again.

“Please Mrs Velvet. I don't want to be rude but please stop with that. It's making me uncomfortable.” I requested. She smiled and stepped closer. Me on the other hoof stepped back.

“Worried I'm going to do something there Storm?” She purred and I gulped.

“Please stop.” I requested again.

“Oh but why?” She said as I couldn't help but blush deeper.

“Because I'm with your daughter and this is-” I started to say before the doors behind me opened up giving a painful thud to the back of my head. It had also sent me sideways into the wall behind it.

“And this is not what I expected from you Mother.” Twilight said bursting in. My head gave a dull throb from the impact. Note to self avoid doors when Twilight isn't in the room. The doors shut with Twilight fully stepping into the room. Her mother looked over to me a little worried. Me, I was trying to shake the throb out of my skull and I didn't have much luck to that. Because shortly after that the door swung open again and then everything went black... again.

***---***

Seven hours, it took seven hours for me to wake up because one of the guards heard the yelling, figured something was wrong, and bucked the door into my head to check. So now I'm in the medical wing of the castle getting checked up by both Heart Shy and Fluttershy. I sighed quietly as I was there. He insisted on giving me a full check up. Which I did more because Fluttershy asked me to. First they decided to remove my prosthetic leg That's when I found out the jerk of a doctor back in Ponyville put a device in my leg that caused more problems than it was worth. Celestia being in the room sent one of her guards to go deal with that. I sighed quietly and rubbed my temple with my left hoof since I currently didn't have a right hoof to do it with. He then proceeded to remove the connecting piece on my stub. With in a moment I wanted to turn away from the sight of it but I couldn't. I could see all still exposed flesh and bone under it, a lot of it looked rotted away.

“Just as I thought, which doctor did you say did this?” Heart Sky asked.

“I don't remember why?” Celestia asked.

“Because he didn't do this properly, the flesh is rotting away.” He said as reached for his bag.

“What does that mean? If you don't mind me asking.” I requested already knowing I'm not going to like it.

“It means I'm going to have to cut away the area around the rotted flesh. Otherwise it could progress further and become fatal.” He said pulling out a scalpel. I gulped at this and nodded.

“Do you have anything to either numb it or knock me out?” I asked and he nodded then turned to Fluttershy. She nodded back and reached in pulling out a needle. She stabbed me in the shoulder above the rotted flesh and injected something into it. It took a few moments for it to work through but as soon as it did. I felt numb almost a floating kind of numb.

“Alright, I'm going to start.” He said but I didn't really pay attraction to him. My gaze was on Twilight as she just kind of bobbed a bit in place. It was looking at a photo of her but if the surface of it was like water. I blinked one eye following the other as I could hear the sound of cutting and something meaty being pulled, it sounded funny to me and my stub felt a little shorter. I watched him work with my head bobbing from side to side like one of the bobble head things. He finally put on the circle metal thingy and attached my hoof again. “There it should be a lot better. I suggest taking a few of these for the next few days to avoid infection.” He said pulling out a small orange bottle.

“Okiedokilokie.” I said as I bobbed there for a bit longer.

“Fluttershy... how much did you give him?” Her dad asked.

“The standard amount like you taught me.” She said now a little worried.

“I see.” he said turning to me and reached a hoof up to adjust his glasses. “It could be possible he is sensitive to the effects of it.” He surmised.

“I'm surprised it's not dulled or he's more immune to it. Since he's been in the hospital multiple times from being injured.” Twilight tacked on.

“How many are we talking?” He asked.

“I lost count after the stone horn through his chest.” Twilight answered.

“I see.” Heart Shy said turning to me. “Are you able to understand what I'm saying Prince Firestorm?” He said to me. I nodded with my head bobbing.

“Yes I can understand doctor. I just feel a little... floaty I guess, like my head is balloon.” I said with a little smile. This stuff was great, I didn't feel pain and it felt funny. I couldn't help but change my small smile to a big one followed by a light chuckle.

“Alright, I'm going to have you taken back to your room. I want you to lay down for a while.” The doc said. I nodded and pointed to Twilight.

“Only if she comes too.” I requested, she smiled and nodded to this.

“Of course, I can't let my drugged up coltfriend hurt himself now can I?” She said and I fake thinking about it.

“Can't fault that logic.” I said before her magic enveloped me and I was floated off the table. I couldn't help it, I took a flying pose. As she took me to my room. She chuckled at me as I gave my wings a light flap. “Look Twilight I'm flying, woosh!” I said pretending to fly. She couldn't help but laugh as Celestia joined us, also snickering as she watched me.

“You know, you could fly the whole time.” She said, I couldn't help it.

“Nuh uh. I'm too scared to fly from the super heights. I could fall and go splat on the ground, I would Prince Splatted Storm.” I was a little childish with my tone but I was on the good stuff and it was funny. She couldn't hold back a light laugh.

“Have you even considered learning how to?” She asked and I nodded.

“Yup, Dash said she would teach me. Well hopefully more closer to the ground and not hauled up into the air. I didn't like it the last few times.” I said as I was now expanding my wings a bit so I was like a fighter jet. Twilight, having a little fun, floated me up higher so I wouldn't smack any pony with my wings.

“I see. I can at least say for myself that I do enjoy a good flight from time to time. Just feeling the air in my wings.” Celestia said with a smile looking up as he remembered something.

“Having wings must be great.” Twilight said looking up at her teacher.

“Well they let you fly around Twilight.” I said as I continued to fly around in Twilight's magic. It was so fun to do.

“I know what wings do Storm.” She said looking at me a little annoyed to the point she stopped flying me around and brought me down close to her again.

“Aw but I was having fun Twilight.” I said a little bit of defeat in my voice.

“Well that's what you get for being childish.” She said with a playful huff. Celestia just lightly laughed at the display.

“You two do make a great couple, you know that?” She asked with a smirk. This caused Twilight to blush a bit and forget about her magic. I got dropped onto the floor with a thud. I didn't feel it but still the action was there. Celestia taking over floated me next to them as we entered the room. Twilight blushing the whole time. I was plopped onto the bed where I laid down with my forelegs crossed laying my head on them watching Twilight. “I'll leave you two for tonight. I hope to see you both tomorrow my little ponies.” She said before she left still a light chuckle could be heard before it died away.

“Hey Twi.” I started remembering something her mother said.

“Yes Storm?” She asked looking at me with that look saying she expects something childish from me.

“Remember my talk with your parents?” I asked she nodded with a confused look. “Well your mom wanted grandfoals.” I pretty much just stated as a blush crossed my face. Twilight's face predictably turned from the normal lavender to a bright red. It was so cute I couldn't help but look at her more.

“But... I... we... she... and.... AH!” she stumbler then gave a frustrated yell. “Mother!” she said walking back and forth. “You can't be seriously thinking about having foals are you?” I looked to the side for a moment to think about it.

“Honestly?” I asked.

“No, go ahead lie to me. Yes, honestly!” she sarcastically replied.

“Well someday I think I would, but I know I'm not ready for it and I can only guess the same for you.” I said my eyes just softening a little. Just the thought about having a family of my own. It was nice, but I knew it wasn't going to happen. No way would the universe allow something like that. Especially how it likes to metaphorically screw me over. I sighed quietly before I gently closed my eyes to think about it. Just me and Twilight playing with little foals of our own, it was a nice thought.

“Storm.” She started more calm then she was a few moments ago.

“It's alright Twilight. I know you're not up for it. Hell, we haven't gotten any further then cuddling and kissing. So if it does happen it's not for a very long time away. I mean you have your goals and dreams to fulfill before then. Speaking of which what are your goals and dreams?” I asked looking at her a little curious for her answer.

“Well I want to know everything about magic.” She said and I smiled at this simple but overblown. That was Twilight for you to have the simplest answer with the biggest result. “What about you Storm? What are your goals and dreams?” She asked.

“To make you happy Twilight.” I said simply. It was true that it was always my goal to make her happy and to make her dreams come true.

“That's sweet there casanova but... What about before you came to Equestria?” She asked and my smile faded away for a bit.

“Before I came?” I asked and she nodded. I let out a small sigh before I stopped looking at her. “To be honest, it wasn't much. I did have a dream to make my own game. I don't mean like a board game Twilight but something back at home called a video game. It's like a playable story of sorts. It wasn't for the game play, it was for the story. Some knight or good guy going through hard trails and gaining power to face a great evil to rescue the girl of his dreams. I found that story good but the one I like the most was a character who was just an average person... having to go through hard trails that shouldn't have been asked of him but he makes it through. He isn’t alone though, his friends show him that he is is greater, with them he could make it through every trial. Then, from time to time, he would have to face something alone, showing that he can stand by himself to face an evil if need be. He also has self sacrificing nature of him, willing to get hurt to protect someone he cares about. In the end he has to make the call to either sacrifice himself to protect everything or let it go to survive. I would always go with the protect opinion really. Always felt right in my book.” I monologue as Twilight looks at me a little confused.

“Um... Storm?” She asked causing me to look at her again.

“Yes?”

“You know you just described yourself?” She asked and I blinked for a moment.

“I... I, what?” I got out.

“You just described everything that happened to you.” She said and I shook my head.

“No I'm not as brave as some of the characters in that game. I cause more problems than I fix them. How am I even close to those heroes? I'm no hero.” I stated.

“Storm, you may not see it that way but to a lot of ponies that know what you did. You're a hero, you saved Equestria from Nightmare Moon.” She said.

“Technically it was you girls, I only distracted her.” I said.

“Alright, you stopped Chrysalis from taking over Canterlot.” She said.

“That was Sha using my body.” I retort.

“Then what about stopping Shadow Storm or making sure the treaty still stood with the dragons?” She tried.

“Technically caused the problem to begin with for Shadow from being too weak and broke down to the point you girls had to save me. As for the treaty I didn't really do anything but fail to protect you and went into a rage solving nothing.” I said. She started to give me a glare when I shot down everything she said.

“Saving Fluttershy from Timberwolves?” She said.

“Was doing what's right to protect a friend, still not a hero Twi.”I said my eyes closed waiting for the next one.

“Okay how about facing off the Timberwolves with Dash and I?” She tried.

“You help fought them too and we wouldn't have been in there if I didn't get launched into poison joke.” I shot back.

“Vermom?” She tried again.

“Injured, soul ripped out of my body had to jump worlds to switch back, and got the hell beat out of me for good measure.” I answered back.

“But you gave me your power to help finish her off.” She said.

“Because it was the only thing I could do since I couldn't fight being too injured again.” I replied again. This time she let out a frustrated yell. She didn't see the real reason behind each victory, I would be more the villain really, I had caused each problem.

“Fine but to me you're still my hero.” She said as she got onto the bed with me and laid next to me. With a flap of my wing I laid it across her back like a blanket, she nuzzled into me with a blush.

“Alright Twilight. I'll be your hero if it makes you happy.” I said and nuzzled back.

“It does.” She said with a smile before she looked back up to me. “So what about your goals?” She asked righting the train of thought back the original topic.

“Before coming to Equestria?” I asked and she nodded. I sighed again and looked at her. “My goals for each day never really passed making through the day.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well as much as it happens here. My bad luck was worse when I was a human. A lot of days I felt that I wasn't going to make it through it for one reason or another.” I said remembering a few times where I did think like that.

“Was it that bad?” She asked.

“Well, kind of.” I said look forward at anything particular just more to the past. “There was one time I was protecting my friends coming home from a bar. I didn't drink that night.”

“How come?”

“I’d rather remain sober when it comes to going to the bar with friends, I'm usually the one making sure everypony got home. Which did mean I left myself out of the fun a lot of the time. I would sit myself at a table to keep an eye on them, keeping them safe.” I said.

“I can only imagine how that must feel.” Twilight said and I looked at her for a moment.

“Kind of sad isn't it?” I said and she nodded, frowning at me. “But on this day we didn't have a car, which is like a cart being moved by magic, sort of. Anyway we had to walk home that day with me playing body guard. If I had known how true that was going to be that night I think I would have worn something thicker. Some pony tried to mug us for our money. He didn't get it, instead I ended up getting stabbed when I defended every pony.” I said. It hurt well after the fact, when my adrenaline stopped coursing through me, fight or flight is a wonderful thing when it comes to fighting.

“What happened next?” She asked.

“I pulled the knife from my shoulder. My friends, the drunken idiots they were didn't care. Honestly they didn't care when the sobered up the next day either.” I said a note of sadness tint my voice.

“They’re not really good friends are they?” She asked.

“Not really but back there I didn't really have many good friends to begin with. Only three of them jumped down my throat for doing something so stupid. They were worried about me.” I said a light smile. “They weren't even the ones that I had gone to the bar with.”

“Well at least you had good friends to worry about you.” she said.

“You mean like you girls?” I said looking back at Twilight and she nodded. I couldn't help but give her a little peck on the cheek. She blushed before I said. “Even if you weren't my adorable marefriend, you and the girls are my best friends here.” She looked up at me taking a moment to process what I said.

“Do you really see us are your best friends?” She asked.

“Twilight you're my marefriend, you’re already special to me but yes, you girls where the first ones to help me when I literally had nothing. Barely any memories, no money, no home, or anything. You and your friends treated me like I was just a normal pony, granted it was a little bumpy to start off with. Even when I was known for being an alicorn, something I still don't quite understand.” I said with a smile.

“What's not to understand? You have the abilities of all three pony races.” She said looking back at me.

“It's not really about alicorns, but why? What made me so special for me to become one when I arrived. I could have been anything Twilight, but Equestria wanted me to be this. I still don't get the why but at this point is moot” I said.

“I think I understand. I don't know why either but I'm still glad you came to Equestria. Before you came I didn't even really think about being in a relationship like this. I mean I feel things for the girls but not like I do for you Storm. It was like friendship I never really thought about or sought out until I went to Ponyville. With you it's something different.” She said more like she was trying to explain it to herself. “When you kissed me back at the hospital it surprised me to find a stallion that liked me that way. It's been hard to sort my feelings out but I think I understand it now. Storm when you were gone and Max was in your body I felt lost. Like something was missing and I thought that maybe Max would know what it is. When he told me about his Pinkie it sort of clicked for me that I missed you like he did Pinkie. When we found out we attacked you it... it tore me up inside to think that the stallion that I cared about was scared of me. Like I had failed you and wasn't worth the feelings you had for me.” She said and I brought her closer.

“Twilight.” I said softly before I nuzzled her closely again. She smiled warmly and returned it.

“I think Cadence is right.” She said which confused me a little.

“Right about what?” I asked.

“It's love, the feelings I have for you is love.” She said and gently kissed me on the lips. I turned a bright red as she pressed into me like she was trying to drink me in. I smiled and returned it as I held her close. We rolled over with Twilight pinning me down in the kiss.

“Twilight.” I said finally breaking the kiss. She smiled down at me.

“Yes Storm?” She asked with a cute blush and a playful smile.

“I love you Twilight Sparkle.” I said before she laid down on my chest.

“And I love you too Firestorm” She said before she drifted off to sleep nuzzling into me. I smiled quietly watching her sleep on top of me. An hour had passed of her sleeping before I gently lifted her up in my magic and sat her under the covers to sleep. She sat there nuzzling into the pillow before I had to go. I still had plans to deal with tonight before Hearth's warming. So I left the room in silence. I knew it was wrong of me to leave Twilight alone like that but I do hope she could understand why. I started to walk down the halls, it was so abnormally quiet that it really fueled my sense of paranoia. I tried to quell it for now as I walked through the castle. I didn't even see the night guards that I had gotten used to see at this time of night. It was then I heard it.

“You know I've never thought that Luna would keep such fine drinks here.” A very weird sounding Pinkie said. I blinked for a moment. Why did Pinkie sound weird so I started to follow the voice. “I mean I know Storm likes all this drinking stuff but I never thought I could enjoy it so much. Everything feels so floating like I could fly like you do.” I slowly crept up to a slightly cracked door to see Pinkie bobbing around like normal.

“Well flying is pretty cool. But I saw that flying contraption you have so you should at least know how it feels to fly right?” another familiar voice said. I peaked in to find both Pinkie and Nightling with about six or seven different bottles of stuff around them. Most of them empty with Pinkie downing one whole by the look of it. “Wow I didn't know the Element of Laughter could drink so much?” She added.

“Well yea, Dashie challenged me to a cider drinking contest some time ago and I had the whole barrel gone before she could finish the first mug.” Pinkie said and I finally figured out why she sounded different. Pinkie was drunk, let alone that the thought of her drinking a whole barrel full of liquid faster then Dash could a mug scared me, was her stomach a black hole or something. “Hey you know your wings are super cool.” She said reaching over to brush the extended wings giving Nightling a shutter. “Oooh that makes you feel good don't it?” She said with a knowing grin before she curled up like a cat ready to pounce. “Well then I should make you feel really good.”She said jumping and pinning Nightling down to the ground giving her a deep kiss. I turned red instantly and closed the door behind me. Okay so Pinkie seemed to swing that way. Well she was drunk and I couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not. That was of course enough fuel for me to daydream about Twilight and Pinkie making out. I shook my head to get that idea out of it. Stupid Storm, that would be rude and not nice to think about one of your best friends and marefriend. I sighed as I started to leave. Well I would have until Shining Armor stopped me at the castle door.

“What's got you up so late?” He asked in his full suit of armor.

“I thought I would go for a walk to clear my head a bit.” I said walking past him.

“Here let me go with you.” He said following me. I guess I understood why, being family and a royal as well. “So why aren't you with Twily right now?” he asked.

“Because I thought I should walk around a little bit. She's fast asleep in my bed.” I said.

“You haven't done any hanky panky with my sister have you?” he said in a warning tone.

“Shining. One, we are at cuddling and kissing, and two that is something between me and Twilight. No offense but you wouldn't want me asking about you and Cadence right?” I said shooting him an annoyed look. His smirk didn't falter at all.

“Well I don't really have to worry about that. Cadence is the alicorn of love after all. That and mom already wrote a book about us. Well fantasizing us.” He said and I tripped for a moment but recovered.

“Wait... What?!” I asked now confused and shocked.

“Don't worry it's just a fantasizing stuff. We aren't really in the book just the characters are based off us.” He said still holding that knowing smirk. “You really should check it out, It's called The Crystal Guard.” He said and I felt crept out by that.

“How bad is it?” I asked more scared to find out but my brain wouldn't let me go by without asking.

“Oh give it to page five, you'll find out.” He said still smirking but a light blush on his checks. Oh dear god and all thing holy, their mother writes romance. But the question was what kind of romance. From the title alone I could understand why it was called that and it could be linked to those two but still. I small shiver ran down my spine. “So I heard dad gave you the riot act.” He said.

“Yeah, he was afraid that I was going to be like Blueblood. Part of me felt offended when he said that.” I said a little annoyed now.

“Hey dude, relax I know you're not like him.” He said.

“What I said still holds true but I did hope they would like me... well not like how your mother seems to like me.” I said that last part giving me shiver to my grave.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Ever get the feeling you're prey by some mare?” I asked and he nodded. “Well it felt like that and I really feel uncomfortable around her now.”

“Oh don't worry about that, she did that around Cadence when I brought her to meet them. It's mom's way of getting a feel for a character for her book. So you can always look forward to a book about you and Twily.” He said and I turned bright red.

“What?” I said now worried and surprised. He continued to smirk quietly I sighed. Yeah... totally doomed.

“So what did you say to dad anyway.” He asked.

“That the only opinion that mattered to me was Twilight's. That I would do anything to make her happy and help her to reach her dreams. As well as her goals.” I said a light smile on my face thinking about it again.

“Dude...” he said quietly smiling.

“Like I told him I would do anything she wants of me and I would do anything to protect her.” I continued quietly. I would even if I had to lay down my life to do so or if she didn't want to be with me anymore. That last thought set a small ball of ice in my chest.

“Storm you're a good stallion. If I didn't already know you and like you. I would have approve of you as well.” he said before we made a round around Canterlot.

“Shining, thanks.” I said just glad to hear that. I still held Twilight's thoughts of me higher up. But it was nice to hear another ponies thoughts. We continued to walk around seeing all the lights and decorations on all the buildings. During our walk I found the store I was looking for. Tomorrow I was going to have stop there and get what I needed. We returned a few hours later and Shining went off with a yawn saying that he was going back to Cadence. I smiled quietly and headed off to Twilight. I had opened the door to see her looking right at the door. I noticed and a cold chill went down my spine.

“What took you so long?” She asked. Not really hard to tell she was a little annoyed with me for leaving her in bed alone.

“I wanted to go get some fresh and met up with Shining, we talked a bit.” I explained walking over to her. She continued to watch me with a raised calculated look. Like she was judging me for my actions.

“Why did you want some fresh air?” She asked.

“Because I wanted to look around Canterlot at night honestly. I didn't want to wake you after you had gone to sleep. So I placed you on the bed and left, not waking you. But I have the sneaking suppression that I failed on that and you woke up when I left.” I surmised towards the end.

“Well no. I woke up when you lifted me off you.” She said and I felt more like a heel. “I worried I did something wrong that caused you to leave.” She said her look turning to one of worry.

“Twilight, sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like you did something wrong.” I said coming closer but she held a hoof up to me her worried look turned to one of anger.

“Well you did Storm. I was hoping to cuddle with you tonight as well sleep but it seems your walk was more important.” She said and I felt a lump of ice form in my gut. I looked down and went over to the sofa for a moment.

“Sorry.” I said in a tone of shame and just laid on the sofa.

“I am too.” She said before I could hear her go back to sleep. I... I simply laid there looking at the back of the sofa... I had screwed up again, with a sigh I laid there for the rest of the night.

***---***

Morning wasn't much better when I continued to lay there after she got up. She came over to me and poked me.

“Hey Storm it's time to get up.” She said.

“I know. It's been daylight for a few hours now.” I said still laying there. She stopped poking me for a moment with her hoof against my back.

“Have you been up all night just laying there?” she asked and I nodded my back towards her. “Why didn't you just join me on the bed after I fell asleep?” She asked.

“Because you were mad at me and I figured I deserved to just sit here.”I answered still not moving. Well I would have still she grabbed me in her magic and turned me around to face her. She looked worried. “Storm I was angry because you left me here alone after hearing how I felt about it. I thought I had done something wrong to drive you away. When you told me it was just to see Canterlot. I got mad yes. But you shouldn't beat yourself up over something this small” she said. I shook my head and placed a hoof on her cheek.

“Twilight I had screwed up. I deserved it for punishment.” I said as she sighed and kissed me cutting off my planned out comment.

“Well that's one way to shut you up.” She said before she hopped onto the sofa and kissed me more.

“That a girl.” A very familiar voice came from the door and my blood ran cold. Twilight went ridged as well as we both turned to see a smirking Velvet at the door. We both gulped at the same time as Twilight's mother came over. “But really Twilight you should know better having such a fine stallion sleep on the sofa like that.” She said my eye started to twitch not liking where this was going. “But if you wanted to make it up to the prince here you should really put more passion into your kisses dear.” She said watching us. We looked back at each other with the two of us blushing then back at her. “Well?”

“Why are you here Mrs. Velvet?” I asked.

“You can call me mom.” She said back with a smirk. Mom? Hold on is she insinuating what I think she is?

“Mom what are you doing here?” Twilight asked.

“Oh well I was sent to get you two, but this is far more important.” Velvet said.

“Who sent you?” I asked.

“Princess Celestia of course.” She said with a smile. This got Twilight off me and we both sat up. “aw you two are no fun.” She said with one of those fake pouts.

“Mother, will you please stop.” Twilight said.

“But Twilight I want grandfoals.” She said.

“We're not even anywhere close to that right now.” Twilight shot back.

“Well you should.” Velvet said not losing her smirk. “But I can see I ruined the mood for you two, so I will take my leave.” She said as she started to leave. “Oh and if you need any pointers don't be afraid to ask me.” She said looking at me with a wink before she left. I turned bright red and my wings expanded with an audible pomf. Twilight shot me a look.

“Don't even think about it.” She said.

“Too late.” I said back turning my head back away from her. “So what is with your mother anyway?”

“I don't know, I think she's just tired of waiting for either Shining Armor or I to give her grandfoals.” She said thinking out loud. I couldn't help but smile and bring her over giving her a gentle hug.

“Well we have all the time in the world so there's no rush.” I said and she looked up at me.

“Pull the reins in there casanova, I know you're willing to wait until I'm ready.” She said with a knowing smirk.

“Well of course Twilight.” I said nuzzling against her cheek.

“Shall we go see what Princess Celestia wants?” She asked.

“Of course, can't keep family waiting.” I said letting her go. She hopped off the sofa with me following. I continued to follow her to find every pony in the eating hall and of all ponies that could be there, Blueblood was there.

“But Auntie why are all this peasants here?” He whined in his snobbish uptight voice. My eye started to twitch at this. He was insulted my friends and their family, all who I had invited here.

“Because I asked them to be here Blueblood.”I said walking up to him.

“That's Prince Blueblood.” He said trying to correct me. I gave him a deadpan look. “What?” he asked completely clueless. I started to rub my temple at this.

“Blueblood, Firestorm asked for them all the be invited.” Celestia said answering his question. “Please be respectful to our guests.”

“But auntie they’re...” He started to say before an orange glow started to fill the room.

“They’re... what Blueblood.” I said with a growl. He better not insult everypony here again.

“Storm please calm down, if that's okay.” Fluttershy said putting a hoof on my shoulder. I turned to see a few of the ponies glaring at the oblivious Blueblood. I sighed quietly before the glow disappeared.

“Sorry Fluttershy.” I apologized then turned to Blueblood giving me a winning smirk. I started to grind my teeth.

“Looks like somepony is on a tight leash.” He said as he walked passed. My eyes widened then turned at this glaring. That son of a bitch did not just say that to me. He left as my right hoof started to shake with the sounds of strained metal. My teeth started to grind a bit more.

“I do apologize for Blueblood he can be a bit-” She stopped to think for the right word. A few choice ones came to mind: aggravating, annoying, arrogant, and a prick. “unique.” she said finishing her thought.

“I don't like him, not at all.” Applejack growled.

“Eeyup” Big Mac added both of them looking quite angry.

“What's his problem?” Applebloom asked.

“He thinks he's better then everypony.” Rarity answered with an upturned nose.

“You would think he would be respective from being a royal.” Rarity's mother said.

“I think he's just full of himself.” I added still glaring at the door.

“Please everypony, don't let him ruin our festivities.” Celestia said and I agreed. I turned around putting a smile on my face.

“And I think I know the best way to do it.” I said. Everypony turned to look at me. “Remember the training field Cutie Mark Crusaders?” I asked the three of them. They looked at each other for a moment a little confused before Scootaloo remembered.

“A snowball fight?” She asked and I nodded. Then the other two smiled before the three of them yelled.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Snowball Throwers!” Right before they dashed off. I couldn't help but smile quietly watching. Everypony else looked a little confused.

“A snowball fight?” I got asked by Dash.

“Yeah, It's not always the lavish or ludicrous things that gives us the best joys. But it's the simplest things. Like being around family during the holiday seasons.” I explained. “That and I bet I get you more times then you can get me.” I said mainly to hook Dash in.

“Oh your so on.” She said zipping out of the room. We started to laugh as we all exited. I stayed back a bit to talk to Celestia.

“Something on your mind?” She asked after every pony left but Her, Twilight, and I.

“Why did you let him insult every pony like that?” I asked.

“Blueblood can be difficult to deal with.” She said which was the understatement of at least two of her lifetimes. “But he is family and you put up with family.” She was right you do put up with family. Well to a point, there was a line that you just don't cross, family or not. “Now why don't we join them. I haven't been in a snowball fight in ages.” The royal alicorn said before she left to follow every pony, leaving just Twilight and I in the room.

“Are you going to be okay?” She asked.

“Yeah, I just need to get my mind off it. Maybe I can chill out after the snowball fight.” I said as we walked towards the door.

“Was that a pun I just heard?” She asked with a knowing smirk.

“It's possible.” I answered she smiled and lightly laughed.

“Oh cool it there Twilight don't want to get cold hooves before the fight.” I continues.

“Oh that was bad.”She said now laughing. We continued following Celestia me cracking horrible pun after horrible pun. We found ourselves in the coliseum, the same one I faced three of Luna's night guard captains in. It was completely covered in snow. It seemed that the teams were already picked before we got there. It was Alicorns versus everypony else. Which I found unfair, I wanted to be on Twilight's side. The only thing working on my sides besides three alicorns with a lot more power than I did was the fact snow was a natural element to water. Which means I had home field advantage. Okay granted no matter where I went I had that, this was going to be fun. Nightling was off to the side with Fluttershy and her father Heart Shy. Granny Smith was there too in a rocking chair watching. Which was understandable for Fluttershy to say the least. I didn't know much about Heart Shy but I can only guess his professionalism stopped him from joining. I knew as soon as the whistle blew I was going to be the first one hit. True enough Twilight got me with a large one. I grinned wiping it off.

“Oh it's on.” I jumped behind a pile of snow and started forming snowball after snowball, can never have enough ammo. After having a least twenty snowballs at the ready I floated them up and dashed out, right in time to get beamed in the face from above. Dash and her family were doing aerial strikes. Okay how was that fair? She knew I couldn’t fly. Right up there with Big Mac and Applejack bucking snowballs at us that Sweetie Belle and Applebloom tossed up for them. Those things whizzed by like anti aircraft cannon fire. I was a little afraid to get hit with one of those. I started to run back and forth dodging as much as I could, returning fire back. I did manage to get Twilight and her dad a few times. Big Mac got a few before he sent a rather large one back at me nailing me in the chest, that sent me back a few feet. Okay so now I know how that feels like. It took the wind right out of me. I got back up and turned my remaining three into a larger one sending it at him, justified payback. I noticed Rarity was ducking behind ponies avoiding every shot she could.

“Oh this is so much fun” Celestia proclaimed as she fired snowballs like machine gun fire. I didn't even think she needed to aim. She also was teleporting like she had attention teleportation disorder or A.T.D. for short. Luna was about the same but she fired at a slower rate arcing snowballs to get some of the ponies in the back grow. Rarity's parents were launching snowball after snowball. A loud bellowing boom was heard before I was nailed in the face with a plethora of snow. Wiping it off showed me that Scootaloo was loading more snow into Pinkie's party cannon. I was able to dive out of the way from the shot before Shining Armor got me. Cadence grinned before she sent a shield full of snow up above them. She pointed up above Shining who looked up. His ears went flat against his head before she dropped the spell and snow splattering all over him.

“Should have gotten the heads up first.” Cadence said making an amusing pun. That was when Rarity got nailed with one of Luna arced snowballs.

“Oh...it... is... on.” She said spacing out the words. She then started lifting up a large amount of snow before forming it into at least a hundred snowballs. I gulped before she just fired all of them at once. I tried to dive out of the way but she at least got a few on me. Celestia turned to her side using her wing to block a few. Luna and Cadence teleported out of the way. After the barrage of snowballs slowed. I ventured a look to see every unicorn's horn glowing. Twilight pointed up and I just so stupidly had to look up to see a large magical block of snow floating above the four of us. I gulped as Celestia, Luna, and Cadence disappeared leaving me. My ears flatten back as the multitude of magical auras disappeared dropping the snow right on my head. A loud wet splat was heard. I started to dig myself out of the snow before it clicked.

“What am I doing?” I said before teleporting on top just to get nailed in the head by Twilight sending me back behind it sledding on my back. I stopped right at Celestia's forelegs. “Having fun?” I asked. She smirked down at me.

“Why yes I am but I think it's time we showed my little ponies what it means to be an alicorn, right?” She asked. I nodded getting back to my hooves.

“Oh the fun has been doubled.” Luna said appearing next to us with Cadence next to her.

“Shall we show Shining what it means to mess with family?” Cadence asked I nodded as I focused my magic on the large blob of snow we duck behind. It rose up into the air taking a form of a large Chinese dragon. I had always loved the look of those kinds of dragons so it's fitting that I used it for this snowball fight. Celestia took some of it to form a large lion and Luna, a large hawk. Cadence smiled and had the snow she was controlling form into a version of Shining Armor. I couldn't help but smile at this. Even facing him Cadence couldn't help but fight alongside him, it was priceless, as everypony there looked up in surprise. Before all of our snow figures let out their respective cry before flying at the ponies. Within moments half of the field was empty of snow where the other one was just covered in it.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I got up on my hind legs and just raised my forelegs in victory giving out a loud. “Woot!” before coming back down. Celestia and Luna laughed before the ponies dug themselves out of the snow.

“Well I didn't see that one coming.” Twilight said as we all laughed.

“Oh I need to get my mane redone.” Rarity said when she came out. I went over to her and whispered into her ear for a moment.

“I'll treat you to one of the hair stylists here in Canterlot if you help me with something.” I offered. Twilight looked at me with a raised eyebrow. Rarity on the other hand lit up like a kid seeing their first fireworks.

“Oh of course darling!” She proclaimed.

“Shh. Not too loud. I don't want every pony to know.” I said she nodded.

“We'll be right back.” I said as Rarity and I went off. As soon as we left the door behind us opened. Applejack had followed us out.

“Hey where do you think you two are going?” She asked curious but a little annoyed.

“Storm is treating me to the spa to get my mane fixed.” Rarity asked.

“What about Twi?” Applejack asked and I let out a sigh. I went up to Applejack and looked her right in the eye.

“I need to go to the store and get supplies for my gifts for Hearth's warming. I want Rarity with me to help pick out the right stuff. If you want to come with I don't have a problem. I just don't want my plan out in the open alright?” I stated. She thinks it over for a moment pushing her stetson up.

“Alright I understand and yeah I'll go with you. I wanted to do a little shopping myself.” Applejack said.

***---***

I was so happy I saved up my bits for this. Because ten minutes in I found out the price for things here in Canterlot. Fixing Rarity's mane cost me over half of my bits. Honestly I was little pissed after she talked me into the deluxe package. But I did say I would pay to fix it. So I just had to put a hoof in my own mouth on this one. This gave me some time to hang out with Applejack. Which honestly was a little nice to do. I don't spend enough time with my other friends but who could blame me with a mare like Twilight? Anyway the country mare wanted to hit up a few stores as we waited for Rarity to get done with the stylist. Knowing the white unicorn mare we had quite a few hours to kill. The first store we hit up was one I saw during my walk with Shining the night before. It was a music crystal shop, I didn't take much to talk Applejack into going in with me. Well after I showed her the slot in my leg for it.

“Ah so you want some music for listen to for that leg of yours?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, I wanted some music so long walks aren't so quiet. Not saying that's a bad thing mind you just listening to the tune of nature. But you sometimes just want a tune to listen instead you know?” I replied.

“I don't right know what you mean by the tune of nature but I can understanding wanting something to bob your head to.” She said as we entered. To say they had a lot of crystals would be an understatement. The owner, a eloquent looking blue stallion, sat up when the two of us entered. I figured he most likely noticed who I was since I was royalty but his look at Applejack rubbed me the wrong way, it was a look of disgust. I didn't say anything for the most part because it seems like it didn't bother her. I looked around to see all the crystals they had in little clear boxes, each one clearly labeled for what song it was. I started to scan each label looking for at least two specific songs. One the oh so familiar Fur Elise, the first song Twilight and I danced to. The other one was Midnight Sonata, as it was one of my other favorites. I found them with ease and floated them down to me. I turned to see Applejack eying a one of the crystals in her hooves. I had noticed the owner give an annoyed glare at her. Which gave me another spike of annoyance to the point I floated up the crystal from her. This got her to whirl around to look at me in surprise.

“What'cha got there?” I playfully asked.

“It's um... nothing.” She said with a light blush. I brought it up to see a familiar classical piece. I looked up at her a little surprised. I didn't quite take her for classical music kind of mare.

“Applejack I didn't take you for a lover of the arts.” I said with a smile. She blushed a bit and looked away from me.

“I um...” she started in a very obvious tone of shame. Like I had figured out her secret.

“Applejack, do you want this to remain a secret?” I asked and she looked up at me surprised again. “Look I understand that every pony has their secrets. You're not the only one. Even I have my own.” I said. She looked me over and nodded.

“I don't like letting ponies know that I like a bit of the fancy stuff. I know if Rares found out, she would try to get me into all the froufrou stuff.” She said and I couldn't help but smile.

“It can't be all bad can it?”

“Well, from time to time I like to indulge in it. But I rather keep it to myself.” She said.

“Don't worry Applejack. I'll keep my mouth shut.” I said with a reassuring smile.

“Thank you kindly and you don't have to get that for me.” She said pointing to the crystal I held in my magic.

“Applejack you're my friend and you did so much for me, think of it as my way of returning the favor.” I said as we went over to the counter. I placed the three crystals on the counter.

“Hello Prince Firestorm. I hope you found everything to your liking.” He said straightening up.

“Thank you and yes. I did find everything to my liking. If you would be so kind, could you ring these up for me and one of the crystal players for my friend here.” I requested pointing to the little wooden looking speaker behind the owner. It had a fantasy design, making it look like music was flowing out of the box itself and was burned into the wood around it. He floated one of the boxes over to me. After placing my bits on the counter and retrieved my items. I floated over Applejack's gifts to her saddlebags.

“Will there be anything else sir?” he asked giving me an oh so fake smile. Applejack had left and was waiting outside for me before I turned back to the owner.

“Just one. I request that you don't ever give my friends dirty looks again. It's disrespectful to them and me.” I said turning back with a flat scowl.

“I don't know what you...” he started to say before I cut him off.

“Do not lie to me, I saw that look on your face, that said I wish you good day sir.” I said keeping my tone calm and even. Far from what I really was inside but it didn't matter.

“Good day to you prince.” He said a little shaken. I bet he didn't expect royalty to stick up for some pony like Applejack. That thought alone really did piss me off; It took my own force of will not to burst into flames right then. I left and gave Applejack a warm smile. We continued down our way through Canterlot until we got to a little cafe. The two of us went in to get something to drink before Rarity was done. I told her to meet us here when she finished so we had time to kill.

“So Storm I was wondering. Why did you want to go shopping so close to Hearth's warming?” She asked. I looked up at her from my cup of green tea. I sat it down the cup.

“Honestly, I plan to make all of your Hearth's warming gifts. I won't say what they are but I need some more supplies before I can finish them.” I answered. It was true I need more supplies. Well technically I needed all of it but she didn't need to know that.

“Ah, I'm surprised that Twilight isn't here with you.” She asked.

“Oh well I suggested some time with her family. to catch up since she spent so much time in Ponyville. That and maybe talk some sense into her mother.” I said that last part caused a blush on my cheeks. I just had to remember her comment this morning. Applejack raised an eyebrow towards me.

“Why do I get the feeling you and her mother had an interesting moment?” She said with a knowing smirk. I turned even more red.

“It's not like that Applejack. She's been making me feel awkward. I think she's pushing the whole grandfoals thing.” I said running my hoof on the back of my head.

“Oh is that my scandalous senses tingling?” Rarity said as I cringed. This wasn't going to be good. I turned slowly to look at Rarity who was walking over to us, her mane shining almost like it was made out of crystals itself. She walked over to a seat next to me and leaned in. “Oh you must tell me everything.” She said giving me that must know everything look. I really hope Twilight doesn't kill me for this.

“Please keep it on the down low, but Twilight's mother wants us to have grandfoals but neither one of us are ready for that yet. We're um... not that far into the relationship. It worries me that she may try pushing us further into the relationship before Twilight is ready, that and her dad was worried that I was like Blueblood.” That got Rarity's eyes to widen.

“He must surely know that you're nothing like that stallion” She said with venom to her voice with the last two words. So at least I wasn't the only one to have a problem with him. I sighed quietly before I continued.

“Rarity, he understands that now but he still has a bit of a problem with me, which I just chuck it up to her father wanting to protect his daughter. Kind of like Shining wanting to protect his sister, so I don't blame him. I suspect you two would do about the same to protect your little sisters.” I said looking at the two of them. Rarity took a few moments to think about it.

“Darn tootin I would. If I found AppleBloom hanging out with the wrong kind of stallion. I would protect her as much as I could.” Applejack answered.

“Like wise. I wouldn't want Sweetie with the wrong crowd.” Rarity added with a nod.

“Which is the whole point. I figured I was going to get the riot act from him.” I said with a small smile. “In a weird way, I found it kind of nice. I know Twilight wanted me to meet them and I wanted to too. Granted I was worried about the meeting and part of it still worries me.” I said, shuddering at the thought of Twilight Velvet. If I didn't know better she was trying to hit on me. She knew I was with her daughter and I wouldn't even think about cheating on Twilight, especially with her mother! “Nonetheless it's done. I just hope one day her father will come around.” I said finishing my tea.

“I see. So why did you want my help?” Rarity asked, before I answered, I ordered a refill.

“To put it simply I would need your eye for details. When it comes to the supplies I need.” I said as the server brought my refill.

“Supplies for what?” She asked.

“Your Hearth's warming gifts.” I answered as she raised a questioning eyebrow towards me.

“Are you telling me that you are making our gifts?” I nodded to her question. “But you know you could just buy us something and save yourself the trouble.” She pointed out.

“That is true I could. But I'm not.” I said simply. She looked at me a little curious. “What?” I asked.

“You amaze me at times. After everything you've gone through you still able to keep together better than most stallions.” Rarity said.

“I have to agree with Rare here. How can you keep going?” She asked. I couldn't help but smile a bit.

“Well honestly. I don't know. I could always say it's because I had such great friends. Which would be true. You've both helped me with so many problems. Applejack you help me get over the thought of me feeling useless and Rarity helped me get over my larger problems with being royalty.” I said followed by taking a sip of my tea. “If anything my guess would be Twilight of all ponies. Just to know that I have a pony out there that cares for me as much as Twilight does. She's like an anchor for me. Someone to help pick me up when I break down and able to make me look forward to every moment with her. But not just that, I want to be there for her, for whatever she needs. I want to be there for her as much as she is for me. If that makes any sense.” I said sitting back looking to the sky. Silence takes up the space between the three of us as I look down.

“Twilight is one lucky mare.” Rarity said. I raise an eyebrow. “She has a wonderful gentlecolt like you.” She said a small depressed sigh came from her mouth afterwards.

“Rarity is right. Twilight is out right lucky to have you.” She said. I turned to Rarity a little worry on my face.

“Rarity what's wrong?” I asked. Applejack followed my gaze to her.

“Thinking of you two just reminds me of what I haven't found myself.” She said.

“Rare there's a stallion out there for ya.” Applejack said.

“I know Applejack but... I don't know I guess I'm a little jealous of her.” She added.

“I know how that feels Rarity.” I said catching both of their attention.

“What do you mean darling?” She asked.

“Before I came to Equestria and after Jessica, I had a hard time finding love. Every time I went out and saw a couple together. I felt a pang in my heart just remembering what I had lost. It hurt, more than any pony can know, it leaves a hole in your heart.” I explained.

“Is that why you hid in the booth during Pinkie's party?” Applejack asked.

“Sort of, I was never good at being at parties. But that was part of the reason I hid myself so I could avoid seeing the couples. The universe has it's way of reminding you of your pain.” I said.

“Was?” Rarity asked and I nodded.

“Since I'm with Twilight. I don't have the reason to feel that kind of pain anymore. I mean I will always love and miss Jessica but that is normal for a lost love one right?” I asked. I already knew the answer. Hell, I've known the answer since then.

“I reckon your right.” Applejack agreed.

“The point is Rarity. You will find that special some pony. All you need to do is go look for him... or her.” I said.

“Are you insinuating I'm a filly fooler?” Rarity said with a blush on her face and her tone louder then she should be. She stopped for a moment and noticed everypony there looking at us. “He, sorry everypony.” She said embarrassed as she sat back down.

“A what what?” I asked now confused at that term. I think it's the first time I've ever heard that term.

“You know a filly fooler.” Applejack said maybe thinking I knew what that meant.

“I'm sorry but I've never heard that term before.” I said still confused.

“Your kidding.” Applejack said in disbelief.

“Applejack, remember I'm not from Equestria. So there is still a plethora of terms I still don't know yet.” I said. It seems this filly fooler was a common term. I could guess what it was from Rarity's reaction.

“A filly fooler is a mare that likes other mares.” Applejack whispered into my ear, so my guess was spot on, back where I was from there had a totally different word for it.

“Ah. Alright confusion dealt with. Now I know you wanted to hit up a store while we're out so why don't we go and do that before I go to the one store I want to?” I said turning to Applejack.

“Sounds like a plan to me. What about you Rare?” She asked.

“Well I'm only tagging along because Storm here wanted me to. That and to get my mane redone after our dreadful snowball fight.” Rarity said as my ears went back.

“Sorry.” I said feeling a little dejected. I thought Rarity would have a little fun with the snowball fight. But I guess I was wrong again, I should have realized that Rarity wouldn't have been up for something like that, probably finding it uncouth.

“No, no, no. Storm it wasn't that. I just wished my mane would have remained untouched is all.” She said trying to cheer me up.

“Alright” I said, “well let's get going.” I paid for every pony’s drinks after I downed what was left of my delicious tea. It didn't take us long to find the place Applejack wanted to go. Which seems to have been a book store. The Barrel of Books book store seems to be right down the main street of Canterlot. You would think I would find Twilight here right now being the lover of literature that I know her for. She said she was going to look for a good book, maybe from a book store, the royal archives, or the library. All were possibilities for the lavender mare, oh well. Applejack made a beeline to some section I don't know and I didn't follower her. I have many different kinds of books I enjoy: Comedy was a favorite but adventure was always good. I had became a fan of the Daring Do books after Twilight pressured me into reading it. Sci-fi and fantasy where good but I had a feeling fantasy would be more real here. As for the darker stuff, brutal stories are good but I have to really be in the mood for them. Though honestly I would pick a good romance from time to time, nothing too cheesy but sometimes its those predictable moments that just bring the story together. Today however, is not the case, after Shining's comment about his mother’s book. My brain and I are still curious about his fifth page comment. Taking some time to locating the blasted book, I finally found Twilight Velvet's The Crystal Guard. All I can say about the book was... wow. Just, wow. I started to read the book and my cheeks started to redden more and more with each passing page.

“Oh.” I said then turned the page.

“Oh!” Followed by another page.

“Oh my!” I said in that predictable George Takai accent as I got to the fifth page just like Shining said. Velvet put a lot and I do mean a lot of details in her scenes.

“Got something interesting there?” Rarity said surprising me to the point my wings pomfed and was sent flailing to the ground. I was almost unable to catch the book in my magic before it hit the ground.

“Geez Rarity trying to give a pony a heart attack?” I said looking at her in surprise. My heart felt like it was trying to escape a cage in an old monster flick.

“Over dramatic much?” She asked and I deadpanned at her. Did the pot just call the kettle black? I got back up to my hooves and floated the book back on the shelf. “Ah one of her fine works. Especially page thirty four” She said in a purr. “Now if you excuse me I have to find Applejack.” was out of her mouth as she left around the corner. My wings at this point finally came down from their... upright position. Unfortunately my brain wanted to know what she meant about page thirty four. The idiot that I was found my wings going pomf again just reading the first three lines. I put the book back before I regret any more and fought to get my wings down again. After doing so I came out to find Applejack looking rather angry at another mare. I started to walk over towards them until I hear something from the other mare.

“I'm sorry. But I'm going to have to ask you to leave. This is for finer ponies. Not... Ugh, your kind.” The cream colored unicorn with the rose red mane and tail done in a curl. This mare just insulted my friend, in front of me. All because she wasn't a 'finer pony'.

“What is that suppose to mean.” Applejack said looking even angrier at the other mare. Before she could answer I trotted up and asked.

“Is there a problem here?” With me looking rather calm. The cream colored mare turned towards me, saw who I was and bowed to me. This time I rather enjoyed seeing this especially with what I was about to say.

“Oh it nothing Prince Firestorm. I was just getting this pony out before she could dirty up the store.” She said now trying to shove Applejack out the door in her blue aura.

“Ah, that's what I thought.” I said before looking at her. “Do you know who this pony is?” I asked still rather calm. Rarity who was standing next to Applejack still shooting dagger like glares at the mare, stopped and looked at me questioningly.

“Oh um... no. She's just a no pony.” She said with a scuff. This got my right eyebrow to twitch.

“I see. Well let me inform you who this pony is. She is Applejack and she is the Element of Honesty. One of the Elements of Harmony. The same Elements that as saved your flank at least twice now.” I started still looking rather calm. The bitch of a mare on the other hoof looked a little nervous to find out who Applejack was. “But let's forget all that for a moment if you would.” I said before my look turned into a rather nasty glare. “She is one of my personal friends. One of the few ponies that helped me in my time of need. One of the few ponies that I am willing to lay my life down to protect.” I said in a dangerous tone stepping closer to the mare as she started to cower and step back. “The same pony that you just insulted because she wasn't one of the 'finer ponies' as you put it. No she is one of the finest ponies in all of Equestria and you will show her, her family, her friends, and my friends the respect they deserve. Do I make myself perfectly clear?” I said that last question spread out in growls as I saw a familiar glow take the room and a glow from the mare that told me my eyes had turned red from the shire focus of my anger alone.

“Crystal clear.” She whimpered.

“Crystal clear, What?” I growled now.

“Crystal clear, Prince Firestorm.” She whimpered before running away. I watched her dash off tripping over a display in doing so. I took a deep breath before the glows disappeared and I turned to both of my friends. They looked at me in shock.

“You didn't.” Applejack started before I raised a hoof.

“No Applejack, I did. She insulted you for being who you are. You wouldn't let any pony insult Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, or myself if you heard. Right?” I asked and she nodded. “So why should you expect the same from me?” I asked.

“He... he does make a point.” Rarity said shaken up from my furious anger.

“Right. Well I um... I need to pay for this.” She said going over to the registers.

“I'll be outside.” I said before I left slamming the door behind me. I was done with this place. One of the guards came over to me.

“Is there a problem your highness?” The guard said.

“Not anymore.” I said looking back and in my reflexion I could tell my eyes glowed for a moment saying that.

“Is there anything I can do?” He asked and I thought for a moment.

“Yes there is now that I think about it. I need you to head back to the castle and secure a private study for me. I will be having a shipment of fabrics and so forth delivered. I request to have them placed in there and no pony but myself to enter there after they have been dropped off in the room. When I get back I also ask that I am notified when they arrive and which room they’re in.” I ordered with him giving me a bow.

“Yes your highness, right away.” he said before he took off into the sky with a flap of his wings.

“Thank you Guard.” I said he nodded and took off. It took a few more minutes for Rarity and Applejack to come out with a bag in tow. I watched them for a moment with a look of worry.

“Did something happen?” I asked keeping a calm look about me but inside I was still rather furious with that mare. I swear if she pulled anything else I would make her pay.

“It's nothing.” Applejack said not looking me in the eye. She always had the problem of not being able to lie. Poker was fine because it wasn't really lying so she could get away with the bluff. But when asked directly that's when her poker face failed.

“What happened Applejack. Please don't lie to me.” I requested.

“That evident?” She asked.

“Applejack, If this was poker we all could tell you had a pair of twos compared to the royal flush somepony else has.” I point out. She predictably sighs.

“Look Storm, it's just what you did in there doesn't sit right to me.” She said looking at me. Oh look at this here is something completely out of left field whacking me in the face.

“What?” I said confused.

“Storm it's just. That mare waiting me out of her store because I was...” she started trailed off.

“Not a finer pony?” I ventured a guess based off what I heard.

“Yeah. I know I'm not all for the froufrou stuff like Rarity here, no offense.” She said turning to Rarity.

“None taken.” She said looking at her hoof like a women would check her nails.

“It's just, I’d rather fight my own battles. You're an out right gentlecolt for wanting to stuck up for your friends like that but...” she said trailing off again.

“But I overstepped my boundaries there and screwed up?” I ventured another guess.

“I'm sorry, but yes.” She said looking a little downtrodden. I sighed quietly looking to the sky. It wasn't the first time my trying to protect my friends had backfired like that. I looked at Applejack and took a deep breath.

“I'm sorry I... I just wanted to...” This time it was my turn to trail off. I just didn't have the heart to finish it. I had a feeling I screwed up bad this time.

“I don't blame you, if that makes you feel better. I just wish you would let me handle my own problems.” She said.

“Alright.” I replied before I took off towards the fabric store. I put on a small smile for every pony. The rest of the evening went off with no problem. Rarity helped me pick out easy to handle fabric that would be durable but great looking, including this puff-like fabric, as somepony took pillow fluff and made it into sheets. I had only one thing in mind for it, back on earth I always wore one kind of hat around the holiday season, unless it was outright freezing. I paid a little extra to have them delivered to the castle. I knew tonight I wouldn't be able to get to work on the gifts because I was already starting to get tired. I also wanted to press my sleeping pattern a bit so I could sleep with Twilight on Hearth's warming eve. I remained quiet for the walk back to the castle. Both Applejack and Rarity behind me having some conversation about their families. I didn't really listen in because I was already spacing off in my own mind. I saw Twilight waiting at the front gates to the castle. I smiled a little seeing her. Then I saw a disapproving looking Celestia next to her and she was looking right at me. Yeah, I had screwed up... again. I let out a breath quietly as we got closer. Rarity and Applejack continued with their talk as they walked by. I guess they didn't notice the princess by the gate. I however walked up to Celestia and Twilight. “Alright. Go ahead.” I said as I sat down quietly before them. There was silence for a moment.

“I heard about the incident in the book store.” Celestia spoke and I simply closed my eyes to wait for it. “I know you meant well with your words but-”

“But I should have let Applejack face her own battles and not interfere like I did. I know.” I cut her off. She stopped for a moment. “If it makes you feel any better, that was nice to do but you should learn to control your anger.” I winced after hearing that and lowered my head. I simply nodded silently my fingers slowly shook before I retracted them and heading inside. I just simply slid my mask back on when Twilight came up next to me.

“Are you okay?” She asked and I didn't answer. All I did was give her a reassuring smile and continue on my way. I didn't answer her so I didn't lie. I just didn't want to talk right now. I didn't want to do much but think. About how much I screwed up, how much I should have learned to keep my nose and even more my big bucking mouth shut. “Storm.” She started to say and I stopped. I turned to her and gave her my full attraction. She looked up me with worry plastered on her face. Which just sank another ball of ice in my gut because I caused her pain again. She didn't say anything just came over and hugged me. Well until her horn started to glow and we found ourselves back in my room. She had me pinned to the bed this time looking down at me. I couldn't look her in the eyes. So I looked out the window silently. “You're going to talk Storm, tell me what's wrong.” She demanded. I chanced a glance at her for a moment before it returned to the window.

“I screwed up.” I simply said. She gave me a questioning look as her left eyebrow shot up in confusion.

“Screwed up?” She asked.

“Yes.” I answered still not looking at her. She then used her magic to force me to look at her. I looked at her worry still present on her face.

“Is this about the Applejack thing at the bookstore?” She asked. I remained quiet.

“For Celestia's sake, Storm, you need to open up to ponies.” She yelled at me. I just took it like I should. “You do this every time. You start feeling bad and you won't explain to us why. So please just tell me what is bothering you?” She said angrily but pleading at the same time.

“I... I feel like I screwed up. When I tried to help a friend and it just blows up at me. It's not the first time it's happen either.” I said as her magic releases my head. My gaze returned to the window. “It makes me wonder why I try sometimes. The whole problem I guess with what happened was me. When that mare insulted Applejack saying she wasn't a 'finer pony'. I just... I couldn't stand for it. You girls have saved all of Equestria at least three times. You mares should be well known for everything you've done. But... when I heard what she said I just lost it.” I started to explain when Twilight finally got off me. “I didn't blast her with a fireball, I didn't attack her, all I did was make a point. She bowed to me. Me, Twilight. I'm a no pony compared to you girls and she bowed to me. When she called Applejack, the Element of Honesty a no pony. I... I felt insulted too. I felt insulted because you girls did so much for me and treated it like it was nothing. But it was something, I... I know it doesn't make sense to any pony but me. But it still hurt to see that kind of ponies. The same ones I know back where I came from Twilight. Then to be told that I should stand back... I felt like I was useless again. That I had screwed up and became useless.” I continued as I had started to cry part way through. Then I let out a small chuckle. A sad depressive note kind of chuckle then said. “At least a knife wasn't involved this time.” I curled up quietly as everything was silent.

“What do you mean at least a knife wasn't involved?” She asked and I could tell she was afraid of the answer.

“Last time I did something like that... I was stabbed for it. Right in the shoulder... It would be on a pony the shoulder of the right foreleg. I wouldn't be surprised if the scar isn't still there.” I said my voice had lost all feeling to it. It was just as cold as I felt right then. Silence filled the room again it was then I heard the door shut. I turned to see Celestia had stepped in some time during my talk with Twilight. Her face told me enough. It told me that she heard almost all of it and didn't know what to tell me. I couldn't blame her, I couldn't blame any of them. The problem was me, it had always had been, and always will be. So I don't know why I even bother trying to be a good guy. Why I even try to be nice. It surprised me when Celestia floated me up and over to her. She then gently hugged me and held me close as I just stared blankly off into space. Twilight came over and hugged me too. I just let them hug me and closed my eyes. I know they’re trying to make me feel better, but since they never really know more about me it does leave them open to these moments. Honestly if I started now and wrote the book of my life. About ninety nine percent of it has a lot bad stuff happening. Twilight started to nuzzle me a bit before I opened my eyes and looked at her. I sighed quietly. “Twilight, Celestia. Please let me go.” I said simply. I noticed the confusion and worry on their face after I was released. I stepped away from them and went to the balcony. “I'm going to be straight with both of you. From what I've told both of you about my past, about the hardships and the tragedies I have dealt with.” I said not looking at either of them. “There is so much more to them. I can only guess that from what I've said that my world seems cruel or heartless to the good natured people. Which for the most part is true. They can be and my story is one of them.” I started to have a light chuckle before I stopped and looked over my left shoulder. “Ever heard the saying the road to hell is paved with good intention?” I asked. They both looked at each other then back to me with a nod. “That would be the moral of my story.” I started to chuckle again I continued to talk. “Every time I did what I thought was right. Taking a knife, a punch, or hell worse. What did I get from it? Heart break, stabbed, punched, shocked from time to time, and worse. All because I wanted to be better. I wanted to be a good person and yet every time I did.” I said before I started to shake. “I tried and tried and tried. But no. I get... I get hurt. I get blamed. I get stabbed. Do I blame them? No! I blame myself. Why? Why do I blame myself? Because I am an idiot. The stupidest fucking idiot every where. Because I thought if I was a good person. They would treat me the same. Do unto others as you wish done unto you. What a crack of shit.” I hissed that last part. “Do you want to know whats funny about it all?” I said not looking at them.

“What?” Celestia asked with a note of sadness.

“That even when coming to Equestria. Which is at least over a thousand times better. I get... I get to remember all of it and get reminded over and over of my past.” I said with a small smile now on my face. “I think I know why Shadow exists.” as a cold gaze just came from my eye as I stared out to the sky.

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“He is my hatred... my hatred for myself. Which is why he is out to get me. Why he wants to break me and why I won't let him.” I said followed by a deep breath. “One thing about a human. We are on stubborn race of people.” I said now laughing. Not a sad chuckle like before but a devilish smirk kind of laughing. “I may not be a human anymore. I may be a Drony, but in all that holds the spirit of a human. That spirit is the only thing that will not break... especially if I have you two, Luna, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Spike, Lyra, Derpy, Octavia, and every friend I met or will meet along the way. All I can say is. One does not simply break a drony.” I said grinning as I turned back. I noticed the tears that both Celestia and Twilight had on their face. I guess my little break down there got them to cry for me. Twilight ran up and tackled me into a hug.

“And they won't, I will make sure of it.” She said as she held me close. Celestia walked up to the two of us.

“Luna and I will as well. We can't let family just simply deal with this problem alone.” She said before she joined us in a hug. Twilight gave a slight blush as I just smiled. Not a fake, but a genuine smile that said I felt better about it all. I let the two ponies hug me. I started to blush a bit when both Celestia and Twilight nuzzled against me. Okay so at this point the awkward nuke had detonated and it felt weird. As far as I knew the whole nuzzle thing was a relationship thing. That of course got Twilight's to notice me and adding fuel to the fire gave me a kiss right on the muzzle. This caused me to go a few shades brighter. Celestia and Twilight let me go as I blushed.

“Oh your are definitely cute when you blush.” Twilight said with a smirk.

“I must agree with you there Twilight.” Celestia added. Damn it now they’re screwing with me. Thank god that Velvet or Rarity wasn't here. Well... shit.

“You're not the only ones to think that darling.” Rarity said as she entered the room.

“Oh already getting my son-in-law blushing like a tomato.” Velvet said. I eep'd looking at her and had to escape. Lucky for me I had magic. With a flick of magic I found myself in the hall followed by me running for the hills. The hills in this case was the Canterlot archives. Damn mares, they go from feeling bad for me to making me blush red hot in seconds, it was emotional whiplash. I got in and went to the restricted section to hide. Twilight and Celestia would most likely be able to find me here. But the one mare especially after reading those pages I didn't want to see was Velvet. She unnerves me... a lot. I shuddered just thinking about her. I started to breathe easier once I had stopped running. Well I had time to kill for the most part. So I decided to look around the restricted section for something to jump out at me. What I didn't expect was that what jumped out at me was a display stand with a blue band on it. I don't know why but there was a familiar feeling from it. I couldn't help but get closer to it. The band itself looked like crystal but it flowed like water. I could even see specks in it moving, following the curved edges of it. I slowly reached out to it, something in the back of my head was telling me to touch it, to hold it, and to wear it. It was drawing me in and I couldn't resist. When my hoof finally touched the ice cold band something in my mind clicked. Like a door opening or lock box unlocked. Then my senses was flooded by a warm sensation almost like liquid heat. I pulled back and that heat was still there. It felt nice but unnerving at the same time. I slowly made my way away from it. I had to get away from it for some reason. What it was I couldn't tell you, I couldn't tell why I even touched it. I just needed to leave it alone for good. I exited the restricted section to find Luna right at the door. Which caused me to jump with a yelp of surprise.

“Geez Luna trying to get me a heart attack?” I asked with a bit of sarcasm. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow then smirked.

“Why would I do that? Your family, unless this is about you blushing from Twilight's kiss.” Which got my cheeks to explode in a blush again. “Oh, they were correct you do look cute with a blush.”

“Luna!” I said embarrassed now.

“Oh calm down, I only tease.” She said with a smirk before that dropped. “Now please explain why were you in there?” She asked. In there? Oh! The restricted section.

“Well I thought that would be the best place to hide from every pony but you, Celestia, and Twilight. Velvet I'm just not ready to deal with.” I said that last part giving me a shudder thinking about it. “I just couldn't take the embarrassment after my little... break down I guess. But nonetheless I figured the place where the least ponies could go was the best choice.” I explained and it was then I noticed Luna's horn glowing. She continued to eye me for a bit before turning away heading towards the library door.

“If you would be so kind to follow me Storm, I would like to talk to you.” She said and I followed. We found ourselves in a private study where what I had ordered was delivered to. That was rather fast considering it was all of an hour ago. She sat at the table looking over all the fabric and thread I had purchased. I figured she was trying to figure out what I was going to do with it but thought best not to ask. “I want to ask you about those nightmares again.”She spoke and I turned to her.

“What about them?” I asked.

“I would like you to explain them to me.” She requested.

“Explain?” I asked more to clarify what she meant explain. Did she just want the setting or more.

“Yes, please explain what you can about the dreams.” She said and I started to think.

“For the most part the overall theme to the last few was rather dark and grim. For the most part I find myself in a hell scape of Ponyville, either destroyed or rotting away. Sometimes I find the bodies of the ponies I know and some times I don't. But within it all I see twisted versions of my friends.” I started to explain.

“Twisted? As in how?” She asked.

“Twilight reminds me of a dark mage or scientist.”I started to explain feeling a coldness tighten around my heart. “She sits there and dissects me while I'm still alive. I feel every cut, every pull, and more. When she sits there and pulls out my organs. Dash reminds me of a silent brutal killer. A few times she's pinned me down and ripped off my wings to start with.” My wings gave themselves a small shuddered flap as I remembered that pain. “Rarity skins me and makes me watch her make an outfit from my skin. Pinkie cuts me up and bakes me into her sweets.” I glaze over it. Almost ready to lose my lunch thinking about it.

“What about the twisted Fluttershy and Applejack?” she said and I can tell she was not liking what she was hearing.

“Fluttershy was cold as she pulled out parts of me, replacing them with steampunk parts turning me into a old fashion kind of cyborg.” I explained. “Applejack then takes me after that and forces me to work on her farm. She tortures ponies on that farm and I am forced to comply without the ability to stop myself.” I explain turning a little pale just remembering the details.

“And you said you've dealt with nightmares before?” She asked and I nodded.

“I've had repeating nightmares almost all my life. Some of them straight forward like falling and waking up before hitting the ground. Things like that but I also have had fits of darker kind. They haven't been as bad as these lately. But that's just something I'll have to get use to right?” I asked and she looked at me for a bit. She then shook her head making me raise an eyebrow.

“You shouldn't have to deal with them. Being the princess of the night I'm suppose to help everypony deal with their nightmares. The one off ones do happen and I can't catch them. But these repeating ones do unnerve me. Do you know why they bother you so and how they can be so brutal?” She asked.

“Well the brutality of it can simply come from the fact I'm not from Equestria Luna. Back home life was always brutal to some point with wars, fighting, and murders. The point is that able to deal with that sometimes breaks a mind and twists it. I'm not going to lie and say that I was able to stay strong. No, I'm not that kind of strong and I doubt I will be. But I can understand it far better being a little twisted myself. Back there I always enjoyed the horror genre a lot. I like seeing the underdog making it out with his or her life. A lot of them were predictable and I think it's because of that kind of cheesiness that I could stand them. Well all but one.” I started to explain.

“Only one?” She asked.

“Yes, it was based on a true story. It was about a brutal string of murders. That movie I rather not go into as it messes with me a lot. But the point stands I've seen messed up stuff but I knew it all to be fake. But some of those movies that got me into lore itself, like all the supernatural stuff. What I think is happening is that I know all that lore is fake there but here. Here it could be very much read as a simple flick of the horn and a spark of magic, like the fatal lullaby.” I explained.

“Fatal lullaby?” She asked.

“Oh right, not this universe.” I said slapping my forehead. Really needed to remember which universe I explained things at times.

“It's an old legend I remembered from back home about death himself, if they were a musician and his last piece what was fabled to have killed him.” I summed up, leaving out all the dramatic effects.

“You're going to have to tell me about it sometime.” Luna said with a light smile.

“Maybe after the holidays. But I think my over processing mind just wonders about it and translates it into my dreams. To the point I either break from it or I just accept it's possible.” I said more with a shrug. Luna looks at me a little confused by now.

“Just accept?” She asked.

“Yeah. You know agree, go with the flow, let it ride, and so many more ways to say it that I really don't want to.” I explained now giving a smirk of my own to lighten the mood.

“You... scare me at times.” She said.

“How so?” I asked a little confused.

“You can go from serious and dark, to happy and cheerful like it's nothing. Almost like-” She started before the paradox perplexing pink party pony appears from under the table.

“Like me!” She said bouncing around

“Hello Pinkie.” I said and she bounced over.

“How do you do that Pinkie?” Luna asked confused with a twitching eyebrow.

“Do what?” She asked like it was nothing. I couldn't help but try to stifle a chuckle. I say try because I royally failed at it and started to. Luna shot me a look which was just as funny.

“Luna, it's Pinkie, enough said.” I said before the pink party pony dived into the fabric. I blinked for a moment and floated it over to me. All to find that Pinkie was gone again. I had the sneaking supposition that Pinkie is a hole in physics contained in a pony. Heaven help us all if she turned evil on us, we would be doomed. Luna looked at me then the supplies for a moment then back at me.

“Alright, but what are those for?” She asked pointing to the bags I was floating.

“They’re for a big project.” Which was true, they were.

“What big project?” Oh so the princess of the night was nosy today?

“For Hearth's warming.” I answered keeping it vague now to screw with her.

“That would be?”

“A secret.”

“To whom?”

“To everypony.”

“How come?”

“Because it can.” Luna was getting a little annoyed with me. I didn't care I was having a little fun. I wasn't lying about it I just didn't want everypony to know what I was planning. Not a real hard thing but still fun to mess with ponies. It was harmless fun after all.

“Does anypony else know?”

“Possible.” I said

“Who?”

“Any pony could know”

“Well I would like to know.”

“That's good to know.” I said with a smirk. She rolled her eyes.

“Could you please tell me?” She asked now.

“But where’s the fun if you ruin the surprise?” I asked now. “Luna no offense I really don't want to spoil it for any pony. But if you need at least some reassessment then I am making my gifts for Hearth's warming. If you don't mind can I please have this room to myself so I can get started?” She smiled for a moment and nodded. “Thank you Luna and can you please make sure no pony comes in here? I like to keep my gifts a surprise.” I said with a smile.

“Of course Firestorm. I can assure you no pony will come in unless you want them in.” She said with a flick of her horn the walls started to glow with a blue light. “It's enchanted for you and any pony you let in through this door.” She said at the door. “Have fun.” She said with a grin.

“Why wouldn't I?” I shot back with a playful smirk. With that she left me to get to work. I think I know which pony's gift I'm going to start with first. I floated over the pink fabric and fabric chalk. Now where did I put that measurement sheet?

***---***

Six hours had passed when I started cutting all the shapes out and put them in piles for each pony. The concept was simple enough for my gifts. I based them mostly on every ponies cutie marks. Well as best as I could. I had to drop the smaller stars for Twilight's. Both Rarity and Applejack got only one instead of the three items on their flanks. With that some of them I had to go with a more round design to fit them in. But I had almost every pony's cutie mark gifts done but say for four. I still needed to know Rarity's mother's cutie mark. Then I had the C.M.C. to deal with. Since they technically didn't have cutie marks. So my way around that was to do their little logo with something special for all of them. Problem was I didn't know what it looked like off the top of my head. The others I didn't have a problem because I remembered most of them and drew them for myself for later. I sighed quietly and put away all that I had done into a small box. Each bit of cut out for everypony was put in smaller bags so they wouldn’t mix up with others, no pony said I wasn't organized, besides my own thoughts anyway. Maybe I was a few cards short of a full deck? It made me wonder about my sanity after all this. Was it breaking? It wasn't long ago that I broke down just because I remembered everything that haunted me. Now of all places I finally break, it's kind of funny really. I wouldn't trade the peace I could find in Equestria for anything, but I can't look at everything that has happened and say it wasn't anything. Nightmare Moon, Shadowstorm, Vermom, and Sha. Now I have this Grimwand to worry about well at least in my nightmares. I get the feeling he's still alive though, I really hope it was just my brain just playing a cruel joke on me. The door opened for me to leave and closed behind me with a loud click, almost deafening to the silent hall. Hoof steps echoed through the hall as I slowly made my way back to Twilight's and I's room. She started taking up the room with me since her family was taking up her old quarters in the north tower. I find it a little funny that Celestia once asked me after the whole royal thing was set down if I wanted to move to another room in the towers. I didn't want to, besides my fear of heights, I liked the view of the town from my room and the countryside if I sat out on the balcony. An orange aura covered the handle as I entered a small sigh left my lips with the door behind me closing. I turned to see Twilight lying in bed watching me. Slowly making my way further into the room I went directly for the shower. I wanted to sit under the water for a bit. I rolled the knob to the left as the water pelt my fur. It started off cold before it turned warm. I just sat there letting it wash over me. That was until I felt a hoof on my back. Snapping around I see a very wet looking Twilight with a worried look on her face.

“Storm.” She started and I sighed. My guess was she was thinking about my past from what I told her.

“Yes Twilight?” I asked. More to make sure really.

“Are you alright?”

“The better question is: are you?” I asked and she looked a little confused.

“Why would there be anything wrong with me?” She asked.

“Because you've never climbed into the shower with me before. Plus you look worried. What's wrong?” I point out.

“I was worried about you. After your story earlier I started to get worried when you didn't come back after my mother scared you off.” She said as she leaned into me.

“Twilight I just wanted to be alone for a bit, to think about stuff. Luna found me in the restricted section and she had me talk about my dreams. Other then that I was working on stuff.” I explained as I adjusted the water to keep warm and not too hot.

“Nightmares again?” She asked.

“For a while now.” I answered as I looked away from her and continue to feel the water. Each little streams of water just cascade off my coat.

“How bad?” She asked.

“Worse than Nightmare Moon kind of nightmares.” I said simply . Which was true I was dealing with undead, material like things.

“Sorry.”

“You did nothing wrong Twilight. It's just something I've always dealt with, it's a normal thing for me.” I said and fully turned around to look at her.

“But you shouldn't have to deal with it. Storm we’re here to help but you need to let us in to do it.” She said and I understood what she meant. But part of me was worried that when she understood everything from my past... That it would hurt her. There were times when I let my anger get the best of me, that incident in the dragons’ den was one I am not proud of. It shames me that I let my anger out like that. I lightly smiled to her.

“Twilight. I'll make you a deal.”I started and she looked up at me. “After the holidays you and me will sit down to talk about all this. You can ask me anything that is bothering you. That you want to know about me and I will tell you. But... I warn you, depending on what you ask, it may hurt you. Not physically but here.” I said pointing to her heart. “Also there are still a few things I don't remember.” I said then hugged her.

“Alright, I'll hold you to it.” She said with a smile.

“So... not to totally kill the mood here. But um... why did you hop in the shower with me?” I asked.

“Well um...” She started gathering a blush. “Rarity suggested that we get a bit more intimate.” I turned bright red as well as Twilight.

“Are you comfortable with this?” I asked turning away trying to keep a level head. Of course if anypony knew me that would be a rather hard thing for me to do.

“I want things to be better between us.” She said and I was confused. Better? What does she mean better? As it stands it's pretty good, she loves me... right? Wait, was this the reason she wanted to make it better between us? Slowly turning around to look at her as I felt the lump of ice hits my stomach.

“I... I feel bad that you've had so much harsh life. I want to make things better for you so I asked Rarity about it and she suggested something like this.” I cold chill ran down my spine which was odd because I had warm water running down my back. Wait, hold on a bloody moment. She asked Rarity for help and she suggested this? What the hell Rarity?

“Was Rarity reading one of your mother's romance novels?” I asked.

“We'll my mother did ask her if she wanted a preview of her newest book.” Twilight answered putting a hoof on her chin. I face hoofed why am I not surprised.

“Okay that makes a lot more sense now.” This wasn't completely out of left field. Rarity was sticking her nose in all this. “Twilight let me explain something. If your not wanting this then it's wrong. I want you to do what you want to do. As for my bad past, that's what it was, my past. In a way yes it does hurt Twilight. It will always hurt, but in the same sense I do gather strength from it. If I didn't then I wouldn't be who I am.”

“How can you put up with all that and still be as caring and uplifting? Be goofy and joking as you are? How can you put up with it and not be cold to every pony?” She asked, looking at me with worry.

“Because Twilight, I learned my role in life. Why should I be cold or heartless to other ponies? It doesn't seem right. Granted I do have a problem with Blueblood and can be cold towards him. But he is family and you deal with family all the time. The same goes for everything else, I just deal with it. I don't know if that makes me crazy, hell I would be the first to tell you that I'm missing a few marbles in my head. When I'm willing to run in head first to protect those I care about regardless if I die or not says something. Now Twilight why don't we get cleaned up before bed.”I said as I start to feel the burning feeling in my eyes. I've stayed up too long working on the gifts.

“Alright Storm and I will make sure you get a good night's sleep tonight.” She said with a smile as she stepped out. I blushed for a moment watching her flanks. I turned the water to cold as I cleaned myself up. Once I was rinsed off the soap I turned it back to warm for her. I hopped out and grabbed a towel. She blushed for a moment before hopping in.

“I'll be in the room if you need me.” I said before I exit the bathroom. I sat in front of the fireplace. With a breath later the cracking warmth of the red flames gave the room a nice glow. I dried off my fur. I quickly did my mane and tail not really caring how they looked. But as Twilight came out she looked at me and stifled a giggle. What was she trying not to laugh about? “What's so funny?” I asked.

“You coat, it's all fluffy.” She said before she floated me over. She was already dried and brushed her coat. I blushed a bit as she went to the bed and lifted the covers. She slid in then did the same with me. With a flap of the sheets we were covered and she was cuddling me. I smiled quietly as she nuzzled into me. I unhooked my leg and placed it on the table next to me. Then slid my remaining hoof around her to hold her as best as I could. Sometimes I did miss having my other leg, to feel Twilight within them. I know she doesn't like the prosthetic hoof because she does shiver a bit when I gently touch her with it when I hold her. I may start wearing the socks just to keep her comfortable with it or do just remove it all together. It was then I noticed Twilight's horn start to glow and a very warming feeling fill my head. It felt good to me as it was just an ocean of warm water surrounding me like a hug. Was this Twilight's doing? I looked down at her and she back up at me. “I want you to have a present dream tonight.” She said before she leaned up and kissed me. I turned red and she giggled. “They were right, you are definitely cute when you blush.” This got me even redder as she returned to nuzzling with in me. I smiled slowly drifted off to sleep.

“This is... wow.” I said when I got to the dreamscape. It was a extravagant beach. The sand was an almost pearl white against the cleanest ocean blue water. There wasn't some kind of parking thing next to it so it was more a hidden oasis kind of beach. Sitting down under an umbrella on a beach blanket was Twilight looking over at me. She patted the spot next to her. Getting the hint I trotted down and sat next to her. Being careful not to kick up any sand on the way. This place was infinitely better than any dream I've had in the last week alone. Twilight smiled quietly as we looked out into the ocean. “This place is beautiful Twilight.”I said admiring her dream.

“Thank you, it was a place I use to go to before I became Celestia's student.” She said and I looked at her.

“How come you didn't come back here?” I asked.

“Well Shining went off to training to be a royal guard the same day I did my test for Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. Since then we never really all got together to come back here.” She explained. I smiled quietly and looked out at the ocean some more.

“How about we come here when it's spring?” I offered. Which I thought it was nice some getting away just Twilight and I.

“Cool it casanova, you still need to talk to my parents more.” She said and I shiver when up my spine. I wasn't really aware that you could get that feeling in a dream. “What's wrong?” She asked.

“To put it frankly, your mother freaks me out, when she's well...” I start rubbing the back of my head.

“When she's?” Twilight leaning in prying.

“Don't take this the wrong way but. I get the feeling she's trying to hit on me. I mean remember the sofa?” I asked.

“Yeah that was a little weird.” She said not looking at me.

“A little?” I asked.

“Alright. It was weird, I don't know why my mother is trying to interfere with our relationship.” She said with an annoyed huff. Granted I started to smile on the inside when she said relationship. I know she said she loved me but I couldn't help but always getting a little reminder about us being together. I placed a wing around Twilight as we sat there.

“Twilight?” I started a little timidly.

“Yes Storm?” She said looking up at me. Which at this time I had a full blown blush on my face.

“Not to come across the wrong way but is there anything I need to know about unicorns when it comes to... relationship stuff?” I asked. Even to me this sounded like an extremely stupid question but I wanted to know. Mainly to prove to her father I hadn't crossed a line and that I respected Twilight. I already screwed up once with the whole wing thing in bed. That memory still haunts me a bit. I had also learned something about pegasi when I started to read about them. Their first feather out of their wings are kept to give to the pony that they want to spend their entire life with. Now I haven't lost a feather at all. I had always kept them regardless of the crap my body had gone through. But I thought it was time I lost one just for Twilight. I just didn't know when would be the best time. Knowing the bookish mare, she would already fully know about it and I didn't have to make myself a bigger idiot trying to explain it. As predicted she did start to blush before turning from me.

“Well there a few that I could tell you off the top of my head.” She started before running a hoof in circles. “As you may or may not know. Unicorns can manipulate magic not just around them but in themselves and other ponies.” I followed along so far. It makes sense it was unicorns and alicorns that could manipulate magic outside their bodies. “Well two unicorns can effectively link their magic pools together for um... effects.” She said turning red again.

“Effects?” I asked already knowing I was going to regret asking that a moments later but there was too many possibility not to ask.

“Well... it's um... something between ponies.” She said turning redder. I gulped wondering if I had asked something I shouldn't have. “Think of it like... oh whats the word I'm looking for.” She said as she turned away to think.

“Magnets attracting? Pheromones? Love?” I offered.

“Well in a way all of them I suppose. Normally unicorns only do it when they find their um... one.” She said and for some reason a very familiar catchphrase came to mind. I shook it off this wasn't the time for corny puns. This was something important. “It's something private.” She hints.

“Oh you mean like um... socks?” I asked and she looks at me a little confused.

“Socks? Why would socks be a private thing?” She asked.

“Oh well Rarity-” That was all I got out of my mouth before Twilight face hoofed.

“Socks are not as private as she hinted to. Normally ponies don't wear clothes as you can tell.” She said looking at me. “Socks are just as well rarely done. But that doesn't mean they’re private Storm. We are just open with our nudity I guess would be the best word.” Of course as she said that my brain went to work and I couldn't help but turn as I blushed red hot. I really wish she didn't remind me of that. I had almost completely forgot about that little observation until now. “Also.” She said whispering into my ears. “I have a pair of them myself.” she purred and I couldn't help it my wings expanded in moments of that. Damn it why did I have to think of Twilight looking cute in socks. Wait... how the hell does my wings do that in a dream? Maybe I shouldn’t ask that, knowing me that would be one of those questions you don't ask ponies. “It looks like somepony has a dirty mind.” Twilight coed and I could help but blush more. I turned back to her scratching the back of my head.

“Sorry.” I said timidly.

“Relax, I'm only teasing.” She said which did... sort of. We sat there for a few moments before Twilight had that look like she remembered something. “Hey Storm, is it true that you figured out what kind of alicorn you where?” I looked at her a little confused.

“You mean that I'm a dralicorn?” I asked.

“No, I mean like how Princess Celestia governs over the day and Princess Luna governs the night.” She said.

“And how Cadence governs over love?” I asked, to clarify what she meant.

“Exactly.”

“Yeah, I did.” I answered with a smirk. I couldn't make it easy for the lavender mare now could I?

“Well?”

“Well what?” I asked playing innocent, horribly but I couldn't resist having a little fun.

“What is it?”

“What is what?”

“What do you govern over?”

“Something.”

“Tell me.” She said, now looking a little annoyed.

“Maybe.” I said now smiling. That was then she lifted me up in her magic and placed me on my back. She then proceeded to pin me down to the ground holding my hooves part.

“Tell me. Tell me, tell me, tell me.” She insistently pleaded. I couldn't help it since she was face to face with me. I leaned in and gave her a kiss. She turned red and hopped off in surprise. I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she looked. “Hey no fair, no sneak attacks!” She said waving a hoof at me.

“Aw, but Twilight sometimes the best attacks are the sneak attacks, nopony sees them coming.” I said now pinning her after I had shifted the blanket under her causing her to fall back with a soft thump. “But since you wanted to know.” I started leaning in real close to her ear and whisper. “I govern the natural elements themselves.” I said before I kissed her again this time a little deeper. Twilight blushes for a moment but melts right into it. After a few moments the kiss breaks and she pants looking up at me.

“If I didn't already know this was a dream. I would be asking myself if I was dreaming.” She said with a small chuckle at the end. I couldn't help it but I grabbed the little unicorn and we just cuddled on the blanket in her dream. Which was a little funny, I would cuddling her both in bed and in her dream. Cuddle-ception? Who cares, I have Twilight here and we are both happy. “So what do you mean the natural elements?” she asked and I smiled a bit.

“It's something I can only guess really from observation. Fire is quite easy to understand since I can breathe it naturally and water because I can be under it without air. I figured out stone or at least crystal from fighting Shadow back at the crystal empire.”

“Wait you fought Shadow where?” Twilight interrupted. Well... whoops. I guess I forgot to tell her about that.

“Yeah, well I was um... hiding from you I got into the chamber for the infinitely torch. There I fought Shadow, who was trying to break me down mentally to kill me.” I summed up.

“Was that you making everything shake?” She asked giving me a curious glare. I gulped and nodded.

“Yeah, I used the crystals natural atonement to sound to help defeat him with a mixture of the royal Canterlot voice and my dragon's roar. But as I was saying, that fight helped me notice that a lot of spells like blink, drain me faster than say trying to move rock or crystal. It feels like waving a hoof in shallow water, it's easy to me. Then there's the whole lightning thing and how my body can just absorb it.” I continued where I left off.

“Doesn't that hurt?” She asked.

“Yes, but the effects outweigh the pain. I'm also able to fire it from my hoof. Now, I did have time to find a very useful spell when it comes to lightning but I haven't had a chance to test out my theory about it.”

“Oh, what's your theory?” She asked now intrigued.

“Well I found a call lightning spell, which is suppose to draw any storm clouds to me and fire a bolt. Not counting already fired bolts of lightning. If my theory is right then I can use that if need be. Say if Shadow or Vermom comes back to attack.” I explained. Honestly I didn't like having to learn offensive spells for this, though I had known after my first full day that being prepared for attack was a must. Those two always had something to really hurt me and those I cared for. My only real question was, am I or any pony I care for ever safe? I highly doubted that.

“Storm?” Twilight asked me knocking me out of my thoughts.

“Ah, yes Twilight?”

“You okay?” I blinked for a moment from that.

“Am I okay?”

“Yeah, you suddenly got all quiet and sad looking. I didn't know what was wrong.” She asked and I sighed.

“Nothing important right now, just thinking is all.” I said.

“What were you thinking about?” She asked and I fell silent for a bit. “Please?”

“I was just thinking about how much I didn't like having to learn some of these spells.” I didn't look at her when I said that.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“The only reason I wanted to learn more elemental based spells was so I can defend all of you, especially you Twilight. I don't like the thought of attacking ponies unless I have to or I'm pushed to that point.” I said remembering the coliseum fight. Even then I was used to having to fight anyway, I fought to protect back on earth. I guess if there was an element for me it would be either sacrifice or defense.

“Storm, I do understand. I don't really like fighting either. Well the snowball fight was okay because it was for fun but...” she hesitated for a bit. “But when we had to fight you I felt bad for it. I know it wasn't you in control but you still got hurt regardless. When Shadow used that spell and I had to redirect it. I...” She started to cry a little. I reached up with my left hoof and wiped the tears away.

“Twilight, It's alright. You did what you had to.” I said, my eyes softening.

“But you still got hurt Storm, it tore me up inside. It tears me up every time I see you get hurt to protect one of us or yourself. I don't want to see you get hurt, but it seems like every time something goes right, somepony has to come by and screw that up.” She started to rant. “I don't think I'm the only one feeling like that. I know Pinkie tries to cheer you up by throwing you a party but you seem less interested in it.” I put a hoof up to her mouth to stop her.

“Twilight, her parties do help. I just... I don't like big parties, especially when I'm the center of attention. I like being around friends more then having a much of ponies then I don't even know come to a party. Nothing against any pony but... I don't know them. Also with everything that's happened a bit of my own paranoia likes to set in and makes me second guess every pony. I will promise you this: Once we know for sure that everything is safe and I don't have to worry about those two attacking me. I will honestly try and enjoy one of the largest parties that Pinkie can throw.” I said with a smile. Twilight pulled my hoof away from her muzzle.

“Do you Pinkie Promise?” She asked. I couldn't help it I went through the motions for it.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.” This time to make sure I closed my eye before doing so. Twilight smiled up at me before launching herself to pin me again. She smiled this time before giving me a deep kiss. I predictably blushed and so did she before she pulled back.

“Alright, I'll hold you to that.” She said with a smirk before laying down gently on top of me. I smiled quietly at the unicorn holding her close. That was when everything started to fade away as we woke up to the new day.

***---***

The day went smoothly for the most part. I finally got a look at both Rarity's mother's cutie mark so I could finish her gift and the Cutie Mark Crusaders capes too. So I had their design scribbled down. After I convinced Twilight that everything was going to be fine and I was going to work on their gifts, she started to hound me. She reminded me of... Me, when I was a little kid wanting to know what my gift was before Christmas. I told her that it was going to have to wait, but I give her something, a little Santa hat that she should wear. She beamed at me, both at the sight of the kind of hat I used to wear during the holiday season and that I gave her a gift. I suggested she go and show it off to everypony. Soon after just about everypony came by, knocking on the study’s door, asking for a hat. Being as nice as I was, I complied and gave every pony a Santa hat. Even Celestia and Luna came by for one. I also made sure to put little slits in for everyponies’ ears. I learned as I made my own that sometimes ponies’ ears didn't like being stuffed inside something. After the two royal sisters came by I was alone to work on every ponies’ gift. Thankfully I got them all done in time. I had planned on giving them to everypony, including Blueblood. He was family and I thought to at least extend the olive branch to him, being the holidays and all. With that I was done sewing and stuffing each one. I also had the staff get me bags to fit each on in. With all that done I had one plan left a night of drinking with all the fathers and brothers. I mainly wanted to make sure that Shining Armor and Big Mac wasn't left out, a guys night out kind of thing. That and I had to make sure that I had at least one guard with me for this, well Celestia asked me about it anyway. After I told her that I was going to invite Shining she agreed and even gave me the bits to pay for the drink, an early gift from her and Luna. I thanked her and waited for night. Of course making sure I had the staff deliver the message for to meet me at the front gates at night.

“Are you sure about this?” Shining Armor asked next to me. He wasn't wearing his normal armor more to my own request.

“Eeyup.” I said sounding like Big Mac who was next to me at the time. “I wanted some time to get to know all of you. I mean Shining, you’re family and I don't really know much about you besides that you're married to Cadence, you're the captain of the royal guard, you’re Twilight's brother, and you’re a pretty cool pony by my standards. As for Big Mac here I don't really know much besides he's strong and Applejack and Applebloom's sister, beyond that I don't know anything about you two. As for the other fathers, I know even less. So I thought a little fun get together at a bar would be a nice way of getting to know each other. That and I always wanted to see if I could out drink Big Mac here.” I said pointing my metallic thumb at him. I've got to say I really like having this prosthetic hoof for simple motions like that.

“I see your point. But still are you sure about this?” He asked.

“Yes I'm sure Shining.” I paused for a moment then smirked. “Are you sure this isn't because I drank you under the table last time?” I said, grinning.

“No way, I can out drink you any day.” He shot back.

“Sounds like a challenge. What do you say Big Mac?” I said turning to him. He gave a knowing smirk.

“Eeyup.” He added. It didn't take long for the fathers to come out noticing the three of us.

“So why are we all here?” Night light asked.

“Well I wanted all of us to get to know each other. So I figured a night of drinking before Hearth's warming eve would be the best way. Just some good old fun.” I said. Night Light gave me a skeptical glance the same as Heart Shy. Rarity's father, Magnum I think, just smiled under that bushy mustache of his and then there was Igneous Rock. He looked stone cold. I looked around having the feeling some pony was missing. Of course right one cue Rainbow Shine decided to appear next to me causing me to shout. “Ah!” I got out before he started to laugh, like father like daughter I suppose.

“Wow you are just like Dash said, easy to surprise.” Shine said. I rolled my eyes at this. “So which bar are we going to and who's paying?”

“Well which bar do you all want to go to? I prefer we all agree on the bar just so there's no fighting and to answer your second question, the drinks are on me.” I said floating up my bit bag. Shine, Shining, and Big Mac grinned at this. The rest of them nodded. It wasn't long until we found this nice out of the way pub to go to, a lot of us were not really into night clubs. Once we all entered “The Wayward Pub” Big Mac and I were drinking whiskey, Magnum had scotch, Rainbow Shine and Shining had hard cider, Heart Shy was drinking some kind of ale and Igneous Rock was drinking moonshine. This surprised me, I had completely forgot they had moonshine here. We all sat down at the table and began to talk. “So why don't we go around and talk a little about ourselves?” I suggested.

“Why?” Shine asked.

“Well because I want to know my best friends’ fathers and brothers better.” I said.

“Well if no pony minds that I'll go first. The name’s Rainbow Shine and I work up at the weather factory in Cloudsdale. I make sure all the rainbow colors are done perfectly and are distributed correctly. Also my daughter won the best young fliers compensation!” He exclaimed almost tossing his drink. Lucky for him I caught it with my magic. Well, I know where she gets here showboating from.

“The name’s Magnum, some of you know me as the old star player of the Canterlot Hoofball team, retired early because of a bum leg.” He said shifting his left hind leg. Okay so that answered a question I had earlier about his cutie mark. “Nowadays, I help the younger generation get ready for the big times by coaching in Ponyville.” So he was around town then, good to know. It was then Pinkie's dad's turn to speak up.

“The name is Igneous Rock. I work on our rock farm mining rocks for gemstones. It's an honest living.” He summed up. Being related to Pinkie I would have figured he would open up more but nope, cold as a rock. I guess it makes sense, his name was Igneous Rock after all.

“I'm Heart Shy, I work up at Cloudsdale general hospital and I'm mainly a neurologist.” He started adjusting his waiting for someone to inquire about it. I couldn't help myself because I know about it.

“So a specialist in the nervous system and the disorders that affect it?” He paused for a moment in his adjustment and looked at me.

“Yes, how did you-” He began to ask.

“I had a lot of free time so I picked up a few books to broaden my aspects in science.” I said, That and my curiosity about something got me to dig into it more.”

“You've pecked my curiosity this time. What did you want to know?” he asked and everypony looked right at me.

“Well, for quite some time I had to deal with depression and I looked into a the correlation with it and neurology. I didn't have a severe case of it to really be linked. I had a doctor look into it so I was sure instead of second guessing it.” I explained. He looked me over and nodded.

“At least you seek professional help for it then deduced it yourself.” He said with a nod. “Now as I was saying I’m renowned in my field but I did study in other practices so I was well rounded. Which was why I was able to deal with your prosthetic” He said. No pony said a doctor had to focused on just one field.

“I can guess that Fluttershy's knowledge in medicine was because of you then?” I asked more taking a stab in the dark on this one.

“Yes, she asked me to teach her just to help her friends. I didn't know at the time she meant her animal friends. Nonetheless I'm glad to see what I taught her didn't go to waste.” He said adjusting his glasses again.

“Indeed.” I answered then turned to Twilight's father. “So what about you Mr. Light?” I asked. He raised an eyebrow at me.

“I'm one of the professors at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. I teach an advanced class in light spells. Mostly used for show mares and show colts.” He explains. “I remember one of my best students. Her name was Trixie Lulamoon.” Big Mac, Shining Armor, and I almost choked on our drinks. The rest of them gave the three of us questioning looks. No way, there was no way in hell that can be the same mare that I think it was. If it was then definitely this universe was screwing with me.

“Was this Trixie always speaking about herself in the third pony perspective and had a light blueish coat with two tone sliver blue mane?” I asked. Night Light took a few moments putting his hoof on his chin for a moment, as if he was deep in thought.

“I do believe you’re right, have you seen her?” He asked now with a curious look on his face. I couldn't help it but face hoof.

“Yeah we've met.” I sarcastically said. I was still a little annoyed for what she did. “Long story short she is still using that magic to put on shows.” I said to derail the, where do you know her question, I knew me and my big fucking mouth would bring up her attack. Lucky for me he didn't ask, I didn’t even see coming.

“So, whats your story?” Magnum asked. I blinked for a moment. My story? These stallions wanted my story?

“Yeah, I've quite curious about that myself.” Heart Shy added.

“Alright, please keep in mind that what I'm about to say does seem... weird I guess would be the best word, but it is true.” I started before launching into the story about my arrival to them. I told them that I came from another world that had humans, which I had to explain, Heart Shy seemed intrigued by it. Then I explained about the whole dragon in my head.

“Wait. A dragon is your mother?” Magnum asked.

“Ah, yes. Which is why I'm not technically a pony but a drony. The mixture of a magical dragon and pony. So in technical terms I'm a dralicorn, or dragon alicorn. I can change into a more dragon like from which I don't really like to do unless I need to fight or to protect. I can walk through fire and breath it with ease.” I explained.

“Alright I call pony pies on that, prove it.” Shine said and I couldn’t help but grin. With a quick burst of fire later he looked at me in shock for a moment. “So awesome.” Diffidently Dash's dad.

“But as I was saying a drony has something that is called a storm which is when Sha, my mother, took over and I had to fight her for control.” This got a shudder through all of us. “Which I couldn't do without my friends. As to why I came here, I don't have a clue. I don’t even know what happened back there to lead up to this. I literally didn't even have anything to my name even my name.” I said with a light chuckle. “Before you, I'm not really the whole royal type. I've already did the diplomatic treaty with the dragons which didn't end too well.” I said looking away.

“I heard about that. Why did you sit outside her room for so long?” Heart Shy asked which got Night Light to look at me in surprise.

“You sat outside her room during the whole time?” he asked.

“Well technically yes. I sat outside her window on a cloud the whole time, but to answer the question: I did it because I said I would protect her and I failed. I wanted to make sure nothing happened as she recovered. I didn't move, eat, or sleep during that time running completely on my internal magic.” I explained.

“Are you crazy?” Heart Shy said in surprise. I couldn't help it I put my glass down and held my hoofs about an inch away. “A little bit.” I said. He took a double take at that.

“A little... you sat out... and... Ugh.” he exclaimed throwing his hoofs up into the air. “That explains a lot. I got to see your records and noticed you get hurt quite a lot compared to other stallions. Do you rush head first into everything or pull the stupidest of things?”

“No, honestly I don't like to run in head first if I don't have to. But I will to protect those I care about or if the time calls for it.” I answered. There would have been another question if another stallion didn't decide to start something.

“Hey princey” He insulted. We all turned to see a purple coat with darker purple mane and tail walk up with three other ponies. The only reason he caught my eye was his coat color and cutie mark. This unicorn stallion had a storm cloud with rain coming from it. I really hope his name wasn't what I thought it was because then I would have to face hoof so hard.

“I'm going to assume you were talking to me.” I replied back.

“Of course, do you see any other snobby royal in this pub?” He said as the other three looked a little worried. I couldn't blame them. One because I was a royal and he was insulting me and two because the captain of the guards was literally sitting next to me.

“What makes you think I'm snobby?” I said getting up and slowly walking over. If this stallion wants to start a fight then I want to make sure it's with just me and nopony else.

“Because your a royal and everypony knows that all of you royal ponies are uptight snobs. I mean look at Blueblood.” He did have a point about him but I wasn't him.

“Look, I'm not like Blueblood but I have the feeling you don't really care what I have to say about the matter. So I will do this. You leave now and nothing will happen. But if you continue to go down this route with me I am not held responsible for what happens.” I said calm and evenly.

“Rain, I suggest we do it. He is a prince after all.” His red coat and orange maned friend said.

“Oh please Burner, he's all talk and no show.” He said then proceeded to smack me across the face quite hard. I held up a hoof to stop those behind me, especially Shining since he was a guard and I was a prince. I took the time to wipe off my muzzle where a small bit of blood started to form with that familiar copper taste.

“Please listen carefully, I will give you one last warning: You do that again then I am not held responsible for what happens next. If any damages happen to this pub you will be the one forking over the bits to repair it.” I got out before another hoof smacked me across the muzzle again. Another wipe. “Okay so you want to pay it that way. Fine by me. But let me ask you something Rain.”I started looking at him calm and evenly. “What are you expecting me to do? Do you expect me to just let these fine stallions behind me fight my battle for me? No, that would be too simple. Do you expect me to have Shining Armor captain of the royal guard and my brother-in-law arrest you for smacking me? No, again too simple. What I'm going to do is have you look at yourself, then back to me, then back at yourself, then back to me. Look where are we, in the pub that you just smacked a prince in. What do you have there.” I said pointing to his hoof that smacked me. “It's a hoof, oh look I have one too.” I said holding up the prosthetic one. “And I'm going to use it.” With a loud deafening wham, I sent Rain across the room into the jukebox that started to play some rock song. The unicorn stallion got up and looked at me quite angry but with a smirk on his face.

“Well Princey let me ask you something this time.” He started before his horn started to glow. Small white sparks started to a met from it. “Do you know what happens to a pony when it's struck by lightning?” He asked in his drunken daze. I gave him a questioning look as he grinned at me. “Same thing that happens to everything else.” He said before a bolt of electricity fired from his horn striking me. It slid me back on my hoofs as the sparks from the impact danced around my body. He looked at me in a bit of surprise before I rushed up in a blink of an eye face to face with him. My eyes taking on the familiar red glow.

“I'm not like every pony.” I said before I head butted him. That was when the bar fight broke out. By the time it was over it was out in the streets of Canterlot. Where the guards had to intervene. Shining being the captain had Rain and Burner arrested which later I found out his name was indeed Purple Rain. I face hoofed right after that but Shining asked me about it and all I could answer was with “You don't want to know. Trust me.” He took it at that but still gave me a questioning glance. We returned to the castle after I had told the guards to make sure that it was Rain that paid to get the pub repaired. We got back and Twilight was standing there waiting. Me sporting a black eye I was quite proud of. How many times do I get to say that I got decked in the face after sending a pony through a window? Granted I did also shield that pony so he only felt the impact of him hitting the glass and not the cuts. Twilight wrapped me up in her magic and dragged me along. I waved to every pony as I flew into the castle.

“I can't believe you.”She said looking rather angry.

“What did I do?” I asked.

“What did you do? You can't seriously not know that. You got into a bar fight with my father and brother.” She said looking pissed at me. She spun around and was muzzle to muzzle with me looking me right in the eyes. My ears flattened back against my head and gulped.

“But Twi-” I started before she cut me off.

“No but Twi me. You got into a bar fight with both my brother and father involved. What do you have to say for yourself.” She said giving me a glare, a glare that if it was weaponized it would be an orbital death cannon.

“Twilight I was just-” I got out before she started to shake me in her magic.

“You was just what?” She demanded. Now I would answer if she let me get out at least a complete sentence. Before cutting me off asking the same question over and over again. All the time she was dragging me in the air back to my room.

“Twilight I didn't plan-” I got out.

“You didn't plan what?” She cut me off again. I was starting to lose my patience after the seventh time she cut me off. So this time I wrapped her muzzle in magic to shut her up so I could talk. She of course dropped me to the ground with a thud. I got back to my hooves and this time got right up in Twilight's face. A very mean glare ever present on my face.

“Twilight Sparkle, All I was planning to do was have a few drinks to get to know every pony's fathers. Which included yours, a stallion wanted to start something and I gave him two chances. Two bucking chances to walk away. Did he take them. No! He wanted to start a fight, smacking me across the face twice. I tried to be nice about it but he didn't want that. So a fight happened.” I got out now finally. I released her muzzle and walked past her. Now a little pissed off myself.

“I...” She started before a thought wrapped itself around my heart like a vice. I had a feeling I knew what I was about to ask was right. It didn't change how much it's going to hurt. With that I stopped and asked.

“You were ashamed of me. Weren't you?” I asked not looking at her. I just couldn't look at her with a question like that.

“I...” She started again before a small depressive sigh took over. “Yes.” She said and that vice got tighter.

“As I thought.” I said under my breath before walking down the hall to the private study. Both Rarity and Applejack saw what had just transpired. They proceeded to stare at me as I passed. I didn't say a word to them. Didn't even know what to say to that myself. Doing my best to keep it together I got to the door to the study. The only one that I knew I could be left alone in. I passed the threshold and closed it before I broke down. I silently weeped, Twilight was ashamed of me. I did what I thought was right, but no, I had to be wrong. I should have seen it coming, even worse I did this the day before Hearth's warming eve. My bout of guilt and self doubt was cut short by knocking at the door. I threw up a shield behind me to block entry so no pony would see their gifts. I wiped away the tears as best I could before asking. “Who is it?” I said my voice a little shaky.

“It's me Storm. Can we talk?” A familiar sounding Rainbow Dash voice said. I stopped for a moment. Why did Dash want to talk to me? She didn't see what happened did she? I opened the door and slid out closing it behind me.

“Whats up Dash?” I asked some sadness still tinting my voice.

“What the hey just happened between you two?” She asked.

“Between Twilight and I? I don't want to talk about it.” I answered ready to go back inside.

“You may not want to but I do. Now spill!” She demanded.

“Why don't you ask Twilight about this instead of me?” I said, a little anger in my voice.

“Because all she did was say it was her fault and nothing else. So I want some pony to tell me what happened and you're the only one that knows. So spill.” She said growling that last part.

“Dash remember last time you tried to get me to spill?” I said now looking a touch pissed.

“Yeah I know. You blew up at me and I did deserve it, but this time your marefriend is beating herself up over this and I can't let my friends do that. So for Celestia's sake please tell me what happened.” She said now looking a little worried.

“Fine, follow me then.” I said making sure the door to the study was closed and heading to another room. We found ourselves in one of the kitchens. I got myself a glass of water before I started to explain what had happened at the bar. Dash watched a little amused at all this until I got to when we returned. I was sobered up and I didn't really drink all that much tonight, but I wanted to be hydrated. “Then Twilight dragged me into the castle wanting answers but wasn't letting me get a complete sentence out. So I wrapped my magic around her muzzle so I could speak.” I did leave out her dropping me hard on the ground. “When I told her a dawning thought crossed my mind and...” I took a deep breath before continuing. “And I had to ask if she was ashamed of me. She was which hurts the most in all this. It's like a vice around my heart Rainbow. So I just wanted to be left alone so I went to the one room that I knew no pony could enter.” I explained. Dash on the other hoof looked upset.

“So she's beating herself up for being ashamed of you?” She asked to clarify.

“Yeah, in a way so am I.” I said not looking at her.

“What? Why?” She said now a little surprised.

“Because I caused something to make her ashamed of me. I thought I was doing something right. I guess I was wrong, as usual.” I said lowering my head. That was when I got smacked across the face again.

“Storm you need to cut that out. I'm sick and tired of you doubting yourself over the littlest of things. Yes, Twilight was ashamed of you but probably didn't know the details. Yes, you may have screwed up at some point. But I would have done the same thing if I was in your horseshoes. So suck the buck up and go talk to Twilight before she does something drastic. Trust me you don't want to see her when she's pushed to the edge. You should have seen her when she forgot to send the princess a letter.” She said with a shudder. I deadpanned at her. She couldn't be serious for me to think that Twilight would go completely off the. Boom! A loud sound was heard from the hall and I couldn't help but flatten my ears back at this. Okay maybe there was something to Rainbow's comment. The booms started to get closer until I realized that it was the sounds of doors being blasted open. A spike of panic shot through me. If what ever was making that sound found the room with every ponies’ gifts. I rushed out into the hall to find a very scary looking Twilight Sparkle blasting doors open. She was right about to blast the studies door open when she looked at me. A sense of horror ran rapidly through my body seeing her, her mane and tail looked completely wild. I started to slowly back up down the hall. Hopefully she doesn't... crap. Within seconds of that thought she disappeared and reappeared tackling me to the ground, knocking the wind right out of me. I looked up to see the tears streaming from Twilight's face as she looked directly at me. If she was a targeting me with a spell I would guarantee a headshot at this close range.

“I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry that I was ever ashamed of you for doing what you did. I just didn't know how to take the fact that my colt friend and father got into a bar fight here in Canterlot. I didn't know you gave him two chances to walk away before it broke loose. I just didn't know how to take it I was just- I was scared.” She got out before I put a hoof up to her lips to get her to stop.

“Twilight please stop.” I requested and she broke down into more tears dropping on top of me. I think she may have bruised something when she tackled me. “Twilight I... I can understand why you were ashamed of me.” I started.

“No, its just. Oh, I just didn't know how to take it. I don't know what to say to something like this. To find out my colt friend was in a fight just... I don't have the words for this and words never failed me before. What can I say to this? I'm sorry that I was ashamed of you without the full details and that-” She got out before I shut her up, kissing her directly on the lips. She predictably blushed at this, I lifted her up in my magic this time so I could get up and catch my breath finally. I sat her down onto my back before I headed back to my room with her. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere private so we can talk. No offense to everypony here. But this is something to talk about privately.” I said before walking off. Twilight on the other hoof started to hug me tightly. I winced a bit from her touching some tender spots from the fight, she started to nuzzle right into my neck. The door opened with a flick of magic and as we got in, I sent a small fireball into the fireplace to ignite it. I floated her off me and sat her down again. With that I stepped closer to the fireplace and started to watch the flames dance and flicker away. Twilight came up over and sat next to me.

“Why do you watch the fire like that?” She inquired. I looked over at her for a moment before turning back to the fire itself. I figured this was some way to delay the main topic that we should talk about.

“To be honest, I find a sense of peace watching it. The way the fire just dances and flickers to the wind. How it can destroy and create.” I said holding a hoof out and blowing a bit of fire into it causing a fireball to float there. It just floated a few inches above my hoof.

“Because you can control it like you do other element?” She asked and I nodded.

“Yeah like how I can destroy things by causing problems.” I said before dissipating the flame.

“What about creating?” She asked. I smiled at this as I brought up a ball of snow. It melts as it comes into the room. From there I take it back outside and form it into a star shape. With a flick of magic the wind picks up slowly freezing the water into the star. Twilight goes over and takes it over in her magic.

“How can somepony like you, who has gone through such things, create such works like this?” She asked holding it and spinning it around.

“Because Twilight, sometimes the most beautiful of things comes from the ugliest of places.” I said coming over to her the fire dieing out behind me letting Luna's moon shine on both of us.

“That's another thing I don't understand, how can you say that you're an idiot when you just said something profoundly wise and logical like that?” She said looking up at me. I sighed quietly before turning away and walking towards the bed.

“It's simple Twilight, I may know the workings of a computer or some of the details to neurology, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't think. I go by reactions. When I say something stupid, either from not knowing anything about it or pure innocence to it. That or I tend to overreact and then do something extremely stupid. Sitting outside your room or using the blink spell too many times when my body wasn't use to it come to mind.” I explained. “I mean yes I do pick up elemental spells like a fish takes to water, but I’m probably just attuned to them. When Dash stuck me up on a cloud, what did I do? I jumped Twilight. Not a clue on how to fly to save myself and running on the assumption that hitting water would save me. In all likelihood it could have just killed me just as hitting the ground would. I am not a smart pony Twilight, wise maybe, but not smart.” I finished turning to her my eyes starting to feel tired. Not my body just my eyes. She came up quietly.

“I think I understand. But you really shouldn't doubt yourself like that. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for, granted you do make rather rash choices. I can't say I haven't myself. So we’re in the same boat Storm. I... I know I should have trusted you more than I did. Can you forgive me?” She said looking up at me with teary eyes. I reached up and gently placed a hoof on her cheek.

“Twilight, I don't expect much trust from any pony. I've only been here for a few months but I do understand forgive you. I don't blame you for not trusting me.”I got out before she shut me up with a kiss. Damn it she learned my trick.

“Storm I should trust my coltfriend more. You are important to me and I should cherish it more. But I... just...” She started to break down in tears and I couldn't help it. I floated her up and over to me to hold her close.

“It's alright Twilight, I understand.” I said rubbing her back softly. She looked up at me and I softly smiled down at her. I then lifted both of us up and onto the bed. Which was harder, I wasn't use to lifting myself up in magic yet. My marefriend did tell me that self levitation was harder to do then lifting some other pony at some point. I don't quite remember when but she did. We got comfy in the bed and under the covers. “Twilight why don't you get some sleep, tomorrow is a big day.” I offered she looked up at me.

“What about you?” She asked.

“I'll be alright Twilight. I'll be here the whole time, I promise. Besides when nature calls but that's beside the point.” I said followed a small chuckle.

“You really do know how to kill the mood don't you?” She said with a small smile.

“What ever it takes to get a smile out of you Twi.” I said nuzzling her a little. She blushed and so did I.

“Alright. Good night Storm.” She said as she nuzzled into my chest softly.

“Good Night Twilight. Have a pleasant dream.” I said giving her a peak right below her horn. She blushed a bit before the rhythmic sounds of her sleeping took over. I smiled quietly as I removed my prosthetic hoof and placed it on the nightstand next the bed. From there I got comfortable and laid there thinking about everything. For the most part I wondered how I ended up here in Equestria again. Everything leading up to waking up in my mind with Sha chasing me was still blank. I remember about three days before that. A few of my friends where coming down to see me, the only ones I could call friends really. There was one or two back where I lived that I remembered where good friends and didn't use me. I wonder what happened when they got there? Did they find out that I just disappeared or was it something else? My brain had started to go down a dark path before one of Twilight's hooves came up and smacked me in the back of my head. I blinked for a moment and looked down at Twilight. Who was looking right at me.

“Don't you dare even think down that path.” She said making more sound like she was scolding me then telling me not to.

“Sorry, old habits die hard.” I said and nuzzled in again.

“Well then I'm going to have to break that habit now won't I?” She said before going back to sleep. Now I've got to wonder how the buck did she even know my mind had gone down that path? I sighed quietly. I thought back to the Infinity Torch and about that blue band back in the Canterlot Archives. Something felt familiar with both of them and I don't know why. Well it didn't matter, I just hope tomorrow will be better...

***---***

So far the day went fairly well. Nothing hurt, besides the bruises from the bar fight. Other then that the day was going well. Celestia even helped me get the gifts ready. Well, after she asked me about the locked study that even she couldn't enter. I explained that Luna locked it for me so I didn't have to worry about prying ponies seeing their gifts ahead of time.

“This is nice.” I said with a light smile and a few floating bags behind me. I didn't have the magical prowess like Celestia had as she lifted seven eighths of the gifts. I felt bad that I had Celestia help me. I was still a little burnt out after the bar fight, didn't know having to reform shields could take so much out of a pony. It only really hit me some time after Twilight went to sleep the second time. She never really explained how she knew. All she told me is that mares just know.

“Indeed it is. I'm surprised really.” She said and I turned to look at her.

“About what?” I asked.

“Well, after the whole bar fight that I heard about and I do admit that you caught me by surprise giving that pony two chances even after he struck you twice.” She said as we entered the hall with the tree. There were already gifts underneath it. It didn't take us long to place all the gifts around.

“What's surprising about that?” I asked.

“Well my little ponies can be a little disagreeable and you've shown that you can act rather rash at times.” She explained.

“That’s true Celestia but all he really did was insult me. Now if he insulted Twilight or anypony else that I care about. Then most likely I would not have given him two chances to walk away.” I explained as we went off to join every pony in the dining hall.

“Why is it when some pony insults you, you take it with a grain of salt but if some pony insults anypony else... You, for a lack of a better term, go off the deep end?” She asked.

“Simple, for most of my life I've been insulted to the point it doesn't bother me as much anymore. Yeah there's always going to be a sting here and there but for the most part it doesn't bother me if I'm the target of it.” I explained calmly. I know the old saying about stick and stones but sometimes, when I am in a dark place in my mind, words can hurt just as bad.

“That does make sense I suppose.” She said and I started to give her a questioning look. For some reason that “I suppose” didn't sit right. I guess honestly a few things still didn't sit right but it doesn't matter, it was the day before Hearth's warming and I was going to spend it with Twilight like I had planned to. We entered the dinning hall with everypony there including Luna and Blueblood. This time he sat in a private area of the table. Lunch went by uneventful, we all ate our meals me avoiding flowers. Twilight eyed me the whole time, of course her attention was split between me and Dash. They had started an eating race. Geez, Dash's competitiveness ran in the family? Her mother had them beat hooves down by the time Dash and her dad got half way. This was great, moments like this, friends and family around a table having fun. But the real fun began when we all went back to the tree. I was asked about some of my old world’s holiday traditions. Well I told them about the eve of Christmas that everyone back home got one gift to open before the holidays. Of course the C.M.C. jumped at this but was cut off by Rarity, Applejack, and I.

“Now some of you know that I was hidden for the last few days. I had something I wanted to do for everypony, that includes you Blueblood.” I explained and he turned his snobbish gaze to me with his left eyebrow raised. “I was working on every ponies gift and it's alright with you two I would like that to be the gift everypony opens.” I said turning to Celestia and Luna. They looked at each other then back at me with a nod. I smiled a great warmth beaming smile as I started to float every ponies gift to them. Of course Twilight, Celestia, and Luna where the first ones to get their gifts, followed by Cadence and Shining. The rest of them got theirs, including Blueblood, who just looked at his with a sense of disgust. I internally sighed at that. Everypony turned to me who didn't have a gift. I was fine with that, but Twilight gently nudged me.

“Why don't you have one?” She asked in a whisper.

“Because I'm fine waiting.” I whispered back. “Now everypony go ahead and open your gifts.” I got out before each present flew open. Even Celestia and Luna smiled digging in, every ponies’ gifts were hoof crafted pillows with their cutie marks. The C.M.C. of course had their little logo as a pillow. I had made sure to put something behind each one to tell them apart. Apple Bloom had a blooming flower with an red apple next to it. Sweetie Belle had a silver bell with a wrapped piece of candy next to it. Scootaloo had a red scooter with black wheels and a trail of rainbow fire behind it. I knew she was a big fan of Dash's so I couldn't resist and put something there for her. Rarity flipped her diamond pillow over I had made sure to get the right light blue and slightly darker blue so it did look like the gems on her flank. Applejack held up her big red apple with green steamed pillow. Since their cutie marks where a set of three and I thought it would be unfair to do three for them. I took the time to make one large ones. Same went for Pinkie who was out right hugging the ever loving hell out of her blue and yellow balloon pillow. I had made sure to make one side one color and the other well the other color. Shining had his shield and Cadence had a pillow crystal heart with little golden accents. Of course I made sure Celestia had a large sun and Luna who I thought would have been unfairly smaller cutie mark. So I gave her a large round pillow with a crescent moon in it. I also had to use special glow in the dark fabric so that her moon glowed for her. I had to make a mental note to remind her. Twilight's eyes widened when she pulled out her star burst cutie mark pillow. She turned to me and without a moment's thought pounced on me.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you” She rapid fired at me, hugging me. I couldn't help but smile. The sound of some pony clearing their throat caused Twilight to stop and turn beat red. She then climbed off me and sat down smiling giving off the sound like a squeaky toy being released. What? Did I just... Nah, must have been my imagination... right? Unfortunately the moment was killed as soon as I heard.

“And what is this with this commoner bunk.” He said floating up his compass rose cutie mark pillow. “Like I would rest my royal head among this... ugh thing.” He said with pure disgust in his voice. “This 'thing' doesn't have a right to be around.” He said and with another flick of magic I watched my hard work go up in flames literally. I sat there and watch the flames claim it. Images of Pallet and Base started to flash, watching all the work I did go up in flames. I don't remember when my head lowered or when I had started to shake but I was just sitting there.

“Blueblood!” was yelled I don't remember who. But if I could guess it was either Dash or Applejack most likely. Hell it could have been both but I didn't care. I didn't look at anypony.

“If you excuse me.” I said shame filling my heart, I got up and left in silence. I started to wander the halls. Images of the old art studio continued to flash in my vision as went down. All around me were the destroyed works of art that I did. The ashes and crumbling remnants of it laying about. I felt and icy lump fill the pit of my stomach. Why should I be surprised to find ponies just like the ones back home? Flicking my horn the door in front of me opened to my room. I went in and closed it behind me. I went straight for the shower after I removed my hoodie and my shoes. I had tried to get use to wearing them just in case of a party. I let the cold water run over me as I let my mane just fall and drape over my head. I let out a sigh but with in a moment a small dink could be heard. I looked down to see a small bit of ice by the drain. I floated it up to look at it. It was like an icicle. I turned it over and gave off another sigh before another dink was heard. I floated it up to find another one. They looked the same. Though the first one was a little bigger. I wonder? I let out another breath this time longer as I watched the water coating the two icicles freeze and make them bigger. I continued to do this until I had one large chunk of ice. Good to know, I literally have ice breath. I guess that's one way to break the ice. Hey everypony, did you know I could turn your water into ice with a breath? This of course fell right into my natural control of the elements. Turning water into ice, check. What new fucking powers am I going to get? Am I going to be able to turn sand into glass? Well technically now that I thought about it I could do that with just my fire breath alone since sand was used to make glass. Well it was back home here it's a little hard to say for sure. I turned the water to hot. Right about then three loud resounding knocks came from the bathroom door.

“Storm are you in there?” Twilight asked with worry in her voice.

“Yeah, you can come in if you want. I'm in the shower.” I said no real mirth to my voice. The door creaked open as I heard the telltale sounds of Twilight's hooves.

“Storm. I'm-” she started before I cut her off.

“It's not your fault Twilight.” I said.

“But Blueblood-” She started.

“Destroyed my gift, I know, I shouldn't be surprised.” I got out before a telekinetic slap to the back of my head came from what I could guess was Twilight. “Ow! Geez Twilight what was that for?” I asked now a little annoyed.

“You very well know why. I told you not to doubt yourself and you were about to go down that path.” She said with what sounded like a huff. I floated out the large chuck of ice into the sink before I got asked. “Why did you have that in there?” She said now switching to curious then the angry she was before.

“I created it in here.” I answered before I turned off the water floating a towel over to me. With a flick of magic I opened the curtains. “It seems I can freeze water with my breath” I explained then created a makeshift cup in my magic filling it up. I brought it over to me and letting out a sigh like before. Twilight's eyes widened watching the water almost instantly turn to ice.

“Oh wow. I... I need to write this down. How did you find out you could do this?” she asked grabbing paper and a quill.

“A few moments before you came in. I sighed in the shower and some of the water turned to ice on me. Then It happened again so I experimented and got that thing.” I said pointing to the large chuck of ice still in the sink. She started to float up said chuck and study it. I gently stepped around her and back into the room. A poof of flames later I sat by the fire to dry off with the towel. The doors burst open and a mass of pink flew at me tackling me. What ever air I had in my lungs was gone in moments as Pinkie had me in a death grip pony hug.

“I am so so sorry that that meany Blueblood made you think of something so so saddy waddy that you got all mopy on us and walked off and I just sat there looking all upset but didn't do anything when Dashie and Applejack got up in that meany pony’s face. Then we tried to find you and you where no where to be found. Twilight said she was going to check on your room here and didn't come back and I got worried so I hopped down here to see if you and Twilight were here maybe mooching to make you feel better but I don't see her. So I figured you needed a big ol’ hug to make you feel all better and not think about that old art studio with those meany ponies. Pallet and Base I believe were their names, those two are really jerky pants and should really be taught a lesson about being mean to ponies and destroying such great work and don't tell me your work isn't great. I mean look at the pillows you made for everypony. You got them spot on even for Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Really what pony can say they got a hoof made gift from their friend on Hearth's warming eve? Not many that I know and I know just about every pony well at least in Ponyville. I really need to throw you another party but this time get every pony to talk to you so you can make so many great friends and not be all upset about things like this. Because you will have so many friends to cheer you up it won't matter that you can't go home because something terrible happened and you are now here and get to meet all of us, even the princesses and so many many nice ponies.” Pinkie started to rapid fire at me was I was starting to lose consciousness from lack of air to my brain. She had a death grip on my neck making sure air can go out be none can replenish. The edges of my vision started to blacken when Twilight came out to notice the barrage of words coming from Pinkie's mouth. She turned to look at me and eyes widened. Then everything when dark.

***---***

Some time later I woke up to half of my vision filled with lavender. I blinked a few times and realized I was being held by Twilight. My gaze went around the room to find Rarity talking to Pinkie who looked a little worried until her tail twitched then she looked like she didn't care about what Rarity had to say and stared directly at me. She then bounced right at me. My eyes turning to the size of saucers, almost scared clinching them tightly shut, not again. An impact never came. I ventured a glance, which I knew was extremely stupid. If you knew doom was coming why the hell would you like to see it? I saw Pinkie being suspended in the air a few inches away.

“No Pinkie. He hasn't woken up and you already knocked him out once.” Twilight said with a little anger to her voice.

“But Twilight he's up. See he's even looking at you.” She said pointing to me and she was right. I did turn my gaze to her. She looked down at me and jumped back in surprise. Not ready for something like that my head bounced off the ground with a painful thud.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you were awake already. Why didn't you say anything?” She asked coming back holding my head again, softly this time. Pinkie was still floating there as Rarity and Applejack came up. I started to hear some flapping as I saw Rainbow fly above them.

“Finally, seriously dude you had us scared.” Dash said and I blinked. How long was I out?

“How long-” I got out before a cough cut me off.

“A few hours.” Twilight answered. I took a deep breath enjoying the sensation of breathing again. Note to self, avoid a Pinkie Pie death grip bear hug for like Ever!

“He's in here father.” The timid voice of only one mare that I knew. Fluttershy came up with her father Heart Shy next to her with his medical bag under his wing. He came up and looked directly at me. I gave a nervous smile. Of course that's when I heard that squeaky toy sound again. My look turned to one of confusion. What the hell was that? You know some pony really needs to come up with a hey welcome to your new body instruction manual. Then you know shit like this wouldn't surprise me or I could at least get them all in one sitting. But nope I get to have these little what the hell is with my body kind of surprises. I looked up at Heart Shy who set his medical bag down and started to dig right into it.

“Please explain what happened.” He said. Well technically he ordered and he being a doctor I was much to agree with him knowing.

“A case of asphyxiation caused by an over energetic hug to his neck. Then two small blows to the head.” Twilight explained. Wait, two? The doctor caught the same thing as I did.

“Two blows?” He asked.

“Yes, one when Pinkie released him and a second from... me.” She said going timid on the last one. “I did a brain scan and there doesn't seem to be any damage that I could see.” She explained.

“Are you able to display them on a wall Miss Sparkle?” Heart Shy asked. She nodded and within moments my brain was displaying for all to see. Thank you universe because I totally wanted to see my own head up on a wall somewhere, you jerk! I let out a mental groan as my eyes closed. I didn't want to see my own brain up there. “Hmm...” came from the doctor's mouth. Oh great, what now?

“What is it Heart Shy?” The regal voice of Celestia spoke. I opened my eyes to see her, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor enter the room.

“I can't say for sure but it seems that some of his well... reasoning areas of his brain seem unresponsive at times. Miss Sparkle could you please enlarge E3 for me?” He asked and the small image of my brain in the boxed sections to the right moved over and enlarged. It did show some of my normal brighter patches of my brain darker. Almost like someone went in and just turned off the lights. What did this mean now? “Just as I thought. Now E7 please.” he continued. Another box floated over and enlarged to show that area to be brighter. “It seems that something is causing his brain to shut down that area for brief moments. I can't say what the short or long terms of this can be. Frankly I've never seen anything like this.” He said turning to me. I gulped out of both worry and fear. “Firestorm if you would indulge me. Do you think that after the holidays I could, with some of my fellow doctors, take a better look at that?” He said as she adjusted his glasses.

“Sure I guess.” I said more a little nervous. “How um... bad is this?” I asked now worried.

“From what I can tell you will be prone to some rather rash decisions against your normal better judgment.” He said.

“Well that would explain a lot.” Twilight added.

“What's that suppose to mean?” I said in probably a more eked tone then I wanted. She flattened her ears back.

“I mean you've been known to do some, rather impulsive things so this would explain it. If its something with your brain then it would explain you jumping to... shall we say hasty choices?” She said looking at me. I sighed at this. She was right, sort of. Yes, I have done some impulsive things, insulting a timber wolf or distract a living nightmare. Maybe I was broken. Wait did that mean my liking Twilight came from one of those lapses in judgment? Please tell me for the love of all things that one was just me and not broken me. I sank into Twilight's embrace some more closing my eyes. I slowly turned over and began to hug her with every ounce of my being. Please tell me that this wasn't because I was broken. I started to shake quietly as I continued to hold the mare I... I couldn't lie to myself either, could I? “Storm?” Twilight asked and I could already tell she was looking worried. I didn't see it but from some reason I just knew. I felt her hold me tighter, I couldn't help it, I just sat there holding on to Twilight crying. So much for the holidays, so much for making this feel right. Since day one I screwed up big time. “Can everypony please give us some time alone?” Twilight asked. I heard the sounds of hooves walking away followed by the door shutting. “Please talk to me Storm.” She said. I couldn't, I just couldn't. I shook my head and I held on to her more almost like she was my life raft. “Storm it's alright.” She said. Slowly I shifted my gaze up to her “How about we just stay here for the rest of the night. So you don't have to see anypony else.” I looked down for a moment getting that same thought. Maybe she wanted to talk about finding out I had a problem with my head. Did she guess what I had been thinking or was it something bothering her about this? I looked back up and nodded slowly into her chest. She floated us over to the bed and wrapped us up in the blanket. I smiled quietly as I felt warmer. My left eye was pretty much covered by Twilight as my right one gazed out of the balcony. It was night time when I came to. “Your worried aren't you?” She asked and I nodded. “Can you please tell me about it?” I swallowed a bit before looking up at her.

“I... I don't know how to word this. But I can't tell what choices I made where me or... broken me.” I started. Not the main thing I was worried about but vague enough to get the point across.

“I thought so.” She said. “Your worried that our love started off because you were impulsive, right?” She said more searching for clarity.

“Yes...” I said timidly.

“I can't answer that Storm. Honestly I don't think any pony can answer that. But I can tell you one thing.” She started and held me tighter. “It doesn't matter. Because I do love you Storm. I don't care if you have any problems with your mind or not. It doesn't change how I feel for and about you.” She said. “I can understand why you're second guessing it and I can understand it scares you. I think I would do the same thing if I were in your place.” She said I smiled a little at this. “Storm can I ask you something?” She requested and I nodded into her. “Do you still love me?” I blinked for a moment then shot up to look at her in surprise.

“Twilight, of course I do. I still love you with every fiber of my being.” I said as she leaned in and rested her head into my chest. I gently placed my hooves back around her and made sure the blanket covered us.

“Thank Celestia.” She whispered under her breath. I don't think she wanted me to hear that so I kept quiet. “I was worried that you didn't after finding out about that. I know I still love you but you remained silent for so long I guess it started to eat at me a little.” She explained.

“Twilight.” I said softly before she shook her head at me.

“You don't need to explain Storm. It's alright, it was a silly worry and I should have known better.” She said before gently kissing me. I smiled into it before pressing a little harder making the kiss a little deeper. She pulled back a moment looking at me. “Storm if you don't mind. Could we sleep tonight?” I looked at her for a moment with a raised eyebrow. That was a very weirdly worded question. “I mean would you mind going to sleep tonight with me?” She asked and I nodded.

“Honestly Twi I had planned to. But if it's not to much could I make a small request of my own?” I said with a small embarrassed blush on my cheeks.

“Sure, what is it?” She asked and I got a little redder.

“Please don't take this the wrong way but could we um... go to bed with socks on?” I asked. She slowly blinked for a moment. I guess confusion sat in before she gave me a playful smirk.

“I see some pony wants to be a little kinky.” She said and I turned bright red.

“No!” I exploded. “I didn't mean it like that.” I said trying to back peddle her thoughts.

“Relax Storm. I'm just playing with you. I already know you don't think socks are some kind of kink. It's fine. I don't see it either, but, Why?” She asked and I breathed a breath of relief.

“Well Twilight, I want to be able to hold you tonight with both forelegs. I know my right one can be rather cold to you and I figured the socks could help that and for one night I just want to forget that I lost my leg. Maybe something rather normal in my abnormal life. That and I got curious and wondered what you would look like in socks. You can shoot me off if you want for the idea.” I said looking at her. She smiled and playfully batted me on the nose.

“Storm you are normal.” she got out before I deadpanned at her. “Alright, fine, you're a little abnormal but you are still normal.” She tried to get out before noticing my still placed deadpanned stare. “You can't blame me for trying to make you feel normal. Right?” She got out before floating her saddlebags over to her.

“Twilight, I appreciate the thought. But it's fruitless. I'm not a normal pony. Technically I'm not even a normal drony, I'm just abnormal by all standards. The only normal thing about me is well... how broken I am.” I elaborated before I get another playful bop to the nose.

“Storm, please stop beating yourself up like that.” She requested and I looked at her.

“Twilight, its my way of dealing with stuff. I know I'm falling back on old habits. But I really don't know how to do anything else when it comes to handling all this. How am I supposed to go on just knowing my brain is broken like that?” I asked running my prosthetic fingers through my mane.

“Break your old habits and get you healthier ones?” She suggested.

“I guess.” I said with a shrug. “But it won't be easy”

“Then can you make me a promise?” She said pulling out purple and pink striped socks from her saddlebags.

“Sure what is it?” I asked.

“Promise me that you will at least try, for me?” She asked looking up at me. With a warming smile I looked back at her.

“Twilight, despite the fact that is physically possible. I would move the sun and the moon if it means make you happy.” I said and she smiled.

“That was a little corny Storm, sweet but corny.” She said giving me a little nuzzle. She started to pull the socks on with her magic. I finally brought over the little box Rarity gave me with my socks and pulled out my orange socks with the blue band at the top. Twilight watched me put them on. “I take it Rarity made those for you?” She asked.

“Yeah it was very kind of her to do so.” I said after I got them on. I've got to say having magic makes getting dressed so much easier. They were practically tube socks anyway.

“She does make beautiful outfits for ponies.” She said gently resting in my hooves. I smiled as I held her close.

“Indeed she does. That tux she made for me was the finest I've ever seen.” I said with a smile.

“Wasn't it the only one you've ever seen?”

“Well, in person yes. Or would that be in pony?” I questioned out loud.

“Both is fine. Do you do that a lot?” She asked looking up at me.

“Do what?”

“Question about pony lexicon like that?” She said giving me a curious look.

“Well most times I do it in my head. Rarely do I say it out loud. Honestly I do question a lot of things in my head.” I said nonchalantly.

“You know you can always ask me if you're unsure about something, right?” She said.

“I know, but they’re normally little things that don't really matter. Now that I think about it, there is one thing that kind of curious about. Why do ponies make a squeaking sound that reminds me of a squeaky dog toy?” I asked.

“What do you mean Storm?” She asked looking at me like I had grown a second head.

“I mean this.” I said then gave a nervous smile making the exact same noise.

“This what?” She continued to ask. I blinked for a moment.

“Didn't you hear it?” I asked this time.

“Hear what?”

“This?” and I did it again same smile and same freaking noise.

“I don't hear anything and I only see you smiling like your trying to hide something.” She said getting a little annoyed with me.

“I guess it's only in my head.” I said followed by a sigh. Great more to add on to the hey brain your broken list that I seems to have started. I guess I looked a little down because Twilight looked a little worried.

“Storm if you say you hear a noise like that. Then I believe you no matter how crazy it sounds.” She said which didn't really reassure me at all. My ears flatten back as I looked away. Even to her I sounded crazy. “Ugh, Storm.” She got out sounding more annoyed. “Sorry I... I need to watch my words around you.” She said and I shook my head.

“No Twilight, you don't need to. I know it sounds crazy I mean I am-” Whap! Twilight swatted my nose. “Ow!” I said rubbing it.

“Don't got there Storm. You’re not broken.” She said

“Sorry.” I said after the stinging sensation had gone down. Twilight then rubbed her head into my chest.

“Storm you don't need to be sorry.” Twilight got out before the knock at the door. “Who is it?”

“It's me darling.” Rarity said, a few moments later Twilight opened the door for the alabaster white mare. She came in floating Twilight's pillow with her and a tray of food.

“Hello Rarity.” I said a little timidly.

“Hello Storm. Sorry about the whole head business and what 'that stallion' did to your fine work.” Rarity said added a lot of venom to “that stallion”.

“It's fine Rarity. I know it wasn't the best-” I got out before another whap from Twilight. “Ow!”

“Storm what did I tell you?” She got out as I rubbing my muzzle. Those where getting increasingly harder, I noticed. Was she treating me like some dog by swatting me on the nose like that?

“Um Twilight Darling, not to butt in like this: But, why are you hitting him?” She asked.

“I'm trying to get it across his thick skull not to doubt himself.” Twilight said shooting me an annoyed glare. I shrank back a bit at it to the point I looked away.

“I agree that you shouldn't doubt yourself Storm but Twilight I don't think that's the best way considering his past like that.” Rarity said floating over Twilight's pillow to her. Twilight blinked for a moment then turned back with widening eyes.

“Oh, dear. I... I completely forgot about that. I'm so so sorry Storm.” She got out before my socked hoof came up and shushed her.

“Twilight it's fine. I know you only have my best interests in mind and you’re trying to get me to stop well... you know.” I got out the sighed quietly. “So what brings you here Rarity?” I asked more to switch the subject now.

“Oh right, I wanted to thank you for the lovely gift. I didn't know you were so good with fabric.” She said.

“Just another medium for me to do art. I mean how hard is it to draw out a pattern and work with that?” I asked with a shrug.

“I would love to see you try your hoof on a dress or maybe a suit.” She suggested.

“Maybe some day Rarity.” I said turning my gaze out to the window.

“Something wrong Storm?” She asked.

“Just a little tired is all. I have too much to think about and not enough time.” I said with a light chuckle.

“You know darling if you need somepony to talk to we’re all here for you.” She offered.

“I know, thanks.” I said giving her a warm smile. “I just think I need to sort things out for myself first. Maybe sort it out playing the piano or something.” I said.

“I think that's a marvelous idea. Twilight why don't we take dear Firestorm to the music room. Maybe he could play something to clear his mind.” She offered. Twilight thought about it for a moment then nodded.

“If you don't mind us being in socks.” She offered. Rarity only smiled.

“Of course I don't mind. This way Storm can show off the wonderful socks I made for him.” she said with a smile. There goes Rarity again, using me as a walking billboard. This time I really didn't mind, I nodded and Twilight began to float me. I internally sighed, within moments we got to the music room and I was placed down. Out of complete habit I went to the piano and began to play. The keys slowly danced under my hooves as I let the music slowly take me away. In my minds eye I see a land covered in snow and ice. The peaceful serenity overcomes my senses as I find in a sanctuary of snow. Drifting throughout the night's breeze, little crystallized flakes of snow fill up the sky. I can hear the crunching of my hooves through the fresh snow. I don't feel the little chills of the wet flakes of frost. Each tab of the key reminded me of a small bell going off to tell of the beauty and warmth that one could find in such a cold place. I could even smell the smoke coming from a log cabin found in the snowy field surrounded by a snow topped forest. In a way it reminded me of the crystal empire. If the crystals were ice just looming over in the background. The piano was another one of those instruments that I never really played much. I did know a few tunes but not that I did now. Could it be that to broken brain gave me more talents than I did before or was it because of something else? The tune slowly ebbed away into a few small chimes until it stopped. I let out a content sigh before I heard the sounds of hooves stomp lightly on the ground. I blinked for a few moments. Wait that was more than just two ponies, almost like. I turned around to see everypony there. The elements of harmony and their families. I turned a beat red in embarrassment.

“That was just outstanding. I didn't know you could play something so awesome.” Dash said and I gently started to rub the back of my head.

“Ah thanks. I didn't think it was that good.” I said.

“I must disagree. That was exceptional playing. Where did you learn to play like that?” Celestia inquired.

“Would you believe me if I said I was self taught?” I asked back.

“Really?” Twilight now being a little surprised.

“Yeah, I had a lot of free time to pick up things. Music was just another form of art to me.” I said looking back at the keys quietly.

“What was that piece called.” Rarity asked.

“Oh well. It's called Sanctuary Of Snow. One of my own pieces.” I said.

“Wait your telling me that you came up with that yourself?” Shining now said surprised.

“Yeah. Like I said I dabble in a lot of things. I figured music would be one and I played a little at a time. Something to fight back the loneliness I felt.” I said before turning back to the keys. Starting to play another tune, one soft and sweet. It sort of reminded me of soaring through the sky. My wings even gave a little flap as I played this. It reminded me of walking on the clouds in Rainbow Dash's dreams. You know dealing with finding my friends and dealing with Nightmare Moon. But now that I had the time to reflect back on it. I did kind of like Rainbow's nightmare, for the scenery. I mean yes I get the appeal of flying. Well granted Dash did kind of shove it down my throat, now that I thought about it did seem like fun, the wind in my wings kind of like when I jumped from that cloud when everypony was chasing me. The thought of flying into the sky wasn't as scary as I first made it out to be. My horn started to glow as the cello next to me start to play as well as the flute came over and expanded on the tune. The funny of all this was I wasn't really controlling it. More like my music was commentating for the music itself. I smiled when the music finally ended as I set the instruments back in place. Another set of hooves started to stomp on the ground as I turned back around with a warm smile.

“You've got to tell me the name of that one.” Dash said hovering in the air.

“Calm Unknown Skies.” I answered as I still felt that almost floating feeling over me from the music. Before a yawn came over me as I felt even more drained than I did before.

“I think that the prince is tired and probably needs some sleep like the rest of us.” Celestia said. I would have shot her the 'you think' kind of look but I was too tired to really care. I did want to sleep. I hopped off the piano bench and walked over to Twilight with a slight wobble to my step.

“Storm shall we?” Twilight said with a light blush and I sleepily nodded as we began going back to my room at the castle. The nice firm looking bed just called for me. Twilight floated me up and moved the blankets out of the way for me. She jumped up on the bed and laid down before setting me next to her. I smiled sleepy at her before gently pulling her close to me. Giving the most adorable blush she squeaked in surprised before looking up at me. I smiled back before she sat the blanket it down around us. I slowly started to drift into the world of dreams with the only beginnings of feeling Twilight pressing her magic into me almost like she was cuddling me where her magic. “Good night Storm.”

“Good night Twilight Sparkle.” I said before the world was washed away with a blanket of black.

***---***

The dream this time wasn't a horror or gory at all but nice... I was back on earth outside my old house just as I remembered it. I saw the Christmas lights decorating the front porch of our duplex. Well our half was decorated, next door really didn't do anything. I went around to see the snow covered path on our little house. I went up to the door to find it unlocked.

“Storm?” The voice of Twilight said. I turned to see her walking towards me.

“I guess you're in my dream this time.” I said with a light smile.

“Yeah, you kind of pulled me in before I was ready.”

“Ah, sorry.” I apologized.

“It's alright, I wanted to see your dreams some time.” She said joining me at the door. I slowly opened up the door to see our little landing and three steps leading up to the kitchen, Twilight followed me in. Inside was all sorts of holiday decor, the tree was standing in the light brown walled living room with the sofa angled so part of it was facing the large entry way that lead into the white walled kitchen. I went over and sat on the sofa. It was the same odd comfy. Twilight came up next to me and sat. All I did was look around seeing the flat screen television on the entertainment center. The game consoles and even the DVD player. I saw the armchair that my dad used to sit in a lot when my mother didn't take it. I saw the snowball candles on the glass coffee table and even the green and red placement cloths under them. The tree spun around showing all the old ornaments, even the wooden ones we placed on the bottom for the cats. This place was as I remembered it and yet it wasn't the same. My family wasn't here, there was no signs that some pony was here. I didn't even really remember what they looked like anymore did I? I sighed quietly until I felt Twilight gently press me on the side. “Storm please talk to me. What's wrong?” She asked.

“I... I miss them, Twilight.” I answered. Moments like this I did miss my family even when they didn't really treat me right at times. Sometimes you put up with family just because they were family.

“It's alright Storm, maybe someday we will figure out a way for you to see them again.” She said and I shook my head. I already had this talk with Celestia.

“There's no point Twilight.” I said not looking at her but the empty photo frames around the room.

“What do you mean?” She asked and I sighed.

“Let's say I do get to go back to see them. Who said I would be a human when I do so? I would still probably be a drony. To them I would be some freak of nature and the government there would capture me and either dissect me or hunt me down. They would see me as a threat, there is no point in me going back even if I wanted to.” I said not looking at her.

“That... that horrible. What kind of pony would do such a thing?” She said looking at me in shock.

“Humans are scared of the unknown Twilight. Their impulse is to fight what they don't know then study it after it doesn't pose a threat to every... one.” I answered making sure to use the one instead of pony this time. I watched the tree spin some more.

“Is that one of the reasons you beat yourself up?” She asked. I looked away from her.

“No, its one of the reasons I don't see myself being a normal anything. Even when I was human, I wasn't normal. I could be nice and I still had enemies that hated me. That would do nothing but want to see me hurt, for their own sick amusement.” I answered as I felt a cold grip in my chest. I felt cold almost like my heart started to freeze over thinking about it. “That world wasn't kind to me Twilight.”

“Then don't think about it anymore. You're in Equestria now and you have me.” She said holding her forelegs out giving me the universal want hugs sign. I couldn't help it but smile as I held her close.

“Thank you Twilight.” I said as I looked around.

“Your welcome Storm.” She said before she leaned forward causing me to fall back onto the sofa with her laying on top of me. I blushed at this looking up at her. She only gave me a knowing smirk before leaning in kissing me again. “You know since where here I've always wondered what your room looked like.” She said and I turned even redder. If she only knew what that implied back home. I don't think she would have just said that.

“Are you sure Twilight?” I asked and she nodded getting off me. “You've seen my room. So it's only fair to see yours. Well what you remember of it.” She said smiling. I nodded with a small gulp. The two of us got up and off the sofa. I lead the way up the stairs and into my sisters room. After cutting her off before the question. I told her that I use to have to walk through my sister's room to get to mine. She nodded before I opened the door for her.

“Mare's first.” I said and she smiled going before me. “Watch your head.” I said a second too late because a thud came from ahead of me.

“Yeah I think I got that. How did you ever get up here?” She asked fighting to get up. I floated her up in the more safer way.

“I use to be taller Twi and only needed two legs.” I said now working my way up. My room being the attic was nice, except in the winter where it was freezing cold and the summer where it was blistering hot. A large king size waterbed frame sat in the middle of the room with a queen sized mattress sat in it, the edging was filled with blankets and pillows. Twilight hopped onto the bed which was covered and a large red comforter with simple white pillows to rest your head on. I walked over and joined Twilight a moment later. She looked around the room until she homed in on my bookshelf. She went over and looked through them. I remembered some of the titles but a lot of the books where just empty books. Twilight pulled one out and flipped through it. It was blank so I figured I didn't remember what was in them. I didn't have photographic memory so there was no way for me to have it memorized. Twilight deflated a bit noticing her thrust for knowledge from another world wasn't going to be found in my dream. She came back to me, I turned to the head board and saw a few of my little knick knacks that I housed there and a few more books too. One was my old journal, which I pulled it out and flipped through. Blank, like every other book here. I sighed realizing I shouldn't have hoped to remember something like that. Twilight pulled out a little figurine. It was a little swordsmen holding a katana in the traditional style. Twilight turned it over a few times before putting it back and pulling out another one. This one was a bright red scorpion with three tails and a large red eye on the main body. One of its pincers was larger than the other, like it was it's main attacking and defending one. She looked it over before putting it back. I smiled just watching Twilight's curiously at work. I laid down in the bed feeling a little nostalgic. I always felt comfortable with my red comforter, being one of my largest and thickest blankets it helped me through many winters. I sighed quietly looking up at the sloped ceiling. Twilight then looked over at my TV table and found my laptop.

“What's this?” She asked pointing to it. I turned to see her pointing at it.

“It's called a laptop. Think of it like a portable computer just more compact.” I said sitting up and floating it over to me. I gently pressed the power button on it and watch it boot up with ease. The nice peaceful moment was shattered as soon as the screen came alight. Right there displaying for Twilight and I to see was a spayed body of my pony self, guts and all pulled about. I slammed the laptop shut shivering as I could just feel my heart beating a mile a minute.

“What... what was that?” Twilight asked. I turned to look at her and she visibly paled a bit.

“Something I didn't wish to see, at all!” I got out before I put the laptop back on the table. Not waiting to ever look at that thing again. I was not ready for my dream go from nice and winter to death and dark in a nanosecond. I shuddered just thinking about that image, please don't let this dream turn into something like that.

“Storm, was that something you see a lot?” She asked and I nodded slowly.

“When I have nightmares they mainly consist of things like that but on a grander scale.” I said just shuddering thinking about that freaky asylum again.

“How can you even stand having something like that. I'm surprised you haven't-” She started before shoving a hoof into her mouth. “Forget I even say anything.” She got out before turning away.

“What were you about to say?” I asked.

“It's nothing, forget about it.” She said again keeping her back towards me.

“Please Twilight.” I said coming closer and sitting behind her. She shook her head so I reached around with my hooves and held her close. I sighed quietly and just sat there in silence. “You're afraid I'm going to be upset by it aren't you?” I got a slow nod from her. A slight smile danced across my face. Even now she worried about how I felt about it. I gently wrapped us up in the red comforter as we watched the snow fall out the window together. Not really a big window but it got the job done until everything went white and we woke up. Slowly opening my eyes to a mass of multiple colored blurs. Twilight sat up next to me as I wiped my eyes a bit to see every pony in my room. I blinked before a little too loud.

“Happy Hearth's Warming” everypony yelled, including the rulers of Equestria.

“Ugh.” I got out grumpily before a white mug filled with coffee was floated over to me in a sunshine yellow aura. I gently took it in my magic and took a fairly large gulp of it.

“Hey don't hog all of it.” Twilight protested and I smiled passing it over. She got a swig down before we let the delicious caffeine do it's job. We lifted the blanket off us and climbed out of bed. It was then I noticed that all the gifts that were under the tree were in the corner of the room. I blinked for a few moments waiting for my brain to catch up. I looked down at my hooves and realized that both Twilight and I had our socks still on. I didn't see a problem but I looked over to see Twilight caught it and was in a frantically removing hers. Honestly I kind of liked the feeling of them on my hooves, they felt warm.

“So why is everypony in here?” I asked more after my brain finally kicked in.

“We figured after the rather depressing news last night we would make you feel better by going right into the gifts early in the morning.” Applejack said.

“Eeyup” Big Mac added. Of course a lot of the parents were confused at the very breezed over context of depressing news. At least they weren't alone as the C.M.C. were just as confused as the rest. I slowly removed the socks after Twilight had tried and pull them off me. Thanks Twilight, I didn't already guess that you were embarrassed being found with them on. I sighed quietly as I got the last of them off.

“I'm glad everypony was thinking of me but you didn't need to do this.” I said with a warm smile. “It's much appreciated though.” I said. I stretched a bit before hopping off the bed on the floor where I noticed the Cutie Mark Crusaders all sitting on their pillows that I made. They all smiled up at me. I smiled and reached for my large necklace to put on. Rarity smiled, I could only guess she like the idea of her work being shown off like this. Twilight came over and leaned into me. Night Light predictably gave me a scowl as Velvet looked out right giggly as she floated over a red wrapped box with a purple ribbon and bow. The little tag on it said to Twilight and myself. For some reason the contents were going to scare me, I just knew it. With that the two of us carefully opened the gift me thinking it was a bomb or something. It wasn't, in the box laid a black covered book that housed a dark gray cloud cover top and burning flamed bottom. The idiot that I was, floated up the book to see the title of it. “The Storming Twilight.” I gulped and turned red as well as Twilight.

“Mother... you didn't-?” Twilight said almost in complete shock. I opened it and right there she had signed it.

“To my loving daughter and my soon son-in-law. I hope this gives you a few ideas and quite a few grandfoals.” It said with a little cartoon looking pony giving the reader a wink. I cold chill ran up my spine as I looked over to Twilight who was beat red.

“Thank you mother.” Twilight got out since my voice died on my breath. I looked away to see Rarity with a knowing smirk. Something told me that this book was some of what Rarity got to read earlier. We placed the book down gently on the bed as the rest of the gifts got passed out. There was a pretty sizable amount for everypony. I was quite happy about this, sue me, I like getting gifts on the holidays. Twilight smiled and slid over a large orange box with blue ribbon and bow. I smiled and carefully opening it to find two books. The Equestrian Myths and Legends volumes one and two twentieth editions sat there in the box. I smiled and give my marefriend a lovely kiss on the cheek where she blushed. This got another scowl from Night Light and grin from Velvet. I didn't care, well maybe a little, it was Twilight's parents. If we ever did get to the marriage stage which part of me did like to think about, I would look forward to it. So next up was from the apples. Which was wrapped in yellow with apples printed all around it. I transformed my hoof into it's more clawed like state and carefully opened it. Inside was an honest to goodness desperado stetson, a nice gray tone hat even had a hole for my horn too. That's Applejack and Apple Bloom for ya. They smiled when I put it on, it fit like a glove.

“Told ya it would fit perfectly Big Mac.” Applejack said, Big Mac rolled his eyes.

“Alright, you win.” He said and I blinked in confusion.

“Darn tootin’ that's one week of chores brother.” Applejack beams. Oh! So they bet if the hat fit or not. Fluttershy was next after she timidly slide the box over.

“If you don't mind. Could you do mine next?” She squeaked.

“I'd be happy to Fluttershy.” I said and gently opened up the large green and yellow wrapped box. Inside was something that just made my heart leap in joy. She made me another blanket, it was almost like the one she made me before. I did miss that blanket, it always helped me get to sleep. “Thank you Fluttershy. it means a lot.” I said giving her a warm smile. She blushed a little and nodded.

“I'm glad you like it.”She said before going back over to her dad. I smiled gently at the folded quilted blanket before resting it next to the book. Pinkie was up next with of course a pink box and a bright pink bow. This thing was pinker than anything had the right to be. As soon as I touched the box it exploded with the sound of a party causing me jump back in surprise. Inside was a scrap book, I blinked before floating it out and opening it. Inside were photos of me, some of the good ones, some bad ones, but all of them, just memories. But... where the hell did she have the camera for all these. I mean she even had photos of me fighting Shadow Storm underneath the Crystal Empire. I looked up at her and couldn't ask, she was just giving me the sweetest of smiles. I closed the book and thanked her. She of course bounced energetically before going back to her parents. Rarity simply floated over a purple box with a white ribbon on it. I raised an eyebrow before taking my claw and popping it off at the attaching strip. Inside were two outfits, one reminded me of something I saw on a famous singer. One that I recall had sung some song about flying to the moon that I always liked to hum, a nice blue suit and matching fedora. I figured blue would compliment the orange in my fur. The second one was... a trench coat for a pony. It appeared to be made out of some kind of thick material. Mainly because I didn't think ponies would use the body of other sentient or sapient beings. Trust me that talk with Twilight spun my head, to find out cows could talk, I was having flashbacks to old children movies.

“I... I'm speechless Rarity.” I barely got out.

“Think nothing of it dear, I know you're very fond of wearing clothes so I figured I could try a few new styles on you.” She said and for some reason that sort of rubbed me the wrong way, the part that got me was the try a few new styles like I was a mannequin again. Please tell me she isn't going to do that to me again.

“Thank you.” I said before she nodded with a smile and went back. Dash flew up and dropped her cyan blue and rainbow ribbon box in front of me. This I've got to say she over did it on the ribbon almost mummifying the thing, I looked up at her.

“What? I couldn't let the awesomeness get close could I?” She said flying back over to her family and landing with ease. I rolled my eyes and de-mummified the box. Inside was a Wonder bolts lunchbox, tickets to a Wonder bolts air show, and a cyan blue hat with a pair of matching color wings with her cutie mark on it.

“Thanks Dash.” I said with a smile before I set all that with everything else on the bed. Next up the C.M.C. slid over a box to me. While not as overdone with the ribbons like Dash's, at least a ten for effort on wrapping the box. It was wrapped up in so many layers of wrapping paper I think I lost count. Inside was a pin, I floated it up and looked at it. The pin was of their symbol. I smiled and hooked it to my necklace. They smiled and bounced before looking over at their flanks.

“Aw.” They all cried out before going back to their pillows.

“It's alright, you'll get your cutie marks in time.” I said with a smile. “Maybe sooner than you think.” I said giving them a sly wink. Celestia then began speaking without moving her lips, telepathy, of course.

“Our gift will have to wait until later.” She said in my mind giving me a sly wink herself. I smiled as we watched every pony tore through their gifts. Twilight smiled as she went through it like a kid in a candy store. As much as I expected, Rainbow Dash gave everypony Dash merchandise. But finally everypony got done with their gifts. I conned the C.M.C. into helping by making a little hoop for them to shoot the wrapping wads into the waste basket. Once it was cleaned I made sure to keep all the ribbons. From that we all sat down and ate a very large meal, one that made me full for the whole day. The only thing that I made note of was that I saw Twilight whisper something to Luna who frowned.

“It's nothing important so don't worry about it.” She said and I raised an eyebrow but shook it off. But every so often I glanced over to Twilight when she wasn't looking. Celestia pulled me off to the side when everypony went back to their rooms. Twilight told me she needed to use the restroom. I told her I would meet up with her later in my room at the castle. I never really called it just my room mainly because I still didn't see it as that really. It was only the room I used when I was in Canterlot.

“So how are you enjoying your first Hearth's Warming?” Celestia asked knocking me out of my train of thought.

“The Blueblood and brain incident aside it's been quite wonderful.” I said smiling.

“I do apologize for his actions. I know you put a lot of work into his gift and it does bother me that he did that, especially in front of you.” She said.

“It's alright Celestia.” I said no real sadness to that statement just more acceptance to it.

“What do you mean?” She said as motioned for me to follow.

“He just reminded me of two... people. They did pretty much the same thing. Well there only difference was that what they destroyed wasn't for them.” I explained she turned her head to look at me and I saw the worry in her eyes. “Don't worry Celestia, it was a long time ago and doesn't really matter anymore, right?” I said with a small but fake smile.

“Sometimes Storm, you're stronger than I am.” She said. I gave her a blank stare to the back of her head. “You're able to hold your feelings back at times when you don't want anypony to know how much it hurts you. I kind of admire you for that and I know how much it hurt to do so.” She continued which surprised me even more.

“It comes from practice in a rather bad place. Out of everypony here I think you would know that even better than I.” I said before she stopped and looked at me.

“What do you mean?” She asked curiously.

“If you don't mind me being blunt.” I asked, “You had to place Luna on the moon for a thousand years. That couldn't have been an easy thing to do and to see her spiral down to the point she was controlled becoming Nightmare Moon. Than the same thing happened to me, almost forcing you to do it again. It must have killed you inside.” I explained and she nodded slowly. “Celestia before you start thinking, I don't blame you for any of it. I don't think Luna does either.” I said.

“He is right sister. I don't blame you for your choices.” Luna said causing me to jump. If she had been an assassin I would have been dead right now.

“I know Luna, it's nice to hear that.” She said looking at her sister who was smirking. She turned her gaze to me with a devilish smirk. Within moments I found myself in another armory with a few weapons but what was sitting in the middle of the room caught my eye, three sets of armor. One was bright gold that radiated. The one next to it was made of a dark almost midnight blue. The third crystal blue with gold accents. On the chest sat the cutie marks of their wearers. The sun, moon, and a crystal heart, the princess’ royal armors. But why show me these? I mean these things looked like it could stand a brutal battle. The small scratches on what I could guess was Celestia and Luna's told me that had scene at least one war. I small frown crossed my mind when I thought about this peaceful place having to see a war, it just didn't seem right to me. I ran a gentle hoof across the metals of both royal armors. I could almost feel the conflict they had to face, like a needle on a recorder player it spoke volumes to me. It spoke of the pony that poured his heart into crafting such fine works, to prove that he was the best and was honored to have his work worn by them no less. I small smile crossed my muzzle when I thought about it. I completely forgot about the other ponies in the room when the sound of Celestia clearing her throat caused me to jump and spin to look at them. An embarrassed blush crossed my face.

“Ah sorry, I zoned out there.” I said gently scratching the back of my head with my prosthetic fingers.

“It's alright, but what were you doing?” Luna asked giving me a questioning look.

“Oh well, I was just seeing the story so to speak.” I said and the two sisters looked at each other then back to me.

“If you would be so kind to explain.” Celestia requested.

“Let me start with a saying: War, war never changes.” I started, “I can tell your armors have seen a lot of combat, either a large battle or just friendly sparring. These armors tell me a lot, each scratch tells me that something great transpired. No matter where you go war can follow. from a simple wrong spoken word to just a simple wave hello. A war can spark anywhere between any pony or anything, your armors tell me of the fights you both had to endure.” I explained, I gently run my left hoof over the armors again. My frown slowly began to turn into a warm smile. “But it also tells me of much more. The crafter took his time with every swing of the mallet, every reheating and treating. He put in his heart, his soul, his very essence, into these armors. He knew that no standard work would do, to be worn by royalty.” I said before turning back. Both of them looked at me, Celestia with a smile and Luna with that knowing smirk of hers.

“Again you amaze me Firestorm.” Celestia said, “You can see something that most ponies over look. You just showed us that you not only understand the grim, but you also see the good it brings.” Luna explained with Celestia nodding.

“Which is why it was best to give you a set as well.” Celestia said as they stepped aside to a pristine set of gold looking armor. But it had a darker tint, giving it a two tone burning color. The only thing it didn't have was a helmet, until Luna pulled out the Moon Helm.

“We thought that you would need some armor just in case you had to fight again. This one set is for here and Twilight was already informed that another set will be delivered to her home since you're both living together right?” Luna said and I couldn't help but blush.

“Um... yeah.” I timidly answered. I was still nervous about the living together thing. I mean yes both Twilight and I had slept in the same bed more than once, but part of me didn't quite see the tree house as home yet.

“Why don't you try it on.” Celestia suggested floating it over to me. It fit perfectly, it came with some well armored horseshoes. These were thicker than the set Rarity made for me, almost like I was wearing hammers on my feet. In a way I wouldn't be surprised. If a pony like Applejack would buck with one of these on, it was scary to think about. It reminded me of a medieval knights armor, it went all across my chest and had my cutie mark out and proud to see. That's when Luna decided to put the Moon Helm on me. I grew in size, about half way between the two sisters in height. The armor changed to fit my new body size better, I felt stronger than I did before.

“Is this armor going to handle my other form?” I asked. Celestia gave a knowing smirk this time.

“Why don't you try?” She asked. My body started to change, with a few differences. My claws on my hooves were bigger and looked sharper. The Horseshoes had holes placed just for my claws so I could still use them in combat. My tail flicked back and forth but the diamond spade on the tail was bigger. My horns grew longer and curved. My wings were larger and the top tip had a claw or point to it. My horn was still curved but even without channeling magic I could see the magic just pulsing through it. I found the mirror in the room and saw that my eyes were bright red and reptilian but whites of my eyes were almost blood red. My scales shined more than normal like if they were made from polished stone. I looked at my prosthetic hoof and noticed it had grown too. Maybe the magic within it was affected some how with the moon helm? But there was an odd bit to the armor, the left side had a latch device, like something could be attached. When I turned to both of my aunts, I noticed a longsword floating in front of me. I blinked for a moment then looked at them, they nodded and I took it in my magic. The blade had a glowing red tint, as if it was dyed the same color as my scales when I transformed. The hilt of the sword was made of a black material, compressed obsidian? The handle on it housed a guard, to help block a pony’s mouth, like a rapier guards but it went from the hilt to bottom of the handle and had a nice ivory white look. the sheaf was a simple blue with golden accents. I slid the sword back in the sheaf and attached it with a noticeable click. That could be both heard and felt. I looked myself over in the mirror a few times even watched my mane dance and flicker like a burning inferno. A smile crossed my face as I turned to both alicorns in the room, they smiled back to me.

“Thank you.” I said my voice having a small growl undertone.

“Your welcome Prince Firestorm” Celestia said and I gave a small wince.

“Celestia you know I really don't see myself worthy of that title.” I said turning my head away.

“We've been over this Storm. We understand why but it doesn't change anything, by Equestrian standards you are a prince. So, if you don't mind me asking, why fight that?” Luna asked. I sat down my armor giving a clank.

“Because I'm not a prince, if anything I’d rather be a knight, one that protects.” I said. I looked up towards the ceiling.

“Storm please don't start down that path.” I blinked in surprise and turned to the royal sisters.

“As you've said, the past is the past, why don't you let it be?” Luna said and I nodded.

“You're right but like I said before, I don't see myself worthy of the title prince.” I said turning back into my normal form and removing the Moon Helm. “But I know it's useless to say otherwise. If I have to be a prince, then can you please at least call me by my name unless you have to use the title?” I requested unlatching the armor. I noticed a fourth stand for my armor, a metallic dink later and my armor was placed on the stand. I kept the helm and sword with me, from what I figured the sword could be replaced. The Moon Helm was one of the kind as far as I knew.

“We can do that.” Celestia said then smiled a bit. “I'm sure Twilight is missing you right now.” I chuckled and smiled.

“Alright Celestia, thank you again for the gift you two.” I said giving them a bow before I walked passed them. “Good Night Princesses” I said waving my wing back to them.

“Good night Firestorm.” The two of them replied. It didn't take me long to return to my room to find Twilight nose deep into another book. The difference here was the resounding beat red blush across her face. Funny part of this was she didn't even notice me come in or walk in front of her. Curiosity got me wondering what she was reading. I Instantly regretting looking, she was reading her mother's book. The same book that was about the two of us in the throws of passion.

“Oh my.” Softly coming from Twilight's lips told me that too.

“Oh my indeed.” I said causing the lavender unicorn to sky rocket up in surprise. I caught her in my magic before she could hit the ground hard.

“Don't sneak up to me like that.” She yelled blushing before shutting the book. I couldn't help but crack a smile.

“Twilight you were nose deep in that book. I think a volcano eruption could sneak up on you.” I said and she gave me a huffed look. I couldn't help it I floated her closer and gave her a peak on the cheek. She smiled softly towards me.

“Your a jerk sometimes.” She said playfully batting at me.

“Only when it's funny.” I replied before she stopped and I sat her down. She came over to me and gave me a gentle kiss. I blushed a bit as I sat the sword and helm down against the wall.

“Your lucky this is your room, otherwise I would make you sleep on the couch.” She shot back.

“I can still do that if me lady wishes it.” I said giving her a little bow. She smiled back.

“If we wished for such things. Then thy would be in for a lonesome tonight. We don't wish that upon thee.” She said dropping into a familiar speech.

“If I wish for my lady knight to do anything. Then she only needs to speaketh the word and it shall be done.” I said before Twilight floated both of us onto the bed.

“We wisheth to sleep with thyself tonight so the creatures of the dark doesn't haunt thee.” She said and with that she floated over the quilted blanket that Fluttershy had made me and rested it upon us.

“My lady commands it then it shall be done.” I said before we laid down. Twilight smiled flicking the lights off plunging the room into darkness. The light of the moon was setting the black shadows about. I watched carefully as Twilight slowly drifted off to sleep. I smiled down at her gently watching her sleep. With a small twinge of pain my prosthetic hoof floated out from under the covers to the nightstand. My gaze shifted to something I didn't quite expect to see yet. With a thud my prosthetic hoof hit the ground as my full attention was on the little brown journal of Grimwand.

Within moments a memory rang in my ears. “Page twenty eight.” was echoed, begging me to read it.

-End of Chapter-