That night went on very quietly. The only real sounds where the random bits of clopping hooves from ponies down below on the streets. The few birds that enjoyed the night time. For instance the owls that I had seen pass by with letters in their talons. The wind and the insects like the crickets that would chirp throughout the night. But most of all the rhythmic snoozing of Twilight who shifted off my wing a few minutes after she had passed out. Once I had slid her carefully off me so I could use the facilities I decided to go outside for a few moments onto the balcony. Once again I was greeted with the night time Canterlot. But there was only one view not counting Twilight that I wanted to see at the moment. It was the stars in the sky, the thousands among thousands of stars in the sky. I could help but remember back to earth. Back to a few moments me and Jessica just sat around staring at the stars talking about well anything really. Moments like that were always nice especially when I didn't hold back talking to her. She knew me and I knew her. I had begun to wonder if that still held true at this point. I guess I'll never know, or was it more I didn't want to know? Either way I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I let out a sigh as I closed my eyes letting the sounds just sweep me away. I could hear the cords of a guitar being played with a light pat of a tambourine followed by a shake of it. It was making a song that I found familiar to me. I let the music take me this time as I began to sing lightly to myself not to wake Twilight.

“Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Yesterday holds memories in time. Remember me to the one who lives there. She once was a true love of mine. Tell her to think back upon younger days. Yesterday holds memories in time, and seek yonder crossroads where we parted ways. Then she'll be a true love of mine” I sang as I let the music continued unimpeded with my words.

“It still amazes me how well you can sing.” Twilight said that caused me to whirl around to see her at the balcony door.

“Sorry did I wake you?” I asked.

“No... I woke up when the music started.” She said coming over. “Where did you hear that song from?” She asked.

“It's something from earth that I remember. Back there it's called Celtic music. Which was just another kind of music I enjoyed.” I answered as I put a wing around her when she came up and sat next to me. She smiled and leaned into me.

“What other kinds do you enjoy?”

“Well... I'm a fan of must things. Classical, rock, techno, and Celtic are some of my more favorable kinds of music. I don't know if I told you but I use to make music back on earth.” I explained looking to the sky again.

“What kind?”

“Well anything that sounded good to me. I was a more atmospheric composer of sorts. I made music to get a feeling or at least tone of a place. Remember when I played for every pony in the castle?” I asked she nodded.

“Well you heard two of the songs I had made then if you remembered.”

“Sanctuary of snow and Calm unknown skies right?”

“Yeah.” I said looking to the sky.

“Storm?” Twilight had asked and I looked down at her.

“Can I ask you something that's I've been wondering for a while now?” She asked.

“Sure.”

“Why do you drink?” She asked and I blinked for a moment.

“Alcohol?” I more asked for clarification. She nodded of course.

“From the stories you told us you throw yourself into dangerous situations when you’re, as you put it, sloshed.” She asked.

“Well... to be honest, to numb myself.” I said. “Well mostly” I corrected a moment later.

“Numb yourself, why?”

“Because of my thoughts mainly. Twilight as you know I think way too much for my own good and sometimes I’d rather be sloshed so I just stop thinking in a way. If it makes you feel better I haven't touched any alcohol since that bar incident.” I explained looking at the stars again.

“Are your thoughts really that bad?”

“When I'm not focusing on some problem or some pony, yes, yes they are. I end up going down a dark spiral of depression. Mostly when I think about my past.” I said.

“You mean like you do of her?” She asked. I turned to her a little confused.

“Her?”

“Jessica.” She clarified for me.

“In a way yes. Before I started thinking I was remembering something the two of us use to do.” I said.

“Was some pony thinking dirty.” Twilight said with a sly smirk.

“What?! No. Geez no Twilight. I wasn't thinking like that. I...” I sighed after that. “No... we never got to that point. We both were completely new to that and... well we were more on enjoying our time together then trying to push the relationship all the way, so to speak of course.” I said. “No I was remembering a time when the two of us would sit down and stare at the stars. Just talking about whatever we wanted to.” I explained.

“You don't think I'm trying to push the relationship do you?” She asked and I looked down at her. I could see the worry on her face as I could see a cover of a book.

“No Twi. Like I said, I want to go at your pace. If you want to do this then it's your choice. I just worry is all.” I said as I brought her closer wrapping her up in my wings. Party to make her feel safe and to help keep her warm. It was kind of nippy out here to begin with.

“Worry about what?” She asked.

“Well... I'm new to it is all and I mean all of it. I've never... did it.” I said turning red from embarrassment.

“Wait completely new to this?” She said in disbelief and I nodded turning more red. “Not even a little?”

“Yeah. I'm... a virgin to all this.” I said really hating that word most of all. You get sick and tired of hearing that over and over again when you had parents who make it their business to pester and berate you about it every chance they got. I looked away from Twilight remembering that.

“Something wrong?” She asked noticing me looking away.

“Sorry just… more aggravating memories.” I said.

“Please tell me about it.” Twilight requested gently nuzzling my shoulder a bit.

“Just... well I hate that word. My father for the most part would always make fun of me. My immediate family would make fun of me for it a lot. I guess that's part of the reason I don't like talking about imitate things.” I explained.

“So is that why you get all cute and blushing when we get real close.” She said starting to lean up into my ear. “and talk to you like this.” She said going into a sultry voice. I couldn't help but turn red in the face from blushing and nodded. “Oh it did work.” She said clapping her hooves together. I looked at her confused and still blushing.

“What worked?” I asked.

“Well... In the mares guide to stallions in chapter eight. How to entice your mate. It said that an audio stimulate is needed to help persuade your partner into performing.” She said and I could tell which annoyed me more. The fact that Twilight was trying to get me to perform like some circus monkey or that I felt used again this time for one of her experiments. I let out an annoyed sigh and began to rub my temple with my right hoof. Think positively Storm, she is your marefriend after all. “What's wrong? Was it something I said?” She asked.

“It's nothing important.” I said trying to keep my annoyance out of my tone. I don't think it worked.

“What did I do? Please tell me.” She said and shook my head.

“It wasn't you. It was me.” I said gently going back into the room. Which it was, I wouldn't be surprised if she was new to this as well. So reading it in a book probably would be the best for her. She came in a moment later closing the door behind her. We got up onto the bed and I laid down for a bit as she joined me under the covers. She went back to sleep for the third time as I stayed with her this time until morning. During the night I had thought back to Dash wanting a flying buddy. Some pony she could fly around with. Now that I thought about it more I wondered about the other pegasi in Ponyville. Wouldn't one of them be better suited for it? I had wondered why she wanted me of all ponies to really be her flying buddy. I mean I wasn't suited to go as fast as she does. Hell I didn't even know if I could really go any faster than… well a bird probably was the best comparison. In the morning Twilight got up and went right to the bathroom. I got up and began to fold the blankets up. She came out a few minutes later to see me back at the balcony. I was standing on my hind legs with my forelegs on the ledge as I looked around to see if I could spot the castle. Lucky for me I was just down the road from the hospital and I wasn't as high up as I first thought. I was on the second floor which mean if I did fall I wouldn't go that far. It would still hurt but still it wasn't as bad.

“Storm?” Twilight asked which got me to turn to look at her stuffing the blankets into the saddlebags she had.

“Morning Twilight. How did you sleep?” I asked.

“Alright I suppose.” She said looking at me. “What are you doing?”

“Just... judging distances.” I explained as I was trying to find a relative point of reference in my head.

“For what?”

“Well this may sound a little crazy. Well a little beyond my normal levels of crazy mind you. But I was thinking of trying to glide to the castle.” I said as I watched her eyes widen.

“Seriously? What about your fears?” She asked and I could tell the disbelief in her voice.

“Admittedly not one of my brighter ideas. But I was also wondering if you would come with me... I... I want to get over this... not just for Dash. But me.” I said that last part more as a squeak.

“Wait. You want me to come with you? How?” She asked.

“Well... you can say no and I will understand. But I was wondering if you would ride atop me and hold onto my neck as I glided.” I said now being nervous on the idea alone. Oh why did I have to have this really stupid idea?

“Do you trust me to ride you?” She asked which got me to look at her in surprise. Wouldn't it be the other way around?

“Should I be the one asking that? I... I mean about you riding on me.” I said covering up my blunder but not my blush at the mental images that followed. Damn it brain why did you have to do this to me now. She smiled looking at me coming closer.

“I worry because your wings Storm. Most pegasi wings especially between the wings are sensitive with all the nerve bundles.” She emphasized by running a hoof down my back which got my wings to pop out with an audible pomf. I also had a shiver run up my back at this. Now I understood the trust me comment.

“Well Twi. I know you wouldn't do something like that without a good reason and... yes I trust you. Honestly I think you're the one I trust the most.” I said blushing at that comment.

“You trust me the most?” She asked.

“Twilight. No offense to every pony else but you're the first one to... well treat me right here in Equestria. You tried to help me when I was just a no pony. Since then it felt like I've gone from one moment to the next. The timber wolf, Nightmare Moon, Sha, Shadow, Vermom, and more. Throughout all of them I always had you to look up to.” I explained sitting back to my haunches.

“Look up to me?” She asked.

“Yeah. Twilight... when it comes to Equestria I know pretty much nothing besides the basics and even those are lacking. Magic well I pretty much am a bowl of water compared to you, Celestia, Luna or any pony. Flying well... every pony with wings is better at it then I am. Scootaloo probably could fly circles around me metaphorically. I guess back on earth I never had any... one to really look up to. Here... well I have some pony I respect. Some pony that looks at me not like something underneath them but more... friendly for the lack of a better term.” I said and she looked at me. Twilight continued to look at me like she was searching my face for something. Granted I had put to large words of doubt into that last comment of mine.

“Storm. I'm honored you look up to me and respect me. But I don't know if I should be the pony for that job... you know?” She said and it confused me.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well... I'm no pony special. I'm no Star Swirl the Bearded, or Clover the Clever. I'm just Twilight Sparkle.” She said.

“Yes because Twilight Sparkle the Element of Magic, personal student to Princess Celestia isn't some pony special.” I said a bit skeptically.

“Alright some ponies would say I was somepony special. But I don't. I'm just a simple pony like every pony else.” She explained. “If anything you're the one that is somepony special. You're the first human to come to Equestria. To become a dralicorn, something that hasn't been seen since before Luna's banishment to the moon and a prince no less.” She said. I could tell she was trying to help me with my self confidence.

“Twilight. I... I guess.” I got out a little halfheartedly. I just wasn't sure about it was all.

“No guessing. You are Storm. As much as you don't like it, the fact of the matter is. You are a prince here in Equestria. Even more so... you're a hero.” She said smiling after she got up in my face about it poking me with her hoof at each point.

“One I will accept I am a prince here. After so many ponies calling me that. What's the point right? Two no, I'm no hero. I have stated this over and over. I am no hero Twilight. I'm just me.” I said giving my wings a small flap.

“But you-” She started to say but I cut her off.

“But nothing Twilight. If you bring up Shadow, he was part of me which in turn caused him. Sha well that's from my appearing too. Vermom much the same. Look, no matter how I look at it, I've caused as much problems as have solved them. At most I would be an anti-hero.” I said turning from her.

“A what?”

“A hero that causing as much problems as he solves them.” I said leaning down.

“Storm, I still see you as my hero.” She said and I couldn't help but blush as she climbed onto my back. “So why don't we glide off into the sunrise.” She said. I swear if she says hi oh silver away I going to pay her back in spades. I climbed up onto the railing with my wings spread out. Twilight used the saddlebags as a makeshift harness. I tried my best not to look down, oh did I ever. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked and I nodded. I took a few deep breaths as I tried to ready myself. Come on I can do it. Be brave for once. Just take the leap of faith and glide damn it. A few minutes passed as we stood there. Well more I stood there with Twilight laying on my back. “Are you going to go?” She said sounding rather annoyed at this point.

“I plan to.”

“When? The next summer sun festival?” she asked sarcastically.

“Here soon.” I said breathing rather hardly. “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to- WAH!” I would have finished my little count down if I wasn't shoved off by Twilight. “What was that for?” I said able to catch myself in the air. Lucky for me I had my wings already extended. I angled myself towards the castle.

“Well you were just going to sit there until we grew old.” She said, I gave an annoyed humf as we glided above the main street of Canterlot. Now mind you I was new to this whole flying thing and the only other time I had glided was trying to get away from Rainbow. Right after my bout of stupidity with Twilight and being chased by every pony. With that said it was rather nice to feel the wind in my wings. I could see why Rainbow enjoys flying now after getting a chance to myself without the blue comet after me. If I could just get over my fear of dropping out of the sky and just being high up in general. I think I may come to love flying. We glided through the large entry to the castle grounds as I tried to angle my wings to help stop. Didn't quite work the way I wanted to. Oh I stopped after swooping up and fell down on my tail. Which felt like I just landed on my rump from a good height. What am I saying it was that. Twilight giggled at this before unhooking herself from my back and climbed off. “I would have to give that landing a five point two.” She said.

“Really? More like a three point six to me.” Dash said flying over. Thank you, you two. That oh so helps my already bruised ego. Which was lying and dying in a corner somewhere. “Oh relax you know we're just playing around with ya.” Dash said folding her forelegs across her chest as she hovered in the air. I sighed quietly shaking off the pain in my tail before heading towards the door to the castle. I was getting quite familiar with the layout of the castle then I would like to admit. Now mind you it took me finding those plans to really get it down and some of the more important chambers were still hidden. It was kind of funny when I found out one of the old worship the sun chambers from Equestria's early days was transformed into the one of the royal bathing rooms. There was three of them in total for each of the alicorns. As for Luna's was from her old worshiping chamber. Cadence had hers from another chamber that I never did find out what it was before that. But I digress the point was I was getting use to how the castle had it's own twists and turns. Twilight, Dash, and I continued our way through the castle with Nightling showing us to the princesses. A few minutes of walking well in Dash's case hovering. We found the two princesses in a large chamber that had a dark blue door. Dash, Twilight, and Nightling bowed to the princesses. I did not. No offense but I was still rather sore from my landing.

“Hello my little ponies.” Celestia greeted.

“Hello princess.” Twilight said still bowing.

“Hiya princess.” Dash greeted with a wave of her hoof.

“Your Majesty” Nightling said.

“Hi Celestia.” Was all out of my mouth. Twilight shot me a glare. I didn't care really. They shouldn't be surprised at this point on how I say hello. Celestia eyed me for a moment but said nothing account to the hellos.

“Did somepony have a bad time last night?” Celestia said over the link.

“Well... you would too if the nurse blundered in.” I shot back keeping calm and leveled tone.

“Ouch.” I got from Luna this time and I could see the sympathetic look on her face. I sighed quietly before decided my reply.

“It's fine. In all honesty I wasn't ready for it either.” I said looking away from them.

“Really? That's... odd to hear from a stallion.” Celestia said.

“Do remember I'm not quite a stallion.” I shot back now with an erk tone to it. As much as I started to like the telepathic talking that I could do with Celestia and Luna. I didn't like the fact that they could pry about more personal things.

“You do have a point but, what do you mean you weren't ready?” She asked.

“Because Celestia. I. Was. Not. Ready.” I said now getting quite irritated. “Look if you want to know then ask Twilight. Without me in the room.” I tacked on before looking away from her. “now can we please get to the matter at hoof.”

“You're right.” She said before looking at every pony again. “Nightling you are dismissed.” With that said pony left with a nod with what I could guess a gusto. Twilight looked up at her mentor and I waited. After a few moments and the door we entered was securely closed. “As you know the Elements of Harmony are the most powerful items in Equestria.” She started before the door behind us showed us a room identical to this one. We all entered it and closed the door behind us. From there we entered another set of halls. Much of the normal Canterlot castle halls where white but these were a nice shade of blue. Instead of the normally placed white stallion guards. Here there were all bat pony guards. The armor was normally a dead giveaway but the yellow eyes also helped tell me this. We continued to travel through the halls of this what seemed to be castle. Which it was. Much to my surprise that Canterlot is twice as big as every pony sees.

Much like the sisters are the opposite of each other the Castles and yes I know I used a plural is much the same. Canterlot in deed has two castles to it. The second one is in the mountain attached to the light half of the town. Which is below the old gem mine. Much like the one Twilight was trapped in when Chrysalis attacked. I only put all this together shortly after getting to a balcony that showed the night version of Canterlot. Since the ponies. Well to be more specific the bat ponies. Didn't have a way to tell the day. Inside there was an artificial way of telling. Well... I guess I couldn't say that since it was all natural. Inside on the cave ceiling was a mixture of gems and fungus that illuminates like the sun does. It dims during the night time much like an natural internal clock. Oh when Luna and Twilight explained this to me. I was blown away. I was no expert when it comes to natural science but it didn't mean that it didn't intrigue me. Hell instead of the torches like the light side of Canterlot. Here they used the fungus to make lamp like torches. They had a nice soft blue glow to them. Well they glowed blue but the light they made what just as white as the daylight outside. I was amazed by it all. There was a few times I caught Twilight watching me before she turned her head to look forward. We continued to go down the blue stoned hallways. Not much to be said between all of us. In the end we found ourselves in a chamber. This one was very tucked away since the door itself was hidden within a wall itself. The door itself held the symbol for the Elements of Harmony sort of. The difference was each one had something with them. I picked out each of the artifacts within the gems themselves. Wait... was this here for the-? Was all I could think before they opened the door to show six crystallized statues of ponies. I saw that it was the same ones but rather more detailed versions of the statue I saw back at the asylum. I stepped in past every pony as something drew me in. I couldn't explain the feeling really almost like something was calling to me. Something in my heart in a way. It was like when a child heard their mother's voice only once and separated for years. Then out of the blue the child heard her voice again and knew who it was without a second thought. I started to look at each crystallized ponies. I had noticed that these ponies didn't have the items like the statue did. I looked at each one and something just kind of clicked in my head.

“Celestia are these who I think they are?” I asked thinking I understood now.

“It depends on who do you think they are?” She said coming closer looking at me for a moment before turning to the crystal alicorn mare. I turned and looked at that one. Oh...oh my- That... oh wow. It really only took me a few moments to realize who the alicorn was.

“Is... is that... her?” I questioned and for a bit I thought she zoned out. But I watched her eyes almost snap back into focus as she glanced down to me before nodding. So... this was her.

“Her?” Twilight asked and I turned glanced back up to the princess of the sun.

“Should I tell her or would you like to?” I asked using the link once again.

“You may if you wish.” She shot back over the link. I could note the sadness in her tone. I turned to Twilight who looked a perplexed but worried too.

“This here Twilight is Faust, Lauren of Equestria.” I said turning to her. “Or a bit more commonly known as Faust the first.” Twilight looked at me for a moment before looking at the figure before her. I on the other hoof looked at each stature. Some of them I could name like Echo Rosary the bat pony mare. I continued to move from each figure. I picked out Rose Mage the unicorn mare. I stopped in front of the earth drony who took a heroic stance.

“You wanted to know about the Artifact of Harmony.” Celestia started which stalled me from the sudden switch from silence was the reason. Luna and Twilight had remained silent as she began. “As much as every pony knows that the Elements of Harmony are the strongest of artifacts known to Equestria. But what is not known to many ponies was how they were created. Each element corresponds to the pony here that created it.” Celestia's gaze never left her mother's figure as she continued to talk. Luna came up next to her and looked up at the crystal Faust.

“Wait are you telling me that the Elements of Harmony was created by these ponies?” Twilight asked.

“No Twilight.” I said coming over to her. “The Elements are these ponies. Celestia if I may?” I asked. She nodded not looking at any pony. “During a fight with a being at the time called the Dark One. The artifacts which at the time where not connected in any way resonated with each other in the heat of battle. As much as you felt the spark which lead to you being the Element of Magic. But the spark that came with these created the Elements.” I said looking at all of them.

“How do you know all this?” She asked and I looked at her for a moment my ears drooping. With a sigh I explained.

“As much as I don't like admitting to it. Shadow Storm is how I know.”

“Geez dramatic much?” Shadow decided to add.

“Shut up you.” I thought back.

“Touché. It's not like your not liking the fact that you know a lot more now. Kind of reminds me of a caped crusader you enjoyed reading about.” He said and I could hear the smirk in his voice.

“How?” Celestia asked still not turned to me.

“During the time he controlled me he took the time to go over many books in the archives. That's how he knew about the first artifact and the studies you made of the elements. That's how he came to the plan of using them to split him with me. After that he took time to do some research. Hitting the archive, the crystal library in the Crystal Empire, and the hidden catacomb library. That's how he came to know about it all. Some of it is still left unknown like some of these ponies. I recognize some of them. That that one” I said pointing to the crystallized bat pony. I step closer to her. “This one is Echo Rosary. The first bat pony. It's said that she became the first after she was blessed by the moon itself. Which is why for the longest time there wasn't another one. Right Luna.” I said turning to her. She turned to me with surprise.

“Then you know?”

“Not really. All I know was it had something to do with you. Beyond that clueless.” I explained.

“I suppose I should shed some light on the subject. You are correct that I was the reason they are now around.” She said. Celestia looked over her shoulder at the three of us as Luna started to explain. How back in the days after the fight with Discord. Luna had come to Celestia about taking some of the young foals that had lost their parents in the fights leading up to great battle between the Sisters of the Celestial bodies and the deity of chaos. Celestia denied the request but Luna had gone and did it anyway. Which was some of the reasoning that lead to Nightmare Moon. But that wasn't the point. She took the foals and took them to this castle which at the time was hidden from the light of Celestia. During the time she gave each foal a gift. Much like how Echo Rosary had reserved. In a way it was a reminder to her because they had met when she was a young foal. Then the magic wasn't as developed as the one that turned the simple pegasus into the bat pony. So it took years for the magic to reach that kind of power through the decedents of the young foals. From there we have the bat ponies nowadays. Which like the dronies had differences between them. Like the pegasi version came with bat membranous wings instead of the feather ones. The unicorn variant much like the normal can cast spells but the only difference here is that there magic is more potent in the dark. The earth pony bat pony has a natural sonar that they can feel through their hooves. One they all share is their eyes, they have a natural low light vision. So caves are a much better place to live. Much like Luna's night castle of Canterlot. Celestia didn't say anything during Luna's explanation of how we came to have the bat ponies of nowadays compared to the one that was Echo Rosary. I figured she already knew well at this point it had to be common knowledge really a whole new race at the time. Had to be investigated much like I wouldn't be surprised if dronies were much the same. Of course it wasn't much longer before things went sideways. In the middle of the room housed the very same symbol on the door. I had crossed over the center of it towards the door when I felt something. I turned to see all the crystallized ponies eyes starting to glow before beams of magic stuck out towards me.

“Storm!” The three of them said before everything was washed out in white. It only took a few moments to find myself in a place I never thought I would be again. I was back at home. Not the library in Equestria but on earth and an old home that I use to live in before we had moved from there. It was just as I remembered it. I was sitting on my hunches on the blue sofa against one of the longer walls. I was surprised and in a bit of awe as I looked around.

“Looks like somepony is in a daze.” I heard in a very warm and familiar voice. I turned to see who I thought it was. Without a second thought I had jumped and began to hug Jessica.

“Jessica!” I said and I was smiling. She was able to catch me and held me up. Normally it was the other way around but I guess being a drony. I was lighter then a human. She smiled and brought me into a hug. I couldn't help but gently nuzzle her against the cheek.

“I missed you too Ryhn.” She said and I began to cry a little. Not out of sadness but of joy. I was happy to see her again. The last time I had talk to her was when I died. I stopped when I remembered that and looked at her now worried. “Whats wrong?”

“Am I...” I began to ask worried now.

“No. You're very much alive.” Came a second sound this one was female I could tell that right off the bat. It was just as motherly as Celestia's voice but this one had a different pinch to it. Almost for lack of a better word, angelic in a way. I turned to see and I can't believe I did. Faust come walking in through the door the lead to the kitchen. I was in awestruck to see The Faust right there. Jessica let me down and I couldn't help but bow to her. “Please rise my little drony.” She said and I did so. I kept quiet not sure what to make of this. “Hello Firestorm.”She said stepping closer. “and Shadow Storm.” She said which caused Jessica to look surprised then at me. I remained silent. I didn't even look at her the level of shame was just too high. “I believe there is much for us to talk about.” I looked rather confused until the other artifact bearers walked into the room. Oh this was not good. Honestly I should have figured that out when Celestia's and Luna's mother came in to greet me. Which now that I thought about it. Technically through the adoption was now related to her too. Okay I need to work on keeping my brain on track. Jessica leaned down and picked me up before going over to the sofa. She sat down and held me in her lap as the rest of them came over to join Faust. “Where would you like to start?” She asked

“I think some smaller questions like. How are we even here?” I asked pointing around as Jessica continued to hold me.

“We figured somewhere familiar would be best for this conversation and this was the biggest place that you felt comfortable in.” Faust explained.

“Alright. Not that I'm not grateful about it but why is Jessica here?” I asked.

“Mainly because they wanted someone here that you trusted. That and I missed you.” Jessica answered as she gently resting her head on top of mine.

“Alright then... why am I here period?” This being the main thing on my mind.

“Because there was something you need to know. Something of great importance” Faust began. “As you both sides of yourself know about the battle with the dark one. Well that was what every pony called it back then since none of us knew it's name. Even now we don't know it's name.” She started before a magical box appeared next to her as it began to show images of a battle. Between what looked much like a mass of darkness with one solid red eye in the middle of it. The battle looked ferocious, each side was taking a pounding without end. “That battle itself went on for days. With no real sign of stopping until the artifacts we each held united.” She continued as I watched said artifacts brightly glowed until the light engulfed each of them in a color. A beam of magic shot up from them creating a ball of magic. When in that a familiar prismatic beam shot out and stuck the mass of darkness causing cracks of white to form over the surface. The mass let out what looked like a scream. Without any audio there was no way of telling otherwise. The dark one shattered into piece and disappeared like dust being blown in the wind. That was followed by the light from the remaining magic shot off into a forest in the distance. The light around the figures disappeared to show the same crystallized statutes... no. They weren't statutes were they? No the same crystallized ponies from before, that I saw back in the chambers. “When they harmonized with each other the Elements of Harmony as every pony has come to know them were created using the pure essence of each of us.” Faust finished explaining.

“Not to be rude and that's good to know and all. But what does that have to do with me?” I said confused still. I had a good idea of what it involved. I mean I was attuned to three of the artifacts and all.

“The Dark One is going to return.” She said. Damn it, my first guess had to be right didn't it?

“So I'm going to have to fight it?” I asked trying to get it more clarified.

“Yes, unfortunately you will have to fight the Dark One.”

“Is this the whole reason why I'm in Equestria?” this was followed by silence. Why did I not like this?

“Regrettably, yes. I brought you to Equestria for-” She started before I interrupted.

“You brought me to Equestria?! Why?” I yelled. Hey you find the pony that was involved in your death. You would want answers too.

“Because you were needed to stop the Dark One.” She answered.

“You know you could have asked. Not kill me and drop me in the middle of a world I had no clue about.” I shot back angrily.

“Ryhn calm down.” Jessica said hugging me tighter.

“No. I will not calm down until I get an answer; why I had to die just to help fight some dark thing.” I said looking up at her before I shot a glare at Faust.

“I wasn't the reason for your death. Another was, all I did was send your soul safely to Equestria. Your death was from another ponies hooves.” She answered.

“What? Who?” I asked.

“Someone from my daughter's past.”

“Wait... Grimwand had me killed? Why?” I said all my anger just dissipated.

“From what I figured he wanted to make your newly formed body his own. From what I can gather from his actions. He didn't expect me to step in and send your soul elsewhere.” That... that confused me.

“You're telling me that, Grimwand had me killed so he could bring me to Equestria to kill me again? Just for my body?” I asked.

“You wouldn't have been just killed. Your soul would have been completely destroyed.” That sent a shiver down my spine and even Jessica hugged me tighter. It didn't sit well with her either. But the worst of it all, from the beginning I was being used. By Faust and Grimwand, they wanted to use me and had used me in a way. What was I supposed to do? I mean literally what was I supposed to do with that? I just remained silent once again as Jessica continued to hug me. “As much as it hurts me to have told you that but you wanted and in some right needed to know. Luckily I was able to interrupt his spell.” Faust said.

“Yeah...” I said with no real warmth to my voice, more a bitter coldness.

“Ryhn.” Jessica said and I could hear the sadness in her voice.

“It's fine.” I lied.

“Will you be willing to help us save every pony and everyone?” Faust asked.

“Not like I have much choice in this do I?” I asked not looking at her again. My gaze had dropped to the floor shortly after she explained that I could have had my soul gone for good.

“You always had a choice.” She said and I knew it was a lie.

“Don't lie Faust. Since the beginning I didn't have a choice. I didn't get a choice in dying, and even after that I didn't get a choice to stay with Jessica in the afterlife. No, both you and Grimwand ripped that opinion out a long time ago. So in the end I don't have a choice in any of this do I? I'll fight this Dark One.” I snapped at her. She was taken back by my words. Even Jessica was startled from it.

“I suppose you would be correct. But know that if I had another option I would have taken it.” She said. Yeah there is always another option but you took the easier one. The one that let you play with someone else like a fucking chess piece. “I will leave you some time to let it sink in and if you could do a small favor for me.” She asked looking at me. In a way I wanted to tell her she could take that favor and shove it somewhere but I heard her out. “Could you tell my daughters that I'm proud of what they have done.” She said and I nodded. In the end it wasn't something for her but for both of my aunts. I could at least agree to those terms. With that every pony left leaving just me and Jessica in the living room.

“I'm sorry Jessica.” I started off.

“Sorry about what?” She asked.

“About my... well my outburst earlier.” She brought me close again and held me up so I could look at her face to face.

“Ryhn Firestorm. I am not angry with you. I was much the same when she told me.” She explained and I eyed her for a moment before just resting my head next to hers.

“I see.” I said sounding like an idiot. I gently nuzzled her cheek as we sat there.

“So how is every pony?” She asked and I pulled back looking at her confused.

“They’re doing fine I suppose.” I answered looking at her as a smirk dance across her face.

“Even after the nurse walked in on you and Twilight the night before?” When she said that a bright red blush crossed my face. “I've got to say she does look good in a pair of socks and panties.” Now she was teasing me.

“Jessica!” I said in embarrassment.

“Oh relax. I'm just glad you're opening up to her. I mean I don't think I would have had the courage to agree to go into that poison joke stuff. Especially a second time. But you do make a cute mare.” She teased. I started to cover my face with my hooves in embarrassment.

“Ah. Not you too.” I groaned.

“Aw but come on, don't you like being a little mare?” I was silent again as I looked away. “Oh! You do don't you?” She continued.

“Jessica please stop it.” I requested still blushing not looking at her.

“But where's the fun in that. I haven't gotten to tease you in years.” She said before taking her hand and began to scratch behind my ears. Okay so who knew that ponies liked being scratched behind the ear like that. Out of some kind of habit, don't ask how because I couldn't. My right hind leg started to kick a little like a dog getting scratched just right. Not going to lie but it did feel good. Sort of like getting that knot out that you didn't realize you had until someone removed it good. She continued to do this. “Surprising some of the tricks you pick up living in the after life with ponies.” She said.

“Wait? So this is what pony heaven looks like then?” I got out between kicks.

“Sort of. This is more like a general heaven. See this is more where everyone goes when they die. Not just on earth and Equestria but everywhere.” She continued giving my ears a good scratching.

“So there's more beings here then just ponies and people?” I said moving my head away from her hand.

“Of course. You can't seriously tell me you think that those two would be the only ones here?” She asked a little statistically.

“Honestly I didn't know what to think. Hell I don't know what to think about any of this.” I said.

“I know it must be hard, to take all that in.” Jessica said and I looked away.

“It is. I feel used like beyond what I had before.” I said quietly.

“Like the universe screwing with you?” She asked.

“Yeah. Wait... how did you?” I asked looking at her a little confused.

“Seriously? Ryhn I know how you think that and you have bashed on the universe quite a few times that all I had to do was remember. But you shouldn't blame something that wasn't at fault. If anything it would be more destiny.” She said before she began to rub my belly. How does she keep doing that? For some reason it felt great to have my belly rubbed. I was like putty in her hands. Then a thought popped into my head.

“Destiny is in play.” I muttered.

“Come again?” She asked stopping the belly rub.

“Destiny is in play. It was something Sha said at the beginning of all this. Back when I was still human. Well human-ish I suppose.” I explained.

“Yeah Sha can be cryptic at times.”

“Wait hold on. Pause, rewind, and stop. What? Sha is up here too?” I said my brain firing back page not found messages at me.

“Yeah. Well not all the time. She goes from dronies minds all the time. But she's a nice dragon... spirit... thing.” She answered.

“So wait. How long did you know about all this?” I asked finally putting two and two together without the outcome being fish.

“Honestly... shortly after you died for a few minutes. After my talked with you, Faust found me and let me in on all of it. If I knew before then I would have told you.” She said before giving me a gentle smile.

I let out a small sigh before looking up at the ceiling. “I don't know why but I shouldn't really be surprised like this should I? I mean since day one I was told I was there by some destiny and to find out now I have to fight this 'Dark One' after already facing Timber wolves, Nightmare moon, my darker side it's all just running on from event to event. So what's one more?” I asked a little sarcastically.

“Ryhn, I know this may look bad.”

“Bad? Not this doesn't look bad. It looks like the same kind of shit I dealt with on earth just on a grander scale.” I interrupted.

“No it's not. Ryhn listen carefully. On earth you didn't have anything to keep yourself together after... after my passing. But on Equestria you have a lavender unicorn that cares for you as much as I did on earth.” She said and held me close.

“Does that mean you don't-” I got out before she put a hand over my muzzle.

“You can be a real silly pony you know that? Of course I still love you Ryhn but it's time to move past me. I will still care for you and love you like I did on earth. But you have another that cares for you as much as I did. I'm sure Twilight loves you and wants to protect you as much as I could when I was alive.” She said and I could help but start to cry a bit. “It's alright. I know you miss me.” She said gently holding my head to her chest. We just sat there as she let me get it all out. I knew why I cried and so did she. With everything I guess I just needed it the most. To find out that this destiny was thrust upon me, it was wrong but with much destinies that it was out of my hooves. I think even Twilight would say the same if she was here. But in a cruel way I was meant to die to do it. Couldn't I have been just asked? I mean it wasn't like I would say no. I would have had a chance to say goodbye to everyone I knew back there. Family and friends most of all. Though I doubt my family would have cared since they did laugh only a few hours after my funeral. So I guess they didn't really care, did they? Once I was able to stop crying I had noticed finally where Jessica had rested my head. I turned bright red and pulled back.

“What's wrong?” She asked at my sudden pull away.

“Nothing's wrong.” I said turning from her to hide my blush.

“Ryhn I know when something's wrong tell me... please.” She said and then turned my face towards her. “Oh... it was that kind of wrong.” I could hear the smirk on her face. “I had almost forgot how shrewish you are with these things. Oh heaven help Twilight trying to get you out of your shell. Even though she has you wrapped around her little finger.”

“Hoof.” I corrected.

“Right... hoof.” She said smiling.

“And you can't blame me. I'm always weak against a pretty girl. Especially one that I respect... and care about.” I said blushing again.

“Your so adorable when you're flustered like that.” She said giving me another hug bringing me to her chest again. Oh dear god she was going to kill me with a blush.

“Jessica. Please stop.” I requested once I was able to get my head free. She smiled and released me a bit. I looked at her for a moment and I felt sad. I know she wanted me to feel better and she knew teasing me got me out of my more depressive moods at times But she was dead and I was alive. I moved so I was sitting next to her again not looking at her, but more out the window that showed the same old yard that I used to have when I lived in this house. Well not this one but the one this one represents. “What's it like?” I asked. She looked at me for a moment before placing a hand on my head.

“It's many things. It can be good, wonderful, heavenly, perverted, and lonely.” She explain that last one very notably sad sounding. “Everyday everyone gets what they want. They get to wrap themselves in little worlds to live the rest of eternity in. Some of them just make it like normal life. Like they never died, some make it a hell they think they deserve. I've seen some go as far as be a complete fantasy land and some well a lot more perverse shall we say. But in the same right some of us up here find it lonely.” She explained in an almost lifeless tone.

“I'm sorry.” I said not looking at her.

“It's not your fault. I understand how it must feel to hear that the heaven we all looked forward too can be just as lonesome was some found it back on earth. But it's not all bad I guess. I get to see everyone again. I talked to some of your family well the nice ones. I get to watch the one I care about anytime I want. So it's not all bad.” She continued. I watched her in silence she eyed me before getting up herself. “I know what your thinking. Look don't worry about it though I know it's a fruitless comment. Your hardwired for worrying right?” She said followed by a small chuckled. I joined in with a light chuckle.

“Yeah, one bad habit I never got over. Especially after all this time.” I said. We continued to chuckle for a bit longer before Jessica sighed.

“There's someone I want you to meet.” She said before turning to the door. “You can come in now.” The person that came in was something I never thought I would see let alone talk to again and I didn't even know where to start. Oh... hell.

***---***

When I realized I was back in Equestria and not the after life. The first thing I saw was three ponies looking quite worriedly at me.

“Storm are you alright?” Twilight had asked. I looked at her then at Celestia and Luna then back down. There was an odd feeling for sure but... I just didn't know what it was.

“I don't know. I just don't know.” I said before slowly making my way towards the door. There was a lot to process and I didn't even have a clue or a way to fathom where to begin. Oh right, I had almost forgot. “Celestia. Luna. Your mother wanted me to relay a message. She's proud of what you two have done.” I relayed over the telepathic link. With that I left with Twilight following me. I don't know how or honestly cared but we found ourselves in the dark side city of Canterlot. I didn't have a clue where I was going but again honestly didn't care. My mind was going over everything that had transpired. I talked to Faust, The Faust. Who told me that I was part of this great destiny to fight this “Dark One” on top of that I was killed by a pony that Celestia, and I both thought was dead. To find out he's alive, kicking, and wanted my body. Let's not forget the fact that after all this. I saw the one person I never thought I would talk to again. There was so much to think about that to decide where to begin as was like trying to defuse a nuclear device blindfolded without the training to defuse even a kitchen timer.

“Storm will you please tell me what's wrong.” Twilight asked and I doubt it was for the first time. I stopped and looked at her for a moment. Then I sighed quietly and motioned for a bench near by. She eyed me before nodding. So we sat down in this small little park. Instead of the trees you would normally seen there was large and almost too big mushrooms that illuminated the area around it. Twilight laid down across the bench where I just sat on my hunches at the end as she looked at me. “Alright spill. What's wrong?” She said and I took a few moments to sort of order everything.

“Honestly... It's really hard to... well, understand it all.” I said in an almost detached way. I more felt like I was just somepony seeing this from the outside in.

“Start with what happened when that magic engulfed you?” She suggested. I blinked for a moment with a slight tilt of my head like a stray thought had hit me. That didn't sound too bad of a place to start.

“Well... I ended up back at an old home that I use to live in. Well more a reproduction of it in a way. That's when I saw her again.” I started.

“Her?”

“Jessica.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, she wanted to greet me. Apparently I had gone to the afterlife in a way.” I continued trying to keep on track.

“What was it like?” She asked and I could already see the quill and notepad fly out of her saddlebags.

“Honestly we didn't leave the room. So I can't say really. But shortly after having a few moments with Jessica. Faust showed up and told me something I wasn't ready for.” I said beginning to rub my right foreleg again. Twilight eyed me for a moment but remained silent. “From day one... I... I've been used.”

“Used? How so?”

“Remember when I explained about Sha before I had crashed into Applejack's farm?”

“Yeah, you said that destiny was in play.” She answered back.

“Exactly. My death on earth was already set up by another pony. All just to try and use me for his own vile plan.” I said as began to have said vile taste in my mouth.

“Care to explain?”

“Twilight I was killed to be brought to Equestria just to have my soul destroyed. All because some sick bastard of a pony wanted my body for his dark twisted soul.” I got out as I tried to bite back the venom in my voice. Oh if I knew where the prick was... well let's just say he wouldn't want to see me right now.

“That's... that's just...” She began almost trying to find the right word for it.

“Vile, horrid, horrible, dreadful, loathsome, sickening?” I offered adjectives that could work.

“Heinous! How can somepony be so horrific?” Twilight said now sitting up looking disgusted by what I had explained so far.

“The same pony that made Vermom, that's been wanting my soul out of my body, that helped cause the whole soul switch with Max, and the very same one that talked to Jessica back on earth. That pony has been behind most of our problems.” I said as my brow furrowed as I tried my best not to become combustible. I didn't think Twilight would like to be roasted by me. But I could turn the little pond I had stared at for the last few minutes into a big thing of steam after boiling it.

“But why?” She asked and I could tell she was getting as angry as I was.

“The same thing a lot of human wanted, longevity. Well from what I have figured.” My teeth at this point started to grind more and more. Just thinking about it but even more for the fact that I was used by two different ponies.

“Do humans try to do the same thing?” Twilight asked.

“Honestly some try some old arcana way of achieving longevity. Some try to use science and some try to use some mythical way which ends up killing innocents because they think it will appease some god enough to give it to them. I'm not one of those people.” I growled out taking a deep breath before letting out a sigh. “But that's not the point. Grimwand wasn't the only pony to use me. Faust used me as well but in the same way saved me from having my soul destroyed. She caused me to appear somewhere else which just so happened to be Sweet Apple Aches.”

“Why did she want you?” She asked still looking angry but that didn't detour her curiosity. I went silent for a few moments and turned to gaze out into thin air. Part of me wanted to tell her right then about having to face the “Dark One” as Faust had told me I had to do. But in the same right that could put more strain on what had happened between us. I mean it wasn't that long ago that Twilight pretended to completely forget about me. I did forgive her for it but I guess part of me still hurt from her actions. I glanced back at her to see her anger had faded and now she wore a look of sorrow. Slowly closing my eyes I took another deep breath.

“I don't want to talk about it right now.” I said knowing I was going to kick myself later for it.

“Storm please tell me.” She said almost getting ready to plead.

“No. Twilight I... I'm just not ready to talk about that. I will tell you this... destiny is involved.” I cryptically said.

“Will you tell me one day?” She asked and I nodded.

“I will but after I had time to let it sink in. I mean I was only told not even an hour ago.” I didn't even look back at Twi when I answered her. My gaze was back into the air not really focused on anything. There was one problem I could account for when it came to telling her I had to face it. She was going to insist in fighting it with me. I knew fighting her on it was useless to a point. Part of me admired her for it in a way. Well beyond what I had already admired for her. A moment passed and I realized how stalker sounding that thought was. The only problem I really had was... if I couldn't protect her. My mind flashed back to the dragon's den during the whole treaty debacle. Twilight got hurt because I couldn't protect her and it cost her almost three weeks in a magical coma.

“Was there more?” Twilight asked and I nodded.

“One last thing really. Remember when I talked about Jessica and vaguely touched upon the whole keeping me from doing something stupid?” I asked.

“You mean when you tried to...” She started.

“Yes. When I tried to kill myself.” I finished.

“Yeah. It was over your friends death right?” I nodded at her question. “What about it?”

“I talked to him.” I said simply.

“What?”

“I talked to my friend the one that... ended his life.” Silence, nothing but pure silence between us for what I could guess was a few minutes. Maybe ten or so but it was I who talked again. “He did look well for being dead and he did apologize for well doing it.”

“Did he?”

“Know what I almost did? Yeah, I found out it ate at him for the longest time. Jessica being the good soul she is helped him come to terms about it. I seemed those two hit it off well in the afterlife. Well from the way they talked to each other, almost felt like they forgot I was in the room. Which when it comes to me is not really a hard thing. A bit of a wallflower you know?” I said as I tried my best to keep from tearing up. I could feel Twilight's hoof on my shoulder. In a way it felt nice to have her there to hear this. “I just don't know how to really process that. Out of everything to happen that is the one thing just doesn't really settle well.”

“It's understandable. I wouldn't even know where to start with something like that. Honestly I don't think anypony would.” Twilight explained.

“It may just be another thing that I need to sink in. But I think right now I just want to go relax or something.” I offered.

“What would you like to do?” She asked.

“Honestly I don't know. What about you? What would you like to do?” I asked.

“We could go read.” She offered.

“Sounds like fun.” I said sounding a little tired. Not physically but more mentally really. You would be too when you get to see somepony you never thought you would see again because they had killed themselves and even in heaven they beat themselves up for almost causing your death? We left the bench as we walked around town back towards the castle. I looked around quietly never really looking at much that was until I saw a pink mare that was pinker than anything had the right to be in a striped pink and white dress with her wild untamed mane done up in a cotton candy like bun. Oh dear lord that was Pinkie Pie. Next to her in a dark blue tux was Nightling. The two of them were walking into what looked like a restaurant. The name of it alluded me as it looked like the place was closed. I shrugged it off, more for the fact I could ask her later about it. Well if I remembered that is. Come to think about it there was quite a few questions I've had since I got here that I never asked. Like the whole princess thing but after seeing Faust I believe that question became more moot. We got back to the light side of Canterlot and into the archives to read. Twilight found a few books mixing between science, magic theory, and quantum physics. That last one was way out of my league when it came to knowledge. I went for more mythology books that and a bestiary on all of Equestria's creatures. The book itself was well huge. It was so big that if it hit me I was afraid I would be in a coma for months. So I began from the beginning. As I had thought before that a lot of the mythical monsters that was known on earth as fiction was in fact nonfiction here. Hydras, manticore, wendigos, wisps, and so forth were all real. Slightly different from here to there but the main thing was it was almost dead on. Like I said small details where different.

Let's take the wendigos. On earth they were more known as a malevolent, cannibalistic, supernatural beings of great spiritual power, strongly associated with winter, the north, and coldness. As well as famine and starvation. Now on the Equestrian side of all of it was all still much truth. But instead of the cannibalistic they mainly froze ponies to death in solid blocks of ice. They also fed off negative emotions such as anger or selfishness. Much like the hearths warming story. So for the most part it was true as well as griffins. When I asked Twilight about them she explained that griffins besides being the half bird half lion like the book said. They were also stubborn at times and can be well jerkish. Which seemed a little harsh to say about another race. I told her as much and she let me in on the story about Gilda. One of Rainbow Dash's friends from flight school, well technically ex-friend but the point stayed the same. There also seems to be a kingdom of griffins and I had entertained the thought of visiting it. Don't get me wrong, I do love Equestria for everything they had but I guess the thought of visiting somewhere other than home was nice. Hell, I still had the trip to Saddle Arabia that I could do from the whole Shadow Storm incident. Which brought my mind back to the showmare Trixie. I began to wonder more about where she went after the Crystal Empire. With all of it she did seem nice, well nice-ish but why was talking about herself in the third pony perspective?

That's when a purple tail with a streak of pink flashed into my view. I blinked for a moment then looked over to Twilight.

“Ah... yes?” I asked with a small blush as I scratched the back of my head.

“Enjoying la la land there?” She asked.

“Sorry I guess I zoned out.” I replied followed by a small nervous chuckle.

“Well that was obvious. Something I had wondered though.” She said. I closed the book so she had my full audition.

“Yeah?”

“Well. We never went on a... well date.” She answered and looked away.

“I know and I really want to take you on one. Which was why I was thinking that um well...” I started to stabber. Why did my nervousness have to kick in now? Was it because I never really got to ask a girl out on a date before let alone a mare? No, suck it up. Your Ryhn Firestorm and you will ask Twilight Sparkle on a date. I turned to her before she smirked.

“So how about a date then, hmm?” She asked. Well... shit. I guess my record still stands. I nodded and thought about it.

“Where and when?” I asked. Of course her smirk turned into devious grin. Oh hell, I was not going to like this.

“How about we make this part of that little thing you're going to do for me?” That's when I turned red. I gulped at this, not for just the fact she wanted to have a date with me. Oh I was fine with that. Hell I was ecstatic about that. No the problem was she wanted to have a date with me as a mare. Around other stallions which would mean my already magically warped brain my start looking at stallions that way. I shiver ran down my spine at this. But this was for Twilight so I didn't have any room to say no I suppose. I nodded quietly and rested my head. At that point I began to wonder how doomed I was.

“Majorly doomed.” Shadow decided to add on. Finally deciding to pipe up after all this time.

“Long time no hear.” I thought.

“Yeah, what can I say. I'm the quiet type.”

“Yeah, quiet but deadly.” I quipped back.

“Ah you just hate me because I'm better looking.” He tried to taunt.

“For a voice.” I shot back.

“Hey at least I wasn't going to be a mare.”

“Well not until the poison joke. It does mess with my head. So you never know.” I said now smirking.

“Oh so you like the idea.” Twilight said taking my smirk in the wrong way.

“Twilight can we make sure we get a private table then when we do this. No offense but that whole stallion thing.” I tried to remind.

“Don't worry I have it covered.” She said pulling out what looked like a planner. She flipped it open to show an almost second for second break down of the quote unquote perfect date. I glanced over it then up to her beaming at me. Okay Twilight officially scared me at times. I smiled quietly as I did my best to keep from rolling my eyes at this. I picked up the book and noticed she had a few other date ideas planned. Even one including a double date with... no way! Pinkie and Nightling? When the hell did those two start dating? Wait... was that what I had saw the other day. Hold up this one also had mare me. What the hell? I shot Twilight a look who started to look curious.

“Twilight is there something you want to tell me?” I asked. Now she looked confused.

“What do you mean?” I floated up the second date and third date pages. Which both contained the mare me thing in it.

“That you want me to be a mare for three days probably even more.” I answered. Her eyes went wide before grabbing the book out of my telekinesis.

“Well um... I had those there if the first time I didn't well... talk you into it.” She said with a nervous smile. I sighed quietly before resting my head on the table.

“Which one would you prefer?” I asked turning my head away from her.

“Prefer?”

“Gender. It's quite obvious that you want me as a mare.” I said as a cold dagger started to pierce me in the chest.

“What? No! I just... well want to experiment is all.” She nervously said. I glanced back at her.

“Experiment?” I deadpanned.

“Well... um. Yeah. It's just well I heard that two mare have well...” I sighed as she tried to explain this.

“Twilight I heard the same thing on earth well... not the whole mare thing but with two females.” I explained.

“How did it turn out?” She asked.

“Differs between couples.” I answered.

“Well then we should.” She began to say.

“Stop.” I simply said and she looked at me.

“Twilight look, I'm willing to entertain the idea of being a mare for you. I just don't want to be one full time.” I said me turning from her.

“I don't want you to be one either. I just want to try something different.” She explained and I looked at her.

“Different? When in fact we haven't don't anything now?” She looked at me trying to get where I was going at with this. “We have kissed, cuddled, and hug. Beyond that we haven't done anything like well date. I'm willing to put aside my whole stallion issue was much as I can give you your perfect date.” I explained looking at her.

“I suppose you're right. I'm being a little selfish with this whole poison joke mare thing ain't I?” She asked and I didn't answer. “That bad?” She asked a moment later again I didn't answer for at least a few minutes.

“It's not. Forget I said anything.” I said getting up and left in silence. The halls of Canterlot castle started to feel colder than it did before as I went back to the room set aside for me. I didn't even say hi to Cotton Candy who was cleaning up the room as I headed straight to the bathroom. I shifted out of the saddlebags and my hoodie as I turned the water on. I had made sure to lock the door this time before hopping in. I couldn't feel the water temperature. Well besides the coldness I felt inside I didn't feel much of anything. I let the water wash over me as I brought over the shampoo. I let the red goo squeeze out as I magically let it work into my coat and wings. In a way I couldn't really smell the familiar strawberry scent that the shampoo would normally would have had. It felt like the world around me was a bit more muted to me. Even the normally bright purples, yellows, and whites of the bathroom seems washed out to me. I continued to work it in as I let the water run.

“Was it just me or was Twilight more into your mare form then your normal one?” Shadow asked.

“Caught that didn't you?” I thought back.

“Well it was quite obvious really. I mean we both saw her planner she planned for you to be a mare through all of it those dates.”

“I know I saw it too. But it's what she wanted.”

“What about what do you want?” He asked.

“When did you start caring about what I wanted mister cause my leg to be destroyed beyond repair?” I shot back.

“Yeah at the time I wanted out of your body. But since I'm stuck I may as well look out for this one. Since you die, I die.” He said.

“Oh and didn't know you cared.” I sarcastically said back.

“I know I'm just that loving of a stallion, jerk.” My internal fight was cut short but the sound of the door to the bathroom opening.

“Storm?” Came the familiar voice of Cadence. I didn't even know she was in Canterlot. Come to think about it I didn't know a lot to begin with.

“Yeah I'm in here sis.” I said letting the water rinse my coat out.

“Oh good. Just the pony I wanted to talk to. Have a minute?” She asked.

“Of course. What do you need?” I asked once my coat was dry.

“It's about Twilight.” Ah, damn it. Why did I have the feeling I wasn't going to like this.

“Is she hurt?” I said popping my head out of the shower to look at her.

“Well not physically. She is pretty torn up about something.” I could see the worry in her face as she said that. I popped my head back into the shower.

“Admittedly I know.” I said letting the water to continue to run on me as I got another thing of goo from the shampoo bottle. Hey who said I couldn't lather, rinse, repeat? I sure as hell plan to.

“Aren't you going to do something about it?” She asked and there was the note of anger with a slight hint of disapproval.

“Well before I answer that. Do you know what's got her upset?” I asked.

“No, but you care for her don't you?” She did have a good question.

“Yes I do. The problem is Cadence.” I had made sure to use her name on this. Normally I would call her sis which I found it adorable to a point to do. “This was between the two of us. I can tell you details but they would be from my point of view so there would be some bias to it.”

“Well please share with the rest of the class.” She shot back.

“You were told about the poison joke incident right?”

“No.” great of all thing this was the one thing Twilight didn't tell anypony about. I knew she does letter to Celestia and no pony tells Cadence? Geez, where's the love at guys?

“Alright well here's the lowdown. Poison joke turns me into a... mare.” I waited about three seconds. Only took one before Cadence started to snort which was followed by laughing. Knew it, outright knew it.

“I bet you looked pretty didn't you?” She mocked. Go ahead make your jokes. I rolled my eyes as she continued to crack jokes.

“Oh ha ha ha Cadence. Look the thing is. It also affects my brain as well. I start thinking about” I gave a shiver both physically and audibly.

“That bad?” She asked still a bit of amusement in her voice.

“Cadence I don't swing that way.” I flatly said.

“Oh... that bad. I see. So what does this have to do with Twilight?” She asked. I stopped for a moment. Should I really tell her why? Well I did start to to explain it but I was about to go into something private between the two of us.

“Promise me one thing before I explain.” I popped my head out to look at her to make sure. “What I'm about to say stays between us. No pony and I do mean No pony ever hears about this. Especially not Twilight since this is between the two of us.” I said my eyes narrowing as I looked at her. She closed the door behind her and I could see the then level of magic surround it.

“You can trust me.” She said. I eyed her for a moment before sighing.

“Well Twilight liked the first time I changed into a mare and talked me into doing it again. Don't Laugh!” I said as I could see the amused grin start to form. “It's just she showed me the whole perfect date planner she had. I decided to look at a few dates later and noticed she had me as a mare in them. Which caused us to go into the whole does she like me the way I am discussion. That's why she's upset and well so am I.” With that said silence filled the bathroom. The only real sound there was the running of the cold water.

“Well that does put into light why she's upset... are you going to change if she asks you to?” Cadence asked and it caught me off guard a little.

“Honestly... I don't know. I don't like the feeling of being a mare. No offense it's just well... scares me is all. When I saw Big Mac I had this feeling towards him. Like well a mare looking at a stallion in well that kind of way. You understand?” I asked trying to keep vague.

“The kind of take him home and romp him kind of way.” Okay that got me to blush.

“Ah, if you mean romp in the way I think your meaning then yes. That thought scared me. Like I wasn't myself. It was terrifying. Just to be yourself but in the say way not. Like I said I am willing to let Twilight have her mare and mare moment but. I just don't know if I could do that all the time for her. I said I would do anything for her but this seems a more above and beyond that. I guess I just feel like I'm letting her down, like I'm not worthy of her affection.” I said as I rubbed the connection plate for my prosthetic hoof.

“Admittedly I wouldn't know how to process that either. Like if Shining would like to be a mare or me a stallion. I mean every pony has there one thing that they want to try but knowing it's out of reach. I guess to have it in hooves reach some ponies may try and get it. To try it and enjoy it. I mean you must have something you want like that?” She asked and I remained silent for a moment.

“Honestly... not like that. I don't like to put much thought into it. Don't get me wrong I do think a little like that but I like to be a bit more reserved about it. More for the fact I don't like talking about it at all.”

“You can't seriously tell me you don't have some kink you like to see. Something between you and Twilight that you want to do or play out.” Cadence said trying to call me out on something that wasn't there.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!” I more shot back my head flying out of the shower. I was red in the face from a blush. One of embarrassment and anger. I never had used her 'proper' name once. But I didn't even think about it I just yelled it out of anger. She went wide eye from it. “I don't have some kink. Hell I'm not even fucking experience to have one. So why in the blue fuzzy hell would I have one when I haven't even been laid once?!” Oh I was angry at her. Fastest way to piss me off was assume something that I took offense to.

“Wait you're telling me.” She began and my eyes narrowed even more. “Ah, sorry. I guess I understand a bit more. But seriously you've never?” At that my mane lit up. “Okay I get it. Look if I may give some advice.” My eyebrow raised at this but let her continue. “Why don't you two just try it out. If you like it then go with it. If not then don't. You two seem perfect for each other and trust me when I say this. No relationship is perfect and there will always be a bumpy road ahead but you two are level headed. So you will get over it.” She offered. I thought about it for a moment. It had made sense well more then she knew really. I had already know that no relationship was perfect. I have had other girlfriends but well one only lasting about an hour all to be dumped for a bigger... person. Yeah me and relationships was like an idiot with a do not push button. Something was bound to go wrong. In the case of my relationship with Twilight. Lets just say I had better luck playing Russian roulette with a revolver that had only one empty chamber. “If you want I could also give you a few tips.” She said with a knowing smirk as she eyebrows rose for a moment with the word tips.

“Cadence!” I yelled in embarrassment as my mane returned to normal. Dry now but normal.

“Sorry couldn't resist” She said after a bit of laughing before an amused look crossed her face like a foreboding to me idea popped into her head. “You know Storm. That whole date thing doesn't sound like a bad idea.” Ah hell. Why didn't I like where this was going? “Just you and Twilight with Shining and I? Maybe even mess with Shining to have you there as a-” She got out before I cut in.

“No. I'm not going on a double date with you two as a mare. No matter how funny you think it would be.” I shot back.

“But come on. It would be funny.” She mused.

“For you and Twilight. Me, I would be scared out of my wits and I don't think you want me hitting on Shining when I can't help it?” I shot back. Oddly that didn't feel like the strangest thing I've ever said but it's up there at least. Right up there with the whole Multiverse events.

“Well... you would be surprised at what I would be okay with.” Did I just hear out of her mouth what the fuck I think I heard.

“Wait... did you... Are you telling me you've done it in a...” I tried to ask but I just couldn't get the words out of my muzzle. She just smirked and nodded. That lucky fucking stallion. Not only to have royalty but one that is so cool with getting laid to have another mare join in. Shit if some of the people on earth could be that lucky. Reminded me of this old rich guy that had a few ladies, I'm getting off subject. “Can we please change the subject this is just feeling too strange to continue?” I requested and regrettably mental images started to appear. One problem with thinking in pictures at times. It bites you hard when you get just the right amount of info and had a very active imagination.

“Getting a little hot on the hooves there?” She asked with yet another knowing tone.

“Cadence I'm going to nice and give you a warning. Next time you want to joke about something I'm not comfortable with. I will start launching water missiles at you.” I said and for added effect I floated up a good chuck of water and formed them into cartoon looking missiles above the vale on the shower. “I do have pretty good aim by the way.” I said shooting her with a warning glare. She shot me a glare this time.

“You wouldn't dare.” She tried to call me on my bluff. Problem was I wasn't bluffing.

“Cadence, I love you dearly as a sister but you should know. I bluff in card games and fights. But when it comes this. There is no bluffing.” I said as the water floated above her.

“Also remember that I can get poison joke without a moment's thought. I wonder what the guards would think to find their prince suddenly a princess.” She shot back. Okay that was low even for a joke. My glare dropped before pulling back the water. There was silence between us before as I slipped my head back into the shower.

“Please go.” I requested. I think it stuck she went a little too far.

“Storm I'm-” She started.

“Please just go.” I requested again. There was not real strength to my words. If she wanted she could stay. In all honestly I wouldn't be surprised that anypony here could just subdue me and do whatever they want. Hell I don't think anypony would bat an eye at it. The sound of the door shutting told me that she had left as I was left to my own thoughts.

“That was cold.” Shadow said. And to the voice in my head.

“Not helping.” I thought back to him.

“So. Still that was pretty cold of her. “

“Why don't you go find some dark reach of my mind and just bury yourself in it?” I shot back.

“Oh look has a back bone now.” Whap! “Ow! Not cool. Fine I get the message mister brooding pony wants to brood.” Shadow said and I took a few moments to see if he had anything else to say. With the silence that fill the gap. The only audible thing being the shower. I finished up, got dried off, and reinserted my prosthetic that I removed before getting in the shower. I came out to see Cotton Candy still at work cleaning the room. She eyed me quietly as I came out with a towel draped around my neck.

“Hey Cotton Candy?” I said more to get her attention. She of course turned and bowed to me.

“Yes Firestorm?” She asked.

“Could you please get me a big pot of coffee and a mug?” I requested she of course nodded and left. Her tail swooshed back and forth in a teasingly fashion with her maid outfit on. Then I played with the idea of Twilight in that outfit which derailed my thoughts into other things which put me in a worse mood than I was. I don't know what the hell was wrong with me but I think I may have to get another brain scan or something. I sat down at my little table to think. At least I was alone now to think. Thump. Never mind, I couldn't get one moment to think could I? Nope too much to ask for as I could hear the clopping of hooves from the balcony. Princess Luna decided to pay me a visit. She looked around for somepony. Most likely me and when her eyes fell on me she nodded. Then trotted over to me sitting next to me.

“Firestorm may I have a word with you?” She asked. I thought about it for a moment.

“Does this involve in anyway why Twilight is upset and Cadence equally so?” I only asked this because if it was I would warn her not to press the issue.

“No, but pray tell what happened between you three?” She asked. Thank you Equestria and the universe to remind me how much of a grade A idiot I was. Couldn't go one day without opening my muzzle and shoving all four hooves down my throat could I?

“Ever heard the term social landmine?” I asked and she nodded. Oh thank the universe for small wonders. “To put it simply. I'm on one side of the field and they stepped on one of my mines.” I said.

“Is this about the whole poison joke turning you into a mare?” She asked and my mouth gaped. The fuck Luna? Are you trying to get one blown up at well? My head just thumped the table as I sighed.

“Yes.” I got out.

“Don't worry about it. I've seen far worse outcomes than being the opposite gender.” She said trying to put my mind at ease. Oddly the first thought to jump the train was the first vampire pony. Which was followed by Pinkies explaining of what every pony got 'cursed' with from it. “I remember once about a pony that got turned into a toy.” Now I was even more terrified of the stuff. I couldn't hold back the shiver from the comment. The worse part my mind had already started to picture such outcomes with me. Damn you universe for making some sick twisted plant that could do that. “I think I shouldn't have said that.” That cause me to shot her with a 'You think?' look for her comment.

“Before you give me any more scaring mental images. Why did you wanted to speak with me?” I asked trying to derail my mind in a more productive way.

“Ah... right. I wanted to speak with you about what had happened back there.” She started. Oh right, back in the universal heaven.

“Mind if I give you the quick version. Not to be rude but some of what happened I just don't want to think about right now.” I requested. I knew it wasn't going to help but damn it I needed something.

“If you would like.” Thank you, finally a pony that doesn't want to push it with me. I opened my mouth to be interrupted by another thud. This time Celestia decided to enter my room from the balcony. One, why couldn't they just use the door? Two, was the room I'm in a meeting room or something? And, three where the bloody hell was my coffee? I let an annoyed sigh before I motioned for her to join us. She was about to say something but I decided to curve this ahead of time. “If you're about to ask about Twilight and Cadence. Please accept it as them hitting social land mines and leave it at that. And I will explain what had transpired when I was hit by those magical beams.” Celestia eyed me for a moment before she nodded. Thank you for the small miracles. I began to open my mouth before there was a knocking at the door. I blew my little swoop of mane a moment before magically opening the door. To find Cadence, Twilight, and Cotton Candy. The last one with a tray carrying my coffee. With one steaming cup ready to go. Preempting anything I held up a hoof and motioned for them to come in as I floated the cup over to me. They all came over with Cotton Candy sitting the pot down as I pretty much downed the cup, oh that was some good coffee.

“Storm I'm-” Twilight started before I eyed her and she went quiet like she was trying to figure out the right words to say.

“Is this about the whole poison joke?” I asked and she nodded. “Then please hold on to that until I finish explaining. Three alicorns here need to know in a summed up way what happened in there.” I explained. Twilight took a moment to think about it and nodded. “Alright first off.” I began pouring myself another cup of coffee. “As you all can figure out, I did meet Faust herself and she told me some... rather disturbing news.” I began and let it sink in. Cadence was the one that went wide eye before looking at the Celestial sisters. They were focused on me as I took a sip. With that I sit the cup down and just didn't look at any pony. “It's funny really... from the get go. Hell even before I came to Equestria I was played. Some pony had played me for the role of the jester of sorts, to be used in a vile way.” I said and out of my peripheral to my left Twilight looked down. She knew what I was talking about.

“How so?” Celestia asked.

“Let me start with this. Celestia what I am about to say will definitely piss you off. There is no way around that.” I started and she eyed me. “Grimwand is alive.” I watched as the princesses both looked surprised. Luna switching closer to a confused surprise with Celestia more the opposite, a look of shock and anger. Honestly, didn't blame her one bit.

“How is that possible? I dealt with him myself.” Celestia said and I could feel the anger radiating off her. It was possible she was just that angry or the telepathic link had a bit of an empathic link attached. Either way, I knew she was angry.

“I don't have the answer for that. But that does make some of my dreams shine a new light. As for why I have to tell you this was. He planned my death on earth. There was no chance there, all of it was planned out.”

“Why would somepony be so foul?” Luna asked as I could now feel her anger. I turned to Celestia.

“I believe you would best supply that answer.” I said and I believe it clicked. Her eye's widened with a questioning look before I nodded to confirm her suspicions.

“He wanted his body. He wanted to remove his soul so he could transfer his own into his body to live on.” She explained. I saw Cadence pale and Twilight shiver. Luna, well Luna's reaction had a delay on it. A least a good five seconds before it hit her like an avalanche to an egg.

“He WHAT?!” And there goes all the glass in the castle. Even my coffee mug shattered from her overpowered royal Canterlot voice. It took a few minutes to calm down Luna and before all of us could hear again. I continued and explain what happened. No pony had a clue about the Dark One which I found odd since both princesses lost their mother to it. So you would think they would know the most about it. But nope, clueless like the rest of us. Which made this all feel worse to me. Here I am the only pony with any bit of an answer. Talking to at least four ponies that should have a better clue then I should wanting answers from me and I was the idiot. After that I just remained quiet. I didn't have anything else I wanted to tell them. I mean I did relay the important part to them. The rest of it was for me to deal with. Twilight during my period of silence came over and gently nuzzled herself under my wing. I didn't even really notice as I just felt cold inside from all this again. I heard the mutterings of conversations between Celestia and Luna. I couldn't tell if it was in the room or over the telepathic link.

“Storm.” Celestia said and I looked up at her. “I understand this must be overwhelming.” I kept from biting back a sarcastic retort. Part of me was angry at this but most of me was just numbed by the weight on my shoulders. Or would it be back since I'm a pony and all? “What I want you to do is go and relax. With everything that has happened this can't be doing you any good. In the meantime Luna and I will try to find anything pertaining the locations of the rest of the artifacts and this 'Dark One' you were told off.” I looked at her a little surprised. This didn't make sense. Of course the idiot that I was I had to open my mouth about it. I stood up and almost slammed my front hooves on the table.

“You can't be serious! There is some great magical thing coming that I have to fight and you want me to relax? What sense does that make?” I asked with my left eye twitching. Celestia gave me a flat look.

“Because Storm you haven't had much time to relax. A month at most, since then you have had to face Timberwolves, Nightmare Moon, a darker side of yourself taking control, Vermom, nightmare after nightmare, getting you soul ripped out, transferred and had to fight back just to get attacked but those you care about, your own storm, and so much more that just has been one thing after another. The only rest I can think of was the weeks leading up to the treaty incident and the week leading up to hearth's warming. Otherwise you've been hospitalized or put in a self exile.” She said and at this point I was both frustrated and upset. I knew all of this but when the stakes are this high how can I just sit by and relax with something that even their mother had to fight. I landed back on my hunches with my head just hung there. “I understand what you’re getting at but. You won't be able to do anything without time to recoup. Go back to Ponyville and relax. Luna and I will let you know if we find anything.” She offered.

With a sigh I nodded. “Alright, alright. I get it. I'm being stupid again and your right. I should relax a bit before I.” I stopped before saying about me snapping. I had already did that once. That got me to look away from all of them. “Never mind, but your right. Tomorrow we'll return to Ponyville.” I said before walking to the balcony. I stared out into the sky watching the pegasi and clouds in silence. Twilight came back over to me and without a thought wrapped her up in my wing again. She seems to enjoy being within my wing like that. I could hear the sets of hooves come over before I noticed Celestia to the right of me and Luna to the left of Twilight.

“I do not know why mother had chose this of you, but there is a reason.” Celestia said as I watched Luna whisper something into Twilight's ear. She started to grin, but I paid it no mind.

“I... I do thank her for saving me. But... I... I feel cheated in a way. I mean yes I get it. I get to live and do something great. But... the cost seems... steep to me. I lost my life because of some stallion that wanted to use me. I didn't get to have my afterlife with the one person I care about. In a way I wouldn't change that.” I said bringing Twilight closer. “I wonder though. Am I worthy of this second chance? To have precedences for everything from my life on earth? On earth I tried to do the right thing even died to do it, but now... I'm scared. I'm scared of dooming everything because I'm not strong enough to fight this. That I may just chicken out when the chips are down. How... how am I supposed to do this?” I said each word causing me to panic more and more. Just the weight of having to face this thing to save every pony. How do I handle it? Will I handle it?

“Firestorm... Sometimes it doesn't matter about how strong you are, how prepared you are. It matters who you are. You're not the same pony or person you where on earth. You are you and nopony else. I can't say that what will happen won't be dangerous, that it won't push you, but I do know this: You will push back. You have a fire about you, that will guide you, and will protect you from all that gets in your way. You won't face this alone either. You have family and friends that will be there every step of the way. When you fall we will be there to pick you up.” Celestia said before turning to me gently smiling before leaning down and nuzzling me. “Storm, I'm glad to have you as part of our family. You've shown that even for one not from here. There are truly good hearts within every pony, sometimes misguided, but still there.” In a way it did make me feel better. In a way I did worry what Celestia thought about me in the family. To find out that. It made things feel better I suppose. We continued to sit there quietly for a few minutes until one of the maids came to notify that a mister Fancy Pants had arrived to meet with Celestia. So she had to leave and Luna said she still had paper work to finish. Once both sisters left Cadence departed saying something about a night with Shining. So it just left Twilight and I. The two of us just sat there. Me watching the sky with her still wrapped gently in my wing.

“Sorry.” She started and I turned it her. “Sorry about the whole poison joke thing. I went too far with it and should have took your feelings more into account. Also, I should have figured you were not in the best of states after finding out everything.” She began and I gently put a hoof up to her mouth to stop her.

“Twilight please stop.” I requested before pulling the hoof away. “It's fine. I don't blame you and it did help keep my mind off the bigger things that plague it. That and I need to apologize about something as well.” I said shifting a little bit. “I told Cadence about the whole mare thing.” I turned red as I lowered my head in shame.

“It's alright. I... I um... told the girls.” She said with a squeak towards the end. “Well Rarity knew already and well Pinkie is Pinkie. So she already knew.”

“That's true. Let me guess laughs from all of them?” I asked partly curious and partly because I knew how Dash would react.

“Well predictably Rainbow and Pinkie laughed. Rarity thought it a bit romantic that you were willing to entertain the idea for me. Same with Fluttershy after we got her to voice it. Applejack, well she was between a mixture of confusion on why you would put yourself through that and happy that you're willing to do it for me.” She said putting a hoof on her chin in thought. Dash and Pinkie was kind of predictable like that. As well was Rarity. Applejack well didn't she kind of already answered herself when she was happy I was going to do it for Twilight? Fluttershy not surprising needed a little coxing to get her to say something. I sighed quietly.

“I take it they hatched a plan or something?” I asked more for my own sense of paranoia. Okay, since Rainbow Dash's tricking Applejack into launching me into the Everfree I had started to feel better to play it safe and assume at least one of them was plotting something. Which most likely turned out to me bad for me. Well unless they were planning a trip to the spa. Then I was okay with that. If it was anything like the first trip, I was going to seriously enjoy it. Much to Lotus and Aloe's credit. I was the metaphorically putty in their hooves.

“It's hard to tell.” She said as I notice her looking at me for a moment before gazing back at the sky. “I hope not though.”

“I can't be that bad can it?” I asked and then realized what I said. How much you want to bet the universe was going to make me eat those words? You know what? Screw it, seriously what the hell could they do that the universe, fate, and some being beyond the veil hasn't or is going to do? Nothing, and I knew that better than anyone.

“I suppose.” A few seconds of silence before the question I think was eating at her to ask was finally asked. “Storm, are you going to be okay?”

“Twilight, I think that is an answer that needs to wait to be seen. As of right now, I guess I am.” This was the only thing I could answer on this. I was in a sort of state of, well emotional numbness. Like I couldn't be either way. I mean okay I did feel passion and that would count as an emotion so I guess my emotions were just muted a bit. Being besides the point I just wasn't to sure how to feel anymore on all this. Maybe it was just an overload on feeling things that it just put it in the metaphorical safe mode of sorts. “Twilight, what do you think about the spa?” I asked. A little out of nowhere but I guess I needed to change the subject.

“Spa? What like the one in Ponyville or in general?” She asked looking back up at me.

“Both really.”

“Well I do enjoy a trip to the spa. The one here in Canterlot is nice but I guess I would have to say I prefer the one back home more. Aloe and Lotus are rather nice. That and their messages are heavenly.” She said putting her hoof to her chin again to think about it. I slightly cringed at the word heavenly but I don't think she noticed. “Why do you ask?”

“Well... I was thinking about going to the Spa when we get back home and I was wondering if you would like to go with me.” I said running my prosthetic hoof scrap around in a circle on the floor.

“You like the spa?” She asked with a note of disbelief in her voice. Geez thanks there Twi. Make me feel bad for liking the spa why don't you.

“Well... yes. Ever since Rarity and Fluttershy took me there. It felt nice and I've been wanting to go again. Just well... not alone.” I said small embarrassed blush on my cheeks.

“When was this?” She asked. Aw shit, somepony get the gun ready, I'm about to shoot myself in the hoof here.

“Shortly after the whole tug of war incident between you and Rainbow.” I timidly answered. Bang, just right there shot my hoof. Metaphorically of course but still, ouch.

“Oh.” She said and looked down a little ashamed. “Sorry about that again.”

“Twilight it's fine. Look I don't blame either of you on it and what happened has happened. Let's just leave it there.” I said gently nuzzling her to make her feel better.

“Still... I suppose we can go when we go back. Maybe make it something we do regularly?” She offered and I thought about it.

“Sure, that sounds like fun.” I said before an idea popped into my head and I couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe we can get Rarity to make a set of his and her robes for us to go with.” I said in a slight joking way.

“That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I mean you do need to have some stuff of your own.” She said before leaning against me. “But how about tonight we just stay in and enjoy each others company?” She asked.

“Sure but after one thing.” I said with a smile. Twilight looked up at me a little curiously. “Why don't we go to the library and find a few books we can read together. Maybe a Daring Do?” I offered. Oh the smile on her face was priceless.

Then to see her bounce around much like Pinkie Pie going with “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” It was outright adorkable. Now you would think the rest of the day would have gone by with us just going to the library and picking up a book. Then a small trot back to us laying in bed reading it together. But nope, couldn't happen that way could it? As soon as both Twilight and I stepped outside the door into the hallway. I was abducted by a cyan blur.

“Gotcha!” Dash said as she was taking me somewhere.

“What the? Dash! What the hell are you doing?” I asked as I was trying to get her to let me go. Damn this mare was strong. She was holding me with a bear's grip.

“Oh I'm taking you to have a bath.” She said grinning.

“A bath? I already had one. Dash put me down this instant!” I yelled. She smiled hovering in the air a few seconds after I had yelled that. I looked around and found ourselves in a... well to be honest it looked like a bath house. But more a private one. That's when I noticed we were hovering above a bath with a strange blue tint to it.

“Oh? You want me to put you down?” Oh I could so hear the amusement in her voice. This was not going to... oh hell! It didn't take long to see the oh so familiar and disastrous poison joke flowers floating in the water.

“Don't you dare!” I shot back before her grin widened.

“Don't do what? This?” She said letting me go. Splash! I hit the water in a second when she dropped me into the bath full of poison joke. The bit of a surprising thing was that the bath was a lot deeper than it looked. I slowly came to the surface to see Dash laughing as she rolled on the floor. Then I noticed Applejack looking rather amused as well. My head didn't go past my eyes above the water. I started to growl and I could already tell that I was affected by the poison joke.

“Why?” I asked which got both of them to look over at me. Dash of course took a deep breath before laughing more. Applejack only snorted again before turning to me.

“Because we want to make you all ready for Twi and your date.” Applejack said.

“And I had to be a mare... Why?!” I more yelled.

“Well... you did say you would do it for Twi so we figured why not now?” She asked and I could see that she too was enjoying this.

“Couldn't you just ask before pony napping me from Twilight and dumping into this tub?” I asked as I was getting increasingly more annoyed with the two of them.

“We could. But this was just too funny not to do.” Dash added between laughs. Oh, so she wanted a few laughs. Okay I can play comedy pony too. My horn lit up and the three windows shut tight with the lock flipped. The door behind them clicked as I locked them in here with me. Dash stopped laughing pretty fast after that. Applejack turned to me as slowly came closer to the edge of the tub. A sly amused grin on my face.

“Now don't do anything hasty there partner. Just remember this is for Twi now.” Applejack said trying to find a way out. Just for added measure I put a shield around each window and door.

“Oh I know Applejack.” I said as two tentacles of water started to form behind me. They did forget that water was an element under my control.

“Ah... what are you planning there Storm?” Dash said flying up into the air.

“Oh. Nothing special. Just a little something for me.” I said grinning as I know my eyes went red.

“Now please think this through Storm. We just wanted Twi to have the perfect date.” Applejack said and I could hear the worry in her voice now as six other water tentacles formed from the water in the tub.

“Oh, she will get that date. Don't worry. But something has to happen first.” I said leaning over the side my forelegs crossed as I hung on the side of the tub. I watched as both of them gulped.

“And what would that be?” Both of them said in unison. I couldn't help it I grinned devilishly as each tentacles turned into a serpent.

“A little friendly payback.” I said. That was enough to cause Applejack to try and buck the door down. Sorry there AJ but there is no getting out of this. I sent three of them after Dash. Much to my annoyance she was able to dodge them. Applejack continued to buck over and over again.

“Please Storm reconsider this.” Said orange pony tried to plead out of this.

“What's wrong Applejack? Afraid to be Appletini again?” I asked with my left eyebrow raising as I smirked.

“Yes. I don't like being a little pony like that.” She said as she jumped away avoiding the one I sent after her.

“And I don't like being dropped into a tub of this stuff like that.” I shot back as Dash tried to loop on the inside to avoid more of the serpents of water after her. Of course she was keeping on eye on what was after her and not where she was going. One giant baseball mitt of water later. Dash was soaked and grounded. So I just obtained Rainbow Crash now to get myself an Appletini.

“So not cool.” She huffed. Like she had any room to complain. She just grabbed me and dropped me in here. At least I was nice enough to dry her off before I dropped her. I could sit there and left her soaked.

“Relax Dash. It's only one herbal bath and you're fine. Same for Applejack.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Then why do this?” Applejack said as she dodged more water. At this point I pulled all the water back to me and changed them into one larger dragon of water.

“I think I answered this what, twice now? Because you all dropped me in here without asking me. I won't be so mad about this if one, you asked. And two I didn't find out what I did today.” I said that last part more a growl in my voice. I sighed and pulled all water back into the tub before getting out using my magic to dry myself. I sat down in one of the little plastic like chairs they had sitting there as I looked at myself in the mirror. Both Rainbow and Applejack came up with the latter putting a hoof on my shoulder.

“What happened?” She asked in worry. So I told them about what Grimwand did to me and about that I had some destiny looming over my head again. I just curled up in the chair as I did so just looked at myself. Dash looked surprise and Applejack looked horrified when I told them about my death on earth being planned. I left out Jessica and the rest of what happened. Both because I wasn't ready to really talk about it and I still didn't know how to process that yet. It didn't help that I was once again reminded by my own brain on what is to come. I could feel that icy dagger slowly stabbing into my chest again as I thought about it more. I couldn't help but let my head hang there as I tried to fight back the tears. It all brought me back to the same question on why. Why did it have to be me? I sighed dropping the magic covering the windows and door. I let that sink in as I left. Dash not saying a word but watched me leave. Applejack I think was in a bit of shock from this. Yeah honestly sometimes bites when it comes to horrid things like that. I made my way back to the room to find both Rarity and Fluttershy waiting. With a pony mannequin with a long sleeved black dress on it. I eyed it for a bit before sighing walking past them towards the bathroom. Which that was short lived as I felt my tail being pulled sliding me back over to Rarity.

“And where do you think your going miss?” the alabaster white unicorn giving me a small jab with the miss comment. Technically I didn't say anything about not calling me miss. But still if I didn't like mister and prince. Why would you call me miss? Wait... oh please don't tell me some pony is going to call me princess before the night is through. Of course with a question like that I could have replied with the first thing to come to mind which involved an arrow and my head. But that would come across a little more bitter than I wanted to.

“To the bathroom before this night gets any more hellish than it has.” I said. Rarity eyed me for a moment which at this point my mood towards a few specific ponies was quite in the negative. Dash's dropping me in the bath of poison joke and Applejack helping was two points of that. Now Rarity here didn't add to that. Her and I have not been on the best terms. Through the incidents of her using me, hushing me, and now shoving a date down my throat. Well I was admittedly angry with her. Fluttershy most likely from my guess was just roped into this. I just hope Twilight is fine with this. Because me, yeah not fine with this at all.

“Well darling a lady mustn't have such an unladylike demeanor to such things.” She said in a very upstart tone that just added to my already soured mood. I stop for a moment, took a deep breath and asked Fluttershy to step outside for a moment. She of course nodded and left with a notable worried look on her. That was also followed my floating Rarity into the bathroom with my mane on fire.

“You want to talk about unladylike demeanor? Fine lets. Because one, I'm not normally a mare. Two, I am quite angry now. Let's not forget about three because I was just pony napped and dumped into a tub full of poison joke. The stuff that I personally hate because it affects my brain. Which we've learned is not in the best shape. Then let's add on the fact that I found that I died because some pony planned my death just to kill me again. I think I have the right to be in a very sour mood. But wait, there's more. Order now and you get a destiny looming over your head to means from the very get go I was used for free. So tell me. Bucking tell me that I don't have a reason to have a very unladylike demeanor about me?!” I was yelling towards the end of that with my mane a bright white flame. I was sheathing in pure anger as my left eye started to twitch. Silence took the bathroom in spades. The only real sound was the crackling of flames that my mane produced. I didn't have to worry about burning Rarity. Twilight figured that out during one of my nightmares when one of my mane's flames flickered over her hoof. She told me it felt warm but not hot like fire. So she was safe I took a few deep breaths to calm down as I looked at myself in the mirror. Thank you every pony make me feel oh so better.

“Storm...” Rarity started once my mane finally cooled off. “I didn't know. I apologize for my behavior. If I knew then I wouldn't-” She started before I held up a hoof.

“No Rarity. I should be the one to apologize. I'm just a little emotionally unstable at the moment. From what happened and the poison joke. For Celestia's sake it's just down right annoying at times. But I know you're all doing this for Twilight and I should be happy that you're all thinking about her. So I can go ahead and let you... come to think about it. What were you planning to do?” I asked looking at her.

“Well, get you presentable for the date. One must be fashionable for such an event.” She said smiling before I got dragged out of the bathroom. Then forcefully dressed in the black long sleeve dress. The part I didn't like the most about all this was the earring. Not to say they didn't go with the outfit. I just wasn't a fan of wearing them. Rarity was nice enough to get the clip on ones so I wouldn't bleed on the dress. “Marvelous darling. I'm sure every stallion won't be able to keep their eyes off you.” I shuttered at the thought of that. “Right. Heh heh. Sorry.” She nervously laughed. “I'm sure Twilight won't be able to keep her eyes off you either.” added after a moment. This got me to blush. “Now what to do with that mane of yours.” She said before producing a frightening amount of brushes, combs, and other mane related objects. Something I should note that when my mane comes out of being on fire. Some of the more tucked away parts of it becomes a tangled mess. But no pony sees it so I don't worry about it. That and a good shower and I can straighten it with no problem. But coming straight into it. Yeah Rarity had a hard time fighting with it. Me on the other hoof felt like somepony was trying to rip each and every hair out. There is quite a few times that I keep telling myself this was for Twilight and I can handle the pain for her. It wasn't long when Fluttershy came back in to help. My tail was another story compared to my mane. That one combed out nicely almost too easy if I had to suspect.

“So can somepony please explain the details of this date?” I asked more because I was out right clueless. I only had a chance to glance at the perfect date she had written so I was left in the dark. The only thing I knew was it was Twi and I going out on a date with me being a mare. That thought alone made me rub the bridge of my muzzle. Come to think of it, would it be the same since I'm a pony? I mean I use to rub the bridge of my nose as a human but would it be the same as a pony? Wait... damn it. I need to keep focus. Ugh, why do I always do this? I can't seem to focus on the right things when I have too much to process.

“Well darling we are to get you prepared while Twilight is getting ready in her old study. When your done your suppose to meet her there before heading out on the double date.” Rarity answered as she continued to fluff my mane as she put it when I asked her.

“Wait. Double Date?!” I asked well more exclaimed really. Why does no pony ever tell me things. Wait right... had to ask for that detail. Yup, total idiot. With a sigh I let her continue.

“Yes a double date. I don't quite know who but I was told it wasn't a big deal. Twilight will go over the details with you when you see her.” Rarity said as she finished my mane and turned me to the large full body mirror in the room. My mane was well so big that it hid my little numb of a horn. That was another thing I wasn't too happy about with poison joke. Maybe it was my own, well stallion-ness for lack of a better term or the more male side having problems with my horn being small. But I do have to say my mane reminded me of a model's mane er... hair from earth. Sometimes I cursed my luck with different lexicons. But with that done Rarity help me slide into the dress she set out for me. I have to admit that I did look rather cute in the outfit. I mean the long black dress flowed over my body like a fine river of black silk. She even had it so my prosthetic leg was covered by the long but nicely done sleeves. Honestly if I didn't hear the little clank from my hoof steps and knew it was there. No pony could really tell I wasn't a complete pony. An odd thought came to me when I looked at the orange of my coat with the black fabric. These where Halloween colors in a way. I wasn't one for the spooky well when it come to my choice of outfits really but this will do. It was for Twilight after all. Honestly I think that was the only fact that made me go along with this. Otherwise I think I would be a little more irate then I was with Rarity earlier. Which in a way I felt bad for which was followed me thinking back to the tub again. My emotions just within that short time have been a little unstable to say the least. I just hope I could rain my emotions in for this date. Oh for Celestia's sake please tell me I can at least do that much. “Something wrong?” Rarity asked knocking once again out of my internal thoughts.

“Just... thinking is all.” I said as Rarity started to pull out the jewelery. I gulped looking at all the earrings she pulled out. All nice and sharp looking ones. I hopped off the cushion and began to slowly back away from the alabaster white unicorn with stars in her eyes. The worse part was that starry eyed look she got like she just board the S.S. Daydream to La La land. My ears were flat against my head both because now I was scared out of my mind of the mare and to sort of protect them from her piercing my ears.

“What's wrong darling? It's only jewelery. They don't bite.” She said and I gulped. Biting wasn't the problem. The stabbing was.

“Rarity please put the jewelry down.” I said as my but was not against the wall. Bad think about backing up no rear view mirror to tell me what's behind me.

“But it's only earrings and necklaces.” She said grinning now.

“Rarity what kind of earrings?” I asked.

“Fine looking ones that go with your eyes and dress.” She answered.

“Yeah but don't they need to.” I gulped before I finished. “be pierced in?” I said as sweat was starting to form on my face.

“What?” She said stopping her advancements looking puzzled. Then looked back at the floating earrings in her magic. “Oh! Is that what you're worried about? Darling I would never pierce your ears without your permission. These are clip on earring. Firm enough to stay on but gentle to the ears.” She said before I let out a sigh of relief and went back to the pillow. Rarity following closely behind. Fluttershy was already going through a collection Rarity had setting out. Like she was picking out for herself. Miss element of generosity was busy floating earrings up to my ears before moving them away for another set. until she stopped at a simple set of amethyst earrings in the shape of little stars. With a smile dancing on her muzzle she clipped them onto my ears before doing much the same as she had before with the necklaces.

“Rarity.” Fluttershy said before gently biting down on a nice matching amethyst necklace with a diamond shape jewel as the center part of it in a nice sliver chain to it. Rarity smiled with a nod.

“Lovely choice there Fluttershy.” She said as said mare blushed a bit with a timid smile. I watched this for a moment as something seemed a little off with Fluttershy but I couldn't put my hoof on it. Maybe it was I never spent much time with the buttercup yellow mare or just because of the poison joke messing with my head. But once I was dressed up in an outfit that honestly would have to say looked amazing on me. Rarity shoved me out of my room using her horn to prod me like I was some kind of cattle. I stopped for a moment at that thought before shaking off. “She's in her old room. Make sure to knock with a lady like grace.” She said before shutting the door. Looking out right confused at the door where the mare's head was a few moments ago. I made my way up the stairs to Twilight's old room before she went to Ponyville. It did make me wonder if Celestia knew what Twilight was destined to be and that was the reason she sent her there. I guess that question was moot because what was done was done. Finally reaching the large red doors to the room I could hear the sounds of two mares talking.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” The sound of Twilight said and I could hear the worry in her voice.

“Twilight you worry too much. This is Storm we are talking about. I'm sure everything will be fine.” The oh so familiar sounds of Cadence's voice was easily heard behind the door. I let out a sigh and steeled my nerves. I reached up with my prosthetic hoof. Alright Storm just go ahead and knock saying that you're here.

“I know but this is our first date. What if something goes wrong? What if somepony tries to hit on me and he has to protect me. Turning the whole first date into a complete disaster that he will never want to go on another date with me. Which causes a tension between the two of us that will cause us to break up because we don't quite feel the same for each other? What if he likes being a mare so much that he starts to date a stallion behind my back because he likes it so much and prefers to rut him, having his kid leaving me in the dust and-” She got out in a panic tone before it became muffled like some pony shoved her hoof into her mouth. Dear goddess Celestia what the hell was that? Was Twilight that paranoid? It's not like any of that would happen.

“Twilight relax. None of that is going to happen.” Cadence reassured her. Thank you sis you can talk some sense into her. “Storm isn't going to do anything to hurt you and you know it. Just remember breathe and relax.” She said before I could hear her take a deep breath which was followed by the sound of Twilight doing much of the same.

“Thank you Cadence. Your right. I'm just a little nervous about this date.” She said and it was time to get this show on the roll as they say. I gave the door three solid knocks.

“AH!” Twilight screamed a little in surprise. “Um, who is it?” She asked a little nervously.

“It's me Twilight. May I come in?” I asked a little nervous myself. I mean after Twilight's outburst like that she got me going into red alert.

“Of course.” She said before at least a five second pause. A very notable pause mind you. I gulped quietly before slowly pushing the door there and seeing the dress Twilight was in. There was only one word I could mouth as I saw her standing in the middle of the room as Cadence helped her put some jewelry on.

Breathtaking...

-End of Chapter-

Author's Notes:

Well, well, well, ain't that a eventful chapter? We found out more for why Storm is there, we find out more about the artifacts, and we found out Storm is really unlucky. Which leaves the question... what is going to happen in the next chapter? I'm curious on what everyone things about this chapter and I will see you in the next chapter.

Chapter 22 - Date or Disaster

See ya there...