Chapter 34 – Camping

Okay so it wasn't quite the next day. As more it was three days, one of them was a check up to see how the healing was doing as I was now awake to answer some questions. It seems my wing was still going to take the most to heal as I had to regrow skin for it since I had a large hole in it. That and a large loss of feathers which are needed to fly. From what I heard I could still glide if I had to. But it was going to be painful. I had also found out what was the issues with the bandages.

It was a side effect of the magic used on my leg, it seems some enchantments are weaker when used on my legs. The good thing was that after two more days I didn't need to use the magical bandages to numb the pain. So I could walk without hurting myself... much. I mean hey if they get hit they still hurt. That of course was the worst of my problems, no that would go to the reporters trying to get an interview with me for the last three days of my stay in Canterlot.

At first it was a formal request, but after the event's with Silvertongue. I just thought it was safer denying any and all interviews for the time being. It sounded reasonable to me. Even Celestia and Luna agreed with the idea after Twilight had told them about the interview in question. Even worse was the fact that Silvertongue as a challenge put up a reward for getting an interview with me. This lead to a lot of ponies breaking into the castle. I say break in but a lot of windows and doors were left open. So more they decided to waltz right in, and by god that's what they did. I swear if I was still human or at least a satyr I would have drop kicked a few of these ponies.

I can be very patient with a lot of ponies. Hell I could for the most part take Rarity's dress up moments and that's being put on a pedestal for display. Mind you that is something I am still very uncomfortable with being. I had always had an issue with being on stage as I was always one of those guys that preferred voice work over live action work. At least any role that didn't require me to speak in front of any group of ponies or people, but I'm getting away from my point. The fact that I draw the line when I had a pegasus mare hide in the shower for me to use the bathroom, all for a damn interview. She left pretty fast when she saw my mane on fire and a very large magical bolt ready to fire from my horn.

That wasn't even the tip of the iceberg on the complete insanity that happened. For some reason these ponies got it into their heads that bugging other ponies would work. Luna's night court was swamped for two nights asking for an interview about me. I only learned this after the second night when Luna used the royal Canterlot voice to yell at everypony that wanted an interview to get out. Than proceeded to stomp her way up to my room and ask me quite bluntly what the hell was going on. I showed her the small blurb of an advertisement offering the five hundred bit reward for the interview. Somehow Celestia was lucky enough to be spared this nightmare.

Twilight however was not. We had tried another visit to her parents with it only ending with me back in the castle from the unrelenting pestering of ponies. Not even five minutes into the wall and I was descended upon by a bunch of vultures. I found out later when Twilight returned with her parents that she too was assaulted by said ponies about me. I finally drew the line and wanted some peace from all this. The plan was that Twilight and I would hide aboard my sister's ship as it went to Ponyville. The girls also got a ride as well as we figured we would kill seven birds with one stone.

Twilight and I hid in with the baggage as it was placed on the ship. This was one of the few times both Twilight and I were thankful that Rarity decided to over pack for a trip. Granted one super packed cart was still ridiculous, but who am I to argue at this moment? The two of us listened quietly for any moment that a reporter pony would show up. I guess they were more looking for us then noticing a squad of ponies leaving the castle. We got to her ship which was one of her smaller ships. Mind you this thing reminded me of a fantasy game battle courser than a vacation ship. Besides the Arabian theme and everything all over the place.

“Storm are you alright?” Twilight asked when we got to our room.

“Honestly, no. I'm really just angry about having to jump through hoops just to get some peace from ponies.” I said as my ears were flattened back and my head slumped.

“I'm sorry.” Twilight tried to apologize.

“It's not your fault Twilight, if anything it was mine for agreeing to Silver's interview in the first place.” I said passing the blame onto me.

“Storm, Silvertongue was trying to bring up some rather-” I let her get out.

“Yes I know, but I should have been able to stand for more comments like that. I don't know if it was timing or if it was for the fact that I've just got feed with it.” I went over to the bed and decided to stretch out a bit.

“I don't blame you for being a bit snippy at him. Honestly I wanted to lay into him myself.” Twilight said pulling out a new bandage for my wing. I felt her magic wrap around the already placed wraps there. They felt a little nice getting them off my wing. The feeling of having my wings contained like that was starting to get a little uncomfortable and I know it sounds a little weird. Most times wings are closed and close to the pony's body and you would think that would be fine having one like that. It's just there are subtle movements that not a lot of non-wing having ponies don't know about. Well maybe Twilight and possible Rarity would know after what I have heard. Besides those two I'm not sure what others would think.

Everypony knows that their ears help display some of their emotions as well as some winged beings also with their wings. From what I was told and figured out that there is a lot more displayed when you know what you're looking for. Besides rapidly snapped wings could mean defensive, aroused, or aggressive in nature. Did you know that slowly rising wings are also signs of aggression as it rises in some? Others it can also mean surprise that was slightly caught? The point of all that? Well winged creatures show their emotions on their sleeve as Twilight had said before, but when you contain that against the body, It becomes rather uncomfortable at times, especially when your wing wants to snap open all of a sudden.

I watched quietly as Twilight went to work silently taking the old bandages and folded them up in a neat square as she pulled out a fresh roll. She stopped for a moment as I watched her hoof gently move up to my wing. I didn't have much time to react, as in I didn't at all. She placed her hoof gently on the spot with the missing feathers as the flesh of the wing was fixed. I just couldn't really fly with it as I needed the feathers to help make flying comfortable.

“Firestorm do you ever wonder what things would be if you did something different?” Twilight asked and I turned my head to look at her.

“Yes, why?” I asked eyeing her as I watched her trace little circles on my wing.

“I've been thinking about what has happened because of estrus.” Twilight said and I pulled my wing gently from her hoof and placed it around her.

“Twilight you don't have to worry about the what ifs. We both had a good reason to why I left to Canterlot. I mean yeah we would have had some fun, but we would also have to prepare for something we weren't ready for.” I said trying to be comforting.

“I know I'm being a silly pony, but I wonder if I should have just let you stay.” Twilight asked as she leaned in gently to me.

“Twilight now's not the time to think about such things. Now is the time to just enjoy ourselves and live life.” I said trying to cheer her up. She gently smiled as she looked up to me.

“I know, just I can't help but think at times.” She said.

“It's the bane of everypony existence, the always thinking moment.” I said with a smile. Twilight gently shoved me.

“I'm being serious.” She continued with said smile.

“I know and I think a lot too. Honestly I probably overly think about stuff.”

“You do that too?” She asked.

“All the time, I'm thinking right now if you can't tell.” I said with a smile.

“Oh? What are you thinking about if I may ask?” She asked looking at me.

“Simple, how did I get so lucky to have such an amazing mare as my marefriend and not have screwed up yet?” I answered and that earned me another shove as I rolled onto my back. She couldn't help but hop on top of me and lay there so we were nose to nose.

“You are the sweetest goofball I have ever met.” She said before poking me with her nose to mine.

“Yeah, one sweet goofball with the smartest mare I know as his marefriend.” I countered.

“Oh? I didn't know you were dating Princess Celestia” She said with a smile.

“Ouch, shots fired.” I said with a smile before I used my good wing to hold her in place long enough to flip over so I was over her. I made sure I was using my hooves to hold me up so I wouldn't put my weight on her. “I was talking about you Twilight.” I said before I gave her a gentle kiss.

“I know, but I was trying to be a... what's that word again?” She asked playfully.

“A smartass.” I said with a smile.

“That's the one. I mean I can't have my coltfriend be the only one quick with a joke.” She said and I couldn't help but smile.

“That's not the only thing I'm quick with.” I said grinning as she eyed me.

“Oh and what pray tell are you also quick with?” She asked.

“With an attack.” I said as I used my good wing to tickle her. That got her to squeal in laughter as I was getting pretty good at using my wings.

“Storm, mercy!!!” Was all she got out between breaths of laughter.

“Sorry I'm not Firestorm the merciful, I'm Firestorm the Tickle Tormentor.” I said as I continued with the tickling assault. As I took a few of my loose feathers that dropped from Twilight undoing my wing to add to my attack. I found out pretty quickly that Twilight's back hooves where ticklish. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good weak spot like any gamer would. So I decided to really turn the feathers on Twilight.

“Two can play this game.” Twilight said between her laughter as her horn lit up, with in seconds I found myself up in the air and my feathers ripped from my magic. She began to breath a little hard as she fought to catch her breath.

“Um... mercy?” I asked with a please don't kill me smile.

“Sorry Twilight the merciful is in the other room.” She said before descending my feathers on me. It took maybe a few moments to find out where I was ticklish at. Unlike how I had Twilight, she didn't give up or let me get an upper hoof on her. More for the fact that she was well versed in the ways to break my focus on trying to break out of her spell. I had forgot that a lick to the horn felt different enough to make it hard to focus. So I was at Twilight's mercy for what felt like ten minutes. That came to an end when she had me pinned to the bed and I rolled onto my damaged wing. Yeah I think the pained gasp was enough to get her to stop.

“Oh Celestia are you alright?” She asked lifting me up again.

“I...” I began between pained gasps. “rolled onto.. my wing.”

“Oh, horse apples. I forgot to make sure that was wrapped up.” She said before holding my wing just right in her magic. Something you probably wouldn't know without experiencing it yourself is that just like casting spells, everypony experiences magic differently. Especially between magic users, in this case Twilight's magic felt comforting and cool. Almost like a night breeze on my wing. Celestia is more a soothing warmth, while Luna had close to Twilight but colder I guess. Rarity I would say was more like a pillow without temperature, and Gaia had this warm field of grass feeling to it. The more you focus on the magic itself with some understanding, the more you would get a more descriptive feeling of it. It's very comforting being wrapped in a ponies magic that you trust. She slowly moved my wing so she could wrap it.

“It's alright Twilight, I forgot about it too.” I said with a light smile.

“Still... I want to take care of you. After what you went through, you deserve some peace and quiet for a long time.” She said smiling gently.

“I hope it won't be too quiet.” I said with a smile.

“If Ponyville's track record holds, probably for another week tops before something happens again.” She said with a slight annoyed sigh.

“Is it really that bad?” I asked eyeing her.

“Well... it depends mostly on what happens.” She said and began to explain a few of her adventures in Ponyville. Some of them from how she explained it was only the first month of being in Ponyville. The one I couldn't see happening was the whole dragon event with Fluttershy. I'm not saying that it's not possible, but it was more improbable than anything. Even more so when Twilight told me that she beat a dragon, something mind you that I'm half of with only a stare. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Fluttershy is strong. I mean she did help defeat Nightmare Moon twice as well as Discord. Even knowing she takes care of a lot of the animals from the local forest and Ponyville, I just couldn't see it. I even voiced my opinion on this. That's when Twilight decided to whip the whole “Don't judge a book by it's cover, you never know what hides inside.” Bit on me and no offense to Twilight. Some ponies are just how they appear to be. Of course my point would be Blueblood so... yeah. Let's just call us even on this point.

Beyond that Twilight had explained a few other events from Ponyville. The one she decided to tell me as she knew I enjoyed a good mystery was the Story about the 'Mmmm' cake. I will say this about Twilight that she does a good job weaving the story. Well... in the sense of a good Sherlock Holmes story. She had me guessing for the most part leading up to the reveal that it was her friends that ended up eating parts of the cake. Well at first, this lead into the whole they combining their desserts together to win. As she was telling the story she was making sure she finished the wrapping of my wing. It was a bit more comfortable than Heartshy's wrapping. I would chuck that one up to more between a pegasus wrapping it with their hooves and my marefriend's magic. I would lean to the magic as it was more dexterous when it comes to it. Don't get me wrong, I would trust a pegasus more when it comes to preening as they do it more often.

“Storm have you thought about preening your wings at all?” Twilight asked.

“Kind of, but I don't really know how. From what I gather you've had either Dash or Fluttershy help do it when I've been comatose.” I said as I laid my head down on my forelegs.

“Do you want me to get one of them to help you?” She asked.

“Honestly I don't really think I need it right now. Unless you think otherwise.” I said quietly.

“Well.. it is a part of daily life for a pegasus.” She said.

“How about once we are home and have relaxed for a day. We have either one that wants to help show me how. I feel kind of silly having to ask about something like this.” I said.

“Storm it's not silly. You're still new to your body, so all the standard things that everypony knows at a young age you still need to learn. Storm there is no shame in asking for help.” She said trying to comfort me.

“Even so, I just don't know how to approach this. For all I know when it comes to one's wings its a very personal thing.” I said, this got Twilight to blush a little.

“Well... yes, a ponies wings are normally consider a very personal thing. Especially when it comes to touching them, but some ponies have others help with the hard to reach spots on the wing.” She explains.

“How do you know that?”

“Pegasus customs through the ages by Valiant Wing.” She said in a matter of fact tone. I couldn't help but rub my face on that one. Of course she read it in a book, I shouldn't be surprised by this.

“Twilight let's just table this for now. If Dash or Fluttershy offers then sure I guess, but right now. I just want to have use of my wings again.” I said quietly.

“Alright...” She was a little hesitant for a few moments “I'm going to be right back, I need to talk to your sister about something.” She said moving quietly over to the door. I just watched her quietly with a bit of a level stare.

“You're about to go ask Dash or Fluttershy about preening aren't you?” I asked looking at her. This got her freeze in place. She gently smiled as she turned towards me.

“Of course not, I did say I was going to go talk to your sister.” She said as she poured the smile on a little too thick on this one. Before I could even call her out on this she slipped out of the door. All I could really do was just watch her leave and I could only sigh. Silence filled the room as I laid on the bed, with a little bit of magic I brought the pillow over to me so I could rest my head on it.

***---***

It felt like only a moment before I woke up in a field of grass on a sunny day. The light blue of the sky filled above only broken up by the white spots of clouds and the three lines in the distance. Around me was six doors with four of them faded. Only Honesty and Laughter stood solid while the other four were faded out. The only one that didn't have the colors to it was magic. I sat there for a few moments as I got up into a more sitting position.

“I must've dozed off again.” I said scratching the back of my head a bit. Something felt a little off so I pulled my hoof in front of my face to find it that it was a claw. Only second later did I find out that I was back in my satyr form again. “I see we are going with this song and dance again.” With that I finally got up fully. With a quick patting down, I dusted off my long black baggy cloth trim pants and orange hoodie.

For the most part this dream was rather peaceful and I had already suspected something was afoot here. So without much thought I summoned a sword so I wasn't unarmed as I journeyed into the forest. If it wasn't for the nightmare I fought though I would say this lush forest was downright peaceful. I kept myself silent as I walked down the dirt path. This felt too real even for me knowing this had to be a dream. I had to stop and feel the trees themselves as it felt like real bark. That could be the fact this was a lucid dream or not, but just something was off. After a few minutes of travel the normally brightly colored environment, started to turn dark. Not dark per say, but more... creepy. The dark brown wood of the tree gradually turned dull and finally turned gray. The leaves themselves started to disappear from the tree until it was left bare. Even the grass on the ground disappeared leaving only crisp snow on the ground. That was until I heard the snapping of a something stepping on a stick breaking it. Without much thought I turned pointing my sword at the being behind me.

“You can put your weapon away Storm.” Princess Luna said in her normal equine form. I pulled my sword away and placed it back on my shoulder so it wouldn't cut into it.

“What are you doing here Luna?” I asked looking at her as I turned fully to look at her.

“I thought I would check your dreamscape to see if there was any residual effects from Grimwand's magic.” She said.

“I see.” I said before turning and going down the path.

“Is something wrong Storm?” She asked as I heard her following me.

“Depends on how you see it.” I answered.

“Okay is there a problem with how you see it?” She asked.

“Honestly no, just currently dealing with this feeling of unease.” I said as I kept my eyes open for anything else.

“If it's about the reporters, I'm sure our plan has worked.” She said and I turned my head to look over my shoulder.

“Speaking of which, what was the plan besides me waiting on my sister's ship for half an hour before takeoff?” I asked.

“We reported you to attending a benefit show at the opera house. Well... we had one of our 'maids' report it so it seemed more leaked then official.” She said with a smirk.

“And here I thought all princesses were prim and proper.” I said jokingly.

“Never said a princess couldn't be devious as well.” She countered.

“Good point.” I said as we continued to walk down the path. Unlike the memories and a lot of fantasy places. This one felt out of place on all fronts as the dirt path decided to take us up the side of a mountain until we saw the snow and moss covered structure of a castle in the distance. It wasn't a traditional castle as those found on earth and it wasn't like Canterlot castle. It almost felt like a blend of the two and it didn't help put my mind at ease.

“Storm what is this place?” Luna asked as she came up next to me as we continued to traverse this dream.

“I really don't know, and I'm not liking it.” I said keeping my sword at the ready.

“Are you expecting an attack?” She asked.

“At this point it wouldn't be surprised.” I said keeping myself alert to what was around us. The only good thing was I only had to cover most of the area besides directly to my left. Which that was the side of a mountain. That was short lived as it dropped down as we found ourselves at a stone bridge ripped from a Gothic comic artist's head. I mean I've seen enough castle decor from movies and games, so I could place a lot of what I saw. It was just the aged and weathered look that just left me feeling of something crawling up my back. Even Luna was on alert as we started to step across the bridge.

We were maybe a third down the bridge that I swore I started to hear Bach's toccata and fugue in d minor play on the wind as if it was played on an old church organ. This got Luna's hair to stand up on end, that including her ethereal mane as well. When the princess of the night is scared you know some shit was about to go down. We continued as the soft sounds of fresh snow being stepped on as well as the soft clacking of hooves on the cobblestone pathway could be heard. Both Luna and I's wings were at full span as we continued.

“Are you getting this odd feeling-” Luna began as I finished her line of.

“That we are being watched. Yeah, just about the same time as we stepped onto the bridge itself.” I answered as I gripped the handle of my sword tighter. Luna even summoned herself a long moonlight silver bladed sword with a round hilt with a crescent moon set into it. The handle of it was dark blue with a silver spiral going down the length of it ending in a silver crescent moon pommel. She kept it at the ready as we made it up to the door itself. It out right looked creepy as it made it look like black iron vines took up the whole door besides the outline of the door itself. From the right angle, you could almost see the shapes of ponies in it. The worse part was the handle looked like a pony's hoof reaching out for help.

Slowly my claw reached out and gripped the handle. I didn't want to think about it being a pony's hoof so I quickly turned it and opened the door as fast as I could. Oh, inside didn't look much better as it had dark architecture down pat. Inside the floor was tiled marble in a very black with white crack and dark gray with black crack checkered pattern. All with a matted down red carpet that went up a set of stairs, much like the main entry to where the Gala was held. The only reason I know this was Twilight telling me about it.

We looked around to see more of the castle. The high ceiling of the castle was much large arched roofs that had almost a star like pattern to them. The more you would look at the ceiling, the more it looks like it was moving slightly. We looked around a few of the halls to find them completely empty.

“This is very unsettling.” Luna said as we continued to look through. Honestly if it wasn't for the dark color palette of the castle itself and the massive holes in some places. This wouldn't be too bad of a castle to own itself. It would need massive work to add some colors other than dark.

“No kidding, if this was an old school horror game from earth. We would have gotten at least two jump scares by now.” I said looking around more.

“These... horror games, what are they?” She asked looking up at me.
“Horror games, a lot of them rely on setting up a creepy atmosphere where they put the player on edge. Sort of like how nightmares do to a lot of ponies. Take this castle we are in right now.” I said using my hand in a sweeping motion. “You would say this has us on edge right?”

“Very much so.” She said eyeing me.

“Well depending on the style of game. We would end up trying to find a way out other than the front door. Because it would end up locked by some means. Which most times you would be helpless against the creatures of the castle. Armed only with your wits and a lantern. Some would be more a jump scare nightmare where it more gets you by playing with your expectations.” I explained as we continued to walk down a few corridors.

“They sound... interesting.” She said.

“Very much so, the best ones are the ones that tell pieces of a story. Through a little direct means, but with a lot of subtle hints.” I said as we turned to go down a large stain glassed hallway. This left the hall painted in many colors. The only odd thing was that on the stain glasses was the cutie-marks of Twilight and the others. It was just they were each paired with a second cutie-mark. The one I noticed and could easily recognize was the one under Twilight's. We stopped before as the two of us couldn't help but stare.

“Mother?” Luna asked placing a hoof on the glass itself. I just watched her for a little bit before I noticed something through the glass itself. It was the courtyard of the castle itself, and in the middle of it was something I couldn't quite make out. Just for a moment I thought I saw something shine through the glass from where I was looking. “Storm, where are you going?” I heard behind me as I left the hallway. I tried to say something but nothing came to my voice, just silence. Rounding the bend I found a hole big enough for me to jump through and I did, using my wings to help slow my descent into the courtyard.

The courtyard itself was pretty big, it had what would have looked like nice trees. If it wasn't for the fact that they more looked like weeping willows with how the leaves sagged on them. Even more so that the pond and little river set to go through this was filled with an off colored liquid, that sure as hell wasn't water. If it was then it would have been frozen over like most of the snow covered ground is. Even on the stone arches that circled around what caught my eye earlier had icicles formed on them.

“Storm what's wrong?” Luna asked as I couldn't help myself. Slowly I moved to the object in my view. I saw the familiar shape resting in the stone pedestal before me. The long sliver like blade leading up to the large pink star shaped cross guard. The handle that looked like it was ascribed with arcane runes down the whole length of it. All leading to a glowing stone at the end of it just pulsating like a beating heart. The world washed away from my eyes as I could only see it. That's when something shot through my head, not something physical but more a pain. “Storm!” Luna said somewhere far off.

Wait... that couldn't be right. I felt something holding me as I fell to the snow covered ground, but her voice sounded so far away. They sounded so far that I could only tell it was her voice but not see her. She looked scared as she held me in her magic. I could feel her hooves gently pressing into my arm as she tried to shake me awake a little. The world around us just disappeared slowly as they waved and dispersed, as if they were made out of ink that suddenly was in water. Luna followed suit seconds later leaving me in a black soulless void for what felt like hours.

***---***

“Oh god my head.” I groaned as I rubbed it gently. It felt like someone just let a heavyweight boxer wail on it for an hour. I looked around to see that it had become the afternoon and that we are already in the air. Well... more than we already were.

“Storm are you alright?” I heard to my left to see Twilight had laid down next to me.

“Yeah... I think. Just had a weird dream was all.” I said.

“If I may ask what happened?” She asked.

“That's the weird thing, for the most part nothing really happened. Luna decided to check my dreamscape while it was going on for any lasting signs of Grimwand, so far I could guess there was none.” I said trying to piece it all in my head.

“That was kind of her.” Twilight said resting her head against my neck gently.

“It was, but that's not the big part. After some walking the cheery atmosphere turned pretty dark, not in the same sense as before with the nightmares. Just creepy dark.” I said quietly as I looked at my hoof.

“What was it about?” She asked.

“Well... just an old castle, a very dark... old... castle.” Just the thought of it sent a shiver down my spine. Twilight looked at me quietly as I thought about it more. “The odd thing was that it felt too real, I mean besides the whole feeling of a lucid dream. Like it was some place from a memory long forgotten, but that would be impossible.”

“Maybe it was a memory, but from somewhere else. You did say Luna was there, could it have been one of hers?” She asked and I thought about it more.

“I don't think that was the case. Luna didn't seem familiar with the place beyond one stained glass window.”

“Stained glass window?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah, it had yours as well as the rest of the girl's cutie-marks on them, but they weren't alone.” I thought back.

“What else was with them?” Twilight ask now seriously looking at me.

“That's the odd thing, under the cutie-marks where other cutie-marks. Like under yours was Faust's.”

“That doesn't seem so odd, the Elements and Artifacts are connected. So maybe you put those together in your head.” Twilight suggested looking at me gently.

“That's a possibility, but I've been noticing that beyond nightmares that my dreams have served a purpose.”

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“Well... for the most part I've had relieved past memories through a filtered means. I relieved one of the worst nights of my life, then the set of nightmares that was to show me my own death on earth, and even some more odder experiences.” I commented.

“Odder?” She asked and I began to explain the doors that have shown up a few times. Even the few that I had traversed. This got Twilight to remember something that had happened during my trip in Saddle Arabia.

“Speaking of that, how were you able to talk with Dash?” She asked.

“Honestly I don't know, I was in the middle of camping when I began to hear Dash talking. I think it was a night she was heavily drunk.” I asked.

“We were having a few drinks to help ease the tension of things going on.” Twilight said with a light blush.

“I'm guessing it's something you have planned with the girls.” I asked.

“Well... kind of. Pinkie wanted to throw a slumber party and we all agreed to it. Not many can say no to Pinkie when she is being assertive about it.” Twilight said with a slight nervous smile.

“I believe you're right.” I said returning the awkward smile as I remembered the party Nightling and I had agreed to.

“If I may ask, what happened next?” She asked quietly placing a hoof on mine.

“Well from there it gets a little fuzzy.” I said trying to piece the end of it together. “I stood behind Luna and saw something in the castle courtyard. My feet decided to carry me to it, even jumping out a hole in the castle itself to do so. All I could remember that it was a sword of some kind. Then it out of nowhere a sudden pang decided to strike and everything blurred out with Luna holding me.” I said as the throb in my head worsen for a moment as I tried to remember.

“That sounds... odd.” Twilight said and I watched her mind just go to town. “Do you think you could draw this castle from your dream?”

“Possible if you get me a pad and pencil.” In a few seconds she caused them to appear before me. It took us getting to the outskirts of Ponyville for me to finish the drawing of the castle from the outside, as best as I could remember. Which remind you I was working with a throbbing headache at the time, so it was hard to remember. Twilight simply watched before getting up to make sure our stuff was ready.

So the disembarking wasn't that bad, well... until we got our first hooves on the ground. Namely my hooves to be exact. That's when they appeared, and my god did they appear. Out of the bushes and branches. Out of the logs and ground, and even behind the clouds. No place was safe from ponies popping out of them with cameras all flashing in my face and blinding me. It took my wing to stop the flashing from blinding me long enough to see some bits and pieces of pony reporters. Oh of course that didn't stop me hearing the onslaught of requests for interviews from every and any pony.

“Please let me through.” I requested as I heard my own voice getting drowned out by the others trying to yell above each other. Hell when I tried again the royal Canterlot voice was drowned out and that is suppose to be deafening to hear point blank.

“Storm hold on.” Twilight said right into my ear before I could even have a second to process what she said. My world flipped, followed by dropping out from under me. Than suddenly we found ourselves in the libraries main room.

“A little more warning on that Twi.” Applejack said before I chanced a glance around to fully see what the hell happened.

“Sorry Applejack, but I had to get Storm out of there.” Twilight said as I took the moment to shake the final bits of the world spinning out of my head.

“I know why you did it Twi. Just a warning is all I ask before you magic us away.” Applejack continued.

“But you saw those ponies trying to swamp poor old Storm.” Rarity said with slight annoyed look to her face.

“Are... are you alright?” I heard to my left, I turned to see that it was Fluttershy looking worried.

“Yeah, just a little dizzy from the sudden teleportation mixed with the ungodly amount of flashing from the cameras.” I said sitting down and rubbing my eyes with my left hoof. That's when I heard the soft thumps of somepony entering the room. We turned to see Spike staring at the group of us, including my sister, Dragoon, and Nightling with a large emerald sticking out of his mouth like some one having a sucker in there mouth. In his arms was a large bowl of gems, which as far as I knew he took the last of his with him when Estrus started.

“Spike, where did you get those gems?” Twilight asked in a very dangerous tone.

“I um... was given them.” Spike said trying to slowly step back into the kitchen.

“Who gave them to you?” Twilight said slowly stepping closer to him.

“Um... ponies.” Spike said and now it was Rarity's turn to step in close.

“Spiky Wiky, where did you get all those lovely gems?” Rarity asked in a velvety voice.

“Those ponies out there asked if I knew when Firestorm was coming back and I told them... than they gave me the gems as payment for the information.” Spike said and that got my eyes to widen for a moment. Are you fucking kidding me?

“Spike!” Twilight said in shock.

“Why?” Rarity asked quietly.

“Well... I... I thought I could...” Was all he got out.

“Okay...” I said before sighing. “Why did you tell them I was going to return today?” I asked feeling a little betrayed. It wasn't rational to the fact that, how was he suppose to know that this was meant to be kept secret?

“I...” Spike said and I watched his scales droop a little. I didn't even know scales on a dragon could droop like that. “They tempted me with so many tasty looking gems, I couldn't help myself.”

“Spike I sent you a letter explaining to keep our return secret from everypony.” Twilight said looking disappointed and now I did too.

“Twilight dear, I believe Spike has saw what he did was wrong. Didn't you darling?” Rarity interjected.

“Yes.” Spike said with a slight nod as he didn't look at any of us.

“And he is a baby dragon after all.” Gaia pointed out.

“Be that as it may, he should have at least known better than to do that.” Twilight said.

“Look.” I said cutting this off now. “I'm just not in the mood for this anymore, I'm going to the bedroom and put my stuff away. If anypony needs me I'll be there.” With that I wrapped all of Twilight and I's bags in my magic as I slowly made my way up to the bedroom. As soon as I get through the door I was blindsided by another pony with a fucking camera. With a thump of a strained hoof, I placed my bags down and wrapped the unsuspecting mare in my magic. Who looks a little scared as I knew my mane was completely ablaze. I flung the balcony door open and shot the pegasus mare out the window with a very loud roaring “Get out!” As soon as the mare cleared the balcony itself, I slammed and locked the door quite loudly. This was followed by a very angry “Spike!”

***---***

Four days, I had to deal with four days of being stuck in the library because of these fucking reporters. On top of that, I'm now not the only one getting bugged. The girls as well as my guard have been assaulted by the vulturous media. If I had to compare it to something from earth, this would be close to the show TMZ. I couldn't even stand that show as they wouldn't leave celebrates a moment of privacy when they want time alone. All to get a picture or video of someone at a moment of weakness. That's what these ponies reminded me, to the point I started to stay down in the lab in the basement. It gave me time to recover and work.

After the first day we found out that a translation spell backfired. Twilight got a backlash from the book as it left her speaking what we found out later was German. So she ended up using my tablet's text to speech function after I showed her how to use it for a few hours. Spike during these four days tried to stay on both Twilight and I's good side. Even to the point that he was getting a little annoying. Oh I did have a little fun with it as my own version of payback. He did all the drink runs for my first day back. Well after that first night where he stayed far away from me out of my anger.

The best part was when we sent him out to do the shopping. I sure as hell wasn't going to go out there with those ponies out there. That and after two failed attempts to get some fresh air. These little bastards were sneaky as all hell. So I found out that they had lens that saw through illusions. I learned this after Twilight used a teleportation spell and covered us in a spell so we could go out in public. We got maybe an hour at most before we were found out. This caused us to teleport back to the library to find Nightling fighting a few ponies who was trying to shove themselves into the library.

It seems they got it into their minds that they could camp in the library to get closer to me. This got so bad that we had to do the two ponies at a time when it comes to checking out a book. While the business hours were going on, I would either be in the lab or in the bedroom. Not bad I suppose as I took sometime to work on some idea sketches. I didn't have a lot of the technical aspect when it comes to doing it. As this was only a series of ideas to work out. The portable shield I did in a few styles. One of them was a bubble style while the other was a smaller disc that would project a larger one. Even the armor summoning items were designed based of the old morphers from an old sentai series I use to watch as a kid. Just a simple open button style.

Twilight looked over my designs and asked me about them. This got me into showing her a few clips from the old shows to kind of show what I meant by them. This launched us into a few good hours of me explaining the show and the history of it. Lucky for me I had a lot of reference material to help show off. The hardest part was explaining why I never want to make a lethal weapon. It was the fact that I knew what that kind of tool could do to a being. Even I had to deal with this myself as I was given a very powerful one. Even knowing that I with ease, could be tipped into the darker side of things. I could easily be the next Nightmare Moon, Discord, or even Sombra. This was the biggest thing I never wanted to be or bring that ability to anypony. Having to say this to Twilight made me feel pretty bad. This required me to show a bit of material I wasn't ready to show anypony other than Celestia or Luna. I had to explain what I was about to show her was fake at the core, but possible. This launched me into the very long winded speech.

I never wanted to be the cause for the end of ponykind, and the only way I could explain this was showing a few test videos I had from the internet of earth's most deadly weapons. Even some computer recreation of what they could do. It was the fact that I could easily explain how these weapons work and give this information into the wrong hooves. My simplest way I could explain this was with the revolver and the knowledge that it would punch a hole right through most armors. Even showed a few of the videos I had of some fire tests against metal and she watched in a sense of horror as some rounds punched through it. While others left large dents that would be painful to a guard in the armor. It took that series of talk for her to completely agree with my idea of supplying non-lethal tools. She even said she would reel me in if she thought an invention would touch into the lethal side. I agreed with this idea as sometimes I get too... involved with an idea and not see the limits. She also agreed that no pony beyond the princess would know of what I had told her.

Mainly she was going to send a report to Celestia. She showed me the report, after it was written and I took a quill to add to it myself. More for my own sake than really to explain. It was just a short line that I only planned to help make protective tools or at least disabling ones for offense, and hers as well as Luna's guards would have access to these as well. With that Spike sent that off and with that we sat in quiet. That night was a very long one for me as I couldn't get to sleep both for I had slept the night before and just couldn't get comfortable as I couldn't stop thinking about what I had showed her. Just thoughts of many depictions of a wasteland running through my head. It was the fact that Shadow was trying to pull me out my darker thoughts. It was funny that the darker side of my soul was trying to be the one to help pull me out of it. I'm not saying that it wasn't a good thing, just it goes to show that Shadow was trying to make good on his word. That he was trying to be a better pony at least, but this was a very large uphill battle for both of us, and we knew it.

***---***

“You want me to what?” I asked in a little surprise. It had been close to a week now of them not ever giving up. So I've been stuck inside and honestly it wouldn't be bad if I could only open a window without them flocking to it. This sadly included the girls as they avoided having to coming over to deal with them. Well... all but Rarity as I get the feeling she liked the attention. Kind of hard not to notice when she would come over in a new outfit each time, and honestly I get it. She wants to show off her work so ponies would go 'hey that outfit looks good, I have to know who made it.'

If being around me helps a friend then by all means, I don't have much issues with it. Keyword here being much, as I don't like being used, this was one of those moments it didn't bother me as I got to see the range Rarity could design. The thing was she wasn't the one here now, surprising enough it was Applejack that showed up this time.

“Just like I said, Rares, Dash, and I are all coming camping with the C.M.C. And we thought that since you've been cooped up in this library that we would invite you to join us. I mean it can't be good stuffed up here all the time without a chance to stretch those legs of yours.” She said and it made sense.

“One problem with that Applejack, how am I supposed to get out of here without being spotted by them?” I asked using my hoof to pull back the curtain for only a moment to show about seven or eight ponies with their cameras already flashing for a photo.

“Well... I reckon you could always have Twi give you a disguise so you could just waltz out of here.” Applejack suggested.

“We tried, they have magical lens that see through illusion spells.” Twilight answered.

“Darn...” She said as she looked like she was letting the gears turn in her head. “What about a normal disguise? I'm sure Rarity would could come up with something so you could do that.”

“Tried that too, it's hard to hide the cutie-mark long enough.” Twilight again answered for me.

“I may have an idea.” Shadow comment and I cocked an eyebrow listening to him explaining it.

“Storm?” Twilight asked noticing my stare off into space.

“Sorry, I was listening to Shadow's suggestion.” I apologized for not hearing what she said.

“What is it?” Applejack asked.

“Well... since you know we both share the same body right now. I would give up control long enough for us to get to the forest. Since the two of us have different cutie-marks. It should switch mine for his, but he suggests trying the disguise it further-” I said before shivering as I had to voice the idea. “With poison joke and an outfit.”

“That... that doesn't sit right with me Storm. There is no telling what that varmint will try when he is in control again.” Applejack said with scowl on his face.

“Applejack I-” Was only what I could get out.

“No, Applejack is right. That idea is insane and I can't even agree with that idea.” Twilight interjected.

“Oh, so if I just suggested hoping into poison joke and got all dressed would have been just fine?” I shot back.

“Well... um... yes?” She shrunk back as she said that.

“Now hold on there Storm, that's not fair either. It ain’t about being in poison joke or not, it's Shadow being in control. If you remember last time he was in control you lost your leg. How can you be so trusting of somepony that does that to another?” Applejack asked.

“It's because he saved my life during the nightmare where I could have died.” I shot back. “Plus neither of you know the whole story about what Luna tried to do, or it's effects. Since then Shadow has been trying to be a good pony. Doesn't a pony deserve a second chance?” I asked. This got both mares to stop and looked a little ashamed as well as conflicted.

“Storm I don't like the idea at all. This puts you in a very dangerous spot as we can't really do anything to help without it hurting you.” Applejack said.

“And mixed with the effects of poison joke, I don't know what will happen.” Twilight said.

“Look if it makes you feel better, than why don't you go to Zecora to see if she could make a potion that could give me the same effect as poison joke. Just without the whole mind effects with it.” I suggested and this got both Applejack and Twilight to look at each other. “Look if it makes you feel better he will wear a suppression ring, until we get to the forest and we switch back.”

“Storm, may I speak with them?” Shadow asked quietly and I agreed silently. Something you should know when this happens is that I lose control of where I look, as well as my mouth, but the only thing that changes on me is my eyes. The only way I know this was that Shadow and I practiced to see how it feels. Honestly the only thing that feels freaky about it was when I gave him full control as it's just me going along for the ride. If this is the only way for me to get out of the library at this point than I'm willing to take the backseat on this one. As we switched so Shadow could speak Twilight and Applejack took a long step back away from me. “Relax Firestorm only gave me control of his eyes and his mouth.”

“I still don't trust you.” Applejack said giving the two of us a scowl. I sighed inside my head as I used my magic to bring my tablet over. With a few swipes using Shadow's peripheral vision I was able to bring up my text to speech app on my tablet. Twilight watched as my little pen is tapping away. “What in tarnation are you doing?”

“I'm not doing that.” Shadow defended.

“No... I... Am... Ap...ple... Jack.” The tablet said in it's broken english. “I'm... use... ing... may... tab... let... to... talk... as... well... It's... St...orm.”

“Okay, That's mighty weird.” Applejack said eyeing it as it sat upright using the case on the tablet's little kick stand.

“Storm... why did you let Shadow take control of your eyes and mouth?” Twilight asked. With a few taps I switched the voice to something a little less broken.

“Sorry had to switch voices to sound... smoother.” It said a little less brokenly but deeper tone. “Shadow is trying to... turn over a new... leaf. Apple... jack, you're able to tell if a pony... is lying. Correct?”

“Well... yeah, but I don't see what that has to do with this?” Applejack said with a cocked eyebrow. Shadow took the actions for me as I would have rolled my eyes at this.

A few more taps later. “Ask him if he will keep his word, if he lies you will know.”

“Oh...” Applejack said, before looking at Shadow. “Alright... Shadow, if we agree to this. Are you going to give full control back to Storm when we are out of Ponyville and with no funny business?” She asked glaring at Shadow.

“You have my word that I won't try anything and give full control back to Firestorm when we get to the forest.” Shadow said. There was a few minutes of a pause as Applejack just glared at the two of us, Twilight just watched her friends look while keeping us in her peripheral.

“As far as I can tell, he's telling the truth. That doesn't change that I still don't trust you.” Applejack flatly stated.

“I don't blame you for it. In fact to honest with you, I'm surprised Firestorm trusts me as he does.” Shadow said.

“Well you were the reason he doesn't have a right foreleg anymore.” Twilight shot back.

“I know, I know. Admittedly at the time I was trying to become my own pony, and I may have gone the wrong way with that.”

“You think?” Twilight, Applejack, and I all said with only me saying it in my head.

“Bare in mind, that at the time a lot was still new to me. That and being a lot of his negative emotions given life, it's hard not to see why.” Shadow said trying to defend himself.

A few taps follows as everypony waiting for my response. “Look, be that as it may. I trust Shadow for this, plus can either of you come up with a way... other then this for me to get out of the... library for this camping... trip?” The look on both Applejack and Twilight's face just told me they tried to come up with one.

“He is right you know?” Spike said as he entered from the kitchen. This caused both Twilight and Applejack turned to see the newcomer.

“Be that as it may-” Twilight tried to say before I cut her off with my tablet.

“Trust me... please?” I asked. Twilight bit her bottom lip for a few moments and I could see the unsure in her eyes.

“Alright, I will trust you on this.” Twilight said coming over to Shadow looking at him. “Don't make me regret this Shadow.” She growled under her breath. She then rested her head gently onto my head as Shadow gave me back control of my eyes and mouth. With a gentle smile on my face I just let her stay there.

“It will be alright Twilight.” I said gently using my wing to hold her as best as I could.

“I hope so.” She said.

***---***

It was another day before Rarity showed up at the library. Surprising enough it took very little to convince her into this plan, mostly because she was and I shall quote “Dying to get her hooves on me for an outfit.” So after she was told that the main point of this was to hide my wings so I would look like a normal unicorn. I think the scariest part was how much she brought with her to make said outfit. Lucky for me I didn't have to really take the reins on this one, as Twilight observed the change for herself. I only knew how it looked as we tested it out a few times in the bathroom using the mirror to see it. After that the poison joke was applied and that left the two of us as a mare. The first thing Rarity insisted that would happen was for my mane and tail to be styled.

I will admit that being just floating in the void was a little weird the first few times. For the most part I could pay attention to what was happening with my body, or I could sort of make a place to relax. Shadow had explained to me that inside here or if you wanted to, count it as my mind. A space kind of existed for just idling would be the best way to explain it. I mean it looked like a bedroom to explain it. Well... sort of, as it had a bed, desk, and a few drawers you would normally see. Maybe a flat screen tv if you happened to have one. This one however had a sofa as well as a mini fridge. So I thought I would see what was on, what I saw I didn't expect. On the screen showed a menu like the old dvds. So I decided to click around to see what this was.

It felt like maybe a good ten minutes of clicking around and it was really starting to bother me. After a few layers of just very vague names, It just began to show up with random text. Well... not quite just random, it was more that the letters kept shifting to the point that there was no way of telling what the hell I was clicking. So after using the remote and tried to click back, the screen decided to glitch out for a few moments. This stopped with a solid screen shot of the castle from my dream on the ship. I had almost completely forgot about it until I saw it again. The more I looked at it the more I noticed that it wasn't a solid image. It was indeed moving with bits of snow and a slight breeze through it. There was a sense of loosing time as I was just trying to figure out why this was here.

Something about this castle was screaming at me in big bold letters, but it just wasn't readable to me. The more I thought on that dream the more a sudden pain flared in my head that caused me to look away. This was one thing that refused to be thought about and it was annoying me.

“Storm?” Said a voice.

“huh?” I said looking around.

“Storm!” The voice said a second time.

“Yes?” I said before the little idle spot disappears for me to find myself back in the forest. I blinked quietly looking around as I had noticed I was standing around. Applejack was looking at me a little worried.

“You there sugar cube?” She said.

“Yeah now, sorry I guess I wasn't prepared to get control back so suddenly.” I said rubbing my head a little. I noticed I was still a mare and I saw the outfit that I was in. It seems that Shadow talked Rarity into a simple set of large coal gray saddlebags with a complementary jade black trim. They laid comfortably on my wings so they weren't pinning them and with my still bad wing, this was a good thing.

“Storm you were standing there for a good half hour.” She continued looking worried. I blinked quietly as I looked around quietly with my gaze landing onto my hoof and a little pouch in it. I had lost half an hour?

“Oh... sorry.” I said opening up the pouch in my hoof. In it was a mixture of herbs that I wasn't familiar with.”

“Storm are you alright?” Applejack said coming over placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“Yeah, just... I wasn't expecting to lose so much time. Just bothers me I guess, it could be just a small side effect of Shadow being in control. It's hard to say, and I'm guessing these are the herbs I need to use to revert back?” I asked.

“Yeah, we won't be crossing a stream until the first camping spot.” She explained.

“It shouldn't be that long I suppose.” I said sitting down looking around.

“I'm guessing the rest are meeting up with us here?” I asked.

“Dash is going to meet us at the first camping spot, Applebloom went to get Scootaloo, and Rarity I think went to get her stuff after helping you.”

“Oh, alright.” I said sitting there waiting quietly. Applejack sat down too waiting as there wasn't really much to say between the two of us. To say that it was awkward would be an understatement. “So... hows things between you and Dash?” I asked more to break the ice.

“It's good.” Applejack said with a light blush. “What about you and Twi?”

“Good...” I said scratching the back of my head before I let out a sigh.

“Something wrong?”

“Kind of, it's just I've noticed I don't hang out with anypony really other than Twi. Don't get me wrong she is my marefriend and everything, but you all have been my first friends here.” I said getting to a point I've had on my mind off and on.

“Storm, don't worry about it. There is times where I just stay at home doing farm work for weeks without coming into town. So I get it, you're worried that you are just... hanging onto the ideal of it, but not the thing itself. If anything you've been a good pony to all of us. I mean yeah we all could do more stuff together, but sometimes it's just hard to do.” Applejack really just laying it out there. “With the whole reporter issues and the whole your royalty, it's kind of hard not seeing the line in the sand.”

“Applejack I don't-”

“I know you don't see yourself as royalty and you don't let it go to your head. It's just hard not to see it.” She explained.

“Truth be told if I could I wouldn't be one. It's been more a headache than anything else. Ponies bowing, or calling me prince seems like nothing big. Unfortunately it is, I'm no pony like Celestia or Luna when it comes to being regal. I'm not like Blueblood being stuck up, or any of what others may think of me. I've just always want to be me, just somepony who just lives life peacefully. No crazy destiny, no being a problem to anypony, no ponies using me for their own goals, and no ponies messing with my mind. I've been just wanting to be a normal pony, drony, or whatever. I've lived a simple life before coming to Equestria, yet here I lose that.” I said just rambling.

“Sugar cube, if it means anything you have never been a problem.” Applejack said placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“Yeah... if you say so.” I said halfheartedly.

“Storm I mean it. It's just been a lot of misfortune that's happened to ya, but that don't mean that you've been a problem.” She said and I nodded.

“I guess, it's hard not to really see it though.” I answered.

“That may be true, but you need to see things differently. Reporters aside, you've got it pretty good I have to say.” She said smiling.

“I suppose.”

“Suppose nothing and with this camping trip, I'm sure you won't have to worry about a darn thing.” She said as we heard the sounds of hooves trotting our way from around the bend. Applebloom with her white saddlebags with what looked like a light green sleeping bag on her back was here with Scootaloo in her light blue bags and shade off light blue sleeping bag had arrived. “Remember to bring the bug spray?”

“Eeyup.” Applebloom said as she jumps her rear end up just so the can of said bug spray would fly out and right back into place.

“You got the canteens?” Applebloom asked in return.

“Eyup!” Applejack said, copying Applebloom’s earlier movement flinging the canteens into the air and then right back in.“It looks like we are all set then.” Applejack said as I looked behind her with my eyes widening. Holy shit! It only took a moment for Applejack, Applebloom, and Scootaloo to noticed the mountain of luggage that was following up behind Rarity. For 'roughing it' out in the woods, that's way too much. I mean I could understand maybe three if you push it, but this was beyond ridiculous. “Gee Rarity did you remember to pack?”

“Well we will see who gets the last laugh when you're absolutely desperate to curl your eyelashes and your realize you didn't bring your eyelash curler.” Rarity said stepping away to show me that it was Sweetie Belle pulling this monstrously of a camping cart.

“Well it looks like we are set... now” Applejack tacked on while I glanced back to see Scootaloo fluttering around on her small wings in a slight panic.

“What about Rainbow Dash, isn't Rainbow Dash coming?” She asked.

“Dash is meeting us up at the first campsite Scootaloo.” I answered.

“Oh.” Scootaloo said a little dejected.

“Alright y'all, let's move 'em out.” Applejack said stepping past me. I took this time to come up to Sweetie Belle.

“Do you want me to get that Sweetie Belle?” I asked and the look on her eyes was 'oh god please yes!'

“If you don't mind miss... um.” Sweetie said a little nervous.

“It's me Firestorm, Sweetie Belle. I'm under the effects of poison joke at the moment to hide from the reporters.” I explained.

“Oh! Well um... hi.” She said undoing the buckle under as I moved to take the yoke of the cart. With a flick of magic I was strapped in and pulled this rather heavy cart up the hill before us. We only got up the hill when the nightmare of any trip started, and it had to be Rarity that began it.

“Are we there yet?” She whined a little.

“We just set off a few minutes ago. You can persevere until we get there.” I commented finally finding my stride with the cart. I think the last time I pulled one of these was Rarity's gem hunting a while ago. Of course, I was a stallion and if my guess was right based off the two frames. The stallion's body structure was stronger than the mare's. Of course, I know that wasn't always the case with most ponies. Since earth ponies had the strongest of bodies, but I was at least part earth pony since the whole dralicorn thing.

“How long will it take to get there?” She whined walking up next to me.

“Rarity we still have a good half a day's walk to get there, so tough it out girl.” Applejack said cheekily. Which I completely agreed with Applejack on this one, if I'm pulling this cart and I don't have an issue. Than miss prim and proper next to me wearing her short pink dress with a complementary white and red stripe belt, could suck it up as far as I cared.

***---***

Several hours passed and with a little bit of idle conversation between the C.M.C. and myself we were getting pretty close. As I had guessed Scootaloo had a fan crush on Dash to the point that it was close to Dash for the Wonderbolts. That being said she was really looking forward to the camping trip to spend time with her. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle rolled their eyes at this with a smile, like this wasn't the first time they have heard things like this. Which from how Scootaloo was acting it was easy to believe.

“Are we there yet?” Rarity whined once again.

“The last thousand times you've asked that, the answers been no. This time it's accusingly yes, there's Rainbow Dash right up there right now.” Applejack commented before Dash zoomed down towards a few trees, before she twisted in the air using her momentum to chick logs out through the trees. Causing them to hang in the air like one of those old Tex Avery cartoons for a second before they dropped. She flew by dropping off the logs and dove right into the river in a second, only to fly out with her hooves full of rocks. Then she decided to fly around creating a prismatic twister dropping the rocks in a circle to create the fire pit. Than land like it was nothing, which to her it probably wasn't. I couldn't help but just think the words 'show off' as I watched this. Maybe I was a little bitter at her being able to fly, which wasn't really against her. Just envy has it's way of coming up to bite you in the flank.

That's when I noticed Scootaloo moving towards Dash with a “Hey Rainbow Da-” before she tripped over a rock and rolled on top of one of the logs that Dash kicked out from a tree. Causing her to run on it like the log rollers I've seen on TV. Before it was stopped on her by a second rock causing her to roll through the shallow part of the river, up a tree, over Dash who was in the air still and land back towards where she started on her back. I blinked for a few moments as that just seemed too odd even for me. Was the poison joke screwing with my head that badly? I shook it off as I didn't want to know and I really wanted to be back to my old self again. So I undid the cart and my saddlebags before I told everypony I would be back.

It didn't take long to walk down stream from everypony so I could take a dip in peace. Just a hop into the river with the herbs, some scrubbing, and I was back to my injured stallion self once again. Hindsight I probably should have taken off my bandages before I took my dip. So once I was out and I shook myself off like I was some wet dog. With a flick of magic I was dry again and the remaining water was dropped back into the river. The trek back to the campsite wasn't really that bad until I saw the yellow box with the purple ribbon being placed by Sweetie Belle. My curiosity got the better of me as I stopped to watch. Just like everypony but Rarity and Sweetie Belle, our jaws dropped when Rarity pulled the cord. With a sound of rushing air a two floored tent just inflated into existence in mere seconds. Okay, seriously how the fuck do these ponies come up with things like this? You know what, screw it.

“Hey Dash?” I asked getting the cyan mare's attention as she looked at me.

“‘Sup Storm?” She asked looking at me.

“Mind giving me a hoof with my wing?” I said opening said wing with the best I can to show the loose bandages hanging on them.

“Oh sure.” She said before saying something to Scootaloo in a posh tone. I heard a few giggles as I had already trotted over to my saddlebags and pulled out a fresh roll of bandages for my wing.

“Alright, let's get this going.” She said taking the bandages from my magic. She began to pull out my wing with a hoof. I couldn't help but blush a little as she quickly got my wing fully extended. “Don't get any funny idea Storm.”

“I know.” I said with an annoyed sigh.

“But that being said, your wings really need a good preening.” Dash said as she began to run the bandage around my wing.

“Has Twilight been talking to you recently?” I asked looking over my shoulder at her.

“Not recently why?” She asked as she was gently going to town on my wing.

“Well... Twilight brought up the point of my wings needing preen, but like everything else before that. I don't know how, since I've never grown up as a pony.” I said with a sigh looking forward.

“That's gotta suck.” Dash said.

“As elegant as ever Dash.” I sarcastically commented.

“Dude relax, look if you need help I'm willing to lend a hoof.” She said.

“Well um... thanks. Just, I know it's a little awkward since wings... you know.” I said not sure how to approach this.

“Relax, a lot of pegasi go to one another to help get the backs of their wings. So, I don't mind being that one for you. I help Fluttershy all the time.” Dash said with a smirk.

“Sure, I suppose. Just... how does that work anyway?” I asked as Dash finished up my wing wrapping.

“Pegasi's wings are used to fly around so keeping them preen helps have less issues while flying. As you know pegasi can feel the air currents with their wings so they know when to adjust them or to give them a good flap depending on what they need to do.” She explained.

“I didn't know that to be honest. You kept telling me that I would just feel when it's the right time to flap or adjust.” I answered.

“I did?” She asked looking at me.

“Yeah, you know as a teacher you kind of need work at it.” I said.

“Na, I'm more a flier than a teacher.” She said with a nod of pride.

“Oh really? I couldn't tell.” I said whipping out some trademark sarcasm.

“You need to pay attention more.” She said as she gave one good tug on the bandage. I just gave her a flat stare as she gave me a cheeky smile. It's official, I'm being screwed with by Rainbow Dash. She decided to fly up into the air back over to the campsite as I noticed Applejack doing the old bow method of starting a fire.

“Applejack, why don't I get that for you?” I said with an raised eyebrow.

“Are you saying I can't do it?” She said switching the bow from her mouth to her hoof.

“No, I was just offering since I breath fire with ease.” I said wondering why she was so suddenly defensive.

“Oh... thanks, but I rather do it myself.” She said and I couldn't help, but get an idea in my head of Applejack trying to breath fire. Deciding to sit my flank on one of the logs along with Scootaloo who was just watching Dash. Applejack went back to starting the fire as Rarity wheeled out a lounger before she laid on her back on it. I didn't even want to think about it and honestly probably safer that way. Finally Applejack got the fire started as Dash looked like she was raring to go about something.

“Hey Storm, why didn't you set up a tent?” Applebloom asked as she looked over to me.

“It's because I'm not going to sleep Applebloom. I slept the day before so I don't need to sleep.

“Lucky.” She said with a smile.

“If you say so Applebloom.” I said with a smile.

“But it is.” She whined a little.

“I know, I know.”

“Okay everybody get comfortable.” Dash said flying up with a grin on her face. Oh boy, what does she have planned now? As I looked up I noticed Sweetie belle come out with a cup of tea in her mouth. Which was weird, since every unicorn I've seen used magic to hold stuff, but here was Sweetie Belle using her mouth. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of ponies have to use their mouths because they just don't have horns. Hell, sometimes I don't use my magic and default to my claws to hold things. Ah screw it, I'm probably overthinking it. Rarity took the cup of tea from Sweetie Belle before she hopped over to one of the stumps. “Cause I'm going to tell you the best story you've ever heard.” Dash continued. That's a tall order there Rainbow, I've heard quite a few great ones and I have them here in Equestria too. Before anypony could say something Scootaloo decided to shoot up from her stump.

“Oh, is it about that time Rarity had wings and they got ruin and you saved her from plummeting to her doom?” Scootaloo said using one hell of a non-sequitur run on sentence. What the fuck did she say?! Did that seriously happen? The blush on Rarity's face as she scrunched her nose, as well as the guilty look on Dash's kind of said it was.

“Okay, maybe it's the second best story you've ever heard, but probably still the scariest. You do like scary stories don't you?” Dash said flying over us and Scootaloo gasp, followed by her nodding.

“You're asking for a tall order there Dash.” I said with a smile.

“Oh please, I bet I could scare you right out of your bandages.” She said with a grin.

“Don't write a check that your flank can't cash.” I said grinning with my fangs for added effect.

“Dash, I do believe he has you on that one.” Applejack said a little nervous.

“Oh please his last story wasn't that scary.” Dash defended.

“Then, let me tell the story than.” I offered grinning.

“Storm, remember we have young fillies here.” Applejack warned.

“Give me some credit Applejack. Do you expect me to use my A material when younger ponies are around?” I asked.

“Yes.” Dash, Rarity, and Applejack said at the same time.

“Oh, I'm wounded.” I said faking an arrow to the chest.

“Okay enough dramatics, if you keep it... for younger ponies go ahead and see if you can scare everypony.” Dash said grinning.

“Alright and I have the perfect one.” I said grinning as I brought my saddlebags over to me with my magic. With a little fiddling a small creepy tune started to emanate from my saddlebags. “Did you know that there is an old legend about having a pony take your photo?” I asked as the girls just stared at me.

“Oh come on, that can't be real?” Dash said interrupting me already.

“But it is Dash, it was said that if somepony took your picture. They would in fact take your soul with it. Most ponies just disregarded it as simply a myth, and they would be right.” I said smiling as I had my eyes closed.

“That doesn't sound scary.” Dash said not amused.

“Until she came into town.” I continued disregarding Dash's comment.

“Her?” Applebloom said with a light shake to her voice.

“The photo mare.” I said as the music started to pick up in effect. “It was an average night just like this when she wheeled her cart into town.” With a little magic I used Rarity's cart to produce the sound for added effect. “As the new day come everypony in town saw the new little shop that had opened up in an old vacation spot in town. The wagon opened up to show a little photo shop that offered only portraits in little time. For the first few days everything seemed normal as ponies would go in, get their photos taken.” With some magic I began to bring in the fog around the campsite. For the most part it was kept out of sight for the current point. “It was a night just like this when it began. Nothing big at first, a forgotten memory here, and an unknown face there. One by one each pony began to forget who... or what they were. But in that town it wasn't too odd of a thing. Even for a little pony known as Viable Truth. She wanted to be an investigator when she grew up. Even had the cutie-mark for it and everything.” With the fog I floated up to take the shape of an eye in a magnifying lens.

“So like most misguided youths at the time she thought something evil was afoot. So for the next three days as soon as school let out, she would watch the little photographer's stand to see if something was weird.” The fog took the shape over the fire of a little filly watching a simple stand with a wall showing all the photos that were taken of the ponies. The large figure of a pony with their mane over their left eye would continue showing ponies in and out. Each time coming out with a two photos. One that went with the pony that came and one on the little wall. For the most part it looked like any other little photographer's stand, but little Viable Truth couldn't let it be. Oh no, she thought that if it wasn't something from the outside. It had to be something on the inside.” I continued as I turned my head to the left so my bit of mane that hung between my eyes would move to hide my left one.

“So that night little Truth decided to sneak out of her house like a naughty little filly. To find out what was really going on.” The fog behind me rose up to look like little frames with fog made ponies in them. Each one with a smile on their face like they posed for a photograph. “The wind was abnormally cold that night, even against the pegasi's best tries. Cold enough that Truth would feel her blood freeze by a simple breeze.” The wind blew a little hard that left the fire to only a few small flickers of flame. Enough to have the underside of my muzzle covered in a orange glow. “Step by step little Truth made her way to the stand. Ducking into each and every alley to make sure no pony would see her. All until she got to the little stand. She slowly inched around the little stand until she was behind it to show all the lovely photographs that's been taken since the photo mare came into town. Something seemed off to her about the photos. Almost a pleading look in the eyes of each and every photograph. She was too fixated on the photo that she didn't hear the pony coming up behind her.” I continued as I smiled quietly.

“'May I help you little one?' said the mare that ran the stand. Viable Truth turned to see said mare behind her, only it wasn't her. Oh no, unlike the times before the mare always had her left eye covered.” I said moving my head up straight and my left eye uncovered itself as it glowed red. “Her eye was glowing. 'Did you come for a photo little filly?' She asked as Truth jumped back into the wall that had all of the other ponies photos in it. Some of them were knocked off before the mare was able to catch them in her magic. 'Be careful little one, you don't want all of your friends to hit the ground.' the mare continued as she turned the photos around.” With in the dark air they couldn't see me change the fake fog photos into faces of torment and fear. As each of them looked like they wanted out of there little photograph prisons. “Just then the sky cleared for the moon to bathe the photos in it's silvered light to show her the truth that she sought for.” I continued as I used magic to bring the fire back to what it was before the wind blew it low. The looks on every ponies faces was priceless. It was fear as they each were on the edge of their seats. “The mare sat the photos down gently on the stand as she wrapped Viable Truth in her magic, and a few moments later...” I began leaving a pause for dramatic effect and enough time to form the photos back to what they where as a new one joined them. “One more photograph joined the wall. So next time you may want to be weary of who gives you your next photograph.” I said as I floated up my phone high for the camera to get a good picture of everypony with the flash on. That caused Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle to scream and hold each other. Dash was shaking but not worse for ware. Applejack and Rarity were also shaken while they had a harder time to hide it then Dash did.

“Alright, I think it's time for me to hit the straw.” She said walking towards her tent, only to show Applebloom hanging on to her for dear life. I turned back to see both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle gone from the log with Scootaloo. “Don't you worry little sis, there's no Photo Mare in our tent.” Applejack said gently using her hoof to playfully mess with Applebloom's mane as they walked off to their tent.

“Don't worry Rarity is here to protect you.” said Rarity commented as she nuzzled against Sweetie Belle before the two of them trotted into Rarity's two tier tent.

Scootaloo gave out a little nervous laugh. “Heh heh, that sure was funny wasn't it. How they all were afraid of the Photo Mare, bu-but not me.” She continued with a few nervous laughs. Dash flew down with a smile.

“That's because you're tough. Just like I was at your age.” Dash said as she grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it on the fire to extinguish it. This caused Scootaloo to jump with a little scream. “I'm going to hit the sack, come on in whenever you feel like it Scoots.” She continued before trotting in. Scootaloo just simply looked around as I just watched in the dark before a twig snapped somewhere in the forest.

“I-it's nothing, just my imagination.” Right about then the wind rustled through the trees causing some branches to smack with a light thump on a branch. “And that isn't the footsteps of the Photo Mare.” Right than a wolf in the woods howled as Scootaloo looked like she had enough and dove right into her tent zipping it up in a flash.

“Wow... that was odd...” I said before I reached into my saddlebags and pulled out a book that I saw in there when I was getting my phone. With a few clicks, a pair of set in the ear headphones, and a light spell from my horn. I read throughout the night enjoying the peace of the woods and a little classical music.

***---***

The trek to the second campsite wasn't that bad... sort of. I offered once again to pull Rarity's cart as Sweetie Belle was going to try push it as well as push Rarity's lounger. So like the idiot I was, I ended up doing both before we were even five minutes away from the first campsite. Lucky for me I had magic to help, but the strain of the cart as well as pushing really had me sweating pretty badly. I don't know if it was me, but Rarity just HAD to make a comment.

“Am I sweating? I think I'm sweating!” She commented in a panic and my left eye gave a twitch. Sweetie Belle joined me giving Rarity one of those looks. “Oh, but it's absolutely worth it... if it means I get to spend time with my little sister.” She said almost as if that was a second thought. This got Sweetie Belle to smile while my eye continued to twitch. “It just feels like this cart is getting heavier all the time.” She whined as I was about to open my mouth to say something, before Applejack interjected.

“I don't care if that cart is heavier than a pack of mules, if we don't get a move on it will be dark before we get to the campsite.” Speak for your damn self Applejack! This thing is heavier than a pack of mules already. Right about than a little weight lightened up on the back as Scootaloo zipped by on her scooter.

“I'll just ride ahead to see if the path is clear. We don't want to be out here after dark right?” She asked and I think I get what was going on.

“Doesn't matter to me.” Dash said with a shrug as she was flying above us.

“Well you know, it's for the scaredy ponies.” Scootaloo said before Dash nodded and she zipped ahead.

“You do know we aren't scaredy ponies right?” Applebloom said turning to me.

“I know, but there isn't anything wrong with being scared.” I said as we continued.

“How come?” she asked.

“Well... being afraid is alright. Everypony has something they fear. You, me, even Dash, Applejack, and Rarity.” I said with a smile.

“But that didn't answer that, why is it alright to be scared?” Applebloom commented.

“Well that's not really an easy answer to that one. Some ponies would see as it shows that you can feel things, some would say that it's one way to tell if you're alive, and even some would enjoy the adrenaline they get from being afraid.” I answered.

“Adrenalin?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“It's a chemical the body produces which gives you a sudden burst of energy. With enough of it, you can ignore pain, and do things normal ponies couldn't. Having too much can be just as harmful.” I said as we trotted along. “Hey Rarity, I've got to ask.” I began as she turned her head from her lounger.

“Yes darling?”

“Did you really need half of this?”

“Well of course darling, who knows when you suddenly want to make sure your prim and proper for somepony that has come to rescue you. Just so you can be at your best.” She said with a matter of fact tone.

“I don't even know where to start punching holes into that logic.” I said with a sigh.

“Oh but dear, we always want to look our best.” She said with a smile.

“Speak for yourself Rarity.” I said with a sigh.

“Whatever do you mean?” She asked.

“Well... sometimes I just don't want to care about how I look. It's part of the reason why I'm out here with you all. To get me away from the reporters and paparazzi. The point was that I'm not one of the stallions that like to be at my best all the time. I prefer to be just me and no pony special.” I said quietly as I thought about that more.

“Well I think your crazy leaving them behind.” She said.

“It just isn't me Rarity, never has been and never will be.” I said as I continued my walk. A few moments passed as we continued uphill.

“Hey Storm, something's bugging me.” Dash said.

“Well we do have bug spray to deal with it.” I commented.

“What?” She asked a little confused.

“Something's bugging you, use the bug spray to remove the bug.” I said with a smile.

Applejack snorted with a smile. “That has to be the worst joke I've heard all day.” She said with a smile.

“Really? I thought it was the only joke you've heard all day?” I said.

“Which makes it by default the worst.”

“And the best.” I commented back. “So I still win by default.”

“Uh...?” Dash commented hovering above us.

“Just go on, what's bugging you?” I asked in a bit of a better mood.

“Aren't you suppose to have a guard on you at all times?” She asked.

“Technically not at all time, I would never have alone time if that was the case. That being said I get what you're getting at and no. Nightling is staying behind to give the illusion of me still in town. She's suppose to 'let' a reporter in to find out that I'm not there anymore. Give them a few days and Celestia is to report I went on a treaty and boom. No more reporters, all while the princesses are dealing with Silvertongue to remove the bounty for the interview.” I explained the plan as it was explained to me.

“What did you do to get under that pony's knickers?” Applejack asked.

“Well, Silver tried to get an interview and for the most part I wasn't against it. That was until the little pain in the flank tried to bring up my Storm and what I did to my old house, it just went downhill after that. Until Twilight decided for me that the interview was over and I agreed. Silver tried to plead to continue and at that point pain decided to set in that it was the final straw and threatened that said pony could have a long talk with a guard. Silver flew off and I thought that was that.” I answered.

“Still... couldn't you have done that a little more peacefully?”

“I could have, but lately I've been a little quick to anger. Probably because of all the side effects of having my mind messed with since I got here. So I'm getting use to being who I was on earth before Equestria. Maybe a little after that, but I can't say for sure.” I said.

“So... you may be a completely different pony?” Dash asked.

“Not really at the core, but it's more my limits with things have changed. Where some points I can be calm with, others that wouldn't normally upset me or set me off may have changed.” I explained.

“Oh...” Dash said.

“Look, I'm still me in the end. No pony is going to change that, if I have anything to say about it.” I said as the uphill climb decided to finally flatten out so I wasn't fighting with the cart the whole time. As we continued a sound came to our left, most of us turned to see a tired Scootaloo resting on top of a pile of leaves.

“Ah, don't go this way. Just stick to the path it's way better than going through the bushes.” She said with a hope they didn't catch me smile, before trotting with the rest of us. She ended up behind with Applejack, after a while it sounded like something startled her before the two of their voices fell out of earshot. It was a few seconds before Scootaloo flew up before me. “Do you need help with anything?” She asked.

“Nah, not really I have this one Scootaloo.” I said pulling her up onto my back. “Why don't you just rest here. It won't be much longer.”

“Are you sure?” She said nervously.

“Scootaloo, are you scared about something?” I asked deciding to flat out ask her.

“Me scared? Nah, I'm brave.” She said putting on the worst lie I have ever heard. All I could really do was sigh at this as I left her on my back and trotted along. It was after nightfall when we reached our second campsite.

“Alright no need for tents tonight ya'll. We'll just take shelter in that cave.” Applejack said as we came up to the little open area.

“All right, a deep dark cave. Perfect for the story I've got for tonight.” Dash commented as she flew up to the top of the mouth of the cave. “All we need is a camp fire and we're good to go.” Dash said as I was unhooking myself from the cart. I turned to see she was giving Scootaloo who looked like she was just a pin drop away from freaking out with the 'you'll get the wood for us, won't you' look.

“Uh... of course.” Scootaloo gulped as she began to stutter out her words. “I'll be right back with lots of firewood from the deep... dark... and not scary at all forest.” she said slowly stepping away from Dash scared as hell.

“Thanks.” Dash said flying back to help set up the rest of it.

“Scootaloo, do you need some help?” I asked before already knowing the answer myself.

“Nah, I can do that. Rainbow Dash is counting on me.” She said trying to put on a brave face. One that anypony can see right through. So already knowing she wasn't going to go any further into the forest. I decided to go get wood myself, mostly to speed it up. Probably a good few minutes and I was back with what would probably have been a good arm load (if I was human) of logs. As I had called it, Scootaloo only made it back with a few sticks... namely three. So after dropping two logs into the fire pit. I gave them a quick breath of flames and we had a nice warm fire going for everypony. With that I went to get my bed up as I was fatigued from pulling. For the most part it was a pretty large cave. Part of me could even see myself hold up in here for a while with the woods outside, food wouldn't be too hard. Even as a child I had a few thoughts of roughing it from time to time. Of course I was just a stupid kid at the time and even when I went to camp the few times I always enjoyed it. Well... all but the swimming the first few years. With a sigh I reached into my saddlebags and pulled out something for me to eat. As soon as I pulled out my little bar I noticed something with it. Under it was a book with a note attached to it.

I know that you didn't have much time with the reporters at our door to read through this, so I had Shadow pack it with your stuff. I also packed a few extra bits of food for you. Don't let any other ponies have them as they would hurt their teeth. They are made for dragons. Spike helped me make them. Enjoy.

Signed

Your marefriend

Twilight Sparkle.

I couldn't help but smile at that. Even when things were pretty annoying back home, she still ended up planning. The more I thought about it though this would explain why I was banned from the kitchen for the two days. One for safety after Twilight had tried to cook breakfast for us, the other I wasn't told beyond top secret... clever Twilight. With a smile I unwrapped the first bar and looked at it. For the most part it looked like the old granola bars I used to have on earth. Hmm... I wonder what it tastes like. I couldn't help myself as I bit into it with a rather large crunch. As I chewed it, I began to notice a different flavor to it. I could taste the spiciness of flowers I've had before... roses I think they were. But then a second flavor I couldn't quite place. A sort of sweet, but light sour flavor to it. Even looking on the inside I couldn't tell what it was. Whatever it was, it was damn good so with another two more bites, the thing was gone and I was content. With a smile on my face I left the cave to find Dash in the middle of her scary story about the headless horse. Which must have been the pony version of the headless horseman that I knew of. For the most part it was close all but the whole pumpkin head part, it was good enough. Of course Applejack kept poking holes in the story, but with a few shushes from the rest of us she finally gave up. I noticed that the lot of them were pretty scared, most of all Scootaloo.

It was towards the end of the story where the lost ponies disappeared that Dash decided to whip out “And they were never heard from again.” She said in a very I'm telling a spooky story voice.

“Never?” Sweetie Belle asked after she gasped.

With a shake of her head Dash only answered with a serious “Never.” After that the fire popped right than sending sparks up into the air that caused Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to jump up and scream before they let out a little giggle with a matching hug to their older sister. Scootaloo however was behind one of the logs that we used to sit on shaking like her life depended on it. I watched Rarity gently rub her sister's mane for comfort, or what I could guess was for comfort.

“Don't worry you'll be safe with me tonight.” Rarity said and I watched Sweetie Belle smile at this.

“It's not time for bed already is it?” Scootaloo asked in a little bit of a panic.

“Afraid so Scootaloo” Applejack said with a yawn.

“Yeah, some of us are rather tired.” I said as I made my way back to the cave.

“B-but we haven't sung any campfire songs yet!” She examined.

“You don't have to tell me twice.” Sweetie Belle said before rushing up to the rock Dash was telling her story on and pushed said pegasus off it. Damn that young filly can be forceful. This was followed by her starting to sing in a bit of a shrill tone ninety nine buckets of oats on the wall. Yeah right about than my sanity called enough and I trotted back into the cave telling everypony good night. As soon as my head was rested on the pillow and I was comfortable in the sleeping bag, I was out like a light.

***---***

“Okay... didn't expect to wake up here.” I said looking around finding myself in what looked like the Lon Lon Ranch from the Legend of Zelda on the N64. It wasn't a bad thing to say as I did enjoy the series myself so having a vivid dream that I could really explore in was kind of nice. Especially with the rather calm music that joined it as it was an orchestral version of the tune that would normally play here. With a smile I walked between the large block house barn that normally housed the horse that would run around during the day and the thatched cottage which seemed a little out of place from my memory, but I factored that in that I didn't quite remember the place well. With a little dreamscape work I was walking around as a satyr like I had when I went to that weird dream castle with Luna. Speaking of the Princess of the night. Said mare decide to join me in my dream once again.

“Greetings Firestorm.” She said with a smile.

“Hey Luna, not a busy night for you tonight?” I asked walking around the large open field that had surrounded a large tall wood fenced area in the middle of the grounds. In the middle of it sat a girl on a log, she wore a white shirt with a yellow scarf cloth around her neck with it ending in a brooch on her chest. She wore a belt with an iron buckle that has the triforce pressed into it that was holding up the large long light purple skirt she had one that had a blue embroidered crenelation like pattern on it at the bottom of it. She also wore what looks like brown leather boots. With a smile I waved at her as she returned it without stopping her singing.

“Not many nightmares this evening, but speaking of which. I had a question for you.” She said following me, keeping an eye at the dreamscape around us.

“Well go ahead and shoot.” I said listening as we got to the far tower against the large log wall of the ranch.

“What is this about a photo mare I heard from Scootaloo?” She asked.

“Oh, so I was right.” I said.

“Right about what?” She asked.

“I figured Scootaloo was having a hard time sleeping. During the day she looked very tired like she barely got any sleep. I figured she would have another nightmare tonight because for the last two nights Dash and I were telling scary campfire stories.” I explained.

“That would explain the Photo Mare and Headless Horse nightmares.” Luna explained.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” I said scratching the back of my head before I stretched my wings out. With a little bit of lift I found myself on top of the tower and Luna following me as I stared out on the surrounding field. A large castle could be seen from well past the entry to the ranch.

“What is this place Storm?” Luna asked as she sat down next to me on the roof.

“Oh remember those interactive stories I talked about?” Luna gave only a nod at this. “This is one of the worlds in them. This here is Lon Lon Ranch, it's a small area but very peaceful.” I explained.

“It would seem so, if I may say. Tell me about this story.” She requested, so I began to start the story. I went through the ins and outs of the story that I knew very well with my words alone I watched in silence as small group left the castle in the distance and headed towards the ranch. Luna was hanging on every word as I told of a young boy's journey. It finally lead up to the battle a top of a large floating island of stone over a pit of molten stone. As I described the clashing of blades until the point on the tail of the villain was struck. All to give the hero an opening to set his final blows upon him to save the world. As my story finished I watched the large group of fairly large bulldog faced bipedal creatures marched up into the ranch. Most of them had large tarnish gold breast plates with matching silver spiked shoulder pads. They also wore scaled mailed pants that came down to their knees, upon their feet looks like brown leather boots. Around their necks were a spike collar that matched the armors. Some of them carried spears and others long two handed maces. I couldn't help but smile as I guess even in my dreams I was a little restless.

“It would seems that we have company.” I commented before jumping off the tower to the ground. With a light flap of my wings I landed on my hooves. Luna followed me looking curiously before she saw what I had.

“Who are these... um...” Luna tried to asked before losing the right words.

“They are called Moblins. Think of them like a mixture of minotaurs and bulldogs. They are the foot soldiers of the villain of this land. They are here most likely to get a steed for their king.” I said walking up to them with Luna not far behind. With a bit of dreaming I gave myself a simple orange gentleman's vest with a white undershirt with matching orange boots. I also wore blue pants and upon my claws was red steel gauntlets. The sounds of metal grinding and knuckles cracking could be heard as we walked up.

“What do you plan to do?” Luna asked as she summoned a set of midnight blue armor only a shade darker than her natural coat color. Floating next to her was a long sword with a blade that matched her armors color. The cross guard of the sword was a crescent moon curved so the convex end was pointed up and the grip looked like it was wrapped with black leather that spiraled to a star shaped pommel.

“Well... simply defeat them and put them down. Watch out for the ones carrying the mace as they send out straight line shockwaves and the spear swinging ones like to dash forward.” I answered as I didn't give the closest one a chance to move. With a dash forward, I planted my right fist right into the junk of the closest mace one before causing him to cover his damaged manhood. With a step back I pulled my right arm back and swung for a clear head shot. With that I slammed my foot down on the end of the handle for his mace causing it to flip up which I grabbed in one motion. “The game's afoot; Follow your spirit, and upon this charge, cry god for Harry! England and Saint George!” I quoted from Shakespeare's Henry the fifth. I watched Luna fly through a wave of Moblins and past me in a blink of an eye. A second past as large slashes appeared through them and in a rapid order they all disappeared after turning completely coal black and exploded into a puff of smoke.

“Prepare foul beasts for the princess of the moon.” Luna said as she used her wings to flap back, sword at the ready. With a smile I pulled the mace into a ready position as it lightly thumped onto the ground. “If I may ask, where did you learn to fight?”

“Oh, well that's the thing. I've never had a formal training as I fight with instinct.” I said before slamming the mace down in front of me as the shockwave flew down the narrow pathway between the barns and the house.

“You fight with some rather interesting tactics.” Luna said before her sword and horn glowed. In seconds thousands of faded swords appeared around the alicorn of the night. Than they flew off piercing all the remaining moblins in seconds they disappeared in similar fashion as those before.

“Sometimes it's best to play it by ear then formulate a plan. As the fight ebbs and flows like a river you have to make sure you can continue down the river without crashing ashore.” I said as I placed the mace against my shoulder. “To be honest the most times I get maybe a moment or two to really think of a tactic mostly through. I prefer the wing it method.”

“Sometimes you don't get that much time to think.” Luna said with a nod.

“Sad but true.” I said as something come to mind. “Hey Luna sorry about what happened last time you came to my dreamscape.”

“It's not your fault, but may I be frank with you?” She asked.

“Sure, if your frank than I'll be Thomas.” I said joking and she gave me blank expression. “It's a joke but go ahead.”

“That castle looked rather odd and I couldn't place it. Also that sword-” She continued.

“What about that sword?” I asked a little curiously.

“It looks familiar.” She said.

“Yeah... oddly familiar just... every time I put serious thought to it my head suddenly has a headache. So I kind of tried to stop thinking about it.” I said as the beginning of what started to set in.

“That doesn't sound normal.” Luna said giving me a flat look.

“I know, Twilight said she would talk to Zecora to see if she has something to help that will let me think through the headache.” I explained.

“I believe I heard of this Zecora.” Luna said with some thoughts.

“Yeah, she's the zebra that's been living the Everfree forest.” I explained.

“Oh, yes Twilight Sparkle has told me about her.” Luna said.

“Yeah... Twilight said she would talk to her while I'm out camping.” For the rest of the dream Luna and I just kind of hung out in some of the more familiar settings that I enjoyed from the game.

***---***

I was the first to wake up after my long night with Luna. She had filled me in about a few things. The whole reporter issue was dealt with and I shouldn't have any more issues with Slivertongue. Even an official statement about me was released to all of the press about the 'attacks' from what I was told that an impostor was going around trying to smear my image among the ponies and that I had been attacked many times directly. This lead into the other bit of news that voluntary recruitment will start for the Wyvern Guard. Which means I will get a flood of documents that I will need to go over and pick out my starting guards. As much as I wasn't a fan of this I understand the reason behind it.

Luna even gave me a few pointers on dealing with the guards so that I will be given peace as well as some reassuring words to help fight against my natural compilations to try and protect as I have been known to do. So I had that mess to deal with down the line, but at least my main headache was over. So I decided to get another one of the bars and read a little on my dragon mother. Well after I got through a lot of the other draconic legends and myths in the book. With a smile I leaned against the wall and read. Sadly I only got through a few of them before the others woke up. Scootaloo looked much better like she slept like a filly as Dash put it when she woke up. So as soon as everypony packed up we were off and lucky for us the falls were only a few hills away.

“I call sister teams!” Sweetie Belle said before Rarity smiled impishly.

“Oh if I must.” She said with a light trot, before she took of at a full gallop. Sweetie belle was shortly after her, seconds past as Applejack and Applebloom was hot on their trail. Dash smiled before saying something to Scootaloo, with a flap of her wings she held up the young pegasus filly as they flew past me. All while I slowly walked up with Rarity's cart still attached. Yeah I wasn't going to race as normally it wasn't my thing. Maybe if I was really in the mood maybe, but not right now. I watched with a slight smile as they raced to the top of the hill. I couldn't help but look up and watch the waterfall of colors fall from the clouds themselves. It was a rainbow of water that fell from cloud to cloud, before they joined in the traditional rainbow as it finally dropped into the lake before losing it's color and turned into normal looking water. I was curious if this place had magical water much like the mirror pool under the Everfree forest. As soon as I caught up I watched the six of them already in the water. Dash was jumping from one of the clouds into the lake. So I unlatched myself from Rarity's cart and made sure I placed a few wedge of wood through the spokes in the wheels and into the ground. With that done I went over to the side of the lake and dipped my hoof into it. The water was a nice cool temperature that it would be nice to dip into it. I really didn't feel like being in it myself so I hung my left hoof into it.

I let my horn glow as I began to pull some of the water out of the lake itself. All I did was create a dragon out of the water, nothing but just a small one that didn't have it's hind legs. It more had a serpent's body past the front claws. It just flew around on it's sizable wings, which weren't that big. Especially for something that if I stretched out would be close to about three feet tops.

“Storm?” Dash asked which broke my concentration on the water and it dropped into the lake with a light splash.

“Oh, hey Dash.” I said turning to look at her. “What's up?”

“I just wanted to check up on you, and why aren't you swimming like the rest of us?” She asked pointing a hoof to the rest of them swimming in the lake. It looked like they were playing the pony version of Marco polo.

“I don't want to get my bandages wet again, that and I'm not feeling like being in the water today.” I said with a shrug.

“Are you sure that's the only thing?” She asked.

“I just want to relax is all.” I said lightly smiling.

“If you say so dude.” Dash said before jumping into the water next to me. “But you should totally join us in the water.” She continued before using her wing to splash water at me. I couldn't help but give her a flat look.

“Really? Splashing me with water is all you have? It's not like-” was all I got out before a large wave of it covered me thoroughly. “Okay... you want to play that game?”

“Yeah I do.” Dash said grinning like a mad pony. I turned my neck to the side as my joint popped a little, just loud enough to be heard. Only for me to do it on the opposite side.

“Rainbow Dash, you do remember what I can do right?” I said grinning at her.

“Uh... yeah.” She commented.

“And you do know that you're in water right now... right?” I continued with a grinned.

“Uh... yeah.” She said again as realization decided to sat in. My horn was already a light as behind her a large wave of water rose up into the air. Nothing that would hurt Dash, just enough to get the point across. With a grin all I did was point behind her with the pointer finger of my right prosthetic claw. Dash turned around to see the wave towering over her as her ears flattened back. With that I cut the magic to it as the water dropped on the mare. The others watched as the water fell on Dash covering for only a moment. She popped her head up out of the water and shook out the water in her mane like a dog.

“Is that all you got?” Dash said with a grin.

“No, I can dish it out in spades.” I said floating more water up to create three spades out of water.

“Really? You had to make that joke?” She said before facehoofing at that.

“I didn't have to, but I wanted to.” I said with a smile. The two of us just stayed there silently as the other four wadded in the water looking on. Maybe... just maybe this is what I needed after all. From everything that caused so much trouble for everypony, from all that had happened, and from my past alone. I guess this would only be an...

[End of a Chapter]