Author's Notes:

Okay, so let me address a few things with this chapter before letting it get on the way. I've been holding onto this chapter for a while. Since both of my editors have been rather busy with life stuff. I decided to take one of my days off and try to fix it myself, and here it is.

So, sorry for the grammar and spelling mistakes. I am a little dyslexic so I can't always catch everything. But with that, I look forward to reading the comments, and if this turned out well enough. I may jump ahead and try to edit the next chapter.

Stay frosty everypony.

Chapter 35 – A Magical Mishap

A journey back from Whinsome Falls was pretty much as expected. Not a whole lot to happen besides Dash and I's little water battle. After which it was Rarity that helped me with my bandages with Dash watching. So it didn't take long for them to be redone. After that, it was more travelling back and camping. The only thing of note was the fact that Applebloom asked me about my wing a little bit more. Like if it was bothering me or that I missed flying around. I didn't really say much beyond the whole odd bits of pain. It was a few more day when I returned back to Ponyville to see it just as peaceful as I left, well sort of. Luckily for me, I did have the time to finish most of the books and the legends of my mother varied from being this old mystical being that would give fortune and fame to dragons to being the dragon version of the devil. So... I had to take a lot of it with a grain of salt.

Regardless after I had helped Rarity take her cart back to her shop. I returned to the library to find it once again a complete mess with all the books laid on the ground in even piles. My only guess it was re-shelving day again. The last one I remember was during my transformation as a mare. Twilight was once again going over a scroll wrapped in her magic as Spike ran from pile to pile trying to find said book. Slowly moving over to Twilight I gently placed a hoof around her as I tried to give her a hug. She jumped a little and turned around to look at me.

“Your back!” She exclaimed before jumping at me causing me to land on my back with her on top of me. She smiled and reached her hooves around my neck to just give me one awkward of a kiss.

“Geez, why don't you two get a room.” Spike said giving us a flat stare that I could see past Twilight. This caused the two of us to look at each other than at the room and finally back at Spike.

“Technically this is a room,” Twilight said beating me to it.

“Not what I meant,” Spike said crossing his arms with a little huff.

“Relax Spike, it's a couple thing. Trust me it could be much worse.” I said as Twilight let me up onto my hooves with a little help.

“Oh, and how's that?” He asked with a cocked eyebrow.

“I've seen so many relationships that came with its own share of awkward moments. You this Twilight pinning me to the floor for a kiss is bad. Oh boy if I had to scale it, this would barely hit a point zero zero two on my scale.” I said with a smirk. The look on his face was kind of priceless, just that twitching left eye.

“Your kidding... right? Please tell me he's kidding.” Spike said and almost pleaded with Twilight about.

“Honestly I can't say, he has seen more thing relationship-wise than either of us,” Twilight commented.

“Comes with age.” I said as I floated my saddlebags off me and began to head upstairs back to the bedroom.

“Oh before I forget you got a message from Celestia.” Twilight said with a smile. This caused me to stop on the stair and turned around.

“Oh, what did it say?” I asked looking down at them.

“I didn't read it, as it had the Equestrian Seal on it.” Twilight said with a smile, I only blinked.

“So?” I wasn't sure why this was an issue.

“It's for royalty only.” Twilight explained.

“One, you are a princess by marriage through your brother, and Two I don't think Celestia would have issues with you reading a letter to me.” I said.

“I would have if it also says for Prince Firestorm's eyes only.” Twilight said scratching the back of her head much like I do.

“Oh... alright. I'm guessing it's on my desk upstairs?”

“Yeah its right next to a package you got that also had them for your eyes only.” Twilight said.

“Okay...” I said not sure about the said package. The last package I mysteriously got was a Nightmare moon artifact so... I had to be cautious about it. “Thank you for letting me know.” I said looking back up the stairs. Which suddenly felt like a mile long for an odd reason. With a gulp, I returned to my trek up the stairs. Once I was up to the loft I saw both the scroll as well as the package. I always kept them both in my peripheral vision as I went to unpacking the saddlebags. Which I wished took longer than it did. Just to delay having to open that box a little bit more. “Maybe I should deal with the scroll first. Yeah... that sounds like a good idea.” I said to myself.

“Who the hell are you talking to?” Shadow said causing me to jump a little. “Relax scary cat, it's just me.”

“I'm not scared.” I shot back.

“Oh yeah, sorry I couldn't see that beyond how much you're nervous over a damn package.” Shadow said snidely.

“Oh bite me the last one I had help give me some of my worst nightmares since I got to Equestria.”

“You've had much worse ones on earth. So suck the fuck up and open the damn box. The faster you do it, the faster it's over.” With a light growl, I went over to the package on my desk. Just looking at it caused my heart to beat a little harder as the thought of what it could be. I mean this could be Vermom's way of getting back at me, or maybe it's some other unseen foe ready to strike. “Your putting way too much thought into this. Open. The. Damn. Box!” This time he decided to scream the last one in my head. Just to get him to top I clenched my eyes shut and with my claws ripped the top off the box. Then nothing, well more like nothing happened. “Open your eyes moron.” I did only to see a book in the box surrounded by packing peanuts. This wasn't like the first book I got, no. A smile crossed my muzzle as I wrapped the book in my magic bringing it out of the box with a few stray packing peanuts falling to the floor.

“Well, I will be damned.” I said brushing off the stray peanuts that stuck to the book.

“Damned about what?” Twilight said causing me to jump.

“Don't do that!” I said turning to see her. “You almost gave me a heart attack.” I said as the book dropped back on top of the packing still in the box.

“Sorry, just I heard you talking to somepony up here and I wasn't sure if somepony came through the window again.” Twilight said with a slight smile.

“No, I was talking to Shadow. Sometimes I forget that I say things out loud instead of in my head.” I excused.

“It's understandable... I think.” Twilight said a little unsure before noticing the book behind me and gasp. “How did you get the new book before anypony else? It wasn't supposed to come out for another two months.” Twilight rushed past me to pull Daring Do and the Burning Prince out of the box.

“It's one of the perks of being royalty, you end up meeting a lot of famous ponies.” I said trotting up behind her.

“You met A.K. Yearling?” Twilight asked with large close to puppy dog eyes.

“Yeah, she was my guide during my trip to Saddle Arabia. She was with me when I found the Cape of Kindness.” I explained remembering my promise.

“Oh, oh, oh! You've got to tell me the whole story!” Twilight said grinning bringing herself nose to nose with me.

“Twilight, I will tell you but can I deal with my mail first? It may be important.”

“Oh, now he wants to deal with the bigger matter.” Shadow sarcastically commented.

“Hush you.” I shot back with my thoughts.

“Oh right.” She said with a light chuckle before sidestepping to the left as I pulled the scroll over to me. With a little pop, the seal was broken and I began to look over the three sheets here. It seems that Celestia and Luna had come to the idea that I probably should start taking care of some of the official business of the local area as well as some pull in Cloudsdale. Part of this was to help elevate some of the Cloudsdale requests that come to Canterlot directly. That being said, she did request that I would send her the form or document needed so they can be checked and documented correctly. This I sort of understood as this was part of my real first royal duties as a prince. So not to leave me completely stuck up in a cloud. An office was already set up for me at Ponyville city hall so I had a place to work at. The second document was just legal jargon for the do's and do not's of the office. Like no goofy decor in the office as it was a place of business. Personal effects within reason were fine, however.

The last one was something I wasn't prepared for. As my first official duty, I got to have the final say for Rainbow Dash's entry into the Wonderbolt Academy. Okay, I've got to say this was pretty big for my first duty to say the least. It was pretty hard hitting to that it got me to plop down on my rump at this.

“What is it?” Twilight asked as I re-rolled the scroll back up.

“It's a rather hefty matter, something I can't comfortably share.” I said with a light sweat forming on my brow.

“How come?” She asked curiously. Oh god, Twilight why did you have to ask that one.

“Let's just say that I think I'm being tested rather... hard on this one.” I commented.

“Tested? Oh, what is it? Can I help?” Twilight said bouncing a little. Oh fuck me, I had to say the T word around miss personal student.

“Sorry, it would be considered cheating on the test. At least to me, it would.” Still wasn't lying on that, if I had told Twilight that I got to decide on Dash's fate with the academy. Than she would put pressure on me to let her friend in. Which wouldn't be fair to Dash if I just allowed her in just because she knows the princesses and prince directly tied to it. In the same boat, it would be wrong of me not to already have seen her flying prowess and say no. Damn it, Celestia and Luna, you had to give me a hard one as my first duty.

“Oh, alright. If you change your mind, I don't mind helping if I can.” Twilight said looking a little dejected.

“Well... if you want.” That got her to zip right up to me and be nose to nose with me again.

“What it about?! Oh, is it about the Unicorn Academy newest study into the mathimagic formula?” She asked almost glowing. Correctly, completely glowing from the horn as she was bringing over a bunch of loose sheets of paper and Ink set.

“No, but let's file that mathimagic thing for later. It's more I need some context to some of the Equestrian Academies.” I had to use the more blanketed term so I followed the whole not lying rule I set for myself to Twilight, without telling her the direct reason. Plus her comment about the Unicorn Academy got me curious. So... I may as well get that context as well.

“Alright, give me a few moments,” Twilight said before she popped from existence only to pop back in with thirty books in tow. My jaw dropped at the sight of them as well as my left eye began to twitch. Could somepony please have shoved my hoof any further into my mouth with that one? Before I knew it I was popped, and I do mean popped into a school desk like I use to have when I was in high school. Right before Twilight who decided to play a little dress up in a teacher's outfit. Mind you she did look a fifty-fifty split of hot and adorkable in the outfit. Even to the point of having her mane up in a bun. So going to have to ask Twilight if I could take a picture of this for my tablet because I think I just found it's newest wallpaper.

Twilight had made a large chalkboard appeared behind her as she began to school me in the many Academies in Equestria. Besides the basic ones for each type of pony minus the drony variants of them. Which I understand as they were only brought to her attention less than a year ago. So I got the biggest information dump in my lifetime, but honestly it wasn't bad.

For the basics of it all that most of the unicorn academies mostly work towards both technology as well as perfecting spell crafting. With the new spell here or there to be sent out in the revised magical spell books using in some schools. Twilight always keeps up to date on this one it seems as she pulled out versions fifty-three all the way to sixty-seven. As that is the latest one up. Note to self, make sure I study the newest spell book later.

The academies for earth ponies mostly revolve around both earth pony technology much like Pinkie's peddle power copter as well as improving the lifestyles of earth ponies. As Twilight said that they work twice as hard as any pegasus or unicorn having to do things that hard way. Makes sense and with the strengths being in strength and constitution, the would have the bodies to really do that. Not saying that any other ponies can't have that, but you know what I mean.

As for the pegasi they had a bit of a mixed bag all their own. There were a few key academies one that would study the old effects over the Everfree to deal with as a just in case it happens kind of deal with the weather factory. The more dealing with weather and improving it so it runs smoother. Then finally the Wonderbolt Academy. That one was more training in a military aspect. The others had there academies said for that but the one I was more needing to know was this. From what I got that they had drill instructors that were or currently are Wonderbolts. Around this time it would be Spitfire who was doing the drilling. From what I have heard she can be a bit of a wild card at times pushing her troops to the highest level. So I know Dash would be tested hard.

This lead up to a history lesson on the Earth Unicorn Pegasi Guard, or E.U.P. Guard for short. This lead into the brief history of the Wonderbolts. Of course, I say brief but by the time Twilight was done talking, my stomach decided to remind me that it was dinner time. Lucky for us Spike finished the re-shelving himself as well prepared a pasta dinner for the three of us. So the three of us ate, well... more Spike and I ate while Twilight began to lecture me more about the smaller details about the E.U.P. Not saying that it was bad but I think I already had enough for one day as I had a pounding headache. It also didn't make my choice any easier. I was still left to decide Dash's fate when it comes to the Wonderbolts.

Maybe tomorrow I will be able to decide on what to do while I check out my office for the first time...

***---***

“This doesn't help.” I said about two hours while I sat in my own office which was a few doors down from Mayor Mare's office. I placed the letter on the desk so I could try and forget about it for now. I took another look around 'my office'. Honestly, it wasn't much to say I had three filing cabinets as well as a whiteboard on the wall to the left of me. My desk which was a pretty nice piece of cedar apple wood, made from some of the threes that had to be uprooted from Sweet Apple Acres. It was well carved and everything down to the little tree branch carved legs on it. It had three drawers with the bottom one being the largest of the three. On my door which looks like any office you would find in a government building read 'Prince Firestorm'. Beyond the word prince, it didn't seem I warranted a title. Even Mayor Mare had the subtext of mayor under her name. All and all it wasn't that bad, of course I say that now.

It was about two hours into my day when I got my first 'appointment'. It was a beige coated earth pony mare, whose mane was a two-tone blue and pink. All done up in swirls as well as her tail as well. On her flank was three wrapped up pieces of candy in yellow and blue.

“Hello Prince Firestorm.” The mare said with a bow and I waved her in.

“Please no titles, I'm just a pony like anypony else.” I said trying to keep things less formal. I get that this is an official office for me, doesn't mean I can't try to keep things nice an relax.

“Of course... Firestorm.” She said still bowing lightly.

“Please have a seat.” I said offering a chair that I floated over so she could sit in front of the desk. She hopped up and sat down looking at me a little nervous.

“What can I do for you miss...” I said drawing a blink.

“Bonbon. She filled in for me.

“Oh Lyra's friend right?” I asked to make sure.

“Yeah, I hope Lyra hasn't done anything crazy to you.” She said as her ears flattened back a bit.

“Not really, honestly I'm kind of surprised I haven't seen her recently. Of course with the reporter mess, I didn't get a chance to get out much.” I said scratching the back of my head.

“What was with that if I may ask?”

“Nothing big, just a newspaper offered a bounty for an interview with me and ponies just kind of flocked to it.” I said before I sighed. “But that is dealt with, so what can I do for you?”

“Oh... right.” She said with an awkward cough before she reached into her brown saddlebags and pulled out a folder. “I was wondering if I could get this approved.” She said after setting it on my desk. With a cocked eyebrow, I opened the folder with my right hoof to see just a few bits of paper in it. From what I gathered she was looking for permission to build a speciality basement to her home.

“If I may inquire the reason for this addition?” I asked looking up from the top of the folder.

“Well... Lyra had taken up most of my already present basement with her studies and I need a place to create the candies that I sell. So this is to have her move her studies so I can have my confiscatory spot back.” She explained with a nervous smile.

“Bonbon relax, I personally don't see an issue. I just need to run this past Princess Celestia first. As I'm new to this whole thing, she asked to make sure I am doing it by the book. If you can give me a few days to get word form her. I can give you your answer. I hope that's not inconvenient at all.” I asked trying to be calm while I was probably more nervous than she was.

“Oh... oh, of course, I wouldn't think to rush such a trivial matter on you, your highness.” She said getting down from her seat.

“Please Bonbon, no titles here.” I said already pulling out a fresh sheet from my stock in one of my drawers. “I will get this going as soon as I can. If I may ask how many ponies are out there waiting?”

“About six... last I checked.” She said and I could already tell this was going to be a long day.

“Thank you, I will see you in a few days?” I asked.

“Of course, have a good day pri-” she stopped what she was about to said before giving a slightly nervous chuckle “I mean Firestorm.”

“Have a good day as well Bonbon, tell Lyra I said hi and if she wants to come around I'm more than willing to put some time aside for a friend.” She left and I took a deep breath. For my first matter, I think I handled that well... I hope. After a few moments, there was a light knocking coming from the door. “Enter,” I said as I looked over Bonbon's papers again. It didn't take me long to notice four sets of hooves walking in. I glanced up to see the Cutie-mark Crusaders as well as Nightling enter. “Oh hello you all, what can I do for you?” I asked as Nightling walked around the desk to stand next to me. I noticed she was wearing her Night Guards armour.

“Hey, Storm.” Scootaloo said as she entered first.

“Is there anything we could do to help?” Applebloom asked and I cocked an eyebrow.

“Well... nothing currently.” I answered back.

“Are you sure?” Sweetie Belle asked and I thought about it a little.

“I suppose I could always go for a drink or something, but you girls don't need to worry about it. So what have you three been up to?” I asked.

“We've been crusading trying to find our cutie-marks. We thought we could try helping out you so we could try for our royal helper cutie-marks.” Scootaloo explained.

“Ah, alright. Well if you want you could run something to Spike for me.” I said pulling out a fresh sheet of paper and began to write out my message for Celestia with the quill that was sitting on my desk. I would have sent the message myself, but Spike hasn't shown me how to do it yet. So I was just a more inbound travelling mailbox.

“Really?” Applebloom said with a smile. With a few more quick scratches of my quill, I finished the message.

“Eeyup,” I said wrapping it with a ribbon. “Tell him that I need him to send this directly to Princess Celestia.” I said floating it down into Applebloom Saddlebags that she had on. I noticed she had a pair of green bags with an apple buckle on them.

“Anything else?” Scootaloo asked probably hoping for something more exciting besides delivering a message.

“Well...” I said thinking as I rubbing my chin with my claws. With a snap of my claws, I pulled out some bits that I had brought with me. “I could use a treat from Sugar Cube Corner. Why don't you girls get something on me while you're at it?” I offered floating the bit bag over to them. “Nightling would you like anything?”

“Na, I had my fill before coming here.” She said with a wave of her hoof.

“Alright,” I said with a smile as the girls thanked me and galloped off. After the cost was clear I shut the door they left wide open and turned to Nightling. “Mind if I ask you something?”

“You just did.” she shot back.

“Oh haha. Very funny, I'm being serious.” I said after I had rolled my eyes.

“Go ahead.” She offered as she turned to gaze to look at me as she stood next to me.

“How much do you know about the Wonderbolts Academy?” I asked.

“Plenty as I have gone there to train as well.” That got me to look at her.

“Really?”

“Of course, most of the pegasi in the guard goes there for the speciality training. It makes sense since the Wonderbolts are part of the guards.” She explained.

“I figured that much from the E.U.P. Lecture I got from Twilight.” I answered.

“What is it that you want to know?” She asked.

“Let me apply some context before I launch into this, and this is something that has to stay between the two of us.” I said looking at her seriously.

“Of course your highness.” She said giving me a salute.

“Please don't do that.” I said giving her a flat look.

“I know, but it's a force of habit.” She said with a cheeky smile.

“Right...” I said before rolling my eyes. “Anyway, as you probably have heard Rainbow Dash is wanting to be a Wonderbolt which means she would have to go through the Academy as well.” I said pulling out the letter I got earlier in the morning.

“Makes sense, but what's the problem?” She asked looking at me like she doesn't understand the issue.

“I'm the one that is stuck with the choice of allowing her to do so. Which leaves me to question is if I'm doing it because this is a logical idea in the longer run, or am I doing it because she's my friend.” I said handing her the paper. She sat down to read over the paper.

“Ah, that makes more sense.” She said after she had looked over the letter.

“I want to make it where she did it on her own merits and not because she knows somepony who can give her a leg up.” I explained.

“Prince Shining Armor had a similar issue.” Nightling explained.

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes, I'm not sure if you're familiar with the pony, but Flash Sentry went back for years since school.” She began as she handed me back the letter. “Flash Sentry went training with Shining to the point they had a pretty good friendly rivalry going for the longest time. Leading up to Shining's promotion as captain.” She said before finding a seat against the wall. She explained that after Shining got promoted by almost killing himself saving a few ponies from attack a few years back that Shining to on a more serious attitude with his work.

She said that the attack itself was from a few creatures that were being transported from the Everfree for study. A, for the most part, they were subdued beside a manticore that held itself in a business. She couldn't remember the business itself but it had trapped a few ponies on the far end of the building. In the course of trying to drop the creature, Shining ended up being stung with the manticore's tail. From what I remember the poison in the stinger as the ability to cause a pony to lock up and be cut off from their magic only seconds after it hits the bloodstream. Somehow Shining had the will to push through it and protect the ponies trapped by keeping the creature in a shield bubble. Which wasn't an easy feat, I should know. Chrysalis used manticore venom on me a few days before my birthday.

That was beside the main point, Shining got a promotion shortly after recovering from the venom in him. After that, he was a lot harder on the ponies under him. This included Flash Sentry who joined as part of Shining's squad. Which you would think would be like the good old days, but it wasn't. From the what Nightling explained that Shining pushed he's ponies hard, which included herself as she was waiting for her transfer to the night guards during that time. It only got worse when Shining passed Flash over multiple times for promotions to higher ranks. Even when Flash had earned them several times over.

This lead into a challenge from Flash to Shining. It was pretty much like my fight with the three-night guard captains, unlike my bout. Flash wasn't playing around or holding back as it broke down in the end to an outright slug-fest as they come to blows. Which is kind of amazing to hear it as I know Shining has me outclassed in magic alone. To drain him low enough where he can't use all of his magic, it must have had to be some. Which all of that could have been avoided if Shining just gave him a promotion that he had worked for.

Which I admit is what I'm worried about here. I know Dash is a good flier, hell I saw it myself. She could fly circles around me, in all fairness so can Fluttershy. That just wasn't the point, I wanted it to be fair and not because she knows the prince that decides her fate. Do I keep this from Dash because it could have persevered as a handout, or do I give it to her? There was no way for me to know which one was right or wrong. Was Dash going to hate me if I said no or will she blame me if she found out that I was the one that gave it to her? Just looking over the letter again I couldn't help but try to decide.

“Firestorm?” Nightling asked eyeing me.

“Huh? Oh sorry, I guess I was to lost in thought.” I said snapping to look at her.

“That's obvious, look there isn't much I can say on this as it's your choice. Just know whatever you decide you had a good reason to decide.” She tried to sound reassuring. God, I wish I was that confident on this matter.

“Well... what's your take on this?” I asked thinking maybe a more outside opinion may help. Unlike asking one of the girls who would have a biased on saying yes to giving Dash the go ahead. I more wanted a military aspect who can see this more logically.

“I can see Dash has skills for flying beside being able to pull off a sonic rainboom and all. She could be quite an asset if needed. The only downside is her ego. It would be the biggest thing that needs to be nipped in the bud. Other than that, I don't see much of an issue outside the whole possibly being taken as a friend in high places.” She explained and it made sense. It's just if it did come out that I was the one that made this choice for her. If anything I would prefer that bit never came out. Both for my sake and hers, it wasn't something as selfish as wanting credit for this or anything like that. I mean if you can't be proud of who you are in the dark than your just doing it for the short term glory. It's more I didn't want that to be something to hang over Dash.

I knew how that felt having that thought always in the back of your head thinking that 'was it really mean that earned this or was it because somepony just gave it to me.' I've had things like that happen that made me question myself and my abilities and it made me a wreak at times. The fact was if I knew it would never come out to be known that I would have signed it probably after the first five minutes.

“Thank you Nightling, I just needed an unbiased opinion.”

“Anytime your highness.” She said giving me a royal jab with that one.

“Not funny.” I said shooting her a flat stare.

“Relax, I was only kidding. You need to just chill and let things flow.” She said.

“Okay who are you and wheres the Nightling I knew before? Because you were never that relaxed unless you were heavily drunk.” I shot back.

“Oh... let's just say a pink pony has found me a way to find a calm within the storm.” She said.

“Okay...” I said a little hesitant about that. “No offence but it's kind of hard to see how Pinkie of all ponies can be peaceful or relaxing outside of being completely out cold. She's like a supercharge ball of energy that probably bouncing off the walls at Sugar Cube Corner right about now.” I said trying to wrap my head around.

“No that was this morning, I think she called it her morning exercising,” Nightling said scratching her head like she was trying to figure that one out. I raised up a finger to come up with a reply before I really thought about it.

“You know, I could see that. We are talking about Pinkie of all ponies after all.” I said before I slide the letter back into my drawer. “I just kind of wish things were a little bit simpler like before coming to Equestria.”

“What do you mean?” Nightling asked eyeing me.

“So you know that I wasn't a drony before coming here right?” I asked.

“Yeah, Pinkie said something about being on two legs?” Nightling asked and I could see she was having a hard time piecing it together.

“Bipedal yes, I have a photo back at the library. I'll show you later so you get a better idea of this but I was something called a human. Think diamond dog but less leaning forward, less fur like barely any with only a mane. Also less canine in nature, like a smaller nose and eyes. Also not a gemivore, but still an omnivore. Following along so far?” I asked trying to break it down a little for her.

“I think so, how do humans keep warm in the colder temperatures?”

“Clothing, very thick clothing. Also, we wear it almost all the time. It's just I kind of miss those days as in all I had to do was my job and my life. No especially stressing duties I had to take care of like having to decide another pony's fate. Just going around doing my business and that's about it.” I said just leaning back in the chair. Just the thought of those times was kind of nice in the whole you don't realize you miss it till it's gone kind of way. That's when I noticed the knocking at the door. “Come in,” I said as the door opened up to show Spike coming in.

“Oh hey Spike what's up?” I asked as he came over.

“You got a response from Princess Celestia.” He explained.

“Oh, thanks.” I said taking the scroll in his hands. With a claw, I unrolled and read over the contents. That was followed by blanking for a moment and rereading what I thought I read. To my surprise, it was what I saw. “Ah... thanks, Spike.” I said as my brain just shut down for repairs for a moment.

“Ah, no problem.” He said turning towards the door only to stop a few feet from it. “Oh, before I forget Twilight said she was going to Zecora's for something to help the spot on your wing. She may not be home when you get back.”

“Thanks for letting me know and Spike if you see the C.M.C. while you're out, could you send them my way?” I said.

“So soon?” He asked.

“What do you mean 'so soon'?”

“I just saw them run off as I turned down the corridor to come to your office. I thought they just left here.” He said.

“Not for at least a good half an hour or so.” I said a little curious on to what they were doing back here. I mean Spike had to have gotten my letter to Princess Celestia so they did leave to give him said letter. Only to come back and run off before even coming back here. Something odd was a hoof and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but that was going to have to wait on the back burner. I had to deal with more pressing matters.

“Well, you know how those three can get,” Spike said. “Later Storm.” He continued before walking off with what looked like a bag on his shoulder that I didn't notice when he came in. May as well get the next one going.

“Next!” I said before the door shut.

***---***

“Okay let me see if I got this. Besides having a captain I now have to pick seven more to at least start with?” I asked as Nightling had for I believe the first time that I need more guards. Hell, I haven't even gotten used to my first guard, now I have to pick seven more?

“Correct.” She said with a smirk as she sat a little behind me.

“Do I even want to know how that works?” I asked looking at her.

“Fairly simple, I go through all the recommended guard files that both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia have sent. From there I go through and pick out a hoof full of candidates, then we go over it in more detail. You can say yes or no to them, sometimes an interview is necessary” She explained.

“But what about beyond that. Let's say I say yes to somepony, what happens after that?” I asked.

“They are transferred here where I will oversee their training to suit your purposes. Which you seem pretty relaxed about that.” She explained.

“That's the thing, I came from a military family. Namely through my father who was a hard ass through and through when it came to a lot of things. I get how that can effect somepony, and I get the reason why. It's just I don't like causing issues, but I also want to make sure ponies are safe. Besides disregarding the obvious to the whole you can't have one without the other. So if having to be a hard ass to them is what is needed so they can protect the ponies I care about, and those here in Ponyville. Then so be it.” I said.

“That is the most confusing statement I've heard in a while.” She looking at me.

“Ever heard the saying 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few?'” I asked looking at her.

“Princess Luna has said something along those lines, why?” She asked this time.

“Well, I have to play that card even when I don't want to. I want my guards well trained in many aspects. So when somepony is faulting in that part for whatever reason, then another can help pick up the slack. You understand?” I asked.

“I think so, you want each guard versed in the skills of all of them, physical difficulties notwithstanding. So that when one guard fails another can hold up so the whole troop doesn't fall.” She explained.

“To the point, but I want my guards to know that I appreciate what they do and the hard training they are put through is worth it. Kind of like positive reinforcement without it getting to the point they put themselves too far into danger for unneeded reasons.” I explained.

“You mean like you do all the time?” Nightling said with a smirk.

“Excuse me Nightling, I do not do it for needless reasons. I have a very good reason, I do it to protect those I care about.” I said with a little snort.

“Well, you don't have to do that now. You have guards to do that for you.” She said looking at me flatly.

“Which still doesn't feel right to me.” I said.

“Save the sepal, I've heard it enough.” She rolled her eyes at that.

“Well sorry, it's a hard thing to get over for me.”

“Says everypony that is made royal by marriage.” She shot back.

“Okay, Touche. My point still stands, however.”

“And I will refer to my previous statement.” She said now smirking.

“I'm not going to win this one am I?”

“Nope.”

“Fair enough, but let me ask you this. How hard would it be for me to set up a meeting with Spitfire of the Wonderbolts?” I asked looking at her.

“Well... depends are you going to try and do the run around yourself, or are you going to take the smarter route and send a letter down the proper channels to have her come to you?” She asked.

“I would prefer the latter to be honest.” I said.

“Than give it a day or two after you give me a request on paper to send in.” She explained.

“It's really that easy?” I asked with a cocked eyebrow, not sure if she was screwing with me again or not.

“Firestorm, you are an alicorn and one of the highest ranking princes in Equestria with Shining Armor above you in scale. That's also not counting the princesses which outrank all of you. So yeah, it's that easy.” She said grabbing a piece of parchment out and sliding it over to me.

“Point made,” I said as I scribbled a quick request for her to meet me in my office in Ponyville. That and I also made it a point that she didn't need to be in her uniform to meet me. This was a very simple meeting so I can ask a few simple questions. With that, I pulled out a ribbon with my seal set. With a quick wrap and pressed wax seal, I hoofed over the scroll to Nightling who slid it into a pouch in her armour.

“I will have this sent out in the morning.” She said with a nod like I had made the right choice. With that, I thought I may as well call it a day, for my first day it wasn't too bad. I pulled out the letter about Dash as well as the one I got from Celestia today and slid them into my saddlebags. With that Nightling and I left heading back to the library only to find it empty. Not in the sense of everything is gone, but no pony but the two of us there. I wasn't really surprised on Twilight's part as she was probably still at Zecroa's about the medication for my wing. Spike is probably at Rarity's helping her with something. Which just left Nightling and I, well... more myself really. As I knew Nightling would return to Pinkie's since she's staying with her.

“I guess I will see you tomorrow,” I said with a slight smile. Nightling nodded quietly and with a salute flew off into the sky. Leaving me to my own devices. There was no real reason behind the odd feeling I was having as I went back upstairs and sat at my desk. With a few moments of silence, which to be honest was surprised that Shadow didn't decide to say anything about. I just began to pull out some parchment and write. Nothing really big just more I wrote about things and ideas that decided to pop around my head. With the only sound for me to listen to was just the sounds of a quill scratching on parchment till I couldn't take it anymore. In a few moments, I magically pulled my tablet over to me and started to play a little music. Probably not the best choice starting with Bastille's Pompeii. I think I was partly through my need to listen to something list when I heard the front door to the library open followed by a few sets of hooves. I paused in the middle of some remix of the song of storms I had on the thing only to look over to the doorway that leads to the room. It wasn't long of a wait to see Applejack and Pinkie coming into the room. The latter bouncing the whole time, don't ask me how she does that because I stopped trying to process things like that.

“Howdy sugar cube, how was your first day?” Applejack asked walking over.

“Hello Applejack and Pinkie. It was alright I suppose.” I said as I looked over the seven or so pages I could currently see spread out before me from my ramble of thoughts.

“Something wrong?” She asked.

“Technically speaking nothing is wrong per say. It's just a lot I have to think about as of late.” I said pulling all the papers together and just flipped them upside down for the time being.

“Well, we're here to listen. If you need to talk-” Applejack began to say.

“That's part of the problem, I can't talk about this. This is something I can't really talk to many ponies about, it's nothing bad before you asked. It's just...” I gave a sigh quietly running my claws through my mane. “I had a choice dropped into my lap, a very big one. One that I can't really tell anypony but a small group and even then I feel like it's not going to really help. All because it's wrapped up in a nice little bow of royal duties. Plus added my already mess of a head when it comes to random thoughts and well... I'm left with a lot of self-pressure with no way out of it at least today and maybe tomorrow. Just... it's part of the reason I didn't want to be royalty.” I vented a bit not even looking at either of them.

“Firestorm look, I can't say I understand how you feel on this. Celestia knows that none of us can really get how you think or how you even come up with the things you do. What I do understand is the pressure a pony can put on themselves over a rather big matter to them. When Big Mac hurt himself a few apple bucking seasons ago, I took it up upon myself to do his work and mine to get all the apples done. Just so the farm could make a profit and fix what was needed to be fixed. In the end, it left me tired and drained that it affected the ponies around me.” Applejack explained and I remembered a bit of this story from Twilight.

“Yeah, with the whole baked bads, the shooting Dashie into the library, and the bunny stampede. Oh, oh, don't forget-” was what Pinkie got out before Applejack inserted her hoof into her mouth.

“I think he gets it Pinkie.” Applejack said with a slightly annoyed stare.

“I do, it's just and please don't take this the wrong way. My choices have a lot more weight behind them than trying to take care of family and a business. Not to say that isn't important, just the choice I have to make puts a future course of events into play. It's a fine line that I have to make sure if I want to cross with each one. Don't get me wrong if it's for the greater good I want to go for that, but I'm only one pony to decide this. Not a council of peers to help give me insight or advice. Especially those I'm friends with as they would tip things in the wrong light for the right reasons.” I tried to explain as I tried to find a way to bring this a little home. “Let me put it this way, when I wanted to just give you a royal bit, you said you couldn't accept that because of how much money that was. That it didn't feel right to you. Well, this is kind of that line I have to make sure I don't cross. Do I help said pony because they worked for it or is it more I'm trying to help a pony that didn't rightly earn something, all because they know me.” Applejack turned her head to the side a little as it looked like she gave it a serious thought.

“I believe I get what you're saying, but just know that if you ever need advice or anything. You have ponies that are willing to lend a hoof when needed.” She said with a smile.

“Yeah, especially if it's an all you can eat sweets problem and you need a pony that can taste all of them and tell you which one is the best flavoured one. I would totally go with bubblegum because you can crew on it and blow big pop-able bubbles with them. Till the flavour runs out and you take a second bite that just renews the flavour. Just to repeat it over and over again till you have to order a new one because you went through it like it was a piece of frosting and... frosting.” Pinkie said almost going to a dead stop with the word frosting. Her tongue rolled out and began to drip a little on the floor.

“I'll keep that in mind Pinkie.” I said blinking at her with a mixture of confusion and slight worry of thoughts I probably should never know that may just have popped into Pinkie's head.

“Well, this is mighty awkward.” Applejack said looking at Pinkie a little worried, while I was just feeling unease, to begin with.

“I would completely agree.”

***---***

Twilight was on her way with Spike next to her on the way to meet the rest of her friends. The look on her face told novels of something serious on her mind. On Spike's face however, was gem dust from the ruby he was bribed with to come alone. He really didn't want to go to this outside of seeing Rarity again, but he wouldn't say that to Twilight. Especially with a tasty ruby being offered as it was.

“Twilight I think you're just overreacting.” Spike for about the third time again.

“I don't overreact, there is something going on and I want to get to the bottom of it.” Twilight said looking a little focused as they turned the corner and saw the Carousel Boutique in the distance.

“And what was it that you were doing when you 'forgot' to send Princess Celestia a friendship report?” Spike asked doing air quotes with his claws before licking a little of the ruby off them.

“That wasn't overreacting.” She tried to defend, even though she knew that she did have a habit of doing so.

“Right...” Spike said drawing it out as the look on the little dragon's face could tell that he didn't believe that for one second. They stopped before the door and knocked only to be allowed to enter a few moments later. In the main foray of the store sat the rest of Twilight's friend. Spike seeing the pony that he had been crushing on for a while, zipped right over to her. “Hello, Rarity.” He said as he began to float a little of the ground.

“Hello, Spiky-Wiky.” Rarity said gently patting him on the head as she helped lower him back to the floor gently.

“Thank you for meeting me, girls.” Twilight said as she came over to the table before she sat down.

“Anytime Twi.” Applejack said before taking a drink of her tea. “So whats got you riled up?”

“Let me guess.” Dash interrupted as she crossed her hooves a bit. “It's Firestorm again?”

“Yeah... how did you know?” She asked.

“Because Pinkie was worried too.” She said pointing her hoof over to her. Said pony didn't look all too happy about it. Her mane was still fluffy as always, it just the look in her eyes told something different.

“I see,” Twilight said sitting next to Pinkie.

“So what's been happening this time?” Applejack asked looking over at them.

“Something's just been off with Storm since he's gotten that letter from Princess Celestia.” Twilight explained.

“What was the letter about dear?” Rarity asked as Spike was now fanning her with a large fan.

“One of them was about new responsibilities he was getting. Like a new office for him at city hall and the other, I don't know. He told me it was royal business and kind of left it at that.” She explained.

“Well... after he got back and I checked on him like you asked. He seemed a little down as it explained that he had a to make some very important choice as of late.” Applejack commented with a hoof to her chin.

“Yeah, I've seen Storm walking through town. He seems like something eating at the buck.”She said hovering in the air.

“I get that feeling too, then there is the matter of these,” Twilight said pulling out a large stack of almost thirty sheets of parchments. On each one showed a list of numbers, dashes, and dots that filled both sides of the sheets. The group of them looked a sheet each over and couldn't make heads or tails of any of it.

“I don't reakin I get what this had to do with Storm.” Applejack commented looking at the unicorn over the page.

“Storm's been writing these pages since he started going to his office.” Twilight explained. “The most I've gotten out of them is this.” She said showing a list of chemicals such as sodium, boron, sulphur, and titanium just to name a few. “They seem to be a list of chemicals, but I still can't get much out of why.”

“Have you thought about asking Storm Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“I have and he said they were just idea's he had and nothing really important about them. Even to the point, he said I could burn them if I wanted to.” Twilight replied.

“Well, why didn't you?” Dash asked landing next to Pinkie.

“It's just, Storm doesn't do things like this at complete random. Between this here and the nights, he hasn't been sleeping. Just... I'm worried for him.” She said.

“Why? He's not having nightmares again is he?” Applejack asked.

“No, it's more he just doesn't sleep. I've woken up a few times to see him just stare out the window into the sky. Like he's looking past the sky itself and onto something far beyond. If that makes any sense.” Twilight said with a sigh before laying her head on the table before her.

“I think I get it Twi, but doesn't he sleep like everypony else? I mean he is a dralicorn and like the princesses, he doesn't need as much sleep as the everypony.” Applejack suggested.

“Well true, but he's been asking me to help him sleep so we can wake up together. Well... before he started going to city hall that is. Has Nightling said anything to you about this Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

“No, She's been pretty tight-lipped about it as well. It's a guard thing she keeps telling me and she tells me a lot. This could something Stormy has asked her not to say to anypony.” Pinkie said dejectedly from all this. “Even when I've popped in on Storm a few times, he just gives a warm smile that doesn't feel right. I know smiles and that isn't a good smile.”

“I've been seeing it too, and even with the music, he's been playing lately. Just seems wrong on many levels.” Twilight said.

“What kind of music dear?” Rarity asked.

“Here let me play some of it for you.” With a flick of magic Twilight pulled out what looked like a long rectangle like object that was rounded on the corners as well as a pen with a rubber tip on it. She magically pressed the button on the side for the screen to light up. A few swipes of the pen on the screen later, she began to navigate through the menus.

“What's that?” Dash asked.

“Storm said it's called a cellphone. It seems like a mobile phone of some kind. He explained that it uses a wireless single much like how magic does to a point to connect two ponies together so they can talk. Much like how Equestrian phone's use magical relays to allow us to communicate faster than the mail. From what he has said just about every human there has one, even the young colts and fillies have them.” Twilight said finding the song that Firestorm had shown her.

“All of them... humans really have these things?” Applejack asked before a very eerie tune starts to come from the device in Twilight's magic. If it wasn't for the sombre tone of the talk they had the music would have sounded outright peaceful in some places. Here, however, it sounds to add to the depressive air that filled the room. Each pony listened for the whole length of the song. Pinkie was oddly quiet during it just looking much the same. Dash looking mostly confused by it as the mood of the music just seemed to wash past here like the waves of water passing a boat at sea. Rarity and Fluttershy's ears flattened back as they both could feel the mood a lot more clearly. Applejack just only looked like she was being uncomfortable with the song itself. After the song ended and Twilight stopped it from play another song along the same lines. She looked over her friends in both hope and worry.

“What... what is that song?” Fluttershy asked timidly as she wasn't sure she wanted to voice her question.

“It's called Mad World, or at least that's what it says here.” Twilight answered as she looked at the song title on the phone. For being an instrumental version of the song, it has as much of an impact on the group of them, minus Spike as he didn't find an issue with the song, to begin with. “This isn't the only song he's been listening too and many of them feel... worse than this one. I don't know what to do girls, I've tried going over every physiology book I have to try and understand this.”

“And?” Dash asked.

“The closest I got was a major depressive disorder, the problem with that is that Firestorm hasn't really shown this levels of depression before. Well without due cause to say the least.” Twilight explained.

“Maybe he's just processing a lot. He just started all his royal duties for the real first time. Maybe they are weighing a little heavy on him right now.” Applejack suggested.

“It's possible, just... something feels wrong and I want to help.” Twilight said.

“We know sugar cube, how about we go over to his-” The rest of Applejack's comment was cut off by the sound of an explosion in the distance. This caused all of them to jump. “What in tarnations was that?”

“I don't know, but I'm going to find out.” Twilight said flying towards the door. With a flick of magic, the door flew open to show a cloud of black smoke coming from the demolitions training.

“It came from there.” Twilight said before galloping off towards it. This was followed by the rest of them including Spike who hopped onto Pinkie as she dashed past. As soon as they get out to said field what they saw was Firestorm who's horn just stopped glowing staring at a second explosion happening at the further end of the training fields. He then pulled over a clipboard and scribbled something on it. All while Nightling flew out for a few moments to swing back.

“Seems like your aim is improving, you only missed the target by a few yards.” Nightling said landing.

“Hmm... maybe it's the wind throwing it off.” Storm said.

“Okay, what in Celestia's name is going on here?” Twilight asked as she was staring at her coltfriend in disbelief for the last few seconds.

“Huh?” Storm said turning to look at the group of arriving ponies and dragon. “Oh hey everypony... what are you all doing out here?”

“What are we doing? What are you doing out here?” Twilight said as the look on her face said it all. She was a little broke from this.

“I'm doing a serious of experiments and wanted to be safe. I doubt you would want me to detonate anything in the library right?” He asked as he sat the clipboard down and reach to his left foreleg. Which secured to it looked like a little box attached to a band. Within it was white cards with odd markings on it. With a flick of his prosthetic hoof the card was sent spinning down the field. As soon as it landed his horn flashed for a moment. This was followed by a third explosion. This was enough to cause Fluttershy to duck behind Dash who was staring in a mixture of confusion and enjoyment.

“Well... no, but what are you doing?” Twilight asked still a little manic.

“I've been studying spell script and I wanted to test out an idea.” He explained.

“And what idea is that?” Rarity asked this time a little curious.

“Well, the biggest part of spell script is a special kind of ink used that absorbs magic to trigger the spell. Much like my bandages do. So I had a thought of if I would try to write it afterwards and then flick it with magic. Which is different than the progress before as the ink is magically charged beforehand. As you can see this is the outcome. This has a small explosive script to them. Enough to create the smoke so I can see if the heavier ink will weigh down the card in flight or if I could put a lighter coat of ink. All to see if I can get the same amount of power out of the spell. These were as a delay written into the scripts to help prevent of a missed casting.”

“Than what was with all the depressive looks and notes you've written?” Twilight asked getting into his face.

“Depressive looks and notes?” Everypony heard the levels of confusion in his voice when he asked that.

“You've been staring off into the distance since that letter from Princess Celestia showed up.” She said which was closer to a shout than anything.

“So?”

“It seems like something has been eating at you since then.” Twilight said trying to get the answer out of the stallion who is just looking completely confused.

“Again, so?”

“So? Storm you've been quieter than normal, even going as far as keeping these scribbles. What in the whole of Equestria do these even mean?” Twilight asked waving the stack she still had on her from talking about it in Storm's face.

“Ideas mostly, and random thoughts.” He said flatly. “A better question was why did you keep them? You told me you were going to throw them out after you asked me about it last time.”

“But nobody writes like this without reason!” She shouted.

“Okay, did you forget that I'm not from Equestria Twilight?” He pointed out a little more on the angry side.

“I know! That doesn't change why you wrote all these chemicals down.” Twilight as really into his face. The long on his face went from confusion to understanding for a moment.

“You tried to decipher my notes didn't you.” There was a hard tone to his voice that stopped Twilight. The once angry unicorn was not a little scared.

“Well... yes, but-” She tried to defend her reason.

“But nothing, Twilight.” He said a little coldly. “Twilight, I just...” He was having a hard time finding the words. “If you must know, these notes where idea's I was fighting with myself about. Thoughts that I don't want to be out in the air. So I coded them, both for my own safety as well as those around me.” He said pulling one of the sheets over. He scanned over the page quietly as his mind went to work. “Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be the royal that Equestria needs. Would it even be worth it in the end? Looking at Celestia and Luna I see two ponies who spent most of there lives stuck up on a pedestal that they can't come down from. Will I be in that position and do I really deserve to be.” He read out loud and even Dash could see it.

“I... Storm...” Twilight began to say, but this didn't stop Firestorm from reading another bit.

“There is time's I've wondered what would have happened if I didn't come to Equestria or if I had stayed on earth after I found out what had really happened to me. Was there anything left of my life really there and the more that I think about it, was there anything there before I came to Equestria? Did my world come to a close thereafter Jessica's death? Part of me wants to say yes, even Shadow could see the logic behind the thought. The me here now on the other hoof says no.” He read before burning the sheet with his magic. “These are thoughts left to my own head Twilight. Sometimes I need to write them down and get them out so I can focus on other things.”

“I'm sorry,” Twilight said lowering her head a bit as she sat down.

“I know you are Twilight. I am depressive in nature Twilight and even when I don't fall in line with major depressive disorder, but-” He got out.

“How did you know about that?” She asked.

“You silently talk as you read, it's not hard to pick it up when the room is quiet outside of quill on parchment. If you had to label it Twilight than the word is melancholy. With the choices, I've had to make that I can't really share with anypony, because of their nature. I had to find another outlet to let me vent.” He sighed quietly.

“What about Spitfire showing up at city hall?” Dash asked and this got the other element bearers to look at her.

“What are you on about?” Applejack asked.

“I saw Spitfire fly in a few days back to visit city hall. Since Storm here is there, it must have been him she came to see.” Dash explained.

“Dash my reach power wise is Ponyville and Cloudsdale. So they have to come to my office here in Ponyville to talk to me about stuff. Which since your a fan their main office is in...” He said leaving it open for her to the asker.

“Couldsdale, wait doesn't that mean I can see more of Spitfire of the Wonderbolts?” The look on Dash's face would have been priceless if the others were in a better mood.

“Yes Dash, now if you all don't mind. I would like to finish testing these out.” Storm said with a slight huff pulling out another card. Just like before he flung, his horn flickered with magic, and it exploded. This last one was pretty loud that some of the earth almost collided with his hoof. “Hmm... interesting.” The rest of them left all but Nightling who was standing by her charge and Twilight who was at a little lost for words. Firestorm noticed this but didn't say anything as he repeated the progress three more times. That's when he had enough and turned to look at his marefriend. “I'm not angry at you Twilight.”

“But-”

“I'm disappointed, not angry. I get you were worried and I've shown signs of depression before, but nothing on this level. It's just I have a lot of stuff that I now have to worry about and sadly it bothers me. Regardless I am going to perform my duties as best as I can, and that is all I can ever do.” He said quietly before going over to her and placing his horn gently against hers. “I just wish you came to me directly about this more than involving the others.” He gently kissed her on the forehead as he moved his wing around to gently cover her in an embrace as best he could. There was silence between the three of them for a while.

***---***

The rest of the day was alright in the long run. Twilight and I after dismissing Nightling for the day went home to have a long talk about what happened. Which boiled down to me showing her how I encrypted my messages which were pretty simple if you wanting to break it down. It was changing each letter into a number, then taking that number and making it the element with that number. Finally, it was to take those letters and turn them into numbers. Twilight only got part way from the decryption of my notes which I took the time to burn myself. After that Twilight an I would come to each other if there was a major problem like today. I was told about the worries that the others had as much as her own.

The worst part was I felt bad as I put Pinkie in a very depressive state. Not on the levels of what the nightmares did to here, but it was enough to affect her. So I had decided that I would do something to cheer her up, I just didn't know what. From that point on I spent some time with Twilight before I began what I had started the last few nights. Twilight returned with an ointment that was supposed to be gently rubbed into the spot to help with feather growth. Twilight was kind enough to help me get the back of the wing while I got the inside part. After that, I opened up a potion that the crusaders had brought me from Zecora. It was supposed to increase the effects of the ointment by helping the spots inside my body to grow.

The downside of it was the taste of the damn thing. It was like a mixture of sand and the flavourless medicine that had to be taken at times. I say flavourless but it was just there was no flavour to hide the disgusting taste it had. With a shutter, I downed the small vial and set it aside. With that Twilight and I laid down to bed together. I have begun wearing my prosthetic to bed per Twilight's request. She wanted to get used to being touched with it as it seems to creep out most ponies when they feel it against there coats. I guess that would explain Applejack's reaction when we made that deal all that time ago. I kind of wonder what she had put that royal bit to anyway.

Anyway, that night sleep wasn't completely restful as I felt completely on fire. Like hotter than the dip in lava I had to do during the treaty. Just my body wouldn't stop feeling like I was burning. Nothing pain wise mind you just very hot that I had kicked the blankets off me, so they mostly stayed on Twilight as I even opened the window with my magic to let the cool night breeze in. It sort of worked for the most part. The following morning, however, was when things take a turn for the sideways. Like my normal routine when I sleep I got up and jumped down out of the loft. Even with my injured wing I can still glade fairly well. It's more trying to really flap with my wings is when I have issues, and that is when I'm trying to get a good take off. So I landed onto the floor with a gentle set of thumps. If I was more awake than I was I would have found it odd that I only heard two sets of them. So after that, I went into the bathroom a little slumped over and scratching the back of my neck with my right claw. With a flick of magic, I pulled out my toothbrush and match paste to get to work on brushing my teeth. It seems like I needed to use the special kind of toothbrush that Spike use as my teeth rips through the pony kind. So as I was working on the left side with the toothbrush bring magically set to work. I finally decided to open my eyes for the first time today.

Something was wrong, that's for damn sure. The sad part was that it took me a few moments to put two and two together without the outcome being fish. Staring me in the mirror wasn't a pony or even a drony for that matter. It was a god damn satyr staring straight back at me with the same semi-freaking outlook that was on my face. I lifted up my right leg and noticed that it wasn't a leg. It was a fucking dragon's claw, scales and everything. I waved it in front of my face as well as I watched the reflection do that same. That was followed by me opening my mouth and my toothbrush losing it's magical hold as it dropped from my mouth, bounced off the sink, and dropped right onto the floor. All ending with me yelling in a panic three little words as I had fell back and scooted away from the mirror. “What the fuck!?”

“Storm what's wrong?” Twilight said before popping into the doorway looking at me. She finally set eyes on me as my head jerked over to her from my spot on the floor. This was followed by a scream and my... hands over my still pony ears. As soon as she stopped screaming I saw her horn began to glow brightly.

“Hold on a-” was all I got out before I had to roll to the left to avoid Twilight's bolt of magic.

“Who are you and where is Firestorm?” Twilight growled.

“Twilight, calm down,” I said and in hindsight, I probably shouldn't have told my marefriend who was on edge already to calm down. It's like telling an angry bull to calm down. There are some things that just shouldn't be done, that being one of them. Before I had time to react Twilight fired a few more shots. Luck for me I knew the shield spell off the top of my head and had it up in a flash. Twilight whoever was just as quick on the draw and blinked into the space between my shield and me. Without a missed beat she had her forelegs around me and the two of us teleported right into another bedroom. This one was fairly large from a lot of those I have seen. Still didn't beat the Canterlot castle one's but this was Ponyville... I think. I was face first on the floor with the only thing preventing me from having my face against the floor was my horn holding my head up.

“What the hey is going on?” The familiar sounds of Nightling said. I turned my head a little to get a better look of the room as I saw. Well, the most I could see anyway, Twilight had me pinned magically to the floor with a large almost solid block of magic. Above me was the footboard of a bed with the part of a ponies head sticking past it looking at the mare standing on the block of magic.

“This one was in my bathroom and won't tell me where Storm is.” Twilight said before thumping the block of magic.

“Well, it would help if you allowed me to get two words out of my mouth before trying to bombard your coltfriend with magic. Seriously like I don't have so much on my plate trying to figure out why I am a god damn satyr all of a sudden. Only to be assaulted by the pony I love. Thank you universe, you jerk!” I ranted with it ending me yelling that last line out.

“You can't seriously think we will believe that story.” Nightling growled down at me.

“Oh coming from you, that's rich.” I said was a growl.

“Woh, everypony calm down. I mean it's not like it's every day that something happens to Storm where he becomes something different. Especially after the whole body swap incident with Max, or turning into a dragon pony, or anything like that.” Pinkie tried to deflect as I realized where the hell we were. We were in Pinkie and Nightling's bedroom.

“But Pinkie that's... oh,” Twilight said before I think she got Pinkie's point. “Heh heh, sorry Storm,” Twilight said before releasing me finally from her magic. With that, I sat up and noticed a few things. Besides the fact that Pinkie has a two-story bedroom with a walkway leading out to a deck. She has a massive bed, that is done up like every other bed I've seen.

“Okay, now that I'm not pinned to the floor like somepony about to be arrested. Can we please figure out why am I a satyr right now?” I said sitting in an odd fashion. I sat down with both of my legs in front of me, which I haven't done since... I think the return trip to earth. I could be wrong on that one. Before much else could be said, I was bombarded with that scanner light that the doctors have used on me before. “Geez Twilight warning next time.” I said as I put my right hand up. That's when I noticed that my prosthetic once again changed. Okay, can somepony please tell me how this thing knows to change to fit whatever form I'm in? I can let the time I went through the mirror pass as it was a spell, but this? I'm going to have to seriously ask the ones that make these on how does that work.

“Sorry, but this would give us the best clue right now.” She said before she finished the spell and displayed the scan on a nearby wall. One thing that even when I was human I could really stand seeing was my own skeleton structure in an x-ray. That point still stands as I have seen my newest scan. As it seems that as I expected that my three horns were part of my skull. As well as the extra joints for both of my wings, then the tail which was more dragon-like than equine. It kind of reminded me of a monkey's tail just going from larger bones to smaller ones in this case. “I don't get it if this was a spell then there should have been some kind of byproduct picked up by the scan spell.”

“But it looks like this has to be done a different way. What if it was magical of a different nature.” I asked standing up.

“What do you mean?” Nightling asked.

“Well, we are familiar that each pony had a different kind of magic. That's not even counting magical artifacts, spell script, or even potions. Which are all magical as far as I know, so would any of those show up?”

“Magic form and artifact is hard to tell as depending on the effect could lean either way. Spell script would show up as the ink would still display in the scan. Potions are the only thing I'm not a hundred percent on.” Twilight explained looking at the scan again.

“I doubt it would be a potion as the only thing I've had was the ointment that kept being placed on my wings and that tonic from Zecora.” I said.

“Tonic, what tonic?” Twilight asked looking at me.

“It was suppose to help the growing effect of the ointment, Zecora had the crusaders...” That's when it clicked. Why didn't I see this sooner? “Of course it had to be the three of them.”

“You don't think they would-” Twilight said.

“After the stories, I've heard about the trouble those three get into. Yeah, I would, especially after the whole cutie pox accident.” I explained.

“But why?”

“It could be from when Storm talked about being human.” Nightling interjected.

“What? Oh!” I said facepalming.

“When was this?” Twilight asked.

“It was during my first day doing my official duties. Nightling and I got to talking about wanting things to be a little simpler before Spike came in. He told me he just saw the crusaders running out of city hall just before coming to deliver a letter from Celestia. I can only guess they overheard us talking about it and got an idea in their heads.” I said walking back and forth as I took a pretty good wild guess on this.

“So we just have to hunt them down and find out what was that tonic. Then go to Zecora's and get it fixed.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Two problems with that Twilight.” I said as Twilight deflated a bit. “One we are supposed to have a picnic with the others, waiting for Dash to get her letter from the Wonderbolts today.”

“Fair point, but what was the other problem.” I scratched the back of my head a little without looking her straight in the face.

“I kind of want to stay like this for a little while.” I said sheepishly.

“What, why!?” She said shouting in surprise.

“Okay, bear with me on this. This is the closest thing I'm going to get to being human again. Granted it's not ideal as a lot of ponies are going to freak out seeing me. With a little announcement calling it either a potion effect or unique case of poison joke. That way we can avoid the other ponies here in Ponyville from freaking out. It's just, something I kind of want to experience again without going... back.” I said ending in a sigh as I remembered my previous trip a little too much.

“But Firestorm... I...” Twilight paused quietly biting her bottom lip. “Does them mean a lot to you?”

“A lot is a strong statement Twilight. It's more... it's hard to explain without having the right context.” I said looking at the group of them. “Let's say you are as you are now ponies in a general term than you suddenly find yourself as something else. Like I don't know, a bear, or a dragon.”

“Oh, what about a bugbear?” Pinkie said with a waving hoof in the air.

“Sure, and let's say you were stuck like that for about the same time I have as a drony. Than suddenly fate decides to smile a little at you and give you something close to a pony. Wouldn't you want to keep it for a little bit longer before turning back?” I asked as I closed my right hand a little as my gaze slowly dropped down.

“I... I suppose that... makes sense.” Twilight said coming over to me. She then sat down between my legs looking up at me. I returned her gaze as I looked down at her with a small gulp coming from me. “Can... can I ask you a question?” I could only nod slowly. “What is it like?”

“What being me or being in this form?” I asked.

“The latter.”

“It's odd, to be honest, I have most of my movement and dexterity of a human.” I said sliding back a bit before standing up. That's when I noticed how much taller I was than the rest of them. While I would say a pony would be close to four feet maybe more depending on who. I was closer to my six feet give or take a few inches. “but I have all of my abilities of a drony. Magic, flight, and so forth.”

“What else?” Twilight asked looking up at me as she stood up as well and stepped back a bit.

“I mean I feel normal I guess. I have both my normal orange fur in places while most of my body is either scales or flesh.” I said giving my wings a test flap.

“And scars,” Nightling added on, and with that, I felt across my chest. The large x shaped scare was there from when I had to my ribs fixed, as well as the large circle scar where my heart was. Even my eyes had the claw-shaped scar from when I lost the eye.

“Yeah...” I said looking down at Twilight. Before she could react, I picked her up. She gave a small surprised gasp as I held her gently in my arms. She looked a little confused and concerned by all this until she reached her hooves around my neck and gently nuzzled against my face.

“Alright, let's get going then. We have a few things to take care of.” Twilight commented.

“Yeah, but can we... um, head home first?” I asked.

“Why?” She looked at me a little curiously.

“Let's just say I would like to get a little dressed before heading out.” d She blinked for a few moments.

“Why?”

“Human thing,” I answered as I really didn't want to explain that the way I was standing, that some parts of me were on full display. Especially not with my guard and one of my best friends in the same room. There was already a way too much out in the open right now that I was comfortable with.

“A... alright.” Twilight said as her horn began to glow. I quickly turned to Nightling.

“Meet us at home.” I ordered which felt weird to do, she only nodded before we found ourselves back at the library. With that, I sat Twilight back down who blushed a little. With that, I went over to my duffle bag, which I haven't really gotten into in a while now. A few bits of searching later, I found an old pair of dark grey sweatpants that I used my claw to cut open a hole for my long draconic tail. With a bit of fighting for the legs since my hooves had claws on them. I got through most of it with little damage. At least nothing but a few minutes and a sewing kit couldn't fix. With that I thought about a shirt, but with how bit my wings were as they almost reached down past my rear end when folded. I didn't think a shirt would be wise.

While I was getting ready, Twilight had already gone down and got what she was going to bring for the picnic. Which was the basket, blanket, a few bits of food for what looked like daisy sandwiches, and two cases of Dr. Colt. She turned to see me in the doorway ready to go.

“Why are you bringing one of your swords to a picnic?” She asked giving me a confused gaze adorn with a cocked eyebrow.

“Well since we are going to Zecora's in the Everfree forest, I thought it would be safe to have something to help protect ourselves with.” I said with my arms folded.

“Storm nothing is going to attack us in there.” She tried to defend.

“Right, and if my memory serves me, we were attacked what twice by Timberwolves?” I shot back.

“That was a fluke, the odd of a third attack are-” She began to say before I cut her off.

“Three thousand six hundred forty-seven to one” I answered for her.

“How did-” She began to question.

“Curiosity one night as I was attacked three times. Two in this universe and a third in the other one during the whole body swap fiasco.” I answered.

“Still, it's not likely it will happen a fourth time for you.” She tried to counter.

“That depends if the universe really hates me today.” I said as I kept my sword tied to my pants with a makeshift belt and buckle set up.

“The universe can't conspire against anypony. The idea of that is as ridiculous as-” Once again I had to cut her off.

“With Pinkie being right one hundred percent of the time when it comes to her Pinkie Sense.”

“Okay now you're doing it on purpose.” She said giving me a slightly annoyed glare.

“Doing what?” I asked a little confused.

“you're trying to find an issue, when there isn't any. No being is that mean-spirited.”

“Discord, Chrysalis, Grimwand, Vermom, the Universe, Sombra-” I began to list of using my fingers to count it.

“Firestorm!” Twilight said, well more yelled really.

“Fine, fine. I just reserve the right to say I told you so if we get attacked.” I said throwing my hands up in defeat.

“It's not going to happen, trust me.” Twilight said as she yelled from the doorway.

“Time will tell Twilight, time will tell.” Was my only answer.

***---***

“I still can't believe you would hit him Dash.” Twilight said as I was recovering from being nailed in the head by Dash. Seriously all we did was teleport close and I simply cared Twilight the rest of the way, by her request mind you. As soon as Dash saw me, she decided to beeline it for my head.

“In my defence I didn't know that was Storm.” Dash said folding her forelegs across her chest.

“But I told you to stop.” Twilight growled back.

“I didn't hear it.”

“But-” Twilight began before I cut her off.

“Just let it drop Twilight, it's not the first time I've been nailed by a pony. Ah!” I said before a sharp pain decided to seer my head.

“Oh sorry.” Fluttershy said as she was added some kind of chemical mix to help prevent the open cut on my head from Dash nailing me.

“It's fine, just please continue.” I said waving off Fluttershy's worry.

“Fine.” Twilight said before coming over to watch Fluttershy work, a little too closely for my comfort. Seriously it was like Twilight wanted to be on top of Fluttershy as she worked. Oh god, I just had to have that thought didn't I. The heat rushing to my face was evidence of that. “Something wrong?”

“Eep, sorry, sorry.” Fluttershy apologized.

“No it's fine, just a thought crossing my mind is all,” I said waving them off as I reached over and grabbed the bandage Fluttershy pulled out for the gash on my forehead. Lucky for me she didn't decide to go straight for the horn. Which from what I have been told, hurts getting struck on.

“So... um darling, what's with the outfit?” Rarity commented seeing me in just a pair of raggedy sweatpants.

“Truth be told I wanted to wear something I use to wear on earth. Besides some of the newer tears from my claws, the only thing I had to change was a hole for my tail.” I explained.

“But really Storm, couldn't you have picked something a bit more fashionable?” She whined a little.

“Rarity I don't have that many clothes from earth. So I picked something that I could easily put on with the least amount of discomfort.”

“I still don't see why you're wearing it in the first place.” Dash commented.

“Human thing.” I answered not wanting to get into an awkward conversation.

“That's a cop-out answer.” Dash huffed.

“Be it as it may, I don't think anypony here would want to hear the explanation.” I shot back.

“I would,” Twilight said with a smile.

“Okay, anypony other than Twilight.” I corrected myself.

“Ooh, ooh, I want to know!” Pinkie said and all I could do was facepalm into that.

“Okay I wanted into that one didn't I?”

“Yeah, you kind of did sugar cube.” Applejack said smirking.

“Fine, but bare this in mind. I'm going to compare it to a pony thing as far as I know it. Human's have this taboo on nudity outside of intimate moments with there special somepony. That's also needing to wear something to help deal with the weather itself. Going without it would be like a mare walking down a street full of ponies with her tail out of the way.” I explained as bluntly as I could. That got everypony to blush. Even myself, as I was trying to hide it with my right hand.

“Ooh...” They all said as drawn out as they could without it sounding ridiculous.

“But why are you wearing something now when you've been going without anything on?” Applejack points out.

“Because I'm close to being as human as I can so the old habits kick in. That's also not counting when I wear something like my hoodie.” I answered with a shrug.

“So... how does it feel?” Dash asked.

“It feels... normal and yet abnormal at the same time. Like it's everything I've known as a human, but it is also different because I've gotten used to being a drony.” I said as I floated over a bottle of soda to me. “I mean I can fly, sort of like before.” With that, I popped the lid of the bottle with a test of my left hand.

“Magic seems to be working well for you.” Rarity commented.

“Yeah, and I'm probably as strong as before.” I tacked on thinking about it. “Kind of makes me wonder if I could just kick a tree like Applejack apple bucks on.”

“We could find out.” Applejack tacked on.

“No harm in it after we find out if Dash gets in or not.”

“I'm not worried.” Dash said with a smirk.

“Oh but I'm so- nervous.” Pinkie said hoping around.

“Pinkie relax.” I said with a smirk.

“Yeah, you're more nervous than Dash is.” Twilight commented.

“I'm not nervous at all, when I get into the Wonderbolt academy-” Dash said before appearing right into Dash's face.

“If you get in, if you get in! Don't jinx it” Pinkie said as it looked like she was about to strangle Dash.

“I'm telling you it's in the bag.” Dash said after removing Pinkie's hooves from her neck. More than you ever know Dashie, more than you ever know.

“Don't jinx it!”

“She is the best flier in Ponyville.” Applejack said before taking a bit of her apple. Only to have the other half fly off and almost her hat too when Dash zipped by.

“In Ponyville?” Dash asked giving a cocky shrug before zipping around a cloud so fast that it looked like rainbow ribbons were trying to strangle that damn thing. Until with a poof, the cloud had a slide second carved into it. “I'm probably the best flier in all of Equestria.” Okay, somepony needs to deflate miss ego a bit or there won't by any other trainees at the academy. “I wouldn't be surprised if they just went ahead and made me a Wonderbolt on the first day.” She continued to boost as she glided past us with a gentle flap of her wings right into the mixture of peach and tan coloured mail pony.

“Got a letter here for Rainbow Dash.” He said hoofing over the letter. We watched as Dash grabbed the letter and ripped the envelope off it in one motion while keeping the letter in her hoof. I just watched as this was now getting a little ridiculous when ponies do that. I can understand Twilight and Rarity being able to do that with magic. But Dash? Hell, I could excuse Pinkie doing it, because that's Pinkie for you. I watched as my left eye twitched from trying to process this as Dash read over the letter. As seconds past, I watched her smile fade little by little.

“I didn't get in.” She said with a depressed look on her face. Which I call bullshit on, I already knew she got in. I was the one that signed off it myself. I heard the rest of the ponies gasp at this, Pinkie really overreacting on this one. All before Dash whipped out a smile with “Gotcha” and a light chuckle. The rest of them smirked and only I facepalmed at this. “Man you guys are so gullible like I wasn't going to get in.” She said before she was pounced upon by a pink propelled rocket that is Pinkie so fast and hard that the letter hung in the air for a few seconds before slowly floating down.

The two mares rolled for a few feet before it ended up with Pinkie standing on her hind legs, giving Dash one of her trademark squeeze the life out of you hugs. “Oh, I am so- happy for you.”

“Uh... thanks?” Dash got out before Pinkie increased the squeeze on her. “Pinkie Pie, I kind of need to get going.” Pinkie increased the squeeze one last time before letting her go with a bouncy trot.

“Okay, I'm done,” She said smiling. I watched Dash gently rub her wing at the spot Pinkie had a death grip on.

“Sooner I get there, the sooner I get to show them my stuff.” Dash said taking off into the air with her ego going at full blast before she flew between Applejack and Rarity who was holding up Dash's saddlebags. In a second she slipped them on and flew off.

“Good luck.” Applejack said waving, like the rest of us.

“Won't need it.” Dash could barely be heard as she poured on the speed. It wasn't but a second before Pinkie ran past us and pulled out a large megaphone.

“Don't forget to write!” She yelled in that damn thing. It was so loud and powerful that I think I saw the mountains lead to get away from the sound. Speaking of said noise, it got to the point that I had to cover my ears to keep from hearing her voice echo. It was short lived as my ears had began to ring with a solid tone. She turned to say something towards us, but I couldn't make it out as all I saw was her mouth move. So I said the only thing that could have been said at the time.

“What?!”

-End of Chapter-