I still couldn't believe that I was played like that, it was a good lesson about the Apple family however.  Luna however didn't seem to mind as much as I figured she would as we walked down the well worn road away from Sweet Apple Acres.  It really was a beautiful morning with the sun peeking over the treetops and crisp temperatures.  Probably my favorite time of year to be honest.

"So Luna...um... Your Royalness, what is your plan for this morning?"

The dark Alicorn paused for a moment to consider things before a series of expressions crossed her face.  Expressions that didn't exactly set me at ease.

"Well subject, I have a great many things in store for us today.  First and foremost you are going to show me this 'cabin' you claimed familiar while escaping whatever creature was in the forest last evening.  It is doubtful that anything harmful would even approach an alicorn after all.  After that, perhaps lunch at one of the local cafes and maybe a trip to this 'spa' place Generosity speaks highly of."

Knowing there was no way to escape her machinations, I just shrugged and walked next to Luna as she headed toward the forest where everything started last night.  Either way, it could have either been the spa or that cabin that made me uneasy.

Soon enough, we were pushing our way through the brush toward the stream I had followed the night before.  Strangely enough, in the daylight it appeared to only be a stones throw away from the fields leading into Ponyville.  In the dim light it felt like miles had passed during my flight.  It was kind of funny yet endearing to see Luna cursing the occasional bramble or vowing to destroy whatever outstretched branches that smacked her on the rump with a soft yelp.  I learned the hard way not to laugh as she had officially designated my new job of blazing a trail for her to follow on.  My own grumbling only seemed to encourage the throaty chuckle that seemed to be a constant when every branch seemed to want to smack me.  What really drove it home was how she just happened to look away and find something interesting on a tree when I turned to see what was funny.  Freaking ponies.

"I think it is a bit upstream from here, Mistress.  Please...please don't hit me again Mistress."

Since she wanted to play games, I decided to let her have it.  I'd purposely started hamming up the lines and throwing random crappy accents into the mix just to mess with the princess.  Although I decided that last one was a little overdone when she magically smacked me upside the head softly.

"No...No bacon on the salad.  Mistress doesn't like bacon.  Hmmm HMMMMM Hmmmm...  OW!  What the crap Luna!"

I'm pretty sure that was just a small branch that snapped me on the ass.

"Did WE say that we did not enjoy this 'bacon' you have introduced to our people?  Are you speaking for the Lunar Princess, slave?"

That brought me pause.  All joking aside, did she just seriously say that?!  Words were already leaving my mouth as I spun on my heel to face her.

"Listen here PRINCESS!  I've been joking around but that is just..."

Whatever else I was going to say was quickly forgotten when she ran up and kissed me on the muzzle before laughing and stomping upstream in a mess of splashing water.  I...what?!

"Luna get back here!"

My splashing quickly matched hers as I raced to catch up while my mind raced through the last few minutes.  She was already well ahead and only leaving me girlish giggles to follow until they stopped suddenly.  Soft mud and slippery stone met my paws as I quickened my pace to find the cause of her silence, only to round the corner and find her staring at the same building from last night.  The building that looked so very much like my old home.

"So this is what you were speaking of.  It is definitely intriguing to say the least.  Let us attempt to see what we may of it."

Before I could protest, she burst from the water with a flap of her wings and was up the muddy edge of the creek in a heartbeat.  It took far longer for me to climb up the four foot ledge that was little more than eroded earth and roots, eventually I made it to the top in time to see Luna staring at a large blood stain across the concrete front step and white front door.  Yup, it was my old house alright.  It is definitely a surreal experience to be standing next to and looking down at the exact place where you had died.

"Luna?"

"...blood.  So much blood."

She jumped as I stepped close and placed a hand on her back.  I did my best to keep my small claws from scratching her.  She was already jumpy enough from old blood.  Something to ask about another day though.

"You should see the other guy Luna.  I'm fine, although I am wondering how the hell my house got here in the first place."

It took a moment to gather my courage before I stepped onto the threshold and gripped the doorknob.  The cool brass felt familiar yet strange in my changed hands as I twisted the knob.  It was unlocked like I left it a lifetime ago.  With little more than a push, the door slid open and let the musty air within free.  Strangely enough, as I stepped through the doorway, golden flames flared across my body.  I could feel bones shifting and moving but it didn't hurt like any of the other times.  Still, cool tile and carpet, as well as the shackles on my bare skin, was like an old friend after so long.  A sharp intake of breath and loud thump stopped my movements into the house and made me spin around to see, well I'm not entirely sure.  All of the runes I had painstakingly carved into the door frame were lit with the same golden magic that matched me so well.  More importantly was the very beautiful and...holy crap... naked raven haired woman sprawled out on my carpet.

"Luna?"