"WHAT!!!!!" Celestia was stunned beyond belief. Her anger only moments ago vanished in an instant. "What do you mean that he saved Nyx's life?"

"It was a couple of weeks later when it happened," said Twilight who decided to allow the memory to flow into the Astral Plane.

***Five Weeks After Arrival***

Today was just like any other in Ponyville for DJ. He woke up and had breakfast with Twi, Nyx, and Spike. Usually, they would be fixing up the library, as Twilight was never satisfied with how it was organized. This day was different, as Applejack had invited the human to work on the farm for a few hours and DJ was really looking forward to it. Even though back on Earth he had hated all kinds of physical labor, but he just couldn't pass up this opportunity. It just seemed like too good a chance to get to know the Apples better, maybe finally get Big Mac to open up a little.

After he was gone Twilight and Nyx decided to go into town for a little bit. They spent several hours at the market. Having a human for a roommate had really drained them on food supplies. DJ had told them he felt really bad about using up so much of their food. Another reason he wanted to work on the farm, to pay Twilight back for all her hospitality. Back at Sweet Apple Acres, DJ and Big Mac were out in the East Orchard. It was hard at first, but DJ finally started to succeed on two fronts: apple picking and making a new friend. Though they didn't have much in common, Big Macintosh was really glad to have another guy around on the farm and to began a new friendship almost too easily. Dude's been around girls for far too long. We need to fix that.

"Hey, Big Mac? You think you're free this weekend?," asked the human.

"Why? You askin' me out?," the red stallion said in return with a sly grin.

"You wish," DJ quipped. "No, I figure we could hit up the bar, guys night man!" Good thing the drinking age is 16, otherwise I would have gotten in trouble a long time ago. I can't get drunk off this stuff anyway.

Big Mac thought about it for a sec. "Eeyup. Sounds like fun. We need to find somethin' that'll get you drunk, though. Still a little peeved that our family cider is consider weak."

"Heh, that we must, I suppose. I don't think it will be possible, though. The stuff needed to get a human drunk would give a pony alcohol poison on contact. That's what Twilight, said anyway."

"Welp, looks like it's just this last tree an' we can call it a day. Wanta give it a buck?"

"Aw, yeah. Let's try this." DJ reared up and gave the tree and nice good kick. That did not turn out good. A few apples were knocked down, but so was the human. "GAH! Sweet, mother of Celestia, that hurt!," he yelled, gripping his leg.

"Are ya alright? That didn't sound too good," the stallion asked, his voice full of concern for his new friend.

"Yeah, just stings. I think I might be limping for a little bit, though. Man, Twi's gonna have a fit if she think I got hurt. Aw, well. Nothin' ventured nothin' gained. Am I right?" He once again had that goofy smile on his face.

"Heh, heh. Nothin' ever fazes ya, does it?"

"Nnnope." His impersonation nearly spot on.

Big Mac and DJ began to have a nice laugh together. DJ helped him get as much the apples back to the barn as he could with his sore leg. They bid farewell, promising to meet up Saturday night. As he limped back to "Treebrary," he happened to look towards a back alley and his good mood died. On the other side of the alley, Twilight and Nyx were surrounded by four earth ponies. He strained to hear, but he caught the gist of it.

Twilight couldn't understand how this happened. She and Nyx were having such a good time, they had gone to Sugar Cube Corner for lunch once they were done shopping and chatted with Pinkie Pie for a while. They were on their way home when these four ponies jumped them. Everything went south from there.

"Alright Princess, just hand over the filly and we'll leave ya alone. Ain't gots no problem with ya, but Nightmare Moon has to pay for what she has done." That one must be the leader. The others surrounded her and her child from behind. Nyx was getting scared, tears were forming in her eyes.

"Nyx had done nothing wrong! That was years ago and she can never do it again. Just leave her alone!"

"I said get out of the way!" The pony drew out a knife. "The nightmare ends, now!" He lifted his hoof to strike. Twilight got between the deranged pony and her daughter. She braced for the pain of the knife carving into her skin. It never came. "HEY! Whacha think ya doin'?" Twilight opened her eyes to see her savior. She gasped when it was none other than her human roommate DJ. He had grabbed the pony's hoof with his left hand. He spoke, but it sounded nothing like the friend she come to know over the past month.

"What do you think you are doing to my friends?" His tone was hard, but came out in a whisper. She couldn't see his face as he was focusing right onto her attackers.

"I am doin' this world a favor and taking out Nightmare Moon before she regain her full power. I'll be a hero," he spat back. With a great shove, he threw the pony away from Twilight and Nyx. The pony was stunned with how easy he was tossed, he looked back to his attacker. He wished he hadn't. With a great roar, DJ threw a massive ninety-degree punch down on the pony's head, sending it right into the ground. DJ stood right, and kicked the murderous pony away. He turned away as the pony slammed into a nearby wall to face the pony's gang. This allowed Twilight to see his face and she was horrified by what she saw.

***Present Day - Astral Plane***

*GASP*. Celestia drew in a sharp breath. She now understood why Twilight feared the human's anger. It was those eyes of his. The normally hazel-green eyes that showed love and understanding, looked nearly black. His eyes were completely devoid of all emotion. These were worse than any hate-filled eyes Celestia had seen over her many years. They showed nothing. No love, no hate, just an empty void. It horrified her.

**********

DJ spoke to the gang of ponies. "If any of you ever come near Twilight or Nyx or again, I will POUND YOU FLANKS INTO THE GROUND!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!!!" The three ponies nodded their heads as fast as they could. Their boss was taken out in only two strikes and this monster looked like he could still do more. "GOOD! NOW TAKE YOUR WORTHLESS LEADER AND GET OUT OF PONYVILLE! OR SO HELP ME..." He didn't even need to finish that sentence. They ran to their leader, picked him up, and took off in a cloud of dust. Everything was silent as DJ, Twilight, and a cowering Nyx watched until they were out of sight.

Twilight looked to DJ, still fearing his anger. When she looked at him, he looked at her. When he looked at her, though, his eyes had returned to their original shine. How is that possible? D-Did he Rage Shift? Was that a human Rage Shift? Then he started laughing, lightly at first, but it soon grow into a full blown laughing fit. He spoke: "H-Holy crap! I can't believe that worked. Wow, that was awesome. HA HA!"

Twilight was at a loss for words. "W-What?" It was all she could say.

"I can't believe they fell for that! Aw, man what light weights. That never would have worked back home. Ha! That was too good."

"W-what?"

"I was kidding!" He smiled warmly at her and all her fears suddenly washed away. "I wouldn't really hurt anypony! I hated that I had to rough that guy up, but I doubt I did anything permanent. As if I could take on four fully grown earth ponies! They'd flatten me in seconds. Heh. It was fun though. Thank you humanity for the art of intimidation!"

"Y-you were just trying to scare them off?" She was in complete shock. When he hit that pony hard enough to create a small crater in the ground, she thought that he was one of the strongest creatures in she had seen, but he says he would have lost!

"Of course! Ah, welp, let's go home! I really shouldn't have kicked that guy." Twilight just noticed that the human had sat down and was holding his leg, a pained expression on his face.

"Eep! You're hurt! What happened?"

"Oh, just hurt my leg when I tried to buck a tree. Didn't go to well, and this is also the leg I used to kick a full grown earth pony. Not my best idea," he said with a pained smirk.

"You are just reckless sometimes! You could have really hurt yourself! Come on, let's get you back to the house." Even though Nyx was still scared, Twilight was able to coax her onto her back. They went back to the house and sat down to dinner, Spike was ever curious, but was immediately furious at what had happened.

"Won't they ever leave us alone! It's been nearly two years since then! You would think they would get over it and move on." Spike was clearly very caring towards Nyx.

"Someponies are just jerks. I kind of wish you were there, Spike. A human and dragon! Ha! They would have been runnin' for the hills even faster. Nyx's uncle and human friend! Kickin' flank and taking names."

"Twilight says that I am her older brother, not her uncle." He looked a little dejected. Time to fix that!

"Bah! You are too old to be her older brother, plus uncles are cooler. You fit both bills, my reptilian friend. Uncles are always the fun ones anyway."

"Thanks, DJ. By the way, where is Nyx?"

"She went upstairs to her room as soon as we came home. She hasn't made a sound all night and I am getting worried," replied Twilight.

"I think I had better go up and check on her," said DJ. "Maybe I can get her to calm down. This stuff probably still gets to her." He went upstairs to Nyx's room, opened the door, and closed it as he entered. Their were a few minutes of silence, until a strange sound started to come from the room. Twilight went up to her daughter's room and got a tear in her eye at what she saw. DJ was on her bed, with Nyx curled up his lap. He was stroking her mane and singing her a nice song (with a little help coming from his back pocket).

You dont run with the crowd

You go your own way

You dont play after dark

You light up my day

Got your own kind of style

That sets you apart

Baby, thats why you capture my heart

I know sometimes you feel

Like you dont fit in

And this world doesnt know

What you have within

When I look at you

I see something rare

A rose that can grow anywhere

(Grow anywhere)

And theres no one I know that can compare

What makes you different

(Oh, uh)

Makes you beautiful

What's there inside you

Shines through to me

In your eyes I see

All the love I'll ever need

(Youre all I need, oh girl, girl)

What makes you different

Makes you beautiful to me

(Yeah)

You've got something so real

You touched me so deep

(Touched me so deep)

See material things

Don't matter to me

So come as you are

You've got nothing to prove

You won me with all that you do

And I wanna take this chance to say to you

What makes you different

(Oh, uh)

Makes you beautiful

What's there inside you

Shines through to me

In your eyes I see

All the love I'll ever need

(Youre all I need, oh girl, girl)

What makes you different

Makes you beautiful to me

(Yeah)

You don't know

(You dont know)

How you've touched my life

(My life)

Oh there's so many ways I just can't describe

(So many)

You taught me what love is supposed to be

It's all the little things that made you beautiful to me

(So beautiful, oh)

What makes you different

(Oh, uh)

Makes you beautiful

What's there inside you

(Shines)

Shines through to me

In your eyes I see

All the love I'll ever need

(Youre all I need, oh girl)

What makes you different

Makes you beautiful to me

Everything in you is beautiful

(So beautiful)

Love, you give shines right through me

(Shines to me)

Everything in you is beautiful

(Ohh)

Beautiful to me

(To me)

She went back downstairs and waited until DJ came down himself. He sat down on the couch with a happy sigh. "That was a beautiful song DJ," said the mare who sat down next to him. "What were you two talking about?"

"Thanks. I usually don't sing pop, just for special circumstances and this was definitely one of them. She was a little shook up about the whole thing. Not just the bullies either. She told me, and I know you feel the same, that she was scared of me."

Twilight looked away, a little hurt in her voice. "You were very scary out there DJ. I don't think any of us have ever seen you like that."

"Remember my promise to Celestia and to you?" Twilight nodded. "That's why I got angry. Back home, terrible things happened all the time and I couldn't do anything about it. People died all the time and no one could stop it. I promised my self as well that now that I am here, none of that is gonna happen. I don't want you guys to fear me, but I will always get angry at anypony who dares to hurt my friends. Nopony will hurt you or Nyx or Spike. NEVER AGAIN!"

Twilight looked at her friend in awe, this man was willing to put himself in danger just to protect her family. Why would he do this? What is his motivation? "But why does it make you so angry DJ? You barely know us?"

"*Sigh* It's because I care about you...all of you," he added quickly. "You are the first real friends that who genuinely cared about me in a very long time, and I don't want to lose you. So I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I promised Nyx that I will only use my anger on those who deserve it and that I would never show that anger on her or you or our friends. I am a man of my word and I will never EVER break my promises. I will always be there you." He smiled at her. A smile full of compassion.

**********

Celestia and Twilight were in tears from that memory. DJ's commitment to his friends was to be greatly admired and she regretted ever doubting him. He is a true friend. It's almost as if he is Elements of Harmony personified. DJ, I promise to never doubt your character again. You don't deserve anything less. "I now see why you were so frightened of him Twilight. But I still don't understand why you are so worried about him."

"That came only last week. One night, DJ just came home and he had this look of fear on his face. Like he had seen a demon! I tried to get him to talk about, but all I could get out of him was that he was just hanging out with Discord, some things happened and to just drop it. But his look just made me worry. What in Equestria could scare DJ like that? I tried to talk to Discord, but he said it wasn't his place to say."

"That does explain why Discord look distressed as of late. I wonder what happened out there?"

"I just worry for him Princess. I don't want him to get hurt or worse." This was Celestia's chance.

"And why is that, Twilight? You really seem to care about him."

"Of course I do! He is one of my friends!" Twilight was a little angry at what Celestia said. Why would she doubt that I cared about my friends?

"That is not what I meant, my faithful, former student. It seems to me that you care about him as more than a friend," she said with a sly smile. Twilight could only stammer in response. She didn't know what to say. "You can't hide it from me, Twilight."

"OH! Alright. I like him, okay? He is sweet, caring, he and Nyx get along so well! Even Spike likes him! They are becoming great friends. He just doesn't seem to want that kind of relationship, though. We are together a lot, but he never tries anything. I think this a just a one-sided thing," she said with large frown, tears growing in her eyes.

"I doubt that highly, Twilight. It appears to me that he cares deeply about you, but I don't think he will ever do anything about it."

"W-what? B-but why?"

"Because he is afraid to. I believe that he doubts that you like him like that at all. Plus, based on our encounter an your memories, it is clear that he has an emotional heart. Which means that he always fears losing those close to him and getting extremely angry at anypony who tries to take them away from him. So, he doesn't even try because he is afraid."

"Then how could we ever work?" Twilight's heart was continuing to break as Celestia listed off the things that would prevent them from ever being together. I want us to at least try!

"That is simple, Twilight! You have to ask him out." Celestia had that sly smile of hers on. She did want her student to be happy, but that doesn't mean she can't have some fun with it.

"W-WHAT! Can I even do that? Isn't the stallion supposed to ask the mare out?"

"Normally yes, but I don't know if DJ will ever have the courage to ask. So, if you want this to even begin, Twilight, then you have to be the one to start it."

"Well, if you think it's the only way, Celestia, than I should at least try. The worst he can say is no, right?" She was trying to be calm, but inside, Twilight was a nervous wreck.

"Right! I wish you luck, Twilight! Say hi to DJ for me!" With that Twilight was suddenly outside her home, alone. She drew in a big breath and let it out. I guess Celestia thinks it's a now or never situation. I can do this. I can do this! I hope. She walked into her house to see DJ and Nyx wrestling on the couch, DJ losing very badly.

"Alright! Alright! I give! Jeeze, girl! You are way too strong." Obviously let her win.

"And don't you forget it! Oh, hi mom!" DJ looked up to see Twilight staring at him.

"Hey, Twi! Didn't think that you'd be back till tomorrow. Nyx was just going to bed-"

"Aww!"

"And Spike is staying the night at Rarity's. She had some special project she needed him for and that it would be an all-nighter."

"That's okay. Nyx go brush your teeth and I will be up to tuck you in a few minutes. DJ and I need to talk."

"Okay, mom. Good luck DJ." Dang it kid! Why'd you have to say that?

"Now that we are alone--"

"Whatever the Princess said I did, I didn't do it!"

"It's not like that DJ. I just wanted to ask you something."

"Oh! Haha. Whew. Had me worried there for a second. Ask away Twilight. Anything at all."

"Well, DJ," she said rubbing her hoof on her leg. "I was wondering if you had any plans for this weekend, Friday night to be exact?"

"Um, don't think so. Why?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would...um...go out with me?" DJ's eyes grew wide, his pupils going to pinpricks.

"I-i'm sorry, WHAT!? YOU are asking ME out?," he yelled in disbelief.

"Um, yes is that a problem?"

"Why me?," he asked. "I'm just a human from another world. Why in Celestia's green Equis would you want to date me?"

"Because, you are kind and caring. You always know what just to say to make me feel better. You also get along so well with Nyx and Spike. Plus, I care about you DJ and I want to be there for you just like you are there for us. So, please?"

DJ was dumbstruck. "Okay, sure no p-problem. Friday at eight?"

Twilight squealed with glee. "Oh, sorry. That would be acceptable. Now you should head on down to bed too. Good night DJ!"

"N-night Twi." Once he was downstairs, Twilight immediately began jumping around the living room with happiness.

"He said 'yes'! He said 'yes'! Oh it's gonna be great!"

"MOM! Are you coming to bed or not?"

"Oops. I'm coming Nyx!" Friday couldn't come soon enough.