Author's Notes:

Well that took entirely too long.

This is a small chapter broken out of the upcoming one to get something up after such a long delay. A bit of a review of the plot and character development, with some humor and squishy feels. And a couple terrible jokes.

Next chapter is already well underway. Now that I've got some momentum going again, I intend to get that done before the end of this month, barring the unexpected.

The chill of late fall was making itself known, further announcing the inexorable approach of winter.

Having learned more about how the Equestrian Weather Service operated, I knew they moderated, rather than fully controlled, the passing of the seasons. For all that they could do, nature could still take over if they didn’t respect its balances.

On that chilly morning, the distant sounds of activity heralded early starts to decorations that would continue for most of the day. The Nightmare Night festivities in town were planned to start later in the afternoon.

Lost in thought after breakfast, the much closer sounds of the next room were largely tuned out as Spike did morning chores, and Twilight hummed quietly to herself as she worked on something.

Sitting at the small kitchen table of the library, a place I had slowly begun to think of as home more each day, the comforting heat of the coffee mug held in my fair-skinned hands was just hot enough to give a sting to the skin. The heat seeping into my fingers was a silent reminder to sip carefully and take my time, rather than rush and regret.

The swirls of coffee bean oils that came out during brewing were visible with the right angle. Things so delicate that the slightest exhale across the top of my morning brew made the flowing patterns shift wildly. The patterns of reflected light were easy to direct, yet still utterly unpredictable in the motions of their tiny details.

My life since arriving in Equestria, far more often than was palatable, seemed to be resisting my attempts to take control over its overarching course. I felt more like one of the little details, rather than the guiding wind in my own life.

Was I forced to move to someone else’s whims? Or just experiencing the most unpredictable run of luck I’d ever had?

At the same time, I was also troubled, wondering what else might suddenly go wrong. If I had even more hidden bullshit issues tucked away, just waiting to jump out and potentially take me down.

As a result of my being able to empower Twilight by temporarily giving her my magic, she was able to heal the bulk of my injuries from the test with Bright Spark, rather than my getting stuck in the hospital for a day or more.

Again.

It was something I had been on track to manage nearly twice a month, with how things had been going.

Although I still ached a lot, Twilight’s efforts had reduced it to just moderate bruising.

Twilight had wanted to finish the healing, but I made her stop when I saw her exhausting her strength. She hadn’t let herself rest after working with Bright Spark to fix whatever had gone wrong in my head. She still needed another full night’s rest to say her magic was fully recharged.

My own would also be weaker for a couple days.The simple aches and soreness that remained in my everything were, at least, tolerable things. Not unlike losing a street fight, I supposed.

The Disciple herself had finished the mental healing, told me she’d give me time to think until sundown on Nightmare Night, and hadn’t appeared since.

My thoughts were mixed about her, and what she did.

Even after two days, it was still a struggle to get my head around the test that Bright Spark had given me.

Part of me wanted to be pissed off. The test was extreme, even excessive. I’d been convinced she was going to murder Twilight right in front of me before finishing me off. It was a hanging question over how traumatizing it had been for me, and only time would let me figure that out. Surely nothing the Disciples got into needed that kind of awful test.

Another part of me was more deeply troubled about things the test had highlighted for me.

Foremost of which, was how far out my league I was in a magic-heavy fight.

Shining Armor and Bright Spark both hit harder than a loaded freight train, but they were ultimately just testing me in their way, as opposed to what Bright Spark made me think about her intentions during her bloody test.

Whatever the future held for me, I needed to get markedly stronger with magic than I was. The whole notion was both harrowing and infuriating.

A physical melee was almost second nature in a way. There was training and street experience for me to work from. I’d learned to be a brawler, capable of holding my own against multiple opponents, if I had to.

Yet, the moment I faced a real enemy that could wield magic, there was the fear that things would go really bad, really fast.

That I wouldn’t be able to protect Twilight against a wizard at all.

My mind turned back to the vision of the Tree of Harmony, and the glimpses of the future shown to me by Celestia and Luna. That there were five other Guardians coming to help me keep the girls safe was both relieving, and somehow even more nerve wracking.

I needed to find them soon, but had little idea how beyond letting the visions come to pass.

It was with great frustration that I had to avoid talking to Twilight about much of it. She knew some, but on the parts that weren’t from Celestia or Luna, I’d been all but ordered to remain silent.

The idea of disobeying whatever gave me the vision of the Tree of Harmony, and what it showed me, of sharing the words of each Guardian’s confirmation event, was one act of defiance I wouldn’t even dare to entertain.

Whatever that voice was, it was something far beyond anything mortal life contained. Whatever force it was that gave me a window into the future had snatched me away from Celestia and Luna, on their own alternate plane, and not even they had any idea where I had disappeared to.

Five Guardians. Five hazy future events where they protect the girls when I somehow could not. Most gave little clue to when they were coming.

The words I heard still stuck firm in my mind.

When you are not aware of the threat, they will give you time.

A back alley in a city somewhere as snow fell. The Guardian took a knife for the Bearer right as I joined the fight after racing to locate a Bearer that went missing. A tracking spell, used out of an abundance of caution, was the only reason we found them fast enough. Something I was already making sure I could cast.

When you must hold back the mountain, they will rise to tear down the danger pursued.

The area had been a cave, so I had no idea when it would be. The Bearer had been cut off by a cave-in after some sort of stunning trap went off, myself somehow staying awake but stuck shielding our group from a cave-in as I slowly fused the stone above. The Guardian rose first, and rushed to their Bearer’s aid by tearing through a large boulder that blocked our path. It was why I was making very sure I knew my earth manipulation spells.

When you cannot arrive in time, they will fight off the many.

What little I’d seen had suggested a street lined by smaller buildings, likely a neighborhood. The Bearer had stopped for some reason as multiple unknown enemies rushed in while I was too far away. Their Guardian came around a corner like a freight train.

When you turn wild and ignore the true threat, they will stand against the storm.

A sandstorm and heat, but little to see in the area, beyond what was likely a desert. I had somehow gone violently feral and ignored the wounded Bearer, their Guardian dropping out of the storm to save them from an unknown enemy.

That vision had shaken me the deepest, as each was a glimpse through my own eyes and thoughts.

It was the moment I knew I was going to lose my sanity before my journey was over. A faint shudder ran down my spine again at the mere thought.

I had no idea what was coming to cause me to sink into madness. No way to prepare. It was one of my deepest fears that was shown as not only possible, but essentially prophesied for my future.

It was also the one thing above all that I wished I could tell her. Twilight and the girls only knew I’d asked them to make sure I never forgot who I was. They didn't know the full weight behind it. Luna and Celestia knew, having seen the visual portion of the event, but would remain silent about it at my request so I couldn’t dwell too much.

All I really knew was that I had to face it. If I didn’t, Twilight would experience something that could break a mind instead.

Swallowing a sudden lump in my throat, I accepted it as much as I could in the moment.

No matter the cost to me, I would be Twilight’s shield against all things.

The last vision came to mind as I put my fears aside.

When you cannot truly understand, they will know the depth of pain in the mirror.

It had been a snow-covered field as Bearer and Guardian had an outright brawl with each other, each breaking a bone of their opponent. For unknown reasons, the two seemed on the edge of killing each other, only to end up crying in each other’s embrace as they lay in bloodied snow when the vision ended.

Without any knowledge of the preceding events, there was no way to know why. The only possible clue was a sense of recent loss in some way, but I did not know what that meant.

The only other clue I had for any of them was the sense that each would have a possible romantic connection with their Bearer. The only ones so far that fit that criteria were Big Mac dating Fluttershy, and Fancy Pants was looking to start seeing Rarity somewhat soon.

There were the funny looks Pinkie kept giving Sergeant Steel, but random as she was, it didn't really say that much when I thought about it. It could just be a result of him not smiling or laughing at anything.

The vision of the Tree of Harmony had granted no further clarity to who or when. Each was an embodiment of some kind of supporting aspect to their Bearer.

Devotion, Endurance, Absurdity, Abundance, and Faith.

The Tree had called me the embodiment of Potential, making the set of six.

It was frustrating to know I wasn’t allowed to tell even Twilight about anything the voice of the Tree had shown me.

My troubled, wandering mind then turned towards the strange orbs of what seemed to be the fundamental forces of reality itself. Of the staggering, incomprehensibly vast power I’d felt in them, and was nearly subsumed into the last of them. The voice of the Tree claimed I was supposed to create them, when I was ready on some ambiguous final day.

A tighter grip on my mug gave slight evidence to how overwhelming that part felt, staring into the dark liquid in a vain hope of fathoming everything that weighed on me in the patterns.

My thoughts stopped drifting as a most welcome interruption drew near.

Knowing she was there before I’d even registered the sound of her approaching steps, Twilight soon slid up beside me to wrap her forelegs around my middle with a soft nuzzle against my cheek.

“Still nervous about meeting Sparky this evening?” Twilight asked quietly.

Taking a slow breath and exhaling, I leaned my head into her touch. “Not even entirely sure, Purple Angel. At the moment, I’m just trying to sort through everything. We’ve hardly started and I’m still struggling just to fathom being in another world, then suddenly learn I’m responsible for the safety of several individuals, including you. And that’s before even getting to all the other stuff with magic and some serious questions about my entire life. I’m not sure where to even begin.”

All told, in addition to all the unanswered questions, I found myself wondering where Fate was going to take me in the two years I had left for my life.

And what I would become by the end of it.

Straightening myself, I set my jaw and made myself shoot down a large gulp of coffee.

Holding back a wince as the heat made itself known, I knew I burned my stupid self as the liquid settled in my stomach with the expected sharp sensation of heat.

Maybe I was more unsettled than I thought. Stress would sometimes revive some self-destructive habits I had struggled with in the past.

Then the reminder that I wouldn’t have to face the challenges alone came a moment after my poor life choice of downing coffee that was perhaps a little hotter than desirable.

“Vojin! Are you crazy?!” Twilight exclaimed as she gripped my shoulder. “That was too hot! Are you trying to burn your esophagus? And don't try to to tell me that didn't hurt. You know we can feel it when the other experiences pain.”

That had been a surprise discovery from the day before about our link. As our bond grew deeper, we had begun picking up on new aspects. Finding we could sense each other's pain had been accidental, after I was looking over some officer training material and got a nasty paper cut while she was facing the other way. I had barely realized I was cut when she spun around to ask if I was okay.

Several minutes after, it registered that she reacted without knowing I cut myself. Questions became an experiment with a pin, and we understood.

If we had figured it out before the test with Bright Spark, I wondered if I might have reacted differently.

Letting the facade drop as I saw her worried yet exasperated expression, I grimaced as I rubbed my mildly scalded throat. “Okay. I agree that was dumb.”

Whatever was in my future, I was never going to be the same. I just hoped I'd still recognize myself in the mirror at the end.

“Well, if you're done acting like a masochist, I actually came in here to let you know I finally decided!”

Unable to do more than blink at her, I waited for her to continue. Twilight had already learned when to ignore my male shenanigans rather well.

“I've been trying to come up with one that I liked,” Twilight said in a satisfied tone as her magic waved a rolled up parchment. “After coming up with a full page of different options while figuring it out, I know what acronym I want to call you by!”

The brilliant smile she suddenly wore upon saying that made one of my own start to grow.

Twilight’s voice was light and happy. “It took me a lot of deliberation to settle on one that seemed right. From now on, I am going to call you my wonderful, surprisingly cuddly, B. I. G. A. S. S.!”

There was a moment where I took it in stride, until the aggregate statement hit.

With the eager, hopeful expression she wore, I restrained myself to a tiny snort, struggling to contain my reaction. She seemed nervous under the surface, so I could not let myself laugh right away.

“Twilight, you…,” I started, trying to find the words as my mouth twitched.

“It means Best Interdimensional Guardian, Amazing Special Somepony. Do you like it?” Twilight sensed something was off as I clamped down on my growing urge to guffaw, her face starting to falter a little.

Before she could continue, I managed to force out a strained, “That’s v-very flattering, Twilight. C-can I please see the list of the other options?”

She started to frown and passed me the rolled page she had, Twilight began to blush in embarrassment. “Oh, there’s something wrong with it, isn’t there? I… I know it could be better, but-!”

A finger touched her lips to stop her as I smiled. “Hey now, I really do appreciate the gesture, Purple Angel. I just feel extremely curious about the list. Just…give me a moment…”

Must. Not. Laugh.

Opening the rolled page, I started glancing over the other options she had, seeing her choice as number three.

Several of the other options began to make it infinitely more difficult to keep my humor contained, my eyes seeming drawn to a few more egregious ones.

Protective Extra Nice Intelligent Stallion
Romantic Undeniably Tough Mischievous Encourager
Caring Unselfish Miraculous Impish Nonchalant Sexy Indulgent--

…

Oh good gravy.

It just kept going.

How I was able to restrain myself by that point had become a mystery.

“T-Twilight, did you ch-check if the acronyms formed any w-words?” was all I could squeeze out before needing to actually bite my tongue to keep quiet, holding her list out to her.

Her nerves remained on edge as she took the list and started to review what she had written.

The slow march of distinct expressive results grew as her eyebrows went up, ears went down, and a blush grew steadily across her face until it reached all the way to her neck. Twilight worked her mouth for a long moment as she finally looked at what she had done.

Suddenly, her quiet voice reached my ears as she peeked at me from behind the page, “Oh sweet Celestia, my subconscious is a pervert…”

Nothing could stop the hearty chuckling that escaped. Though held back from turning into a howl of laughter, I didn’t dare try to form words and kept my mouth clamped shut.

Once more attempting to impersonate a tomato, Twilight just stared at me chuckling at her being silly for a long pause before she managed to get her voice back.

“Ok, so maybe I forgot to check for that,” she said at length.

Clearing my throat to keep my cool as an idea began to form, I replied with a smug smile, “Twilight, a lot of the options on your list are highly suggestive.”

“I’m starting to think maybe you really are corrupting me.” She gave a quiet grumble as she looked to one side for a moment. “I just can’t believe I didn’t notice. I came in here to give you a term of endearment and ended up calling you an ass.”

Snickering, I couldn’t help myself. “Well, thanks to you being a silly girl, you wound up accomplishing both. I wouldn’t mind you calling me your wonderful, surprisingly cuddly big ass from now on.”

“That’s… I couldn’t…,” Twilight stumbled over her words, as if my reaction was entirely different from what she expected.

“Oh, and one other thing,” I continued with a growing smile, leaning closer and booping her nose with a finger, causing her to scrunch her muzzle into one of those cute expressions she had. “What did I tell you happens if you act like a silly girl.”

Watching her eyes and our link, I saw her go from sudden confusion, to surprise, to a moment of contemplation, then finally grew into a bashful little grin as realization set in with a swish of her tail. “...They might be screwed silly soon after? But did you actually just say you want me to call you an ass? And that it would be the same as when you call me your Purple Angel?”

A lot of responses flitted across my mind before sweeping her off the floor and into my arms, uttering one word. “Yes.”

Despite a faint shiver of anticipation, Twilight seemed to gain a sly smile as something came to mind. “You do realize you’re inviting me to call you an ass, particularly when you really are acting like one, right?”

“Purple Angel, me being me, even if I never quite get some things right, I shall relish the idea of you making frequent comments about my shapely, firm posterior,” I said with a flourish as I headed for the stairs to our bed.

Blinking for a few moments as she stared at me, Twilight shook her head before nuzzling my cheek, her voice sweet. “...You are an egotistical ass sometimes. You ass. My ass…”

As we started up the stairs to take advantage of the day of rest for the holiday, tender feelings all around, an unexpected voice spoke up.

“Hey, could you two be sure to remember a sound dampener spell, or keep it down? You forgot the library was open last week and Golden Harvest got an earful that made her blush for some reason,” came the words from Spike as he carried on cleaning like it was the most ordinary comment in the world.

Twilight and I shared an embarrassed look as my steps faltered. My face felt a lot warmer after that, and matched my lover’s own.

How exactly do I get myself into these mixed moments so often?