Red sighed. He then covered his ears. Next to him, was Jack. Red nodded. Jack let out a screech that nearly busted Red's eardrums. "Good fucking god Jack! How in the hell are you so loud!?" Jack just shrugged. Soon, a chorus of groans were heard throughout the mansion.

"Hey, Jack, why the fuck did you wake us up!? It's four in the morning! Wait, Red?" Red turned to see Hoodie, and smiled.

"Good to see you man. It's been too long."

"Yeah. When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago. I kinda brought someone along with me though."

"You did what?"

"Don't worry, she's fine. I left BEN with her." Red looked past Hoodie, and sighed. "Hey, you think you can get everyone to the Grand room?"

"Sure. Why?"

"I"m making a few announcements. Don't let me down." Five minutes later, the Grand room, which was a ball room, was full of people, and others, that Red had abandoned such a long time ago. Red was on the highest balcony that was in the room, along with Masky, Jack, and Jeff. "Masky, remind me why you three are up here with me?"

"Well, all we really need is-"

Jeff cut Masky off and said, "Just make a few threats and tell 'em to listen to us. Easy."

Red nodded, then looked to the crowd. "Alright, I'm sure most of you are wonder why you're here, and why I'm back. The answers simple. Ever since I killed my brother and left, it's been nothing but a cluster-fuck of chaos, and I'm here to fix it."

Someone from the crowd shouted, "What makes you think you can fix it?"

"I don't think I can fix it. I know I can. And the answers simple. You all know what I can do." When Red said this, there were mumbles in the crowd. "From this point on, there will be no hostility toward one another, and you will listen to the three here with me, along with Hoodie, BEN, and Jane. Do all of you got that?" There were a few grumbles of annoyance, while the rest were silent. "I said; Do you all got that!?" This time everyone responded with a 'Yes, sir'. "Good, Masky, take it away."

Half an hour later, everyone had disbanded. Red was at the entrance, with Chrysalis over his shoulder. Jane and Masky were saying their goodbyes. "Red, are you sure you can't stay for a little while longer? I'm sure that Pinkamena would appreciate it."

"Sorry, my job's done. I should get going. Tell Pinkamena I said goodbye. And if anything happens, just let me know with this." Red dug into his jacket, and took out a piece of a mirror. "I have the other piece. Whenever you want to talk, just look into the mirror, and think about me. Simple enough. Not even you can mess it up, Masky. Well, I really need to go, see you in about a week."

Red snapped his fingers, and a portal opened in front of him. Red stepped through, waving goodbye. Once Red passed through, he yawned. Then, felt something on his back. Turning his head, Red saw Pinkamena, clinging to him, grinning. "Pinkamena, how did you? Actually, never mind, I'm too tired to be worried."

Red looked at the camp that he had left for an hour. It was just the way he had left it. Red walked toward the tent that he had pitched, opened it, moved the sleeping bag with his foot, and set Chrysalis down on the sleeping bag. Pinkamena climbed down Red, and lied down on the other side of the tent, leaving Red with enough space to lay in the middle. As soon as Red was on the ground, Pinkamena moved closer to him, and wrapped a foreleg around him, and began to nuzzle him. Soon, Pinkamena fell asleep, and soon after, so did Red.

When Red woke, he felt something on his body. Opening his eyes, he saw Pinkamena, sound asleep. Smiling, Red began to stroke her mane. She must have moved in her sleep, or she woke up... "You know, you two really make a cute couple. And it sickens me..." Whatever. Red gave a content sigh, and closed his eyes. It was one of those rare moments in his life, where everything was perfect. But Red knew it wouldn't last. Red just lay there, stroking Pinkamena's mane, with his eyes closed.

Then, he felt something press against his lips. Opening his eyes, Red saw Pinkamena kissing him. Red kissed back, leaning deeper into the kiss. He felt Pinkamena's lips open partly, allowing him access to her mouth. He accepted the invitation, the two tongues wrestling for dominance. Pinkamena shivered, it had been too long since she felt this sensation.

Suddenly, Red broke from the kiss, leaving a thin trail of saliva from both of their mouths. Red smirked, and said, "Now's not the time. Maybe later." Pinkamena whimpered slightly, but didn't object. She rolled off of Red, and he sat up, stretching. Red looked to the still sleeping Chrysalis, sighing. Red had two options with her: Either take her to Celestia now, or wait until he was done with exploring the Everfree.

Red stood up, and walked out of the tent. Fuck it, Celestia can wait. Red looked around the camp. Nothing out of place. Red sat down next to the dead fire. Red sighed. It was going to be an interesting journey ahead of him. The shit I get into sometimes, I swear. "Hey, I'm sure you've done worse things." Sad part is, you're right. Next Chapter: Wherever the Wind Takes Us Estimated time remaining: 41 Minutes