I awoke to the sensation of Ribbon cuddling me, making a series of chirps in an attempt to wake me.

"I'm up, I'm up." I rolled out of her grip, and onto my stomach... And rolled off the bed instead. Trust me, landing on one of you wings is very painfull. "SONOFABITCH!" I clutched the injured appendage in one of my hooves, as Ribbon peered over the bedside.

"Are you okay!?" I hissed in pain as I folded my wing back up, nothing felt broken, which was more than likely because of a mix of earth pony and pegasus magic, but it was still swelling and stinging like a bitch.

"Nothing broke, but it hurts to move my wing... I think I'm grounded for a while."

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, you’ve had worse.”

"Is it bad that we can talk about me getting impaled so casually?"

“Even then, you’ve had worse.”

"Oh yeah... the thorny vines... That was freaky, something was chasing me before I 'woke up.'"

“Really? What was it?”

"I... I don't remember, all I can recall was something was chasing me, and it felt like if it caught me, I was done for. Physically and spiritually."

“I wonder what it was? A hallucination from the, uh… deadness?”

"Two things: That sounds ridiculous, and it couldn't have been. Maria rescued me from it, and you've seen her too. As much as I'd rather not face that... nightmare monster again, I'll be damned if it keeps me from protecting you. I wouldn't care if that creature was her trying to reclaim her body, I'd still fight to rise again."

“I don’t want you being replaced by her, it’d be like… like… I don’t think I even can compare that to something.”

"At times, I have a feeling she isn't dead yet."

"Who Mama talk about?" I whipped my head to see that Mirage had snuck into our room by hiding under a cardboard box, and was now looking at us with curiosity. I swear, she just needs a bandana and an eyepatch and she would look like a changeling version of Solid Snake.

“How did you you get in here? You better not turn into a sneak thief when you’re 2."

"Hide in box, throw rock, guard go look for noise." So she did pull a Metal Gear.

"Thats my girl." She hasn't even learned to fly yet, and she's already sneaking about like a boss, and playing me like a fiddle.

“You know she’s going to be a real trouble maker for the both of us, and when the Princess comes to me, looking for her crown, I’m gonna point at you.”

"Be thankful I don't let Pinkie and Wendy teach her the art of pranking... Even though that would be fun."

“Not fun! I was already the victim of Pinkie and Dash’s little spree.”

"Oh, what happened? Did they send the CMC after you to give you a makeover?"

“No, but it did involve them painting me black and my mane and tail green. Sometimes, I swear Pinkie was testing my patience.”

"Mommy got makeover?" Oh goodie! I know that look! Mirage is cooking up a scheme already!

-Mirage? What do you have planned?- This was only the second time I had used our link with Mirage, so I wasn't surprised when she jumped a little.

What I got was an image of Rainbow with a flamboyant pink mane and tail, in a dress, and Pinkie babysitting the CMC and herself. Somewhere, I swear I could hear Discord laughing.

"Mama still need to be sorry for scaring Wendy."

“She’ll be fine, she’ll realize that I won’t do anything before too long.” I gave Ribbon a knowing look. -Hey Ribbon? Mirage has a revenge prank planned for Dash and Pinkie.-

’She can have at it, as long as I get to see the end result.’

I sent the same mental image I had gotten from Mirage to Ribbon, and waited for her to react.

“Phhff Hahahaha! You might as well give her mane extensions too!” Mirage gigg- no, cackled, at Ribbon suggestion, rubbing her forehooves together like some Bond villain. It was adorable with her high pitched filly voice.

"Soon..." I couldn't take it anymore, and scooped her up into hug, trying to ignore the pain from my wing. "Mama! Not now!"

"But you make such an adorable herald of mayhem!" I nuzzled her stomach, causing her to giggle uncontrollably.

"Mommy!" She held her hooves in Ribbons direction, as she giggled relentlessly. "Make... Mama... Stop!" She gave Ribbon a pleading look, begging to be saved from my show of affection.

“Hmmm… No.” I giggled as I continued to nuzzle Mirage, until I had decided enough was enough, and just held her against my chest.

"Next time we head to Ponyville, I'll bring you along Mirage, and then you can show Pinkie and Rainbow that pranking is serious business."

“And to pick your targets better.”

"Yeah, that too." Mirage giggled happily, and burrowed herself deeper into my chest, before making a cute little burp, and falling asleep.

“Well, she’s fed for the next week.” Ribbon giggled softly, until what she said registered to me.

"Oh, she's good..." I got played by her again!

“... Hey Chi?”

"Yeah?" I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Seems I’m not done meeting with royalty. The native buffalo want to meet with me too, near Appleloosa.”

"Isn't that where one of Applejacks cousins live?"

“I think. I didn’t go with them last time they went down there.”

"...Are Twilight and her friends coming this time as well?"

“We have to pass by Ponyville, so we might as well see if Applejack wants to come.”

"Hopefully she at least brings Rarity along, we still need to clear things up with her."

“Yeah… I used to be good friends with her.”

"Should we bring Mirage along?"

“We could, but she’d be safer here.”

"You're right. But I don't think we should let Wendy look after her either, considering the prank she pulled."

“We could ask Princess Luna. Not many ponies visit night court.”

"She'd probably appreciate the break from the lack of anything happening in the night court."

Applejack looked quite surprised to see us on the train. That left just Rarity. "Chi? Ribbon? Fancy meeting ya'll again, I thought you were stayin in Canterlot?"

Ribbon sighed. “We’re going to go meet with the buffalo tribe, some unrest about changelings showing up, or just, revealing themselves.”

"What Ribbon said, not to mention It would be nice to see the Equestrian Wild West."

“Well shoot, I know the perfect guide for ya. My cousin would love to show ya around, I’m sure!”

"Will any of your friends be joining you?"

“I think Pinkie’s comin, everypony else seems too busy to come along. Though, if you ask me? Angel needs to learn not to throw a fit every time Shy leaves, the little varmint.”

"At least he's not like Tora. That cat made everyones life miserable." Naruto always had its moments of comedic gold.

“I’m here! and I brought Rarity!” If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Pinkie just dragged Rarity from behind a random pony. But it's Pinkie, so I don't question it. Thats like trying to apply logic to Deadpool. it will end in your head exploding, thrice.

"Hi Pinkie!" I waved, before I noticed the fear emanating from Rarity. "Is something wrong with you, Rarity? You seem rather frightened of something... Oh."

-Now's as good a time as any to talk to her about it.-

“Rarity? I think you and me need to talk…” Ribbon all but forced Rarity into the other car, Rarity taking one last fearful glance at Pinkie and AJ.

"So, anything interesting happen in Ponyville while I was gone?"

"Well, Twilight nearly caused a, uh... resonance casket? Trying to determine exactly what those crystal thingies were made of."