Espirit groaned as she was softly shaken awake. “We're here,” Ganry whispered.

“W-what? Cloudsdale?” the zebra asked before letting out a soft yawn. The sun was almost completely gone, making the sky a light shifting tapestry of color. Her stomach rumbled just a little, making her blush.

“No, the border,” Ganry said with a chuckle.

“Huh? Why are...” The zebra's eyes widened as she realized something was very, very different now. They weren't moving, the air had gone calm and the scales no longer bounced them around. Though she could hear a loud din that she couldn't identify coming off from the distance. Steelhorn was gone too, leaving her far colder. She stood up, only for her legs to wobble a bit and bring her crashing down. She shrieked as she rolled down the dragon's scales, slamming into the dirt below. “Ow...”

“Are you okay, child?” Onyx asked, her head coming around to look down at him.

“I-I'm fine. Just my dignity is bruised. I don't quite have my land legs back yet, ow,” Espirit mumbled. She slowly got back up, though her body kept trying to veer from side to side. “W-where are we? When did we land?”

The dragon chuckled. “Outside of our camp for the night. We've only been here a few moments. Go, child, I think you'll enjoy what you see.”

Espirit sighed and started walking around the dragon, coming around the other side. Her mouth almost hit the floor and she stopped once she came around the tail. She had expected to be setting up a tent and sleeping on the floor tonight which, while she likely would be doing the former, the latter was looking unlikely.

It looked like a festival, filled with tents, griffons, negasi and pegasi. See now realized what that strange din he'd been hearing all this time had been. Everypony was running about and poor Steelhorn was being swarmed by them as they pressed her for autographs, questions about her fight and everything in between. One even stuffed a pastry in her face.

Then one of the griffons laid eyes on her and within a few seconds she was swept up into the air and led through the festival, tossed from left to right. She couldn't help herself from giggling as she tried to right herself. It felt just like when they had first returned to Crystalopolis, with only a smaller crowd. “Put me down!” she shrieked between fits of laughter.

It took a few minutes but finally she managed to get her hooves onto the solid grass, though the attention didn't waver in the slightest. The ponies and griffons swarmed her, yelling questions at her so fast she couldn't even try to answer before the next one was asked. Foods, drinks and even toys were stuffed in her face, some asking her to sign them, others gifts. Her head spun as she tried to keep everything straight, but she soon lost track of what was going on as more food, drink and gifts weighed her down.

------

Espirit groaned when the morning sun peered into her eyes. She looked around, confusion on her face. “Where... where am I?”

“I found us somewhere nice to rest,” Ganry said from behind her. The zebra looked around in their small tent, the sun peeping in from the window across the side and going right into her face. She was laying on a small cot, with Steelhorn a few feet away, snoring on her own. “The pony practically gave it to us.”

“What happened? The entire night was... just a blur,” Espirit said before holding her head. She had this weird echo of pain through her head. Not real pain, but more the hint that pain was waiting for her to let down her guard before bam, it would hit her over the head with a bat. She didn't like it.

“You were up almost all of it,” Ganry said with a chuckle. “I'm surprised you're even up now. I figured you'd be sleeping at least until noon.”

“Oh by the stars, it's not even noon?” Espirit asked with a groan. She distinctly remembered seeing the sun rise. That or there was a thaumaturge casting some fire magic. It all blurred together now. “When did I get to bed?”

“A few hours ago. Hungry?” Ganry asked before holding out a small plate.

“Ugh, no, I--” The words caught in her throat when she saw what was on the plate. Not pastries or festival snacks. Fruit. Little sliced pieces of watermelon. She gulped and slowly reached out, taking one. “Thank you.”

The griffon nodded. “Good. Onyx will probably be sleeping until noon, too. She entered a drinking contest as far as I could tell and... well, it'll be a while before she shakes it off.”

“... I remember her rolling over somepony. Did... did that happen?”

“He's fine, really. A little shaken up, but he'll live.”

Espirit rolled back onto her back. She could still hear them yelling and partying outside. “It's going to be like this the whole way, isn't it?”

“Every step of the way,” Ganry said with a chuckle. “We're heroes. Don't you like it?”

The zebra gave a swift nod. “I-I do! I love it a lot! But I don't think my body likes it very much. In fact, I'd say my body hates it, and me, quite a bit right now.” She slowly slid out of the bed and fell over with an eek. “Ow.”

“Don't worry, it should be safe to go out now,” the griffon said with a chuckle. “The introductions are done.”

“Introductions?” Espirit asked with horror. “I'm supposed to remember them?”

“No, no. But they all got to meet us, so most of them will be enjoying the festivities now. You'll still have plenty of people who want to get to know you a bit better.” He paused before looking her over. “A few of the younger ones will probably want to get to know you a lot better.”

“Huh? What's that mean?”

The griffon coughed into his claw. “Nothing, just thinking out loud. You want to get some more sleep or go out and see the festival a bit more? Most of the rowdiest ones seem to be asleep now, so it might be the best time to see it.”

For a moment Espirit almost said no. After all, they'd see probably dozens of festivals like this on the trip. But then her mind went back to when she was growing up, how she would have felt knowing a hero was in her home. How much she'd want to see them. This festival was being thrown in their honor, after all. “I'll come,” she said softly. “Help me get dressed?” Besides, she could sleep on the way home.

“You're already dressed,” the griffon said with a chuckle.

Espirit looked down. Sure enough, her robe was already on. Even though she'd slept in it and probably spilled who knew what on it during the festivities, there wasn't a mark or wrinkle on it. “I love enchanted clothing.”

“Indeed, come on,” Ganry said before walking out the door. She trotted after him.

The camp was far quieter now, with most the ponies and griffons sleeping off the night before. Many of the stands were empty, without their shop keepers. It seemed a little dark, with a thin damp morning dew coating the grass and the sky above a light cloudy gray. Most of the ponies actually awake now were the fillies and colts running about, a few with exhausted parents in tow. It didn't stop the kids from partying just as hard as the adults had.

She closed her eyes and reached out into the land. The magic here was nice and calm. There was a bit of turbulence, but it was minor and she took a few seconds to set it right. The peace of the aether began to roll over her, draining her exhaustion and stress away. She closed her eyes and basked in the feelings of peace and tranquility, letting out a soft, gentle sigh.

“Everything okay?” Ganry asked with a chuckle.

“It feels so peaceful here. The magic, it's not... distorted.”

“I wouldn't imagine it would. Crystalopolis and Cloudsdale are allied so they try to stay away from the border while they can. It's kind of a neutral zone. You like it?”

“Mmmm hmmm. Let's go get something to eat, I'm starving,” Espirit said before trotting forward. Even her headache was starting to fade and her eyes felt less dry. “So, where to?”

“How about we get some biscuits and gravy?”

“Ohhhh, with hay bacon?”

“Of course.”

“It's been a long time since I've had that. Ohhhh, do you think we can get pancakes too?”

The griffon chuckled. “Long time? You know you could have had it just about any time back at the--”

“It's not the same!” Espirit objected quickly. “There's a difference between ordering it from a menu and just... ugh, never mind.” The griffon led her to where a few benches had been set up and a couple ponies were cooking up breakfast. The scent of hay bacon, fresh fruit and pancakes lingered in the air, making her mouth water. To her delight, her food was given free of charge and generous helpings were served, making her stare with wide eyed wonder when she finally managed to haul it to the table. “I think there's more food on my plate than there is me on my hooves.”

The griffon chuckled. “Of course. They need to make sure their heroes grow up big and strong, don't they?” he asked before reaching out to pat her on the head. “Eat up, there's no telling when we'll get another chance to eat once we take off and eating while riding a dragon is... not something I'd recommend.”

Espirit frowned and thought about that for a moment. Sitting on the scales, the wind striking them from all sides as they bounced up and down on the dragon's back. It didn't sound very comfortable at all. “No, I can see why.” She went into her food with a gusto, though before she was even half down she nearly keeled over into her plate. She put a hoof over her stomach and swore it was three sizes too big. “I-I can't... e-eat another bite...” she grumbled pathetically.

Ganry chuckled. “Really? Can't you just burn it off, use it for magic or something?”

“It doesn't—” She was interrupted by a burp. “Sorry. It doesn't work like that. Not... guhhh... soooo much foooood,” she whined. “Can you?”

“What? I have my own food,” the griffon said with a mischievous grin.

“Yes, but you're like four or five of me, you can eat it,” she grumbled before closing her eyes.

That knocked the grin off his beak. “What? Hey! I am NOT that big!”

“You're huge,” Espirit mumbled. “Leg is bigger 'an me...”

“Well, that's just because you're tiny.”

“Mmm hmmm... tiny.”

“Espirit? Kid?”

“Zzzzzzz...”

The griffon sighed before reaching over with a wing and pulling the zebra to his side, letting her rest on his feathers. “Fine, you can rest for a little bit. But I'm waking you up when your fans get here.”

------

Espirit waved good bye as Onyx slowly lifted up into the air, her three riders lodged safely between her scales. It was well after noon before the dragon had finally awoken, then another hour before she felt well enough to fly. The zebra had only been allowed a short nap before the fillies and colts had swarmed her, begging for autographs and displays of her magic.

She adored the attention and had demonstrated every skill she could for the young ones. The only problem was that a few of them were actually taller than her and made a few comments about almost being as old as her. She wasn't a filly anymore! She was a grown mare! Well, almost. In a little bit she'd be one. She did not like being treated like a filly at all. It didn't help that since Ganry had found out, she'd discovered one of his new hidden talents.

She let out a groan as he slowly drew out his harp again. “Please no,” she begged.

“Oh, come now. We do need some travel music. Now, what were those children singing? Ah yes. Ahem. 'Oh the filly Espirit will bonk Celestia on the nose. Hit her with a stone then stomp on her toes! She may be still to young to use a laddle, but my gosh she'll beat the monsters back with a paddle. She--”

“I will throw you off this dragon and yes I realize that's not a good threat with your wings and all but stop iiiiiiit!” Espirit screamed, stomping down hard. “Celestia didn't even have toes, the song doesn't make sense!”

The griffon merely chuckled. “Now, there's no need to get so upset, they're just children. Oh great filly conjurer. Now, the song I'll make about it wi--”

“Steelhorn, make him stop!” the zebra begged, turning to the changeling.

Steelhorn sighed before waving her hoof. “Ganry, knock it off.”

“Oh, I'm merely jesting. She--”

“It upsets her,” the gladiator said before reaching down to pat her on the head. “Besides, she's not a filly. She's a growing mare and she's more than earned our respect and the privilege to be treated as one. Don't turn her accomplishment into a joke.”

The griffon sighed and laid back down, plucking at his harp. “Fine, as you wish.” He looked out over the world, though very little could be seen so far from the edge.

“Silverwing should be here by now,” the changeling finally called out.

“What?” Espirit asked.

“Silverwing. She was supposed to meet us, but she hasn't. I... don't like this.”

“I'm sure whatever she's doing, it's important,” Ganry said with a shrug. “She's more than capable of taking care of herself.”

“What could be so important she misses this, though?” Steelhorn asked before laying back. “I hope she doesn't plan to miss all the festivals.”

“She's done this before, right?” Espirit asked. “When she defeated Celestia the first time? Well, helped?”

The griffon and changeling shared a look. “That cheater!” Steelhorn said. “She's trying to make us do all the crowd stuff so she can just lounge about and hide!”

“I don't mind,” the zebra said quickly. “I like all the glory. It feels so good to be recognized and... does that make me a bad pony?” she asked, her eyes widening. “I-I don't mean to be selfish, I just—”

“It's fine,” Ganry said with a chuckle. “You nearly got yourself killed trying to fight Celestia off. You deserve to have a little glory from it. Enjoying it doesn't make you a bad pony.”

“Though the fact you ask does make you extremely adorable,” Steelhorn said before reaching out and gently petting her head.

“I-I wasn't really in that much danger. You guys were all there. I knew Steelhorn wouldn't let her kill me. I mostly just helped you all out.”

“Yes, you did. But you did what a lot of ponies wouldn't do,” Ganry said firmly. “There were plenty of ponies who wanted to flee and hide. Not to mention all those ponies who joined her because they thought they'd be safe. You looked at the danger, felt how powerful she was, and still fought. Especially as young as you are, it's not common and not something you should underestimate. It's okay for you to be proud of it. Just so long as you don't get arrogant or cocky.”

“Like you?”

“Like him,” Steelhorn said before the griffon could object. He glared at the both of them.

“I just can't get any respect, can I?”

“I tease because I love,” the changeling said with a smile. “Besides, it's going to be a very, very long trip. We'll go mad if we don't find some way to keep ourselves entertained.”

“I still say we could toss the zebra and see how close she gets to the ground before we catch her.”

Espirit quickly grabbed Steelhorn. “Don't let him, please please!”

“Relax,” the changeling said softly before wrapping her hooves around the mare. “He's just joking, he'd never do anything like that. I promise. I'd kill him if he did. Or at least find ways to make him miserable. How about you get some rest, okay?” She shifted once again into a griffon form and enveloped the young zebra in her wings. “It's a long trip awaiting us and I'd rather you not get too exhausted for it.”

Espirit nodded and closed her eyes, nestling into the warm wings. It was exhausting, but she couldn't deny she enjoyed the idea of spending the entire trip being celebrated and heralded by everypony.