Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you know deep down just how much you’re going to miss that individual or group of individuals. Sometimes though saying hello will be just as difficult. It could be that girl you fancy and quite haven’t worked up the nerve to talk to yet, or it could be someone you have to apologize too for something you have done. I’d like to think that even acts like this represents true courage, because after all is said and done we’re facing something that we fear.

My travels through Gryphus were hasty to say the least. Had I not been trying to cover as much ground as humanly possible each day I would probably have stopped an hour or two at the small towns I passed along the road. Despite the warmth of summer I kept the cloak on with the hood up. Well at least I did wear it every time I approached a town or encountered others on the road. It was easier to just hide behind a new mask for each conversation I was forced to have.

So far my masks had involved lies about me being a rare diamond dog breed, a minotaur and a breed of furless yetis. It was safer in the long run to minimize the information I spread about myself. For that matter I did not seek conversation as I wandered and I tried to keep my expenses low, since I had a finite amount of money from my time at the Rusty Feather inn. But I had procured provisions that would last me at least another week of travel.

My present heading was for what I assumed was a coastal town by the name of Sky reach. Namely because I kept hearing mention of ships and the dock from other travelers. And currently a ship would be perfect for me since it would grant me a way to leave Gryphus quickly. Not to mention the fact that Gryphus seemed to be situated on the other side of an ocean from Equestria. With a bit of work I expected to be able to reach Skyreach by the end of today, for now though all I could do was to continue to walk.

Then as the day started to end I finally got my first view of Skyreach. I think that the first thing that came to my mind was that I had been wrong. Skyreach wasn’t a coastal town, the sea wasn’t even visible. Next came realization of what exactly I was looking at. In the center of the relatively large town was a huge cliff that seemed to have been hollowed out to serve as a base of sorts. Because surrounding the cliff were dozens of airships of varying sizes and shapes. Many in the process of docking or undocking from a multitude of wooden bridges suspended in the air. No base isn’t the right word, it would still be called a dock or a harbor, wouldn’t it? I thought as I felt the pieces start to come together.

Well it’s not like my plan will have to change. I thought with a wing shrug. So after I dug the cloak out of my bag I resumed my walk down towards the town. Judging by the distance I wouldn’t reach it before nightfall, but again it mattered little to my plans. Soon putting on the cloak was justified, as traffic on the road steadily increased the closer to Skyreach I got.

Much like I had predicted the sun had already set when I finally passed the first few buildings on the edge of the town. This close the cliff looked like a lumbering behemoth with all its bridges stretching out like arms under the night sky. But in its shadow I could move quite easily through the night. Most of the town was asleep by now, although around the harbor there was still a decent amount of activity. For now though all I really had to do was to find a ship leaving for Equestria and I would be set. Paying for a ticket had never been a true option, I was most likely a wanted man after all. So I started to scale the cliff, and by using my hands and wings I achieved a level of dexterity that no human could ever hope to achieve. For that matter I doubted that any race on Equus was on par with me when it came to climbing right now.

I spent the major part of the next hour silently moving along the bridges and the general outside area of the harbor cliff. Searching for those vessels that were crewed by mixed, or pony only sailors. Out of the four alternatives I found, a large pony crewed ship seemed to be my best bet. It’s not like I’ll be any worse off on that ship compared to staying. I reasoned with myself. So with that I snuck aboard. A surprisingly easy feat, since the few guards they had stationed were watching the ramp between the ship and the bridge. All I had to was to silently glide under the ship and use the many ropes hanging off the sides to climb up on deck. A few tense seconds of crossing the deck as stealthily as possible later, I found myself in a large cargo hold.

So this is a commercial vessel then. I mused, that would make it even easier for me. The fact that there would be no other passengers than me and probably a relatively small crew meant that I had less eyes to hide from. After sneaking around the crates stored in the hold I found a small nock where I could spend my time on the ship in relative obscurity. Well it wasn’t foolproof but if I kept on my toes and limited the time I slept I should be able to remain a ghost on this trip. Continuing to look around in the immediate area of my nock revealed nothing useful to me, so I decided to take this chance to get some rest before tomorrow came. So I sat down against one of the larger crates, wincing slightly as my still bruised tailbone touched the crate. It was a memento from my fight at the inn. And had been a constant reminder the past few days, that despite feeling invincible while under the influence of electricity I was not. I was just lucky that it only hurt when I sat down or applied any direct pressure on it, otherwise the progress I had the past few days made would’ve been much shorter.

I moved around a bit until I found a comfortable position and then closed my eyes in an attempt to sleep. If I was really lucky there would be no nightmares to haunt me tonight.

I awoke to the sound of muffled steps and voices above me, and judging from the motions that could be felt through the floor the ship had begun its journey when I was still sleeping. Well here’s to hoping that this ship isn’t headed deeper into Gryphus. I thought, crossing my fingers. Hopefully the trip wouldn’t be longer than what my remaining food could support either, while I currently had no qualms about being a stowaway I’d rather not steal food. It may not have been the most rational part of my brain that came to that conclusion but for the moment it made perfect sense to me.

I wish I could say that the trip was exciting but since I was confined to my small nock there was nothing to do except waiting really. Moving around would only risk me drawing unwanted attention towards myself, something that wasn’t’ very attractive. Especially since we were traveling over what seemed to be an ocean. I had been able to confirm that much from a pair of small windows further down the wall in the hold. There was only one incident that had me worried. One time when I woke up and heard voices really close to my hiding spot.

“I’m sure I heard someone snoring down here in this area yesterday.” A voice said.

“For the last time you probably imagined it, you’ve always been jumpy. Remember that time in Minos when you thought the dock keeper was going to punch you?” A second voice said tiredly.

“In my defense he bent down really quickly, how was I supposed to know that he meant to shake my hoof?” The first voice replied.

The other voice let out a long sigh before talking again. “Tell you what, if you still feel that someone is sleeping down here once we have sold the cargo in Trottingham you’re free to search to your heart’s content. Just leave me out of it.”

“Aw come on, let’s just check behind this box too.” The first voice whined.

“No I’m tired and I’m going to bed. We have the night shift tomorrow too.” I heard the second voice reason before I heard four pairs of hooves move away from the crates I was hiding behind.

After a few minutes of silence I allowed myself to breathe a sigh of relief. That was too close. I thought as the tension started to wear off. Well at least I know where I am headed now, and by the sound of the name it’s somewhere in Equestria. At least I had gotten that positive piece of information from my near discovery.

As I mentioned before, my luck stayed for the rest of the trip as I remained undetected during the following two days. And towards the end of the fourth day I saw land rush past bellow the ship once again. It was high time that I abandoned ship before they started to unload the cargo. So I retrieved my duffel bag from where I had hidden it and put my cloak on. My hopes were that we wouldn’t arrive in Trottingham until later tonight or in the best case, sometime tomorrow. That would give me plenty of time to slip away in the night and find my own way from there.

Of course this was the time my luck decided to run out as I started to hear muffled cries of Trottingham being sighted from the deck above. Well that means my best bet is to leave now. I thought bitterly. This would probably end with me being spotted but it was better than being arrested for being a stowaway. Steeling myself I moved as silently as I could to the staircase leading up to the main deck. Seeing that there was no one guarding the stairs I carefully walked up them until I reached the door leading out to the deck. I opened the door carefully so that I peer through a small crack. There were ponies on and about all over the deck, and by estimations there were at least fifteen of them.

However it seemed that luck hadn’t abandoned me completely for I could only count four pegasi among them. I steeled my nerves once more, I was going to make a run for it and hopefully the element of surprise would be enough. I pulled the hood up, obscuring my face. Okay now or never! I thought as I kicked the door open and went into a mad dash for the railing. Surprised shouts erupted, but by the time they had started to actually realize what was going on I had already taken a dive over the rail. I let myself continue to dive, the wind whistling past me caused the cloak to flap violently. Then I extended my wings, starting to angle myself so that I would reach level flight. What I hadn’t accounted for was the sudden impact of G forces that started to force my blood down towards my legs due to the change of heading.

So after a near blackout due to my stunt I managed to land safely, although on rather shaky legs. I turned my gaze skyward and found that the ship had continued on its course without bothering to send pursuers. With the knowledge that I was safe for the moment the rush of adrenalin that had kept me standing left my system, and I planted my rear hard on the ground. That could’ve gone better, but at least I’m alive. Now hopefully there won’t be too many rumors from my anything but subtle escape. I thought tiredly before stumbling back onto my feet. If I moved quickly I had a good shot at finding somewhere to replenish my supplies and get directions before any potential rumors caught up with me.

As fortune would have it I managed to locate a small village sometime after night had fallen. Seeing that the inhabitants were asleep though I decided it would be best to wait for the next day. So I set up camp a bit away from the village border, although I used Imagination to summon a bedroll for me to sleep on. And come sunrise I awoke to the sound of the village slowly starting to wake up. After eating a quick breakfast from may remaining rations I entered the town, expecting the ponies to avoid me. But despite my cloaked appearance they didn’t seem to mind much. I guess it’s just Ponyville that’s prone to panicking then. I thought as I entered a small marketplace area. When I say small I mean small, there were only four stands selling their wares.

When I left the town not even an hour later I had acquired all the supplies and information I needed. I had gone with a story of being from diamond dog descent again, and none of the ponies I had interacted with had questioned me on it. So with two weeks’ worth of supplies and a map over Equestria I left the village behind me. It would take me at least a week on foot to reach Ponyville or Canterlot, I had yet to decide which one I should head to. But for now the heading would be the same so I had time to make my choice. And until I knew for certain where I wanted to go I would not shorten my trip by flying.

It was through heavy rainfall that I approached Ponyville, just under a week after I had set out. The darkness of night had already settled in about an hour earlier, so given the circumstances I had my hood down. I hadn’t been blessed with a chance to wash myself properly during my travels so the falling rain was most welcome. The famous town was however still just a spec of light in the distance, but since there was light at all meant that someone was still awake down there.

As I steadily got closer the rain started to slowly be accompanied with wind and soon I found myself in the middle of a summer storm. Yet despite the storm calling to my inner paragon what lay ahead held my full attention. The light I had seen earlier was much clearer at this distance, and it didn’t belong to a home. A large pinkish sphere had been raised around a large structure that I couldn’t say I recognized from my previous knowledge of Ponyville. Not knowing what to expect I quickened my pace. I did not know what was going on, but my instincts told me to hurry.

For the next few minutes all I heard was the steady thumping of my feet hitting the wet grass, the rain pelting the world around me and the wind’s howling. The closer I got the more details I was able to discern. The shielded building, for it had to be some sort of shield, had towers sprouting without any real symmetry making it look like a crude copy of a tree. Then a bolt of lightning split the night and I saw them. Black shapes the size of a pony were circling around the sphere. I slid a about a foot over the wet grass as I tried to stop my own momentum, the situation had changed. I did not know the intentions of the shapes outside the sphere, perhaps they wanted to help. Although that’s unlikely given that they were outside the sphere. But nonetheless I needed more information now before I ran headfirst into whatever was waiting for me.

The next few minutes were spent in a few quick consecutive dashes as I tried to get closer to the bubble. Once I got into Ponyville proper it would become that much easier to move, but for now it was run, check if I had been spotted and run again. I repeated this process until I managed to reach the first few buildings on the outskirts of the town. This close I could easily see the pony like shapes around the shield, but I still couldn’t tell what they were due to the pouring rain. All I knew so far was that they were around a dozen of them, give or take a few. It was hard to keep track of them as they moved around the shield. I need to get even closer. I thought as I prepared to dash further into town.

When I finally made it close enough to observe what the black shapes were I had a hard time understanding exactly what I was seeing. They seemed to be some sort of mix between ponies and bugs if the buzzing wings were anything to go by. However from what I could tell they all had horns, which made me wonder if they were related to alicorns or something else entirely. They didn’t seem to be actively trying to get through the bubble shield, instead they seemed content to just continue their patrolling. This close to the shield I had hoped that I would be able to see through it and get a grasp of what was hidden on the other side. However the constant pelting of rain caused small ripples across its surface, effectively distorting what I could see. I’m willing to bet that Ponyville’s residents are hiding in there but if I make a mistake I could end up attacking something innocent. I’d better pull back for now and gather more information before I make my move. I thought as I started to slip back into the shadows of the building I was hiding behind. Or I would’ve had I not been interrupted by an inquisitive chirp behind me.

I turned slowly and came face to face, or rather face to waist with one of the insectoid ponies that were circling the shield. This close I could easily see the bug like wings and chitin like exterior, making me question just what type of hell spawn this actually was. However the strange creature did nothing but carefully observe me. Just as I was sure that it meant me no harm the damned thing burst into emerald flames, causing me to jump back with a surprised yelp. It was what emerged from the flames that caused my eyes to truly widen though. The damn things are shape shifters! I growled internally as perfect copy of me stood four feet away from me were the bug had stood, a malicious grin on its lips. But when it proceeded to charge straight at me one critical key point became apparent. It hadn’t gained my skillset, just my body.

The charge was stopped cold when I delivered a powerful kick into the copy’s abdomen, causing it to double over from the combined force of my kick and the momentum. The kick had been too swift for the shape shifter to even notice, which led me to believe that it had little to no experience when it came to fighting against or as a biped. It coughed and hacked as it tried to draw breath but I didn’t give chance to recover. My next attack, a knee to the head, sent it sprawling on its back as it landed in the muddy street. It weakly tried to move a bit on the ground before once more bursting into brilliant green flames, reverting back to its original form. So they don’t maintain their form if they’re knocked unconscious. I observed mentally, as I could still see that it was breathing.

Unfortunately for me the heavy rain had not been enough to cover the flash of light the green fire had caused. Four additional shapeshifters quickly approached from the shield each chirping or screeching out whatever they were feeling. Two of them landed about ten feet in front of me and hissed angrily, while the other two circled around, heading for the one I had downed already. I tried to keep track of both of the pairs, but when it became apparent that the pair by the unconscious one only wanted to carry it away I turned my full attention to other pair that was still there displaying anger. I wonder if they are meant as a distraction or if they actually intend to fight me? I wondered warily.

When both of them charged simultaneously I had my answer. I fell into a defensive stance deciding to take the easier path by just countering what was thrown at me. It all went well until another bolt of lightning split the night. Suddenly unbidden memories burst to the surface.

I was panting, the rain soaked streets of Canterlot lit up as lightning bolt split the sky. A crude construct made of a star filled smoke with the shape of an earth pony charged across the cobblestones.

A strangely shaped hoof less than foot away from my face brought me back to reality and I threw myself into a backwards roll with the aid of my wings. I saw the bug pony pass over me, and had its face been able to convey more emotions I would’ve said it was surprised. I got up from the roll in a smooth motion and now found myself with one bug in front and one behind me. The position I was currently in was bad and I knew of only one way to tip it back to more manageable territories, attack. I burst forward towards the bug pony in front of me, delivering two quick strikes with a roar. The shape shifter reacted just like any other creature would when it feels threatened and tried to scramble back from me. I had anticipated this though and as it scrambled backwards from my two opening feints it entered the perfect distance for kicking. With a reverse side kick my heel connected with bug pony’s temple knocking it down on the ground, it did not rise again.

That left one bug, and as I turned I found it to be watching me warily. It pawed the ground and chittered angrily but instead of charging me as I had expected it lit its horn. Shit it can do magic too? I thought for panicked second, except instead of attacking me it fired a green bolt of energy up into the sky where it proceeded to explode. Soon I heard the buzzing of multiple angry insect wings and within seconds I found myself to be surrounded by the remaining shape shifters. I counted seven in total, excluding the one unconscious, meaning that the two that had left earlier with the first one I encountered weren’t here. At least I hoped that they weren’t, and while we were on the subject I truly hoped that these were the only ones here. Even if I was more skilled than these bugs in a fight, seven to one odds were not good. Okay what are my options? Fly into the storm clouds and hunt for a lightning bolt? No I’m not sure of how much strain it actually causes on my system this time around. Not to mention that they will be on me in a second if I try to fly. Well that left one option, summon the spear.

I had not achieved a level of proficiency that I could rely on my skills in fight with it yet. However in this case every little thing that could go in my favor counted, even if it was to just serve as an intimidation factor. With a now well practiced motion I swiped my fingers across the image, and when the spear had fully materialized I was already in a ready stance.

“Your move!” I called out over the wind and rain, not fully sure if these things understood me.

As the spear appeared though the bug ponies started to chirp wildly among each other. Just as quickly as they had arrived they grabbed their unconscious comrade and flew off into the night, leaving me to stare after them. For a few long seconds I waited, convinced that this was some sort of ambush tactic. But when nothing came rushing out of the wall of rain I started to relax. I’m not sure what just happened here. I admitted to myself as I let go of Imagination, not even bothering to look as the spear vanished. I slowly made my way back to the bubble, but found that all the shapeshifters seemed to have left Ponyville for now.

Hmm if the shapeshifters are gone why is the shield still up? I contemplated as I studied the pink dome. Perhaps I should try to contact the ones on the inside, to tell them the coast is clear. I continued to ponder as I reached for the shield with a hand but then stopped, my hand hovering a few inches away from the barrier. On second thought, perhaps this isn’t the best time to come presenting yourself as a never before seen species. Not to mention that I’m not sure what I would happen if I touch that. I berated myself.

So instead I turned around and stalked off into Ponyville, seeing how every house I passed was completely dark only reinforced my previous thoughts that they were all hiding inside that big structure behind the barrier. Well I’m not sleeping in the rain. I decided and proceeded to pick one of the many houses at random. The door on that house was locked and since I didn’t want to break anything I tried the next in line. I continued this process until I reached my sixth house where the door swung open. Good to see that ponies are still somewhat trusting. I mused as hunched down and stepped inside. The interior was cramped for someone my height to say the least, but after getting out of my wet clothing and putting it to dry here and there in the small house I settled in for the night. I would just take a quick rest here before leaving Ponyville. It was better to come back at a later date when things had settled down a bit.

I awoke to the muffled sound of chirping birds and sunshine filtering in through a window opposite of the wall I had leaned against last night. I didn’t know what time it was but it mattered little, it was high time to move. So without bothering with breakfast I got dressed, deciding to skip the tank top since it was still slightly damp. The cloak was still a necessity in my eyes though so I put it on even though it slightly damper than the tank top. The first thing I noticed when I exited in the house was that the barrier was still very much active. This only heartened me at the moment though, as it meant that I could take my time to exit Ponyville.

So at a casual pace I set off down the main road of the town, and before I knew it I had reached the edge. I kept my pace though, seeing no reason to rush. It was sometime around mid day though, it was hard to tell with the lingering clouds, when I came to regret my decision.

“Hey, you there! Stop!” A voice called out, and I did the only thing that seemed reasonable at the time. I bolted.

A heard angered cry behind me but I didn’t care, I just kept running. For a few blissful seconds I believed that I had been able to shake whoever had shouted. Only for a familiar rainbow blur to shot past me a second later. A very angry Rainbow Dash landed in front of me, forcing me to come to sliding halt on the dirt road.

“Okay buddy you’ve got one more chance to come with me.”

Damn it all to hell! Why did it have to be Rainbow Dash? I cursed my luck. I was about to answer when yet another memory bubbled up to the surface.

An angry Rainbow Dash was shouting at me in Canterlot castle. I was refusing to fight her with my all in the fear that I would hurt her. Rainbow dash charged in…

I came back to reality with Rainbow Dash already closing the distance, and for the second time in less than twenty four hours I had to make a backwards dive with aid of my wings.

Rainbow Dash was bored. First she and the girls had been called out to the middle of nowhere to hold “peace” talks with Chrysalis. Only that the changeling queen had never shown up, so now they were walking back slowly to Ponyville. She had hoped that there would be at least some action, but noooo. She thought as she lazily blew some air at her bangs. She hopped into the air. Ponyville shouldn’t be too far away now, right? I mean it’s mid day already. She questioned herself as she strained her eyes. Wait isn’t that the barrier, shield thing Twilight set up for the castle?

“Hey Twi, I think the castle shield is up.” She said turning to her alicorn friend.

“What!” the young princess cried out.

She concentrated her gaze back to the direction Ponyville lay and there was definitely something pink in the distance. “Yeah it’s there alright.”

“Okay gather round girls we’ll do short teleport jumps until we reach Ponyville.” Twilight ordered.

A few quick flashes later they arrived at the outskirts of Ponyville, and Twilight spoke up again. “Okay girls here’s the plan. Rainbow and AJ could you two check around Ponyville to see if you can find out if whatever caused this is still here? Oh and if you find the cause return to the rest of us.”

“Sure thang Twi, but what’re the rest of ya’ll gonna do?” Applejack asked.

“Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie and I are going over to the shield to check on the ponies inside.” Twilight replied quickly.

“Alright meet back at the castle in an hour if we don’t find anything then?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah that sounds good, okay let’s get to it girls.” Twilight declared.

So Rainbow and AJ started to head deeper into Ponyville while Twilight and the others went the other way.

For the first few minutes they didn’t really think much of it but then the eerie feeling of the empty streets started to settle in. There was something about all the empty buildings that just felt claustrophobic to Rainbow, so she jumped up into the air again. Hovering just above the rooftops she saw further than before, and on the opposite side of Ponyville she thought she saw something. Before she could confirm it though Applejack cried out from below.

“Hey Rainbow ya see anything from up there?”

“Maybe, I’m not sure.” She said. But had there really been something down that way?

“Why maybe?” Applejack asked with a quirked eyebrow.

“Well it’s too far to tell for sure, but we need to go that way to make sure.” She answered her friend while motioning with a hoof.

“Let’s git goin’ then.” AJ agreed.

For a few tense minutes they headed in the direction where she thought she had seen something and just when she started to think that she had imagined it all she caught another glimpse of it. Oh no you’re not getting away from me! She thought triumphantly before rushing off after it, the cries of Applejack for her to wait falling on deaf ears.

As soon as she got close enough to the unknown thing lazily walking ahead of her she cried out for its attention.

“Hey, you there! Stop!”

Instead of listening though the figure burst into a sprint, leaving her hanging in the air dumbfounded for a few seconds. Did it just… Oh no, you are not escaping from me!

With a few quick flaps she started to move forward again, and she kept flapping her wings until she shot past the figure. With a powerful counter flap of her wings she killed her forward momentum and landed smoothly a couple of meters in front of the figure. This close she could easily see that whatever it was its features were covered in a cloak with a deep hood, hiding almost everything except a furless chin. This thing has to be at least two meters tall. She thought in wonder before she remembered that she was supposed to be angry with it.

“Okay buddy you’ve got one more chance to come with me.” She addressed it sternly.

When it seemed to refuse to answer she just rolled her eyes. If you wanna play it that way so be it. She thought before dove in for an attack.

But a mere fraction of a second before her hoof landed two large wings shot out from the cloak, and with a quick flap they threw the creature backwards. It broke its fall with a somewhat clumsy roll before coming back up onto two legs again. Aw come on that was just luck!

She pressed her attack, moving even faster this time. But now the creature was ready, it deftly diverted her hoof with furless arm that shot out from under the cloak only to disappear again when it was no longer needed. So she tried to attack again and again and again. Each time the creature responded by diverting her attack or simply moving out of range. Its reach is downright terrifying and I get a feeling that it’s toying with me. She thought as she grew more and more frustrated. It’s like it’s reading my every move I haven’t had this hard of a time to land hit since I fought Cloud! With the last thought she froze, her opponent silently observing her without moving. But that’s impossible! He left over two years ago, this can’t possibly be him! She reasoned with herself.

Now she had to know, the creature was going to drop that hood if that was the last thing she did. She flared her wings and with a mighty flap she shot towards the creatures head, only to be foiled in her attempt again. Argh, that’s not going to work. Think Rainbow, think. There has to be something you can do to give yourself an edge. She thought frantically. If only AJ was here she could distract it… Wait that’s it!

“Good, now get it AJ!” She cried out and much to her joy the creature whirled around with terrifying speed.

Before she could even begin to move though the wings shot out from under the cloak, effectively guarding its back. But she didn’t need to get the hood off the creature anymore. The rapid turn coupled with the wings movement had caused the cloak to flap up in the air revealing the creatures back. There on right side was a small but recognizable X shaped scar.

“Cloud?” she asked carefully.

The creature let out an audible sigh before folding its wings again. When it turned back to face her it lifted one of its arms to push the hood back, revealing an alien face with a pair of very familiar golden eyes.

“Hello Rainbow, took you long enough.” Cloud answered in a tired sounding voice.

Author's Notes:

Haha! Have at you with chapter six, and would you look at that my trademark cliffhangers are back. So much fun to be had!

Besides having to rewrite parts of this I think it came out pretty okay, but now the title for the next chapter.

Join me next time for, Reunion waltz.