Twilight hated free fall practice. Especially over the reservoir. Standing on a cloud, nearly ten thousand hooves up, she was with Rainbow Dash and Robert. The former was standing on a cloud, the latter hovering just alongside. Naturally, they were arguing.

“You can stand on a cloud.” Rainbow snorted.

“I cannot. I have tried.” Robert replied.

“Look, it's no different from flying. If you have wings that lift you, you can fly.”

“What on Equestria do wings have to do with cloud walking?” he asked.

“The same magic that lets us fly, lets us walk on clouds. Just concentrate on drawing the cloud together, and make it solid.” the flying tiger crossed his legs and gave her a dubious look. "Just trust me.

He continued to look dubious, but he focused on the clouds and reached out tentatively with a foot. “I promise I'll catch you if you fall.” he closed his wings, and immediately vanished through the clouds. Rainbow blinked, then disappeared around the bottom of the cloud in a burst of prismatic light. “You need a diet.” she groused as they reappeared.

“I am a perfectly healthy weight.” he retorted. "Though perhaps I'm too heavy for the clouds.”

“NOT LIKELY!” Bulk Biceps yelled, pushing a cloud, while standing on another, buzzing his wings.”

“Show off.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow laughed. Twilight wondered how she managed to fail to see the irony. "Okay, enough arguing. Fun time. Up Twilight.” Twilight groaned, spread her wings, and flew up to Rainbow.

“Do we really have to do this?” she asked the pegasus.

“No, you two have to do this. I want to do it.” Rainbow grinned. “Come on, it's fun.”

“I fail to see how trying to purposely kill ourselves is fun.” Twilight grumbled.

“Then you're missing the point of the exercise Twilight. The idea is to fall and recover. You want to be as high as you can get, and then fall down. The wind will tumble and roll you, and you've got to recover without hurting your wings, or going splat. You're lucky, we're over a lake. It'll hurt if you hit, but nowhere near as bad as the ground.” Rainbow said.

“Yes, but still, hitting the water at full speed from this height is like crashing into a stone wall.” Twilight pointed out.

“Yes, which is why the point is to avoid that.” Rainbow grinned. "On my count.”

“Three.” Twilight looked up, and closed her eyes.

“Two.” Robert took a breath, and closed his eyes.

“One.” Rainbow smiled as all three of them closed their wings at once.

Down, down, down they fell, plummeting through the skies rolling and twisting and rocking back and forth. Twilight counted to ten, then spread the tips of her wings, stabilizing her fall, then oriented herself downwards. The wings opened, tilting to catch a bit of air. She slowed, slowed, and then she opened her wings, snapping upwards as she caught the wind. She flapped, holding position.

Robert fell past the first of the watch ponies, Cloud Kicker in this instance, holding five thousand hooves up. He stretched his tips out, turning his fall into a controlled spiral. Centrifugal force spread his wings out, and he stretched them, slowing his spins and continuing to fall nearly straight before he flared his wings and came to a holding pattern around two thousand hooves.

Rainbow's fall, contrary to appearances, was never out of control. Legs, neck, wing tips, even her tail all contributed as to control her fall, including the direction, pitch, yaw, and roll of her descent. Fifty hooves off the surface of the water, she twisted, flicked her wings and turned a terminal fall into an insanely fast swoop, just far enough off the water to slash through the wave crests with the tip of a hoof. She beat through the air, climbing fast at the end of her run.

“Awesome.” Robert smiled.

“Yeah, pretty awesome.” Twilight chuckled. She'd seen it before, but she never could get the hang of it herself.

“Yeah, I am.” Rainbow preened. "So, who wants to try next?”

“I think Twilight does.” Robert said. Twilight opened her mouth an instant before he lunged at her. She beat her wings, throwing herself up. He laughed maniacally as he sailed beneath her, and disappeared over the side of the cloud. She didn't see Rainbow grab her from behind, and over they went. Twilight struggled, and pushed free as they approached the half-way point. Robert flared his wings, slowing to meet them.

“This is crazy!” Twilight screamed over the sound of the air.

“I know, isn't it amazing!” Rainbow replied. Twilight calculated their altitude. Robert shifted and ducked in front. She felt herself speed up in his slip stream. "Great idea!” Rainbow tucked in behind her, then shot past him. Twilight felt the air change and found herself sucked into the lead.

“Break!” Rainbow shouted suddenly. Twilight popped her wings, pulled up and cut through the waves with a trailing hoof. Rainbow was just behind her, and Robert behind the Pegasus. Wings beat in the air as they lifted just over the surface of the water, and began to climb. They rose past cheering watch ponies.

“That was...” Twilight was momentarily at a loss for words. But only momentarily. "Incredibly dangerous!”

“I'd have gone with exhilarating myself.” Robert said. "Yours works too.”

“Oh come on. You're a better flier than you realize. You're like the best magician in centuries, but you keep thinking you're no good as a flier.” Rainbow puffed herself up. "You're wrong though. I know great fliers, and you've got the makings of a great flier in you.” she prodded the purple pony princess in the chest. "I'm going to bring it out, if it kills you.”

“It might.” Twilight replied, but she was smiling. Rainbow smiled, a very evil smile.

“Don't laugh just yet.” she smiled wider. “And get off my cloud.” she shoved. And found herself thrown backwards.

“Make me.” Twilight said. Rainbow twisted a hoof, and Twilight found herself without a cloud to stand on. Gravity took over. "That's not nice.”

“Really? You're gonna hate this then.” Rainbow lunged for her. Twilight folded her wings, fell and opened them again, catching herself. "Gotta be faster than that.” Rainbow grabbed her. Twilight twisted in her grip and grabbed her back. Gravity took a moment to catch up to the fact that neither of them were using their wings. They fell, twisting and tumbling, neither willing to give up first, struggling to break the grip of the other. Twilight had the extra size of an alicorn and the strength of an earth pony, but Rainbow had years of experience. A mere fifty hooves from the surface, Twilight's horn flashed, and they moved from falling through the sky, to sitting just above the surface. Then they fell in. The two didn't bother fighting in the water, but broke away and surfaced.

“Rainbow, you okay?” Twilight asked.

“Fine.” Rainbow replied, chuckling. "Neat trick. Where'd all that momentum go?”

“Momentum is just potential energy right?” Twilight asked. Rainbow shrugged. "Take my word for it. Anyway, it's impossible to destroy energy, you can only convert it. So the teleport just converts the momentum energy, into magical energy. Whatever is left, just disperses into the atmosphere.”

“Speaking of things in the atmosphere, where's Robert?” two heads craned up just in time to see him.

“CANNONBALLLLL!” he hit and the wave washed the pair up onto shore. He paddled up a few minutes later, spread his wings and shook. It took a couple of moments for all the water to leave him. "That was fun. Can we do it again?” he asked. Even Rainbow rolled her eyes.

---

“You're wet.” Fluttershy noted as Robert walked up her path. Several of the larger carnivores stared at him. He refused to make eye contact. "What happened?” she asked.

“Rainbow Dash.” he answered. She nodded. "What did you need help with?”

“Oh. Um...” she paused. "Well, see, if it's not too much trouble, unless it is then...”

“Fluttershy.” she stopped. "Look I heard about the assertiveness seminar.” she winced. "Try my version. Deep breath, then blurt it out.”

The pale yellow Pegasus inhaled until he was sure she was going to explode, and then spat it out. “Ineedhelpfeedingthecarnivores,andIcan'taffordmorefeed.”

“Ah. I wondered.” Robert said. "How do you normally get it?”

“Griffons.” Fluttershy said. Robert's eye twitched. "They bring bags of food, and drop it off for me. But it's expensive, because...”

“It's all got to come from outside the borders. Otherwise it's like eating other ponies, right?” Robert said. Fluttershy nodded, very nearly in tears. "What about the Everfree?” she stared off towards it for a few minutes.

“I don't like going in there. Even with friends.” she said. There was iron in her voice though. She would go if she had to.

“I meant, aren't there creatures in there, which are... not sentient?” she stared at him for a long moment. "That don't really have the higher thought processes. They can't talk, and don't really think beyond instinctive survival?”

“I guess.” she admitted. She was clearly not thrilled by the notion. "I don't, I couldn't...”

“I know. What I mean is, Manticores must have something to prey on, and bears can't eat only berries.” he pointed out.

“I, I see what you mean.” Fluttershy still seemed uneasy.

“Tell you what, how about I take some of the bigger carnivores into the woods for a few days? We'll make a hunting trip out of it, and it'll save you a couple of days of food.” Robert offered.

“I couldn't ask you...” Fluttershy cut off as he held up a paw.

“I understand that, which is why I offered.” Robert smiled. "Plus, how many of them have actually been hunting?”

“Well... a few of the older ones. Most of the younger ones have lived close to town most of their lives.” she admitted after a bit. "Umm...”

“What?”

“Can you talk to them?” Fluttershy asked.

“Like Pinkie on a Caffeine rush.” Robert said. Fluttershy started. "However, I doubt they'd understand me the way they do you.”

“Oh, right.” she giggled nervously. "Do you think it'd be safe?”

“Sure. Some of them will be more inclined, or capable of understanding me, and they should be able to help with the less capable or inclined.” he shrugged.

“Oh, yes. Come on, let me introduce you.” Fluttershy turned inside the house, gave a few instructions to several animals and then came outside, closing the door with a flick of her tail.

“How many do you think will be interested?” he asked, following her.

“Oh, quite a few.” she replied. There were a dozen large carnivores, all playing together in an environment not unlike the playground at the school. They stopped what they were doing to surround and talk to the Pegasus as she came into view. Robert sat and watched. Eight of them nodded in agreement when she made the proposal. She introduced them.

“This is Barry the Bear. He and his mate want to show their cub how to fish. The best stream is deep in the woods though and they don't want to take him alone.” Robert found himself wondering exactly what was in there that made bears afraid, and wondered even more readily if he wasn't making a mistake.

“This is Manfred.” she touched the Manticore fondly on the shoulder. He licked her from hindquarters to the top of her mane. "He prefers Manny, but his family wants to get closer to nature.” she left the exact wording vague. Robert expected the manticore wanted to get closer by eating some of nature.

“This is Bobby.” she said, and lifted a badger up. "He's a bit of a handful, but he thinks you look capable. the badger made a noise. Robert didn't quite catch it, not being terribly up on Badger. "Sorry, competent.” she corrected herself.

“No problem.” Robert shruggd.

“This is Derrick the Wolverine.” she patted it on the head. From the look on its face, she was the only being in existence from which that action would be tolerated. Robert had a sneaking suspicion Celestia would end up a three legged alicorn if she tried. "He's such a sweetie.” Every animal in the menagerie, including a certain white Rabbit suddenly found their paws incredibly interesting. Robert repressed a smile.

“I'm certain he'll be invaluable as a member of the group.” The wolverine glared at him. Robert looked back. After a moment, the carnivore seemed to decide he was being sincere. He was, figuring anything shy of a dragon would probably run screaming after seeing the wolverine. He was willing to bet most dragons would as well. His emergency plans also changed, from highly complex escape routes, and such, to a simple one: Hide behind Derrick.

“I just know he will.” Fluttershy gave the tiny creature a hug and moved on.

“This is Rita and Runt.” Robert shook his head to clear a flash of a cat and a dog to see... Well, it was a cat and a dog, but the cat was not riding the dog. In truth it was the other way around, being a bobcat and an indescribable terrier. "They're... complicated.” she didn't go into more, and Robert decided not to even bother asking.

“These are the twins.” They were twins. Twin eagles. "That's Jeff, and that's Larry.” she pointed, but Robert couldn't see any difference.

“Pleasure.” He extended a wing. One of the two, reached out and bit him. Fluttershy was decidedly angry.

“Robert, you shouldn't say words like that.” she chided. Robert said a few more. She didn't complain though, mostly because they were in Tiger. "Larry, you apologize.” the bird bit him again.

“Those two can't come.” he said later, as she bandaged his wing.

“I don't know why he doesn't like you.” she confessed. "They were excited to go but...”

“I'll pay for the feed they'll eat.” he said. "Just to keep them here.”

“You don't have to do that.” Fluttershy said, drawing in on herself.

“I don't have to. I want to.” he smiled. "Besides, what I spend in feed, I save in medical bills.” she giggled.

---

“Oh, but you'll miss Trenderhoof.” Rarity said, after Robert explained his trip.

“I'm certain he won't miss me, especially after he is dazzled by the beauty of the most fabulous designer in Equestria.” Robert said. Rarity fluttered.

“Well, I suppose.” she smiled. It was the kind of smile that, had he been a pony, would have caused him to go to incredible lengths to sweep her off her hooves. Since he wasn't he merely found it a pleasant expression.

“Besides, I would not want to take away from your moment.” Robert smiled. "Plus, I'm helping Fluttershy, and that's something I wouldn't trade for anything.”

“I agree. Now, what was it you wanted me to make?” she asked.

“Flags. Not all of the animals can be seen over the grass, and I think everyone wants to be sure they know where Derrick is.” Rarity coughed.

“Yes, he does have a very definitely dangerous nature about him, doesn't he.” she began drawing on a piece of paper.

“I was thinking murderously malevolent.” Robert suggested. "But yours is more tactful.”

“Yes, I rather agree.” she smiled, but her attention was on the drawing now.

He waited, sipping the tea she'd prepared for him while he waited. “Here you are, does this suit what you had in mind?” Rarity turned the paper towards him. There was a large, orange triangular flag on the side, with several purple diamonds on it.

“It looks good. What's with the diamonds?” he asked.

“Very simple, each flag will have a different number and size of diamonds on it. That way you can not only see they're there but also who it is.” Rarity answered.

“Ah, a stroke of genius, as if anything else could be expected from the amazing Rarity.” she smiled at him.

“Oh do go on.” she looked at him. "No seriously.”

“Oh, but I shouldn't use all my compliments at once, even as many as there are to be made.” he added. She laughed.

“Off with you then, so I can get these finished. Plus I have to finish the plans for the Ponyville Days festival.” she sighed. "It rarely gets easier does it?”

“Not that I've noticed, no.” Robert said. "Perhaps Spike would like to help with the Ponyville Days preparations.” he suggested. "If there's anything I can do?”

“Well. I do have to make a special delivery to Manehattan. I was going to send it through the mail, but it's been rather dreadfully slow lately.” Rarity said. "I don't suppose I could impose on you?”

“Certainly. Where would I be headed?” he asked.

“A small playhouse on Bridleway. You'll be looking for a pony named Coco Pommel. She's been doing costumes for a play, but the piece she sent here was simply beyond the materials she had on hand.” Rarity crossed the floor and extracted a box from a pile of others, and set it down in front of him. She opened the lid. He blinked as the light caught the jewels on the crown.

“An exact duplicate of Princess Celestia's Reneighessance era crown. Of course, I did it both to proper scale, as well as managing to significantly lighten it so that it will not injure the poor soul who has to wear it night after night.” she levitated it out of the box, and rotated it around so he could see. "Fortunately, we have a master goldsmith in our town, so I wasn't forced to do the work myself.”

“Master Goldsmith?” Robert asked, intrigued.

“Oh yes, a mare by the name of Fine Touch. It works out, because her husband is a master Blacksmith.” she paused. "Touch of Thunder. Yes, that's his name.” she smiled. "They're where I get all my buckles and fine jewelry.”

“Excellent. Mind if I start out tomorrow? It's a little late tonight.” he nodded out the window, the sun slowly sinking towards the horizon.

“Oh my, I didn't realize. Would you like to stay for dinner?” she asked. "I could cook.”

“Actually, I'd love to stay, but only if you let me buy.” he smiled. “As much because I've had all the greens I can take as anything else, and certainly no impingement on your cooking.”

“I am almost afraid to ask what you would eat besides greens.” Rarity said, with a slightly sickly smile.

“Fish of course. I know a restaurant that caters to griffons. Unless you'd be offended.” he waited. She thought it over.

“No, no more than I can handle at least.” she said.

“I'd rather not offend you since you're being so gracious.” Robert considered it. "I suppose a few more greens won't go amiss.”

“I couldn't ask you to eat more greens on my account, I'd feel even worse.”

“And I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. Ah, I know the perfect answer.” he smiled. She raised an eyebrow.

---

“Pizza is served. Pineapple's and Black Olives for me, and Cheese and Mushroom for the lady.” he set the pizza's on the table. Rarity laughed. "This is not quite what I expected when you said Calabreseian food.”

“Yes, but there's nothing green on here but the peppers.” he smiled. "Don't get me wrong, I understand the herbivore lifestyle, but...” he shook his head. "Having no magic really sucks.”

“I can only imagine. Though earth ponies seem to get along well enough.” she said, and took a bite. "You must show this place to me sometime, this is delicious.”

“I will. And Earth Ponies don't have to try and transmute their food.” Robert smiled. “Also, pizza sauce.” he wiped his chin with a napkin. "But you're right, this is delicious.”

“So, a hunting trip huh?” Rarity asked.

“I'm not sure that's really dinner conversation.” Robert said, coughing. "I wouldn't want to ruin your appetite.”

“You can be spare on the details if you wish.”

“Very well, most of the animals in Fluttershy's rather peculiar... herd I suppose, have lived close to ponies for a long time and while they're not quite herbivorous themselves, they are as close as they can get. They're eating poor Fluttershy out of house and home. So I offered to take some of the bigger carnivores, and take them into the woods to get back to their roots. I don't know how Fluttershy really feels, but she seemed okay with it. I'm just going to make sure we go far away from any of the edges of the forest. That should keep everything out of sight, out of mind.” Robert shrugged. "I hope she doesn't get too upset.”

“Fluttershy is stronger than she appears.” Rarity said. "She might not like the idea, but she's understanding and accepting I suppose.”

“I know. It's...” he took a deep breath. "She knows, and I know she knows. Yet... I'd rather she not think that of me, though I know she doesn't think any less of the others.”

“Dear, I think you've got a bit of a complex there.” Rarity said with a bit of an amused tinge to her voice.

“I am thoroughly aware.” Robert replied. "My teacher told me I should learn to get over things like that.” he teared up. "But I never got over it!” He burst into tears. Rarity watched impassively for a couple minutes, until he opened an eye. "Too much?”

“Just a little.”