Author's Notes:

So, another bonus-chapter...sort of. This is a short chapter detailing what may come in my newest story: A Pony Displaced: Another Path.

Another Path is an attempt to rekindle interest in APD as a whole {specifically the sequel to this story} as well as show to myself and perhaps others how I've developed as a writer. It isn't a sequel to this story or a rewrite. It's...more of a retelling. What could have happened if things had played out differently.

Not much else to say on it really, so...enjoy. Or don't. Either way, thanks for reading guys.

_Thanks to Alticron and Word Worthy for proofing and editing.

“Soon…” Barrier whispered softly as he gazed upon a stone obelisk, shuddering as the chill he felt slowly dissipated. The stallion departed the imposing stone structure in the center of the courtyard to search within the old castle’s walls.

Even as the stallion made his way up the stairwell, his mind went to work.

This isn’t right. There was no obelisk in the castle courtyard. We were too busy for such a memorial…

“Man, the museum is gonna pay a fortune for this…”

Barrier’s ears twitched slightly, and his eyes narrowed. A treasure-hunter daring to steal from this war-torn castle? I’ll put an end to this thievery…

Even as Barrier slowed his pace and crouched forward with practiced movements, his mind continued to argue with him.

This isn’t right. I never returned to the Everfree castle.

“I can’t believe it’s in such great condition…wonder what enchantments it has on it…”

Barrier’s eyes finally rested on the tan pegasus hunched over a blade – his blade, he somehow knew – carefully chipping away with a small, hoof-held chisel and brush.

My sword was never recovered. A dream, perhaps?

“Intruder!” Barrier bellowed with a heavy shout, “Intruder in the hall!”

The pegasus reacted almost instantly, yelping and swearing as her wings thrust her into the air and swung her around before she flapped them once more, driving herself backwards. No sooner than her hooves had touched the ground, she hunched forward and extended her wings, feathers splayed outward in what would be an intimidating display to anypony else.

Oh, she’s adorable. Barrier chuckled as he raised an eyebrow in amusement.

“I understand that it is natural to fan your wings out in an attempt to look intimidating,” as he spoke he strode forward as if lecturing somepony, “but of all the ponies you could choose to intimidate, I’m probably the one who will be least affected by it.” Eyes never leaving the pegasus, the unicorn trotted up to the item the mare had been fussing over. Set firmly in stone was a simple spatha. Thirty-seven inches of ancient iron, set firmly in a mahogany hilt.

“Are you out of your mind?” Daring suddenly screeched as the blade slid free of its prison.

I ask myself that same question sometimes, Barrier asked, absently noting that this was indeed his sword.

“You’ll damage it just yanking it out like that!” Daring hissed.

I never realized she was such a harpy…poor Verdant.

“I like to think I am aware of what my blade can handle. Even after one thousand years the princesses’ enchantments have clearly not failed.” The stallion admired the blade, carefully inspecting it in his magic.

“Your sword? That’s not yours! It belongs in a museum!” The pegasus prepared to launch herself forward, forelegs tensing.

“That would be a very poor decision, Madame…” Barrier trailed off, giving the mare a chance to introduce herself as the blade slid home in the scabbard mounted on his side, a series of runes flaring to life as it once again settled in its intended resting place.

“Hah! You don’t scare me, hornhead!” the mare stated confidently, her voice never wavering.

Look at the balls on this mare… Barrier thought to himself as he faced off with the pegasus.

In the span of several short seconds, Daring launched herself towards the stallion, wings flapping hard to grant her additional speed.

“You’re cute,” Barrier commented as his body lazily fell to the side, the tips of her feathers tickling his side as she narrowly missed him. With a deft hoof, Barrier drove a hoof hard into the underside of the mare’s wing, causing the wing to snap closed. The slick maneuver threw the mare into a spiral from which she quickly recovered, and after catching herself on the wall, she careened towards Barrier with the added momentum provided by all four of her legs. She’s quick.

Barrier bounced slightly, just enough to lift himself from the ground and turn himself into four-hundred some pounds of dead-weight for the pegasus to collide in to. With a muted thud, the pair collapsed to the ground in a heap.

Odd. That doesn’t seem like something I would do… It’s far too…carefree? Unprofessional?

The stallion blinked as his vision began to blur before what little color remained shifted violently.

Barrier trailed a hoof carefully along the walls of the crystalline buildings he was staying close to, and his ears remained perked as they carefully listened for any sign of danger.

“Aaaaahhhhhh!”

Sounds like that bloodcurdling scream, perhaps. Throwing any pretense of stealth out the window, the charcoal stallion bolted towards the shout; the sight that met him was less-than-desireable and his horn flared to life in preparation.

Eyes narrowing, Barrier carefully took in the situation, his mind working overtime to try and reason out a plan.

Both Rarity and Spike were staring at the other element bearers in shock, as well as the four cloaked figures holding them at the points of varying small blades, save for Applejack, who had a firm hoof from another cloaked figure on her throat, almost daring her to try and move.

“Foul cur, you and your demon spawn shall surrender, lest you desire to see your compatriots’ blood spilt upon the crystalline soil!” the cloaked figure holding Rainbow Dash shouted out, pressing his blade closer to her neck.

That voice.... is that…

“What is your answer, plump one?” a cloaked mare inquired, “Shall they meet their end in a dungeon long from now, or shall they depart for the Elysium immediately?”

This is impossible, they can’t be… Barrier’s vision began to blur once more, much to the stallion’s growing irritation.

Barrier’s vision cleared once more, his dream depositing him into…

Oh for fuck’s sake…

Barrier tried to maintain balance as a tan-hoof drove him backwards through the bedroom door. When the stallion’s legs finally touched the bed, the tan pegasus drove her wings hard, lifting the stallion onto his hind-legs before toppling him onto the bed, setting the pair into a familiar position.

Focusing his gaze anywhere but on the the mare atop him, Barrier found his eyes settling on a small, hoof-sized Princess Luna watching him from the nightstand.

My word Barrier, what would your wife and benefitted friend say if they were aware of a wet-dream such as this?

Barrier’s eyes widened as tiny-Luna spoke to him with a clearly amused tone.

Princess Luna, thank Faust! Can you wake me up from this nightmare?

Mini-Luna didn’t reply but instead stood stock-still like a small statuette.

“You’ve no idea how long I’ve needed this,” the tan pegasus spoke in a soft, desireable voice. “My bones are fully healed…” her hoof trailed downward. “Why don’t we see if we can break something else, hm?” She grinned hungrily.

Luna, I know where you sleep! Barrier shouted futilely.

The tan pegasus turned her gaze from the statuette and locked eyes with Barrier. “Looks like we’ve got an audience. Let’s make sure it’s good, huh?”

Barrier swallowed nervously as Daring stared at him with what could only be described as come-hither eyes.

What in the name of all unholy…? Barrier watched as a bulge worked its way up Daring Do’s throat as she leaned in for a kiss. The stallion almost jumped when a pair of dark green forelegs and a tiny stallion’s head cartoonishly popped from between the mare’s lips before opening his mouth to speak, "Okay, kids. This is where it gets complicated."

Barrier shot upright with a sharp heave, sweat dripping down his muzzle. Glancing at the two lumps buried beneath the covers next to him, Barrier let slip a short breath of relief before he carefully hefted himself from the bed, being careful not to disturb its two remaining occupants, and quietly stumbled his way to the bathroom.

“I’ve got to stop eating so many sweets before bed…” Barrier thought aloud as he flared his magic, turning on the sink-faucet and throwing cold water onto his face, running it through the sweaty fur.

“Too many sweets! There’s no such thing!”

Barrier didn’t jump or panic, instead letting loose only a tired groan as his head jerkily shifted to the toilet and the pink mare on it. “Pinkie, why in the name of Faust are you on my toilet?”

“Because it’s rude to go in the sink, duh.” The mare replied with her usual cheer.