Fluttershy flinched hard and her face lost a bit of it’s yellow color. She even took a step back and made a little pose that looked like a dog holding up a wounded paw, but with her head rearing back.

“Fluttershy, you know I’m just joking.” Some yellow color returned to her face.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that, nopony really jokes about that. Not even Rainbow.” She then froze and all color returned to her facial region. As if she just remembered something. “Oh goodness! Rainbow! She’s been waiting for you to come back!”

“Why?” I question.

“I think… she wants to... apologize.” What!?

“What for and you know how?” I ask non-threateningly.

“I-I don’t really know if she does or not. But, when Twilight old us you went back to your world, we all thought it was because of what happened between you and Rainbow.”

“I see...”

“And ever since she’s been going to your house, to see if you were ever going to come back.” She paused. “She used to go to your house every day, asking Golden Streak or Spark if you were there.”

“Wait, how do you know all this?”

“Oh, um… Golden told me when I kept seeing Rainbow fly over my home a lot, and I asked him.”

“Oh, ok. Go ahead.”

“Ok, well, after a while. She just… stopped.”

“She stopped flying to my house?” She nodded.

“We thought that you weren’t going to come back, so she just stopped going to your house. I really haven’t seen her since.”

“And how long ago was this?”

“About… four days ago.”

“Alright. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be seeing you around, alright?”

“Ok, bye Ember.” She then smiled sweetly and waved as I left her house. But something seemed to puzzle her. “Wait. Are… you going to go to Rainbow?”

“Nah,” A scrunch up my face. “I rather let her find out on her own.” She was about to say something but I cut her off. “Besides, Pinkie should know I’m here already.”

“Emby!”

“Speak of the fucking devil.” A pink blur rockets into the house and slams into me, luckily I braced for it so I wasn’t knocked onto my ass. The pink pony that made it that blur wrapped all her legs around, effectively giving me a full body hug. “Hey Pinkie, long no see huh?” She picks her head up from my shoulder and beams a bright smile at me.

“I know right!? When you left without saying bye we all thought that you were mad at Rainbow and she flew to your house like almost everyday and-” I clasp a hand around her muzzle.

“Pinkie,” I calmly utter. “That is enough. I get it.”

“Oookkhay!” She says through clenched teeth. I let go of her muzzle and she drops back down to the floor. Still beaming.

“You know, Rainbow has been really sad ever since Twilight told us you left. Nothing would make her smile! But I know you coming back will turn her frown upside down!” She grabs me by my hand and tries to pull me with her towards Rainbow’s. “C’mon!” She grunted as she put more effort to pull me.

“Pinkie. I can’t do that.” She lets go and flops onto the floor.

“Why noooooot!?” She asked exasperatedly.

“Because, like I said to Fluttershy, talking to Rainbow is the last thing I want to do at the moment.”

“Then wha-”

“Let her find out on her own.” Pinkie sat back up and proceeded to look downcast, her hair deflating a bit and her ears folded back.

“Ok…” I walk over and pat her on her head.

“Come on Pinkie. You don’t have to be like that.”

“But I don't like seeing ponies sad!”

“I know, but I think it’s better she find out on her own.”

“Why?” She asked with a sniffle.

“Because, is Rainbow really cares and is actually apologetic about her almost killing me. She would find me and apologize when she hears I’m here. without you or the others telling her about me.” Pinkie turned her gaze from me to the floor. A thoughtful look on her features.

“I guess you’re right. It wouldn't be real apology if we told Rainbow to do it, huh?” I smile and nod.

“That’s it.” She nods weakly. “Oh come Pinkie.” She didn’t respond, she just continued to look down at the floor. Yeah, she wasn’t gonna be her over-excited self for a while, unless… “Hey!” She looked back me with a sad look. “How about I by us some ice cream?” Before the question left my lips she was already back to her normal, hyper-active, self. She sprung to her hooves and her tail started wagging like a dog’s would.

And then she started jumping around the room.

“Ice cream ice cream ice cream!” She cheered.

“I take that as a yes?” I ask teasingly.

“Uh-huh! C’mon! Let’s GO!” She sped off towards town, leaving a pony-shaped dust cloud behind before it dissipated. I chuckled at the sheer unpredictability that little pony seemed to posses.

“Wanna come with Flutters?” I turned back to ask her. She thought about it for a moment, then she nodded.

“Ok.” She and I walked by each other as we made our way to the only place I know where they serve soft serves: Sugarcube Corner. We just walked in silence for a while, something I didn’t mind. Gave me time to gaze at the… weird beauty this place has. It is weird to actually see a completely different world. The wildlife, the inhabitants, the cultures, the way everything looks like something from a fucking cartoon -which it really is-. It’s weird that here I am, on a planet that is in another dimension, populated by dog-sized ponies that are colored like the fucking rainbow. I am, quite literally, experiencing what millions upon millions of people have dreamed of doing. I am talking to aliens that happen to look like recolored little horses, using magic, turned into the human torch and a ball of slime, fought a giant centaur, killed a communist, went a few days without my memories, nearly died three times, magically created a doppleganger of me and god knows what else I’m going to do in the future. I have done things that I am not proud of, things I do not regret, and things that have given me nightmares. I’ve made too many mistakes, lost friends, family, sanity and sense of self at one point. Fuck, I’m a horrible person… But... I have done many ‘heroic’ things. Like save a nation, stopped a communist revolution, defended a mother and her son from thugs twice. And possibly other shit I don’t remember. Does that make me a good person? I like to think it does… but…

“Ember?” I was snapped out of my train of thought.

“Hmm?”

“Are you ok? You look like you were thinking about something.” The way she said it suggested it looked like I was having dark thoughts.

“I’m fine Fluttershy. I was thinking about… some things.” She gave me a sour look. “What?”

“You know you can trust me with anything.” She stated more than asked.

“I know, it’s just… it’s things that I need to keep to myself. Especially around you.”

“What do you mean?” I thought about how I could explain all of this to her.

“You know that letter way back then, the letter Celestia sent to Twi about me.” Her eyes widened, but nodded. “Well, that part of my life is only a few pages from the chapter.” She initially didn’t get what I meant, but after she thought about a look of realization quickly takes her face. Then she gave me a horrified look. “Yeah, I rather keep the rest of my life to myself. You understand right?” She pauses for second, as if mulling over her options. Before nodding with a bright smile. “Thanks Flutters.” The conversation stopped there and we showed up at the only bakery in town. That place is more of a confectionary shop, since the Cakes sell more than just pastries. Like normal -pony- food, frozen treats… It’s not a fucking bakery.

“It’s about time you two get here! I’ve been waiting foreeeever!” Pinkie wailed as soon as we walked in the shop. I waved to Mrs. Cake and she waved, along with the rest of the ponies in the place.

“Good to see you dearie!”

“Nice to see ya Mrs. Cake. I assume Pinkie already told you everything?” She nodded.

“Of course! So what’ll it be for ya?” I took a look at the menu that hangs from the ceiling behind the counter. Thank Luna for giving me a copy of the Equestrian language.

“I’ll have the double mint chocolate deluxe. In a cup please.” Mrs. Cake took out a note pad and scribbled down my order.

“And what’ll it be for you Fluttershy?”

“Oh, um… I’ll have a vanilla cone please.” She meekly ordered.

“Alrighty! I’ll be back with your orders.” Mrs. Cake said before she went to the back.

*She must’ve gotten Pinkie’s order before we got here.*

That’s riiiiight! I slowly turned to Pinkie.

“Pinkie. Can you not do that? Like, not ever do that again?” She smiled innocently.

“Okaaay!” I roll my eyes and turn back to facing the counter. Which where Mrs. Cake was standing behind, holding a silver tray with mine, along with Pinkie’s and Fluttershy’s, on it. She set it down on the counter.

“That’ll be twenty bits!” I nod and snap my fingers. After which a small pile of gold coins appear on the counter. Mrs. Cake stared at the bits for a second before she remembered who put them there. She then picked them up, somehow with one hoof, and put them in the open cash register. Making that icon ‘cha-ching’ sound. “Thank you!”

“Anytime Mrs. Cake.”

“Oh just call me Cupcake.” At that I stared at her weirdly.

“Uh… that’s not weird?” She shook her head.

“Of course it isn’t! My friends always call me by my first name.”

“Oh, ok. I’ve only heard Mr. Cake call you by your first name, sooo… Yeah.”

“Oh! I see. Well. Hm… That is a little weird isn’t it then?”

“Well your friends call you like that, so I’m ok with it.”

“Oh, that’s good dearie.”

“Sure is, well, I’ll see later Cupcake.”

“Oh do come back!” We waved as Pinkie, Fluttershy and me left the not-so-awkward departure. I was never any good at saying bye to people. Layoff. Pinkie stayed in the shop while me and Fluttershy head back to her home, well, more like I guide her back. She doesn’t like walking back to her home alone. Or at all to be honest, apparently she is such a pansy that she jumps at her own shadow. As much as this was painfully obvious when I first met her, -yes that was a joke- she takes a whole new meaning to ‘scared of your own shadow’. And brings a bit controversy with it. I mean, she is an introvert to a level I haven’t see before. But she is terrified of being completely alone. Albeit she has her, *ahem*, ‘animal friends’. It’s strange that she feels more comfortable with animals that seem to be as intelligent as humans but shy away from her own kind. Then again… the only difference from being an animal and a sapient being on this planet is possessing the ability to talk. I’ve seen her argue with a fucking bunny. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the very thin between animal instinct and sapient behavior. Makes me wonder why she’s so comfortable around me. Oh yeah, to her I’m technically a fucking animal that just happens to speak the same language. And since I come from a different where apparently it’s free of all judgement that can be cast onto the planet and it’s inhabitants.

Ain’t that something to feel good about?

Anyway, we make it her house and part our ways, I was still eating my Double-mint Chocolate Deluxe when I saw Golden running towards me. He slowed to stop just as he was about to run into me.

“Hey Golden. What’s up?”

“Hey dude. This thing started buzzing a minute ago.” He gave me the little device that told me where Button and his mother would be.

*Again!?* “Thanks, be right back.” I drop the cup, grab the thing, and take to the air. The device told me that they’re at the residence part of town. I double my efforts and end up right above the location indicated. And it happens to be right above a house. In the middle of a neighborhood. I push away the thought of anyone coming to help and land on the front porch of the house. But instead of just barging in I listen in on whatever may be happening inside.

“I told you we don’t have anything!”

“Mooooom!”

“Shut up kid!”

-I think it’s about time we go in.-

*No kidding. But let’s make this a little fun.* I carefully and quietly open the door. Luckily this house has a layout that has the front door lead to an empty room, which connected to the rest of the rooms of the house. And judging from where I heard the voices they’re in the living room towards the right. At least, looks like a living room.

*Ruby, got an invisibility spell?*

~I believe so.~

*You mind then?*

~Of course not.~ I look at myself and watch as I become slightly transparent. ~Don’t worry, your transparency indicates the spell was successful.~

*Alright, let’s do this.* With as much stealth as I can muster, I tip-toe my way towards the room and discover a… unique sight. Some guy with a grey coat and mane was holding button by knife point, Nursery was tied up on the floor for some reason, with her rump in the air. And another guy with a brown coat and blond mane was standing behind her…

“Fuck it.” All four of them freeze and look around.

“Who-” I ditch my plan, come out from behind the couch basically hiding me from view, and clock the closest bastard right in the head. As that guy falls to the floor I immediately knock the other one out with a solid jab to the forehead. Fuckers never saw it coming.

“E-ember!?” Both Button and Nursery say in surprise.

“Yeah, it’s me.” I turn my attention to Nursery after I help get the grey guy off Button -thank christ he didn’t get cut- and begin untying the knot holding the rope in place. “Buy the looks of things I got here just in time.”

“Yes, thank you.” Nursery said after I got the rope off. She got up to all fours and brushed herself off. She looks back to Button and he seems to be recovering fairly quickly, though he’s still shaking.

“You two alright?”

“For the most part, yes. Button, you ok sweetie?”

“Yeah, I’m fine...”

“What is it?”

“I… it’s just. Nothing.” At this Nursery gave me the ‘can you give us some time?’ look. To which I responded with a nod and took my leave.

-What do you think that was all about?-

“What? The home invasion thing or the thing with Button?”

-The thing with Button, any idea what that might be about?-

“Nope, besides, you know it’s not our place to talk about other’s private issues.”

-I know, just gets real bored being in here with nothing to do.-

“You saying I got an empty head?”

-No, just saying that not much happens in here.-

“But you’re in my head, there’s always something for you to do. Where’s Emby? Fucker hardly talks.”

=I’m here.=

“Cool.” I fall silent as I head home to take care of a few things, specifically to check up on a few fuzzy friends I bought today.

“Ember! You’re back.” Golden greeted me when I got home. “What was with that little thing that made you leave like you did?”

“Nothing you need to worry about. Has anyone been in my room?”

“Uh, no. Why?”

“Good, I’ll be there if anyone needs me.” I walk past him, go in my room, and look for a particular box with large holes in it. Once I do I pick it up gently and carry it over to my bed, setting it down and opening it. As soon as they see the light from the ceiling… light. four one-year old, fully trained, german rottweilers pop their heads out. Looking to me for a brief second before they start looking around. Making me smile.

“Oh Fluttershy is going to love you guys.”

“Umm… Ember. Do you mind telling us why you told us to come here?” Twilight the ever-so-inquisitive one asked.

“Hold on Twi, just wait like the rest. I need to get shit out.” She harrumphed and sat on her haunches. I rolled my eyes and went to my room. “Diesel? Cujo?” Two dogs run up and sit before me. “Penny? Lucy?” Two more do the exact same. “Good dogs. Here.” I snap my fingers and four dog treats appear in my hand. “Follow.” I command before I give them the treats. And like the little good dogs they are, they stick to my sides. Diesel and Penny to my left, Lucy and Cujo to my right. God there’s almost no other way to feel like a badass. A few women and a minigun would complete the picture. But four german rottweilers will do. Sure as hell scared the fuck out of the girls -minus Rainbow, I wonder why she never showed up- though, they’re frozen with fear. I wonder why though, these guys are just over a year old, they don’t look menacing at all, yet. Well, at least Fluttershy seemed to be more fascinated than anything. And the dogs are watching the girls intently.

“Girls, I’d like you to meet: Diesel, Penny, Lucy, and Cujo.” My dogs perk up at the sound of their names. “These are German Rottweilers. Pets were I come from.”

“They’re… pets?” Fluttershy asked. I nodded and she took on a face of trepidation. “C-can I... pet one?” I nod.

“Go for it, but before you do, here.” I snap my fingers again and another set of treats appear in my hand. “Give one to each, and they’ll love you.” She nods and steps closer. “Stay.” I command the dogs before they try anything. They sit still as I watch Fluttershy look at the them warily. “Go ahead.”

“O-ok.” She grabs a single treat with her other hoof -don't ask how she did that- and offered it to Diesel. He sniffs it for a second before taking it, Flutters then flinched, but quickly realized he just took the treat. She repeated this for the rest of them. Once done with that she backed up a bit before sitting on her haunches while the dogs finished off their snacks. “N-now what?” I smirk.

“Now, they play.” I clap my hands once and the dogs immediately swarm the yellow pony.

“Eep.” She squeaked and froze up, wings flaring out. Fortunately the dogs pay no mind to her wings and sniff around her. They do for a few seconds before they drop their fronts in a playful manner. “Uh… uh...”

“It’s alright, they just wanna play.”

“Did you say ‘play’!?” Pinkie jumped out from behind Flutters. Scaring the dogs. But as soon as Pinkie lowered her front they tackled her. Making a literal dog-pile. “Hehe! Their tongues tickle!”

*Shut the fuck up before you say a goddamn thing you filthy slut.*

-Woah, I wasn't gonna even say shit.-

*Thinking it is the exact same as saying when you’re in my head dipshit.*

-Whatever.-

“Uuuuh… Ember?”

“Huh?” I look around and Aj got to my side.

“Ya sure yer…”

“They’re dogs Aj. Just like Winona.”

“Eh, right. Ya sure they’re supposed to be doin’... that, with Pinkie?” I shrug.

“As long as she’s ok with it. Besides, doesn’t Winona lick you like that with you sometimes?”

“Ah know.. but… It just… looks so… weird.”

“Really Aj? You’re really gonna be like that? When you have a dog of your own? Seriously?”

“Well Ah’m sorry! At least Winona don’t look like the kin of Cerberus and a timberwolf!” She shouted. All activity froze and everyone looked at us. Even my dogs paused to look. Meanwhile Aj realized what she said and put both her fucking hooves to her mouth and her eyes shrunk. I just kept staring at her like nothing happened. Eventually I just spinned on my talons, snapped my fingers, ordered my dogs to follow, and went back inside without another word with my hounds close behind me. I even went far enough to slam the hell out of the door.

“Fucking Applebitch. Who does she think she is? Fucking calling my dogs the spawn of a timberwolf and Cerberus. What the fuck-”

“Ember?” Chrysi called from upstairs. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing Chrysi, just, nothing!”

“Ok… Is it about your... dogs?”

“No, well, yeah.” I sat in my recliner and Chrysi came in from upstairs. Penny sniffed her before laying down beside me with the others.

“Didn’t go like you expected?”

“Yes and no. I just didn’t expect Applejack to call my dogs ugly.”

“Really?” I nod. “Well then… That is… pretty messed up.”

“Yup.”