"God damnit..." Symph groaned as he set the letter down and fell onto his back. "This is exactly what I didn't want to happen in this Equestria." He just stared up at the clouds, trying to focus on anything other than what was detailed in the letter in his hand. "Well, this is what I get for coming here, with my family's history it's no wonder trouble followed me on this world."

"Symph? Where are you? We're about to play volleyball and we're short one pony!" Twilght called from the beach, she seemed to be enjoying herself at least.

"Right, I'll be there in a second!" He called back. Standing up on the small patch of grass he looked back down at the letter before folding it up and absorbing it into his body to keep it safe. His body became black and he shifted to his pony form. Brushing himself off after the transformation he put on a smile and began to walk towards the area where the seven happy mares were waiting. "Well, as long as I'm here I might as well enjoy myself, even for a little bit."

A few hours later

Twilight stood with Symph and Starlight by her side at the front of the castle of friendship as they bid farewell to their friends before watching them walk off towards their own homes. Although he was still smiling, Symph was desperately trying to tear his focus off what was described in the message sent by his father. He knew that the problem would nor present itself immediately and that he could handle whatever trouble came his way, he was more worried about the safety off the ponies in this world.

In most words he and seen, when an evil being from another world entered that reality p, the ponies generally never stood a chance against what they faced, either being wiped out, being enslaved or any other horrible fate imaginable. He would be more uncomfortable with that fact if it wasn't for his father working to stop that needless violence and free those enslaved realities.

"Hey Symph, you've been really quiet since the volleyball game, is everything alright?" Starlight asked out of concern.

Symph turned to her and blinked. Realising that he had indeed remained quiet for so long he internally facepalmed. "Yes, everything's ok, just a little tired is all." He reassured the unicorn while scratching her ear, causing her to sigh happily and lean into his touch.

"If you're tired why don't you fuse with me to regain energy? I'm just going to be reading so I don't need any help with anything right now." Twilight suggested as she rolled her eyes at Starlight who was getting way too much enjoyment out of Symph scratching her.

"Well, I guess I should turn in for the day. Would you like a cup of tea or anything before I go to sleep?" Symph added as he tuned to Twilight, still scratching Starlight with a black hand with his back to her.

"Maybe some tea, thank you Symph."

"Not a problem Twilight, I'll just be a few minutes." With that Symph walked up the steps to the castles entrance and opened the large doors. When he was out if earshot Twilight turned to the pouting Starlight.

"What's that look for?"

"I liked it when he scratched my ears." Starlight just turned away with a frown.

"Oh don't be such a foal, come on, let's get inside, it's almost dark out." Twilight jutted her head in the direction of the door and slowly walked up the steps with the pouting Starlight close behind.

After a few minutes of walking Starlight stopped her huffing. "Well, I think today went great, what about you?"

Twilight smiled brightly and giggled slightly. "Today was a good day that's for sure, I can't believe that Symph imitated Rainbow like he did."

"Oh yeah, that was really funny, just seeing Rainbow arguing with a copy of herself was priceless. I'm surprised it took her so long to catch on." Starlight laughed at the recent memory, remembering how Symph had transformed into a slightly duller shaded Rainbow Dash and he proceeded to copy everything she did fir the rest of the mares amusement.

"Hey, did you notice him acting strange on the way here?" Twilight asked with her head tilted slightly.

"Now that you mention it, he was acting a little on edge on the way home. He was looking around as if something was going to attack us or whatever. I wonder what made him put his guard up like that." Starlight answered as they rounded a corner, putting a hoof to her chin in thought.

"Well whatever it is it's probably best for us to leave it alone, we don't know what he could be watching out for and I don't think he'll let us know. We should just see how this all plays out and see if he gets better."

"Agreed."

Starlight eventually broke off to go to her bedroom and get some rest, leaving Twilght alone in the candlelit library. As she lay her stomach down onto a small pile of soft pillows she used her magic to select a few books before pilling them besides her neatly.

Soon she saw a black puddle sliding across the floor towards her, although it appeared to have a black arm sticking out with a small plate and cup of tea held in its grasp. "Symph, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm ok, just conserving my remaining energy by keeping out if a solid physical form is all." He set the small plate down on the counter next to Twilight begore retracting the black arm. "Whenever you're ready Twilight."

Twilight nodded and smiled at the small puddle. "It's alright, I'm ready for you to fuse with me now. Goodnight Symph."

"Goodnight Twilight." The puddle rose up Imi the air before joining with Twilghts body again, the sensation starting to become familiar to her.

Deep in her subconscious, Symph lay awake. He remained still and didn't let him mind wander too much, as to avoid Twilight sensing that he was unable to sleep. Instead, he focused in gathering the leftover energy he needed, which was slightly lower in supply due to the activities of the day. He managed to find enough energy and began to slowly absorb it into hai own body.

He began to let himself fall asleep, a certain princess of the night watching him from the dream realm.

Author's Notes:

We'll, looks like Luna is coming out to play.