Golden Harvest set her hooves one more time and pulled. The plow's harness dug painfully into her shoulders and sides as she strained to move it. She had been trying for what seemed like days and no matter how hard she tried she failed to get the plow to move even an inch. She couldn't help but feel that her father was going to be disappointed in her, he had given her this big job to do, and she was failing to meet his expectations, how would he ever be able to trust her ever again.

Frustrated, she turned her head about and lashed out with her hind hoof, kicking the stubborn plow. Setting her hooves again for another try, she noticed the sky building up with storm clouds. Straining her head up, she saw the weather pegasi pushing in more rain clouds and packing them together tightly. It looked like they were building up quite the storm, already water droplets were starting to fall. Hanging her head, she felt she had failed. Her father was going to be so disappointed with her, she was supposed to have this field plowed and planted before the weather team arrived.

Twisting her head about, she unstrapped the harness from around her shoulder and with a tired shrug she let the harness fall off of her. Turning she started walking back home, how was she going to be able to face her father?

With a flash and crackling rumble, a lightning bolt split across the sky. Looking up worriedly she saw that the weather team had finished and the storm was about to break, she needed to get back home! Picking up her pace she started to run, but there was something wrong. The ground seemed to pull at her hooves and the air felt thick, the harder she ran the slower she seemed to go.

She struggled to reach the edge of the field, where a long irrigation ditch full of water ran alongside it. A small home made bridge spanned across the ditch, and Goldie ran for it. The bridge wasn't very wide and there was no rails on it, but she wasn't worried, she crossed it thousands of times in the past and never had a problem. The rain was now pouring down and as her hooves came down the the wooden planking, she found they felt slick under her hooves. Heedless of the danger and confident that she would make it, she dashed across the short span, but just as she reached the middle, her hoof suddenly slipped out from under her, and she found herself falling over the side. Goldie let out a scream as she fell towards the murky irrigation water.

Bracing herself, she plunged into its dark depths. Kicking her legs, she paddled for the surface, but it was dark and she had no idea where it was. She flailed about searching desperately for the surface, when suddenly, she broke through. Flinging her head up she drew fresh air into her lungs.

Looking about herself in confusion she found herself sitting in a partially filled tub, in a strange bathroom, . Wondering how she ended up in a bathroom, Goldie stood and stepped out of the tub. The bathroom was large with white tiles across the floor and walls, and the fixtures had gold plating on them and the towels that were hung up were of fine quality. Stepping across the bathroom, Goldie set her hoof onto the gold plated door handle, and opened the door.

Stepping out into the hallway Goldie looked about. Under her hooves was a rich plush red and gold carpet, and set upon the wall just across from the bathroom, hung a large portrait of what looked like a husband, wife and daughter.

The stallion in the painting wore a nice suit and tie, and the mare next to him had on a elegant black silk dress with pearls draped around her neck. Sitting before the two was a young filly in a red satin and lace dress. But as she looked at their faces she found them to be a muddy mess, it was like somepony had taken paint thinner and brushed it over their faces.

Turning she considered which way to go, both way's stretched on for what seemed forever with no end in sight. Choosing a direction she started walking. Suddenly ahead of her she heard a crack followed by a stallion's agonized scream. Without hesitation Goldie rushed forward to the first door she came to and threw it open, and found the same bathroom she had just left.

Slamming the door shut she rushed down the hall to the next door and opened it, only to find the same bathroom. Another crack sounded followed by the stallion's scream echoed down the hall. Turning, this time leaving the door open, she rushed to the next one and opened it, finding the bathroom again, looking back she found the door she had left open to be now closed.

Again the crack and the stallion's scream echoed out, it sounded closer. Turning she ran down the hall, ignoring the doors she just kept going, the sounds of the painful cracks continued to get louder, and she could now hear a mare's voice laughing at the stallions pain.

There was something familiar about the stallion as he cried out, and something inside her was urging her on, telling her she needed to help him. His painful cries were very loud now, as she drew to a stop, looking around the hallway. It all looked the same, to one side was the bathroom door and the other was the portrait of the faceless family.

The cries seemed to be coming from all around. Frustrated that she was unable to locate him, Goldie stepped up to the portrait and pulled it from the wall before throwing it angrily to the side. To her surprise she found a door that was hidden behind the portrait.

It looked just like all the other doors she had passed, except that the handle was black, and as she watched the door started to blacken around the edges. The sound of the mare's cruel laughter was growing almost hysterical as the cracks started to come more frequent, the stallions screams were growing hoarse as the blows rained down on him without rest.

The door continued to blacken, looking like it was slowly charring. She needed to get in there! Lifting her hoof she touched the handle, with a hiss and a trail of smoke Goldie jerked her hoof back and shook it in the air. The handle was burning hot!

The pain filled cries of the stallion was driving her on though, she now knew who it was! It was Caramel, and he needed her help! He was in so much pain! Gritting her teeth she put her hoof to the now glowing hot handle and pressed down on the latch, her hoof smoked and the sensitive part of her frog seared in pain as she threw opened the door.

Inside was a bedroom, the only light was in the center of the room with all the walls disappearing into the darkness. Under the light a young looking Caramel lay draped belly down over the length of a large chest, with his hooves tied to rings set along the bottom. His back, from his dock to his withers was a bloody mess of stripes.

Standing just on the other side of Caramel was a shadowy form of a unicorn mare. Goldie couldn't make out who it was, or even what she looked like, for she was made of literal shadows, the only thing that stood out was her eyes, her cruel yellow eyes.

"All you had to do was say it." The shadow mare said in admonishment, leaning in down close to Caramel. "But because your a bad little colt I am going to have to punish you again, so you will learn your place."

"Please, no more" Caramel begged, his head hanging off the edge of the chest, his tears falling to the floor below.

Floating next to the shadowy mare, held in a grip of shadows was a long thin rod of what looked like bamboo, with medal wire wrapped around the final foot of it, its length was covered in blood, Caramel's blood. It suddenly struck down onto Caramel's back with a sickening crack, spraying Caramel's blood across the floor and adding a new stripe onto his back. Caramel arched his head back as he let out a hoarse cry.

"Did I say you could talk, slave?" The shadow mare snapped angrily. "I will have obedience!"

"No, I'm sorry! Please." He pleaded as the mare lifted the bamboo rod up for another strike at his back.

Goldie didn't wait to let it fall. "Leave him alone!" She cried out as she rushed forward, ignoring her burnt hoof, she ran as fast as she could. Just as the cruel rod was about to strike, Goldie flung herself over Caramel's bloody back to take the hit for him, clamping her eyes shut she waited for the blow to fall.

The blow never came.

Opening her eyes Goldie found herself laying in a bed of soft grass, sitting up she looked around and saw that she was in a valley surrounded by snow capped mountains. Nearby sat a small lake, with waters so clear she could see the bottom. The sun was high in the sky with a few little rouge clouds scattered about. On the far side of the lake a waterfall fell down a cliff face to plunge down into the lake with a rainbow arching up from its spray. It was the most beautiful valley Goldie had ever seen, and she had no idea where she was.

She remembered going to bed after Cinnamon's late night feeding, and after some rather strange dreams she wakes up here. Looking around she saw that Caramel was nowhere in sight. Standing, Goldie walked down to the edge of the lake, lowing her head down she sniffed at the water, and found it smell clean and fresh. Dipping her mouth into the water, she took a small drink and blinked in surprise at how good it tasted, finding that it was probably the best tasting water she had ever had. Dropping her mouth back down she eagerly drank her fill.

Lifting her head back up she looked around wondering where she should go, after some thought she decided to follow the lake in the hopes of finding some habitation somewhere along it. After a short while of walking she spotted hoof prints along the sandy shore, she felt a thrill of excitement at not alone here.

Picking up her pace to a trot she followed the prints, it wasn't long before she rounded a bend and saw a figure sitting next to the shore looking out into the lake. She instantly recognized him.

"Caramel!" Goldie cried out, rushing to him.

Caramel ears perked up and he whirled around in surprise, the moment he saw Goldie running to him, his face broke out an a joyous smile. When Goldie reached him, she boldly launched herself and tackled him to the ground. She brought her lips to his and kissed him fiercely, while Caramel returned the kiss with as much intensity as she gave. The relief she felt that he was here with her was immense

"I thought I was all alone here." Caramel said once he managed to break from their kiss.

"I was worried about the same thing." Goldie admitted as she climbed off of Caramel freeing him to sit up. "I don't suppose you know how we got here?" She asked hopefully.

Caramel sadly shook his head. "No, the last thing I remember is you getting out of bed to see to Cinnamon, I listened to you as you hummed to her until I fell back asleep."

Goldie nodded, knowing the moment he was describing, it was just after that when she returned back to bed. "Yeah, that's about when I last remember as well. I finished feeding Cinnamon, and I managed to get her back to sleep. I then got back into bed." Goldie looked at Caramel as she suddenly recalled the strange dream she had before waking up here. Curiously she moved around to look at his back.

"What are you doing?" Caramel asked, looking around at her.

Goldie didn't know what she expected to find, just remembering how disturbing the dream had been made her want to reassure herself that it never happened. All she saw was his normal back, his coat clean and undisturbed by the beating in the dream. Letting out a sigh of relief Goldie was about to go back around Caramel except for some reason she lifted her hoof and ran it upward along his back, lifting his fur up allowing her to see the skin underneath.

What she saw sent a cold shock through her. Under his fur she saw row after row of thin white scars crisscrossed his back. Goldie flung herself back in horror, turning about she collapsed to the sand and threw up, tears coming to her eyes. How was this possible? It had been a dream!

Goldie felt Caramel's hoof come over her shoulder, as he held her. Immediately she turned and buried her face into his neck as she wept. It was a dream! It had to be just a dream, but there it was, all over his back. How could this be!?

"Shh, its alright. It's all healed now." Caramel said, trying to calm her

Clinging to his neck, Goldie pulled herself up to his face. "You don't understand! I saw it!" Goldie cried out. "I saw what she did to you!"

Caramel shook his head as he dismissed her claim. "That's not possible, it happened five years ago, back in Fillydelphia, you were in Ponyville at the time."

Goldie tightened her grip around his neck. "No, I saw it in the dream! You must believe me, I'm not making this up!" Goldie pleaded, trying to think of a way to convince him she wasn't imagining things. "In the dream a unicorn mare had you tied over a chest and she was using a bamboo rod with wire wrapped around it"

Caramel sucked in a breath as his eyes widened in shock. "How did you...? I never told anypony that, not even my sister." Caramel sounded dismayed. "Wait? You saw this in a dream? Describe it."

Loosening her hold around his neck, Goldie sat back and wiped at her nose with the back of her hoof. Slowly at first she started to tell him about how she was trying to plow her father's large field, but when she fled from a rain storm she ended up falling into the irrigation ditch only to come up in a bathroom of all places. When she described walking out into the hallway, Caramel suddenly reeled back in shock.

"You described it perfectly! How? You were never there." Caramel blinked at her with dismay.

Goldie was a bit hesitant about the next part, but Caramel seemed to really want to know. She continued, telling him about following the sound of screams until she found a hidden door, and when she opened the door of her finding him tied down over a trunk while a unicorn mare beat him with a wire wrapped bamboo rod.

Caramel held up his hoof, forestalling her from saying any more. He sat there for a bit, quietly staring down at the sandy shore as he collected his thoughts."I was having a nightmare earlier. It's the same one I've been having for years now, its a nightmare of what happened to me when I was... attacked. No matter how many times I have had it, It has never changed, except that this time..." Caramel looked up at her. "You appeared in the nightmare. You shouted for her to leave me alone, then you covered me with your body, protecting me. Right after that I woke up here."

Goldie gaped at him stunned, not knowing how this could be possible. "Are you saying we somehow shared a dream?"

Caramel thought for a moment before he lifted his hoof up and looked at his marriage band. "I suppose that we just found another strange thing to come from our bounding." Dropping his hoof back down he Leaned forward and gave Goldie a kiss. "Thank you, for doing what you did in the dream."

Goldie nuzzled him. "Caramel, I will always be there for you, just as I know you will always be there for me. Even in our dreams." Goldie added.

Caramel smirked at her before looking around. "So, where are we?"

Letting out a disappointed sigh, Goldie also looked around. "I was hoping you would know."

Shaking his head, Caramel rose and walked a few steps. "I have no idea. Wherever this is at, it's very beautiful here." Looking back, Caramel gestured with his head for her to follow. "Come on, lets go find a place to shelter for the night, we'll look around tomorrow and hopefully find where we are and how we got here.

They found shelter under a large boulder that was leaning into another, creating a vaulted roof. It's back end was blocked by a smaller bolder that they piled stones and dirt around to seal off. A pine tree blocked half of the entrance leaving just enough room for them to walk in without scraping their sides.

The next morning, they woke hungry and decided to try eating the grass, and much to their surprise found it to be quite sweet and delicious. Once their hunger was sated and their thirst quenched from the lake, they set out and circled around the lake, it took most of the day and in the end they found nothing to help them determine where they were.

Returning to their makeshift home, they determined that the next day to follow the stream from the lake as it made it's way down the valley. That plan turned out to come to an abrupt end when they found that a mile down the steam tumbled off a rather large cliff, and after a bit of exploring they determined that it would be impossible to work their way down.

The next day they decided to take a break and go for a swim in the lake. The water had a bit of a chill to it but they found it felt rather good. Their swim soon turned into a bit of fun roughhousing, that quickly escalated to making out, culminating with them making love on the shore. Over the next couple of day's they explored the entire valley and found no foreseeable way out. It seemed that they were stuck here.

Time stretched on, and they found things to do, at night Caramel would teach Goldie some more sign language by the fire, and during the daytime it they weren't working on improving their new home they would go swimming in the lake, or chase each other around the grassy fields. One day Caramel found a large crevice and started working on sealing off to create a place to store food for the winter.

Caramel walked along a large slab of rock that ran along the southern edge of the valley, looking around he admired the neat rows of grass grass that he had just harvested, and was now drying out on the slab to make hay. It's been just over two weeks since they arrived in the valley, and life here was peaceful and quiet.

Looking up he saw that much of the day had passed during his time away and he decided to head back to see how Goldie was doing. Today she was picking raspberry's they had found along the creek that ran from the lake. Working his way down, Caramel passed though a small copse of trees and came to a stop as he looked at the view that lay before him. The entire valley stretched out below him, the crystal lake sparkling in the low hanging sun.

Looking to the side he saw Goldie lounging on her belly under a aspen tree as she looked out over the valley, watching the sun sink lower towards the horizon. Caramel smiled as he walked over to her, and settled himself out next to her and nuzzled her behind her ear.

"Oh Caramel, what are we going to do?" Goldie asked with a sad sigh, as she leaned her body over to rest against his side. She had been a bit depressed over the last couple of days and efforts on his part to brighten her mood had only had minor success.

"We'll get though this, just keep your spirits up." Caramel kept his voice strong and confident, even though he was feeling a bit down himself.

Looking over at him, Goldie's eyes were moist from fresh tears she had shed. "I miss Cinnamon, I hope she's doing okay."

Pressing himself closer, Caramel nuzzled her cheek, he missed Cinnamon too. "Chisel and Lilly will take care of her, so there is nothing to worry about."

"I know, I know. It's just I wish I could hold her again." Goldie lamented, letting out another sigh.

"I'll find us a way back home, I promise." Caramel assured her.

Looking back over at him, Goldie gave him a weak smile. "I know your doing your best." Looking back forward they both watched as the sun set.

Once it vanished over the horizon, Caramel gave Goldie a little nudge. "Come on, lets get back to camp and have some dinner. Then we can work on your sign language again, your getting pretty good at it.." Caramel praised her as they both stood and started down towards their home camp.

After dinner, Goldie seemed distracted and only put in half the effort in her sign language lessons then normal, after a short while she gave up and said she was tired and she was going to go to sleep. Caramel saw the mood she was in and didn't argue. Moving over to a pile of leaves and grass that made up their bed , Goldie settled herself onto it and looked over to Caramel.

"Are you going to stay up?" She asked.

Shaking his head, Caramel rose and moved over to join her. "No, I'm pretty tired from my searching today." Settling in next to her, Caramel felt Goldie rest her head onto his shoulder. Laying there quietly for a moment Caramel turned his head back for a moment. "We'll get back home, I promise I'll keep looking until I find a way." He assured her again.

Lifting her head from his shoulder for a moment, Goldie gave him a quick kiss to his lips. "I know you will." She said before she settled her head back down onto his shoulder. Caramel watched her for a time before he settled his head down into the bed of leaves and closed his eyes, listening to Goldie's slow breaths as she slept. Sleep was slow in coming to him this night.

Caramel was walking beside Goldie down a country road towards her parents home. He felt a bit nervous about seeing them, but his resolve was set and he wasn't going to back out now. Cinnamon rode in a saddle carrier on his back, happily burbling to herself, as she enjoyed their walk though the country. She was wearing a green dress with white lace, and tied to her head was a little white bonnet that Lilly had thought Cinnamon would look absolutely adorable in.

A rather loud flatulent sound erupted from Cinnamon, causing Goldie to startle slightly. "Wow, that was a loud one."

Caramel nodded and turned his head back to look at Cinnamon. "Yeah, you could say that again. I felt it." Good thing they were walking into a head wind, Caramel thought.

"Well we're almost there, we can change her diaper when we get there." Goldie said, turning off the road onto a dirt driveway.

Turning, Caramel followed her as they walked up the drive to her family's farmhouse. The house was a well cared for two story farmhouse, with a porch on the front that faced the road. So far nopony had come out to greet them, but Caramel guessed that it was probably for the best, at least until he changed Cinnamon's diaper.

Stepping up to the porch, Caramel nosed open the diaper bag on Golden's back, and pulled out a small blanket. Gripping it in his mouth, he stepped up onto the porch and laid it out. Golden moved over and helped him extract Cinnamon from her carrier and laid her down onto the blanket.

"We need to be careful, if we get anything onto her pretty dress, aunt Lilly is going to kill me." Caramel said worriedly as he pulled Cinnamon's dress back to clear it out of the way. Golden moved over next to him and took off the diaper bag and set it down, flipped it open she reached in and rummaged around for what they needed.

Undoing the diaper, Caramel pulled it open. "Wow! It looks like she did a double load, and she's about to have a containment breach. Quick! Grab one of those rags I packed, we'll use it to hold this mess." Caramel said as he started to work, Golden pulled out the rag he wanted and laid it out, Caramel began tossing the fouled wipes onto the rag.

Caramel heard the door open behind him. "Honey. Our daughter brought home a stallion... and he's changing a filly's diaper on our front porch." A feminine voice said from behind them. With Cinnamon's rump pulled up in his clamped fetlock, and some wipes held ready in his mouth, Caramel looked back over his shoulder.

Standing by the front door, a very large purple lavender stallion with a plum colored shortly cropped mane stood next to a very light cerulean colored mare with moderate heliotrope mane. They were Goldie's parents Taproot, and May Flower.

Spiting out the wipes he held in his mouth, Caramel grinned at them. "Ah...Hi. I ah....I'll be right with you in a moment." Caramel said nervously. He couldn't believe this was happening, they finally arrived to tell Goldie's parents the news of their marriage, and here they find him changing Cinnamon's diaper on their front porch.

"Don't mind us, you go on and see to the filly." Taproot's deep voice said, sounding amused of all things.

Out of all the times he imagined this important meeting with her parents, he never thought it would happen while he was hoof deep in a dirty diaper. Nervously, with the two watching over his shoulder, Caramel worked on cleaning Cinnamon's dirty rump.

Goldie looked up at her parents, as she passed over some more wipes to Caramel. "Um... Mom, Dad, you remember Caramel of course, and the filly with the dirty diaper is Cinnamon." She said, giving introductions.

"Hello." Caramel said waving a hoof over his shoulder for a moment before returning to Cinnamon. "Oh! Eww, I put my hoof right into it. Goldie, use a wipe to get this off my hoof will you?"

Hurrying as best he could, and with the help of Goldie, Caramel finally had Cinnamon cleaned and in fresh diapers. Standing, Caramel turned to Goldie's parents as he held Cinnamon, Goldie quickly brought herself to his side.

Taproot considered the two, his expression now unreadable. "So, what brings you to our home?"

Caramel gave Goldie a quick glance. "Well sir, I came because we have something to tell you two."

Taproot looked to his daughter and lifted an eyebrow. "Oh really? So what is it you want to say?"

For some reason Caramel was having trouble seeing, everything had a hazy look now, it was as if everything became blurry all of a sudden.

"Well... we would like to announce to you two that we..." Goldie paused and shook her head, it seemed that she too was having the same problem as him. Everything in the distance was now completely washed out, and as he looked, both Taproot, and May Flower began to fade away, like they were made of mist. Next to him Goldie was rubbing at her eyes as she too started to fade. Lifting his hoof Caramel gaped in horror as he was able to see through it, even Cinnamon was fading.

"You will not open his head and examine his brain! I will not allow it!" A feminine voice said sternly. Caramel couldn't tell where the voice was coming from, but she somehow sounded familiar, but he couldn't place her.

"I assure you, I will put it back just as I find it. He won't even notice it was gone." A male voice said, arguing with the female voice.

Everything around him faded away to blackness, and Caramel suddenly opened his eyes. He was laying in bed, in what looked to be in the same room he and Goldie had been sleeping in when they were over at aunt Lilly's two weeks ago.

"What's this about examining brains?" Caramel muttered as he blinked his eyes. He couldn't believe how groggy and cotton brained he felt. Next to his bed, Princess Twilight stood facing Twirlshine as they appeared to be arguing.

When he spoke Princess Twilight let out a gasp and her wings fluttered out in surprise, as she whirled about to face him. Stepping closer to his bed, Princess Twilight lifted her hoof and pulled down on his cheek just under his eye so she could lean in close to look closely into it.

"Mr. Caramel, how do you feel? Are you lightheaded or hear buzzing in your ears?" She asked as she felt at his head.

Before he could answer, she suddenly levitated a thermometer up and stuck it into his mouth. Next to him Goldie let out a yawn and scratched at her eyes. "What's going on?" She asked then blinked as she looked around. "We're back!"

Twirlshine stepped around the bed to her side, a curious expression on his face. "What do you mean when you say, we're back?" He asked.

Goldie blinked as she looked around confused. She was surprised to see Princess Twilight standing next to Caramel who was also looking around confused, with a thermometer in his mouth. Blueberry stood from a chair on the other side of the room and quickly slipped out the door, hopefully to find Lilly or Chisel.

"Princess, I don't understand. What's happening?" Goldie asked looking over to Princess Twilight for answers. "And what is Twirlshine doing here?"

Princess Twilight moved around the bed to her side. "Last night, Twirlshine came to my home wanting to ask me questions about an unusual bonding spell that he apparently found in a research journal from a hundred years ago. Apparently he's been recklessly using it without the proper research." Princess Twilight held a tattered book up in her magic. "From what I was able to discover, the spell was devised by a mad wizard who was studying ways to make ponies absolutely devoted to him, by binding their hearts to him. He never made it too far with his plan before he was arrested and committed to a hospital for the rest of his life, but before he was locked up, he did manage to create some dangerous spells and potions like the Love Poison, in which when the two ponies drink it they become so in love with each other that they are unable to think of anything else until they loose all function to care for themselves and eventually die. The other spell he created is the Want it Need it spell, which I am sorry to say that I myself had some dealings with."

"Are you saying Twirlshine cast one of these spells made by a mad wizard from a hundred years ago on us!" Caramel exclaimed, next to him Goldie sat up alarmed. Twirlshine backed up a few steps as his ears drooped down.

Princess Twilight ruffled her wings at his sudden exclamation before she motioned with her hoof for them to calm down. "Please, its not as bad as you think. I have looked it over and found that the spell was just a tool the wizard had devised for researching the heart during his time at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. He based the spell on some research he did on the Crystal Heart he found in the old archives. He postulated that the Crystal Heart bound all the crystal ponies hearts together and drew its power from them, he was looking to do the same thing but with himself as the Crystal Heart. I believe that if it had worked he might have become as powerful as a Alicorn, if not becoming an actual Alicorn in the process."

The door opened and Blueberry entered with aunt Lilly right behind her with an anxious expression on her face, when she saw them she let out a relieved smile. "Oh thank goodness your both awake, I was so worried when I heard Cinnamon's crying this morning, and found you two in some sort of coma with those glowing lines all over your bodies." Aunt Lilly quickly came to their bed and hugged both Goldie and Caramel. "I didn't know what to do, and sent Chisel to Princess Twilight to see if she knew what was happening."

Caramel looked at her confused. "What are you talking about this morning? Goldie and I were both trapped together in some mountain valley for fifteen days!"

"Wait, what!?" Princess Twilight exclaimed, looking at the two in surprise. "You two were in a coma since sometime last night, what is this about being trapped in a valley?"

Caramel and Goldie exchanged confused looks, then Goldie told of what happened to them when they went to bed during the night. She told them of Caramel nightmare without giving the history behind it, and how she was in it with him. Aunt Lilly covered her mouth in horror at the description of what was happening to Caramel in the nightmare.

"This is totally amazing! A total Psychosomniummorphic Merger! They shared dreams!" Twirlshine exclaimed excitedly looking up from his notes.

Princess Twilight used here magic to clamp Twirlshine's mouth shut. "Please don't interrupt. Please continue, what happened next?"

Licking her lips, Goldie told of how they woke up by the lake, and how they spent the next fifteen days living there. Exploring the area and making the best of their time there. "It was real, what we went through there really happened."

Twirlshine was making notes in a small book as they depicted the events of their time in the lake valley. "How do we know that it wasn't just a dream?"

Goldie looked to Blueberry and suddenly thought of something that might prove that their time there was real. Lift up her hooves she began making signs. "Hello Blueberry, it's nice to be able to talk to you now."

Blueberry's head shot up as her eyes widened in astonishment. Her hooves danced on the floor in happiness before she started to sign back. "How is this possible? You only started to learn yesterday!"

Goldie smiled. "Caramel's a wonderful teacher." Turning to Twirlshine she then spoke out loud. "Whatever happened to us, it wasn't a dream." Goldie said confidently. "Every night, Caramel gave me lessons in sign language. If it was just a dream then how did I learn if in just one night?"

Princess Twilight suddenly lifted her head up strait and let out a exclaimed laugh. "I think I know where you two where, I believe you two might have been in the astral plane."

"W-What?... what do you mean??" Goldie managed to ask. Caramel was also staring at her, waiting for her to explain herself.

Princess Twilight thought about it a moment, as she organized her thoughts, this happens at times, she would make an intuitive leap of logic before thinking it all through. "Let me start at the beginning and work this all through. When I examined the bonding spell, and I found nothing to say that it was designed to go beyond the act of allowing two hearts to share their feelings with each other, and when it's was done, the spell would leave an imprint on the two so that they will still feel the connection."

Princess Twilight began to pace as she continued to think it though. "Something happened with you two, something that went beyond what the spell was designed to do, your hearts are so connected right now they are virtually acting as one. When Caramel had his nightmare, he inadvertently reached out for help and he pulled Golden into his nightmare, she in turn rushed to help him and somehow managed to rip them both out of the nightmare and into another plane, very likely a world of her own making. A place where they would be safe."

"If I brought us there, then why did it take us fifteen days to get out?" Goldie asked.

"Moving into different planes is tricky and hard to do, otherwise other ponies would be doing to too. I myself managed to go to another plane physically when I ascended into an Alicorn." Princess Twilight unconsciously unfurled her wings slightly as she spoke. "You two only went to one metaphysically, and then only partially, you were still strongly linked to this realm, normally time has no meaning in the astral plane, you could have spent a thousand or even a million years in one without any time passing here, but since you two where only there partially, half a day passed for your fifteen day's there."

"Are we in any danger? Should we be worried?" Caramel asked in concern, Goldie nodded.

Princess Twilight pursed her lips as she thought. "Normally I would say no, but you two are messing around with the power of the heart, the very fundamental powers of life itself. I don't know enough about this field of magic to even try to make a guess."

The door opened and a light heliotrope unicorn mare with a moderate purple mane with aquamarine highlights stepped in, levitating in her magic next to her was a fussing Cinnamon who let out contemplative cries.

"Excuse me, the filly started crying." The mare said. Caramel didn't know her name be he remembered seeing her around town recently, mostly in the company of ether Princess Twilight or her dragon assistant Spike.

Goldie held out her hooves for Cinnamon. "Oh you pour thing, come to mamma, I've missed you so much."

The unicorn mare levitated Cinnamon over to Goldie, who happily snatched her out of the levitation bubble, and hugged and kissed the filly, happy to see her again. Pulling back the blanket, Goldie started to position herself to nurse Cinnamon.

Aunt Lilly turned and held her hoof to the door. "Okay, lets give her some privacy."

And as Twirlshine sputtered in complaint, aunt Lilly boldly shoved him out the door, Caramel motioned for Blueberry to come closer and have a seat next to the bed, and as the others left, Caramel filled her in on what had just been discussed.

Next to him Goldie let out a pleased sigh. "Oh this feels so good, they were feeling really full." Nestled up to her teat, Cinnamon nosily suckled.

Latter, when they came downstairs they heard a sudden commotion in the living room.

"You are not taking them!" Aunt Lilly shouted angrily, stomping a hoof. She was standing before Princess Twilight with her muzzle close to hers.

Princess Twilight gestured for her to calm down. "She is the leading expert in this field, if there is any pony that can help them with this it will be her."

Aunt Lilly shook her head. "But can't it wait a little while? They haven't even seen Goldie's parents yet, and then there is arranging for Fudge's funeral to do."

"I understand that there are some pressing matters, but I believe that this shouldn't wait." Princess Twilight said with a hint of urgency.

"What's going on?" Caramel asked as he stepped the rest of they way down the stairs, Goldie and Blueberry following behind.

Aunt Lilly looked over and gestured to Princess Twilight. "She want's to take you two to the Crystal Empire!"

Caramel glanced over to Princess Twilight in surprise. Behind him Goldie signed to Blueberry what was just said.

Princess Twilight turned to face him and Goldie. "Princess Cadence is the leading expert in the field of the heart, I believe that she has the best chance of getting answers to what has happened to you two, and as to whether it may be something dangerous."

Caramel glanced back to Goldie, not sure what to do. They had just spent two weeks in what was apparently the astral plane, and now that they were back, Princess Twilight was looking to take them away again.

"I'm sorry, but I believe this shouldn't wait. There is a train leaving in less then an hour and I want us to be on it." Princess Twilight said, looking at the two.

"Caramel, I think we should go." Goldie said as she stepped up next to him. "My parents will be angry, but I think we need to get some answers. What if this happens again and we spend ten thousand years stuck in the astral plane."

Caramel saw that she was truly worried about this happening, and he understood her point. What if they did spend ten thousand years away only to come back and only an hour had passed, every pony they knew would be strangers to them, lost to ten thousand years of lost time.

Princess Twilight watched the two as they considered her option. "If it would help, I could have Spike go out to your parents and deliver an official message from me telling them that I needed your help with teaching the Crystal ponies the newer modern ways of farming."

Goldie considered it, but looked troubled at this idea. "I don't like the idea of lying to my parents."

"Well it wouldn't be a lie if we actually do it." Princess Twilight said looking at the two with a smile.. "Golden Harvest, Caramel, I officially ask for your help in advising the Crystal ponies in modern farming practices. You two will be compensated for your help of course."

Goldie blinked as she thought it over, turning she looked to Caramel. "What about Fudge's funeral?"

"Don't worry about her funeral, we'll take care of it." Uncle Chisel said stepping into the room from the kitchen. "After all, we were the ones to arrange Fudge's and Caramel's parents funeral back when they died."

Aunt Lilly shook her head as she moved to her husband. "I'm sorry Chisel, but I'm going with them, do you think you can handle it on your own?"

Chisel gave her a nod. "I'll manage, go on and keep an eye on those two, make sure they come back home."

Princess Twilight turned to Chisel. "I'll have a talk with Rarity, she would be able to help you with arranging the funeral. I'll also have Spike help out as well, he'll be handy with the notification letters." Princess Twilight offered.

"Thank you, I'll appreciate any help they can give me." Chisel said with a respectful bow of his head.

Princess Twilight turned to the light heliotrope mare, who had been standing quietly to the side watching. "Starlight, please find Spike and have him come see me, then go to the train station and arrange for..." Turning she looked around. "Is it only you three?" She asked looking at Caramel, Goldie, and Lilly Pad.

Blueberry reached over and lightly nudged Goldie, then pointed to herself.

"Four, Blueberry is coming as well." Goldie corrected.

"Arrange for six of us." Princess Twilight said before Twirlshine stepped over.

"What about me? I'm coming as well!" Twirlshine said.

Princess Twilight looked a little vexed as she looked at Twirlshine, but then she let out a sigh. "Seven of us to go to the Crystal Empire."

Starlight paused before going, looking at Princess Twilight. "Are you sure?" She asked dubiously with a distasteful glance to the scruffy unicorn.

Princess Twilight gave her a nod. "Yeah, he may be useful."

Starlight spoke over her shoulder. "I'm not too sure about that." She said before moving out the door.

Caramel spoke up. "We are going to need a few things before we leave."

Princess Twilight looked to him. "Oh?"

"Cinnamon's diaper bag is short of supplies, unless you want her to run out of diapers or wipes before we get to the Crystal Empire we are going to need to stop at the store." Caramel said.

"Oh, then please be back as quick as you can, I want to leave here in twenty minutes." Princess Twilight said.

As Caramel turned to leave, Goldie gave him a quick peck to his cheek. "I'll stay here, I need to write a letter to my parents to let them know where I am going."

Giving her a smile, Caramel headed to the door, where uncle Chisel fell in beside him. "I'll come with you, we need to talk about a few things before you go." As they passed the front door, uncle Chisel snagged his straw hat off a peg, and set it on his head.

This town is as stupid as the last one, Bitternut Dandy thought as he looked around Ponyville. He searched all throughout Galloping Springs and had come up with nothing, nopony he had given her description too had ever seen that worthless sister of his. When he went back to that B&B and talked with that fat old mare who ran it, she glared at him and threatened to call the constable if he didn't leave.

His thoughts kept dwelling on those stupid ponies that he had watched leave at the train station in Galloping Springs, especially that third one who had looked at him with frightened eyes. He was used to seeing fear in a mare's eyes, especially after he had a bit of fun with them but something about hers seemed familiar. Ponyville had been the next stop on the trains trip to Las Pegasus, so they had ether gotten off here or in Las Pegasus.

As he moved down a street he felt he had traversed a dozen times now, he suddenly saw the pony he was looking for, the stallion with the three blue horse shoes cutie mark. Quickly Bitternut hid himself behind a nearby corner and peeked out. He watched as the stallion went into a store with a dark tan colored older stallion that was wearing a straw hat.

Leaning against the wall, Bitternut waited until the two left the store carrying some shopping bags. As they walked down the street, Bitternut stepped out and followed. They stopped for a short time at a second store, where the stallion reemerged with a larger bag on his back.

Bitternut followed them until they came to a house. Looking around he found a bush to hide behind as he waited, hoping that the mare with the scared eyes would come out. Sure enough, the front door reopened and a group of ponies came out, none of them were who he was looking for until finally the last one came out and Bitternut suddenly grinned. It was her! She was no longer wearing that dress that covered her wings or that stupid hat. Her color was still purple but it had lightened up with more of her blue showing through. That was clever of them to have dyed her coat to disguise her, he had to give them a bit of credit, it had almost worked.

His grin faded as he snarled. There were way too many ponies for him to make his move, he was going to haft to wait for the right time to grab her, his eyes widened when he noticed that one of the ponies in the group was a Alicorn. That must be Princess Twilight Sparkle the princess of stupid friendship, he thought as he watched them walk down the street heading towards the train station.

A little dragon rushed up and spoke with the princess for a time as they walked down the street, after the princess passed him two letters he hurried off, passing right by Bitternut as he leaned against the side of a shop. Once the little dragon was safely past him, he resumed following the group until they stopped in front of a fancy looking shop with a sign that read, Carousel Boutique.

The princess and the older stallion with the straw hat went inside, while the others waited. Bitternut ground his teeth as he watched his sister as she flailed her hoof around as she spoke to the mare with carrots for a cutie mark. Gazing at her, Bitternut felt his stallionhood twitch in his sheath as he remembered the feel of her plump round bottom as she pressed down into his lap, now that was a mare that could use a bit of his brand of fun to show her what a true stallion was like.

His thoughts were interrupted when the door to the boutique opened and a white unicorn hurried out and rushed over to speak to that annoying dirt stallion for a short while before she gave him a hug, Bitternut sneered at the sight of the mushy sentimentality he was receiving. What was so special about that dirt stallion that all the mares seemed to like him so much? Bitternut felt that he was a hundred times a better stallion than that mushy foal toting sorry excuse for a stallion.

Bitternut shook his head to bring himself back to the task at hoof, the group was now walking away from the boutique. As Bitternut followed he had to fall further back because the white unicorn and older stallion with the straw hat had fallen behind the group to speak together. What could that sexy mare and that old warn out stallion have to talk about?

The group made their way to the train station. Stepping up to the small platform the group met up with a unicorn mare that was waiting for them, moving quickly Bitternut hid himself behind a luggage carrier to listen in.

"Your sure you can handle the funeral arrangements? I just feel horrible about leaving." Aunt Lilly said to her husband.

Uncle Chisel smiled and shook his head at her. "Don't you fret none about it honey, Miss. Rarity here has said she would be glad to help out. Just stay with Caramel and Goldie and keep an eye on them, they'll likely need you." Chisel leaned in close to his wife and gave her a kiss. "And keep Blueberry close, she's young still and needs somepony to watch over her."

Lilly gave her husband a knowing smirk. "You know I will do that anyways."

"I know, I just thought to say it anyways." He said to Lilly before he waved to Caramel, Goldie, and Blueberry. "Have fun in the Crystal Empire, and bring back a souvenir." Chisel hollered out.

As ponies started to board, Caramel stared out at Ponyville as he waited to board. Goldie moved over next to him when she saw the look on his face.

"Are you okay?" She asked looking over at him, concerned that he was troubled about something.

Caramel let out a sigh. "Yeah, I'm okay. Its just... you know."

She nodded her understanding at what he was getting at. "Yeah, I know." Goldie replied knowingly, they had hardly arrived at home before they are now being whisked away to a kingdom in the north.

"Right, lets do this." Caramel said with a strong nod of his head, moving forward he helped Goldie on board before following her in.

Caramel had thought that the train ride to Fillydelphia was long, but it was nothing compared to the ride to the Crystal Empire. Caramel, Goldie, and Blueberry sat together, as aunt Lilly told stories of Caramel's and Goldie's foalhood antics together. Princess Twilight curiously moved closer and listen in, while Starlight Glimmer sat by herself as she read a book. Twirlshine had papers scattered all about his seat as he madly made notations while scanning though some reference books he had brought along.

As Caramel signed to Blueberry what aunt Lilly said as she told her stories, he thought of all the good memory's the aunt Lilly was bringing up. He had forgotten their disastrous idea to paint the fence, or that time they put a hole in the wall when they slid down the stairs on a toboggan.

Across the aisle, Caramel heard the melodious laughter of Princess Twilight, looking over he saw her wipe tears from her eyes.

"You two where quite the pair." She said, looking over at Caramel and Goldie.

Grinning Caramel scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah well, we were young. And we kind of didn't think things through"

Princess Twilight smiled as she looked off wistfully. "I was a bit of a bookworm when I was growing up, and missed out on being a reckless troublemaker like you two."

Caramel exchanged glances with Goldie as they both grinned. "Well it's never too late to start." He said looking back at Princess Twilight.

She felt a bit uneasy about the smiles they were giving her. "Wait!? What are you two thinking of?"

Twirlshine shuffled his paper's and set them to the side, lifting up one sheet in his magic he considered it as he pursed his lips. The sheet held a magical formula and some math equations. There was something he was missing, and he just couldn't figure it out. What was it that made these two different?

His thoughts were interrupted when suddenly the air tingled with magic and something soft and very cold fell down on top of him burying him up to the tips of his ears. Quickly he pushed himself up, forcing his head out of the pile of snow he was now buried in. The sound of laughter came to him as he looked back at the others, to his utter amazement he saw Princess Twilight rolling on the floor as she laughed, her horn still glowing from the spell she had just cast. All the others were all looking and laughing as well, even Starlight Glimmer was snickering behind her hoof.

Muttering to himself, Twirlshine struggled and kicked his way free of the snow, turning he started digging for his papers. You would think that being a princess she would have more respect for a brilliant mind like his. As he scraped the snow away with his hoof, the snow suddenly started to glow as it dissolved into a mist, and in a few moments it was all gone, leaving his papers dry and undamaged.

Princess Twilight joined Caramel and his little family, and shared a story of her own. As she told them the story of how she tried to study Pinky Pie Pinky sense, Starlight Glimmer moved over and sat next to them to listen in.

Cinnamon began to kick up a fuss and aunt Lilly passed her over to Goldie so she could feed her, Caramel watched her move back a seat so she had the room to nurse her. Goldie's milk had come in nicely, and faster then the doctor thought it would, and even though Goldie was happy to nurse Cinnamon, she did complain about how her teats were feeling sore. Doctor House Call had warned that this would happen and advised that it would pass in a week or two.

They spoke and told storied for a time, until dinner was brought in from the dinning car. Taking Cinnamon from Goldie, Caramel let her eat first. Sitting by the window he held Cinnamon up so she could look out the window, but she soon grew board and started to fall asleep. Seeing her tiredly blinking her eyes and rubbing at them with her little hoof, Caramel thought that it was now time to unveil the new purchase he made earlier that day.

Pulling out the diaper bag, he flipped open one of the sides and pulled out a strangely folded, soft pink object.

"What is that?" Goldie asked curiously looking over at him, as he set it down on the seat.

"This is Cinnamon's new bed, watch this." Caramel said as he took a strap in his mouth and unhooked it, suddenly it sprung open and became a bassinet, complete with a hood. "I got a travel bassinet. Now Cinnamon has a bed whenever she needs one, and when she's done with it, it can then be folded up and packed back in the diaper bag."

Bending down, Caramel set Cinnamon into the bassinet. Taking a blanket, Caramel tucked it around Cinnamon who was already asleep.

"Oh Caramel, this is just wonderful." Goldie said, smiling down at Cinnamon. Caramel was happy she liked it, and by the look of Cinnamon, she seemed to like it as well.

They weren't due to arrive in the Crystal Empire until early morning, so when it drew late, many of them retired to the back bunk car. Being a princess had its benefits and one of them was the ability to arrange to have an entire bunk car reserved for herself and her guests. Unlike the private sleeper car, the bunk car was simply a long train car with a series of small, doubled stacked single beds rowed along each side with a aisle down the middle. Each bed had a courtesy curtain that could be drawn closed to give a sleeper some privacy.

Setting Cinnamon in her bassinet into one of the bunks, Goldie slipped into the bed strait across from her. Since the bunks were too small for two, Caramel yawned and got into the next bunk down from Goldie, and aunt Lilly took the bunk next to Cinnamon and across from Caramel. Blueberry signed her goodnights to them all as she climbed into the bunk above aunt Lilly. Soon the bunk car was filled the the light snores of sleeping ponies.

Lilly was having trouble sleeping. Feeling slightly nauseous from the moving train, Lilly rolled out of bed. A rather loud snore came from Caramel's bunk causing Lilly to grimace, pulling the curtain aside Lilly looked in and saw Caramel laying on his back with his mouth splayed open as he let out another loud snore, with a shake of her head, Lilly lightly poked his side, causing Caramel to let out a grunt before he rolled over onto his side, where his snores then ceased.

Looking above her own bed, she drew the curtain aside to look in on Blueberry. Seeing her blanket kicked down low, Lilly smiled took the edge of her blanket in her teeth and drew it back up to cover Blueberry. Turning she checked Goldie's bunk and found her missing, as well as finding Cinnamon's bassinet empty.

Moving to the next car, Lilly found Goldie humming a lullaby as she sat rocking Cinnamon. As Lilly stepped closer, Goldie turned and looked back at her with tired eyes.

"Everything okay?" Lilly asked, sitting down next to Goldie.

Goldie smiled and leaned her head into Lilly's shoulder. "It seems that Cinnamon decided that she wanted to stay awake for a while." Goldie explained. "Caramel was up with her earlier, and just went to bed not too long ago."

"Yeah, I just saw him, he seemed pretty wiped out." Lilly said, putting her hoof over Goldie's shoulder. "Being a parent is pretty tiring."

With her head against Lilly's shoulder, Goldie nodded silently. "As well as being absolutely wonderful, I wouldn't give it up for anything."

Tightening her grip around her shoulder, Lilly turned her head and kissed Goldie on the top of her head. "Don't you ever forget that." Lilly said, her thoughts going to her barren womb and how she had to give up her dream of having a foal of her own. "How about you pass her over, I'll watch over her while you get some sleep. In a few hours your going to meet Princess Cadence and it would be best if you got plenty of rest first."

With a grateful smile, Goldie passed Cinnamon over to Lilly. "Thank you aunt Lilly."

"Don't think nothing of it. Go on now." Lilly watched as Goldie left, leaving her alone with Cinnamon. Looking down, she saw all the similarities Cinnamon had with Fudge, her eye's and the shape of her jaw, and the numerous little things she saw all over that made her look so much like her mother. The shock of Fudge's death was still fresh, she remembered the last time she was with Fudge, it was when she came over for the Heart's Warming Eve dinner when she was seven months pregnant. Lilly remembered how much she glowed with happiness as she so much looked forward to the foal she was having.

It was strange how Fudge always refused to tell her who the father was, and at one point she even said that it was from a one night stand with a stallion she had met at a local club, but Lilly knew that she was only deflecting the question.

She felt tears fall from her eyes as she remembered the last time she saw Fudge when her and Chisel waved goodbye to her at the train station as her train pulled away. The air was cold, and the Heart's Warming decorations were still hung up all though town. Caramel stood beside her and Chisel as he also waved goodbye to Fudge who was sitting, waving back from the window she was sitting at, the long green scarf that Chisel and her had given her, hanging from around her neck.

Sitting back in her chair, she let her tears silently fall as she looked out the window at the night sky as it rolled by. It was a while before she looked down and saw that Cinnamon had fallen asleep at some point. Standing, Lilly moved back to the sleeping car, and as carefully as she could, she set Cinnamon back down into her bassinet. As she straitened up she noticed that Goldie's bunk was oddly empty, curious, Lilly pulled aside Caramel's curtain and smiled when she saw that Goldie had somehow crammed herself in with him. Caramel was pressed back against the side of the train as Goldie laid half over his chest, with her head snuggled up into his neck.

Dropping the curtain Lilly shook her head, oh to be young again.

Author's Notes:

This begins the Crystal Empire story ark.
If your wondering why I am referring to Twilight as Princess Twilight. Its because I am telling the story from Caramel and Golden's point of view, and they would see her as Princess Twilight.