"See anything?" Rarity shouted upward, awaiting Atchmon's assessment of their surroundings; his form obscured by the many branches of the tree.

"Yeah," he shouted back down to her. "That mountain's a lot closer than when we started."

"Canterlot, darling," she corrected him. "Do you see a castle anywhere nearby?"

"Hold on," Atchmon shifted around the tree limbs. "I see somethin', yep that's gotta be it!"

"How far do you suppose we are from it?"

"We ain't gonna make it there today," Atchmon said as he started climbing down. "Tomorrow for sure," he grunted in effort.

Rarity fretted while she waited for him to climb down. She didn't like him being up so high, and so far away from her. 'If I were a stronger mare, I could pick him up with my magic and he'd be safely on the ground right now.'

Flecks of bark fell around her as she scanned the forest floor for any dangers that may disturb them when Atchmon finally came down.

The forest had been relatively calm and quiet since their emergence from the Diamond Dog Mines; which was a fairly pleasant ride that lasted a few hours, at best. Say what you will about Diamond Dogs, they were quite competent miners.

It was passed midday by Rarity's judgment, leaving them plenty of daylight to make near the Castle of the Two Sisters as their "halfway point". Birds were chirping happily in the distance, along with the occasional rapping of a woodpecker making a new home for itself or searching for bounty.

As such, Rarity wasn't taking any chances and tightened her magical grip on the spear Atchmon 'borrowed' from a guard Dog. She refused to lull herself into complacency despite the serenity around her.

She had a stallion to protect now, after all.

Crack!

A branch snapped above Rarity bringing her attention quickly back on Atchmon; her heart dropped as she watched him jump down from one branch to another.

She didn't like this one bit.

"Oh, Rarity, get it! Get it-getit-geddit!" Atchmon suddenly shouted repeatedly as he pointed to a black form zipping around the trees branches.

Rarity's heart leaped as she tried to follow the creature's lightning quick movements, and was unable to get a good look at whatever it was that Atchmon was so insistent on capturing. The dark figure zipped to and fro among the canopy, but continually headed downward to get away from Atchmon who was keeping the small beast on the move.

The critter reached the end of a thick, low hanging branch before jumping for the nearest underbrush, its tiny wings beating like a humming birds to help carry itself to safety.

Rarity dropped the spear and wrapped her magic around the creature in midair, before it could escape behind the brush. She concentrated harder as it struggled within her magical grasp, while she pulled it up.

Atchmon jumped down from the tree as Rarity floated the creature closer to herself.

It was a wolpertinger just like Monty, except, instead of an all brown pelt like his, this one had a white underbelly and mottled brown back.

Rarity watched the winged and horned bunny occasionally struggle against her magic by kicking its long feet and pumping its tiny wings; she saw the rabbit's chest expanding rapidly--out of fear, or breathless from the attempted escape--she couldn't tell. The mottled brown and white wolpertinger was thin and lean in a healthy sort of way, not at all like her plump friend before the end.

Rarity looked up to Atchmon as he approached and squatted down to her level. She knew what he wanted, and what he was going to do to the unfortunate critter.

Rarity could read the look on Atchmon's face as she handed the rabbit over to him. "It's not him." She stated simply.

Atchmon took the critter in his hands, and studied Rarity's face as she tried to force a half smile for her sake.

Then, to Rarity's surprise, he put it down and let it go.

They watched as the critter quickly flutter-hopped away into the forest, before disappearing beneath some thick underbrush.

"It's okay, we'll find something else." Atchmon said while caressing her withers before moving in and planting a kiss on her snout.

Rarity tilted her head and accepted his affection. "You didn't have to do that for my sake." She shook her head at him.

Atchmon just shrugged his shoulders. "I know, and any other day I probably wouldn't have, but I wanna do right by you," he finished sincerely.

Rarity looked up to the man she loved... before he tussled her mane, then held up her chin and chuckled at her annoyed face.

"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" Atchmon suggested.

"You could stand to mention it more often," she pouted playfully while pushing his hand down with a hoof from her chin.

Atchmon took a breath, his voice sounding light and airy. "I love you high as the sky, and deep as the ocean," his voice rumbled deeply.

She smiled at him. "You've said that before; what is that, if you don't mind me asking?" She asked curiously.

"I guess you could call it a 'Family Mantra', my mum used to say it to me and my sister all the time." He shrugged.

Rarity smiled at that. "Well, let's go find you something else to eat, shall we?" Rarity hinted while turning around and whipped up her tail to whisk beneath Atchmon's chin and brushing his face.

Atchmon followed to catch up and peeled back some of Rarity's barding that covered her flank. Rarity looked back to see what he was doing, and tried to pull away, before he spanked her square on the soft, bouncy rump underneath.

Rarity uttered a horsey squeal and half jumped away from the pain to her flank, before running full gallop to catch up to her human assaulter as he ran ahead of her and laughed.

"You brute!" She chased after him, the pair laughing at their fun as they played tag in the direction they needed to go in; not caring what dangerous beasts might hear them.

For the moment, the forest belonged to them, and only them.

---

A short few hours later, that other thing ended up being a snake that made the mistake of taking a bite at Rarity. Atchmon sliced off the venomous vermin's head before it had a chance to harm the mare. Not that she was ever in any danger with her thick barding on, she doubted the serpent could penetrate the leather, but Atchmon didn't take that chance. Both considered themselves lucky the slender beast attacked from above while hanging on a tree branch rather than on the ground and going for Rarity's exposed legs.

It was getting late and the pair agreed it was best to make camp for the night.

Atchmon was in absolute fascination at the amount of light and heat outputted by the Fire Quartz Crystals Rarity so kindly enchanted for them.

She'd found them when her magic suddenly flared and guided her horn to their location as they exited the Diamond Dog mines. And Atchmon was happy to dig them out for her.

There was a moment during their assisted escape that she thought their mine-cart ride would turn into a dizzying experience full of loop-d-loops, and jumping over broken or unfinished tracks over lava pits... But despite what she thought of them, Rarity had to admit those Diamond Dogs were quite competent miners. The mine-cart rolled along the tracks, which made for a smooth, albeit uneventful, ride.

Rarity felt her pride swell for finally being useful to her human friend. And dazzled him further by demonstrating how she could adjust the crystal for more of either light or heat. It was either blindingly bright or unbearably hot as she adjusted the spell, causing them to step away when she got carried away in showing off her magic.

Atchmon cooked the newly acquired snake on a wooden spit above the hotly glowing crystals, getting it nice and roasted.

"Tastes like chicken," Atchmon said idly as he ate, then looked to Rarity, who met his eyes and shared a smile with him as she chewed what little provision was left in her bags.

"We're gonna have ta keep an eye out for food along the way," he stated.

"We should be fine, if we get an early start tomorrow, we could spend the night at the Castle of the Two Sisters then be on the outskirts of Ponyville by this time the day after." Rarity said thoughtfully. "Assuming nothing slows us down." She added.

"Mmm," Atchmon grunted in agreement.

The pair ate in silence as they listened to the forest's ambiance, and shared water from their last canteen. The Everfree was eerily calm in the late evening hours of twilight.

"So... got anything you want to talk about... 'Princess'?" Atchmon asked with a suspicious tone in his voice.

Rarity stopped chewing as the moment she'd been fearing finally showed up.

"Ah... yes, about that, darling, I-" Rarity started gently, before Atchmon cut in.

"I'm not mad, or anything," he reassured her.

Rarity's brow knitted in concern. "You're really not? Even though I've been lying to you about who I really am this whole time?"

"Nah," he shook his head. "And I think I might have an idea on why you'd say some of them things that you said; I jus' wanna hear it from you," he shrugged and gave her another reassuring half-smile.

Rarity took a breath and let out a sigh. "I suppose it was all in the name of self preservation, I thought that if I could convince you that I was important; that you'd keep me safe and maybe take me home. I understand now why you weren't too eager to do so."

"Yeah, when you said you were a Princess, I thought that I could be like a hero in a story, an' bring you back to your castle, and we'd have a big ol' party, jus' like in the stories I used to watch all the time back home." He mused. "But really I was jus' bein' a coward."

"I'm certain a party will be an inevitable outcome of this adventure, if my friend Pinkie Pie has anything to say about it." Rarity hinted to cheer him up. "But you were right to be afraid, I'd forgotten how dangerous the Everfree Forest is. My friends and I would travel through like it was just another trot through the park, and I actually started to think all those scary stories and legends about the place were just all overly embellished." She breathed a sigh, before looking melancholy. "There were times I wanted to tell you the truth about me, but the timing was always awkward, or I wouldn't get a chance..."

Atchmon was nodding along with her explanation. "That's about what I figured. If I was in your position, all lost, alone, and stuck with a alien that was bigger 'n stronger than me, I'm sure I'd say jus' about anything to save myself." He nodded in understanding, then put on a smile. "You did accomplish one thing in your 'save yourself' plan."

Rarity cocked her head, looking confused, and didn't understanding what she could have achieved with such a half-baked idea.

Atchmon reached forward and grasped her hoof, then spoke while looking her in the eyes. "You are really important to me, Rarity. And no matter what, I'm gonna get you there; that's a promise."

She looked back into his eyes; the man she fell in love with. Rarity knew he'd do anything to keep that promise, she knew he'd fight for her... Upon realization, Rarity realized that he did fight for her, and he killed for her. Before then, those were just words in a story to Rarity, but now they meant something more; something deeper. So she didn't resist when he started getting closer.

Atchmon leaned forward and kissed her.

Rarity reciprocated and kissed him back. She could smell the scent of meat on his breath, and taste the unique flavor of char on his tongue. Rarity hoped the fruit she ate tasted better for him.

Atchmon's kiss soon became more impassioned, before she felt his touch hungrily slide along her belly, and stroke her pert pony teats.

Rarity pushed away from the kiss at the contact. "Oh, Atchmon, no..." She huffed breathlessly.

The human leaned back, giving her a concerned look. "No?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Rarity shook her head. "No." And looked up, pleading with her eyes at him. "Don't get me wrong, I want to, but..." She looked around at their forested surroundings. "Not now. Not here." She emphasized.

"Okay." Atchmon nodded in understanding and gave Rarity a reassuring rub on her hoof, before settling in next to her.

The pair sat in silence awhile as Atchmon chewed his lip, and shook his leg out of boredom.

Rarity could tell he was worked up, if his lingering touch and heavier-than-normal petting was anything to go by. 'Maybe there's a way he can expend all that frustrated energy in a more... creative way.' "We do have a nice cozy campfire going, and they say 'a good campfire deserves a good story'." Rarity hinted. "Could you tell me more about that story you've been telling me? I'd very much like to know what happens next." Rarity hinted.

"Yeah? You like it?" Atchmon started skeptically.

"Oh, yes, very much so; the characters, the drama, the action; I just can't seem to get enough!" She gushed.

"Nah, you're just saying that to make me feel better, girls don't normally like that story." He stated bashfully while waving her off.

"Oh but I do! Please, Please, Please, Pleeeese!" Rarity begged while putting on the most precious pony face and big puppy dog eyes.

"I don't know if I should, I'd probably mess it up like the last one. Who wants to see one guy perform five roles?" He said with a hint of a smile forming.

"You made a smashing performance last time, please, I have to know what happens next." She pressed.

"I'm not sure I can remember all of it, I'd hate to leave out a critical part..." Atchmon said, leading her on.

"Tell me." Rarity said curtly with an annoyed pout.

"No I couldn't." He grinned, now he was just playing with her.

Rarity reared up and started pushing Atchmon's shoulder insistently. "Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me!!!"

"Alright! Alright! Jus' get off me first!" He laughed.

---

After a couple hours of watching the human reenact what happened, the tale drew to its climax.

Atchmon performed a solo act of cat and mouse; the hero had been routed after taking a devastating blow from the story's villain.

With a hand over his mouth, Atchmon imitated the evil villain's unnatural heavy breathing, while his other hand firmly grasped a long, straight stick. He removed the hand from his mouth and held it outstretched, as if he were reaching out for something just beyond his grasp, then clenched his fist as he delivered an evil monologue about order, power, and destiny to the imaginary hero before him.

"Luke, I am your father."

A sharp gasp escaped Rarity's lips as she covered her muzzle. Her cerulean eyes were already wide in excitement of Atchmon's ongoing performance; and after delivering the greatest plot reveal in history, if it was even possible for them to go wider, then she pulled it off in the waning light of their little campfire.

Atchmon felt proud of himself, and smiled toothily at her reaction behind the hand covering his face. He loved seeing her so entranced by the continuation of the space-themed opera he'd been reenacting for her.

The human went through the rest of the scene, delivering the lines of both characters, and switching positions to reenact what happened to the best of his ability. And finally ended the scene with a dramatic 'Noooo' from the hero, before throwing himself off a tree and landing behind a large log, out of Rarity's sight.

"That's it?" Rarity squeaked in dismay. "That can't be the end! What happened to poor Mr. Solo and Luke; no, don't tell me, please tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" Rarity pleaded as she bounced on her haunches demandingly.

Atchmon sat up so he could see her above the log that his body was partially hidden behind. "To be continued," he said with a smug manure-eating grin.

Rarity groaned in dismay. She wouldn't mind staying up all night to hear the final conclusion of the epic saga, but she knew they needed to get an early start tomorrow. Otherwise they'd have to spend an extra day in the Everfree.

Atchmon sat down and settled in next to Rarity again.

---

"Got anything t' eat? I'm feelin' a bit snack-y after all that performin'," Atchmon asked.

Rarity took out all her worldly possessions and arranged them before her. The Dream catcher, her waterlogged Cosmare magazine and notebook (which thankfully survived mostly unscathed), and a photo of her friends (which mostly didn't).

"Sorry, dear, I'm fresh out." She frowned sympathetically while shaking out her saddlebags. "Oh, drat, my favorite picture of all my friends is ruined." Rarity sighed. "No matter, I'll have to remember to ask Twilight to give me a copy of hers."

"Can I see?" Atchmon asked while pointing at the photo.

"Sure," Rarity gestured for him to take it.

The photo was a mess. All the pigments were running in a blended mishmash of color, but there was one part in the upper-center which was clear. Atchmon froze as he stared at the rainbow-maned mare.

"Have I not ever shown you that?" Rarity asked as she watched Atchmon look at the picture.

The human flinched. "I've seen you lookin' at it before, but I didn't want to butt into your privacy or anything. Actually... I did look at this the mornin' before you woke up that first day I found you; but back then it just looked like a picture of a bunch o' ponies painted funny colors t' me." He answered her idly, never taking his eyes off the photo.

"Who's this?" he asked, pointing at the only mare visible in the photo.

"Oh, that's Rainbow Dash." Rarity said as she pointed a hoof at a rainbow-maned, sky-blue coated mare with a cocky grin on her face.

"You've told me about her." Atchmon spoke idly, casting glances between Rarity and the photo.

"Yes, she's our group's most 'awesome', 'brave', and 'daring' pony... Actually I think Applejack and her are still competing over that title," Rarity added as an afterthought.

Atchmon nodded along, though he was only half listening to her as his brow knitted in thought and chewed his lip.

"She's quite egotistic, brash, and highly competitive; she'll never spare a moment to tell you how 'awesome' she is, and remind you of it early and often." Rarity continued. "She craves attention, loves sports activities of all kinds, and she just made it into the Wonderbolts a few moons before you found me!" Rarity finished excitedly. Talking about her friend was making her eager to see all her friends again.

"The Wonderbolts?" Atchmon questioned.

Rarity's face dropped. "You've never heard of the- Oh sorry, darling, it just slipped my mind. I suppose you wouldn't have heard of them."

Rarity explained who and what the Wonderbolts are, but Atchmon wasn't listening as he stared into the photograph; yet not truly looking at it anymore. The rainbow-maned mare's cocky grin turned to an angry scowl at him... No, that was just the moisture further damaging the photo... wasn't it? Atchmon wasn't sure how long Rarity was talking, he'd completely tuned out her voice, until something she said brought him back to reality.

"- I'd hoped to see her rainbow trail streak across the sky to rescue us. Would've been funny if we could've prepared a prank for her too. I haven't forgotten to get her back for sneaking more sneezing powder on my clothes."

"Rainbow streak?" Atchmon said cautiously.

"Yes, and- Oh! Have you ever heard of a Sonic Rainboom, you are going to be in for a treat once we get back to Ponyville, I'll be sure that everypony welcomes you in right, and that Rainbow Dash will put on a wonderful show for you!" Rarity thrummed in excitement and anticipation of returning home from living in the Everfree for over a month straight.

But Atchmon wasn't nearly as excited... Rarity noticed he didn't even look the least bit happy about it.

"Atchmon, what's wrong?" She asked in concern, all her excitement quickly turned to worry. "Are you afraid nopony will accept you?"

Atchmon looked as though he were struggling, before taking a breath and letting it out. "You were truthful to me, so it's only fair that I should be truthful to you too. I don't want my first... everything, to be started off on a lie."

Rarity shook her head, her brow knitted at him in confusion and worry. "What are you saying, how could you have lied to me, I don't understand?"

Atchmon forced the words out, his voice taking on a breathless tone. "I saw her."

"What? Saw who?" She blinked in confusion.

"Your friend Rainbow Dash, I saw her." He winced and looked away.

"What!? When- Where- Was she okay; was she looking for us?" Rarity stammered excitedly. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"I tried to, but..."

"Well what happened? Didn't she see you?"

"No." Atchmon answered through clenched teeth, refusing to face her, and looking as though he were in pain.

"Atchmon please tell me what's going on, why do you look so upset? Why didn't she see you? Did you try to signal her? Could you not get a fire going fast enough? It's okay, these things happen-" Rarity tried to console him, but was cut off as Atchmon closed his eyes and half shouted the words.

"She didn't see me because I didn't want her to find us!"

Silence reigned between them.

Rarity could almost hear her own heartbeat above the soft popping of burning wood in the campfire.

"You... What?" Rarity's eyes widened as Atchmon's words caught up with her.

Atchmon kept his eyes averted as he explained. "It was right after we got back from our dinner... I'd never seen a rainbow go in a straight line like that... I just had a feeling it was her. I saw her and I didn't signal her, I didn't even try..."

"Why..." Rarity started softly, before half-shouting her own words. "Why in the wide world of Equestria would you do such a thing!? Why!? Are you telling me we could have been rescued ages ago and you didn't-"

"Because I was going to kidnap you and take you with me to become famous, alright? That's why!" He shouted at her.

Rarity looked as though he'd just struck her.

Atchmon sniffed, trying to hold back his emotions. "I thought... I thought that if you were rescued then you wouldn't come back for me. I didn't want to get left behind... I didn't want to be alone again... It was a stupid, selfish mistake, and I'm sorry, Rarity, I'm so...so sorry." Atchmon finally looked at her with tears streaming down his cheeks.

Rarity didn't say anything as she started to get up.

"Rarity..." Atchmon reached for her to keep her from leaving.

"Don't touch me! Just leave me alone, I want to be alone!" Rarity sobbed before galloping off. The forests underbrush quickly swallowed her form as she disappeared into the night.

"Stupid... Stupid..." Atchmon hissed as he chastised himself and covered his head to hide his shame.

---

Rarity payed no mind to where she was going, only 'away' being the only direction she wanted to go. The sound of rustling leaves as she pushed through the foliage was deafening to her ears.

She soon came upon a small pond within a tiny grove of trees. The forest canopy allowed the moons light to glow off the waters surface.

Rarity welcomed the seclusion as she let her emotions flow. The tears from her eyes dripped hotly down her cheeks and dropped into the water below, sending small ripples through its surface.

She sobbed before her emotions turned from hurt into anger, frustration, and fury.

Now that she could think, all the signs of Atchmon's betrayal were there. From his looks to his hesitation about leaving the forest. "How could I have been so blind; he's so unreadable with his stupid ears that don't move!" She spat.

Not wanting Atchmon to think she was in danger, the angry unicorn mare threw a silent fit. Rarity bucked, reared, stomped, and raked her hooves across the dirt-covered ground. Once her initial mad was over, she stood there panting and snorting in the aftermath of her tantrum. She knew it was most unbecoming of a lady to act like that, but she didn't care, she needed to vent.

She levitated out the dream-catcher Atchmon made for her, and stared angrily at it. All she had to do was destroy or discard it, and Princess Luna would appear in her dreams; and by tomorrow everything she'd been through would be nothing but a bad dream.

That thought appealed to her and she hunched down to channel more magic into the spell in order to tear the charm apart...

But she couldn't do it.

Atchmon made this for her when she was at her most vulnerable, and despite how unpleasant she was towards him.

She trailed her eyes around the woven string made of her own hair and stared at the craft. All the admiration she had for it was replaced by hollowness. Until her reflection in the pool caught her attention through the gaps in the spiders web.

'He didn't even believe it actually worked. Or maybe that was just another lie so he could rut me some more!'

Her fury was then replaced by despair. Rarity could see her reflection in the water. The mare who stared back wasn't her. That mare was an ugly, impure, dirty, disgusting mare; the town tart, a trollop, a floozy, a whorse...

She stared at her reflection in the water. Rarity felt like she'd aged by at least a decade. She checked her features in the pools reflection by turning her head from side to side. Until she noticed something off about her reflection...

It wasn't copying her movements.

Her reflection cocked its head in concern while the real Rarity sat there frozen, watching as her reflection looked her over.

"Why are you crying?" Rarity's reflection asked innocently in her voice.

Rarity reeled back, and suppressed a scream before looking around. "W-w-Who-er, what are you?" She asked her reflection.

"Just look behind you, and see for you self, darling." Her reflection answered back, her face slowly melding into a much cleaner version of herself.

'I don't sound like that... do I?' Rarity was a little unsure, before turning around and seeing nothing but the trees around her, the closest of which was a Weeping Willow. It's long tendril-like vines drooped lazily from its branches.

"The tree?" Rarity questioned.

Her Reflection smiled back and nodded.

"But how!? How's a tree talking to me...? That's it, I've gone mad haven't I, and everything that's happened is part of my delusion, isn't it!? HAHAHhahaaaa..." Rarity belted out a half-crazed laugh.

Her reflection frowned in disappointment.

Rarity hung her head dejectedly. "Sorry."

"The forest has a spirit of its own, mine is one that lives in the trees, and we are connected through our roots to the water. Water is life, water connects us all." The now clean and pristine reflection of Rarity explained.

"Oh... I didn't know that." Rarity answered awkwardly.

"So why are you upset?" Her reflection asked.

"I- I don't want to talk about it." Rarity said looking away.

Her reflection didn't press, only looking at her as if waiting for a reply.

Rarity cast glances down at her reflection, as her will quickly eroded and finally broke. "Oh goddesses, I gave myself to him!" She despaired and covered herself to hid her shame. "I'm not... pure anymore. I'm a ugly wilty old flower." she despaired.

Rarity's reflection watched the upset mare, but something about the act didn't feel genuine.

"You're wrong." Her reflection stated simply.

"I'm sorry." Rarity sniffed, looking baffled.

"You're virtue is still intact. It seems your mate lacked the tool necessary to properly claim you." Her reflection teased.

"What? But how? We've mated. I can't still be a virgin. Seeds may not have been sown, but my fields are still ploughed! I've been deflowered. My spell has been cast. A horn has been dipped into my mana-pool!" Rarity emphasized at the end, listing off every innuendo to her knowledge.

"I'm a life spirit, of sorts, it's in my nature to know these things. Being mated doesn't make you impure, little maiden. In this case, you simply aren't to fulfill your duty."

"My duty?" Rarity questioned.

"To procreate. You'll not have little ones with your chosen mate, for he is not of your kind." Her reflection spoke so matter-of-fact, almost robotically.

"I can't have foals with...Atchmon." Rarity reeled at the idea. She wasn't ready to have foals yet. Even though she really wanted to one day. But to be told she couldn't with Atchmon. That set something off inside her. She always imagined finding a nice Unicorn stallion and having a couple beautiful Unicorn foals. But Atchmon wasn't a unicorn, much less a pony; it would never work out between them. True, they could adopt and give a few foals a good home. Such an act would fit perfectly into her Element, but it wouldn't be the same...

"Correct. Even if you wanted to. You can't," Sprite-Raity closed her eyes as though she were meditating. "Though, I can sense Harmony has plans for him."

Rarity missed what the Sprite was saying, her thoughts focused on being incompatible with her Human mate... It was like being told 'no' to something she really wanted; and she wanted to speak to life's manager.

"But, I trusted him, and he lied to me." Rarity stamped her hoof in frustration.

The water sprite looked off to the side. "I can feel his love for you, it is strong, but strained."

Rarity's rising fury was quickly replaced with worry. "What do you mean, what's wrong with him?"

Her reflection smiled knowingly. "You still love him."

Rarity realized she was tricked, and looked away indignantly with a lady-like harrumph.

"But, he's hiding his worry and shame from you," Her reflection continued.

"What does he have to be worried or ashamed about, he was going to pony-nap me!"

"I know not... Perhaps you should ask him, if he truly meant any ill will towards you."

Rarity nodded in understanding. "Thank you for speaking with me. I know what do now, and sorry for being less than polite around you."

"No harm done. Now go. Your mate grows anxious."

---

Rarity returned to their campsite to find Atchmon hiding his face between his legs. Only the orange light of their campfire illuminated the area.

Rarity cleared her throat to get his attention, but kept her distance.

"Rare-" Atchmon started, before being cut off as Rarity lifted a hoof to stop him from saying any more.

"Would you have gone through with it?" She asked sternly.

Atchmon shook his head. "No, no, I wouldn't have. I regretted it the moment I made that decision. That's why I was so against you leaving during the storm. Then the Thunderbird picked you up and I... I thought I was going to lose you right then. I wanted to tell you, I tried to tell you, but then the wolves showed up, and... well, I guess you know the rest." Atchmon explained as he kept casting glances down at the ground, and couldn't bear to look her in the eyes.

"Was that why you were so cautious and looking at the sky, before the storm?"

"No, those birds hardly ever show up before a storm... I was looking out for your friend..."

Rarity nodded in understanding. She was still so angry at him, and didn't trust herself to say anything.

"Guess I broke my promise to you again, Rarity." Atchmon said solemnly. "Told you I wasn't good at keepin' those..."

Rarity snorted. "Well, since we're being honest with each other, I have a few confessions of my own to tell you." She said with a stern face.

Atchmon sat straighter, giving his full attention.

"As you already know, I'm not a real Princess, I don't even hold any official titles, other than my Element of Generosity, but unfortunately that isn't really recognized either... I am a very successful fashionista, and I have an abhorrently bad obsession with high class living, and expensive tastes. The only things I have of value are my family, my friends, and my shops." She finished with pursed lips. "Oh, and I don't get sick if I don't get massaged regularly, and I'm not even sure if 'magical chakras' are a real thing. I just told you that so you would give me massages." She smiled sheepishly.

Atchmon forced a laugh. "What I done doesn't even compare..."

"To be honest, dear... You're hardly the first to try and take me away."

Atchmon looked a little surprised at that, before readying himself to say more. "At first, I was going to take you. Looking back on it now... I know it would've been a horrible thing to do to you. You would've ended up just like me, Rarity. You'd hate my world. It would not be kind to you, it'll use you up and take everything you have until there's nothing left. And then forget about you just as quick. On my world... if you don't have wealth, then you don't have anything... I'm asking you, no, begging you to give me a second chance. I don't want to be that selfish guy anymore, I want to help you get home. Please, please forgive me."

Rarity trotted up to him and reared, hooking her fore-hooves over his shoulders and giving him a hug. "I already have."

Atchmon hugged her back.

"You're wrong about one thing," Rarity started. "Just because you aren't wealthy, doesn't mean you have nothing. You still have Friendship, and we still have each other... as a wise pony once said 'Nopony is a failure who has friendship.'"

The pair broke their embrace and stood awkwardly together (Atchmon still remained kneeled before her).

"Hey, could you show me how to make that promise again?" Atchmon suggested.

"The Pinkie Promise?" Rarity questioned and cocked her head.

"Yeah, I promise that... That I won't lie to you any more... and that... I'll get you home no matter what." Atchmon finished proudly.

"Alright," Rarity smiled, her spirits picking up as she went through the motions of showing Atchmon the Pinkie Promise.

"Stick a cupcake in my eye." She finished with Atchmon repeating the words and motion right after her.

The pair shared a smile, before Rarity trotted off to pick up her things.

"Let's get some sleep," Rarity suggested, set her barding down for her to lay on. "We have a big day ahead of us."

"Okay, you go ahead, I'm gonna stay up and keep watch." Atchmon said as he settle in next to her.

Rarity thought for a moment. "Alright, but be sure to wake me up so you can get some sleep too."

Atchmon force a half-smile. "Sure thing."

---

The forest was quiet as the night went on.

Atchmon sat against a log on the ground with Rarity sleeping soundly next to him, using his leg as a pillow, while he kept a vigilant eye over her. The occasional 'pop' of burning wood from the campfire was the only thing that broke the constant silence.

Atchmon reached silently over Rarity, and carefully rifled through her saddlebags.

Atchmon sifted through the bags until he felt what he was looking for, and pulled out the dream-catcher. The one thing that was between them and a swift rescue. Atchmon cupped the circular charm in his palm as he stared at it in the flickering orange glow of their campfire, eyeing the intricate lines of its webbing.

With a little pressure all their problems would be solved. With a simple clench of his fist, he could save Rarity, from both the forest and himself. Save her from having to be around him any longer than she had to.

Atchmon started to close his hand around the charm, the pressure increasing under his digits.

Snort! Mmm-ph...

Rarity stirred in her sleep and mewled, stopping Atchmon from breaking the charm.

He watched her gently sleeping face for a moment, before turning his attention back on the charm in his hand.

"Why hadn't you gotten rid of it?" He whispered to Rarity's sleeping form. Her stark white face looked so beautiful under the pale moonlight, while the soft orange glow of flames danced over her sleeping form.

How could she ever give him another chance? He'd be kidding himself if he actually believed that. Was she just protecting herself from him? He couldn't blame her if that was the case.

It was just a worthless thing. Besides, he can always make another one for her, if she ever wanted it.

Atchmon took a breath and sighed. "Can't mess things up any more than I already have," and flicked the dream-catcher into the fire. The charm quickly burned to ash. The smell of burning hair filled the air, before being carried away by the heat of the fire.

The smell nearly stirred Rarity awake, before she laying her head back down and sighed contentedly.

"If this doesn't work, I promise, I'll get you home. You deserve everything from me, after what I tried to do... what I've done... and what you've done for me." He whispered to her beautiful sleeping face.

"I promise." Atchmon leaned down and kissed her temple. A ghost of a smile graced Rarity's lips, as she mewled in her sleep.

"Cross my heart... hope to die..."

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