"Psst! Wake up." A whisper said.

     Xander squinted his upon being awoken, he groaned and spoke "The fuck?" He then had his vision come back to reveal Twilight sitting next to his bed staring at him.

    Twilight smiled "Finally, it's about time you woke up." She said in quiet voice.

    Xander rubbed his eyes and stretched before giving her his full attention "Why'd you wake me up?" He asked curiously. It was still dark outside, so it's not just for food.

    Twilight sighed "I just, I can't sleep, and it's because of you being back. It just fills me with excitement to have you back." She spoke honestly.

    Xander raised one of his eyebrows "And what does this have to do with waking me up?" He asked curiously.

    Twilight smiled gently and spoke "I just can't stop thinking about it, and I figured if I talk to you about it then I'll have some ease on my mind." She answered his question.

    Xander nodded and patted the spot next to him "Here, you can sit next to me while we talk." He gave her a friendly smile.

     Twilight smiled back at him and climbed onto the bed, sitting down in the spot Xander picked out. She sighed before speaking "I know this may be a sensitive topic, but... What was Hell like?" She asked her first major question.

    Xander rubbed his neck, he was gonna be sarcastic and say 'Hell' but he decided against it, he didn't know how to explain it, it was a place of punishment. He sighed before speaking "It was brutal. This bed is like heaven to me, my bed in hell was broken glass in a steel cage. I saw ponies get the skin torn off of them like as if it was just a blanket. I found out what a Colombian neck tie is there, it was just... Well, Hell." He finished plainly.

    Twilight wore a concerned expression "That sounds awful! Why would they send you there?" She asked her next question.

    Xander looked at the wall ahead of him, no emotion present in his face. He spoke "To make me lose fear, to make me pay for my future sins, to make me stronger... To make me a hero." He said plainly. He turned to her and wore the same expression as before "Don't worry Twilight, you'll never have to see that place, you're to innocent." He put his hand behind her ear and rubbed it. "But me, I'll probably never see it again, but... In the future I'll proabably be going to the castle for recognition, for being the hero of course. And just to be honest with you, Celestia will probably send me to help you and your friends." He finished with a smile flashing across his face.

    Twilight wore a confused expression "How would you be able to help?" She asked curiously.

    Xander smiled wide "You'll see Twi, you'll see." He put his head back onto the pillow "one day, there will that one asshole that just pisses you off, and man oh man, believe me when I say, I will make him pay." He finishes with his smile still on his face.

    Twilight stares at him for a moment before speaking "Are you happy to be back? Are you truly happy to see me again?" She asks with worry in her voice.

    Xander opens his eyes and looks at her, he wore a face of guilt when he saw her look at him with like that. He sighs and grabs her, hugs her tightly against him. "Twilight, you are my best friend, I care about you, and me being back here with you and the others is with no doubt the best thing that's ever happened to me." He speaks honestly.

    Twilight was currently enjoying the feeling of Xander hugging her, she loved hearing him say that this was the best thing ever in his life, but she feels the same way. "Xander, is it okay if I sleep with you tonight?" She asked with a hopeful tone.

    Xander chuckles and responds "Sure thing Twi, sure thing." He let her go and watched her as she snuggled under the blankets and laid her head down onto the only pillow on the bed. He rested his head and spoke "Goodnight, Twilight."

    Twilight smiled and responded "Goodnight, Xander" she said before closing her eyes.

     Xander looked at her one last time before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

    Xander was awoken by his bedroom door creaking open, he just pushed it off as just being Twilght exiting the room, only until he heard a male voice say "What the hell?". After hearing that Xander opened his eyes to see Flash standing in the doorway.

    "What is it? Oh, wait... It isn't what it looks like!" Twilight spoke the truth.

     "Oh, like I'm supposed to believe that? Damn, I knew you were a bitch, but I never realized you'd stoop that low!" Flash said with anger "Especially with a human that just got here!" He took a few steps forward and threw everything off of Xander's nightstand, including Xander's necklace and a unnoticed photo of a little boy. "Oh, what's this?" Flash said as he picked up the picture.

    "My little brother." Xander responded neutrally "Now I'd recommend you put that back and pick up the mess you just made." He told him calmly.

    Flash stared at him with anger before ripping apart the picture in anger. "How about you fuck off!" He shouted in fury, but ended shortly after Xander stood up.

    Xander stared at Flash neutrally before he reached down and picked up the picture that had been ripped in half. Xander stared at it for a good solid minute.

    Twilight stared at him with concern "X-Xander?" She spoke with worry "Are you okay?"

    Xander didn't respond, he gently set the picture down on the nightstand and walked past Flash towards the window, he then opened it.

    Flash stared at him "What the fuck is wrong with this guy?!? He's a fucking weirdo, he doesn't ev-" he got cut off by a hand snatching him by the mane. Flash screamed with anger and fear.

    Xander wore a plain expression while dragging Flash effortlessly across the room and towards the window. "I hope you're not afraid of heights." He said before using his free hand to pick him up by the tail "Well, I actually hope you are." He said before throwing Flash out of the second story window.

    Flash screamed as he fell towards the ground.

    Xander closed the window and turned to Twilght "Ya know, you shouldn't date assholes like that." He stated plainly.

    Twilight was still staring in shock "D-did you just, K-" she got cut short.

     Xander shook his head "Nah, probably just a few broken bones, nothing serious. Oh yeah, you're welcome by the way, I did the breaking up for you pretty much." He said with a smile.

    Twilight stared at him "How did you know I wanted to break up with him?" She asked suspiciously.

    Xander smiled "Samuel." He answered simply.

    Twilight wore a irritated expression "I hate him so much." She then walked over to the window and saw Flash was limping off to the hospital. "Xander, you do realize it's your second day back, right?" She asked.

     Xander smiled "Yup." He answered.

    Twilight stared at him "Are you not worried about anymore trouble?" She asked curiously.

    Xander shook his head "Nah, if he's an average Royal Guard then it's no biggy." He answered with a smile.

    Twilight shook her head "C'mon, let's take you to Sweet Apple Acres, I know Jerald wanted to talk to you and I need to share this morning with Applejack." She finished with a sigh.

    Xander smiled "Sure thing, just let me get dressed" he said as he took off his shirt and pajama bottoms.

    Twilight blushed as he did so "Y-you definitely look different." She spoke her thoughts.

    Xander pulled out a shirt and pants from the closet "In a good way or bad way?" He asked with a playful tone.

    Twilight stared at him "Uhh... I guess, good?" She answered unsure.

    Xander chuckled "Don't worry Twi, I know I'm the hottest human here." He continued to be playful.

    Twilight just stared at him as he finished getting dressed.

    Xander clapped his hands together and brought her out of staring. "Let's get going Sparklebutt." He said as he walked out of the bedroom door.

    Twilight just stared "Sparklebutt?" She then shook her head and followed.

    "Xander, I sometimes wonder if you know what and what not to ask." Twilight said with a unamused expression.

    Xander chuckled "What? I can't see if Jerald is serious about his relationship?" He wore a wide smile.

    Twilight shook her head "Asking if he's had sex with Applejack yet isn't wondering if he's serious about the relationship." She states plainly.

    Xander smiles before seeing two figures by the barn that they were getting closer to. "Well, I guess we're here." He states the obvious.

     Twilight nods "Yup." She then stopped and kept Xander from continuing on by using her magic to hold him back by his shirt.

    Xander stopped and looked at her with a confused expression.

    Twilight sighed before speaking "Look, you need to be serious when talking to Jerald, he seemed like he was in a pretty emotional state when he talked to you yesterday. Just... Be easy, okay? I know you need to get used to all of the emotions again, just try to be nice to him." She requested.

    Xander stared at her for a moment before nodding "I understand Twilight, I'll try to be as gentle as I can." He promises her.

    Twilight smiled and gestured for him to continue walking. When they neared the two unaware individuals, Twilght greeted them "Hey Applejack! Hey Jerald!" She received their attention.

     Applejack and Jerald turned to face them and waved at them. Applejack gave Twilight a hug and Xander a nod to which he returned. Jerald smiled at Xander and Twilight, he spoke "Wassup you guys, nice to see you two here!" He greeted kindly.

    Twilight smiled back at him and said "Well, I know you wanted to talk to Xander and I needed share my eventful morning with Aj." She explained.

    Applejack smiled at her "You can tell me all about it, sugar cube, I've got plenty of time to spare." She kindly offered her time.

    Twilight smiled and turned to Xander "You boys go and do what you have to, me and Applejack will be in the house." She said as they both walked off.

    Xander smiled at her and watched her walk off, but he then had his attention grabbed by Jerald. Jerald spoke with a slight country accent "You don't look bad for a dead man." He said playfully.

    Xander smiled and responded "You don't look bad for a redneck." He matched his comment.

    Jerald chuckled and spoke again "Yup, he's still in there. Not even death can take Xander away." He said before looking down with a sad expression.

    Jerald appeared to be deep in thought. He soon spoke while still looking at the ground "When you passed... I didn't know what to do, you're my mentor, ya know? When you died, I-I just got lost, I cried many nights for you, I cried because I lost my inspiration, I lost my friend that I could always count on. When I went to your funeral, I saw your dad, and he told me, personally, that you'd be back, and he wasn't lying, but that didn't change anything, that day... I lost my inspiration, just you were the one that always motivated me to do something. If I hadn't befriended you, I would've never met Aj, me meeting you was the best thing that had ever happened to me," Tears slid down his face while he continued "And every night that I go to bed, I just think about you, I'll see Aj, and I'll somehow always see a little bit of you, because I know that I'm here because of you." Jerald slowly looked up and smiled "And now that you're back, I'm excited, because not only do I have my friend back, I now also have my mentor back." He wore a smile as he finished.

    Xander just stared at him with a concern expression. He didn't realize how important he was to him, it was true, Xander did always point him in the right direction of things, it is true that he gave him advice. Xander smiled at Jerald "Remember Jerald, you're eyes look forward, not backwards. Don't dread on past events, look forward to seeing what comes next." He said as he gave Jerald a pat on the shoulder.

    Jerald looked at him with a happy expression "Words of wisdom, they never get old. How about we go inside? You never got to have a true Apple family meal." He said while turning around and heading towards the farmhouse.

    Xander smiled and shook his head, he never thought it would've been that easy to cheer up Jerald. As he walked behind behind Jerald, he looked around, taking in his surroundings.

    Since Xander had been gone it seemed that the barn had been remodeled, and there appeared to be more apples than usual this time around. He looked into the orchard filled with trees and could make out a treehouse of some sort.

    Jerald walked up the steps and turned around "Oh yeah, before we go inside, I just wanted to let you know exactly how respected you are around, especially after those days you worked with us for free. Everyone else will be extremely happy to see you. Me and Aj didn't tell them you died, we told them you went on extremely long vacation." He said before opening the door.

    Xander nodded his head and entered the house "Oh boy, this is gonna be great." He said with sarcasm.

    Applejack and Twilight turned to the two men walking in and smiled at them kindly.

    Twilight spoke up "You two are already done talking? That didn't take long at all." She looked at Xander with a curious expression.

    Xander rubbed the back of his neck "Uhh... Yeah, it just didn't take as long as expected." He stared at Twilight who was currently staring at him with a unamused expression.

    Jerald had gone over and gave Applejack a kiss, he then sat next to her with his arm around her shoulder.

    Xander stared at the two with a raised eyebrow, he wasn't exactly one hundred percent used to the idea of a pony and human relationship, but he just always ended the thought with a shrug and he would tell himself 'Whatever floats your boat'.

    Xander walked over to the chair next to Twilight and sat down. He suddenly heard a whisper in his ear "Were you nice like I asked you to be?" he heard Twilight say to him.

    Xander swallowed and whispered back "Y-yeah, o-of course" he responded nervously, due to the fact he could feel her staring into the side of his head. He soon felt Twilight rub his back calmly and heard her say "Thank you" before having her return to her position from before.

    Applejack grabbed Xander's attention "So I heard a little birdy tell me that you got rid of Twi's colt friend?" She asked him with her heavy country accent.

    Xander chuckled and responded "Well, I'd imagine I did, I'm sure he's regretting everything he did this morning after being thrown out of a window" he finished with a smile.

    Applejack giggled and turned to Twilight "See, you need to find a colt that's similar to Xander, he seems to be a fine example when it comes to colt friends, he's strong, caring, smart, nice, and loyal." She finished looking between Xander and Twilight.

    Twilight rubbed her neck before responding "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm not to entirely sure why I dated Flash, he was always mean to me every time we saw each other." She said while looking at Xander. "But now that Xander's here, I'm sure I won't have any complications with any stallions." She said before hugging Xander like a big teddy bear.

    Xander sat there with a confused expression, Twilight hadn't been this touchy the last time he was here, but he just shrugged it off as just something he needs to get used to.

     Xander looked down at Twilight "Don't worry, Twi, I'm sure you'll have a great guy-er stallion one day. I'm sure when you go to the dances and parties that the town holds that some really nice stallion would love to accompany you." He finished with a smile.

    Twilight stared at him before getting a little closer "And what if a stallion didn't want to accompany, would I just go alone?" She was now leaning against his side.

    Xander shrugged "I don't know, I guess my big ugly self would go with you." He finished with a smile.

    Twilight smiled "I wouldn't mind that, anyways, I don't think you're ugly at all, I in fact agree with your statement you said while getting dressed." She said with a smirk.

    Xander smiled and looked down at her "Well, I appreciate it." He said before looking at Applejack and Jerald, who were completely oblivious to the compliment Twilight gave him. "Twilight said I'm the hottest human in Equestria." Xander stated the obvious.

    Applejack gave light chuckle while Jerald just stared at Xander.

     Jerald spoke up "That's not true! I'm the hottest human in Equestria!" He said while sticking out his chest and pointing at it with a thumb.

    Xander sighed "Whatever you Jerald, whatever you say." He said while leaning back into the chair.

    Jerald smiled and perked up after realizing something "Ah, shoot! I forgot to help Big Mac" he said while hopping up and running towards the door "Sorry you guys! That meal will have to wait till next time!" He shouted while running off.

    Xander wore a confused look "What was all of that all about? The last time I checked, Jerald didn't care if he was late to something or not." He said while scratching his head.

    Applejack giggled "Don't tell Jerald I told you this, but I think he's trying to earn Big Macs blessing." She finished with a blush.

    Xander stared at her with a confused expression "His blessing? A blessing for what?" He asked, still confused.

    Applejack giggled "Marriage of course! I only think that because Jerald was talkin in his sleep about it, he sounded really nervous about it too!" She finished with a flustered face "I'd happily agree to spend the rest of my life with that boy! He's always sweeter than apple pie to us, and he's really good with foals too, so he'd make a great father someday." She finished with a content sigh.

    Twilight and Xander looked back and forth at each other before having Twilight respond "That's great Aj! I hope it all goes well for you two! But me and Xander really need to get going, it seems like evening is coming quicker than we expected." She explained.

     Applejack smiled "Bye y'all, you're welcome her anytime!" She said as the two walked out of the door.

    Xander held the library door open for Twilight as she walked in "Thank you! Such a gentlecolt- eh, gentlemen." She said mocking Xander.

    Xander rolled his eyes "Yeah, well, it's not like it's a everyday thing to appear into a random world that requires you to change your vocabulary." He said while shutting the door and walking towards the couch to sit on it.

    Twilight giggled and smiled at him "Hold on one second, I'm gonna go and look at something first, then I'll come down and have a study session with you." She said while trotting towards the stairs.

    Xander gave her a peace sign as she walked up the stairs.

    Xander looked around and observed his surroundings, there were a lot of books, but that's to be expected in a library, he also noticed a desk that had spells written and books opened. He couldn't stop his curiosity from getting the best of him, so he got up and observed her studies.

    Xander looked at the title of the book, it's read 'Hero traits' he sighed at that and looked at another book that read 'The History Of Equestrian Heroes' he looked inside to see the first hero listed, it appeared to be a big muscular stallion that was carrying a log to what appeared to be a historic log cabin. Xander shut the book and moved onto the next, when he read the title it made his face go pale, the book read 'The story of Xander' he slowly rubbed the shaved beard hairs on his face, he then sat back down on the couch, he knew exactly what was happening, he knew that he was going down into history.

    Xander stared at the ground 'I-I don't know how well I'll do... Sure, I went to hell, sure I'm strong, sure I'm smart, but that doesn't mean I'm a hero, I shouldn't possess a power that can explode when it's pushed to the limit, the last time I exploded I... I overpowered the fucking Princess! The most powerful pony known to as of right now, I moved her sun effortlessly, I don't deserve that power!' He was cut short when he saw Twilght staring at him while levitating his necklace with her magic.

    Twilight stared at Xander with a unamused expression "Why didn't you tell me you had this?" She asked with a little bit of irritation in her voice.

    Xander just stared at it "It's just a necklace, it's nothing special." He said while moving his eyes to her.

    Twilight shook her head "No, it's not just a necklace." She sighed and took a seat beside him "This is the hero gem mentioned in the the previous hero books dating back to before Celestia was even born, this gem is considered a myth because nopony could find it." She finished with a sigh "This gem is special because it is attached to the heroes mental state, so if you're mad, it turns red, if you're happy, it turns green, if it turns blue then you feel love, you get what I'm saying?" She asked to clarify.

    Xander nodded "Yeah, I understand it's some kind of legendary necklace that a pony would pay millions for." He chuckled before turning to look at Twilight "Actually, could you do me a favor?" He asked her nicely.

    Twilight looked at him and smiled "Sure, what is that you request?" She asked curiously.

    Xander grabs the necklace out of the air and grabs a hold of Twilight's hoof, he then places the necklace on her hoof "Take care of this, I'll wear it at times when you wear your element, so just put it in the box or wherever you want." He said before looking into her eyes. He saw that her eyes started to get a little glassy.

    Twilight started to shed a tear before speaking "Y-you want me to look after this? This object is one of the most valuable objects in the world and you're trusting it in my hooves? And most of all, you want to wear while you're alongside me in a event concerning the elements of harmony?" She held the necklace to her chest before tackling Xander down on the couch with a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It means so much to me! Never in my wildest dreams did I expect a hero to trust me with his most valuable possession!" She then gave him a big kiss on his cheek "I'll protect this with my life!" She said before jumping off the couch and running up the stairs.

    Xander laid on the couch in a confused state, but he soon jumped up when he heard Twilight scream out "It turned black with a question mark on it! This is amazing!"

    Xander chuckled and smiled "That necklace seems to be really important to her, I just hope she doesn't go batshit crazy over it." He then sighed before laying back down on the couch. He rested his eyes and said "Damn, life is awesome." He said as he slowly fell asleep on the couch. Next Chapter: Chapter 12- Recognition Estimated time remaining: 12 Minutes