Aspect was enjoying a rather new aspect of his routines. He’d been invited out to enjoy a ‘Pet Play date’ with Rainbow’s friends. He honestly hadn’t known they all owned pets. Twilight’s owl, Rarity’s cat and for some reason, Winona really liked him. There was also Pinkie’s pet… alligator?

Then again, like he was one to complain. He had a pet manticore for crying out loud. One he’d had to tell not to attack the other pets.

At least until she’d tried with Opal, Rarity’s persian cat.

That was a meeean cat.

The only one that didn’t have a pet was Dash, the mare had been trying to nap in a nearby tree. Emphasis on try.

“Ergh, seriously?” she groused. “Can’t you guys keep it down or something?”

“Pets don’t come with volume knobs, Dash,” Aspect replied as he looked over at the playing pets. “At least here, Darice can wear herself out in a manner that leaves Realm’s paintbrushes alone.”

“An’ we always meet up in this here park for our Pony pet Playdates,” Applejack pointed out.

“Wait, you do?” Rainbow blinked.

“Sure, same time every week,” AJ nodded again.

“I thought she knew,” Fluttershy said, then looked panicked. “You didn’t know? She didn’t know?”

Twilight chose to interject. “Well we were initially planned on inviting Rainbow but…”

“We were totally gonna invite you, Rainbow,” Pinkie piped up. “Then Twilight remembered that you don't even have a pet, and Rarity remembered that you really like to take naps in the afternoon, so Applejack figured you wouldn't be missing out on anything anyway, and Fluttershy and I nodded our heads in agreement like this.” She nodded her head up and down and made Fluttershy do the same.

“...Really?” Aspect deadpanned.

“Oh please don’t be mad at us,” Fluttershy cowered.

Rainbow shrugged, playing it cool. “Oh, I'm not mad. You all are right. Not much point of a Pony Pet Playdate for me if I'm a pony without a pet, right?”

“There’s...a really simple fix,” the stallion sighed.

“Well, if she don’t have a pet…” Applejack said as the others turned to start playing with their own.

“Hey, now wait a minute! Just because I don't have a pet now doesn't mean I never want a pet!” Rainbow got up out of her tree.

“And there’s the solution,” Aspect nodded once, before looking over to Fluttershy, before his eyes widened.

Never had he seen this demure, quiet mare so… excited. She was practically vibrating with joy as she grabbed Rainbow’s hoof.

“Ohh! Y-You, Oh, really? You really want a pet? Really? 'Cause I've got so many wonderful choices at my house! Oh, and I know you'll just love them! And they'll love you! Oh, and you'll be best friends forever and ever! Oh!” Her increasingly squeaky voice trailed off as she dragged the helpless Rainbow away.

“And there she goes,” Aspect chuckled. “Hmm. Rarity, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to at least make it up to Opal for what Darice did.”

“Oh? Whatever do you mean darling?” Rarity asked as she brushed her darling kitty. Opal wearing her ‘perpetually pissed off’ look.

“Believe it or not, I actually was a cat person in another life,” Aspect replied. “My family owned three. I learned how to deal with a cat. With your permission?”

“Hmm, well if you think you can,” Rarity as the others looked on. Only Fluttershy was able to touch Opal. “I give you fair warning darling.”

“Very well,” Aspect said as he approached the cat and simply sat in front of her, letting her get used to his presence first. And to begin with, he…

He snubbed her?

The cat blinked. Was this stallion a moron? How dare he ignore her presence! She walked up to him and meowled loudly. The stallion looked at her, before looking away again, instead focusing on the other pets playing together.

Then she climbed up onto his lap and put her paws on him, meowing again. He would pay her attention dammit!

The stallion looked down at her for a longer time...before looking up and ignoring her once more. Nearly…

Fine, it that’s the way he’d be. She sat down and stayed in his lap, purring louder to get his attentions again.

And then the hoof came out of nowhere and began rubbing behind her ears. Haha! She knew he couldn’t resist her as she purred victoriously, lapping up scritchies as a reward for her greatness.

“I… don’t actually believe it,” Rarity gasped.

“In order to get along with a cat, you have to think like a cat,” Aspect replied, still scratching the cat. “Now miss Opal, I am sorry about what Darice did. She doesn’t know better yet, though maybe you can teach her?”

Oh, she would teach that kitten some lessons on how to be a refined lady. Perhaps even something of a respectable pet, unlike that slobbery Winona or that snarky Angel brat.

“Though perhaps, just perhaps, your retribution was a bit over the top, considering she’s barely a year old?” Aspect pointed out to the cat. “And a Manticore besides.”

Silly stallion, there was no mercy for mistakes. And now the manticore knew better. She’d spent some time training her pony pet to cater to her whims after all.

“Mmm...Tell you what,” Aspect mused as he scratched the cat behind the other ear now. “You at least get her to stop eating my son’s paintbrushes, I’ll ask Rarity what sort of treats you like and get you some as a present.”

Hmm, a suitable offering for such a simple task. She meowed and hopped off of him, walking after Darice to lecture her on proper etiquette.

“I have no words…” Rarity said.

“Like I said, you have to think like a cat,” Aspect replied. “They’re haughty, aloof, and think they’re on top of the food chain—”

“Just like Rarity,” Pinkie giggled.

“—Ignoring them to draw them in, not playing by their game until they’re desperate for attention, and giving them an offering they like to perform a simple task, that’s how you deal with a cat,” Aspect finished. “We had a saying once. ‘You don’t have a pet cat. A cat has decided your home is interesting and moved in. There is no real way to tame a cat. A cat tames you.’”

“Ooh! What about alligators?” Pinkie asked, thrusting Gummy in his face. The alligator opened his toothless maw and gummed the stallion's nose.

“Mostly, we tried to avoid them,” Aspect replied as he stared cross-eyed at the alligator on his nose. “Ours weren’t toothless.”

“Neither are ours,” Twilight sighed. “I think Gummy is just special.”

“So… what kinda critter do y’all think RD will pick?” Applejack asked.

“Knowing her, probably something ‘awesome,’” Aspect replied as he watched the pets at play.

“Whut? So a pet Timberwolf or mebbe a dragon, jes ta show ya up?” AJ laughed.

“Kinda doubt the Timberwolf one,” the stallion mused. “She lives in a cloud house, after all.”

“Well, it'll be good to have all our fiends here,” Twilight smiled. “Oh. Does Bon Bon or Midnight have a pet?”

Honestly, he hadn't seen the latter for a few days now.

“Wouldn’t know about Midnight, she tends to be busy in Canterlot with guard work,” Aspect replied. “As for Bon Bon, does Lyra count?”

…

Elsewhere, Lyra paused in her playing as she frowned. It felt as though somepony just slighted her honor.

…

“Heehee, that was mean,” Twilight giggled as her pet owl landed on her back. “Well, shall we keep playing then?”

“Tag you're it!” Pinkie booped Aspect’s snout and bolted.

“Hmm,” the stallion mused. “Trying to tag Pinkie back is an exercise in futility, so…”

He reached over and booped Twilight on the nose before taking to the skies.

“Huh… what?” Twilight blinked and then stared up at Aspect. Oooh! That stallion! Fine, if that was how he wanted to play. “Game on!”

Bon Bon was used to Ponyville and it's antics. She expected a lot really.

So when Aspect and Twilight walked into her store, sweaty, disheveled and out of breath. Well… that confused her.

“What happened?” she asked, wondering if they'd done… “I mean, weren’t you at some pet thing?”

“Pinkie started a game of tag,” the stallion supplied.

“Aspect cheated… So I cheated back,” Twilight smirked. “If he was allowed to fly. I was allowed to teleport.”

“Eventually we included Applejack, because there was no way we could tag Pinkie, and Rarity wasn’t going to partake,” the stallion continued.

“Applejack is fast…” Twilight groaned as she collapsed onto the floor. “Urgh, I'm beat.”

“You need to get out more,” Bon Bon giggled as she helped the mare up. “You should join me for my morning exercises sometime.”

Twilight did not look amused at the idea of strenuous physical activity.

“It really is one of the better ways to keep up with all the running for your life you seem to do in Ponyville,” the stallion pointed out as he cracked his neck.

“I don’t run for my life that often,” Twilight defended herself.

“Then I reserve the right to say ‘I told you so’ the next time it happens,” the stallion smirked at her, ducking the swipe she took at his head.

“How often should one be running for their life?” Bon Bon asked. “Though somehow I think none of us are qualified to answer for normal ponies.”

“I’ll let you know the next time something happens,” Aspect cheekily answered.

“Boo!” Lyra popped up in front of him and… why was she soaking wet?

“Lyra, why are you wet?” Aspect dared to ask.

“Mmm, maybe cause I saw your fine flank~” she murred, giving him bedroom eyes.

Aspect facehooved as he groaned. “Shoulda seen it coming,” he muttered.

“Walked into that one,” Bon Bon agreed.

“I was actually swimming with my Seapony buddies,” Lyra explained. “But you still get me wet where it counts big boy~”

“Lyra,” Aspect said warningly.

“Oh lighten up,” Lyra said, before Bon Bon dragged her off as she sighed and shook her head.

“Well that was… interesting,” Twilight spoke. “I'm surprised you don't have her in your… whatever it is you have.”

“Not for a lack of trying on her part, but it’s probably just teasing on her end, and I’m not certain I can look at her like that,” the stallion replied.

“She's always been an odd one,” Twilight nodded. “I knew her back in school, but I don't think she really remembers.”

“There's iced tea in the fridge if you want some,” Bon Bon called out.

“Let’s have a chat, hmm?” Aspect asked as he sat in the living room. Twilight blinked, but sat down in a recliner.

“Okay?” she nodded. “About what? If it's about that prank, Mom already scolded me to Tartarus and back…”

“No, it’s a bigger question than that,” Aspect replied as he thought of how best to phrase it. “Twilight, do you actually see a possible relationship between us?”

She knew he'd bring this up eventually. She closed her eyes for a moment. “I… don't know Aspect. You're a nice stallion, don't get me wrong. You're smart, and likely the only pony around that could challenge me intellectually and magically… but…”

“Go on,” the stallion urged her.

“Being with you would also mean being with three other mares. One I don't know. One I barely know and the other is my best friend. Also, you're the father of Princess Celestia, my mentor and a second mother to me.” She looked at him and let out a breath. “I… I don't think I'm ready for a relationship so… complex.”

“That’s perfectly fair,” Aspect agreed. “And at the same time, I don’t feel like letting you go back to not having anypony to make you feel loved.”

“But that's where you're wrong,” Twilight smiled. “I feel very loved. I have my family. The Princesses and the most amazing friends. Then there's you, Realm… and all of yours. I may not have someone I can be physically intimate with. But I have no doubt that a lot of ponies love me and I love them back just as much.”

“Mmm...well, as long as you’re sure,” the stallion mused as he used his horn to remotely get them both a glass of iced tea. “And as long as you remember my door is never closed to you, no matter what you need.”

“Thank you, both for understanding and for the offer,” Twilight nodded and kissed his cheek. “And take good care of the mares you do have alright?”

“That’s the plan,” Aspect replied, nuzzling her back.

Bon Bon walked back in during this and saw the nuzzling, and she couldn’t help but tease. “Jeez, not even five minutes huh? You sure that play date only involved pets? Or maybe some petting of ponies too~”

“Eeep!” Twilight blushed and pulled away.

“There you go, making it complicated again,” Aspect replied, rolling his eyes.

“I’m just teasing,” Bon Bon giggled and bumped Twilight’s flank with her own.

“It’s, okay,” Twilight giggled as well. “I mean, I’m sure Aspect would be a lot worse if I let him.”

“You have nooo idea,” Bon Bon smiled.

“But you’ve already said you’re not interested at this time, so,” he smiled at the unicorn and gave Bon Bon a kiss. “I’ll simply reiterate that if you need or want anything, my door is open.”

“Hmm, someone’s being a gentlecolt all of a sudden,’ Bon Bon smiled and kissed him back. “So, how was your play date anyhow. Did Darice get enough exercise? She didn’t sting anyone did she?”

“Nobody got stung, though I think I made friends with Opal,” the stallion replied. “It helps to have owned three cats.”

“Oh?” Bon Bon smiled at his looking so proud over it. “Well I’m glad you had fun with your friends today. But where’s Rainbow? I thought she had the day off today?”

“She...wanted in on Pet Pony Playdates, so she’s with Fluttershy to get a pet,” Aspect explained.

“Are… you sure that’s a good idea?” Bon Bon asked hesitantly. “We’re talking about a mare that will forget to eat because she’s too excited about a new trick.”

“I’m sure Fluttershy will take that into account,” Aspect replied seriously. “Though I don’t know what sort of pet they’ll end up getting her.”

“Knowing Rainbow, something that’s winged and fast,” Twilight said. “Else it couldn’t live in her house.”

“I guess we’ll see,” Aspect mused, before nuzzling Bon Bon. “Okay then. Take care you two. I’ll escort Darice home.”

“Will do,” Bon Bon smiled and put something in her mouth, before giving him a chocolatey kiss. The stallion murred into the kiss, before pulling back and licking his lips.

“Mmm, tasty~” he cooed, before leaving and making sure to flick his tail. Something that did not go unappreciated by either mare.

Balanced Aspect had seen a lot of things in his days.

But a competition to see which was the best pet to suit Rainbow Dash? That… that was new.

“Is this...entirely necessary?” the stallion asked Pinkie Pie.

“Well, then Dashie would get the super ultimate bestest possible pet ever,” Pinkie nodded. “And it was Fluttershy’s idea as well.”

“...Darice basically chose me,” the stallion sighed. “I didn’t need a competition for that.” Just to swallow some ages-old fear of the species.

“And you’re telling Rainbow Dash to not do a competition on something?” The pink mare quipped back with a surprising amount of sarcasm.

“It’s basically making animals jump through hoops to prove themselves worthy of being your pet,” Aspect replied. “I wouldn’t do that to my own children, for example. Animals in Equestria are capable of understanding basic speech. If not for the fact that they’re willing participants in this, it might be very degrading.”

He was surprised she was picking a flamingo as a possible pet. Rainbow Awesome Dash… and her pretty pet flamingo…

That created an...interesting mental image. He wasn’t sure if he liked it or not. His amusing image was broken by Rainbow sounding a loud whistle.

“So! You all think you've got what it takes to be my pet, do ya?” She walked up and down the line like a drill sergeant. “Well, we'll just see about that! If any of you don't think you can handle it, bow out now before you humiliate yourself in front of your peers. This competition isn't for the weak. You'd better be prepared to step up your game! You call that flapping?! That's better. There's only room on Team Dash for one of you, and my future pet needs to be able to take it to the extreme! Any questions?”

“...Twilight, I would like to respond to your earlier comment,” Aspect said to the lavender mare. “No, I don’t think she’s ready.”

“Yeah I got one,” Applejack commented. “Does she even understand what a pet really needs?”

“Like care and attention, love and affection and…” An animal panted in her face, “Urgh… breath mints.”

Aspect saw Fluttershy nudging a little tortoise forwards. “Now just pay attention, try your best and—”

“Seriously, Fluttershy! The turtle? What did you bring that thing here for?” Rainbow groused.

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “Technically he's a tortoise, and he's always dreamed of being somepony's pet. He just wants a chance to compete, he won't get in the way. You won't even know he's here.”

“Welp,” Aspect sighed. “This...is going to go well, I don’t think.”

“No,” came Rainbow’s adamant reply.

“Oh, just let him try,” Fluttershy pleaded.

“Urgh, there is no possible way he can keep up, I mean, just look at him!” Rainbow poked him, knocking the reptile onto it’s back as it waved its legs in the air.

“It won’t hurt to let him try,” Fluttershy’s reply came, her eyes getting bigger.

“But—” Rainbow’s defense was pitiful. And Aspect saw the face she was up against as Fluttershy turned on the cute.

“Just let him try?” she said.

“Gaaaaaaack,” The stallion cried out, before falling on his side, one foreleg stuck up in the air before slowly sinking down to join the rest of him. That was it, he’d died by cute.

“Grrgh, ugh, fine!” Rainbow conceded. “But don't say I didn't warn you! This isn't a game, you know!” She ignored Aspect’s melodrama and turned back to the animals. “Alright, now these games will determine which one of you has the most important qualities I'm looking for in a pet. Speed. Agility. Guts. Style. Coolness. Awesomeness. And radicalness!”

Twilight tilted her head slowly. “Aren't those all the same thing?”

“You would think that,” Rainbow pet her on the head. “And that Twilight, is why you wouldn’t qualify to be my pet.”

Aspect snerked once from the ground. Oh boy. He’d be reminding her of that later.

“What?” Twilight asked as Rainbow moved away to begin the first test. “Got something to add funny guy?”

“Nothing for polite company,” the stallion said as he picked himself up, indicating Rarity with a jerk of his head.

Twilight just snorted and rolled her eyes as Rainbow put the pets through their paces. It was honestly more like a talent show than anything else. A race between them, shows of agility and even a sound off. Aspect had to admit that the screech of an eagle was always awesome. It was partly why he made the Griffons, after all.

“I still think the whole idea is degrading to them,” the stallion sighed.

Each pet had excelled in a different way. Even the tortoise had managed to win one by getting a toy away from Opal.

And then came the final test, a race against the mare herself through a place called Ghastly Gorge. It was an impressive piece of landscape and not one Aspect was familiar with.

“This is...new,” the stallion said as he looked down it one way, then the other. “And it looks pretty dangerous as well.”

“Actually, Ghastly Gorge isn't scary. It's fun.” Rainbow replied with a shrug. “Heh. I've flown through it a million times myself, so obviously I'll be at the front of the pack. But whichever of you make it across the finish line with me will have proven you can keep up with me, and will have earned the honor and glory of getting to be my pet! Ready? Setgo!” And with a burst of speed, she rocketed off into the canyon, leaving everypony else in the dust.

“...There is a fatal flaw in this plan,” Aspect noted aloud as every pet also began their trips down the gorge. “She can do a Sonic Rainboom when she pushes herself, not to mention the things a student of the Gale King can pull off.”

“Well yeah, ‘course Rainbow’s gonna win,” Applejack said as they started heading for the finish line. “So ah reckon it’ll jus’ be the first pet to cross after. Mah money’s on the eagle.”

“Not a bad line of thought,” Aspect admitted as he mused over it himself. “It’s really the only one there built for speed or endurance.”

“I think the owl is a good choice,” Twilight nodded. “They’re quick and highly agile.”

“I guess we’ll see,” the stallion shrugged as he sat near the ending line. They waited a good long while, but no-one had shown up yet.

“I hope the Quarray Eels didn’t give them any trouble,” Fluttershy commented.

“Quarray Eels?” Aspect asked. “...How big are these eels?”

“Oh? You don’t know them?” Fluttershy said. “They live in the stone walls, and can usually grow to about a hundred feet or so. Basically a legless, wingless adult dragon in terms of size. And their teeth can chew through solid granite. They’re really quite fascinating.”

“...And do they normally attack ponies that fly through their gorges?” Aspect asked with a faint twitch to one eye.

“Well, Rainbow’s never been harmed by them,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“...That’s not what I asked,” the stallion pointed out.

“Well they are highly territorial,” Fluttershy said and pat his withers. “But I wouldn’t worry. Rainbow wouldn’t needlessly risk her life like that.”

“I’m sorry, have you met Rainbow?” Aspect had to ask. “She tried putting generated lightning into a Sonic Rainboom without anyone around to try and catch her if it didn’t work out.”

“...Um, maybe you have a point?” she squeaked, backing away from the scary stallion.

“Hey, I can see them!” Twilight said as the falcon then raced past the finish line, followed by more and more of them.

All except the tortoise… and Rainbow.

“Okay, time to go in,” the stallion flared his wings.

“Hold up,” Applejack grabbed his tail in her mouth and pointed.

Further down the trail… a tortoise waddled oh so slowly towards them. With a banged up looking Rainbow on his back.

“That’s...better than I was expecting,” the stallion sighed. “...Huh. It’ll take them an hour to get here at that rate.”

“Maybe we’d better go and meet them halfway,” Fluttershy chuckled as they moved the finish line.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re not hurt!” Twilight said as she nuzzled the mare gently.

“Yeah… just my pride,” Rainbow blushed lightly, rubbing her bruised wing.

“What do you want to bet Nurse Redheart’s been keeping your bed reserved?” Aspect teased.

“Aww, don’t tell her, she’ll lecture me for hours,” Rainbow groaned.

“Well, your new pet’s waiting for you,” Fluttershy said as the falcon landed on Rainbow’s back. Admittedly, she did look pretty cool with the bird perched there.

“You got what you wanted, right?” Aspect asked her.

“Huh? Oh… right… yeah…” she said, not looking so sure.

“It can fly and it isn’t a squirrel,” Fluttershy pointed out. “It’s just what you wanted. We could always sing about it again?”

“A falcon sure looks good on ya, Rainbow,” Applejack added. Rarity pulled out a camera from somewhere and took a picture of Dash with a falcon on her back...which spooked the tortoise back into his shell.

“There there, it’s okay…” Rainbow coaxed him out of his shell. “Actually… remember what I said before? The pet that crosses the line with me would be the one I chose.”

Pinkie gasped. “She did say that!” the pink mare pointed out as she bounced around the group. “That’s what she said, that’s exactly what she said!”

“So when the rest of you all abandoned me when the avalanche struck…” Rainbow pointed out as the bird on her back looked embarrassed. “The tortoise was the one that stopped to rescue me.”

“But, what about the—” Twilight began to ask, only for the falcon to get off of Dash’s back and stand in front of the tortoise. It used one wing to shake one of the reptile’s legs, before walking away in shame. The tortoise looked up to Dash and...very slowly, began to smile.

“Would you look at that,” Applejack chuckled. “He even smiles slow.” The other ponies all shared a good laugh at that.

“Spike, take a letter!” Twilight smiled as the dragon pulled out a quill and some parchment. Only for Rainbow to speak up.

“I used to think that the most important traits to look for in a pet, or any best friend, were physical competitive ability. But now I can see how short sighted and shallow that was. Today I learned what the most important quality is. A certain kind of spirit. A stick-to-it-iv-ness. A never give up, can do attitude that’s the mark of a real winner. And this tortoise has it!”

“Tenacity,” Twilight added.

“Gesundheit,” Rainbow said idly. “You just can’t stop the little guy! He’s like a...like a tank!”

Aspect noted that for later. He’d ask about how she knew that word eventually.

“But Rainbow,” Fluttershy pointed out. “You didn’t want a pet because it would keep you grounded and hold you back remember?”

“Actually…” Twilight smiled that ‘Imma try Science!’ smile. “I have an idea~”

Aspect was sitting at the breakfast table, about to dig into a delicious plate of scrambled eggs that Bon Bon had made for him.

“Heads up!” Rainbow shouted from somewhere before something hard collided with the back of his head, sending him facefirst into his breakfast. And for a good few moments, the stallion just...lay there like that.

When he lifted his head, he saw that Rainbow’s pet tortoise, named Tank, was airborne. A little propeller strapped to his shell powered by some kind of crystal.

“...I’m going to blame the fact that no tortoise has flown before for that one,” Aspect said to the airborne reptile. “Just...try not to make a habit of it.”

It just looked at him as Rainbow flew into the room.

“Dashie,” Bon Bon said with a sigh. “What have I told you about flying inside the house?”

“...I forget,” she shrugged. “Anyways. I’m off for the day. Later guys!” And with that she flew out the door, only for them to hear a thud, and some muffled squeaks of protest from the pegasus mare. Aspect raised an eyebrow and got up to check.

Rainbow was on the ground and out for the count, her fur and mane mussed up as Midnight licked her lips and turned to face Aspect.

“Oh, hello,” she said and gave him a fanged smile.

“Hello yourself, here for the day?” he asked her. He looked her over and noted a few things. First she had some scratches under her coat that he knew had been much worse before they were magically healed. Using a sword meant he’d suffered similar injuries.

She also had a small notch in her left ear, and a very slight limp in her left hind leg as she walked.

“For a few,” she replied. “I have er… what is word? …oh yes! ‘Paid holiday’. So I thought to come here.”

“Well you won’t find me complaining,” the stallion replied as he walked over to Midnight and kissed her on the cheek. “And later, you’ll tell me what you fought to get those injuries,” he whispered.

“A beast of Chaos make,” she replied without a hint of worry. “Do not fret stallion, I am well and whole… mostly.” She looked up at her ear. “Or, is my body ugly to you now?”

“You will never not be beautiful,” Aspect replied honestly. “Though, if you wanted, I could put you back to what you were beforehoof. Just offering it to you in case that limp was bothering you.”

“I will heal in time,” she replied. “It comes with my duty, a single Kelpie will not get the best of me.”

“Bleh, one of Discord’s fouler crimes,” the stallion stuck his tongue out. “They used to be Seaponies.”

“This one was most bothersome,” she sighed. “It had an odd slime-like armour that made it hard to cut. Freezing it worked though.” She shook a hoof, as if remembering a bad memory. “I believe my Princess called it… Smooze?”

“...Remind me to take a trip to Mount Gloom sometime,” the stallion shuddered. “That stuff is supposed to be imprisoned there.”

“How was it imprisoned?” Midnight asked as she was led inside.

“The Flutterponies, a race that doesn’t exist anymore, used their magic to send it all back to where it came from and worked a binding spell so that as long as the mountain stood, it would serve as that gunk’s prison. I may or may not have worked a few dozen runic enchantments on the mountain to make sure that stuff stayed sealed until the end of days...or until we had Flutterponies again. I could take that form if I had to...but one Flutter does not an Utter Flutter make.”

“...What?” Midnight tilted her head as Bon Bon placed breakfast in front of her, earning her a deep kiss as thanks that left the earth mare a little breathless. Okay, watching that was kind of hot.

“There would need to be at least one-hundred Flutterponies to unleash their ultimate power, the ability to send back evil with their magical wind,” Aspect explained, barely fighting down his wingboner. “And depending on the size of the outbreak of Smooze, you might even need more than that. A proper kaleidoscope of Flutters is at least five-hundred strong.”

“Interesting,” Midnight commented as she tucked into her food, her ears giving a happy little wiggle.

“Yeah, well, I just have the form of a Flutter, it’s not like I can actually do anything on my lonesome,” the stallion sighed. “And it’s really...they were good friends, you know? And I left them Dream Valley to take care of. I left them to the great freeze. They probably died cursing my name.”

Midnight moved around the table and laid a wing over him, nuzzling his side.

“Aspect?” Bon Bon asked. “Do you have some time this morning?”

“Hmm…” the stallion mused as he thought about it. “I can put off the weather work until afternoon.”

“Well, we should leave now then,” she replied. “We have a long walk ahead of us.”

“Oh...kay?” Aspect finished off his breakfast, gave Midnight a nuzzle, and walked over to Bon Bon. “Lead the way, then.”

“Midnight, can you revive the dead pegasus you left on our doorstep?” Bon Bon asked as she picked up a bag and placed it over her withers.

“If I must,” the mare chuckled. “Hurry back. I have a craving for a certain stallion~” She gave Aspect a smouldering look as she licked her fangs.

“Why do I get the feeling this is not going to end well?” the stallion shuddered as he followed Bon Bon. “That or wonderfully well. Could go either way.”

“With her, that is a real fear,” Bon Bon agreed as she led him away.

It had been a few hours now, as Bon Bon led Aspect deeper and deeper into the mountains. They were effectively in the middle of nowhere now, as nature surrounded them for miles on all sides.

“Okay, I’m willing to admit I’m lost,” Aspect spoke up.

“Well that’s not hard, not with your sense of direction,” Bon Bon teased him as she looked at her compass, then pulled out a map to double check. “You could get lost in your own house if I recall.”

“That was before I got familiar with it,” the stallion replied. “I’ve been everywhere. Except the attic. In any case, more often than not, what I was really heading for were landmarks and hard to miss. In the rare instance I did have to storm a castle, they were generous enough to lay out the throne room near the entryway, as though they wanted to sweep down the steps and intimidate their guests.”

“Well… this place is hard to find for a reason,” Bon Bon said as she led him through a narrow pass, until they reached a dead end, a curved cliff face as the mare smiled and wiped her brow. “Aha! We’re finally here!”

“And for our troubles, we find... a wall,” the stallion deadpanned.

“Ironic, coming from you of all ponies,” Bon Bon chuckled as she took out was looked like a head mounted magnifying glass. “Not everything is as it seems. Stop looking with your eyes Aspect.”

“Okay, what am I supposed to do with this?” the stallion asked as he gingerly took it from her and held it up to his own head, unsure of how to put it on.

She rolled her eyes and slipped it over his head, the lens falling over his right eye. He saw that it was a lacroma. A special lens that could let you see magical pulses and the like.

And there was a ton of magic focused almost right in front of him. A gateway with a powerful seal that seemed to only keep things out.

“...Okay...so there’s something beyond the cliff face,” he mused.

“Can you shrink us down?” Bon Bon asked and gestured with her hooves. “About the size of a hummingbird should be fine.”

“I...maybe?” Aspect blinked. “I’ll try it on myself to see if it works, then I’ll use it on you.” He briefly grew a horn before seemingly vanishing right into the grass where he used to be standing.

“Aspect?” Bon Bon said outloud. “Are you there?”

There was a sound, before a very tiny alicorn stallion flew out of the grass and perched on her muzzle. She went cross-eyed looking at him. Oh by the gods, he was absolutely adorable~

“Like this?” she heard a high, squeaky voice.

“So… cute…” Bon Bon squeaked out, wanting to cuddle it. He could fit in with the rest of her PonyCraft figures so well.

“I don’t see why I need to be this small,” the stallion continued.

“You’ll see soon,” she whispered as not to deafen him. “Now, shrink me too. Trust me, you’ll like this.”

The stallion rolled his eyes, before tapping a hoof onto Bon Bon’s muzzle.

The perspective change actually staggered her a little bit as she was suddenly not any larger than the grass she was standing on a moment ago. Aspect swooped out of the sky and landed in front of her, folding his wings up and shaking his head. “So, why are we tiny again?”

Bon Bon tapped a hoof as she made a flower rise up with her Geomancy, raising the two up a few feet. “Okay,” she said in the most adorable voice. “Now, can you call out to them from beyond here?”

“Call out to who?” the stallion asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Your friends the Flutters of course.”

Aspect sighed. “I...don’t know why you brought me out here for this. But...fine. If it amuses you.” He cleared his throat before calling out. “Wherefore art thou, Flutterponies? What light through yonder window breaks?”

The was nothing for a moment, before a faint light shimmered from the cliff face, the very air rippling.

“It is the east,” a voice answered from beyond the veil. “The light of the Sunstone!”

To say Aspect was stunned was an understatement. He was on his flank, one hoof pointing at the light and gawping at the correct answer.

Bon Bon smiled at the stallion’s reaction as she drew the flower closer to the light. They were drawn inside, and a whole other world awaited him.

And a swarm of teeny tiny butterfly winged ponies.

“Balanced Aspect,” Bon Bon said as sh swept a hoof out. “I’d like you to meet the Breezies. Also formerly known as the Flutterponies.”

Aspect actually choked up at this, before he flashed himself.

And now he too had butterfly wings like them, hovering into the air as he looked around himself. “I...I thought you were all gone after the great freeze,” he murmured.

One Breezie approached him. “You should come with us,” he said. “She is waiting.”

“Of course,” Aspect nodded once. “I...this is…” he turned to Bon Bon. “Thank you.”

“Go on,” she said. “I’m a pony, so I’m not allowed past this point. Go and see what they have to show you.”

Aspect smiled, flew down, pecked her on the cheek to show his thanks, before darting back up and bowing to the one that spoke. “By your lead,” he intoned.

The Breezie led him through their little village. It was hidden in a powerful Pocket Dimension. Even Aspect wouldn’t be able to create something of this magnitude. This took behind the impossible. Much like him, but this reality marble seemed… pure. Untainted by chaos. Gravity was a little lighter, if only to make it easier to move around.

He was led to a large hut, no bigger than a doll’s house to his true size. Inside, he was met with a most familiar face, not having aged a day since the last time he saw her.

The Flutterpony Queen, Rosedust.

“R...Rosedust,” he bowed to her. “I never expected to see you again.”

“Nor I you, my dear Gale,” she smiled as she floated down to him. “It has been an age and a half since I laid eyes upon you. You got old I see~”

“Yes, well, that’s what happens when you try to set up an entirely new country...and then wander for a millennium,” the stallion sighed, before perking up. “Oh, I...have something you gave me. I think it’s time I give it back to you.”

“Oh?” the Breezie hummed. “And what might that be?”

Aspect shrugged his saddlebags off, before rooting around in the left one with half his body. After about thirty seconds, he pulled out something very familiar to Rosedust.

It was, after all, only her charge back in Flutter Valley. The Sunstone.

“I thought I would never lay eyes upon it again,” she breathed as she ran a tiny hoof across it’s surface. “I am gladdened to see it still whole and safe. I knew entrusting it to you was the right thing.”

“You have no idea how sad I was when I went back to Dream Valley, Paradise Estates...Flutter Valley, and saw...nothing after the great freeze,” Aspect said as he gently put it on the ground. “Not a single flower. The only things left standing the buildings that we’d all fled. I wept for you all.”

Rose sighed as she sat down next to him, her long, gossamer wings trailing behind her like a colorful cloak. “We tried oh so hard, to see the Valley safe,” she said. “But they were too numerous, too powerful. We… lost a great many that time. If it weren’t for the actions of one, we’d have been lost completely.”

“Then I am glad you all are here,” Aspect replied. “I had...words with Gelgeth and his sons. They won’t be trying to freeze the world again anytime soon. It’s...all still there.”

The Breezie in the room had tensed up at the mention of that name. Seems some old wounds were still not forgotten.

“Yes well… they say forgiveness is divine,” Rosedust said calmly. “But what I would not give to see them on the receiving end of an Utter Flutter or three.”

“Bearing in mind they, too, have a charge in this world,” the stallion pointed out. “It is their job to guard the frozen north, and the gates of Nifelheim, where all the souls of past Aspects are imprisoned. Were you to thin their numbers...the dead might walk again. Moreso now that Grogar has joined them.”

“It was just an idle fancy,” Rosedust said and put his hoof on the Sunstone. “Now, I leave this with you. We have made do here and you may still need it’s guiding warmth someday. This stone’s home is the Valley, not here.”

“I will return it to where it should be, on one condition, your majesty,” Aspect replied.

Rosedust just nodded at him.

“One day, you and yours will return to your home as well,” Aspect said. “One day, the world will see the many colors of ponies again. Earth, Pegasi, Unicorns, Thestrals, Seapony...and Flutterpony.”

“I have always dreamed of that day, and still do,” Rosedust nodded as a commotion outside made itself known. “Oh dear,” she giggled. “Seems our friend, the one that saved us, has learned you’re here.”

“Uhoh…” Aspect gulped as he tucked the Sunstone back in his saddlebags, before slipping them on again. “Should I be worried?”

“Maybe,” Roseduct giggled and floated back to her throne. “She can be quite ornery at times.”

Then the doors burst open as a butterfly winged unicorn strone it. Unlike the spindly Breezies, she looked more like Aspect, a shrunken pony with wings. And he knew her at first sight.

The Wish Giver.

Twilight Twinkle.

“T-Twilight?” the stallion breathed. “H...How?!”

She strode over to him and looked him up and down. “Huh… since when did you prefer a pony form?” she quipped. She looked older, perhaps a little more than Twilight Velvet in years.

“Since all the other humans left,” the stallion riposted. “The Diplomat went across the rainbow. What remained of the human kingdoms left in a ship across the ocean. Even the Moochick’s home vanished one day, and he was technically a gnome! When it became just ponies...I became a pony too.”

“Hmm, when in Rome,” she commented. “Well, it’s good to see you nonetheless. And here I thought you forgot about lil old me.”

“How could I forget about the pony that was so generous as to give up her wish, so that others could still wish upon the stars?” Aspect chuckled. “Seems you’ve gotten strong in your age, little Twinkle.”

“Bah,” she blushed at the nickname. “Well, somepony had to help the Flutters. Cost was high… but I did it.”

“And well on you for doing it,” the stallion praised her. “Now...what did it cost you?”

“Everything,” she said and looked around. “This… reality was created by their joint wish and my magic. It’s impervious from the outside, completely disconnected. Even Discord himself can’t get in unless we allowed it.” She turned to him. “As a cost to keep this place. I have to remain here. I can never leave. As long as I exist, so will this place. And my magic is gone forever… But,” she looked away. “I saved them Christopher. No matter the cost, that alone was worth it.”

“...This will not stand,” the winged stallion huffed as he spread his butterfly wings, runes cascading in the air. “I will not let you exist as a shade of yourself. I will give you the happy ending you deserve for your age-long vigil, without sacrificing anything. I do not wield Majesty’s majesty for nothing!”

“Aspect…” Twilight backed up. “What the hell are you doing? If something happens to me, this haven will vanish!”

The Sunstone was yanked out of the stallion’s saddlebags as a runic script started glowing in the air. “From one to another, another to one. Let this mare’s vigil be done. She has saved the Flutters, kept them from the world’s eye. Now it is time she spread her wings and fly!”

There was a wave of golden light as the half-runic, half-Sorcery washed through the pocket dimension…

And when the magic passed, Twilight Twinkle could feel two very distinct things.

One, her magic. It was back.

And two...the reality bubble she’d created was...still in place?

She blinked slowly as the Flutters gazed fearfully at their little paradise. It was… still here?

“W-What…” Twilight’s horn flickered softly. “What on earth did you do?”

“S-Sorry, m’lady Rosedust,” Aspect wobbled on his hooves. “But...I canna bring the Sunstone back. It’s...your anchor now. But...if you bring it back yourself...the bubble will move to Flutter Valley. Wherever the Sunstone is when the sun sets is where your bubble is.” Seemed that working took a lot out of him.

“Honestly… you damned, fool-headed, idiotic, amazing stallion,” Twinkle sighed as she leaned against him to hold him up. “One of you let that other mare in. She won’t harm this place. And you, get some water for him. This moron just burned himself out with that.” She sighed and looked at him. “Honestly… always have to be the hero don’t you?”

“Couldn’t just do nothing,” the stallion muttered as he focused an eye on her. “Y’er my friend, Twinkle. You did a good thing. I...I had ta save ya too. It’s about time Karma paid its debt to you.”

“You’re still the fool… and I guess I’ll have to thank you,” she rolled her eyes and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

“Jus’...just give me a few hours, I’ll be right as rain,” he chuckled. “You’ll be free to do what you will then, I’ll get out of your mane.”

“Hmm, maybe I’ll just comeback with you?” she mused.

“Seriously?” Bon Bon squeaked as she walked in. Getting mad in that voice just made her cuter. “Ten minutes and you seduce one of them. Why am I not surprised?”

“Hm, seems you haven’t changed then,” Twilight chuckled and nudged him. “He had half the mares in Dream valley pining after him. Not that the dense fool knew it.”

“Jus’ doin’ mah job,” the stallion muttered as he pushed himself up on his hooves. “Oh! Bonnie! This is Twilight Twinkle, the Wish Granter, allllllll the way from Dream Valley! She’s the reason this whole thing stayed put! But now I went and made it the Sunstone’s job to hold them all together. Best idea, really. Keeps them safe, recharges on sunlight...so now she’s got her magic back and is free!”

“Still needs somepony to watch out for them,” Twilight replied. “‘Sides, I don’t know that world out there. Nor nopony in it.”

“Aww, Twinkle, you remember little Celly and Lulu?” he chuckled. “They’s proper Alicorns now. They move da sun and moon and run a whole country!”

“You put those cheeky brats in charge of a country?” Twinkle laughed heartily. “How is the world not fire and brimstone? Or at least overrun with cake and candy.”

“Theys not that bad,” the stallion slurred. “Oh! The whole reason we came all da way out here. Dere was a monster with that damn...gunk as armor. Bonnie, what was da name…”

Bonnie gently eased the stallion down as a cute Breezie mare brought him some water. “Sit, rest. Let the mare’s talk okay?”

“But is important…” the stallion whined before drinking a bit of the water.

“A friend of ours, fought a Kelpie. It’s a type of undead equine with water magic,” she explained. “Apparently it wore Smooze as armor.”

“Well… props to your friend for defeating it,” Twinkle nodded. “Still, after the Flutters became Breezies. The seal might have weakened. Or…”

“I put a do...a do...twelve extra seals on the volcano after I killed the witches,” Aspect offered. “They won’t be makin’ any more of that. Took their spellbook too, and burned their portraits.”

“Thorough,” Twinkle sighed. “But even so… This ‘Kelpie’ was it? Sounds like one of Grogar’s creations. And mixing monsters? Only one foul being could do that.”

“Discord,” Bon Bon hissed. “He escaped not too long ago. He was sealed soon after… but even a moment is enough for him.”

“He could have released some,” Twinkle agreed. “Not enough to overrun, but still cause a little havoc.”

“Y’know what I don’t like about this?” Aspect pointed out. “He hadta know that if I heard about Smooze getting out, and you knew where the Flutters were...that we’d come here. We’re...we’re playing into his claw.”

“Perhaps,” Twinkle nodded. “Or is as you said. Karma was due to swing around to our side for a while.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t mind seeing more Flutters...but maybe that’s what Discord wants too,” Aspect mused. “Then we hafta ask why he would want them back. Or you back.”

“Provided he knew as much as you say,” Twinkle said. “How would he know that this mare knew of us? Or that I am even here? Relax Gale. Your burnout is messing your head up.”

“No, no it isn’t,” the stallion shook his head. “Cause...cause he knew to sic the Bugbear on Bonnie.”

“Bug… bear?” Twinkle blinked at the mare.

“Don’t ask,” she shuddered. “Let’s say a few scrapes was the best outcome, death a close second. It would only get worse after that.”

“So yeah...he knew Bonnie was some sort of secret agent for Celly that dealt in weird monster knowledge. So he finds one of Grogar’s Kelpies and takes a little Smooze from the volcano to give it armor...cause he knows that with the both of us finding out about it at the same time, we come here. Was...was he hoping I would just let the Flutters loose, undo all your hard work? Or did he want you in particular to come out?” He drank more of the water before continuing. “Problem with thinkin’ like Discord. In his head, two plus two equals banana.”

“Mhm,” Twinkle replied. “Now calm yourself. He’s sealed away. We’re reunited. I think we can afford to relax a little don’t you?”

“Oh, he has ways of relaxing,” Bon Bon hummed, nuzzling him.

“H’oh?” Twinkle’s eyes sparkled. “Well lookit who finally went native after all this time eh?”

“Stuff it,” the stallion muttered as he sighed. “Okay...so. Rosedust, do you think you can manage trying to move the Sunstone on your own now?”

“I can certainly try,” Rosedust nodded. “And I think you should spend the night here with us. It has been such a long time. Let us feast to celebrate.”

“Would love to...but can’t,” the stallion sighed. “I’ve got a pretty thestral waiting at home for me, she’ll only wait for so long.” He turned to Twilight Twinkle and cocked an eyebrow. “You know, my adopted son sealed himself in a Pictomancy Portrait to make it to when Pictomancy was practiced again. He’s got a thousand years to catch up on, you’re not the only one who missed out that I could potentially help.”

“Hmm, well we shall see,” Twinkle chuckled. “If you can stand having an old busybody like me around.”

“She really does look like Twilight huh?” Bon Bon whispered to Aspect. The stallion snorted once and dug around in his left saddlebag, before pulling out a trail-mix bar he’d made for himself and biting into it.

“It might not be the most tasty thing,” he said between bites, “But it’s got energy, which is what my body needs right now. I eat about...five of these on the road back, my magic and physical energy will be filled up again.” He turned to Rosedust and bowed. “I would not be adverse to seeing you all again sometime,” he promised the queen of the Flutters. “Perhaps one day the world will have six tribes once more?”

“Perhaps,” she nodded. “You shall see us again soon. Our migration is coming up, so be sure to watch out for us alright?”

“Okay then,” Aspect finished off his bar and turned to Bon Bon. “I think I improved on the gift you gave me,” he teased her.

“Hmm?” Bon Bon tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“You just wanted to show me the Flutters,” he elaborated. “I gave their warden freedom and gave them a new mission to carry out on their migrations, what with binding the Sunstone to the place and making it so wherever it is, is their sanctuary. They get it back to their old home, the whole valley will disappear into a bubble like this one.”

“Huh… I think I get it?” Bon Bon shrugged. “Well in any case, if we want to get home before nightfall, we should likely leave soon.”

“Yeah, it’s probably best,” the stallion nodded once as he clambered to his feet, before looking around at the assembled Flutterponies. “Take care, all of you. Each one of you is precious.”

“As are you,” Rosedust nodded and smiled. “Take care dear friend. May the sun guide your path, and the breeze lift your wings.”

“May the world be brightened for your presence, much like you lift my heart,” he replied, bowing low to the ground.

“Enough,” a breeze lifted him. “Friends do not bow to friends,” Rose chided him. “Now, you come back again soon alright? You will be welcome here always.”

“If you say so,” the stallion replied. “Take care.” He turned to Bon Bon and Twinkle as his wings flapped. “Shall we?”

“Oh? Am I to come with you?” Twinkle asked innocently.

“If you want,” the stallion offered. “Plenty of room still at my place.”

“Ah buck it, I could do with a vacation,’ the mare mused. “And I wouldn’t mind seeing what you pass off as life for a while.”

“Aspect,” Bon Bon shook her head. “Can’t we go anywhere without you taking home strays?”

Aspect got a wicked idea as he whispered something into Twinkle’s ear, before sitting in front of Bon Bon with the unicorn mare just behind him. “Bonnie, she followed me home, can I keep her?”

“What about your pet bat?” Bonnie teased him right back. “Good try, but I live with Lyra remember? You’re gonna have to try harder than that.”

“Darn it, well I’m out of ideas Twinkle,” the stallion turned to her.

“Hmm, maybe you just need an older mare’s… experience~,” she said in a husky tone that could put Midnight to shame as she trailed a hoof down his chest.

“...Bonnie, please say we can keep her,” Aspect pled with his mare.

“Hahah, you’re as much fun to mess with as always,” Twinkle mused as Bon Bon just facehooved. Seems weirdness was a requirement to be friends with Aspect. “Like you could even keep up little colt. Now come on, we have a world to explore.”

“Just follow us back to the house for now,” Aspect said as he began flying a little ways, only to pick up Bon Bon and begin heading back to where they’d entered the pocket dimension.

Once outside, they retook their real sizes, only Twinkle looked a bit unsteady.

“Goodness,” she said dizzily. “How can you stand feeling so… heavy?”

“Maybe take it easy until you’re used to your normal weight again?” the stallion offered as he knelt down, giving her access to his back if she wanted to hitch a ride back to town.

Bon Bon took over though, she was an earth pony and he still needed to recover his energy.

“So, what’s the world been up to for a thousand years?” Twinkle asked. “Any notable changes I should be aware of?”

“Well, the country we’re taking you back to is Equestria, run by Celly and Lulu,” Aspect hummed. “The whole ‘tribal fervor’ has mostly died down, though you will still find pockets of it here and there. The Windigoes at least don’t show up anymore thanks to the unity of the pony tribes. Oh, and I might have spawned a half-dozen magical children and a few species entirely.”

“My oh my, you certainly don’t do things half measure do you?” Twinkle said and then paused. “Would one of those be Griffons by chance?”

“How did you know?” Bon Bon gasped.

“He always did have a love for them from those books that Megan would bring,” Twinkle explained.

“Them and phoenixes,” the stallion agreed. “Which is the other species I created. I’ve still got a bit of Arabus in me, waiting to find a worthy Griffon to make the new Air Aspect, but everything else has been rehoused.”

“So, still hanging on to old Arabus eh?” Twinkle chuckled. “Bet he’s a lot of fun these days.”

“Not so much,” the stallion groused. “In any case...much of everything else you can read about. It’d probably be a good idea if I read up on some of it, as a matter of fact.”

“Hmm, been a loooong time since I had a good old study session,” Twinkle said. “And you mentioned little Realm as well? I can’t wait to see him.”

“He’s barely changed...well, except for the horn sticking out of his head,” the stallion chuckled.

“H’oh? He’s a unicorn now?” she blinked. “How’d that happen?”

“Alicorn, he still has his wings,” Aspect explained. “He created a portal between the painted world and the real world, one that anypony could use, and nearly died doing it. Effort is rewarded these days. Had your little spell happened a few years later, you might be sporting the upgrade yourself.”

“Hah, like I’d know what to do with feather dusters strapped to my back,” she chuckled. “A Flutter spell is fine enough for me dear boy.”

“Eh, suit yourself,” the stallion shrugged.

“So, has your place calmed down over the centuries?” Twilight asked him. “Or is it as crazy as ever?”

And at that, Bon Bon started to laugh… hard.

“Eh…” the stallion thought about it. “Well, Celly and Lulu are moved out, mostly. But I have some new boarders that...well, they’ve certainly upped the ante, I’ll tell you that much.”

“Do I even want to know?” Twinkle asked, looking with concern at the giggling earth pony mare.

“Let’s just say we’re the stuff of myth, and the ones that study it are...eccentric,” Aspect offered.

“...what?” Twinkle blinked.

“Oh, she’s going to love Twilight,” Bon Bon chuckled, only confusing the older mare even further.

“Just keep in mind one simple fact before we get there,” the stallion offered. “Everypony who lives in Ponyville is crazy.”

“Oh… wonderful,” Twinkle deadpanned as the trio resumed their trek home.

Author's Notes:

Gen 1, meet the modern day...

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