Chapter 11: It's Your Hero!

“Come on Enyi! You can't just leave me like that!” I whined as we disembarked from the train.

“You only get one. I am mad at you after all.”

“So you just kiss me then leave me sitting there for a whole day in a small room on a train with you staring out your window?”

“Yes.”

I groaned, “Look the choice not to hurt Lazilob turned out to be right anyway so how can you be mad!?”

“It really is not that difficult.” Enyi said with a hint of smugness.

“Even if I did side with you the vote would have been tied, three to three. All it would have accomplished is making us sit in that cold, dark, spider infested tomb for a whole lot longer!”

“Listen Ivory, that monster nearly destroyed my peoples history,” Enyi said, his tone suddenly turning dour, “She nearly ruined everything Abila tried to save and killed her just to top it off. I can not accept letting that creature go unpunished.” Enyi turned away and kept walking.

I just stood there on the train platform staring down at my hooves in a depressed state that was becoming all to familiar to me. Jackpot and Scarlet each trotted up next to me and each gave me a friendly punch on my shoulder.

“If it makes ya feel any better we think you made the better choice.” Jackpot cheerily said.

“Yeah Ivory, it might not seem like it but you made the right choice. The fact we managed to get that cool looking cloak showed that it was what we were supposed to do after all.” Scarlet said giving a big smile.

“I know but Enyi is technically right, at least a little bit right?” I said looking at Scarlet.

“Well I suppose he was but she had obviously been imprisoned down there for a long time and from my point of view that probably was her punishment.” Scarlet said back.

“Yeah kid! Abila died thousands of years ago which means that Labi-whatever her name was must have been down there nearly as long right? That's longer than any prison term we have here in Equestria so that surely counts for something.” Jackpot added.

Silver now exited the train, his large pack still slowing him down, “I disagree.” he said sternly, “If what Enyi said about Lazilob was true she killed thousands and was feared enough to be considered one of the two greatest demons of the Darkness. You need to understand how that would make him feel and understand that a monster like that has a very little chance of just suddenly becoming good out of nowhere. I won't doubt that your choice worked out in the end but you really need to be careful in those kinds of situations.”

“I should probably do something for Enyi then!” I suddenly perked up, “Yeah I'll do something so he won't have to be mad at me!”

“Good idea, I say we discuss it over at Joe's!” Jackpot said sounding very excited.

“I don't know. I get the feeling Enyi doesn't like Joe's place very much.”

“Well I think you should go.” Scarlet surprisingly said.

“Wait, what!?” Enyi and I both said.

“It'll give him some time to cool off and give you some time to think of something as long as you two don't go overboard on that weird cider again.”

“Good point Scarlet!” Jackpot excitedly said.

“Well I guess that makes sense.” I said feeling somewhat happy to go back there myself.

“We'll go and have a talk with Enyi if it'll make you feel any better.” Silver said.

“Thanks, both of you.” I happily said before turning off with Jackpot towards Cider Joe's.

*****

It was a long night. Jackpot and I sat around for hours trying to think of something to smooth things over with Enyi to the point of getting rather hungry and thirsty. I admit I got...somewhat carried away but by the end of the night Jackpot and I had come up with the idea of showing Enyi around Emerald Flake's excavation site back in Canterlot. It was a pretty good idea to let him look around the place I found Sparky as there could be more Abila related artifacts that had not been found yet.

The next morning was not as bad as I thought it would be. I felt only a little sick, although I had not really had that much so I guess that makes sense, and after some complimentary pancakes from Joe I felt much better. Jackpot and I got some early morning training in on the obstacle course and some sparring before we set out for home.

“It's the afternoon! What took you two so long!” Scarlet huffed, very obviously upset with an equally as upset Enyi and Silver sitting next to her. They were all sitting at the couch in the front living room with Scarlet reading from Dash Venture and the Wild Wasteland.

“Well we had to do a lot of brainstorming and a lot of...”

“Don't say anything, I can smell your breath just fine thank you.” Scarlet continued to huff.

Silver cleared his throat to clear the air, “Well anyway I believe we all planned to have a visit with Ms. Hero over in Marewaukee.”

“Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that.” I said poking my head to signify a brain malfunction.

“Silver has already acquired the appropriate train tickets.” Enyi said while not looking at me.

“I'm sorry ok.” I said as apologetically as I could, “How about when we get back I take you to the excavation spot where I found Sparky here, you never know if any more Abila related artifacts could be just waiting to be found?” I put on the biggest smile of my life here followed by the best puppy dog face I could muster.

Enyi's eyes drifted down to me and my very, very, very adorable face and while he may have had a stern expression on at first it quickly softened into a little chuckle.

“Very well Ivory. I appreciate the offer and I think that I will take you up on it.”

“Really!” My face lit up.

Enyi leaned over and gave me a little hug, “Do not worry Ivory, as I said on the train I do not think any less of you for your choice, it is just not the one I would have made.”

I quickly returned the hug and turned my face so I would be staring right into his. He very obviously didn't take my bate as after he released the hug he sat up and started walking towards the door.

“Shall we go then Ivory? Our train does not depart until tonight so we shall have plenty of time to see this excavation of yours.”

I quickly got up and scrambled over to Enyi, “Don't worry guys, we'll be back later ok! Tomorrow I can show all of you all the best and most famous spots in Marewaukee ok!” I shouted as Enyi and I exited the house.

As I expected the excavation was still going on and while Emerald was no longer there she had given permission beforehoof to let me back in whenever I wanted. With this I took Enyi to where I had found Sparky and I even managed to show him how to properly dig around with the small brushed and picks that archeologists used. We didn't find anything but I for one was having a lot of fun just hanging out with Enyi here and judging by his facial expressions he was certainly having a fun time as well.

I was able to show him some things that had already been found by other ponies though. I walked him over to a table where recent finds were placed for examination and walked him through exactly what it was we were looking at. There was several pottery pieces from the classical pony period as well as a few hunks of malformed metal that had the label, coins, in front of them.

“I don't see it.” I said.

“Perhaps they are mislabeled?” Enyi mused.

“Well they are made of metal so I guess they might be coins?” I mused right back.

“These coins they do seem rather odd, but by your knowledge I am awed.” Enyi rhymed.

I gave a little chuckle of embarrassment, “Grit would have been able to tell you the exact year these were made, who made them and who that pony's cousin was.”

“He had many more years of study than you but I think you are going to surpass him before the end of all this.”

“Yeah, we have been learning a lot of previously unknown knowledge. I mean Grit wasn't even able to translate the Pre-Celestial Script much while we just keep getting better at it.”

“But without Grit's notes neither of us could have even started to translate Abila's journal.”

“That's true Enyi. Grit really was a genius.” a few tears started to fall from my eyes as I said this. “Too bad he wasted all of it in the end.”

“I did not know him as you did but he always seemed focused on the big picture goals.” it was at this moment he probably noticed me crying because his front hoof soon gently wrapped around me, “I know it is difficult to lose one who you admire, but with you his legacy will not expire.”

“Thanks.” I sniffled a little as I looked lovingly at Enyi before quickly giving him a small kiss on the cheek, “Got ya.” I said making myself laugh a little.

“Indeed you did.” Enyi chuckled back before gently kissing me right back.

When we got back to the house everypony noticed our improved moods(especially Enyi's). It was well into the evening and I was annoyed to see nopony had gone out to get any food. Jackpot, Silver and Scarlet had instead eaten the last of whatever little bits and pieces of food that had been laying around the house. I didn't want to go out again so soon and the others seemed just as lazy as me in this regard. Luckily they were good friends and had saved the absolute last bit of food for Enyi and myself which we happily ate before we all regathered our stuff and set out for Marewaukee.

*****

The train ride went quickly as we all slept on the ride over(overnight rides tend to do that). When we all woke up the city was cresting the horizon as the tall skyscrapers of the burgeoning metropolis came into view. I got very excited, this city was the center of so many pieces of modern Equestrian history and the place where Grit first made a real name for himself.

It was in this city that he helped the dragon Hero uncover a secret society and then save all of Equestria from them. Not to mention Hero herself who was the subject of many famous incidents from the several years prior to her first meeting Grit. Her famous recountings of her adventures on her radio station were essentially Equestrian history and now even had classes in universities from Twilight Sparkle's school to Celestia's school in Canterlot. Hero's stories were the stuff of some legend themselves due to her constant run ins with the insane pony scientist Fornix. Fornix fashioned himself a super villain who for some reason wanted to destroy Hero and her blooming radio station. His antics to destroy her and the many curious characters she encountered in her early investigations of the Ponyfire Club were nearly as famous as Grit Stratum's later adventures.

“Look! Marewaukee Central Station!” I excitedly shouted as the train neared it's final destination. “It was on this spot that Grit bade his heart warming goodbye to Hero and Fornix after their legendary adventures!”

The train pulled up and the doors opened onto the platform. Sure enough when I exited I ran right to the spot which had been conveniently marked by a small plaque signifying a historical moment in the city's history.

“And look over there!” I pointed straight to the far side of the train platform where a large half-melted block of concrete had been set up in a display case. “That's the wall that Fornix shot with his DESTRUCTONATOR!” I was in fanpony heaven.

Enyi laughed slightly at my unbridled joy as Jackpot, Scarlet and Silver followed us out of the train.

“This city obviously holds much significance for you Ivory.” Enyi pointed out.

“You have no idea how long I've wanted to come here Enyi. It's practically been a dream of mine forever!”

I eagerly led the group out of the train station and onto the busy sidewalk that connected it with the rest of the city. From out of the hustle and bustle and noise of the city I heard the unmistakeable and immortal words of one of the greatest ponies in the city.

“BUY SOME APPLES!” A high pitched voice with a heavy southern accent shouted out.

“It can't be!” I shouted myself in almost complete disbelief.

I turned towards where the voice echoed out from and there, a little ways away was a small wooden stand where a light orange pony with a deep blond mane stood (I know what you're thinking and no it's not the mare you're thinking of).

“It's Angela Apple!” I shouted, “No fucking way!” I shouted again before covering my mouth as a mother passed by covering the ears of her filly and giving me a dirty look.

“HEY YOU! YEAH YOU! BUY SOME APPLES ALREADY!” Angela shouted directly at me and my friends.

I broke into a run as my friends, surprised by my sudden outburst, merely stood there for several seconds completely confused until they realized what I was doing and followed after me. I stopped on a dime the moment I stood in front of the small apple stall that the young looking mare stood behind.

“Wait a minute...you're not Angela Apple. Sorry about that, it seems I mistook you for somepony else.” I said getting a little embarrassed.

“Huh? Whatcha mean I ain’t Angela Apple? I'll have ya know that that's totally my name!” the apple selling pony huffed in her country accent.

“No way, Angela Apple is at least as old as Grit, if not older. You on the other hoof look no older than me.” I said pointing to the definitely young pony's face.

“Wait an apple-pickin minute! You sayin I look old!?” she nickered.

“What, no. I'm saying you look too young.” I nickered back.

“Aww, yer so thoughtful fer sayin so.” the mare said suddenly sounding very cheerful.

“What?” I said confused.

“Well anyway, I'm Angela Apple! Purveyor of the finest apples this side o' Equestria, what can I do ya fer!?”

“So your saying you're really THE Angela Apple?”

“Uh, I believe that's what I said little missy.”

“How!? You should at least be in your sixties...no seventies by now!” I said completely shocked.

“I like ta think I aged quite well darling.” Angela said poofing her dirt covered mane with her hoof slightly.

“Ivory! Slow down, wait for us!” Jackpot yelled as he and the others finally caught up.

“Wow! More customers! How bout y’all buy some apples huh?”

“Who is this?” Enyi asked.

“Apparently this is THE Angela Apple.” I said.

“WAIT!” Silver interrupted, “You mean from the Hero Studio stories and Dash Venture books?”

“Apparently.” I answered.

“She's so young though? She should be like seventy or something now right?” Silver said confused.

“Is this a pony I should know?” Enyi whispered into my ear.

“Well well, we got some fans here I take it.” Angela said from her spot behind her small cart. “Since y'all seem ta be havin some trouble understandin, yes I am THE Angela Apple from yer friendly neighborhood news Dragon.”

My eyes began to grow and grow and grow and grow almost to the point of exploding out of my head. Angela Apple is a legend in the Dash Venture fan clubs and in Marewaukee history. She was mostly famous for being the only real friend the crazy mad scientist Fornix had in the early stories and Dash Venture books and for being the only pony who actually helped him with his constant craziness when all the psychiatrists and city-appointed doctors failed.

“So you know Fornix?” I asked eagerly.

“Oh yeah, me and little Pish Posh go waaaay back. He used ta actually buy apples ya know.” Angela said while pointing down to the ten apples she had sitting on her cart.

“Is that all?” Scarlet asked from behind me.

“Is that all!? Is that all!? I'll have ya know thems be the finest apples in all Equestria! Not even my cousin Applejack could grow better apples than this.” Angela said proudly.

“Well I'm sorry for not recognizing you but it's just so weird how you look so young and all.” I said sheepishly.

“Oh it's all dandy kiddo! Ponies make that mistake all the time.” she said waving her hoof dismissively, “So bout them apples?”

“How much?” Jackpot asked from behind me.

“Fer you nice ponies only two bits an apple!” Angela said smiling.

“Hmm, can't do one bit?” Jackpot asked back.

“Nope, two bits per apple please!” Angela said holding out her orange hoof.

I looked over at Silver who after a slight moment of hesitation slipped out ten bits, one apple for each of us. Angela took the bits happily and slid them into a small can she had sitting next to the cart.

“Well, how are they?” Angela asked.

I stood there munching on the sweet crispy red fruit. It took several seconds to hit me but the was the BEST APPLE I HAD EVER HAD. I got completely lost in the near overpowering flavor of the crunchy sweetness of the apple and if I had been paying attention I would have found my friends in similar situations. After I swallowed I came out of the trance to find Angela standing there expecting an answer to a question I had not heard.

“Huh?” I asked.

“How were the apples?” she asked again.

“Fucking amazing.” Jackpot absentmindedly blurted out.

“Glad ya like it now is there anything else I can do to help?”

“Oh yeah.” I said shaking my head trying to forget about the absolutely amazing apple I had just eaten, “We're looking for Hero.”

“Hero?...Oh you must be Ivory Star then!”

“Wait you know me?” I asked.

“Uh yeah, Grit and I have been friends fer years, too bad that guy had to be a jerk and do what he did.” Angela said sounding very upset.

“So, you know about the artifact smuggling too?” I asked as I suddenly felt my depression coming back before Enyi came up and gave me a little nuzzle with his muzzle to cheer me up.

“What? No, I'm not talkin bout Grit. I was talkin bout somepony else.”

“Who?” Silver asked, interrupting me.

“You don't know him but he's kinda a dumb pear bucker if ya catch ma drift.” Angela said pretending to whisper it to us.

“Ok then, like I said we really want to see Hero. Do you know if she's at her studio right now or off somewhere else?” I asked.

“Oh sure, she's home but she ain't lettin nopony in the last couple days. Only Pish and his little buddy can get into the studio these days.”

“Wow, she's really taking all of this pretty hard then.” Scarlet said worriedly from behind me.

“Yeah, last time I saw her she was pretty out of it.” Angela said while shaking her can of bits.

“Then I think we definitely need to go and talk to her.” I said.

“Yeah, my brother always says: 'Talkins the best way ta cheer somepony up!', or something like that.” Angela mused.

“Wait, since when do you have a brother!” I gasped at learning a trivia fact about a Dash Venture character that I did not already know.

“What ya haven't met him yet?...Oh yeah, that chapter hasn't been written yet.” Angela said, confused at first but then seeming like she figured it out at the end.

“What are you talking about?” Enyi asked, finally saying something.

“Oh, you'll see in time...or maybe not, as long as you don't run away again.” Angela said.

“Wait, I have never...”

“You're not making any sense, ya know that right?” Jackpot interrupted.

“I make more sense that your love life buster.” Angela said in an almost joking manner.

“Wait, what!?” Jackpot said, with a stumped look on his face as if he had just been punched.

“Yer gonna have to go back to those two someday, before it's too late.” Angela said, dropping her joking tone.

Jackpot just stood there with a completely shocked look on his face. He said nothing and did nothing almost as if Angela had actually unnerved him in some way. I looked up at Jackpot with an almost equal level of confusion as to what she was talking about.

“Jackpot, what's she talking about?” Scarlet asked Jackpot very obviously alarmed about Jackpot's sudden debilitated state.

Jackpot turned his face away and muttered something to himself that probably was not very nice and slowly walked a ways away from the group.

“What were you talking about?” Scarlet asked Angie with very obvious worry in her voice, “What's going on, I'm confused?”

“You'll grow out of that.” Angela answered more than likely only confusing Scarlet more if her face was any indication.

“You were always rather strange in the books.” Silver said, “I always thought Hero and Grit made all that up, or at least exaggerated it but I guess not.”

“You're one to talk.” Angela said straight to Silver's face. Silver backed up slightly as a small look of indignation appeared on his face, “Get a new hobby there Silver, this one you got going on ain't gonna help anything.”

“We'll see.” Silver said in a surprised sounding tone in his voice.

“Well this has been...strange. But I guess with Angela Apple that's to be expected.” I said now looking at my confused and dour friends.

“Yeah, I get a lot of that to.” Angela said looking as surprised at my friends reactions a I was. Angela now looked right at me, “You think things are strange now, you have absolutely no idea just how weird all this is gonna get.”

“Ominous.” I said, now slightly apprehensive myself.

“Thanks, I've been practicing.” Angela said with pride in her voice.

“Um...ok.” I was now very confused.

“Well anyhow, head on over to Pish Posh Orphanage. The big bad villain himself should be there right now if you want him to get you in to meet Hero.” Angela said, putting her smile back on.

“Wait, seriously! I'm gonna meet Pish Posh himself in the actual Pish Posh Orphanage!” I squealed suddenly very excited to meet another hero of mine.

“Whoa there kid, don't wanna be goin all crazy like round him. I uh...I'm sure you know what'll happen.” Angela pointed out to me.

“Oops, oh yeah. I forgot about that, silly me.” I said, calming myself down.

“What is she talking about Ivory?” Enyi asked.

“I'll tell ya on the way over ok Enyi.” I said still somewhat excited to meet a real life equestrian legend.

“I think we may need to wait several minutes before we head out.” Enyi said back to me.

“Why?”

Enyi gestured to the others and I saw what he was referring to. Jackpot was sitting on the corner of the sidewalk with his head bowed down looking depressed and Scarlet was staring at Angela with a look of half disbelief and half confusion on her face. Silver was just staring curiously at Angela as she stared right back at him but with an innocent smile on her face.

“I see.” I said rubbing my chin with my hoof.

I turned back to Angela and gave her a friendly wave as I ran over to try and calm my friends down. Silver only took a few pokes to regain his attention, Scarlet took that and a light knock on her head to help her recollect herself but Jackpot on the other hoof kept sulking. He trotted back over to me but I could tell by his face he was not very happy about something.

“Jackpo...”

“How the hell.” Jackpot mumbled, interrupting me. His face looked utterly stupefied as he said this.

“You ok?” I asked.

“Ivory, who is she?” Jackpot and I turned back towards where Angela was only to see that the apple selling pony and her cart were gone.

A throng of ponies had shoved their way past us on the busy street corner and in the hustle of the large crowd I had lost sight of Angela. When the crowd passed she seemed to have passed along with them.

“Wow, she really does that.” I said nearly speechless.

“Did she do that in these books you keep mentioning?” Enyi asked.

“Yeah, from time to time.”

“And who is this Pish Posh? I have heard you mention that name at some point I believe.”

It once again occurred to me, Enyi had never read the Dash Venture books nor did he really know much about Equestrian history aside from what we have each learned since our first meeting in Khaweth. It keeps being a problem, forgetting that anypony would not have read the greatest books ever written was an idea that while still strange was becoming too commonplace for my place. Although the legitimacy of the books is now somewhat in question and you can bet your flank I'm going to be talking to Hero about this subject as well.

“He's Fornix. The insane mad scientist pony who used to try and destroy Hero in her early days though he was really more of a really big nuisance than any kind of world conquering super villain.” I said almost instinctively.

“Again the name has been mentioned but I am still somewhat unsure as to who that is.”

“Everypony has at least heard of him, right?” Scarlet asked, trotting up to Enyi and myself.

“Yeah, even I've at least heard of Fornix.” Jackpot added.

“You know that whole multiple personality thing...yeah it's one of those except slightly different.” I said to Enyi.

“How so?”

“Well...it's like a whole other pony lives inside his brain. They can talk to each other, switch places at will and even physically change when one or the other is in control.” I said, drawing on my near encyclopedic knowledge of the subject of Grit's early adventures.

“So it has some basis in magic then?” Enyi said, confused.

“Yeah. Fornix is really weird but even when he was 'evil' he was always really fun to read and hear about. We really never did get an explanation about his state of mind though so nopony has ever really been able to do anything about it, not that he'd want to get rid of Fornix anyway.”

“Hmm, so then we will be in for another interesting conversation then?”

“Well if Pish Posh is in control probably not. He's actually pretty normal.”

“Well then it will be nice to finally speak with a normal, level headed pony.” Enyi said putting a little smile on his face.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I said trying to sound offended.

“Nothing.” Enyi whispered as he gave me a quick and light bop on my muzzle with his hoof.

I of course knew exactly where the legendary Pish Posh Orphanage was simply from reading about it for my entire life. It was a practical living breathing historical landmark here in Marewaukee. Crossing the busy streets and tall skyscrapers, ebbing our way past crowds of walking ponies and trying not to get hit by running cabs were all things we quickly got used to here in Marewaukee. I followed the street-signs from their descriptions in the books perfectly. I knew where I was going (mostly) but it was still a ways away from the train station so the walk took a good amount of time to complete.

“Here we go!” I said with excitement as me and my friends now gazed upon the front of the legendary Pish Posh Orphanage.

It was a large five story tall building. Colored purple on the outside with a big sign that read:

Pish Posh Orphanage
(yes we are a working orphanage)

“Why an orphanage of all things?” Enyi asked.

“It's a long story but...” I started to tear up a little bit, “It's just so sweat.”

“Wasn't it something about his parents?” Silver said.

“Yeah, Pish Posh is actually an orphan himself so he set this up when he first came to Marewaukee over forty years ago. It caused a lot of problems when he would turn into Fornix as the crazy pony had little interest in it so the Orphanage almost closed down many times.”I said wiping the couple tears still in my eyes.

“Aww, that's so sweat.” Scarlet cooed.

“Oh just remember to stay as calm as possible around Pish Posh. Any kind of craziness or mood swings or anything like that could push Fornix out and if he comes out we're probably gonna lose hims for a few..days.” I sighed a little at the last word.

Suddenly a slight creaking sound made my ear twitch and my head snap up. The two large wooden doors that were placed in the exact middle of the orphanage slowly began to open. I stood there, wrapped at attention, wondering just who might be coming out of the building. My eyes started getting bulgier and bulgier as I got more and more excited.

“Emerald's gonna be so jealous.” I whispered to myself.

The door finished opening when a charcoal black Unicorn with a graying mane stepped out through the doorway. Upon exiting he looked right up at us and just froze in place, staring at our little group with curiosity and surprise. He took a quick glance back inside the building, his face suddenly taking a very annoyed expression and said something that I didn't hear.

Immediately after him an elderly Earth Pony with a blue coat and a mane that I could tell used to be brown stepped lightly down the front steps. He had violet eyes, a cutie mark of monocle attached to a little mustache and a heart shaped bow tie on his neck.

I couldn't help it I started giggling as the elderly pony trotted up with the dark Unicorn behind him following suit.

“Well hello there, my friend here tells me you're fans?” Pish Posh said with a kind and posh sounding voice.

“OH YES!” I very eagerly said as I zipped up right in front of the elderly pony.

“Hold it right there! We really don't have time for you fan ponies today, right sir?” The Unicorn said abrasively.

“Now now Hubbard, don't be like that. These young ponies are Equestria's future! Be nice to them.”

The Unicorn audibly grumbled at Pish Posh's suggestion though it was obvious from his face that he would agree.

“WAIT! DID YOU SAY....HUBBARD! LITTLE HUBBY!” I squeed very heavily immediately looking down at his cutie mark. It was a wand made of bone with a small skull at the end of it.

“Um Ivory, did you not just say...” Enyi tried to say but I kept talking.

“Whoa! You're a lot older than you were in the radio interviews!” I said almost in awe.

“Those were forty years ago!” Hubbard said now very visibly annoyed with me.

“Wait!? You mean Hubbard, the Unicorn that uses dark magic!” Scarlet blurted out, very surprised and a little scared.

“Black magic!?” Enyi said suddenly taking several steps back from Hubbard.

Hubbard smacked his hoof in his face, “Nightmare Moon preserve me! See sir, this is why I keep telling you to have that dragon friend of yours stop playing those! Ponies very clearly don't understand the intricacies of what I do.” Hubbard said still very annoyed at us.

I turned back towards Scarlet and Enyi, “Guys it's alright. Hubbard's the only pony ever to be able to use dark magic without turning evil!”

“Oh yeah!” Silver chimed in, “I remember that little cult club he had going for Fornix back then.”

“Totally! He used to call him the, LORD OF INSANITY!” I laughed after saying this as I was filled with pleasant memories of my favorite stories.

Hubbard nickered once again with obvious annoyance. “I hate all of you.” he said in a deadpan tone as he trotted past us.

“He used to be so cute as a kid.” Silver said probably remembering the Unicorn's role in the stories, “Hosting that little club in his mom's basement. Just a cute little ten year old pony trying to summon demons and the like.” Silver chuckled to himself.

Suddenly Pish Posh began to laugh as well, “HAHA, they got you there, Little Hubby.” Pish said cheekily as he nudged Hubbard's side evoking another grumble from the also elderly pony.

“Wait, so this Unicorn knows actual black magic?” Enyi asked.

“It is simply another magical skill to master, so yes I do know DARK MAGIC.” Hubbard emphasized the dark part over the black.

“Hey!You ponies remember the story where Hubby's mom grounded him for 'excessively loud demon summoning'?” Pish giggled as he said this.

“Right in front of all his friends!” I said, laughing with him.

Silver started chuckling along with us, “Oh do I remember! I always loved how seriously he took his little demon parties.”

“Remember the demon shaped cookies his mom made?” I said now chuckling uncontrollably.

“Oh Hubbard's mom was a real sweet-heart.” Pish said, his tone turning nostalgic.

“Yeah, she was always just so nice! I always loved how she treated the whole demon cult thing with such silliness.” I said, still chuckling.

“Yes yes, my mother never took my passion seriously, can we move on now sir? We have things to do don't we?” Hubbard said, very obviously trying to get rid of us.

“Oh, lighten up you old fuddy-duddy.” Pish waved his hoof dismissively at Hubbard. “I swear, you've gotten to be no fun in your old age.”

Hubbard rolled his eyes at this, “If I don't keep you on track sir then nothing would ever get done around here.” Hubbard huffed.

“Oh fine fine fine, I'll be along in a minute.” Pish Posh waved for Hubbard to wait for him on the sidewalk.

“He might not have turned evil but he sure turned grumpy.” Scarlet said as she watched Hubbard trot over the street corner.

“Yes, it's a real shame to, he used to be so lively until he started getting older. But I guess that's just what happens when some ponies get up there in age.” Pish nostalgically chuckled to himself. “Well anyway if you want autographs or anything I will have to make it quick, I apologize but I have several important things to do today.”

I finally brought myself down from my chuckle-fest, “Um, actually Mr. Posh.”

Pish's eyebrow raised a little.

“My name's Ivory Star and...”

“Oh my dear!” Pish shouted. “So you're Grit's...” his own laughter now died as he suddenly began to look at me with much more sensitive eyes. Even Hubbard, who was standing near the street, perked his head up when he heard.

“Um, yes. I am or...was Grit's pupil and I really need to speak with Hero.”

“I just want to say I'm so sorry. Grit was a dear friend of mine for decades but to actually think that he would be...killed as he was. It's horrible.” Pish's voice turned very solemn.

“Indeed it was horrible!” Hubbard piped up from behind us, “Those who perpetrated such an act will pay dearly!”

“We already know who it was, which is part of the reason we are here now.” I said.

“Who then little pony!” Hubbard boomed.

“Her name is Goldie Grail and she works for...”

“Sable Granite.” Pish Posh said, interrupting me.

“You know him?”

“Yes I do. He is part of the organization I helped Hero and Grit take down decades ago. We here have never stopped keeping tabs on what was left of them.” Pish answered.

“We've heard his name whispered in the dark.” Hubbard said, “We have been trying to find him for some time but I never imagined he would go after Grit, especially after so long.”

“I'm sure you heard about what Grit was caught doing?”

“I do not believe it. Grit was many things but he was no thief.” Hubbard said defiantly.

“It's true though, Blaze pretty much confirmed it to me.” I said sadly.

Hubbard's face changed, it turned to one of shock and surprise, “Blaze knew something like this! I always knew he was untrustworthy!”

“So then the rumors were true. He was working for them.” Pish Posh whispered a bit too loudly to himself.

“It does seem so.” Enyi suddenly said from behind me.

“Wait, What!? You knew this to Sir?” Hubbard said to Pish Posh.

“No but over the years there were some signs. I chose to disregard them as nonsense but if Grit was smuggling around artifacts then I see that I made quite the mistake.” Pish Posh lowered his head and rubbed his chin with his hoof.

“It's not like that at all!” I yelled, “Grit was trying to make things right! Ask Jackpot here, Grit was trying to stop the Family and they found out!”

“Haven't you been listening to Hero's broadcasts lately? That's why Grit left for Khaweth. He needed to find...” Jackpot quickly glanced at Enyi, “information to help us stop their latest plan.”

“And who might I ask are you?” Hubbard asked suspiciously.

“My names Jackpot and I was helping Grit before he died.” Jackpot announced.

“Jackpot eh. I've heard your name before.” Pish Posh said. “Yes, back when Sable first came to power you worked for him didn't you.”

“That was a long time ago.”

Pish Posh turned towards me, “I've heard some stories about him, you sure you want him so close to you?”

I looked back towards Jackpot, his face was not happy again, “Yeah, I trust him. He's helped me out a lot.” I could swear I saw a smile on Jackpot's face when I said this.

“Well then I guess there's nothing to worry about.” Pish Posh smiled at me, “Well Hubbard, I think this changes the schedule for today doesn't it?”

“You just want to get out of work today don't you?” Hubbard said matter of factly.

“I like to think of that as just a bonus.”

Hubbard sighed, “Fine, I'll finish everything for today myself, but I want Fornix to get an extra day for doing this.”

“Done!” Pish Posh nodded his head as Hubbard rolled his eyes and trotted off down the street and eventually out of view.

“What does he mean, an extra day?” Scarlet asked.

“Oh, Fornix and I switch off every couple of days or so.” Pish said watching Hubbard trot down the street.

“Oh, ok.” Scarlet seemed contented by this answer.

“Well then, would you like me to take you to the studio?” Pish asked us.

“YES!” I blurted out a bit too excitedly before covering my mouth and blushing a bit.

“Ah, an eager spirit is an eager mind as I always say. Let's get going then.”

Pish Posh had a surprisingly light skip to his steps for such an old pony. He skipped down to the sidewalk as my friends and I trotted along just trying to keep up with him.

“Pretty spry for such an old looking pony.” Silver huffed as he switched between trotting and light flying just to keep up with Pish Posh.

“Fornix keeps me in pretty good shape!” Pish Posh shouted from the front. “He's always zipping around town annoying the heck out of ponies while trying out the toys he likes to make!”

“Ooh, could you take us to his lab?” I asked trotting up beside Pish.

“Another time perhaps dear Ivory. The lab's kind of a mess right now and we have more important things to do!”

“Hero's station in on the top of a mountain right?” Silver asked, himself flying up to Pish's side.

“You got it kiddo. Hero Studio's studio is on the tip top of good ole Mt. Matterhorn.”

“Shame you didn't bring your gear Silver.” I said to him.

“Don't worry my little ponies, there's plenty of ways up that mountain. We installed a lift a few years back and it hasn't broken down once!” Pish seemed proud of that.

Pish Posh led us through the busy streets of the city. Marewaukee reminded me a lot of my hometown of Manehatten although it wasn't quite as big and shiny as the famous city. After a while of being led through the city (Pish Posh doesn't like cabs...long story) we came to the edges of the city proper. From here I could just begin to see the peak of Mt. Matterhorn, the legendary peak where the famous Hero Studio built her world famous radio station well over forty years ago. At the top of the mountain I could see it, the station itself and the several radio towers that stuck out its top. Even from the distance I was at I could see just how absolutely amazing it looked perched on the top of an actual mountain.

Luckily here in Marewaukee we didn't have to worry about psycho Unicorn killers or giant spider demons and so the journey to the mountain went smooth and quiet. Pish Posh led us to the base where, as he said, an ingenious looking lift contraption had been built around the side of the mountain.

“Fornix's lab is on the other side of the mountain base! I always found it funny how your own base was so close to Hero's for so long and you never realized it until she told you.” I said, trying to impress Pish Posh with my extensive trivia knowledge about him and Hero.

“Yeah, that is actually pretty funny.” Pish Posh said, laughing a little.

“I have to admit it's pretty exciting to be about to meet one of Equestria's biggest celebrities.” Scarlet said as she gazed out the window of the lift as we rose higher and higher off the ground.

“Yeah, not everyday you meet somepony as famous as Hero.” Silver said, his own excitement obvious in his voice.

“I personally do not see the appeal.” Enyi said, shrugging.

“Imagine meeting Abila.” I whispered to him which got his eyes to pop open for a split second.

“I do not see how some entertainer could equal my peoples greatest hero?”

“She's more than an entertainer Enyi. Hero is a real life hero who once saved all of Equestria.” I said trying to sound very dignified.

“So you have informed me on several occasions.”

“Well you'll see when you meet her I guess.”

“I am sure I will find it interesting at least.” Enyi said.

I took a quick look over to Jackpot. He was sitting near the edge of the lift still looking unhappy. I just realized that he really hadn't said much since we met Angela which was unusual for him to say the least.

“So, howd you know to go to the orphanage to find me or were you just lucky with the first place you decided to look?” Pish Posh asked me.

“Oh, Angela told us where you were.” Scarlet responded, the new conversation knocking me back from my fix on Jackpot.

“Oh you met Angela? Hope she didn't confuse you too much.”

“She certainly hit something with Jackpot over there.” Scarlet said looking over at Jackpot.

“Yeah, she has that effect on a lot of ponies. You know she once told me this strange story she claimed to have read. Something about two ponies baking cupcakes until something went horribly wrong or something like that. It was quite the unsettling tale if you ask me but I suppose that's just Angela.”Pish Posh said rubbing his forehead.

“Reminds me of that time Fornix went to help run that factory in Cloudsdale...”

“Let's not revisit that one shall we. I'm just glad he ended up accidentally blowing up the building, had rainbows coming out of places I didn't even know I had for weeks.” Pish Posh shuddered a little remembering it.

“Hey guys! We're here!” Scarlet said excitedly as the lift neared the top of the mountain.

The lift raised us up and stopped at a platform that had been constructed at the peak and stretched out far enough to accommodate the size of the lift. Scarlet and Enyi were somewhat hesitant to step out onto it as even I had to admit it really didn't look all that sturdy.

“Nothing to worry about kiddos! This thing hasn't given way in...well since the last time. But we've been reinforcing it a lot recently so it's all good.” Pish Posh encouraged as he stepped onto the platform.

Jackpot and Silver were the first to hop onto the platform, “Come on y’all!” Jackpot hollered, “Don't be chicken now!”

“Easy for you to say! You have wings!” Scarlet hollered back.

“Listen, I'll catch you if ya fall so just come on already!” Jackpot seemed a little annoyed as he said this.

“Come on Scarlet. Can't let Jackpot show us up.” I said with an encouraging tone.

I hopped onto the platform and did a little jump to show it was sturdy. Enyi and Scarlet then stepped onto it as well and after a few seconds felt a bit better for not having fallen to their deaths.

“Open up ya ornery dragon!” Pish Posh yelled at the two large front doors of the station. “I got Grit's kid here with me!”

There was silence for several minutes. As I stood there I quickly began to notice the cold winds that were blowing past me(we were at the top of a mountain after all). I shivered a little and crossed my front hooves to try and warm up as Pish kept yelling at the station door. Enyi came over and began rubbing my shoulders with his own hooves which had the result of helping to warm me up. I gave him a warm smile as the front doors finally began to creek open.

“Why didn't you say you had Ivory here with you!” a very loud voice boomed from a small loudspeaker that hung above the doors. “Come on in!”

“That's our cue.” Pish said as he turned towards the group.

He led us into the large opening doors and out of the chilly mountain air. The warmth of the inside became immediately apparent as the winds stopped suddenly and a warm feeling washed over me. The inside was a hallway with several doors leading to other rooms dotted on either side and the walls were covered in old newspaper clippings and pages(most about Hero from over the years). As we walked down the long well-lit hall I kept my eye on the papers that lined the walls. I noticed that the further we got in, the newer the dates on the papers were. Finally we got to the section I was looking for, several large headings written in large bold letters:

Hero Studio teams up with Daring Do protege to save local philanthropist!

“Their first team up.” Pish Posh said sounding very nostalgic. “It's been over forty years since then. Hard to believe the time flew by so fast.”

“The pony they were trying to rescue was you right?” I asked him trying to remember the details.

“That was before anypony, including myself, knew I was Fornix.” Pish's eyes had turned glossy as several small tears pushed their way past his eyelids.

“There's so much here.” Silver said, his eyes wide from the hundreds of papers that lined the walls.

“Yeah, Hero kept every headline from every adventure she ever shoved us into.” Pish responded.

“You've had quite the life.” Jackpot said, himself entranced with several pages that had headlines relating to the Ponyfire Club.

“Ah yes. Our biggest mystery.” Pish Posh said, trotting up behind Jackpot. “Just another name for them, they've gone by many throughout pony history you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” Jackpot said in an emotionless voice.

“You and Grit were really good friends, weren't you?” I said looking over to Pish Posh.

“I thought I knew him for so many years.” Pish took a deep sigh, “I guess I'm just getting senile in my old age.”

“Your adventures are the stuff of legend Pish. I'd say your as well known as princess Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony by this point.” I said trying to cheer him up.

“Well, I don't know about that but a lot of ponies have certainly loved all those stories Hero used to tell.”

We continued down the hallway and as we walked I kept my eye on as many of the papers as I could. I still wasn't entirely sure how to feel about Grit but looking at all these good things he did certainly cheered me up and reminded me just how many ponies he had helped throughout the years. His status as a book character sometimes made me forget about all the smaller things he had done, from school openings, museums, helping Pish with his orphanages and many, many more things. He had been such a huge hero for so long that I suppose I just forgot about just how he got that title and then how it was all in jeopardy.

“I don't want all of this to go to waste.” I said as we neared the end of the hallway.

“Hmm?” Pish said.

“All this stuff here. For so long I focused on Grit's big adventures to far off lands and mystical cities that I almost forgot about all the things he did before that. I don't want ponies to forget about all the good stuff he did.”

“That's a nice idea but if all this about Grit's smuggling is proven to be true I think Equestria is going to be short one hero.” Pish said in a stern but sad tone.

“I just don't see how he would have agreed to do that stuff.” Scarlet said from the back of the group.

“Grit loved his adventures more than anything. If continuing them meant he had to do some dirty work for the Family it's not much of a stretch to think he would.” Jackpot added.

“And once he started, he probably found it hard to stop, even after he left.” Silver said, finishing the conversation.

Pish Posh opened the door at the end of the hallway and it entered into a medium sized recording studio. The room before us had another door that led into a booth with a darkened window and above it a green ON AIR sign shone brightly. Behind the window I could see a large shape, it moved every few seconds and when I squinted I could see the vague outline of a body moving. Suddenly the on air sign petered out and the shape rose up and headed towards the door. The Green sign quickly turned into a red OFF AIR as the door into the recording booth opened up.

Standing in front of me was a dragon, but not just any dragon, this dragon was probably the most famous dragon in Equestria. She was tall, probably a little taller than Celestia, whileher scales were red with a white belly and a black streak of scales stretching from her muzzle to her tail. Her wings were red with white tipped feathers on them and on her head was a messy brown mane.

“Wow, she really does have feathers.” Scarlet said almost breathless.

“A dragon with feathers huh? Don't see those very often.” Jackpot observed, staring at Hero as she exited the doorway.

“Well well well, aren't we lucky I was just finishing up playing some music or else I might've missed all of you.” Hero said in a tone that was familiarly fierce but not entirely frightening.

“Was it those two hooligans...oh what were their names again?” Pish asked.

“BubbleRap and Snicker Doodle yes. Can't tell you how much I've become addicted to those two. I'm thinking of inviting them on the show, I'd love an interview with them Pish.” Hero said, scratching her chin and moving with long, swift strides towards us as her wings whisked around behind her.

“It's your station. If you want to have a pair of unruly DJ's in here that's up to you.” Pish Posh said very casually.

“Look how casual he is with her.” I whispered to Silver.

“Well they have been friends for forty years.” he whispered back.

Hero flew right past us as if we weren't even there and went straight to the wall of the studio room where she proceeded to straighten up several golden vinyl records that hung from the wall.

“Whoa. Are those Scratch Record's old recording awards!?” I couldn't help but ask in a completely fanponyish way.

“You know, there's knowing stuff about your idols and then there's just being plain creepy.” Jackpot said, giving me a friendly nudge.

“Oh so you little ponies know who Scratch Record is eh?” Hero said, finally turning her head to notice us.

“Well yeah, this was his recording studio until he gave it to you Hero. He was like your hero and mentor! Everypony knows that.” I said, using my best explaining things voice.

“Ooh, Grit was right, you are a fan.” Hero said, chuckling to herself.

“Wait, Grit told you about me!” I said, completely surprised.

“You really think we never stayed in contact over the years? I remember the letters he sent saying he was taking on a little pupil of his own and how big a fan she was of all of us.” Hero floated effortlessly over to me.

I blushed a little at that remark getting another laugh from Hero, but this was a more hearty one that her little chuckle.

“Well anyway I have to say I'm quite disappointed in you young lady.” Hero said suddenly in a scolding manner.

“Wait, What!?”

“I invited you here some time ago and you're only just now getting here!” Hero yelled right into my face.

“Well I was a bit busy you know. I just spent the past couple days tramping around in the mountains and getting stuck in underground tombs filled with giant spiders!” I yelled back so as not to be outdone.

“Giant spiders you say?” Hero suddenly flipped out a notepad seemingly from nowhere and clutched it in her claws, “Do tell.”

“Huh? I have a couple of things to ask you before I say anything. Like what exactly have you been saying about me on the radio? I ran into a Griffon in Griffonstone that said you've been saying a whole bunch of things about me on your station!”

“Well, from what Grit always wrote me I had the idea you wanted to be known as a famous hero and adventurer. Was I wrong?” Hero puzzled.

“Well no, but...”

“She's got ya there Ivory.” Jackpot whispered into my ear.

“Listen, I'm not doing this to get famous right now ok.” I huffed.

“Then why are you going around fighting secret black ops ponies and stuffing yourself into mysterious cloud castles?” Hero produced a quill that she pressed against her notepad.

“Because of what they did to Grit obviously.”

“Haven't you heard? Grit's a fraud now. Ponies all over Equestria are giving up on him. You really want to protect an already ruined legacy?”

“I saw all those papers on your walls! Grit might not have been what I though he was but he was still a good pony and a hero. I don't want all that to get destroyed because of one mistake.”

“One mistake? You know while you were off in Griffonstone, tune in for that story, the Canterlot Royal Guard put out an official list of artifacts from various museums and personal collections that are now classified as smuggled? You know how many items are on that list?”

“Well no, but that's not important, I mean...”

“Nearly a thousand individual pieces.”

I halted in my speech. There was no way it was that many artifacts. I saw the guards take a dozen things, at most, from the house and while I guess there might have been a few more scattered about I couldn't believe that it was that extensive.

“No way it's that much.” I said in heavy disbelief.

“But it is. Cultural heritage artifacts from all around Equestria and beyond that have been in museums and universities for years are now being taken back as contraband stolen from other kingdoms.”

“How can this be happening now? All that stuff has been here for years, decades even! How is it that just now ponies are starting to say all these things?” I said continuing my greatly dissolving disbelief.

Hero straightened herself, “Obviously it has more to do things other than Grit's untimely death. He had a lot of enemies and seeing as what Grit was planning they...”

“Wait, you know what Grit's plan was!?” I suddenly shouted out.

“Of course I did. Grit tells me everything so I could help him when he was ready for it.”

I stood there, looking up at the dragon who now sported a large smile before igniting into a fiery chuckle. I was completely confused at this point, what exactly was Hero's game here anyway? One minute she's all nice then she goes on this accusatory rant on Grit and now she's on his side and nice again.

“You seem confused little Ivory.” Hero said, finishing her laugh, “I admit I didn't know the whole story, about the smuggling and theft that is, but Grit did write me about a year ago detailing a plan to help finish our great adventure from years ago.”

“You mean stopping the Family?” I asked, confused.

“Well we called them the Ponyfire Club but basically yes. When Grit was killed I had hoped you would be continuing on his mission and now I am satisfied to see you are and that you seem relatively serious about it.”

“Wait one flappin minute.” Jackpot but in, “Grit told you his plan but not me? I was supposed to be his fucking partner!”

“Ah, you must be Jackpot? I've heard all about you, tsk tsk tsk you naughty little pony.”

“Excuse me!” Jackpot said sounding offended.

“Oh yeah, Grit told me all about you.”

“What do you mean 'all about'?”

“I mean, every dirty thing you ever did with those nasty ponies you used to call family.” Hero smiled a little devilishly.

“So what.” Jackpot said shakily.

The rest of us were staring at Hero and Jackpot as Jackpot started sweating with Hero standing firm and unmoving above him. This was still an odd feeling, seeing Jackpot so utterly and obviously intimidated by somepony that he openly lost his composure.

“What it means is that I know you're trustworthy and won't end up screwing my sweet little Ivory here.”

“What?” Jackpot said as his tensed up body began to loosen up.

“Lighten up, I know you're good for it. Just do what you can to help ok, that's all I ask.” Hero said now sounding much less intimidating.

“Uh yeah, I will.” Jackpot said as he turned away and quickly swiped a flask from his bag and took several large gulps.

“And this must be the rest of the gang! Let me see here, you're Scarlet Aloe, you're Enyi and you...I don't know who you are, who are you?” she said to Silver.

“Oh uh, I'm actually kind of new to the team but I'm the one who's funding their uh trips.” Silver said, now visibly nervous himself as Hero stared straight into his eyes, “The names Silver Chaser.”

“You work for Adventure Incorporated?” Hero asked.

“Yes I do. I'm a sponsor and a patron of young up and coming adventurers and...”

“What was your name again?”

“What? Oh, it was Silver, Silver Chaser.”

“Ok ok, I do think I've heard of you. You run the Silver Standard Transport Company right?”

“As a matter of fact I do.”

“Ok that's all I needed to know.” Hero turned her attention away from Silver (much to his perturbation). “Let's see here, Scarlet Aloe.” Hero turned towards Scarlet.

“Um, yes?” Scarlet said.

“Sub par medical graduate from the Vanhoover Medical Institute, sent to the town of Money in Luna Bay so the city wouldn't have to bother with you, am I correct?” Hero said, looking straight at Scarlet.

Scarlet froze where she stood, we all stared at her as she turned her gaze down towards the floor, “Yes.”

“No way you're sub par.” I said, “She's gotten us through multiple situations with her healing magic even though it is a bit basic.” I said, seeing the depressed look on Scarlet's face.

“I'm just reading her record from the Vanhoover Board of Medical Excellence.” Hero said.

“But...”

“It's ok Ivory.” Scarlet interjected, “I'm used to that and besides, I am getting a lot better.” Scarlet put on a smile.

“I'll say.” Jackpot said stretching his wing out.

“Good to know.” Hero said as she checked something off on her notepad. Hero then turned towards Enyi, “And your Enyi...no last name.”

“Correct.” Enyi responded.

“Hmm, I knew your parents, Ubab and Amayi right?” Hero glanced down at Enyi.

“Yes, I am their son and of their children, the only one.” Enyi responded.

“My condolences, they were good people and we sure could have used their help right now.”

“Thank you.” Enyi bowed his head.

“Yeah, actually I think they were with Grit right before he retired right?” Hero asked.

“That is correct.” Enyi responded.

“Yeah, I remember I was having an interview with Blaze here, he was quite upset at being left behind, and I got a letter from Grit that he had met up with your parents in Khaweth along with this team of ponies to find some lost city or something.”

“From what I heard that last mission didn't end well.” I said.

“Yeah, it went so badly Grit retired immediately after.” Hero said.

“Hmm.” Enyi said to himself.

“What is it Enyi?” I asked.

“My parents told me of this quest remember? At the end of the mission Grit's team had but one member.” Enyi said, mumbling mostly to himself.

“Oh yeah, you did mention that. I thought it was Blaze but I guess I was wrong.” I said suddenly beginning to think more carefully about that situation. “Who was that last pony?”

“Well, there's nopony alive today who would know that.” Jackpot said.

“Food for thought!” Hero beamed up. “But I don't know about you ponies but it's starting to get late out and I'm tired from a long day at work.”

“I suppose it is getting to be that time of the evening.” Pish Posh said finally saying something and getting up from the seat he had taken in the corner. “I'm old and I need my rest after all.”

“As for the rest of you, I'll show you to the guest rooms and after we get some food we can get some sleep and continue this conversation in the morning.” Hero said.

And that is pretty much what we ended up doing. Hero had plenty of food for us stored in a large pantry that she always kept fully stocked. I had a wonderful meal and after that let Hero guide us towards a set of guest rooms she had in her studio. There were eight rooms in all, four on each side of the hallway. Scarlet took the one closest to the wall followed by me, Jackpot, Enyi and then Silver took a room on the opposite side of the hallway. The beds were large and very soft (wonderfully soft) and the rooms were well decorated. I was getting settled when I heard a knock at the door.

“Come on in!”

Enyi slid the door open and trotted into the room.

“What's up Enyi?” I asked.

“I have some questions I wish to ask.” he responded.

“Uh ok, ask away.”

I sat down on the bed and patted a spot next to me to signal him to some over, he did.

“I was wondering, are you certain Grit didn't bring anything back from Khaweth?”

Shit, I was hoping for him to not bring this up again. I still decided not to tell him just yet but I fully intend to once Goldie and Sable are dealt with.

“I already told you that he didn't.”

“Ok ok, I just needed to hear you say so.” (I felt so bad right now). “I am just happy you are being honest.” (just throw salt on my giant, pulsing gash why don't you).

I stared down at my hooves as I sat on the bed, “I'm just glad you still like me after Greywing's tomb.”

“Ivory, just because I think you made a foolish decision does not mean I would not like you. Compassion is a good thing to have but in that situation...”

“I know, I know, it was different for you than me.”

“Well at least you are aware this. Although there could be worse things to argue about I will admit.”

“Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better.” I said giving a little chuckle. "You know something I've been thinking about?”

“What?”

“My cutie mark.” I said in a now serious tone.

“What about it?”

“I got it when I snuck into a museum opening Grit was hosting and kind of...stole a peak at some artifacts that were being held in storage. I'm just wondering if that necklace I found might have been stolen.”

“That would be distressing to discover it was.”

“I wouldn't really know what to think if it was though. Maybe that's why the compass is wrong eh? Because my cutie mark knows that something was wrong about how I got it.”

“I do not think that is it although I admit I know very little about cutie marks.”

“What about your uh...what was it called?”

“The Glyph?”

“Yeah, what is it exactly?”

Enyi put on a slight smile, “I will show you.” He sat up and turned around giving me a clear view of his flank and the stylized lines and markings that adorned it.

I immediately blushed, “Wow.”

Enyi gave me a cheeky look.

“I mean the mark, not your flank...not that I'm saying it's bad...but I'm not like staring at it all the time or anything...not that I wouldn't want to...”

“Calm down Ivory, it is ok. Every Zebra gets a Glyph when they choose their own path.”

“So it's kind of like a cutie mark, except you get to choose what you want to do?”

“Yes, we do choose but once we have chosen there is no going back and we must continue down that path forever.”

“What if you decide you don't like what you chose?”

“Then we must live with it. The selection process takes much time as a result, I was twelve when I chose my way but some Zebra do not choose until adulthood.”

“That sounds kinda sucky.” I said.

“It is our way.” Enyi responded, “Look at the patterns, see the way the lines begin as one then open up into many pathways.”

“I see it.”

“This symbolizes the many roads history can wind and the of how the many stories branch out but eventually meet again in the present.” Enyi said tracing the lines with his hoof until the rejoined at the end of the mark. “These Glyphs are artificial and permanent so we must all choose carefully.”

“Well it still seems a little unfair but I do like the design of the storytellers mark you have. It almost reminds me of that tree from Greywing's tomb.”

“I suppose it does resemble it somewhat.” Enyi said turning his head back as far as he could.

“Well I'm glad we're a couple so you can tell me this stuff, I mean I know Zebras don't like to generally reveal stuff like this.”

“If we do want to continue our relationship I think it will be a good idea to get to know each other better, don't you?”

“Oh yeah! Totally!” I said eagerly, “Well, I mean you pretty much all there is to know about me but I would love to hear more about Khaweth and Zebras in general if you don't mind!”

Enyi smiled, “Of course, anything in particular?”

“Well, is there anything about...relationships that Zebras do that ponies don't? I mean just to avoid any future awkwardness in the future.”

“Well I do not know much about pony romance but we Zebra have a tradition of climbing mountains to search for rare gems and treasures to give as declarations of love.”

“Well, we're on a mountain.” I said giggling and blushing a bit.

“Indeed we are.”Enyi said, patting me on my head.

I slowly began to shift my body closer to Enyi.

“Well for us ponies, we really enjoy doing simple things like sitting on benches, eating together, and just generally doing stuff with the ones we love.”

“That seems fairly simple and enjoyable.”

“I know right! I mean big declarations of love are cool and all but I've always found that it's the little things that can really make two people grow closer together.” I was now practically leaning up against Enyi.

“I would tend to agree with you on this.” Enyi said before I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek.

“I will also say you are a...uh...god...kisser.” Enyi said his face getting rather red.

I really couldn't help but blush as my entire face turned red, “Well then you wanna...”

Enyi leaned in and gave me a kiss on my lips.

“How do you say I love you in your language?”

“I have already told you.”

“When...oh I uh, don't remember what it was.” I said embarrassed.

“Khemo Kariando Kho.” Enyi said slowly.

“Khemo Kariando Kho.” I repeated.

“Very good.” Enyi said in a gentle tone.

As he finished this I leaned in and gave him another kiss. This one lasted a bit longer before I realized I had been pushing against him harder that I thought. I realized this when I had pushed him over and fallen on top of him. This deterred neither of us as we continued to kiss and then...fall asleep several hours later.