After waking up the next morning, I just laid there thinking. Staring up at the wooden ceiling above me while my mind ran through what I heard learned last night. And what I was going to do today. The family I was going to confront. My mind ran through all the different possibilities.

Twilight was still lightly snoring away as the sunlight broke through the window making its journey across the ceiling. Spike was still asleep in his bed between ours. Yeah, it was a little cramped up here, but it was workable.

A few minutes later I heard a ruffle of feathers, a soft cooing sound, and then Philomena’s head popping into view. The contemplative look on my face got her worried, so she cooed softly and rubbed her head against mine. “Good morning Philomena,” I chuckled reaching up to gently scratch her head, “Don’t worry I’m fine, just thinking about what I learned last night.”

Twilight mumbled something and turned over with, “Five more minutes.”

I knew there was a reason why I liked her.

However, the longer I laid there, the longer I was probably going to talk myself out of going. So, with a steel resolve, I got up and got dressed to head on over to AJ’s place.

Because the sun was just rising above the horizon, there wasn’t anyone or anypony out just yet. I knew where to go because I asked AJ last night where it was. The cool morning air being blown by the soft breeze helped calm my nerves. Philomena decided to take a flight this morning, to go hunting or whatever it is she does. It was a very nice walk over to the farm.

Soon though I was walking through the arched gate and up the path to the house. It wasn’t far, maybe a football field away. And already I could see activity. Not much just a couple of figures coming out of the house. More than likely it was AJ and Big Mac. As I got closer, it was indeed them, they walked out past the barn to a row of earthen built single room huts. Not many of them, just six. So, instead of the house, I turned to follow. I gathered the big stallion was Big Mac and I recognized AJ.

They went from hut to hut knocking on the doors telling them to get up. Some heard them and began to walk out dressed already and ready for work. Neither AJ nor Big Mac saw me yet, but the other humans did. Needless to say, they were surprised to see such a well-dressed human walking up. You can tell how they are treated. They wore decent work clothes. Not top of the line or anything, but the clothes looked good and sturdy. The men came out first. Men that looked like they’ve been working on the farm all their lives and could probably bench press me without trouble. They just took a side glance at me, though curious, but kept walking.

The women took more than one look as they were told to go to the house. One of them was pregnant. And there was even a couple of kids with the women. About five or so, one of each. Probably going to work in the house.

The whole thing rubbed me the wrong way. This is just wrong, plain and simple. Only when the women started their way to the house, that Big Mac saw me. We stood there looking at each other. I didn’t see any pure hatred in his eyes. Not as much as AJ. He did turn to AJ, called out to her, then pointed to me.

AJ had this shocked look of disbelief on her face before stomping over to me. The whole way I could tell that she didn’t want me here. And that was just too bad. Because I wasn’t leaving.

“Just what the hay are you doin’ here?” she stomped up to me in a huff, almost raging like a bull. Staring up at me with eyes narrowed to slits, nostrils flaring.

I gave her a smirk, “You invited me, so here I am.” Yeah, she didn’t like that, but all I did was look at her with my hands in my pockets.

“Well, it’s not a good time,” she shot back and shooed her hand at me, “so, you can just go away.” She started walking away. Big Mac was walking in the same direction as the men.

But I got them both to stop with one simple sentence, “My father was born and raised here Applejack.” AJ’s head whipped around so fast that her ponytail hit her in the face. Big Mac stopped and started walking over to us, while AJ walked back as well.

“What was that?” The look on her face was total disbelief which echoed in her voice.

“My father was born and raised here,” I said again and continued with. “And I have questions for Granny.” AJ didn’t say anything.

However, Big Mac did as he walked up to us, “What kind of questions?”

I began with what I learned last night, “First off, in case she hasn’t told you, I’m Fred.” I held out a hand to him to shake, “Fred Justice, Princess Celestia’s son.” He stepped back in total shock as I told them about last night, “Mother told me how she met my father, John Justice, and that he was born and raised here. However, he also said that Granny didn’t like humans that think for themselves.” I kept going when they didn’t say anything lowering my hand, “You see Luna combined my mother’s dream with my own, so we could talk. Through that mother showed me the memory of when they first met. He was being sold in Canterlot and the crowd demanded that he be killed on the spot for daring to have a mind of his own. And daring to say that Ponies and Humans be equal. So, here’s my question. If that attitude was so prevalent then why did she not kill my father, but sold him instead?”

When I looked over to Big Mac, who was as big as a tree trunk, by the way, I saw a hint of recognition in his eyes. So, I turned to him, “Maybe you remember seeing him, or at least hearing about him, Big Mac? Tall, short black hair, beard, and a mustache, with a proud look on his face? Applejack is too young to remember, but you might.”

“What in tarnation are you playin’-”

“I don’t remember much,” Big Mac interrupted quietly and slowly, which clammed up AJ quickly. “I was only five when Granny sold him,” as he spoke the look on his face changed. It was more like Mother’s. “I remember his face. He was always kind to me but kept saying that what we were doing was wrong. I even remember how Ma and Pa would speak to him at night on the porch. They didn’t know I was listenin’ in. Kept the window open ya see.”

“What did they talk about?” AJ asked him. I was a little surprised at that. There might be hope if she didn’t deny it immediately and was at least interested in what her parents had to say?

“They talked about the past, about the humans attacking all those towns years ago. If it was really right for us ponies to have humans as slaves because they are inherently evil? That man never did anything mean in his life, but he also wouldn’t back down from what he believed was right AJ.” I could tell that he was telling the truth by the way he looked over at her. “That was the one thing that stuck with me all these years.”

“That was what got my mother interested in him,” I chuckled. And when they looked over I told them, “Mother said that she bought him, so she could convince him that humans are inherently evil and should always be slaves. Instead, she fell in love with him and had me.” I had to grin at them when I said it.

“I don’t...this is...” AJ was stuttering while trying to glare at me.

Meanwhile, I looked over to Big Mac with a look hoping that he would allow me into the house.

“She’s not up yet,” he said simply.

“Big Mac-”

“AJ, if our roles were reversed I’d want to know about my Pa as well. And if he really is the Princess’s son,” I held up a hand and ignited it showing off my flames. They both looked at it with Big Mac showing a resigned expression, “Which clearly he is,” I put my hand out with a smile, “then I for one, don’t want to upset our Princess.”

Now there’s a down to earth pony. I bowed my head slightly to him to show respect. He nodded in return and motioned up to the house, “I’ve told you all I can, so why don’t you wait in the livin’ room until granny wakes up?”

“Sounds good to me Thank you, Big Mac,” I said to him and turned to walk with him up to the house. “Let me give you a bit of my history,” I said to him where he nodded for me to continue. “To make a long story short. About two years after I was born here, Blueblood tried a bloody takeover.” That shocked him. “My father died in order to give my mother time to take me to the human world where I could be raised by her human counterpart.”

He stopped dead in his tracks.

“If I’m lying, I’m crying,” I chuckled at the reference. And told him, “There’s a human world on the other side of a mirror portal. Humans are the only sentient species. There’s an Apple Family farm over there. Where there’s a human version of you, AJ, Granny, and Apple Bloom. They have unofficially adopted me because I had no father figure. To them I’m family. I see AJ as a sister, your counterpart as a brother, and AB as a little sister.” He was still in shock. A thought came to me, “She didn’t show you the letter she got from her human counterpart did she?”

He just shook his head as AJ stomped up again, “Fred, just what are you tellin’ my brother?”

“AJ, is it true you have a letter from a human you from another world?” he asked turning to her. He didn’t like her hiding something like this. Now I knew that AJ couldn’t lie to save her life. So, this was going to be interesting. And when she didn’t say anything, that’s all he needed. “I want to see it AJ,” is all he said and started walking to the house again.

It was a very nice house with a covered porch. The front door opened up into a living room which expanded into the dining room with a kitchen behind that. On the left was a hallway leading back to the main bedroom and main bath with a set of stairs leading up. Bedrooms and bathroom obviously. A quaint house. And a busy one in the mornings. As I stepped in behind Big Mac and AJ, I went to the couch to have a seat.

AJ stomped her way up the stairs to retrieve the letter. I always wondered what else was said in that letter, but then again it wasn’t my place to know anyway. The women that I saw earlier and the two kids were working away in the house. Half of them cleaning and the other half in the kitchen either making breakfast or goods to sell at the market.

Big Mac was standing at the foot of the stairs. More than likely all he wanted was to take the letter and read it while he was outside. Meanwhile, the little girl I saw earlier walked out of the kitchen and up to me. She wore a simple one-piece dress that looked like her mother made herself. “Hi there,” I said kindly to her with a smile. “What’s your name?”

“Oh I’m Sandy,” she said quietly while fidgeting with her hands nervously. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Thank you,” I nodded to her. “Just some water if it isn’t any trouble.” She quietly said, “Ok,” and went back into the kitchen.

Right after Sandy left AJ came back downstairs with the letter, slapped it against her brother’s chest, and walked right back out. I just shook my head slightly at the scene as Big Mac began reading. “Thank you,” I whispered to Sandy as she brought me a glass of water before retreating back into the kitchen.

Big Mac read the letter for about three or so minutes before walking over to the couch to sit near me. He set the letter down on the coffee table in front of me with a soft sigh. He was quiet for a minute. This Big Mac was a thinking stallion and I didn’t think he was prone to rash decisions. “The letter verifies everything you said,” he said slowly as he leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees and resting his head on his folded hands.

“You’re a thinking stallion,” I said softly with a smile before taking a sip of water.

He nodded, “Ever since all those conversations between your Pa and our parents. Our family prides itself on our hard work ethics, but also on our integrity. If in fact that all humans are inherently evil then our integrity is safe, but if they are not? When I see little Sandy and little Jake play and go about their day, you know what I see?”

I leaned forward to listen to the answer.

“I see nothing, but an innocent child no different from Apple Bloom used to be,” he told me making a smile form on my face. “And if they can be taught to live without hate, and if all this is wrong, then what does that say about our family integrity?”

“Good question,” I told him softly but held up the glass to him in a salute before taking another sip. When he stayed silent I spoke up, “I came to Equestria for two main reasons. One was to get to know my birth-mother. And the second was to help her end human slavery. And it will be done, Big Mac. I’m not sure when, but it is inevitable.”

“What would that mean for the farm?” he asked leaning back on the couch.

“Easy, pay them, or set them free. Of course with the sudden onset of so many humans, most of which will not be educated, I’m thinking about proposing an educational program for them. Funded by the royal treasury of course until they fulfill that program and find work for themselves.”

“Couldn’t they go to the human world?” he wondered.

Now it was my turn to lean back and think, “You know, it’s technically possible, but a logistical nightmare. The portal is only open for about three days, then it closes for two and a half years or thirty moons. So there’s a limited number that could go through in the first place. Even then you’d have the same problem on the other side.”

“Good morning Big Mac,” came a younger female’s voice emerging from the stairs. It took me a second to realize that it was Apple Bloom coming down the stairs. Looked like she still had on some type of single-piece sleepwear as she yawned walking over to her brother. Looked to be around fourteen or so, the same age as her human counterpart.

“Mornin’ AB,” he said pleasantly before hugging her.

When AB looked up and saw me, more that she saw how nicely I was dressed, that got her confused, naturally. “Who’re you mister?”

I reached out with my hand for her to shake, “Fred Justice. I’m Princess Celestia’s son.” She started to shake it, then stopped taking her hand away.

“But that’s impossible,” she denied with a shake of her head. “She doesn’t have a son. Right, Big Mac?” I just ignited my hands. The flames danced around my hand as her eyes locked onto it in total shock. She looked to Big Mac and just got a nod in return. “There are rumors goin’ round ‘bout her havin’ a son,” she said slowly. “But we didn’t believe ‘em. I don’t get it, how could you be her son, if you’re human?”

“Because I’m not fully human Apple Bloom,” I told her with a smile. “I may look human, but I can do magic like my mother.” I put out my hand and set it in my lap again.

“Is Granny up yet?” Big Mac asked her.

She blinked a couple of times before giving a shrug, “I don’t know. Let me go check.” Now I thought that she would walk down the hall, up to the door, and quietly take a peek inside. That’s not what happened. What happened was she walked down the hall, opened the door, and practically yelled into the room, “Granny? You up yet?”

All we heard was a sudden elderly mare shout and a thud. More than likely, she had startled poor Granny right out of bed. Big Mac was shaking his head with a groan as we watched the morning entertainment. “I am now you darn whippersnapper,” came the reply from inside while I was trying my hardest not to laugh at it all. This was way better than all those morning talk shows. “Now why did you go on and do that fer?” Granny was heard stomping around inside her room. Hooves against wood floors carries you know.

“Well,” she took a glance down the hallway at us, “Big Mac and a human named Fred Justice wants to talk to you.”

Dead silence.

“Granny?” AB asked her again and only got silence in return. Now, this was interesting.

“I’ll be right there Apple Bloom,” Granny said just loud enough for us to hear. It was one of those voices that tells us she’s knows something and it comes time to face it. “Go on to school.”

“But I ain’t got no school today,” AB told her. “Summer Sun Celebration Holiday remember?”

“Oh right, well just go on and I’ll be there shortly,” Granny told her as AB shut the door walking her way back over to us.

“Granny knows something,” I whispered and getting an “Eyup” from him.

AB went to tell us, but Big Mac held up a hand, “We heard.” I couldn’t help, but chuckle a little at her sheepish reaction then sat down on the couch beside her big brother. Meanwhile, I sipped on my water and waited. The rest of the women had wisely decided to stick to their duties and avoid the living room for the time being. Soon though, here came Granny down the hallway in an older one-piece dress and a cane. She was lankier looking than her human counterpart. And immediately locked onto me.

Well, I did the gentlemanly thing and stood up to greet her. Bowed my head slightly in polite greeting when she entered the living room, “Good morning to you Missus Smith.” AB got curious about the letter and secretly began reading it while I greeted Granny.

She eyed me up and down while I stood patiently with a soft smile. “Why are you here?” she finally asked after a minute or so.

I simply looked her in the eye, “To find out about my father.”

“How do you know that he was here in the first place?” she asked defensively.

“He said so,” I smirked at her. “Last night Aunt Luna brought my mother, Princess Celestia, and I together and mother showed me her first meeting with my father. She asked how come his master sold him. He said and I quote, ‘Granny Smith didn’t like the idea of a free-thinking human.’ Tall worked and raised here, short black hair with a beard and mustache-”

“I remember ‘im,” Granny interrupted me in a huff.

“So,” I asked her slowly, “why did you sell him? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you did. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen in love with my mother and had me. But the idea of a free-thinking human sent the ponies there into a craze that called him to be killed outright.” I lifted a finger and pointed it to her, “I can see that same look in your eyes now, so why did you sell him instead of killing him?” I wasn’t mean or fierce about it, just enough to show her that I knew she was hiding something. Something that she might not want to tell.

“Because Buttercup wouldn’t let me that’s why.” She said it softly as if she couldn’t believe it herself.

“Ma?” Big Mac looked up confused. “What does she have to do with it?”

“That man and his free-thinking ideas,” Granny muttered while lightly tapping her cane on the wooden floor. Then looked to Big Mac, “All humans that have ideas that they are ever equal to us ponies deserve to die for what they did long ago. I had quite enough of his talk about slavery being evil and equality for both ponies and humans. Especially after all those talks at night with him and your Ma and Pa. They got it in their heads that he was right and I just couldn’t have that. I was going to end it and nearly did. He was out in the barn, so I went out there and grabbed an ax. But, Buttercup saw me and knew what I was goin’ to do. She grabbed my arm and stood right in front of me sayin’ that if I wanted to kill him, then I’d have to kill her too.”

Big Mac and AB were sitting there with their mouths hanging open. If they were cartoons their jaws would be on the floor. “What’d you do?”

“What’d you think I did Big Mac?” Granny asked bac. “I tried gettin’ her out of the way, especially because she was pregnant with AJ I didn’t want to risk injuring her. But that stubborn mare just kept on gettin’ in the way. Finally, she told me that I ever hurt, or harmed even a single hair on any human's head, she’d take Bright Mac, and you away and never come back. And if she stayed then there will be no harming any humans and made me promise that, or she’d leave.” The air was thick with tension as Granny took a breath before speaking again. “I will keep that promise to my dyin’ day because us Apples always keep a promise. And I didn’t want her breakin’ up the family.”

“But Granny,” Ab protested setting the letter down on the table, “killin’ is just plain wrong. We’ve talked about this in school. Even debated about slavery.”

“It ain’t wrong if they’re simply animals,” Granny shot back with a righteous fury in her eyes, though she didn’t yell, “and if an animal gets out of control, then you kill it plain and simple.”

“They’re not animals Granny,” Big Mac stood up tall looking at Granny intently. “I heard Fred’s father talkin’ with Ma and Pa all those nights. I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I won’t stand by anypony killin’ and that includes you, Granny. And you just convinced me of something.”

“Yeah, and what’s that?”

“I don’t want to live with hate in my heart,” he said simply which made me smile. “That’s no way to live.”

“It’s not right to punish all humans for the crimes of just a few,” I added in with a nod to Big Mac. “I don’t hate all ponies for how Blueblood tried to kill my father, or me, or my mother for that matter. And right now Blueblood is down in the castle dungeon never to see the light of day again for his crimes. I hold those responsible and punish those who break the law. While letting those who want to live in peace, live in peace.”

“Well that ain’t fer me,” she said in a huff, turned right around, and stomped her way out the door letting it slam shut behind her.

With a sigh, I looked over at them, “Sorry. Unfortunately, some can’t see past their hate.”

“Not your fault, but it did get me to decide on all those questions I’ve been asking all these years,” Big Mac told me. I smiled back at him with a nod.

“I’ve never seen Granny like that,” AB said softly as her mind tried to make sense of it all. “And what’s this letter anyway? From Applejack to Applejack? That doesn’t make any sense.”

I chuckled, “That’s a bit of a long story Apple Bloom.”

“Well, why don’t you sit down and tell it while I get back to work?” Big Mac said getting up then offered his hand to me, “And...thanks for stoppin’ by. In spite of what Granny said I’m offerin’ you to stop by anytime.”

I shook his hand gratefully, “Thank you, Big Mac, that’s greatly appreciated.” And then he was out the door to go to work. The rest of the morning was me and Apple Bloom together explaining the letter first. That led to her questions about her counterpart, Big Mac’s counterpart, etcetera. She was surprised at first that there even was another world out there. Also sad that the ponies there weren’t sentient. I even asked what her school has been teaching about slavery. She explained that oftentimes her teacher opens up a classroom debate on the subject. We talked long enough that Twilight came over to check on me.

“There you are,” Twilight complained when she walked in and saw AB and I on the couch.

“Eyup,” echoing Big Mac I smiled at her.

“Hi Twilight,” AB greeted with a wave after containing her giggle at my antics.

“Did you know I finally had to ask your mother where you were?” she had her hands on her hips giving me a look that told me she wasn’t happy with me. Not mad or angry, per se, just not happy with me.

“Why what’d I do?”

“You were supposed to start your magic training?” she walked over as I stood up from the couch then lightly bopped me upside my head. “Hello?”

“Is someone at the door?” AB got up walking over to the open door and looked out, “Hello? I could have sworn I heard somepony knocking on the door.”

“No Apple Bloom that was me hitting Fred’s empty hard head,” Twilight tried to keep a straight serious face, but it wasn’t working. A giggle escaped her.

“Ha ha ha,” I looked at her lamely. “Very funny.”

“Anyway, it’s time you start your lessons, so let’s go,” Twilight took my hand starting to pull me toward the door. “I’m already behind schedule as it is.” I didn’t resist because I had a wonderful view of her bare back. Apparently, the dress was like the one before, but this time without a back to it. This means that it also was a tight-fitting dress in order to keep the bottom part under her tail from drooping. Kind of like a backless sleeveless party dress. I barely heard AB’s giggles as she led me out the door while I watched in a trance at the gentle sway of her tail. Part of me was wondering why would she wear something like that in the first place? Not that I minded any, it was a great view. She eventually let my hand go when she saw that I was following her.

Her tail hit me right in the face snapping me out of it with, “Hey eyes up here buster.”

Naturally, I shot my eyes up quickly apologizing with, “Sorry.”

“Now that I have your attention,” her voice told me that I wasn’t off the hook yet. “I was trying to ask you how the meeting went?”

“Oh,” I chuckled apologetically, “sorry. It was valuable actually. I found out what I wanted to know about my father. And at the same time, it got Big Mac convinced that living with hate isn’t a way to live, so there’s not going to be any trouble from him. Apple Bloom is pretty much there already. Granny, I’m afraid is just too stuck in her ways to change. AJ I’m sure I can get to.”

“If I can change, I’m sure Granny can change too,” Twilight offered.

I shook my head while walking beside her, “It’s not a matter of if she can, but does she want to?” When Twilight looked up at me I continued, “Sometimes, someone or somepony has been hating for so long, that they fear letting go of that hate. Think of it as a comforting blanket. If you have been wearing it for practically all your life, can you really see taking it off?”

Twilight hummed in thought.

“Unfortunately she said that it wasn’t for her,” I finished, then wanted to change the subject. “And I’m sorry for staring at you.”

“Apology accep-”

“But you’re such a wonderful view I couldn’t help myself,” I continued with a smile as my inner a-hole popped up for a visit. Twilight almost stumbled when I said it and looked up to me with a disbelieving look. As if she was saying ‘I can’t believe he just said that.’

She started blushing and shot back with, “It’s practical. The other dresses are a pain to get around these new wings of mine, which don’t cooperate most of the time.” She emphasized her point by flapping them a few times.

“Yes,” I agreed, then looked down at her with a smirk. “However, it is also a very provocative dress as well.”

“Fine,” she gave up in a slight huff, “I’ll put on something else when we get back to the library.”

“You know some girls thank a man when they compliment them,” I chuckled to her leaning my head down to look her in the eye, “So why are you acting like we’re having an argument?”

She sighed with a soft smile, “I don’t know, and thank you for the compliment. However, I will change into something else. If only to keep you from losing your concentration as we work on your magical focus.”

“LOOK OUT.” I heard a female yell right before she hit me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to put up my shield. Only enough time to turn to look before Rainbow Dash hit me full force. And with enough force to knock the wind out of me with a loud “OOF.” We slid back for a few yards with her on top of me and my arms around her.

When we stopped my world was spinning slightly, but that wasn’t the problem. With my wind knocked out of me I couldn’t breathe. My mouth moving like a fish out of water as my lungs tried desperately to take in air.

“Fred, Rainbow,” I heard Twilight called out then her spinning form walk up and kneel down.

“At least I landed on something soft,” Rainbow commented while sitting up in my lap while straddling me.

“Rainbow,” Twilight yelled sharply to get her attention. “I think you knocked the air out of him.”

I rocked my head in a slow nod up to them trying to communicate that very thing.

“Sorry, but don’t worry I know emergency measures,” the spinning went away enough that I could see her look down at me, grab my head with both hands, and then lip-locked with me. Now, my brain knew what she was doing. Incrementally breathing into my mouth in order to basically reinflate my lungs. My body was responding to her as if she was romantically kissing me.

After her first short breath, I was able to get a little air. Then she felt my body responding to her. By this time the dizziness went away and I could see her clearly raise her head up for another breath. Only to pause, look at me with widening eyes, and a deepening blush. In a split second flash, she went from straddling me and holding my head to standing up a few feet away yelling, “Hey.”

I was still on my back and slowly getting the breath back in my lungs when Twilight questioned the whole thing. “Rainbow?”

Rainbow pointed to me, “He...well…”

That’s when Twilight noticed and blushed, “Oh.” And only then I had enough air in my lungs to roll over to start coughing.

“He needs to keep his...thing…to himself,” Rainbow said heatedly while crossing her arms over her chest. She was wearing her sports outfit again.

“You alright Fred?” Twilight asked kneeling down next to me.

“I think,” a cough escaped me between words, “think so.” After I was able to sit up again I looked over to Rainbow, “Sorry Rainbow, Thanks for helping. I knew what you were doing, but my body thought otherwise.”

“Yeah well, keep it under control,” Rainbow said before taking off again.

“First me then Rainbow?” is all she had to ask.

With a sigh I got up brushing myself off, “I don’t know. It’s like my body is on overdrive or something. Sorry.” And we were off again to her place.

“Think you should...I don’t know...talk to your mother or a doctor?”

I looked at her like she was mad, “Are you kidding me? Do you know how embarrassing that would be with my mother? A doctor maybe, as long as he or she can keep quiet about it.”

“Well think about it,” she said with concern. “This is the first joining between a pony and a human. There might be some complications.”

“After all these years?” I asked back in doubt. “If that is the case, then why now?”

She shrugged as we approached the library, “I don’t know. You didn’t have any magic until now, maybe that has something to do with it?”

“I think you’re reaching Twilight.”

She got to the door and turned around, “And I think you’re ignoring it.” Then opened the door and stepped inside with me closing the door behind her.

“Well maybe I want to ignore it,” I said way under my breath while walking over to a chair at a table to sit down.

“Anyway, it’s about time you get your magic under control,” Twilight said in a voice similar to teachers. “Spike?” she called out while looking for a book, “Where’s the book for magical beginners?”

Silence.

“Spike?” she called out again.

I looked around to see a small note on the bench of the statue, “Um Twilight?” I got her attention, then pointed to the note. She picked it up with her magic, floated it over to her, and began reading it.

“Oh he’s at Rarity’s,” the letter poofed out of existence then she went back to the bookshelf again. “Stands to reason. Now, where is that book?”

After a few minutes of random searching I got curious, “Twilight? How do you organize your library?”

“Well that depends,” she started saying while still looking, “on what I’m going to study. If I’m studying an author then I’ll organize it by author. Or I might organize by subject. Sometimes by title, but that messes up the subjects and get them all scrambled.”

I just groaned and shook my head, “Twilight? Why do you insist on doing things the hard way?”

“What do you mean?” she turned to me in curiosity.

“I’ll show you,” I held my hand out. “Grab a random book and two cards.”

She shrugged, “Alright.” With her magic, she opened a drawer on a nearby study table and took out two study cards floating them over to me. Then without even looking, which was her mistake, she magically grabbed a book and handed it over along with a pencil.

“Alright let me explain the Dewey Decimal System,” I began, opened the book to the title page, and grabbed a card. “Instead of organizing them either by title, author, or subject and switching them around all the time. You number each book individually and organize them numerically. For example.” I looked down at the title and read aloud, “Ponysutra. Basic sex positions?”

“What!?” her face was blushing as she grabbed the book back. “Oh no, you are not.” It never went back onto the shelf more quickly in its life. I held back a laugh as she picked out another one.

Opening it up I was going to continue until I read, “Romantic ideas for couples.”

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” she nearly yelled, grabbing the book again and picking out another one. This time I was outright chuckling. This was good.

This time it was a novel, which was fine, except it was a romantic novel, “The Princess’ Romance.”

“OH COME ON,” this time she did shout and I couldn’t help but laugh. What are the odds right?

And another book. “History of the Three Races,” I said reading the title as Twilight began to relax. I so wanted to fake the title to make it like the others, but I wanted to live to see tomorrow. “Ok, say we number this book one hundred and fifteen point five. In one corner of two cards, we write that number. Then on the top of one card, we write the title. On top of the second, we write the author.” In one hand I held both cards, which she took to look at, “Now that we have this book numbered we can put these cards into two separate file cabinets with drawers just wide enough to hold the cards.”

It then clicked for her, “Oh I get it. Then with these cards, we can organize them by title and author. Once found what you want you can go get the book easily because it’s numbered.”

“Bingo,” I saluted her, “however, normally libraries are separated into subject groups. For example, zero to one hundred can be history. One hundred to two hundred can be magic related. And so on, that way you only have to have two cards because it’s organized by subject already and all you need to search is the title or author.”

“Wow, that’s so ingenious,” Twilight had stars in her eyes.

“Don’t thank me thank the human named Dewey who thought of it,” I shrugged. “The Canterlot library is organized that way and it’s worked for us for a very long time.”

“How could I not think of this?” she looked down at the cards a little disappointed in herself.

“You would have,” I told her in confidence. “I just jumped you ahead a number of years is all.”

“This is great thank you so much, Fred,” she was bouncing in place like Pinkie. “I’ll organize this later like your school’s library, but for right now we need to work on your magic training.”

“But you haven’t changed clothes,” I mentioned, trying to keep a straight face. Without even saying anything or taking her eyes off of me, she rolled up some paper and bopped me on the head with it.

“Fine,” she turned around in a huff proceeding to go upstairs, “But be ready when I come back down.”

“Alright.” I was already thinking of what I was going to say to Mother tonight. Hi mother, I’m going to hell because I’m purposely messing with Twilight and enjoying it.

When she came back down she was wearing a simple light purple sundress. However, she did complain, “I hate this dress. It’s sometimes difficult to get the wings through the back. So, I hope you’re happy.”

“Happy in that I will be able to concentrate,” I told her with a grin while putting my head on my folded hands. My elbows were on the table in front of me, “Of course unless you don’t mind me staring at you while you are wearing a provocative dress.”

She gave a frustrated sigh then sat down at the table next to me, “Fred?”

“Yes?” I blinked at her with a smile.

“Shut up, close your eyes, and concentrate,” she said stiffly. I did it without hesitation because she looked to be at the end of her rope with me and I wanted to live to see my mother tonight. After a bit, she did calm down and I got my first lessons in magic. It was really strange how you had to connect to your magical core before doing anything else. Turned out I was a quick learner.

It was soon after I got the hang of a basic light spell that Apple Bloom and her friends showed up. It was something called Twilight time. Twilight told me to keep working on strengthening my core while she set up the girls with their respective tasks. Sweetie Belle was kind of like me, she was working on her magic. Apple Bloom was working on chemistry. While Scootaloo was working on mechanical things by taking them apart and putting them back together again. Chemistry wasn’t my strong suit, but if she wanted I could help Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle was further along in her magic than me actually, as far as one’s core is concerned.

I got a little bored, so about an hour or so after the girls got there I took a break. Walking over to where they were working I took a look at their progress. “Fred?” she eyed me carefully. “Why aren’t you practicing?” She was sitting on the bench at the statue, so I took a seat next to her.

“Took a break,” I just smiled to her as she rolled her eyes at me, “so when did the girls start this?” Scootaloo was working on taking apart a unicycle. Apple Bloom looked like she was working on some chemistry. And Sweetie Belle wasn’t having much luck with lifting up a broom.

“Not too long ago,” Twilight informed me while she watched on. “They came to me wondering if I would help with their studies and it evolved into this.”

“Ugh!” Sweetie complained in a huff after sitting down with her arms over her chest, “Maybe magic isn’t for me.”

“Now Sweetie Belle, don’t give up,” I encouraged her with a smile. “You’re already doing better than me in some ways. I barely have control over my core and you’re already learning how to lift things.”

“But it’s soo hard,” she whined.

“Right now yes, I agree, but it won’t be forever. Just keep trying.”

“How are you coming on the potion, Apple Bloom?”

“Alright I guess Twilight,” she answered back while walking to the end of all the beakers and burners, “I think I did everything right.” There was a line of beakers and burners which combined chemicals that made something at the end. At that end was a dropper of sorts over a seedling in a pot.

“Go ahead and try it then,” Twilight encouraged.

“What’s she working on?” I whispered in curiosity.

“Plant growth potion,” she whispered back. I nodded in understanding while watching Apple Bloom reach over and turn the knob to let out a drop of her concoction. When the drop of potion hit the seedling it exploded into some smoke. It covered the immediate area making us cough until it cleared away. However, after it cleared away we still heard some coughing. Looking over I saw the seedling still coughing. Not only coughing but really exaggerating it too.

“Putting it on a little thick ain’t ya fella?” AB said dryly while watching the seedling try for an acting Oscar. I couldn’t help, but laugh pretending to take pictures.

“Wow!” I chuckled while holding up my hands as if I held up a camera. “I’ve never seen better acting in my life.” It still coughed away. “One more really long one for the camera.” It took a long drag before letting out a long cough before falling over giving out a lasting death rattle.

Apple Bloom gave me the best tongue in cheek look, while Twilight sighed with a shake of her head.

“Sorry,” holding up my hands as if surrendering. “Couldn’t help myself. But, come on you have to admit it was pretty funny.” They did smirk when I said it.

“Alright I guess it kinda was at that,” AB soon admitted.

“Well it’s not funny over here,” Scootaloo complained sitting down as Sweetie Belle did. “I can’t figure out how to take this apart.”

“Did you read the instructions?” Twilight asked with patience.

“I did,” Scootaloo held up the multiple sheets for it then slammed them back down onto the floor.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“It’s alright to ask for help Scootaloo,” I said with a patient smile of my own. “There’s no shame in it.”

“Ok,” she sighed then held up a page, “Just what the heck is counter-clockwise?”

“Ah, well look up at the clock,” she did. “Now, which direction do the hands of the clock rotate?” She twirled a finger in the right rotation. “Right,” I applauded her. “That’s clockwise.” She nodded. “Now, counter,” I continued explaining gently, “means other direction in this case, which would mean…?” I trailed off letting her figure it out from here. I could see the gears turning in her head. Her finger started to move in the opposite rotation then she looked down at the nut holding the wheel on.

“I think I get it,” she mused while taking up her tools. “So I need to rotate this...” She paused while putting the wrench against the nut and turning it, “This way?” I waited until she got it loose. “Oh ok,” she cheered happily when she loosened the nut then looked over at me, “You know you’re kind of smart for a human.”

“Thanks, I did grow up in the human world after all,” I explained.

“Apple Bloom told us about how you told her that,” Scootaloo eyed me carefully. “Is that really true? And how can you do magic?”

I went through the story once more for the three girls as they sat in front of me. Twilight decided to put their projects away for the night, as it was getting near dinner time. Naturally, once I told everything they had questions. So, the girls and I discussed a lot about the human world during dinner. With Twilight writing down almost all of it.

However, it was getting late after dinner, so the girls decided it best to get on home. So, after saying goodnight it was just Twilight, Spike, and I. The mail had come earlier, but it wasn’t until now that Twilight had time to actually read it. She and I were on the couch in the main room while Spike was off finishing his final chores for the night.

She hummed in thought while reading a letter, “That’s interesting.” Her voice was soft with her mumbling about something in the letter.

“What is?” I wondered while glancing over at her.

“The latest Daring Do book will be delayed by another two months,” she said softly with a glance over at me. “All libraries on the publishers' list gets updated on all books sent to them.”

I remembered that those books are similar to the Indiana Jones we have on earth. “Big fan?”

“Yeah I am,” she smiled with a nod. “Rainbow is too, and I can already tell you that she won’t take this well when she finds out.”

“The other Rainbow loves Indiana Jones but doesn’t read the books though,” I chuckled. “Only going to see movies. I keep telling her that the books are better than the movies, but if she believes me she never tells me.”

Twilight giggled, which told me that she understood what I meant, “I can relate to that. It was a while back that Rainbow got injured from doing one of her stunts and had to stay in the hospital until she got better. While in there she read one of Daring Do’s books and got hooked on it ever since.”

“Makes sense, considering you really don’t have movies here.” With nothing else being said for a few minutes I stood up and headed toward the stairs. “Well I think I’ll turn in for the night,” I said to her over my shoulder, “Don’t stay up too late.”

“Goodnight Fred,” she called out as I hit the stairs.

I waved a hand to her, “Goodnight Twilight.”

Next Chapter: Chapter Eleven: Philomena Estimated time remaining: 19 Hours, 47 Minutes