Between when I made my pie and now, sitting at the dinner table with everyone, mother and I were going through my most embarrassing moments. Luna was there, with us in the royal guest room, along with Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Cadence. Rarity wanted to see the crystal empire and shop. AJ just plain wasn’t interested. Rainbow thought that it would be too boring and besides, AJ asked for her to come along.

My human mom took lots of pictures when I was growing up, so it took us the rest of the afternoon to go through the first few years. Now though, everyone was sitting at the dinner table and I was in my suit again. I did take a moment to stop by the kitchen on the way in order to check up on my pie. Through a very small taste test, I dubbed the pie perfectly ready. Not only that, but it tasted better than it did back home. Or back in the human world, I should say now. Cadence and Shining Armor were both at the head of the table with Celestia and Luna sitting across from one another. Naturally, I was sitting beside my mother with Twilight next to me, which I wasn’t sure if Shining approved or not. Shining may be civil and all, but I think there’s a part of him that’s weary of me.

I couldn’t wait to see Rainbow’s reaction to my pie. I knew she’d like it, but she probably denies it first. In that sense, she’s like her human counterpart. The rest of the girls were there wearing their usual outfits. Mom, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight looked to be wearing a type of sleeveless tunic of sorts. Typical looking dress from the waist down, but the front extended from the waist, over the chest, and connected to a ring around their necks. Not only was it sleeveless, but backless as well. I must admit to liking the style.

Fluttershy and Pinkie had what would be a simple dress and shirt back in the human world. Rainbow was wearing what looked to be a sports bra and shorts, a good look for her. Applejack had a plaid shirt that was tied in front with Daisy Duke shorts. Not bad actually and really worked for her, though her attitude could use a little adjustment. Rarity meanwhile had a full dress on that was different than what she was wearing earlier.

Must be something she bought in town. It looked like something her counterpart wore a couple of years ago for the Freshman’s Ball actually. A floor-length evening dress with a sleeveless lace top. The top’s lace was etched and stitched onto a see-through material while it had the same color fabric underneath that to cover the chest. The human Rarity’s dress was light purple with silver lace. Of course each dress had means to put their tails through, which was fascinating in a way actually.

Suddenly Rarity, who was sitting opposite of me and one pony down, cleared her throat to get my attention, “You know it’s rude to stare Fred.”

I responded with a sheepish embarrassed smile, “Sorry Rarity, but I couldn’t help but notice the dress you were wearing.”

“Is that right?” she questioned with an unsure look that told me she was leery of me. Meanwhile the others sat back with rapt attention as Cadence called for dinner to be served with a soft ringing of a handbell.

With a nod I spoke my thoughts, “You see your counterpart wore something similar to the Freshman’s Ball a couple of years ago. Similar color and style of dress as well, plus it was a shade of purple with a silver lace top like yours. I think she called it a chiffon evening dress. Get it in town?”

“Yes I did,” she nodded to me with her hands in her lap, “I wanted something from the Crystal Empire while I was here. They’ve been gone for a long time and only been back for a couple of years, so I was interested in how they have progressed since then. Fashionably speaking.” It seems that this Rarity is so like her counterpart as well. Always prim and proper no matter where she is.

“Well it would certainly fit in back home,” I smiled at her as the food was being brought out to us. “She liked it because, ‘It’s simple, yet speaks volumes.’ The volumes she was referring to the lace that would shine and glint in the light.”

“That was what I was thinking,” she said slowly while looking at me with a slightly surprised look, “and it does shine a little.”

“It’s a very lovely dress,” Cadence spoke up cheerfully as her plate was placed in front of her, “thank you. I’ve got one myself, though a different color to match my coat. Rainbow, Applejack? Did you two get anything when you were out?”

I was fortunate that the meal they provided for me was something that I could eat. No meat, but a meal of vegetable stew with garlic buttered bread surely hit the spot. “Thank you,” I thanked the pony who served me. One thing that surprised me was the attitude of the ponies in the Crystal Empire. They had a neutral attitude about the whole thing.

“Nah,” Rainbow said with a shrug, “shopping’s not my thing.”

“I don’t mind looking,” AJ spoke up nonchalantly, “as long as it’s something I can use on the farm.”

“Darling,” Rarity cooed to AJ, “I doubt you’d shop for a wedding dress.”

AJ just shook her head with a smirk, “Nope don’t have to. I’ll just wear my mother’s ol’ dress.”

“I rest my case,” Rarity said dryly to a couple of giggles. What AJ said made me wonder though. About her parents. What happened to them in this world? Back home they have passed away, but what about here?

“It’s a shame you girls weren’t here to see Fred’s baby pictures,” Fluttershy giggled cutely. Then she turned to look over at me smiling, “He was so cute.”

I just paid attention to my stew, eating slowly and trying to ignore the few giggles going around.

“Yes, he was,” my mother said softly before leaning over and putting an arm and a wing around me in a sideways hug. “It was so hard to bring him to the human world,” I returned it happily, “and even though I’m worried for him, I’m still glad he’s here.”

“So am I,” I returned with a few “aaw’s” going around the table. Now was the time for me to ask about the Empire. “So Cadence I was wondering how the Crystal Empire views humans? I’m assuming, from the history lesson, that it was still gone during the whole thing right?”

“Yes it was,” Cadence confirmed, “the Empire has been informed of the history, but because we didn’t experience it like the rest of Equestria there is mixed emotions. It ranges anywhere from neutral, which is most prominent, to fearful of them.”

“That explains the bonk I got from the cook in the kitchen,” I mused unpleasantly.

She giggled slightly and nodded, “Yes she is one pony who fears them.”

“Aww, but Fred would never do that,” Pinkie spoke up while looking at me with a smile no less, “my counterpart said that he was very special and always tried to make people happy.”

“Thanks, Pinkie.”

“You’re welcome,” she said then dived into her food nearly finishing in one gulp.

“AJ your thoughts?” I asked looking at her considering she’s been quiet about this particular subject.

AJ was hesitant.

“You can speak without fear of punishment,” my mother encouraged.

She was still hesitant but then spoke up, “Humans belong under hoof in one way or another. They’re dangerous as history has proven. At my farm, they are in the field where they belong.”

“Is that where I belong AJ?” I asked her wanting to hit the nail on the head, “are you saying that only humans can be violent and not ponies? What about the murder of my father by Blueblood and his crew? That wasn’t violent? That wasn’t wrong?” Each question I couldn’t help but get a little heated at her, almost to the point of yelling. Almost, because I wanted to keep it civil.

She didn’t answer but still kept a hard look at me while my mother put a slightly trembling hand on my shoulder.

I just couldn’t let it go, but kept looking into AJ’s eyes, “You remember something Applejack. I never got to know my father because he was murdered by ponies and yet I don’t hold all ponies responsible. Only those that committed the act. Furthermore, my father figure was your counterpart’s father. I knew him for a short time before he passed away.” By this time a few tears were escaping as the memories came back to me. I could tell that the last two sentences were unexpected for her. She was shocked to hear it and for a split second, it showed.

I also knew that my mother was also affected too. Leaning into her we hugged each other as she worked to calm herself down again.

“I think it’s time for desert,” Cadence called out in order to diffuse the conversation and rang her little bell. “Bring out the pie that Fred made for us please and plates for all.” The chef bowed then turned going back inside to get the pie. Cadence was trying to turn things around as the mood went a little sour. But what AJ said hit me hard. They consider me family back home, so her words cut me quick.

Pinkie was bouncing in her seat, “I bet it’s going to be delicious.” Pinkie can always lighten the mood in any room. She was doing a good job as mother and I smiled to her.

“Remember the bet you made darling.”

“Gee thanks Rarity,” Rainbow pouted.

“I wouldn’t worry,” AJ spoke confidently, “humans can’t cook, so I wouldn’t worry about them dates.”

I just could not let that one slide, “Oh really Applejack? Care to make a little bet on that?” My confidence in my pie was high, so it was a pretty safe bet to make. AJ’s eyes met mine. I could see the hesitation in them, but I also saw the look that she wouldn’t back down either.

“Alright you’re on,” AJ said but not so much confidence as she had before, “what’s the bet?” Her pride was always her worst enemy.

The pie was being brought out with the chefs cutting it into the equal shares to pass out to everyone.

“That you will spend time with me, get to know me.”

“Deal,” she said as the plates were put in front of everyone.

I gingerly began eating mine while watching the reactions of everyone else.

Pinkie was the first with, “Wowee this is really good Fred, thank you,” in her usual happy voice and quickly devouring the pie.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy was next in her soft cute voice, “this is good Fred.”

“Indeed,” Luna agreed.

Mother hugged me again and kissed the top of my head, “It’s delicious son, thank you for sharing it with us.”

“You’re welcome,” I hugged her back. Then looked over to both Rainbow and AJ. They were both silent, but it was obvious on their faces that they liked it. They just didn’t want to admit it. The only sounds were the clinking of forks against plates as the room went silent in order to wait for the inevitable.

“Rainbow, Applejack?” Rarity spoke up softly with amusement in her voice and a slight smirk, “You two can stop by my boutique so you both can look good on your dates.” And went back to finishing the piece of her pie.

“Horseapples,” AJ said quietly.

“Alright I’ll admit that it’s good,” Rainbow admitted much to the stroke of my ego, “at least I’m mare enough to admit it.”

“Alright, alright,” AJ snorted almost like a bull, “it’s good.”

“So a human can cook then?” I couldn’t help but press it a little when I asked.

“Surprisingly yeah,” Rainbow said then pouted a little, “and I’ll date ya.”

“I’ll honor the bet,” AJ echoed with another snort, although neither liked it obviously. Hopefully though, in time, I could change that.

“Good,” I smiled saying to her after finishing my pie, crossing the fork and knife over each other on the plate, then pushing it slightly away from me. “Then both you and Rainbow can join me in the garden outside for a little walk and talk than before bedtime.” They both looked at me in shock, but I could see in their eyes that they very well couldn’t refuse now. Turning to my mother I hugged her, “I’ll spend some time with you before bed mother.”

She hugged back and kissed my cheek, “Alright.”

Sense they also was done with dinner I got up, walked around to the other side of the table to stand behind them, then motioned toward the door, “Ladies, shall we?”

Once we were outside I was walking between them with Rainbow on the right and AJ on the left. The garden was one large circle which had a large fountain in the center. Areas surrounding the fountain had benches to sit and enjoy with all types of flowers surrounding the various paths leading to and around the center. We didn’t have any trouble walking side by side as the path was wide enough. All was quiet and neither of them wanted to say anything, so looks like it was on me to start a conversation.

I didn’t want to have a spite with AJ just yet, so Rainbow was first. “So what do you do for a living Rainbow? Your counterpart is the captain of the girl's soccer and softball teams.”

“She any good?” she wondered.

“The best,” I chuckled and smiled, “she brought the soccer team to the state championship last year.”

“Well, I bet she can’t fly,” Rainbow smirked smugly, “captain of the weather team in Ponyville.”

“Ok, so you predict the weather then?” I asked not knowing how the weather worked here. Boy was I shocked at what she said next.

She laughed holding her sides, “No, we control the weather. I can clear the sky of clouds in ten seconds flat.”

I actually stumbled slightly at the shock of that, “Wait for a second, you mean you actually and literally control the weather?” She nodded. “As in bringing in a cloud to make it rain then dissipate it?”

“Yep, sure can,” they chuckled at me due to my reaction.

“That’s...amazing, how is that possible?” I asked then held up a hand. “Wait, magic right?”

“Well duh,” Rainbow shook her head at me, “that’s how us pegasi can fly and manipulate clouds. Why is that such a shock?”

“In the human world, we don’t have magic remember? So the weather and everything moves on its own accord. All we can do is predict the weather, not create it,” when they were filled in that shocked them.

“So wait,” now AJ spoke up, which was a little surprising due to her clear distrust and dislike of me. “How do you water crops then?”

“By waiting for rain basically,” I told her, “if it doesn’t rain in a long while, like in hot areas, and you need water then you can always pump it from a lake or stream. However, if you go ahead and do that then that’s where weather prediction comes in. Because if you water and then it rains shortly after you run the risk of over watering. Not to mention the money needed to pump the water.”

We were walking around the outside path of the garden with various flowers lining the path for us to look at. There were only a few crystal ponies in the garden beside us, as it was open to the public. At the fountain there looked to be a male and female couple enjoying the evening on one of the benches.

“There’s no way anypony can run a farm that way,” she scoffed looking at me in disbelief.

“Well, your counterpart does,” I chuckled with a smirk. “She’s got the best farm in the whole state. I should know because I help her with it.” When she didn’t say anything I continued, “Of course that might not work here if a human ever owned, and operated, a farm because I’m guessing pegasi wouldn’t want to water their farm. Am I right?” Looking between them I waited for an answer.

“No, they wouldn’t,” Rainbow spoke up after a minute, “at least most wouldn’t anyway.”

“What if the town wouldn’t eat if the farm failed during that season because a weather team wouldn’t water it?” I suggested. “What then?”

“Well what humans did was wrong and should be punished for it,” AJ turned to me with heat in her eyes.

We stopped walking as I turned to her as well, “Yeah I agree to a point. What those humans did was wrong. Only when one side wants a war does war break out. But not every human. What about the humans that didn’t fight? What about the women? Huh? The children and babies?” For the first time, I saw hesitation and uncertainty in her eyes. I saw the same thing in Rainbow’s as well when I looked at her. “I know the humans that were actually fighting were killed, but what about the one’s that didn’t fight? What about those men, women, and children? You punish them as well?” I already knew the answer by looking into their eyes.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I continued, “by the look in your eyes I already know.” I didn’t want to go down this road for this conversation, but oh well. Getting in front of them I turned to look at them both, “Do you two want peace? I don’t want you to answer that, but to think about it. Do you really want peace?” I put my arms out using me as an example, “Look at me. My mother is a pony and my father was human. So you can’t tell me that peace isn’t possible or I wouldn’t be here. Think about it.”

I started walking again and shortly they were following me. “So what is my counterpart like?” Rainbow said softly after a bit of walking. We started to make our way toward the center.

A smile and a chuckle made their way on my face while thinking about her. “About your height and build actually, minus the wings of course. Same rainbow colored hair though. Superb athlete, and like I said, captain of the girl’s teams. Very good, always saying how awesome she is.” During my thoughts, I was walking directly toward the center. “In my opinion, she is. A great friend that will stand by me for anything. She did too during the whole Sunset Shimmer fiasco.” This gave me the idea to turn around and look at them both, “By the by you should be thanking your counterparts for doing their part for protecting Twilight and helping her get the crown back. Or she, nor I, would not be here but probably be hurt, and or burnt, by an evil fiery she demon named Sunset Shimmer.” I added softly, “However hot she may be.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing AJ.”

“No you said something Fred,” Rainbow chuckled with an amused expression. “Something about how hot she was.”

Dammit.

“I thought she tried to kill you and your friends.”

“She did AJ,” walking into the center and up to a bench I motioned for them to sit down. They did surprisingly.

“Just Applejack,” she said tersely, “you don’t have the right to call me AJ. And besides I don’t trust humans who likes someone who tries to kill their friends.”

“I didn’t say I liked her,” anger was beginning to boil when she said that, “I said she was hot, which means she had an attractive outer appearance.”

“Same difference.”

“No Applejack,” leaning in I got right into her face, “it’s not. You can have an attractive outer appearance and be totally dislikable.”

“Really?”

“Yes Rainbow really,” I ran a hand over my face in frustration. “Such as you two.” They were shocked to hear that. It showed on their faces with wide eyes. “Both of you are very attractive, which I had no idea that I could find an anthropomorphic pony attractive, but there you go. The big downside is the attitude.”

“We have a right to be angry.”

“To a point Applejack,” I retorted to her. “As I said before what they did was wrong, but a knee-jerk reaction to blame any and all humans are wrong. Case in point back in the human world. During the second world war, we were at war with other nations. Japan being one of them the people are called Japanese. Now, during that war, there were quite a few who lived in our country. So out of a knee jerk reaction of fear our nation locked them all up.”

“Your point?”

“My point Applejack,” I put a finger to her nose, “that’s exactly what happened here. Blaming all humans for what some did. You think that all humans wanted that war? I can tell you now, they didn’t.”

“Can we change the subject please?” Rainbow raised a hand to stop us. So, I stood up straight and waited for her to continue. She looked up at me as if she wanted to confirm something, “So you find me attractive?”

“I do,” crossing my arms over my chest I nodded to her, “all of you are in your own right.”

“Well...thank you,” Rainbow looked up at me with an uncertain look, as if she didn’t know how to take it. “What makes us attractive to you? Normally only humans find other humans attractive.”

“Really?” she nodded up to me, which would explain why she thought it odd that I found her attractive. “Well, I generally find girls with long hair and a cute face attractive. Or rather that’s what I first look at anyway.”

“That’s not right,” AJ mumbled quietly.

“So, it wasn’t right for my father and mother to fall in love and be happy then?”

“No Fed, it wasn’t.”

“Will you two stop it already?” Rainbow admonished after standing up and getting between us. “If you two don’t stop then so help me I’ll ask Princess Celestia to put you two in a room, so you two can either fight it out or buck each other senseless.”

“RAINBOW,” AJ shouted at her in shock.

I, on the other hand, was a little confused. If Rainbow said what I thought she said, then “buck” meant the human F word equivalent. But why would Rainbow say that?

“Oh come on AJ,” Rainbow shot back at her friend, “I can see it in your eyes. You are attracted to him.”

“Quiet Rainbow Dash,” she shot up almost getting into her friend’s face…er muzzle, then quickly turned around to head back inside. “I’m out of here, goodnight to you both.”

Rainbow just sighed. I watched her go before quietly saying, “Did you really mean that or…?”

“You can’t tell?” she nearly laughed at me.

“Rainbow, I grew up in the human world,” looking at her with a raised eyebrow I leaned in to emphasize my point. “Women there are very difficult to figure out. I’m a guy who can’t even read your counterparts and I’ve known them for years. So, how would I be able to read you girls that are part pony that I’ve never seen before and are different from your counterparts?”

She tilted her head slightly with a smirk looking up at me with an amused expression, “Good point.” And with that amused expression, she stepped up to me and looked me in the eye. Now, remember I’m six foot one, while she’s five foot three. Which means the top of her head barely came up to the bottom of my neck. And now she was really really close to me. And the body-hugging sports bra and shorts were having an effect on my body. “So stud,” her voice had that bedroom quality to it, “What exactly makes me attractive?”

“Um…” my brain was slowly starting to sputter back to life again, “as I said before, I’m attracted to long hair and a cute face.”

“And I have a cute face?”

“Yes,” I said quietly and was surprised when she put a finger to my chest and ran it upwards.

“And you like my mane and tail?”

“Yes, actually,” with a gulp I whispered in response.

“And what else?” her eyes met up with the seductive tone of her voice. If she was looking to seduce me then she was doing a good job of it.

“Well,” I chuckled nervously, “you have a body any teenager would be jealous of.”

“I have to keep in shape if I want to be the best,” her body was almost pressed up against mine, almost. “And if I want to keep my reputation as the fastest flyer in all of Equestria.” She closed her eyes and leaned up with the intention of kissing me.

My heart was beating like a drum at this point and closed my eyes as well. However, after a couple of seconds, I didn’t feel anything. So, I was going to open my eyes and figure out what she was up to…

And got a face full of flowers.

When I opened my eyes she was holding some flowers to my face with barely controlled laughter. My eyes narrowed at her through the flower pedals. “Man the look on your face is priceless,” she laughed while throwing the flowers back into the raised flower bed.

“Glad you’re so amused,” I said dryly through tight lips, “you should know that it’s not very nice to rile up a guy like that then leave him hanging.”

“Yeah I’m a bit of a prankster, sorry,” she giggled before continuing, “seriously though, for a human you’re not bad looking.” She sat back down again crossing her arms under her breasts making them perk up.

“Thanks...I think.” At least she didn’t seem to hate me or anything. “So how do you honestly feel about humans in general? Then how do you feel about me and my mother falling in love with my father?”

She looked down for a minute obviously thinking about her answer. “I don’t know,” she finally said, “I mean I’ve seen some good ones and bad ones.”

“There are good and bad ponies,” I pointed out.

“True,” she agreed, “I’ve even talked with a few of them. And the ones that I’ve talked to seem to be ok humans. So, how do I feel about them? They’re living sentient beings, not mindless animals.”

“Mother ordered the schools to stop teaching them to hate humans right?”

She nodded, “Yeah she did. She told them when you were born supposedly, so I really wasn’t taught to hate them like my parents were. Plus spending time with Fluttershy and how she takes care of the Ponyville humans if they get hurt we kind of agree with each other on this. I guess I don’t really hate them per se, but the law is the law. Should they be slaves? Honestly, I don’t know. I can see reasons on either side.” She put her hands on the bench and leaned back looking up to me, “As far as Celestia and your father? She fell in love with a human and had you. I don’t know much, but they had to have real love for each other in order to have you. That I get and that I can accept. And in that, I can accept you...I guess.”

“And the others?” I wondered.

“Well Twilight’s fine with you,” she chuckled, “Fluttershy is equally fine with you. Heck, she found you cute when looking at your baby pictures. Pinkie has already voiced her liking to you. I already told you that we’re ok, not that I want to have foals with you or anything. However, I’m mare enough to admit that there are some things that make you attractive. So, your challenges will be AJ and Rarity. AJ more than Rarity.”

I sighed not really knowing what to say at this point.

“What are your plans?”

“Honestly, I really don’t have one at this point,” I told her simply with a shrug. “If I want to help her end human slavery here and have them all accepted, then it must start with me. As her son, a product of love between their princess and a human I think would go a long way with much of the populace. And with all of Twilight’s friends as my friends and opening calling me their friends would just add to that weight.”

“But?” she knew there was another side.

“But...” I continued with a sigh, “taking the experience from history from the human world, there is going to be those who either outright hate humans or believe in the purity of their kind, will speak out against ending the slavery.” And from the look in her eyes, we both were thinking the same thing. What if AJ was one of those ponies who would speak out against it and always hate humans? “I really hope that...”

“I know Fred,” Rainbow agreed, “for me, I think I’m ok with you. Keeping humans as slaves I don’t know yet.”

“Fair enough.” Then I wanted to change the subject to something more fun. So, I sat down on the bench beside her with a wide smile, “So, where would you like to go on our first date?”

She groaned putting her head in her hands, “I’m not going to get out of it am I?”

Leaning back with my arms crossed on my chest I chuckled to her with a smirk, “Nope, not only is it because of the bet, but I genuinely want to get to know you as well as all the girls. That includes AJ, although that appears will take some doing.”

“Ok,” she looked up at me with an accepting look, “Things you need to know about me. I’m not the kind of girl that goes for those romantic dinners under the moonlight. That’s Rarity’s shtick. I’m more of going to Wonderbolt shows.”

With a nod, it brought me back to her counterpart. “Your counterpart is the same way,” I looked to her with an amused smirk, “We have something similar in the human world. Many sports, but we have the “Blue Angels” they are flying machines that humans fly for shows and are part of the military. Same colors too. Of course, the human world has sports like soccer, hockey, football, baseball. There are others but those are the majors anyway.”

She yawned a little before standing up, “Sounds great. Why don’t you tell me later?”

“Alright I will,” with a smile I stood up holding out my hand to her. I was pleased when she took it.

“Why don’t we call it a night?” she started to walk toward the castle.

Following her, I agreed, “Alright.”

“Besides I don’t want your mother to be upset for taking up too much of your time.”

With a laugh, we walked out of the garden back into the castle. She went to her own guest room while I went to mother’s room to spend some time with her, and hopefully Luna.

^_^

The guards at my mother’s room door recognized me, so they didn’t stop me from knocking on the door. After hearing my mother say “Enter” and walking in I noticed that Luna was there also. Both were sitting on the bed and looking through more of my pictures. Both were wearing a single piece long nightgown. Mother’s was white with golden trim, while Luna’s was light blue with dark blue trim.

“How was your walk with Miss Applejack and Rainbow Dash?” my mother asked sitting beside Luna as they turned to me.

Walking up to the bed I took a seat next to mother, “Well with Rainbow Dash it wasn’t bad at all. AJ, not so much. She has a lot of hate for any and all humans.”

With a soft sigh mother put a wing around me, “She has humans working on her farm. And unfortunately, you will run into that in spite of stopping the hateful teaching.”

“You still teach history, do you not?”

Mother nodded, “Yes Lulu I do, but I’ve told the teachers not to teach it through hateful eyes. But simply as facts. I fear that it hasn’t done much to quell the hatred I’m afraid.”

“Yeah AJ’s going to be the most difficult,” I muttered softly, then decided to change the subject. “So where are you two in my life in these pictures?”

“It appears that you are standing behind a table with a small wooden bridge,” Luna mused softly while she spied the picture in the scrapbook.

Looking over I smirked at it, “That was a science fair that I attended in my last years at elementary school.” Both of them gave me a quizzical look, so I explained. “Oh, a science fair is when a student picks a subject in the realm of science. First, they pick an idea that they might either be curious about or a premise to solve and then report on it. Mine was using minimum materials to build a strong bridge. Basically building techniques.”

“Sounds interesting,” she nodded to me with a smile, “I know some architects that would be interested in knowing that you are mechanically inclined.”

“Thanks,” I smiled back, “I didn’t win anything, but the judges did say that choosing something like that showed that I had a mechanical mind. And looked forward to more projects.”

“So what is your special talent?”

I looked to Luna totally confused, “You mean what I’m good at?”

“Let me explain,” mother began, “a pony gets a cutie mark when they discover their special talent. With that talent, they can better serve Equestria for the better.”

“Ok well, I got these marks when I was defending Twilight from Sunset saying that I’m from both worlds.”

“Defense of others,” Luna mused.

“And a mechanical mind,” mother said softly.

“I prefer to think of myself as a problem solver. It is how I figured out that I, along with my friends, needed to help Twilight.”

“Leadership?” my mother turned to Luna as if looking for confirmation.

“Protection of others with a strong mind for problems is great attributes of a leader,” Luna agreed thinking aloud.

“Me a leader?” I started to ask rhetorically, then started thinking of how I kind of was at the school. Sort of. At least with my friends, and the student body anyway.

My mother smiled and hugged me, “From what I’ve heard about what happened when Twilight was there with you, you seemed to be a natural leader.”

“Thanks.”

“There could be a way to test that,” Luna smirked at me, which I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

“Which is?”

“Well Fred,” I noticed she called me friend instead of nephew, something to work on, “I’m in charge of dreams and dealing with nightmares, so why don’t I take you with me tonight to help me with some dreams? To test your leadership skills?”

“Wait…,” I held up a hand, clearly wanting clarification, “you can bring me into dreams? How does that work?”

“Easy, I don’t literally go into dreams, nor will you,” Luna clarified for me, “what actually happens is our spirits are pulled into the dream realm. One of my talents. From there we can enter dreams and interact with them.”

“Yeah, I won’t pretend to understand that,” I shook my head to clear it from whatever she said, “but I’ll trust you and take your word for it.”

“That is wise,” she smiled, “Then I bid you all goodnight. I will go to my room next door and prepare.”

“Alright then Luna, I guess I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Agreed,” she said, got up, hugged my mother then walked out of the room.

“I’m so glad that you came my sunshine boy,” mother cooed then hugged once more laying her head against mine.

“So am I mother,” laying my head against hers I rested against her, “Part of me can’t believe that I’m here. All my life I’ve never known magic could even be real. And now I’ve got this whole other world to explore and get to know. You to get to know, and Luna. Just what mysteries does this world have to offer?” I chuckled while leaning back looking at her, “You know how many times your counterpart wished for magic? Heck, you know how many times mothers everywhere wished for a tail to help them with?”

Mother giggled while wiggling hers, “Even though it’s dangerous for you here, I’m glad you came as well. And from what I’ve seen so far, I’m proud of the man that you’ve become. When we get back to Canterlot, we’ll go see him and I know he’d be proud of you.”

“Thanks, mother.”

She gave me one last hug before taking her wing away and patting my back, “Alright why don’t you go to bed. Have fun with Luna in the dream realm.”

I stood up looking at her with an unsure look, “Yeah, you know how strange that sounds to me? I mean to actually go into someone else’s dream?”

“I know, goodnight my sunshine boy.”

“Goodnight mother,” bidding her goodnight I walked out of the room and went next door to my own guest room for the night. It has been one heck of a day at that. While getting dressed I thought about this other world and its many mysteries. Getting to know my birth-mother, Twilight’s brother and Cadence, and the rest of the girls. I did find them more attractive than their human counterparts, which I felt a little guilty for. Was it because of my pony side of me liking them because I’m here now? Whatever the reason was, they were all very pretty. Both Rarity and Fluttershy were the best looking, in my opinion. But it seemed that Fluttershy, like her counterpart, had that natural look going for her. I always felt the need to protect her whenever I was around her. She just drew out that part of me. I’ll have to be careful around her because I know she’ll do the same to me.

After a quick shower, I got dressed in my shorts again and climbed in bed for some dream walking. I’ve practiced lucid dreaming over the years thanks to Luna’s counterpart, but I just had a sneaky suspicion that this would be way more interesting than that.

^_^

(Fred’s POV, Dream Realm)

The next thing I knew stars and floating orbs filled with dreamlike scenes surrounded me. All while I was standing on absolutely nothing. This felt way more real than simply lucid dreaming, it was as if I was really here. This was why I was starting to freak out until Luna suddenly appeared beside me. “Luna, this is...where?"

“The dream realm Fred,” she said softly as if talking too loudly would make the spheres all disappear. “Here is where I can interact with all the dreams in Equestria.”

“Including humans?” I wondered while looking at one after another.

“Yes, including humans.”

“Do you help them?”

“Not unless a pony asks and if it has been going on for a little while,” she said matter of factly. Something I could help her with. She noticed my disapproving look.

“Think about it?”

She sighed giving me a thoughtful look, “Alright, I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you, Luna, after all, they are sentient just like ponies are,” I said sincerely then turned to the orbs. “So tell me about these orb things.”

“Each sphere is a dream from a pony or human,” she explained to me pointing from one to another. “If one of them is glowing that means that he or she is having a nightmare.”

“Ok, make sense, but how do you get into the dream to help them?”

“Just touch the sphere, that’s it,” she smiled and started walking. Just started walking, not really in one direction.

Walking beside her I watched out for a sphere that looked like it was glowing with a nightmare. After a few minutes of walking, I found one. “Luna,” I called out while a sphere was glowing yellow, “I found one.”

She walked up and I saw the recognition in her eyes, “Fluttershy again, she’s usual.”

“Not really surprising I guess considering her nature,” I chuckled and reached up to it, but not touching it yet. The sphere seemed to hover around my hand as if it wanted me to touch it.

“Indeed.”

“So who goes first?” I wondered while Luna appeared to be watching the interaction between myself and the sphere.

“You can go first,” she told me with a nod of confirmation, "then I will follow you inside."

“Oh, ok,” turning back to the sphere I touched it. A flash of light later and I found myself in the middle of a thick forest. Thick gnarly trees were all around me and not a single path in sight. So, I was standing between some trees on some underbrush. My clothes stayed the same since I first appeared in the dream realm. Some jeans and a t-shirt and shoes. A second later Luna appeared wearing what she wore during the day. “Ok, so I guess we go looking for her then?”

“She won’t be far,” she mentioned before turning her head to listen for a direction, “then we can figure out why it’s a nightmare. In her case usually, it’s from an animal that she’s afraid of.”

“I don’t hear anything,” I said at first until….

A loud roar cut through the woods like a knife right before a very feminine scream hit our ears. “Fluttershy,” I whispered recognizing her instantly. They weren’t far off either but sounded like they were just on the other side of those thick bushes between the trees. Without hesitation, I took off.

Luna called out to me, “Remember, it’s only a dream.”

“I know,” I shouted back to her while leaping over the bushes and spotting Fluttershy just up ahead. What I saw shocked me as I saw a huge lion, even larger than me, roaring at her. Fluttershy herself was backed up against a tree in total fright. What was totally odd was that this huge lion had bat wings and a scorpion’s tail. It’s a dream, so anything is possible.

With that thought in mind, I ran to a stop between Fluttershy and the lion thing, took a deep breath, and let out a roar of my own. Hey, it’s a dream so, why not right?

“Fred?” she squeaked out of surprise at my sudden appearance.

The lion meanwhile, stood there in total confusion after taking a step back.

“I’m taking over this dream now, so back off,” I commanded it with loud quick shouts. It did back off a few steps. “Sit.” It sat down with a loud thud. “Good, now stay there and keep quiet,” I told it then turned back to Fluttershy who now was looking at me with a shocked look of her own. I chuckled a little taking one finger to her jaw and closing it, “It’s a dream Fluttershy.”

“It is?” she asked looking up to me with a few blinks.

“Yep and Luna brought me here as my first trip into the dream realm,” I told her while gently putting a hand to her shoulder. “So, there’s no need to be worried about anything alright?”

“Oh,” she relaxed, now looking between the lion thing and I. “Ok, um thank you.”

I smiled down to her, “Anytime Fluttershy, anytime.” Turning around to stand against the tree next to her I motioned to the lion creature, “So, just what is that thing anyway?”

“It’s a manticore,” she told me.

“That’s a manticore?” I thought aloud. “Those are just myths in the human world, and ours have a human face. Not a lion’s head.”

“It’s one of the most dangerous creatures in the Everfree Forest around Ponyville.”

“Wait…,” I put up a hand, “that thing is real?” Again, this world is truly strange.

“Oh yes,” she nodded, “along with timberwolves made out of real wood, cockatrice which can turn you to stone, cragadiles, hydra, and a pleasant sea serpent named Steven Magnet.”

Now it was my turn to blink a few times as my mind tried to process it. “All those are real?” She nodded. “In the human world, those are just myths, except for the cragadile, which I have no clue what that is.” My hands ran down my face, “Wow, I wonder what else is really here that are myths in my world?” Turning to her I asked about a few, “Ok what about griffons?”

“Yep.”

“Hippogriffs?”

“Yes.”

“Minotaurs?”

“Yes.”

“Phoenix?”

“Yes,” she got excited with that one, “Your mother has a phoenix as a pet. Her name is Philomena and she’s a bit of a prankster.”

Blink, blink.

“It’s true.”

“Ok now that I can’t wait to see,” I told her with an excited chuckle. “Ok, what about, a three-headed dog named Cerberus?”

“Oh he’s in charge of Tartarus,” she said.

“What’s that?”

“That is where all bad creatures go as punishment,” she shuttered at the thought.

“That reminds me of something in the human world, another myth,” she looked curious so I explained. “In the human world, Cerberus is from an old myth. Supposedly he is to guard the underworld in order to keep the dead from escaping.”

“All very real Fred,” came Luna’s voice as she stepped into view. Fluttershy “eeped” and quickly bowed. “Rise, sweet Fluttershy,” Luna smiled down at her, “There’s no need for that here.” Then she looked to me, “It’s time to leave Fred, there is another nightmare that needs tending.”

“Oh alright,” standing from the tree I turned to Fluttershy with a wide smile and open arms. “Finish this tomorrow?”

“Alright,” she said before looking around and not finding Luna anywhere, then came into my arms for a hug.

I hugged her while she put her head against my chest with a soft pleasant hum. She was wearing her simple one-piece pink dress with flowers and butterflies on it. I’ve always thought that she had a natural beauty that would only be diminished by makeup. As she was letting go I took her head in my hands giving her a light kiss on her head. She blushed and hid behind her mane looking just so pretty. “To help you have pleasant dreams,” I whispered to her as Luna began to draw me out again.

“Thank you, Fred,” I heard her say as I faded away and back into the narthex of the dream realm. “I could never imagine all those mythical animals here in this world,” I told Luna after appearing before her again.

“And more,” she smirked.

“More?” she nodded, “ok how about dragons?”

“Oh yes,” she said and giggled at the almost horrified look on my face, “And for the most part peaceful. Aside from one or two which occasionally come to Equestria.”

“Any problems with them?”

“No, one just came to sleep,” she said simply then started to walk and look around again. Luna started walking in a specific direction, so I followed. There’s a lot about this world that I need to learn about. Maybe setting up a history tutor is a good idea. “Here,” Luna said, stopping in her tracks before one that was glowing. Inside I saw the terrified look of Vinyl Scratch. The dream was a normal showing up naked kind of dream. In her case, it was being at a show without her equipment, naked, and all of them laughing at her.

“That’s a cliché dream if I ever saw one,” I smirked at Luna. “Mind if I…?”

“Go ahead,” she nodded to me, “I’ll be in the background if you need me.”

“Thanks,” I reached up to the orb as she did. “She’s a friend of mine back in the human world, so I’d really like to get to know this one.” A flash later and I was standing in the shadows behind her. So, at least from my point of view, I didn’t see much except her naked back, short hair that only went about two inches past her shoulders, and her tail covering up her butt. I have to admit to liking what I saw, I’m a guy after all and part pony to boot. Being a dream and all I tried manipulating my voice to sound like it, “Vi, you’re dreaming.”

“Who’s that?” she asked through a shaking and terrified voice while looking around. Her hands were covering herself as best she could.

“It’s a dream Vi,” I encouraged her, “take control over it and go to a place where you feel the most secure and relaxed.”

“O...ok,” her voice was shaking like her body was, but she tilted her head down as if closing her eyes. Slowly the scene changed. The laughter stopped as the ponies and people disappeared, then the room itself changed. It faded from a dance room to I could only guess to her private bedroom. She was also suddenly wearing loose shorts and a short t-shirt. It was a good look for her I thought. And as a guy, my eyes studied her feminine form.

“Very good Miss Scratch,” Luna applauded softly with a smile stepping up to her.

“Princess Luna,” Vinyl happily bowed to her. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”

Luna held up a hand, “It wasn’t me,” then with the same hand pointed in my direction. Vinyl turned around and spotted me while I looked at her with the same friendly smile and slowly stepped up to her.

She took a step back with a cautious look, “Who are you human? Why are you here and how did you…?” Stopping, her mind realized, “It was you that spoke to me...wasn’t it?”

I nodded to her, and so much wanted to at least touch her cheek. However, the Vinyl here appears to not like humans, so I had to play it slow. “Yes it was, and it really wasn’t me that got you out, but you got yourself out.” Vinyl wasn’t sure about that. “It’s true,” I smiled and spoke softly in encouragement. “Once you know it’s a dream, then you can change it. That’s just what you did.”

“Oh...kay,” she said slowly with confusion etched on her face, “Why would a human help me?” Then she turned to Luna, “Plus why would your highness bring a human into my dream?”

“Because I want to be your friend Vi,” my voice betrayed the ache in my heart as I looked into her passionate red eyes of hers. “My name is Fred Justice, and I’m Celestia’s son.”

“Not possible,” Vinyl shook her head hard.

“It’s true Miss Scratch,” Luna defended me. “He is indeed my sister’s son.”

Vinyl’s jaw hung open with her eyes as wide as old car hubcaps. “You see, years ago Celestia fell in love with a human slave, my father. She had me in secret and we were all together for about two years before a pony named Blueblood and some nobles rushed into the throne room killing my father. He sacrificed himself so that my mother could escape to the human realm so I could be raised by her human counterpart.”

She held up a hand, “Ok hold on,” then turned to Luna. “Is that right?”

“I wasn’t there Miss Scratch, but I do believe my sister speaks the truth,” Luna said from her place on one of the couches in the room. Vinyl’s room was a studio basically. Recording, synths, and turntable equipment all around the large open room.

Vinyl’s mind was processing it as she looked back up to me with a look that told me she didn’t know how to take it or believe it. “If that’s true, then why come back and why do you want to be my friend? I don’t like humans much.”

“I had no clue about my heritage until a mare named Sunset Shimmer stole Twilight’s crown, the Element of Magic, and brought it to the human realm. She was going to use it to empower herself. Twilight followed her into the human world where it was her friend’s counterparts and your human counterpart was instrumental in ensuring Twilight’s return here. I know Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy’s human counterparts. They are all my friends, as is your human counterpart Vi. They helped me discover my Equestrian heritage.”

“That’s...”

“A lot to take in?” I asked with a slightly amused smirk.

“Yeah,” she nodded, then almost glared at me. “Prove it.”

I held up a hand and ignited it.

She scoffed at me with a quick laugh, “We’re dreaming, anything’s possible in a dream.”

Acknowledging her with a nod, I also had a solution, “You are quite correct. So allow me to prove it to you.” Looking over to Luna I wondered, “When are we going to be in Canterlot?”

“Tomorrow night,” she said, “And the next night is the all-night party before the Summer Sun Celebration. Most of Ponyville is invited to help decorate the Castle’s courtyard anyway.”

“Yeah I don’t know what that is, but if there’s a party then why don’t you come to Canterlot and DJ the party Vinyl?” I asked in hope that she would say yes. “Then starting tomorrow night I can prove to you that I’m part pony.”

She squared herself up to me and poked at my chest, “Alright, I’ll let you prove yourself, but Celestia herself has to back up your claim.”

A wide grin spread over my face, “That’s not a problem, and when it's proven can we talk?” I held out my hand to her to shake.

She looked up at me with a cautious look. And at first, I thought that she might refuse. That her hatred for even a human like me might win out over her fairness. But, she shook my hand with a firm resolve, “Alright Fred, I’m game and if you fail then I get to kick your ass.”

I chuckled with a happy smile, “I won’t fail and Celestia, my mother, will definitely tell you that I’m her son. So, I will let my mother know you’re coming and to request you to come to see her.”

“Deal.”

“It is time to go, Fred,” Luna rose from her seat on the couch walking over to me, “You will wake soon and it’s time for me to lower the moon.”

I shook my head with a chuckle, “That still sounds strange, no matter how many times you say it.” We started fading from Vinyl’s dream and instead of me showing up in the narthex again, I woke up.

^_^

After waking up I was able to do my usual personal hygiene in the morning before getting dressed again. This time I just wore pants, shoes, and a white t-shirt. After putting the tie in my pocket and grabbing my jacket I noticed the morning sunlight shining through the window. Mother’s raising the sun. That’s odd every time I think of it. Luna manipulating the moon? Wow. Mother might be out on the balcony. This room had one too, so I stepped out and looked to the right.

And there she was, still in her nightgown and lowering herself back down to the floor. Luna was back onto the floor of her balcony as well after lowering the moon. “Morning mother,” I called out with a wave. “Morning Luna.”

“Morning Fred,” Luna nodded in morning greeting.

“Good morning my sunshine boy,” my mother waved cheerfully. “Have you got everything?”

I chuckled with a smirk, “My clothes are the only thing I have mother, besides the letters and the scrapbook.”

“Oh good, then I’ll meet you out in the hall when I’m ready.”

“Alright,” with that out of the way I turned back inside, through the room, and out into the hallway with a yawn. A short time later both Luna and my mother came out of their rooms with a couple of bags for each. “So, what’s the schedule for today?”

“Have breakfast then board the train,” my mother said with a happy morning smile before dropping her bags, walking over to me, and giving me a big morning hug. I welcomed her hug and her big wings that surrounded me. “So how was your night with Luna?” she asked after picking up her bags again.

We started walking down the hallway side by side with me between them. “I was able to help Fluttershy with a dream, but don’t say anything. You know how easily embarrassed she can get.” Mother nodded with a giggle. “The other dream was Vinyl Scratch.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, it was a typical showing up somewhere naked thing. Her counterpart and I are friends,” I continued as we turned a corner with the smell of morning pancakes wafting through the air. “However, the Vinyl in this world doesn’t like humans that much. But, I told her that I was part pony and your son. She didn’t believe it and asked for proof. So, I made a deal with her. I prove that I’m your son by having you tell her so and showing off my magic. And she agrees to get to know me, and hopefully be my friend.”

“Fred did have an idea of having Miss Scratch host the party the night before.”

“I think we can do that,” mother cheerfully agreed. “And I do hope that you can make friends with the pony counterparts of the ones you knew.”

“I hope so too mother.” We stopped at the dining room for breakfast and stepped inside after they put down their bags.

“Aunty Tia,” Cadence happily greeted as she stood up from her chair at the head of the table. “Good morning.”

“Good morning Cadence,” mother greeted then took a seat near the head of the table.

Mother and Cadence hugged, then it was Luna she hugged next. “Morning Aunty Luna.”

“Morning Cadence,” she said and sat on the other side of the table opposite from mother.

Then she hugged me, “Good morning Fred, how did you all sleep?”

“Slept just fine thank you Cadence,” I told her with a smile. On my way to sit beside my mother, I caught Fluttershy’s eyes. She blushed slightly and hiding behind her hair...er mane. “Good morning girls,” I greeted them sitting beside my mother.

“Morning Fred,” Fluttershy was still blushing slightly.

“Hey Fred,” was Rainbow’s greeting.

“Morning, morning,” Pinkie was as cheerful as always.

The only two that were quiet was Rarity and AJ. That was expected. “Oh good morning Fred,” she waved with a smile, then turned back to Cadence. “I’m just sorry that you can’t come with us.”

“Twily, you know we want to,” her brother told her with a sad smile, “But there is just too much to do here.”

“I know big brother, but that doesn’t mean I can’t want you there.”

“We know Twilight,” Cadence answered. “But I don’t think you won’t have time to miss us because of how busy you all will be.”

“Indeed,” Luna acknowledged. “There are many preparations which require everypony’s attention.”

“Yeah Twilight,” Rainbow jabbed her friend lightly. “You need to practice your flying.”

“Yeah, yeah I get it,” Twilight waved Rainbow’s hand away.

“I’ve got a great party planned.”

“I figured you would Pinkie,” I smiled over to her, “and Vinyl is going to DJ as well.”

“You got her to DJ for us?” Pinkie squeed happily. “That’s so awesome.”

And hopefully, get to know me. A soft bell rung by the door signaling the arrival of breakfast. The smell of pancakes floated over to me with the same mare that bonked me on the head with the cast iron pan brought it out to me. I had a terrible desire to yell “WAIT” out of self-defense in fear that she might splat me with my breakfast. However, I kept a soft smile as she approached. She was nervous but didn’t attack me with my breakfast at least. So, I said a soft, “Thank you,” then she set it down and bowed slightly before retreating. I wondered if the others pushed her to serve me because of what happened earlier?

“Hey she must like you,” Rainbow looked over to me with a hand over her mouth trying to hold back her laughter.

I asked before I could stop myself, “Why’s that Rainbow?”

“She didn’t hit you on the head with the pan,” she said before almost laughing herself out of the chair.

“Twilight?” she looked to me, “would you…?” She smacked Rainbow lightly in the back of her head as Rainbow giggled on. However, just at that moment, AJ took her advantage swiping some pancakes from Rainbow’s plate. Rainbow didn’t notice, but when she looked back down at her plate again…

“Hey, where did…?” she was confused until she spotted AJ’s plate. A slow grin crept onto her face, “AJ?”

“Yeah?” she asked after gulping down a bite. I looked on knowing where Rainbow was going with this. How’d I know? Because Rainbow did it to AJ a few times already in the human world.

“Did you take some of my pancakes?” Rainbow had her cornered. I knew AJ was having problems with this as she had that look on her face and started stuttering.

“Um...I...”

“You can always plead the fifth AJ,” I smirked at her.

“What’s the fifth?” Cadence wondered while nibbling away.

“It’s the fifth amendment of our nation’s Constitution back in the human world,” I explained while smiling to AJ. With the hopes that she would catch on, “It protects others from self-incrimination.”

“I’ll take that fifth then,” AJ announced cheerfully. Meanwhile, I raised a sneaky eyebrow at Rainbow. Our eyes met and for about a minute or so she was clueless. That is until it dawned on her.

Then she happily turned back to her friend with a grin from ear to ear. “Oh AJ?”

“Yeah?” AJ looked over thinking she was in the clear.

“You know the only reason why you used that was that you knew you were guilty right?” Rainbow baited beautifully.

“Yep.” And AJ fell for it, but didn’t think about it until a couple of seconds later when she just hung her head, “Horseapples.”

Rainbow chuckled while taking her share back from her.

“I’m pleased that I will be asleep for most of the trip,” Luna complained softly.

My mother giggled as did most of the others and gave me a light tap on my arm, then smiled with a shake of her head at me. It almost felt normal. Almost. And saddened me because it reminded me of the daily banter with their counterparts. Pinkie had finished hers long before this. Rarity and Fluttershy were quietly eating away. Shining Armor was both quick and dainty at the same time if you can believe it.

Soon though breakfast was over with and it was time for us to leave.

^_^

“I’m glad we got to know each other some Fred,” Cadence smiled at me giving me a hug.

“So am I Cadence,” I hugged her back. “It’s definitely going to be interesting from here on out.” We were at the train station fixing to board the train. All our luggage was already on board thanks to an usher.

She giggled, “Oh yes, and you are brave to come over to Equestria even knowing how humans are treated. However, In the Crystal Empire, I will see to it that all humans within our borders are free.”

“Thank you, Cadence.”

“You’re welcome Fred, now take care of Twilight, your mother, and Aunt Luna.”

Nodding to her I let her go for mother and Luna to say their goodbyes, “I will.” Shining Armor stepped up to me with a thoughtful look on his face.

“Yes, please look after my little sister,” he said in a way that told me he wasn’t sure about me and was a threat that was never spoken.

“I did so in the human world,” I told him with a straight calm face looking him right in the eye, “or does that not prove myself to you?” All he did was grunt a little and walked away to say goodbye to the others.

“You ready?” my mother asked stepping up to me putting a wing and an arm around me.

Leaning into her I smiled with a nod.

“Good, so let’s go home.”

Next Chapter: Chapter Seven: And There's Trouble Already Estimated time remaining: 22 Hours, 18 Minutes