“Well, I have to admit that the surgery was probably one of the most difficult surgeries I’ve had to do,” Neivi explained as she took a seat. “She was suffering a lot of internal bleeding and other complications from the birthing process. The fact that it was followed by turning her into an IMP Alicorn didn’t help matters either. You don’t want to know what kind of things that stuff does to your body during the initial transformation process. While it likely was what saved her life, I don’t think I’d recommend it for a means to save a patient’s life in the future unless you can get them to a Doctor quickly. From here on she’s going to be confined to her bed for a few more days at least, Lemon will be providing a radiation treatment as we did with you Firelight. The more immediate concern is her mental health and memories due to the process. Given her wish is to not have her memory restored, we don’t actually know if she’ll be able to bond with the filly.”

“Take it from somepony who’s had kids before, there’s a connection that transcends memory. She likely knows the foal is hers and still has her motherly instincts, she just doesn’t remember nearly dying.” Moonlight said with a tap to her chin.

“I agree, but I felt it was best to prepare you for the possibility,” Neivi pointed out as she cleaned her glasses before returning them to her muzzle. “But yes it is more than likely that she will still bond with the filly. I hope she does honestly.”

“Is there anything we can do?” I asked.

“At the moment? Not much, unless praying counts,” Neivi sighed. “She should be okay, but I’m still not allowing her to leave for a few days. Ideally, I would keep her longer, but we have business elsewhere and I’m not sure I can leave her with my staff. Its why the radiation treatment schedule will be a bit faster.”

“I’m sure if need be, we can find alternative sources of radiation.” Moonlight said with a shrug. “Frankly, I’m confident she’ll be fine and that there is no reason for us to need to stay here for days while she recovers. She was always a stubborn headstrong mare, good luck keeping her in that bed when she wakes up.”

“Well, I can always bring back the Furry Lizards if I need to,” Neivi said with a light chuckle. “But we’ll see how things go.”

“So, what do we do till Mistral is good?” Moonlight said, looking from Neivi to me. “I mean, I suppose you’re not going to be willing to go anywhere without Neivi.”

“Well as long as she is given the proper treatments and continues to take radiation, I’d say a few days to a week,” Neivi answered. “You Alicorns are a strong bunch. However, her body needs time to both heal and get used to its new form. I also would recommend she holds off on using any particularly strong magic for the time being. The process typically results in a surge of magical ability that she is not used to having and could result in a lot of destruction or worse.”

“And if we’re going back out there, we really need Neivi’s medical expertise,” I pointed out.

“Fun,” Moonlight said with a sigh. “At least she doesn’t have her memory, means she’s less likely to be like she was in the stable. I’m sure you understand, having… I guess you could call an Ex around.”

“Well, at least yah still got me,” Storm said as she nuzzled Moonlight gently before adding jokingly. “Just don’t spend too much time with her, Ah might get jealous.”

“Not going to be a problem,” Moonlight said with a slight grimace. “Nothing like being told ‘meet your new marefriend, oh and she idolizes you’ to get the sparks flying, right?”

“Honestly, given her condition, I recommend doing as little as possible to remind her of her old life,” Neivi said. “So, it may be a good idea for you to not interact with her at all, for the time being, Moonlight. Should only take a couple of days, maybe less.”

“As I said before, not going to be a problem,” Moonlight said with another shrug. “I might think the stable did a lot of things right, but I think they did a lot wrong too, like forcing ponies to be together against their wills, or, at least one of their wills in this case.”

“But yah got somepony who loves yah a lot now,” Storm said as she rested her head on Moonlight’s shoulder and put her wing around her. “Moonlight, what they did ta ya’ll was wrong, but look at it this way. It was eventually what led yah ta come out here and meet us. At least somethin’ good came out of it.”

“I suppose, let’s just say that some memories about that stable are best left forgotten.” Moonlight said, looking back to me. “So, if you don’t mind, I’ll likely be keeping my distance from Mistral and the… child, until Mistral is back up and able to handle things on her own.”

“I don’t blame you,” I replied with a nod. “I think if I was in your position I would probably do the same.”

“Who knows, maybe one day soon, you will be.” Moonlight said with a chuckle before she stood and started for the door, motioning to Storm wanting her to follow.

Storm got up and followed after her. I blinked a little, what exactly did she mean by that? I didn’t have much time to think about that though as Neivi leaned on me and closed her eyes.

“Do you think she’s going to be okay?” I asked softly as the two headed out together.

“I don’t know,” Neivi admitted. “She’s not in a good place right now given everything that’s going on. But at the same time, Moonlight is a strong mare. I think she’ll be okay, especially with Storm there to help her.”

“With all of us there to help her,” I sighed. “Let’s just hope that it’s going to be enough.”

I stretched my wings out a little as I headed into a small cafe on the outskirts of Nightingale. It was a bit out of the way compared to where we usually went to eat, but I had been curious about exploring more of the town and found it.

I got a few looks as I went inside, nothing I wasn’t used to at this point really, and looked around the dining area. It was a few hours after we had finished in the clinic and Neivi had suggested I get some fresh air.

“Hey Firelight, Ah didn’t think we’d see yah here,” Storm said from behind me and I turned to see her and Moonlight walking in.

“Oh hey, yeah, was just looking around and got hungry,” I said with a shrug. “How are you two doing?”

“Been better, to say the least.” Moonlight said with a shrug. “Wondering if I’m being fair, or if I’m justified in being so cold towards her.”

“Given everything she’s going through, Neivi believes its the best option, and I trust her judgment,” I said with a nod. “So, yeah I think you’re justified. At least for right now, maybe you should try and talk to her down the line though.”

“I mean, I don’t like her, I never liked her, I did what I was told and it nearly killed her.” Moonlight said with a sigh. “And now instead of showing sympathy for the fact she nearly died, all I can think about is what happened in the Stable, how I was forced to be with her, to do these things.”

I sighed a little. “Really, it's up to you. I think you should try and talk to talk to her when you’re both ready.”

“And if yah want ta, Ah’ll be with yah tha whole time,” Storm offered.

“It’s not really the talking to her that I am worried about, it’s everything else.” Moonlight said with another sigh. “There are some things, I wish I never had to come face to face with, even if I tried to figure out where the Society was taking them, I only wanted to bring them home, nothing else.”

“And what do you want to do now?” I asked.

“I want to get something to eat, and just, take some time to myself so that I can stop… not being me” Moonlight said with a groan, looking around at the tables. “Any particular spot you’re fond of?”

“Ah like this table over here,” Storm said as she leads her over to a table off to the side. “If that’s okay with yah.”

“No that looks fine, Firelight?” Moonlight said, looking to me for a moment.

“Me? I don’t want to impose on you two if you’d rather spend some time together,” I said quickly.

“Firelight, don’t be silly, it’s not like it was a date or anything.” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “If you were imposing we wouldn’t be inviting you.”

“Okay, if you don’t mind,” I said as I headed over to the table with them. “This place is kinda nice. Not sure why you didn’t tell me about it before.”

“Oh, we wanted ta keep it to ourselves so none of our friends would spy on us while we’re datin’,” Storm answered jokingly. “But now yah ruined it so we’ll need ta find somethin’ new.”

“Very funny,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

“Nah, that’s why we go out of town when we do go on dates,” Moonlight said with a smirk, giving Storm a nudge. “Anyway, no need to be shy, I promise we aren’t going to bite.”

“Sorry, I just didn’t want to impose,” I said as I took a seat and smiled a little. “This place is nice.”

Moonlight levitated a menu over to me, “So Storm, hear anything new? I always love when you share the things you’ve heard from the rumor mill.” she said, looking to Storm.

“A few things,” Storm said as she looked over the menu for a moment. “Ah heard a bit about those stronger ponies. Apparently, they crossed paths with those Sun Worshippers we encountered a while back or somethin’. And then there’s some stuff about tha Basilisk too, though that comes from a guy who Ah’m fairly certain was high off his flank so who knows.”

“The Basilisk again? That’s what, the third time this week?” Moonlight said, tapping her chin. “Maybe worth investigating?”

“Ah dunno, was tha third time today we had ta tell him no such thing exists and he needs ta lay off tha chems,” Storm chuckled.

“What’s a Basilisk?” I asked.

“What, yah never heard of tha king of snakes?” Storm retorted.

“It’s like, a really big snake, like… the side of a small building, and doesn’t it have an ability like a cockatrice?” Moonlight said, looking to Storm. “I mean, not to mention Cockatrice are real, so maybe Basilisks are real too, part of why I wanna check it out.”

“Ah dunno, Ah’ve been around this area of tha Jungle and haven’t seen any evidence of a giant snake makin’ its way around tha jungle,” Storm said with a shrug. “He’s probably just crazy. But if yah want ta follow up on it and waste yer time, it ain’t like we’ve got anywhere ta go.”

“Well, maybe it went through areas that it wouldn’t disturb the forest, a large predator like that wouldn’t want everyone to know it’s here.” Moonlight said, looking to me. “What do you say? Wanna go snake hunting?”

“Yeah, why not, I’ll just need to figure out what to do with the fillies,” I said and thought for a moment. “I’ll talk to Neivi or Sparks. One of them should be willing to watch them.”

“Great parentin’ already, Firelight,” Storm said with a chuckle. “Tryin’ ta pawn off yer foals on some poor pony while yah run off ta chase imaginary giant snakes.”

“Oh they grow up so fast don’t they!’ Moonlight said with a chuckle, giving Storm a nudge.

“Yep,” Storm laughed.

“Definitely talking to Neivi,” I commented with a shake of my head. “The last thing I need is for Sparks or Mistle to tease me about this too. You two are bad enough.”

“Oh we tease you because you’re our friend Firelight,” Moonlight said with a chuckle, leaning back against her seat. “Or because you leave the door wide open way too often, I haven’t decided which yet.”

“Might be both,” Storm said with a grin.

“Look, I like the fillies, but…” I said as I quickly looked back at the menu. “I really don’t think I’m mother material. I’m barely even an adult and I’ve got so much going on in my head right now that I don’t think I’d do a good job with them.”

“They’re not dead yet, and you haven’t done some grievous bodily harm to them, I think you’re doing fine,” Moonlight said with a shrug. “All be told, you’re doing a better job then some of the mothers down in the stable that I’ve seen.”

“Thanks, I think,” I said as I brushed my mane back a little. “Still, it doesn’t even feel like I’m old enough to take care of them.”

“You’re not, but that’s beside the point.” Moonlight said with a shrug. “They’re school aged, you’re what? Barely old enough to be out of school? Really, they’re old enough to be your little sisters, but motherhood doesn’t see age, my mom still babied me when I was having children of my own.”

“And we’ve seen tha way yah interact with them,” Storm added with a soft smile. “Firelight, Ah think yer sellin’ yourself short. They’re already seein’ yah as a mother figure, and Ah think on some subconscious level yah see them as somethin’ similar ta daughters. Right Moonlight?”

“I wouldn’t say that they see her as a mother, but as maybe a trusted guardian, but I could be wrong.” Moonlight said, shrugging and looking down at the menu on the table. “So uh, are we going to eat something, or just evaluate Firelight’s denial that she’s a mom now?”

“About time,” a voice said as we looked over to see a Unicorn mare standing there.

“Uh, how long have you been standing there?” I asked.

“Long enough to realize you have some weird family issues,” the mare said. “So, what can I get you all? We got some more Opal and Pon from trades with the Enclave. Anything catch your eye?”

“Let’s see,” Storm said as she looked at the menu. “Ah’ll take tha Radstag Steak with assorted vegetables and a Sparkle-Cola Harmony. And Moonlight here will take tha Fried Mushrooms and… what would yah like ta drink?”

“I think I’ll have the same,” Moonlight said with a nod and a smile. “Firelight?”

“Uh, let’s see,” I said as I looked it over again. “I guess I’ll take the Fireleaf Soup with a Pon.”

“Alright, thank you, I’ll have it out soon,” the waitress said as she finished writing it down and trotted off.

“Interesting menu they have here,” I said as I looked back at my friends.

“Well, they kinda have ta rewrite it every day dependin’ on what they can get,” Storm chuckled. “Depends on how tha huntin’ is and what’s in season, yah know?”

“Hopefully with the gardens the Enclave is helping set up, we can get a bit more solid a menu. One thing I miss about the stable, never know if I can have something I adore again” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “I still can’t believe ponies up here will eat meat, say that in the stable and they’ll all lose their lunches.”

“Two hundred years of cloud cover will do that ta yah,” Storm sighed. “Really, Ah don’t mind it that much. Ah got used ta it pretty quickly and it ain’t like our systems can’t process it, ponies just used ta not eat meat as much.”

“Don’t look at me, we ate vegetables in the Society,” I shrugged.

“I think there was something about being an enlightened species that made us not willing to kill and consume potentially other sentient creatures.” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “And Storm, need I remind you what happened when I tried meat?”

“Good point,” Storm said. “Which is why Ah made sure not ta order meat fer yah.”

“So, back to our latest rumors, this Basilisk thing, you’ve told me about it before, said that ponies have seen a large shadow in the forest, and anypony that goes to investigate doesn’t come back, are you sure this Basilisk isn’t really real?” Moonlight said, looking to Storm. “I mean, I’m sure we can get away if it is real, but it’s like, there’s evidence that suggests its real more than just a chemed up pony’s rambles.”

“Maybe, but this ain’t exactly a safe part of Equestria,” Storm pointed out. “There could be any number of factors ta explain why they vanished. Ah’ll admit it does lead some credence ta tha possibility though.”

“Look, let’s just all go out tonight and find out,” I said. “Though let’s try not to disappear too, okay?”

Moonlight takes a moment to point to the chestplate “I still have this, I think even if it is real, It stands no chance in getting us. I mean, it can’t be more powerful then a bunch of alicorns, right?”

“Yeah, you’ve got a point there,” I replied. “Alright, well that means I’m going to talk to Neivi because I think I’ve had all the teasing about being a mom I can handle.”

I swear I heard Storm whispering to Moonlight about talking to Neivi after that and shot them both a look. “Don’t you dare.”

“Us? Never!” Moonlight said, trying her best to look innocent. “It was Neivi’s idea anyway.”

“Darn it Moonlight, yah weren’t supposed ta tell her that,” Storm said as she facehooved a little.

“Wait, it was? Why?” I asked confused.

“Well, uh… yah wanna take this one, Moonlight?” Storm asked as she looked at her marefriend.

“Neivi likes the foals, and has been honestly thinking about talking to you about adopting them.” Moonlight said with a nervous chuckle. “We, uh… weren’t supposed to tell you that, but I guess the cat is out of the bag, if she asks how you found out, it wasn’t us.”

“I mean… I really like them too, and I love her and…” I said nervously before resting my head on the table. “I’m going to have to think about this. I’m scared honestly. I don’t know anything about raising foals. What if I screw up?”

“I think everyone has that feeling when they realize they’re parents or going to be very soon,” Moonlight said with a shrug. “Trust me on that one, every foal I sired in that darn stable, I had the same feeling over, even though they always got whisked away and I never actually had to do any parenting.”

“Fates know that Ah felt tha same way recently,” Storm added.

“Well, I’ll think about it,” I answered, not moving my head from the table for the moment. “I just hope that I’ll have an answer before Neivi talks to me about it. I don’t know how I’m going to do this.”

“Ah think you’ll do fine,” Storm said with a soft smile as I felt her hoof on my head. “Firelight, Ah ain’t exactly a psychologist or a Heartmender or whatever, but Ah think yah have some subconscious reason behind all this. Yah care about them, right?”

“Right.”

“And yah want what’s best fer them and yah trust Neivi’s judgment, right?”

“Right.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“I have no idea,” I admitted. “Something inside me just feels like it's holding me back. Like I’m afraid that I’ll fail them more than anything else… fail them like… like…”

I trailed that thought off for a moment as I felt a tear fall down my muzzle onto the table.

‘I’m going to assume this has something to do with what happened in your old town with your family? Big sister complex, gotta protect the family, especially little siblings, fails and scars them for life.” Moonlight said, placing her hoof on my withers. “Ever think that you didn’t fail her? You saved her, you gave her the most precious gift, her memories, and gave her the strength to be there and help, and when the opportunity came to be a leader she took those who would follow and lead them from their nightmares.”

I sniffed a little at that as I slowly picked my head back up and pushed my mane back out of my eyes. “Yeah… I guess you’re right.”

“And look at it this way,” Storm added. “Yer not gonna be doin’ it alone. We’re all gonna be here with yah, what’s tha old sayin’, it takes a village ta raise a foal? And they’ve got a strong Alicorn as their momma and their auntie Moonlight. Ah think yer gonna do just fine.”

“Not to mention I have some parenting experience from volunteering in the daycare in the stable, though that’s mostly making sure they don’t kill themselves, and changing dirty diapers, but at least I can do that, right?” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “More experience making, less experience raising, why does that make me feel… awkward?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Storm said and leaned in and whispered something in Moonlight’s ear.

“You two aren’t planning on having any foals of your own anytime soon, are you?” I asked with a chuckle.

“That’s for us to know and you to find out” Moonlight said with a smirk. “And even if we were, I don’t know how to do the spell and yeah, it’d be awkward to visit the stable to ask one of them to do it.”

“Hey, look on tha bright side,” Storm added. “Yah don’t have ta worry about goin’ through pregnancy, foalbirth, or changin’ diapers since they’re all pretty grown. Though yah do have ta worry about colts comin’ around in a few years. And not ta mention their teenage years.”

“Are you trying to convince me not to do this now?” I asked with a chuckle.

“I would ask you if you remembered how you were when you were their age, but uh… I feel that might be insensitive of me.” Moonlight said with a chuckle.

“What would they even think about this?” I asked after a moment. “I mean, this changes their lives as much as it changes mine. I don’t even know how I’d feel if I was in their position. I mean, they lost their parents and everything and… I don’t know, it almost feels like we’d just be a substitute for that.”

“Speakin’ as a pony who wasn’t raised by mah biological parents, Ah’ll admit that can’t be easy at times,” Storm said. “But at tha same time family is important. Yah already have a bond with those three fillies and yah said yourself that yah consider them family, remember? Ah think that ya’ll will be just fine. Blood ain’t tha only thing that makes yah family yah know, and Ah think if yah gave it a chance, they’d welcome it.”

“Likewise” Moonlight said with a nod. “I hope we have enough caps to make up for all the time we’ve taken from this waitress, by the way.”

“Oh you’re fine, it’s a slow day anyway,” the waitress said as she levitated our meals in front of us. “Besides, it beats listening to the cook complain about his son’s love life for the hundredth time. Enjoy your meal.”

Moonlight looked at her fried mushrooms and chuckled. “Funny, these look better than the ones in the stable.”

“Yeah, tha cook here is really good,” Storm said as she cut a piece of her steak and took a bite while I started on my soup. “Ah thought yah might like it.”

“So, plans for the night, Firelight pawns her kids off on somepony, and we go looking into what this supposed snake thing is? I mean, if it really is a Basilisk that’s really dangerous to have so close nearby, so it’s a good idea to figure that out yeah?” Moonlight said, munching on a mushroom while looking to both me and Storm

“I’ll talk to Neivi about watching them probably,” I said as I nodded a little. “But yeah, that sounds like a plan. Plus if it tries to eat us I can just teleport us back anyway. I’d rather not be eaten.”

“Yeah, unless its by…” Storm started to say.

“I don’t know what you’re going to say, but something tells me I’m not going to like it so I’m cutting you off right there,” I said as I shot her a look.

“Hah, Storm, you naughty minded mare.” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “Alright, well let's focus on eating yeah?”

We nodded a little as we went back to eating. I smiled a little as I looked across the table at my friends. Maybe they were right and I really had nothing to worry about. Something told me that Neivi might be wanting to talk to me about this sooner rather than later.

I smiled a little and went back to my soup.

“Hey Neivi,” I said as I opened the door to the clinic. Storm and Moonlight had gone to get our equipment together in order to get ready to go.

“Hey Firelight,” Neivi said as I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “How’s the patient doing?”

“Much better,” Neivi said as she adjusted her glasses a little. “The radiation treatment is doing the trick. If we keep this up she should wake up tomorrow, I hope. So, is there anything else going on?”

“Uh, can we leave Dawn Star and her friends here tonight?” I asked and Neivi looked a bit confused.

“Are you going somewhere?” She asked as she looked at me from behind her glasses incredulously. “You’re not going to run off on some crazy adventure without me, are you?”

“Kinda,” I said as I rubbed the back of my head a little. “Have you heard any rumors about the Basilisk?”

“Ah yes, we call it Rex Serpentium,” Neivi said. “Yes, I’ve treated White Herb a few times from his little chem addiction. Not even sure where he gets the stuff honestly, it's not something you can just buy from your average chem dealer.”

“What is it exactly?” I asked confused.

“It doesn’t really have a name, at least not yet,” Neivi answered. “It’s made from a fungus that grows in some parts of the Jungle and spirits know what else. It messes with your head, creates hallucinations. Supposedly it gives you some sort of insight into the world around you, but I’ve never exactly been willing to try it.”

“So, you don’t believe what he said about the Basilisk either?” I asked curiously.

“Oh no, there’s definitely something out there,” Neivi answered. “Whether it’s a giant snake or something else entirely I don’t know. But there is definitely something out there. So, why do you ask?”

“Storm and Moonlight want to investigate it,” I sighed and Neivi blinked a little. “So we wanted to know if you can take care of the fillies tonight while we’re off hopefully not vanishing like other ponies that went after this thing.”

Neivi paused a moment as she looked at me and sighed a little. “Okay, I’ll take care of them, but I want you to promise you’ll be careful. Like I said, we don’t really know what this thing is but I don’t want to lose you.”

She leaned up and kissed me gently on the lips. I smiled a little and kissed her back as I ran my hoof along her mane for a moment.

“I’ll be careful, as soon as something bad happens I’ll teleport us all back,” I said gently as I stroked her mane. “I wouldn’t leave you like that.”

“Good,” Neivi said as she checked the time for a moment. “Well, I’ve still got a little while before I need to go check on her. And given that the Basilisk or whatever you want to call it is only seen at night I think we have a little bit of time.”

“Yeah,” I said as I looked at her for a moment. After everything we had talked about in the cafe, I had half expected her to have asked me right away. Was it possible she wasn’t sure if she was ready yet either? “Thank you for agreeing to take care of the fillies tonight really. I can’t imagine what I’d have gotten from Sparks or Mistle if I asked them.

“Oh yes, I’m sure I can imagine what they’d say,” Neivi said with a chuckle. “But Firelight, you shouldn’t let their teasing get to you. You know they’re just doing it because they care about you, right?”

“Yeah, I know, they just have a funny way of showing it sometimes,” I sighed. “But they’re also the best friends I’ve ever had. I guess I’m lucky to have them even if they drive me crazy sometimes.”

“Yeah, definitely sounds like Storm,” Neivi said as she placed her head on my shoulder and sighed happily. “She’s something special that’s for sure.”

“I’m not going to have to be jealous of her am I?” I asked with a light chuckle as I wrapped my wings around the smaller Zebra Doctor.

“No, but I might invite them for a foursome,” Neivi giggled and then stopped when she saw the look on my face. “Calm down Firelight, I wouldn’t really ask that of you. I just want you and only when you’re ready.”

“Okay, just cut back on the jokes,” I said with a shake of my head as I chuckled a little. “Though really I have no idea if or when I’ll be ready.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll wait,” Neivi said as she leaned against me and wrapped her forelegs around me gently. I smiled a little as I held her close and kissed her on the lips. We held the kiss for a long moment before we heard the sound of a door opening.

“Hey Neivi? Can you give me some…” Storm started to say as we turned our heads to look at her as she blinked a little. “Uh, Ah can leave ya’ll alone if Ah’m interruptin’ somethin’.”

“No, no, you’re not interrupting anything,” Neivi said quickly as we released each other from the embrace. “What can I help you with?”

“We’ve got a guy in detox down at tha Guard HQ that’s sufferin’ from a nasty Mint-al Addiction and asked fer help,” Storm said. “Tha Commander asked me ta come and get some Mint-als from yer medical stash ta help wean them off it.”

“Oh, yes of course,” Neivi said as she looked surprised for a moment. She headed over to a safe that was against the wall and opened it up and took out a small box before taking it back to Storm. “If you have any left over, please bring them back okay?”

“Okay,” Storm said as she headed back out of the clinic.

“That was weird, does that happen often?” I asked as I looked back at Neivi.

“Sometimes, it’s not really the first time they’ve had to do this,” Neivi said with a shrug as she trotted back over to me. “Don’t worry about it, I trust her.”

“Okay,” I said as she took my hoof and lead me towards one of the beds. “What are you doing?”

“Well, we still have some time, I just wanted to relax and spend some time with my marefriend,” Neivi said as we laid down on the bed together. I smiled softly as I snuggled with her and wrapped my wings around her gently.

“I love you, Neivi,” I said softly as the Zebra mare closed her eyes and snuggled against me.

“I love you too, Firelight,” Neivi said as we just enjoyed the moment for as long as it would last.

“You three be good for Neivi, okay?” I said as I hugged the fillies. “Don’t get into any trouble, got it?”

“Aww, you’re no fun,” Dawn Star said with a pout. “Getting into trouble is fun though!”

“You’ll live,” I said with a chuckle as I ruffled the Unicorn filly’s mane. “It’s late anyway, you need to get to bed soon. I told Neivi to read you a bedtime story tonight. I’ll see you all tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay,” Blueberry said as she and Dawn headed into the clinic.

I looked down at Wind Chime who looked up at me for a moment before hugging me tightly. I blinked a little and smiled softly as I hugged her back.

“Stay safe…” she said softly as I stroked her mane gently.

“I will,” I nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I promise.”

The small Pegasus nodded before she headed into the clinic after her friends. I smiled a little and headed over to Storm and Moonlight who had been watching.

“I know what you two are going to say, just get it over with,” I said as I levitated my saddle bags onto my back.

“You act like it’s a bad thing,” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pony that seemed ashamed at the idea of being a parent.”

“I’m not against the idea, I’m just not sure I’m ready for it,” I said as I secured my Zebra rifle. “I have been thinking about it though. And I wouldn’t mind it really, I just have to, you know, make sure I’m ready. Make sure we’re ready really, since Neivi still has to talk to me about it.”

“Well, We could have this talk again, but I don’t wanna miss our supposed snake king thing.” Moonlight said with a shrug. “Got everything we’ll be needing?”

“Yeah, Neivi gave us some healing potions to take with us just in case,” I said as I checked the gear. “Extra bullets, provisions in case something happens… did you get everything you were supposed to?”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I’d die if I forgot literally anything.” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “Not like we’ll need much more then me if things go south, I’m pretty much the toughest thing in this forest.”

“Yes, she remembered ta pack her ego too,” Storm chuckled. “Ah told her ta leave it at home this time, but yah know how she is.”

“Irresistibly sexy beyond all belief? Yes, I know, It’s true” Moonlight said with a smirk, giving a little wiggle at Storm.

“Let’s just go find this giant snake before you two start making out,” I said as I started down the stairs.

“Yah know giant snake could also be used ta…” Storm started to say.

“I’m cutting you off right there, besides we’re all mares who are dating other mares, don’t make this weird,” I said as they followed me down the stairs.

“Definitely the no fun mom.” Moonlight said to Storm, giving her a nudge.

“Ah know right?” Storm laughed.

“Hey, I’m plenty fun!” I protested.

“Yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that if it makes you think it’s true.” Moonlight said, giggling to herself a little.

“In that case, maybe I should just go back and snuggle with Neivi instead of going off on this crazy adventure with you,” I suggested. “I mean, crazy adventures are definitely things no fun moms would not approve of.”

“But you can’t do that,” Moonlight said, looking at me with a chuckle again. “If you did that then who would document our horrible demises.”

“Yes, but if I’m a no fun mom then I certainly can’t approve of this now can I?” I said with a smirk. “But since you two are grown mares… physically at least, I can’t stop you from going. So what’s it going to be?”

“Now that ain’t fair,” Storm huffed. “No fair in turnin’ it back on us.”

“That’s a real no fun mom thing to do,” Moonlight said with a pout, “Turning our harmless teasing back on us like that, like, no bueno.”

“Well, then if I’m a no fun mom I’m off to snuggle with a cute Zebra, have fun potentially dying,” I said as I started to turn around and walked towards them.

“Woah, hold up right there,” Moonlight said, pout turning to a frown. “You seriously aren’t going to ditch us like that, I mean seriously, that’s… just wow.”

“There’s an easy way to get me to come with you,” I said with a grin. “Just admit I’m not the no fun mom.”

“That ain’t fair,” Storm protested.

“Neither is teasing me about anything you can come up with,” I pointed out with a roll of my eyes.

“Thin skinned Soldier, huh, who would have thought.” Moonlight said with a shrug. “Guess I can say I’ve seen it all now.”

“Okay, okay I’ve had my fun,” I said as I turned back around. “But seriously, I just want what’s best for those three. And, well, I’m still not comfortable with talking about sex yet, okay? Can we just move on? We’ve got a giant snake to find.”

We headed down the stairs and towards the gate to the town together.

“So, other then giant snakes and evil birds, what else lives in this forest anyway?” Moonlight said as we made our way down the path towards where the sightings had been.

“A lot of things, some benign, some not so much,” Storm said before lowering her voice. “Yah didn’t hear this from me, and if yah say this ta Neivi she’ll freak out, but there’s a rumor goin’ around about a Voicestealer livin’ somewhere in tha Jungle. Ah’d rather not think about that personally, Ah’ve heard tha stories about those things.”

“Voicestealer? Lemme guess, it steals voices?” Moonlight said with a chuckle. “I’ve never heard of something so crazy.”

“Look, Ah’ve been in this Jungle fer longer than either of yah,” Storm said as she eyed the two of us. The Pegasus actually looked like she was being serious in the dim light. “Tha Zebras have been tellin’ stories of these things fer generations, goin’ back ta tha early days of their civilization. Ah’m not sayin’ Ah completely believe it, but it scares them ta talk about it. And in mah experience, stories gotta come from somewhere.”

“I feel like it's more a society trick then a creature that steals voices, making you hallucinate so they can snatch you up without you screaming.” Moonlight said with a shrug. “Anyway, we’re near where the sightings have happened - we should stick together, and look for any examples or evidence for what this thing is or isn’t”

“So, uh, how about a large clearing of trees?” I asked as I looked up ahead. “Would that count as examples or evidence?”

“Definitely sounds like a place to start.” Moonlight said, turning around and heading towards the clearing. “So far, nothing to suggest a large snake, no scales or anything.”

“Yeah, that’s weird,” I said as I examined the ground for a moment. “I feel like we’re missing something.”

Moonlight kept heading for the clearing while I and Storm kept looking around for anything else, a few moments later from the clearing I can hear Moonlight calling, turning I can see her standing in the middle of the clearing waving a hoof for us to come over excitedly.

“Guys, Look at this.” Moonlight said, pointing at two parallel lines of steel running through the clearing, the tops had been polished and are shining in the dim light, while the rest are very heavily rusted. “I think I know what these are, but they shouldn’t be shiny like that on the top”

“Not in this place,” Storm said as she examined them carefully. “That’s weird. Why are there shiny train tracks here.”

“Well, they get shiny when a train runs on them, but I guess the belly scales of a basilisk could do it too.” Moonlight said, looking around for a moment. “And look, there’s banks to either side, these used to be buried under ground clutter, somepony dug them up.”

“That is definitely weird,” I said as I looked down the tracks for a moment. “Where do you think they go?”

“Population centers, industrial sectors, anything important enough to need mass transit.” Moonlight said, looking at the rails for a moment more before a distant sound echoed through the forest, it sounded like a scream, or maybe a wail.

“What in the name of the Goddess...” I said as me and Storm took a step back.

“What is that thing? Did they let somethin’ out of Tartarus?” Storm asked.

“If I am right, that’s impossible, but…” Moonlight said, staring in the direction the sound came from.We both looked and we could see a light starting to light up the trees down the track, another wail and a few figures started to come out of the forest carrying crates and bags. “No way! It really is!”

“What is it?” I asked, I gripped my rifle with my telekinesis on instinct more than anything else.

“It’s a train Firelight, an actual train!” Moonlight said, getting increasingly excited the closer the light came. “We were told that Equestria didn’t have any more of them, that when the coal ran out a lot of them were scrapped and that trains were never used in Equestria again.”

“Actually New Appleloosa and tha NCR have been usin’ them fer years,” Storm said, but she was as in awe of it as the rest of us. “So, what are we supposed ta do?”

“Just, wait I guess.” Moonlight said with a shrug, her eyes never leaving that growing source of light, as it neared the light was switched off, and instead of whistles and wails the sounds of steady chuffing was heard the closer it drew, and before long it’s shadowy figure could be seen cresting a ridge and stopping long enough for those figures to board before it started to creep forward towards us.

The engine stopped maybe a hundred feet from us, and three figures jumped off, two were very bulky and were carrying what looked to be rifles of sorts, the third cloaked entirely.

“You. Pony. Come with us. We’ll save you from those monsters.” The cloaked figure said, pointing at Storm.

“Uh, what monsters?” Storm asked as she looked around. “All Ah see are mah friends here.”

“Nonsense, those creatures are nopony’s friend,” The cloak figure said, stepping closer to us. “They likely have you under their mind control pony, please, trust me when I say you’ll be safe with us”

“But Ah ain’t under mind control, why would they even…” Storm said as she narrowed her eyes a little at the cloaked figure. “Mind tellin’ me why yer wearin’ a Zebra cloak?”

“The society has very powerful mind control, and are the only known Alicorns of this area, and what is it to you if I wear this cloak or not?” The cloaked figure said, before she turned to one of the other figures and whispered something, a couple moments later the entire train lit up with lights along its full length, revealing the two heavily armored and armed ponies that she was standing with. “Now I suggest you stop playing games and come with me before it is too late to save you.”

“I think she thinks we’re the society trying to take Storm,” Moonlight whispered to the both of us.

“Yah think?” Storm retorted.

“So how do we prove that we’re not?” I asked. “I mean I doubt they’ll listen to us just saying we’re not with the Society.”

“Maybe yah should start by loosenin’ yer grip on that rifle of yours,” Storm suggested. “Yah ain’t exactly lookin’ good like that.”

“Sorry, sorry,” I said as I released the telekinetic grip on the Zebra Rifle at my side before calling up to them. “Listen, we’re not with the Society. We’re from the settlement of Nightingale, Storm is our friend. We’ve been fighting the Society.”

“As I would expect any member of the Society caught with their pants down to say.” The cloaked figure said as she stepped forward once more, this time her attention snapped to my rifle. “That rifle, let me see it.”

“Okay,” I said as I checked to make sure the safety was on and removed the magazine all in view of the strange mare before levitating it over to her.

“Zebra craftsmanship, where did you get this rifle Alicorn.” She said, her attention snapping back to me, before she reached for a magazine from one of the armored ponies and put it in the rifle. “It may be just a crude knock off, one way to tell.”

“It was given to me by a Zebra Doctor from the Mendi Tribe so I could protect myself,” I said simply. “If you need proof, then use it. We’ve got nothing to hide.”

“I intended to.” The cloaked figure said, turning to the rail and firing the rifle at it long enough to see the spark and fire effect. “Hm. Genuine. Interesting. Why would a Alicorn want anything to do with a Zebra, you can’t change us from what I’ve heard.”

“She… wait, are you a Zebra too?” I asked as I looked at her surprised.

“As if my cloak didn’t give it away.” She said, dropping the hood and removing the veil she had been wearing. “There isn’t any Zebra in this area from the reports I’ve been given, so either you’re not from around here, or you’re lying.”

“Yah might want ta correct yer reports then,” Storm huffed. “There’s been Zebras livin’ in tha Jungle since before tha bombs fell. There’s a town mostly filled with them a ways away, but we’ve got a few livin’ in Nightingale includin’ tha town Doc. Firelight here should know, right Firelight? Or did her stripes rub off?”

“Nope, Neivi’s definitely a Zebra,” I said with a chuckle.

“I am disturbed by the idea that you think now is an appropriate time to joke.” The Zebra said, staring at the three of us. “Show me. I must see this village myself.” She turned to the two escorting her, she seemed to be giving them orders, and a few moments later the trains lights turned off and it started to continue down the line. “My escorts will be staying with me, I will need to be returned to this location two days from now, or my disappearance will be considered an act of war.”

I gulped a little at that before I nodded. “I can teleport us to Nightingale, that would be the fastest and safest way there,” I offered. “Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but you have my gun and like you said, if I did work for the Society we can’t turn you. I’ve got no reason to betray you at this point, and the jungle is a dangerous place.”

“We’ll walk.” She said, eyeing me from a frown. “Lead the way, Alicorn.”

“Was worth a try,” I said with a sigh as we started back towards Nightingale.

“The name’s Aria, by the way.” She said as we walked. “I figured you would like to be able to introduce me, and yourselves a little more properly.”

“Like Storm said my name is Firelight,” I said as I gave Aria a slight nod.

“Storm Wrangler,” Storm said with a wave.

“Moonlight.” Moonlight said with a nervous chuckle.

“So, Moonlight and Firelight huh, that’s totally not going to get confusing.” Aria said with a chuckle.

“I know right? I said we should change her name but nooooo,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “But it shouldn’t take long to get to Nightingale. Assuming we don’t run into any problems at least.”

“Hey, I was born Moonlight, you were born Ember, You should change your name.” Moonlight said with a chuckle.

Aria however did not seem to find this funny. “You want me to believe you’re not with the society, when you still use the name they gave you then?”

“Okay, I admit that sounds bad,” I said. “But I still use it because it’s the only name I remember having. I don’t know how much you know about it, but it erased my memories from before being changed. It’s not as easy as just going by my old name if I have a hard time recognizing it as my own.”

“It’s complicated,” Storm added. “Neivi said it’s some sort of split personality thing. She ain’t Ember, but she kinda is Ember and after that Ah kinda lost track of tha conversation and it all went fuzzy.”

“I have heard of that, but if that one knows your name, then why do you not?” Aria added, giving an annoyed huff. “This is all very suspicious, you know that right?”

“It’s because…” I started to say before realizing there was no way to say this without either making her more suspicious or sounding crazy. “Moonlight, do you want to take this one?”

“Do you remember prewar stories? About how one of the Princesses could walk in the dream realm and do things like fight nightmares and stuff?” Moonlight said with a nervous chuckle. “Well, I have a part of her power, and I uh… I can do that.”

“Interesting. Not unbelievable, but I must say I feel like that is very unlikely.” Aria said with a chuckle.

“Well it’s true,” Storm said. “But Ah guess it’s kinda hard ta prove right now since yah ain’t asleep. But trust me, tha things this mare can do, she’s amazin’.”

Storm nuzzled Moonlight a little at that and I smiled a little at that. They really did make a cute couple.

“Where I am from, you have to expect the unexpected.” Aria said with a bit of a sigh. “Well, until the Enclave finally got what they wanted and chased us out.”

“Uh-oh,” I muttered as I glanced back at my friends for a moment. Even when we got past the Society thing, the presence of the Enclave was going to be very hard to explain. “That sounds terrible, I’m sorry about what happened.”

“Yeah, unfortunately the shipyards in Whinnyapolis were just too good a target for the Enclave to pass up.” Aria said with a sigh. “I can only hope that more than those who got on the train got out.”

“Ah’ve heard that some ponies got out either on hoof or aboard Nomad City,” Storm offered. “At least that’s tha rumor from tha caravans that go this far south.”

“For what it’s worth, I really am sorry,” I said softly. “My memory is fuzzy but I do know one thing. I lost my family and settlement to the Society. I’m helping take care of three fillies that survived it too. I wouldn’t wish that kind of thing on anypony, or any being sorry.”

“For what it is worth, the Enclave really didn’t chase us out, just say that we can’t live in the skyport anymore, and well, that’s a lot of ponies not allowed to live in their homes anymore.” Aria said with a sigh. “At least the storms stopped.”

Storm walked in silence for a long moment as if she was processing what was going on. I gave her a slight nod and looked back at Aria. “So, where’d the train come from anyway? Was it pre-war or something?”

“Whinnyapolis was home to a Ministry complex, they were attempting to adapt megaspell technology into a means to produce steam to power their trains. That particular train is one of a kind, the only prototype they made before the project was either abandoned or the war ended, no clue which.” Aria said with a sigh. “The Nocturne is a beautiful piece of machinery but there are so many that want to get a hold of it and use it for their own purposes. We’ve had to run from the NCR, the Enclave, the Society, pretty much every major faction wants to take it from us.”

“So, why come down here?” Storm asked. “Ah mean, yer puttin’ yourselves at risk because of tha Society bein’ around here. Sounds ta me like yah could do a lot of good with tha Nocturne elsewhere.”

“Unfortunately, we have not mastered the art of growing plants on a moving locomotive.” Aria said, shaking her head and giving a sigh. “We need food, we can get most of it from peaceful caravans willing to trade passage for a few goods, but when we can’t get everything we need we need to stop and scavenge, it’s why we headed this way to begin with, followed the tracks and found this Jungle, there is a lot of edible plants here and the teams never needed to venture far from the rails to find it, but then the society found us and took interest in the train, they tried to seize it, told us if we all got off it and let them take it we’d all live.”

“I’m sorry,” I said as I lowered my head a little. “I wasn’t part of any team that did that, but I’m sorry. The Society has hurt so many and it took me so long to realize they were like that. I just wish I could’ve done something to stop them.”

“Well, the team that was on the train found out the hard way not to mess with Zebra weapons.” Aria said with a chuckle. “They might be big and tough and powerful, but being set on fire doesn’t seem to be their forte.”

I flinched a little at that as I remembered the Alicorn I had set on fire… how long ago had that been? It felt like a lifetime ago. I felt a hoof on my shoulder and smiled when I saw Storm standing there and she returned the smile.

“It’s okay Firelight, it ain’t yer fault,” Storm said quietly to me. “Yah can’t be blamed fer what others in tha Society did. It was out of yer control. And as fer what happened before, Ah know that ain’t easy on yah, but sometimes yah gotta do what yah gotta do ta help ponies. Ah know Moonlight would’ve rather yah do that.”

“Thanks Storm,” I replied.

“I’m surprised we’ve lasted this long.” Aria said, followed by a sigh. “With factions breathing down our necks, and a limited amount of rail we can travel on, it’s only a matter of time before they figure out ripping up chunks of rail and putting out derailers will stop us and they get what they want.”

I thought about that for a long moment. An idea flashed in my mind, but right now they didn’t know if they could trust me, let alone the others. I filed it away in my mind for later, maybe it would be something worth exploring.

“Hey, looks like we’re almost there,” I said as we walked down the path as it opened up, signifying we were close to Nightingale. “Come on, it’s just up here.”

We headed out of the path and to the closed gates of Nightingale and the tree city beyond.

“I’m going to go in and get her,” I said as we made our way up the stairs towards the clinic. “The fillies I mentioned are probably asleep by now and I’d rather you not accidentally wake them up.”

“Fine.” Aria said, having looked around at the structures. “Most of these are Zebra in design, your credibility is already looking up.”

“This town was built based on Zebra architecture from similar settlements,” Storm pointed out. “It’s been here since long before tha Society showed up in tha Jungle.”

“I can tell.” Aria said with a chuckle. “Despite never being to the Zebra lands, I’ve seen plenty of their stuff growing up. I had a rather... unique upbringing.”

“I see, I’ll have to ask about that sometime,” I said as we stopped in front of the clinic. I gave them a nod as I quietly opened the door.

“Hey, you’re back,” Neivi said as she looked up to see me walking in. “Is everything okay? What happened?”

“Turns out the Basilisk is a dark train from Whinnyapolis,” I said quietly as I looked towards the sleeping fillies. “Short version, they don’t really trust me and Moonlight because they’ve crossed paths with the Society before. We brought a Zebra back from the train in hopes that you can convince her that we’re not working for the Society.”

“Okay, do you just attract weirdness or something?” Neivi asked as she blinked a little in surprise.

“Apparently,” I chuckled. “But yeah, that’s what’s going on. How’s everything going on here?”

“Well the fillies went to bed after a little bit of an argument,” Neivi said. “And everything seems to be going okay with the patient at least. So, let’s go talk to this Zebra.”

I nodded as Neivi slipped on her lab coat again and adjusted her glasses. Her mane was a little more wild than in its normal ponytail. She gave me a nod as we headed outside again where the others were waiting.

“Look, I know you’ve had problems with the Society in the past, but I would trust Firelight and Moonlight with my life,” Neivi said. “They’re not with the Society.”

“No offense, but trusting somepony with your life is not really a proof of trustworthiness, especially considering the fact that they undoubtedly know some form of mind control even if they are no longer with the Society.” Aria said with a scowl. “I had already put a fair bit of trust with them when I choose to disembark my train to come and see this settlement, without my guidance that train is most definitely at increased risk of attack, but I had a feeling that if anything they said was true, I needed to see it.”

“So, what would convince you?” I asked as I stood next to Neivi.

“You haven’t lied yet, unless this is all some elaborate ruse, which I highly doubt.” Aria said before she turned to Neivi. “If you really are Zebra, you will know what I am about to say.”

“Roama gloria et ad imperium illius,” Neivi said simply.

Aria simply smiled and nodded her head. “Okay, you’re definitely real.” She said, before she handed my rifle over to Neivi. “I believe this belongs to you, by the way, Aria Rich.”

“Thank you, but this is my marefriend’s now,” Neivi said as she bowed her head slightly. “Doctor Neivi of the Mendi. Welcome to Nightingale, Aria.”

“Well, that explains a few things.” Aria said, finally unclasping the buckle that held her cloak on. “I hate that thing, weighs so much but they always say that I need to wear it when confronting unknowns. I’d much rather wear my suit.”

Neivi gave the rifle to me and I secured it in my holster again. After a moment something occurred to me. “Wait, you said your name was Aria Rich? That doesn’t sound like a Zebra name to me.”

“It’s not.” Aria said looking to me. “I am the last in the Rich family line, and I’ve rebelled against what my ancient ancestors had prescribed for me because unlike them, I am not a zebra sympathizer, and I am not going to be a pawn in their game.”

“Wait… the Rich family was sympathizers?” Neivi asked as she blinked a little. “I did not know that.”

“So, hiring an exclusively Zebra staff, pushing their second no-name of a daughter to marry a Zebra if she wanted to inherit the family business didn’t ring any alarm bells that they were trying to give the Zebra a foothold in Equestria, hell I found out later on they were responsible for a majority of smuggling the zebra were doing.” Aria said with a chuckle. “They alone are responsible for some of the balefire bombs detonated in Equestria.”

“No, I guess I didn’t know that…” Neivi said with a shake of her head. “Not a lot of the records of Zebra activities during the war survived this far south. I know about the Rich family from my ancestor’s journals, but that’s about it.”

“Though that does explain a lot now that Ah think about it,” Storm commented. “Tha Rich family was pretty much cut out of a lot of history books despite their visible contributions ta tha war effort. Always sounded like some weird conspiracy theory ta me.”

“After the bombs fell, what remained of the Equestrian government found out about their efforts to empower the Zebra, Filthy and Spoiled both took their own lives rather than facing the music, their daughter locked away in a self-funded vault, where I was born.” Aria said with a groan. “They taught me everything, literally everything, to be the next great CEO of their business, and they wanted me to still do everything I could to empower Zebra, I told them to shove off and got out of their bunker to make a name for myself rather then follow in their corrupt hoofprints.”

“I see,” Neivi said as she played with her mane for a moment. “I’m sorry, I don’t agree with a lot that happened during the war. Not a lot of us here or in the Zebra Lands do, well except the Legion but that’s another story entirely. My ancestor certainly didn’t, not that it did her any good.”

“Zecora huh? The Rich’s were following her.” Aria said with a chuckle. “Named her enemy number one, hired assassins to try and kill her when they found that she was against the Zebra.”

“Yeah, well, Applejack’s boyfriend beat them to it,” Neivi grumbled.

“Yeah, despite their power and influence, they only got ahold of that information shortly before she died, and yeah, they tried to claim that they made him do it, gave him false intel, but that didn’t stick.” Aria said with a shrug. “Sorry bout that, but y’know, war is crazy.”

“Well, no point in visiting the sins of the father upon the child,” Neivi said. “And yeah, war is crazy. Sometimes I look around and wonder what the world would be like if the war ended peacefully.”

“A lot less burned.” Aria said with a chuckle. “You probably haven’t seen nearly as much as I have, and trust you me, it gets worse then your little corner of hell.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen a few things,” Neivi said as she looked up at the sky. “I need to get inside to check on a patient and it’s getting late. But I would like to talk to you more tomorrow if possible. Just need to figure out where you’ll be staying tonight.”

“I’d like that” Aria said, before she looked between myself and Moonlight. “And, I might not trust you, but it seems some of that distrust was misplaced, and I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” I said as I gave her a nod. “I understand really, if I was in your position I may have thought the same thing. But, I’m lucky, I’ve got some good friends and a beautiful mare by my side. I’m not asking you to completely trust me yet, but just think on it a bit.”

I wrapped my wing around Neivi gently and nuzzled the Zebra Doctor a little before yawning.

“If you want a place to stay tonight, you can stay in me and Moonlight’s house,” I offered. “I think I’d rather spend the night with Neivi anyway.”

“I get the feeling that not a lot of sleep is about to happen.” Aria said with a smirk.

“Oh come on, you just met me, don’t you start teasing me too,” I said with a groan.

“Try not being overt about your intentions.” Aria said, chuckling before turning to Moonlight “Lead the way I suppose.”

I smiled a little as I headed back into the clinic with Neivi and walked over to one of the beds while Neivi went to wake up Lemon and go into the other room. I smiled a little as I saw the fillies fast asleep in a nearby bed. I gently went over to them and straightened their covers a little before giving them each a kiss on the head.

“Good night little ones,” I said softly before returning to my bed and waiting for Neivi to join me.

Maybe they were right and I really could be a mom to those three. I smiled a little as I thought about it, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

After a little while Neivi returned to the room and yawned a little as she laid down next to me. I gently pulled her in close as I wrapped my wings around the Zebra mare. Tomorrow we’d have things to worry about, but for tonight I just wanted to enjoy the moment.

LEVEL UP!

Perk Received: The Future’s a Railroad.

Details: You’ve crossed paths with the mysterious Basilisk and uncovered the truth that it is a train that carries hope with it. You get a special speech option when speaking to certain ponies and a +10 to repair.