I sigh as I close the notebook I have been writing my theories on the Diclonius Vius in. It has been a little over a week since Nightmare Night and I am still bothered by it. The next day after the event I stayed with Derpy all day until her husband and daughters all but broke the door down to see her. Apparently Celestia sent somepony to tell them what happened. I gave the Doctor the full rundown and said I will be around for a while to help take care of her. He was endlessly grateful to me and Sora.

But I felt like I didn’t deserve it.

Even though everypony in town has been helping Derpy out and my friends have also been keeping an eye on the both of us, I just feel different. I don’t know what it is. I feel guilty for what I did to those stallions, yet I don’t at the same time. My emotions have been rather paradoxical lately.

Sora keeps telling me that what I did wasn’t my fault, that it was in the heat of the moment and I didn’t have any real control over it. Mayor Mare has even agreed that I was acting through instinct and not logic.

Then why am I scared and hurt when I think of it? Why was my first instinct to attack, cripple and kill instead of distract until the authorities arrive? Why did I....enjoy it?

I have managed to keep Sora from finding these thoughts thus far. Sora and I had long since learned how to keep our thoughts seperated from each other if we want to. Plus, ever since Loki cast that spell on us to make it so we have an astral form, it seems the barrier between both of our minds is almost stronger. I can only imagine what she would be like if she learned of how I have been feeling lately.

Sighing again, I put my things away and head back up to the living room from the lab. I have been checking on Derpy and her family every day for a whole week just in case, and I really like that pegasus mare. She is almost too sweet to other ponies and despite her clumsiness, she always wants to help out. She didn’t deserve to have this happen to her. And I once again go back to that ‘fight’. No matter what I do, my mind will not let me move on from that night.

And it seems the others are starting to notice. Lately Sora, Topaz, Selene and Twilight have all been trying to get me to go out with them to do things like play in the park, train as their trainer or just for me to tag along when Twilight wanted to head to the Everfree to study the poison joke patch. Yet, every time I prefer to stay in the library and study my virus or to keep an eye on Derpy and her family. I even missed SisterHooves Social according to Sora.

A couple of times Sora has tried to take control of our body and force me to go out with the others, but I have somehow managed to overpower her and keep her from doing so. I am not sure why I am being so closed off and negative, but I can’t seem to make these emotions and thoughts to go away. I have even been visited by Luna in my dreams, but since me and Sora are lucid dreamers, I wasn’t technically having nightmares so she couldn’t do much.

I enter the living room and see Spike, Selene and Topaz cleaning up the house and Twilight is on the couch reading through...some psychology books? I just ignore them and head to the kitchen and grab myself a glass of apple juice.

”You really should spend a little less time in the lab you know. We don’t have as advanced research equipment as back on earth. Plus we only know so much about the virus.” Sora tells me, appear next to me as I sit at the table.

I just ignore her and drink my juice in silence, running through everything I have learned about the virus thus far. It’s composition, the elements and minerals its made of. How it may work compared to other viruses or bacteria. So far I have found that the virus could theoretically effect stallions the same as human males, but I cannot and will not test it. The last thing I want is to find I am right and suddenly have a group of Diclonius-pony hybrids running around without a way to keep them secure or a surefire way to kill them.

At that last thought I almost spit out my juice. There it is again, that cold killer mentality. Ever since Nightmare Night many of my thoughts have been cold, almost as cold as Lucy herself. I have been thinking maybe the DNA Voice was coming out, but so far the only other voice in my head has been Sorano.

”You thinking about the hybrid theory again?” Sora asks with a worried expression. I just nod. She sighs and takes the seat next to me, despite the fact she can float. ”I am really starting to think we should talk to the princesses about your theories Nat. Even if we don’t a hundred percent trust these scientists, they are better suited to this field of work.”

I think for a second before walking to the door and grabbing my purse and a jacket Rarity gave me. I can sense that the others are looking at me.

“I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back later.” I tell them without looking back and headed out the door. I can hear Sora sigh from our connection.

’You need to talk to someone Nat. I don’t like how you have been lately. But I will respect your wishes and leave you alone for now.’ Sora says to me as I walk away from the library.

I just walk through the town in silence for a while, waving to some ponies who see me, getting some waves and smiles back. I just walk for a while, eventually reaching the edge of the Everfree. I am not sure why, but I really don’t care what happens so I just begin to walk into the forest.

I just walk through the true natural forest of the Everfree, just listening to the bugs and birds and smelling the plant life. It is calming to me, all this untamed nature. I am not sure how long I was walking for before I find myself at the castle of the two sisters. I look into the gorge below me, seeing them faint light from a cave that I know holds the Tree of Harmony. I shrug and decide to take a look.

Finding the stairs leading down, I soon reach the mouth of the cave and walk in. I can sense it, the massive source of Harmony magic. After a couple seconds, I turn a corner and see it. The crystalline tree. I go up to the massive ‘plant’ and take a seat on its roots. I don’t know why, but I feel safe here. I lay against the tree, just letting my mind wander, ultimately coming back to what it always has the past few days.

“Why do I feel like this?” I ask aloud, gaining no response. “I know I wasn’t in complete control and I did what was right, but I am still scared by it. Why was it so easy to take a life and future like that?” I just lay there and close my eyes, not really caring about anything.

“Because you are both pure and protective.” My eyes shoot open and I get off the root, looking around the area frantically.

“Who’s there?!” I call out to the cave. I don’t get an immediate response before feeling something tapping my shoulder.

Turning, I see something that confused me a little. I found a mare, looking to be a couple years older than me and the girls with a jet black coat and purple mane done in a similar style to Fluttershy wearing a beautiful blue dress. I raise a brow at the mare, seeing her turquoise eyes looking at me.

“What? What do you mean I am still pure? And protective?” I ask her. She walks over to another root and pats the spot next to her. I cautiously sit next to her, trying to think of where I have seen her before.

“You have a pure soul. I take it you never had any real life threatening problems back in your home?” I shake my head, not really thinking of anything I myself had dealt with that could be that dangerous. Sorano on the other hand....yeah.

“Yet, in spite of your lack of experience with that, you are very protective of others. If one of your friends is in danger, you would do anything to protect them, to keep them safe.” She looks to me in the eyes. “It was easy, because your friend was in danger. You wanted to kill not for the ‘thrill of the kill’ but because you were willing to do what you had to to protect her.” She explains. I think for a minute about it and sigh.

“But, why now? Why am I able to kill now when before I got squeamish just from seeing or reading things like that?” I question the mare. She puts a hand on her chin and hums in thought.

“Perhaps, because you are growing and have the strength to do it now. I can tell you are a little childish,” I pout at her, inadvertently proving her point, “and you have been like that for a long time. You have someone who can handle these fears and problems for you, don’t you?” I rub my hands together and nod after a second.

“My little sister, Sora. Ever since she was created she has always looked out for me, facing our fears head on, fighting and scaring the bullies and generally being a borderline badass. I am the one that normally talks people down, helps them get back on their feet, or hooves in this case.” I look to her again. “Then why did I fight? Why did I face those stallions while Sora went and got help?”

She closes her eyes again and stands up, walking to the tree. “Because you could now. You don’t need to rely on your sister all the time now. You have taken one of your first step in growing up into a strong woman. Learning to fight your own battles and to help those who cannot do so.” She suddenly looks up and smiles a bit. “It seems there is another who needs to learn this.”

I look up as well, seeing nothing but the ceiling to the cave and remembering that the castle ruins are above us. I look back to the mare to ask what she means, only to find myself alone in the cave. I raise a brow in confusion and look around, finding her hoof prints leading to the tree, but that is it. I am confused by this before looking to the tree again and then the ceiling, or more accurately to the castle above. I think for a second before heading out of the cave, intent on finding whoever that mare was talking about.

I didn’t notice a rainbow coloured void portal closing from behind the tree as I left.

Going out the cave and up the stairs, I begin to cross over the bridge to the ruins when I hear something calling out. It isn’t talking like a human, I can barely hear it saying the same thing, over and over again. At this, I realize I may have found a new Pokemon. Rushing across the bridges, I get to the other side and begin to open the door to the ruins.

Walking in, I hear a frantic call of the Pokemon in question before seeing it. It’s blue fur merging into black in the back and a short black mane. It’s tail ending in a four pointed star. I activate my AR and get a read of it.

Luxio: Level 20
HP: 60
ATK: 85
DEF: 49
SP.ATK: 60
SP.DEF: 49
SPD: 60
Attacks: Flash, Ice Fang, Wild Charge, Shock Wave.

Wow, diverse move set. I see that the Luxio is actually a little hurt, probably a scratch, and that it is a he for a change. Luxio goes to call out again before he notices me and suddenly crouches down in a defensive stance.

“Lux! Luxio!” He yells at me. My AR translates after a second. ”Who are you!? Where am I?!”

I carefully put my hands up and walk closer. “Calm down Luxio. I’m not going to hurt you.” That just seemed to make him more defensive.

”That is what all you humans say. Mother told me never to trust any who says that. So, what do you want and where am I!?” he yells out, releasing some electricity around himself. I remain frozen for a second before I remembered what that mare said earlier. He needs to learn my lesson as well, to fight for himself. I sigh and sit down on the ground, confusing the Pokemon in front of me.

“I see. You have always relied on your mother, haven’t you?” I ask him. Luxio barely flinches at that.

”So what? Mother takes care of us. She makes sure we are never hurt.” Luxio defends, getting a little closer. I just sigh a bit.

“You and I are too similar.” I tell him, gaining another confused look. “I am the same way with my little sister. She may be younger, but she is always protecting me. I never really learned to face things myself, and just let my sister do it for me.” I look to his gold eyes. “You always rely on your mother, allowing her to keep you safe and never letting you get hurt, but never letting you learn as a result.”

At this point Luxio was standing in front of me, looking me eye to eye. The look in his eyes were trying to be defiant, but it was ultimately admitting. I hit the nail on the head. Luxio sighs after a second sits down.

“So to answer your questions in order of yelling them at me,” Luxio looks to me sheepishly, “my name is Natali Basatin, but most call me Nat. You are currently in the Castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree forest in the country/region of Equestria. And lastly, I heard from someone that someone else has appeared that needed to learn the lesson I am learning myself, to know when to fight for myself and others.” I explain to him. The Pokemon takes a second to process all this info before nodding in understanding.

“So, I know a little about you, but not too much. How about you tell me about yourself?” I ask him. Luxio looks at me for a second before nodding.

”Well, there really isn’t that much to say. I was just another Luxio in a pride back on Ula’Ula island in Alola. I wasn’t much of a fighter, that went to my mother and some of the Luxrays of the pride, and I was a little timid. My mother is very protective of her cubs, even if we evolve, so I guess I am, as the humans say, sheltered from anything outside the pride. But I do know some strong moves like Wild Charge thanks to one of the Luxray who would play with us when we were Shinx cubs.” he explains. I nod to him and we both just sit there in sort of awkward silence for a bit.

“Do you...wanna go for a walk?” I ask him. Luxio just nods and stands up with me. The two of us leave the building and Luxio looks around at the forest surrounding us.

”Wow. I have never been in an actual forest before. The pride normally stays in the mountains near the humans power plant.” he says. I just nod to him and lead him to where the bridge is. He looks a little unsure at first before seeing me as I casually walk across. He gulps and begins to cross as well. Soon after, the two of us are walking through the forest side by side, not really talking, but just enjoying each other’s company.

”Nat?” I turn to him. ”You said earlier that someone told you you needed to learn to fight for yourself and for others. Why is that?” he asks. I just sigh and proceed to tell him what happened on Nightmare Night. Luxio was shocked to learn what happened and that I could do what I did. I then told him how I have been feeling after it and how scared I have been. Luxio looks to the ground in front of us as we walking, thinking about all I have told him.

”That kind of reminds me of what happened to a Pyroar outcast our pack met once.” he says. I look to him with a raised brow. ”A few years ago, back when I was still a Shinx, I was out on a hunt for some Komala with my father when we ran into a Pyroar. He told us his story about how he left his pride after he ended up killing another one after they tried to hurt his mate. He was so scared by the fact he was able to kill another Pyroar so easily that he couldn’t trust himself anymore and left the pride and never went back. He said that he even stays away from trainers because he doesn’t trust himself not to hurt humans by accident.”

That really made me think. Lately I have been both actively and subconsciously avoiding the others. I was thinking it was just a natural reaction after what happened, to be alone, but I just realized why that was. I was scared of myself. Of the power I possess and the damage I could do. I already knew the Vectors are dangerous and could kill, but Nightmare Night solidified the fact that I could be the one to do it. I could be the one to pull the trigger, so to speak. And there isn’t a one hundred percent certainty that it will be an evil villain I have to face.

I sigh as we continue to walk through the forest together, both of us just thinking by ourselves. Neither Luxio nor I know what to talk about with each other, but we both feel more at ease with each other nearby for some reason. We walk for another couple of minutes before we arrive at the edge of the forest, seeing Ponyville clearly.

I turn to talk to him before hearing a loud roar go out from the town. Immediately, me and Luxio tense before I begin to run into town, Luxio following soon after. We run of a minute before arriving in town and seeing the problem. A large Bugbear. I look to Luxio and see him staying back, afraid of this unknown creature.

”Nat!” I turn to the voice and see Sora, Selene, Topaz and Spike running up.

“What is going on?” I ask them, staying behind a wall to avoid gaining the bugbears attention.

”That bugbear just showed up a few minutes ago. Fluttershy says it is rabid so she can’t talk it down so we need to knock it out and get it a serum the ponies have or just kill it, but I know that isn’t a popular second option.” Sora explain. I look to the beast again, seeing the foam coming from his mouth and then to my Pokemon, sister and Spike. I think for a second before putting my AR on and getting a determined expression.

“Selene, Topaz, with me. We’re taking this thing down.” I say, the two smaller Pokemon nodding their heads. Luxio looks to us like we’re nuts.

”Are you nuts?! You three can’t face that thing! It is clearly a bug type and a Zorua will have the disadvantage, and it looks strong enough to be a fighting type, so Mawile will have a hard time too.” Luxio tells us. The others just now notice this new Pokemon and look a little shocked before I look back at him.

“Luxio. Sometimes you need to face the things that look like they may outmatch you to know your limits. This thing is no different.” I look to my partners. “Besides, we are no pushovers, right girls?” The duo nod with determined grins. The three of us run out, much to Luxio and Spikes shock.

I wasn’t lying to the newcomer either. Before Nightmare Night, the girls and I have been training on our time off and it shows. They are both level 25 now and have new moves. Selene has Shadow Ball, Faint Attack, Detect and Double Team now while Topaz had Bite, Iron Head, Poison Fang and Swords Dance. I learned that these Pokemon leaning moves are dependant on what they want to learn themselves and their trainers directions on how to learn them. The hardest to teach was Topaz’s Poison Fang since I had to explain how poisons work to her and then help her focus on her inherent energy as a Pokemon to learn it. Sorta like the way a unicorn first learns magic I am told.

We quickly get the attention of the mad beast and all of us dodge out of the way as it tries to charge us.

“Selene use Double Team and keep it distracted! Topaz use Swords Dance a couple times and get ready to hit hard!” I call to them. The two Pokemon nod and Selene rushes forward before suddenly dividing into over a dozen copies and running around the large beast, each clone dodging its strikes in turn. Meanwhile, Topaz does an odd dance and four transparent swords appear before sliding against each other, raising her physical attack. The bugbear gets mad and begins to attack more furiously, a few of the fake Zorua turning to smoke as they were hit.

“Selene! Use Faint Attack followed by Detect to dodge its strikes!” She follows my direction and each clone attacks the beast, six of the eight being caught in its claws before the last two strike it in the face. It tries to swipe at her, only for Selene to roll in mid air, dodging the attack from the beast. She jumps on its back and holds on to the back of its neck, barely out of reach of its claws.

Spike and Luxio watch the fight from their spot on the sidelines, awed by my strategy and how I have these two attacking. Luxio begins to think about what I told him, that we face stronger opponents to know our limits.

Selene is suddenly thrown off by the bugbears flailing and into a nearby tomato cart. Topaz and Spike rush over and dig her out of the tomatoes she landed in, just in time for the bear to target me. I see as it begins to flap its wings, quickly rising into the air and charging at me. My eyes widen and I freeze. I then think of what I can do and crouch a bit, getting ready for it to get a little closer

It gets closer, but before anything can happen it suddenly roars in pain and falls to the ground just half a dozen feet from me. Looking on its back I see why. Luxio is using Ice Fang on its wings, freezing them solid!

“Luxio?! What are you doing?! You could get hurt!” I tell him as he jumps off the bugbears as it gets onto its hind legs and roars. I hear a bunch of hooves coming at us and see the girls, Nurse Redheart and the local veterinarian.

”You said that I need to learn your lesson too. To learn to fight both for myself and for others.” Luxio begins to spark with electricity, surprising the ponies. ”How about we make this lesson one!” I look to the electric Pokemon as he looks back at me, and I see the fire in his eyes. I nod to him as the girls come by.

“Alright. Let’s do this!” The three Pokemon give off their respective cries as the bugbear roars. The four of us jump away as it tried to charge and maul us.

“Luxio! Get in front of it and use Flash!” He nods and rushs in front of the beast. Before it can attack, Luxio begins to glow before becoming blinding. The beast covers its eyes and stumbles back, blinded.

“Ok! Luxio use Shock Wave, Selene Shadow Ball!” I turn to Topaz and point up. “Ready to fly?” She nods and I wrap a Vector around her and lift her high into the air.

Meanwhile the. Two other Pokemon are launching their own attacks. Luxio’s Shock Wave hitting and paralyzing the bugbears four extra arms while Selene’s Shadow Ball barrage is forcing it to back up. It roars in pain and anger as it it trying to both defend itself and rub its eyes to get its sight back.

“Ok you two! Fall back a bit!” The two quadrupedal Pokemon listen and jump back as I release Topaz directly over the bugbears head. “Topaz! Iron Head!” I see that her head and other mouth turn a shiny grey indicating the metallic effect of the attack. A triple Swords Dance powered up Iron Head. This is going to hurt.

I was right as the bugbear gets its sight back just in time for Topaz to slam her second mouth on its head with the sound of a gong, pushing it into the dirt. And I mean burying its head into the dirt from just the force of impact. The ponies all cringe at the impact while me and the duo look at the beast with smiles. Topaz gets up a little wobbly from the impact before shaking her head and walking over to us with a victorious smirk.

”Well that was fun.” Topaz says sarcastically. Me and the others just roll our eyes at her for that comment. We eventually break out laughing as Fluttershy, Redheart and the vet help out the bugbear while it is unconscious. Selene jumps up and onto my shoulder and begins to nuzzle my cheek.

”I see you’re feeling better. What happened while you were out?” Selene asks. I just smile at her then look to Luxio.

“I had someone to talk to, then I ran into Luxio. He and I are a lot alike.” I tell her, walking up to the electric Pokemon and petting his head. He rolls his eyes and nuzzles into it. Just then I see as my purse begins to glow a bit. I raise a brow and look in, finding and taking out a certain something I was expecting. A pokeball with a green and yellow striped top and a white bottom. A nest ball.

I look to Luxio again, seeing him look at the nest ball warily. I crouch down so I am eye level with him. “Like I told Topaz or any other Pokemon that my appear here, I won’t capture you without your permission. I am not a hundred percent sure how you got here Luxio, but if you decide to stay, then know that me, my team and friends will be here to help take care of you.” I tell him, holding the ball out. He look to me then the ball then the ground and thinks for a minute.

”I have been rather sheltered back home by mother. I don’t know anything outside of the pride.” he looks to me. ”Maybe being sent to a different region won’t be so bad, since I am a blank slate. Especially if I have a trustworthy trainer by my side.” he smile before pushing the button of the pokeball with his nose and the red beam goes out and captures the electric type. The ball shakes three times in my hand before dinging.

I smile and toss the ball up, releasing the new member of the team. He looks up to me with a smile and I crouch down and give him a hug, Selene and Topaz joining in.

“Welcome to the family.” I say to him before releasing him from the hug. “Now we just need to give you a fitting nickname.” The four of us put our appendages on out chins in thought.

”How about Chance?” Sora suggests, appearing beside me. We look to her with raised brows. ”This is a chance for him to learn about himself and his limits in a different environment than before. So I think Chance is an appropriate name for this little guy.” I look to Luxio who is bouncing the name around in his head before he looks to us and nods.

”I like it. Call me Chance!” he says happily. I just laugh a little and ruffle his mane. I look away from my team and see the others helping the bugbear, but one certain unicorn was documenting Chance. I think for a moment before sighing and walking over.

“Hey Twilight?” The mare looks to me while I rub the back of my head with a sheepish smile. “Do you still need help studying those poison joke plants?”

Twilight smiles at me and puts her notebook away before walking up.

“I could use an extra pair of hands still. Plus we haven’t hung out in a while.” She says. I just nod and motion for my team to follow. We all walk together away from the others back to the library. As we are walking, I glance at Twilight and notice she was actually wearing some really nice clothes and her eyes almost look like they are shining.

‘When did Twilight get so pretty?’