Eventually, the party neared its end. Ponies began filing out to their homes for a good night's rest. Crypt was among the first to do so, and despite her energy Myrrh did eventually drag herself to the Prowler and her bed, leaving only Pinkie and a handful of ponies at the bar.

In the end, there were no wild stories - it was just Antimony and Pinkie, talking.

"I envy you people," Antimony said, adjusting his hat. "You're out there doing such incredible things, seeing such incredible sights."

"It is pretty sweet," Pinkie admitted with a smirk. "You never know what you'll find next!"

Antimony nodded. "I've always wanted to be like you. Get a small group together and delve into the distant and dangerous unknown. It'd be right amazing, I'm telling you, just like what my father used to do. ...But Ser'ta'ta isn't large enough to need explorers, and father let us know the dangers of going further north..." He sighed from an old pain.

"...I'm sorry."

"He knew it was too much, even for him, but he still had to try. It was built into his bones..." He turned to Pinkie. "You're here, though. And that means it's not impossible for us to go further. It's just harder. Another hurdle..."

"We... aren't exactly normal, Antimony."

"And neither was father."

Pinkie smiled sadly, choosing not to correct him. "What do you do in town, anyway?"

"I'm a guard," Anitmony said. "I watch the sky, even though we've never been attacked by monsters or the Sky King. They've never even come close. I look and see the storm in the distance... Always in the distance, hanging over the mountains."

Pinkie's expression soured, not that Anitmony noticed it. "I think I understand. You feel trapped here, right?"

"...I never really thought about it that way."

"You could come with us, you know. Hunt the Technician down, solve a mystery."

Antimony looked at her in shock. "I... could!?"

Pinkie nodded. "You seem fit enough to handle a journey, and you've got enough spunk! I can see the heart of an adventurer. C'mon!"

"...I couldn't leave my family like that, Pinkie." He shook his head. "They may be a bore much of the time, but they are wonderful just the same. Plus, Ma would never let me leave. ...She's lost everypony else."

"Oh. I'm sorry - I understand." Pinkie pulled back. "I thought you were free."

"I am. I could go. She wouldn't stop me. But I'm not just going to leave her like that." Antimony looked to Pinkie. "...Not that the offer isn't downright tempting. My desire to see the world is quite large... but not yet. I know now isn't my time."

"Okay!" Pinkie said with a smile, pulling him into a hug. "Then I just want you to know it was good to get to know you! You're a good guy, Antimony!"

"Heh. Thanks." He stood up and adjusted his hat. "I should go home, and you should sleep so you're ready for your journey."

Pinkie nodded, bouncing up to the Tavern stairs. "Thanks for being so hospitable. I wish there was more we could do for you."

"You've given me more than enough stories to tell - that's payment enough, madam."

Pinkie giggled. "You're welcome!" She waved as she bounced up the stairs to her room. With a blissful smile, she opened the door and flopped flat onto her bed.

Within an instant she was snoring.

"Pinkie! What's happening?"

"I don't know! Everything's exploding for no reason!"

"Where do we go?"

"Just... This way!"

There was a sharp explosion, and Pinkie's subconscious realized she was dreaming. The memory dissipated, leaving her alone in a purple miasma.

"...Well, this isn't normal," Pinkie muttered. "Usually the dream keeps going..."

Nothing happened. There were only swirling purple clouds in every direction, and there were only scant amounts of light.

A bolt of lightning struck right behind Pinkie. She didn't flinch.

It was behind her. "What are you?"

Pinkie didn't even turn around to look at it. She wasn't about to give it a response either.

"Why are you?"

Nothing.

"Where are you?"

Pinkie swallowed hard.

It decided there weren't any more questions to ask. It left, allowing Pinkie to return to her dreams.

She awoke with the rising sun, deeply troubled.