Blueblood, Spike, and myself walked down Mainstreet as we made our way to the Carousel Boutique. We made small talk along the way find out minor details about each other as we walked. It was mainly Blueblood and I that did most of the talking while Spike would occasionally chime in here and there. Blue was actually a pretty decent guy when he wasn’t wearing his douche bag mask but at the same time, I get why he acted that way too.

“So, Blue, I noticed your saber,” I pointed at the stallion’s weapon. “What sort of training do you do?”

“Standard thrusts and slashes along side fencing and a bit of Ponshido,” Blue explained with a good bit of enthusiasm. “Spike and I took the standard guard sword class but there wasn’t much to it other than swinging a sword up and down or side to side. So I asked Auntie if there was any other sword class I could take,” He sighed. “Unfortunately, she was against the idea at first but after we explained how we needed a better of defending ourselves other than basic train she let us pursue fencing and anything else we deemed deserving to learn. Spike and I studied fencing together and he left just after we finished the advanced course.,” He gave Spike a pat on the head. “What all disciplines have you pursued Sir Asta?”

“Just Asta, please, and you should be proud of Spike as he’s a quick study when it came to picking up the sword techniques I’ve been teaching him,” We turned a corner to head down the street that Rarity’s shop was on. “As for what sword specific style I use, I really don’t have a distinct one that I’ve mastered up to a master level. I’m actually a novice of the basics of several styles.”

“Don’t let him fool you Blue,” Spike interjected with quite a bit of vigor. “Asta also has a very diverse knowledge of many martial arts.”

We kept walking down the street as Blue and I discussed the differences between the styles we studied in our time as swordsmen. Then, we suddenly heard a loud disturbance coming from the edge of town. As we rounded the corner we found ourselves surrounded by stampeding ponies. I used my ki sensing to get a read on what they were running from and found a mass of upset and angry ki at the edge of town where Everfree was. I grabbed Blue and Spike by their shirt collars and jumped to the roof-top of the nearest building. Setting the two royals down I looked in the direction I’d sensed the angered ki to see and galactic theme bear.

“An Ursa Major?!” Spike yelled in horror. “Why is it in town?!”

“He’s throwing a temper tantrum Spike,” I rolled my eyes as Spike and Blue both looked at me dumbstruck.

“Sorry, but how do you know that?” Blue asked frantically.

“He’s literally yelling that his mom never lets him have any fun and that all he wanted to do was play with a few Timberwolves and ponies,” I said as the Ursa picked up a nearby fruit stand and threw it through the air. The stand was going to hit a couple of ponies that had been frozen in place due to fear. I jumped from the roof to land in front of the ponies just before the stand could hit them. I used a palm thrust but put a twist into it, literally, and smashed the cart into pieces while causing the shrapnel to spin out around into the ground around me and the ponies.

“Impressive Sir Asta, but it doesn’t answer my earlier question. How is it that you know what the Ursa is saying?” Blue asked as he and Spike jumped down from the roof and ran over to me before turning to the Ursa.

“Asta can understand animals like Fluttershy Blue but not even he understands why he has the ability.” Spike shrugged as he interrupted and sized up the Ursa. “Hmmm, ” He cracked his knuckles. “Bet we can take this guy down in no time flat if we all team up.”

“Agreed,” Blue smirked in confidence.

“Bet we can but we can’t hurt the little guy too much guys,” I sighed slightly annoyed as this reminded me of when my younger brother would throw one of his own tantrums.

“Why not?” they said in unison begrudgingly.

“He’s an Ursa Minor, not an Ursa Major," I pointed out. 'How did I know that,'.

"And this difference means what exactly?" Blue said out of confusion.

"He's just a kid, a baby really,” I picked up a small piece of the smashed cart and tossed it nailing the galactic bear square in the head. “Hey, BoBo, mama said no so ya came to town bitching and moaning while trying to drown your sorrows by eating ponies.” I scowled as the Ursa looked me straight in the eyes as I spoke to Blue and Spike. “Shy would murder me if I just beat up on a baby animal for no reason, and the same goes for you two as well. He needs a good smack but nothing too serious. No weapons unless absolutely necessary but still give him a hard slap to the face and get the ponies to safety.”

We hadn’t noticed that the Ursa grab a piece of loose fence post. As he charged at us and swung his makeshift club. The Ursa swung at us while Blue placed his hand on his saber and with the slightest of sweeping motions, sliced the Ursa's club into four separate pieces. To everyone there, except Spike and myself, it was as if he never moved. The Ursa looked at his now stump of a weapon and start to stomp and roared in outrage.

Blue swung his sword to the side throwing the wood bits off of it before returning it to its sheath. “If no weapons is the case then I’ll leave the beast to you and Spike Asta. I’m no good without my sword.” He turned to the two mares behind us still. “You two are in danger if you don’t move. NOW!” The duo shot to their feet and made a break for it. “I’ll do what I can for any other stragglers.”

“Alright then,” I nodded and Blue ran off after the other ponies casting a speed spell on himself he zipped from house to house clearing them of any and or all occupants. I looked to Spike, ”Let’s see what you can do since your training started kid.”

“Let’s do this Asta,” Spike smirked.

The Ursa took a swipe at me and Spike. We flipped back avoiding the blow. As we landed I pulled out my Grimoire and summoned my anti-magic armor gauntlets to protect me from the Ursa’s claws while allowing me to get in close. Spike jumped back and pulled out his own Grimoire and as he opened it the book’s pages ignited in green flames.

“Emerald/Amethyst Flame Creation Magic,” Spike smiled as his arms and legs became surrounded in swirling green flames that quickly form in a set of green armor gauntlets and boots. He held arms up clenching his fist and pulled his arms to his sides quickly dispersing the extra magical flames. Spike looked up to the Ursa Minor still smiling. “Draconic Extremities.”

“Spike I said it was okay to give him a good thrashing but to not burn him,” I scowled as I crossed my arms.

“I know and my flames won’t burn the brat unless I want them to,” Spike rolled his eyes at me.

“Still, nice work on casting that new spell,” I walked up next to the young drake’s side and patted his shoulder.

“Thanks, man, but we should hurry,” He looked at his hand as open and closed it from fist to palm. “Even though I completed the spell, I still can’t maintain for more than two or three minutes tops.”

“Sure, now let’s take care of Whiny the Pooh over there,” I stood with my back against Spike’s as we each took up a fighting stance. “Let’s go with an alternating pattern and push him back towards the forest until we get him to turn tail and run home to momma bear.”

“Sure,” Spike agreed with a confident smirk.

‘Don’t get cocky just because you completed a single spell kid,’ I thought as we launched ourselves at the Ursa.

Spike and I sped towards the Uras and began our assault on the bear with a fury of attacks alternating our strikes between its blows at us. I dodged a paw swipe then threw a fist into the bear stomach while Spike proceeded to flipped back and connect the back of his foot with the bear’s jaw causing it to be thrown backwards landing on the ground with a hard thud on its back. The Ursa quickly flipped over onto all fours and started to run back into the Everfree forest balling his eyes out.

“Yea and don’t come back,” I yelled out in annoyance at the balling bear. I saw Spike fall back on his but and blow out a hard stream of air. The spell he cast had just faded as I saw the boots and gauntlets turn back into emerald flames and burn away into the wind. He was right when he said he couldn’t maintain that spell for long. We’ll work on it a little later on in the week. I walked over and plopped down next to him dispelling my own gauntlet back into my Grimoire. “That was quite the workout aye bro. So much for not training but this is the kind of situation we need from time to time to get our butts in gear and actually try using our Grimoires.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder and chuckled a bit. “Yea but still,” He gave me a winded smirk. “I need to practice more before I start using these spells in actual combat that is a life-threatening situation like this one was.” Spike the steadily got to his feet and looked around. “Where’s Blue?”

“Over here little cousin,” The unicorn prince came from behind us. “I was just making sure the area was secure before I let the civilians back in.” He motioned with his hand and the ponies flooded back to their homes. “I saw the whole display you two put on and I must say it was quite the show. I see why Vice-Captain Haze speaks so highly of you Asta and to see Spike able to hold his own only after a few days under your tutelage. You truly are a skilled warrior.”

“You’re not bad with that sword of yours either Blue,” I jumped to feet and dusted off my shorts causing a small dust cloud to fly into the wind. “I’m glad we didn’t have to put too much force into the little fella to get him to leave town. We didn’t even cause any damage to the area either,” I snickered as I rubbed my nose. “Let’s get going before the ponies start cheering. We still need to get to Rarity’s place.”

“Agreed,” the two princes said in union.

We quickly made our way to the Carousel Boutique. I opened the door and the bell above it rang out and we heard Rarity’s trademark phrase as she sang it out loud for the world to hear as she entered the room. She immediately stopped when she saw me and Spike but when she saw Blue she got straight up pissed just by laying her eyes on him. Rarity marched right over to Blue and while looking him dead in the eye with nothing but rage in her soul and death in her glare. She slapped him right then and there and it was so hard she knocked the stallion all the way into the wall.

“Ah, Rarity?” I asked shaking in fear. She turned and smiled brightly at Spike and I.

“My, that felt good to get out of my system. Heaven knows I’ve been holding a grudge on him since the Gala incident,” She chuckled with a bit of an annoyance and aggression hidden in her voice. “Now, what can I do for the two of you today dears?”

“I came to pick up those clothes I asked you to make for me the other day,” I managed to spit out through my fear. “And I brought the guy you just smacked into the wall here because he said he wanted to apologize for how he acted towards you at some sort of formal gathering.”

“I know Blue deserved a good smack for the way he acted Rarity and even though I knew that’s all it was, an act,” Spike walked over and help his cousin to his feet. Blue holding his cheek the whole time. “I still wanted to knock his block off for the way he was treating you.”

“Always my Knight in Shining Armor,” Rarity smiled sweetly at Spike as she rubbed his head before she quickly scowled at Blue again. “And what’s this about it was all an act?”

“Please, forgive my horrible behavior towards you Ms.Rarity,” Blue sheepishly said as he bowed. “Had I known it was the Element of Generosity I’d been speaking to I never would’ve acted so repulsively towards you,” He let out a long sigh as he stood back up. “I thought that you were just another one of those run of the mill nobles who was trying to get a leg up and get closer to my Aunts by using me as a stepping stool.”

Rarity just kept scowling at Blue. Spike then stepped in and vouched that Blueblood was actually a very humble stallion and that he put up the front of a Jack-ass to protect his aunt’s from the haughty know-it-all nobles. Rarity seemed to let up on the fella a little bit but to me, she still seemed pretty pissed. That was until she was told how he helped us in the Ursa attack that had just occurred not even ten minutes before we arrived. She then left the room for a moment and soon returned with a stack of a couple of small brown packages and hand it to me.

“Thanks, Rarity,” I smiled at here and she smiled back in return. “I don’t have any dress clothes for occasions like meeting Shy’s mom so the was a big help and again thanks for doing a rush order. So how much do I owe you?”

She waved her hand in front of her face, “Free of charge darling,” she smiled at me. “Think of it as part of your commission as a designer.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Commission as a Designer?”

Rarity rubbed her arm a little unnerved by what she was about to say, as if she expected me to be mad. “Well, you see. One of my regular customers from Canterlot saw some of the designs you gave. I’d missed a few of them in hastily putting them away due to customer’s sudden arrival.” She looked down in shame. “They’re one of my big spenders. I simply couldn't say no to them. I’m sorry I used your designs without your permission.”

“Prrehahahaa…. Rarity,” She looked at me in total shock. “I don’t mind if you use a few of my designs for clothes in your lines.” I sat down in the nearest chair to catch my breath. “As long as you give credit you can use as many designs as you want that I give you. I mean I am supposed to work for you as a seamstress but a designer works too. As long as I get paid in bits to and not just clothes I could care less which job I do or if you use my designs in your lines.”

She let out a sigh of relief. “That’s great news dear as the customer has asked for more of your work. I told them that I would ask you but couldn’t guarantee anything.”

“Thanks for that as I don’t plan on being a fashion designer at all, no offense but I’m not one for putting up with that type of stress for snobs,” I got up from my seat. “Every once in a while I might do a private thing but please don’t lease me out or mention me to anyone without my consent first.”

“Noted darling,” She smiled at me. “And do keep up the good work Spikey-Wikey.” She placed a kiss on Spike's cheek. I could see the teen blushing hard but he was putting some serious thought into what he wanted to do and say. As for Rarity, she turned to Blue a little less pissed but still noticeably angry with the stallion. “I expect you to keep being the good stallion and older cousin to my Spikey. If you dare pull any of that snudey ignorant malarkey around Ponyville I’ll do worse than barely slap you into the nearest wall.”

“Yes ma’am,” Blue started to sweat a bit.

“It’s been nice Rarity but we should be going,” I headed to the door as Blue and Spike followed. “Blue needs to catch a train back to Canterlot and I need to get back to Shy’s and let her know what happened with that Ursa Minor. Spike needs to head to the Library as I know he has a lot on his mind.”

With our goodbye, all said we left the shop and headed off to the train station. We made it to the station just as the last train of the day for Canterlot was bordering. Blue bought his ticket and hugged Spike and shook my hand goodbye. Have to say I really like the guy and he has a good heart. He might even be worth of a Grimoire given the next time we meet.

After we saw Blueblood off we head to the library we a very worked up and worried Twilight was standing in the doorway. She immediately took Spike in her arms and hugged him very tightly. She then looked at me and anger clearly visible in her eyes. She’d obviously heard of the Ursa Minor’s attack by now.

“Before you throw off on me you should know Spike was a big help in the Ursa’s attack,” I held a hand up to Twilight. “He and Blueblood were a big help in helping keep the other ponies safe. Also, you should take a look at this letter,” I hand the letter Spike had brought earlier.

Twilight took the letter and read over it. “So, Princess Celestia has given the okay for Spike’s training but.” She scowled at me. “Why did you let him face and Ursa?”

“Because it was a spur of the moment thing and I wanted to see what Spike could do?” I crossed my arms. “And there’s no way I’d let the dude face something I didn’t think he could handle Twilight,” I pointed at the unicorn. “Don’t coddle the boy so much. I know you care about him as if he were your little brother but that doesn’t mean he can’t handle himself without you.”

“But,” She tried to retaliate.

“No Twilight. How can he learn and grow if you won’t let him? Why do you think he didn’t tell Princess Celestia? He wants to help you girls out on your adventures while being more than just the assistant that hangs back to send letters or take notes.” I threw my hand off to the side. “The way he cast his spell and help me against that Ursa today was as if he’d truly accomplished something all his own, which he did. He’s not a baby anymore Twi and I think you just don’t want to accept that. He really wants to be more than he is now, so just let him.” I placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s what’s best for the kid. We won’t be training today or tomorrow as I have to go with Shy and meet her mom in Cloudsdale. I’ll see ya later and please consider how Spike feels about how he’s treated. He even asked for advice about his feelings for Rarity,” I whispered causing her to look over her shoulder.

I patted her shoulder and turned to leave. As I walked away I saw the green-haired dragon kid doing his usual duties at the library he called home. I could tell he was doing some serious thinking while attending to the books in his arms. I started to hum a bit as I made my way to Shy’s cottage.

‘I’m going to either have one hell of an ass-chewing or death by hugging. Maybe even both,’ I thought as I walked along the road out of town. ‘Man I am both dreading and looking forward to tomorrow.’

Shy sure gave me an ear full yesterday when I got back about how bullying a baby was in extremely bad taste, and how including Spike was teaching bad habits. I threw back in how if we hadn’t acted the way we did a lot of ponies would have been snacks for a child throwing a tantrum. I then went on to say that it was more of a punishment akin to a spanking rather than bullying the twelve-foot tall galactic themed teddy. I explained how Spike and I only laid into the bear for about two minutes before it headed back into the forest. Boy, news in Ponyville sure travels fast but then again hard to hide the fact a starry sky pelted bear attacked causing about a fourth of town to panic and screaming bloody murder. Shy and I were at odds with each other for most of the night but we both came around to an understanding as we each had good points but she ended up agreeing more with me than anything and was glad I didn’t do any major beat down on Yogi.

Now, we have currently headed up a gondola to her hometown, Cloudsdale. It was a whole city dedicated to weather control in this world but it wasn’t exactly like the one from the show that was entirely made of clouds. This version of reality’s Cloudsadale was actually partially made of clouds and partially built into the side of a mountain. Pegasi lived mainly in the mountain portion of the city while they worked in the cloud portion. It wasn’t uncommon for them to live in the cloud district of the city either but this was mainly the weather factory worker or any pony that just wanted to and didn’t mind the noise of the factory. Unfortunately, Fluttershy’s mother lives in the cloud district. Apparently, she was the of the head fog wranglers at the cloud factory. They’re the pegasi that go out in the earlier in the mornings to collect the fog clouds that form from the dew off the grasses in Equestria. So she’s a big deal head-honcho of sorts making my job of getting her approval even harder. Not to mention the fact that I have to walk on literal water vapor to get to her house was already wracking my nerves all to hell.

‘I just had to fall in love with the uber-cute pink-haired ultra-quiet pegasus.’ I thought as we reached the stopping point and got off the gondola. I got off first and then helped Shy out next. I held her hand as she came off the gondola and then Ymir came waddling out with Nero riding on her back. Once we were out of the gondola we made our way to the docking station's exit.

Ymir walked out to the edge of the walkway and stretched her wings out and let the wind cascade over them. “This feels good. Being up here makes me feel like I belong here.”

‘It make sense seeing as you’re a Sky Dragon. You’ll probably feel right at home the whole time we’re here. Come on as we have somewhere to be.’ I motioned to Ymir and she and Nero rejoined Shy and myself.

Shy led the group as I and the others obviously had no way of knowing where her mother’s house. We admired the odd houses as we wandered down the streets until we came to where the edge of the mountain community met the boundary of the cloud community. Before I could enter the clouded area we stopped in at a small station set on the edge of the mountain where a unicorn mare cast what’s called the Cloud Walking Spell on me as I don’t have the Pegasus’s natural magic. I thought as long as I don’t use my Grimoire for weapons or channel my anti-magic through my Rider’s mark I’d be fine. We reach the clouds and I gulped down my fear and took my first step into the unknown.

“Fluffy but odd as all get out of hell,” I murmured as Shy led us down the streets of cloud houses.

“We’re here,” Fluttershy chirped as we stood in front of a modest blue brick looking house.

‘How the hell do they get brick to stay in clouds?”

“I’m just as stumped as you” Ymir raised her brow as she tilted her head in confusion.

I looked over to the dragoness. “You stay out of here for the next… ah… Foreseeable… future. I don’t need to be distracted.” I eyeballed the little obsidian dragon and she nodded in agreement. “Nero,” The owl looked at me in full attention. “No leaving to go anywhere.” She nodded in agreement as well. “Alright Fluttershy, let's meet your mom.”

“Right,” She knocked on the front door of the house.

After about five minutes we saw the door open to reveal a woman with raspberry-colored hair and cerise eyes. She was wearing a pale light grayish amber turtle-neck sweater with three-quarter sleeves a pair of black pants and pink bunny slippers. On her face was a pair of mint green glasses. This was Shy’s mom and she looked a lot younger than I’d originally thought she’d be.

“Fluttershy,” the weather worker hugged her daughter. “What a nice surprise. And who your friend?” She smiled warmly as she releases Shy.

“Mom… Ah... This is… Asta.” Shy hid her face behind her hair trying to hide her reddening face. “My special somepony.”

Shy’s mom looked at me and I could only nervously smirk, “Hello. My names Asta Ferris. Nice to meet you Mrs.Shy.”

“Morning Breeze,” She giggled at us. “Come in you two… Oh,” She noticed Ymir and Nero off to the side of me. “Four it is then.”

“Sorry about that,” I anxiously put my hand out. “This is Nero, my first friend I made when I arrived here. She’s the reason I met Fluttershy in the first place and the one she's riding on is Ymir. She’s a dragon and my partner for what’s called a Dragon Rider. Once she gets bigger then it’ll really be a team, but right now I’m doing my best to raise and teach her.”

“Come in, come in,” Morning warmly and quickly gestured us into her home. “Who would like a spot of some tea fresh?” She asked as we walked into a quaint little sitting area. I saw pictures of Shy in various stages of growth lining the walls. One shows her with pig-tails in a mint green sundress with a teddy bear in her arms. I couldn’t help but chuckle. Shy just stayed red-faced as she sat on the nearby couch. “I’ll get the tea.” Morning Breeze left only to return with a flower-themed tea set similar to the one Shy used at her place.

“What all tea do you have Mrs. Breeze?” I asked a little less nervous.

“All kinds but I like fresh teas over the packaged ones. I make my own from my garden out back,” she motioned to a nearby window. I went over and had a look at a fully stocked herb garden in the backyard. I recognized most of the ones I saw from my time back on Earth as my mother grew herds with a passion of fire. “I prefer rosemary and mint.”

“Sound like a good pick me up for the late morning,” I joined Shy on the couch.

“Indeed it is,” Morning nodded somberly. “Fluttershy would you be a dear and go and get some Rosemary and Mint from the back with your friends while I speak with Asta.”

“Oh… Ah… sure,” Fluttershy looked at me in concern, I only smiled back in false confidence.

She put on her soft smile and headed off to the backyard I motioned for Ymir and Nero to go with her. Once they were out the door and a good ways away I looked at Morning Breeze and swallowed hard.

“Now,” Morning Breeze looked at me. “I want you to tell me about yourself and how you worked your way into my daughter's heart. I can tell she’s completely head over heels for you and that in and of itself is quite the feat.”

I let out a heavy sigh and then began to tell my story of how I wasn’t from this world. Morning Breeze looked at me skeptically as I finished. I then went on to tell her that I only wanted a peaceful life here but thus far it had been anything but on a few occasions like yesterday’s scrap with the Ursa Minor.

“Honestly Mrs. Breeze,” I got up and walked over to the window that looked out to the back yard. I saw Shy explaining the different herbs to Nero and Ymir, who seemed moderately interested in the topic. I smiled at her and Shy saw me looking at her and blushingly smiled back.

“Mm-hmm…” She looked at me as if I were on trial. “Why are you really with my daughter Mr. Ferris? You’ve told me how you came here and what you are but you have yet to say why you’re really with my little girl?”

“Look, Mrs. Breeze, I don’t know what Shy sees in me or why she even said yes to being my girlfriend but I do know that I’ll do just about anything to keep her happy and smiling. I’ve made her cry a few times and it hurt me just to see it.” I sat back down in front of her. “I really do like Fluttershy but I honestly suck at relationships. I’m not a smart guy. I mean, I’m good at building things, making props, and Martial Arts too, just about anything that I can do with my hands really,” I held my hands out and looked down at them and thought hard before looking up to Morning Breeze.

I looked her straight in the eyes and let out my heart. “I’m with Fluttershy because I want to be with her and I enjoy her company. I like waking up to seeing her sleeping face next to me in the morning and I help her take care of the animals. If you think I’m not worthy of her I really don’t care.”

Morning simply smiled at me as Fluttershy, Nero, and Ymir came back into the house. “I brought some mint and oregano and a few others for drying. What were you two discussing?”

Morning Breeze smiled at her daughter as she took the herbs from her daughter. “Keep him close to your heart dear. Not many stallions have his heart.” Morning muttered to Shy. “Tea time.” she sang as she returned to the kitchen to fitch the hot water.

Shy looked at me bright-eyed. “She likes you.”

“Well lets some tea and cookies,” Morning returned from the kitchen.

“I agree,” I rubbed my hands together. I looked at a nearby picture of Shy and her mother when she was fairly young, both of them actually. That’s when it hit me. All of the pictures in the house I’ve seen so far… none of them had Shy’s father in them or any signs of any other family members for that matter. I remembered Shy had a bit of an issue talking about it when I brought up the issue of her father. I didn’t want to ruin the mood so I decided to ask Morning about him some other time. For now, I was just going to enjoy my time with my girl, her mom, and my friends.

Next Chapter: Travel, Apologies, and more Travel Estimated time remaining: 44 Hours, 10 Minutes