*Slam*!

A sharp blow to the skull wakes me up, my ears ringing as I realize Mistress Mariana is ordering me to get clean. She's still naked, her hair tied into a bun on her head as she glares at me. Without a word the order is understood. I quickly get onto all fours, the only position fit for transporting myself through the house, and get into the shower, cleaning myself with whatever I can. This mostly means scratching my skin clean and rubbing my hair for a few minutes to keep a semblance of cleanliness. I originally used soap, but she's right, it is cheaper to clean myself and then mask any excess smell. Others still try to avoid me, but mistress is so smart, I know she is right!

I leave the shower, making sure I'm on all fours, and quickly make my way to the basement. All my clothes are kept there, why bring them all up when I can just hang them up down there? It even has the benefit of keeping mistress' room free of my stuff. It would just make her mad if my stuff were there anyway, she has all this great stuff, but I have this...crap. All of it is just so...disgusting, compared to her. She is like a goddess upon this world, for heavens sake!

''Heaven's sake'? When did I start saying that instead of 'God's sake'?'

"Where are you!"

Mistress is angry, I had accidentally let my mind wander after I had gotten to the basement. I quickly throw my clothes on, hoping to lighten her anger just a tad. I finally finish dressing, hurrying up to meet my mistress at the door.

"It's about damn time. Why the fuck do I even bother?"

"Because of-"

"I was being sarcastic, you piece of shit!"

A kick to my stomach silences me. I really need to learn the rules again. She looks me over, apparently satisfied with how I look.

"At least you learned to dress yourself appropriately. Come along now, shit-stain. And remember, outside you do call me 'Mariana'."

A quick nod and I follow her to her place of business, the docks. She works there, transporting some special sugar, or salt, or something that looks like it. Don't know why it is so profitable; it just is. She says I wouldn't understand and tells me not to ask, so I stopped asking. She sometimes has others come in and giver her 'a pounding', but she doesn't like them like she likes me. I get to live with her. She doesn't let me 'pound her' because that wouldn't be love. Mistress loves me you know.

During the day a great surprise comes, my little sister comes to see how we're doing. She is very happy her brother and best friend fell for each other! She seems happy, picking up some sugar and salt for Dad and herself. He hasn't been himself since his second wife died from drug abuse. Really hope he took my advice and stopped taking drugs. As the work day gets late, she takes a few guys into the back for some 'fun'. One didn't come out, probably got thrown down the chute after getting ketchup on her or something. Maybe he didn't pay for his sugar?

"Alright then Sammy, let's go home."

"Hate that nickname."

"I thought you loved it, and you WILL love it."

"Sorry mistress."

'Why did I say I hate it? She always calls me Sammy in public. She is my love after all.'

"Have you been taking your medicine?"

"Yes mistress: two pills a day, one in the morning, and one in the evening!"

I...don't recollect taking my medicine today though. When did I start taking medicine, and why? As we get home, I remember something I had recently purchased using some of my money from when I played in a band. I quit after she told me to; mistress was always right after all. They later reformed with some guy and apparently are doing okay, but they stopped dealing with me a while ago. Said I had 'abandoned myself'. They were wrong though. My place is with mistress!

"Also, mistress, I got you a present."

Heading to the basement, I quickly grab a small box from my secret stash, and return to her. I hand it to her and await her response. It is a platinum necklace, made with a sapphire to reflect her eyes, and a ruby to reflect the warmth of her love. She pulls out her gift, and I become greatly confused. It's a necklace alright, but it's silver, with an amethyst in it. For a brief moment I think I recognize it, but I can't place it.

"I don't think this matches well, but I shall keep it."

She pats me on the head, and turns around before staring at me over her shoulder.

"As a reward, I shall let you use your tongue on my feet tonight."

A bright smile covers my face. Mistress never let me touch her there; today though, she's letting me taste her. It's a happy step towards being lovers.

When I wake up the next morning, she's done with the shower, her face neither happy nor angry. She walks over, and signaled me to the shower.

"And thank you again for this necklace you gave me, haven't taken it off yet."

Looking at it, it seems...different. It's gold with a ruby, not at all what I had given her or bought. I let it slip from my mind as I take care of my routine. Mistress is awfully kind today. As I leave to brush my teeth, I receive a big scare.

My irises are purple. Why are they purple? A brief flash enters my eyes, but a quick shake of my head turns everything back to normal. I guess that is why I take the medicine. I go into the medicine cabinet, but the bottle is empty. I take it with me when I finish to show her it, but she tosses it away, saying I will have new pills by the morning, there is nothing to worry about.

As we head out, we meet up with some of her friends at a steak house for lunch. I order a 12 oz. Sirloin; she always makes me order a 12 oz. sirloin. It's a fabulous dinner, though I end up having to leave the table. One of mistress' friends got sick after seeing me eat meat. It was...awkward, to say the least. Even Mariana was deeply upset about it.

It is hours later that we stop by the docks, Mariana picking up the medication for me to have in the morning. Sadly, the pills take time to set right and taking them early would probably lead to an overdose. Mariana always has my best interest in mind. Today, however, is the time when she begins to lose track of things. For once, she doesn't blame me, instead blaming it on those who had wronged me. It feels...odd, not to be beaten when something goes wrong. For a moment, words of what should have been said to me echoed through my head, but instead of worry, I become afraid. I barely sleep that night, the world of dreams eluding me. Questions without answers dancing through my mind, as the world blurs into day.

"I see you are already awake for once, good boy. I need some help cleaning my back, so come with me to the shower."

If I had a tail, I would think I was actually a puppy. I follow her into the bathroom, the water already running. However, Mariana had just awoken. The questions pile up, but I store them away, Mariana taking full importance with her platinum necklace still gracing her neck. As she gets in the shower, she stares at me.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Those rags can take a little water, correct?"

Her look is accusing; I had let myself be in my fantasy world, while Mariana has a life to live. I quickly make my way to the shower, finally allowed to stand due to the small space we are constricted in.

"Get to work, here is the soap."

She hands me a bottle of her soap. She changed scents again, to lavender. As I open it and smell it, I literally see the color purple. Mistress knows how to find good scents. I take my time, cleaning her back, and thanks to my good behavior and work, her silky hair. She styles it herself of course, but I get to do this to her. It makes me so giddy, I nearly forget to walk on all fours after getting out of the shower. Wouldn't want to make mistress unhappy after all of that, after all.

Later that day, around noon, we're walking to a museum that had recently added a new exhibit. It's an exhibit of the 'Westward Expansion' in the early times of America. The wild west, and the men and women who traversed and tamed it. Mistress loves the idea of the outlaws, fighting for romantic intentions, or just monetary gain. The exhibits which fascinated me were those of the settlers, the average people who came to live and tame the land. After all, without them who would the outlaws terrorize and the sheriffs protect?

"And this is the settler exhibit. The settlers crossed the wilderness towards places like California and Arizona in caravans. These caravans were sometimes attacked by outlaws and had to defend themselves, and most importantly, the things that carried them. Without the horse, brought to America from the Old World, there would be no way to efficiently travel the large terrain between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Even with horses, silver coins were-" The rest of the guide's words fall on deaf ears as I stare at the two horse dummies in the exhibit.

The biggest problem isn't their form, it's their coloration. One has an odd grey coat and a perfectly black mane, though it seems to have been styled by a less than mature person with an eye for hair. The other, was perfectly white with neon blue mane. This didn't happen in nature, even less than the other. Looking at the eyes, I see purple and red, far from the normal colors of any horse in the world. It's like a cruel joke. If the tour hadn't moved on, I would have stayed here for a while longer. Thinking on it later gives me a fierce headache, so maybe it was a good thing. They were...just so out of place. Especially when my mind starts adding odd brands to them. It actually gives me shivers whenever I remember them.

"Come here Sam, time to take your medicine. Don't want you feeling sick on me."

For the first time in a while she prepares an injection. Probably for the best. As the needle goes in, the world fades out. It's peaceful, once again. Everything is so gentle, smooth, and fluffy. Then, I wake up.

"Wake up bitch, we are going to help your sister move, and by that I mean make sure the guys who are moving her don't try anything."

Sister's moving day. She had her eighteenth birthday a few months ago, and shortly after announced her pregnancy. She met a guy at a night club when she went out to party and they hit it off that night. Now they were planning marriage and moving into a house he owned. She was moving far away. I wouldn't see her again for a long time. Most likely, I wouldn't see her again. I quickly get up, walking on all fours to the restroom. I ran out of meds again last night, we got a bad shipment of the materials and now I'm out until the next shipment arrives, in a few weeks. I am really starting to miss my medication.

"Hurry up already! We may have an hour, but that doesn't mean you can lollygag around."

"Sorry Mistress!"

With as much grace and speed as my four-legged posture grants me, I rush to the bathroom to do my routine, finishing rather quickly. I'm always fast without my medication, and I remember everything every time. However, I see things. Even the time I lose is nothing compared to the horrible feelings of whatever is going on.

"Seems you finally got finished. We need to hurry."

Her glare is all I needed to know that I messed up, and the entire journey she's unhappy. Either stewing about me, the shipment, or some other product loss I don't know about. We get into the car, a small limo, and head to my dad's house. I know sis is moving so far away, but it can't be that bad. As we finally arrive, we meet only one of the two people we were waiting for.

"Where is my sister?"

It seems he isn't entirely aware we have arrived. He's rather short, for a guy. He has the look of a rapper. Something about him just makes me want to punch his lights out. When he gathers up his senses, I realize I want to land more than one punch to his face.

"She be at the hospital yo. Apparently your old man collapsed and could die at any moment. Got shot protecting me from some dumb ass that thought he had rights to my song just because he played it first."

"Which hospital?" I'm all up in his grill, already tired of his speech and wanting to get to my father as soon as possible.

"Whoa, calm down there man. Can't we all just blaze a few up and relax? No need to worry abou-"

*Bam*

With one, anger filled movement I punch the guy in the chest. I certainly don't want my sister marrying this piece of work. And I certainly want to know where my father is.

"Fuck, he's at Hoofers' you asshole! I'll fucking kill you for that!"

"Freeze!" Turning, I see the one person who could make this day better. "Hands in the air!" Keeping his gun pointed at the wonderful man, I decide to not bother with this scene anymore.

"Mariana, let's-"

"Get in the car. Now."

Oh, seems she really isn't happy now. It is not long after we get going, that I realize I don't even remember the officer's face. I know the guy, I know who he is, but his face eludes my memory.

"About your dad, I hope he makes it." I place my hand almost immediately on Mariana's forehead before she knocks it away.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"Well, that seemed very...out of character for you, and I got worried mistress," She sighs before relaxing in her seat.

"Look, he's your father. Family is important. I know that. So, we will go."

Mistress...never acted this way before. An odd feeling, like she is someone else, flows through me. I feel woozy, nearly passing out when the car stops.

"Let's go see him."

We enter the hospital, and find out my father is in the emergency care ward. He had suffered a large gun shot wound just like that bastard said.

"Brother, Mariana. Dad...Dad isn't doing well."

"We heard and- Did you die your hair blue?" It strikes me as odd that she would dye her hair blue. She loved its color and bragged about it before.

"My husband-to-be said it looked nice."

"Not only is he the reason dad is lying over there, he bragged about it, offered me marijuana, and he doesn't understand how the law works."

"Oh god. This is just great. Another pretender. Or was I high again?"

"Please, Clau-"

"You may go in and see him now."

A nurse wearing a weary face interrupts me, preventing me from finishing my sentence. As we enter, focused on dad, I can't help but realize I almost called my sister by her name; something I have never done. As we enter the white room, the only sounds are that of machines, monitoring him and keeping him alive. He barely looks it. His skin is nearly pure white, and his hair has completely fallen out. I almost think we are in the wrong room.

"E-efo efefyfone." Even his voice is nearly gone.

"Don't try and speak dad. You need to rest."

"B-buf I-"

"No dad, please rest."

With that, everyone leaves, leaving just me and dad in the room. It all strikes me as...strange. Wasn't the one that should be hurt my-

"You got a choice to make, Sam."

Turning around, the entire room seems to have become a white box. My father now looks at his prime, sitting in his chair like he is about to give some big lecture.

"What the fuck is going on?"

"You're at the precipice son."

"What are you talking about?" He sighs, clearly saddened by a fact I simply do not get.

"It seems you arrived here a bit too soon. You have...forgotten your happiness."

"I have Mari-"

"No!" In a single word I'm on the floor, cowering from my father who, but a moment ago, was dying in his bed.

"You do not remember your happiness! Remember boy, before you lose 'them' and 'her' forever!"

In a flash of pain, I hit the floor only to awake in a graveyard, my father being lowered into the ground. It's a small ceremony, and then, a strange thought occurs to me. This time, I listen, well into the night. The next day, I make an excuse to mis- no, Mariana and meet with the officer I met the day before, my estranged brother.

Tall, dark, and undoubtedly handsome. He is certainly one of the most respected officers in the force. He never got in trouble, never caused trouble, and is the shining gem of our city. He is basically perfect, and it pisses me off. I was always compared to him. I got in trouble plenty, though mostly after I started dating Mariana. Before that everything was found to be false. Lately, they are just inconclusive.

As I knock at his door, he gladly lets me in. We walk past the trophies and medals he has earned, the glimmer being the entirety of the overly long hallway. When we finally reach our destination, a small room with a few chairs and a table, simple blue carpeting and red walls, we take our seats opposite each other. He sits back, relaxing, while I lean forward, ready to ask questions I don't entirely want answered.

"So what brings you here?"

"You know all the reasons. Ones I don't even know."

"So, it's about father."

"Yeah, father shouldn't be dead." He raises an eyebrow, clearly interested in what is to come.

"He shouldn't be dead?"

"Yeah, because you are." He sits up, his expression stern and focused.

"So, it seems you are finally remembering."

"Who are you?"

"The man you believe your brother to be."

"So...this is all in my head?"

"Yes and no, but this isn't yet the time for you to know, though that time is approaching."

"Then what is going on? I know you are supposed to be dead, and dad is-"

"He died as well, committed suicide while in withdrawal. Won't say he shouldn't have done it. He-" He interrupts himself, waiting for me to finish my sentence.

"Stopped being my father long ago. How long have I really been here?"

"A few weeks."

"You know what I know, but can't exactly recall, don't you?"

"Seems you are getting closer, but that means so is ''it'."

"What is 'it'?"

"If you knew that, this would probably be over." As he finishes, the ground beneath us shakes. "We are almost out of time. I will say this, from your older brother to you. Remember what makes you happy, otherwise you may lose it forever."

A stinging pain accompanies another rumble. "Well, you better get going. I wish you luck." As I leave, the hallway seems far shorter, and before I know it, I'm back with Mariana in her house. It's...odd, that it has changed so much now. A two story house, with not much to speak of it. It could use a new paint job, that's for sure. However there is no question: something is wrong. Even my reflection isn't my own, it is Mariana's.

That night, she makes dinner for the first time in a while. Her foods are always great. The taste isn't the best part though, it is what happens after that is great. It is so relaxing and makes everything better, and today, she made spaghetti to boot! As I go to take a bite though, I don't eat the food. I actually end up throwing the food onto the floor, my head splitting in agony as images flash throughout my mind. Mariana grabs some medicine, but in a flash, it's gone. I didn't eat it, it's just gone. Then, it finally makes sense.

"You aren't real. None of this is real!" Instantly, the world falls to darkness, Mariana's expression growing cold. I'm back in this bleak world. I still don't remember everything, but I knew enough.

"You should have remained there, Sammy boy."

"Don't call me Sammy."

"Well there is no escape, so I will call you what I want."

"There is always an escape."

"Not this time, retard."

"What the fuck do you mean?"

"Simple, we aren't on Earth as you thought, but we aren't in Equestria."

"What?"

"You are caught in between worlds. The spell that should have kept you in Equestria was working, but then your heart grew weak. You accepted Equestria as reality instead of as something to fight to keep reality. The result was you getting tossed out of Equestria, but not hard enough to go to Earth. Since you are stuck here with me, you might as well get used to it."

"There has got to be a way back!"

"Sorry, no way back. We are stuck here forever, you, me, and eternity. So you might as well have fun until either death finds us or we lose track of everything."

"..."

"Oh? What's wrong, that is an interesting look to b-"

BAM! With a clenched fist, I clock her in the head, sending her flying for a few feet, before she stops, only to right herself and stare at me, now far angrier.

"I will not just sit here and wait for an end!"

"Don't you get it you little shit? You are the reason we are stuck here! You got us both here for an eternity, and I doubt that even death will find us here!"

"Then get your story straight. Because I am not staying here, I don't care what you try, I will-" Before I can even finish, I'm in intense pain, as if I'm being crushed by an entire ocean.

"You should listen. You aren't going back, you are stuck here." Her voice booms as she approached me, her hands easily finding my face, cupping it with far more strength than necessary.

"And I will enjoy it, one way, or another!"

Suddenly, the pain intensifies. I now feel like I'm drowning, and if I could have cried out, my pain would be evident. It is at that moment a thought crosses my mind, then another. I'm...no longer feeling the pain, though the pressure never leaves. Looking into the eyes of Mariana, I realize why I saw her reflection as my own. Everything finally makes sense.

"So, when are you stopping this charade?" All at once, the pressure leaves as I'm forced to face Mariana dead on. She's not happy.

"What makes you think this is a charade?"

"Everyone in this 'world between worlds' has been a part of me. Something that came from within. Even if they were interacting with people from other worlds, they were still me, and that includes you, the part of me that wishes to protect me the most."

In a flash, the world around us changes. The inky blackness is replaced by a grassy field, dotted with flowers and rolling hills. There was a small crystal clear lake to my right, but before me lie the greatest change.

"So, you finally got it?" Mariana is now a perfect copy...of me.

"Yeah, only the first time was I in a nightmare. You were born after that, or maybe you gained power after that, I don't know for certain. You began to try and help me, building me up with all these problems whenever I wavered, all in preparation for a day that hadn't yet come. You made them horrible, sickening even, to force me towards the happiness I wanted, but was afraid to seek out."

"Close, but not quite correct." He finally lowers me, and motions to get to the lake. We sit beneath a sprouted tree, and continue our little talk. "I was born from many things: Cadence's magic, the poison, your joy and fear, even 'her' joy and fear."

"Octavia..." I slip into my memories, the events of the past slowly refilling me as my feelings for her ignite within me. There was nothing I wouldn't do to-

"There are plenty of things not worth giving up."

"Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't give up everything, but the list is a lot shorter for what I wouldn't."

"You want to go to her, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"You realize that there is no guarantee you will make it."

"I will. There is simply no other choice." What started as a chuckle erupts into laughter. A large grin finding its way to the other me's face.

"Guess there is no choice. This is goodbye." I sit up, curious, and a little afraid, of what was about to come. "I am the being created by Equestria within you, piece by piece within your very soul. With me, you will finally be- URG!"

He nearly collapses, the entire world around us turning into white and black, along with all the greys in between. "Now is the time to see, if you can really stand up to 'her'." In a horrible scream, a new creature stands before me.

"Did you think you had won? Did you think you had gotten your 'happy ending'? No, you will not get it! You are weak! You cannot possibly get out of here alive!"

In a roar, Mariana appears, her form twisting as it claws at me, ripping my clothes and body to bloody shreds, only for them to return to their normal state afterwards. It's terrible, painful, yet I can't hate what's before me. Even now, I want to help this part of me. Before I can even comprehend it, instead of fighting the monstrous thing away, I pull it close, holding it to me.

"I am sorry for everything, but it's okay now. I won't runaway anymore, you can sleep now. You can sleep. I finally realized it, you, are the part of me, that is afraid of this relationship, but it is okay. It will all work out. Love is like that." It does not accept that, pushing me away.

"No, you do not understand anything! What makes you so special? What makes this special? You were happy with Mariana as well weren't you? What is so different now?" It slowly closes back in on me, wrapping me in darkness.

"Everything, and nothing." It slows to a grinding halt, seemingly wanting to crush me, but I certainly feel no pain. "Like Mariana with me, I tore her life apart. I cost her the greatest job, performing her favorite music, in her favorite place, with absolutely no regard for her happiness."

It grins maliciously. "Like Mariana, I caused terrible things in her life, but there are also important differences." I stare at it in the eyes; I'm still afraid, but I'm far from alone. Even here, in my mind, my heart reminds me that I am never alone.

"I...never made her do anything myself. For instance, I never told her to leave her job for me. I did agree, but I did so out of love, not some, plan."

Two pairs of hands, covered in fur, make their way to the darkness around me, pulling it away. I don't look to see who they are, I just know. Octavia's parents are pulling away at the darkness. "I came into her life seemingly out of nowhere, destroying everything she knew and did, but she always had the option to leave. Even now, all I have left, is to go back to her, and once again, make her life happy with all my might! Even if she can be happy by herself, I will be selfish, I will fight for what I want. I want my Twilight, I want my Summer, and I want my Tavi!"

Hundreds of hands appear out of thin air. Some human, most pony. They tear away the darkness as Mariana collapses.

"How can you be so sure-"

"I can't, but if I don't take the risk, and keep being afraid of taking that step into another relationship, how can I say I lived?"

I offer out my hand, and as it take it, the world floods with light. The color returns as flowers bloom in various combinations of colors and hues. Among the flowers are all those I have met on my journey thus far. Some bring me happiness, others sadness. They form a path, leading towards the lake. I quickly make up my mind, rushing towards the lake. Those behind me turn into wisps, and flow around and into me.

As I reach the end, I find someone I hadn't seen in a very long time. Beside Octavia, a human woman with long, red hair, reaching to just above her waist. A long, flowing white dress hides her legs, but I only have eyes for hers, her warm, blue eyes. For a time, we just stare at each other, as I slowly come to a halt before her. She's as magnificent as she was in life. The one woman who had held the greatest influence in my life.

"It has been a while boy, 'bout time you got back on your feet. You gotta be tough to live in any world after all." Her smile says it all.

"Yeah, just took a bit of a breather, but now I need to go back. I really wish I could stop and chat more, but, I suppose you would know better than I about that, wouldn't you, mom?"

With a gentle smile, it's over. The last of the wisps disappearing into me as she too, joins them. I then turn, facing the lake, and run with all my strength before plunging into the depths. The world grows dark, before growing bright once again. Soon, the feeling of water itself disappears as I begin to fall faster and faster. I'm no longer in the lake, but in the sky. I'm falling through cloud after cloud, but I'm afraid, a golden glint filling my vision as I come face to face with pure white. Looking up, I meet a very surprised Princess Celestia.

"Sam?"

"Hey. I'm back."

"B-but how? The spell failed and you were violently ripped from Equestria! You should be dead after such a violent expulsion!" Her eyes grow suspicious as I feel the almost foreign sensation of magic flow around and through me. As it finishes, Celestia's eyes alight with surprise, and utter joy.

"Sister! you suddenly flew away an- Sam?" Luna, finally catching up with us stares in utter confusion before Celestia speaks up.

"Yes, it is Sam, we must hurry to Ponyville, we have one last matter to attend to right now."

With a gentle smile, Celestia flies off with me in her arms as her magic charges, Luna right behind us. As a familiar sensation overcomes me, I begin to feel sick. Maybe it's the difference in experience, but this time, I don't lose my stomach on arrival. We have appeared outside my own house, and I can hear Octavia inside. Without prompt, I'm released as Celestia and Luna back up, and I knock on the door.

"Go away! I don't need any of your fucking help!"

"Language, Tavi. We do sort of have a foal you know and I am not letting you pick up cursing now!" I wish I had timed it, but in an instant I have a very familiar mare and foal in my face.

"Oh my, Sam?" Looking behind me, she must see Celestia and Luna, nodding to her as she returns her gaze to me.

"Yeah, I know I was gone for a while, but I'm back."

"You were gone for almost a year!" Perhaps it is the shock that runs through me that really makes her curious. "What happened?"

"Remember my episodes?"

"Another one?"

"This time, if I failed, I would have really died. I...forgot, for a long time, and when I remembered, I had to get out. They are a part of me, but they won't come back like that. Because I won't ever leave you, Twilight, or Summer ever again. I am here to stay, so long as you want me to stay, and maybe even if you don't."

As Tavi collapses into me, I smile. I feel...light. The start of my new life, as the only human in Equestria.

Author's Notes:

It is hard to believe that it is over, the main story is done, and the tales left unsaid are all that remain. What do you think rests in store for the future? It took me a year to reach this point, the end I envisioned from the beginning, and somethings had to go and come on the way. Thank you all for joining me, and be ready. The epilogue is yet to come. Will mark story complete when I post the last chapter.