CHAPTER 16

Revolting Revolutions

I yawned, stretching before snuggling back up against Rainbow Dash. I smiled as I watched the cerulean mare slept.

After my masterly planned kiss, we had gone back to Sugar Cube Corner to find Luna had left, telling Pinkie to tell us the lesson was over for today. We then headed home to have a nice dinner and for me to explain what had actually happened during my lesson. By the time I had finished, Dash was on the floor laughing.

I think half was believing I was actually doing anything like that with a Princess and the other half that I got completely owned by said Princess. Next was a shower together,platonic, and then bed together, also platonic.

And now I sat here watching this beautiful mare sleep in my hooves. I used a wing to brush some of that colourful mane of hers out of her face. This is something I couldn’t even dream on earth. The moment almost seemed surreal.

I moved in closer to her, letting our noses press together.  I could feel her hot breath against my lips as she still slept peacefully. Surprisingly, she didn’t have any morning breath. It actually smelled a bit sweet.

I pulled her body closer to mine before pressing my lips against hers. For a few seconds I got nothing, then she started returning the kiss. She opened one magenta eye and raised a brow at me. She pushed me out of the kiss and yawned.

“Seems you got a freebie there, Newbie. I suppose it isn’t the worst way to wake up.” Dash’s eyes wandered over to the window. “You have to stop getting me up so early, you know? This pegasus loves her sleep.”

I watched as the mare rolled over with a grunt, trying to fall asleep again. I had other plans. I waited until she was settled before reaching up and kneading the spot between her wings.

“Mmm~”

I smiled as Dash began to spread her wings. I guess a platonic night depends on your look on the word platonic. Dash showed me how to...properly massage a pegasus’ wings. I was putting that teaching to good use right now.

I could feel her wing twitch every time my hooves ran across a particularly sensitive spot. This went on for quite a while, me enjoying the little moans I was getting from her, until she suddenly folded her wings. I thought I may have done something wrong until she rolled back over.

She had a certain look in her eyes as she pulled me into a kiss. Definitely the most passion filled kiss so far. I didn’t protest as she climbed on top of me, her tongue intertwining with mine. I panted as she pulled away from the kiss, immediately going for my neck. I closed my eyes as her lips trailed to my chest.

“Newbie... Did you think you got away alive?”

I frowned and looked down. I was staring into the massive maw of a great black dragon. I panicked, trying to push away from the thing. I couldn’t. One of my forelegs and hind legs weren’t working. A quick glance showed me they were gone. I began hyperventilating as the dragon spoke.

“Did you think you could fly in my territory and live?”

Its voice rattled in my head. I tried to cry out for help but my voice was stuck in my throat. I was helpless as I laid there bleeding. I couldn’t even scream as it opened it’s massive jaws, a great fire billowing forth and rolling over me.

I was finally able to scream. I noticed it had went dark around me so I started swinging my hooves. One struck something that wasn’t air.

“Ow! Dammit Crystal!”

Something then struck me upside the head, knocking me off the bed. I had barely came to my senses before scrambling away and hitting a wall. I curled up against it, shaking.

“Crystal...Open your eyes...It’s okay.”

I flinched when something touched me, though relaxed when it wasn’t going to hurt me. It slid slowly around my back and pulled me against something warm and comforting. After a deep breath, I began to stop shaking. It was Rainbow Dash.

“C’mon, Newbie. Open those eyes.”

My eyes? My eyes were closed. I slowly forced them open, noticing now that I was crying. I was staring right into Dash’s eyes as she smiled at me.

“Um...yeah. Sorry about hitting you like that. You got me good in the ribs though, so we’re fair.”

I jumped up and hugged her hard, causing her to fall back with me on top of her. When we hit the ground, I immediately kissed her. She seemed surprised by all this but didn’t fight me, kissing me back.

My hooves ran down her body as we kissed, eliciting a soft moan from Dash. I went slow, taking in the feel of every muscle as my hoof slid lower. It found her flank and I gave it a good squeeze.

“MMM!?”

Her eyes popped open and she pulled away from the kiss. “Really, Newbie? You think you can handle tha-” I interrupted her with another kiss. I thrust my hips hard against hers, getting another moan and her wrapping her hind legs around me.

I pulled away from her mouth, smiling as I nibbled on her bottom lip. “After this, you’re never going to call me a newbie again.”

I growled at the light trickling into the room. How dare it interrupt such a great sleep. I snuggled harder against Dash's chest, trying to desperately keep from waking up. It was in vain. Celestia's blasted sun did its job.  "Daaash... you awake?"

"No."

"Lies. How are you answering me then, Dashie?"

"Sleep talking. Just like you do, Crystal."

"Bah!" I rolled off of Dash and subsequently fell to the floor. “Ugh. I talk in my sleep? What do I say?”

Dash peeked over the edge of the bed with a smile. “Oh, ya know.” She slid off the bed on top of me. “Stuff about stuff.” She snuggled up under my chin and I smiled.

It made me think about last night...or was it this morning? I had a bit of trouble...adjusting, but I still was more than able to suffice.  “And just what stuff would that be?” I looked down the best I could. Couldn’t really see her because of her position.

“Just stuff. What’s a car?” She lifted up off of me to stare me in the eyes. I am guessing I have been talking about stuff from before I came to Equestria. I guess that would be only natural.

“A car is...” I frowned and scratched my head. I never had to explain what a car was before. “A car is sort of like a carriage or cart, but is made of metal and doesn’t need anypony pulling it. It can run on its own.” Nailed it.

“...” From the look Dash was giving me I could tell she didn’t understand. “Well... that sounds pretty cool I guess.” She stood up and walked over me towards the door, me getting a reward of Dash tail for not closing my mouth. “I am gonna go make some breakfast. You need to get ready.”

“Ready?”

“Yeah. It’s nearly noon. Don’t you have a lesson to go to or something?”

Crap. I scrambled to my hooves and bolted to the window. Crap! She was right. It was a lot later than I thought it was. “Oh...crap. I got to go.” I raced to the door only to be stopped by Dash. “What? I’m going to be late.”

She shook her head. “You need to take a shower and eat first. Definitely a shower at least. You smell like...last night.” I grinned.

“Yeah... Just wait until everypony hears that Rainbow Dash isn’t as fast as she says she is.”  I quickly bolted past her but not fast enough to avoid a tail to the flank for my joke. I quickly made my way to the shower, climbing in the tub. Real porcelain. I am still not sure how on this cloud flooring.

I threw it to the magic option and started my shower. I did a real quick wash over and a quick fixing of the feathers on my wings before jumping out and drying off. I made a quick trip back to the bedroom to grab my crystal and fitting it on me, making my crest showed proudly on it before joining Dash in the kitchen.

“Hey Crystal.” She was sitting at the table, nibbling on some toast with her nose in a Daring Do book.

“You need to eat something more than just toast.”

“Says the pony planning on skipping a meal.”

I grunted. “I would have to if I didn’t wake up so late.” I trotted over and snatched the second piece of toast off the plate in front of her.

“Hey! That’s mine!”

I dashed away from Dash. “Not anymore!” I took a bite and stuck my tongue out at her. This earned me a weird look before she stuck her nose back in book. “I am going now...”

“Alright. See ya later.”

“What? No kiss?”

“You stole my food.”

“You petty pony. I see how it is.”

“Eeyup.”

I waited a moment more before sighing and turning away, making my trek to the door. I had made it to just in front of it before being tackled to the ground. A pair of warm lips pressed against mine. I smiled and reciprocated the kiss.

“See you later, Crystal.” Dash smiled while looking down at me. “And if you tell anypony about last night, I’ll hurt you.” She jabbed me in the chest before jumping up and heading out the door, leaving a rainbow streak across the sky as she took off.

“What happened last night?” I jumped as I heard a voice next to me. I calmed down when I saw it was Daemon.

“Will you stop that?! Just popping up everywhere... Nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Daemon laughed. “Impossible. Now tell me what happened.”

I shook my head as I got to my hooves. “I really don’t think it’s any of your business. It’s between me and Rainbow Dash.”

She rolled her eyes. “Ok. I get it. Lesbian sex. Sheesh.” She flicked me across the nose as she walked by. “Remember. You’re ditching Luna’s lesson for mine today. You are to meet me at the edge of the Everfree. Can you manage that?”

“Yes. Perfectly.” I rubbed my nose. “Is that all?”

“Yeah. No more sex.”

“What? Why?”

“You’ll understand when I show you. Ta-ta. My little pony.” Daemon simply trotted over and walked right off the cloud...porch? I waited a second before walking over and peering over the edge. No Daemon but there was a certain white filly waving up at me, followed by another white, orange, and yellow fillies.

I glided down to the ground after shutting the door. “CRYSTAL!” I was immediately tackled by Snow as soon as I touched ground. “Crystal! We came up with a perfect thing to do to get cutie marks! Well, for them to get cutie marks. I already got mine but you know that and I know you know that. See!” She proceeded to point at the mark on her flank.

I looked over at the other three, who smiled. I also noticed the wagon behind them filled with wood, nails, hammers, and a particularly fancy looking stretch of cloth. “Um...I would love to help, but I have somewhere important to be, Dew.” Gah! I almost couldn’t stand the heartbroken look on her face. “I am sorry, Snow, but I promise once I am done with this thing, I’ll come and play with you. Alright?”

“Okay...” She slowly slid off of me. “You really promise?” I nodded. “Are you really really sure? Like, one hundred and ten percent sure? A thousand percent?” I laughed and patted her head.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly.”

That got her to smile. “Okay! See you later, Crystal.” Snow Dew ran back to the other three. When she got close, she tripped over a rock, causing her to crash into the CMC. This elicited surprised screams from them all. I chuckled and took to the skies.

I made my way slowly to the edge of the Everfree. I wasn’t going to give Daemon the satisfaction of me jumping to her every word. She irritated me in some special way for some reason. Not sure why. I sighed and made my descent to the ground.

I found a nice soft patch of grass and sat down. It was a nice day out. Warm sun and a cool breeze. I took in a deep breath and smiled. Equestria was such a nice place. I am not sure why anyone who comes here would want to leave. I guess having other responsibilities would probably affect the decision.

After a few minutes, my smile faded. Where was Daemon? Grunting, I got to my hooves and walked closer to the edge of the forest. “Oh come on! Where are you? I am going to die of boredom.” Bad choice in words.

No sooner than the words left my mouth did a bunch of tentacles burst from the ground, wrapping around me. I screamed and started fighting against them. This couldn’t be happening. I’ve seen enough hentai to know what happens next.

I bit and pulled at the things but it did nothing but tighten around me. I could feel them slowly spreading across my body. “No! No! Nooo!” I was trying everything to get away from  them, panicking. It was then I felt a familiar pain shoot through my body. It was just like in the spa. It was bad enough to cripple my effort in getting away.

The tentacles then began pulling me toward the spot they came out of the ground, now unhindered. A hole opened up in the ground, big enough for a pony. I tried fighting back again but the pain persisted. Was this it? Was this really how it ended? I was helpless as I was pulled into the hole.

The tentacles pulled me deeper and deeper into the hole, things going dark when the hole closed behind me. After a bit, the pain slowly subside but when I pulled at the tentacles, I could tell I was too weak to fight back now. I was completely at their mercy. At least they were just content on pulling me deeper into the earth than other activities. Gotta look at the bright side, right?

Suddenly light washed over me. I was being pulled towards another opening. I prepared myself for whatever was coming next. I closed my eyes as I was plunged into the light. When I opened them again, I was awed at what I saw. It was like a large medieval courtroom. Large pillars on either side of the room with decorative banners hanging from the walls and a long red carpet with golden edging leading to a single throne. Large torches and a great chandelier kept the room lit.

The tentacles slowly lowered me to the ground and released me. Now that I had relaxed and was in a lit place, I could tell they were roots and not tentacles. I watched as they retracted into the dirt ceiling. Where...was I?

“You finally got here. Come on and stand up or are you in that much awe at my home.” My head jolted up to the throne, finding Daemon sitting upside down on it. “Quite humbling isn’t it? Not much but I call it home.” She was instantly in front of me, causing me to jump. “Get up, we have stuff to do...”

I tried to get to my hooves, them wobbling the whole time. This little episode had been the worst so far. I got a strange look from Daemon. Strange because it was a new one I’ve seen her with. Concern. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I...I kept having...episodes of...pain? I don’t know how to explain it...” I finally steadied myself and looked her in the eye. “This makes...the third time? The other two were not as bad.”

Daemon shook her head. “That body was never meant to hold the Heart. It can’t hold up without a proper soul. It’s degrading faster than I thought it would. No matter. Yours should be completely regenerated before it dies out.”

I just stared at her, confused. “Wh...I...” I took a deep breath. “Okay...just what are you talking about?”

There was a gleam in her eye and a grin on her lips. “I’ll show you...if you pass my test.” Just what else was I expecting, right? Daemon put her hoof to my chest and pulled the crystal from it. “You have been using it in its base form...but this stuff is more than what it seems...” I watched as the crystal began cycling through colours in her grasp.

“You need to learn how to use it to its fullest.” She thinned the crystal out and let it settle over her. I watched it scrunch up and turn different colours. When it finished, Daemon was wearing a very natural and nice looking dress. “I think this would be a great way to wear this other than that clumpy makeshift armor.”

I huffed. “I like that clumpy armor...How did you do that?”

Daemon swirled a bit in the dress before letting it bunch up back into a ball of crystal. “You are all under the assumption this stuff is a...crystal of sorts. You are all wrong. What’s in your chest is a crystal. This stuff is more...magic. I am not sure there is a word for it that your ears can understand.”

“I wonder how much of that is actually true...” I was nearly knocked off my hooves as Daemon thrust the crystal into my chest.

“It’s completely true and despite your rudeness, I am still going to let you take that test. To learn what I have to hide, just change its colour. Simple as that.” I watched as she began walking back up to the throne.

“Change its colour...” I stared at the ball of crystal, or whatever it was, floating in front of me. Okay, where to start? I reached out with a hoof and poked it. “Red...” Unsurprisingly, no change. I frowned and tapped the ball harder. “Yellow?”

Daemon laughed from across the room. “I should have made some popcorn for this show. Maybe you should hit it harder. That seems to be working!”

I shot her a glare, which only amused her more, before looking back at the ball. I furrowed my brow and concentrated on it. It rippled and began to get smaller the harder I focused on it. Blinking and flicking an ear, I backed away from it. I had made it go from the size of a small beachball to about the size of a basketball.

“Hmm.” I swung it around, finding that it still held the same kind of weight. I looked up at Daemon, who was just kind of watching me with a lazy smile. “Catch!” I slung the ball as hard as I could towards her. She wanted to claim power, let’s how much.

Daemon widened her grin as she raised a hoof. The resounding thwack of the crystalline surface coming in contact with her hoof echoed through the room. I watched as the ball just seemed to hang in the air for just a second before falling to the ground.

“That was interesting. You compressed it? Hit a lot harder than it looked like it would.” The ball floated up in front of her. “But....how far can that be pushed?” The ball quickly shrunk to the size of a golf ball. “Catch?”

I folded my ears back. “W-wait. Don’t throw that at me.” This only made her grin more.

“Why not? I thought you wanted to play catch. You didn’t have any reserves about throwing it at me.” She brought the ball back behind her head and squinted her eyes. Looked a lot like she was aiming.

“Daemon, I...” I tried to move but found my hooves wrapped up in roots. “Come on, Daemon. This isn’t funny.”

“New test, Crystal. You catch this and I will show you the secrets I have to hide.”

I watched as Daemon threw it. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Adrenaline. I couldn’t do anything though. The roots had me good. I...I was tired of this. Tired of her screwing with me. Tired of being tied down.

I flared my wings and and focused on the ball. I am not sure what I was going to do. I just pressed at the center of the thing. I could see it ripple and press in for only a second. I say only a second because it wasn’t a ball after that. It was about a hundred shards of said former ball.

I felt the pain from a shard ripping through one of my ears way before I heard the sound of the explosion. The deafening boom made my teeth rattle and shook my bones. I have never been this close to an explosion before and the bass from my computer could have never prepared me for this.

I just gaped at what happened, even Daemon had a surprised look on her face. “You know...” Words seemed to find my lips before I could even process them in my head. “That was pretty badass...”

Daemon chuckled. “Was it now?” The roots removed themselves from my hooves. “Come here...” She motioned for me with a hoof. I complied, trotting up to the throne. “You ruined that ear. I am going to have to make a new one... Does it hurt?”

“Probably about as much as that hole in your neck.” She grinned. “It doesn’t hurt too much...”

Daemon slid off the throne. “That...surprised me...but you didn’t pass either test. You don’t learn all the secrets I could give you...but I will let you in on something.” I hate that grin of hers. “Follow me...”

I did as such. She lead me into a hallway behind the throne. It was...castle-y as well. Picture of old forgotten ponies lines the walls as we walked. Eventually the scenery began to change, gradually becoming of a more earthy setting. The pictures stopped and the torches were replaced with glowing gems.

I froze when I stepped into something wet. I raised my hoof to the light. Blood...and not mine. “Daemon...are you alright?.” I looked down at the trail she was making and what she had made. “You are losing a lot of blood...”

“Aww. You’re worrying about me. It’s cute.” She looked back at me with that damned grin. “I can’t die. Not from this little wound anyways.” She looked forward again. “That piece did pierce right through this body’s jugular though. I might have to switch it out if I can’t fix it.”

“What? What are you talking about?” I did a quick gallop to make up the distance between. “Switch it out?”  Daemon turned around and pressed a hoof against my mouth, stopping and quieting me.

“Those are secrets you are denied. You have such a lot to learn. I wonder if you’ll manage...” Daemon giggled and suddenly hugged me. “This is so much fun! I haven’t been this excited in over a thousand years!” I was a bit taken back by her sudden outburst, gasping a bit. This mare...Her mane smelled better than Dash’s. It seemed like a mixture of everything good, making my nose and spine tingle.

She pulled away and pressed her back against a door I just noticed. I do not think it was there before actually. “Behind this door...” She knocked on it. “Lies a great and terrible secret. One that you could never be ready for. One that will change your aspect on...a lot of things...” She moved away from the door and to my side. “Something that will prove to you my power.” Daemon shrugged. “But I will leave it to you to open that door...”

I walked slowly up to the door, reaching out with a hoof. “Remember! Choose wisely...some questions are better left unanswered....” I groaned and pushed open the door, walking inside.

Magic. I wasn’t even a unicorn and I could feel the massive amount of magic permeating in the air. It almost made the room feel thick. There were plants of all kinds lining the walls of the room. Tables with gems and ancient runes that glowed with an eerie light. But these thing paled so vastly in comparison to what stood in the middle of the room. The thing I could not tear my eyes away from.

It reach nearly from the top to the bottom of the room, being held in place by thick roots. It held an orange colouring, making it look a lot like amber. This all seemed secondary, still, to what laid inside.

It was a pony. Just a pony. No. Not just a pony. This pony was special. Special to me. Do you wonder why it was special to me? Well...there is a simple answer to that. It’s because the pony was me.

“I...” I knew that the pony in this amber prison was me. The real me. I didn’t know how I knew but it was one hundred percent without a doubt me. “What....WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO ME?!”

I was a wreck. Large patches of fur missing, obviously burnt away. A huge hole in my chest. The worst of it was lower.  I was missing a leg and much of my lower half, my other hind leg seemed to just have been able to escape its dire fate.

“Yes...what happened indeed.” Daemon joined my side. “I had to wrestling your body away from a dragon. It was very intent on eating you. You were such a mess...” She placed a hoof on the amber. “I have regenerated most of you skin and fur back. Your mane...completely remade your tail...” She pointed at my mostly missing lower half. “That is going to take the longest. Regrowing bone, muscles...organs...”

She looked at me with a grim look. “What you are in right now is one of my spare bodies. I...I bonded your soul to that thing in your chest. It was really the only way to save you. That body...It was never meant to hold anything but my essence. The pain episodes you are having is because the body is rejecting the Heart and your soul.”

I didn’t know how to act. What to do. What was I suppose to do? What could I do? “How...I am guessing you will put me back in my own body.” Daemon nodded. “How long...and how? Just how?”

Daemon chuckled. “The same way I put you in that body. I ran tests. Your body won’t degrade like that one. Even with the heart. Christian...” My real name sounded weird to my ears...ear. “I was wondering what you would like to be...”

“What do you mean? I am a pegasus. I can see the wings.”

“No no. Your gender. As you can see, I have a blank slate to work with...” I immediately was about to yell male, but Daemon kept talking. “ You’re in a relationship now, right. Worked quick on that.”

I frowned. Gods dammit Daemon. Dash did specifically show interest in only mares. How would she react to this? “I’ll think about it...”

Daemon pressed up against me. “You alright?”

“Yeah...just feels a bit surreal.”

“I understand. I will leave you two alone. Don’t play with yourself now.” I whipped around with a rebuttal, but Daemon was already gone.

“Damn mare...” I took a deep breath and stared at me. Well...let’s get a good look, right?

My...real body had a solid red mane and tail. Fur was a solid bright grey and... And no other distinguishing marks. Wait...no. The was one.  I moved to get a better look.

Yeah. Right there on my only flank stood a proud marking. My cutie mark I suppose. It was a rose with a crystal sword going through it. What was my talent? Swordfighting? I don’t think that was it. Roses? Not sure that applies either.

I spun around and sat down with my back against the amber, growling a little at the ach that was once my ear. No...not my ear. My growl just turned into a groan. “How am I suppose to react to this? Why even show me something like this...” I looked back at the pony in the amber.

“What am I suppose to think, huh? It’s not like I can do anything about the situation. Showing me this kind of thing is just piling stress on top of stress. Maybe she just wants to torment me? That is the only reason I can think of to validate this.”

I sighed. “That’s not true, even if I want it to be. She was actually quite responsible for showing me this. It explains a lot of things, though, it gives more questions than it solves.” I chuckled and shook my head. “I am sitting here, talking to myself. That can’t be healthy.” I got to my hooves and stretched. “I know what I am going to do. You get...well...soon...” I couldn’t stop myself from saying it after I already started.

I quickly trotted over to the door, a blush on my face. I opened it to find Daemon standing on the other side. I knew she was listening in on me. “I would like to go home now...”

Daemon raised a brow. “I can only wonder what exactly you mean by that. Are you meaning back to your little fillyfriend or do you mean your human world?”

“You know exactly what I mean...”

This got her to laugh. “Do I now? Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t. Maybe I will just send you right in the middle of the Gryphon Embassy. That wouldn’t end well for you.” Daemon rolled her eyes at the glare I was giving her. “I will send you home. Don’t get your tail in a knot.”

“I collected the pieces.” She pulled a crystalline ball from somewhere behind her. I have seen multiple ponies do this. Still don’t know where they’re pulling stuff from. “And you dropped this.” My Lunar crest was placed on top of the ball. She pressed both against my chest, it forming into the armor I had it before.

“You practice what I showed you. Try to make some progress before our next lesson.” She suddenly grabbed my head and pulled it down. “Well...I was able to regenerate most of the ear back. Still missing the tip of it.” She let me go. “Such a pity and a waste. I really liked that body and you had to go ruin it.”

I huffed. “You were the one planning to put a hole through my head by throwing that thing at me. You know good and damn well I wouldn’t be able to catch it. It’s your fault more than anypony’s.”

Daemon chewed on her bottom lip. “Yeah. You are kind of weak. I should have known you wouldn’t have been up to the task. Well...Time to go.” She gave me a bright smile. “Boop!” She smacked my nose.

I blinked, the sudden change in scenery disorienting me. I was back in my spot by the Everfree “W-what?” I rubbed my nose. “Dammit Daemon...” I spread my wings and took to the air. From what the sun looked like, I had only been at Daemon’s for about an hour.

What else did I have to do today? Right! I promised Snow Dew and the CMC I would play with them. That should be...interesting. Only problem, didn’t know where they were at. How would I find that out?

A smile came to my face when I spotted a familiar yellow pony. I went and landed next to her. “Yo Fluttershy. What’s up?”

The butter coloured pegasus backed away from me a bit. “Oh...um, Hello, Crystal.” She kept her eyes on the ground. “I was just taking a walk.”

“You usually take your walks this close to the Everfree?”

“Oh yes. It’s so calm and peaceful. No pony but me and my little critter friends.”

“Riiight. Well, anyways, do you know where the Cutie Mark Crusaders are? I promised to help them.”

“I think they said they were heading to their clubhouse when I saw them in the market.”

“Alright. Thanks, Fluttershy.” I took to the air before she could say anything else. She still seemed uncomfortable around me. I sighed, making my way towards Applejack’s farm.

“Oooohh!” I buried my face into the pillow as Dash’s hooves worked their magic on me. I really needed this.

“Just what happened to you today, Crystal?” Dash continued massaging my wings as she straddled my back. “You’re all knotted up...”

I pouted a bit into the pillow before pulling my face from it. “It was horrible. The worst thing I have ever gone through. Those fillies are the spawn of satan.” I laid my head on the pillow.

“Who’s satan?”

“Err...nevermind. They just really put me through some hoops today.”

“Did they do that to your ear?”

I flicked the ear in question. “No. I kind of did that to myself during training today. Sort of.” I folded my wings, stopping the massage. “I need to talk to you about something.” I felt Dash lay across my back.

“Alright. Shoot.”

“Well...I am not sure how to put this lightly so.” I looked back at her the best I could. “This isn’t my real body...”

“...” Rainbow Dash slid off and next to me on the bed. “What?”

“This body. It doesn’t exactly belong to me.” I frowned in concentration. “My real body...It’s under the Everfree forest. Daemon is regenerating it or whatever. It was half eaten by a dragon by what she says.”

“So you’re saying that you aren’t really you...”

“No no. I am me. It’s just this body isn’t mine.”

“I think I get it. Kind of weird though. Never heard of something like this before.”

“Yeah. It’s a bit weird to me too... Dash. My real body looks a lot different from this one.”

“It does?”

“Yeah. Red mane, grey fur... I don’t know what colour my eyes are in that body.”

“Well, that’s fine. I go for more than just looks, Crystal.”

“I know. That’s the thing though. I am a guy, Dash...” The mare next to me was silent. “Are you even open to the idea of being with a stallion?”

“Does it even matter? You said your body was half eaten. Just stay in the one you got now. Saves a lot of trouble.”

“I can’t, Rainbow Dash. This body wasn’t meant to hold a soul and...this thing in my chest. It’s degrading. Dieing out. I have to go back to my original one.”

Dash snorted, a pensive look shadowing her face. “I don’t know, Crystal. I am going to have to think about it.”

“Alright...”

“Alone, Crystal...”

I opened my mouth but said nothing. Just give her her space? I slowly got up and off the bed. When I got to the door, I turned back to Dash. She was just staring out of one of her windows. “Goodnight, Rainbow Dash.”

“Goodnight, Crystal.”