The afterglow of the night’s activities was short lived. Just as the couple was considering bathing options to correct their now sweaty and indecent state, there was a loud pounding on the front door. They both looked at each other in surprise, not sure how to react to an intrusion, or the revelation of their recent activities.

“Oh shit, should I hide? I don't wanna be chased outta town as some monster, or something.” Drax said, as he jumped out of the bed and scrambled for the blanket/kilt. Images of ponies with torches and pitchforks came to mind. ‘Urrrrrrgg.. Fire Baaad!’

Twilight, even more panicked, and reconsidering what she had just done, quickly ran down the stairs to stop the visitor from coming in. “Oh Celestia, there couldn't be a worst time for a visitor! Who the hay is about at this hour anyway?” As she neared the door, the pounding continued, and she could make out a familiar voice calling to her.

“Twilight? Are you in there? I see the lights on! C’mon Twilight, I gotta know if you are ok! What was all that light? “ The voice of Rainbow Dash sounded worried, and little frantic. Not her usual overconfident self.

Opening the door slowly, she was knocked back as a blue blur exploded into the room. The pegasus stopped at the sight of Twilight and dropped to her hooves with a cry.

“Twilight! Are you ok? What the hay was all that light? It lit up half of Ponyville and almost made me fall out of a cloud I was sleeping on!

“Oh, sorry Rainbow Dash.” The purple pony nervously stammered, “I was up late trying a new spell.. umm.. and I guess it kinda.. umm..."

“What smells like mint?” Dash interrupted the flustered mare, sniffing the air. “And.. sex? What the hay are you up to in here and why do you look like you... Ooooohhh!” Her eyes went wide as she realized what she had stumbled into. “So, you been holding out on us eh, Twilight Sparkle? Not as sheltered as we thought. Who you shackin up with in here? Do I know him? Do I know HER?” She put a hoof around the mortified pony’s shoulders and winked knowingly.

Shrugging the hoof off, Twilight stepped away indignantly. “Dash! Even if I was 'Shacking Up', I don't see how it would be anypony’s business.” She fumed, and stared the blue pony down.

"Aww c’mon Twi, I’m your friend! The loyal one, remember? If you cant trust me, who can you trust?”

“Dash, please leave. We can discuss this in the morning. And I would appreciate it if you keep it to yourself in the meantime.” She pointed toward the door, still embarrassed and irate at Dash’s lewd behavior.

Suddenly another voice was heard calling down from the upstairs bedroom. “Aww go easy on her Twilight. She has to find out eventually.”

Both mares turned to see something strange. For Rainbow Dash, it was half expected. For Twilight, it was a total shock. And it was no less than the night’s previous shocks to her system. She stood with mouth hanging open and eyes wide as a midnight black stallion walked down the steps. He was as tall as Big Macintosh, and his coat was like pure black velvet, which reflected no light, but seemed to eat it up. His mane and tail were a deep indigo purple, almost the same shade as Rarity’s, but not quite as luxurious.

And he was still wearing the blanket.

“Well hello, tall dark and handsome!” Dash piped up at the sight of the new stallion. “Wow Twilight, you really have been keeping secrets. Who, may I ask, is your coltfriend?”

Sputtering, the unicorn snapped out of her shocked daze. “C-c-what? He’s not my coltfriend! He’s, umm. He’s just...”

“We aren't dating,” he cut in, before she could finish, “is what she means. We are just friends. Having a little sleepover, is all. My name is Drax. Pleased to meet you Rainbow Dash.”

“Squee! He knows my name!” the blue filly flushed. “If you aren't dating him Twilight, would you mind if I took a swing at that? Not many eligible bachelor’s around Ponyville these days.”

“No! I mean, yes. I mean.. oh horseapples... I don't know what I mean anymore!” She stamped her hoof in frustration, and glared at the stallion. “How the hay do you look like that? And what is wrong with your WINGS!?”

Rainbow Dash blinked. ‘Wings? How the hay did I miss that?’ and noticed that the Stallion DID have wings. The darkness of his coat matched the wings, so that they blended in at first glance. But something was WRONG about them. The stallion looked back, and flexed the wings, and the difference was immediately visible. Where a pegasus had softly feathered wings like a bird, his were large, smooth, and leathery, like a dragon, and the undersides were a rich purple, like his mane.

“Oh, yea... “ he muttered. “Well, this is my first try at a transformation. And I have always imagined myself as a Dragon. I thought maybe that I could mix it up a bit, and be a pony, but still have a little dragon. So I went with the Dragon wings, and a Dragon Cutie Mark.” He flipped the blanket up to show them. “What the?”

His flank, was blank.

The two mares gasped at the sight. A full grown stallion with a blank flank? That was unheard of. Even Twilight, who knew the colt’s true nature was taken aback by the sight. It was almost like looking at a pony who had a disfiguring scar.

“Hmm, I don't get it, there should be a purple dragon head with green eyes.” Puzzled, he didn't notice the reaction the other two gave him at first. Then he had and idea. “Hmm.. I guess either I goofed up the spell, or maybe I haven't been here long enough to earn my real mark like other ponies.”

“But wait a minute, “ Twilight sputtered, snapped to her senses again at the mention of spells. “How can you even cast a spell? You are clearly not a Unicorn, and you aren't even a real pony!”

“What do you mean he’s not a real pony?” Dash cried, her voice cracking a little. The situation was beginning to really freak her out, but she refused to lose her cool. “What kinda weird spells have you been doing in here Twilight? What in Celestia’s name IS he if he isn't a pony?”

“Well isn't that an interesting story.” Drax began, “But I really don't feel like telling it here. We both need to clean up, and I would rather we didn't have any other ponies barging in just yet. So I say, you come with us, and we can explain everything.”

Dash looked at Twilight, but she just looked at Drax, shaking her head. “What do you mean? Where are we going?”

“Well I have an idea I wanna try, but I need a little bit of help. Dash, are there any nice hot springs we could wash up in around here?”

Dash shook her head “Not nearby. The nearest ones are about half a day travel to the west of here. It’s the middle of the night, and its not a good area to travel through at in the dark.”

“Perfect! Don't worry about travel. Just describe to me as best as you can the location. I want to try something, and if it works we will be alot more comfortable.

Rainbow Dash ran her hoof through her mane thinking. “Well... its big. There are alotta rocks around, and the place is fixed up as a spa. Not alotta ponies there this time of year, and usually only other pegasai make the trip out there. There are some..”

“Perfect, I got it!” Drax crowed. And then the world went sideways.

The three lurched to their hooves shakily. They were outside at night, and the area was lit by pools of light coming from fay lamps around the area. Nearby water could be heard bubbling, and the cool breeze brought the smell of salt and minerals.

“WHAT. THE. HAY!” Rainbow yelled. “What the hay just happened?”

Twilight, used to teleporting herself, realized what had happen, but was stunned, not understanding HOW. “That shouldn't be possible.. that JUST ISN'T POSSIBLE!”

Drax, turning around to face the startled ponies, replied “I’m sorry, but nopony ever told me. I’m still new to this magic thing, so until I get the rulebook, I guess I’mma have to write my own rules.”

“But you teleported, without a horn, without seeing your target, and brought TWO of us WITH YOU! That is unheard of in magic. I studied for YEARS before I could move myself even a few inches. You did it in only a few HOURS!”

He shrugged. “Well maybe I have my own magic here. I am just making this up as I go along, but I am used to just knowing things, and not knowing how I know. And as for knowing where to go, Rainbow Dash showed me.”

Clearly shaken, the blue pegasus stepped back, her wings braced for flight. “Woah dude, did you read my mind? That is NOT COOL!”

Shaking his head, the stallion tried to explain. “No, no, I can’t read minds. Or at least I don't know how... yet. But I had you broadcast the image to me by having you describe it. It was like you were yelling it at me, and I couldn’t help but hear it. But I cant read thoughts or anything. Emotions mebbe, sometimes, but not thoughts.”

“Soo.. you got the image from Rainbow Dash, and used it to pull both of us here?” Twilight was still stunned. She didn't even know if Princess Celestia could do that. Teleportation was a rare ability, and never seen outside of Unicorns.

“Yea, pretty much. I dunno, I just got the idea in my head, and I had to see if it would work. I had to make Dash concentrate really hard to get anything at all.”

“Well that’s no surprise. She’s known for her speed, not her smarts.” Twilight chuckled.

“Hey, Buck You, Twilight! We cant all be eggheads!” Dash cried out, but then laughed at her friend’s jibe.

The stallion smiled at the interplay between friends. “Well so far I am just making thing up as I go along. I keep getting hunches and ideas, and all I can do is try them to see if they work. So far I have been able to do most things that pop into my head. Although the cutie mark thing has me a bit confused. Mebbe it’s one of the rules I can’t bend or make up myself.”

“I think we may need to ask Princess Celestia about it.” Twilight replied. “If anypony would know it would be her.”

“I dunno if that is such a good idea yet.” Shaking his mane worriedly. “If she is as old and powerful as they say, she may know exactly what I am, and where I come from. And she may not be happy about having me in her realm. My kind don't exactly have the best reputation for being peaceful and kind. Even I have my dark side, although I have spent my entire life trying to hide and control it.”

“Hmm.. you may be right, but we will have to tell her eventually.”

Looking more and more confused, Rainbow Dash looked back and forth at the interplay. “Are you two gonna tell me what you are talking about? My head is starting to hurt.”

The stallion perked up. “Oh yes, it’s time to explain I guess. But first let’s get in the hot spring and relax. It’s a bit of a strange story, and I’m feeling a bit filthy right now.”

Drax and Twilight got into the nearest pool. It was lit from below by submerged lights, so that even at night the area was well lit, if deserted.

Dash, however had other plans. “Cannonbaaaaalll!!” She cried, flying up and dropping like a rock, her body compressed into a ball. She hit the water with devastating effect, splashing water all over both of her companions, and the surrounding floors. They all laughed as she surfaced, and then screamed when she shook her multicolored main, splashing them with warm water.

“Rainbow Dash, you just wouldn't be you if you didn't show off!” Twilight piped.

Grinning proudly, “Well when you are the best flier in Equestria, you need to be sure everyone knows it!”

They all laughed, and then luxuriated in the warm water of the bath. Drax had discarded his blanket, not really needing it as a pony. Ponies didn't have to worry about things like clothing, and he preferred it that way. Rainbow Dash even showed them a small cart that held shampoo and other grooming supplies, and they used these to wash each other. She even let the stallion scrub her mane for her, as Twilight giggled at the bonding scene before her.

“Don’t laugh Twilight, he’s actually pretty good at this.” She sighed as he finished, splashing water to rinse out her mane. “For somepony that claims to not be a pony, you sure are good with your hooves!”

“Ahh.. yea, I’m still trying to understand how ponies hold things. It’s like some sorta localized telekinesis, but only on my hooves?”

Twilight perked up, finally hearing a subject she understood. “Yes, its a gift that all ponies share. Earth ponies tend to be a bit stronger at it, able to hold heavier objects, but all ponies can touch things with their hooves and move them, but only if they maintain direct contact.”

‘Well that is awfully convenient...”

“And pegasus ponies can use the same ability on things that aren't solid.” She continued.

“Yea, we can kick clouds an stuff!” Rainbow Dash chimed in. “And walk on em too. That's how we move clouds around to make the weather. Oooh... that feels so good...” she moaned as he massaged the base of her neck and shoulders. Her wings started to unfurl and lift out of the water.

Twilight giggled. “You two look like a couple of fillies at a sleepover, so sweet.”

Drax just stuck his tongue out at her, blowing a raspberry. She couldn't help but notice it was also purple, an odd color for a pony, most of which had orange tongues.

“Yer just jealous because I’m getting the awesome spa treatment.” Dash replied. “You should come over here, and I can wash your mane for you.

“I can wash my own mane myself, thank you.” Twilight replied rather primly. “Maybe you should ask him for one of his massages. They are simply amazing!”

Dash turned around and eyed the black stallion playfully. “Oh really? Gonna give me the full work-over eh?”

“Uhh.. mebbe later.” he mumbled.

“Awww...! Yer no fun!” She turned around to face him. “My turn! Turn around so I can wash your mane too!”

“Oooh, I never knew you were so fillyish Rainbow.” The unicorn teased. “What’s next, gonna get some makeup from Rarity?

“Nuttin wrong with being fillyish if you are a filly. I usually just don't have time for all that frilly froo froo stuff. I’m too busy training and working.” The pegasus replied, defensively.

She began to wash the stallion’s hair, and he mutely leaned back to let her access it. He was a bit taller than her, almost as tall as Big Mac, and so he crouched deeper in the water to accommodate her.

As she began to lather his mane, she leaned close and breathed deeply. “Mmm... you smell nice...” She whispered in a voice full of longing.

“Ahh.. ahem.. yea. I’ve been told that.” he fumbled, suddenly aware of the wet mare pressing up against him. “I think it may be pheromones, or something. Of course I have always had a way with other creatures, and I’m great with kids.“ He began to ramble nervously, “I dunno, I seem to be able to attract and calm everything but women of my own kind.”

Pulling away, she managed to lower her wings, and slid across the pool to face the other two, a determined look on her muzzle. “Ok then, spill it. I wanna hear this amazing story you keep hinting at.”

Drax sigh. ‘Here we go again. Freak out time.’ He began his story, with Twilight Sparkle filling in some of the gaps. They managed to gloss over the intimate parts.

Sometime later, the blue pegasus was simply staring at the other two ponies. It was all too weird to believe. If it wasn't for Twilight’s testimony, she would have thought the large stallion to be completely insane. Even the strange wings and lack of cutie mark was small compared to what they were telling her.

“So let me get this straight. Twi, you summoned him, from another dimension. And he’s some sort of super smart monkey thing. But now he’s a pony, with weird wings.” She took a deep breath as Twilight and Drax nodded. “AND YOU MADE OUT?!! Please tell me he was a pony at the time.”

“Oh Dash! Don't say it like that! Twilight cried, annoyed at her friend’s reaction. “You make it sound more horrible than it is. He is really a nice and friendly guy, and I feel I am SAFE around him.”

“Oh, I know what you mean. I felt it too.” She sighed. “He said something about far-o-whatsits, making creatures like him”

“Pheromones.” Drax corrected her.

“Whatever. What are they?”

“Well, I don't know if ponies have studied it here, but most creatures give off scents that reflect their moods and such. You smell afraid, happy, and other stuff. Most ponies can’t smell them, but they are effected all the same. There are others as well, and some can cause arousal or other emotions. Think of it like aromatherapy candles. That's one theory at least, and would explain why you fillies keep saying I smell nice.

He paused sighing. “I like to think I AM a nice and gentle kinda guy, that you can trust and rely on. So, maybe you are picking up on that as well. Then again, I have a hereditary gift with animals, and plants. Kinda a nature freak. Runs in my family.”

“You mean like Fluttershy?” Twilight perked up. This was all fascinating stuff! She was learning so much about this creature and how he thought. “She is a yellow pegasus friend of ours that takes care of animals.”

“Yes. I think she has the same gift. I am also good with plants.”

“Oh wow, I bet Applejack would love to meet somepony gifted with plants.” Twilight replied, thoughtfully.

Rainbow Dash wasn’t done yet though. “Ok, ok. I will buy it for now. You are some sorta freaky monster that is all nice and cuddly. You smell nice and ponies like you. You can do weird magic that even our resident egghead unicorn can’t explain. (Twilight shot her murderous glance, which was ignored) But now you look like a pony and a dragon bumped uglies? That I am having trouble with. What do you REALLY look like? Show me!”

“You really sure?” Drax grinned, and slowly tilted his head sideways. ‘Oh yea, it’s freak out time for sure!’

The look in his eyes made Rainbow Dash think of the time she found Pinkie Pie alone, talking to rocks and turnips. She gulped nervously, but steeled herself. “Uhh yea! Show me!”

Feeling he had creeped her out enough, the stallion snapped his head straight again and mimicked Pinkie Pie’s perky voice. “Okie, Dokie, Loki!”

He began to blur. It made the blue pony sick to her stomach, like falling too fast and spinning out of control. She had to look away. When she looked back, something else had taken the place of the handsome stallion. Something... weird. She heard a scream. It took her a moment for her mind to catch up to her body and realise it was her own screaming. She was already in full flight mode, trying to leap into the air to fly away. Unfortunately, wet feathers are not very good at quick flight, and she only managed to splash the water before sinking back into the hot spring.

“Well, that was rather dramatic.” Drax drawled.

“What the hay are you!” she screamed.

The human rolled his eyes at Twilight. “Gee, that is so familiar. Where have I gotten that reaction before?”

Twilight giggled at the joke. The sound of her friend’s laughter snapped the panicked pony out of her fright, and she stopped trying to crawl away and out of the water.

“It’s not funny! You scared the horseapples outta me!” Rainbow Dash was now panting heavily, and flexing her wings slowly in agitation. A sudden pain let her know she had pulled something in her panicked flight. Now her wing didn't want to close properly.

“Ow, dammit!” She cried, “I think I popped a wing.”

“Oh damn, Dash, I'm so sorry.” Drax moved toward her. “I tried to warn you I look different, but some ponies just need to learn for themselves.”

He reached toward her, but she shrunk back. “Don't touch me! What the hay do you have on your hooves!”

“They are called fingers.” He stopped, and wiggled them in front of her. “I know you have seen Spike’s hands. Same thing, just softer.”

“Let him look at it, Dash. “ Twilight said, sobering up with a worried frown. I wasn't kidding when I mentioned his massage. He can do some pretty amazing stuff with those hands of his.”

“Thanks for that glowing endorsement, my dear Twilight Sparkle. I also know a bit about first aide, if she’s hurt.” Drax advanced again on the pegasus.

“N-no, its fine, I’m fine! I just need to relax it a bit.” Dash stammered, worriedly.

“Seriously, dude, lemme take a look. I can help. I’m getting another hunch, and I think I can fix your wing.”

“You sound like Pinkie Pie, and her twitches... A Hunch huh?” Dash was still wary. “You can take a look. But try anything funny, and I will buck you up good, mister!”

“Yea, yea. You say that now, but then you get a headache, and its yer time of the month... blah blah?” he joked.

“Huh? What’s he talking about Twilight?”

The unicorn rolled her eyes. “Ignore him, he says weird stuff like that alot. I guess on his world it would be funny.”

“Actually, most people on my world don't get my jokes either.” He laughed. “I keep telling you, I’m weird, and so is my sense of humor.”

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash got the joke, and began laughing. “Hahaha..I get it now..OUCH... damn. It hurts when I laugh.”

Gently Drax took the wing in his hands, running his fingers over the soft surface gingerly. He tried not to place any pressure, but just let his senses drift across the muscle and bone. As he reached a joint, he felt something wrong. A slight bit of heat was coming off it, and when he touched the spot, the pony hissed in pain. He stopped a moment, thinking, then motioned for her to lower the wing into the warm water.

“Ok, first get the blood flowing. The warm water will help that. Then I need to see if I can use magic to accelerate healing. I don't think anything is broke, but I’m still new at this so need to be extra careful. Most likely it is just a sprained joint, and will heal on it’s own. I am just going to speed things up!”

“I know some healing spells, Drax.” Twilight offered. “I can maybe show you and help”

“No. I think that I need to do this my way. So far I have been able to make up my rules. If I use your rules, then I may become bound by them.”

The purple pony tilted her head and looked at him strangely. “Do you realize, that nothing you just said makes any sense?”

“Well that is exactly my point.” He grinned back at her. “Trust me.”

“But?”

“Trust. Me.”

“Ohh.. I want to, but..”

“It will be fine. If it doesn't work, you can try to heal her.”

“WILL SOMEPONY JUST FIX MY WING!” Rainbow Dash shouted, losing patience.

“Yes M’am! Right on it, STAT!” Drax quipped.

He closed his eyes again, like before with the massage. He let his mind flow into his hands, enhancing the sensitivity of his touch, but this time, he did more. As he concentrated, again purring to himself, he felt the flow of the energy around him. It was always there, like a giant transformer, sending out a magnetic field to cover him. He concentrated on absorbing it, and channeling it into his outstretched hands. Unseen to him, they began too glow faintly, getting brighter as the magic of Equestria was pulled to him.

Suddenly, he thrust his hands into the water, and made contact with the injured wing. The pegasus flinched, but then relaxed as she felt no pain. Instead a soothing warmth spread from his touch, and the pain faded away. In his mind, Drax suddenly saw every detail of the wing structure. It was like watching an episode of CSI, where the camera showed the inner workings of some victim. He saw the stressed joints, and felt the damage. As the glow intensified, he concentrating on fixing the damage, forcing the body to repair itself faster than it normally could. Within moments, the wing was wrenched out of his grasp, as both of them went rigid.

“Holy Celestia, you just gave me a friggin wingboner!” Rainbow Dash cried. “That was as good as SEX!”

Drax stumbled back, shaking his head, as his mind was wrenched back to reality. “Woah.. that was a hell of a head rush! Made me all dizzy.”

“Wow Doc, you did a great job! My wing actually feels stronger!”

“Glad to help. You need to be more carefu...”

He was cut off as he was suddenly tackled my an athletic blue wall of curves. Both forehooves and wings were wrapped around him, and she planted a sloppy kiss on his face. After a few moments, she let go, and giggled. “Thanks!”

Dazed, he just swayed a bit, falling backwards into the pool. “Naprobebb-b-b...” he mumbled as he slipped under the water for a moment. Then suddenly he burst back to his feet, yelling. “Wooo! That was unexpected! Guess yer over my weird looks now eh?”

Meanwhile, Twilight was cracking up laughing at the very un-Dashlike display she was seeing. “Are you ok Dash? You are acting a little strange”

“Oh, I'm fine. Never better. No, I mean literally. I have never felt better in my life. I feel like.. I could take on all the Wonderbolts at once, and make them look like CHUMPS!”

Drax looked back at Twilight, grinning. “Think I overdid it a bit?”

Thinking a moment, she replied, “Naa... This is Dash we are talking about. If she wasn't boasting, she would be asleep. And she would still be dreaming about winning.”

The both laughed, as the blue flier flexed and postured like a body builder. “No shame in knowing you are the best! No shame at all...”