Morning. Drax hated mornings. He always hated the brightness, the noises, the energetic people, all happy and chipper. He was always nocturnal by nature, usually preferring to go to bed as the sun was coming up, and sleeping into the afternoon. Rarely did he get the luxury in a diurnal world. He didn't believe in good mornings either. If he was awake before noon, it was NOT a good morning.

But today was different. The light didn't bother his eyes, and the warmth of the rising sun warmed his black hide pleasantly. The sound of the flowing water the the nearby birds was soothing. The feeling of the two mares cuddled up against him wasn't too bad either. He was in a magical world, and he wasn't human. It was like a dream come true.

Which meant he hadn’t woken up in his old world. That meant it was probably real. He was still absorbing the fact, when suddenly the rainbow-maned mare next to him exploded.

“OHMYGOSH! Omygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” She was yelling frantically, and pounding herself on the head with a hoof, as she fluttered about the area in a panic. “No nononononono! This cant be happening, THIS CANT BE HAPPENING!”

Twilight came awake at the outburst, and Drax looked at per puzzlingly. “What the hay are you so upset about?”

“My life is OVER! All my dreams are ruined! NO NO NO NO! I cant believe I was so STUPID!”

Twilight was on her hooves now, head tilted in confusion. “What do you mean it’s over? What is wrong Dash?”

“Dammit, I was such a foal! I’M IN SEASON!” She cried, as she dropped to the ground in a heap, sobbing convulsively.

Drax just looked at her. “I know.”

Looking up with tear stained eyes, a fire began to grow as her despair turned to rage. “You KNEW!? What do you mean you knew? How can you? How COULD YOU! You ruined my life! I can’t have a foal! I can’t take 11 months off from training! And how can I join the Wonderbolts if I have a foal to take care of? No no no! I can’t be pregnant. Not now, not when I am so close!

Sighing deeply, the stallion replied. “I know because I can smell it. Remember what I said about pheromones? I’m one of the few that can consciously smell them. I knew you were in heat the moment I met you. And even if I didn't, your body language gave it away to me. Kinda hard to hide what your wings do. But relax. You are not gonna have a foal”

Rainbow Dash launched herself at him, bowling the startled stallion over and landing on his chest. She grabbed his head in her hooves and moved her muzzle inches from his. “WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN?”

Unfazed by her attack, he bucked her off, and got to his hooves. “Calm down. You forgot something very important Dash. The one reason you cannot be pregnant.” He glared at the rainbow maned pony, as she flipped onto her feet and stared challengingly at him. Then he unfurled his large draconic wings, flapping them slowly for effect. “I can’t get you pregnant, because I am not a real pony. I can no more impregnate you than Twilight can.”

Blinking in surprise, Rainbow Dash sank to her rump and just stared. “Oh.”

Twilight moved over to her, putting a hoof on the stunned pony’s shoulder. “It’s true Dash. Even the three pony tribes cannot interbreed without special spells. And Princess Celestia is one of the few that know the cross-race magics. Even I don't know that spell. That is why pony couples that want to interbreed must travel to Canterlot and ask for Celestia’s blessing.”

“Oh...” she replied, quietly. Then looked up, with a wicked grin on her muzzle. “So that means we can... y’know... all we want?”

Drax and Twilight both rolled their eyes in unison. Drax sighed and replied, “Yes.. but not today. We have ground to cover, and we really should get back to Ponyville before they send out a search party.”

“Awww... Yer no fun!”

“On the contrary, “ he replied drolly “I was lots of fun, last night...”

With a laugh, the pegasus leaped into the air. “Now who’d bragging?”

Grinning, he quipped back, “No shame in knowing you are the best! No shame at all...”

They all laughed, and then set out on the journey home.

The forest was beautiful. It was like a dream of a fairytale, wrapped in green and brought to life. He always considered himself a bit of a tree hugger, and nature lover, but most of these trees were totally alien to him. Yet it was familiar enough that if he didn't look close, he could be walking through a forest in his old world. At first he stayed quiet, listening to the two fillies chat amongst themselves. He paid no mind to what they actually said, but was lost in the wonder of the forest around him. Other than the path they were on, the land was entirely untouched by any sort of industry. That was rare back home. No sound of planes overhead, no distant rumble of freeways. Not a single sounds of civilization. Only wind and the birds in the trees. He walked blissfully on this way for several hours before he noticed the pair had stopped ahead of him and were looking at something.

Looking ahead he saw a grey pegasus pony, with blond hair, and an odd look on her face. As he got closer, he realized it was a rather famous pony he knew from the fandom.

“Derpy?”

Both Twilight and Dash were unsure how to react. Dash spoke first, “Yea, that's her. I wonder what she is doing out here?”

The mail-pony was plopped in the middle of the path, sitting on her rump and staring at nothing at particular. Well, two different nothings actually. Her trademarked eyes were looking at the trees and the path at the same time.

Drax approached her slowly, with a smile on his muzzle, but the gray mare made no sign she even noticed him. “Umm.. hello Derpy. What brings you out here?”

No response. Her eyes swung randomly around in her head, but refused to focus on anything in particular. He noticed she had her usual mail bag swung over back. He got closer, and then knelt down in front of her to look her in the face. Still nothing. “Hellooo... anypony home? My name is Drax, Pleased to meet ya.”

Waving a hoof in front of her face, the eyes still refused to see him, like she was in a trance. he looked back at the other two mares and shrugged. They shrugged back.

“Umm, she is usually weird, but I have never known her to ignore anypony like that.” Twilight spoke up. “Is she ok? Maybe she is hurt?”

“I dunno.” he replied, then turned back. He started suddenly as both eyes were now directed at him, and the pegasus’s normally happy smile was missing. She was staring directly at him and her expression was totally deadpan. Somehow this was even creepier than her normal wall-eyed state.

Suddenly she spoke, and the voice sent shivers down his spine. It was as if she were talking from far away.

Just as suddenly, she stopped talking again, and her eyes shot in opposite directions, as her normally friendly smile returned. Her voice was back to normal, as she dug in her bag and offered something to him. “Muffin?”

Drax looked down, and took the offered treat, bringing it to his nose, he inhaled deeply. His stomach growled, and he remembered it was a long time since he had eaten. Looking back at her face, he saw her still looking at him... and a nearby tree.

“Pumpkin, my favorite.” She smiled brighter in response. “You knew I would be here didn't you? You knew I was coming and you were waiting for me.”

She nodded happily, replying, “The muffin sees all, but understands little.” Then she stood up, waving to the ponies behind him, and took to the air, quickly flying away.

Twilight walked up beside him to see what she had given him. “That was very strange, even for Derpy. Any idea what that was about?”

Drax, still looking at the muffin in his hoof, shook his head and replied, “I think she is an Oracle.”

“Shes a whatnow?” asked Rainbow Dash, also joining him again.

“An oracle. Legends say, in ancient times on my world, some pon..err people were gifted with extra sight. They saw the world differently. And some had the gift of prophecy. They were often treated as holy seers, and sometimes worshipped.” He sighed sadly. “In truth, most of them just have their brain wired differently. Not wrong, merely different. I have a touch of it myself, I think. It explains why I think differently than most ponies.. err, people. On my world, they call it Autism, OCD, Bipolar, and many less polite things. Just because people are different.”

Dash was rather subdued, not sure how to respond to that. “Oh. And you think Derpy has the special sight? I mean, of course she sees things differently, what with her eyes and all.. but prophecy?”

“Maybe. I don't know. But that was creepy as fuck when she looked at me like that. And that sure sounded like some sort of prophecy.” He looked back at the muffin. “Or mebbe she’s just a friendly mail-pony with funny eyes, and a love of muffins.”

“I always wondered where she gets those muffins. She always has one in her bag to give to somepony. “ Twilight looked at the muffin with curiosity.

Grinning, the stallion looked back at her. “Ya know Twilight, I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't know herself.”

Dash looked up with a strange look on her face. “So... is that some sorta magic muffin then?”

Laughing at the idea, he replied, “Something like that. Watch this.” and he covered the muffin with his other hoof, both of which began to glow briefly.

*Pop*

Suddenly there were three muffins.

He handed them each one with a smile. “None of us has eaten in awhile, so lets dig in and enjoy breakfast. Courtesy of of friendly neighborhood mail-pony!”

The mares both cheered at the prospect of food, realizing how hungry they were after the long night. Muffins were devoured with glee, and then they set off on their trip once more. This time he had alot more to think about than the pretty forest, but the two mares decided to engage him in conversation instead. The meal seemed to have lifted their spirits and made them alot more social.

“So what are ya gonna do when you get to Ponyville, Draxy?” The pegasus asked.

Wincing at the nickname, he thought a moment then replied, “I think first thing I need to do is find Rarity, and get some proper cloths for when I am human.”

“But why do you wanna do that? You look better as a Pony!”

Twilight chimed in, “I have to agree. I am used to you now as a human, but it will attract alot less attention if you stay a pony.”

“Yea, you may be right. But I don't know the limits of the spell, and I’m not sure I am ready to stay in one form permanently. Besides, it helps to be prepared. I cant be running around nekkid with my gonads in the wind all the time. Ponies will talk!”

Rainbow Dash giggled, “Oh so that's what that was! I thought you were born deformed with a tail in the wrong place!”

Twilight joined in on the joke, admitting she had thought the same thing at first.

“Oh hah, hah. Laugh it up. I didn't hear any complaints last night about my anatomy when you girls wanted to make use of it!”

This shut them up for a moment as they both blushed a furious red. But it was short lived as they both looked at each other and busted out laughing. Dash was laughing so hard she fell to the ground and rolled.

The stallion sighed and rolled his eyes. “Mares... can’t live with em...” he left the rest unsaid as he shook his mane. He continued on, leaving the two fillies to finish their laughing before catching up to him.

Farther along the path, the conversation drifted. Drax was questioned ruthlessly about his world, his people, his past girlfriends, and anything else the inquisitive ponies could think of. He managed to accommodate them as best he could, getting varied reactions to his answers. His kinda being omnivorous brought troubled looks from the both of them, but the description of his past romances were met with equal parts of sympathy and friendly ribbing. They seemed especially interested in things like computers, and television. These were foreign concepts in the land if low-tech and high magic.

Stories of the Pony fandom drew their attention the most, as they came to terms with the idea that strangers they had never met somehow idolized them. Although hearing about the shipping, grimdark, and porn drawings made them more than a bit uncomfortable.

Suddenly realizing that he did not know what version of the pony reality he was actually in, he started asking them about strange disappearances, or friends acting strangely lately. He was relieved to hear that nothing of the sort had happened to Ponyville. In fact, things were rather dull since the Gala a few weeks earlier.

‘Yes! I am so sick of hearing about that crappy piece of grimdark.’ he thought, with a sigh. Apparently this version of Equestria was alot closer to the show’s canon. ‘Although, Derpy’s behavior was definitely off, even by fan standards.’

He shrugged it off and went back to being grilled about furries. He tried to explain it as best as he could, but even after years around that fandom, he still couldn't make much sense of it. And some of those people frankly SCARED him. Ponies were a much safer topic.

A while later they were closer to the outskirts of Ponyville, having made good time. A lemon-yellow blur dropped from the treeline and almost collided with him. The pegasus yelled out to Twilight and Dash, but then realized they weren't alone. Slamming on the brakes as she touched the ground, she meeped and jumped behind a bush.

“And that would be the search party I mentioned.” Drax sighed.

Rainbow Dash flew forward, trying to coax the frightened mare out of hiding. She came forward slowly, hiding behind her bubblegum mane, and finding something of great interest on the ground in front of her.

“C’mon Fluttershy, this is our new friend, Drax.” The other pegasus introduced the new stallion. We are taking him to Ponyville.”

“Oh.. ummm.. pleased to meet you, I guess.” She mumbled, still not making eye contact with the dark pony. “I’m .. fushmumble...”

Drax just facehoofed. ‘Here we go again. I don't have time for this with every pony I meet.’ he thought, and sighed. ‘At least I look like a pony this time.’

He walked up to her, ignoring her nervous squeak, and lifted her muzzle to face him. She tried to turn away but he was stern and looked her right in the eyes. Putting every ounce of his skill and training into his voice, he began do talk. He knew he could be hypnotizing when he wanted to be, but it was something he tried not to use often.

“Fluttershy, I am going to tell you something about yourself. I know alot of things I cannot explain, and you would not understand if I did. But you need to trust me, that everything I tell you is the truth as best as I know it.”

She merely blinked, transfixed by his gaze, and soothed by his now gentle voice. The authority in it instinctively made her want to listen. But still, she was frightened, and unused to being addressed so forcefully by a stranger.

Drax paused a moment for effect, and closed his eyes to collect his thoughts. ‘How am I going to put this...’

“Fluttershy, you need never be afraid. Not of me, not of anyone, or anything that walks the earth. The power of the green mother flows through you, and with her power you command the love and respect of all creatures that walk, fly or swim on its surface. You are special in this gift, and it will serve to protect you wherever you go. Once, long ago, you would have been known as a Druid, and worshipped as a priestess of the great green earth mother. Your powers come from this, in that you are a mother to all living things. Your STARE is nothing more than the glare of a mother scolding a petulant child, and is strongest when you are protecting those in your care. And anypony that has seen a child threatened knows to fear the wrath of a mother protecting that child.”

“In this, you will always be safe. Because of this you should never know fear. All life loves you, as you love all life. Your power over creatures is great, and in time you can learn to have power over plants as well. I know this because the same power flows in my family. I know this because all creatures love you, just as I love you. Never be afraid.”

He finished with a kiss to her forehead

*FWOOMP!*

Suddenly in place of the shy pegasus was a pegasus shaped statue, as her wings shot out rigid, and her eyes grew wide. She froze in place, and her face turned the color of her mane, and it spread across her body. She stared straight ahead, unmoving.

Drax stepped back shaking his mane. “I still don't understand how you ponies do that.”

“What? A wingboner?” Rainbow dash giggled. “Well when some pegasus ponies get excited...”

“No, not that.” He interrupted, “I mean blushing!” He gestured to the still frozen Fluttershy, still not even blinking in her shock. “How the hell do you blush through FUR? Shouldn't it cover the skin so you can’t see it?”

It was Twilight that replied. “Well our fur is transparent after all. Haven't you noticed? The color comes from our skin.”

The blue pegasus snickered at this. “You had yer hooves all over my flank, and you didn't even see the color of my fur?”

Drax rolled his eyes, feeling rather stupid. “Well I wasn't exactly using my eyes. But it makes sense now. Like polar bears, their fur is clear, but skin black. Just their fur is alot longer, so the refracted light makes it look white.”

“What’s a polar bear?” replied Twilight, looking confused.

“Uhh, its a type of Ursa on my world. Lives in areas far north, with lots of snow.”

He turned to look closer at his own flank, and concentrated. His coat began to shimmer faintly, becoming less light-devouring, and taking on more gloss and texture. Now he looked like a black stallion, and not a walking piece of void.

Both mares gasped at once, and exclaimed, “Look, your Cutie Mark!”

He turned his head and positioned his flank so he could see. There on his rump was a emerald green eye. It was not the eye of a pony or human however, but had the slitted pupil of a reptile. It was clearly a Dragon Eye.

“Oh wow. I guess my fur was covering it the whole time. But that’s weird, it’s not the one I tried to give myself. “

“It’s like I keep trying to tell Applebloom, you can’t force a Cutie Mark. It will appear when you are ready, and it will be special.” Twilight replied, still in awe of the sudden appearance of the stallion’s defining trait.

“Awesome! Now I look like a real pony!”

Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Yea, except for those Crazy Wings!”

Drax flexed his wings, stuck his nose in the air and strutted around. “Haters gonna hate...”

They all laughed, until they noticed that Fluttershy still hadn't moved. Her flush was gone, but she was still frozen in place. Drax approached her again and put his hoof on her shoulder, looking her in the eye again. “Shy? You gonna be ok? I didn't mean to overdo it like that, but you really did need it.”

She snapped awake, and returned his gaze, now looking demure instead of frightened behind her mane. She held his gaze however. “It’s ok. Thank you.” Then looked away. Do you really think that’s true? Am I a druid pony?”

“I really do. How else could you command the respect of animals, and even creatures like Dragons? You have a great gift, and in time you will be very powerful.”

Suddenly she threw her hooves around him in a hug. “Thank you, thank you so much!” He returned the hug, until she said, “Mmm.. you smell nice.”

He broke the hug, and stepped back, as Rainbow Dash burst into a fit of laughter. “M-mebbe you should give her a massage!”

Both Drax and Twilight glared daggers at the mirthful trickster pony, and yelled, “Shut up Dash!”

Fluttershy looked back and forth between them, confused. “Was it something I said? I’m sorry...“

Turning back to the shy pegasus, Drax sat down in front of her and sighed. “No Fluttershy, don't be. You don't ever need to be sorry or afraid for something somepony else does. I know what it’s like to be shy. Believe it or not, I am shy too.”

The rainbow maned-mare blew a raspberry. “Horseapples! You have more balls than even Applejack, and that filly will walk up and talk to ANYPONY! And yer almost as brave as ME!”

Fluttershy blushed again at the crudity of the comments. Drax never looked away, but replied, “No, I’m not. I am shy. I spent most of my life not liking people, and finding it hard to get close to anypony. In a crowd, my first instincts are to hide. But I learned to overcome this. I learned that if I wanted to be accepted as a functioning member of society, I had to learn to act.

He sighed sadly, still gazing at the buttercup-colored pony, who only had eyes for him. “I learned to wear a mask, a mask of the friendly guy. Somepony that likes people. Somepony that wants to be near people, have fun, party, and all that. Somepony that didn't want to just be left alone. But it was just a mask. Don't get me wrong, I do like friends. I like having fun, and I love helping people. But I am strictly a small-group kinda guy. Crowds, frankly, freak me out.”

Twilight chuckled, “Well you better steer clear of Pinkie Pie’s parties. When she gets going, half the town shows up.”

Smiling again at Fluttershy, he continued. “It’s ok, I can adapt. I just put on my mask. You can learn to do the same, Shy.”

She started to smile and blush again, kicking her hoof at the ground nervously. ‘I just love the way he calls me “Shy”’ she thought to herself. ‘It feels like I’ve known him all my life.’

He was still talking, and she focused on him again, “What? I’m sorry.. say that again?”

Still smiling he responded, “I was asking if you thought you could do that? Learn to act brave? Even when you are scared, even when you are feeling shy, you have to put on your mask, and act brave for your friends, just like Pinkie Pie does. They all love you, and it makes them feel bad to see you frightened all the time.”

She smiled weakly, and nodded, “I’ll try. Thank you so much.” as she gave him another hug.

Suddenly a pink pile of raw energy came bounding into the clearing. “Just like I do what?” asked Pinkie Pie. She was bouncing up and down, and then shot over to the newcomer to get a better look at him. “Oooh, who’s the new guy? My name is Pinkie Pie! Are you new to Ponyville? That's a neat cutie mark. Whats your special talent? I love meeting new ponies, this means I get to throw another party! Iloveparties becauseIamthevery bestatmakingthem andeverypony lovesmyparties sodoyouwannacome? Huh huh huh?!”

Waiting for the avalanche of energy to slow long enough for a response, Drax merely blinked at the cotton-candy whirlwind as she bounced back and forth, inspecting every part of him at once and firing off a rapid volley of questions.

Finally she paused and blinked at him with her huge blue eyes, blinking and grinning. “Umm, hi Pinkie. My name is Drax. Pleased to meet you finally.”

And she was off... “Oh high Draxy! What kinda name is Drax? It sounds funny for a pony name. And why are your wings funny? Saw a dragon once with wings like that once. But you aren't a dragon, you look like a pony to me and... Ooohhh...” She stopped only a moment, staring at him from behind after bouncing around him in a circle. Suddenly she started laughing hysterically. “Hahaha! that's so funny! Your butt is staring at me! HAHAHAAHAHAH!”

Turning around, Drax tried to get a look at what she was laughing at. The other ponies started to giggle as well. “What? Did you put something on my tail Dash? That's not funny, man.”

Twilight stopped long enough to explain. “It’s your cutie marks. From the back, the two eyes look like an angry dragon face, with a pony tail for a nose. It’s actually kind of neat looking.”

Pulling the blanket down over the offending flanks, he rolled his eyes. “Bah, figures it was too good to be true. Something like this always happens and gets me picked on.”

Rainbow Dash flew over and put her hoof around his shoulder. “Aww it’s not so bad. We are your friends, and we love ya no matter what your cutie mark looks like.” He started to feel a bit better until she cracked up laughing again, and continued. “And besides.. mebbe Fluttershy can teach you to do THE STARE with your butt!”

The 3 mares collapsed into fits of laughter, Rainbow dash falling to the ground again. Fluttershy just smiled weakly, and looked sadly at the distressed stallion.

Drax, finally seeing some humor at the situation, had to hold back a smile as he fake-glared indignantly at the laughing fillies. “Yea, that's right, woop it up. I just love being the butt of everypony’s joke.”

At the word “Butt”, they all laughed even harder, and even he couldn't hold back a smile and a chuckle.

He finally stuck his tongue out at them, stuck his wings and nose in the air again, and repeated, “Haters gonna hate...” and then cracked up finally at his own lame joke.

After an abbreviated version of events, the mares all circled around him, and the newcomers asked more questions.

Fluttershy was talking openly now, but blushed whenever she talked directly to him. “So, umm.. you are actually, uhh.. not a pony? But you aren’t a dragon either? Oh.. then you are not a stallion then... are you?”

Shaking his mane, “No. I made a spell to make me look like a stallion, and I am a male of my species, but I am not really a pony. I can walk and talk like one, but the genetics are different, and I cant breed with a mare, or have foals. I’m not even sure yet if I can eat the same foods. Some things we have in common, but things like grass and hay, I don't know if I can digest.”

The yellow pony looked down, appearing disappointed at this news. “Oh.. ok. That's too bad. Umm.. we do, um... needmorestallions” she squeaked out, suffering another full body blush.

“Dear lord, why did I get sent to a world of sexually repressed females? It’s all you fillies think of!” He laughed.

Pinkie was grinning an impossibly huge grin, and looked ready for her head to explode. “Ohh ohh ohh.. do you know what that means? If he can’t get us pregger weggers, then we can have the most awesomest kinda party ever!”

“No, Pinkie” Drax tried to cut her off.

“AN ORGY! Because orgies are extra super duper mega fun! We can all make out and do all kinda dirty things, and Rarity can bring her toy collection, and I can have all kinda kinky fun with all my bestest westest most fabulous friends!”

“NO, PINKIE!!!” Everypony shouted at once, finally stopping the overcharged pink pony, leaving her blinking.

“Awww...” she whined. Then she turned to the side, facing you, and an unseen audience. “Sorry folks, I tried!” and shrugged.

Raising an eyebrow, Drax sighed, “Really Pinkie, I don't think it would be appropriate. First of all, I just met you fillies, and I haven't even met your other friends yet. And second, unless you mares are all bisexual, I am pretty damn sure I will not be able to satisfy all of you, and that just wouldn't be much fun would it?”

He looked around, noticing that suddenly none of them would look at him. They all were blushing and finding other things to look at. Rainbow Dash was just looking at the sky, but her wings were straight up, and broadcasting her thoughts.

“Oh you have got to be shitting me?” He facehoofed. “The Bronies would have a field day with this... And besides! Look at poor Fluttershy! You are embarrassing her to death!”

The pony in question was again huddled, her wing covering her face, and her body and mane the same color pink.

Pinkie looked at her feet, “Soowwweee... I didn't mean anything by it Fluttershy. I forgot how sensitive you are and all. Maybe we can have a nice quiet dance party instead? I can get DJ Pon-3 to play!”

Fluttershy opened her wing again, still looking shaken up. “Um, it’s ok, I didn't mean to, ahh.. I’m sorry. “

Drax put a hoof around her, causing her to squeak. “C’mon Shy, what did we talk about?”

She lifted her head again, looking him in the eye, and renewing the blush that was just starting to fade. Then she looked at Pinkie Pie, replying in a level voice. “Ahem.. thank you Pinkie Pie. I would be glad to go to one of your dance parties. I just don't think I am ready yet for a.. a..you know. “

“That’s ok Fluttershy! You are always welcome to any of my parties, and if you don't want to come, you are still one of my bestest friends!”

“Thank you.” she replied softly.

Sighing and looking around at the others, “Ok, now that that is all settled, can we start moving back to town? I really am getting hungry, and we have a few hours left to travel.”

Fluttershy suddenly shot up into the air to hover. “Oh! I forgot, I need to get back now. The animals all need to be fed, and It’s almost time for lunch! I will tell Applejack and Rarity we found you, so they can stop worrying.”

Twilight waved farewell, “Thanks Fluttershy! Take care of your critters, then meet us tonight at the library. We can all get together and hear the rest of Drax’s story, so he doesn’t have to keep repeating himself.”

Drax groaned, “Yea, that is getting old.”

They all waved goodbye as Fluttershy flew off in the direction of her home, still throwing glances over her shoulder at the dark stallion, and blushing furiously.

Twilight turned to Pinkie, who was now making faces at Drax’s rump, which he was trying to ignore. “So Pinkie, why is everypony looking for us anyway? We haven't even been gone a day.”

“Ohhh... “ She replied, “Well me and Fluttershy went over to see you this morning. Alotta ponies saw a bright light coming from the Library last night, but they thought you were just doin’ Twilight stuff. But when the sun came up, somepony saw your door open, and we found you gone. There were all kinda creepy candles and markings all over the place. We thought somepony may have some in and foalnapped you or something. Rarity had to finish a rush order for Canterlot, so she stayed behind in case you showed up. Me, Applejack and Fluttershy decided to split up and look for you.”

Twilight facehoofed at the mention of the front door. “I knew we were forgetting something when we left. But you didn't exactly give us much warning with that stunt you pulled, Drax.”

In reply, the stallion gave a lopsided grin, “Oops, sorry. I wasn't exactly thinking about that sorta thing.”

“Oh well, it can’t be helped. Let’s get moving. The sooner we get to Ponyville, the sooner we can tell our friends what happened.

Snapping a salute, Drax belted out, “Aye, aye, Cap’n! Full Steam ahead!”

They all chuckled at this, Pinkie Pie openly laughing just a bit more than it merited. They continued down the path, their number increased by one.

As they walked side-by-side, (Except Pinkie, who bounced) Drax began to whistle a tune to himself. Pinkie Pie, always ready for a new song, asked him what it was.

“We’re off to see the Wizard!” He replied, with a grin. “Don’t ask...”