One Pony's Curse, Is Another Man's Blessing...

Chapter Ten - A Farmer And Her Blasted Plot, Part Three

I just stared at the offered hand.

Utterly conflicted, because no matter what I chose, I knew I would regret not having done the other.

My ears dropped, as I realized the sad truth that no matter the stirring speech… “I am so, so sorry, Mr. Shade… but appearances aside I’m a married man with a kid. As tempting as it is, I simply can’t make that choice alone… You understand, I hope?”

His smile faltered a bit and his men gave out a disappointed sigh…

But I had my hoof up before he could let his hand drop. “But I would still like to shake hands with a man that can give such a speech. I hope this is good enough, for now?”

The Generals smile grew wide again as he took my hoof, and I even heard a few bit back shouts of “Squeeee!” from the men.

We gave each other a gentle shake. I didn’t want to hurt his prosthesis, and I think he didn’t want to insult or accidently hurt me.

Besides. He was walking around without real limbs. I had just snoozed in the next best thing to a volcano. What did either of us have to prove?

“You’re somebody that doesn’t want to rush in, then?” His smile grew a little more. “Or is it the wrath of the missus you fear?”

I grinned proudly. “Oh, a bit of both. You haven’t actually met my wife, then?”

He tilted his head. “…I got the impression she have gone through a similar transformation, but I must admit I never got her name…”

I rubbed my hooves together and gave out a giggle that earned me a raised eyebrow from the man. “Let us say that I was a very happy man, before I became a very happy mare… and leave it at that.”

His other eyebrow found its mate on the man’s forehead.

I just let out a chuckle at the sight. “Since I can’t imagine that you intent to let me out of your sight just yet and since you’ve all but promised that they are alright… Well, I imagine I will get to make introductions soon enough… But how about that stretcher?” I finished by giving my most radiant innocent smile.

Shade’s men snickered.

He himself looked at me for a few moments more… but then he just shrugged, before he started making arrangements through his walkie-talkie.

I took the opportunity to sink down on my stomach again, with my head on my fore-legs and wings sprawled to my sides. I must have looked a strange mix of adorable and pathetic, but it felt really nice to just let go and spread out a bit.

The sand was just so… comfy.

I swear I only blinked, but when my eyes opened again I had a small group of MT’s standing around nearby.

The General was talking softly to one of them, but his once more helmeted head whipped around as I lifted my head. “Ah, welcome back to the waking world. I was just speaking with Corporal Higgs. He has a small moral quandary about treating you… I was just about to wake you. Would you mind speaking with him?”

I shoot the young man an inquiring look. He gulped and gave me a small salute. “Forgive me, ma’am. I’m Joseph Higgs, formerly of the U.S army veterinary corps…”

My ears flickered in annoyance. I think I can see where these disturbing sets of circumstances are going…

He let out a small laugh, but soon got serious again. “Well, I know you’ve had a long day, so I’ll be brief. I don’t mind performing emergency triage if there’s no other choice… But I don’t feel it is my place to treat somebody, if you follow…”

I blinked at that. Huh, I was worried about white gloves and my cooch. Guess I was wrong…

I looked a bit groggy at the other medical professionals, giving them a nod. “And let me guess. They don’t feel qualified to treat somepony. Am I close?”

He coughed into his hand, looking embarrassed. “Got it in one, ma’am.”

I thought a few moments about lifting his own hand to give him a smack… but I opted to just roll my eyes, instead. He looked a bit irritated. “I take it your old posting was one of those ceremonial Cavalry units?”

He gave me a nod.

“Well then, unless you’ve got somebody squirreled away that turned into Nurse Red-heart, or similar… then that makes you the closest thing to the local expert. Not to be rude, but I suggest you deal with things accordingly.”

He squirmed a bit, but gave no counter.

“Is it really so horrible to be able to say ‘Where does it hurt?’” I got a reluctant shake for that.

I continued. “Well, then suggest you come over here and do the damn job you were brought in specifically to do.” He blanched a bit at my harsh words. I got a few snickers, but most were just nodding slowly. “If that is too morally questionable, then I hope you enjoyed your brief stay here in Kansas, because I don’t think you’re getting to stay for much longer…”

I grinned wickedly at the now a little pale Corporal. “Or you could come over here, give me that check-up and then pass your notes on to the doctors you think should be doing this. Perhaps even gaining a commendation for figuring out such alien anatomy… Which future do you prefer?”

Higgs looked pleading at the Commander, but he just gave a small chuckle. “Don’t look at me, boy. You just lost an argument with a purple winged unicorn. I suggest you man up while you still can…”

“You forget the part about the Princess of Maagiiiic!” I sang out, making Higgs ears burn and a soft laugh rise from the others assembled.

He grumbled a bit, but he finally stalked off to get his gear.

He was back quickly, still grumbling a bit, but at least he tried to act somewhat professional.

He started by shining a penlight in my eyes. It was irritating, but other then that... “...Well, according to this you're either dead or on enough drugs that you’ll soon be.”

I rolled my eyes, as another snicker erupted around us. “Or alternatively... I’m a freak.”

“No. Surely not,” He said with almost a straight face to the purple winged unicorn.

This time I actually joined in the snickering… even if mine came out as a tired giggle. “Look, Mr. How about we simply say that everything that should be attached still seems to be so… and call it a night. I’m exhausted.”

Higgs closed his bag, while giving off a thoughtful hum. “...Might be for the best. I’d learn more from the tests if you're at least closer to well rested and unstressed…”

I waved the man off, as he stalked away, presumingly to get some rest.

General Shade took the opportunity, by walking over and handing me a piece of paper. “Would you mind if we took a few blood and tissue samples? As a hybrid between the subgroups you might offer us great insight into pony physiology and biology…”

I lifted it from his hands with my magic and read it properly. With my new eyes and the gleam from the magic I had no problem doing so, despite the gloom. I didn’t feel like skimming something like this.

It seemed a common enough research contract… compensation for samples, nothing more. It had a few extra zeros added to the compensation part of it to sweeten the deal...

So why was a tiny part of me screaming about preserving state secrets? And not for the US, at that…

“Interesting,” I stated in a plain, even voice. Far more restrained then I suddenly felt. “It seems the mental part of this transformation doesn’t want me to give you this. It is trying to compel me not to agree to these tests under any circumstances.”

You could have suddenly heard a pin drop.

I did not even bother with a pen. I simply channeled part of my fury into a pinpoint of heat, and made it spell out:

George Wright. AKA Twilight Sparkle.

I felt a small, unimportant part of me scream in frustration, anger… and dread. I ignored it.

If my ‘inner pony’ was what I thought it was… then it was a faded relic. Nothing but a mental echo of a life I wanted little with.

If it was not, then it was a treat to all of humanity. Including my darling little boy.

And I would rather rip the head of ‘Celestia’ herself then have my body turned to a weapon meant to strike at him, or even others.

The presence whimpered at my silent resolution, but made no ‘counter.’

...But it was interesting, how it seemed to agree with the part about my boy.

I floated the paper over to the slightly stunned commander. He grabbed it gingerly, as if he was holding a relic of great renown.

An amused part of me noted that perhaps one day, the scrap of paper would be just that.

He looked up, into my eyes that felt hard enough to cut glass.

“For the moment my will is still my own, Mr. Shade. I would very much like you and your experts help in keeping it that way. I find the implications of the ‘Twilight’ persona trying to ‘reestablish’ herself more than a bit troubling, don’t you?”

He nodded slowly, even as an aid darted over to take the form to be processed. “..May I ask what you meant by…?”

I thought it over, my brow furrowed in thought. “…It is somewhere in-between a tiny voice at the edge of my mind… and a feel that I should act a certain way. Does that make sense?”

He stroked his chin. “…Do you believe it may be some manner of thought control technique?”

I throw my arms and wings up in frustration. “I was fucking glowing from heat! Anybody or thing with that kind of tech-level should just be able to stomp cities themselves! This damn thing doesn’t make a bit of sense!”

He hummed thoughtfully, still stroking his stubble.

I lowered my limb, except for a purple hoof I held up as example. “To be... blunt, I do not think that this is an attack of some… foreign intelligence with a cruel sense of humor. Even then, there are far more fitting choices for powers and shapes to grant, especially if the subjects mind may truly be influenced so deeply…”

He gave me a nod, as an angry and worried murmur rose from those assembled.

“…But I have a son.” I continued in a careful voice. The small temporary camp grew silent again. “For my conscience to be clean, I must think of this as the worst possible thing it could be. In this case, this means believing that if I am not careful in my vigil… Then I will simply fall asleep and something elsewill wake in my stead. I will not allow that.”

Shade turned to his nearest aid. “Would you please bring, Mrs. Twilight one of the laptops with the interviews and other materials? I believe she needs to see them…”

“Huh?” Was all I could think to say.

The aid started protesting, but Shade gave the man a glare and simply stated in a voice of steel. “Mrs. Twilight just all but swore herself to our service. Against aliens. She also could if she felt so inclined, simply have killed us all by dragging us into that infernal pit. If I must show her some papers my incompetent ‘superiors’ have so far seen so ludicrous as to not even put a security clearance on to make her if not join us, then at least stop her from doing anything foolish… than I will do so. Am I clear?”

The aid hesitated. General Shade simply continued, not even raising his voice. “I will deliver it verbally to her if I must. Am. I. Clear?”

“But, Sir…!”

Shade just shook his head and walked away from the man, looking disgusted. He came stalking towards me.

I simply calmly waited for him to say his piece.

But he paused, as the lackey finally figured out where the wind was blowing and darted off. Shade just let out a deep sigh.

He muttered under his breath: “…Fucking paper pushers…” But it was so low, I think only I heard it.

He straightened, looking a bit grimmer, but somehow kinder at the same time. It was a strange juxtaposition, but he somehow pulled it off. “Do you want me to give the short version?”

“…I take it you have info that some of your higher-ups do not want to become common knowledge yet?”

He nodded at me. “A common thread to the stories so far…” He hesitated for just a moment. “...and something of a complication.”

I pointed my hoof at myself. He gave another nod. “Yes… but I would prefer the sources speak for themselves.” He shot a glare after where the aid had darted off. “If I need to read and sign the thrice damned things, then they may as well be of use…”

I let out a yawn that almost dislocated my jaw. “…Mr. Shade, please just tell me. I can respect you wanting me to form my own opinions, but I am very tired and would like this day to end soon…”

He sat down on the ground near me and fished out a pipe from one of his pockets. “…Very well. Short version? Five score, divided by four…”

Suddenly it felt like something was scraping the inside of my mind, trying to rise to the forefront of it. I had to wince and cover my head with my hooves until it passed.

By the time I’d come back to my senses, he’d already finished stuffing his pipe and the smell of cherry tobacco had started filling the air.

He let out a puff after a long drag, face content. “I know I shouldn’t considering how little is left of me… But if anything is more calming than a pipe after a long day, I have not found it.”

He offered the pipe towards me, but I turned it down by raising a hoof. “Thank you, but I’m more of a coffee achiever.”

He gave a chuckle at that. “Aren’t we all?” He nodded to the pipe. “Can’t always lean back and light up, if you follow… But a cup doesn’t glow in the dark, you understand?”

His pipe had some kind of decoration on it, making me curious. That, and I was looking for things to distract me from the way those simple words earlier had crawled around like ants in my head. “I understand. But what is that on your pipe? It seems familiar…”

He barked out a laugh. “The missus attempt at a joke gift that turned out a bit… ironic.” He took a drag to keep the embers going, before holding it up. “Want to take a look?”

I carefully lifted the tiny thing with my magic and made it float over into my hooves.

The thing was big and sturdy for a pipe, a few dings but nothing serious. It had obviously traveled far and seen much use, but been well cared for. An oak mouthpiece and bowl carved from meerschaum. It was made in the traditional style of somebodies head with a hole in the top and the rest of it curving up a bit from the back.

But this particular one didn’t have somebody as its source of inspiration.

The thing looked like a cartoony unicorn, grinning at something. Her mane formed the stem and the top of her head would tilt open if you pushed on her horn.

Shade was grinning again. “Slightest chance you would care to sign it? The missus would freak out, at that…”

The thing had my face.

I was genuinely uncertain if I should declare it the coolest thing ever… or smash it for being an abomination using the nearest rock.

I opted to just float it over again, trying not to look to closely when he flipped the skull of my smiling simulacrum open with a thumb.

He just gave a laugh at my squirming.

I gave a grunt in turn, as I passed my hoof through my neglected mane. Trying to get some of the grime out of it. “…Sorry, it’s very well-made and I realize that you must be proud of it… but the likeness is freaking me out, to be blunt.”

His face lit up in a smile. “Why, thank you.” He tapped the pipe gently with a finger. The act made a slight metal on stone sound I pretended not to notice. “My darling wife makes a living on things like this.”

“She’s a sculptor?” I asked, and got a nod in turn.

His face lit with pride. “Yup. And a damn good one…” He shook the pipe out against his leg, before replacing it in his pocket and stomping out the ashes.

He then started looking a bit more serious. “…but haven’t we dodged the important thing enough?”

My ears fell, but I gave a nod. “…Fine. What was that? It felt like something was poking my in the brain with a cactus…”

Shade started answering, but just then the scowling aid come up with a military laptop. “Ah, even better. I can just show you instead.” He tapped a few buttons and made a few swipes on the track pad with a finger, before just setting it down on the ground between us, facing me.

The screen showed a paused clip with a tall, pale, rake-thin man sitting on a couch and with his hands behind his back, and a logo I didn’t recognize in the corner. It looked like two bolts of thunder crossed with a cartoony grin in the middle.

Shade hovered a finger over the enter button. “This was released late on the same day you had your accident. By a LP channel on YouTube, of all things…”

I blinked in confusion. “A what?”

He waved his other hand, as if waving off the whole thing. “People with too much free time playing through games on camera and trying to be funny while doing so. Frankly, I don’t get it… but that isn’t the important bit.” He pushed the button. “Just watch.”

I focused on the clip.

The pale man gave a wide grin at the camera, before nodding once, making the sunglasses he was wearing bob slightly. He began to speak in a dark voice with a slight accent I didn’t recognize, but sounded vaguely European. “Greetings, people of the series of tubes! Fear not my awesome visage, for I bring great tidings!”

I looked up at the Shade and gave him a disbelieving look, but he just pointed at the screen and murmured with a slight smile: “From babes and fools…”

I gave a shrug that sent some of my more battered feathers flying off into the night, before looking back down…

And I nearly choked on my own spit.

The man had held up his arms, hands spread wide… and one of them was glowing with a dark purple aura.

The man was using magic.

He was grinning so wide that I almost saw flashes of his tonsils. He pointed at his gloving hand with his other, and continued. “Now, most of you are probably calling shenanigans’ on this…” He pointed to the side of the screen with both hands, like a performer introducing somebody.

His eyes sparkled when he next spoke. “So without further ado… My dear co-host back after her regrettable absence, a performer of much renown in her own right, who just might be the foremost expert in the rarest field of expertise on this Earth…”

The man started clapping in a one-man applaud. My jaw hit my forelegs and my eyes nearly popped out when I saw who trotted into focus.

“My oldest and dearest friend! My partner in crime!” He swept his arms towards the slightly see-through pony that had joined him on the couch, grinning even wider then he was.

“Trixie Lulamoon!” He gave another clap, as Trixie gave a theatrical bow to the camera. “As close to in the flesh as she has managed!”

Trixie nodded once more to the camera. “Thank you, thank you, everybody and everypony… and all other fans as well, of course! Trixie wishes you to know how great it feels to once more stand before an audience. Especially one as faithful and refined one, such as you!”

I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“Now,” the man began, pointing at his ghostly co-host. “Longtime viewers will no doubt remember Trixie…”

Guilt flashed across the blue mare’s face, but she just as quickly fought it down.

She instead focused straight at the camera. “Trixie hopes any fans may forgive her small fib of pretending to be a simple ventriloquist act and persona…”

The man interjected: “For the record, I have already done so. No hate-mail on my behalf, please.”

Trixie flashed the man a warm smile. “Why, thank you, Morgan. That was sweet of you.”

“Not like it will help, but it was worth a shot…” ‘Morgan’ muttered, but Trixie just turned back to the camera.

“Now, Trixie…”

Morgan gave a small cough.

“…and her darling assistance M-“

The man gave a louder cough.

Trixie paused for a moment. “Oh, Trixie misspoke. She of course meant chief lackey...”

Morgan lifted a long, spindly leg onto the couch and gave Trixie a light kick straight on her cutie mark, making me wince and her yelp, respectfully.

Trixie rolled her eyes, while rubbing her mark with a hoof. “Fine. Her violent brute of a partner, Morgan…”

“Damn straight,” he answered smiling.

Trixie took a deep breath… then she blinked and let it out, glaring at Morgan. “Oh, for buck’s sake, Morgan! You and your little stunt made Trixie lose her train of thought!”

Morgan gave a shrug, before turning to the camera. Pointing at his gloving hand. “One, yes, this is magic. Two, Trixie and I are working on testing this, but we are at present unsure if this is a sign that humans have magic, or if it is simply a rare early symptom of ponification brought about by my rather unique link with Trixie…”

He lowered his hands, flashing a smile at the mare. She returned it.

He turned back to the camera, once more grinning like a fox in a chicken-coop. “Oh, and that is not the important part. Not at the moment.” He turned to the other side of the screen, the opposite of the one Trixie had entered from. “Your cue, Edith.”

A green pelted mare that I almost didn’t recognize walked in. Without the name, I probably wouldn’t have. She was just too… young.

Granny Smith jumped up between the two. An awkward smile on her… and not a single wrinkle. She didn’t look a day over twenty.

She looked over to Morgan. Her smile was a bit waxen, and her eyes too wide. “Do I really need to do this?”

He just gave her an encouraging clap on her shoulder. “You’re the one that had the memory that allowed us to figure this out. Sorry, I know you’re not very fond of being in front of the camera, but we’re not letting you slink away from this.”

I did not expect Trixie to give Edith a similar clap of encouragement, and judging from how Edith tensed for just a moment, neither had she.

Edith seemed to find some strength in the act, unexpected as it may have been. She gulped once, before turning to the camera with a smile that looked a bit more genuine. “…Well, to make a long story short we were having a company poker night, they asked about the pony thing, I mentioned a dream I’d had and well…”

Morgan raised a hand in front of her. “One moment before you say it, please.”

Edith stopped, waiting for him to say his piece.

He gave a thankful nod, before lowering his glowing hand and continuing. “We believe we have found a way to test if somebody is about to ‘Catch the pony’ as it has been called.”

I sucked in a breath, only then noticing my jaw had been hanging open for so long my mouth felt bone dry. I quickly swallowed a bit.

This… had some serious implications.

I hadn’t exactly been to town lately… but we did have internet, the radio and the TV, even so.

And it was clear people were close to panic about this whole thing. A test for the ‘condition’ might be just what was needed to calm the populace.

He continued, looking a bit troubled. “…The problem is that if you’re still human and you’re about to be affected, it hurts like hell.” He rubbed at his throat without even noticing. “I’m not kidding, it felt like my brain was trying to turn inside out.”

Trixie gave a slow nod, looking serious. Deathly serious. “…Morgan just lay there screaming for nearly five minutes... I implore you, if you’re not sure you can handle something like that, then just turn this video off before we can tell you the test.”

“Oh, and one more thing…” The man said, reaching for his glasses. He took them off…

And I let out a gasp, as the slitted eyes of somepony corrupted by the Nightmare Force looked up.

Morgan gave a slow nod, slitted and Byzantium purple eyes not focusing on anything. “...Yeah, it seems like poking at the thing makes it worse. Fancy that, huh?”

Edith continued. “The important bit is that the primary sign is dead easy once you’ve figured it out.”

Morgan finally snapped out of it, and gave a nod. “If you’re twenty-five or older and still human, you’re golden. The transformation kicks in on your twenty-fifth birthday.”

Dafuq? That doesn’t make any sense!

“I realize this doesn’t sound like it makes any sense…” he continued, making me feel a bit sheepish. “and sadly our answer to why will not sound much better.”

Trixie took a deep breath. “This isn’t a contagion, an invasion, or anything like that. It’s a curse.”

Something in the back of my mind… clicked. I knew I shouldn’t believe a word of it… but it just rang true.

“One with a now expiring time-limit.” Trixie looked a bit sad as she went on, glancing once at Morgan. “You’re not turning into ponies, your turning back to your old selves.”

I pressed the enter button with my magic to pause the video, before hiding my head under my wings.

“You alight?” Shade asked in a gentle voice.

“…Need a moment,” was all I managed to croak out.

I received no answer but silence.

Just the one I wanted. And needed.

I knew it wasn’t healthy, but I just pushed the swirling vortex of questions and emotions to the back of my mind.

I could have my breakdown later, right now…

I needed more answers, not more questions.

I looked up at Shade, who was just looking back at me.

“…Have you gotten a hold of them?” I asked.

He shook his head. “We were just about to track them down…” He nodded towards the pit. “but something more pressing came up. We needed all hands on deck for a potential crisis of… Well, if you had snapped.”

Reluctantly, I gave the man a nod. I sadly got it.

But one question strained free from the mental box I’d put the others in. “How the b- fuck did Trixie…?” I wasn’t even sure how to phrase it.

I’m supposed to be the magical badass, dammit!

How the bucking fuck did Trixie do that? Was it the Nightmare thing…?

“An excellent question I too would like answered…” He hesitated for a moment, before finishing with conviction in his words. “Mrs. Sparkle.”

It was only then I realized that Shade hadn’t even attempted to call me by my…

Human name.

A tittering laugh that even in my ears sounded slightly on the wrong end of sanity and made some of the assembled men take steps back ripped itself out of my throat. I felt my ears twitch and my mane made tiny springing sounds as strands shot out like broken clockwork.

I buried my head in my hooves and started taking long, deep breaths. I honestly have no idea how long I kept at it.

“…Feeling any better?” Shade asked after I had finally gotten my breathing under control.

My head shot up. I could feel how my pupils were pinpricks even in the gloom and my grin would have made Freddy Krueger run away screaming.

Some of the soldier did. I ignored them, ears still twitching. “I’m fine. Just fiiiine. Why wouldn’t I be fine?” I said to Shade in the happy, happy, happy happiest voice I had!

“…You want to talk about it?” Shade said in a careful voice, before once more taking out his just wonderfully non creepy pipe!

I tilted my head 33,453 degrees to the left. “Why would I?! It isn’t like my entire life as I know it turned out to be a lie, a perverse jo-“

I straightened my neck, suddenly feeling… calm. Yes, let us call it that. So very, very, very calm.

And I was nice and toasty again. So toasty in fact, that the suddenly oh so useful general lit his match by leaning forward and holding it against a spot above my pelt.

“It was Discord, wasn’t it?” I asked. Still feeling so very, very, very, very, very, very, very calm.

The now brightly lit man took a long pull on his pipe, scooting just a little to avoid the small runnel of molten sand coming from under me. “What made you came to that conclusion? If I may ask?”

“If I’m the real Twilight, then that means Equestria is real, which means other creatures from Equestria are real…” My ears flicked in annoyance, slicing a moth that had come to close clean trough. It fell onto the ground in two burning halves. “And Discord is the only one with the combination of power, poor judgment and ‘humor’ to do something like this.”

The commander took a long drag from his pipe before answering. “…Mentions of him are a common trend in the memories from those afflicted we have interviewed, yes…”

He pointed to the laptop with his pipe. “There was another clip I thought you should see. May I? I think it may calm you down.”

“I am perfectly calm,” I said. Feeling calm, calm, calm, calm, calm, calm…

My grin twitched. My cheeks were starting to hurt, but I paid them no mind. “I am simply thinking how I at the moment know how to short-range teleport, how to put up a basic shield, telekinesis and the cloud-walking spell…”

The commander raised an impressed eyebrow. “Oh?”

In the background unimportant people were looking on with their eyes wide… They must be impressed with how very, very, very, very, very, very, very calm I am. I paid them no further heed.

My eye twitched once again. I hope I’m not coming down with something. “You’re a military man. If were to get my hooves on the bastard… Should I use a series of crisscrossing shields as a makeshift Draconequus slicer?”

The man hummed thoughtfully, looking at the sky while doing so.

“Or perhaps I should simply apply enough force and heat to turn him into a ugly diamond?”

Shade took a puff. “Sounds impressive, but surely there are simpler ways?”

Another tittering laugh. This time I just didn’t care. “Like teleporting his kidneys out, you mean?”

Another puff from Shade, a few more fading screams in the background… This was kind of relaxing, actually…“Surely if it was that easy Celestia and Luna would have done it all those years ago?”

I let out an irritated grunt in acknowledgment.

Now, how to kill a bastard with only a cloud-walking spell and some clouds…

My eye twitched again. Plain ones… or with thunder or hail within? Choices, choices…

My gin grew a couple of sizes. Of course! Both!

He pointed at the laptop once more. “With all due respect, Mrs. Sparkle. I believe you need to calm down. May I once more recommend that clip?”

My eye twitched again. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I’m in complete control… I simply lack knowledge of the place that needs to be turned to burning glass...” My ears twitched, and I tilted my smiling head at the general. “...and I find that somewhat… irksome. Slightest chance there exists a plan of attack? I would be glad to help!”

The light around us was turning purple for some reason. Weird.

Shade let out a sigh, before reaching over and grabbing the laptop. He did something while my eye continued to twitch for no reason at all…

When he turned the laptop around I instantly snapped out of it.

Fluttershy.

In what looked like a church, standing on something on her hind-hooves and with her wings spread wide.

She looked strong, healthy…

Utterly confident in herself.

There was even a big, goofy grin on her face. In front of a crowd with at least one camera.

Fluttershy.

Shade pressed the button.

She gave… a speech of all things. It wasn’t long, but it came from the heart.

And once she was done, she took a bow and strutted out of the building.

I had to re-watch the clip four times for it to sink in.

A big, big grin, this time from happiness rather than being in the midst of a freak-out, split my face.

I wasn’t alone. At least one of the girls was here.

I must have started crying at some point, but I only noticed when the tears started hitting the melted sand.

But a frown swept over my features as another part of the video sank in. I looked at my plot, the six pointed purple star and its five smaller white proxies clearly illuminated in the night by the glowing glass I was lying in.

For an odd moment, I had the strangest feeling of being relieved, disappointed, curios and horrified, all at once.

Then I realized I was lying in molten ground.

Again.

Am I having the best day ever, or what?

I turned to Mr. Shade. “Would you mind picking up that laptop and standing up?”

He raised an eyebrow at me, pausing mid puff.

“Please?”

With a shrug he put his creeptastic pipe in his mouth, before doing as I had asked.

I thought of teleporting what I needed, but I instead made a shield.

Shaped like a bowl, just beneath the surface of the pond.

Then I slowly lifted it. It protested and tried to warp a bit, but it wasn’t that hard.

It looked like some manner of low-budget flying saucer… but seeing it in person rather than on a screen was a very pretty sight. The magic glow and water together made purple lights dance across the ground.

A few impressed murmurs broke out from the few that had dared stay during my… tantrum. Mr. Shade gave a low chuckle when he saw what I intended to do, and took a couple of extra steps back.

I thought about just dispelling the shield and dumping it all on my head… but I got a better idea.

I got to my aching hooves and carefully ‘poked’ a few holes in the bottom using my telekinesis and before long I had an improvised shower.

It was far too cold, the water jets where either too weak or too strong, the pond water smelled of dead fish and old leaves…

As the water fell on me, and the steam from around me rose…

I just closed my eyes and lost myself in the sensation.

I felt the shield wobble when I got distracted, but I fed more power to it. Enough for it to last a few minutes, at least.

I didn’t even pretend to clean my hair or pelt in any normal fashion.

Instead I made my mane and tail contract hard enough to just crush most of the debris in it, making the water black with the dust and soot.

The crap clinging to my pelt was a bit harder, but a combination of telekinesis and teleportation solved that. I wouldn’t win ‘best of show’ anytime soon considering how uneven this made my fur, but it wasn’t as if I cared much.

When the water ran out I was a bit chilly, but I felt clean… -er.

But it was still a massive improvement. I gave a shake and stumbled over to a dry patch of ground.

I didn’t lie down, as much as I performed a barely controlled collapse. It felt as if even my fumes were running out.

“Impressive,” Shade said as he came walking up, the folded laptop under one arm. “But perhaps we should get you to a bed? As admirable as wanting to figure all this out is, you’re clearly on your last rope.

I nodded to the patch of half-molten sand. “I thought I should put out one of my fires before collapsing. The shower was a nice bonus…”

He nodded thoughtfully, puffing away at his pipe. “Tell you what, Mrs. Sparkle? You go to sleep and I’ll arrange for that stretcher you suggested. We can continue this…” He looked at his watch. “Well, later today as the case may be.”

I tried thinking of a counter, I really did… but my eyelids suddenly weighed a couple of tons. I put my head on my hooves and was out like a light before I knew it.

I awoke far too quickly to the experience off tiny arms around my neck, trying their darndest to hug me to death… and something wet on the side of the same.

Strangely, I recognized the scent before I even opened my eyes.

I gently hugged my son back. “Hi, Stripes. You and mommy hanging in there?”

His hug went from a tiny vise, to ‘Oh boy, I’m glad I figured out how to not need breathing’ and he started wailing. Guess I got my answer…

I took the opportunity look around between pats on his back and ‘There, there’s…

I was back in my family’s kitchen, lying on the floor still on the stretcher I didn’t even remember being lifted with… and it was a mess. The window on the stove, the normal windows… even the tiles above the sink was either cracked or outright gone.

Had I really done all this? Even the cupboards gaped like empty wounds, except for a few metal and plastic things.

Some cleanup had taken place, but the closest to replacements the place had was heavy duty plastic covering the windows.

And it was full of military men. Sitting at the table, extra chairs or even the floor…

But they all had cups of tea or coffee balanced somewhere within reach, and most of them were either pointedly looking away to give me and Mark space, or even looking on a bit misty-eyed…

So, yeah. I didn’t exactly find the sight a greatly threatening one.

“Y-y-you screamed so loud,” Mark stuttered out between sobs. “And… And…” He started wailing again.

I gently pulled him to my trunk, giving him a proper hug. “Shhh, Mark. It’s alright. I just had a small accident.” I stroked the top of his head with a wingtip, while keeping the hug as firm as I dared. “I’m fine now, see? It’s alright…”

It took a while, but I managed to calm him down… he didn’t stop hugging me, though. He held on as if he was worried I’d drift off if he didn’t.

But after some while he calmed and his grip relaxed. He let out an adorable sneeze as well. “…You smell like pond scum. And ash.”

I let out a small laugh at that. “I got a bit… hot, and needed to cool down. I just haven’t had time to shower properly, yet…”

He mumbled something in response, but I didn’t hear what. I felt his grip slack a little more, but he didn’t let go.

I thought about teleporting with him to bed… but I just wanted him close for a while, so instead I gently lifted him to my side and folded a wing over him. He mumbled something about “Warm…” and hugged my side, but didn’t stir.

I chuckled before hushing the collective “Dawwww…”

Just then my ears swiveled around. Five people approaching.

I smiled wide. Because judging from how one of them had a ‘whirring’ quality to it, and one of the others was the clopping of hooves… I could guess.

I turned my head still smiling… only to have my smile disintegrate under my wife's gaze. I swear she even had tiny red spots in the centers of her eyes, like a freaking terminator.

I quickly assembled a sheepish grin from the tattered remains of my smile and pointedly pointed towards Mark with a hoof.

Mr. Shade and my father gave off a small chuckle each, but my mother just shook her head.

But Zecora’s face did soften a bit. Not a lot, but at least enough for the ‘You are so dead’ vibe to fade.

She trotted over, and without another word…

Clocked my straight in the face hard enough that I almost lifted.

Just as I was about to give her a piece of my mind… she did more or less the same thing Mark had, and did her best to choke the life out of me.

Then she started sobbing.

With a small sigh I restarted the “There, there…” routine, while trying to point at Mark with only my ears.

Both dad and mom had to bite their lips, but dad took the hint and got to work on putting Mark to bed.

I was so intent on the messy tuft of black and white hair diapering away in my dad’s arms that I almost jumped out of my skin when Zecora spoke. “…Have you seen that video yet?”

Mom suddenly looked… distant and worried, both at once. I had to look away. “…About half. I… got to disturbed and mad to see it all at once.”

Her hug got a bit tighter. “…Do you think it’s real?”

I looked over to the general. He took the hint. “As far the experts my men have contacted so far are concerned it appears unaltered except for the addition of the logo…”

“…No chance it was a hologram?” I asked.

He gave a weary shrug. “I checked out the channel personally. The man in the video has had this Trixie ‘act’ going for over a decade… and that is only on camera. I found some references from another of his co-hosts that she’s been around since his childhood. Now, this hardly stops him from being…” He spun a finger around his temple. “…But honestly? I didn’t get that feel.”

I gave a tiny reluctant nod. “…I saw her plot ripple slightly when he gave that kick. Something like that would be hell to fake.”

Shade nodded. “A few of the experts noted the same thing. Good eyes, Mrs. Sparkle.”

Mom glared at him. “I realize you are just trying to be courteous, but please don’t encourage my son’s…”

Shade just glared back, interrupting her. “Her what, Mrs. Wright? Delusions? “ He pointed to a spot of wall I knew was in the direction of the pit. “She survived that inferno for days. She was glowing with the heat from it and yet I personally saw her levitate, then teleport, to get out of it under her own power. May I ask then, how she did it in your opinion?”

Mom stuttered, but glowered at the man.

He swept his hand towards the stairwell dad and Mark had disappeared up. “Or is your grandchild’s near unique colors a delusion as well?”

This made my mom… just deflate. Her shoulders sagged, and the fight just vanished out of her.

“Mr. Shade?” I asked firmly, but not impolitely. He turned to me. “Thank you, but may I please handle this myself?

He nodded once. “Fine. I shall get myself a cup of tea instead then.” He flashed me the laptop, before once more placing it under his arm. “I will leave this on the kitchen table as a sign of trust. Would it be alright if we agreed to continue our discussion after we have both rested?”

I gave a nod. He flashed me a smile in response, before stalking off after his cup of tea without a further word.

But both my mom and Zecora tensed. “He offered me a job. I haven’t given an answer yet.” I explained.

Zecora leaned back a bit. She glared me in the eye from less than a inch away. “What kind of job?”

I gently tapped my horn with a hoof, making some small amount of ash to shake loose. “Need I say more?”

Her glare turned towards the general for a moment, before turning back on me. “Explain.”

I leaned forward, resting my head on her strong, broad shoulder. “They need somebody to act as a magic expert. Apparently even what little I…” I glanced at mom who was giving me a strange look, her shoulders tense. I lowered my gaze towards the floor. “…I’ve figured out, I’m still the best they’ve found.”

“Huh.” Zecora relaxed a bit. “I actually got a similar offer…”

“Oh?”

She gave a soft shrug, making my head jolt slightly. “I basically told them that I’d think about it after they got you out of that hole.”

I rubbed my head against her cheek, making her give a soft coo in response. “…Well?”

She was silent for a while. Long enough I started to wonder if she’d fallen asleep in my fore-legs. “…Remember the season four finale?” She said it in a voice so low I almost didn’t hear her. “…I’m not sure I want something like that in military hands.”

I shuddered at that. I didn’t have… personal recollection, but remembering the show and the implications of that video in combination was bad enough.

The first episode had started with a few shots of Zecora by her hut. Your average slice of life things, but with a magic Zebra…

Then the scout legion of demons turned up. That was the teaser.

And after?

Zecora stumbling into town, covered in others blood, before barking out a warning not in rhyme and collapsing.

That was the closest the show ever came to showing just what zebra water magic was capable of. As if the implications of living in the Everfree without major problems, was not enough….

I started stroking her neck and back. “…Have you had… flashbacks?”

A small shudder swept her. “…Not of... that. Just… day to day stuff.”

Day to day… in the Everfree. “…Do I dare ask?”

“Cockatrices. Manticores. Hydras. The odd dragon that thought protection money was a good idea…” The way she just read these things like a grocery list was the worst part. “…I think I understand better why you didn’t see her much in a kid’s show, let’s put it like that…”

I carefully continued stroking. Keeping an even tempo. “…You do know that water manipulation like that might be able to save many lives, right?”

She gave another weary shrug. “…I wanted to see how they handled… you, before even thinking about it. So I didn’t.” She turned her head and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Now I just might…”

She let out a yawn that gave me a firsthand experience in equine dental structure. The sight of so many teeth close to my face was… oddly disconcerting. “…but tomorrow.” She gave me a quick nuzzling. “I can imagine your parents want to speak with you. Come to bed as soon as you can, OK?”

I gave her a nod, even as I let her go. She wasted no time heading upstairs.

I in turn, did the same in turning to my worried mom. I fought back an urge to gulp. “…Want to go sit and talk somewhere?”

She blinked, and gave a hesitant shrug. She just… seemed a bit lost, somehow. “…Can we please wait for your father?”

I gave a nod. I could imagine it from her point of view… and it wasn’t pretty. “…Sure.” I pointed a wing without thinking about it, but I switched to a hoof with a sheepish grin as apology as soon as I saw my mother’s face at the act. “…You want a cup?”

I saw how she had to fight for it, but her face softened. “…Sure.”

I quickly got up and tr- walked off to find the cattle, the tea and some cups.

As I worked it was… a welcome distraction.

Just what did mom think right now? Or dad? He had hidden it better, but it was clear they were both very worried…

And that was before my vocal cords did a Little Boy impression.

I fought down that line of inquiry. I was about to know anyway…

As I waited for the water to boil, dad returned. I pointed at it, but he shook his head.

He just smiled instead. “I tried putting Mark to bed in his room, but the moment he heard hooves…” He shook his head with an amused expression. “I don’t think you’re getting away from being hugged half to death tonight, let me put it like that…”

Most of my worries melted away with my heart at hearing that. “He’s with Zecora, then?”

Dad smiled and nodded, but mom’s lips turned straight enough to be used as a ruler.

My ears twitched in annoyance, before I gave her a piece of my mind. “Mom, I am well aware that you don’t approve of me calling Monica that.” Some gilt flickered over her face. “Am I so horrible for finding Zecora a bit more exotic and exciting?”

Mom looked away. She seemed very tired… “…I just want to know what has happened with my son and daughter in law…”

My heart skipped a beat.

Dad started glaring at her.

Even all the military in the room suddenly got dead quiet.

But just before I could… start bawling like a babe, to be blunt…

Mom jerked her head up with a horrified expression and stammered out. “I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t… It just, I just…”

It felt a bit forced, but I managed a smile at that, before trotting over and giving her a hug. I only reached her to her waist without rearing, but she just put her hands on the back of my head and squeezed back that way. It felt a bit odd, but I sure as heck wasn’t about to complain.

“…I get it, mom,” I said softly still leaning against her. “You’re just tired and worried. No need to apologize, it was just a slip…”

She started stroking my head. “…No, I should still apologize. Me being worried and distracted doesn’t give me a right to say something like that.”

I resisted the urge to rub my head against her. I didn’t think she’d take it the way I wanted… “Can we do this tomorrow? Please?”

Dad gave a grunt. “I think that’s an excellent idea. No matter what she calls herself or even looks like… Well, our child has still had a very trying period in her life… Isn’t that the important bit?”

Mom’s reaction to that was to sink down and give me a proper hug. I returned it in kind.

“…I saw you in that… pit, moving,” she said in a calm voice. “What was it like?”

I tensed for a moment, but she just sounded genuinely curious… “…Honestly? Nice and cozy.”

Dad made a low, intrigued sound. Mom opted for the classic jaw dropping approach.

I continued. “But getting out and getting cool felt worse than that time I went through the ice…” I shuddered at the memory, but it was a smaller shudder then I had grown accustomed too. “Never thought I’d think of almost drowning as quint and not that scary, I’ll say that much.”

Mom grew still for a moment. Then she hugged me even harder.

Dad must have changed his mind, because he walked over and started actually make the tea. Only adding an extra cup. “So…” He said. Voice oddly serious. “A tiny farm, two farmers… and their only son turns out to be an alien badass…”

A wave of laughter rang out as a few of the soldiers got where dad was going with that. I just unhooked a hoof from mom and face hoofed instead.

He turned with the cups in his hands. A big smile on his face. “Just how pissed would you be if I started with Superman jokes…” He offered me and mom a cup each. “...Kal-El?”

I just rolled my eyes at the ‘dad’ joke. I thought about pointing out that Kara Zor-El would have made more sense, but since both dad and mom had let out tiny laughs at that and I could almost feel the tension lift a bit…

I decided not to. Instead I swept my cup in one gulp. It was not as if a human sized cup was more than a mouthful for me now, anyway… or the heat a problem for that matter.

Dad winced, but relaxed when he saw me close my eyes and savor it. Earl-grey and two lumps.

Just like I like it.

I flashed dad a pony sized smile after swallowing. “Thanks, dad…” I levitated the empty cup over my head and tilted it back and forth a few times for emphasis. “But I think I’m going to need a bigger cup in the future.”

He chuckled once, but got a thoughtful look as I levitated the cup over to the dishes. He stroked his shin in thought. “…Do you think that young rake in a pair of pants with the creepy eyes and The Ghost of Humility Past…” I dropped the cup and bit back a laugh at that, but it was over the sink and the cup held, so no harm, no foul. “…might be on to something?”

The mental image of stepping through a certain mirror, using a scrying spell, then a simple teleport and just walking back through the portal with a whistle and twirling the Element of Magic around my finger flashed through my mind.

I let out a deep, deep sigh. “In that case I’m going to be very, very annoyed at my so called past self for how she handled the stuff in Equestria Girls…”

A few laughs rang out from the crowd, but mom and dad just looked thoughtful.

I saw where they were heading mentally and said in a gentle voice: “Even if that mirror turns out to e-“

Dad raised an arm, cutting me off. He walked over and got down on a knee, looking me straight in the eye and placing both hands on my shoulders. Mom took a step back. “Son…” I grinned at that. “All jokes aside and me being completely serious for one rare moment…” He lifted a hand and gently poked the tip of my horn. Being touched there when the horn was inert felt… odd, but not unpleasant. He replaced his hand on my shoulder and continued. “…Let me finish before saying anything, OK? I think you need to hear this, but I’m worried how you’ll react to some of it.”

I leaned forward and gave him a quick hug. He had a smile when I leaned back. “I’ll just take that as a yes, then…” He said.

He took a deep breath, before simply saying: “That video didn’t surprise me much. And I don’t care.”

I felt myself go bug-eyed. “…What?”

He flicked me gently on the nose. “Not finished… and you did agree.”

I felt my ears try folding back, but I fought them upright again. I gave a silent nod for him to continue.

He smirked a moment at my answer, but he did so. Once more looking serious. “Well, to be blunt I’ve seen… more and more of her in you these last weeks…”

My ears fell.

“But what I feared, that my son would… go away? That never happened.” He looked down for a bit, lost for words before pushing on. “…I guess what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t go do anything foolish on me or your mother’s behalf.”

I could almost feel my mom’s eyes glaring in our direction, but she didn’t say anything. Dad gave her a glare in turn before returning his focus on me.

He gently tapped the gem stuck in me. For just a moment a purple spark flared deep inside it, but then it darkened once more. It was… kind of adorable, to be honest. Like an exhausted pet poked in the side while trying to sleep giving you a glare, before turning over and ignoring you. “This thing kinda clinched it.”

That made my head jolt up. “How are your ears?”

Dad just gave a shrug. “As soon as the…” Dad looked uncomfortable. He tried to hide it by getting up and brushing himself off, but I saw it. “…screaming stopped.” Dad continued. “Well, Zecora got a weird far-off look, went out and grabbed a bunch of weeds.” He pointed to his ear. “Then she boiled them into some foul smelling mush while muttering something at it, forced it into mine and her own ears.” He let his hand fall with a shrug. “Made everything taste like orange for almost half a day, but the doctors couldn’t even see I’d been injured.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you mean oranges?”

Dad made a disgusted face. “Nope. Orange the color. Even fucking water. It was… weird.”

I noticed that most of the military in the room was… very interested. General Shade had gotten himself a spot over at the table and was not even trying to hide his interest at the conversation.

I decided to throw them a bone. “Did she say anything about what it was?”

Dad just shrugged again. “She muttered something about ‘The worst bucking poultice she’d ever made’ and ‘Go find my husband’ before grabbing Mark and stumbling to bed. Whatever she did must have taken a lot out of her, because she slept way past dinner that day…”

I just had to smile at that. “…Did you?”

He nodded towards the grunts in the room, then towards the pit. “By the time we’d spotted the glow… these guys had shown up.”

I realized I should have done so sooner, but I expanded my awareness towards my dad and mom…

Nothing but the fillings in their teeth and the normal stuff in their pockets.

Dad must have figured what I was doing from my expression, because he wagged a finger at me. “Now don’t you do anything rash, young lady.” Mom made a disgusted sound at the last bit, but didn’t interfere. “They’ve been nothing but courteous so far.” Dad shot a glare towards the general, but he just smiled over his cup in response. “Even if I almost clocked a certain bastard when I saw that perimeter…”

Shade raised a single finger over his cup. “A necessary precaution against what might have been a mad or delusional magician of your daughter’s strength… and I believe you know that, Sir.”

Dad glowered a bit, but just stalked off to clean his cup.

And I found myself at the mercy of my mom trying to nail me to the floor with her gaze.

I just sighed in response. Angry mom just… didn’t seem to stack up compared to the rest that had happened today. “Mom, something is clearly eating at you. Just say it.”

That actually made mom hesitate. I just had to smile at that. “Sorry, mom. You on the warpath aren’t even in the top five scariest stuff I’ve seen today. Just say it, please?”

Mom buried her head in her hands for a moment, before sighing and looking up. “Fine. I can deal with these… changes…”

I made a on with it gesture. “And the second part of that sentence that starts with ‘but’ ends how…?”

She let out another deep sigh. “Fine, I’ll just say it. You seem to be reveling in them, and it’s freaking me out.”

I just stared at her. Then I started beating my wings and took to the air, gently hovering at her eye level. I just hung there, fore-legs crossed and stared her down. “I will admit the tiny, pointy horse thing is weird… but need I say more?”

Mom countered by pointing at my crutch. I just rolled my eyes. “I happen to think that Queen Majestic is pretty enough to be an even trade for King Lear, thank you very much…”

A tiny sound made me turn towards the kitchen table.

Shade was sitting there with what remained of his cup in his grip. The edges of his mouth were twitching and every eye in the room was staring at him. “…King Lear?” He managed to croak out.

A huge grin split my face. “Because the ladies drove him mad, obviously…”

He took a deep breath and rose from his seat. Back a bit stiff. “…Excuse me for a moment.”

He quickly walked outside with as much dignity as he could muster.

I pretended not to hear the laugh that easily reached in through the half-fixed windows.

Mom was just shaking her head. “…Seriously? That’s your argument?”

I pointed a hoof at her. “I’m holding this discussion with you while flying under my own power, mom. What’s your counter to that?”

She buried her head in her hands again, looking exasperated. “…You’ve turned into a unicorn mare… and that’s your counter?”

“Alicorn, mom,” I corrected. “Unicorns just have the horn…”

Mom gave a glare, but it quickly faltered. “Fine…”

I noticed that the state of my wings were making flying harder, and chose to stop using them because of that.

I honestly didn’t even feel tired in them, on the contrary it felt nice to stretch them… but I could feel small feathers falling out and stuff like that. Flying in such a state seemed… untidy, for lack of a better word.

Of course, this didn’t mean I had to land. I just enveloped myself in a spell and kept myself floating that way.

Dad gave off a chuckle. Mom just gave off another sigh at the sound.

I was getting annoyed. I throw my fore-legs wide. “Mom, look at me.” With an effort of will I made my mane spread itself out in a purple, gleaming cloud around my head.” I put my front-hooves on my hips as further emphasis. ““For fucks sake, mom. I even have curves. Curves! What part of this should I be raging against?”

Mom suddenly looked up, something hard in her eyes. “The part where you’re a fucking pony?”

I found a piece of charred ground in my mane by how it made part of it stick together. I made the hair part around it and levitated it out and into the trash-bin. I didn’t take my eyes of mom for any of it.

I got distracted by dad prodding my wing. I looked up on the disgusted look on his face. “You know, I’d make stew of any off our chickens with wings that looked like this. Just saying.”

I fidgeted a bit. “…I know, OK?” I just haven’t had time to preen yet.”

I shrugged and took a step back, leaning against the counter. “See that you do. They look hideous right now.”

Mom spoke before I could defend my darlings. “…How can the rest of you take this so… normally?”

Dad just shrugged. “I trust Greg. Simple as that. If she, as the case may be, isn’t worried… then I frankly see no reason to be so on her behalf.”

I flashed dad a thankful smile, before pivoting on the spot towards my worried looking mom again. I tapped the Element. “And the surprise sternum piercing from nowhere aside, I honestly don’t see much point in seeing a gift horse in the mouth.”

The whole room grew silent at that line, before groaning in unison. I just grinned.

Mom was face palming. “…Seriously?”

I rolled my eyes. Everybody is a bucking critic… “So, should I levitate up to my bed, fly or just teleport? Choices, choices…”

Dad chuckled softly. “What? Not even humoring the option of galloping up there?”

I turned my head and stuck my adorable little tongue out at him. “But that makes noise. Don’t want to wake anybody…”

He theatrically smacked his forehead, grinning all the while. “Of course. So silly of me…”

Mom let out another sigh. “I’m just worried by… that you aren’t.”

I floated over and gave her a hug. She got the giggles from the tingling of my magic, but returned it. “Mom, I can do the impossible on a whim. Am I so wrong for considering this a decent enough trade off for the other stuff?”

She gently pushed me away, making me drift a few feet before I locked my position in the air. She didn’t look convinced, but she seemed mollified at least. “I don’t agree with you… but I think I’m starting to understand how you’re handling this.” She put on a gentle smile, and pointed upwards. “But I think two tired people are waiting for you…”

I may have been floating at the moment, but it still felt as if a rock fell of my back. I gave her a relieved smile. “Thank you… and ‘night, mom.”

She gave a small nod. “The same.”

I turned my head again, but dad just waved me off. “Get going already… and ‘night.”

I gave the military guys a wave as well. “Well, ‘night to you too.”

I chuckled at the small chorus of “Goodnight, Mrs. Sparkle” before zooming off.

I resisted the urge to shout “Wheeeee!” but only barely.

As I passed the hall I traded a nod with Shade, but that was the only pause before I had curved and darted my way to mine and Zecora’s room.

I thought off levitating in, but decided not to risk waking them with the sound. So I landed and opened the door the old fashioned way.

Mark lay curled in Zecora’s hooves, both of them gently snoring away.

I had to blink away a few tears at the sight. I… had been worried I’d never…

I quickly shook that train of thought out of my head and tiptoed over to the bed instead. They both stirred a little as I slid under the covers, but relaxed as I did.

I barely had time to wrap my hooves around them both and put my head on the pillow before I was out like a light.

But I fell asleep with a smile.