"Can you fly at all?" Glow asked straining to avoid the arrows, and judging from the direction they were coming from it was the camp.

"I might be able to manage!" Brandon answered, and not a second later she dropped him. Thinking as fast as he could, he managed to extend his wings to catch the air and get into a glide. This made his shoulder scream in pain as he put in the effort to flap as well.

He was doing well enough to avoid the arrows at the moment but he was losing altitude and knew that he had to be ready to tun as soon as his feet hit the ground. Lucky enough he knew enough how to glide down into the cover of the treetops, and as he managed to avoid most of the branches he eventually hit the ground. Tripping over a root as he managed to land on his feet, making him catch himself on the tree so he didn't fall flat on his face.

Looking up, Brandon saw Glow incinerate a wave of arrows before dodging several that her fire hadn't touched but it looked like she was at least distracting the camp at the moment. Though he didn't feel right just leaving her to deal with the assault on her own, he couldn't just fly up there at the moment to help which just the thought made his vision start to see black spots. His shoulder was completely screaming from the pain, though as he looked at it he knew that at least it hadn't opened up.

Turning his attention back to the action above he noticed that a couple of Pegasus were heading in Glow's direction, and he knew he had to warn her. Though looking around he knew that might be extremely difficult, but then he heard a faint scream above, and as he looked Glow was hurtling towards the ground. Brandon just reacted quickly moving where she was falling ignoring all the pain.

"Not gonna..." Before he could say another word a dark figure flew in catching the dragoness before she went into the treetops. Not too long after Knuckles showed up with
Glow on his back.

"Saw her helping you, figured you would want to help her," Knuckles said as Glow climbed off his back with two arrows sticking out of her. One was in her shoulder, and the other in her right-wing.

"My wing is gonna take forever to heal from this," Glow grumbled as she broke the shaft of the arrow in her wing, pulling it out leaving a small hole. "This other one I'll need a little help with if you two don't mind?"

"Knuckles, you have experience with extracting arrows right?" Brandon asked making Knuckles nod.

"Yes, but does any creature here have a first aid kit of some kind?" Knuckles asked as he approached Glow examing the arrow.

"Don't worry about that, I'll just cauterize the wound with some of my dragon fire," Glow replied, and before she had time to react Knuckles quickly removed the arrow without much issue. "You sulfur sniffing fucker!"

As she called Knuckles a few other names, she quickly sealed the wound while Knuckles and Brandon talked about what happened since became separated. Although not much, though Knuckles did manage to find them faster than Luna which really wasn't a surprise, especially considering Knuckles had actually managed to save her when the arrows started flying. Which Brandon was grateful the stallion convinced her into looking on the ground.

"Then we owe you a thank you," Knuckles said turning to Glow giving her a nod.

"Yes, well I suggest we get moving. I rather not have to deal with the creatures in this forest right now," Glow replied and as she stood up Brandon got a good look at her again. She was on the petite side, and the way her horns were did remind him of someone, even if he hadn't met them in person before. He was sure he had at least seen a picture of a dragon with similar horns and physique.

"Sure, but on the way do you think you could tell us more about this gem you're missing?" Brandon asked as the three of them went on their way.

"I will, once we get out this forest and someplace more private," Glow simply stated. "Say, where did that stallion go?"

"He likes to disappear, he's around but is in the shadows. So, can you at least tell us a little about yourself other than your name?" Brandon asked, making her glare at him though seeing he wasn't fazed by it she let out a little laugh. "Trust me, I've had worse stares than that."

"No, no, I wasn't laughing because of that. It's just not many want to get to know me is all," Glow responds with a somewhat wistful tone.

"Well, if we're gonna work together and all..." Brandon said making her roll her eyes before picking up her pace.

"I actually have a twin sister," Glow managed to get out after a moment of hesitation.

"So, are you two close?" Brandon asked.

"In our younger years no, but as of recently we've been rebuilding our relationship," Glow's tone made it clear that was all she had to say about it or anything else for now.

They ultimately decide to rest for a moment as Brandon's shoulder was killing him at the moment and Glow didn't argue while Knuckles came out of the shadows as usual. Though as Glow looked Brandon over she asked about his wound, which made him wince thinking about it, and he started to elaborate on what he had already told her. Though this was mostly about when he was captured, and once he got to the part about the Hydra tooth spear Glow was a bit shocked.

"Geez, I heard it's extremely difficult to get a tooth with the gland intact. I'm not gonna lie though, for whatever you are you are tougher than most. I mean surviving a wound like that isn't something many creatures like you would be able to survive, granted dragons have an immunity to that toxin," Glow said as she approached Brandon. "Mind if I have a look?"

"Uh, go ahead?" Brandon replied letting her unbandaged the wound and as she looked she let out a little whistle.

"Again, surprised you survived. A wound that deep caused by a Hydra bite would essentially mean death unless treated right away. But from the looks of it, they didn't get all of it out which seems to be common. But, if you would like I know an old dragon way of fully removing it," Glow offered, making him raise an eyebrow.

"Can you?" Brandon asked, making Knuckles even curious.

"Yeah, but it'll hurt a bit," Glow replied and after a moment, Brandon nodded. "Okay then, but as I said, this is gonna hurt."

Glow closed her eyes and started muttering something in what Brandon assumed was a part of the dragon language, and soon she took a deep breath. Releasing it caused a green smoke that drifted towards his shoulder and as soon as it made contact his vision blurred. His shoulder was on fire, no, it felt like it was slowly melting right off the bone but he gritted his teeth and soon his vision cleared and he could breathe again.

"They missed a lot more than they thought, it's a wonder you aren't in the doctors laid up from the pain," Glow said looking down.

"How was there still so much of it left in his body?" Knuckles asked.

"It's actually quite common, keep in mind once a Hydra's toxin is in the body it actually breaks down into two components. One is to target and prevent the body from clotting the wound and is easier to remove. The second component is the one that targets the nerves causing them intense pain, this is to draw in the immune system to those nerves rather than fighting off the first one," Glow explained making Brandon raise an eyebrow.

"You seem to know a lot about the subject," Brandon said as he looked down to see a sickly green fluid coming from his shoulder.

"I had a good teacher," Glow replied, and out of the corner of Brandon's eye, he could have sworn the dragoness had a little prideful smirk. "So, how's it feeling?"

"It actually feels great!" Brandon said rolling his shoulder forwards and then quickly backward and other than it being sore there was no pain. Sure enough, as the green fluid stopped the wound completely closed, and as the doctor had said it did leave a nice looking scar.

"What in the great eruption?!" Glow exclaimed in surprise to see him heal that fast.

"It's something I can explain later, but how are you holding up with your wounds?" Brandon asked, making her shake off her shock.

"Yes, well whatever just happened I don't think I can heal like that. But the pain is manageable," Glow replied, though they were soon interrupted when they heard something off in the distance. Suddenly Luna appeared, her horn glowing, and pointed at Glow.

"Well, hi to you too," Brandon muttered before going in between her and Glow. "Thanks for helping me out, and like I said I am willing to help you out with your stolen gem."

"That's good, cause as I said it just might be enough to start a war. But like I said, I'll only tell you about it somewhere more private," Glow replied, while Luna stopped her spell and looked at the two of them in confusion.

"She actually ended up saving him Princess," Knuckles said making Luna nod, though looking back at her Brandon could see she still had a little bit of confusion left, mixed with a bit of suspicion.

"Wait, Princess?" Glow asked, with a bit of surprise.

"Yeah, like I said I have the resources to help," Brandon said giving Luna a little smile and wink. "But I agree, before we talk more we need to get going!"

Without saying anything else, Brandon started to navigate through the forest since he had a good idea where they were at this point and the other followed behind. Though as they walked a bright light above caught his and Luna's attention, and sure enough there seemed to be a hole in the sky. But knowing the other two with them couldn't see it, they tried to pay no mind to it for the moment.

"It's almost stable! Just give it a sec..." Brandon fell to his knees clutching his head as that voice seemed to go directly into his head, his vision almost completely blacked out as if a part of him was trying to escape. But just as fast as it came, the pain went away. As he looked up, the tare or portal was gone, and it took a moment to realize Luna was saying his name.

"Brandon, snap out of it!" Luna said, and seeing that he had regained focus and was now looking at her, she let out a sigh. "What..."

"I'm fine, it's something we can talk about later okay?" Brandon said, looking her right in the eyes making her nod.

"So, I mean is any..." Glow started but was cut off.

"Don't worry about it, it's just a bit of a medical issue," Brandon stated getting up, though on wobbly feet. "Ready to get going?"

"You sure you're okay?" Knuckles asked.

"Yeah, just might need somepony to lean on for a minute while we walk," Brandon replied as Luna came to his side, letting him lean on her. They started again, and not too long after they exited the forest which was good since the sun was setting. To top it off, Shining and some town guards were waiting with some newly caught prisoners.

"There you guys are! Was about to go in and find you guys when we saw the smoke!" Shining said as they approached, though the stallion quickly noticed the dragoness.

"This is Glow, she helped me out, which did you bring a field medic cause she got hit by a couple of arrows?" Brandon asked, making Shining nod but not take his eyes off of her. Though he did call out to get a medic over there. "You really don't have to worry about her you know?"

"I'm sure, it's just from what our tied-up friends over there were saying this is the dragon that started their camp on fire," Shining said making Brandon raise an eyebrow.

"Uh, that's not a bad thing as it might set them back in their plans at the very least, and with luck, it might have put a complete stop to them," Brandon said.

"Really Shining, she is our ally in this," Luna stated as an order making Shining stand in position and salute.

"Yes ma'am!" Shining said, and the field medic had managed to bandaged the shoulder wound on Glow and was now trying to patch the hole in her wing. Brandon sat down taking a deep breath, though his head still felt bad he could at least walk on his own now.

"So, you okay?" Luna asked making him shake his head.

"I don't know how to explain it, but the simplest way is that those portals make me feel like a part of me is trying to go through. Though I don't think it'll be an issue if they get it stabilized," At that Luna gave him a quizzical look. "Tell you about it later."

"So, where are we going to talk about our plans?" Glow asked as she approached, only for Brandon to point to his house.

"My house, Shining you coming?" Brandon asked making the stallion shake his head.

"Going to wait here with the other guards just in case more of this group comes out," Shining replied making Knuckles nod.

"Alright, let's make our way then!" Brandon said getting up. "Oh, and hope you don't mind staying the night so we can talk about everything in the morning?"

"I don't have any arguments, but where will I be sleeping?" Glow asked.

"I have extra room, even with a filly and three marefriends," This made the dragoness give a stunned look. "I'm adopting, let's just say that's a tidbit about me. Also, I had a brother of my own, who has passed on."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, but I am glad to hear you're starting a family. I'm sure your brother would be happy," Glow said with a genuine smile that spread to him.

"I mean no offense when I say this, you aren't like other dragons," Luna stated making Glow give a sigh.

"Believe me, I know," Glow muttered though loud enough for them to hear, and all of them could tell that it was something she didn't want to talk about.

"Well, let's hope Lyra and Derpy got dinner ready cause I really need something to eat," Brandon said as they were practically almost there, and as they drew closer they could smell the food cooking. Though Brandon could smell fish which made him scrunch his nose with the smell alone.

"Hmm, that fish smells so good!" Glow said, her stomach audibly growling. "Uh, sorry just haven't eaten since yesterday."

"Well, it smells like Derpy is cooking so it'll be extra good," Luna said giving a little laugh as Brandon made his usual look of when they cooked fish.

"Still don't know why ponies eat fish," Brandon muttered as they walked in.

"Geez, it's about time!"Lyra said as she was eating her dinner, and as she turned to look at them her eyes went a bit wide at seeing Glow. Though to her credit Lyra gave a welcoming smile, which really didn't surprise Brandon considering how accepting the mare seemed to be.

"Hey, uh, do you mind if I go get me something?" Glow asked making Brandon roll his eyes a bit.

"Yeah, but first this is Lyra, and this here is Glow," Brandon introduced them.

"Hey, any friend of Brandons is a friend of mine," Lyra said. "Here, why don't I introduce you to Derpy, she's actually in the kitchen right now so you'll be able to get a plate too!"

"Yeah, sounds good to me," Glow said as she licked her lips as she followed the mare.

"You guys go ahead and get something before it's all gone, but if you don't mind I think I'm gonna go lay down and go to sleep," Brandon said making his way to his room. "Luna, can you...."

"Yeah, I'll make sure she gets settled. Just try to get some rest okay?" Luna replied making him nod his head, and they heard the bedroom door open and then shut.

Which as Brandon entered the room he let out a pained sigh as his head was still killing him, but he really didn't understand why those portals affected him like this. Maybe it was because of his ability and his connection with the people on the other side, but no matter why he wished it would stop. But he had a feeling that if they did succeed in fully opeing the portal it would me the end of the headaches.

Taking a deep breath and calming himself and hope that getting sleep would help so he quickly climbed into bed, making sure the ceiling fan was on and covering up. Closing his eyes he waited for sleep to take him though he was having a bit of trouble. His thoughts kept drifting to the portals, then to Glow and her stolen gem, but eventually he finally slipped away.

"...miss talking to you so much," He heard a familiar voice say, but that couldn't be possible. The voice belonged to none other than Anna, who was in a whole other world at the moment. "Wait, Brandon?!"

This made him open his eyes, although it was hard to do so as if they had been shut for a long time which couldn't of since he had just went to bed not to long ago. But then again he didn't think it was possible not for Anna to be sitting by his side in a hospital room when he was just in his own bedroom in Equestria. He managed to look outside, and sure enough he knew he wasn't in Equestria.

"Somebody get a doctor, he's awake!" Anna called out as she stood up and gently placed a hand on his cheek and with tears in her eyes she spoke. "I thought I lost you!" Before leaning in kissing him.

Author's Note

Well, all dreams must end at a point... Just remember to smile, smile, smile!