Waking up in Equestria

Chapters

Waking
Recovered
Waking. Again. With a Headache.
First Day on the Job
Journey
Situational Acceptance
Holy Shit! Technology!
Alptraum Auferstehung
Downtime
Uh, Ponyville? We have a problem...
Time to Recover
War Games
Come Kingdom Come
Beach Day
Buzz Buzz Buzz
Keeping a Low Profile
Settling In
Mini-Chapter: When Two Become One (The Update Ya'll Can Skip. If You Want.)

Waking

Harry grunted angrily as his senses began to wake with him.

He always hated mornings. He hated how the sun would shine through his window and slap him in the face with a blast of bright light. Mornings also meant he would be harassed by his obnoxious alarm as it pestered him to wake up. Starting the day meant Harry would have to go to school and deal with people and complete idiots. But, that was typical high school population, and no one can control that.

Grunting again, Harry realized his annoying alarm wasn't shrieking at him. "Shit! I overslept!". In one fluid motion, he twisted his upper body up in attempt to look at the green neon numbers. Instead of numbers however, a gnarled tree root greeted his sight. "What the..." he thought. Sitting up and looking around, Harry saw he was in a forest, not his bedroom. A small stream flowed peacefully nearby, filling the air with the sounds of gentle water tricking. Looking around more, his heart began to pick up, beating quickly now. Then, a thought occurred.

This was simply a prank, pulled by his friends.

Laughing, Harry spoke up.

"Alright guys, nice prank. You really got me this time!" he said to the wilderness. However, no people responded, only the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects replied. "Come on guys, I'm serious.Get out here and take me home." He said as he looked around. A deep growl sounded nearby, and Harry spun his head around, sending his glasses flying. Panicking, Harry proceeded to reach a hand out, and stopped.

Instead of his pasty whiteness, due to being indoors all the time, Harry saw that his skin was now a toffee color. Another thing he realized is that he was slightly warmer than usual. Picking up his glasses and putting them on, his hand came in contact with his nose a lot sooner than it should. Feeling it, Harry went cross eyes to see that he now had a muzzle. Looking back to his hand, he saw that there was a light layering of fur on him. A twig snapped nearby and Harry felt his ears swivel around.

Wait.

Reaching up, his hands confirmed that he had a new pair of ears now.

A set of pony ears.

Laughter began to come from Harry again as he fell to his side and looked at his feet. Instead of human feet however, they were replaced with hooves, and his knees were bent backwards, much like that of a equine. Luckily, his pajama pants had managed to adjust to his new leg forms and stay on. "Alright guys! This was very well done! Now can you come out AND MAKE ME HUMAN AGAIN!?" he yelled now, his temper rising. He had enough of this prank and wanted to punch whoever came up with this. Fluttering sounded from behind him now, and Harry spun around to see a flash of silver pass him. He twisted the other way and saw it again. With another twist, the sounds of gears and servos could be heard.

Wait. Again.

Reaching back, Harry could feel cold metal on his back. The smooth metal plating ran under his fingers as he traced the span of the metal. Slowly, the metal extended, gears and hydraulics hissing and clicking as the metal extended. The feeling of metal tips grazed Harry's lower back and he shivered a bit at the feeling. Crawling over to the small stream quickly, Harry looked at his reflection to see that there were a pair of metallic wings extending from either side of him. He simply sat there and looked up, staring at a tree nearby, and his eye began to twitch as a deranged smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.

"I'm...half pegasai...?" He said quietly. The smile twitched with his eye, and in one fell swoop, Harry collapsed onto his side and burst into hysterics.

"THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! THIS SIMPLY CANNOT BE HAPPENING!" he gasped through the laughter. As he laughed, he began to roll around on the grass, beginning to sing a deranged tune as he rolled.

"I'm a pretty pooony~ I'm a pretty pooony~" he called, finally stopping his hysterics. His face slowly returned to normal and he stared at the clear blue sky. "How did this happen...?"

* * *

Thirty minutes prior, in the Golden Oaks Library

Twilight Sparkle sat peacefully on her reading cushion as she sipped on some herbal tea. Before her, a book on teleporting spells sat opened, spilling its' information to her. With a simple flare of her horn, Twilight turned the page and continued reading. About half way down the page, something caught Twilight's eye. She put down her tea and brought the book closer to inspect the description.

"Trans-Universal Teleportation...said that with enough magic, a single pony can travel to another universe. But the magic required to cast such a spell hasn't been done since Star Swirl's time. In theory, the spell is still in its' experimental stages, but Star Swirl had managed to teleport a small mouse into a different universe. For a low level unicorn, attempting the spell can result in instant death due to the strain the spell does to the ponys' mind..." Twilight read aloud. With a giggle, she gently closed the book and stood from her cushion. "Spiiiike!" she called.

From the kitchen, a small dragon poked his head in, a look of slight irritation of his features. "What is it Twilight? I'm baking my gem cake here!" he complained.

"Get the equipment ready, we're testing today!" Twilight said eagerly as she walked to the basement door and entered it, going down the stairs. Spike sighed and threw his chefs' hat down on the wooden floor with the apron he was wearing and jogged after the mare.

* * *

After ten minutes of setting up, Twilight stared at Spike as he stood at the data recorder as it spewed paper with jagged red markings on it.

"Are you sure about this Twilight...?" Spike asked cautiously.

"Of course I am, Spike! Just imagine, setting hoof in a totally new dimension from ours! Anything is possible! For all we know, the inhabitants of another dimension could defy all reality!" she said smiling. Spike simply rolled his eyes.

"But you know the dangers! I don't think I could deal with you never coming back, or ending up dead!" he said, his tone going to one of worry. Twilight approached the dragon and took him into a hug.

"Don't worry Spike. I'm going to be perfectly fine. At the first sign of trouble, I'll stop the spell, okay?" she asked. Spike nodded and stepped back as Twilight returned to the center of the room. Taking a calming breath, Twilight hardened her features. "Ready?" she asked. Spike nodded and dove behind a makeshift bunker, popping up with an army helmet on. Twilight took another calming breath and her horn began to glow. Slowly, the floor began to glow purple, forming into three rotating spell circles around Twilight. Increasing the power, the aura within the circles began to dance like purple fire. Small objects like pens and pencils began to levitate on their own and spin in place. Another surge of power forced the purple flames higher around Twilight as the spell circles began to spin rapidly.

Then, in a gasp of pain, the spell exploded and Twilight was sent flying against the wall, leaving an impression of her spread eagle form on the wood. The mare collapsed to the floor and groaned as she shakily stood up.

"D-did it work...?" she asked tiredly. Spike stood up from his small fort and removed the helmet, shaking his head. He then gasped in shock and pointed at Twilight. The mare tilted her head to the side a bit and felt a warmness running down her face. She raised a hoof to the warmness and pulled it back to see her own blood coating the hoof. "S-Spike..." she said before collapsing.

"Twilight!" Spike yelled as he ran to her side. He fell to his knees and began to panic. "W-what do I do!? WHAT DO I DO!?" he yelled trying to think of something. Then, an idea went off in his head. "Stay here Twilight! I'll get one of my friends to help take you to the hospital!" he said running up the stairs. He looked back at her in worry, then proceeded to run out of the library.

* * *

Present time.

Harry was currently walking through the forest, taking in the sights and sounds of the place. This forest was a lot nicer than the one that his home was near. It looked brighter and more cheerful.

It almost freaked him out at how happy the forest seemed.

As he walked, the forest began to thin up a tad bit, obviously coming to its' edge. Standing at the boundary between the forest and the rest of the world, Harry looked at the wayward horizon. On the horizon, a rather large mountain sat, with an odd looking peak jutting from the side of it.

For the third time, wait.

Squinting his eyes, Harry gazed at the odd peak, and slowly his mind began to fall apart again. The spires, the towers, the waterfall rushing beneath it. It all was too familiar looking.

Laughing to himself once again, Harry closed his eyes, shook his head a bit, then looked back at the odd peak. "It can't be..." he said.

But alas, it was. There sat Canterlot, glimmering in the daytime sun as it sat with its' mountain companion.

"That could only mean..." Harry muttered as his gaze went down the mountain and to the west. In a small valley, there sat a large town, its' layout all to familiar to Harry as well.

"...Ponyville..."

* * *

Ponyville Hospital

Twilight laid on the gurney, sleeping, her head wrapped up in medical bandages. A moderately large red splotch occupied the upper corner of her wrappings. Around her, the concerned faces of her friends looked at her as she laid there.

"You said she was trying, what, again?" Rarity asked.

"She was trying a new, powerful teleporting spell. It backfired and, well..." Spike said as he sat in a nearby chair, his tiny knees curled up to his chin. "I hope she gets better soon..." At this, Fluttershy put a reassuring wing on the baby dragon and gave him a caring smile.

"She'll get better, don't you worry Spike." she said in a calm tone. Spike sighed hopefully and looked at his caretaker.

"I can only hope..."

Suddenly, a large mass of angry voices and rushing hooves was heard outside.

* * *

Yells and the occasional swear word were chasing after Harry as he ran for his life. Sweat poured down his face as he sprinted from the angry mob of townsponies. Pitchforks arced through the air, then landed nearby with vicious intent as Harry ran. As the crowd ran past the Hospital, one of the second floor windows opened up and a white unicorn stuck her head out, watching with curiosity. An eyebrow hiked up on her face as she saw the odd looking, toffee colored stallion running away.

"Leave me alone!" he yelled back at the crowd. His response came in the form of a rock that came flying faster than a bullet and smashed against Harry's head, causing a dull thud to be heard as it impacted. Harry began to stumble as he ran, blood trickling down his scared features. Finally, with a slow collapse, Harry fell to his knees and fell face first into the path. His wings flinched slightly as they slowly lost power and collapsed themselves.

In mere seconds, the mob was on Harry's unconscious body, getting ready to tear him to pieces.

Then, with a blue flash, Rarity appeared over the body, a scowl on her face. "Everypony, STOP!" she yelled. Immediately, the crowd backed up and looked at her, snarls and sneers on their faces. "Is that anyway to treat a new pony?" Rarity scolded, having abandoned her sophisticated tone.

"It's a freak of nature! Look at its' forelegs! And did you see how it ran? ON ITS' HINDLEGS!" Berry Punch yelled pointing at the body below Rarity. The unicorn looked down and stepped aside, looking it over. It had to be at least six feet tall, from top to hoof. The wings on his back were gorgeously crafted, smooth and elegant, with small detailing on the top feathers.

"Nevertheless, this is not how Ponyville welcomes a new guest, even if they are abnormal!" Rarity chided. Some of the townsponies flinched at this statement, and nodded, realizing how right she was. "Now, if you all would go home, my friends and I will take care of this." Rarity ordered, her tone returning to normal. Almost immediately, Spike and the others came running from the Hospital and to Rarity.

"Ya'll okay?" Applejack asked. Rarity simply nodded and sighed.

"They were chasing this poor stallion." she said gesturing a hoof to the body on the ground.

"Well I'll be! He's a bigun'!" Applejack said giving a whistle.

"He's bigger than Roid Rage!" Spike said.

"He's not dead, is he? I need to throw a party if he's new to town!" Pinkie Pie said poking the body with her hoof. Rarity gently slapped Pinkies' hoof, shaking her head.

"No, he's not dead. Simply knocked out." she said.

"There's an awful lot of blood on the ground." Rainbow Dash said, pointing to the crimson puddle that had formed under the stallions' head.

"We should get him to the Hospital then..." Fluttershy said, taking one of Harrys' legs and trying to get him to the Hospital. "He is big!" she said realizing that she had not moved a single inch.

"Here, Rarity, use yer' magic to toss him onta' mah back. Ah'll carry him on in." she said. Rarity nodded and her horn flared with magic. A gentle blue aura began to envelope the stallion as he began to levitate, Rarity grunting with effort as she carried him over and onto Applejacks' back. The farm pony grunted and fixed her stance as the body suddenly landed on her. With a nod of confirmation, the five ponies and baby dragon took the unconscious stallion into the Hospital.

* * *

Screams.

Blood.

Crazed laughter, piercing the dark skies above.

Pleads of mercy came from sobbing throats.

Only to be silenced with a single slash, the owners' blood pouring out and combining into the crimson lake that had formed.

And at the center of this lake, a lone figure stood, six feet tall, with its' wings bloodied. Lightning flashed briefly, illuminating the torn crazed face, one of the irises being a shattered splotch of red in a black abyss, adding to the grimness of the exposed cheek and jaw bone.

"More..." said the figure, giving a hungry, curled smile, its' exposed teeth literally stretching into a tight coil of bone.

* * *

Harry woke suddenly, screaming. Sweat poured form his forehead as he looked about the darkened room. As he looked, his mind began to think that he was back in his own bed. Then, he realized that this wasn't his, but rather a Hospital one.

Suddenly, the door opened and the lights flicked on, briefly blinding Harry. He opened his eyes and looked to the door, seeing a unicorn stallion in a lab coat, wearing a stethoscope around his neck.

"Are you alright? We heard you scream from the employees' lounge on the first floor!" the stallion said.

Harry was at a loss of words, his jaw simply opening and closing as his rattled mind tried to make a coherent sentence.

"W-what happened...?" he asked quietly.

"You were knocked out after a stone was thrown at you. Only major thing that it did was make a large gash on your temple. It's amazing you didn't drop dead." The doctor said. Harry reached a hand up and felt some wrapping around his head, covering the area he had bled from. "And that's another thing, we've never seen a pony like you before. I mean, you have the features of a pony, but you're different. Care explaining that?" asked the doctor as he pulled out a clipboard and pencil.

"I couldn't tell you, even if I tried." Harry said.

"Well, let's start with the basics. What is your name?" asked the doctor.

"My name is Harrison." replied Harry. "My nickname being Harry." he added.

"Harry, eh? Odd name for a pony. How old are you?"

"Seventeen." Harry said. The doctor nodded and continued.

"Do you remember anything before being knocked out?" he asked.

"I just remember waking in the forest nearby and finding my way to town, where I may have startled the residents to a point where they became a mob and chased me." Harry told the doctor. The doctor simply nodded and put away his clipboard and pencil.

"Alright then Harry. Get your rest, and let us know if you need anything else, okay?" he asked. Once Harry nodded, the doctor turned off the lights and closed the door. As Harry laid there, one thing was on his mind.

"How am I in Equestria...?"

Recovered

Ponyville General Hospital, one day after being admitted.

Celestia's ever radiant sun gleamed happily in the skies above, casting warm bands of sun down onto the land. Down below, in a small town, a rather bored stallion sat in his bed, bouncing a rubber ball back and forth against the stark white wall in front of him. The sun decided to brighten this stallion's day up by blessing him with warm and comforting sunlight.

Wrong move.

The sunlight was glaring into Harry's hospital room, shining right into the corner of his eye. No matter how hard he tried to readjust himself, the ray of sun seemed to follow him and continue to blind him. With a scream of aggravation, Harry ripped the blinds closed, effectively sealing the sunlight out.

Off in Canterlot, Celestia herself felt a small pang of offense, as she could have sworn somepony just shut her sun out.

Returning to the matter at hand, Harry resumed bouncing the ball against the wall. However, one throw managed to make the ball have a shallow bounce and roll under his bed. A sigh of defeat came from the anthro-pony as he flopped back down onto the bed and stared directly at the ceiling.

Now, instead of the sunlight bothering him, the hospital room lights seemed to start drilling into his mind, their low buzzing slowly becoming ever more noticeable, growing louder and louder with each passing minute. Harry could have sworn the lights were purposefully installed to make whatever patient slowly slip into the abyss of madness...

A sudden knock on the door tore Harry out of his descent into the abyss.

"Come in." he called. His doctor, who he learned was named X-Ray, poked his head into the room, a smile on his lips.

"And how are we doing this fine day, Harry?" X-Ray asked. Harry gave a shrug in response and the doctor gave a chuckle. "Well, some sun will do you some good." X-Ray said as he walked in and opened the blinds again. The sunlight blasted Harry on full brightness, seeming to mock him as it shone.

Harry was going to find wherever that sunlight was bouncing off from, and effectively remove it from existence.

Sighing, Harry turned his attention to X-Ray. "So, what's the plan for today, Doc?" he asked.

"You have some company today." X-Ray said happily as he approached the door.

What?

"Uhm, Doc, who came to see me? I'm a stranger here." Harry said. "I bet no one besides you and the staff know I'm here." he added. X-Ray simply chuckled again and gave a small sigh.

"Come now Harry, who do you think brought you here after your incident?" X-Ray asked as he stepped out and left the door open. "You may enter ladies." X-Ray said. A couple of seconds later, five ponies, and a baby dragon entered the room, looking at Harry with curious and careful eyes.

"Oh. Fuck. Me." was the only thought to go through Harry's mind at that split instant.

Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Spike all stood there, eyes locked onto Harry's bespectacled ones. The silence filling the room seemed to stretch time from seconds, to eternity. With a cough, Applejack spoke.

"Uhm, hello. Ah'm Applejack. This here is Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and the little critter thar' is called Spike." she said, her voice slightly shaken and nervous. All the others she called either smiled or gave a small nod. "What's your name, stranger?" she asked.

"H-Harry..."

"See, we're gettin' somewhere. Funny name though." Applejack said smirking a bit at her small bit of success.

"You're one to talk." Harry began. "Your name is a cereal brand where I'm from." Harry said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Applejack's jaw dropped at bit as it registered that he had insulted her name. Almost instantly, her shock began anger and she looked ready to break Harry as he laid there.

"Now see here-!" she began. However, Rarity stepped in.

"No need to be uncouth, both of you! You, Harry was it? There's no need to go around insulting everyponys' name. Yours is just as weird to us. And Applejack, there is no reason to rough our guest up. He was already injured enough from that stone that struck him." Rarity said, casting glances to both parties. Applejack simply glared past the diva pony and at Harry.

"Fine, Rare. But Ah'm keepin' mah eye on you." she warned Harry. Harry was about to say something when Pinkie suddenly appeared right in his face.

"He is sure handsome though! OH! Maybe I can throw a 'Welcome to Ponyville, Mister Handsome stranger called Harry!' party! Oh, I'm going to have everything! Cake, punch, balloons, games, music..." she said, continuing to ramble on about what activities the party would have, as Rarity used her magic to float the oblivious party pony away from Harry.

"Uh...sounds fun..." Harry said as he gave a nod to Rarity, who simply smirked.

"Enough chit-chat already! Where are you even from? We've never seen a pony like you before." Rainbow Dash asked, looking him over.

"I'm not going to say anything until I find out how I got here." Harry said defiantly, crossing his arms. Dash simply gave a scowl and looked to Fluttershy, who was currently perplexed by the still rambling Pinkie Pie.

"Uhm, Fluttershy? Is Pinkie scaring you again?" Dash asked. Fluttershy simply turned her head to the cyan pegasus, her eyes wide with shock.

"I-I'll never s-see frosting the s-same ag-again..." she muttered. Rarity cleared her throat once more.

"Anyway, we've come to let you know that you'll be discharged from here today. Once you're situated, we will take you to Mayor Mare and get you registered." Rarity said. Harry felt happiness flood him as he smiled.

"Oh, thank God! You honestly have no idea how boring this place is!" he said. Rainbow Dash popped her head up from under his bed, rubber ball in her hoof.

"Actually, I know the feeling." she said, gesturing with the ball. Harry simply blinked at her and shook his head.

"So, when exactly am I leaving?" he asked.

And, as if on que.

"Right now, actually." X-Ray said, poking his head into the room once again. He used his hoof to slide a small bundle of Harry's clothing into the room. "Get dressed, and come sign the papers. Then, you're free to go." X-Ray said leaving. Harry threw the bedsheets off of himself and stood up, revealing his true height to the mares in the room.

All of whom gave a gasp as they watched him rise and grab his clothes.

Fluttershy simply blushed as she caught a glance at Harry's rear from beneath the open-back patient gown.

"Uh, if I can get some privacy...?" Harry asked. Snapping out of it, Rainbow Dash gathered the others in a blue blur and shoved them all out of the room, slamming the door behind them.

"But I want to see his sense of fashion!" Rarity pleaded. Harry shook his head once more and sighed.

"I honestly cannot believe that this is happening..." he thought as he proceeded to unfold his clothing. Boxers, a pair of cargo khakis, a white t-shirt with a long-sleeved blue plaid over shirt, and his Vans' and socks. "Hmm, all cleaned. They even got that bothersome ink stain out of my undershirt!" Harry said as he looked his small wardrobe over.

About five minutes later, he exited the room and proceeded down the hall to the Reception area. The others were all sitting there, and as soon as he stepped into the lobby, their heads snapped to him. Rarity seemed to give a nod of approval as she looked him over.

"Well, somepony can sure clean up quick!" Applejack said tilting her hat up at Harry, who gave a light blush in response.

"Right then. Here are the papers you need to sign, and you can go about your merry way." said the receptionist. Harry nodded and approached the desk, taking the pen into his grip, and started to write.

Immediately, the murmuring began.

"Ah've never seen a pony write like that before..." he heard Applejack whisper.

"You must remember, he's not from here..." Rarity replied quietly.

"Think he could teach us...?" Rainbow asked.

Harry put the pen down and turned to the girls, flexing his fingers as he looked at them.

"Kinda need these to write like how I do." he told them.

"And what are they exactly?" Rainbow asked.

"Eh, maybe I'll tell you when I feel like it." Harry said with a smirk on his face. Dash simply scowled at him and turned to the others.

"So, who's staying here to look after Twilight?" she asked. Fluttershy raised a hoof and nodded, along with Pinkie.

"We will." she replied. Rainbow nodded in agreement and turned back to Harry.

"Alright, let's get going." she said, beginning her walk out of the lobby, the others in tow.

"I wonder what happened to Twilight..." Harry thought as he walked out.

"Heh...maybe something terrible..." spoke a darker voice.

Harry stopped and looked around, looking for the source of the dark tone. After not being able to find it, Harry simply shrugged and followed the small group of mares to town.

* * *

"Welcome to Ponyville!" Applejack said with a large smile, gesturing to the town with her hoof. The town was alive with activity, sounds, and delicious smells. Vendors were haggling their goods to customers, calling out their sales and such. Ponies went from store to store, gathering small bags or boxes in tow. Then, Harry realized the fact that there were wreaths hanging on buildings with garland and holly berries.

It was the Christmas season.

Or in the case of Ponyville, Hearth's Warming.

"Very busy." Harry simply said.

Nearby, a mint green mare with a harp as her cutie mark turned her attention to the new voice she heard. As soon as her eyes made contact with him, her golden eyes went wide with giddiness as she looked him over and stopped at...

The hands.

Immediately, a crazed look came to the mare's eyes as she began to giggle madly, and began to approach the new stallion.

"LYRA, NO!" screamed a cream colored mare with three candies as her cutie mark. Bon Bon tackled Lyra to the ground and dragged her away, kicking and screaming.

"BUT I HAVE TO TALK TO HIM! I WANT HIM TO SCRATCH ME BEHIND THE EARS!!" Lyra screamed at the top of her lungs. Ponies nearby watched with shock as they watched the mint mare struggle from Bon Bon's unearthly grasp, vanishing behind a building. Then, they all went about their business, as if nothing happened at all.

Harry simply blinked and cringed. The thought of Lyra even speaking a syllable to him frightened him.

"Uh...don't mind her. She's just crazy..." Rainbow Dash said, rubbing her neck.

"Anyway, let's go see the mayor!" Rarity said with gusto, hurrying the group to Town Hall. As they walked, ponies stopped their shopping to watch the newcomer walk by, some backing away in fear, some even walking close by to get a better look.

"Curious, aren't they?" Harry asked as he waved to a small colt, who watched him go past with extreme curiosity.

"They're usually like this when somepony new comes to town. Then they just wait for Pinkie's usual 'Welcome' party, then they will get to know you better." Rainbow said. "Pretty common behavior."

"Ah, I see." Harry replied.

"Not much of a tahlka', are ya'?" Applejack asked.

Harry shook his head and sighed. "I'm usually like this back where I'm from. Quiet and observant at first, but once I'm comfortable, I let loose." he said. Applejack nodded and smiled when they got close to Town Hall.

"Alright, let's go in then." Rarity said, taking the lead. As they walked, the Secretary gave a happy smile and let the group past. She eyed Harry curiously as he went past, then returned to her paper work.

Applejack knocked on Mayor Mares' door, and a cheerful voice responded.

"It's open!" called the mare. Rarity opened the door and walked in. "Hello girls! How can I help you today?" asked Mayor Mare. Her question was answered when Harry stepped into the room, a sheepish grin on his face. "Ah! A new resident, I see?" she asked. They all nodded together. "Well then, let me get the registration papers, and we can get underway." she said reaching into a nearby filling cabinet.

From within, a mountain of papers was brought out. Mayor Mare grunted as she struggled to keep the mountain aloft, slamming the paper menace down on her desk. The slam caused the entire room to jump with surprise. Placing a hand on the top of the stack, Harry raised an eyebrow.

"I really hope this isn't all related to registering." He said, a small hopeful tone in his voice. Mayor Mare simply gave a chuckle and shook her head.

"No, no. I am just very disorganized at the moment. The papers are the first two on the top. Fill those out, and you're officially a citizen of this lovely town!" she said with a cheerful smile. Shrugging, Harry took the first tow papers, a pen, and sat down at the desk and began writing.

-Outside-

Lyra had managed to escape Bon Bon.

She felt her escape went rather smoothly.

Well...it may have involved a lot of kicking, and eventually breaking Bon Bon's snout.

...

BUT LYRA DID NOT CARE! She HAD to talk to that stallion, to get him to use his...haaaaannnndssss...

Lyra stood there, at the corner of Mane Street, gazing lazily into the sky, her tongue lolled out and drooling profusely. Her breathing shuddered at the very thought of one of his finger nails scratching behind her ear.

"Oooooh...yeah..." she breathed. Nearby, Rose Luck spotted the drooling mare.

"Hey Lyra, are you alright?" the flower salespony asked. Snapping out of her daydream, Lyra quickly reeled in her tongue and faced Rose Luck.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine Rose. I was just thinking of something tasty I saw earlier." She replied with a smile.

Lo and behold, she was telling the truth.

"Oh, okay Lyra. Are we still good for lunch Wednesday?" Rose Luck asked. Lyra nodded happily and waved good-bye to her friend. Rose Luck did the same, and went about her business. Lyra's features slowly reverted back to the drooling, daydreaming mare she was.

"Now...where is he...?" she asked aloud, looking about the intersection. Her golden eyes scanned the landscape, looking for that stallion. Then, a flash of silver caught her eye and she immediately snapped her gaze to it. Sure enough, there was her prey, walking into Town Hall with the Elements. "There he is..."

Jumping into a nearby bush, Lyra vanished.

-Inside Mayor Mare's office-

With a click of the pen, Harry put the writing utensil down and tapped the papers into an orderly manner, passing them to the Mayor. Mayor Mare happily accepted the forms and began looking them over.

Silence filled the room as Mayor Mare looked the papers over, her eyes scanning every detail and sentence. Suddenly, she spoke.

Outside the window, a flash of light caught Harry's eye.

"If that reflection is back to taunt me, I'm going to..."

"Alright! Everything here is good to go! Welcome to Ponyville, Mister Harry!" she said standing up and offering her hoof for a hoofshake. Harry took her hoof into his hand, gave it one firm shake, then departed the office, the Elements right behind him. Peeking into the window, a pair of golden eyes watched him leave.

* * *

As the entourage of ponies walked, Harry suddenly had a thought.

"Hey, hold on. I just realized something." he said. The mares in front of him stopped walking and turned their gaze to him.

"And what's that, dear?" Rarity asked.

"I don't have a place to stay. And I sure as hell can't afford a home, I'm broke." he said, giving a slightly worried shrug. The girls all exchanged looks and shrugged their shoulders as well.

"He can stay with me, if that's okay." said a new voice. They all turned around to see a sleepy Twilight standing there, a small smile on her lips. Bags were under her eyes, along with a small bandage replacing where her wrappings had been earlier.

"Twilight, oh it is good to see that you're alright!" Rarity said, going to give her friend a hug.

"How ya' feelin' suga'cube?" Applejack asked.

"A bit dizzy, but the doctor said that was a normal side effect of magical backfire. And the pain medications he's put me on." She said with a small giggle. "But, I overheard what was being said, and if he'd like, Harry can stay with me." she said, smiling to the anthro-pony in question.

"But how do you know about me?" Harry asked. Twilight laughed and waved a hoof at him.

"Fluttershy filled me in on what I missed. Which reminds me, I have some questions for you." Twilight said, he smile growing to a level of pure anticipation and eagerness.

If Harry was see-through, the girls would've seen that his heart exploded, twice, because of the smile Twilight was giving him. Looking to the others, Harry shrugged and looked back to Twilight. "Alright, I'll crash at your place. But that's only until I manage to get a job and be able to pay for my own home." he said, gesturing with a single finger. "That is, if I can even get a job here." Twilight nodded.

"That's fine with me. I'll have Spike tidy up the guest room for you." she said.

"And don't ya' worry about a job. Ah'll hire ya' as a farm hand if ya' can't find a job in town." Applejack offered. Harry smiled a bit and chuckled.

"Alright Applejack, I'll keep that in mind." he said. The group fell silent and Harry looked at a nearby clock. "So, what is there to do around here at a quarter to one in the afternoon?"

* * *

Night had fallen on the town, and the ponies were each going home for the day. The Elements had said their goodbyes to each other after they attended a small fair that the local school children had set up. Harry and Twilight were strolling home, talking about the fair.

"For a little fair, it wasn't half bad. The fairs my school had back home were awful." Harry said with a chuckle. Twilight joined in the chuckle and looked at Harry.

"So, what is your home like?" she asked. Harry was silent for a bit before speaking.

"Well, I can tell you this: This place is definitely a hundred, no a thousand times better than home. There aren't noisy crowds, dirty air, ignorant assholes, and I can actually see the stars in town, rather having to go down to a dark beach at night." Harry told her. Twilight tilted her head to the side, a face of curiosity present.

"Is it really bad?" she asked.

"Imagine living in constant fear of another country attacking you. Imagine living in a country where they make everything seem okay, when in actuality it really isn't. In my home, lies were the normal, and people at them up as if it were truth."

"Wow...I can't imagine that here..." Twilight said quietly as they approached Golden Oaks' Library. "Well, here we are! Home, sweet home!" Twilight proclaimed as she opened the door, and let Harry in.

"Whoa, you live in a library?" he asked. The air smelt of books and paper, in a good way.

"Yup! I'm the librarian here. When I came here from Canterlot, this library was kind of a base of operations when my friends and I ran into some troubles. Afterwards, I moved in and became the librarian. Mayor Mare was more than happy to hire me." Twilight explained as she watched Harry look at the various book spines.

"Wow, these actually sound interesting. Equestria's Guide to Foreign Fauna and Animals, Starswirl the Bearded's Greatest Achievements, Conflict through the Ages: Equestria's Timeline of its' Military. I mean, really! These are better than the crap books we have back home. Hell, I'm not even sure if people read an actual book anymore." Harry said as he turned back to Twilight.

At that moment, Spike walked into the room.

"Heya Twilight! Hey Harry! Your room is all squared away. It's just down the hall and to the left." Spike said. Harry nodded and gave a thumbs up.

"Thanks little dude." He said. With a yawn, Harry reached up and arched his back, making the entire length of it pop. Spike cringed at the sound, and Twilight simply tilted her head once again, her curiosity peaking. A content sigh escaped his lips and he let his arms come down. "Well, I'm going to go to bed. I'll see you all in the morning. Thanks again for letting me crash here Twilight." Harry said as he began to walk out of the main part of the library.

Something tugged on the base of his tail, yanking him back a bit.

"Hey!" he protested.

"You're not going anywhere. I still have so many questions I want to ask! Like, how did your people eat? Are they strictly meat, or plant, or both? Oh, oh! How did your people get around? By foot..." Twilight began, her ramblings going into endless questions.

Harry gently facepalmed.

It was going to be a long night.

Outside the library, a mint green mare stared into the home with envy, her gaze shifting from Twilight, to her target.

"I'll get you one way or another! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!" Lyra cackled.

"Did you hear something?"

"I don't know, I couldn't hear anything above your constant questioning..."

"Stay here, I'll go check it out."

"Oh, horsefeathers!" Lyra whispered. The door to Golden Oak's opened up, and Twilight looked into the night, light from inside pouring out around her. At this point, Lyra had ran off into the night.

"Hmm, nothing. Oh well, hey Harry! Where are you going? I've yet to ask you on your forms of entertainment!"

"Twilight, I- HEY! LET GO OF MY TAIL! I want to go to bed!"

"Nonsense! Who needs sleep?"

"UGH!"

Waking. Again. With a Headache.

Overhead, a warehouse light flashed into existence, casting its' light downwards. Below the light, a lone figure sat bound to a wooden chair. The light gently swayed overhead, dragging the light with each sway. Light hoofsteps were heard in the surrounding darkeness.

"Wake up sweetie..." cooed a feminine voice.

The figure simply sat there, unmoving.

A growl was heard. "I said, WAKE UP!" yelled the voice. A shimmer of gold appeared in the darkness suddenly, smacking the figure in the back of the head.

"WHA-WHO?!" yelled Harry as he raised his head and frantically looked around. "Where am I!?"

A small giggle was heard from the darkness, followed by hoofsteps. From the shadows, Lyra appeared, allowing her face to enter the light. "Don't worry...we're together now..." she cooed, her eye twitching a bit. Harry jumped back a bit in his chair.

"L-Lyra?" he asked. Lyra gasped happily and immediately launched herself into his lap, cupping his cheeks with her hooves.

"And I didn't even have to introduce myself!" she said happily as she placed a kiss on Harry's lips.

Then another.

Soon, she was actually licking his cheek, tasting him. "Mmm...you taste even better in reality..." she said with a visible shiver up her spine.

Okay, this situation has gone from DEFCON 4, to DEFCON Get-Me-The-Hell-Out-Of-Here for Harry. Trying to get away from the crazed mare on his lap, Harry bumped her from his lap, only to have her grab onto his arm and begin giggling.

"Yay! Horsey horsey! Giddy-up!" Lyra cheered happily, like a small child.

"Just what in the hell is wrong with you woman!? I've met crazy bitches before, but you top the list!" Harry proclaimed as he stretched his head away from Lyra as she tried to get another taste of him. "And how did I even get...here...?" he asked, grunting as he scrunched his face in pain. "And what's with the headache?"

Lyra gave a small laugh and stepped off Harry, circling around him. "It all started at five-thirty..."

~Two hours prior~

Outside the main house of the Apple family, Lyra sat in a tree, using binoculars to scope out the area. A crazed smile was on her lips as she scanned the house, looking through each and every window.

"Come on big boy...where are ya'...?" she mumbled. After a bit more scanning, her gaze landed on Harry. She watched him laugh at some random joke or story, eating with the Apple family and the Elements. She bit her lip as she watched his hands work his food into his mouth. She watched as he moved his jaw to chew the food, to talk, to laugh. "Oh, the things your mouth could be doing..." she said in a small moan.

Reaching into her saddlebags, Lyra produced a black ski mask and placed it on. Reaching into the saddlebags once more, she produced three, marble sized objects.

"These smoke bombs should do the trick..." she muttered placing on some night vision goggles. Grabbing the branch she was sitting on, Lyra synched along it to reach the houses' roof. Stepping lightly across the roof, Lyra swooped into the second floor through and open window, landing in Apple Blooms' room. Reaching the door way, Lyra peeked around the corner, looking down the hall. Seeing the coast was clear, Lyra began her quiet trek down the hall.

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and Big Mac stepped out. His left ear twitched at an odd sound from down the hall. He looked to see...

Nothing.

Shrugging, the silent stallion walked down the stairs to join the others. Above, on the ceiling, Lyra had splayed her legs to each side of the wall to keep herself up.

"Whew...that was a close one..." she muttered as she quietly dropped to the floor and continued her walk. Reaching the staircase, she poked her head out slightly, eyeing the layout of the first floor. Seeing that the dining room was immediately before her, Lyra snickered as she saw her prey.

Lightly tossing the smoke bombs, Lyra clutched them, and threw them as hard as she could to the dining room floor. The objects exploded into a flurry of grey smoke, causing several of the ponies to cry out in surprise. Taking this chance, Lyra sprinted down the stairs, lunged for Harry, and tackled him out of the window that was behind him. As the two landed, Harry coughed and blinked, looking up at his attacker.

"Who are-" he began, but was cut off when Lyra placed a piece of chloroform soaked cloth to his mouth and snout. Harry's eyes fluttered closed, and Lyra removed the cloth. Looking back at the clearing smoke, Lyra could see that some ponies had stood up and began looking around. Heaving Harry up with her magic, Lyra sprinted away from the scene, a crazed smile of triumph on her lips.

~Present Time~

"You are fuckin' insane, you know that?" Harry asked with a snarl.

Lyra laughed loudly at this, wiping a tear from her eye.

"I'll take it as a compliment. It wouldn't be the first time I was called insane..." Lyra cooed as she stopped her circling, eyeing his hand. Her tongue whipped out and she licked her lips, her eyes glimmering with want. "Mmm..." she moaned lightly. Harry raised an eyebrow and followed her gaze.

"Why are you looking at my hand?" he asked. Lyra looked up at him with half-lidded eyes, lust flooding her eyes.

"Scratch me..." she mumbled. Harry's eye twitched at this request, and his fist curled into a fist immediately.

"I'd much rather feed you a knuckle sandwich and get out of here." He retorted. Lyra clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"Looks like we're going to have to do this the hard way..." she said, walking over to a nearby medical tray that she pulled over with her magic. Levitating a small syringe, Lyra approached Harry and mounted him, placing her hooves on his shoulders. "Hold still..." she cooed.

"What is that stuff?" Harry asked.

"Muscle relaxant..." she said, lining the needle tip with Harry's neck. "And some testosterone..." she added. "I want some fun tonight..."

Struggling to get away from the needle, Harry tried closing the gap between his shoulder and neck, but it was too late. The needle had slipped into his skin, injecting the cocktail of drugs. Harry's eyes slightly fluttered as the drugs immediately took hold of him, and he visibly relaxed.

"There, that wasn't so bad, now was it...?" Lyra asked. Harry shook his head, muttering something about breaking her neck. Lyra giggled as she demounted him and nuzzled his relaxed hand. Managing to hook one of his fingers behind her ear, Lyra began bobbing her head under his finger tip. "Oooooo....that's the spot..." Lyra gasped as she made Harry her personal ear scratcher. Her lower lip had began to bleed a bit as she bit it, trying to suppress the moans wanting to escape her throat. A blush began to form on her minty green cheeks.

Suddenly, she whipped her head around and licked Harry's finger, taking it into her mouth and drawing it out. A pop was heard when the appendage left her mouth.

"Mmmm...soooo gooood..." she said with a violent shudder.

Her eyes lazily looked to the area between Harry's thighs.

"Now I want a true treat..." she growled, shifting positions and placing herself between Harry's thighs.

"Lyra...s-stop..." Harry muttered. She simply shook her head.

"Can't do that...pet." she said as her magic flared up, grabbing onto Harry's button and zipper.

With a rageful bellow, Harry sprung forward and smashed his forehead into Lyra's, knocking the crazed and lustful mare away from his family jewels. Standing at a funny angle, due to the chair still strapped to him, Harry shot daggers at Lyra as he glared at her, and angry snarl on his lips.

"Stop!" Lyra yelled, charging him. Harry spun around and smacked Lyra with the chair legs, batting her away again. Lyra screamed as pain shot through her side. Slamming the chair a couple of times on the concrete, the chair chattered and Harry stood fully, flaring his metal wings in intimidation. Lyra gasped and stood up, screaming as she charged him once more.

Harry grabbed Lyra by the throat and hoisted her up. He squeezed her throat, making her golden eyes bulge a bit.

"I. Am. Not. YOUR PET." Harry yelled. Lyra's eyes rolled to look at him as her cheeks began to turn blue.

"Y-you don't un-understa-and..." she choked out, her horn beginning to glow. Suddenly, a flash of white enveloped the two suddenly, along with the sounds of yelling voices.

"FREEZE!" yelled the cop. Harry looked at the unicorn cop, who was using his magic to levitate a billy club nearby. "Drop her!" he ordered. Immediately, Harry dropped Lyra, who crumpled to the ground, barely breathing.

"Officer, I can explain!" Harry said.

"Tell it to the judge!" the officer replied.

"If I can just-" Harry began, but he was suddenly glomped by six streaks of color that all yelled "HARRY!" together. "What the-? Twilight?!" The mare in question nodded happily and nuzzled his happily as she helped the others stand him up once again. "How did you girls find me?" Harry asked.

"I believe it was me who told them." said Bon Bon as she approached the group. "I found out what Lyra was planning. I rushed to Sweet Apple Arches to try and warn you, but by the time I got there, Lyra had snagged you and ran off." she said with a small, sheepish smile. "She had been planning for days. When she got you, she brought you here, to the warehouses in South Ponyville." Bon Bon continued. She casted a sad look to the defeated mare on the floor. "I just wish I got there sooner."

Applejack approached the cream colored mare and placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.

"Ya' don' good sugarcube. No need ta' be sad." said the farmer. Bon Bon smiled a bit at this and nodded. Meanwhile, the cops had sent in paramedics to retrieve Lyra. One of the medics, a pegasus, had placed a neck brace on her and secured it, helping to put her on the gurney they brought. After, the two medics rushed Lyra to the waiting ambulance outside and drove off.

Harry watched this happen, a small frown on his lips.

"Harry? Something the matter darling?" Rarity asked. Harry shook his head, placing a hand to his temple.

"I just have a bad headache, that's all." he replied with a small smile.

"Well, I'd imagine so, after all you've been through. Come now, we're getting you home." she said, gesturing for him to follow. Harry nodded and followed the group of mares home.

~At Golden Oak's Library~

Emerging from the bathroom, Harry appeared in a flourish of steam with a towel wrapped around his waist. His wet mane clung to his face as he placed his glasses on. Entering the guest bedroom, Harry yelped in surprise at what was on his bed.

Sitting there, with a shy smile on her face, Twilight looked at Harry. However, she wasn't in her pony form. Instead, she was a slender human girl, her body possessing small curves. Her bust was exposed, sizing in at a decent B-Cup. She wore a pair of small black glasses, much in the same style as Harry's, and she looked at him over them.

"Like what you see...?" she asked nervously, biting her lip in anticipation of his answer.

"How-when did- what!?" Harry stuttered.

"I took the notes on your people's anatomy and...well...experimented..." Twilight said rubbing her arm with a hand. "Kinda feels weird, to be in this form." she added.

"Well, I'd imagine so. But why exactly?" Harry asked.

"I found the syringe Lyra had used and analyzed the contents. After seeing that there was some testosterone included, I decided to...well...you know the rest." She said, blushing. "Figured you'd need some help expelling the cocktail..."

Harry chuckled and approached the bed, being careful to not let the towel fall, and sat down, wrapping an arm around Twilight. The girl 'eeped' cutely as Harry drew her close to him. "Twilight, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but in all honesty, stay with your pony form." He said, looking at her. "You're a lot more cuter." he said with a smile. Twilight smiled in return, and was enveloped in a white light. Immediately, the light vanished, and Twilight sat there in her regular, a-dork-able pony form.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that!" she said. "I don't know how your people saw that attractive! I was practically freezing my hooves off!" she said.

"Feet, Twilight. Humans have feet." Harry corrected. Twilight scoffed and gave him a small nudge.

"You know what I meant." she said, getting down from the bed and beginning to take her leave. "I'll see you in the morning. Get plenty of rest, okay? You need it." she said.

"Twilight, wait. Could you..." Harry began. Twilight turned and looked at him, and eyebrow raised.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Stay...the night with me...I don't exactly feel safe alone right now..." Harry muttered. Twilight looked at him, then gave a warm smile.

"Get dressed first, then yes, I'll stay with you." she said. Harry nodded, gestured for her to turn around, changed out of the towel into his boxers, then laid down on the bed and got under the sheets.

"Alright, all good." he said. Twilight turned back around and trotted over to him happily. She hopped onto the bed, got under the sheets with Harry, and faced him.

"Night." she mumbled, letting sleep take her immediately.

"Night..." Harry responded, closing his eyes, following Twilight into the Sandman's embrace.

* * *

Blood.

Tears.

Pain.

Lightning flashed over head. The once blue skies were now a blood red. Adding to the skies, the moon had eclipsed the sun.

In the ruins of Town Hall, a lone figure stood, sharp wings flared out menacingly. As the lightning flashed, the figure slowly turned its' head, the lightning revealing a twisted skull with a black abyss for an eye. In the center of this abyss, a shattered red splotch sat in place of an iris.

The figures' shoulder began to shake in laughter, and in a flurry of metal, the figure spun and lunged, revealing the other half of its' face.

It belonged to Harry, his normal iris shrunk down and frozen in terror, along with the rest of his face, forever silently screaming.

"The time to feed is soon. Soon it will be time to play a game, a most dangerous game is awaiting to be played."

* * *

Harry bolted upright, his eyes wide with fright as sweat poured down his face. A small sound was heard, and Harry jerked to see that it was just Twilight, slowly waking up.

"Harry...? Are you alright...?" she asked tiredly.

"I-I'm fine...just go back to sleep..." he told her softly, giving her head a small rub. Twilight mumbled and her head flopped back into the pillow as she resumed her sleep. Staring out the window and up at Luna's moon, Harry sighed.

"Luna...I hope you saw that..."

"Because I have no idea what that was about..."

First Day on the Job

~Monday morning, around six-thirty~

The alarm beside Harry's bed rang loudly, and proudly.

It was a proud, little alarm. It had won the Ring-Off three times running against the other clocks in the household.Within itself, it could feel its' pride soaring to new heights as-

A toffee colored fist abruptly silenced the ringing clock, sending it flying into the wall and shattering to pieces.

With a messy flourish of bedsheets, Harry stood up and looked out the window in one motion. Celestia's sun had barely peaked over the horizon, some of the rays of light were beginning to illuminate the dark blue skies that belonged to Luna's calming night. Grabbing his glasses off of the nightstand, Harry barely glanced at the ruined alarm clock as he left his bedroom.

"Why is it so cold in the mornings...?" he muttered as he entered the kitchen. Going into the ice box, he grabbed a couple of eggs for an omelet. Searching around in the nearby cabinets, Harry grabbed a pan and placed it on the stove, igniting the flame. After a couple of minutes, the sounds of cooking eggs could be heard, along with some crackling wheat bacon.

The sounds of a cooking breakfast were enough to stir Twilight into awaking, taking a deep inhale. Her stomach growled immediately, giving her no other choice than to leave her bed and start the day. Stopping by her mirror, her horn flared up, and she ran a brush through her slightly messy hair and placed the brush back. With a satisfied nod, Twilight left her bedroom and followed the enticing smell of food to the kitchen.

"What's cooking? I am starv-Harry?" she asked mid-sentence, her eyes wide. The being in question turned around, his gaze landing on Twilight, giving her a smile.

"Good morning Twilight! Figured I'd cook some breakfast and-Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked halfway through his own sentence.

"You're...You're..." Twilight began.

"I'm...?" Harry continued.

"You're..."

"I'm what?"

"Naked."

Raising an eyebrow, Harry looked down, his cheeks immediately flaring up in a blush. "O-Oh...so I am." He said simply grabbing a nearby washcloth and placing it over his lower regions with a sheepish smile. "Heh...I was wondering why it was cold this morning!" he said, trying to lighten the mood. Twilight casted her eyes to the ceiling, a raging blush coming to her cheeks as she gave a nod.

"Yes! Quite butty-I MEAN- er, buttery! Is there any butter? I could really go for some on toast." Twilight said, her voice betraying her as she tried to cover the slight arousal in her mood.

"Butter is in the ice box. I'll, uh, go get something on now..." Harry said rushing out of the kitchen and down the hall. After he left, Twilight shook her head quickly and let out a calming breath. Looking to the counter, she could see a plate was already made for her. With a magical flourish, the plate lifted and levitated to the table before Twilight.

As she munched on the wheat bacon, her mind had slightly began to wander.

"Oh my stars...I never knew a stallion could have such a nice butt..."

"Twilight! That is no way for a mare of your caliber to be behaving!"

"Oh hush, Reason! Did you NOT see how good he looked from behind?"

"I did, and quite frankly...er..."

"AH HA! I knew it! You were checking him out also!"

"Be quiet! I was not!

"Were too!"

"Was not!"

Needless to say, the self-conflict occurring in the young librarians' mind ended when she slammed her head into the dining table.

"Twilight? Are you alright?" Harry asked coming into the room. Immediately, the mare shot up and nodded feverishly, her cheeks bright red.

"O-of course I am! Who said I wasn't? Because I totally am!" she said, ending with a sheepish smile. Harry simply stared at her and scratched the back of his head.

"Well...okay...I'm going to be going now. First day on the job." Harry said, turning to leave.

"Have a good day! Be safe!" Twilight called after him. Harry waved her good-bye and left the library, leaving her alone.

"Alright. I agree. He is quite the stunner."

"I TOLD YOU!"

"UGH! BOTH OF YOU, SHUT UP!" Twilight screamed to the empty kitchen. The bickering voices immediately hushed up, leaving her with a small headache. Groaning, Twilight rubbed both sides of her head, collecting her thoughts. "He's just a friend. Just a friend." she said taking her plate to the sink.

"Just a friend..."

* * *

In short, the sudden morning rush that filled Doughnut Joe's was brutal. By ten in the morning, Harry was dead on his hooves. His fingers ached from all the orders he had written, and from slamming the cash register button nearly one-thousand times.

"Hey Scrumpy? I'm pretty sure I broke my finger." Harry said keeping the appendage in question slightly lifted. Scrumpy laughed a bit and approached his employee.

"Laddie, fer havin' somethin' so interstin', they be a wee bit fragile." he said, his laughter increasing. Harry shot his boss a small glare and shook his hand around a bit.

"So, am I done here? I mean, what else is a cafe good for besides the morning?" Harry asked with a small chuckle. Scrumpy shared in the small joke and nodded.

"Aye laddie, ye be done 'ere. However, I'd like te 'ave ye back 'ere at seven. We tend te' get a small rush in 'ere at that time." Scrumpy said leading Harry to the door.

"Can do, sir." replied Harry as he left the store. Scrumpy waved good-bye to him and returned to clean up the shop a bit. Walking through the streets gave Harry sometime to think on things. The time it took to return to Twilight's gave him enough 'Me Time' to think things over.

"Alright, so I've managed to secure a job here. I just can't believe that I'm here in Ponyville. It's a lot more colorful than what the show portrayed. But the real question is, how did I get here..."

His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a note on the library's front door. Taking it, he read it.

"Harry,

I have gone into town to run some errands. I should be back a little after you get back and read this note.

Sincerely, Twilight"

Shrugging, Harry crumpled the note up, entered the library, and went to his room for a nap.

About an hour or so later, Twilight returned home, some bags from her errands floating in her telekinetic grasp.

"Harry, I'm home!" she called out. No response came from within the home. Shrugging, Twilight trotted into the kitchen, humming a small tune. As she was packing her purchased goods away, a yawn came from behind her.

"Mmm...what time is it...?" asked a half-awake Harry. Twilight turned her head and smiled at him.

"About noon. Want some lunch?" she asked sweetly. Harry muttered a 'yes' and sat down at the kitchen table, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"How were your errands?" he asked yawning again.

"Oh, they were quite fine. I'm still getting a bit of a headache when I use my magic, but other than that, it's all good." she said as she gathered the lunch supplies.

"I've been meaning to ask you something." Harry suddenly inquired. Raising an eyebrow, Twilight looked at him.

"And what would that be?" she asked.

"How did you get into the hospital, exactly?"

Giving a sheepish grin and roll of her eyes, Twilight continued getting lunch ready. "Oh, I was trying out a new teleportation spell I had read about. It supposedly could teleport one across universes." she said. Almost immediately, the atmosphere in the kitchen went deathly silent. She looked at Harry, whos' features were completely stone like.

"Care repeating that?"

Twilight's ears folded back against her head at the tone he used. It matched his expression; cold and stone like. "I-I was trying a new teleporting spell. It was said to transport one across universes." she repeated, shrinking down a bit as Harry stood from the table, his face being shadowed.

"You mean to tell me...you were experimenting with a new spell...that could take you to a new universe?" he asked slowly, his face still hidden. Twilight gulped and nodded.

"Y-Yes?"

Silence reigned upon the kitchen. Harry stood there like a mountain, his body visibly shaking. Turning his back to the mare, Harry left the kitchen. Twilight was immediately on his heels.

"Where are you going?" she asked. Harry didn't respond as he continued his walk to the front door. "Harry! Where are you going?" she asked, grabbing his wrist with a hoof. In a blur of motion, Harry had ripped her grasp off of himself, and glared down at her. His stare was enough to strike fear into the mare as she shrunk down in fright of the piercing glare.

She could feel an anger radiating from behind his stare.

"I'm taking a walk..." he said quietly.

"No, please stay. We can figure this out!" Twilight pleaded.

"I'm. Taking. A. Walk." Harry repeated slowly, his tone rising in frustration.

"Harry, please. Stay." Twilight said, staring up at him with a slight sadness in her eyes.

"NO! I'M TAKING A WALK!" He roared, raising his hand up above the mare. Twilight cried out in fear, slumping to the floor, waiting for the strike.

But it never came.

Instead, the door was quickly opened and slammed shut, leaving Twilight alone once again. Tears had began to for in her lavender eyes, quickly spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry..."

Journey

My hooves were screaming at me to stop walking. I looked down slightly and noticed that my sneakers were torn apart at this point, the soles worn down to the fabric. But, I simply ignored the pleas of stopping and continued to walk.

I wanted to get away from things for a while.

Looking around, I noticed that I was coming up on coastal land features. Small sand dunes, dune grass, etc. Along with the slowly changing land features, the local buildings started to change from a small town look, to a fishing village look. Suddenly emerging from the nearby tree line, I watched as a large shrimping vessel steamed right through the road ahead of me. It was then that I realized that the bridge ahead had been lifted to allow the boat passage.

Nearby, a sign caught my attention, and I read:

"Welcome to Cape Harmony; the fishing center of Equestria!"

With a deep inhale, my wing servos could be heard whining happily as I took in the scent of sea salt and fishing bait. A small smile crawled across my lips as I let out the breath.

"Hey!" called a voice. Snapping out of my trance, I looked around for the source of the voice. "Ova' here!" called the voice again. My ears snapped to the source, leading my head to turn in that direction. My eyes landed on a pegasus mare. Her face was thin, with large brown eyes. On top of her chocolate mane, a red baseball cap sat there, the stitched logo worn, an obvious sign of continuous use. Her coat was a light cream, with a cutie mark of an wooden ships' wheel.

"Who, me?" I ask dumbly. The mare simply rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Yes you. Who are ya', and where are ya' from?" she asked, her accent sounding that of a New Englander.

"Er, name's Harry." I reply, approaching the mare. Her eyebrows slightly arched upwards as I approached, realizing my true height. "As to where I'm from? Ponyville. Kinda ran into some issues and I've been walking for almost three days." I admit with a shrug. The mare nodded and looked me over.

"Would ya' like a job? Nothin' like manual labor ta' take the mind off things." she said. Mulling it over, I scratched the back of my head.

"What would I have to do, exactly?" I asked.

"Oh, takin' care of the nets, loadin' up the bait. The normal tasks for a greenhorn." she said. "What do ya' say?"

Giving a shrug, I nod in response. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" I say, offering my hand for a shake. The mare took it and gave one, firm shake and pulled her hoof away.

"Alright then. Get'cha ass on my boat. We're headin' out now." she said, turning and walking down the street a bit to the docks. Following right on her tail, I fall into step next to her.

"Got a name?" I ask. She looks at me and chuckles.

"Name's Perfect Storm. I know, funny name. But I seem to do better with fishing when the weather is bad." she said with a shake of her head. "Crazy luck I guess."

"Actually, stormy waters stir up the local fish populations in some cases." I reply. Storm just looked at me with a scowl.

"How about you jus' work, and believe that it's crazy luck, okay?" she asked, her tone edging on annoyed.

"Yes ma'am." I reply with a sheepish tone.

"That's more like it."

* * *

The waters were calm, allowing the boat to travel easily. In the steering house, Storm stood at the wheel, watching the waters for anything like bad weather. I was on the back of the boat, dropping baited markers into the water. I had learned that the boat was called the Lady Grace.

"I dedicated it to a friend of mine who was lost durin' a really bad storm a couple years back." Storm had explained to me, after I asked about her boat.

There was something about this whole situation that reminded me all too well of a movie I had seen a while back. But, the skies were clear, and I was in no danger of ending up re-living said movie.

After the last fishing rigging hit the water with a splash, I retreated back into the living quarters that sat under the wheelhouse. Hearing hooves clacking down the stairs, Storm joined me at the small table.

"All set?" she asked. I nodded and took a sip of water.

"Yeah, all set. When do we retrieve them?" I asked.

"I'd give 'em about three, eh, maybe four hours. Plenty of time to relax and catch the Red Colts' game." she said, tapping a nearby remote. A small, low-def TV crackled to life, tuned to the local sporting channel.

"It's the bottom of the Ninth, with two outs, bases loaded. The Manehatten Yankees are in the lead, five to three, over the Red Colts. Batting for the Red Colts is Saltlicklamacchia. Hell of a name, hell of a swinger. This young unicorn stallion has a point two-three-five batting average. On the mound for the Manehatten Yankees, Chamberlain."

"Here's the pitch."

"Strike!"

"Strike Two!"

"COME ON SALTLICK! I KNOW YOU CAN HIT IT!" Storm yelled angrily to the television, slamming a hoof down on the small table, making anything on its' surface give a jump of fright.

"Chamberlain eyes Saltlick. The batter simply returns the glare. The pitch."

CRACK!

"By Luna's stars, the ball is outta here!"

"YEAH SALTLICK! THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT!" Storm yelled, throwing her hooves into the air with happiness. I couldn't help but chuckle at her mannerisms.

She reminded me all too much of my mother on Earth, during a Red Sox or Patriots game.

Thinking of my mother immediately brought depression to me.

Shaking my head of the glumness, I smiled to Storm, and she returned the smile.

* * *

After a couple of hours, we retrieved the baited hooks, bringing in a pretty decent haul of swordfish. Afterwards, we threw our catch into the ice chambers below decks, and headed into port. As we docked, I turned to Storm.

"Listen, I gotta keep going. It was nice to get off the road for a day, but I still have things to think over." I told her, giving a shrug. Storm nodded and chuckled.

"Well, it's was nice ta' meet you. Good luck with, whatever you're doing. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to drop by. I'll have some work for ya'." Storm said, offering her hoof. I took it and gave a single shake.

Turning, I placed my hands into my pockets, and resumed my journey, walking away from Storm.

* * *

Fast forward about a week later, and the reader will find Twilight sobbing. Around her, her friends had gathered around her in the main part of the library. Applejack sat with the weeping mare, a foreleg around the unicorn to comfort her.

"Don' ya'll worry hun. Ah'm sure everythin' will be alright." she said, rubbing Twilight's back.

"I-I-It was all-l-l my fa-fault!" Twilight moaned, continuously wiping tears from her red, puffy eyes. "H-he pro-probably hates me!"

"Twilight, sweetie, you must not be so harsh on yourself. How long ago did he leave?" Rarity asked.

"Almost t-t-two weeks!" Twilight said, sniffling and resuming her crying.

Over those two weeks, Twilight had been creating stories as to why Harry wasn't around. She usually used the excuse of being at work or out and about as an excuse, but one mare can only make up so many cover stories. It was only recent that Spike had brought up the fact that he could hear Twilight trying not to cry every night to the others. Immediately, the other Elements had encountered Twilight and made her spill the beans, revealing the truth as to why Harry hadn't been around.

"Shouldn't we, I don't know, go look for him?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He could be anywhere by now...it's like looking for a needle in a haystack..." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Nonsense! How long did it take us to look for Spike when he ran away? Only half a day! I'm sure we could find Harry." Rarity said, trying to get their spirits up. Twilight sniffled a bit and wiped away some tears.

"I just h-hope he's okay..." she said sadly. Suddenly, a scroll appeared in the center of the group, an odd looking seal on it. They all sat there, looking at the scroll with uncertainty. Reaching down, Rainbow picked it up, her eyes going wide.

"Twilight, it's for you." she said quietly. Immediately, Twilight's horn flared to life, taking the scroll from Dash's grip. The scroll unrolled in its' lavender force field and Twilight began reading. Slowly, her eyes began to widen, her jaw dropping. Dropping the letter, Twilight stared at the floor, her mouth agape.

"Twilight, what is it sugarcube?" Applejack asked worriedly. Twilight's jaw a quivering a bit as she stared.

"He's..." she said quietly.

"He's...What, dear?" Rarity asked, tilting her head to the side.

"He's...he's..." Twilight continued.

"He's what!?" Pinkie asked bouncing.

"Right. Behind. The. Door." Twilight said, charging to the door and ripping it open. She looked up at the figure standing at her door. A sheepish smile on his lips.

"I'm back." said Harry, giving a small wave. Silence reigned over the library, Twilight simply staring at Harry, the others sitting in anticipation of what's going to happen.

"Girls. Would you kindly leave Harry and I alone?" Twilight asked tonelessly. The others exchanged looks of surprise and slowly stood up, filing out of the library.

Eventually, it was just Harry and Twilight, staring at each other. Harry shifted uneasily on his legs, scratching the back of his head. Twilight continued to stare at him, as if she were trying to burn his soul.

"So, uh. What's new?" Harry asked. Immediately, his ears flattened against his skill, his lips formed a deep frown, and his eyes became wide as dinner plates.

Twilight was floating in an aura of fire.

"You...run off...worrying me and the others...and all you say is 'What's new'?" Twilight asked, fire slowly over taking her mane and tale, turning them into hellfire. Her coat had started to turn stark white, her lavender eyes flaring up into pits of fire.

"Um...yes?" Harry squeaked.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Twilight roared, her voice echoing into the night. Harry fell to his ass, quickly trying to back away from the flaming mare. "OH NO YOU DON'T!!" she screamed, her horn flaring into a fiery point. Harry screamed as an orange aura enveloped him, dragging him back into the library.

"NO! NO! GOD ABOVE, SAVE ME!" Harry cried out.

"YOUR GOD CAN'T HELP YOU NOW!" Twilight retorted angrily. Just as Harry passed the threshold of the library, the door slammed shut, muffling any and all screams of terror and pleas of mercy that came from the stallion inside.

Inside the library, fire roared all around the place, setting fire to the shelves of books. In the center, Twilight stood over a cowering Harry, glaring fiery daggers into his soul.

"I'm sorry..." Harry squeaked. Slowly, Twilight leaned down, her eyes burrowing further into him. "I really am!" he added. Twilight raised both forelegs into the air, causing Harry to flinch and seize up. But, just like before he left, not hit came. Instead, Twilight's forelegs wrapped around Harry like a vice grip, and he felt tears staining his neck and shoulder. The fire around them ceased immediately, revealing no damage had been done to the library.

"Don't w-worry me l-like that again!" Twilight wept. Slowly, Harry embraced the mare and held her close, rubbing her back to calm her.

"I'm sorry Twi. I just needed sometime to think. I didn't mean to worry you." Harry said honestly. Silence filled the air as the two hugged. Suddenly, Twilight moved in front of Harry.

It took the boy a couple of seconds to realize what he was experiencing. Something soft was contacting his lips, and a pair of hooves had wrapped around his neck. Then it clicked.

He was being kissed.

Shyly, Harry pulled Twilight closer to him, returning the kiss. Twilight pulled away, a furious blush on her cheeks.

"S-Sorry..." she mumbled. Harry chuckled lightly and tasseled her mane.

"Silly girl, I'm not mad. Just surprised. However, I'd like to go to bed. I'm, like, seriously exhausted from my small journey." Harry said, properly giving a loud yawn. Twilight giggled and nodded, getting up from the embrace.

"I understand. But I want all the details tomorrow over breakfast, understand?" Twilight asked. Harry nodded and stood up, stretching his limbs.

"Alright then, I'm off." Harry said.

All it took was one step, and he faceplanted to the floor, snoring loudly. A couple of his fingers twitched erratically as he laid there. Rolling her eyes, Twilight picked Harry up in a levitation field and carried him to his room, gently setting him on the mattress and tucking him in. Leaning down, Twilight gave the stallion a small kiss on the cheek and patted his head, taking his glasses and putting them on the nightstand.

"Good night." she said gently. Harry's response was him simply rolling over onto his side, his back to her, the snoring continued.

Turning, Twilight left Harry's bedroom.

Situational Acceptance

About two days later, I had finally woken up from my slumber. I never realized how tired I truly was until my body began waking, sending reports of soreness and aching to my brain. I groaned loudly and pulled the bedsheets to cover my eyes, blocking out the sunlight that was pouring through the windows. I knew that the damned reflection from the Hospital was back for revenge.

Revenge for what; I have no idea.

Sitting up, the sheets fell off me and I brushed aside the hair dangling in front of my view. The first thing to greet me was a bright smile, a set of purple eyes above it.

"Morning~!" Twilight chirped. I yelped in surprise and jumped back a bit, blinking.

"Jesus, Twilight! Don't do that! I just woke up!" I complained, rubbing some sleep from my eye. Twilight giggled a bit and gave me a small nuzzle.

"Did my little run-away enjoy his sleep?" Twilight asked. Blushing furiously, I adjusted myself and scooted away from the mare a bit.

"Yeah, but I'm sore beyond all hell." I respond, standing fully. Chill air suddenly slammed into me, causing my fur to bristle all over as I shuddered. "I'm not naked again, am I?" I ask, facepalming gently. Twilight laughed.

"No, but I did strip you of your shirt and pants. Kind of unclean to sleep in filthy clothing, isn't it?" she asked. Nodding in agreement, a sudden though came to mind.

"Uh, those were my only clothes, actually..." I say, scratching the back of my neck. "Can't exactly walk about town in my boxers, now can I?" I added. Twilight waved a hoof with an eye roll.

"Don't worry about clothing. I had Rarity make you a new wardrobe while you slept. She uh, kinda of took your measurements while you were asleep. You're quite the heavy sleeper, apparently." Twilight said, trotting out of the room. She stopped and poked to the small set of shelves. "Oh, your new clothes are in the drawers. Go ahead and try them on." she said stepping out. Casting a look to the drawers in question, I pulled them open.

What was inside, made my jaw drop in amazement.

There were at least four over-shirts, all long sleeved, each varying in patterns. Instead of plastic buttons, small gems were in place, their color matching that of the over-shirt. The under-shirts, were just plain white tee-shirts, with exquisite stitching, and made of the softest fabric my fingers ever felt.

Moving to the pants, I had four pairs of khaki pants, each cargo styled. Rarity obviously duplicated the khakis I was wearing previously, but they were more elegant somehow than my other pair. The socks were stitched to fit my hooves fully, and I had some new boxers, each with small, diamond stud accents on the elastic band.

Getting dressed, I shuddered in comfort as the fine fabrics grazed against me, sending shivers up my back. I departed the bedroom and entered the kitchen, watching as Twilight cooked breakfast. I stood there in the doorway for a bit, watching the mare as she held a small, cute smile on her lips. A happy tune hummed from her throat as she flipped some wheat pancakes with a small, magical flip. My eyes lingered on her, slowly taking each and every detail in.

I felt bad about running off on her like that, hurting her deeply.

How could I have been such an idiot, and hurt this cute little mare?

I suddenly realize my eyes had stopped on her flanks, watching as they moved, showing signs that the mare was truly a shut-in, jiggled a bit with her movements.

"Dem flanks." my mind said, mentally biting a lip and looking over a pair of figurative sunglasses.

Wat.

Clearing my mind of any thoughts, I coughed a bit, startling Twilight. She turned to me and smiled widely, looking me over now.

"Well, well, well! Somepony can sure look good!" Twilight teased as she floated a plate of wheat pancakes onto the table, adding a small dollop of strawberry syrup on top.

"FOOOOOOD!" roared my stomach, the loud growl echoing through the kitchen. I blushed a bit, my ears folding back in embarrassment.

"Heh, guess I'm hungry." I say with a sheepish smile. Twilight shook her head a bit and gestured for me to sit. Following the order, I sat at the table and began eating the pancakes, savoring the flavor of the wheat and strawberry syrup as they fused together.

"Go ahead and eat up. I'm running into town for a few errands, and I'd like you to accompany me." Twilight said as she put the pan into the sink. I stopped at a half-chew.

"Was she asking me...? Nah, just some errands. Most likely some groceries." I thought, shaking my head a bit as I continued to chew. "Yeah, I can tag along. I'm pretty sure I've been fired by now from the cafe. Truth be told, I'd much rather work with Applejack, or Dash, seeing as how I have these." I say, flaring my metallic wings a bit, filling the room with the sounds of servos and gears. Twilight nodded in agreement.

"Probably for the best. I'm sure Applejack could always use more hooves on the farm. And as for Rainbow Dash, she did have to cut a couple of ponies from the weather team due to laziness, so she could always use some new recruits." Twilight said. Finishing off the plate, I placed the fork on the empty plate and Twilight immediately floated the plate into the sink and trotted out of the kitchen. "Come on! We've got much to do." she called. I followed without a second though, trailing behind her.

* * *

The guard casted a gold look to the mint green mare as she sat in her cell, angrily looking at the wall. Her glare looked like she were trying to burn a hole in it. Suddenly, an alarm buzzed and the mares' cell doors slid back.

"Alright Heartstrings. It's time to go and visit Doctor Bypass for your weekly check-in." said the guard in a gruff, Manehattean accent. Silently, Lyra slid off her bed, continuing the glare as she followed behind the guard.

Lyra had been in the Fillydelphia Mental Institute for about a month or so. When she had arrived, the nurses had to sedate her, as she was screaming something about being cheated from happiness. The Doctors had diagnosed her with Severe Obsessive-Compulsion Disorder, after she screamed about being so close to her prize, and how perfect it was. Since then, the staff have been giving her medicine to try and hold back her urges.

But Lyra knew she wasn't insane.

What did the doctors know? They simply slap a label on somepony after a small mental breakdown, and continue on with their lives.

"I mean, come on. If one of these damned doctors was close to solving world hunger, then their research was all deleted, wouldn't they have a freak-out also? OF COURSE!" Lyra thought angrily.

Eventually, the guard and Lyra arrived at the office of Doctor Bypass, and the guard knocked.

"Come in~!" replied the sing-song tone of the doctor.

Lyra shuddered at this tone of the doctors'. Even though doctor was a stallion, Lyra couldn't deny that the unicorn showed feminine qualities also, and quite often, she may add. Entering the office, the guard followed Lyra and stood at the door, in the event that Lyra made a bolt for it. Sitting in the offered chair, Lyra slumped down and continued her angry glare.

"Oh, come now honey! Turn that frown, up side down!" Bypass said happily, giving a warm smile. The stallion was thin, but curvaceous as well, his features accompanying a feminine cheek and jawline. The doctor's eyes were deep pools of green, accenting nicely with his light ginger fur. "So, why is wittle Lywa so pouty today?"

Lyra rolled her eyes and gave a large sigh.

"First off, the way you speak is aggravating. So, please, have a more colt like tone or I'm not going to sit here any longer." Lyra said, venom dripping off her tone. Bypass scoffed and frowned.

"Lyra, that is no way to talk to your doctor. Besides, my partner has no issue with the way I speak. He finds it adorable." Bypass said with a small smirk. Lyra's mouth formed into a small 'o' shape and her eyes went wide a bit.

So that's why he spoke like that.

"Sorry doc. Whatever floats your boat, I'm not one to judge." Lyra said, trying to cover herself. Bypass gave a sarcastic 'Uh huh' and pulled Lyra's file out, grasping a pen with his magic.

"So, how are you today?" Bypass asked.

"Same old, same old." Lyra responded.

"Have you had any urges lately?" Bypass asked.

"Nope." Lyra simply replied.

"Do you feel the medication is working?"

"Actually, I feel like it is. I've been feeling more calm since you guys started me on the pills."

"Well, that's good to hear!" Bypass said with a small smile. Lyra gave one also.

Truth be told, Lyra would use her magic to eliminate the pills' effect when they entered her stomach.

She had been bullshitting the doctor this entire time.

"Well, you seem to be quickly improving Lyra! But, I'd like to keep you under watch a bit longer, in case you have a sudden relapse. Okay?" asked Bypass, putting away her file. Lyra nodded in compliance and Bypass smiled. "Until next time, Lyra." Bypass said, dismissing her. Lyra stood, approached the guard, then departed with him.

"A bit longer? HA! I'm going to be out of here by tonight..."

* * *

I growled as Twilight handed me yet another bag. My hands were already nearly filled to capacity, bags of various kinds and types hung in large clusters.

"Are you sure you're not Rarity, using some spell to make you look like Twilight so you can take me on a shopping spree and be your personal bag carrier?" I asked, gritting my teeth a bit. Twilight scoffed and flared her horn, levitating a large tome out from one of the bags and into my view.

"Would Rarity be interested in something related to Starswirl the Bearded?" she asked, placing the book back into the bag.

"She could always be looking into his history to make a new fashion line based on his spells." I implied.

In Carousel Boutique, Rarity suddenly looked up from her current designs, scrunching her face up.

"Somepony just came up with a miraculous idea..." she said, tapping her hoof with a chin.

"Knowing Rarity, that's highly unlikely. So, rest assured, I'm one hundred percent, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight said, giving me a boop on the snout. I blinked and scrunched my snout up a bit, Twilight giggling.

"Anyway, is this it? Can we head back to the library now?" I ask, feigning anguish. Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Yes, I have everything I need. You will be relieved when we get home." she replied, exiting the store. I did a mental hoof pump and smiled as I followed her out.

About ten minutes later, we returned to the library, and I helped Twilight put away and sort out the new books she had bought, and helped put away her groceries. Slumping down at the kitchen table, I sighed and cracked my neck.

"You know, you should really make a living room. Get a nice couch and a small fireplace; yeah, I can see it now..." I say, my eyes closing as I imagined sitting by the fireplace in a lush chair, wearing a crimson robe and smoking a pipe, looking like a total gentleman as I held a very interesting novel.

"Yeah, I look buckin' awesome."

"Yeah, well, the library is my living room. It's where my friends and I gather for events and parties, and it's where I do my research. And I don't have the need for a fireplace; the library is comfortable enough as it is. That and a fireplace is an obvious fire hazard." she said, stressing the word 'fire'. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Jeez Twilight, ease up. It was just a suggestion. I mean, I'd like to just lay out on a couch when I get home from work, know what I mean?" I asked. Twilight looked at me with a tilted head.

"Why did you call the library home? I thought you were going to look for your own place after getting a job." Twilight said.

Ah.

Shit.

Shrugging, I folded my arms behind my head, interlocking the fingers. "Guess I've come to accept this place as home." I say simply, shrugging once again. Twilight stepped forward.

"Why?"

"Well, I mean, being here is a lot nicer than back on Earth. I don't really have to worry about school, and trying to keep others happy. I mean, overall, I wish I had come here sooner. That and..." I trailed off.

"And...?" Twilight continued.

"I uh...when I think of home..."

"Yes?"

"...I think of you..."

Silence reigned over us as Twilight stared at me. My mind had started to panic.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!? YOU PRACTICALLY TOLD YOU, THAT YOU LOVE HER! YOU IDIOT!" my mind roared angrily. I gulped a bit as I watched the mare step closer to me.

"You think of me...?" she asked. I nodded slowly, keeping my sight on her. Soon, we were snout to snout, staring deep into each others' eyes. She looked for any lies behind the statement, and I looked for acceptance in hers. My answer came in the form of a kiss on the cheek, and a loving nuzzle to it.

"I'm glad. Because I think of you too when I think of home..." she said, backing away a bit. "When I'm off on errands or something, I've just been thinking of you lately, making me eager to get home and hear about how your day went. I was deathly afraid that you hated me the night you ran off. I was so scared; scared that you'd never come back, or something would happen to you out there." she said. "I...I missed you...so much..." she added, a small choke coming to her voice. Tears gathered at her eyes as she looked at me. "I tried keeping a smile on my face, not wanting you to see this..." she said with a blink, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Oh, Twilight...I could never be angry at you! You know this. I'm glad I'm here, in Equestria, with you. If I were still on Earth, I'd be so stressed! But here, with you and your friends, I feel relaxed and calm, like I don't have a million things on my mind." I say to her, pulling her close into a hug. Twilight hiccuped and I could feel her tears staining my neck.

"Y-You really me-mean that...?" she asked. I pulled back a bit and cupped her cheek, rubbing it with a thumb.

"Of course I do..."

"I love you."

Night had fallen on the Fillydelphia Mental Institute, Luna's moon gracing the horizon with a full moon. The moons' light cascaded down on the land, illuminating everything with a gentle blue light. Suddenly, searchlights flared to life in the guard towers, followed by an alarm.

A patient had escaped.

The patient in question was currently galloping for her life across the light blue field that bordered the southern side of the asylum. Searchlights cut bright swaths of light behind the mare, nearly lighting her up. With a flare of gold, the patient vanished in a puff of a teleportation spell.

Lyra reappeared at the edge of Ponyville, her breathing heavy.

"That...was...close..." she panted. Shaking her head, Lyra scanned the small town before her, some of the lights still shinning from the various buildings in the town. Catching her breath, Lyra quietly trotted into the town, her lips forming into a devious smile.

"Now, where is my pet...?"

Holy Shit! Technology!

Once again, Celestia's glorious sun shined over the land, waking its' inhabitants. Warmth spread to those who accepted it, filling their bodies with a happiness that could never be matched.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

Except for one.

In the town of Ponyville, the residents woke up to a rather large explosion, followed by a mushroom cloud, forming over the lower east side of the small hamlet. Debris, from what was once a small mirrors shop, rained down around the area, sending shattered glass and wood to the ground below.

Emerging from the cloud of debris, a lone figure walked, a look of accomplishment on his face. Striding with a slight swagger in his walk, Harry left the scene of destruction he caused.

It was about damn time that annoying reflection met its' end.

How he managed to obliterate the shop with out the use of unicorn magic, nopony even bothered to ask. All they cared about was the fact that there isn't a mirror shop anymore, along with half of the antique shop next door.

Striding into the Golden Oaks Library, Harry gave a content sigh of accomplishment as he saw Twilight emerge from the hall to his room, her mane rustled out of its' orderly appearance. She was slightly glowing from the activities that occurred last night between the two.

"Sweet Celestia above Harry, why did you run off like that?" Twilight asked. Pointing to the now dissipating mushroom cloud, Harry smirked.

"I took care of a problem. It's been bugging me since I was in the Hospital." he said, folding his arms. Twilight rolled her eyes and gave a sigh, continuing on with the conversation.

"But you do realize you took care of your problem, completely naked?" she asked, pointing a hoof to Harry. He looked down and ripped his head back, laughing merrily.

"Twilight my dear, sometimes things need to be taken care of in the nude. Shows your true power and abilities." He said, striking a pose of alpha dominance. Twilight gave a small smirk and trotted over to him, giving Harry a hug around his torso.

"Get inside and throw some boxers on. You'll catch a cold; it's still winter, mind you." she chided him, using her magic to close the door behind Harry. From upstairs, a tired groan could be heard, followed by the shuffling of small, clawed feet.

"Geez you two...if you kept it up, you would've woken the entire town..." Spike said in a grouchy tone as he walked down the staircase, glaring daggers at Harry and Twilight, completely ignoring the fact that the stallion was naked right now. Twilight blushed a bit and put a hoof to her mouth.

"Oh, I'm sorry Spike! Did we wake you?" she asked, trotting over to the baby dragon and hugging him.

"Yeah, you did. And take a shower, I can smell your nighttime activities on you." Spike said, pinching his nose a bit. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, how would you know what sex smells like? Aren't you still a kid?" Harry asked. Spike scoffed and pouted a bit.

"I maybe small, but that's only because I haven't hit my growth spurt yet. I'm actually seventeen at this point. I should be hitting the growth spurt here in a couple of days." Spike said, folding his arms and smirking. "And I've been around Sweetie Belle long enough to know how thing smell." he added. Twilight gasped and smacked the dragon on the back of his head.

"Spike! That's underage! You could get in trouble!" she scolded. Spike growled and rolled his eyes.

"Jeez Twilight, I haven't done a thing with her! I mean, she's about to start maturing also! I pick up on things!" Spike said in his defense. Harry laughed and walked down to his bedroom for a moment, returning in a pair of boxers.

"I thought you were chasing Rarity's tail." Harry said. Spike sighed and grimaced.

"I was, but I realized that she had practically friend-zoned me. Closest I'll get to her is Sweetie Belle, and she's actually a lot more interested in a possible hook-up with this guy." Spike said, entering the kitchen with the other two behind him.

"You know, oddly enough, that makes total sense." Twilight said, sitting at the table.

"Well of course it is. I mean, Rarity was out of Spike's league anyway. The closest to a relationship he would have with her, is by being her purse-dragon. Sweetie Belle is more in his league, sharing many traits he finds attractive in Rarity, and sharing the same age range with him. It's all psychological." Harry said tapping at his head. Twilight gave a small nod, suddenly realizing that Harry had become a somewhat teacher in that brief moment.

As the sounds of breakfast being cooked filled the room, Twilight and Harry were smiling at each other, Harry's hand holding her hoof across the table.

"Oh brother..." Spike groaned as he placed a plate of wheat bacon on the table and walked away. Something on the table shimmered, catching Harry's eye briefly.

"Did you see that?" he asked.

"Hmm?" asked Twilight through a mouthful of wheat bacon.

"That small shimmer, right there." Harry replied, pointing to the spot where he saw the disturbance. Twilight gave a shrug and shook her head.

"Nope, nothing." she said. Right then, the shimmering grew brighter, catching both their attentions now. "Okay, that time, yes." she suddenly said. The shimmering became a gentle pulsing, slowly increasing in its' pulsing, like a heart under a workout. A light flashed suddenly, and a clunk was heard of the wooden table top.

Sitting there, was an iPod Touch in a black, heavy duty casing. Twilight leaned closer to the object, poking it with a hoof. It took Harry a moment to recognize the item, suddenly gasping and grabbing it.

"Holy shit! It's my iPod!" he said, his fingers instinctively going to work on the touch screen, inputting the password and unlocking the device.

"I...Pod...?' Twilight asked, her head tilting with curiosity.

"A bit of technology, back home. It carried our music, mobile games, and pictures we saved or took with the camera." He said, pointing to the back of the iPod, where a small circle was placed. "And it's still fully charged! How in the world did it get here though...?" he asked quietly. Horn ablaze in magic, Twilight gently took the device and scanned it over.

"Various metals and plastics, wiring and electronics, glass for the screen." she said, her voice analytical. Her magic surged a bit as she continued the scan. "I'm detecting the spell I was attempting to cast. The one that put me in the hospital and brought you here. Maybe the spell not only enveloped you, but anything you used daily. This iPod of yours is wonderful though! Something the size of, well; your hand, being capable of holding so much! You have to let me take it apart and study its' internals!" Twilight said, giddiness in her tone.

Harry hissed and snatched his iPod away from her, holding onto it like Golem and the Ring. "My...prrrrecious..." he purred. Twilight blinked in a 'Wat' kind of moment.

"For crying out loud, I'm going to hang with the Crusaders. You two are nothing but strange lately." Spike said, gathering the breakfast plates, putting them in the sink, and departed the library. Laughing, Harry brought his iPod up and began messing with it, tapping at the screen.

"Well, this is strange..." he said. Peaking over his shoulder, Twilight kissed him on the cheek.

"What is?" she asked, looking at the screen in amazement.

"I'm still connected to the four-gee my iPod runs on." he said.

"Four-gee?" Twilight echoed.

"It's a type of service a majority of our devices run on back home. Gives us signal to things like the internet or local wifi hotspots." he said in a casual tone. Harry could feel the curiosity irradiating from the mare. "I'll explain all that later." he said, earning a small huff of disappointment from Twilight.

Suddenly, his iMessage notifications exploded with almost one-hundred messages.

"Whoa." was all Harry said as he opened the messenger and scanned through the messages.

"Harry, where are you?"

"Come home, right now! Your father and I are worried!"

"Stop being a terrible friend and answer your damn messages Harrison."

All the messages held these kinds of subjects, most from his friends.

"Are you going to reply? They're all worried sick about you." Twilight said.

"I...I don't know...how will they take the fact that I'm on a whole different planet?" he asked her. Giving his a hug and a nuzzle to the cheek, Twilight smiled.

"You will never know, unless you do so." she said. Sighing, Harry turned the device sideways, the digital keyboard springing up. Immediately, his thumbs went to work, typing out a cascade of letters which morphed into words, which transformed into sentences, which combined to form paragraphs. Twilight watched with baited breath as she saw the words form in Harry's response. With a final tap of the screen, Harry sent the message to his friends and family.

A couple minutes passed.

Nick: "Are you high?"

Austin: "Here we go again, with the ponies. Bro, you're obsessed!"

"What does he mean?" Twilight asked.

"I'll explain later." Harry said, blowing her off a bit.

Mom: "Stop making up stories and come home, right now!"

Me: I can't. I'm telling the honest to God truth!"

Mom: "It has been almost an entire month! Why did you even run off!?"

Me: "Like I said, I got, well, teleported."

Mom: "Bullshit. Home. Now."

"Nopony seems to believe you..." Twilight said, sadness hinting at her tone. Suddenly, an idea sparked in Harry's mind.

"Get close." he said, tapping the 'Add a Photo' option.

"Why?" asked Twilight as she watched the screen become a mock camera shutter, which opened to reveal both Harry and Twilight on the screen. "AH! HOW AM I THERE?!" Twilight yelled, tapping the screen with a hoof.

"Camera on the front also. Tiny speck at the top of the screen. Now back up and let me take a picture. This will prove to them that I'm not lying." Harry said. Still unsure of the iPods' intent, Twilight leaned back and got into the picture with Harry. "Relax and smile. Don't want to look like you're being tortured, now do you?" Harry chuckled, kissing her on the cheek.

"That is true." Twilight replied, her body relaxing, a smile going to her lips. Harry joined in the smile and clicked the camera icon on the screen, the shutter closing briefly, then the screen returned to the messenger. The photo appeared in the typing box, and Harry added some text to it.

"I fuckin' told you. I wasn't lying."

* * *

The air inside the library was filled with a heavy bassline, suddenly being joined by a guitar and drums. The rock music accumulated into one sound as the singer came into play.

"Who was this singer again?" Twilight asked, a ton of notes surrounding her as she and Harry sat on the floor.

"M. Shadows. Lead singer of Avenged Sevenfold." Harry said. Twilight nodded and wrote that down, her ears perked as the music played.

"Your people have such a wide variety in music! It's almost impossible to find one that appeals to me." Twilight giggled. Harry gave a small smile in response.

It had been a few hours since he sent the picture to his mom and friends, showing the truth.

Nick: "Wait. Wat."

Austin: "I'm checking to see if this is photoshopped."

Nick: "I don't think it is..."

Austin: "It has to be. You can do anything to a photo!"

As for his mother.

Mom: "What did your father and I do, to make you run off? You obviously put months of work into that picture!"

Me: "Mom, would I ever lie to you?"

Mom: "You have in the past."

Me: "Not relevant. But I'm telling the truth! I'm literally here in Equestria! The photo isn't fake!"

Needless to say, things hadn't gone over well. Noticing Harry's demeanor, Twilight got up and flopped onto his lap, looking up at him.

"Don't be sad Harry, they'll understand soon." she said. He nodded and sighed.

"I hope so. I intend on taking a video to solidify my story."

* * *

Deep in the Everfree Forest, Lyra was sneaking around, searching for Zecora's tree hut. After about a couple of hours, she had finally found it. She watched from the shadows as Zecora trotted out of her home, heading in the direction of Ponyville.

"Probably on a grocery run..." Lyra muttered. Hopping from her hiding place, Lyra teleported herself into the home, appearing right above Zecora's large cauldron. "Uh oh..."

Lyra landed into the cauldron, sending its' contents all over the place. Emerging like a crocodile, Lyra huffed and climbed out of the brew, shaking herself like a dog.

"Now...where is that sleeping powder...?" she pondered, her eyes gazing about the various shelves of brews.

On one of the shelves, an odd looking creature sat. Its' body was a somewhat dark blue, its' top being accented by a large orange flower of some kind. It snoozed along peacefully, drool dribbling from its' lips.

"Glooooom...Glooooooom..." it snored. Sneering maliciously, Lyra enveloped the creature in a golden grasp and lifted it off the shelf. The creature startled awake, its' orange flower releasing a spore of some kind. "GLOOM!" it yelled, trying to find its' attacker. Lyra used her magic to levitate both Gloom and a small pot of some kind, shaking the creature as a white powder fell from its' flower, like a snowfall. Cackling, Lyra tossed the small creature aside, dashing out of the hut with the powder in her telekinetic grasp.

"This will be perfect..."

Alptraum Auferstehung

Darkness and rock raced past Harry as he ran. His lungs burned, his heart screamed for rest, and his legs were numb from the exertion of his running.

Harry was scared and confused; he had no idea where he was or how he got there. All he knew is that he needed to run.

Over the sounds of his stomping hooves, laughter could be heard. It was high pitched and malevolent, but also pained and in suffering. The laughter was hot on Harry's heels, egging the stallion to keep running. Along with the laughter, floating in the endless abyss of darkness, a set of crazed eyes followed, a twisted smile right beneath them. The phantom didn't move as it followed suit, it just moved like a shadow, constantly laughing and smiling.

Suddenly, Harry tripped and fell face first, struggling to get up again. But his body failed to respond, making him stay on the rocky floor. The faces' smile suddenly opened to an unnatural size, forever in a silent scream, ready to devour Harry. Spinning around, a flurry of metal the face flew past Harry, and fell to pieces. Retracting his wings, the metallic feathers covered in blood, Harry chuckled once before his right eye was exposed, showing the shattered red iris surrounded by an abyss of black.

"Be ready to play the most dangerous game..."

* * *

Harry jerked awake, a scream tearing from his throat as his upper body shot upright. This startled Twilight from her sleep, causing her to look about frantically before setting her sight on Harry.

"What's happening?!" she asked, her mind slowly activating. Harry breathed heavily, his pupils shrunken down to pinpricks.

"N-Nothing...just a dream..." he muttered, reaching a hand back and patting Twilight on the head. "Go back to sleep..." he added, giving her a small scratch behind the ear.

"Well...if you say so..." Twilight said, sleep starting to take her back into its' embrace. Taking a deep breath, Harry slowly laid back down onto the bed, taking Twilight into a lover's embrace as she slept. As he drifted off to sleep once again, those last words echoed in his mind.

"Be ready to play the most dangerous game..."

* * *

"Come on, it's a good idea!" Harry proclaimed the next morning at the kitchen table over breakfast. "Saves me the pain of having to look around!"

"I'm not saying it's a bad idea. It's just that, Ponyville already has a toy store, and Wooden Train isn't too keen on competition. He hates it." Twilight replied.

"Oh, a little competition never hurt anybody. Besides, it's not like I'm going global immediately; I can just set up a small stand in the Market and have some toys on display." Harry said, taking a bite of toast.

"Where would you even get the paint? Let along that knife you need, what was it called?"

"A whittling knife. It's a knife about the size of my thumb, and it's sharp to a point where it can shave the wood. As for the paint, I'm sure there's somepony who can hook me up." Harry said, hit tone confident. Twilight gave a reluctant sigh and rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. I'm going to back you up on this still. Because that's what couples do." she said, her tone going from reluctant to playful.

"It's too early for lovey-dovey stuff, Twi." Harry deadpanned. The mare giggled and stood from the table, walking past Harry, running her tail under his snout in a teasing manner as her hips swayed. After she left the kitchen, Harry slammed a fist onto the table in an attempt to keep himself from pouncing on her right then and there. "No, no. Still too early. First things' first, get your supplies." he told himself, taking a sip of orange juice and standing from the table.

As he walked out of the kitchen and into the main part of the library, Twilight was getting him a scarf from the small closet nearby.

"Take this, it's really chill outside." she said in a caring tone, wrapping the scarf around Harry's neck with her magic. Taking one of the tails, Harry inspected the cloth and smiled. Twilight's cutie mark was sewn into the fabric, and it had her mane colors as the fabric. It was soft to the touch and seemed like it could hold a decent amount of warmth.

"Thanks sweetie." Harry said leaning down to meet Twilight for a kiss. The mare reared up quickly, met Harry's lips, then opened the door for him.

"Be back soon~." she sang lightly as Harry walked out into the chilly air.

* * *

The shop bell rang happily as the door opened, signalling the store owner that they had a customer. Emerging from the back, a lean stallion trotted up to the counter and smiled.

"Hey, ain't ya' that new fella' who's livin' with Twilight?" asked the stallion. Harry nodded.

"Yeah, that's me. And you are?" he asked.

"I'm Oak Plank! Pleasure to make your acquaintance!" said Wooden Train. "So, what can I do for ya'?"

"I'm looking into some whittling knives. I'm starting a toy making business and I'm planning on carving them from wood." Harry explained. Oak Plank nodded and smiled.

"Sure, I can help ya'. Just give me a moment." Oak Plank said as he left the storefront and went into the back, reappearing with a small box in his mouth. Placing it on the counter, Oak Plank snapped the clasps back and lifted the lid, revealing the contents. "Will these do?" he asked. Harry raised his eyebrows in an impressed fashion, nodding as he did.

"Y-Yeah! These will do great! Some are even small enough for a finer detail." Harry said reaching into his pants pocket. "How much?" he asked. Oak Plank waved a hoof.

"Free o' charge. I'm always willin' to help an enterprising young stallion like yourself along." Oak Plank said. With smile and grasping the box, Harry offered for a hoof/handshake. Oak Plank happily obliged and gave a firm shake.

"Thanks Oak. Have a good day." Harry said turning and walking from the store.

"Same to ya'. Good luck!" Oak called.

"Good, now for the paint." thought Harry as he began his journey to the paint shop. Nearby, a bush rustled, a pair of binoculars emerging from it. They followed Harry with malicious intent once again, their owner cackling a bit as she watched him.

Harry couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched, but he eventually shoved it aside as he entered Beautiful Colors. After a couple of minutes, he emerged from the store with a paper bag full of various colors and brushes. Making sure he had everything, Harry turned for home.

Once again, the binoculars emerged, but from a rooftop this time, casting their cold gaze down at Harry. Stopping, Harry looked around at the rooftops, feeling he was being watched again. Spotting a small glare, he turned to see a pair of binoculars quickly vanish.

"Okay, I'm creeped out..." thought Harry as he slowly turned around and continued walking, a bit faster this time. Soon, the paranoia was rising to higher levels, causing Harry to pick up his speed, up until he was at a full sprint. As he ran, bushes and cart canvases shook with a small disturbance, like he was being followed. In the distance, Harry could see the green canopy of Golden Oak's Library. "Thank God! Almost-"

Suddenly, the world went black for the stallion. His bag of paint and box of knives went clattering to the ground, their contents spilling about.

The worst part about all of this was:

No pony was around too see the disappearance.

* * *

"Awaken you fool!" yelled a voice in the darkness. Harry grunted as his eyes opened and looked about, trying to determine where he was.

"What the...where am I...?" he asked to the darkness. Slowly, his other senses began to report in, and Harry could feel cloth wrapped around his eyes. A small giggled responded.

"Why...you're home...with me..." came a cold, crazed voice.

"Twilight?" Harry asked. A grunt of aggravation responded.

"Do not mention that whores' name around me...you're with your true lover now...you can forget all about that preppy little teachers' pet..." came the voice. Harry could feel his anger rising at these harsh words.

"Do not talk about Twilight like that! Who are you anyway, and what do you want!?" Harry asked, his voice roaring near the end of his sentence. The clicking of a tongue was heard.

"Do you not remember me...? We shared a romantic evening together until your whore and her little entourage came along and separated us..."

Harry froze. A cold sweat broke across his forehead, his throat gulping with sudden realization.

"Lyra...?"

Suddenly, the blindfold came off, revealing the mint green mare in question. Her face was stretched into a maddened smile, the lips stretching to unnatural lengths. Her golden eyes were the size of pinpricks, her throat giving a crazed laughter.

"Be ready to play a most dangerous game..."

Harry tried to scoot back, away from the mare, only to see that he was strapped down to a chair once again, his wrists tied with rope, and handcuffed for extra caution. Panicking, Harry faced Lyra. "Let me out of here!"

Lyra laughed, her voice shrill and echoing.

"No! You're not leaving my Cave of Love!" she said, stepping closer to Harry. Her nostrils flared as she began sniffing the air, her eyelids fluttering. "Mmmm...I can smell you~." she said in a drunken tone.

"The game starts soon..."

The back of Harry's mind began flooding with a feeling of, well, he didn't exactly know what. It felt cold and vicious, yet scared at the same time. Lyra suddenly pounced on Harry and straddled him, her hips grinding hungrily into his.

"Take me...make us become one...make me scream!" she said, her voice giddy and bubbly, betraying the look of pure insanity on her face.

"Make the offer to play..."

"H-hey! Why don't we play a game?" Harry asked. Lyra smiled wider and she nodded.

"What kind of game?" she asked.

"It's called Hide-and-Fuck! I hide, and if you find me, we have sex! Isn't that what you want?" Harry asked. Lyra pouted and folded her forelegs.

"But that requires work! I'd much rather do you now!" she said, her magic flaring and enveloping Harry's pants zipper.

"B-But! Working for what you want always pays off in the end! And believe me, I'll make you scream with pleasure." Harry said, trying his best to sweeten the deal. Lyra tilted her head and put on a pondering face.

"Okay...I'll play..." she said, her smile coiling tightly on her dimples.

"The game starts when you are freed..."

"Okay, good! Bu-but first, you have to untie my hands. It wouldn't be fair." Harry said. Nodding, Lyra's magic shifted from his zipper to his bindings. Harry could feel the rope falling away, and the cuffs unlocking and following the rope. Standing and rubbing a wrist, he looked at Lyra, who was practically bouncing like a small school filly. "Alright, count to thirty! And no peaking~!" Harry said.

"Alright! I'm so gonna win!" Lyra said, covering her eyes with her hooves. She began counting, and Harry immediately bolted.

"The game has started, and now I come into play..."

Harry's mind went blank suddenly, the void becoming filled with a dark cloud. His body trembled as he stood there, his fingers twitching erratically. His back suddenly snapped into an odd arch, the cracking echoing throughout the cave. Dark chuckling came from him as his wings began to extend, the internals groaning with a dark, unnatural sound.

The metal sounded like the moans of the damned.

Suddenly, blood began pouring from the left portion of his lips, a jagged path cutting through his skin and fur, arching up to the right of his face and to his temple. Immediately, the fur, skin, and muscle fell away into ash, revealing his skull underneath. His eyeball twitched around madly as blackness began to fill into it, starting from the bottom, and working its' way to the top. As for his skull, the snapping of bone and tendons could be heard as the jawline violently carved a path up this skull, fusing with the top jaw, and extending that too. Soon, a very unnatural grin was present on the right half of Harry's face, accenting with the now black eyeball that sat in his eye socket.

"I'm ready to play!" said the new entity in Harry's voice.

"Good! Because I already found you!" said Lyra. Immediately, Not-Harry spun around to face the mare. Lyra gasped in surprise and cringed back. "D-do I get sex n-now...?" she asked nervously. In the distance between them, Not-Harry ran up on Lyra in a blur of motion, craning over her, looking right into her eyes. Lyra's eyes were locked on Not-Harry's.

In Not-Harry's right eye, the brown iris shattered into four pieces, one center chunk with three flanking chunks. The brown immediately flashed to red. The jagged, boney grin on Not-Harry's face tightened into a jagged coil on his temple.

"H-Harry...?" Lyra asked, her voice that of a mouse.

Harry's hand grabbed Lyra by the throat, hauling her off her hooves and into the air.

"Not Harry. Alptraum!" roared the entity. Taking his other hand, Alptraum rammed two fingers into Lyra's eyes, gouging her eyes out. Lyra screamed in agony as Harry's fingers morphed into claws and tore her sight away. Warm, sticky blood flowed like crimson waterfalls from Lyra's gored eye sockets, her scream continuing.

"I claim thine tainted soul...as a feast..." Alptraum said coldly, his claws tracing down Lyra's cheeks. Lyra's body shuddered as she sobbed, but no tears were falling from her eyes. If there were any tears, they'd be mixed in with her blood right now. With one claw, Alptraum lined it up right with where Lyra's heart would've been. Slowly, a darkness began to flow from Lyra's chest, opening it to allow the claw entry to her heart. The claw slowly began to sink into Lyra's chest.

Then, a bright burst of light enveloped them both.

It's a nice, spring day in Central Park, the afternoon sun just setting behind the Manhatten skyline. Birds fly over head, and people mill about, enjoying picnics or throwing around a football. A calming breeze blows through from between the trees, causing a young woman to brush aside a lock of light green hair. A white streak accompanies this color, coming together quite nicely. Her eyes were an amazing gold, like they were a pair of golden doubloons.

Her name was Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings.

And she was alone.

Lyra laid under a park bench, curled into a tight ball. Her upper half was covered up by a mint green hoodie, acting as both a security blanket, and her only source of warmth. Her reasoning for being at the park under a bench was simple:

She lived under this bench.

Lyra had ran away from home at the age of seventeen, after her parents tried to double team her and hurt her. In the years prior, both her mother and father would hit, verbally abuse, and at one point, rape her. No place would take her in after she ran. She didn't have many friends; she was mostly a shut-in, and never really talked at school. With no where to go, Lyra had taken up residence at Central Park, the bench she laid under as her only source of shelter. For food, she'd have to sneak and steal from the various food carts that the Big Apple was known for. Often time, she was lucky to grab a handful of roasted nuts, before being driven off by the vendor. However, this wasn't enough, and Lyra was constantly starving. Her body was very thin underneath her hoodie. She was almost all skin and bone. Her once young, beautiful face was now shallow cheeked and gaunt.

Now, a year later, Lyra Heartstrings was cold, alone, hungry, and dying.

And it was her birthday.

Just as the sun was setting, Lyra's voice cracked into existence, trying to carry a joyful tune.

"H-Happy bir-birthday too me...Ha-happy bir-birthday too me..." But, she couldn't finish the tune, for she had began to cry. Tears rolled down her dirty cheeks, taking small amounts of dirt with them. She looked up to the stars through the bench seat, just as they began to shine in the night sky. A vicious wind attacked her, making Lyra shiver.

"God...take me away..." she muttered before breaking into more tears.

The sounds of approaching feet reached Lyra's ears.

No, not feet. Were those hooves?

Sitting up on her elbows, Lyra looked about for the new sound. Her golden eyes landed on the figure of a horse, a rather small horse. A horn protruded from its' forehead, its' mane and tail seeming to flow, even though the wind had died down to almost nothing. The horse was a dark blue, with the mark of a crescent moon on its' rear.

"Lyra Heartstrings?" asked the horse. Lyra blinked and gawked in amazement.

The horse could *talk. And it was talking to her.*

"Y-yeah...?" Lyra replied, slowly emerging from the bench and approaching the horse, which she realized was actually a pony.

"Greetings, I am Princess Luna of Equestria. I could not help but notice you are out here, alone. Why is that?" Luna asked, tilting her head to the side a bit.

"Oh man, I have to be dreaming..." Lyra thought. "I uh, don't really have a home..." she said to the pony. Luna formed a frown on her lips and took a step to Lyra. The girl took a jerky step back, a thin hand coming up a bit.

"And as for being alone?" Luna asked.

"I don't have anyone to be here for me..." Lyra said as her stomach gave a grumble. Her hands immediately went to the area, pressing down on her hoodies' front, and revealing how thin she truly was.

"Have you not eaten?" Luna asked.

"No money. I practically have to steal if I want to eat..." Lyra said as she rubbed her tummy. Silence fell between the two.

"Would you like to leave this place?" Luna asked suddenly. Tears began to form at Lyra's eyes, cascading down her cheeks once again.

Nodding, Lyra spoke, her voice broken once again. "Y-yes..."

Suddenly, a set of wings flared from Luna's sides as she turned around and looked to Lyra.

"Then climb upon my back. I shall take you to a place where you will be happy." Luna said, her tone caring, a loving smile accenting with the voice. Without a second thought, Lyra climbed onto Luna's back. The mare took the skies, and Lyra had to clench onto Luna's neck to stay secure. Below, the night life of New York thrived. Time Square was alight with it's plethora of signs and lights, as cars sped to and fro through the countless streets and avenues of the city. As they flew, Luna climbed higher and higher, until she had gone through the cloud layer.

The view was amazing up here, and Lyra gasped in awe as she looked at the millions of stars. The moon hung high in the night sky, casting light down on them.

"I suggest you hold on." Luna said as her horn flared. Taking the pony's advice, Lyra held on tightly to Luna as a glowing light appeared in the night sky before them.

"What's through there?" Lyra asked.

"Paradise." replied Luna. With a choking gasp, Lyra happily cried as they went through the light.

* * *

Alptraum screamed as he was thrown back from Lyra. The mare dropped to the ground, sobbing loudly as she laid there, curling into a ball. Alptraum stared at the mare as she wept.

*"She...was human...just like me..." said Harry in Alptraum's mind.*

"The game has been played..." Alptraum said simply. Slowly, his features began to form back into Harry's normal features. The bone began sealing up, returning to its' normal form. Harry's skin began to rapidly reform, causing a scar on the left of his lips. His eye drained of the black substance, and the red pieces of his iris had connected to each other like a small puzzle, slowly going back to a brown color.

Standing on shaky hooves, Harry got up and approached Lyra. He picked her up and carried her out of the cave, into the night air.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry..." muttered Lyra as she curled up tight against Harry, trying to keep warm. Harry didn't say a word as he walked to Ponyville Hospital.

* * *

A couple of days had passed since the cave incident with Lyra. The mare in question was currently being treated in the ER at the hospital. Harry had returned to a frantic Twilight, who had nearly worried herself sick about where he had been for seven hours. Harry explained it all, restrained Twilight from going after Lyra, and went to bed.

Currently, Harry was running a small toy stall at the Ponyville Market, selling wooden airplanes, trains and boats that he had carved out. Twilight smiled happily as she watched a young unicorn colt levitate a wooden P-51D Mustang, painted in the colors of the Tuskegee Airmen, and look at it with bewilderment.

"Can I see that?" Harry asked as he leaned over the counter and smiled at the colt. The colt nodded and handed it to Harry, who took it and began flying it around in his hand, imitating the Mustang's signature engine. The colt smiled with happiness as he watched the toy be shown off. The colt's mother approached and smiled, throwing the required money onto the counter-top. Harry handed the plane back to the colt, who took it with his magic.

"Thanks mister! This is *so cool!" he said as he trotted away with his mother. Harry smiled happily and looked at Twilight, who returned the smile.*

"Think Lyra is going to be okay?" Harry asked. Twilight shrugged and gave a grimace.

"She better, or else I'm bucking her into next year if she comes back." she said. Harry chuckled a bit and gave the mare a loving hug just as an elderly stallion approached his stall, the cutie mark of a wooden train on his flank.

"Hello sir, may I help you?" Harry asked. The stallion looked over Harry's display, his eyes judging the wooden toys.

"I must say...these are the finest toys I've seen! And I've been in the business my entire life! Keep up the good work kid." said the stallion as he turned and walked away.

"That was Wooden Train. He's not easy to impress." Twilight said with a giggle. Harry chuckled again and sat back, watching the crowd mill about.

"Then it looks like I've got a new job." he said, smirking to one side as he clasped his hands behind his head.

Downtime

It was a lovely day in Ponyville. Snow gently fell upon the town, signalling that Hearth's Warming was drawing closer. In the market, ponies buzzed around, buying their gifts for friends and family. Sitting at his stall, Harry was neck deep in customers, trying to keep track of his sales. Planes, boats, and trains flew off his display with lightning speed. At the point, bits were practically being thrown at Harry. To make things worse, the ponies were practically screaming in his ears, making it impossible for Harry to even hear himself think. Standing up, Harry slammed a fist onto his counter.

"IN A LINE. ALL OF YOU! ONE AT A TIME!" he yelled. Immediately, the ponies formed a line, the ruckus having calmed down.

"Thank you. Now, how may I help you?" asked Harry, putting on a smile as a mare approached the stall, a wooden warship carefully clenched in her teeth.

* * *

The front door to Golden Oaks slammed open, a exhausted Harry standing in the door way. Before he even took a step into the home, Harry fell face first to the floor, groaning as he laid there. Hearing this from the other room, Twilight trotted in and approached the stallion on the floor.

"Have a good day at work?" she asked.

"Uuuuuugh." replied Harry.

"Plenty of sales?"

"UUUUUUUGHHHHH."

"Going to pay me back from when you went to the cafe?" Twilight asked, small smirk on her features.

"Blaaaaaaaaarrrrrg." replied Harry as a hand reached into his coin pouch and produced about five bits. Taking them in her magic, Twilight placed them into her nearby coin purse and returned her gaze to Harry.

"Want some hot chocolate? Maybe we can cuddle up and read some books?" Twilight offered. Harry nodded silently as he stared at the floor. Dragging himself onto his hooves, Harry swayed a bit before he shook his head.

"I swear, ponies don't know common decency!" Harry proclaimed. Twilight laughed at this and nodded her head in agreement.

"Only during the holidays, sweetie. Now, go find somewhere to relax and I'll join you, okay?" Twilight asked. A nod from Harry showed he accepted this as he dragged his hooves over to the small mountain of pillows.Flopping down on the pile, Harry let out a sigh of relaxation as his muscles released all the tension from the day. Trotting in with two mugs of hot chocolate in her magical grasp, Twilight handed Harry his coco before plopping down on his lap, taking a sip of her drink.

"What shall we read?" Harry asked. Twilight scanned the nearby book shelf and withdrew a book.

"How about, Journey to the Center of Equus?" Twilight suggested.

"Actually, that doesn't sound half bad. Crack it open babe." Harry said, adjusting himself into a comfortable position as Twilight opened the book and began reading aloud.

"Looking back to all that has occurred to me since that eventful day..."

* * *

Today was Hearth's Warming Eve. In the center of the library, Twilight and Harry were decorating a large tree. Spike's tail was sticking out of the decorations box as he dug around inside, looking for more things to put on the tree.

"Find the star yet, Spike?" Twilight asked, looking to the dragon. Spikes' voice came from within the box.

"Uh, no. Are you sure the star was in this box, and not any of the others?" he asked, poking his head up from within the box.

"Yes, I'm positive! You just have to look harder." Twilight retorted.

"I've been looking for the past ten minutes, and I've found nothing star-like." Spike replied in a snarky tone. In the past weeks, Spike had been giving attitude to Twilight. She said it's a side-effect of his growing up. The dragon wasn't so little anymore also. He was taller, much like how he looked when his greed got the better of him on his birthday, and a bit leaner.

"Cut the attitude kid." Harry said in a warning, yet playful tone. Spike rolled his eyes in response. Suddenly, there was a knocking at the door, and Spikes' spine went rigid. Harry caught this change in Spikes' body language and chuckled. "Nervous, are we?" he asked. Spike gulped a bit, looking to Harry and Twilight.

"Wh-what do I do?" he asked, his voice a bit shaky.

"Well, answering the door would be a good start." Twilight said, her magic flaring up and grasping the doorknob. The door opened to reveal Sweetie Belle. However, she wasn't a little filly anymore. Her mane was longer and more luscious, ending in tight coils at the ends. She was a bit taller now, her slender legs supporting a decent body. Her eyes sparkled with new intensity, keen on going out to the world.

And on her flank, a cutie mark of a golden bell with two musical notes on it. She had earned her mark after singing like an angel in the schools' production of Les Miserstables. This made her the first of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to get her cutie mark, Apple Bloom following suit, with Scootaloo bringing up the rear.

"Hi everypony!" she said, her voice even more cuter and heart melting than before. Spike, in a nervous sweat, approached the mare, her eyes going to him. She smiled sweetly at the dragon, and Spike fainted right on the spot.

"Man down." said Harry deadpanned. Twilight facehoofed and groaned.

"We've been practicing with him for weeks." Twilight said, rubbing her temples. Sighing, she beckoned Sweetie Belle in, dragging Spike back with her magic.

"Is Spike going to be alright?" she asked.

"Oh, he'll be fine. He just needs to remember what we taught him." Twilight said.

Que flashback, about a week ago

"Um, Twilight?" asked Spike.

"Yes?"

"Um...promise you won't tell anypony?"

"Of course! What is it?"

"I was well...thinking of asking...Sweetie Belle out..."

"Oh Spike, that's adorable!"

"But I don't know how to."

"Oh. Well, erm, g-go ask Harry for help."

"But, you know every-"

"GO ASK HARRY!"

"Alright, alright, jeez!"

-A few minutes later-

"Hey Harry?"

"What can I do fer ye', laddy?"

"How do I ask a mare out?"

"Ha! That's simple! You just get some alone time with her, and tell her how you feel. Then ask her. It's simple!"

"Really? Just like that?"

"Eeyup. That's it."

"Wow! This is gonna be easy! Thanks!"

"No problem, and good luck!"

Present day

"Twilight, it's not like we sent him through Dating Basic Training. I just told him to tell her how he felt." Harry said. Twilight rolled her eyes and shook Spike awake.

"Wake up Spike. Sweetie Belle is waiting." she said.

"Bleh, I'm up, I'm up." Spike said groggily. Sweetie Belle giggled a bit and helped Spike onto his feet. "Thanks Sweetie. So, uh, ready to, uh, go?" he asked, the nervous sweat resuming. Sweetie Belle nodded and gave a small smile, turning and walking out with Spike. Twilight sniffled and Harry looked to her.

"Are you crying?" he asked.

"Hey! I've raised him since he was an egg. And now, he's taking beautiful mares out on dates, getting ready to date one. They grow up so fast!" she said, wiping a tear. Harry chuckled and took her into a hug, nuzzling her neck. Looking up, he smirked.

"Don't look up." he teased. Curious, Twilight looked up and gasped a bit.

"I-is that..."

"Mistletoe. Pucker up and bend over babe." Harry growled playfully, taking Twilight by the chin and kissing her.

Later that afternoon, the couple found themselves sweaty and panting for breath on the floor of the library, giggling like a couple of drunkards.

* * *

Two days later, after everyone received their gifts from each other, Harry took a trip to Ponyville Hospital. He was going to pay Lyra a visit and ask her some questions.

After being admitted in, checking in with the receptionist, Harry walked to Room 115 and knocked.

"Come in." came Lyra's response. Entering, Harry waved at the mare as he closed to door and sat down. In the weeks since the incident in the cave, Lyra had been given magical treatment for her eyes, regrowing them from the remains that were in her bloodied eye sockets. So far, they were back to full shape and size, but the golden irises were a bit cloudy.

"Oh, hello. Why did you come to visit?" Lyra asked, tilting her head.

"Come to ask some questions." Harry replied simply. Lyra nodded and laid back onto the bed.

"Ask away."

"You were once a human, like me, right?"

"Yeah. My human life, was like, totally bogus."

"I know, I saw. Anyway, how long have you been here?"

"Oh, about five years now."

"If you came through as a human, then why are you full on pony?"

"Oh, when I came through, I became a hybrid, like you! Eventually, I wanted to fit in more, so I had a unicorn friend of mine cast a spell that made me full pony. If you want, I can get her to do the same with you!"

"No thanks, I'm perfectly fine right now. So, why did you ruthlessly hunt me down?"

"Well, back on Earth, I never got any form of affection. At times, if I wanted physical contact, I'd either use myself, or corner some poor guy and get him to hold me. When I got here, some stallions were interested in me, but never showed affection; just wanted me for my looks. As time went, I started feeling lonely. Then you came along, and something just..."

"Snapped?"

"Yeah, snapped. Then I got even more obsessed as I kept thinking about you and stuff. And well, I kinda lost myself for a bit. By the way, I'm sorry for everything." Lyra said. Harry waved a hand and shook his head.

"Think nothing of it, I'm cool with it. Just as long as it doesn't happen again, alright?" Harry asked. Lyra nodded and watched as Harry got up, ready to leave.

"O-oh, leaving already?" she asked.

"Have to. I got a job I need to be at in ten minutes." Harry said as he stood in the doorway.

"Okay then, see you later."

"See ya' around, Lyra." said Harry as he left, closing the door behind him.

"Well now, that's one loose end wrapped up. Now I don't have to constantly worry about being stalked, kidnapped, or raped!"

Uh, Ponyville? We have a problem...

"AHHHHHHHH!"

CRASH!!

"Oh crap! Are ya' alright, Harry?" asks Dash as she watches Harry get up from the impact crater below him.

"Yeah, fell completely fine. Why?" he asks.

"It's just um..."

"What? Is there blood?"

"You...could say that..."

-Silence-

"Dash, what's wrong?"

"Don't freak out! But um..."

"Yeah?"

"Your back is kind of...sticking out..."

"Huh, I was wondering why things were starting to go dark..." mutters Harry as he falls to the ground in a heap.

"OH CRAP! Uh, uh, uh...I'LL GO GET HELP!"

"GOD DAMN EVERYTHING! THIS HURTS LIKE HELL! AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY WING!?"

Rewind, about three hours prior.

It was a Saturday morning, and the sun had just started to peak over the horizon. On the ground below, Harry was walking to the field where Rainbow Dash's cloud home was. It was his day off today, but he didn't want to sit at the library, bored out of his skull.

Earlier that morning, as he was washing up in the bathroom, an idea flitted across his mind as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Twisting his torso a bit, he looked at the metallic appendages that adorned his back. Extending them a bit, he smiled a bit as the idea in his mind started screaming Do it. DO IT!"

He wanted to learn how to fly.

After getting washed up and dressed, Harry left a note for Twilight and left the library, setting his mental GPS to Dash's home.

Now, standing and staring up at the pegasus' home, a thought came to mind.

"Damn, how can I wake her?". Looking around, no rocks were present. Just a grassy field that sat on the outskirts of town, the grass gently blowing in the morning breeze. Tapping his chin, a horrible, awful idea came to mind.

Harry was going to trick Rainbow Dash.

Cupping his hands around his mouth, Harry took a deep breath and unleashed.

"HOLY CRAP! THE WONDERBOLTS ARE HERE! What's that? You're looking for Rainbow Dash? And ask her to be part of the team?" hollered Harry. Looking up to one of the windows, he could see a tuft of prismatic hair sticking out a bit. "WOW! You're going to put on a show? Just for Rainbow? WOW!"

Suddenly, a rainbow landed in front of him, the cyan pegasus looking about frantically.

"Where are they!? Where are the Wonderbolts!?" Dash questioned quickly. Laughter followed her questions and she looked to see Harry, rolling around on the ground and clutching his sides. Dash snorted and pawed the ground, ready to pounce. "Why I..." she began. Harry sat up suddenly, noticing the tone in her voice.

"Whoa, whoa! Easy there Dash! It was just a joke." he said, raising his hands in a defensive gesture. "I couldn't think of a way to wake you up."

"Knocking on the door would've been nice." Dash growled. At this, Harry pointed a thumb at his back.

"Uh, don't know how to fly exactly. That's why I'm here, to be honest."

"Wait, what?"

"I wanna fly. I have wings, minus well use them, right?" Harry asked. Now it was Rainbow's turn to break into laughter.

"F-Fly? You? A-as if!" she said, falling to the ground and slamming a hoof into the dirt repeatedly. Harry put on a scowl and folded his arms.

"What's funny about that?" he asked. Dash sat up and wiped a tear from her eye.

"Be-because! You're too large to fly! Your wings wouldn't be able to support you! And hello, have you heard? Metal can't be used as a flight material. The only thing that can be used to fly are feathers and unicorn magic." Rainbow said, pointing a hoof at his wings.

Raising an eyebrow, Harry readied his wings.

"Then prepare to be shocked." he said. In a flourish of metal, Harry's wings expanded, reaching to a span of nearly four feet on both sides. Rainbow's jaw dropped open as her eyes traced along his wingspan.

"H-how...?"

"Turns out, the metal can fold within itself, like a stacking mechanism. Really handy if I want to keep their profile small." Harry explained as the wings retracted.

"W-well, that maybe impressive, but you still can't even get off the ground. Metal is too heavy. Hello? Have you taken high school science?" Dash asked, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Harry let out a hearty laugh.

"Now what?" Dash asked.

"Rainbow, have you forgotten that I'm from a different world?"

"No, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Back on my world, we have these machines called 'airplanes'. Giant, metal contraptions that soar through the sky. No, they don't flap their wings like a bird; they have these devices call engines that help them fly. We use airplanes for a variety of uses; travel, recreational, and even combat." Harry told her. Rainbow gave a small, impressed scoff and smirked.

"Alright then. But last time I checked, you have just the wings, not one of those 'engines', as you call it."

"Ugh, stop picking over the details! Can you help me fly, or not?" asked Harry. Dash put a hoof to her chin and considered this.

"Yeah, I suppose I can. But you have to follow everything I tell you, got me?" Dash asked. Harry smiled and gave a nod. "Good! Training starts in one hour. Meet me at the track in that time." Rainbow Dash said, taking off and heading in the direction of their meet-up.

"Alright, see ya' then!" Harry called. Pumping his fist in victory, he began to walk back to the library to tell Twilight the news.

* * *

"That's great to hear Harry!" Twilight said happily after Harry told her.

"I know, right? Maybe after I get really good at it, I can take you for a nighttime cruse around. How about it?" Harry proposed. Twilight smiled a bit and nodded.

"Sure, that sounds fine!" she said. Taking a large gulp of orange juice, Harry turned and left.

"See ya' later!" he called, walking out.

"Good luck, and be careful!"

"I always am, ah ha!"

* * *

"Come on Harry! Flap those junk heaps!" Rainbow yelled. Her tone was equal to that of an Army Drill Sergeant. As she stood on a cloud, she watched below as Harry's wings whirred and flapped, trying their best to raise him.

"I'm. Trying." Harry grunted, his face going red with exertion. The internal gears and servos worked in flawless unison to drive the wings.

"TRY HARDER, MAGGOT!" yelled Dash. Suddenly, Harry's head snapped up, a determined look on his face.

"MA'AM, YES MA'AM!" he yelled, forcing his wings to flap harder. Soon enough, his hooves began to raise from the ground, making a five foot space between him and and the ground. Rainbow hopped from her cloud and hovered next to him.

"Now, pace yourself! Flying is all about pacing each wing beat. If you flap too fast, you'll get tired more quickly. Time your wing beats, and you'll conserve energy. How do you think I've managed to become the best flyer in Equestria?" she asked, smirking as her ego was being stroked.

"How about less ego, and more helping?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"Don't sass the instructor!" Dash said, smacking Harry on the back of his head.

"GAH! Alright, alright! Just get on with it!"

* * *

"That's the spirit! Remember to watch your altitude!" Dash called from the ground. In the skies above, Harry was simply a metal flash in the sky. His wings flapped every three minutes or so, thanks to the aerodynamics of the metal. The design allowed Harry to coast at a fast speed, while conserving energy that would otherwise be wasted on maintaining the speed he was traveling at.

But who cared about the science?

Harry felt alive!

Wind blew through his mane and over shirt, making them rustle like crazy. Harry could even pick up smells at his height and speed: wood smoke from the bakery, freshly cut grass, the smell of a fresh water lake nearby.

He loved every bit of flying.

"Alright Harry, come on down!" Dash called. Nodding at the order, Harry angled his wings to start a even descent. Suddenly, the wind ripped upwards, causing the control surface on Harry's right wing was snapped to a ninety degree angle. Harry screamed as he felt his entire wing go numb, pain bolting up his spine and into his brain. This sudden event forced Harry to stop flapping his working wing as he spasmed in pain. On the ground, Rainbow Dash could only gasp in shock as she watched him fall.

"AHHHHHHH!"

CRASH!!

* * *

The first thing Harry heard were the heart beat monitors as they beeped in the darkness. Grunting, Harry tried to open his eyes, only to see that everything was black.

"Hey, who turned out the lights!?" he asked. A sudden hoof on his shoulder caught his attention and he snapped his head in that direction.

"Easy there. You're in the hospital. Again." Doctor X-Ray said gently.

"Doc? Is that you? What happened?" Harry asked.

"You crashed; that's what happened. Compound fracture in the right ulna wing bone, followed by a concussion and cracked cheekbone. You're lucky to not be in a coma." X-Ray said. "And I've had the local blacksmith take a look at the wing. He says he can repair it."

"Oh thank God!"

"But we have to remove it to let him do so. It's a good thing the metal is screwed in to your bone, or else the entire thing would've had to been amputated." X-Ray said with a small chuckle. He looked to see that Harry had gone pale. "Ahem, anyway. Recovery period should be one to three months. The metal will take four months to be repaired. Until then, try not to fly." X-Ray said.

"What about Twilight and Rainbow Dash?"

"Rainbow Dash has been told to go home and come back tomorrow. As for Ms. Sparkle, she's been less...well, take a listen." X-Ray said opening the door. Down the hall, the screaming voice of Twilight could be heard.

"NO! I WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL I SEE HIM! I WANT TO SEE HIM RIGHT THIS INSTANT!! I- GET YOUR HOOF OFF ME! THINK ABOUT TOUCHING ME AGAIN, AND I'LL SEND YOU TO THE MOON!"

Harry smiled a bit.

"That's my girl." he said. X-Ray simply sighed and left the room.

Time to Recover

Being bed ridden sucked.

It really does.

On the bright side- Oh, wait, it still sucked.

Sighing, I looked over at the bookshelf that occupied my bedroom. Twilight had it recently built, filling each shelf to maximum capacity with books on various topics. Much to her disappointment, I kept telling her I had no time to read any of the books.

Which was partially the truth.

Truth be told; I had no interest in any of the topics the books covered. Politics, Flora and Fauna, ponies who accomplished great things. Ugh, who cares? Their stuff happened in the past; and no one really wants to learn about the past anymore.

Except for me, so naturally my urge to learn more about a time before me had kicked in.

The downside, is the book shelf was half way across the room, and I was on strict doctors' orders to not move a single muscle while I healed up.

"Twiiiiiliiiiight..." I called out. I could hear the sounds of rushing hooves clopping against the ground as she ran to my room. The door flew open and Twilight stood there, panting a bit.

"Y-yes?" she asked, trying to catch her breath.

"I wanna book." I simply say. Twilight deadpans her face and looks at me. "Whaaaat? Doctor says I can't move a muscle while I heal." I say, giving my puppy eyes a shot.

Much to my disapproval, they didn't work and Twilight huffed. "You're a grown stallion. The doctor doesn't have a sixth sense that kicks in when a patient disobeys his orders."

In Ponyville General, Doctor X-Ray suddenly had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Thinking nothing of it, he simply shrugged and returned to the quadruple-bypass/lung replacement surgery he was performing.

"Just get up and grab and book and lay down again." Twilight continues.

"B-but Twi...I hurts a lot...so much..." I say, throwing dramatics into the tone of my voice.

"Oh no, you're not pulling that on me. I have to deal with enough of it from Rarity as it is." Twilight says, glaring at me. "Get your rear in gear and get a book that strikes your fancy."

"Ugh, fiiiine." I say, throwing the sheets off and standing up. Almost immediately, Twilight pounced me, sending me back onto the bed.

"Of course, why read a book? Mares tend to be more of an interesting topic than any book..." she whispers into my ear.

"Okay, this is a definite 'no'. Fractured spine, remember?" I ask Twilight. But she ignores me and checks my lower back.

"Looks fine from here. Besides, you've been laying in bed all week. It's about time your body did some physical activities." she purred. I gulped, my heart beat rising.

"U-uh..." I start, but I'm cut off as Twilight's lips lock onto mine.

Once again, Doctor X-Ray has that nagging feeling from earlier, this time at a stronger level.

"Nurse, take over." he says, ripping off his surgical mask and looking to Nurse Redheart.

"E-Excuse me?!" Redheart asks, stupefied.

"There's a patient disobeying my orders. I must find them." X-Ray heroically says as he struts out of the surgery theater, leaving Redheart and the other nurses struck dumb. Their jaws were dropped and the room was silent, until the heart monitor began to flat line.

"Now, which pony is not listening to me?" X-Ray asks himself as the sliding doors to Ponyville General open to allow him out. His gaze stares out over Ponyville as he stands there, the breeze kicking up and rustling his mane a bit.

"Oh! GAH! T-Twilight!" I protest, but the mare simply giggles in response to my proclamations. I try my best to avoid her as she crawls around under the bedsheets, like a linen great white shark.

"Heeerrrreee pony pony pony..." Twilight calls out in a taunting manner. I feel a nip at my leg, causing me to cry out in surprise and to bolt out of the bed. Twilight sits up, her outline being shown under the sheets. Her face pops out from the sheets and she looks at me with a predators' glare. "Get back here..."

"That's a large no can do." I say, starting for the door. In an instant, Twilight giggles and pounced me, her hooves crashing into my back. I'm thrown out the door, landing on my stomach. My bony and metal wings start flapping on basic instinct to try and fly away, but I was achieving little to no lift. "TWILIGHT! I'M SUPPOSE TO BE HEALING!" I proclaim loudly. Suddenly, I'm flipped onto my back; my wings being pinned underneath. I try and crawl away until something inside the room stops me.

"Oh. I see what you're going for..." I say as an idiot grin spreads across my lips.

The nagging has gotten worse; almost to a point where it seemed like X-Ray's head would split in half from the pressure building up.

"Gotta find them...gotta find them!" he says as he runs through Ponyville. Ponies had tried to stop him along his route, asking if he was alright. X-Ray paid no mind to them and continued his hunt for the disobedient patient. As he entered the southern portion of Ponyville, his horn began to tingle. He ignited his magic on the spot and turned his head. As he panned, the magic intensified in the direction of Golden Oaks' Library.

"Got you."

"I had no idea magic could do that." I say simply. Twilight gulps and giggles a little.

God how that giggle was adorable.

"But what I wanna know, is how does a shut-in like you, know so much about the 'Dance with No Pants'?" I ask her, sitting up onto my elbows.

"Well, when one is bored and rather lonely at points in her life, she tends to brush up on a Pony's more...instinctive side." she simply says, giving a smirk to me. "Books have taught me a great deal of topics, both academic and 'recreational'." she says, using air quotes with her hooves.

"Damn girl. Book worm turned naughty secretary." I say with a chuckle. Twilight was about to respond when the bedroom window burst apart.

"Patient zero-one-fifteen! You haven't been following my advice, have you!?" X-Ray bellowed angrily, his horn surging with a great deal of magic, a vein threatening to burst on his forehead.

"O-oh...hi Doc..." I say with a gulp. One of X-Ray's eyes twitched madly. His magic surges and he envelopes me, lifting me and throwing me onto the bed. Suddenly, leather straps latched down on me, securing me to the bed.

"NO MOVING! Have a nice day now!" X-Ray said with a sudden change of attitude, from livid to cheerful and pleasant. My face was a blank expression, as was Twilight's.

"Wat." the mare simply said.

"I...have no idea...I thought you said doctors didn't have a sixth sense." I say. Twilight shrugs and looks out the window.

"I guess X-Ray is an exception."

All across Equestria, doctors of various fields leave their homes or places of work to hunt down their patients, rage seething and boiling in their minds as their sixth sense kicks in, directing the medical ponies to their destinations.

"Anyway, which book did you want?" Twilight asks. It took me a couple of seconds to remember what the hell she was talking about.

"Oh! Um, something on ancient Equestria. I'd like to read on how you guys were during the medieval era." I say, pointing to the 'History' section of the book shelf. Twilight's magic envelopes a book called Equestrian Knights: A History to Medieval Equestria. As the book floats over, Twilight adjusts the leather strap to allow my arms freedom.

"I SAID-" X-Ray suddenly yells.

"OH, KNOCK IT OFF! I'M GIVING THE POOR GUY A BOOK! GO COUNT PILLS OR SOMETHING!" Twilight angrily retorts, creating a new window with her magic and sealing the doctor out. A quite 'Sorry' is heard outside. "Now then, here's your book. If you want, I can go and make you some tea, okay?" Twilight asks. I nod and reach up for a kiss. Twilight obliges and returns it, turning around and taking her leave from the bedroom.

Cracking open the book, I laid there and began to read.

About twenty minutes later, Twilight returns to the room with a cup of tea in a levitation field next to her. By now, my snout is buried in the book as I read.

"Here's your tea." Twilight says, setting the drink on the nightstand. She smiles a bit, looking at me as I read. "Try not to fall asleep on the book. They don't make for great pillows." Twilight jokes, taking her leave once more.

For the rest of the night, I was eyeball deep in tales of ancient plagues, chivalrous knights, wars that were waged, and scientific breakthroughs in medicine and personal hygiene.

War Games

My finger itches.

Really itches.

Like, really itches.

Like, it itches so bad, it feels like there's a colony of fire ants crawling up and down my nerves.

Wanna know which finger is itchy?

My trigger finger.

"Twilight, I have an idea." I simply say during breakfast. Twilight looks at me and raises an eyebrow at me.

"Oh? And what idea is this?" she asks me.

"War games."

"I'm sorry?"

"War games."

"Care explaining? Equestria isn't exactly the waring nation." Twilight says rolling a hoof at me.

"It's simple. Break the earth ponies, pegasai, and unicorns into three armies. Give them pellet guns, armor, and equipment, make Ponyville the battlefield, set up about five objectives, then just wage war."

"Uhm, you do realize that this could potentially bring up the feelings of old? Do I have to explain the origin of Hearth's Warming to you?" she asks, giving me a glare.

"Look, you see this finger?" I ask her, showing her my index finger.

"Yes, I see it."

"It itches like crazy. Back home, I'd spend hours on end playing Battlefield. I've gone too long without holding my XBox controller. I need to do something to relieve my trigger finger." I say, starting up a small pout and puppy eyes. Twilight and I lock gazes; hers' calculating and precise. Mine, pleading, but with the fires of war behind the innocence.

"Fine. I'm going to need you to draw up some diagrams for the things we need, seeing as how you're the expert on this sort of thing." Twilight says leaning back and taking a bite of wheat bacon. I give a fist pump of victory, stand up from the table, and retreat to my bedroom to start the drawings.

* * *

A couple of hours later, I emerged from the confines of my bedroom. In my arms, rolls upon rolls of weapon specs and other items sat. Dark bags hung under my eyes as I walked down the hall and into the kitchen. Twilight watches as I approach the table and put the diagrams on top of it.

"There. All finished. I only stuck to the basics: rifles, pistols, grenades, and combat armor." I say as I flop down into one of the chairs. Twilight's horn flares up and takes one of the diagrams, unrolling it and looking it over.

"Hmmm...simple, yet complex. I can see if Blacksmith can get these started up. When do you want the battle to happen?" she asks, floating out a planner and quill.

"Two weeks from today. Go around and get ponies to sign up in that time and such. I can get the flags. We're going to need eighteen total, six for each army." I say as she writes down the information.

"I can get Stitch and Needle to start on the flags. How big?"

"As big as town halls' flag."

"Alright. Anything else?"

"Food and drink. Ponies are gonna get hungry and thirsty out there."

"Well, that's a given. Anything else?"

"Flashlights. I intend for this battle to go for a full day, both daytime and nighttime."

"Alright. I believe that should do it. Go get some sleep, sweetie." she says trotting over and giving me a kiss on the cheek. I return the gesture and retreat back to my bedroom to sleep.

* * *

~Two weeks later~

Town Square is alive. Almost everypony who lives in Ponyville has signed up for this battle. One of the flag poles sits at the very center of Town Square, surrounded by sandbag barricades. The other five poles have been set up at each of the Element's homes. I stand on a stage, microphone in hand. I watch as the ponies chatter amongst themselves, eager to start. Beside me, one of Rarity's mannequins stands, adorned in a set of combat BDUs, heavily modeled after the US uniform in Battlefield 4. With a tap of the mic, everypony quiets and I speak.

"Soldiers, I welcome you to the Siege of Ponyville. The siege will last for twenty-four hours. Daytime and nighttime combat is expected. If you get tired, Sweet Apple Acres is offering Sanctuary for food and drink; but be warned, it is the location of Objective Charlie, so be on the look out. Each of you will be put into an army based on your race; Earth Pony, Pegasai, and Unicorn. The uniform to my left is an example of what the Earth ponies will be wearing. As for the Pegasai and Unicorns, your uniforms have been modified to conform to your unique features and abilities." I explain, turning and grabbing my AK 5C Carbine.

"This is known as an 'airsoft gun'. It shoots plastic pellets. We have various weapons made for you, based on how you want to play. You can be stealthy and use a sniper," I say grabbing a L96A1. "Or destructive and cause mayhem," I continue, switching the sniper for a M60E3. "Or supportive and provide cover to your teammates." I say grabbing a MX4 now. "The rules are simple. The armies will fight for the six objectives scattered around Ponyville. The objectives are as follows: Alpha is located at the Golden Oaks Library. Bravo is at Carousel Boutique. Charlie is at Sweet Apple Acres. Delta is at Fluttershy's Cottage. Echo is at Sugar Cube Corner. And Foxtrot is located near Rainbow Dash's' home. As I said before, the siege will last for twenty-four hours with breaks provided. Now, I've already assigned Commanders to your armies. Unicorns, you will report to Commander Sparkle and Captain Rarity. Pegasai, you will be lead by Commander Dash and Captain Fluttershy. As for the Earth Ponies, Commander Applejack and Captain Pie are your officers. Report to your commanders and get suited up. The Siege of Ponyville starts in an hour." As I finish, I stand rigid and give them all a crisp salute. The ponies return it, their faces set with determination.

"Gods' speed, ladies and gentlecolts. Gods' speed." I say. I dismiss the salute and the ponies do the same, some beginning to go off to their Commanders. I watch as Twilight shifts her duties to Rarity and trot over to me.

"You have that look." she says with a smirk.

"What look?" I ask innocently.

"That you like how things are going. Ready for a fight?" she asks, her tone going to one of a challenge.

"Hah! I was born ready for this. You're all going to get crushed." I say, producing my own flag. It was a steel gray set of wings set on a black background.

"Rouge element?" Twilight asks as I fold away the flag into my backpack.

"Exactly. However, I'm not opposed to helping out somepony if they need it." I say, giving her a wink. Twilight giggles and sighs. She rears up onto her rear legs, places her forelegs on my shoulders, and nuzzles me.

"Good luck sweetie." she says, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Same to you Twilight." I say hugging her. Twilight lets go of me and turns, trotting away. "Because you're all going to need it." I say, my voice determined as the flames of war grow into fires of conquest behind my eyes.

* * *

Siege of Ponyville. Zero Hour. 24.00.00 Hours remain.

23.59.59

23.59.58

23.59.57...

Ponyville is quiet.

Too quiet.

I scan about, keeping my L96A1 raised to my shoulder. I approach a corner and peak around, only to see that the intersection is clear. I sprint to the next street over, checking my corners. I duck back and watch as a flight of three pegasai fly overhead, their gazes towards the ground. Once they pass, I book it towards Objective Alpha. I keep my eyes on the rooftops, weary for snipers and machine gunners. As I reach the flag pole, I pull out my flag and tie it to the rope, pulling it up to the top. The metal clips give a small tink! as they reach the top of the pole.

Gunshots.

I dive into one of the bushes, peaking out.

More gunshots, more distant this time. A voice yells an order I can't make out. Mare? Possibly a stallion giving the order. I watch as a squad of five Earth Ponies turn the corner about five hundred feet away.

"Aw man, the Merc already claimed Alpha!"

"Shhh! He could still be around!"

"Are you kidding me? The place is empty. Come on, let's go switch out the flag." At this, I shorten the stock of my rifle, barely poking the rifles' barrel out from the bush. I peak through the scope, my cross hairs landing on the commanding bucks' head as he approaches the flag pole.

"The drop is going to kill me..." I mutter to myself. My finger rests on the trigger, lightly squeezing it, about to fire. The buck approaches the flag pole, pulling out the Earth Pony Army flag and beginning to lower my flag.

"See? I told you guys! It's empty!" the buck boasts.

"Drop." I say. My finger pulls the trigger, the rifle letting out a small crack! as the pellet goes flying and impacts on the bucks' chest.

"Wha-!? Oh come on!" he yells, throwing down his rifle.

"Sniper!" yells the mare of the squad. The other four dive for cover, occasionally poking their heads up and scanning the area.

Crack! Second in command goes down.

"Fan out! He's around her somewhere!" orders the mare. She and the other two abandon their cover, their rifles panning around with their gaze.

Crack!

"Celestia damn it, I'm out!" yells the buck as he turns and leaves.

"Malt, stay close..." orders the mare. The buck, Malt I presume, falls into line behind the mare as they approach the flag.

"Buck, Berry, we've got company!" yells Malt as he gestures to the skies. Five pegasai, lead by Dash, dive bomb the two Earth Ponies, their riles raining pellets down on them. Berry Punch ditches Malt, making a dash for the flag pole. "Sorry Malt!" she calls. The pegasai leave the area, swooping around for another attack run I presume. I watch as Malt leaves and Berry Punch begin exchanging the flags. Grabbing my M9, I step out of the bushes.

"Ahem." I say, aiming the pistol at the mare.

"Wha-!? YOU!" she yells, raising her rifle. My the time it's aimed at me, a pellet has already impacted on her shoulder.

"Out." I say with a smirk. Berry Punch lets out a torrent of obscenities and storms off. I raise the flag to full mast, watching as it flutters happily in the breeze. The sounds of war have escalated now, the sounds of shots and yells filling the skies from all over.

"Ah, I love a good fight." I say, reloading the L96A1, and leaving Objective Alpha.

Come Kingdom Come

Night had fallen on the land, cloaking Ponyville in a shroud of Luna's magnificent night. In the skies above, stars twinkled happily. Night creatures were out and about, foraging for food and exploring their dark surroundings. On the crest of a hill, Sweet Apple Acres stood, the barn house silhouetted against the dark skies. At the tip of the barn, the Pegasai Army flag barely fluttered in the light breeze. Near the treeline of the West Orchard, a couple of bushes rustled. A lone silhouette stood from the bushes, tall and moderately built. In the figures' grasp, sat a suppressed Famas with a IRNV scope, a Green Light Laser joining in on the accessories party. Harry moved silently from the treeline, onto the freshly plowed dirt, keeping low and fast. He could see snipers on the various rooftops of the farm buildings, one of them taking off and their changing position.

Harry crept under the picket fence that surrounded the main part of the homestead, keeping his stomach close to the ground as he crawled. Standing from his crawl, Harry made a beeline for the closest shadow he could and peaked around the corner.

Three guards, all surrounding the flagpole for Objective Charlie. He could faintly smell apple fritters being made in the distance; most likely the small camp for those seeking a break from the war games. One of the pegasai guards yawned, smacking his lips as he shifted his stance.

"How much longer will we have to stay here?" asks a mare, another pegasai.

"Until Commander Dash relieves us of duty. Which I hope is soon..." mutters the other pegasai.

"Then it's your lucky day!" Harry yelled out from his hiding spot. Immediately, the pegasai guards raised their airsoft rifles, slowly gazing about.

"Who's there? I don't recognize your voice!" yells the stallion.

"Oh me? I'm nopony important." Harry says. Immediately, he lunges from the shadows, his Famas firing in bursts.

One.

Two.

One takes off, spraying the area with pellets.

Three.

The pegasai walked past Harry, angrily muttering dark curses under their breath as they passed him. Harry simply chuckles and takes out his own flag, approaching the flag pole. A couple of minutes later, the flag for the Pegasai Army was lowered, and Harry's replaced it, slightly fluttering in the nighttime breeze. Standing back, Harry watched with a smug smile as he reloaded the clip of his Famas and pulled back the firing pin.

The sounds of clapping hooves was heard behind him.

"Wow dude, I'm surprised you've survived this long!" Rainbow says, her tone with fake honesty.

"Well, it comes from countless hours on video games." Harry says, turning to face the cyan mare. She stood alone, an PDW-R slung over her back. A smug smile sat on her lips, the gleam of action in her gaze.

"Well, I'm sorry to say, but this is where you end." she says. In a blur of movement, she un-slings her PDW-R and begins spraying pellets at Harry. The stallion dives aside, his Famas tossed aside, his M1911 replacing it. Single shots mixed with burst shots through the air as Harry dived behind a barrel, reloading his clip. Dash was laughing in happiness as she took off into the night sky. Scrambling for the assault rifle, Harry held it to his shoulder and aimed up at the skies.

"Come on...where are ya'...?"

"Next to you!" Dash cries, slamming Harry from the side, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Hooves clashed with hands as the two scrambled over each other. Dash would have Harry pinned at times, trying to bring her sidearm to bear on him. But at the last second, Harry would have Dash pinned under him as he attempted to do the same. Slowly, a crowd was drawing around the two, watching as they grunted and yelped.

"Come on Dash! Give it up! I've got the upper-hand; literally!" Harry says as he stands and pins Dash to the wall of the barn. Dash yelps in pain as she slams into the wood.

"Not a chance buddy! See, I've got a trick up my hoof!" Dash proclaims, bucking the stallion in the gut, forcing him backwards. Immediately, Dash reached into her saddlebag and produced a small vial of a ruby liquid.

"What's that?" Harry asks, catching his breath.

"A small something Twilight cooked up to fight you with." Dash says as she uncorks the vial and chugs the liquid down. In mere seconds, Dashs' body became a source of white light.

Her rear legs began to extend, along with her forearms. Her torso began to become more defined and toned as her shoulders became a bit more broad as he neck shrank a bit. In a flash of light, Dash stood there as a well toned anthro-pony; just like Harry, clad in olive green Army fatigues and a WWII style helmet.

"Aw yeah! This body rocks! Ready for round two?" she asks. But before Harry could answer, Dash was on him, and the two were on the ground again. Fists clashed once again as the two resumed their tussle in the dirt.

On the horizon, Celestia's sun began to rise, signalling that the Siege of Ponyville was coming to an end.

Dash and Harry kept fighting, their sidearms occasionally going off as they tried to get each other out. With a firm buck to her chest, Harry sent Dash skidding back. Rainbow remained on her knees, wincing in pain as she held her arms around her chest.

"Ouch dude! Too hard!" Dash complained as she cupped her B-Cup breasts. "Almost damaged the goods, bro!" she continued. Harry's cheeks went ruby red in seconds as he reloaded his M1911, but discovered he had no more clips. Dash snickered at this and attempted to reload her P226, but also discovering she had no clips left.

"I'm empty." Harry says.

Dash growls and throws down the sidearm. "Me too. What about your rifle?" she asks. Harry looks over to his Famas, which somehow had gotten dented in their tussle.

"Out of commission." he says, with a snarl. Dash sighs and holds up the back half of her broken PDW-R.

"Same. So, how are we going to end this?" she asks. Harry looked to the rising sun and smirked.

"Arm wrestle?" he suggests. Dash raises and eyebrow. "I'll explain. Get something to sit on, times' running out." Harry says walking over to a barrel and putting it right-side up. Dash grabbed a small crate and plopped it on the ground, sitting on top of it. Harry did the same, sitting on a medium sized log. "Alright, we put our arms up here," he says, placing his arm on the top of the barrel, the elbow planted firmly to the wood, his hand opened in the air. Dash repeats the gesture and looks at him. "Then we lock hands," he says, taking Dashs' hand lightly into his. Rainbow lightly blushes and continues looking at him. "Then we tense our muscles and clasp tightly around each others hand. The objective is to get the other persons' hand to bend down and over the edge. Got it?" he asks.

"I think so. Come on, I'm ready to end this." Dash says, her cocky grin pulling at her lips. Harry smirks and tightens his grip on Rainbow's hand.

"Go."

Muscles flared up as their hands clenched tightly around each other. Their arms shook with the tension building in their biceps and triceps. Dash winced a bit as her arm began to fall down to her right. Harry's eyes glimmered with victory as she slowly descended in his grasp.

"I can still win this!" Dash proclaims, grabbing their hands with her free one, trying to gain more leverage.

"That's cheating Dash. One hand only!" Harry says, pulling her other one away with his. Dash was struggling at this point, her arm was shaking with so much tension.

"Well, Twilight told me of one way that can beat you..." she mutters, biting her lip in slight pain.

"And what is that?" Harry asks.

Dash simply stares at him, their eyes locked. Then, in a blur of movement, and a sickening crack, Dash tackled Harry to the ground, her lips locked to his. However, this only lasted a couple of seconds, because Rainbow immediately stood up and massaged her arm.

Harry simply laid on the ground, dumbstruck, not even registering at the fact that his right arm was now broken.

"That's how. Don't expect anymore either, bub!" Dash says, pointing down at him. Harry's eye was twitching and Dash knelt down a bit, her hands on her knees. "You okay bro?"

"Arm...broken...fuuuuuck..." Harry says simply.

By now, the sun had fully risen, signalling that the Siege of Ponyville had officially ended. By the end of the twenty-four hours, it was a close victory, with the Unicorn Army coming out on top as the victors.They had captured four of the six objectives, keeping them firmly secured. Commanders Twilight and Rarity were given small medals of victory in the town square later that evening by Mayor Mare. Harry had gone to the hospital and gotten his arm into a cast. Twilights' spell had since finished, leaving Rainbow in her equine form once again. She had gone to Twilight to try and get some more, but the lavender mare had denied the pegasus of anymore.

Right now, Harry was laying in his bed, using a backscratcher to relieve himself of an itch under his cast. As he worked the backscratcher around, Twilight entered his room, a smug smile on her lips.

"Oh hi. Come to gloat?" Harry asks in a joking manner.

"Nope, I simply come to see you. And something else." she says. Harry was about to ask when her horn flared up, enveloped her in a white glow, and vanished, leaving her anthro, wearing a baggy t-shirt and booty shorts.

"Uhhh..." Harry begins. Twilight pulls out a roll of duct tape and pulls a length of it, an evil smile on her lips.

"This is where the loser gets his punishment."

Beach Day

"Oh please, the duct tape wasn't that bad! Was it...?" Twilight asks nervously, pressing her forehooves together. Harry simply sat there scowling as he felt his reddened arms.

"Twilight, you practically waxed my entire body with duct tape! Everything burns! Even an area that isn't suppose to burn!" Harry says as he stands up, wincing a bit. His toffee coat was missing in places, patches of red skin showing through. Most of the damage was on his arms and legs however.

"Sorry...it was something I wanted to try..." Twilight says hanging her head. Harry kneels down and pats her head affectionately, giving a small smile.

"I'm not mad Twilight. Besides, I can cover up with long sleeved clothes." Harry says. Twilight just looks at him.

"Harry, it's the middle of the summer. Today is the hottest day in Equestria history! You'd have a heat stroke within five minutes. And I don't want that to happen to my coltfriend." Twilight says nuzzling him a bit.

"Hottest day of the year, eh?" Harry asks. He could smell the salt water already.

"Yes, why?" Twilight asks, raising an eyebrow.

"What would you say to a day at the beach?" Harry asks her. Twilight puts a hoof to her chin, thinking it over.

"Well...I suppose we cou- How are you already changed?" Twilight asks suddenly. Harry stood before her clad in a surfing shirt and tropical camo swimming shorts. A large smile was plastered on his face.

"Don't question it. Get the others; we're going to the beach! Quick! To the Harry-Mobile!"

Nothing.

"I'm sorry, but was something suppose to happen there?" Twilight asks, slightly confused.

"Yeah, a cheesy transition with upbeat music." Harry says hanging his head in defeat. "Come on, let's just go..."

A couple of hours later at the beach.

A pink blur splashed into the water with the force of a Battleship round. The plume of water rose, then cascaded down onto the ponies down below, soaking them to the bone.

"PINKIE!" roars Rainbow Dash as she tries to shake herself of the water. Pinkie Pie bobs to the surface, spits out some water, and grins widely with a small giggle.

"Oops! Sorry Dashie! Try not to be on the splash-zone next time!" Pinkie says, diving back into the abyss. Rainbow grumbles darkly and returns to her towel. Seeing it was still soaked, she cursed some more and picked it up with her teeth, taking flight to dry it off. Harry chuckled a bit and returned to his book, smiling a bit as he read with Twilight next to him, also reading. Rarity and Fluttershy were sunbathing on their back, adorning sunglasses, while Spike was building a rather impressive sandcastle. A pink fluff of hair poked from the water, slowly approaching the shore. Spike hummed happily as he packed in the sand to build up the sandcastle.

A sharp whistle was heard.

Spike looked about, looking for the source of the whistle. Shrugging, he returned to the sandcastle.

A shadow loomed behind him.

"Hey Spike."

Spike turned and shaded his eyes with his hand. "Pinkie? What is it?"

"I'm Godzilla." Pinkie says simply.

"Wha- PINKIE NO!" Spike cries out. Pinkie had leapt into the air, briefly hovered over the sandcastle, then fell full force onto it. Spike was sent tumbling away in the mini-sandstorm the crazy mare created. Once the sand settled, Pinkie was rolling around and laughing like a mad mare. Spike huffed a bit and pouted, crossing his arms.

"Easy you two. Don't need anypony to be hurt now." Twilight says, looking up from the book. By this time, Rainbow had returned and laid out her towel. She stepped on it and turned around a couple times, before plopping down and returning to her nap once more.

"Aww, that was adorable." Harry says with a chuckle. Twilight smiles and looks at him.

"Harry, do you know why I tied you up in duct tape?" she asks.

"I guess because I lost the Siege?" he suggests. Twilight simply chuckles and her horn flares up, enveloping the umbrella above them. The multi-colored parasol landed on its' side, covering the mare and stallion.

"Because I know you kissed Rainbow! Harry, how could you do such a thing?" Twilight asks, her voice grave.

"Look, she kissed me, trying to throw me off and win the fight. I didn't do anything, okay? I was simply trying to win and she cheated." Harry says, pointing at her. "And that drink you gave her was an unfair advantage. She really packed a punch as a human." Harry says scowling a bit. Twilight sighs and looks away.

"Alright, I believe you. But if I hear that anything like that happens again, there will be issues. Got it?" Twilight asks. Harry grumbles in response and Twilight runs a hoof up his exposed back, making his boney wings go rigid. "I said, got it?" she asks, purring in his ear.

"Y-Yes!" Harry squeaks, his cheeks ablaze.

"Good! Now, when are you going to get your wings fixed? It's been a while since the metal went in, hasn't it?" Twilight asks.

"Yeah, yeah. The flight surfaces should be ready by tomorrow. I'll go to the blacksmiths' tomorrow and pick them up."

"Good! No offense, but you look kind of, well...off...without your full wings." Twilight says looking to the exposed bones and ligaments that the flight surfaces were usually bolted to.

"Yeah, I kinda miss the full effect that happens when I flare them." Harry says, flexing the bones a bit. The umbrella returned to its' upright position, covering them from the sun again.

"HEY GUYS! LOOK WHAT I FOUND!" Pinkie shrieks. All her friends look out to the ocean and gawk in surprise and shock at what was sitting in the water.

An Iowa-Class Battleship sat there. With Pinkie on the highest point of the conning tower. Wearing an admirals' hat and grinning madly.

"PINKIE! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT!?" Harry screams. Pinkies' response came in the form of the two forward turrets aiming at the shallow waters, the three barrels on each turret staring the shore down with black holes.

"INCOMING!" Pinkie shrieks. The forward turrets roared to life, sending six 16'' shells into the shallows, resulting in a massive tidal wave that crashed onto the shore. The others had only a second to scream before they were engulfed by the water.

And Pinkie was just rolling around on the deck, having fallen from the conning tower, laughing her ass off.

* * *

Once Pinkie Pie was sent home to Sugar Cube Corner in a straight jacket, the others had said their good-byes and returned to their own homes. Harry and Twilight entered Golden Oaks Library, with Harry carrying a shell shocked Spike. The baby dragon shuddered and stuttered as Harry took him upstairs and laid him in his bed. Returning downstairs, Harry went to his room, got a change of clothes and entered the bathroom for a shower. Once he was finished, he emerged and went into the kitchen, where Twilight was sitting at the table.

"We need to talk." she says simply. Harry gulps and sits opposite of his marefriend, who was staring at him from over her hooves.

"I've been thinking, and I think it was that mega-splash Pinkie had done that caused this..." Twilight says. Harry begins to tense up, waiting for the break-up bomb.

"And I came to the conclusion..." she went on.

"Oh fuck, here it comes. Well, it's good to be back in Singlesville! Population: Me!"

"That we should allow others into our relationship." Twilight finishes. Harry stares at her, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"You mean, like, let others date us? At the same time while we're dating?" Harry asks. Twilight nods happily.

"Yup! That way, we can fool around with others while staying with each other!" Twilight says with eagerness in her voice.

Harry leans forward a bit, the look of confusion still present.

"So you're saying I could bang your friends and you'd be completely cool with that?" Harry asks. Twilight grins and bites her lip.

"You wouldn't be the only one fooling around with her friends." Twilight says with a giggle. Harry's ears shoot up and his cheeks erupt into a blaze.

"W-well...I guess it couldn't hurt to try this out..." Harry says, scratching the back of his head.

"Good! Because there's more news!" Twilight says with a wide grin.

"And that is...?" Harry asks warily.

"I'm Pregnant."

Buzz Buzz Buzz

"I'm pregnant."

Harry sat in stunned silence as he stared at Twilight from across the table. The pony in question had a massive smile on her face as she bobbed side to side a bit in happiness. Realizing Harry hadn't responded for a good five minutes, Twilight's face fell a bit to a nervous grin, then to a frown.

"Y-You're not...mad, are you...?" she asks him, scared as to what his answer will be. Harry simply shook his head and stood up from the kitchen table and walking out of the kitchen. Twilight could hear the Library's front door open, then close gently as Harry left the building. She would've started to weep, had it not been for the massive cheer she heard from outside.

"HOLY SHIT! I'M GONNA BE A DAD! FUCK YEAH!"

Twilight's fears immediately vanished and she began to smile again as Harry re-entered the kitchen with a large smile on his face.

"W-What do we have to start planning?" he asks, trying to gain control of his excitement. Twilight giggles at his attitude and sighs happily.

"Well, we'll have to wait until I get checked out by the doctor to see how many we're going to have. Then we'll plan from there. Okay?"

"Yeah! Sounds like a plan! When do you plan on going in?" Harry asks taking a seat now.

"Sometime next week." Twilight says putting her hooves together. "However, I would greatly appreciate it if you can work a tad bit harder at your toy stand. Can you do that for me?" she asks sweetly.

"No problem Twilight. I agree too, sales have been kind of suffering a bit lately, and I've got some orders I need to complete." Harry says as he runs a hand through his messy mane.

"I would just like to have a bit of financial security before the foals arrived, you know?" Twilight says with a small smile.

"As does every couple when they're expecting kids. However..." Harry says, his voice trailing off and going a bit grim.

"What is it?"

"This was technically out of wedding lock...w-would we have to g-get married...?" He asks, nervousness coming in with a slight blush in his cheeks. Twilight's lips form a small 'o' as her eyes go wide.

"Oh...You're right...w-would you want too?" she asks, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. Harry bobs his head around a bit, his eyes rolling up in thought to the ceiling.

"Y-yeah, eventually. How about we take this one step at a time?" he suggests. "Don't want to be overwhelmed by too much right now." he says in a reasonable tone. Twilight nods in agreement and sighs happily. Standing up from her seat, she went over to Harry and reared up to put her hooves on his shoulders. She gave him a small peck and loving nuzzle, which Harry returns, in addition to a scratch behind Twilight's ear.

"I've got to go and tell the girls the news, okay? Maybe we can get together for lunch?" Twilight suggests.

"Yeah, that sounds nice. I've just gotta get some of those B-17 toys done and shipped off. How about that Cafe next to the salon?" He asks. Twilight nods happily and begins to trot away.

"Meet you there around noon then. Have fun!" she calls as she leaves the library.

"You too!" Harry calls. Once the library door closed, Harry cleaned up the dishes and went into the basement to where his small toy assembly area was. Sitting down at the bench, he pulled out his iPod and began to play some music as he picked up a half-carved wooden block that was half on it's way to becoming a B-17. Picking up the whittling knife, Harry's sight went to tunnel vision as he began to gently carve out the details of the aircraft.

* * *

When 11:15 rolled around, Harry reclined from the wooden airplane and rubbed his tired eyes. Grabbing his iPod and silencing it, he left the basement and went into the bathroom. After slashing some water on his face, he dried off and grabbed his wallet and left the library. As he entered the town's Market area, Harry had a sudden idea.

"Hello there! It's always nice to see a new face around here! What kind of flowers are you looking for?" Rose Luck asks as she watches Harry approach her little flower stall.

"Hello. I'm looking for a small bouquet of roses." Harry says as he looks at the small display stand of flowers and the various arrangements. He was slightly taken aback at the vibrant colors that glistened in the sunlight.

"Oh? Is that so? Let me guess, they're for your marefriend?" Rose Luck asks. "Or a Coltfriend?" she asks suddenly, raising her eyebrow a bit with a small smirk.

"What? Oh, no. They're for my marefriend." Harry says with a small chuckle.

"Just had to ask, can never tell nowadays who's swinging for the same team." Rose Luck replies with a small giggle. "Well, a my smallest bouquet if four roses at fifteen bits. What do ya' say?" Rose Luck asks.

"I'll take it." Harry says, reaching for his wallet and pulling out a Twenty Bit coin. Rose Luck happily accepts the coin, gives Harry a Five Bit coin in return as change, and drops down behind her stall and produces the roses. Once he had them in hand, Harry put them to his snout and took a large inhale of the fresh flowers.

"Mmm...these smell- what the!?"

A large bumble bee had found its' way onto Harry's snout from inside the bunch.

And it had stung him.

With a roll of his eyes, Harry collapsed to the ground.

* * *

"Oh no oh no oh no! Please wake up, sir!"

"Whaaaaa...?"

"Sir? Are you alright?!" Rose Luck asks. Harry grunts and sits up onto his elbows. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was inside a small apartment. He was laid out on a rather small couch; which in reality was a recliner chair. To his left, a rather worry stricken Rose Luck looked at him with her ruby eyes.

"W-Where am I...?" Harry asks with a small slur in his voice.

"Oh thank the Goddess! I thought you had died!" Rose Luck says, taking a sigh of relief and drooping her head. Looking back up, Rose Luck continued. "I took you back to my place. I didn't exactly have medicine on site to treat the bee sting. It was a fat bee too! Had to be the size of a strawberry!" Rose Luck says as she trots away, returning seconds later with a small dish. "I mean, look at the size of this stinger!" she says, leaning forward to show Harry the stinger she had plucked from his nose.

"Good lord almighty!" Harry exclaims picking it up with his index finger and thumb. After he looked it over and put it back, he felt his snout. "I-It's not all swollen, is it?" he asks nervously.

"No, thankfully. I think it was just the shock of being stung that made you pass out. You aren't allergic, are you?" she asks.

"Not that I recall." Harry says with a sigh. "How long was I out?" he asks.

"Um...about two, almost three hours?" Rose Luck says, putting her hoof to her chin in thought. Harry let out a loud groan and buried his face into his hands. "What's wrong?" Rose asks.

"I'm way late for my lunch date!" he says sadly. Rose puts a hoof on his shoulder and pats it gently.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll understand!" she says, trying to cheer him up.

"Well, with current events, she may not be easy to read." Harry says looking up.

"Why's that?" Rose Luck asks.

"Just found out that she's pregnant. That means she's going to be changing moods faster than a machine gun..." Harry says, his voice going shallow.

"Like a what?" Rose asks.

'Nevermind. Point is, she's gonna be a bit difficult and-"

SLAM!

"SO THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE!! GETTING YOUR LAST KICKS IN BEFORE THE KIDS ARRIVED I BET!" roars Twilight in the doorway.

"-Shit." Harry gulps.

"Oh! Is this your marefriend?" Rose asks cheerfully. "I didn't know you two were dating! Congrats on the kids!" Rose says, approaching Twilight. Twilight growls at Rose dangerously, making the cream mare back off suddenly.

"T-Twilight, I can explain." Harry says, getting up and raising is hands defensively.

"Stow it! You figured that because I'm pregnant, that you should go and fool with a fit mare before you had to deal with me being all bloated up like a balloon! I thought you loved me!" Twilight says accusingly.

"Twilight, I do! I was on the way to the cafe, and I decided to stop by and get you some flowers. After taking a small whiff of them, a massive bee stung me on the snout. Rose brought me back here to fix me up, but I never realized I had been here for three hours until a couple minutes ago." Harry explains. Twilight scoffs and glares.

"A most likely story!" she snarls.

"He's telling the truth, you know." Rose Luck pipes up.

"Shut it, flower bitch." Twilight snaps. Rose gasps and takes a couple of hurt steps back. "As for you, you can think twice about things between us." Twilight says, turning on a dime and storming out of Roses' apartment. Harry and Rose stood there in complete silence for a couple of minutes. Harry took a few steps forward, but was stopped by Rose Lucks' hoof.

"Let her cool off, dude. You said she's pregnant, right?" Rose asks. Harry nods quietly. "Then that was just the mood swings talking. After a while, she'll realize that it was all a mistake, and you two will be back on good terms!" Rose says with enthusiasm in her voice. Harry simply sat on the recliner and buried his face into his hands once again.

"I hope so..." he mutters sadly. Rose frowns and rubs his back gently, between the twin wing joints. Harry begins to slightly purr at this action and Rose giggles.

"Didn't know you were part cat." she says.

"Only when I'm being petted..." Harry mutters.

"Hey, if you want, you can spend the night here if you'd like. Give her some space and time to cool off.You can sleep in my room." Rose offers.

"Thanks. I think I'll take you up on that offer. But where will you sleep?" Harry asks.

"Oh, I'll sleep in here. I've done it plenty of times in the past, especially after my-" Rose suddenly cuts off, a blush so red that it matched her hair present on her cheeks. "U-Uh, moving on! I'll go and grab some take-out for dinner!" Rose says, suddenly speeding off out of her apartment.

"Uh, okay!" Harry calls, a tone of uncertainty and confusion in his voice. "Wonder what that was about..." he mutters. With a shrug, he simply returned to sulking.

* * *

After their take-out dinner, Harry and Rose took the time to get to know each other a bit more. Harry tried to explain where he came from as best as he could without burning Roses' brain out. Oddly enough, Rose was fascinated with the explanation of where he was originally from. Once 11:30 PM rolled around, Harry said goodnight to Rose and went to her bedroom.

And he would've slept perfectly fine that night...

If it weren't for the fact that Rose had suddenly gotten the urge to rut and have herself some 'Private Time'.

Harry laid awake until three-thirty in the morning, when the activities had finally settled down. "It's almost as bad as my parents..." Harry mutters into the darkness, remembering all the times his parents had kept them up with their nightly activities. After a while, Harry had finally passed out and fallen asleep around four in the morning, his eyelids sliding over his bloodshot eyes.

In the other room, Rose had woken up and yawned happily. With a pop of her back and neck, she hopped to her hooves and happily trotted down the hall to her bedroom. Opening the door and poking her head in, she spoke.

"GOOD MORNING!" Rose cried cheerfully.

"GET OUT! I DIDN'T SLEEP!" Harry roars. Rose scream and bolts away from the bedroom with frightening speed while screaming a "SORRY!" back to the sleep-demanding demon in her bedroom.

Keeping a Low Profile

"GET OUT!! I DIDN'T SLEEP!!!"

After the incident with the bee and Twilight, Harry had laid low for about a week or so. He had managed to gain entry to the Library and hide out downstairs as he finished his toy orders. Being down there, his paranoia was at an all time high, his ears swiveling at the sounds of Twilight's hooves stomping around angrily upstairs at times. At times, he could hear the sounds of others being with her. most likely her friends, as she talked to them and they tried to calm her down and speak some reason into her.

"Twi, Ah'm sure he had no plans ta' cheat on ya'." said Applejack with a reassuring tone.

"Then why was he at Rose Luck's place for three hours!?" Twilight screamed.

"Did he give a reason?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He said he was getting me some flowers when a bee stung him. Rose Luck took him to her place to fix him up. But I know that's a load of horseapples!" Twilight said.

"Uhm...Twilight...? Please calm down...you're having mood swings due to the pregnancy..." Fluttershy said quietly, barely enough for Harry to hear.

"I don't need to calm down! I am absolutely outraged!" Twilight said, stamping a hoof on the floor. This caused Harry to jump, making the whittling blade slip from the wood and across the outer side of his left index finger. Pain shot through Harry's hand as it opened up and started to bleed profusely. He bit down on his lip, trying to keep his cries of pain from escaping. Grabbing a nearby rag, he wrapped his finger in the rag and looked around for something to patch himself up with. Slowly, the rag began to go from a slightly dirty white, to a deep crimson.

"Fuck..." Harry muttered, not realizing that he had spoken slightly louder than he had intended.

"Did you hear something?" asked Twilight. Harry could tell that with that tone, she had an investigative look on her face. Harry could feel his blood run, well, out of his finger, as he became hyper-aware to the sounds of hooves moving from room to room upstairs. Harry spun around, looking for a place to hide. Unfortunately, the loss of blood made him slightly lightheaded and he stumbled, bashing into his work bench and falling over it.

"In the basement!" Twilight cried. Harry could hear the door opening as he scrambled into the darkness.

Unaware that the whittling knife was lodged into his left thigh.

Seeing the silhouette of the knife handle in the darkness, tears began to stream down Harry's cheeks as he bit his lip harder to keep quiet. Twilight soon came into view, her friends behind her, as they came down the stairs.

"What the-? This place is a mess!" Twilight said angrily. Her eyes scanned the wrecked work bench, landing on Harry's iPod. The black device was splattered with blood on it's screen protector. The took it up in a field of telekinesis and scrutinized the device. Suddenly, she took a lick of the blood and spat it out, a snarl on her lips. Fluttershy gasped a bit at her actions.

"Twilight! T-That's so unhealthy!" Fluttershy protested.

"He's here...it's his blood..." Twilight growled.

"Uh, how do you know what his blood tastes like...?" Rainbow Dash asked, a look of slight worry on her face.

"I may have bitten him once or twice in the past while making love." Twilight said nonchalantly. The others all looked at each other with shock and slight worry. "He's around here somewhere. Fan out." Twilight ordered. Slowly, the other mares all spread out, looking through the basement for Harry. Harry could feel his panic rising as he watched Fluttershy look around nearby. Slowly, she turned and titled her head as she stared into a small patch of darkness. She slowly approached, her gentle eyes squinting to try and make out what she was seeing. When she was a foot away, her jaw slightly dropped and her eyes widened.

Harry put a bloody finger to his lips, signalling for her to keep quiet. His uninjured hand reached across to his left thigh and took a grip on the whittling knife's handle. With a single jerk, he tried to remove the knife, but it had a firm hold in his thigh. Blood trickled from his lip as he bit harder, letting out a small squeak of pain as tears rolled down.

"Fluttershy? Did you find something?" Twilight asked from across the room.

"U-Uhm...w-w-well..." Fluttershy said quietly. Harry's eyes went wide with a sense of slight betrayal.

Suddenly, there was a lavender light glowing around Harry's right arm. Immediately, he was yanked out from his hiding spot. Harry screamed in pain as his wounded leg shifted. The bloodied rag fell away and plopped to the wood floor, Harry's hand a mix of toffee and blood.

"Found- oh Goddesses..." Twilight began, her lips held in a sneer. But at the sight of the state he was in, her sneer dropped, her jaw dropping in shock.

"Jeez! What did you do to yourself?" Rainbow Dash asked with a small gasp.

"Was working on orders...cut my finger after Twilight stomped her hoof. Then I scrambled to hide because I knew she was still mad at me..." he mumbled, weakness starting to claim him. "Ugh...I have a headache..."

"Harry...I'm sorry..." Twilight said with a sad tone.

"Apologies later...hospital now..." Harry muttered.

And with that, blackness immediately over took him as he passed out.

Settling In

~The next morning~

With a jolt, Harry woke up suddenly. Sunlight was pouring in through the windows into the Golden Oaks Library, brightening up the room. Rubbing his eyes and placing on his discarded glasses, Harry popped his back and smacked his lips. His eyes turned upwards as he saw that a piece of paper had stuck to his forehead and was now flopping over into his view. Snatching it, he removed the paper to see that there was a message on said paper.

"Dear Harry,

I'm sorry my questioning kept you up until four-thirty in the morning. If it helps at all, I too am exhausted. But! It was all in the name of science! Your home is such an interesting place! Anyway, if you are hungry when you wake up, there are some muffins in the pantry. Help yourself to them, and there is orange juice in the ice box.

If you need me, I'll be asleep in my room.

I advise you that you do not, under any circumstance, awaken me.

Things may end badly for you.

Yours truly,

Twilight."

With a sigh, Harry crumbled the paper in his fist and glanced to the clock, which was nearing eleven-thirty. With a grumble, Harry stood up from his seated position against the wall and shuffled into the kitchen, his stomach demanding food with a tremendous roar.

He wasn't one for mornings.

Or, afternoons. Whatever time it was, he didn't care for it when he woke up.

Entering the kitchen, Harry made a beeline for the pantry closet, opening it and looking for the muffins he was promised. Spotting them, he snatched up a brown sugar one and devoured the treat in a single bite.

One simple muffin isn't going to tame the beast that was raging in Harry's stomach.

Glancing around to make sure he was alone, Harry grabbed all the muffins he could and quickly stashed them into his cargo pants pockets. Afterwards, he realized his stomach was now sending demands for fluids to his brain.

"Coffee..." he muttered. Taking a look around the kitchen, Harry looked for any form of coffee making.

Eventually, nothing came up and he stood in the middle of the kitchen, his eye slightly twitching.

"I. Want. Coffee..." he growled as he exited the kitchen and approached the staircase. His gaze followed it up to a small hallway, that lead to his target. "Twilight..." he growled savagely.

One hoof on the base stair.

Then the other hoof on the next stair.

In a matter of seconds, Harry rushed up the wooden staircase and darted down the hall to Twilight's bedroom door. His hand gripped the doorknob tightly, and he turned it, taking care not to make a sound as he opened the door and entered the mare's room.

"I don't care if she said not to wake her. I want my damn coffee."

Tip-hoofing over to her bed, Harry watched as she rolled over, her sleeping face present to him. A sinister smile came across Harry's lips as a horrible idea came across his mind. Approaching her quietly, Harry extended one finger in a flashy style, placed it behind Twilight's exposed ear, and proceeded to give it a light scratch.

A mutter came from the sleeping unicorn.

Harry continued to scratch her ear, bringing a small smile to Twilight's lips. Soon, she had lifted her head to where Harry was giving her a really good scratch.

Harry's smile became a sneer of malicious intent.

Ever so quietly, he spoke to the sleeping mare.

"Twilight...~" he said in a sing-song tone.

"Hmmm...?" she responded.

"Wake up...your prince is here..." Harry continued. With a small, cute grunt, Twilight's eyes fluttered open and looked at Harry lazily.

"My prince..." she said. Immediately, Harry stopped scratching her ear and stared at her.

"I want my coffee." he said in a grim tone. Twilight's tired face slightly scrunched up into a look of confusion, and she blinked the sleep from her eyes. Opening them fully, Twilight gasped in surprise and sat up immediately, her face quickly going to one of anger.

"HARRY! I TOLD YOU NOT TO WAKE ME" she screeched. Harry's ears simply laid back against his head as her voice pierced the air. "I SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU NOT TO WAKE ME UP IN THE NOTE I LEFT YOU! DID YOU NOT EVEN READ IT!?" she continued.

"Yes, I read it. But I want coffee. And you don't have any. This is a serious problem." Harry replied calmly as he looked at the angry mare.

"A SERIOUS PROBLEM!? A. SERIOUS. PROBLEM!? WHAT IS COFFEE ANYWAY!?" she yelled.

Silence immediately fell upon the room. Harry stood up and turned his back to her.

"You are dead to me, as of this moment." he simply replied.

"EXCUSE ME!? IF YOU DON'T GET OUT NOW AND LET ME SLEEP, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP DEAD IN THE RIVER!" Twilight screamed, throwing a pillow at the back of Harry's head. The fluffy object simply bounced off him, not even bothering him.

"Is there a cafe nearby?" he asked calmly.

"DOWN THE STREET AND TO THE RIGHT!" Twilight yelled in a casual tone. "YOU GOT MONEY?"

"I'll just borrow some from you. I'll pay you back when I get a job." Harry said.

"DARN RIGHT YOU WILL! HAVE FUN AT THE CAFE! AND BRING ME BACK A CROISSANT!" replied the unicorn as she angrily grabbed her covers and rolled over, huffing as she laid back down. With a smile, Harry reached into a nearby coin bag, grabbed a handful of bits, then exited Twilight's room.

* * *

The skies above were shinning happily, but in the distance, a snow front was being built up by the Cloudsdale Weather Team. The grey clouds hung ominously in the blue skies, like a outcast at a really populated party; everyone can see them, but they're not making a move, just holding a red plastic cup filled with water.

Hands in his pockets, Harry strolled down the brightly decorated streets as he made his way to the cafe. As he walked, ponies around him gave him a smile, a nod, or a simple 'Hello'. Word must have gotten around that since he was with Celestia's prize student, then he must be alright. Giving a small wave or nod of his head, Harry returned the greetings to those he passed, some giving a curious, yet interested look at his hands.

In a nearby bush, a pair of binoculars were sticking out of the leaves, its' owner biting her lower lip as she watched her prey move his hands as he gave small waves.

Harry couldn't help the feeling that...

ROAR!

...That he was still incredibly hungry. Quickening his pace, Harry lightly jogged to the nearby cafe and entered the establishment. As he entered, his senses were assaulted by the smell of freshly ground coffee, baked goods, and the sounds of ponies happily chatting with friends. After waiting in line for a bit, Harry approached the counter.

"Hello! And welcome to Doughnut Joe's!" said the unicorn mare. Her smile seemed to brighten up the whole room. On her apron, a nametag read Sunny Fields. "Of course, nothing can beat the original Doughnut Joe's in Canterlot. How may I help you sir?" she asked.

"I'll take a medium and small coffee, and one croissant please." he replied, placing the required amount of payment on the counter.

"Coming right up sir! And may I please get your name?" Sunny asked happily.

"Harry." he replied, and in a flourish of magic, Sunny produced a black marker, wrote his name on both cups, and put the marker away.

"Alright, just step off to the side and wait for your order, and thank you for stopping by!" Sunny said happily as Harry gave a nod, stepped aside, and attended to the next customer. As Harry stood and waited for his order to be finished, a stallion with the cutie mark of a bottle of rum appeared from the back room to help with the orders. Taking a look at Harry, he watched as Harry looked about the room, mouthing various orders as he watched the ponies sip their coffees and teas.

"Oi, would ye' like a job 'ere?" he asked, his accent heavy on the Scoltish side. Snapping out of his trance, Harry looked at the stallion.

"What? Me?" he asked.

"No, ye' daft fool, yer' mother. Of course you! Ye' seem to kno' how a cafe runs." the stallion continued.

"Depends, what's the pay like? I'm new here and wanna get started on a new life immediately." Harry said. The stallion chuckled.

"Of course ye' new 'ere! We ne'ar saw te' likes of ye' before. As for the pay, I'll charge ye' a pound o' bits weekly."

"And how much is in a pound?" Harry asked.

"Oh, roughly three'undred an' seventy-five bits." replied the stallion. "An' tha' be minimum wage, laddie. So, wha'cha say? ye' in?"

"When can I start?" Harry asked. The stallion gave a hearty laugh now.

"Nex' week, if tha' be fine with you. Name's Scrumpy." said the stallion as he held out a hoof for a hoofshake. Harry immediately took it and gave it a firm shake.

"I'm Harry. Thanks for the job sir." he said. Scrumpy nodded and handed Harry his order.

"Take this, and be 'ere early Monday." Scrumpy said as Harry nodded and departed the shop. As he walked, one thought was on his mind:

"Job secured. Now, gotta pay Twilight back and start house hunting."

* * *

Entering the library in a flourish and a smile, Harry closed the door behind himself and entered the kitchen to see Twilight sitting there, sipping at a cup of tea as she read the newspaper. Seeing that her guest was home, Twilight rolled the paper up with her magic and sat there, watching Harry as he placed the croissant on the table with the small coffee.

"As you requested, your croissant. And, seeing as how you have never heard of it, a small coffee for you to try." Harry recited in a crisp, and sophisticated tone. Twilight simply rolled her eyes and levitated the pastry and drink to herself. Taking the croissant out of the bag, she took a bite out of the flaky treat and eyed the coffee.

"In all honesty, I know what coffee is. It's just that, in my rudely awakened state, my mind didn't register what it was at the moment. But thank you either way, I'll just stick with my tea." she said, making the small coffee vanish into thin air. Smiling, she took another bite of the croissant and sipped her tea once more.

"Well, there goes two bits." Harry said taking a seat, pulling out one of his stashed muffins, and proceeded to eat it. "Got good news." he told Twilight. The mare raised an eyebrow and tilted her head a bit.

"Oh? And that would be?" she asked.

"Got myself a job." Harry replied with a bite of muffin.

"Already? You have only been here a day! Where did you get one?" Twilight asked.

"The cafe. The owner, Scrumpy, saw me making guesses at what the other customers had. He asked if I wanted a job there, and I accepted. I get paid minimum wage and start next Monday." Harry said, popping the rest of the muffin into his mouth.

"Well, that's great to hear! Glad to hear things are going great for you!" Twilight chirped with a smile. "I'm guessing you're free the rest of the day?" she asked. Harry nodded and Twilight clapped her hooves. "Good! The girls and I are getting together around five for dinner at Applejack's. Would you like to tag along? I'm sure Granny Smith would love to meet you."

Harry mulled the question over in his mind and gave a shrug. "Eh, why not? Be nice to meet more of the folks around here." he said.

"Great! I'll let Applejack know to make room for one more at the table. In the meantime, I have some anatomy questions I'd like to ask you!" she said producing a long list of questions from thin air. Harry let his head slam face first into the table, and audible crack was head.

"I'm pretty sure that was my nose..." he said. Twilight let out a small giggle and gave a content sigh.

* * *

Celestia's sun hung low on the horizon, the skies above Ponyville being painted into oranges, purples, and the dark blues of Luna's approaching night. On the ground below, Twilight and Harry walked side by side, Twilight humming a small tune, and Harry was carrying the side-dish Twilight had cooked for the dinner. On the bridge of Harry's snout was a bandage, covering the place where he cracked his nose.

"How much further?" he asked. Twilight ceased her humming immediately and gave an aggravated snort.

"You asked me that five minutes ago, and what was the answer then?" she asked, casting a small glare at him.

"You said we will get there, when we get there." Harry replied with annoyance. "I'm just tired of walking and carrying...whatever this is..." he said, gesturing to the casserole dish he held.

"It's a keish! It's my mom's recipe!" Twilight retorted.

"Did the recipe call for it to scream at us and try to devour our faces when the oven was opened?"

~Flashback~

"Twilight, the keish is done!"

"Can you get it out of the oven for me? I'm busy in here."

"No problem." -Harry whistles a happy tune as he puts on the oven glove and opens the oven front-

ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

"AH! KILL IT! KILL IT WITH FIRE!"

"Harry, what is- WHAT IN CELESTIA'S NAME IS THAT!?"

"IT'S YOUR KIESH, AND IT'S TRYING TO EAT MY FACE!"

~Present time~

"And besides, I think this thing is still moving..." Harry said as he slightly opening the lid, a low growl coming from within. "Yup, it's still breathing." Twilight simply sighed and let her head hang low.

"Toss it. We don't need a culinary mishap gnawing off everypony's hooves from under the table." Twilight said in a defeated tone. With a pleased scoff, Harry threw the offending casserole dish far into the orchard, a tiny scream following it as it flew through the air.

"Audios."

It was at that time that the duo came upon the walking path that lead to the main house. On the porch steps, Applejack sat there, watching Apple Bloom and her friends run around the yard a bit. Noticing the approaching guests, she waved hoof and smiled.

"Howdy ya'll! Glad ya' could make it!"

Mini-Chapter: When Two Become One (The Update Ya'll Can Skip. If You Want.)

It has been a couple of days since Harry and Twi spilled their hearts out to each other. After their exchange and confessions, they went public with the relationship, getting supportive comments from Twilight's friends and acquaintances. The only pony who seemed to be a bit put out by this was Rainbow Dash, but she still supported the two love birds. Pinkie Pie had screamed "I SHIP IT!" randomly and took the two into a crushing hug.

As of right now, Harry and Twilight were relaxing on a small pile of pillows that sat beside Twilight's study desk. Harry laid on the bottom, cradling Twilight as she laid on him, a book before her. Harry too had a book opened in one hand, as his other one subconsciously stroked Twilight's mane ever so lightly. The two read in a happy silence, enjoying each others' company. For Twilight, laying beside Harry's torso had put her into a sleepy state of mind. The rhythmic beating of his heart, in unison with the pattern of his deep inhales and lingering exhales. She could feel his calming breath on her neck, her fur bristling a bit with each stroke of her mane.

If she were a cat, she'd be purring so loud right now.

Adjusting herself to curl in, Twilight gave Harry a small kiss on the cheek and nuzzled him, taking in his scent.

"Everything alright?" Harry asked, kissing Twilight on the snout. She nodded with a smile and put her book down, taking a break from reading for now.

"Everything's perfect. I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing right now." Twilight said with a small giggle. Closing his book also, Harry placed it on the floor and sat up, picking up Twilight as he did. The mare 'eeped' cutely as she was moved to a sitting position on Harry's lap.

"Sorry, my back was getting cramped from laying back for so long." he said, sighing happily.

"I can take care of that for you." Twilight said suddenly. Harry blinked and tilted his head.

"What?"

"Your back. I can give a massage if you'd like. I've been reading up on massaging techniques, mostly because I feel the two mares down at the spa have been doing something wrong in their techniques." she said, her face slightly going to that of a grumpy glare to the wall. Harry chuckled and poked Twilight's cheek, snapping her out of her small grump-fest.

"I'd like a massage." he said. Twilight nodded and smiled, standing up and getting off Harry. With a lavender flourish of magic, a medium-sized massage table appeared from thin air, sitting in the middle of the library's floor.

"If you'd just lay on the table, I'll be right back." Twilight said, trotting out of the room. Bending to her will, Harry hopped up from the cushions and mounted the table, laying on his stomach. The sounds of approaching hooves signaled Twilight was returning and Harry looked up to see that she had brought in some aroma-therapeutic candles. Lighting them, the room slowly became filled with the scent of calming herbs.

"Nice touch." Harry chuckled, letting his body relax with each inhale of the candles.

"Well thank you! I've been meaning to light these when I study, but keep forgetting to do so." she responded, approaching the table and rearing up onto her back legs, placing her hooves on the table. Twilight's eyes wandered from the metallic wings that adorned her coltfriends' back, to the red plaid overshirt he wore. "Uhm, you're going to have to take your shirt off." she said, blushing a bit.

Without another word, Harry sat up and removed the clothing in question, taking care in not to entangle his wings. Tossing the shirts aside, Harry resumed laying on the table, jerking a bit as cold met fur.

"Gah! Bit cold..." he muttered, resting his head on his folded arms. "I'm ready sweetie." he said. Rolling her hooves to crack them, Twilight hopped onto the table and sat on Harry's butt, placing her hooves on his lower back, ever so gently. Harry squeaked a bit as he felt pressure on his ass, then relaxed as her felt Twilight begin the massage.

Working from the lower back, Twilight tried to take in every detail and layout of Harry's muscular structure. His sides showed that a bit of fat resided, forming small love handles. His mid-back dipped into a valley, shallow due to his peculiar spinal cord being right beneath his fur and skin. Where she assumed his shoulder-blades were, the metallic wings resided. Taking a closer look at these, Twilight saw that the metal was infused with his very being, most likely also being fused to his muscular and bone structure. Massaging the areas beneath the wing bases, the wings slowly expanded as Harry gave a throaty growl of approval. Observing the finer details of the wings, Twilight could see living matter deeper within the metal, being home to circuitry and small metal scaffolding. It was only then that Twilight noticed the wings were shuddering each time her hooves lightly grazed past Harry's sides.

Tilting her head, Twilight ran her hooves once again, eliciting a shudder from him. The wings seemed to stretch open even further, revealing even more of their internal workings. The metal feathers were anchored to bases made of both flesh and metal, but they seemed interchangeable somehow. Focusing back on her task at hoof, Twilight brought one knee up and pressed into Harry's lower back, rubbing it in small circles.

"Ooooooh...right theeeerrrre..." Harry said in a approving groan. Using her magic to keep the wings down, Twilight moved her hooves up to Harry's neck and shoulders, lightly massaging them. He immediately tensed up, his fur bristling.

"Is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

Harry shook his head, relaxing his body once again. "Just really sensitive. That's all..." he said, the evidence of a faint blush on his cheeks.

This sparked an idea in Twilight's mind.

Seeing as how they were dating now, she could be a bit more bold with Harry, couldn't she?

Leaning down, Twilight placed a small kiss on the center of Harry's neck.

Squeak.

"Ah ha! Got you now." thought Twilight as she laid her full body on Harry's back, lightly nuzzling the space between his neck and shoulder.

"Ah! Twilight, please, not there." Harry groaned, trying to block the unicorn. But she was relentless, and continued switching sides rapidly, making the stallion squeak with each contact.

"My my, somepony is very protective, aren't they?" Twilight chided playfully.

"N-no..." Harry muttered quietly.

"Your lips say no, but your blush says yes." Twilight whispered in Harry's ear.

"Please, stop. If those areas are messed with long enough it..." Harry said, trailing off.

"What does it do?" Twilight asked, her curiosity peaking.

"Turns me on..."

"I'm sorry?"

"It turns me on..."

"Run that by me again?"

"It turns me on, alright?" Harry deadpanned, huffing as he hid the full face blush that now resided on him. Tilting her head to the side, it took Twilight a couple of minutes to understand what he meant.

"He doesn't mean..." Raising her eyebrows, her suspicions confirmed as Harry adjusted his lower waist a couple of times, a groan of aggravation sounding from the stallion.

"Great..." Harry sighed, laying there. His wings hadn't relaxed at all in the minutes that passed, one-hundred percent confirming what Twilight had suspected. Smirking a bit, the mare leaned down and nibbled Harry's ear playfully.

"I can help...if you'd like..."

That did it. Harry froze up like a statue, his ears perking up fully.

"R-Really...?" Harry asked quietly. Twilight used her magic to roll Harry over onto his back. She straddled him, feeling his hardened member throbbing through his pants. She kissed him gently, rubbing his cheek.

"Really honey." she replied, smiling gently.

"A-are you sure? I mean, shouldn't we wait until we start, you know, doing that?" Harry asked. Twilight huffed and blew her mane out from her view.

"Harry, I'm a mare going on twenty-one, and I wanna buck with my coltfriend. I don't think I can wait any longer." Twilight said, placing a hoof on Harry's exposed chest.

It was with that simple statement, that Harry's whole demeanor changed. A hungry smile came to his lips, and his voice somehow dropped lower, more husky like.

"Well then, what kind of gentleman would I be if I were too keep my lady waiting...?" he asked, leaning up and wrapping an arm around Twilight's back. A blush immediately flared on Twilight's cheeks as her breathing began to pick up.

She didn't know where this Harry came from; but she liked it.

"It wouldn't be very gentlecoltly of you..." Twilight whimpered as their faces drew closer.

"Hush now, quiet now. It's time to get your brains bucked out." Harry said, a husky chuckle following the lullaby parody. Twilight shook a bit as their lips met, slow and gentle at first, but slowly morphing into something more hungry and deeper. Harry's tongue immediately shot into Twilight's mouth, establishing dominance over hers. Briefly breaking the kiss, Twilight growled.

"Oh no you don't..." she said breathlessly as she resumed the kiss, her tongue raging a wet and sloppy war against his. Harry's hands had wandered down Twilight's body, grazing her fur lightly, resting on her flanks. With a firm grasp, Harry squeezed her rump, making Twilight moan a bit into the kiss. A smile formed on Harry's occupied lips as he gave her rump another firm squeeze. Pulling away, Harry brought her head down and whispered darkly into her ear.

"Your ass, is mine." he said, beginning the process of grinding the mare. Twilight bit her lip as she felt soft fabric run against her marehood, the solid surface under the fabric making each pass unbearable. A small moan came from her once again as Harry suddenly stood up and carried the mare down the hall to his bedroom. As he walked, each movement of his hips rubbed against Twilight, making her pant a bit.

"Oh my Goddesses...this is going to be great...just like my books said...I can tell..." she panted as Harry kicked the bedroom door down and placed Twilight on the bed, facing him. Her mane spread out messily behind her head, her tail purposefully covering up Harry's objective. Twilight giggled and gave a wink to tease him. "You don't get me, until I get you." she said in a slightly cryptic tone. With a small growl and wasting no time, Harry undid the button on his pants and pulled them down, not even bothering with the zipper. Seeing the tent in his boxers, Twilight grinned evilly as her horn flared up, enveloping Harry's member half-way down the center, and pulling him closer to the bed.

Adjusting her self to where she was sitting up on her back legs, Twilight threw Harry down on the bed, immediately springing her prize from its' cloth prison. As it emerged, it stood at full attention, like a soldier awaiting an order. Twilight gazed in amazement as she looked it over, taking in its' size.

"Oh...my..." she said in a whisper, taking a hoof and lightly running it along his shaft. Harry's head flopped down onto his bed, his jaw falling open a bit. Reaching the tip, Twilight ran her hoof down, eliciting a small moan from him. Placing herself between his legs, Twilight took both her hooves and placed them on either side of Harry's member, slowly pumping them together. With a tentative lick at the tip, Twilight traced her tongue down the shaft, stopping at the base, then made her way back up, stopping with a small flick.

"Don't stop..." Harry moaned.

"I don't intend to." Twilight responded, suddenly shifting gears and pumping Harry vigorously, adding licks to the pumping. Harry's back arched and his wings curled, making the metal groan. It was at this moment that Twilight decided to make Harry fall into his lustful instincts.

Ceasing the pumping, Twilight kissed the tip of Harry's member, swirling her tongue around it. Ever so slowly, Twilight took him into her mouth, stopping about midway down. She sat there a bit, listening to Harry as he moaned in pleasure, watching as his body reacted to the signals his brain was receiving at the moment. Sliding up, Twilight stopped before the tip left her mouth, then slid back down, slowly repeating the movements as her pace picked up. As she sucked Harry, one of his hands had reached up and grabbed a handful of her mane, his throat giving off pants, moans, and groans.

With a erotic pop, Twilight pulled Harry from her mouth and pumped him a bit.

"Wanna buck me?" she asked darkly. Harry immediately sat up on his elbows and nodded, hunger ever present in his eyes. "Yeah? Wanna mark your marefriend as yours?" she asked. A lustful snarl came from him as Twilight toyed with him.

"I'm going to fuck you until you pass out." Harry growled. A challenging smirk came to Twilight's lips as she stopped pumping.

"Now, let's see if this works. One of Rarity's magazines said it would..." Twilight thought. Raising her rump into the air, Twilight gave a wink as she shook it a bit, making her tail swish in a taunt. "Then bring it." she said.

Harry pounced her, suddenly shifting the tables as he placed Twilight against the wall, lifting one of her hindlegs up. His wings had acted as pins for her forehooves, keeping them from moving. His other hand had grabbed her flank as he positioned himself, ready to breach her. Twilight whimpered a bit, realizing what was about to happen.

"P-please be gentle...it is my first time after all..." she said innocently. Despite his lustful hunger, Harry placed a gentle kiss on the back of Twilight's neck and nuzzled her.

"Heh, no promises." he growled, ramming into her. Twilight screamed in both pain and pleasure as she felt him enter her cavern, breaking through the barrier that was the very definition of every mares' innocence. He kept pushing in, fully hilting himself in her.

This was it.

Twilight was now, officially Harry's. Tonight would mark this as when they, two separate souls, joined as one in a passion and lust filled night of lovemaking.

Shaking from the pressure that surrounded his member, Harry slowly pulled out, then slid back in, building up a pace. Twilight panted a bit, moaning as Harry filled her with each thrust. Harry's grip on her leg and flank slowly tightened as he move inside her, his grunts of effort slowly becoming pants of pleasure as Twilight's marehood began to provide its' natural lubricant, helping to move the stallion along. Slowly, Harry had began to pick up the pace, small slaps of bodily contact filled the air. Twilight moaned louder and louder with each thrust, egging Harry on. Taking the bait, he thrusted into her deeper and deeper with each pass, his speed building up with his incoming orgasm.

In a matter of minutes, the two were a sweaty combination of bodies, eliciting moans and calls of pleasure, each calling each others' name as the speed built up, driving the two towards a pleasurable oblivion. Harry had twisted Twilight to face him, her forelegs and hindlegs having wrapped around his neck and waist as he pounded her, keeping a firm grip on her flanks. With a gasp and sudden burst of speed, Harry kissed Twilight.

"I'm gonna cum soon..." he groaned into her ear. Twilight moaned in response and kissed his neck.

"I am too...come on, make your statement true. Make me pass out..." she said, gripping onto his body tighter.

Pulling out of her, Harry placed her on the bed, chest first, keeping her rump in the air. Twilight panted as she moved a hoof to her marehood, rubbing it vigorously. "Come on big boy, get your treat." she called. Harry stepped up and rammed into her, his speed and depth increasing with each thrust. Twilight could feel her mind begin to fuzz up as she grew close to her orgasm, her tongue lolling out onto the bedsheets.

Even now, as her lover pounded away in her, she could taste him on the bedsheets.

Weird? Yes, no doubt about it.

But who cares? All logic has been thrown out Twilight's mental window. Her panting begin to speed up into hyperventilation as she felt her orgasm about to peak.

"H-H-Harry!" she yelled, her voice being interrupted by the thrusting. She didn't even get to continue as Harry fully hilted himself in her once again, her inner walls clenching tight around him. This made Harry moan loudly, using the new tightness and fresh juices to deliver his last final thrusts, before he released inside of her. Twilight could feel him fill her up with his warm seed, his calming pants filling the air as he gave her a series of kisses on her neck.

"I-I love you..." Harry said, pulling out his softening member from within his lover. Twilight whimpered a bit, sad at the sudden feeling of being empty. She rolled over and opened her forelegs for a hug.

"Does I get hug?" she asked, a cute expression on her face. Harry chuckled and leaned down, giving his marefriend the hug she requested of him. Placing a kiss on his cheek, Twilight nuzzled him as he laid down beside her and pulled his bedsheets over them. "I love you too..." she said quietly, exhaustion suddenly slamming into her like a brick wall. Sleep tugged at her eyes as she looked over to see that Harry had already shut down for the night, his mouth agape and slightly

"Poor guy, worked himself to exhaustion...but it was so worth it..." Twilight thought as she cuddled up to Harry, allowing sleep to claim her now.

In the bedroom window, a pair of golden eyes stared in wide amazement and shock.

A mint green unicorn mare, with jaw agape and trembling lip, turned and galloped away, tears in her eyes.

"MY PET WILL NOT SERVE A WHORE!" Lyra mentally roared as she ran into the night.