My Little Pony: Echos of Dream Valley

With the meeting at the library concluded Applejack and Rainbow had left ahead of the others. Applejack had tried to say something to Rainbow about what had happened at the academy but she simply flew off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. AJ knew her marefriend would need time to cool off so she could actually talk to her so she took her time returning to the farm.

When Applejack finally arrived she went to the orchard and found the tree Rainbow usually went to sulk in. As she looked through the tree's branches she saw a familiar prismatic tail. Smirking Applejack lines herself up with the tree trunk pivoting and bucking the tree causing Rainbow to be shaken loose from its branches and fly out before she fell to the ground.

"What the hey AJ?!" Rainbow exclaimed while getting in Applejack's face.

Applejack gently pressed her nose to Rainbow's and said. "I can't rightly speak to ya if you're up in the tree now can I Rainbow?"

Rainbow sighed "I don't really feel like talking AJ. Not right now anyway."

"Rainbow you need to talk about it, you can't just go and cut off family because of one bad apple. That ain't right and you know it." Applejack replied evenly. "Now come on sugercube, what's on your mind?" Applejack prodded softly.

Rainbow tried resisting for a few moments before she burst out angrily. "He was almost over it AJ! Bryan was almost done with that stupid fear of heights and then Spitfire had to go an ruin all of my hard work helping him with that permissive attitude of hers! Now he can't go up stairs without freaking out unless somepony is there to to help him out! Why should ever be around Spitfire ever again? Tell me that one AJ."

Applejack chuckled "Okay Rainbow, that's a fair point. But Bryan doesn't freak out when he goes up stairs and you dang well know it." Her tone softened. "And I get that you're worried 'bout him sugercube, so am I. But freaking out like this ain't helping him out none. So come on Rainbow, what's this really about? It can't be just what happened to Bryan."

"If it weren't for Spitfire's careless attitude I wouldn't have come that close to losing you guys, and losing you AJ." Rainbow sighed "It was bad enough that she turned out to be such a disappointment in person like that, but that she wound endangering all of the ponies I care about the most by letting Lightning Dust get away with all of that manure."

Applejack kissed Rainbow softly on the lips. "I get it Rainbow, I really do, but you really should go and meet your other family members. Ace is a big time pain in the flank too, but he made a real good point back there. And besides you get along really well with Ditzy and Daring and you know they are going to be there."

"Okay AJ, I get it. It'll be nice to be around Dinky too, she's a sweet filly and she is family too." Rainbow replied

"Now that's my loyal little filly. Come on Rainbow let's go in and have some cider and get ya settled down, alright?" said Applejack

Rainbow lit up. "Cider? I am so there AJ." Rainbow said moving to Applejack's side before the two mares trotted towards the farmhouse.

Across Ponyville back at the Library Bryan's eyelids drooped and he yawned very loudly as he struggled to stay awake.

"Bryan you should perhaps get some rest for a bit, you'll not stay awake long at this rate." Said Wind Whistler looking at him.

"Sorry, I'm a lot more wore out from last night than I thought." Bryan replied as Pinkie and Twilight trotted out of the kitchen while talking. "And just what are you two on about?" asked Bryan

"Oh Pinkie was just asking for my help over at Sugarcube Corner. She says she thinks it's going to be really busy today." Twilight replied

Bryan chuckled "Knowing Pinkie she's probably right."

"Bryan need I remind you about Joker's invitation to dinner with his family tonight?" Wind Whistler said.

Bryan sighed "No Wind Whistler, I remember. I just need to rest before we go over there this evening. Besides Pinkie and Twily will be done well before then. So it's not really a problem."

"We'll be going now." said Twilight "We can meet you on the way over later on."

"Actually we'll just come by and get you two on the way." Bryan replied "It'll be faster that way."

"That works, we'll see you later then." Pinkie replied as she and Twilight exited.

"Are you sure you'll be okay for tonight Bryan?" Megan said as she walked into the room.

Bryan yawned again. "Yeah, I'll just take a nap before then and I'll make it. I don't know if Ace has told the rest of the thirteenth as of yet, but they'll know soon enough." Bryan said while standing and then shambling up the stairs.

"I do hope he is alright Megan." Wind Whistler said. "I have a feeling he has been put through the wringer more than once since he got here and I worry for him."

"He'll be alright Wind Whistler, Bryan is very resilient so he'll be fine." Megan replied

"I am not so sure Megan, magic as you are well aware has limits as do humans. Bryan may well be nearing his limits and he is not as young as he used to be. In fact he now seems to be older than her really is, I fear the stress is getting to him." Wind Whistler observed.

Megan sat down quietly and started to think. It was true when she thought about it, Bryan was once more energetic than he now was. And for only being twenty three that was cause for concern. Megan wondered, was Bryan's determination alone keeping him going? She shook her head to clear it of these bleak thoughts. Megan simply didn't want to deal with it right now. "We'll just have to do what we can for him Wind Whistler, that's all. I'm sure we can help him find a solution to become more healthy so he'll have a better quality of life. I mean he does have part of Twilight in him after all and I'm sure that will help."

"Maybe," Wind Whistler replied "but I do not wish to bank on it Megan. The best thing for him is likely to be to retire from his adventures before they really cripple him or take him from us."

"Well that's up to him Wind Whistler. We can't make that choice for him." Megan replied

"I am aware of that Megan, but I wonder if his current circumstance has compromised his judgement." Wind Whistler said looking at her hooves.

"And that is where we come in Wind Whistler. It can be hard to remember who we are when things get bad enough, and that's when we need those closest to us to remind of that."

Wind Whistler's head shot up and her eyes widened. "Oh! I actually forgot about that." She said sheepishly. "My apologies Megan, I wasn't thinking in the full context of our situation."

Megan giggled "It's fine Wind Whistler, nobody is perfect after all."

The rest of the day passes slowly and quietly into early evening and Megan, Bryan and Wind Whistler are on their way to Sugarcube corner to pick up Twilight and Pinkie. They make small talk on they way as Wind Whistler gets to know Ponyville better.

"You look like you're felling better Bryan." Wind Whistler said.

"Quite a bit actually, I was just wore out is all." Bryan replied

Megan smiled "You see I told you there was nothing to worry about Wind Whistler."

"Maybe, but it can't hurt to be careful Megan. It would be too much to bare if something really bad were to happen." Wind Whistler said plainly. "Still I wish we knew more about this soul fusion situation, being in the dark with something like this is unsettling to say the least."

Bryan nodded as they approached Sugarcube corner. "I agree sis, it is difficult to say the least to have something like this inside me without actually knowing what the long term consequences are. I know Twilight would never knowingly try to hurt me me, but still we just don't know."

"I'm sure we can figure it out Bryan. After all Twilight and Sunset are both very smart, so let's not worry too much alright?" Megan said as she opened the door.

The bell over the door rang as the trio entered and Bryan greeted Mrs. Cake who was behind the counter. "Hey there Mrs. Cake, where are the twins?" he questioned

Mrs. Cake lifted her head and replied. "Oh hello there deary, the twins are around somewhere. You know how foals can be." She said with a giggle.

Bryan laughed "Yeah you can't take you eyes off of them for a second, especially with these two." Bryan said causing the blue earth pony mare to laugh. Bryan then reached up above his head and pulled a small pegasus colt down from over his head. "Well hey there Pound Cake, where is your sister?" He asked the stunned colt who just looked up at him with his big brown eye full of wonder.

Then Bryan felt a pair of small hooves tugging on his pants leg. "Never mind, I know where she is now." He said with a laugh. "Hey Megan could you take care of this little guy for me?" He said handing Pound off to Megan.

"Megan smiled "Sure thing Bryan. Aren't you just adorable?"

As Megan babbled at Pound Cake Bryan turned around and bent down to lift up the source of the tugging. "Hello there Pumpkin, how are you today?" Bryan said smiling at the filly.

Pumpkin giggles cutely and pokes Bryan's nose with her hoof saying. "Boop."

Bryan laughed "Oh you two are just too cute sometimes." Bryan then looked to Mrs. Cake. "So where are Pinkie and Twily anyway?"

"Oh they are in the kitchen cleaning up, they should be done soon." Mrs. Cake replied.

"Okay, we can wait a bit. Besides I doubt Joker would be offended if we were late for a good reason." Bryan said nuzzling Pumpkin's nose. The filly giggled again and nuzzled back.

"I am intrigued to see Mr. Cake since there two are a unicorn and a pegasus. It makes me wonder which one he is." Wind Whistler said causing Bryan to laugh. "Really? Is there a need for that Bryan?"

"Well it is funny given that Mr. Cake is an earth pony like Mrs. Cake." Bryan replied

"How is that so?" Asked Wind Whistler.

"When these two were born a few months back Mr. Cake explained it to us. It's really complicated stuff and I really can't remember what he said exactly. So suffice it to say that it comes down to recessive traits in their respective families. One has a unicorn in their family tree and the other a pegasus which caused the results we now have."

"I see, like Twilight who is a unicorn giving birth to Ember who is an earth pony then." Wind Whistler replied.

"Yeah pretty much." Bryan said

Well however it happened these two sure are cute." Megan said with a smile.

"I'm sorry deary, but did you say Twilight?" Mrs. Cake asked sounding confused.

Bryan shook his head. "Yeah, Ponyland's Twilight is a unicorn and her daughter Ember is an earth pony." Bryan sighed "You know with two Twilights and two Applejacks things are going to get a little confusing. Oh well at least they are visually distinct enough. I mean there is no way to confuse a lavender alicorn for a pink unicorn. And since Aj wears that hat and the red bands in her mane and tail we're okay on that front. Still it's going to be a headache for sure."

"Aw, I'm sure it'll be fine." Pinkie said trotting out of the kitchen. "I mean Twi is a princess now so anypony who needs her will be all like Princess Twilight I need you."

Twilight hung her head. "You know I really don't like that Pinkie."

"And yet it is you burden to bare now Twily." Bryan said as he handed Pumpkin to Mrs. Cake. Pumpkin sniffled and Bryan just smiled. "Oh come now little Pumpkin, you'll get to see me again." He said while booping her. "Right now uncle Bryan, auntie Megan, auntie Wind Whistler, auntie Pinkie, and auntie Twilight have to go see some friends for dinner."

Pumpkin suck her tongue out at Bryan and giggled. Bryan smiled "That's my little Pumpkin Cake." He said while placing her in the foal carrier Mrs. Cake was wearing.

Megan giggled and handed Pound who still wasn't sure what to think of this new human and pony off to his mother. He looked up at them both with wonder in his eyes.

Mrs. Cake giggled herself. "You certainly know how to handle foals Bryan."

Bryan laughed sheepishly. "Well yeah, I have a lot of cute and rambunctious little sisters to thank for that. See you later Mrs. Cake, we need to be going." Bryan said as she headed out the door with the others.

"Have fun dearies." Mrs. Cake replied as they left.

The walk to Joker's was quiet as the sun lowered closer to the horizon and Bryan seemed distant the whole time. Upon arriving Bryan knocked on the door and waited for somepony to answer.

"Are we in the right place?" Asked Wind Whistler.

"Oh yeah, I'd know this air of insanity anywhere." Bryan replied with a chuckle.

As if on que the wall section next to the door opened upwards like a garage door. A white Pegasus mare with half read half black mane and tail walked out and started hugging everyone. "Oh it's nice to finally meet all of you. Dinner is almost ready, dumplin is in the den with our colts. It's straight down the hall and the door on the floor. Oh and don't mind Lucifer he's a big softy." Said mare ushering them in to what seemed to be a fun house in side the normal looking house from outside. And sleeping in a random alcove chest height in the wall was a dire hyena with a large bell on its neck and name plate on the wall that read 'Lucifer's' room.

"Um Bryan, that is a rather large Spotted Hyena over there." Wind Whistler said nervously.

"Actually it's a dire hyena." Bryan replied "And he is just an overgrown furball, that is until you provoke him. That's when the trouble happens."

Bryan do you know this hyena?" asked Megan

"Yeah, Lucifer here guarded our camp during the Maretonian insurgency." Bryan said walking past the hyena and down the hall. "Are you all just going to stand there or what?"

"Yeah really." Pinkie said trotting unfazed down the hallway. "It's kind of rude to just stand there you know."

Megan and the others followed them to the door and down into the den.

"Hey there Joker." Bryan greeted upon entering the room.

They enter the room to find that the gravity is reversed and they are now on what should be the ceiling. "How you like what I have done with the place." Says Joker smiling like a nutjob. He waves his hoof pointing to a pool above them of shifting colored sand. "Oh let me introduce my sons, Loaded Dice and Punch Line esquire."

Bryan facepalmed "Coming from you it's rather predictable Joker."

The colts stood and trotted forward "Oh my gosh! It's really her, I mean hers, I mean them! Megan the Mighty and Wind Whistler. The books don't your ladies justice you're much more beautiful in person." The Orange coated white maned and tailed Pegasus gasps then covers his mouth blushing. "I said that out loud." His tone embarrassed.

Megan smiled "Well thank you for that."

Wind Whistler simply blushed in response.

The older one a unicorn chuckled and shook his head, he was vary clean cut and in a yellow zootsuit. His fur grayish blue and he had green mane and tail with black stripes. "Forgive my younger brother he is faster of tongue then of mind. I'm Punch Line attorney at law, with Do' We' Cheatum, and Howl. My card." He floated cards to each of them. "If you ever need a shyster we have only the best."

"Yeah I've been informed." Bryan deadpanned more at Joker than his son.

"Oh yes sorry force of habit. Self marketing is always best as it puts a face on the business. As Mr. Howl says." Said Punch Line.

Having recovered the young Pegasus got very energetic again wings beating like a hummingbird as he zipped around asking questions as fast as Pinkie "So what were witches really like? Was Catrina really that powerful? Was it really all mares in Ponyland? Were Surprise and Danny a couple? Princess will you be taking recruits directly for the thirteenth now that they're your personal guard?"

Joker facehooves "And he's in fancolt mode. You should have seen him when he met Ace for the first time." He said to Bryan with a chuckle.

Joker noticed his brother in arms snickering at the colt's antics, then the snickering stopped and erupted into full blown laughter.

"I like him." Pinkie said with a squee.

"No, I'm going to be leaving that to Captain Crimsonmoon. He has done such a fine job so far and I see no need to change that." Twilight replied

Wind Whistler shook off her own stupor. "That is a very odd name for a law firm Punch Line."

"It's the founder's names, but we do get that a lot." Said Punch Line. "What really surprises everypony is when Mister Howl is in the court room. Talk about braking the mold of his race. That Diamond Dog is example of what Equestria represents. Equality and opportunities for everyone not just ponies."

"Um... thanks... Lady Pinkie Pie." Said Loaded Dice his face blushed as he froze mid flap and dropped to the floor.

"Aww, you're so cute when you blush. Like an adorable little school colt." Pinkie said hugging him and mussing up his mane.

It was at this point Bryan nearly hit the floor because he was laughing so hard. "Oh Luna, that was awesome." He said breathlessly.

Megan's comment made the little guy's day that much more difficult. "He certainly is cute Pinkie." She said with her usual soft smile.

At this point Dice's mind crashed and his body froze. "Oh great now you broke him." Said Joker braking in to the laugh he and Ace shared.

"So how do we fix him then?" Said Wind Whistler missing the joke.

Then Bryan did hit the floor in a renewed fit of laughter with Pinkie and Twilight joining in.

Megan looked at Wind Whistler. "Oh Wind Whistler, what are we going to do with you?"

Punch Line leaned got an evil glint in his eye and whispered to Wind Whistler with a straight face. "A Pegasus needs to kiss him." While the others could hear it just barely they were laughing to hard to say anything.

Wind Whistler looked at Punch Line for a moment. And then something clicked in her brain as she remembered the good natured teasing Bryan would sometimes give to his adoptive little sisters. "Oh I see, it's that condition. Well given that I am currently the only pegasus present then I shall have to help you brother out." Wind Whistler trotted up to the colt and kissed him right on the nose causing everyone else in the room to stop.

Punch Line was trying very hard to hold it together as As Dice went from statue to puddle of Pegasus. "W-W-W-Wind Whistler just..." Then there was a pomf sound and he was thinking again, but he was now on the floor nose bleeding, and wings at full parade attention.

"Punch Line! That was a dirty trick to play on your brother! Especially with how many Wind Whistler posters and figures he has in his room." Said Joker being the good father and mortifying his son. By basically outright saying Wind Whistler was Loaded Dice's waifu.

"Wow." Bryan said "I had no idea the little guy had a crush on Wind Whistler. That just seems so unlikely, but then again she is one of the most popular figures from the stories." Bryan scratched his head, was Wind Whistler really so different?

"It sounds like you misjudged the effect what you wrote would have Bryan." Twilight scolded

"Well I certainly did not expect a fandom to develop, that's for sure." He looked at Megan apologetically. "You'd better brace yourself for the same kind of thing Megan. It's not going to get any less crazy from here."

"A fandom? Have you never gone to a Paradise convention in Canterlot or Dream Castle gala in Manehatten? I'm sure you have gotten at least some of the fan mail sent to the royal palace, haven't you?" asked Joker

"Wait, wait, wait? A Paradise convention? And a Dream Castle Gala? This is the first I've heard of this Joker. And as for fan mail, well the sisters do pass some along from the palace in Canterlot. It's not much though, they are kind of protective about my privacy and not many know that I actually live in Ponyville." Bryan replied

"Bryan I need to ask you about why this situation we're in with Joker's unusual house hasn't effected you." Megan said

"That would be because I was brought here by an unusual event and have been experiencing them ever since." Bryan replied "Ever since I got out of the hospital I've experienced things that make our time in Ponyland seem tame by comparison. It wasn't, but the magic in Equestria is much more diverse and sometimes unstable. So I just did what any human that didn't break or die did, I adapted."

Megan smiled "I am so proud of you Bryan. You've shown that you're capable of handling yourself no matter how difficult things get."

Bryan blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Did you raise the temperature in here Joker? Or is that just me?"

"Given that you're turning red as Ace it's just you." said Joker

"Everyone dinner is ready! And tonight one of the dishes is one of Captain Crimsonmoon's recipes!" Called Harlequin." Joker and Bryan both went pale.

"By the sisters! Which one did she try cooking?!" Moaned Joker as he trembled.

"I uh, didn't know a unicorn with a white coat could turn pale like that Joker." Bryan replied

"Oh come one now Bryan." said Megan "I mean..." Megan suddenly found Bryan's hand over her mouth and looked at him.

"Megan I love you but do not say what you're about to say while we are in Ponyville, it always ends in some kind of disaster." Bryan said

Megan rolled her eyes and removed his hand. "Okay Bryan I'll humor you."

Bryan turned around and looked at Loaded Dice. "Hey are you going to come with us Loaded?"

"I'll be along in a second. After I finish dieing of embarrassment." Said the mass of Pegasus on the floor.

"Now Loaded Dice, there is no need to act like that is there? Your mother work hard on making dinner and it would be very rude to keep her waiting. Besides you can talk to Wind Whistler and get to know her better this way." Said Megan firmly.

"I'm coming, but dad please don't embarrass me in front of my future boss anymore." He points a wing to Twilight.

"You're not in the guard yet son, and who knows you might not make the cut." Said Joker. As he opened a cabinet to reveal the dining room which had a pool of water for the floor and the table and chairs stood on its surface. The family pet Lucifer was running on the water chasing a block that would start rolling whenever he set it down.

"Joker is right. Loaded." Bryan said walking into the dining room and sitting down. "Just making it in the regular solar or lunar guard is far from easy. And an elite combat group like the Everfree Watch is even harder than that. Besides there is nothing saying you have to be a soldier just because Joker is. There are plenty of ways you can work for and with Twilight that will help everypony. Who knows, you may even show some kind of promise that makes you her personal student someday. There is still more than enough time to figure it out, so don't be in such a hurry. You'll get there when it's time."

Megan wordlessly sat next to Bryan and gave him an approving look.

"I'm, not sure I'm ready to have a student Bryan. I only just became a princess and need more time myself." Twilight replied

"Yeah, that way you'll be better at the teacher thing." Pinkie said

"Is it strange that Ace is a teacher then? I mean look how many ponies and non ponies he has helped." Said Harlequin as she put a pot on the table of bubbling black sludge looking thick soup. Which appears to have something moving in it.

"I said he should not teach people his home cooking." Said Joker with a laugh as he held up this bowl for his wife to fill. "Don't worry even if it's Ace's recipe it just looks nasty. That's why we eat in the dark when he cooks."

Bryan laughed "No kidding, it's the worst looking thing I've ever seen since we ran into that minotuar called Stonehammer. Man was he certifiably battle ugly. He hit like a freight train and was tough even for a minotuar warrior."

Megan, Twilight, Pinkie, and Wind Whistler all looked at the unappetizing sludge skeptically.

"Trust me girls, it can be much worse than this. At least Ace doesn't burn juice and liquefy toast." Bryan said

"And I tasted it myself just don't my the wiggling tentacles. That's how you know it's cooked right. Now eat up its good for you." Said Harlequin making sure everyone has bowl of it.

"Don't worry Ace's recipes only look poisonous. It comes from learning to cook from a dragon. Besides my wife put a lot of effort to make it." Said Joker before slurping a wiggling tentacle up.

"Yeah, that's the nature of draconic cooking from what I can say. It looks dangerous but it's really not. Although I do wonder if we should be eating anything quite this heavy tonight. Well as long we don't eat too much we'll be...." Bryan wobbled for a moment threatening to collapse into his bowl.

Megan caught him and held him upright. "Are you okay Bryan?"

Bryan shook his head and replied. "Y-yeah, I think I'm just a little disoriented is all."

"Are you sure?" Asked Wind Whistler. "Because for a moment you were glowing ever so slightly."

Everypony at the table looked at Wind Whistler confused, they hadn't noticed any glow.

"It might have been a low level magic surge brought on the current environment." Twilight stated "I think he'll be alright though, he has had bigger ones when he started training with Trixie."

"Yeah." Pinkie said with a nod. "And came through those just fine accept for that really big one when he overcharged."

Bryan snorted "That one was my fault too, I failed to pay attention at a key moment and got into trouble." He said having some of the soup. "Is that a hint of teriyaki I'm tasting?"

"I can say they are trouble, both of my sons have had a bad time with them." said Joker

"Dad!" Said both colts.

Bryan raised and eyebrow. "I'm sure you're even more aware than I just how unusual it for a pegasus to experience an magic surge Joker."

"Wowee!" exclaimed Pinkie "That is amazing!"

Twilight put her hoof to her chin. "Indeed, this is the very first time I've ever head of a pegasus having a magic surge. Why it's positively extraordinary."

"Can pegasi not use magic here?" Asked Wind Whistler.

"They can, but not to the point that they will typically experience an outright magic surge." Bryan replied "Mostly they have to use more indirect forms of magic without the aid of magical implements. Ace is one pony that breaks that particular mold. I mean Rune Casting can be learned like any other skill, but still the majority of rune casters are unicorns."

"I see." Wind Whistler replied.

"My boy Loaded here is a chaos caster by birth like me." Joker grinning like Pinkie.

"Fascinating." Twilight said "Loaded I may have some things that will help you to manage your abilities. If you'd like I can find the books and they can help provide a foundation for you using your abilities. Also I'm sure you father has a lot to teach you too."

Bryan ate thoughtfully. "You know I think if we went to the Royal Academy for Gifted Spellcasters we could help the little guy out even more. I mean it was you that introduced me to Trixie in the first place Twily. And she was just what I needed to start learning how best to use my illusion magic."

"So I ask why you magical abilities manifested in the form of Illusion magic Bryan?" Asked Wind Whistler.

Bryan sighed "I'm trying to think of how to word this, but it's not going very well. Suffice it to say that what Trixie told me is that I have a kind of instinct for illusion magic. An aptitude so to speak, but we have no idea why exactly. Trixie did say a lot more about it, but the terms she used were above my head."

"That and way more flamboyant I'll bet. That mare of Ace's is a real piece of work." said Joker

Bryan hung his head. "Oh boy was Trixie flamboyant. I am so glad only she has that kind of flare." Bryan straightened up suddenly. "The mirror." Bryan whispered

"The mirror?" asked Megan

"Yeah. Do you remember Majesty's magic mirror we use to communicate with Catrina and all of our other friends over long distances?" asked Bryan.

Megan and Wind Whistler's eyes widened in realization.

"Of course." Said Wind Whistler. "Majesty's mirror is a fixed point in Ponyland and could theoretically be used as a magical gateway. but how do we go about it?"

"Well if what I've read on the theories of this kind of thing are accurate, we'd need a similar fixed point here in Equestria. From there we'd need to communicate with the ponies in Ponyland somehow to be able to synchronize both portals and link them through a kind of a space bridge for the lack of a better term. " Bryan dropped his spoon in the empty bowl in front of him. "The problem is establishing reliable communications. This is going to take an effort of both sides after all. Hey Joker you're an out of the box mind, any thoughts?" Twilight stared in awe of Bryan, she had no idea Bryan had done any such reading.

"You really need to pay attention more." Pinkie said observantly.

"Personally no, but you will be meeting somepony that can if Ace's stories have some truth." Said Joker only to be cut off by Loaded Dice.

"You mean his Sister Chi Spell the necromancer? Right dad. I heard Ace say that she can talk with the dead in Elysium Fields. That might mean she could contact living in other worlds too, right?" Said Loaded Dice his wings buzzing a little.

"He said that it's based or souls like the thread spell of his. Only a lot more complex. To much to rune cast it." Said Joker nodding.

"I don't know about that one Joker. We have had experience with a necromancer once before, and it was a souring experience to say the least. I have told the real story of Tambelon to the sisters, but I have severe doubts that I'll ever repeat it. If anypony knew the truth there might be riots." Bryan replied with a shudder.

"Chi Spell is a good necromancer. But she can't set hoof in Equestria as necromancy is outlawed outright, and her with a talent in it. Well she simply stays in her homelands and helps as she can. Truth is the red thread spell Ace used is technically by law, a crime. But he spent a year and two court dates to get approval to use it and have Red Hair in Equestria as he is a product of necromancy as he technically can't die or more exactly can't stay dead. But if you want all the details ask Shadow or Ace. Or even Chi Spell when you meet her." said Joker

"Chi's lack of malice is sadly irrelevant Joker. The fact remains that Grogar's intentions were purely malicious and nothing else. That means that Megan, Wind Whistler and I are going to be extremely guarded around her through no fault of her own, or ours. And that is an understatement no less. Put simply Grogar has badly complicated things for all four us. That is going to make finding common ground difficult to say the least." Bryan replied

"I wonder why necromancy is illegal to begin with?" asked Twilight "it only makes those with bad intentions that much hard to find and route out."

"That and it will make the encounters far more viscous and damaging." Said Wind Whistler.

"And her preferring to use her undead puppets as her lovers, probably won't help you like her either. Our little sister is a bit off in the head. Also necromancy is outlawed because it often has massive negative energy backlash on the caster, and was misused in ancient times. Mind if I have a bowl of stew?" Said Shadow making almost everyone jump as he steps out from behind Megan pointing a hoof at the pot.

"Bucking Tartarus! How the buck do you do that!? The only door was across from me!" Cried Joker holding his chest.

"Shadow Wing! You need to stop sneaking up on ponies. I swear you must take joy out of making everypony jump out of their fur." Scolded Harley as she poured him some into a bowl that he apparently carried with him.

"Regardless it is a very foolish law that complicates things and makes thing much worse." Bryan retorted "More so given the fact the both Luna and Celestia are skillful necromancers themselves. That and if we ban a school of magic simply because some will misuse it, then we have to ban all magic, even levitation."

"I agree." Megan said speaking up and causing everyone to turn her way. "It isn't right to ban a practice that can save lives just because a small number of ponies will use it wrong."

Bryan merely nodded in agreement.

"Well only a few necromancy spells save lives. Most just mess with dead things or hurt the undead. So it's a valid fear of it as it's a case of greater danger then benefit." Said Shadow as he hoofed a set of scrolls to Bryan then took his bowl back and set a lid on it. "Sorry I can't stay, but I have a lot to do and little time. The scrolls are from Luna, they passport clearances for for the sky docks in Canterlot. They rushed through and Megan's Equestria citizenship peppers and some other basic boring stuff. I have to go got some invitations to deliver still. So I can get hammer of my back about making sure everypony is coming. I swear her acting head title goes to her head some times." And with that he walked past Wind Whistler and vanished.

"You know sometimes I wonder if he is actually a pony and not some magical construct or spirit with how he dose that. Because I never feel one ounce of magic when he dose it." Said Joker looking unnerved. The family pet showing some intelligence nodded from where it was hiding behind Harley.

"He is a pony Joker, he just happens to be able to mask his presence like Celine can. She is much better at it though, but with more than a century and a half of practice that's just how it works. Three, two, one." Bryan replied

"Shadow! I thought I tol... Hey, where did he go?" said Twilight

"A Little late to the party again Twily." Bryan said with a smirk as his reason for the countdown became clear.

Wind Whistler however examined Twilight thoughtfully. "That was a rather long delay in her reaction Bryan. Is she okay?"

"She is fine big sister, it just takes her a bit to catch up when that happens. She does have the cutest little reboot face when it does though." Bryan replied

"Okay well who wants seconds? And for desert I have fresh baked dragon fruit pie" said Harley"

"The stew is too heavy for that." Bryan replied while looking at the scroll. "And from what I'm reading here we'll have to call it here. A longer visit would be really nice, but we have to spend the next couple of days getting ready." Bryan shook his head. "Ace is going to be chewing the scenery for sure. Oh! Joker I need to tell you that Tirek's soul is lose in the Equestrian dreamscape so be careful. Princess Luna has got him on the run, but keep your guard up just in case."

"Trust me Ace has been on the war path and even actually did his paperwork this morning! Had his old Neighponese to Equish dictionary out and everything. I'd thought charger had a heart attack with her mouth hanging open when I saw her watching him." said Joker

Bryan's right eye twitched. "Whoa, that is something alright. Ace is not the only one on the war path actually. Princess Luna is as a well." Bryan sighed "You know how she is about us in the lunar guard, and with me she can be especially territorial. So yeah be careful around her for the next little while, just in case." Bryan picked up a now very drowsy Twilight. "We'd better be off before the egghead here falls asleep. See ya later Joker, and was nice meeting your family."

Twilight groaned "I can't go to sleep yet, I still have some research to do."

"Not tonight you don't, you're going to brush your teeth and got to bed as soon as we get back Twily." Bryan replied

"Good night Loaded Dice, it was nice to meet you." Wind Whistler said.

"N-nice to meet you too Miss Wind Whistler." Said the blushing colt as his voice cracked.

"Stop in any time Bryan if you want to talk. My sofa always has spot for you." Said Harley

"Given the back to back traumas I've had lately I'll have to at some point. So yeah, as soon as this latest mess is dealt with anyway." Bryan called over his shoulder.

The night air was cool as the walked back but these saw a stranger waiting at the door well most she was a stranger she was a Pegasus with a black and white cowboy hat on she had the same coat and eyes as Shadow Wing, and her hat and vest had Equestria naval marking. "Hope you all don't mind me just waiting for you outside your door. But unlike my brothers I understand knocking and waiting to be let in." Said the mare

"Who is she?" Asked Megan

"Dixie Belle, I almost didn't recognize you. Though when we met you were in your dress uniform for the Equestrian Naval review though and not in your street clothes. I also recall our meeting be very brief and formal considering I had just been made an adviser the week before." Bryan replied "So what brings you to us?"

"The brass called me home for leave having gotten word of the reunion. Though my and I brothers work in Equestria military we are still foreigners with duties to our family and nation as it's representatives. So I was in port and they gave me leave till after I get back. It also gives them time to over haul the Ever Blue, as well as my crew to unwind." She smiled. Also welcome to the family cousins. Don't let Ace scare you with his stories. I've fought in the honor battles. They are waste of time but can be amusing when you get bored. Which is why all the traditionalist keep pressing to keep them. Because if they couldn't do that the rich ponies might actually have to work." She said as she started giggling.

Bryan smiled "That makes sense. Would you like some tea while I get our lavender princess to bed?" Bryan turned to Megan. "Get the door please Megan, my hands are very full."

"Sure Bryan." Megan said with a smile as she unlocked and opened the door.

"I fail to see how Ace could scare us with such stories. Bryan has been very upfront about his penchant for exaggeration." Wind Whistler replied.

"Yeah." Pinkie said bouncing into the library.

"Well we are used to ponies that tend to be Canterlot upper class. The ones calling themselves nobles. Back home you have to earn status with skill and talent. If not for Ace our father's coup would have had all of the clan as bandit outcasts or worse. by the way, do you have any hard cider? I like it in my tea." Said Dixie as she followed them in.

"Pinkie go into the basement and get a bottle of hard cider out the fridge down there while I take care of Twilight please." Said Bryan on his way up the stairs with a now fully asleep Twilight in his arms.

"Sure thing Bry Bry." Pinkie said bouncing to the basement door.

"I'll get the tea started." Megan said entering the kitchen leaving Dixie and Wind Whistler to themselves.

"So you're the first of our adopted cousins from the other world? Your younger brother certainly is something else. I wish he he would admit it to himself though." Said Dixie sitting down in a chair.

"Bryan has his qualities, but he also suffers from self-doubt and is a bit stubborn." Wind Whistler replied. "Megan as well as myself and the other ponies have been trying to help him see his value to us, but it's been slow going. It sounds as the princesses have even struggled with this side of him"

"My Niisan too. Sometimes it sounds like he wants to clock him one because of how hard that colt is on himself, at least from what he says in the letters. But he doesn't because he's seen what happens first hoof if you go to far with that kind of thing thanks to our cursed former head of the family." said Dixie

"Niisan? I'm afraid I don't understand that word. I do know that there is a difference between them though. Bryan does not cause trouble intentionally, it sounds to me like Ace does go out of his way to cause trouble."

"It means big brother. Ace only ever caused trouble with the mares back home. Before he herded he was a real heart breaker. But he never caused trouble, he definitely searched for it though. He has never been happy sitting still. He always has to be looking for the next real fight. Hunting bandits after his training was done kept him happy. But well, life got in the way. He came to Equestria because it's more dangerous. And he needs to protect others, to be useful. He and Bryan are to sides of the same bit. Both wish to help any way they can. But Bryan is unsure of his own power and may be scared of it. While Ace is proud of his power and ability, and trusts in it." said Dixie

"Bryan, afraid of his own power?" Wind Whistler sat on her haunches and turned thoughtful. "Could it really be?" She said quietly to herself.