Embracing the Sun

"This is worse than when the Crystal Empire was in Sombra's frozen tundra." Celestia's remark made me grimace as my trench coat slid over her body, a compliment of how mannered I am towards my mare.

A "It's too cold" would have sufficed, but it wasn't something I'd expect less than from alicorn. I was starting to see that she isn't known for being soft and gentle with the truth she speaks.

"I know, Tia. But I thought we could sit down and have a bite to eat before we get back on the road." The words slipped out of my mouth as we walked from the truck, breath as visible as the morning fog in the fragrant season of spring.

We walked past a couple that was leaving the restaurant as it filled with people that have finished their day of work. The Wisconsin Winds did not help Celestia move any faster but rather slow her down when they touched her face. She shivered to each gust that licked her, forcing that shaky breath to go with the obvious signs of her human form succeeding in what I presumed.

It was without a doubt that said form is much more realistic than I thought. If she was shivering like this, like a scared puppy, then the magic she produces far more powerful and potent than I believed.

It was seven, almost clock-out time for most workers, and we were just in time to be one of very few customers that get a table. She did not even see the waitress in evidence and supposed that it would be easier for us to go and get something from a convenience store while there is still a little daylight left.

I glared at her as we entered a well-known restaurant called the "Chez-La-Gwafi". Whether or not Tia noticed that I disliked her suggestion, my stomach said otherwise about us getting a real bite to eat and some time to catch up on how much we know about each other.

Finally we made our way inside, and to my surprise we found there to be no line when I opened the door for my princess. She was impressed by my manners, of course, but the chills we are trying to avoid followed us in until I closed the door. I shivered at first, shaking off the touch of Jack Frost, then rejoined with Celestia as a waitress walked towards us.

I was almost out of my mental funk when my brain finally clicked to the old memory of grandma teaching everything there is to know about treating a pretty lady to dinner. Sadly the lady is not a lady, but a freaking pony, so - again - I had to remind myself that there might be different customs in Equestria.

Cursing under my breath for being so absent-minded, I quickly withdrew every manner I was taught and put them to use before things could go bad, and eventually decided to put aside my need to just get this dinner over with. I had already worn myself out from carrying all those bags throughout the mall, but I had to stand tall and show not a single second of exhaustion. This was Celestia's special day, a day that she has never received in her life, and it was my job, as her mate, to make sure everything went perfect.

"Hello," the waitress bowed, slightly, "Do you have a reservation?"

Now as you all know, I'm above spending money to spoil myself. I am a man that has no desire for the many things that most millionaires buy for their satisfaction, to be the one that owns something others do not. I'm not that kind of spender, nor will I ever be, except to spoil Tia. However, in this case, I can spend my money for the sake of getting a table for two; such is the way of a man that wants to impress his lady.

Also...Tia didn't want to go back out in the cold.

Remembering that I withdrew money from an A.T.M., I pulled out my wallet, unfolded it, and took out two brand new one hundred dollar bills. Celestia was confused by this, of course, but she did not know this about me until now. Luckily it was nothing serious or bad, so I had nothing to worry about when I caught the eye of the waitress with currency.

For those who do not know about catering, most waiters and waitresses make so little in the business of serving others. The tips they receive go with the minimum wage they get every hour. Some make quite a bit for being a good host, while others receiving little to nothing, but that is not for poor service. Some people, or a lot in this case, have a tendency to leave a tip that is under the proper percentile; such is the way for greedy people.

I, however, am not greedy.

"I have a special reservation for me and my wife," I handed the blonde the money and winked at her, "The best seat you have in your fine establishment, and the best wine for her to drink."

The blonde waitress smiled while putting both bills into her bra, just like I presumed. She returned from bowing and gestured for us to follow her through the crowd, that happened to be glaring at me.

I wrapped my arm around Celestia's, who happened to surprise me with putting her other arm around it in the right way. I led my darling 'wife' through the aisle with a little difficulty of not tripping over anyone. We weaved and slowly spun around other hosts as they walked making their way through the restaurant, carrying trays of freshly cooked food.

I smelled pasta and other sorts of meat around me, but those are for the couples and families that are staying in the less expensive booths. My choice was for Celestia so that the only thing she can smell is breadsticks, salad, and anything else that is not related to meat.

"It's so crowded." My Sunshine whispered, holding onto my arm tightly as some guys checked her out. Which she knew the entire time. "Are we to sit around these other humans when they're looking at my flanks?"

I grabbed her hand and gently stroked it with my thumb, before managing to reply through our walk, "Don't worry baby. I requested a special booth that is rarely used. It is private and no one but our host will be able to see us."

I continued down the path as it became a dark hallway. The sound of work and chatter went to a dull roar as we walked into the private section of the restaurant. The waitress was standing next to the booth, the only booth that is open right now. Ahead of us was five or six more couples that are having their orders taken, and a line-up of chefs cooking everything but products of meat.

This was the more secluded section for vegetarians: A room that is charged more for the care these chefs have for everyone's needs. They respect their customers' wishes and work to the fullest accomplishment. These were the best chefs you can find in America; not for their skill in cooking but for their care in making everything they cook so perfect.

If I were to order a chocolate cake with mint leaves on top, for better smell, mind you, they would go out of their way to make it as fancy as possible for the customer, even if it was requested to be plain and simple.

That is why the have such respect.

"Your seat." our waitress gestured.

I stopped Celestia and told her to stay where she is. Which by the way was very confusing to her. She gave me this adorable tilt of her head as I approached her chair; brow cocked as high as it would go.

"Josh?"

I pulled out the alicorn's chair and pulled her over by the hand. I gently pushed her into her seat by her shoulders and pushed her in. Next I pecked her cheek and took my seat across table and sat down. The waitress gave me a respectful smile and handed my menu first, with two sets of silverware in wrapped cloths.

Celestia continued to give me a confused stare as I opened my menu. Clearly it did not register that a man is to hold his arm out for his lady and pull her chair out for her and push her in. It must have been something that she has not seen before, or that it does not exist in Equestria. Either way, I did as I was taught, and I was not going to do any less than what grandma showed me.

If I did, that old bat would come back from the dead and beat the hell out of me.

"Good evening," our waitress began, "I am Selena and I will be your waitress for this evening. Would you like anything for an appetizer, or perhaps a drink?"

I folded my menu and looked right at the princess, my smile more alarming than comforting to her, before replying warmly, "I would just like to have some of your sweet tea, with a little ginseng in it. Now as for my lovely wife, I believe the choice of food is up to her."

Celestia blushed deeply behind her menu. The redness gave away how she has not been treated to a date like this, and by god did it feel good to be the first guy that can do it.

As we waited, Celestia pursed her lips in a nervous fashion and looked over the appetizers.

"I am not sure, to be honest." she said nervously; hands shook slightly as we watched. "I've never even seen this stuff, nor heard of it. What would be good to have?"

"Oh, might I suggest this?" Selena pointed at something on the menu, "The Lebanon Leaf bowl is a delicious salad that is made from vegetables grown in Lebanon. It comes with Italian dressing, shredding cheese, and a bowl of croutons for added flavor."

"Croutons?" Celestia questioned, "What are croutons?"

Selena and I chuckled. "You'll have to forgive her for being clueless. Tia is from a far away country that has less than what we have here. She'll have what you suggested and the best wine you have."

"Are you sure?" Selena asked, "Our wine is pretty expensive, and the finest wine we have is ranged to about seventeen hundred per glass."

"I can afford it." I replied.

The woman did not question this or anything else I had to say. She nodded and rounded the corner after leaving the two of us alone for better conversation about what it is I am doing. I knew Celestia had many questions about how I was acting right now, but that is something I cannot laugh at or blame her for.

I knew that her subjects do have some form of etiquette, but I never thought of the most simple of manners being new to a goddess that has lived for thousands of years.

Surely she learned those things with other stallions, right?

"J-Josh," she said, her blush highly visible in the light above us. "Why did you pull out my chair like that? You know I could have done it myself." The embarrassment clear in her eyes, she looked away to try and hide behind her menu before giving away any more about her cluelessness to human etiquette.

If she was just herself right now, just in her normal figure, those ears of hers would probably be folded against the back of her head and that tail would be tucked between her sexy legs.

I listened to her mumble behind the menu, a cursing or two came about as I reached for her hand. You're so freaking gorgeous, even when you act so odd right now. Taking her hand from the menu, I gave it a long peck and held it with both of my hands.

"It is proper for a man to pull out his woman's chair and set her in it." I answered, "It is also proper for a man to hold his arm out for his woman so that she can hold onto it. It signifies that we are together, and it was for your comfort."

Pushing the matter out of my mind, I pushed my menu aside and made conversation with the alicorn. That, of course, was soon after she put hers down and gave me a saucy wink for whatever reason.

Princess Celestia was not present as we stared at one another, gazing longingly into each other's eyes, the windows of our souls coming together in this fine dance of appreciating what we have together. The goddess, no, the mare that sits in front of me, was being herself for us.

Her soul, her bright, colorful, fragile soul, it was so visible in my eyes that I could see a pink figure no bigger than a beetle take my hand and dance between us.

Mine was the same as hers, but for some strange reason there was a shade of red in mine. It danced with her, danced over the candlelight that came after the light above us was shut off. I continued to stare into the mare as she did with me, but I did so with no awareness that our heads were almost touching.

Did we stand up and lean over the table, or was some strange force shrinking the table?

"You're the first to treat me like this, you know?" Celestia said, a glance to the ghostly figures making her laugh. "Does that make you feel special or confused?"

I blinked several times, a narrow glare moving in as she held my hands. Has she been on bad dates before, or has no one caught her eye? Thinking about this a little harder, I decided it was best to just ask her and continue what we have going on while we are still alone.

Are we really in love with one another, or am I just fooling myself?

"You're not fooling yourself." I flinched at those words.

Scratching at the corners of my brain, I went on with Celestia being a mind reader and continued with this.

"What do you see in someone like me?" I asked, shamefully, "There are plenty of other guys in this world, no, in any universe, that are better than me."

Celestia's hands squeezed tighter, the strength of a goddess now curling between my fingers in a loving way. As though it were to imply that she is trying to remove the illusion of my doubts, Celestia began rubbing my thumbs with hers.

After of few seconds of silently staring at me, she leaned closer and stalked my lips with hers. And in doing so I realized how stupid it was for me to have my doubts.

Celestia pulled away, with hardly enough strength to keep herself and I apart. She wanted more than just a kiss, more than a simple wrestle of our tongues, but she respected how I have my boundaries.

"But none of them are like you." she whispered huskily, "No one in any universe has what you have, nor have the idea to give me what I need from a stallion."

"And what is that?" I asked, the half-lid gaze giving away my lust.

"Easy," she quipped, "You act like yourself and show no fear to be honest with me. Though you are flawed with poor impulse and a short temper, you have a warm heart and a gentle love that is rare to see in others."

"I do?"

"Yes you do," she chuckled, "You have a soft kind of love that is neither rough or aggressive. Instead you are like me, a...person...that is steady and patient with others. You do not force yourself into anything, not even to say hello to someone, you let them come to you and give care in return."

"So you're saying I'm passive?"

"Yes, very passive, and that is what I love about you so much. However you could do something about that short temper of yours." Oh boy. Here we go about the bad stuff. "I know that couples have a balance that makes them a pair, say like one is tough and the other is soft, but you do have a little bit of a temper."

I tensed up as she giggled, unsure if I should take that as an insult or as a grain of salt. I didn't see any sign of aggression in Celestia or feel some sort of hostile tone in her words, so perhaps she was just letting me know, softly.

All-in-all, I shrugged my shoulders and took my turn with her.

"Okay, Miss Bossy, what about this being a first for you?" I should have not asked that question, for it was a setup. "I'm certain a lovely thing like you has spent quite a few nights with a few stallions over the years as a princess."

Celestia started off shaky at first, and there was several breaths that left her body before she looked away and pulled her hands back, not for having an uncomfortable arch in her back. However, she soon managed to get whatever is bothering her back under control and develop some sort of courage for my question.

Music was starting to play in the background, but we ignored it. The happiness seemed to slowly fade away as the alicorn mustered the power to answer me. The world around us was going to a stand-still as she cracked her gaze back to me and took my hand into hers once more.

Seconds, minutes, hours; I was tormented by this silence. Until the answer I nearly begged for came through her lips and struck my ears with horrible words.

Celestia blinked her eyes, the sparkle in them not being allergies. Did I say something to make her upset? Collecting all thought as to where I messed up, I searched hard for the answer that was never there.

"I never went on a date with someone," she paused between breaths, "I never trusted a stallion to get close to me. It was hard for me to be a princess before reaching my adulthood."

"What are you talking about?" I asked quizzically, "You're Celestia, a divine goddess of a world that bows to you. Nothing is hard for you, nothing at all."

"It was when I was just a teenager." she replied, sadly. "I was only sixteen when mother and father left Luna and the castle in my care. They left us with guards that saw ample opportunity, leaving me to protect us both. And that is not the worst part. What made it so hard is I once had a friend I thought to be 'The One'."

I didn't need to know anymore.

"But he hurt you." I stated.

"No, I hurt him before he could hurt us. And after he was locked away I regressed from falling in love with anyone and vowed to never let myself be fooled with love ever again."

I sighed in understanding of this, having nothing left to say.

I just looked away and made an effort to ignore the guilt that was growing in my chest, but paused when Celestia said, "But that is the past and I do not look back to it. I'm happy because I have you, my love, and that's all I need. Now how about you? I told you something about me, so it is only fair that I know something about you."

I sighed into my hand while she kissed the other one. I knew this would not be pretty, but she gave me some dark details, so it was fair that I return the same.

Begrudgingly, I pursed my lips and answered, "I have not told you everything about Lacy and I. There is a reason why she is so obsessed with me."

"Oh?" Celestia's blinked several times, but did not remove her grasp from mine.

"Yeah," I started, reluctantly, "A few years back she was just your normal high school girl that gets straight A's and has everyone for a friend. She was a great friend, a great girlfriend, everyone loved her because she always helped others out, but I took that away."

"How?"

"You know both vehicles were my grandparents?"

"Yes."

And here came the hard part. Tia...please don't hate me for this...

"I took her to a party at some guy's places, to celebrate our upcoming graduation. However I did not realize that he had spiked the drinks and tipped the food with drugs. We partied, we laughed, we had fun, but I was behind the wheel of my graduation gift. Grandpa bought me a Mustang GT and gave it to me early, and I drove under the influence of alcohol and Meth."

Celestia did not understand where this was going, but she didn't know what I was saying. Laws are different in her world, and Driving Under The Influence could mean a million things to her.

Until now...

I emphasized my regretful confession with a small wave of my hands. "It's illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and I should have been arrested for it. But an investigation was done and I was one of many kids that were given a slap on the wrist."

"What happened?"

I looked into the candle's fire and played the memory over and over again. Her face, her terrified, shocked face, it just would not leave me alone, it was haunting me.

JOSH, WATCH OUT!

(SCREEECH)

"I lost control of the car because I got into a fight with a friend. We went over a cliff.. Nobody died, but Lacy was never the same afterward. We suffered from broken bones, many broken bones, but her side was hit by the truck, and it gave her serious brain damage."

Celestia narrowed her gaze. "That doesn't explain why she tried to kill us."

"It does, actually," I returned to staring into her eyes, guilt imaging as the memory through mine. "The damage to her brain shut down different sections of her personality. She became this needy, clingy, obsessed girl that lacked the conscience to steer her from doing wrong. She suffered something the doctors say is a second personality that is her innermost desires, her freedom to do what she wants, her will to do anything without having fear to stop her."

"So she-"

"Is not right in the head, yes, and it is all my fault. That's why I did not fight back like I should have, because I feel sorry for her, sorry that the old Lacy is gone because I got her hurt."

Silence passed between her and I as the waitress returned with our drinks and food. Reluctantly, I kept my head down and just stared at the salad while she politely engorged herself of the spinach leaves and tomatoes. I never would have thought that ponies love spinach and tomatoes, but I kept reminding myself that greens are the best thing to a pony.

It was comforting to see Celestia eat and have a good time. The way she smiled made it easier for me to let this dinner run smoothly. I had assumed that she would be angry or disappointed in me for not telling the truth sooner. Her reaction, however, said differently; it said in its own way that understanding was behind her smile, behind those purple diamond eyes I cannot stray from.

She's probably just waiting for when we leave the restaurant to chew me out. I sighed mentally, stabbing one my croutons and putting it in my mouth with a reluctant chew. I fought the urge to look up at my princess, knowing those beautiful eyes are staring at me right now. Can't blame her for being mad at me; it is my fault that she got her horn chipped.

"I don't blame you for my horn being chipped." she grabbed my left hand and dug her fingers between mine, her thumb rubbing the palm. "It was an unfortunate event that happened to us. We're alive and well, and my horn will heal in a few weeks. So do not presume my feelings when we all make mistakes."

Shit. I forgot she can read my mind. that made her giggle.

--->>>Luna<<<---

"Have we made contact with her yet?" Twilight asked me in the midst of my concentration, a flow of her magic going with mine for the proper spell.

"No, and I can't seem to reach her because our connection is damaged for whatever reason." I replied, helping the young alicorn focus on the center point of Celestia's last dimensional transfer. "I can sense her in another location of Joshua's world, but I am unable to connect with Celestia. It's as if her magic is mostly severed from her body, but I can feel that she still has her full power."

It had been days since Celestia left us again for Joshua.  I was confused and worried that something happened to them, something that may have harmed my sister. Twilight, Cadance, and I were putting everything we have into a fail-safe spell of dimensional travelling, leaving no corners of peril to be unseen.

Celestia, my dear sister, has Joshua harmed you or taken you captive?

Was he really just another monster that is keeping you hostage? If so, then I will send him to the moon and watch the last breath in his body leave before he freezes to death.

But what if he is keeping you safe from harm?

Is he keeping you safe, or is he hurting you?

No, I must not believe that he is hurting her. I saw how much he loves my sister. I must be faithful in that human, faithful in Celestia's decision.

I was starting to grow afraid. Each passing second was not helping me overcome my thoughts, and with only my fellow alicorns to help me, I had only so much to give in this spell. Discord had already given us as much as he can without draining himself, but this rift was somehow overpowered by a magic that I never thought to have been in Celestia.

It's almost like she's been holding back her power, or that Joshua is somehow making her stronger. The level of magic was beyond mine by its sheer amount. Which was more shocking than when Tirek took all the magic in Equestria.

Regardless, I had a job to do, a sister to find, and I was not going to let this rift stop me. I continued to pour my magic into the spell until it was ready and stable, although Discord advised that the spell is more than ready. Perhaps he was correct about it being ready for me and my mate to jump through, but I just had to be absolutely sure that we would be alright.

Minutes, minutes of strenuous chanting went on as we kept the rune locked between the three of us. My mate, my darling Joseph, his eyes narrowing on me as the first sign of fatigue dripped from my brow. I told him to stay away so that he does not risk getting hurt, but he never listens to me.

"Luna," I loved how he cooed my name. He draped his black wing and allowed me to rest against his chest, a pillow of dreamy softness. "You're going to keel over if you don't stop soon. Tell me the spell and I'll take over."

"No. This is my duty as a sister." I grunted, the final strings of our spell interlocking as I leaned into him. "Besides, you're still too young in your new body to be trying any spells."

He hated how I said no to him; it always miffed him that I would not allow him to help. But he is still young and new to being part of me, and I will not risk losing him to this. Though I give him the same power I possess, our connection is somehow not as strong as Celestia and Joshua's, meaning we cannot trade magic and spirit as strongly as those two.

That is quite confusing, seeing as how Joseph and I have been dating for over a year now. Celestia must be quite forceful with having Josh, or that Josh is lovestruck and more accepting of my sister for who she is.

Wait...Does he know about her Inner-Mare, about Molly?

"It's done." Cadance yelled, a pulse from her horn signifying the completion.

We stepped back and took a breather as the rift reopened in the middle of Celestia's room. Runes of many different spells channeled a ten-sided star and vibrated what we gave it before a beacon of light shot up and touched the ceiling. I looked to my left and saw that the foals were standing at the bed yet shaking excitedly to jump into the portal. I promised that I would take them back to their father, to help convince him to come back to Equestria.

Chrysalis, Sombra, Nightmare Moon; it hurt them to have their father back in the human world with the mare they already call mommy.

That's ironic; she helped defeat all of those villains. Now they are fillies that call her mommy, and her mate is the same as Joseph was before we changed him

Speaking of which, I hope she informed Josh that Joseph is the same as him. If not, then we could have problems with those two having some sort of feud.

Oh well...My bits are on my snuggly stallion.

"You sure you want to do this?" I asked my stallion, his nod being the only response I need.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, you'd get lost or hurt if you ventured alone." he chuckled, my glare not helping him joke about it. He scratched his neck nervously and folded his wings as the foals approached. "Uh...anyway, let's get going before anyone notices we're gone."

"Right." I turned to my left to speak with the one who would be left to guard the castle. I had hoped for him to be better as a god that knows how important this mission is, but the chocolate pudding bath he was taking said otherwise. "Discord we leave you-FOR BUCK'S SAKE, FOCUS FOR A MOMENT!"

"What?" he shrugged his shoulder, a sheepish smile for his grin. "I never get to do anything fun, and a chocolate pudding bath in Celestia's tub is on my bucket list."

"You're immortal. You don't need a bucket list." Joseph flatly reminded.

"Hey, even I have things to do in life." Unfortunately he teleported between us and hugged our necks, talon digging in Joseph's fur. "Can't a Draconequus enjoy himself while Miss Lecture is away, with her human mate?"

"No!" we said together, all of us, except for the foals.

Huffing his frustration, Discord teleported back to his bath and resumed pouring it from Celestia's faucet, while making a huge mess. He growled and muttered under his breath as we approached the portal, but none of us listened to his little tantrum. He's a big boy, he can take care of himself and take someone telling him no.

Carefully, we stepped into the portal without a minute to spare and watched as the world around us disappeared in a realm of white. The sounds of our fellow monarchs telling us to be safe died out, leaving my stallion and I alone with three excited foals.

I blinked once, and with that blink I came to a place that I never thought to be where Celestia would go. The first thing was a tattered room and obvious signs of battle here. There was magic around me, magic that is my sister's. I could feel the aura of her remaining mana stick to various parts of the walls.

I barely stepped out of the rift and already found myself worried. The foals darted through the house and began to scream for Joshua and Celestia, calling them mommy and daddy.

"Little ones!" I called out to them, but they were already darting up the stairs.

This place looked like something out of a great war; the walls were cracked, chairs were broken, a window was destroyed, and the obvious signs of wolves being in here rested as tracks. I stared at the broken window, snow covering it completely. There was blood and yellow strips sticking everywhere, with the words 'Caution. Do Not Cross'.

I began to worry.

"Daddy, mommy, we're here!" I heard as the foals came back down.

I was about to chase and set them on the only piece of furniture that isn't destroyed, the couch to be precise, but Joseph nudged me and said my name from within the oddest part of the room.

"Babe, this is a crime scene," he said while holding a rectangular device. I had forgotten that we made sure to look human when we came here. He looked like himself again, clothed and still as handsome, and I was...clothed? "This had to have happened after Celestia went after Josh."

"Do you think he tried to hurt her?" I was starting to lose hope in Josh loving my sister.

Until...

"No, I don't think it was him." he replied, "The blood stains are not Josh's or Celestia's, but someone else's."

I raised an eyebrow, unsure how he would be so certain.

"I just used the blood test spell to see if either was hurt, but most of the blood is from another person." he answered.

"And how would you know that spell, and their blood types?"

He smiled victoriously and said, "Discord taught me the spell, and he took samples of your blood while you were all sleeping to help me understand it better. Yours was tougher to get because you kept moving, but the marks from where Josh was stunned made it really easy. As for Celestia, I took her toothbrush. By the way, she needs to brush easier or her gums will get torn up in the future."

Note To Self: Take over teaching Joseph about magic.

"Plus you need to see this." he pointed at a large, thin square and pushed a button on the device in his hand. Suddenly there was noise from a strange voice coming out of said square and a picture of an older human. "This place must still be under investigation, seeing as how the electricity is still on."

"What am I looking at?" I asked.

"The news. Just listen real quick."

"Nobody has scene or heard of Lacy Malone's whereabouts since her escape from Wisconsin Correctional Facility. It is, however, believed that she returned to an acquaintance that was part of the wreck she suffered five years ago. Police believe that twenty-three year old Joshua Duncan is her main focus and is still alive, but no evidence shows. So far it has been a struggling search for the man and the mysterious woman that has been with him the entire time."

"No one knows who this woman is, but witnesses have said that this Bayonetta look-alike is actually Joshua's wife and the mother and his three children."

"Lacy Malone," Joseph pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily for whatever reason. "This isn't good at all. I hope those two are okay."

"Do you know Josh and this Lacy character?" I asked.

"Yeah I do. Josh was in the same graduation year as me. We were linemen on the football team but rivals because we never liked eachother." he replied, "Also, Lacy is my sister, and she was obsessed with Josh, so obsessed that she killed his dog over him dumping her, and she tried to kill him."

Now I was afraid, very afraid. My sister and her human were somewhere in this world with a madwoman hunting them down or keeping them hostage. I didn't want to believe that they are hurt or dead, but the evidence around us made it hard not to believe.

Comfortingly, Joseph held my hoo-I mean hand and pecked my cheek, before whispering in a loving tone, "Don't worry baby, I'm certain that Josh is keeping her safe. He is the kind of guy that can keep Celestia safe from anything, if he needs to."

"How can you be so certain when Josh has such a temper?" I said questioningly, "That human reacts on his emotions before thinking, and it hurts those around him. It hurt Celestia and the foals, and now look where we're at."

"You mean you don't know?" he gave me a quizzical stare. "Josh isn't your normal kind of guy; at least that's what I believe."

"What? That he is practically everything Celestia is not. A hard headed, angry creature that has no patience for anything?"

"No... Well yes, but something else, something only I know because I experienced it." he clarified, his arm moving around my shoulders. "Josh has a mild case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He got it when Lacy killed his dog and shot, and for some reason he is able suppress his emotions."

"But he has so much emotion." I pointed out.

"Yeah he does, but that's probably from Celestia being connected to him. There must be something about her that is making him seem more like a normal person. But the point is that he is not your average guy; that cold attitude of his hides what he is on the inside."

"And that is?"

He scratched his neck again and began, "Well his grandfather used to be in the military, and Josh spent a lot of time with him. There were some days where Josh would come to school with bandages on his body and bruises in a few places. I remember him telling me that he and his grandfather went into the mountains once and spent a week surviving on what is around them.

That's odd for a human to do.

"Then one day he sort of lost it." I suddenly dreaded those words, "Lacy admitted to killing his dog and shot him in front of the entire school. The cops were not going to be there soon enough and Lacy was going to kill him. I tried to stop her, but she threatened to put a shell through my head if I didn't shut up. This was all after the accident that happened. But something in Josh came out, something that made a lot of us cringe."

"What?"

"When Lacy put the shotgun to his head, he moved faster than anyone had ever seen and incapacitated the crazy bitch. I watched him dislocate her shoulders and knees in less than two minutes. And he did it without a care in the world, like something in his mind snapped."

I felt my breath stop abruptly, a confusing rush of fear overcoming me.

"He didn't kill her, he didn't try, but it changed him. After Josh stopped, I watched him return from whatever it is that took control and blink in confusion before crying in realization that he injured Lacy. I'm not sure if it was also for the fact that she killed his dog and shot him, but I know for certain that he broke down over hurting her."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because he said he sorry to me so many times that I lost count."

"Why?" I quipped.

"Because him and I were the cause of her going bat-shit crazy. We were drunk and drugged by someone at a party. So we left the party and decided to go home before it got worse. But Josh was fighting with the guy in the passenger seat, and it broke into us swerving all over the place before we went over a small cliff."

"Driving?" Human's have always astounded me, and also confused me with their way of grammar.

"It's something we do with cars, but Josh was not supposed to drive because he was buzzed and drugged. But none of us prepared for the consequences, and he decided to drive all of us back to his house. We would have made it if it wasn't for the guy that decided to pick a fight with him over Lacy being his girlfriend."

I was starting to understand a little bit....I think. "And who was the one that fought with Josh while in the 'car'?"

...

...

"It was me, because I wanted to end their relationship.”

To Be Continued...