New Dawn

by Silver Scrolls

Rating: teen
Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life, Human
Length: 45601

He's been traveling Equus for twenty years, afraid to settle down, afraid to stop moving. Finally he decides it's time to stop so he goes to the one place he hasn't visited, Equestria.

It's been nearly twenty years since he arrived on Equus. He has traveled the world, seen its wonders, learned its past and met its people but there is one thing he never found, a home. Afraid to settle down he spent his life on the run but now things have changed, and there is only one place left for him to go, Equestria. A land of ponies and magic and harmony and possibly a place to hang up his hat and lay his bindlestiff.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-01 22:20:49 UTC

Arrival

The afternoon sun reached the peak of it's journey, finally able to send it's vengeful rays out on a quest to seek out those who dared sleep this late. Today those rays found the window of a familiar library. Oh how they enjoyed torturing the lavender mare who lived in it's confines. Today however they found something new. A creature reeking of alcohol and vomit. He lay contentedly snoring in the guest room, blissfully unaware of the vengeful rays aiming straight at his eyes. Those lids would offer no protection from there hate this afternoon, they would have their vengeance against this poor unsuspecting blasphemer. No one was allowed to miss the glorious hours of morning without incurring the wrath these rays now aimed at him.

Striking true they bathed his face in their hate and relished in the loud pained groan that was pulled from him. By the bloody moon, why? It's to early for this much pain. For the love of  all that is holy, someone please rescue me from this pain. The morning blasphemer pulled the covers over his head, shielding himself from the hate of the midday sun. Mm, these smell like lavender. Wait I don't use...SHIT! This is not good. What happened last night-

The sound of a door opening and the voice that called out effectively destroying any form of thought he had. “Good afternoon. I'm glad to see you aren't dead.”

“MMMF” The poor sufferer murmured into the covers he had cocooned himself in to avoid the wrath of the sun.

He heard a girly giggle before his mysterious benefactor responded. “Well it's your fault your in so much pain. I am amazed you're even alive. The amount of alcohol in your body was more than enough to kill a creature twice your size and mass. You're lucky you didn't succumb to alcohol poisoning or anything.”

Pulling the covers tighter around himself he attempted to bury his head under the pillow in a vain attempt to block out some of the noise around. “Please lower your voice, every time you allow a syllable free the tympani band currently residing in my skull plays a concert.”

“Sorry, I thought I was being quiet.” The strange benefactor lowered her voice to barely above a whisper. “So can I get you anything?”

“Gatorade please, and a trashcan.”

“Gatorade?”

The guest smirked and winced as it caused a fresh wave of nausea inducing pain. “A drink full of electrolytes to aid in re-hydration. Ha, who hasn't heard of Gatorade before.”

“Aw, a sports drink, I think I have a few. Rainbow likes to leave them here in case she drops by after her training.”

“Thank you, umm I don't think I caught your name.”

“Twilight Sparkle, and your welcome.”

For moment he was silent before he spoke up tentatively. “Excuse me, did you just say Twilight Sparkle?”

He felt the bed shift a little as a weight settle near the edge. “That is what I said. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am the personal student of Princess Celestia.”

Twilight's guest mimicked her as she finished her sentence. “Haha, very funny. Did my friends put you up to this. I watched one episode, I am not a brony, and in no way identify with them.”

The room was silent for a moment before he felt something poke his side, larger and sharper than a finger and feeling like something he did not want to consider. “Episode? Brony? What are you talking about, are you sure the copious amounts of ethanol you consumed didn't cause any long term mental effects?”

The creature buried under the covers groaned in frustration. “Really, fine we can play it your way. Episode, it's like a chapter but for a play. Brony, a fan of the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. My friends caught me watching it once and now they won't let me live it down.”

The guest felt the bed shift as the weight moved closer. “Show, like a play? Why would they tease you for that?”

The guest loosened his grip on the pillow and sighed. “Because the show is written and aimed at an audience of young girls. Though the writer wanted to prove that such a show could tailor to young boys as well, hence why it amassed a following of males, though no one expected it to gather so many.”

Squinting Twilight's guest was able to peak out from the sanctuary of his covers at the wall behind the head of the bed he occupied. For a moment he was silent, letting the nausea pass before he attempted to roll over only for the covers to stop him.

The covers shifted as the one claiming to be Twilight Sparkle spoke up. “Are you telling me that the life of Twilight Sparkle is a play meant to entertain little fillies?”

“Yes, all of it is fiction-” The beds occupant stopped short as a purple log passed in front of his face. Small hairs on it tickled his nose forcing him to crinkle it. “Impressive, to go such lengths for a prank, I commend thee.” Crinkling his nose he rolled over and found himself staring into two purple orbs full of concern. “Ummm, nice contacts but could you back...” A hoof passed across his face and he felt something press against his forehead.

The eyes shifted away as the feeling on his forehead vanished. “You don't seem to be running a fever. I can't believe somepony wrote a play about my life but for it to have a cult following.” She jumped off the bed and her guest watched as she walked towards the door and paused. Turning back she smiled. “I'll be right back with that sports drink and something for you to eat. Can I get you anything else?”

Her guest took a deep breath, held it for a moment then opened it and... “AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW”

~ ~ ~

A painful moan caused Twilight to roll her eyes again as she looked at her guest curled up into the corner of the seat shielding his face and ears from the world around him. “Is your hangover really that bad?”

It took a moment for him to roll over but when he did he kept his eyes closed and spoke in a whisper. “Please, not so loud, the sound of the train is more than enough. Also, yes it is that bad. I may be able to drink a lot but I am not resistant to the resulting withdrawal symptoms from consuming ones body weight in alcoholic beverages.” He cracked a bloodshot eye. “Plus I think all the screaming we did earlier may have given me a headache on top of the hangover.” He closed his eyes and huddled back down into the seat with a cranky sigh. “That stupid dragon didn't help much with his girly scream either.”

“HEY!” The aforementioned dragon spoke up angrily. “I do not have a girly scream.”

The hungover passenger winced and growled. “Not so loud you f-”

A purple aura sealed his lips before he finished the sentence. “Language, he's still young and I don't want him running around town using language like that.” The would be bad influence nodded once and she released him.  He glared at her for a moment before looking back to the dragon and sticking his tongue out at him. Twilight smirked at him. “So you never gave me your name, I had to write to Princess Celestia that I had a hungover thing that I think she should meet.”

“Oh, right, you told me yours and I forgot to tell you mine. It's Jerrod.” He smiled and winced as the doors to the compartment slid open with a squeal and a food cart was pushed in.

A maroon mare pushed her cart along the aisle till she reached the only occupants. “MORNING!!” She trilled in a high pitched voice that caused Jerrod to slam back against the wall clutching his head.

He looked up at her with a pained expression and spoke in a hushed tone as he tried not to cry in pain. “For the love of all that's holy. Please, don't speak again, whatever you do, do not open your mouth and subject me to that torturous sound again, I will do anything you ask just please don't speak again.”

The mare frowned at him. “Sorry.” Her ears folded back. “I didn't mean to offend you.”

Twilight waved her hoof dismissively. “I'm sorry, my friend is just cranky because he's still sobering up from last night.”

The mare brightened a little. “Oh, I have the perfect thing for that.” She reached into her cart and pulled out a plate of eggs and a sports drink. “This should help.” She leaned over and placed it on the bench next to Jerrod. “So what are you, I don't think I have ever seen anything like you before on the train. I been all over Equestria and I have never seen anything like you before.”

Jerrod glared up at the mare from the plate of food. “I'm not from here, I come from far far away.”

“Oh, well I hope you enjoy your visit, can I get you anything else.”

Jerrod was silent for a moment before speaking. “Hmm, could you perhaps kill me and end my suffering?”

The mare turned pale and she backpedaled away from Jerrod. “WHAT! I COULD NEVER, HOW COULD YOU EVEN JOKE ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT!”

Jerrod winced back. “FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK...OH GOD WHY AM I SCREAMING...MY HANGOVER!” He clutched his head and started whimpering as he rocked back and forth causing Twilight to titter.

“I'm sorry about that, he's just a little cranky. I think we should be good now.” She smiled and pulled out her bit purse and handed over some bits with a little extra. “Sorry for my friend here again, he's new to Equestria and a little bit cranky. I hope the rest of your day is better.” The mare nodded and trotted off, still a little shaken. Twilight turned back to Jerrod. “Would you like some more painkillers?”

Jerrod nodded slightly and Twilight pulled out two more and placed them next to his eggs and watched as he devoured both in short order. Shortly after she heard his snores start up again and she turned to the window to watch the scenery go by.

~ ~ ~

Many ponies often claim that Canterlot is a normal place. It's the seat of power in Equestria but nothing really strange aside from politics happens there, and would tell you a town like Ponyville has more strange happenings in it than any other town in Equestria. Those ponies would be wrong, though Ponyville is extremely strange because of it's proximity to the Everfree Forest it still has nothing on Canterlot. Canterlot is not only the seat of power of in Equestria but it is also the seat of higher education and almost all research facilities.

Now one might wonder why that means it's stranger than Ponyville but usually you're answered with an explosion or possibly the after effects of some researcher poking at the fabric of reality. Needless to say Canterlot can be very strange, a place full of highly powerful unicorns being taught to harness their power and to follow what ever fancy they dreamed up can have very odd effects. Add to that mix two immortal goddesses with a penchant for tom foolery and well, beyond the antics of the nobles, most ponies in Canterlot are phased by very little.

With that said this day had managed to top things that many drunken college students had done to the locals and might possibly have scared a pony or two. It all started very normal, the train rolled up and the conductor called out the stop and the doors swung open. A few ponies trickled out then a small dragon followed by the fourth Equestrian princess. Then it got weird, a large bipedal creature stumbled out and cursed under his breath as he shielded his eyes from the afternoon sun. This would not have been strange if a very famous DJ had not walked by in her trademark sunglasses.

Everypony's account of the moment is the same at this moment. First the DJ paused and turned to look at the creature and the creature looked down at her. She smiled and opened her mouth and then the creature attacked her and the whole crowd exploded. Now this only marginally accurate, the creature did not in fact attack her, he did lunge towards her but he tripped so he mostly fell into her. He was aiming for her sunglasses but instead ended up head butting her and then wrapping his arms around her as he twisted so he wouldn’t squish her and she wouldn't hurt herself as she fell.

This is the point at which we defer to a very famous earth pony cellist. She was nearby when she saw her best friend and part time lover attacked by a very strange creature and by her count the creature also sexually assaulted her lover on a part time basis. This is when a guard nearby discovered why earth ponies were highly regarded in combat classes and also that an earth pony can in fact excel at jujitsu. He also discovered for a brief moment how it feels to be in free fall unexpectedly, something he hadn't felt for a very a long time but his confusion and fear were short lived as the one he had been sent to escort to the palace was in the path he had been sent along.

All told the five minutes between the creature disembarking from the train and order being restored a lot of damage was caused and a guard discovered that there are some things in this world that have no boundaries and can in fact find the chance to poke things one shouldn't in polite company. A DJ discovered that her part time lover might want to be more and that. She also discovered might have a fetish for fingers and taller beings, preferably with two legs and unique in the world. She also realized she might like her cello playing roommate more than ever, or that might be fear of a mare willing to use a guard pony as an impromptu weapon. The fourth Equestrian Princess discovered that she had far more patience than she previously believed and the crowd at the train station discovered that the world can always surprise you, even if you live in a city devoted to advancing the magical sciences under the influence of copious amounts of alcohol and the knowledge that almost anything you do can be cleaned up by one of two goddesses or if they need to, the newest addition to the goddess family.

Now we move forward to inside the carriage and the center stage for the fiasco as he nurses a new headache and gloats over his new amazing shades. “Well that was rather eventful wouldn't you say Twilight. That mare with the shades was quite friendly.”

Twilight's head was hung low as she rubbed her temples. “You haven't even been here a day. First contact with a new species and this is how you act. Not only did you grope me when I was taking you home but now you have groped two mares and a guard stallion.”

Spike chuckled to himself and patted Twilight's side. “There's no need to be jealous Twilight. I bet if you asked him-” Spike stopped short and shrunk back as he found himself the subject of Twilight's DEFCON two stare.

Twilight took a few deep breathes just how Cadence taught her. Breath in and pull your hoof to your chest, breath out and extend you hoof. She repeated this several times before speaking up. “Spike, lets not rehash what our guest did while I brought him home. Two, I am not jealous, embarrassed yes, but not jealous.” Her stare turned to her guest. “Jerrod, please try and behave. I realize you might have different norms were your from but here in Equestria randomly kissing ponies is not considered good behavior, especially if they have shown a large distaste for you.”

Jerrod's lips split into a cocky grin as he leaned forward. “Now now Miss Sparkle, I don't think she objected that much. I think the guard was more surprised than anything, not to mention I think it brought those two closer together.” He reached out and cupped Twilight's cheek gently causing her to blush a little as his breath danced over her nose. “As for you, all you had to do was ask.”

Spike ducked at the perfect moment but Jerrod had his eyes closed and found himself taking the full brunt of a golden shod hoof to the cheek bone. Needless to say Twilight was confused and Jerrod, well he was rather pleased, he enjoyed sleep a lot so this was a nice transition and it happened so fast it didn't even hurt this time.

Twilight furrowed her brow and looked to the guard. “What was that for?”

The guard saluted and tried to sit and stand at attention. “I was merely protecting the princess from harm.”

Twilight sighed. “I was not in any danger, he was merely being, well I am not sure what to call it but it was harmless.”

“Ma'am.” The guard stiffened. “I also really wanted to.”

Spike broke into laughter and Twilight sighed. “Please refrain from hurting him in the future. I know his actions may be vexing but he is harmless, I think.”

The guard scowled at the crumpled deviant on the floor. “No one who can use fingers like him is harmless.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

The guard suddenly turned bright red and shrunk back a little as he tapped his hooves together. “Well umm, when Miss Octavia threw me he took a moment to...check my gender. I...well lets just say his quick exam was far more thorough than it had any right to be in public.”

Spike tilted his head as Twilight found herself blushing again and turned her head down. “Oh.” was all Twilight said and it left Spike trying to figure out what was going on, something he was fairly sure no one would explain to him.

Slowly the crumpled heap on the floor stirred and looked up from the floor. “Well I can't say this is an unwelcome way to wake up.” He smiled up at the three faces that turned to look down at him. “Did any of you perchance get the number of the train that hit me.”

The guard shifted and Twilight smiled. “It wasn't a train it was your comeuppance. Please refrain from teasing the guards in the future, most of them can hit harder than that.”

Jerrod paled slightly and gulped as he nodded to Twilight. The next moment the door he was leaning against opened and he rolled out and landed on the cobblestone path, his head looking up at a grandiose set of double doors flanked by a pair of guards. He smiled sheepishly at them and then grimaced as a pair of hooves landed on his gut as the guard from the carriage walked over him. Twilight stuck her head out and picked him up with her magic and turned him over, placing him down on is feet before she exited the carriage. “This way Jerrod, it's time to meet the two rulers of Canterlot and Equestria.”

Jerrod looked around at the castle and all the guards before down to Twilight. “Save me.”

First Meeting

Twilight looked back to Jerrod and shook her head. “You'll be...well if you behave you'll be fine.” Twilight took a few steps forward and paused. She looked back at Jerrod and for a second she just chewed her lip. “Please behave for me Jerrod. Celestia is important to me and even if she doesn't hate she can dislike ponies and I really think you two could get along if you can behave yourself, even if its just for one meeting.” She smiled timidly at Jerrod. “Please be on your best behavior, please.” She turned away and ascended the steps with a thoughtful Jerrod close behind.

The two guards by the door nodded to her and turned around, raising up onto the back hooves, placing their fore hooves on the door. Silently the doors swung open as the guards tipped forward and with a gentle tink sound they landed, the doors now open. Two guards sat side by side in the foyer, one with a goofy lopsided grin and the other standing stoically with a spear clasped in the crook of his bent fetlock. Jerrod looked over the seated mare hesitantly, a little bit of fear working into the features of his face. The mare was a greyish color with purple armor and leathery wings, her mane was hidden by a helm with a purple frill and her black tail swished from side to side behind her. The firghtened humans eyes were fixed on the two fangs poking out from the top of her mouth to lay against her lower lips, two cat like eyes stared back at the poor frightened man.

Jerrod slowly reached over and grabbed Twilight. He placed her between himself and the batpony before he reached over and grabbed the guard who had punched him and placed him beside Twilight. Looking around as he stepped back he spotted Spike and lifted him in front of him like a shield and yelled. “TAKE THE VIRGINS FIRST, THEY TASTE SWEETER!”

Twilight and the guard's face lit up with embarrassment while Spike's brow furrowed and the hall went silent. No one spoke as the batpony rose from her seated position, her wings extending as she growled lightly. Jerrod's eyes went huge and he threw Spike at her as he turned to flee only to pause as a bright cheery laugh rang out. “Oh my, you should have seen your face.” Jerrod turned and saw the bat pony laying on the floor clutching her sides as she tried to speak up. “I don't think I have ever had a pony offer me a virgin before...oh by the stars.”

She rolled around laughing as Twilight slowly turned to Jerrod. “Did you just...?” She trailed off and Jerrod chuckled as he rubbed the back oh his head.

The other guard shook his head. “I'm out, I can't anymore.” He looked at Jerrod. “I hate you so much.” He marched off down a hall to the left grumbling to himself as Spike pulled down an eyelid and stuck out his tongue at Jerrod from the guard's back. The bat pony finally managed to crawl to her feet, wiping a few tears of mirth from her eyes as she rose.

Jerrod eyed the bat pony wearily as she sauntered up to him and extended a hoof. “My name is Sharp Wing, it's a pleasure to meet you.” Jerrod hesitantly took her hoof in his hand and shook it. “Thanks for the laugh, I needed that so bad.” She chuckled. “Offer me a virgin and a princess and you even threw a dragon at me. I don't know if your brave or stupid.”

“Twilight’s not a virgin?” Jerrod's brain latched onto that as it rebooted and he felt rather than heard Twilight's indignation. “I think that's a story I need to hear.”

“NO YOU DON'T” Twilight jumped forward and wrapped her hooves around Sharp Wings head. “Jerrod you do not want to hear that story, it's not very interesting at all.” She chuckled nervously. “Not that interesting at all, no experimentation with mares and gender spells there at all. It was just drunken college stuff, no need to go into it all.”

Jerrod raised a single eyebrow and mouthed to the captive bat pony 'Later' then he spoke to guard who hadn't moved an inch the whole time. “Lead the way,” Jerrod leaned sideways and looked at the guards flank. “Huh, well Bird Butt lead the way.”

The guard shook his head and stood. “This way Sir, Madam, nuisance.”

“Hey, I am not a nuisance.” Sharp Wing glared at him as she leaned against Jerrod's leg.

The guard shook his head. “Not you Sharp Wing, him.” He tilted his head to Jerrod.

“Hey, I take offense to that. It's Sir Nuisance at least.” He harumphed and started scratching Sharp Wing behind the ear causing her to murmur lightly and purr a little as she pushed her head into the scratch. Twilight shook her head and stood on Jerrod's other side as they walked.

They all walked in silence, allowing Jerrod to admire the grand halls and the ponies flitting about. He smiled as he watched a guard and a maid slip into a side room without anyone else noticing. He watched a few ponies trot by talking about this and that, nothing he really understood. He slowed to admire the decor from time to time, large tapestries flowing from the ceiling to the floor like giant windows into another place or time. The whole time his hand never left sharp wing and she pushed closer and closer, going so far as to climb up and latch onto Jerrod's arm, forcing him to switch hands while scratching her. Twilight meanwhile acted as a tour guide and gave brief bits about the history of a few of the tapestries and even a few tidbits about what some the ponies walking by were talking about. The guard kept his face forward and created an almost hypnotic sound as he walked with his spear acting as a cane, tapping out an almost discordant sound anthem to the other three hooves.

After several minutes of walking and admiration they came to a new room. Smaller than the foyer but far more grandiose. Wooden benches with velvet cushions lined the wall and a large window encircled the room at ceiling level. A set of ornate gold and silver doors stood directly across the room from the party of four who had just entered. A golden sun sat nestled in the curve of a silver crescent moon at the center of the large doors and two guards nodded to them as they entered, one slipping in through the doors to alert the princesses of their arrival. Jerrod stood off to the side shaking slightly as sweat dripped down his forehead. Sharp Wing wiggled her way around to Jerrod's chest forcing him to bend his arms at the elbow to give her a place to rest. To his surprise she seemed to shrink to fit comfortable, allowing him to wrap a hand under her and scratch at her chin, giving him a small sense of calm against what he felt might be an impending doom. His first visit to this land of ponies, two of the most powerful beings he would ever meet and this time he was meeting them as a free creature. He was doing this of his own free will, why was he...

His musing were interrupted as the doors swung open and a voice rang out. “Presenting Miss Sparkle and Jerrod the guest from places unknown. Jerrod looked up and saw a large white pony with wings and a horn like Twilight but easily twice the height and with a free flowing mane. She had a tender motherly smile on her lips as she beckoned them forward. Twilight darted across the hall and Jerrod entered slowly, leaving the normal pony guard behind and squeezing Sharp Wing just a little tighter in his nervousness. He watched as Twilight hugged the large pony and then her eyes turned to him and he felt himself break out in a sweat.

“Good afternoon Jerrod. I see you have met my sister.” She nodded to Sharp Wing who raised her head and gave an adorable pout.

“Really Sister, you couldn't let me enjoy these fingers for just a few more minutes.” Jerrod looked down and saw a very different pony in his arms. She was the same size as Sharp Wing but instead of leather wings and a gray coat she was dark blue with feathered wings and a mane like the pony on the throne except instead of pastels it glowed with a motif of the night sky. For a moment Jerrod was silent before all went dark and the room was graced  with the site of a creature falling backwards like a tree after it had been chopped down.

~ ~ ~

Jerrod slowly opened his eyes, he could barely breath and his legs felt a little tingly. The first thing he noticed was a lot of blue, the second was a strange tickling sensation on his forehead but neither of those registered for long as he took note of something one usually isn't given such a casual view of. He stared at it extremely confused. He understood they were ponies and not humans so they didn't wear clothing and he knew they hid it with their tail so why was he laying here with a blue something on his chest giving him such a view. Jerrod decided it didn't matter and he just wanted whoever it was to get off of him and take it out of his face, his legs had officially gone numb and he was having a small issue breathing. All other issues could be addressed after he had achieved a little more comfort on this floor. He didn't really have any objections to it but he usually only tackled this problem with copious amounts of alcohol.

Taking a deep breath he grinned before gently blowing on the very private area of a certain blue princess. With a very adorable squeak her wings flew open and she jumped forward several feet leaving a wickedly grinning Jerrod to laugh at her discomfort. His laughter was short lived though because the moment it started he suddenly found his view of the world had changed. It had grown considerably brighter and the rather nice feeling of waking up was replaced with a lot of pain. The sound of laughter was replaced with the sound of shattering glass and the view of the ceiling was now that of an endless blue sky with twinkling multicolored stars.

While Jerrod went on his impromptu journey Twilight and Luna were left to wonder why the only sign of Jerrod was the phrase 'WORTH IT' echoing in from the now very shattered window. Slowly Luna furled her wings and glowered at her sister. “And what was that for dear Sister?”

Twilight opened and closed her mouth a few times before Celestia answered. “He attacked you! I was defending you from harm sister.”

“And, while that is a very valid reason for throwing someone out a window, he is a guest here in Equestria and relatively harmless.” Twilight walked towards the window and looked out with a hoof shielding her eyes she searched for Jerrod on the horizon. “I...I can't believe you would do something like that Celestia. I understand why you would do it but I just, you are usually so much calmer and more rational.”

Celestia frowned. “I'm sorry Twilight.” Luna cleared her throat and Celestia turned to her. “And you Luna. My behavior is inexcusable. As a political guest he deserves our respect.” Under her breath she added, “Even if he is a danger to my Twilight and my sister.”

Twilight and Luna both smiled. “Apology accepted but I don't think we are the ones you need to be apologizing to.” With a popping sound Jerrod appeared on the other side of the room and skidded across the floor, coming to a rest by Celestia's hooves. “I think you should apologize to him.”

Celestia rolled her eyes as she leaned down to Jerrod. “I'm sorry for throwing you out the window Jerrod. It was unkind of me and inexcusable. As one of the two soveriegns of Equeastria please accept my apology and my invitation to stay here at the castle until such time as you wish to leave.”

Jerrod coughed a little and smiled at her. “You could have just told me you were jealous. I mean sure you have decorum to adhere to but you didn't need to hurl my out a window just because your sister got me before you did.” Without waiting for a reply his hand shot up and pulled Celestia down to him while he was pulled up to her. The room froze and went dead silent as everypony present watched this strange new visitor kiss their sovereign. They all gulped slightly as a slight gap appeared between their lips. For that brief moment all could see as two tongues wrestled for dominance before the gap closed and the alicorn's eyes fluttered and then snapped open. Slowly Celestia's eyes grew larger and larger until they looked they were going to pop from her head and her horn flared. The sound of stone shattering echoed through the room and everyone turned to the throne that was split in two. The back of it was missing and slowly a hand lifted from behind it. “Not worth it.” The hand fell and Luna bolted over.

“TIA WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” She jumped over the base of the throne and saw Jerrod laying on his back, blood pulling under his right arm that was bent at an odd angle with a bone jutting out from the skin. Quickly she lit her horn and the arm was wrapped in a blue glow as the bleeding slowed, bone shifted and flesh began to knit back together. Twilight took a deep calming breath shook her head. With a thunderclap the three goddesses vanished with the human. In a secret room behind the throne room a flash announced the arrival of three mares and very injured human.

Twilight conjured some tea and turned to her mentor. “How could you do that Celestia?” Twilight paused and took a deep breath. “No I get it I understand. He attacked you.” Her teeth ground a little before she continued. “It was self defense.”

Celestia pulled back from Twilight’s glare and sudden anger. “Exactly, I was in the right. You saw it, he attacked me unprovoked. He...he...his tongue, his fingers...he...” She trailed off with a huff and stamped her hoof. “What he did was not okay, I was defending myself from his advances.”

Luna growled and Twilight held up her hoof to silence her. “I know but really Princess, the throne.” She motioned over to him. “Does he look like a creature capable of surviving something like that?”

A hand lifted. “If I may interject. I take full blame for this.” All eyes turned to Jerrod as he slwoly sat up. “I was trying to break the tension in the room with what may have been a bit of an asinine joke.” He chuckled and rubbed he free hand the back of his head. Sighing he let his hand drop and picked up the cup of tea in front of him. “I am sorry Princess Celestia. I should not have kissed you so passionetly when I know so little about you. Even if you are the thrid most lovely creature in this room it isn't polite to steal a kiss with such passion, even if you did return it...” A sharp snapping and popping sound interrupted him mid sentence and he paled before pitching back to the floor with a high pitched squeal before going silent again.

“Sorry.” Luna rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. “I forgot to cast a numbing spell before setting the bones in his chest and arm.”

Twilight placed a hoof on the bridge of her nose and ran it in small circles an Celestia grinned wickedly as she let out a tiny evil laugh. Luna quickly cast a numbing spell and Twilight waved a hoof towards Luna. “I think that's enough for today. Luna keep working on him while we talk and catch up. It's been awhile since I have seen Celestia or you.”

~ ~ ~

The night was cool, a gentle breeze blew through the air and the stars twinkled overhead. A lone man stood on a balcony his face turned up towards the stars, he hummed an old song from his childhood to the full moon that sat near the horizon. His tune stopped and he sighed to himself and spoke to someone behind him. “It's usually considered rude to enter a room without knocking and receiving permission first.”

The pony behind him froze mid step. “It is my castle.” She bit back the rest of her remark. “I'm sorry, that was rude. I heard your humming and I thought it was quiet lovely and, and I thought I should apologize for earlier.”

Jerrod turned around and leaned back against the railing of the balcony. He looked at the mare with an icy stare. “Then out with it.” His tone was barely cordial and had a bit of an icy undertone. “I don't know if I want such a cruel women in my bedchambers tonight.”

Celestia flinched. “Well this is a little unexpected. You seemed so much friendlier earlier.” Jerrod raised an eyebrow questioningly. “When Luna and Twilight were there you were much more pleasant.”

Jerrod threw his head back and let out a short barking laugh and then looked back to Celestia. “Oh please Sunbutt, of course I'm friendly.” His tone dropped and his eyes grew hard. “Unless you try to kill me than all bets are off.” His face brightened and he smiled again. “But I am all about second chances. Oh the joys I have received from giving second chances.”

Celestia moved forward towards the balcony and paused when Jerrod snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor. “Fine.” She sat down were she was. “I am sorry for harming you earlier. I overreacted to your antics and I am sorry for throwing you through the window and also for nearly killing you when you kissed me.”

“Who put you up to this?” Jerrod eyed her suspiciously. “Was it Twilight or was it Luna?”

With a shake of her head Celestia took a deep breath. “Neither. I, it is a source of pride for me that I  am able to hold my cool under almost any circumstance and what happened in the throne room was anything but me keeping cool. I really a sorry for my actions.” She paused for a moment “It's been a long time since I have been honest with myself really, and you just remind me of that. Your so carefree and, and happy. Like nothing really matters to you anymore.”

Jerrod stood up and moved into the room, bumping something suspiciously with his elbow causing it to fall off the railing before Celestia got a good look at it. “It's fine really. You're right about me being relatively carefree, not a lot for me to really care about in this world. All of the other humans on this world have given up on their humanity and integrated so it's not like I really have any hope of creating a human nation.” Celestia furrowed her brow and opened her mouth but Jerrod held up a hand. “Yes there are a few more of us around and no we can't move between Equus and our homeland.”

Celestia furrowed her brow and moved towards the balcony. “Others? Twilight said you were the only one and that you had just arrived.”

Jerrod shrugged and pulled chair out from a table in the room. “I never said anything like that, it was all her inferences. I admit I was a little confused and my brain may have been a little addled by alcohol but I never once told her anything about how long I had been on Equus or anything, I might have made some mention of this being my first time in Equestria though, that might have been what she meant.” He chuckled a little as a scream echoed up from below the balcony and an evil smirk flitted across his lips. “It is true I have never been to Equestria before, I have been almost every were but here. Lets see, I think the only places I haven't visited are the sea ponies, the griffon homelands though I did visit a colony of theirs, ummm the crystal empire and yea there are a couple of others I can't remember right now.”

Celestia looked over the railing and saw a very distressed looking noble with something stuck to her head. She couldn't make out who with the bucket in the way or what the bucket was but it was obviously causing a fair amount of distress if the muffled screaming was anything to go by. Smiling she turned away from the railing. “Why now then? Your the first of your kind I have ever heard of in our borders, in all of Equus honestly.”

Jerrod tapped his chin and leaned back. “It's been a long life of traveling for me. Ever since I arrived some twenty odd years ago I have wandered to and fro never staying in one place for more than a year or two if I could help it. Some were along the way I heard of a paradise of harmony and love, I thought it sounded like a nice place to settle down for a bit.” Jerrod smiled happily. “Maybe find a small town build a home put down some roots, settle in for a while.” He tapped his chin. “I can imagine the reason news of my kind is so new is because we don't really like to stick out. I have never met another of my kind who wanted anything other than a quiet life here in this world.”

Celestia pulled a cushion from a pile in the corner of the room at sat on the other side of the table. “So you wish to immigrate?” Her horn lit up and a tea set popped into existence. She lit the mini portable boiler and magicked some water into the pot and set it to boil. “What of the others of your kind on Equus?”

Jerrod shook his head. “Indoctrinated sheep the lot of them. They have given up on trying to be humans and now just identify with the dominant species were they live. Weak fools who have given up on life and settled down to die.” Jerrod spat superstitiously into the corner. “But sadly I have begun to see merit in what they did. I searched this world high and low for a way home and all I found was that the gates had been sealed.”

Celestia frowned. “The gates?”

Jerrod sighed. “My world and this world are linked. The mechanisms for how I don't know but they are and travel between the two used to be possible. Travel from my side has been dead for a long time but travel from here to my world was possible until a little while ago. Somewhere down the line the one who guards the gate between the worlds tried to seal it off, destroying most of the portals. Humans just forget about the portals and time took care of the rest. The portals here were forgotten over time, I think the last one used was some mirror or something. That was one hell of a news article, I think the mirror was destroyed on my side but I am not sure. Anyway, twenty some years ago there was some huge battle in this world and the gatekeeper was defeated but whatever destroyed him didn't factor in his duties as a gate keeper. His brother would have normally taken over while he recovered but well, yea he killed his brother sometime ago so the gates were left unattended.” Jerrod smiled. “It's funny, I was still a boy back then and somehow I wound up in the middle of a desert in a strange world unlike anything I had ever seen before.” He shook his head. “Without that gatekeeper and nothing to lock the gates in place or control them at all people were sucked through randomly if the right conditions were met. Happened all over the world, caused a hell of a scare with people vanishing all the time. That's how I got here. Went for a walk and wandered from the middle of a city into the middle of a desert.”

Celestia pulled the tea pot from the boiler just before the whistling started and added some tea leaves to the pot. “So you just popped out of your world and plopped down in the middle of a desert here on Equus?”

Jerrod nodded and his eyes misted over as a nostalgic grin split his face. “Such a grand time for a child. I was found by a sphinx and I spent three years in her care, it was like a dream come true for me back then. I was always so curious and here I was dropped into the lap of a creature who hoards knowledge and wisdom. She taught me about this world and how to speak its tongues and so much more. Oh the things I learned from her, the things she showed me. Sadly nothing last forever. On a journey into a town for supplies I was kidnapped by slavers. Wound up with a couple more of my kind. Those poor broken souls but I digress, that was the beginning of a great journey for me.” Jerrod chuckled to himself. “So many adventures, so many mistakes, it was so grand but, I have grown weary.”

Celestia nodded and poured them both a cup of tea as a maid walked in and placed a fresh plate of cookies on the table and a slice of cake in front of Celestia. “Traveling can do that to a soul. You begin to yearn for a place to call home, a place to settle down and watch the world turn. Many call it homesickness but for you I think it's a little more than that, am I right?”

Jerrod shook his head and dunked a cookie in his tea before taking a bite. “Ooh, this is tea is splendid. You are right by the way. I heard Equestria had some of the brightest minds in the field of thaumic research and associated fields.” Jerrod took a sip of his tea with a content sigh. “I thought it might be nice to research it a little. I have looked into the history of this world and the cultures of this world, even the religions of this world but the magics, those I have neglected.”

Celestia smiled. “Thank you, I have been told my tea is some of the best. Why not go to the dragons though? The dragons are far older than ponies and know far more than the ponies do about the magic of this world. Ponies are still a young race in comparison to the dragons, even the zebra's are older than the ponies. Both know magics that have been forgotten and even have a few no one has ever studied before so why choose ponies?”

Jerrod paled and his tea cup shook in his hand. “I have no comment on the dragon's lands. I think it's best if I avoid them all together and just forget about them.” He sipped his tea shakily. “Yes, definetly best if I just forget about them. As for the Zebra's I have already learned much about their magic, it's fundamentally different than ponies and dragons. Same can be said for the ponies and the dragons, you both wield magic differently and I am interested in the pony way.”

Celestia quirked an eyebrow. “Well now, what have we here. Does Jerrod fear something in the dragon lands. Perhaps Jerrod visited there before and it didn't go so well, perhaps you should tell me this story.”

Jerrod looked at her and put his tea down. “Nope. Not gonna relive that, never again. I am not welcome in the dragon lands and I am more than okay with that. That is a chapter in my story I wish to edit out and to do so know one else can know it.”

Celestia laughed a little. “Well your more than welcome to study magic with the ponies. Twilight is a brilliant mage and not to hard on the eyes to boot. Maybe you could go to Ponyville and study magic under her.”

Jerrod smiled mischievously. “I don't think I am the one who wants to be under her.” He laughed as Celestia turned bright red. “I might go to Ponyville sometime though. I have a few things I want to look into while I am here in Canterlot but my plan was originally to go to Ponyville to settle down.”

Celestia coughed a little, clearing some misplaced tea from her lungs. “Yes, quite. Feel free to wander the castle and if you want anything from the archives just ask the head archivist. If you want to visit the town I recommend taking a guard with you but you aren't required to if you can promise me that you mean no harm to my ponies.” Celestia sipped her tea again. “Was I really that obvious about my infatuation with Twilight?”

Jerrod laughed a full bellied laugh and shook his head. “Obvious enough, obvious enough. I can also promise you I won't harm your ponies. I only bite when asked anyway.”

Celestia chuckled to herself a little. “Of course, it's only polite. It's not like every one likes being bitten, I find it's kindest to ask permission first.” Both of them laughed and the night continued like that. A simple back and forth between the two of the two of them.

Revelations

“So Doc, how's it looking?” Jerrod leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees.

A page flipped and Doctor Stable tsked a few times before moving to the next page, repeating the process each time until he got to the end of the chart and put it down on the counter next him. “Not good. Honestly I'm not sure how your even up and about. This is...well it's beyond anything I have ever seen in my life. Honestly son, how are you not lying in a coffin already.” The doctor moved over to Jerrod. “Shirt up please.” The doctor winced a little as Jerrod's chest was barred. “I don't know what kinda life you have had but I must admit that I find you an admirable character. You must be as stubborn as a mule to have not keeled over from more than half of the wounds that caused some of these scars or whatever the disease is that is afflicting you.”

Jerrod gasped as a frozen stethoscope touched his nipple as it made a quick trip across his chest to listen to his other lung. “It isn't be that bad Doc. I mean really, I know it looks bad but I am running around still so it ain't that bad.” He glanced at the doctor with a cocky smile on his lips as the doctor clicked his tongue a few times before moving to a new spot. “It's not that bad right doc?”

Doctor Stable shook his head and dropped his stethoscope back around his neck. “I don't know what to say Jerrod, it is that bad but at the same time it isn't.” The doctor lit his horn and grabbed the chart off the counter and flipped it open to the page he wanted. “According to these tests you can't exist. Every single creature in this world has magic as a basic part of it. It is in our very DNA, the four base proteins that make up all life on Equus and your missing one of them. That's not even the weirdest part, the weird part is that your not missing it completely. Every time one of your cells goes through mitosis there seems to be a 75 percent chance of failure meaning the cell doesn't divide and dies and this is because magic tries to work its way into the pairings.”

The doctor threw the chart behind him onto the counter and began pacing back and forth. “First we have your non magic cell. Its just like any other cell in any other creature except there's no magic in it but then it tries to divide and it vulnerable to change. During that time magic tries to enter the equation. Why, I don't know, it shouldn't because its not there but it does.” He stopped were he was and smacked himself on the side of the head. “This is just wrong. Magic doesn't behave like this, ever. Everything I know of magic everything we know of magic says it shouldn't do this. If there is no magic then magic doesn't effect it, it just , it ignores it. Sure magic can still effect the cells but it shouldn't invade them. This whole scenario is wrong.” The doctor whirled towards Jerrod and took a deep breath, then did it again..

Shaking his head he continued. “So we have these normal cells, dividing like normal but not all of them survive. A cell divides and the new cell has only a twenty five percent chance of survival. The original cell goes on ticking like nothing happened if the mitosis fails and will divide again later at the same odds. Basically the cell either lives and you get a magic and a non magic cell or your just left with an ordinary cell. The body sees the new magic cell as a threat and attacks it, both cells attack each other. Magic cells attack non magic and non magic attack magic. It's just, nothig about you is happening the way it should.” He took a deep breath and stared up at Jerrod, rubbing his temples with a hoof. “YOUR IMPOSSIBLE!” He jumped on the table with Jerrod and poked him the chest. “IMPOSSIBLE!”

Jerrod furrowed his brow and leaned  away from the doctor, pushing his hoof away. “Great, theirs turf war going on at a cellular level in body and to top it off one side is exploiting the others breeding program.” Jerrod chuckled to himself and tapped his chest with a fist before making and odd four fingered salute. “Earth side.” He tapped his chest with his other hand and saluted with a fist. “Equus Side. The epic showdown continues in Jerrod's lungs tonight and now and until one side wins. Well I guess it could be worse, I could have only a few days to live or something.”

Doctor Stable shook his head and sat back on the table chuckling. “Nothing so drastic. Currently whatever is happening to you seems to have balanced out. It's sitting somewhere around thirty five percent of your cells are magic and thirty five percent are earth based and then something like  twenty percent of the remainder just dye off during mitosis.” The unicorn stallion hopped off the table. “Though I guess that's what makes you so impossible, your body shouldn't be able to sustain itself with those conditions.” Looking back over the notes Doctor Stable cocked his head to the side. “According to the nurses you had a rudimentary understanding of what was going on, can you explain how you figured that out?”

Jerrod sat up straight and popped his back. “It was mostly theory. I studied a few of the others from my world and how they were adapting. None of them presented the same symptoms as I was, there cells were accepting magic into their structure just fine. It was the damnedest thing I found a few with similar problems but nothing like mine. Sure a few were having problems, mostly fevers or coughs but it presented like flu or something nothing as severe as what I had and then it just cleared right up after a little bed rest.” Jerrod laid back and put his hands on the table behind his head. “In all honesty my body wasn't accepting magic at all at first, but then something changed. I don't know what changed but something started this turf war in my body.”

Doctor Stable shook his head. “And I don't have any answers for you in this matter either. Like I said this is unprecedented and what the catalyst for this was is beyond me. The nurses told me that they were seeing weird results and to be ready for anything but I never expected to see...well what ever is going inside you. I don't think I have run half the tests I did on you on more than maybe half a dozen other ponies in the ten years I have been a doctor.”

Jerrod shrugged and swiveled up into a seat position with his feet hanging over the edge. “You and me both doctor. I thought it was related to my Addison's Disease but then I ran a test for it and I came out clean, no more Addison's.” He dropped from the table and stretched himself. Stepping forward he knelt in front of the doctor. “So wanna perform any more...tests?”

The doctor rolled his eyes. “And there it is, the nurses warned me about that.”

Jerrod leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Oh really, and what exactly is it that the nurses warned you about?”

The doctor shook his head and moved away from Jerrod. “That you have an issue with personal boundaries and that you have issues keeping things put away. Oh and that you can never stay serious for long.” Opening the door he motioned to the hall. “Please follow me, we will get you a follow up appointment and something to help with the buildup of magic in your system. Please keep your hands to yourself.”

Jerrod followed the doctor and fell in stride beside him. “So tell me honestly Doc, how bad is it?”

Doctor Stable tapped his chin. “Well I would say your sitting at a thirty thirty five percent magic cells versus about the same for non magical and then twenty of the remainder dying during mitosis, like I said before. The numbers aren't perfect things are pretty wild in your body but a balance of some sort has been achieved. Those estimates are little high but I would rather guess high than low in this case.”

Jerrod froze, his mouthing moving and fingers twitching as he tried to do some math in his head. “HOW THE HELL AM I NOT DEAD?” He turned and grabbed the doctor by the cheeks. “That's like an insane die off rate, that's whole organs or at least enough to make the function of them questionable. I should have skin legions, organ failure, brain shut down, something.”

The doctor spoke through his pursed lips. “Prease rerease me.” Jerrod let go and the doctor rolled his jaw. “As I said before, I have never seen anything like this before in my life. You are right on all counts  except one. The magic cells are reproducing just like normal cells to. The rate may be a little slower but their still reproducing, honestly it's a loosing battle on the side of the non magic cells. It's so bad because you are loosing cells faster than your body can produce them. This should be fatal but it isn't in your case for some reason. There are a lot more tests we need to run before we have anything conclusive though. We need to determine what magic is infecting your body, it is not the normal background magic which is probably part of the problem but we can't be sure yet. We need to monitor the magic in your body and  try to control it a little, which is what the pills will do. There's a lot of work to be done before we even start to think of a better way to help you but I am confident we can.”

Jerrod starred blankly at the doctor for a moment before he heard a gasp and turned to notice a white blur barreling down the hall. In the moment it took him to turn his lungs had collapsed and the ceiling had decided to do its own impersonation of the wall. It took Jerrod a moment to understand what had happened but when he did he chuckled lightly and looked down. Two reds eyes stared up happily into his and past them he noticed a gray mare trotting down the hall towards them.

“Evening Music Butt. What brings you to this fine hospital and into my ribs?”

Vinyl Scratch chuckled to herself. “I have severe anemia, got it from my folks, and Tavi is wonderful enough to make sure I don't forget to visit the hospital once a week to stock up on blood bags so I don't have any issues through the week.” She smiled brightly. “So what brings you here?”

Jerrod ruffled her mane. Shifting her to sit cross wise he pulled himself up, rolling her down into his lap eliciting a giggle from Vinyl. “Just a routine check up, make sure I haven't caught anything from my rambunctious lifestyle.” Holding the mare steady with one hand he pushed himself up and then cradled her in his arms.

Something poked at his leg and a pony spoke up form underneath Vinyl. “Would you mind putting my marefriend down please?”

Jerrod shifted Vinyl to the side, brushing a few fingers over her cutie mark causing her to shiver. He looked down past her nose at a grayish mare with an irritated look. “You must be Tavi, I think I will call you Guard Chucker.”

Octavi's eyes narrowed. “It's you.” Her legs shifted as she stood up on her back legs, front hooves raised in an odd boxers stance. “Put the unicorn down so we can settle things.”

Jerrod tilted his head and chuckled as he let Vinyl's back legs drop so he could hold her like a baby in front him. She put on her best pout, adding to the adorableness of the situation of a pony hanging by her forelegs in an apes hands.  “What things?” Jerrod smiled innocently. “Doesn't throwing a guard at someone count as settling the score?” Jerrod pouted. “You wouldn't hurt little ole me would you?”

Octavi sighed and dropped to all fours but the anger stayed in her face. “Yes, yes I would, but Vinyl seems to like you. There is also the matter of owing you one. Without you, me and Vinyl would not have started dating so I will concede to a truce. Now please hand over my marefriend so we can make our dinner date.”

Jerrod gently placed Vinyl over Octavi's back and smiled. “You two have fun and remember, even mare on mare needs protection.”

Doctor Stable rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. “If we could please get a move on.” He turned and started don the hall again. “I want to get you on the meds as soon as possible.” Jerrod pouted and waved to Vinyl who waved back and then he trotted after Doctor Stable.

Jerrod sighed and looked around, keeping quiet for a bit while they walked. He kept his hands clasped behind his back and took long swinging steps, swaying himself around in an exaggerated manner. “So Doc...what are these meds you want me to take exactly?”

“Nothing extravagant. They will help you process the magic and dispose of it.” He tapped his chin. “The magic will be gathered in your stomach and by the pill and then your body should just digest it like food.” He turned the corner to the pharmacy and walked up to the stallion behind the counter and exchanged a few quick words before the stallion ducked back into the shelves and returned a few seconds later. “Here we are, take one pill once a week and it should slow down the disease, if we're lucky it will halt it in it's tracks.” He waved Jerrod off. “See my receptionist on the way out to make you appointment and have yourself a wonderful afternoon.

~ ~ ~

Twilight smiled as she pulled away from the observatory telescope, the most powerful on in all of Equestria possibly even Equus. The night was perfect, not a cloud in site, the stars out en mass and the castle had gone to sleep for the night. She had been waiting all week for a chance to study the stars from Canterlot again, she may have loved Ponyville but the view from the top of the Canterhorn was unbeatable. With a sigh she snuggled deeper into the cushion she had brought with and brought a mug of cocoa to her lips.

Nothing can ruin this perfect... her thoughts were interrupted as raucous laughter echoed up from the gardens. Twilight's eye twitched slightly and she took a deep steady breath and held it for a moment. “Nothing can-” More laughter caused her teeth to grind. Closing her eyes for a moment she did a few quick breathing exercises before a barking laugh sounded out. She put her cup down gently before popping out of existence and reappearing in the garden next to two very drunk creatures.

“Jerrod? Luna?” Twilight tilted her head then shook it. She eyed the bottles the each clasped and the discarded glasses. Sighing she rubbed the bridge of her nose with a hoof. “I don't think I wanna know.”

Jerrod looked over at her with a wide smile. “JUST IN TIME STAR BUTT.” He boisterously pulled her close to him with same hand that held the bottle. “Just in time to hear how I met the Dragon Empress.” He smiled wistfully. “The first of three of the most beautiful creatures in this world.”

Twilight pulled away from Jerrod a little and wrinkled her nose. “By Celestia's cake, how drunk are you Jerrod? Your breath smells like a brewery or a college dorm.”

Jerrod took a huge swig of his drink. “Not drunk enough Princess Gender Changer.”

Luna choked on her drink and Jerrod fell over laughing as Twilight turned bright red. Her voice was an angry whisper as she spoke up. “Who told you?”

Jerrod pointed to Luna who smiled wolfishly. “Twas I fair Star Butt.” She giggled as she said star butt.

Twilight growled and grabbed one of the glasses. “I'll take some of that wine now.” She yanked the bottle from Luna and poured herself a full glass. Downing it one shot she poured another. “So what story were you about to regale us with Jerrod?”

Jerrod stared at Twilight for a moment. “Wow.” Shaking himself he took another swig. “So the most beautiful creature on the other side of Equus, the dragon empress.” Jerrod stood and placed a foot on the table and made a sweeping gesture across the garden. “So there I was, rowing the boat with the others when the whole ceiling vanished in this confag...conflagt....inferno.” He stumbled over a word but otherwise sounded rather coherent. “Of course we all froze and...hehe...this blue angel gently landed in the aisle. Covered in scales she looked like some sort of half lizard human except for the wings. Huge leathery things,” Jerrod paused and took a swig from the bottle he was holding and then made wing motions with his hand. “They were amazing. As wide as the ship and the held her just above our heads, flapping slowly and powerfully as she looked around at each of us. It wasn't long before her gaze turned to the Iffrit who was in charge of whipping us. Did you know Iffrit piss can light wood on fire?”

Both of them laughed uproariously at the thought and Twilight shook her head, she wasn't that drunk yet. Pouring herself a small bit of the liquor, Dragon Fire Whiskey was it read on the label, she turned her attention back to Jerrod's. “Go on please, as funny as Iffrit urine is I want to hear the rest of the story.”

A bit of liquor sloshed out of the bottle in Jerrod's hand as he swung his arms around. “Whoosh, fwoosh, the poor floorboards didn't stand a chance. Anyway, the poor bastard jumped ship the moment her feet touched the floor. He used a buddy of mine as a stepping board and climbed out of the hold onto the deck and right over the edge. 'Parently the poor bastard couldn't swim but Amadiel, shes the empress of dragons, sought fit to help him by throwing his buddy with the drum over the edge into the ocean as well.” Jerrod mimicked throwing something. “Never seen a deer fly before and haven't seen it since. So after she got rid of the slavers she started looking over the slaves. Talking about checking the merchandise she had just commandeered.” Jerrod paused to swig his drink and sway in his seat, his eyes misting a little as he thought about the story.

Luna poked him. “Go on, I wanna hear how you ended up bound to Amadiel.”

Twilight chocked on her sip of whiskey and spit out the rest over Jerrod's shirt. “YOUR BOUND TO THE DRAGON EMPRESS!?”

Jerrod's attention was snapped back to the present and he stared down at his shirt. He sniffed and pulled it away from his chest try and lick it off. “The poor whiskey, what did it do to you.” He let a few tears drip out of his eyes. “We will mourn your loss whiskey.”

Twilight jumped up on the table and grabbed Jerrod by the cheeks. “YOU'RE BOUND TO THE DRAGON EMPERESS?! YOU'RE SPIKE'S FATHER?!”

Jerrod looked at Twilight in confusion. “Um, I'm not that old, I think. I mean yea we did a lot of beast with two back renditions but I am pretty sure my little swimmers couldn't cross with her even if they are potent little bastards.”

Twilight shook her head and Jerrod's at the same time. “I AM SPIKE'S ADOPTIVE MOTHER AND THE DRAGON EMPRESS IS HIS BIOLOGICAL ONE.” She shook him harder. “IF YOU'RE BOUND TO HER, YOU'RE HIS FATHER BY WHAT IS BASICALLY MARRIAGE!”

Luna by this point had finished the bottle and popped another one and taking a large swig from it before she answered. “HA YOU'RE A DADDY!” She fell over laughing and Jerrod cracked a smile.

“I guess I should take the little guy out for a game of catch then.” He chuckled to himself, slowly growing into a full bellied guffaw before devolving into hysterics. “Wait, no that's not right.” He froze mid laugh and looked at Twilight. “Binding is nothing like marriage at all. It's deeper more meaningful and stuff but also more open. It's a show of trust and love, I gave her a piece of myself and she gave me a piece of herself.” He chuckled to himself and took another swig. “It's usually magic that is shared but I don't have any of it so we shared memories.” Jerrod sighed and looked off into the distance wistfully as he took another drink.

Twilight dropped back off the table and grabbed the bottle from Luna and chugged it in one go. “Spike's dad is a perverted horny bastard of a human. Spike is doomed, his mom is a princess with an anxiety problem and his dad is pervert.” Her horn glowed and crate popped into existence on the table. Smacking it with a hoof Twilight caused the crate to fall open, revealing several bottles of wine. “I am going to need more alcohol than either of you brought and neither of you are allowed to say shit about it.” Grabbing one at random Twilight popped it open and chugged the whole thing. Luna and Jerrod stared at her slack jawed for a moment before the started screaming in unison. “CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!”

Twilight slammed the bottle down on the table and belched loud enough to rattle the nearby trees. Both Luna and Jerrod blinked at her as she wiped her mouth with a hoof. “WHAT?”

Both shook their heads and spoke at the same time. “Nothing.”

Twilight grabbed a new bottle. “Jerrod, continue your story, NOW!”

Jerrod chugged the last of his bottle and grabbed a new one. “You got it Star Butt. So there I was in the slave hold, Amadeil walking down the line and checking each of us. I was terrified, and enraptured which made for a horrible way to be when you need to think. I made the genius decision of picking the lock on my cuffs and jumping out of my seat.” Jerrod jumped up and sideways. “I thought she was gonna obliterate me but I was smart.” Dropping to his knees and bowing forward with his hand outstretched he kept talking. “I bowed myself as low as I could and swore myself to her.” He got up and sat back at the table. “At first she looked pissed as hell but then she started to chuckle a little then laugh. Finally she picked me up and claimed me right then and there. Those dragon tongues, they have some serious dexterity.” Luna and Twilight both blushed and stared as Jerrod licked his lips. “Lasted a good five minutes before she put me down and slapped some weird cuff on me.” Jerrod stopped and rubbed his wrist, his thoughts traveling to other parts of his life.

Luna leaned forward and grabbed a new bottle. “Was it a slave cuff?” Jerrod nodded. “So that's how you met her but how did you end up bound to her?”

Twilight nodded enthusiastically and magicked up some quills and paper and started writing sloppily. “Please, how did you get that close to the Amadiel?”

Jerrod waved at them both. “Patience, she was my first love in this world and I love remembering our first meeting. Anyway, she put the cuff on and told me I was hers. I would do whatever she asked of me without question and in exchange she would treat me well and give me a home and limited freedom. I agreed as fast as I could, this was a goddess saving my sorry ass.” Jerrod grew silent and leaned back, sipping at the bottle in his hand. His smile was lopsided and he kept his eyes closed, sighing occasionally.

Twilight moved closer to Jerrod and poked him with a hoof. “Jerrod.” She poked him a little harder. “Jerrod!” He continued to stare off into space with his weird creepy smile so Twilight poked him again even harder. With a soft thump he hit the grass and sprawled out. Twilight sidled closer and leaned close to his face. “JERROD!”

Jerrod jumped but didn't move just stared up at Twilight. “Ye~es?”

“What happened after that?” Twilight moved away blushing and sat next to him, Luna quickly sidling up to his other side and nodding.

“Yes Jerrod, what went on between you and the Dragon Empress?” She laid down next to him, pushed against his side. Twilight glared at her and copied her on Jerrod's other side.

Jerrod was oblivious to it and just smiled. “We spent the next two years side by side. She never let me leave her sight.” Jerrod dropped the bottle and put his hands behind his head. “It was an interesting time but the best of them. I helped her with everything and I mean everything. I was there to cook her food, to help her bathe, to help her dress when she bothered to. I was her go to servant for all her needs for two wonderful years.”

Luna smiled snugged against Jerrod's side. “So why did you ever leave her if you were so happy?”

Jerrod stopped smiling instantly and sat up. “Hey, any of you got any interesting stories?” His voice was slightly hollow, like he was forcing himself to sound cheery.

Twilight furrowed her brow and put a hoof on Jerrod's shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Jerrod threw his hands up in the air and shrugged Twilight's hoof of his shoulder. “I'm peachy. Just fanfuckingtastic.” He swirled around and grabbed the last bottle off the table and  shattered the neck of it against the table. Lifting in the air with his hands spread wide he let out a scream, “FANFUCKINGTASTIC!!” and chugged the bottle in one go.

Luna and Twilight stood up with quizzical looks at each other before approaching Jerrod slowly. Luna reached out with a hoof intestinal and let it rest on his shoulder. “Jerrod?”

Jerrod responded by turning to his left and hurling the bottle at a tree. “New topic, I don't wanna ruin this lovely night.”

Twilight move to stand in front of Jerrod and lifted up on her back hooves so she could drape her hooves over his shoulders. “It's okay Jerrod, we won't judge you.”

She pulled him into a hug and Luna rose to her back hooves and hugged Jerrod from behind like Twilight was in front of him. “She's right Jerrod, no matter what you tell us we won't judge you.”

Jerrod slumped against Twilight and sniffled. “I need more booze.” Twilight giggled and a bottle popped into existence next to Jerrod. He promptly grabbed it as the cork was pulled free by Luna. He took a deep draft of it as he pulled free from Twilight and Luna. He moved to a clearing with a great view of the sky and looked up at it. “I left because I made mistake. A very big mistake and then it was thrown back in my face. I did something incredibly unintelligent and then it all came back to bite me.”

Luna walked up with Twilight leaning against her, staggering a little as she tried to walk. “I know more than I care to admit about mistakes. So does my sister.”

Jerrod slumped back against the mares, his elbows resting on the back with his arms bent. “I killed her son. It wasn't on purpose, heck we don't even understand how it happened. He was helping me with something and things just went wrong. His sacrifice made the research succeed but then my good deed was thrown back in my face by almost everyone it affected and the dragons started screaming for my head. The Empress smuggled me out but if I ever return there it would not be a pretty site.”

Everyone was silent as the short vague tale was processed. Really vague actually, no details at all. “So what exactly were you and the Amadiel's son doing?”

Jerrod shook his head. “Something we never should have dabbled in. I should have known it wouldn't work out, I should have known.” Jerrod slung his bottle back, pouring the last of the alcohol down his gullet. Smacking his lips he smiled cheerily and smacked Twilight’s flank. “ENOUGH OF THIS. Let us go find more booze. I wanna hear some stories from you two.”

Twilight shot straight up, her wings flaring out as she eeped. “Jerrod, don't do that.” She whacked him with a wing gently and he laughed to himself as he stole Twilight's bottle and took a sip of it. “I do know were we can find some more though, follow me.”

Jerrod started to move and looked back at Luna who was just staring at him. He motioned to her and she smiled a little, then dove towards Jerrod. Her lips wrapped around his for a moment before she shot off giggling to herself. “LET US REEK HAVOC UPON MY SISTER'S SPECIAL STASH TONIGHT!”

Jerrod shook himself and laughed and started to jog after her but stopped as a purple flash blinded him. He heard through the blindness. “I can't let her get ahead of me.” He felt a pair of lips take his own and then he was dragged off, floating behind whatever had caused the purple flash.

Jerrod laughed loudly and raised his fist. “TO THE ALCOHOL SUNBUTT HAS HOARDED FROM HER SUBJECTS.” A resounding cheer greeted his ears and he was pulled forward even faster with laughter echoing around him.

The Morning After

“Good Morning.” A voice dripping with honey and venom, that's what Jerrod heard. It pierced through his hangover and sleep addled mind and burrowed deep into the most basic parts of his brain. Once there the words grabbed the deepest, oldest parts of his brain by the throat and began to growl as it shook those parts of his brain back and forth. Jerrod's eyes shot open and he whimpered ever so lightly and pulled in on himself as he saw two purple eyes staring at him from the bottom of the bed. A grape was lifted into his field of view and violently crushed between a set of what Jerrod swore were teeth the size of his admittedly shriveled in fear man hood.

“Good...good morning Sunbutt.” Jerrod chuckled a little and swallowed as the glare continued and another grape was obliterated between the most terrifying teeth Jerrod had ever seen on a herbivore. Shifting a little Jerrod tried to get comfortable but froze when he felt a puff of air on his chest. Sweating slightly he lifted the covers with one hand to look underneath. A blue horn tip sat just below his right nipple, leading down to a blue forehead that was attached to a blue face. The chin of the face rested on top of a purple forehead just under a purple horn. Chuckling slightly at the adorableness he let the blanket back down and returned his gaze to Celestia. “This isn't what it looks like?”

Celestia shook her head as she slowly peeled a grape. “Oh really. I could have sworn it looked like you were sleeping with my sister and my student.”

Jerrod gulped. “I would say cuddling at best. No sleeping going on here.” He swallowed a little and wiped some sweat from his brow.

“Really, they look quite content.” Celestia picked up a banana and peeled it roughly causing it to snap in the middle. Jerrod flinched but Celestia paid no head as she took a whiff of the room. “Also smells a lot like alcohol and...” She took another whiff. “Well I think you know exactly what the smell is.”

Jerrod lifted the sheet a little higher and looked down past the two mares lumbering on his chest to his very uncovered self. “Well okay maybe this is-” He flung the sheet up and tore himself from under the two mares and out the door into the hall. “Morning.” He flashed a smile at a maid who turned bright red and screamed as he tore past her. Reaching the end of the hall he turned and tripped over a familiar guard.

“JERROD! YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME THE ETERNAL SUN!” Celestia stepped calmly into the hall, the bricks bubbling below her hooves and the wooden door bursting into flames around her. “Come out, come out were ever you are.”

Jerrod looked down at the guard and grabbed him around the waist. “Sorry man, but I want to live and you signed up to protect others.” He jumped back around the corner to face Celestia. “NEVER WILL I GIVE IN!”

The guard glared at Jerrod. “I bucking hate you so much.” With that Jerrod swung him in a circle before releasing him like a discus down the hall and straight at Celestia. Without a moment of pause Jerrod barreled down the hall again, pausing briefly at the end of it to vomit in a fern before taking off down another hall.

Behind him Celestia continued to calmly walk down the hall, a guard suspended in the air beside her. “Jerrod, oh Jerrod.” Her voice was warm and she almost sang as she called for him. “Wherever might you be hiding.” She looked down at a fern as it caught fire. “Did you vomit in my fern?”

From down the hall a pegasus came flying end over end. “IT HAD IT COMING. IT LOOKED AT ME FUNNY.” She smirked and caught the mare, suspending her next to the guard.

“Hey Sun Feather. How's your morning been.” The maid pulled a file out and began filing her hoof.

Sun Feather shrugged. “Nothing abnormal really. Still hate Jerrod with a passion but Luna's been pretty happy since he showed up and he's not as bad as Discord so there's that. How about yours Dusty?”

The mare shrugged noncommittally. “Bit of a chore to clean up after Twilight, Luna and Jerrod's little spree last night but not as bad as Celestia's last cake binge I guess.”

Celestia turned to the ponies suspended beside her. “Would you two please be quiet I am looking for a naked ape and it's hard to hear him over you two.” They both nodded and she smiled as she turned a corner. “Jerr~od, Jerr~od.”

Meanwhile a few halls away Jerrod jumped a griffon ambassador and landed on a food cart. “Sorry sir, running for my life and all. If your free later maybe we can have dinner.” He kicked off the stallion pushing the cart and rocketed away down the hall towards a flight of stairs. “Bugger, how do I-” The cart hit the stairs and pitched forward but before it flipped the front wheels snapped off and it slid on the smooth metal surface straight towards a window. “Bollocks.”

Jerrod covered his face and sailed through the luckily open window straight into a tree. “Well that was lucky.” He tumbled down the branches nimbly and landed on the grass below. Looking around with a smile he took a seat. “Now this is a view. Mmmm look at that one leading the pact, the things I would to him.”

“I know right, my husband is so HOT.” Jerrod stiffened and turned to his side were a pink alicorn lay. She smiled at him. “Morning. You must be Jerrod.” Her hoof reached out and Jerrod bumped it gently.

Smiling weakly he nodded. “Yep, names Jerrod. I don't think I have had the pleasure.”

She giggled, an actual giggle with her hoof over her mouth and everything. “Names Cadence, most call me Candy or at least my friends do.” Jerrod nodded and turned back to the training guards. “So what brings you here Jerrod.”

Jerrod leaned back against the tree eliciting a blush from Cadence as she saw his naked status. “Just a little early morning flight for my life, nothing special.”

Cadence cleared her throat and pointed to his member. “Could you put that away. I don't mind seeing it but it's just not very kosher to leave it hanging out like that.”

“Huh?” Jerrod looked down and laughed. “It don't hide. It's always free and loose until I put on some pants.” He crossed his legs to cover it. “So what are you doing out here Lovebutt?”

“Lovebutt?” Cadence tilted her head.

“That's adorable, I swear you ponies are just, do you even realize how adorable the things you do are sometimes. I digress, yes Lovebutt, you have a heart on yer ass and all so I thought it appropriate.”

“Oh, you mean my cutie mark. I get it. To answer your question am I here to watch Shining Armor, my husband, exercise.” Cadence looked over at Shining again with a hungry smile. “Sadly though he has a while to go. So why were you running for your life?”

Jerrod bit his lip. “Well, I may have slept with Sunbutt's sister and student.” He chuckled dryly. “I beat Celestia to her student I think is the biggy there, or  I didn't invite her I can't be sure.”

Suddenly Jerrod's world inverted. “You slept with Twilight?!”

Jerrod frowned. “Please don't tell me your her sister or something. She's a grown mare and can make her own choices, even if she was drunk. In my defense I was drunk to, so was Luna.”

Cadence glared at him as she yelled out to the field. “OH SHINING. I HAVE SOMEONE YOU MIGHT LIKE TO MEET!”

The large white stallion Jerrod had been ogling trotted over. “Who is it dear?”

Cadence jiggled Jerrod causing him to burp and cover his mouth for a second. “Just a stallion who took advantage of your innocent little sister.”

Jerrod looked at Shining terrified for a moment before he burst into laughter. “Innocent, oh dear you two are dense. The things she did with Luna, yea she ain't as innocent as she lets on.” He clutched his sides laughing for a moment before it died and he shifted to clutching his head and moaning.

Shining closed his eyes and shook his head, then repeated it like he was trying to shake a thought out. “Nope, nope, nope.”

Meanwhile Cadence's eyes had gown cloudy and she was chuckling lewdly as some spittle dripped from the corner of her mouth. “Luna, Twilight, hehe.”

Shining came to first. “You slept with my sister?” His voice was more concerned than anything. “You slept with Twily.” Jerrod nodded slowly as he reached out and wiped some drool from Cadence's mouth. Moving towards his own mouth with the drool before Shining slapped his hand away. “No, bad...whatever you are. You slept with my sister?”

Jerrod waved his hand and blew on it. “We were drunk, it just kinda happened, I think. I don't really remember.”

Shining opened and closed his mouth a few times before reaching over and poking Cadence. “Dear, I think we can let him go. Nothing we can do to him is worse than what Twily can dream up. Honestly, I think I might want to call in a protection detail for you.”

Jerrod starred at Shining with an open mouth. “Your kidding right?” Shining shook his head. “Well, I am flattered for the offer but I think I want two. One for Starbutt and one for Sunbutt, make that three. One more for Moonbutt.”

Shining chuckled to himself. “Sorry, your on your own. None of the guards are trained to defend against those kinds of threats. You seem capable enough though, good luck.” Shining continued to chuckle as he turned to watch the guards train, screaming out the occasional order.

Cadence shook herself causing Jerrod to jerk around. “No bad brain, even if Twily has grown into a very sexy mare and Luna is, mmmmm, no bad, Twilight is off limits and Luna is...well Luna is Luna.” Cadence looked at Jerrod with a lopsided smile. “Though she might be a little less scary now, a good stallion does wonders on a mare's stress.” Cadence shook Jerrod some more and scowled a little at Jerrod.. “That doesn't explain Celestia chasing you though.”

Jerrod tapped Cadence on the muzzle. “Could you turn me like eighty degrees to the left?” Cadence lifted an eyebrow and complied, turning him to face the bushes. He gave her the thumbs up as he burped a little and then opened his mouth. The next moment was filled with a horrible stench and a sizzling sound as an angry goddess burst from the bushes right into the oncoming stream. Her flames died instantly and the two ponies she held in her magical grasp fell unceremoniously onto the ground as she screamed.

~ ~ ~

“Ssssuuuuunnnnnbbbbuuuuttttt, pppppllllllleeeeeaaaaaasssssseeee. I'm getting a head rush.” Jerrod sulked on the ceiling of Celestia's private chambers while she cleansed herself of Jerrod's ill timed upchuck.

The door to her private bathroom opened and a cloud of steam billowed out. Celestia swam into view in the steam, a towel wrapped around her head and tail. “No. Do you have any idea how much that smelled?”

Jerrod crossed his arms and pouted. “Yes but that's no reason to stick my naked ass to the ceiling.” As he finished speaking the door opened and a maid walked in carrying a pair of pants. She smiled and passed them up to Jerrod who nodded his thanks as his stood up on the ceiling to put them on. “Well this solves one issue but there's still the head rush issue.” Celestia's horn lit up and Jerrod lowered about halfway to the floor when suddenly gravity reasserted itself and he slammed to floor in a heap. “Ow.” He righted himself and sat cross legged. “Thank you. Did you really have to stick me to the ceiling for sleeping with you sister and student?” He paused for a moment before he noticed Celestia's glare. “And puking on you.” He rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out while her back was turned.

Celestia's horn lit up again and a for a moment nothing happened. Slowly Jerrod began to lift and he grabbed at the carpet pulling it towards the ceiling with him. “This isn't about what you did with my sister and Twilight. This is about the three hundred billion bits worth of alcohol you consumed last night. Then there’s the issue of my cake vault. The combination to the lock seems to have changed.”

Jerrod hugged the carpet tight and tried to jump back to the floor. He rose up a good few feet and fell back to the ceiling with a pout. “Who even has a cake vault? It's not like cake is that great anyway, makes people give you name like Sunbutt.” He sat down on the ceiling and laid back, crossing a leg over his bent knee with his hands behind his head. “Did we seriously drink that much last night, it's all a little fuzzy.”

Celestia nodded. “Do you know how much a thousand year old bottle of moonshine is worth. Those bottles haven't been made since before my sister's banishment and you three drank the last seven bottles in existence.” Celestia turned to Jerrod. “The last...seven bottles...in existence.”

Jerrod stared at her open mouthed and stood to follow her out the door. Pausing at the wall above the door confused before treating it like a short fence and flipping himself over it, catching Celestia's crown with his foot as he swung. “I'm sorry, I didn't know. I was just drinking what ever Twilight and Luna gave me.” He put the crown on his head and walked with his hands behind his back. “Are you sure your not pissed about me and Twilight sharing the bed as it where.”

Celestia nodded at a passing guard and he trotted off down the hall for some unknown task he had just been given. “Yes, she is a grown mare. She can make her own choices.” A noble ran muzzle first into a vase stand as they rounded another corner. The vase wobbled dangerously on its stand before Celestia caught it, steadying it and the stand before releasing it again. “Looks like Blue Blood is back.” She waved and the white stallion who had crashed into the vase stand waved back slowly, his eyes never leaving Jerrod who smiled at him warmly. “Blue Blood this Jerrod.”

Jerrod offered a half bow. “It's a pleasure to meet you, your eminence. Might I add you look stunning today, perhaps we can catch a meal together later.” Jerrod winked. “And maybe a little more.”

As much as was possible, Blue Blood turned whiter and back pedaled away. “What...what are you insinuating you base creature?”

Jerrod laughed. “That we get hot and dirty together, that we make the beast with two back, that we explore new species together, that we attempt to create a new breed together, that we dance the vertical tango, that we give each other anatomy lessons.” He smiled down at Blue Blood lustfully and mischievously. “Maybe even teach you what kind of tricks...” He whipped his hands out and wiggled his fingers, “these babies can do.”

Blue Blood stood up and stomped towards Jerrod. He pointed his hoof up at him like he was trying to poke him in the chest. “Why I never. You are the most crude beast I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. Please, leave my company at once. I do not appreciate such crude insinuations.”

Jerrod laughed loudly and Celestia tried to hide her giggles as Blue Blood stomped off muttering to himself. “Well that was entertaining Jerrod. I am late for court so if you don't mind.” Jerrod lowered to the floor gently and Celestia smiled as she turned and left. She paused and put a hoof on her head. “Jerrod.” Jerrod smiled weakly and through her crown to her. “Thank you.”

“Well that was nice of her.” Jerrod turned around and had half a second to groan before the vase Celestia had just saved hit him. “Really, she just saved-” The world went dark after a brief moment of pain exploded across his face.

~ ~ ~

Jerrod's eyes fluttered open with a groan and brought a hand to his face. “Mother of Tartarus, what was that?” Looking around he spotted a familiar white stallion reading a paper and eating a bowl of cereal. “Did you have something to do with that Shieldbutt?”

Shining Armor shrugged. “Naw, my wife wanted to talk to you and sent Sun Feather to find you.” He took a bite of cereal and chewed it slowly and thoughtfully. “I don't know what you did to him but he really doesn't like you.”

Jerrod tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I can think of a few reasons here and there.” Jerrod leaned the chair back on two legs and rubbed the side of his head. “So what are you up to Shieldbutt. You seem awfully nonchalant about me and your sister's little adventure last night.”

Shining shrugged and turned the page on the newspaper. “She can take care of herself. Like I said before, I am more worried about what she might do to you.”

Jerrod laughed and reached across the table to grab an apple. “Worried about me, really. How kind of you but sadly I don't go for the married ones.” He opened his mouth and let out a puff of air over the apple before rubbing it on his shirt and taking a bite. Chewing thoughtfully he stared over at the stallion for a moment. “You seem rather unfazed by me, everyone does really. Any idea why?”

Shining put his spoon down and his brow furrowed. “Hmm, not sure really. I would guess it has to do with the company you have been keeping, or at least that has a part in it. For me personally, I was the commander of the guard of two immortal princesses. I was there trying to keep order during Discord's first release. I am married to an alicorn who rules a nation of living crystal. I guess you could say I am a little desensitized to it all. Oh and my sister is Twilight Sparkle the only mare known to have ascended in the last thousand years give or take. I think Cadence ascended sometime in the last thousand years but she's real secretive about it.”

Jerrod chewed his bite of apple for a moment while he absorbed the information. “So basically, there’s not much that can throw you off anymore?” Shining nodded and returned to his breakfast. “What about your wife?”

Shining chuckled. “Cadence, I wouldn't want to know what phases her.” Jerrod tilted his head and Shining sighed. “During our wedding she was locked in the crystal caverns under Canterlot for two months. The changeling queen tried to drive her mad so she could learn about her and emulate her better so she would draw less suspicion. Long story short, the current therapist says she's doing a lot better and I agree. She hasn't had any weird episodes in a good month or so. Well excluding her little happy dance after you showed up.”

Jerrod put his apple down slowly and carefully stood up as quiet as he could. “Ya know what, I think I left the toaster on in my room. I think I might need go check that.” He turned around and froze. A smiling pink alicorn waved at him and pointed back to his chair. He smiled innocently and gently sat back in his chair and turned to Shining. “Please help me.”

Shining chuckled and rolled up his paper and grabbed his bowl. “Your on your own bud. You made your bed you can wet it on your own.”

Jerrod gulped. “Don't you mean lie in it.”

Shining chuckled. “Only if you want to be a helpless target.” With that he trotted out of the room, pausing to kiss his wife on the cheek and whisper to her. “Go easy on the poor guy dear.”

Cadence nodded and returned the kiss. “No promises dear.” Shining shook his head and left and Cadence's full attention turned to Jerrod. “So you slept with Twilight and Luna together?” Jerrod nodded. “So which do prefer?”

“What?” Jerrod shook his head startled. “Prefer?”

Cadence trotted around the table and sat down, folding her hooves under her chin. “Which one do you want? Do you want Luna or my little Twilight?”

Jerrod shifted uncomfortably. “I feel like there's no right answer here.” Cadence smiled innocently and chuckled a little, Jerrod gulped. “Neither?”

The table cracked under Cadence and Jerrod flinched back in time to save his legs from the breaking table. “Neither you say. Well that's interesting. You don't love Twilight and you slept with her?”

Jerrod pulled his legs up and hugged them. “I can't have Twilight. A very powerful, very unpredictable being who isn't overly fond of me has claim to her.”

Suddenly the room grew warm and inviting. The table mended, a new bowl of fruit was placed out and a glass of orange juice was placed in front of Jerrod. “Go on.” Cadence's voice was giddy and she seemed to hop up and down in her seat.

Jerrod stared at her slack jawed, his brain rewinding the last few minutes over and over until a piece of fruit smacked into forehead. “Huh, what?” He looked at Cadence who twirled her hoof at him. “Oh yes, um, Temperamental ponies laying claim.” Cadence nodded. “Well she might kill me for this but umm, Sunbutt kinda wants the Starbutt.”

“I KNEW IT!” Cadence pumped her hoof. “Shining owes me fifty bits and Velvet owes me eighty.” Jerrod slowly took a sip of his orange juice and watched as Cadence began muttering to herself. After a brief moment she paused and looked at Jerrod. “Do you think Twilight wants her too?”

Jerrod broke into a wide grin and laughed hard for a moment. “You have no idea.”

“Really now.” Cadence leaned forward and took a bite of an apple. “How do you know what Twilight wants?”

Jerrod puffed out his chest and wiggled a little with a cocky grin on his face. “She's very honest when's she drunk and cumming.” Cadence blushed ever so slightly and motioned for Jerrod to continue. “What, that's all. When she got to screaming last night, Sunbutt came up a lot. I think it might have hurt Moonbutt a little bit but she got her revenge last. I don't think I have ever seen a tongue move like that, well not since the dragon lands at least.” Jerrod wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Cadence giggled and her wings fluffed a little. “Well then, I guess I have my work cut out for me. That doesn't explain Luna though. Luna could use a good coltfriend, or whatever it is you are.”

Jerrod shrugged. “I have my reason for not pursuing a relationship right now. I have nothing more to say on that matter.”

Cadence huffed threw her nostrils and put on a pouty face. “But I could feel how much you like her last night so why wouldn't you want pursue her?”

Jerrod looked at Cadence from the corner of his eyes. “You felt it?”

Cadence pointed to her flank. “Princess of Love, I can feel love or sense it. I also see it better than most. Not like I see a physical manifestation of it just, the signs are clearer to me. I know I felt a lot of strong emotions for both of them last night so whats stopping you?”

Jerrod rubbed his temples. “Seriously, a pony who can sense love. You sound like that deer I slept with once. Who wants to be that involved in everyone’s love life, jeez”

Cadence giggled. “I don't want to be I just am. Sort of like Luna is considered a deity of fertility because of her promiscuous lifestyle back when she was younger. Celestia is seen as a matriarch and goddess of life but fertility comes from the moon as it were.” Cadence smiled and leaned towards Jerrod. “It's said Luna can even grant inter-species couples children if she wants.”

Jerrod chocked on his apple and slammed his chest with a fist. “WHAT?”

Cadence fell backwards laughing. “Sorry, that was a poor joke. I will stop pestering you for information. I just find it strange that you have such strong feelings for them but no desire to act on them.”

“I barely know them.” Jerrod glowered at Cadence. “I like Luna sure, she seems nice and she's smart and all that other cool stuff but no. It wouldn't be kind to her to do that. I don't love her and I am not gonna let myself love her. It's simple as that. Don't say I already do, I know love and this ain't it, this is the hots. I am leaving for Ponyville as soon as I can to avoid this very situation, end of discussion.”

Cadence shrugged. “Your the one who said love not me.”

Jerrod face palmed. “I hate people like you. You lead people in a direction and then turn it against them. Your right I feel for Luna, I can relate to her so yea take your emotion crap somewhere else please.”

Cadence laughed. “I'm sorry, I can't help it. Celestia taught me how to deal with nobles and I found it works really well when dealing with love. Honestly I didn't feel a lot from you guys last night. There was definitely a connection there but yea, not like that.” Cadence shook her head. “You got pretty defensive about it though, is there a story behind that?”

Jerrod chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “Is there a story behind it. I have been traveling for twenty years, of course there’s a story behind it. There's more than one story behind it.” Jerrod sighed. “It was nice to meet you Cadence. If you need help locking Celestia and Twilight in a room together or setting them up don't hesitate to ask.”

Cadence smiled. “Me and Shining got that covered. You go to Ponyville, maybe deal with a few of your issues. Don't be afraid to let Luna in. She's been through a lot and I bet she might be able to offer some insight, Celestia too.”

Jerrod waved at her as he left the room grumbling to himself and Cadence called out to Shining, asking him to grab some quill and parchment. The last thing Jerrod heard was something about PLANNING TIME and then he rounded a corner and broke into a jog, looking for a certain purple alicorn to ask about a place to stay in Ponyville.

Theories

A tea cup gently clinked against its saucer as four alicorns looked around the room at each other, a unicorn stallion with a lab coat shifted uncomfortable and another unicorn stallion yawned heavily. The silence was finally broken by the largest alicorn. “So Doctor Stable, why have you requested an audience with all of us?”

The unicorn in a lab coat smiled nervously and pulled four copies of a medical chart from his bag. “If you would all please look at this first. I think it might answer a few questions and it might help the explanation.” The room fell silent except the shifting of papers and the occasional clicking of a tongue or tsking sound as someone read something particularly disconcerting.

Twilight put hers down first and tapped her chin with a hoof. “Doctor Stable, do you still have the body?”

The doctor chuckled to himself a little and shook his head. “That's issue number one, the patient is still alive.”

Everyone dropped their chart and stared at the doctor open mouthed. “That's...that's not possible.” Twilight grabbed her chart and flipped through it again. “With these kinds of results there is no way this creature could be alive.” She flipped through to a specific spot and reread it several times. “Even if this is right he shouldn't be a living specimen. Granted his cells do not appear to be dying off as they should but this is...” She trailed off and chewed at the tip of her hoof. “Maybe but no that...” She looked at Doctor. “How did he loose the original magic that was in his body?”

The doctor took a sip of his tea. “He never had any to begin with.” He smiled. “That’s the strangest part. The magic is aggressively trying to mutate his cells when the opportunity is presented and he has no defense against it because he was not originally a magical creature.”

Celestia gently placed the chart down. “I have lived a very long time and I can say this might be the first time this has ever happened. I could be wrong but I have never seen anything like this.”

Luna flipped back and fourth through the chart. “Did the patient say when this started?”

The doctor tapped the table his eyes turned upwards and a little to the side for a moment. “Roughly five years ago I believe is what he said.”

Luna gently placed the chart back on the table. “I see. This is most interesting indeed. Twilight, you have been looking into how humans might have entered this world correct?” Twilight nodded. “Please tell us what you have found.”

Twilight tilted her head to the side and gave Luna a confused look. “What does that have to do with this?”

Luna smiled and sipped her tea. “Please just humor me.”

Twilight stood up and a chalkboard appeared as she did. “Okay. I'm not sure why you want to know what I have found.” A pop echoed in the room and Twilight began flipping through a stack of notes. “Well, it has to do with Tirek.” Celestia furrowed her brow and turned her head slightly causing Twilight to shift uncomfortably. “So Tirek, he is well, a gate keeper.” Twilight took a deep breath. “Maybe I should back track even further. So this world is not the only world, there are countless others existing side by side with our own. The world Sunset Shimmer fled to after stealing my crown is one such world. The mirror portal I passed through was one of many gateways that used to exist on Equus. While it is my personal belief that all the other portals are closed and that is the only world left connected to ours I think that Jerrod and the others he mentioned came from another. That is were Tirek comes in, he was the guardian of the portals throughout Equus once upon a time.”

Twilight stepped up to the chalkboard and drew a crude map of Equus. “So through out history there has been talk of places were strange things happen. The Island of the Rainbow Bridge, or The Continent of Shadows. There was the Roaring City, the Home of the Forgotten and so many others. All of those were a place were a portal had been left unattended and the worlds had begun to converge. Tirek is possibly the oldest being on Equus and I believe he may not even be from Equus but that's not the important part, he has always been connected to these places. His purpose was to manage these portals and prevent the worlds from colliding and mashing together. We can see evidence of his failure in this regard all over Equus even today, those little things that you don't question but don't belong.” Twilight pointed to the round doorknob. “Those being a prime example, our hooves are most definitely not compatible with it and yet we keep making them. This brings me to how Tirek was supposed to manage these portals and keep the worlds separated.”

Twilight drew a crude drawing of Tirek absorbing magic. “Tirek passively absorbed aspects of both worlds, magic from ours and what ever forces drove the other worlds. Most of the time this excess would bleed off back through the portal and keep it stabilized. The excess was used to maintain the connection and keep the worlds separate but Tirek discovered that he could hold onto the forces.” Twilight stopped and tapped the chalk on the chalkboard. “Much like I believe Tirek to be, Triek's brother was from another world. Records of him are sparse but I have found myths that talk about a battle between them. Tirek's brother chose a pair of children from the world I think Jerrod is from. These children had a connection to what we now know as the harmony force, a catalyst for the ponies of the time. These children helped the ponies fight Tirek and his brother used his brothers weakened state during the fight to sever the connection to the other worlds. After the connection was severed Tirek was left weakened, still immortal but no more powerful than a mortal pony. The rest is history. Tirek sought the magic of the ponies who had defeated him and left him for dead and his brother stepped up again only to be killed as he defeated Tirek once more.”

Twilight erased the chalkboard and drew the six elements of harmony on it. “Fast forward some two hundred thousand years or so to twenty years ago. Tirek escaped his prison and ran amok on Equus, focused mainly on the ponies again. As his strength grew the seal his brother had placed weakened. After everypony had been absorbed the seal broke but Tirek's connection remained unstable.” Twilight hung her head. “He needed one final piece to stabilize the connections to the other worlds. He sought the most powerful beings on Equus, Discord and myself after you gave me your power. When I let him take the power from me he became stronger than he had ever been, the portals feeding him power again and the strength of two demi-gods and three true gods flowing through him. He only managed to connect to one world but that was all he needed, the speed with which we acted saved this world from a much worse fate.”

Celestia grimaced and Luna paled giving Shining a moment to speak up. “So wouldn't he have stopped the...oh.”

Twilight nodded. “When the elements stripped him of his magic the portals were left unguarded. A giant tear in the fabric of our world and the world humans came from. Our saving grace is that he only had time to open the passage to one world instead of several. The elements after defeating him worked to stabilize the portal, which is why me and the others were so exhausted afterwards. Once it was stabilized the elements needed a way to plug it which is why humans were able to fall through for so long afterwards. In the end Tirek's broken body was connected to the passage again and the doors were closed for good.”

Cadence looked at the chalkboard with a furrowed brow. “But, no humans arrived in Equestria, why?”

Luna went to speak but fell silent and her ears fell back. Celestia looked at her and patted her shoulder before looking at Cadence. “That would be our fault. Long before your time or even Equestria is were it begins but we don't need to go that far. The ponies of the Hearths Warming tale were our subjects is the best place to begin.” Everyone in the room perked up. “Far across the seas there is an island, it is the home of the forgotten alicorn race and the place were all equine life started. The ponies fled from there after Discord arrived. The windigos were his minions that he sent after them. Luna and I, we were normal ponies back then, before the elements of harmony. We defeated Discord at the cost of the alicorns that lived there and we came here. It was only a few short years later that Discord made his way across the seas for revenge.”

Luna sat up. “When we first arrived here the ponies welcomed us. Alongside our kin again we colonized this land and made peace with the locals, you know them as nocturnis or bat ponies now. For those few years there was peace, with a little fighting between the tribes of ponies. It was when Discord arrived that things went downhill. The second Discord War as it was called back then was not really a second one. He took the taint of our land that we had destroyed and set it upon us. The sky was sundered, the earth salted and magic untamed. He used this chaos to fuel his power and nearly destroyed the bat ponies and subjugated the ponies. My sister and I went into hiding. For a time we looked into ways to defeat him, trying time and time again only to be pushed back.”

Celestia picked up as her sister receded into her memories. “Each time we fought the land was more and more scarred. When we finally found the elements and defeated Discord this land was nigh unlivable. The elements did what they could but it took the combined effort of all the tribes to heal the land but it went a step further.”

Twilight dropped her chalk on the table and took a sip of her tea and grimaced because it was cold. With a quick spell she reheated it and took a grateful sip. “That harmony is why Equestri never saw a new human. I imagine a few passed through on occasion but our lands are to stable for portals to open. The Everfree forest is to chaotic and it bounces them somewhere else.”

Luna shook her head and leaned against her sister for a moment before standing up and pacing the room. “Which brings us back to our patient here. Five years ago every magically attuned being on Equus was shaken to their core as a massive surge of magic coursed through the leylines of this world. Some catastrophic event happened and it was centered in the dragon land.” Twilight's ear twitched back and forth and Celestia smiled a little. “The same place our friend Jerrod was roughly five years ago. I may be wrong about this but I think that maybe, just maybe, he had something to do with that. Maybe he found a way to open the portals for long enough to send his brethren home but something disrupted it. In that moment the entire spell surged back into him and we end up with the results we see in this chart five years later.”

Doctor Stable tapped his chin and flipped through the chart. “But why him?”

Twilight furrowed her brow and gave her chin a pensive stroke. "It could be that the energies of the portal collapsed on Jerrod when the portal closed! All that magic energy needed to go somewhere, after all. It could be possible.....but it's only a theory, mind you."

Cadence looked at Twilight confused, Sihinging mimicking her. “What, how would that work? Basic thaumic principles state that something like that is more or less impossible. All spells collapse in themselves instead of the caster. It's not entirely understood why but the cases of spells collapsing on the caster are more or less nil.”

Twilight smiled giddily and hopped up and went to her chalkboard. “Because he was the center of the spell. Any spell that creates a portal of any type needs a destination, some set of predetermined coordinates.” Twilight covered the chalkboard in drawings and equations, her smile growing wider and wider the more she drew. “Take teleport spells, you visualize were you want to go and then set up the spell around that destination. If you wanted to tear open a portal between world you would need something a little bit more complex though. I believe that in this case that was Jerrod, it could have been any human but Jerrod, Jerrod was the one used. He was used because he himself set it up.” Twilight stared at the crude drawings on the chalkboard and erased one to redraw it slightly different. “Jerrod stood at the center of the spell and built it up around himself, a very dangerous and idiotic thing to do if a spell is not designed for it and that is why it collapsed on him.” Twilight smiled and started doing even more complex equations across the board and out onto the walls.

“Yes so, Jerrod was at the center of everything. The entire spell was laced through out his body and branched out to every human on Equus. The moment it failed everything fell apart. When a portal type spell collapses it implodes in on the center, in this case Jerrod. Usually the spell then explodes sending all the energy back out into the world but Jerrod is a living creature and his body resisted. It must have been agonizing painful to have all that magic coursing through him. With no were to go the magic would have jumped to the nearest source of magic which should have been the leylines.” Twilight dropped her chalk defeated and rubbed the sides of her head as she growled. “This doesn't make sense, what are we missing? If the magic jumped down into the leylines it explains the surge we all felt but it doesn't explain why the magic stayed in Jerrod.” She stared at the equations on the walls and the chalk board and punched the blank spot next to the equals sign. “It doesn't add up right, we are missing an element.”

Celestia put her tea down and her horn lit gently. “Perhaps we should just ask Jerrod himself if he knows anything about it. He is most likely the one who invented the spell after all.” A loud popping echoed through the room and everyone turned to look were Jerrod appeared and froze.

They all stared as Jerrod calmly ran his fingers through the griffon ambassador open wing while humming a gentle tune. The ambassador's body rumbled in a deep content purr as the fingers worked to straighten his feathers and tease the leading edge of his wing to coax a little water proofing oil onto Jerrod's finger before he stroked down another feather. Jerrod shook his head and the humming stopped  but he continued with his task. “This better be important.”

Luna sat down hard on her cushion and Cadence blushed while trying to cover Shining's eyes. Twilight buried her face in Celestia's side while Celestia's brain froze completely. Jerrod huffed. “Well, out with it.”

Luna spoke up. “Um, what are you doing to the ambassador?”

The ambassador spoke up, a slight irritation in his voice. “Giving me the best damned preening I have ever had in my life. Or it was until Miss Sunbutt over there grabbed us from my room.”

Celestia shook herself. “Sunbutt. No not you too.”

The ambassador chuckled. “I like it. Jerrod was right about it suiting you.”

Celestia's teeth ground and her eye twitched. “Why you. Urgh.” The ambassador chuckled at Celestia's discomfort. “Is this why you have never dated or ever been seen with another griffon in a lovers capacity, because your a xenophile?”

The ambassador rolled his eyes and cracked one open towards Celestia. “No it's because I'm gay and griffons aren't to fond of that. Our culture is far less excepting of same sex relationships than yours Sunbutt. I can't believe your devolving to such petty...” The ambassador hummed mid sentence as Jerrod hit a particularly sensitive spot. “MM, yea, there, right there.” His leg kicked a little and Jerrod chuckled while Twilight squeaked and Cadence smiled brightly.

“So why am I here?” Jerrod's voice was cold but calm and it made everyone in the room shiver.

Twilight pulled herself from Celestia's side to look at him. “We wanted to ask why exactly you left the dragon lands.”

The room seemed to grow exponentially colder and Jerrod's fingers slowly stopped moving. He sat completely still, his breathing even but his whole body tense. Slowly his head turned to look at the assembled ponies. “Because I made a mistake, nothing more nothing less.” Celestia opened her mouth and Jerrod's hand swung up with a single finger raised. “NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS.” He growled it loudly and clearly and then turned to Celestia. “I have been respectful of your secrets and I expect the same in return.”

The ambassador rolled over in Jerrod's lap and pulled him close, placing his forehead against Jerrod's. “Calm down love. They are merely curious as to why you left, it can't be that bad.”

Jerrod took a deep breath. “It is that bad.” The ambassador tilted his head and pouted a little. “It is. I nearly caused a war and...and I failed my people.”

Twilight and Luna moved towards him. “You mentioned something like that before. A mistake, what was it.” Luna reached forward as she spoke only to have Jerrod gently bat it away.

He looked at her and shook his head. “No.” He stood up and wrapped his arms around the ambassador, leaving his wings free, and jumped backwards. The window shattered and Jerrod fell for a few stories before the ambassador's wings popped open and they began to glide away.

All four alicorns leaned their heads out the window, watching in open-mouthed surprise as Jerrod and the griffon ambassador went hurtling toward the ground. Their heads bowed in the nick of time, as suddenly, just to add more bizzare-ness to the whole fiasco, a wooden trunk came whizzing over their heads and out the window, following Jerrod and the ambassador on their wild escape. The three of them--human, griffon, and trunk--disappeared in an explosion of dust mere feet before hitting the ground, seven stories below.

Luna turned to Twilight and her sister. “Please tell me I wasn't the only one who just saw a trunk dive seven stories and then dart off into the streets.”

"What just-" Twilight stammered. The last thing she saw of the unorthodox troupe was the wooden trunk, zooming out into the streets of Canterlot with an airborne trail of dust in its wake. "They just.....flying trunk.....what??"

Shining sighed and rose to his hooves. “I'm gonna hafta cancel dinner Cadence, me and the guards are going to be needed on the streets tonight.” He left the room with a huff, slamming the door behind him.

Luna looked at Twilight and her sister again. “The nobles are going to be in a tizzy aren't they?” Both of them nodded. “Twilight, could you please write Spike and let him know me and Jerrod will be arriving sometime tonight.” Twilight opened her mouth. “No, you have my sister, he is mine.”

Celestia blushed crimson and Twilight stammered while Cadence kicked the ground. “Dammit, I owe Shining fifteen bits now. How did you know Luna?” Luna just smiled and skipped out of the room whistling a jaunty tune. “Fine don't tell me. I think I need to leave to, I want to send Amadiel a letter and ask her if she knows anything.” Cadence turned and left, leaving Twilight and Celestia alone.

Twilight looked up at her mentor and the door sealed behind Cadence. “Alone at last.”

Celestia looked at Twilight and smiled. “Remind me to thank Jerrod for this someday.”

Twilight giggled gleefully and lit her horn. “I have been waiting for this for so long.” Celestia skipped towards Twilight. “Finally I can ask you about the history of the Alicorns.” Celestia tripped over herself and eeped as a mountain of parchment and quills buried her.

Her head wormed its way from the mountain and looked at a blushing Twilight. “Really?” Twilight nodded and unburied Celestia. “We're all alone and you want to have a study session.” Her shoulders slumped and planted herself at the table. “Ask away.”

Twilight clapped her hooves gleefully and pulled a few history books from the pile. Celestia smiled slightly as she spied an alicorn physiology book buried deep in the pile but was quickly swept up in a flurry of question from her ex-student. She took a deep breath and thought to herself, this is going to be a long night.

~ ~ ~

The ambassador glided down, Jerrod's feet hit the ground and he stumbled forward a little before catching himself and jogging a few steps forward. The ambassador wrapped his legs around Jerrod's torso and hugged him from behind like he was getting a piggy back ride. “Well that was unexpected.”

Jerrod shrugged. “What can I say Swiftflgiht. I was uncomfortable and you presented an easy escape.” Jerrod reached back and gave him a quick scratch behind the ears. “Where's the train station from here?” Swiftflight pointed off to the left and Jerrod started walking in silence, the ambassador hanging on his back contently.

After a few blocks they stepped into an open clearing and a large crowd of ponies. The train sat at the station puffing steadily away with a cloud of smoke billowing out of it's smokestack. A large trunk sat next to the ticket booth, an earth pony pushing away it. Jerrod walked up giggling as the earth pony put his shoulder against it and started running in place. Without a word Jerrod popped the lid. “What the, how did you get in there Sun Feather?” The ambassador looked over Jerrod's shoulder and laughed.

Sun Feather looked up from inside the box. “Oh thank the heavens, I'm free again.” He burst out of the box and wrapped Jerrod in a hug. “I don't care that it's you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Jerrod shook his head as Sun Feather continued to babble into his chest. He waved at the earth pony who was staring and then reached into the trunk and pulled out a bag of bits. “Hey, where's my cupcakes?”

Sun Feather pulled away a little. “Sorry, I was trapped in there for two days, I needed to eat something.” Jerrod looked down and narrowed his eyes and Sun feather blushed lightly. “I used a jar at least for the...” He pulled himself free. “I am gonna go find a restroom.” With that he darted off into the crowd.

Jerrod rolled his eyes and turned towards the ticket booth. Swiftflight waved at him and walked up. “I got our tickets.” Jerrod looked over his shoulder then back at the ambassador. “Sorry about that, I used to be in the spy business.”

Jerrod shrugged. “Well, thanks for paying for my ticket.”

Swiftflight smiled. “I got one for me and Sun Feather too. By the way, how did Sun Feather fit in that trunk?”

Sun Feather walked up and looked at the ambassador. “It's bigger on the inside.” He scooted away from  the trunk as shifted towards him. “And it's vicious.”

Jerrod leaned down and hugged the trunk. “Don't listen to meany pants there, your a good trunk. You were just protecting your owners things from him.”

Sun Feather huffed. “I swear it laid a trap. I looked into your room and it opened to reveal the greatest stash of weapons I have ever seen. It knew I was weapon fanatic and it taunted me.”

Jerrod laughed and stood up moving his way towards the train with the ambassador. “Well that's your fault Sun Feather. You let your curiosity get the better of you.”

“What kind of trunk is that?” Swiftflight handed the tickets to the conductor as they boarded. “I have never seen anything like it before.”

Jerrod tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I would think they would be popular with griffons. You do a lot of trade with Dryads don't you?”

Sun Feather perked up. “You mean that's a sentient trunk? One of the dryads most coveted creations.”

Jerrod shook his head and sat down, the trunk parking itself by the wall next to him. “Not sentient but it is alive sort of. It's a construct made from the remains of a dryad who has passed. Usually it attaches itself to someone the dryad was close with in their life.” Jerrod sighed wistfully and little sadly as he stroked the lid of the trunk. “He was a wonderful dryad. I traveled with him for a few months before we got to his home.”

Swiftflight put a claw on Jerrod's shoulder. “How did he...?” He left the question hanging.

Jerrod looked over at Swiftflight. “Sickness. He caught in the tropical forest of the minotaur lands. He held on until he got home and his last request was that he be given to me.” Jerrod patted the trunk. “It's a reminder of days long past.”

Sun Feather bit his lip and shifted uncomfortably. “I think I have misjudged you little Jerrod. I thought you were just a bumbling idiot, a philandering fool but Luna was right, there's more to it than that.”

Jerrod turned to Sun Feather. “What?”

The pegasus rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “I was told to be your personal guard about a month after you arrived and the other one retired, he said it was to much stress to watch you. I was a little miffed about it but I saw a few things, like sometimes you would just stop walking and turn to look towards some far off place only you could see, or that look you get at night sometimes. I went to Luna about it because it reminded me of her and she said it was the mark of creature tormented by his past. The more I find out about you the more truth I see in what she said.”

Jerrod smirked and ruffled Sun Feather's mane between his ears. “Who's a sweet little guard, yes you are.” He chuckled and pulled his hand back. “We all have regrets boy, some of us just have more than others. I am a fool and a philander and an idiot and so much more.”

Swiftflight smiled. “You're kind, loving, caring, affectionate. Don't forget to look at those qualities about you that draw others to you.”

Sun Feather smiled. “I must say I agree with the Ambassador. For all your faults you are fairly charismatic. I may not be fond of you but I also don't really mind your company. A little bit of sunshine on a bleak day as it were.”

Jerrod smiled and pulled Sun Feather into his lap and poked him between the wings. Sun Feather eeped as his wings shot open and then stuttered a little as Jerrod began preening him. “I'm glad to hear you say that Feather. I know I can be annoying but it's just how I am.”

Sun Feather smiled and hummed a little. “Your just sad and lonely and looking for a way to forget it. Your living your life to its fullest in remembrance of those who can't, those you lost. It's admirable really, you take strength from your sadness and your loneliness and let it push you into the embrace of others.”

Swwiftflight nodded. “I have seen many warriors like yourself choose to hide away and shun the world rather than face it. A sad few even chose to leave life behind but you, you take all your pain and turn it into a strength.” He eyed Jerrod's fingers and Sun Feather's wings enviously. “I am going to want that treatment to by the way, you never did finish me first.”

Jerrof shrugged. “Sorry, maybe when I'm done with Sunny here. Also, not warrior.”

Sun Feather looked up sideways at Jerrod. “Yes you are.” Swiftflight nodded and Jerrod sighed.

“No I am not.” Jerrod poked Sun Feather in the side. “I am nothing more than a traveler.”

Swiftflight chuckled and leaned against Jerrod. “I have met many travelers and I have never met one who carries the scars you do. Can I ask something else?” Jerrod nodded. “It's a little off the warrior topic but what's with you and wings?”

Jerrod smiled. “Sorry, I just find comfort in preening wings.” Sun Feather and Swiftflight both cocked an eyebrow at him questioningly.

Sun Feather sighed and shifted a little. “I have never met a wingless creature who can...” He paused and his back leg kicked as Jerrod scratched a spot on the underside of his wing. His body turned to putty as the scratching stopped. “preen as good as this.” His tongue lolled out and his eyes drifted halfway closed.

“It's a pastime of mine. I've known the skill for a while." He smiled wistfully and a single tear rolled down his cheek. "I learned from the best, and that's no lie."

The ambassador leaned back and put his claws behind his head. “Well you'll have to tell me more about that someday. Maybe teach me a few of your tricks so I know what to do when you and those miraculous fingers aren't around to do it for me.”

Jerrod turned to look out the window, a far off look in his eyes. “Maybe. Maybe someday I will.”

Old Wounds

Jerrod leaned back against the tree with a smile on his lips. He'd been in Ponyville for a week and it was everything he had hoped it could be. Peaceful, quiet, relaxed and friendly. Sure, it had started out a little rocky, but now the villagers were at ease around him. The welcoming committee had been a little much,but what could you do? These ponies were just so friendly sometimes. He tapped his foot in the air and smiled; welcoming committee, such a weird concept. Everywhere he had ever been, silence had gone with him--that is, until Ponyville..

He stepped off the train and stretched his hands into the air. He held it until a popping sound came from his back. “Now that's the ticket.” He dropped his hands with a content sigh. “How are you two doing?”

Swiftflight spread his wings and shook himself a little. “Feels good to have the sky overhead.” Sun Feather mimicked him and nodded in agreement.

Jerrod sighed deeply and let the warm, rustic air of the town sink into his lungs. Suddenly, a gigantic smile attached to a ludicrous pink face exploded into existence before his very eyes. Jerrod coughed in surprise.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!" trilled the pink, smiling face.

Jerrod watched the face bounce up and down in front of him for moment. “Um, Hi?” He took a step backwards to give himself some breathing room. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Pinkie darted in closer, her face nearly pressing against Jerrod’s. “ISN’T IT!”

Jerrod lifted his hand and placed it on her face. He pushed her away from his face. “Sure?” He kept the mare pushed away and looked around for help.

A blue mare smiled at him as he caught her eye and darted in, bumping Pinkie out of the way. “Hi, I’m Rainbow Dash. Maybe you’ve heard of me, the fastest mare in Equestria.”

Jerrod nodded slowly then smiled coyly. “Fastest eh? I thought that was anyone I was with.” He offered his hand.

Rainbow stared at it confused then looked to Jerrod's face as she took the hand and shook it slowly. “What's that supposed to mean?” Jerrod smirked and leaned in, pulling her close by her hoof. As he whispered into Rainbow's ear, her wings shot open and she landed with a dull thud on the ground. “I...I...see.” Blushing deeply she shuffled over towards Pinkie mumbling under her breath.

“Hah, never would have pegged her for someone so innocent.”

Jerrod looked from his spot under tree. “Are you in my head or something?”

A mint green unicorn head popped out of the canopy with a smirk. “No, you were talking out loud.”

Jerrod paused with his mouth open and finger up and then dropped his hand and shrugged. “Oh.”

“Please continue, I wanna hear about how you met the rest.” The unicorn smiled at Jerrod.

Jerrod nodded. “To answer your first question, she’s really not that innocent. If she was, my joke would have sailed right over her head, which would have been a little impressive considering how low a joke it was. As for the second question, her mind just doesn’t live in the gutter like mine so she never realized what else she could have been saying.” Jerrod chuckled. “Now where was I - oh yea. Meeting the elements of harmony.”

An orange mare sporting a wide-brimmed stetson gave Rainbow a teasing punch to the foreleg as she passed her. "Heh, if that's what he thinks 'fast' means, I guess that makes me Quickster McSpeed, eh?" An even deeper shade of red flushed through the fur of Rainbow's cheeks and she mumbled something incoherent.

The mare shook her head and smiled up to Jerrod as she offered her hoof. “Name's Applejack.” Jerrod took her hoof and opened his mouth to speak only to be interrupted as a mini earthquake rattled him to the bones. He tried unsuccessfully to gain control of his shaking body for a few moments before it stopped and Applejack tipped her hat to him. “I work out on Sweet Apple Acres if ya ever want to stop by.” Jerrod nodded numbly and stared at his limp arm.

“Yep that’s Applejack alright.”

Jerrod looked up. “Shut up or I’m gonna leave you there all day.” The unicorn saluted and mimed zipping her mouth shut. “Thank you.”

A white mare flipped her hair as she walked past Applejack. “Really AJ, do you always have to be so enthusiastic when you shake someone’s hoof?” Rarity turned to jerrod. “I apologize for my friend Applejack, she doesn’t know her own strength. I'm Rarity, premier fashion designer for Ponyville and the occasional upper class pony.” She offered her hoof and Jerrod took it in his other hand, closing his eyes in fear and sighing as Rarity shook it gently. “I do hope you don't mind me saying, but your clothes could use a bit of touching up. If you’d offer me the chance I would love to be the one to touch them up.”

Jerrod smiled at her and looked at his outfit. “Well I don't see why not. Just promise you won't alter them or anything.”

Rarity brightened up. “I wouldn't dream of it, unless you wanted me to.” She turned away. “I work at the Carousel Boutique, drop by whenever you like.”

Jerrod looked around. “Aren't there supposed to be five of you? Twilight mentioned five of you.” A gentle tugging on his pant leg prompted Jerrod to look down. A butter-cream colored mare looked back up at him from a tiny gap in her pink mane.

Jerrod dropped to a crouch “Well hello there. You must be Fluttershy.” Fluttershy nodded meekly. “Well it's a pleasure. You know I think I have something you might like.” He stood up and turned to the others. “I have something you each might like.”

“There you are.” Sun Feather trotted up beside Jerrod. “I have been looking everywhere for you.” Jerrod grumbled under his breath as Sun Feather laid down in the grass next to him. “Luna told me to guard you and that’s what I am gonna do, whether you like it or not.”

Jerrod rolled his eyes and sighed. “A man can dream though, a man can dream.”

The unicorn poked her head out of the tree. “Can we keep going on the story? I wanna hear about the stuff you gave them.”

Sun Feather looked up, confused. “Why...ya know, I don’t think I want to know.”

Jerrod shrugged. “She’s in heat.” A branch smacked Jerrod in the head.

“THAT’S PRIVATE.” The unicorn huffed and then her eyes went wide as she leaned a little too far to the side and began to slide from the branch she was perched on. Scrambling to catch herself she succeeded in the nick of time and let out a relieved sigh as she clung even tighter to the branch..

Sun laughed. “So were you chasing him cause you heard some crazy rumor or something?”

Jerrod opened his mouth but the unicorn beat him to it. “No. Bon Bon had him over for dinner last night and one thing led to another. At the end of the night Jerrod here was shamed by Bon Bon’s expertise on how to handle a unicorn.”

Sun smiled coyly. “Is that right Lyra? Little old Jerrod here doesn’t know that much about pleasing unicorns eh?”

Lyra laughed and shook her head. “No, just not as much as my Bonny.” Jerrod smirked.

“Now, back to the story, we are getting a little off-track here.” Jerrod glared at both of them. “Unless Sun here really is that interested in Lyra’s sex life, in which case I will use my astounding powers of not caring what others think of my promiscuous ways to shame both of you.” Both of them nodded silently. “Good, now where was I?”

Jerrod’s peculiar trunk trundled up and parked itself next to him, its lid popping open. “So, for Fluttershy I have,” He reached into the trunk and pulled out a small ball of fluff. “A fake parasprite. Twilight mentioned how much you liked them, but they are a dangerous species so you can't keep it around. Using a bit of Deer engineering, Zebrican magic, and assistance from Twilight, I have made a construct of one.” He breathed on the ball and a pair of gossamer wings opened followed by a blinking pair of blue eyes. It cheeped once and flew over to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy looked at it then to Jerrod then back to it. Gently she placed her hoof under it and smiled. “Thank you, it’s adorable.” She blushed a little. “I don't have anything for you though.”

Jerrod chuckled. “Think nothing of it. It's simply a token of my goodwill.”

Rainbow bolted over to Jerrod and hovered over Fluttershy. “What about me? Did you bring me anything?”

Jerrod laughed out loud and shook his head. “I said all of you didn't I?” He reached down into the trunk and pulled out a thick parcel. “I have here in my hand, the first edition of the...” He paused and looked at Rainbow as she seemed to vibrate with excitement. “Training manual...for...the...WONDERBOLTS. Signed by Commander Easy Glider and his original squad..” He held it out to Rainbow with a smirk.

Rainbow took it reverently in her hooves and stared at it as she peeled some of the brown paper wrapping. A tear formed in her eye. “This is EPIC!” She shot up in the air with a hoof pump and then settled in front of Jerrod. “I don't even want to know how you got your hands on this.” She giggled to herself and refolded the paper over it.

Jerrod turned to Rarity next. “For you.” He reached into the trunk and pulled out a bolt of fabric. “Dragon's silk. Crafted from shed dragon's scale, it makes some of the greatest armors in the world, but it also makes the most beautiful garments.”

Rarity stared at it with her mouth open as Jerrod passed it to her. “But...but...but...how did you get your hands on this? I don't think anypony in a hundred years have had the privilege to work with a fabric this fine.”

Jerrod shook his head and patted Rarity on the head. “Three-hundred years actually; the last time was a fake. As for how, well,I have my secrets and that's one of them.”

He turned to Applejack. “You were a little harder. Living a simple, spartan farm life without desire for many material possessions.” He reached into his trunk and pulled out a plain black velvet bag. “These seeds are very precious and I wouldn't trust another soul with them. A long time ago I was on the island of the Dryads. They are a wood elemental with a very powerful and unique connection to nature. Their nature is very similar to earth ponies in a sense, the trees they protect and the forests they live in are extremely long lived and very hearty.”

Applejack stared intently at the bag. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

Jerrod nodded. “I have in this bag the seeds of an apple tree loved by and cared for by a powerful Dryad. He was a dear friend of mine and these seeds were presented to me before I left his home. He said to find a pony with the power to cultivate them. From what Twilight has told me, you're that mare. The best farmer in the Apple family in seven generations, and an Element of Harmony as well.” He passed the bag to Applejack. “Would you do me the honor of planting these seeds and caring for them.”

Applejack reverently took the bag. “Why? No one else got something so personal,so why me?”

“Yea, I would like to know why as well. I mean, that is really personal and kinda...not you.” Sun Feather looked up at Lyra. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Lyra shrugged. “I haven’t known him as long as you so I don’t know. I do agree it’s a little personal though.”

A vein throbbed in Jerrod’s forehead and clenched his teeth. “Would you two please stop interrupting? You're worse than an ill-timed orgasm.”

Lyra chuckled. “And you know this how? Personal experience, maybe?”

Jerrod rubbed his temples and sighed. “I wasn’t always okay with boning anything with a sentient mind and of legal age, so yes, personal experience.” Sun Feather lifted a hoof. “Not now, maybe another day. Right now we are talking about why my gift to Applejack was so personal.”

Jerrod smiled. “I met some of your relatives, I owe them a great debt and, well, you aren't them, but you are of the same lineage.”

Applejack stared at the bag and lowered her hat over her face. “I will grow these seeds for ya. It's my honor to be given such a privilege.”

Jerrod chuckled. “Thank you.”

He turned to Pinkie. “For you.” He tossed her a note card. “Access to the royal treasury to throw my welcome party.” Suddenly the platform went silent. Every pony had turned to stare at Pinkie and Jerrod. In unison they all began backing away slowly before turning and fleeing in what looked like terror. Jerrod turned back to Pinkie and jumped back. She was a blur of pink, streamers rolling off of her like water and balloons floating away from her.

Suddenly she solidified. “Gotta go.” In the blink of an eye, Pinkie vanished with a pop and a sudden burst of colorful confetti. Jerrod watched with a confused expression as the confetti drifted to the ground.

Six mares gathered around him and looked at the pile. “What have you done?”

Lyra and Sun Feather both sighed. “That was a hell of a party.”

Jerrod nodded. “I was more interested in those six mares. I mean, did either of you see Fluttershy after she had a few drinks in her?”

Sun nodded and blushed. “Yes, yes I did.”

Jerrod laughed and Lyra smirked. “Looks like somepony might have a little explaining to do.”

Sun rubbed the back of his head. “Well, um. Remember how I disappeared for a few hours during the party?” Jerrod nodded. “Yea, Fluttershy.”

Jerrod whistled. “Never would have expected something like that from you Sunny.” Jerrod pulled him into a noogie and paused. “Wait, I would never expect that from her either.” His eyes narrowed and he grabbed his poor pegasus guard by the cheeks and turned his face to his. “What did you tell her?”

“Nothing, I swear.” Jerrod’s eyes narrowed more and Sun Feather’s wings started to twitch as he pushed away from Jerrod’s grasp. “I admit we didn’t do anything and she wanted to know about you. Well, we did kiss a little, but that’s all.”

Lyra cleared her throat. “Um, what are two talking about?” Jerrod glanced up at her and shook his head. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

Sun Feather jumped up in the tree. “Jerrod here is...well, it’s complicated.” Sun Feather trapped his chin with a hoof. “Jerrod has lived most of his life here on Equus and it’s been hard on him. He keeps the details pretty close to heart, but once he lets you in you can see the scars. Fluttershy though, she is a natural empath almost and she picked up on some of Jerrod’s pain. It’s why she was so timid at the train station and not at the party. Basically he scared the hell out of her, but after she had time to think about it she realized that something was wrong. She thought I could help her figure it out.”

Jerrod stood up and pointed at Sun Feather. “Tell me you didn’t tell her anything.”

Sun Feather fluffed his wings and stuck his tongue out. “Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry Jerrod but I did. Nothing specific just that you have a complicated past and that you need time to come to terms with it.”

Lyra poked the pegasus beside her. “So, Jerrod’s...” She trailed off and looked at Jerrod. “You seem so normal though.”

Jerrod shrugged and leaned against the tree. “I’ve had practice. It’s why I like things quieter as opposed to wild.” Jerrod slid down the tree and sat leaning against it. “Ugh, please tell me you didn’t tell any of the others anything.”

Sun Feather dropped down from the tree. “She was the only one who asked. The others just wanted to know more about you before they tried to approach you. I guess all of them felt it a little.”

Jerrod smacked the back of his head against the tree a few times. “Ugh, everywhere I go I sow fear. Doesn’t matter the race, doesn’t matter how powerful or advanced they are, they all fear me a little on some level.”

Lyra stared down at Jerrod and sniffled. “That’s so sad.” She rolled to the side and fell out of the tree, landing on Jerrod’s lap. “I don’t think you're scary.” She nuzzled Jerrod. “Neither does Bon Bon.”

Sun Feather wrapped a wing around Jerrod’s back and gave him a half hug. “Neither do I”

Jerrod sighed and scratched Lyra behind the ears and stroked Sun Feathers mane with his other hand. “But you guys know me, at least a little and you do fear me a little. I have seen it from both of you. Those little motions you make when I do something just a little different or start to get a little irritated. Even that brash hotty Rainbow Dash was doing it. Applejack too, she is so confident and strong but neither of them of approached me at the party.”

Lyra snuggled against Jerrod’s chest. “But they didn’t avoid you either.”

“Fluttershy did, so did Rarity.” Jerrod took a deep breath and sighed heavily. “I haven’t seen any of them since the party either.” He stopped petting the pegasus and put the hand behind his head as he laid his head against the tree. “Well I did see Rarity but it was very brief, only managed to drop off my cloak.”

Sun Feather. “Why does it bother you so much?”

Jerrod closed his eyes in thought. “Because I thought they might be different. I mean really, they seemed so strong. Twilight told me about all the evils they have faced and yet they’re still timid around me.”

Lyra and Sun Feather snuggled against Jerrod. “Just give them some time. Once they see who you are then I think they will warm up to you a little more.” Lyra nodded in agreement and Jerrod smiled a little as he patted their heads and looked around the park..

A group of foals were playing tag off on one end of the park. A couple sat in a bench a little ways off from them, nuzzling each other affectionately and making kissy faces. Jerrod leaned back and looked up at the sky. Sun Feather gently lifted a hoof and placed it on Jerrod’s knee and Lyra curled up tightly in his lap, wrapping her tail around Jerrod’s back as they all settled into silence. The sun was starting to dip towards the horizon signalling the beginning of the afternoon. Foals began to swarm the park as school let out, the gentle buzz of conversation permeate the air. A calm peaceful feeling settled over the trio as they watched the park come to life.

After a bit Sun Feather opened his mouth to speak but a loud angry scream interrupted him. They all glanced around the park,confused. Jerrod looked at Sun Feather and Lyra and shrugged before settling back against the tree and closing his eyes only to be startled by someone yelping. They both looked around again and noticed someone barreling across the park towards them.

As he drew closer they were able to see he walked upright on a pair of goat-like legs that were covered in a thick red hair. Two horns jutted from his forehead then curved back over the top of his head. A small red goatee hung from his chin, the tip of the goatee rested against a leather belt hung with knives that was slung across his chest. He pointed a grungy-nailed finger directly at Jerrod. "YOU!"

"Who, me?" mouthed Jerrod innocently.

The goat-legged instigator balled up his fists in rage, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. "YES, YOU! YOU ABJECT PILE OF FILTHY SHIT!"

Lyra looked up at the creature. “Hey, watch the name-calling, buddy. I will have you know that Jerrod here is a wonderful human being.” Sun Feather nodded in agreeance.

The satyr let out a barking laugh. “You are such fools. Do you not know what this worthless scum has done? What horrors he has wrought?” He shook his head with an amused smirk. “You have no idea what it is you defend.”

Sun Feather rose to his feet and glared at the instigator. “Perhaps we don't know of his past but we do know of his present. This man before you is not a monster by any stretch. He is a lost soul in search of peace. A creature desperately seeking redemption and forgiveness while trying to forget what he has done.”

The satyr snorted. “Fools, stand aside and let me gut this waste of life.” He pulled a dagger from a belt of them slung across his chest. “I will rid the world of this filth once and for all.”

Jerrod flinched to the side as a loud thock sounded out by his ear. Hissing in pain he touched his cheek. “What the...” He pulled his hand away and looked at the blood on his finger tips. “What.” He turned his head and saw the hilt of a dagger in the tree. Turning back to the creature that had thrown he frowned. “Why did you do that?” The creature screamed and charged instead of answering forcing Jerrod to roll away. He quickly reached back and pulled Lyra to the side just as the satyr’s hoof slammed into the tree. Rising into a crouched position, Jerrod raised his hands defensively in front of him.

The satyr screamed and jumped at him. “MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS AND ALL YOUR VICTIMS FROM THE ISLE OF THE TWO MOONS! I WILL AVENGE THEM!” Jerrod froze and the satyr slammed into his chest forcing Jerrod off his feet. They both rolled across the grass until the satyr came to rest over him with a predatory smile. “I am Teyvin of House Dolbus, the last living descendant of House Dolbus, and I claim your life in accordance with the old laws.” He lifted the in his hand dagger ready to end it quickly before Sun Feather's hoof slammed into the side of his head with a painful thud.

The satyr fell to the side and rolled into a half standing position with one hand on the ground and the other pressed to the side off his head. Sun Feather spread his wings protectively over Jerrod as he stood behind him. “You will leave now before I am forced to arrest you.”

Teyvin smirked at Sun Feather and rose to his hooves, pulling a second dagger from the belt across his chest as he rose. “You have no right to stop me, pony. He killed my family, my friends and countless others, and by the old laws I am granted the right to exact what I deem to be fitting justice for the crime.”

Jerrod shook his head and placed a hand on Sun Feather's flank as he struggled to his feet. His eyes were closed and teeth clenched, his voice was low and gravely as he spoke. “Stand down guard, this is my fight. His laws may not hold weight here but I should at least hear him out.” He stepped in front of the pegasus and locked eyes with satyr. “What is it you wish Teyvin of House Dolbus?” He cocked his head to the side as he squeezed his eyes closed and his breath hitched for moment.

Teyvin stood tall and sneered at Jerrod with a proud smile. “The head of the Knight of Blood, the Lord of Death. THE HEAD OF DOMINUS! By right of the ancient laws I lay claim to your head, to your life, for the crimes you have committed against the Isle of The Two Moons.” He swung his arm forward and a glint of steel was all the warning Jerrod had to shift himself sideways. A single dagger flew past Jerrod and a scream sounded from behind him. Jerrod turned to see a small filly with the blade buried in her shoulder and Lyra galloping to the filly’s side.

The park went silent as Jerrod turned back to the satyr, all emotion drained from his eyes. “Dominus is dead. In his place I, Jerrod, stand.” Jerrod took a deep calming breath. “The prize you wish to collect is no more.” Jerrod twitched again and brought a hand to his head as his breathing grew shallow and fast. “The criminal Dominus is....is...” Jerrod stumbled to the side and dropped to a knee. “Dead.”

Teyvin smirked and tossed a dagger up, catching the tip of it. “You claim his death and yet I see before me the criminal kneeling. Your lies will not deflect my wrath nor my blades and I shall see that justice is done and vengeance taken.” Teyvin drew his arm back behind his head. “Any last words?”

Jerrod leaned forward, placing a hand on the ground as he seemed to growl then it stopped and was replaced with whining sound. “No, Dominus...Dominus...he is...” His body shook and his breath came in labored gasps as he staggered to his feet. “No, this...you can’t be.” His eyes slowly grew wider in fear. “NO!” His body spasmed and he dropped back to the ground. Teyvin’s arm lowered and his head tilted to the side as Jerrod jerked to his feet.

Jerrod’s body stood tense, shoulders back and head turned to the sky as it spasmed for a moment. As quickly as it had begun Jerrod’s body went limp and fell forward, arms hanging close to the ground as a low gravelly chuckle rolled across the park. Slowly he lifted himself and revealed a sick, twisted, predatory smile. His head was tilted to one side and his stance screamed at everyone around that he was ready to kill. His fingers twitched and eyes languidly took in the surroundings before the same deep rumbling sound asked a simple question. “Who says such lies?”

Jerrod’s body sagged, all traces of the thing before gone. His arms were wrapped around his chest, squeezing his upper arms tightly in fear. A thin layer of sweat coated his body and he breathed in deep heavy gasps. “You can’t be, it’s not....” His voice trailed off and his body went limp again, almost falling to the ground. For a moment Jerrod stood slumped forward, not moving before he suddenly straightened up and threw his head back. His stance was loose but every muscle was tense, his fingers twitching erratically before everything stopped. Everyone present took a step back in fear of the human who stood before them now. They no longer say the gentle fool they had been coming to know but in his place stood a predator, a fearsome creature ready to take the life of whoever happened to be in his path.

He stood still, a twisted smile on his lips as he rolled his shoulders and head. “Oh it feels good to be outside.” He spoke in a deep, deep voice, reminiscent of two boulders grinding against one another as his eyes turned to Teyvin and he leaned forward. “Good morning, Teyvin. You called?”

Teyvin took a step back. “What?” He crouched low and pulled a second dagger from the belt on his chest. “It matters not, what just happened.” Teyvin’s hand shook as he gripped the blade tighter. “I will claim your head and those whom you have wronged wil lbe given peace, prepare yourself you foul beast.”

The body in front of Teyvin jerked sideways and stumbled. The smile fell, replaced by a fearful expression. Hands pressed against the sides of its head as it whimpered in fear and pain. “No, begone, this isn’t right, you can’t be.”

His body jerked and spasmed, the sadistic grin with blood thirsty eyes taking over the face once more. The arms dropped and one lifted in front of the body, waving a finger back and forth slowly. “Now now, no more of that. Just stay in there quietly old friend.”

Teyvin lifted one of his hands, ready to hurl the dagger clutched in it. “Stop your stalling and face me! Come taste my blade and the hate of every soul you massacred.”

Dominus turned to Teyvin with a sick smile that morphed into a twisted frown. “Now that’s just rude. You should know I always like to play with my prey.” He closed his eyes and rolled his shoulders and then his head. “You’re the one who wanted me to come out and play, so...let...us...PLAY!”

Without missing a beat Dominus dropped low to the ground and darted forward as the echoes of his last word died. Teyvin startled back as Dominus seemed to appear in his face with a gleeful and bloodthirsty smile. On instinct the daggers came up to block the attack, only for Teyvin to be staggered as Dominus disappeared again and a foot landed squarely between his eyes. A sickening crunch echoed out and the satyr was forced to his knees.

Teyvin smiled as blood poured from his nose and grabbed the foot still resting on his broken nose. “You are a mighty opponent indeed, Dominus, but I have trained since the fall of the Isle of Two Moons to slay you. Your tricks will accomplish nothing against me.” Slowly he twisted Dominus’s foot until a pop echoed through the park and the foot was facing the wrong direction.

The smile quickly fled Teyvin's face as the twisted creature let out a diabolical laugh. "Hahaha! Teyvin, old friend, why would you think that I would ever use tricks against you?" Rolling backwards, Dominus lifted Teyvin into the air with his misshapen foot. With a powerful kick he sent the satyr across the park towards a tree. A loud crash and Teyvin hit the tree head first and leaves drifted down around him as he crumpled to the ground at the base of the tree. Dominus cackled once more as he popped his disjointed foot into place with a nauseating crack. He tramped over to where the miserable satyr lay and placed a foot over his chest. "I don't need tricks to end you, old friend."

Teyvin opened his mouth to answer. Dominus cut him off by grabbing his face with one hand and lifted him into the air. “See, no tricks.” Dominus dropped to one knee, bringing Teyvin’s head down to the ground with a crack. Cackling gleefully he lifted the head and slammed it back down, over and over until Teyvin grew still. Dominus frowned and shook him. “Hey, the crowd’s calling for more, no going to sleep in the middle of the performance.” He shook Teyvin a little before letting his face go and grabbing it by the chin. “Hey, listen, listen to their happy shouts. They are loving this and here you are falling asleep on them. Listen to the bloodlust, feel the energy in the air, let...it...stir...your...heart.” With each word from the end of the sentence he slapped Teyvin’s face to wake him.

Teyvin groaned and opened his eyes slowly. “No, that’s not...they are screaming in terror.” He pulled a dagger free from the belt and jammed it into Dominus’s arm. “They aren’t screaming for more, they are screaming for less, you delusional beast.”

Dominus chuckled and squeezed Teyvin’s chin tighter as he lifted him into the air above him. “And it’s wondrous.” He spun in a half circle, brandishing the creature in his hand to those around him. “See their terror stricken faces, and yet they are liars, all of them. They sit high above us and feign terror while confident in their safety.” Dominus spat on the ground. “Fools, all of them, fools who deserve not the lives they flaunt over us.” With a grunt Dominus hurled the satyr in a graceful arc. Teyvin twisted himself and hit the ground between two ponies who jumped away in fright.

Pulling himself to his hooves, Teyvin pulled another dagger free. “They were right to be confident. You were the first and the last to have ever risen up against us.” With a flick of his wrist the dagger whistled across the park. A low grunt signaled the end of the dagger’s journey. “We made one mistake with you; we underestimated your intelligence and we paid the price.” He lowered himself slightly and charged across the field towards his foe. Smiling, he jumped into the air and planted a hoof against the hilt of the dagger buried in Dominus’s shoulder. “And now I am here to make you pay for your crimes against them.” Dominus staggered backwards until he fell back onto a bench.

With a growl, Dominus grabbed the hoof planted against his shoulder.. “You want to make me pay for giving back everything they gave to me? You are an even greater fool than I would have imagined.” He brought his other hand around and drove it into the knee with a painful crunching sound. He drove his fist into the knee again and again, each time cackling madly. “Do you want to know how many times I was broken by your kin? DO YOU?” He slammed Teyvin agaisnt the ground and released his leg. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OF MY BRETHREN YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS, THE WARDENS BROKE?”

Teyvin curled up, clutching his knee. “So you killed them?” Dominus growled and Teyvin glared at him as he pulled out another dagger and threw it. “Did they truly deserve to die?” The dagger buried itself in Dominus’s palm and he laughed.

“Death was a kindness for those monsters.” Dominus smiled and licked the blood from around the wound in his hand. “And you will go join them shortly.”

Teyvin pulled another dagger free and then staggered to his feet. “We will go together.” He charged forward with the dagger held at his waist. He slammed into Dominus, forcing him to stagger back slightly with a growl. “You can go first.” Teyvin whipped another dagger free and swung it around into Dominus’s side and into his lung.

Dominus laughed and coughed a little blood. “Impressive, but not impressive enough.” He pulled the dagger in his stomach free without so much as a grimace. Teyvin’s wide eyes followed the dagger as it was lifted high into the air were it seemed to pause before it vanished. The force of the blow and pain of the dagger drove Teyvin to his knees as he screamed in pain. He could hear the crunch of bone in his shoulder and feel his knees shatter against the ground.

A powerful voice rang out, eliciting a smile from Dominus. He gripped the satyr’s head and turned it slowly towards the source of the voice. “Look who has arrived.” Dominus licked his lips as the blue alicorn screamed at him again. “She demands happiness.” He leaned down and growled at Teyvin. “I will give her your blood and life and she will grant me a stay from the battles for a time and there I will give her the happiness she seeks.” Dominus turned from Teyvin to grin at the alicorn wistfully.

Teyvin stared up at Dominus with wide eyes. “You don’t hear them, do you?” He started to laugh, a hollow empty laugh full of despair. “In all my travels I never would have imagined such an outcome.” He pulled his last dagger from his belt, twirling it between his fingers. “These blades, I had them made for the sole  purpose of killing you.” A glint of light flashed across his face as the blade landed at Dominus’ feet. “But I know longer wish to fight you.” Teyvin turned his eyes up. “Fight him Jerrod, don’t let him win. And you, release him. Set him free and leave his body.”

Dominus crouched down, his arms resting on his knees. “You weak-minded coward.” He snatched the blade and drove it into Teyvin’s eye. “Your words mean nothing to me. Jerrod is dead, his body is mine.” Dominus’s started laugh and paused as a small tear splashed against his arm. He stared at the spot confused, then he jumped a little as another tear landed beside the first. “What? What is this?”

Teyvin stared for a moment. “It’s compassion.” His grip loosened as he watched the tears flow down the beast’s face. “It’s the one thing you can never be.” Teyvin felt the grip on his face loosen as Dominus stepped back. He landed on the ground and fell to one side as Dominus’s face began to show fear.

Dominus stared at his hands, fear and sorrow warring across his face. “What, what is this?” He gripped the dagger in his hand and growled. “YOU. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” He tore the dagger free and froze as the assembled voices all screamed in unison. Staggering to the side he slumped against something warm and felt a wing wrap around his waist. Dominus jerked away and shook his head. “No, no, no. You can't do this. You need me! They will kill you if you do this.”

Teyvin starred as the beast from his nightmares dropped to it’s knees, clutching it’s head and screaming. It curled up on the ground, sobbing and screaming in two different voices.

The alicorn that had arrived moments ago knelt in the grass beside Teyvin’s nightmare and nudged it gently with her nose and the sounds lulled but it continued to kick and writhe.

Pulling himself off the tree Teyvin staggered forward a few steps before falling to the ground again. “Jerrod, please. Don’t let it end like this.” He coughed up a little blood. “Don’t let it win.”

Jerrod stopped kicking and slowly uncurled, his breath heavy and labored. “Teyvin?” He rolled over and got to his knees. “What...what have? What is?” His body jerked and he wrapped his arms around himself. “No. No, leave me be.”

Teyvin rolled onto his back and coughed. “Fight him Jerrod, fight him.”

Jerrod managed to pull himself to his feet with the help of Luna. Leaning heavily against her he wrapped an arm around her neck. Jerrod looked to Teyvin and shook his head lightly as he spoke. “Teyvin, I’m so sorry.”

Teyvin looked to the sky with a hand on his forehead. “For what, it’s what I wanted. To fight the Knight of Blood, the Lord of Death. I guess I just never realized how truly horrifying he was. I’m the one who needs to apologize. I brought up memories that should have just been left to rot. I let my anger and hatred take over. I became the very thing I sought to destroy.” He lifted his hand towards the sun. “Jerrod, promise me something. Promise me that you will bury that monster.”

Jerrod coughed weakly. “Such a sudden change of heart there Teyvin. Kinda anticlimatic don’t ya think?”

Teyvin smiled. “I just faced my own death, at the hands of the creature who has haunted my nightmares for fifteen years. It kind of put a few things in perspective.” He chuckled wrily. “I also just discovered that I have wasted the last years of my life.”

Jerrod staggered away from Luna, stumbling up to Teyvin and plopping down in the grass beside him. “What things have been put in perspective?”

Teyvin looked over at Jerrod and sighed. “The true scope of the horrors that pit put you and all the others through. Even knowing a few who had won their freedom I never understood how horrible their dreams were.” Teyvin coughed weakly and a little blood trickled down the corner of his mouth. “Or how badly you and the others were broken by the trainers.”

Jerrod leaned back on his elbows. “I don’t think anyone who hasn’t been through it can appreciate what it did to us. I’ve been running from it for a decade. It was only five years ago that I really faced it, and I thought I had won too.”

Teyvin shook his head. “I wasted the last fifteen years of my life and now I have undone a decade of yours.” He smiled. “Look at the two of us, two of the unlucky few to survive The Isle of Two Moons Massacre. One the perpetrator, haunted by what he did and the other, a survivor haunted by what his family had helped to create.”

Jerrod frowned. “But we can’t let it define us, we must move forward and face the future. The past has helped to shape us, but it shouldn't define us.” Jerrod waited a moment before looking at Teyvin. “Hey, you there?” He leaned over Teyvin and then pulled away and looked at Luna. “I’m sorry.”

Luna tilted her head. “You’re sorry. Have you seen-” She stopped mid-sentence as Jerrod fell backwards into the grass with a dull thump. “Jerrod!?” She jumped forward and landed on her stomach beside Jerrod. “Jerrod?” She nudged him with her nose. “Hey, this isn’t funny. You can stop playing now.” She pushed against his shoulder and recoiled as a foul smell filled her nose. With her magic she rolled him over and covered her mouth with a hoof. “NO!” She stared at the dagger wound in his shoulder. A pale purple color pulsed around an oozing black puncture in his flesh. Purple veins flowed down his arm, joining with the wound in his hand.

Sun Feather raced up. “What is...” He stared at Jerrod. “Quickly, we must get him to a doctor at once!.”

Luna’s head bowed as her horn began to glow with a deep blue aura. “Bring him closer and we will depart for the most skilled healer in Equestria at once.” She pointed to the injured filly and her mother. “Bring the child closer as well, she will be needing urgent care as well.”

Wake Up

Jerrod jerked his head to the side. It was bitey, like little bits of ice stabbing his skin. No that wasn't right, it was wet and bitey, cold that's the word. Something damp and cold was splashing against his skin. Grunting he swatted at his assailants as he sat up. When he opened his eyes the world was dark and grey. Splotches of varying shades of colors. He squinted and the squeezed his eyes shut and when he opened them he saw a sea of green with little dots of grey stretching out before him.

He shook his head and pulled himself to his feet slowly. “What?” He looked around and noticed a tombstone to his left, the name faded and illegible. Jerrod traced the name with his fingers and furrowed his brow for a moment before frowning. “It’s been a long time since I thought of that name.” Turning away he started walking along the line of stones. No two of the tombstones were the same, some were faded others were nothing more than pictures and some had names that stood out strongly against the stone backdrop. Jerrod stopped in front of one.

Vines and cobwebs covered it but he felt something drawing him to it. Carefully he brushed the face of the stone clean and gasped. “Sarah.” A sad smile curled his lips downward as he touched the letters with a claw. Pulling back his hand he looked at it as it blurred before their was a hand. Slowly he flexed the fingers before shaking his head and moving on.

“Why? Why you?” Jerrod turned away from the grave, his breath leaving him in a shuddering sigh as he bit back tears. “Why now?” He  looked around the quiet graveyard at all the stones littering it and wiped away a few tears. “I thought I had buried all of you in one way or another.”

Turning back to the stone he froze as he looked upon the statue of a large sphinx. “Of course you would be here.” He stood on the tip of his toes and wrapped the statue in a hug. “The one who saved me, the first to love me.” He stepped away and wiped a tear from his eye. “Khepri, my mother, my savior, how I miss you.”

A low chuckle rattled the sky and Jerrod whipped around. “Such a touching scene.” Dominus dropped from the tree behind Jerrod and marched up to him. “But we both know you can never see her again, not after the life you have lived.” He placed a hand on Jerrod’s chest and shoved him backwards. “Not after everything and everyone you have buried.”

Jerrod stared up at Dominus as he fell back into the grave. “I know.” He admitted sadly as he settled into the coffin and clasped the black rose on his chest. “She is lost to me by my own destruction.” The lid slid closed and Jerrod heard the dirt scatter over the coffin lid.

Jerrod closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. “It’s time I let it end, it has been a long journey and I deserve a rest.” Suddenly the coffin filled with light and Jerrod felt himself pulled upwards. He landed on his feet gently as the dirt was gently brushed from his clothes and face. Slowly he opened his eyes and took a breath of fresh air. He looked over thousands of faces that encircled him and the one in front of him that smiled up at him.

Dominus turned his bruised and bloodied face towards Jerrod and spat on the ground at his feet. “You think you’ve won. You can never be rid of me.” He laughed as a large fist slammed into his face. “You think your friends can hold me at bay? I will never be silenced.” His voice rose to a scream as he struggled at his bonds while Jerrod looked past him.

Jerrod looked past the broken form of Dominus to all the creatures assembled. Creatures from all over Equus, from ponies to humans and everything in between stood around him and Dominus. The faces covered all manner of emotions; Jerrod saw expressions of painful sorrow and euphoric bliss and many Jerrod couldn’t identify. No two faces were the same but each did have a single similarity. They each carried with them a look of peaceful tranquility, a peacefulness as though they had accepted some unknown fate. Luna stepped from the crowd, followed by Twilight then Swiftwing and finally Sun Feather. They all smiled as more creatures joined them, Teyvin followed by two dragons stepped forward last and nodded to him before the crowd suddenly surged forward. Jerrod watched calmly as they sped towards him, burying him for a brief moment before the wave broke and he stood on a beach.

Jerrod looked around. “I remember this.” Dominus rose to his feet slowly and looked out over the ocean with Jerrod. “It’s where I woke up after the...accident.”

Dominus sneered. “Accident, it was a massacre. Don’t try to make it sound pretty. This is where you woke up after you massacred them all.” He turned and to Jerrod and growled. “It deserves a memorial to commemorate your misdeeds.” He laughed at his own joke and turned his gaze back to the ocean.

Jerrod stepped towards the water and looked at a distant rock outcropping in the water. “You're right, there is no way to make it anything less than a massacre.” A sharp pain in his chest caused Jerrod to look down. Slowly he traced the blade that jutted from his chest with a sigh. “I guess it’s only fitting I would be stabbed from behind isn’t it?”

Dominus released the blade with a sick chuckle. “It never comes from where you expect it.” Jerrod nodded and Dominus stepped ahead of him. “So then the question is now, who’s going to make it further?” Dominus turned around beckoned Jerrod forward. “Do you think you can leave me in the dust?”

Jerrod took three steps forward and paused. “Can I ever outrun you?”

Dominus smiled and leveled a new blade at Jerrod. “Do you really want to?” The blade was thrust forward and slid through Jerrod’s chest next to the other one. “Or do you still need to lean on me for strength from time to time?”

Jerrod turned and faced Dominus as he stepped backwards, his heels hanging over the edge of the cliff. “I never needed you for your strength, you were a shield.” A clawed hand was placed on his chest and Dominus pulled another blade from the several on the ground beside him. “I used you to protect myself from the horrors of the world, is it really my fault that even shields can be a weapon?”

“Yes,” Dominus sneered cooly. “ A shield. A nice safe thing to hide behind in fear while the world around you throws its worst at you. A tool for someone too weak to face his own problems head-on. Do you know what a shield really is? A coward’s tool. A tool for those who would rather hide than face the tough times.” Dominus closed his eyes and smiled. “Of the two of us I was always the strongest, you were just a weakling who needed a place to hide.”

Jerrod’s eyes flared with hate and anger. “ME?” The area around them burst into flame and ghostly screams echoed out from the flames. “Look around you, look at the horrors you have wrought.” Jerrod swept his arm in a wide circle, pointing to the burning building and creatures running around in terror. “This was you, murdering the innocent because you couldn’t bear what had happened. All those monsters forcing you to fight to the death every day so you slaughtered them, like a coward running away from his problems.” Dominus smiled happily as he watched the flames and the ghosts within. “This was you Dominus. You murdered them all. You slaughtered all of them and you call me a weakling.”

The flames reflected in Dominus’s eyes, giving them an air of insanity that added to the malice in them. “And you're still afraid to let go of it all. Afraid of what would happen if you let go of me, what this world would do to you if I wasn’t there to protect you.” Dominus cackled madly. “You can’t let go of me because you still need me. You need me there to hide behind when it all turns to shit again.” He spat at Jerrod’s feet. “You are coward who can’t face this world by himself.”

Jerrod looked down at the ground were the spit had landed. “If I do let go of you though, will I be strong enough to face what comes next?”

Dominus stepped forward and placed the tip of a blade against Jerrod’s chest. “Do you really not see it?” He began to push it forward. “You created and defeated me, and I am you. You defeated yourself and you’re not sure if you're strong enough to face the future.” The hand on Jerrod’s chest gripped his shirt and pulled him away from the cliff into the blade placed against his chest. “Maybe I should take this body for my own.”

Jerrod gripped the blade of the sword. “NO! I have too much, I can’t let you have this body.” He grasped the blade and pushed himself backwards off the blade. “I can’t let you loose to terrorize this world again..”

Dominus twisted the blade as it came free and swung it sideways, tearing a necklace free from Jerrod’s neck. “You let me do it once before.” He lifted the sword, showing the pendant hanging from the tip. “After her you were perfectly content to curl up in a corner and let me do whatever I wanted.” He smiled cruelly. “Are you telling me you have already forgotten about her?” He tilted the blade so the pendant slid back to the hilt and smirked. “If so I guess I’ll just keep this.”

Jerrod lunged forward over the wall and tackled Dominus. “NO! Give her back to me.” He struck Dominus’s face and reached for the pendant with his other hand.

Dominus smirked and rolled over on top of Jerrod and drove the sword down into his chest so the pendant rested on his heart. “Take her!” He stood up and pulled a dagger from his belt. “You’re pathetic, clinging so desperately to the past like that. You’re a fool.” He turned away and hopped over the wall. “You're not worth my time.”

Jerrod sobbed as he clutched the pendant in one hand tugged at the blade with the other. “You’re wrong. I’m not clinging to the past.” The blade came free with a squelch and Jerrod rose to his feet. “I swore I would never forget her, that’s all.”

Dominus spun around and threw his dagger. “You’ve stalled out. You’re using her memory to hold yourself still. All those around you you use to numb the pain of the past but you don’t ever let yourself get close to them.” Dominus jumped from his spot above Jerrod and planted his feet on his chest. “You keep talking about letting go but then her face swims through your head and you find yourself lost in the past again. She’s gone. Her son is gone with her and they aren’t coming back anytime soon.” Dominus shoved his feet forward and Jerrod tumbled backwards over a cliff. “It’s time you realized that.”

Jerrod grabbed a root sticking out from the cliff face and hung there for a second, looking up at Dominus with a confused face. “I know they’re gone, I just, I don’t want to forget.” Dominus mouthed something silently as Jerrod released the root. “You're right, I need to let go of the past. I need to close my eyes and plunge into the future. Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting.” Jerrod hung his head sadly. “I can’t forget the past but I can’t let those memories control my life.”

Jerrod hit the water feet first and watched as memories swirled past him in the bubbles. He saw himself as a pony blowing out candles at a Pinkie Pie party. There he was as a dragon lying in bed with Amadiel and there he was with Luna as a human. Possibilities swirled around him, endless possibilities. As a pony, as a human, as a dragon as a mixture, the endless stream of bubbles swept past him, filling him with dread and hope and joy and sorrow. He felt his feet touch the bottom and the bubbles came to a stop and he saw Luna sitting staring out to sea. The moon hung low on the horizon and the stars reflected off the ocean creating two skies. Her head turned and she smiled at him as Amadiel landed beside her then Swiftwing followed by Twilight and then Sun Feather. Slowly older faces joined the new ones and Jerrod felt himself walking forward towards them. He paused and looked back and saw his footsteps changed between human, dragon and pony as they faded into the distance where he saw the faces of those he had lost somewhere in the past. Smiling he turned back to the others and broke into a jog.

Old Friend

“Fingers, check. Toes, check. Functioning lungs...ow, but a check.” Jerrod slowly opened his eyes to see where he was. A white washed ceiling hung over his head with a single magic globe floating just off the ceiling, casting the room in a dim light. “Well that is just a little discouraging.” Gently he twisted his head to the left and traced a few tubes from his arm to an IV drip and a heart monitor then he rolled his head to the other side. Smiling he chuckled dryly to himself. “Well, at least a few still like me.”

Jerrod bit his lip and pushed his forearms against the bed, shifting himself back slightly. “Ow.” Taking a deep breath he clenched his teeth and shifted back a little at a time until his back was resting on the headboard of the small bed and he was in a seated position. “Alright, let’s see what those guys left me.” He stared at the small pile of gifts on the nightstand for a second before shaking his head. He reached out and grabbed a bright pink box. Gingerly he pulled the ribbon free and cracked the lid, only wincing slightly as the overpowering scent of sugar assaulted him like a freight train. “Yep, that’s Pinkie’s.”

With care usually reserved for explosives he placed it back on the nightstand. “Hmmm.” He cupped a flower from the vase in his hand with the smallest of smiles. “I bet these are yours, Luna.” A snort caused him to jump and scan the whole room. His shoulders slumped and he smirked. “That doesn’t look terribly comfortable, Luna.” Turning his attention away from the mare sleeping on a small cot at the foot of his bed he looked back to the night stand. He stared at a few of the boxes thoughtfully before he noticed one hidden behind the flowers from Luna.

Jerrod grabbed the box and stared at it for a bit. “What do we have here?” He turned it over in his hand and furrowed his brow. “This has Amadiel written all over it.” Jerrod traced the edges of the seamless box as he rolled it around so he could look at all the sides. “I hate these boxes.” Sighing he cupped it in both hands and closed his eyes. His breathing slowed and the box slowly began to glow gently before bursting into flames.

Jerrod opened his eyes and smiled. “The lake.” He looked around the glade his bed was resting in with a pained and sad smile. The moon hung just over the trees, its light reflecting off the mirror like surface of the lake. His bed rested on the beach of the lake and Jerrod could feel a gentle breeze ruffling his hair. Turning to look at the moon he watched as a silhouette slowly formed in the moon's core and began moving towards him.

Jerrod gently clasped his hands in his lap as the shadow grew larger and larger until it landed on the moon reflected in the lake. As the tip of a shadowy foot hit the lakes surface a sound like glass raining down on stone echoed out and the shadow vanished in a sparkling display of stars. The dragon folded her large cerulean wings to her sides and smiled at Jerrod. “Greetings.”

Jerrod shook his head. “Still love the flare I see.” The dragon frowned. “Don’t give me that Amadiel, there’s nothing between us anymore.”

Amadiel smiled and slid across the lakes surface with a gentle flap of her wings and came to a stop at the foot of Jerrod’s bed. “Don’t be that way. We both know that’s not true. If it was true that box never would have opened.”

Jerrod scoffed at her and shook a hand flippantly. “Whatever, we both know that’s not true. The only things I have for you are contempt and hatred.”

Folding her arms across her chest Amadiel took a seat on the edge of the bed and turned her face away from Jerrod and towards the sky. “Well fine be that way. It’s not like I took the time to come see you or anything.” Jerrod face palmed and she snickered. “I’d ask how things are but you hate stupid questions.” She smiled gently at Jerrod. “I’m glad you’re okay though.”

Jerrod smiled slightly. “I hate questions with obvious answers, technically there’s no such thing as a stupid question.” Jerrod stuck his tongue then chuckled. “So what brings you here, come to finish what Teyvin started?” He sneered a little but it didn’t reach his eyes which just looked sad and tired.

Amadiel hung her head. “You still think...”

“Are you going to tell me you’re not?” Jerrod glared at her and crossed his arms.

Amadiel turned to Jerrod, pulling up one leg onto the bed and resting the foot on her other knee. “I am, going to tell you that is.” Amadiel took a deep breath and held it for a second. “How long has it been, five years I think. Five years to think about what happened, what went wrong between us. Half a decade it’s taken me to see what I should have just known from the very beginning, it wasn’t your fault.” Jerrod frowned and lifted an eyebrow quizzically. “I know you blame yourself and I to blamed you at one point but well, I listened to my heart. I looked for the truth and I found it, you’re not to blame for what happened.”

Jerrod chuckled and growled a little. “Like hell I’m not. I don’t know who did it but I know why. Just another part of my past rearing its ugly head and destroying something else I cherish.” Jerrod almost spat the last part. “Everyone keeps telling me it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t cause the accident. I didn’t kill him or them, it wasn’t my fault. We all know that’s bullshit, it was my fault. I wasn’t strong enough, I was too complacent. Everything that happened could have been prevented if I had done something different so stop telling me it’s not my fault.”

Amadiel placed a hand on Jerrod’s leg and squeezed it lightly. “Don’t blame yourself for the actions of other. I know about the isle and I know how far the effects of it rippled. That wasn't your fault and neither was the actions of the ones who hunted you.” She shifted herself and little. “Please stop bearing the burden by yourself. I know what has happened to you and around you isn’t great but you can’t keep taking all the blame on yourself.”

Jerrod sighed and his shoulders sagged and he hung his head. “I know you’re right, I know you are but...” Jerrod shook his head and grasped Amadiel’s hand in his tightly. “How can I not blame myself for the sins I have committed. I know that my hand was forced or that I was broken but that doesn't excuse the things I have done.” Jerrod released Amadiel’s hand and looked her in the eye. “You took me in and your son took a shine to me. I was supposed to be your slave but instead I was his lab assistant. If only I had just accepted things I might never have tried the spell. I was captured by slavers and trained to kill and then I used what they taught me. My two greatest sins were my own even if the circumstances weren't so how do you not blame yourself for it.”

Amadiel pulled her other leg onto the bed and sat cross legged. “That’s the past, a past you have been trying to correct ever since it happened. After the Isle of Two Moons you used your skills to protect others, even at the expense of your own safety. What you learned while protecting others you used to try and help your own people return home.” Amadiel leaned forward and crawled up the bed and lay alongside Jerrod. “You blame yourself for what happened and focus on them and forget all the good things you have done. The past blinds you too what’s right in front of you until it’s too late and then you loose it.” She gently kissed Jerrod on the nose. “Then you run away from it even if you have a chance to fix it.”

Jerrod shook his head. “I never could defy you, well except when it came to your son. I was supposed to be yours but he got me first, though you did get me in the end didn’t you.” Amadiel poked him the stomach and stuck her tongue out. “But none of that matters anymore. No matter what feelings may exist between us there can be no action on them.”

Amadiel sat up and gave Jerrod her best pouty face. “Don’t be like that, I know how to share.”

Jerrod smiled wryly. “But she doesn’t, or if she does she’s not very good at it. Maybe she never graduated from preschool.”

Amadiel smirked. “Your girlfriend can’t be that bad.”

Jerrod looked at her with a flat expression. “We both know that ain’t true. Hell I know you once stole a boyfriend from her and then you two ended up having some very odd forgive and forget sex.”

Amadiel froze for a brief moment before screaming. “You’re dating Luna!”

Jerrod reached up and cupped Amadiel’s cheek. “Not yet but I was planning on it. Something about blue females with wings just,” He growled lustfully, “gets me.”

Amadiel looked down at Jerrod and gulped. “Your dating Luna and I am in the hospital with you. OHNONONONONONONONONO!” She jumped back and turned back towards the moon. “Not good not good not good not good.”

From Jerrod’s other side a voice purred out. “Relax Amadiel, everyone has a history, it’s not like I swore I would smite you if I ever saw you again.” A blue hoof snaked over Jerrod’s chest and the illusion around them shattered bringing the hospital room back and destroying the calm that had permeated the room with it.

Amadiel haltingly turned back around and gulped as Luna’s head popped up and rested on Jerrod’s chest. “Hi, Luna. It’s been awhile.” Luna smiled and waved with a wing. “I’d ask what brings you here but I think I left a volcano erupting.” With that she darted for the door only to bounce off a shimmering blue wall.

Luna smiled sweetly. “No stay, I want to know more about what Jerrod and you were about to do.” She licked her lips. “Thought I might join you.”

Jerrod shook his head. “Ladies, as flattered as I am, I am still recovering so how about instead you get along for a bit.”

Both turned to look at him and spoke in unison. “Get along...with her?”

Jerrod sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes. In exchange I will let you all in the secret of me and my life here on Equus.”

Both perked up and Amadiel jumped across the room towards the bed. Luna caught her and gently lowered her to Jerrod’s other side. “We’re listening.”

Jerrod shook his head. “First I think we should invite Celestia, Twilight, Swiftflight, and Sun Feather. Though Twilight’s friends might want to get involved too which I guess is okay.”

Luna pouted. “Fine, give me a second to send Tia a message.” Her horn lit up and her eyes closed.

Amadiel looked at her then at Jerrod. “Really, Luna?”

“What, she’s a sweet mare. Bit of a sad and long past but she’s trying and she’s a lot of fun.” Jerrod placed a hand gently on her neck. “Nor does she seem to mind my relationship with Swiftflight, if it can be called that.”

Amadiel rolled her eyes. “Forever the fool you are Jerrod.” She chuckled. “But it’s probably your best quality.” She snuggled against his chest gently. “I’m glad your happy again.”

Jerrod wrapped his free arm around her and squeezed her shoulders in a half hug. “I’m getting there.”

Luna’s horn stopped glowing and her eyes fluttered open. “Tia says she’ll gather the others and be on her way within the hour.” Luna snuggled against Jerrod. “Till then I vote we all snuggle, except you Amadiel. You should go drown yourself in the toilet.”

Jerrod flicked Luna’s ear. “Be nice. I know some of your history and I want you both to forget it because I ain’t giving either of you up.” Jerrod smiled and hugged them both. “Now I cast my vote for snuggling while we wait.” He wriggled himself down the bed until he was laying down and pulled the two women close. “And while I’m at it, I’m taking a nap. Both of you stay quiet and enjoy the snuggles while I nap.”

Luna looked over at Amadiel. “I...I will forgive you for him, but only because it’s him.” She rested her cheek on Jerrod’s chest. “And because I know he doesn’t know the meaning of monogamous.”

Amadiel rested her head on Jerrod’s shoulder. “Then we agree. A truce for Jerrod.” Luna nodded and smiled. Amadiel sighed. “He’s such a silly human, getting two ancient goddesses to forgive each other for snuggles and a story.” All three smiled contently and closed their eyes, ready for sleep to claim them while they waited for the other’s who would hear the story of Jerrod and what had happened to him.

Storytime

Luna fluffed a pillow in her magic as Amadiel carefully maneuvered Jerrod into an upright seated position. Gently he was lain back against the fluffed pillows and then Amadiel and Luna each took a seat at the side of the bed. “Thank you girls.” Jerrod smiled at them and then turned as the door to his room opened.

Six familiar mares filed in and stood around the room near the end of his bed. Jerrod offered a weak smile. “Hey girls, sorry to pull you away from whatever you were doing, I figure I owe some explanations.”

Applejack smiled shrewdly. “That you do. I ain’t gonna blame you for what happened but you sure as sugar owe us an explanation for it.” Her eyes drifted over her friends and back over to Jerrod. “You also owe one to that little filly and her mom, she darn near bit it. Whatever that varmint put on the daggers, it was almost too much for the poor thing.”

Jerrod hung his head and sighed. “I...I’m sorry for that. If I had only paid more attention to my surroundings.” Jerrod shook his head as he hit the bed with a fist. “I should have known that there was a chance, I should have blocked it or something instead.”

Fluttershy stepped up and put a hoof on Jerrod’s knee. “Now now, that wasn’t your fault. You stepped up and kept him from hurting anyone else. You even stopped yourself from letting whatever that other persona was from taking over and hurting anyone else. Don’t blame yourself for what Teyvin did.”

Twilight moved some chairs around in the room and looked over at Jerrod. “She’s right, you should be proud that you kept the damages down to a minimum, it could have been a lot worse. She mentioned that other personality, is that what you called us here to talk about?”

“Partially.” Jerrod tapped his finger against against the railing of the bed for a second before sighing. “To really understand what that was I think you need to hear a little about my life. I could just tell you a few key points but I figure it’s high time I told my story to someone.” He smiled at Twilight and Luna. “It might sound a little cliche but in the short time I’ve known you and the Princesses I feel like that you guys might be the best to hear it. Maybe even tell it to some others, let others know what I’ve done and discovered about the world ya know.”

Twilight tilted her head and opened to ask a question, but the door cracked open before she could speak. Sun Feather poked his head in, then Celestia’s head poked around the door over his. “Are we running late, have you started yet?” Sun Feather smiled sheepishly as he spoke  causing Celestia to chuckle a little.

“I had a little trouble finding him. Sorry Jerrod.” Celestia stepped in and Sun Feather followed her. “He was over at the bar, he blames himself for your injuries.”

Sun Feather tripped over himself a little. “No, I just... it was a traumatizing fight. I was trying to understand it.

With a small chuckle Jerrod shook his head with a smile. “I too have found some great understandings at the bottom of a pint. To answer your question Celestia, we haven’t started yet. We were just discussing why I called you here.” He motioned to the room. “Find a seat and we can begin.”

Celestia smiled as she took a seat near her sister. Sun Feather looked at Twilight and her friends sitting in a semicircle at the foot of the bed and took the last seat next to Amadiel. “Um, hi. I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Sun Feather.” Sun Feather offered a hoof.

Amadiel smiled and shook it to Sun Feather’s sight confusion. “I’m Amadiel, Empress of the Dragons. Jerrod’s ex-lover.” Sun Feather sputtered causing the room to laugh.

Jerrod cleared his throat drawing everyone’s attention to him. “Thank you all for coming. Most of you know each other but for those of you who don’t know,” Jerrod pointed to Amadiel on his left, “this is Amadiel.” She smiled and waved. “Empress of the Dragon Lands and my last lover before Luna and Twilight.” Twilight blushed crimson and Luna snickered at her misfortune. “And this,” Jerrod pointed to Sun Feather, “Is my personal guard Sun Feather.” He waved. “The rest of you are famous enough I hope I don’t have to introduce you all.”

Celestia smiled. “Indeed. I would also like to offer you an apology Jerrod. Swiftflight will be unable to attend, he had to head back to The Griffon Empire for a while.”

“It’s okay,” Jerrod sighed, “he did mention something about it. Well then I guess I should start. I think it would be best to start with an apology for what happened in the park. Well I’m not entirely sure what it was I did see some allusions to it in the past. I took steps against it but well, I guess it didn’t work as well as I had hoped. The most important thing here is that I can say with an almost one hundred percent certainty it won’t happen again.”

Rainbow Dash raised her hoof and waved it back and forth until Jerrod nodded at her. “What was it that happened exactly?”

“The closest thing I could compare it to would be what happened to Luna.” Jerrod tapped his chin. “Well in the sense that a separate entity took control of her, I was taken by a separate personality in my mind. One that was born of desperation and sorrow and an endless fights for survival. There was a part of my life I was unprepared for and when I was there I closed off the part of me that cared, that couldn’t handle the world I was in and Dominus was left over.” Jerrod swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing up and down once as he took a deep breath. “The man that sits here before you is, he is both Dominus and Jerrod.”

The room went silent as everyone furrowed their brows. Finally Rarity spoke up. “What exactly do you mean dear?”

Jerrod crossed his hands then uncrossed and recrossed them several times before settling on placing them on top of eachother. “It’s, complicated. Well no it’s not really, that’s just an excuse not to talk about it. To put it simply, during my darkest hour my mind fractured. I became Dominus and Jerrod, two sides of one coin. One side was callous and bloodthirsty, able to do anything to survive. The other was, weak. Dominus and Jerrod, strong and weak. Jerrod was the me that couldn't take the world and instead hid behind Dominus for protection. Somewhere down the line while Jerrod hid he faded  and Dominus became all there was. After Dominus was no longer needed Jerrod became the dominant personality. Neither were complete, neither could survive without the other.” Jerrod looked over at Luna as she nuzzled his hand and he smiled.

“Thank you Luna.” He turned back to others. “When it all began it wasn’t a big deal. A minor case of dissociative identity disorder at best, that’s a little extreme though. I guess it would be easier to say it was a mask, something to hide behind that got out of hand. First it was just a coping mechanism then it evolved into a psychological disorder, and then when magic was introduced it became something even more. My best guess is somehow the pieces of Dominus I hadn’t accepted where given a life of their own and he became a nightmare entity of some sort.” Jerrod paused and looked at everyone worriedly. “Since the fight, I can feel that, somehow, he’s gone. Jerrod, me, the man before you, am more whole than I have been for more than a decade.”

Celestia smiled warmly, but it couldn’t cover the worry in her eyes. “I see, so then can you promise us that you won’t,” She paused for a moment to think, “fall again?”

With a sincere smile Jerrod nodded his head. “As far as I know, no I won’t. I am now one being and whatever Dominus was is dead.”

“Well that’s wonderful, can we get on with the story then,” Rainbow smirked. “As interesting as this mind stuff is I wanna know about your adventures.”

Jerrod nodded and smiled slightly. “Of course Rainbow, it’s why I gathered you all here anyway.” Jerrod stopped and hesitated, chewing on his lower lip as he looked at everyone around him. Luna leaned in and nuzzled Jerrod’s cheek while Amadiel squeezed his hand. Everyone else gave him kind, warm smile as they waited for him to continue. After a minute he inhaled and held it briefly before letting it out. “As you all know I wasn’t born in this world. I was born on a planet called Earth in a small town called Warrenpoint. My childhood wasn’t anything real special. I was raised by my dad and my sister because my mom traveled for work a lot and one of my greatest pleasure was books.” Jerrod looked at Twilight. “Honestly I think my childhood could be compared to Twilight’s. The biggest difference, aside from the location, would be how my dad taught me to fight.”

“Growing up I was...angry.” Jerrod leaned his head back and closed his eye. “Kids bullied me because my mom was absent, or because I would rather read than socialize. Heck, they would bully me simply to see if they could make me snap.” He smirked a little and let his head drop down to look at his audience. “It was kinda twisted honestly, but as they say on my world, kids will be kids. In order to combat my anger my dad taught me martial arts. He focused a lot on the discipline side of it, balance the mind and the body and control yourself type of thing. Every day after school he would pick me up and then we would go to the dojo and train together. Afterwards we would head home, my sister would be there with a hot dinner ready and waiting.” His face clouded over as a happy nostalgic smiled crossed his lips and he stopped talking for a moment.

Pinkie Pie stood up on her chair and jumped across the room, landing gently at the foot of Jerrod’s bed. “What were their names?” She smiled widely and Jerrod chuckled at her antics.

“My dad’s name was Christoph and my sister was Nessa.” Jerrod shook his head and wiped a tear from his cheek. “Sorry, it’s just been a long time since I thought about them. With everything that happened to me I stopped thinking about them and my life before this world because it was easier.” With a shake of his head he forced smile and continued. “Okay, so yea, simple life. The fighting my dad taught me kept me from jail for the most part and it let me have a quieter life. Things picked up in middle school though. Maybe it was because of the divorce or maybe puberty just made me angrier but those were the first years I really started to get in trouble with authorities. Luckily for me though, there was this girl, Moira. Moira, oh Moira, she saw past my anger and found a way to sooth it. She brought out the kind loving soul hidden under all the anger. I wasn’t even the one who approached her, she came to me. It was the week of the school dance, she asked if I was going with anyone and I didn’t have to think about it. I asked her on the spot.”

Jerrod stopped talking and lost himself in his memories for a moment, a nostalgia pulling happy expressions across his face. A warm smile, a twinkle in his eyes, a tender smile. Years of happiness flitted across his feature before he spoke again.. “Our first date at the school dance, it was amazing. I took her out to dinner at this little diner in town, got us the table on the roof under the stars. Then after that we walked to the school for the dance and we danced the night away.” Jerrod’s body swayed gently to unheard music, his arms kept low and curled around an invisible body. “After the dance we walked to her place hand in hand and kissed on her front porch. I was walking on air for days afterwards.”

Slowly the happiness faded and a glower darkened Jerrod’s face. “But those bullies couldn’t stand it. Fastforward a month to my thirteenth birthday and everything goes to hell. I remember very little of what happened, my dad planned a barbeque and invited my classmates, including the bullies. Most of the party I can vaguely remember but it all fades into a haze and I just remember...remember that...” Jerrod trailed off and took a deep breath and held it for a moment.

As he let it out his shoulders slumped forward. “I...those bastards just pushed and pushed and then she got in the way and-” His head dropped and his voice was a low whisper when he spoke again. “The look in her eyes when my fist connected, she was shocked, scared. Afraid, of me. The hurt in her eyes.” Jerrod lifted his head. “I couldn’t believe what I’d done so I ran. Straight into the woods behind our house and the next thing I knew I was in the desert.”

Pinkie tilted her head and frowned. “They ruined the party, because they didn’t like you.” Suddenly she smiled. “We’ll just have to throw you a new birthday party, one that isn’t ruined.”

A dry chuckle answered Pinkie before Jerrod spoke. “I think I might like that. I can’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday.”

“Nooooo”Pinkie gasped.  “You can’t be like that. We have to rectify this.” Slowly her lips parted into the widest grin Jerrod or any of them had ever seen on her face. “I have the bestest idea ever! We’ll throw all the parties you missed and the new one at the same time!”

Jerrod shook his head with an amused huff. “Let’s wait on those plans okay. Now where was I, oh yes, the desert. I was terrified at first-”

Sun Feather interrupted before Jerrod could continue. “How did you get from woods to a desert?”

“Well I imagine Twilight has already explained to some of you,” He glanced at Twilight and she nodded, “but I guess it won’t hurt to explain to those who haven’t heard. As some of you probably know, magic and emotion are closely linked. Prime example would be you six,” he pointed to Twilight and her friends, “and the Elements you wield being tied in with feelings of friendship you share. The same is true of our world and the miniscule amount of magic that exists around the portals between it and this world. Most emotions won’t trigger it but extremely strong emotions, like the desire to get away I felt that day will resonate with the gate and cause it to open long enough for the person to cross over.”

Twilight clapped her hooves together. “Yes, I was right. Tirek’s defeat left the gates open between our two worlds. Do you know why it seems to be only our two worlds?”

Jerrod tapped his chin. “Near as I could tell it was because they were the last ones to be linked in any strong fashion.” He furrowed his brow and clicked his tongue. “The rainbow bridge came up a few times in my search for answers, as well as Tirek’s name. Most of what I have are stories I found around the world but that’s what I believe to be the cause. Had the matter been left alone it might have eventually led to gates opening to more worlds but you and your friends seems to have acted like a magical door stopper until it settled.”

Celestia nodded. “That settling, did you have something to do with it?”

Jerrod smiled mischieviously. “We’ll get to that, right now we are talking about my first foray on the world of Equus.” His smile faded and he returned to a more neutral look with a mix of nostalgia. “When I first found myself wandering the desert I was terrified. I’d never let my home town let alone the world and at first I thought it was a dream. I kept thinking I would wake up and everyone would be there and the birthday party was just a nightmare. That lasted for two days, then I collapsed. I wasn’t sure if it was a dream or not anymore, I just knew I wanted it to end. I wanted to go home and apologize to Moira, see my dad and my sister again.” Jerrod paused and sighed. “Fate had other plans for me though. While I was lying on the side of sand dune a great shadow passed over me and a sphinx landed beside me. Her name was Khepri, though I wouldn’t figure that out a while.”

“Our first encounter was, amusing to say the least. She was out stretching her wings when she first spotted me, and it piqued her curiosity.” A light laugh escaped Jerrod as he remembered the fated encounter. “Khepri followed me for a bit then, when I collapsed, she stepped in to rescue me. I was delirious from lack of water and food so I don’t remember the moment well but I do remember waking up in a cool stone chamber on a mattress with her sitting nearby reading a book. Needless to say I was pretty freaked out, and then she spoke. Completely threw me for a loop when she did, I didn’t understand a word of it and there was a sphinx calming reading a book next to me.”

Smirking he shook his head. “I don’t know how much time we wasted just trying to communicate that first time.” He waved his hands in a miming fashion a bit, making Sun Feather mutter something about seizures.” Eventually we managed to get our names across and where the restroom was, after a lot of pantomiming and confusion. The next day is when things picked up a little. Khepri brought me out of the room I was in and into a massive library. I have never seen so many books in one place in my life, not before that and not since. She left me at a table and wandered into the rows upon rows of books and came back with a small stack. After that she began to teach me how to read and write what I now know is Equestrian.”

Jerrod leaned back with a content smile tinging his lips. “For three years I lived with her. She taught me how to speak Equestrian and how it was the dominant language in the world. She taught me about the world I had found myself in and the different races that called it home. The cultures scattered around and the places that housed the culture.” He took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out in a happy sigh. “Khepri’s teachings led me to so many clues that I would use to unravel how humans got here and what they were doing here in the past. Khepri’s favorite thing to teach me was myths and legends and how so many of them held bits of truth that one could find evidence of in the real world if one dug deep enough.” Jerrod paused a tear in suspended in the corner of his eye. “But just like fate handed me to her it took me away from her. A day like any other, we traveled to the nearby town for supplies and it ended with me being taken by slavers.”

Everyone leaned away from Jerrod a little as the room seemed to grow a little colder. Hate burned across his face and he spoke in a low growl. “Slavers,” He spat the word, “they had infiltrated the town because of the rumors about me that had spread. Both Khepri and I were unaware of just how many humans had been stumbling into the world, but it was enough to peak the interest of slavers. We were so rare and unique we fetched hefty sums on the market, and I even more so and I still don’t know why. When they attacked, Khepri was in a shop and I was down the street getting some food. The only solace I take in what happened is knowing that one of them didn’t survive the wounds I gave him, though at the time I was horrified by what I had done.”

“The next part of the story gets dark though so if anyone wants to leave, best do it now.” Jerrod looked each of them in the eye one at a time, looking for any signs that could get him out of telling his story. “I truly understand if you don’t want to hear what comes next, it’s not just grim in circumstance but in what I became.” His voice had almost a pleading tone as he looked at his audience. Chewing his lip before  he spoke again and falling quiet. “Are you all positive you wish to hear about what happened after I was captured?”

The gathered ponies nodded their heads as Jerrod spoke, the odd tale churning many thoughts and questions around in their minds. Twilight scratched her chin while Fluttershy looked down at the ground in front of her, lost in thought. Rainbow had a weird half smirk half smile going on as she thought about how cool it would have been to meet a sphinx and fight a band of slavers. Her smile wavered a little as she thought more about it, and slowly she settled into her chair slightly depressed. Luna and Amadiel leaned in gave Jerrod a supportive hug before Celestia spoke up. “Please continue Jerrod, I myself am very curious to hear what happened next.”

Jerrod gave Luna and Amadiel a quick kiss before closing his eyes and taking a long deep breath. He crossed his hands in his lap, trying to cover up the shaking. “Before that day I had never truly understood what it was like to be powerless. The trip to the Isle of the Two Moons taught me what it truly meant but it was still nothing compared to The Pits.” His voice cracked and the shaking became noticeable to everyone. “The moment we landed on the island I was shipped off to what I call The Pits, a gladiatorial arena. My first opponent was a young human girl.”

For a brief moment JErrod’s hands shifted to his forearms and pulled tight against his body before he relaxed and his voice came out at a barely heard whisper. He tried again after shaking his head and taking several deep breaths. “I didn’t see here as a fighter at first, I just assumed she was like me. A poor human captured thrown into The Pits for entertainment, I was sorely mistaken. This young girl was a veteran of The Pits, unlike me who wasn’t given any training. I was just captured and  thrown into a pit with this young feral girl bent on killing me. Skipping over the details, she nearly took my life but I took hers in the end. After the fight and the medics had patched me up I was sent to the cells under the Arena to wait for the next fight. But, before the next fight....I just wasn't prepared for what I saw....it was so horrible that I...I...”

Jerrod trailed off and lowered his head and covered his face with his hands. His fingers tensed and clutched his head as he started shaking. “I met the girls mother. The look on her face.” Jerrod pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them as he pushed the top of his head against his knees. “She wasn’t mad, or even sad, she was relieved. Knowing she wasn’t the one who had to do it gave her a sense of relief.”

Jerrod stopped talking and the room was quiet except for his gentle sobs. None of the ponies assembled knew what to say. The very idea shook them to their core. None of them could imagine being relieved by the death of your child. Fluttershy was the first to break the silence, in a rare show of strength she walked up beside Jerrod and pulled him into a hug. “It’s okay Jerrod, it’s in the past now.” A tear trailed down her cheek. “You couldn’t have known and you can’t blame yourself for what happened.”

Jerrod lifted his head. “I can and do. I could have let her live, I could have just let her kill me.”

Applejack took her hat off and held it to her chest. “If you had her mother might have been the next one to fight her and you saved her from that fate. It’s a terrible thing that happened but if you hadn’t something even more terrible could have happened. I can tell Fluttershy there doesn’t blame you for it and neither do I. It’s sick and wrong, but it ain’t yer fault.”

Twilight and her friends nodded in agreement prompting Celestia to speak up. “Would you like us to go Jerrod? We can continue tomorrow if you like.”

Jerrod shook his head, as he scratched behind Fluttershy’s ear.  A flicker of a smile danced across his face as she leaned into making him cup her cheek in his hand. “No, it’s long past time that I told someone my story. I don’t know if I’ll have the courage to go on with this part if I stop now.” He released Fluttershy who immediately went over to Rarity and leaned against her, prompting Rarity to wrap a hoof over her shoulder. Jerrod took a deep breath and continued. “It would be a few days before my next fight. The mother, she helped care for me at first but then she left for a fight. I never saw her again after that, she never once said a word to me.”

“Than how did you know it was her mother?” Amadiel looked at Jerrod with a confused expression.

Jerrod nodded. “Good question. I knew because she had a locket with a picture of the girl as a baby and another with her a little younger than when I fought her in the arena. Right after the fight she came up to me and looked at me, tears in her eyes and gave a small bow before shuffling away. She came up to me  later with a sad smile and showed me the locket. I never saw her again after that. About two days after that I was forced to fight again. Honestly I’m surprised I won the next one.” Jerrod paused for a second as he thought about the mother and daughter. “Anyway, it had been a little over a week since my first fight and they deemed me fit to fight and I was pitted against a pony.”

Celestia perked up a little and Jerrod looked at her. “Yes, a pony. A unicorn to be exact. My first real encounter with magic.” Jerrod pulled the corner of his hospital robe to show a scar that had tiny yellow crystals in it. “This is one of the places he hit me with a magic blast. The docs tell me the crystals are bits of his magic. It’s funny because that’s the only place that scared like that, the others are just smooth scars. I asked about it once and they think it’s because he put a lot more power into it in hopes of ending it quicker. Needless to say, it didn’t and he was forced to fight me in a longer.”

The robe was pulled back up and he smiled in a sad way that spoke of more. “Oddly, the fight was easier with him than it was with the girl. I honestly think the poor stallion was just tired of it. There was this moment at the end of the fight where I hesitated, I just didn’t have it in me to take another life. The moment I hesitated though, he threw himself against my blade, ending it for me.” Jerrod bunched up some of his sheets in his fists for a moment. “I can still see the look in his eyes, he was happy. The entire fight he had this hateful sneer on his face and then the moment I hesitated it flickered and he smiled and threw himself into my blade. I just...I still don’t know what to make of it.”

Jerrod paused and looked over at the side table. Luna followed his gaze and used her magic to grab the glass of water before Jerrod could reach for it. HE smiled gratefully as she helped him drink before he continued his story. “A few weeks later after my sixth fight and sixth win I was pulled out of the arena. They took me to a gorgeous hotel and their I met this strange black pony. There were holes in its legs and it had insectile wings.” Jerrod shuddered. “The moment I laid eyes on it I could feel this sensation like it was seeing into my head. At first I didn’t realize what it was capable of, what it could do to me.”

Twilight and Celestia shared a glance then Twilight raised her hoof. “Jerrod, was her name Chrysalis?”

Jerrod shook his head. “I never got a name, or even a gender. Hell, I don’t think that thing had a gender.”

Twilight looked at Celestia. “It was a long shot. I guess the search will have to continue.” She turned back to Jerrod. “It was a changeling, a race that feeds primarily on love, but other emotions can sustain them.”

“Yeah, that wasn’t my last encounter with them.” A look of loathing and disgust filled Jerrod’s face. “It bought my services around once a month or so. I don’t know what was worse, the fact I was forced to fight for my life or the times I spent with the changeling. It did this thing with my mind, made me forget about the arena. Made me remember the good old days, when I was happy and loved others. When it was done with my head I would wake up in the damp cold cell under the arena that was my home as a fighter. A cold pit would settle in my stomach as I tried to cling to those happy warm memories before they vanished.”

Jerrod sneered and his knuckles cracked. “I’m not even sure I was bought, part of me thinks that it was a drug for me. Get me addicted to it so I would fight harder in the pits. If I had a particularly good fight or even a spectacular win I would be-” Jerrod spat the next word with a cruel leer, “ rewarded with the drug that it was to me. I was addicted to what it gave and I hate myself for it.”

The room was quiet as Jerrod calmed himself down. Luna put a hoof on his shoulder and Amadiel mirrored Luna with her claws. “I...I never realized. I’m so sorry Jerrod.”

Jerrod scoffed and looked at Amadiel. “How could you have, I never told anyone. Until now I’ve pushed everyone and kept my secrets, well, secret.” Jerrod closed and sighed. “I’m sorry, remembering this, it’s, it’s making me remember the hate and anger. I don’t blame any of you for not knowing or anything like that. By the time we met I had put most of this somewhere behind me. Somewhere in the shadows of my past, hidden and desperately trying to forget it.”

For several moments the room was silent and then Luna pulled Jerrod close with a wing. Amadiel looked like she wanted to pull him away but something held her back. After a moment Jerrod squeezed her claws and huffed slightly. “Alright, back to my story. That is really the entirety of my years in the pit. Aside from the rare special occasion where I might be taken into town to be shown off or some new form of training was given to me life consisted of death matches and changeling highs. They were dark times for me indeed. As I explained earlier, the longer this dragged on the worse I became. Slowly Dominus came to power and Jerrod faded into memory. I became a symbol of the pits, the most famous they had ever found. Willing to do anything to please the crowds, never losing a fight or winning it too one sided. ”

Jerrod sighed leaned back against the headboard and looked at the ceiling. Chuckling wryly and looked over at the glass of water. “I don’t suppose we could get some of your special sauce could we Luna?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively before cracking a dry laugh. “I kid, sort of. I could use a really strong glass of something other than water.”

Luna coughed into her hoof as she tried to hide a blush. “I’m sorry Jerrod the doctor said no alcohol.”

Jerrod quirked an eyebrow. “When?”

Amadiel smiled and shook her head. “When she tried to smuggle a bottle in yesterday with her get well gift.”

“That’s a shame, I could have used a little booze for this next part.” Jerrod cracked his neck and took a second to think. “I’m not gonna lie, those times were dark. I was a monster and I didn’t even know it. The name Teyvin used, it was given to me after I lost my right arm in a special match. It was me and four others against a dragon and we weren’t supposed to survive. I’m not going to lie to you guys, what I did to survive was beyond horrible. I sacrificed the other fighters so I could get in and finish the match. One of the guys I sacrificed, he was the closest thing to a friend I ever had and I let the dragon roast him alive. After the match I was taken to a special care facility and through some arcane ritual my friend’s arm was grafted onto my shoulder.”

An awkward silence settled over the room as everyone took a step back from Jerrod, their eyes fixated on his arm. Seconds ticked by before Jerrod jerked his arm towards Twilight and screamed “BOOGABOOGABOOGA!” and flailing his arm. The next few seconds were wrapped in confusion as Twilight screamed and her friends dove to to her aid winding up in a pile of tangled limbs. Amadiel had grabbed a pillow and was trying to use it as a shield. Celestia had raised a shield so the guards outside slammed face first into the door as it refused to budge masking the clunk of Jerrod’s head against the headboard of his bed.

Slowly the room quieted and everyone managed to calm and compose themselves. “Bad joke, very bad joke.” Jerrod rubbed the back of his head as he groaned a little. Amadiel gently placed the pillow back behind him as Celestia lowered the shield allowing the guards to rush in.

“Is everything all right your eminences?” The lead guard had a blade drawn and his partner’s horn was lit with magical energies ready to be sculpted.

“Everything is fine, just a bad joke at a bad time.” Celestia smiled. “Return to your posts.” The guards saluted and left the room. “Now, assuming we are all calm, I think Jerrod should return to his story.”

“Hehe, of course, the story. So yeah, my arm was liberated from my body and my good friend whom I sacrificed offered me his, posthumously. That was the beginning of the end. For the first time in a very long time I had time to just think, to remember. I had two months of recovery, just lying in a bed staring at the ceiling. I think that’s when my forgotten conscious began to stir again.” Jerrod massaged his arm. “Seeing this Frankensteinesque ritual and the strange arm protruding from my shoulder, it was a wake up call.” Jerrod looked up at the ceiling. “My friend died and I lived, I couldn’t help but wonder why.”

Twilight smiled and leaned against Celestia. “Sometimes there isn’t an answer. Sometimes it’s simply fate.”

Jerrod scoffed at Twilight. “Fate. That’s just a bullshit reason that’s given to justify horrible shit that happens to you. Fate had nothing to do with my friends death, it was all me. Me and my worthless self condemned countless fighters to death and yet I was given a pass on death. I was never worth it, never worth ritual or this arm and yet, here it is and here I am.” Jerrod smacked his head against the back of the bed a few times. Leaning against the the headboard afterwards he spoke up. “I will never understand why me, but through it I was able to finally start seeing how far down the rabbit hole I had gone. Like a piece of my friends soul was in the arm pulling out the memories and stirring my long dormant conscience, but that alone wasn’t enough to make me change completely. After I had recuperated I was sent back out and my next fight was another kid. He was young, just like my first victim. Unlike her though he was brand new to the pits and I could see the innocence in his eyes as he stared at me fearfully. Sadly I didn’t have the courage to stand against the owners of The Pit and I did what I had been doing for almost two years. The look in his eyes in those final moments though, it broke something inside me. I saw the first child, her mother and that pony all there standing behind him.”

“They weren't sad or afraid or relieved. For a second I thought there weren't any emotions, until I caught a glimmer in the kid’s eyes, then it dawned on me. They understood. I couldn't take it and something inside me snapped. That part of me I had buried deep down inside me that held all my sorrow, my compassion, my empathy and everything good about my screamed out and I held the kid as I wailed in sorrow.”

The room fell silent as Jerrod’s words died off. The ponies all stared at him stone faced and unsure. Amadiel’s grip on his hand loosened and Luna’s brow was furrowed in thought. After a few minutes he composed himself enough to continue. “That night, after Dominus had managed to reassert control over me, me and a few of the others slaughtered the guards. That was supposed to be the end of it but one of the guards, he didn't die right away and the look in his eyes. So much hatred and loathing, the me back then, I found something profoundly wrong with it. I kneeled down and asked him why and he said I was just a dog lashing out at its owner, I was nothing to them.” A growl rumbled through the room as Jerrod’s fist clenched. “I was a beast they had trained and kicked over and over and they hated me for it as much as they enjoyed the show.”

“I took his keys,” Jerrod swallowed and bit his lip, “and worked my way down into the bowels of the lower arena. I went to the place where they kept all the beasts we were to fight: the hydras, the manticores and chimeras. Everything you could think of and I released them all. I then opened the doors to the pit and then I went to the gates that lead to the city. A few guards came to stop me but the beasts overwhelmed them and then I let the  beasts free into the city.” Jerrod licked his lips and clenched and unclenched his fist. The muscles in his arms flexed as he closed his eyes, the movement of eyes could be seen faintly through his eyelids. His head swung gently from side to side as the corners of his lips twitched up and down. It only lasted a second before Jerrod opened his eyes and looked up into the corner where the ceiling met the wall.  “The rest you know, the Isle of Two Moons was consumed by hate and fire. The rage of a thousand days, the sorrow of an enslaved band, it consumed everything. Be it child or woman, man or boy, the dams had broken and their sins swept through streets to claim their lives in retribution.”

The room was dead silent, no one even dared to breathe. The sound of the clock on the wall grew louder and louder as everyone processed what they had heard. Jerrod began to shrink, pulling his covers up towards his chin as he scooted lower into the bed.

Slowly Luna wrapped a wing over him and pulled him close. “I’m so sorry you had to go through something like that Jerrod. I can sympathize with the pain you must have felt but even I cannot understand what it must have been like. To have survived and become as kind as you are, it’s is staggering how much strength that would have taken.”

Sun Feather looked around, chewing on his lip the entire time before he let an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know what to say man, that story, it’s bad. My great granddad once told me a story about war and how it messes a pony up, this seems a lot like it. If I didn't know you like I do I would be running from here screaming for my mother.” Sun Feather rubbed the back of his head. “That’s not important though, because I can see how much this has hurt you. I've never heard of such a horrible past and the fact you're still here, it’s amazing.”

Celestia stood up and approached the bed, her ear flicking as she heard a sniffle from under Luna’s wing. “Jerrod, when I first met you I thought you were a flippant arrogant nuisance. Never would I have imagined what that clownish demeanor hid. I knew you were hiding a horrible chapter in your life but you seem so far removed from it but what you have just told us, it is something that you never truly leave behind. I must commend you for being able to live with this hanging over you. It must have driven so many of your actions, and it has made a very kind soul.” Celestia moved her sister’s wing and put a hoof under Jerrod’s chin. “You have nothing to fear from us because I for one know that you will do everything in your power to make sure no pony or any other creature ever has to suffer through the pain you have suffered through.” With that she stepped back to her chair and took a seat.

Amadiel reached across the bed and pulled him close. “I can never express how sorry I am.  If only I had known.” She released him and moved away. Tears trickled down her cheeks and shame covered her face.

Twilight looked at her friends and they all nodded to her. “That, it’s, it’s gonna change how I see you. I’m not saying I won’t be your friend or anything but that certainly changes how I see you. Everything you do and say, you’re trying to prove you're not that person. You just want others to be happy, to smile and never know the pain you have.” The girls all nodded. “I think I speak for them all when I say I am glad to have met you and to call you a friend.”

Jerrod smiled, his tears moistening the corners of his lips. Years of pain and sorrow were finally exposed to the world and he couldn’t have felt any lighter. “Thank you, all of you. You have no idea how much it means to me. That’s the first time I have ever told anyone the full story of my time on The Isle of Two Moons, it’s always been a burden I have carried alone. I was afraid of what others would think if they knew, really knew what it was like for me. I know none of you can see me the same again but the fact you're willing to forgive me, it means the world to me.”

The crying continued for a minute before Jerrod choked back a few sobs took several deep breaths. He looked at each member of his audience happily before he spoke again. “Afterwards, I fled the island on a boat and washed ashore on the Zebrican continent. That’s where I met your relatives,” said Jerrod pointing to Applejack. Applejack blinked and Jerrod smiled. “I owe them everything. They nursed me back to health, mentally and physically. They didn't know my story or who I was but they were so kind to me.” Jerrod smiled almost happily. “Their kindness showed me something I had forgotten during my time on the island. If it hadn't been for them I never would have survived, and it wouldn't have been my wounds that took my life. After I was physically healed up I bid them goodbye. They wanted me to stay but I needed to see that more of the world could be as warm and kind. I left and headed to a nearby town where my story will continue from next time.” Everyone looked confused until Jerrod pointed to the doctor who had entered the room.

Twilight smiled sheepishly and one by one Twilight and her friends stood up. They each gave Jerrod a tight hug and stepped back towards the door to leave. Fluttershy was the last one to stand and she fidgeted for a moment before launching herself at Jerrod and giving him a bone-crushing hug. Jerrod looked startled for a moment before he heard the sobs and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank you Fluttershy.”

She pulled her head away and looked up at Jerrod. “For what?”

“For crying for me. You have no idea how much that means to me, to have someone cry for me again.” Jerrod gave Fluttershy a peck on the forehead. “I don’t think anyone has cried for me since I arrived here. I have met a few who pity me, others who cry for those I harmed but none had tears for me.” Jerrod paused. “That’s a lie, a few have cried for me but not after they here who I am. My name may not have been famous but my face was. After I stopped being recognized I tried to forget what I had done and the very few who figured it out or who I told shed no tears for me, they had only fear. So thank you, thank you for crying for me.”

Fluttershy untangled herself and looked back at her friends. “It’s not just me.” Jerrod looked up and saw Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Celestia, Luna, Amadiel, Sun Feather and even Rainbow Dash had tears in their eyes. “You might not think we are all your friends but you’re friends with Twilight and the Princesses, that’s enough for us to consider you a friend too. Why do you think we came today?”

Rainbow Dash flew up and gently hit him on the shoulder. “Yea man, Twilight told us about you and you seemed pretty cool to us. Don’t go thinking a scary past is enough to scare us away, we’re friends with Luna aren't we?”

Jerrod wiped a tear away from his eyes. “I barely know you guys but thank you, thank you for this. I’ll make sure to finish the story for you guys next time.” They all nodded and left leaving Jerrod alone with the doctor. “So Doc, gimme the bad news.”

The doctor shook his head. “It’s not good Jerrod. I ran the same tests I ran before the attack out of curiosity and, you’re right it’s bad news. I don’t know if it’s because of the injuries, the poison or the use of magic to get the poison out but whatever balance was there before has been devastated. With just basic tests it’s starting to show. Whatever is happening to you, it’s just a few more days till it reaches it’s end. If we’re lucky you have a week or two.” The doctor sighed and looked at Jerrod. “You don’t have much longer Jerrod, I wish I had better news but there’s nothing I can do at this point.”

Jerrod smiled. “It’s okay Doc. It gives me time to finish telling the girls and Sun Feather my story.”

Reactions

A relatively famous diner. A small place nestled in the corner of two streets with no sign except one to tell ponies when it was open or closed. A place folks used for small gatherings or to get some quiet time it was well loved and known in the city. Whether it was full of rowdy guards coming down from a shift or a bunch of school mates celebrating a test the atmosphere was always cozy and welcoming, but for once the place felt different to the folks walking by. The sign was switched to closed even though there should have been a few more hours till it closed and a group of six friends sat at a table near the center of the diner.

The air in the diner seemed thick, almost oppressive. Behind the counter the owner rubbed down a teacup nervously. His eyes constantly flicked over to his oddly quiet patrons every few moments. As he set the small cup down next to the others he had cleaned on a tray the tink seemed to echo and he flinched. His throat bobbed as he stepped from behind the counter and approached the table. “Evening ladies. Here’s some tea on the house.” He slid the tray gently into the center of the table. “Would you care for some donuts?” Silence greeted him so he turned away and went back behind the counter.

Meanwhile Twilight took hold of the teapot with her magic and poured a cup of tea for herself. After a brief pause she picked up the cup and took a gentle sniff and a smile touched her lips. “Good old Joe, he makes the best jasmine tea.” The silence settled back over the table as she sipped at the cup of tea.

Fluttershy on her left chewed her lip as she reached for the pot and a glass. “Do you mind?” Twilight nodded no and helped Fluttershy pour a cup. “Thank you Twilight.” She took a sip and settled back into her chair, the cup cradled in her fetlocks.

For several minutes no one said anything, the friends just sat under the oppressive cloud of silence and tension that had followed them from the hospital as they mulled over the story they had heard. Finally Applejack smacked a hoof on the table and growled a little. “I don’t like it. He seems so nice but, how could he do any of that. He’s lying about it, he has to be.”

Everyone stared at the small crack in the table in front of Applejacks hoof startled before Rarity reached out and placed her hoof over it. “Calm down Applejack. I, well I don’t understand how you feel but I do agree. This story isn’t the Jerrod we thought we met but it doesn’t mean he’s lying.” Rarity pulled her hoof back. “And this isn’t that whole story, it’s just the beginning.”

Applejack ground her teeth together. “How could anyone do any of that though. He said he enjoyed murdering them. ENJOYED IT. A family, daughter then mother, it’s despicable.” She closed her eyes and took a long deep breath through her teeth. A second deep breath and her muscles relaxed. “But it’s not him now. I... how could he?”

Rainbow looked down at her hoofs and curled them up and down a few times. “Because he didn’t have a choice.” Her eyes flicked over to Fluttershy. “Sometimes when a pony is shoved into a corner they do things they regret later, even if what comes of it isn’t that bad.” Fluttershy smiled at Rainbow and nodded reassuringly. “I know it hits closer to home for you than the rest of us Applejack but I really don’t think we should judge him to harshly.”

Applejack shook her head. “I just can’t Rainbow. He might have been like a rabid dog but you saw him when that satyr attacked, he went right back to being a rabid dog. He lost himself a long time ago and he ain’t found himself yet.”

Pinkie tapped her hoof gently on the table. “I lost myself once but then I started baking these awesome cupcakes and I lost the spoon. Then while I was looking for the spoon I found a spatula I had lost and then I found this old spring from the first party cannon I made that exploded. But I hadn’t found the spoon so I kept looking then I met Twilight while I was sluething for the spoon in town. I never did find that spoon sadly but I keep finding new things the longer I look for it and I never stop to mourn the loss of the spoon because I keep finding cooler things.”

Twilight smiled. “Pinkie’s right.” She paused for a moment and shook her head. “In her own way. Jerrod lost himself but he’s worked hard to find himself and he found something else instead. I kind of understand what you’re talking about Applejack. When I first read about the Isle and what happened I thought pretty horribly of whoever did it but now hearing why, I only find myself feeling sorry for everyone involved.”

Applejack scowled. “I don’t like it, he’s keeping to many secrets. Can we really trust someone with a past gnarlier than an old apple tree. It ain’t right and I for one need more time to think it over.” Applejack stood up. “I know you really want us to like him Twilight but I just don’t know.” She lifted her hat and pulled out the bag with the seed Jerrod had given her. “I think I’m gonna take a walk, clear my head. I’ll give ya my decision tomorrow.”

With that said Applejack walked out of the diner leaving her friends to consider her words. “I, I need to go plan the party for when he’s better. See you guys later.” Pinkie jumped up and gave each of them a hug. “See you all tomorrow for the rest of the story.” She bounced out of the diner slightly less cheery than normal.

Rarity sighed and took one of the cups and the teapot. “I can understand where she’s coming from. She might even be right but he has the support of three princesses and the dragon queen.” Rarity watched the tea pour out of the pot with rapt attention, the swirling leaves reflected in her eyes. “He’s had it pretty hard and there’s a lot I think he’s not telling us but maybe it’s because he doesn’t want to hurt us.”

Twilight sighed. “We should respect it but it’’s hard.” She lifted her cup and looked into it, staring at the empty cup for a second before dropping it on the table. “I have known for a while something was haunting him but to think he was a part of one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history.” Her head shook and shoulders slumped. “I don’t know if I feel bad for him or afraid.”

Fluttershy patted Twilight’s back. “It’s okay to feel both. Jerrod’s scary but he’s also in a lot of pain. When I first saw him it was terrifying but then I noticed he limped a little. He was trying to cover it and he was doing really good but it was still there. He also jumps ever so slightly whenever someone approaches him on the right, like he can’t really see them until they speak up or touch him. He also favors his left hand, like he’s not really used to it or it hurts.” She smiled gently. “Even though Jerrod’s really scary he’s also really sad and lonely and just a little afraid.”

Rainbow nodded. “He is really cool to. Sure he’s got a crazy past but we know plenty who do. Heck Fluttershy lives with one of the scariest guys we have ever fought and we don’t bat an eye at it. The fact is, out of all the villains we have given a second chance to he probably deserves it the most. No offense to Princess Luna but Jerrod has made real strides towards redemption and he doesn’t have as long to redeem himself as Princess Luna does.”

Rarity sipped her tea thoughtfully. “I fully agree with Rainbow, regardless of his past he deserves a chance. He has done nothing to deserve our ire so I for one, alongside Rainbow and Fluttershy, wish to give him a chance.”

Twilight let her head drop to the table and rested her chin against the cool wooden surface. “You’re all right but so is Applejack.”

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak but Rainbow interrupted her. “Look Twi, you were the first one to find him. He was a miserable drunk when you did but you liked him, heck you slept with him. Of all of us I would think you were the most gung ho to give him a shot.”

Everyone nodded and Twilight huffed.”You’re right, I’m letting this get to me. His past isn’t important. Well it is but not as important as who he has been since I met him.” She lifted her head and waved to the diner’s owner. “I need to stop overthinking this, he’s Jerrod and that’s what matters. A lovable fool with personal space issues and a fondness for raunchy jokes.”

“That’s the spirit dear. It’s about who he is not was.” Rarity smiled and the atmosphere in the diner lightened up as the topics changed and the friends ordered their donuts. Donut Joe discreetly flipped his sign to open with a relieved sigh and watched as patrons began filing in.

~ ~ ~

High above the city nestled into the side of Canterhorn Mountain a lone creature slowly flew in a circle. Her mind running around in circles much like the one she flew. At the center of both stood one thing, the man she had come to love and then nearly killed. The day before she had been invited to hear his story and though they hadn’t covered more than the beginning it was more than enough to throw her mind into disarray.

Everything she thought she had known was twisted under this new understanding she had been given and to her it only made things worse. Long ago she could remember turning on him with a vengeance, granted she had had good reason but knowing what she knew now made it almost inexcusable in her mind. Round and round her thoughts went over the mistakes she had made with him. No answers came though and all she could do was slowly circle over the building he now lounged on the roof of.

Far below her on the roof of the hospital Jerrod rested, watching her circle overhead. A small part of him was worried but it did little to dampen his mood. From his left a dark blue mare landed on the roof. “Should you be out and about yet Jerrod?”

Jerrod shrugged and looked over to his guest. “Of course, it’s not like I’ll have many chances to do this again Luna. So what brings you over to my corner of the roof?”

Luna frowned. “Well in a few hours my sister, her student and her student’s friends will return to hear you continue your story. I thought I might come and see how you feel.”

Jerrod turned back to stare at the dragon circling overhead. “Honestly, I feel amazing.” Jerrod paused for a moment, tapping a finger against the back of his head as a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “It’s like, I feel lighter than ever. I feel like a weight I never knew I had has been taken from and now I am almost free. The worst part of my life, the worst parts of me, they have been seen. I know they won’t all come back but just the fact Amadiel is flying overhead and you came to see me, it means the world to me.” Jerrod took a long deep breath with his eyes closed. “I have never truly told anyone that story.” His opened slowly. “And now, after having told it I still have at least one good friend. I’ve never had someone look at me the same way after that and here you are now, the same concern and worry in your eyes for my health you had before the story.”

Luna crossed the distance between her and Jerrod with a gentle flap of her wings and settled on the roof next to him “You have more than one good friend. My sister, she still isn’t sure what to make of you but I think she wants to call you a friend. Rainbow and Fluttershy I can tell you right won’t leave. Twilight might get confused, she read about the isle in the papers after it happened and it shook her badly but now she knows why it happened so she will be confused but she’ll accept you.” Luna paused and snickered. “And Pinkie Pie, she is Pinkie Pie. She’s going to do whatever she wants and that’s going to include a party. The other two, Rarity and Applejack, I cannot say how they will react.”

Jerrod laid an arm over Luna’s withers. “That’s more than I ever would have imagined. So many times in my past has someone connected me to the isle and ran off in fear. I don’t know what was worse, feeling condemned to loneliness or that I had hope torn away from me so many times. The thing is though, when I look back on it now, it doesn’t hurt like it used to.” Jerrod smiled contently and gripped Luna a little harder. “Things feel so much more now. I am free finally from that part of my life and I have loved ones and friends I can go to when it feels heavy again. I have someone to talk to about it and I don’t have to fear they will run away.” A tear rolled down Jerrod’s cheek and he sighed happily. “The worst of me has been exposed and I’m not alone even though it’s been exposed.”

Luna leaned over and nuzzled Jerrod. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

They both smiled and leaned back. Jerrod looked around. “It’s about time to head back to my room. The nurses are probably frantic looking for me by now.” Jerrod stood up slowly and stumbled a little before he was caught. “Thanks Luna.” He looked over and froze.

To his right stood a lithe diamond dog with a goofy smile. “I’m not Luna but no problem Jerrod.”

Jerrod opened and closed his mouth and looked over to Luna who shrugged. He looked back to the diamond dog. “Do I know you?”

The diamond dog laughed. “Of course you do Jerrod.” She paused and looked herself over. “Well maybe not like this but you used to.”

Jerrod raised and eyebrow and pulled his arm from hers. “Okay, please elaborate.”

The diamond dog smiled proudly and thumped her chest. “I am Long Fang, previously Lau Fei, leader of the badlands dog pack.”

Jerrod stared at her slack jawed for several moments before reaching up and pinching his cheek. “WHAT THE FUCK? Lau Fei? But your...” Jerrod lifted his arm to just below his chest. “This tall and definitely not that furry. Who are you seriously?”

Lau Fei chuckled and slapped Jerrod on the back causing him to stumble. “You’re still dense. I am Lau Fei, now Long Fang, and I and now a diamond dog. It happened a few years ago. I was with badlands dog pack after passing out from lack of water when this funny voice in my head told me I had a week to make a decision, go home or stay here on Equus. Well a week passed and then there was this really horrible sickness. I slipped into a coma for a few days and I woke up like this. I didn’t mind so much, made me taller and stockier. Plus the dogs welcomed me wholeheartedly. It was an adjustment but I don’t mind.”

Jerrod turned pale and stared slack jawed at Long Fang. Luna stepped up. “Jerrod? Are you okay?” She turned to Long Fang. “Are you saying you used to be like Jerrod?” Long Fang nodded. “And then a voice offered you a choice to go home or stay and then you became a diamond dog without being given the option of going home?” Long Fang nodded again. “I see...”

Jerrod reached out and poked Long Fang. “This...it’s...It’s incredible! Are there others who changed?”

Long Fang tapped her chin. “I think so. It’s not like you can spot them easily and I don’t go asking random folks on the street if they were a human once. I met a minotaur and a bison who claim they once were. Maybe I should start a club or something to see if it happened to everyone.”

Jerrod smiled wider. “No need, I know what happened to them all now. I’m the only one with a human body. This changes everything though. I need to talk to the doctor. Luna help me out I need to talk to the doctor before everyone gets here.” Luna furrowed her brow as Jerrod hobbled towards the roof exit. He paused and turned back. “It’s great to see you again Lau Fei. After I get out I hope we can catch up a little.” He smiled warmly and resumed hobbling to the door.