I felt hooves prodding me awake from the dreamless sleep I had fallen into after the nightmare earlier. It was a cat-like kneading that poked gently into my side in two spots. I didn't open my eyes, I only continued to lay on my stomach and smiled at being woken up by the best imaginable source I could ever hope for.

"You are awake... you big faker" she whispered to me. Her voice had a smile that I could hear.

My eyes opened and looked into the face of a smiling Scootaloo. She was laying on her side facing me on the blanket we shared. Sunlight filtered through the overhead canopy, dappling her with tiny brilliant points of light that lit her orange coat on fire wherever they struck. Her eyes glowed with the morning brilliance that reflected my own face back at me broken only by a few errant strands of her purple mane that were just long enough to reach down that far from her head. I had never seen anything so beautiful.

"Hey..." I said, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her tight. She was so warm and soft against me compared to the hard surface under the blanket. It felt amazing to have her in my arms.

"Hey..." she mimicked back before she kissed me tenderly. "I had the craziest dream..." she started.

Her words brought back memories, some vauge... some were still crystal clear. The accusations... the voices. In the briefest of moments I knew who's voices they were now. They were of Applejack, Rarity, Twilight and the others. Another shiver of revulsion at the thought of their statements ran through me before I dismissed them, secure in the knowledge that they were just a dream.

"Don't get me started... I'm surprised I didn't wake you up."

"Nah... once I'm asleep, a dragon could walk over me and I wouldn't know it." she shook her head slightly. "But I'm glad you were here when I woke up. In my dream... you weren't." the faintest shimmer of sadness passed over her features like a shadow.

"Yeah... me too. That's kinda what my dream was like."

"Bucking Luna... she did that on purpose." she gave a quiet giggle. "I'm gonna have Twilight tell her to knock it off!"

"Have her do it twice, one for me too. That was horrible..." I stroked her side, running my hand up under the small wing there to rest against the hard knob where it joined her back.

"Yeah..." she agreed.

We stayed that way for a few moments until we heard stirrings from inside the camp. Reluctantly moving away from her warmth, I rose to go find a place to heed natures call. By the time I got back, the camp was already being broke down. Scootaloo and I helped roll up the blankets while Rarity and Twilight hoisted the small packs onto each pony's back for the trip.

"How long is it to Ponyville, Twilight?" I asked, completely lost and disoriented.

"We should get back near sunset. But it's an easy walk from here." she answered without looking up from her bag she was closing.

"I hate walking..." Sweetie Belle grumbled from her sister's side. Her eyes were still puffy and she looked bedraggled. I pegged her as a non-morning type.

"Oh nonsense, Sweetie Belle." Rarity scoffed. You're too old now to be complaining about a simple walk. And brush your mane, you look a mess!" Sweetie's only response to this was to look sideways at her big sister with a pouting frown.

"Come on! It'll be fun!" Pinkie Pie cheered. She was already vibrating with energy even after just waking up with a big, bright smile. "We can sing all the way back to Ponyville!!" she gave a happy bounce and a laugh that angered several birds in the nearby trees.

I saw Applejack struggling with trying to settle both the injured Apple Bloom and her bag at the same time on her back. She was still mending from the severe beating she took from Whipwind and even though she tried her best to hide it, I could tell she was still in pain. Moving up behind her, Apple Bloom's eyes watched me.

"Hey..." I reached out and put a hand on Applejack's neck. She turned and gave me a quick look before turning away again.

"I'm fine... Go on..."

"Knock it off. You don't need to take the bag too, I got it." I reached out and began to unhook the strap that held it around her midsection. She tensed up to pull away and then thought better of it, relaxing enough to let me work the buckle. I leaned over to slide the strap from under Apple Bloom who was sitting backwards with the tattered cast sticking out. In the brief moment where my face was inches from hers, I felt a quick wet kiss on my cheek.

"Thanks" Apple Bloom whispered in my ear.

I paused for a moment, considering her behavior before continuing. "Sure..." I said simply enough. Her cheeks were fiery red and she looked away when my eyes met hers.

The tan leathery bag was weighty and about the size of a large backpack filled with school books. It rattled and clanked as I looked for a way to secure it to me so I wouldn't have to hold it in my arms. Finally, I slung the strap around my chest in a diagonal stripe and hooked the two ends together, pulling it tight. It confined my wings, but otherwise was comfortable.

"Alright, is everypony ready?!" Twilight called out. She seemed happy and excited herself now that things were moving.

"READY!" the entire party sounded off as one minus my own voice. I must have missed the memo on unison replies in Equestria.

________________________________________________________

There once was a pony who stayed in bed!

He never left the house and his mother fed him bread!

As the moon went down and the sun came up!

85 days to the Equestria cup!

There once was a pony who stayed in bed!

He never left the house and his mother fed him bread!

As the moon went down and the sun came up!

84 days to the Equestria cup!

"Pinky..."

There once was a pony who stayed in bed!

He never left the house and his mother fed him bread!

As the moon went down and the sun came up!

83 days to the Equestria cup!

"PINKIE!!!!" Rainbow Dash yelled above the singing pony's high squeaky voice.

She had been belting out this song with an insipid repeating melody for some time now. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom had dropped off after the first 3 stanzas in boredom.

"Aww... There's 82 more verses to go!" Pinkie whined.

"No!" Applejack chimed in. "Can't ya think think a somethin' else ta sing?"

"But I already sang all my party songs... and made up a bunch too!"

This was true. Pinkie Pie had been singing almost non stop since we left the camp. Her high, cheery voice carrying out into the trees around us, filling the forest with her happy renditions.

"Then how about ya give it a rest for a bit... wouldn't want ya to hurt yer voice, right?" Applejack tried to ask this without sounding rude.

Pinkie gave an exasperated groan of acceptance. "Fine... doesn't anypony else know some songs?"

No offers came from the group immediately and in the silence that followed, Sweetie Belle's small voice spoke up shyly from her place in the group beside Scootaloo.

"I know one..." she said timidly.

"Oh Sweetie Belle, that would be lovely! Why don't you sing us something?" Rarity encouraged.

"I... don't know if it's going to be very good..." she looked nervous.

"Come on! Sing it!" Scootaloo bumped her flank against her friend, egging her on.

A smattering of support came from the group to hear the song as well. Eventually, Sweetie Bell closed her eyes and took a couple deep breaths. When her voice came again, it was like a different pony had replaced her. Strong and confidant, the timber of her voice rang out in perfect pitch and melody. It's high, smooth angelic quality immediately seized not only myself, but the others as well. It was a beautiful and uplifting song that touched a nerve in my very core.

Oh when the darkness comes and the night is long

And you feel like you're alone

If you can't see the stars and you're far from home

Don't forget to sing this song.

Scootaloo added her harmony to the tune now.

You can sing it soft or you can sing it proud

You can sing it in the trees

It doesn't matter where your hooves may be

Even soaring in the clouds.

Now the others lifted their voices as well, weaving together in a stunning harmony that sent goosebumps up my arms.

But with friends... It's always better

Because you know you're not alone

You can hear the music in us all as one

And think of us when you're far from home.

There is no darkness, there's no shadow

That can take that all away

It lives inside your heart and it keeps you warm

When the days are cold and gray.

The others dropped off. Sweetie Belle's pure voice sang alone and beautiful on the last verse.

I will remember you forever

and I will keep the song alive

No matter what the days may bring us

Our friendship's music will survive.

I had to wipe my eyes. I don't think I'd ever heard anything so beautiful before and my whole view Sweetie Belle had changed during that song. She had always been just a shy, timid filly to me but now I saw her as a young pony who had an incredible talent just underneath the surface that showed just how mature and strong she could be.

"Sweetie... that was amazing." I told her. "You're really good at that..."

"Thanks." she said. Her voice was small and timid again, looking down at her hooves.

"I keep tellin her she needs ta sing more, but she get's all weird about it!" Apple Bloom threw a hoof up in frustration.

"I think Sweetie Belle will get over that one day..." Twilight gave a knowing smile to younger unicorn. She didn't see it though... her cheeks burned red as she continued to watch her hooves march forward.

__________________________________________________________________

The sun was barely touching the horizon when Fluttershy's grassy house came into view. The very late afternoon sun struck the tiers and windows at a low angle, casting a long shadow on the lee side. I was tired and sore. The march had been easy, but had continued for long hours, stopping only twice for a quick meal of apple chips and dried berries that Fluttershy had produced from her bag.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle walked beside me most of the journey though the deep green forest. They chatted aimlessly about random things with Apple Bloom throwing her two cents in from her sister's back whenever she felt the need.

"How much longer are you gonna be stuck with that thing?" Scootaloo had asked her.

"I dunno... Sis?" She turned her head to the side, addressing the larger farm pony.

"Tell ya what, I plum fergot myself. I gotta head into tha doc tomorrow ta get my checkup. I'll ask him then."

Apple Bloom picked at the dirty cast. "It's gross..."

"Your leg is gonna be all green and slimy when it comes off!" Scootaloo joked. Sweetie Belle and her shared a laugh.

"Shut up! No it's not!" Apple Bloom cried out. "I'm gonna kick both yer tails with it, first thing I do!"

"Simmer down, girls!" Applejack piped up. "I don't need a wrestlin match goin on back there." She was firm, but smiling while she said it.

Rainbow Dash dropped back next to me while the three friends continued unabated. She gave me an appraising look before she said "Soooo.. when ya wanna start flying lessons?"

"You think I'm ready?"

"Well... We'll have to start at the basics. You're pretty rough around the edges but I think I can get ya whipped into shape."

"Whenever you want to start, I guess. It's not like I have any plans." I shrugged.

"First we're gonna get those wings strengthened up. You're gonna have to get used to carrying around lots of extra weight, ya know." she gave me a knowing wink that flew right over my head.

"What do you mean?" I looked at my stomach. I'd actually put on a lot of muscle since I'd gotten here. My arms and shoulders felt thick and solid from the work I'd been doing around the farm.

"Not there..." she snickered. "Stupid human..."

"Well then what?" I asked.

"Duh... You're gonna have to be able to fly her too...." she nodded her blue head towards Scootaloo who was deep in argument with Sweetie Belle about something.

"Huh?" I didn't get where she was going with this.

"The squirt loves to fly, but....." she trailed off, her eyes giving me a meaningful stare.

It finally clicked. "Oh..." I was taken aback by Dash's surprising thoughtfulness.

"Yeah, so getting you up to where you can carry that much on your back is where we should start. Plus that will help your speed and agility too." she added in a knowledgeable tone.

"What about speed, Dash? Are you gonna teach Mason how to fly?" Scootaloo jumped into the discussion.

"Yep! Pretty soon he'll be zooming around like a natural when I'm done with him!" she boasted.

"Yeah!" she said, giving her own small wings a buzz. I hoped she wasn't feeling bad about them.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash left us at the edge of the woods near the grass hut. A small white rabbit had appeared, running to Fluttershy and jumping on her head between her ears, gathering her pink mane in a hug.

"Angel Bunny!" Fluttershy had cried out in joy.

Dash took to the sky and was soon lost from view, giving Scoot a departing hug before she did. Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Pinkie Pie and Twilight broke off at the northern path before the river crossing to Sweet Apple Acres just as the stars were winking into view in the blackening sky overhead.

We said our goodbyes and shared a round of hugs in the gathering night. The warm smells of fresh growing grass and earth filled the air while sporadic blinks of fireflies appeared all around us. I felt an incredible sense of happiness just then and watching them walk away before turning towards the path that would take us home with Scootaloo by my side... I knew that waking up in Equestra had been the best thing to happen in my life.

A new life that I was just starting.

Author's Note

This ends the first book.

Keep an eye out for part 2 "Living in Equestria" to be started very soon. Mason's adventures are just beginning!

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I'm flattered by the response my writing has received and look forward to seeing you all in the next title.