Prologue; Doc's OrdersView OnlineWhooves and DanGPrologue; Doc's OrdersI grinned widely as I found myself surrounded on five sides by cement and brick walls. Cornering myself made the tactic I was using more believable. It also improved the ferocity I fight with if the need arose. My main reason for using this tactic was to get info from my pursuer. I turned and went into a defensive stance as the hoof steps revealed the proximity of my follower. "Oi, I love a good run and all but there's no sense in it regarding a business meeting." Came the brown stallion with the hourglass cutie mark. His British accent easily distinguishable came thick and about as well worded as a certain book I'd nearly ruined my intellect with attempting to read. I knew a bit more about this stallion than I'd let on but referred to call him "Allonsey" due to a catchphrase he often could be heard saying. "Why're you all scrunched up like that for anyway, ain't no trouble 'round here fer miles." He pointed with a laugh at my behavior. "What kinda creature is that form anyway, quite interesting how fire appears from it's shoulders. "Allonsey" mused aloud as he studied the morph I'd chosen. He walked right up to my muzzle and began examining my face as if her were a zoologist. He became even more curious after dodging a bout of flames after trying to pet me. His randomness began eating away it my patience like a cartoon termite would a cottage. I thought spoke using a snarl in emphasis. The effect bypassed my target and instead he became more curious about. I snapped more intently when he tried to lift one of my forepaws. "Alright, no reason ta get snappy, I here to harm ya," he replied cringing after a bare dodge of my jaws. He stepped back some ways to respect my wish for more space. After a minute, he face hooved and began chuckling at himself. "That's it ain't it, you think of me as an enemy." "Allonsey" realized with aplomb. After a fit of giggling and attempting to reassure me of his intent, he decided to change tactics. "So be it, no sense asking for one's help if they fear ya." He said as he turned around defeatedly and began walking away. Instantly I became curious as to what he needed help with. With a "Doh" I recognized that he was trying to lure me in. I'm one cat who can't ever win out against curiosity. I sighed with a growl following. I kept my senses peeled for trouble. Knowing this stallion, trouble was something he got into often. I couldn't be too cautious though as he may have been just asking for help from a local hero rather than attempting to turn me into a science experiment. I basically had to guess his amount of knowledge concerning me and play by it to fit the simplest bill, a hero who'd come to Equestria from another plane. "All I can tell you here is that there's big trouble elsewhere in the universe and that I've come to you knowing you can fix the problem a bit easier than I could." "Allonsey" whispered conspiratorily. He looked at a watch on his wrist and started talking hurriedly. "If you can come to Derpy's at around three this afternoon I'd gladly talk to you about it more but until then I have an appointment I must see to," He said before galloping off in a rush to get where he was going. My mind going a mile a minute, I made way back home to Carousel. I at least needed to inform Rarity that I was walking, willingly, into a trap, but maybe not in those words exactly. I had to be as careful with my honesty as I did with going to talk to "Allonsey". Upon reaching my new home, I began a small search for it's owner by looking for signs of magical energy in use. I was directed to an upstairs workroom. The sound of a sewing machine running made the location even more obvious. Rare was always creating outfits for any occasion foreseeable. Her being busy meant that I had an opportunity to surprise her with an early return. I stealthily made my way up toward the room her energy signature was shining from. I had to make sure to not use any energy myself as that would give me away. I let my attack instincts guide my actions toward a perfect sneak attack. Creeping around the door frame corner, I discovered the workroom she'd been in empty and still as if nopony had been there at all. I cautiously entered keeping all senses wide open for signs of life or trouble. I was halfway into the room when my sneak attack backfired with Rare suddenly yelling out "MY MAN!". Before I could react she had me crushed in a hug, laughing at how I jumped at the sound of her voice. Once again she'd gotten the jump on me. "What are you doing home so early, darling?" Rare inquired getting serious. The happiness in her blue eyes made them almost hypnotic despite the expression they held. There was no way I'd be able to tell her what kind of trouble I'd possibly be getting into. I sighed having thought of no plan decent enough for this moment. Shrugging, I told her the truth with as limited amount of info as possible. "That doctor fellow invited me over for coffee and to ask me for some help," I stated as a matter of factly as I could. "As to what he wanted help with he hasn't told me the details but he said that I was the best stallion for the job." I reassured, intercepting the question Rare was about to ask. "I figure I'd go get the details before I decide whether or not to help." came the plan I'd had for the conversation with the mysterious brown stallion. "Well, it's about time you two got together and made friends if I do say so myself." Rare gushed in her usual over the top way. "You're both pretty weird but that's what makes you both special ." She complimented as she kissed me atop my head. She literally sent me packing saying "Run along now my little colt friend you should pack for anything that may arise." Packing for anything is as close to infinitely possible as possible. Too many variables mean too many situational outcomes, and who has the space to pack for infinity? Still I moved toward my basement lab to do as humanly close as possible to what I was told. I had plenty of strategies that would work in most situations and the abilities to go with them so I was pretty much as packed as I could be. Unfortunately if "Allonsey turned out to be as I suspected him. At 3 p.m. I was on the doorstep of the Whooves family awaiting for my knock to be answered. The missus of the house, and the local mail pony, Derpy, appeared in the doorway. She was expecting me and lead me to where her mate was awaiting me. "Good fellow, ready to get down to business or would you rather chat over refreshments first?" "Allonsey," asked after a hoof shake. He proffered a tray full of snacks and a line up of several tea pots filled with different beverages. He went into a small monologue about how his family were big fans and that she'd made a few of the offerings especially for me. He was chatting with me as if I were either a celebrity or an old friend. It took him a few minutes to run out of steam and notice my raised hackles. "'Ello, is something the matter?" came a cheery inquiry. He began inspecting the room and the edibles in hopes to find something offensive about them. He returned his gaze to me as the movement from me checking around caught his attention. "I won't show much force but so help me Tia if this little "meeting" of yours is a set up, I swear to the great faust that what force I will show will be enough to convince you to keep that muzzle of yours shut permanently." I snarled as an energy sword appeared with a flick of my wrist. I was using a slight show of force to at least imprint that I was not a force to be reckoned with. In my head possible every response imaginable played out in the usual "spider web" fashion. I just hoped that all the factors I had on my side would be enough to beat whatever my host could do in retaliation. For the second time in a day, my host laughed at my display. "Oh come off it, I've seen your line, I know who you are, where you came from, where your powers come from, and practically everything else about you." Snorted the stallion sitting across from me. "Your powers are the exact reason I chose you to help me with this situation," He explained after wiping tears from his eyes. His amusement at my thought train was visible on the expression on his face. "I'm not an enemy. else why would you give me such an interesting nickname and I know you don't intentionally hurt friends." "Allonsey" pointed out in an attempt to shock me out of my caution. It worked as I chose that moment to demorph and be a bit more civil. "So then I take it my hunch about you is correct as well, eh DOCTOR?" I snidely accused. It was a risky roll of the dice to let him know that I had info on him as well but it was a necessary risk. His reaction would tell me how honest he was about being friendly as well as the amount he knows about me. "Ah yes that show on the tv, crazy how accurate the information that has on there is." Doctor replied with a thoughtful expression. "Seems as if we should've met a long time ago." came the product of his analysis of the new information. The conversation came to a halt following that. Suddenly, shrugging with a big grin, Doctor laughed "Better late than never I suppose.". His expression grew instantly serious as he asked me whether or not we should get to business. A while later I had a severe headache starting and needed a bit of clarity on what I was being tasked with. I put together as many details as I understood and formed them into as accurate a question as possible. "Alright so if I heard you right you want me, to travel to a different time stream, where the elements and others have kids and mates, and train one of those foals, the progeny of my mare friend and a dragon, none of which know who I am other than some petrified rock statue that fell into Equestria at the same time I did here, and save the time stream from collapsing?" my question came tumbling out. "Yes to all." was Doctor's cheery answer. He then proceeded to give me the rest of the details. When those were thoroughly explored I was given a tour of the "transport" we'd be using. I accepted the mission while attempting to appease my headache. With a yell out the door, the Doctor programmed the transport and off we went. I positioned myself on a nearby exam table ready for the part of the mission that involved unconsciousness and my Astro-form being removed so it could possess the other times team's version of me. As my body was anesthetized I had one last thought. "Make sure not to dissect me for scientific study while I'm playing hero." I growled through a yawn.
Chapter 1: Dropping InView OnlineWhooves and DanGChapter 1: Dropping InChapter 1 Dropping In The kirin filly ran for her life. Hopefully somepony, maybe Mrs. Dash, would show up in time to drive off the timbers. The trees around her began thinning out. Suddenly she found a cliff wall in front of her. She put on the brakes to avoid slamming hard into the rock at the base of the wall. Immediately she turned to find a different path. Unfortunately, she only found herself surrounded on all sides. She blew a small burst of flames in an attempt to stave off the would-be predators. The display did all but what it was intended to do. It even spurred the wooden lupins to close in faster. The kirin foal curled into a ball as mouths dripping with saliva inched closer. She knew that only a miracle would save her. As she prepared for her end a cry for help called forth from her heart and mind. Moments later that call was heard. The being that heard the plea awoke from a stone slumber that had begun many years ago. Only two others had noticed his awakening. a young girl's voice screamed in my head. In an instant, my body had gained full awareness of it's surroundings. They only thing that mattered more was that I had to save that filly. Like a mortar, I shot from my stone shell and sped through the air toward the source of the mental s.o.s. During the trip, I shifted from human to Mega Charizard Y morph. In my head, I could see the destination as if I was a spectator. The little filly that had cried out was only half pony. The other half was a dragon which made her a kirin. Minutes later I was diving in on a pack of timbers who'd cornered a purplish kirin filly. I arrived on the scene taking out a few of the preds with a fire punch. Following that I landed between the filly and her attackers, blowing flames in a threatening manner. Seeing this the timbers backed down. The tore off whimpering with their wooden tails between their legs. They were smart for not wanting to challenge a superior opponent. As soon as they were clear I turned and gave a thumbs up to the foal behind me, attempting to convince her that I was friendly. Then the amount of energy suddenly exerted took it's toll on me and I blacked out. When I next awoke I found myself in a small cave with a fire built in the center. Across from me, on the far side of the fire, was the kirin. She had a nervous expression as she stared out at the cave entrance. I attempt to sit up to give my arms a break and get the circulation moving. I barely got to my elbows before falling back to my face again with a loud grunt. The grunt was enough to cause the foal to look in my direction. Her expression contained signs of both fear and curiosity as she analyzed her chances against me if she needed to fight or escape. Curiosity won out as I was obviously too weak to even threaten a parasprite. Instinctive shame at my weakness caused me to look away. Her steps easily told me how much closer she was getting as she approached. Suddenly a few half eaten berries landed in front of me. "Eat, you'll need your strength if we're gonna get back to town," She commanded in a familiar snobbish tone. I did as I was told and began chowing down. The kirin laughed at my voracious appetite before deciding to curl up beside me. It seemed as if a purple mountain made of scaley hairs (or was that hairy scales) had landed next to me. She took this moment to start a conversation. "Name's Crystal Clarity but my friends call me Claire for short." Claire softly spoke as she introduced herself. Her expression had softened to one of friendliness and generosity. She knew she was taking big risks but managed to curb her fear for the sake of repaying a debt. She waited patiently for my reply. I took my sweet time gauging her thoughts. I was looking for clues about who she was and what her personality was like outside of our current situation. The main thing I could pick up on was how much she made me think of Rarity. "What kind of foolishness got you the attentions of a pack of hungry timbers?" I finally asked in a blunt tone. "Long story short my friends and I were hanging at the edge of the Everfree and when those uglies showed up I played bait to save my friends," Claire whispered in shame. She turned her head to hide the telltale expression. Mentally she was berating herself for her actions. "I don't condone foolishness in that kind of situation but I will commend you for your courage and for choosing to protect your friends, therein you have no reason to beat yourself up." Began my cheer up speech. Claire turned her head to face me straight on. Her eyes were tinged with the worry and fear of the way the situation had gone. "Just don't do it again and you mightn't have to worry about being stuck out in the wilderness with no protection and no clear direction toward safety." I finished with a dramatic bit of grouchy irony. Claire could only blush and rub the back of her head at my last comment. I waited until she was done wiping the tears from her face before continuing. "Now if you're willing to give me a lift, I'm confident I can get us back to Ponyville unscathed and we can talk more on the way." I offered in direct response to the smile Claire was now wearing. As the sounds of civilization grew I could feel Claire's tension lessen. Her pace became more leisurely as a number of buildings began replacing trees. At the same time, my tension began ping pinging between being relaxed by familiar turf and being tenser because of the differences that would soon be made known. Either way, both of us were excited to be entering town. All seemed quiet until a voice both Claire and I knew that stopped us both. "Claire, Darling, wherever have you been, we all were so worried." Rare's voice rang out. Seconds later several shadows loomed over us. "Say nothing." I hissed as my form blended into the mane between Claire's horns. As Rare ran up and practically put Claire in a vice-like hug others landed around us. Among them were the royal sisters who's faces expressed only that they were searching hard for evidence of something being in the area. Standing behind them and nearly over the group was a full grown purple and green dragon. Then came the rest of those I'd come to call family in Equestria. Bringing up the rear were around ten foals of varying species. "As if you disappearing over night wasn't bad enough, the statue in the center of the entryway mantle shattered and left quite the bit of a mess all over the boutique." Rare gossiped as her hug ended. She then turned to the dragon with a darker look. "Spike, please tell your son never to leave his sister alone in that kind of situation ever again," Rare commanded of the creature looming over the group. Shock hit me so hard that I nearly blew my own cover. The kirin I was supposed to train was Claire. All the facts and warnings Doctor had given me now came rolling across my eyes. They were quickly interrupted by movement from Claire's left. The princesses were approaching with Tia in the lead. Luna was keeping both eyes trained on Claire from behind Tia. I had a feeling about what came next. Tia didn't fail me when she sweetly asked: "The creature in the statue, did it save you and do you know where it is?". Before Claire could reply Luna broke in. "Do not expect to lie to us young one, we know he is here but expect that he is afraid and trusts only you at this moment." Reassured Luna busting both Claire and myself. It seemed as if my time to play the role I was covering as had come. "Unless you count on a friendly face appearing followed by other faces she told me were friendly and I totally trust her by trusting them," I said as my body seemingly materialized between Claire's horns. A round of shocked gasps proved my dramatic entry fruitful and put a huge grin on my face. Luna and Claire were the only ones not to have gasped. Instead, Luna ripped me off Claire's head using a levitation spell and crushed me in a hug. A quick memory check sorted out her affection. Turns out that while this time's me napped in his stone casing, Luna kept in touch and developed a friendship with him. She'd explained everything about Equestria to him. There were updates when events happened and games played while Luna was on duty. "So. madame, I must concede that I was heavily convinced that all that happened to us was some kind of meeting place in our dreams and that we'd wake up in opposite planes." I interrupted her hug. "For that I must apologize and we must discuss a way for me to make up for that." I bowed out the remaining half of the apology with whatever room I could muster between Luna's hooves and her chest. I looked past her to the other faces that were so familiar yet way too different to be the ones I knew. They all had expressions proving just how eager they were to meet me. I could only think of one thing to say in reply and I spoke them aloud for all to hear as I yelled: "Until then, I must test my memory and see how well you've taught me about these other ponies you call friends and family.".
Chapter 2: The Award For Best Actor Goes To....View OnlineWhooves and DanGChapter 2: The Award For Best Actor Goes To....Chapter 2 The Award For Best Actor Goes To... "You sure learned quick for someone who was taught in their dreams" Twilight challenged after my umpteenth test concerning Equestria's recent history. I'd been in the custody of the four princesses, who all were staying at the Ponyville castle, since a bit after Pinky and Candies "Welcome Back To Ponyville" party for Claire. Luna seemed to be the only one to take me at face value. The other three were working themselves to the bone in order to make sure I wasn't a threat to Equestria and it's people. Twilight had been tasked with making sure that Luna's dream lessons were effective. "Twilight maybe you should let the little guy have a bit of fresh air, let him spread his wings if he has them, I'll even escort him if you want." Spike offered poking his head in through a doorway. After a minute, Twilight shook her head in agreement and sent me off with her dragon assistant. I was glad to get some air after being cooped up in the castle for days on end. It wasn't hard to figure that Spike had his own agenda in asking for me to fly with him. I jumped out a nearby window and morphed a salamence. Spike zoomed off toward the clouds with me trailing to keep from losing sight of him. He tried a few tricks to test my flying abilities but stopped when he was confident enough for us to continue our trek into the sky. It took him until we were about the cloud lines before he spoke. "You know, Rarity would love to have you stay at Carousel with us, seeing as she's had you as a statue ever since you came to Equestria." He began nervously as he found a cloud for us to land on. "Claire also seems to have taken a shine to you, calling you her hero all the time." Laughed the dragon across from my spot on the cloud. "My mate is hoping to talk to you sometime about it." Spike hinted with a hopeful look on his face. I nearly fell off the clouds as the shock of his warning hit me. In my own time stream, Rare and Carousel Boutique were mate and turf respectively. Here Rare had married Spike, had kids, and Carousel was now his home. I was too distracted by the thoughts of all the possible outcomes of my reply to answer. My emotions kept gumming up the whole mental process. Finally, I stampped as I shook my head. A familiar, stubborn, and determined energy began flowing through my body. "If the royals agree to it then yes." I replied with a tone that matched the energy now carrying me. "Hey slowpokes, you're both wanted on the ground." Rainbow zoomed by interrupting a guys talk that had gone on for a couple hours. Both Spike and I stared at each other for a few seconds before grinning insanely and zooming off after Dash. In calling us "slowpokes" Dash had challenged us. The race had begun and to officiate I began my favorite racing setlist. I also took the opportunity to try out Mega Salamence Morph. It was over with as soon as I landed. In the end, Dash and I were neck and neck with Dash attempting to pull off a rainboom. Spike landed last with an exhilarated look in his eyes. "WHERE HAVE YOU TWO BEEN?" Rare ran up doing a decent impression of the "Royal Canterlot Voice". While spike apologized I tended to the fresh wound this situation was leaving. When it came to my turn I apologized like I normally would with Rare, adding such words as "my lady". Once Rare was satisfied she sent Spike back to Carousel and took me, after placing me on her back, to Twilight's castle to ask a favor of the princesses. A while later I was having a question I was asking myself repeated to me by Celestia. Having chatted about it with Spike earlier I had my answer. "I am reluctant as it is another's turf but since it was he that talked with me about and is ready to accept the risks and responsibilities. I will, though I will also make a place of mine own if indeed it doesn't work out and I have nowhere else to go." The finality in my voiced echoed as if sentencing my doom. "Are you sure you really want somepony as dangerous as me living with your family?" I asked both the mare carrying me like a cat does a kitten and her dragon mate with a pleading tone an hour later. The closer I got to Carousel, the more I rethought leaving fate up both the princesses and my kind heart. I knew that things could go very bad very quickly and wanted to avoid that as much as possible. "Darling, you fuss a lot more than either of my babies did when they first came home." Rare chuckled at what she thought was a simple reluctance to a change of scenery. She sounded much too motherly with everything she said. Her behavior was a bit too motherly as well. She'd even had all of the family, including Sweetie and her mate Button and their kid, showing up to help me settle in. I had plenty of guesses where this would lead if I let it carry on. I poofed onto Claire's back without warning. "No offense but I'm not an infant, though more than small enough to be one, I am not as helpless as one, and I refuse to allow anypony to treat me like one, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to head straight for the basement so I can get settled in," I growled before teleporting ahead to arrange the basement to a near comfortable temporary living space. I hoped that I had made them rethink the living arrangements they'd agreed to. After some time to myself, I had my first visitor come down to check on me. Turquoise Blitz, Rares youngest and her only son, had come to inform me that dinner had been prepared in case I was done unpacking. He noticed some of the stuff that had yet been placed and said he'd have a plate sent down. Within a few minutes, the plate was delivered. As I turned to thank whoever delivered it I found myself in an awkward position. It was just Rare and I alone in the basement. I stopped what I was doing immediately and bowed in thanks as I took the meal from Rare. She sat down on the cot I'd set up for myself while I ate. "Daniel, Darling, about earlier....." she began uncomfortably. She looked away, blushing, as she attempted to find the words to finish her apology. It broke my heart having to hear her apologize. "Look we bumped heads, families do it all the time, just consider it the official welcome." I laughed. Deep inside I could feel the depth of the scar I'd made with that comment. Before Rare could catch on to my shift in moods I pulled out an mp3 player and set it beside my cot. From the machine came the sounds of an all too familiar tune. Both Rare and I sat and listened to it before either of spoke up again. "By the way, T offered that he'd let you bunk in his room if you want." Rare quietly passed on the message before taking the plate and heading back out of the basement. As soon as she was gone on popped off a clone and began my contigency plan. Using a teleportation system I was up north in the Crystal mountains in seconds. I was on the same mountain in the same range I'd picked out back in my own time stream during a rough patch. With a few piano keys in intro, I began the song I needed to help build my castle made of caves. This place would serve as a home in case things went like I predicted with Rare's family. I also was going to purpose it for Claire's training. Upon returning to Carousel I made my way to the roof to do some thinking. Been here only a few hours and already I was crying out for some horrific event to remove me from the household. I made a decision right then and there. The next morning I took Rare and Spike aside. I explained how much I appreciated their generosity as I worked on how to tell them my decision. Their confused faces told me that I'd have to inform them straight out. With a sigh, I began confessing that I needed space from Carousel as there were too many things that were emotionally hurting me. I didn't give them the chance to try bargaining or deterring me. As soon as the words "I can't be here anymore so I'm moving" were out of my mouth I poofed into the basement and from there to my newly built cavestle, but not before leaving something only Claire would find and otherwise be able to use. After a few days alone I was awoken by security alarms going off. I instantly moved to the spot shown on my cavestle floor plan in a morph better for recon than attacking. Admiring the decor in my band practice room was none other than Claire. As I watched with Claire with a studious eye, she happened upon an mp3 player I'd left lying out. She managed to get the device on and gasped at the image used as the background. She moved the device closer so she could inspect the image of what appeared to be me with her mother when she was younger. I watched while I attempted to find a way to intervene without revealing myself. I knew it was too late when Claire exclaimed: "He's not from here!". "You're right young filly." I hissed after silently sliding from fly morph to raptor. I slowly backed Claire into a corner. Adrenaline filled the air, informing me just how scared the filly was. When she could go no further she decided on a change in tactic. In one fluid motion, she'd sent a ball of flames my way. In that same moment, I'd seen the attack coming and leaped upward to dodge. I landed on target and left Claire struggling beneath my clawed toes. Instead of going for the kill I leaped onto a table a few feet away. "That would have been a loss in your case." I laughed as I demorphed. "Decent attempt toward the end but easily predicted and dodged." I critiqued going over the whole test in my mind. I went into teacher mode lecturing Claire with "Never get backed into a corner unless you can turn it into an advantage.". The confusion on Claire's face was about as plain as her soon to be rage. "Tell you what, you did your best, I'll tell you what I can about myself, though we're going to be talking about more important things as well." I offered attempting to calm the young kirin. "No wonder you can't stay at home with us." Clare pouted in pity at my dilemma. "It explains a lot though about how you know so much about Equestria." Her pout changed to a thoughtful contemplation. She now knew too much about me that I couldn't send her home without a pinkie promise. After the pinkie promise, I gave Claire the tour. She showed a bit of interest in quite a few subjects. Her main interest was the time stream I'd come from. When the moon rose I decided it was time to take Claire home. "I might as well escort you home and have a talk with your parents about possibly toughening you up." I sighed leading Claire to a teleporter.
Chapter 3: Busted On The PlaygroundView OnlineWhooves and DanGChapter 3: Busted On The PlaygroundChapter 3 Busted on the playground "Tell me again why we're going to hang with my friends instead of teaching me some of the amazing dragon stuff you did a week ago?" Claire pleaded as we walked toward the Ponyville park. Her adventurous nature was getting the best of her. My war stories weren't helping stall her much either. "Ah but this is part of my young trainee." I joked in a sage tone. All I got from Claire was a "Not amused" expression. Ahead I heard the voices of the others become just audible. Seemed as if my plan for a little training disguised as fun with the other foals would pay off. It was also a chance for me to get to know the other kids better. The first to make an appearance was Prism Bolt. He was lazing in a tree branch just over the heads of the others looking like he was bragging about a stunt he tried. He was shaped like Soarin but had Dash's mane and tail color. Knowing his mother it wasn't a stretch that he'd be just as egotistical. My plans with the group would be a good opportunity to knock him down a peg. Next was Turquoise, Rare's son. I knew him as well as I knew Claire. He'd agreed to meet us at the park after running to the library to return a book. In a way he reminded me of myself, having the protective personality he kept hidden. Beside him was what appeared to be an orange mini-Twilight. Starburst had such a bored to death expression on her face it was easy to tell she wanted nothing to do with idly chatting. She was more of a soldier than a foal. I figured it was the pegasi blood running through her mixed with her dad Flash's military genes. The only way to get her to read a book was if it was related to being in the royal guard. Beside her was her polar opposite. Seeing Candy excited was a clear hint to who her mother was. I was just glad the filly wasn't as mentally unstable as her mother. A few steps from the group stood Golden Delicious. This colt seemed like he'd stepped out of a future western romance novel than anything. He could buck an acre to rival his mother AJ but was a gentleman when it came to manners. Del had a tolerance that could even, as impossible as it sounds, outlast Pinkie's enthusiasm. I wondered if he even had a temper at all. Beside him was Anthea. She was the only pony out of the group was wasn't blood-related to her mother. She was nature tuned like Shy but way more sociable. She hung around Del a lot as he was her escort as well as her friend. Annie was the first to detect Claire and I's approach. I took note as her head and ears pointed directly in our direction before we'd gotten into the clearing. Being only able to see colors made me curious about how she'd do during the game. Annie joked about our arrival time as the others caught us in the corners of their eyes. I couldn't let the joke end one sided. "A hero is never tardy, Young Anthea, nor is one ever ahead of schedule, we arrive exactly when we're needed," I exclaimed in a strict tone. All the other foals gasped and shied at our exchange. Anthea and I broke out laughing as if we'd finished a joke we both liked. "So Mr. Dan why'd you invite us all out here?' Star interrupted getting straight to business. Her expression was filled with cautious excitement. The others chimed in with similar comments. Even Claire was demanding an answer. I realized that it was time to fess up as their expressions began darkening. "Alright you seven, I'll spill." I laughed as I jumped from Claire's head to the back of a nearby park bench. "We're going to play hide and seek, with me seeking you seven out, and you youngin's doing your best to hide from me." Came my simple explanation. I then told them the rules, beginning with "I'm going to be using every source in my arsenal to find you, if I do you lose, if I end up surrendering you win, I expect you all to do the same trying to avoid being found.". "There's no leaving the park, you're all trapped by spells, and the game starts as soon as I avert my head, which there will be a five minute time period for you to hide before I start the hunt." I sneered darkly attempting to get the goals thinking as well as scared. I then turned around and zenned out on a couple songs that fit the game. When I turned around all seven foals had disappeared. I slid into raptor morph and let the hunting instincts take the lead. Seven different lines of scent lead me in six different directions. I hadn't taken five steps before a yell caught my attention. I looked up, in the direction of the voice, and spotted Prism aimed and descending upon me, forehoof in the lead, like a meteor. He planned on winning the game by taking out the hunter. Effective against an opponent who doesn't know better but a sure loss in this situation. I shook my head at his over-confidence. At the last second, I swung my tail like a bat and sent Prism straight into the nearest bush. I thought-spoke my stern advice. To the others, I shouted . Nearby the sound of rustling caught my attention. As I turned a single horn was seen disappearing into the bushes out of the corner of my eye. I mentally played it on a list of Equestrians I knew with horns. My suspicions were confirmed when a shiny purple scale reflected off a branch of the bush the horn had disappeared into. Claire was smart keeping an eye on her enemy, but quite foolish for being as close as she had been. I decided it was best to cover more ground and end the game before it got out of hand. Preparing to take off I slid from raptor morph into my own alicorn form. As I beat my wings to lift off I activated an eye ability that allowed me to scan for chakra points in bodies. A couple minutes in flight I happened upon what looked like a castle tower made of clouds. I shook my head as I cleared the clouds with sunny day. Star hovered in midair with a sheepish grin on her face. I softly scolded the pegasi. I announced to those remaining in hiding. It got slightly easier from there as Candy was just as goofy as her mom, making for an easy spot. After her, I finally told Claire that she can quit tailing me and count herself amoung the found. This left three foals and a flawed strategy. Knowing Anthea she'd be with one of the two colts remaining. This made things both challenging and simpler. It meant I had to be more thorough in my search. It also meant that finding one of the colts might lead to finding her or knowing she was with the other. All I had to do was find either T or Del and the answer would reveal itself. With a crazy bit of luck, a third option made itself known. I spotted both boys in the same hiding place, scanning outward like guards. This meant that Annie was sure to be with them. I landed and busted both boys, then went straight to searching out Annie. I could feel she was close by but couldn't get no read on any direction or clues. The answer hit me as a twig snapped beneath my hoof. The smart little filly was using her connection with nature to hide. A change of tactics was surely in order. I decided to keep Annie's attention on the fact that knowing that her guards had been found, Annie might surrender. I would discuss a draw with the kids seeing as I didn't find all of them. I was about to call out to the filly when another voice called out from above. "YOUNG COLT WE WISH TO HAVE A WORD WITH THEE!" Bellowed Luna in the Royal Canterlot Voice. All of the foals came running up to see what the matter was as Luna landed. It wasn't hard to tell that I was at the center of her anger with her glaring straight at me. I sent the kids home, telling them that we'd discuss the game later. I'd rather not have them with me in case something urgent was going on. "Whatever it was I didn't do it." I joked as I raised my hands in submission. After an awkward moment of silence, I continued with "It was the bunny, I swear I watched him do it.". The complete joke served only to get a more focused glare from Luna as her horn glowed and my body was surrounded by a levitation spell. "YOU ARE COMING WITH US," Luna ordered taking back to the air. She flew wordlessly all the way to Canterlot Castle. The whole flight I was held slightly off to the side of her head but remained sealed in her spell. The last time I was in this much trouble it involved a cage and a torturous slumber party with the main six after an accident and months m.i.a. As Luna landed in her room she gently dropped me onto her bed. "We have seen recent dreams of yours and know that there are things that you are not being truthful about." She snarled pacing toward her bedroom door. She took to waiting for a reply in the form of pacing back and forth. Finally, she stopped, turning my way and with a loud "WELL?", demanded I answer. "Long story short" I sighed "you're going to want to sit down.". "I pinkie promise that what little details I will give are true but that I can only tell you so much before I mess up the whole reason I'm here," I vowed with as straight an expression and tone as possible. "Sometime in the future a kirin foal will get into a fight for her life and lose and without her everything you know is going to lose existence with her." The beginning slowly poured out. I sighed once again as I silently argued with myself over the next part. "I'm the same human as the original owner of this body but from a place where similar events have gone differently." Looking down in shame I whispered the truth. For what seemed like an eon of contemplative expressions Luna remained silent. Her expression soured and she turned away, giving me what I thought was a silent order to leave her sight. She proved my assumption wrong as she interrupted my departure with a barely audible "Why?". Turning to face the moon princess I answered "The differences between my temporal home and this place are so slight that most are hardly noticeable, and I feel such a love for everypony back home that no matter what plane or time stream, I'd do all I can to protect them, even if it means losing the bonds I have with them.". Silence greeted me afterward, to which I took as a sign to get some space for both of us to calm down. I leaped to catch air while morphing to an owl only to be stopped by a blue aura. I looked at the princess to find a soft expression on her face. I demorphed and let her move me back toward her bed. Luna waited til I was safely grounded on her bed before dropping the spell. Her expression was impossible to read with so many thoughts floating around her mind. In a shaky voice, she asked: "You're willing to risk that much even for those you have yet to bond with?". Before I could reply I found myself crushed on all sides by dark blue fur. From above tears rained down like a waterfall. She'd been moved by my sense of caring. A feeling of warm gratitude and a deeper bond emanated from Luna. With a great joy in her voice, Luna cried "If that be the case then all is forgiven as long as you promise to never lie to us again unless the need be that extreme and you tell us the truth when it is less risky to do so.". With the sound of the door opening, Luna broke her embrace. Walking into the room was a bat pony stallion holding a foal that was part bat pony part alicorn. "Am I interrupting anything?" the stallion asked as he stopped in front of Luna. "Ah Supernova, Nidra, I'd like you to meet the human I told you about, Dan, and no your weren't." Luna's reply had the same tone one has when talking to their family in front of a guest. She then turned to me and introduced me to her mate Supernova and their daughter, Nidra. Supernova had an easy going and relaxed feel to him. Nidra seemed like an energetic little troublemaker who only wanted to have fun. "Sorry to interrupt your discussion but my wife and I had previous plans tonight." Supernova took control of the conversation. "I just came here to inform Luna that I couldn't find a babysitter for little Nidra and that we're probably going to have to cancel for tonight." he said turning guiltily toward Luna. Nidra filled the space before Luna's response with as many words as she had in her little vocabulary. Instantly I decided to do a favor for the couple. Nidra seemed to be a touch of a handful but I've dealt with enough kids to know how to work with her. I was confident I could easily keep care of the little one. Morphing alicorn I levitated her from her fathers grip to the bed. Turning I offered aloud "You two just found him, I'll keep the little cutie occupied til you return.". With a few profuse "Thank you"'s and a curt nod from Nova the couple headed off. Nidra was busy tearing apart a teddy bear and hadn't seemed to notice her parents leave. "This might be easier than I thought." I sighed as the silence in the room grew. Then all tartarus broke loose. Nidra, noticing her mom and dad had left, began throwing a fit. As soon as the tears began I had a strategy in motion. I began whistling Homeland and instantly Nidra's tears began slowing. Soon she was barely sniffling on the bed. "Alright, young one how's about you sit tight while Uncle Dan tells you a story?" I inquired as I sat down beside the baby bat alicorn. Hopefully, a story would be enough to keep her attention for a good while. There was only one story that I knew could have such strong effects on the minds of the young and I was going to tell it. "No." Nidra bluntly refused. Then she jumped off the bed and ran straight for the bedroom door. She had it open and was gone before I could snap out of the shock she'd put me in. Within seconds screams could be heard coming from the halls of the castle. I took instant pursuit of the tiny horror, morphing straight into a wolf for both speed and tracking. After a couple hallways, I caught up to little Nidra in a dead end hallway and blocked her only escape. I advised with a strict tone as I backed Nidra further toward the end of the hallway. She reminded me of something I always knew, in an obvious way. Nidra lunged as I reached with a forepaw, sinking her tiny fangs into my leg. As I yelped and flinched from the instant pain, Nidra ended up landing on her haunches a few feet away still blocked in. I examined the injury to gauge the importance of treatment. After deciding it was severe enough to wait a bit before tending I turned toward my attacker, shrinking my morph's age, and growled . The fight lasted until Tia arrived on the scene. I knew we were both in trouble as soon that golden aura pulled us apart and sat us beside each other. I was definitely more so in trouble. "You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves, fighting like that." Began Tia's scolding. "Especially you, young colt, fighting with a baby of all things." the scolding turned in my direction. Before she could say more Nidra suddenly cuddled up to my now human form like we were best buddies. This confused Tia immensly. For me, Nidra's behavior was more of a facepalm. Brushing myself off I defiantly turned toward Tia and offered "Before you go telling Luna that I viciously attacked your niece, take into consideration that maybe that in order to get her to listen to her sitter, me, was for me to gain her respect.". I followed that with "Now that I've got her respect maybe she'll behave for me, if not I'll have to call her parents and endure until they arrive.". It was pretty much a plea to allow me to continue to babysit Nidra. "Fine, if you can prove your theory." Tia challenged stoically. Her expression was full of skepticism. It wouldn't end well if my theory was proven false. The chips were down and the cards were on the table. There's no better feeling than beating odds uberly stacked against you and this was one of those stackings. "Nidra, if I asked you to go back to mommy's room and lay on the bed while I put in a movie, would you do as I ask?" Were the words that replaced the sound of a dice roll. This was one risk that was either going to pay off or end tragically. Luckily My theory was based on seen behaviors and documented facts. Nidra instantly placed me on her back and marched in the direction of Luna's room while I used a slight healing spell to scab over the scratches before they could get a chance to make her cry in pain, as well as keep them slightly cleaner than if I left them open. Tia escorted us mainly to keep an eye on the situation until we reached our destination. It was surprising to see Nidra one-eighty from the rebellious terror into the happy to oblige little cutie she was now. I still had to figure out how to tend to Nidra's scratches without starting another fight with her. I knew how much rubbing alcohol as well as soap and warm water hurt in scratches. As soon as we reached the open door to Luna's room Tia bid us goodnight. Nidra proceeded to do as instructed, letting me off before the entertainment center before she got onto the bed. There she waited patiently for me to put in the movie I'd promised. Halfway through the movie, Nirda's stomach growled loud enough to send me into a fit of chuckles. Looking around for a sign of a mini fridge or a bottle I confirmed with Nidra that I heard correctly, asking "Hungry there shorty?". I finally spotted a bottle on a nearby dresser. I quickly retrieved it for her and gave it to her, while vocally thinking "I hope your mom doesn't send me to the dungeon for forgetting to get a few details from her.". With that, we were able to finish the movie in peace. As soon as the movie was over I decided it was time to get the hardest part of the night over with. I knew Nidra wasn't going to be happy with me for what she was about to endure but it had to be done to remove any infections that had gotten in. "Alright, little one we're gonna give you a small bath." I grimly informed Nidra of my intention. Some soap and warm water later poor Nidra was wincing at every little scratch that was touched. I was keeping her at bay with a song, otherwise, she'd be throwing one legendary fit. I couldn't blame her though as I was feeling the same pain she was from the soapy water getting into my cuts as well. The only difference was that I was a bit more used to it. Soon the bath was over and Nidra was using the towel I'd dried her with to lay on. The sun was coming up as Nidra rolled along the floor in the towel. That meant that somepony was going to get tired soon. "K, Nidra time for us to got to sleep." I sing-songed to the still energetic filly. Putting a batpony filly to bed was going to be an educating process for me. I knew bats hung upside down and the young clung to their parents. Taking an educated guess I next had to figure out how to keep Nidra hanging while also keeping her safe from falling. A quick bit of thinking and I had the solution. Admittedly it was a bit creative but I knew it would work for it's purpose. I morphed an ariados and began my work on a safety net. When that was finished I wrapped Nidra in a sleeping bag like half cocoon and proceeded to hang her from the ceiling over the webbed safety net. Within minutes, the tyke was out cold. It wasn't long until Luna and Nova came gliding onto the balcony. The first thing Luna did was check on Nidra. Seeing my handiwork Luna's expression became priceless. All she could manage to say was "Creative". Upon further inspection, she took notice of the scratches all over Nidra and her expression darkened. Seeing his mate's expression, Nova walked over and inspected their daughter himself. To both Luna's and my own amazement, he grinned, chuckling, at the slight injuries, after noticing the same on me. "Looks like our new babysitter had to earn our daughter's respect before she game him her approval." He laughed turning toward his stunned mate. Luna's expression softened as she thanked me for taking care of Nidra. She offered for me to stay in a room a few doors down. Nova requested I babysit Nidra whenever I was available. I agreed to Nova's request but I had to refuse Luna's. Prepping to poof over to my own castle I said: "I've got a week of training a kirin to deal with starting in the morning.".