Author's Note

Just a nice chapter to reintroduce the shows plot line and further some character development. I think I did decently enough on this one, what do you guys think? Constructive criticism is welcomed. Aside from from character development of Twilight and Garrett in this chapter, who should be further developed in the next chapter? Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, or Fluttershy? Hell, I'll even develop a background character.

In Flanders Fields is a poem taken from Gen. John McCrae in 1915. All rights reserved, under the fair use act of 1976.

Fact Corner!
Y'all't'nt is a southern contraction that means 'y'all two won't'.
This chapter contained little to no mention of tickets. Start rioting and whining later. Also yay, new chapter. Sorry if it doesn't live up to your expectations, but I almost didn't return to this, so at least I haven't abandoned it. (I also expect a few dislikes, but so long as this has more likes, I'm happy)

Mind Games and Ticket Screams

"Alright Twilight, lets have a nice little talk." I say as I walk over to my bed, sliding it to the left, revealing a symbol inside a circle on the floor. This symbol had a large four-pronged star with a small black circle just above each point, a smaller four-pronged star with it's points being half the length of the original star again, just like the first one, this star has circles above it's points, next, it has small spikes betwixt each point of the stars each new spike is the same length as the small star (but without the small circles above the points), and finally there is a small white circle in the middle of the symbol to give it a shuriken appearance. I turn towards the dresser that was next to the bed, and open the top drawer. Inside sits a box of tea lights. I grab the box and place a candle down on each circle surrounding the symbol, I then light the candles and sit down inside the circle. Once I sit down, I start to meditate and begin citing an incantation silently.

"I pledge my soul to the gods, may they link my soul to magic's, and hers to mine." I say as the flames of the candles start to glow vibrantly. My eyes glow white as the ritual finishes. The next thing I know is that I'm back in the library, and Twilight is back on the couch reading a book by the flickering of a candle light. While I know this is her dream, I don't want to just barge in and startle her. I need to think about this creatively; how do I go about this... Duh, it's a dream, I can take any form I want to, travel where I want, or change what I want. Picking the best option, I shift my location from in front of my room just outside of the door to the library. 'Right, here hope this works.' I mentally say as I reach my right hand up and deliver three quick rapts on the door just above the decorative doorknocker.

"Come in." I hear Twilight say from inside the library, following her instruction I turn the golden doorknob and pull the door open. I walk in quickly and let the door swing shut behind me.

"Hello there. Welcome to the Golden Oaks Library, you're welcome to browse or read whatever you'd like." Twilight says not looking up from the book she's reading.

"Thank you Twilight, I've always wondered what Equestrians considered as literature." I say as I walk over to what I hope is the history section.

"How did you know my name? I never told you it before in my life." Twilight asks in surprise.

"Look at my eyes, tell me you don't recognize me." I say as I turn back to Twilight. She squints her eyes and walks over to me, her book held in her magical aura.

"Garrett?" She asks, soon after, realization hits her, "Garrett! Why are here?! You were turned back into stone because you were no longer needed to protect the elements." She practically shouts.

"Calm down Twilight, this is just a dream. Well, it's your dream, I'm just here because I wanted to talk to you."

"So you're not a statue?"

"No Twilight, I'm not a statue. As for my visit, I know you don't trust me, but I have to trust you. So to alleviate this issue I decided we'll do a basic information exchange. Pick a subject and that's what we'll discuss." I tell Twilight.

"Alright." Twilight says skeptically, "I want to see how well you know you're Equestrian history, Starswirl the Bearded to precise." She says triumphantly.

"Ask away." I respond passively.

"First question, What is Starswirl known for creating?"

"The Amniomorphic Spell, or was it the Time travel spell?" I respond getting a slight gasp from Twilight, "Hold on... 22 bells, named for his beard and cape, his exact words upon getting his famous hat were and I quote, "This is the hattiest hat to ever hat!" and finally, Starswirl existed before my time. He must of passed on during my imprisonment."

"Oh, well let's say that I believe you're actually Garrett, how are you here?" Twilight asks. I pause for a moment, bringing my left hand to my chin resting my elbow in my right hand. I think about how to prove I'm myself to Twilight.

"Oh!" I exclaim while snapping my fingers for emphasis, "Take a look at this. When you get the chance to, look on my left hand and you'll see this symbol on my palm." I say showing her the symbol engraved on my hand. The symbol on my hand is the same as the one on the floor under my bed.

"What's so special about a symbol on your... hand?" Twilight says before gasping in shock, "T-that symbol! Only Equestrian royalty use symbols like that! So that means... Garrett! How are you here?! Why are you here?!" I stop her ramblings from beginning by raising my hand up to ask her to stop.

"I'm here because [for tonight only] we're linked meaning I can enter, and leave, your mind at will. As for the why, that's simply due to the fact that I might as well get to know the person I'm assigned to protect." I explain hoping it would put Twilight at ease... It didn't, not one bit.

"You could've asked first! Did you even think about what would happen if I wake up?!"

"Yes Twilight, this form would disintegrate, along with this dream. I'd awaken back in my room at the library, and you'd awaken back in your bed. All I ask is that you provide me with some information about yourself, then I shall be satisfied." I say calmly

"After I give you what you want, do you promise to never enter my head, or my friends head's, ever again?"

"I can not promise that. How else should I learn whom I'm assigned to protect?" I ask politely, "Anyways, the only information I require is simple but precise. That is simply who are you? Who is the one behind the name Twilight Sparkle? Who are you really? I don't need the answer tomorrow, or today. I just need it before I rotate to the next house in two weeks." I drone, making sure she understands what I mean.

"Who am I? I'm me! The Element of Magic, personal student to Princess Celestia! I know who I am, but who are you?!" She shouts in retaliation. As she does this, the library starts to crumble around us, cracks forming on the walls and some of the bookshelves collapse in heaps on the floor.

"I am myself. Who I am however, that is still unknown. I know not who I am completely. All I do know is that I am damaged, broken beyond repair and of very little use. So I ask again, who are you? Who are you behind the mask you wear?!" I shout, as the library continues to crumble around us. "Now I shall take my leave, and will be waiting for your answer to my question." With that, I activate the symbol on my hand and dissipate my mental projection, leaving Twilight alone in the collapsing dream.

*gasp*......"Last time I do that for awhile. Anyways, lets see if Twilight is awake yet." I say beginning to stand up, only to collapse onto the ground."Hnng! Never mind, I'll just... Wait here for all of today." I groan. Bad thing about using Lunarkinesis is that it leaves me completely drained. I grunt as I pull myself over the dresser nearest me. 'Why does this room have three dressers?' I mentally ponder as I reach for the handle on the bottom drawer.

"Alright, I've just gotta reach..." I say strained and labored," Got it!" I shout in glee over my small achievement. With a bit of work, falling, and swearing a lot, I finally got myself standing (leaning) against the dresser.

"Now... What to do, what to do? Oh I know! Breakfast. I haven't eaten in over a thousand years. Is bacon still a thing?" I ask as I shakily walk towards the door back to the library. After fumbling around for what seemed like an eternity, I was able to reach, and open, the door. Much to my surprise, amusement to others, the door was pull, and pull I did. I pulled the open so fast I lost balance and fell forwards head first onto the floor, sprawling out sideways. I roll myself onto my back and look over to the stairs to see Twilight walking down them.

"Oh my gosh Garrett! Are you alright, did you fall?" Twilight asks concerned.

"No... I attacked the floor." I reply sarcastically.

"Backwards?" She asks skeptically. I open my mouth to respond but I pause, thinking of how to respond.

"....I'm skilled." I reply after careful consideration of how to respond. Twilight groans at my response, I can only give her the biggest shit eating grin I can make before I try to stand up again. Failing to do so, I opt for sitting with my back against the wall, with one leg bent and my arm resting on it.

"Actually, Twilight, per your earlier question, I'm not alright. Using that dream walking ability used up what little reserves of energy I had left in me. In other words, can you be my literal crutch until tonight, please?" I ask sheepishly.

"On one condition." I groan inwardly at the infinite possibilities of this 'one condition', "You have to go with me to meet Applejack today. You also have to 'carry your own weight' as it were." Twilight says smiling, clearly hoping I'd deny her terms and just stay here.

"Alright, you've got a deal." I say smugly, unaware of what I just got myself into.

"Excellent!" Twilight beams as she envelopes me in her magical aura, "We can go there right now." She says just before teleporting us both. We leave the library with a flash and a loud pop. I catch a glimpse of a door beginning to open right before my vision is filled with magenta light.

"Hey guys, are you ready to go to Applejack's? ... Anypony? God dammit."

"Twilight, I can't thank you enough for this. I really mean it, if there's any way I can repay you, just name it and I'll do it." I say while using Twilight as a crutch.

"Well." She grunts, "You can start by not overexerting yourself like you did. I'd also like to see a demonstration of each ability you are able to perform using your Lunarkinesis, understood?" Twilight states through labored breaths, I don't blame her, if I had to not only hold someone up from falling and had their arm draped over my shoulders, I would scream. Not out loud of course, but mentally.

"Those are terms I can agree to, now, forgive me for what I'm about to do." I say solemnly.

"What d-" Twilight barely gets out before I not only purposefully drop onto the ground, but I drag her down with me. I did not use that much force, but it was face first.

"Garrett!" She yells in anger, to prevent this from escalating further, I place my hand on the center of her back, where the shoulder blades meet the spine. I begin to perform a siphon of sorts, where I absorb the anger, hatred, doubt, and other negative emotions she's experiencing right now to energize myself.

"I said forgive me, but I had to do this. At least I was able to siphon enough of your negative emotions to energize myself." I grunt as I stand up and do a quick stretch.

"If you ever do that to me again, I will punish you personally and severely. Am I understood?" Twilight says darkly.

"Understood, now then," I say doing a quick stretch, "didn't we have to go help Applesack?" I ask.

"It's Applejack, and yes. Enough dawdling, we were supposed to be there by now." Twilight says walking swiftly. She's a magi, why doesn't she teleport? Eh, must not be powerful enough to do that yet. 'Weird.' I ponder seeing as how she had no problem when facing off against Nightmare Moon.

"Garrett, come on! We'll be too late if you keep waiting around like that." Twilight yells from up ahead. I shake my head quickly and run up to Twilight. She slowed down to a walk so I could catch up to her. 'Didn't need to do that, I'd have caught up just fine.'

"You know Twi, can I call you Twi? Anyways, you need to slow down, relax. You're yet still young, enjoy life while it's here." I say after I catch up to Twilight. She looks confused as she continues walking, that or she ignored what I said.

"*sigh* Twilight, I want you to look around you, what do you see? Life, it's everywhere, but it doesn't last long for most things. How old are you? It serves no purpose to lie, I'm only going to prove a point." I say as we walk down the dirt road to Applejack's place. we walk in relative silence as Twilight thinks about my question, the breeze is a welcome change. It dampens the crackling heat of the morning sun and blows leaves off of the trees and carries them away on their formal dance of flight. As I'm admiring the beauty of the country side, Twilight eventually groans.

"Fine! If it's just to prove a point, I'm twenty five and a half years old, happy?" She says fuming in silent anger.

"I'm almost never happy. To compare our ages, I'm physically sixteen years old, but my actual age in the thousands. Humans can only live to be 85-95 years old, whereas ponies can live to be only 60-75 years old. There are exceptions to every rule, but you're in the prime of your life. So take it slow and enjoy what fate has given you." I say calmly as I turn to face her. I start walking backwards as I start to talk.

"And what's that, the world shittiest pep-talk?" Twilight asks sarcastically. I laugh and shake my head.

"No my dear, it has given you the greatest gift of all... The gift of life. Think about what I have said here today, when we get back to the library, we can discuss things further." I state, turning around again and walking forwards. After a rather enjoyable walk, we finally reach Applejack's humble abode, Sweet Apple Acres. I look around and see row after row of apples, seeing as I hadn't eaten breakfast today, I reached an arm up to the tree nearby us, and picked myself an apple 'They won't miss one apple.' I think, as I remove the apple from the tree.

"Come now Twilight, your friend is probably waiting for us as we speak." I say biting into the apple, goddamn was this thing sweet, I never knew apples could taste so good. Twilight and I walk down the main road to the orchard and stop in front of an old tattered barn. I kept looking around the dilapidated state of the orchard, tools are broken, the plow is rusted, barn roof is caving in, and the well in front of the barn has all but collapsed.

"Come on Twilight, let's go find Applejack." I say flatly as I turn away from the poor state of the farm. She also had the same idea as she started to walk away from the farm. "Cheer up Twilight, I'm sure we can find someway to help out here." I say encouragingly. She nods as we continue walking, her distraught-ness state of mind is interrupted when we hear a familiar voice howling in excitement.

"There y'all are! Was certain y'all weren't 'bout ta show up, glad y'all came when ya did! Ah've got jus' enough work fer y'all't'nt be idly dawdling around. Fortunately fer y'all, Ah'll be helpin buck the rest of the eastern orchard. If'n we hurry on up y'all might get a reward fer the trouble." Applejack yells beckoning us towards her. We both walk towards her slightly confused.

"What's troublin' y'all now? Oh right! Ah said reward, ya see Big Mac made a bet with me that if I was able to buck the entire east orchard by this evening, then he'd put on one of Grannies old girdles, and walk down stirrup street!" She finishes with a laugh.

"Don't celebrate now Aj, I can call you that, right? Anyways, bets like this go both ways, so if you lose, then you would be the one wearing the girdle." I say matter-of-factually. Her look of confidence leaves her face immediately.

"Aw crap! Ah didn't realize that! Please, y'all have ta' help me. Ah'll do anything, just don' let me wind up in a girdle!" Applejack pleads. Not wanting to se a proud farm girl, er farm mare, start bawling her eyes out, I decide for Twilight and myself.

"Fine, we'll help you. Just stop your groveling, it's rather unbecoming of a proud mare like yourself. You said buck the apple trees, as in kicking them?" I ask hesitantly.

"Exactly like that, why d'you ask?"

"I was just curious, and as much as I'd like to help, muscle wise, I'm only as strong as a newborn foal. But somehow a human baby is pound-for-pound stronger than a fully grown ox." I start rambling at the end of my sentence, "Anyways, I might be a big help in this instance, but I'll do what I can. Twilight... You can just use magic, so... Go nuts! Levitate every apple off of the trees so we'll be done quicker!" I shout to them as I start running off towards my 'self delegated' section of the orchard.

Once I'm far enough away from them, I find a sturdy looking tree and climb up to its canopy. Once I'm there, I nestle back into a comfy looking nook, and fall asleep almost instantly.

"Garrett! Where are you Garrett!" I hear, bringing me out of my pleasurable slumber. Glancing around, and see all of the trees barren of their apples.

"Where in tarnation did y'all scamper off to!" I hear Applejack call from my left, deciding to not be a bother any further, I decide to make my whereabouts known.

"Up here young Applejack." I say getting her attention. She turns to my direction, and looks up. I decide to jump out of the tree, and land in front of Applejack, startling her and nearly making her fall backwards.

"There y'all are. We've been looking fer ya since noon. Twi had little ol' Spike search the orchard fer ya. Now c'mere, lets get y'all back to the farm house fer lunch. Twilight said she had important news to tell you when she saw you." Applejack says grabbing my hand and dragging me back towards the farmhouse. After my futile attempts to get out of her grip, we eventually returned to the barn and a distraught Twilight. I decide to still my tongue and wait for her to speak first.

"Garrett... Do you know how long I had Spike and Applejack searching for you? Longer than needed, I almost wrote a letter to the princesses saying I lost you. So please, from now on, let me know where you're going to go." She says in a disappointed tone.

"As you wish m'lady. What of this news you wished my ear for?" I respond.

"Oh right!" Her does a quick 180. "I got a letter from Princess Celestia, it was talking a bout the Grand Galloping Gala, a very famous event that I'm cordially invited to, and I get to bring one guest with me. Are you interested?"

"Sorry to say, but I've already gotten that invitation, denied the RSVP. If I went it would only work and kissing up to the uppity nobles whom all think they should be royalty. Bastards demand treatment as such most of the time. However, Luna all but demands I have to be there." I reply. Twilight and Applejack look at me confused.

"Let me explain. Luna is the princess I serve under, so she's like my boss. The boss said that if she has to go, I have to go.Understand my resentment now?" They both nod.

"Good, now about that spare ticket. Have you any idea of whom you shall entourage with?" I ask courtly. If I'm going to this damn thing, better brush up on the rules of chivalry.

"I haven't the foggiest idea of who to take."

"Ya jus' have ta take me Twi! Why, Ah could sell the Apple family products to the people of Canterlot. Ah'll be able to bring enough revenue and profit to finally fix up this here farm. Ah'll be able to fix the ol' plow, an even Granny Smith's saggy ol' hip. Please Twi, you jus gotta take me." I'll admit, the delivery was a bit bizarre, but the intentions were pure.

"Did you say the Grand Galloping Gala?!" Rainbow Dash asks while crashing into the ground. "If you give me the ticket, I can finally meet my idols and show them my stuff."

"Ms. Dash, the idols of yours. Who are they?" I ask, stopping Applejack from escalating things.

"What?! Have you been living under a rock or something!" I just give her a passing glance. "Oh, oops. Anyways, my idols are the Wonderbolts. They're the best fliers to come out of cloudsdale, and the Grand Galloping Gala is the perfect opportunity to wow them. If I perform well enough, they might even let me join them on the spot." Rainbow boasts. That's not really worth trip to Canterlot over. Sorry, letting my bias get in my way, but even then, I'm sure I could just get her a personal meet'n'greet with her heroes. Why does the name Wonderbolts sound so familiar? I'll ask Luna about it later.

"Wow. Those are both pretty good reasons, let me go think about it over lunch. I told Spike he could have a treat today since he's been such a big help. Garrett!" Twilight yells as she starts running down the dirt path towards town. 'she's charging a teleport out of panic?' I think to myself. Before I sprint off after her, I decide to taunt Applejack and Rainbow a little.

"Oh, don't forget about this you lovebirds." I say holding a ticket in my left hand, "Twilight might give it to someone else." I say before turning and sprinting down the dirt path.

After a long and refreshing run down the path, I rejoin Twilight and Spike at an outdoor cafe. Once I get within vocal range, I call out to them.

"Hey guys! Can I trouble you two for the company?" I ask. They both nod and I sit down next to them.

"Garrett, do you ever have to make choices that can hurt people close to you?" I give her an 'are you serious' look. "Right, sorry. Then, how do you know if it's the right choice or not?" Twilight asks sorrowfully, placing her head on the table.

"Twilight, the decision you make here today, so long as it's an honest choice from the heart, I'm sure your friends will understand and accept your choice." I tell her, while I pet her head with my right hand. I decide to pick up a menu with my free hand.

"Waiter! Can I have the Bloody Mary on rocks, crushed if you please." I say to the nearby waiter, who takes my order down and looks at me curiously, as do Spike and Twilight.

"What? Lets be real here, I'm a lunar guard. You two are lucky I'm even awake right now, so I'm gonna treat myself and see if your alcohol is anything to scoff at. Sue me." I say leaning my back against the table.

"That aside, don't you think you could rephrase your sentence a bit dude? I don't think it had your intended impact." Spike says gesturing to Twilight. I was about to respond, but the waiter brought out a flower petal sandwich, deep fried hay, and the only thing I recognized, a Bloody Mary.

"Here you are, enjoy your meal." As soon as he finished his statement, I took an immediate swig of my drink, and the result was flavorful but underwhelming. It wasn't as potent as I'm used to. I also took note of the clouds forming in the sky. I stand up, push my stool in, and grab my drink.

"Where are you going?"

"Inside my friend. It's about to, how-do-you-say, shit storm." I say pointing upwards. As if on que, the heavens opened up and the downpour started.

"Um Ms.? Are you going to be eating your food in the rain?" The waiter asks Twilight.

"What do you mean? It isn't raining." She looks around, to find herself in a little circle of sunlight. She looks up with a scowl on her face.

"Rainbow Dash. What's the meaning of this?" Twilight asks, clearly annoyed. I decide to not stick around for the impending train wreck. So I simply flair up a small barrier made of pure energy. The white crackling Lunarkinetic energy field should be enough to protect me from the rain long enough to get to the library, but first.

"Twilight, where are you keeping your extra ticket?" I ask her, interrupting her talk with Rainbow.

"Does it look like I have pockets? It'sin my bra." "That's what I thought" "Why'd you want to know th-AH! Weird, still why'd you want to know... How'd you get that?" Twilight asks as I show her the ticket I stole using Lunarkinesis.

"Magic. But for now, I'm just going to hold onto this. I have a letter to write. Care to come with me?" I offer.

"Yes, you don't know how relentless my friends have been trying to get that ticket." Twilight sighs while walking alongside me. I have some idea, well one of those ideas is my boss, so I guess I have the level ground.

"Twilight, Take my hand." I tell her, apparently this must be something big, because she started furiously blushing. "This is something humans do sometimes, and besides, I'm only going to transfer my Lunarkinetic shield to you, since you don't have an umbrella. Call it my act of kindness for the year. She hesitantly grabs my hand, and promptly recoils it when an unknown white crackling energy starts to envelop her hand. She even starts panicking and tries patting herself down trying to stop it.

"Calm down young one, that's just a small bit of Lunarkinesis. I merely created a small shield to protect you from the rain. However, it only lasts for around thirty minutes, so let us depart for the library post haste." I tell her as I start to walk in the direction of the library, leaving a flustered Twilight behind at the cafe. When I look back at her, I see her walking behind me a fair distance, and Spike walking right behind me.

"Did you have to do that? It took me forever to get used to other ponies, now we're probably back to square one again." He says disappointingly. I take this moment to ask a question I meant to ask earlier.

"Tell me, Spike, what did she mean her friends are relentlessly asking her for this extra ticket? I only know of Rainbow and Applejack. One of those two has a good reason, she's just emphasizing it incorrectly." I ask Spike. We walk a little ways in silence, I keep looking back at Twilight, no longer blushing profusely, but intensely studying the Lunarkinetic field. When I look back ahead of me, I see the library come into view.

"Well, Aj and Rainbow know shortcuts throughout the town, so they got back long before you did. But, along with, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, Twilight's been at wits end. Now I want to know something." I nod my head. "What do you plan to do once we walk inside the library, knowing full well that you could be jumped at any time." I ponder his words carefully before responding.

"I pan on writing a letter, that, or I'll just bring her friends together and let her decide once and for all which of them should go with her to Gala." I tell him firmly. He nods in agreement, and drops back to see Twilight. I don't hesitate, and instead quicken my pace towards the library. I pass by a small selection of vendors, street performers, and even a peculiar building modeled after a carousel. Making a mental note to visit that place later, I find myself at the door to the library, Spike and Twilight a fair distance behind. Deciding it best to wait, and making sure nobody can hear me, I pass the moment by through a song I used to sing for myself when I was alone in the gardens. I take a slight breath, clear my head, and start singing the first verse in a melodic baritone voice.

"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

The dead were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields, in Flanders fields

And now we lie in Flanders Fields.

"Garrett that was beautiful! Who knew you could sing like that. But why did that song feel so upsetting?" Twilight asks. I jump in shock at the sudden appearance of Twilight and Spike.

"How much of that did you hear?" I ask, praying that they only heard the ending.

"From when you mentioned the larks flying. Why do you ask?" I sigh, as I look towards the setting sun.

"I'd have hoped you heard much less. That song is something I sing to myself when I'm alone. The emotions used in the song are enough to fully charge my power reserves. At least promise to not tall anyone about that song. I don't need any of you looking into the meaning of it." They both nod hesitantly. That's the best I can do I suppose. I turn around and grab a hold of the door handle and turn. The handle clicks as the door opens, and the frame creaks as the door is pushed into the dimly lit library. Dimly lit? I question. Twilight wastes no time in entering her house, not question why the lights are off.

"I've had such a challenging day to day, I can't wait to sit down with a good book, and read to my hearts content." She says, casually. She illuminates her hand in a purple aura, and soon after, a switch on the wall illuminates in the same sparkling purple aura. I hear a small click as Spike and I enter the library, followed by a flash of light. I bring my arm up to shield my eyes from the sudden lights. When I bring my arm down, I see Twilight glaring at her friends, each of them looking at her expectantly.

"Ugh, I give up! You girls have been hounding me all day, all for this one extra ticket! " Twilight says with malice at the end.

"look Twi, if it annoys ya so much, Ah'll give up mah chance fer the ticket. Ah'd hate to see you upset." Applejack says. Walking over to comfort Twilight

"Yes dear, we had no idea how much we were forcing your ourselves onto you. So I'll give up my chance to live out my dreams as well." Rarity says regretfully. She to walks over Twilight, only she brings her into a hug.

"Yep yep yep. I'd hate to see anypony frown, especially one of my best friends." Pinkie Pie blurts out. joining the hug.

"I'll give out my ticket to. I'm sure there'll be other chances to visit the castle gardens." Fluttershy mutters out from the large group sitting on the couch by the statue in the center of the room. Now all that remains is... Rainbow Dash.

"Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Uh-huh, uh-huh, I'm awesome." She pauses after seeing the glares from her friends. "Heh, I mean." She lands in front of Twilight, "If you're not going, I ain't going. Plain and simple." She finishes. And her I though I'd have to interfere with the situation, I guess there's still things I can learn.

"Well then, Garrett. Can I have that ticket you stole off of me." I hand Twilight the ticket I stole from her bra. She blushes as I hand he the ticket. She looks at Spike, who pulls a quill and sheet of parchment out of a pocket of his hoodie.

"Dear Princess Celestia, I regretfully inform you that I will not be attending the Grand Galloping Gala. While I would have liked to go, I couldn't choose just one of my friends to take with me, please understand that a decision like that is one I just can't make. So, I'm returning both of the tickets you sent me, I'm sure you understand my position on this issue. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Did you get all of that Spike?" Twilight asks, finally freeing herself from the group hug.

"Sparkle, got it. I'll send it right away." What happens next was a first for me. Spike blew a small ball of shimmering emerald flame onto the parchment. Look on in astute wonder, and as soon as the smoke created snaked its way out of the window above the loft, I turned back to Twilight, confusion evident on my facade.

"Oh right! Garrett, Spike is a drake, as you know, but he is also psychically connected to her. So when he breaths fire on anything that he writes, it gets sent to the Princess. Once she's received it, she sometimes sends letters back. Look at how late it is! Sorry everyone, I've got to get Spike to bed. See you all tomorrow." Twilight says, getting wrapped inside another group hug. Spike sticks out his tongue and holds one of his claws in front of it. I assume he's making a gagging symbol. It doesn't last long, as he suddenly turns pale and his cheeks puff up.

"Now would ya look at that, spoken like a true boy. Can't handle anything emotional." Applejack starts, but is cut off when Spike burps out a thin lilac cloud. "Whoa Nelly!" Applejack shouts in shock, as she ducks to avoid the cloud. Her hat even leaves her head. The cloud then starts to swirl into a spherical shape before transforming into a scroll. Spike catches the scroll and opens it up, reading the words written on it aloud.

"My dear student, I respect your decision, but why didn't you say something earlier. If I had know it was such a difficult choice for you, I'd have never put you in that position in the first place. So to compensate for the troubles I've caused you, I have enclosed seven tickets to the Gala in this letter. Please enjoy yourself until the Gala. With love, Princess Celestia." Spike finishes, holding seven tickets to the Gala. He holds them above his head, where they are covered in a purple aura and distributed to each person present in the room. Spike looks at me curiously, wondering why I didn't get a ticket. I just look at him and smile warmly, as if to tell him not to worry. I look back to the group and see them all walking out of the door,each one waving the ticket around in a boastful manner. I wave them off and sit down on the couch. I grab a nearby book, "A History of Equestria; Volume 2", and start reading.

"Garrett, aren't you going to say good bye to everyone?" Twilight asks me, breaking my concentration on the book.

"I hope you all have a wonderful night, and may tomorrow bring new adventures for us as well." I say waving them off. I quickly get back into my book, I decide to skip the part about the Minotaur raid, and the fall of Nightmare Moon. 'Rise of the Solar Empire?' looks interesting, I guess I'll start here.

"Twilight, I'm going to my room to do some reading." I exclaim, as I walk towards my little hole in the wall I call a room, well it's got a desk, and a bed, guess that's all I really need.

"Alright, just make sure you're up in time to go shopping with me. We also need to stop at the Carousel Boutique, and Sugar Cube Corner around noon." Twilight replies. I make a mental note about tomorrow as I open the door to my room. Let the door fall shut behind me, as I walk through to my bed. I lay down, and light a nearby candle. Once the flame is lit, I begin to read its contents aloud.

"Following the unfortunate banishment of Princess Luna, Princess Celestia took it upon herself to perform both royal duties of raising the sun and moon. As the years progressed, she learned how to perform both tasks without a passing thought, having them engraved in her mind so firmly, she could perform the tasks whilst in her sleep. But the solar princess grew tired of the castle, seeing any part of it filled her with unimaginable grief and sorrow." I pause, turning the page. I see that there's a picture depicting her raising, and lowering, the sun and moon. The picture was done in a mosaic format, and took up both of the pages. I turn to the next page and am met a formally stylized number one.

"Moving from the Everfree." I read, "The decision to change the location of the capital from the Everfree to Canterlot was made just one year after Luna's banishment. Celestia decided that the nearby mountain range was the best strategic location for the new capital. Contrary to popular belief, the castle was not built overnight, in fact, when construction first began, all that was there were a few tents and a large great hall built just for her majesty." I stop reading and close the book. 'I'll just have to read more tomorrow, and it's getting late. I also promised Twilight that I'd go with her. I need to stop doing things like that.' I think to myself as I blow out the candle. The room is engulfed in total darkness, despite this, I move the bed effortlessly, and sit down in the circle I drew underneath it. 'Well, might as well see if I can help Luna with her dream walking. I've got nothing better to do anyways.' I groan inwardly. I start muttering the activation chant, and offer a quarter of my energy to supply the spell with. When I open my eyes, the symbol was alight and pulsating. I smirk, knowing that Luna has accepted my offer to help her. I empty my mind, and as I close my eyes, the world goes blank.