The wind blew across the white fields of snow and ice as I stared out from the edge of the forest of black trees.

The Tundra again. I've dreamed of it every night since leaving. Expecting time and again that I will wake up alone in my cave, returned to my original form. Though this time my perspective felt... wrong.

My vantage point was almost level with the tops of the trees, a view I never had experienced myself.

Looking around I spotted movement deep within the trees. With a thought I traveled through the trees to investigate. I had a feeling I was experiencing this for a reason, and I wanted to find out what that was.

I stopped when I found the source of the movement. Two wolf pups were running frantically through the forest, attempting to escape something. I saw within one of them I light, shining like a beacon. I reached out for the pup and the world around me went black, leaving only the pup and myself. It was then I realized what I was seeing. This was when I was named, from the specter's perspective.

Upon that realization the scene before me was swept away, leaving only a void. I noticed I was returned to my human form. Then a gust of wind and snow appeared from nowhere and created a swirling cloud around me.

Stepping through the cloud was a human female dressed in white. Her skin was pale, nearly as white as her dress, while her hair reminded me of Celestia and Luna in the fact it had an ethereal quality, but without the nonexistent breeze. A pale blue color that reminded me of ice. Beyond her hair there were other traits that were inhuman. A tail could be seen sweeping side to side as she walked closer, along with her ears being like a pony's, covered in white fur.

Stopping only a few steps away, I focused on more specific features. Her eyes were also a pale blue, and almost seemed to glow. Her form was slender but she was tall, on par with Luna if not slightly taller. Though her breasts were small, she still possessed an appealing figure. She was certainly what would be considered attractive.

"This form should be to your liking, yes?" She final spoke. Her voice a mix between mysterious and sultry. Just hearing it made heat rise to my cheeks, for reasons I could not name.

Ignoring her question I replied, "You're the one who named me, but I can't say I know you. Why have you brought me here?"

She appeared amused by my question, "My, aren't you cold. Is that any way to speak to the one who saved you and kept you fed these past five years. I'd figure you'd be a bit more grateful."

"I kept myself alive. I've never seen you since you gave me my name." I answered her calmly.

"Just because you could not see me, does not mean I was not present. Any meal you caught I manipulated into your path. You would not have survived if I did not guide your development." She said while taking a step closer. She cupped my face with her hand, her touch like ice.

Shaking off the chill and brushing her hand away, "Even if you speak true, what does that have to do with the present?"

Her gaze became harsher as she grabbed me by my chin with a grip that allowed for no escape, "I don't believe you fully grasp who I am, pup. So listen well to my next words. I am your provider, your protector, and your purpose for living. I kept you alive so you could be my ticket out of that hellscape the others call home. What you weren't supposed to do was invite another being in to crowd my carefully crafted vessel. Being that at this point nothing can be done about that you're going to do the next best thing. You will find a way for me to manifest myself fully in the waking world, or the equilibrium that you enjoy right now within your body will come to an end."

Feeling frost creep over my flesh from her grip I manage to reply and ask, "And how exactly am I suppose to find out how to allow you to manifest?"

"Apparently there exists a pony that was born of a hex and through some means was given physical form. You need to find this pony and get answers. This should lead you to a means to give me physical form." She said before releasing me.

"Sounds like you don't know much, which makes me wonder where you learned it if I haven't." I probe.

"You truly are a fool if you can not realize something as simple as that." She berated me, "Need I remind you that I am not the only soul that shares your body currently?"

Oh... right.

"So if Bael and Korvin know, why don't I just get them to tell me?"

"Because we needn't share anything besides what we desire you to know." I hear behind me.

Turning I see a giant white wolf staring at me at eye level.

"Bael. Wouldn't you prefer to not be sharing me? As you apparently are." I asked.

"This is but a minor annoyance. Should we wish it she would be gone."

She laughs, "Yeah and I'd be bringing him down with me." She points to me.

"Indeed, an annoyance. So for now we will endure, but that does not require us to aid you. You have yet to become worthy of such things."

With that Bael disappeared. So I turned to the woman.

"So they won't help, understood. Which leaves me with only one other question. Who are you?" I ask, realizing I have learned barely anything about her.

She smirks as she again drew closer, running a hand through my hair and sending a chill down my spine, "My name is Winter. And I am a Wendigo." She says before bringing her lips to mine.

The Waking World

I bolt upright with a start, breathing heavily as a result of that dream. I shiver from the chill that still seems to afflict my body. Putting my fingers to my lips I brush off a white powder that dissolves at my touch, frost.

Looking to my left I found Snowdrop sleeping soundly, but her expression was troubled. As though she was having a bad dream. It was still the middle of the night if the bright moonlight was to be believed. So I carefully slid out of bed as not to wake her and made my way to the bathroom.

I did not bother with any lights as my eyes functioned well in the dark. I turned on the water in the sink, wanting to splash some on my face. However when I touched the water I had to reel back in pain from the stabbing cold I felt. Looking down I saw ice on the end of my fingers from where I touched the water.

Clinching my fist the ice broke easily and clattered to the sink below. It was then I noticed my skin and the fog that was slowly rolling of the exposed areas. The fog rose before dissipated into the air creating the effect of smoke rising from my body. I then noticed my breath as clouds of vapor escaped, as though I was in the dead of winter.

My breathing became short and shallow as I began to panic. The tile around my feet began to frost over as my thoughts became cloudier. I could hear wind rushing as I frantically tried to figure out what was happening. My bracers transformed into claws in response to my fear as I cried out.

"What's going on!? How do I stop this!?" I shouted, but I felt my words swallowed by the blizzard that was now swirling around me.

As I fell to my knees I felt arms wrap around me and pull me close. Then I heard in my ear, "Shhh, it's ok. Just relax and stop trying to force it to stop."

The warmth of the embrace calmed my panicking mind. I slowed my breathing as I focused on the arms around me. The sound of the rushing wind subsided and I felt the air around us warm. After what felt like several minutes, things felt like they had returned to normal. I finally dared to look at who was holding me, expecting Snowdrop.

However I was surprised to see dark blue fur when I opened my eyes. Looking up my thoughts were confirmed and was looking into Luna's teal orbs. Her fur was marred by lingering frost that was melting, dampening her fur. Her mane did not have it's usual ethereal look and instead was a light blue which was also damp as matted ice and frost continued to melt. There was concern in her eyes as she searched my own for any more panic.

"Luna?" Was the only word I could ask. Still bewildered by what just happened.

The fur of her face darkened slightly before she let go and stood. Turning and starting to walk away I saw Snowdrop standing a few feet back with Willow by her side. Luna stopped next to Snowdrop who looked at her with concern before she spoke.

"He was unconsciously releasing his magic. Don't worry, Blake had the same problem at first. Should this happen again, just call. I will teleport to you immediately." Luna said curtly before disappearing in a flash and a pop.

Snowdrop rushed over to me and flung her self at me. Catching her, I was wrapped in a hug that threatened to expel the air from my lungs.

She started crying as she sobbed out apologizes. "I-I'm so sorry I c-couldn't help. I d-didn't know what to do. I called f-for Luna and thank Faust that she was a-able to get to you. I could hear you but the air was so infused with your magic it was like being blind again. I-I couldn't find you at all."

I just stroked her mane as I thought back to Luna. She had shown not but anger towards me, but put that aside to save me with an embrace. Why didn't she just knock me out? Surely that would have been easier...

POV Celestia - Some time later

"Why didn't I just cast a sleep spell!?" Luna yelled as she paced back and forth frantically.

Lulu had awoken me when she teleported into my chambers and asked in a panicked voice to help her. Immediately worrying for her I had leapt out of bed asking her what was wrong. Only for her to begin a tirade of what she did when she was summoned by Snowdrop to help Von, who apparently lost control of his magic.

Now I've been sitting on my bed for the better part of an hour, several away from when I should be to raise the Sun, listening to Luna fret about emotions she hasn't ever dealt with.

"Seriously Tia, he's the reason Blake didn't return. I hate him! S-so why can't I stop comparing the two of them!? Ahhh! It's so frustrating!"

I sighed as I did my best to give advice, but Luna was definitely the stubborn one of us, "You don't hate him, Lu. And you know well that it is not his fault that Blake is no longer with us. On the matter of comparing them it's not so surprising really. Von's kind, honest, loyal, and stands up for what he believes. Blake was much the same way."

"But he's not Blake! No matter how much I want it to be a lie, I know he's dead!" Luna turned to me with her eyes brimming with tears. "So why do I get this pain in my heart whenever I look at him, Tia? Blake never made me feel this way. Why him?"

... Oh! Well that explains some things. Though right now I doubt Luna would be receptive to the answer to what she's feeling is. "That's something I can't answer for you, Lulu. What I'd recommend is for you to put aside your idea that it was in any way Von's fault and get to know him. Perhaps you'll find your answer then." I answer, barely able to keep my eyes open any longer.

I envied my Ryan's ability to stay dead to the world until it was time to wake. This entire time he was still softly snoring away, oblivious to Luna's plight until I would tell him later in the day.

"Tia, when would I have time for such a thing? He barely knows anything about being human. Andrew is going to have to continue training Von when he's healed. The Guardians have to worry about finding a new representative of the Minotaurs. He's going to have to learn something of politics to prevent any international disasters. Then there are my own responsibilities. When would we have time to get to know each other?" Luna argued.

"You answered your own question, Luna. He's going to be busy learning, so he will need a teacher. Twilight has her school to worry about, so we can't ask her to drop everything to help one individual. Even though I suspect she would find a way to do so if we did ask. The politics of Equestria and the Guardians will need to be navigated carefully." I reiterated, "Beyond the time Andrew will need to train him, the best way for him to learn what he needs to quickly is through experience. Having him shadow you should allow for that quite easily. And that way you can learn about him as he learns about you and what to do at the same time." I said with a smile. Knowing that Luna had no way out.

I nearly lost my composer as Luna's face darkened with a blush as she sputtered her reply, "W-w-what!? You can't be serious, Sister! Surely assigning some of the royal tutors would be better than that!"

"Luna, how much did they actually help you when you returned?" I countered.

Luna looked down in embarrassment, "Ok, even I realize that excuse was a poor one."

I walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug, "Why are you so against getting to know him, Luna? Is there some slight against you that I'm unaware he has performed?"

Luna mumbled her reply into my shoulder as she returned my embrace, still clear enough that I could hear, "No, he has not. I'm just scared Tia."

"Scared of what, little sister?" I asked, genuinely surprised she admitted such a thing.

"Scared of what might happen if he gets close to me." Luna spoke, barely above a whisper.

"Why be scared of a thing like that? I think he is quite nice. Though he certainly is naive from what I've noticed. All the more reason for you to help him though." I attempt to reason. I was not ready for what Luna said next however.

She pushed me away and screamed at me, "BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD ALWAYS HAPPENS TO THOSE I START TO CARE FOR!"

Before I even get to respond Luna continues, "I'm cursed Tia, it's a fact! Think of anyone who is or has gotten close to me. The elements constantly have had to save Equestria since my return, Discord was our friend and he was imprisoned in stone because of us. You were forced to rule for a millennia without me because of my folly. Even Snowdrop ended up frozen in the Tundra as a result of that. Andrew has come closer to death more than a handful of times, a few because of MY orders. Blake is dead because I decided not to send him with reinforcements on his mission. Now Von has already suffered from magical surge, TWICE!"

"Luna that is hardly fair to yourself, many of those things would have still occurred without you here. Your being here has prevented things from escalating to much worse. Imagine when Vile first tried to conquer Equis. If we had not both been in Canterlot he might have attempted to seize the thrown from me by himself. How about when the Ponyville Purge massacre happened by Andrew's hand. I would have likely seem him as an monster and banished him. Though it was because I trusted your being there would help me make the correct decision that I did not go to such an extreme. It was also your judgement to put together the Night Stalkers that ended the Purge war." I say in a decisive tone as I approach Luna again.

"But I-" Luna started before I cut her off with another embrace.

"That's enough dear sister. You can't keep pushing others away because you think you're sparing them. I'm sure any of them would tell you the same. You need to trust that things happen for a reason, or else why would there ever be a reason to hope for the better?" I consul Luna as I felt tears run down her cheek and land on my shoulder.

"You two done waking the dead?" I heard behind me. Looking back I saw that Ryan was sitting up with his arms crossed.

"Apologizes dear, I didn't think it possible to wake you before sunrise." I apologized.

"Don't know how long you two were going at it but I woke up sometime in the middle of Luna's rant." He replied before focusing on Luna, "And you, Tia's right you know. Things won't always turn out how you want, but that doesn't mean to just stop living. Hardship defines those that are alive and I'm pretty sure Von's going to be in for some hardship in the future. It'd be nice I'm sure to have a good friend at his side that can help guide him."

Luna nodded, "You both make good points. I'm sorry for waking you Ryan. I suppose I should go collect my thoughts. There is much I need to think about, especially considering Von."

With a pop Luna teleported and I was left with my husband. Turning to him I asked, "How is it you are so wise? I swear if it wasn't for the fact of human lifespans I would wonder who was actually older at times."

"It's just a part of being human dear. With so limited time, we had to learn faster." He said before adding with a slight smirk, "Also helps that we had a lot of people to learn from the mistakes."

I chuckled before joining him in bed, to cuddle before needing to rise the sun. "Indeed. You humans are certainly have a knack for trouble don't you."

"You wouldn't want it any other way and you know it."

I smiled as we rested against each other, "Absolutely not."

POV Von

I had made sure Snowdrop fell back to sleep. However I could not manage to do the same. I now stood on the balcony of my room, overlooking the city below. The crisp night air calming me slightly, but not clearing my thoughts.

I still know so little, and yet I keep getting tasked with more I must do. Though I do not regret coming here with Snowdrop, I miss the simplicity of my time in the Tundra.

I looked back to Snowdrop sleeping, more peacefully than before, then back out to the city.

I sighed, "I need a walk."

~Some time later~

I made my way through alleys and over dead ends, wandering farther into the lower levels of Canterlot. Enjoying the feeling of rushing air on my face as I ran through the darkness. However I faltered when a panicked yelp sounded out ahead of me.

I stopped in an instant and began to listen. It was then that I heard the sound of voices, and the discussion was not friendly. I crept closer and was about to peek around the corner when I heard what sounded like a slap, followed by a high pitch yelp.

I froze at that moment. The sound, that yelp, caused a flurry of emotions and images to assault my mind that I could not clearly think. Peeking around the corner I saw a young mare lying disheveled on the ground as three unicorns dressed in fancy clothes stood over her.

I knew that she had been the one to yelp, and as I saw her lying there my mind throbbed and I looked again to see the image of one of my sisters slumped against the cave wall of my last day in my pack. Blinking again, the scene was restored to the mare and three unicorns.

Rage clouded my mind. My thirst for blood made my mouth water. The last thing I remember thinking was... "F̛̱̪̭͖̪͎ͪͦ̃̏͑̐U̗̯͔̩̼͙̳̇ͮ͡͝Nͥ́́ͤ̐̾͞͏̩͕"

Third Person POV

Three minor nobles stood over a young mare they had found. Dirt poor, alone, and stumbling out of a crappy bar wasted. She was a perfect target for their fun. So they had smoothly walked up to her, making a scene of saying they had been looking for her before dragging her into a dark alley away from the main street.

They intended to rape her and leave her for whoever wanted their leftovers. She made the cutest yelp when leader of the little band of delinquents dropped his pants. She seemed to be sobering up as she started to realize what was happening. To little to late, they laughed at her panicked realization.

The leader used his magic to force her mouth open and as he was about to start having fun the mare threw a small stone that cut his cheek. Breaking his focus he touched the spot and upon seeing she had drawn blood slapped her to the floor.

"You'll pay for that whore! Now you aren't making it out of this alley alive."

Following his lead, the other two grabbed her and started to tear her clothes off, intending to have their fun before disposing of this mare.

As the leader gave a sadistic grin at the scene, he shivered when a rush of cold wind rushed through the alley. Turning around he saw a human with silver hair breathing raggedly at the far end of the alleyway. He snapped his fingers to alert his lackeys, the first of who looked up and saw the human and understood.

"You got it boss." He said, leaving the mare to his friends.

Approaching the man the lackey tried to intimidated him, "You chose the wrong alley drunk. Now you're gonna wish you hadn't.

Before he could finish charging the spell he had planned to waste this human the man moved forward without taking a step and grabbed him by the front of his jacket and lifted him off the ground. The movement was so sudden that it disrupted the unicorn's spell.

"W-what!?" Was all he was able to say before any more words were caught in his throat in fear.

The man looked up with a wild look on his face, but the terrifying part were his pure white eyes that appeared to glow. It was then that he noticed the fog in the alleyway, and that it all seemed to originated from the person holding him aloft by his jacket.

"F̛̱̪̭͖̪͎ͪͦ̃̏͑̐U̗̯͔̩̼͙̳̇ͮ͡͝Nͥ́́ͤ̐̾͞͏̩͕" The man said, a cloud of vapor escaping his mouth as he breathed the word.

"W-what the hell are you!?" The terrified stallion yelped out. He struggled in the man's iron-like grasp before feeling an indescribable pain lance through his gut.

The others watched as the stallion had been pierced through with giant icicle. Ending his life without so much as a whimper.

The mare's reflexes kicked in the fastest as she darted out of the alley with impressive speed. The two remaining stallions started to turn to flee, but were much too slow.

A wall of ice materialized at the end of the alleyway, closing off their one effective means of escape. The other lackey had turned back to the man, resolved to try and fight his way out. The lead stallion just clawed at the ice and started call out.

"Somepony! Anypony! Hel-Ugp!" His cries turned to a gurgle as a spike of ice protruded from the wall, impaling his throat. He barely acknowledge the spike before his body felt as though it was torn asunder and his life blinked out of existence.

I reality he body was turned into an icy pincushion as more spikes of ice riddled his body, the one ending his life protruding from his left eye socket as it clearly stabbed through his skull.

Lackey had turned to see what happened to his boss, upon witnessing the scene it proved too much for his stomach as he threw up right then and there.

He turned back to face the man but stumbled back as the man had appeared directly in front of him.

"S-stop this, please! I-I have money, I can pay you! Just let me go!" The stallion whimpered.

The man cocked his head to the side, and said "W̯̥͔̅̅̎̔̓h̗̫͋̍͋̾̇ͣy̫͉͖͐ ̤̬̠̖͇̭̰͌ͧ͐ͥ́w̪̌ͣ͌o̞͖̯ͤ̈̀͒̿̒̇u͖̳͇lͭ̍͗ͨ͑͊̅ḓ͕̗̲͂̅ ̰͖̣̋ͨͩ̊̇ͧ̉Ỉ̳͎̰̩̦͇ͤͬ͗̽̍̄ͅ ̼͍̘̘̖̳͌̒̇̊ͮ͋d͍o̗̦͊ͪ͛̍ ̥̭̯͉͖͗ͮͥ͑ͬͧť̼͚̑͗̈ͤ̀h͚͙̍̂ͭ̍̃̃̋å̞̹̲̯͉̯̩̌̉t̳̲̳͓̗̤̻͑ͦ̽?̣̤̗̣͗̋̋̉̑ ̬̀͂͋͂͗̓̑A̬͐͗͗l͉͔͖͇̿ͮ́l̼̞̠̙͇̞͍͊ ͈ͬ̓̅I ̌̿̆ͤw͇̞͍̹ͯ̓͌aͥ͛ͣ̆̚n̯͙̯͈̥̣̠͊̔͂t͍̼̹̏͌ . . . ͍͖̥͓͆͊͋̆ͭͭi̐͗ͅṣ̟͖̺̈ͬ b̥̣̜̺l͍̝͚̳͓̺͕̲o̠͎̖̫̦͚̬̥o̭̰̝͍̘̳̯͚d͓̝͖͖̗.̣̣̯͖̙̘"

The stallion's face blanched as he demonic words reached his ears. He tried to scream but by the time sound reached his mouth, it was too late.

POV Detective Cold Steel

I grumbled as I trudged towards the locations the guards had requested me to. It was barely three in the morning. I knew from the urgency of that young colt that it was important, but it still didn't help my mood, and neither did the cold winter morning air. Even being a minotaur didn't stop the Canterlot wind from biting through my coat.

I woke up pretty quick as I spotted what had caused need for me to come. The guards were chiselling away a giant wall of ice that was blocking the start of an alleyway. As I approached a guard came up to me and saluted. I recognized her as Captain Flash Powder, daughter to the famous stunt flier Lighting Dust.

"Detective, sorry to call you here like this, but we need your help." The Captain explained.

"Why are you chiseling that wall. Shouldn't a buck or heat spell be able to crumble it." I asked incredulously.

"We tried that sir, the ice is infused with magic. The chisels are the only way we've been able to wear down the wall at all." She answered.

I thought about what she had told me before asking, "Is the back to the alley closed too? I assume someone has seen what's on the other side of this."

"It is not sir. The guard we sent other the wall first chucked up his dinner at what he saw. It was then I knew we needed to get you involved. We also found a mare we believe to have been involved in the incident, but she refuses to speak a word to us, or anything except incoherent babble for that matter." Captain Flash replied.

I looked past the captain to see a mare cradling her knees to her chest and rocking back and forth as an guard tried to consul her. She looked pretty ragged, about as expected for this part of Canterlot. I looked back to the captain and asked, "Any idea which bar she came from?"

With a nod Captain Flash thumbed to a spot over her shoulder, "Seedy little joint over there. Bartender said she was slammed when leaving. No one else still around has been able to tell us more than that."

I heard ice cracking and turned to see the wall was mostly broken down. A guard turned to us and said, "About done here Captain, but you might want to make sure no one gets a peak by accident. It's pretty gory."

The captain sighed, "Fine, have Lt. Brights put a shade wall spell. The media will be eating this up as is, no need in making it worse."

After said lieutenant came and did the spell, the captain and I walked through the wall of shadow and both of us balked at the scene before us.

No more than a foot from us was what I assume used to be a stallion that had been turned into a frozen spike ball. The only thing keeping it upright were the spikes that came from the body. At the far end of the alley was a stallion with a massive spike of ice through his torso. Though by far the most disturbing was the stallion in middle of the alley, or... what was left of him that is.

The stallion's limbs had been torn apart, but it appeared as though it had been done slowly. Getting frozen along the way to create a web of bloody sinew, holding the body suspended. The terror frozen on the poor bastard's face was horrifying, his eyes were gone and all that remained were frozen trails of blood reaching the ground.

The captain turned around and gagged, unable to keep looking. "Ugh, what could have done this?"

I just looked into the suspended stallion's mutilated face and replied, "Not what Captain Flash, who."

She looked at me in disbelief, "Are you saying there is someone actually capable of doing this kind of brutality?"

I just glanced at her before turning around and exiting the alley, the captain close behind. "Captain, I'm sure you are familiar with the Portal War."

"From history books, but what does that have to do with this case though?" She questioned.

"Most don't know this but I was part of the team that went down to Ponyville after the first human Guardian Duron massacred a hidden Purge camp. I saw the aftermath of what a Guardian is capable of doing to his enemies. This seen reminded me of that time."

"Are you saying a Guardian is responsible for this?" The captain said in a harsh whisper, not wanting to be overheard.

"What I'm claiming is what someone is capable of doing. Though the theatrics would leave me to believe that this attack was done by a human magus. The human Guardian is suppose to still be in the north. However I believe that if this was a Guardian, then there is probably more to the seen than what we know." I explain.

As I make my way to leave a guard runs up to the captain and whispers something in her ear. Her eyes widen slightly before nodding and dismissing the guard.

"It seems our witness has collected their wits. Though they want to speak to you." Captain Flash relayed.

I quirked an eyebrow, "Asked for me? I'm shocked." I reply dryly.

Walking over to the mare she did seem less spooked than when I first arrived. I knelt down to be at eye level with the trembling mare.

"Good Evening miss, my name is detective Cold Steel. What's yours?" I say calmly and slowly as to not escalate the situation.

"M-moonshine, sir." The mare squeaked out.

Oh these ponies and names. "Can you tell me what happened?" The mare remained looking down. So I decided to take a guess, "Were those stallions going to rape you?" I ask quietly, so only she could hear.

I got a small nod, confirming one of my suspicions. I continued with, "Was it a human that saved you?"

The mare suddenly flashed up an grabbed my collar, "T-THAT THING-" She noticed she was shouting and went very quite, "c-couldn't be h-human. My ex-coltfriend was human. The way it's eyes glowed... it only wanted to kill. I think it would have killed me too if I stayed."

Glowing eyes, definitely human, and apparently with a bloodlust so strong it effects those not even targeted. Do we have a rogue human, or something darker? I compiled what I could grasp.

With a nod I stood up, the mare just let her arms drop to her sides. I walked over to the captain, "Rape target, that turns this into more vigilantism than straight murder. There is too little information to say anything else."

"Was the hero, human?" The Captain asked.

"Most likely. Though by what we can see, it would need to be a very strong magus."

The captain sighed again, we were both tired of this, "I'll keep this on need to know for now. If this was the Guardian on a midnight stroll, we can't really arrest him for saving that mare. Though we can't be having the scum of Canterlot becoming brutalized on midnight vigilante sprees. We'd end up with a lot of the nobility gone if we did." She darkly joked, well... partially joked.

"Agreed. For now I think this concludes your need of my presence. Get some sleep captain, it's been a long enough night I'm sure." I said before I walked away.

Let's hope this was only a one time thing.

POV Von

I ran through the dark alleys of Canterlot, sticking to the shadows lest I let someone discover be will in my current state.

Blood clung to my clothes from the stallions I murdered. I don't even know why I did that. The haze that had clouded my mind with bloodlust lifted soon after I killed the last one. I knew what I did was for no reason. I could have dealt with such weak opponents without death... but, why is there this feeling of satisfaction for doing what I did?

Can anyone tell me what is going on with me? I screamed in my brain as I slumped against a wall in a pitch black alley.

It is most likely due to us in some part.

Bael? You did that to me? Why?

Not what I claimed. I said your bloodlust was likely due to us, not something we made you do.

What's the difference?

Our very nature can be compared to the feelings of fury and loyalty. Normally we exist for years in a host before their fully aware of us. You've not even had a month.

Human's learn to control emotions through experience, you have none of that.

You aren't making any sense.

Our very presence influences you. You don't have the experience of time necessary to not let it consume you when confronted with certain stimuli.

Anger is a very powerful stimulus. Combined with a sense of justice... well you are aware of the result.

HOW DO I STOP IT!?

You can't. Only learn to control it.

"I want to sleep." I mumbled aloud.

"That would probably be best." A voice called from down the alley.

I jumped up, before realizing they were making no sound as they walked. "Who's there?" I ask cautiously.

With a buzz of energy a orb of light appeared in the man's hand to reveal it to be Andrew. He let his hand fall as the light remained.

"You've had quite the exciting day. Though you really should be trying to rest."

"Are you well enough to be walking around yet?" I asked, my concern for the state I last saw him in overshadowing my many questions.

"I pushed myself too hard earlier is all, my recovery speed is faster than you would think. Though you are in a trickier situation right now." Andrew stated calmly.

I looked down at myself, remembering the bloodstained clothes I still wore, "What should I do?" Was all I could think to ask.

"Well first, strip. Then put these on." He told me before tossing a bundle of clothes at my feet.

I did as he said as he continued, "Those maggots got what was coming to them. A bit brutal for sure, but I've done worse. Don't worry kid. Even when the guard learns it was you, and don't make any mistake thinking they won't, you will get a stern talking to at most. Not much they can do considering your position and that the maggots were committing a crime anyway. The real concern is the reason for the outburst in the first place. I'm sure you were just talking to them, and I can bet their advice was shit."

"You've been following me since I left the palace." I stated.

Andrew raised an eyebrow in interest, "Of course. You weren't exactly trying to be stealthy about it. I mean you walked out the front gate after all. Though you should really confirm someone's statements first after they say something."

I finished changing, "You saw for yourself so why would I need to confirm?" I ask, confused.

"I can't read your mind kid, whatever silent dialog you were having before I stroll up is only what I can guess."

"They said I am being influenced by their presence. That certain stimuli could cause me to lose control again." I answered.

Andrew went silence as he thought for a moment, "Your experience with emotions is it? Well that makes a good amount of sense. I had a episode of violence when I was younger that was slightly similar. Training to deal with it is something only time will cure. Though there are ways to make the journey a bit faster, though it makes it harder, and not just on you."

"What do I need to do?"

Andrew shook his head, "We'll start dealing with that in a few days. You need to go back to your mare and sleep while you can. Later today will be exciting enough as is."

I felt heat rise in my face at his words, "Snowdrop isn't my mare, she's her own person."

Andrew gave a loud cackle, "Boy you have much to learn. Just because one statement is true doesn't make the other false." He said before turning on his heel and motioning for me to follow, "Now enough of that. We've wasted enough time as is. Any longer and the nurses might notice I'm gone." He said.

"You did sneak out!" I chastise.

"Never said I didn't, only that you didn't. Those mares don't know my limits anyway." He paused before turning around and pointing at the pile of bloody clothes I had left on the ground, "Before I forget." A bolt of lightning shot from his finger and the clothes burst into flames and ash.

I was about to ask him something before Andrew devolved into another coughing fit. I went to help him but he just held out a hand to stop me.

"I'm *cough* fine. Just used a bit more than I thought keeping up with you before. I'll recharge enough on the way back. Let's get out of here, this early winter cold is not helping these aging joints of mine."

I nodded, not knowing what else to do, as we made our way back. One thing was left on my mind as to what Andrew had said.

What will I have to do to control these emotions?

Author's Note

First things first... I'M SORRY!

Life has been much more chaotic than I ever anticipated. I still want to write but making time to do so has been a struggle. I hope to get back into it more. I still wish to finish this story and GoE. Though those are probably going to be my last published works on this site. I'm looking into starting an original work shortly that will cut into time writing on here.

That being said I will finish these stories and I hope to have your support along the way. Thank you all my wonderful readers.

Stay Awesome, Lyruil out.