I woke up ravenous, which wasn’t good because I had no bits to my name and still didn’t have a job. I sighed and stretched then started to stand up only to fall back into bed as my legs gave out, the fatigue from the magic my body had used to mold my shape into what it was hitting me hard. I was tempted to crawl back into bed and pass out, but at the same time I was tired of sleeping. I slowly climbed back up to where I was sitting and tried to push myself to my feet. The first push failed, the second my arms almost gave out, the third got me onto my feet. I stumbled to the doorway then slowly made my way along the wall down the stairs and outside. I blinked wearily as the sun stabbed into my eyes and muttered “Damn it Tia, I know you wish I was in Canterlot, but you don’t have to stab me with the sun.”

I slowly stretched out my joints then started walking into town. I sighed as I saw town getting closer then stumbled for what felt like the umpteenth time. I swore and muttered about my body being way too exhausted for this shit, but I had to get food or I’d be in worse shape. I nearly stumbled into Rose luck’s stall as I passed and apologized profusely. I stopped in an alley and leaned on the wall panting slightly from exertion and said “Gods and Goddesses above I need to keep form performing large scale transmutation work on my own body whenever possible. It’s like my magic just sucked up all my energy when it increased my muscle mass.”

I stumbled to Applejack’s cart and said “Three apples please AJ.” She nodded and hoofed them over as I handed over a few bits. I still had a small sack full left after that, which I planned on saving. I took a bite out of the apple feeling it energize me a bit then started walking around town. I was crashed into by Dash as I came toward the library and groaned saying “Nice Dashy, nice. Did you have to send me on such a nice trip just because you thought it was fall?”

She blushed and said “Not funny bro. Not funny.” I smirked at her as we stood up and she said “So what are you doing in town?” I shrugged and pulled out the deed to my house. She studied it and said “You bought the death trap outside the Everfree?” I nodded and she said “Wish you luck buddy, unless someone does something to make it less dangerous you’ll be having monsters in your backyard. Anyway are you coming to visit Twi or something?”

I shrugged and said “Not really. I was just wandering town. Want to hang out?” She nodded and landed next to me then we walked to the local park and started arm/hoof wrestling. I may have had more muscle than before, but these ponies were surprisingly strong. I beat Dash but afterward my stomach growled so I chowed down on an apple offering her the other one. She took it with a smile and I pulled her into a hug causing her to gag and sputter. I chuckled and ruffled her mane then said “You’re a chromatic blur at times Dashy, but I can catch you off guard way to easily. One day you’ll have to trust me completely or stop trusting me, because those are the only options for creatures like us. To trust, or to distrust, loyalty is the only thing we have. When loyalty is lost, problems occur and no one knows who to trust.”

Dash stared at me and said “What’s with the faraway look in your eyes hot shot?” I shook my head banishing those memories and smiled at her. She sighed and said “You don’t have to tell me about loyalty, loyalty is what I live by. I still don’t trust you completely because I don’t know what you were doing in the Everfree before coming to ponyville, and don’t say you weren’t in the Everfree because AJ told me that was the case when you visited her. Also what happened to Midnight Breeze?” I smiled slightly glad at least one pony was wary of me even if she didn’t have all the facts and it was because of that lack of facts that she was so willing to distrust me.

I yawned tiredly and said “She’s in Canterlot. We were staying at the palace and the princesses wanted to get to know her better. Why did you think I did something to her?” She flushed at that and quickly shook her head in the negative. I smiled slightly and asked “So what did I miss in town?” She shrugged and started telling me about the things I missed. It wasn’t much, just her and the girls doing some stuff. I missed the ticket debacle involving the Grand Galloping Gala, but I probably wouldn’t have been much help during that because of the fact that I didn’t want to go but was being forced to by all four of the princesses, even if everyone else only knew of three. I stretched and said “Nothing else has happened other than the Gala tickets?” She shook her head and I thought “No Gilda yet, huh that’s surprising.” I stretched and said “Cool. How have you and the girls been?”

Dash shrugged and said “Twilight was worried till she got your letter through Spike, AJ has been working herself hard, Fluttershy’s more introverted than usual, Pinkie misses Midnight, Rarity was wondering if you still wanted her to design you some new outfits, and I’ve been busy with weather work.” I noticed she didn’t say they were all doing well otherwise and wondered how Artemis and I could affect their lives to such a degree in only two weeks. It made no sense to me. I sighed and scratched my neck thinking of how to make it up to all of them. I knew Dash would blow me off at first, but she hadn’t exactly said she hadn’t missed me. We hadn’t hung out as much as me and the other girls, but that was because she was usually where I couldn’t reach her.

I yawned again covering my mouth with a hand then said “Sorry, I’m exhausted from overusing my inner magic a few days ago. Anyway, anything you want to do, maybe play a game of hoofball or something?” She brightened up at the idea then sighed and said “Have to leave that for another day I gotta go.” I nodded and waved her off as I heard the sound of someone approaching, well it was more like a quick buzzing sound, and turned to see Scootaloo screeching to a stop next to me. I ruffled her mane and said “Hey Scoots. How you been?”

She shrugged and said “Pretty good. I was just coming to talk with you and Rainbow Dash when she took off. I think she’s avoiding me.” I shook my head knowing this wasn’t the case and told her so. She stared at me and asked “Then why does she fly off every time I come by?” I told her that was because she was busy but she’d eventually have time for her. She took me at face value and we started talking about her school. She said “So…um, my mom wanted to know if you’d come visit now that you’re back in town. She said something about you being the first stallion besides my birth father to ever treat me like I was your filly. It was odd, and I mean she is my adopted mom but I don’t remember my birth parents so, wait I’m rambling, will you just come over?” I nodded and got to my feet then motioned for her to lead on.

I stumbled along as she led me to her place of residence and quickly ran inside putting her scooter beside the door with her helmet hanging from the handle. I heard her shouting something and someone replying I knocked on the door, standing in the doorway, and was approached by a middle aged mare with a blue coat, lighter blue mane, and stood up to my chest. She coughed and said “Hello there Mister Wolf.” I smiled politely and returned her greeting then she said “I see that Scootaloo convinced you to come over.” I nodded leaning on the doorway exhausted but unwilling to leave without at least talking to the mare. She smiled and said “We were wondering if you’d stay for dinner, then maybe a bit of conversation.”

I smiled feeling my energy returning slightly and said “I’d love to stay for dinner my dear mare. I wouldn’t feel right however if I don’t help out I’ll feel rather horrible. So what can I do to help, whether it’s making a simple salad or whipping up pasta of some kind? I promise to help out to the best of my ability.” She smiled slightly and motioned me to follow her to the kitchen where Scootaloo was standing on a chair sipping from a spoon she dipped into a pot. She saw us and yelped then dove out of the chair and almost hurt herself until I caught her and whispered “Easy Kiddo. I understand you were in the mood to eat a little extra but no reason to spaz when we caught you, or at least no reason to do anything that will get you hurt. So why don’t you run off and play while I help your mom cook?”

She smiled and said “Alright. Thanks for helping mom; she’s not in the best of health. Maybe you can convince her to see a doctor too. I can’t get her to tell me why she won’t see them and she just smiles then tells me to go play. It’s really not cool, but I don’t know what to do other than make her life easier by not arguing.” I nodded and ruffled her mane then shooed her off. Her mother watched us with a smile then walked over and hugged me as I stood up. I looked at her confused and she just smiled.

She looked at me and said softly “Thank you.” I looked at her questioningly and she said “For being there for my little Scootaloo. She looks up to you and Rainbow Dash. You because you have helped her out every time you see her, and Rainbow because she’s the fastest flyer and is trying to become a wonderbolt. I sometimes worry she’ll never fly. Now I know you want to ask if I’ve seen a doctor and the answer is yes.” I nodded and motioned for her to go on. She sighed and said softly so Scoots couldn’t hear, “I’m dying. I have a disease that is eating away at my nervous system. I can’t tell Scootaloo because it will break her heart. I haven’t told most of the town because I don’t want to be pitied. The doctors have kept it quiet but it’s actually starting to hurt to walk. I’m going to be bedridden soon enough, and then I’ll have to leave Scootaloo. I hate it, but I can’t control that fact.”

I nodded and started pouring a little magic into her then gasped as the feedback hit my senses. She had a parasite eating at her system, the parasite was strange, it was only targeting the pain center of her brain by damaging the nerves and sending signals that said her body was breaking down. I muttered “Parasite. Even if I removed it the damage is too extensive it’s eaten, destroyed, and blocked to many pathways to heal in a short time. I estimate you have a year left.” She stared at me surprised. I coughed and said “Sorry, I wanted to see what was wrong and if I could. Sadly the parasite has had too much time to eat at your system. I may be able to slow it and give you more time, but stopping it is beyond my power.”

She blinked and said “You could tell what it was with a preliminary scan?” I nodded and she said “So it’s a parasite?” Again I nodded and she asked “Will it find a new host after killing me?” I thought about it and nodded. She said “Can you stop it?” I nodded again then sighed. She looked at me questioningly and asked “What?”

I swallowed and said softly “To stop it I’ll have to burn it into your body fusing it with you. It will take your life by half a year. If I don’t do this it may latch onto Scootaloo or someone else. It’s up to you. I refuse to make you give up time with your daughter just to stop something I can stop once it leaves your body.” She studied me and I looked at her then we started cooking her directing me to cut up carrots, onions, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables to make a stew and salad combo. She meanwhile was working on a casserole that looked rather appetizing despite being made of flowers, grasses, hay, and other things no sane predator would ever eat.

After we finished she asked “Even if you could stop it once it left my body, would you be able to reverse the damage it caused to its new host?” I slowly shook my head and she asked “Could it be why Scootaloo can’t fly?” I nodded and she said “If you took the parasite from her and trap it in me would that possibly fix her wings?” I shrugged and she asked “There’s a chance it could happen though?” I nodded. She smiled sadly and said “Tonight after Scootaloo falls to sleep do it. Do what it takes to repair her wings and get rid of the parasite.” I nodded slowly and we sat down as she called Scootaloo in to eat with us. Scootaloo sat at the table and the three of us dug in. I stayed eating the soup and salad while the other two ate the casserole. I finished before them and took my plate to the sink then washed it and put it on the drying rack. I walked back out and looked at Scootaloo’s mother who said “I feel horrible.” I looked at her questioningly and she said “I never introduced myself. My name is Dream Flight.”

I smiled and said “Nice to meet you Dream, I’m Jake Wolf.” She smiled and we walked into the kitchen then she cleaned her and Scootaloo’s dishes off and I sat back at the table as she poured the three of us tea. I glanced at Scoots and said “What’s up Squirt?” She smiled and started telling me about things she had planned for the week. I smiled nodding here and there studying her with my magic sight but listening all the same. I interrupted her asking “If I started taking you out and helping you fly or practice anyway you think you’d be happy?” She nodded enthusiastically and I smiled. I found the parasite and saw it was dormant, having eaten the nerves in Scootaloo’s wings to the point they could respond but couldn’t use magic as they must to gain the lift. I knew I could heal her, but someone would have to give something up for the magic to work. My magic was like alchemy, full of equivalent exchange and checks and balances.

Dream studied me and said “Something’s on your mind Mister Wolf.” I nodded and she said “Care to talk about it?” I shook my head and stretched then leaned back in my chair yawning feeling my energy had somewhat returned, but still exhausted all the same. Dream glanced at Scootaloo and I followed her eyes and she said “Scootaloo why don’t you get ready for bed?” Scootaloo moaned and she said “Now young lady. It’s already past dark and honestly you don’t want to be up to late when you’ve got school tomorrow.” Scootaloo grumbled and walked away then I heard her climbing the stairs and Dream said “Alright, what have you discovered?”

I sighed and said “The magic in her wings, the parasite targeted it and the nerves that allow flight. I can remove the parasite but to repair the damage it will cost someone something. I’m willing to give up my life force, but if I do you can’t tell her why I did it. I’ll gain a few gray hairs, my face might age, but over time it will fade away. I doubt anyone else would be willing to give up something for a filly who isn’t the most well liked or accepted.”

She sighed nodding in agreement with me then said “What if I gave up some of my life force for the spell?” I stared at her and she said “Seriously, what if I gave up six months of my remaining twelve to help her heal?” I shrugged slowly thinking about it and mumbled under my breath. She raised an eyebrow and I stared off into the distance tallying up what would happen in my head. I grumbled softly to myself as she asked “are you ok?” I nodded and sighed then popped my neck and studied her with my magic sight. Her magic was strong, though her body was weak. It was an interesting combination. I didn’t know how to tell her such was the case without revealing more about myself that I really felt no one deserved to know.

I sighed and said “If we do that you’ll be down to six months. I can’t take your magic because it’s what is allowing you to survive despite the damage caused by the parasite. Being a pony you have a lot of magic, if you were an animal with less magic, or even human, the parasite would have ended your life by now. I’m not being cruel, I’m just being honest. It’s hard for me to admit that magic is the only thing preventing the parasite from killing you, but it’s true. If you still want to give up six months I’ll give up part of my life force, you give up your six months and the two of us can combine our efforts for Scootaloo. It should return the power of flight to her before the year is over, she’ll just have to have more nutrition. So you want to do that tonight, or wait?” She thought about it and pointed upstairs. I nodded and said “Alright let’s go do it.” She nodded again and the two of us started upstairs to Scootaloo’s room.

We opened Scootaloo’s door and walked in then I put a hand on Dream’s head and started chanting in the tongue of magic. I can’t explain exactly what language it was, because honestly it’s just a language that has no name. I finished slowly and let go of her as my body aged by five years and I gained a white stripe appeared over my left eye. I sighed and mumbled “Well it seems that like the old man my hair is going to turn white rather than grey.” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair then coughed into my hand a black phlegm coating it. I stared at it surprised and said “Huh, guess that when I removed the parasite it tried to take hold in my lungs.” Dream stared at me surprised and I said “No worries it couldn’t grab. That’s why my phlegm is black and not my blood.” She slowly nodded and we walked to the door where I bid her goodnight and headed home.

I slowly dragged myself along the streets toward my house only to be pulled into an alley by a large burly stallion who studied me and said “Give me all your bits.” I just stared at him as if he was nuts and he said “Now.” I reared my fist back and punched him in the jaw. He spat to the side a bit of blood mixing with his spit and said “Shouldn’t have done that.” I smirked at him as he hoofed me in the shoulder knocking me back a few steps. I snorted not thinking he was that strong when he quickly flipped around and bucked me in the stomach. I held my stomach and dropped to my knees coughing. He smirked and said “Now then, I said it before, I’ll say it again, give me all your bits.” I growled my eyes flashing through many different colors and started to climb to my feet. He smirked and said “Oh getting ready for another beat down.”

I growled and said “Yeah, yours.” I climbed to my full height and grabbed him then flipped him onto his back and kicked him in the side over and over. He coughed as he tried scrambling to his feet when I elbow dropped him and said “Fuck you. I’m not letting you get away after you tried to rob me and assaulted me.” He started to crawl away and I grabbed his head then kicked him in the chin before knocking him out with a well-placed blow to the head. I stared down at him and spat on his back then started walking away holding my stomach and rubbing my jaw. I could feel my fatigue returning from pumping magic into my muscles to lift him up. He wasn’t some small filly I could pick up and play with; he was a full sized stallion, probably of the draft breed. I finally got home and unlocked my door then opened it and walked in. I plopped down on the couch in the foyer and sighed then closed my eyes and mumbled “Why is it that when I do something good for someone something bad happens to me, am I a magnet for trouble or what?”

I sighed and started to lie down when there was a knock on my door. I sighed and got up then opened it to see Rainbow Dash standing there. I raised an eyebrow and asked “Need me for something Miss Dash?” She studied me. I studied her right back and raised an eyebrow she sighed and looked away. I stepped back and said “Want to come in and tell my why you’re here this late at night?” She nodded and walked in without looking at me then sat down on my couch. I leaned on the wall watching her and asked “So what is it, here to chew me out for being around Scoots? Here to tell me to stay away from your friends? Hell are you just here to say hello and ask me how my day was?”

She studied me and asked “What happened to you?” I raised an eyebrow and she pointed at the bags under my eyes and the laugh lines on my face then blinked and asked “Did you dye your hair?” I shook my head and she said “So it goes in with whatever happened to you.” I nodded. She sighed and said “Well since I saw you leaving Scoot’s place I figure it has something to do with her so spill.”

I sighed and said “I removed the parasite preventing Scootaloo from flying.” She stared at me surprised and I continued “However Dream Flight and I had to give up part of our life-force to restore flight to the young Pegasus.” She continued to stare and I said “I’ve aged to about thirty or so when my hair would start turning white. It’ll go away within a month as my body’s magic replenishes my life force but I think I’ll always have the white in my hair.” Dash stared and I said “Yeah. I knew it was a possibility when I fixed Scoots, I accepted it though. Any questions before I collapse and you show yourself out?”

She studied me and asked “Why?” I raised an eyebrow. She said “Why are you helping squirt? Why do you always go out of your way for everyone else? Why is it that no matter what you’re smiling even if you’re exhausted? Why are you so infuriating? Why does Twi trust you so much? Just answer me why?”

I smiled sadly closing my eyes and said “I’m helping Scootaloo because I see her as someone who needs it. I go out of my way because I feel like I need to atone for my sins. I smile because if I let the mask slip and the smile die I’ll either break down in tears or completely lose my shit if I stop. I’m not sure why I’m so frustrating to you, maybe you see something in me everyone else is missing. Twilight trusts me because...well I don’t know why she trusts me, if she trusts me, she shouldn’t, no one should. I’m a horrible person. I hope that answers your whys if not sorry I couldn’t be of help. I hope you don’t need anything else because I’m exhausted. Though if you do want to talk then I’ll talk since I’m not going to fall asleep for a while, knowing me.”

She sighed and said “I’ll get out of your mane. I need to get home. Tomorrow I’ll be bugging you again, but I figure you’re dead on your feet by the look of you.” I nodded and coughed into my hand then she said “Why is it that every time I see you you’re in some kind of physical pain?” I shrugged and yawned then lay down on my couch motioning at the door. She chuckled and said “Right, you want to sleep. Goodnight Jake. I’ll have more to say when we next meet.” I nodded and waved her off then watched her walk out the door noticing her tail was flagging at me and a scent was filling the air.

I sighed and mumbled “She’s going into heat.” I closed my eyes and yawned then said aloud to the room, “I’m getting to old for this shit.” I heard a giggle in my head and muttered “Yup definitely too old.” I stretched out on the couch and used magic to put out the lights and fill the room with soft classical music. I smiled as the music played throughout the room and hummed along. I slowly drifted off to sleep as my body’s exhaustion, the music, and my conversation with Rainbow weighed down on me. My last thought while in the waking world was “Rainbow is going to be trouble. Then again I can’t blame her for being trouble when she is loyalty. Loyalty protects its friends from any threat even that of a possible traitor in its midst.” As my mind flowed away the darkness became my friend for a few seconds more.

I found myself in a burning field. I watched as the darkness engulfed my friends. The fires spread and consumed the houses, shops, and stalls of Ponyville. I watched as the flames spread to Sweet Apple Acres. I stared at the flames then started to notice the ponies running around trying to put everything out. I took a step toward the village only for it to roll further away. I turned and looked behind me to see the Everfree staring down at me haughtily. I growled and said “Fuck you. I refuse to believe that I have to go into you just to save myself. I’d rather burn with my friends than abandon them.” I ran toward the village which started out beyond my reach then slowly started to come closer as my friends ran out of their homes burning. I tried to use my magic but the flames just increased. I screamed out my frustration and summoned an arctic wind. It blew through the town but didn’t affect the village. I dropped to my knees in the street screaming “WHY DOES IT ALWAYS FOLLOW ME!!! IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW MUCH GOOD I DO THE DARKNESS IS ALWAYS THERE ALWAYS CONSUMING AND ALWAYS DESTROYING!!!” I broke down into tears until I heard the sound of hoofsteps approaching.

I slowly looked up the tears falling from my eyes and gasped. Standing before me were the mane six, as I’d come to think of them. Twilight was burned all over and her eyes were dead, Applejack’s Stetson was ripped up but it was still on her head, though she was nothing but bone, Pinkie was cut up all over and yet her cutie mark was still visible, Rainbow had bone wings but she still had her rainbow mane and tail, Rarity was covered in burns but her mane was immaculate as ever, and Fluttershy was sickly looking. Their eyes all looked at me with hatred and they started listing off ways this was my fault. The tears fell faster and I tried to apologize. They just went on over me as if they couldn’t hear. I said “I’ so sorry, I should have never come to Equestria. The darkness followed me and all of you suffered for it. I’m so sorry.”

As I curled up into a ball ready for judgement to be dealt I heard two voices shout “JAKE!!!” I winced and thought “Oh no, now they’re in it too. They’re going to get rid of me, which is what I want but it’s too late.” Luna and Artemis landed in front of me and banished the images of my dead friends then said “Jake you’re ok, this is just a nightmare.” I stared at them with haunted eyes and Luna put a wing around me whispering “It’s ok, it’s ok.” I shivered and shook my head that no, it wasn’t ok. Artemis came up on my other side and put her wing around me as well and said “Why do you torment yourself with this dream every time you sleep alone?” I mumbled my response and she said “I don’t understand.” I mumbled a little louder and Luna said “Everything’s going to be ok. We’ll take you from this dream and make it pleasant. You need to relax and let your mind rest.”

I snorted and said softly “I’m a monster, girls.” I stood up and stretched wings bursting from my back as my body started to show its true form. My feet turned into horse’s hooves, the wings were those of a dragon, wolf ears appeared on top of my head, tiger stripes appeared on my skin, I grew a long fox tail, and my eyes turned a colder grey. I stared at them and said “This is the real me. This is the culmination of everything in my mind.” They smiled sadly and nuzzled me. I stared at them and asked “Why aren’t you running, why aren’t you afraid, Why?” They smiled and nuzzled me more as if to say ‘Because we accept you.’ I sighed softly and shook my head muttering about crazy horses.

They looked at each other then stared into my eyes and said “Because we know you’re anything but a monster. We know you think darkness follows you, but so far you’ve only brought light to the lives of those around you. You purified one of us from their inner darkness, make Tia smile, put up with Cadance, and from what we’ve seen in the mare Dream Flight’s dreams you saved her daughter from the life off a ground bound pony, all it’ll take is you teaching her to fly and her getting over the idea she’ll never lift off.” I sighed at all that and smiled slightly as the dream shattered around me to be replaced by the three of us sitting in my living room smiling at each other. They grinned more and said “There we go. Now if you keep a positive attitude you shouldn’t have to worry about the world turning against you.”

I nodded and said “I know Girls. I just couldn’t accept that I wasn’t a monster thanks to my memories. Back home because of who I was I lost a lot of a friends. I just hope that doesn’t happen here, but if it does I’ll just go back to living on my own. Anyway how did you two find my dream?” They smirked and tapped their horns. I chuckled and said “Right alicorns of dreams, heh I forgot.” I rubbed the back of my neck and said “So should I assume you’ll be watching my dreams looking for a recurrence of my nightmares?” They nodded and I sighed then said “Should I expect you guys to show up in person?” They shook their heads and I said “Okies. Anything big going on that I should know about, or is Canterlot the same old same old?”

Artemis and Luna looked at each other then said together “Everything’s the same.” Artemis continued “Though Tia is getting ready to announce that I exist to the populace at large. We just aren’t sure how to spin it properly so no one freaks out.” I grinned and Luna said “No. You cannot appear and say ‘I am your god maker of alicorns.’” I sighed and muttered causing Artemis to giggle and say “It’s kind of true. He did help lead to you and Tia challenging Eris, then he created my body and turned me into who I am.” Luna stared at her and said “Don’t help his ego grow. He may not let it show but he’s very, very, egotistical at times.” I gave them an innocent look a halo appearing above my head and Artemis said “I see what you mean now.” I let out a sigh and they continued “So, what is your plan for the rest of the night?” I shrugged and Arty asked “No plans, just going to let your mind wander?” Luna continued where she left off with “No plans on playing with alicorns, maybe visiting Tia’s dreams, or checking in on your friends?”

I raised an eyebrow and said “I thought dreams were your domains?” They nodded and I said “So if such is the case, why act like I have power over the realm of dreams?” They stared at me like I was an idiot. I raised an eyebrow and said “You act like I’m as powerful as alicorns, without the restrictions of being a literal incarnation of a celestial force or body. Speaking of which, what about Cadance I know love is a primal force, but isn’t there a god who watches over it, just like there was once a god over the heavens, or are there no gods in this world?” Artemis shrugged and looked at Luna who seemed to be lost in remembrance.

Eventually she said softly “Alicorns are gods. We’re the living embodiment of the thing that made us into an alicorn. Our mortal form is the one thing that we take for granted.” I raised an eyebrow and pointed at Artemis. She smiled slightly and said “Like me she is the literal incarnation of the night. I am the purer aspects of the night, love passion, etc. She is the darker, Anger, distrust, shadowy dealings. Without one another since you gave her form we aren’t able to be whole. Why do you think it’s so hard to stop alicorns for non alicorns other than you and Eris who is a goddess of Chaos?” I pointed at myself questioningly and she said “I am not sure what you’re the embodiment of, I only know your mortal shell is merely that a shell. I can sense it whenever I look at you both here and in the realm of the waking.”

I blinked and said “Well shit. I thought I was an average guy, not some embodiment of who knows what. I doubt that I’m more than your average schmuck despite what you say Luna. If I don’t I’ll get a big head and start acting like a right pompous arse. I hate to be such a downer but if I call myself a god without proof I’m just another Gary Stu. I refuse to be another Gary Stu. Anyway why don’t we go visit a few of my friend’s dreams? I bet if you disguised yourselves as unicorns or Pegasi, or even earth ponies, they’d never realize that two goddesses and a dumb ass had entered their dreams.” Artemis giggled at my description of myself and Luna grumbled about how I’m not a dumb ass I’m a god. I sure didn’t feel like a god, and if I was a god, what was I the god of?

Luna sighed and asked “Whose dream to first?” I shrugged and the six element bearers appeared. Luna studied their likenesses and said “Artemis who do you think we should visit first?” Artemis shrugged then pointed at Applejack and Fluttershy. Luna studied them and said “Honesty or kindness eh? Well I guess it wouldn’t hurt to visit those two, but which should we go to first. Jake of the two who would you rather visit, honest or kindness?” I shrugged and motioned for her to decide my feet propped up on Rainbow Dash’s back because I didn’t feel like telling the copy to move out of my way. She studied me and said “You’re attitude toward loyalty is, surprising.”

I snorted and said “I have the utmost respect for the real rainbow, but this is the dark emotionless husk based on her appearance. She isn’t even a construct based on how I see Rainbow, she’s just a body. If you want to see Rainbow though, we can go find her.” She shook her head and I said “Alright so Flutters or AJ?” She shrugged and mumbled about knowing neither. I looked at Artemis who shrugged and realized I’d had the most interaction with the bearers of the three of us. I had to eventually rectify this I thought and said “Fine let’s go see AJ. You two turn into Earth Ponies and I’ll go as myself.” They nodded and turned into earth ponies in appearance, which didn’t really matter since it was a dream and they had complete control over dreams unless the dreamer restricted them.

We walked into the dream realm and from there to Applejack’s dream then I stretched as we appeared on the road to Sweet Apple Acres and looked down at myself. I had my body, but I was more muscular than usual. I wondered if this was how AJ saw me. I walked along the road as Luna and Artemis appeared on either side of me then we knocked on the door to the farmhouse. AJ answered and said “Howdy Jake. I see you brought friends. Are you here to help us harvest?” I nodded and motioned to my two companions. She studied them and said “I’m surprised, you brought help.” I shrugged and motioned for her to lead on.

She started walking and Artemis said “So miss Apple what’s the plan for today?” Applejack started to ramble off details about the orchard and I whistled softly the more she said. She bucked the first tree and its bounty fell into the buckets surrounding it. I stretched and popped my back then kicked another tree dropping its bounty. I knew with my new strength and pushing magic through my body I could do so in real life, but it felt effortless here.

Artemis and Luna started bucking trees then the three of us gathered around AJ who said “Whooee that was a blast.” I snorted thinking it was anything but a blast. AJ turned to me and asked “So Jake, here anything from Twilight on those farming reforms I asked her to send to the princess?” I shook my head and she sighed then nuzzled my shoulder and said “Ah well, at least you’re willing to help out around here. So what exactly brought you out today?” I just smiled at her. She studied me then said “You are acting a bit off. I know you said you weren’t busy, but ever since you moved to the edge of the Everfree you seem to be different, more accepting and stronger.

I shrugged and said “It’s how I am. I find that living on the edge of the Everfree brings out my inner strength. I plan on patrolling the border from now on. So what’s up?” She shrugged and I nudged her then said “I guess me and my new friends will be off. Rest up AJ.” She nodded and the dream faded away as we returned to my own dream realm. I stretched and Luna watched me while Arty curled up with her head in my lap. I stroked up and down her horn causing her to shiver in pleasure. Luna glared and nudged her over then laid down on the other side. I stretched and stroked both their manes then said “Guess we’ll be here till morning.” They sighed and shook their heads. I raised an eyebrow and they pointed out. I let out an ah in understanding. I stretched and said “I’ll see you two when I get back to Canterlot go counter your ponies’ nightmares.” They nodded and faded away then I relaxed on the couch.

I woke up the following morning and stretched out popping my spine. I yawned loudly and sat up then climbed off my couch and stumbled into my kitchen. I checked my stores for food. When I found none, I swore and mumbled about beasts raiding my fridge. I sighed and stumbled down the street to Sugarcube Corner where I bought some croissants which I ate with gusto. Pinkie sat with me at my table and we discussed my plans for the week. She mentioned that she hadn’t seen Twilight all day and I joked that she was in hiding because she’d caused a town wide disaster. Pinkie waved me off and said “No Jakey, she hasn’t caused any disasters yet, there won’t be one that big until season two.”

I blinked and mouthed ‘Season Two?’ Then realized she meant after the release of Eris. I shrugged and said “Never know Pinkie, she might just surprise us.” She nodded and hopped off to work behind the counter at a call from Mrs. Cake while I got up and headed toward Sweet Apple Acres. As I walked into the acres I saw Macintosh standing around with crutches and said “What happened to you Mac?” He waved me off and I asked “Need any help harvesting?” He studied me surprised and raised an eyebrow. I pointed at his busted hip and said “It looks like the harvest is going to be trouble without you to help.”

He studied me and asked “No strange motive?” I shook my head and he said “Then Eeyup we could use the help, if you can get Applejack outta being stubborn.” I nodded in understanding realizing it must be the applebuck episode aka Applebucking Season. I sighed and started looking for AJ while Mac gave me the occasional directions. I finally found her bucking the south field and about halfway done with it. Mac walked up and said “We got someone interested in helping ya AJ.”

AJ turned to tell him she didn’t “need no help” then saw me and said “Oh.” I nodded and smiled pouring energy into my leg before kicking a tree and the apples fell precisely where they needed to fall. AJ stared on and said “Gosh darn it Jake. I don’t need no help.” I smirked at her in reply and she grumbled then studied me. I raised an eyebrow and she said “Weren’t you scrawnier last time we talked?” I shrugged and she said “Maybe it was just mah mind playing tricks on me.” She studied me and said “Why do yah wanna help anyway?”

I studied her and said “I know what will happen if you work too hard. You’ll try to keep all your promises and you’ll be so exhausted you’ll screw up big time. You’ll be over tired so you won’t be ready for anything other than needing to sleep. If I help we can counter some of it. I can cover the parts of the field Mac would normally cover, and if we need to we can invite our friends.” She stared at me mouth agape and I closed it saying “Going to catch flies my little pony.” She slowly shook her head and glared at me through her lashes. I smiled and said “I refuse to take no for an answer. You either let me help out with the farm, or you let me help out the farm and help with your other promises.”

She stared at me and asked “What other promises?” I smirked and shrugged. She stared and said “Seriously, partner. What other promises yah talking about?” I looked at her as if saying ‘Any and all until the season is over.’ She seemed to understand my look as she glared and said “I don’t need yawl looking out for me Sugar cube.” I snorted at that and started into the grove to buck a few trees. She looked after me surprised and yelled “YOU’RE NOWHERE NEAR STUBBORN ENOUGH TO GET AWAY WITH THIS HUN!!! I’LL TRACK YOU DOWN AND PROVE I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP!!” I waved at her over my shoulder completely tuning her out in my own way. I hummed a jaunty little tune as I heard AJ scream in rage and come charging at me. I swung up over her then came down grasping her neck in a choke hold and fighting against her. My increased strength put me on equal footing with ninety percent of the earth ponies I’d met.

I held her until she stopped struggling and asked “Calmer?” She nodded and I slowly let go of her then said “Now instead of being pissy how about you and I get along and do our job.” She glared rubbing her throat and I smirked at her. She studied me and I said “I’m really a good guy, just have a habit of doing whatever happens to come to my mind. This leads to problems later on down the road. I don’t ask for anything in return for doing this AJ, you guys need the help and this needs to get done. You’re farm brings a lot of income into the town and as such I can’t let your harvest go to waste.” Applejack sighed and turned then started working on trees with me.

We chatted as we worked, overseen by Big Mac, which his name always made me think of hamburgers, and occasionally bugged by Applebloom. Eventually Mac took Bloom to school and we were allowed to work in peace. AJ and I chatted as we worked, then around lunch time we stopped and headed to the barn. Suddenly AJ heard something I missed and whistled for Winnona. I stared after her and finished my food then loaded apples into the barn while she did whatever it was she had to do.

I heard the sound of someone calling my name coming from the Everfree as I waited for Applejack to return. I sighed and muttered “Three options. One I go to the forest. Two I wait for AJ to get back and just work my ass off. Three I wait for AJ, work my ass off, then enter the forest after eating with her family.” I sighed and said aloud “Option Three it is.” I continued working till AJ returned, harvesting a good third of the east field when she trotted up. I looked at her and asked “So, what’s going on that you had to leave Apple Bucking to me of all creatures?” She shrugged and started bucking trees, seeming only slightly winded, though I knew her exhaustion ran deeper than she was letting show even if I couldn’t prove it. I stretched and asked “So what’s the plan for the rest of the day AJ?”

She studied me and said “The plan for the rest of the day is to finish what we can, eat dinner, then you go home and I go to sleep to prepare for tomorrow. Thanks for the help by the way sugar cube.” I shrugged and waved her off like it was no big, which to me it wasn’t. We worked talking about the town and what she’d do if she went to the gala. I admitted her idea was alright, but I figured I’d throw a word in with Celestia about her possibly catering rather than just attending. After all free food was always better than what you had to pay for even if the food was shitty. At least that’s what a few friends told me. I personally believed I’d rather have good food I’d paid for than free food that sucked. Sadly the nobility wouldn’t agree with me unless they saw Celestia partaking. I had my own plans of course, but first I had to get Celestia and Luna on my side.

I yawned and AJ said “Thanks for all your help partner.” I smiled to let her know it was no problem and she asked “You sure you have no problem helping me out with the harvest? I can’t exactly pay you since I don’t even have enough to cover Granny’s hip replacement surgery, or the barn, or even the farmhouse.” I nodded to let her know I understood and pulled out my last piece of gum popping it into my mouth. She stared at me and said “Why do you always chew that stuff partner?”

I chewed and blew a bubble then said “It keeps me from stressing too much, and keeps me from reaching for a pack of cigarettes that isn’t there.” She stared at me and I said “Cigarettes were known as cancer sticks back home. I got hooked on them when I was eighteen, and when I was nineteen, I quit and switched to chewing gum. I’ve chewed gum when I was stressed ever since. Not saying you stress me out, but working my ass off sure does.” She stared at me and I said “I guess it would be better to say working my flank off.” She nodded and we stretched then headed to the farm house. I’d learned quite a bit about AJ, she was as hard working as the show portrayed her, she valued family above all else, and she was very stubborn. However beyond all that was her honesty. It was the core of who she was and honestly it was refreshing to be around someone like that.

I stretched as we walked into the farmhouse and bowed to Granny Smith making her say “No reason for you to bow to me young Stallion. Easiest way you can repay me is by getting my granddaughter to give me great grandbabies.” I chuckled while AJ blushed up a storm and argued with her grandmother. I only listened with half a mind to the two going back and forth as Bloom was staring at the table eyes downcast, and Mac was eating quietly. I yawned silently then stretched and dug in glad that I could eat the delicious food because it was all apple related rather than flowers or hay. I seriously needed to get a hold of meat though, before my craving got to out of hand.

I yawned and thanked them for a wonderful dinner promising to be back in the morning to help AJ once again then headed out of the farm and for home, at least that’s what I appeared to be doing. In actuality I was planning on circling around and entering the Everfree. I slipped into the Everfree when I was sure no one was watching and started listening for the voice. When I heard it I started following it, wondering who or what could possibly know my name in this place. I mean it reminded me of back home, but still that wasn’t saying much since a lot of places reminded me of back home. It was just this place was a bit more dangerous than most others. I stretched as I walked until I got to a clearing where a figure stood watching me surrounded by a mix of sun and moonlight. I stared and they said “Ah there you are.” I looked at them questioningly and they said “I have been calling for you, because it’s time for you to remember who you are.” I repeated what they said to myself then looked at them confusedly. They smiled and said “Yes remember who you are. Are you ready?”

I shrugged and said “Guess so.” They smiled knowingly and blasted me with a wave of energy. I fell to my knees as the energy coursed through me and found myself staring down three different tunnels. I blinked and the tunnels rather than going away started to shift and change. I turned to my left and looked down that tunnel first. It was my life as a racer and demon hunter. Now I’ve said before that I have three sets of memories. This was one of them, in this life I was a street racer, but when I left the track, which is what we called the area we raced in, I became a demon hunter. I watched myself kill demon after demon and winced feeling each strike they managed to land on me cut me open. I stared down as a claw burst out of my chest then receded as the pain vanished and was replaced by healing light. The wound closed leaving a small scar. Eventually the demon fighting was over and I saw this life led to my current one, which was of me just running and working out now and then.

Next I looked to my far right and saw my life as an agent. I watched as I eliminated people rather than taking them back to the agency feeling myself grow colder with each kill. I knew that it was kill, be killed, or take them in to be turned into the same thing I was. It was here that I saw the birth of my many sides including my angel and demon. I watched as my body shuddered and changed constantly eventually nothing was left of who I once was. I felt the changes affect my real body as well. My spine burst open as a pair of dragon wings were formed, followed by an angelic and demonic wing. I sprouted wolf ears, nine fox tails, my feet turned into hooves, I gained tiger stripes across my body, and my eyes turned silver. I howled out in pain to the world and collapsed then felt the changes recede. Finally I looked at the third one and smiled slightly. It was of my life without all the strange things happening. I lived with my family, hung out with my friends, ironically watched MLP, and just enjoyed life.

As it all faded the figure reappeared and said “You have been hiding from yourself.” I stared at it and it continued “These are all pieces of who you are. The monster, the hunter, the civilian, the racer, you were shaped by each of these. You banished the memories of most and shut yourself away from your past. Now you’re dealing with the pain. I see you accepting your scars. Now you are finally the writer, the fighter, and the king this world needs.” I stared at it and it said “You are Jake. You are Jay. You are Jacob. Three names you wore, each one as true as the next. Wolf and Shade, the two names you used alongside your first names. You are Jake Wolf, Jay Shade, and Jacob Shadow Wolf. You are the one and only writer. You will change this world for the better if you let yourself. Acceptance is more than just a word. Acceptance is a part of who you are.”

I nodded and said “No more running. I am Jake Wolf. Jacob Shadow Wolf died long ago. Jay Shade was a name I used to hide. Jake Wolf is my true name. I am the wolfish writer, and this is my story.” The figure nodded and faded away as I stumbled back to my home then collapsed onto my couch the wounds covering my body fading to scars that would remain until the day I died. I stretched out on my couch and pulled a quill to me then started writing a story; it was a story of love, loss, friendship, and adventure. For once I felt the urge to write like I did as a kid. I fell asleep the quill falling from my fingers and my mind finally ready to accept the truth.

Author's Note

Well there you have it Chapter 7. Chapter 8 is already started, took a while but ah well. Also since I don't feel like explaining this in the comments, Jake did fuse dream's parasite to her. When he healed Scoots he fused Dream's parasite to her body and the six months she'd have lost was given to Scoots through his magic. this will be explained next chapter. That being said, if you are still lost or want to know about anything send me a pm or leave a comment. anyway Jake Shadow Wings Signing out.