Existential Bullsh*t

----Everfree Forest----

Why is it that when I have nothing to do, I always find myself wandering around in this forest?

Oh, right.. This is where it all started. My new life, here in a pony filled world. I can barely remember much of my old life anymore, as my life here has overwritten it almost completely. I only remembered a few key moments of my life before Equestria. In fact the only thing I remember fully, is the fact that I became Hazama, as such, I had taken up his name, and everything else he was. But something seemed.. Wrong-

"So, what happened last night?" The voice of Luna woke me up from my daydreaming. I quickly pulled the communication crystal from my sleeve and a magical projection of Luna stood before me. She was standing next to Celestia, and had a knowing smirk on her face, as Celestia had a small smile on her own. I shook my head with a small smile of my own.

"Oh, you know. I went to visit a friend I made on one of my first visits in Ponyville. As it turns out, she had a small crush on me." Luna looked at me shocked, before dropping the look in favor of another, fonder one.

"I assume you said yes then?" She spoke with a soft laugh. At my nod, she nudged Celestia with her wing. "I told you he wouldn't wait for our say in the matter." She rolled her eyes, as Celestia chuckled lightly.

"We knew you wouldn't be able to help yourself. Especially since your not quite used to the way things work with Herds. But please, try to be more patient. The bigger the Herd gets the more responsibilities you gain." Celestia's look grew slightly stern. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as I chuckled.

"Yes, yes, of course dear." My chuckle stopped as I looked at the two sisters, my eye cracked open. "I miss you Two, I'll come visit tomorrow. Twilight needs me for a few things today." I said softly. The Two sisters looked at each other then back to me with warm smiles on their faces.

"We'll be waiting." They both said in unison. I watched as they reached over to cancel the communication. Reaching for my own crystal, as it lazily floated above my palm, I smiled.

"I love you." I said while grabbing the crystal. As the communication ended, I head Two reactions.

"Oh?" Came from a moderately surprised Luna.

"Eep!" Came a the cute squeal from Celestia. The projections fizzled out before more could be said, as I placed the crystal inside my sleeve.

"Even now I wonder, why you accept creatures of another race as lovers, I still don't grasp the concept. I don't mind, what with my Dearest accepting me as well. I just find it hard to imagine from my point of view." Nightmares voice rang out in my head. I chuckled at her confusion.

"Well, to be honest, it just happened. Unlike you Two, who had a Thousand years to work out your kinks as a couple.. If that even counts, as you don't have a body- But anyway, I on the other-hand, had my own relationship thrown at me like a brick to the head. Sure, I love Luna, and the many years I spent thinking about her, let me think about all the reasons why I do indeed love her. In the short time I've been with her, I don't see her as a different species, or even an outlet for sexual gratification. Simply someone who understands and want to be with me for who I am, not what I am. And I feel the same." My long winded explanation was enough to satisfy Nightmare, as I felt her leave the connection.

I sat back on the ground, and looked back up at the morning sky. Well I tried anyway. My vision flooded with a dark green as I was suddenly transferred into the inner Battle Arena that me and Terumi have our spats in every time.

----Mindscape----

*BAM*

Immediately I was thrown back by a punch to my face, and I was forced to backflip to regain my balance.

"You're a complete idiot!" Terumi growled.

The hell did this come from? What could I have said to piss him off?

I wiped my nose, the slight trail of blood disappearing, and got into my battle stance. Exactly as Hazama, down to impish grin on my face.

"What's got you all pissed off?" I asked, flexing my fingers like Hazama in the game, ready to use my Ouroboros at a moments notice.

Terumi's face dropped even further into rage, as he slipped forward with speed I wasn't sure he had before. He slammed into me, holding my throat with a single hand, the other hand clenched into a fist.

"Stop that!" He screamed in my face, burying his fist into my stomach. I was sent flying backwards again, this time I was caught by the arm, as Terumi planted a knee into my side and flipped me over his head roughly, almost pulling my arm out of it's socket with the force. My body plunged into the ground, creating a small crater.

I looked up, dazed. Terumi stood over the crater lip, looking down at me.

"I'm tired of it! I thought you would get it eventually, but it only gets worse!" He was getting angrier. His frown deepened into a snarl. I took the chance of him talking to jump out of the hole in the ground, landing on the opposite side of Terumi. I quickly sent an Ouroboros and zipped to his left. Jumping slightly into the air I did a quick turn and flip into an energy charged kick.

"Hirentotsu" The kick flew towards Terumi's head from above.

*BAM*

When the small cloud of dust settled I gaped in awe, as Terumi stood there eyes boring into me, as he held his arms crossed, blocking my kick. With a quick twist I went with another of Hazama's more used attacks, bringing the still airborne leg up, I lashed out with the other leg, from the ground up, green energy charged upwards.

"Gashoukyaku" I sent the kick straight for his chest at the best angle I could muster I my current position. I watched in awe as Terumi quickly wrapped my foot and leg in his own green energy. It wasn't a spirit or anything like he would normally attack with.

I couched as he dug his leg into my side, I heard and felt at least Three ribs crack from the force alone. I plopped onto the ground, holding my side tightly, as Terumi snapped his fingers. A small wave of energy pulsed from him, and quickly wrapped over me, tying me up with just his energy.

How?! How was he doing things like this? It never happened like that in the game!

"You may be a smartass, but you still don't know anything." Terumi seemed to falter a bit in his anger, before slowing down and standing straight again. "Who are you?"

Was- Was this a joke?

"What do you mean?" I coughed out, "I'm Hazama!" I stated as bluntly as possible.

In an instant Terumi had an Ouroboros wrapped around my neck, and was using it to tug me into the air.

"Wrong answer.." He growled. "I'll ask again. Who. Are. You?!" He screamed in rage.

"I don't know!"

Silence

"What did you say?" Terumi's voice was calm, almost too calm.

"I don't know.."

Terumi looked at me, rage dying down.

"Exactly!" He yelled out, as he let me go. I fell in a heap on the floor, as his Green energy and Ouroboros dissipated. With a swift kick, he rolled me away a few feet, as he turned around.

"When we first got here, you were a green-horn. A newbie. So I let you prance about as Hazama. I figured that you would stop eventually, but you didn't. You didn't!" He turned around, and grabbed me by the collar. Bringing me to his face, I flinched back at the snarl on it.

"You pretended to be him for so long you forgot who you are! You are NOT Hazama! You are NOT a video-game character! You aren't even human anymore!" Terumi threw me onto the ground, as he turned around again his energy and chain dissipating into the air.

A small silence allowed me to gather myself, and even get myself to my hands and knees.

"However-" He started. His rage all but gone from his voice. "You, who were not given this power by birth, didn't want the reason of why, only to start over and live again. You, who didn't even think twice about helping your enemy, only for the fact of being nice. You, have done what Kazuma and Hazama failed to do before you." Her turned to me, as I watched him with a slightly cracked open eye. "You fought me off. You, who didn't have half the power they did, fought me off and kept control. So no, you're not Hazama from Blazblue. You're Hazama from Earth." He finished with a smirk. Before snapping his fingers, a cluster of energy started floating. My eyes widened at his next remark.

"So start thinking like an Earthling!" He called out with a laugh, as his Green energy balls dropped onto me and engulfed me in an explosion .

----Back on the Outside----

I awoke with a start, eye cocked open slightly as I skimmed my surroundings. The familiar feeling of fighting Terumi washed over me, as the tiredness sunk in. But even though I was tired, and beaten. My smile couldn't have been bigger.

I lifted my hand up, and focused some power to it. In a flash, a small ball of Green light appeared in my palm.

"Terumi you big softie, you could have just told me. You didn't have to beat it into me." I said aloud.

"Tsk, don't thank me! I just want you to actually be a challenge. From here on out, I play for keeps, no more games." I heard him respond. With that, I cut him from the connection.

"If that's how you wanna play, then I have work to do." I said to no-one in particular. I stood up, and began the arduous task of making up my own fighting style. One that would only be brought out against Terumi.

I smiled as I summoned an Ouroboros to my hand, I let it slip to the ground, elongating the chain past what I normally use. I watched as the chain slithered on the ground like a real snake.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

---A Few Hours Later: Ponyville---

I walked into Ponyville smiling. Walking up to Fluttershy's house was first, as she lived right on the outskirts. I knocked on the door, and waited. I was surprised when a smiling Fluttershy opened the door.

"Hello Hazama. What are you doing all the way out here?" She asked in her soft voice.

"Oh, well, I was on my way into town, and to be honest. I realized I haven't spent much time hanging out with any of you lately." I chuckled lightly, as I rubbed the back of my head. Fluttershy immediately 'Eep'ed' and began fiddling with her hooves..

"Oh, no! I know you've been busy." She said softly. "I also know that you have both the Princesses and Pinkie to keep yourself busy with, so I really wasn't expecting you to.." She kind of trailed off, as I gently put a hand onto her head. I gently scratched her ear, watching as she leaned into my touch like a cat.

"Fluttershy, you know as well as I do, that there is no reason my relationship should stop me from seeing friends." I say, crouching down to give her a hug.

"O-oh! If that's what you want.." She mumbled as she returned the hug lightly. I looked past her and saw the many different animals in her house. I saw everything from a Bear to certain bugs running on the walls. As I stood up from the hug, I walked into the doorway, and whistled lowly at the sight.

"Wow, that's a lot of animals Flutters, may I?" I asked, waving a hand at the door I was standing in.

"Oh! Yes, of course!" She seemed to smile as she nodded her head. I walked in, and noted that all the animals seemed to keep away from me. Must have been a side affect of Terumi existing inside of me. I vaguely recall that I have had no run-ins with animals in the Everfree. I was about to turn and leave the house when something caught my attention.

A light Green snake was just coiled up on the nearby windowsill and was watching me with interest. I found it odd.. That I Somehow knew what species of snake it was.. Oh well, lets roll with it.

"Oh wow, is that a Green Copperhead?" I asked, as I crouched in front of it, bringing it to my eye level. It gently rose from its coiled position, much like a cobra does, and leaned towards me. Its tongue flicking in and out rapidly, as if testing the air. It flinched back slightly, but recoiled right back into its original spot, head cocked slightly to the side. It seemed to size me up slightly. Then, in a flash of movement, I found the snake gently wrapped around my neck, and I felt its tongue flick into my ear. It let out a signature snake hiss, and my eyes widened.

Why?

Well.. This-

{You smell like monster.} A rough, yet clear feminine voice came the snakes mouth.

I could understand the snake?

...

Okay, I can dig it

I carefully rubbed a finger on her head, going under the chin. She hissed again, backing away from the finger.

{Are you monster} She sounded more curious than cautious.

"No." As if on cue, Me and Fluttershy both said in unison. Although, Fluttershy's came out as more of a scolding, then the simple answer I gave it. She looked at me funny.

{You can hear?}

"You can understand her?" Fluttershy sounded exited, and confused at the same time. I merely shrugged my shoulders.

"Apparently, yes." I chuckled, as the snake nodded slightly in understanding. She tightened slightly on my neck, as she hissed once more into my ear.

{I follow brother}

I chuckled, and simply nodded in response. If the little lady wants to hang out, then I wont stop her.

"Oh!" I heard the squeak come from Fluttershy. I turned to see her eyes wide as she stared at me. They even had little stars in them. "I had no idea you could talk to animals!" She said, much louder than normal. I looked from the snake to her and smiled.

"Sorry Flutters, but I think its just snakes." Her smile dropped slightly, but she kept firm.

"Even that, is amazing! I'll have to get you to talk to the nest nearby. And I'll have to get you all the things you'll need to take care of her." She started to mumble to herself after that, as she turned around and began collecting things.

{Mother will be busy for a while} The snake hissed.

"Right. Hey Flutters, when your done, I'll probably be around Twilight's house okay?"

I waited for a response, but none came. I shrugged, and walked out the still open door. I left it open, as the animals inside seemed to be leaving slowly as well. I started walking towards Sweet Apple Acres, to see Applejack. Tilting my head down, I nudged the comfy snake.

"I'm going to name you, unless you already have one. That okay with you?" I ask the snake. She looked at me with a tilted head.

{We do not give names} She seemed to think on it. {Brother has name?} She asked, her tone now coming off as a younger sister asking an older sibling a question.

"Right, Sorry I didn't introduce myself. My name is Hazama." I stated, giving her the trademark Hazama grin.

{Hazama..} She seemed to test the name out, like she had never used a name before. She seemed to get lost in thought for a bit, before she shook her head a little. {Brother give name?} She asked cutely. I thought for a bit, finger on my chin. An idea came, and with it, a smirk. One of the few things I remember of my old life was all the Anime I used to watch. And one name caught my attention for this little snake.

"From now on, you will be called Ophis." I waited for her to think on it.

{Ophis..} She tried the name on her tongue like she did my own, then smiled. Ever seen a snake smile? No? Good.
{Ophis is good name, brother}

I don't know why, but her accepting the name I gave her, and still calling me brother.. It filled me with so much pride! So much that I copied her smile. I was so caught up in the moment that I barely noticed the Orange mare in front of me.

"Ya'll okay sugarcube?" Applejack asked. I stopped walking, and snapped my attention back to normal.

"Oh, hey AJ!" I called out happily. "I'm fine, just had a good morning is all." I said. Applejack looked at me confused.

"Why did ya just lie? Was it a bad?" She asked. I shook my head.

"Sorry, let me re-phrase that. I had an interesting morning." I tried. Applejacks confused look only deepened.

"How in tarnation is that a half lie?" She seemed to ask herself.

She can feel out my lies, and even my half truths? I think my spine just shivered a bit at the implications, and I looked to Applejack seriously.

"AJ, under no circumstance are you to start liking me." I said with a stern face. No way in Tartarus did I need the pony equivalent of a lie detector in the Herd that I cant lie too.

I watched as she met my stern gaze with her own.

"That's fine. I don't feel that way about ya anyway." She scoffed playfully with a smile. I nodded, my grin coming back as I looked around. I noted the bright Red apples everywhere, and wondered if-

"Oh no! Not after last time ya don't!" Applejack yelled out, pushing me away with her hoof. Her face one of frustration.

"Oh come on, I only knocked over Three tree's last time!" I countered.

"And what about the Six that ya'll blew up?" She asked, much like how one scolds a child.

"...Sorry?" I offered my best apology.

"No! Your not allowed in mah farm during Applebuck season!" She growled.

I sighed in defeat, and shook my head. I looked at the trees full of apples. Each apple looked better than the last..

"May I have an apple then?" I asked nicely. I watched as Applejack sighed and shook her head.

"Yeah, go ahead."

I nodded, smile widening, as I focused on one of the few things I began training on earlier. I let an Ouroboros fall from my sleeve as it slid down onto the ground. It raced along the ground much like a snake would, and zipped up the closest tree and coiled around it slightly. With a twitch of a finger, the chain pulsed, and all the apples fell from the tree. The head of the Ouroboros slapped an apple, sending it flying towards me, as the chain itself evaporated into Green energy. The rest of the apples simply fell into the bucket laid out on the ground around the tree.

"See? No problem!" I said happily biting into the apple.

*Fwoosh*

My eyes widened as I watched the tree erupt into Green flames.

...

So close!

"Bye AJ!" I called, already jumping into the air away from Sweet Apple Acres.

"Arrg!!" I heard Applejack howl out from the ground.

I landed back on the ground, somewhere near to Rarity's place, but I was distracted by the weirdest feeling.

Somewhere, somehow, I was being watched.

It was close, so close I could almost feel it..

I reached into my coat, and pulled out the culprit.

"Morning Pinks." I say with a smile.

"How do you know?!" She howled out, hooves outstretched into the air in a dramatic fashion. I simply chuckled and tapped my head.

"How can I miss the giant ball of floating fun?" I poked her stomach, causing her to giggle. I gave her a quick peck, that she returned with gusto.

"Having a good day Hazie?" Her smile was contagious. That big, ever widening smile. I tried my best to give it back as I answered.

"I am now." I said softly, giving her a hug. I took a small sniff of her mane: cotton candy, just as I remembered. Something caught my eye. I reached into her mane, making her giggle. I wound up letting her go, as she dropped to the ground, as I pushed myself in until just my legs were hanging out.

"Whatcha doin?" She asked, tilting her head to the side, causing me to kick at the ground. I used it to pull myself out.

"Jeeze Pinks, you should watch what you let in there." I said, brushing myself off. I held up the small alligator that I found in there. Its eyes were a bright Purple, and it had no teeth, as it was currently latched onto my hand.

"Ooh, Gummy! That's where you went! I've been looking for you all morning!" Pinkie grabbed the little alligator from my hand, as it chomped back onto her mane, much like one would actual cotton candy. She giggled.

"Hey Pinks, can you find Rainbow? I believe I owe that mare a race." I said. Pinkie looked at me in wonder.

"OH wow, I never ever thought you would race her! I know where she is!" She went to zip off, until I grabbed her hoof. She looked at me confused. I reached into her mane again, and pulled out Ophis. The snake shivering before coiling around my neck again.

{Soo.. Much.. Pink} She hissed out.

"Aww! She's cute!" Pinkie called out, as she watched us. "Ok, I'll be back!"

"I'll probably be at Twilight's!" I call towards the retreating form of Pinkie.

Okay then, all that leaves is- Oh, its right here.

I walked up to Rarity's Boutique and knocked on the door.

"~Coming!~" Rarity sang out. Upon opening the door she smiled.

"Oh Hazama, darling, how have you been?" She asked. She was still smiling. I wonder why?

"Oh, I'm fine, just visiting all my friends. Have you been busy? It's been a while since I've been around." I said, sitting on her guest couch, as she stood in front of me, still smiling.

"Oh yes! But not with work, and if I am to believe what I've been told, then your the one responsible." She said to me, her smile turning to a smirk.

Did I do something? I feel like I should know what I did..

"Rarity, who was it?" A voice called from the stairs, leading up to the bedrooms. I looked to see.. Spike.

"Aah, right. I see my advice to Spike helped out did it?" I asked. I was suddenly taken into a hug by Rarity. I heard Spike make his way downstairs.

"My little Spikey-wikey suddenly started complimenting my looks, and even started buying me small gifts with his gems instead of eating them. He's been much more mature." With that last bit she turned to Spike, and winked. The small purple drake chuckled embarrassedly as he looked at me.

"You were right dude. All I needed to do was act my age, rather than my size. Like you said:

---Flashback---

"Listen Spike." I spoke, catching his attention once again. "If you want Rarity to notice you in any way other than as a baby, you need to do a few things." Spike's eyes narrowed, as he focused his full attention on me.

"What is it?" He asked seriously.

"Good start kid." I pat him lightly on the head, before going back to serious mode. "First step, How old are you?" I asked him.

"I'm only Five years younger than Twilight. I'm Sixteen." He said.

"Good, Second step. Act your age!" I gently bopped him on the head. "Yes I know that dragons age differently than ponies. But you still have Sixteen years of experience, you shouldn't act like such a kid. Especially when you like a mare. Once a mare see's you as a friend, its Very hard to get closer than that. So your already at a disadvantage. But this should help your chances."

"Right!" He nodded.

"Step Three is the easiest. You need to do things that other ponies would do to show affection. Small gifts, compliments, that kind of thing. Show her your desire to court her!" I said with a smile, as he jumped up, fire in his eyes.

"Right!"

"Now it will be hard to start. As your crush on her will make you go all dopey over and over again. You need to break that. When you feel like you can't say no to her, when you see nothing but her, I want you to walk away." I heard Spike gasp like I hit him. "I know it will be hard, but it's one of the only ways to break yourself from that love struck mode you get into. Once you can be near her without drooling, you can start too buy her gifts that she seems fond of. Start small, little trinkets work best. From there its all you, how you adapt to being around her, and if she starts to show interest in you." I stood up, and walked to the door. As I opened the door and stepped out, I turned to close the door. "Remember to be yourself Spike, nobody likes a fake." As I close the door.

---Flashback: End---

I coughed into my hand, I had forgotten all about the stuff I told him. It seems my memory is a bit shot, due to all the crud that's been going on constantly. I'm happy that I haven't had a problem in a while, It let me get around to the few promises that I made a while back.

I looked over to see Spike getting a nuzzle from Rarity, the small drake blushing from the contact. I chuckle, as he looked quite flustered.

"I'm glad you Two got together, you make a good couple. I told Twilight I would help her today, so I'll leave the Two of you alone." I say with a smile, as I make for the door. I was stopped by Spike, as he jumped in front of me, with a great big smile on his face.

"I owe you one bro, you helped me. You helped us. Whatever you need, whenever you need. I'll do my best." He said holding out a hand for a handshake. I looked to his clawed hand, then him. I laughed lightly, reaching over and shaking his hand.

"If that's how you want to do it, fine. But I doubt I'll ever ask you for something." I turned to leave and exited Rarity's just in time to hear Rarity call Spike over to her couch. I then heard the door lock behind me. I chuckled again, sounds like Spike grew up faster than I thought.

I quickly made my way to Twilight's Library. Upon entering, this time I didn't knock, I found Twilight standing on top of some platform made of plastic.

"Finally!" She shouted, as she lit her horn up. The Purple glow was brighter than the last time, as her face scrunched up in concentration. Suddenly a Purple sphere surrounded me, and made me touch the side to keep my balance as she made it hover. I pulsed some of my energy into it, and it only flashed, before I felt a sting on my hand. My eyebrow quirked upwards as I looked to my slightly smoking palm. She redirected my pulse back to me.. How intriguing.

After thinking for a quick second, I reasoned that I could just power through it, but that would make a magic backlash, and that isn't something I want happening inside Ponyville. So I did the next best thing, I relaxed. What I wanted to do required the finest of touches. I focused on my hand, I watched as it faded slightly, becoming slightly incorporeal. I pushed it to the sphere, and it fazed right through. Upon getting through, I pushed my power back through it, and tapped the shield. Green cracks quickly spread across the Purple barrier, before it shattered, letting me land on my feet. I quickly re-oriented my 'personal' barrier back over my hand, letting it fade back to normal. I flexed my hand, feeling nothing wrong with it, aside from the slight tingling that comes with both losing and regaining nerves.

"Gah! How? Why!" Twilight called out. I looked over to her, and realized how hard she must of tried. She had tears in her eyes..

"Relax Twilight, breath." I called softly, walking over to her and petting her head slightly. "You would have gotten me with that one had I not cheated." I said honestly. On the inside I was jumping up and down like a kid given candy. The hand I've been using to interact with ponies today has been my 'Herd' seal hand, and it hasn't gone off Once today!

"Cheated?" Her whisper startled me. She was staring up at me with slightly wide eyes, tears still in the corners of her eyes.

"Well.. Yeah. I used one of my abilities to faze my hand through your barrier." Her look hardened slightly.

"How is that cheating?" Her voice was confused.

"It's not exactly my ability.." I chuckled embarrassedly. Twilights eyes shot wide.

"You mean-" She started.

"Yup, you made me use a bastardized version of Terumi's ability." I said, smiling.

"Bullshit! Since when can you do that? That's not one of mine!" Terumi sounded agitated.

"Perhaps he trained more than you give him credit for, Dearest." The voice of Nightmare sounded next to his.

"No, fuck you!" I heard him tell Nightmare quickly. "How the fuck did you do that? I cant do that!" He sounded both angry and surprised.. But more angry.

"Excuse me?" Nightmare called out, sounding just as angry. Maybe I shouldn't have- "Who do you think you are talking to?!" She yelled, the venom in her voice was.. Scary.

"I did say 'bastardized' after all. It just means I took a concept from you and made it my own." I replied simply, shrugging my shoulders.

"I know what the word means!" Terumi yelled, his rage climbing. "What I want to know, is how you can do something I've been trying to do for years.. How.. How did you figure out how to make a part of your body stay physical as you slipped out of reality?" His question made me smile.

"It's simple really. And when you figure it out, get back to me." I smirked as I cut the connection.

"Sorry Twi, you were saying?" I asked Twilight, as she seemed to be waiting for an answer.

"You know, It weird being able to tell when you talk to Terumi." She said, looking at me weird. She shook her head as she muttered something about 'Ponies with multiple personalities'.

"I had no idea you could tell. What's the give away?" I laughed, rubbing my neck slightly. Twilight's face erupted into a smirk.

"You don't know? Well, you keep coming back and helping me test my barriers and I'll tell you someday." She finished with a small laugh, myself following soon after.

"Ah, alright then. Same time next week then?" I asked, standing up from my slightly hunched over position.

"Yup!" Twilight's face lit up in a bright smile. "Next time, I'll get you. I've got some great notes to work into my barrier. Maybe next time I can increase the focal point into a smaller contact, making a smaller surface area? No, I'd need to condense the overlay a bit too much.." She drowned herself into her mumblings. I chuckled, as she simply turned and began writing in her little notebook on her desk. I left, as I knew she would be locked in her inner ramblings for at least a few hours. I shut the door behind me, and quickly turned around to catch a rapidly incoming projectile.

"Oomf!" A female voice came from my hands as I caught it. My eyebrow rose for a split second before I realized 'who' it was, not 'what' it is.

"Hello Rainbow." I stifled a laugh, as I let her go. She shook like a wet dog, as she floated mid-air. Resetting her wings and feathers to their proper position.

"Sup." She responded once she was done fixing herself up. "Heard ya wanna have that race now. It's about time!" She huffed. She zipped up to my face. "I've been dying to see who's faster! So lets go!" She landed casually on the ground next to me. I smiled at her readiness. I got into a relaxed position, I knew she was fast.

"So how are we going to do this? Abilities, or just an on foot.. Erm.. On hoof?" I ask casually. She looked up at me, and was about to answer, before she caught herself. She got into a thinking position, before placing it down and answering me.

"I use my wings, you use whatever you can. No teleporting! That's not speed!" She added in a flurry. I sighed in relief.

"Good, I don't teleport anyway. So, how about we go from here to Canterlot, and back?" I asked her. My casualness of the distance must have thrown her off, since she almost fell out of the air.

"That far?" She asked, surprise on her face. It quickly faded into cockiness again however, as she smirked. "Okay, fine. Nopony can get to Canterlot faster than me, let alone both ways." She boasted as she got into her ready stance. I let an Ouroboros fall from each sleeve. I gently grabbed Ophis, and placed her down on Twilights doorstep.

"I'll be right back." The snake simply nodded as she coiled up, watching us. "Ready?" I ask.

"Go!" Rainbow zipped into the sky, and was already distancing herself from Ponyville. I shook my head slightly at her head start, smiling. I jumped into the air, and with a quick twirl, I launched one Ouroboros towards Canterlot Castle as quick as I could. It was sent speeding through the air, following a fair bit slower than Rainbow's speed, which just slowed down, as she rounded the Castle. Her Rainbow trail easy to track even through the massive distance. My other Ouroboros had already wrapped itself twice around Twilights. Thankfully, I had trained in something similar this morning.

Okay whiplash, here I come!

My Ouroboros found its target, and pulled me to it. I zipped through the air, quickly passing Rainbow on her return path. Her eyes widened slightly at the Green blur that passed her. Her curiosity more focused on the glowing chain that it left behind. As she re-entered Ponyville, she was surprised when the Green blur passed her again, following the chain back to her starting point. She stopped as fast as she could, her eyes popping out slightly.

I stood there, rubbing my neck slightly. A slight *pop* was heard.

"Ahh! Whiplash is a bitch!" I hissed through slightly gritted teeth. I looked over to see Rainbow barely floating above the ground, her mouth drooping open.

"How?" She asked, quickly zipping to my face, stars in her eyes. My eyebrow rose at her reaction. I was expecting her to get angry..

"Well, Alone, you are much faster than me. And if this was a hoof-race, you would probably have beaten me without a problem. But my chains are used to move around.. in battle. And in those battles, I have to be fast. Of course, you saw the downfall right?" I smirked, as her eyes widened.

"You can zip around fast as Tartarus, but if your opponent sees where you send your chain, they can see where you're going to go. And your chain doesn't exactly go fast either. So you must have to think on your hooves to make sure you don't get caught. That.. Or just move in small bursts." When she finished, the stars In her eyes came back, as she started flying around me in a circle. "That's so cool! So as long as you have one of those chains attached to where you need to go, you can almost teleport, right?" I chuckled.

"Yes Rainbow, that's exactly how it works for me." I gently rubbed her head. "Do me a favor, and never let anypony call you stupid. You saw more in one second than what most do in an entire battle." She pouted a bit, before she realized what I meant. Her chest was soon held out I her usual boastful manner.

"Well, I may not be an egghead, but I still know how to fight. I am pretty cool after all." She even tilted her nose into the air. She suddenly looked at me with a grin. "Hey, how about that hoof-race?" I groaned a bit.

"Didn't I just tell you that you would beat me in one of those?" I asked.

"Aw come on big guy, you know I'll never let you live it down if you don't do it." She goaded. I let another sigh out, as I picked up Ophis from Twilight's doorstep, letting her coil around my neck.

"Okay then, where to?" I asked.

"Alright!" Dash did a little hoof pump in excitement, before she got into her ready position. "The Everfree, from here its a straight shot about a few thousand hooves away, and if you go straight in you'll see a clearing about another thousand in. Okay?"

"Right, to the Everfree, then straight to a clearing." I nodded. Her memory was impeccable.

"Go!" She jumped forward, landing into a full gallop. She lowered her head to minimize resistance. I looked on as she quickly made progress away from me into Ponyville.. again. I started in a jog, getting the feeling of running back. You know, since I've done sooo much running in Equestria.

You get my joke? I've been abusing my Ouroboros chains as a means of getting around. As such, Anything other than the running I do in small bursts while fighting, feels weird.

I push my legs, going into a full sprint, crouching down slightly as I ran. I don't know why, but having my hands in my pockets actually felt better than having them out and loose.. Awkward. A second later, I found myself smiling a bit, as I pushed my legs to go faster, making longer and longer strides. I had forgotten that my body was made for quick and agile movements on its own. I felt so light as I rounded around house after house, making my way through Ponyville. After I rounded my Fifth house, I came across a dead end. There was a gate at the end of the alley, but I couldn't stop.

I don't know if it was instinct, of if it was something Hazama would have done, but.. What happened next surprised me.

I glanced around, took in my surroundings and jolted to one side. Using a small trashcan as a stepping stone, I leapt off into the opposite wall, where I quickly pushed off with one arm and a leg. I flipped through the air, and reached out the same hand. My hand met the top of the gate, and I flipped over the gate. I landed with a small roll, as I continued on with my momentum towards the forest that lay before me.

I noted that in my blatant shortcut, I found myself close to Dash's position. I also noted that I was gaining on her slightly.. My longer strides must be more of a handicap than I bargained for. I got closer and couldn't resist. I tapped her shoulder lightly. Her eyes shot sideways, as a smile shot back onto her face.

"Good, you can keep up! Final stretch, don't let up." She seemed to smirk a bit, before she pushed away from me rather quickly.

She was holding back? Oh, this has been more fun than I care to admit. I looked on as we both entered Everfree, Dash a fair distance ahead of me. She slowed down considerably. That's to be expected due the massive amount of tree's we needed to avoid running into.

Me on the other hand, well I had something I just needed to try.

I quickly scanned the area, and found what I needed. My body seemingly going on auto-pilot, as I leapt into the closest tree. I grab onto one branch with a hand, and swing myself upwards, as I landed on another, higher up branch on another tree. I pushed off with both legs, and jumped from one tree to another. Only having to catch myself with a hand a few times. In fact, I was currently laughing. A good, hearty laugh, as I jumped from tree to tree. I heard Dash below me, keeping up with me even now. The mare was good, I'll tell you that much.

I jumped into the clearing the same time as a Blue blur crashed into me, we landed in a roll, as I heard her laughing as well. We stopped, as she had me pushed to the ground, herself standing on top of me, breathing heavy.

"That was fun!" Dash laughed out, as she dropped down onto my chest. She moved with my own heavy breathing, as I laughed as well.

"Damn right! We should do this more often, it'll keep us both in shape." My smile was quite big. Dash leaned up, and went to say something before she stopped. She seemed to stare at me, her eyes slightly wider than usual. Her breathing was still heavy, but she wasn't focused on that, she seemed more focused on my face.

My mind ground to a halt when I felt a tingle on my hand.

No.. Nono!

Before my mind could freak out, the tingle went away as Dash shook her head and smiled at me.

"Yeah, definitely!" She said as she stood up. I got up, and brushed myself off gently. "How about in a few days, that way-" She stopped abruptly. I turned to look at her, and her eyes were glued to a small patch of Blue flowers on the ground, that were previously hidden by my back. I snapped my finger to get her attention.

"You alright? Are those flowers important?" I asked, afraid I had ruined something Pegasi found important. She looked to me, and shook her head, a small smile formed on her face.

"No, it's all good. You just don't see these around too often anymore." Her smile got bigger.

"Oh, good. I was afraid they were something important to you." I sighed, and looked up, noting the sunset.

"Well, I had better get back to Twilight's, lest she come find me again. Goodnight Dash." I said, heading off into the woods.

Rainbow sat there, smile still on her face. She spread her wings, and jumped into the air.

"Jokes on you, big guy." She muttered, as she flew to the clouds. She needed to be ready for whatever happened tomorrow.

Author's Note

Longish Filler chapter.. I'm sorry. I just wanted some more interaction with other ponies. And of course, setting up for the next chapter as well.

By the way, the next chapter is one I have been planning for a long time.

I even have the best name for the chapter.

Those who want a quick spoiler, well, it's your fault if you look
Chapter title: Jokes? Or Chaos? Time is of the Essence!