Dan heaved a sigh, This was certainly not how he expected this day to go. “You know I can do without that expression on your face.” Fluttershy merely looked up at him as she was still at work, either it was unintentional or she was really trying to convey her feelings on the situation, it caused the human to have trouble meeting her gaze and in the end to look away.

( Picture by HoodwinkedTales )

“Alright, fair enough…” once again he heaved a sigh feeling her stare of concern and fear burn at him in the back of the head for a few moments before she finally returned to bandaging his arm. Jeez, she might as well just say the, “I’m not mad, just disappointed” line, so I can finally feel like utter garbage.

A recap of what occurred just when Twilight warped her and Dan back to the library; when it was noticed that blood was on both Twilight’s side and Dan’s arm it certainly blocked out any relief they had on both their return. Pinkie turned green before blacking out at the sight of so much blood, and Rarity didn’t fare any better but at least remained conscious. Rainbow and Applejack were sort of in a state of shock, but Twilight even more so than either of them. That adrenaline Dan was fueled by finally seem to vanish and the pain of his self-inflicted decision was setting in. Fluttershy shocked Dan, but not so much the other girls as she suddenly went full on Medic mode and was already barking orders on what was needed… Well not so much “Barking orders” as more of “aggressively asking” everyone what she needed and bringing Twilight back to reality, so she can aid with magic. The process was simple, albeit everything was touch and go since neither Fluttershy or Twilight knew much of the human anatomy and it wasn’t like Dan was an expert on the subject, knowing the basic things any average joe would know about the body.

Thankfully it was enough to help the two as Twilight would heal the artery with her magic along with anything else his knife sliced open, Fluttershy made full use of Twilight’s first aid kit she had in her kitchen, using it to clean up the blood and begin bandaging the arm. The bandaging was very important because once Twilight had gotten to repairing his skin for last she noticed that she couldn’t quite effect it with her magic somehow. Dan had to explain to her the reason before she started thinking she was the reason it wasn’t working. Surprisingly though some of his inner skin deep in the cut did repair itself. So it was like his body was using its own skin to stitch its wound, but left a lot of open spots. The best they could do at that point was let Fluttershy rub some healing salve on it before she began wrapping it up. With that being the extent of their abilities everyone finally started to relax. Twilight had to make a trip to her bathroom to wipe the blood off her fur, Pinkie was coming to. And Dan was getting that sad look from Fluttershy and he couldn’t bear to look her in the face.

“So…” Dan started “Anyone gonna tell me how our favorite purple bookworm suddenly appeared in the bowls of forest hell with me?” He noticed the girls, even Spike, tense up. Fluttershy even paused in bandaging his arm for just a moment when he announced it. “Well, from your responses I now know it was intentional to send her into that death pit… Did you guys already know what she was going into?” ... Again, more silence. “Lovely…” he facepalmed before sighing.

“Hey, if we didn’t you totally would’ve been toast back there.” Rainbow pointed out.

“I could’ve ran,” Dan replied, this made all the girls think it over. That was true if there was anything to go on with him it was how athletic he was. Sure Rainbow may still claim victory in a contest of speed, but his running can outpace an average pony easily.

“We… may have… sort of panicked after seeing the situation you were in.” Twilight answered. Now they were the ones looking away from his gaze.

“Which leads me to my next question,” Dan deadpanned, “how in God’s name did you know what I was doing?” The girls all looked at each other before finally to Twilight, who sheepishly chuckled and gestured to the left of Dan. It was just now that he finally noticed that on a table, was a crystal ball. Dan stared for a moment before finally saying, “So now you're going to tell me you’re clairvoyant now?” He raised an eyebrow

“What? N-no it's not that, I just had this thing I worked with in my lab… and wanted to try it out… sooo, I added some extra enchantments… to your goggles.”

Dan had to take a moment to look up at the goggles he was wearing before taking them off to get a better look at them.

“It was all for the sake of science, truly,” She tried to convince him.

Dan just looked at her with a baffled look. “How is magic considered science? If it-Hrmph!” He felt his mouth close up. Before he could finish.

“Let's not get into a debate, we are getting off track, don’t you think? If these girls have the ability to see what we’re doing, it would be in our best interest to know more….”

After a moment Dan sighed ‘Fine, whatever…’ Was his reply to the old man before coming back to reality. Then turned to the others. “So explain, please” he gestured to Twilight.

Twilight cleared her throat “Well, I’m glad you’re sitting, this might take a bit.” The other girls joined in the group as well as Fluttershy just managed finished wrapping Dan’s arm. “Well, you see it all started after examining your medallion.”

~~~~~~~~~~

4 days ago

Twilight was really pouring over her notes and reviewing one spellbook after another. Lately, she had been rather motivated in magical research ever since she examined Dan and his Medallion. A being devoid of any magic, with a magical artifact lodged into his chest, and that artifact seemingly is affecting him physically. Furthermore, Dan actually explained to her what the princesses told him about how his skin and certain inner body parts are the reason why magic doesn’t permeate through his body like any other living creature here, aside from dragons.

It was a fascinating discovery, and yet it left her with a hypothesis. What if the medallion did more than just enhance Dan? Then more thoughts came in involving finding some way to interact with it, with Dan’s permission of course. She may be excited but she at least wasn't gonna go overboard and do something she would regret… not anymore. Soon with this, she had thought. Since the medallion is for Dan’s duty as this “Royal Hunter” he and the princesses mentioned, there must be a moment in which that medallion would react in some way and she wanted to see it.

Joining him when he would be sent out on an expedition was out of the question. “For some reason, he would look aside for a moment, then back at her and say no.” As if someone told him to say that. And he was very adamant about it. So she thought about it and finally came up with the perfect plan. However, it involved the other girl’s help.

Fortunately, they were planning to meet that day to discuss what to do about Dan’s soon to be expedition. They had talked about it the night before but didn’t come to a full agreement. Rainbow and Pinkie opting to join Dan on his expedition to back him up. The thought was tempting but Dan apparently made it clear that he was supposed to go on this mission alone. Besides, none of them were too eager to be around when and if he had to… to kill again. Yet, they agreed they weren't gonna just let him go in there without any aid from them. The question was. What could it be? Fluttershy had already planned on preparing a first aid kit for him while Applejack opted to get him some camping gear. Pinkie was bummed she had nothing to contribute this time but that did spur her to start thinking up some yummy trail snacks for his next expedition. As well as a party on his return, though the others made sure she at least downplayed the party to a nice get together for Dan’s sake. However, still wishing she could do more she offered an idea. “We should get him gifts too!”

“Gifts?” Fluttershy pondered the thought.

“Yeah, first aid and camping gear is nice and all, but a present from friends would make him SUPER happy!” She smiled.

“That’s fine and all, but lets not all give him a gift. I’m sure he’ll want to travel light… two should be fine” Twilight suggested.

This left the girls in deep Thought on what two things they could give to Dan. That was when Twilight had an epiphany, one where she could, metaphorically speaking, kill two birds with one stone.

“Accessories?” Rarity perked up at the suggestion.

“Right! I want the two of you to find or make something for Dan that he can wear that you think would help him out.” She pointed at Rainbow and Rarity. “Of course it would be a team effort. So everyone well each split up into groups of 3 once we’ve decided on what to get him.”

While Rarity seemed to be loving the idea and already start mentally sketching out ideas in her head. Rainbow was more skeptical. “Not to burst your bubble, Twi, but how would some extra clothes help Dan with his mission?”

“Think about it, Dash, there has to be some special gear pegasus wear when they’re out flying, right?” Twilight encouraged her to think it over, and she could see the athlete’s mind start brainstorming.

“Well… We have wind goggles but I don’t see how that would-“ and then she paused. She was reminded of how Dan could outpace her friends and his jumping ability was impressive as well. Along with that, she could see how a pair of goggles would help in other situations like getting blinded by a monster’s attack or something. “Actually, that might work.”

“Then I shall endeavor to design him a beautiful scarf then.”

“Hold up, I don't think a scarf would be a better choice, sugarcube. I can already see that scarf getting caught on all sorts of things.”

Rarity pouted.”I suppose I could shorten the length a tad if it makes you feel better.”

“I’m sure he’d appreciate it.” Applejack decided to assist with the soon to be bandascarf just to be safe that Rarity doesn’t get too eccentric with it. In the future she ended up getting more involved then she realized even with suggesting horseshoe patterns would be added to the design, along with Rarity’s star pattern.

“So what are you going to get him Twilight?” Rainbow asked.

This is where the librarian gave a smile. “I shall be enchanting them both.” She stood proudly “There was also something I’ve been meaning to try out, so here’s how it will go. Rarity, AJ and I will work on the bandana or scarf or whatever.” she shrugged “Then you, Pinkie and Fluttershy, find some goggles for him to wear.” She then had a thought… “Actually, it’d be best if we get Dan’s measurements.”

“Why is that?” Rainbow asked.

“Well his face is different after all, I’m not sure pegasus goggles would fit him,” Twilight responded.

Rainbow was in thought. “Ah… good point.”

“I can handle that part!” Pinkie raised her hoof.

“R-really? How?” Twilight asked.

Pinkie just smiled “Oh there’s a pony I know that could get it done, but first, Dash, Fluttershy and I gotta get those.” She grabbed the two pegasi into a hug “Shopping adventure!” And just like that, she was off with the two in tow.

Twilight turned to Aj and Rarity and they were already on their way out. “Eager as well?”

“Oh definitely, designing something for such a unique clientele has me ecstatic, to say the least. Oh, we must get measurements of him this instant for me to begin.” Rarity was in a trot in high spirits.

Applejack just rolled her eyes, But followed after her.“We’re just making him a bandana, I’m sure it’ll be fine if it’s a little too long.”

“I wouldn’t even entertain the thought, dearie. Our new friend should have nothing less than perfection. Considering what his job entails.” Rarity responded and their conversation carried on for as long as Twilight was in earshot of it before she started preparing for her part in the gift as well.

~~~

Present Time

“Well, that explains that awkward moment of being blindfolded and frisked during my training.”

“You were what?” Twilight along with the other girls, sans Rarity and Applejack were all surprised to hear that and looked over at the two now sheepish looking two. Rarity trying to look away, Applejack rubbing the back of her neck.

“F-f-for your information, I did not “frisk” you, sir. I simply took measurements of you for the gift we would be making.” Rarity responded.

“So why did it feel like you were “measuring” my whole body, then?” He replied.

“I…. I may have gotten overboard and thought about and wanted to measure you out for… future ideas in designing outfits for you.” She couldn’t get out of that little truth.

“Still can’t believe she talked me into it.” Applejack mumbled

Dan then asked, “So, then why did you grab my crotch?”

!!!

Everyone else in the room was in shock and all eyes were on the alabaster unicorn who was now blushing and fumbling with her words. “W-w-w-what?! I-I-I-I did no such thing?! ... right?” Now she was unsure herself, after all, she just went on assumption. She never considered that she was wrong about where everything on his body was located.

And that’s when Dan started laughing. “Relax Duchess, I was joking. You got close at times but it seems you guessed my no-no zone pretty accurately.” At Least, Rainbow and Pinkie started laughing, Twilight, AJ, and Rarity not so much but the blush was still on Rarity’s face. He continued to laugh, then felt Fluttershy grab at his bandage and pull on it. “Ow!” Looking back he could see Flutters was blushing too with a stern look in her eyes. “Oh come on, it was a joke. You guys are too innocent-OWOWOWOW-“ she did it again. “Alright, alright sorry!” She released him. “Jeez girl, you're like a quiet rage when you want to be, aren’t you?” Fluttershy only huffed and looked away.

Aegis was chuckling in Dan’s mind, “Can’t say that wasn’t deserved, you uncouth brat.”

‘Shut up, these girls are just too innocent and G-rated for their own good.’

“And I prefer it that way for these lovely ladies.” Aegis responded. Dan deadpanned at that. Atleast he knew two of them saw the joke in it. Though now he was pretty sure they were just laughing more at his expense now after Fluttershy’s response.

When everyone finally calmed down Twilight decided to continue the story.

~~~

Night before Dan’s expedition

The gifts were ready and given to Twilight so she could add in her part of the gift. A simple enchantment for durability was cast to be sure. Then it was onto what she was preparing for. “Ok… here we go.” Reading from the notes she made she pulled out the crystal ball and setting it next to the goggles and bandana. She started charging up magic to her horn and started speaking an incantation, the crystal ball was now engulfed in her magenta magic aura. On the table just below the items, she was working on was a scroll. Twilight had already drawn three magic circles, the largest magic circle had the crystal ball while the goggles each had their own smaller circle. When the circles started to light up, the aura on the crystal ball almost immediately vanished. Twilight took out an ink and quill and started to sketch out a line from the large circle and connected it to the circle under the goggles then drew another line from the crystal ball’s circle to the one under the bandana scarf.

“So far, so good she started focusing her magic again and the lines soon started lighting up. Then each held that Same Aura that was once in the crystal ball. They traveled up their respective lines and into the two smaller circles. Then the goggles and bandana scarf were now covered in that aura. ‘Need to just….. separate their tasks aaaaaaaand there!” She let go of the breath she did not know she was holding as she released her magic from her work. The circles along with the lines on the scroll then vanished magically and the scroll was just an ordinary piece of paper now.

She looked at the goggles and picked them up, examining them for anything off or if she felt anything wrong with the spell. As far as she could see and sense, everything looked in order. “Oh, how exciting! I can’t wait to get started!” She had a giddy tone.

“Yay! You're done!”

Twilight shrieked at the voice yelling next to her only to see it was Pinkie Pie.
“P-pinkie?! W-what-How-“

“You left your door open!” Pinkie pointed to the door leading out. Twilight was sure she closed it

But that didn’t matter now in her mind. “Fine, Pinkie, what are you doing here so late at night?”

Pinkie then patted Twilight on the head. “Silly, I came because your done casting magic on the gifts,” she then whipped out a rather nice looking gift box. “Ta-daaaa! I found a good one!” Twilight had to hand to her if it’s party related or had to do with making friends, Pinkie seemed to always be on top of her game.

In the end. Twilight sighed. “Well, I suppose I am done so you can—”

“YAAAAYY! Just leave it to me!” She grabbed the goggles, and bandana scarf.

As much as Twilight would like to know how Pinkie knew when she was done there was something nagging her. “Well while we’re on the topic of the gifts. I have to ask Pinkie. When you said you would make the goggles fit for Dan. Who was it that did it for you?” She clearly remembered that line Pinkie said before.

“Huh?” Pinkie was wrapping the ribbon on the gift. “Oh, yeah! That’s right.” She giggled “There’s this merchant guy that comes around Ponyville every now and then to deliver dreams!”

“Dreams?” Twilight was curious.

“Well, that's what he calls them. Though I think it's more of granting wishes, for bits!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “And this… merchant, was able to refit the goggles for Dan’s needs?”

“Uh huh!” Pinkie sat back and nodded at her work. “Now that's one pretty package if I do say so myself.”

“Pinkie, if you don’t mind me asking. I’m curious on who this merchant is. I haven’t heard of such a pony around here in Ponyville.” Twilight continued.

“Oh, that's because he usually stays in Canterlot. When he comes over, he doesn’t really sell to other ponies… just certain ones. Like me!” She said with pride. “He says I’m an open mind!” This only gave Twilight more questions, but just as she was about to ask, she couldn’t help but yawn. Pinkie picked up on this and grabbed the gift and stowed it away in her curly mane. “Oh is it that late already! Better get home then!” She then trotted off.

“What?” Twilight looked at the clock…. it was indeed late, but that could wait. She had to at least-

“Noooo, no! I see that look on your face.” Pinkie was now in front of her giving Twilight yet another shock.

“Huh? W-what look?”

Pinkie simply clicked her tongue and shook her head. “No more magic stuff. You need to sleep.”

“I will, I just need to-“

“Nope!” Pinkie seemed adamant. “Your silly when you don’t sleep. And not a good silly either. Plus it’s Dan’s big day Tomorrow! Won’t you feel bad for looking all tired and sleepy in front of him?”

“Well, I-... um… sure, but-“ Twilight fumbled her words until a pink hoof was placed against it.

“Then off to bed with you.” She then got behind her and started nudging her along, despite the librarian’s protests.

~~~

Present Time

“Good call, Pinkie,” Rainbow stated. “Egghead would’ve probably been all cooped up in her lab for the rest of the night.”

“I would not!” Twilight retorted. But after some time of seeing her friends giving her deadpan looks, she fidgeted. “I-I’ve gotten better, I think.”

“You have.” Rarity replied. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t worry.”

“And you do slip into it from time to time when no one’s looking.” Applejack said.

Twilight just heaved a sigh, she couldn’t argue when Applejack herself can account for it.

“It’s not that we’re mad or anything about it, Twilight.” Fluttershy just smiled. “We all know that's just who you are. We just want to make sure you keep your health is all.”

Dan just squinted and looked at all the girls. ‘I feel like this conversation just went way off course. Am I in an episode of Full House or something?’

“What do you mean?” Aegis replied.

‘You know, cheesy family sitcoms that take a moment at the end of every episode to talk about morals and stuff while some slow 80s heartfelt music plays in the back- ‘Dan stopped, then shook his head. ‘Right, you're super old…. um, I guess… how Aesop's fables end with a moral at the end?’

“… Oh… Yes, I think I see your point now.”

‘Oh my God, I think I just narrowed down what timeline you came from a little.’ Dan, felt like it was a small victory.

“Good for you but I believe we are the ones far off topic now.”

‘Damn, you right.’ Dan cleared his throat “Uuh, anyway. Sooo, Twilight did some magic stuff with my goggles and bandana scarf… Then what?”

“O-oh right.” Twilight was trying to collect herself. “Well, before Pinkie… made sure I was in bed. I asked her to tell the girls that I had something to show them once you left.”

“Yeah, she was very specific you didn’t know about it,” Pinkie added

“Hm, ominous…” Dan shrugged, he can already take a guess what it was about though.

“Once, you left and we said our goodbyes, that's when she showed us that.” Applejack pointed to the crystal ball.

“And the ball does…” Dan dragged on the last word a little.

“Allow me.” Twilight raised a hoof. “I did work on it after all.” She cleared her throat and went into lecture mode.

“Oh boy, here comes the egghead talk.” Rainbow groaned.

“So I was dabbling with practical spells one day along with enchantments with remote use when I had this great idea, what if I combined the two together? So I started with small things like making one of my tomes open by itself whenever I stomp on the floor two times. And slowly I would scale it up more and more. It's amazing really! Shall I show you?”

“We’ll take your word for it,” Dan waved it off, “keep going.”

She seemed a little dejected by the brushing off but got back to the point. “Oh, yes, um, well after experimenting with the idea some more and jotting down some notes I was wondering where to take this idea next.”

“And cue in me and my expedition, correct?” Dan asked

Twilight nods “Yes! I wanted to see what other spells I can use and methods I could take so I…” Now that she realized it, she started to get a little sheepish. “So I… um… enchanted your goggles so we can see through their lens from the crystal ball…… and the bandana-“

“Banda scarf” Dan interjected.

“Right! The um… bandana scarf to record and send your voice over to the crystal as well, so we could…” she looked away, “spy on you.”

… The whole room was quiet, letting Twilight stew in those last words she uttered and sinking to the floor in shame.

After staring at her for awhile Dan looked at the other girls. Applejack just shook her head. “It surprised us too, sugarcube. She had Pinkie tell us to meet her in Fluttershy’s once you left.”

Rainbow just shrugged as she hovered over him. “When Twi goes into egghead mode she gets like this if no one's around to bring her back to reality.”

Dan looked back at Twilight who at this point was bowing her head at him. “Sorry sorry sorry, I got really carried away and I just HAD to know and well…” she tried to find the words. Before facehoofing herself. “Oh my Celestia, I don’t even have the words.”

Dan and Aegis had no words as well, for a time. Aegis was amazed that this unicorn librarian would come up with such a strange idea AND find a way to make it work. He remembered well seeing this young mare under Celestia’s tutelage in the past, but he never stuck around long to really learn more about her other than when he asked the princess one day and she just said: “She’s a very smart and adept little girl.” Well, now he’s gotten a glimpse of what his devious lover meant.

For Dan… Well, his thoughts were more to the point. ‘F@$king magic… ‘ Yet, he started smiling. “That is wicked.”

“I know, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that, please don’t be mad!” Twilight continued to apologize.

“What? No, that’s not what I mean!” He stopped for a moment. “Well, That WAS wrong of you but what I really meant was that what you did sounds amazing!”

“Wait, what?” She looked at him confused, as did the other girls.

“What you just said, that enchantment or whatever with my stuff. I mean, it's just total B.S. to me, yet you did it anyway, and it worked!” His smile grew a little more. “I thought you were just a bookworm but you're like a mad scientist or something. No, wait! A mad wizard!

“Can we, not use the mad part? I am quite sane thank you.” Twilight interjected

“Sure could’ve fooled me, you went after that theory of yours without even a thought of the consequences! You just wanted to know what would happen right?”

Twilight was about to refuse but her mouth remained open as she realized the point he made. It was true. She slumped.

Dan shook his head “Hey nothing wrong with that, you're just passionate about magic. Nothing purer than that right?”

Again, Dan left her speechless, and again he had a point. It wasn’t like she was planning to do something nefarious with this knowledge. If anything she was going to catalog it and her notes and send it off to Celestia to decide what to do with it, and she indeed WAS passionate about magic. It's practically all she ever studies on and tinkers with.

Finally, the one thought that should have been in Dan’s mind managed to bring itself up and he stopped praising her and stood there in shock and slight worry. “Wait… Does that mean you saw everything I did when I left?” He remembered talking to Aegis a lot aloud, Fluttershy might be able to understand that, but to the others, he might as well have looked like he lost his mind talking to nothing like that. And the Hydra… how he had to reach in it’s-

“Well, not everything.” Twilight answered, “Although I got the spell set up, I couldn’t quite get it working until today… like 10 minutes before those-“, she shivered “Those things appeared in your view.”

“Oh Thank God!” Aegis sighed with relief, Dan did as well, Seeing the girls stare at him strangely he quickly changed the subject “So, uh, I guess I have to cut the expedition short this week and get a hold of Celestia.”

“Good,” Fluttershy said in a relieved tone.

“Yes, I agree, after seeing those sludge monsters I’d tell the Princesses too,” Rainbow replied.

“Well, yeah that and plus I need to make a delivery,” Dan said as he walked over to his stuff that was placed neatly in a corner. Then opened up his enchanted bag and began reaching in.

“A delivery? Of what?” Rarity asked

“Oooh, is it a present? I don’t think it’s their birthdays today though.” Pinkie was hopping with excitement, literally.

“No, it’s something more serious… And gross.” Dan then pulled out something, it was wrapped up tightly and pulsating slightly.

“What IS that?” Twilight asked while backing up form Dan a little.

Dan looked at the thing in his hands then back at the girls. “In short? An Evil glowing ass pimple…” the looks on all of the mare’s faces were incomprehensible.

Aegis just sighed, “Mongrel…”

~~~~~~~~~~

Canterlot

Over in the high-class residential district, a unicorn butler had just returned from a trip to the market and entered a manor on the corner of a street. Once inside he handed off the groceries to the chef once he arrived in the kitchen, who was already at work preparing a meal. Once the package was received the cook gestured to a platter with a tea set on it. With a nod, the butler carried the platter and set with his magic and made his way out. He made his way up the foyer stairs passing by one of the maids who seem to be busy with dusting. Things have been relatively quiet in the manor, that could only mean the master had returned but was in the study. When the master went to the study, it was made clear that everything would be silent, save for a few whispered conversations amongst the servants. But for those with nothing to say, it was just better to keep their mouth shut.

Once on the second floor, he made his way down the hall and stopped at the third door. He straightened himself up before knocking on the door.

“... Come in, Vigil.” hearing his name the butler entered.

“Your tea, Master Blacksteel,” he announced before making his way over to the Earth Pony stallion sitting in front of a desk. He had been busy with ink and quill. Writing and signing various documents. “How was your trip to the castle, sir?” the butler named Vigil set the tea set on a nightstand nearby and was already pouring the master a cup and saucer cup before levitating it to the side of the desk that was empty and within his employer’s reach.

“About as well as we both had anticipated.” the master replied. “Those princesses wouldn’t agree to any of my suggestions.” He then straightened himself up before reaching out to the cup, took a moment to take in the scent of the tea within it, then taking a sip. “Ah, my favorite.”

“You do prefer to be alert after all when you're in here.” Vigil gave a bow.

“And I am grateful for the thought.”

“If I may be so bold to ask, what do you intend to do, now that permission to see this “Royal Hunter” as they call it, has been denied.”

With that, Blacksteel just smiled. “When one door closes, another opens up.” he downed the rest of his cup, before holding it out to his side, the teapot was already levitating and waiting to refill it again. When he brought the cup back to his face he chuckled. “And we have our good ambassador Broadhorn to provide the opportunity for us.” he takes another sip.

~~~~~~~~~~

Appleloosa

Another day was finally ending in the busy little town of Appaloosa, the Sheriff was making his final rounds about the place for anything wrong or unusual. Patrons were already making their way to the saloon, it wouldn’t be long before he’d join 'em. Shops were starting to close up for the night and he would even tip his hat to citizens walking by on their way home or to the aforementioned saloon. By the edge of town, he would look off into the distance at the Apple Orchard, nothing out of the ordinary, with a nod he was about to turn when at the last second something caught his eye.

A Buffalo, not just any buffalo though, this was Little Strongheart as he would recall, from that feud between her tribe and ponies of his fair town. Things have long since smoothed over after it was resolved with pie. So both sides were on better terms with one another. So to see the young buffalo charge for him with a frantic face of fear and worry. He just knew tonight wouldn’t be as peaceful as he’d want it to be. With a sigh, he straightened his hat and went to meet her halfway. When they finally met up she skidded to a halt just a foot away from him.

“Help! Please!” she called out. “A monster! A monster is terrorizing my tribe!” She then fell over to which the sheriff responded fast enough to catch her. There he could see that she was dirty, scuffed up, and actually had a gash on her side, her blood already staining her fur as she finally passed out. This was not good, he struggled to get her onto his back. Hopefully, the doctor wouldn’t mind staying up late tonight.

His drink would have to wait.

Author's Note

Ok, So it's finally done! yeah, this chapter is just basically prepping for whats to come, but needed to be written. things are finally starting to get intriguing for Dan, and his companions and Princess with what was discovered in the forest. It definitely warrants more investigation, but some strange things are happening over in another part of Equestria as well. Question is, is this Dan's problem too? That's up to the sheriff to decide I suppose.

Ah, that aside there are a few things I wanted to ask the readers that happen to take the time to read the Author's notes:

1. Things are definitely starting to get even more dangerous for Dan, You think that hunting knife will still suffice on its own as his melee weapon?

2. For those that care about the romance part in this story. So, if you don't care for it, you can just ignore this question entirely, lol. Who do you think it is for Dan? (Just so you know, it won't change what I decided, I'm just curious on your thoughts. )

3. COMPLETELY UNRELATED to the story, buuuuuut... "When you're about to see some drama happen in front of two people with... romantic history... would you back away or grab some popcorn? No reason, just a random out of the blue question......... *turns away to hide a devious smile*

Anyway, that's all I got to say apparently. So with that said:

As always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to future ones