Equilibrium, Book 1: The First Human.

December 25, 1000, C.E.
Apple Familly Farm.
7:17 A.M.

John opened his eye's and nearly had a heart attack. His eye's bulged out of his head as he saw a kaleidoscope of color that could only belong to one pony he knew. That wasn't a problem. John loved dash as much as he could but that still ill-prepared him for having her in the same bed as him. He looked around to see that they were in his room. As he looked around his already red face paled as he spotted an article of clothing in the floor. They were his boxer's. His face heated up as he tried to slowly move the event's of the day before came back to him.

December 24, 1000, C.E.
Apple Family Barn.
4:47 P.M.

Applejack stomped a hoof as Dash explained her parent's resentment at her dating outside of her species. She looked over at the happy couple and smiled a little, her anger diminishing a little, she still didn't like the way her brother was treated but seeing the two happy together helped raise her otherwise sour mood. She chuckled as the two had a tickling match which soon had the two on the ground in fits of laughter. She shook her head and cast her gaze around the barn. Dash's sister had shown up a little while ago and gladly took part in the festivity's.

Her gaze then swept over to the C.M.C who had all huddled in a corner and were chatting away. Lastly, her gaze settled on the remainder of the group, consisting of Fluttershy and the rest of her family. She smiled as they all got together to share in the holiday. Trotting over to a nearby food table she grabbed a sandwich in hoof and moved to join her family.
big Mac looked over and smiled as she came over.

"Howdy there sis." He said as Apple Bloom gave her sister a smile. Applejack trotted over and gave her big brother a hug.

"Howdy there yourself." She looked over at there guest's and smirked.

"So stud where's Cherrilee?" Big Mac blushed but kept his face neutral as he looked off into the distance.

"She really wanted to spend her holiday with her family this year up in manehatten." His smile faltered a little but he just huffed and put on a brave face for them. AJ smirked as she gave him a nod.

"Don't worry there Mac. I'm sure she'll send you a postcard." She said giving her brother a hug. He smiled back as he did the same. As the two let go they both heard a commotion and looked over to see Dash drenched in fruit punch. John stood off to the side trying his best to not laugh but seeing as everyone was beginning to stare at the two of them he quickly scooped Dash up in his arms and raced off through the hallway connecting the house to the barn and vanished with Dash looking more than a little red around the wings.

The whole party got a giggle out of that as they went back to there evening. AJ just shook her head at the two of them.

"Never thought Dash would ever find somepony that could keep up with her but boy our dear brother sure does try." She smiled as the two came back, both now thoroughly red in the face. Granny looked over at the two and smiled.

"Reminds of when I was young and found your granddaddy." She smiled as her past came back to her. For a split second, she could swear she felt him embrace her and she shivered as she felt his breath on the nape of her neck. Opening her eye's her face went red as she saw her family smirking at her episode.

"You ok there Granny?" AJ smirked as Granny just giggled. She waved a hoof at the lot of them and took a sip of her punch. She then looked at her glass and scowled.

"This needs more cider in it." She grumbled as she reached for her hat plucked it off her head and grabbed a bottle of the family's cider out of it. AJ just shook her head as she smiled.

"You know if I didn't know any better I'd say we were related to Pinky in some way with all of the shenanigans you get up to sometimes Granny." Granny shot her a grin as she poured the entire bottle of cider into her cup.

"Your dear old aunt Goldie Delicious would know for sure. She practically has a whole museum of Apple Family heirlooms, family photo's and nicknacks in her house." She thought about it and smiled.

"We ought to plan a family road trip there one o these days." She got a nod from everypony present. As the party went on the group steadily became more and more joyous and filled with the spirit of the holiday. Soon it was midnight and John was able to invite the group to one of his own family traditions.

12:00 A.M

"Alright everyone we each get one gift to unwrap and leave the rest for tomorrow," John called out as everypony let out a soft yawn. Most of the party had died down as there various guest's went home. Now all that remained were the Apple's, Fluttershy, Dash, and her sister. One by one they all went over to the stack of present's that nearly dwarfed the tree and picked one out. Fluttershy went first grabbing a gift and reading off the little note attached.

"To the best mom ever." She smiled as she looked over at John who smiled as he waved her on. She took a deep breath and opened the little box. As she pulled out what was inside she let out a gasp as she held the object in her magic. She was speechless as she looked from the little locket to John and back. She trotted over and through her forehooves around her son.

"Do you know what this is?" She asked as John nodded. "Of course." He smiled as Fluttershy took the locket and draped it over her head. She took the item in her hoof and smiled as she stared at the contents of the crystalline circular-shaped locket. On the outside, the locket was blood red not due to any kind of coloring or gems but due to the casing of said locket being hollow and that hollow space was then filled with blood. This was on both side's of the locket and as Fluttershy tentatively opened it her smile got wider as she looked upon the smiling faces of herself and her son. She closed in and gave John one more hug before she let go of him and took a seat next to him leaning against his shoulder, humming contently.

"Who's next?" He asked as he looked around. Apple Bloom stepped forward waving a hoof excitedly.

"Ooh ooh me me!" She begged. The whole group giggled at her as she looked more than a little sheepish at her childish display. John patted a spot next to him.

"Come on then don't leave us hanging?" He said asked as Apple Bloom read off her tag.

"To the littlest Apple." She scowed at Granny as she continued to read off the tag.

"From Granny." She opened the box and pulled out a pair of blue ribbons. She looked from the ribbons to her grandmother.

"A-a-ar--are--th--ese?" She stammered as she held them up to her face as tear's streamed down her face. Granny just nodded.

"Those wore your mother's." She answered as the whole room went silent. Apple Bloom got to her hooves and though herself at her granny who caught her holding her tight. As the night wore on more gift's were opened and more tears were shed. Finally, There were only two left to go. Dash looked over to John who looked back. He waved a hand,

"Ladies first." He stated as he got out of her way. She stuck her tongue out at him as she looked over her gift. It was small, about the same size as Fluttershy's. She smiled as she thought of what it could be. Not wanting to be left in suspense any longer she tore the box open and held the object in her hooves. John looked over at Fluttershy and winked. Dash meanwhile was utterly speechless. She looked from the gift to john and back to the gift she held in her wings. She looked all around at the group wondering if she was dreaming.

"Do any of you know what this is?" She asked as her eyes began to tear up. Fluttershy nodded while the apple family shook there heads. John himself knew full well what he'd gotten her and smiled at her reaction.

"I take it you like it?" He asked as Dash flew over to him and tackled him to the ground with a hug and kiss. She leaned in close and whispered to him.

"If no one else was here right now.." She shivered as a tingle went through her body. She gave him one more passionate kiss as she got to her hooves and pulled him with her. As soon as they were up off the ground the apple family gave the object a look of curiosity. It was a small necklace much like the pendant that Fluttershy had but instead of it being in the shape of a

"So what is that thing?" Apple Bloom asked as she looked at the necklace Dash was now cradling within her hooves as she leaned against John's other shoulder. Dash looked from her necklace to Apple Bloom and smiled.

"This." She held it aloft for the whole room to see. "Is a storm gem." She said as the small heart-shaped object crackled with electricity. As she turned it over in her hooves she noticed the shine to it that seemed to have a lightning bolt going through it that flashed with all of the colors of the rainbow. She beamed as she looked over to John and gave him a hug.

"And it's even cooler than I thought." She said as she studied it some more.

"Dude where did you get this?" She asked as she looped the necklace over her head. It settled around her neck and stayed there crackling the whole time giving off a slight hum and a little rainbow shine.

"These thing's are super rare." She said as she studied it some more. "And they're not all that easy to make." John just rubbed his neck.

"Well, I had to have a lot of help." He said as he looked around. Fluttershy smiled as she gave the two of them a soft hug of her own.

"Rarity found a jeweler who had some connections in the weather factory." He said as he gave Dash's back a soft rub. She gave off a soft yawn and soon it spread to the whole family. John looked at his gift and then looked around to the others.

"Last one guy's." His box was ruffly the same size as all the other's so he surmised that it had to be some kind of clothing. He smiled as he unwrapped his gift and lifted the lid. Inside he saw a red scarf. He held it up and gave it a sniff.

Awesome." He said as he wrapped the winter wear around his neck. Granny shuffled over and gave him a hug. He noticed that her eyes were watery and was concerned. He wrapped his arm around her and began to pat her back.

"Granny, what's wrong?" He asked as Granny let out a soft chuckle through her tear's.

"You look like the spittin image of your great granddad with that on." She smiled as John gave off a weak laugh.

"Yeah but I'm betting he had a bit more fur than me." Granny let out a hearty laugh as she began to pat him on the back.

"Yeah he did, but with your skin tone, attitude and love of the sky you may as well be him in all but name. John was curious.

"Oh, what name did he have the honor of barring?" He said in a mildly dramatic tone. Granny smiled.

"He was one of the best pegasi sky marshal's of his day. The great Red Berren." She smiled as John looked at her with wide eye's.

"No way!" He said as another round of yawns broke through the group. Granny stifled one of her own as a smirk crept on her muzzle.

"Sure as shootin is but that's a tale for tomorrow." She said as she released him from his hug and trotted off down the hall. John looked around to see if anyone else was going to clue him in. They all had smirks on their muzzles.

"None of you are going to tell me who he is are you?" He asked receiving a chorus of nopes. Grumbling in mock frustration John bid everyone a good night as they all made their way through the hallway and to there separate rooms. John waved goodbye to Dash as she and her sister took up one of the guest bedroom's down the hall. Dash trotted a few step's but as she looked upon her gift once more she spun around, raced up to John's room and held the door closed before John could take more than a step towards his bed. He looked around and smiled as he saw Dash standing looking flustered and a little
out of breath.

"Hey, Dash." He said as he began to get dressed for bed. Dash meanwhile starred at his body while a dozen saucy thoughts ran through her head. She shook it to dislodge them and took a deep breath. A somewhat forced smirk adorned her face as she sauntered over to John as he got into bed.

"Hey there stud you wouldn't happen to have room for one more in there would you?" She asked while batting her eyelashes and giving John the puppiest puppy dog eyes he'd ever seen. His voice hitched in his throat as he stared at Dash's pleading look. The blush on her cheeks didn't escape his notice but he felt the same could be said for him. After a rather awkward pause, his brain rebooted and he shook his head.

"S-s-sure." He stuttered out as he moved over and tossed the blanket to one side of the bed. The smile on Dash's face could lite up a dark hallway at night as she hopped into bed and began to snuggle close her best friend. She nuzzled him under his chin as she got comfortable and let out a soft hum of contentment. John meanwhile was trying to keep all of his blood in one spot as he felt the soft, warm sensation of fur and feathers across his bare chest.

"G-g-g-ood n-night Dash." He let out as she gave him a nod, tickling the hair on his chin making him squirm in delight. As John drifted off to sleep he let himself be hauled off by the sound of Dash's heart as she slept. A smile spread over his face as she wrapped Dash in a one arm embrace and held her close silently vowing to himself that no matter what he'd alway's be there for her. If tonight was any indication she'd be with him for the rest of his foreseeable life in Equestria and he'd do his damnedest to be there for her's.

December 25, 1000, C.E.
Apple Familly Farm.
7:20 A.M.

After a few close shaves with a razor blade and Dash trying to zap John in the ass while avoiding her wings in there impromptu tickle match while in they were both stuck in the bathroom, John and Dash made their way through the hallway down the little tunnel and into the barn. There they saw the apple family had prepared a veritable feast for all those present and even a few heaping extra's if anypony else decided to show up. As John sat down he looked around for one particular pony.

"Hey were's?-" He stopped as he thought about it.

"Huh, why can't I seem to remember him?" He asked himself. He knew there was supposed to be another pony here but he couldn't for the life of him remember his name. He went through his memories and saw a muzzle. He knew this pony was a male but not the name of said pony. As he sat down he looked around again and saw that everyone was present except for,

"Hey were's mom at?" He asked as the group all went silent. Granny cleared her throat as she gave John a serious look.

"Some royal business of her's came up during the night and so she left rather hastily." John gave off a soft chuckle as he took a plate and began to pile it high with some egg's, bacon, and grits.

"Well, I hope she can get it all done before tonight." He gave off a sad smile as he looked over to her gifts.

"I also hope it isn't anything life threatening." The other's all nodded in agreement as they dug into there food. Meanwhile, that nagging feeling at the back of John's head wouldn't go away. He looked around and saw an extra seat at the table they had set up.

"Who's that for?" He asked as the other's all looked to it. Granny just shrugged.

"Don't know." She thought about it. "Just felt like there was supposed to be another one here with us is all." The other's all gave her a nod feeling the same way. Suddenly a little colt came bursting out of the hallway of the house giving all of them a fright. He stopped and looked at them and they at him.

"Um hi." He held up a hoof and waved as he gave them all a sheepish grin as he trotted over to the table. They all watched him and wondered just who he was. Suddenly it all came back to them all at once. making some of them clutch there head's in pain. As they all looked around they saw what the other was thinking.

"We need to send a letter to the princess's about this," Dash said as she and the other's all regarded Aion's presence with concern.

Inquisitor's Tower.

"We need to tell the princess's about this." The voice of Rainbow Dash was being broadcast through a small crystal ball from within Chancellor Neighsay's office. He smiled as he took out his list and crossed off yet another check mark.

"Five more day's." He smiled as a shadow fell over him. He turned around to see his master standing before him. He bowed as the alicorn strode through the tear in the astral plane. Once he was fully on the other side of the rift it closed before him causing the alicorn to smile.

"Well, it has been long indeed." Aion snared as he looked around the office. His eye's lit up as a smile crept over his face. The voice of his target flowed through the room as he looked into the crystal ball. His gaze hardened as it swept over his last fragment, living its life without a care in the world. Only this mourning did he try to regain the last piece of his vital essence but it was a lost cause. It was to tied down to this timeline and dimension to be of any use to him,l so he left it where it was. As he continued to stare at the orb before him a snarl made the third member of their little group known.

"I'm going to kill him!" Soarin shouted as he paced around the room like a wild lion stalking its prey. Aion drifted over to the distraught stallion and gave him a soft pat on the back.

"Fear not Soarin." He smiled as he pointed to a calendar on the wall. Soarin looked at it and smiled. On it, a date was circled. The thirty first of December, practically a national holiday by default.

"The Grand Galloping Galla." He smiled while Aion nodded.

"That is where we will make our move." He smiled even wider when Soarin began to grind his teeth.

"All I ask is that you give me five minutes alone with him." Aion laughed.

"Oh, my dear boy I can give you all the time in the world with him." They both smiled and shook hooves glad with the dark deal they'd just struck. Chancellor Neighsy meanwhile smirked at the thought of getting rid of one of his worst foes yet.

"She'll come to us as soon as she hears of what we did to her little boy." He smiled as he went back to scrying with his crystal ball.

Fluttershy looked upon her troop's, a grim snarl etched on her muzzle as she took stock of there fighting force. The combined force's of the Equestrian Royal Guard, The Changeling Intelligence Agency, and her own Dark Legion spread out as they proceeded with the next phase of there plan to assault the Inquisitor's Tower. She starred off into the distance, her blood red eye's narrowing as she clutched the pendant she'd gotten just last night.

"No one will hurt you ever again." She vowed as took up her magic and cloaked both herself and the several thousand strong fighting force under her command. As the horn was blown they all took to there stride as one and marched on the long road to the tower. They couldn't risk the large magical surge that would ensue from teleporting the whole force in at once tipping off the tower nor could they painstakingly teleport in one solder at a time. So they marched. Some for blood, other's for love and some for redemption but march they did for someone had royally pissed off a Vampony queen and they were going to feel the full extent of her wrath.