Skystrike woke up absolutely fucking drained. Lanka, Laura, Attica, Autumn, and Elyssa laid around him. Each one of their faces looked as if they had a coming to jesus moment as they slept. Skystrike looked over his body, noticing the many kiss marks on him. Note to self, do not get hickeys from five minotaurs. He quickly surrounded himself with magic as the bite marks and hickeys slowly faded as he healed himself. Someone could've play twister on his skin. He also reeked of a certain smell... He needed a shower.

The human looked out the window, seeing that it was about six in the morning. It only felt like he had a few hours of sleep... then again, they were at it for a while. He would not be surprised if he had some sort of ptsd. He was not ready for five at a time, let alone them being minotaurs. He got up carefully to not wake the girls around him, but then winced at the pain in his waist. Did... did they break his pelvis? Hehe, death by snu snu.

Admittedly, the pain wasn't that bad, but he'd be sore for a while. Then he remembered his friends setting him up. "Those motherfuckers..." Then he remembered his conversation with Elytra. "...Fuck, I'm a furry." Skystrike looked for his clothes. Thankfully, they didn't tear them off him. He quickly found their bathroom, cleaned himself, then put on his clothes. He stepped out and bumped into a still nude Lanka.

She looked down at him. "...How in Tartarus did you manage us?" She smiled.

Skystrike chuckled. "I have no fucking idea. I just need something to drink."

"You look like you do, I can see your bones." She laughed. "Let me get cleaned up. Meet me in the kitchen."

Skystrike nodded as she walked past him to enter with a playful slap with her tail. He made his way to the kitchen and sat down. He saw a sheet of paper on the cold box. Reading it over, he noticed it was a list on what to make for their daily meals. He stretched as he got back up. He didn't have much to do anyway, might as well help out with the morning routine.

The other minotaurs slowly woke up and cleaned themselves one by one before they entered the kitchen, seeing the human cooking. "...You cant be serious!" Attica said, in surprise, catching his attention.

"Oh hey, you're up earlier than I thought you'd be." Skystrike said looking up from the pancakes he was making.

"Oh my gosh this dude is amazing!" Elyssa smiled. "And what do you mean? It's nine."

Skystrike looked out the window. "...Huh, I didn't think I was up that long. Anyway, I figured I'd help out and make breakfast before I get back to travelling."

"Shit, man, what do we have to do to keep you?" Attica asked, half joking. "Do you know how hard it is to find a guy like you?"

Skystrike flipped a pancake. "You know... that isn't the first time I heard something like that. But I'll tell you what, I have a friend in Griffonstone. You girls said you're near there from time to time. I'll tell him to keep a look out for you. That way, if you're ever in the area, or decide to come to Equestria, I'll get a heads up."

"...So this won't be the last time?" Autumn sat down.

"I nearly died several times from suffocation. At the rate we were going, and the state of my pelvis, it could have been the last time."

"Yeah..." They all said with a laugh. Laura leaned forward. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't throw in the towel after the first round. My legs are sore."

"Also, how are you so good with your tongue?" Attica asked.

"Oh, it's a lot easier than you think. I like peanut butter, and it was hard getting to the bottom of the jar." Skystrike stuck out his tongue. "Also I'm a freak of nature and my tongue is longer than the average human. From there, it's about hitting the right spots."

"And you did." Lanka entered the room. "I bet you could knit with that bad boy if you had yarn."

"...You know, that's a new one." Skystrike began serving plates. "Oh, so do you all have the cheese and wine I want or am I gonna have to be sad?"

Autumn nodded. "I put what you asked aside when I woke up."

"Sweet." He thanked her. "And by the way, if you do want to get your wines out there, I do have a friend who owns a bar and brewery. I can see about you actually working at one. I imagine you'd sell well if you had your own brand in Equestria."

She blinked. "You're serious? That'd be great! Oh, I need to think of a name..."

Lanka hummed. "You know, it wouldn't be bad for us to settle down one of these days... I am getting up there."

"You aren't even old." Skystrike felt like he was repeating himself.

"Well you didn't make me feel old last night." Lanka laughed before giving him a playful punch in the arm. "But I am over double your age... Maybe I will visit Equestria. If Tethys lives there now, it has to be a good place."

"I like it." Skystrike nodded. "And if it helps, it is a primarily vegetarian society, so food production for your diets is ideal, I imagine. But tell me about your race and the migratory habits. I'm a bit curious."

Elyssa swallowed the food in her mouth. "I can do that for you. We're a bit nomadic, moving from place to place to graze off the lands. During our travel, we hunt and prepare various things for trading. Meat, gems, art, anything we can get our hands on for some extra income. From there, we often spend our money for mostly food, but sometimes more materials. We actually bought this tent from the Diamond Dogs a couple years ago."

"Oh, so you have set migratory paths? From how you talk about it, and what I inferred, I assume you come back to the same place each year?" Skystrike asked.

Elyssa nodded. "Yep! We come to this festival each year. It's actually much more popular than we initially thought it'd be. We're seen as exotic." She made quotation marks with her fingers.

"Interesting..." Skystrike said as he finished his food.

Then the white and red minotaur turned to the grey one. "Attica is actually studying to be one of our shaman."

Attica nodded, showing the silver tattoos on her left arm. "It's why I have these tattoos. Each represents a trial that I've overcome. Only have a few more to go!"

"Oh, so you also have a religion?" Skystrike asked.

"Sure do. Rather than gods like the Diamond Dogs have, we connect to our spirits. The ones I connect to most are the spirit of harvest and the spirit of the hunt." She pointed to a silver tattoo of grain, and another of a bear paw. "I just find it really interesting that we minotaurs still hunt, despite being herbivores, and the bottom of the food chain."

"That's actually really interesting. I'll have to ask you to go into more detail sometime." Skystrike smiled. "But I wouldn't sell yourself short. I'd say your places in the food chain is more akin to... an elephant or rhino. In the sense that you can still mess up those at the top of the food chain." Then he had a thought. "Hey, so this might be a bit offensive, but I just don't know. What exactly counts as a minotaur?"

"Oh you're fine." Lanka waved a hand. "It depends on our history. Somewhere down the line, we minotaurs split off from the common bovine and began walking on two hooves. There was also some magic shenanigans that went on that kept us like this. No one really knows how it happened, but basically, anything that looks like us and are bovines are Minotaurs. My grand father was actually a bison mino, and my grand mother a yak mino..." Then she covered her mouth in thought. "...Which now that I think about it, Bisons and Yaks are still around in Equestria from what I remember."

"Oh, yeah, it is weird." Skystrike chuckled. "If you can believe it, my race actually evolved from apes."

"...Huh, that's actually really interesting..." Autumn looked at him.

"Do not say 'I see it'." Skystrike quickly said. "I'm not going to to get upset, nor go into to much detail, but basically it's racist if you compare people like me to a monkey."

Autumn winced a bit. "Oh, sorry... though I guess that makes sense, it's racist if you call a minotaur a cow if you're not a minotaur."

"Oh, you have a word too?"

"You have a word!?" Autumn's jaw dropped.

"Well yeah, but I'm not gonna say it." Skystrike chuckled. "Way too much of a history. Besides, it gives us something to talk about when we meet next time."

"Aw, going already?" Attica wrapped her tail around his leg.

"Well, it's not goodbye. We'll meet again." Skystrike smiled at them. "I just need to get an early start. The flight to Hippogriffia is at least four days away. The sooner we depart, the sooner I'll arrive."

Skystrike got up and gathered the empty plates before putting them in the sink. Lanka wrapped her arms around him and pushed her boobs into his back. "Oh trust us, we'll meet again." Skystrike could feel the gazes on his back.

Footsteps quickly came towards them from the direction of the door. The light blue and white dragon rounded the corner with a look of surprise. "SKYSTRIKE!"

Skystrike turned his head. "Oh, Tethys. Thought I heard you coming. How's it going?"

"I can still smell it!" She walked over and grabbed his shoulders. "Did you sleep with all four of them!?"

Skystrike was about to answer, but Lanka beat him to it. "Five."

Tethys slowly looked up to her smirking friend. "FIVE!?" She shook the human some more. "How the fuck did you manage that!?"

"You and our friends set me up in a wench house and didn't expect me to have game???" Skystrike chuckled.

"Skystrike, I can't believe you!" Tethys grit her teeth. "I'm not angry, I'm just... astounded! I expected you to come back after you were done eating!"

"Oh he ate alright!" Lanka laughed. "I see why you follow this guy." The rest of the minotaurs laughed around them.

Skystrike looked at Tethys, made a mocking face, then moved his head back into Lanka's breasts. "Sorry, can't hear the haters." His muffled voice spoke.

"Lanka, I should KICK YOUR FUCKIN' ASS!!!"

Lanka laughed before putting an arm on Tethys's shoulder. "Calm down, girl... You'll be there next time."

Tethys blinked, then opened her mouth. Then closed it. "Fucking... fine." Then she pulled Skystrike out. "You!"

"Hey."

"I'm not going to tell your sister if you make it worth my while." Tethys threatened.

"FUCK." Skystrike said to the amusements of the minotaurs. He needed to think of something. "You know what, I'm walking into a trap, but give me some ideas."

Tethys grinned. "I'll tell you about it once I'm done hanging out with Lanka."

Skystrike was about to step onto the Wind Waker before Jeshan stopped him with a paw on his arm. Skystrike turned around and greeted him. "Oh, Jeshan. How's it going?"

"I could ask you the same after last night." He chuckled.

"Oh, right, you fuckers set me up." Skystrike sat down, looking over the hills to the city in the ravine.

Jeshan sat down with him. "...So did you do it or...?"

"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't." He chuckled.

"How in the gods names did you land four damn minotaurs?"

"Five."

"YOU LANDED TETHYS'S FRIEND TOO!?" Jeshan pulled on his ears. He inhaled deeply, then released the breath. "You're a stronger dog than me. I can barely handle two heads!"

Skystrike thought about that. "...You know, now that that mental image is in my mind, I imagine it's very tiring, huh?" Jeshan nodded. But now Skystrike was curious. "...So when you kiss one, what does the other head do?"

Jeshan chuckled. "...You know, I expected a weirder question for some reason."

"What? Why?"

"Nothing bad, just... most of my friends who ask about my sex life ask weirder, more intimate questions." Then he laughed. "I remember Snoopy asked me if Eleanor and Maple had two uterus's. But to answer your question, the other nibbles on my ear."

Skystrike thought about that. "...I know this may make me an asshole, but does she? It's kinda interesting genetics wise... Actually, if she does, then it may imply that Eleanor and Maple are conjoined siblings."

"Well, she doesn't. What does that mean?"

"Well, it might mean that she's her own, unique species of Diamond Dog. You'd need a closer look at her family tree, or see a geneticist. The two heads thing might be hereditary, and could link to the X chromosome. If so, then that could affect your offspring. If it's a recessive gene, and tied to the x chromosome, your daughter may have it, but your son won't get it."

"...I think I understood most of that, I'll talk with her about it." Jeshan looked over to the city. "Hey, can I be real with you for some time?"

Skystrike got serious. "Of course, Jeshan."

"Well, Maple, Eleanor, and I are thinking about kids... And I'm scared." Jeshan admitted. "So much could go wrong, not in just the process, but raising the kid. When we traveled together, through the little we all shared about our upbringing, I just... it's terrifying how such little mistakes we make, how minor an interaction we have with another can affect them for the rest of their lives. I don't want to mess up."

Skystrike listened intently. "...Is this something you want an opinion on, or something you just want to be heard?"

"I don't know... both?" He grit his teeth. "Just two days ago, you told me about your upbringing, and how you came to this world. Sure, nothing like that will ever happen to my pups when I have them, but... when you talked how you saved your sister from that fire, and she came back trying to do what you did, that's... terrifying. Sure, you set the example, and you seem proud of her, but you said she didn't interpret it the way you wanted! If my kids interpret what I say wrong, and that comes back to bite them, am I a failure as a father?"

Skystrike sighed. "...While I cant say I've truly 'raised' another, I can say that my actions have had lasting effects on those who looked up to me. I won't tell you to not worry, because that worry is what makes a parent a parent." Jeshan looked at him with his amethyst eye. "Trying to be a good influence can only go so far. The rest is on the influenced to take your message to heart, and think on those words. But we can't be perfect. There's always going to be something you did where, in hindsight, you could've done better. And take my word for it, because I live that every day. All we can do is make the best decisions we can with the information we know, and hope."

"...Thanks, Skystrike. You were always really mature, despite being what, eleven years younger than me?" He gave the human a reassuring smile.

Skystrike snapped his hands and did finger guns as he grinned. "That's what trauma does!" The two chuckled.

Then Jeshan looked back to the city. "Hey, this is... a lot to ask but... if anything happens to me, and my wives and kids are alone... and you're still alive, I want you to be their godfather."

Skystrike blinked in surprise. "That's... a lot, man. If everything works out, I'd be honored. But let me get one thing straight." He put a hand on the Diamond Dog's back. "If anything happens to you, save for natural causes, there's no being in this world to stop me from avenging you."

"Thank you, Skystrike. I really appreciate that." Jeshan pulled him into a side hug.

He returned it. "No problem, but I will say you should ask some others the same just in case I don't."

"Already asked Tethys, Elytra, and Zecora. They all said they'd help." Jeshan released the hug. "I asked Alder, he stopped by earlier this morning. He was the only one to deny, but it was a fair reason. He is getting up there in age, and with what's happening with his group in Griffonstone, there's too many maybes for him to confidently say yes."

"Yeah, that's fair. But trust me, I am not going down easily. I will resurrect myself with necromancy if I have to just so your kid or kids are taken care of."

Jeshan looked at him weird. "Thanks? I guess? Not sure if I want my kids uncle to be a zombie, but... I guess if we get there?"

"Look man, I've already killed for you. Not much worse I can really do for you." Skystrike laid back in the grass. "But I'm mostly joking. I don't plan on giving up my humanity."

Jeshan laid back in the grass with him. "...There's one more thing I want to talk about with you."

"Oh? Go ahead." Skystrike looked to the sky.

"Well... you have to know by now that Tethys and Zecora are into you." Skystrike was about to open his mouth before Jeshan put up a paw. "You don't need to answer. Just listen, dude. One of these days, you'll have to confront these feelings. Whether you accept or reject them, try and make sure it's the right decision."

Skystrike thought about that. "I've been keeping it in the back of my mind for a while. I just... don't want to hurt them again, you know? But I guess I should take the advice I just dished out, huh?" Then he thought aloud. "Honestly, I don't truly know if my love for them is anything more than platonic."

Jeshan chuckled. "Ah, young love. You know, I was like that with my first girlfriend. It's really complicated." Then Jeshan sat up. "But it seems like you're afraid of what could be, rather than the relationship itself. So, here's my advice for you." Skystrike looked over to him. "You don't have to plan out every little scenario that could happen. Take a risk, see where it goes. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Skystrike squinted at the Diamond Dog. "While I will take your advice to heart, I hate that dumbass saying." Jeshan hid a chuckle as Skystrike threw his hands up. "Oh you'll MISS! Motherfucker I didn't shoot yet, so I haven't potentially missed yet! If they made that phrase something relating to a point based system on a time limit or something, then it'd make sense."

"Ok, man." Jeshan chuckled. "But I'm hoping things work out for you."

"Well, I appreciate it." Skystrike turned back to the sky. "But if we're still talking about heavy subjects... I have a favor to ask."

"Go for it."

"My sanity has been... slipping at times to say the least. I know you all, and I know that if I end up in a rut, you'll pull me out. I just want you to stop everyone else if I end up going too deep. You were always one to make the hard decisions when needed."

"Jeez, man, what bought this up?"

"Well..." Skystrike hesitated to say it. "Celestia... doesn't know that I'm Skystrike. She still sees me as 34, the human that fell down on the Equestrian capital. At the rate things are going, I'll never be able to walk freely as a human. If I end up reaching my breaking point, and if I'm still not accepted as a human..." He sighed. "I will have to fight for my own survival. And I don't want any of you dragged in, because I know you all, more specifically Tethys, would fight for me as well. I don't want you all to throw away the lives we got, so I ask that you don't."

"...You're asking for a lot, Sky." Jeshan huffed in thought. "I... I can't make any promises. But I'll try." Skystrike felt a bit better at that. "But... I'm sure you've tried to get on her good side, right? As a human, I mean."

Skystrike nodded. "I've tried, but my message more came off as a cease fire, rather than a show of good will. On the bright side, I have some time to work on it. Luna, the other princess knows, so there's that. But I know that if those two have to chose between their country and the potential danger I could be to them, I cant blame them for the choice they make." Skystrike stood up. "Thanks, Jeshan... We need to talk more. Having another guy to talk to is so damn nice."

"Jeez, how bad is it for you in Equestria? Here, it's nearly one to one."

"Something around 8 girls to one guy."

"Yeesh. Good luck." Jeshan chuckled, then stood up and looked at him. "I guess this is goodbye for now, huh?"

The human nodded. "For now, yes, but it won't be a long one." Skystrike began stretching. "With Casta's teleportation rugs, you can travel between each one as you please... Only downside is that I cant go through them, since it interacts with the magic in someone that I cant generate subconsciously. Basically, you all can visit me, I can't visit you. Without traveling I mean."

"Oh, well that makes this goodbye less sad." Jeshan wagged his tail a bit. "If that's the case, tell Zecora, Tethys, or Elytra to get me when you guys meet up with Skybeak and Celeano."

"You already know." Skystrike fist bumped his friend. "I'll also get back to you on those music boxes. Have fun at the festival."

Jeshan nodded. "Will do. And if Aztec comes by, I'll send her your way."

Skystrike looked at him. "Wait, what do you mean if Aztec comes your way?"

"Oh, I thought I said before." Jeshan blinked. "That thunderbird comes by almost every year for this festival. No idea why, but I'm sure she'd be happy to see you again."

"Huh..." Skystrike rubbed his chin. "I'm guessing she's all grown up now. It was sad, having to release her. If she comes by, I'll make sure she has a place to stay."

"Alright. See you later, then. Jeshan dabbed the human up before turning and walking away.

It was good to see how he was doing, and to know he still had a friend. 'Two more to go.' Skytrike thought to himself as he boarded the Wind Waker. He went to the engine to check on it. Everything was within the optimal thresholds. Next, he checked their supplies. Tethys, thankfully, stocked up on the things they used so far. Finally, he went to find the other two, them sitting across from each other on the upper deck.

Elytra was being looked over by Zecora, who was walking around her. Zecora hummed. "I am confused, can you tell me more? What exactly am I looking for?"

"Well, after eating Skystrike's magic..." Elytra started. "I... feel like I'm gaining weight. Skystrike already said I grew some because of my feeding, but I think there's more to it. My chitin also feels... tight and itchy? I was hoping you knew something about this."

Zecora hummed and used her hooves to open Elytra's mouth. "Say ah." Elytra did so, sticking out her tongue. Zecora noted the razor sharp fangs, as well as a smell she couldn't pin down. "There is a smell, not bad I suppose, though where it is from, I do not know. Anything else I should know or view? Any updates or something new?"

"Uh..." Elytra thought. "Well, I... feel stronger... Watch." She focused her magic and surrounded her horn in a turquoise light, almost like a blade, the magic focused into a sharp tip. "Look. Every other changeling's magic color is a neon green. Mine's changed." Then she focused in more magic, the blade growing. "And while I still can't do too much with my magic besides the illusions, I just seem to have a lot more magic."

Skystrike walked up the the two. "Sorry, didn't mean to eaves drop, but this seems important. Can I take a look, Elytra?" She nodded. Skystrike crouched down and began studying her. First, he ran a finger over her magic encased horn. She twitched slightly ay his touch. "Could you drop the magic?" She did so, and he got a feel of the horn. Still firm, though it felt a bit denser. Next, he moved to her forehooves, raising one up and seeing how the joints bent. Everything seemed normal. Next, he moved to the wings, pulling the semi-translucid limb outwards. The color seemed ever so slightly different. The blue, shell like chitin on her back had no noticeable changes. Skystrike huffed. "Admittedly, I want to look at you more, but that'd be pushing a boundary."

Elytra blushed and chuckled. "You already felt up my horn, man."

Skystrike had a realization. "...You know, I should've thought that was a thing. I'm sorry." They chuckled at his reaction. "I was going to say, just from everything so far, I have some semblance of an idea, but from what I know, it's impossible... Let me ask you this, have you been feeling more hungry than normal lately?"

"Yes, actually." Elytra admitted. "I've been trying to hold back, but each time I feed off you, my appetite seems to grow. I'm hoping that your magic isn't addictive or anything."

He shook his head. "While that is a possibility that we shouldn't throw out the window just yet, I think a slightly more likely possibility is that your body is preparing to molt. You just haven't grown enough to shed your current shell yet."

"Wha-" Elytra's eyes went wide. "I don't-... But I... Changelings don't molt!"

Zecora also looked at him confused. "Indeed, Skystrike, that’s news to me. How can you tell from what you see?"

Skystrike began explaining. "Well, eating my magic clearly affected her diet. Her magic and wing color has changed. She's also gotten noticeably bigger. Add to that how she said her chitin feels itchy and tight. I also smelled the smell you couldn't put a hoof on. From my memory, it's the stuff that the changelings use to make cocoons. Sure, changelings make it naturally, but they also control when they make it. This comes off as Elytra's body preparing to make it. And sure, while changelings don't molt, it may be because of the convergent evolution of changelings being similar to ponies. At the end of the day, you still do have an insectoid ancestry. But again, this is just a theory. We'll need to keep checking."

Elytra looked down at her hooves. "...Oh... Shit."

"You seem worried."

"Of course I'm worried! Changelings don't molt!" Elytra shook him. "We don't know what will happen if you're right! What if I end up like some monster? What if I'm not able to control it? Will I even be a Changeling anymore?"

"Wouldn't worry too much about that." Skystrike patted her on the back. "Your body is doing this on it's own, which implies it's a latent thing every Changeling can do... I doubt you're the first one to go through this..." Skystrike then thought on it.

Zecora was the first to point out his long silence. "You seem to have something on your mind. Care to share? What might we find?"

"Well... I remember when I was younger that Khrusalis gave Chrysalis some special type of food. Then I thought about how bees, for example, feed a chosen larva to eat royal jelly, and that larva ends up a queen. It isn't too much of a stretch to assume that this is happening to you."

"But... I've eaten your magic before and it's been fine!" Elytra stated.

"Yes, but not continuously like you have been for the past few days."

"Then... how come there weren't anything in the Changeling records!?"

Skystrike chuckled. "Simple. Why would any king or queen keep a changeling in their hive that could threaten their power?"

Elytra stared at him. "You-... You're saying I might become a queen?"

"Only in stature, and it's only a possibility." He clarified. "We'll need to record any changes on you. But only time will tell. Get inside, I'm about to make this ship airborne."

They were roughly five hours into their flight. Skystrike made sure to keep a close eye on the map to not get lost. While the map they put together so far was to scale, most land marks still needed to be followed. Sadly, they only know the general layout of Abyssinia, the land of the cat-like denizens of this world. He's never met one, and he would like to go one day, but not today. Plus, he read up that they aren't on good terms with the Diamondians. Dogs versus cats even transcends dimensions, it seems.

He stopped the ship and looked at his map as he began to fly by a set of mountains known as... Litterbox Ridge? They cant be serious... Then again, he was just in Vanhoover. After a few hours, he was flying over the Henry planes. Wait, who the fuck is names Henry in this world? Not important. As long as he stayed on this path, they'd be going over the town of Catskills, and the cat capital Panthera. He had about two hours to spare.

Skystrike got up and stretched. He noticed a couple storm clouds to the north. He'd have to ask how Diamond Dogs controlled the weather. Jeshan can use magic, so it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that Diamond Dogs could control magic like a wizard. But then again, he didn't see any clouds in Diamondia. Maybe they don't need it?

He turned his head to look at the direction of a certain sound. It was the teleporter being used. No telling who it was. Skystrike crouched down and surrounded himself in a lime green fire. In a flash of light, he turned into a pegasus. He moved his hair to the side and put on his sweats before going to see who it was. Tethys shouldn't be back by now, Alder was most likely busy, and Jeshan was definitely busy. Chances were, it was somepony from Ponyville.

He pushed open the door to storage. Two pegasi, one cyan and one pastel yellow, locked eyes with him. "Oh, Rainbow, Fluttershy. Wasn't expecting you two."

Rainbow Dash flew up to him. "Hey, it's been a while! Two weeks, almost? How's it going?"

Skystrike hoof bumped her. "Doing pretty good overall. Just... getting my mind off things."

Rainbow wrapped her forehoof around her neck before whispering in his ear. "Fluttershy missed you more than you'd think."

Skystrike looked at the pegasus at his neck, then the pastel mare in front of him. He crouched down to her eye level. "Come on, I'll make us some tea. We got some catching up to do." Skystrike stood back up.

Fluttershy smiled at him. "I'd... like that."

Skystrike lead them to the kitchen and quickly made them some tea. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash sat across from him as he poured some each of them some. "Also, you two mind if I go back to my human form?"

"Um... if it makes you more comfortable." Fluttershy nodded.

Skystrike surrounded himself with neon green magic before turning back to his human form. He straightened his clothes and shook out his air before picking up his tea. "I hope this one's good. It's from Diamondia." He took a sip, the sweet, nutty liquid warming his body up as it went down.

Fluttershy blew off the tea before trying it. "Oh, this is really good! Then she realized what he said. "Wait, we're in Diamondia?"

"Were." Skystrike clarified. "Closer to Panthera now."

Rainbow coughed. "Sorry, I sucked at geology. Where's that?"

"Geography, and we're on the other side of the Celestial Sea." Skystrike rolled his neck. "We can go up on the deck later and watch the landscape. It's actually really nice... That makes me think, what time is it for you guys back home?"

"Uh..." Rainbow Dash went through her memory. "Around eight at night. What time is it here?"

"About one in the afternoon... So we're 15 hours ahead." Skystrike sipped his tea. "So, what's new back home? Hopefully nothing major happened while I was gone."

Rainbow Dash looked to Fluttershy. Fluttershy sighed. "Well... I was babysitting the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike a few days ago when they thought it was a good idea to go into the Everfree Forest to find one of my chickens that escaped." Skystrike's eyes slowly widened. "Turns out that there was a cockatrice, and it already got to the chicken, and to Twilight. I was lucky enough to convince the cockatrice to back down and turn Twilight and my chicken back from stone. The kids ended up safe too."

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Heh, yeah, leave out the part where you beat a cockatrice in a staring contest."

Skystrike needed a moment to process that. "...Interesting... Guess I have my work cut out for me when I get back. So, just to double check, everyone turned out ok?"

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash nodded. "Spike actually went to save the CMC first, if that matters. Didn't get the chance to do anything heroic, but it's the thought that counts, right?"

"I have mixed emotions about that." Skystrike had to admit. Then he made a face. "Speaking of Spike, we all know about his... you know."

"Crush on Rarity?" Rainbow chuckled. "Yeah. We all do."

"Honestly, it's kinda weird how we just... don't say anything about it." Fluttershy sipped at her tea.

"I figured. I just promised him I wouldn't tell anyone." Skystrike leaned back in his chair. "I also told him that she would most likely not return the interest. I'm hoping at the gala, when Rarity fawns over Blueblood, he gets the hint and moves on."

Fluttershy hummed. "You know, that would be the best case scenario in this, huh? Though I can't say I haven't been in his situation before."

"Well this is news to me." Skystrike smirked. "Childhood crush on who?" She hid her face with her wings. "Oh come on, you can't bring that up and not elaborate."

"Don't tell me it was that boy band you always talked about. What was it called? The Other Direction?" Rainbow chuckled.

Skystrike looked at her. "...You know, I see it."

"Oh come on, like yours was any better, Rainbow!" Fluttershy shot the pegasus a look. "The Poneisher? Really?"

Skystrike snirked, then tried to hide it with a cough. Rainbow Dash grew red in the face. "Hey, wrestling is cool!" Skystrike was about to respond, but then began laughing again. "Buck you!"

He regained his composure. "Sorry, sorry, it's just... I wasn't expecting it."

"Well, what were you expecting." Then Rainbow grinned. "Better yet, who was yours?"

"Oh, easy, it's..." Skystrike paused. Then he stared at the wall. "You know, I was about to say it, but I would not hear the end of it."

"Skystrike..." Fluttershy smirked. "You cant bring that up and not elaborate."

"You mother fucker." Skystrike chuckled. "Fine, you want to know the truth!?" They nodded with shit eating grins on their faces. He leaned in and put his hands on the table. "Posey Shy."

"FLUTTERSHY'S MOM!?" Rainbow Dash shouted in surprise as Fluttershy had the thousand yard stare on her face. Skystrike nodded as Rainbow fell out of her chair, laughing hard.

"...Are you serious?" Fluttershy asked, astounded.

"I knew you couldn't handle the truth, Fluttershy. Sorry to tell you, but your mom has got it going on." Skystrike smirked. "Rainbow and I did a really good job of hiding it from you, but half the boys in our class had the hots for her."

Rainbow was wheezing as she held her stomach. "It... it hurts!"

"You mother bucker!" Fluttershy held her face in her hooves. "She's married!"

"Just because there's a goalie... doesn't mean you can't score!" Skystrike laughed at the distraught on her face.

"Skystrike..." Fluttershy banged her head into the table. "Celestia damn it..."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, all the girls in class had it out for Dash's dad, Bow Hothoof."

Rainbow Dash instantly stopped laughing and pushed herself off the ground. "...What." She looked to Skystrike's chuckling face, and to Fluttershy, who was avoiding her gaze. "You ass wipe!"

"Also, Windy whistles was personally 2nd." Skystrike admitted. Fluttershy began giggling at that.

Rainbow Dash flew up in his face. "I want to punch you so bad right now!"

"Not my fault your parents are hot. But I will also say it's probably because it's hard for me to tell the ages of ponies."

"You know, I should've expected you liked older mares, after what Pinkie said you did in Canterlot. Did you seriously hit on her mom?" Rainbow sat back in her chair.

"Well... not exactly? She was trying to set me up with her daughters and in my vast intellect, I said something along the lines of if they looked like her, It wouldn't be a bad idea. It's like a return on investment." Skystrike chuckled. "And to be fair, if you saw this lady, you'd get it."

"I cannot believe you." Fluttershy sighed.

"Well, the gesture extends to you two."

They blinked, then looked between each other. "I... Thanks???" They both said.

"You're welcome." Skystrike laughed before finishing his cup of tea. Then he looked to Rainbow Dash. "So... you gonna drink the tea?"

"Oh." Rainbow looked at her cup with mixed feelings. "I... don't like tea."

Skystrike stared at her. "Well, have you tried tea? Let alone the one in front of you?"

"Well... when I was younger." She admitted. "Haven't had any in years."

Skystrike looked at her, then to Fluttershy, then back to Rainbow Dash. "You're a grown ass mare, Rainbow. Drink the god damn tea."

Fluttershy giggled at his response. Rainbow sighed and picked up the tea cup. Hesitantly sniffing it and taking a small sip. "Oh hey, this is pretty good."

"I know right?" Skystrike poured himself and Fluttershy another cup. "Also, Fluttershy, how's Naga doing? Hopefully she hasn't gotten into anything?"

"Oh, she's been fine. She's been coming by my cottage every once in a while to show she's ok. She's actually really smart." Fluttershy took a sip from her cup. "After the chickens escaped, and we dealt with the cockatrice, she made sure to drive it back to the deeper part of the forest. In hindsight, I should've realized that something that can manipulate stone is immune to petrification."

"Actually, Skystrike, where's the others? I figured I'd have seen them by now." Rainbow asked.

"Tethys is hanging out with a friend in Daimondia for a day, and Stardust and Zecora are either napping or reading books together." Skystrike sipped his tea. "I was flying the ship until I stopped to look at my map and you two stopped by. Though I should probably get back to it... Actually, I need to check the surroundings first. Feel like coming?"

"Sure." The two said as they all got up.

After a short walk to the deck of the Wind Waker, Skystrike looked around. Litterbox Ridge was long in the distance, Just at the horizon. The Henry planes laid below him, and he could see some sort of settlement in the distance. There was also a rather large river below, flowing through the planes, and splitting off into three separate rivers.

"Woah!" Rainbow began flying around. "The air here feels so... different! It's so cool and crisp! And salty?"

Skystrike began stretching. "Yeah, we're in the southern hemisphere right now. Also nearing the sea. The path is set to Hippogriffia."

Fluttershy propped herself over the railing and looked down. "Uh, Skystrike? I think somepony-, well, some...cat? Is looking at us."

Skystrike walked over to her and leaned on the railing as well. He squinted and looked down at the being below them. There were several cat-like beings looking up at him. From this distance, he could barely tell what type of cat they were, but from their silhouettes, they were holding things, so they were at least smart enough to make or use tools. "Well would you look at that, we do."

Rainbow Dash looked over the edge as well. "Huh, you know, besides Gilda, and your friends, I haven't met any other race... Think they're friendly?"

"I don't want to take any chances with you here." Skystrike shook his head. "Tell you what, I'll check them out. If anything of interest happens, I'll call you down." The two nodded before Skystrike jumped off the ship.

He let himself free fall for a bit before focusing magic into his feet, creating a wind current accelerating him upwards. He slowly fell down to the ground and landed on his feet. He got a good look at the bipedal cats in front of him. He wasn't a furry... but these cats were impressive. They were lions. It made sense, since they lived in this savannah, but Skystrike was more focused on their statures. Each one was built, more than him, and he considered himself pretty toned. They all were around his height, most being a few inches smaller. Looking at them more closely, each was female, their bits covered by leather and holding weaponry that ranged from spears to clubs.

Skystrike stood a few yards away. "Uh, hello there." He waved. "I noticed you all looking up at my ship. Care for a chat?"

The lead lioness stepped forward. Her beige fur seemed to shine in the sun and her teal eyes him curiously. She tightened her grip around her spear. The Abyssinian got down on one knee and bowed. The rest behind her did the same as she spoke. "We greet the silver one!"

'What' Skystrike thought to himself. "I'm... confused by what you mean by 'silver one'."

The lioness kept her head down. "You were stated in our stories, passed down through the generations by the prophets. A silvered haired warrior would come from the sky in the time of our greatest need. Please, we beg of you, silver one, give us your aid!"

Skystrike looked at them. Their prophets knew of his coming, or at least someone that had silver hair like his. He was hoping that this wouldn't become some religious thing, but it'd go against his principles to leave without hearing them out at least. "...Very well. While I don't make any promises of fixing your issues, I will at least hear you out. What should I call you, miss?"

"Nala."

'God fucking damn it.' Skystrike thought to himself. But that begs the question... "Do you have a husband named Simba?"

"The tales spoke of your vast knowledge. Though to specify, Simba is my cousin!"

Skystrike blinked. He was done. "Alright, Nala. You can stand. What is the problem you're dealing with."

The lioness stood up, being a few inches taller than him. "Thank you, silver one." Then she began explaining. " A few months ago, a beast took refuge within our hunting grounds. The beast has began slaughtering our prey, leaving us with the few stragglers... It's not enough to feed the pride anymore. In a few more months, we'll no longer be able to survive."

Skystrike tapped a foot in thought. "And what is your primary food source?"

"The normal days harvest is fish, though on occasion, the gazelles if we can catch them."

"So this creature is at a river or lake, I assume?" She nodded. Skystrike continued. "If you don't mind me asking, how many of you are there, and what's the food situation?"

Nala looked away, a mix of embarrassment and pain on her face. "The five of us before you are the only ones we could spare to hunt. The rest of the able bodied lions are defending the ones who have sustained injuries from fighting the beast."

Skystrike huffed. "I'm sorry you all had to go through so much pain. Lead me back to your village. I can at least give you some food to last a few days."

"Thank you, Silver one." She smiled at him. "Though our pride is a ways away."

"No problem. Stay here for a minute, I can handle the transportation." Skystrike jumped up and used wind to push himself the rest of the way up. He landed on the ship and began jogging to the bridge.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew behind him. The latter spoke first. "Skystrike? What's happening?"

Skystrike sat down in his seat and began lowering the ship to the ground. "You two might have to go a bit earlier than expected. Surprise mission. Right now, I'm going to get the lions on the ship and get them back to their pride. Once there, I'm going to figure out more about the creature that's causing a food shortage. The more interesting bit is that I was prophesized to come, and I kinda want to see how things play out."

"Wait, why do you think we may have to go early?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, I'm not sure how these lions would be towards you ponies." Skystrike admitted. "Back in my world, lions actually ate Zebras, and you aren't too far off from them, being ponies. But then again, we're still in Zebrafrica, so the cats probably do trade with Zebras..." He began thinking.

Fluttershy looked up at hm. "Why don't you ask Zecora? Wouldn't she know?"

Skystrike looked at her. "You know, you're really smart, thank you Fluttershy." Then he pressed a button to his side, sending a ringing sound through the ship. Soon enough, Stardust and Zecora was in front of them. "Quick rundown, I met with lion Abyssinians, they prophesized my arrival, and now I'm helping with their food shortage. Zecora, what's the relationship between your home country and the Abyssinians?"

Zecora looked at him. "Our bond with them is sometimes strained. For now, it is neutral, a peace maintained."

"Welp, you heard the lady." Skystrike landed the ship. "Fluttershy, Rainbow, you two are welcome to hang around. Shit will probably go down... Though now that I think about it, Fluttershy, you might come in handy. Their food shortage is being caused by some creature cutting them off from their hunting grounds." Then he looked at the pastel mare. "Only if you're comfortable, of course?"

"Uh, well... if I can help out, I don't see why not..."

Rainbow flew up and elbowed Skystrike. "Well, if her way doesn't work out, maybe you can take out some massive monster this time without getting hurt."

Stardust smirked. "And without him saving you."

"It was one time!" Rainbow stammered.

The ride was short, yet not uneventful. Seeing the Abyssinians hold on for dear life to the railings while they went into the sky was amusing, but it was even more amusing seeing their eyes light up in wonder as they soared through the sky. The lionesses pointed toward their camp. Skystrike stepped of the ship with Nala and her group to see several tipis.

Stardust was on the ship still with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, leaving Zecora with him. She was the most familiar with the area, aside from the residents of course. Skystrike's first priority was to see how bad the food shortage and injuries were. "Nala, which do you think is more of a concern, the injured or the food?"

Nala looked at him and rubbed her chin in thought. "It is hard to say. With the majority of us not able to defend ourselves, the neighboring prides could take us out if they willed it... But then again, I doubt we're the only one with this food problem."

Zecora looked up to Nala. "And what of your morale, strong and true? Can you keep going, see this through?"

Nala looked to the zebra and sighed. "It'll be hard, I will not lie to you."

Skystrike looked at the residents. Despite each being toned, one could tell they were slim. Even Skystrike, who hasn't seen a cat before today. Add to that, many of the multicolored Abyssinians outside their tipis had splints on their limbs, and shallow wounds filed with some natural salve. He could hear the grumbling of their stomachs, and the groans from those inside who likely had more grievous wounds. "...Zecora, get Stardust, Fluttershy, and Rainbow. Get ten of the pistol shrimp from cold storage, and cook them in a soup using the instructions on the kitchen note board. I'm going to get more information." Zecora nodded and went back to the ship. Skystrike looked at Nala. "Can you take me to your prophet?"

Nala shook her head. "Apologies. The prophets are lone wanderers, not part of any pride, but welcome in each, as they are said to bring good fortune. It has been years since a prophet has came."

Skystrike sighed. "Alright... then what can you tell me about the prophet that came here, and the origin of this prophecy?"

"Not much." Nala had to admit. "Each prophet takes a vow of silence, only speaking when a pride is in danger, or for peace talks between prides. When they arrive, they are simply listeners, listening to the stories of each lion in the pride they visit. How they prophesize these moments, like your arrival, is unknown to us."

"Hmm..." Skystrike thought about her words. Summed up, the only way for him do know was to ask a prophet. "Guess that's the most I'll get. Can you bring me to anyone who fought the creature directly?"

A lion to his left stood up. He shook out his brown mane before standing at his full height, being an inch or two taller than Skystrike. His paws were also much larger than the lioness' next to him, and he was much more muscular. The lion scratched at the splint around his right arm. "The name's Alex. I saw that monster first paw."

'From fucking Madagascar??' He shook the thought out of his head. "And what did you see?"

Alex shuddered at the memory. "It kept its body underground for most of the battle. We weren't prepared for something like that! It was was like a serpent the size of a pond... with arms! The head alone was dwarfed me! I've never seen anything like it before!"

Skystrike looked at him. Nala leaned down. "Alex was never much of a warrior. He's more interested in dancing."

'Of course he is.' Skystrike huffed. "Thanks, Alex. That description was... informative."

Alex shot the human finger guns. "No problem, silver one!" And then sat back down in his spot.

Skystrike turned back to Nala. "And what about the leader of your pride?"

Nala winced. "He... My father passed in the battle against the beast."

It was Skystrike's turn to wince. "I'm sorry."

The two walked around for a bit more as Skystrike asked more about the whole situation. Apparently, Alex had the most descriptive recollection of the beast, as most of the others were blitzed by the monster. There's some good to staying in the back lines, Skystrike supposed. He looked back to his ship to Zecora, Stardust, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, each pushing a large pot of soup down the cargo ramp and setting up tables. Skystrike went and began helping set up with them. Soon, they were handing out the soup to each Abyssinian.

It made him feel better as the men, women, and children were in better spirits. Skystrike made sure to give extra bowls to the lions who's family couldn't leave the tipis. "Zecora, is there anything you can do for the more seriously wounded?"

The zebra shook her head. "I could only ease the pain a bit. Though I can heal, I can't help all who sit." Then she looked up at him. "I know you’re giving it all you’ve got, but you can’t save everyone, like it or not. Just do what you can, give it your best, as sometimes that’s all that we can confess."

Skystrike looked down at her. "...You know, I don't like that you're right, but I thank you for trying to ease my nerves." Skystrike patted her on the back. "Nala!" He called out to the lioness.

The lioness looked over to him, her mouth full of a piece of shrimp. "Mmhm?"

Skystrike and Zecora looked at her. "...You enjoying that?"

"Mmhm!"

Skystrike and Zecora chuckled at the sight. Then he stood up. "Finish your food, then get whoever you need ready to depart. I'll deal with the creature. Zecora, Stardust, Fluttershy, Rainbow, any of you want to come with?"

"Buck yeah, I wanna come!" Rainbow Dash flew into the air. "Maybe this time I can see you do something cool!"

"Um... if I can convince this creature to leave on its own, maybe you don't have to fight it?" Fluttershy said.

"I'm going to stay here and clean up. Besides, somepony needs to watch the ship." Stardust rolled her neck. "Plus, Tethys should be back soon."

Zecora brushed some dust out of her mane. "I'll stay behind as well, it's true. I've many potions I need to brew."

Skystrike stood up and stretched his arms out. "Sounds like a plan. I'll meet you all out here in a few minutes."

He didn't need much to get ready, putting on his armor and doing warm up stretches. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy decided to join him for the stretches. "Hey Skystrike." Rainbow started. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go for it."

"Does... well, Stardust obviously knows you're a human, but you're also laying low from Celestia. She doesn't... you know, say anything about it?"

"Oh." Skystrike blinked. They don't know that Stardust is actually a changeling. "Well... lets just say there's stuff that Stardust hides too. I know you two don't know her too well, but gain her trust, and she'll share."

Fluttershy looked at him. "Well, that makes me wonder, how many of us have you told that you're... well, you?"

"Everyone on this ship, Pinkie Pie, I didn't really say, she just figured out some how." Skystrike twisted his waist. "I want to tell Applejack and Spike for sure. I trust them enough to keep a secret this big. More than likely Rarity as well, but I don't know her as well as the rest of you, which is something I want to work on when I get back."

Fluttershy noticed he didn't mention a certain unicorn. "And... what about Twilight?"

Skystrike looked at her. "You kidding? If I tell her, Celestia will find out immediately. I trust Twilight, sure, but I know that if I told her, she'd talk. In fact, I'd bet that she'd write a letter to Celestia in the form of it being a friendship lesson, and cementing your friends trust in you. My only saving grace is that what my kind did to Equestria was erased from history."

Rainbow was confused at that, as well as a bit upset. "Well... I get your reasoning I guess... But what about that wizard mare. What was her name? Casta? She's the court magician right?"

"Yeah, but I knew her before she was court magician, and our trust for one another is on a different level between yours and mine, for example. And I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean that in a 'we've killed for each other' way." He explained. "And she's in much much deeper then even I probably know about with this whole human thing."

"Goodness." Fluttershy held up a hoof to her mouth. "What did humans do to be erased from history? Who erased your kind from history?"

Skystrike winced and crossed his arms. "I'm... not sure I should tell you that, because so far, only me, Casta, and the princesses know... But I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't tell you after saying I trust you two enough with my humanity..." He thought about it for a while. "Fuck it, a thousand years ago, before even Luna's banishment, my race wanted to occupy Equestria. They failed when they lost a war against the ponies and were forced back to my home dimension. From there, if you remember the whole story of my origin and what I was raised to do, you can see why Celestia isn't fond of me."

Fluttershy made a face, thinking hard on what he said. "Oh... Shit."

Skystrike chuckled. "First I've heard you curse."

Rainbow blinked. "...I need one of you to explain."

"I was made to be a sort of sleeper agent, Rainbow Dash." Skystrike said bluntly. "With all my magic and combat capabilities, it's safe to assume I was made to... deal with Celestia. On the up side, I don't think my race knew Luna was coming back."

"Oh..." Rainbow blinked again. "...Shit. Well... you wont, right?"

"Of course not." Skystrike waved a hand. "To many things I like in this world to not want to fight for it... At the same time, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel like saying 'fuck it' at times." He admitted. "But those were more intrusive thoughts than anything."

Rainbow huffed. "Can't blame you after what you said about that Blueblood guy..."

Fluttershy gave her wings a practice flap. "Well... is there anything we can do to make your reveal... easier?"

Skystrike stood in thought for a moment. "Uh... thinking on it, there's not much you can do... The main thing that it hinges on is you know, Celestia believing that Skystrike and 34 are one in the same. That'll be hard to do, given my entrance to this world, and how Skystrike 'died'. If I was her, I'd wonder if 34 just took on his identity after Skystrike died."

"Wait..." Fluttershy said. "If that's what she could think, cant you just... prove you're you the same way you did to us? Just bringing up things you knew as a colt?"

Skystrike began walking, motioning them to follow. "You'd think, right? But her understandable distrust of me would find some reasoning to not believe me. It's doable to gain her trust as the current me, but it's one hell of an uphill battle."

"Hell?" Rainbow flew at his side.

"My race's equivalent of Tartarus." Skystrike stepped off the ship. "But I wouldn't worry your heads over it. I'm working it out, and I think it's going pretty well." Then he looked around, seeing the lioness he was looking for. "Nala! You ready!?"

Nala quickly ran over, spear in hand and a bow on her back. "Yes!" She stood up straight. "Apologies, Silver one, I am the only one who's... willing to escort you."

Skystrike put a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. I don't blame any of them."

"...I thank you, silver one." She bowed before standing back up. "Come, I will show you where the beast resides."

The four began walking. The silence was palpable. The only sound that was heard were their steps and the wind. Rainbow's eyes wandered in her boredom. Then she noticed something. "...Damn."

"What?" Skystrike asked.

She flew up to whisper to him. "I'm not gay, but Nala has a nice ass."

Skystrike groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Thank you!" Nala turned around, her hearing obviously much better than what Rainbow Dash thought.

"Rainbow, why you gotta be weird?" Skystrike threw his hands up.

"Oh come on!" Rainbow crossed her hooves. "I cant compliment a girl on a good physique?"

"Oh, no, you can. I just think there's a difference in saying 'Wow, that's an impressive build, you must have put in a lot of effort!' and 'Damn, her ass is nice.'"

Nala laughed. "It's quite alright, silver one. Your rainbow friend is amusing. It also works as a perfect segway into your... payment."

Skystrike blinked. "...I don't like what you're implying." Both he and Fluttershy said, making Rainbow Dash laugh hysterically.

Nala rubbed the back of her head as she kept walking. "Well... It's not like we have much to offer as thanks."

He inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "I'm sorry, I'm getting heated. "Nala, while you are pretty, I do not want payment in sexual favors. You don't have to pay me anything, you all living is more than enough. I'm helping you because of my own set of principles. Let us move on to another topic of conversation."

Nala nodded. "I... Thank you for your kindness, silver one, however, my pride as a lion wont let this debt go unpaid."

Skystrike inwardly groaned. Now he had to think of something. "...You got any fruits or veggies?"

"If it's something as simple as that, I can have everyone able quickly gather some."

"Fuck yeah." Skystrike pumped a fist.

Nala chuckled. "...You're a strange one."

Fluttershy spoke up. "Uh... Nala, I had a question if you don't mind..." Nala nodded. "Are there... others of your kind? Ones that are not lions, I mean."

Nala nodded. "Yes. Abyssinians is the collective term for our kind. We lions stay mostly within our prides, going to the capital for trade or conferences. The northern jungles are the homes to the black panthers, jaguars, and tigers, while the south is home to the cougars, bobcats, and leopards. The east is where we are, home to us lions, the cheetahs, caracals, and servals. And to the north east, in the mountains, there's the pumas, ocelots, mountain lions, and saber tooths."

"Oh my, that's quite a lot. Hopefully you're all able to get along."

She shrugged. "Territory disputes at times, but we get by. We just make sure to stay in our areas... Once the panthers and jaguars tried to settle in the mountains, and the saber tooths gave them a reason to leave."

Skystrike hummed. "Well, hopefully you all can get along better. Would hate to see a culture go kaput because one side got angry."

The small talk continued for a while before Nala put her spear out to stop them. "We're here... Can you feel it?"

Skystrike felt the dirt below him rumble slightly. "Yes... It's like something is moving in it..."

"It's why we had a hard time dealing with it. Despite its size, it's nimble, digging into the ground below us. Any strike we did land wasn't enough, it's scales are thick..." Nala took a worried step back.

Skystrike pushed Nala behind him. "I'll take it from here. Rainbow Dash, Nala, keep walking backwards. Fluttershy, stay with me. Maybe you can work your magic..." They all nodded and did as told, Fluttershy taking careful steps next to the human as the rumbling grew stronger. Skystrike saw the dirt in his peripheral vision shift. Whatever it was, it was circling them, studying them. "Alright, it definitely should be able to hear us. Do your thing, Shy."

Fluttershy was still a bit scared. But she took in a deep breath. If she was able to deal with that dragon, this should be a breeze. "Um... Mister creature? If you could... come out so we can see you? I just want to talk?"

The rumbling stopped, then started once more, coming straight towards them. Skystrike put out an arm to protect his friend as the ground in front of them broke. A massive snout pushed the dirt aside and a serpents head rose from the hole. It was green with yellow scales around the jaw, and two large fangs the size of the human poking downward from its mouth. Several large spines began at the ridges between the piercing yellow eyes and ran down its head, the space in between the spines filled with red fins. The beast pulled a green arm out of the ground and pulled its upper body out. Alex wasn't lying.

He felt like Zecora told him about this creature before. It was native to her homeland, Zebrafica, and they were still in the continent. Maybe its habitat was much larger than she thought, maybe it ran here for some reason, but that doesn't matter. All he knew for sure was what it was. "A Grootslang..."

Fluttershy shrunk a bit at the sight of the creature, even letting out a small "Eep!" as it blew hot air out of its nostrils. She noticed that Skystrike didn't look back at her, keeping his eyes on the Grootslang. His back seemed so reliable from her perspective. With another breath to calm herself, she began to speak. "Uhm... Mr. Grootslang... You're affecting the lives of the cat folk here. You're stopping them from getting to their hunting grounds. If y-you could... um, maybe move? I'm sure that we can work something out, right?"

The Grootslang responded by roaring in their faces and bringing a webbed claw down on them. Skystrike quickly grabbed Fluttershy and jumped backwards. Dodging the attack and once a safe distance away, he set the mare down next to Nala and Rainbow Dash. He sighed and rolled a shoulder. "Sorry, Fluttershy. But you at least gave this thing a chance." He saw the pain in her eyes, knowing what was coming. "...I'll make it quick."

He said that, but he wasn't entirely sure how he'd make it quick. The head alone was several times his size, and the body several times that. Skystrike began walking back to the Grootslang. It hid under the ground and began to circle him. Skystrike could uproot the beast, but any hint of an uphill battle for the Grootslang would make it turn tail. Instead, he decided to wait for a moment to strike.

With his metal arm, he turned the forearm into a rifle and began charging magic. He focused all of it into one, piecing shot. His arm began to hum from the build up of arcane energy. It was close now, the circle the Grootslang was making around him was getting smaller and smaller. The rumbling stopped behind him. Skystrike stood still as the air grew silent.

In one swift motion, the Grootslang jumped out of the ground and into Skystrike's blind spot, hoping to catch him by surprise. Of course, Skystrike knew this plan of the beast, and still waited. The onlookers waited with baited breath as fangs began to come ever closer to the human's body. At the last possible moment, Skystrike drew one of the swords on his waist and stepped on the jaw of the beast, stabbing the blade into the roof of the Grootslang's gaping maw. With a quick cast of magic from his foot, a jagged stone edge shot up from the ground and into its jaw. His last motion would end it. With it's mouth stuck open, he had the perfect shot lined up. Aiming his arm into the flailing beast's throat, he fired. The sound made all their ears go back from the volume, echoing through the fields.

The flailing continued a bit longer before the body ran cold. Skystrike sighed and took out his sword, flicking the blood off in one swing, and sheathing it. Skystrike turned his arm back to normal as he turned to Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Nala, who all hid different expressions.

Rainbow Dash flew up to him. "That was... SO. AWESOME!" She squeaked. "I get why you're a big shot now!"

Nala was more surprised, walking up to the body of the Grootslang and putting a paw on the side of its head. "Is it... really over? Just like that?" Skystrike looked at her. "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy, it was just so... anticlimactic."

Fluttershy sighed as she looked at the body, holding back tears at the loss of life. Skystrike walked over to her and crouched down to her level. He started to put out a hand to pet her on her back, but was taken aback by the hug she wrapped him in. "I-... Why didn't it just leave like the dragon? Why did it turn out like this?" She said through the falling tears.

Skystrike sighed. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I really am. Taking a life isn't an easy thing for me to do, but... sad to say, it's happens. One can be given everything to make the best decision, but the decision they make is up to them. Sadly, the Grootslang didn't make the best one for it." Fluttershy continued to cry into his arm for a few minutes before her tears slowed down. Skystrike picked her up. "Rainbow, you mind sticking with Fluttershy?"

Rainbow looked at her, pulling her off Skystrike and hugging the mare. "Of course, Sky. I got her."

"I know it's late for you two. Nala, get them back to my ship, please. Fluttershy, when you feel better, just check in with somepony back home." Skystrike turned back to the beast. This was part of the reason he didn't really want to bring Fluttershy or Rainbow. He didn't really like showing this part of him. His group only really saw this part of him, but those six back in Ponyville only heard the stories. Now those two actually have seen it. Fluttershy, he expected that reaction. Rainbow Dash, the wonder will wear off eventually, and she'll realize the life he took. He hoped they wouldn't see him too differently.

Nala turned away from the body of the Grootslang. "I will, silver one. But what about you?"

Skystrike stretched. "Someone has to drag this thing back."

'Damn, this thing is heavy.' Skystrike thought to himself as he kept dragging the Grootslang. The other three outpaced him long ago as the weight of the limb body slowed him down. He held the head on his back, lunging with each step as the length of the serpent dragged behind him. By the time he got back to Nala's pride, Zecora and Elytra were waiting for him. The two ran up to him.

Elytra slowed down, realizing he was fine. "Wow, they weren't kidding..."

"Is that a Grootslang I see right there? What’s it doing this far south, I swear?" Zecora's jaw dropped at the sight of it.

Skystrike dragged it a bit more before pushing it off himself and onto the ground, stretching. "I figured it was one. God, that thing was heavy."

Elytra already know what he was going to ask. "Those two went back to Ponyville... I can garner what happened with Fluttershy." She huffed. "She'll be fine, don't worry too much."

"Thanks, Elytra." Skystrike kept stretching.

The lions began gathering around at the body of the monster. The one that caused them so much pain and struggles, gone just like that. "The silver one saved us! Just like the prophet said!" One lion spoke. "We're saved!" Another cheered.

Nala approached the three with several baskets in her paws. "The fruits and vegetables you asked for. But please, if there's anything else we can give you, we'd gladly give it!"

Skystrike looked at her, then back at the hunt he came back with. "Well... I kinda want to have the head and some of the meat. You all will still get most of it, of course. I'm curious of how this thing tastes."

Elytra took the baskets with her magic as Nala nodded. "You're very generous, silver one. On the behalf of the pride, I thank you for help with the monster. Once everyone is in better health, we'll have a feast in your honor!"

"Better idea! We'll have a holiday!" Alex said. This fucking guy.

"I'll let you all decide that. I'm just glad that we could help." Skystrike said as he focused magic into his hand. A long pillar of water coalesced from the vapor within the air and around his hand. With a bit more focus, the water condensed into the form of a long blade. With a swift motion, Skystrike cut the Grootslang right above the arms, leaving the majority of the meat for the Abyssinians. He moved the water off his hand and surrounded the neck of the Grootslang, freezing both so the blood wouldn't spew everywhere. The fun part about magical ice was that it took much longer to melt. By the time he could drain his share of the blood, he should be over the ocean. "Make sure to take care of yourselves. Hopefully, if we see each other again, it'll be for pleasure."

Nala and the rest of the lions bowed. "Once again, we thank you. We'll share your tale throughout these lands."

Skystrike picked up the head, much lighter compared to the rest of the body, and walked it back to his ship, Elytra and Zecora behind him. While a part of him wished he could stay for a celebration, he was on a journey. With one more wave goodbye, he closed the cargo bay and went back to the bridge of the Wind Waker.

It only took a few moments for the ship to power on and take into the air. They were finally back on their journey. Skystrike sighed. "God, what a fucking day."

"Yeah..." Elytra scratched at her chitin. "We were there for quite a while. At least it's not too late, right?"

Skystrike looked at the time, his eyes widening. "We were there for six hours!?" Then he groaned. "I need a nap, but if I have a nap now, I won't sleep tonight."

Zecora looked out the window. "Well, there’s something I think you should know, a little detail before you go." She said with a bit of hesitance, knowing Skystrike was slightly annoyed. He looked at the Zebra. "That storm cloud looks like it's gaining speed. Is it chasing us? What’s its need?"

"Oh right..." He noticed it earlier in the direction of Diamondia. "How close is it?" The cracking of thunder told him it was right above them. "Fuckin'..." He clenched his fist as he got up. Side track after side track. He annoyedly walked to the deck of his ship, seeing a storm cloud covering the sky above him. Static electricity crackled within the cloud as he eyed it. From the looks, it seemed magical in nature. From the actions of it stopping on top of the ship, it had some sort of intelligence. Skystrike ignored how a cloud had some sort of conscience, and kept looking at it.

Lighting began to strike the deck around him. First to his left, then to his right. Finally, a flash of lightning landed in front of him, blinding him for a moment. By the time the white light faded from his eyes, he looked at the creature in front of him. It had the build of a falcon, though much, much larger. It was eye height with Skystrike, its lightning blue eyes gazing into his. It had lightning yellow feathers that sparked with weak electricity. Looking closer, it's tail feathers seemed to have a black arrow like pattern, and had three, long head feathers that had the same pattern. A black talon took a careful step forward, studying Skystrike as the Thunderbird got closer. A black beak got closer to his face as it sniffed him. No way it was her.

"...Aztec?" Skystrike asked as he put out a hand. The bird reeled back her head. "Oh, right, you wouldn't recognize me like this."

The Thunderbird began to speak. Her voice was low, yet soothing, as if it was seeing an old friend. "You know name... Smell... familiar..."

"You can talk!? Since when!?" Skystrike held his head in surprise.

"Recent. Speak to uncle. Teach me words. Tell me Daddy here." Her eyes stayed on him.

"Uncle? Daddy?" Skystrike asked.

"Titles. Uncle, dog, name Jeshan. Daddy, Pony... name Skystrike. Strange smell... your smell." Aztec looked at him. "Are you... daddy?"

His heart skipped a beat as she referred to him as her dad. "Didn't think you saw me like that, but it makes sense in hindsight. But to answer, yes, I am Skystrike."

She was still hesitant. "Prove me."

Skystrike wasn't entirely sure how he'd do that. Sure, he could change to his pony form, but Aztec also knew Elytra, so it wouldn't hold much weight. He stood in thought. "Well... I'm not sure if you remember, but I found you when you were about wee tall." He put his hand to his shin. "I thought you were just a sick falcon, but then you started growing electric feathers after a few weeks. And I gotta say, I was not expecting you to get this big... Then again, I didn't expect Naga to be that big either."

The thunderbird pushed her head into his chest, nearly knocking him over. "Daddy! Home!" She let out a happy screech.

His heart nearly melted as he fought the urge to scream from how cute that was. "Good to see you too, Aztec... I'm sorry for leaving like I did."

"It ok. Happy you back." She let him stroke her feathers.

Skystrike looked up to the cloud. "Hey, before we go inside, can you... get rid of the cloud? Or is that a Thunderbird thing?"

Aztec pulled her head off of him. "Cloud nest... Safe. Sad to destroy."

"Oh, then don't worry about it." Skystrike put a hand on her wing. "If you want, you can move anything you need inside. I asked because it's hard to see with the cloud in the way. Plus, the electricity within could affect the engines."

"Elec...tricity?" She tilted her head.

"The stuff in the cloud."

"Me call sparky." Then Aztec spread her wings. "I move cloud. Below sky boat ok?" Skystrike nodded. In response, Aztec spread her wings wide to take flight. She flew into the cloud as electricity sparked through the air. After a short rumble, the cloud moved to surround the ship, slowing to a stop under the turbine.

Skystrike knew that it was a temporary solution, but it'd do for now, especially since they'd be over the sea for a while. Aztec landed back on the deck of his ship and waddled over. "Thank you, Aztec. Now come on, there's some beings that would be happy to see you."

"No way, Aztec!?" Elytra's jaw dropped as Aztec entered the kitchen.

Aztec looked between the changeling and the zebra. "Aunties! Happy!"

Their hearts skipped a beat at their names. But then Elytra realized. "Wait, since when could you talk!?"

"That's what I asked!" Skystrike laughed as he put his apron on. "Hope you all aren't tired of shrimp... Also, it is kinda late. Can one of you check to see if Tethys left a note sometime soon? I'm surprised she isn't back yet."

Aztec looked at him. "Big Auntie here?"

Zecora chuckled. "Big Auntie? And what do you use to refer to me?"

Aztec gave a proud smile. "Rhyme Auntie!"

Skystrike and Elytra tried to hide a laugh. But now Skystrike was curious. "And what do you call Elytra?"

"Bug Auntie!"

Elytra lost it at that. So did Zecora. Skystrike face palmed though. He wondered if he should explain to her why it's not ok to call Changelings 'bugs', but that's a lot to put on someone. "...Aztec... honey, please think of another name for her."

Aztec scratched at her break with a talon. She chirped as she thought. "...Dark Auntie?"

Elytra laughed again at Skystrike's expression of second hand embarrassment. "Keep thinking."

Aztec looked at Elytra. "...Big... fangs Auntie?"

Skystrike had to give her props for the effort. Elytra patted the talon of the Thunderbird. "It's ok, you can call me Bug Auntie."

Aztec gave a happy screech before rubbing her head against the changeling. Dinner came quick, Skystrike making a plate of shrimp tempura and fried rice for himself, Elytra, and Zecora. He left a shrimp raw for Aztec, who picked at it eagerly. Skystrike was about to bite into the fried seafood before he noticed the gaze of an old friend. "...Yes, Aztec?"

"Food good. Want more." She pointed a talon at his shrimp. "Daddy food different. Look crunchy... Want."

"Aztec, this is my food. You're cute and all, but I am also hungry." Skystrike said as he went to cut into the shrimp. He made the mistake of looking at Aztec. Despite the entirety of her eyes being white, he could still see the pleading within. Now he started to hesitate on keeping his food. He sighed. Beginning to cut a piece. A satisfying crunch was heard as the knife went into the white flesh. A single tear fell from his unmoving face. Once he cut it all the way through, he threw the slice to Aztec. "...That's all I'm giving you."

"Thank you, Daddy!" Aztec caught it and pecked at it.

Skystrike wiped away his tears as he finally got into his food. It was so sweet, and the fried crust gave a good compliment of salty. It was only then he realized. "...I forgot to make a dipping sauce." He said as he finished his shrimp. "...I also realized I don't have the stuff to make the sauce even if I wanted to... I'm sad now." Then he continued to think. "...If I care enough, I'll figure out how to get it." Then he stood up, stretching with a yawn. "Anyone need anything before I turn in for the night?"

They all gave their own versions of no before going back to their food. Skystrike put his plate and utensils in the sink before going to the cargo bay. He had two things to check on. First was to see if Tethys was back. Looking at the rug that Casta gave him, he noticed a piece of paper on it. Picking it up, he noticed how hastily written it was. Definitely Tethys' hand writing. He gave it a read.

Whichever one of you is reading this, I'm spending the night with Lanka and her friends. We're having a sleep over. I don't know what happens at these, but they're talking about makeovers and 'girl talk' and I'm confused. I'll be back sometime tomorrow, I said I'd help Lanka pack up. She said that her clan is still in the same place that I remember. She also said something about Skystrike having a friend in Griffonstone, so I told her he meant Alder. She said the name sounds familiar. Might have her stop by quickly tomorrow to see him. Plus, he has an airship too, so trade should be easier.

Also, writing is hard, this is my fourth attempt at writing this without spelling mistakes. I need to practice this more. By the dragon lord, I hope Skystrike doesn't read this because he'll have me learn math or something too. Anyway, see you all tomorrow, have a good night.

Skystrike smiled at the letter. He was glad Tethys was having a good time. But he was a bit surprised at Alder maybe knowing Lanka. This world was several times the size of his home world, but he supposed the phrase 'small world' still applied.

The next thing he had to check on was Echo. It was the second day, so he was either done, or would be done tomorrow. He pushed aside a box to see the body Echo was still acclimating to. The synthetic muscles seemed to pulse ever so slightly as magical lines flowed slowly down each muscle fiber. From the looks of it, Skystrike guessed that all Echo had left to do was calibrate the body correctly. The limbs twitched ever so slightly, while the holographic eyes showed a blue screen. Skystrike moved the box back and turned to go to his room.

To his surprise, Aztec was already there, standing on the foot of his bed. She had her down feathers fluffed out and her head turned into her back, snoring slightly. He was careful not to wake her up as Skystrike took off his clothes and climbed into his bed. He grabbed a book and began to read himself to sleep. But somepony had other plans for him.

He felt a familiar presence enter his mind. "Skystrike?" Nightmare Moon called out to him.

Skystrike looked up from his book. "Ah, Nightmare. Been a bit. How's it going?" He thought back to her.

He felt her hesitate. "I... know this is a lot to ask, but... do you have a moment?" She seemed frantic.

"Of course. Go ahead." Skystrike put his book down.

"I've... been having those talks with Luna like you said we should a while ago... Our most recent one didn't go well... And I think it was my fault."

Skystrike put his hands behind his head. "Well, give me the run down."

"It... was Luna's idea. She... asked me very hard questions. And she nearly begged me to be honest with her. And I did. That was my mistake." She sighed. "At first, they weren't too bad in comparison. She asked why I think we resented the ponies before our banishment. If it was right for us to punish the ponies, no, the world for something that happened a thousand years ago... If our justification was really one."

"Yeesh, those are hard ones. What did you say?"

"I.. would be lying if I said I didn't resent the ponies of that time. Thus, neither would Luna. Neither of us liked my answer." Skystrike could hear the pain in her voice. "I knew it wasn't right to punish these ponies... but... I felt righteous. After the world abandoned us, why should we go quietly?"

"And the questions got harder from there."

Nightmare hummed in affirmation."Was there another reason I tried to bring about eternal night, other than my... jealousy? Why did Luna give in to my words? Why didn't Celestia give in? Surely she had the same thoughts... He felt his mind grow heavy. "But the worst one... She... Luna asked if I enjoyed it... The power I had- no, the power I still have that overpowered our sister, Celestia."

Skystrike knew where this was going. "...And you said yes."

Nightmare shook her head. "Worse... I said I still do." Skystrike's eyes widened at that. "I don't know if it was because I was born from her hatred, or if it's because I am Luna, but... the fact remains that I enjoy the power I have. I still think back to my battle with Celestia... The skies darkening with my arrival, her running to try and gain distance from my attacks... the pain in her eyes as she banished me... as she banished us." She said it like she was sick. "I... liked seeing my sister in pain like that. I keep thinking that she deserved it, that Celestia bought it onto herself... Luna was disgusted by me... and I am to."

"Well... that is certainly a lot to take in. I see why your head is all muddy." Skystrike laid in thought for a while. "Honestly, I... don't know what to say."

"Well... when you told me of your thoughts that you hold back, I just... hoped you'd have something that could make me feel better."

"Well sure, I have the thoughts. I know I will never truly be able to get rid of them. I just... try to grow past it, each day I keep living. After all, it's not the thoughts we have that make us, but the thoughts that we act upon. I'm sure you've thought about taking over my body. I wouldn't be surprised if you could in the first place."

"And I hate I have those thoughts in the first place." Nightmare sighed.

Skystrike chuckled. "Sorry, don't mean to make light of your struggles, it's just... it sounds like you're just having intrusive thoughts... Well, they're intrusive now. You acted on them a thousand years ago."

Nightmare winced. "And I regret every moment of it... And I hate to think of what I'd be if I won on my return."

"Again, intrusive thoughts." Skystrike shrugged. "Everyone has those. Earlier today, I was talking with some minotaurs and I wondered if I slaughtered them and cooked them, if they'd taste the same as a cow. Then I realized I never ate a cow, so I'd need to kill one of them for comparison. It was a fucked up thought, and immediately after, I asked myself why I thought that. It happens."

"Oh." Nightmare blinked. "That... actually makes me feel slightly better. I mean, I still feel like shit, but... thanks?"

"No problem I guess. I wish this conversation ended on a better note though." Skystrike chuckled again.

"Well... I have time if you just want to talk. Maybe you can make a dream for us to go through?" Nightmare threw out a thought. "Just... want to get my mind off things before I talk with Luna again."

Skystrike closed his eyes and began to drift asleep. "Sure. Let's see what we can get into."

Author's Note

I want to do more with Aztec. I hinted at her way earlier in the story.

For those who didn't read my blog, I'm working on rewriting the rest of my starting chapters, the ones that followed the show nearly one to one. As of writing this before proof reading, I finished Bridle Gossip and working on Winter wrap up, so I have that to Fall Weather Friends to go through. When they do drop, I recommend reading over them, as several parts of the story will have changed, mainly how Skystrike has interacted with Ponyville and the main 6, as well as touching on Skystrike's past in a more natural way.

Basically, everything is going to be written by a now competent me. Or at least I like to think so.

As for where this is going, I plan on the group all arriving in Hippogriffia in the later half of the next chapter as long as I stay on track,

Once again, thank you for reading and sticking with me this far. See you next chapter.