The world rotated below Jack as he floated in space, the sun gently lighting up parts of the spinning sphere. A slow clapping of hands could be heard behind him making the man turn. The three voices in his head stood there applauding him minus Brave. "What's with the clapping? She isn't the first I've slept with." He asked them much to Lucky and Scorch's enjoyment.

"Well you are collecting as sizable group with even more looking at you with interest but that's not really why we are here." Replied Lucky with a laugh.

"He's right." Growled Brave in his usual stern voice. "The undead are popping up in new lands. One such being the Badlands here." He explained, pointing down to a now glowing spot on the earth of a browned and torn looking landscape. "Guards are already there working on keeping it under control while also gaining members for that division you wanted to make. Unfortunately though tensions are rising between the current dragon lord and some of their rivals."

Scorch stepped next to Jack and pointed over to Equastria. "When you wake up there's going to be a message waiting for you from Celestia. She doesn't want the current lord being overthrown as this one has been the most willing to work with other nations in centuries. I can feel my corpse waltzing around down in the area summoning old dragons and influencing the rivals though I can't say which one's exactly" He continued the conversation.

Jack gave a hum before snapping his fingers together. "Okay I understand all this but question. Did you ever talk to your hero form?" He asked making the three snap their eyes onto him. "O...kay. Judging from your reactions that's not normal." He said , leaning back slightly. "Listen I only had a brief talk and he helped me get better from the wereboar." He quickly added before any of them could start yelling.

Breathing deeply Scorch gripped Jack on the shoulder tightly. "It is one thing to turn into hero form but to actually talk to your own is a whole other level. Most of the time it means a part of your mind broke off to make it come to life. Like how mine did and became the corrupted version of me." He lectured to the human as the two Omegas looked away in remembrance.

"Oh that would explain the looks you gave huh. Well so far I've only talked to him once and he helped me and I definitely don't feel corrupted in any way." Jack stated, patting Scorch on the back. The world started to zoom on to Fluttershy's cottage making everyone aware on the limited time left to talk alone. "Listen if anything starts to happen or I feel funny you guys will be the first to know okay?" He told them with a gentle smile. They all nodded as they faded away, thoughts and plans already running through their minds.

Jack felt a hand slowly running up and down his chest as he awoke. "Enjoying yourself there?" He asked Shy who gave a squeak in surprise.

"Oh I hope I didn't wake you up." She worriedly apologized. She sat up letting the sheet hang loosely off her still naked body from last nights love making.

As Jack opened his mouth a rapid knock at the front door made them both pause. Getting dressed quickly Fluttershy reached the door first and opened it to reveal a bouncing Twilight. Jack stood behind Fluttershy and wrapped his arms around her waist while resting his head atop of hers making a blush bloom across her face. "Let me guess, something from the princesses?" He casually asked with a yawn, playing down his knowledge of what was about to happen.

Twilight nodded her head like a giddy school girl who'd just been asked to the dance. "YES!" She shouted, thrusting a piece of paper into their face's. "The princesses want the elements to go to the badlands and talk about some of the negotiations and trade deals we have with them! Isn't that great?" She asked excitedly.

Fluttershy gently put a hand on her friends shoulder to help her stop moving so much, then asked a question. "How long do we need to pack for?"

"Two weeks for the round trip." Replied Twilight now calming down from her friends soft touch. "She also mentioned something for you Jack." She added now looking to the still slightly tired man.

"And what would that be?" He questioned nonchalantly while his mind looked to the back to see the Omegas and Scorch watching the talk. "Do I need to fight a big bad dragon to help show we are tough, or write a poem that will make the lord cry, oh how about a fancy song and dance sequence?" He teased, receiving a gently jab to his stomach from Shy who couldn't help let out a giggle.

Twilight let out a small laugh as well. "No silly, they want you to come so that one we can get them used to you and two for you to see the world more." She explained. "Now go get packed I have to tell the others about this!" She ordered making both Fluttershy and Jack give little salutes.

Once the princess had left leaving the two alone Fluttershy pressed up to the human while hiding her face. "Yes little one?" Asked Jack leaning down closer to her.

"Can we... have a little fun. Before packing?" She whispered. Jack straightened up and immediately threw her over his shoulder heading for the bedroom with her happily giggling in excitement as they rose the steps.

The girls and Spike were waiting at the train station impatiently for the last two people to arrive. "What's taking them so long even Rarity got here on time." Whined Rainbow, pointing to the fashionista who was filing her nails next to a small mountain of luggage.

"I hope they didn't run into any problems?" Spike added worriedly. He had heard what had happened to Jack and the crusaders but he'd been so busy helping Twilight he never had the time to visit.

The others continued to talk amongst themselves as the seconds ticked by till Pinkie pointed out Jack and Fluttershy rushing for the station. "There they are!" She shouted in her usual bubbly voice. "Why is Fluttershy's mane all messed up?" She questioned. The others looked and could see Shy's hair tossed around as if she had just woken up.

Rarity's eyes widened in realization before a almost dark laugh escaped her. "Ooooohhh that's going to be some very juicy gossip for a while." She whispered to herself as the two made it. "What took you two so long?" She asked, getting close up to Fluttershy who still had some after glow on her face. The glow lit up at the question already knowing what she was in for.

"Oh you know the usual, Shy wanted to make sure she was presentable so had me help find the right outfit. I think you are rubbing off on her Lady Rarity." Jack smoothly replied, taking the white mares hand and lightly kissing it making her blush just as much as Shy and stammer. Letting go he looked to the train. "Whelp no point delaying the boarding anymore then we have. Come on everypony." He said, marching into the locomotive.

Once everyone was settled into their seats the train gave a lurch as the engine was fed fuel to move on. Some of the group headed for their rooms while Jack looked out the window humming a small tune to himself. Soon the only noise filling the train was the slow chugging of the machine itself and his soft humming that is until a passenger near him screamed. Looking over Jack and the others still in the cabin saw undead pegasi flying next to the train each in various states of decay it looked like. "Holy bucking shit!" Shouted one of the passengers as Jack stood up from his seat.

Sighing he stepped for the doors leading to the connection point between the bodies of the train. "Stay inside." He ordered everyone as he opened the door finding a undead standing at it. He quickly sent a magic bolt to blast the head off the monster, it's body going limp and falling off the train. When he looked back to the different ponies and dragon in the train he gave one more word. "Stay." Before gripping the ladder near the door to help him swing himself out and up on to the top of the still driving train. Seeing some of the undead flying for the front of the train he gave a grunt of annoyance at the situation. "Couldn't let me relax till the badlands could you." He complained, stomping forward on the roofing taking shots at the flying pegusi. Singing lightly to himself he marched on. "One shot, two shot, three shot, four shots. All I hear are gun shots, this is where the fun starts." As magic ripped from the barrel and flew straight taking out the creatures one by one.

Taking notice of this as more of them dropped a few slowed down to now fly towards him giving unholy screeches as they rushed towards him. Some began to even dodge out of his aim to avoid being hit now getting closer then he'd like. "Seven, eight, nine, ahhhh you made me miss!" He whined as he had been keeping track of his streak. He could see two more still flying ahead so he summoned a wall in front of them, slowing them slightly. Picking up the pace into a run now with more projectiles making it harder for the undead to dodge him. One dropped onto the roof where his boot caved in the skull when he stepped on it, splattering the roofing in bits of bone and brains. Another bounced of the roof and slid leaving a streak across the roof and even catching for a little just at the window where Jack could hear slightly muffled screaming before it also fell off. "I am never going to hear the end of that." He mumbled, catching up quickly to the last two monsters as they dipped into the drivers section. Jumping down he landed on top of one of the pegusi as it lunged at one of the conductors crushing it quickly under his feet while pointing his finger to the side and blowing off the head of the last one. "Yo, so like do you guys get pretty good insurance for attacks on trains?" Jack asked jokingly to the two shaking stallions. Turning back he kicked the one that had died under him off while pushing the other over the side to help clear up the space before slipping into the cabin behind the engine. As he walked Jack entered a cabin with a bar and food set out. "Oooohh snacks." He said, happily picking up a few and eating them as he walked, picking up a glass of some brown liquid he assumed was alcohol and sipped on it lightly as he walked back to where the others were.

Applejack immediately shouted at him once he entered. "Is everythin' okay?" Rushing up from her spot where she had been holding closed the door he had left through.

Jack lazily looked up from his glass of what he figured now was whiskey and gave a small start. "What? Oh right, right that whole undead thing, yeah that's all done now everyone can relax." He casually said walking up to a shaking mare who looked ready to break down into insanity from the scares. "Drink?" He asked, offering the glass to the mare who swiped it from his hands. Swinging her head back the mare drank it all down in one gulp giving a massive sigh and slouching in her seat. "Better?" He asked to which she replied.

"Much, thank you sir." She gave a weak smile as what Jack could assume was her husband wrapped his arm around her and the two fell into soft whispers occasionally glancing his way.

Once the human sat back down with his group Spike and Fluttershy collided into him from either side to look him over. "You aren't hurt right?" Fluttershy asked worriedly, looking over on her side before nodding when she saw no marks as Spike finished his.

Jack gave a laugh at all their worried looks. "Please. You think those small fry could worry me. I'm fine they never even touched me." He boasted lightly which helped ease everyponys postures. "So how long is the train ride again?" Jack asked, wrapping his arm around the two at his side's who quickly pressed in closer.

Twilight hummed lightly before shrugging. "About two days so as long as no more problems like whatever that was happen we should all be able to relax." She said, looking to the window at the slowly changing landscape. "By the way you probably don't know who the dragon lord is do you?" She added, looking the man over.

"Nope." He replied in almost the same way Big Mac said it.

Spike perked up at this new info. "Oh, let me help fill you in then!" He excitedly said. For the next few hours Spike with the help of the others explained to Jack about Ember the current dragon lord and how they all had gotten involved with her along with a dragon test thing that Jack still didn't fully understand but then again he had dazed off a bit when Twilight went on a lecture or three about dragon history. By the end the sun was setting and the land had turned into desert. "And that's everything you need to know about the badlands plant life." Spike and Twilight finished.

The sound of snoring could be heard coming from Rainbow and Pinkie who were position with Rainbows face leaned back with a little bit of drool leaking out of her mouth while Pinkie was somehow sleeping in the carry-on section of the train above hanging half out. "Well at least I won't be a complete idiot while meeting with them." He replied, giving his own yawn as he stood up and stretched. "I think it would be a good idea for us to go to sleep. Don't want to be zombies in the morning." He teased, gently picking up Pinkie Pie as Applejack got Rainbow Dash. Once the two had been put to their beds the others went their separate rooms except for Spike and Fluttershy who fidgeted nervously in front of his rooms door.

"Um could we maybe... ugh spend the night... with..." Fluttershy tried to get out, looking everywhere but at Jack.

"What she's trying to say is can we sleep with our big, strong, lover man." Spike explained for them both to which Jack stood there and didn't move a muscle. "Um, please?" Spike added with a sideways grin.

Jack reached past the two and slide open the door as he squeezed by. The two looked to the ground about to walk back to their rooms when his hands reached from the dark room to grab their shirt collars, dragging them in with happy squeals, the door closing behind them.

The rest of the train ride went without anymore issues besides the girls waking to the sounds of a dragon's growl and a mare's moans that came from Jack's room that night. Rarity was in a giddy fit at the worn out but happy looks the two had while Jack just strolled by whistling a little tune as he made his way to the meal cabin. "Enjoy yourself there?" Rarity asked with a giggle. When both nodded slowly, too busy keeping their eyes open to be embarrassed she continued. "How would you describe him?" She prodded.

"Heaven." Came Spike's tired voice.

"Big." Was Shy's answer.

Rarity was having a field day with the two while the others followed to the cabin Jack had gone in, finding him chatting with the mare he had given the drink too. "So you are here with the elements on political business?" Asked the mare.

"Yep, you can sort of count me as the body guard in a way but also this is a chance for me to see more of the world." Jack answered with a nod, sipping at a small cup of tea. "By the way what is your name?" He asked with a raised brow.

The mare gave a small laugh. "My names Buttertap. My husband is Bright Glass and I must say thank you for saving the train yesterday." She thanked the man but was waved off.

"Nonsense dear, anyone who can do what I can would have done the same. Oh, looks like my groups here, got to go." He said, giving a small wave as he moved to the bar where the others were sitting. "How's everyone doing?" He asked them as a salad was placed in front of him. "Could I have some pepper please?" He asked the waiter who nodded quickly and retrieved his request. The others just watched him still slightly out of it from their sudden wake up.

The group slowly woke up and chatted as they ordered food. Jack looked out to the window to see dark mountains and crags dotting the landscape. "Got any news for me?" He asked in his mind to the three other residents.

"From what we can tell in the various magic fields is that Scorch's body has summoned something up powerful but we can't tell exactly." Came Lucky's voice, appearing in the windows glass.

"My best guess as to what it would be is Dark Reaver. An old enemy I killed while still alive who almost put me in an early grave." Now came Scorch's voice. "He was a monster of a dragon when he was alive but then I had to kill him a second time when it was learned he had become a dracolich." He add.

Jack hummed to himself. "So got an undead super dragon that also can raise zombies, just what I always wanted. Okay how about these negotiations? Any tips on how to help convince them to our side in this fight?" He asked them.

Brave answered this time. "Dragons respond to strength. If you can prove your might, which I hope you can with all the training we've done, you should be able to gain favor that way."

"Got it. Should be easy enough." He muttered as the train gave a toot while pulling into the last stop on the groups trip.

A old and skinny stallion in a conductors uniform gave a call into the cabin. "End of the line!" He shouted.

Jack stood up but he couldn't shake a growing feeling that line was a little more then it was meant. "Well only one way to find out after all." He said, putting on a smile to hide how he felt from the others as they grabbed their bags and disembarked into new lands.

Author's Note

So sorry for the huge delay! been moving and just not feeling into the whole writing mood on top of not wanting to put out garbage just for the sake of having something out there.