Twilight had him start with weightlifting, then the endurance tests. Test's, test's and more tests; It was eating up the rest of the day. Applejack had decided to go back to the farm and finish up work, and asked Leo to be ready good and early to make up for lost time.

Twilight really wanted to see just how much Equestria’s magic had effected Leo. According to him before he left he would have been lucky to run for 20 minutes without feeling winded. Now, he had been maintaining 50 kpm for hours without any issue.

“Hey Twilight.” Spike whispered to her as she was setting up a large weighted pulley contraption for Leo. “Have you noticed anything, off about Leo?” Twilight didn't even glance up from her work as she added hooks to the walls of her basement, running thick black ropes through them. "Hmm? what do you mean Spike?"

"Like, hes been really quite, and just kinda. Going along with things. That's kinda different for him right?" The small dragon kept shooting glances over to the human that was working down to a jog.

Twilight placed her hoof to her chin for a minute before saying. “I really don’t know, I mean maybe he is still a little shaken up about what happened to his place? However, I am going to take advantage of this while it lasts!” She sqees a bit as she gets the next sections of tests ready. “I still don’t know why magic is effecting him so differently then it did Non. No wonder my first tests didn’t show any abnormal results. I was looking at the brain when I should have been looking at the muscle.” Her face seems to have a smile plastered to it as she takes notes with her magic.

Spike just shook his head, “Well maybe you should look at the brain again. Because since you got back he has been real quite." With a pause the dragon moves himself so that Twilight's body blocks him from the humans vision. "Its kinda scaring me.”

Still setting up what looks to be some sort of punching bag Twilight stops for a second and whispers to Spike. “Why not ask him then?” It's as if a light bulb goes off in her head, "Spike that's a great idea. Go talk with Leo, maybe he will open up some. And who knows maybe the two of you will be friends."

The skeptical look Spike gives does not make Twilight's energy waver. Then with a roll of her eyes she uses her magic to drag him over a bit. "Come on now spike he’s not dangerous." So the dragon slowly walks toward the human.

“Hey Spike. Is Twilight's next thing set up?” Leo says as he drinks from a good sized glass of water.

"Almost, actually I wanted to ask you a question." His claw scratches an itch on the back of his head as he moves his vision back to the floor.

"Shoot"
"Huh?'
"It means go ahead."

"Oh um, You seem. Quieter then usual is something on your mind?" Then as soon as the words leave his mouth the dragon starts to back pedal, "I mean you don't have to tell me but I was just wondering because last time Twilight did all those tests you were very uh, different this time."

Getting off the treadmill Leo grabbed a towel wiped a good amount of sweat from his face, his hair had started to stick to his body. "Well to be honest with ya, I have had a lot to think about, and mindless tasks help me think. Did ya hear what happened to my place?"

"Yeah, Applejack mentioned some ponies had made a mess of the place."

"That they did, and I have been thinking alot about that. About my new 'home', about what I do next, and about Cherry."

"Who's Cherry?"

"Some mare that hit on me in a bar, and I was to drunk to realize it at the time, and I, Might have led her on." He tosses the towel back over to the rack, and sits down. "Why are you asking me anyway? Twilight put you up to it?"

"N-no, I just. You were acting different and it was weird is all. Also, a word of advice about mares." Leo raised an eye brow at his comment. "Be honest with her, worst case you still have her as a friend?"

Leo chuckled at that, "You've been turned down a lot haven't you?"

At first Spike pouted and was going to retort but then a smile came across his face. "Hey that's more like you. Feeling better?" Leo rolled his eyes as he walked over to Twilight's contraption. "This looks like its gunna kill me."

"With your bodies physical resistance? I doubt it." She laughs with a snort, "Honestly you might be able to live through a cave-in the way these tests are going. Now strap in, next is to see how much of hit your body can take!"

“Leo, how did you do all that paperwork for your citizenship if you couldn't read?” Spike asks as the human that was on his back in a fair amount of pain. Ice packs on his chest soothing some rather dark bruises. Turns out there is a limit to how much his body can take, and as impressed as Twilight was he still ended up pretty bruised.

“Oh, well the mayor just said sign here. Initial here, date and so on. She was required to read the whole thing out anyway so, it never came up. She did give me funny looks whenever I wrote my name though, guess she figured I was writing it in my language?” The little dragon laughs at that.

"Ya know Leo you really aren't such a bad guy. Well, when your not drinking, or lying, or mad, or-"

"Okay, I get it Spike." He grunted as he managed to get back on his feet, "Well I better go before I spontaneously become one of those things. Twilight's been gone for awhile so I figure shes done with me."

"Well okay, but come back to visit. Not just for tests okay?" That got to Leo, Spike was obviously still a child but it didn't seem like he had many guy friends. Maybe he just needed a guy to talk to? Am I really a good choice of friend little dude?

"Sure, once I stop hurting I’ll think about it." With that Leo hobbled out into the town, with high hopes of replacing the food he lost yesterday.

If Leo had to guess he'd be getting these glances even after the paper printed that retraction. Or maybe the town just wouldn't believe it. Either way he was getting so many side glances from the towns ponies that if it wasn't for the grumble of his stomach he would have just gone home. He was wishing he had taken a chance on some of those odd looking berries he came across in the Everfree when he saw the food stalls. His gaze looking over, until he found that same little stall.

A simple wooden stall painted a pine green, where the bottoms were just starting to show the signs of erosion. It seemed the same mare was working there still. Brandywine looked like she was just getting started packing up for the day, her mane tied back and partially hidden in a sun hat. Leo hadn't got a look at her cutie mark because he really didn't want to stare at any of the ponies butts, but a her cutie mark was clear as day as she stood on the other side of the counter. It was of a plump pink tomato, with little green vines and leafs wrapping around it.

Three light taps on the side of the stall caught her attention, quickly she turned. "Hey, I was hoping I could still get some food?" Leo tried his best to sound polite, but Brandywine closed her eyes and gave a turned back to her stall. slowly walking around behind the counter.

"Possibly, that depends." She started, grabbing a paper from under her booth. "I want to know just how much of whats in here is true." The newspaper is placed hard down on the counter, she looks at Leo expecting some sort of answer. Rubbing his neck he picks up the paper placing the pages back into alignment.

"I'd love to but, I can't read any of this."

Brandywine’s eyes go wide as she leans back. “You’re illiterate? H-how?”

Leo’s hands go up in a stopping motion, “Woah, I don’t know how to read YOUR language. Not from here remember?”

“Oh thats right. So you have zero idea what the paper says about you?”

“Well not zero but, I don’t know the details exactly.” He said dropping the paper back to the counter. “I was told a little about what it said. Most of its stretched truths, I am no saint but, nowhere near as bad as that paper makes me sound. I just wanna go home clean off the graffiti off my house and pass out on my cement floor.” He coughs as he hands over the bits, stacking them on the the countertop. “I would like to do that with something to eat, if thats still possible.”

Looking at the bits she nods and gathers a bag close to what she remembers him getting the other day. after placing the bag on the counter she moves her weight back and forth on her front hoofs looking at the ground.

“So what does this paper say exsactly?” He leans in as he tries to look in her eyes. Which she narrowly avoids.

“I was just worried that what the paper said about was true. I just, I know I wasn’t the most welcoming when you first came to my stand but, you didn’t seem that bad once we started talking. I thought you were nice, but then I read what Dash claimed and I wasn't so sure.”

“Wait, so It was Rainbow Dash that told the paper all that stuff?”

Brandywine nods, “Yup, right here it says. ‘According to Dash, Leo has a severe inability to make the right decisions. His Drinking problem became clear when, at his own welcome party, he got so drunk that his own safety was in question.’ Is that true?”

“Well, no but also yes?” The itch on the back of his neck started to feel a bit raw from rubbing. “I did get drunk, but I wasn’t a danger to anyone.”

“Well, thats really the most dismissible thing she accuses you of. If I am being fair, the bit Cheerilee says about you is pretty bad as well. Maybe she and some of her friends messed up your place?”

He winces as he remembers, “Yeah, I could have handled that filly crashing into me a lot better. I did make sure she was alright before I left though. So far she seems like a real possibility.”

She nods reading over the section again. “The only ponys that talked well about you were actually the hospital staff. They say you were very professional and helpful. Both on your initial visit, and when you dropped off Scootaloo.”

“So it’s not all bad?” He asks leaning over the counter to see the text shes reading over.

“Well, thats really is the only good thing said about you in the article.” Leo’s interest deflates as he moves back and grabs the bag of food.

“Well, Ill be sure to send the hospital a Christmas card.” Sarcasm clear in his tone.

“What’s a Christmas card?”

“Of course you don’t celebrate Christmas.” Leo shakes his head, “It’s a winter holiday.”

“Oh, hy-man thing right?” She asks as she moves the weight on her front hoofs again.

“Yeah, and it looks like winter isn’t far off here so it should be coming up.” He gave a small chuckle. “Hey? Where can I get some strong alcohol?”

“Here.” She says as she places a few large containers on the counter. They share her cutie mark on them. “I have to keep them under the counter because of the foals.” She giggles at Leo whose face has met with his palm.

“So, do you want any help with cleaning the graffiti from your house?” She asks, as he buys three bottles of her wine. “I don’t have any plans for the night. Well aside from doing some reorganization of the cart.”

“No. I’d rather just clean it myself.” Leo answers quickly. “You should look after your cart.”

“Well at least let me walk you home. Can’t have a colt like yourself walking home alone at night.”

“I can handle myself thank you.” He stands up straight and holds the brown bag of bottles close to his chest. The light shaking of his hands causing them to rattle against each other.

“I am sure you can. However, what if those ponies come back? Having a witness might help your story.”

Leo’s eyes squinted down at the mare. She wasn’t wrong, going back ‘home’ would be bad enough. What if they were vandalizing the place again. If he did defend himself and really hurt them, he really didn’t wanna go back to court.

“Fine, but we gotta get cleaning stuff” Brandywine quietly squeed as Leo turned around to continue walking.

It was getting darker and cold as they walked back to Leo’s home. Brandywine had insisted on carrying the cleaning supplies. The closer they got to him home Leo’s speed slowed, just around the corner he’d see his place. The thought scared him, as he slowly looked around the corner. Would they be there again? Would a whole new bag of problems be thrown onto him again after being back for so short a time?

As he saw his place a breath he didn’t realize he was holding was let go. No one was messing with his house, everything was just as it was left. A mess, but no worse then before.

“Wow, they broke your windows too?” Brandywine asks as she looks over to the human. “Large glass windows costs so much to replace.”

“Oh, that was like that when I got the place.”
Brandywine turns to Leo placing a hoof on his leg.

“Hey, you don’t have to joke about it. What happened here is a disappointment. Ponies should know better.”

“I wasn't joking. This was really how they gave me the place, the tagging and spray paint is really all they did.” Shrugging as he walked up to the bay door and used his back to hold it up for the pony.

“Thanks, oh my” as she walks inside she sees that his home is barren. “You weren’t joking about not having any cookware.”

“Hm? Oh yeah.” Putting away the food he grabs the bag of cleaning supplies off Brandywine. “Well made it home safe, so your good to go.” Quickly filling a bucket with water in the bathroom, leaving Brandywine pushing her weight back and forth. trying to figure out how to say what she wants to say.

As he returns to see her still standing there looking at the floor. "Uh I said you can go?"

"I' She starts but then stops herself, looking up from the floor and directly at him. " Who left you here alone? This place isn't even insulated, you have no way to make or even store your food." She points to the bag of food siting on the counter. "Your going to end up getting sick, I mean do you even have a bed?"

Running his hands through his hair and taking a deep breath, Leo ignores her as he grabs a bottle and walks outside. crawling under the bay door. She then follows him outside, continuing. "I don't mean to make you mad but, you have to realize this right?"

Leo turns to her mid way through scrubbing some writing that he can't read. "I do, but you know what you, Twilight and not a single one of you crazy ponies realize?" He stops and grabs his drink and the bag of bits he kept in his pocket. "This." and then pointing to the house, "and this, is all I have, period. I can't just fix it, I will fix it, but at my pace and by earning it. I will not live off charity." He then pops the top off the bottle and quickly drinks about half of it before returning to working.

Not sure how to take this Brandywine goes back inside before coming out with another sponge and stating to scrub a section next to Leo. Leo quickly grabs the sponge from her, "Didn't you just hear what I said?" She grunts and tries to take the sponge back from him, unsuccessfully. She tries to jump up and grab it with her hoofs but ends up pinned on her back with Leo's arms crossed over her barrel pinning her down. His weight locking her in place. "Just stop it okay? Its gonna take a few hours to clean this and I have work tomorrow."

She tries to struggle out of the hold but realizes the only way out would be to buck him with her legs but she doesn't want to hurt him. Leo can see her trying her hardest to think, her muzzle scrunches up the tiniest bit before. "Your a customer." She says with a new confidence. Leo's eyebrows raise, letting her know to continue. "W-well, you buy from me, so if something happens to you I lose out on sales." She squeaks out, her confidence waning as she squirms a bit under his hold. "Eggs aren't a big seller here in Ponyville so, I'd be missing out on o-on." Leo starts to laugh as he lets her go, a chuckle turning into coughing fit. as he drops the sponges back into the bucket. Brandywine quickly grabs one back and holds it close.

"Okay fine, whatever you say." Leo says as he regains his composure, sitting up and going back the spot he was cleaning. She looks at him carefully as she slowly starts back up scrubbing a section that says, 'Shit Slinger'. Wincing at the vulgarity, happy that Leo has no idea how bad some of the graffiti is. A small smile grows on her face as she watches Leo down the rest of the bottle before going back to focusing on scrubbing away at the home.

Sitting at her desk Twilight Sparkle reads a book about the different kinds of magic found in ponies when Spike comes into her room with a letter. She takes it in her magic and reads over it, nodding as she finishes it. Before returning to her book, handing it back to spike for him to read.

Twilight, I have started getting the guard ready for the journey to Mt Everhoof, Although I wish for this to be done quickly to secure the item in question, it will have to wait until after Hearthswarming when the weather starts to warm up. For the winds have been especially dangerous as of late and do not want to risk the lives of you or my guards.

In addition, I will be requiring that both Leo and Non go with you. Non, because he has shown himself to be a great alley in the past and we trust his judgment as much yours. Secondly, Leo will be required to guide in some manner to where the craft fell, as well as ensuring that it is safe for transport, we don't want any of our subjects ending up in a different dimension.'

We know you'll succeed, but please be safe.
-Princess Celestia

Author's Note

My phone keeps dying so now I cant even write on trips or my commute!
DAMN PLANNED OBSOLESCES, just let me write my stupid horse tales without killing my battery life.

Also the next update will come with a (clop) chapter so those that have been asking for it! fear not! its gonna be a bit after Christmas thou. But since its a holiday ill try and get as much of it done asap. I was hoping the hearthswarming chapter would be up in time for the holidays but alas, I fell behind schedule.