The Mystic Fox

Chapters

Chapter 1: new life
Chapter 2. New Friends and a library
Chapter 3: Finding Family
Chapter 4: Wedding plans and good food
Chapter 5: Changlings and magic
Chapter 6: Filly, Drills, and Stir-Fry
Dancing and a fillies happiness
Meals on wheels and the Crystal Empire part 1
The Crystal Empire part 2 of 3
Crystal Empire part 3: Showdown
Chapter 11: The trip home
Chapter 12: To many pinkies
Chapter 13: Camping, nightmares, and a blue flower
Chapter 14: Travel Plans and A Curse.
Chapter 15: Growing Family
Chapter 16: A Knights Duty Part 1
Chapter 17: A Knight's Duty Part 2
Chapter 18: The Perfect Gift
Chapter 19: A New Development
Chapter 20: Retaking The Land part 1
Chapter 20: Retaking The Land part 2
Chapter 20: Retaking The Land art 3
Update
Chapter 21: Aftermath
Chapter 22: A Little Bit Of Chaos
Chapter 23: Back In The Swing Of Things
Chapter 24: Playing With Bubbles
Chapter 25: Rated Z For Zombies
Chapter 26: A New Life
Coffee and Game
Unexpected rescue
Helping an Enemy
Bento Boxes and a Piano
Magic?
The Book and A Dog

Chapter 1: new life

Author's Note

Ok so this will be my frist MLP fic so please bear with me. This chapter is the first of many I hope to put out. I'll put up the next chapter in a couple of days after this one so hope it goes well. Please review and comment it always helps good or bad so enjoy. And before you guys start I would like to thank my editor he did an amazing job. Thanks a bunch Jetflame :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 1: new life

“I think this will do for her present this year.” I said holding up a small white gold locket. I made this locket for my mother’s birthday and just finished it. It’s fairly simple in design, just a small oval shape with an etched snowflake. It’s funny really because my mom has this nickname for me. She calls me her winter fox. I asked her once why she called me that and she said my heir and eyes remembered her of the winters from her home.

I opened the locket to add the final touch, a small photo of my mom holding me as a baby and I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at it. The picture itself was old and worn but you can always see the loving smile on her face. Her dark blue eyes never leaving the sleeping child in her arms.

(KNOCK KNOCK). Surprised by the door I dropped the locket back on my workbench and quickly hid it under a rag.

“You done in there Fox? You’ve been in your shop for most of the day. It’s almost time for dinner so go get cleaned up. I can already smell you hahaha.” My mom called from the other side of the door, laughing as she walked away.

“K I just finished my project so I’ll be down after my shower.” I said as she walked away. I picked the locket up and put it in my pocket and headed out of my little hobby shop. I like to make thing, anything really. From wood to metal work and other crafts.

I walked out and headed down the hall to my room to grab some close then head to the shower. After I got them and got the water running I started to get underdressed. Now by no means am I really fit. I look myself over. I’m tall but skinny with a little bit of muscle. I’m not that strong but I’m fast. Standing about 5’7 and 180 pound. I looked at my face in the mirror to wipe off some dust from my nose and a small flash came from my icy blue eyes but I didn’t notice because I looked away at my long white hair that was still up in it’s ponytail that I always put it in while I work.

So I let it down so I can wash out and work dust from it. I may be your average teenage boy at 17 but I treat my hair like a girl and love for it to be smooth and shiny. As I got into the shower I could hear my mother in the other room getting the table set. I couldn’t wait for dinner tonight because tonight was special, you see tonight was not only my mother’s birthday but tomorrow morning was mine so we always celebrate it together. It would just be me and her like it always was.

As far back as I can remember it has just been me and her sitting at this house out in the middle of the woods. I remember when I was younger I asked her if we had any other family. She said that I have two aunts but they are far far away from here but she never told me where.

After my shower I got dressed in a regular pair of blue jeans and a faded t and headed downstairs for supper when I got downstairs I noticed my mom sitting at the table waiting on me.

“Bout time. I was about to start eating without you.” My mom said with a smile.

“You know me got to get my hair right. Happy birthday Mom.” I said while sitting at my place at the table. Dinner was grilled trout for the river not too far from the house with veggies from the garden out back. We lived miles away from any towns so all the food we get was either grown or gathered.

“happy birthday yourself. 18 already but still my baby boy.” She said making me blush.

“Can’t be a baby forever ya'kno. Here I made you this.” I said handing her the locket.

“You are always good with your hands, what are you going to make next? I love it thank you.” She said looking at the picture inside before moving her long silver hair out of the way to clip it around her neck.

“ Don’t know yet but I’ll find something.” I said as we began to eat dinner. After we ate and chatted a bit. We went to the back patio for some evening tee in the late spring air.
“I have something for you too. This has been in our family for a very long time and I think it’s time to pass it on to you.” She said as she pulled a black violin case from its hiding stop and gave it to me. She told me before that music was a big part of our family and taught me how to play the violin and piano. I opened the case and what I saw was a snow white violin, not painted white but the wood itself was white along with the bow. The turning pegs looked like light blue Crystal. On the bridge was a small white oval that, shown with the light.

“Wow this looks amazing.” I said picking the violin up and was surprised at how light it was.

“Your grandma gave this to me on my 18th birthday. This violin has been around for many years and never once had to be tuned.” She said as she took it from my hands along with the bow and started to play.

(Play My Memory violin)

As mom began to play I couldn’t help but see a small tear fall from her eye. The song was sad but lovely. I closed my eyes and just listened to the melody as she played. It was strange but I could feel every note and chords she played. There was no other sound; it was like the whole world stopped to listen until the song was over.

“This violin has seen lots of love but also lots of sadness and tears. Fox we are the last of this family. So take care of this heirloom and it will help you through any hard times.” She said as she placed the violin back in it’s case.

“...Mom what happened to the family?” I asked looking down at my tea.

“Time takes all, fox.” She said sitting in her chair and taking a sip from her tea.

“Can you tell me about them?” I asked, looking into her deep blue eyes.

“I’ll tell you about them tomorrow. It's getting late so let’s get some rest.” She said as I gave a yawn and headed for my room. I don’t know why but I was really tired as soon as I hit my bed I was out.
.
.

“Why did you lie to the boy when you know he can not stay in this world and your time is up here.” Said a voice in the darkness.

“My time may be up but, his, has just begun and you brother will remain sealed for what you have done.” Mom said as a cloaked figure stepped out of the woods.

“But that is where you are wrong sister your seal has weekend and I’m here to take what’s mine.” He said while moving forward pulling a blade from the shadows.

“How did you break free? It doesn't matter you can not reach him now.” Mom said as she pulled a small blade from behind her.

“You have grown weak sister.” He said as he suddenly appeared behind her running his blade through her chest.

“You will never have him. I made sure of that.” She said while a bright light engulfed her and the house before a hole opened in the sky with what looked like a dark Forest appeared there.

“WHAT IS THIS.” He shouted, pulling the blade from her chest.

“Home.” She said as she and the house shot through the hole before it disappeared.

The bright morning sun slowly crept into my room shining it’s light on my face slowly waking me up.

“Ugh stupid sun…. Bathroom.” I said sitting up in my bed the call of nature is too strong for me to fall back to sleep. Slowly I stood and made my way to the bathroom. Now I’m no morning person but I’ve always been up early for my morning lessons from Mom. I’ve been homeschooled for all my life. I’ve never been to an actual school. Mom has been teaching me a lot of things over the years, everything from academics to self defense. I asked her why I had to learn to fight but she always said “you never know when I’ll need to defend myself” so I learned.

“I feel so stiff this morning I should stretch a bit before my lessons today maybe mom will go ease on me.” I said as I walked into my bathroom to start my morning. After using the toilet I stood in front of the mirror and froze.

“What the hell are.. those ears.” I asked myself as my hand slowly Rose to feel them and shore enough that there were two soft white furry ears on my head and there real I can feel them. But that wasn’t the only thing that changed. Leaning closer to the mirror to look closer at my eyes. The icy blue seemed to be brighter and instead of round irises I had a slip like a fox.

“What is going on. I didn’t look like this last night. Hey Mom I think something happened to me last night.” I called out as I looked myself over in the mirror. Then something else caught my eye. I turned my head to look behind my back and there at the base of my back there was a long really fluffy tail.

“Ok this is getting weird. I need to see Mom about this.” I said as I went back to my room to put on some close. The shirt was easy to put on but the jeans were not so easy. I had to cut a hole in the back for my tail. It’s strange I should be freaking out about this but it somehow feels natural to me. After I got dressed I headed out of my room to find mom.

“Mom, I think there’s something weird going on with me. Mom, where are you?” I called out walking down the hall looking for my mom. My house is not really large, just a 3 bed 2 bath with a study. I could usually find her in the study reading in the morning but she wasn’t there. I looked around the house and could find her. So the only place to look would be the garden out back so I headed for the door.

“Hey Mom, you out here. Something goin……why is there a tree in front of the door.” I stood there just looking at the tree but it wasn’t just one tree. There was a Forest where my backyard was supposed to be. We lived in the deep woods of Washington State but not like this. This was a thick Forest. By now I’m starting to freak out a little.

“What is going on. Somethings not right. I need to find mom.” I said as I shut the back door and headed to the front door. I was growing more worried by the minute because as soon as I opened the front door I was expecting more Forest but what I found was ruins of what looked like a small village that the forest reclaimed.

“Where the hell am I, and where’s mom?” I said as I slowly walked down a small dirt path into the ruined village. The was one building that still stood in the mass of wood and vines. Something felt strange about this place but it didn’t feel bad but comforting. I walked up to the door and slowly pushed it open and what I found was nothing I could have ever expected. I stepped back out to look at the building. It was small and looked like a home for just one person. I went back to the door and noticed a small worn metal name plate. I wiped away the dust and gunk that covered the name FOX TOMES. I had found a library. But that was not what confused me.

“what is going on the outside looks tiny but the inside is massive.” I said walking back into the library and started to look around. Massive was an understatement. I looked around and there are rows upon rows for books and scrolls. I looked up and there were 3 more floors of books. As I made it to the center of the room I found something on a small reading table that should not be here. It was my mom’s white violin.

“Why are you here? You should be in my room.” I said as I reached for the instrument and as soon as I touched it there was a bright flash from the opal on the bridge. I tried to move back but I couldn’t. The light from the gem grew brighter as wind suddenly started to swirl around me and the books and scrolls did the same and in a split second I was surrounded by the content of this place. Then everything stopped. The books and scrolls started to shine and break down and shot straight into me.

“AHHHHH!” I scream as my head begins to spin as all the knowledge from this library forces its way into my brain. Then as fast as it started it stopped. My head cleared but the knowledge remained. I'm really confused now. I know what happened here but I couldn’t process the information. Mind said this could not be real but it was.

“Fox.” A familiar voice called out behind me. I turned around and noticed a bright light floating above the violin. It was the opal and for some reason the light felt warm and comforting coming off of the opal. Somehow I knew it was her.

“Mom.” I said with confusion and worry.

“Yes it’s me and I’m sorry I tried to keep this from happening but I failed.” The light from the gym started to expand in form into what looked like my mother.

“Fox there is much I must tell you. I told you yesterday that I would tell you about our family. I’ll start with what we are. We are an ancient race called Mystic Foxes. We protected the harmony of this world but there was one among us that was not content on just protecting this world but control it. He sought out a way to increase his power and found it. What he found was dark magic, a way to collect souls and magic from his own kind. We wore few in number but powerful in the natural magic of this world. In the middle of the night he said his plan in motion sucking out the souls and magic of all people of this village. I was able to stop him by taking the jewel before it was complete and sealing him in a crystal prison but it would not last forever. I had to find a way to hide the Jewel so he could not take it and use it’s power. It took most of my powers but I was able to take the jewel with me to another world, earth. I’m sorry Fox I thought I would have enough time to teach you everything about our people but time was not on my side. Two days ago I felt him break free and I knew he would find me. So I used the rest of my magic to leave this message for you and set up a spell around the house that if my life ended it would send you here. I hoped to keep you safe but I couldn’t. I’m so sorry Fox but if you're listening to this recording then I have died. I wish I could be there to help you but all I can do is give you the knowledge of this world and it’s magic in hopes that you learn and live a happy life. This world will be strange to you but it’s a nice world and though I might not be around you still have some family well sort of. They may not be foxes but they are my sister’s in my heart. You will meet them soon I hope. Please don’t mourn for me. Live a happy life, learn and make friends and find those you wish to keep close and protect. I love you so much my Fox Lilly. Goodbye.” Mom said as the light faded from the opal.
I couldn’t move. Tears rolled off my cheeks. I didn’t want to believe it but I knew it was true. My mom was gone. 18 years and gone in a night. I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. I held the violin close to me as I cried. I stayed like this for what felt like hours. Finally the tears dried but it was still hard to process. I was alone in a world I didn’t know but felt like I belonged here.

“Wow I didn’t Know there was a town here.” Said a kid's voice from outside.

“But it kinda looks rundown and abandoned. Spike this is where that magic surge came from last night.” Said another voice that sounded like a girl.

“Hey Twilight look over there, there’s a house that looks in great shape.” The kid said.
I stood up and headed for the door as what sounded like horse hooves running this way. I stepped out of the library and froze.

“what the hell.” I said as my eyes met the purple eye of a Violet colored unicorn pony, not a horse but pony.

“Um hi.” It spoke in a female voice. My eyes went wide. It spoke this little pony spoke. And that was it, the stress on my mind for everything that happened to me today finally got too much as I hit the ground and my world turned black.

Chapter 2. New Friends and a library

“What do you think it is Twilight?” The kid said as I slowly regained consciousness.

“I don’t know Spike. I've never seen anything like him before. Maybe Fluttershy would know.” The pony said as she looked at my face.

“Ugh my head.” I said as I slowly moved my hand to my throbbing head. I tried to clear my head the best I can but with the information from the library still swirling around and the fact that my mom is not here anymore it’s hard to focus.

“Are you alright. You passed out for a few minutes there.” A voice said. I opened my eyes to see who was talking and there less than two feet away was the talking purple unicorn.

“di..did you just talk.” I asked as I started to scoot back away from it.

“look I think you scared him Twilight.” A voice said behind me. I slowly turned around my eyes locked on to something I hope to never see. A giant talking lizard.

“GIANT TALKING LIZARD!!!” I screamed and shot up to my feet and ran back to my house.

“WAIT I'M NOT A LIZARD.” It yeld back as I slammed the door. Ok talking ponies I can deal with but giant talking lizards. No, just no. Ever since I was little i've been scared of lizards. Snakes and frogs no prob I even love snakes but not lizards. Just thinking about them send shivers down my spine.

KNOCK KNOCK

“I'm sorry we scared you. My name is Twilight Sparkle and this is my number one Assistant Spike and he’s not a lizard he’s a dragon. Can we talk to you for a second. I felt a strong magic surge here last night and I would love to talk to you a bit.” Twilight said from the other side of the door. I took a second to think about what to do. I could just stay quiet and hope she’ll go away but I’m so confused about everything that’s happened since this morning. Woke up with ears and tail, my home was somehow moved to what looks like a massive forest, next to a ruined village with a magical library that I believe did something happen to my head, my mom’s gone. I'm still working on that one. And now there’s a talking pony at my front door with a GIANT lizard. Whats next, a super hyper and crazy pink pony with poofy hair. I might as well try to talk to her as weird as this day’s been.

“You said your name is Twilight Sparkle?” I asked slowly unlocked and opened thedoor.

“Yes. I'm Twilight Sparkle and this is Spike, he’s a baby dragon.” She said pointing to the giant green and purple lizard.

“What are you.” Spike asked as he looked me over.

“Spike you know it’s rude to just ask that.” Twilight said scolding the dragon

“come on Twilight you were going to ask that too.” Spike said as he crossed his arms.

“Sorry about Spike. What’s your name and do you mind if I asked you a few questions. I’ve never seen a creature like you before.” Twilight asked with big sparkly eyes. I guess I could ask some questions too. I could really use some tea right now might help clear my head a bit and hopefully the headache too. For some reason I feel like I can trust her.

“My name is….fox lilly.” I said softly with a small blush.

“I'm sorry what was that.” Twilight asked leaning forward a bit.

“Fox Lilly but please call Me Fox.” I said a bit louder as my blush deepened.

“That’s a pretty name. Is this your home?” Twilight asked while she looked at the house. It’s a small average brick house. The front has two large windows, on both sides of the door. You can see the kitchen and dining room on the left and right is a small study.

“Um yes. I’m sorry but would you like some tea. My mom always told me if I ever had a guest, it would be rude not to offer your guest tea.” I said with a little bit sadness in my voice.

“I would like that. Nothing goes better then a hot cup of tea while learning new things.” Twilight said with a massive smile.

“Looks like we'll be here a while.” Spike mumbled, shaking his head.

“Alright come on in and I’ll get the water on.” I said as I let them in and lead them to the kitchen. It was a short walk but the whole time Twilight was looking at everything with wide eyes. As soon as we got into the kitchen I went over to the stove and grabbed my kettle and filled it with water then put it back on the stove to heat up.

“This is a very lovely home Fox but most of the stuff in here I’ve never seen before.” Twilight said while looking around before sitting down next to the table letting Spike hope of her back. I looked at her and couldn’t help but chuckle. Her head was just high enough to look over the table.

“Thanks Twilight. The tea will be ready soon so how about I start the questions. Where exactly am I?” I asked while getting some cups from the cabinet.

“You're in Equestria more specifically the everfree forest.” Twilight said with a happy smile.

“Equestria?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yep. Now it’s my turn to ask a question. Where are you from?” Twilight asked as paper and a feather quill pen appeared out of nowhere.

“Washington State, United States of America. How did you just do that? Your horn just flashed purple and then paper popped out of nowhere.” I asked as I poked the stack of papers to make sure it was real…..it was.

“What, never seen magic before?” Spike asked as he jumped up on the table making me jump a bit.

“Not like this Spike. Well not real magic just sleight of hand and party tricks.” I said as I took the kettle of the stove and added my favorite tea.

“Well magic is everywhere here. For most ponies it’s passive but unicorns can focus the magic though our horns to do pretty much any depending on the spell we use.” Twilight as she picked up the kettle with her magic and moved it to the table.

“what kinds of pony are there?” I asked, setting down the cups on the table.

“There's four kinds. The first is the ear-.” Twilight said before I suddenly cut her off.

“Earth ponies with great strength and can work the land. Pegasus ponies are able to fly and control the weather. Unicorn ponies are able to control their inner magic and alicorns a combination of all three and are much more powerful. There are three known alicorns. Princess Celestia ruler of the day and sun, Princess Luna ruler of the night and Moon, and princess mi Amore cadenza ruler over love…ugh what the hell was that.” I said as I held my head from the sudden information that popped into my head along with more pain.

“Wow how did you know that.” Twilight asked with surprised and intrigued eyes.

“I don’t really know. Ever since I went into that strange library stuff I know I didn’t know before keeps popping into my head.” I said rubbing my temples that helped with the pain.

“There's a library here?” Twilight asked with big sparkly eyes.

“Yeah it was the building I walked out of when I met you.” I said as I took a sip of my tea.

“But that’s not right. You walked out of a collapsed house. There was nothing there.” Spike said as he set his cup down.

“What happened when you went in.”Twilight asked as she used her magic to take notes.

“The building itself looked like a simple little house on the outside but the inside was massive and when I walked in I found my violin on a table in the center of the room. As soon as I touched it a bright light shot out and all the books and scrolls began to circle me and break down into bits of light then they all shot into my head and now I have a massive headache.” I explained as my headache got less painful. I looked up at Twilight to see that she froze with a very surprised look.

“Was there a name for that library.” Twilight asked, setting down her paper and quill.

“Um I think it was called The Fox Tomes.” I said as I leaned back into my chair.

“Oh my gosh if what you said was true you walked into the world library. This is amazing. I only read about it in some of Star Swirl theBearded scrolls.” Twilight said as she hopped around.

“Ok but there was nothing there but rubble.” Spike said with a confused look.

“I know. I’ll have to ask the princess about this later but right now I got a couple more questions. I hope I’m not being rude but what exactly are you.” Twilight asked, picking back up her notes.

“Im a human but now I’m not really sure.” I said taking a sip of my tea.

“What do you mean by that?”Twilight asked tilting her head.

“Well I’m not quite sure. Before today I was human but after I got here I woke up with fox ears, tail and eyes. I don’t know how to explain it but I think I’m something called a Mystic fox.” I said as I finished off my tea.

“I’ll have to research that later too.” Twilight said while adding more to her notes before looking out the window.

“Oh it’s that late already. I’m sorry Fox but we need to head home now before it gets dark. This forest is dangerous in the day but worse at night.” She said before finishing her tea and making the notes and quill disappear.

“What do you mean.” I asked, tilting my head.

“This is a dark forest with lots of monsters. It’s best to stay out of or stick to the trails. And if you smell something foul, run. That smell comes from the Timberwolves.” Twilight said as Spike jumped on her back.

“ That doesn’t sound good. Will you be ok to get home.” I asked with a bit of worry.

“i'll be fine, we're not that far from home. Thanks for the tea. Um, do you mind if I come back tomorrow with some friends?” she asked with hopeful eyes.

“I guess you can. Yeah why not I’m still trying to sort all this out and you helped a bit so yeah see you tomorrow.” I said with a smile as I walked them out and watched them leave before shutting and locking the door. I turned and made my way back to the kitchen to make some dinner and some more tea. It was quiet. With Mom it was never quite especially at dinner. Mom was never a good cook and after a small kitchen fire I took over the cooking and I love it. The whole time I’m in the kitchen she would be playing her violin in the study. Now it’s quiet.

“Mom what happened. If what that message said was true, you're not with me anymore. Why did you send me here? Just what happened.” I said to myself wiping away some tears from my cheek.

After I finished dinner. I cleaned my dishes and headed for my bed. It’s been a very weird, weird day. I opened my door. My room wasn’t much. I have a queen size bed with a nightstand and lamp set up in the right corner and on the left my dresser and desk with my laptop and my cellphone. I had connected my phone to it last night to upload some pictures I had on it. I went to unplug it but as soon as I touched it I froze when a voice spoke in my head.

“Large source of informational data found. Knowledge of an unknown world detected. Collect, analyze and processing will now commence. Device capabilities will be converted to magic and added to the keepers magic core.” I voice said as my phone and laptop broke down in pieces of light and shot at my chest until all the light was gone. After that I fell onto my bed, out cold.

When I woke up I found that I wasn’t in my room but back in that strange library sitting at the small table.

“Ok this is getting weird. Why am I back here and what really is this place?” I said as I got up to look around.

“This is the Fox Tomes.” Said a child-like voice behind me. I turned around and was surprised by what I saw. Sitting in the middle of the table was a small red fox.

“Did you just talk?” I asked with wide eyes.

“That is correct. I am the librarian of this place and I keep place in order as well as helping the guardian.” It said with a smile.

“Ok can you tell me why I’m here and how I got here.” I asked as I sat back at the table.

“Yes but first I must explain what this library is. This library is here to record and collect information and knowledge of this world. This place is ever growing as the days pass. It was created a long time ago before pony kind came to be and has been collecting knowledge to this day. Books, scrolls, spells, history, and much more. And you Fox Lilly are it’s new guardian and caretaker. Everything here belongs to you, the last remaining member of the Mystic Foxes. I'm here to help you as you need it and that brings me to explain how you are here.” It said as a small brown leather satchel appeared on the table next to the fox.

“This library does not exist in the real world but in the guardians mind to protect this place from those who would use this knowledge for evil. So in other words it’s all in your head. This bag contains a pocket storage dimension outside of reality. You can store unlimited items with it and it is also linked to the library so you can access whatever knowledge you seek. Just think about what you want and it will be in this bag.” It said as it pushed the bag to me.

“Well that’s kinda cool and confusing.” I said as I opened the bag and found nothing but a dark void.

“There is something else I need to explain and it’s new to me as well. Shortly before you fell asleep the library had absorbed the laptop computer and cellular phone into its collection and I was able to convert their capabilities and added them to your magic core, to put it into Simple terms whatever the devices could do you can now do that too. For example, like your phone you can now communicate long distance through a mental like with whoever you made the connection with, voice and sound amplifier and can access any music file and play it without the use of a speaker, and you can now display any information, video, or picture with magical projections.” It said with a smile.

“Ok that could be pretty awesome.” I said as I thought of all the things I could do. Then a question popped into my mind.

“You talked about magic so does that mean I can use magic now.” I said getting excited about the possibilities.

“Yes you can. I have already added that knowledge to your mind so you can learn more easily and I will also add a few books in that bag that will help you control your magic. Now there’s one last thing I need to give you. This was left with me by the previous guardian. She told me to give it to you on our first meeting.” The Fox said as it pulled out a small familiar locked.

“It's mom’s locket.” I said as I opened it to reveal the picture of Mom and me.

“That is correct. Your mother, Nova Lilly was the last guardian and wished it to be passed down to you upon her passing. She left me a short message for you as well.” The Fox said before it’s Amber eyes flashed and a small letter floated in front of me. I grabbed it from the air and opened it.

“My Fox Lilly, I'm so sorry I couldn’t be here for you and help you through this time but I know you can make a new life in Equestria. It might not be what you expect and maybe a bit strange at first but with an open mind I’m sure you will make it. Don’t think you're alone here you have a wonderful aunt that will help you. I think they will find you in time, I’m sure you’ll be surprised but remember your manners and offer them some tea. Find some friends that you trust and hold them close to your heart and they will always be there for you. I left you this library so you can better understand this world and yourself. Trust Think the librarian, she's been here since its creation, she also loves fresh strawberries so if you ever get any put them in the satchel and she’ll love them. I love you my little Fox please live a happy long life and I will always watch over you. Make some friends and be happy in this new life, goodbye.” As I read this letter I couldn’t help but cry and smile. I know my mom is gone and that will always hurt but I know she wouldn’t want me to move on with my life so with one more read over I wiped my eyes and slipped the letter in my pocket. I picked up the locket and with a quick look at the picture I slipped it around my neck and under the shirt.

“Thank you Think.” I said as the fox blushed under her fur.

“Your welcome Lilly.” She said now making me blush in return which caused the fox to giggle.

“It seems that time is up for this visit, it’s time for you to wake. If you ever need me just focus and picture the library in your mind and you’ll be brought here to me and if you want any information think of what you want and pull it out of the satchel same for any item in storage. One final note when you wake you will have a better understanding of your magic and you will be able to use your magic as you will. Goodbye for now and don’t forget my strawberries.” She said with a kind smile as the world around me fades to black

Chapter 3: Finding Family

I slowly started to wake as the morning sunshine crept throw my wind. With a large yawn and stretch I opened my eyes and sat up at the edge of the bed. The headache was gone and my mind was clear and I was happy about that. I felt a lot better now then I every have and I felt something warm in my chest and I know it's my magic but I'll mess with that later for now I need the bathroom. After grabbing a fresh pair of jeans and a clean dark blue shirt I let my hair free from it's ponytail and headed for the bathroom to clean up.

After a good shower and some clean close I headed to the kitchen for breakfast. I made a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, apple butter toast and some nice hot coffee with cream and sugar. When I was done eating I decided to take a walk and look around the ruins a little bit and headed for the door but I didn't expect what was on the other side. A small purple pony.

"AHHHHH." Twilight yielded in surprise.

"AHHHHH.(POOF)." I yielded as I jumped in fright and what I saw next scared me even more.

"How did you get that big?" I asked with wide eyes.

"I didn't get big your got short….and furry." Twilight said before I looked down and what I saw shocked me. What I found was paws and light icy blue fur. My head shot up and I turned my head to look behind me and saw a tail, a really fluffy tail. I turned into a fox, a tiny barely a foot tall fox.

"Well this is new. I'll have to look into this later for now I'll just let it be. Anyways good morning Twilight." I said with a smile letting my tail wag.

" Um good morning. What happened to you." Twilight said as she leaned her head down to get a better look at me.

"Well I found out last night that I have magic and I'm still working on figuring it out. I think this is some kinda form I can take. I'm sure I can turn back if I think about it but I feel good today so I'll let it be. Plus my tail is really soft and fluffy." I said as I nuzzled my fluffy tail before looking up at Twilight that was now taking notes.

"I would hate to see your stationary supply bill." I said with a snicker as she blushed.

"You have no idea." Spike said as he hopped off Twilight's back making me jump a bit.

"Oh hey Spike didn't see you there. So what's up." I said looking up at Twilight.

"Oh yeah I was wondering if you would like to come meet some friends of mine in ponyville. It's surprisingly pretty close to here. It's only about a five minute walk from here to the edge of the forest and one of my friends lives just past the tree." She said as she got excited about seeing her friend and honestly I'm kinda excited too.

"Sure I don't see why not. Oh hey is there a store in ponyville that sells violin strings. I need to replace a worn string before it snaps." I asked with hopeful eyes. I really don't want it to brake while I play. Had one snap and hit me in the face, that hurt but I smiled as mom laughed and gave me a hug.

"Yeah there's a music store called Vinyl's records." Twilight said with a smile as Spike hopped on Twilight's back.

"Awesome just let me grab it." I said before I ran to my room to get my violin. When I found it I came to a small problem, me I'm small and the violin is bigger and heavier and I didn't want to change back yet. Then it hit me. I have magic maybe I can make it more portable. I took a second to think and I came up with something that would work. I closed my eye and focused on my magic and violin. I pictured the violin shrinking and added a small earring chain. When I opened my eyes I was happy to see that there was a small white and silver violin earring. I don't ware earring that much but I will if I make them myself. I had a bit of trouble putting it on but magic really help. With that done I headed back to the waiting unicorn.

"I'm back now just got to lock up and we can be off." I said as I closed the door and locked it with magic.

"I thought you went to get your violin." Spike asked with a confused look.

"I did." I said while I flicked my earrings with a paw.

"But it's tiny." Spike said, getting more confused.

"Well I can't really carry it full size so I used my magic to shrink it. I think I'm going to love having magic." I said with a smile as I looked to see the shock on Twilight's face.

"But…. But how. A shrinking spell is an advance spill. Even I have trouble with that spell." Twilight said with wide eyes.

"Didn't know there was a spell I just thought about what I wanted my magic to do and POOF it worked. Now can we go I feel kinda excited about going to this ponyville place." I said while I walked past Twilight with her jaw hung open.

"What, how, why, I have so many questions. I need more paper." She said before catching up with me.

"And I'll be happy to answer them later but for now how about you tell me about where we're goin while we walk." I said as Twilight took the lead. We walked and talked for a little bit before we made it to the forest's edge. By what she told me ponyville was a small simple town and all the ponies can be really friendly. I asked her about her friends but she wanted to wait until I met them, and the first stop was just outside the forest. When we exited the forest I had to stop to let my eyes adjust to the light, I didn't realize how dark it was in there.

"Ok here we are. See that, that's where one of my friends live." Twilight said while pointing to a large earthen home. If you take way the multitude of bird houses and windows it would look like a really grassy tall hill. Altogether it looks really cozy. Off to the side was a small stream that runs under a small stone bridge. There was lots of woodland animals running around as a yellow Pegasus with a light pink main set out some veggies for some bunny's.

"Oh there she is now." Twilight said before we walked up to the pony.

"Hi Fluttershy." Twilight said when we got close.

"EEP." Fluttershy yelped before jumping in a nearby bush.

"She’s kinda shy but I think she'll like you." Spike said with a smirk.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you." Twilight said while helping Fluttershy out of the bush.

"Oh it's alright Twilight. What brings you by today?" she asked with a warm smile.

"I bought a friend I would like you to meet. Fluttershy meet Fox, Fox this is Fluttershy." Twilight said as she pointed to the Pegasus.

"Aw he's so cute. Hello Fox it's nice to meet you. I've never seen a fox like you before your fur is a lovely icy blue, most foxes are either red, gray or white if it's winter." Fluttershy said while petting my head and I must admit it felt nice.

"Fluttershy is an animal expert and takes care of the local animals." Twilight said with a smile.

"Well it's very nice to meet you Fluttershy." I said with a wagging tail.

"Oh you can talk like us?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"Yep I'm not your average fox. I'm magic and this is a form I can take, I think I can change into another form too but I'll check up on that later." I said as Twilight began to take more notes. I looked behind her and noticed a white unicorn with a dark purple main and a smaller white unicorn filly walking beside her. The bigger unicorn had a fluffy cat on her back. Fluttershy noticed them as they walked over the stone bridge.

"Oh Rarity I almost forgot you were bringing opalescence by for a grooming." Fluttershy said as she went to greet the unicorn.

"Hello Fluttershy dear and you to Twilight." Rarity said before giving Fluttershy a short nuzzle.

"Hi Rarity." Spike said as he jumped from Twilights back and eagerly ran up to Rarity with a goofy smile.

"Oh hello to you too Spike." Rarity said as she pat his head.

"Rarity look at the little fox it's so cute." The filly said with big sparkly eyes as Twilight walked up.

"i'm glad I ran into Rarity. I was going to stop by your place to introduce you to my new friend." Twilight said with a large smile. It was then I had a fun thought and decided to try my other form out. I focused on my magic and with a POOF I was no longer the cut fluffy fox kid, now I was just a little bit taller than Twilight, the fur on my tail was soft and smooth and long. My face and muzzle was slim and long and my ears were just a bit big. My eyes were larger and a deeper blue and oddly enough I had my icy hair in a braided ponytail that ran down my neck and hung off before the base. The best way to put it I looked elegant. I looked around and all eyes were on me and the jaws hung open. I decided to introduce myself properly.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss. Rarity. My name is Fox Lilly. And who might you be little one." I said with a silky smooth voice.

"Um Sweetie Bell." Sweetie Bell said with a look of amazement.

"Spike adds ink and quills to the list." Twilight said as Spike put it on his list.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. What brings you to our lovely town." Rarity asked after getting over her shock.

"Do to some misfortunate events I found myself alone until I met Twilight and now I'm trying to find a new place in this world. I hope this is the place I can call home." I said as gave a short nod.

"Well ponyville can be a good home for you and I hope things will get better for you. If you need anything you can always stop by my boutique." Rarity said with a warm smile.

"I'll be sure to do that. Are you alright Fluttershy?" I asked when I noticed blushing and hiding her face behind her pink main.

"Oh um…yes." Fluttershy said quietly before a large Bell rang out from the town.

"Oh no was that the school Bell. I'm sorry to cut this meeting short Mr. Lilly but I must get Sweetie Bell to school but knowing a certain somepony we'll see you again this evening. I'm leaving Opal in your care Fluttershy. Now come along sweetie or you'll be late." Rarity said as she let the fluffy cat off her back next to Fluttershy before sweetie Bell took its place on her back.

"Please call me Fox and have a wonderful day at school Sweet bell." I said waving a paw.

"Bye Mr. Fox. I can't wait to tell the crusaders about this." Sweetie said with a bright smile as she and Rarity left for town.

"Crusaders?" I asked as I turned my head to Twilight and Fluttershy with a raised eyebrow.

" Um yes, Sweetie Bell and her two friends call themselves the cutie Mark crusaders. They go around and try new things and to get their cutie marks." Fluttershy said, still hiding in her mane

"Whats a cutie mark?" I asked Twilight. She pointed the her butt or in her case flank, I think.

"This is a cutie mark. All ponies get them when they find their special talent or purpose. See, this star on my flank means my talent is in magic and Fluttershy, the three butterflies represent her talents with animals and can also talk to them." Twilight said with a smile. I think she could be a really good teacher if she wanted too.

"You can really understand and talk with animals, Fluttershy? That's pretty amazing." I said with a smile and she also let out a small smile and blush, it was pretty cute. Now I have a small weakness and that is really cute things and I'm a hugger, so when I see something really cute I must hug it.

"EEP." Fluttershy squeaked in surprise when I rapped my furry legs around her.

"i'm sorry I had to. You're just too cute I couldn't resist the urge to hug you." I said as I ended the hug with the wide-eyed as Twilight and Spike giggled behind me.

"Well we best be going, we still have some more friends to see. Bye Fluttershy we'll see you later ok. Come on fox let's head to Sweet Apple acres." Twilight said as we made our way down the path leaving the stilled shocked Fluttershy.

We made our was down the path and cam upon a wonderful sight. Along the path was a wooden fence and just on the other side was rows upon rows of apple trees with huge red juicy looking apples. It was at that point my stomach made itself known with a loud growl making me blush a little bit.

"That happens to most ponies when they see this here farm." A country sounding orange mare wearing a brown Stetson cowboy hat said while she leaned on the fence.

"Hey there Twilight, what brings you and your friend out to the farm?" the mare asked as she tilted up her hat.

"Hi Applejack I'm just showing a new friend around town. This is Fox Lilly and he just moved here a couple days ago. Fox this is Applejack, she and her family run Sweet Apple acres." Twilight said as she introduced me to the farm pony.

"its nice to meet you Applejack and I must say these apples look might tasty." I said with a little drop of drool fell off my jaw.

"Best darn apples on this side of Equestria. Here why don't you take a few fer the road. I wish I could talk a bit more but these, here apples ain't goin to buck themselves." She said with a chuckle as she used one of her back legs to kick a tree and knocked out two apples and passed them to me with her tail.

"Thanks I love me some fresh apples." I said taking a bite out of the delicious fruit.

"I like you already Fox Lilly. Come by anytime for supper and granny and I will cook you up some of the best fixins in town. See ya later Twi." Apple jack said before headed into her orchard.

" By AJ. Come on Fox let go into town and I'll show you the music shop." Twilight said as she and Spike headed down the path to town.

"Awesome let's go. POOF. Man I'm getting the hang of this." I said after turning into mini me.

"I hope you don't have any plans tonight cuz I can see a lot of time spent answering a lot of questions from Twilight." Spike said with a smirk.

"Oh hush it won't be that many just a couple hundred at most." Twilight said with a blush getting a laugh out of me while we walked towards town. After a little walk we came to the edge of town.

"LOOK OUT!" Somepony yelled out from above me. As I looked up all I could she of a flash of rainbow before something crashed right into me.

"OH NO FOX, RAINBOW DASH are you two alright." Twilight said as she run up to us before using her magic to lift the heavy mass off me.

"I'm good just caught me by surprise. What hit me anyway." I asked as I hopped out of the small hole I was in and dusted off the bit of dirt from my face with my tiny paws.

"That was our local weather pony and another close friend Rainbow dash." Twilight said as she sat down a blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail and a cloud with a rainbow lighting bolt for a cutie mark.

"Don't forget the fastest flyer around. OW MY WING." rainbow screamed out as she tried to stretch out a bent wing.

"OH NO Rainbow I think you might have broken it. What were you thinking." Twilight scolded Rainbow as she used her magic to check on the damaged wing.

"Ow, sorry Twilight I was working on a new move when I lost control." Rainbow dash said with her ears folded down.

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Fox Lilly for falling on him. Your wing just has a large sprain, should be fine in a day or two." Twilight said while gently helping rainbow close her wing.

"Fox Lilly, that light blue Fox. Well I'm sorry I fell on you little guy, if you're hurt I can take you to my friend Fluttershy and she can fix you right up." Rainbow said as she lowered her head close to mine. I decided to have a bit of fun with her and I looked towards Twilight and gave her a wink before giving Rainbow Dash a big sloppy wet lick along her muzzle.

"Taste the rainbowbow." I whispered, causing Twilight and Spike to fall on their back laughing at the bright blush on Rainbow's face.

"What." Was all Rainbow could say before shaking off her surprise.

"Haha sorry I couldn't help it but anyway I'm Fox nice to meet you and don't worry about me I'll be fine." I said with a smile and tail wag.

"But how are you ok and how can you talk? I know I can't talk to animals." Rainbow said as Twilight stood up after her laughing fit.

"Magic." I said with a smirk.

"Really?" Rainbow asked before cringing from pain after trying to stretch her wings.

"Yep. Watch I'll show up." I said as I focused my magic on her wing before my eyes flashed.

"Good as new. Try to stretch out your wing." I said with a soft smile before she did as asked.

"OH WOW it doesn't hurt anymore. This is awesome." Dash said before taking to the air and doing some flips.

"Add healing magic to the list." Twilight said with wide eyes as Spike pulled out a price of paper and quill.

"Thanks Fox I would have been stuck on the ground with my wing busted. So what brings you to ponyville little guy." Rainbow said as she landed next to Twilight.

"Just moved outside of town a couple of days ago and Twilight here was showing me around a bit." I said as a grayish blue with a pink bow in her light grayish blue mane flew up next to Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow I've been looking everywhere for you. We got some clouds from the everfree forest creeping into town and we need to bust them up." The Pegasus said before flying off.

"Well got to get to work but if you're new here I know I'll see you later. See ya Fox." Rainbow said before taking off.

"Why does everypony keep saying that?" I asked as me and Twilight started making our way into the town.

"You'll see when you meet my last friend but first I'll take you to the music shop." Twilight said as we walked past a few houses and shops. She showed me the main market with a bunch of fruit and veggies stands when I remember something important.

"hey Twilight what kind of currency do y'all use her?" I asked when I saw something at the market.

"Oh we use coins called bits." Twilight said as she pulled a gold coin from her main and held it out so I could see it.

"I see. Hey Spike can I borrow some paper and quill?" I asked if I used my magic to summon my satchel from my house.

"Sure by why." Spike asked as he handed me the paper and quill.

"Oh just need to write a quick note to Somepony real fast." I said as I took the paper in my magic and wrote- "dear Twink, I'm sorry to bug you but I was wondering. Do I have any bits in storage? Yours truly Fox ." I finished the note and slipped it in my bag.

"Um-" Twilight started to say before I cut her off.

"Give it a sec." I said before a bell rang from the bag. I opened the bag and pulled out a small pouch and note. I held the note with magic to read what it said. –"Nova did leave a few things in this storage bag along with 2.5 million bits. I put a hundred in the pouch for you. Love Twink."

"Well ok then." I said with a big smile before I tied the pouch to the side of my satchel and shrunk it so I could easily carry it on my back like a saddle bag. I looked back up to Twilight to see a very confused look on her face.

"You ok there Twi?" Spike asked, poking her leg.

"Yeah I'm fine just adding to my questions. Let me guess magic bag." Twilight asked pointing to the bag

"Yep want to see what it does?" I asked with a smirk getting a vigorous head nod from Twilight. I then went up to the earth pony mare yelling large ripe red strawberries and bought a pack of twelve. I paid the mare 3 bit for them. The whole time the mare just nodded with wide eyes as I made my purchase and walked back to Twilight.

"Ok watch." I said as I picked back up the quill and put TO TWINK on the pack of fresh berries and slipped it in the bag before closing and in a few seconds there was another ding from it. I opened it and found there was a small white Lily and a note that said THANK YOU.

"Aw she gave me a flower." I said as I put the flower behind my ear. What I love flowers….I blame mom. She loved to put flowers in my hair.

"Ok please explain I think Twilight may have a breakdown if you don't." Spike said as smoke came from Twilight's head.

"Haha ok. This will be kinda hard to explain. Twilight do you remember yesterday when I told you about that library." She nodded. "Well that library had a librarian that I met last night and she gave me this bag. This bag is a magic storage back that is also linked to her and the library so I can access the information there when I need to and she really likes strawberries. All I have to do is think about what I need from it and poof it's there or I can just put things in and send them to storage or to Twink the librarian." I said while Twilight wrote it all down.

"That's amazing. Do you think I could see the library?" Twilight asked before a ding came from the bag. It was a note from Twink.

"Twink said no." I said putting the note back in the bag.

"Aw but I would love to see it." Twilight said with sparkly eyes.

"I'll see what I can do. So where is this music shop?" I asked with a smile.

"actually it's right here." Spike said, pointing out the building behind us. Hanging above was a sign with vinyl records with music notes.

"Well that's convenient. So let's head inside, I'm getting kinda excited." I said as my tail began to wag while we walked through the door and as Twilight opened the door we were blasted with beats and bass. It was like we walked into a rave party. I looked around the shop and this was the right place. The shop was divided down the middle for some reason, the right side of the shop was nothing but band and orchestra instruments and on the left was all new age stuff with keyboards, sound decks, amplifiers and in the corner was what looked like a DJ booth with yellowish white unicorn with a cobalt blue mane and bright cyan streaks. She also had on some dark purple and cyan headphones and was bobbing her head with the beat.

"VINYL SCRATCH WILL YOU TURN THAT AWFUL NOISE DOWN! WE HAVE CUSTOMERS!" yelled a dark gray earth pony with a pink bowtie as she walked up to the DJ who looked up at us before shutting off her music.

"My apologies, my companion here was testing out a new sound barrier spell she placed around the shop. I'm Octavia and this is Vinyl Scratch?" Octavia said before getting an elbow nudge from Vinyl.

"Aka DJ-PON3. How can we help you today." She said while looking at Twilight.

"Actually Miss, it's my friend here that needs some help with a violin strings." Twilight said as she pointed a hoof at me.

"Yep I need to replace a string before it snaps." I said with a large smile. I'm starting to like all the surprised looks, it's kinda funny. The two mares where looking at me with wide eyes and open jaws.

"Well this is quite the surprise but nonetheless you are a customer. Now do you have the violin and I'll be happy to replace the string for you." Octavia said before I took the violin off it's chain and turned it back to normal size, getting yet another look of surprise from Octavia but it wasn't over the use of magic but the violin itself.

"It can't be. It's the Winter Moon. Yes I'm sure of it, how did you get this. This violin is one of a kind, the last owner of this was a world famous violinist named Nova Lilly. She never made any open appearances but made any records and on all the covers was this violin. But one day she disappeared and no one knew what happened to her or this. That was almost 20 years ago" She asked as she gently picked up the violin to inspect it.

"It was left to me by my mother two days ago. She was Nova Lilly." I said with a small tear.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you." Octavia said with a look of concern.

"It's alright Octavia. I'm still working through it. So can you replace the string." I asked after wiping away the tears.

"Of course I can but on one condition you have to play it for me, if you can." Octavia said with a smirk.

"Is that a challenge Miss. Octavia." I said with a smirk of my own.

"Maybe. I'll be right back it won't take long to replace the string." She said before heading to a back room. I began to look around the room and think of a song to play. Mom loved to play the classics while I liked more new age. Don't get me wrong the classics are still great and I do still play them but there's something about the new age beats that get my blood pumping. As I looked around the room my eyes took notice of Vinyl's DJ booth and I began to remember what Twink said about my magic and I began to get an idea of what I wanted to do.

"Hey Vinyl, can I use your booth? I promise I won't change or damage anything." (POOF) I said before turning back to the original me. I expected the shocked look but not the really red blushes from the two mares in the room. I looked down and sure enough I was necked. With a deep blushed I use my magic to get my closeness from my house.

"Um sorry about that but anyways may I use it Vinyl?" I asked as I tried to compose myself while I saw Twilight taking notes again. With a small nod from Vinyl I walked up to the booth and used my magic to scan it and figure out what it could do. After words I connected my magic to it so I can use it remotely.

"Alright I'm all set now I just need my violin." I said as I walked away from the booth and found Twilight, Spike, and vinyl looking at me with confused looks. Before Twilight could ask me what I did Octavia came out of the back room.

"Your violin all set-." Octavia said before she froze looking at me with wide eyes.

"Thank Miss. Octavia and before you ask, yes I am that little fox and magic. Now I'm ready for your challenge." I said with a smirk as the earth pony recomposed sheself.

"Oh um yes you may begin when ready." Octavia said as he hoofed me the violin and I went to the middle of the room and began to play.

(Play Lindsey Stirling take flight.)

As I began to play, I used my magic connection with the booth and with its help, the song came to life. I got lost in the music and didn't notice what was going on around me. The lights went dim and flashes of colored light flowed down my white hair and tail that matched up with the music. My magic amplified the sound and made it resonate around the room. The DJ booth also lit up with light that flashed color all over the room. When I got to the songs hi point, a sound waves blasted from me blowing out the windows and sound barrier and a bright light came from my chest right above my heart and form in to am image of a heart with a ring around it and ripples of color pulsed with the music like a sound bar. I was slowly lifted into the air as I continued to play. As the song came to the end I slowly lowered to the ground with the song stopping when I touched the floor.

"Whoa what happened here." I asked when I opened my eyes to find the shop in Desiree with three mares and a baby dragon with shocked looks and blown back manes.

"DUDE THAT WAS AWESOME. YOUR WUBS BLEW THROUGH MY BARRIER LIKE NOTHING." Vinyl yelled with her sunglasses raised so you can see her dark red eyes.

"That was the only thing. You were flashing with light and color as well as floating in the air. And… is that a cutie mark." Twilight said as she looked me over and I noticed her paper smoking by how fast she was righting. I looked down and there it was the heart in the ring now black.

"Well that's new. I blame magic." I said as I rubbed the back of my head and smiled.

"Well without a doubt that was a beautiful song and I would love to hear you play some more but I don't think the shop can take another one plus I believe you drew in a crowd." Octavia said pointing to the now broken windows where a large crowd of ponies stood in awe.

"Um hi. I think I can fix this just give me a sec." I said as I tried to remember what the room looked like when I walked in and magically cleaned and fixed any damages. After that was done I thanked the two shop owners for their help and they invited me back anytime for a jam session as vinyl put it and headed for the door with Twilight and Spike. As we got outside I couldn't help but notice all the stairs I was getting and started to get nervous. So in hopes of getting away from all the eyes I looked to Twilight.

"So Twilight where are we and can we go there quickly please?" I said with a nervous laugh.

"Oh sure it's just around the corner." Twilight said before leading me away from the other ponies. When we got to the next spot I had to stop myself from drooling. What I saw looked like a giant gingerbread house with a frosting roof and gumdrops and other candies decorating it's. Now I know it's not real gingerbread and candy but didn't stop me from wishing it was.

"This is our sweet shop, The Sugar Cube Corner. They make anything from muffins to cupcakes." Twilight said with a bright smile as my stomach made itself known.

"Yep I am definitely going in there." I said as I walked to the door with Twilight right behind me. When I opened the door I found something I didn't expect, darkness.

"SURPRISE." Yelled a mass of ponies as the lights came on and I was blasted by confetti. There was a big banner hanging from the wall that said Welcome To Ponyville. Then something pink ran straight up to my face.

"HiI' .huh." Said a pink pony with a puffy pink mane that looked like cotton candy. I couldn't help to be a little scared of this pony.

"Um hi and very surprised." I said backing up a bit.

"Pinkie, how did you know to through Fox a welcome party when this is his first time in town." Twilight said as Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, and Fluttershy walked up beside her with happy smiles.

"I didn't. I just had a sudden urge to throw a welcome party today and I did and since he's here and new to town it's his party." Pinkie said with a large smile.

"Fox this is pinkie pie. She takes some time to get used to but a great friend to have. Just don't try to understand her, it doesn't work." Spike said as he hopped off Twilight's back and ran next to Rarity.

"Wait Fox, as in that little guy that fixed my wing." Rainbow asked, tilting her head.

"He was a big critter when seen'm." Applejack said as she tilted up her hat.

"This is what I originally look like. I can change with magic, but I can only change to a big or tiny fox. As far as I can understand I'm something called a Mystic Fox." I said with a smile.

"Well I must say you do look dashing with the ears and that lovely mane but darling you must let me make you a new set of close. Oh the ideas I have." Rarity said as she looked me over.

"Might just have to Rarity. None of my jeans have a hole for my tail." I said wagging my tail at my side.

"Cupcake?" Pinkie said while holding a chocolate cupcake.

"YES. And thank you." I said as I took the delicious looking treat. As soon as I took a bite I was in heaven. I thought it was just chocolate but now it was raspberry and dark chocolate with a thin layer of sliced strawberries under the icing. I couldn't help but to scarf it down.

"So how do you like my raspberry, chocolate surprise cupcake." Pinkie asked with a hopeful look.

"Can I have some more of those, they're awesome?" I said as I wiped the remaining icing from my lips.

"absolutely." Pinkie said as she pulled a tray of the sweet goodness from nowhere. Yeah not goin to ask about that thing is weird enough as is. So I grabbed two cupcakes and started munchin.

"Um sir." Said a quiet voice behind me. I turned around to find a light mint blue unicorn with a light cyan mane and a lyre.

"I'm Lyra Heartstrings and um.. um are you a..a human." Lyra said with big starry eyes. That took me by surprise.

"Well kinda I guess." I said as I scratched my head.

"Can….can I touch your hand." Lyra asked, looking at my hand.

"Um oh-kay." I said as I help out my hand before she sat down and started to touch my hand with surprisingly soft hooves.

"Lyra, you can't just ask Somepony it's rude." Said an earth pony with a beige coat, pigment blue mane with a rose pink streak can up and pushed Lyra back who still was reaching for my hand.

"Sorry about her, she likes to study the myths and legends about humans. I'm her friend Sweet Drops or bon-bon. It's nice to meet you Mr Fox and I'll try to keep her at Bay." Bon-bon said with a smile before dragging Lyra by her tail all the while Lyra never took her eye off my hands until they got to their table.

"Well ok then." I said as I turned around to talk with Twilight and the others. We talked for a little bit about different things about ponyville and the city of canterlot with a big castle. As we talked I felt something pet the end of my tail and looked down behind me to find three small fillies petting my tail. I recognize one of them as Rarity's little sister. One was a yellow earth pony with a red mane and the other was an orange Pegasus with a purple mane.

"Hello there little bell." I said as I kneeled down to greet them.

"Hi Mr. Fox these are my friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and we are the CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" They yelled together causing me to fall on my butt.

"That was the best greetings I got all day, well besides Pinkie's surprise.(YAY, Hi)" I said as I picked myself up while the three giggled before they noticed my chest.

"Whoa Mr. Fox do you have a cutie mark." Sweetie Bell asked before pointing a hoof at my chest.

"I think that's what it is. It popped up while I was playing my violin at Vinyl's shop earlier." I said as I rubbed the heart mark.

"Wow that's so awesome. What's it mean?" Scootaloo asked as she fluttered her tiny wing.

"Well I think it means I have a love for music. See this ring around the heart well Twilight said that when I was playing the ring flowed with colored light that flashed with the music." I said with a smile.

"Really, can we see it." Apple Bloom asked with hopeful eyes before Twilight walked up.

"I'm sorry girl but that will have to wait until later. It's getting kinda late and Mr. Fox has some stuff we need to talk about back at the library, if you're still willing to Fox." Twilight said before the three fillies awed.

"It's ok girls I just move here so I'm sure I'll be around. So next time ok." I said with a warm smile as they cheered and went to get some punch.

"I like them. They look like they can cause some trouble." I said as I stood up next to Twilight and Spike.

"You have no idea. So, are you ready to head to my place?" Twilight asked with a big smile.

"Sure let me just get some cupca.-"I said before getting cut off by a box in my face.

"Here ya go I put a bunch in there for you oh and here's some for Twink." Pinkie said as she placed a box with Twinks name on it before she happily hopped away to talk with the others.

"Ok not going to question that. Looks like I'm ready Twilight." I said while I put the box for Twink in my bag and headed out of the sweet shop. We talked for a little bit before we came upon what looked like a tree house, not like you find in a kids backyard but a house made inside the tree but what I noticed the most was that there was a gold and white share it sitting outside and two armored Pegasus ponies by the door.

"Um Twilight what's with the ponies by the door." I asked pointing at the armored ponies.

"That looks like the day guard and the Princess's chariot." Twilight said with a confused look.

"Wait, Princess as in ruler of the sun." I asked as I followed Twilight to the tree house.

"Yep and she's also my teacher." Twilight said as she opened the door and walked in with me right behind her. The guards never moved or even looked at me. As soon as I stepped past the door I almost laughed. There is something ironic about a library built in a tree. The walls were covered top to bottom with books and some stacked on the floor. At the back were some stairs that led to her bedroom. In the middle of the room was a small round table and a very tail white alicorn with a sun cutie mark covering most of her flank. What I noticed most about her was her light rainbow seemed to flow like a flag in the wind. She had her back to us while she had a book in her magic and a cup of tea next to her.

"Hello princess. I didn't expect you to be here." Twilight said as she walked up to the alicorn.

"Awe Twilight my faithful student. I'm sorry to drop in unannounced but after your recent report I had to come and see for myself." The princess said before giving a short nuzzle to Twilight. After that the princess looked towards me

"You must be this Fox Lilly Twilight wrote about. I am Princess Celestia and I would like to chat with you if you're willing." Celestia said with a warm smile.

"Oh um it's an honor to meet you princess Celestia and I would love to speak with you. I already promised Twilight I would answer some of her questions the best I could." I said with a short bow.

"I'm sorry but what I need to discuss I a private matter. I'm sorry Twilight but can your questions wait until later." Celestia said with a small frown.

"Of course princess. It will give me some time to get ready. I'll just leave you two to talk." Twilight said as she walked towards the door before the princess stopped her.

"That won't be necessary. I wish to talk with him at his home if that's alright with you Mr. Fox." Celestia asked with a warm smile.

"Of course princess but I must ask why?" I said with a look of confusion. Why does she want to talk to me there?

"That is one thing we will discuss when we arrive. Now let's be off. Farewell my student and don't worry you'll be able to talk with him tomorrow." Celestia said before giving Twilight a short hug. I followed the princess out the door and to her chariot as the two Pegasus guards attached themselves to it.

"Um princess not to be rude or anything but I don't think the path to me home is big enough for this to fit." I said as I sat next to her.

"By ground it won't fit but we will be flying over it." Celestia said as the guards began to move and pick up speed before taking to the air. I was shocked by this and started to look for a seat belt.

"Don't worry Fox this chariot has a safety spell on it that will keep you in place while we fly. So just relax it won't take long before we reach your home." She said as we passed over the edge of the forest and a few minutes later we landed in front of my house. Once we came to a stop the princess stepped out and I followed.

"Welcome to my home princess Celestia. Would you like some tea before we begin." I said as I opened the door for her.

"That would be wonderful. I see she taught you well how to treat guests." She said as she walked past me and into the Hall of my home. I froze at what she said.

"I'm sorry princess but what do you mean by that?" I asked as my worry grew. Before we made it to the kitchen the princess stopped in front of a picture of my mom.

"looks the same as the day she left." She said with a sad look. Before I could ask her what she meant she went into the kitchen. I followed her in and put the kettle on and got the tea ready. When it was ready I poured us a cup and pulled my box of cupcakes from my bag and set them out with the tea which she accepted with a smile.

"Now Fox I want you to answer honestly to my questions." She said before taking a sip of tea and let out a happy sigh.

"I'll to the best of my knowledge. Oh and I got some cupcakes from Pinkie. She kinda scares me." I said as I placed a cupcake out for her.

"I've learned to not question that pink pony and to be honest she scares me too. Fox Lilly from what Twilight said in her report that she came to investigate a magic surge in the area and when she came to these ruins she found you. Can you explain how you came here." She said before taking a small bite of the cupcake.

"Well I don't now exactly how I got here but I can tell you the before and after. Two nights ago me and my mother were celebrating our birthdays. Hers was that day and mine the next, after we had dinner we went out back to enjoy the night air and some tea. After tea and some gifts I went to bed and when I woke up my whole house was moved here and my mother was gone. ran into Twilight while I looked around the ruins." I said as I sipped my tea.

"I take it that the woman in your hall photographs was your mother, if so can you tell me her name." she said with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Yes that was Nova Lilly, my mother. It…it hurts, it's hard to explain but I know she's gone. In the world I came from I could always feel her, it's strange even when I was away from the house I knew she was at the house but now I can't feel her. It's like there's a hole in my heart and it hurts." I said as I grabbed my chest and let some tears slip out. I don't know why I opened up to the princess but I felt like I could trust her more than most even Twilight. I felt a gentle soft pressure on my back and I looked to find a white wing draped around me. I leaned into her wing hug, it felt warm. I sat there in that hug for a minute or two before I broke it.

"Losing a close family member will hurt more then anything. A thousand years ago I lost a sister then another 18 years ago. I was devastated, then a few months ago my other sister returned to my side with the help of Twilight and her friends. Tell me Fox what do you think of Twilight and her friends." She asked as she returned to her tea.

"Well I only met them for a short time but I can see that they can be some good friends. And maybe some others as well." I said happily as I rubbed my violin earring.

"Fox may I ask what that earring is." She asked before I unhooked it and made it normal.

"This was mom's. She gave it to me before I came here." I said as she used her magic to hold it up and inspect it.

"This is where things get weird for me. Once I came out of the house to see if I could find mom but I ended up in a library and the violin sitting on the table as soon as I touched it a light shot and I heard my mom's voice. She had left me a message telling what I am and what happened here. From what I heard there was a power hungry person that used some dark magic to suck the magic and souls out of the inhabitants here. Mom was able to stop him and escaped to my world, earth." I said while I took my violin and shrunk it back before filling up our tea cups.

"Hmm can you tell me about this library you mentioned?" She asked as I took a cupcake for myself.

"From what I can understand, it's the world library Fox Tomes." I said after I wiped chocolate off my face.

"Really if that's true then I take it you met the librarian." She asked with a sly smirk. I was about to answer when a ding came from my bag. I picked it up and opened it to find a white box with something written on top.

"To Tia, I'm still here ." I read off the box before Celestia took it in her magic and smiled when she opened it.

"Oh Twink you know I can't resist your strawberry shortcake." She said as she took out a piece for me and her. My confusion grew by the second.

"How do you know Twink and that she's the librarian?" I asked as my brain working on full blast.

"I guess she didn't tell you. That's just like Nova,. Fox do you remember earlier when I told you one of my sister's disappeared 18 years ago, that sister was your mother." She said with a warm smile. The shit me like a tone of bricks. Mom said she had two sisters that lived very far away.

"Can you explain that please she told me she has two sisters, I didn't expect this." I said taking a long sip of tea.

"Of course but first what do you know of the Mystic Foxes culture." She asked before taking a bite of shortcake.

"Nothing at all really." I said before I said the sweet goodness that was this shortcake. I don't know what it is but cake makes me happy.

"Well they might have been small in number but they had a queen and a very young princess. The princess would sneak out of the village and would sneak into mine and Luna's castle and play with us. It happened so often that I became normal to see her with us. One day Luna and I found her crying in the garden. The Queen had passed away. We held her close through the night and before she fell asleep we promised that we would always be there for her and she would always be our little sister. She might not be our biological sister but we loved her like one." She said as a tear fell from her eye.

"So I guess that would make you my aunt. Wait a minute, if mom was a princess then would that make me a price." I asked with wide eyes.

"No the way there culture worked was that upon the passing of the king or queen the first born prince or princess would take the throne. So no your not a prince but a king." She said with a smile. I froze in shock. I didn't know what to think. One day I was human, the next a magic fox thing, now a magic kingdom fox thing. My life is getting super weird.

"I don't have to actually be a king do I because I really don't want to be." I said as I took a shaky sip of tea.

"Don't worry Luna and myself are the only ones that would knows about this. The Mystic Foxes were a very secret culture. Luna and I only now because we met your mother and unfortunately you would be king to no one." She said sadly. I didn't know how to feel about this, I was happy that I didn't have to be a king but sad that I was the only one of my kind. I was alone. No, no I wasn't alone I have a family here.

"Thank you princess for telling me this. Knowing I have a family here makes me feel like I can really do what my mom asked of me. To live a happy life." I said with a truly happy smile.

"I'm glad to hear that. Unfortunately it's time for me to head back to Canterlot. If you need anything send a letter with Spike or drop by the castle. Luna and I would love to chat over some tea. And tell Thing I'll bring her some of my special strawberries." She said as she picked the shortcake box up when a ding came from my bag. It was a note from Twink with one word a big YAY. This got a good chuckle from the princess.

"Good night princess and thank you." I said before hugging her.

"You're very welcome and you can call me aunt Tia if you like." She said before ending the hug and headed for the door.

"Oh wait I have to asked or it will bug me all night how do you get your mane to do that? There's no wind in here." I asked, getting a laugh out of my new aunt.

"Trade secret my dear nephew." She said while heading out the door. As soon as the door closed I got a note from Twink that said "Magic Shampoo from a zebra." I couldn't help but laugh as I went to the kitchen for dinner and then off to bed

Chapter 4: Wedding plans and good food

Chapter 4: wedding plans and good food.

The morning sun crept into my room, filling it with it's warm glow. I began to wake up with a mighty yawn. Last night I slept like a rock and now I feel great. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes I headed for the bathroom to take a shower and do my morning routine. After that I grabbed a clean pair of pants and put a hole in the back of it for my tail, then slipped them on along with a red and black T-shirt and headed to the kitchen to make me some breakfast but when I opened my fridge I found it almost empty.

"Well it looks like I need to do some shopping this morning. I'll just grab something to munch in town, maybe a muffin and milk. Yeah that sounds good." I said as I closed the fridge and grabbed my bag from the table and headed for the door.

"AAHHHH!." I yelled when I opened the door to find a purple unicorn on my doorstep.

"AAHHHH!" Twilight yelled when I did.

"Jeez Twilight we have got to stop meeting like this, I don't think my heart can take it." I said as I tried to calm down.

"Sorry I was about to knock when you opened the door. Anyway, what's your plans today?" Twilight said with hopeful eyes.

"I need to hit the market and restock my food." I said as I shut and locked my door and with my bag and Twilight with me we headed to town.

"So what did you and the princess talk about yesterday?" Twilight asked while Spike went over there to do list.

"If I told you I think your brain might explode." I said with a smirk.

"Wouldn't be the first time." Spike said before he put the list in Twilight's saddle bag.

"Spike no I hasn't." Twilight said, giving the dragon a scolded look.

"Oh yes it is, remember when we first met Fox. You had talked like Pinkie only with questions and randomness." Spike said with a smirk as I laughed before I switched into my big fox form.

"I still can't understand how you do that. Please can you tell me what you talked about?" Twilight said with an adorable puppy dog eyes. Must resist, can't give in, no it's too much, I have to hug her. And in a second she was in my forelegs with a surprised EEP.

"To adorable must hug." I said before letting go and saw a very red face.

"Sorry that look was just too cute. Ok Spike you better get some paper for notes and I'm not stopping if you faint from brain overload." I said before we exited the forest.

"Oh please I doubt there's anything you can tell me that would make me faint." Twilight said with a huff.

"Celestia is my aunt, my mom was her and Luna's sister, not by blood, my mom was a Queen to the foxes, and now I'm king of no one." I said with a smile and I was met with silence. I turned around and found Twilight Frozen in shock with big wide eyes and Spike was poking her head.

"Yep you broke her." Spike said before I busted out laughing.

"I told you Twilight but no you had to know but please keep the fact that I'm a king to close friends ok. I'm only a king to the Mystic Foxes and I'm the only one left." I said as I placed a paw on her shoulder snapping her out of the shock.

"Oh wow ok me and you are going to have that Q&A pretty soon and trust me it will happen soon." Twilight said as we walked up to the town.

"Alright whenever you're ready just let me know. What are you up to today? Stocking up on paper?" I asked with a smirk.

"Oh that's right, would you like to come to a picnic with me and the others?" Twilight asked with a big smile before my stomach answered for me.

"I guess that answers that." I said with a smile. As I walked with Twilight I couldn't help but look up at the blue sky and I felt good today then a song popped up in my head. I couldn't help but to start to hum the turn and soon I was singing. I don't know why but it felt great.

(Play Mr. Blue Sky.)

It seemed like the whole town was singing in a choir as the song began to slow and die off. Ponies slowly started to fall out until it was just me and Twilight. The glow from my mark faded as the song ended and then I snapped back to my senses and found Twilight with a huge smile.

"What just happened?" I asked with a very confused look as Twilight hugged me but pushed me back with her hooves on my shoulders.

"You Mr. Fox just had your first song moment. Don't worry it happens all the time you get used to it but what out if it's one of Pinkies." Twilight said with a giggle.

"So it's normal here. Well it was kinda fun." I said before a thought came to mind. If the song moment started when I thought about the song maybe I could do it again. I wanted to test it and I thought up a good song to try it with

(Play Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind and Fire)

I began to hum the tune like before and sure enough the music started.

"NO one's enough." Spike said, poking me in the side making me chuckle.

(End song)

"Just testing a theory about something. Don't worry I'm too hungry for that right now anyways. At least we are at the market." I said, pointing to all the stands. I began to look around and had a thought, I'm in the land of ponies that means my chances for any meat was probably zero and I'm no Hunter that's for sure. Give me a fishing pole then I'm set. I can make due with fish and veggies for a bit.

"Hey Twilight it's just going to be you, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie right?" I asked as I looked over the market with a plan in mind.

"Yeah we always like to get together like this on a nice day with tea and snacks." Twilight said with a happy smile.

"Do you think it would be alright to cook for you guys while we're there? Sorry when I'm hungry and see what I could work with, plans seem to form and the possibilities make me excited. And the one I have now is wonderful." I said as I looked at all the fresh veggies with a wide smile.

"I'm sure everypony would love it. What do you have in mind?" She asked with a look of interest as well as Spike.

"Oh you'll see." I said as I began my search for ingredients. First stop I found a stand with some good looking veggies. He had the onions, garlic and bell peppers which I had to pay four bit for then moved on to the next. I came to a stand worked by a Stetson wearing earth pony mare.

"Well howdy there Fox. You coming to the picnic later?" She asked as she leaned on her apple stand.

"Sure is and he said he wanted to cook for use." Twilight said as she walked up next to me

"Oh really now, well I can't pass up any good cook'n. So what can I get ya partner." Applejack said as she showed her stock.

"you got a very wide selection there Applejack?" I said as I rubbed my chin.

"Well what do you expect from an apple farm, turnips." Applejack said with a large smirk.

"Hahaha point made. Let me get three Fuji apples and a jar of apple juice." I said as Applejack bagged them up and passed the bag to me.

"There ya go. That's 3 bits for the apples and two for the juice. Whatcha making anyways?" she asked as I passed the bits to her.

"You'll see. Thanks Applejack." I said as I put them in my bag for storage.

"yer welcome sugarcube. I'll see ya at the picnic." Applejack said as I moved on to the next stand with Twilight next to me.

"Alright I got the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and apples. I still need to find some broccoli, leaks, and carrots. I got most of the stuff I need back at home and I can get that with magic. Let's see what else I can find." I said to myself as Twilight looked at me with a smile Before Spike hopped off her back.

"Oh hey Twilight I forgot the cookies so I'm going to go and get them. meet you at the picnic." Spike said before running off leaving me and Twilight to shop.

"Just need a few more things and we're good to go. And I think I just found them." I said as I walked up to the stand and made my purchase. With that done me and Twilight made our way to the park.

"So did you get everything you need?" Twilight asked as we entered the park.

"Almost but the rest won't be a problem. I have what else I need at the house and I think I can use my magic to bring them here. Looks like the rest of the girls have made it." I said as we walked up to the picnic blanket.

"Hello Twilight and you to Fox I'm glad you could join use." Rarity said before offering me some tea.

"I'm happy to be here and I got a surprise for you all. I'm gonna make y'all some lunch." I said with a proud smile.

"Oh Fox I didn't know you could cook." Fluttershy said in a quiet voice.

"Well mom was never a good cook so I took over the cooking." I said as I looked for a spot to set up.

"So what are you making, big guy?" Rainbow asked, flying up to me.

"Something good."(POOF) I said before turning normal so I can use my hands.

"Oh is it a cake. Cakes are always something good." Pinkie said before pulling a piece of cake from her mane and eating it in one bit.

"I agree with you on that Pinkie but its not cake. Now stand back a bit i'm about to set up." I said as I focused on my house and where all the stuff I needed and with a magic poof I had it all. My camping cook set with hand made knives, a camping table, high heat gas burner and wok. All it took was a bit of magic and everything was in place.

"There we go all set. It won't take to long just relax girls and it will be right up." I said as I pulled out my ingredients. First up I got my rice from the house and cut up the apples into tiny pieces before I mixed to two and set them to cook. As I put the wok on the burner I heard Spike run up to us.

"Twi…Twilight (belch)." Spike said before burping up a scroll.

"Spike did you just burp up paper?" I said while I put the onions and garlic in the hot wok with some oil.

"Oh it's a letter from the princess." Twilight said before reading it.

"Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot. [to the others] Wedding? [reading] I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music.

" Oh my goodness! What an honor!" Fluttershy said happily

" Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception." Twilight read.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" Pinkie said with excitement. I couldn't help but smile as I cut the veggies and added them to the wok.

"Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception." Twilight read

" Well, color me pleased as punch!" Applejack said while I cooked up the veggies.

" Rainbow Dash I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their "I do"'s." Twilight read

"Yes!" Rainbow yelled, throwing up her hooves.

"What's a sonic rainboom?" I asked while I set some bowls out.

"Only the most awesome trick that only I can pull off. I can fly fast enough to break the sound barrier and when I do a blast of rainbow colors happens." Rainbow said as I added two eggs to the wok.

"That does sound awesome. I'll have to see that." I said while I stirred in the eggs.

"Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids." Twilight read.

"Princess Celestia wants me to– [unintelligible] ...wedding dress? For a Canterlot wedding... I, ah, ooh, oooh!" Rarity said before fainting dramatic with a smile.

" And as for you, Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all: Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia." Twilight read as I added the rice to the wok and put in some soy sauce, marin, and a little bit of teriyaki sauce.

"But... I don't understand. Who's getting married?" Twilight said in confusion.

"Oh, wait! Uh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first." Spike said before handing her another scroll.

" Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and... [gasp] My brother?!" Twilight said in shock while I finished off my lunch by mixing in some sesame seeds.

"Your brother's getting married? Congratulations, Twilight! That's great news!" Applejack said happily.

"Yeah, great news. That I just got from a wedding invitation! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks a lot, Shining Armor. I mean, really, he couldn't tell me personally?" Twilight before picking up a sandwich and began to talk in a deep goofy voice.

"(Hey, Twilight, just thought you should know I'm making a really big decision that changes everything. Oh, never mind, you'll hear about it when you get the invitation.) Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? Who in the hoof is that?!" Twilight said with angry snorts while I started to fill up the bowls

"Um, Twilight? Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked with concern.

" Sorry, it's just that Shining Armor and I have always been so close. He's my B.B.B.F.F!" Twilight said getting confused looks from us.

"Big Brother Best Friend Forever." Twilight explained while I filled the last bowl.

"Before I came here and learned the importance of friendship, Shining Armor was the only pony I ever really accepted as a friend." Twilight said before music started to play.

When I was just a filly, I found it rather silly

To see how many other ponies I could meet

I had my books to read, didn't know that I would ever need

Other ponies to make my life complete

But there was one colt that I cared for

I knew he would be there for me

My big brother, best friend forever!

Like two peas in a pod, we did everything together

He taught me how to fly a kite (Best friend forever!)

We never had a single fight (We did everything together!)

We shared our hopes, we shared our dreams

I miss him more than I realized

It seems...

[Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and me]

Your big brother, best friend forever

Like two peas in a pod, you did everything together

[Twilight Sparkle]

And though he's, oh, so far away

I hoped that he would stay

My big brother best friend

Forever...

After the song I could see tears fall from her eyes. I couldn't help but to feel sad and I couldn't help but shed a tear as well.

"As one of your P.F.F.'s... Pony Friends Forever...I wanna tell you that I think your brother sounds like a real good guy." Applejack said as she put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

"He is pretty special. I mean, they don't let just anypony be captain of the Royal Guard." Twilight said was she sat back on the picnic blanket

" So let me get this straight. We're helping out with the wedding of not only a princess, but a captain of the Royal Guard?" Rarity asked while I put a spoon in each bowl of food.

" I guess we are." Twilight with a shrug.

"Ooh, ooh, oooh!" Rarity said before she fainted again.

"Alright y'all it's ready." I said happily as I passed out the bowls.

"Wow this looks and smells really good. What is it." Twilight asked as a round of growls could be heard from their stomachs.

"Veggie fried rice. Is supper easy to make and you can make it with lots of different ingredients." I said before taking a bit from my bowl.

"Well let's dig in y'all." Applejack said before they all took a big spoon full.

"mmmmm." They hummed with closed eyes and big smiles.

"Oh this is simply divine darling." Rarity said before taking another bite.

"Yeah I bet this could beat anything made up there in Canterlot." Rainbow said happily.

"Wait theres apples in here." Applejack said as she moved around the rice.

"Yep it adds a nice sweetness to the rice when you cook them together with a little bit of apple juice." I said with a bit of pride.

"Seconds please." Pinkie said holding out an empty bowl that I quickly refilled.

"It's wonderful Fox. Thank you." Fluttershy said with a wide smile. If I didn't have a bowl in my hands i would give that pony a big hug because of how adorable she was with rice stuck on her mussel.

"Can I get this recipe. Twilight cant really cook." Spike said with a snicker getting a blush from Twilight.

(Ding, ding, ding, ding.) Came from my bag.

"I didn't forget about you Twink." I said with a chuckle before putting her bowl in the bag.

"What's up with your bag and who's Twink." Rainbow asked before poking my bag with her hoof.

"It's a magic bag. It lets me store anything I want in it and is also linked to a massive magic library. Twink is the librarian there." I said as we finished our lunch.

"Oh I wish I could see it but Twink wont let me." Twilight said with a pout.

"Well I'm stuffed. Thanks Fox that was awesome." Rainbow said with a satisfied smile.

"Thanks girl. I don't really like to cook for myself like this but I love to cook for others. I can say my food is good but when I see that my food makes people smile, that's what makes me happy. So thank you everypony." I said with a bright smile as my heart mark glowed pink. After lunch I cleaned up the mess and sent my cooking stuff back home before we headed to the train for Canterlot.

" A sonic rainboom? At a wedding?! Can you say "best wedding ever"?!" Rainbow said as she jumped into the air.

" Best wedding ever!" Pinkie yelled in excitement while I picked up the bowls with my magic.

"So you all get to help with the big fancy wedding, but I'm the one who gets to host the bachelor party! I have just one question. What's a bachelor party?" Spike ased getting a good laugh from us.

"Why the long face, sugarcube?" Applejack said with a soft smile

"I'm just thinking about Shining Armor. Ever since I moved to Ponyville, we've been seeing each other less and less. And now that he's starting a new family with this "Princess Mi Amore Ca-whatshername", we'll probably never see each other." Twilight said with a sad look. I couldn't help but feel a little sad too.

"Come on, now. You're his sister. He'll always make time for you." Applejack said before Twilight turned to the window.

" Couldn't seem to make time to tell me he was getting married." Twilight said before closing the window blinds.

"Twilight you should be happy for him. He must have some reason he didn't tell you." I said with a warm smile and then I noticed something as we came close to Canterlot.

"Um Twilight did the city always have a pink bubble around it?" I asked as we began to approach the city.

"Not normally but will find out soon." Twilight said as we passed over the bridge and started to pass through the bubble, well everypony but me. I slammed into it and was pushed out the back of the train and off the bridge.

"FOX!" they all yelled as I screamed while falling down. It was a long fall and when I noticed the bottom, I panicked as I grew closer and before I hit I was able to soften the landing with help from my magic but that only slowed be down and with a thud I hit bottom

Chapter 5: Changlings and magic

Chapter 5: Changelings and magic.

"OW what just happened." I asked with a groan while sitting up.

(Ding) I pulled Twinks' note from my bag.

"It was a magic barrier that would only let ponies through." I read from the note.

"Ok so it pushed me off the train and now Im here. I have a bad feeling about this. "Twink do think there's a way to get into the city from down here." I asked out loud before a ding came from my bag and I pulled the note out.

"There's a cave system under the castle and I believe there's an entire point here and behind the castle but I do not know the way. There was no map made and the only ones who new the paths are Celestia and Luna." I read before looking for an entrance and found one just to my right.

"Hey Twink is there a flashlight in storage?" I asked while looking into the dark cave.

(Ding)

"No but you can make one with your magic. You can make anything that doesn't have a magic ability but you can add one once you make the object." I read the note. Then an idea came to mind. I could probably use some help from Twink while I'm in here but always having a letter sent every time I have a question could be a pain. So I came up with something that should work well and I closed my eye and thought about what I wanted to make then set my magic to work. In a few seconds I had two hi tech two-way communication earbuds with a visual camera and 3D projection display. I used my magic to connect the two and put one in the bag for Twink. I didn't take long before I heard her.

"Welcome to the matrix Fox." She said with a giggle.

"Ha by the way things have been lately I wouldn't doubt it. So you read to do some exploration?" I said, magicing up a flashlight.

"Yes. I will help the best I can." She said as I entered the cave system.

"So Twink I was thinking, that bubble looked a bit much for just protecting a wedding even if it was a Royal one." I said after a bit of thinking.

"I have to agree. I analyzed the barrier when you made contact with it and the magic signature closely resembles that of Twilight sparkle so it's safe to say that her brother made it." She said as the wheels in my head began to turn.

"You said that it was set up to only let ponies through so there must be other races in Equestria." I said while climbing up a short wall.

"Yes there are many races but the most known are the Diamond Dog, Griffins, Changelings, Yaks and there have been some reports of Hipogriffs along the coast." She said as I reached the top of the wall and into another passageway.

"I think its safe to assume that one of these races may want to invade that would explain the barrier. What race would you say would be the most likely invade?" I asked before the path began to incline.

"I would say the Changelings. They are a race of bug ponies that feed off love and leaves there victim close to dying." She said as I continued on.

"What information do we have on them." I asked before the path opened up to a large cavern when my stomach growled. I'm glad I put the leftovers from lunch in storage. I pulled out the leftovers and used my magic to heat it up.

"They have the ability to use magic and can transform into anything they wish. Like many bugs they live in a hive colony in the BadLands and like many hives they are divided into different classes like ants. Workers, gatherers, and soldiers, and there all lead by A Queen. I'm sending you what they look like now." She said before a light came from my earpiece to show two changeling. The one on the right was a small black bug pony with bright blue clear wing like a dragonfly along with blue compound eyes. They also had what looks like an exoskeleton with holes. The one on the left was taller with a sickly blue mane and eyes. It aslo had a longer horn and what looked like a crown so its safe to say she was the Queen.

"That big one must be there Queen and if you say that they can shapeshift I'm going to go ahead and say they mostly are already the city and castle." I said as I put away my empty bowl and looked around. There was multiple paths I could take but as this stand I won't be out of her for a while. If I remember right Twilight said that she and the girls had things to do for the wedding so it's safe to say that the wedding will be held tomorrow. I need to find my way out fast.

"Twink you said that there was no map made of these caves?" I asked while I looked up at the top of this chamber.

"That's correct. Only the princesses know the layout." She said before I smiled at a new idea.

"Twink I have a plan. Back in my world I read about a way to map out places like this and it was inspired by bats and their echolocation. Bats use a high pitch screech to help them fly in the dark and find prey by listening for the sound's reflection. This method is similar to that but instead of sending a high pitch sound in the air, it uses low bass in the ground sending vibrations through anything that touches it. I want to try to send out magic pulses and see if I can create a 3d map of the caverns." I said as I placed my hand on the wall and set out pulses magic through the wall and I could feel it working its way through the tunnels. With my other hand I constructed my map and after a few short minutes it was complete.

"It looks like it worked Fox. I'm adding the map to my archives." She said while I looked at the map happily.

"magic is totally awesome, remind me to ask Twilight to help test my limits after this mess is over. Now let's find the way out of here. Well that odd." I said when I noticed a chamber that was blacked out and one above it that looked like a pony laying down.

"Hey Twink! look up close to that mine shaft. There's two rooms, one has a pony but the one below it is blacked out. What do you make of it?" I asked as I took a closer look at the pony and from what I can tell it was an alicorn and it didn't look too good.

"Hmm the room below is most likely able to block out magic and its safe to say that that's Princess Mia Mora Cadenza and if that's true then there must be a changeling in her place." She said while I looked for an easy route.

"I agree with you on that. It looks like there's a path that leads up that way and it looks like we have to pass through that dead zone to get there. From there we can take that mind shaft out of here. What time is it and when was the wedding supposed to start?" I said as I headed down the chosen route.

"It's 8:45 pm the wedding will be right after sunrise and it will take us a few hours to reach the princess and then a few more to get out with her so we must hurry." Twink said as I picked up my pace. After an hour I thought about what I could do with and without magic.

"Hey Twink is there anything else beside magic, has changed when I came here?" I asked as I looked to make sure I was going the right way.

"Yes. You have greatly increased strength, endurance, speed and reflexes. Also you have a magic resistance and can nullify any spell that's not magic of nature." She said before I stopped to think about that.

"What do you mean by the magic of nature." I asked before looking at the map. We're getting close to the dead zone just a few more bends and we'll be there. I started my pace and was back on track while she explained.

"Everything in this world has magic from the simplest plants to ponies and the like. Take the Pegasus for instance it is natural magic that helps them fly by making them incredibly light. Plant with nature magic can be used to make potions for any manner of thing." She said and before I could ask more I saw a light up ahead of use where the dead zone was. I ran into the chamber and was met with a soft glow from a large crystal in the middle of the cave roof. When my eyes adjusted what I saw made me freeze in shock. The whole room was crystal and in the center of the room was a small hill with what looked like crystal blue lilies. But that's not what caught my eyes, there on top the hill was two short staffs with a white and dark red that ran along the staffs in a jagged pattern, white on one side red on the other. There was also a white and red Fox kabuki mask hanging from one of the staffs.

"So that's where you went to." Twink whispered as I walked closer.

"What do you mean Twink?" I asked before picking up the mask.

"I told you once that your mother was the last guardian correct. Well these are her weapons. She was very skilled when it came to combat." She said as I placed the mask on the side of my head.

"I guess I know why mom trained me for what she called self-defense. I could never beat her though. She kicked my ass so many times." I said with a chuckle before picking up the staffs.

"I'm sorry mom but I think I have to borrow these for what's to come." I said as I secured them to the side of my pants.

(BOOM)

"What was that?" I asked as some dust and rubble came from the roof of the cave.

"That was a magic blast and I believe it was Twilight Sparkles magic signature." She said as I began to worry.

"Then let's get a move on before she brings the roof down." I before another blast went off and a chunk of the roof fell and I could hear voices calling out.

"Well that made things easier." I said as I jumped up to the hole and poked my head out to find Twilight blasting at the walls with an image of a green pony laughing and egging her on.

"Twilight stop." I yelled but she didn't her me as she blasted another wall breaking it apart revealing a light pink alicorn in bad shape. When Twilight saw her she jumped at her.

"NO TWILIGHT" I yelled and rushed to stop her.

"No! Wait! Ugh! Please! Don't hurt me! Twilight, it's me! Please, you have to believe me. I've been imprisoned like you. The Cadance who brought you down here was an imposter." The pink pony said before Twilight jumped on her.

" Likely story!" Twilight said before I jump in.

"Twilight calm down and think for a second." I said as I gently pushed her back.

"FOX YOU'RE ALRIGHT I thought my brother's spell pushed you back. I told him what happened and sent out a search party but they never found you." Twilight said as she jumped up to hug me.

"It's alright Twilight I was able to lessen the fall with magic but that is not important right now." I said as I went to help the princess who looked very shocked.

"Wait Fox that's an imposter." Twilight said as I helped the princess stand before she walked up to Twilight and did a very weird but funny dance.

" Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves..." She sang before Twilight jumped in.

"..and do a little shake." Twilight said as they shook their flanks in the air.

"You remember me!" Twilight said before giving cadence a warm hug.

"Of course I do. How could I forget the filly I love to sit for the most?" Cadence as she returned the hug.

"Um not to kill the mood or anything but we have a wedding to crash." I said before getting a questioning look from Cadence.

"Twilight is he a friend of yours?." She asked Twilight and before she could answer I introduced myself.

"It's a pleasure to meet your princess. My name is Fox Lilly and I will be your guide of this place so if you and Twilight would follow me I will lead you out of this place." I said with a short bow.

"Oh I like you." Cadence said, making me blush a bit.

"Wait how do you know the way out." Twilight asked, tilting her head.

"I use my magic to make a map." I said as I helped my hand up and made the 3d map appear giving the two mares a quick surprise.

"But how. This map is very detailed." Twilight asked as she poked her hoof through the map.

"I'll explain on the way. We don't have much time." I said as I put the map away.

"He's right we have to stop the wedding." Cadence said before we headed for the exit.

"Ok so if I'm correct to assume that this is a changeling innovation and that there Queen was the one that replaced you right princess." I asked as we made our way to the mine shaft.

"Yes. She wants to take over and use the ponies as a food source." Cadence said with a hateful glare.

"Wait Fox, how did you know that. You just came here less then a week ago." Twilight asked as we entered the mind shaft and found a mine cart.

"It was thanks to your brother's pony only shield and some information from Twink that helped me. I just looked into all the possible races that would do something like this but until I found you two, it was just theories but now I know." I said as I inspected the mine cart.

"Wow that was kind of smart." Twilight said with a surprised look.

"I don't know if that's a compliment or insult. Kinda sounded like you thought I was stupid." I said with a smirk cause Twilight to blush and Cadence giggled.

"If I may ask Mr. Lilly but you're a Mystic Fox right?" Cadence said catching me by surprise.

"Yes I am but how do you know that?" I asked as I helped her and Twilight into the cart.

"My aunt Nova was a Mystic Fox. She was also my foal sitter before she disappeared." Cadence said as she looked down in sadness.

"I'm starting to feel like I never really knew my mother with everything that's been happening." I said with a sigh.

"Your mother was Nova Lilly?" Cadence said with wide eyes.

"Yes but we can talk about this later right now we have an invasion to stop." I said before I pushed the cart down the tracks and after a short song moment we came to the end of the line literally. The tracks ahead had fallen and there was a stopper on the tracks. Then we hit it. With the help of Cadence and her wings she was able to get Twilight and herself to safe ground. Me on the other hand went flying and passed them.

"Weeeee (CRASH)…ow. Note to self learn to fly." I said before dusting myself off.

"Fox are you alright?" Twilight asked as she looked me up and down while I did the same. The only thing that was damaged was my clothes.

"Man I liked this shirt." I said as I removed the ruined shirt and looked up to find a blushing Twilight.

"Um Twilight your staring." I said with a smirk as Cadence giggled.

"Hehe sorry. You can probably get Rarity to make you a new one." Twilight said as she tried to compose herself.

"It's alright, I think I came to make something work. Just give me a second." I said as I closed my eyes and focused on my magic. I pictured the style I wanted and fabric I wanted and when I had it all together. In a flash I was ready to go.

"Oh wow." Said both the mares. I looked down to inspect my work and I was pleased. I had on a dark ruby tight fit dress shirt with black button and the sleeve rolled up to my elbow. Over the shit I had an Onyx black color tight fit vest and matching slacks and shoes. After a bit of moving around I was happy with the way it felt. It was tight but flexible and comfy.

"Well how do I look? We are going to a wedding after all." I said before I looked around for an exit.

"Amazing…I mean nice. You look nice." Twilight said making Cadence giggle.

"Thanks Twilight and look there's the way out." I said pointing to a ledge above us with light coming from outside.

"Come on I'll teleport use up there." Twilight said as she charged her magic and in a flash we were at the exit.

"You won't be going anywhere." Said three mares in fancy dresses as they came out of the shadows. I noticed that they all had the same green glow in their eyes. The pony in the middle I recognize as Lyra Heartstrings.

"Aw man, I think there under some sort of control magic. I'm sorry girls but I'm going to have to put you to sleep for a bit." I said as I readied my magic but before I could use it a small bouquet of flowers flouted in front of them before being thrown down a cave with the mares following.

"Well that works. Lets go." I said before we made our way to the castle. It wasn't long before we made it to where the wedding would be held. I slipped the mask over my face and we burst through the doors shocking everyone.

"STOP!" Twilight shouted as I walked in behind her.

" Ugh! Why does she have to be so possessive of her brother? Why does she have to ruin my special day?" The imposter said with fake tears.

"Because it's not your special day! It's mine!" Cadence said with a hateful glare making the ponies gasp.

"What? But how did you escape my bridesmaids?" Queen Chrysalis said with anger

"She through the bouquet and they wanted it." I said as I stepped forward.

"Hmph. Clever. But you're still too late." Chrysalis said with an evil cackle.

"I-I don't understand. How can there be two of 'em?" Applejack said in confusion.

"She's a changeling. She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them." Cadence said pointing her hoof at the fake.

"Queen Chrysalis to be exact." I said before a ring of green fire rose around the fake and when it faded Chrysalis stood tall.

"Right you are, Princess and whoever you are. And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!" The queen said with a sinister smile.

"They'll never get the chance! Shining Armor's protection spell will keep them from ever even reaching us!" Cadence said before Chrysalis chuckled.

"Oh, I doubt that. Isn't that right, dear?" Chrysalis said as she stepped next to a white unicorn with a blue mane and glowing green eyes.

"Mm-hmm." Shining armor said mindlessly before Cadence ran toward them.

"Ah, ah, ah. Don't want to go back to the caves, now do you? Ever since I took your place, I've been feeding off Shining Armor's love for you. Every moment he grows weaker and so does his spell. Even now, my minions are chipping away at it." Chrysalis said before looking up at the Changelings rammed into the shield.

"He may not be my husband, but he is under my total control now. And, I'm sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as captain of the Royal Guard." Chrysalis said getting a gasp from Cadence and Twilight.

"Not my Shining Armor!" Cadence said with worry

"Soon, my changeling army will break through. First, we take Canterlot. And then, all of Equestria!" Chrysalis said with a cackle before Celestia stood in front of her.

"No. You won't. You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects from you!" Princess Celestia said before she shot a magic beam at Chrysalis who met it with her own beam and was pushing Celestia's back. In a flash of light Celestia was blasted back with a burnt and smoking horn. I froze not in shock but anger. I lost my mom and found out that I still had a family. I will not sit here and watch them get hurt. I pulled the staffs from my side and threw one into the ground cracking the ground in front of the Queen.

"I will tell you once. Take your swarm and leave." I said as my eyes glowed a bright ice blue.

"HAHAHA. How about no." Chrysalis said before shooting a green magic beam at me. Time seemed to slow down as I raised my free hand stopping the beam and held the magic like a ball.

"Wrong answer." I said, throwing the ball of magic back at her and sent her through the wall. As I walked up to the hole I heard the sounds of glass breaking and I looked up to see that the shield had broke and the Changelings swarmed the city.

"Twilight help Celestia and Cadence can you help get shining's shield back up?" I asked as I went to help Celestia but before I could I was hit in the back by a beam as a pissed off Changeling Queen walked through the hole.

"I don't know who or what you are but you will pay dearly for interfering." Chrysalis said before picking up large rubble from the wall and through them at me with her magic. I quickly took the staff I threw from the ground and began to smash the rubble. As I smashed the last one Chrysalis charged at me with her horn pointed at my chest but before she made contact I sidestepped and kicked her in the chest sending her to the back wall. I could hear the ponies in the city screaming in fear.

"How's that shield coming?" I asked not taking my eye from the rubble Chrysalis was in.

"Almost ready we just need a little bit more time." Cadence said with hers and shinning horns touched at the tip as they charged their magic.

"Aunt Tia are you able to shield the ponies here for just a bit. I'm about to try something and I don't know if I can control it." I said as I jammed my staves in the ground and took a stance to brace myself.

"Yes I think I can do that but what are you about to do?" Celestia asked before the rubble began to shake.

"Oh something from one of my favorite shows back home." I said as I brought my hands to my side and charged a ball of purple magical energy between them before Chrysalis burst from the rubble charging her magic.

"YOU WILL NOT STOP ME!" Chrysalis screamed before firing a large beam at me. I smirked under my mask.

"GALIC GUN FIRE!" I yelled firing off my blast that overtook the Queens and blasted her through the castle walls and out of the city and shortly after a pink light flashed behind me as the shield rushed passed me and pushed the Changelings from the city. I looked around and saw that everypony was safe and the Changelings were gone.

"It's over. Is everypony alrig-." I said before I passed out from exhaustion. When my back hit the ground my mask slid off to reveal a happy smile while I snored.

"He must have used up his magic with that last blast. Even I don't think I could have withstood it." Celestia said with a smile as Twilight and the rest of the group with Shining Armor and Cadence.

"Princess what exactly is he?" Twilight asked, as she put her hoof on my chest.

"My faithful student, he is a Mystic Fox King, protector of Harmony, guardian of the world library, and son of my lost sister Nova Lilly. Your mother would be proud of you Fox Lilly. Sleep well my nephew." Celestia said before picking me up in her magic and taking me to a guest room for me to rest

Chapter 6: Filly, Drills, and Stir-Fry

( GGGGRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAWWLLL)

"ugh hungry." I said while my stomach demanded food. I slowly opened my eyes and started to notice something. I was not in my room but what appears to be a hotel room. I looked around the small room as I began to sit up from the comfy bad. It was still pretty late with the moon full and hi in the night sky. There was a small writing desk by the door and a small couch sitting between the desk and bed. And on that couch was a sleeping purple pony laying on her side snoring away. I could help but grin a little bit until my stomach reminded me why I'm awake. I slowly and quietly moved out of bed and found my shirt and vest beside the bed. Luckily I still had on my slack so I just slipped the shirt on before I heard Twilight rolling around on the couch. Turned to look and almost busted out laughing.

"Jeez that can't be comfortable." I whispered looking down at Twilight laying halfway off the couch with her head and forelegs upside down on the floor. I gently scooped her up and placed her on the bed. I couldn't help but notice how soft she was. I kinda just wanted to pet hear but that would probably be rude so I slowly moved the covers over her and left her to sleep. I gently closed the door and started the hunt for the kitchen… for 30 minutes.

"How big is this place and didn't I just pass this hall and You would figure there would be some guards around." I said while looking around. I walked down another hallway and came to a set of double doors and decided to peek in. And found the dining hall and a door with the world kitchen written above it.

"Alright found ya." I whispered as I headed for the kitchen. I looked in to see if anyone was here and found no one.

"This is a nice kitchen. I sorry for borrowing your kitchen and I promise to pay for what I use and clean any mess." I said to no one and set out to make a simple midnight snack but when I found their fridge and was left in awe of their food stocks. It was like they had a full big city market.

"Ok so simple is out. Wait isn't that a Daikon radish and there's some shiitake mushrooms. It's a whole Oriental section; they even have some Kombu and Bonito flakes. Oh I got an idea something light but filling." I said as I began to gather the ingredients to make a vegetable Ramen. I found a large pot and brought some water to boil while I cut the veggies. When the water was read I used the Kombu and flakes to make a Dashi and in a few seconds I pulled them out. I pulled some special herbs from my house with magic and put them in a tea egg I found. I slipped it into the water along with the veggies and set it to simmer. I grabbed a smaller pot to boil for the noodles and while it was heating up I found some big bowls and grabbed me one. I put a little bit of hot oil and soy sauce into the bowl before turning up the heat on the veggies and added a couple of whole eggs to cook. I pulled the noodles from my house and put them in to cook. In a few short minutes I pulled them from the water and shook them before putting them in the bowl and adding the veggies and broth. I finished it with some green onions, soft boiled egg and it was done. I pulled my own chopsticks from the house and lifted the bowl.

"Awesome, this looks great. Time to ea-." I said before looking up and froze at what I saw. Sitting at a counter beside me were three ponies but not your normal ponies. They had a black coat with a dark gray mane, red eyes, fangs and what looked like bat wings. They also had on very dark armor but what I noticed was that they all had drool running from their mouths and starry eyes locked on my bowl.

"Um hungry?" I asked before getting a fast nod from them.

"O-Kay give me a second." I said before grabbing more bowls and in a few minutes they were full and ready. I gave them their bowls and picked up mine.

"There you go enjoy." I said before taking a sip of the broth and with a happy sigh I slurped up some noodles. I looked over at the bat ponies and found them eating happily.

"So how is it?" I asked before eating some of the veggies.

"It's amazing I've never had anything like it. Oh I'm Starry Night and this is Moon Shadow and Night Breeze." Starry Night said as she pointed her right then left before slurping up some noodles.

"Its nice to meet you. I'm Fox Lilly but please call me Fox." I said before they stopped eating.

"Wait, you're that Mystic Fox guy that fought the Changelings Queen yesterday." Moon Shadow said in surprise.

"Yeah that was me. By the way do you know what happened after the fight?" I asked as I finished my bowl.

"Well we didn't see what happened but a body of might in the day guard said you kicked her flank right out of the castle and when you passed out princess Celestia placed you in a guest room." Starry Night said after finishing her bowl.

"What about the wedding?" I asked before taking there empty bowls to the sink.

"It was postponed until this afternoon." Moon Shadow said while Night Breeze nodded her head. I guess she didn't talk much.

"WHAT GOING ON HERE." Said a loud female voice at the door to the kitchen. I looked up from the sink and found a tall dark night blue alicorn with a flowing mane that looked like the night sky.

"Starry Night, Moon Shadow and Night Breeze why have you left your post." The alicorn said looking sternly at the mares.

"I'm sorry it was my fault. I woke up very hungry and went to look for the kitchen and got lost. Until I ran into these three and they showed me the way. As thanks I cooked them something to eat." I said give them a discrete wink.

"Is this true Starry Night?" The alicorn asked as she walked up to use.

"Um yes we found him wandering around and helped him then he cooked for us." Starry Night said before Night Breeze spoke up.

"Really good." Night Breeze said in a soft sweet voice.

"Well then now that you've helped him you can return to your posts." The alicorn said with a bit more ease.

"Yes Princess Luna and have a wonderful night." Moon Shadow said before they hurried out of the kitchen and Luna walked up to the counter.

"Would you like something to eat Princess?" I asked with a smile.

"Well I was just going to get a snack but after what those three said I don't think a snack will do." Luna said with a warm smile.

"Well I do still have some left." I said before grabbing a clean bowl and fixed it up.

"Well it looks like my sister was right you look just like your mother." Luna said with a hint of sadness.

"Here enjoy." I said as I placed a bowl on the counter and went back to cleaning.

"This looks great thank you." She said before taking a sip of the broth and with a smile she began to eat. I put the rest of the broth and vegetables in some containers and sent them to my fridge before washing the pot.

"This is very good. It’s light but filling and I feel a bit more awake then normal at this hour. What did you put in this?" She asked before taking a long sip of the broth.

"Oh it's this." I said as I held up the tea egg.

"Tea?" She asked before taking it in her magic.

"Kinda. It is actually an assortment of herds that have health and medical properties. There's a culture in my world that uses herbs like this in a lot of different things. What these herbs did was add more essential vitamins in the soup." I said taking the tea egg back so I can clean it.

"I'll have to get the recipe from you. How did you learn this?" She asked before finishing her bowl.

"With a lot of research and practice. Plus mom could not cook." I said with a laugh before taking her bowl.

"Oh yes. I remember when she tried to make me and Tia breakfast. I don't know what it was but it was looking at me." Luna said with a giggle.

"Oh that's nothing. Did you know applesauce is explosive? It was everywhere." I said having a good laugh.

"I'm glad she had someone to look after her." She said with a sad smile. I could tell that there was something on her mind but before I could ask a pink blur shot passed us and out the door.

"What was that." I asked while I watched the door swing.

"By my guess it was that pink pony friend of Twilight sparkle." She said before holding up two chocolate chip cupcakes with a chocolate frosting smiley face.

"That mare is not right but man can she make some good treats." I said taking a bit of the sweet goodness.

"That she does. Well Fox sadly I must get back to my duties, it's almost time to lower the moon. And feel free to use the kitchen whenever you're here just make sure to save me some." She said before taking her cupcake and headed out the kitchen.

"Have a good morning Aunt Luna." I said before I finished cleaning and headed back to my room and to my surprise it was right around the corner.

" really after all that walking." I whispered as I slowly open the door and found Twilight still asleep on the bed. I quietly shut the door and headed for the bathroom to shower. Know there's something you should know, I'm in a good mood. I sometimes sing in the shower but not what you would think. I like goofy songs and I was in a good mood and started to sing.

(PLAY BREAKFAST BURRITO HAHAHA)

As I finished the song I was all clean and shut the hot water off before opening the shower curtain.

"AAHHHH(POOF) DAMIT. Twilight what are you doing in here." I said before hopping out of the shower after the surprise made me change to mini Fox. After shacking off the water my fur and tail puffed up and Twilight hit the ground laughing.

"Great now I have to find a brush." I said before sitting down.

"Sorry…Sorry(HAHA) but that's…song and (haha) POOF." She tried to stop laughing.

"It's alright. Just help me find a brush." I said as I tried to depuff my fur.

"Alright Fluffy come on I got a brush in my room across the hall." She said before getting up with a giggle and headed for the door.

"Well someone's in a good mood this morning." I said as I followed her out and int her room.

"Well yeah after that goofy wakeup how can I not be…and I'm glad your ok." She said with a slight blush. I couldn't help but blush too. Was that why she stayed in my room last night because she was worried about me.

"Twilight thanks for being my friend." I said with a warm smile.

"Well I'm happy to be your friend." She said, returning the smile before picking up a brush and passing it to me.

"Twilight before I came here it was just me and mom. I was homeschooled and I didn't go to any nearby towns so the only friend I had was mom but when I got here I was alone. Then I met you and spike. What made you want to be my friend?" I asked looking at the brush. After a brief silence she spoke up.

"I felt like you needed one. After you told me what happened I could tell that you felt lonely and sad. I wanted to help you feel better and hopefully a little less lonely. Good friends are like family and will always be there for you when you need a shoulder to lean on." She with an honest smile. I couldn't help but shed a tear before I quickly grabbed the brush with my magic. As soon as I brought it to my fur my magic flicker before I dropped the brush.

"Ok that's weird I didn't mean to drop it." I said before trying again but with the same results.

"You might have used too much magic yesterday. Hold on I'll do a quick magic scan." She said before her horn lit up and a purple light bar ran down my tiny body.

"It looks like your magic is slowly coming back by the way it looks. It will be a few days before your magic will be back. But don't worry it will be back." She said before picking up the brush with her magic and began to brush my fur. And I must say it felt nice I could help but sigh and relax getting a giggle from Twilight.

"So what's the plan for today Twi?" I asked while she brushed.

"Well after what happened yesterday the wedding was moved to the gardens this afternoon. So most of the morning me and Spike will be checking in on things and make sure it's on schedule." She said before making a clip board with a checklist appear.

"Oh I just thought of something. Hey Twilight, how would you like to help me experiment with my magic. So far I don't know what my limits are besides that I used too much." I said before I looked up and saw a big sparkling eye and huge smile.

"YESYESYES I WOULD LOVE TOO." She screamed before hugging me tightly.

"Need air…..air." I said trying to escape her grasp.

"Sorry hehe but yes I would really like to help you." She said with a smile and blush as she let me go.

(Knock Knock)

"Twilight are you awake." Said a familiar voice from the door and in a second Twilight was at the door with Cadence.

"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake." They both said while doing a little dance and shaking their flanks in the air. That did it for me.

"HAHAHAHAHA THAT TO FUNNY!" I yelled while holding my sides and rolling on the bed laughing. But stopped when Cadence scooped me up in a tight hug.

"YOUR SO FLUFFY. It's like holding a Fox plushie." Cadence said while Twilight was now laughing herself.

"Well I'm happy to see your feeling better." I said as I tried to free myself. Note to self stay away from schools when mini.

"I cant thank you enough for saving my Shining Armor and the wedding." Cadence said before setting me back on the bed.

"I couldn't just sit by and watch. I didn't want those I care for hurt or sad so I did what I had to to protect my family and friends. Plus it was kinda fun that I could test out my magic like that." I said with a happy smile.

"You know even if you just found new friends and family, I can tell that you love them a lot." Cadence said with a warm smile.

"Thanks Cadence. Anyway how's the wedding going." I asked before hopping off the bed.

"Oh right Twilight do you mind if we can check on everything. After yesterday I wanted to check if things are going ok." Cadence asked with a hopeful look.

"Of course I was about to go through the checklist. Let me just wake up spike." Twilight said walking to the end of the bed where a sleeping baby dragon snoring away.

"Wow heavy sleeper." I said while Twilight nudged him with a hoof but did nothing to wake him. With a sigh she picked him up with her magic and placed him on her back.

"He'll wake up soon. So let's go check on things. Fox you want to come?" Twilight asked before heading to the door with Cadence.

"Na I think i'm just going to wander around a bit." I said before I hoped out of the room.

"Well its that's the case Shining Armor was wanting to talk with you. He should be out running some drills with some new recruits. They should be in the courtyard, just head down the hall and you can't miss them." Cadence said, pointing out the hallway before her and Twilight left with a wave. I left down the hall and it wasn't long until I came to a double door with a sigh above that said courtyard. I pushed the door open and was met with the bright morning sun.

"Alright rookies I want ten laps around the courtyard and if I catch you slacking you'll have to clean the barracks for a week." Said a white unicorn in front of a group of nine armored ponies who groaned before turning and jogging away. I walked up to Shining Armor while he watched his troops.

"Yo." I said, causing him to jump and look around.

"Down here bud." I said, waving a paw, getting a very confused look from him.

"Um, can I help you?" Shining asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's me Fox Cadence said you wanted to talk to me." I asked while I noticed the troops staring at me when they passed.

"Wait, you're that guy with the mask that saved fought off Chrysalis?" Shining said with wide eyes.

"Yeah that's me in my normal form. This is my mini Fox form." I said with a smile and tail wag.

"Um ok then. I wanted to thank you for what you did not just for saving me but for saving my sister and Canterlot. Without you who knows how many citizens would have been hurt if you didn't step in and give us some time to get the shield back up." Shining said before he bowed his head in thanks and some of the rookies walked up.

"Wait you're the thing that stopped the Changelings." Said a colt pegasus guard with blue eyes.

"Yeah I'm that "Thing". I said getting a little agitated at the word thing.

"Watch what you say Bolt if the rumors are true he could kick your flank any day of the week." Said a female unicorn with pink eyes.

"Bubbles is right. Hi I'm Flash Sentry. This is Pink Bubbles and Sun bolt." Said an orange pegasus with a blue mane.

"Why have you three stopped running laps?" Shining said with a stern glare causing the three to straight out.

"Sorry sir we finished the laps and wanted to see if the rumors were true." Flash with a wing salute as the other recruits walked up to us.

"Well Flash the rumors are true. This is Fox Lilly and he was the one that beat Queen Chrysalis." Shining said pointing a hoof towards me and getting some awes from the rookies.

"I still can't believe that little thing stopped the Changelings." Bolt said, turning his nose up. Ok this guy is starting to piss me off. I glared at the pony before an idea popped in my head.

"Hey Shining Armor Cadence said y'all were doin some training drills today right?" I asked with a large smirk.

"Yeah I was just about to set them up why?" Shining asked tilting his head before I hopped on his back to whisper in his ear and after I explained my plans he smiled and turned to the rookies.

"Alright rookies line up." Shining said sternly before they all quickly lined up in front of us.

"After yesterday I realized that anyone can slip through our defenses. So for today we are going to do an Intruder drill. You will have one hour to catch the intruder." Shining said with a smile.

"Um sir who is going to be the intruder?" Bubbles asked before I hopped up on Shining's head getting a giggle from some of the rookies.

"That would be me." I said, smirking at the confusion on their faces.

"We have to catch that little thing." Bolt said in disbelief. I had enough of him.

"Bolt if you don't show him som-." Shining said before I cut him off by hopping down in front of him.

"Its fine Shining. So you think just because I'm this tiny "Thing" that I be hard to catch." I said before I disappeared and reappeared on his head.

"If that's what you're thinking then you shouldn't be a guard." I said before lifting him up in my magic and turning him upside down and looked him in the eye.

"I'll make y'all a bet if y'all can catch me before time runs out I'll give you each Fifty bits but if you can't y'all will have to clean the whole castle grounds. Is that ok with you Shining Armor?" I asked not looking away from Bolts eyes with a big toothy smile, scaring to colt.

"That should be fine but can you please put Bolt down it looks like he might pass out." Shining said before I let the pony fall to the ground and walked next to Shining.

"I'll even make it easier for you. I won't use magic and I will not go into any private rooms and I will stay within the castle walls. And hey I'll cook y'all some lunch to if you all can catch me." I said before I stretched my tiny body.

"Alright rookies Fox will have five minutes head start then we'll start. Are you ready Fox?" Shining asked before I stopped and thought of something.

"Shining do y'all have a way to communicate with each other?" I asked with a paw on my chin.

"Only face to face reports." Shining said while I looked at the recruits. I use my magic to create ten earbud communicators and linking them before passing them around to the rookies and Shining.

"Here put these in your ears. These little things are long distance communicators. With these you can talk to the others by pressing the button on the side. Only y'all and Shining Armor will have them." I said as I passed one to Shining.

"Shining you can help if they need it but they have to figure things out themselves if that's alright with you." I asked while he put on the head set.

"That's fine with me. Can I set a team leader for this drill." Shining asked before I nodded.

"Flash you will be in charge. Can you handle that." Shining asked as he walked up to him.

"Yes sir." Flash said as a random thought ran through my mind.

"Hey I just noticed this but why are you orange while the rest are white and blue?" I asked looking at the other recruits.

"Oh I can answer that. The Armor of the royal guards are enchanted with a spell that changes our colors so we match like a uniform. Flash here just got his worked on but the unicorn that places the spell is out sick so hes stuck as the odd one out." Bubbles said with a giggle.

"Well ok then. Let's get this started. You can use any non lethal tactics you want. Shining when they are ready, start the timer. Good luck rookies." I said with a smirk before taking off into the castle. Oh this will be fun. Once my five minutes were up Flash divided the up into three pony teams and the set out for the castle. Little did they know I doubled back to give Shining Armor.

"Hey Shining I have something else for you." I said before making a small computer tablet and four tiny fly cameras. I passed the tablet to Shining as the flies took off to find there targets.

"What is this thing?" He asked as he took it in his magic.

"This is what people in my world call a tablet. This one is linked to fly cameras that will follow us around so you can see how the rookies handle themselves. See look at the bottom left of the screen you should see me and you." I said while waving my paw at the fly that will follow me.

"Wow wish we had stuff like this around the castle." He said before I was spotted by Bubbles' team.

"I found the intruder. He's currently in the courtyard." Bubbles said as her team began to run towards me.

"Well that didn't take long. Now the chase begins." I said before taking off toward the castle with Bubbles hot on my tail.

"FOUND YOU!" Bolt yelled from above me. He was closing in from the front while Bubbles was gaining from the rear and just as Bolt got close I jumped over him causing him to crash into Bubbles.

"You'll have to do better than that rookies." I said while they picked themselves up and started to argue.

"Hey, watch what your doin Bolt." Bubbles said as she helped her team up.

"You should watch yourself. I had him and then you jumped in my way." Bolt said before his team came around the corner.

"Bolt you saw us right behind him." Bubbles said while I slowly backed up to a set of doors with a sign for the throne room. Those two didn't even hear me close the door. I looked around the room and found Celestia talking with one of the guards. I ran up to the guard and jump on top of his head, making him look up at me in surprise.

"Good morning Aunt Tia." I said with a warm smile.

"Good morning to you as well Fox. It seems you're feeling better this morning." Celestia said as she returned the smile.

"Yep physically I'm fine but my magic is a little low. Oh here." I said before creating another tablet and earbud.

"What's this for?" Celestia asked, taking them with her magic.

"I should probably explain what's going on. Right now I'm helping Shining Armor run a drill for some new recruits. It's an intruder drill and they have one hour to catch the intruder, me. This tablet is linked to small flying cameras. You can watch what's going on and the earpiece will let you hear them." I said as I showed her the fly camera.

"Well this is interesting. Silver Shield, tell the Patrol leaders about this drill and not to interfere." Celestia said to the guard before he left with a quick salute as I jumped off his head.

"Thank you for that. Didn't want more ponies chasing me." I said with a smile before Celestia gave me a smirk.

"Uh what's that look for." I said with a worried look.

"GUARDS THERE'S AN INTRUDER IN THE THRONE ROOM!" Celestia called out before Bubbles and Bolt burst through the side door.

"Oh that's cold. Betrayed by my own family. You will Rue this day." I said in fake drama before darting out the room.

"GET BACK HERE!" Bolt yelled as his team ran after me.

"WAIT BOLT DON'T JUST RUN AFTER HIM! Excuse us Princess." Bubbles said as her and her team ran past the Princess.

"Well this should be interesting." Celestia said as she watched me from the tablet. It didn't take Bolt and Bubbles long to catch up with me as I ran down the hallway. As I turned the corner I ran into Flash and his team.

"Stop right there. Bolt blocks his escape and Bubbles blocks the hall with a shield." Flash ordered through the earpiece before a pink magic wall blocked the path behind Flash and his team.

"You have nowhere to run, surrender." Flash said as the three teams closed in.

"Surrender, HA not happening." I said as a plan came to mind. I ran toward Flash and before Bolt and Bubbles could catch me I slid under Flash. I ran at the pink wall then up it before jumping off the wall and over the team.

"Always be aware of the size of the enemy. In tight places the smaller the better." I said before bolting down the hall and around the corner. I noticed a door with a large pink sign with balloons that said party. I slipped through the door before the recruits could turn the corner, giving them the slip.

When I turned around I found that the whole room was covered in streamers, balloons and a bunch of confetti. At the back wall was a long table full of sweet treats and punch. I noticed Applejack with Cadence and Twilight who was munching some apple treats.

"Yo Fox dude. Whats up." A familiar mare called from the other side of the room. I looked over to a stage that was set up with a massive DJ booth with large speakers on both sides and long strands of lights running over the top and along the ceiling. On the front was a neon sign that said DJ-PON3 in red and a familiar unicorn mare standing there alongside Pinkie Pie.

"Hey sup Vinyl. Hey there Pinkie how's the party set up going?" I asked as I ran up to Pinkie and hopped up on her head. I don't know what kind of shampoo she used but I want it. It was like I was on a pink cloud that was warm and smelled like cotton candy cupcakes. I could help but sink in and get comfy.

"Hi Foxy. We just finished setting up Vinyl's booth." Pinkie said with a big smile.

"Yep I was just about to test the lights and it's ready. What are you up to?" Vinyl said before flipping some switches turning on the light.

"Oh just playing with some new recruits." I said from my cozy spot.

"Hi Fox. What do you mean by that…and why are you in Pinkie's mane?" Cadence asked walking up to us with Applejack and Twilight.

"To answer your first question I'm helping Shining run an intruder drill where the recruits have one hour to catch me and to answer your second question…it's warm and cozy and smells delicious." I said with a wiggle to try to go deeper causing Pinkie pie to giggle.

"You mean those guards." Applejack said pointing a hoof at Bubbles and her team walking into the room.

"Crap. I'm not here." I said as I quickly covered myself with pink puffs. I could hear their hooves getting closer.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you and your friends Princess but have you seen a tiny white fox with a fluffy tail run through here." Bubbles asked with mild annoyance.

"Is everything alright Honey Bubbles?" Cadence asked while I tried not to laugh.

"Yes ma'am. We are in the middle of a training drill and one of the team captains can be a pain sometimes but he can be pretty crafty if he can keep calm." Bubbles said with some happiness at the end.

"Oh well I did see something white run down the hall towards the kitchen." Cadence said.

"Thank you Princess. This is Bubbles, reports said the target was headed for the kitchen on route now." Bubbles said before heading out the door with her team.

"Who was she talking to?" Twilight said as I resurfaced from the pinkness with a cupcake.

"I made them long range communicators and Pinkie did you know you had a cupcake in your mane?" I asked, passing the sweet treat down to her hoof.

"I was wondering where that went." Pinkie said before tossing it up and into her mouth.

"Yeah… I'm just going to go now. Oh hey anypony see Rainbow Dash anywhere?" I asked as I jumped out of Pinkie's mane.

"Last time I saw her, she was flying around the castle." Twilight said while I headed for the door.

"Thanks for the help guys and Vinyl please let me try that awesome system later." I said before I left the room.

"As long as you don't blow out the windows this time." Vinyl said, getting a good laugh from me before closing the door.

"Let see. They're probably in the kitchen now. What to do." I said to myself before looking around. I found a staircase that led up to the second floor and decided to head up there for a bit. It's been about thirty minutes since we started the drill and for the last five it's been quite a little bit too quiet and I didn't like that.

"Hhhhiiii." Said a voice from above me. I looked up and found Bolt quietly flapping his wing.

"Shit." I said before he dove down to catch me but I managed to duck down before he could grab me and ran for the stairs.

"Flash he's heading your way." Bolt called out as he began to chase me with his team right behind him. When I got to the stairs and found Flash with his team and Bubbles right behind them. The only way I could go was up. So I quickly shot up the stairs and when I got to the top I was stuck. I was on top of a castle tower with nothing but a telescope. I quickly looked around for any way out and it didn't look like there was one until I noticed a flash of color and with a loud whistle I found my out.

"There's nowhere else to run and Bubbles blocked off the stairs with a wall so just surrender." Flash as they closed in, making me backup towards the window with the telescope.

"Your right I can run any more but I can't surrender either because I have a flight to catch." I said with a smirk before I back flipped out the window and on the back of Rainbow Dash.

"Hahaha awesome timing dash. Hey you want to help me mess with the guards a bit?" I asked as we rounded the tower.

"Sounds fun. What are you doing anyway?" She asked, turning her head to look at me.

"Running from some rookies in training and you got two on your tail." I said pointing at Flash and Bolt chasing us.

"HA lets see what they got. Hold on." She said as she picked up speed with the rookies right behind. The wind rushed past me as we weaved between some clouds before dropping back to the castle courtyard right above Shining Armor. Me and Rainbow gave him a quick salute while we passed him before shooting back into the sky.

"Rainbow passed through that cloud. I got a plan." I said before we dove right through the cloud and when we came out I had a clump of cloud in my paws. I don't know how I could hold clouds but I blame magic. I quickly molded it to look sort of like me.

"What's that for?" Rainbow said looking back at me with a bit of confusion.

"Decoy. Can you drop me off by the courtyard door and as soon as we turn the corner and lose sight of these guys I'll jump off and you'll have decoy me and hopefully they'll follow you until they figure it out. Thanks for the help Rainbow, I'll cook you up some lunch sometime." I said before we headed back to the courtyard with the rookies slowly catching up. We turned for the court yard and I quickly jumped off and rolled into a nearby bush and as soon as Flash and Bolt passed I hopped out and ran back into the castle. I could have sworn I heard Shining Armor laughing while I ran inside. It didn't take long before Flash and Bolt to realize that it was a fake. I had hid behind a pillar to listen in.

"That fox has us running in circles like it's some game to him." Bolt said as they entered the main hall.

"I must admit this is getting kinda fun." Flash said with a smile.

"Fun? He's playing us. How can you find this fun?" Bolt asked, stomping his hoof.

"When was the last time you got to fly like that? This may be a training drill but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it." Flash said before Bubbles and her team walked up.

"Bolt you need to calm down. I talked to a few other guards and I got some good intel I think we can use but we need a clear head so we can win this." Bubbles said as she placed her hoof on Bolts shoulder.

"Fine what's this intel you got?" Bolt asked with clenched teeth while Bubbles smirked before bringing the teams together.

"Well I think I leave them to plan their next move." I whispered to myself before I ran down a nearby hall. There was only fifteen minutes left and I couldn't help to be excited about what they came up with. I was just aimlessly walking around when I heard some laughing that sounded like a group of foals.

"Alright my little ponies when we get back it will be nap time then lunch." Said a sea blue unicorn mare with dark blue mane and a smiley face for a cutie mark. The mare was leading a small group of foals down the hall.

"Aw do we have to take a nap Miss Smiles." Asked a small forest green colt.

"Of course. Getting plenty of rest and proper lunch will help you grow big and strong." Miss Smiles said as they passed me. I was about to head on my way but stopped when I saw a little rose red pegasus filly with a soft pink mane and a white fox plushie under her wing. Her large pink sparkling eye looked on me as the rest of her group left down the hall.

"Um hi." I said while waving my paw as her eyes got wider. She looked at me then her fox plushie and back to me before dropping her toy ran toward me.

"Fluffy!" She said before I yelped in surprise as I turned to run.

"Wait Fluffy." She said as I ran up some stairs to the second floor.

"I was only supposed to be running from the guards, not a little filly." I said before I hide behind a decorative curtain.

"Fluffy where did you go? (Sniffle) I… just wanted(sniffle) to (sniffle) play with you.(sob)" She cried as I peeked out of my hiding stop.

"Aw man I made her cry. Hmm I guess I could pla-." I said before somepony shouted.

"What is that infernal noise? You there filly stop that racket this instant." Said a white tall unicorn with a blonde mane and a suit caller and bowtie.

"I just(sob.)" She cried before the unicorn nudged her with his hoof.

"Why are you up here anyway, this is my personal wing of the castle. Now be gone." The unicorn said as he pushed her to the side and made her roll down the stairs. She cried until there was a thud at the bottom then nothing.

"WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU PUSH A LITTLE FILLY DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS." I yeld as I jumped out of my spot.

"Oh what filthy hole did you crawl out of." He said with his nose in the air.

"(POOF) I asked you why you pushed her down the stairs." I said after I turned normal and walked closer.

"Wait a minute, you're that thing from the wedding. You look familiar. Hmm you look like that fox whore that my aunty called sister." He said with a smirk.

"What did you just say." I said through clenched teeth. I could feel my anger rise and my eyes turned red.

"Oh I see you must be its offspring. I hopped that when she disappeared that would be it for your filthy kind. I don't see why my aunty would ever think of that harlot as fami-." He said before I cut him off with a fist to the jaw sending him crashing into the wall.

"DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT AGAIN." I yield as I began to walk towards the unicorn as he tried to stand up.

"Do you know who I am. I’M PRINCE BLUEBLOOD AND I WILL HAVE YOUR HEA-." Blueblood said before I grab him by his collar and lifted him up.

"I don't care." I said as I raised my fist but before I could hit him again a golden magic wall popped up between us making me drop him.

"That will be quite enough." Celestia said as she walked up to us.

"Oh thank the sun. Aunty I demand this thing be placed in the." Blueblood said before Celestia closed his mouth with her magic.

"One more word from you nephew and I'll place you in the dungeon." Celestia said with a cold glare.

"But aunty he hit me. That's assault on royalty." Blueblood said while cowering behind the magic wall.

"And you pushed a little filly down the stairs and insulted my sister. I will not let this be Blueblood. I will discuss punishment after the wedding. Fox I'm sorry for what he said." Celestia said with a bow as I placed my hand on the wall.

"Blueblood if you ever say anything bad about my mother again (crack) I won't hold back (SMASH). I said as I broke the magic wall before turning and walking down the stairs to check on the filly. When I got there I found Bolt, Flash, Bubbles and there teams. Bubbles had picked up the filly in her magic and the filly was in bad shape. On of her left wing was broken along with her right back leg and had a long gash along the left side of her head.

"How is she?" I asked as I walked up to them.

"We need to get her to the Infirmary. She has a broken wing and leg and most likely a concussion. What happened to her Fox." Bubbles said before Celestia walked down the stairs.

"Blueblood push her down the stairs." Celestia said with disdain.

"Please let me see her." I said as I reached out my arms. Bubbles looked at me with concern before gently setting the filly in my arms. The filly cringed in pain as I sat her in my lap.

"Oh my stars Rosy. I was looking everywhere for her. What happened?" Miss smiles asked before running up to us.

"Oh Miss smiles I take it that this little filly was part of your tour?" Celestia asked with a kind smile.

"Yes ma'am. She disappeared leaving behind her favorite stuffed animal. She never goes anywhere without me and I got worried but what happened to her?" Miss smiles asked looking at the filly in my arms.

"She had a little accident but I'll fix her up. It was my fault she was up there. If I didn't run from her she would still be with your group. I'm sorry Rosy I'll make you feel a lot better." I said before placing my hand on her small body and focused my magic to heal her painlessly as possible. It only took a moment for her wing and leg to straighten out and mend the bone. I was able to stop the bleeding from the gash and close it up but there will be a scar. It took a lot of my magic to heal her but I did it.

"(Pant) I healed the brakes (pant pant) on her lag (pant) and wing along (pant) with the gash but the scar (pant) will take time to heal." I said as I pet the little filly in my lap before my body gave out and I couldn't sit up.

"Nephew are you alright?" Celestia asked as she gave me support with her wing.

"I'm fine aunt Tia just used a lot of magic." I said while Celestia used her magic to check on mine.

"I would imagine so. It takes the magic of 4 unicorn doctors an hour to do what you did in seconds. Hmm you should be fine but I would advise you not to use your magic any further or you could hurt yourself." Celestia said with a warm smile as Rosy began to wake up.

"Rosy are you ok?" Miss smiles asked as Rosy tried to sit up.

"Miss smiles? What happened and where's my fluffy?" Rosy asked with tired eyes before she fell back on my lap.

"Don't try to get up, little one. You had an accident but you're fine now. Just rest for now and here I found your fluffy." Miss smiles said before passing it over to Rosy who took it in a big hug.

"Where did real fluffy go?" Rosy asked, trying to stay awake.

"I'm right here Rosy?" I said with a warm smile as she looked up to me. Even with tired eyes I could see the wonder in her eyes as they met mine.

"You have… very pretty…eyes." Rosy said before she fell asleep in my lap. I couldn't help but smile down at her while I pet her back. She curled up in my lap with the stuffed fox held close to her chest with a peaceful smile.

"Would you look at that? I haven't seen her smile like that since she was dropped off at the orphanage." Miss smiles said as she gently pet her head.

"Wait she's an orphan. What happened to her family?" Bubbles asked looking down at the sleeping filly.

"They died in a house fire about a year ago. The firefighters were able to save her but the house collapsed before they could get to her parents. This Fox plushie was the last thing her mother gave her and it the only thing to make it out of the fire. You can never see her without it." Miss Smiles said with tears rolling down her cheeks. I looked down at the little filly in my lap and I couldn't help but shed a tear myself.

"That's so sad." Bubbles said while sobbing.

"Bolt are you crying?" Flash said as he was wiping his tears away.

"No… I just got something in my eyes that's all." Bolt said while trying to keep a straight face.

"Thank you very much for what you did for her Mr. Fox. It's time I take her back the other foals are waiting in the courtyard for us." Miss Smiles said as she used her magic to take her from my lap.

"Um Miss smiles would it be alright if I watch over her for today. I promise I'll keep her safe and out of trouble." I asked the mare with hopeful eyes.

"Hmm I don't know." Miss Smiles said as she rubbed her chin with a hoof.

"I assure you miss Smiles that she is in good hoofs." Celestia said before placing a wing on my back.

"Well I can't argue with the princess so why not. Here this is the address of the orphanage. Just swing by when you're done for the day. I'm sure she'll be happy with you." Miss Smiles said as she passed me a card that said – Sunny Smiles foal home- before turning and heading to the courtyard.

"Fox I want to apologize for what blueblood said. I will make sure he won't do anything like that again." Celestia said with a small bow.

"And I'm sorry I hit him. I lost my cool for a second." I said as I stood up with Rosy in my arms.

"After what he did to that filly I probably would have done the same." Flash said with a glare.

"I hope he will learn from this but I doubt it. Now I must be off. The wedding will start soon and if I'm correct you all still have a drill to finish." Celestia said with a smirk before walking down the hall.

"I don't know what she's talking about. The drill is already over." Bubbles said with a sly smile as the three teams surrounded me. Bubbles put up a pink magic bubble around me.

"Well it wasn't the plan but this works too." Flash said as he, Bubbles, and Bolt walked up to the bubble.

"Oh no you caught me whatever shall I do now." I said dramatically before I tried to pop the bubble but when I poked it, it stretched out like a balloon.

"It's not your average barrier bubble. I can make bubbles like gum but way stronger." Bubbles said with a proud smile.

"Alright you win. Let's get back to Shining Armor and i'll get lunch goin." I said before the bubble popped which woke up Rosy. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around before looking up at me.

"Hello." I said with a smile before her eyes went wide.

"AHHHH PLEASE DON'T EAT ME." Rosy screamed before pushing herself from my arms and fluttered behind Flash.

"I'm not going to eat you. Do you remember the fluffy fox you chased earlier." I asked as I kneeled down. She started to look around in a panic.

"OH NO FLUFFY where did it go." Rosy said as tears came to her eyes.

"It's ok, it's right here, see." I said holding out the stuffed fox. She looked at the fox before slowly inching out from behind Flash. As soon as she was in grabbing range she quickly took the fox and hid again.

"Don't worry Rosy he may look big and scary but I promise he's really nice." Bolt said with a smile.

"Wow thanks Bolt I thought you hated me." I said with surprise. After all the things we talked about earlier I really thought he didn't like me.

"Sorry I can get a little cranky without my morning coffee. Shining Armor woke us up pretty early this morning." Bolt said with a sheepish smile while rubbing the back of his head. Rosy was peeking out of her spot watching me with caution.

"I know how that goes my mom was the same way." I said with a snicker as I remember my mom walking into the kitchen with a bedhead going straight for the coffee pot.

"Um who are you mister?" Rosy asked, looking at my ears with curiosity.

"I'm Fox Lilly. I was the fluffy fox you chased. See watch(POOF) now I'm fluffy agai-." I said before I was tackled by the filly.

"Fluffy." Rosy said as she gave me a bear hug.

"Aw that's too cute." Bubbles said with a warm smile.

"So fluffy." Rosy said as she nuzzled my head.

"I get that a lot haha. Anyway how are you feeling Rosy does anything hurt?" I asked before she let go and shook her head.

"Good, I was worried after you tumbled down the stairs." I said before I heard a stomach growl.

"I'm hungry. Huh oh no where's miss Smiles." Rosy asked as she looked around and when she couldn't find her she started to cry. I changed back to normal before I bent down to pet her head.

"Don't worry Rosy I already talked to her and she said you can spend the rest of the day here with me if you want to. I'm just about to make some lunch for my friends here and after is the wedding for princess Cadence. Would you like to meet her?" I asked, getting a vigorous nod from the filly before her stomach growled again.

"You're in luck, Rosy, a friend of mine in the night guard said he's a really good cook." Bubbles said with a warm smile and a little drool.

"Bubbles your drooling again." Flash said with a smirk.

"Oh hush you know how I get with good food." Bubbles said with a slight blush before wiping the drool away.

"Hahaha well I guess we should head back to Shining Armor." I said before looking down at Rosy who was looking up at me with starry eyes.

"You're really tall." Rosy said before I scooped her up and placed her on my shoulders.

"Now you're just as tall." I said getting a laugh from the filly before we all headed for the courtyard. It didn't take us long to meet up with Shining Armor and was surprised to see Cadence out with him.

"Took ya long enough." Shining said as he passed the tablet over to me.

"What's that thing Fox." Flash asked looking at the black screen.

"Oh this is a surveillance monitoring system. You see this little fly here?" I asked as I held out my finger for one of the flies to land on.

"This is not a normal fly, it's a camera. This device was set to follow each of you and watch what you do and they're magically connected to this table and can show what the fly sees. And don't worry the only ones to see what was happening was Shining and Princess Celestia." I said as I showed them the tablet and waved to a fly.

"I got to say Fox I would love to set this up around the castle." Shining said as he inspected one of the fly before it disappeared.

"I'll see if I can put in a more permanent set up. Now who's hungry. Would you like to join us Cadence?" I asked as I rolled up my sleeves.

"I would love to. Twilight told me not to pass up anything made by you and who's this little cutie you have with you?" Cadence asked before Rosy tried to hide behind my head making me chuckle. I reached up and took the little filly from my head and placed her down at my feet.

"This is Rosy. Rosy this is Princess Cadence." I said before Rosy quickly hid behind my legs.

"It's alright little Rosy, she's a very nice pony." I said as I kneeled down to pet her head.

"It's very nice to meet you Rosy." Cadence said with a warm smile before slowly peeked out from behind me.

"You're pretty." Rosy said with a blush before ducking back behind me getting a chuckle from me and Cadence.

"Thank you. You're pretty too. I heard what happened with Blueblood earlier on Fox, I'm sorry." Cadence said with a small head bow.

"There's nothing you need to apologize for Cadence. Now how about I get lunch started. I'll set up right over here." I said before moving over to set out my cooking stuff.

"Wait don't we need to go to the dining hall." Bolt asked with a raised brow.

"Nope I can do it right here. Hey Rosy, want to see something cool." I asked the filly and with a vigorous nod from her I set my magic to work. I pulled my outdoor cooking set from my house. First I set out the table, burner and wok along with my cutting board. After that was done I was met with a lot of wide eyes.

"Alright all set to get cooking." I said with my hands on my hips.

"Wow how did you do that Mr. Foxy." Rosy asked with wide sparkling eyes.

"Magic. I teleported all this from my house near ponyville. Now that I'm all set up time to cook. Um, remind me later to talk to the head chef here. I kinda took some veggies from the kitchen fridge." I said before pulling out the veggies.

"What are you making Fox." Cadence asked as she and the others sat in front of the table.

"Just a simple stir-fry." I said as I pulled out my good knife.

"What's Stir-fry?" Rosy asked while fluttering her wing to try to see what was happening.

"Haha hold on Rosy." I said before I pulled a kitchen chair from my house for her to sit on. I picked her up and placed her on it.

"There you go and a stir-fry is a quick way to make a lot in a short amount of time. See this pan it's called a wok. It can get very hot and its used for a lot of different foods. Hehe it's also a bit of a show to cook with it. Just sit back and watch, it won't take long. Hmm need some music. Got it." I said after I showed them the pot. I used my magic to make a display appear with a list of songs that was on my phone's playlist and after I picked the song all I had to do was start it.

(Play wild side by Gavin Luke).

"Alright ready for some good food." I said before I tapped my heart mark to start the music. The heart began to flash and pulse with the music. I took my knife and spun it around with my fingers before quickly cutting the veggies. First up was garlic and onion. Then I added some oil to the wok to heat up. The whole time I was cooking to the beat of the song. I put the garlic and onions in the pan and cut up the rest of the veggies. Carrots, green and red bell peppers, Broccoli, snow peas, and some zucchini once that was done the wok and oil was ready for the veggies.

"Alright, time for the cookin." I said pulling out a large spatula and put in the veggies. I turned up the heat and began to mix the veggies by shaking the pan back and forth making the veggies slide up the back of the pan and fall back in the center. I let that sit for a little bit as I pulled out some bowls and some cooked rice. I added the rice to the bottom of the bowls and then went back to the to add some sauce. With a quick stir I added some Sweet Soy sauce, a little bit of marin and hossen sauce. Once that was stirred it I quickly cut up some green onions and added them to the wok along with some sesame seed. With one final stir it was done and I put some on top of the rice.

"And done. Quick and easy lunch." I said as I passed out the food with my magic. I looked at Rosy who was looking at the bowl with sparkly eyes.

"Wow Fox this looks amazing." Bubbles said as she inspected the food.

"Well eat up yall." I said as everypony took a big bite and soon the only noise heard was a round of Mmmm.

"I take it that it's pretty good." I said as I began to make two more bowls.

"Good is an understatement, this is fantastic." Shining Armor said before taking another bite.

"Really Fox you can probably start your own restaurant. I know I would eat there any day of the week." Cadence said as she happily ate.

"Can I have some more please?" Rosy asked with rice on her mussel.

"hahaha of course you can." I said before filling her bowl back up. I looked up and noticed something on a nearby cloud.

"Hey Rosy watch this. I'm going to make this bowl disappear without magic." I said before holding the bowl above my head.

"And how are you going to do that?" Bolt asked with a skeptical look.

"Like this." I said before whistling loudly and a brief moment later there was a flash of Rainbow and the bowl was gone.

"Wow where'd it go." Rosy said as she looked up to the sky.

"Look beside you." I said while pointing at the rainbow pegasus.

"So good." Rainbow said as she scooped up a big bite.

"Hey its that Rainbow pony who helped you out earlier." Flash said pointing a hoof at the pegasus.

" Yep this is Rainbow Dash." I said as I teleported my bag so I can give Twink a bowl.

"Fastest Flyer in Equestria and future Wonderbolt." Rainbow boasted before taking another bit.

"Um what's a wonderbolt?" I asked before I sent my cooking stuff home and grabbed my bowl.

"How do you not know what a wonderbolt is." Rainbow asked with surprise.

"Not from here dash." I said as I sat next to Rosy.

"Oh right I forgot. Well the wonderbolts are stunt flyers and also part of the guard." Rainbow said as she finished off her bowl.

"Wow your going to be a wonderbolt?" Rosy asked with wide eyes.

"That's right. I've been practicing a lot. Well anyways thanks for lunch Fox it was awesome. See ya later." Rainbow said before setting her bowl down and taking off to the air.

"Thanks for lunch and helping with that drill but me and Cadence need to go get ready for the wedding." Shining Armor said before adding their bowl with Rainbows.

"We have to head out to our patrols start soon." Flash said as they finished their food.

"Alright have a good day you guys and if you're ever up to it I'm always up for another run." I said with a hearty laugh before Cadence walked up.

"Will this little filly be at the wedding too." Cadence said using a wing to pat Rosy's head.

"Well I don't know." I said before Rosy looked at me with puppy dog eyes.

"No not the face anything but that. It's too cute." I said before I scooped up the filly for a hug getting a giggle from her and Cadence.

"Well see you there then. Bye Rosy." Cadence said before she left with Shining Armor leaving just me and Rosy.

"Let me just clean up a bit and we can go. I don't know about you but I could use a nap." I said before I picked up Rosy and sent the rest of the stuff back to my house.

"But I'm not tired (yawn)." She said with droopy eyes and holding her plushie under her wing. I looked around and found a small cloud. I've seen Rainbow and other pegasus sitting on them and I want to see if I can too.

"Hmmm lets see if I can get that cloud down here." I said as I held out my hand and was able to grab the cloud with my magic and brought it down to me. I put Rosy on the cloud and put my hand on it.

"It looks like I can get on it. Well here I go." I said before I turned around and sat down and didn't fall through.

"This world keeps surprising me. It's so soft and warm." I said as I laid back and relaxed.

"Can… Can I sleep with you?" Rasy asked while looking down and nudged the cloud with a hoof. I didn't say a word. I just picked her up and placed her next to my chest and wrapped my arm around her.

"You don't have to ask Rosy (yawn)." I said before she curled up and fell asleep. I could help but smile and relax

Dancing and a fillies happiness

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Meals on wheels and the Crystal Empire part 1

Author's Note

Hi guys thanks for the awesome comments the next few chapters are a 3 parter so ill try to get them done quicker then most other chapter and jus a heads up this is not about the main six here. Hope it turns out well. Anyway let me know what you think. This chapter isvfixed and edited :pinkiehappy:

Meals on wheels and the Crystal Empire part 1

Chapter8: Meals on wheels and the Crystal Empire part-1.

Last night was peaceful and I slept like a rock along with Rosy and she found a comfy spot on my face. After we woke up we started our morning hygiene care before heading to the kitchen for breakfast. Today was going to be a good day Because I had a plan and it involves the tree blocking my back yard door. So after breakfast me and Rosy set out to hopefully get a helping hoof and now we are back at the house looking at a five story tall tree.

“So what do you think, Applejack can we bring it down without hitting the house?” I asked looking up the tree.

“No sweat partner I can lasso the top and pull it my way when you cut it.” Applejack said before she pulled a rope from nowhere.
“Awesome thanks for the help AJ. I already checked to see if any critters were up there and relocated them to another tree so we’re all set to bring it down.” I said with a smile before I set Rosy down.

“Um dad why are you cutting the tree down?” Rosy asked, tilting her head. My heart almost stopped from cuteness overload. She’s been calling me dad all morning and I loved it.
“well darlin this tree is blocking the back door and so we need to cut it down. Plus I have a plan for this wood.

“Well with this everfree oak whatever ya build would be mighty strong.” Applejack said as she tapped her hoof on the tree.

“Well then let's get this tree down so I can get to work cutting it up. Rosy, can you stand over there? I don’t want anything to fall on you.” I said with a wide smile before AJ threw her rope and lassoed a thick branch near the top.

“Alright it's ready to come down.” AJ said after she tested her hold on the tree.

“Ok let's see how this works.” I said before I used my magic to create a super thin and strong round saw blade of magic energy and began to spin it rapidly. Once it was ready I started to cut through the truck while AJ pulled.

“TIMBER!” I yelled as the tree began to fall and AJ quickly jumped out of the way. The tree fell hard and smashed some thick brush when it landed with a loud thud.

“Haha Alright now for me to get to work. You want to stick around A? I'll make you and Rosy some ice tea and snacks.

“Yay snacks!” Rosy said as she fluttered up to my head. I laughed as Rosy nuzzled the top of my head with her cheek.

“Sure I already took care of my mornin chores and it's Sunday so I don’t have to work the stand.” AJ said as she put her rope away.

“Hi Fox.” Said a voice next to me that made me jump.

“AHHH! (POOF) OOF DANG IT WHY DOES THAT KEEP HAPPENING! Morning Twilight you too Spike.” I said as I pulled my small form from under a laughing filly. Applejack got a good chuckle in too.

“Hehe sorry.” Twilight said as she rubbed the back of her head with her hoof before Spike hopped off her back.

“What's with the tree?” Spike asked as he looked at the tree.

“Well for one it was blocking my back door and second I’m goin to make something with the wood. You guys want to watch I’ll make y’all some tea?” I said before I turned normal. Well my new normal and went in the kitchen to get tea and some of my favorite rice crackers which was my last bag.

“Man I’m goin to have to look into some bigger markets. It sucks that the only thing from my world that came here was my house I could really use the garden and my greenhouse let alone my good workshop (sigh) oh well still got my home.” I talked to myself as I placed a pitcher of iced tea, glasses, and the snacks on a tray and went back outside.

“Here you go, some ice tea and rice crackers. Now Twilight I hope you have plenty of paper because last light I did some studying with Twink and I think I’ve got somewhat of a handle on my magic.” I said as I began to stretch.

“Really what did you find out.” Twilight said with excitement as she got some paper and a quill ready and passed some over to Spike.

“Here we go again.” Spike said before taking a bite of a cracker.

“AJ did you bring the stuff I asked for?” I asked while looking at the tree.

“Sure did. Got a big box of nails, different colors of paint and a few brushes. Just got to ask what are you makin.” Applejack said as she put the box of stuff down.

“I’ve had a dream ever since I learned to cook.” I said as I closed my eyes and focused on my magic.

“Back in my world we had many forms of entertainment. Of course we had books, plays, and radio like here but we had something known as television, moving pictures aka movies, and the internet.” I said as I slowly encased the tree in my magic and with some effort I picked it up getting some awes from my guests.

“Um dad what's the in-ter-net thingy?” Rosy asked as she nibbled a cracker.

“Hmm think of it as a library that everyone in the world has access to and able to share there knowledge with the world too. It can be anything they want like videos and someones fan fiction story.” I said while I made a super sharp ring of energy around the base on the tree and sent it to the tip cutting off the branches before moving them into a pile at the side.

“Can I see it please.” Twilight asked with big puppy eyes.

“Unfortunately it does work here. Back home in my spare time I would either work on projects, my cooking or watch something called youtube. Youtube was like a video library where you can watch various things from informational documentaries to cat videos.” I said as I stripped the bark into a pile by the branches and began cutting the wood into board but left 4 round discs from the truck base.

“One of my favorite things to watch was food from other cultures and countries mainly street foods.” I began to cut and place the boards using the nails to hold them together. I took 2 large straight branches from the pile and cut them into thick poles.

“And that’s when my dream idea came to me. The idea was always in my head but I never acted on it and I almost gave up on it before I came here but after a couple of ponies told me I should think about a restaurant after trying my cooking I felt I should finally make my dream a reality.” I picked up the round discs and cut out four wheeler and began putting everything together.

“And that dream is this. Introducing The Foxes Fair.” I said as I stood proudly next to my new large mobile kitchen-food cart. It was 8 foot wide, 12 foot long and 10 foot tall with plenty of space inside to fit anything I need into it along with a large service window and bar. I also put a bench up front to sit in.

“Whoa that’s so cool.” Spike said with stars in his eyes next to a surprised Twilight.

“I need more paper.” Twilight said as she finished her stack of notes.

“So ya plan to cook for ponyville?” Applejack said as she inspected the cart.

“Not just ponyville I want to travel around a bit but that plan is still in the works. I just recently got to this world and don’t really know anything about it but it won't be too long plus I figured out a few more spells I can use.” I said with a big wide smile. I could see the excitement in Twilight's eyes as she got 2 more stacks of paper.

“First a light wait enchantment, then a durability enchantment, and a magic mobility enchantment.” I said as I made three balls of magic with the enchantments and threw them at the cart. Their light surrounded the cart before it faded, with the enchantments set I walked to the back where there are two door.

“Now for something a little more complicated. There’s two door on here one leads inside my cart and the other will lead to my house.” I said as I placed my hand on the door. I focused my magic on the door and pictured it connecting to my back door. Once it connected I opened it and walked to my house kitchen then shut the door and opened it again to walk outside through the house door.

“Wha…you just made a temporal door. Do you know how difficult that is, Princess Celestia showed me that spell and she was drained after using it.” Twilight said as her quill wrote super fast. I was afraid it was going to catch on fire.

“Yeah it does take a lot of magic to work but once the doors are connected the only way to break the connection would be to destroy the main door here on the cart. Now wherever I go I can always come back here anytime.” I said as I sat down next to the girls and Spike.

“Dads awesome (crunch).” Rosy said before she took a bite out of a cucumber.

“Um Rosy, where did you get that cucumber from? I know I didn’t pick up any from the market.” I asked as Rosy took another bite.

“The garden.” Rosy said as she pointed here hoof at some bushes that the tree fell on. I got up to take a look and what I found was my garden full of veggies and berries along with my green house and shop.

“Hahaha YES they did come with the house. I thought I was going to have to make new ones.” I said happily as I looked over everything.

“That’s a mighty fine garden. The plants and produce looks healthy too. But that there green house looks really overgrown. What you got in there sugarcube?” Applejack said while looking up at the green house. The roof was broken by some small fruit trees and a lot of branches broke through the sides.

“That was my fruit garden but they were not that big and were still in pots to be planted but I guess I don’t need to plant them now. I blame magic.” I said before Spike started to act like he was going to throw up but instead he burped up a green flame that turned into a scroll.

“That can't be good for your stomach. You shouldn’t eat paper.” I said as Spike picked up the scroll.

“It’s a letter from the princess. Spike can send letters between me and Celestia with his dragon fire. Let's see here. Dear my faithful student I need you to come to Canterlot as soon as possible.” Twilight read before she quickly wrote a reply and had Spike send it.

“Well we have to get going so we don’t miss the train. I’ll come by when I get back. Bye Fox and you too Rosy.” Twilight said before her, Spike, and a large stack of papers disappeared in a flash.

“I better get back to the farm. Let me know if y'all need any apples.” Applejack said before heading back to ponyville leaving me and Rosy.

“Um dad can I help with the cart?” Rosy asked looking up at me with big puppy eyes.
“Ok just put that look away it's dangerous.” I said with a smile and picked her up for a hug.

“Yay so what can I do daddy.” She said before I set her on my shoulders.

“You cute daughter of mine will help me decide what to cook. It could be anything because this food cart won't have a set menu only chef specials. So lets start out with the main ingredient what would be good to cook darlin.” I said as I scratched her ear.

“Um…Fruits.” She said after looking around at my large fruit trees. I was planning to expand my green house if mom would have let me. I had a lot of different fruit seeds on a shelf in the greenhouse I was going to plant but by the way it looks I don’t think I have to plant them. Now I literally have a forest of fruit trees. I think the magic of the everfree made them grow quickly and large.

“Alright fruit it is. Now what is going to be the theme.” I said as I pulled out my bag and began collecting fruits.

“Can it be cute things.” Rosy said while I stuffed a large green Spike fruit in my bag.
“I can do cute. I already have the perfect thing to cook now let get to ponyville and set up shop.” I said with a wide smile before we loaded up the cart with supplies and made our way to town. I’m so glad I looked into enchantments it would have been a pain if I had to pull this thing. Even with the light wait enchantment it still would be heavy but with a movement enchantment all I had to do is put magic into the enchantments and role away. It didn’t take us very long to get to town and had changed to my big fox so the ponys won't feel scared of me. I slowed down when I saw Mayor Mare walk out of town hall and I pulled up next to her.

“Good morning miss mayor.” I said with a warm smile.

“Oh good morning Sir Fox what brings you into town today?” the mayor asked with a smile of her own.

“Well I was hoping to set up a food stand in town. It won't be a permanent setup since I plan to do a bit of traveling later but I wanted to see if I needed any permits or regulations before I set it up.” I said before Rosy hopped into the front seat while eating a banana.

“Hmm since you said it won't be a permanent setup all you would need is to register it as yours. And who is this little filly you have with you?” the mayor asked as she waved at Rosy.

“This is Rosy, my daughter. Is there a good open stop to set up shop?” I asked while looking around.

“Well now it's nice to meet you Rosy I’m Mayor Mare the Mayor of ponyville and as for a place to set up there should be plenty of space by the Golden Oak Library. May a ask what you’ll be making.” She asked while looking over the cart.

“Well this is the mobile kitchen The Foxes Fair. It’s a theme base food cart with no set menu. It changes every time I set it up and the theme for today is cute fruits. Stop by and I’ll make you something delicious.” I said with a proud smile.

“I got to pick the theme.” Rosy said with a wide smile.

“Well then I’ll definitely have to stop by. Just come by later to fill out the paper Sir Fox and good luck.” The mayor said before she left with a wave. We made our way to the town library to set up the cart and as soon as it was done I had my first customer.

“Hi Foxy.” Pinkie said when she popped up in the window.

“Hey there Pinkie and welcome to the Foxes Fair. Today we will make cute fruit snacks and treats. On the menu today we have crepes and special mochi. The fruits for today are mangos, bananas, jackfruit, apples, tangelos, and custard apples. We also have a wild berry mix, strawberries, black berry, blue currants, cherry, and raspberry. I got a list of add on for the crapes here take a look.” I could see the drool running down her jaw as she looked over the crape list.

“I’ll take a banana crepe with chocolate, peanuts, whip cream, and peanut butter. I just have one question. What's a crape?” pinkie asked with a very big smile while I started on her order.

“Yeah dad what she said.” Rosy said while she watched me cook.

“Well the best way to put it, its like a really thin pancake you can fold over your topping so you can eat and walk around. It doesn't take that long to make and you can stuff it with anything. The first thing you gotta do is poor and spread your batter.” I said as I cooked.

“Then once it's cooked you can move it over to where your topping is. First spread a thin layer of peanut butter, then slice up your banana and lay them on the peanut butter, next we put some whip cream on both sides of the banana, drizzle it with chocolate, lastly sprinkle it with peanuts and then fold the sides of the crape over the filling and now its done.” I handed it over to Pinkie who was staring at it with big sparkling eyes along with Rosy. Pinkie wasted no time and took a big bite and with satisfying mmmm she ate the rest in one bite.

“That was super dooper tasty. I’ll take 5 more.” Pinkie said before I started on her order. It wasn't long before I had a line going. Rosy got to help me take the orders and pass the finished orders out.

(Knock knock)

“Rosy do you mind seeing whos at the door?” I said as I finished a few more crepes.

“K…hi miss Twilight.” Rosy said before letting Twilight in. Some of the pony saw her walk in and It looked like they were confused some of the pony looked at her then the back of the cart and back to her.

“Hey there Twi I thought you were in Canterlot. Her have a chocolate berry Twist crape.” I said giving her the crape.

“Thank you fox and I was in Canterlot. Mmmm that’s great Fox. I was coming to get you and the girl for a mission, the princess wants us to go help Shining Armor and Cadence at the Crystal Empire.” Twilight said before wiping away some whipped cream and berry juice.

“Wait what's the crystal empire.” Rainbow asked after she finished a mango cream crepe.

“I’ll explain on the way. Rainbow can you go tell the others to meet at the train station? I’ll be there momentarily. I have to stop by the library and pick up Spike.” Twilight said as Rainbow Dash took off.

“Um Twi are you at my house right now?” I asked with a raised brow. Didn’t I cover how my cart works to her.

“Yeah I came here after I got off the train. Why do you ask?” she said tilting her head while Rosy giggled.

“Twilight do me a favor. Walk in here, shut the door, wait a second then open it again. Trust me it's worth it.” I said with a bit of chuckles at the end.

“Um ok.” She walked in shut the door and opened it to find her house/library right outside.

“Well that makes things easier.” Spike said as Twilight's face hoofed herself.

“I forgot your cart could do that.” Twilight said with a sigh.

“Oh hey Spike Rarity stopped by with a basket of gems and she said that dragons love to eat them and she gave me a few sapphires and I was able to crush some and make the sapphire and cream crape for you.” I said passing him over the crape.

“Wow this looks amazing thanks Fox.” he said as he took a big bite and quickly finished it off.

“(burp) That was amazing Fox thank you.” He said with a happy smile.

“No prob bud. Twilight just let us close up shop and I meet you gals there.” I said as I began to clean up.

“Awwww” said the mass of ponies in line.
“Hahaha don’t worry everypony I’ll be back but with a different menu.” I said as the ponies continued with their day. After me a Rosy cleaned up we were now in front of the cart.

“Alright Rosy time for some magic.” I said as I stretched my back and sat down.

“What are you going to do dad.” She asked while looking at the cart.

“Well I don’t want to leave it here and let the fruit spoil so I’m taking it with us.” I said as me eyes began to glow and a layer of magic formed around the cart then it shrunk to the size of a bitcoin. I slipped a string on it and tied it to my bag.

“Whoa! It's tiny now.” Rosy said while poking it.

“Yep now let's get to the station and meet with the others.” I said before Rosy hopped up on my back and we made our way to the station and after a little wait we were all on our way to the crystal empire.

The Crystal Empire part 2 of 3

PART: 2: Unexpected side trip.

“Ok so let me get this straight.” I said as I looked at my magic display. We’ve all been on the train for some time and we were getting closer. You can already see snow falling outside the window.

“A thousand years ago Celestia and Luna fought against this King Sombra, an evil dark magic dictator unicorn. Before he was defeated and sealed in the ice he cursed the Crystal Empire to disappear until his return. Now it's back and aunt Tia wants us to help Cadence and Shining Armor to protect the Empire. That sound about right?” I asked while I did a bit of research in the library archives.

“Pretty much. King Sambra used his dark magic to control the ponies of the Empire. If we don’t stop him all the Crystal ponies will suffer.” Twilight said as she looked at my display. With the sound of the train whistle we made it to the train station for the Empire. As we pulled in I could see what looked like shining armor with a scarf and thin slit goggles.

“ Ha! And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves.” Rarity said as she tightened her scarf while Spike was holding all her bags.

“[grunts] I didn't say a word. Whoa! Hey! C'mere... “ Spike said before he chased after a scarf caught in the wind.

“Twilight!” Shining said as he ran up to hug Twilight

“Shining Armor?” Twilight said when she released the hug.

“ Twily! You made it! We'd better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark.” Shining said as we all made our way off the train platform. The weather seemed to be getting worse and it made things hard to see.

“ [gulp] What kind of things?” Fluttershy shakingly asked.

“ Let's just say the Empire... isn't the only thing that's returned.” Shining said as he led the way. We’ve been walking for a little while and I could just barely see a dim blue light ahead.

“Something keeps trying to get in! We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place.” Shining said as we pushed through the storm. Rosy poked my cheek and as I turned to look behind us I saw a massive black cloud quickly closing in.

“Um girls.” I said as I poked Twilight to get her to look.

“But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire! If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected.” Twilight said, completely ignoring me.

“Girls somethings coming.” I said before a loud howl came from the cloud making everypony turn around.

“[gasp] Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?” Fluttershy said, pointing a shaky hoof.

“RUN!” I yelled before we all took off running with the cloud right behind us.

“Guh. We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!” Shining said as a pair of green and red eye with what looked like a purple haze formed in the cloud.

“ Almost there.” Shining yield before he turned to face the cloud and charged his horn as the girls reached a light blue barrier. Before shining had a chance to charge his spell the black cloud hit his horn causing black crystals to grow and blocked his magic.

“Shining hold on.” I yelled as I rushed to Shining before the smoke could get him and picked him up and after a quick (sorry) I threw him into the barrier as the cloud came down on me. I was able to quickly put up my own barrier and the cloud smashed into it before quickly surrounded me.

“[Growl] Nova.” Said a distorted voice in the cloud before slamming into the ground caused it to crack. I watched as the cracks quickly spread before I fell as the ground gave way. The last thing I heard was an evil cackle and a scream from Rosy before I quickly grabbed her and held her as we fell and with a loud thud we hit bottom and everything went black.
.
.
.
“Dad, dad wake up.” Rosy said while shaking me.

“Ugh that hurt.” I said as I slowly sat up and found a teary eyed filly looking at me.

“Dad are you alright?” She asked as she gave me a hug.

“I’ll be alright just a little bit sore. I’m sorry Rosy I kinda jumped in to help with you still with me now you're stuck down here with me.” I said as I tightened the hug.

“ It's ok dad I’m alright.” She said as she looked up at me with a big smile.
“Still I shouldn’t put you in danger like that.” I said as I stood up and put her on my shoulders.

“Now where are we.” I said as I looked around. What I saw was nothing but a tall tree.

“Wow those trees are huge.” Rosy said while she looked around.

“It looks like some kind of Subterranean forest.” I said as I placed my hand on one of the trees.

“What does that mean.” She asked before I pulled my ear piece from my bag and put it on.
“It means that this forest is underground and by the way it looks, it looks like its been here for ages. It almost looks like the everfree. Hey Twink you there.” I asked as I looked up at the ice above us.

“Yes, how can I help Fox?” Twink asked as I put up my display.

“Can you look for any information on an underground Forest at the edge of the Crystal Empire? I looked at the information about Sombra and the Empire.” I said as I started to walk around.

“Hmm there's appears to be no information on this. Its that’s the case then this place was undiscovered or undocumented.” Twink said before I looked up one of the trees.

“Well that’s not good. We need to get out and back to the girls. Hold on Rosy I’m about to climb up to the tree tops to get a good look around.” I said as I jumped from branch to branch until I reached top.

“Alright let's see what we got to work with.” I said while I looked around. This place is big enough to fit all of ponyville into it with sweet apple acres. Light was shining through the icy ceiling onto the tree tops.

“Hey dad there's a super big tree over there.” Rosy said, pointing out the massive tree in the center of the forest.

“ Hmm I think that’s the forest’s center but I’m still wondering how this place is here.” I said as I continued to look around and I noticed what looked like white smoke coming from places though the forest.

“let go check out that smoke. This forest may have people living here.” I said before I jumped to the ground.

“Are we going to where that smoke was?” Rosy asked as she laid her head on top of mine.

“Yeah but somethings bugging me.” I said as I made my way through the forest brush.

“What do you mean.” Rosy asked as I began to sweat a bit.

“It's this foret. It shouldn’t exist in a place like this, it should be too cold for plants to grow and the humidity in here is really high too.” I said as I typed up some notes while I looked around. The trees and plants around here all looked ancient.

“Look dad I can see light up ahead.” Rosy said before I walked into the clearing.

“Well that might explain the humidity.” I said as I walked to the edge of a bubbling pool of water.

“Whoa what's that dad.” Rosy said while looking at the boiling pool.

“It looks like a hot spring. Hold on a second, Twink do you remember how I mapped out the cave system under Canterlot? I’m goin to use that trick to see if my theory is right or not by mapping the density of the ground under us. Can you help analyze the data?” I asked before I used my magic to send vibrations deep into the ground.

“I’m sending the data to your 3d display now.” Twink said as I held my hand out before the display showed what was under us. It was much more simple than the caves of Canterlot.

“That’s so cool. But what is it.” Rosy asked before poking the display.

“This my dear daughter is a density map of the ground beneath us. The dark places are solid ground or rock and the lighter spots are less dense. Look see all these lighter paths running down to that big spot.” I said while pointing out the places on the map.

“Yeah.” She said looking over the display.

“That's all water. It looks like they run all over the forest from an underground lake and look at the darker spot under the lake. If that is what I think it is we may have just feel into a thermal hot spot.” I said while I typed out notes.

“Ok I don’t know what that is.” Rosy said bluntly.

“A Thermal hot spot is any place that is heated up by an underground heat source. In this case this place is being heated by a small magma chamber deep under that lake and pushes the hot water up to the surface as a hot springs or geyser. The heat and humidity is what's keeping out the cold.” I said before closing the display.

“Let's head to that big tree in the forest center. We’ll look around on how I want to collect some data on the plants and wildlife of this place and add it to the archives. Then we really need to get back to the surface. But first we need the right gear for the job.” I said as I used my magic to make us some tan exploration outfits complete with pith helmets.

“Awesome lets go.” Rosy said with excitement as we set off for the center of the forest. Along the way I collected many different plants and flowers and saw various different animal. We even saved a very tiny and hairy orange monkey from a hungry snake and now I have a filly on hugging my head and a monkey hugging my arm. We eventually made it to the center tree.

“That’s a big tree.” Rosy said as we looked up at its branches.

“Yeah it is. This forest must have been around for centuries, given how lush and big it is. I’m surprise no pony has found it yet.” I said as I placed my hand on the tree and it felt magic running through it and spread through the forest.

“This tree is magic. I don’t know how to explain it but I can feel it pulsing throughout the forest like a heartbeat.” I said as I closed my eyes and used my magic to scan the tree and I was right.

“This is the core of the forest. This tree's roots connect to all the other trees like one big organism.” I said before adding it to my notes.

“You're quite right. This tree is the life of this forest.” Said a voice as part of the tree started to ripple like water and something came out. It looked almost human and a woman by the shape of it. She had long vine-like hair with different colored flowers. Her skin was a light brown and had thin vines and leaves covered most of her body and deep green eyes.

“Oh she’s pretty.” Rosy said in wonder.

“Thank you little one. Now what brings a little filly and a mystic fox to my home.” She asked as she sat down on an exposed root.

“I’m very sorry if we disturbed you. We feel when a part of the ice above us cracks open. My name is Fox Lilly and this is Rosy and a monkey we rescued.” I said after a short bow.

“Her name is Tammy.” Rosy said proudly while hugging the tiny monkey who enjoyed it with a big smile.

“You may call me Matsimela or Mela. I am the guardian of this forest. It’s been ages since last saw a Mystic Fox and the Guardian of the library.” She said with a sly smile as she leaned forwards with her chin resting in her hand.

“How did you know that I have the library.” I said with a raised brow.

“One of your kind came here many years ago and you now hold her bag at your side. Tell me how did you come by that and please don’t lie, it would not end well for you.” She said as she glared coldly with eyes glowing a deep green sending a chill down my spine.

“It belonged to my mother, Nova Lilly. She left it to me.” I said sadly as I held my hand on top of my locket.

“Mother you say, what proof do you have of this claim.” She said with more interest. I took off my locket and showed her the picture inside.

“This picture was taken a year after I was born.” I said as I took Rosy off my shoulders and sat on the ground and Rosy in my lap while Tammy hopped on top of my head.

“That definitely is Nova. It's been 25 years since I last saw her. If you have the library now she must passed on.” She said with a tear falling off her cheek.

“Yeah.” I said sadly before Rosy hugged my stomach.

“What happened to her.” She said as she handed me my locket.

“Do you want the long or short version?” I said as I leaned back on a root.

“Let's do the short for now, I have a feeling your needed elsewhere.” She said relaxing back a bit and I took a deep breath.

“A little over 18 years ago mom escape to another world from a power hungry bad guy, I came to be sometime later, it was just me and mom living by ourselves for 18 year until just over a week ago I was enjoying our birthday dinner, went to bed, woke up in this world with ears and a fluffy tail, mom was gone, went out looking for her, found the library where I met Twink, and moms last message to me.” I said all in one breath.

“Yeah you're definitely going to have to do the long story next time.” She said with a warm smile.

“Yeah I want to hear it too dad.” Rosy said with an adorable smile.

“I can do that.” I said before I stood up and put Rosy on my head and stretched a bit.

“Fox before you go, and I don’t mean to be rude but what is that pungent odor I smell coming from that box on your bag? The smell seems familiar.” She said with happy intrigue.

“believe it or not but that smell is coming from a fruit I have. Mom made me plant a tree for her. I really don’t see how anyone can eat something that smells like gym socks and onions.” I said before her eyes started to sparkle.

“It would happen to be big yellow and spiky would it.” She said happily.

“Yeah it's called a Dorian.” I said with a raised brow.

“YAY (POOF)” She said before changing into a tiny cute version.

“AHH (POOF) DAMN IT.” I said as mini Fox.

“HAHAHAHAHA.” Laughed Rosy and Tammy on their backs.

“Sorry if I startled you hehe I get this way sometimes when I get over excited.” She said with a smile and blush.

“It's alright this keeps happening to me too but anyway would you like the Dorian I have.” I said before changing back.

“I would love to have it.” She said with a little bit of drool making me chuckle.

“Alright hold on let me get it.” I said as I unclipped my cart and made it normal size.

“Magic is a wondrous thing.” She said as I stepped inside and came out with the smelly fruit before I shrunk it and put it back on my bag.

“Yep magic is awesome and here you go one dorian freshly picked this morning.” I said as I passed her the fruit.

“Here take this as payment. Take good care of it and that Tango Marmoset there quite quick, agile and very loving creatures. Now off you go and don’t forget to come back for the long story and maybe some tea as well.” She said as she handed me a small long oval pink egg before walking off into the trees.

“Um dad…how do we get out of here.” Rosy said after I put the egg in my bag and looked up for the hole we fell through.

“Hmm I guess it's time to see if I can use magic to fly. Just give me a second to think about it.” I said before I closed my eyes and focused on my magic. I felt my magic wrap around my body making me lighter then pushed my magic down and began to lift off the ground.

“Holy crap it worked haha. Alright Rosy and Tammy hold on tight it might take me a bit to get used to.” I said before I took to the sky and out of the underground forest and I only hit two trees on the way out.

Crystal Empire part 3: Showdown

Part: 3 Showdown

“HAHAHAHA I’m so going to have to race Rainbow Dash.” I said as I busted through some clouds.

“WEEEE GO DAD GO.” Rosy yelled while I held her and Tammy to my chest so I didn't drop them.

“Look I can see the Empire. It looks like there's a lot goin on.” I said as I closed in on the barrier.

“Dad there's some black things growing right inside that dome thing.” She said as she pointed out black crystals that were getting closer to the town edge.

“Well that’s not good. Lets go check in with Twilight.” I said before diving down and passed the barrier.

“Wow is the whole place made of rocks?” asked as we passed over the buildings.

“It looks like crystals. That must be the castle and is there some kind of fair goin on. Hold on time for the landing. Hope I don’t crash.” I said while I tried to slow down but it wasn’t working.

“Um dad kinda going fast.” Rosy said with a bit of worry.

“Yep hold on I’m doing a superhero landing.” I said as we came down. I turned to land on my feet.

“AHHHH!!!” Rosy screamed as I slammed into the ground.

“Ugh ok not doing that again. It's bad for your knees” I said as the dust settled and I was standing in the middle of a small crater rubbing my knee.

“Yeah please don’t dad.” Rosy said as she fluttered down to the ground with Tammy on her head.

“FOXY.” Said a pink blur before it slammed into me.

“OOF pinkie…can’t…breath.” I tried to say while tapping her legs to let me out of her death hug.

“oh sorry hehe.” Pinkie said before she hopped off me.

“Ok pinkie what happened after I fell and why is there a fair going on.” I said as I picked myself up.

“WellafteryousavedShinningArmorandyoufelllwewantedtogolookforyoubutInewyouwereokandthenwetalkedtoPrincessCadenceandthenwenttotalktothecrystalponiesbuttheyforgotwhathappendthenTwilightfoundabookaboutthecrystalfairtomakethecrystalponieshappyandIgottoplayafluglehornbutwefoundoutthatthefairisonlypartofitnowweneedtofindthecrystalheartthenIranaroundlookingforitandfoundyou.” Pinkie said all in one breath with a smile.

“Um dad did you get any of that?” Rosy said looking at Pinkie with wide eyes.

“Not a word.” I said shaking my head.

“Oh I’ll just tell you again.” Pinkie said before taking a deep breath.

“NO that fine Pinkie. I’ll go see how Cadence is doing.” I said after I stopped Pinkie.

“Okbye.” She said before she took off leaving a dust Pinkie behind.

“Remind me never to give her coffee.” I said to Rosy.

“I don’t like coffee.” Pinkie said as she popped up behind me and ran off.

“She’s weird.” Rosy said while I shook my head and headed to the castle. As I walked through the fair I noticed some of the Crystal ponies were happy and bright but others were dull and sad. A dull lime green pony noticed the tiny orange monkey on my head and her color brightened.

“Oh my gosh it’s a Tango Marmoset. Where did you even find one there supposed to be extinct.” She said before trying to pet Tammy but she quickly hid behind my neck.
“I saved her from a snake earlier today actually.” I said as I reached behind my neck to pet her and she grabbed my finger and I placed her in my hand to pet her.

“She’s adorable. I run a Tangelo farm. I used to see them in the trees when I was a filly. Here's a little cutie for the cutie.” She said as she carefully peeled a Tangelo and put it in my hand with Tammy. Tammy squeaked and dug into the tiny fruit.

“Thank miss…” I said while Tammy munched away.

“Oh I’m sorry my name is Zesty nice to meet you.” Zesty said with a smile.

“I’m Fox Lilly and this adorable filly is Rosy and the Tango is Tammy. Um you don’t happen to have any plantable seed by chance I would really like to get a tree for Tammy.” I asked with a smile while I pet Tammy.

“Actually I do but I can't remember why I do. Oh well here you Mr Lilly one small bag of seed ready to be planted.” She said after Fishing the bag from her orange swirl mane and giving it to me.

“Thank you Zesty. I wish I could talk more but I need to check on some friends of mine.” Inside as I slipped the small bag into my bag to store them.

“It's no problem. It was nice to meet you Mr. Lilly and you too Tammy. Stop by sometimes and I’ll make you some homemade marmalade.” She said after giving Tammy one more Little Cutie orange before walking off to enjoy the fair.

“She’s nice.” Rosy said as we continued to the castle. It was a strange walk to the castle, not because the bright and dull colored ponies but the fact that I’m walking around in my normal form but no one seems to care. The first time I walked through ponyville and Canterlot I got plenty of stares either in wonder of fright but not here it's like they don’t care or it used to be a common thing to see. I’ll have to look into that later. We made it to the castle and found Applejack next to something under a blanket.

“Hey there AJ what a… whatcha doin?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Fox I sure am glad you're ok. You had us worried sick after ya fell through that ice.” Applejack said before she gave me a hug.

“Sorry to make you girls worry but I’m fine. Anyway I got a little bit of what's goin on from Pinkie. So what's this thing?” I said as I lifted the blanket and found a crudely made crystal heart.

“Well Twilight made it look like the real crystal heart before we found out we needed the real one. Now the others are out lookin fer it.” She said before she shooed away a few crystal ponies.

“Any clues as to where it may be?” I asked while looking around. The whole castle was crystal and I was beginning to wonder how this place was built.

“not that I no of but maybe Twilight found something.” She said while readjusted the blanket.

“ Alright I’ll head on up to talk to her. I’ll be back in a bit.” I said before headed up the main stairs. It didn’t take us that long to find Twilight, Cadence, and Shining. By the looks of things Cadence didn’t look so good and the magic around her horn was starting to fade.

“Cadence are you alright.” I said as I quickly ran up to check on her.

“Fox oh thank Celestia your ok. I was so worried.” Twilight said as she quickly hugged me and I could see a tear roll down her cheek.

“It's alright Twi and thanks to that fall I found a very interesting place and found this little girl. Tammy I think Twilight here could use one of your tiny adorable hugs.” I said as the tiny monkey jumped off my head onto Twilight mussel and gave her a gentle hug.

“Aw she so cute, what kind of creature is this and what kind of place did you find?” Twilight said with sparkle eyes.

“We’ll talk about it later Twi right now we have more important things to do. How are you feeling cadence?” I asked as I took my cart from my bag.

“I’ll be alright. I’m just tired from holding up the barri-.” Cadence said as her magic faded along with the barrier.

“CADENCE!” Shining said as he caught her.

“Hold on Cadence just relax for a second.” I said before I shrunk down and went inside the cart.

“Fox this is no time for food. Without Cadence’s barrier Sombra will be coming.” Shining said as he held Cadence.

“It will be alright Shining. I have some special tea that will help her get her strength back and don’t worry about Sombra. I'll hold him off until Twilight can find the heart.” I said in a really squeaky voice making Rosy laugh.

“He’s right Shinny. Twilight I need you to please hurry.” Cadence weakly said as she tried to get up while I came out with a pot of tea and a cup.

“Alright give this about five minutes to steep and here's a fresh fruit salad to go with it. Rosy can you help take care for princess Cadence while I deal with that Sombra guy?” I asked before both her and Tammy gave me a salute.

“Twilight you think you can find the heart?” I asked as I began to stretch.

“Yes I think I have an idea where it might be.” Twilight said while I walked to the balcony.

“Fox the stairs are that way.” Spike said while pointing to the stairs.

“Hehe I know.” I said with a wide smile before I jumped over the guard rail and took off into the sky. Once the barrier fell Sombra wasted no time and began his assault. I could see waves of black crystals spread out towards the city with the black cloud right behind it. I landed in front of the crystals and slipped on my mask. As soon as it was on, a white and red samurai kimono appeared over me. I opened my bag and grabbed the short staff mom left me and smashed some approaching crystals.

(Play BLOOD//WATER BY GRANDSON)

“SOMBRA FACE ME!!!” I yelled as I sent a blast into the cloud.

“Nova.” Sombra said before he formed from the cloud.

“I’m not Nova. I’m her son.” I said as I readied myself for the fight.

“You will die in her stead then.” He said as he charged his magic.

“We’ll see.” I said before he launched a volley of sharp crystal at me. I began to smash and dodge the crystals while I ran at him. As soon as I was close enough I slammed my right staff in the side of his head making him stumble. I quickly kicked him in the chest making him slide back a bit.

“Crystal Rain.” He said as he sent a massive black ball into the sky before it split into tiny shards that shot straight at me.

“Oh shit FORCE BUBBLE!” I yelled as I created a barrier around me making the shards shatter on contact. As soon as the last shard hit I shrunk the barrier and compressed it to the size of a gumball.

“FOX SHOT.” I said as I launched the ball straight at him but he just went to the side and rushed me with a crystal sword in his magic. I was able to perry most of his slashes but one got passed and nicked me in the side before I was able to push him back.

“Dark lance.” He said before he stabbed a sword into the ground then large black crystals shot out of the ground around me. I was able to jump into the air and used one of the crystals to propel myself at him at super speed.

“Sonic impact.” I said as he put up a dark barrier. I slammed into the barrier and the force of the attack made the ground crater beneath him before it broke and I jumped back.

“GRRRR DARK EMPEROR.” He yelled as dark magic formed around him then seeped into his body. His eyes glowed red as his black mane grew, his body started to shift and grow, his teeth sharpened to a point, black crystal blades formed along his front legs and back, his mane and tail waved like black fire and with a load roar the ground split and cracked around him before be lunged at me.

“Not good.” I said as I tried to move out of the way but he was too fast and he bit down on my right shoulder. I screamed in pain before I dropped the staff and tried to pry his jaw off me but he slammed me into the ground. He let go and jumped into the air above me.

“DaRk CrUSh.” He said in a distorted voice as a ball of dark magic formed around him and fell towards me but I was able to roll out of the way as he came crashing down cracking the ground where I was. Shadow began to spread through the ground.

“DaRK laNcE.” He said as massive black crystals shot up from the ground and almost to the castle. I jumped up to one of the crystals to get clear of the crystals but that was a mistake. As soon as I landed on the crystal I was stuck in place by crystals holding my feet in place. I looked to Sombra who was smiling a toothy smile.

“CRYSTAL PRISON.” He said before I was encased in crystal. I was stuck and could move but I could hear him laughing darkly as he approached me.

“HAHAHA nOw WaTCh As I tAke WhAT IS Mine.” He said as he walked past me laughing evilly before a small rock hit his head.

“YOU LEAVE MY DADDY ALONE!” Rosy said as she and Tammy threw more rocks at Sombra. I tried to get free but I couldn’t.

“Pests.” He said before he stomped a hoof on the ground making a small crystal shoot out of the ground and sent Rosy into the air and she landed with a thud not moving. I saw a small bit of blood pool on the ground then all I saw was red.

“(CRACK BOOM) ROSY!!!” I yelled as I blasted out of the crystal and rushed to her side. When I got there I saw a gash on her side then I quickly sealed the wound and teleported her back to Cadence before slowly standing and faced the shocked beast.

“you hurt my daughter.” I said as I shifted to my fox form.

“WeAk.” He said as he got ready to charge me.

“Wild Side.” I said as I began to pour magic into my body. My hair unbraided and my tail split in two, white flames started to form around my paws and eyes, my teeth grew longer and I was now glowing with white light. I lunged at him and slammed into his head first sending him crashing into a nearby crystal making a hole in it. He quickly jumped out of the hole and into the air where he began to form a black ball of energy at the tip of his jagged horn.

“BLACK VOID.” He yelled as he sent the ball straight at me but I didn’t move but instead I bit into the ball and crushed it before jumping at him. I slammed into his stomach sending him higher into the air Where I grabbed his tail and slammed him into the ground. I began to pour magic into a massive ball of white flame mini sun and launched it at high speed straight into his body.

“SUPER NOVA!!!” I yelled before the mini sun exploded in a mass of white light that flashed throughout the frozen north and the shock wave shook the Empire breaking every window. When the light and smoke cleared the only thing left in the crater was red hot rock and a smoking pony form of Sombra.

“Don’t mess with my family.” I said as I landed next to the crater and shifted to my normal form. I was drained and it felt like all my muscles were on fire. I was breathing heavy and fell to one knee.

“I GOT THE HEART.” I heard Spike yell and I looked to the top of the castle to see Spike trying to climb down the tower.

“THAT’S MINE!” Sombra said as he shakily ran out of the crater and used a crystal to run towards Spike. I tried to catch him but my legs gave out and I fell before I could get to him. I watched as he tried to hit Spike with his crystal and was able to knock spike off the tower. Sombra rushed up a large crystal towards the heart and Spike but before Sombra could make it to them Cadence shot out of the castle and caught them and flew under the castle. Seconds later a flaming magic heart shot out of the top of the castle sending out a magic pulse that pushed Sombra away before he dissolved him into nothing. When the wave passed over me I felt happy that I was able to hold him off. It also turned my hair wavy and fluffy, my tail extra fluffy with small swirls and I was now really sparkly.

“This is weird but feels nice too. Huh I’m now a crystal fox…I hope it's not permanent.” I said before I started to walk towards the castle but was stopped by somepony.

“That…was…AWESOME.” Rainbow said before she did a sparkling midair back flip before landing in front of me.

“Hey Rainbow…um can you give me a life I’m kinda drained and can’t really move.(POOF) well at least I can still transform.” I said before I fell flat on my stomach.

“Yeah I got you buddy. Let's get you back to the castle.” Rainbow said before she picked me up and took off to the castle. When we got to the throne room Rainbow set me down next to Rosy who was sleeping peacefully on a pillow.

“Fox thanks Celestia are you alright.” Twilight said before she nuzzled my cheek.
“Yeah just really tired and a few minor cuts. How about you I saw Spike with the heart and thought something might have happened.” I said as I climbed onto the pillow next to Rosy and laid down.

“King Sombra set up a trap spell around where he hid the heart. I was able to get the heart to spike before the trap set but I was stuck there and couldn’t do anything.” Twilight said while looking down sadly.
“Why are you so down about that?” I asked as I used my fluffy tail to wipe away a few tears.

“Princess Celestia sent me here to test me. I was supposed to save the Crystal Empire but I got stuck in that trap. I failed.” Twilight said with a sniffle.

“Twilight you did help save this place. It was you who found the heart and got it to spike so he could bring it to us. I’m sure aunt Tia would say you passed.” Cadence said before she gave Twilight a soft hug.

“I hope so.” Twilight said as she returned the hug.

“Hey has anyone seen a tiny orange monkey around.” I asked after I noticed she wasn’t with Rosy.

“Oh she’s right here. She’s been really worried about you and Rosy. She told me what happened and I let her rest while I watched over Rosy.” Fluttershy said before she moved her mane to reveal a tiny orange puff ball.

“Thank you Fluttershy.” I said as she gently put Tammy next to us.
“Well sugarcube we best be getting to the train station before we miss the train back to ponyville.” Applejack said as she adjusted her hat.

“Yeah um Cadence can Rosy and I stay for a day so I can recover a little bit.” I said before I let out a large yawn.

“Of course you can Fox. Just rest up, I'll get a room ready for you.” Cadence said before she left to find a maid to prepare a room.

“Oh I almost forgot something. I made y’all some treats. I was going to give them to you before we left ponyville but I forgot.” I said before I made my bag appear and stuck my head in it. After I found what I was looking for I pulled them out.

“Oh darling, they're adorable but whatever are they.” Rarity asked while I passed out their treats.

“They're called mochi. It's made by pounding rice to make a thick gooey paste that you can stuff with loads of different fillings. These ones are stuffed with different fruits and berries. But one of my favorite things about mochi is that you can shape them.” I said as I held up one of the mochi packs I made.

“Awe they look like cute versions of us.” Pinkie said as she poked her own mochi.
“Hey they even have cutie marks on them.” Rainbow said while looking over her mochi.

“Oh Twilight can you send these two to Celestia and Luna for me.” I said as I handed her two more packs with mochis that looked like the princess.

“Sure Fox. Well we better go thanks for the snacks Fox. Come see me when you get back.” Twilight said before the rest of their girls said goodbye and headed home. I couldn’t help but blush when Twilight came back just to give me a hug goodbye.

“Oh somepony is a little pink in the cheeks.” Cadence said with a little smirk.

“Hush up cuz its not what you think.” I said as my face lit up bright pink.

“Cousin did you forget I’m the princess of love. You can hide if from others but not me. Now let's get you two to bed.” Cadence said slyly before she picked me and Rosy up in her magic and took us to our room for the night. As soon as I said goodnight to her and hit the bed I was out like a light.
.
.
.
(Underground forest)
In a secluded area in the underground forest is a willow tree covered in pink flowers and sitting under it was Mela.

“Hmm it seems like the darkness has finally left this land. Nova your son is strong in more ways than one. I think you would be proud of him. He really is just like you in many ways and he definitely has heart. I just hope it will be enough to face the darkness that wants to take this world.” She said before letting out a few tears.

“I wish I could have seen you one last time. Watch over him Nova and rest in peace. Goodbye my dear friend.” She said as she placed her hand on a heart carved into the tree.

Chapter 11: The trip home

Chapter 11: The Trip Home

After a good night's sleep I felt a lot better and just a little stiff. Once me and Rosy were awake we made our way down to the kitchen. I was able to use the kitchen to make some breakfast for me and Rosy but that didn’t really go as planned so now I’m making breakfast for most of the ponies in the castle.

“Order up. We got two veggie omelets with hash browns, extra Crispy and three stacks of pancakes with fruit topping, one banana, one mix berry, and one crystal berry.” I said as I used my magic to place the food in front of the hungry ponies.

“Thanks again for making breakfast for the staff and I.” Cadence said before taking a bit out of her chocolate strawberry pancakes.

“Your welcome Cadence. I love cooking for others and when you said the breakfast cook was out sick I just had to help out. Here you go Rosy one stack of chocolate banana pancakes for you and tangerine mini stack for you Tammy.” I said while I put the quarter size pancakes down next to Rosy.

“She is just the cutest little thing. Where did you say you found her.” Cadence said as she ate her breakfast.

“Hmm ok I’ll tell you but keep it a secret. Just outside this city is an underground volcanic hot spot with a large forest and hot springs. The Guardian of said forest was a good friend of my moms but I think it was something more. When I showed her a picture of mom she looked happy and very sad as well. I’m not really sure but I plan to stop by there on the way home to talk to her a bit.” I said while I made me some pancakes and some strawberry topped pancakes for Twink and when I was done they promptly went into my bag.

“Wow something like that is here. I’ll have to look into it.” Shining said as he ate his omelet.

“If you do go there please just keep it to you and Cadence. I don’t think Mela would be mad if it's just you two.” I said while munching my breakfast.

“We can do that. So what's your plans for today? We extended the fair to celebrate the new found freedom of the Empire and you're more than welcome to enjoy it.” Cadence said after she finished eating.

“I was actually going to ask if I could set up my cart, if that’s alright. Then I’ll head back home.” I said as I unclipped my cart and put it on the table.
“Um it’s a little small.” Shining said with a confused look.

“That’s because I shrunk it. I came to make it bigger it's just easier to hold around like this. I also put a few enchantments on it to make it moveable.” I said as I finished eating and clipped the cart back before a Sapphire mare with light ocean blue mane came up to Cadence.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your breakfast Princess but the city Council is here to speak with you.” The mare said as she checked her clipboard.

“Well duty calls. Thanks for the delicious pancakes. Oh do you happen to have any more of the tea you gave me yesterday it really helped and it was great.” Cadence said with a wide smile.

“Sure I’ll mix some up before I leave.” I said with a chuckle.

“Thank you so much Fox. Lead the way Miss Note.” Cadence said before her and Shining left.

“Alrighty let's finish up breakfast and go set-.” I said before I was cut off by something shaking in my shirt pocket.

“What’s wrong dad?” Rosy asked while I pulled out the pink egg that now had a crack running down it.

“Nothings wrong darlin but I think whatever this is, is about to hatch.” I said as I set the egg on the table and it started to shake more. The crack began to spread and pieces started to fall off revealing pink fluff then some tiny fluffy pink wing. After one more good shake the rest of the shell fell off. I was expecting some kind of pink chick but that is not what it was. It looked up to me with baby blue eyes and with a big yawn from its beak it slithered up to my hand and curled its pink fluffy body around my finger.

“Whoa what is that. Whatever it is, it's cute.” Rosy said as she looked at the tiny fluffy cotton candy pink snake on my finger.

“I’m not too sure really. Lets see if I can look it up real fast. Scan.” I said as I held up my other hand and used my magic to scan the snake. Then I pulled up my display now with a picture of it on the screen and a matching file popped up.

“Lets see, it's called a Feathered Serpent. Hmm it looks like its supposed to be a mythical creature. Known as Quetzalcoatl a deity of wind and rain, bringer of knowledge, the inventor of books and represents heaven and earth due to being able to fly in heaven and crawl along the ground. Well that’s pretty neat but what to name you.” I said while petting its tiny head with my thumb.

“Oh can I name her?” Rosy said with a bright smile.

“Not this time, you got to name Tammy and I think I got the best name for her. How about Alya it means sky or heaven and I think it fits how about you little Alya.” I said before she climbed up my arm to my head.

“Coo.” I said as she rubbed her head on my cheek.

“Aw I was going to name her candy because she looks like cotton candy.” Rosy said with a pout.

“Haha she does look like that don’t shed. Welcome to the family Alya. This is Rosy and this is Tammy.” I said while pointing them out but Alya hid behind my neck giving them a tiny hiss before hiding in my hair.

“She doesn’t like us very much.” Rosy said while she and Tammy looked down sadly.

“Its alright give her some time she did just hatch and I know most birds imprint on the first being they see. Like ducklings that follow their mother.” I said as the fluffy pink snake nuzzled my cheek before getting comfy in my hair.

“Alright so let go get set up. We have ponies to feed.” I said with a big smile as we made our way out to the fair. On the way to find a spot we ran across a wall covered in snow white honeysuckle flowers and I got an idea.

“Well now I think I just found a great ingredient.” I said as I made a small jar with my magic and used my magic to suck some of the nectar out and into the jar.

“What's that dad?” Rosy asked as I held up the jar.

“This, my adorable daughter is nectar. It can be used to add flavor and natural sweetness. And I have a plan for it.” I said as I slipped the jar in my bag and went to set up shop. After a while we set up and served up some sweet fair foods.

“We got one crystal berry funnel cake and a chocolate strawberry crepe.” Rosy said while she manned the front to take orders and bits while I was cooking up the food. Let me tell you I’m glad to have magic because I can use it to help in the kitchen. It's like I’m a one man staff.

“Coming right up. Oh here set these up front.” I said as I handed her a plate with some fresh fried fruit.

“Um ok but what is it?” Rosy asked before taking a sniff and put the plate out.

“You remember the large green spiky fruit I had earlier?” I asked while I put orders together.

“Yeah you called it a jackfruit right?” She said before she picked one up.

“Yep there's really sweet and tastes like a mix of pineapple and bananas. It's used for many different dishes and treats. Here I have some left and I didn’t fry. Just be careful it has a large seed but it can easily be taken out.” I said as I set out the uncooked fruit for her and Tammy to enjoy.

“Coo? COO!!” Alya said as she smelled the fruit and slid out of my hair and quickly started to eat a piece.

“Well it looks like someone likes it.” I said as I rubbed her fluff head.

“Well somepony seems popular.” Said a certain pink alicorn at the front counter.

“Oh sup Cadence did your meeting go good.” I said as I set out a few orders.

“As good as it can be. I still don’t know how aunty Tia can put up with these kinds of meetings. Most city officials are kinda stuck up.” She said while shaking her head.

“Ah the role of royalty. I’m Kinda glad I don’t have to deal with that.” I said with a chuckle as I placed down some orders.

“What do you mean dad.” Rosy asked tilting her head with Tammy doing the same.

“Fox have you not told her yet.” Cadence said with a look of mild surprise.

“Tell me what?” Rosy said with intrigue.

“Um well I just found out not too long ago that my mom was the Queen of the Mystic Foxes and now that she's gone I’m technically a king with no subjects. So I guess we can call you Princess Rosy.” I said while I watched her face light up.

“I’M A PRINCESS!!!” Rosy screamed with joy before she gave me a bear hug.

“In name alone but yes.” I said returning the hug.

“That’s so cute.” Cadence said with a warm smile.

“So anyway Cadence would you like a crape, funnel cake, parfait, or any of the sweet treats?” I asked as a happy filly bounced back to her spot at the counter.

“Hmm oh I know, how about you surprise me.” Cadence with a small head bob.

“Alright you got it. Just give me a second to put it together.” I said as I grabbed the stuff I needed and started cooking. After a few minutes it was ready.

“Here you go one fried jackfruit crape with Caramel, dark chocolate drizzle, whipped cream and toasted sliced almonds. Enjoy.” I said she took it in her magic.

“This looks delicious and you said it was called a jackfruit?” she asked while looking over the treat.

“yeah it’s a fruit in the fig family. It grows in lowland tropical places and some jungles. I have a tree back at my house and they can get pretty huge. See this, that's what's left after I removed the edible parts.” I said as I put the pieces of the fruit back together.

“That is big. Let's see how good it is.” Cadence said while I put the remains of the fruit away to use later. Cadence took one bit and her face lit up with a wide smile before the quickly munched the rest of it.

“That was amazing. Do you have any more of that jackfruit thing I want to let Shining try it?” She asked before she realized she had some cream on her face and with a blush she wiped it away.

"How about I give you a whole fruit.” I said with a chuckle.

“That would be great.” She said with a bit of excitement.

“Cool I’ll just pop over to the real quick and grab one.” I said before I washed my hands and headed for the door but was stopped by a glare from Cadence.

“You don’t have to be a smartass you know.” Cadence said as she stomped her hoof.

“Uh what.” I said with a raised brow.

“If you don’t have any just tell me. You don’t have to lie about it.” She said with a huff.

“Ok I’m confused.” I said with a sigh.

“You said you’d have to get it from your house but that’s miles away.” She said with a huff before I turned to Rosy.

“She doesn't know me very well does she?” I asked Rosy with a smirk making her giggle.

“And what does that mean?” Cadence asked, shooting me a mean glare.

“Down girl. Now if you would be so kind as to walk to the back side of my cart and I’ll show you what I mean.” I said as before I stepped out of the cart and she stomped her way around.

“Alright cuz do you notice the two door back here?” I asked with a smirk and got a nod.

“please open the door on the left.” I said as I pointed to it and she did so.

“it’s just the inside of the cart.” She said before slamming it closed.

“Alright now open the other.” I said the smirk still there.

“I swear if this is a broom closet your going to be in trouble mister.” Cadence said with a stern glare making me laugh.

“Hahaha what am I, a foal just opened the door.” I said before I got a wing to the back of the head making me laugh more as she opened the other door. As soon as she opened it her eye’s went big.

“AHHH.” She screamed and fell back.

“AHHH (POOF) DAMNIT.” I yelled after I changed.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA.” Rosy laughed before she fell on the floor.

“Yeah laugh it up little missy. Twilight what brings you by.” I said before I noticed the shocked look on Cadence’s face.

“Wha…but…how.” Cadence said with a stutter.

“Magic. Anyway Hi Twi.” I said with a smile wave.

“Hi Fox. Hi cadence. Fox are you still in the crystal empire?” Twilight asked as she poked her head out of the door.

“Yep but I was planning to leave here in a little bit. So what’s up.” I said before I jumped on top of a still shocked Cadence.

“Oh I got a letter from Princess Luna. She wants you to come to Canterlot this evening but she didn’t say what for. Um Cadence are you alright.” Twilight asked, tilting her head a bit.

“Um yeah. Alright magic door that leads to your house. I didn’t know a spell like that exists.” She said as she poked her head through the door.

“That’s because I didn’t use a spell. I just made the magic do what I want. Twi can you send Luna a reply and say I’ll be there at sunset and Cadence watch Rosy while I’m getting your stuff.” I said before I walked through the door.

“I DON’T NEED A FOAL SITTER.” Rosy yelled from her spot in the cart.

“Ok Rosy watch Cadence while I’m gone then.” I said as I closed the door behind me.

“HEY!!” Cadence said right before the door closed.

“Hahaha she’s going to be fun to mess with. Anyway Twi I got to grab a few things for Cadence then we’ll catch the next train.” I said as I switched back to normal.

“Oh hey that reminds me we could have used your door to get back home. Why didn’t you say anything.” Twilight said, giving me a stern glare.

“And let you miss out on all that friendship time on the train.” I said with mild shock.

“…You forgot didn’t you?” She said with a raised brow and smirk.

“…Yeah.” I said as I blushed and scratched to back off my head.

“Hey um Fox. You got something pink in your.” She said as she tried to pull it out with her magic and it did not like it.

“COO! COO COOO HISSSS.” Alya tried to stay in my hair and scared Twilight pretty good.

“AHHHHH SNAKE!!! SNAAAAKKKEE!!!!” She screamed before she bolted up the closest tree while I tried to calm down Alya.

“Whoa it’s alright you're not going anywhere.” I said as I pet her tiny head which she gladly accepted and went back into my hair but not before giving Twilight a hiss getting an EEP out of here.

“WHY DO YOU HAVE A SNAKE IN YOUR HAIR.” She yelled while shaking in the tree.

“Calm down Twilight she’s just hatching and wont hurt you. Come on down and I’ll tell the story.” I said calmly and nicely but it didn’t help.

“I think I’ll stay up here. Away from the …gulp…snake.” She said as she clung to the tree.

“Oh…Kay um can you at least pass me down one of the green spiky fruit beside you.” I said with a sigh and was then hit in the stomach with said fruit.

“UFF ow thanks now I look like my stomach was a pin cushion.” I said before head in the house and after I shut the door there was a flash of light when I looked back she was gone.

“Don’t know why she was so scared. You’re a little sweetheart aren't you.” I said as I pet Alya head then went to grab tea…and a few bandaids. After a quick run around the house I had everything I needed plus some mochi I made for Cadence and Shining and I was back to my cart in no time. And what do I find Cadence and Rosy inside the cart covered with patches of chocolate eating chocolate covered bananas along with a few crystal ponies and Tammy was now a chocolate statue and was happily eating her way out.

“I don’t know if I should get the camera or the hose. Rosy I thought you were watching Cadence.” I said as I set the stuff down and grabbed a towel to clean her up.

“I was…then we got hungry.” She said while I wiped her face.

“Ok but how did chocolate get everywhere?” I asked after I cleaned her off and passed the towel to Cadence.

“We made a lot of chocolate bananas.” She said as she pointed to the crowd of happily munchen ponies and a box full of bits.

“Well alright then let's get this mess cleaned up…and you can’t sneak away Cadence.” I said as I saw her trying to sneak out the door.

“Hehe ok.” She said before she grabbed a towel. After a lot of cleaning and goodbye we were on our way home. Now it was just me and my sleeping family with Rosy in my lap with Tammy and Alya has found a comfy spot in my shirt pocket with her fluffy pink tail sticking out. I wonder how long before her feathers come in. I sat and watched all the trees pass by as I thought about everything that happened in the very short time I’ve been here. It's a lot to take in.

“Excuse me sonny I’m ta bother ya but do ya mind if I sit here for a spell. I just need some place away from the misses she snores louder than the train?” Someone said shaking me out of my thoughts. I look over and see an elderly dark orange earth pony with dark gray and white mane and wearing a black Stetson hat.

“Oh yeah shore no problem.” I said as I moved Rosy’s stuff to our seat.

“ much appreciated. Names Story Tell.” He said as he took his seat and stuck he’s hoof out.

“I’m Fox nice meet you.” I said as I shook his hand. He had a deep voice that kinda reminded me of Sam Elliott he even had the mustache and big eyebrows. I smiled and turned back to the window and back to my thoughts. It wasn’t long before they were interrupted again this time by the drink and snack cart.

“Would you like something from the cart sir.” Said a sunflower yellow mare and a plum mane with a pink daisy hair pink and eyes.

“I’m good ma’am but thank you though.” I said with a warm smile.

“Do you have any coffee?” Story asked as he set down his newspaper.

“I’m sorry sir but our coffee maker broke this morning.” She said with a sad look like it was her fault it broke.

“Well it can’t be helped. I’m fine now Thanks for asking ma’am.” He said with a smile before going back to his paper. The mare still looked a little down as she went back to pushing her cart and I wanted to try to make her smile a bit. I had saved the last of the Crystal berry mochi I made for this trip back but she might like it more.

“Here everyone needs something sweet every now and then.” I said as I gave her the box of fox mochis.

“Oh I’m sorry I can take this.” She said as she tried to give it back.

“Don’t worry about it and just smile.” I said as I pushed it back to her gently and finally got a little smile.

“Thank you they are pretty cute.” She said before a passenger called and she left with a smile. It made me happy.

“Well that was awfully kind of yeah son.” Story said as he lowered his paper.

“If I can make something to help cheer someone up I will. So if those sweets can make her feel better about her day then I’m happy.” I said as I picked up my bag and began to fish around.

“Not many ponies nowadays think like that. Most wouldn’t even look twice before they sent her on her way.” He said as he laid down the paper.

“Well for starters I’m not a pony and two Its what I like to do. You said you wanted some coffee right?” I asked as I pulled out my camping coffee pot and tiny portable gas burner.

“Some coffee would hit the spot thank ya. I haven’t seen your kind in a long while.” He said while I set up the coffee.

“Wait you know what I am?” I asked as I pulled some cups from my bag.

“I’ve been on my fair share of adventures son. Wouldn’t be much of a story teller now would I.” he said with a chuckle as he pointed to his cutie mark showing a book and safari hat.

“Guess not haha. If you don’t mind me asking where did you meet them?” I said as I leaned back in my seat while the coffee was making.

“Well it was a little over a 25 year or so ago I stumbled across a village in deep in the badlands.” He said as he scratched his chin.

“Wait, you said in the bad land but not the everfree forest. Do you know if it's still there.” I asked with a bit of excitement and happy to know there might be more of my kind there.

“Don’t really know for sure. I haven’t gone back to it in a long while. Why do ya ask.” He asked with some concern.

“Well I don’t know much about what happened and it's really hard to explain.” I said before I poured us a cup of coffee and passed him his.

“Thank ya son. I can tell there's a story behind those words.” He said after taking a sip.

“Yeah but it might sound a bit crazy.” I said as I gently rubbed Rosy’s mane.

“Son if you’d seen the thing I have crazy becomes the normal. Heck I even met a pink pony in a small town that breaks reality.” He said with a chuckle.

“Haha yeah think I know who that is. My friends told me not to question it.” I said before I drank some of my coffee.

“Well we have a good bit of time before my stop and I doubt the misses will be up anytime soon. A good story goes well with a fine cup of joe.” He said while holding up his cup.

“That and some good company.” I said with a smile as I refilled his cup and began my tale. After a few cups of coffee and a little over an hour later I finished telling the story.

“And now I’m here drinking some coffee on a train.” I said as I put the coffee stuff away.

“Ya weren’t kidding when ya said it was crazy. 18 years in another world with yer ma and then thrown in this world with nothing but yer home but ya seem to be doin fine.” He said with a smile.

“Yeah turns out I had more family then just my mom but now I feel like I never really knew her.” I said as I pulled out my locket.

“Let me ask ya this from all the ponies that knew yer ma did she act any different then what ya knew?” He asked as he pulled out a chocolate bar and handed me a piece.

“by what everyone said about what she was like the same now.” I said as I looked at the picture.

“Then I would say you knew her pretty well.” He said before taking a bite of his chocolate.

“But I don’t get why she didn’t tell me about all this.” I said as I slipped the locket back under my shirt.

“I think she wanted ya to have a normal happy life and by what ya said was in her letter to ya I believe y’all have a happy life. It may not be normal fer ya but it can still be a happy one. And by the smile of that there filly year making others happy too.” He said with a warm smile. I looked down a Rosy who was sleeping peacefully with a smile while I pet her back and mane.

“Coo.” Alya cooed softly as she slid on my shoulder to nuzzle my cheek happily.

“Well I’ll be a winged snake.” He said with surprise.

“Have you seen them before?” I asked while I scratched Alya’s head.

“No never seen one but I’ve heard a tale or two bout’em. They say that they only appear for those with a very kind and loving soul and you have a hatchling no less.” He said before holding up a piece of chocolate for Alya how she looked at him before happily taking the piece and went back in my hair making me and Story laugh.

“Well looks like I got to wash chocolate out of my hair now.” I said with a chuckle before an announcement came on the intercom.

“We will be arriving at ponyville station in five minutes. Please gather your belongings and ready yourselves to exit the train. I repeat we will be arriving at ponyville station in five minutes.” Said the intercom.

“Well this is my stop. It was nice to have someone to talk to even if it was a stranger on a train.” I said with a laugh.

“It’s always nice just to relax and have a cup of coffee too. Well I better get back to the misses. If ya ever stop by appaloosa give me a holler and I’ll treat ya with some coffee and story this time.” He said as he picked up his paper.

“I’ll hold you to it and thanks again.” I said before I shook his hoof and he headed back to his wife. I leaned back and looked out the window as the sun slowly began to lower towards the horizon. With the small town coming into view I started to feel like I could call this place my home and I had good friends there too. As we pulled into the station I could see them standing there wait for the train to pull in and I could help to be happy there here

Chapter 12: To many pinkies

“Aw dad do I really have to stay home while you go to Canterlot.” Rosy asked from her perch on my head. Alya finally got comfortable with Rosy and moved up to her mane and Tammy was on my shoulder.

“Yes I don’t see it taking very long with Luna plus it's almost time for you to head to bed.” I said as I walked through the forest to my home. I should really set up a door in town somewhere, maybe I’ll see if I can put it at Twilight's place. I want Rosy to start school soon but I don’t want her to walk through the forest if I’m not with her.

“Aw but I wanted to get some stuff from the gardens.” She said with a pout.

“Hmm alright you can but just for a little while ok then off to bed.” I said as I scratched her head.

“Yay love you daddy.” She said while hugging my head and making me chuckle.

“Love you too darlin.” I said with a wide smile as we came up to the ruins.

“Um dad you said Luna wanted to meet you in Canterlot right?” She asked with a tilted head.

“Yeah that’s what her letter said. Why?” I asked as I looked up at her.

“Because she’s in front of the house.” She said while pointing her hoof and sure enough there was Luna with her guards and chariot.

“Well I guess that saves me a trip huh. Hey there aunt Luna.” I said as I walked up to her before the guards jumped in front of her.

“Stand down night guard this is Sir Fox Lilly. Good evening nephew, how was your trip to the Crystal Empire. I read the report that Twilight sent my sister.” She said as her guards went back to the chariot and she gave me a hug pat Rose on the head making her giggle.

“It was pretty good besides the evil unicorn attack. Would you like to come to the back? Rosy here wants to play around in the gardens before she has to go to bed. I’ll just make us some tea.” I said as I headed for my front door with luna right behind me. I led her through the house and to the back yard before I got some tea ready. After it was down I went out and sat at the table while Rosy and Tammy went into my mini forest of fruits and vegetables.

“Fox was your garden always this large?” she asked while I passed her tea over.

“Not at all. Before I came here it was just a small garden and a greenhouse. The strangest thing is that most of the plants here were just seeds that I stored in the greenhouse that I was planning to plant and a lot of these plants grow in very different climates and couldn’t survive anywhere else. I blame magic.” I said while I looked around. It was like the greenhouse exploded and scattered the seeds throughout this part of the forest and most of the plant take years before they can even bear fruit.

“This forest has been here long before my sister and I were born and while my sister may not admit it she’s just over ten thousand years old. The ponies over Generations think this forest is evil but that’s not the case. Yes there’s creatures that would scare many ponies and some heinous monsters but what makes them think forest is evil is because this forest is alive. If you damage it, it will fight back. If you treat it kindly, it will help you. If you're lost, it will guide you. There is no good or evil here, just life. I think the forest likes you for bringing new growth to it.” She said before taking a sip of her tea.

“There's definitely a lot of magic in here, maybe there's a guardian like mela here. So anyway auntie I thought you wanted me to come up to Canterlot?” I said as I sat back in my seat.

“Well when I sent the letter I thought you were back from the Empire but that was not the case. So I thought I would save you the trip after you had just got back.” She said with a warm smile as a giggling filly ran out of the gardens.

“Dad, we found this big melon growing in a tree. Can we eat it?” Rosy asked as she held up a light green melon with a white spider web pattern on the rind and a tee shaped stem and was as big as a bowling ball.

“Well now your in for a treat that there is a musk melon. There supposed to be the most delicious and sweet melon in my world not to mention incredibly expensive. You know how hard it was to get some seeds. Oh I got an idea I’ll be right back.” I said as I grabbed the melon and ran inside. I got some tall glasses out of the cabinet along with some long spoons and set them out by the melon. I then got my vanilla blue bell out of the freezer which I'm gonna miss after this. I cut the melon into pieces and I had to resist the urge to eat some because of the wonderful sweet smell. After I cut it up I put a few scopes of the ice cream in the cups and added the melon in between the scoops.

“ Hmm needs something else…got it.” I said as I opened the fridge and pulled up some heavy cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and some cherries. I pulled out the blender and added some melon and the heavy cream then turned it on. After a second of blending I poured the mix in the cups then added the whip cream, a cherry, and some bigger slices of melon then drizzled the chocolate and it was ready. I put the cups on a try with the spoons and some strews and headed out the door.

“Alright guys it's…why is there a pile of melons here. I was only inside for a few minutes.” I asked while Luna and Rosy stared at the pile with wide eyes.

“Squirrels.” Rosy said, not looking away.

“Big green and black ones. They just ran up, dropped the melons in the pile, then ran back into the forest.” Luna said while pointing it out with a hoof.

“Really? I’ll have to ask Fluttershy if she knows what they might be. That aside I made us some melon cream parfait.” I said as I passed out there cups.

“Whoa that looks yummy.” Rosy said as she and Tammy looked at it with drool running down their chins.

“It most definitely does.” She said as I sat down before I put one in my bag for Twink.

“Well let's try it.” I said as we all took a spoonful of the mix and took a bit.

“So good.” We all said with a satisfied smile. The melon was soft and sweet and the creaminess of the heavy cream mix really brought it together.

“It's wonderful and quite refreshing.” Luna said while getting a spoonful.

“Mmmmmmm.” Was all I got from Rosy as she scarfed down hers with Tammy munching a piece of melon on her head and Alya left my hair and was eating a piece on the table.

“Oh man I’m glad I was going to grow these, they're amazing.” I said after taking another bite of the cold creamy goodness.

“So Luna what did you need to talk to me about?” I asked while we munched.

“Well unfortunately it’s a mission that we want you to accomplish. A few months back Tia and I began to receive reports that our trade ships have been either sink or stolen along with the crew and cargo so now our trade with neighboring countries have been cut off. We would like you to investigate this matter and put a stop to it.” Luna said with a serious look as she slowly moved a spoonful toward her mouth and never lost that look as she took a bit. I had to hold back my laughter the whole time.

“Alright what are some of the reports?” I asked as Alya made her way to my cup and licked up some ice cream.

“I’m afraid we don’t have a lot of intel beside the obvious but some mention a ghost ship and heavy fog.” She said with her head down.

“It sounds like they use old lore and fog to cover their tracks. Did the reports say when they went missing like before or after leaving the island?” I asked while I finished off my cool treat.

“BUURRRPPP. Hehe excuse me.” Rosy said before licking the rest out of the cup.

“Alright little missy why don’t you go wash up before bed.” I said before she picked up a now stuffed tiny monkey and went inside.

“She seems to really like you. And to answer your question the reports are more like complaints made by our vendors.” She said after she finished her treat and teleported some files and passed them over.

“Are these the reports? Let’s see missing shipments or never reaching port. So it looks like they never make it to the island. Is it just your trade ships or are other nations' ships missing?” I asked as I flipped through the reports.

“Just ours. No other nations have reported any problem at all.” She said with a heavy sigh.

“So it looks like someone wants us to lose face. A nation's trade could build or destroy a nation if all trade was cut off. What's the majority of our goods that run through the ports?” I asked as I set the files down.

“75% of our medical supplies come from nations beyond that island and we ship building materials and metal to them.” She said before she sent the reports away.

“yeah if that trade is cut off it could cripple both parties. Hmm I’ll do it but I have a request.” I said as I leaned back in my chair.

“And what might that be.” She asked while I petted Alya on my chest.

“I would like to make it to the island so I can gather intel so I would like a ship with nothing to indicate that the ship is ours. So any symbols or flags need to be changed.” I said with a happy pink snake playing with my fingers.

“Hmm that may be hard to do. International law states in order to make landfall in a legal port all ships have to be registered to either a nation or trade group. If you pull up to port with no flag you’ll be considered a pirate ship and sunk on sight. It may be pirates that are behind this.” She said as she rubbed her chin in thought.

“No I don’t think so unless they're getting paid to do so. This seems to be thought out to be pirates. It seems like someone is targeting us. We just need to find out the who and why.” I said as I typed up some notes.

“There are many groups that would love to see us fall and many attempts have been made.” She said with a tiny smirk.

“That why I want to make it to the island. Rumors and hearsay spread quickly in places like that you just got to know the look.” I said while I looked up some legal documents.

“But what about the flag problem.” She said with a sigh.

“I think I figured that out. I found something interesting in the library archives. Here take a look at this.” I said as I moved the display so she could see.

“whats this.” She asks with intrigued.

“It’s dated about a hundred years back. When Celestia moved the castle out of the everfree she made the everfree a nation owned and ruled separately from Equestria and the Royal sisters. So I can legally set up a trade federation for my everfree nation. I can put up my national flag on a ship and because it’s a new flag I don’t think anyone at sea would question it until I make port with documentation and all I need is two hi ranking signatures that recognize the everfree as a nation ruled by me.” I said as I used my magic to print out the legal documents and a flag with a white and blue swirl kitsune mask.

“I think this might work. How did you know about this.” She said as she took the papers with her magic and rolled them up.

“Twilights not the only one that likes to research and I have my own personal library that I spend looking through while I sleep so instead of dreaming I’m reading.” I said with a large smile.

“That explains why I haven’t seen your dreams yet.” Luna said while scratching her chin.

“What does that mean.” I said as I started to clear the table.

“As princess of the night one of my duties is to guard the dreams of my ponies and protect them from nightmares. So I can go in and out of the dream world whenever I choose.” She said with a proud smile.

“That actually sounds pretty cool.” I said with a smile. I think I’ll add that to my must try list of magic.

“Oh it definitely has its moments. It's time I head back to the castle. I’ll have my sister sign the documents and I’ll let you know when it's time to depart. Thanks again for the wonderful treat Fox.” She said before wrapping me in a warm wing hug.

“It's no problem oh hey take a couple of melons for you and aunt Tia. My doors always open if you ever want to drop in I may not always be home but I’ll answer the door.” I said as I gave her the melons before sending the rest into my bag and said goodbye. After sending her off I went to clean the dishes but heading to my bedroom where Rosy was fast asleep with Tammy curled up on the pillow and with a yawn I put on my PJs and after I got comfy I was out.

-THE NEXT DAY-

After a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast me and Rosy set out to explore the forest around the house. After collecting some herbs I could use, we wound up in front of a thick patch of brambles with a hole right in front of them.

“Do you think we can get through that?” I asked while trying to look through the wall of thorns.

“I don’t think so.” She said as she stood on my head to get a better view with Tammy on her head and Alya was napping in my pocket.

“Want to call it and head to town.” I asked while I marked this spot on my display map. I started the map this morning so I could mark down where I found things that could be of use or any points of interest.

“Oh can we go to Sugarcube corner.” She said as she fluttered back down on my shoulders.

“Seems like hardly anypony's been here in ages. I hope I'm remembering the rhymes right from my Nana Pinkie's story.” Said a familiar voice coming from the bramble patch.

“That sounds like Pinkie. I wonder what she's up to.” I said as I tried to see through the vines.

"Where the brambles are thickest, there you will find a pond beyond the most twisted of vines!" [echoes] What was that?! Oh, I heard a voice! Oh. Hehe. It was me. Ouch! Ooh! Stop scratching me up, you brambles, and– Whoooaaa.” Pinkie said before she tumbled out of the brambles right into me and Rosy sent us down the hole. After some down hill rolling I wound up on my back with Pinkie and Rosy on top of me.

“Ow good morning to you too Pinkie and not to be rude but do you mine getting off of me please your kinda heavy on the plus side your hair smells delicious.” I said as I lifted my head just to get a face full of pink poofness.

“FOXY did you come looking for nana pies mirror pool too.” Pinkie asked after she sat up and was still on top of me.
“What now?” I asked as I picked her up and moved her off of me while Rosy hopped off.

“The mirror pool it’s an enchanted pool that lets you make copies of yourself.” Pinkie said with a big smile while I got back on my feet and looked around. It wasn’t very dark in here. Light was coming in through the hole we fell into and in the middle of the room was a small pool of water fed from a tiny stream. There also was a couple of glowing mushrooms around some of the rocks.

“ I’m inclined to ask why?” I asked as I walked up to the pool and looked at my reflection.

“To have more fun silly. Rainbow invited me to chillax with her today and then applejack asked me to come to her barn raising thing but at the same time I tried to run between the two but that wouldn’t work then I had the great idea to make copies of myself so now I can do both HEHE.” She said before looking into the pool.

“Yeah I don’t see this ending badly.” I told Rosy sarcastically when she got on her perch behind my head.

“I’m sure it will be fine dad.” Rosy said as she pulled a banana from her mane.

“I’ll bet you five bananas that pinkie will over do it and a horde of pink ponies will terrorize ponyville and it will be up to us and the girls to find the real one.” I said before taking her banana and took a big bite.

“Hey I was going to eat that.” Rosy said with a huff and a pout.

“What happened to the other three I saw you with this morning.” I said with a smirk.

“I was saving them for a snack later.” She said as she pulled another one out. I will never understand how they do that.

"And into her own reflection she stared, uh, yearning for one whose reflection she shared, and solemnly swear not to be scared at the prospect of being doubly mared.” Pinkie said as she touched the pool and out came another Pinkie.

“Weee-heee!” The copy said as she bounced around.

“Wow, the legend is true. It really worked!” Pinkie said while she looked at herself.

“Yeah this will get confusing fast.” I said while rubbing my face.

“Fun, fun, fun.” Pinkie 2 said while still bouncing

“ Okay, wait. I promised not to talk to myself anymore. I should say something to her. Or... would that still be talking to myself? Excuse me, me? Can I have a word with you? Uh, I mean, me? Listen, I can see you're having lots of fun, but” Pinkie said before the copy zipped right up to me.

“ Fun?! Did somebody say fun? Where?” The copy said as I wondered how bad this might turn out.

“I did, over here!” Pinkie said while waving her hoof.

“I thought someone said something about fun! Where is it? Over here? Over here? I don't see it! Where is it? Where is it?” The copy said while running all around the cave.

“Whoa, calm yourself, Pinkie, there's loads of fun to be had in Ponyville with my girls! Trot on over back to Ponyville with me and I'll tell you all about 'em.” Pinkie said as she wrapped her foreleg around her copy and led us out of the cave.

“Pinkie you sure this is a good idea?” I asked with concern for the local ponies…and me.
“Trust me it’ll be fine, don’t worry I got this all under control.” Pinkie said with a confident look.

“That just makes me worry more. Here put this on.” I said as I used my magic to make a little pink chibi fox hair pin.

“Aw, it's so cute.” Pinkie said before clipping it to her mane.

“There now I’ll know which one is real. Now I’m off to see a pony about a squirrel.” I said before giving the real pinkie a hug and left to find Fluttershy. It took a little bit of searching but I finally found her having a picnic with her animal friends.

“Hey there Fluttershy.” I said as I walked up to their picnic blanket.

“Oh good morning Fox and you to Rosy. Would you like to join the picnic?” She asked as she set out some juice and toast with marmalade for the critters. I looked around the picnic at all the critters. There was a small family of duck, a gray ferret, squirrel, her pet bunny Angel and a large bear. Before I could answer Tammy hopped off my shoulder onto Fluttershy’s head and gave her mussel a hug.

“I think that’s a yes.” I said with a chuckle before Rosy Fluttered down to the blanket next to the bear.

“Hello to you to Tammy.” Fluttershy said as she used her wing to gently hug the tiny monkey back.

“Coo.” Alya said with a tiny yawn as she poked her fluffy head out of my shirt pocket.

“Oh my goodness it’s a cute feathered serpent hatchling. Hello little one.” Fluttershy said as she tried to pet Alya’s head but got a hiss before Alya ducked back into my pocket making me chuckle.

“Sorry Fluttershy she doesn’t like anyone but me right now.” I said as I poked my finger in my pocket to pet her.

“It's alright she’s just a baby and wants to stay with her daddy.” Fluttershy said before she sat down. I was about to sit when the bear stood up in front of me and had a very cautious look as he stared down at me.

“Um…hug?” I said with open arms and a smile and was surprised when he wrapped his large arms around me and gave me a literal bear hug.

“Hehe berry just loves hugs.” Fluttershy said with a warm smile.

“Hugs are nice thanks big guy.” I said as we hugged.

“ Oh Fluttershy I got something to add to the picnic.” I said as I dropped the hug and fished a melon from my bag.

“Here this is called a Musk Melon and it's very sweet. Back in my world a lot of people will give these away as a gift.” I said as I sat down next to Rosy before cutting the melon into slices for everyone.

“That very kind of you, thank you. Oh I saw a berry bush over there we can eat them with the melon. I’ll just be right back.” Fluttershy said before picking up a small basket and walked over to the berry bush. I loomed over to the bush and saw Pinkie bouncing by.

“Oh, Pinkie I'm so glad you wandered by. I know I promised not to have any fun today, but, oh, I couldn't help myself. All of my critter friends wanted a picnic, and I couldn't disappoint them. Come join us. We have plenty of hay juice and marmalade to go around and Fox stopped by with a melon don't we, critters?” Fluttershy said as me and the critters chattered in agreement before a small white mouse walked up to pinkie with a small wedge of cheese that Pinkie picked up and ate it.

“[chomps] Wait, but that sounds super fun! Oh, but Applejohn sounds super fun too! Uh, and, and I can't do one without missing out on the other!” Pinkie said with a bit of panic and as I looked at her I couldn’t see the fox pin I gave her.

“Who's Applejohn?” Fluttershy said softly.
“Two fun things at once? But which, which? Oh, can't decide... [breathes heavily] Trouble breathing... Walls closing in!” Pinkie said in a panic.

“Walls? But we're outside.” Fluttershy said before Pinkie shrieks and took off running

“Goodness. Was it something I said?” Fluttershy asked with worry.

“Yes.” Pinkie shouted as she ran off.

“Oh I hope she’ll be alright.” Fluttershy said as she sat down on the picnic blanket.

“Don’t worry she’ll be fine…maybe.” I said as I munched a slice of melon.

“Anyways Fluttershy I actually stopped by to ask you about some animals from the everfree.” I said before I passed around the melon slices.

“Oh thank you. What did you want to know.” Fluttershy said sweetly as she passed me a cup of juice.

“Well last night Rosy brought me one of these melons and I took it inside to make some treats but when I came back out I had a pile of melons in my yard. Rosy said that some big dark green and black squirrels ran out of the forest with the melons and put them in the pile before rushing back to the trees. I figured I’d come and ask you since you know most of the animals around here.” I said before I leaned against Rosy to get comfy since I was in my tiny form.

“Oh those must be Harvester Squirrels.” Fluttershy said as Alya and Tammy played with some of the smaller animals here.

“Harvester Squirrels?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Oh yes there squirrels that make the fruit trees in the forest there home. When they think the fruit is ripe they take what they need and leave the rest out for the other forest animals to eat. They probably claimed one of your trees as there home but don’t worry they’re very friendly critters and will help you harvest your gardens.” Fluttershy said with a warm smile until we were overtaken by a wave of pink ponies.

“FUN, FUN, FUN!” Cheered a bunch of Pinkies as they bounced around the picnic scaring the critters into the bushes.

“Oh no where did all these Pinkies come from.” Fluttershy said as she flew around to calm the animals.

“Jeez she was only gone five minutes. Fluttershy let's head into town, maybe Twilight can help. Oh and Rosy you owe me some bananas.” I said as I changed back and picked up Rosy with Tammy and Alya then made our way to town. As we ran into town there were a lot of Pinkies running around and a group of angry ponies in front of Twilight's library.

“ Okay, everypony, please, calm down!” Twilight said as she and spike tried to quiet the ponies down.

“Calm down? I just had a Pinkie hurricane raging through my shop!” Rarity said as she stomped her hoof in anger.

“And they trashed our critter picnic!” Fluttershy said softly but angry.

“Please, everypony, hang on while I try to figure something out! Come on, Spike. I've gotta try to remember the name of that legend she mentioned.” Twilight said before I popped up next to her. I think I’m getting the hang of this teleporting.

“It’s the legend of the mirror pool.” I said with a smile.

“Ahhh! When did you get there…and how do you know that?” Twilight asked with a stern glare.

“Well for one I’ve been practicing teleporting and two I was with Pinkie when she made her first clone.” I said with a smile as we walked into the library.

“And you didn’t stop her.” Twilight said while she and spike looked through the books on the shelf.

“In all honesty I probably should have.” I said while I searched my library archives on my display.

“Aha, here it is! "The legend of the Mirror Pond"... It describes a spell I can use to send them back where they came from!” Twilight said as she looked over the spell

“That's perfect! Let's go!” spike said with excitement.

“But…” I said while looking through my display.

“But there's a catch. If I can't figure out which one's the real Pinkie, I might send her back by mistake!” Twilight said with a look of worry.

“Well, we'll just have to figure out who the real one is then. Shouldn't be too hard.” Spike said before he looked around at all the pinkies.

“Does anypony here know how we can tell the real Pinkie Pie from all the rest of them?” Twilight said as we walked outside to talk to the crowd before a Pinkie ran up to Twilight

“Twilight! I have to talk to you, I need your help!” Pinkie said in a panic.

“Excuse me, whoever you are, but I'm not talking to any of you Pinkies unless you're the real Pinkie.” Twilight said before she brushed off the real Pinkie.

“Oh, but, but I am the real Pinkie!” Pinkie said with a sad look before the fakes spoke up.

“No, you're not! I'm the real Pinkie!” A fake said.

“I'm the real Pinkie!” Another said before the rest added to the confusion

“How in tarnation are we supposed to tell which is the real Pinkie?” Applejack said as she scratched her head.

“Seriously.” I said with a raised brow.

“I have no idea.” Twilight said as she looked at all the pinkies.

“Me either. Ohh... We've all got the same adorable tails, we've all got the same adorable manes, we've all got the same adorable hooves! Which one of us is the real Pinkie?! Oh! I haven't the slightest clue! And if I can't tell us apart... who can?” Pinkie said as she pointed out the adorableness of the pinkies before sitting down and crying.

“Fox can you help find the real one?” Twilight asked as she looked up at me.

“Nope.” I said with cross arms as I glared down at her before walking over to the crying Pinkie.

“What's his problem?” Spike asked with a glare of his own.

“Ugh I don’t know let just start looking.” Twilight said before she turned and headed into the crowd of pinkies as I picked up the real Pinkie and took her to a nearby table.

“Fox why aren't you out looking for the real Pinkie?” Pinkie asked before she laid her head down on the table.

“Because I already found the real Pinkie. I don’t have to look at the hair pin to figure that out. I just don’t see how Twilight can’t figure it out.” I said as I sat down next to her and Rosy next to me.

“But dad how can you tell?” Rosy asked as she looked out at the fun crazy pinkies.

“I may not have known the girls for very long and Pinkie may be the most fun loving pony around but you can’t copy someponies true feelings. The pinkies running around are only thinking about fun but I think the real Pinkie would be upset this and a good friend can always tell when there friend needs a shoulder to lean on.” I said as I rubbed the crying pink pony before Twilight and spike walked by.

“Ugh, this is hopeless!” Twilight said in frustration.

“Maybe that one's the real Pinkie.” Spike said as he pointed towards us.

“Please. The real Pinkie Pie never could sit that long in one place her whole life!” Twilight said as she shook her head.

“I'm gonna go ask.” Spike said before he walked up to us.

“Of course she's gonna say she's the real Pinkie! They all do! You're wasting your time.” Twilight said while I just stayed quiet.

“So lemme guess. You're the real Pinkie Pie.” Spike said with a smile.

“Heck if I know. Could be any one of us if you ask me. And if I said I was the real Pinkie, you wouldn't even believe me anyway. So just leave me alone. I've got some important poking the ground with my hoof to do.” Pinkie said sadly before she sat on the ground and started to draw frowny faces in the dirt. My glare never leaves Twilight.

“Oh, Spike, how're we gonna do this? I can't risk sending the real Pinkie back into the pond!” Twilight said sadly.

“I miss the real Pinkie.” Spike said as he looked at the other pinkies.

“[sighs] I bet she misses you too. Bet she'd do just about anything to get to be with her friends again. Hey. Hey! What if you gave them a test? Pick something really hard for a Pinkie to do, something not fun at all! Any Pinkie that can't do it goes back into the pond. But whoever wants to stay the most, that must be the real Pinkie!” Pinkie said happily.

“You know, that's not a bad idea.” Twilight said as she walked way with Spike

“This is great! If I pass, I get to be with my friends again! [gasps] But what if I don't pass? Oh, what if I'm not the real Pinkie Pie?! Ohhhh! Stupid [thud] magic [thud] mirror [thud] water! This is all your fault! ...And mine.” Pinkie said as she slammed her head onto the table.

“It's going to be alright Pinkie trust me I won't let you go anywhere.” I said before I gave her a hug and not wanting to be left out Rosy, Tammy, and surprisingly Alya too joined in the hug.

“Thank you.” Pinkie said as she hugged us back before I stood up and pulled a melon from my bag.

“Hey Pinkie, want to see a magic trick?” I asked while I pulled a milkshake glass, vanilla ice cream, a cherry and a towel out and set them on the table by the melon.

“Sure. It seems like something the real world would like.” She said sadly as she looked at the stuff on the table. Alya surprised me by giving Pinkie a tiny cheek nuzzle.

“Looks like someone wants you to cheer up. Let see if I can put at least a little smile on that face. Now watch this.” I said as I picked up the towel and placed it on top of the items.

“SHAZAM!!” I said before lifting the towel to show a melon cream smoothie with a cherry on top.

“One special melon cream smoothie for the only Pinkie I call my friend.” I said as I stuck a straw in it and slid it over to her.

“Looks delicious.” Pinkie said sadly before taking a sip and a tiny smile formed around the straw.

“It may be a small smile but I’ll take it.” I said happily before Rainbow Dash swooped down and snatched up Pinkie.

“Got’cha.” Rainbow said before taking off toward town hall.

“Ok this is getting ridiculous. Come one Rosy let go before something bad happens.” I said as I picked up Alya while Rosy grabbed the melon smoothie.

“Wow this is really good.” Rosy said before she finished off the smoothie and we left for the town hall. When we got there the whole room was filled with pinkies bouncing around in front of a small stage and I could see Twilight sticking her head out of the curtains.

“Oh look there's the sad Pinkie.” Rosy said as she pointed out our Pinkie.

“Rosy wait by that Pinkie, I need to talk with Twilight for a second before they start whatever it is they got planned.” I said before I walked behind the curtain where they had painted a roll around the wall.

“Fox you’re here good do you think you could help me send these pinkies back?” Twilight asked as she looked over the spell.

“Twilight what is all this?” I asked with a stern glare.

“It’s a test to watch paint dry. The pinkies that get distracted we send back to the pond.” She said with a proud smile and it kinda made me a bit mad.

“Really? Can you honestly not tell which one is the real one.” I said as I crossed my arms.

“Yes that’s why we’re doing this test.”

“[sigh] Twilight you and the girls have known Pinkie for a lot longer than I have and even I can tell which one is real just by how they act. I’m surprised none of you can see it. Even Spike talked to the real one earlier.” I said before Spike spoke up.

“I did?” Spike asked while making some popcorn.

“Then why haven’t you said anything before all this.” Twilight said in frustration.

“Because I thought you could tell who your real friend was. You can do your test but I’ll make sure you don’t send the real one away.” I said as I turned to walk away and sat down behind the real Pinkie.

“You ok dad?” Rosy asked as she hopped in my lap.

“I will be. I’m just a little upset.” I said before Twilight walked out on stage.

“Pinkies, you've been brought here to take a test.” Twilight said after she calmed down the pinkies.

“Awww!” The copies said.

“Don't worry, it's a simple test, about as simple as they come, and whoever passes gets to stay.” Twilight said with a smile as the pinkies cheered.

“Curtain, please. The test... will be watching paint dry!” Twilight said as Applejack and Rarity pushed out the paint covered wall getting a gasp from the collective.

“On your mark, get set, go!” Twilight said before all the pinkies quickly focused on the wall.

“Ooh, this is so exciting!” Spike said as he hopped on a stool with his popcorn.

(30 minutes later)

“Okay, maybe not that exciting.” Spike said now upside down on the stool with an empty popcorn bucket.
[bird chirping]

“ Oh, hey, look at the birdie!” A copy said before Twilight sent her back to the pond.

“Hehe hold on this could be funny. Time for a song.” I said before I touched my mark and started part of the song.
(Play Another Bits The dust.)

“Watch me bounce and touch the ceiling!” Said a copy

[poof]

“do do do another one bits the dust.” I sang.

[frog croaking]

“Is that... A Marmoset trying to eat frog crossed with an orange?” copy number 1.

“Cool!” Copy 2.

“Where?” Copy 3.

“NO TAMMY YOU CAN'T EAT THAT!!” Rosy said before she took off after the hungry monkey.

[poof]

“Another one gone, Another one gone, another one bits the dust.” I sang before Rarity shushed me.

“Look what I can do with my hooves!” A copy said before she blew air in her hoof making fingers pop out.

[poof]

“Betcha can't make a face crazier than... this!” A copy said as she turned around with an actual horse like face.

“Holy shit.” I said in terror.

[poof]

By now Twilight horn was glowing red and smoking with two more pinkies left.

[long pause]

“Ugh, I can't take it anymore! Somepony's making balloon animals!” Rainbow said as she flew up and pointed out the window.

“What? Where?” The last copy said before she was sent back to the pond and we all walked up to the real one.

“Pinkie, you can look away now.” Twilight said snapping pinkie out of her focus.

“I passed?” Pinkie asked happily.

“You passed. You're the only Pinkie who kept staring at the wall.” Twilight said proudly.

“I had to. I just had to. I couldn't leave my friends, I just couldn't. But I guess sometimes I will have to choose between them.” Pinkie said with a warm smile as she looked around at us.

“See Pinkie I told you that you were the real you.” I said as I pat her puffy mane.
“Wait, you knew she was the real one? Why didn’t you say anything.” Rainbow said before she punched my shoulder.

“I thought you girls would have figured out who was real a long time ago. If you girls would have just stopped and looked you would have noticed that the real Pinkie wasn’t happy but sad that she might have lost her friends.” I said while the girls just looked sadly at the floor.

“I'm me! I'm me! I'm me! Or am I? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I am.” Pinkie said happily before we all left the town hall. Now pinkie was laying on her bed with me and Rosy at the foot of it while Spike wrote a letter to Princess Celestia.

Dear Princess Celestia,

It's great to have fun, but it's even greater to have great friends. And having lots of friends means that you sometimes have to make choices as to who you'll spend your time with. But that's okay, because good friends will always give you lots of opportunities to have fun. So even if you're missing out, it's never for long.

Respectfully yours

Pinkie Pie.

“Do yall really write friendship reports to Princess Celestia.” Rosy asked before Spike rolled up the letter and we headed down stairs.

“Yep it was a weekly thing before Twilight flipped out one time because she thought Celestia would send her pack to magic kindergarten for being late to send one and basically hypnotized most of ponyville into loving her old smartypants doll just to get a friendship problem to write about.” Spike said as we made our way to the door before Pinkie grabbed me in a bear hug.

“Thank you Fox for believing I was the real one even when I didn’t believe myself.” She said as she tightened the hug.

“Your welcome Pinkie. I didn’t need the hairpin to know who the real you was because I knew who my friend really was.” I said as I returned the hug before we went outside and Spike sent the letter with his fire.

“Hi, Pinkie Pie. We were thinking we should go out and celebrate.” Twilight said as I walked up beside her.

“You up for some wheelbarrow races?” Applejack suggested.

“I could take everypony on a cloud ride!” Rainbow suggested

“I could throw a party with punch and zesty cucumber sandwiches! Ooh!” Rarity suggested.

“You wanna know exactly what I feel like doing right now?” Pinkie said before falling on her back with a sigh before she fell asleep.

“That looks like fun.” Fluttershy said, making us all laugh.

“Oh, Pinkie.” Applejack said happily while shaking her head.

“Yeah I think me and Rosy should be headed home before it gets dark.” I said as I noticed the setting sun.

“Um Fox you were right, I should have seen how upset Pinkie was and I’m sorry for making you mad too.” Twilight said sadly as she looked up at me with her big watery eyes.

“It’s alright Twilight. Sometimes we get so caught up in the problem and we miss the obvious solution even if it's plain to see.” I said before I wrapped her in a hug.

“Oh and I fixed the bird and frog. Next time we use an apple it would be a lot easier.” I said with a chuckle.

“Hehe thanks.” Twilight said with a blush and smile.

“Hey there Fox, me, Rarity, and Rainbow here are planning to take the Crusaders out for a little campin trip and was wonderin if you and Rosy want to come along?” Applejack asked as with Rainbow and Rarity.

“I’m so down for that. What about you Rosy?” I asked as I picked her up and put her on my shoulders.

“Yeah. I’ve never been camping before but it sounds fun.” Rosy said with a smile.

“Well alright then meet me tomorrow at sweet apple acres in the morning by sun rise.” Applejack said before she left for home.

“Well I better get back home and pack up a few things. Twilight, you need any help sealing up the cave with the mirror pond?” I asked as I typed up a list of stuff I need to pack.

“No I should be fine.” She said before giving me one more hug and left.

“Alright let's head home Rosy.” I said as we headed out of town and into the forest. With the sun quickly setting the forest got really dark and it was hard to tell where I was going.

“This forest gets really spooky at night.” Rosy said as her and Tammy tried to loom around.

“I know I can hardly see where I’m going-.” I said before I tripped over a root and tumbled down a hill. Rosy was able to flutter safely down but me on the other hand went face first in a patch of blue flowers.

“(gulp) blah. Oh that tasted nasty. I hope that was poisonous.” I said as I wiped my tongue trying to rid the awful taste of the flower before standing up and putting one in my bag to study later.

“You ok dad.” Rosy asked as she landed on my shoulders.

“Yeah I think so. Hopefully it was safe to eat I know ponies love flowers but that one was awful.” I said while walking back up the hill and continued to the house. I was really looking forward to this camping trip tomorrow.

Somewhere deep in a cave a lone creature in a black clock stood in front of a huge dark crimson and black swirl floating crystal.

“Master we located the six keystones. It's sealed in an underwater cave system off the coast of Equestria. I have a team on standby on a nearby island ready to collect it.” Said the cloaked creature as a pair of red glowing eyes and black smoke filled the crystal.

“Good. Have you any progress on locating the other five.” It said in a deep demonic voice.

“Yes master we have information on three more so far.” The creature said.

“Hahahaha soon I will be set free then no creature in this world can stop me. What of the last child of the Mystic Foxes.” The Crystal said.

“I have a familiar watch over him. It doesn’t appear that he knows anything about us yet but I believe it's only a matter of time but he won't be a problem.” The creature said.

“Good. Keep a close I on him.” It said before it faded.

Chapter 13: Camping, nightmares, and a blue flower

Chapter: 13. Camping, nightmares, and a blue flower.

The sun was rising to a new day and its rays filled my room with its warmth. I wish I could tell you I had a good night rest but no, I tossed and turned all night. Now the sun was in my face trying to wake me up.

“Ugh go away sun.” I said sleepily as I rolled over and covered my face with the covers.

“Yawn but we have to. We got to meet up with Miss. Applejack for that camping trip.” Rosy said with a yawn before rolling over and pulling the covers over her head.

“I know.” I said as I slowly removed the covers and sat up before hopping off the bed and heading for the bathroom. I then found myself with a little problem. I could reach the light switch or sink so I thought I was in my tiny fox form but when I looked down I was shocked.

“AAAAHHHHHHH WHAT THE HELL!!!” I yelled as I looked down at my body. I was now small and I don’t mean I shrunk, no I was now a toddler. It was like I was 5 again. I quickly found a chair to stand on so I could look at myself in the mirror and sure enough there was a 5 year old me looking back. My hair was much shorter and hung just above my shoulders. I still had my ears and tail but they felt much softer now.

“What's all the yelling abou-…HAHAHAHA.” Rosy said before she started to roll around laughing.

“This ain’t funny. How did this even happen last night? I was fine, now I’m five again.” I said as I looked at myself. I was now around 3 feet tall and my PJs were falling off.

“Hahaha sorry haha you just look so funny like that.” She said while trying to stop laughing as I glared down at her.

“(Sigh) this is just great. What magic caused this? Wait a sec.” I said as I got a closer look at myself I noticed something different from what I looked like when I was younger and began to pat myself down until I got to a certain spot.

“No…no, no, no, NO WHY, WHY IS IT GONE.” I yelled as I frantically threw my shirt off and looked down into my PJs bottoms.
“Wait what's gone?” She asked while I began to cry.

“(Sniff) I’m not just younger (sniff) I’m now a girl. Oh god WHY.” I said before Rosy started to laugh again.

“HAHAHAHA Now you can be my sister HAHAHA.” She said while I tried to settle myself down.

“Ok Fox don’t panic. Maybe the girls would know what's goin on. Yeah I sure Twilight would know. Alright I’ll just teleport over to her house.” I said to myself as I hopped off my chair and tried to focus my magic but I didn’t have enough.

“Well this isn’t good. My magic isn’t strong enough like this, I can’t even make me close. This just sucks.” I said while Rosy calmed down.

“Haha well maybe Rarity could make you something. We do have to meet up with them for the camping trip.” She said as she picked herself off the floor before Tammy hopped up on her head and Ayla nuzzled my cheek.

“I almost forgot about that. Come on let go maybe we can catch her before she leaves her shop and hopefully I can find out what happened to me.” I said as I grabbed my bag and we headed out the house. Once outside I unclipped my cart to tried to make it bigger but I only was able to make it half its size but it was big enough for me and Rosy to ride on. I was just glad that the enchantments still worked and we made our way out of the forest and into town. It didn’t take us long to reach Rarity’s Boutique and saw Rarity and sweetie bell loaded down a cart with a mountain of luggage.

“Well I think that’s everything Sweetie Bell. Now lets go we don’t want to keep Applejack waiting.” Rarity said before she hooked Sweetie Bell to the cart as we rolled up beside it.

“Hi Miss. Rarity, hi Sweetie Bell.” Rosy said before she hopped off the cart and gave Sweetie Bell a big hug.

“ROSY are you ready for the camping trip?” Sweetie Bell asked after breaking the hug.

“You bet but my dad on the other hoof.” Rosy said with a snicker.

“Speaking of your father, did he have a little sister?” Rarity asked as I hopped off the cart. I decided since I don’t know what happened to me or how to fix it that I might just have a little fun with it.

“Hi pwetty pony. Daddy told me that you was the bestest at making pwetty dwesses and wanted me to have a pwetty sun dwess for my very first camping twip.” I said as I tried to pull off my most adorable look I could complete with shy puppy dog eyes. The whole time Rosy was trying not to bust out laughing while Sweetie Bell just looked on with confusion.I

“Oh my, well of course I can darling. I’m going to have to have a word with Fox for not telling us about you sooner. Now hold still while I take your measurement.” She said with a warm smile before she pulled out her measuring tape and took down my sizes then ran inside her shop.

“PFFFT HAHAHAHAHA you nailed the cute adorable look dad HAHAHA.” Rosy said as she couldn’t hold in her laughter and fell on her back.

“Wait what?” Sweetie Bell asked as she looked between Rosy and me.

“Hehe I don’t know what happened to me but why not have some fun with it. Good morning Sweetie Bell it's me Fox.” I said with a big smile.

“Wait Mr. Fox what happened to you?” Sweetie Bell asked as she walked up to me.

“Honestly I have no clue. I went to bed normal last night and woke up as, well in your terms, a young filly.” I said before Rarity walked out with the sundress.

“Here you are darling.” Rarity said as she showed me the dress. It was a white sundress that faded to light blue at the bottom and had a pocket with light blue lace around it and it had Rarity’s Diamond cutie mark in the center.

“Thank you vewy much Miss. Wawity. Its vewy pwetty.” I said adorably while Sweetie Bell and Rosy Tried not to laugh.

“Well I’m sure you will look absolutely adorable in this Fox.” She said with a big smirk before Rosy and Sweetie Bell burst out laughing.

“Aw how did you know?” I said with a pout.

“Fox I have a little sister that loves to use her adorableness to her advantage. Plus you're the only one around here that has ears, a tail and can walk on two leg, now go on and get changed or we’ll be late to meet up with Applejack.” She said as she passed me the dress and with a sigh I took it and went behind the cart to change. I slipped off my large night shirt and pulled the dress over my head and it was surprisingly comfortable.

“There we go. Thanks again Rarity.” I said as I walked back over to them as she was hooking Sweetie Bell up to her cart full of luggage.

“That seems a little excessive don’tcha think.” I said as I looked up at the cart.

“Oh darling it’s only the Essentials.” She said with a smile as Sweetie Bell tried to pull the cart.

“(sigh) Hold on a sec Sweetie Bell.” I said as I walked up to her cart and tried to focus my magic for an enchantment but it's hard with my magic this low. With a bit of effort I was able to make it lighter but not light as I hoped.

“Ugh doing magic like this is hard but I was able to make the cart a hundred pounds lighter. You can hook it up to my cart if you want it to be able to pull it no problem.” I said as Rosy hopped up in the cart.

“Are you sure? I don’t want it to be a bother.” Rarity said as Sweetie unhooked the cart and tied it to the back of the cart.

"It's perfectly fine Rarity. Now let's get this show on the road." I said before me, Rosy, and Sweetie Bell hopped in the cart and we headed out of town. On the way I wanted to ask Rarity if she might know what happened.

"Hey Rarity, so last night I went to look normal and now I'm a young kit (fox pup) any clue about why it happened?" I asked while Rosy got some bananas from the cart and passed me and Sweetie one.

"Hmm I'm not really sure. Your home is in the Everfree right?" She asked as I ate my banana.

"Yep (munch) about five minutes passed Fluttershy's cottage." I said with a mouth full of nana.

"Please darling don't talk with your mouth full." Rarity said with a stern glare.

"Sorry." I said with a small blush.

"Now did anything happen on your way home?" She asked as we passed the edge of town.

"Well not really." I said before finishing my banana.

"Well you did trip and fell into that patch of blue flowers." Rosy said as she fed a piece of her banana with Tammy while Sweetie Bell gave some of hers to Alya.

"Blue flowers? Oh dear I think you might have fallen in a patch of Poison Joke." She said with a worried look.

"Poison Joke?" I asked as I began to get a little scared.

"Yes, it's similar to Poison Ivy and Oak but instead of red itchy rashes it pulls pranks. But don't you worry I'm pretty sure Zacora can whip you up a batch of the cure in no time." Rarity said with a warm smile.

"Um what ...what if you accidentally ate one." I said with a bit of worry.

"Oh, oh dear I'm not quite sure. I've never heard anypony eat one before." Rarity said as I began to panic a bit.

"Oh no, no, no I hope I'm not stuck like this." I said as I grabbed my bag and pulled out my ear piece.

"Aw but I never had a sister before." Rosy said with a wide smile that was met by a glare from me while I slipped the earpiece on.

"Very funny. Twink you there?" I asked while I tried to make my display but it didn't hold up.

"Yes Fox, How can I help you and thank you for that melon treat you gave me it was delicious." She said happily.

"Your welcome. I need to see if we have any information on a blue flower called Poison Joke. Mainly the effects if eaten." I said Alya climbed up my arm to nuzzle my cheek.

"Give me a second to find what you need and I'll send it to your display." Twink said as I pet Alya's head. Her fluffy feathers are starting to fall out and are replaced by bubble gum pink slick feathers.

"Yeah that might be a problem. As of this morning I now look like my mom when she was five and I mean in all aspects." I said sadly while Rosy and Sweetie Bell played with Tammy.

"Well that's not good. Alright I got the information let see, there are a couple of articles here one of which was a research document by an earth pony named Mage Meadowbrook. It says "After one of the villagers accidentally ate a Poison Joke flower he came to me with his body inflated like a ripe blueberry. I was able to put together the cure potion that we use for those who just touch the plant but it had no effect until I made a few alterations so it can be drunk. After drinking the potion the villager returned to normal the next day." Twink said as we say Applejack in the distance.

"Why do I feel like there is more to this." I said with a deep sigh.

"Because there is. "It has been a month since the villager came to me and now he is back with another case but this time he was now tiny. After giving him another potion I called on a dear unicorn friend to scan his natural magic and found that the magic from the flower that causes the odd effects on the body had fused with his natural magic. In this case it can not be removed. I found the potions effects will hold the Jokes curse at bay but not cure it. The curse of the Joke will come back with random effects and at random times but with the help of the potion the curse will only last for 24 hours at most before its lifted. Below I have written the instructions on how to make the potion if anypony eats the Joke but I will continue to look for a more permanent solution." That's all there is to this article and I haven't been able to find any more information on the subject but good news is I have everything to make the potion for you if you'd like." Twink said happily.

"Yes please and why do you sound happy about all this?" I said with a raised brow.

"Because this is a perfect chance for collecting new research and you my dear kit is the test subject." Twink said with excitement.

"Yay. Thanks I'm glad my suffering will bring you joy." I said dryly as Applejack, Applebloom, and Scootaloo waved as we got closer.

"Oh you're quite welcome. I'll have the potion ready in about 3 hours." Twink said before putting the earpiece away as we reached Aj.

"Hey y'all. Um who's that." Applejack said as Rosy and Sweetie Belle hopped off the cart.

"Hey Aj it's me Fox. Before you ask, I had a run in with Poison Joke." I said with a sigh.

"Oh well we can get you fixed up with one of Zacora's brews." Applejack said as I climbed off the cart.

"For my case that won't work. I ate one and now I'm stuck with random things happening to me. On a plus side there is a potion that will turn me back to normal for a while but the curse will come back with random effects and at random times." I said while Applejack gave me a funny look.

"Well ok then. Are you ready to head out?" Applejack said as Scootaloo showed the fillies that she could hoover now.

"Sure am. I packed our camping gear in my bag and brought some good old camp fixins for dinner. Where's Rainbow Dash?" I asked as I looked around in the sky.

"She said she is going to meet up with us at the first campsite. Um Fox think you packed enough cuz that looks like something Rarity would do." Applejack said as she pointed to the large pile of luggage attached to the cart.

"That's because Rarity did do that." I said with a smile as I hopped up on the cart.

"Gee, Rarity, did you remember to pack?" Applejack said as she looked at the luggage mountain.

"Oh, well, let's see who gets the last laugh when you're absolutely desperate to curl your lashes, and you realize you didn't bring your eyelash curler." Rarity said with a confident smile before I turned and noticed Scootaloo showing the fillies how long she can hover for. And with a smile I walked up to them.

"Hey there Scootaloo, looks like your wings are finally working right." I said happily as I pet the flying snake on my shoulder.

"Isn't it great. I went to the doctor for a check up and it was a miracle that my wings are getting stronger and I should be able to fly around in no time if I exercise my wing every day." She said with a big smile as her wings buzzed.

"That's good to hear. Maybe when you get old you can be in the wonderbolts with Rainbow." I said before Scootaloo and the rest ran up to my cart and hopped on. It made me happy to see that I was able to make her life a bit better.

"Something tells me you had something to do with that fillies wings." Applejack said as she walked up next to me with a smirk and I never lost my smile.

"Maybe." I said before making my way to the cart.

"Alright, y'all, let's move 'em out!" Applejack said before we all set out to our first campsite. After a good bit of walking, well in my and the fillies case, riding we finally got to the site and I could see Rainbow flying around.

"Oh, are we there yet?" Rarity said as we reached the campsite.
"The last thousand times you asked that, the answer was no. This time, it's actually yes. There's Rainbow Dash up there right now." Applejack said as we watched Rainbow smash through a line of trees breaking out a chunk that we can sit on by the fire.

"(Sigh) she just basically cut those trees down. Well I could always use some more wood for my shop. I'll cut them up later." I said to myself as we all got off the cart and started to set up camp.

"[quietly] Alright, Scootaloo, just play it cool. [normal] Hey Rai–" Scootaloo said as she walked up to Rainbow before tripping and landing on her back.

"[clears throat] Hey, Rainbow Dash! What's up?" Scootaloo said while trying to look cool on the ground.

"Pst hey girl want to see something funny?" I asked quietly for the fillies and got nods and snickers.

"( POOF) Aw I look like a toy Chihuahua with big ears and sound like I inhaled a whole tank of helium." I said in a squeaky high-pitched voice while I looked over my even tinier fox body. ( imagine a stuffed fennec fox Beanie Baby.)

"Hahahahahaha" The fillies laughed as I glared at them.

"Hey that wasn't the funny part. Now hush here comes Rainbow." I said as I sat down and stiffened up like a toy.

"What took you guys so long?" Rainbow said as she flew up to us.

"Well, some of us didn't pack as light as the others. So we were slowed down a bit." Aj said pointing to the Rarities cart.

"Cool. Um what's up with this little fox toy, Did Fox make it?" Rainbow said before picking me up to get a better look.

"Oh um yeah dad made it for me." Rosy said with an innocent smile.

"Wow it almost looks real." Rainbow said as she brought me in for a closer look. It was then I decided to make my move.

"RRAAAWWW!!!" I yelled loudly.

"AHHHHH!!!" Rainbow screamed before she fell on her back and the others fell over laughing.

"HAHAHAHA." I laughed as I hit the ground.

"What is that." Rainbow said as she scooted away from me.

"Hahaha chill out Rainbow it's just Fox. Now if yall are done laughing let get our camp setup."

"Yeah it's me. (POOF) I had an accident with some Poison Joke and until tomorrow morning. So I'm stuck as a little girl." I said as I patted the dust off my dress and everypony went to set up their tents with Rainbow laughing as she went up to Scootaloo.

"Haha looks like you'll be sharing a tent with me, huh?" Rainbow said as she gave Scootaloo a nudge.

"Heh, if that's okay with you." Scootaloo said shyly while I fished my tent out of my bag.

"Sure! Long as you don't snore. You don't snore, do you?" Rainbow said as the glarex down at the filly.

"Nope. No way. Not me. Never snored a day or [laughs nervously] night in my life." Scootaloo said with a nervous laugh.

"Then you and I are gonna get along just fine." Rainbow said before a loud pop as a large tent inflated from a small box.

"Really?" I asked with a raised brow.

"You have got to be kidding me." Rainbow said while looking up at Rarity on the balcony of her condo tent.

"Sweetie Belle, do be a dear and see if you can find some fresh flowers for my bedside vase." Rarity said as she tossed an expensive vase down to Sweetie Bell how caught it after it bounced off their tent canopy.

"Scootaloo, do be a sweetheart and see if you can gather some firewood." Rainbow said while mocking Rarity's voice, making use laugh.

"Seriously though. Can you get us some wood for the fire?" Rainbow asked as she gave Scootaloo a light nudge.

"Of course!" She said before running off into the woods.

"Alright Rosy the tent is set now let go set up for dinner. I'm thinking some campfire roasted veggies, whatcha think?" I asked while I pulled everything I needed to cook with out of my bag.

"Sounds great. Can I help?" Rosy asked with sparkling eyes.

"Of course you can. Let go set this stuff up and we'll start cooking." I said as Scootaloo came back with the fire wood and AJ got the fire goin. Once the fire was ready I set my campfire grill on top of the fire before Rosy and I cut the veggies, then put them on the grill.

"Alright y'all supper will be ready here in a bit." I said as I took out the plates.

"You sure a little filly like you can handle the cooking?" Rainbow said with a smirk.

"Hey just because I look young right now doesn't mean my cooking skills are gone. Just for that no seconds for you." I said before I booped her nose making her grumble and sit back on her log. As soon as the food was ready I had Rosy help pass out the plates while I cleaned up my mess. After a good supper we were just sitting around the fire.

"Okay, everybody get comfortable, 'cause I'm about to tell you the best story you've ever heard." Rainbow said as she hopped in the air.

"Is it about the time when Rarity had wings, and then they got ruined, and then you saved her from plummeting to her doom?" Scootaloo asked excitedly.

"Wait what?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I'll tell ya later." AJ whispered to me.

"Okay, maybe it's the second best story you've ever heard. But probably still the scariest. You like scary stories, right?" Rainbow said in a spooky voice.

"Mm-hmm." Scootaloo said nervously.

"It all happened on a night just like this one, in a forest, just like this…" Rainbow said as she started her story and a short time later i had a filly hugging my arm.

"...And then, The Olden Pony asked, "Who's got my rusty horseshoe?" Rainbow said in an old raspy voice.

"Not me!" Sweetie Bell said before her, Scootaloo, and Applebloom hugged each other.

"You do!" Rainbow said loudly while pointing at the fillies making them jump and scream.

"I wasn't scared at all, hehe. Good story." Scootaloo said with a nervous laugh.

"Knew you wouldn't be scared. The way you jumped that cart the other day, you're like me – fearless." Rainbow said as she gave Scootaloo a little nudge.

"Yeah. Fearless." Scootaloo said nervously as her teeth chattered.

"It wasn't that scary." I said in a blunt tone.

"Oh really then lets hear a story from you then." Rainbow said smugly as I thought of a good story to tell.

"Hmm I think I got one. Anyone now what a Bard is?" I asked and everypony just shrugged.

"Ok well a Bard is a person or pony that tells stories with songs and I know a few good stories to sing." I said as I unclipped my violin and began the song.

(Play Master Mirror)

"His smile is fair as spring, as towards him he draws you." I sang as I used my magic to set the mood with a little bit of fog.

"His tongue sharp and silvery, as he implores you." I sang with Rosy helping me in the background making it seem like there were voices in the forest as I plucked the strings on my violin. By the time the song was over Rarity and Applejack were hugging their sisters and Scootaloo was trying hard not to hug Rainbow who was just sitting there with wide eyes.

"Ok that was pretty scary." Rainbow said before standing up and stretched.

"Don't worry. Rarity is here to keep you safe and sound. Ooh!" Rarity said to Sweetie Bell in a coddling manner.

"Think it's about time for me to hit the straw." Applejack said with a yawn and a trembling filly on her back.

"Don't you worry, little sis. There's no 'Olden Pony' or mirror monster in our tent." Applejack said as she patted her sister's head.

"Haa, that sure was funny, wasn't it? Hehe. How they were all afraid of The Olden Pony or some monster in a mirror. Heh, but not me, heh!" Scootaloo said with a nervous laugh.

"That's because you're tough, just like when I was your age!" Rainbow said proudly before dumping water over the fire making Scootaloo yelp.

"I'm hitting the sack. Come in whenever you feel like it." Rainbow said before walking into her tent leaving Scootaloo out by the fire pit.

"It's, it's nothing... Just my imagination…" Scootaloo said after hearing the noise of the forest.

"And that isn't the thundering stomp of The Olden Pony…" Scootaloo said before zipping into her tent.

"Well it's time we head to bed too Rosy." I said before I noticed she looked a little down.

"What's the matter sweetheart?" I ask sweetly as I pat her head.

"Um dad can I ask you something?" She asked shyly while drawing circles with her hoof.

"Sure, whats up?" I asked as I sat down in front of her.

"Um just for tonight can… can you sleep in your tiny fox form?" She asked softly with big puppy dog eyes.

"Is it because I look like your stuffed fox." I asked sweetly just getting a quick nod from her.

"(POOF) Alright fox snuggles it is. Now let's go get some sleep." I said in a squeaky voice as I hopped on her back and we headed into the tent. Tammy was on Rosy's head and because I was so small, Alya had gently wrapped herself around my neck.

"Hehe with Alya like that it looks like you have a pink bowtie on." She said with a smile as we got comfy in my sleeping back and fell right to sleep.

"I-Is anyone out there?" Someone said outside my tent and woke me up.

"Yawn what's that." I said before wiggling my tiny self from the cuddly filly and poked my head out of the tent to see Scootaloo walking into the woods.

"Why is she out wandering the woods at night? I better make sure she gets back safely." I said quickly before quietly following her behind the trees.

"Grumble grumble horseshoe." Said a clocked limping pony that literally came out of nowhere.

"Ok that's not right." I said as I began to look around for anything else that just pops up and I caught a glimpse of a familiar wavy mane pony walking through the trees next to me.

"Wait a sec." I said before I pushed past some bushes and popped out right behind Aunt Luna.

"Luna?" I asked with a bit of surprise before she noticed me.

"AAHHH RAT!! (BAMB)" She screamed before bucking me into a nearby tree.

"OOF OW ugh hi to you too Aunt Luna." I said after I pulled myself out of a fox shaped indent in the tree.

"Wait, is that you, dear nephew? What are you doing in the dream realm?" She asked while I dusted myself off.

"Dream realm? I thought something was off when an earth pony popped up out of thin air. The only one I know that can do that is Pinkie." (POOF) I said before I changed to kid me.

"What happened to you? You look just like your mother when she was young...did somebody curse you?" She asked as she looked me over.

"We do too, a bit of clumsiness. I fell into a patch of Poison Joke but don't worry I have a potion to help. Anyway what brings you out here. Well in here I guess." I said with a sigh.

"It is my role as princess of the night to guard ponies from their nightmares and tonight has been quite busy. Tonight has been filled with elder ponies looking for a lost horseshoe and monsters trying to drag ponies into mirrors. Now I'm more curious as to how you got into the dream world." She said as she looked down at me.

"In all honesty I have no clue how I got here...and about the mirror monsters." I said as I tried to look innocent and cute.

"Hmmm I will talk to you more about this later. It seems the young filly Scootaloo will be waking soon so fare well nephew and have a blissful slumber." She said before giving me a hug and fading out of the dream while I was forced out and awake but it was still dark and I was warm and comfy so I went right back to sleep.
.
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.
.
(The Crystal Empire, just past midnight.)

The moon shined brightly down upon the crystal castle and through the balcony window onto the princess of love and her husband sleeping peacefully when a loud explosion shook the Empire.

(BOOOOOM)

"AAHHH WHAT WAS THAT!?" Cadence yelled as she and Shining jumped out of their bed.

"Are under attack? Guards report!" Shining said before quickly encasing the empire in a shield as two

"Sir there was a large explosion west of the Empire." One of the guards said.

"Do we know what caused it?" Cadence asked as she approached the guards.

"No ma'am." The other said.

"Shining, take a squad and see what happened. I'll keep the shield up just in case." Cadence said as she walked to the balcony. In the distance she could see a large column of black smoke rising into the sky blocking out the moonlight.

"Guard inform a squad of scouts and first Lieutenant Heavy Point to meet me at the west side of the Empire. I'll be there shortly." Shining said as he put on his armor.

"SIR!" The guards said with a salute before dashing out the door.

"Be careful out there. I have a bad feeling about this." Cadence said with worry.

"Yeah me too." Shining said before he slipped on his helmet and headed for the west side of the Empire.

(ONE HOUR LATER)

"Everypony be on guard, we're nearing the site of the explosion." Shining said as the came to a massive hole in the ice where the smoke was coming from.

"Sir there appears to be a large forest in flames." A large maroon earth pony guard said as he looked over the edge of the ice.

"Yeah but what could have done this?" Shining said with concern as he stared dowe at the burning forest.

(WOOSH WOOSH)

"DRAGON!!!" A scout called out as a gigantic black dragon with crimson horns and scales slowly rose from the smoke in front of Shining and his squad.

"RRRRAAAAAAHHHH!!" It roared in their faces before taking to the sky and disappeared in the smoke.

"Why was there a dragon here?" Shining said to himself as he glared in the direction the dragon flew off in.

"Sir that dragon had something that looked like a large black crystal in it's claws." The maroon earth pony said.

"Hmm...Heavy Point sent a scout back to the castle to inform Cadence of what happened here and have her send us an exploration team with a small base camp set up. Also have her send the report to Celestia, Luna, and Sir Fox Lilly." Shining said before sending up a light spell to illuminate the area.

"Sir if you don't mind me asking, why send a report to Sir Fox?" Heavy Point asked with mild curiosity.

"Because he had a friend that lived down there." Shining said with a heavy sigh before Heavy Point left to make the report.

(Fox, sunrise.)

"Alright so the girls will probably be up pretty soon so i better make some coffee and a hearty quick breakfast." I said quietly in my cart. I woke up early and was happy to see that I was back to normal with all my parts where they should be. After a quick self inspection I left Rosy in the tent to sleep until everyone woke up and I went to get breakfast started.

"Yawn morning Fox." Applejack said as her and Applebloom walked up to the cart window.

"Good morning. Care for some coffee and some juice or milk?" I asked while setting out some cups.

"A cup of coffee sounds good." Applejack said as she leaned against the cart.

"Can I have some milk?" Applebloom said with a warm smile.

"Sure no problem. How does breakfast burritos sound for this morning's breakfast?" I said as I set out my ingredients before I poured their drinks.

"Good morning darling." Rarity said as her and Sweetie Bell walked up to the cart.

"Would you like some coffee Rarity? I'll have breakfast ready soon." I said while cutting up some onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms for the burrito.

"I would love a cup of coffee with cream and sugar please." Rarity asked as I started cooking. I used my magic to pour the coffee and mix it as well as pouring Sweetie Bell some milk.

"Thank you Mr. Fox." Sweetie Bell said with a smile.

"Your welcome Sweetie." I said as I happily mixed some eggs with the veggies before Alya popped out of my hair and slid down to my shoulder then nuzzled my cheek.

Buzz buzz.

"I hope y'all like burritos. Oh hey Sweetie Bell do you mind waking Rosy up?" I asked as i got out some tortillas.

Buzz buzz

"Sure thing." She said before walking to my tent as Rainbow and a very tired looking Scootaloo walked up to the cart.

Buzz buzz

"Morning girls...and Fox. Nice to see you back to a normal big guy." Rainbow said as she stretched her wings.

Buzz buzz

"Stupid fly go away. Want some coffee, Rainbow. You alright there Scoots." I ask as I try to bat the fly away.

Buzz buzz

"Oh yeah I'm fine. I totally didn't have a nightmare last night hehe." Scootaloo said nervously with shifty eyes.

Buzz bu-WHOOSH

"Whoa did you just breath fire Alya?" I asked as I watched the fly burn to ash in a blue flame while Alya happily shot a small blue flame out of her mouth.

"Alright goin to have to watch out for that. Adorable and deadly just be careful you don't set anything on fire." I said as I scratched her under the chin before Rosy, Tammy, and Sweetie Bell walked up.

"Good morning. (yawn) What's for breakfast?" Rosy asked while I started putting the burritos together.

"I made some burritos and I just finished them. Here y'all go, fresh hot breakfast burritos." I said as I past one to everypony.

"Alright y'all after breakfast we'll break down camp and hit the trail. Our next stop is a cave close to Winsone Falls. We should make it there before nightfall." Applejack said before we all munched on the burritos. After a good breakfast we packed up our stuff and hit the trail. Rarity tried to make her sister push her while she was on that couch of hers but after I saw how hard it would be for Sweetie Bell I put a temporary movement enchantment on it so Sweetie could ride the cart with the other fillies except Scootaloo how was asleep on the luggage cart.

"Alright y'all we need to pick up the pace so we can get to the next campsite before dark." Applejack said before Scootaloo woke up with a gasp.

"Dark?! I'll just ride ahead and make sure the path is clear. We don't wanna be out here after dark, right?" Scootaloo said as she got her scooter and helmet.

"Doesn't matter to me." Rainbow said with a shrug.
"Well, y'know, it's for the scaredy-ponies, heheh." Scootaloo said before taking off on her scooter.

(Sometime later)

"That's why it's always important to bring your own trunk on any public outing." Rarity said before Scootaloo jumped out of the bushes.

"Um... don't come this way! Take the path! It's, heh, way better than going through the bushes." Scootaloo said with tired eyes. As we walked Applejack stepped on a twig and scared Scootaloo who jumped high enough to grab a cloud before slipping off it and fell.

"I got'cha." I said as I quickly caught her and set her down.

"You're more nervous than a worm in an apple on cider making day. What gives, Scootaloo?" Applejack asked with concern.

"Heh, nothing, just thought I heard something, aheh." Scootaloo said while trying to hide how tired she was.

(owl hoots)

"Ahhh." Scootaloo said before sliding back.

"You sure you're okay? You seem a little jumpy." Applejack asked.

"Just getting my exercise! You know how important it is to stretch out those hindquarters every so often, aheh." Scootaloo said while stretching her hind legs.

(Frog croaking)

"Uh, d-do you need a little help?" Scootaloo asked me after the frog made her jump a bit. I was inside the cart making some sandwiches while we rolled along. That movement enchantment on my cart really comes in handy some time.

"Yeah sure. Hop in and you can help Rosy pass out lunch then you can help us get ready for supper." I said as I sliced some bread.

"Um... what are friends for?" Scootaloo said before hopping in and helped put the sandwiches together.

(Night time)

"No need for tents tonight, y'all. We'll just take shelter in that cave." Applejack said as we came upon the cave we're staying at for the night.

"All right! A deep, dark cave! Perfect for the story I've got for tonight. All we need is a campfire, and we're good to go." Rainbow said as she flew above the cave entrance.

"Uh, of course…" Scootaloo said nervously. I thought of something that might help her nerves a bit and called her over.

"Hey Scootaloo come here for a sec." I said as I used my magic to make a small fox charm.

"Need some more help with supper Mr. Fox?" Scootaloo said with a large forced smile.

"Nope that's already done. Here, this fox charm will bring you luck and keep any monsters away so you don't have to be scared any more." I said as I clipped the charm on her main.

"Scared? I'm not scared. Who said I was scared? I'll be right back with lots of firewood from the deep... dark... not-scary-at-all forest!" Scootaloo said as Rainbow hoverd above us.

"Thanks." Rainbow said to Scootaloo.

"Okay. I can do this. On the count of three, I get those branches. One... two... three! Here, branches branches branches…" Scootaloo said before she walked to the other side of the carts. After Rainbow went back to the fire pit I decided to keep an eye on her.

"Bbbbrrr! Hoo-wee! It's colder than a timberwolf's toenail. Bbbrr! Where's that Scootaloo?" I heard Applejack say as I watched as Scootaloo looked into the forest with a scared look before she ran into it in a panic, then came back with just a few twigs.

"Here you go!" Scootaloo said as she dropped her twigs in the fire pit. I chuckled to myself before collecting a good bundle of twigs.

"That's it?" Rainbow said with a raised brow.

"It's all I could find, 'cause, y'know, there aren't that many trees around here!" Scootaloo said before I walked up beside her.

"Yo Scoots you dropped these." Isaid with a wink as I put the bundle by the fire and left to bring back supper.

"It's all we need. Why don't you sit with Rainbow Dash for a while?" Applejack said before she started the fire.

"Soups one girl. Ha literally, it's Quinoa and vegetables stew its hardy, heathy, and full of goodness." I said as I set the pot of stew next to the fire and Rosy helped pass out bowls. After a good supper we were ready with a few scary stories.

"Now, where was I? Oh yeah, the [spookily] scary part." Rainbow said with an evil laugh.

"Hey, I have an idea! How about I tell tonight's story?" Scootaloo asked with a nervous laugh.

"Alright, just make sure it's a horrible one." Rainbow said as she got comfy on the stump.

"There once was a really really nice pony who lived in a bright and sunny land, where there are rainbows every day, and lots and lots of happy friends, and–." Scootaloo said before Rainbow cut her off.

"No offense, but it's not a real campfire story unless somepony's shaking. I've been told that these very woods are haunted…" Rainbow said as she started her story.

"...by The Headless Horse! It gallops only at night–." Rainbow said spookily before Applejack cut her off.

"If it doesn't have a head, then how in tarnation does this pony know where it's goin'?" Applejack said with a smile.

"I agree with Applejack." I said with Rosy chuckling in my lap.

"It's headless, not brainless.-...looking for little lost ponies–." Rainbow said before getting cut off again.

"So where's its brain?" Applejack said with a smirk.

"Ugh. Fear was dripping from the air…" Rainbow continued her story.

(A short time later)

"...and they were never heard from ever again!" Rainbow finished her story as the fillies hugged their sisters and me.

"Never?" Sweetie Bell asked in fright.

"Never." Rainbow said in a spooky way before the fire popped making the fillies scream then laugh except Scootaloo who was trembling in fear.

"Don't worry, you'll be safe with me tonight." Rarity said as she hugged her sister.

"It's not time for bed yet, is it?" Scootaloo asked nervously.

"'Fraid so, Scootaloo." Applejack said as they got up to go to bed.

"Uh, but we haven't even sung any campfire songs yet!" Scootaloo said nervously.

"Well I do know another scary song." I said as I went to unclip my violin.

"NO, no that's alright darling. One scary story is enough for us. I will never look at a mirror the same. A regular campfire song will do just fine." Rarity said as a shiver ran down her back.

"You don't have to ask me twice!" Sweetie bell said before she started singing ninety-nine buckets of oats on the wall and very off key and rhythm. I ended up putting a sound barrier up around me and Rosy at around sixty buckets and by the time she finished the only one still awake was a very tired looking Scootaloo.

" ...buckets of oats! Take one down, pass it around, you've got zero buckets of oats on the waaaaaaaalllllll!!!!" Sweetie Bell sang before falling right to sleep and Rarity picked her up and put her on her back.

"Good night, Sweetie Belle." Rarity said sweetly.

"Good night, y'all." Applejack and Applebloom said as they headed inside the cave.

"Oh is it over?" I asked with a sleeping filly in my arms.

"Yeah. Sleep tight." Rainbow said while walking into the cave.

"Oh, just one more song! Anyone? How about a dance contest? I know you love to cut a rug, so how 'bout we mess up a cave floor? I have a brilliant idea! Hide and seek! Who's with me?" Scootaloo said tiredly as she tried to stay awake

"Maybe tomorrow." Applebloom said before falling asleep.

"Seems like you don't really wanna go to sleep tonight. Is there some reason why?" Applejack asked with concern.

"Yeah Scootaloo. You know that those stories are just stories. Plus with all of use here nothing can get you." I said as I set Rosy in the sleeping bag.

"Pfft, of course not! I just love camping and hanging out with Rainbow Dash so much that I don't wanna waste a single minute with sleep! [yawns] Heh, silly sleep." Scootaloo said with a yawn.

"That's cool and all, Scoot, but this pony needs her shut-eye and she needs it now!" Rainbow said before falling asleep.

"Ugh, this is so unfair... [yawns] I'm falling asleep…" Scootaloo said before falling asleep.

"Night girls." I said before sliding in my sleeping bag next to Rosy and fell right to sleep. I woke up shortly after to find Scootaloo racing past me on her scooter.

"Whoa what happened." I asked myself as I looked around at the spooky woods we were in.

"Well this is a surprise once again dear nephew." Luna said as she popped up beside me.

"So I take it, this is Scootaloo's dream again." I asked as I watched Scootaloo.

"You are correct. But before I forget me and my sister would like to come to Canterlot when you return. We got a report from the Crystal Empire that we would like to discuss with you as well as your upcoming mission. As for now though would you care to watch me work." She said as a headless pony came to the top of a hill

"Sure. I've been worried about Scootaloo. I think the scary stories are getting to her." I said as the moon began to shine.

"Your part right but there's a root fear she needs to get over." She said before she disappeared and left me to watch.

"If The Headless Horse catches me, I'm never gonna be heard from again! And I wanna be heard from! Woah, woaaah! Ugh! Woah!." Scootaloo said before she wrecked her scooter.

"It's all over!" Scootaloo cried as the headless horse rose up in the moonlight before it was replaced by Luna.

"A warm welcome to you, Scootaloo." Luna said sweetly.

"Princess Luna! I thought you were The Headless Horse!" Scootaloo said as she looked up to the night princess.

"You were mistaken, but I hope not disappointed." Luna said with a warm smile.

"You are so, so much better than The Headless Horse. But what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Canterlot?" Scootaloo said.

"I am the princess of the night. Thus it is my duty to come into your dreams." Luna said with pride.

"Oh, yeah... Wait, is this just a dream? But it feels so real!" Scootaloo said as she moved her hoof in the air and watched it ripple like water.

"I assure you that you are asleep. But when you awake, the thing that frightens you most will still exist." Luna said with concern.

"Eh... The Headless Horse?" Scootaloo said nervously.

"Hmmm... Is The Headless Horse really what frightens you the most?" Luna said as she brought her hoof to her chin.

"Mm-mm. I'm afraid Rainbow Dash will find out I'm not as tough as she thinks I am." Scootaloo said as she looked down sadly.

"Everypony has fears, Scootaloo. Everypony must face them in their own way. But they must be faced, or the nightmares will continue." Luna said before the dream began to ripple and pushed Luna and I out of the dream.

"Face your fears!" I heard Luna say before the dream faded and I woke back up in the cave.

" –Princess Luna?! It was just a dream." Scootaloo said as she quickly woke from her dream.

"But The Headless Horse isn't! Rainbow Dash said it lives here, in these very woods!" Scootaloo said after she heard some water drops in the cave. Then a loud whinny sounded through the cave.

"It's the wicked whinny of The Headless Horse!" She said in fright before she grabbed her scooter and took off into the woods as I sat up and looked over to Rainbow who was whinnying in her snoring.

"Hey Rainbow wake up we got a problem." I said as I slowly shook her awake.

"Huh wha Fox whats up." Rainbow said while rubbing her eyes.

"Scootaloo just took off on her scooter. I think those stories may have got to her and it's not safe for a filly to be out there at night." I said before me and her left to find Scootaloo. A short time later me and Rainbow were flying above it looking for Scootaloo.

So it's a horse without a head... which means it doesn't have a mouth... and if it doesn't have a mouth, then... it's not a horse-eat-pony kind of horse... but still... it's a horse without a head!" Scootaloo said as she sped down the path before she it a rock and crashed, sliding down a hill next to a waterfall and was able to catch a branch before she fell.

"Hello?! Is anyone out there? [nervously] Anyone except The Headless Horse? Scootaloo said before the branch started to break.

"Heellllp–" she cried out as the branch broke and she fell into the rapids below.

"Rainbow there she is. We have to get her before she gets to the waterfall!" I shouted before Rainbow shot past me and caught her just as she fell. I was right behind her.

"I gotcha!" Rainbow said before we landed.

"Rainbow Dash! Fox Is that you? Thank you, thank you!" She said happily as she gave Rainbow a hug.

"What were you doing out here in the middle of the night?!" Rainbow asked.

"It is time for you to face your real fear, Scootaloo!" Luna's voice softly echoed in the night and I gave her a nudge and wink.

[sighs] I'm so, so sorry, Rainbow Dash! I just wanted you to hang out with me and see how cool I was so you'd take me under your wing, teach me everything you know, and become like my big sister! But then you started telling those spooky stories and I got scared! I thought I heard The Headless Horse so I ran out here by myself, and...well, I guess you know the rest." Scootaloo said with some sniffles.

"Hey, I'm gonna tell you something, but if you ever tell anypony else, I'm gonna deny it. First time I heard those stories... I was scared too." Rainbow said as she gave me a look that said if you tell I'll get you.

"And I have an irrational fear of lizards but I don't let it get to me. I still can't look at Spike while shivering." I said with a smile.

"You were?" Scootaloo said with a chuckle.

"Sure! I mean, I got over it because I realized pretty quick that if there was such a thing as a Headless Horse, I could totally take it on. So, you're looking for somepony to take you under their wing, huh?" Rainbow said as she gave her a wing hug.

"Mm-hmm." Scootaloo nodded.

Yeah, I might be up for something like that." Rainbow said proudly.

"Really?" Scootaloo asked with big eyes.

"As long as you don't go falling into any more rivers in the middle of the night." Rainbow said, making us giggle.

"It's a deal!" Scootaloo said as she gave Rainbow a hug.

"Let's head on back before the sun comes up and we can get some more sleep." I said before we took off flying back to camp.

(Midmorning close to the falls)

"I call sister teams! Last herd to make it to the falls is a moldy carrot!" Sweetie Bell called out before running down the path.

"Ugh, if you insist. [giggles] It is so on!" Rarity said as she took off after her sister.

"Hey what about us?" I asked before Applejack put her hoof on my leg.

"You can be a temporary sister, bye." Applejack said before she ran down the path laughing with Applebloom at her side.

"They think they can beat the two of us?" Rainbow said as she picked up Scootaloo and took to the sky.

"Lets go dad." Rosy said as she held onto my head with Tammy and Alta on my shoulders.

"Don't have to tell me twice." I said as I jumped into the sky and caught up to Rainbow who was holding Scootaloo above her head while Scootaloo's wings were buzzing. I was able to get Rainbows attention and motioned her to lower her hoof and as soon as she did her eyes lit up as Scootaloo never noticed she was flying on her own. And with a happy smile and a tear in her eye we caught up with the group and made it to the falls.

(Later that night, dream world.)

"Who's got my rusty horseshoe?" Said the olden pony who had Scootaloo cornered before Rainbow showed up.

"Here it is, for ponies sake. Now take it and stop all your moaning." Rainbow said as she tossed an old rusty horseshoe to the olden pony.

"Thank you, and have a nice day." The olden pony said before disappearing into the wood while Rainbow and Scootaloo hugged.

"That's a good way to end a nice trip." I said happily with Luna at my side giggling.

"That is my nephew. Farewell for now and don't forget to come see me and my sister. We will be waiting for you." Luna said before giving me a hug as the dream faded and another day began.

Chapter 14: Travel Plans and A Curse.

Chapter 14: Travel Plans And A Curse.

After a good camping trip, we finally made it back to ponyville and when we got back home we had quite a bit of a surprise waiting for us.

"Oh it's good to be home. I love camping but nothing beats a hot shower and warm bed." I said as we went inside.

"Yeah you could definitely use a shower." Rosy said jokingly while holding her nose.

"Hey I don't stink that bad." I said before I reached up and plucked Rosy off my head and started to tickle her sides.

"HAHAHA...sto... HAHAHA stop you win HAHA." Rosy said as she tried to escape her fate before Tammy and Alya joined in the fun.

"Haha you can't escape for me." I said before I stopped when our stomach growled.

"Hahaha alright for now I'll let you go. Now lets see what we can get from the garden. Why don't you go and pick something and I'll get the kitchen ready." I said as I picked up Alya who is getting bigger by the day. Most of her fluffy feathers have been replaced with smooth feathers and she's flapping her wings more often too. Then there's her fire breathing. I really need to do some more research about her.

"Yay come on Tammy lets go explore the wild gardens." Rosy said happily as Tammy hopped on her head and headed out the back door but stopped when they opened it.

"Um dad?" Rosy asked, not looking away from the yard.

"Yeah?" I said as I washed some rice.

"You might want to see this." She said while pointing a hoof out the door. I put the rice down and went to see what she was talking about and as soon as I did my eyes went wide.

"Ok so those squirrels have been busy. I don't even know what to do with all this heck I didn't even know I had this many types of produce." I said as we walked outside to see large piles of fruits, berries, and vegetables.

"Whoa its like you have your own grocery store." She said as we walked around the pile.

"Hmm maybe I can talk to Applejack to see if there's any place I could sell these. I know I can take them to the market in town but I doubt I can get rid of all this. Anyway for now I'm hungry so let's get something then I'll put all this in my storage for now. You know what, I think these squirrels need a treat too." I said before I used my magic to put the piles in my bag then went into the house and brought out a bowl and knife.

"What's with the bowl?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Oh you'll see." I said with a smirk. I left out a smile pile of fruit and with a bit of magic I made the bowl bigger then I picked up the pile and literally played a real life game of fruit ninja with all the pieces falling into the bowl.

"Whoa that was cool." She said as I picked up the bowl and set it down by my fruit trees.

"HEY SQUIRRELS THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND I MADE YOU GUYS A FRUIT SALAD AS A THANK YOU!" I yelled into the tree and after a few minutes a tune of black and green squirrels rushed out of the trees and into the bowl.

"There's so many." She said as we watched the squirrels chow down.

"No kidding. Remind me later to see if Fluttershy can talk to them a bit. Now let's get something to eat then off to bed. We got a lot to do tomorrow." I said as I scooped up my adorable daughter and went back inside for the night not noticing the black owl watching me from the tree tops.

(Early morning Sweet Apple Acres)

"So what do you think I should do AJ?" I asked as we made our way through town. I was on my way to her farm but she was walking her little sister to school so I walked with her. I needed to stop by the school anyways.

"Well if ya have that much stock I would say go talk to Filthy Rich. He owns Barnyard Bargains in ponyville just be careful. He's not a bad pony but he will try to knock down his price as low as he can get it. If he can't buy them he can probably point you in the right direction." Applejack said as we neared the school house. I could see all the fillies and colts playing outside.

"I'll stop by to talk with Filthy Rich on my way to Canterlot. Thanks for the help AJ and if you ever need any of my produce it's on the house for friends." I said as we got to the school. I noticed a dark pink earth pony with a light pink mane walk out of the school house.

"Good mornin miss Cheerilee." Applebloom said as her and Rosy ran up to the pony.

"Oh good morning Applebloom and who is this you brought?" Miss Cheerilee asked as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle ran up to them.

"Um hi I'm Rosy." Rosy said shyly while trying to hide behind Applebloom.

"Hello Rosy are you here for class today?" Cheerilee asked sweetly before Rosy looked up to me with big eyes.

"She sure is. Hello I'm Foxy Lilly and I would like to enroll my daughter if that's alright?" I asked as I held out my hand to shake her hoof.

"Oh you must be Sir Lilly. Well Mr. Lilly I'll be more than happy to have your daughter in class. She's more than welcome to start today if you would like and when you pick her up we can go over some paperwork." Cheerilee said with a warm smile as I looked down to see four fillies giving me the big puppy dog eyes.

"With this much cuteness how could I say no." I said as I watched their faces light up.

"YAY!!" The fillies cheered while running around us.

"Alright girls can y'all do me a big favor and look after Rosy while she's here?" I asked as I kneel down in front of them.

"No problem Mr. Fox, she's in good hoof." Applebloom said with a warm smile.

"Good. Here I made some lunch for us later but you girl can have it and here take this. You can use it in an emergency. Just tap it twice and a display like mine will appear and connect to one I have and we can talk to each other." I said as i pulled out a large bento box full of rice, steamed and fried vegetables, and banana pudding along with a ruby fox hair pin. I handed it over to Rosy before I noticed a brown earth pony walk up with a light pink filly with a tiara.

"Well this will save ya some time. That there is Filthy Rich and his daughter Diamond Tiara." She said as Mr. Rich let his daughter go play and walked up to use.

"Well good morning Applejack how's your granny doing." Rich asked as he shook Applejack's hoof.

"She's still kickin. Mr. Rich, this here is a friend of mine." Applejack said pointing her hoof at me.

"Hello Mr. Rich I'm Fox Lilly nice to meet you." I said as I shook his hoof.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Lilly." He said before Rosy ran up to me.

"Dad Miss Cheerilee said I can't have pets in class. Can you watch Tammy?" She asked while holding up a sad tiny monkey.

"Oh course I can. Come on up here Tammy you get to hang out with me and Alya today." I said as I held my hand out and she quickly ran up my arm to my shoulder and Alya came out of my hair to nuzzle her.

(Ding Dong)

"Alright everypony it's time for class. I have a special announcement so please find your seats quickly." Cheerilee said as she ushered the colts and fillies into the class.

"Have a good first day Rosy." I said as I gave her a hug before she ran into the school house.

"Well I better be heading back myself." Applejack said before she left, leaving me and Mr. Rich to talk.

"Mr. Rich, do you mind if we talk a little business?" I asked before he left.

"I'm always up to talk business. What can I do for ya." He asked as we began to head into town.

"Well Mr. Rich since I moved here my gardens have grown exponentially and now I have too much produce to handle and I was looking into wholesaler. Would you like to sit for a cup of coffee while we talk?" I said as I noticed a Cafe and decided to sit down.

"Sure a good cup of coffee is always nice. So Mr. Fox, what kind of produce do you grow and do you have any with you." Rich said as we took our seats and placed our order.

"Well right now I have many different things growing. Fruits, berries and vegetables most of them I'm sure you never heard of. Like this one." I said as I pulled out a dark green and brown fruit the size of an orange on the table.

"Sun doesn't take this the wrong way but that fruit looks over ripe." He said as he looked it over.

"Actually it's perfectly ripe. The fruit is called a Chocolate Pudding Fruit, it's in the same family as a persimmon and looks and tastes just like the name." I said as I cut it in half to reveal the dark brown meat inside and handed him a half with a spoon.

"Go ahead give it a try." I said before I watched him take a whiff and then ate a spoonful.

"It really does taste like chocolate pudding. Hmm this could be big and ponies would love it. Are all of your produce like this?" He asked as he ate some more.

"Pretty much. I do have some that are better used for more herbal and medical side but I don't have much of those. Wait where did my half go?" I asked as I began to look around until I noticed a pink poofy mane over the hedge.

"Pinkie you know you can ask me for one." I said before the pink poof slowly lowered until it was gone. I chuckled and pulled another from my bag and tossed it over the hedge.

"Hehe." I heard before she took off.

"Anyway Mr. Rich if you'd like you can think it over and will work something out but for now I need to head up to Canterlot for a meeting with my aunts but I will be back by the time school gets out." I said as I stood up and placed a few bits on the table.

"I'll get with you then and we can set up a deal. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope we can work together." He said as I shook his hoof before he left and as I turned to leave I ran right in Twilight's horn.

"OW hi Twilight, sup Spike." I said while I rubbed my side where her horn poked me.

"Oops sorry Fox." Twilight said with a sheepish smile as she lowers a book she was reading

"Hey Fox what are you up to today." Spike asked as he hopped off Twilights back.

"I got to head up to Canterlot to see aunt Celestia. What y'all up to?" I asked as we walked through town.

"We're headed over to Fluttershy's cottage to practice a spell." Twilight said with her nose back in the book.

"Oh hey want to see something cool?" I asked Spike before he hopped in Twilight's back.

"Sure." Spike said with a little excitement.

"Alya do the thing." I said before Alya slid out of my hair and let loose a small jet of blue flames.

"Whoa I thought only dragons could breathe fire." Spike said while Twilight took down some quick notes.

"Well I was planning to see if Twink has anything in the library about it and maybe I can get aunt Tia to set up the same spell that lets you send messages." I said as I gave my Alya a good head scratch.

"Hmm I think she can do that and maybe she can link it up to Spike's flame too." Twilight said before she put her notes away.

"Actually Twilight I'm working on something for me and you girls. There was a device in my world called a cell phone. It started out as just a simple way to talk over a long distance but grew more advanced as technology grew in our world so now it was used for pretty much anything. I think I might have found a communication enchantment that I can link to objects like gemstones. I'll do some more research and let you see what I find out." I said as i watched Twilight's grow large and sparkly as i talked.

"You really need to stop breaking Twilight." Spike said as he poked Twilight.

"Alright how about this. I'll let you read some of the books I have in my study at home when I get back. There's nothing on magic but plenty of novels and study books." I said before Twilight went stiff with a massive smile on her face.

"Great, now I have to drag her to breakfast." Spike said as he hopped off her back and began to drag her by the tail over to the cafe while I got a good chuckle out of it.

"Ok you two hold on tight." I said to my tiny friend on my shoulders before I jumped into the air and began my flight to Canterlot when I noticed a rainbow tail hanging off a nearby cloud and smirked. I flew above the cloud and sure enough Rainbow Dash was napping on her back.

"Oh this will be funny." I said as I looked around until I found any cloud. I flew over and put a hole in the middle before moving it under Rainbow. I slowly floated up to the side of Rainbows and whispered something to Alya before she slipped down my arm and right beside the sleeping pony. Alya started to use her tail to tickle Rainbow's side.

"Ha ha haha hahaha HAHAHA HAHAHA WHOA (THOOMP)." Rainbow laughed while slowly rolling off the side of her cloud before falling and getting stuck in the hole of the other cloud.

"Hahaha every cloud should have a Rainbow." I said before I picked up Alya and took off towards Canterlot.

"FOX IT IS SO ON!!!" I heard Rainbow yell as she tried to get free of her cloud donut. After a good laugh and a few minutes in the cool morning sky I landed just outside Canterlots gates and decided to change into my big fox form then headed through the gates.

"Man it's been awhile since I've been in this form. It Feels nice just to stretch my legs a bit. Now lets see which way to the castle gates." I asked myself while walking down the main road until I heard a familiar voice.

"Ah Sir Fox good morning." The voice said as I stopped and looked around.

"Over here my good lad. Would you care to join us for a spot of tea." The voice said as i turned around and found Fancy Pants and a tall white pink unicorn with a very light pink mane sitting at a table outside the local cafe.

"Oh well good morning to you too Mr. Fancy and to you as well Miss…" I said as I walked up to the pair.

"Fleur de Lis. It's quite the honor to meet the hero knight of Canterlot." She said making me blush a bit.

"Thank you but please I'm just a normal...fox so no need for any praise." I said with a smile as a waiter filled their cups.

"That is very humble of you Sir Fox and I respect that. Word around the castle is that you set up the everfree forest as your own nation, is that right?" Fancy asked before taking a sip of tea.

"Yes it actually was its own nation a long time ago when the Mystic Foxes still ruled but after they disappeared my mother entrusted the lands over to my aunts and they gave it back just recently. I'm actually fixing to set up a trade route over seas and a few places in Equestria." I said before I pulled a melon from my bag and sliced it up for them to enjoy.

"I wish I could stay and chat but I must be going. Aunt Tia is expecting me, here this melon is from my garden and goes rather well as a cup of tea so enjoy. I hope you have a wonderful day." I said with a small bow.

"And a wonderful day to you too Sir Fox. Give my best to the Princess." Fancy said as he and Lis bowed before going back to their tea and I continued my way to the castle. After a short walk through the city I made it to the main door to the throne room where there is a long line of ponies waiting to see Celestia and at the front was Miss. Note with her clipboard.

"Good morning Miss. Note I was supposed to have a meeting with Celestia this morning, do you know where I can find her?" I asked as I ignored the whispers from the line behind me.

"Oh yes she's currently eating breakfast in the dining hall. Do you need some help finding it?" She asked with a smile.

"No thank you I remember where it's at. Thank you Miss Note." I said with a small bow before heading to the kitchen. I found it with no problems and when I went in I saw Aunt Tia with a large piece of cake in her magic and frosting on her mussel.

"You know cake is not a breakfast food right?" I asked with a smirk as a surprised Alicorn dropped the cake back on its plate.

"Yes you're right but cake is good any time of the day." She said before picking back up the cake and eating it in one big bit.

"I'm not a cake fan, I like pie. So what was it you and Aunt Luna wanted to talk to me about?" I said as I sat down and Celestia pasted me a cup of tea.

"Yes we wanted to tell you that the Everfree Forest now belongs to you with Equestria as an ally with an open trade. And speaking of trade we were able to register a ship as your trading vessel. Did Luna go over your mission to find out why our ships and crew are going missing?" She asked as she took a sip of tea.

"Yes she said that y'all trading ships never hit shore and wanted me to look into it. I wanted to set up this trade as a cover to get to the island because it seems like ships with y'alls flags have been targeted by whoever. So if I can get to the island I can gather the information I need and hopefully put a stop to it and maybe sell off some of my produce. Speaking of, is there somepony in charge of stocking the kitchen?" I asked as I pulled out a melon and slided it up for use while Tammy and Alya hopped down to the table to enjoy the sweet melon.

"So it seems you already have a plan set in place. I'll send a letter to one of my trusted traders to meet you at the docks and he also should be able to sell your produce and if there's anything like this mellon I don't think it will be a hard task. The ship will be ready to sail when you arrive in Baltimare and will take two days to reach the island." She said while she munched a slice.

"You know Luna never told me the name of the island or of its population." I said as I put up a map of Equestria on my display. (I'll put a link to the map here.)

"It's the island of Shire Lanka down here." She said as she pointed a hoof at an island near a place called Abyssinia.

"Hmm what trade comes out of there?" I asked while looking over the map.

"Do you see this large forest north of the island? That forest is full of herbs you can only find there and most of them are cures and medical herbs that just won't grow in this soil. So we have to ship them from the island to maintain freshness as long as possible." She said while pointing out the area on the map.

"I think I understand so when do I leave?" I asked as I closed my display.

"Tomorrow morning you need to take the train to Baltimore and ship out the next morning. Now since the ship you will be taken is now yours it needs a new name." She said with a smile.

"Hmm I like the name The Spirit Fox." I said as I watched Alya and Tammy having a staring contest for the last piece of mellon.

"That name will do nicely." She said before her moon went glum.

"Fox there is one more thing I would like to discuss with you. A few nights ago I received a report from Cadence and Shining armor." She said with downcast eyes.

"Alright what was it about?" I asked with worry I could tell it was not a good report.

"There was an explosion just outside the Empire in an underground forest. It was reported that the cause of the explosion was a massive red and black dragon carrying a large black crystal in its claws." She said before passing me the report.

"Shining Armor sent an explanation team into the place but all they found was ash and this seed." She said while holding up a dark green and yellow seed and placed it in my hand.

"Cadence said you had a friend that lived there. Im sorry Fox." She said before giving me a hug.

"I only talked to her for an hour or so but she felt like family. Do we know what that dragon was after?" I said as I felt my anger rise.

"With this report I would assume it was after that black crystal but we don't know why or who wanted it and for what purpose." She said with a hard glare.

"I'll see if Twink knows what it is. I can't really explain it but I feel like something big is goin to happen. There are a few places that I heard about that I might need to look into but for now with the lack of information to go on there's nothing I can do." I said while I looked over the seed.

"I will look into this matter as well. You're taking this rather well." She said with a smile.

"Oh I'm pretty upset about this but there's nothing I can do about it until I can figure out who to point my anger at." I said with a clenched fist.

"I understand your feelings but don't let anger cloud your judgement and we will find out who was behind the attack and why but for now ready yourself for travel. See Miss Nite on your way out for your trade papers. It is time for me to start court." She said with a heavy sigh.

"Oh and before I forget Alya here can breath fire like a dragon." I said as Alya let out a small jet of blue flames.

"I was wondering if she could use the same spell as Spike to send letters." I said while I scratched Alyas head.

"Hmm one moment...and done." She said as her horn lit up along with Alya then disappeared.

"It's a simple spell and you can send a message to just about anypony and vice versa. Oh and about your question on who stalks the food in the castle, talk to the head chef. He should be in the kitchen now getting lunch ready." Celestia said she stood up and gave me a hug before leaving for the throne room as I got up and headed for the kitchen. As I opened the door I was met with a cranky dark brown and white griffin with long goatee in a chef hat.

"Hey what are you doing in my kitchen? The only ones allowed in here are my chefs." He said while poking my chest with his claw.

"Oh I'm sorry, I was told by Celestia to come see the head chef about possibly buying some of my produce." I said with a raised brow.

"Well if you're looking for a head chef you found him. Wait hold on a second are you that colt all the guards are talking about the one who made that noodle soup for the guards?" He asked while running his claws down his goatee.

"Um yes actually. The name Fox nice to meet you." I said as I held my paw to shake his claw.

"Iron Grill now that names are out of the why I got something to ask you. That broth you used it was missing something but I can't put my claws on it. Now don't get me wrong it was good but could be better." He said with a smile as he shook my paw.

"Oh you picked up on that. Your right that broth was meant for Seafood mainly shellfish." I said while looking around at the kitchen as all the cooks got ready for lunch.

"Hmm how about this you make the soup how it was supposed to be and if it's any good I'll buy some of your produce." He said with a smirk.

"Alright I can do that if you'll allow me the use of your kitchen." I said as I picked up a frying pan.

"Go right ahead and we just got a fresh order of seafood this morning so help yourself." He said while pointing at the large walk in fridge.

"Cool this won't take too long , I already saved some broth." I said as I pulled out a container of broth and set it down by the stove and went into the fridge.

"Alright let see. They really did restock hmm I'll need some scallops, crab, and some prawns. That should do for now." I said as I left the fridge carrying the seafood in my magic.

"(POOF) aw much better." I said after I turned normal and stretched my back.

"So that's what you really look like." Iron said while looking me over.

"Yep now I can get started. First we steam the crab." I said while I put a pot on the stove with a little bit of water then put the crab in and put the lid on.

"Now let's chop up some garlic and add it to the frying pan with a little bit of oil." I said as I chopped the garlic as the oil got hot.

"Next we season the prawns and scallops with salt and pepper. Now put them in the pan for just a couple of minutes to get a nice golden brown along with the prawns." I said while cooking and as they cooked I grabbed two large bowls.

"Alright once you got them a golden brown take them out of the pan and set them to the side. Now we want to deglaze the pan with the soup stock and make sure to scrap all the goodness from the bottom of the pan. Once that's done turn down the heat to a light simmer while we get all the meat from the crab." I said as I took the crab out of the pot and started to crack it open. It took a little while but I managed to get all the meat from the shell.

"Now put the body meat in the bottom of your bowl. Next we need to get the noodles cooked." I said as i pulled a container full of raw ramen noodles out and put them in a clean pot to boil for a few short minutes.

"Now we add some broth to the bowls and then the noodles. On the side of the bowl we put the leg and claw meat, then the scallops and prawn. Top it off with a little salt, limon, and chopped green onions and it's ready." I said while passing him a bowl before I made up two more.

"Well it looks and smells wonderful but let's see how it tastes." He said before picking up a spoon and taking a sip of the soup. His eyes lit up before he began to slurp up some of the noodles.

"Amazing the broth is rich but light, the noodles are cooked perfectly and the shellfish is sweet mixed in with the saltiness of the broth. It's like I just ate this right out of the sea." He said while he slurped more of the soup.

"Well something smells delicious." Said a voice from the door as Celestia walked in.

"Oh hi Aunt Tia what brings you in here." I asked with a knowing smile.

"I was just passing by the door when I smelled something good and it is just after lunch time." She said as she took a look around. Iron was to into his ramen to notice.

"Well I'm glad I made an extra bowl. Here, enjoy." I said while I held up her bowl and she took it in her magic.

"It's been too long since I had any seafood. Most pegasus can eat fish but don't like the taste." She said before she took a sip and with a happy sigh she started eating.

"I'm glad you like it. Now Mr. Iron, how about I leave you a list of produce and you can give it to Celestia to send to me and I'll have your order ready to be sent here." I said with a smile as I made a list and gave it to the griffon.

"I'll keep my end of the bargain if you'll give me this recipe." He asked with a smirk as I wrote down the recipe. After we ate Celestia had to get back to her duties and I just left the kitchen as guards rushed in for lunch. Now I'm enjoying a new cup of tea at the cafe in the city and looking over the paperwork I needed to set up a shipment of produce to take with me to the island.

"Hmm I can probably make some creations and find an enchantment to keep the cargo fresh. I'll have to make up some labels too." I was too busy looking over the paperwork. I didn't notice two mares joining my table.

"Yo Fox dude you in there." A familiar voice said snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Huh oh sup V and good afternoon Octavia. What brings you gals to Canterlot?" I asked as I put my papers in my bag.

"I have a performance at a garden party this evening and Vinyl has a show at the local night club." Octavia said as the waiter brought out some more tea.

"Sounds like a good time to me." I said with a smile.

"Dude you should totally come to the club tonight." Vinyl said as she handed me a flyer.

"Club Beats? I didn't even know there was a dance club here." I said while looking over the flyer.

"Yup so you want to come?" She asked as she raised her sunglasses and smirked.

"I wish I could but I have to pick Rosy up from school and pack up a bunch of stuff to ship out." I said before I pulled out an apple and cut it into slices for Tammy and Alya.

"Aw bro when did you become old." Vinyl said with a head shake.

"Now that's rude Vinyl just because he has responsibilities does not make him old just me distinguished." Octavia said before sipping her tea.

"Haha its ok Octavia and don't worry V I'm pretty sure if i didn't have anything goin on me and Rosy would be there." I said with a chuckle as I played with Tammy and Alya before I remembered something I needed aunt Tia to do.

"Aw crud I forgot I needed to ask Celestia something. Im sorry yall but I gotta go. Come on you two we got to go back to the castle." I said as I held my hand out for my tiny friends to climb up.

"It's quite alright." Octavia said with a smile.

"Yeah dude there's always a spot open with me whenever you want to hang." Vinyl said with an eyebrow wiggle.

"Ha thanks you two. Snacks and tea are on me. Later." I said as I put a few bits on the table and headed for the castle. It wasn't long before I reached the castle gates and was suddenly trapped in a bubble.

"Ha gotcha." Said a day guard unicorn with an oddly familiar voice.

"Wait a sec. Bubbles is that you?" I asked as I put my face against the bubble and made funny faces.

"Hahaha just be glad I don't have to clean that. Anyway, what are you up to today?" Bubbles asked before she popped her bubble.

"Haha just forgot to ask Celestia something this morning." I said as I rubbed my face until I noticed a dark blue scaled tail go around a corner.

"Hey bubbles do yall have any dragon guests at the castle or expecting any?" I asked as I slowly made my way over to the corner.

"No. We're normally told of guests like that at the start of the shift." Bubbles said as I peeked around the corner and caught a glimpse of the tail and cloak going over the wall.

"Bubbles you remember the drill we did?" I asked before turning back to the gate.

"Yeah." She asked with a raised brow.

"Good get the teams and meet me in the castle. We're about to put it to the test. Be on the lookout for a cloaked figure. I got a look at the tail and I think it might be a dragon. Here once you get the teams, call me on the ear piece." I said as I gave her three earpiece communicators and changed to my tiny form so I can tail the cloaked figure. With a quick nod Bubbles ran into the castle while I hoped through a window. After a quick look around I found the intruder running down towards the restricted library wing.

"Flash Sentry reporting in. Bubbles reporting in. Bolt reporting in. All teams on standby waiting your commands." They said through the ear piece.

"Good. I found the intruder we are currently headed to the forbidden wing of the library. Flash, I want you and Bolt to block off the pathways out. Bubbles you head up the main hall and block it. I want to see what he's up to. Don't make any move that may tip him off. It looks like he's looking for something and I want to know what." I said quietly as I hid in the shadows watching the cloaked figure touch and poke the walls with a claw before one of the walls zapped him.

"Flash are there any hidden doors in this wing?" I asked as I watched the figure pull out a clear blue crystal.

"As far as I know only one wall has a hidden vault full of ancient artifacts." He said as my eyes grew wide as I watched the crystal absorb any magic and making a solid iron door appear.

"All teams move in. Keep a barrier up behind you he's after something in the vault. I'll confront him and chase him to you Bubble as soon as you see him trap him." I said as I jumped out of my spot and turned normal.

"Hello I really hate to bug you but would you mind coming quietly into custody?" I asked, scaring the figure and looking at me with glowing blue eyes before running down the hall.

"Just for the record I did ask nicely." I said as I gave chase and as soon as he turned the corner he was trapped in a pink bubble.

"LET ME GO. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING." Said a female voice as the bubble shrank and shapes around the figure.

"Then why were you trying to get into the artifact vault?" I asked as I walked in front of her.

"...."

"Alright not talking? Ok let see what you look like." I said as I reached for the cloak while she struggled to get free. I grabbed the hood of the cloaked and pulled it off then got quite the shock. She had dark blue scales with light red underbelly scales and spikes. She had dragon wings but what stood out was her light red mane and deep blue eyes. Her front legs had claws and hooves on the back. In all she looked like a pony dragon mix.

"Um I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that's not right." I said as I looked her over. As I looked into her blue eyes I could see she was scared and desperate but I saw no hint of bad in her just loneliness and fear.

"Hmm, is there a room we can sit and talk?" I asked as Bubbles put restraints on the dragon pony.

"Yes we actually have an interrogation room right down this hall." He flash said while pointing down the hall he came from.

"Nice. Bolt I want you to inform Celestia about what happened. Bubbles, flash your with me. I'm Miss but we need to ask you a few questions so will you please follow me." I said as we began the short trip down the hall. After finding the right room I sat her down at the table.

"Thank you two can yall wait outside for the princess please I want to talk to our guest here." I said before I sat down and Bubbles and flash left the room.

"Alright to start off I'm Sir Fox Lilly whats your name?" I said with a smile.

"Grrrr." She said.

"Ok Miss Growl, can you tell me why you're here?" I asked, still smiling.

"Ggrrrooooowwwlll." Said her stomach making her blush.

"I really doubt there was any food in there. Hmm do you like seafood?" I asked as I pulled a bowl of seafood ramen out of my bag and sat it down infront of her. I could see the hunger in her eyes like she hasn't eaten in days and she did look rather skinny for her size. She just stared at the bowl with drool slowly falling from her mouth.

"Go on eat. I just made that about an hour ago and my bag keeps everything fresh." I said before I watched her grab the bowl and shove muzzle into it.

"Whoa there slow down or you'll choke." I said with a chuckle as she stopped and pulled her muzzle out as some noodles slid back into the bowl as a blush lit her cheeks.

"So Miss Growl do you have a real name or should I keep calling you growl?" I asked as I gave her a napkin.

"Merrin." She said before slowly eating her noodles.

"Alright Miss Merrin, why are you trying to break into a magical royal vault of magical artifacts?" I asked but just got silence.

"I can tell you're not bad or looking to gain power so why risk your free life for a life behind bars so why?" I asked as I leaned forward on the table.

"(Sigh) I was told there was an artifact in there that could cure my curse." She said with a small tear falling down her cheek.

"Curse what curse?" I asked as I pulled up my display to take notes.

"Seriously? Do you honestly think this is what I originally looked like?" She asked after slamming the now empty bowl on the table.

"Girl you're talking to a being from another world who just got here less then a month ago and where i came from there was no talking ponies, dragons or any magic so yeah seriously." I said while I pulled out my tea and passed her a cup.

"Oh...sorry. To answer your question I was cursed by a red and black dragon that dest3 my village and took our crystal from the shrine. I tried to protect it but he laughed while he cursed me before flying off." She said with hatred in her eyes as anger grew in me.

"You said a red and black dragon. Did he have a name?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"The elder called him Thorn before he was turned to ash with everypony else." She said as she began to cry.

"I'm sorry that happened to you." I said sadly as I thought of Mera.

"DON'T SAY YOUR SORRY WHEN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING." She screamed at me.

"THAT FUCKING DRAGON TO FAMILY FROM ME TOO!!" I yelled and slammed my fist into the table breaking it in half as Celestia walked into the room.

"FOX outside now." Celestia said as she slammed her hoof down.

"I'm sorry." I said to the now cowering dragon pony before I walked out with Celestia.

"Guards can you give us a moment and watch the captive." She said before they went into the room and shut the door.

"I'm sorry aunt Tia I let my anger get the better of me." I said with my head hanging low.

"Fox I understand how you must be feeling but I need you to keep a level head. There is something that concerns me about this situation. The only ones to know of that vault are a few trusted guards, myself, and my sister. Not even Twilight knows about it let alone what might be inside. I would like to know what that mare was after." Celestia said with a worried look.

"Alright I'll keep my emotions under control." I said before Celestia wrapped me in a wing hug that I happily accepted before returning into the room.

"Guards I want you to come with me. I must reseal the vault immediately." Celestia said before leaving with Bubbles and Flash.

"Sorry I lost my cool back there." I said and I used my magic to fix the table.

"I'm sorry too I shouldn't have snapped like that." She said with a sniffle before I passed her a box of tissues.

"Let's put the dragon to the side for now. Can you tell me who told you about the vault?" I said as I poured us some more tea.

"Thats where things get...foggy. I left my village to look for the dragon and when I passed through a neighboring town I remember meeting him and what he said but I can't remember what he looks like. I just remember a black hase and red eyes." She said with clinched eye while rubbing her head with her claws.

"What did he tell you?" I asked while taking notes.

"He told me about an amulet in the shape of a dragon head with a dark ruby eye. He said it was here and gave me this crystal and said it would show me where it was hidden." She said as she put the same crystal that sucked up the magic from the vault door.

"(Knock knock) Sir Fox I'm sorry to interrupt but the princess has requested your presence at the artifact vault." Flash said as he walked into the room.

"I'll be right there Flash. I'll hold on to this for now alright. Here if you want you can have this mellon shake I made. I was saving it for later but I can always make more." I said as I picked up the crystal and set the shake down before I left Flash to guard the door. After a short walk I found myself outside the now open vault door with Celestia.

"You called aunt Tia?" I asked the worried alicorn.

"Yes, when you confronted the mare how far did she get into the vault?" She asked while we walked into the vault.

"Not passed the door. I stopped her after the magic hiding the vault was sucked into here." I said as I gave her the crystal and she scanned it with her magic.

"There's a seal eater spell attached to this. Did she mention where she got it from?" She asked before sending it away.

"Yeah someone gave it to her on her travels. Said it would help locate the vault to find an artifact to cure her of a curse." I said as I looked around until I noticed an empty pedestal.

"Did she say who gave it to her?" She asked, stepping up next to me.

"A black hase with red eyes. She remembers what it said but not what it looked like." I said with concern.

"Did she say what she was after?" She asked with a stern glare.

"A dragon shaped amulet with a ruby eye. Aunt Tia what's goin on?" I asked while I grew more worried.

"(Sigh) It's as I feared. After what you just told me, I believe that mare was used as a tool. After you apprehended her somepony broke the magic locks and stole that very same amulet. Fox there is nothing that can break a curse from an ancient dragon. That amulet contains the soul of a powerful necromancer and the master who taught Grogar. He almost took over the world with an undead army. Grogar was destroyed but no pony knew what became of his master, the only thing we found was that amulet." She said as we made our way out of the vault and Celestia resealed the door.

"Oh this can't be good can it?" I asked while I put that information in my notes and sent it to Twink to review it and send me anything we have on them.

"Indeed it's not and I fear that the dragon attacks are connected somehow. I was hoping that Twink and your library might know something that may help." She said as we approached the interrogation room.

"Way ahead of ya aunty. I already sent my notes for review and I should know something tonight when I visit the library but for now we have a dragon pony to deal with." I said as I opened the door and found Merrin with the shake cup in her muzzle licking the bottom of the glass.

"Pfft HAHAHA was it that good?" I said as I tried not to laugh at the blushing mare who slowly set the cup back on the table.

"Um yes it was very tasty thank you. So what now." She asked while I took a seat and Celestia sat next to me.

"Well someone was using you to gain access to that vault and made off with that very same amulet you wanted and I'm sorry to say this but that amulet is no cure." I said sadly as I watched the hope fade from her eyes.

"Then there's no hope for me to return to normal is there?" She asked with tears starting to fall.

"Unfortunately no. A curse from an ancient dragon can not be lifted." Celestia said with a sad head shake as the mare started to cry. Then it hit me, I remembered reading about an enchantment while I was looking for a way to ease the poison joke curse.

"Celestia, can I talk to you for a second." I quickly said as I stepped out of the room and searched for the book I read as Celestia stepped out and shut the door.

"What is it Fox?" She asked while I flipped through the book.

"I want to help her. I know the curse can't be lifted but I might know of a way for her to turn back the way she was. Here it is, take a look." I said as I turned the book to face her.

"The True Self Enchantment, this enchantment can be placed on a wearable object such as a necklace or ring and changes the wearer to what they picture as their true self. When the wearer picks there form the enchantment can not be changed as long as it is worn but when the object is removed the wearer will return to what they looked like before they put on the enchanted object." She read as her eyes slowly grew wider as well as my smile.

"With this enchantment she can live a normal life." I said happily at the thought giving her some hope back.

"It certainly will...Fox do you know your mark is glowing...and you're wagging your tail." She said as she snickered but I just smiled more.

"That happens sometime. Lets see, hmm I'm thinking a white gold thin chain, and it needs a gem to match her eyes and mane. Oh I know a black opal with a red and blue fire shimmer and an eastern dragons, one white gold and regular gold twisted together around the stone and just smaller than a bit. Yeah that should work. (Tink) Hmm." I said as I was broken out of my thoughts when something hit the ground behind and a wide eyed alicorn looked straight at me.

"Did I say that out loud." I said with a bit of embarrassment. I have a habit of talking out my thoughts when I get excited about making something.

"You made it." She said with a hoof pointing beside me and when I looked I was shocked to see the pendant laying at my feet.

"But how." I said as I bent down to pick it up.

"I think you may have used your magic subconsciously. When you shut your eyes and began talking about what you wanted, your magic began to form it and when you thought it was finished your magic faded leaving your creation behind." She said while inspecting it, it was perfect.

"Magic, I love you more every day." I said as I held up the pendant.

"Fox It takes a lot of magic to create something from nothing. Even I need a bit of a break after casting a spell like that and you did it without even knowing. Are you alright?" She asked as I began to lean a bit.

"Yeah but you're right about the magic use, now I'm tired and hungry. It was worth it." I said holding out the pendant happily before my stomach growled making Celestia chuckle.

"It is very beautiful." She said as the tip of her horn lit up and she touched it on the pendant, covering it in magic.

"There I put the True Self Enchantment on it. Now I'm sure you have something in that bag of yours to snack on and we have a mare sitting in a room alone waiting. Let's not be rude." She said with a warm smile and she was right, I did have a snack in my bag and pulled out a few bananas.

"Come on." She said with a chuckle as she took one of my bananas and walked down the hall leaving me by the door.

"Hey I was going to eat that." I said as I watched her hold up the peel and it disappeared. I laughed before quickly eating my banana and walked into the room with the sad Merrin.

"I'm sorry I took a long time but I have some good news. First you won't be held on any charges." I said with a smile.

"Yay." She said sadly.

"And second I may have found a way for you to have a normal life." I said as I watched some light flash in her eyes.

"Now it won't lift the curse but it will make you look and feel like the old you. This is the Dragonfire Pendant it enchanted with true self." I said as I held up the pendant.

"What does It do?" She asked as she took it from me.

"Put it on and think about how you were before the curse." I said while she slipped it on and closed her eyes. A bright light formed over her as her scales turned to deep blue fur, her tail turned to a red and pink striped tail, deep blue feathers grew on her wings. When the light faded there was now a deep blue pegasus mare with crossing scrolls as a cutie mark.

"Did it work?" She asked with closed eyes.

"Look for yourself." I said as I pulled a mirror from my bag and held it up. As soon as she opened her eyes they went wide and tears began to flow as she slowly lifted her front hooves. Before I could react I was tackled by the crying mare.

"Now won't lift the curse but while you're wearing that pendant you'll stay like this." I said as I rubbed her soft back while I let her cry and after a few minutes she moved off me and sat there happily as she wiped her tears away until she looked up.

"Is...is that snake flying." She said as I looked up to see Alya happily flying in circles above us.

"Oh hey you learned to fly that's so awesome." I said as she floated down to my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek.

"It's cute." She said as Alya flew to her head and gave her a quick nuzzle before coming back to me.

"This is Alya, she's a feathered serpent and Tammy is the orange tiny monkey in your mane." I said as Tammy slid down her mane with a smile and wave.

"I really want to snuggle you." She said before Tammy jumped in for a face hug that was met with a very happy nuzzle.

"Well if you think they're cute you should see my daughter when we get home." I said as I stood up and opened the door.

"Wait...what." She said as she froze and stared wide eyed at me.

"Well you said your home was destroyed and I do have a spare bedroom since my daughter stays in my room, so yeah you got a place to stay." I said before I was once again tackled by the happy mare.
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"Soon, my master you will rule once again." Said the tall cloaked figure as he placed the dragon eye amulet on a pedestal in front of two larger black crystals.

"Mater Dolus, we've located a key stone." Said a griffin that was missing half his face and wing, most of his body was just bone.

"FOOL I said never to speak that name." The figure said before he blasted the griffin to dust as his hood fell revealing jet black hair and ears along with deep red eyes.

"Calm yourself my vassel, for soon that name will not matter. We will soon have yet another key stone and I will be free to rot this world." Said a voice from the shadows.

"With this stone our powers grow. Using that cursed mare to break the seal on the vault of those...ponies was a simple matter. The next key is somewhere in the depths of the waters around that island of cats and once it's found I'll send Thorn to collect it and sink the island into the ocean." Dolus said as he slipped his hood back on.

"No, you will be the one to collect this one and do not fail me or you will be the next pile of ash on the ground." Said the voice before it faded.

"Well boy looks like we will meet very soon. I'm looking forward to it, nephew." Dolus said with an evil cackle before he sank into the shadows.

Chapter 15: Growing Family

Chapter 15: Growing Family.

"So what now?" Merrin asked as we left the castle gates.

"Well now we can head home. Rosy should be out of school soon." I said as I looked up at the clear sky and smiled. Alya slid out of my hair and started flying around happily.

"Hey Merrin, how's your flying?" I asked with a smirk.

"I'm no wonderbolt but I can be quick when I want to be." She said as she proudly stretched her wings.

"Cool how about we fly home, It's not far at all." I said with a smile as she gave me a confused look.

"I'm not letting you ride me." She said bluntly, making me try not to laugh.

"Pfft ha no, no I'm not going to ride you haha." I said as I slowly lifted into the air.

"Oh you can fly...wait you can fly!?" She asked before hopping into the air.

"Yep along with other things. Word of warning be prepared for weirdness." I said as we flew over the city and I could hear low beats coming from a roof below us.

"Like what?" She asked with a confused look as a large smile came to my face when I noticed a rooftop party with Vinyl in her booth.

"Oh you'll just have to see. Come on." I said as I grabbed her hoof and dragged her to a cloud above the party and looked down at the techno pony bobbing her head with the music.

"Wow that party looks fun." Merrin said as I made a mask for her with a white and blue scale pattern.

"I'm glad you think so. Here, put this on." I said passing her the mask.

"Um why?" She asked while looking over the mask.

"(Poof) Because we're goin to do a drop in." I said as I turned into my big fox form before sending an arrow of light pointing up down to vinyl.

"Cool you can turn into a fox?" She said as I pulled my mask out and looked down at Vinyl. Vinyl looked up at me and with a wink from me she did a hoof pump.

"Oh I can do a ton of things. Here you'll need this too." I said as I gave her a tambourine and made a black ball of magic in my paw.

"Why?" She said before looking down at Vinyl as the music stopped.

"ALRIGHT PARTY PONIES I got a special guest tonight that I'm sure you'll love. So make some noise for FOXFIRE." Vinyl said before pointing a hoof at the cloud.

"That's our que. Just go with the beat and have fun. BLACKOUT!!" I shouted as I threw the black ball down and it made a pitch black dome over the party. I jumped off the cloud with merrin and landed in the booth with Merrin at the side and started the music.

(PLAY: daft punk's One More Time.)

As the music slowly picked up I sent out my mark making it glow with a black light.

"One more time." I sang as I sent out strands of neon lights and when the bass dropped my mark sent a wave of light that when it hit the ponies it made the colors glow.

"EVERYPONY LET'S DANCE!!" I shouted over the crowd and looked over to Merrin, who was glowing a deep blue as she played the tambourine.

As the ponies bounced to the beat I sent out laser lights that shifted with the music.I used my magic to distort my voice and began to sing while I bobbed my head. Even Alya and Tammy joined the fun, Alya was flying around the dome making a trail of pink light as she twisted and turned, Tammy jumped around the ponies like a bright orange ball.

The ponies loved it as they glowed like a very colorful moving black light poster. I even notice Vinyl jumping backstage. Then when the music slowed I closed my eyes and made a keyboard of light that I played while I sang.

When the tambourine started to play I looked over to Merrin who got into the music. I noticed a wave of light pass over her and her colors change. She was still a deep glowing blue but now she had a light blue pattern that looked light highlighted blue scales and her mane was waving like fire.

I could help stare and sing as she played. I slowly stepped out of the booth while the music played and when I got to Merrin she stopped playing as I grabbed her hoof and lifted into the air while I sang. We began to twirl in the air making a trail of light behind us. I couldn't look away from her eyes while we danced in the air.

When the music started to pick up we began to fly around the party as more pegasus began to fly at our side making a blacklight rainbow as we flew back to the booth. The ponies danced and bounced with the music as Merrin stood next to me playing her tambourine while I worked the booth. It felt great to have her with me as we played together that Never noticed my color was glowing light pink.

When the music came to a close I found myself lost in her eyes and couldn't look away. The black dome faded when the song ended along with my mark and the crowd awed in disappointment as the colors returned normal, snapping me back from my trance.

(End song)

"HAHA GIVE IT UP FOR FOXFIRE!!" Vinyl shouted as the crowd went wild and Vinyl gave me a wink and a fist bump making me blush a bit.

"Until next time, stay bright." I said before I jumped into the air and flew away towards home with Merrin laughing joyfully behind me.

"That was so much fun." Merrin said before she did a barrel roll.

"Yeah (Poof) you looked like you had a blast." I said as I changed back to normal.

"I did. At first I was nervous but when the music started I felt excited and just wanted to move with the music." She said as she flew around me.

"Well I'm glad you had fun and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last. Oh and I hope you like parties because I know one pony who probably has a random welcome party ready." I said before I noticed storm clouds over town.

"Looks like it might rain." Merrin said as we flew under the clouds.

"I don't think we were supposed to have rain today plus I can sense a large amount of magic in the clouds and it doesn't feel nice." I said as I began to look around for my friends.

"Hey Fox it looks like ponies are gathered in the center of town." Merrin said as she pointed down to Twilight and a light blue unicorn standing face to face with a crowd of ponies standing around them. The weirdest thing was Rarity and Applejack had mini versions of them hiding behind a rock with a larger version of Applejack.

"Lets see whats goin on." I said as we descended into town. I felt something off about the blue unicorn but I couldn't put my finger on it. As we landed I looked around and couldn't find Rosy and began to worry.

"Twilight what's going on and where is Rosy?" I asked as Merrin and I landed beside a zebra with a mohawk.

"Oh Fox there you are we've been looking everywhere for you." Twilight said before the Blue unicorn stepped up.

"So this is the so-called Mystic Fox that little pegasus filly told the great and powerful Trixie about." Trixie said as a red glow came from the ruby alicorn shaped amulet.

"Twilight who is this and where is Rosy?" I asked as I glared down at Trixie.

"This is Trixie, a stage magic unicorn who almost destroyed ponyville when her lies ultimately brought an ursa miner to town thanks to a couple of nitwits." Twilight said before Snips and Snails ran by with their horns attached at the tips.

"Alright just going to fix that." I said before I zapped the stuck unicorns, freeing them before turning my attention back to Trixie.

"I will only ask you one more time. Where. Is. My. Daughter?" I said as I felt my anger rise while I stepped close.

(Thump)

"Nevermind." I said after Rosy slammed into the back of my head.

"Hi dad." She said as she hugged my head while Tammy and Alya hugged hers.

"Hey there kiddo. Oh hey after we take care of this stage hoof I got a surprise for you." I said as I scratched her behind the ears.

"Hey who are calling a stage hoof, Trixie is the main act." Trixie said before sending a volley of lightning towards me. I quickly teleported Rosy and the critters over to the girls right before the lightning struck causing a cloud of dust to form where I stood.

"Ha that'll show you." Trixie said proudly as she smirked at the dust cloud.

"Show me what? What static electricity does to someone's hair, do you know how long it's goin to take to straighten out this mess now?" I said as I poked my now large white afro.

"OH THE HORROR, THE HORROR." Rarity said before she pulled out her couch and dramatically passed out while Rainbow and Rosy rolled on the ground laughing.

"But how?" Trixie asked in disbelief.

"Probably a long shower and plenty of brushing." I said with a smile.

"Grrrr not what Trixie meant." Tixie said before Twilight stepped between us.

"That's because your amulet isn't strong enough to hurt him but mine is." Twilight said as she pointed to a green swirl pattern amulet around her neck and winked before sending purple lightning at me. I couldn't tell what she was up to but I went along with it.

"OW STOP, I GIVE, I GIVE! MAKE IT STOP!" I said as I fell to my knees clutching my sides in the act.

"I can even change him into a completely different creature." Twilight said before shooting a magic beam at me.

"(Poof) Oh come on. Now I look like a sheep that missed a shear day." I said as I tried to walk but ended up rolling around while most of the ponies laughed.

"Well, Tixie looks like my amulet is stronger than yours. HEY!!!" Twilight said before Trixie pulled the amulet off Twilight.

"With this amulet I shall rule all of Equestria. Mahahaha!" Trixie said as she pulled her amulet free and replaced it with Twilights.

"Now my subjects, gaze upon the even greater and powerfuller Trixie." Trixie said with a cackle before Rainbow swooped down and snatched the amulet from her hoof.

"Hey! I don't need that old Alicorn Amulet. I have this!" Trixie said before zapping Rainbow with lightning. I knew Twilight had this handle so I sat down with Rosy and a surprisingly quiet Merrin then pulled a few jars from my bag.

"Stop it! Tha— that tickles!" Rainbow said as she laughed.

"Tickles?! That was supposed to make you writhe in agony! This amulet is defective! Give mine back!" Trixie said before Rainbow flew over to the zebra and shut the amulet in a small chest.

"Sorry. This is going back into hiding where it belongs." Rainbow said before Twilight wrapped her forearm around Trixies neck.

"By the way, Trixie, the amulet around your neck? It's one of Zecora's doorstops." Twilight said as she tapped the green stone making it fall off and break on the ground.

"So thats her name.(Crunch)" I said before biting into my snack and passing some around to other ponies.

"But... How did you do those spells? Nopony can do those spells!" Trixie said in disbelief.

"You're right. Not even me. Zecora taught me so much about magic while I was in exile. She even taught me when not to use it. My magic alone wasn't powerful enough to take on the Alicorn Amulet head to head, so I needed to use a different kind of magic – the magic of friendship. I also knew that the only pony who could get the amulet off your neck was you." Twilight said sincerely while looking to all her friends.

"Aw I like that.(Crunch)" Merrin said sweetly before taking a bite of her snack.

"But... what about the pony with the ten instruments?" Trixie said pointing to pinkie with a multitude of instruments around her and somehow has no mouth.

"How...how does she do that?(Crunch)" Rosy asked before taking a bite of her snack.

"That's not magic. That was just Pinkie Pie." Twilight said before giggling at our goofy friend.

"What about that cotton ball thing." Trixie said pointing at me.

"Hi, I'm Fox. Wanna pickle?" I said as I levitate my jar over to her. She gave me a surprise before slowly lifted a pickle from the jar.

"Um...thanks.(Crunch) Mmm good pickle." Trixie said as she munched my pickle. ( :'-) )

"Yeah I'm still working on that." Twilight said as she pulled out a pickle. Pinkie popped out next to me with sad puppy dog eyes and I couldn't take it. I focused my magic in my paw and zapped her face giving her mouth back.

"YAY!(Crunch)." Pinkie said as she crushed me in a hug.

"Pinkie my spine, My...spine." I said as I tried to pry her off me. I looked over to Merrin and grinned, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Pinkie look, a new pony just moved here." I said pointing a paw to the now confused mare before Pinkie dropped me.

"Oh I knew getting a Welcome To Ponyville party ready today was a good Idea." Pinkie said as she quickly gave the surprised pony a hug and party hat.

"Oh darling you simply must let me fix your mane, it's just gasly." Rarity said before making a brush and spray bottle appear.

"I'm all yours Rarity.(Poof) a braided ponytail please." I said as I changed and scooped up Rosy before sitting in front of the fashion pony with Rosy in my lap.

"Um dad who's this?" Rosy said looking at my friend in a party hat.

"This is my new friend Merrin. Due to some unfortunate event she is left without a home so I offered her a place to stay." I said sweetly as I smiled at Merrin.

"So she's goin to stay with us?" Rosy asked with an excited bounce.

"Yep. Um why is Aunt Tia coming down, I was just up there." I said as a gold and white chariot with two guards flying down from Canterlot.

"Oh Princess Celestia is bringing some delegates from Saddle Arabia and I'm in charge of entertainment." Twilight said proudly as Fluttershy walked up with some animals.

"Well as soon as Rarity finishes my hair I'll head that why. Hmm maybe I'll make them a snack while they watch the show." I said as I began to think of something to make.

"Oh darling, I'm already finished and I must say with the right suit you would look quite dashing." Rarity said as she held up a mirror. I never noticed how long my hair actually was. It was slick back with my bangs on my right partially covering my right eye and the ponytail was tied with a dark blue ribbon at the top and bottom.

"Wow Rarity, this looks awesome and I think I know what kind of suit to wear." I said before I set Rosy to the side and stood up. I used my magic to make a tight fit silk white dovetail suit with a dark blue trim and tie with a deep sapphire clip and matching slacks.

"Well now we must not keep our guests waiting. That would be simply rude of us." I said like a proper English gentleman.

"And you broke another one." Spike said as he poked a fainted Rarity while the others laughed before heading to meet the princess. Rosy fluttered up to her perch behind my head as Alya flew into my shirt pocket and Tammy sat on Rosy's head as Merrin walked beside me. Soon we were all in town square watching Twilight prepare for the show while Rosy, Merrin and I took care of the food.

"Alright, it's all ready." I said as I placed a silver dome cover over the last dish and placed it on a cart with five other dishes.

"Wow Fox you cooked those fast and I never even heard of that kind of food." Merrin said as she watched from outside the widow of my cart.

"Sis you ain't seen nothin yet." Rosy said as she helped put plates on the food cart.

"Well honestly this is my first time cooking stuff like this and I'm kinda worried I messed some up." I said as I wiped some sweet off my brow and replaced my apron with my suit jacket. I'm kinda surprised I didn't get any stains on my shirt and tie.

"If it tastes like it smells, I'm pretty sure they will love it." Rosy said happily as I placed a hot tea pot and nice gold trim cups on the food cart and pushed it out of my kitchen cart.

"Alright here we go." I said as I began to push the cart up Celestia and the two delegates.

"Oh Fox there you are. I was hoping I could introduce you to the delegates before you left Canterlot but I just missed you. Fox let me introduce you to Dra'ak and Align they are delegates from Saddle Arabia." Celestia said pointing first at a tall brown cult with a gold blonde Mohawk mane then to a tail light pink mare with a dark blue-gray mane.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both I'm Sir Fox Lilly." I said with a bow.

"Likewise." Dra'ak said with a bow before Align sniffed the air.

"Sir Fox what is that wonderful smell?" Align said as she looked at the cart.

"Oh It looks like my dear nephew has made us dinner this evening and I must say he has quite the talent in the kitchen." Celestia said with a proud smile and nod.

"I hope you will enjoy tonight's dinner. Tonight I have made some eastern dishes that I think you might like. First we have Dolma made with fresh grape leaves and vegetables from my gardens. Next we have a Fattoush salad and falafels with a Sesame mint yogurt sauce. Then Tabbouleh with manakeesh cheese bread and for dessert Baklava with a sweet cream dip." I said as I used my magic to set up a table and placed out the food to the now shocked delegates.

"The tea for the evening is a special spice blend of my own. I hope everything is to your liking." I said with a small bow.

"These are dishes from our home land. Tell me how did you learn to make this wonderful dinner?" Align asked before taking a bite of one of her Dolmas.

"The place I came from has a very similar culture and cuisine. I've studied some of their popular dishes in hope that one day I'll be able to cook them." I said happily as they began to eat.

"This tastes wonderful Fox. Would you care to join us?" Celestia asked before taking a bite of her salad.

"Thank you for the offer Aunt Tia but Tammy and Alya wanted to join the show." I said before Tammy hopped on my head and Alya flew out of my pocket then nuzzled the two delegates.

"Is this a feathered serpent? I thought they went extinct centuries ago. Tell me how did you come by this adorable thing?" Align asked as Alya happily flew around their heads.

"She was given to me by a forest guardian I met not to long ago." I said before Alya flew back to me.

"Tell me are there other Mystic Foxes in this land?" Dra'ak asked while he ate his dinner.

"Unfortunately no. I'm the only one of my kind left I'm afraid." I said sadly before Merrin stepped up to my side and leaned on my hip.

"I see. I'm sorry to hear that. It must get lonely for you." Dra'ak said with a sad look.

"Actually far from it. I may not have my own kind around but I do have family here that I would trade for the world." I said happily as I picked Rosy up for a hug while I ran my hand through Merrin's mane.

"Yes family is a wonderful thing. I wish we could have brought our foals they would have loved to this show." Align said with a big smile.

"Oh I didn't know you had foals. Next time be sure to bring them." Celestia said with a chuckle.

"Hmm If you don't mind me asking what kind of foals do you have?" I asked as some ideas popped in my head.

"Both are unicorn fillies. One is a dark ice blue with a light ocean blue mane and the other is the opposite light ice blue mane and dark ocean blue fur." Dra'ak said with a warm smile.

"Alright let's see. They're both unicorn so I'm thinking sparkling stars." I said as I began to think of a good gift to send back to their foals.

"Um Celestia, what is he doing?" Align asked when my magic began to form.

"I believe he is making you some gifts." Celestia said as she sipped her tea.

"I'm thinking earrings but just one for each. Let's see for the dark ocean blue filly I think an ocean blue opal with a platinum chain and borders maybe an ice opal in the center of the star and for the sister it should be opposite. Gold chain and borders with ice opal star and blue opal center. Yeah that would look great if they were on the opposite ears of each other. Oh and an ebony box to put them in." I said while my magic put them together and fell squarely in their box.

"That's amazing. You made those from thin air with your magic. How do you do it?" Align said as I gave her the box.

"Honestly I'm still trying to figure that out. Haha magic is a wonderful thing." I said happily as my mark began to glow.

"That it is my dear nephew and speaking of magic it looks like Twilight is ready to start the show." Celestia said sweetly while sipping her tea.

"Then I'll leave you to enjoy the show. I hope your fillies like their gifts. Come on you two let's get a good view." I said as I put Rosy behind my head while Tammy hopped on Alya before flying to Twilight. With them now on stage the show began. Twilight used her magic to levitate the animals and fly them around the stage with Alya as lead. At the end of the show Twilight was flying them around in a figure eight pattern when Alya flew above them and let out a stream of blue flames into the sky that was accompanied by fireworks sent up by Trixie.

"Trixie?" Twilight asked in surprise.

"It's the least I could do. I treated you and your friends so horribly when I was wearing that Alicorn Amulet. I just couldn't control myself. You can forgive me, can't you?" Trixie asked with her head held low. I could tell she really meant that and it made me smile. She may have an ego as big as Rainbow's but she has a good heart.

"Hmmm. Sure." Twilight said with a soft smile.

"Oh, good. Don't you think the Great and Apologetic Trixie is the most magnificent humble pony you've ever seen?!" Trixie said before throwing down a smoke bomb and ran. When the smoke cleared we could see her trip before running away. With that, her show was over. After a quick goodbye to Celestia and the delegates we all headed to the sugarcube corner for a short welcome party for Merrin who turned out to love cupcakes like Celestia and her cakes. Now I have a sleeping filly in my arms, two critters curled up in my suit pocket, and a pegasus with a stomach ache by my side.

"How are you not sick, you ate like 30 cupcakes?" I asked as I pulled out my cart. It was well past sunset and I didn't want to walk through the forest so I'll use my cart door to get home.

"My stomach will never reject cupcakes and that Pinkie can make some delicious cupcakes. So where are we goin?" Merrin asked after liking the icing off her muzzle while I made my cart grow.

"We are headed to my house. See that forest?" I asked, pointing to the everfree getting a nod from her.

"My house is in there but at night it can get pretty dangerous from what I'm told so I made a door on my cart that connects to my house." I said with a smile as I walked up to my cart door and opened it.

"Whoa thats pretty neat." She said before sticking her head through the door.

"Haha come on let go I need to put this one to bed." I said as I gently pushed her through the door before walking through and closing it. As soon as it was closed I picked up a really bad odor and from what the girl told me about the forest, that's not a good thing.

"Merrin take Rosy and the animals and go inside the house behind you." I said as I quickly placed Rosy on her back along with my suit jacket with the critters. I focused magic into my eyes so I could see in the dark better and what I saw was four large wolves made of wood, leaves, and green magic but what scared me most was what was behind those four. It was another wolf but this one was a lot bigger and looked more solid like it was made from one tree.

"What is it and why does it smell like something is rotten." She said as she held her nose with a wing.

"Timberwolves." I said as they emerged from the tree line.

"Yeah I'm just goin to go inside now." She said before running through the door to the house.

"Alright now fellas I don't want to hurt you so how about y'all find your pry elsewhere." I said as I readied my magic as they began to growl and circle me.

"Last chance." I said before one jumped at me. I quickly jumped to the side barley missing it's stake like teeth.

"I did warn you." I said before sending a blast of magic at the one who tried to bite me. The blast hit dead center sending it into a tree breaking the wolf to pieces. As I turned to face the others I was blind sided by a wooden paw knocking me to the ground.

"You guys are pretty good for a pile of wood. Oh shit." I said as one tried to slam me with its paws but I quickly rolled out of the way before I jumped up and landed a kick to its head breaking it and its body to pieces as the other two small ones circled me while the big one sat and watched.

"I'll give you one more chance, leave or end up a pile of wood on the ground." I said as I watched them circle me. They both jumped at me, one from behind the other from the front. I smirked before I flew up and watched them smash into each other before falling to pieces. I floated down and came face to face with the large alpha and flared my magic but it remained calm.

"Why are you at my home." I asked, staring right into his red eyes.

"It appears the forest spoke true, the foxes have returned." It said before letting out a loud howl, marking the piles of wood glow green and reform.

"Ok so you can speak. So tell why have you come to my home?" I asked as the other wolves disappeared in the tree line.

"I came in search of the queen of your race." He said, his gaze not leaving mine.

"Unfortunately she passed away about a month ago." I said sadly.

"Tell me, I smell her scent on you, are you her offspring?" He asked after sniffing the air.

"That I am." I said proudly.

"Then you are king by right?" He asked as he stood and walked closer.

"From what I understand, yes." I said as I readied myself for a fight.

"Then the pacted still stands." He said happily before letting another howl and in a matter of seconds more timberwolves poured out of the forest but what came next surprised me, a large wet tongue knocked me to the ground as other wolves joined in barking in joy.

"Hear me my pack hail to the master's offspring. You who inherited the throne and forest we will serve you as your loyal guards. Know this, to all those under your rule we shall protect as our own that we swear." The alpha said with a bow as I tried to pull myself out of the pile of happy and slobbery wolves.

"Wait what?" I said as I finally got to my feet.

"Long ago before ponies claimed the land around this forest, we have guarded it and its inhabitants. Your great ancestors made us from the natural magic of this world and wood collected from this forest." He said as he looked to his pack that I was now squashed in the middle as they all tried to get a lick in.

"Do you happen to have a name?" I asked while I petted the wolves.

"Yes. The previous Queen gave me the name Mr. Twiggles." He said proudly with his chest out and head held high.

"Hahahaha yeah thats mom for ya. We once found an injured bird that she wanted to help make it better and name it Sir Cherpy." I said with a chuckle.

"May I ask for you name my king?" He asked as I slipped out of a slobbery mess of wood.

"I'm Fox Lilly. You can call me Sir Fox if you like." I said with a smile as he gently plucked an from one of his branches.

"Sir Fox as proof of our bond I wish to give you this. Please add some of your magic to this seed." He said as he held out his pew with the seed.

"Ok so what's this do." I said as I picked up the seed and let my magic flow into it. Once that was done I gave the seed back. With a sharp claw he poked a hole in the ground and placed the nut inside before covering it with dirt.

"As all life returns to the earth, a new life grows." He said as a green liquid made of magic dropped from his claw onto the ground and seeped into it and the seed. In second a sprout popped up and quickly grew into a bush before breaking to pieces leaving a pile of twigs and leaves.

"Um ok." I said as I looked down on the pile.

"Give it a minute." He said before a blue light formed around the pile and the the pile started to move. Once the light faded what was left was a small wolf pup.

"We timberwolvels do not hut and eat prey like the ponies believe. Instead we live of the natural magic of the forest and because this we can not leave it but this pup is different, with the mix of your magic and the forest's it can live off of your magic." He said as the pup begain to stretch and yawn before running to my feet and sat there looking up at me happily with his blue tunge hanging out the side of his muzzle.

"Magic is definitely awesone. Hey there little guy." I said as I kneeled down to give him a quick scratch.

"He will be your guard and never leave your side unless ordered to." He said as the other wolves gave me one more lick before heading back into the forest.

"I think I'll name you Bramble." I said as he began to bark as he ran around me before sitting by my side.

"I believe it is time to take my leave. I bid you a good night Sir Fox. Just call if you have need of us." He said before disappearing in the tree line leaving just me and Bramble.

"Well bud welcome to the family. Now lets get inside." I said as we headed for the door and as soon as I opened it I was tackled by a worried Merrin.

"Oh thank Celestia your alright." Merrin said as she nuzzled my side before quickly jumping back and holding her nose with a wing.

"Oh my gosh you stink. It like a skunk sprayed a rotten egg then threw it at you." Merrin said as she backed away from me.

"Aw but I wanted a hug." I said as I slowly walked towards her.

"No stay back don't get your stink on me." She said but it was to late for escape as I pounced on her giving he a bear hug as Bramble licked her face. After some good laughes, a quick tour of the house and long hot showers I said goodnight to Merrin before laying down with the still sleeping Rosy and critter. Alya decided to curl up on my pillow next to my head, Tammy was next to Rosy and Bramble slept by my feet. As I began to fall asleep I couldn't help but to smile as I thought about how big my new family was and I couldn't be happier.

Chapter 16: A Knights Duty Part 1

Chapter 16: A Knight's Duty. Part: 1

The sun was just peeking over the trees when I was woken up by something wet slapping my face.

"Mmm stop that. I'm up, I'm up." I said as I tried to push Bramble away from my face.

"Morning dad." Rosy said as I sat up and stretched my back.

"Morning hun. Yawn let's get this day started." I said as Rosy left the room giggling with Brambles right behind her.

"I'll be down in a bit. Can you wake up merrin we have to catch an early train to Baltimare." I said as I scratched my back and headed for the bathroom to wash off the timberwolf slobber on my face. I really have to find something for his smell, I mean it's not that back but still noticeable.

"I wonder if they make a potion for that. Hmm I'll look it up later." I said as I turned on my sink and slashed some water on my face before grabbing a towel to dry off.

"Well hey there cutie." Said a voice in front of me. I slowly lowered the towel and in the mirror was a small chibi Pinkie Pie holding what looked like a smartphone.

"(Click) TWILIGHT IT'S A DIMENSION POTION!" Pinkie yelled after she took my picture.

"Really? Hold on I'll be right there." Said a voice that sounds like Twilight.

"Yyyeeeaaahhh. I… I'm just going to close this now." I said as I focused my magic in my hand before slowly closing the portal but before it closed, the tiny Pinkie slipped a white and blue sparkly frosted cupcake through the portal right before it closed.

"Dad, who are you talking to...and what's up with the cupcake?" Rosy asked as she stuck her head in the doorway.

"Um Pinkie Pie." I said with a raised brow before taking a bit of the cupcake with a smile.

"Ok well Merrin is up and in the kitchen." Rosy said before quickly running off to the kitchen. I chuckled a bit before popping the treat in my mouth and headed for the kitchen to get breakfast started.

After a good pancake breakfast and sorting out the piles of produce the squirrels left out for me. I put what I wanted in my bag and put a portion of it in a few crates I made with an enchantment to keep them staying fresh. I wanted to send them up to Canterlot for my aunts to enjoy and sent them up with the help of a portal spell I learned in the library. Once all that was done Merrin, Rosy and I were now outside the school to drop off Rosy.

"Aw do I have to. You two get to go but I'm stuck here at school." Rosy said with her head held down.

"Rosy did you forget. After school you can just take the door and be right there with us. Plus it's going to be a long train ride to Baltimare anyways so you won't be missing much." I said as I ruffled her mane.

"Oh yeah I forgot about that." Rosy said with her hoof on her chin before we were greeted by a couple of fillies.

"Hi Mr. Fox." Scootaloo said as she, sweetie belle and Applebloom ran up next to Rosy.

"Well hey there girls." I said with a smile and wave before Bramble barked happily with his tongue out the side of his mouth and his twiggy tail wagging.

"Whoa is that a timberwolf?" Applebloom asked.

"Is...is that thing safe." Sweetie Belle asked while hiding behind Scootaloo.

"Yep this is Bramble our new puppy." Rosy said as she pet the wooden pup.

(Dong Dong).

"Alright everypony time for class." Cheerilee called from the door to the school as all the colts and fillies ran through.

"Oh before you girls go I made yall some lunch." I said as I pulled out the lunch of veggie sandwiches, fruit salad and small cups of parfaits then handed them to Rosy.

"Thanks dad. See you after school." Rosy said before her and the CMC ran through the door to school.

"Aw now I want a lunch box." Merrin said as we turned and headed for the train station.

"Don't worry I made us some lunch too. Now come on, the train will be here soon." I said before I jumped in the sky. I can definitely see why Rainbow Dash never really walks anywhere. Flying is nice.

"(Poof) There we go." I said after we landed outside the station and I changed into my big fox form then stretched out like a cat.

"I'm still trying to get used to that. So what's the plan? You never told me what or where we're going." Merrin said as we walked up the platform to the ticket booth.

"Wait I never told you. Well we're or I'm on a mission. There have been reports of trade ships and their crews going missing and we have to find out what's going on and put a stop to it." I said as we came up to the ticket booth.

"Two tickets for Baltimare please." I said, the dark gray earth pony running the stand.

"That will be 4 bits please. Oh wait are you Sir Fox Lilly?" He asked as he looked over me.

"Yes that's me." I said with a smile.

"We got a letter yesterday from the palace with this rail pass. So this to the clerks on the train it will let you and up to 3 guests ride free." He said happily as he handed me a small card.

"Well that was very nice of them. I'll have to make them something later. Thank you very much Sir." I said with a wave before we went to wait for the train to come.

"Alright back to what I was saying. Once we get to Baltimare we're taking a ship to Sheer lanca to investigate. It will take us about two day to make it there by ship and a week to figure out what's going on." I said before I heard the train whistle.

"Oh cool so it's like a secret mission." Merrin said with excitement.

"Yeah kinda. You see the ships that have been disappearing are equestrian trade ships and they never make it to port." I said as the train came to a stop and we boarded.

"But wait aren't we taking an equestrian ship if the princesses sent you on this mission?" Merrin asked as we found our seats and sat down with Bramble laying down next to me.

"Um excuse me sir but pets aren't allowed to roam freely in the train car and needs to be put in a pet carrier." The train usher said unsurely.

"Hmm oh he's not a pet he's a puppy. Tell me have you ever seen a timberwolf this small before." I said as Bramble played his part as a dummy while I moved his legs around with a paw.

"But I saw him move and jump up to the seat." He said as he looked for any strings.

"Well I did just put him together last night so I wanted to make sure it moved properly." I said as I set Brambles down and quickly attached some magic thread to him and my paw making him move.

"Hmmm alright. Ticket please?" He asked. I wanted to be a little funny this morning so I gave my pass to Bramble and had him walk up to him with a wagging tail.

"Um thanks...wait this is a royal pass, why do you have one." He asked as he glared down at me.

"The princesses gave that to me." I said as I started to get a little annoyed at his tone.

"I find that hard to believe that they would give some lowly puppeteer a pass like this and to a fox no less." He said with a pompous attitude as he held his nose up high. By this point I was getting pretty pissed at him until a lime green pegasus mare with grass green mane and a flower meadow cutie mark walked up with a forest green unicorn filly with dark wood brown mane on her back walked up next to the usher.

"Um excuse me sir but would you happen to be Sir Fox Lilly." She asked shyly.

"That I am what can I do for you ma'am?" I asked with a smile.

"We were there that day of the wedding in Canterlot and you saved us." The mare said as her colt hopped off her back.

"Thank you very much mister. Um can…can I have your autograph please?" He asked with big puppy dog eyes.

"Sure but instead of an autograph how about this." I said as I held out my paw and with a flick of my wrist and helped with my magic I made a shiny apple red fox pendant and floated it to his chest.

"Whoa thanks Mr. Fox." He said happily as he looked at the pendant before showing his mom.

"Thank you Sir Fox. I hope you have a wonderful day." The mare said before headed to find a seat as I looked to the very shocked usher with a smirk.

"Can I have my pass back please?" I asked very politely.

"Oh oh of course sir. Here you are." He said quickly as he handed me my pass back before leaving to tend to the other passengers.

"Hahaha the look on his face was priceless." Merrin said as she tried to hold in her laughter.

"Yeah I hate it when people or ponies in this case look down on others just because of how they look or act." I said as Bramble layed in my lap and Alya nuzzled my cheek.

"I know what you mean." She said as she tapped her amulet. With a whistle blow the train left the station and we were on our way. We talked for a good long time before our stomachs growled and I pulled out our lunch. After a good lunch I decided to look back over some notes.

"Hey Merrin I'm sorry to bring this up but I was looking back over my notes about that dragon Thorn and from what I can tell is that he took something from your village as well as something from a forest outside the crystal Empire, a large black crystal if I'm not mistaken. What were they and why did he take them." I asked while looking at my display.

"That crystal has been in our village for a very long time. My ancestors called it a key stone said to hold dark power that was sealed away. Up until the attack I thought it was just a scary story my grandpa told but now I don't know and now there's no pony left to ask." Merrin said sadly.

"Hmm maybe the library has some info on it." I said before pulling my ear piece out.

"Wait what library?" She asked, tilting her head.

"I have what's known as the world library. Any book, text, or scroll of this world is stored there and new material is always added. It's called the Fox Tomes." I said as I slipped on my ear piece.

"Really so what's like it's librarian?" She asked as a little box screen popped up in the corner of my display.

"Haha no I'm the owner, this is the librarian. Good morning Twink." I said as Twink showed up in the box.

"Good morning Fox what can I do for you?" She asked with a smile.

"Firstly let me introduce my friend Merrin." I said as I turned the display so she could see.

"Um good morning." Merrin said with a small head bow.

"Good morning to you too. Hmm a dragon curse and ancient one as well." Twink said as she looked Merrin over.

"I'll get to that in a moment. Twink I need to see if we have any information on ancient keystones that look like large black crystals." I said as I looked over my notes.

"Can you be a little more specific?" She asked.

"Let's see , the best way to put it is that it is very large and black. As of right now I only know of two. One was taken from the forest of Mera and the other from a village with an ancient background. Both were taken by a large black dragon named Thorn." I said as I set her my notes.

"One moment...hmm now this is odd I can't find anything about the keystones but I have found information on Thorn. I'll send it to your display and I'll continue to search the archives for the keystones." Twink said as the file popped up.

"Thanks Twink, I'll make you something tasty later. Oh and I'll drop in tonight for a visit and wander around the shelfs a bit." I said before closing the link and opened the file but found a hoof poking through the screen.

"Ok so I know magic is pretty cool but this is nuts. How does this even work?" Merrin asked as she waved her hoof through the display.

"Haha honestly, I'm still working that out but I think it's because back in the world where I'm from we technically that worked the same way but no magic involved." I said with a smile as I tried to keep her hoof out of it.

"Like that TV thing." She said with wide eyed focus on the display still trying to mess with it.

"Hahaha alright quit it and let me read, will ya." I said with a chuckle before gently pushing her away.

"Hehe sorry." She said with a goofy smile.

"Alright let's see what It says." I said as I opened the file and by the way the documents looked they were old and a bit worn but still readable.

"Whoa this looks like an old journal entry. Lets see 'It's been 26 moons since I left for my journey to find new magic but today I stumbled upon something never seen before, a battle between two dragon lords. I was passing through the far borders of Mt. Ember when a massive black dragon flew overhead and let loose a mighty roar that blew the clouds from the sky.'

'The dragon hovered for a moment before another roar was heard in the distance. I scanned the skies and saw another large dark blue-gray dragon with fire orange wings an black chest plate armor heading straight for the black dragon. I knew this was something I must witness so I quickly teleported to a nearby cliff and quickly hid behind a rock just before the black dragon shouted out a challenge to the now named Torch. Torch roared before accepting the challenge from the black dragon Thorn and the battle commenced.'

'The battle lasted a full two day before a victore was decided. I would run out of ink trying to describe this battle but I can describe the ending bout. They stood far apart facing each other both beaten and bloody before Thorn spread his wing and shot into the sky with Torch right behind him. They flew so high I could barely see them in the sunset sky when suddenly a ball of fire as bright as the sun turned dusk to day and began to fall.'

'The last thing I can remember was the image of Torch slamming Thorn into the earth sending a massive shockwave that sent me flying back into a rock knocking me unconscious. When I came to I was met with a scene of scorched earth and a wide deep crater. In the center lie Thorn motionless and cold, the victor was Torch. With one last look around, thankful I was able to witness such an event I picked up my favorite hat and dusted off making the bell jingle before placing it on my dead and continued onward on my journey'

'S.W.'

"That's all there is. Ok so if what this says is true then Thorn should be dead right?" Merrin asked in confusion.

"Hmm I don't know. It's possible but the only one that would know for sure would be this Torch or this S.W. and by how old this looks I say it would be the former. I'll start looking into possibilities later but for now I think it's time for a snack." I said as I closed the display and pulled out a few strawberry cream sandwiches and passed some to her.

"So Merrin what did you do for work around your village, if you don't mind me asking." I said before setting down half of my sandwich for Tammy and Alya to enjory, the other half went to Bramble.

"Oh I helped my grandma with the village records. The village got most of its bit by selling things gathered from the forest seasonally. Like fruits, wild vegetables, herbs, and using fallen trees for lumber every so often. We don't like to cut the trees down so we could keep the forest lush and bountiful." Merrin said happily before taking a large bite of her sandwich.

"Well that's good to hear. Did you like doing the records?" I asked as I thought about my produce market.

"Yeah I was always good at record keeping and a little bit with handling bits for the village too." Merrin said with a bit of cream stuck to her muzzle making me chuckle.

"Well then if that's the case how would you like to work for me? I'm starting a small produce market with the gardens out back and could use some help. I'll pay you if you're up for it." I said hopefully that she'll take it.

"Hmm I don't see why not and now I won't feel too bad for living with you and not being able to pay my own way, so yeah I'll do it." Merrin said before eating the other half of her sandwich in one bite.

"Awesome let me show you what I want to do." I said as I pulled back up my display to go over my plans. We must have lost track of time because the next thing I heard was the announcement.

"We will be arriving in Baltimare in five minutes. Please have all your luggage and family ready to exit the train. Thank you for riding the Equestrian Express." The announcement said.

"Oh I can't wait to get off this train.Well I have all our stuff already in my bag so we're good there." I said as I pat my bag and made sure my napping critters were cozy in my hair. I'm glad Alya already lost her baby fluff feathers and Tammy surprisingly doesn't shed.

"Cool look at those tall buildings. I've never been to a city before and I thought Canterlot was big." Merrin said as we looked out the window.

"No kidding. I'm glad Aunt Tia set us up a hotel room for the night and she gave me the address. Let hope we don't get lost." I said as my mind began wondering around ideas.

"(Swish, swish, swish.) Pfft Fox has your um pfft your tail." She said as she pointed to my wagging tail.

"I can't help it. A city this large and a harbor city too, it must have a great market. I've always wanted to see a large market." I said as I looked at the city with excitement.

"Didn't you have a market like that where you're from?" She asked as we pulled into a large train station.

"Oh there was plenty in my world but I never left my home. Me and mom would either gather and grow food or mom would take the truck to a town that was a few hours but I never really wanted to leave until I came here." I said as we stepped off the train and marvelled at the tall skyscrapers sparkling in the afternoon sun. Ponies constantly on the move and every so often I could see griffins fly by.

"That's a lot of ponies." Merrin said as she looked around at the crowds of colorfully ponies.

"Hahaha it looks like someone blew up a Skittles factory." I said with a laugh.

"What's Skittles?" Merrin asked, tilting her head.

"They're small colorful fruit flavored chewy candy. Kinda wish I had some." I said as my stomach growled.

"Um ok. So where are we going?" She asked before I pulled out the hotel address and name then looked around until I saw a brown earth pony hooked up to a yellow and black taxi cart.

"Let's take a taxi. I really don't want to walk through this crowd." I said before making our way over to the driver.

"Excuse me bud but are you open for a ride." I asked with a smile.

"Sure thing. I got time for another run before my coffee break. Hop in pal and tell me where you need to get to." He said before tightening up his cart harness.

"Sweet. We're going to the Sagamare Pondry." I said as we hoped in and showed him the address making him whistle.

"That's a pretty fancy place. Just sit tight and I'll get you there no problem." He said happily before mixing with the traffic

"Hey bud is there a good size market here?" I asked the pony pulling us.

"Oh you bet. It's not as big as the Manehatten market but I'm pretty sure you can find what you need and it's just a block away from your hotel." He said with a smile.

"That's so awesome. What about a night market?" I asked with some excitement.

"Yep. That's when most of the food stalls come out and let me tell ya the street food here can beat out most of the high end restaurants in this city." He said as he weaved through traffic.

"Oh it just keeps getting better. I wonder if I can set up my cart there." I said as thoughts of what to cook filled my head.

"Then you need to talk to miss Talon. She runs the market and can set you up but she might have you cook something for her and if she likes it you got a spot. Well here you are Sir." He said as we pulled up to a large three story brick building with red banners with the Equestrian royal emblem.

"Don't know how you got a room here though." He said as we stepped out of the cart.

"Why do you say that?" I asked as I pulled some stuff from my bag.

"Well this hotel is normally reserved for royalty, dignitaries, and nobles." He said as I looked at some fancy dressed ponies walking in.

"Whoa must be really nice inside." Merrin said with wide eyes.

"Well thanks for the ride and information." I said happily.

"It's no problem. That will be four bits." He said while holding out his hoof.

Sure here's six. Oh and here." I said passing him the bits and a thermos.

"What this now." He asked as he shook the thermos a little.

"Well you said you were about to take a coffee break right? That is my own special blend of dark roast that I'm positive will keep you going for a while." I said with a smile as he took the lid off and took a whiff.

"Well I can't turn down coffee that smells this good. Thanks pal." He said before putting it in a bag on the cart and pulled away.

"I like that guy." Merrin said as we watched him disappear in the traffic.

"Yeah. Now let's go get our room and wait for Rosy to get out of school so we can do some shopping." I said before walking through the doors into a solid white marble lobby. I looked around the spacious area that had many round black granite tables with gold borders and fluffy white pillows and the front desk was also black granite but then my mood went from happy to disgusted when I noticed a certain blond and white unicorn at the desk.

"What do you mean my room was booked. Me or my Aunts are the only ponies allowed to book it." He said slamming his hoof on the floor.

"I'm...I'm sorry Sir but we got a letter a few days ago to reserve it for an honoured guest." The mare behind the counter tried to say as she cowered back a bit.

"Wait here a sec Merrin." I said as I walked up to the contour.

"It was clearly meant for me." He said angrily, making the mare cower more.

"Excuse me ma'am but is this pony bothering you?" I asked sweetly as I walked up behind Blueblood.

"This is none of your concern, commoner. Now begone." He said with his nose in the air.

"I'm sorry sir but I can not do that for you see I do believe that room is for me." I said with a smile as red began to fill his face.

"Now you listen to her you common filth that room is meant for royalty." I said as he stomped his hoof and turned to me.

"Oh I know." I said with a smile as I watched him go from anger to scaredness back to anger in just a second.

"You! How dare you take my room." He said as ponies began to crowd around us.

"In all honesty Celestia was the one who took the liberty of reserve the room not me but if it means so much to you then go ahead and take it or take your pompous attitudes with you and leave this mare to her job." I said as I looked him in the eyes.

"Take the room. I can't stay in the same building as this trash." He said returning my glare until I looked passed him at the clerks with a black earth pony in a suit and tie watched from behind the counter.

"I'm sorry for what you're about to see." I said with a smile before looking back to blueblood.

"Are you perhaps going back to Canterlot." I said as my smile grew.

"Of course I am. I need a long bath to wash off the stink left by you." He said with a glare as I just nodded my head.

"Then let me help you with that. I learned a new spell and I've been needing to test it out.(Poof)" I said as I opened a portal behind me and changed before turning normal and picked him up by his mane and tail.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!? UNHOOF ME THIS INSTANT!!" He yelled as I walked up to the portal.

"Oh but Blueblood I'm just trying to save you the long train ride back. Say hi to Aunt Tia and Luna for me." I said as I chucked him through the portal and closed it but not before a splash was heard from the other side.

"Who was that and where did you send him?" Merrin asked as she walked up to me.

"That was the 'high and mighty' prince Blueblood and if the portal opened where I wanted it to he should be swimming in the duck pond in Celestia's garden." I said with a wide smile as we walked back to the counter.

"I'm sorry if he was rude to you ma'am and I'm also sorry for disturbing everypony in this fine hotel." I said with a bow at the now blushing mare.

"Thank you sir but um do you know who that was." She asked with wide eyes.

"Well yeah I wouldn't have done it if i didn't." I said with a smile before the suit pony stepped in.

"I'm sorry sir but who are you." He asked with mild curiosity and a bit of snobbiness.

"Oh I'm sorry that was rude of me not to introduce myself. I am Sir Fox Lilly, knight of Equestria and king of the Everfree. It's nice to meet you." I said with a bow.

"Oh yes Sir Fox we have been expecting you. Glory will you show Sir Fox and his guest to their room please." He said politely as he gave her the room key.

"Yes sir. Please sir right this way." Glory said as she walked out from behind the counter and led us to an elevator. Once the door closed she let out a heavy sigh.

"Thank you for that Sir Fox everytime he checks in I'm always the pony that has to deal with him." She said with some relief.

"Is he always that mean and uppity?" Merrin asked as the door opened at our floor.

"Think so. The first time I met him he pushed Rosy down a set of stares and very rudely insulted my mom so I punched him in his muzzle...then wet himself." I said with a bit of anger just thinking about that.

"Good, somepony needs to do it. I don't see how the princesses put up with him. Here you are sir and thanks again for helping." She said with a warm smile as she handed me the key.

"It's no problem Glory and I'll see if Celestia will change his hotels." I said as she walked back to the elevator and I opened the door. It was huge, it was like a home but a really expensive small home. It had a full kitchen with black granite counters and what looked like high end appliances. A large living room with white plush pillows. Did you know they make beds bigger than a king size, it's called the Minotaur and it's made of magic clouds.

"Oh this is nice." I said as I sank into the cloud bed.

"I hope you don't mind me sleeping here because I refuse to be on the couch after this." Merrin said as she wiggled in deeper making me chuckle before a bell rang from the cart.

"Perfect timing Rosy's home." I said as I hopped off the bed and walked into the living room then expanded my cart. I'm glad this place is so big.

"Hey hun how was school?" I asked as I opened the door and Tammy jumped for my head to hers for a hug.

"Hi Rosy." Merrin said happily beside me.

"Hi dad, hi Merrin and hi to you to Tammy." She said giving me a big hug.

"School was good besides Diamond Tiara picking on us because we're blank flanks." She said with a hoof stomp.

"What happened." I asked as Bramble licked her face.

"Haha stop Bramble. She said we would never get one." She said as she hugged Bramble.

"Well what did you do about it?" I asked picking her up.

"I told her to leave us alone and we can have fun looking for ours but she laughed at us." She said sadly.

"You did good standing up for you and your friends and you were right too. A cutie mark does say what you're good at and is part of you but not all of you. What makes a cutie mark truly special is finding it and what you find out about yourself along the way. So in my opinion the longer it takes to find it, the more you learn about yourself and what you're truly meant to be." I said as I gently set her down on the bed and lifted my shirt.

"What would you say my mark means?" I asked before Merrin poked my belly.

"Um love?" Rosy asked with a giggle as I gently slapped Merrin's hoof away.

"That's only one part of it. What this mark means to me is my love for making someone happy. Before I came here and got this mark I always loved to make my mom smile either by making her something special, saying nice things or just a simple hug when she was feeling down but when I came here and found friends and family it helped me understand what it truly meant. Now it's not just my mom anymore that I can make happy." I said with a warm smile.

"I noticed your mark glow when you gave me this and said I could have a normal life again. I was so happy when I saw my own hoofs again." Merrin said holding the amulet in her hoof.

"It glowed when you adopted me too." Rosy said happily before hugging my chest.

"And I couldn't be happier." I said before adding Merrin to the hug.

"So keep looking and when you find it you'll know what it truly means to you. But for now we're in a big city and we got some shopping and cooking to do." I said before I slipped my shirt back on and put Rosy on her perch.

(Huc, huc, belch.) Alya burped up some blue flames that turn into a scroll before sticking out her tongue and hiss at it.

"Sorry girl that may take some time to get used to." I said as I scratched her head before picking up the scroll and opened it.

"What is it?" Merrin asked before I busted out laughing.

"Hey Rosy, you remember that mean pony Blueblood?" I asked as I looked at the letter.

"Hmph yeah." She said as she crossed her hoof.

"Well he was here when we got here but he was being really rude to the ponies that work here so I gave him a one way ticket back to Canterlot. More specifically Tia's duck pond and you know she said?" I said with a chuckle.

"No, what does she say?" She asked while she looked over my head.

"Pfft please don't disturb my duck and he's grounded. Hahahahahaha." I said before we all had a good laugh. After shrinking my cart and showing Rosy around we all headed out of the room to hit up the market.

"Whoooaaa." Rosy said in wonder when we stepped out into the bustling city streets.

"I know right and get this they have a big market not too far from here. I think that taxi pony said it was a few blocks that way." I said as I pointed down the street.

"Well what are we waiting for." She said with excitement as I changed back to a fox so I wouldn't scare the city folk and make Rosy stand on my back.

"Alright to the market." I said as we walked through the crowds and before long we found what we were looking for.

"Oh this is awesome." I said as I looked down the street at all the various stalls selling everything from food to nuts.

"Something smells wonderful." Merrin said as she sniffed the air.

"Just you wait after I shop a bit. I'll add my cooking to the smell." I said with excitement as we started walking down the street. By the time we reached the end I had stuffed my bag with fruits and vegetables I've never heard of as well as some seeds to plant and a burlap sack of assorted nuts.

"Do you really like nuts that much and what's up with these sticks you gave us, they smell kinda sweet?" Merrin asked as she looked at the green stick I gave them.

"That's not just any stick that's sugar cane. Most sugar is processed from its juices and you can also chew it as a sweet treat." I said before Bramble jumped up and took mine and started to gnaw on it.

"Oh your lucky I got more pup." I said, pulling out another piece of cane.

"Mmmm It really is sweet." Rosy said before she started to eat hers.

"Well looks like you found the market alright." Said a familiar voice behind me. I turned and found the taxi pony from earlier with a dark brown and white griffin next to him.

"Oh hey you're that taxi pony. Didn't expect you to be here." I said with a smile.

"Well thanks to your coffee I was able to finish my daily fairs and come spend some time with the misses here." He said as he leaned against the griffin making her blush.

"I'm actually glad to run into you. I just finished shopping and was about to look for that head griffin you told me about." I said before he let a hearty laugh.

"Well you found her." He said pointing to his wife.

"I'm Tallow and this is Bark, my husband and yes I'm the head of this market." She said holding out her talon.

"Well that saves some time. I'm Fox and this little one on my back is Rosy and this is Merrin." I said as I shook her talon.

"(MERF)" Bramble barked out with his cane sticking out of his muzzle and wagging his tale.

"Oh and this is Bramble the timberwolf pup, Tammy the marmoset, and Alya the feathered serpent." I said as they each squeaked out a hello.

"Well this certainly is an interesting bunch. So why were you looking for me?" Tallow asked with a smirk.

"I was wondering if there might be an open spot to set up my food cart." I asked with a smile.

"Hmm there is a large spot that just opened up. The pony who was there before had moved away. Are you looking to rent or buy that lot." She asked as she pointed out a large open space behind us.

"Rent please. We're only gonna be here for the night before we sail out in the morning." I said as I pulled a bag of bits from my bag.

"But before we set up I would like to see your cart as well as try your cooking." She said with a smirk.

"Alright. Rosy darling what should we cook for this fine couple?" I asked as I unclipped my cart and made it grow getting away from everyone around us.

"I want your noodles." She happily demanded with a hoof held high.

"Noodles it is. I got plenty of vegetables and seafood. So what would you like Miss Tallow." I asked before I stepped inside my cart.

"Seafood please and one vegetable for Bark." She said as they walked up to the front.

"Right away ma'am. Merrin, Rosy you two will take orders and send them out to the customers." I said as I set my bag down.

"Right." They both said happily as I stretched out my paws and filled my cart with magic.

"Alright let's start the show." I saw happily as fire erupted from the burners.

"First we need to get the woks and oil hot." I said as I placed them on the burners.

"Then we need to boil a pot of water." I said as a pot of water popped up behind me on a burner.

"Next the veggies. Zucchini, carrots, broccoli, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms all thinly sliced." I said as I used my magic to pull them from my bag and cut them up as they floated to the hot woks.

"Now we add some wheat noodles to the pot while we cook the veggies." I said as I quickly stirred the veggies while I used my magic to put the noodles in the water.

"After stirring the veggies we can add some shrimp, scolps, and squid rings to one of the woks. All of this is from this market by the way." I said as I stirred them in.

"Now we add the noodles and sauce. We'll go with a bit of soy sauce and teriyaki sauce for the veggie and soy sauce, Hudson sauce, and a little bit of oyster sauce as well as some fresh garlic. Then mix well." I said as I began to quickly flip the food high in the woks.

"Once everything is browned we slide it onto the plate from the wok and top it off with chopped spring onions." I said as I chopped the onion straight onto the plate as I set them on the counter before a large amount of cheers sounded. I was so focused on cooking I never noticed a crowd had grown in front of the cart.

"That was quite the show and you can use magic?" Bark asked with a surprised look.

"Yep, now please eat while it's hot." I said with a wide smile.

"Well it definitely smells delicious." Tallow said as she picked up her plate and took the first bite.

"Mmmmmmm oh my Celestia this is amazing. The vegetables are cooked perfectly and the squid is surprisingly tender." She said before scooping up another fork full.

"I hate to say this honey, this beats your cooking." Bark said as Tallow glared at him before turning to me with a smile.

"Well Fox the spot is yours and since you're only here for the night don't worry about any rent. Oh and Bark no peach cobbler for you for a week." She said before walking away with her food.

"Now wait a sec hun." Bark said as he chased after her before I was rushed with orders from the crowd as I chuckled.

"Alright everyone who's hungry?" I called out before everybody formed a line and we got to work. After an hour or so the crowd thinned out a bit. Tallow had someone set up a few tables and with me cooking and the girls waiting the tables everything was going fine until a very upset Tammy jumped on my head.

"Hey girl what's wrong?" I asked before she jumped to the counter and started to wave her arms as tears rushed down her face.

"Wait if you're here where's Rosy?" I asked as I looked around and started to worry when I could see her.

"Merrin have you seen Rosy." I asked when she walked up to the counter.

"Yeah she just took out an order to the light purple earth pony at that...table." She said pointing to an empty table in the back.

"Tammy did he take her." I asked as my anger and worry grew when she frantically nodded.

"WHO TOOK MY DAUGHTER!?" I shouted as my magic flared, cracking the ground around me.

(END PART 1)

Chapter 17: A Knight's Duty Part 2

Chapter 17: A Knight's Duty part 2

(POV CHANGE: ROSY. TIME JUST BEFORE THE FOALNAP.)

"Alright Dad, who's next?" I asked as I fluttered up to the counter. I love helping dad with his cart.

"Here take this order over to that couple." He said while sliding the plates to me. I picked up the plates and slowly fluttered over to the table. I didn't mind taking out the orders and since I had to use my hoof to carry the food I can practice my flying strength.

"Here you go ma'am. Two orders of fried noodles." I said happily as I set their food down with a smile.

"Well aren't you adorable. Thank you very much." Said a yellow earth mare at the table.

"Now how come a filly is working for a food stall. Shouldn't you be getting ready for school." Said a blue stallion unicorn asked.

"For one it's almost sunset and second I love working for my dad." I said proudly before walking back to the cart.

"What's next dad?" I asked as I fluttered by the window as he put some noodles on a plate.

"Here hun. This goes to that purple guy over there." He said as he set the food on the counter and pointed to the back corner table with a light purple earth pony.

"Ok be right back. No Tammy, it's not snack time." I said as I picked her up.

"Oh come on Rosy. Anytime time is snack time." Dad said with a smile as he gave Tammy and Alya a carrot stick and Bramble got a whole one.

"Hehe yeah." I said as a banana slipped from under my wing.

"Hahaha go on and take out the food before it gets cold." He said with a chuckle as I picked up my banana and headed for the table.

"Here you go sir fresh out the kitchen." I said as I set his plate down.

"Wow this smells great. How long are you guys going to be here because I wouldn't mind coming here again." The stallion asked with a smile before digging into his food.

"Just for tonight so eat as much as you can." I said happily.

"Well that's too bad. HEY WHAT'S THAT OVER THERE?!" He said as he pointed at something down the road and I turned to look.

"I don't see any-HEY." I tried to say before I was shoved into a sack and I started kicking. I gave a few good kicks to his side before he knocked me out. The last thing I felt was the ground shaking as I went unconscious.

(SHIFT POV: FOX)

"WHO TOOK MY DAUGHTER!?" I said as my anger and magic surged, cracking the ground and scaring a few ponies.

"Fox what's wrong?" Tallow asked as her and Bark ran up to me.

"Someone took Rosy." I said as I frantically looked around.

"Oh no not another one." Bark said with a head shake.

"What do you mean?" I asked, getting more worried by the second.

"Well being a taxi pony I hear things around this city and word is a lot of foals and griffin chicks have been going missing." Bark said with a sad look.

"Is there a police or guard station here I could get to help?" I asked as Merrin leaned against my side.

"There is but I don't think they would help. From what I heard many reports have been filed but nothing is ever done about it. The local communities have set up watches and search parties but had to disband by order of the princesses." He said as I looked around and saw a few guards looking my way.

"I seriously doubt the princesses would do that." I said as the sun began to set.

"I doubt it too." He said sadly.

"Bark is there a place we can talk without prying eyes?" I asked as I locked down my cart.

"We can use my office. It's just around the corner." Tallow said quietly before we followed her.

"Hold on Rosy I'll find you." I whispered to myself as we rounded the corner.

(POV SHIFT: ROSY)

"Mmmermer." I tried to say but was muffled by the bag I was stuck in.

"Hush or I'll knock you out again and stop kicking me." He said before dropping me hard on the ground after I gave him a good buck on his side.

"Ok that's it time to tie you up." He said as he opened the bag and tried to grab me but I bit him hard on his foreleg.

"OW YOU LITTLE BRAT!" He said before kicking me hard into a wall making some of my feathers out.

"Hold on Rosy I'll find you." I heard a soft whisper before passing out again.

(POV SHIFT: FOX)

"This is it. Hurry up before somepony notices us." Tallow said as she unlocked the door and ushered us in closing the door behind us.

"Alright what did you want to talk to about?" Bark asked as I set up a soundproof barrier.

"Before I start, nothing that is said here gets out into the city. I already put up a soundproof barrier so no one can eavesdrop." I said as I looked them in the eyes.

"Wait, you can do that. We promise not a word goes outside these walls." Bark said with a head bow.

"Good (poof), Let me formally introduce myself. I'm Sir Fox Lilly, Knight of Equestria." I said to the wide eyed couple after turning normal.

"Wow you're tall." Bark said before Tallow elbowed him.

"If you're a Knight does that mean you work directly under the princesses?" Tallow asked with a bow.

"Yep and after what you told me about this branch of the guard, I don't think they can be trusted." I said before I turned to Merrin.

"Merrin, I got a plan but first I need to see Tia so I'm going to be gone for a couple minutes. I want you to take Tammy and Bramble to look for any clue that would lead us the right way but don't take any action until I get back. Here, this is a long distance communication device that I set up to connect to my earpiece. Just slip it on and say 'call Fox'." I said as I handed her an earpiece before I opened a portal to Canterlot and stepped through into the castle dining hall where Tia, Luna and Twilight were enjoying tea after dinner.

"Fox? Well this is certainly a surprise, aren't you supposed to be in Baltimare for the night?" Celestia asked before Twilight jumped up.

"Wait you were in Baltimare, is that a portal spell? How did you do it and can you teach me?" She said with a wide excited smile.

"I'm sorry Twilight but I don't really have time to explain it." I said with a serious look.

"Fox is everything alright? You look troubled?" Luna asked with concern.

"First off I need to know how much authority I have as an Equestrian knight?" I asked as I walked up to the table.

"You have a great amount of authority and can acert that authority under our orders. Why do you ask?" Celestia asked as Twilight sat back down on her pillow.

"Have you received any reports from the Baltimore branch office?" I asked as Celestia poured me a cup of tea.

"Nothing but the standard biweekly reports." She said with growing concern.

"I thought as much. I hate to break this news to you like this but in the past month there have been numerous reports made to that branch about a foal going missing and I'm not talking about running away. One minute they're there next gone." I said as I tried to stay calm.

"Luna, didn't we just recently promoted their vice captain after their previous captain retired?" Celestia asked.

"That we did sister." Luna said before sipping her tea.

"Fox tell me what happened? I can feel your anger." Celestia said as she glared at me.

"Some took Rosy and I will get her back. I'm also concerned about the other children that were taken and that your Baltimare branch is involved or turning a blind eye to the problem." I said with a clenched fist.

"Hmm this is very serious indeed. Where did you hear these claims?" Luna asked with seriousness.

"Word from residence. Unfortunately I have no written proof." I said taking a sip of my tea to calm my nerves.

"Luna is it ready?" Celestia asked with a smile.

"Yes sister. It was finished just this morning." Luna said before a large black trunk popped up in front of the table.

"Fox as acting knight to Equestria you must look the part. We were planning to give this to you upon your return but fate does not see it that way." Celestia said as she walked up to the trunk and opened it to reveal a full set of white and blue armor. The helmet had the same pattern as my mask and continued down the chest plate. The pattern swirled out of my mark that was engraved in the center and spread down the arms and legs. The armor was smooth and thin but still strong. It was a full armor suit. I couldn't hardly keep the excitement off my face.

"It was made by the same Minotaur smith that made our armor. It's light, strong, and made from a special alloy that was mixed with magic." Luna said proudly.

"Um, is it enchanted?" I asked as ideas came to mind.

"We felt like you might love a chance to put your own touches to it." Celestia said with a smirk.

"Oh this will be fun." I said as I began to set out the pieces and noticed Twilight sitting beside the box with a quill and paper ready to happily take note.

"Alright let's start with the gauntlets. First the right will get magic absorption. Next the left will be magic repulsion and put together magic expulsion." I said as I concentrated my magic onto the gauntlets and when the enchantment was set I moved on to the chest piece.

"Now for the body. Lets go with magic storage, increased durability, and strength. Next comes the legs and boots, they get a speed boost. Now comes the helmet." I said as my magic did its work.

"I'll give it a boost in senses and a mental blocker." I said before setting it with the set.

"Wow, that's a lot of enchantments." Twilight said as her quill worked quickly.

"Oh but that was the easy stuff." I said as I took a sip of my tea before standing over the armor and focusing my magic on the whole set.

"Mood shift enchantment full set. First shift, Daybreak set, heal and power boost in the sun, set color white and ice blue. Second shift, Midnight Marauder set, shadow meld and silence under the moon, set color black and midnight blue." I said as sweat began to pour down my face as the magic set onto the armor. Once all the enchantments were locked in I slipped them all the pieces and once on they shrunk to fit me perfectly.

"That should do it. Yeah not doing that again for a while, that did a number on my magic." I said as I got an apple from my bag.

"I would imagine. So how does it feel?" Luna asked with a wide smile.

"Surprisingly comfortable." I said as I moved around. It was very light like having thick close on in winter but less restrictive.

"Good, now focus your magic on the mark on your chest." Celestia said with a smile. As soon as I did that the armor seemed to liquefy and be sucked into the mark that now hangs from a chain around my neck.

"Oh this is awesome." I said before activating the armor. If I wasn't in this situation I would be happy as a kid in a candy store but right now I have a filly to save.

"Fox as acting knight we order you to bring these matters in Baltimare to an end and apprehend all those involved to be tried in court." Celestia said as she held her head high.

"As you wish your majesty." I said proudly as I slipped on the helmet and opened the portal.

"Why do ponies love to poke things?" I asked after I turned to find Twilight poking her hoof through the portal making Celestia chuckle.

"Hehe sorry." Twilight said with a blush before backing away from the portal. I chuckled before pulling the book I learned the portal spell from and placed it on her head before stepping through the portal.

(POV SHIFT: ROSY.)

"I brought you another brat." Said the pony caring for me before dropping me hard on the ground.

"Good. You, put her with the others." A voice said before I was dragged away still kicking even with my legs tied up.

"Here is your payment. Now go and bring me more. The more we sell, the more bits you'll get." The voice said before I heard a door close and my bag opened.

"Oh you're a feisty one. Don't worry though you won't be here long." Said a gray and black earth pony as he untied me and picked me up which was a mistake on his part as I began to thrash about kicking and biting him everywhere I could.

"Ow- hey-ow-stop-OW ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" He shouted before grabbing my wing and threw me to the ground hard.

"AAHHH!" I scream when I feel and hear my wing snap when I hit the ground.

"Great now I broke her. The boss is going to kill me." He said as he rubbed his bite marks.

"Just you wait, my dad will come and beat you up." I said as I fought hard not to cry on in pain.

"Oh really and what is he? Pegasus, unicorn, or earth pony." He said with a smile.

"He's a fox." I said proudly before he started to laugh as he walked away. When he was gone I couldn't hold it back anymore and just laid there crying.

(POV SHIFT: FOX)

"Alright I'm back...what?" I asked as I stepped out of the portal and saw Tallow and Bark wide eyed with open mouths.

"You really are a knight." Bark said in disbelief.

"Well...yeah, now on to business. I am now in charge of all the foalnapping cases and investigate this branch office." I said before my earpiece dinged.

"Fox you there?" Merrin asked as I pulled off my helmet.

"Yeah just got back to the office. Did you find anything?" I asked as I pulled my mask out of my bag and fixed it to the helmet.

"Yeah Bramble and I found some of Rosy's feathers and I think we found some fur from the pony that took her. It's the same color as him." Merrin said as I placed my bag on the desk.

"Alright stay put I'll be there in a second. Tallow can I leave my bag here for a bit?" I asked as I put my helmet back on.

"Yeah we'll be her when you get back. Just please end this." She said with a tear falling from her cheek.

"Oh I plan to." I said as I opened the door and stepped out into the night, my silhouette disappearing in the shadows. This was so awesome I felt like a ninja hiding in the shadow as I swiftly found Merrin with Bramble in an alley just a few blocks away from the office.

"Alright what do we got?" I asked as I stepped out of the shadows.

"AAAHHHH!!!" Merrin screamed as she and Bramble jumped and were ready to fight.

"Whoa down girl it's just me." I said as I threw my hands up.

"Wait Fox is that you?" She asked with surprise as Bramble walked around me sniffing me.

"Yep. Pretty cool right. My aunts gave it to me. It's my new knight armor." I said proudly as I did a quick turn.

"Oh yeah." Merrin said as Bramble barked happily.

"Alright Bramble let see if you can track the scent from the fur." I said before Bramble sniffed the fur for a second before barking and running down the alley.

(SHIFT: ROSY)

"Dad 'sniff' where are you?" I whispered to myself as my wing lay at my side broken.

"Um are you ok?" A voice said at my side.

"Aahh owowowow. That pony broke my wing." I said after I jumped a bit from the scare and found out I wasn't alone. I was locked in a room with 6 ponies, 3 griffins...and a gorilla?

"Here let me help." A bubblegum pink unicorn filly said as she pulled off a green bandana from her neck and gently tied it around my broken wing.

"It's not much but it should help keep it in place, at least that's what my mom said. I'm Lollipop, or pop." Pop said with a smile.

"I'm Rosy. Where are we?" I asked as I sat up.

"I have no clue." She said cheerfully with a smile.

"Oh-kay." I said as I looked from her to all the others there. They were all scared but her. It was kinda creepy.

"Anybody else know?" I said but got only head shakes before somepony unlocked the door.

(Click)

"How are all my little bit bags doing...wait, you there what happened to your wing?" Said an apple red unicorn with a light gray mane.

"That gray pony threw her down on the ground mister." Pop said with the ever present smile.

"Oh did he now. BORIS!!" He shouted before the gray earth pony ran in.

"Yes boss?" Boris asked nervously.

"Boris did you bring in this filly here." He said while pointing a hoof at me.

"Yes sir." He said as sweat started to roll down his face.

"And did you happen to, oh I don't know, get a little rough with her?" He asked as he got closer to him.

"Um maybe a little but she was biting me." He said as a red glow formed around him before being thrown against the wall.

"I DON'T GIVE A SHIT IF SHE KICKED YOU IN THE BALLS. YOU DAMAGED OUR MERCHANDISE. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE GET FOR DAMAGED GOODS!?" He yelled as we all started to scoot back.

"LESS. THAN. HALF!!" He yelled as he slammed the pony into the wall with each word before dropping him to the ground.

"Now get out there and help us ready to ship out." He said before the gray pony ran out of the room before the unicorn looked over at us.

"Now with that out of the way let me tell you what is going to happen next. In one hour you lot will be placed in creates then shipped out. All except you." He said as he walked up to the cowering baby gorilla.

"Somepony paided pretty well to end your existence here." He said as he charged his horn. I couldn't just sit and watch it happen. I acted without thinking and threw my fox plushie that I hid under my good wing right at his head but only bounced off with a squeak before I jumped in front of the gorilla.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!!" I yelled as I crouched down and spread my good wing.

"Oh so you want to take his place fine." He said with a smile before blasting me into the wall.

"Now back to the job at hoof." He said as he charged his horn again but I could still move. My head hurt, my leg hurt, and I think my other wing was broken but with tears running down my face I quickly limped back in front of the gorilla.

"Well you're tough for a filly but you're now too damaged to sell. So I'll just kill you first then." He said as he pointed his horn at me.

(BOOM)

"Oh what now?" He said after a loud crash shook the building.

"I'll deal with you later." He said before quickly leaving the room. As soon as the door shut I fell to the ground. The pain was too much and the last thing I remember was a bright flash before I passed out.

(SHIFT: FOX)

"Dang It still stings. That little filly can really bite." The purple pony said before I blocked his path.

"Hello friend I'm looking for a rose colored pegasus you haven't seen one around, have you." I said as he stopped, looked up at me, turned around and ran. Right into Merrin.

"I...I don't know wha...what you're..talking about." He said as he tried to jump over Merrin but I grabbed him by the tail and lifted him up.

"I'm only going to ask you this once and if you lie to me they will be picking your teeth out of the road. Where. Is. That. Filly." I said as I slowly rose into the air until I was three stories high and looked him dead in the eyes.

"I don't know, I swear." He said before I let him go. He screamed as he fell but before he hit the ground I opened up a portal and brought him back up to me right side up and grabbed his mane.

"You know, I think this will be fun." I said as I dropped him again and set up the portals to make him loop in a fall.

"Ok...ok...I'll talk...just make...it stop...please." He said as he kept falling passed me until I grabbed him with my magic and brought him to my masked face.

"Where?" I asked as I glared at him.

"I took her to warehouse three in the shipping district. The unicorn that runs it pays me for foals. There, I told you now can you please let me go?" He asked as he began to cry.

"Here hold this and I'll let you go." I said as I handed him a sign that said 'Hi I'm a bad pony that takes foals for bits and more of my friends will be here soon' and signed with a smiling fox face before dropping him into another portal setup to send him to Luna.

"Merrin am I that scary?" I asked as I landed beside her.

"Well with the mask on your eyes glow blue when you use magic but I think It's pretty cool." She said with a smile and a happy bark from Bramble.

"That is pretty cool." I said before I pulled up my display and searched for a map of the city.

"Alright so we're here and the shipping district is only a few blocks from here. Come on let's go get Rosy back." I said as I picked up Bramble and took to the air with Merrin but not before Bramble licked my mask. After a few minutes flying we were able to find the warehouse.

"Yeah this just screams bad guy hideout." I said as I looked down at a few ponies and a griffin. The griffin was playing with a knife while the ponies stood guard with metal bats.

"Lets see whats inside." I said as I quietly lowered down to a nearby roof and focused magic into my helmet.

"Oh this is awesome I can literally look through the walls. Let see there's five earth ponies, two pegasi, six unicorns and two griffins. It looks like they got Rosy and other kids in a cellar below the warehouse...wait is that a baby gorilla." I said before a red unicorn walked into the room with the kids.

"Really?" Merrin said with a raised brow before I saw the red pony call in a gray pony and pointed to a green bandana on her wing.

"I think Rosy may be hurt." I said as the unicorn began to slam the gray pony into the wall.

"Fox what's going on in there?" Merrin asked before the gray pony ran out of the room.

"I think I found the leader. He just slammed a pony to the wall. Now he's walked up to that baby gorilla." I said as I watched the union charge its horn but stopped when a fox plushie hit its head and Rosy jumped in front of the gorilla.

"Oh no. ROSY!!" I yelled as I watched the unicorn blast Rosy into a wall before falling to the ground.

"Fox what happened?" Merrin asked before my magic flared.

(PLAY THIS SONG LOL)

"Stay here." I said before I stepped off the roof to the ground below and as soon as I touched down I shot towards the guards and clotheslined them through the wall knocking them out.

"What the hay is that thing." A griffin said as I slowly looked around ready to knock some heads and find Rosy.

"I don't know but he's asking for it. GET'EM!!" An earth pony called out before he tried to jump me. I quickly spun and kicked him in his side sending him crashing into a stack of crates.

"One." I said as two more earth ponies tried to buck my sides while a unicorn shot a blast at me. I jumped back dodging the bucks before I caught the blast in my right hand and sucked it into my armor. I grabbed both ponies by the back leg and spun around and threw one at the unicorn that tried to blast me, knocking them out. The other I slammed into a pegasus diving at me with a knife, sending them tumbling into a wall.

"Five." I said as they began to close in on me but stopped when we heard a loud roar from outside.

"RRRAAAAAWWWWRRRRR." (BOOM) went the wall as a huge black silver-back gorilla wearing a blue vest with tattered armholes and coller burst through the wall and punched me hard through the other wall before grabbing a griffin and slammed it onto the ground.

"Ow…(sigh) I don't have time for this." I said as I quickly got to my feet and ran back in as the gorilla smashed a create. I slammed into his side and he smashed into a unicorn that tried to jump out of the way.

"Thats seven." I said before I was him in the back by a create thorn by one of the unicorns. I stumbled and turned to find two more creates closing in on my sides. I jumped up before the creates hit and was tackled by a pegasus but I quickly grabbed him and spun around, slamming him into the ground. As soon as I jumped back up my leg was grabbed by the gorilla and was slammed into the ground before he let go as an earth pony tried to punch him.

"Stupid ponies." It said in a deep voice before slamming the earth pony next to me.

"Alright hold up. Why are you here?" I asked as I jumped to me feet before I quickly caught his punch and was pushed back a bit.

"You took my son." He said before trying to punch me with his other fist.

"No these ponies took your son and my daughter." I said as I pushed him back until he jumped back.

"Wait, you're fighting them." He said pointing to the last earth pony as the last three unicorns in the room charged their horn.

"Yeah." I said as I caught a blast and absorbed it.

"Oh...RRRAAAWWWRRR!!" He roared as he grabbed the earth pony and threw him into one of the unicorns, leaving only one left. We stared him down as sweat began to pour down his face before he bolted out of the hole in the front of the building but was quickly knocked out by harb buck to the jaw.

"Got'em." Merrin said proudly as Bramble dragged him to a pile of twelve ponies and two griffins.

"WHAT IN TATARUS IN GOING ON!!" The red unicorn yelled when he saw his building destroyed and his goons out cold with Bramble happily sitting on top of the pile. I wanted to laugh when I noticed Tammy with an angry scowl riding on Alya but right now I was face to face with the pony who hurt Rosy.

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" He yelled as he charged his horn and my magic flared making the gorilla jump back.

"You have committed heinous crimes against Equestria by foalnapping and foal trafficking but we'll get to that after you pay for hurting my daughter." I said as I began to slowly walk towards him.

"Oh I think not." He said as he powered up a massive amount of magic and shot a laser at me. I held up my right hand and began to absorb his magic while sending it to my left hand. By the time I reached him, all of the magic he blasted at me was now pooled in my fist. I reached through the blast and grabbed his horn making him gasp before I punched him with his magic and sent him flying fast through the back wall and into the next warehouse.

"(Sigh) That felt good...shit I didn't mean for that to happen, I thought I let go." I said as I looked down at his horn still in my hand.

"Is it over?" Merrin asked from her hole.

"Um yeah. Here hold this...and don't let Bramble have it." I said as I tossed her the horn, making her squeak in surprise when she caught it.

"Let's get the kids." I said to the gorilla who only grunted before we headed for a door down to the cellar.

"Name's Fox by the way." I said as we walked down the stairs.

"Hugo." He said with a snort as we reached the bottom and found a gray earth pony guarding the door.

"WHO THE HAY ARE YOU." He yelled before he was knocked out by a large heavy fist bopped him on his head.

"Are ponies always this loud." He said with his finger in his ear.

"You get used to it. Come on." I said as I opened the door and walked into an office but Hugo got stuck in the door before breaking the door frame when he pushed himself through. I looked around the office and noticed a few bags of bits next to an open journal. I walked over to get a better look and found it had a list of names with bit amounts next to it. I smiled as I saw the top name on the list 'Baltimare Branch Captain Silver Strike'.

"I'll be taking this as evidence." I said before sticking a note on it that said 'Hold this too please' and dropped it into a portal.

"Hey there's a door back here." Hugo said as he pushed over a bookshelf at the back of the office to reveal a door behind it. With a nod we quickly opened the door and found all the kids huddled in the corner with Rosy on a pillow.

"Rosy!" I said, scaring the kids, making them jump before I quickly retracted my armor and ran up to her and checked her with my magic. She had a broken wing, sprain in the other one, a mild concussion, and a gold three point shield with a heart in the center and white wings on the sides. I couldn't help but feel proud of her as I focused my magic in my hand and gently let it flow around her. She slowly opened one of her eyes and smiled.

"Dad." She said softly and tried to move but I stopped her.

"Yeah I'm here, get some rest. you're safe now." I said as I gently lifted her in my arms before someone tugged on my pants leg. I looked down and saw the baby gorilla holding up Rosy's fox plushie.

"Thanks and I think he's looking for you." I said as I took the plushie and pointed over to Hugo looking around and picking them up making them Squeak except for a bubble gum pink filly that giggled.

"HOOGOOO!!" The baby gorilla yelled before jumping into Hugo's chest.

"Takka thank goodness you're safe." He said as he hugged him close.

"Alright everyone let's get yall out of here." I said before we all headed up the stairs.

"Hi, are you her dad? I'm Lollipop but you can call me pop. Wow you're tall. Are those ears real? Did you use magic? I wish my magic was that strong. What are you anyway?" Pop said quickly as she bounced next to me.

"Hi, yes I am her dad. I'm Fox Lilly but you can call me Fox. Yes I'm tall. Yes the ears are real. I did use magic. You can have strong magic if you work hard on it. I'm a Mystic Fox. Oh hey look there's the exit." I said as I pointed over to Merrin trying to keep the horn away from Bamble.

"Is that a Timberwolf!" Pop said before running to Bramble, making him yipe and run away as we exited the building.

"STOP RIGHT THERE AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE FOALS!!!" An earth pony guard yelled as he marched up with a squad behind him.

"And you would be?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I am branch captain Silver Strike and under the name of the crown you are under arrest for foalnapping." He said with his head held high.

"Oh this will be great. Merrin do you have that book?" I asked before she handed it to me and stuck a note that said 'ready?' to it and held it up.

"What is that?" He asked nervously.

"I'm sorry Alya but can you please send this for me, I'll make you a treat later?" I sweetly asked before she sent it away with a jet of blue flames.

"WHAT WAS THAT!?" He demanded, slamming his hoof down while his squad readied themselves.

"Just...just give it a sec." I said as I tapped my foot.

"(Huc, huc, buuurrrppp) bla hissss." She hissed before resting back on my shoulders.

"There it is. You said your name was Silver Strike." I said as I opened a large portal behind me.

"Yes." He said nervously as my smile grew.

"Then you and your squad are here by under arrest for failure to report the injustice in this city, corruption by way of bribes, you and all those in your branch will be subjected to questioning and will be dishonorably discharged." Celestia said as she and Luna walked out of the portal with a large squadron each, one day and one night.

"Lower your weapons and come quietly." Luna said as their squads started to surround them. Silver looked around then stopped when he saw the book held in her magic. With sweat running down his face then he turned and bolted the opposite direction. Before our squad could react I stopped them.

"Wait I got this." I said before picking up a brick and chunked it. With a loud gong Silver hit the ground and slid a few feet.

"Wwhhhhooooaaaa." The kids said in unison.

"Guards place some shackles on them and take them to dungeons." Celestia said before she saw Hugo.

"Fox is that a gorilla?" Luna asked with a raised brow.

Yep. His name is Hugo and he had his kid taken too." I said as Hugo walked up to me.

"Thank You Fox for helping me get my son back." He said with a bow then turned to the princesses.

"Princesses, I formally request an audience with you. It is a matter of great Importance." He said with a bow.

"I've seen you somewhere before. Wait you're the bodyguard and advisor of Lorn Halfinger." Celestia said with surprise.

"Unfortunately I am no longer in his service." He said sadly.

"Oh dear. Luna, can you stay here and make sure that the young ones return to their parents safely while I take Hugo to the castle?" Celestia asked before leaving through the portal.

"Huh didn't expect that." I said with a smile.

"Fox why don't you go back to your hotel room. We have everything under control and I alright have guards looking for their parents. So go get some rest you've earned it." Luna said proudly before giving me a warm hug.

"Yeah I think we both need a good rest. Oh but can you do me a favor there is a griffin and earth pony named Tallow and Bark. Can one of the guards tell them what happened and pick up my bag and leave it with the front desk clerk?" I asked before letting out a big yawn.

"It will be done now, go rest before you fall asleep on the street." Luna said with a smile before sending off one of her knight guards. I opened a portal to my room and walked through with Merrin by my side. I gently laid Rosy down on the bed before Merrin and I laid down. I was out as soon as I hit the pillows.

(END PART 2)

Chapter 18: The Perfect Gift

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 19: A New Development

Author's Note

HI EVERYBODY I'M BACK HAHA heres another chapter for you to enjoy. I did go through this chapter but I know I probably missed some stuff and I'm sorry. Anyway hope you all like it and please let me know what y'all think

Chapter 19: A New Development

Chapter 19: A New Development.

"(Yawn) it's going to be a nice day." I said as I sipped some coffee on the main deck. I had woken up pretty early this morning and it was still dark out. I tried to go back to sleep but my mind wouldn't let me. So I made a cup of coffee and went out on deck to see the sunrise over the glassy water. I felt something tickle my cheek and when I turned my head Alya was on my shoulder.

"Good morning Alya." I said as I gently scratched her head as she cooed and leaned in.

"You're getting bigger everyday." I said with a chuckle as she happily cherpt before something in the water caught her attention and she licked her beak.

"Whats up girl?" I asked as I looked down and saw flashes of silver in the water. The early morning light was reflecting off a ball of anchovies leaving the safety of the reef for open waters.

"Well would you look at that. I was kinda wondering what I could do to pass the time and I think I know what to do." I said with a smile as I pulled a throw net from my bag and with a light toss I managed to catch a lot.

"Awesome got some fish bait." I said as I filled a small bucket with water before putting a good hand full of fish in and through the rest back.

"That should be plenty and of course I set some aside for you." I said as I pointed to four fish I left out. As soon as she saw them her eyes twinkled before she flew straight to the fish and ate one whole. I chuckled a bit before I heard her hiss and looked up to find Bella sneaking up to take a fish.

"Calm down Alya there's plenty to share." I said as I scooped a fish out of the bucket and gave it to the tabby who happily took it.

"You better watch that buck of yours because it's full of her favorite snacks and she can be pretty sneaky." Ray said as she walked out on deck.

"Good morning Ray." I said as I picked up my cup of coffee.

"Good morning to you too Fox. You're up kinda early." She said as she came to stand next to me and looked out to the reef.

"Yeah I woke up about an hour ago and couldn't get back to sleep so now out here to enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee. Would you like a cup?" I asked as I pulled a hot coffee pot and cup out of my bag before filling it up and gave it to her.

"Thanks. You know every time we anchor here I always come out to see the reef at sunrise." She said as she looked over the side rail at the reef below.

"There's something very interesting about this reef. Corals use calcium carbonate to form their structure but here there is a fish that can easily crush. The coral here uses mineral they collect from the area and this coral actually sits on a buried crystal deposit so in other words their crystal coral." She said as she pointed at the reef.

"When the sun hits them just right." She said as the sun finally raised over the horizon making the reef glow in its rays.

"Wow no wonder why they call it Rainbow Reef. You really know your stuff." I said as I looked at the multicolored reef.

"Marine life has always fascinated me. I've sailed with captain Wave since I hatched. Well I'd better head to the galley and get breakfast ready. Oh and be careful fishing in this part of the sea the fish here can get pretty big but by the way that pet of yours eats you might not have any bait left hahaha." She laughed as she pointed down to my bucket where Alya with her head down in the bucket.

"Alya get your head out of there. I just gave you some just a minute ago." I said as I picked up the now chubby snake and put her on my shoulder where she cooed contently before nuzzling my cheek.

"Lets go wake up Rosy and get some breakfast." I said with a smile as we headed below deck. After waking up Rosy we're now sitting at a large table filled with pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal and different kinds of fruit. When it was all ready Ray wrong a bell and as soon as she did the crew rushed in and started to fill their plates.

"Jeez you'd think they missed supper last night with the way they just rushed in." I said as I watched the crew run around the table.

"Can't blame them hahaha it's waffle day and Ray makes the best. You two better get some before they're gone." Capt. Wave said before he pushed his way to the table.

"Well now we definitely have to get some but I'm not going into that mess." I said with a smile before using my magic to pick up a couple of plates with some waffles and eggs.

"Those smell yummy." Rosy said as she licked her lips.

"That they do. Now let's find a place to sit." I said as I floated our food over to a nearby table and set down our plates. Rosy took her seat and was about to start eating but I stopped her.

"Hold on a second I think I know the perfect topping." I said as I pulled a pan from my bag along with some ingredients.

"You're going to love this." I said as I made a heat ball with my magic and floated the pan above it.

"First we need to melt some butter in the pan. Next we stir in some brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt." I said as I put the ingredients in the pan and mixed.

"Then once its hot and mixed together slice up about 4 bananas and stir them around until there soft but not mushy." I said as I stirred in the bananas and let them heat up.

"And it's done. Now we just scoop some out on top of your waffles. Now you got some banana foster waffles." I said with a smile as I pulled out a can of whipped cream and put some on top of the bananas.

"Yummy." Rosy said with a bit of drool.

"Alright dig in." I said before I looked up and saw Ray glaring at me with a kitchen knife.

"Want some?" I asked with a smile.

(Thunk)

"Nevermind." I said when I saw the knife stuck in the wall beside my head.

"HAHAHAHA She hates it when somepony cooks in her galley." Wave said with a hearty laugh.

"Point made." I said as I sat next to a snickering filly and enjoyed our breakfast. After breakfast we set sail and I found a nice spot to fish.

"Alright bait? check. Fishing pole? Check. Tackle? Check. Good company?" I said and looked down at Rosy, Tammy, and Bramble playing around while Alya was trying to snag another fish from my bucket.

"Check. Alya you just had like four earlier plus some fruit at breakfast." I said as I picked her up and placed her on my shoulder before she gently wrapped around my neck and nuzzled my cheek.

"Alright time to catch some fish." I said as I grabbed a fish from the bucket and put it on the hook, sat down on the railing, and dropped the line in the water.

"Now we just wait." I said with a smile until Alya started to hack.

(Belch)

"Yeah I can probably figure out a better way to send messages. I miss cell phones." I said as I gave Alya a scratch before floating the letter in front of me.

"Dear Fox. I wish to discuss some recent developments with the mission. Love Tia. Huh That was a short letter but ok." I said as I lifted a pin from my bag and wrote a reply.

"Dear Aunt. Please step into my office. Alya can you please send this?" I asked after I rolled back up the letter but Alya turned her head away with a huff.

"Please I'll let you have some more fish." I said before her eyes got big and she smiled before sending the letter.

"Thanks. And as promised you can get two more fish from the bucket." I said before she happily chirped and flew head first into the bucket.

"Hey guys, just a heads up, princess Celestia will be here soon." I called out as I opened a portal behind me.

"Wait really but she's in Canterlot." Jax said as he cleaned the deck.

"Magic portal Jax. Never leave home without it." I said with a smile while Rosy came to sit beside me while I fish.

"Ah it's been a long time since I've been on the open seas. Good morning nephew." Celestia said as she and Hugo stepped out on deck.

"It definitely is nice and what better way to kill time than to fish under the warm sun." I said with a smile.

"Fox there is something we must discuss. Some rather troubling information has come to light and it may have something to do with the missing trade ships and their crews." Celestia said quietly as she and Hugo walked up beside me.

"Hold on let me set something up." I said as I put a bubble around us.

"There we go. Now no one outside this bubble can hear us." I said as I pulled up my display.

"Good. Hugo if you would." Celestia said as she gestured with her wing for him to start.

"Let me introduce myself probably. My name is Hugo and I was the chef advisor and bodyguard of Lord Halfinger." He said with a small bow.

"Was?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Yes, a week before we met my Lord was overthrown and executed in a coup lead by a former trusted friend of my lord." He said with disdain.

"And how does this pertain to the missing ships and crew?" I asked as I typed notes on my display.

"The army that laid Siege on their kingdom was mostly made up of ponies." Celestia said with worry.

"So believe that the ponies are the missing crews?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Yes. All of our trading ships and crew carry an insignia of the branch they work for on a sash or leg band. From the description Hugo told me of the ponies involved, they all had their insignia showing." Celestia said with a serious tone.

"Hmm Hugo can you describe the siege like how they acted as a military unit." I asked as I pulled out my earpiece and connected it to the library.

"They were a well organized army and from the reports at the start of the siege they knew where to hit first. They took out our supply routes before hitting the outer defensive posts after that they took out our communication hub. Then they easily took down our guards and surrounded the palace. I was barely able to escape with the young lord before they breached the throne room. They took full control in less than two hours." Hugo said with huff as he sat down with a heavy thump. Rosy reached into my bag and pulled out some bananas before she fluttered over to Hugo and offered him one with a smile.

"Nanas help make you smile. Seriously try to eat a banana and not smile, it doesn't work." She said with a cheerful giggle.

"Yep it's already working." He said with a laugh as he took his banana.

"Hahaha thanks sweetheart." I said before setting down my fishing rod and scooped Rosy up for a hug, making her laugh before setting her down and getting back on topic.

"Hi Twink." I said with a smile as I ate my banana. Rosy tugged on my pant leg and held up another banana while pointing to my ear.

"Good morning Fox. What can I help you with?" She said as her picture popped up on my display.

"First off Rosy said hi with a banana." I said as Rosy put the banana in the bag and it fell in front of Twink.

"Thank you Rosy and I hope you had a good morning." Twink said as she picked up the banana.

"Celestia do y'all keep a record of the ships that went missing along with a manifest." I asked as I sat on the side rail.

"Yes we do. When a ship enters our service it gets put into our registry and if it already has a crew we interview and get a profile on them. If you'd like I can have the record pulled." She said as a quill and scroll popped up above her head.

"No need. If it's a written document I should already have it, right Twink?" I said as I finished my snack.

"Yes. We collect copies of any written word unless it is protected by a powerful spell. I'll pull the files but it will take a few minutes." She said before she closed the connection.

"Hugo what was the state of your country before the coup." I said as I type on the display.

"We have been at piece for years now and thanks to the bounty of the jungle our economy has been stable." He said with a nod.

"Celestia, how has trade been before the ships went missing?" I said before a file named trade ship registry popped up on my display.

"The ships going missing was the only problem we've had." She said as she made a pillow appear and sat down.

"Ok Hugo do you know the reason behind the coup." I said as I pulled out a Japanese tea set and heated the water with my magic before adding my tea blend.

"Unfortunately no. I escaped before Brov confronted my lord." He said regret and sadness.

"Brov? He led the coup right? What was he like?" I asked as I passed out the tea before going back to my display.

"Yes Brov was their leader. He was a kind silverback and a great friend. He was mine and Halfinger's friend since we were young. He always put others before himself if they were in need and rare got angry at anything." He said with slumped shoulders.

"Did any major arguments happen between Brov and Halfinger?" I said before pouring us some more tea.

"The only arguments were over who ate the last banana nut muffin and most of the time it was Takka who ate it." He said with a chuckle.

"What are you thinking Fox?" Celestia asked before sipping her tea and smiled.

"I don't know yet but give me a minute." I said as I read through the files and typed notes.

"Was he acting strangely any time before the coup?" I asked, not looking away from the display.

"He started to become more distant a few weeks before but we thought nothing of it." He said with anger.

"Hmm have you seen him around anyone suspicious or strange?" I asked when I remembered something from the Changeling invasion.

"Now that you mentioned it yes, I didn't see much only him and a tall figure in the shadows but it was gone a second later so I choked it up to my imagination. There is one more thing I remember about that and it was the smell." He said with frowned brows.

"Smell?" I asked with interest.

"It was the smell of death and rotting flesh." He said with a shutter.

"Yeah that's definitely weird. One more question, would you say the coup army was well trained?" I asked as I read through my notes.

"Very well trained. They easily swept through our troops and ponies no less...no offense." He said with a quick nod at Celestia.

"Don't underestimate pony power hugo." She said with a smirk.

"I hate to say this but I think there's more going on then we will." I said as I read through more files.

"What do you mean Fox?" Celestia asked inquisitively.

"Well if these records are correct 85 percent of the crew have little to no combat training or experience other than self-defense and you can't throw a civilian in an army march and expect him to keep pace. Celestia do you think a whole army seafaring ponies with only a month of military training could take a country over that quickly?" I asked seriously.

"(Sigh) they wouldn't last an hour." She said, shaking her head.

"Then how did they?" Hugo asked with a huff.

"That I don't know but I have a theory. At first I thought it might be the Changelings but they're probably still licking their wounds after their fail in Canterlot. Then I started to think about how Queen Chrysalis used a mind control spell on Shining Armor." I said as I ran through my note.

"Are you saying someone controlled the whole coup army?" Hugo asked with disbelief.

"It would take a considerable amount of focus and magic to control that many minds at once." Celestia said with worry.

"I know but the more I think about this the more it makes sense. The only thing I can't figure out is their gain. By what Hugo said there were no problems in the country that they knew about and the way you described Brov to be a kindhearted friend there should have been no reason to start a coup." I said as I began to pace while I think.

"The only other unknown is the rotten shadow and with a world full of magic I'm not ruling out that as a possibility." I said as I leaned against the side rails.

"Hmm it is a possibility but right now we need more information. Fox now that we know where the missing crews are I'm altering your mission to reconnaissance. I want you to gather as much information you can find and hopefully the truth will come to light. Once you find any valuable information report back to me." Celestia said as she and Hugo stood up.

"Yes ma'am. I'll do my best." I said with a smile as I opened a portal behind them.

"Take care dear nephew." Celestia said as she gave me a hug before walking through the portal with Hugo and closed it behind them.

"Sweet I get to be a ninja." I said as I sat down on the rail and picked up my fishing.

"Aw I want to be a ninja too." Rosy said with a pout.

"Fear not my young kunoichi you are still in training." I said with a fake accent maker her laugh while I reeled in my line.

"Aw man the baits gone. Well I still got plenty...one left." I said as I looked down at the bucket with only one small fish swimming around and a fat content pink snake.

"Really Alya. No more fish for you." I said as I took the fish out of the bucket and she let out a burp of blue flames. I put the fish on the hook and tossed it out.

"Whatcha fishing for dad?" Rosy asked as she looked over the railing.

"Don't really know huh. Whatever bites I guess." I said with a shrug and smiled before Miss Note ran out from below deck.

"Wait where's Celestia?" She asked while looking around the deck.

"Sorry Miss Note but you just missed her but since you're here I would like to go over everything. I need to figure out the type of good I can find WHOA." I said before I was pulled off the ship by something on the hook.

"DAD!!!" Rosy screamed as I was pulled along by the fish at a fast pace.

(Fox pov)

(Splash) enchant (splash) rod and (splash) line strength (splash)." I said as I was bouncing on the waves while pouring magic into the fishing pole.

"Alright (splash) big guy (splash) lets see what you got." I said as I rolled onto my back and used the speed to get on my feet.

"Oh this Is going to be fun." I said as a smile crept up on my face.

(Rosy pov)

"AHHHH."

"Is he alright?" Miss Note asked as she and Rosy watched me skie by.

"WHAAAAAH"

"Um maybe?" Rosy said as more of the crew came to watch.

"AHAHAHAHA!!!"

"Yeah he's fine." Rosy said as I was pulled away from the ship.

(Fox pov)

"Wait you're going the wrong way." I said as I pulled on the rod to try to make it turn back around and it worked but as soon as it turned it sped up and headed straight for the ship.

"Oh no you don't. I'm sorry bud but it's time to bring you in." I said as I charged up my magic and sent a jolt of electricity down the line like a tazer. It worked in stopping it but it was too late for me.

"Oh shit (BAM)." I said before I slammed into the side of the ship.

"Dad are you ok?" Rosy asked as her and the crew looked over the side.

"Peachy." I said as I rubbed my sore face before floating up onto the beck and hold in the fish.

"So what pulled you around like that." Jax asked as I pulled in the line.

"Don't know but let's find out." I said before I yanked the line and pulled up a massive gold colored tuna.

"No way, you caught a gold king tuna." Ray said as she pushed her way through the crew and ran up to the fish.

"Gold king tuna?" I asked as I looked over the fish.

"This is the fastest and hardest fish to catch in these waters aside from a megalodon." Ray said as she looked over the side of the ship.

"Wait a megalodon? You mean the massive giant shark that could eat a great white as a snack?" I asked in amazement.

"Yep and around here follow the gold kings around. You're lucky to pull this big of one out with just a simple rod and reel." She said in disbelief.

"So I take it this fish is highly sought-after." I said as me and Rosy poked the large fish.

"Are you kidding me. You can buy a new house with the bits you can sell this for." Ray said with enthusiasm.

"Well then Miss Note do you mind adding half of this fish to my stock list. Also I would like to go over what to expect from the market before we arrive." I said with a smile as I thought about the dishes I could make with this.

"Certainly but why only half, that would drastically low it's worth?" She said with confusion.

"Well Miss Note aside from the produce I wish to sell, I will also be cooking with some of the goods. What better way to advertise my produce then to let the customer try it." I said as I pulled a large kitchen from my bag.

"But what about the other half dad?" Rosy asked as I began to cut up the fish.

"The other half is for me. I can do so much with this big of a fish and I'm goin to send some to Canterlot too." I said as I divided the fish.

"Oh can I have some. I've never been able to buy or catch one and I would love to cook some." Ray said with big puppy dog eyes.

"Sure no problem there's more than enough. I plan to try my hand at cooking some too." I said as I gave her a large chunk of the fish.

"Oh I have a great idea." She said with sparkling eyes.

"And what would that be." I said with interest finished cutting the fish.

"Fox, I challenge you to cook off. The best tuna meal wins." She said proudly.

"Oh and what do I get if I win?" I said with a smirk.

"Hmm I think I might have the perfect prize." Wave said as he pulled out an old rolled up scroll.

"Really hun that old thing." Ray said with a slow head shake.

"And that would be?" I said with a raised brow.

"This my friend is a map but not just any map. This map was found by my family years ago. It is a viking treasure map said to lead to their most precious treasure they ever found." He said as he held it up for me to see before quickly putting it away.

"Wave your family spent years looking for it but found absolutely nothing." Ray said as glared at Wave.

"I think that will work. If I win I get the map and if you win I'll give you my half of this fish. Sounds good to you?" I asked as I held out my hand.

"Fine your own." She said as she shook my hand.

"Helmsman how long do you think it will take us to make landfall." I asked as I put away the fish.

"If the weather stays like this then I say about three to four hours." He said as he scanned the horizon.

"Then that's how long this contest should be. If you finish the meal before the time is up we will judge it but you lose if it takes you longer then that. Does that sound good." I said as an idea popped up in my head and looked over to see Jax about to throw the fish head and bones over the side of the ship.

"Whoa Jax hold up I'm going to need that." I said as I ran to stop him.

"Why it's just the leftovers." He said in confusion.

"Ha if you're going to use that I'll definitely win." Ray said as she left for the galley while I just stood there with a smile.

"Alright let's get cooking." I said as I expanded my cart.

"Can I help dad?" Rosy said with excitement.

"Of course you can. First thing I need is a large pot. Think you can put it on the deck for me while I pull the stuff I need out?" I said as I dug through my seasonings.

"Ok." She said happily as she opened the cabinet and slid the pot out and pushed out on deck.

"Next we need potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, carrots, celery, okra, and cabbage." I said as I pulled out the ingredients and handed some to Rosy before we headed out on deck. I pulled my camping table and gear from my bag and set it up next to the pot.

"Alright what's next?" Rosy asked with a smile.

"Now we need to clean up the fish head and get it and the bones into the pot to boil but the pot needs to be bigger." I said as I used my magic to expand the pot before cutting up the bones and head then put it into the pot.

"Now we need to fill the pot up with water." I said while I filled the pot and picked it up with magic and placed it on my large camp burner then turned up the heat.

"Alright now that has to boil for about an hour but while it's cooking we can get the veggies ready." I said as me and Rosy started to peel the potatoes. After a bit of prep work all the veggies were cut and ready.

"Is this a good dad?" Rosy asked as she held up a bowl of roughly cut potatoes.

"Perfect and it looks like the fish is ready to come out. Think you can get me a large bowl from the cart for the fish meat?" I asked as I pulled the cooked head and bones out of the pot.

"Yep. I'll be right back." She said before running inside the cart. While she did that I strained the stock of a bit that was left before Rosy ran back out with the bowl.

"Alright while I take the meat from the bones can you put the potatoes and carrots in the pot." I said as I got to work.

"Got it." She said as she dumped the veggies into the stock. It didn't take long to separate the meat thanks to magic.

"Now in a frying pan we add some butter, the onions, garlic and ginger." I said as I put them into the pan to brown. Once they were ready I slipped them into the pot.

"Now we let that cook for about thirty minutes then we can add the rest of the veggies, fish, and seasoning to the pot." I said as I looked around and found a box that Rosy can stand on.

"Rosy you are now the official pot stirrer." I said as I put the box by the pot and gave her a large wooden spoon.

"Yay." She said happily as she took the spoon and started to stir.

"You don't have to keep stirring for the whole time." I said as I pulled out a bag of herbs and put it in the pot.

"What did you just put in?" Rosy asked as she watched it sink down.

"That my dear was a special blend of herbs that will add flavor as well as vitamins to the soup." I said before I added the rest of the veggies and fish into the pot.

"Now all we have to do is wait and it will be ready." I said as we started to clean up our mess. After a little wait me and Rosy put some bowls when Ray stepped out on deck.

"I just realized something. We don't have anyone to judge this." She said as she looked around.

"Yeah you and Wave are the only griffins on board and three pegasus. Wait we can use them to judge can't we?" I asked as I watched them fly down from the mast.

"I keep forgetting pegasus can eat fish too. Anyway, my dish is ready, what about yours?" She asked with a smirk as she held up a large tray with a dome lid.

"Yep Rosy is just doing a finale stir before we serve." I said while pointing to my table.

"Awesome. Hey you three I need you to judge our food." Ray said as the three pegasi walked up to us. One dark green, one light purple, and the last light orange.

"Oh we get to try that dig fish you caught earlier?" The orange one said as she happily fluttered her wings.

"Yep and to make this fair we won't tell you who is who. That sounds good to you Ray?" I asked as I made them some pillows to sit on.

"Yeah that's fine with me." Ray said with a shrug.

"Great. Now my lovely assistant here will pass out the dishes." I said as Rosy smiled before I made a curtain in front of my cart so they couldn't see the dishes.

"You can go first Ray." I said as we walked behind the curtain.

"Alright here you go Rosy." Ray said as she gently set her tray on her back. Rosy walked over to the table and placed it in front of the judges before lifting the lid revealing a tuna burger.

"That's my whole chunk spicy tuna burger on a brioche bun." Ray whispered as she gave me one with a smirk. I took a bite and smiled.

"This is good. It's spicy but not overly spicy and it mixes well with the tarter sauce and the whole chunks gives you something to bite instead of the mush feel of a regular tuna patty. It's pretty good." I said as I took another bit as the judges took theirs.

"Mmmm this is really good and I love the chunks in here." The orange mare said with a smile as she ate her burger.

"I like the spiciness. It has a good kick without overpowering the other flavors." The light purple colt said.

"I like the bun, it's soft." The dark green mare said as they finished the burger.

"I guess I'm up next." I said as I filled some bowls with the soup before pulling out a few long limes from my bag and squeezed out tiny juice balls on top.

"That should do it. Here you go Rosy." I said as I put the bowls on the tray and sent it to the judges before giving Ray a bowl.

"You made soup?" She asked as she gave it a sniff while the judges took their first sip.

"Oh wow this broth is rich and full of flavor." The orange mare said as she began to lift the bowl to drink the broth.

"The veggies are cooked perfectly and the fish is still ferm." The purple cult said as he happily ate.

"I love these little ball things. It's like a lime explosion when you bite it and for some reason I feel like I have more energy too." The dark green mare said before they finished their bowl and set them down with a content sigh. Afterwards they began to whisper to each other before turning back to us.

"We came to a unanimous decision. The winner is...the soup." The dark green mare said.

"The burger was definitely delicious but the soup brought more to the table then flavor alone." The purple colt said.

"It was hearty but not heavy and packed full of energy." The orange mare said.

"Looks like I win." I said with a smile.

"Alright what kind of magic did you do to win." Ray said as she glared at me.

"None. I just thought about the well being of the crew. In the world I was from it would take a month or more to reach a port and vessels had to bring foods with a long shelf life but that wasn't the only thing they had to worry about." I said as I filled some bowls for her, me, Rosy, and Wave.

"You're talking about scurvy right?" Wave asked as he took his bowl.

"Yep. Back in the day scurvy was the death for many sea faring people before they figured out it was caused by a lack of vitamin C and stocked up on citrus fruits or juices." I said before pulling out a pouch of herbs.

"Another problem they faced was running out of their food stores before they make port so a galley cook would often use every bit of what they had." I said as I tossed her the pouch.

"So that's why you used the bones and head instead of the body meat but what's in here?" She asked as she held up the pouch.

"That's right. The bones and head make an excellent fish broth but most people will throw them out without realizing how much meat is actually left and that is a pouch of dried herbs along with the potato skins to add more flavor and nutrition to the broth." I said as I leaned against the table and ate my soup.

"What's this lime you used?" She asked while holding it up.

"It's called a finger lime. Unlike the traditional lime this one is long and the pulp inside is round and can be easily squeezed out without popping." I said as i took the lime and squeezed the pulp out into my soup.

"(Sigh) ok you win." She said with a depressed sigh.

"Hey don't feel bad your burger was great and would probably sell well at a high end restaurant." I said as Wave handed me the map then I opened it but couldn't read any of the language it was written in ao I rolled it back up and slipped it in my bag along with two bowls. One for Twink and the other for Merrin.

"(BUUURRRPPP) hehe excuse me." Rosy said as she finished off her soup making me and Ray chuckle.

"Just wait till next time and I'll definitely beat you." Ray said with a smile.

"LAND HOE!!!" The helmsmen called as the Islands rose over the horizon.

"Well that my cue. Come on Rosy we got a mare to pick up." I said as I pulled out a sticky note and pin from my baf and wrote a quick note before sticking it to the pot of soup and teleported it.

"Wait where did you send that? Ray asked as I picked up Rosy and put her behind my head.

"Canterlot. I'm giving it to the princesses and the pegasus in the guard. That made a lot of soup and the only ones here that can eat it are the three pegasus and us so why waste it. Anyways we'll be right back." I said as I stepped through the door to home and as soon as I opened the door I was met with loud music.

(Play

)

"Wait I know this song." I said as I stepped into the living to find Merrin and Twilight dancing to the beat. They were both shaking their hips to the music and I had to try not to laugh. I couldn't help but watch with a smile and a light blush as they moved until the song ended.

(Song end)

"Well Rosy looks like we didn't get the dance party." I said with a smirk as they both jumped before turning to me.

"Hehe when, um when did you get here?" Twilight asked with a heavy blush.

"About when the butt wiggle happened." I said with a chuckle.

"Oh you saw that?" Merrin asked as she hid her face with a wing making me and Rosy laugh.

"Yeah and it was pretty cute. Anyway we're about to make port so I wanted to come pick you up. Plus I brought you lunch." I said as I pulled a bowl from my bag.

"That smells wonderful." She said as she took the bowl.

"What brings you by Twi." I asked as Rosy quickly hopped off my shoulder and ran to the backyard with Tammy and Bramble.

"Oh right. I came over to look at your little library but I can't read any of it without a translator spell. I was able to cast the spell but I haven't had a chance to read any of the books." She said as she floated a stack of books next to her.

"Actually Twilight I may have something that I could use some help deciphering." I said as I pulled out the treasure map and gave It to her. As soon as she looked at it her eyes began to sparkle.

"Is this a treasure map from ancient vikings?" She asked with excitement.

"Yup. Think you can figure it out?" I asked with a knowing smirk.

"YES!" She said before quickly teleporting away.

"Well somepony seems excited." I said as I turned to see Merrin had already finished her soup.

"Oh wow that was good. What was it?" She asked as she licked her lips.

"Golden king tuna soup. Now come on. They should be docking about now." I said as Rosy came back in with a bunch of bananas on her back before stuffing them into my bag.

"Let me guess. Stocking up for snacks?" I asked with a smile as she fluttered back to her perch.

"Yep." She said happily before we headed back to the ship through the door to the cart.

Chapter 20: Retaking The Land part 1

(Deep under Halfinger Jungle ruins.)

"Sir we have a report." Said an earth pony in black and gold armor.

"Speek." Dolus said as he watched ponies dig around a large skull with two sets of horns over the eye sockets. The outer two were long and the inner two were half the size. In the middle of its forehead was a black stone diamond shape block with a small circle indent with lines running to the center where a smaller indent was.

"It appears the boy we've been watching just made landfall in Shree Lanka." The pony said in a monotone voice.

"So he's finally here. Good I was growing quite bored. How long before Throne will arrive?" He asked as he floated down towards the skull.

"He should arrive shortly after sunset." The pony said as he ran alongside Dolus.

"Good I'll let him take care of the clean up." Dolus said with a toothy smile before he thumped the skull above the stone, breaking the top of the skull to pieces before pulling the stone from the remainder of the skull.

"Brov." Dolus called out before floating back up to the cavern entrance where a slim silverback gorilla was waiting.

"Yes sir." He said with a blank face.

"Prepare your guard. I have a feeling we might get some company tonight." Dolus said with a smile as he turned back to the cavern and formed a small ball of magic in his hand.

"YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO CLEAR OUT OR YOU WILL BE BURIED HERE." Dolus said as he sent the ball slowly floating towards the center of the cavern as the ponies rushed toward the exits.

"Oh did I say five minutes I meant five seconds." He said with a toothy smile and turned around as the ball exploded caving in the cavern and crushing the ponies who couldn't escape in time.

(Thud)

"I swear I lose more of myself every day." Dolus said with a chuckle as he picked up his rotting arm off the ground and slung it over his shoulder.

(Back to Fox)

"No way." I said as I looked at the people walking around the port.

"Wait didn't Celestia tell you about the inhabitants here?" Miss Note said after she set her suitcase down.

"Not a word. I did ask but got no answer." I said as me, Merrin, and Rosy watched the dock crews tie off our ship.

"Whoa look at that guy. He's so fluffy." Rosy said as she pointed out one of the people walking by.

"Yeah but don't try to pet one. They hate it when you treat them like a normal house cat." Note said with a chuckle as a crew of bipedal cats started to unload our cargo.

"I will try to remember that." I said as I tried to resist the urge to pet the white cat person as he carried off a box.

"Their called Abyssians. They have a few different classes. One is the city cats, they are peaceful and calm most of the time. The other is wild cats, they're more athletic and strong and some can be a little intimidating. The last are extremely rare, they are the split tails and they have strong magical abilities." Note said as she pointed to a few workers around the dock. Most of the heavy lifting was done by larger bulky cats one even looked like a tiger. There was a small light blue cat with a clipboard walking around checking the shipments.

"Alright so we have about four hours before nightfall. I figure we can find a place to set up the cart as well as a fruit stand. We can easily go back to the house so we don't need an inn. Note do we have any vendors we should probably check out?(poof)" I said before I changed to my normal fox and Rosy fluttered onto my back as we all made our way to the market.

"That all depends on what you're looking for." Note said as merrin pulled out a clipboard with my produce list.

"Hmmm Tia said that the forest north of here has an abundance of herbs so I would like to look into that." I said as we started to pass food stalls.

"I think we can find all of that but first you said you would like to set up your stand right? Well let me introduce you to a good friend of mine Mr. Quake." Note said as we approached a rather large Abyissian with dark orange fur and light orange mane in a ponytail.

"Is that the lovely Note I see." He said happily as he picked her up in a larger bear hug.

"Oh it's been to long ya big fluff ball." Note said as he set her down.

"So what brings you out this way. Last I heard you retired from the trade life to work with the princesses in Equestria." He asked with a wide smile.

"Well I am still retired but I'm here helping out my friend. Fox meet Quake Harshal he is the head of this market." Note said as she pointed a hoof to me and I held up a paw.

"Nice to meet ya Fox." He said as he squeezed my paw making me squeeze back.

"Same here Mr. Quake." I said with a smile.

"Mr. Quake, we were wondering if you have any open space Fox could use to set up his stall." Note said before handing him some documents.

"Hmm so you want to set up a food and produce stand. This says you're selling mostly fruits and willing to trade for herbs but not what you want to cook." Quake said as he looked over the paper.

"Yep meet my daughter Rosy she helps me pick out what to make and this lovely mare next to me is Merrin. They both help me with my cart." I said making Merrin blush.

"Well then Miss Rosy what will you three be making?" Quake asked making Rosy giggle before she looked around at all the stalls.

"Hmmmm oh I know. Lets make hard candy." Rosy said with excitement.

"And what made you think of candy?" Quake asked with a smile.

"Well I looked at all the stalls and you have plenty of snacks and meals but not much on sweets." Rosy said as she pointed out a few of the stalls.

"HAHAHAHA you got a good head on your shoulders kiddo." Quake said with a hardy laugh.

"That's my girl and I already have an idea for candy flavors and some items I think the inhabitants would love." I said as the ideas flew through my mind.

"Well then it looks like you're about ready to set up and I think I might know the perfect spot. Come I'll show you where to set up." Quake said before leading us deeper into the market. As we walked through the crowds I started to feel a little uneasy.

"Fox what's wrong?" Merrin asked in a whisper.

"Not sure. It feels like I'm being watched but the thing that bugs me is that there's more than one watching me. I felt it as soon as I got off the ship but it was only for a second that I felt it so I let it go." I whispered as I discreetly looked around.

"How many do you think there are?" Merrin whispered as I looked to the roof tops and saw something duck down.

"Two now. It was three but one just backed off. The other two feel off." I said as we came upon the central plaza of the market.

"What do you mean?" Merrin asked with concern.

"One of them I can feel their bloodlust but the other I just feel magic with no emotions and I can't tell where they are just that they're here." I said before the feeling I had disappeared making me worry more.

"Whomever they are they're gone now." I said as we came to an empty spot.

"Here we are welcome to the center plaza. Here you can sell your goods pretty well. Everyone comes here to take a break from shopping to eat a meal or listen to some of the street performers." Quake said as he pointed out to the crowd as they enjoyed themselves.

"Thank you very much for a great spot like this." I said with a smile.

"Well if my Note here asks for a spot only the best will do." He said with a wide smile making Note blush and giggle.

"Now if you'll excuse me, me and a close friend have some catching up to do." He said before picking Note up and threw her over his shoulder making her squeal with a deep red blush and smile.

"I'll be back in a few hours." Note said with a wave as they disappeared in the crowds.

"Well that was unexpected." I said with a smile.

"I like him, he's nice." Rosy said as she hopped off my back.

"Alright y'all let's get to work. Merrin your in charge of the fruit stand, Rosy you can help the customers while make the candy." I said as I pulled off my cart and expanded it as well as a table to put the fruit on. After that I pulled a few crates out of my bag and with the help of my magic everything was in place. Once everything was in place I pulled out a large board from my bag along with a brush and ink.

"What's that for dad." Rosy said as she poked her head out of the cart window.

"This my adorable daughter is our name sign. I'm thinking FoxFairy Drops." I said as I wrote the name in big letters.

"Oh oh oh can me and Tammy decorate it?" Rosy said as she hopped with excitement.

"Of course you can. Bramble your on guard duty." I said getting a confident bark before sitting down next to Rosy. After a little bit of time Rosy had put all our faces on the sign with flashy glitter. I had just finished up my candy and we've already sold a lot of the fruit, most was the Dorian.

"Alright thanks to magic I finished the last batch of candy. Merrin hows the fruit stand?" I asked as Rosy bagged up some apple flavored candy to a small white kitten.

"Good so far. The dorian sold like hotcakes, don't see how anyone could like that smelly thing. Also I traded some fruit for some local seasonings but I haven't came across any herbs from the jungle." Merrin said as she looked over her notes.

"You probably won't find any." Said a tall gray and white cat holding the white kitten's paw.

"Really? I was told that it would be relatively easy." I said with a raised brow.

"Well two weeks ago you would be right but lord Halfinger closed down the border around the forest. I run a historical research team that was scheduled to examine a ruin deep in the jungle but was denied entry before we even set paws on their shores." She said as she picked up her kitten.

"That must have been when the coup started." I said with my paw on my chen.

"I hope that mare got in safely." She said with a bit of worry.

"What mare." I asked as Alya flew over to the kitten for a happy nuzzle that the kitten loved.

"There was a gray pegasus that was really intrigued about the ruins. She said she was doing research for a book she was writing. I think her name was A.K Yearling." She said with a smile as her kitten giggled when Tammy joined in the nuzzle.

"Where have I heard that name before." I said as I tried to think.

"Oh she's the author of the Daring Do adventure novels." Merrin said as she pulled a book from her mane titled Daring Do and the Quest for the sapphire stone.

"Oh yeah Rainbow Dash said I should read it." I said as I took a look at the book.

"Thanks for letting me know about the herbs miss." I said with a smile as Alya and Tammy hopped back to the cart.

"It's no problem and thank you for your candy. Say bye to the nice fox Jinx." She said before walking away as her kitten waved to us.

"Is it weird that I really wanted to pet them." I said as I pulled up my display and added the border closing and A.K. Yearling to my notes.

"Yep." Merrin said as she went to help a customer at the fruit stand.

"Excuse me sir do you mind if I play my music next to your cart?" A blue and white striped cat with a banjo on his back said with a smile.

"Sure go ahead." I said returning his smile.

"Thanks bud. Names Blake." He said as he reached out his paw.

"Fox." I said as he shook my paw.

"Really?" He said with a raised brow.

"Yes really. What did you think my name was Brad or something." I said with a smirk.

"I was thinking Larry or Berry." He said returning with a smirk of his own.

"Did something happen to your tall mister." Rosy said as she bagged up some peach drops for a customer.

"Well little miss I am no ordinary Abyssian, I am a split tail. Think of me like a unicorn of my kind." He said proudly as he leaned against the cart.

"But you don't have a horn." She said innocently.

"I ment I can use magic like they can." He said with a small smile.

"Like party tricks or actual spells?" Merrin asked as she bagged up some mangos.

"I can do some basic spells but I'm still trying to learn control." He said as he made a small ball of light in his paw.

"Learning to control your magic can get hard if you try to force it." I said as I started a new batch of candy.

"What do you know about magic." He said with a raised brow.

"Oh I know a few things." I said with a smirk making Rosy giggle.

"I'll keep that in mind. Anyways thanks for letting me play next to your cart. Most of the good spots were taken." He said as he took his banjo off and sat down next to the cart.

"It's no problem bud." I said as I added nectar I collected to the sugar mix.

"Hey that actually smells pretty good." He said as he sniffed the air.

"Thanks I'm making nectar flavored candy." I said as I poured the candy out on the table to cool a little.

"Wait wouldn't it just taste like sugar?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Kinda it's more of a subtle flavor." I said as I began to divide it out to make it easier to press.

"Well I'm more of a spicy fan. Oh what I wouldn't give to have an atomic fireball again." He said with a small sigh.

"I think I have just the thing. Here try this." I said as I tossed him a shiny red candy.

"No way (sniff) oh yeah." He said before tossing it in his mouth.

"Hey dad whats an atomic fireball." Rossy asked in confusion as Blakes face turned bright red with a smile.

"It's a spicy cinnamon candy from...my world." I said as I slowly looked over at the blue cat enjoying his candy.

"Oh this is so good." He said happily.

"How...did you know about atomic fireballs?" I asked with squinted eyes before he went wide and he gulped down the candy.

"Oh shit!" He said as he jumped to his feet and took off running.

"OH HELL NA. Rosy, Merrin watch the cart. Bramble tracking mode. Alya take to the sky and keep an eye on him." I quickly said before I jumped out of the cart and took off after him with Bramble in the lead and Alya flying overhead.

"There he is." I said as I saw his split tall goin down an alley. I found him with his back against a dead end one story wall.

"Hold on a sec bud. I'm not goin to hurt you I just got a few questions." I said as me and Bramble closed in with Alya landing on my head.

"Yeah not going to take that chance." He said before he jumped up and grabbed the top of the wall.

"Really your goin to make me chase you." I said with a sigh as I shook my head.

"HA good luck with that. We abyissians are pretty agile you know." He said with a smile.

"Alright you want to play this game, fine lets play(Poof)." I said as I changed to my normal form and rolled my shoulders.

"Oh this ain't good." He said before he jumped off the wall to the other side.

"And so it begins." I said as Alya took to the air but before I could move Bramble barked at me before jumping into a nearby bush and broke apart inside it. A second later the bush began to shake and break apart before coming back together as a bigger slim Bramble stood by my side. Now he is the size of a full grown wolf in my world.

"Well alright then. Time for the hunt." I said before me and Bramble jumped over the wall and continued the chase with him in the front tracking Blakes sent. It didn't take us long to see Alya circling above the busy streets. We were able to catch up quickly and saw him pushing through the crowds.

"There you are." I said as I passed through the crowd.

"Oh come on." He said before ducking down an alleyway again.

"Bramble stick with him and I'll cut him off." I said before I flew up to the rooftops while Bramble ran after him. I quickly ran ahead and jumped down in front of him.

"Gotcha." I said as I got ready to grab him.

"That's what you think." He said as he dashed towards me and jumped right over me with a flip and a smirk before turning down another alley.

"Ok if that's how this is goin to go." I said as I continued the chase and pulled out my earpiece and display.

"Twink you there?" I asked while we ran down the alley.

"Yes, how can I help?" She asked nicely.

"I need a street map of the surrounding area please. Oh and I made some candy for you too." I said as me and Bramble caught up to him.

"What do you want from me." He said before he jumped up and grabbed a close line then used it to turn himself around before running back the way we came.

"Ok this is getting annoying." I said as a street map popped up on my display.

"Thanks Twink as soon as I get this guy I'll send you the candy." I said as I quickly looked over the map and smiled.

"Your welcome Fox good luck." Twink said before I put the earpiece away.

"Ok Bramble I got a plan. I want you to continue the chase while I cut him off and push him toward this park." I said as I showed him the map and with a bark he pulled ahead. Alya landed on my shoulder tiredly with a sad look.

"It's ok Alya we almost have him so take a break sweetheart." I said as I flew back to the rooftops while Alya gave me a quick nuzzle before slipping into my shirt pocket. I quickly ran past Blake and jumped down to block his path with a barrier.

"Well that's not fair." He said before turning down the path I wanted him to. Bramble quickly turned the corner and we pushed him toward the park. Once we were out of the alley and into the park I jumped passed him and he stopped in front of me.

"You just don't give up do you." He said as he held out his paw and made a ball of light. In an instant it exploded with light blinding me.

"Really, you solar flared me." I said as I frantically rubbed my eyes.

"HA yes." He said as the light faded. When my vision finally came back he was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh come on. Bramble you good?" I asked as he shook his head before snorting in frustration and growled.

"Good. Brambles track mode." I said before he gave a quick bark and put his nose to the ground. He quickly picked up his scent and darted through the park with me right behind him. The park gowers weren't a problem and most just ran away. If I saw a three foot wooden wolf runnin my way I'd probably run too.

"Sorry. Pardon me. Sorry. Sorry. Excuse me. Sorry." I said as we passed by those that got knocked down until we came up to a hedge wall that surrounded the park. Bramble went back and forth in front of the hedge as he sniffed the ground until he barked and stuck his whole head into the hedge.

"Wait no. Go away. Stop. Stop you stupid stick dog thing. Hey let me go." Blake said while Bramble tried to get him and in a few short seconds Bramble pulled out a small blue and white striped split tail cat out of the hedge.

"Well this is embarrassing." Blake said while hanging by the scruff of his neck by a happy pup wagging his tail.

"Good job Bramble." I said as I reached down and took Blake before giving Bramble a sugar cane stick as a treat which he happily took.

"So what now?" Blake said, crossing his tiny legs.

"Now we get back to the cart. Oh and thank you too sweetheart." I said as I gave Alya a good scratch and a dried fish.

"Oh that smells amazing." Blake said before Alya hissed at him with a small jet of blue flames.

"Yeah I wouldn't advise taking any of her snakes." I said as I opened a portal back to the cart. As soon as I stepped through I found my cart and fruit stand trashed with Merrin and Rosy standing in front of it ready to fight a group of what looked like wild cats. Two looked like Servals one was darker than the other. There was a light yellow cheetah stand next to a large dark orange tiger and they all looked ready to pounce on my friends.

"Friends of your?" Blake asked as the portal shut behind us.

"Nope." I said as my anger began to rise.

"I'm goin to set you down so please don't run. Bramble watches him." I said as I put him down in front of a growling Bramble and walked up to my cart.

"Can I help you?" I asked as I stepped in front of Merrin and Rosy.

"DAD!" Rosy said Happily I glared at the group of cats.

"Oh thank Celestia. These wild cats just came up looking for you then they trashed the place." Merrin said before the tiger stepped forward.

"So you must be Fox. You did quite the number to my friend and partner in Baltimare. You even broke off his horn." He said as he walked up in front of me and glared down angrily.

"Clean this up." I said as I met his glare.

"GRRRR you think can take us on just because you took down a group of ponies." He said as he got right in my face.

"...." I said nothing as I looked him in the eyes.

"Screw you. KILL THEM." He said before trying to swipe his claws at me but I ducked under his claw and jumped back as the two Survals jumped at my sides. I held my hand out and grabbed them behind their heads and slammed them together, knocking them both out before the cheetah tried to slash my back. I shifted to the side making the cheetah miss his swipe and I quickly grabbed him by the arm before slamming him down next to his friends, knocking him out.

"You goin to clean this up now?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

"RRRAAAAAHHHH SCREW YOU." He roared before jumping at me with his claws out.

"(Sigh) guess not." I said as I crouched down as he swung his claws at me and punched him square in the stomach making him stumble back. He fell to his knees clutching his stomach before falling on top of his friends out cold.

"Are you two alright?" I asked as I looked them over.

"Yeah they just messed with the cart." Merrin said as Rosy flew up to her perch and hugged my head.

"Dude that was awesome. You just took out Tony like it was nothin." Blake said as he ran up to me with Bramble right behind him.

"Really? His name was Tony the tiger. I would say the slogan but I think Kellogg might sue." I said with a chuckle.

"Who's the house cat and how did Bramble get this big?" Merrin asked before getting a good lick from a happy Bramble.

"The cat is Blake and Bramble ate a bush." I said with a smile as I used my magic to clean up the mess.

"Sup." Blake said with a brow wiggle.

"Fox what in the name of Celestia happened here." Note said as she and Quake walked up.

"Pfft I could ask the same about your mane." I said before her face turned dark red as she frantically fixed her mane while Quake looked down at the knocked out cats.

"Did you take down Tony and his goons?" Quake asked before he whistled and a few cats in what looked like police uniforms ran up.

"Yeah. Not to long ago I took down a group of filly traffickers in Baltimare and they didn't like that I took out their partner." I said as the officers took the wild cats away.

"I heard what happened there. Didn't think these cats had their paws in the mix." He said as he looked around while my magic worked but when he saw Blake he let out a sigh.

"Blake please don't tell me you're in trouble again." Quake said as he said with a face paw.

"I didn't do anything I swear." He said waving his paws in front of him.

"I don't believe you." Quake said with a deadpan look.

"Actually he didn't do anything." I said with a smile.

"So the whole chase through town was nothing?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Yep that was just a misunderstanding. All I wanted to do was talk but I guess he thought he was in trouble and ran. I'm sorry if we disturbed anyone." I said as I finished cleaning and putting away everything.

"That true Blake?" He asked as he glared at the split tail.

"Yep." Blake said with an innocent smile.

"Alright I'll believe you this time. Anyway the night market will start soon, do you want to join it? I've heard good things about your stand on the way here." He said with a smile.

"Thanks but I can't tonight. I have some things to take care of. Plus Rosy has school tomorrow and it's about her bedtime." I said as I reached up and scratched her head.

"Aw do I have to?" She asked with a pout.

"Yes you do." I said before I tickled her side making her giggle.

"Hahaha well I'll leave ya be then. Have a good night Fox." He said as he shook my hand.

"Fox, do you mind if I stay here tonight?" Note asked with a deep blush.

"That's perfectly fine with me. Have a good night Miss Note." I said with a wink making her blush more before her and Quake left and I turned to Blake.

"Want to come to my place? I promise all I want to do is talk." I said with a smile.

"Maybe if you gave me one of those dried fish." He said as his stomach growled.

"Well you'll have to take them from Alya and I doubt that will end well." I said as Alya poked her head out of my pocket and hissed.

"Nevermind." He said with wide eyes.

"Haha don't worry I'm pretty hungry too. I made some fish soup earlier and have some left we can eat." I said as we walked to the side door of the cart.

"Cool so what hotel are you staying in?" He asked before jumping up to Bramble's back.

"None we're goin to my house." I said with a smile as I opened the door.

"Wait dont you live in… Equestria?" He asked with a surprised look as the door opened up to my kitchen.

"Yep. Got to love magic. Come on and I'll fix us some dinner." I said as we walked into my kitchen. After a short while we're all at the table with empty bowls and full bellies. Blake had turned back to his normal form.

"Oh that hit the spot." He said with a large burp after.

"Thanks. So you can change forms too?" I asked as I picked up the empty bowls and took them to the sink to wash while Rosy and Merrin went to get ready for bed.

"Yeah. I can also turn into a large panther too." He said as he leaned forward.

"If you don't mind me asking how did you wined up here in this world?" I asked as I put on a pot of tea.

"(Sigh) That's a hard story to tell." He said as he sadly leaned forward in his chair before continuing.

"I lost my parents at a young age and had to live with my grandpa. My grandpa used to tell me bedtime stories about a land full of color and magic. For years I thought it was just stories he told me to get me to fall asleep but I was wrong." He said as a tear rolled down his cheek while I poured us a cup of tea.

"In one night my whole world changed. I was 16 at the time it happened. That night I woke up to the sound of someone fighting in the house and ran down stairs to find my grandpa covered in blood holding his amulet to his chest while standing in front of a cloaked man. All I saw was bloody claws and a wicked smile before my grandpa yanked the amulet from its chain and gave it to me. Before the cloaked man could react a black hole opened behind me and my grandpa pushed me into it. The next thing I knew I washed up here looking like this. Quake found me and took me in." He said before wiping his nose before pulling the amulet out of his shirt and it looked similar to the one that was stolen from Tia's vault but had an Emerald eye instead of Ruby.

"Sorry to hear that." I said as I set a cup of tea in front of him.

"So what's your story? How did you get here?" He asked before taking a sip of his cup.

"Over a month ago me and my mom were enjoying our birthday dinner and went to bed. The next morning I woke up to find my mom was gone and the house with me in it wound up here. Mom left me a message about how she was originally from here but due to some unfortunate events she had to escape to earth with me. I'm still trying to figure out the big picture but I feel like I'm getting closer to finding the truth. There's something big happening in this world and I have a feeling things will get much worse." I said as I sat down and pulled up my notes on my display.

"Badass how do you do that." He asked as he looked at my display.

"Magic my friend and if you want I can try to help you with yours." I said with a smile.

"That would be awesome. Can we start tonight?" He asked with excitement.

"Not tonight. I have a mission to see to tonight but I can definitely help you after." I said as I finished my tea and stretched my back.

"Wait like some kind of special agent." He asked with curiosity.

"Kinda I was tasked to figure out what's going on in Halfinger." I said as I checked over everything I needed.

"Can I help?" He asked as Merrin and Rosy came into the kitchen with towels wrapped around their manes.

"Sorry this is a stealth mission so I'm goin in alone. Merrin you're in charge while I'm gone and Rosy you can have one snack before bed." I said as I slipped on my bag and walked up to them.

"Yay." Rosy said before pulling out a banana.

"Hahaha good night sweetheart I should be before morning but if I'm not make sure you get to school on time." I said as I gave her a kiss on the forehead before heading for the door.

"Blake you can stay here for the night If you want or you can head back through this door." I said as I opened the door.

"If it's alright I'd like to stay. I miss tv and movies." He said as he looked into the living room.

"Alright but try not to make a mess. I got some extra blankets and pillows in that closet over there. Oh and please don't wander off into the forest or you might run into Bramble's pack and he's only a pup." I said with a smile as Bramble barked and wagged his tail happily.

"How did he get that big anyways?" Merrin asked as she walked up and gave him a scratch that he happily accepted.

"Basically he ate a bush and made it part of him. Don't really get it but... you know...magic." I said as I made sparkles fall from my fingers.

"Oh crap." Blake said as he slapped his forehead.

"What?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I dropped my banjo when I solar flared you. It must still be at the park if know one took it." He said as worry began to build.

"Oh right. Here I put it in my bag when you disappeared." I said as I reached into my bag and pulled out his banjo.

"Oh thank you. It may sound bad but this is the only thing I own now." He said sadly as he held his banjo.

"It's no problem bud. If I lost my violin I would be devastated." I said as I flicked my earring with a smile.

"Alright be good and don't trash the house. Night yall." I said as I opened the door.

"Night dad. Love you and stay safe." Rosy said as she flew to me for a hug.

"Don't worry I promise I will. Love you hun and sweet dreams." I said as I squeezed her tightly before setting her down and headed out the door. Little did I know I wouldn't be able to keep that promise.

Chapter 20: Retaking The Land part 2

Chapter 20: Retaking The Land Part 2.

"Alright time to get to work." I said after I shut the door back home and pulled out my earpiece.

"Good evening Twink.(poof)" I said before changing to my fox form.

"Good evening to you as well Fox. What is on the agenda for tonight?" She asked as I made my way through the market.

"Tonight we have an infiltration mission and possibly a search and rescue too. (Sniff sniff) Oh something smells delicious." I said as I looked for where the smell was coming from.

"Search and rescue?" She asked as I walked up to a black and white spotted Abyssian selling fried food. He had just pulled out some thick rectangular food out of his pan.

"Please tell me thats what I think it is." I asked with a bit of drool running down my mouth.

"Um this?" He said holding up the fried treat as I vigorously nodded my head.

"It's fried tofu. Would you like some?" He said as he held up some that was wrapped in paper.

"Yes please." I said with a large smile.

"No problem and it's on the house." He said as he passed me the wrapped goodness.

"Really?" I said with mild interest.

"Yeah I've been trying to sell these for a few nights now and you're the only one who seems to want any." He said with his head down.

"Well that sucks. Hmmm I did run out of tofu before I came here. You know what bud I'll buy your tofu stocks at full price that way you don't lose that profit." I said as I pulled out a bag of bits and set them on the stand.

"You must really love this stuff." He said with a smile as he handed me a large container full of tofu.

"It's a delicious and very versatile ingredient." I said as I put the tofu in my bag and went on my way.

"Sorry about that Twink, I can't pass up a delicious snack like this. This one's for you and when we're done here I'll make us some fried tofu roman." I said before taking a bite of the crispy treat.

"Thanks Fox. Now back to the matter at hand you said something about a search and rescue?" Twink asked before I heard a crunch from her end.

"Yeah I talked to a customer yesterday about why we couldn't find any herbs from the forest and she said that before the coup happened they closed all borders but a pony author by the name A.K. Yearling was insistent to find some runes in the forest to gather research for a new book." I said as I left the market heading to the north side of the island.

"If I'm not mistaken that is the author of the Daring Do series." Twink said before sending me her profile. I looked it over and saw a picture of a light gold mare in a purple cloak with red glasses and gray hat with a light tan bow.

"Yep that's her. Hopefully I can find her before they do." I said as I walked up to the northern docks.

"So who's the pony." Said a voice from my shoulder.

"AAHHHH(poof) DAMIT!! Blake what the hell aren't you supposed to be back at my house right now?" I asked as I glared at the blue cat.

"Yeah but I got bored when I realized that tv doesn't work here. Haha you look adorable by the way." He said with a shrug.

"(Poof) your not goin back are you?" I asked as I stood up and wiped the sand from my butt.

"Nope." He said with a wide smile.

"(Sigh) fine but this mission is a stealth recon as well as a search and rescue. If things go south I want you to bookit back to my house and get word of what happened to the princesses. Got it?" I said as I pulled out my armor pendant from my shirt.

"Yes sir." He said with a serious look and salute.

"Oh this is goin to be a long night." I said as I summoned my armor and it spread out over my body.

"Bad. ass. Where can I get one of those?" He said with wide eyes.

"Sorry it's one of a kind. Mood shift Midnight Marauder." I said before the armor turned black and wisps of shadows rolled off me like fire.

"Aww now I really want one." He said with a pout as I turned towards the distant shores.

"Ok so how are we getting to the forest because I don't see a boat and like hell if I'm swimming there." He said as he looked in the same direction before I looked down at him with a smile.

"What are you smiling about?" He asked with a raised brow but the smile never left my face as I reached down and picked him up.

"Wait what are you doing?" He asked with growing concern as my smile grew bigger.

"No no no nononononono NOOOOOOOO!" He screamed as I slowly floated up before shooting across to the other shore. After a quick flight I gently touched down on the beach leading to the jungle with a scared wide eyed blue cat hugging my arm.

"I'm glad I put the armor on." I said as I tried to pry him off.

"Fucking. Hate. Heights." He said with a shaky voice.

"Ha never heard of a cat that was scared of heights." I said with a chuckle as I put him down.

"Never again." He said with a shiver before looking to the jungle.

"Twink can you give me a map of the surrounding area as well as any towns or villages." I said as I pulled up my display.

"Yeah I definitely need to work on my magic." He said as he hopped up to my shoulder for a better look.

"One moment please. Luckily it seems that there is only one major settlement and it's straight north of here. There also appears to be a ruin close to the settlement. I believe those are the ruins A.K.Yearling wanted to see." Twink said as a map popped up on my display with the spots circled. The city looked about the size of Canterlot with what looked like a castle right in the middle and off to the right in between here and the city was a stone structure completely hidden by the jungle.

"Do we have any info on the ruins?" I asked as I zoomed in on the structure and noticed it was sitting in a deep depression.

"How are you talking to?" Blake asked as we headed into the jungle.

"My friend Twink. She helps me out quite a bit and I'd be pretty lost without her." I said with a smile.

"Thank you Fox and I'm sorry to say I have no information about it. Either nothing was written or the information is being blocked from me." Twink said with worry and a bit of anger.

"Alright I'll look around for some glyphs and maybe find some of its history." I said as the jungle thickened.

"Hey Fox you getting a funny feeling right now?" Blake said as he looked around suspiciously.

"Yeah where being watch. I felt this when I arrived in these lands but for some reason I don't feel any life from it." I said with squinting eyes as I scanned the jungle canopy until I spotted a dark brown owl with red eyes hiding in the shadows of the canopy.

"Found it. It's an owl in the tree tops and I think it might be a type of surveillance spell." I said as I discreetly charged magic into my hand.

"Like one of those drone things from our world?" He asked as we passed up the owl.

"Yeah and it's got to go." I said before I quickly turned around and blasted it to pieces.

"Well that takes care of one set of prying eyes. Twink I can feel an odd presence east of here, is there anything around the area?" I asked as I looked over the map on display.

"No structures but there is a small clearing." She said as a small red dot appeared on the map.

"Thanks Twink. Hey Blake have you ever played any of the Pokemon games?" I asked as a smile crept up on my face.

"The last game I played was sword…why?" He asked as he grew more concerned.

"Cool then you probably know about the ghost move shadow sneak." I said as I built up magic in my armor.

"Yeah the user uses the shadows to get behind their opponent. Oh no." He said before I jumped into my shadow and moved from shadow to shadow until we reached the clearing. I slowly and quietly pulled myself out of the shadow of a large bush on the outer edge of the clearing.

"Please warn me next time. I don't think my stomach can take much more." Blake said as he slumped on my shoulder.

"No promises now hush." I whispered before slowly moving some of the bushes branches aside and what I saw was surprising. There in the middle of the clearing was a small round table with a coffee pot in the middle but that wasn't what surprised me. Sitting at the table was what looked like a human leaning back in a chair with his legs propped up on the table while reading a newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee. What stood out the most was his deep ocean blue eyes with small specks of light that made it look like you gazing up at a clear night sky.

"Um Fox?" Blake said with wide eyes.

"Yeah I got nothin." I said with the same look.

"Hahaha oh Garfield you and your hate for mondays. You two know it's not polite to spy on someone especially if you don't know them." He said as he turned the page without even looking up from it.

"Ok I'm completely creeped out right now." Blake said as I slowly stood up and walked into the clearing before I recalled my helmet.

"Aw there we go. Would you guys care for a cup of coffee?" He said as two cups of hot coffee appear on the table.

"Um no thank you sir." I said in confusion before the cups disappeared and a chair appeared.

"Suit yourself. Come sit for a minute Fox I'm sure you can spare a few minutes for your tasks to talk a bit." He said with a smile as he set down his paper. I tried to get a feel for any Ill intent or any feeling at all but all I found was emptiness.

"What are you?" I asked as I slowly sat down.

"Now that is the right question to ask." He said as poured himself another cup of coffee.

"Are you sure you don't want any." He said as he held up the pot.

"Sure I could use a cup." I said before a cup appeared and he poured my coffee. I must admit It did smell good so why not and I get the feeling that if he wanted to hurt me, I couldn't stop him.

"Dude, this is weird." Blake whispered in my ear.

"Oh definitely." I whispered back as some cream and sugar appeared on the table.

"Alright let's get back to it then. My name is John but nobody really knows that, no they just call me Death.(sigh)" He said kinda sadly with his head held low for a second before he was back to cheerful.

"Wait seriously, your Death?" Blake asked with a flat brow.

"Yep." He said with a smile.

"As in one touch and done?" Blake said flatly.

"Ya-hu." He said with a smile.

"Cloak, skull, and scythe?" Blake asked flatly.

"Sometimes." He said as he sipped his coffee with a smile.

"...Yeah Fox this guys nuts." Blake said as he looked at me and pointed to him with a paw.

"Lil bit." He said before he reached down and plucked a flower before bringing it back up to the table just to watch it wither and die.

"(Gulp) I think I'll shut up now." Blake said with wide eyes.

"Good kitty." He said as the flower turned to dust.

"Alright then my next question is what does the lord of death John want with me." I said seriously as I fixed up my coffee and took a sip.

"Straight to the point, I see. I would like to make a request for your service." He said as he leaned forward resting his chin in his palm.

"A request?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Yes. Did you know there is a small village in your lovely dark forest home?" He asks as he leads back in his chair.

"No I never had the chance to look around yet." I said with interest.

"Well that village is called Sunny Town and there is something there I want you to collect for me." He said with a smile and closed eyes.

"And that would be?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Their souls." He said seriously as his eyes grew darker.

"I won't kill anyone." I said seriously as I glared at him.

"Hahaha no no they're already dead." He said with a laugh and leaned back in his chair.

"So what like a town of ghosts?" He said with a tilted head.

"Nope. Zombie." He said as he sipped his coffee.

"Okay so why is there a village of zombies in the everfree?" I said as I began to get worried.

"That is a good question but I'm not the one to ask, that question you should ask your princess of the knight." He said with a dark smile.

"Luna?" I asked with surprise.

"Yep. Before she became that Nightmare Moon, she placed a curse on that village. That curse kept the souls attached to their bodys. When the body dies the soul still remains ever to slowly rot." He said with a bit of anger.

"So you want to save those souls?" I asked with a bit of confusion.

"No those souls are damned and belong in the pits of hell but before I could collect them she casted her curse and saved from judgment." He said as darkness flared around him but quickly vanished as he recomposed himself.

"They've lived far beyond their time so I would like you to collect." He said as he refilled his coffee.

"So why can't you collect them." Blake asked point his paw at him.

"That curse comes with a barrier meant to keep me out." He said as he sipped his coffee.

"So you need outside help but if what you said was true about this curse, unless you destroy the body would that free the soul." I asked with concern.

"Unfortunately the curse will just regeneration the body come morning just to rot away again." He said darkly.

"So how do you expect to collect their souls?" Blake asked with frustration.

"Wow he asked something smart." He said with a smile.

"Hey!" Blake said before a long box appeared on the table.

"This will sever the connection between the soul and body." He said as he opened the box to show a long black katana with a dark blue handle and cord. The scabbard was black and had specs of dark blue.

"A sword?" I asked as I lifted it up and was surprised at how light it was.

"Yep. This sword was forged using a part of my scythe. Try putting some magic into it." He said with a smile as I removed the blade from its scabbard. The blade looked jet black but as I added my magic lines of dark blue flowed through the blade.

"It's Damascus." I said in awe as I admire the sword.

"That it is. I call it Setsuden." He said before the box disappeared.

"Setsuden. The severing sword." I said as I put it back into the scabbard.

"This blade has the power to sever any connection. Like the bond between a soul and body." He said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Hmm it is a beautiful blade but i'm not sure if I can do your request." I said as I placed the sword on the table.

"I won't pressure you or anything. Keep the sword for now and talk to your princess. Then if you decide not to fill the request the sword will come back to me and I will not bug you again until it's your time of course." He said with a smile.

"Alright I'll think about it when I'm not preoccupied with something else." I said as I picked back up the sword and started to put it in my bag.

"Um, I wouldn't put it in there." He said as he finished his coffee.

"...yeah not the best Idea." I said as I stood up and tied the sword to the armor.

"Thank you for the sword and...coffee." I said as I looked up and saw an empty clearing.

"You might want to find that mare in the ruins she doesn't have much time left." He said before his voice faded.

"Well we can definitely take "meet death" off the end of the bucket list." Blake said as he looked around.

"Fox are you alright. As soon as you entered the clearing I lost all connections with you. What happened.?" Twink asked with worry.

"Oh just had a nice cup of coffee with my new friend John." I said with a smile and shrug as I pulled up my display and map before Twink popped up in the display glaring at me.

"Explan." She said seriously.

"I had a cup of coffee with John...the lord of death." I said casually as I left the clearing.

"You WHAT!" She said loudly, making me flinch.

"Ow that's goin to ring a bit." I said as I pulled off the earpiece and scratched my ear before putting it back in.

"You had a cup of coffee with death!?" She asked with a bit of anger.

"Ya-hu." I said as I pulled a snack from my bag.

"It's true. The dude was pretty weird." Blake said before asking for a piece of my snack.

"(Sigh) why?" She asked as she slowly shook her head.

"I don't know, he just was. Seriously fried tofu?" He asked with a flat look.

"What's wrong with fried tofu?" I asked as I glared at him.

"You know how cliche that is?" He said before taking a bite of the tofu.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I munched.

"Really? You're pretty much an anime fox spirit and fried tofu is always their favorite food." He before popping the last bite into his mouth.

"Well you kinda look like Happy. You just need a fish and bandana around your next." I said with a smirk as I finished my snack.

"Take that back." He said as he glared at me.

"BOYS FOCUS!!" Twink yelled in frustration.

"Sorry." We both said with a small head bow.

"Thank you. Why did you have a cup of coffee with death?" She asked as she squeezed the bridge of her nose.

"He wanted to ask a favor." I said seriously.

"Why would death ask a favor?" She asked with interest.

"He wants me to collect the damned souls in a place called sunny town in the everfree. Know anything about it?" I asked before her mood turned sad.

"Yes its a town deep in the everfree cursed to live an eternity as the living dead." Twink said sadly.

"Yeah he wants me to collect their souls so they can be judged. I plan to talk to Luna about it when I get back but for now we need to get to the ruins. John said that she doesn't have much time left." I said as we picked up the pace and ran toward the ruins. I didn't take us very long before we reached the ruins.

"They should be just ahead." I said as light shone through the tree line but as soon as we left the trees I had quickly stopped before we fell into a massive pit with the crumbled ruins in the middle.

"Whoa what the hell." I said before jumping back from the edge.

"I don't think it's supposed to be like this." Blake said as we looked down at the ruins.

"Temples like these tend to have underground rooms and passages. They must have collapsed recently." Twink said as we scanned the area before sliding into the pit.

"I hope that mare is ok." Blake said as we looked around.

"Me too. Let me try something." I said as I held out my hand palm down and focused my magic then gently set my hand on the ground.

"Life scan." I said as I set out a pulse of magic through the rubble.

"(Thumpthump……….thumpthump) I'm picking up a heartbeat but its weak. Its over there." I said as I quickly ran to a pile of rubble close to the center of the pit and began to move it with my magic. After removing some large stones we found a light gold mare in an exploration jacket and hat but she was in bad shape.

"Fox this is not good. She has multiple broken ribs, a skull fracture, broken hip, one of her wings is crushed and one of her front and back legs are broken in several places. She's extremely lucky to be alive in this shape." Twink said after a quick scan before I gently picked her up in my magic and set her down on a flat piece of fallen wall.

"Yeah I hope I can heal her well enough to survive this." I said as I closed my eyes and placed my hands on her hip and head before gently letting my magic flow into her. Slowly the cuts and bruises began to fade, her wings and legs straightened and minded. Her hip popped back into place before I fell on my back in exhaustion.

"That….should do it….she should….be fine now." I said as I tried to catch my breath.

"You alright dude." Blake said as he poked my cheek with his paw.

"Yeah just took a lot of magic to do. (gggrrrrooooowwwwwlllll) and now I'm hungry." I said holding my stomach as I sat up.

"Fox her vitals have stabilized. She'll be sore for a few days and will need some rest." Twink said as I pulled out my camp cooking stuff.

"Um what are you doing?" Blake asked as he jumped onto the table.

"Making a quick meal. I'm starving and I'm pretty sure she'll be hungry too. All I did was drastically increased her body's natural healing so her body will need to restore that lost energy and a good meal will help her and me." I said as I began to make a quick egg fried rice. Soon enough I had a large wok full of golden brown fried rice with eggs, vegetables, and pieces of fried tofu.

"There we go, all done." I said as I began to fill up bowls.

"Ugh where am I." The mare said as she slowly began to raise her head only to grab it in pain.

"Whoa easy there miss. Take it nice and slow. You were trapped in the rubble but I managed to pull you out and patch you up but you'll be sore for a few days." I said as I picked up a bowl and spoon before walking over to her and sat the bowl down.

"What?" She said as she slowly sat up.

"We found you buried under the rubble. Here, eating this will help you feel better." I said as I gave her the bowl.

"(Grroowwll) thank you but who are you?" He asked as she looked at the food with concern.

"Oh my name is Fox and you must be Daring Do or A.K. Yearling." I said with a smile.

"How did you know that?" She asked with a glare as I stood up and grabbed my bowl from the table.

"You just told me but I won't say anything. You should eat it took alot of magic and natural energy to heal you." I said before I happily ate my food.

"(Growl) What do you mean by that? (Munch) mmmm." She asked before eating a spoonful of fried rice.

"When I found you, you were badly injured and on death's door. I used my magic to drastically increase your body's natural healing. You'll be fine now just sore and really hungry." I said as I scrafted down my rice.

"Then thank you for saving me but what are you?" She asked with interest as she ate.

"Hi I'm Fox Lilly, Mystic Fox king of the everfree, and knight of Equestria. Nice to meet ya." I said as I refilled my bowl.

"Seriously? The Mystic Foxes disappeared twenty years ago." She said in disbelief.

"Actually it's been eighteen years and as far as I know I'm the last one." I said with a bit of sadness.

"Sorry." She said with remorse.

"Don't worry about it. So miss Do what brings you here." I asked as I sat down next to her.

"I came here looking for an ancient artifact so it can be destroyed but I was too late." She said with a tear rolling down her cheek.

"What happened?" I asked with concern.

"When I explored these ruins I came upon a large underground chamber where a large amount of ponies were excavating a massive horned skull with the artifact embedded in its forehead. Before I could sneak in somepony in a cloak broke the skull and removed the artifact. Then the whole place started to collapse." She said with anger.

"What's the artifact?" I asked with Interest.

"All I know is that it's supposed to be a key to a massive amount of dark magic." She said as she scooped another spoonful.

"Well that's not good." Blake said after he pulled his head out of his bowl.

"...did your pet just talk?" She asked with wide eyes.

"Hey I'm not a pet. I'm Blake, a split tail Abyssian." He said with a huff as he crossed his tiny forelegs.

"Down boy or no catnip." I said with a smile until he threw his spoon at me but I caught if and flicked it back into his bowl.

"So what is a Mystic Fox and Splittail doing here." She asked as she set down her now empty bowl.

"I came to investigate missing equestrian trade ships and their crews but now I'm looking into a coup that happened in Haflinger." I said as I pulled up my display and added to my notes.

"Is that why they closed the borders?" She asked with a surprised look.

"Yeah But I think there's more involved. I'm sorry miss Do but I need to head out." I said as I opened a portal back to my cart.

"This portal will take you to my cart in the market of Shree Lanca. If you go through the door on the right you'll be at my place. There will be a mare named Merrin there. Tell her I sent you and get some rest. I'll be back by morning." I said as I put away all my stuff.

"But what about the artifact?" She asked with worry.

"I'll look into it." I said with a smile.

"Fine but if you find it destroy it or lock it away." She said before she jumped through the portal and I closed it.

"Alight that's one task off the list." Blake said as he jumped back onto my shoulder.

"Yeah and I hate to say it but I think we also found some of the ship's crews." I said sadly as I looked down at the ground.

"Hers was the only life sign I felt." I said quietly before pulling a bouquet of flowers from my bag and set them down with a short prayer.

"Lets go. We still have more to do." I said as I slowly stood up and jumped out of the pit before walking back into the shadows.

Chapter 20: Retaking The Land art 3

Chapter 20: Retaking The Land part 3

"Alright so here's the plan." I said as I pulled up a map on my display. We stopped a mile out of the Halfinger capital to go over a simple plan to get in and out of the castle.

"We'll use the shadows to sneak past the guards at this south gate. From there we'll take it a bit slowly through this residential area here." I said as I pointed out the place on the map.

"Why cut through the residential area?" Blake asked as he poked my display.

"I want to see how the population is taking the coup. This whole thing had me worried from the start. From what I understand is that there was absolutely no cause for this coup." I said as I pulled up my note.

"What do you mean?" Blake asked with a tilted head.

"Well from what I was told. This country was in prosperity thanks to this forest and the people were happy. The king here was also a kind and caring leader loved by his people. So I want to make sure his people are alright. There's also rumors that the leader of the coup started acting strangely and was seen talking to a figure in the shadows the smelled of death and rot." I said with worry until Blake tensed up.

"Did you say a shadow with the smell of rot?" He said through clenched teeth.

"Yeah, you know something?" I asked with interest.

"Yeah. A man in a black cloak appeared from the shadow and killed my grandpa. The last things I remember before I woke up here was my grandpa's smile and the smell of rotten meat." He said with fury in his eyes.

"Hmmm I'm starting to get the feeling that there's something more goin on here. Let go check things out." I said before closing the map and walked into the shadows.

"When I find that guy I'm gonna scratch his eyes out." Black said as we made our way through the forest.

"Hey um if you don't mind me asking, how was your life before you came here." I said out of curiosity.

"What do you mean?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Like what was life like for you? Where you lived and what you did?" I asked with a smile.

"Well it was a pretty normal life. My parents passed away when I was younger and my grandpa took me in. We lived in a small farming town in Oklahoma but we didn't grow anything. Haha grampa couldn't even grow a flower. It was pretty nice there and school was pretty cool too but I wasn't very popular." He said with a chuckle.

"You got to go to a normal school with lockers, classrooms, and other kids?" I asked with wide sparkling eyes.

"Yeah. Didn't you?" He asked with a raised brow.

"No, I was home schooled by my mom." I said with a bit of sadness.

"Lucky. School can get pretty rough and I'm not talking about studies. Some of the other kids can be pretty mean at times but not to me. I can't stand to see bullies mess with people." He said with annoyance making me smile.

"That's good. Protect those who can't protect themselves. When mom trained me she always told me to not fight for myself but for those I care about and I have plenty to protect." I sain with a warm smile before coming out of the shadows and hide behind a tree just outside the towns walls.

"We're here." I said quietly as I looked up the twelve foot wall of large bamboo stalks.

"I hope King Kong isn't a thing here." I said with a chuckle.

"Don't jinx it." Blake said with a flat look.

"Hey, you notice anything weird?" I asked as I looked to an open gate.

"Not really." He said as we stepped closer to the wall.

"Normally places like this would have guards and patrols especially if this country was on a lock down but I haven't seen a single one. Even here there's no guards stationed by the gate." I said as we crossed through the unguarded gate.

"Yeah. I've been here once before and they always had some gorilla guards out here." He said as we ducked behind a house.

"Hey take a look at this." I said as I looked through the window of the house and saw a small family of chimpanzees just sitting, staring blankly at the wall.

"That's not creepy at all." Blake said before we moved to the house next door and found the same thing.

"Fox I don't like this. This city was a pretty lively one even at night." Blake said as we went to the next house, same thing.

"Come on let's get to Halfinger castle." I said with furrowed brows before I ran down the street until I spotted a small group of Three earth ponies with what looked like makeshift armor and a spear standing at the end of the street.

"Looks like we may have found some guard." I said before quickly ducking between two houses.

"But their ponies." Blake said as we watched from the shadows.

"I know. They may be part of the missing trade crews from Equestria and those crews were also used as soldiers for the coup." I said as I watched them stare blankly down the street.

"But how?" He asked before I took him off my shoulder.

"I don't know, but lets ask." I said before I jumped into the shadow and made my way behind the guards. I slowly emerged from his shadow before I quickly and quietly grabbed him in a choke hold then sank back into the shadow before the other two knew what happened. I popped back out next to Blake with a struggling guard in tow.

"Dude that was awesome." Blake said with a wide smile.

"Shhh go to sleep." I said as the guard slowly stopped struggling and passed out.

"Is it bad that I've always wanted to do that." I said with a chuckle as I set the pony down.

"Now what?" He asked while poking the pony.

"Now we tie him up and then wake him up." I said as I pulled a rope from my bag and hogtied him.

"Hey. Hey bud time to wake up." I said as I set him against the wall and lightly slapped him.

"Ugh my head….AAAH-." He said before I covered his mouth.

"Calm down. I'm not goin to hurt you." I said before I lowered my hand.

"AAH-." He tried to say before I covered his mouth again.

"Let me put this another way. You scream again and I'll let my friend here use you for his personal scratching post." I said with a smile as I pointed over to Blake who held up his paw and flexed his claw with a sinister smile.

"So goin to scream again?" I asked before getting a vigorous head shake.

"Good." I said as I lowered my hand.

"Who are you?" He asked with a curious look.

"Hi I'm Fox Lilly, knight to Equestria and I need to ask you a question." I said with a smile.

"Wait, you're that thing who stopped the changeling invasion, right?" He asked with a hopeful smile.

"I'm just goin to forget the fact you just called me a thing but if you say that again I'll send you back to Canterlot in a body cast." I said darkly, making him gulp.

"Sorry sir!" He said quickly with a vigorous head nod.

"Good. Now why are you here?" I asked as I sat down in front of him and sent a small unnoticeable magic into him to get a better read on him.

"I would if I knew where I was." He said as he looked around but he was telling the truth.

"What was the last thing you remember." I asked as I pulled out my display.

"Whoa how did you do that?" He asked as he poked my display with his hoof making Blake snicker.

"Magic, now please answer the question Mr…. I'm sorry I never got your name." I said with a smile.

"Its Hi Tide. Hmmm the last thing I remember was we had just finished loading the cargo onto our ship when the sun began to set so we decided to ship out at first light the next morning. We all ate dinner then headed to bed and now I'm talking to you." He said while I gave him a quick look over. He was a dark ocean green earth pointed with a seafoam mane and tail that had a few strips of baby blue running through it. I could tell he was telling the truth with my magic but when I was pushing it a bit deep I was pushed back by a black hase keeping me from his mind and making my head hurt a little bit.

"And you don't remember being part of a coup d'etat in this country?" I asked as I rubbed the side of my head.

"Do what now?" He asked with wide eyes.

"Then I was right to assume someone is controlling them." I said as I pulled a piece of paper and pin from my bag and wrote a short report for Tia.

"So what's the plan Fox." Blake said as he jumped to my shoulder.

"Did your pet just talk?" Tide asked with wide eyes.

"I'M NOT A PET!!" Blake shouted with an angry scowl, making Hi Tide jump a bit.

"Please don't shout next to my ear. Hey Alya sweetheart I'm sorry to wake you up but I need you to send a letter please." I said as I gently scratched my hair until she poked her tiny head out and yawned before sliding onto my other shoulder and happily nuzzled my cheek.

"Whoa a feathered serpent and she's very pretty." Tide said with a smile making Alya coo and fly over to give him a nuzzle.

"That she is. Here you go darlin I'll give you a nice snack after ok." I said before she lit the letter in blue flames sending it to Canterlot.

"Oh my sister will never believe this. She's a herpetologist in Manehattan." He said with wide eyes.

"Thanks sweetheart. One crispy fried fish treat for you." I said happily as I pulled out her treat and she quickly snatched it up.

"Aw I want one too." Blake said as he looked at me with sad big kitty eyes.

"Oh thats not fair." I said as I pulled another fish from my bag. Kittens, my only weakness.

"Hi Tide I'm going to send you back to Equestria. I sent word to Princess Celestia to send a cart to pick you up from my home." I said as I scratched Alya.

"Ok but how?" He asked with a raised brow as I opened a portal next to us.

"This portal will take you to my cart. The cart has two doors so take the one on the right and you will be at my house in the Everfree Forest just outside of ponyville. My daughter and friend will be there just tell them I sent you and you'll be fine. Oh and here, for your sister." I said with a smile as I helped him to his feet and pulled one of Alya's feather from my hair

"Really thank you sir she'll love it. Um do you know what happened to the rest of my crew?" He asked with hope in his eyes.

"I'm not sure but I promise to get everypony I can home safe." I said as I looked him dead in the eye with determination.

"Thank you." He said before jumping through the portal.

"Alright so I was right. It looks like they were being controlled and it would be safe to assume that it's the same for the people here." I said as I type up some notes.

"How is that possible?" Blake asked as Alya happily wrapped around my neck.

"I don't think spells have that kind of power but I'm not sure. Hmmm maybe some kind of artifact." I said as I connected Twink to the display.

"(Crunch) mmmm." She said as she took a large bite of my fried tofu I put in storage.

"You know I was going to give you some right." I said with a raid brow.

"Hehe sorry they just smelled so good." She said with a smile and light blush.

"Anyway I need some info on any possible spells or artifacts that can do wide spread mind control.

"How wide is the range?" Twink asked before quickly finishing her snack.

"I'm goin to say a radius from the castle to the ruins and I don't know how long its been active but I'm goin with a week before the coup." I said as I pulled me out a snack of nacho Doritos I've been saving and leaned against the wall of the house we were behind.

"That will definitely narrow this down. Give me a second." She said as she looked for the data.

"Oh you better share. I miss Doritos." He said before I held up the bag for him.

"Hmm it would take an ungodly amount of magic to cast a spell like that and the only being who could parished eons ago. There is an artifact he created called the Grandmasters Word but it was destroyed with him." She said with a bit of worry.

"Hmm can you send me what you found. I want to look at it later but for now I need the castle layout." I said as I put away my Doritos before the layout popped up on my screen.

"There you go Fox and I'll do some more digging." She said with a smile before the connection was closed.

"Lets see, it looks like it's pretty much a straight shot to the throne room." I said as I pointed out the route.

"Ok but what about all the guards?" Blake said before we looked around the corner at the two remaining guards at the castle gate.

"Those two won't be a problem if we sneak through the shadows and If we get in a tight spot I got a pretty good Idea how to get out of it. It looks like by knocking them out we can break the mind control." I said as I pulled up a schematic on my display and smiled.

"Alright let's get a move on." I said after I put away my display and gave Alys on more scratch before jumping into the shadows.

"This is so handy." Blake said as we passed the two guards unnoticed and slipped into the castle.

"Yeah but it won't last for too much longer the sun will be up soon and the armor will change along with its enchantments." I said as I found us a nice dark corner to pop out into.

"Ok the throne room is just down the next corridor. The bad thing is that there is nothing in this corridor to make a big enough shadow to jump into so will have to sneak past the guards." I said as we peaked around the corner and saw two pegasi standing in front of a large wooden double door.

"And how are we goin to do that?" He asked in a whisper.

"Easy we make them come to us." I said as I pulled out an old tin can and tossed it down the hall and sure enough it got their attention. As they ran down the hall we jumped back into the shadows and waited until they turned the corner. As soon as they got in my range I quickly grabbed them by their back hooves before pulling them into the shadows and knocked them out. Once they were out I pulled them from the shadows and gently laid them against the wall.

"Now lets go." I whispered before sneaking down the hall and slowly cracked the double doors to peek inside for any guards.

"It's too dark to see anything." Blake said as I tried to see any kind of movement in the darkness.

"Hmmm I don't like this. Once we get inside keep close to the walls and stay low." I said as I slowly opened the door wider to let us squeeze in but as soon as we cleared the doors they slammed shut.

"Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly." Said a voice that sounds like it came from all around us.

"Well that's not creepy at all.(Poof)." Blake said before he jumped off my shoulder and turned into a large blue and white split tail panther.

"Looks like we fell into a trap." I said as the lights lit up and revealed a whole army of ponies, Abyssians, and primates all with swords and spears pointing at us from all sides.

"Surrender or die." Said a black gorilla standing in front of the throne.

"What now, Fox? They got us cornered." Blake said as he readied himself for a fight while I stood straight with a smile.

"Don't worry I planned for this." I said as I held up my hand and focused my magic into them. I clapped my hand together and slowly pulled them apart. I played around with my magic ever since I found out I can make things out of nothing If I knew how it works and how it's made. In just a few seconds I had made four black cylinders with a pull pin release.

"How the hell?" Blake asked with wide eyes.

"Magic." I said before I pulled the pins and launched the canisters into the army before putting a bubble around me and Blake. A second later a smoke cloud engulfed everybody in the room.

(Thump….thump, thump….thump, thump, thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.) I could hear bodies hitting the ground after a few seconds in the smoke cloud.

"What was that?" Blake asked me with surprise.

"Knock out gas grenades." I said with a smile.

"Well that was disappointing and here I was hoping for an all out brawl, oh well." The same voice from earlier said. I quickly expanded the bubble and cleared out all the gas. When the smoke cleared I could see a cloaked man sitting on the throne with his feet propped up on the back of the black gorilla.

"Fox you smell that?" Blake said as he crouched down and growled.

"Yeah." I said as I got ready for a fight. This man smelled of death and rot.

"Let me guess you're the one controlling from the shadows." I said as I glared at him.

"Oh no I have been found out whatever shall I do." He said sarcastically with a large shark tooth smile.

"Why? Why would you control and destroy this country?" I asked as my ander started to rise.

"For entertainment while I looked for something." He said as he slowly stood up and walked into the center of the room.

"Entertainment! You ruined innocent lives for entertainment! What are you looking for?" I asked with anger as I clenched my fists.

"Do you think I'm some evil villain that would monologue my master plan Fox Lilly?" He said with a smile.

"How do you know my name?" I asked as I slowly gripped the handle of my sword.

"I've been watching you and your kitty friend since before you came to this world." He said happily as Blake crouched down and snarled.

"You're the one that attacked me and my gramps aren't you?" Blake asked through clenched teeth.

"Yes you see he had something I wanted but before I could take it he gave it to you and sent you to this world before I ran him through." He said with a proud sinister smile.

"YOU BASTARD!!!" Blake yelled before charging at him.

"BLAKE WAIT!!!" I yelled as I tried to grab him but he was too fast. Blake quickly closed the distance between us and tried to pounce on him but was stopped by the man who quickly grabbed Blake by the neck before holding him up with one arm.

"So eager to join your grandfather. I'll be more than happy to help you with that." He said with a chuckle as squeezed Blake's throat. I acted without thinking and in a second I was right beside them and quickly drew my sword before slashing his arm and cutting it off at the shoulder making him drop Blake. He quickly jumped back before I could get another slash in.

"AHHHHHH!!! He screamed as his severed arm lit on fire with black and purple flames that turned it to ash.

"You will pay for that boy." He said as he gripped his surprisingly dry shoulder before quickly retreating to the shadows.

"Running away?" I asked as I scanned the shadows.

"For now but we will meet again boy. Oh and I would hurry back to that little island if you don't want to see it burnt to the ground." He said before his voice faded and the smell of rot disappeared.

"Blake are you ok?" I asked as I helped him back onto his paws.

"Yeah (cough) just a bit sore (cough cough) what did he mean by burnt to the--." He said until he was cut off by a loud roar that shook the castle.

"Oh that can't be good.(poof)" Blake said before turning back into a cat and jumped on my shoulder as we rushed to a large open window.

"You've got to be shitting me." I said as I looked to the setting moon and saw a large black dragon heading our way.

"Fox is that what I think it is?" Blake asked with wide eyes.

"Worse. That's Thorn, an incredibly powerful dragon. We need to get back to the island and evaluate it." I said as I quickly made a portal back to my cart and jumped through it.

"We'll need Quakes help, he's also the mayor and the people trust him." Blake said before pointing to where we need to go and I took off flying that direction. In a short time I made it to his home and banged on the door.

"What in the name of catnip is going on." Quake said as he threw open the door and glared at us.

"There's no time to explain but I need you to evacuate the island." I said as I scanned the skyline.

"Evacuate? Why, what's goin on?" He asked with some worry.

"RRRAAAAAAAAWWWWWRRRR." was heard as Throne grew closer.

"That was a dragon on his way to destroy this place and if we don't act now a lot of people will die." I said as I glared at him.

"Alright but where can we go?" He asked with concern as he put on his jacket.

"I've got that covered just get everyone to my cart in the market." I said before Note popped up behind Quake.

(Yawn) what's goin on?" She asked tiredly.

"I'll explain on the way but we need to get moving. Fox I'll use the alarm for hurricanes and tell the people where to go." Quake said before he scooped up Note and took off down the street as I flew back to my cart.

"Who are we supposed to get everyone off the island?" Blake asked as we landed next to my cart and Quake set off the alarm with a warning announcement.

"Like this." I said as I placed my hand on the cart and expanded it with my magic, making the door ten times larger.

"That will work." Blake said as Quake ran up with Note and the first group of evaluaties as well as a group of law enforcement.

"Good your here. This door will take you to my home in Equestria. Note when you get there room straight to ponyville and get help from Twilight sparkle and our friends to help on that side. Quake I need you to help in this side." I said as I opened the door and let the first group through.

"But what about you?" Note asked with worry.

"I'll keep him busy as long as I can. Now go there's no time to lose. Blake, can you help Quake here?" I said before Blake jumped off my shoulder and turned into his Abyssian form.

"Yes sir!" He said with a salute.

"Thank you now let's get moving." I said before I gently took Alya off my neck much to her protest.

"I'm sorry girl but I want you to go back with Note." I said sweetly as I scratched her head before sadly fluttering onto Note head.

"Thank you sweetheart. I promise I'll give you a great treat when I get back home ok." I said as more people started to pure in.

(RRRAAAAAAWWWWWW)

"Get going. I'll hold him back until everyone is out." I said as I looked up as I saw Thorn in the distance coming ever closer.

"Fox be careful." Note said before she ran through the door. Once she was gone I floated above the town as the moon drifted below the horizon and the first rays of the sun started to light up the day.

"Good it's almost morning." I said as Thorn grew closer until he noticed me and with a thunderous roar he unleashed a large jet of red flames straight at me.

"Let's do this." I said as I put up a barrier just as the flame reach me. As soon as the flames stop I pulled out my staffs and shot straight toward him. I closed the distance fast and struck his wing hoping to slow him down but my hit rang out like metal on metal and I was pushed back with my hands stinging from the vibrations.

"The hell is his scales made of iron?" I asked myself as I shook my hands.

"That is correct. His scales are composed of iron like minerals making them literal steel armor but that is not what concerns me." Twink said through my earpiece that I forgot I had on.

"Then you heard it too. He's hollow." I said before he swung his claw and knocked me to the ground with enough force to leave a body imprint when I landed.

"Fox are you alright?" Twink asked with worry as I pulled myself out of the ground.

"I will be...once the sun raises." I said before I quickly put up a shield as Thorn blasted me with his fire. The blast was strong enough to push me back a few feet but I was able to push the flames back so I could roll out of the way.

"Fox the sun is coming over the horizon." Twink said as I looked up at the sun as it rose above the horizon and I smiled.

"Awesome." I said as I jumped out of the way of a fireball and flew up above the town.

"Mood shift: Daybreak." I said as my armor turned white and I could feel the warmth of the sun on my back as well as the boost it gave me.

"Hey Twink is dragon fire magical." I said as I looked at Thorn building up his fire.

"Yes. Dragons use their natural magic to produce their flame." Twink said as I held up my right hand.

"Perfect." I said as Thorn sent another fireball my way but instead of blocking it I grabbed it and sucked it into my right gauntlet before sending it right back at him with the left. The fireball hit him in the chest blowing him back.

"RRRRAAAAWWWWRRR!!!" He roared as he shook off the blast and flew straight at me.

"Lets see how hard you are." I said as I gripped my staffs and flew to meet him. As soon as he was close enough to me he tried to bite me with his massive teeth but before he could I drifted to the side before turning and slammed my staff into the side of his head knocking it to the side. He quickly turned back to me and tried to swipe his claws at me but I barely was able to dodge as his claw scraped my chest plate leaving a trail of spark along its path.

"That was close." I said before I was blindsided by his wing sending me flying back towards the ground but I was able to stop myself right above the town. When I looked back up at Thorn he was forming multiple smaller fireballs around him.

"MOMMY WHERE DID YOU GO….(SNIFF) I SCARED!! MOMMY!" I heard from behind me and when I looked down I saw the same white kitten I gave candy to early.

"SHIT!" I yelled before I shot down toward the ground just as Thorn fired his attack. I swooped down and scooped up the kitten right before the fireballs hit. I picked up speed as they hit right behind me with the kitten hugging my chest plate.

"Don't worry little kitten I'll get you to your mommy." I said as I flew down the empty streets as fire rained closed behind me until a large fireball shot over the rooftops and exploded on impact with Thorns head.

"Go I'll cover you." Said a blue and red dragon pony at my side.

"Merrin you're awesome, you know that." I said with a smile making her scalie cheeks blush.

"Yep!" She said with a proud smile before she pulled up and headed towards Thorn who was just coming out of a daze. I looked back down the street and spotted my cart with a small group of evacuees with Quake directing and a worried mother beside him.

"Look I can see your mom right there." I said to the kitten before quickly closing the distance and landing beside the mother.

"MOMMY!!!" The kitten screamed before jumping out of my arms right into her waiting mother.

"OH MY KITTEN!! I'm so glad you're safe. Thank you, thank you, thank you." The mother said before she and her kitten hugged my neck.

"It's alright now please get to safety." I said as I returned the hug before gently pushing them towards the cart.

"Fox these are the last of the evaluees and everyone else made it through unharmed." Quake said with a thumbs up and smile.

"Good now go. With everyone now safe I can finally let loose….I'm sorry for any damages done to your town." I said with a bow.

"We can alway rebuild or replace our homes but not our people. Don't hold back." He said as he held out his paw.

"Wasn't planning to." I said as I gripped his forearm before he stepped through the door as Merrin impacted the ground behind me.

"Merrin! Are you ok?!" I yelled as I ran to her.

"Oh that hurt. I'm glad I'm part dragon. His scales are as hard as iron. I could barely put a dent in him." She said as she pulled herself up and shook off the rubble before I blocked a large fireball with my right hand and sucked it up into the chest plate.

(Play

)

"Steel actually. I have a plan but it's goin to take a lot of magic, lucky for us I can use his magic with mine. But first we need to dent him up a bit." I said with a smile as I sucked up another fireball into my armor before taking off with Merrin at my side. We both flew straight at him before breaking apart as a jet of flames shot between us. I dived down while Merrin launched another fireball into his side before dodge his claw while I shot back up and slammed my staffs into his other side making a dent. He quickly recovered and tried to swipe his claw at me but was slammed in the back of his head with a heavy double fist pound. I took this chance to deliver a solid slam to his chin, sending his head back before building up my magic into my staffs and bashed them into his chest sending him back with a large dent in his chest.

"RRRAAAAWWWWWEEENNNOOUUGGGHHH!!!" He yelled as he curled into a ball and heat started to build around him until the air around him turned red and in an instant it expanded with a massive shock wave of heat sending us barreling down towards the ground leaving us in a small crater. Before we could even get up a massive fireball slammed down on top of us and exploded taking out a small portion of the town, leaving us in a smoking crater.

"Ugh Merrin are you ok?" I asked as I pushed myself out of the rubble but got no reply.

"Merrin?" I called out as the smoke cleared and I saw her.

"MERRIN!!" I yelled as I rushed to her and pushed away a large piece of stone wall off her.

"Merrin? Merrin? Please be ok." I said as I quickly checked for a pulse and sighed when I felt it beat strong. I did a quick scan and she was only unconscious with two cracked ribs that I quickly mended before opening a portal back to my cart and setting her down next to it.

"You didn't great Merrin now rest up. I got it from here." I said with a smile as I put up a barrier around her and the cart before floating up to his leave with a rock in my hand. He had his back to me while scanning the rubble from above. I chunked the rock straight at the back of his head and with a small "dong" it bounced right off.

"You missed!" I said as I began to feel the warmth of the sun on my back as I began to build up my magic.

"Damn tiny insect!" He said as a ball of bright blue flames before launching a jet of plasma at me but it was too fast to dodge so I put my arms to block and absorb as much as I could. After a few seconds the blast ended, leaving me steaming and breathing heavily.

"That….should be….enough." I said as I looked at the gem on my chest plate as it glowed brightly.

"My turn." I said as I held up my left hand and sent his attack right back at him but before it hit I made the blast curve around him trapping him in a vortex of hot plasma. As he was trapped I flew high above him and right as I got high he broke free and was glowing a bright yellow. Before he had a chance to collect himself I dived down while building up magic around me and my staffs.

"STELLAR SMASH!!!" I yelled as I slammed into his glowing chest making the previous dent big and made a large crack in the center before sending him splashing down in the sea making a large explosion of steam. For a split second I got a glimpse of something inside him. It looked like a white ball of fire with a black snake curled around it with its fang latched onto.

"Twink?" I said as I flew away from Thorn.

"Yes Fox?" I said as I picked up speed.

"I know how to beat him but I have to pull all the magic I have and I don't know if my body can handle it and if this goes wrong I might not make it so if I ever die I give all ownership of the library to Rosy. Please look after her." I said as I stopped and took off the earpiece before turning back to the island just to see a tiny spec on the horizon and a loud roar as Thorn slowly flew out of the water.

"Time to end this." I said as I took off like a jet speeding straight at Thorn.

"Faster, faster." I said to myself as I felt the air try to push me back but I pushed my magic harder and with a loud boom and flash of white light I broke through the sound barrier.

"Not enough!" I said as searing heat started to form around me as I pushed even harder. I could see Thorn rising above the island forming another plasma blast in his maw but it was too late. With a second flash and boom I broke mach two and the heat turned to white hot flames.

"INFERNAL SLASH!!!" I yelled as I broke through his chest and swung my sword down through his core cutting through the snake and turned it to ash before I smashed through his back.

"RRRAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHH!!!" He screamed before his body started to crumble leaving only his undamaged core. Everything hurt my body was screaming at me as everything started to go black but then everything stopped. I slowly looked around at everything stuck in place except for the core that slowly drifted to me.

"Thank you for freeing me from my torment. I give you one of my scales as proof of your victory but I must make a final request. I've done many things I regret while held prisoner in my own body but there is one thing that weighs heavier than the others. Please take that mare I unwillingly cursed to my home land, there she will find help. Farwell young Mystic." Thorn said before the core dissolved into particles of light that faded away before everything started up again including the pain but got worse when a bright light and searing pain tore through my left arm before numbness as I blacked out from the pain.

(Merrin pov)

I couldn't move, I was too tired but I forced myself to stay awake as I watched Fox bust through Thorns back and his body started to crumble. I felt relieved that it was over but was overcome by fear and worry as I watched a blast hit Fox's left arm completely destroying it before he hit the ground a few yards away from me. I wanted to get up and run to him but I couldn't move as tears filled my eyes.

"An arm for an arm." A cloaked figure said with a shark tooth smile as he stood over Fox.

"Now to take what's mine." He said as he slowly couched down and reached for his neck. I wanted so desperately to stop this but I couldn't do anything but reach out in hope that something would stop this and save him. I watch as his hand got ever closer to his neck but before he could grasp it he stopped and looked up at a man that resembled Fox but was taller and more muscular with a long crimson mane, ears and tail holding a large silver sword

"So you're still alive I see. Good to know." He said before he quickly escaped into the shadows just as the man swiped his sword.

"Rotten corps." He said as he kneeled down next to Fox's shoulder and formed a small orb of red flames but the more I look at it the calmer felt. Something about the way it felt made me think everything will be alright. He lowered the flame to where his arm should me and let it sink into his shoulder before gently picking him up and slowly walked over to me.

"He'll live so don't worry. Now rest." He said softly as he set Fox down next to me. I slowly reached out and placed my hand on his chest. I smiled as more tears filled my eyes again. The last thing I remember before I blacked out was the man's eyes. They were dark red but had a gentleness to them that just made me feel warm and safe. It was over.

Update

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Chapter 21: Aftermath

Author's Note

HI EVERYBODY I'M BACK sorry if this chapter took a bit longer to get out but its here and I hope you guys and gals love it. Like always please let me know what y'all think.

Tell next time.
Stay awesome you guys. :heart: :ajsmug:

Chapter 21: Aftermath

(GGGRRrrroOOwwWWLl)

"Ugh hungry." I said after my stomach woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at a plain white ceiling.

(Beep...beep...beep)

"Where am I?" I asked myself as I turned my head to the sound of a constant beeping by my bed and found a heart monitor with wires leading to my chest.

"The hospital? Oh yeah, I fought a dragon." I said before I felt something moving by my legs. I tried to sit up but a sharp pain in my left shoulder and quickly stopped moving.

"Ow what the hell was that?" I whispered as I brought a hand to my shoulder and found nothing attached to it. My left arm was gone.

"Well shit." I said with wide eyes as I slowly sat up in the hospital bed. Light from the rising sun crept into the room as my eyes left my shoulder to look around the room. Yep just a simple hospital room with monitoring systems. I looked down at my legs and I couldn't help but smile at what I found. At the foot of the bed was Bramble lying across the bed and right between my legs was a ball of adorableness. Rosy was curled up with Tammy, Alya, and Blake all lightly snoring.

"I hope I didn't worry them too much." I said as I reached down and gently petted her. I looked back up just in time to see Merrin walk into the room with a cup of coffee in her hoof. I could see the dark bags under her eyes as she came into the room and sat down on a chair beside the bed. She must have been really tired because she never noticed that I was sitting up and smiling at her.

"Morning." I whispered so I didn't wake up Rosy.

"(Yawn) morning." She said with a big yawn before sipping her coffee.

"Have you been sleeping ok?" I asked with concern for the tired mare.

"I'm too worried about when Fox will wake up and I haven't been able to sleep. He's been asleep for four days now." She said with a sigh as she looked blankly into her coffee.

"I'm sorry to worry you." I said sadly.

"....Fox?" She asked as she finally looked up at me with wide eyes before she dropped her coffee and jumped in for a hug.

"Ow ow ow Merrin that hurts." I said as I tried to push her back with my good arm, waking Rosy and the others up as well.

"DAD!!" Rosy said as she shot straight to my face for a hug.

"Don't worry sweetheart I'm ok." I said sweetly as I gently plucked her from my face and set her down.

"No your not….(sniffle) you lost your arm." She said with a teary pouty face.

"(Sigh) yeah that cloaked guy blasted it off after I beat Thorn. But I won't let this get me down." I said as the memory flashed in my head before I smiled at Rosy while I scratched her head.

"Besides I can still tickle you with one arm." I said as I started to tickle her sides making her break out into a laughing fit.

"Aw I see you're awake." Said a voice from the door and saw a tan earth pony with a brown mane and wore a white doctor coat with a stethoscope around his neck.

"Hello I'm Doctor Graymare but you can call me Doc Top." He said as he walked into the room holding up a clipboard.

"Hi Doc any word on breakfast? (Ggggrrrooowlll)" I asked before my stomach agreed, making everybody chuckle.

"I'll send Nurse Red Heart in with your breakfast in a couple of minutes but first let me check you over." He said with a smile as he put on his stethoscope.

"So I understand I was asleep for a few days." I said as he checked my heart beat.

"Yep you had a severe case of magic exhaustion, blood loss, burns, and a few broken ribs." He said as he started to poke my ribs gently but I felt no pain.

"That bad but I feel fine other than being sore….and missing an arm." I said as I held my shoulder with my good hand.

"Hmm I believe your enchantments on your armor helped some according to Princess Celestia who was able to heal you further before bringing you here." He said before writing something on his clipboard.

"It looks like your shoulder is healing nicely too. Nurse red heart will change your bandage this afternoon and by the way you look now I say we should be able to release you with a few terms and conditions by tomorrow morning." He said with a smile as he patted my leg before heading out of the room.

"Sweet." I said before I noticed my bag sitting on a table by my bed and picked it up before digging out a few Sweet Apple Acres apples.

"So (munch) can anyone tell me what happened after Thorn was beat because all I remember was a blast taking off my arm.(munch)" I said as I ate my apple. I swear it's like I haven't eaten in a year by how hungry I am.

"Yeah I woke up right before you shot though Thorn. Right after that the cloaked guy blasted off your arm." Merrin said with anger before she lowered her head in sadness.

"I couldn't do anything to stop it. I watched you fall and I couldn't move. The cloaked guy popped up after you hit the ground and I tried to get to you but my body wouldn't let me. (Snifle) I had to watch as he reached for your throat." Merrin said with tears rolling down her cheek. I gently reach my hand down to wipe away the tears and bring her head up.

"You help me more than you know Merrin." I said sweetly while looking into her big beautiful eyes.

"But before he could touch you someone stepped in and stopped him. Fox, he looked alot like you." She said, making me stop halfway through a bite of apple.

"What do you mean." I asked with surprise.

"He looked like a Mystic Fox. He had a red mane with ears and a tail like yours and his eyes were just as warm and gently too." She said before something slammed into the window.

"AAHHH (poof) OW SONOFA!!" I yelled as I turned tiny and accidentally hit my shoulder on the bed before glaring at a cyan rainbow pegasus with his face smashed against the window.

"(Poof) dang it Dash. Use the door like a normal pony." I said after I returned to normal. she smiled and flew fast into town while I rubbed my now sore shoulder.

"Ok as I was saying, that guy also stopped the bleeding from your shoulder and moved you over to me. He set you down next to me and said you would be alright. When he said that I could feel he meant it and with you safe my body gave out and I blacked out. I'm so glad you're ok." Merrin said before she hopped up to nuzzle my cheek happily.

"That's when the Princesses showed up." Blake said as he stretched out on my bed.

"How's all the evacuees?" I asked before finishing my apple.

"Quite well actually." Said a sweet motherly voice from the door.

"Good morning Auntie." I said with a smile as she walked up to me.

"Good morning to you too. I'm glad to see you awake." She said as she gave me a gentle nuzzle.

"So how is everything?" I asked as I gave her a hug.

"Thanks to your quick thinking all of the inhabitants of the island evacuated safely. I received a report from Twilight about what happened and sent her and her friends to help as well as a few guards from the palace. After your battle with Thorn I had a meeting with Lord Hugo and Mayor Quake, Lord Hugo and I sent our best construction crews to the island to help rebuild what was destroyed." She said happily as she sat besides my bed.

"That's good. I was worried that the damage would be to much to rebuild." I said with a sigh of relief.

"It will still take a while before all the repairs are finished but we set up some temporary housing for now." She said with a smile that made me kinda suspicious.

"Temporary housing where?" I asked with a raised brow.

"There is now a small stone village just inside the Everfree Forest." She said with a smile.

"Wait you don't mean." I said with wide eyes.

"Yes with the help of my sister and Twilight Sparkle we were able to restore a few of the houses in your ruined village. The houses were originally made of stone blocks that were fairly easy to reassemble." She said with a smile.

"Dude you should have seen it. It was like someone played a demolish video in reverse." Blake said with a smile.

"But don't worry it's only a temporary solution until their true homes are rebuilt unless you say otherwise. Now I must be going now. Oh I will also be bringing a guest to ponyville tomorrow and would like you to be there on my arrival. Farewell dear nephew." She said before giving me a gentle wing hug.

"Thank you for everything aunt Tia. Oh can you tell aunt Luna that I need to talk to her about something important if she wouldn't mind popping into my dream tonight?" I asked with a smile as she raised a brow at my question.

"Is it something I can help with?" She asked with curiosity as I fished another apple from my bag.

"No this is something I'm sure she would want to keep private." I said as I glanced around the room at the four ponies and a cat in the room….wait four ponies?

"Merrin, Rosy, Tia, Pinkie, wait Pinkie when did you get here?" I asked with surprise at the smiling pink poofy pony.

"Silly I've been here the whole time. See you eating my get well soon chocolate strawberry swirl cupcake." She said as she pointed to my hand and I thought I had an apple but nope. I had a chocolate cupcake with pink and brown swirl icing and dark chocolate dipped strawberry on top.

"You know I'm not even going to ask. Thanks Pinkie." I said as I happily took a bite of the sweet treat.

"Hmmm best get the best cupcake I ever had." I said with a smile as Tia chuckled.

"Farwell nephew and I will make sure Luna gets your message." Tia said as she gave a small nod and smile before leaving the room as a white earth pony with light cotton candy pink mane and nurse hat walked in with a tray and silver dome on her back.

"Pinkie pie what have we told you about bringing sweet treats to sick ponies here?" The nurse asked as she set the tray down next to my bed.

"That it would make the smile and feel better and look like it's working." She said as she pointed at me as I took another big bite out of the sweet goodness.

"Please don't mind Pinkie Nurse, she just wants me to feel better and this cupcake is definitely helping my stomach be happy." I said as I popped the last piece of deliciousness into my mouth making the pink pony giggle.

"Fine then I guess you don't want this tomato soup and grilled cheese then." She said with a smirk as she lifted the dome to reveal a steaming bowl of soup and golden brown cheese sandwich making my stomach growl.

"Now hold on a second my stomach would like to protest." I said as I stopped her from taking the tray away.

"That's what I thought. Now if you all would please leave the room so I can check on your shoulder and replace the bandages I would really much appreciate it." The nurse said as she pulled a cart with supplies into the room.

"I have to get back home anyway. I have to go over a few things with Quake while he's here. That reminds me can you look over these contracts when you get a minute." Merrin said as she pulled a folder from he mane and set it on the bed.

"Sure but what for?" I asked as I opened it.

"It is a trade agreement from Quake and Lord Hugo." She said with a smile as Blake jumped onto her back.

"Awesome I'll look these over in a bit." I said as I set the folder off to the side before Rosy jumped on my chest for a hug.

"I have to go to school. I promised Miss Cheerilee I would be in after you woke up." Rosy said as I returned the hug.

"Alright sweetheart. Be good and study hard." I said before giving her a kiss on the forehead making her giggle.

"Come on Tammy let's get to school. Bye dad." She said before giving me one final Squeeze with Tammy joining in the embrace before they both zipped out the door followed by Merrin, Blake, and Bramble leaving a smiling Pinkie and Alya how was snuggled up around my neck.

"Miss Pie that means you too." The nurse said as she glared at the happy pinke mare.

"Okie dokie lokie." Pinkie said before dashing out of the room leaving a pink cloud behind making me chuckle and the nurse sigh.

"Alright Mr. Lilly let's get you checked out." The nurse said with a smile.

"Please call me Fox Miss?" I asked when I realized I never got her name.

"Oh right I'm sorry I'm Nurse Redheart." She said as she grabbed a roll of bandages from her cart.

"Well I'm in your care Miss Redheart." I said as I lifted my good arm so she could remove the bandages.

"Alright then let's get these off of you." She said as she started to unwrap me.

"Hmm you seem to heal remarkably fast." She said as the last of the bandages fell off.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I looked down at my blank shoulder.

"Well when you were brought in the wound was still fresh but was healing. We were told that the Princesses were able to heal it well enough but with that kind of injury it would take months to fully heal and it would definitely leave a scar. But besides looking a bit pink and sore to the touch it looks like you never had an arm." Redheart said as she gently rubbed some ointment on my shoulder before starting to rewrap my shoulder.

"(Munch) well that's good I guess. I'll just chock it up to magic. This is a good sandwich by the way." I said as I took another bit of the cheesy goodness.

"How can you be so calm after losing an arm? I've seen many ponies lose a leg and it took them months to recover physically and mentally." Redheart asked with a raised brow, making me stop eating to think of my reply.

"Don't get me wrong I'm furious on the inside and I will find the guy who did this but it wouldn't do any good to sit around and mope about it. I still have one good arm and my magic so I'm not helpless. What's done is done and all I can do is move forward." I said with a smile before I finished my soup as Redheart tied the bandages.

"Wow that sounded less corny in my head haha." I said with a chuckle.

"Just a little." She said with a playful smirk as she took my now empty bowl and placed it on her cart.

"Now just get some rest and I'll be back to check on you in a few hours and if you need anything just press the nurse call button by the bed." She said as she pointed to a small red button next to me before walking out of the room.

"Well Alya it looks like it's just me and you for a while." I said to my pink feathered cuddly scarf as I scratched her head.

(Gggrrrrooooowwwwwwlll)

"Jeez why am I still hungry. Oh wait a minute I have some rice I cooked the other day in my bag and some tuna. I'm so glad my bag keeps everything the same as it went in." I said as I put my bag in my lap and pulled out everything I needed.

"Lets see I need my cutting board, knife, rice, tuna, soy sauce, and wasabi." I said as I set everything on my cutting board and then I realized something.

"This is going to be a pain with one hand. Oh I got it, trying to form rice for sushi would be hard right now so how about a tuna rice bowl." I said as I pulled a bowl and chopsticks from the bag before filling it up with rice.

"Now to cut the tuna." I said as I started to slice the tuna. Having a good sharp knife really helps especially if you can't hold your meat. After slicing all I needed I pulled out a smaller bowl for Alya and sliced her some bite size pieces for her to enjoy.

"Here you go Alya some nice fresh tuna for you." I said as I put the bowl down next to mine and picked up my chopsticks.

"Thank you for the food." I said before we dug in.

"Mmmm this tuna is great. What do you think?" I asked Alya while she had her head down in the bowl as ate with vigor.

"Don't eat too fast or you'll get hiccups." I said with a chuckle before getting back to my own food. By the time I had my fill I had finished off four bowls full.

"Oh that hit the spot." I said before I put everything back in my bag and laid back on my bed with a happy chubby Alya curled up on my chest.

"Coo." Alya cooed as she snuggled against my chest as I gently scratched her head.

"(Yawn) how about a little nap to help our full bellies?" I asked but only got a light snore as a response. I smiled as I looked at my sleeping snake before leaning my head back on my pillow and with one final yawn I fell asleep.

"Shhh alright girls we need to be quiet so we don't wake him up." Said a whispering voice that sounded familiar.

"Aw he looks so cute with Alya on his chest." Said another softer voice.

"Come on y'all we need to get this stuff in before he wakes up." Said a voice with a country twang.

"Almost done, I just need to get a few more things hung up." Said a voice above me.

"This room definitely needs some more color. Just white is just so...plain." Said an articulate whisper. As I slowly began to wake up I started to recognize the voices.

"Hehe I'm a party ninja." Said the unmistakable bubbly voice of Pinkie Pie.

(Yawn)

"Shh dad's waking up." Rosy said before everything got quiet. This could only be one thing. I slowly opened my eyes to find a dark room before I could say anything, the lights came on.

"SURPRISE!!!" Came a shout all around me. As my eyes adjusted I could see all my friends smiling faces. Rosy, Merrin, and Blake were standing closest to the bed and standing around the foot of the bed was Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie pie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy all smiling at me. As I looked around the room I was surprised to see ocean blue and Emerald green streamers hung across the ceiling, balloons tied to the corners of the bed, flowers have been placed all over the room and a banner that read 'WELCOME HOME FOX' hung over the door…(BOOM) and now glitter and confetti rained down on me.

"Pinkie darling I thought we decided not to use your party cannon in this small room." Rarity said as she shook some confetti from her mane.

"Aw it was just my mini cannon." Pinkie said happily as she held up a tiny pink circus cannon in her hoof.

"Well this is definitely a surprise." I said with a smile as I sat up with Alya climbing to my shoulder and Rosy fluttered to my lap.

"Rainbow Dash saw that you had woken up and came to tell us. We were going to wait until you got home but Pinkie couldn't wait." Twilight said with a smile before Pinkie popped up beside me.

"I thought a super duper surprise party would help you feel better." Pinkie said as pulled a whole tray of multi-color cupcakes from her mane. I swear I'll never understand how they could do that without getting any hair on them.

"Pinkie if you keep giving me these awesome delicious cupcakes you'll make me fat." I said as I happily took a chocolate cupcake from the tray.

"Don't worry big guy I can help you work off that fat no problem." Rainbow said proudly as she flew above my bed. I noticed Fluttershy looking sad at my blank shoulder.

"You ok Fluttershy?" I asked sweetly, making the yellow pegasus jump a little.

"I'm sorry to stare but will you be alright?" She asked in a whisper while everyone looked at me sadly except for Pinkie who was currently eating her fourth cupcake.

"Girls I'll be alright I promise. It will take some time to get used to it. Yes my arm is gone but I'm still here and I still have all of you with me. So don't be sad I'm your friend Fox Lilly even without an arm plus I can still use my magic." I said as I picked up a cupcake with my magic and gave it to Fluttershy.

"Well if you ever need any help we'll be there for you." She said with a small smile as the others nodded.

"Great. Now how's everything been going while I was gone?" I asked before taking a large bite out of my cupcake and Rosy fluttered to my lap with her own banana split cupcake. We sat talking and laughing for a good while. Applejack had her family reunion the day after I left and kinda got to control because she wanted it to be better than last year but she found out the most important part of the reunion is being with your family. Then a few days later she saved Spike from some timberwolves. Spike said he had a life debt and ended up bugging her enough to put on a fake rescue so he would stop but that backfired when a real timberwolf showed up and it all worked out in the end though. I'll have to talk with Twiggles later about that. Nothing else happened until a horde of Abyissians showed up and now I'm back.

"I can't believe you girls made a timberwolf puppet hahaha. If y'all wanted a timberwolf you should have called me. I'm kinda their leader in a way." I said with a laugh before Rosy started a round of yawns through the group. I looked out the window at the setting sun.

"Well y'all i need to get home. Granny will have my hide if I'm late for supper." Applejack said as she headed for the door.

"Yeah I got weather patrol in the morning." Rainbow said as she stretched her wings.

"I have to get Angel bunny ready for bed." Fluttershy said as she stood next to Applejack by the door.

"Yes and I have work that must be finished by tomorrow afternoon." Rarity said as she hopped off her couch and made it disappear.

"Aw but I'm not tired ye-zzzzzzzzz." Pinkie said before falling on her back fast asleep.

"I guess I'll drop her off on my way home." Twilight said as she picked up the dozing pink pony in her magic.

"Thank you girls for coming. I really appreciate it." I said with a smile before getting a round of goodbyes as they all left.

"Oh wait I almost forgot." Twilight said as she dropped Pinkie on the floor and somehow that didn't wake her before she made a scroll appear and floated it to me.

"Whats this?" I asked as I took the scroll.

"It's the treasure map you wanted me to translate and I'm happy to say with a little bit of Celestia's help I was able to." Twilight said with big hopeful eyes.

"Well then it looks like there is an adventure in the near future. I take it you want to tag along." I said with a raised brow and smirk.

"Please?" She asked with a big puppy dog look.

"Well yeah your coming. Who knows what we'll find." I said as I unrolled the map and found that she had written all the translation of the symbols at the side of the map.

"YES!! Who knows what we'll find there. Oh I hope there's some books in there." She said, making me chuckle as I rolled back up the map.

"I'll let you know when I start to plan the treasure hunt but first Merrin and I have somewhere we need to go." I said as I smiled at the now confused dragon pony.

"We do?" Merrin asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Yep. Before Thorns soul faded he told me to bring you to his homeland of Mount Ember and that someone there could help you with your curse." I said with a warm smile before Twilight stepped back over to the bed.

"Wait, you're cursed?" She asked with concern.

"Yes. Not too long ago Thorn attacked my village. I tried to fight him but I never stood a chance and he knew that. He easily beat me and then he cursed me to be part dragon. If it wasn't for this pendant Fox made for me I would look half dragon." She said as she looked sweetly down at her pendant.

"Is it enchanted?" Twilight asked with surprise.

"Yeah. It has the True Self Enchantment place on it. It allows the wearer to change their looks to what they see themselves as and once that look is set the wearer will look like that until the pendant is removed." I said as I scratched Rosy who was in my lap fast sleep with Tammy and Alya by her side.

"Wow, I'll have to study more on enchantments. (Yawn) I better get home before Spike starts to worry." She said with a big yawn before picking up Pinkie and headed for the door. With one final goodnight she left leaving just me, Merrin and a sleeping Rosy.

"I hope somepony their really can help me." Merrin said hopefully as she placed a hoof on the pendant.

"I'm sure they can. (Yawn) now let's get some sleep, it's going to be a long day tomorrow once I get released." I said as I scooted over in the bed before lifting her up with my magic and placed the now blushing mare beside me.

"What are you doing?" Merrin asked as she tried to hide her blush with the blanket.

"Getting comfy." I said before gently moving Rosy and the critters to my side and leaned against Merrin.

"Goodnight Merrin." I said as the smell of fresh wild flowers helps me to fall asleep.

"Goodnight to you too Fox." She said as she used her wing to move hair out of my face before draping in over my chest and resting her head on my shoulder and falling asleep with a soft smile.

"He certainly looks happy." Said a marble white dragon with crystal blue eyes as she landed next to a dark red fox on a cloud high above ponyville.

"That he does." The fox said as he looked down at the hospital.

"Do you think he will be ready when the time comes?" She asked with a smile.

"You saw the battle too." He said with some concern.

"Yes and he has my gratitude but I believe it is too early to tell but he seems to have found some true friends that will help him." She said as she watched a group of mares leave the hospital.

"Yeah." He said proudly as the moon began to rise.

Chapter 22: A Little Bit Of Chaos

"You know Nurse Redheart my legs do work." I said as I was being pushed out of the hospital in a wheelchair that I strongly refused before getting a death glare from the mare.

"And I already told you that it was simply protocol." She said with closed eyes and a dark smile that made me sweat a bit. I was discharged from the hospital this morning by the doctor and was told not to use my magic or any physical exercise for a week. Merrin was by my side but Rosy had school this morning. She wanted to stay with me but I told her I would be fine and I'll be in ponyville for a while today and would stop by with some lunch.

"There you go Mr. Fox. If you feel any discomfort with your shoulder please come back and we'll check it out for you." Redheart said as she pushed me through the front doors of the hospital.

"Thank you Nurse Redheart. I'll be back in a week for a checkup." I said as I stood up from the chair.

"Be sore you do or will find you. Have a nice day." She said as she pushed the chair back into the hospital with a smile.

"That mare scares me. So what's on the agenda today?" I asked as we headed into town while Merrin pulled a notepad from her main.

"First off we need to head to the golden oak library to meet up with Twilight and the others. Then off to meet Celestia and her guest. After that there's some shopping we need to do. Next is lunch with Rosy. Then back home to check on everything there. That's pretty much it for today." Merrin said before slipping the note pad back into her main.

"Wow when did I get an assistant." I said happily. It's odd but I've been getting alot happier knowing she was at my side.

"Well someone needs to. You've been asleep for a while so I had to manage the house as well as sending out goods for customers orders. Oh by the way the Canterlot castle has ordered extra for the barracks kitchen and Filthy Rich said that your odd fruits keep selling out and has requested double orders. EEEP!" Merrin said before we stopped and I picked her up for a big one arm hug.

"Thank you Merrin. You don't know how much it means to me to have you around." I said as I gave the now blushing mare a squeeze.

"W..well it's the..the least..I.. I could do..for all..the help...you..gave me." She stuttered as her blush grew before I set her down. Alya poked her head out of my hair and looked between us with a large smile on her tiny beak before flying down to Merrin and nuzzled her cheek.

"Looks like Alya wants to thank you too." I said with a smile as we came up to the tree library and saw Twilight and Spike walking out.

"Mornin y'all." I called out with a wave.

"Good morning Fox, Merrin. Glad to see you back on your hooves...or feet. Are you ready to head to the park, the princess and her guest will be here in an hour?" Twilight said as she locked her door.

"Yeah but I was goin to stop by the market to pick up some ingredients to make Rosy and her friends." I said with a smile.

"Mind if we tag along?" She asked as we headed down the street.

"Not at all. It's on the way to the park anyways." I said as I pulled a snack from my bag.

"How are you feeling and what are those? Did you shrink a watermelon?" She asked as she pointed to the snack in my hand.

"My shoulder is still pretty tender and a bit itchy. Also, my stomach has been demanding food since I woke up. (Crunch) mmmm and this little thing is called a Cucamelon." I said as I held up one of the small light green mini melons.

they're in the same family as a cucumber but it's a little sour. Their also called sour Gherkin." I said as she picked one up with her magic to inspect it before popping into her mouth as I passed some to Merrin and spike to try.

"Wow these are great." Spike said as he wiped his mouth.

"Are these growing in your garden?" Merrin asked as I finished another handful of the grape size snack.

"Not yet, I picked these up in the market on the Island but I do plan on planting some." I said as we entered the market. It didn't take me long to figure out what I wanted to make for lunch and I met a very friendly cow named Daisy who was selling her diary goods. With everything I needed to make lunch we headed out to the park to wait for Celestia to show up. As me and Merrin set out everything I needed everypony but Applejack and Fluttershy arrived.

"I love it when Princess Celestia comes to Ponyville! I got my hooves shined just like Rarity for the occasion. Ya like?" Pinkie asked as she helped up her shiny hoof.

"I certainly do!" Rarity said as she admired herself in the shiny hoof.

"I'm surprised she's not here yet." Twilight said with worry.

"[sighs] I wonder what's taking so long?" Spike said as he scratched his head.

"And where are Applejack and Fluttershy?" Twilight asked as Rarity walked up beside her.

"Fluttershy's detained helping Applejack with a mishap at Sweet Apple Acres. They'll be along." Rarity said as I finished my last sandwich and put it into a large basket.

"But, I still don't get why the Princess would be so late." Spike said as he looked up at the sky.

"She's bringing an important visitor. That could be part of it." Twilight said with a smile.

"A visitor who's important and slow." Rainbow said as she hovered over to Twilight.

"Maybe it's somepony so terribly important, she still had many more terribly important things to do before she got here." Rarity said before I noticed two chariots descending from Canterlot. Good timing too. We had just finished cleaning up and I have two picnic baskets full of assorted flavors of sandwiches.

"[gasp] Maybe the visitor has a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, and a snake tail!" Spike said in fear making me look up at the chariots and sure enough in the chariot besides Celestia was a very strange statue with a deer antler, goat leg, bat wing, snake tail, and a serpent type body.

"There's something off about that statue." I said as me and Merrin stepped up to the group.

"Yeah, right. That's Discord." Twilight said with a small giggle.

"Discord? Where have I heard that name before." I whispered to myself.

"Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would Princess Celestia bring along someone like that?" Rarity said with worry.

"M-m-maybe you should ask... her!" Spike said as he pointed to the descending Princess.

"I still feel like I heard that name before but I can't place it." I said as I scratched my blank shoulder.

"Fox is your shoulder ok? You've been scratching it since we left the hospital." Merrin asked with worry.

"Yeah, it's ok. The bandages are a bit itchy." I said with a reassuring smile as the chariots landed and Twilight ran up to them.

"With all due respect, Princess Celestia, how could you bring Discord here?! [clears throat] Your majesty." Twilight said as I walked up.

"I'm fully aware that the last time Discord was here, he created serious havoc." Celestia said with a warm smile.

"If by "serious havoc" you mean "turning Ponyville into the chaos capital of the world" Rainbow said as she hovered above us.

" ...and tricking us all into being the opposite of our true selves…" Rarity said with disdain.

"And making yummy delicious chocolate milk rain all over the place without a single dollop of whipped cream to go with it anywhere in sight! Not a single dollop!" Pinkie said with anger that surprised me a little bit.

"Ok I think I'm missing something here. Anyone care to fill me in?" I asked as I looked over the miss matched statue and felt strong magic trapped inside it.

"Discord is the embodiment of chaos and is your opposite. You use the magic of harmony and creation while he uses chaos and destruction. But I have use for Discord's magic if it can be reformed to serve good instead of evil. This is why I've brought Discord here, because I believe that you are the ponies who can help him do just that." Celestia said with a warm smile.

"This will never work! This is a disaster! How will we ever control him?! We're doomed!" Spike said as he flailed his arms around in panic.

"Need I remind you that you are the ponies who turned him back into stone like this in the first place?" Celestia said with a small smirk as she looked down to her beloved student.

"I suppose we can just use the Elements of Harmony against him again if it gets out of hand." Twilight said with worry as I began to eat one of the sandwiches before I pulled up my search display. I've heard about these Elements of Harmony once before and wanted to do some light research.

"These Elements of Harmony have quite the history." I said before biting into my sandwich.

"Indeed the Elements has been Equestria's top defence for many centuries and have chosen Twilight and her friends as their bearers." Celestia said proudly before Spike spoke up.

"Uh, w-w-we probably need a volunteer to run away from here right away to get them. I'll do it!" Spike said as he ran up to Celestia.

"No need, Spike. I have them right here, and I've cast a spell so Discord can't take them and hide them again. Now where is Fluttershy? I believe she may know best how to begin reforming Discord." Celestia said as she looked around for the shy pony.

"Fluttershy? Really?" Rainbow said with a raised brow.

"Applejack asked her for help because a family of beavers has flooded her orchard with their dam." Twilight said before Rainbow offered to go get them and zipped off. Me and Merrin held up a basket of sandwiches.

"Well would anyone like a sandwich while we wait. I made different flavors of sweet cream sandwiches as well as salad sandwiches." I said as I opened the basket full of neatly cut sandwiches.

"That sounds wonderful, thank you, nephew." Celestia said as she pulled a strawberry cream sandwich from the basket.

"How are you feeling darling?" Rarity asked as took a blueberry sandwich.

"I'm doin good. My magic is coming back quickly and my shoulder is pretty much healed but it's been really itchy though." I scratched my blank shoulder.

"I'm glad to see that you're in good spirits despite your loss." Celestia said with a warm smile.

"I still got a good arm and two good legs and plenty of wonderful friends. So why should I let this get me down." I said with a smile as I roughly scratched my shoulder.

"Are you sure you're ok? You've been scratching your shoulder a lot." Twilight said with concern.

"Yeah I'm fine. The bandages are just itchy is all." I said before Applejack and Fluttershy ran up to us with Rainbow Dash flying above them. Once they made it to us Celestia told Fluttershy what she would be doing before heading back to Canterlot for a royal summit she was holding.

"Okay, ponies, guess it's time to get started. Let's just hope this releasing spell works." Twilight said as she passed out the Elements.

"Why do I get the feeling things might get a little weird." Merrin said as the girls powered up their elements and a rainbow light shot out to the statue making it crack before the missed matched creature broke free of his stone prison.

"Oh! Ooh! Ooooh! Well, it's about time somepony got me out of that prison block. What a relief!" Discord said before snapping his finger and turned a tiny squirrel into a much larger and bulky version.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Twilight shouted at him while I just looked on with interest.

"Nnnnnnnnngh– Why, stretching, of course. When you're a creature of chaos, stone bodysuits aren't your typical go-to fashion choice. Nenagh…" Discord said as he stretched before he snapped his finger making a cute bunny look like he was on steroids.

"Hmm." I hummed as I thought about my own magic

"Make that bunny cute again! Now!" Pinkie yelled before I looked at the bunny and thought about what he looked like before I snapped my finger and returned it to normal.

"Oh... He's adorable the way he is…(snap)." Discord said before looking back to the normal bunny and turned it buff again.

(Snap) me

(Snap) D

(Snap) me

(Snap) D

(Snap) me

(EEEEKKKK) bunny

"SORRY!!!" I yelled out to the normal looking bunny as it ran away into the bushes.

"Well this is certainly a nice surprise, I thought the Mystic Foxes were wiped out. Oh this will be fun. Are you goin to try to reform me too?" He asked as he flew around me and poked my cheek making Alya snap at him.

"Nope. I believe in Fluttershy so I'll be watching and Discord, If you do anything to.that shy mare I'll make sore your next prison is surrounded by manga next to this planet's core." I said darkly, making the chaos master to back off.

"You ponies truly believe that you can reform me, and that you're putting your faith in this one here to make it happen." Discord said with a chuckle.

"How'd you know about that?!" Twilight said in shock.

"Being turned to stone doesn't keep me from hearing every word Celestia says. Although I admit it makes rolling my eyes a challenge." Discord said as he floated next to Twilight leaning against her.

"Well, unless you want us to turn you back to stone, you'll zap those animals back the way they were, pronto!" Twilight said as she glared at the chaotic chuckling creature.

"Oh, you wouldn't dare turn me back to stone and risk disappointing your precious princess." He said with a smirk.

"Try us, "Dip-cord"! Rainbow said with crossed arms before Fluttershy got in his face.

"You think you can treat poor defenseless animals like that and get away with it?!" She said as she glared at him.

"You go, Fluttershy!" Rainbow said with a proud smile at the shy ponies assertiveness.

"You'd best watch your step, buster, or I'll give you... the Stare!" She said as she looked him in the eye.

"The Stare? Oh no, please, not that! Anything but your disapproving eyeballs! [laughs] Oh no! No no no, stop! No, no! [strangled noises] I can't! Stop! I can't take it anymore! I'll do whatever you say! Because... [laughs] You're hilarious!" Discord said with mock drama making me growl at him for mocking the kind pegasus. The itch on my shoulder grew worse as I was about to say something to him before Twilight stepped in front of me.

"If it turns out we need to use our elements against you, I'm sure we can convince Princess Celestia it was for a good reason!" Twilight said as the other girls stood by her.

"Mmm... I suppose that's correct." He said as snapping his finger turned a nearby oddly buff beaver back to normal before leaning on Fluttershy's back.

"Well, it looks like I know where I'll be crashing while I'm being "reformed"... With you, Fluttershy." He said with a hardy laugh.

"Oh, dear." She said with worry as I kneel down next to her.

"Don't worry Fluttershy I'll help keep an eye on him." I whispered as I made a fly drone and it flew into her main before a sharp pain in my shoulder made me hiss.

"Oh no are you ok?" She asked with concern as I rubbed my shoulder.

"Yeah im fine its just still tender. (Dong, Dong, Dong.) Crud that's the school lunch bell. I'm sorry girls i got to run. I'll come by later to check on you Fluttershy. Bye girls." I said with a wave as me and Merrin ran into town.

"Do you think they will be ok?" Merrin asked as she trotted next to me while we jogged through town.

"Yeah, they can handle themselves plus I don't think he'll hurt anybody. I could feel a lot of chaos and mischief but no malice. Honestly I don't think he ever physically hurt anybody." I said as we came up to the school as the fillies and colts played in their playground.

"DAD!" I heard before my vision went black as a furry body latched onto my face. I could hear Merrin giggling beside me as I pulled a happy filly from my face.

"Hi sweetheart." I said as I hugged the giggling filly.

"Hi Mr. Fox." Applebloom said as her and the crusaders ran up to me.

"Hey girls I brought y'all some lunch." I said as I set Rosy down and fish out a basket full of sandwiches out of my bag.

"Awesome thanks dad." Rosy said Happily as she took the basket and ran back to the school with the giggling crusaders right behind her. That made me happy enough to almost forgot about the pain in my shoulder.

"Come on let's head home." I said before I opened a portal and walked through with Merrin happily by my side.

When we stepped out I was taken back by what I saw. When I first came to this world the village I found my home to be in was in ruins. Buildings and houses collapse in piles of rotten wood and broken stone. Now It was alive with people going about their day, the buildings have been remade either by magic or hard work.

"Wow." I said in a whisper making Merrin giggle.

"I know right. Can you believe it only took a couple of days to rebuild the houses. It was mostly done with magic thanks to Princess Celestia and Twilight." Merrin said with a smile as we walked through the small village.

"Not to mention some good old elbow grease." Said a deep voice behind me. I turned to find Mr. Quake with his arms crossed and a large toothy smile with miss Note by his side.

"Hey there Quake, miss Note didn't expect to see you here." I said with a smile as I shook his hand.

"And leave my fellow cats alone in a land full of ponies. Do you know how many ponies have tried to pet us since we got here." He said with a raised brow.

"Talking from experience." I said with a smirk making Note's face light up like a tomato.

"Just a little. Anyway I'm glad to see you finally out of the hospital. How's your shoulder holding up?" He asked in concern as we walked towards my home.

"A little itchy and tender but I'll live. How's the rebuild goin?" I asked as I scratched my painfully itchy shoulder.

"Thanks to the construction crews the Princess sent us to help the towns almost back to normal. Actually there is something I would like to talk with you about." He said as we reached my home and I noticed a lot of traffic headed in and out of my back yard with boxes and crates full of stuff.

"If you haven't already noticed, some of our market vendors have been selling some of their wares here. I wanted to see what your thoughts are to establish a trade outpost here. We've spoken to the Princess about the subject but since this is technically your land we would have to talk to you." Quake said as we sat down at my back table.

"Princess Celestia has already signed a trade contract years ago but now that their products are coming and going through your forest we need to set up a contract with you." Note said as she pulled a folder from her mane and passed it to me.

"Hmmm well I see no problem with it and there is some stuff I can only find there so sure. Give me a bit to go over the paperwork and establish a base." I said as I set down the folder before Merrin spoke up.

"Actually I think we might have one. Come on I'll show you." Merrin said happily before we left my backyard and pointed to a larger building at the end of the main path. It was a large two story stone square building with tall stone fences in the yard and a strong looking wood gate.

"The bottom floor has a lot of spacious storage rooms and the top can be used for office space. The yard is big enough to fit a lot of carts in as well." Merrin said as we looked at the building as my smile grew.

"I say it's perfect and I already have a name." I said as I turned around and headed back towards ponyville.

"Wait hold on what are you goin to do?" Merrin asked as she got to my side.

"This is goin to take a bit of magic but I think I might know someone that could help. Can you stick around to check over the paperwork, I won't be too long." I said before giving her a quick hug and headed into the forest back towards ponyville.

"Now lets see how Fluttershy is doing." I said to myself before putting on my earpiece. Before I could connect I felt a sudden wait on my good shoulder.

"Sup dude." Blake said as he hung from my shoulder.

"Yo what you been up too?" I asked as I pulled up my display.

"Nothin much just napping, well until my napping spot was flooded." He said with a tired sigh.

"Flooded? Where were you napping?" I asked with concern.

"On the fence next to that apple farm." He said with a yawn as my eyes grew wide and I quickly connected the earpiece.

"Oh no. Twink you there?" I asked before her image popped up on the display.

"Good afternoon Fox. How can I help you?" She asked with a smile.

"Same to you. How are things looking for Discord?" I asked before the video feed popped up.

"So far he levitated and spun her home while eating a bowl of paper and on close inspection i could make out the words 'Reform Spell' next it appears the had a luncheon with her friends where he turned the tableware into live this before a fish shaped gravy dish squirted gravy into the rainbow pegasus face." She said as the video feed played the scene.

"And now it appears they are running with haste towards the orange earth ponies home." She said as the feed showed an aerial view of my running friends..

"This can't be good." I said before the feed cut out and replaced this current display of myself.

"Fox I'm a bit concerned about your wellbeing. Your vitals show severe pain and magical build up in your shoulder." She said as a red dot appeared on the shoulder of the display.

"I'm fine Twink. I'm sure it's just part of the healing process. I'll go back to the hospital in the morning if it continues but for now i need to help my friends." I said as I gripped my blank appendage lightly.

"If that is what you wish, I'll continue to monitor it." She said before I closed the display and put away the earpiece.

"So what now?" Blake asked as I opened a portal.

"Now we got to deal with a little bit of chaos." I said before stepping into the portal and into four feet of water. I quickly floated up above the water before an idea popped up in my head. I focused my magic to the bottom on my feet and slowly lowered myself onto the water's surface with a satisfied smile.

"HAHA hey look ma I'm Jesus!" I said with a laugh before I heard shouting and quickly ran to the scene to find the girls glaring the chaotic being.

"It is awful. This is Applejack's home, and it's being destroyed by innocent creatures who would never be acting this way if it weren't for your reckless behavior. You need to fix this." Fluttershy said as she glared at him in anger before I ran up beside Twilight.

"What we miss?" I asked as I scratched the head of the once napping pink snake around my neck. My running must have woken her up.

"Discord messed with the local beavers and flooded the farm and he better fix this." She said with a huff.

"Oh, yes, very well, I will fix it. I only ask one thing in return." He said with a sly smile.

"This can't be good." Blake said in worry.

"Yes?" Fluttershy asked with a raised brow.

"I ask that you never use your Element of Harmony against me. As a sign of our friendship." Discord said as his smile grew while the girl shook their heads.

"I will never use my Element of Harmony against you." Fluttershy said as she took off her element necklace and tossed it to spike.

"Excellent!" He said with excitement before snapping his finger and with a bright flash he turned the flooded apple orchard into a frozen lake. When he snapped a sharp burning pain shot through my shoulder making me grit my teeth and clinch it.

"Dude are you alright?" Blake asked with concern while Alya nusseled my cheek out of worry.

"Yeah it will pass." I said before turning my attention back to the now skating Discord.

"There, much better! I do prefer ice skating to water skiing! Don't you think so?" He said as he skated by a stand with three of him holding up number signs.

"Discord! That's not fixing it! Why, I oughta…" Fluttershy said as she ran towards him just to slide past him.

"Where are you going? What's wrong, pal?" He asked while flying around the shy pegasus who was glaring angrily at him.

"Don't call me your pal!" She said with an angry huff.

"Oh, pfft, come skating with me, and we'll let bygones be bygones." He said as he made a set of skates appear, sending another wave of burning pain.

"Here you go, Fluttershy! Game on!" Spike said as he ran up to them with her element in his claw.

"He fixes this or he goes back to being stone! Princess Celestia will understand!" Twilight said from the side of the ice. Fluttershy looked back and forth between her element and the skate.

"I made a promise not to use my element against him, and I'm going to keep it." She said as she pushed the necklace away making the others gasp in shock.

"Hahah! You see?" Discord said as he put the skates in her mouth by the laces.

"She wants to have fun with me because we're friends. She can't use the elements against me because we're friends. I'm free forever!" He said as Fluttershy grew more angry as he talked.

"Not. Your. Friend!" She snapped at him, making me raise a brow in surprise and a bit of pride for the shy mare.

"Who cares? I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I'm Discord, the master of chaos! You think you can boss Discord around? You think I'm just going to turn all this back because you say so?" He said as Fluttershy turned her back to him.

"Because if I don't, I'll lose the one friend I ever had? …. Oh. Oh. Well played, Fluttershy. Well played." He said as he realized the feeling of disappointing a friend before turning everything back to normal with a snap making the pain increase again to the point I collapse to one knee.

"FOX!" Blake said in surprise but no one else noticed because they were cheering for Fluttershy.

"I like it better my way, but... I guess when you're friends, you can't always have things exactly your way all the time, eh?" Discord said with a smile until my shout of pain caught their attention.

"AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGHGHHHHH!!" I screamed as a white flame engulfed my shoulder.

"FOX!!" The girls shouted as they ran to my side.

"Oh this is not good." Discord said as he looked at my flaming shoulder.

"What did you do!" Twilight yelled as she pushed Discord away.

"Nothing I swear! It looks like something in his shoulder has been absorbing magic and it must have sucked in some of my chaos magic." He said as he held up his mismatched claws in defense.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHGGGGGGG!! IT BURNS!!" I screamed through grit teeth.

"We need to get him to the hospital!" A worried Fluttershy said in a panic.

"No he needs to push the magic out or it will burn him to his core before we can get him help." Discord said as he inspected the flames.

"Fox, push out the magic!" Twilight said in a panic.

"AAAAHHHH!!" I screamed as I pushed the magic making the burning pain only increase as the flames grew.

"You can do it! Push it out!" They all cheered.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed as I pushed as hard as I could before something snapped and the flames shot from my shoulder like a jet taking the pain with it but leaving me with a feeling I missed as I held up a white furry hand with long claw-like fingernails.

"Congratulations it's a lefty." I heard Discord say before I fell into darkness.

Chapter 23: Back In The Swing Of Things

Chapter 23 back in the swing of things

"Ugh." I groaned as I began to wake up. I slowly open my eyes to find the gentle rays of the moon filling my room with its soft light.

"At least I'm not back in the hospital." I whispered before I tried to sit up much to the protest of my stiff muscles but with a big yawn I was up covering my mouth with a white fur hand.

"Oh yeah that happened." I said as I pulled my hand away from my face. White fur covered the back of my hand and ran all the way up my shoulder, my fingers grew long and sharp like claws and for some reason it all felt natural. I could feel magic running through my arm like a calm stream in the mountains as the magic circulated through it.

"OK so magic can regrow a missing arm. Gonna have to talk with Twink about this one." I whispered as I lowered my arm and looked around for my bag and found it sitting next to a blue cushion with a sleep mare on it. With a smile I looked back to the bed where Rosy was snoring lightly with her fox pushing in her hooves and Tammy curled up next to her.

"Coo." Alya said quietly as she nuzzled my cheek.

"Hey sweetheart didn't mean to wake you up." I said as I scratched her head until my stomach demanded attention. I looked up to my wall clock and saw it was just a little past five in the morning.

"How about a quick snack from the garden while we wait for them to wake up?" I said as I carefully moved out of bed trying not to wake up the sleeping filly. Thank God I was still in my jeans from yesterday. After a quick trip to the bathroom and shower I slipped on a fresh pair of jeans and my favorite Baby Yoda comfy shirt.

"Much better." I said as I picked up my bag and looked at Merrin lying on her back with her back hooves twitching slightly making me chuckle. I gently picked her up and placed her on the bed before I left the room and headed out the back door. When I sat down at my table I pulled out my mini camp stove and put on a pot of coffee as Alya fluttered down to the table before we were greeted by a couple of the harvester squirrels holding up a small brownish red fruit with four hard green leaves on top.

"Oh hey it looks like my mangosteen tree finally has some ripe fruits." I said with a smile as one of the squirrels tried to bite into the thick rind of the fruit before holding it up to me with a pout.

"Can't get past the skin?" I asked as I picked up the fruit as they nodded their heads.

"OK, how about you bring me some more of these and I'll open them for you." I said as I pulled a knife from my bag before they happily squeaked and ran back into the garden. In a matter of seconds more squirrels poured out of the garden, each one holding its own fruit and formed a line in front of me.

"Hahaha I guess you all want to try them." I said as I ran my knife around the fruit and popped off the top of the rind revealing the juice white pulp in the middle.

"Here you go. You can eat everything but the skin and it's pretty healthy for you too." I said as I gave the fruit to the waiting squirrels who wasted no time taking a big bit of the fruit. And with sparkling eyes he cheered before eating more. After a good laugh and 15 minutes cutting fruits all the squirrels were happily eating while I poured my cup of coffee and set it down next to our fruit as Alya happily ate hers.

"Now let's see if Twink knows anything about what happened to my arm." I said as I pulled my earpiece from my bag and slipped it on my ear and pulled up my display.

"Good morning Twink." I called out before I saw her pop up on the display.

"Good morning to you as well. How are you feeling?" She asked with concern as I cut a couple more fruits and slipped them in the bag for her.

"A little drained of magic and hungry but other than a new arm I'm all good. Speaking of, I was kinda hoping you could shed some light on that matter." I said as I took a sip of my coffee while she pulled up the fruit.

"Actually I believe I have figured out how that happened." She said as a picture of me before the new arm and after popped up.

"Yesterday when I scanned your magic flow I found a spell that was placed on your shoulder." She said as a small flame showed on the display where my arm should be.

"It's called The Phoenix Tear. This spell gathers magic from the host as surrounding area then covered that magic to healing energy and can painlessly heal anything given it has enough magic but yesterday it was accelerated by Discord's chaos magic causing a massive magic build up and that pretty much forced rapid cell growth and pain. The hair and nails are just a side effect of the rapid growth and can be easily maintained by normal hygiene care." She said before the pictures on the display disappeared.

"Alright that explains the new arm but also raises a new question. How did the spell get there to begin with?" I asked as I scratched Alya while she relaxed with a full belly of fruity goodness.

"That was something that concerns me." She said with a downcast look.

"I did a complete search through the archives and only found to beings that knew the spell one being your mother and the other was the one who taught her." She said sadly while looking away.

"And who was that?" I asked as a sense of unease washed over me.

"...your father, Cyrus Lilly." She said as she looked me in the eyes. Everything stopped for a brief second as an old photo of my pregnant mother sitting on a picnic blanket with a tall man with long dark red hair and ears sitting next to her with his hand on her belly.

"I asked mom about dad a few times but I dropped it because she would start to cry. She told me that he was kind, smart, and very loving but something happened to him before we moved to a new home and she would never tell me what happened." I said as I looked at the photo.

"That's a cute couple." Someone said beside me.

"AHH (poof) ….you laugh and I'll punt you all the way to ponyville." I said as I glared at Blake with his paw over his mouth holding back his laughter at my tiny form.

"Pfft you..ha ha you look like a plushy." He said with a few tears in his eyes.

(Sigh) "I really need to work on that. Twink, let 's talk more about this later." I said when I noticed the sun start to rise.

"Very well but may I request you to come into the library for that discussion?" She asked with sadness in her eyes.

"Yeah I can do that. Goodbye for now." I said before I closed the display.

"That's pretty cool." Blake said as he watched the display fade away.

"I know right. I got my own holographic display. Now on with the day." I said before I Let out a loud whistle.

"Ow what was that for?" Blake asked while rubbing his ears.

"Just give it a second and you'll see." I said as I watched the squirrels scatter into the forest.

"Cool you can scare squirrels." He said sarcastically.

"Oh that's not what that was for." I said with a smirk before a large Timberwolf jumped out of the forest and ran right up to the table.

"Hey brambles buddy." I said affectionately as I pet his head with his twigy tail.

"That thing still gives me the creeps." He said as a small shutter ran down his furry back.

"Did….did you honestly not see him walk up too?" I asked as I pointed my paw up to the massive wood wolf Twiggles.

"Hello." Twiggles said with a slight nod. Blake just froze as all the blue drained from his fur before he fell over stiff like a stuffed cat toy. Me on the other hand fell on my back laughing my fluffy tail off.

"HAHAHAHAHA THAT WAS PERFECT HAHAHAHAHA! Oh man I needed that hahaha." I said as I sat back up and wiped away a few tears as Twiggles and Bramble looked on with tilted heads.

"Haha anyways Twiggles how's everything in the forest." I asked as Blake's color returned.

"It has been quiet master. The only issue we had as of late is a few groups of bug like ponies we chased off." He said proudly.

"Hmmm I'll look into that later. If they return and I'm here, let me know when you find them. In the meantime, I would like your pack to keep an eye on a village in the forest called Sunny Town. It won't be that had to find just follow the smell of death." I said as I watched with a smile Alya tickle Blake's side until he burst out laughing.

"I know of this place. It was forsaken by the forest as dark magic took control of it. We cannot enter its borders but we will patrol the outskirts." He said before turning to leave.

"Thank you. Now with that out of the way how about we get some breakfast and wake up the girls." I said as Alya flew over to my head while Blake tried to catch his breath.

"Breakfast sounds good….got any bacon?" He asked as I looked at him with a smile before we went inside.

(Time skip after breakfast)

"Dude I've never seen anyone eat as much as you did. Are you sure you're not saiyan because I'm sure you can match Goku in an eating contest." Blake said while walking next to me. He turned into his human-like form as well as me.

"Dad, what's a saiyan?" Rosy asked from her perch on my head.

"I'll show you when you get home today. Actually we could have a marathon tonight." I said with a smile.

"Wait, you got DBZ here? I miss anime so much. Nice baby Yoda shirt by the way." Blake said as he pointed out my shirt.

"I have no idea what you guys are talking about." Merrin said with a confused look.

"Give it time my dear. Anyway I hope Discord is over at Fluttershy's place." I said as we left the forest and headed to ponyville.

"I think he left with Princess Celestia after you passed out yesterday." Merrin said as we walked down the path.

"Well crud I was kinda hoping he would help me get some gates working at the outpost. Maybe Twilight could help." I said as I pulled out three pairs of round cut gems with each pair having matching runes and about the size of a bit out of my bag.

"You know it still amazes me how large and abundant gemstones can be here." Blake said as I put the gems away.

"I know right and get this there's even a pony here that can pretty much X-ray the ground to find them." I said with a smile as we entered town.

"And gem are a dragon's favorite snack too." Merrin said as she pulled a sapphire from her mane and crunched it.

"But wait, aren't you a pony?" Blake asked with a surprised look as the pony chewed up her snake.

"Looks can be deceiving my friend. She had an incomplete spell cast on her that turned her part dragon." I said as Merrin lowered her head expecting Blake to recoil in fright.

"Badass, so can you like breath fire and stuff?" Blake said with excitement causing Merrin to look up in surprise.

"Um yeah." Merrin said with a small blush.

"She's really stronger too." Rosy said, making the blush deepen.

"Good morning Mr. Fox!" Said three fillies in unison as they skidded to a halt in front of us.

"Mornin girls. Looks like you're getting a bit faster with your wings." I said with a smile as Rosy fluttered down to Sweetie Bell with Tammy on her head.

"Yep Rainbow Dash has been helping me a lot with wing exercises. I can even hover for a few seconds now." She said with pride before flying a few feet off the ground.

"That's great Scoots. Keep it up and you'll be soaring in no time. Now y'all get to class before your late and here." I said as I pulled a picnic basket from my bag.

"I made y'all some fresh veggies lunches." I said as I put the basket in their wagon.

"Thanks dad you're the best." Rosy said before flying into my chest for a hug and then left with the crusaders.

"Gotta love those girls." I said as I watched them leave.

"So what's up with those three anyway?" Blake asked as we continued to Twilight's place.

"They are the cutie mark crusaders. They are bullied all the time for not having a cutie mark and when they met each other they became close friends with the same goal, finding their marks. Now they try anything to get them and have loads of fun while doing it." I said with a smile.

"Yeah I always see them running all over the place trying new things and helping around town if they're not causing trouble." Merrin said with a giggle as we made it to the Golden Oak Library.

"How is that tree still alive?" Blake asked as I knocked on the door.

"I'll be right there." Spike yelled from the other side.

"Magic mostly." I said as the door opened and the tiny green and purple dragon poked his head out.

"Oh hi Fox." He said with a smile.

"Mornin Spike, is Twilight in I could use her help with some magic." I said as I tossed up a few of the rune gems.

"Sure thing. TWILIGHT FOX IS HERE AND WANTS SOME HELP WITH MAGIC!! He yelled out before letting us in and closed the door. Right after he called out there was a large crash from up stairs before the purple unicorn appeared in a flash right in front of me with sparkling eyes.

"Fox, I'm so happy you're ok. After that magic surge and your new arm growing back you passed out from magical exhaustion. Princess Celestia said you would be alright and took you home before going back to Canterlot with Discords. What happened? Was that some kind of spell? How did it get there? Is the way the arm looks a side effect? If it was a spell, can it be used on other creatures." She said as she inspected my new arm.

"Twilight." I said calmly.

"If so, imagine the potential of that spell in modern health care." She said as she popped in a scroll and quill.

"Twilight." I said with a bit more force making spike hide a chuckle with his claw.

"Does it work for any limb or just arms? Can it work for lost wings or horns?" She said in fashionation as the quill flew over the paper.

"Twilight stop please." I said as I placed my hand on her muzzle making her blush a bit.

"I'll give you all the details I know later but first I would like your help with something because I'm kinda low on magic right now ok." I said calmly as I pulled my hand away.

"Hehe sorry I get kinda excited about new magic. Anyway, what can I help you with?" She asked before the paper and quill disappeared.

"I need you to link some rune stones together with magic." I said as I held out the gems.

"Interesting and what will they do?" She asked as she held one up to look at.

"These are gate runes. Once they are linked together you can put one on any door frame and its pair on another and they will link both doors together. Like how the door on my cart can open up to my house. I'm using them for my trade outpost so I can bring my cart back." I said happily as I watched her light up with excitement.

"SPIKE take notes." She said before making a stack of papers and quills appear next to him before she started to pull out books from the shelf.

"This might take a while." Spike said while shaking his head.

"That's cool I need to do some shopping for the outpost anyway so I'll check back in later." I said as I set the gems down on the table.

"You better. I'm still interested in that spell used on your arm." Twilight said with her nose in a book.

"Don't worry I'm still going to. Bye y'all." I said as we walked out the door only to bump into a familiar face next to an unknown one.

"Sup Vinyl." I said with a smile.

"Nothing much, just showing my cousin Rift around town. He just came in over from Trottington." She said pointing a hoof at the dark gray unicorn with a neon rainbow short mohawk main and short cut tail. He had three gold piercings in his left ear. He had a gold short chain with an emerald guitar pick.

"Sweet, nice to meet you, Rift. I'm Fox." I said as I held out a fist and got a bump from his hoof before whispering something to Vinyl.

"Yep he's the guy that can break my barriers." She said getting some more whispers from him.

"I bet you fifty bits he can." She replied, getting a hoof bump from him.

"OK I missed something. Is there something wrong with him." Blake said, getting an angry glare from the neon mane stallion and an arm punch from me.

"No he's just not a talker unless he trusts you. So Fox, you want to help me win a bet?" She asked with a smirk and raised brow.

"Depends what's the bet." I asked with interest.

My cuz here doesn't believe me that you broke my sound barriers. He's the one who taught me those spells and wants to put his barrier to the test. So you in?" She asked with Rift giving a proud smile and nod.

"So you want me to intentionally break his barrier?" I said as my smile grew.

"Yep." She said with a smirk turning to a smile.

"Well then, I guess I got a bet to win. Let me guess rocker right?" I asked, getting a smirk and nod.

"I think I know a good song to play." I said as we made our way to the music shop.

(A few minutes later.)

"Alright. I'll be lead guitar, Blake's on second guitar, Rift can you play base?" I asked as we set everything up outside the shop so I don't break Vinyl's window again. With a nod he went into the shop and came back out with a black and neon bass guitar.

"Sweet, all we need now is a drummer." I said as I looked over the setups.

"Pickmepickmepickme!" Said a pink puffy mane bouncing in front of my face.

"Hi Pinkie. Can you play drums?" I asked with a smile at the over excited mare.

"You betcha I even have my own set." She said as she pulled an entire cotton candy blue and pink drum set with party decorations all over it, from behind her back.

"What...but...how?" Blake asked with wide eyes.

"First rule of Pinkie, don't ask how." Merrin said from the side.

"Alright Pinks your on drums." I said happily as I picked up my borrowed red and black electric guitar and Blake had a blue and white guitar.

"OK guys, you're all set up. Now all that's left is the barrier." Vinyl said before a bright neon green dome formed over us.

"YAY LETS ROCK!!" Pinkie yelled before jumping behind her drum set.

"One second before we start." I said as I used my magic to make three kitsune masks with the bottom missing.

"One white and blue swirl for Blake, a cotton candy pink swirl for Pinkie, and a black and neon for Rift.

"What's with the fox masks?" Blake asked as he inspected his.

"Nothing really. I just think it adds a bit of flare for the show." I said as I pointed out to a small crowd that had formed from curiosity.

"Okay." He said with a raised brow before slipping the mask on.

"Let's do this. Sorry Rift but you lost that bet. Let the music flow." I said as I tapped my mark and the beat started.

(Play All it Takes from Divide Music.)

I step up to the mic.

(I won't step aside for anyone)
(Won't run and hide, I will overcome)

-And the the music kick up hard, shattering his barrier instantly making it rain green sparkling lights as Blake kicked off the intro.-

THERE MUST BE SOMETHING IN THE WATER, I DON'T REALLY KNOW
FROM WHO I WAS TO WHO I AM, I HAD SO FAR TO GO

ONE PUNCH!All that I need to send you back to hell

NO ONE! Could ever hold me inside of my shell

ONE PUNCH! Down on your knees, this look it suits you well

OUTCOME! There's only one, but only time will tell

-as the music went on the crowd grew. All were bouncing and bobbing their heads to the music. My mark flew above us and began to pulsing with color waves of light.

I used to be nobody
'Till the day came where I made a change

I won't step aside for anyone
Won't run and hide, I will overcome
Try your best, but what's done is done
All it takes is one
I won't step aside for anyone
Won't run and hide, I will overcome
Try your best, but what's done is done
All it takes is one
ONE PUNCH!

-Vinyl was in the back with her sound board and muffled my voice-

What happens when the challenge starts to get old?
Always feel I'm in control
These better days are shared by those who wouldn't know
That strength has its toll

-I looked over and saw a massive crowd had gathered. Blake, Rift, and Pinkie were really getting into the music and was banging her head with the music.-

I used to be nobody
'Till the day came where I made a change

-as Blake finished off the song with a scream of yeah. Then on the last beat my mark burst in light and Pinkies drums blasted confetti and streamers behind us and the crowd went nuts with cheers.-

"Man, I'm so glad my arm is back. That was awesome." I said with a large smile as I set down the guitar.

"That was so much fun." Pinkie said with excitement as she bounced around.

"Dude you have got to come do some shows with me." Vinyl said with a hoof bump as Merrin walked up and Alya flew back to my neck for a nuzzle.

"The crowd loved it." She said as the crowd dispersed back to their normal things.

"Pay up cuz your barrier didn't last a second with my Fox dude on mic." Vinyl said as Rift pulled his mask off before pulling a bag of bits from his mane and gave it to her as he whispered something in her ear.

"Really cuz?" She asked with surprise as Rift nodded his head with a deep blush before walking up to me to give the mask back.

"Na you keep it I made it for you anyway." I said before his blush deepened as he put the mask in his mane before reaching up to his emerald guitar pick earring and took it off and held it out to me.

"Are you giving me your pick?" I asked, shocked at the gesture.

"You were the first stallion to ever break my barriers with their music and I want you to have it." He said in a soft voice that he would rival Fluttershy's. I looked over to Vinyl whose jaw was wide open and her shades halfway down her muzzle.

"Sweet Celestia he spoke to you and he rarely says a word to anypony." She said in surprise.

"Thank you. I will cherish it." I said as I took it from his hoof and clipped it next to my violin before an idea popped up in my head and looked as his guitar strapped to his back.

"Is that bass yours?" I asked before his smile grew as he took it off to show me and I took it in my hands.

"It's a very nice guitar. Do you mind if I do something with it. I promise I will not hurt it in any way possible." I asked and got a nod from the blushing stallion. I then let my mind wander as my magic formed around the guitar.

"Let's start with an air blue opal just under the strings." I said as my magic made the stone and fused it to the bass.

"Now a size change spell." I said as a flash came from the stone and the bass shrunk to the size of my violin.

"Lastly, a platinum chain and clip." I said as it began to form from the neck of the bass and with that the magic faded as the new bass earring fell into my palm.

"Here now you have a stylish and functional earring. All you have to do is activate the spell on it with your magic and it will grow back to normal size and vice versa." I said as I held it out to him. His eyes sparkled as he took it from my hand and clipped it to his ear before looking at me with a deep blush then hugged me quickly and I swear I heard a low growl from Merrin, don't know why. After he let go he ran up to Vinyl and started to push her down the path to the train station.

"Whoa chill dude. Haha later guys." Vinyl said before she was pushed out of sight.

"He seemed like a nice guy." I said with a smile as Merrin leaned against my leg for some reason.

"He was really nice at his party yesterday. Thanks for all the fun Foxy." Pinkie said before bouncing over to sugarcube corner.

"Dude, that guy was macin on you hard." Blake said with a smirk.

"What do you mean?" I asked with a raised brow and for Blake to facepalm.

"You can't be that oblivious. I'm pretty sure you're going to be in his next wet dream." He said with a deadpan expression.

"Why would he have a dream of swimming with me?" I asked in confusion.

"Yeah, not going into that one. Haha ask that dream Princess aunt of yours." He said with a laugh before my stomach interrupted us.

"Ugh I used a bit of magic now I'm incredibly hungry. How about some lunch y'all. I really need to bring my cart back." I said before heading to the local café with my friends at my side.

Chapter 24: Playing With Bubbles

"Merrin, how can you let him eat like that? I mean it's like a bottomless pit in there." Blake said as he watched me clean my 7th order of veggie burger and French fries with ketchup.

"He said it helps him get his magic back. I mean with as much stuff that's happened lately, can you blame him." She said before slurping up some chocolate shake.

"Can you explain the snake then?" He asked as he pointed to Alya head first in her 4th bowl of fruit salad.

"She's a growing girl. And what about you mister 'oh I'm not that hungry'?" Merrin asked in a mocking voice while looking at his two plates.

"Okay for a pony town this place makes some good fish tacos." He said as he pushed his plates to the side with a blush.

"Yeah this place is good but I still prefer to cook." I said as I pat my stomach contently.

"So what's left on the to do list." Merrin asked after finishing her second milkshake.

"Well first we need to see about ordering some stuff for the outpost. Go and check on Twilight. Then go set up the gate stones and get my cart back." I said as I pulled a handful of bits from my bag and put them on the table before picking up my full flying snake. With a content coo and nuzzle she curled gently around my neck for a nap.

(Puff)"I'll let you two take care of that. (Yawn)
I'm going to go be a cat." Blake said after he turned into his small form and stretched his back.

"Alright Blake. We'll be home after an hour or so." I said before we walked out into the streets.

"See ya at home." Blake said before walking away.

"Let's head to Barnyard Bargains." I said as we headed the opposite direction. As we walked my mind began to wonder back to what Twink said this morning.

"Hey Merrin?" I said quietly.

"Hmm." She replied.

"Do you remember that guy who saved me?" I asked as I pulled up my display.

"Yeah." She said as she looked up at me with a raised brow as I pulled up the picture of my mom and dad.

"Is this him?" I asked as I held the image up so she could see.

"A little younger but that's definitely the guy. Who is he anyway?" She asked while looking over the picture.

"My dad." I said before closing the display.

"I heard you talking about your mom but never about your dad." She said with a surprised look.

"That's because I just found out about him this morning. I asked mom a few times about him but she never likes to talk about him. Every time she asked she would tell me a little bit before starting to cry so I stopped asking. There were even a few nights where she would cry herself to sleep." I said with sadness as the memories of her cried in her room while she thought I was sleeping. I wanted nothing more than to hug her and make the tears stop.

"So now that you think he's alive what are you going to do?" Merrin asked with concern as we slowed to a stop while I looked to the clouds in the sky.

"Honestly….I don't know." I said as I watched the clouds drift with the wind.

(Fox Tomes, Twink)

"No that's not it." Twink said as book after book floated by. She was looking for any information on what happened to Nova's village 18 years ago but so far she found nothing.

"Where is it? I know he kept a journal." She said as more books floated by before feeling something familiar in her library.

"I hope you know it's impossible to sneak up on me here." She said while still focusing on her books.

"It was worth a try." Said a dark red fox walking up behind her.

"Hello Cyrus. It looks like I missed one of your secret doors." She said with a smirk.

"Don't worry I'll destroy it when I leave here." He said with a smile before setting down a box wrapped up in a shimmering ruby red cloth.

"Hmmm this must be pretty important to make you come here." She said as she set down her book.

"I found it Twink." He said with a smile.

"You mean?" Asked with wide eyes.

"Yes. The Journal of Light." He said as he opened the cloth to reveal two old leather bound books. The first was dark and weathered with a small strap holding the book closed. A black diamond on the front of the strap with runes circling it.

"So it does exist." She said but as she tried to touch it the runes and diamond glowed before zapping her paw with an electric shock.

"Yeah that happened to me when I tried to open it too. Magic won't work on it either." He said with a smile as she glared at him while rubbing her paw.

"And what is the second book?" She asked as she picked up the second book and found the cover had two foxes sleeping close next to each other, one a dark red and the other a snow white both with loving smiles as they slept.

"It's our journal." He said with a somber smile and pain behind his eyes.

"....why did you bring these here?" She asked sadly as she held a paw on the journal.

"I want you to give them to him." He said with a smile.

"Why not give them to him yourself." She asked as she carefully wrapped the cloth back around the books.

"You know I can't." He said with a heavy sigh.

"I tell you this time and time again. It wasn't your fault." She said with a glare.

"I saw what was happening to him and could've stopped him before his madness took control." He said with a low growl.

"And what if Fox hates me for letting it happen and hates me for pushing them to a different world. What if he thinks I abandoned them?" He said with downcast eyes.

"I don't think he would hate you at all. If anything he would be overjoyed to have his real father back in his life. I've been watching over him for awhile now and he has a strong sense of family. All those that are close to him, he thinks of them as family. He was so happy to learn that Princess Celestia and Luna were like close sisters to Nova that he called them aunts right after meeting them." She said warmly with a giggle.

"Somehow I'm not surprised. Those two have always been close and she was devastated when she had to help banish Luna to the moon. It's sad to say but because of that I was able to have the courage to tell her how I felt and gave her a much needed shoulder." He said before wiping away a few loose tears.

"Yes I remember one day she was incredibly saddened and the next all smiles and blush. Imagine my surprise when she told me it was you who brought her happiness back." She said with a warm smile.

"I wish I could go back to those times and see that smile again but messing with time is never a good thing so I'll stick with my memories and make some new ones." He said as he stood up and stretched his back.

"So why not start now?" She asked with a smirk.

"I will when that time comes but for now I'll leave him the books and hope he won't hate me." He said as he jumped from the table and walked down a darkened path in between some bookshelves.

"Don't worry he won't hate you." She said as she made a book and a hot cup of tea appeared on the table.

"You know me mom, I'll always worry." He said as he disappeared into the darkness.

(Outside the outpost Fox)

"Alright furniture?" I asked as Merrin, Miss Note, and Twilight, who insisted on making a checklist of stuff we needed for the outpost, all stood outside of it.

"Check." Twilight said with a quill and list in her magic.

"For the offices on the first floor and bedrooms on the second?" I asked.

"Check."

"Stationary supplies?"

"Check."

"Kitchen supplies?"

"Check."

"Pink fluffy pony rolling by blowing raspberries?"

(Pppfffffffftttttttpppppfffffttttt….pffft)

"Um check?"

"Rune stones?"

"And check. That's everything on the list give or take. (Pffft)" She said before the list disappeared and she gave me the rune stones.

"So what do these do again?" Merrin asked as I took a pair of garnets out of the bag.

"How about I show you. You have a place picked out on the island right Note?" I asked as I put one of the gems on an archway in the outpost yard.

"Yes sir. Quake should be right next to it with your cart." She said with a smile.

"Sweet. Now to send him the gem." I said as I held it up and it disappeared.

"Long distance teleportation?" Twilight asked with interest.

"Yep the smaller the item the easier and less magic use. Kinda like how aunt Tia sends letters." I said as we waited until the gem flashed.

"Looks like it's set. Now I just need to open it." I said as I put my finger on the gem and let my magic flow into it and around the archway. Once it was all around it a light blue shimmering wall appeared in the archway before a fluffy lion mane head popped out.

"You know that would have been terrifying if I didn't know you were on the other side." I said with a smile as Quake walked out of the portal.

"It was worth a shot." He said as he brought my cart through.

"Great now that the gate is up for yall. I need to set one up in the crystal empire." I said as I put a sapphire on an archway next to the first.

"Oh speaking off. I got a letter from Cadence and my brother this morning. They want the next Equestrian games held in the Crystal Empire this year and want me, you, and our friends to show around a games committee member and convince her to hold the games there." Twilight said as she handed me the letter.

"Cool when we headed out." I asked as I looked over the letter.

"Tomorrow morning on the first train out." She said as I passed the letter back.

"Sounds like a plan. Miss Note how close are we to getting this place up and goin." I asked as I walked up to my cart and shrunk it.

"Let's see. Once all the furniture is in place we will need to hire some workers and caretakers and you will need to have these trade contracts signed by you and the Princesses then we can start the major trades. Right now all the permissions we have is to sell out of your village to the local population." She said as she handed me a folder with the contracts and I looked up to see it was close to sunset.

"Hey Twilight it should be about time for my aunts to switch out right?" I asked as I slipped the contracts into my bag.

"Yes they should be in their dining hall. Princess Celestia always likes to have dinner with Luna before she lowers the sun." She said with a bright smile.

"Great. Merrin, do you mind walking Rosy home. (Puff)" I asked before turning into my big fox form.

"Yeah but what are you going to do?" She asked with concern.

"I need to talk to them about a few things. I should be back in a few hours." I said seriously before opening a portal and walking through into the castle courtyard. I was just going to walk on through the main gates until I noticed who was stationed as guards and with a sly smirk I sunk into the shadow of a nearby bush. I jumped unnoticed from shadow to shadow until I was in Flash's. I slowly raised my paw from the shadow and poked his leg.

"Hmm you need something Bolt?" One said as he looked over to Bolt.

"No, I'm a good Flash." He said as he shook his head before standing back in attention. I raised my paw up and poked him a little harder.

"Ok if you don't need anything why are you poking me." He said as he glared at Bolt.

"Dude, I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't moved from here." Bolt said as he returned the glare. I had to hold my muzzle to keep from laughing as I raised out of Flash's shadow and slapped his flank.

"HEY WHAT'S YOUR DEAL!?" Flash yelled before pushing Bolt with his wing.

"What do you mean? I didn't do anything." He said with a low growl before they straightened back up. I was trying my hardest not to laugh just yet as I gave them a little time to relax before reaching up and slapped his flank harder.

"GRRRRR WILL YOU STOP THAT!!" Flash yelled as he got nose to nose with Bolt.

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!" Bolt yelled out before I jumped out of the shadows laughing my furry tail off.

"HAHAHAHAHA need to stay alert guys Hahahaha." I said as I got up and took off running down the castle corridor before I was caught in a pink bubble.

"I could say the same to you Sir Fox." Bubbles said with a smirk as Flash and Bolt ran up.

'Ha gotcha Sir Fox." Bolt said as he poked the bubble.

"And in record time too." Flash said with a proud smile.

"No you guys were just lucky I was on my way to get you for shift change and saw him as I was turning the corner." Bubbles said as I chuckled watching their smiles drop.

"Great reflexes there Bubbles but can you let me out now?" I asked with a smile as I sat in the bubble.

"Nope we have to bring you to the princesses for questioning." Bubbles said as she started walking down the corridor.

"Sweet lead the way." I said as I began to walk in the bubble only for it to spin in place before Bubbles laughed and pulled me along with her magic as Flash and Bolt went back to their posts until the night guards swapped out.

"Looks like someone has been practicing her bubble spell. It feels a lot stronger than last time." I said as I tapped the bubble with my paw.

"Thanks I had a little help from Captain Armor." She said with a proud smile.

"Yeah his barriers are top notch. How are Flash and Bolt doing?" I asked as we turned the corner and saw a large wooden door to the Princesses dining hall.

"They've been training hard since the last time you were here. Flash has been working on his speed and agility, and Bolt has been working on his combat and strength." She said before we stopped in front of the door and she looked up at me with a warm smile.

"It's thanks to you that we were able to push ourselves to be better. If you haven't done that drill for us I don't think I would be standing here today. Before you showed up I was really thinking about quitting the guard because I thought I wasn't good enough but you showed me my faults and that gave me the courage to ask for help so I could be better than before. So thank you Sir Fox for everything." She said with a soft smile and blush.

"I'm happy to hear that. Oh I just had an idea that could help you a lot with control and strength of your bubbles and probability give you an offensive attack too." I said with a wide excited smile.

"Really?" She asked with joyful interest.

"Yep let's go in and I'll give you the basic idea." I said as I began to walk in place as the bubble spun making Bubbles giggle before giving the door a heavy knock.

"You may enter." The voice of aunt Luna and Bubbles pushed it open and saw Celestia and Luna sitting at the table with a maid taking down a food order.

"Private Bubbles, why do you have our nephew in your spell?" Luna asked as she saw me happily trotting in place within the bubble.

"I'm Sorry Princess, it is a training exercise. When Sir Fox comes to the castle unannounced we are to see him as an intruder and catch him on sight." She said with a respectful bow.

"And how did they manage this time?" Celestia said with a smile as she sipped her tea.

"Rather well actually. Both Flash and Bolt were quick to react to my intrusion while Bubbles here had fast reflexes and had me trapped the moment she saw me." I said with an honest smile, making her blush.

"I see. I might have to have you do the same exercise with my night guards." Luna said as she the maid brought out their dinner

"Thank you private bubbles, you may release him now. Fox, would you like to join us for dinner? We had the chef prepare some of the Tuna you sent us." Celestia said as she showed me the seared tuna with sesame seeds and spring spinach salad with strawberries and walnuts before the bubble popped and I landed softly on my paws.

"That sounds wonderful Aunt Tia but first." I said before turning to Bubbles.

"Bubbles, can you make a bubble the same size as the one you held me in?" I asked with a smile.

"Sure." She said before making a bubble appear.

"Now what do you see inside the bubble?" I asked as I poked the bubble.

"Um nothing Sir." She said as she tilted her head.

"Wrong. You see the air." I said before I popped her bubble.

"Nephew what you talking about you can't see air." Luna said as Celestia watched with interest.

"Yes technically you can't see air but you know it's there." I said as I made a bubble the same size as the one Bubbles made.

"Now I noticed that your bubbles allow air to freely pass through the bubble, correct?" I asked as a maid brought me a cup of tea that I happily took.

"Yes Sir. My spell is used to confine my target and not suffocate them." She said with a raised brow.

"Well forget about that. For this exercise your target is the air itself." I said with a smile at the confused mare.

"Hmm interesting." Celestia said as she watched with curiosity.

"Ok now make another bubble but make it air tight." I said before she made a bubble next to mine.

"Good now, can you control the size of it?" I asked, getting a nod in return.

"Fox, what are you trying to accomplish?" Tia asked as the maid set a plate of food next to my tea.

"Thank you miss." I said with a small nod before turning my attention back to my bubble.

"I guess it would be better to explain it with a demonstration. The main focus of this exercise is compression." I said as I raised up my bubble.

"Like I told you earlier, this exercise will increase the strength of your bubbles. In physics if you apply compressive force on something, in this case it's the air in the bubble, the air will push back with equal force." I said as I began to shrink my bubble.

"The more you compress, the stronger the inner force pushes back." I said as the bubble continues to shrink.

"Now this part of this exercise will strengthen your concentration and control." I said as the bubble shrunk from the size of a basketball to the size of a bit.

"Now comes the dangerous part. Once you can get to this stage one slip in your concentration can lead to the bubble exploding in your face." I said as the bubble floated above my paw.

"But if you can maintain your control." I said as I looked out the window to a small cloud just outside it.

"You can turn it into a devastating attack." I said as I pointed my paw at the cloud and launched it out the window. With a loud pop the cloud was obliterated.

"Depending on the initial size and how much you can compress it will determine the explosive force of the attack." I said as I turned back to the slack jaw mare.

"Once you get the hang of compressing air you can move on to an advanced exercise." I said as I walked up to a waiting maid.

"Wait there's more?" Bubbles said in shock.

"Oh of course. The application of compression is vast. Can you please bring me a large pot of water?" I asked the maid and with a small bow she walked into the kitchen and a few seconds later she returned with the water.

"Will this be enough Sir Fox?" She asked as she pushed the heavy pot next to me.

"Perfect. Thank you, miss." I said with a smile before she bowed and returned to her position.

"Now this step will be much harder than compressing air because you have to exert more pressure to compress water." I said as I floated the water from the pot and formed a bubble around it making a water bubble the size of a beach ball

"This part will also take a great concentration and control of your bubble." I said as I slowly compressed the bubble until it shrunk to the size of a softball.

"This is where control is crucial." I said as I pulled an unused gem from my bag and floated it under the water bubble.

"At the bottom of the bubble you need to make a super tiny hole with a slight bevel that will compress the water into a highly pressurized high powered thin jet of water and If done right." I said as I opened the hole and produced a thin jet of highly pressurized water before using it to cleanly cut through the gem.

"You can even cut through steel." I said as I closed the hole and launched the bubble out the window where it bursted into a sparkling mist.

"That's incredible." Bubbles said as she picked up one half of the gem while Celestia picked up the other.

"Indeed. I never would have thought to use water in such a manner." Luna said as they inspected the clean cut of the gem while I sat down to eat my dinner.

"Hmmm tuna. Tell me, do you know how diamonds are made up of and formed." I asked as I cut into my tuna while I used my magic to pull a piece of charcoal from my bag.

"Not really." Bubbles said with a confused look as I held out the coal.

"It's made from this." I said with a smile.

"I highly doubt something as weak and brittle as coal could make something as hard as diamonds." She said with a doubtful look that made my smile grow.

"You would be wrong my dear. you just see this as a simple lump of coal but in the scientific community it goes by a different name. The building block of life, the element of Carbon." I said as I began to explain happily about how it works.

"It all comes down to pressure. You see, all diamonds are made from the extreme pressure and heat from the earth's mantle layer. In the mantle, carbon is compressed to such a degree that the molecules get pressed together and forms unified chains that make the diamond hard." I said as I slipped the coal back into my bag and pulled out a small imperfect diamond that Rarity gave me out of the bag.

"I'm finding it hard to believe an indestructible diamond is made from simple coal." She said with a raised brow.

"Diamond may be one of the hardest gems there is but it's super easy to destroy and I can prove it." I said with a smirk.

"And how is that nephew?" Celestia asked curiously.

"Simple. What is the most common use of coal?" I asked as the diamond floated in front of me.

"To fuel a fire." Luna said after a moment of thought.

"Correct and because a diamond is highly compressed coal it stands to reason that you can just burn up a diamond." I said as I held my paw under the diamond and used my magic to produce a small jet of flames and we watched as the diamond glowed bright orange and began to shrink as the flame reduced it to nothing as they looked on with wide eyes
(It's a fact. Google it haha)

"That is cool and all but how does that pertain to my bubbles." Bubbles asked as she made a bubble and popped it.

"Sorry haha kinda got off track there. The main lesson behind all this is the power of compression and pressure. If you practice what I told you, your bubbles would be a force to recon with." I said with a warm smile.

"I agree with you nephew and with the right instructions I'm sure you can pull it off. Now I do believe your shift has ended, why don't you head to the mess hall and relax with a good meal. You are dismissed." Celestia said before finishing her tea.

"Thank you princess and thank you Sir Fox. I'll start practicing tomorrow." Bubbles said with a bow before heading for the door.

"Please don't push yourself. One slip of concentration can be very dangerous." I said as she left with a wave.

"Now what brings you to the castle dear nephew?" Luna asked with curiosity.

"In a moment. It is time to lower the sun and raise the moon. Fox, why don't you order another plate while we take care of our nightly duties." Celestia said with a small chuckle.

"What do you mean….Really, I had like one bite." I said as I looked down at my now clean plate with a chubby pink snake lying next to it.

"Coooo (burp)." Alya cooed with a satisfied smile.

"You're lucky, you're adorable." I said with a smile as I scratched her chin.

Chapter 25: Rated Z For Zombies

"Oh man I didn't realize how much magic her bubbles used. I'm beat." I said as I leaned back on my pillow next to my aunts.

"It seems you can restore your magic somewhat when you eat but you will still need your rest to fully restore it." Celestia said as she looked through the trade contracts.

"Yeah good food definitely helps but right now I can't take a rest." I said with downcast eyes.

"What troubles you nephew?" Luna asked with concern.

"A bunch of things really but the main one is something I wanted to talk to you two about." I said as I looked them in the eyes.

"And what might that be?" Celestia asked while sipping her tea.

"It's about my father." I said with a serious look making her almost do a spit take.

"Cyrus is alive?" Luna asked in surprise.

"Yeah, the spell that restored my arm was from him." I said as I raised my paw.

"How can that be? I went to investigate the fox village after I felt all their magic disappeared and when I arrived there was no trace of life left." Celestia said as she tapped her chin in thought.

"Is what you say the truth, nephew?" Luna asked with a spark of hope in her eyes.

"Yeah it was confirmed by Merrin. She saw him place the spell." I said with a heavy sigh.

"Then we must find him post haste." Luna said as she quickly stood from her pillow and was about to head for the door until Celestia placed her wing over Luna.

"We will do no such thing sister." Celestia said sternly.

"But why sister. He should be here to explain himself." She said with a huff.

"Cyrus is a kind hearted fox that never did anything without good reasons. Plus we both know why you want to find him." Celestia said with a smirk making Luna blush before she sat back down.

"And even so it is not our place. Tell me, nephew , what do you think about the matter?" Celestia asked as she sipped her tea.

"Honestly I don't know what to think. On one hand I'm happy that he's still alive but on the other I'm pissed that he left me and mom alone." I said with a heavy sigh as I scratched Alya while she slept in my lap.

"As I said he must have had a reason and I feel he might have done what he did to save you and Nova from whatever fate befell your kind that night." Celestia said with a warm smile.

"I know your father loved you very much. In fact the moment he found out he was going to be a father he burst through those doors and demanded to hold a celebration and afterwards he never left your mothers side. It got to the point she had to sneak away from him just to use the restroom." She said with a little giggle making me smile

"I guess I'll just have to wait until we meet to hug or punch him." I said as I finished my tea and yawned.

"Sister, I do believe it is time for night court and many ponies are getting ready for bed and you should prepare yourself for bed as well." Luna said with a smile.

"Yes you are right sister I am rather tired. Fox, would you like us to prepare a room for you?" Celestia asked as she placed her wing on my back.

"No thank you aunt Tia. I promised Rosy that we would watch some shows from my world tonight." I said with a smile as I patted her wing.

"Very well, nephew. I have signed your contract so you should have no problem trading and shipping products to other towns and cities in Equestria. Goodnight nephew and I will see you in the morning sister." Celestia said as she gave me a hug before teleporting away with a flash.

"I wish you the best of dreams, nephew." Luna said as she went to hug me too.

"Actually, auntie Luna, there is something I need to speak with you about." I said as I returned the hug.

"Hmm yes sister did mention you wish for an audience with me. So pray tell nephew what is on your mind." She asked as she sat back down on her pillow.

"When I was in the Halfinger forest I ran across a fellow that had a request for me." I said seriously as the maid refilled our tea.

"And what request would that be?" She asked with interest.

"....to send the souls of Sunny Town to their judgment in the afterlife." I said with a sharp glare making her eyes widen.

"Who was the one to request this?" She demanded as she slammed her hoof on the table.

"It was Lord Death who requested this. What I want to know is what happened there for you to put such a curse in that village?" I asked as I looked her in the eyes.

"(Sigh) that was a dark time for me. That village was secluded in the forest since we were still a foal. The inhabitants knew nothing of the world outside the forest and when cutie marks came to be they thought them as a curse. One day a young filly stumbled onto that village and made a friend out of one of the young mares there. The filly helped the mare find a lost piece of jewelry and when she found it she also found that her talent was finding things." She said sadly with her head hung low.

"We had received a letter from the filly's worried mother when she didn't return home. Sister had sent me out to look for her but I was too late." She said as tears started to flow.

"When I arrived all I could hear was cheers and horrible screaming as they burned the filly alive thinking fire would cleans her of the cursed cutie mark. The young mare was crying by the fire for them to stop but their leader knocked her unconscious and was praised when the screaming stopped." She said as anger mixed with her tears and I could feel my own anger rise.

"I was furious at what I saw and wanted them to pay. Foeled by rage and the dark magic of Nightmare Moon I placed that curse on them and it was with that curse that allowed Nightmare Moon to gain more control. I was banished a month later. After my return I tried to lift the curse but did and still don't have the power to do so." She said as more tears fell.

"Now I see why John wants their souls for judgment. Thanks for telling me that Auntie Luna makes what I have to do next much easier." I said as I stood up and gave her a hug.

"Don't worry Luna, I'll make sure they get proper retribution for what they did." I said warmly but my rage made that hard to maintain.

"Thank you nephew. I'm sorry you have to clean up my mess." She said as she nuzzled my neck.

"It's ok Luna, it comes with being a family." I said with a smile.

"Pardon the interruption Princess but night court is about to begin." Said a solid musou black unicorn guard with ocean blue eyes.

"Thank you Oca, I will be there shortly." Luna said as she stood from her pillow.

"Wow with that shade of black you would be perfect for a stealth core." I said as I looked down at the pony.

"Fox I would like to introduce you to Captain Oca and it's funny that you say that because he is the head of my special operations and personal guard if he is not on a mission." Luna said with pride.

"Good evening Sir Fox." He said sternly with a bow.

"Same to you captain. Now If you'll excuse me I have some work to do. Goodnight Aunt Luna." I said with a smile before opening a portal back home.

"Before you go nephew I must tell you that we've had multiple reports of missing foals from towns that border the forest and they may be in Sunny Town and I fear what might become of them if not found." She said with worry.

"If they are in my forest I will find them and bring them home safely." I said with determination before stepping into my portal.

(Sunny town)

"Yes, with this many our lord should be pleased." A grass green unicorn with a dirt brown mane and pieces of rotting flesh hanging from his body with half of his face was bare bone leaving an empty void where his eye once was, said as he looked down at a small group of unconscious foals.

"That he will." Said as a hooded man stepped out of the shadows.

"Master everything is almost complete for the cleansing ritual." The unicorn said with excitement as he held up a large sapphire and placed it by the fouls as other villagers were piling up wood.

"Good and once it's over you all will be free from the spell cast by the lunar princess but there is a guest on his way here to try to stop it." The man said with a wide smile.

"We will not let that happen master." The unicorn said with a low growl.

"I'm sure you won't but if he becomes too much for you to handle, use this." The man said as he held up a small dark purple egg shaped crystal with black wisps of shadows coming from it.

"It is a gift from our lord. He has seen it fit to give you a piece of his power. Just swallow it and it will give you great power." He said with a large toothy smile.

"Thank you master, I will use it well." He said as he put it into his mane.

"I will return after your celebration to collect the souls for our lord." The man said as he began to walk toward the trees.

"And free us from this curse that that wretched night princess placed on us?" He said with a sneer.

"Yes of course. You have my word." The man said cheerfully before fading into the shadows. The pony turned to the rest of the villagers.

"Rejoice, my friends, for tonight we celebrate the end of our curse!" He shouted joyfully as the other rotting ponies cheered except one tied up light grey cloud colored mare Pegasus with a sky blue mane and rotten half skeletal hind leg and ribs.

"Except for you, Bright Sky. You have fought with us for the last time now you get to strengthen our master but unfortunately the spell master taught me will only work on living souls. We get to celebrate with your screams while we burn you with the foals. Put her with the foals." He said with a sadistically gleeful smile before she was dragged away while she let out muffled screams.

(Fox village)

"It's going to be a long night." I said as I stepped out of the portal and into my kitchen to find Merrin and Rosy eating the last of my Bluebell chocolate ice cream.

"Hi dad." Rosy said with a chocolate smile making me chuckle.

"I see you found my ice cream. I hope you saved me some." I said as I ruffled her head.

"Um….sorry." Blake said as he walked in and threw the empty tub away.

"It's ok. I can probably find some good ice cream in ponyville. (Poof)" I said before I changed back to normal.

"How did your meeting with the princesses go?" Merrin asked as she took a spoon full of chocolate goodness.

"Pretty good. Got all the paperwork down so we can now sell goods all over Equestria. Even talked to them about my dad." I said as I pulled out a folder and placed it on the table.

"I HAVE A GRANDPA!!" Rosy screamed in excitement.

"Possibly yeah." I said as I set my bag on the table as Rosy happily bounced in her seat.

"Can I meet him?" She asked as she finished off the ice cream.

"I have to meet him first sweetheart and once I do I'll introduce you. Now why don't you go brush your teeth before you get a cavity." I said before I scooped her up for a hug. After a quick nuzzle she flew off to the bathroom.

"Hey can you two watch her for a little bit tonight?" I asked as I put her bowl in the sink.

"Sure but what are you doin?" Blake asked as he sat at the table.

"I have a job to do for Luna and a friend." I said as I grabbed my sword from the corner by the door.

"Doing?" Merrin asked with a raised brow.

"Um cleaning out a village of zombie ponies." I said with a smile.

"Zomponies really but that's just a scary story we tell foals about on Nightmare Night." Merrin asked with a confused look.

"It's true. And get this Death is weird as hell." Blake said as he grabbed a soda from the fridge.

"What do you mean?" She asked, looking more confused.

"We had a cup of coffee with him in Halfinger Forest. His name is John and he is definitely on the weird side." I said as I pulled my mask from my bag.

"I'm not that weird." John said from his spot at the table.

"SWEET JESUS!!! (POOF)" I shouted and turned into small me. Merrin fell over stiff from surprised shock and black turned cat and was hanging from the ceiling with his claws.

"Kinda jumpy don't ya think." He said as I tried to regain control of my heart.

"You know normal people knock first.(poof)" I said as I shook off the dirt from my tail and turned back to normal.

"We both know that I'm far from normal. (Thud) so they don't always fall on their feet." He said as we looked down at Blake laying flat on his back.

"Ooowwwww." He wheezed as he slowly turned to his side.

"Um Fox, who is this?" Merrin asked as she shakily took her seat.

"Oh I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm John or most know me as Lord Death and I gave the request for this job. I see you made your decision then?" He asked as he crossed his leg over his knee and floated a soda from the fridge and took a drink.

"Yeah I was just fixing to head out when you popped in." I said as I picked up my sword.

"Good and I must urge you to be quick about it. There are innocents there that I do not wish to see at my gate." He said seriously as his eyes glowed and he vanished.

"See what I mean he's weird.(KLINK)" Blake said as he climbed onto the table before an empty soda bottle landed on his head and caused him to fall back to the ground.

"My bad." Blake said before groaning in pain.

"Okay so Death is real." Merrin said with wide eyes.

"Yep and I should probably head out too." I said before I noticed a not so happy Rosy at the door.

"Are you doing something dangerous again?" She asked sternly as she marched into the kitchen and flew up to the table.

(Sigh) yeah kinda but I'll be alright I promise." I said with a smile before she fluttered in front of my face.

"Last time you said that you almost died." She said as she lightly bonked me on the head with her hoof then crossed her forelegs.

"Sweetie, if I don't go, a lot of foals will be hurt." I said gently as I looked her in the eyes.

"....(sigh) then take Merrin with you." She said as she glared back at me.

"Yeah I can you." Merrin said as she watched.

"Then who will watch you?" I asked as Blake finally made it back onto the table before gripping in a crush hug from Rosy.

"Blake can watch." She said with a stern nod as Blake struggled in her grasp.

"Hmm." I hummed as I locked eyes with her that lasted a good few seconds.

"Can't….breathe." Blake wheezed as the stare contained.

"Fine. I'll take Merrin with me. Now please let go of Blake. I don't think he can get any bluer." I said as I pulled out my laptop and set it in front of the gasping blue cat.

"Blake, this is my laptop. I have a massive library of anime and movies stored in an external memory bank on my desk and by some miracle YouTube works but you can't post videos." I said as Merrin put her bowl in the sink and stood beside me.

"Hell yeah." He said with excitement.

"No cussing infront of Rosy." I said sternly before Rosy flew into my chest, hugging me tightly.

"Come home safe." She said as I hugged her back.

"With a strong mare like Merrin by my side you know I will, Blake not so much. Good choice." I said, making Merrin blush deeply as I sat Rosy back down on the table with her smiling.

"Hey I'm strong." He said in mock anger.

"Part dragon. I'm stronger by default." She said with sass and a smirk making me laugh.

"Alright we have to go now. Blake no more sugar tonight and make sure she goes to bed in an hour." I said as I picked up my bag and headed for the door.

"No prob. Come on Rosy(poof) I'll show you the wonders of YouTube." Blake said as he turned into his normal form and grabbed the laptop.

"Bye y'all we'll be back in a bit." I said as I opened the door let Merrin through.

"You better!" She said as I closed the door while shaking my head with a chuckle.

"Alright we better hurry." I said before letting out a loud whistle.

"You called master." Twiggles said as he and Bramble emerged from the forest.

"Yeah gather the pack except for those at Sunny Town. Bramble your with me and Merrin. Tonight we raid that Town and send their souls to judgement." I said as I pulled my mask from my bag and activated my armor to Midnight Marauder. Bramble barked before jumping into the bushes and came out as big as Twiggles. Twiggles let out a mighty howl that was returned a second later from the forest. There was a flash of flames next to me and I turned to see Merrin had taken off her amulet and transformed into her half dragon self.

"You ready for this Merrin?" I asked as I held up my armored fist.

"Yeah." She said as she bumped my fist.

"Then let's do this." I said as I slipped the mask on then jumped onto Bramble's back.

"Move out!" I shouted before we bolted into the forest. It wasn't long before we were flanked by the rest of the pack as we ran through the forest and one ran up beside Twiggles.

"Master, I just received word from the patrol at Sunny Town. They said that they have gathered a group of young ponies and it appears they want to set them alight. Also they are using some sort of magic to put the life force out of them into some sort of stone." Twiggles said with haste.

"Dammit. Merrin, I'm goin ahead. If I use the shadows I can get there faster. I'll be counting on you for backup. Twiggles have the pack stick close to the border and don't let any of them escape." I said before I jumped off Bramble and into the darkness of the forest. I flew through the shadow at high speed and felt a force pushing against my back as if the forest was telling me to hurry and a moment later I found myself in the shadow of a small home in Sunny Town.

"Rejoice, my brothers and sisters for tonight we have much to celebrate." I heard someone say as I emerged from the shadows and peered around the corner of the home and what I saw set me blood to boil. In the center of the town was a large group of ponies with exposed bones and flesh falling off as it rotted away. In front of the crowd was a grass green unicorn with half of his face bare bone holding up a brightly glowing sapphire in his magic and behind them was multiple unconscious foals and a terrified mare tied up next to them and were surrounded by logs. Standing to both sides of the wood pile were ponies holding torches ready to set them on fire.

"Many years ago we were cursed by the night princess and made to suffer night after night. Over and over again our flesh painfully rotted away until we were left nothing but bone but no more. Thanks to our master we have found our salvation. Within this gem we now have enough souls for our lord to be able to lift this curse of rot and he will aid us in revenge on Princess Luna." He said as the crowd cheered loudly.

"All that's left to do is to light the flames of our freedom. But that's not all we have to celebrate tonight for we will be riding our village of a trader, BRIGHT SKY!" He shouted and pointed to the terrified mare as she struggled against her bindings.

"For years she has been a thorn in our sides but not anymore. Tonight she will be added to the offering to our lord and master Dylan. Now let's celebrate our last night as walking corpses!" He said, making the crowd cheer loudly and signaled to the ponies holding the torches to start the fire.

"Not happening." I said before activating my arm and quickly ran through the crowd before they could react. I jumped over the green unicorn snatching the gem and slipped it into my bag. I then unsheathed the blade and sliced through one touch bearer before quickly jumping and doing the same to the other. As I landed in front of the foals and mare the two ponies burst into black flames before turning to ash on the ground.

(

)

"What!! Who are you….and where is that blasted music coming from!?" He shouted as I readied myself for attack.

"Your judgment." I said before I dashed forward but before I could slash him he teleported behind the crowd.

"Get him! We must not let him stop the celebration!" He shouted to the crowd as they all turned to me ready to attack. Ponies began to charge at me but were stopped by a jet of flames that blasted the ground in front of them forming a wall of flames as Merrin landed beside and Bramble ran behind the foals.

"Nice timing." I said as I readied myself.

"What I miss?" She asked as she looked at the foals and the now shocked mare.

"That green unicorn in the back is their leader. He used some sort of spell to trap the souls of those foals in a gem I was able to snag from him and was about to burn them. The body won't last long without the soul." I said before slashing two Pegasus attacking from above.

"So what's the plan?" She asked while busting through rocks and objects thrown by some unicorns.

"Keeping the kids safe. Bramble I want to start taking the foals and mare to the forest. Merrin protect them until they're all out while I thin the crowd." I said before Bramble broke himself over some of the foals and reform around them gently holding them in his body by vine then ran for the forest. I jumped through the flames and cut down a few earth ponies that tried to jump me before two barrels flew over my head and burst open with water putting out the wall of flames.

"STOP THEM NOW! They're taking the sacrifices and they're souls!" The leader said as he picked up some nearby objects and launched them at me. I dodged from side to side slashing any pony that got close. One of the unicorns launched a magic blast at me hitting me in the back and was followed by a fast flying kick from a Pegasus. I was able to block the kick but he pushed me back a few feet.

"Don't underestimate us. We have lived in this dangerous forest for many years. We are not weak!" He shouted as he formed a large ball of magic and sent it flying at me. I straightened up and held out my hand and to his shock I sucked his magic into my armor.

"If you've lived here that long you should know what I am." I said as I deactivated my armor but left the mask on.

"No you can't be one of them. Master Dulan wiped out all the Mystics eighteen years ago!!" He yelled in shock.

"He missed one." I said as I reactivated my armor and charged into the crowd slashing through one after another leaving nothing but ash in my wake until there was no pony left.

"All of the foals and the mare are safe in the forest and Bramble is with the pack." Merrin said as she landed at my side.

"no. No! NO! This can not happen. You're the one master warned me about. I WILL NOT LET YOU RUIN MY CELEBRATION!!!" He shouted as he pulled out a purple glowing gem and swallowed it. He froze before a black shadowy mist burst from his body and he screamed out in pain as the mist consumed him before forming into a solid bubble. We watched in shock as the bubble began to crack and a pulse of dark magic blew apart.

"HAHAHAHAHA THIS IS WONDERFUL!!! My Lord Crona has felt gracious enough to grant me this power so that I may succeed in killing you and complete our celebration. Now face my lord's wrath!" He shouted as the mist faded and revealed a half skeletal alicorn. His neck and bottom of his face still had flesh rotting from the bone. His right side of his chest was bare rotten muscles fading into his left rib cage, both front legs had bits of muscle still on the bone. His right back leg was bare muscles and his left just had patches of skin missing. Along with a long bone white horn he had a tattered right wing and the left was just bone and scattered feathers. He formed a large ball of black magic. It reached me before I could react and blow up, sending me flying through the large pile of wood and the house behind it.

"FOX!" Merrin screamed as she flew into the home as I pulled myself from the rubble.

"I'm good just got caught off guard. We need to take him down and back me up." I said before another blast tore through the house but we flew up and dodged the attack. I rushed in close to slash his side but was blocked by a dark purple glowing horn. Merrin surprised him with a flaming fist in his back, sending him to the ground.

"Nice." I said before he jumped from his hole and fired off a purple bolt of lightning at Merrin but I sucked it into my armor and amplified it before sending it right back to him blast a hole through his chest. That's when I saw it. Just like with Thorn his soul was wrapped in the coils of a black and purple snake with its fangs buried deep. Then with a flash of its eyes the hole regenerates.

"Hahaha nothing you do can stop the wrath of Lord Crona. Now burn!" He yelled as he flew above us and started to form a massive ball of dark purple flames.

"Merrin I got a plan." I said as I leaned in close and told her what to do before he launched the fireball down at us and we put the plan into action. I jumped to intercept the blast and absorbed the magic into the armor before amplifying it and pooling it into my sword. While I was charging magic Merrin kept him busy with heavy hits in close combat.

"MERRIN NOW!!" I shouted as my magic pulsed in waves of white flames. The zombie alicorn took notice and put up a barrier but was smashed to pieces by a flaming heavy double fist slam by Merrin.

"HEAVENS JUDGMENT!!!" I yelled as I slashed downwards, sending a bright white blast of flames. Before he could react he was split from top to bottom and burst into white flame before he and the snake were obliterated before he could scream. I slowly sheathed my blade with a heavy breath as Merrin landed beside me.

"Is it over?" She asked as she leaned in to support my tired body.

"Yeah he's down where he belongs. Legs go and help the the foals.(poof)" I said as I deactivated the armor and turned tiny to save magic before landing on Merrins back as she put her amulet back on then walked toward the forest. In the dark canopy of the forest alone, an owl watched as we walked into the forest before flying off.

(Deep underground)

"(Slam) Blasted fool!" Dulan shouted as he put his fist down on his stone throne while he watched through the eyes of the owl as his pawn was slain.

"You knew the outcome beforehand." Said a black purple haze by his side.

"Yes but I hope with the aid of your power he would put up a better fight." He said with a heavy sigh.

"Hmm it seems he is getting stronger and that mare has been blessed by the dragons." It said as they watched her return to normal.

"That was his last act of his will before we took complete control. His mission was a success though and brought us one on the keystones." He said as he stood from his chair and a wall behind him opened up to a large dome room with four large black crystals placed around an altar with the square tablet he took from Halfinger forest and in two of its slots were the amulet that was stolen from Celestia's vault and another of a different color.

"Soon we will have all that we need. Be patient, there is still plenty of time before the fateful day. For now we find more pawns. Go to the badlands and free her of her prison." The haze said before it evaporated.

"Oh this will be so much fun. I get to go play with a queen." Dulan said with a wide toothy smile and glowing eyes under his hood before he slowly faded into the shadows.

(Back in the everfree)

Thanks for keeping them safe Bramble." I said as I jumped onto his now smaller self. He had used a lot of his mass to make a small soft bed for them to rest on. I looked down to the foals and noticed their colors had started to fade. The mare that was with them, Bright Sky is what that leader guy said, was sitting beside them watching with worry and guilt.

"Now how do I free their souls?" I asked myself as I pulled out the gem from my tail and held it up to see small white lights floating inside.

"Well that's simple." John said as he watched the lights right beside my head.

"FUCK!!!" I shouted making everyone jump as I accidentally tossed the gem high into the air and watched in horror as it smashed into the ground. With their prison broken to piece the souls burst out and flew back to their homes bringing color and life back into the foals.

"See simple right?" He asked with a smile.

"I swear if I didn't know you were Death I would have smacked you by now." I said as I tried to calm my tiny heart.

"What's a little fun between friends. I must thank you Fox for your assistance in this matter and as thanks you may keep the sword and this." He said as he tossed me a gold coin with a skull on one side and a scythe on the other.

"Because you did a favor for me, I owe you one in return. When you think of one just flip the coin into the air. So until that time farewell." He said with a bow before he vanished.

"Now that that's down, what should we do with you?" I said to myself as I put the coin in my tail and looked to Bright Sky with a soft smile of relief as she watched over the foals but you can still see the guilt in her eyes.

Chapter 26: A New Life

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Coffee and Game

Author's Note

HI EVERYBODY I'm back sorry it took so long to get this chapter things have been a bit blah for me. Anyways before we get into this chapter I had an odd question to ask. I know when I read other stories I like to give the characters voices in my head. My question is if you do that too how do my characters sound to you, do you give them an accent or anything? Let me know in the comments and like always tell me what you think of this chapter.

Ok I'll let you all get to reading.
ENJOY EVERYBODY

Coffee and Game

Chapter 27: Coffee and Games

"So how does it feel to be back among the living?" I said as I sat a plate of waffles in front of the mare.

"I don't really know. But I can't thank you enough for what you did." She said with a smile as she placed a hoof on her stomach.

"It's ok. If there was anything I could do to help bring happiness back to you or anyone for that matter I would do it." I said with a smile as I climbed onto my chair at the table.

"Well this definitely makes me happy." She said with a loving smile as Merrin and Rosy sat down at the table.

"This is Merrin and my daughter Rosy and the blue cat rolling on the ground laughing is Blake. I'm Fox Lilly." I said as they waved except for Blake who was currently holding his sides.

"Oh I'm sorry I'm Frost Flower. Um you are the one who came to the village right." She said with a small blush and head bow.

"(Sigh) yes I am." I said as I looked at my now child's body.

"Oh this is hilarious. Hahaha you're so cute hahahaha." Black said as he continued to laugh on the floor.

"Before you ask. Have you ever heard of the poison joke flower?" I asked, getting a nod.

"Yeah well I kinda accidentally ate one. Now random things will happen to me at random times and I have no control over it." I said as I poured syrup on my waffles.

"Now that induction is out of the way, let's go over a few things. Now everything is completely optional and you have the final say on what you want to do." I said as I cut into my large stack of waffles while Merrin pulled out a clipboard.

"First we have an available house here you can live in unless you want to stay in that village." Merrin said as she flipped a page on her clipboard

"No no no no I do not want to go back there." She said as she shook her head vigorously.

"Then we'll set you up in a house and I'll get the Timberwolves to safely help you get whatever you want from your old house. Now if you want a job I need some help with my outpost if you're willing." I said before taking a huge bite of my waffles.

"Yes I'm more than willing." Frost said with a big smile.

"I'll take you to meet Miss Note before I have to go to the train station." I said after I finished my waffles.

"I forgot Princess Cadence wanted you to come to the crystal empire today." Merrin asked as she put her plate into the sink.

"Can I come too dad please?" Rosy asked as Blake jumped up beside her and both were giving me puppy dog eyes.

"I don't see why not. Sure, you can help me with the cart today." I said as I began to stuff a bag of flour into my bag.

"Whatcha need all that flower for?" Blake asked before he sat down next to me.

"I plan to set up my cart for a while there. So I'm goin to cook a bit." I said as I stuffed multiple jars of coffee beans into my bag.

"Alright that should be everything. Time to go." I said before we headed for the door and when I opened it I was met with a good size crowd of cats and ponies going about their day, setting up their stands.

"I hope you like cats. I just set up a trade outpost and it looks like they're pretty eager to start a market here." I said as we made our way to the new market to the outpost.

"Wow, I didn't know there were creatures like this around." Frost said as she looked around in fashionation.

"They're called Abyssians, a race of bipedal cats and wild cats." Merrin said with a smile as we reached the open gates to the outpost.

"Oh good morning Mr. Fox." Note said as she walked up to me with a smile and clipboard in hoof.

"Good morning to you too Miss. Note. How's everything running this morning?" I asked with a smile.

"Good so far but entry is running slow due to the new entry paper they have to fill out along with an inventory summary. (Sigh) Quake and I can only do so much." She said with a small sigh.

"Hmm I think I might have a way to speed up the process but it will probably take a few days to implement. I'm my world there was a country that used stamps as a personal signature. We can use cutie marks for ponies and creatures without marks can use symbols or letters. They can also choose what material they want it made of." I said with a smile as she wrote on her clipboard.

"That's a wonderful idea. We can keep an entry catalog and all they would have to do is stamp the entry book and move along." Note said with a large smile.

"Yep. Can you have someone make out a form and send it to any company or guilds that pass through the gates?" I asked as I watched merchant's walk in and out with their goods ready to set up for the day.

"It will take some time since we are short-hooved at the moment." Note said looking down in thought.

"Well about that, meet Frost Flower. She will be working here as of today so take good care of her." I said as Frost blushed a little bit.

"Welcome to the outpost Frost. I'm Miss Note and I'm the manager here." Note said with a smile as she held a hoof out to shake.

"Now that that is taken care of we need to get to the train station. I'll be opening the gate to the Crystal Empire today and start letting ponies through next week. Once you get the forms ready, send a few copies to me and I'll inform the princesses and hopefully find a craftsman who we can contract with." I said with a wave as we started to head out towards ponyville.

"Have a good trip." Frost said with a smile and wave as we left.

(The Badland)

"That insolent Mystic Fox that ruined my plans is heading for the Crystal Empire and he seems to have opened a gate to new lands?" Queen Chrysalis asked a drone walking next to her.

"Yes my queen and reports say he will open up another one to the Crystal Empire." The drone said as they walked through the door to the throne room.

"Hmm we might be able to use that to our advantage. Keep a watchful eye on him for now…" She said before she froze in shock before snaring at a cloaked figure sitting on her throne.

"Hello~" Dolan said merrily from the throne, surrounded by multiple dead drones.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" She yelled before sending a blast towards him.

"Well that's just rude. Do you always treat house guests this way?" He asked as he simply swatted the blast away.

"You are an uninvited guest who killed my children and dared to sit on my throne. What business do you have with me?" She asked with a snarl as she readied herself for battle.

"With you, none. I'm here to release some you have locked away." He said with a sharp tooth smile as he stood from the throne.

"We do not keep prisoners here. We drain them of their love and drop them in the badlands. So I ask again why are you here?" She asked as her timper began to rise.

"Oh but you do have something locked up but I wouldn't call her a prisoner." He said as he watched the realization sink in.

"No. How did you know about her?" She asked in shock.

"My master knows about all things in this world and she could be a valuable asset to us and our goals." He said with a bored shrug.

"I will not let you free that monster. GUARDS!" She said as she crouched down and drones filled the room.

"Oh for shame, calling your only daughter a monster." He said with a sigh before looking at her with a smirk as his eyes glowed red.

"KILL HIM!!" She yelled as she charged her horn and the drones jumped towards him.

"Unfortunately for you I'm already dead." He said with a wide smile as a black mist burst from under his cloak enveloping the charging drones before retracting back under the cloak leaving behind lifeless corpses scattered on the ground.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY CHILDREN!" She yelled before firing off a blast.

"Oh I simply took their souls for my master to feast upon." He said as he stepped to the side letting the blast shoot past him and blasting the black stone throne revealing a green cocoon under it.

"So this is where you hid her." He said as he looked down at the cocoon that held a small Changeling with pink wings and mane.

"Get away from her!" She said as she launched a ball of green slime at him.

"Now that's just nasty." He said as he caught the slime ball in his magic and sent it right back to the queen, sticking her to the wall behind her.

"Now just stay there and be a good bug while I have a talk with your daughter." He said as he lifted the cocoon from its chamber and laid it on the ground. With a swift swing from his sharp claws he tore a hole and spilled the contents on the floor.

"(GASP) cough..what...cough what happened? Why...WHY AM I FREE?" The Changeling asked in fright when she regained her senses.

"MANDI RUN!!!" Chrysalis yelled as she tried to free herself.

"MOM!" She yelled before racing to her mother and tried to free her from the slime.

"Now let's keep the yelling to a minimum ok." Dolan said as he took the small Changeling in his magical grasp and dragged her back to him.

"No no no please put me back please you don't know what you're doing." She said as she struggled to get free.

"Oh that's where you're wrong I know exactly what I'm doing. Now time for you to sleep." He said as he touched the tip of her horn and with a Gasp her eye turned white and she slumped on the floor. A second later dark red flames erupted around her as she grew taller, her mane, tail, and wings turned a black crimson. Her horn grew long and jagged along with her fangs and her eyes shone a dark ruby.

"(Yawn) Oh how good it feels to finally stretch my legs." She said as the flames subsided leaving the Changeling stretching like a cat before she noticed the corpses littering the ground.

"Hmm, did we have a feast last night? Aw and no leftovers." She said with a small pout.

"Don't worry I made sure to keep a few fresh meals for you." Dolan said with a smile as he stepped forward.

"So is this what you're doing? I must say this is quite the sight to wake up to. The only thing that could make this better would be a good stallion next to me." She said in a lust filled voice as she circled around him.

"Well unfortunately all I have to offer is a lovely breakfast." He said as he pointed to Chrysalis still stuck to the wall.

"Oh well this is definitely a delight. Hello mother." She said with a sinister smile as she walked up to her.

"Mandible." Chrysalis said with a sneer.

"Oh how you hurt me so." She said with a fake pout before slamming her hoof into her side making Chrysalis Gasp for air.

"Mmm I can already feel your agony. But that's nothing compared to the pain I felt when you locked me away." She said with a growl before punching her again.

"You….you had to be stopped. You tourchard your own kind and feed off their pain." Chrysalis said as she wheezed trying to regain her breath and Mandible turned back to Dolan.

"Hmm did you leave any drones behind?" She asked in a playful tone.

"Of course I did, what meal would be complete without appetizers." He said with a sharp tooth grin.

"Oh goodie. This meal just got even better. I will bring them here to let you watch as I leave your children in complete agony and I get to savor every last drop then once they're all tapped out I'll move on to the main course." She said seductively as she inches back towards her mother with a heavy blush until she was right in front of her muzzle.

"Just the thought of you rating in agony and the taste just mmmmmm makes me dripping with excitement." She said with a shiver as she backed away.

"Then I will leave you for your meal. I'll be outside when you're done." Dolan said as he started to sink into the shadows.

"Aw you don't want to savor this meal with me?" She said with a seductive shake of her flank.

"No, I find it rude to watch a mare eat her fill." He said as he fully sunk into the shadows.

"Well then I guess I should enjoy my meal. I'll see you in just a bit, mother." She said before walking out of the chamber humming a playful tune.

(Fox, The Crystal Empire)

"(Shiver) Whoa just got a chill there." I said as I set down a cup of hot coffee for a customer. I had left the girls to meet up with the mare for the Equestrian games and went to set up my cart near the castle. Today's things are coffee and snacks and it's already been busy.

"I need a large dark roast and dark chocolate almond cookie to go." Merrin said from the front counter.

"Comin right up. Here Sweetie takes this to that couple over there. " I said as I scooped the coffee grounds from the jar and dumped them into the filter before drizzling hot water over the top. Blake set down the cookie on a small plate next to me while Rosy took two cups of coffee over to a waiting couple.

"So what, no expresso or lotia, just different roasts and blends?" Blake asked as he washed a cup in the sink.

"What do you think we are Starbucks? They took coffee off the rails with all the fancy stuff. A good cup of coffee is all about the beans. Where they grow, how they're roasted, ground and filtered makes for a wonderful cup of Joe." I said with a smile as I set a nice hot cup down with the cookie.

"Mmm this smells delicious thank you Fox." Said a pink Alicorn at the counter.

"No problem Cadence, you look like you needed it." I said as she took a nice long sip.

"(Sigh) you have no idea. The stress of getting the Equestrian games here for the first time and this massive headdress I have to ware is giving me wrinkles." She said with a sigh as she pulled out a large diagram of a big feathered headdress.

"Whoa that's a lot of steps." Rosy said as she looked to the directions.

"Ok I get the Equestrian games stress but why the massively flamboyant hat?" Blake asked with a raised brow.

"Old traditions that must be upheld." She said in mocking bravado.

"Well maybe some traditions should stay in the past." I said with a chuckle.

"You should see the wedding dress traditions from my village, so many beads. When my friend got married she showed me her dress. I thought it was a hanging decoration." Merrin said as she added bits to the register.

"I just hope Rarity can work this puzzle out." She said as she took a bite from her cookie and smiled in delight.

"Well knowing Rarity I'm pretty sure she's got a hit handl-WHOA hey!" I said before I was magically lifted over the counter into the arms of my bubbly cousin.

"I'm sorry I just couldn't resist. You're just so tiny and adorable in that outfit. I must cuddle!" She said as she squeezed me to her chest and began to nuzzle my head while Blake and Rosy tried to hold in their laughter.

"Now that you mentioned it, why are we wearing these outfits?" Merrin asked as she adjusted her black half tie. I wanted a stylish look so I went with a tight fit dark gray four button vest with white pinstripes running down it and white long sleeve dress shirt underneath. For me and Blake we had the same top but with black slacks and black dress shoes. Rosy had on a small bowtie and a light brown apron.

"I like it. Everypony thinks I'm cute." Rosy said with a giggle.

"For one I happen to like this look." I said as I crossed my arms while still in the grasp of cuddling.

"You stole it from Tokyo Ghoul." Blake choked out before laughing again at my very noticeable blush.

"Doesn't mean I can't use it here." I said with a pout.

"Well you can't look any more handsome than you do now." Cadence said happily.

"Speaking of looks shouldn't you be headed back to the spa right now." I asked as I prided myself from her grasp.

"(Sigh) yes I should probably get going. Rarity probably has that headdress figured out by now." She said with a sigh.

"Cookie and coffee for the road?" Merrin asked as she handed her a small paper bag and a hot Togo cup of coffee.

"Thanks I'll definitely need this." Cadence said as she took them with her magic.

"Oh before I forget." I said as I fished a gem from my bag.

"Whenever you're ready to set up a trade post, put this gem on any large archway or door frame and tap it a couple of times. It will open a portal to my outpost and will be implementing a stamp system too but that's still in the works." I said happily as she took the gem and slipped it in her mane. How ponies can do that and not lose anything is beyond me….except for the physics breaking pony known as Pinkie Pie.

"I'll make sure this goes in a good spot….one for the road." She said as she picked me up for a big hug before heading down the road.

"Alright back to work." I said happily as I walked back into my cart. It wasn't long after that when the girls walked up with a light yellow mare with light green main and a pink shirt with a white frill caller.

"Hey girls, how's the tour goin?" I said with a smile as I cleaned a cup.

"Good so far. She wanted to get out of the castle for a bit so we're showing off the plaza." Twilight said with an unsure smile.

"Aw got it. How about a hot drink to go?" I said as I pulled out some cups.

"I could use a nice cup-a-joe." Applejack said with a smile.

"Let me see hmmm coffee for AJ, i'm saying jasmine tea for Twi and Fluttershy's, hot cider for Dash, and hot chocolate for Pinkie. And what for you miss on the house." I said as I start getting the drinks together.

"I'll have a light coffee." She said in a slight county accent.

"Can I have a butter scone too please?" Fluttershy whispered bashfully.

"Oh oh cookies too!!" Pinkie said happily as she bounced in place.

"How about I put together a snack box for you all. Merrin can you get that together?" I asked as I was getting there drinks.

"Coming right up." Merrin said as she pulled a small box from below the counter and started to fill it up with confections.

"Excuse me but can I please place my order?" A light brown mare with a blonde mane and purple business suit and light purple scarf said in a high class accent from behind the group.

"Sure thing missed. Sorry girls but work calls. Blake, can you finish pouring the girls their drinks?" I asked with an apologetic look to the girls before moving to the uptight mare.

"Sorry about that miss. What can I get you?" I asked with a smile.

"I will have a large dark roast coffee to go and a butter scone with strawberry jam."She said with her eyes closed and muzzle held high.

"Of course miss, I'll have that right out." I said with a smile before grabbing a cup. I looked over and saw the girl all had their drinks and was about to head back to the castle. I gave them a smile and wave before I noticed a familiar white bunny hopping towards the group, a small group of pets and three recognizable fillies and baby dragons running after them.

"Well that's not good." I whispered to myself. I'll have to talk to Rosy when I get home but for now I can keep the others from getting in trouble with their sisters. So after quickly giving the uptight mare her coffee I did the only thing I could to make a distraction.

"Hey girls, how about a song before yall leave. Blake, help me out." I said as I plucked My violin from its chain and made it grow to normal size before Blake pulled out a guitar and we both stood in front of the cart.

(Play Humble And Kind by Tim Mcgraw)

Black started with a soft entro and all eyes on us and I started to sing.

~
You know there's a light that glows by the front door
Don't forget the keys under the mat
When childhood stars shine
Always stay humble and kind
Go to church 'cause your momma says to
Visit grandpa every chance that you can
It won't be wasted time
Always stay humble and kind
~

As the song goes on I catch a glimpse of Rosy quickly grabbing Angle Bunny before running around the corner out of sight.

~
Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind
~

Merrin joined me and we started a duet for the next verse and I noticed tiny heads pop out from around the corner, both filly and animal.

~
Don't expect a free ride from no one
Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why
Bitterness keeps you from flyin'
Always stay humble and kind
Know the difference between sleepin' with someone
And sleepin' with someone you love
"I love you" ain't no pickup line, so
Always stay humble and kind
~

At this point we had the whole crowd singing along with the music.

~
Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind
When those dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind (Yeah)
~
Blake stepped forward with his guitar and began to play the solo and was really getting into it. He had his eyes closed and just felt the music as he played.

~
When it's hot, eat a root beer popsicle
Shut off the AC and roll the windows down
Let that summer sun shine
Always stay humble and kind
Don't take for granted the love this life gives you
When you get where you're goin', don't forget turn back around
And help the next one in line
Always stay humble and kind
~
(End song)

At the end I looked over to the hidden fillies and saw them softly hugging each other. Angel Bunny had his head down low before tearing up and hugged the fillies along with the pets and Spike. The girls each had a soft smile except for Twilight who was positively beaming. Even the uptight mare had a small smile, she gave a small head bow before heading in the direction of the spa.

"There was a mighty fine song called sugarcube." Applejack said as the crowd went back to their day to day.

"It was lovely." Said Fluttershy with gentle nods happily with others.

"Thanks, that's one of my favorite songs." I said as I clipped my violin back on my ear.

"This day just gets better and better." The mare said with a smile.

"Well we need to get back to the tour. See ya later Fox." Twilight said before they all headed back to the castle and I went into my cart and started to fill a box with snacks.

"How are those for dad?" Rosy asked as I handed her the box.

"Rosy, I have a mission for you. Just around that corner over there is Spike, the crusaders, and the girl's pets. I want you to go give them these and make sure they get home safe okay. You can use the door on my cart and have Bramble lead yall out of the forest. Think you can do that sweetheart?" I said with a smile as she balanced the box on her back.

"Yes sir. I'll make sure they get home safe and sound." She said as she and Tammy saluted happily before she hopped out of the cart and ran down the street.

"What was that about?" Merrin asked as she watched the giggling filly run around the corner.

"Oh just making sure some fillies and dragons won't get into trouble." I said as I scratched Alya's head before getting back to work.

An hour later and a good laugh watching the girls chase down a pony with a large pot stuck on their head, I shut down the cart before we head to the spa to check on Cadence.

"I hope Twilight and the others caught the inspector before she hurt herself." Merrin said as we walked through the entrance to the spa.

"Well it looks like they did." I said while pointing to the girls and Cadence while they talked to the inspector and the high society mare from earlier.

"By the looks of things I don't think the tour went too well." Blake said as we walked up to the group of sad looking mares.

"Why so glum chums?" I asked with a smile.

"Princess, we gave our welcome to the wrong pony, left the right one waiting at the station, and completely ruined everything." Rainbow Dash said with her head held low.

"Cinnamon bun?" Pinkie asked nervously as she pulled a cinnamon bun from her mane.

"How do you do that?" Blake asked with a raised brow before Pinkie shrugged and popped the whole cinnamon bum into her mouth.

"When I was a little filly, I wanted so badly for Cloudsdale to win the Equestria Games. But it didn't happen. So I thought I could make up for that disappointment by helping the Crystal Empire win the chance to host the Games. But it looks like I ruined your chances instead." Rainbow said as she looked sadly at Cadence.

"Not so fast, speedy." Peachblossom said as she stood next to the real inspector.

"I just finished hearing about how this pony was just treated to the warmest, finest, most fabulous reception she ever had. Not to mention that delicious coffee and friendly service from that strange small bipedal creature." Horsewhinny said with a smile.

"Courtesy of these fine ponies right here. Which, in my expert opinion, amounts to the first ever unvarnished, unrehearsed, and unbiased appraisal of a potential host of the Equestria Games. Which can only mean one thing…(POOF) AAHHHH!" Horsewhinny screamed as I returned to normal.

"Oh thank God I'm back to normal. Being stuck as a kid sucks." I said with a sigh.

"Aw but you were so adorable that size." Cadence said with disappointment.

"Sorry for the sudden scare, let me introduce myself. I'm Fox Lilly and I own the food cart you got your coffee from." I said with a smile and small bow.

"Well, aren't you a tall drink of water?" Peachblossom said as she looked me up and down with a light blush.

"Um..thanks?" I said before Horsewhinny cleared her throat.

"Yes thank you for your satisfying coffee and confections. Now I do believe we have an announcement to make." Horsewhinny said with a smile before we all left the spa.

It wasn't too long after that me and my friends were standing in a mass of crystal ponies looking up to Cadence and the inspector standing in front of a podium.

"The next host of the Equestria Games is... the Crystal Empire!" Cadence said with excitement as the crowd erupted with cheers.

"We did it!" Rainbow shouted and jumped up into the air.

"Congratulations, Crystal Ponies!" Said as the ponies cheered. As the cheers grew so did the power of the crystal heart until the power burst forth turning everyone into a sparkling version of themselves.

With the job down we headed to the train station.

"Will you be joining us on the train darlings?" Rarity asked as the pony carrying her luggage collapsed under the massive pile.

"No, I wanted to make sure the trade gate here works right. If you girls want you can use it too." I said as I pulled out the stuck pony and gave him a handful of bits for his troubles.

"Thank you for the offer but no." Rarity said as she shook her head.

"Yeah, the train helps to relax us after the excitement of the day." Twilight said with a smile.

"(Yawn) Yeah I could definitely use a nap." Rainbow said with a big yawn.

"I'm with RD on that one." Applejack said with a tired smile.

"I like to watch the scenery." Fluttershy said happily.

"I like to stick my head out the window." Pinkie said as she bounced.

"[sighs] You know, it feels good to help others get something you always wanted but never had. Almost as good as getting it yourself. Almost." Rainbow said with a playful smirk.

"We'll still be able to come back here and watch the games when they're played." Twilight said with a smile.

"You're right. That'll rock!" Rainbow said as she threw up her hoof into the air.

"All aboard!" The conductor shouted from the train door.

"Well I hope you girls have a pleasant trip home." I said before giving them a hug as they walked onto the train and a short time later the train rolled out of the station as the girls waved from the windows.

"Alright now we just need to do a few more things then it's back home." I said as I pulled a familiar large seed out of my bag.

"What's up with that thing?" Black asked as we left the station.

"Just something that needs a hood home." I said with a smile before slipping the seed back into my bag.

Unexpected rescue

Author's Note

SUP YALL BACK AGAIN WITH A NEW CHAPTER. Hope yall like it and let me know what yall think.

I do not own any music used in this chapter please support the artists

Unexpected rescue

Chapter 28: Unexpected rescue.

After saying goodbye to the girls and watching the train roll out of the station Merrin, Blake and I set off in my cart for the hot spring forest.

"I still don't get how that works." Blake said as he poked his head out of my jacket.

"Yeah it so warm in the Empire but as soon as you get passed its borders it'd below freezing." Merrin said as she fixed her scarf.

"If y'all want y'all can stay in the cart. It will take a little bit longer before we reach that hot spring forest." I said as we traveled through the tundra. It's to cold to fly so we decided to use the cart.

"Hey I didn't know trees grew this far north." Merrin said as she pointed to a distant patch of bare snow covered pine tree forest.

"Its not uncommon to see pine and fur trees in colder climates." I said before I spotted a small light snow gray creature rush out of the trees followed by a dark brown griffin with a white and brown speckled feathery head.

"Something tells me that that griffin is up to no good." I said with a scowl as I stopped the cart and jumped onto the snow before pulling up my display so Twink can see the odd creature.

"Fox that's a snow yeti cub. They normally stay in the mountains close the Yakyakastan it's extremely rare to find them this far from their home." Twink said as she pulled up the last known home of the snow yeti.

"Wow that's miles away from here." Blake said as the yeti cub noticed us and ran as fast as it could towards us in hopes of losing its pursuer.

"The poor thing is terrified." Merrin said as she hopped off the cart.

"Yeah but that's about to change." I said as I closed the display and reached down and scooped up a large amount of snow.

"GET BACK HERE!" The griffin yelled as he jumped into the air before getting knocked back down by a large snowball to the face allowing the cub run passed us and hid under the cart as the griffin slid to a stop.

"Hello~." I said with a smile as the griffin slowly stood and shook off the snow.

"Grrr who they hay are you, this has nothing to do with you." The griffin said in a deep male voice.

"Hi my name is Fox and you are?" I asked with a smile as I slowly let my magic flow into the snow.

"None of your damn business so move so I can…relocate that cub to his new home." He said with a sinister smirk.

"We see by the looks of things this little guy doesn't want to go with you." I said as my magic slowly crept under him.

"Too bad now move or I'll make you." He said as he crouched down and sped his wings.

"No I don't think I will and aren't you cold out here like that." I said with a raised brow.

"What are you talking about." He said with a sneer.

"Well you are currently stuck in ice." I said with a smile as he looked down in shock to find only his head and wing tips sticking out of ice from my magic.

"Wha but how?" He said as he looked up at me with wide eyes.

"Magic my friend. Now how about you answer some questions." I said as I looked down with a shadowed smile.

"What makes you think I'll tell you anything." He said as he struggled in the ice.

"Hey Merrin you think Twilight could use some more quills?" I asked with a fake evil chuckle.

"That mare could always use more quills." Merrin said as she stood beside me while the griffin started to sweat.

(A few moments later~.)

"So he was a grunt for a band of griffin poachers?" Tia asked from my display with a now thawed out bald griffin in chains in the background. After our little talk I sent him through a portal directory to the throne room.

"Yup and right now they set up a base camp in a Grove of winter pines. They have multiple Yeti locked up waiting for their airship so they can then sell them in the black market. From what he told me the ship should arrive around sunset." I said as I looked over my Intel.

"Did he give you a name for his group?" She asked as a stack of papers popped up beside her.

"Yeah they call themselves The Crimson Talons." I said as she began to search through the papers.

"Ah here it is. This is a wanted poster of their leader 'IronClaw' Dada. Unfortunately we lack a good amount of information on him, not even a photo. He has eluded capture for many years but what we do know is he and his group are the top poachers in the underworld. We came close to capturing him many years ago after we got a tip off that he stole dragon eggs from Mount ember but they knew we were coming and was able to escape with all but one egg, Spike." She said with a heavy sigh.

"I contacted Dragon Lord Torch about having the egg returned to it parents but they were slain in the raid. Dragon eggs require magic to hatch which is supplied by the parents only or by strong magic from an alicorn or in Spikes case an out of control magic surge from a certain filly." She said with a cheerful giggle.

"And Lord Torch allowed this?" I asked with a raised brow.

"He might be a harsh ruler but when it comes to new dragon life he would rather give the egg a good chance of survival then to watch it die. Without the eggs parents to supply the magic the egg would surely perish." She said as she made the papers disappear.

"We he grew up to be a pretty good dragon and friend." I said with a smile as the yeti cub poke his head out from behind my back. He had stuck to my back like glue after his rescue.

"Where are you currently?" She asked as she waved cheerfully at the cub before he shyly duck back behind me making me chuckle.

"Sitting just outside the grove." I said with a smile as I closed my eye and focused on my hearing.

"I can hear a lot of commotion a bit farther in. I'm gonna say that's their base camp." I said as my eyes opened to see a serious Celestia on my display.

"Fox I'm sorry to ask this of you but we can't miss this opportunity. By the authority of the crown I hear by request your aid in capturing the poachers and freeing their catches by any means necessary." Tia said with a stern gaze.

"Ya ain't got request anything because I was already planning to. Just have some guards ready to send them to the dungeon." I said with a large toothy smile before closing the display.

"So what's the plan boss man?" Blake said as he jumped out of my jacket onto Merrins back.

"Hmm by the sounds of things there not very far into the grove and they must be in a good size clearing so they can land and load their airship. They will most likely have a few lookouts stationed in the trees. The bad thing is that I have no clue how many they have in their group so once we are close enough I can use my magic to get a good view of whats going on." I said as I shrunk my cart and put it away before turning back to the tree line and turn into my Fox form to help blend in with the snow.

"Well then let's get moving before it gets dark. I really hate the cold." Merrin said as she tightened her scarf.

(In a bush outside the enemy camp)

"Alright it looks like their airship just arrived." I said as I poked my head a little bit out of the bush.

"Doesn't look to be very many of them and it looks like they're all griffins too." Merrin said as we watched them load and unload the ship.

"Is it me or do they seem far too relaxed." Blake said as he pointed to a fire with a large boiling pot of soup and a large group of griffins laughing with bowls in their Talons.

"Yeah you would figure an operation like this, they would have more lookouts but I only see three." I said before hiding back into the bush.

"Ok here's the plan. I'm goin to go and cause a distraction while you two free the yeti and get them the trees then I'll take care of the rest." I said before I gently plucked the yeti cub off my furry back.

"Please wait here and hide while we save your family little one." I said as I softly pat it's head and let Alya slide down my forearm onto its head.

"Alya I'm leaving to protect this little one. Can you do that for me please?" I asked getting a proud jet of blue flame before she wrapped herself around its arm.

"Alright y'all apportion snow Fox is a go." I said with a smile just to get a blank stair from everyone even the cub.

"What are we Black ops now?" Blake said with a raised brow.

"Hmpf I thought it was a good name. Go team yay." I said with a bored tone before creeping out of the bush. I slowly made my way over to the fire were the larger group of griffins were enjoying their soup while laughing and talking. They didn't even notice when I got my own bowl and sat next to a dark brown white headed griffin.

"Hahaha you should have seen that ponies face when he bumped into me, he was terrified." The griffin said with a hardy laugh.

"Hey has anyone seen Glen he ran off to catch a cub that escaped." Said a rust red feathery griffin.

"Knowing that stupid hatchling he probably got lost or caught by a guard patrol." Said a tan griffin while I took a spoon full of soup.

"No, the bosses guy on the inside said that their won't be any patrols out her for a few more days." Said a black feathery griffin.

"Can you pass the salt?" I asked the griffin next to me.

"Here. Yeah without that pony we probably would have been caught a long time ago." The griffin said as he handed me the salt.

"Thanks." I said casually.

"No prob..lem…WHAT THE HAY!!" He yelled as he dropped his bowl and jumped to the side as the others grabbed their weapons.

"Well so much for dinner." I said with a sigh as I put my bowl down.

"Did…did that fox just talk?" A small griffin said.

"Weather it did or not, that white pelt will sell for a good price." The black feathered griffin said with a smile.

"Oh no they want to skin me whatever shall I do." I said in a mocking tone before I kick my bowl of hot soup onto his face before I slowly ran in the other direction.

"You are so DEAD!" The griffin said as he wipe the soup from his eyes before him and his group took off after me. It did take long before the whole camp was chasing me.

(Play

)

"Oh this is goin to be fun." I said as I ran through the camp.

"Get that Fox. And where's that damn music coming from." A tan griffin said as more griffins stopped working to give chase. I was laughing the whole time while dodging crossbow bolts. I began to run through their campsite tent and I even had some flying above me.

"Whoa nice try almost had me there haha." I said after a griffin dived at me but I jumped out of the way before more tried and failed. Soon enough I had every griffin in camp on my tail. While I was running I noticed Blake and Merrin has freed the yeti and made it to the treeline.

"Alright time to wrap this up." I said to myself as I looked to the large cage that held the yeti and quickly placed an illusion spell on it to make it disappeared before using my magic to knock down the griffins in the air with snowballs making the have to chase me from the ground.

"Come on you fried chickens. You really want a little fox to show you up." I said as I waved my tail in the air before they growled and picked up their pace. With all focus on me I ran for the hidden cage with the griffins right on my tail. I smirked as I ran into the cage and jumped through the back bars as the first of the griffins slammed into the bar followed by the rest of the group. The last of them tried to stop but slipped on the snow and slid right into the cage. I quickly ran to the cage door and slammed it closed and locked it with magic.

(Music stop)

"Hahaha that was fun." I said as I sat down in front of the cage.

"Let us out of here ya little rat." A griffin said as he grabbed the bars and shook them.

"Yeah I don't think so. You guys are on a one way ticket to the dou-." I started to say before a dual bladed axe slammed into the ground next to me making me jump and spin around to face a large griffin with golden brown feathers and snow white head. He had eye blue eye and the other a blind cloudy eye but what really grabbed my attention was his silvery metallic right talon.

"What a bunch of useless feather brains. Let this little fox best you and you call yourselves poachers, ridiculous." He said as he pulled his are from the ground and glared down at me.

"Dada!" The caged griffins said happily.

"SHUT UP YOU IDIOTS YOU KNOW I HATE THAT NAME!!" Dada shouted making the griffins jump to the back of the cage.

"You know I think I heard that name in a song before." I said to myself before the song started to play.

(Play alfons-

)

"Ugh it's that blasted pony song magic. Not my style but fitting." He said with a smirk before swinging his axe down at me. I was barely able to dodge by jumping back but he was fast and wouldn't let me get a chance to counter.

"Your pretty good with that thing." I said before my back hit a tree and I had to duck in order to dodge a slice aimed at my neck. I quickly jumped to the side as the tree began to fall from a clean cut.

"And sharp too." I said as he shook off the snow that fell from the tree.

"Thank you I had it crafted from dragon scales and enchanted by the best Minotaur craftsmen." He said as runes lit up the blade with fire and charged again. All I could do was dodge as he relentlessly swiped at me, I couldn't even focus long enough to use my magic.

"Is all you can do is dodge?" He asked as he brought down his axe. I tried to step back but my paw slipped on a patch of ice with the axe slamming down beside my head. The heat of the fire instantly vaporized the snow and ice around me leaving us in a could of steam. I use the steam to get a few feet away before steadying myself.

"I got to admit I underestimate you a little bit." I said as I caught my breath.

"The same could be said about you. Of all the creatures I have captured your by far the most interesting one." He said as I heard him slowly approaching my back.

"I'm far more than you realize.(poof)" I said before turning normal and pulling out my stafs.

"I doubt that." He whispered before jumping above me and brought his flaming axe down towards my head.

(KLANG!!)

The force of the impact of weapons cleared the cloud of steam with a small shockwave revealing a wide eye griffin before I sent him smashing into a tree with a strong kick to the gut.

"ha…haha…hahaha… ahhahaHAHAHAHAHAHA I KNEW IT HAHAHA!!!" He laughed hysterical as he slowly began to rise.

"After countless years searching I finally found one." He said as heat and steam began to rise from his body.

"You know what I am?" I asked as a feeling of unease crept down my spine.

"Oh yes my boy, I know your kind very well. I will never forget what that red haired bastard that took my talon in the everfree forest. I can still feel the pain even after twenty years and I now after all these years I can finally take my revenge HAHAHAHAHA." He said as he held up his growing hot talon and clenched his axe making it glow red hot.

"Well I don't know if it's good luck or bad for you because I'm the last of my kind." I said as I readied for a battle.

"Oh this is a great day. I can finally get my revenge and end your race for good." He said before swinging his axe sending a wave of heat that sliced through the air. I could feel the heat as I deflected the air slice only to block his axe and was pushed back.

"Hurry son of Nova and give me magic or I will break again." Said a whispering in my head and I somehow knew exactly what to do. I slammed the ends of my staffs together and let my magic flow into it. The staff began to glow before a long curved black blade exstended out from the top side and a Spike on the other side. I was distracted by the scythe I didn't notice the griffin took to the air and was about to strike from above but with a simple swing from my new weapon I knocked the axe to the side causing him to slam into the ground.

"Unfortunately you will not get your revenge today. I will only say this once, surrender now or this will not end well for you." I said as I activated my armor with my scythe over my shoulder.

"Never." He said as flames erupted from his axe once more.

"So be it." I said before he shot at me with his axe ready to take my head. In a flash the battle was over.

"AAAHHHHH!!" He screamed as he held up his now bloody stubbs before he passed out next to his axe that lay cold in the snow with his Talons still gripping the handle.

"(Sigh) I really wish you would have surrendered." I said as I used my magic to stop the bleeding before recalling my armor and pulled some rope from my bag to tie him up.

"Dude, that was awesome and that badass scythe." Blake said as he walked up in a brown thick jacket with white fluff around the collar.

"Yeah don't know what's up with this scythe." I said as I inspected my new weapon while Merrin shook off the Talons from the axe.

"This is mine now." She said as she gave us a look that dared us to deny her which we just put up our hand.

"Now help me get his metal claw thing off." She said as she tried to pull it off the handle.

"Touch the blade to it." The same whispering as before came to my ears and I complied. I lifted the scythe from my shoulder and touched the talon with the tip of the blade. The talon glowed red hot before breaking apart and the pieces were absorbed by the blade forming a dark red scale pattern along the top part of the blade.

"Ok this is weird but I think it's talking to me." I said as I gently ran my hand along the blade.

"Thats cool and all but what are we goin to do about all the griffins and…that." Blake said as he pointed up to the sleek black and blue airship. It was a small ship that didn't have balloon instead it had two light blue fins, one on both sides of the ship with two small sails and one main sail and dual propellers on the back.

"Thats a good question, I'm not even goin to attempt to fly that thing." I said as my scythe turned back into staffs and slipped them into my bag leaving those questions for later.

"Um, do you think you could shrink it?" Merrin said before I facepalm for not thinking to do that sooner. I wrapped my magic around the ship and began to shrink it down before pulling a bottle and cork out of my bag and slipped the ship in.

"I always wanted a ship in a bottle." I said as I put the cork in the bottle before slipping it into my bag as heavy footsteps were heard behind us. I turned around and was met with the yeti we rescued before Alya flew from the yeti cub that was now clinging to a much bigger yeti arm. Before I could say anything a small yeti older yeti with long gray and white sideburns walked to the front of the group leaning on a long walking stick with multiple different dried plants tied to the top.

"Gr ugh hu grunt herg." It said with a series of grunt and growls making me tilt my head trying to figure out what it said before an idea popped into my mind.

"Um one second please." I said as I looked to the sun set.

"They should be back in ponyville by now. I'll be right back guys." I said as I opened a portal back to ponyville, more specifically a cottage on the outskirts and I stepped through and stood before her door.

"Fluttershy are you home?" I said as I knocked on the door before it was opened by her pet bunny angle.

"Hey there bud is Fluttershy home yet." I asked only to receive a head shake.

"So no then. Oh here it's a thank you gift for goin back with Rosy and I want say anything." I said with a smile as I pulled two large bright orange carrot from my bag and gave it to him while I took the other.

"Fox what are you doing here I thought you stayed in the crystal empire?" Said the soft voice of Fluttershy behind me.

"Hey Fluttershy. I'm sorry I know you just got back home but I could really use your help." I said before taking a bite off my carrot while Angle ran inside to eat his.

"Oh goodness I'll be glad to help. Let me put my saddle bag down first." She said as she trotted past me into her home.

"You might want to grab a scarf it's pretty cold where we're goin." I said as I opened a return portal and finished my snack.

"Um where are we goin exactly." She said as she closed her door and wrapped a pale pink scarf with her cutie mark on the end around her neck.

"To the mountains by the Empire. I have some new friends that need help." I said as we walked through the portal.

"New friends?" She asked as she looked at me with interest.

"Yep Mountain Yeti." I said as I pointed to the yeti in front of us.

"EEP!" She squeaked and hid behind me.

"It's ok Fluttershy, they're kind creatures that were just in a really bad situation. I rescued them from a band of poachers and they wanted to talk to me but I couldn't understand them." I said as she slowly looked around and noticed the cage of griffins while the same little old yeti from before stepped forward and started to grunt and growls again.

"Oh my you really did save them." She said with a large smile.

"So you can understand them." I said happily before the talks continued.

"Hhmm she said as the elder of her family she wishes to thank you." She said while nodding.

"Oh dear, that's horrible. She said that they traveled to their birthing land to find it but and destroyed and its guardian nowhere to be found so they were forced to seek shelter somewhere else when the bad bird caught them. Oh you poor things." She said with tears in her eyes as a thought just hit me like a brick.

"Can you tell me about your birthing land?" I asked getting a nod from the elder.

"It's a forest under ice with pools of warm water to bathe and plenty of food for their cubs." She said before I started to think.

"I think I know what to do. Elder I ask you to trust me and I will try to heal your lands." I said with a bow only to be hit on the head by the elders' staff. I looked up to see her smiling up at me before turning to Fluttershy.

"She said you already have their trust." She said while the other yeti smiled too.

"Then let's go." I said as I opened a large portal to the hot spring forest. Once we were all through I closed the portal and found the falling willow tree.

"I hope this works." I said as I pulled the large seed from my bag and placed it in front of the burnt stump. All eye were on my as I slowly put some magic into the seed before it glowed bright green and sunk into the dirt. We watched for a few moments but nothing happened.

"Aw I really that wo- (BOOM)" I said before the ground erupted with a quickly growing willow tree.

"OHWOWIFEELGREAT.Somuchenergy.IfeellikeIjustdrankfivepotsofcoffeeandIdon'tevenlikecoffee.Wowhereallydidanumbertothisplace.NeedtofixthatandthatOhdefinitelythosetree.OhtheyetiarehereOhandFoxytoo.HIFOXY!!" Said a very hyper little grass green filly the dark green vine mane with pink flower all through it. All we could do was watch with wide eyes and gapping jaws as the filly bounced from branch to branch.

"Mel?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Yepthanksfortakingmetomysistersforestshehelpmerecoverandyoubroughtmebackandthankstothatextramagicifeellikeicanpatchupmyforestinaninstantwatch!" She said before she hugged the tree before she glowed green and sent her magic pulsing through the forest. We watched in awe as the once blackened forest started to grow new life. Trees sprang back to life and sprouted flowers and fruit, grass, bushes, and wildflowers. In moments the once dead forest was brimming with life again.

"Oh what a rush. Is this what a sugar crash feels like?" Mel said as she slumped on a branch before the yeti broke out in cheer and tears of joy for their land's return. I on the other hand plucked Mel from her branch and wrapped my arms around her.

"I'm so glad your ok. I thought I lost a member of my family." I said as tears fell from my cheek as she hugged me back.

"Sniffle. I'm fortunate to have a wonderful nephew like you. Your mother would be proud." She said as she tightened the hug while everyone sweetly smiled.

"I have no idea of what's goin on." Blake said as my friends just smiled and nodded

Helping an Enemy

Author's Note

HI GUY IM BACK WITH ANOTHER ONE.
sorry about the wait everyone not goin to lie I procrastinated a lot while righting this chapter and for that I am sorry. I will try my best to get the next one up a lot sooner. :fluttercry:

And without further Ado I hope you all like this chapter and comments of any kind would be awesome. ENJOY

Helping an Enemy

Chapter 29: Helping an Enemy

"I wish we could stay and chat but I have to get those poachers to Canterlot." I said as I opened a portal back to the poacher camp.

"Please come back soon." Mela said as she gave me a hug.

"Um, can I come as well? I would really like to talk some more." Fluttershy said as she walked up next to me.

"Oh we can make it a picnic." Mela said with a smile.

"I'll bring the snacks. Let go yall before those poachers freeze." I said as we stepped through the portal into the snow.

"Aw it was warm there." Blake said as he climbed back into my jacket.

"Yeah let's get this done and go somewhere warm." Merrin said as we walked up to the cage full of poachers where Dada was awake and glaring at me.

"Alright fellas let's get you to Canterlot." I said as I opened a large portal back to Canterlot and a small one to ponyville.

"Thanks for the help Fluttershy. This portal will take you back to your home and I'll stop in with some stuff for you and your animals." I said as I gave her a quick hug and she left through the portal before I picked up the cage with my magic and walked through to the courtyard of Canterlot castle where I was met by Aunt Tia and her guards.

"Welcome back Fox. Guards please take the prisoners to the dungeon." She said as the guards opened the cage and escorted them out.

"I hope everything is well, nephew." She said as she gave me a light hug.

"Better than expected actually." I said with a smile as Blake climbed out of my jacket and Alya slid onto my shoulder.

"My friend Mela is back. We rescued a tribe of yeti and caught a group of poachers. So yeah good day." I said with a smile as Merrin held out her new axe.

"And I got a dragon axe." Merrin said happily.

"Speaking of dragons I sent word to Dragon Lord Torch about you apprehending those poachers and he has requested an audience with you at your earliest convenience." She said with a smile.

"Well that's convenient. I was planning to head there soon with Merrin." I said as a guard walked up with a bag on his back before passing it to me.

"What's this?" I said as I opened the bag to find it filled with bits.

"The bounty for Dada and his crew. He had quite the price on his head, thirty thousand bits." She said as I looked at the bag.

"Wow that much." Blake said with wide eyes.

"Hmmm can you donate it to the orphanage here?" I asked as I closed the bag.

"Are you sure?" She asked as she took the bag in her magic.

"Yep, they could use it more than me. Plus I got this from those poachers too." I said as I pulled the bottle from my bag.

"You took a ship in a bottle?" She asked with a raised brow.

"It's their airship I shrunk down and put in a jar." I said as I slipped it back in my bag.

"Ah I see. Well I wish you the best nephew but it's time for me to retire for the night. Pleasant dreams." She said with a hug before I opened a portal to home.

"Goodnight Aunt Tia." I said as we walked through the portal. We stepped out in front of my home and as I closed the portal and turned around and couldn't help but smile contently as I looked over my tiny little everfree village. Creatures of many kinds coming and going through the trade posts. Carts and stands started close up for the night with the help of their families and friends. Abyssians, Ponies, a few griffin, apes, and a few crystal ponies just looking around at the new sights. Some have decided to move here to be an official member of the village. This place went from dead to lively and I couldn't be happier.

"Hey guys i'm going to run and check on the outpost real qui-." I said before I was cut off by my favorite fluffy soft hat.

"Hi dad!" Rosy said as she tried to crush my head in a hug.

"Hey sweetheart, want to come and check on things with me?" I said as I reached up and tickled her sides.

"Hahaha yea." She said with a happy giggle as she tried to bat my hands away with her tiny wings.

"Well I'm heading inside for a catnap." Black said as Merrin opened the door.

"Yeah I'm going to take a shower then clean this thing." Merrin said as she smiled at the ax on her back.

"Hopefully not together, that would just be weird." I said with a playful smirk.

"Why waste water?" She said with a straight face.

"...." I looked at her with a raised brow before she giggled.

"I'm kidding. Have fun Rosy." She said with a smile before heading inside.

"Alright let's go dad." Rosy said as she pointed down the street. I gave a chuckle before making my way towards the outpost. As I walked we were greeted with smiles and waves. The folks all seem to be happy as they went along with their duties or errands. As I got closer to the outpost I began to see something slightly flashing coming from both sides of the front entrance. The closer I got the more I realized that the flashes were coming from the reflection of the setting sun of breast plate armor.

"Well this is a surprise." I said with a smile as I stood in front of my favorite unicorn guard and her cream coffee coated unicorn partner with a dark chocolate mane with a streak of vanilla cream in her bangs. 'Why do I feel like her name would be coffee pudding'.

"Squad Captain Bubbles at your service Sir Fox." She said with a proud salute.

"Hi Bubbles." Rosy said as she waved.

"So why are y'all posted at the gates? Did something happen while I was gone?" I asked with a bit of worry.

"Oh did the princess not inform you?" She asked with a tilted head.

"Not a word." I said with a raised brow as her partner stepped up with a scroll in her almond color magical grasp.

"Sargent Tira-Misu and my squad reporting for duty Sir." She said with a sweet creamy voice as she handed me the scroll. (OK my sweet tooth was driving me crazy and I kinda just went with it lol.)

"With the influx of international travel and peaceful relations between nations Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have sent aid in the form of a squadron of guards. The squad consists of two unicorns, two pegusi, two earth ponies all from the Celestial Guard, and three Thresals from The Lunar Guard. As of today we are officially under your command Sir." She said proudly as she puffed up her chest.

"Well then welcome to town. I can understand why she sent a squad. I just hope it is not too inconvenient to you all." I said as I read the list of guards' names and smiled when I recognized most of them.

"Not at all Sir, we all volunteered." Bubbles said with a smile.

"All the same I'm glad you're here. Tomorrow morning I want to see you all in the main plaza just for an introduction meeting before shift change so we can go over a few things but for right now I need to check in on everything with Miss. Note so keep up the good work ladys." I said as me and Rosy gave a friendly salute and walked through the main gate. As I came into the main yard I noticed something I didn't see the last time I was here. There are small booths set up beside each portal gate each with two creatures wearing matching outfits. White sleeveless undershirt with a dark blue vest and a short ice blue tie with a ruby clip of my Mark and I can just barely make out Rarity's mark on the back collar of the vest.

"Looks like someone's been a busy mare." I said as I looked around.

"You have no idea." Note said as she came to greet me with a smile.

"Just the mare I wanted to see. I wanted to check in before I called it a day and I'm glad I did. How's everything goin." I asked with a smile.

"Great actually. With the addition of the Crystal Empire gate traffic has picked up some and more vendors and traders registration has doubled once word began to spread. With the influx of revenue we were able to hire some willing workers for good pay. I spent most of the day on interviews and I believe some quality employees. On a second note your idea for a stamp mark was great and already have paperwork from several small trading companies and a fair amount from the larger companies." She said as she looked through her notes.

"Awesome work Note. I'm glad to have you here. I'd be at a loss without you here." I said with a smile.

"Oh I'm sure you could handle it well without me." She said with a small blush.

"Not at all. Now I'm goin to be having a meeting with the new guards in the morning and would like for the staff to be there too. It's nothing major just introductions really and I would like to see the employee files after and I'll also start looking for a craftsman for the stamps.`` I said before I was handed a small trader registration form with a picture of a dark brown earth ponies with a dark tan mane beside the picture was a mark that looked like a stack of lumber.

"His name is Dark Oak and know more about wood than a lumberjack. He's a trader that specializes in all things wood and comes highly recommended for his quality goods for a low rate. Not much of a craftspony though but he's your stallion for materials." She said as I looked over the forms as Rosy laid her head on mine with a yawn.

"As soon as I can find a craftsman, can you set me up with a meeting with Dark Oak?" I asked as I handed the forms back to her.

"I certainly can. Is there anything else you need Sir." She asked as she put away her clipboard.

"Not at the moment. It's getting late and I need to get Rosy to bed before she starts to drool on my head." I said as I gently scratched the sleepy filly.

"Well then I wish you both a good night." She said with a small nod before heading off to the main building and I headed for home.

"Mmmmmm banana." Rosy mumbled in her sleep while smacking her lips making me chuckle as I opened the front door before heading to bed.

…..

(Early morning)

"But daaaad why can't I come with you and Merrin." Rosy said while pouting over her pancakes.

"The dragon lands are too dangerous for a filly let alone a pony plus you have school." I said as I placed out pancakes for Blake and Merrin.

"It's okay Rosy, I'll be staying too. I'd rather not have something try to eat me." Blake said before stuffing his face.

"Why do I feel like that might happen?" I said with a sigh as I sat down to eat.

"Hey aren't you scared of lizards?" Blake asked with a small smirk making Rosy giggle.

"Yeah but dragons don't scare me much, not sense I met spike." I said as I fed some pancake chunks to Alya.

"But aren't dragons like giant lizards with wings?" Blake said, getting a glare from Merrin.

"I guess that makes me part lizard." Merrin said before hitting Blake with a strawberry which was quickly scooped up by Tammy and ran back to Rosy to eat it.

"Haha well I'm about to head to the outpost. Blake, you're on dish duty." I said with a smile as I placed my plate in the sink.

"Aw come on." Blake said as he laughed.

"Well think before you insult a pretty girl." I said with a smirk as Merrin blushed.

"I'm coming too dad." Rosy said as she quickly finished her breakfast with Tammy and flew up to her perch on my head.

"Right it's Sunday so you don't have any school. Want to help me with the cart? I'm planning to set it up by the train station and make bento boxes." I said as I picked up my bag and headed for the door.

"What's a bento box?" Merrin asked as she followed me out the door.

"A bento box is pretty much a lunch box and you can add whatever you want to in them. What I'm goin to put in will be pretty simple. Steamed rice or noodles with either fried or steamed veggies and for those who enjoys meat I can add fish, fried chicken, beef, or pork." I said as we walked towards the outpost.

"There's so many possibilities to choose from and it's incredibly exciting to think about what to make." I said with a wide smile as creatures began to run and scream away from the outpost. My smile changed to a scowl and we rushed past the gates and found the guards surrounding something in the middle of the central plaza.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!!" I demanded that all heads face me before Teri-Misu and Mrs. Note ran up to us.

"Changeling Sir. Two of them. One tried to turn into an Ursa minor but couldn't hold it long and collapsed. The other looks large enough to be a queen but I'm not too sure." Teri-Misu said as we pushed past the crowd. There in the middle was a very injured Changeling standing protectively before another larger one in the worst condition. I can see that the bigger one was poorly bandaged over most of its body and where its horn was supposed to be was snapped at the base. I could see the light slowly fading from their souls and if nothing was done soon then they both would die within the day.

"Rosy sit tight with Merrin for a bit please." I said as I gently sat her on Merrin back before turning to Note.

"Mrs. Note can you please find any medical supplies, anyone with medical knowledge, and take them to any empty home that we can use as a temporary shelter." I said as I slowly walked past the guards.

"Sir you can't be seriously thinking about helping them are you?" Teri-Misu said as she flanked my right.

"Yes I am. I can't just sit by and watch as someone is dying in front of me and not do anything if I can save them." I said with a stern glare making her back off a bit as we came to the front of the guards.

"STAND DOWN EVERYONE!" I yelled, making the guards lower their weapons as I slowly crouched down in front of the battered small changeling.

"What happened to you two?" I asked before I noticed a small pool of blood leaking from a large gash on his abdomen and multiple smaller cuts all around its body.

"Please you…you must…help my queen…must find f..ff..Fox.. Lilly." It panted before falling over.

"Hold on. Stay with me and we'll get you and the other fixed up. I am Fox Lilly." I said as I gently raised his head.

"No…help…her." He said in a whisper before the light of his soul faded completely and his life faded with it.

"She will be well kept. Rest now." I said as I gently laid his head down and looked at the queen and I recognized her right away. Here in front of me was a severely beaten and bloody Queen Chrysalis.

"Aunt Tia is not goin to be happy." I said as I used my magic to lift her from the ground and bagan to scan her as we rushed out of the outpost to find Note standing in front of a nearby house with a few other ponies bringing in supplies.

"Everything is set up in the den….Fox is that who I think it is?" Note said with wide eyes.

"Yes and while I'm inside, this house will be on look down I want two guards by the door at all times nobody in or out other than myself and medical." I said as I quickly walked past her into the home and set Chrysalis down on a bed before looking over her and the scan.

"What happened to her?" Merrin asked with a wide eyed Rosy on her back.

"I don't know Merrin but I will find out. Can you please take Rosy home, she doesn't need to see this." I said as I placed my hand on Rosy and gave her a gentle scratch before Note came in with a familiar nurse while Merrin made her way out.

"Miss. Redheart. It's good to see you but I wish it was under better circumstances." I said before Note left the house looking kinda green.

"I was just enjoying my day off and was going to look through the new market here when Mrs. Note ran up to me asking for help. So what can I help with?" She said as she pulled her nurse hat from her mane and placed it on her head.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your day off and anything you get from the market today will be on me but for now we have a life to save." I said as I showed her Chrysalis on the bed.

"Are you crazy? That's queen Chrysalis and enemy number one to Equestria. And you want me to help her?" She asked with a raised brow.

"I know it's a lot to ask but please they came to me for help." I said with downcast eyes.

"They?" She asked as she began to clean around the wounds.

"Yeah it was her and a drone but the drone didn't make it." I said with a heavy sigh.

"Mmm unfortunately there's not much I can do but clean and stitch her wounds." She said as she started pulling supplies from boxes by the bed.

"Is there anyone you could recommend to help?" I asked as I looked at the heavy breathing queen.

"The only one that could possibly help would be Dr. Clear Water, the personal Doctor for the Princess." She said as she placed bandages on the bed.

"Well she is my next stop. This will be fun. Nurse, do all you can for now and I'll be back as soon as possible." I said as I opened a portal to the castle and stepped through in front of the throne room doors where two guards stood pointing spears at me.

"Woah fellas it's just me. Do you know where I can find Princess Celestia?" I asked with my hands up.

"Our apologies, Sir Fox. The Princess is in the infirmary getting her physical. If you would like, one of us can escort you there." The guard said as he pointed down the hallway.

"Well that makes things easier. Lead the way and quickly please, time is not on my side right." I said before we quickly left down the hallway and after a few turns we stopped in front of a red cross on it. I thanked the guard and sent him back to his post before knocking on the door.

"You may enter." I heard from the other side and opened the door to find Aunt Tia on a large pillow with a white unicorn stallion with a short clear blue sky mane holding a clipboard in his magic.

"Ah dear nephew, what brings you today." Tia as she stood from her pillow to give me a hug.

"As much as I wish this was a friendly visit there is an urgent matter that needs your attention." I said as I gave her a hug.

"What can I help you with?" She asked as the Doctor began to put away his clipboard.

"It's better if I show you." I said as I opened a portal to the house before the doctor was about to leave.

"Doctor Clear Water I would like your aid as well. Nurse Redheart recommends you for this matter." I said, causing him to turn away from the door.

"If Redheart recommends me it must be quite bad. Let me grab my bag and we'll be on our way." He said before he rushed to the other side of the room and began stuffing supplies in a black leather bag.

"Fox please tell me what's going on." Tia asked with worry.

"Two beings showed up at my outpost this morning covered from head to hoof in wounds. One of them didn't make it and the other is running short on time." I said as the Doctor came to stand by Tia.

"Then let's not waste anymore of it." Clear Water said before walking past us into the portal but I stopped Tia before crossing.

"Before we go through I want you to promise to keep an open mind and not fall to anger." I said with a stern glare.

"I swear to keep a level head nephew no matter what is on the other side of the portal." She said with a bow before we stepped through to find Redheart stitching up a large gash on Chrysalis lower stomach and Clear Water examining the rest of her.

"Fox, she's not doing very well." Redheart said as she finished her stitches.

"I have to agree with nurse Redheart she needs to be moved to a hospital asap for any chance for her to survive." Clear Water said as he finished his can as we looked to Tia's ferm glare towards the dying queen.

"Please trust me aunt Tia. She's no longer a threat, whatever did this made sure of that." I said as I placed my hand gently on her neck.

"(Sigh) We will take her to the infirmary at the castle but I want guards placed inside and out of her room. Clear Water takes her to a room I'll be there shortly. Fox if I may have a moment to speak with you." Tia said as she glared at me before I opened the portal back to the castle and Clear Water rushed through with Chrysalis in her magic.

"If there's nothing else you need from me I would like to continue my day off." Redheart said as she started for the door.

"Thank you Redheart. Anything you need from our maker is on me." I said as I pulled a pouch of bits from my bag and tossed it to her. She gave a quick bow and left out of the door leaving me and Tia.

"I'm still waiting on an explanation, nephew." Tia said as she glared at me.

"I'll tell you on the way." I said as I held the door open and walked out.

"Thanks for guarding the door you two. You may go back to your posts." I said to the earth pony guards at my door and with a quick salute they trotted back to the outpost.

"Well about a half hour ago Merrin, Rosy, and I headed to the outpost to give a short meeting to the staff and guards, by the way thank you for that. I never really thought about security at the outpost." I said with a smile as we passed by multiple venders that either bowed or smiled at us.

"Your quite welcome nephew. I must say your village is looking lovely. It's been a long time since I saw this place so lively." She said as she waved at some passersby.

"I think it's well on its way to becoming a cultural hotspot. But back to what I was saying. When we got to the outpost we found that the guards had Chrysalis and another Changeling surrounded. Chrysalis was on the ground out cold while the drone was standing in front of her. When I told the guard to stand down the drone collapsed and before he passed he said he was looking for me help and begged me to help her. He died shortly after." I said as we made our way to the central plaza where an abyssinian was loading the dead drone in the back of a cart wrapped in a sheet.

"Where are they taking it?" She asked as she watched the cart leave through the back gate and into the forest.

"I wanted HIM buried in the forest to feed new growth." I said as the gates closed.

"What did you mean when you said Chrysalis was no longer a threat?" She said in a hushed tone.

"Take a look at this." I said as I pulled up my display showing an internal medical scan of Chrysalis.

"Do you see anything missing?" I asked as she examined the scan.

"Other than her horn and crown I don't see anything else missing." She said before a window opened on my display.

"That's not the only thing missing Princess." Twink said as she popped up in the window.

"Twink it's lovely to see you again." Tia said with a smile.

"Same to you Celestia now back to Foxes point. Without her horn she can no longer perform magic or transformation and without her crown she lost the ability to control a hive and with bigger issues is that whoever did this to her wanted her to suffer and removed her reproduction organs. Without those she can no longer produce any drones or future queen." Twink said with a sad look.

"Even I wouldn't wish for such a fate. Now that I know this I have much to think about. Fox, do you know what happened to them?" Tia said with sadness in her voice.

"No but I do have a way to find out. Twink, do we have any memory spells?" I asked as I closed the scan on my display.

"We have a few but for the best results I would advise diving into the dream realm with Luna." Twink said as multiple spells popped up.

"Yes I do believe that would be for the best. Memory and mind spell are quite tricky but Luna would be the one to ask for help because dreams can easily be linked to memory." Tia said as she looked through the spells with mild interest.

"Then I'll come see her after she raises the moon. Thanks Twink, I'll be making bento boxes later. Do you want me to send you one?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes, that would be great. It was nice to see you again Celestia." Twink said with a wave.

"Same to you dear." Tia said with a smile.

"Twink, do you think you could do me one more favor? Can you send me anything about love and magic? Mostly on how they mix and nothing about love potions, I think that would be a bad idea." I said with a small chuckle before she closed her window.

"What do you have planned, nephew?" Tia asked with a smirk before Note came walking up.

"Oh Princess what a pleasure to see you here." Note said as she gave her a hug.

"Mrs. Note how are you my dear?" Tia asked, returning the hug.

"Hehe, a lot less stressful. Anyway, Fox the staff is ready for your meeting." Note said as she gestured to the small group of employees looking at me.

"Well I should probably head back to the castle now." Tia said with a small sigh.

"Actually I work like you to stay if that's alright." I said with a smile as I moved to the front of the crowd.

"Hello everyone and thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to me ramble. This morning started off a little rough with the changelings popping up but don't let that bother you much." I said with a smile before a hoof was raised by the pregnant mare from Sunny town.

"Yes Miss Frost Flower and you're looking brighter now." I said with a warm smile.

"Thank you Sir Fox, we're feeling a lot better. Um, will the other changeling be alright?" She asked with worry.

"At the moment I'm not sure but we have a great doctor looking after her." I said getting a few relieved sighs from the crowd making me smile.

"Thank you all for worrying about another race that's not your own. Which brings me to the main point I wanted to make this morning. For those ponies that were born and raised in Equestria I'm pretty sure y'all have seen the way non ponies would be treated in this land and I want none of that here. When I first arrived here I had nothing but my home. No family, no friends, until I met a purple unicorn and her assistant baby dragon. From that I found I had family here that I could lean on, they may be ponies but I love them all the same. Then I met a wonderful little filly that's now my daughter,and now I have many friends that I cherish from different parts of this world. When I set up this outpost I was looking to build capital and reputation. What I wanted was to bring culture from around the globe together so we could learn and grow. We have abyssinians, Apes, Crystal ponies, some griffins, equestrians, and hopefully many more to come. Different foods to be shared, crafts to sell and learn from, music to be enjoyed, and friends to make. So for those under my care, be kind and courteous to our neighbors and guests because who knows what we might learn that would bring us to greater heights. With that being said I'll let you get back to your day and please if anyone has a question, complaint, or just want to talk don't be afraid to talk to me or Mrs. Note I promise I won't bite." I said with a smile getting a few chuckles from the crowd before they went about their business as I walked up to Tia who had a bright smile.

"That was a wonderful speech, nephew. Your mother would be proud." She said with a hug.

"Thank you Tia. Now if you don't mind I need to check on Rosy. She saw how the changelings look this morning and I'm worried about her." I said with a frown.

"Yes I wouldn't want any foal to witness that." She said as I opened a portal to the throne room.

"I will check with Clear Water and send you the information on her condition. I just know that I have to keep her on lockdown for the time being. Oh and nephew can you drop me off one of those, what did you call it, bento box. Yes bento box I think that would be a great lunch." She said before walking into the portal with a small wave making me laugh.

"Well it's time to head back home." I said to myself before leaving the outpost and making my way home.

Bento Boxes and a Piano

"I'm home." I said as I walked through the door to find Merrin, Blake, and Rosy on the couch. As soon as I entered the room Rosy shot to my chest and I held her close

"It's ok sweetheart." I said as I calmed her down.

"Will she be okay dad?" She asked as she looked up to me with teary eyes.

"I hope so darlin. Right now she's with the best doctor in canterlot. Do you still want to come make lunch with me?" I asked getting a small nod from her as Tammy and Alya rested on my shoulders and left the house with Merrin and Blake beside me. The trip to ponyville was quiet and while we walked through town I was picking up supplies I needed and also looking over the materials I asked Twink for. By the time we got to the train station and set up my stand it was getting close to lunch.

"(Grrrooowwwll)" Rosy's stomach said, making her blush.

"Well I know where the frost bento is goin to." I said with a smile as I finished frying up a batch of veggies and began to fill a few boxes with rice and the veggies before setting one out for her and the others for sale. Merrin had wanted to work the front and Blake was sitting off to the side messing with his banjo. At the back of the stove I had a large pot with a Sugar mix I had set up for an experiment. But while that was getting to temp I had pulled out some tuna from my bag and set my magic to slice it up for fish Benton. When I looked over to Rosy she was just picking at her lunch.

"Candy for your thoughts." I said as I gave her a piece of candy I made earlier.

"Merrin said that Changelings are bad and most ponies hate them." She said as she rolled the candy around.

"Well I don't believe that. There's a saying that I think applies here. People, or ponies in this case, fear what they don't understand." I said as I stir fried some fish and veggies.

"What do you mean?" She asked before popping the candy in her mouth.

"Well from what I understand ponies only see Changelings as love eating monsters that will suck a pony dry of their love and because of that they never stopped to ask why or even tried to talk to one they just run and scream. That made it harder and harder to find food." I said as I filled up some more bentos.

"But I remember that they attacked canterlot to take it over." Merrin said as she handed a couple of bentos to Lyra and Bon-bon.

"They did but only because Queen Chrysalis thought it was the only way to feed her hive." Bon-bon said as she sat on a stool by Rosy with Lyra sitting beside her.

"Hey you two. What y'all up to?" I asked as I turned to work on my candy mix.

"I went up to canterlot to visit some friends…and show off my marefriend." Lyra said, making Bonbon blush.

"But that couldn't have been the only way, could it?" Rosy asked as they ate their lunch and I was making clear candy balls.

"Hmm how can I put this, ok do you know how a beehive works. Mmm this is great Fox." Bonbon said as she ate.

"Thank you." I said with a smile as I continued my experiment.

"I know they make honey." Rosy said with a large smile.

"Hehe yes but there's a lot more going on in there. A beehive is a large colony with a queen and many workers. It's the job of the queen to lay eggs and tell the workers what to do: either go out to collect nectar and pollen for food for the hive, or build and take care of the young. The workers that go out have the most important job because they have to find the food and bring it back to the hive. Without it the hive will die." Bonbon said while I was slowly adding magic to the candy balls Turning them a crystal clear pink.

"Now it's a lot easier for bees to find food than Changelings can. Do you know why?" Bonbon said before she finished her lunch.

"Um, because flowers are everywhere." Rosy said as I was cooling down my candy with a satisfied smile.

"No, because flowers can't run away. Think of Changelings as bees, ponies as flowers, and our love is nectar. So in order to collect for their hive they have to take love from us. But because we see them as monsters, ponies won't let them get close enough to get the small amount of love they need so they begin to shapeshift to match our appearance." Bonbon said as I started to fill some little bags with my candy.

"That doesn't sound bad." Rosy said as she began to feed Tammy and Alya some of her fried broccoli.

"At first it wasn't but as the hive grew it needed more food and more and more workers left the hive to collect more food. Then the queen found that when love was given and not taken it would feed a lot more of her hive but because ponies saw them in a bad light they began to kidnap ponies and put them to sleep and dream of their loved ones. The queen tried many times to talk with the ponies to find a peaceful way to collect food but because of ponies fear of Changelings grew it began to get harder and harder to feed the hive and as time rolled by the hive started to starve and die. So the queen made a desperate call. If they couldn't get the food they so desperately needed then they would take it by force which led the queen to try to take over canterlot." Bonbon said as Rosy finished her lunch.

"The point I'm trying to make is that the way we see Changelings was ultimately the reason why the queen did what she did. If ponies saw changelings as just a different kind of pony then the changelings would have access to all the food they need." Bonbon said with a warm smile as Merrin gave out the last bento.

"Wow Bonbon you know a lot about changelings." Merrin said as I finished up my candy bags.

"I've…done my research." Bonbon said nervously as she shifted in her seat.

"My Bonbon is so smart." Lyra said before giving her a big hug, making her blush.

"Speaking about research, I think you would "love" this candy Bonbon." I said with a wink as I gave her a bag of the pink candy.

"Sure what flavor is it?" She said as she pulled one from the bag.

"It changes from person to person." I said with a smirk before she shrugged and popped it into her mouth.

"Mmmm chocolate." She said but as she slowly sucked on the candy her eyes grew wide as she looked up to me and I gave her a gentle smile and nod.

"So would you say that flavor hit the spot?" I asked with a smile.

"Yeah it's pretty filling." She said as she took another one from the bag to look closer at it.

"Oh I want to try it." Lyra said before she took the piece from Bonbon.

"No wait!" Bonbon tried to stop her but it was too late and Lyra tossed it in her mouth.

"Oh peaches. I love peaches." Lyra said with a happy smile.

"Oh no." Bonbon said with a worried look.

"What." I said as I looked at Lyra's growing blush Ang glazed eyes

"Normal ponies can't handle concentrated love magic like that it makes th-." Bonbon tried to say but was cut off when Lyra turned and licked the side of her face and whispered something in her ear that made her face turn red as a cherry.

"Well if you'll excuse us we have something important to take care of." Bonbon said before she was picked up by Lyra and disappeared in a cloud of dust.

"What was that all about?" Blake asked as he watched them run off.

"Hahaha I think I just made an aphrodisiac." I said as I laughed and cleaned up my kitchen.

"What an afrodisac?" Rosy asked with interest.

"I'll tell you when you're older." I said, making her huff.

"That's what everyone says." She said with a pout.

"So Rosy, what do you think about changelings now that you heard that?" I asked as I put stuff away in the cart.

"I don't know. I've never met a Changeling but if I did I think I would like to talk to and maybe be friends if it's nice." She said with a smile, making me happy to hear that and chuckled as a group of three energetic fillies came running up.

"Hi Rosy." They all said in unison, making me chuckle.

"Hey girls." Rosy said with excitement before hoping off her stool with Tammy who jumped from filly to filly giving each a hug before landing back on Rosy.

"Good afternoon Crusaders." I said with a smile as I placed a few leftover bentos in my bag, one with Twink on top.

"Hi Mr. Fox. Can Rosy come play with us?" Sweetie Bell said sweetly.

"Of course she can. That is if Rosy wants to." I said with a smile as Rosy fluttered up to my chest to give me a hug before landing by Sweetie Bell.

"I'll be home late tonight so here are some bits for snacks and dinner or you can come through the cart door if you want. I want to set up for a bit before talking with Luna." I said handing her a small pouch of bits before she looked up at me with puppy dog eyes and was quickly matched by the crusaders.

"Yes I put enough in for all of you to get something from Sugarcube corner." I said as I ruffled her mane.

"YAY." They said before taking off down the road.

"(Sigh) I have to head back to the outpost. I forgot Miss Note asked me for some help organizing some of the paperwork." Merrin said with a light sigh.

"Well I'll be working in my office tomorrow morning so if there's anything I can do that can't wait until then please put them on my desk. I want to make sure everything is running smoothly before we leave for the dragon land." I said as I opened a portal back home.

"Yeah I'm headed back home too. I need to get some exercise and magic training before it gets dark." Blake said as he hopped on Merrins back before walking through the portal.

"Well Alya it looks like it's just us." I said with a slight frown as I scratched her chin. I got used to having someone with me. With a quick shake of my head I looked up to the clear sunny sky and smiled.

"Hey Alya, it's a nice day today. How about we fly up to canterlot? It shouldn't take us very long." I said before she shot off my shoulders and into the sky making me laugh before flying after her. The flight to canterlot was peaceful as I watched Alya playfully spin and twirl around me. She had grown a lot since she hatched. Now she's about a foot and a half long with slick pink feathers and an emerald sparkle in her wing feathers. Soon we had landed outside the main gates of Canterlot.

"Oh that was nice." I said as I stretched me back before Alya landed on my shoulder and wrapped herself gently around my neck before giving me a cheek nuzzle.

"I see you enjoyed yourself too." I said as I fished a piece of tuna from my bag and gave it to her which was quickly scarfed down.

"(POOF) There we go. I don't know why but I'm starting to really like my fox form. What do you think Alya?" I asked after I turned into my normal fox self. She gave out a happy chirp before sliding into my hair with her head nestled on my forehead making me laugh.

"Must be warm there. Let's go see a princess and a bug." I said as we walked through the gates. Canterlot was always a busy place to visit with ponies running errands or just out to enjoy the afternoon but it's too high class for me. Most of the ponies I passed either ignored me or just held the noses in the sky. A very few would smile and wave but that was it. After a short walk I finally hit my destination and with a short nod to the guards I was on my way to the throne room. As I was making my way through the halls something caught my attention.

"Huh well that's weird." I said as I looked at a large wooden shipping crate sitting among a few small crates but the sight of it was not what I thought was weird. It was what I felt from the crate. I slowly walked up to the crate to get a better look.

"Why do you feel so sad and lonely?" I asked to the crate. What I felt didn't feel quite like magic but something deeper. Like whatever was in this crate had a soul or not quite a soul but close.

"Good afternoon dear Fox." Said a motherly voice behind me.

"Hi aunt Tia." I said without turning away from the crate and Alya flew over to nuzzle her.

"And hello to you too Alya." She said while she scratched under Alyas chin before looking back at me with concern.

"Is everything alright nephew?" She said as she walked up beside me.

"Tia, do you know anything about this crate?" I asked as I placed my paw on the crate.

"These were donated to the crown. They contain music instruments from a local music tutor. The tutor passed away a few years back but when the changelings attack a few home were badly destroyed. These are what the clean up crews salvaged and sat in storage for a while before coming here." She said with a smile as she dusted off a few crates with her wing.

"Donations? Can I open this one?" I asked with a smile.

"I don't see why not they have to be opened anyway for inspection." She said with a small mod.

"(Poof) then let's see what's in this one." I said as a change back to normal before picking the large crate up in magic and moving it to a clear spot so I can open it. My magic made opening it a lot easier and when the walls of the crate fell it revealed a solid snow white upright piano with a gold sheet music stand and matching seat.

"My what a lovely piano." Tia said as she walked up to it to get a good look at it.

"Yes it is." I said absentmindedly as I slowly walked up to the piano and ran my hand along its smooth top. The feeling of loneliness rested within this piano and it was painful to bear.

"Fox dear, something is wrong." Tia asked with worry as she placed her wing around me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hmm no I'm fine." I said as I looked up to her.

"Then why are you crying?" She asked before I raised my hand up and wiped away a few tears.

"I'm not sure. Tia can inanimate objects have feelings?" I asked as I looked at the piano.

"Normally no but sometimes if the owner or maker cares enough about what they are making or doing they can subconsciously leak their natural magic into what they are making. But what that does to the object depends on the ponies natural magic." She said as she walked around the piano.

"Do you mind if I play?" I asked while looking at the piano.

"Of course. I would love to listen to you play it." She said happily as I pulled out the stool and lifted up the key guard before lightly running my fingers along the keys and a song quickly popped up in my head.

(Play

)

As I began to play I closed my eye to enjoy the clear sound of the notes and knew this piano was well cared for. No cord was out of tune and the keys worked smoothly as I began to lose my thoughts in the melody and just played. And then something began to play in my mind. It was like watching an old grainy black and white film. It started with an image of the piano sitting out with the trash. It was in bad shape flakes of paint falling off, the lid was missing alog with a few keys, one of its legs was broken and poorly glued together just waiting to be thrown away. Then came a young couple, a unicorn colt and a slight pregnant pegasus mare.

The colt stopped at the sight of the old piano and felt that it could use a good home and with the agreement of his wife took the piano back to their home. Over time the colt repaired the piano and by the time it was finished the mare just had her foal, a little unicorn filly. The mare would often play a lullaby for the filly that would fall asleep by her mother's side. As the time passed the family got older and the piano was passed down to the loving care of the young filly and would play as often as she could. I watched as time went on for her and the piano and soon she had a family of her own.She took great care of that piano, never letting it get out of tune and always kept it clean.

Time sped up for the mare and now she was old. Her foal had started their own family and she began to teach young cults and filly's about music and one of those filly's was her very own pegasus grandfilly. Oh they would laugh and play silly songs on the piano until one day the filly began to play all on her own while the old mare sat off to the side and just listened with a cup of tea before a bright flash came from the filly's flank which was now adorned with piano keys and musical notes. She had got her cutie mark and the old mare couldn't be prouder.

But the happy times turned to sorrow as the scene changed once again. Now the piano sat at the front of a dark room. Candle placed around the room lighting it up with a soft light. Ponies sat in rows wearing all black and crying because there was no joy to be had this day, no melody played for on the piano sat a black marble and silver inlay patterned urn surrounded by reef of roses and candles. On the music stand sat a black picture frame showing a smiling face. No joy was to be had that day for you see, the old mare had died.

Time step up, the family left the old mares home. The young filly cryed and begged to stay but she was to young and cryed as the doors closed. There was only silence, for days and days nothing but silence. Soon days turn to weeks, weeks to months, months to years sitting in silence then nothing. The song had ended and the film fades.

"She was a very caring and now I see why you are so lonely." I said rested my fingers on the keys before a handkerchief floated down in front of me and I look up to see Tia gently smiling down at me.

"That was a very lovely melody." She said as I took the handkerchief and dried my eyes.

"Thank you. This piano had a good life." I said as I slowly stood.

"I saw it as I played. It watched it's owner grow from a foal to her last days and never once did a day go by without being played or cared for. But once that day came there was no one and it sat there growing lonely." I said with a smile and only grew when I remembered something. I've seen that cutie mark before.

"Tia can I please have this piano?" I asked with a big wide smile.

"Fox dear your mark is glowing." She said with a smile.

"I'm excited because I know I'm about to make someone incredibly happy if you say yes." I said as I look back at the piano.

"And why is that?" She asked with a playful smirk.

"When it showed me it's memorys in the late years of its owners life she had a grandfilly with a cutie mark and I know that mark. I know that mare would take excellent care of this piano." I said as I place my hand on the piano.

"Then you can have it." She said before giving me a quick hug.

"Thanks Aunt Tia. Now let's get you safely tucked away." I said as I shrunk the piano and gently put it in my bag before pulling out a six veggie tempura bento boxes.

"So let's talk about the bug in the guest room." I said as I gave her half and with a smile she took them and lead the way.

Author's Note

HI GUY IM BACK. I hope you all liked this chapter and I'm sorry it's kinda short but if you read it I think you can understand why I decided to end it where I did :trollestia: but don't worry I'll have another chapter out it's already plan out....and I'll try not to procrastinate on this one :twilightblush:

Add please let me know what y'all thought about this chapter

Magic?

Author's Note

HAHAHA FINALLY IM BACK.
Oh how I've wanted to get this chapter done but I was waiting on something special AND ITS FINALLY DONE HAHAHA. So I hope you guys and gals and everyone in-between enjoy this new chapter and the new change

Magic?

"I must say Fox that I'm starting to like your cooking better than my own chef." Tia said as she dabbed a napkin around her mouth. Off to the side off her large pillow in her personal tea room are the now empty bento boxes.

"Don't let him hear you say that or he'll never let me use the kitchen again." I say with a chuckle as I put away the empty boxes in my bag.

"Yes he can be a bit finicky but as long as he gets his respect he'll be fine. Now that we've had our fill let's talk about our guest shall we." She said before taking a sip of her tea.

"Guard!" She said loudly.

"Yes my princess?" A mare unicorn guard said as she walked into the room.

"Tia I got to ask why you have an enchantment placed on all the guards armor to make them look the same?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Can you run down to the castle infirmary and fetch the royal physician please." She told the guard with a motherly smile.

"Yes ma'am I will be back in just a moment." The guard said before quickly leaving the room.

"And as for your question nephew, it's a simple matter of security. You see each set of armor has that enchantment to protect the guard. While on duty it is the standard white and blue colors and unless they give you their name you wouldn't know who's who." She said with a small smile.

"So it also protects the guards identity while off duty but wouldn't it make it a lot easier for someone to infiltrate the castle in stolen armor." I asked while I pulled out a small box of cookies to have with our tea.

"You would think that but no. The enchantment on the armor is tuned to the natural magic of the guard when it's assigned to them. So it won't activate for somepony else and the enchantment is set up in a way that if somepony would try to rewrite the enchantment it would send an alarm to the enchanter before erasing itself." She said with a smirk.

"Wow you must have a great enchanter." I said as I picked up a cookie.

"Thank you, I will try my best." She said before popping a cookie in her mouth as the guard walked in with a charcoal gray unicorn wearing a doctor's coat and a stethoscope around his neck.

"Thank you, that will be all you can return to your post." Tia said before the guard bowed and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"Fox this is doctor Welfare he is mine and Luna's personal physician. I had him see our guests' condition. So tell me how our guest is doing?" Tia asked while offering him a cup of tea.

"Well that's…complicated. We know very little about changeling biology but we were able to heal the lacerations and set the broken bones but we can't replace the organs she lost. But she's growing weaker. We've tried to feed her with an IV drip and we tried to transfer magic to her but her body keeps rejecting it. If we don't think of a solution to get her energy up she won't make it to morning." The Doctor said with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah I don't think you'll have any luck. It's not like you can just put love…." I said before an idea popped in my head and I quickly went into my bag and pulled out what I needed.

"Fox what is that?" She asked as she looked at the pink candy in my hand.

"Tia changelings can't eat like we do and their magic is completely different too. So standard pony medical procedures won't work but what is the one thing changelings can eat?" I asked with a smile as I pulled out a candy and passed it to tia.

"You made candied love?" Tia said with surprise before breaking out into a chuckle.

"How did you manage this?" She said before passing the candy over to Welfare.

"I got the idea while I was working at my stand. It took some trial and error but I was able to find the right combination of magic and emotion and poured that into my sugar mix. Oh and I would not advise eating one if you're not a changeling." I said as I watched the doctor about to give it a lick.

"And why is that?" She said with a smirk as if she already knew the answer.

"Let's just say if these got out to the population you would have a sharp rise in foal birth next year." I said, making the Doctor blush before putting the piece of candy back into its bag.

"If you mix one with the IV salutation it should, in theory, give her the necessary energy she needs to recover." I said as I bit into a cookie.

"Doctor Welfare please start the new drip immediately and please inform the captain to add guards by the door." She said before she relaxed with her tea.

"It shall be done, your highness." He said with a small bow before trotting out of the room.

"Now what to do with her after she recovers." She said as she set her tea down and looked at me seriously.

"I might have a solution. I don't think she is evil, desperate yes but not evil. So instead of the dungeons or Tartarus I would like to keep her inside the borders of my village." I said as I met her gaze.

"You do realize that she has constantly kidnapped my ponies, invaded Canterlot, and has always been a threat to Equestria?" She said with a scowl.

"Yes I understand, but I also understand that she may not have had any choice to act as she did to feed her people. I've seen the prejudice that your ponies have against other races and because the changelings have a different way of feeding and look as they do they were classified as monsters. I've done some research on them and I found that if love was given freely to begin with I don't think she would have gone as far as she did." I said my gaze never leaving hers.

"And she now poses no threat. Her horn was removed and she can no longer transform without her magic." I said as I took a bite of cookie while keeping my gaze.

"And what would you gain if I allow this?" She said as she took a sip of tea.

"Me? Nothing. Her? A place to recover and live in peace without being looked at like a monster. My village is a mixed bag of sorts. Abyssinians, Griffins, ponies, and primates have called my village home and I have not seen any prejudice in the village and I will strive to keep it that way. I understand it will get hard as the population diversity will increase as I plan to open trade to other nations with your consent of course." I said before giving her a small smile.

"So you wish to reform her?" She asked with a returned smile

"Not really reform more like clearing the animosity towards your ponies and hopefully give her something she will desperately need now." I said with a heavy sigh.

"And what would that be?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Tia she has no one left and whoever attacked her made sure that she never had a family again. Can you imagine how lonely that would be? How would you feel if you woke up one morning to find the ponies you loved gone. I can. When I arrived here my mother was gone and to find the race I belong to also gone. It still hurts to think about but my loneliness didn't last long. I found that even though they are not part of my race I still had family and made friends that I call family. It may take a while but I hope she can find what I have and I hope to help her in that endeavor." I said with a warm smile before letting out a sigh and placed down her now empty cup.

"I see your point but I have one more concern. What if she tries to escape while you're not there?" She asked while I refilled our cups.

"The world I lived in had a punishment known as house arrest. The sentenced criminal is given an ankle bracelet that will notify law enforcement of their current location and if the bracelet has been tampered with. My idea is pretty much the same but instead of confined to a home she will be confined to the village itself. I'll be placing a barrier around my village and trade gates that will keep her in." I said as I used my magic to create a black steel bracelet with dark blue Sapphires and began to weave in enchantments.

"I put a few enchantments on this. It will tell me where she's at at any time, one that will make it that only I can remove or break it and one that will be linked to the barrier that will let her come in but not out." I said as I placed it on the table before I leaned back against a set of large pillows as I tried to calm my magic.

"Are you alright nephew?" She asked with concern before a knock came from the door.

"Yes?" She calmly asked.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you meeting with Sir Fox but Miss twilight sparkle is here to see you ma'am." The guard said from the other side of the door.

"Well this is a wonderful surprise. Fox I will put some thought into this matter and will have an answer by the morning. Guard please let her in." She said with a smile as she teleported the bracelet somewhere before a happy purple unicorn trotted into the room.

"Good evening princess." She said before giving her teacher a hug.

"And good evening to you as well my faithful student. So what brings you to the castle this evening?" She asked as Twilight sat beside Tia.

"Hi Twi." I said as I finally calmed my magic.

"Hi Fox. I was visiting my mom and dad today and wanted to stop in for tea before I needed to catch the train back to ponyville." She said as she gave me a smile.

"Well you're in luck. Fox happily provided the tea and snacks this evening." Tia said as she summoned another teacher cup before filling it.

"It's a blend of white tea I picked up in Abyssinia. I mixed in bits of dried peach and powdered honey to bring out the sweetness of the peaches. I also made some with different fruits if you don't like peaches. And don't tell Applejack but I made apple tea with her apples." I said with a chuckle as I sat back up.

"Yeah you better give some over to Granny Smith. But are you alright, you're really sweaty?" She asked before taking a sip of tea with a satisfying hum.

"Yeah I'm fine, it's just recently I've been having trouble keeping my magic calm after I use it." I said as I sipped my tea.

"Hmm." Twilight hummed as she thought.

"Can you use your magic while I scan your magic pathways?" She said with an eager smile as a stack of paper complete with ink and a quill popped up on the table.

"The test subject will now begin." I said making Tia giggle a Twilight blush.

"Oh hush and cast a spell." She said with a glare.

"Calm down, I'm just joking. I'll start by lifting something heavy." I said as Twilight cast her scan spell while I gently picked up Tia in my magic earning me a surprise gasp and a cookie thrown at me before setting her down.

"Really dear nephew out of everything in this room you had to pick me up." She said with a blush and a pout.

"Hehe sorry." I said with a chuckle as I calmed down my magic again.

"I think I see what the problem is." Twilight said as the quill quickly wrote down her notes.

"Please oh great purple smart. What is it that ails me." I said before getting hit by another cookie from Twilight this time.

"Ok ok I get it now more goofing around." I said with a smile before eating the cookies.

"Your magic isn't circulating. I don't know much about how your magic works so I'm basically going off unicorn standards but from an early age we're taught how to circulate our magic through our bodies and horn to prevent surges." Twilight said as she sipped her tea.

"So you're calling me a foal?" I asked with a smirk.

"Essentially yes in the way of magic control." Tia said with a smirk of her own.

"But you do have some control. It's only in your new arm. Your magic freely circulates through your arms pathways with no issues but it looks like you're subconsciously pulling it back to your core. If you don't let it circulate through your whole body and with your raw magic a surge could kill you and anypony within a mile radius." Twilight said with a serious look.

"Ok get control is now on top of the to do list. So how would I accomplish control?" I said as I began to get excited.

"Hmm I think I may have an easy solution." Tia said with a smile.

"Are you familiar with water irrigation systems for large plots?" She asked me, giving a nod.

"Close your eyes and picture your magic core as a large pond." She said as I closed my eyes.

"Right now you already have a waterway running through your arm. Picture dry channels that run throughout your body and gates connecting to your pond. One gate is open but your other plots need water too so imagine opening those gates and feel the water flow through those dry channels." She said and as If a switch was flipped on I could feel my magic flow. It felt like a massive sugar rush but also relaxing in a cool stream. I was so caught up In the feeling that I didn't hear Twilight shouting for me to slow down or she Tia put up a barrier around her and Twilight. The next thing I knew was that there was a bright light before everything went dark.

(Luna pov)

BOOM

"AHHH!" I screamed as I jumped out of my bed with my horn alight ready for battle scanning for any nearby threats but found nothing but a magical surge coming from my sister's personal tea room. In fear for my sister's safety I rushed out of my balcony door and flew to my sister's tower to find her balcony windows and door blown out before quickly flying into the now destroyed room.

"Sister what has transpired here. Is this the fiend responsible?" I asked as I looked around the room to find my sister and her students in a protective barrier. In front of them was a creature I have not seen before passed out of the floor. I quickly picked it up in my magic to keep it from escaping if it woke up.

"Luna, please put down our nephew." Tia said with a sigh as she lowered her barrier.

"Nah this is not our dear nephew it looks nothing like him." I said as I shifted the creature in my magic.

"I can assure you that it is most definitely our nephew." Tia said as she placed a wing on my back.

"It's true princess. We were teaching him how to circulate his magic but he opened his pathways too quickly and that happened." Twilight said as she gestured to the creature in my hold.

"Then this truly is our dear nephew? And there is no threat to you or the kingdom?" I asked with a slight scowl.

"Yes Lulu, other than the destroyed room and our nephew's current appearance everything is just fine. So can you please put him down so we can make sure he's alright?" She asked with her motherly tone. I swear by Starswirl's hat that she can calm a raging dragon with that tone.

"Fine." I said with a sigh and dropped him on some nearby pillows.

"It's too early for this. I'm going back to bed. Please give me the details at breakfast." I said before teleporting back to my bed and fell back to sleep cuddling Dr. Teddy cuddles.

(Back to Fox)

"Well she's going to be cranky when she wakes again." Tia said with a sigh as I woke up.

"What happened here?" I asked as I sat up on the pillows.

"You had a magic surge Fox. And well." Twilight said as she picked up her scattered notes.

"But I feel just fine. Actually I feel better than I have in a while….wait." I said as I crossed my eyes and found a white fur muzzle where my nose should be.

"Ok can anyone explain what happened cuz I got nothing." I said as I looked over at myself. White fur now covered my body and somehow my shirt was gone leaving a white furry chest. My mark is now blue with what looked like crescent moons and on my shoulders were also blue patterns. I still had my shorts on so that's a plus but I now had animal type legs that ended in paws instead of feet. I felt my tail start to wag and I looked back at a really fluffy long tail that has a blue line that branches out in short swirls.

"When you opened your magic pathways you accidentally flooded your body with magic until you had a mini surge. As for the new look I don't know. I want to say it may be caused by the poison joke but something tells me otherwise." Twilight said as I hugged my fluffy tail with a smile.

"Dear nephew, you don't seem to be upset at the situation you find yourself in." Tia said with concern.

"Honestly I'm not. If anything I feel accepted by this world. As long as I've been here I have yet to see a creature without hair, fur, or scales. Plus I feel my fur it's so soft and fluffy. Do y'all have a mirror?" I said as I happily rubbed my chest fur before Tia popped in a hand mirror and held it up so I could see my face. I was right I did have a muzzle now ending in black nose. Fluffy fur lined the back of my cheeks and jaw and my ears grew longer and fluffier. My eyes are a darker blue and blue markings lined my eyes. My hair shortened in the back and longer in the front ending in blue highlights just over my eye.

(New look)

(Picture was drawn by a great artist on twitch. He's a furry artist and gamer. Please check out @kajiru on twitch.)

"How can you be so calm about this? Your whole appearance changed." Twilight said as she started to try to clean the room as a few maids stepped in and quickly left before anyone noticed them.

"Twilight my outer appearance may have changed but that doesn't define who I am. I'm still me just with fluffy fur." I said as wisps of light blue magic swept throughout the room fixing what was broken and made it look like we just entered the room. I looked at my hand as a blue magic mist swirls around it.

"Ok I just thought about cleaning up this mess I made. I didn't even feel a strain on my magic." I said as I watched the magic disappear.

"You won't feel a strain now that you have proper magic circulation. Now you just have to gain some control so you don't activate your magic subconsciously." Tia said before Alya flew from her main to my neck and began to nuzzle my cheek with a slight hiss purr.

"So does that mean you approve?" I asked as she tried to snuggle deeper into my fur as I scratched her chin.

"OH NO THE TRAIN. I was so caught up in what happened I missed my train." Twilight said in a panic before Tia placed a wing on her back.

"Do not worry my faithful student, I'll send for a pegasus chariot to take you home." Tia said in her motherly tone to calm down the purple pony.

"I can take you home. I have to stop in Vinyl's music shop before I head home anyway." I said with closed eyes.

"That would be(pop)…we're here?" She said as I looked up to find ponyville's local library.

(Celestia pov)

"(Cough) definitely needs conscious magic control." I said as I fanned away the blue mist from Fox's magic and looked around the room.

"Hmm it looks like Fox forgot his bag." I said as I picked it up in my magic before a book fell out onto the table. The book was dark and weathered leather with a small strap holding the book closed. A black diamond on the front of the strap with runes circling it. The diamond began to glow before it sucked up the remaining blue mist and the diamond turned from black to sapphire but before I was able to pick it up the book and bag teleported away.

"Must have been Twink. She would never let me touch even one of her books." I said with a sigh.

"Well I still have time before my evening meeting and after what just happened I think I earned a slice of cake or two." I said with a giggle as I left to find my sweet prize.

(Fox pov)

(Pop)

(Bonk)

"Ow Twilight I think your library wants revenge for having to hold all its dead brothers." I said as I looked down at the book that is responsible for the growing not on my head.

"That's not one of mine. OUCH IT ZAPPED ME!" Twilight said as she tried to pick it up but got zapped by a blue bolt of magic.

"It must be from the Tombs then." I said as I picked it up before the sapphire lit up and the strap fell open.

"Neat mystery book but I'll have to read it later. I got things to do." I said as I clipped the strap back on before slipping the book back into the bag much to the disappointment of Twilight.

"Awe but I wanted to read it too." She said with a pout.

"After I read it and judge it's content safe I'll let you read it, don't worry." I said with a chuckle as I ruffled her mane.

"Thank you." She said with a smile.

"You're welcome now, you better head inside. By the smell of things I'm guessing Spike has dinner ready ... .ok add a better nose to the list of improvements." I said as I watched Twilight close her door before I began to stretch my arms.

"Alright time to head to Vin(pop)yl's…well that's goin to get annoying." I said as I looked up to find I was currently standing in Vinyl's living room with her and Melody who was scared and crying. An empty box of tissues sat beside them.

"HI-YA!" I heard before I received a very strong roundhouse kick in the back of my head sending me over the couch and the ponies on it. Then I felt a hoof press down on my chest.

"Who are you and how did you get in my home!" A very pissed Octavia demanded.

"Ugh my head." I groaned before Alya made her jump back with a hiss and blue flames.

"Wait Alya? If you're here does that mean your…OH MY CELESTIA ITS FOX!!" She screamed.

"Yep hell of a kick by the way." I said as I sat up rubbing the back of my head.

"I am so sorry Fox." She said with a low bowed head.

"No need to apologize. I would have done the same thing if someone just popped in like that." I said as I stood up and brushed the dust from my shorts.

"Dude what happened to you?" Vinyl asked while looking over the back of the couch with Melody.

"Had a problem with magic circulation, fixed it, had a surge, passed out, woke up like this." I said with a smile.

"So magic?" She asked as she lifted her sunglasses to get a better look.

"Magic. So I have to ask but is everything alright Melody?" I asked before she broke down sobbing.

"I'm sorry Fox but you popped in at a bad time." Octavia said as she sat down on the other side of the couch.

"Well tell me and I might be able to help." I said as I tried to keep a straight face.

"It's gone." Melody cried out before hugging Vinyl.

"When Melody was a foal her grandmother passed away." Octavia said as she rubbed her back.

"I loved my grandma and she's the main reason I became a pianist. When she passed she left me her home in Canterlot but when I came of age to receive the inheritance it was all gone." Melody while still pressed into Vinyl's chest.

"It was one of the homes that was destroyed in the changeling invasion. I went with her but when we got there the whole lot was cleared out. We actually went there to get her grandmother's prized piano and when we asked a nearby guard he said that anything that survived the wreckage was donated to music schools through Equestria." Octavia said with her head done.

"Dude this is not a time to be smiling like that and why is your mark glowing!?" She said with a glare.

"I'm sorry but I have a reason to smile like this." I said as I walked in front of them with my hand in my bag.

"Melody I think this now belongs to you." I said as I sat the piano down and made it grow to normal size.

"But…but how?" Melody asked as she slowly got up and approached the white piano.

"Well when stuff like this gets donated it was to go through the castle for inspection and I just so happen to be the one to inspect this piano. Melody when an inanimate object is loved and cared for it can sometimes absorb their natural magic and the only reason I knew it was yours is that it should be it's memory. The whole life of your grandmother lies within this piano. Cherish this gift just like your grandmother did." I said before getting tackled in a hug from the now happily crying mare.

"Th..thank you …and ..I will." She said in-between sobs.

"We can't thank you enough Fox." Octavia said as she wiped away a few tears and Vinyl turned away trying to hide hers.

"The thought that I made someone happy is all the thanks I need." I said as Melody slowly let me go and ran a hoof across the key guard.

"Well with that done it's time I head home…and now it decides not to tele(pop)port me." I said before quickly putting up a barrier before a clawed fist hit my jaw.

"It's always a punch first ask later. Merrin it's me." I said with a sigh.

"Fox?" She asked.

"Yes." I said bluntly.

"... magic?" She asked.

"Magic." I said as I dropped the barrier.

The Book and A Dog

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