“Yeeeeaaaah… no, I’m not doing that”

“But why? It is good practice for uh… for the foreseeable future! If we are to wed how would thou handle the pressure of court or the noble masses? It is incredibly important for one to hold a strong image so it is best you start practicing now with writing our letter”

“Luna just because you don’t like doing that stuff doesn’t mean you can just shove that responsibility on me. You think I would like doing that crap any more then you do?”

Trying her best to persuade, she nuzzled against me with a smirk, “Perhaps we could find a reward fitting enough to entice thou” and followed with wrapping her tail around the inner part of my thigh. She fluttered her eyes encouragingly, “Would that be a possibility?”

Trying my best not to get excited I turned away, “You can’t trick me into doing yucky political stuff. I’m not writing that report for you”

Flipping onto her back she rolled in a small tantrum, “Dah! This is unbearable! How could my own sister ask of such a thing”

Entertained by Luna’s ‘turmoil’, I cuddled up beside her on the couch, “Lu it’s just a small written letter about ponies dreams and stuff. You literally used to do this already before”

“But now we have tasted the freedom of an everyday subject and it is liberating! I yearned for a time without the dealings of a princess. No written reports or snooty nobles, no public appearances or hefty paperwork. Ugh, do you know the number of suitors that attempted to court us just for a seat at the royal table?” Sitting up her hooves made their way to her head massaging away the tension. “As jealous as I was for the attention our sister received, it was not until recently did we realize the value of privacy. Belittling as it may I would even be willing to live as a maid or house servant if it meant we were to be liberated”

“Does your sister know you feel this way?”

“Of course.. ‘‘twas a conversation we held before our departure and stay with you. She of course could not oblige our selfish desires. It would have been irresponsible of her”

“Well maybe Twilight could take over for you in the future? It’s not like I’m trying to force the responsibility on somepony else but, it was clear Celly has plans getting her involved in Canterlot eventually”

“Perhaps but, I wish for retirement now”

“It’s only a little longer Lu. How bad could it be?”

“… Joey has thou ever sat and listened to a pony complain about capital tax for over three hours? I don’t even know what capital taxes are!”

“That’s reassuring to hear”

Spinning around to face me she was very upset, “There was no such thing before our banishment I shall have you know”

“Okay then I can teach you these things and-“

“But thou already knows! Why should we have to deal with such unpleasantries when there is a pony better for the position, especially one to be labeled future king?”

“Alright hypothetically Twilight doesn’t take your position and I was the king in the future alright? It wouldn’t even matter anyways because Equestria is a matriarchal run country. I’d be no better then a handsome little side piece for you to show off”

Stumped she sighed, cuddling back into me, “We would enjoy flaunting our most valuable treasure”

“Wow Lu, objectifying me much?” I jest.

She didn’t react much, instead closed her eyes and snuggled. “Meh. To be fair we would much rather prefer your role”

Luna definitely wasn’t one for responsibility, I had learned that much. Hopefully in time she could find peace with her purpose or maybe even find a replacement however, this was wishful thinking. I knew how unlikely it was for everypony to have a happy ending. I just wanted to make sure Luna’s would be as good as I can help make it be.

Closing my eyes I tried my best to get comfortable and squeezed Luna tightly. Apparently this would be another day off spent relaxing and I was all for it. Lost in her scent I wouldn’t know I’d fallen asleep until everything was abruptly interrupted.

*Tap* *Tap*

A light poke went against the top of my head, messing up my already curly hair. “Joey! Joey!” In a hush whispered tone I could still make out who it was.

I growled, grumpy from being pulled away from my moon mare, “Uuughh Twi how did you even get in?”

“You left the door unlocked you dork which by the way is how it should always be and I need you and Luna’s help”

Sprawling out I almost accidentally pushed Luna clean off the couch, grabbing her at the last moment, “Twi you lock your own door, what are you talking about?”

“Yeah when I’m not home!”

“What about when you’re asleep?”

“Nopony is going to come over when I’m sleeping Joey, that’s silly”

Stirring beside me Luna batted my face with a hoof in her stretch, “Is it night already?”

“Sorry for waking you pri- Luna but, I was saying I how I needed you and Joeys help”

“Our help?”

“Do you really need our help? Like really really need it or is this one of those things where y’all don’t know what’s wrong so you grab like everypony we know?”

“Uhhh the second one”

“Damn… Luna we gotta go, it’s integral to the plot”

“The what?”

“I don’t know, it seemed like something Pinkie would say. Speaking of which-“

“I already told her. Actually she was how I found you both. She’s at Sweet Apple Acres already with the rest of the girls, they’re all waiting for me to get back”

“Hmpf, okay, okay. This better actually require our help this time though”

“It always does… sometimes”

Standing in front of Sweet Apple Acres, the old farm house stood proud and tall still in its bright red glory. It truly would be a welcoming sight if not for the sea of rotten apples adorning every tree in sight. Down the dirt path leading to her home Twilight led us around the back over to their pole barn where the rest of the girls waited. Even Spike was here this time!

“Sup y’all”

“Why isn’t this a pleasant surprise, I didn’t know you would be bringing back Joey and princess Luna as well when you left. Why didn’t you just say so?”

Rolling her eyes Twilight took her place right beside AJ, “Because I didn’t know if I was going to be able to convince them. You know how Joey is”

“Reliable?” Most the girls laugh as if I was being sarcastic. It really did hurt.

“Anyway as I was tellin the others there’s a bunch of fruit bats making home round my orchard and eatin all my darn apples! I’m sure you could tell when ya arrived”

We took turns answering.

“We did notice. A rather alarming predicament no?”

“Yeah it looked pretty bad”

“Pretty bad don’t even do it enough justice neither. At the rate those nasty vermin are suckin, Ponyville ain’t gunna have a single drop of cider for the running of the leaves festival!”

I’d forgotten all about that holiday! Seeing how I’d been here for well over a year now most the new pony holidays would be reoccurring, some less desirable then others. Also seeing how it was the running of the leaves, we must’ve been nearing fall or at least at the beginning of the season. Equestria’s short winter would be just around the corner.

“No cider!? Alright AJ, what’s the plan for these bats cause this mare is not putting up with a dry winter” Dash cracked her hooves ready to go.

“Winter? You horde cider over the whole damn winter?”

“Yeah, ask Shy, she’d know”

“Yeah, we keep a some at my home when Dash lives with me in the winter”

“Some?”

“It can be um… a little too much?”

Waving her off Dash jogged around resting a hoof around my waist, “If it’s too much we could always use some help getting rid of it. Besides there isn’t much else to do when it’s friken snowing out all day!”

In a flash Dash and I were separated by Pinkie, “Did somepony say winter cider party every week for all of winter!? I’m in!”

“Uhhh I don’t know if I can host a party every week. That’s a lot of cider…”

“Then if y’all are hoping to have enough for the whole winter we should stop jabbering bout drinking and start thinking of a plan”

“She’s right girls. We can worry about that stuff after we’ve dealt with the bats”

“Twilight dear can’t we just give them a little magic scare and zap them away?”

“Noo! Absolutely not! We can’t hurt the bats!”

“I don’t think she meant hurting them Fluttershy, right Rarity?” Spike asked.

“Of course not! I know how much you care about all of your animal friends. I simply meant we force them to leave… safely of course!”

“What if we convince them to stop?”

“And how ya gunna do that?”

“I could ask them nicely?”

Stepping forward Luna reassured Shy with a nudge, “That is an awfully wholesome thought Fluttershy however, if they are anything like the ones in the palace we would be better off transporting them with our magic like miss Rarity suggests”

“But princess Luna-“

“Please, just Luna and that goes for all of you”

“Luna it’s not right to take them from their homes! Can’t we find another way that’s peaceful if I can’t convince them?”

Thinking it over for a moment Twilight sprung up with an idea, “You could use the stare!”

Never hearing of the stare before I questioned, “The stare?”

“Bro, you’re telling me you’ve never seen Shy do the stare?”

“No Dashie, otherwise I wouldn’t be so confused”

Energetically Spike pointed my way, “Use the stare on Joey! Use it on him!”

“It’s not magic right? If it’s magic don’t”

“It’s what it sounds like ya big baby, it’s a stare”

“Like two seconds ago it seemed like more then a stare”

“We were overacting! You know how ponies are”

“Dash you’re a pony”

“Yeah and so are you, what’s that got to do with anything?”

“I swear I’ll twist your wing”

Instinctively she jumped back, hiding her still recovering appendage, “Alright I was joking! It’s a thing she does to keep her animals in check. It’s really freaky. N-Not that I meant you were freaky Shy”

“No it’s okay. Honestly I was more upset you referred to my animal friends as my animals but, that’s okay. A happy little accident”

“Can we just try an use the stare already? If y’all haven’t noticed I’m losing apples by the minute here”

Giggling Twilight brought us back on topic, “Apple Jack is right, we should probably come up with an actual plan now so does anypony have any idea how we can do this? I like using the stare idea but I haven’t really made out a way we could gather them all together”

“Twilight if you.. if you don’t mind of course could I try asking them politely first while you come up with an idea? I still would like to try not using the stare, it makes me feel like I’m not giving them a fair chance”

“Sure I mean if it works that’s great for everypony and if it doesn’t we don’t really lose anything anyway”

“O-okay! I’m going to go ask them right now!” Running off that left the rest of us still twiddling our thumbs.

“What if, hear me out, we use Rainbow to round them all up in a whirlwind of some sort and we bundle them all up after?”

“Ugh Rarity in case you haven’t noticed?” With a wave she showed off her still bandaged wing. “Not exactly in the ‘rounding up’ shape right now”

“Twilight could fly and do it”

Inspecting Twilight head to hoof Dash turned back with a serious look, “No”

“What if I used my dragon breath and we scared them all away? Bats are scared of fire right?”

“Huh? Where’d you hear that?”

“I just thought since the sun is made of fire and they don’t like the sun that much that they were afraid of fire”

“Spike there’s no way they even know the sun is made of fire, they’re bats!”

Loudly Pinkie gasped, “Joey! Don’t let Shy hear you say that!”

“Can’t we just shoot ‘em with magic and scare em off? I know Flutters ain’t that big about being mean to critters an such but these nasty things are going to bleed our farm dry! There’s plenty of fruits elsewhere for them, it’s not like they’re gunna starve!”

“I mean I’m sure they’re a few spells I could try out casting but, if it’s possible I’d like to not make Shy upset”

Proud of Twilights firm resolve (and likely respect for Fluttershy), Spike nodded his head in agreement. “Shy’s our friend! We should care about what she thinks just as much as what Apple Jack thinks”

Purposely I whispered to Dash and Pinkie loud enough for everypony else to hear, “Look at this knight in shining armor” getting a few good laughs in return and a mighty fine puff of dragon smoke.

“Oh leave the poor drake alone, he’s the cutest when he’s all gentlecolt like”

“W-what? What are you all talking about?”

Even Twi joined in, “Come on Spike, we all know you’ve been crushing big time on Fluttershy. There’s no point in hiding it”

“Crushing- I have not!”

Coming up with a little eureka I bail the dragon out of his rotisserie style teasing, “Hey what if you use the stare but like project it as an image to all the bats at the same time? You can do that right?”

“Um… maybe. I don’t know, that sounds kinda hard. I’d probably need to check the library for any books on projection magic”

Having been silent a while her voice suddenly at my side makes me almost jump out of my skin, “We could potentially try if that is alright with you all?”

“Luna you know projection magic?”

“I dabble”

I knew what that really meant, “Here we go…”

“Really? Wow! Where’d you learn how to? I’ve been sorta interested in learning some recently”

You’re interested in learning every type of magic!

“Hm.. that must have been some time ago, we could not possibly put a date. I do however, use it nightly. It is quite effective in dispelling nightmares!” Way too cheery I could tell Luna had been waiting a long time to talk to somepony about this.

“Dispelling nightmares?! That’s amazing! You must use it in your sleep then right? How else would you use it in the dreamscape?”

Lost in wizard talk I wouldn’t bother ending their conversation, instead I brought the attention back to the others, “Maybe we should just scare them off”

“So we can use my fire right?”

“No we can’t use fire ya pheasant! My whole darn farm is flammable! I could lose everything”

“Sorry girls heh, I kinda feel a little useless here” running her neck Dash was out of her element. Without any physical gifts to provide she wasn’t really comfortable.

“You’re not useless Dashie! Look at me, I just came to make everypony laugh!”

“Alright easy with the self depreciation. You two are beginning to sound like me”

Finally back and unable to catch her breath Shy fell down to the grass defeated. “I… asked… so politely… but… they said…. no!”

“Nasty vermin, I told ya”

“…not… nasty”

“Nasty or not they need to leave!”

“Apple Jack please, yelling isn’t going to get us anywhere”

“Sorry, this is whole day has been horrible and without Dash’s flyin or some fancy pancy spell my farm is going to suffer. Ugh… if there’s anypony I should be yellin at, it’s myself. Can’t even protect the orchard from bats!”

“I guess since they didn’t want to be nice and stop and I did ask beforehand, we could maybe use the stare”

“Alright!” Dash cheered. “Friken love the stare! You have to see it Joey it’s wicked”

Turning back to the group Twilight gave a puzzled look at Dash before speaking, “Errr anyway, Luna said she has a way to display Fluttershy across the entire orchard and we don’t have to do anything! She’ll just show her face up in the sky doing the stare and I can cast a spell across the orchard to stop their eating!”

A little skeptical still AJ asked a question bugging her too much to hold on to, “Uhhh aren’t we in the orchard as well? What if ya cast the spell on us?”

Rarity nodded as well, “Apple Jack is right dear and how do you know this spell will even stop them from eating apples?”

“I tested it before. I used it on a mosquito colony I had and they stopped biting all together! Super cool stuff”

“But what if it makes them stop eating completely?! We can’t do that Twilight! What if we built them a little sanctuary with a few apple trees of their own? You can spare a few trees right AJ?” Shy’s worry was plastered all over her face. She didn’t like the idea one bit.

“No I can’t and more importantly I don’t want to. Those nasty monster been eating free for long enough. There’s plenty other fruit besides apples”

“I don’t know…”

Taking Fluttershy’s hoof Spike caught her eye, “Twilight understands how much their safety means to you. I’m sure it’ll be okay”

Shocked at the boldness I had to hide my face with a hand. Checking to see the others reactions it was a mixed bunch but mostly the same. Like myself Dash looked away flushing heavy while Rarity’s smile beamed brighter then the moon.

“Alright. I trust you Twilight”

“Don’t worry. I promise it’ll work out great!” Giddily she stomped as Luna took center stage. “Oooo I'm so excited! To see projection magic at this scale is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”

“Fluttershy, are thou ready?” She nodded putting on her game face. “Then pay close attention to what I have to say. Casting this spell over an area of this size will be indeed as Twilight said, rare. It will take a massive amount of magic and can only be preformed once. We do not have the time to wait for me to recover so we must succeed. I shall start casting however, thou will not appear above until the color of our pupils turn a different shade. When this occurs you must stare into my eyes as our vision is the catalyst that is displayed upon the sky. What I see is what will appear. Have we made ourself clear?”

“Y-yes. I do the stare at you when your eyes change color. Right?”

“Precisely. Now I require silence”

Closing her eyes, her horn lit in a blue glow. A low gust of wind stirred circling around us with fallen leaves twisting and spinning about. Then as she reopened her eyes there was a heavy wind from her, leaving us all to flinch away. When I turned back her eyes were still their natural color however, they glowed brightly in the dark illuminated against the dark behind. The night had crept upon us leaving the entire orchard in darkness. Only the red glowing eyes of bats and Luna’s piercing blue orbs left any light. Chomping beside me Pinkie ate away at a large popcorn, soaking in the moment.

With a flicker Twilight began her own spell, waiting for the cue to begin. With sneaky suddenness, Luna’s teal eyes lost their color, left in a light shade of grey. Hesitantly Fluttershy seemed unsure if this was the sign but, quickly readjusted herself. With the stomp of her two front hooves she gave a strange look. Caught in the crossfire some I could feel the affect, my legs suddenly heavier then normal.

“Look up above! It’s Shy!”

Sure enough floating high above the farm was the transparent upper half of Fluttershy’s torso. Her face was massive, the size of Golden Oaks Library in its entirety. Twilight took this as her cue, casting a large purple shockwave across the orchard. The pulse passed through without so much as a tickle yet, shook the trees around us with fierce power. They groaned in protest, shaking further out, dispersing into a weak gust of wind by the time her spell reached the edges of AJ’s orchard. As quickly as it started it had ended and the night fell silent once more.

Shaking her head Luna couldn’t hold back a laugh, “That was incredible! We have never casted a projection of that size before. We did not honestly believe it was possible! Joey did you see?” Going to take a step my way she immediately tripped over her own hoof.

Thankfully I was close enough and she fell into me hard enough to send us both down. “Woah, you alright?”

“Yes! Ha, we are rather lightheaded. A simple symptom of magic fatigue” still lost in the spectacle she started laughing again. “It has been a long time since we have felt this way. What a strange way to remember!”

“Twilight dear are you going to be okay?”

Off to the side a few of the others gathered around Twilight. She also appeared to be shaken up, now sitting down beside Spike. Also okay her only focus currently was on geeking out.

“Luna you’re amazing! That had to be the largest projection ever done in history!”

“Twas a simple spell nothing more”

“Lu you nearly feinted”

“That was but a mere stumble! The grass was uneven”

Jumping in front of Luna, Pinkie made sure to break any sort of personal space, “That was awesome! I didn’t know you could make a big Fluttershy like that, could you make a big Pinkie next?! I want to be that big!”

“Uh Pinkie? I don’t think Luna made Shy any bigger then she was, I think she sorta just made a big picture of her in the sky. Like one of those movies you an Joey like to go see”

“Hey do you think you could show me what I look like when I do some of my stunts? I’ve always wondered how I looked, plus I could make some of them even cooler if I knew what to change and who wouldn’t want that?”

“Uh.. we’ll I certainly wouldn’t mind helping at least once”

“I could use that spell for my dresses! While a mirror does a wonderful job it would be splendid to see myself in my entirety. I can’t imagine the ideas that could bring! Why I might even be able to start a new trend again”

“Perhaps once we could exchange-“

“Could you use it to send a message? If there’s anyway I can get out of letter writing duty I’m all for it”

“P-perhaps… um, truthfully I am unsure as of now if we could but-“

“Luna you wouldn’t mind teaching me some projection magic when you have time would you?”

“We uh… would love to help teach… thou” soon enough the many voices and shouts became too much. Overwhelmed she struggled to even build a sentence. “Could we all.. please..”

I wasn’t about to sit there and let it continue, “OR, here me out y’all, let Luna have some space so she can catch her breath and somepony can go check if the spell even worked”

“Oh I completely forgot! Fluttershy do you mind checking with Apple Jack?”

“Sure!”

“Let’s hope this really worked for my sake and them critters cause I ain’t givin them a second chance”

Taking off most the girls join as well leaving just Luna, Twilight and I. Watching them head off it’s a tug at my shirt that draws my attention.

“Thank you for the assist. We are not very good with large groups… or public speaking… or attention”

Chuckling I can’t fight the urge to pat her head, “Although that’s a little alarming coming from the princess, you’re preaching to the choir so I’ll let it slide”

“Preaching to the choir? We do not understand this motif”

“I meant that I get where you’re coming from ya goof. I feel the same way”

“I believe we have had this conversation before have we not? You had used the phrase ‘a match in heaven’, had you not?”

“You.. kinda got that one wrong too but close enough”

“Darn. We will conquer the so called slang of todays ponies in due time, this we are sure of. Be patient with us”

“Meh, I think it’s cuter though when you mess them up though”

“We are not cute!”

Filled with relief AJ returned with the largest grin I’d ever seen her carry, “Speakin of not cute, them critter won’t do so much as look at an apple now! I gotta say that was some fancy spell work you two put together and I can’t thank you both enough. I oughta repay the favor so whatever y’all need just say the word”

“Aw it was nothing Apple Jack, you’re one of my best friends. I know you’d do the same for me”

“Consider the debt unnecessary from our end as well. There is not much I find myself needing help for these days however, we would like this moment to be a pivotal pillar in our new friendship, if that is okay with you?”

“Uhhh sure! Glad to be friends with ya Luna” holding out her hoof for a bump it takes the flustered princess a moment to react, meeting her hoof.

“To friendship”

“How touching”

“I know!” Sobbing away Pinkie didn’t seem to pick up on my sarcasm.

“Since the fruit bats aren’t bothering your farm anymore, you wouldn’t mind if I helped maybe build them their very own section to stay in would you?”

Unsurprisingly I wasn’t the only one to fall under Fluttershys puppy eyes.

“Oh alright, we can do the whole reservation thing but, if that spell ever wears off I want them gone!”

“That’s great! Here I got a whole spot picked out already!”

The two of them headed off back into the orchard and seeing how there was nothing better to do Dash joined as well. Meanwhile the rest of us and Spike (surprisingly not following Shy) started to make our way back home. It wasn’t a long walk to the end of the property but, once reached our little get together had to finally split.

“You know that was actually kinda fun!”

“Wasn’t it! You and Luna were super cool and that big Fluttershy in the sky was like the craziest thing I’ve seen in at least a week!”

“Although I wasn’t of much help and I do hate getting my hooves all dirty, that was an awfully fun time. Oh I’d hate this night to end so soon, would any of you perhaps be willing to maybe extend our little gathering at my place? Maybe a few glasses of wine?”

“Eugh, maybe if there’s anything besides wine”

Taking my hand with her hoof Luna’s eyes light up in excitement, “We must go! Please Joey, this is a perfect chance for us to do the bonding”

“Come on Joey! It’ll be fun!”

“Well Rarity, I’d love to. Spike you coming along or what?”

“Well… I guess it beats staying at home alone”

“You can’t back out now Joey! Everypony here is going! Come on, come on, come on, come o-“

“Pinkie cut it out ya goober I’ll go!” Threatening to pinch her side she’s nimble enough to dodge, running off in the direction of Rarity’s.

“Last one there’s a rotten egg!”

Taking one slow look at the rest of the girls I could tell they actually were thinking it over. “Please please please don’t start running”

“And get my coat even dirtier? I wouldn’t dare… be the last one there!” Taking off it’s a chain reaction sending the rest of the group off running expect for Luna.

“What? You think we would be interested in such a childish gimmick?”

“Yes”

“… may we?”

“*sigh* long as you don’t fly”

“Consider thyself the egg then!” And most certainly I was to be last.

Taking a few sips from my drink, I leaned back against the footrest behind me, enjoying the distant warmth of Rarity’s fireplace. Mixed with the cold marble floor I was at a happy medium, content with my situation like most the girls around me. Sprawled out around we still managed to form a circle, our attention currently on Twilight and her retelling of her time with Celestia. While it drew some curiosity for most, it caught the attention of a certain moonbutt princess more than anypony.

“She did not!”

“She did and it was only two days old!! It doesn’t even spoil that fast!”

“Of course not! Only a foal would believe so… which… thou were”

“It’s kind of embarrassing but, after that I really thought birthday cake spoiled in like two days. I used to try and eat it all the first day until I was like fourteen”

“Our sister must’ve ate the rest then and lied, strange. She did not always have such a weakness for sweets. I can only speculate what could have caused such a dramatic change” resting a hoof to her chin in thought, the rest of us shared a light laugh at Twilights story.

“Princess Celestia had the most delicate array of refreshments at the Grand Galloping Galla as well and as for the cake? Why I have never seen such beautiful cake since princess Cadance’s wedding”

“Oh jeez don’t remind me of that day”

“What’s a matter Joey? Everything worked out in the end”

“Yeah but that big nasty bug lady gave me the willies. There was something seriously wrong with her”

Trying her best to reassure Luna wrapped me with a wing, “Do not fret for we had vanquished that foe! The elements of harmony spare no villain, we personally would know”

“Hm… but, if you’re still here does that mean she could still be alive as well?”

Placing her drink down Twilight interrupted, “Luna I think I could explain for him. The elements purify evil so when it was used on Luna it only removed her worst intentions where as for Chrysalis, her very being was evil! Or at least that’s what I think. She was probably completely evil”

Still a little irked on how Luna returned still all evil and stuff I swallow down my curiosity deciding the conversation was likely uncomfortable for the mare wrapping me with a wing. I know I wouldn’t want to remember a time I tried to take over the word either.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the lack of confidence at the end there”

There was a minute of pause following, the moment taken in by everypony involved. As sappy as it sounds there was feeling of safety engulfed around me, like I could relax and let my guard down. I felt so relaxed in fact that I was willing to change the subject to one considered as, gossip.

“Spike you uh… you and Shy courting each other?”

He spit out his soda completely unprepared, “Pfft- What!?”

With heart shaped eyes Rarity made sure to jump on the opportunity, “A splendid question and since we’ve already decided it’s okay to ask thanks to Joey I was curious myself for a long time now. So what’s the deets my little Spikey wikey? Have you found true loveeeeee?”

“Why am I suddenly being interrogated? Nopony else is being interrogated!”

“Interrogated? Dude I asked you one question”

“Yeah but its like a really really embarrassing one and… nopony else is being asked stuff like that!”

“If you asked me an embarrassing question and I answered, would that be enough to get an answer out of you?”

“Well I uh… I can’t just think of one out of the blue!”

Sensing I was losing the battle Rarity tagged herself in, “You’re not answering because you find Fluttershy unattractive are you? Shame Spikey! You know better!”

“I never said that! Fluttershy is really cute! She’s-… no! I am not doing this! I refuse to talk!”

“Ahhh what? Come on don’t be like that! We’re all friends here, nopony is going to tease you”

In anger he pointed right at me, “You will! Literally you!”

“He’s right, I would”

“Joey! Couldn’t it help for you to lie just this once?”

“Listen I’ve been yelled at all the time for lying alright so there’s no more secrets with me”

Seizing the moment Spike interposed, “What about what happened with you and Dash? How did that get all smoothed over huh?”

“Err.. uh you know… we talked. Like adults” removing my hand from the back of my neck it hits me then I had given off my tell.

“Why are you all nervous then! He’s keeping a secret! I know when he’s keeping a secret and he’s secret keeping!!!!”

Listen here you little shit, I’m the one that asks the questions!

I tired my best to keep my composure, “Course I am, I’m not going to tell everypony what was said between us. That would be rude to Dash”

Grinning wide Rarity licked her lips like a panther crouching over its pray, “Oh but aren’t we all friends here? Surely nopony would think any differently about the two of you if you indulged us”

Take a large swig of my drink I used the time to build up a defense, “Maybe but some things are better off private miss gossip”

Astounded she placed a hoof to her chest, “Miss gossip! Why… why I should-“

“Okay, okay Rarity! Maybe we’ve all pushed a teensy bit too far with this subject-“

Unfortunately Spike was still seeking blood, “If it’s better off private then you should understand my decision not to answer as well”

“Yeah but your thing-“

“Joey”

“Twilight please”

“No, absolutely not. You’re being disrespectful and I think you should apologize and let it go”

“But-“

“Joey…” Her eyes screamed ass whipping.

Scared I apologized quickly, “Sorry Spike for being an ass. I’ll leave ya be”

“Hm, this has been an awfully rambunctious outing. Is this how friends do the hang?”

“Oh god” I wanted to puke the instant that left her mouth.

Twilight handled it much better, giggling in response, “You mean hang out? Usually things get a little wild… specially at Rarity’s” She said the last part under her breath but, I still managed to pick it up.

“You’re lucky Dashie isn’t here! Actually consider it unlucky cause everypony more makes a party that much better!”

Waiting we all expect a reason for her first statement. We get none.

“Anyways Lu, don’t let these girly girls taint you into their whole gossip hour. Every time we ever hang out it turns into this big gush fest about-“

“He’s one of the more handsome stallions in Ponyville I should add-“ she’d already stopped listening, completely into Rarity’s tale.

“-romance…”

“So… how’s it going?” Spike had made is way over, understanding the situation.

We were men, we had to stick together in tough times like these.

“Tough”

“I get ya… I get ya”

The night went on and the fireplace remained lit yet some of its prior intensity seemed to had dulled. Embers sizzled away around the main fire giving a fair warning for the future to come but, the fire still raged on. My vision was hazy from a little too much fun but, I could still make out most the room even in the dark. Rarity had fallen asleep with Pinkie and Spike in tow. The three of them made a small pony pyramid all cuddled up on the couch close by. To my right Luna appeared awake and attentive, unsurprisingly. It was midnight, given away by a bright glow peeking from behind the curtains. Meanwhile to my left lay a tired Twilight, her curiosity the only crusader of the quest to stay awake.

“And *yawn* you only have to imagine the image in your head?”

Luna chuckled, “Sounds simple does it not?”

“Heh, yeah. A little too much”

“Why’s it hard then?”

“A good question my future king”

“Please don’t call me that”

“You see, there is difficulty in maintaining the concentration of a spell and when we use the word concentration we mean it in more than one way. There is both an art of concentrating and an art of applying the right amount of magic. The thing that makes illusionary magic so difficult is the required consistency”

“Uh… how do you like… magic? Is it like flexing a muscle or?”

“Hm.. it would be tough for us to explain given thy’s magic inaptitude”

“Oh I have magic, it just kills me”

Sadden by the joke she can’t help quickly glance to the collar around my neck, “I am sorry we could not find anything of use during our time spent away at the palace” disturbed, her face distorted to one of grief. “We failed you”

“Hey, woah woah woah, nopony failed anypony here Lu. Things just didn’t work out… and that’s how it goes sometimes”

“Y-you… you may live your entire life without cure, does this not bother you? Why do I feel like the only one upset?”

“Well it’s out of my hands. There’s no point really worrying if there’s nothing I can do”

“Thou does not worry? At all?”

Going to take a drink my lips found themselves dry against the glass. I was out.

“Luna.. please don’t worry when I say this. You too Twi-“ she was asleep when I looked. Her body was already curled in a little circle protected by her tail. “I worry all the time.. but I can’t… I can’t let you all worry with me. That wouldn’t be right” I struggled look her in the eyes, my face starting to feel hot.

In a hushed whisper she grabbed me, “We can find a cure! There has to be an explanation! We have all the clues we need I just.. I just know it. The only question is how to order them”

My breath was shaky as I could feel myself tilt over the edge, “Lu?”

“Yes?”

“I uh…. I d-don’t w-want to d-die…”

The room fell quiet. Quieter then even before. Quiet enough to hear the tears dripping from my face onto the cold marble below.

In an instant Luna ruffled her wings wrapping me with every thing she had. She hugged desperately, her own eyes becoming teary as well.

“We won’t let that happen. I promise”

“D-don’t promise… promises only have one purpose Lu…”

Kissing my forehead she buried me deep into her fur. Her warmth seeping inside, all the way to my very core. With a whisper in my ear she said enough to ease my anxious heart, “To be kept”

Morning came and I stirred awake from discomfort, terribly warm and sweaty. My face felt nearly on fire but, when I opened my eyes I was left only with hues of dark blue. A whole lotta blue to be exact and with further inspection, feathers? Then whammy like a truck it hit me and my face lit up red.

Ah jeez I looked like such a baby last night right in front of Luna! She’s the last pony I need worrying! How the hell am I supposed to make her not worry now?

*YAWN*

The sound nearby spooked me away from my feathery womb, instantly stumbling to hide my face.

“… ugh… Joey? What time is it? Is it morning?” Twilights voice was groggy and from the little amount of light from the windows I could tell she was feeling foggy.

“I’m pretty sure it is”

Luna remained at my waist completely asleep with matted fur where I once lay. Her muzzle carried a smile but her eyes heavy bags. She likely stayed up all night. In repayment I go to give a few scratches only to be surprised at just how hot her forehead is.

Ugh no wonder I’m so sweaty. Luna’s friken body is like a furnace

“Is everypony else asleep still?”

“Uhhh”

Looking myself, the whole gang remained sprawled across the room. Even the pony pile was separated with Spike taking refuge near the fireplace and Pinkie hanging upside down halfway off the couch. The only pony missing was Rarity.

“Rarity’s gone… probably sleeping in her room or something”

“Hm… wake me up in like another twenty minutes okay? Okay… thanks” with a plap she’s out again.

Alone, or at least metaphorically I sat awake bored. No one wants to be the first up after a sleepover and I was dealing with the consequences now. Struck with an urge to pee I try my best to shuffle quietly amongst the dead, carefully placing each step until escaping into the hall.

Still sweaty at least in the upper half, my feet cooled off quickly against the marble floor, a nice relief toward one of my issues. Now where was the bathroom? Left with no options beside left and right I tried my luck down the left half first.

Passing by several shut doors I started to wonder if I should be trying to open some and check inside. Sure there’s a possibility it’s a pony’s room but, there’s also the possibility I don’t pee my pants. Debating in my head on what to do by the time I reach the halls end I’m left with not a single open door. Whether at the fault of Rarity for closing every single damn door or my own not for asking Rarity last night where’s the bathroom, things started to get a little worrying the longer I walked. I wouldn’t actually piss myself would I?

I don’t know, wouldn’t be far from the norm after last nights cry fest

I shake my head smearing the bad vibes, “Oookay… lookin for the bathroom. Bathroom… bathroom. Hey there’s everypony sleeping again, great… great. Where the fuck is the bathroom?”

“Joey?”

Spinning around Rarity stood there rubbing away at her eye. Her mane was a frizzy mess and her fur awfully matted. Felt strange seeing her so natural.

“Rarity where’s your bathroom?”

“Huh? Oh…. it’s that door right behind you. Are you the only one up?”

Making sure it was indeed the bathroom I opened the door, “Oh thank god and yeah just me”

Smacking her lips she shrugged, “Mkay… I think I’ll get started on making breakfast for everypony. You mind waking the other up soon for me?”

“Sure”

Hit with a sweet release I took a second to wash my face after as well. Drying with a towel the man staring back at me from the mirror left me feeling reminiscent. My lightening scar ran down across the left side of my face still and disappeared some within my patchy beard. It was fuller then I’d ever let it grow before yet still not much to show. My hair meanwhile had grown long since my last cut, the curls sprawling down to my eyebrows in a nightmarish spill. It definitely wasn’t a normal look at least for a human but, thankfully these ponies didn’t seem to mind my laziness.

“We’ve looked worst”

Still admiring my looks my eyes drift to the worn collar at my neck. Both a lifesaver and a curse. It was also a symbol of the mystery going on within me, something I still hadn’t quite figured out. Thinking back to last night at what Luna had said it did beg the question if we already had enough evidence. Sure we found the cause but, how much did we really know about the guy? We didn’t even know he was human! What if everything we knew to this point was a lie?

Spending too much time already in the bathroom I chose to bring up these questions later. Taking one step outside I nearly trip over what’s waiting for me.

“Oof, Pinkie?”

“Move! I gotta pee!!” With lightening speed she shuts the door behind her.

*SLAM*

“Sorry for hogging the bathroom! Didn’t know you were there!”

“Can’t hear you, I’m peeeeeeeing!”

“Alright didn’t need to hear that”

Back in Rarity’s living room most of the others had already woken up. The only pony left sleeping Luna, her slumbering form still in the exact position I last saw.

“Morning Twi”

“Morning” with a heavy frown I could tell she was missing her morning coffee.

Placing my hand back to Luna’s head I start to wonder if it’s okay for her to be this hot.

“Twilight you mind checking if Luna feels hot to you?”

Tilting her head she doesn’t take long to scoot over, “This isn’t a joke for you to say how attractive she- wait you think she might have a fever?”

“I hope not”

“Woah, she’s burning up!”

Worried I shook her gently, “Lu, you gotta wake up, come on”

Grumbling at the rude awakening her face was fast to flush red. In an instant she moved a hoof to shield her eyes.

“Ugh… we feel terrible”

“Luna I think you have a fever if that’s even possible”

“Our brain is splitting!”

Ignoring Luna, Twilight was all for giving a quick lesson, “Alicorns are like any other pony when it comes to most stuff. We can get sick, poisoned, injured. Even if we don’t age that doesn’t mean we can’t die”

Moaning nearby Luna grabbed me with a hoof, “Such fitting a conversation for us… please do us the favor of ending it”

“Sorry Lu, uh.. let me get you a water”

“Please”

Scampering off I made my way down the hall in the direction of an awfully pleasant smell, eventually coming upon the kitchen. With apron properly wrapped around and an exhausted expression, Rarity stood swirling her coffee.

“Why you’re here early. I haven’t even started yet”

“Could I um… where do you keep your glasses? Also could I maybe take a towel from your bathroom as well? I think Luna might have caught a cold or something and I wanted to get her a water and a wet towel to cool her down”

“She caught a cold? Oh this is probably my fault! I knew I should’ve brought out the air mattress! Ponies can’t sleep on that cold floor all night and not expect to catch a cold, my goodness what a klutz!”

Stepping by I search through her cupboards, “Rare it’s fine but where do you keep your glasses?”

“Sorry, uh that cupboard up top to your right” I grab a tall glass, filling it from the faucet. “You said it was Luna who caught a cold?”

“Yeah… she’s not feeling too well”

Fiddling with her hooves she suddenly stomped the floor in decision nearby nearly causing me to drop the glass, “I am responsible for my guests and I have completely failed my new friend! Breakfast can wait, Luna needs our help” Taking the water with her magic she trotted pass back in the direction of the others. “Grab a clean hoof towel from the bathroom while we head back”

Doing as suggested I grab, soak, and wring out a towel as fast as I can quickly joining back with the girls. By the time I returned Twilight and Rarity had already began to help Luna get comfortable, moving her to the coach with her ice cold water. Getting behind I gently laid the towel across her forehead.

“That feel okay?”

“Tremendous”

Twi took me aside for a moment worried, “Joey she’s really sick. I think you and Pinkie should head home soon and get her in bed. She can’t stay on Rarity’s couch like this”

“Damn, is there anything I should be cautious about? Any pony things that only ponies would know? Stuff about colds?”

“Uh none that I can’t think of. She should have a temperature around 99.5 if she wasn’t sick so watch for that”

“How do I know if she needs to go to the hospital? Is there a specific temperature for that?”

“I don’t know, I’m not a doctor Joey. If she keeps getting worse you can take her in but, usually alicorn immune systems are pretty strong. I wouldn’t worry too much”

“Alright… where’s Pinkie? I’m going to need her help getting home if I’m going to have to carry Luna”

“Um… I don’t know, I haven’t seen her in a few minutes”

“This is ludicrous! We are an alicorn! An alicorn! No small cold could stop us from achieving our goal!” Luna shouted loudly behind us. “We are the night! We are immortal!”

“Is she delirious?”

Swinging her hooves wildly at Rarity she remained flat against the couch, too tired to move. “Joey! Please help me, she’s getting violent” Rarity snapped.

“Looks like I oughta get going, I’ll send you a parchment if she gets any worse”

“Alright, keep me in touch”

Approaching the sick little tyrant pouting on the couch, her eyes sparkled in excitement once she spotted my face. Her muzzle was a deep red and her eyes clearly unfocused.

“Our king! We have been looking for you!” Going to get up her legs betray her almost immediately. “Oof, this is but a small step back. We must retreat to our lair and prepare for a second attack!”

Chuckling at her antics I scooped her up over my shoulder, “Yes my queen, let I, your stead carry you back to the palace”

“Hm perfect. We could not have came up with a better approach ourself. Onward!”

With a low whisper as I passed Twilight I asked for a favor, “Can you transfer her back to her disguise? I can’t exactly walk through town with princess Luna over my shoulder”

“Oh heh, that probably wouldn’t be good” and with a swoosh and purple glow Luna was that of Lulu Moonlight once more.

“Who has changed our appearance? Who was it!?”

I started to make my way out, heading for the front door. “One of your advisors my queen, to hide your appearance from the enemy”

“Hm, a well thought idea. Tell us of their name on our return so that they shall be compensated for their dedication to the crown”

“Yes my queen”

Honestly, besides having to play nurse, this might turn out to be a little fun

But as I reached for the door it swung open away from my hand with Pinkie as it’s cause.

“Oh hey Pinkie, we gotta-“

“Help AppleJack with her farm, I know! Her apples are still dying!”

“What?”

“I gotta tell the rest of the girls! I’ll see you there!”

“Pinkie wait I need… your help aaand she’s gone”

Kicking against me Luna yelled, “What stills you? We must retreat with haste!” I could only exhale knowing somehow this day was going to get worse.

“Remain in bed? But we must lead the frontlines! We are essential to the war!”

“Yep but your more essential to me so spoil me and stay here while I get you another towel”

“You cannot confine us here forever!”

“I can and I am so muh” sticking my tongue out she doesn’t appreciate the gesture, squirming harder under the covers.

“Return to our bedside at once and apologize!”

“I can’t hear you! Too far away!”

“A cretin! Blasphemous spewing chimp!”

“Woah hey! That’s border line speciest!”

“Thou can hear us!”

Returning with a new towel I thankfully don’t have to fight her again like the last one, putting it against her still steaming head.

“Jeez your still burning up. Is there any kind of medicine ponies have for stuff like this? Some sort of magic cure?”

Returning her face to a more serious one it seemed the act was up, “Unfortunately the only remedy for colds that exist would be that of an allergy med or pain killer. Very pathetic given our medical advances in other fields but, that is my opinion. Do not ask more unless you wish to get us going, I could rant over this topic for hours”

“Then you want me to head to the store and get you something? I don’t think we have any pain killers around the house if I'm going to be honest. Last time I went to purchase cough syrup, the mare behind the desk practically wanted a background check and it wasn’t worth the trouble”

“Our policies are strict around medications. We wouldn’t want the wrong ponies getting their hooves on prescription meds would we?”

“Cough syrup?”

“We never said we agreed it was necessary, I only was speaking for our sister”

“Celly does come off as an overbearing mother at times doesn’t she?”

“Would you believe if I told you she once attempted to give us a curfew? Me, the princess of the night” her dead expression only furthered her honesty.

“Heh that’s actually kinda funny”

Giggling along she scooted back into my bed trying her best to get comfortable. “We overhead Pinkie earlier… we believe you should go”

“And here I thought you really were having delusions”

She doesn’t budge, “Joey, we are serious. Our senses tell us there is odd play at hoof, something… unnatural”

“But what about you? I can’t leave you like this”

“Pfft, we are plenty old enough to take care of ourself. Much as it would delight us to be catered by thou it would be unwise for me to bind you here”

“Lu what could I possibly bring to help them out that they don’t already have? I’m a liability more then half the time”

“You bring plenty wether it be from your wits or your alien perspective. Ponies struggle to think realistically and morbid, things you oddly seem to do with relative ease. It’s with this perspective thou might help avoid a worse fate for the others”

“That didn’t feel like a compliment”

“We find it pleasantly exotic if you ask us” she winked.

“I don’t know if that made things any better”

“Just… go help with the others, they need your reasoning. Otherwise their answers will fall between sunshine and rainbows and we would hate to see the result of that”

Hesitant I make my way for the door stopping to say one last thing, “Lu if you start to feel worse send me a letter alright? I’ll bring the parchment just in case”

“Yes, yes now hurry off. I’ll be napping in the meantime”

“Alright… but what if-“

“Sleeping!”

“Lu-“

“We are sleeping!”

“Alright, I’ll go!”

Back to the scene of the crime, evidence of last nights slaughter cover the orchard grounds. There wasn’t an apple in sight untouched almost the entire way until the farmhouse where the rest of the group currently stood. As I approached it appeared there was already heated discussion. Apple Jack stood angry with her hat removed while Shy stood firm, her resolve in stone. I had to budge Dash for an answer.

“Huh? Oh what’s up big guy? You heard what happened?”

“Nah fill me in”

“The bats are still eating apples! That spell didn’t do anything”

Shy didn’t hesitate to defend, “It’s not the bats! We already proved they stopped eating apples last night. Even you know that’s true Dash you were there”

“Maybe it wore off? I mean what else could be eating them huh? A pony? Some mysterious apple bandit? Ponyville might have some weirdos but, I don’t know about one that eats apples all night”

I couldn’t argue with that logic and with no pony else stepping forward offering an explanation it seemed the most likely. “Sorry Shy but, I think Dash might be right. There really isn’t another possibility besides the bats”

“They wouldn’t! I just know they wouldn’t. You don’t have to trust them but, could you girls at least trust me?”

“Cmon Shy, don’t make it like that. You know we trust you”

Not budging from her stance it takes Twilights reassuring touch to pull things together, “I trust you Shy but, you have to understand why it has to be the bats. Unless you have another solution?”

“Well… um…” stumbling for an answer her little knight in shining armor was there to bail her out.

“What if we did a stakeout!”

“A stakeout! I love stakeouts! I’ll go get lanterns for everypony but, you girls will have to bring your own snacks. I’m not a miracle worker” ecstatic, Pinkie bolted off in a cloud of smoke once again.

“A stakeout!? Spike we just spent the night at Rarity’s! I think I’d like to get at least one nights sleep before I go staying up late again. Plus I still feel kinda yucky from last night” Holding a hoof to her head Twilight was still dealing with a migraine.

“It’s one more night Twilight, I'm sure will figure it out if we do it”

With Luna sick at home I was more on Twilights side, “Couldn’t Apple Jack stay up herself one night and watch the orchard? I don’t mean to sound selfish or rude but, if it’s just monitoring it shouldn’t take all of us”

“Are you kiddin? My orchard is enormous! I can’t possibly cover the whole darn thing by myself. That be as pointless as teeth on a chicken!”

“I like the idea”

Of course you do Flutters

“Ugh fine let’s vote”

“But sweetie, Pinkie already left. Shouldn’t we wait for her vote?”

“Rarity sweetie, she left because she thought we were already doing this. Her votes a yes and mines a no”

“Then it’s three yes and two no”

“Who’s the other no?”

“I literally complained about wanting to sleep, who do you think?”

“Jeez alright no need to get feisty. I vote yeah”

Twilight rolled her eyes, “Dash’s vote makes it unfortunately four to two in favor of yes. Apple Jack?”

“Uh well I really want this solved as soon as possible so I guess I’m a yes too”

Duuuuuuuude! Fuck!”

“Well that settles it anyway. Guess it’s another long night” splitting up the girls made their ways back home to prepare however, Twilight first made her way over to me hoping to walk together. “How’s Luna?”

“When I left her she seemed pretty good. If it were up to me I would’ve rather stayed home tonight instead and watched over her but, you know how the girls get when there’s an opportunity to solve a mystery. Fuck… at times it feels like I’m in the fucking mystery machine with Scoob and the gang”

Confused on what a mystery machine was or who was Scoob, she brushed over the two rubbing my hand with her head as she passed, “I’m not for it either but, we should cherish these opportunities while we have them”

Grumpy I couldn’t get my way I frowned, “I guess”

“Don’t be like that. Watch, it’ll probably be fun”

“Better be”

She couldn’t suppress her giggle at my childish behavior, “Thanks for being a good sport about it”

“… I want a back massage next time we meet”

“What? I don’t know how to do that. Ask Pinkie to, shes good at those”

“She is but, now I want one from you”

“But, it wasn’t even my idea to do this!” I tried my best to frown even harder, squishing my face into a ball of grump. “Why are you getting even… even more..” she couldn’t keep herself from busting into laughter at my never ending frown.

“Me want massage” I stomped.

“Alright ya big dork I’ll try my best next time your over. There, happy?”

If smiles could sparkle, “Thanks Twi!”

“Such a dork”

By the time I got home Pinkie had what we needed already so I spent most my time at Luna’s side, occasionally changing her towel or giving small talk. Not surprising, staying in bed all day isn’t very fun.

“While our headache has subsided I have sweated my fair share for a lifetime. I do apologize for the mess I have made with your bed”

Oh there’s such a good joke here

I played with her mane, curling a strand with my finger. It was one of my favorite things to do with pony hair and the opportunity didn’t present itself often. “It’s fine Lu, don’t worry about it”

“We would joke about the messing of your bed in another context but, this mood doesn’t feel quite right”

“I was actually thinking about making a joke too”

She spared a giggle booping me with her snout, “Like minded are we? Why who better fit for a king”

“Oh god were not pushing that thing again are we?”

“Think of all the exciting paperwork! The delegations! Tis a wonderful position if we must say so”

“If it’s so good why give it up?”

“W-well… because… I am generous! Inspired by Miss Rarity during our late party, she is true to the name you know” she gives her best sales pitch, ending with an awkward smile. One funny enough to burst into actual cheerfulness at my laughter. “I kid, I kid. I wouldn’t ever force such a thing upon you”

“I know you wouldn’t Lu, don’t worry about scaring me away cause of some.. possible responsibility. I honestly don’t think your sister would even allow that. She’s seems pretty rigid about certain things”

“Yes, like what is the greatest cake flavor” she waited for me to finish chuckling before she continued again. “Tell us, what is it that occurred back at that orchard? Did we not solve the issue?”

Thinking back I scratched my beard in thought, not really sure what went wrong, “Apparently not. AJ woke up to a bunch more dead apples so something’s killing them. Plan is to apparently do a stakeout and find out what’s happening”

“A stakeout under the stars, what a pleasant idea. I am awfully jealous we must miss such an opportunity… unless?” Raising an eyebrow she peered to me for exception.

“No”

“We feel fine”

You know I might have believed her if not for the exhausted expression across her face. That combined with the visible sweat and baggy eyes? You might mistake her for a body risen from the grave.

“Lu you’re sicker than shit”

“Firstly, shit does not sicken. Secondly-“

“You need a bath and some sleep. Come on, let’s get you up before I have to leave again”

Blushing she pulled back the bedsheets from my hand, “We are not a foal! I can bathe myself on my own!”

“I never said I was going to bathe you goofball, funny where your mind goes”

Completely flustered her brain stumbled for a reply, “We… thou…”

“Lu cmon, you can be cute after the bath too. Let’s go”

Not resisting she slowly got up and leaked out of bed. Her legs wobbled at first but when I went to help she flashed an angry look forcing me to just watch along. Her anger soon however, quickly turned to embarrassment once we reached the bathroom, her eyes falling upon the tub.

“We um… c-could potentially require… thou’s help” definitely unexpected I couldn’t hide my own blush immediately drawing her to backpedal. “Only if we ask I mean! Just… stay near… please. I feel sorta lightheaded”

“Should I leave the door open and wait outside or?”

“We would prefer if you closed the door… and stayed inside as well” even a little peek for confirmation was enough to set her off again, “We are courting one another are we not? Besides… it is nothing but a bath” yet her bright red face said otherwise.

“You’re right. This isn’t a big deal at all and it shouldn’t be. You ponies are naked all the time anyway. Why should a little water and a tub make things weird?”

“Exactly! Now do you mind starting the water for us? I am unsure how to… start such a foreign device” fiddling with the levers I made my way around to help start the tub.

“This way makes it hot and this way makes it cold”

“How come the cold is also the direction of off? This makes no sense! Who constructed such a design?”

“Have you never used a tub before?”

“Of course we have but I usually use the palace's bathhouse if you remember”

“How could I forget. You literally fainted”

With the memory rushing back her fading blush became enriched with color again. “Please forget of that! We were simply overwhelmed! You too would have feinted given the roles reversed!”

"Wait, then where have you been bathing since you've been staying here?"

She replied unwavering, "The palace bathhouse"

"You flew back every time?"

"No! We.. used our magic. But we are too tired now to cast such a complicated spell and that is the only reason we would allow this... situation we find ourselves in"

"Suuurrreeee, not like the idea of having a big strong stallion wash you down had any persuasion" my large grin that followed appeared to only raise her frustration.

"T-there is another in this household!" she whispered loudly. "Have you no shame?"

"Pinkie teases me like that all the time in public, she wouldn't care at all"

Then from across the house Pinkie's yell was heard, "Its true!"

"See?"

"Just!... *sigh* We are pathetic”

Deflating in stature, Luna's flat ears caused me to stop and shut the door. I had gone a little too far completely forgetting how damaged this poor mare really was. Given her often times harden exterior and witty comebacks it almost seemed impossible. Shutting off the water she went to enter but, was stopped by my hug.

"Hey I'm sorry Lu, I'll stop teasing ya"

"I am an awful consort"

"What makes you say that?"

"...our sheepish behavior" looking to see my still confused face she goes on, "Most couples would have at the very least done... 'it' by now. We must be galling in comparison to Pinkie"

Going limp in my arms it breaks my heart to hear her so down on herself again. And here I thought she was getting better.

"Don't say that, you're not doing anything wrong. Here, how about this" I gestured toward the tub. "You hop in and while I scrub your coat I'll tell you exactly why you're wonderful. How's that sound?"

She doesn't argue, only shrugging her shoulders in response. Slowly with a guided hand I helped her over the tubs ledge and with caution she lowered herself into the water. It wasn't very hot but, that was by design. I wasn't exactly sure if it was safe to take a hot bath with a fever so I settled with room temperature. Luna appeared to not mind at all keeping her upset expression as she rested patiently. Not until the sponge pressed against her back did the blush return.

"Is this okay?" She hummed back in delight.

"We could… get used to this"

The house remained dull for the most part, the only interruption an occasional sound from Pinkie or the water swishing from Luna’s movement. It was tranquil, easing on my nerves, easy to relax. If not for the task at hand I might even fall asleep.

“You know I love you right?”

“… of course”

“Then why do you imagine I think so lowly of you? I didn’t take up your offer to date just because you’re a pretty face ya know. You’re an amazing pony… one I want in my life”

“W-we wish that as well b-but… I almost feel undeserving of you. Why should a broken nightmare like us receive any care?”

“Lu you made a mistake it happens-“

“Yes and it almost costed everything!” Stunned by her shout I paused for a moment before continuing the scrubbing once more. “Sorry.. it is difficult for me to find peace even with it surrounding us. It feels wrong”

“Thousand years in isolation probably does that. No one is built to handle that alone. You’re body is used to that pain, comfortable with it”

“So we lash out”

“At least that’s my guess why”

“Plausible…”

“It’s not like you’ll feel this way forever, I’m sure after enough pampering things will feel right as rain”

Spinning to face me her eyes shinned with hope, lit from the many stars floating within. I could only describe their appearance as magical.

“Do you truly believe that?”

Smiling I pecked her on the forehead, careful to dodge her horn, “Of course”

Things went silent again while the constant scrubbing wished her to slumber. Barely awake she stirred.

“As pleasant as this has been it must come to an end or we might find ourself drowning within your tub”

“I saw you were getting kinda wobbly” Her face broke a smile warming up the inside of my chest. I got her back to smiling.

“Would you be a gentlecolt and help dry me off as well? As minor as a drying spell might be we would like to avoid any unnecessary headaches right now” I help her out with a towel and begin, unable to hold back my laughter at a intrusive thought. “What? What is so funny?”

“An elaborate scheme, Luna’s master plan to get rubbed” Instead of blushing she joined laughing as well, hugging me with a tackle.

“Dah you’re all wet still! Luna my shirt!”

“Ha! A shame, should we soak the rest of thou to help ease the burden?”

“Luna please!”

“Okay, okay, we have had our fun”

Now soaked I grumpily continued, “.. yeah you did”

After drying her off and laughing at how fluffy her coat turned out she made her way back to bed. Pinkie being kind, changed the covers while she bathed as well leaving the room with a fresh scent of bubblegum soap. With a tuck and a kiss I made my way to the door.

“Have a good night sleepy”

“You as well! Make sure to catch the culprit and tell us in the morning”

“That’s the plan. Love ya”

“As do we love you. Be safe”

Closing the door behind me I spot Pinkie waving to me from down the hall, “Come on I got all your gear at the door”

“Gear? What more do we need then a couple lanterns?”

“Let’s see.. I packed snacks, couple waters, a lantern, first aid kit, a sleeping bag, a board game, some cider-“

“Pinkie we don’t need all this” grabbing only the lantern I started tying my shoes. “Plus I doubt this is going to take long anyway”

Watching me toss the bag aside she nearly feinted, “The gear!”

“Come on, we probably have everypony waiting on us”

“Who’s fault is that mister I like rubbing mares down in the tub” smirking I could tell she was just jealous. It was the eyes that gave it away.

“Don’t be jelly cause it wasn’t you”

“Jelly?! Me?! … no” She rubbed a hoof in the ground shyly, not willing to admit.

“I’ll give you a massage when we get back, how’s that?”

“Really? Oh boy, this is going to be the fastest most quickest stakeout anypony has ever staked!” Practically diving out the door she stopped to wave me on. “We gotta go we’re late!”

Darkened by a crescent moon most of the orchard remain shrouded in black. Considering the lack of light pollution as well with Sweet Apple Acres being on the outskirts of town, the only area either of us could see was the ground around us lit from our lanterns. Carrying her own in her mouth Pinkie wasn’t much for conversation, instead using physical clues to guide me on where the others might be. In these conditions combined with a lack of animal enhanced senses, I was as useful as a child.

What was useful however, was spotting one of the other lights from afar, it’s lone flicker a beacon against the abyss. It didn’t take long to make our way over.

“Hey who’s-“

“AHHHHHH!” The high pitch screech nearly deafened me for life.

Covering my ears I shouted back, “Fuckin chill, it’s me and Pinkie!”

Grasping her chest Rarity simmered down, “Heavens! I didn’t know it was you two! Ugh this has been a horrible night already!”

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion only looking back to me as to question, “Why’s wat?”

“A batpony! That’s what! There’s a pony flying around hissing with fangs!”

“A watwony? Whaaaaaaat?”

“Rarity there’s no such thing as a batpony… right? That’s not like an actually thing? Like Bigfoot or aliens… wait I’m an alien… never mind what I said. Where’s everypony else?”

“Uh I don’t know, we split up only a few minutes ago but, I’ve been running around getting chased by that monster. Thank Celestia you two arrived when you did”

“Sorry we were a little late. I guess stick with us and let’s find the others. Maybe they’ve seen this batpony too”

“Y-you really believe me?”

“At this point I’ll believe just about anything you mares say. Equestria follows no logic whatsoever”

Pinkie giggled at my reasoning, a complete one eighty to when I first arrived, “Wair enough”

“Yeah fair enough, you’re literally the biggest lack of logic there is!”

Trying to defend herself Pinkie completely forgot about the lantern in her mouth dropping it with a yell, “Am not- oops!” Not shattering, it did flip over losing its light with a swoosh.”Sorry bout that, let me just… give it a light and bam!”

Restoring the brightness around us back to normal, it’s when I look over Pinkies head do I see a large figure hanging above. Draped in large bat like wings, the yellow creature leaned close nearly face to face with Pinkie until she slowly turned to face it.

“AHHHHH BATPONY! EVERYPONY RUN FOR THERE LIVES!”

Now normally I wouldn’t run in situations like these but the poor visibility added with Pinkies shout literally bring the hairs on my arms to a stand, my feet started moving on their own. Joining in on the ‘who can bust Joeys eardrums first’ challenge Rarity spent a good solid minute straight yelling all the way through the orchard until we finally stopped for a rest. Catching my breath I soon realize we were down two lanterns, the only remaining one in my hands.

“W-where are either of your lanterns?! Also Rarity how did you even lose yours?!”

“You saw the beast! I panicked! Can’t a mare panic anymore without being considered too emotional?!”

“You had it in your magic! Like how… Pinkie are you alright?” Sitting between us she was white as a ghost gasping for each breath. “Take slower breaths, in… and out”

Eventually with both Rarity and I reassuring her she settled, “I-I nearly peed myself!”

“Least you’ve calmed down. Last thing we need is for somepony to feint. Speaking of which where’s Fluttershy? She isn’t out here is she?”

Rarity only shook her head, “She insisted on coming. We told her to stay by the farm house but, it was too much for her to stay alone. I can only hope she hasn’t run into the same trouble as us”

Given the brief peace and our new discovery I had a second to collect my thoughts, “You girls thinking what I’m thinking about that monster?”

“It’s disgusting?”

“It was huge… and scary!”

“Huh? No! I was thinking it’s gotta be the problem with Apple Jacks farm. I bet that thing is like a master or something to all the bats. Like a vampire”

“A vampony!?”

“Sure”

“Don’t be silly, vamponies don’t exist. I’m sure once we find Fluttershy she will have a perfectly good explanation on what creature it might be”

Trying her best to appear composed I could see Rarity was still rattled. Pinkie didn’t seem to be in much better shape meaning there was only one thing left to do.

“We gotta regroup with others. Is there like a plan you girls had before we got here or?”

“Plan? Oh yes… well… we were supposed to stick together at the very least, heheh”

“Why don’t we go back to the farm house? I bet the others will have to eventually”

“I agree with Pinkie, what about you?”

Rarity almost looked offended by the question, “And get out of this scary orchard and the dark? By all means lead the way”

So left with no choice but to head deeper into the orchard toward the center I led the way with our last light. Thankfully things were uneventful all the way up to the point we reached her pole barn, it’s doors already open revealing a large tarp covered object. Nopony else was here leaving me to my curiosity.

“What’s this?”

“That would be this years biggest harvest for a competition Apple Jack was talking about. It’s quite a spectacle”

Taking a peek it was indeed a spectacle, rather an impossibility, a monstrosity. There resting inside her barn was the biggest apple I’d ever seen or likely ever will. It had to have been at least eight feet tall and six feet wide and with the glossy shine it gave from the exposed light it felt almost too perfect to touch.

“Why’s it all exposed like this? Isn’t Apple Jack worried about the bats eating it?”

“That’s the funny thing heh… you see we were supposed to draw out whatever was eating the apples with it and capture it but, Apple Jack was a little… hesitant”

“Best she was willing to do was open the doors huh?”

Sitting atop the massive fruit Pinkie shouted down to us, “I wouldn’t want to use it either! Imagine the apple pie you could make with this puppy”

Drawn either from Pinkies yelling or from the light a few crunches came from outside. Like hoofsteps they came closer but were dispersed of any danger with the sound accompanying.

“Rarity are you in there?”

“Yes! It’s me, Joey, and Pinkie!”

Poking in from the entrance Twilight made her way to us with her lantern floating nearby. Right behind her joined Dash and AJ as well sharing looks of discomfort. They were battered and dirty themselves but, other than that free of any injuries.

“Thank goodness! I was worried when we split up and we couldn’t find you. Somehow Dash and AJ managed to find me pretty quick but, how did you three manage to get together?”

“We happened to see Rarity’s lantern when we strolled up and headed over but, that doesn’t really matter. Have you girls seen that big fucking bat?”

“Was it yellow?”

“Yeah! It was massive! It nearly kissed me it was so close but, it didn’t so I’m okay”

“She’s not exaggerating thing was massive for a bat”

“Hehe yeah.. how do I explain this?” Shuffling in place unsure what to say next, Apple Jack stepped forward.

“That bat ain’t a bat”

“It’s not?”

“Course it was, it had fangs and everything!” Rarity nodded in agreement.

“If y’all ain’t gunna believe that then ya definitely won’t believe what I’m about to tell you next. It’s Fluttershy”

“Flutter. Shy? Thee Flutter?”

“Yeah! And she looks like a bat too! We can take you to her, we just found her”

“No thanks! I’ve had just about enough of this craziness for one night. I’m sure you girls can figure the rest of this out yourselves!”

Going to leave the doors shut with a touch of purple magic stopping Rarity in her tracks.

“Nopony is going anywhere until we fix this”

I still had my doubts, “Your certain it’s Fluttershy?”

“Need to see it to believe it?”

“Kinda.. actually no I don’t. It’s probably true”

“Wow I uh didn’t expect you to believe us. You’re normally the last one to convince”

“Yeah well I’ve constantly been proven wrong so might as well go with the wind at this point. Seems to be the way this boat floats”

Twi turned a little bummed, upset at the missed opportunity, “Oh… that kinda sucks we were kinda hoping to show you all. It’s not everyday you get to see a vampony and there was a couple cool things I wanted to show you as well…”

“Oh well if that’s the case we can still go”

“No, it’s too late now. We can just go over the plan”

“Sorry I didn’t mean to… ruin that for you. Things have been kinda wild and I figured maybe I should switch things up and-“

“No.. no no. No need to explain yourself it’s fine”

“Can we just fix Fluttershy so I can stop worrying about my darn farm?!”

With a yawn Dash stretched her one good wing behind her, “Yeah, I’m getting pretty tired”

Jumping down Pinkie patted me on the back, “Yeesh, you really sucked the energy out the room didn’t you”

“I was trying to be more trusting!”

“Anyways the original plan was to use Luna to project that big apple that’s behind you but, seeing how she’s sick we’re going to have to use the real thing at this point”

“Can’t we find another way to get her? Maybe like using yer magic to wrap her up and then fix her?”

“I’m still pretty drained from last night, I don’t know if I could use both a restrain spell and use a purification spell. It feels a little too risky”

“Could Rarity hold her down?”

“Sorry I don’t exactly know a spell for that. I could make her look prettier though if that helps?”

“It doesn’t. Dash bring somepony with you to draw Fluttershy this way and by the time you get back hopefully we’ll have this thing outside”

“And what do we do when she spots it?”

“Apple Jack can lasso her, right?”

“Uh I guess but, doesn’t that feel a little risky for my apple? What if she still gets a bite of it?”

Smiling Twilight responded carefree, “Then don’t let her bite it”

Taking a good long look at me I could tell Dash had decided, “Come on big guy. No pony is better at finding danger then you”

“That’s comforting”

“Hey JoJo! Don’t try and be a hero okay? It might be Shy but she was still scary. Even made my Pinkie sense go off and that means danger!”

“Don’t worry, if there’s any danger I’ll throw Dash behind me and get away”

”I can hear you”

“Okay that works! Be safe!”

Joining up with the less then enthusiastic Dash we made our way back into the orchard.

“See that? That’s her”

Flipped upside and with looks that could kill the little shy mare known as Fluttershy was no more. In replace a horror mixed between half pony half bat. Spotting us approaching she instinctively stretched out her thin wings revealing her dangerous fangs as well. Silhouetted her wings spanned farther then my own wingspan.

“Yeesh… kinda hot”

“J-Joey! Come on dude that’s hehe pretty gross”

“I kid I kid but, how we gonna get her down? She’s like twenty feet up there”

“If my stupid friken wing wasn’t broken I would just fly up there and wrestle her down”

Stumped a little I tired throwing an apple her way which she promptly batted back with ease.

“I’m telling you what’s not happening, I’m not climbing up there to get her”

“This is stupid then! Twilight should’ve done this, she’s the last one with working wings!”

“Then why didn’t you pick Twilight?!”

“…”

“…”

“You think she can even understand us?”

“Hey yo Shy come down here we got uh a cute rabbit down here”

“That’s not going to work she’s all bat mode right now, here let me try. Flutters! Get down here there’s a huge watermelon just sitting here, somepony apparently forgot it!”

She still didn’t budge, yawning and settling in for a nap instead.

“Poop! Why did you pick me to help? I’m like the least capable at physical tasks”

“I thought you might have a good idea to get her down seeing how you always come up with crazy plans. Honestly I didn’t think that far ahead”

“Yeah clearly cause Twilight easily could’ve flew up there and snatched her”

“Twilight snatching a pony? She couldn’t even lift a pony if she tried, specially with her flying”

“Well I could try throwing you up there if you’d prefer that”

“You couldn’t lift a pony either with those long skinny arms”

“They aren’t skinny, your standards are just higher cause you’re just fat!”

“Dude there’s not a mare with better physique then me in Ponyville”

“That’s probably… look we’re wasting time is there anything you girls did earlier that got her attention?”

“Uhhh not really. We sorta just stumbled into her and she started flying around hissing. Once she flew up onto that tree she didn’t do much after”

“Maybe it’s cause she’s full”

“I don’t know, there’s only so much juice in one apple”

Stumped on what to do next I started looking around for literally anything that might help. A couple of baskets, an outhouse, apple trees. Shit beside me and Dash there wasn’t a damn thing out here besides apples!

“Wait! I got an idea”

“Yeah?”

“What if we get a bunch of apples, like a fuck ton and stuff em in one of those baskets to lure her down?”

“Why wouldn’t she come down for just any apple then?”

“Why would Twilight think she’d come down for the big one?”

“… so you think a bunch of apples will be too tempting to pass up?”

Rushing off to grab the basket I started scooping nearby fallen apples, “Eh more or less hope they will”

Deciding to help out as well Dash took a nearby apple, it’s squished core making it appear more raisin like then anything. Quick to drop it she wiped her hoof in disgust, “Most of these apples are kinda gross though. You think we should grab these ones too?”

“Yeah, it’ll save time and I’m sure she can’t tell from a distance anyway”

“Alllright but if this doesn’t work your climbing that tree”

So we began filling our basket while Flutterbat spent her time snoozing away. Whether it be rotten or fresh we gathered them all, at least tossing the fresh ones to the top in case she would notice. Not five minutes later we stood back at the tree base looking up to our sickly friend. I took the basket from my side lifting it above my head.

“Alright you shout to get her attention and I’m going to start running when you say so alright? Tell me if she follows”

“Gotcha. Ahem, FLUTTERS LOOK AT ALL THESE APPLES WE GOT!”

With a dash I was off running back down the hill back toward the farm yet a lack of Dash’s approval slowed me down. “She didn’t foll-?” With a leap and glide her red eyes began to rapidly approach, piercing my very soul. “Oooooo shit!”

Channeling my inner Jesse Owens I ran as fast as I could only the swooshing of her large wings became more apparent by the second. With the pole barn in sight and the others surrounding it, it looked as if everything was actually going to work. Until I tripped. Spilling apples across the dirt and the basket flying in front of me, Shy pounced down with jaguar like quickness. Without thinking I rushed over grabbing her with both arms, holding her back against my stomach which in return rewarded a sharp pain across my forearm.

I gritted my teeth in frustration, “Rgh fuck!”

“Do you got her?”

“Yeah I fuckin got her. Did she bite me?”

Dash walked around squeamishly admiring my bloody arm, “Yikes I hope whatever she has isn’t contagious”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Heh, nah I’m just playing, she must’ve just scratched you”

“That’s not funny”

“It totally is” Stepping close and taking a good look at the mare fighting in my arms Dash turned a little serious. “She actually looks even scarier close up. You probably wouldn’t have grabbed her if you could see what I see”

“That’s great to hear Dash now do you mind getting Twilight?”

“No need we saw everything from over there. Nice grab Joey!”

“My my! Would you look how horrifying those fangs are!”

“Scary that’s fer sure. I’m just glad we didn’t need my prize apple after all. Mighty fine wrangling from ya Joey, didn’t know you had it in ya”

“That was super cool! You swooped her up all fast and OH MY GLOSH! Your arm!” Before she can get much closer I keep her back with my foot.

“Hey wait til Twilight changes her back, she’s a biter”

“A biter indeed, you still feel okay Joey?”

I didn’t need a reminder to notice the deep throb and wet sticky warmth running down my arm.

“Hurts pretty bad I won’t lie so can you zap her or whatever and get this over with?”

Shrugging Twilight charged her horn ready to fire yet at the last second Pinkie shouted, “Wait! What if you hit them both? Is it okay if he gets hit with that?”

“He should be, it’s a purification spell. It only removes curses, spells, and sicknesses”

“Ya think Shy was cursed?”

“I wouldn’t say cursed but, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I have my own theory if you’d like to hear”

Starting to get a little sore from the constant squirming I made sure to say my piece, “Can you zap her please? If it does something to me we’ll figure it out but, I can’t hold her much longer”

Once more she charged again. Pinkie couldn’t bare to watch, hiding her face in her hooves instead. With a bolt of purple blinding my vision I dropped the mare from my arms holding my scratch instead. Thankfully I didn’t feel any different however, for Fluttershy it appeared things had gone differently. Completely limp a black like fog rose from her body evaporating into the night air sending us all back in worry.

“Is it over?”

Fluttershy now restored to her original pony form lay resting between us all. She was still with only the rising of her chest giving any sign of life.

“She’s cured!”

“See? Told you it was a either a curse or spell” Twi smirked.

“Yeah but, who cursed her? She wasn’t like this two days ago”

“Yeah! She weren’t like this last night when we double checked the bats neither! Something real fishy is going on here”

“Well did anyone go with Fluttershy home last night?” Not a pony raised a hoof. “Somepony must’ve cursed her yesterday when she went home”

Not exactly buying the whole curse thing Twilight shook her head, “I doubt that. She probably caught some sort of bug from hanging around all these bats”

“Twilight dear, I’m not exactly a doctor but, I have never heard of any bug that turns ponies into bats”

“Why don’t we just ask Shy when she wakes up?”

Patting Dash on the head I chuckled, “Since when did you become the voice of reason?”

“Give me a break. I always have good ideas, you girls never ask for them”

Checking my wound over the deep gash bled considerably yet didn’t seem like anything serious. She must’ve nicked me with a tooth.

“I suppose you don’t have any leftover magic for a quick heal do you?”

“Sorry Joey, healing magic is taxing and I barely had enough for that spell. You’re going to have to heal that one naturally”

“It’s alright Twilight, I can nurse him back to health!” Excited Pinkie was already dressed with a stethoscope pressing it against my back.

“Anyways we can’t stay out here all night so I’ll take Fluttershy with me back to my place in case anything goes wrong. Joey you make sure to keep in touch if you start feeling different about fruits. Rest of you thanks for helping AJ again”

“Very funny Twi and no problem”

“Thank you all for real! I’ll make sure to give y’all tons of cider this fall for helpin out. I can’t explain how grateful I am to have such amazin friends”

“It was nothing Apple Jack, just make sure to save a couple extra bottles for me this year. It’ll help me with dealing with this wing ya know?”

“I was glad to help but please do make sure to have less terrifying issues from now on okay? I don’t know if my heart could take another night like this”

“I’ll always be here to help! How could I possibly miss out on so much fun?”

We shared our good nights and headed our opposite ways with most feeling relieved with tonight’s ending. Most except me. See it still felt like something was wrong but, I couldn’t put the pieces together. We were missing clues and instincts screamed sinister yet it would have to wait for another time.

Finally home I opened the door with my now bandaged arm letting Pinkie bolt inside and onto the couch. With a poof she was out cold. I was tired too but, still had one last thing to check on.

With a flick of a match I lit a candle and carried it into my room checking over the large mare fast asleep in my bed. Her forehead had cooled yet was feverish still and so I replaced the towel and rested beside her in bed.

Kept up from curiosity, the cause of Fluttershy’s sickness racked my brain and could only go on for so long til my exhaustion caught up easing me into a slumber. I had other nights to figure it out and the issue was solved so I told myself ‘why harp over past issues’. If only I had been more aware. Aware of the large serpent like creature creeping over the roof of my home. His cackle both telling and cruel.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day/night :)