A New Life and a New Home.

As the sun rose in the early hours of the morning Miles was awoken from being poked in his side. Slowly opening his eyes he saw a small purple dragon standing next to his head. It couldn't have been more than a couple feet tall and had a green underbelly.

"Are you Miles?" The dragon asked.

"Yeah. Who are you?" Miles mumbled in his semi-drunken state covering his eyes with his arms.

"I'm Spike. I met you once before but you were unconscious in the hospital."

"Well, hi, again."

"So, how did you get here?"

"Where am I?"

Spike said nothing but pointed to the other side of Miles. Looking where Spike was pointing Miles came across an annoyed yet worried Fluttershy, a disappointed Black-sun and Rune rolling her eyes.

"Morning?" Miles grinned slightly.

"Morning." Black-sun deadpanned. "I thought you were going to go to your room? Flutershy and Spike were worried sick about you."

"I remember going outside into the gardens near the tank, I got into a fight with a tree, I lost, I walked back to the castle and then I woke up here."

"You lost to a tree?" Rune queried. "On top of that, how did it even start?"

"I don't remember."

"Do you know where you are?" Rune took a step towards him.

"Nope."

"You're on the roof of the castle."

"Really? How did I get up here?"

"We don't know. Now get up."

Raising himself off of his back Miles looked at the group stood before him. Looking at Fluttershy he couldn't tell if she was either going to yell at him or hug him. Looking around the area of the castle they were currently on joined with other parts and formed a square leaving a small grassy area in the middle and the main gardens on the outside.

"I guess you're not happy with me either. I don't blame you." Miles bowed his head in shame.

"I'm not angry at you. Black-sun told us all what you said yesterday." Fluttershy reassured him.

"Oh...." Miles scratched his head.

"Yeah....." Black-sun joined in looking at the floor as the awkwardness grew.

"I kind of screwed up there."

"No, you were drunk. It...it was an accident."

"No. What I said was unacceptable. Regardless of if I was drunk or not."

"Well don't worry about it. It's in the past."

Exchanging smiles the group forgot about the unpleasantness and were once again cheerful. Except for rune.  "Oh lighten up Rune." Miles put his arm round her. "You're too serious."

"You think being the king's personal guard is a picnic? It requires my full concentration and my devotion to secure his highness' safety."

"Thats not a bad idea. Lets have a picnic." Miles proclaimed to the group.

"Did you not listen to what I just said?!"

"I stopped after picnic." Miles patted her on the back.

"Sir, permission to beat him." Rune shot Miles a death glare.

"Maybe later." The king joked.  "So, shall we go get something to eat?"

"Sure, just one moment though." Miles walked to the inside edge of the roof and got on all fours looking over the edge.

"Miles honey, what are you doing?" Fluttershy rubbed his back.

"Huueghhhhhhhh" Miles vomited over the side of the castle.

"Oh dear. How much did you drink?" Fluttershy patted his back.

"Not enough - euaaggchch - for this time of year." Miles vomited again.

"Aaah." A girlish scream could be heard from below. "This is disgusting. Ew!"

"Oops. I think we should go." Miles hastily retreated from the edge.

"Lets go get that picnic." Spike spoke enthusiastically.

With Spike hopping onto Fluttershy' back, the king offered his hands to Miles to carry him down.

"No thanks. I'll make my own way down."

"You're too proud for your own good."

"True. But I got up here on my own, I can get down using that tree over there."

"Suit yourself." Flying down to the grounds on the outside they awaited Miles' decent at the bottom of the tree.

"He's going to die. You know that right?" Rune raised an eyebrow to the king.

Before he could respond a loud shout could be heard above them. "WOO!" Miles ran forward and jumped off of the roof straight for the tree a few meters away.

"Why didn't he just walk round to the tree instead of this unnecessary jump?" Rune complained. "He would be a bad soldier. He doesn't use logic and common sense. And from looking at him he looks like he wouldn't last in a fight without that machine of his"

"Thats enough Rune!" Black-sun scorned.

"Actually, from what everyone who has ever seen him in action says is that even though he is utterly insane, he is the best they ever saw." Spike corrected her,

As Miles flew through the air he caught one of the higher branches by mere inches and held on shimmying his way across to the center to climb down. *Crack* "Uh-oh." As the branch broke Miles fell through more branches hitting each branch on his way down until the last one broke under the force of impact and left the final three meters a straight shot to the floor.

Face down in the dirt Miles just lay there as Rune inspected him. "I told you. Even if one of our strongest soldiers went through that they wouldn't survive."

"Miles!" Fluttershy cried. "Miles! Speak to me!" Fluttershy rocked him gently.

"Pancakes please." Miles replied not budging a muscle and face still in the dirt.

"Buahahahaha. Classic Miles." Spike rolled about on the floor laughing.

"But...the fall....how....what?!" Rune babbled on.

"Hehehe. Not so useless or weak now is he?" Black-sun nudged Rune with his elbow.

Picking himself up Miles dusted himself off as best he could and shared a passionate moment with Flutters.

"Yuck!" Spike faked gagging.

"Aw, does this mean you don't want a kiss Spike? I was looking forward to it." Miles joked.

"No." Spike backed up away.

"Black-sun?"

"Later, when no one else is around." Black-sun smirked.

"Can't wait." Miles laughed.

"You're kidding right? Am I not good enough for you? What did I do wrong?" Fluttershy panicked.

"Whoa whoa whoa. Slow down. I'm just kidding." Miles embraced her as she dug her nose into his neck.

"Aw. Shame." Black-sun feigned disappointment.

Turning to Rune, Black-sun took her aside out of earshot. Minutes passed before returning. Rune looked Miles up and down before turning back to the king.

"You sure about this sir?"

"Positive. If you think you can handle the training."

"I wish to know him better if I am to trust him with protecting your life."

"Miles. Be at the bar at eight tonight. Rune. Be at the bar tonight at eight."

"Yes sir." Rune saluted.

"Woo free drinks." Miles cheered jokingly.

"Can you not be serious just once?! Is everything a joke to you? You will never make it as a soldier."

"Nothing wrong with a sense of humor. Did you not see me and Black-sun joke a few minutes ago?"

"I haven't seen you be serious once. You're either drunk or fooling around. That machine of yours is the only thing that you could ever offer, and how long till that breaks and becomes useless like you huh?"

"I'm warning you. Stop now."

"Or what? What is a pathetic hairless ape like you going to do?"

"Thats it! Throw me in jail afterwards I don't care. I'm putting this birdbrain in her place!"

"Try it! You don't stand a chance."

"Bitch I will fuck you up."

"Try it!"

Throwing his weapons on the ground Miles ran straight for the griffon who was only a few feet away. At the last moment Rune gave a powerful flap of her wings and took off straight into the air.

"Please...stop....not really." Black-sun pretended to want them to stop.

"Aren't you going to do something? They could kill each other!" Fluttershy spoke venomously to the king.

"Nope. I kinda want to see how this goes."

"If Miles is hurt, I'm coming for you!"

"Don't worry. He won't be in too much trouble."

As Rune hovered in midair she flapped her wings hard, gaining speed heading towards Miles. Quick as a flash Miles side-stepped and caught Rune by the tail. Swinging above his head, just managing not to be pulled by the momentum from her charge, he slammed her into the ground with such force it caused her to bounce. As she bounced off the floor Rune gave a powerful kick to Miles' abdomen sending him flying onto his back.

"Miles!" The pegasus called out.

"I'm fine." Miles gritted his teeth.

Picking himself off the floor Miles looked for Rune who had disappeared. Without a sound Rune had rushed in and pinned him to the wall by his neck high off the floor. Miles grunted as he discovered griffon claws were exceedingly sharp as they dug into his neck and tore the skin. Resisting against Rune's claw on his neck Miles finally stopped trying and let his arms hang at his sides.

"What? Giving up already?"

Smirking Miles just lifted his slightly blue face up to face her. "You forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"My.....legs."

Before she could retreat Miles' boot made contact with Rune's head with enough force to make her release her grip and go tumbling backwards. Coughing and gasping for air Miles rubbed his throat. Looking towards Rune he could see Black-sun with a nothing if not excited look. A small smile came to Miles' face as he slowly walk backwards a few paces towards the tree before staring Rune in the face.

"Ok, that was a cheap shot." Miles held his hands behind his back. "You can have a free shot and make it as hard as you want."

Without uttering a word Rune took off towards Miles at breakneck speeds. In the moments it took for Rune to reach him time seemed to go super slow motion for all watching the fight take place. Miles could see in the background Spike and Black-sun waiting for the next move to be made with excited grins. Not too far to the side Miles' heart broke seeing Fluttershy in distress and crying out for him to move. Adrenaline rushing through his body Miles took his arms from behind his back wielding a large club-like branch and brought it down upon the unsuspecting griffon.

"Sorry. I lied." Miles chuckled.

Walking over to the grounded griffon Miles laid punch after punch inter her face, body and wings. After deciding enough was enough Miles got up and sat beside the bloody, broke and unconscious Rune. Exhausted Miles panted as he caught his breath before being trapped in a hug from Fluttershy cutting off his air supply.

"Are you ok? Are you badly hurt? Lets go get those wounds sorted out. I'll make you all better." Fluttershy released her hug trying to pull Miles to his feet.

"I'm fine. Honest."

"You want to go to the infirmary and get checked out?" Black-sun hoisted Miles off the floor.

"No. I'm fine. But Rune might want to go and make sure I didn't giver her a concussion. Or break her brain."

"That was totally awesome!" Spike cheered. "You really can take a beating."

"When did you get in on the plan?" Miles high-fived the baby dragon.

"What plan?"

"I realized it before I beat Rune with a stick. Black-sun took her out of earshot so he could tell her to get me to fight her and see if I would be useful as a soldier."

"Well, close. But you figured that out on your own?"

"Yup."

The group redirected their attention to a couple of griffons wearing lab-coats and a stretcher held between them. Picking Rune off the floor they carted her off to the infirmary for medical attention.

"We should check in on her later." Miles thought aloud.

"She'll be fine. She is our top soldier and can take a hit."

As the group walked back into the castle Spike climbed onto Miles' shoulders as Fluttershy and Black-sun walked ahead idly chatting. "Why are we going back inside? What about the picnic?" Spike asked.

"Going to order maybe?"

"I hope they have sapphires. They're the best."

"Sapphires? As in the gem?"

"Yep. They have the most flavor. Its a bit like honey and blueberry." Spike licked his lips.

"You're a dragon. Don't you eat meat?"

"Normally but I was raised like a pony. Instead of being greedy and selfish I grew up with friends and ponies."

"Christ. You're a child and you already had a better life in your few years than I have ever had. Damn." Miles jogged to catch up with Flutters and Black-sun.

"Twilight told me about it all. You came out pretty well in the end. Lucky for you the portal that sucked you up brought you here. You have everything you could want."

"Portal? Twilight didn't tell you how I really got he-"

"-MILES!" Fluttershy screamed in his face. "He is just a baby dragon. Baby....dragon. He doesn't need to know."

"Oh. Ok. Does he  know why I was in hospital the first time he saw me?"

"Mhmm. We explained how you fell down the stairs."

"Really now."

"You were lucky to survive." Spike patted Miles' head.

"How much do you get told? Do you know where babies come from?" Miles glanced down at the yellow pony and received a glare that would make Medusa back down.

"When two beings love each other very much they wish really hard and if the love is true and pure then they get to choose the sort of baby they want together. Twilight told me so it must be true."

"Yes, Spike. That is exactly how it happens."

"Then why did Rarity scream and run away when I said I wanted to make a baby with her?"

Placing Spike on Fluttershy's back Miles walked away accompanied by Black-sun.

"We...we'll be back in a few moments." Barely containing their laughter they walked behind a corner until out of sight.

"Hahahaha. Oh my god. By the nine that...that.......just wow. Rarity is so not going to live this down." Miles wiped a tear from his eye.

"I don't know why its so funny. He is just a child. But I can't help it." Black-sun roared with laughter.

Meanwhile Fluttershy just stood there with a beetroot red face and Spike with plain and simple confusion on his. "Did I say something funny?"

"No Spike. It's just grown up humor."

"Then why aren't you laughing?"

"Its just some grown ups that find it funny."

"Oh. Ok,"

Returning to the other two Miles and Black-sun managed to keep it to just a small smirk. "Hmm. Boys." Fluttershy turned and walked back to the castle.

"Wait." Spike thought. "Why don't you and Miles have a baby Fluttershy?"

"Yeah, why not Miles?" Black-sun joined in.

"You're a dick." Miles grumbled.

"Trust me Spike, Miles, Pinkie and I will be making a baby soon enough. We might not have a child for some time, but we sure can practice." Fluttershy gave a wink to Miles.

"I wasn't expecting that." Black-sun was taken back in surprise.

"Neither was I. But, Spike, I will treat the practice like my homework. Slam it on the table and do it all night long."

*pomf* Fluttershy's wing shot up resulting in a wide grin from Miles and a deep blush from Fluttershy.

"You shouldn't joke about this sort of thing. Humph. All night long my rear end." Black-sun taunted.

"Says the one minute wonder."

"Watch it!" Black-sun pouted.

"Is this more grown up jokes I'm not understanding." Spike scratched his head.

"Yes." The group answered in unison.

"Can we go get breakfast now? I'm starving."

*after breakfast*

"You have some lettuce stuck to your cheek." Miles picked it off of Fluttershy's face.

"Well you have some syrup on yours. Let me get it." Fluttershy reached in and licked it off of him slowly, sensually.

"You have that homework comment stuck in your head don't you."

"Maybe.." Fluttershy averted her gaze.

Looking up at the sky a small dot got bigger and bigger as it approached at  great speeds. As it became clearer Miles stood up to get a better look.

"Gilda?"

"Gilda?!" Fluttershy shot up.

"Hey Miles. Gimme five!" Gilda exchange high-fives as a yellow mare caught her eye. "Fluttershy? What are you doing here at the castle, and with Miles?" Gilda asked bewildered.

"I'm..um *squeak*."

"Gilda, you didn't say hi to someone." Miles pointed behind her.

"Hey Gilda. How ya doing?" Black-sun and Gilda exchange a quick hug.

"I'm great. what you been up to then you old coot?"

"I may be older than you but I'm young enough to give you a whooping." Black-sun and Gilda bantered on.

"So how do you know each other?" Miles asked.

"Gilda's parents used to work here years ago. They couldn't afford a sitter so she came in and played in the gardens or chatted with me if I wasn't too busy. She even did a bit of guard training before she went to flight school in Cloudsdale."

"Awesome."

"So how do you know Gilda then?"

"I saved his sorry butt when he went on the crossbow." Gilda chimed in. "On another note, how do you know Miles?"

"He came here from Equestria after a mishap. And he's the one that saved us."

Black-sun arose to his feet and spread his wings wide. "I'll be back in a few moments. I just need to......do some stuff. I won't be long." With a short look at Fluttershy she nodded her head as he flew off.

"What was that about?" Miles looked at Spike and Flutters.

"Just some stuff for your surprise. Everyone who knows about it is really excited."

"And thats why I love you. You always take care of me." Fluttershy jumped into Miles' lap and shared another passionate moment.

"Wow. So what are you doing with the likes of Fluttershy?" Gilda stuck her tongue out in disgust.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Miles tone turned sour.

"Fluttershy is a weakling. You should be with someone of your caliber. Strong. Fast. Awesome. Smart. Tough. Someone who isn't afraid of anything. Instead you're with her."

Turning red Miles walked up to the insulting griffon and grabbed her by the chest feathers. "Listen here. I liked you and wanted to be friends. I will give you one more chance. But so help me you say anything like that again about either of my marefriends or anyone else I care about then you and me are going to have a serious problem. Do you understand?" Miles' sour words shot out at Gilda.

"Its either her, or me. Choose. Me, awesome, talented and strong. Or that, weak, pathetic and shy."

Looking back over to Fluttershy and Spike Miles saw Spike biting his claws and Fluttershy with her head bowed down looking at the floor.

"Gilda...fuck you." Bringing a fiery fist up Miles punched her in the face sending her flying back into a wall and leaving her out cold. "Black-sun is not going to be happy with me."

Tackled from the side Miles' airway was cut off again from the yellow mare. "I knew you loved me!"

"Of course I do. I love you and Pinkie as much as I possibly can. I'd never leave you for some jerk. Or anyone else for that matter." Again Fluttershy's and Miles' lips interlocked.

"You still smell of alcohol. Hehehee."

"And you smell of flowers."

The cuddling couple laid on the floor watching the clouds go by whilst Spike snored away in the warm breeze. The flapping of wings broke the silent breeze and blissful mood.

"What in blazes?! Whats gone off here?!" Black-sun yelled.

"Gilda was being a bitch. I gave her a warning."

"She's been in a rebellious stage for a while now." Black-sun shook his head and tutted. "Even so, you didn't need to attack her."

"I warned her."

"That may be. But you have to control your anger."

"I'm trying. But you can't say you have never once wanted to beat someone. You cannot say you have never had the temptation."

"I admit I did. But I was young."

"And I'm not? I'm not even 17 yet for Pete's sake. But, go on. When you were tempted, what did you do?"

"I talked about how I felt. Instead of lashing out I spoke out and told about how I felt."

"Who?"

"The ones who I could trust and who understood how I felt."

"Who?!"

"My fami-" The king's expression went to shock

Miles didn't need to reply. He let tilted his head to the side and put his hands on the floor behind him propping himself up.

"I'm so sorry. I-"

"Don't be." Miles cut him off. "I just wanted to show you that I don't have anyone to confide in about this sort of thing."

"But you have Celestia, Luna, Pinkie, Fluttershy and all the rest. Even Spike to some degree."

"And how many of them can say they know what its like to have your parents killed in front of you? And then say what its like to be in the care of awful foster parents that don't give a crap if you're alive or not?"

"I came from an egg. I never knew my real parents." Spike spoke up.

"But you had Twilight. She was a good parent to you. And can we change the subject now?"

"Excuse me, Black-sun? You wouldn't be able to keep and eye on Spike for a little while would you?"

"Sure. Why though?"

"Well.." Fluttershy blushed and leaned into Miles' ear. Black-sun watched as Miles' face went from confused to the sudden realization and to a large cheeky grin.

"We're going to go get a shower together. If you catch the meaning."

"I'm afraid I don't follow." Black-sun shrugged his shoulders.

Miles just shook his head at the king and stuck his tongue into his cheek and moved his head back and forth and mouth open.

"I still don't follow."

"Screw it. You're hopeless. Fluttershy is going to put her her mouth-"

"OH! I get you now."

"Took you long enough." Miles received a slap round the head.

"You didn't have to tell him exactly what was going to happen. You could have said we were just having some alone time." Fluttershy whispered annoyed in Miles' ear.

"My bad."

"You're lucky you're hot. I'll meet you in the shower. Give me a few minutes to get freshen up first." With a quick kiss on the cheek she flew off up to Miles' temporary home.

"This your first one?" Black-sun sat on the floor.

"Yep."

"I'm surprised. I thought you would have loads of girls after you on your world."

"I had loads of people after me. Men and women. They wanted me dead but they still wanted me."

"You can talk openly about this in open discussion but you can't confide in anyone?"

"Just under ten years I have been alone. You kind of learn to not trust anyone. And those who I can trust can't help me because they don't know what its like."

"Fair enough. So, you looking forward to it?"

"Dude. Thats creepy."

"Iv had a few in my-"

"Alalalalalalala! I can't hear you!" Miles covered his ears.

"Don't be such a baby."

"I don't want to know what you've had done. And Spike isn't meant to hear about this sort of thing."

"I think I'm grown up enough to know." Spike folded his arms annoyed.

"One day Spike. One day." Black-sun patted Spike on the head. "Anyway. You better get off. You don't want to be late."

"Aye. I'll see you later."

As Miles took off up to his room Fluttershy was busy spraying perfume and styling her hair. As she was about the enter the shower Miles bust through the door panting heavily and sweating profusely.

"Oh dear! Whats wrong? Did you get into another fight?"

"No." Miles wheezed.

"Then whats wrong?"

"Stairs."

Fluttershy just shook her head. "The shower is ready. Care to join me?" She whispered seductively as she stepped in.

*back at the castle*

"Uh-oh." Pinkie said to herself as her back legs shook violently.

"Whats the matter Pinkie?" Twilight asked concerned.

"My Pinkie sense. When my legs shake it means that someone is about to be in pain. But its only happened when me and Miles were in the...." Pinkie cringed.

"Pinkie? What happened?" Celestia came over as did the rest of the group.

"Well, me and Miles were taking a shower. I was getting a closer look....at his..you know." The group blushed alongside Pinkie. "I sneezed and headbutted him in the plums. So to speak."

"Ooh!" The rest of the group could sympathetically feel the pain.

*back in the shower*

"Achoo!"

"AAAAAAAHH!!!!" Miles curled into the fetal position just like last time. "Twice." Miles grunted.

"I'm so so so so so so sorry!"

"Get an ice-pack."

"I'll be right back. Don't move."

"Its like you lot don't want me having kids."

Minutes later Fluttershy returned accompanied by two doctor griffons. As they began lifting him up Miles groaned in pain and passed out. Hours later Miles awoke in a hospital bed with an ice-pack resting on his family jewels.

"You're awake!" Fluttershy hugged him.

"How long was I out?"

"A couple hours. Its only noon. But I'm so so so sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Don't worry about it. Pinkie did the same thing."

"Well hello. Good to see you awake." A female griffon in a medical coat walked in. "Now, you're going to be just fine. Its just some swelling as far as we can tell. Let me just get another look to see how far down it's gone." The doctor lifted up the ice pack and gave a reassuring nod. "Is he your partner?" The doctor turned to Fluttershy.

"Yep."

"Lucky girl. Anyway, the swelling has gone down mostly but I would like to keep you here to keep an eye on you for another hour or two."

"Fine by me."

"Well, now that I know you're going to be ok. I'm going to nip out and get some supplies."

"But we have supplies. We're staying in the castle."

"Special supplies." Fluttershy skipped happily away.

"Hurry back." Miles shouted after her.

"Hey." The doctor caught Miles' attention. "Is it an open relationship?"

"What? No. Why?"

"Too bad. You've got a nice crotch sausage."

"Thanks. I guess. Is there anything to do to pass the time while I wait?"

"Well..."

"Not that."

"We have a few books. This one is fairly popular." The doctor handed the book over and went back to work checking in on the other patients.

"Daring do and the quest for the sapphire stone. Should be interesting. Chapter one..."