I am Jude

{Eli}

After Jude teleported away, I couldn't help but marvel at how strong he is. He was strong when he was ruler of AI and now that he's out of AI, he's only gotten stronger. That made me like him even more. Even though I wanted him in my bed so badly, taking him by force wouldn't feel right. So I just pick on him and have him in my dreams instead. I often wondered if he could pick up on what I dream about too.

I heard Ivy laughing from behind me and I turned around to see her. "What's so funny?"

"I know that you want Jude in your bed badly. I can see how much you want him by the look on your face," Ivy said. "Milo told me about what you two want from him. You know, I can help you with that. I can use my magic on him so he can stay put."

I shook my head. "Yeah no I don't want to take him by force. It wouldn't feel right if I did."

"Oh no Eli," said Ivy, "if he doesn't want to do it, he'll break free and run. Trust me, he's strong enough to get us off him if he doesn't want it. My magic can't control him if he doesn't want to be under it, or if he's angry. Now that you think about it, sex usually does keep Jude clam."

I smiled and nodded. "Okay, well I don't think he needs that at the moment, but it's worth a shot when he does."

"Okay, I have to take care of Leo," said Ivy. "I'll let you know if or when we can try it. It might be a while though."

As Ivy left, I wondered if her plan would actually work.

* * *

{Jude}

I walked around the castle after completing my royal duties for the day. I had no particular destination in mind. I stumbled backward because a flashback hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was standing in the execution room and I hated this part of the job when I was the ruler of AI. There was a young woman standing in front of me and there were iron chains wrapped around her wrists and her ankles. The reason why she was being executed was because as a high rank official she was abusing her position to kill her servants whenever she felt like it.

"Let me go, Lord Jude!" The woman screamed.

I groaned, "You know I can't do that. AI has declared you a threat and it wants you to be executed. I'm sorry, but this is goodbye."

I pressed the button beside me and lowered the execution chamber. I didn't know how AI executed its victims, I truly didn't want to know. Thankfully, AI made the execution chamber soundproof. That way I couldn't hear the person inside the execution chambers screams.

Every time I had to lower the execution chamber on someone, I would leave and go somewhere I scream my head off. My screams were what snapped me out of my memory.

* * *

When I opened my eyes, I found myself on top of the roof of the castle. I blinked and looked around. "How did I get here?"

"It's called sleep teleportation," Oliver said.

I turned around and tilted my head. "Huh?"

"It's when someone teleports in their sleep," Oliver explained. "I've done it a couple of times myself. At least I don't fly in my sleep like Rainbow Dash does."

"I wasn't sleeping," I said. "I was having a flashback."

"From what I've learned about this is that sometimes people tend to fall asleep during a flashback," Oliver explained. "But not all the time. What was your flashback about?"

I sighed, "It was about one of the executions I had to do as ruler of AI."

"Oh, I see," Oliver said with a hint of understanding in his voice.

"Well even though all I did was press a button and lowered the execution chamber…" I frowned. "They're still gone because of me."

Oliver looked away, I could tell from the look on his face and upon hearing his thoughts, he had no idea what to say or do. I looked up when I heard wings flapping to see Rainbow Dash looking like she's doing a lazy fly and her eyes were closed while she was doing it.

"Uh, dad? Is mom taking a break or sleep flying?" I asked.

Oliver looked up at Rainbow Dash flying and laughed, "She's sleep flying. I don't blame her because Day Court is boring. On top of that, she's been really busy lately and hasn't slept much because of it. I better go guide her back to bed."

"Can't you just wake her up?" I asked.

Oliver shook his head. "No, it's dangerous to wake a Pegasus up because they might crash and kill them. But Rainbow Dash is an Alicorn, so I doubt that could happen, but I'm not taking any chances."

"Well, I guess that makes sense," I chuckled.

I watched in fascination as Oliver used his magic to help guide Rainbow Dash back to bed.

* * *

{Eli}

I was taking care of Night Court when I heard someone screaming coming from the garden outside. It put me on high alert that someone might be needing my help. So I ended Night Court early, so I could see what the screaming was about.

I was stunned when I found Jude laying on the ground screaming. He was laying in the fetal position. I picked him up, went over to a nearby bench in the garden, put him on my lap, put his head on my chest and held him in my arms.

I rubbed his arm gently to get him to wake up. "It's okay Jude. You're fine, you're safe now."

Jude opened his eyes and looked up at me with a frustrated look on his face. "Great, looks like I was sleep teleporting again."

I paused. "Uh, huh?"

"Apparently, when I have my flashbacks, I fall asleep and teleport. I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done about it. I'd rather sleep fly like mom does." Jude explained.

That was news to me that Rainbow Dash flies in her sleep. "Rainbow Dash flies in her sleep?"

Jude nodded. "Yup, I saw her do it yesterday. It was funny, because it looked like she was taking a break with the way she was flying. I thought she was a very talented flier if she could fly with her eyes closed."

I chuckled, "I hope you don't mind me holding you. I'll stop if you don't want me to."

"No it's fine." Jude said. He didn't move at all. He stayed right where he was. I carried him to his bed after he fell asleep and I hoped that he would stay there.

* * *

{Jude}

When I woke up, I was laying in bed and I looked to see Ivy staring at me with a concerned look on her face. "What's wrong Ivy?"

"You had another flashback," Ivy answered. "Eli carried you to bed after you fell asleep. I've been working alongside Rainbow Dash to figure out a way to keep you and Oliver from sleep teleporting. We've come up with nothing so far. I'm worried for your safety Jude. Eli is too, he said he's going to start coming here every once and a while to see if you're safe."

I smiled. "That's just like Eli worrying about me. He did that when we were back in AI too. I'm sorry I put you through all this trouble Ivy."

"It's no trouble at all if it's someone you care about Jude," Ivy said. She smirked. "Although I think it's sweet that Eli wants to come here and help make sure you stay safe."

I remembered Eli holding me in his arms the other night in the garden after I teleported there. It felt comforting to be held in the arms of a friend. It felt a lot like when Ivy would hold me. Almost as good. That doesn't mean I'll be getting in bed with him anytime soon. Ivy smiled and I could hear in her thoughts that she thought me sleeping with Eli would be a good thing. "Well, I know you don't want to sleep with Eli, but I think you do the next best thing. You know, let him hold you every once a while."

"If it helps, fine." I said. "No, I'm not sleeping with him! Stop thinking about that, and I can tell by the sound of your thoughts, you're planning something."

Ivy gave me a mischievous smile and laughed, "What? Don't knock it before you try it! Remember what we talked about Jude, back in AI and here. We have an open relationship. Unless you're worried you're going to lose me in doing this?"

I nodded because I knew Ivy was absolutely correct, it's fine with me when Ivy sleeps with other people because I know she still loves me. I'm afraid if I do it, I'm afraid she'll lose me by it. "Yeah you're correct. I'm afraid you'll lose me by doing that."

"Nah, I don't think that's going to happen," Ivy said with a twinkle in her eye. "The fact that you're worried about that, tells me it's not going to happen. Trust me, when I first started doing it, I worried about the same thing. Honestly, I think deep down inside you want to. You're just chicken."

This statement puzzled me. Why am I a chicken when I don't want to do it? But once again, Ivy might just be right on that. Even still, I'm not sleeping with Eli. Nope, not happening. "No Ivy, I'm not chicken, I just don't want to do it."

Once again, Ivy had that mischievous smile on her face, and I heard in her thoughts that she was planning something. "Too bad I can't turn being able to hear people's thoughts off, because I can tell you're planning something Ivy. No, I don't want to know, so stop thinking about it!"

Ivy snorted. "Okay, okay fine Jude. At least consider it."

I shook my head. "Yeah, the answer is still no."

"I have to go take care of Leo." Ivy said. When Ivy left, I thought about what she said, and I made up my mind for the moment. I'm not sleeping with Eli.

* * *

{Rainbow Dash}

As I sat on the throne taking care of Day Court, which involved listening to requests and deciding on what to do about certain important issues happening all around Equestria. I often wondered if this is what it was like for Jude when he was ruler of AI. Ivy told me that now Jude is having flashbacks about what he had to do as ruler. Mostly about the executions he had to oversee. Poor guy.

Ivy also told me that Eli and Milo want to sleep with Jude. I don't blame them for finding Jude attractive, he gets his good looks from me.

Day Court is the most boring part of the job as ruler of Equestria. It starts as soon as the sun comes up, right after breakfast and it ends around one-thirty in the afternoon.

I looked at the clock and smiled. I can't wait to get a nap in before magic practice. It's supposed to stop raining after 3pm which is exactly when magic practice is over. After that, I take care of paperwork and then I can do a sonic rainboom, which is now my favorite part of the job!

Right after I finished Day Court, I paused and laughed as I heard Oliver and Jude were shouting after Color Rain with her daily game of teleportation hide and go seek. Even though it's been a year since I gave birth to Color Rain, I still can't believe that she mastered teleportation moments after she was born.

Color Rain popped up in front of me and thought, Hi mom! I know you can't play until your day off tomorrow. I wanted to pop up and say hi. I doubt dad and big brother Jude will be able to find me anytime soon.

"Are you going to take a nap anytime soon Color Rain?" I asked.

No, Color Rain answered. I want to keep playing!

"I know you're an Alicorn, but it's not healthy for babies to not nap," I stated in a matter of fact way. "Besides where did you get the whole no napping thing from? I know you didn't get that from me! I take naps every chance I get. I think you got it from your father."

"I heard that Rainbow!" Oliver said as he caught up to me.

"What?" I said. "I'm a pro-napper again now that we're back in Equestria! Nopony can beat me at a napping challenge! Not even Spitfire!"

I heard Gilda laughing, I smiled when I saw her. "Well, it's about time you became the reigning champ at that again!"

I laughed with Gilda about this thought. Out of nowhere, Color Rain's horn lit up and there was a small boom that came from it and a flash of light happened and a small rain cloud appeared above our heads. The cloud lit up in different rainbow colors. Then as soon as it appeared, it disappeared.

"Ha!" I laughed. "I knew Color Rain was the perfect name for you!"

After Color Rain did that, she fell asleep. Gilda seemed puzzled about this like everyone else was.

"Huh, interesting," Gilda said.

"You can say that again," Jude said with a nod. "I wonder if she'll do that more often so she'll take naps like a normal baby for once?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I always feel tired after my sonic rainbooms, even though it's my favorite part of the job. If I did sonic rainbooms all the time, it would get old and boring. I think the sooner Color Rain gets bored of playing teleportation hide and go seek, the more she'll act like a normal baby."

"Let's hope so," Oliver said.

"Well, I'm gonna grab a bite to eat. Then I'm going to go take a nap," I said. "As I said before, I have no idea where she gets the whole no napping thing from."

Gilda cracked up, "I'm glad she's not my child. I would run out of gas by now keeping up with her. Good thing you have plenty to spare Rainbow. You know, with your sonic rainbooms and all."

"I still think that's an immature bathroom joke," I said, rolling my eyes. "I think that's what I'm going to call it. Eli's bathroom joke."

"Anyway, I'm in town for the day. I promised Derpy I'd help with the overload of letters coming in at the post office lately," Gilda said. "I figured I could stop by and hi."

I nodded. "Okay, why don't you join us for lunch?"

Gilda nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"Well, I have to get Color Rain to her crib," Oliver said. "Hopefully, she'll stay asleep enough for us to eat without having to chase after her."

"Sure thing." I gave Oliver a kiss and he went to put Color Rain in her crib.

* * *

{Eli}

I've been looking forward to Night Court ending because that's when I would go to Jude's room and hold him in my arms until he fell asleep. I also wanted to keep an eye on him so he doesn't sleep teleport. For some reason, I can detect when Jude's going to teleport and I can use my magic to stop him. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Like when I promised to protect Milo, I promised myself I would protect Jude.

Tonight I came around the corner and stopped short when I saw Jude out the hallway passed out, not screaming but shaking and clenching his teeth. I sensed that he didn't teleport but he was suffering from a spike in his magic. From what I know of, it's called a power surge. I've had it happen to me a couple of times when I first came to Equestria and it's painful. Sometimes depending on how bad the power surge is, it can put someone out of commission for a while. The power surges usually stop once someone's power has hit its peak and levels out.

I sensed how bad Jude's power surge was this time, and I felt sorry for him because he didn't even make it into his room when it happened. At least once the power surges stop, they don't happen anymore. I'd rather deal with power surges than have to do a weekly Feeding Ritual any day. I also sensed that this was Jude's first power surge, I shook my head and thought, Poor guy, he didn't even make it into his room when this happened.

I gently picked Jude up and carried him to his room. When I entered the room I saw Ivy frowning. "That looks like he's having a power surge, and a pretty bad one too."

I nodded. "He didn't even make it past the door when it happened. I found him right outside."

Ivy shook her head in disbelief. "Wow, hopefully once his are finished maybe he'll be able to control his magic."

"I don't know, it's different for everyone, from what Rainbow Dash told me," I said.

Ivy pointed to a nearby chair. "Well you can sit down over there and hold him, I'll go grab a blanket."

"Sure." I sat down and put Jude on my lap, holding him in my arms. It was strange because doing that seemed to help calm Jude's pain down. He stopped shaking and clenching his teeth and looked like he was sound asleep.

Ivy tilted her head. "Huh, that's interesting, it seems you holding him helps quite a bit. Now if Jude would consider sleeping with you, that would help him even more."

"Yeah but it has to be his choice. I'm good with holding him for now," I responded.

"Okay then," Ivy yawned. "I'm going back to sleep."

Ivy rolled over and went back to sleep. I smiled because I had a watch set on how I wanted to rearrange the stars every night, so I didn't have to go anywhere.

* * *

Thankfully, Jude slept through most of the night. Occasionally, I nod off to sleep here and there. I had the tool I used to walk into someone's dream set to alert me if anyone had a nightmare, that they needed my help in dealing with it. Tonight, right after I had helped someone with their nightmare, I opened my eyes to see Jude smiling at me. "What's up?"

"You know you don't have to do this, right?" Jude replied.

I smiled. "I know, but I want to. You had your first power surge last night. You didn't even make it inside your room when you passed out. It looked painful, but somehow, with me holding you it seemed to calm it down a little."

"Oh," Jude said.

Without thinking and I'm not sure what caused me to do this, I reached down and kissed Jude. When I realized what I did, I backed off and looked at Jude in horror. "Oops, um, sorry I don't know what got into me. I um..."

I expected Jude to get up and run from me as fast as he could, but to my surprise, he didn't, he smiled, "It's okay Eli. A kiss is fine every once a while. But I'm not sleeping with you anytime soon, you got that?"

I nodded. Once again, Jude surprised me when he reached up and kissed me. We broke the kiss when we heard Ivy laughing. "Uh-huh, you sure you don't want to sleep with him Jude?"

Jude deadpanned, "No comment."

"Fine," said Ivy. She snorted. "Sure whatever you say Jude. As I said before, don't knock it before you try it."

* * *

{Jude}

I don't know what got into me to start kissing Eli, but I did. I realized that I had some sort of feelings for Eli. It's funny, because Rainbow Dash told me that she didn't confirm her feelings for Oliver until she kissed him.

Since Eli's being really overprotective of me at the moment, I guess that gives me more chances to kiss him when he holds me at night. It's almost like the same type of overprotectiveness that Oliver gives to Rainbow Dash sometimes.

I think Eli needs a vacation from himself sometimes because he seems to think he can protect me every second of the day. He's almost like Color Rain wanting to keep going and never take a break from things. Milo told me Eli's the same way around him.

As I walked down the hallway to go train with Oliver, I skidded to a stop when I saw Rarity walking past right beside Rainbow Dash. Rarity was bugging Rainbow Dash about what song and dance routine they should do for the upcoming Nightmare Night holiday. That's my favorite holiday here in Equestria so far. Pranking people and scaring people on that night is accepted and it's so much fun.

"Well, what about this one?" Rarity asked. She floated over to Rainbow Dash a piece of paper that Rainbow Dash gripped in her magic.

"The Scary Rainbow Thriller?" Rainbow Dash groaned. "Don't you think that's been overused?"

"Yes but this one will be completely different," Rarity quickly replied, "nopony will be able to top this one! See? Just look at your lines, aren't they fabulous?"

Rainbow Dash took the other piece of paper Rarity had with her. "These are the same lines from last year!"

Rarity looked puzzled. "They are? Let me see."

Rainbow Dash floated the piece of paper back to Rarity. Rarity read the lines to see if Rainbow Dash was correct.

"Oh, oops," said Rarity with a nervous laugh, "I guess I was just reminiscing about last year's performance! It was spectacular!"

"Rarity, do we have to do a song and dance routine every year?" Rainbow Dash questioned after she rolled her eyes.

"Well no, but I figured since you're the new ruler of Equestria, maybe we could start a new tradition?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow Dash raised her forehooves and crossed them and uncrossed them, and shook her head rapidly. "No, no, no, nooooo! In the name of Equestria, noooo!"

"Okay fine, I'll do a song and dance routine that doesn't include you, happy now?" Rarity growled.

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief. "Works for me!"

"Well, fine then, but you're not weaseling out of making you a new outfit for the celebration this year," Rarity snapped.

Rainbow Dash mumbled, "Fine. Now I have to go to magic practice. Do me a favor, don't bug me for the rest of the day."

"Fine then," said Rarity, "it seems I've overstayed my welcome. I shall be off."

Rarity walked away with her snout stuck up in the air, showing how offended she was. I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore, as soon as I let it out, Rainbow Dash smiled when she saw me. "You saw that, didn't you?"

"Yup." I said, barely managing to get a word out because I was laughing so hard. "You know, I think you should tell Finn about this! This would definitely give him some more material for his next show."

"Yeah," said Rainbow Dash, " I think he has enough material already."

I snorted. "Yeah, you're probably right. I gotta go train with dad now."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Sure, good luck Jude."

* * *

{Eli}

The following week, Jude had another power surge. Like last time, me holding him seemed to calm it down. Tonight was a little bit different because something happened that made me even more concerned for Jude's safety.

Jude was asleep and that's when I felt it. There was some evil presence inside Jude. Part of my job of taking care of the moon is to be able to detect spirits and help them crossover. I also have to pull out evil spirits that possess people and ponies. I've had to do this plenty of times, it doesn't matter how many times I've done it, it still terrifies me.

I looked to see Jude's eyes had rolled in the back of his head and he had an evil smile on his face. I knew for a fact, this is the beginning of a demonic possession.

I narrowed my eyes and growled. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The evil spirit let out a low rumbling laugh. "My name is Logan and I'm a god. I guess you could say I'm an evil god, I come from a place called the Tree of Wisdom. Your friend Jude here is my vessel and he has no idea that he is. Eventually, I will erase his mind and spirit and he will no longer exist. Then, I will be free to roam about Equestria!"

"No!" I screamed. "You're not taking him! I will banish you if it's the last thing I do!"

Logan laughed wickedly, "Good luck with that."

Princess Luna taught me a spell to help me keep the evil spirit contained until I can build up enough magic to pull it out. I cast the spell and combined it with the connection I share with Jude. I put a hand underneath Jude's chin and snarled. "Jude's body will never be yours!"

I breathed a cloud of black smoke into Jude's nostrils and I kissed him. After that, Jude's body went back to normal. I knew this spell was only temporary. But I hoped that it would hold Logan off, giving me enough time to build up my magic so I could pull him out of Jude.

* * *

{Jude}

When I opened my eyes, Ivy and Eli were staring at me with worried looks on their faces. "What?"

"Jude, honey, sweetie, dear," said Ivy, "I know Nightmare Night is a week away, but can you hold off the jump scars until then?"

I blinked. "Uh, huh?"

Eli sucked in a deep breath and let it out, "Ivy, that wasn't a joke or a jump scare. Part of my job of taking care of the night is to be able to detect evil spirits and be able to pull them out of people and ponies. Based on what Princess Luna told me, that's the first sign of a demonic possession. It's a serious situation when it happens."

"But aren't those campfire stories?" Ivy asked tilting her head.

"The made up ones are," said Eli. "But not the ones that happen in real life."

Ivy eyes went wide. "So Jude's eyes rolling in the back of his head looking like he was wide awake and that demonic voice coming from him was real?"

Eli nodded and sighed, "I never thought it would happen to someone close to me. I was able to do the containment spell but it's only temporary, hopefully, that will hold the spirit off until I can build up enough magic to pull it out of Jude."

I didn't believe a word Eli was saying at the moment. "Yeah, excuse me, but who's doing the jump scares now?"

"It's not a joke Jude!" Ivy exclaimed. "Eli knows what he's talking about. Okay?"

Ivy looked terrified, but it looked to me like she was acting. She can be a pretty good actress when she wants to be. You'd never see a prank or a jump scare coming when it comes down to her. Then I heard Eli's thoughts, Jude's disbelief might work as an advantage to me. The less terrified a person is of the spirit possessing them, the easier it is to pull it out.

"Ha, ha, very funny," I said, "good one Eli."

"It's not a-" Ivy started to say. She paused when she saw Eli giving her a strange look.

Eli gave me a half smile and a fake laugh, "You're right Jude, it was a joke. I really outdid myself this time, didn't I? I was just practicing for when I prank Rainbow Dash."

I opened my mouth and shut it because I had no idea how to reply to that.

"Yup," Ivy said, "Eli's such a kidder isn't he?"

"Yeah… Right..." I said.

I guess Eli didn't want to talk about this anymore. Eli started kissing me, I'm going to assume he did that in order to change the subject.

Ivy chuckled, "Well, I think I'll leave you two alone. I'll take Leo and go into another room. Have fun you two!"

I didn't hear Ivy leave, because I was still kissing Eli. We were pretty much making out, it started to get towards possibly having sex, when I backed off.

"That's still not going to happen right now Eli," I said.

Eli nodded and looked like he was in a daze because he did just make out with me. "Yeah, I completely understand." He looked at the time and sighed, "I should probably go now. I have to lower the moon."

I nodded. As Eli left, I heard his thoughts and he was hoping that he could get a spirit who claimed to be a god named Logan out of me. Yeah, still not believing that for a moment.