Applejack had dropped off Berry and Cheese at Sugarcube Corner and he was heading home with Thunder in tow.

“Hey AJ…?” Thunderstrike said.

“Yeah?” AJ said turning to her.

“...I just wanted to say thank you again, for forgiving me, it really means a lot to me that you did,” Thunderstrike said.

“Course ah would, Blitz is fine now and so is Rumble, ah ain’t gonna blame you for protecting Rumble,” AJ said.

“Yeah…” Thunderstrike said and she stayed silent.

Some time passed when they were at the edge of the Apple Family property.

“Need any company back to yer house or are ya fine to walk home alone?” AJ asked.

“Hmmm… Well…. I was actually thinking… since I’m a little tipsy, and we don’t know if there are prowlers about-” Thunderstrike said before AJ finished.

“You… want to stay at my house?” AJ asked.

“Well since you asked,” Thunderstrike said with a giggle.

“What about Rumble?” AJ said.

“He’s actually at a friend's house, so I have nothing to do tonight anyways,” Thunderstrike said with a shrug.

“Well alright then,” AJ said and he walked with her up the path to the farmhouse.

Butterscotch’s house was always a welcoming sight.

Gala sighed as the lecherous drunk stallion she was dragging along was muttering more compliments.

“Usu-usually, ponies would expect the stallion to be the buff one, but I love that your the buff one in our relationship… it makes me feel protected from the badness of the world… *hic*” Butterscotch hiccuped again.

“We gotta get ya back to normal…” Gala said.

“Why? I love being… being confident, I love being ready and willing to be honest with you, as Fluttershy I was so sheltered, but I feel like a stallion now, not a mare,” Butters said.

“Ah still don’t get it, you’ve always been a stallion,” Gala said.

“Not up until the accident…” Butterscotch whispered.

“What?” Gala said turning towards Butters.

“Oh hey, Angel is waving at us,” Butterscotch waved at the window and Gala turned to see Angel shaking his head in disappointment instead and he hopped down.

A minute later the door opened and Angel gestured for the two to come in.

Once they were in Gala set Butterscotch on the couch.

“Ya got somethin to fix him?” Gala asked the rabbit.

Angel nodded and gestured for her to watch him before he hopped into the kitchen.

“What were ya sayin outside Butters?” Gala asked sitting down.

“Just, that before I was a stallion, I was a mare *hic* named *hic* Fluttershy,” Butters said.

“What…?” Gala said looking surprised.

“Yeah and my… my friends were Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Spike and Applejack was still Applejack. We were all mares…. Hey do the stairs look weird right now?” Butters said his attention drifting.

“Butterscotch! Focus!” Gala said, “What do ya mean, this ain’t just some drunken rambling right?” Gala demanded.

“Nope! We had a magical accident… how long ago again?... don’t remember… anywho, we all turned into stallions and you became a mare,” Butters said with a giggle.

“...I was a stallion?” Gala asked.

“Yeah, named Big Mac… seriously why are those stairs moving like that? Discord is that you?” Butters asked.

Gala was still recoiling from her shock to help him regain his focus, naturally, everything he said sounded like hogwash… except she’s heard that name before… Big Mac.

And Butters even drunk off his hooves wouldn’t lie to her like Blitz and AJ were when they mentioned that name…

Something ain't right… and she’s gotta get to the bottom of it.

“Sooooo wavy…” Butters said still focused on the stairs.

“Yeah…” Gala said looking away in thought.

Pretty soon Angel hopped back carrying a green brew and he gestured for Gala to feed it to him.

“Why?” Gala asked.

Angel made a few gestures.

“Whoo, watch the potty mouth, Angel, she’s… my mare friend,” Butterscotch said.

Angel glanced between the two and shrugged before handing the bowl to Gala and hopping away.

Gala gave the medicine to Butters and helped him drink it down.

He wound up falling asleep and Gala was left to her troubled thoughts.

Dusk didn’t know how long he and Luna embraced but soon they were walking down the corridors together.

“I am glad you saw what you needed to do,” Luna said.

“Yeah… A part of me still wants to try but… I guess you're also right, if that attempt didn’t work how many more times will I have to blow myself up before it sinks in…” Dusk looked a little sad.

“Don’t be upset, you did your best, but your friends are happy here, I have seen it,” Luna said.

“How?” Dusk asked.

“In their dreams, their dreams used to be their yearning for their old lives back, but now… it’s of the future,” Luna said as they reached a room and entered.

Dusk was surprised to see that this was in fact Luna’s quarters…

“Um Luna, why are we here?” Dusk asked.

“No particular reason,” Luna said with a smile as she walked past Dusk and sat at a table on the balcony, and gestured for him to sit.

Determined to take his mind off the fact Luna was looking at him intently he continued the previous conversation.

“S-so, what did you mean before? What about the future are they dreaming of?” Dusk asked.

“Dusk, to answer that, I will ask a question of my own, have they found love?” Luna asked.

“Yes but what… wait, you don’t mean-” Dusk said before Luna took his hands and leaned in

“Touch horns with me and I will show you,” Luna said.

Dusk blushed “O-ok,” Dusk said and he leaned forward and they touched horn tips.

Luna used a spell and both experienced a vision.

Butterscotch had moved his hollow over to Sweet Apple Acres somehow… maybe with Discord's help, and it showed Butters sitting on a rocking chair, rocking a… foal?

“Luna is that-” Dusk asked.

“Just a facsimile of their foal but yes,” Luna said and she pointed to several more foals running around and having fun.

Butters looked up and saw Red Gala standing over him with a warm smile.

“Wow… I didn’t think Butters was thinking this far ahead,” Dusk said.

“He isn’t the only one,” Luna said before the environment shifted.

They were at the Boutique, everything seemed normal as they entered it.

Until they saw Barbra laying curled up over a clutch of eggs and Elusive sitting in a chair next to her, knitting something.

“Those two as well?...” Dusk said in amazement.

“Both their dreams are similar, I am quite glad to see Barbra finally get her stallion, and already she’s thinking of the eggs she’ll lay,” Luna said with a warm smile.

“Do dragon pony hybrids even come in eggs?” Dusk asked.

“I am not sure to be honest, maybe she doesn’t either, but it’s the thought that counts,” Luna said before bringing Dusk to the next one.

Swiss Cheese and Berry Bubble were having a party with their foals and celebrating the birthday of foal number… eight?!

Dusk tried to shout over the loud music “THIS I PREDICTED!” Dusk said loudly.

“I DID TOO, THEIR VERY COMPATIBLE, NOW LET’S GO BEFORE I GET A HEADACHE!” Luna called back before teleporting to another dream.

“Come to think of it, are any of them asleep?” Dusk asked.

“We’re seeing visions of past dreams,” Luna clarified as they were back at the farm.

They saw AJ approaching… a shadowy mare?

“Who’s she?” Dusk asked.

“It seems alas, Applejack knows that he wants to spend his life with a mare, but he’s unsure about the current candidate, he is stuck wondering if she’s ‘the one’ or not,” Luna replied.

“He always was a cautious one, considering the one he chooses would carry on the family legacy with their children,” Dusk said.

“And the mares shape is visible at least, so this means he knows he’s developed feelings for a specific mare,” Luna pointed out “Well… that finishes up, let us-”

“What about Rainbow Blitz?” Dusk asked.

“....Do you really wish to see?...” Luna asked.

“Sure, I'd like to know if he’s having thoughts of pursuing children with Soarin,” Dusk said.

“That’s not what he’s dreaming about,” Luna said and she shifted the environment and they were in his room, but instead he was tied up with countless mares surrounding him.

“LEAVE ME ALONE! I have Soarin now!” Rainbow demanded.

“I want you to fornicate with me next!” The mare to his left cried.

“He’s mine!” Another mare shoved her away.

“Stand aside and watch a real mare take care of her stud,” Another mare chimed in.

“Oh….goodness…” Dusk said uncomfortably.

“Blitz is having a hard time, for the short time he first experienced the freedom of being Rainbow Blitz instead of Dash, he’d been traumatized by that horrible mare and now he just wants to settle, unfortunately, the single mares of Ponyville won’t accept that he’s no longer around to help them with heat week,” Luna said.

“I didn’t think his genophobia would be like this,” Dusk said watching the scared stallion amidst the mare horde.

“Luckily there is a happy ending,” Luna said looking up and Dusk did too.

Suddenly a mare came down from above and grabbed Blitz.

“I’ll protect you Blitz, let’s go,” Soarin said before flying him away from the desperate mares.

“Soarin,” Dusk said in awe.

“She is truly his shoulder to cry on in this trying time in his life, like a guardian angel she will protect him from his fears,” Luna said with a smile.

Suddenly the vision ended and Dusk shook his head and looked around to see the sun had set and the moon arrived.

“Wow… how long were we in a trance?” Dusk cracked his back.

‘“An hour and a half, time is weird in the dream realm,” Luna said with a shrug.

“I see, so they really have formed new lives here,” Dusk said.

“And if by some miracle you find a way to put everything back to normal, would you take this away from them?” Luna asked.

“I… guess not… what have I been doing then… wasting time, that’s what,” Dusk said with chagrin.

“You did what you thought was right, and now you know better,” Luna said.

“I guess I do,” Dusk said before getting up “Well that was a pleasant evening but I have to think about getting back,” Dusk said.

“Why?” Luna asked.

“Well I have a hotel booked and I left my-” Suddenly Dusk was face to face with Luna.

"Why go back to the hotel when you can stay here?” Luna asked.

Dusk blushed brightly.

“L-Luna? Your not suggesting,” Dusk stuttered.

“Why not? We’re both royals, you don’t have to worry about me being out for anything to gain besides your love,” Luna said.

“B-but… we havn’t gone on a date, o-or filled out a list on our compatablities, or even kissed-” Luna pecked him on the lips.

“There! First kiss out of the way,” Luna said before laughing “No need to worry Dusk, I don’t intend to take your virginity… tonight,” Luna said.

“T-then what was that?” Dusk asked.

“A show of my affection, back in my day two ponies that liked eachother would do this to show their love,” Luna said.

“I-i see, I didn’t think you felt so strongly,” Dusk said.

“Well, you are handsome,” Luna said.

“And?” Dusk said asking his usual response on instinct.

“And smart, and caring, a good friend and as I said, unlike the spoiled nobles I stand only to gain your genuine affection and nothing else, I don’t want your money or fame, just you,” Luna said.

Hearing that Dusk’s heart throbbed hard… he’d never heard those words in such a genuine way, usually there was intent laced in it, not this time, she… genuinely wanted him for him.

Without thought Dusk kissed her and the two kissed passionately, after parting Luna looked at him with a wanting expression.

“How far do you want to take this right now?” Dusk asked.

“As far as you wish, it can be now, or some other night, like I said,” Luna said.

….
…..
……..

“Don’t take things, too fast,” A sudden voice silent to all but Dusk’s ears whispered.

“...Would you be okay if… we waited a little longer, I imagine you’ll need help on heat week,” Dusk sheepishly said as if on instinct.

“A fair point, heat reduction spells only do so much,” Luna giggled.

“Cuddling wouldn’t hurt,” The voice came again.

“Want to… sleep together at least? In the same bed I mean, nothing untoward,” Dusk said.

“As you wish,” Luna said and the two proceeded to bed, Dusk slid under the covers and Luna hugged him close.

Dusk couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t with the feel of her warm body pressing up against him, he felt flustered and almost regretted turning down the chance to be with her that night.

Is… this what love is?

Thunderstrike and AJ entered the farmhouse and after explaining the situation to Granny she wished them a peaceful sleep.

“Alright, you sleep her,e and ah’ll be upstairs if ya need anythin,” AJ said.

“What? I sleep on the couch?” Thunderstrike said with mock offense.

“Problem?” AJ asked.

“Well… I was hoping we’d sleep… together?” Thunderstrike asked.

AJ blushed a little hearing that, “we only went on one date,” AJ said.

“Not sex or anything, just… cuddling?” She asked.

“Well ah-”

“Go on,” Granny said hobbling into the room.

“Granny, ya’ll get what she’s askin right?” AJ asked.

“Sure ah do, but it’s rude ta deny a guest,” Granny Smith winked mischievously.

“I guess…” AJ sighed at his matchmaking granny and they went upstairs as Granny Smith sat down on the couch.

“Heheheh, not leavin this world till ah get mah great grandkids,” Granny Smith said.

AJ and Thunderstrike entered his room and as AJ was getting his bed set up Thunder was blushing like mad.

“I’minhisroomI’minhisroomI’minhisroom!” She shouted internally.

“Ok, ya’ll wanna take the bed and ah can sleep on the floor,” AJ said with a small blush, that there was another mare in his room with him.

“We can do that… or…” Thunderstrike said with a hopeful look.

“Or?” AJ asked.

“Or we could sleep in the same bed, not doing anything, but I… would love to sleep with you… in your bed! I mean,” Thunderstrike said hurriedly.

“Thunder, ah think it’s a tad too early in our relationship ta-”

“Just do it,” A voice whispered in his ear, and suddenly Thunderstrike’s plan didn’t sound so bad.

“Your right, I don’t know what I was thinking,” Thunderstrike said sheepishly before AJ patted the bed.

“On second thought, ah’m okay with ya bein here, ah guess ah’m just worried we may be proceeding too fast,” AJ said.

“Really? Wow, what a one-eighty, one I’m on board with,” She chuckled and she laid down in bed with AJ laying behind her and pulling her close as she pulled the blanket over them.

“Hmmm….” Thunder groaned happily feeling herself enveloped in his strong embrace.

“Just one kiss?” The voice whispered in AJ’s ear.

Without thinking AJ leaned his head down and kissed her on the head.

Thunderstrike blushed so hard she almost jolted out of bed but she held herself down.

“He just kissed me…omg…” Thunder shut her eyes with a happy smile.

As they went to sleep, a transparent being watched them.

“I’m almost done…” The being said before vanishing.

Morning

Butterscotch cracked his eyes open with a groan, usually, he had worse hangovers than most ponies, but it seems Angel provided him with that herbal medicine brew that Zecora had taught him and he’d taught Angel.

Fixes hangovers in an instant.

“Oooh… What happened?” Butterscotch asked.

“Ya’ll are awake?” Gala asked coming in from the kitchen.

“Oh hey Gala, good morning,” Butterscotch said with a smile.

“Yeah… good mornin…” Gala said putting some sandwiches on the table before directing Butters to sit.

“Is everything alright?” Butterscotch asked walking over to his chair.

“Yeah… jest… need ta talk to ya about somethin,” Gala said.

“I… did something embarrassing when I was drunk didn’t I?... I told Berry I didn’t want to drink because when I do I… become unfiltered… in a way, I get lecherous and-”

“That ain’t what ah want to talk about… Mrs Fluttershy…” Gala said with some accusation.

“Oh? Then what… do… you…. Oh dear…” Butterscotch widened his eyes when what she called him clicked.

“Based on yer expression everythin ya told me when you were drunk off yer hooves was true,” Gala said with a light glare.

“M-Mrs. Gala, i-if you give me a moment to explain-”

“What? That you’ve been lyin ta me since we met?” Gala demanded.

“....Yes… how much do you know?” Butters asked.

“Ah know it all, at least ah presume it’s all, ah even know ah’m supposed ta be a stallion, and don’t deny it, ah got the methods to know if yer lyin,” Gala said.

Butterscotch flinched.

“...It’s true… I am actually a mare named Fluttershy, and my friends, them too, that’s… why we’ve been acting weirdly for a while now,” Butterscotch said.

“And how am ah involved in this?” Gala asked.

“I don’t know, how you became a mare is something me and my friends still don’t know, Soarin became a mare as well and so did Thunderstrike… you were all stallions…” Butters said knowing he was in hot water right now.

Red Gala looked surprised before rubbing her head.

“Goodness… ah don’t even know where ta start… so AJ and Blitz have been lying as long as ah knew them,” Gala said.

“Not since you met them… more like… maybe a month or two ago…” Butterscotch said.

“That still means ah’ve been lied to… not just by you but by life in general, it’s all a lie…” Gala said.

“Don’t say that,” Butterscotch said.

“It’s true ain’t it…” Gala said.

“I’m so sorry,” Butterscotch said.

“How did this happen?” Gala demanded.

“A magical accident by Twilight… we can’t reverse it, we’ve tried,” Butters said.

“...So there’s no fixin it then… how do ah go on knowing ah’m dating a deceiver?” Gala shook her head and got up, Butters got up too.

“Red Gala, I’m sorry but we had to lie, imagine what everypony would say if they knew,” Butterscotch said with tears in his eyes.

“Don’t matter now does it,” Gala said turning to leave.

“Please! I care about you Gala, don’t leave like this,” Butterscotch begged.

“Ah ain’t a puppet to fate!” Gala snapped as she walked on.

“I’ll do anything!” Butterscotch exclaimed.

Gala paused “Anythin?...” She asked.

“Anything, yes, just please don’t hate me,” Butterscotch pleaded.

“...Butters, they need ta know, it ain’t right that they don’t,” Gala said turning to look at him.

“...You mean-”

“If yer friends are going to date these other ponies, they deserve ta know as well,” Gala said.

“B-but-”

“Ya said anythin, well ah want the full truth to be given to those mares,” Gala said firmly.

“....Ok…” Butterscotch said.

Barbra and Elusive slept under the covers together, ever since they became a couple they’ve spent more time together then she does with Dusk.

Not that he’s here right now, but even so she’s spent alot of time with her beloved, dreaming of their future together.

Barbra woke with a yawn and turned to see Elusive still sleeping, he looked so cute like this.

Barbra resisted the urge to mess with him and she went downstairs and went to prepare breakfast but then she saw an envelope at the door.

“Huh? Odd, I wonder if it’s from Dusk,” Barb said picking it up, it was red and had gold outlines, too fancy for Dusk, and it was addressed to Elusive so she turned to bring it to her stallion only to see him coming down the stairs.

“Hello dear, what do you have there?” Elusive asked with a yawn.

“Dunno, It looks like it’s from a noble, only they use such decoration on it,” Barb handed it to Elusive.

Elusive studied it and then opened it, he found that it had a message.

“You are invited to… a gala? You and one extra can attend in honor of Fancy Pant’s birthday,” Elusive read.

“Like the GGG?” Barb asked.

“No, that Gala isn’t for another few months, this one is meant to be held for Fancy Pants, and it seems he’s inviting me! Barbra, do you know what this means?” Elusive said excitedly.

“You and Fancy can bury the hatchet and you can finally bury the last demon under your bed?” Barbra guessed.

“Not how I would have worded it but yes! I am in the clear,” Elusive said.

“Yes!” Barb cheered “I’m making pancakes to celebrate!” Barb said and she walked off.

“I’ll help,” Elusive said.

In Canterlot a party was being set up and Fancy Pants was talking with a party planner when Blueblood approached.

“Hello Fancy Pants,” Blueblood said.

“Oh, hello there Blueblood, I was simply getting party room number three set up, oh it’s a shame I never got that number of that party stallion, he’d have it done in minutes,” Fancy griped.

“Be thankful at least that pauper Elusive won’t be coming,” Blueblood chuckled knowingly.

“Indeed, that scoundrel, getting drunk at my party and causing a massive scene, preying on my wife, getting in a fistfight with me over her… my word, I will never invite him again,” Fancy said.

“Word is that these days he’s bedding, and I kid you not, a dragon!” Blueblood laughed.

“A dragon? Oh I pity her, at least she’d have the excuse of being barbaric to cause a scene,” Fancy said.

“Indeed, well I should be going,” Blueblood said.

“Oh and do ask the prince what his allergies are, the last thing I’d want is to hurt him,” Fancy called after Blueblood and Blueblood nodded.

“Very good sir,” Blueblood said before turning away with a malicious smile.

“Sir, you did deliver the invitation, so he is coming, remember?” A noble asked as he followed him.

“Oh… I am aware,” Blueblood said.

Author's Note

Bluebloods plotting something...

Dusk finally acknowledges his reasons for staying like this.

And most mysteriously...

What is that voice that's silently commanding them?

Tune in for answers.