I woke up at some point, a point way too early in the morning might I add, to a certain, little filly headbutting me. I blinked a couple of times as I lazily lifted my head, blinking a couple of times, before I nudged the filly. “Hey, eight in the morning is way too early for this, go back to sleep,” I grumbled, before laying my head back down. “Or better yet, go bug Chryssy or Blaze; I’m sure they’ll be happy to humor you,” I continued. A yawn escaped my jaws as I tried to rub the sleep out of my eyes.

“I tried with Chryssy, but she gave me the side eye and it was scary, and I can’t get Blaze to wake up,” Midnight said. “Plus, I wanted to spend more time with you anyways!” The filly tapped me with a hoof, in a similar manner to how a cat would try and paw at you to get your attention. “Please wake up and play with me…” Midnight gave me puppy eyes, very cute puppy eyes. I sighed. “Please?”

“Alright, what do foals play anyways?”

“...Don’t you know?” Midnight asked.

“Nope, no clue. I never had a childhood,” I said, sitting up on my ass. “Er, foalhood. Whatever ponies call their younger years,” I waved a hoof in the air.

“...What do you mean by that? You’re a pony, right?”

“No, I’m a monster in the body of a pony. I have killed hundreds before in cold blood; I am a terrible pony if I were one.”

Midnight’s eyes were as large as dinner plates now. “But…”

“Even monsters have hearts, kid. I ain’t gonna turn a blind eye to a cute, little filly that needs some help.” I nuzzled said filly.

So Midnight and I spent the morning playing together, she would try to headbutt or nip me, and I would try to catch her with my hooves. So far, Midnight had sixteen ‘points’ on me, while I had a whole three points. I know, I’m getting my ass kicked by a literal child, but her laughs are contagious and I couldn’t help but keep letting her win so that she kept on laughing. Chrysalis had long since woken up, and was watching us with a small smile on her face, and Blaze had folded her ears and flopped over to try and block out our noise pollution.

A couple of days later, a pass through of Salt Lick, which was now liberated of the monkey things, which was interesting. Stopped by some restaurant called the Zurst or something, and kept on heading south. After about a week or two, I honestly lost track of time, since keeping track would require owning a calendar, we stopped in Ponyville at long last. I took a breath of fresh air after stepping off the wagon while my companions disembarked from it behind me. Midnight sat there, in awe at the giant tree castle thing that Twilight Sparkle lived in. Chrysalis looked disinterested, while Blaze groaned.

“We best not spend more than a day in this stupid town,” the kitsune sighed.

“We won’t; we’re just paying Canterlot a visit, and this place happens to be on the way,” something nudged my shoulder, low and behold, it was Midnight giving me the biggest, cute little puppy eyes ever. “Yeah Midnight?”

“Can we visit please Princess Twilight Sparkle? Pretty please?” I looked to Chrysalis for help.

“Ostri, you did this to yourself for taking in a filly, creatures known for using ‘cuteness’ against you,” Chrysalis giggled. “I suppose we will have to stay in Ponyville for a little bit; you have a filly’s request to fulfill, after all.” With that, and me being a little bitch when it comes to saying no to Midnight, we rode the wagon throughout town, getting looks at how nothing was actually pulling the wagon aside from Blaze’s telekinesis, towards the giant, crystal, tree, castle thing. Because I’m going to assume that Twilight took a train, which meant she’d probably get back to Ponyville before my little group could travel through Equestria on a wagon.

When we stopped at the castle, I immediately hopped out of the wagon, since I had a few questions I wanted to ask anyways. Midnight and the rest of my group followed me up to the massive doors, when I started pounding on them. “Anybody home?” I shouted. Soon after, the door opened, and a purple little dragon opened the door. “Hey Spike,” I waved. “Is Twilight home by chance?” I asked.

“Yeah, let me go get her for you,” I don’t think Spike recognized me at all. I took a seat next to Blaze and just took the time to pet and let her use me as a pillow. It’s just been a minute since I just sat down and played with my kitsune.

“As soon as we are done talking with Twilight Sparkle, we are leaving Ponyville, I hope you know that,” Blaze leaned into my hooves.

“I know. Midnight just really wanted to meet Twilight Sparkle for some reason. You try telling me no to that face,” I pointed at the filly, who was now playing with Chrysalis while the four of us were waiting. “Spike’s going to be gone for a while; what is with rich people in power and big ass homes that they don’t need?” I hate castles. Before I could even blink, a purple flash of magic made me jolt, and Spike and Twilight Sparkle were standing in front of us. At first, you could see how happy Twilight was, only for her eyes to land upon me. I didn’t move, but Midnight was quick to try and greet her favorite alicorn.

“Howdy, Twilight,” I sat down at the map of friendship or whatever it was. It was just a table with six thrones. “How’s life going?”

Twilight and Midnight, having had their little meeting, Blaze immediately knew that the incoming discussion was not meant for little fillies. So she gave me a quick little lick on the cheek, before taking the filly outside. Twilight sat across from me while giving Chrysalis some weary looks. “So,” I started. “How’s things going with the whole war you and the other Princesses gotta deal with?” I asked. “Last I checked, I wrote a letter, while drunk, about a solution that Celestia could use.”

Twilight sighed. “Whatever it was, made the Storm King back off. Equestria’s been at peace for the last week,” she tilted her head. “Do you secretly care about Equestria and you’re trying to hide it?”

“No,” I quickly noted the checklist now suspended in the Princess’s magic. “You were planning for this?” I asked.

“Well… Given how Equestria is a hub for travellers, I figured you would make a few stops in Equestria each time you pass through. And… while I don’t think you’re a very savory individual, especially after the Friendship Festival, I can at least begin to see why you choose to do things the way you do. Given your position of being from another universe, your choice in pets, and… Marefriends, you are probably a fountain of information.” Me and my marefriend met eyes before shrugging.

“Alright so,” I pulled out my own notebook from under a wing. “I read up on sirens, and learnt of three specific sirens that Celestia and Luna dealt with. Those sirens were sent to a world, I quote ‘had weird, tall, bipedal creatures that were very ape-like.’ The description of the dominant race… is oddly similar to mine. The only thing I notice that’s different is the higher number of skin tones, from cyan, to completely purple…” I looked up from my notes. “I wanted to stop by and ask the local rulers if they knew anything about this other world. Because if I had access to it, depending on how technologically advanced these… humans are, I could use that.”

Twilight stared at me for a moment, considering what I had just said. “What do you plan on getting if you were able to go to the Mirror World?” Twilight asked.

“Probably not any weapons. A lighter would be nice, but probably useless with my hooves. I honestly don’t know, since my wings aren’t as dexterous as some other pegasi I’ve seen, but it would be nice to get simple comforts from home, such as a bag of chips, or actual fries. I also don’t really need to go to this other world, but I would like the option to be open. Just imagine how easy it would be to bring over some human technology and reverse engineer it for use amongst ponies.” I really didn’t care about pony usage, but I was trying to angle Twilight into letting me at least see this special mirror.

Twilight being able to progress her race forward with technology might be the key I need for this. I would like to have a shotgun before I enter Kumiho territory, since I don’t want to get up close and personal with a creature that can, and is willing, to disembowel me and eat my insides while I’m still alive because said creatures think human suffering is funny. Especially with a body not built for fighting predatory animals.

“Well… I don’t think I can show you the portal if…” Twilight sounded like she was about to bargain something for me to just see the portal. Before she could even begin speaking again, I got out of my chair. “Where are you going?” The Princess of Friendship asked.

I had already lost interests with the portal.

“I’m going to my wagon, gonna pass through Canterlot, and then hop on a boat and head for Eur Mono. From there, I’m going to head straight to wherever the fuck Kumiho and Kitsune live, stopping to and fro, enjoying the view, stopping anywhere that peeks mine or my companions’ interests, all that fun shit. Why do you ask?” I could practically see the gears turning in her head. “Let me guess, you wanna come along and drag your friends? Because you want to set a hoof in a dangerous environment to learn about animals that will probably try to kill you on sight.”

Twilight nodded. “Well… Nopony studied a kumiho, or a kitsune up close. I’d try to study yours, but she doesn’t seem keen on allowing me to do so, and you won’t order her to hold still.” Twilight pulled out a notepad. “And coming along with you, with my friends, would help me spread friendship, and I can study everything we find on the way!”

“Blaze is my pet, not my servant, Twilight. Not only is she my pet, but she is also a thousand years old, older than Celestia and Luna, and is scarily intelligent. I’m not going to make her hold still while you hound her with questions. However, if you want to come along with me, then you’re paying for your own expenses. If your friends come along, they’re getting their own wagon as well, and they better keep pace with me and Chryssy; we have zero reason to slow down for anyone. So you best hurry up and get prepared, because we aren’t slowing down today either.” With that, Chrysalis got up and I followed her out.

“Princess Twilight,” my marefriend stopped at the door. “I would like to… apologize to you, for everything that I have done to you and your friends. I won’t excuse myself by thinking I was in the right, or that what I did was good. I’m a horrible changeling, but I am making strides to better myself. Good day to you, and if you come along with myself and my coltfriend, I would welcome it. For some bizarre reason, he doesn’t hate you or your friends as much as he should.” Before I could protest, I was picked up by the scruff and, with dignity, let my girlfriend literally drag me onto the wagon.

By the time we were out of Ponyville, there was another wagon tailing behind us. The Elements of Harmony in it, with Apple Jack pulling it. The earth pony had asked us how our wagon was rolling without anything pulling it, but one look at Blaze’s eyes, which were glowing because of her magic, gave her that answer. Midnight, since she really liked the Elements, because they were national heroes, rode with the six mares instead of us. There was a flash of magic from inside the hooded wagon, for some reason, but I paid no mind to it. If the kid wants to learn magic from the literal Princess of Magic, I don’t mind. Judging from how they were at home and not helping the Princesses, I figured I could circumvent Canterlot’s airship business.

For one, it was expensive to just ride an airship, let alone ride one that carries wagons. So, we were either going by sea, or going for a cheaper airship company. We were heading up to Manehattan, which got Rarity very excited. Despite being told that Chrysalis isn’t going to hurt them, the six of them were understandably still not willing to immediately trust my marefriend. After all, she did invade Equestria twice, and captured them the second time around.

Meanwhile, in the Mane Six’s wagon

“So, Starlight, what have you learnt about Ostri, Chrysalis and Blaze?” Twilight asked. Starlight had dropped her disguise as a filly, having been put on that train for a reason.

“Well, despite what you told me, Ostri’s been nothing but sweet to me while I’m Midnight Starbright. He lets me play with him, lets me pin him down, and makes sure I’m well fed. Seriously, how he acts around foals is entirely different from how he acts around me as… Me. Or around the Princesses. Or even around you six. I know I said I was an orphan as Midnight, so maybe he has a bit of a soft spot? He said he never knew his parents. As for Chrysalis, while she doesn’t go out of her way to take care of me, and seems a bit untrusting of Midnight, she does give into her maternal instincts and grooms me when I get dirty. Blaze, Blaze is a sweetheart. If you don’t threaten either of her owners, or get her angry, she’s lovely.” Starlight hummed, before shivering a little.

“Blaze also knows who I am, she just hasn’t said anything yet; she’s waiting to see what we’re planning for Ostri and Chrysalis. I know you tasked me with tagging along with them, but I think we should all just stay home. Ostri’s not an idiot, and Chrysalis is scarily intelligent. Blaze probably knows what’s going on because of how advanced her telepathy is. I doubt any of them are going to be happy if they find out,” she rubbed the back of her head.

“About what?” Blaze had crawled out of Ostri’s wagon moments before sneaking onto their wagon. Twilight’s jaw dropped, an animal such as Blaze was moving a wagon continuously, something that would tire out most unicorns within a few hours, and seemed to have power to spare. “Twilight, you ponies are but flesh and bone, who have a strong ties to magic. I am literally magic in the shape of a nine tailed fox. I may have the mind of an animal, but trust me, I am not made of flesh and blood.” She laid down next to Fluttershy. “Now, what are you planning for my family? I know you, Twilight, have ulterior motives for traveling with us, despite your genuine interests in seeing the world.”

The alicorn blinked. “You aren’t ratting us out?”

“I will at some point, depending on if you’re putting my owner in danger or not, will determine when I tell him. If you don’t tell me, I’ll force the plan out of your damned skull, and tell Chrysalis and Ostri. And trust me, that changeling’s been feeding on the love that Ostri willingly gives her. She can wipe all six of you out in the blink of an eye, and if you threaten her mate, she will do just that.”

Twilight rubbed the back of her head. “Well, we were trying to see if we can get Ostri to change,” Blaze tilted her head. “I mean, he’s a bit of a monster. The only reason why he isn’t in a dungeon is because he technically hasn’t done any harm to Equestria, and because he’s a war hero. We want to redeem him and Chrysalis while we’re at it. Because I doubt the two of them are leaving each other’s side any time soon.”

“Specifically Chrysalis,” Starlight said. “She’s being put at ease by Ostri’s presence, and might be more willing to learn about friendship if Ostri mellows her out.”

Blaze chuckled. “Good luck, Ostri and Chrysalis do not believe in what Equestria stands for, which is friendship is magic, or whatever. Watching you seven try and change a pony and changeling that are more stubborn than bulls.” Blaze’s smile fell into a frown. “If you hurt either of them, Twilight, I do not care, I will go use my birthright to bring an army of Kumiho to Equestria. Ponies. Will. Go. Extinct. If. You. Hurt. Ostri. Or. Chrysalis. Do I make myself clear?” Twilight was shaking… The amount of power Blaze was now letting out of her body was… jarring. Even Rarity could feel just how strong the fox’s magic was. “Good!” Blaze was back to her ‘usual’, happy and cheerful self. She hopped out of the wagon, walked up to Ostri’s wagon and dragged him out of it.

The wagon kept on rolling while the Elements watched Blaze, Ostri, and Chrysalis all play tag while staying on the path towards Manehattan. Pinkie, being Pinkie, wasn’t shaken by the kitsune’s threat, and hopped out of the wagon to join them. Her laughter was soon mixed in with the trio’s. Ostri… was actually being nice to Pinkie, helping her up after she tripped over a branch along the way. Rainbow, being bored, joined them soon after.

“I think we should steer clear of Blaze,” Starlight shivered. “I think her magic is tied to her emotions… when she got angry, she felt like an alicorn, that wasn’t concealing their true power, was in the room.” Twilight nodded.

“Goodness, that beautiful fox sure does know how to make threats, doesn’t she?” Rarity shivered again.

In Canterlot, the Storm King sat in a prison cell. Across from him was Tempest Shadow. After being tricked by the Royal Pony Sisters, the Storm King found his residence in prison, and was only to be released if he surrendered to Equestria. The process of returning him and Tempest back to their kingdom was in progress… That only made the yeti king furious, while Tempest was still clearly shaken by… Whatever the ponies had done to her. Celestia and Luna were sitting at a tea table, reading over Ostri’s diary again.

“Truly sister, I think you’ve been reading that journal a little too much,” Celestia nudged her younger sister.

“That is exactly what Ostri would call it if we had found this before he disappeared,” Luna said with a humorless giggle. “Why did the two of us have to change? Why did I have to say what I did to Ostri when I first reunited with him?”

Celestia shook her head. “I am not sure… When he threatened to kill us both, I knew we had gone too far. But how do we recover a heart that’s been shattered? How do we regain his trust now? I couldn’t see past who he was beyond what he was, which was a brilliant little pony, with the ability to solve most problems that came his way with ease if he did them his own way. Had he not sent us that letter, Canterlot would still be being bombarded with artillery, and Equestria would still be at war. Perhaps, with Twilight and her friends traveling with Ostri, we can… perhaps get him to give us another chance.”

“Sister, that is a terrible idea… you already had the elements to go out with Ostri during his travels, didn’t you?” Celestia nodded. Luna shook her head and chuckled. “That stallion is going to develop trust issues, and he’s not even twenty four.”

Author's Note

i was really struggling with this chapter. Hence why it took so long. With this story, I want to take my sweet time with it to make sure it’s good. Hopefully it’s up to par.