Surging forward, Anatole swung wide as Ghost shifted his grip on the Yamato. In a split second, he struck my stomach with the base of the sheath, sending a jarring shock through me. I dismissed my sword and seized the scabbard mid-motion, using its momentum to hurl it back at him as I twisted in midair. The sheath hurtled toward him, impossibly snapping the blade back inside before slamming into Ghost's stomach with a resonant thud. The impact sent him skidding across the charred ground, his boots kicking up clouds of dust and debris.

Landing smoothly, I wasted no time. I summoned Anatole once more and launched forward again, determined to press the attack. Ghost, already recovering, yanked the Yamato free with a flash of steel. Our weapons clashed in a dazzling flurry of motion—a sharp, rhythmic dance of blades slicing through the air. Sparks flew like miniature fireworks, raining to the ground as each strike met a perfectly timed parry. Thrusting Anatole with precision, and the tip struck the flat of Ghost's blade with enough force to send him flying backwards.

Sliding to a halt, Ghost dropped to one knee, his breathing ragged. I, standing a short distance away, mirrored his exhaustion, my chest heaving as I tried to steady myself.

"Score one for Percy," I said with a triumphant grin, planting Anatole into the ground and raising a hand, his voice gruffer than usual from the exercise. "I'm up one!"

"Where’d you learn to count?" Ghost shot back, still kneeling as he gestured toward me. "We’re even!"

"What? No way!" I waved him off dismissively, rolling my eyes. "Eris?"

Suddenly blinking to my side from the treeline, the Chimera hovered between us. "A tie."

"Fuck!"

It had been a couple of weeks since my children had returned to my life, and I could hardly contain my happiness. My house staff, who’d been informed of the reunion upon their return from the holidays, seemed quietly thrilled for me. The Elements of Harmony, as expected, wasted no time welcoming them warmly—Pinkie Pie even threw a reunion party, much to no one’s surprise. Eris too, had been welcomed, though only after I had given my word that she was not any danger, unlike her Father. The Royals, despite how much they wanted to visit both their Neice as well as my kids to get to know them better, their attention was unfortunately divided by an onslaught of duties. The Nobles, naturally, had their own reasons for staying aloof, much to the chagrin of everyone involved.

Over the past weeks, I’ve been balancing several responsibilities. Not only was I making up for lost time with my children, helping Eris readjust to life as well as continuing Spike’s training, with my kid's enthusiastic help and Eris's colour commentary. On top of that, I was also helping Ghost adapt to the new powers and upgrades his body had mysteriously acquired since properly activating the Yamato.

It was slow at first as he was hopelessly clumsy—triggering multiple abilities at once and even managing to crash headlong into a tree. Slowly but surely, though, he began to adjust. His mind, lagging at first, started catching up to his enhanced physiology as well as the comparatively rapid healing it now boasted. It wasn’t surprising. My physiology had given me an edge in almost instantly mastering similar changes, but Ghost’s Equestrian biology was a different story altogether. What still puzzled me was the how and why behind the transformation.

"Alright, I think we’ll call it a day," I said, sending Anatole away in a small puff of purple sparks. "You’re improving, G. Nice work."

"It’s still weird," Ghost muttered, sliding the Yamato back into its sheath with a casual yet oddly graceful flourish. "Everything feels...floaty."

"It’ll settle," I assured him, draping an arm across his shoulders while Eris patted him on the shoulder as we started walking away from the battlefield of scorched earth and shattered trees.

Emerging onto the main path, my eyes immediately landed on Spike perched triumphantly atop a newly climbed tree. A grin spread across his face as Neptune, Calise, and Europa watched from below, nodding and smiling in approval. Their expressions spoke volumes, just before Spike lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. Despite the fall, their camaraderie remained unshaken. The three of them turned to me with amused thumbs-ups, clearly proud of his effort.

"Hey, Boss!" Calise called as I made my way over to them.

Standing over Spike—mildly tired but beaming with pride—I couldn’t help but smile myself. He had done it. Spike had reached the top of the Everfree trees with ease and now navigated between trees or solid surfaces effortlessly. To show him just how far he’d come, I decided to up the ante. I led him to Ghastly Gorge and issued a challenge: climb out of the gorge using the same energy control techniques he had worked so hard to master.

He passed the test with flying colours. Though the sheer vertical rock faces gave him pause at first—and my occasional stone-throw distractions nearly tripped him up—Spike instinctively adapted his energy to overcome every obstacle. He climbed the gorge with surprising finesse, barely breaking a sweat. At that moment, I knew the first phase of his training was complete. Truth be told, I had expected this stage to take months, but Spike’s progress exceeded every expectation. It was time to move on to the next chapter of his journey.

"Great job, Spike!" Europa shouted, grinning from ear to ear as he playfully launched himself at Spike, delivering an over-the-top people's elbow.

Spike’s eyes widened in alarm, but he wasn’t fast enough to evade Europa’s antics. "What the fuck, man!?" He wheezed, clutching his stomach as he tried to regain his breath. Europa’s unrestrained laughter echoed across the clearing, joined by the chuckles of Neptune and Calise, who eventually dragged the energetic Lycan off the winded Draconian.

"Get off me!" Spike groaned though the corners of his mouth twitched upward in spite of himself.

Watching the scene unfold, I couldn’t suppress my smile. It warmed my heart to see Spike getting along so well with my kids. Their antics brought a unique lightness to his training while giving him peers who could relate to his challenges, at least mentally as well as their bond making his training feel far less isolating. Twilight, too, seemed at ease with Spike's new environment. Knowing I’d trained others before—and seeing how far they’d come—must have reassured her. Spike’s stamina was another source of comfort. The once-drained Draconian who could barely manage his library chores now had the energy to spare for intense training sessions, housework, and assisting Twilight without missing a beat.

"Grade-A job, wee man," I said, helping Spike to his feet as Calise brushed the dust from his clothes. "I think you’ll be happy to hear I’ve got some good news for you."

Spike looked at me curiously. "What’s up?"

"You’re ready to start the next phase of your training! Congrats on graduating from basic energy control," I said with a proud grin as Eris clapped for him while the others gave him words of approval and praise.

Spike pumped his fists in the air, practically vibrating with excitement. "Finally! What’s next? Are you gonna teach me hand-to-hand combat? Or maybe a secret last-resort technique?"

I chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Not quite. We’re changing locations for a few days," I explained, spinning my finger in a circle to include everyone present. "Think of it as a celebration for finishing basic training and a preview of what’s ahead."

His excitement briefly gave way to confusion. "Wait, we’re going on vacation?"

"Exactly," I said, pulling out a prepared note. "We’re headed to the Bahamas. Send this to Celestia for me," I instructed, handing him the letter. With a shrug, he sent it without hesitation, a burst of green flame whisking it away.

"Oh, this is gonna be an eventful vacation," Eris remarked, already in the know about the destination’s significance from prior conversations.

"What did the note say?" Spike asked.

"Not much," I replied with a shrug. "Just cashing in one of my perks as Paladin. Now go pack—we leave tomorrow."

Spike bolted toward the library, undoubtedly to prepare, leaving me smiling in his wake. Following his lead, I started back toward Ponyville.

"Still wild to me that you’re a Paladin," Neptune said as we walked.

"Hey, surprises are kind of our thing," I replied with a smirk.

Once home, I followed my usual routine, heading straight to the kitchen for a meal—a habit I’d only recently developed thanks to the arrival of my kids, which was made worse by a rather insistent Chimera. Eating consistently had felt strange at first, having gone God knows how long without doing so, but I’d come to appreciate it if only the company it came with. After lunch, we each went to our rooms to prepare for the trip.

I meant what I’d told Spike earlier: this trip would be a blend of rest and training—a glimpse of what was to come. Most importantly, it would be a well-deserved break for all of us. A chance to unwind, recharge, and prepare for the next big steps ahead. It would just be me, my kids, Ghost, Eris, and Spike. And I can finally get a goddamn break and get ready to do absolutely nothing.

As we began packing the essentials, I double-checked my large travel bag, ensuring everything I needed was there. At the same time, I made sure everyone else’s bags were properly packed, going over the small checklist I had made. While we sorted through our belongings, a solid knock sounded at the front door. Walter, as always, was there in an instant to answer it. Rubbing my eyes, I started making my way downstairs.

“Ah, Young Twilight, good to see you,” Walter greeted warmly.

“Who is it?” I asked, stretching my shoulders as I descended.

“It’s—”

“It’s Twilight!” Spike’s voice cut in, interrupting Walter as he stepped aside to let her in. “And she’s not happy!”

“When is she ever?” I quipped dryly, earning a smirk from Walter and a laugh from Eris, who floated near my shoulder—a habit she had picked up not long after moving in.

“Hey!” Twilight exclaimed indignantly from the doorway.

“Is for…horses?” I began to retort, pausing as I finally caught sight of the Unicorn. Twilight stood there, her Draconian brother floating beside her in a magical aura, slowly spinning as he kept his hands out to steady himself. I raised an eyebrow. “Huh. Can’t say I expected to see this today.”

“Spike told me you’re all going on vacation,” Twilight stated firmly. “Why wasn’t I informed?”

“I wasn’t aware Spike needed to fill out a permission slip,” I replied with a smirk, which only deepened her unimpressed expression. “Honestly, I didn’t tell you because I figured you wouldn’t mind. Spike’s been making incredible strides in his training, and I thought some time off would do him good. It’s not just him—it’s something we all need, everyone in this house included.”

“Where exactly are you going?” She asked, her tone still pointed.

I hesitated for a moment before answering, “The Bahamas.”

Twilight nodded slowly, her gaze shifting between me and Spike, who was still floating awkwardly beside her. “Ah,” she said simply, though a mischievous twinkle lit up her eyes a moment later.

“Twilight,” I said, my lips twitching upward into a faint smile.

“What?” she asked innocently.

“I know that look,” I said, narrowing my eyes slightly.

“What look?” she replied, her expression deepening into exaggerated innocence.

“Twilight, I’m the father of six children. I know that look when I see it,” I said, placing a hand on my hip as Eris giggled behind me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Twilight said breezily before giving me a double take. “Wait—six? I thought Europa, Calise, and Neptune were your only kids.”

“Don’t change the subject,” I said, shaking my head with a small sigh. “You’re planning something—I can feel it.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” She said, though her overly innocent smile only deepened. Spike groaned and facepalmed as Twilight added, “But I’ve made up my mind. I think Spike should have a wonderful time with you on your trip.”

Before I could respond, her horn flared with magic, enveloping both herself and her still-rotating brother. Spike looked moments away from losing his breakfast.

“Wait—” He began.

With a flash of purple light and the usual sharp pop of teleportation, the pair disappeared.

Walter smirked but said nothing as he quietly closed the door. Rubbing my eyes, I shook my head and turned back to my packing. Still, I couldn’t help the faint grin tugging at my lips—I had a sneaking suspicion that I’d soon have some confirmation of whatever mischief Twilight was planning.

~~

"Fucking called it."

Spike had shown up at my house right on time and as I suspected, he wasn’t alone. Trailing behind the sheepish Draconian were none other than the rest of the Elements of Harmony, each carrying large bags and buzzing with excitement. Not one to turn away an enthusiastic crowd, I welcomed them warmly as my kids greeted them just as eagerly.

I had a hunch Twilight might pull something like this when she heard Spike was taking a much-deserved getaway. Truthfully, I didn’t mind them tagging along—it was nice, even. Though I would have preferred a little heads-up, their knack for spontaneity wasn’t exactly new. Besides, seeing them interact with Calise, Europa, and Neptune was heartwarming. The way everyone got along made it impossible to say no.

“Dude, this is gonna be sick!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, accepting a drink from one of my staff.

“It’s going to be so much fun!” Pinkie Pie added as she and Europa practically vibrated in unison.

“I can’t wait to see all the beautiful scenery,” Rarity said with a wide grin.

“I’ll admit, I’ve always wanted to go to the Bahamas,” Applejack chimed in, her quiet excitement showing as she rested her chin on Rarity’s head while we waited.

“It’ll be fun,” Fluttershy said softly. “What about you, Eris?”

"Hey, I'm just happy to be out," She replied, stretching her back as she floated nearby. "It'll be nice to get a tan after so many years."

“I’m just here for the coconut water,” Ghost added, his tone subdued, though a flicker of excitement crept in.

As the friends mingled, Twilight sidled up to me, pulling me aside. She looked sheepish, rubbing the back of her neck as her eyes darted around.

“So…I know I kind of dropped this on you without asking,” She began with an awkward laugh. “You’re not mad, are you?”

I draped an arm around her shoulder, glancing over at the lively group, their laughter and chatter filling the room. “Look at them,” I said. “Look how happy they are. How could I be mad at that?”

Then I grinned. “Besides, the more, the merrier!”

As if on cue, a knock at the front door drew everyone’s attention, though the group quickly resumed their chatter. Walter, ever punctual, was already at the door before I could so much as turn my head. I swear that man has some kind of instant transmission. Opening the door, Walter’s usually composed demeanour faltered for a split second—his surprise barely noticeable—before he returned to his usual professionalism.

“Ah, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” He greeted with warmth. “What a pleasure it is to have you here.”

Doing a double take, I watched as the Princesses stepped through the doorway. Their familiar, radiant smiles lit up the room. Celestia raised a hand to halt any bows before they could start.

“Please, that won’t be necessary,” She said gently.

“Princess!” Twilight exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

Celestia’s smile turned sly as she glanced at me. “It’s simple, really—we’re here to join you on your vacation.”

“The more the merrier, no?” Luna added, her grin matching her sister’s.

“Then I don’t suppose you’ll be off immediately, Sir?” Walter asked politely.

I glanced at the Princesses, and they nodded in unison. “Yes, we will,” I replied, turning to my Head Butler. “I’m leaving the house in your more than capable hands, Walter.”

“We’ll man the fort while you’re gone, Sir!” He assured me with a smile, practically shooing us out through the front door. “Now go and enjoy your holiday—you’ve earned it.”

After ensuring we had everything, Walter closed the door behind us as the last of us stepped outside. Looking up at the sky, I spotted a familiar sight: a Skyship. This one was much smaller than the previous two I’d travelled on, clearly built for personal use rather than large-scale voyages.

Before I could say anything, a flash of bright gold engulfed my vision, and in an instant, I found myself standing on the deck of the ship, along with everyone else. The vessel wasn’t overly large but was more than spacious enough for everyone to move about comfortably. Its sleek design suggested speed and comfort—a ship crafted for private use, not practicality.

Setting my bag down on the deck, I made my way to the pointed front of the ship, letting the breeze run through my hair and the small beard I’d grown since Hearth’s Warming. I watched as the landscape below blurred past at astonishing speed. It was far faster than the previous Skyships I’d travelled on. Within an hour, the rolling fields gave way to a vast, brilliant blue ocean, the water stretching endlessly to the horizon.

A strange tension gripped my chest as I gazed out across the waves. My excitement for this vacation mingled with a quiet, almost sombre anticipation. By the end of this trip, I would be reunited with my brother. The thought filled me with giddy anticipation, but a thread of fear ran through it.

Eris and the others left me to my thoughts, though I could feel their eyes on me as they laughed and chatted with my three kids, working to distract them from the same emotions I wrestled with. I silently appreciated their efforts.

“You look tense,” A voice said from behind me. I turned to see Celestia, now dressed in casual, summer-appropriate clothing. The rest of the group followed suit, each wearing outfits that reflected their personal styles. Even Ghost sported something more relaxed—though he kept his signature skull mask, though the black balaclava was replaced with a lighter beige variant, now paired with a pair of sunglasses. The combination was undeniably goofy, but somehow, he managed to pull it off.

"You've been staring out there for the better part of several hours," Celestia said, leaning casually against the railing beside me. "A bit for your thoughts?"

I sighed, my gaze fixed on the endless expanse of blue stretching before us. "Do you want the polite answer or the real one?"

Celestia's soft, motherly smile lit her face as she studied me, her magenta eyes warm with understanding. "Be honest," She said gently, stepping closer to my side and following my gaze to the horizon. "You don’t have to tell me everything—just what you’re ready to share."

A beat of silence passed between us, filled only by the rhythmic sound of the waves below. "Do you know what the strangest part of immortality is, Chief?" I asked quietly.

"What’s that?" She prompted, her tone tender.

"No matter how much time goes by, I can’t ever seem to shake feelings like these," I admitted, my voice subdued. "I could be as old as time and still feel this gnawing uncertainty. This…fear," A small, rueful smile tugged at my lips. "I suppose I should thank whatever cruel gods gave me these powers that I haven’t lost my mind entirely."

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat before I finally whispered, "I’m scared, Celestia. Not for myself—but for him. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I can’t undo what they did to him? I lost him once, and I can’t bear the thought of losing him again."

Celestia listened silently, her expression softening as I spoke. When I finished, she reached out, her hand resting lightly on my arm. "I know that feeling all too well," She said softly. "It was the same with Luna. I was terrified—confused, uncertain. But more than that, I was hopeful. Excited. Even…nervously eager. Those emotions, all tangled together, reminded me I was still alive. They kept me grounded, even when everything else felt like chaos."

Her hand slid down to take mine, her grip firm yet comforting. "You’ve done extraordinary things before, Percival. This will be no different. You’ll get him back."

I closed my eyes, drawing in a slow, deep breath before exhaling just as deliberately. "Thank you," I murmured.

"Of course, my friend," She replied, her voice warm as she cupped my cheek. "It's what I'm here for."

I opened my eyes, a faint grin breaking through the tension. "Motivational speeches?"

"Something like that," Celestia chuckled softly, her thumb brushing lightly over the short, but thick beard on my jawline. "You need a shave," She teased.

Rolling my eyes, I gently took her hand away with a chuckle of my own. "I think it gives me an air of dignity," I said, tilting my chin up in mock offence.

Her laugh was bright and melodic. "Dignity, you say? Hmm, I’m not so sure."

"Oh, whatever," I said, a playful glint in my eyes, "Speaking of dignity, whatever happened to that Princess from Saddle Arabia?"

Celestia’s smile faltered just slightly, replaced by a flicker of curiosity. "You don’t know? I thought you’d have been informed."

"I’ve been a little busy lately," I replied, the weight of my earlier thoughts still lingering in the background.

"That you have," Celestia said with a knowing smile and a nod. "Princess Amira has been staying in the castle," She informed me. "Unfortunately, our attempts to contact our allies in the East have still been unsuccessful. Most ships remain anchored, and even more are hesitant to set sail. While many have heard of your exploits, most remain reluctant to weigh anchor."

"Still?" I asked, leaning back against the railing as the wind tousled my hair. "It's been a month since I fought the Kraken. You'd think someone would be bold enough to make the journey by now."

"Something as immense as this Kraken, as you call it, has left even the bravest sailors uneasy—especially the more superstitious ones," Celestia replied. "Fear like that doesn’t dissipate overnight. It takes time."

"What about the Saddle Arabians?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Wouldn't they send someone to search for their Princess?"

"Not necessarily," Celestia said. "While her people undoubtedly adore her—and she is the sole heir of Saddle Arabian Throne—they may lack the resources to mount a search effort."

"You think they might be short on ships? Or supplies and other necessities for a long voyage?" I asked.

"Potentially both," She said, her gaze drifting off into the distance as if lost in thought. "It’s also possible they’re dealing with other challenges."

"Like demons still harassing them?" I suggested, voicing what was likely on her mind. "That makes sense. And we can’t really draw conclusions without solid evidence."

"Exactly. That’s why we sent a special task force to Saddle Arabia with two objectives," Celestia explained. She turned to face me, and I raised a curious eyebrow. "The first objective is to establish contact with anyone who might have news about what’s been happening in the East. The second is to offer assistance where it’s needed and provide relief until they can return with any valuable information."

"Hm," I murmured thoughtfully, considering the situation. "How long ago did you send this team?"

"About a week after your return from your last voyage," Celestia answered. "I wanted to ensure they had sufficient defences to survive an encounter should run into one," She added. "Since they’re likely travelling at a slower pace than you and flying higher where the air is thinner, it could take them three weeks just to reach the Eastern continent."

"So, based on that time frame, they should already be there and might have even gotten the information," I said quietly, lightly chewing my lip. "Who knows? They might even be on their way back. All we can do is pray for their safe return," I added. Then, with a frown, I asked, "I just realized, why haven't I seen or heard anything about Jasmine? That seems like the kind of news Canterlot Times would be buzzing about. Hell, even Twilight hasn’t mentioned a word to me."

Celestia nodded solemnly. "There are several reasons for that. I wanted to protect Jasmine’s privacy and I instructed Luna to ensure that none of the Guards, servants, or medical staff would reveal anything about her stay in Canterlot."

I studied her face, sensing there was more to the story. "I feel like there’s an and coming," I said, raising an eyebrow.

Celestia glanced briefly at the group some distance away. They were still caught up in their own antics, now managing to rope Luna into their mischief. Turning back to me, she crossed her arms and sighed.

"She won’t leave her room," She admitted. "Jasmine has been completely silent, refusing to talk to anyone. Even when we told her we were sending word to her father, she didn’t seem excited. It’s like the life has been drained out of her. She eats and drinks well enough, but getting her to speak—or even make a sound—is... another matter entirely."

"Well, that’s not concerning at all," I muttered sarcastically, tapping my chin. "Maybe I should try talking to her at some point."

Celestia's expression brightened slightly, and she gave me a small smile. "That’s not a bad idea. If no one else, she might be willing to talk to her saviour. We made sure she was informed about the events that led to her arrival in Canterlot. So at the very least, she knows who you are."

"But enough about business! We're here to relax, aren't we?" She smiled, her demeanour suddenly brightening. "We should be arriving soon. Our escorts will be waiting at the landing pad."

"Already?" I asked, furrowing my brow in surprise. "How'd we get here so fast—wait, did you say landing pad?"

As the words left my mouth, the ship jerked abruptly, signalling our descent.

"I swear to God, my timing is impeccable," I muttered, smacking my forehead with a loud slap.

Several things happened at once. First, nearly everyone on board stumbled or fell from the sudden jolt, though Ghost only wobbled slightly. I was pleased to see that not only did my kids hold steady, but Spike also managed to keep his footing alongside me and the princesses. This feat didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the passengers, who turned to stare at the two of us. I could tell Spike was unconsciously channelling energy into his feet to stay balanced.

Spike, oblivious to the attention, glanced around in confusion while I simply smiled at him with pride. The three siblings nearby whispered quiet words of praise, which only added to his bewilderment.

Celestia shot me a quick smile before joining her sister, and together they disappeared into the hold below. Turning back to the railing, I spotted a set of large islands coming into view. A wide grin spread across my face at the sight.

"Land ho!" Pinkie shouted behind me just as two sudden weights slammed into my back. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Pinkie and Eris clinging to me, both peering around curiously as the rest of their friends approached, giggling at their antics.

"Aw, man," Pinkie pouted.

"What in tarnation were ya hopin' would happen?" Applejack asked, raising a sceptical eyebrow.

"Probably to get him to fall into the water," Calise suggested as she adjusted her glasses.

"But…why?" Twilight asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Shits and giggles," Europa chimed in. "It’s what I’d do."

"I'm surprised you didn't join them," Neptune commented knowingly.

"They beat me to the punch," Europa shrugged.

I raised an eyebrow at the pair on my back. "Still wanna try?"

Pinkie and Eris both nodded enthusiastically, their grins stretching wider. "Fall," Pinkie growled in a low, gravelly voice.

Sighing, I turned to the rest of the group. "I’ll meet you all down there. Keep an eye on things for me, will you, Ghost?"

Ghost gave a quick nod and a small salute, and with that, I stepped up to the wooden railing and promptly leapt backwards as we plummeted toward the water. Mid-air, I twisted slightly to ensure I’d take the brunt of the impact. Moments later, we hit the water with a loud splash. Swimming to the surface was easy despite my drenched clothes and the two extra bodies still latched onto me. As we broke through the surface, Pinkie and Eris gasped for air in dramatic unison before collapsing into fits of laughter.

"That was awesome!" Eris exclaimed.

"We have to do that again!" Pinkie agreed eagerly.

I shook my head, a mix of exasperation and amusement crossing my face. "Just when I thought things couldn’t get more out of hand," I said. "Now there’s two of them."

"Are you three okay?"

Looking up, I saw the familiar face of Soarin peering down at us as I treaded the calm sea, the pair of chaotic beings still clinging to my back.

"Oh, shit," I blurted out, startled. "Long time no see, Lieutenant. How’ve you been?"

"Can’t complain, Sir," Soarin replied with a casual shrug. "Though, from what I hear, the same can’t exactly be said for you."

"You can say that again," I nodded, adjusting the two mischief-makers latched onto me. "But yeah, we’re fine. These two just wanted to go for a little ride."

"It was awesome!" Eris exclaimed, repeating her earlier sentiment, while Pinkie nodded so vigorously I thought her head might pop off.

Soarin raised an eyebrow at me, glancing at the two on my back. "That’s what happened?" He asked, surprised at my simple explanation. "The Captain’s not gonna like that," He added, his tone completely nonchalant.

"Which Captain are we talking about here?" I asked.

"Captain Spitfire and Fleetfoot," Soarin clarified. "They went to investigate the airship after we saw you fall from it. She wanted to make sure you weren’t under attack, so they’re handling the ship while I was sent to pull you out—if you needed it." He looked around, sighing. "And from the looks of things, you might. Unless you can walk on water or fly, I’m gonna have to get a boat."

"It just so happens-" I said with a smirk, "-that I can."

"Can what?"

"Yes," I replied simply. Then, focusing my energy into my hand, foot, pegleg, and knees, I pushed upward, climbing out of the water as though it were solid ground. Soarin’s jaw dropped as I stood there, still despite the rippling water below me, while Pinkie and Eris disentangled themselves from my back to gawk at our surroundings.

"Yo, is there anything you can’t do?" Eris demanded, her voice full of wonder.

"Jeebus," Pinkie whispered in awe.

The two of them started wriggling across me like snakes, inching upward. It felt strange, but I ignored it as Soarin stared, utterly dumbfounded. Eventually, Eris perched herself on my shoulders while Pinkie climbed onto hers—a precarious tower of chaos—and, somehow, they both weighed less than a feather.

"That...what-you...alright," Soarin muttered, giving up on making sense of it all with a shrug. He fell in step beside me, hovering close to me as I began walking.

"So, where are we headed?" I asked, glancing down at my drenched clothes clinging to me uncomfortably.

"There’s a cabin just on the tree line along the beach," He said, gesturing toward the island ahead, a comparatively small distance away from the largest of the cluster.

Squinting, I could just make out a faint blot on the shore—likely our destination. Above us, the airship was already approaching the same area, lowering and coming to a halt just beyond the tree line, where I could only assume the landing pad was. Fast thing, that ship.

"Is that the main island?"

"No, that's the main island there," Soarin replied, pointing off to a much larger island off to our right.

"Good to know," I said, rolling my shoulder and flexing my back. "Well, let’s not keep them waiting."

"I think that's a—"

Before Soarin could finish, I flared my wings out in a burst of glowing purple energy. His wings sputtered slightly as he stumbled back in the air in surprise, his eyes widening as Eris let out an exaggerated gasp. Pinkie, having seen them before, barely spared them a glance, her focus locked on the island as her grin stretched impossibly wide. With a single powerful flap, I jumped into the air, sending waves rippling outward.

Hovering mid-air, I turned to the still-stunned Soarin and flashed him a toothy grin.

"Race you?"

Snapping out of his daze, Soarin’s face lit up with an eager smirk. "Oh, you’re on."

"Girls," I called, catching their attention as they peered down at me from above. "Count us down. Oh, and you might want to hold on."

The pair nodded vigorously, hunkering down. Pinkie latched onto Eris's shoulders while the Chimera gripped mine with clawed hands.

"On three," I instructed.

"One."

"Two."

"THREE!"

With a deafening bang, I shot forward in an explosive burst of speed, the wind screaming past us. Pinkie and Eris tumbled backwards, clutching onto my peg leg for dear life as their faces peeled back comically while they cackled like maniacs. The island ahead loomed larger and larger, the crystalline water spraying up in a dazzling arc behind us as I rocketed across the waves.

Before long, the sandy shore of our destination rushed up to meet us. I ascended sharply into the air, letting my wings go limp as gravity pulled us back down toward the white sands. At the last second, I flared my wings, slowing our descent. Pinkie and Eris released my leg, landing unceremoniously on their butts. They high-fived each other with unrestrained glee before collapsing in fits of laughter, clutching their sides.

I landed gracefully and took a moment to wait, feeling my pegleg bury itself slightly into the sand. It wasn’t long before Soarin came in for a landing, his expression one of pure disbelief as his wide eyes darted between me and the path we’d just travelled.

"Holy shit," he blurted, folding his wings behind him as mine vanished in a small flash of purple light. "I... I've never seen anyone move like that."

"What can I say?" I replied, clapping him on the shoulder. As we strolled along the beachfront, my peg leg sank into the sand, forcing an awkward, uneven gait as Pinkie and Eris trailed along behind us, still brimming with excitement. "I'm built different."

Soarin gave me a sceptical look but grinned. "Hard to believe you're my superior," he muttered, then quickly corrected himself. "Uh—I mean—"

"Relax," I said with a chuckle, giving him a playful slap on the chest. "You’re not the first to think it."

He exhaled in relief, smiling at my casual response, and soon led us toward our destination. It wasn’t a long walk.

"And here we are," Soarin announced, gesturing ahead.

The sight stopped me in my tracks. The place was enormous—easily sixty or seventy feet from the waterline and towering like a castle. Hell, it might as well have been one. It was three stories tall with an expansive balcony that spanned the entire second floor, complete with a pool on top. I could only assume Celestia and Luna owned this "cabin." The size practically screamed royal extravagance. The double doors at the entrance looked more like gates.

"Well, that’s subtle," I muttered as we stepped inside.

The interior was just as grandiose as the exterior. Though the outside seemed massive, the inside somehow felt even larger, with high ceilings and sprawling open spaces. Rainbow Dash could probably fly full speed in here without knocking anything over. My eyes drifted upward, catching sight of the third floor, which seemed to be one massive room.

"Three guesses who’s sleeping up there," I thought with a smirk.

I let out a low whistle, genuinely impressed. "Nice digs," I said, nodding appreciatively as Pinkie and Eris ran off to find the others.

"Glad you approve," Celestia's familiar voice called out.

I looked up to see her leaning over the railing on the third floor. "Called it," I thought smugly.

"About time you got here!" Rainbow Dash hollered from the second floor.

"Blame the two chaos gods!" I shot back. "They're the ones who tackled me off the ship! Not my fault! Hell, I wasn't even that long!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever old man!" Calise chimed in, appearing beside Rainbow. "Hurry up and get changed so we can hit the beach!"

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose with a wry smile. "You’re so much like your mother, I swear."

Celestia chuckled at my exasperation. "Your room is on the first floor, just under the staircase," She informed me. "We took the liberty of moving your belongings there."

"Under the stairs? Who am I, Harry Potter?" I thought but gave her a thumbs-up. "Thanks! The beach sounds like a great idea—even if I already took a dip," I added, muttering the last part to myself.

"And just to be clear!" I called, addressing everyone. "I’m a married man—no peeking from me! Can’t make the same promise about the rest of you, though!"

"I didn't know you were married, Sir," Soarin said as we made our way to our rooms.

"Now you do," I replied with a casual shrug. "You'll also meet a small Viseran, a Lycan, and a big Draconian. They're my kids."

Soarin stopped in the short hallway that connected the main foyer to our accommodations. He looked at me with the same bewildered expression he'd worn earlier when I summoned my wings. "You just keep getting more and more interesting."

"Stick around," I said with a wink. "I’m full of surprises."

When we reached our room, I saw that it was massive—so much so that "living room with beds thrown inside" felt like a more accurate description. Inside, Ghost, Europa, Neptune, and Spike were already there. Spike, however, seemed oblivious to our arrival. As the others opened their mouths to greet me, I brought a finger to my lips to signal for silence. Walking quietly over to Spike, I stopped just behind him, a sly smirk playing on my lips.

"Boo!"

Spike let out a high-pitched squeak, practically leaping to the ceiling. Whatever he’d been holding tumbled from his hands as he jumped to his feet, his spines bristling like a startled cat. The room erupted into laughter—even Ghost couldn’t hold back. Realizing it was only me, Spike relaxed, though his unimpressed glare remained firmly in place.

"Really?" he said flatly.

"You’re my newest student. Expect more of this and worse, young Padawan!" I grinned wide. "Speaking of, before you get too comfortable, it’s time for a taste of what’s to come in your training."

Spike hesitated. "What’re we doing?" he asked as Europa and Neptune exchanged knowing looks.

"Spoilers!" I shouted with mock offence, causing him to flinch again. Turning to Soarin, who was still watching us with curiosity, I added, "Go find us a boat—Spike and I need it ASAP for his first demonstration."

With a sharp salute, Soarin took off, leaving the room. Meanwhile, I began drying off, steam curling in the air around me. Ignoring the others' amused looks, I stripped down to change into more casual clothing, deciding to wear cargo shorts and a loose-fitting white shirt. Only Spike seemed remotely flustered, though he said nothing. Once I was ready, I motioned for him to follow, and he did, with the rest of the group trailing close behind.

"Seriously though," Spike said, walking beside me, "what are we doing?"

"You, my boy-" I replied with a smirk, "-will be doing as Jesus once did."

"...Who’s Jesus?"

Author's Note

And so I notch another chapter on my 2025 belt and I have to say, I'm loving how everything is turning out, I never imagined I'd get this far

Please point out any mistakes I may have made
Constructive criticism is always appreciated
Until next time, TTFN!