The hollow cry of air bristling past my ears and the swift scent of nature were my only guiding lights to an exit amidst the cave darkness. My steps were small and close in between by nature - I didn't want to fall.

Small droplets fell periodically from a stalactite - at least I assume they were falling from one - but that strained thin as the sound and smell of leaves became clearer to me. Since when have they been this sharp?

...

It would've been a wonder if the crew was here, we could set up a lamp or two and play a big game of hide-n'-seek! It would've been a wonder not to have intruded into private rooms and gotten sent Lun- 06 knows wher-

Light! The whole cave grew brighter in a heartbeat, dull darkness died down to a silver light revealing gray stones and multiple gems on the walls, ceiling, and even floor which further reflected light to slay the darkness. There are so many gems in here! Maybe I could get some with Jet to bring them back to Mom.

Mom...

A sigh escaped my mouth followed by a gasp- I could exhale dream gas as easily as, well, sighing! Even that got 'better' for worse. I held my breath and tried to reach for a feeling in my chest to close a valve, then exhaled even more dream gas.

Okay, calm down and think straight Catnap. Remember what Dad told me, this is supposed to work as a third lung that I actually have control of, closing it should feel like puffing my chest or something. I held my breath and puffed my chest, for sure the valve had closed, right? And sure enough, I exhaled and all that came out was... What Bubba said it was? Car boon something something? That thing other than oxygen- Whatever, that doesn't matter, let's exit this dump!

Once I caught my step I felt enough energy to jog all the way to the exit and further home! That is, if the mouth of the cave wasn't covered by vines with very pointy, not friend-shaped thorns.

The only thing separating me from my hour of joy were those vines, very thorny vines. Maybe I could just run through them, I- No. Just no. Hanging too much with Baba Chops must have brought me some unsightly thoughts. I reach a paw for the vines and I quickly withdraw, a small red dot rising at the point of my finger. No thorn had any right to be this sharp!

Is that why nopony came over here? Murderous thorns? D- Does this mean I'm stuck here in an underground cave forever? I mean, only a stalwart crazy mule would ever try to-

~Clip-clop-~

No way... "Hey! Look at this cave I just found, let's explore-" No fuc-frickin' way.

"Nah, look at these thorns lad, they'd skewer us!" Two voices, one young and the other older-

~Clip-clop-clip...~

Wait, wait, wait! Don't leave!

I inhale, "Help!" I take it back! Only intelligent, handsome, and awesome stalwart critters would find this cave entrance inviting! Their trots halted, and then...

~Clip-clop-~

YES! I got their attention, now if they have something to cut these vines, freedom will be mine!

Any moment now... Please say something, this silence is giving me goosebumps "G-ghost- Ow!"

CLAP!

"Shut up rascal, it could be a demon!" Ouch. Hooves can be very painful, I would know after the sketchbook incident... Crafty sure draws a lot of things. Ahem, forget that - I need to clear this misunderstanding.

"I-Im not a demon!"

"That's what a demon would say!"

"No- That's what a critte- Pony would say!"

"See, his tongue slipped! He's a demon-"

"W-wait!" Think you stupid feline-! How the heck can I prove to them that I am a critter and no pony-eating demon- Wait, that's just it! "W-would a demon be able to meow as nicely as I?" I clear my throat, "Meow~!"

"...That is the weirdest thing I have heard today." WHAT?! That was the meowest meow I ever meowed!

Alright, plan B: Try to de-escalate the situation with a joke! "I-I purred my whole heart into it!"

...That was horrible!

"That was horrible. Can we leave?" Nonononono-

"No, sonny." Thank you, oh thank you!

"Why?"

"We need'ta get the fellian outta there." Yes! I could repair the whole of Playcare right about now! No, forget that, I can probably beat Candy-Kat in a sweet-eating competition or win a race against Hoppy!

... Never mind that's too far-fetched.

The sound of clip-clops shifting in mud played with my nerves like guitar strings and it felt like the best anxiety-inducing soundtrack- for the love of Luna just get me out of here already!

Then silence. They wouldn't leave me here, would they? The old fellow did say he couldn't leave but what if he changed his mind and his son was insistent on leaving so-

~Katching~

Silver light fully flooded in its full brilliance, the scent, and sound of the forest hit like a truck, I could feel it at the roof of my mouth - no, wait, that's normal for me.

The crickets and fireflies danced in the woodland theater behind a brown mule and an honest to 06 old stallion with gray as his everything, except the adventurer's hat and that patented archeology shirt that were brownish.

After the cruel vines born with natural daggers had been slain, I carefully walked toward my saviors with open arms and, "What are'ye?!" He swung his machete and I took a precautious step back, the mule did the same while the stallion stood his ground. The mule shivered with the wind and I tilted my head and then looked back at my fur dyed red with blood and it clicked.

I looked back at the floating machete and the magical grip faintly vanished before coming back, sweat beads formed on his forehead- isn't sweating a unique trait to humans? How weird. For once I feel like splashing all over the mud and breathing the fresh outside air, the tree trunks, I want to touch all of them! Yet, if I do so and take any step forward the result would be Swiss cheese Catnap. I'm content with only Luna's moonlight for now.

I feel oddly calm to somecritter who has a knife under their neck- If anything I should be shivering or pissing myself, but it feels so... Calm like it's a normal occurrence. Has this happened before? No, it hasn't. "W-what are'ye!!" And I think I know the why, - these memories... But now isn't the time.

If only my throat didn't feel so dry, "My name is Catnap." I take a step forward and my saviors take several backward, the chill breeze suddenly doesn't feel as comfortable, "I won't do anything to you." And neither I am dumb enough to throw paws with somepony with a knife. Not that I want to.

Both look at each other dead in the eyes before turning to me once again "You don't look friendly." If he complained about the eyes I'd be mad, but I know what the problem is. "Your fur is caked in blood."

"Oh." Maybe hoping that they overlooked that was a bit much?

The stallion inched closer- c'mon think of an explanation! "I-I just hit my head really hard!" I knew Simon Smoke how to be expressive classes were a scam! I want my twenty bucks back!

Well, I was the only one attending it... I still want them back!

His magic grip tightened around the blade and his eyes lost the spark of empathy, a shiver ran down my spine as an old memory resurfaced when other critters didn't treat me like a person but as a monster, a boogeycat. A-a killer. "How many of your own have you killed and eaten?" He inched forward, the mud squished under his hoof.

"None, I would nev-"

"Lies!" He stopped walking but his blade kept coming forward, thirsty. "If you hadn't done anything, why in Celestia's name would you look like that!?" I was born this way? "You're an aberration, a freak of nature." I-

Am I?

His blade went for a lunge to skew me, it seemed so slow but yet, it nearly hit me. I looked back to the cave and the darkness welcomed me with open arms- Another swing, transversal down, this time took a few steps backward. I'm not a killer, I never killed anycritter- I-

Mares, stallions, foals. Dilacerated and gutted with their vitals flooding out, tainting the green with dark red- Those aren't my memories, I'm no killer! I'm...

I don't know.

Another slash toward my torso and for a second I thought I had avoided it completely but then came to mild pain, it hadn't cut deep. But the pain gave way to a fact more important than the question of me being a killer or not.

I don't want to die. Everything slowed down even further, each speckle of dust became perceptible and so did his magic, a nearly imperceptible thread connecting his telekinesis to the weapon. It doesn't matter as I inhale the largest amount of air my lungs can support, envisioning quantity rather than quality, I immediately let it all out.

Everything, everywhere in front of me became crimson red, "Cough- Cough, cough!" A fit of coughs, gasping for air, and then the machete dropping followed by two other drops in the mud, leaving nothing but the familiar unfamiliar feeling of REM right in front of me, its warmth tempting as a shelter in a snowstorm and the smell was irresistible as a steaming stake out of the grill.

They forced me to do this, it isn't my fault- it isn't my fault! They would've killed me if I had done nothing- they tried to deny me the chance to see my friends again, so it isn't my fault!

Breathe in, exhale, repeat. Slowly.

My insides were on fire my lungs were a blazing hell, my head felt bloated like a balloon. I stopped thinking further once I realized that and instead I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled then repeated again and again until I felt better.

Those memories aren't mine, as long as I remember who I am everything is fine.

The smell of the ocean was a gentle guide to a moonlit shore, it was colder near the sea but quieter and peaceful. The Eternity Bridge stood great and strong far away with its sage bricks barely reflecting any light.

Equally cold as the night, if not more, was the seawater. Thick or thin fur meant nothing when drenched, it always became messy. Red tainted the waters as I washed my blood away, paw prints dragged in the shore and further at the woodlands close to the Eternity Bridge, a clearing back to Stableside stood. I had once abominated taking showers, yet I can't find myself leaving these cold waters.

These past days were tiring. One conflict after the other, mistakes side by side, but at least there is a friend to talk to. I need to go back, even if I want to have a break that would be abandoning my friends, to stop moving would be the same as that as well. I need to go back and find the forest where the almanac might b- is.

...I want to go back as fast as I can but I don't want to leave Jet, she is a friend too and every friend should stay together.

I dried myself like Dogday would and moved on to Stableside, my mind full of doubts, all the way my decisions being questioned, and even with my best efforts I couldn't avoid that single thought: 'What if I had just stayed in bed that night?' This world is so similar yet it feels so alien, a few days ago I was playing tag with my friends or talking about how creepy Miss Delight is, fooling around with Dogday, racing with Kickin', cooking with Picky, studying with Bubba... I miss all of them. Sometimes lay under the sun and sleep or explore the outskirts and find a cool spot to take everycritter on a picnic... And I'm tired.

Luna above and her stars shared their light, I found myself staring at them for a brief instant before continuing. Past Eternity Bridge, the canopy of trees slowly diminished, past Jam's place, houses of wood sustained by promises of money and dreams flourished. There, in the house of a friend, I knocked twice.

She could be sleeping, and if that is true, I will stay outside to set things straight. The door clicks open and both I and Jet stare at each other, crickets were enough to accentuate the silence, then... Is she crying?

In a classic Jet way, she hugged faster than my eyes could conceive and I reciprocated, her wings were a mess and her mane was even more a bird's nest than usual, what a way to go Catnap, you got her worried! Her eyes were so red, what a great friend I am.

Jet was the one to let go of the hug, her eyes bleary, tired, worried, a croaked voice came from her, "Come in and tell me. Everything." I nodded and walked inside, everything was just the same as the first day I arrived, besides the smaller dish mountain. The room was lit by a single, dying-out candle placed on a table inside the kitchen.

Jet sat on the couch and I followed. My head hurt a little when I tried to recall everything and when I did, another moment of silence followed for me to make memories into words then, I spoke. "After I got flung by that thing, I lost consciousness and woke up in an underground cave, then the exit was blocked and a stallion and a mule helped me out... Though they mistook me as a demon-"

"What?! Are you okay-" Jet hastily checked every part of my body but sighed finding only a single shallow cut. "No nibs nor gashes and... You got a bit bigger?" That's rather a normal side-effect of the first circuit. Although I'm glad they are barely perceptible under my fur. Oh colts, I recall of a friend that got so muscular after the first circui- Not my friend. Focus, not the time.

"Anyway, those two thought I was a demon and I had to put them to sleep." Jet's eyes widened.

Jet wings flustered wide open, all the semblance of tiredness disappearing. "S-sleep?!"

*"Nonono, I mean sleep sleep not the other insinuation."*

Slightly less agitated, she raised an eyebrow and I, in turn, took in a small breath and then looked in the opposite direction of Jet to let out a small puff of red smoke. "...You've been smokin'?"

Never-ever! Mom would kill me if I did! "It's a gas that I can make, mom said we had a small organ connected to our lungs that makes this possible."

"Like magic?" Jet's eyes widened.

"It's more like, uh, swinging my tail, so it surely doesn't feel magical for me."

Should I tell her about arcanism? It's unbelievable if anything...

Cool people never have anything to hide!

I shifted on the couch a little and looked at my paws. They're the paws of a friend, her friend. And friends never keep important secrets from each other, she told me of her past so I will tell her of mine. "I also learned some arcane arts at the cave."

"Catnap, this is serious!" The pegasi perked up away from the couch and glared at me, "I'm not gonna believe ya if your reasoning involves pseudo-magic!" Arcane arts have becomed pseudo-magic? Does this mean no critter practices it anymore?

Then, what can I say? Wait, wait. If I can prove to her it's real then... I have enough Life to use my main ability but that would mean to control somepony or store REM which is inherently invisible for non-practitioners of Lunaris Dreamer. There should be an auxiliary technique, even if wasteful, to show her. "We're friends, Catnap. And friends are supposed to trust each other..."

Digging through many memories from auxiliary techniques came one particular that is quite attention-seeking. Spark is the name and its function, I don't even know why this one exists. Jet rubbed her eyes and said with the most honest to god 'it's this obvious' voice, "E-Even if something bad did happen in that cave... I thought you w-would tell me..!" Burn Life to create a single, insignificant spark. Sorry for making you doubt me Jet, here comes a spark!

I point my index finger up, bye-bye whatever Life I managed to recover in the meantime. I think of the time I nearly died some time ago and Life flowed, I remembered a time when I felt happy and energetic, and then Life followed my emotions and memories flowing towards my finger and out, burning and manifesting as a single, bright, and short-lived spark.

Briefly illuminating everything, then dying out. "W-what was that?!" Everything blurs and I have to force myself to not faint. It took way more than I thought, but that should do it, "Are you okay?!" Plus Jet made sure to shake out all the lingering numbness out of me.

"I'm-" Breath in, and do not faint. "I'm fine. That was an arcane art."

Jet stared at me like a first-grader taking a peek at a tenth-grader math book. "For real?" I nod.

Phew, that was hard. I think it was the right thing to do to tell her... But that isn't all, is it? I need to look back, as much as it hurts.

"But it looked just like magic... But fellians can't do magic..." Jet sat down back on the couch, her eyes still teary but not on the verge of crying anymore. I need to show that I trust her.

I need to show to Dogday that I can look back.

Silence stained the room, I stared at the dancing flame left on the candle - the warmth it spread, even if I wasn't near enough to feel it, I could imagine it. Warmth, happiness, joy, all of it reminds me of my friends... I just need to step back a little, turn around then say it. Just speak about them, you love them don't you Catnap?! J-just speak about them!

It isn't that hard. Just words- do it!

Do it! "J-Jet, I want to talk about something."

"Hm?" Jolting awake from her trance, her hooves shifted and ears raised, her full attention on me. "Shoot."

I take in a deep breath and all my words fall apart in my throat, a small grunt is all I could make. Jet tilted her head.

Syllable by syllable I picked it all up in my head, and once again ready to speak I stagger but not break down. I pushed the words out. "I-I did something stupid." It came as a barely audible whisper, but Jet's ears swiveled, she heard it. My voice picks up in pace and volume, "At my friend's place, we were having a sleepover and I couldn't sleep, I thought it would be fine to wander a little and see the places my friend strictly told me not to."

I took a large breath and spat it all out as fast as I could, "And I stole a book that got me here in this world and got myself nearly eaten by monstrous animals and I left my friends behind abandoning them and I don't know a way back- T-they are the best and I probably made them worried and now I don't know anymore" My last words came out with an exhale, "I feel terrible."

"I-I feel a terrible friend, a terrible critter that stole from his own friend I-"

"It's not your fault."

"B-but-"

Jet opens her hooves for a hug, "Did'ja knew 'bout what that place or the magic book did? If you did you wouldn't have touched it, and if anything, you nabbed it out of curiosity-" Desperation. "And would've put it back right after that was satiated, wouldn't'cha?"

I shrug it off, "But I did it out of desperation if I stayed still and waited till morning-"

Jet insisted, "Exactly you did out of desperation, you weren't in your best state of mind."

My whole body felt limp, "But they are good friends, they kept with me even when I was a jerk and I didn't even consider what the consequence of my actions would be- I'm a te-"

Jet hugs me, "Catnap, stop. If anypony told me you were a terrible friend, I'd give them a piece of my mind and hoof - for Celestia's sake, you are the most empathic fellian I ever met! You care about others and you help others when they're in trouble. Like those fellians friends you made!"

"I'm..I-"

"You're a good creature. A good friend. Don't let'cha convince yourself otherwise."

T-then why..! "Why I don't feel like I am!? It doesn't make sense- none of it does, everything they have done for me, helped me, it doesn't feel enough! I don't feel like I have done enough and it all makes me feel... bad. I just want to be like them, but I can't!"

"I can't do shit right, no matter what I do it never feels fucking enough and- and it hurts so much..."

"It digs deep into my chest, and I dig for answers that aren't there. I want to smile with them but I can't bring myself to it, I love them but every way I show it doesn't feel enough, I hat-"

!

Jet pressed her hooves against my paws, which were inches away from a bad scratch on my face- Oh. "I-I'm sorry-" What type of normal critter would even try to do something like that, I'm an aberration-

"Don't be. Tartarus, I know I can't make you feel better, but you shouldn't fool yourself, you're a good friend. My best friend, and only one left..." Jet... "So, Catnap, even if you don't feel like that you're a good friend, a good creature, know that I'd bet my life that you are." She smiled, "And that is worth sumethin', isn't it?" Yes, yes it is.

But it doesn't matter how much trust you have in me, Jet. But I can't- I don't know. I- don't feel it, even when everycritter said the same thing, that I'm good, empathic - I don't feel it! Am I supposed to just trust what they say-

Friends always trust each other!

...

I- I might not be able to feel like a better critter but if my friends say I am, then I must be. Friends would never lie to each other.

So...

"What do you think of me? As a friend."

She smiled, "I think of a friend who is a good listener and cares about those around. A kind-hearted, silent fellian."

~Haah.~

Then that is who I am. Thank you.

Jet's muzzle scrunched up as she began tapping the arm of the couch, "I need'ta tell you about that demon." What about it? The bridge and the surroundings looked fine enough so- "Those fellians that you talked about probably died."

W-what? "Besides a few lucky creatures, all that was on the bridge bucked the bucket." E-even..? "Most creatures left are moving back to Hoofington since Celestia put a halt to this project-"

"W-what about Shadow Sport, her sister and-" Jet looked away-

No. Nonono-

Why? "...They're gone." They had dreams, hopes, and family- what happened to those? They can't just be dead! "Most of the bodies were... Inseparable. Celestia cremated them and sent their ashes to their families." T-They can't be..! They can't just be... Gone...

Jet looked back at me and gasped, she glanced around before finally settling down for a hug.

"I want to leave."

Jet nodded and sighed, "Well go today morning to Fillydelphia-" Then something clicked in my head.

"They didn't work!" Jet raised an eyebrow, "The critters I talked about to you!

The pegasi jolted out of the hug with wide eyes and open wings "Really?" I nod and Jet smiles, "Not is all bad then... Hah." She looked down at me then sighed, "I wonder if I could've done more."

Before I could say anything Jet fell asleep, emphasis on fell as she was on top of me. Is this how they feel when I take a nap on their lap? Then I guess this is karma... Well, what can I do besides sleep as well? I gently push her face away from mine, close my eyes and earnestly hope for sleep to come.

Hot, it was so hot. The sun's rays permeated heat through every building this summer, beating every aspect of a 'good day' to a pulp, so much so that even school had called a day off due to the heatstroke of a day today is. Summer vacation was a week away, and with all school work practically done we were supposed to watch a movie in class... This enormous fireball in the sky forsook my poor hours of extra sleep! One day, I'll have my revenge...

But until then, I'll do nothing but melt in this hot, cloudless sunny day. I still can't believe some critters like- heck, even go out and play on days like these, but for me, I saw the sun for what it was, pure eldritch terror.

I wish I had been human, at least then I could sweat to peeve off this heat, but I wasn't. What I could do is lay on the floor tiles and flop to the next one once the tile became too hot and just pray to 06 that he turns off the grill already, I honestly feel overcooked.

~Knock, knock~

Mom started knocking before entering these past weeks, I don't know why but I sure do appreciate it. "Cuddle kitty, your friends are at the door~!" Yes! I force myself up and wobble my way to the living room and tripped over one of my brother's magazine piles onto the sofa, there he stayed with an old box TV on while reading a comic book. He grunts in my acknowledgment and keeps on flipping his comic book. I pick myself up and head to the door, briefly looking at the Cat-o-clock, marking one scratch to two. Oh 06, the day isn't nearly as hot as it can get.

My continuous wobble rewards me with Bubba, Crafty, and Jet waiting by the door. Crafty was taking small glances at Jet while the pegasi were intrigued by Bubba's trinket taking both of his hooves as a full-time job, his smile was as maniacal as his trinket. Oh, it's going to be one of these days...

I woke up with a pleasant surprise: Jet wasn't on top of me anymore! Hurray! Plus I'm feeling surprisingly lucid and energetic for just waking up, Life's reserves are nearly full, everything is set then. Time for a crusade- Stretching! Time for stretching! I slap both of my cheeks just to make sure all the sleep is out of me and do the routine I missed for the past four days.

Each joint popped, spine felt just right- I love being me~! "Wow." Jet!? "Nonono, Keep going. Don't be bothered." I- When- Wh- Hrrgh. I'm going to the bathroom. "Wait." Huh?

Jet flies beside, looking up and down, "You have grown a bit." It's not about muscles again, is it? "Is this sum arcane shenanigan?" The first circuit does at most some regulations, for some ponies, they gain body mass for others it doesn't change anything but no pony ever grew after making the first circuit, even less the second.

I shake my head, probably a growth spurt. "So do ya have that giant syndrome that makes ya keep growing?" Does something like that even exist? I make a question mark with my tail. "Oh." Now she's confused just like me, oh wait. Is that why all 'fellians' I met were about my size? Of course, there once was a race of taller cats, what was it- abyssians, yeah. They got shredded by the minotaurs six hundred- I'm not supposed to know that, forget about that Catnap...

Ahem, that should be why I got the job without any questions about my age! All fits in now!

Well, time to clear that misurdestanding, "I'm twelve."

~PFFFFT!~

"WHAT?!"

"Well, duh! O'course, I'm not biting that, It's unbelievable! What are the sizes of adults where you come from?" I rolled my eyes and moved on. This has been the... Seventh time? Ninth maybe?

On a side note, the streets were hollow- I mean they always were empty before but the motive is different now. Wait, is that a tumbleweed- How did that get here? "Huh?! How big are they!?"

I sigh, "A meter and seventy centimeters." And there goes, mouth agape. In a minute she will ask this over again, that is if we hadn't arrived at Gus's place before that. I knocked twice on the metal door.

"COMING!" This voice... I took a deep breath and calmed myself, the door opened revealing a ginger cat wearing an eyepatch, "Oh." I look away.

"Hey!" Jet in contrast trots towards Leo, a bit invasive of somecritter personal space if you ask me, "What happened to your eye-"

"It was me."

Silence, I hoped it lasted long enough for me to construct a better response, "Care to explain?"

"Leo took my pendant and I followed after him, we fought and-"

Jet's stare expressed disappointment, I looked down. My short moment of regret was broken by a giggle, "But both of ya are on good terms now? Friends after beating each other out and all that shtick?," Jet tapped my shoulder, "Although," The mirth in her voice faded, "The eye is a bit over the top." ... "We should talk about this later. But it's good to see you made new friends." Friends?

"Are we friends?"

Leo looked around and sighed, "Gus liked you. I know that stealing is wrong but-"

"Stealing?!" Jet looks judgemental gaze befalls the ginger critter, "Oh, I get it now. That's why they didn't work! They're villains." Leo instantly shrinks down, I quickly tap at Jet's side.

She glared at me before backing off, "Sorry. So, how 'bout we start again?" Jet extended a hoof that Leo took.

Phew, bad situation averted. After the paw/hoof shake Leo continued, smiling at me. "It's not like we can't give friendship a go! So, how about it, do you wanna be my friend?" Leo's smile is officially smiling critter worthy.

I extend my paw for a pawshake and Leo gladly accepts it. "Let's put everything behind us then!" Jet giggled at his enthusiasm.

The pegasi flutters her wings, "Who else besides you is coming for a ride?"

Leo, instead of saying two critters, saw an opportunity to invite us in. Jet simply couldn't bring herself to say no and went in, and I was curious about how Gus was doing, to which, on the old couch, the mist cat himself sat there talking with another cat, Bombay Lucy. Both of them stopped at our sight, Gus immediately sprang up and walked toward us, "Hello." That whole string of action brought some relief, his legs were fine. It'd be bad if there was another Dogday incident.

"Hi." Jet eyed Gus and nodded, "Jetstream Fastrocket, a pleasure." Puh?! Since when could you be formal?! Jet extended a hoof.

Gus takes it, "Gustavo, the pleasure is mine." For a moment, both stared deep into each other eyes and I could swear something happened between the two before both smiled, "I'm glad you're helping."

Jet nods, then came Lucy- Ack- Stop! "This is for scratching Leo's eye!" I won't do it again! Stop spraying me! "Hmph." Lucy turns from to Jet, "'ello."

"Sup." Jet smiles, "Must be hard taking care of your friends, right?"

Lucy rolls her eyes, "It is a bother. Just today I had to get Leo down from a bloody tree. Three times." Jet laughs, Lucy giggles. "Pleasure to meet." Jet nods.

The pegasi smiled, "I'll get a carriage and we'll be out by then. Be right back!" with unquestionable speed, she left a brief after-image before disappearing. Once the three fellians had gotten over Jet speed, my fur stood up as the three sets of eyes stared at me.

"How have you been?" Gus pats my shoulder, tension suddenly dissipating. "I heard what happened on the bridge. Must've been terrible."

"I even saw Celestia yesterday amidst a sortie. Must've been wankers round'here." Lucie added, "Leo saw it."

Leo's eye for a moment were hazy as he trembled. But he shook himself out of it, "It had so many heads! Then Celestia and the Insurgence archmage took him down! Also, how did you avoid the acid rain or whatever the demon did?"

"I got knocked to the water."

"Eugh." Leo shivered, "Cold, moisty water. Almost as bad as cucumb-"

Lucy immediately put her paws over Leo's mouth "Oi! Don't say that!"

The mist cat, different from his sibling seemed distant, his tail swung from side to side before he nodded, "It's good that you're fine." Fine, huh... "If you need to talk about it, we're here to help."

...That felt genuine, which is strange coming from a, well, stranger. "Thanks, but I'm fin-"

~Cough-cough-~

My chest burned, but it wasn't painful.

~Cough!~

It was discomforting at worst, but that's what scares me. It isn't natural to not feel pain. My lungs wheezed and my stomach churned, it was as if both were filled with worms trying to wriggle themselves out.

~Cough, cough!~

Blood came out, more than enough to fill a water bottle stained my mouth, and body. "C-Catnap!?" Gus held me tight, probably expecting me to faint but I didn't, Leo covered her mouth and Lucy looked away, but kept stealing some glances.

What is happening- No, wait. I know, it's the same as before but less severe... It'll get worse over time.

If the situation wasn't bad enough, I heard something hitting the ground outside, "I'm back!" I shouldn't be hiding things from my friend- friends. But if Jet gets worried, she'll get me into the hospital and that won't help one bit. My soul isn't causing as many 'changes' as frequently, so I should have more than enough time. "Why are you guys-" I let Life flow remembering the bad experiences of early morning whilst recalling times of peace and where I was rested, full of energy, a moment later the blood that stained my fur was gone.

Lying to a friend is a terrible thing and friends must never hide important secrets of each other, but- "Wh-what..." They would worry, scratch their heads, and burn their minds to find a solution that I already know. At best, Jet would spend so much on a doctor for nothing. I can't have her worried again.

I need to take care of this, but I can't just not tell them. "Catnap..?" So... So in three days. I'll try to make the second circuit in three days- if it's not possible then I'll tell them. I take a step back to Jet's possible view of the small blood puddle remaining on the floor.

"Catnap." Gus grasps and tugs my shoulder, our gaze meets and all I can do is put one finger on my mouth and hope he won't pursue the topic.

Thankfully, Gus let go of my shoulder and I passed the door, Jet had gotten a wooden carriage with an iron harness around her torso, her wings free to flap about. If I were to guess, this carriage was probably used for vegetables, and the liking seems comfortable enough. "Didja do something back there?" With the straightest poker face I can make, I shook my head. "What did he do?" Shhhhackles.

"Secret friendship pawshake!" Leo blurted out, poking Gus with his elbow.

Gus coughed, "Yes. That."

Jet smiled so genuinely that it felt like I was stabbing her. "Daw. You sure got along pretty fast. C'mon, we got a ride to make! Fillydelphia is a few hours from here." Jet turns around and begins stretching her wings and preening some off-the-hoot feathers she hadn't got this morning yet.

Before I could get into the wooden cart, Gus whispered to my ear - too close to comfort. "You owe us an explanation." He hops into the cart first, then Leo and Lucy. I won't lie to them- just not telling Jet is torturous enough, I won't lie to a friend. Or a potential friend. I hop onto the cart.

I sat behind Gus at Lucy's side, then whispered back. "Just don't tell Jet yet."

Gus shows little reaction. Good or bad? "It's a sickness. I will be fine for a while."

Lucy gasps. Leo lowered his head, but Gus didn't move, "That does sound like an inconvenience. How long that while might last?"

"I don't know. More than a week at least."

Leo muttered, "We should look for a doctor when we get there then-" I shook my head as fast as I could and even did an 'x' with my arms to further accentuate. "...Fine, but we will look for a doctor two days after we arrive."

Gus nods, Jet begins to trot around for a while, "This carriage belonged to Shadow Sport and her sister, they used to carry cabbages around to share with everypony..." Jet coughed, "It still makes me feel bad for just taking it so," She turned around to peek at us, "You will share this little burden with me, cool?"

She slowly picks up speed and then begins to fly, her wings stiff barely moving, then with a single flap-

~Boom!~

The wind nearly deafens us, but soon enough it decelerates. We were above the clouds. "Pfhah! Your faces! Don't worry, from here on out it'll be a slow ride." Thankfully.

The clouds looked like cotton, I'd argue they'd feel like cotton too, cut from the softest of sheep. The little trees, green grounds, and the forest from above looked like a map - as little as the vegetation and small lakes were from this perspective, it was a wonderful sight to witness, each piece part of a whole world. Pegasi magic is truly something whimsical, the way it involves making them lighter and capable of interacting with the weather is somewhat similar to the telekinesis of unicorns in certain ways. Most magical spells are done through that same telekinesis. Earth ponies can also strengthen the ground they are in contact with, weaken it, or shape it - that is how they dig through the ground so easily.

However, arcanists are different. Made from blood, to protect and to kill. Few ever adventured what truly the nine layers are capable of. After all, if it couldn't kill, what was the point? Each circuit and step was put into thought for that, emotions get in the way? You can use Life to control that. Feeling guilty about annihilating a town? Use Life and get rid of that emotion, it's useless anyway. Is it too painful to bear the bruises of battle? What do you need nerves for? Change them with Life so that you don't feel pain anymore. While at it, rewire those same nerves to grant you pleasure and joy from doing what is wrong. All arcanists have the option to defy themselves, after all, Life is defiance and to be alive is to defy something.

Yet, I feel dirty. How can I be among clouds? Will I still be myself when I return home?

But the clouds look like cotton, fluffier than any plushie could ever dream to become. And the ground seems like a fancy board game or a real-time strategy game.

...

It felt nice.

Ow! Why is it so bumpy..? Oh, the clouds are up there again. So, we're on ground. Ugh, my back hurts- I'd stretch if there weren't so many critters around me. Leo lent me a paw which I took and sat in the bumpy carriage, "Look! Fillydelphia is right there!" Leo excitedly points at the distance, before rushing to the front of the carriage. Far away light shines bright even as the sun is descending below a mountain as the night slowly shares its embrace. I've never been to a big city before...

Jet trotted through a dirt pavemented road slowly improving in quality the further we went.

Now it comes to me, isn't the carriage a bit heavy? Jet doesn't seem bothered, whistling a merry tune as she trots.

Actually, how is she so fast? Her speed puts to shame the fastest gladiators I knew of, even close to cloud-master territory. For somepony with a preening-related destiny brand to reach so far...

...

These weird names again... I don't know anymore what is my memory and what isn't, it just felt natural to babble about gladiators and cloud-masters that it makes me think, maybe there's nothing I can do about that. But I cannot become the pony those memories entail, so what should I do?

There has to be something, right?

"YAAawn!" Lucy promptly curled up in a ball and began to drift asleep- why didn't I think of that too? Leo seems to follow up, leaving only me and Gus listening to Jet tunes. "You're really good at whistles."

Jet grinned ear-to-ear, "Only the best!" Jet trotted a bit faster, "When ya spend' few years on an airship, ya pick some odd skills." She giggled.

Gus's tail swung in amusement, "You worked in a multicontinental-delivery airship?"

The pegasi promptly shook her head, "Piratry. It was bad, it was bloody, but there are a few moments I could share if ya want to?" Jet doesn't seem bothered to talk about it..?

"Whoa, and you never got caught?" His voice showed a plethora of interest.

Jet shook her head, "I got caught a year into the jig, fourteen at the time." She sighed, "Pa bailed me out."

"Oh." Gus turned toward me and I shook his head, he turned around and still asked, "Are you two good?" You airhead! Aren't you supposed to be the smarts of the trio?

Jet slowed down to a stop, "No... I can't look at his face." Then continued.

"I'm sure they miss you." That prompted a sudden halt, "I'm not one to talk about family, never really met my parents. But, if you were my daughter, I'd miss you."

For a moment, everything felt tense, "...Thanks." Then the atmosphere was dismissed as Jet resumed her trotting and her whistling tune. The smell of nature slowly overturned to that of the city, it was a stale moving scent, devoid of the changes nature provided, replaced by their own artificial changes. The sound of multiple ponies trotting, and talking also became apparent even this late in the evening.

I closed my eyes to focus on Jet's whistles, eventually, her trotting slowed down again, her whistles gone with the wind, leaving only an acute, loud, "Halt!" I nearly jumped out of the carriage, my eyes shot open at the unfamiliar presence, we were at the gate of the city.

The unfamiliar figure reeked of tobacco, a pegasi wearing a peaked cap with a sheriff-star ornament barely concealing a flourishing hot pink mane flowing from the sides and the back of her head, a dark blue coat. And that is where the normalcy ends as her mane has a few strands jumping out of place, her breathing was hagged and her lips barely held up the quivering cigar, her face looked to have been dragged on the ground and I could swear her eyes were deep within her skull, only the yellow iris visible.

That is some serious sleep deprivation. "She looks a bit tired?" Lucy whispered then began stretching- I turned away. Also, only a bit?!

Jet, as ordered, halted, and waved her hoof, "Hello."

The officer stood still and puffed out smoke, before pulling a small notebook from under her wing "Sorry for the inconvenience citizen, but have you seen any of these ponies?" there were multiple ponies and fellians of different complexions, even foals and kits. Did she just stop travelers to ask about missing ponies? Is that desperation or ingenuity?

"No, I haven't seen any." Jet said with a hoof on her chin. The officer sighs, nods, and moves on. "I hope those ponies are okay." She tapped the ground briefly, then looked back at me and sighed- Jet, with all that hero talk about beating villains, don't think I don't know what you are thinking.

Jet continued toward the city, at the start were small buildings but that evolved gradually into big sky scrappers, the ponies and a small number of fellians on the sidewalk gradually became larger. The many stares we were receiving made me feel cold. I laid back down at the carriage. "Hey, Catnap. You good?" Ah, my poor heart. Leo was lying down right next to me.

I gave him a thumbs up, I'm fine, it's just going to take a while to get used to this. "Okay." Leo stared at my face, and then his eyes went down to my tail, I raised an eyebrow. "Do your tail ever get in the way? Because it's all over the place," He poked the tip of my tail that was behind him. Yeah, it indeed covers half the carriage but that's what makes it cool! Big tails are always cool. Or so Kickin' says.

Hmm. I did almost burn it once while camping, and since then, I always wear it like a belt if there are too many hazards around. I shook my head. "Oh! What about that gas, how does it work?" Through an organ in between my lungs. I tap my chest and then make a circular motion. "Oooh. I don't get it." I sighed, pointed at my chest did a circular motion again, then dragged my finger from my chest to my throat. "Still don't get it." A groan escapes my mouth, I point- "How about yarn balls, do you like yarn balls?"

Is that even a question? Who doesn't like yarn balls?! I nodded, "They're the best, right? Pink yarn balls." Pink..? Pink?!

"Yellow yarn balls are better than stinky pink yarn."

"S-stinky pink?! Are you crazy!?" Leo put three fingers in front of me, "Pink yarn is soft, it smells better than any rose, and EVERY sweater made of pink yarn, and I mean it E-V-E-R-Y sweater made out of P-I-N-K yarn is comfortable." What a bunch of nonsense! I lift all my fingers to his face in response, and his ears immediately flatten.

"Yellow yarn is better, as not only does yellow bring warmth, but it also reminds of wheat fields and the sun, besides being a happy color that can bring smiles out of everycritter, it is also one of the few colors a dog can see, plus yellow smells like the sun and is more fashionable! Also-"

Leo immediately bounces back, "What the heck has a dog to do with this?"

"It makes them able to appreciate yellow yarn." I bring my tail back and point its tip to Leo, "Something pink yarn will never be able to do."

The ginger cat crosses his arms, "Oh yeah? And how does the sun smell like, smarty cat?"

"Vanilla."

Leo slaps the wooden boards with a laugh, "V-vanilla? The sun would clearly smell like cheese since it's yellow like it." Like cheese?!

"You doofus, the moon is supposed to be made with cheese, the sun has nothing to do with it!"

My feline companion stops, eye wide, his mouth opened and closed before finally relenting and looking down "You're right." Damn right, I am! I smile triumphantly, everycritter should know the clear superiority of yellow yarn. "Wait, supposed?"

"We're here!" I quickly got up and felt a hit in my chest - metaphorically. The house was of a familiar style, like from the block I used to live in - it looked just like Kicken's if his parents had not cut the grass for a year or if it was in a cramped industrial city. The house itself would be a humble American craftsman if it wasn't dirty from nearly a year of negligence, "Aaand here comes you furball's first job, if you want to live here, that is." Jet escapes her harness in a second and slams her hoof against the carriage, everycritter in was surprised except Gus. And Lucy.

"I didn't think you'd share a home with us." He said sarcastically- when did they agree to this?

"An entire room for us?" Leo asks in a voice barely above a whisper, Lucy is as shocked as a capybara in front of an alligator.

Clearing her throat, Jet flew a bit higher and raised her voice, much to my embarrassment and some street ponies' annoyance, "You'll clean it up! And by you, I mean all fellians besides Catnap! We'll be looking for something in the nearby forest during these days." Does she mean-!

Once she was back on the ground, I jumped out of the carriage to hug Jet. Finally, I can at least do something about it but... "I'm sorry, I can't come with you." I need to figure myself out in three days.

Jet returned the hug and whispered, "Why?"

Why. I look at the sibling trio examining the house, I need to be done with this second circuit asap.

Cuddle Kitty, Lying is a bad thing. It pushes friends away.

I'm sorry. "It doesn't feel fair to them." Jet slowly let go of the hug and sighed, her wings opening then closing.

The pegasi shook her head, "How can you think of yourself as a bad creature?" I'm sorry. "I'm cool with that, go help 'em. I'll go see if the brooms didn't get stolen and buy some cleaning products for tomorrow and also look around for a medic."

With that, Jet rocketed toward the house, the welcome mat being suddenly flung into the garden- really Jet? Couldn't find anywhere more hidden? I look up, the sun is nearly set with stars beginning their opera- "The brooms are fine, I'll see around for an appointment tomorrow." Seven brooms suddenly appear at the overgrown glass with a set of plastic scissors- she isn't thinking of making one of us- She is. 06 save us.

"It will be a bother to shave off the grass with those pink plastic scissors." Lucy said between spoons of nearly a year-old cereal, which surprisingly has an expiration date of tomorrow eleven fifty-nine pm. It was even more of a surprise when Jet breathed out a cloud and made a floating bed out of it in the living room and straight up went to sleep, leaving us with a single double bed. She is closer to becoming a cloud-master than I expected.

Ah, Ten boxes of food dying tomorrow at midnight. "I mean, she did say whoever does it doesn't pay rent, so it's kinda fair," Leo spoke, grabbing a box and passing a box to each critter from the cobweb-filled basement.

Gus sighed and took one followed by me and Lucy, after taking a box each of us sat on the dinner table that had six chairs, two faced two. Oh holy Luna, I never thought I'd get to eat an entire box of cereal myself- Mom would never allow it. "I'm just surprised there's still working Lumen stones." Gus muttered, the myriad of magic here sure is more present than in my world, electricity still feels more efficient though. "Plus, we'll need to look for actual work tomorrow."

Leo chimed in, "Why? We're going to be busy for at least..." He stopped at the sight of a rat looking around, lost. "three days?"

Gus reached scooped a pawful of cereal and ate it, only after chewing and a loud gulp, rubbed his left cheek, and let out a groan, "And after?"

Lucy's face suddenly lit up, "I know! We could work at an antiquarian- or an alchemist to learn their recipes and then open a shop of our own!"

"Well end up in jail if we try any of that." The mood suddenly drops, why is that? Do they need qualifications or a certificate to work as an assistant?

"Why?"

Gus answered, "Most business ponies that deal with magic don't see fellians in a bright light." I raised an eyebrow, "I mean, we can make friends just fine with most ponies, but working in laboratories, as mage assistants, or just as a receptionist in an alchemy store is seen as a no-go." I tilted my head, "Earth ponies have a hoof in nature, unicorns in magic, and pegasi on the weather. Our magical heritage dabbles on luck."

Huh? Gus looked saddened at me, "We can steal the luck of, let's say a pony for ourselves. Force an outcome that is unlikely at the cost of our luck or for more experienced fellians, even steal the luck of places, like a store."

That is so cool! I wish I could do that. I don't recall ever meeting a fellian mage, just arcanists. But about that distrust shouldn't be the case, even if it's innate magic it takes time to actually achieve the result of suddenly draining a store out of luck in a single day, and besides you guys are Equestrian citizens, and by law, all Equestrian citizens must have equal opportunities on jobs revolving their... Cutie mark.

This isn't right! Even without Luna, Celestia is a rightful ruler and should have- I let out a sigh and relaxed, it isn't fair, yes, but there's no reason to go bonkers over it- I mean, there is but... Not a murderous type of bonkers.

If anything, Celestia should be trying to enforce a bit more the laws to fix this disparity, or even change old ones. Heck, I bet she would've already done it if it wasn't for these filthy nobles.

I unsheat one claw and easily rip open the box lid, "Those are really sharp, how did you get'em this way?" Easy, just nearly died while setting my first arcane circuit.

I can't say that, sadly. So I shrug and commit the sin of eating cereal without milk.

Hmmm, tastes like cardboard.

As time passes, my head can't get around the way fellians, citizens or tourists are being treated this way under the diarchy rule. Therefore, the only definitive solution approved by me was going to bed a bit early, maybe then these memories would stop bothering me. But not yet, we need to decide something first. "Which part of the bed do you guys want?"

Leo tilted his head, "Bed? Already?"

Lucy put a paw under her chin, "Dibs on the left pillow."

Gus spoke right after, "Then right is mine." Welp.

Leo pouted, "But I wanted a pillow and to not sleep under anycreature's feet!"

Lucy sighed, "We'll cycle each night."

The ginger immediately jumped, "Bottom left!" Oh, you poor fool time for some tomfoolery!

"Counter-clockwise." Lucy and Gus smiled then nodded, the former with difficulty hiding her smile.

"W-what!?" Sorry Leo, but you have picked already! I walk through the living room take the stairs and open the first door to the right, unceremoniously I fall on my side of the bed and curl up in a ball, it isn't neither too cold for a blanket but not too hot to stay without one. For that, I thanked my fur. I wonder how humans deal with this dilemma.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

...

Author's Note

Hello, long time no see! I wanted to get all the chapters done and post one after the other, but after a streak of procrastination, I decided to put that on a halt. Would you believe it if I said I wrote near to nothing past month? Crazy! Anyway, after I proofread and edit the next two chaps, then another proofread with the addition of flavor they'll come out. I'll try to post 'em this week!

Also, I have tried to characterize Jet and the other better this chap, do they still feel bland?

What about Cartoonnap? Do you enjoy my take on him? Do you enjoy him of this chapter?

Do you enjoy my telling of the tidbits of world lore? I wish I could figure out a way to show it, but until then it will be telling.

Always, don't forget to comment! I like reading 'em, even if it does spark anxiety everytime I see that little bell icon with a red number. Share with me what you think I could of done better!

That's all, until day 6 folks!