The Conjuration Wizard

The sun hung high in the sky as Aldin and I arrived at the edge of Froggy Bottom Bogg, where the swamp sprawled out like a dark, stagnant sea that swallowed the horizon.

Luna had ordered guards to place warning signs along the Everfree Forest and the Bogg, urging ponies to keep far away from Froggy Bottom Bogg until the threat was eliminated. This gave us a battlefield free from interruptions, but it also meant the weight of responsibility was fully on us.

The bog was a fetid wasteland of stagnant water, dotted with dense clusters of mangrove trees. Their twisted, gnarled roots rose above the murky surface, forming a tangled lattice of natural bridges and hidden lairs for whatever creatures might be lurking within. The thick foliage of the mangroves cast long, eerie shadows, obscuring whatever dangers lurked beneath the dark waters.

I flicked my fingers to adjust my teashades, shielding my eyes from the noon sun’s harsh glare. “Damn, the sun is almost as brutal out here as it was in the Badlands.”

Aldin hooted in agreement from his perch on my shoulder. “Couldn’t we have waited until nightfall?”

“Not this time, best-buddy,” I replied, checking my gear with practiced precision. “This hydra’s not going to wait around for us. If we leave it alone, it might grow more heads or worse — reproduce.”

Hydras aren’t particularly difficult to put down if you know what you're doing. Their main threat lies in their rapid healing coupled with their head regeneration if you make a mistake. Fortunately, this one should be manageable — it only had four heads. Fewer heads typically means slower healing and less overall strength.

This should be a cakewalk, just like the death worm. And this one can’t even burrow, shoot electricity, or breathe acid.

Satisfied with my preparations, I mentally ticked through my arsenal one last time. Mage Armor shimmered faintly over my skin, the Necklace of Fireballs rested heavily against my chest, and Promise hung securely at my hip. My spellbook was primed with hydra-slaying spells, each ready to unleash the moment it was needed. I wasn’t wasting any of my precious spell slots unless I had to — combat in a bog like this demanded precision.

"Alright, best-buddy," I said, scanning the swamp for any sign of movement. “Let’s find some tracks or a trail. Think Badlands, but with extra swamp funk, ankle-deep sludge, and—” I slapped at a mosquito biting through my sleeve. “—fucking bloodsuckers.”

Aldin chuckled, the sound low and gravelly. "Got it, Seb. I’ll take the high ground."

With a rustle of wings, he took off, his sharp eyes darting over the soggy landscape. I followed on foot, each step a squelching reminder of how inhospitable the bog was. The muck sucked at my boots, and unseen creatures splashed and croaked in the murky water, their cries echoing through the oppressive stillness.

The stench of the place hit like a punch: sulfur, rot, and decay blended into a noxious miasma that clung to every breath. It wasn’t just the bog that reeked. Something bigger, something predatory, lingered here.

My thoughts drifted to Luna. Her voice had been calm but firm when she’d made me promise to return. It wasn’t an empty request; I could feel the weight of her worry. Promising her had been easy. Keeping that promise, however, depended on surviving this place.

"Seb! Over here!" Aldin’s voice snapped me from my thoughts. He perched on a low-hanging mangrove branch, his feathers ruffled and his tone urgent. I slogged toward him, the water rising to my knees in some places, every step a battle against the bog’s relentless grasp.

As I neared, the smell shifted — stronger, fouler, almost metallic. The sight ahead twisted my stomach.

The mangroves were draped with carcasses. Animals of all sizes hung lifeless, their bodies broken and torn. The remains swung lazily in the humid breeze, like grotesque ornaments in nature’s cruel display. Deep gashes marked their flesh, limbs were missing, and their lifeless eyes stared into the void.

A manticore, half-eaten and grotesquely displayed, dominated the grim tableau. Its lion head hung limply to one side, eyes frozen in a haunting rictus of terror. The once-mighty wings were now nothing more than jagged stumps, tendons dangling like macabre streamers. Its scorpion tail swayed lifelessly in the humid air, the poisonous barb dulled by death. Around it, the broken bodies of smaller creatures — crocodiles, snakes, even hulking frogs — littered the mire in varying states of mutilation. Blood seeped into the swamp water, painting the muck in streaks of deep red.

“These kills are fresh,” Aldin murmured, his voice tight with unease. His keen eyes darted from one corpse to the next before locking onto mine. “A few days old. It’s close.”

I nodded, my chest tightening under the weight of his words. The swamp felt suddenly alive with malice, the air suffocating as it pressed down, thick with heat and decay. Each breath tasted of rot and sulfur, clinging to the back of my throat. My gaze swept the shadowed mangroves, searching for movement, for anything that betrayed the predator that called this nightmare home.

And then it came — the sound that froze every muscle in my body. Wet. Deliberate. A visceral ripping, unmistakable and obscene: flesh tearing from bone.

Aldin’s talons dug into my shoulder, his feathers bristling. Through our link, I felt a flash of terror so sharp it mirrored my own. His voice, low and taut, broke the tense silence. "It's feeding."

I nodded again, my grip tightening on Promise’s hilt. "Time to move."

We advanced with agonizing care, every step a gamble against the squelching muck beneath my boots betraying our presence. The grotesque symphony of butchery grew louder as we pressed on, the wet crunch of sinew and bone reverberating through the mangroves. Their roots wove a twisted labyrinth around us, forming both barriers and fragile cover as we inched forward. The swamp's suffocating stillness only amplified the sounds ahead, each one a grim reminder of what awaited us.

The closer we got, the clearer the grisly scene became. The trees above sagged under the weight of decaying carcasses, their vacant eyes and shredded flesh a testament to the predator's wrath. Flies swarmed in thick, buzzing clouds, their frenzied movement the only contrast to the oppressive stillness. The air grew heavier, a putrid cocktail of blood and rot clawing at my senses, threatening to overwhelm.

Aldin’s sharp talons pressed into my shoulder again, grounding me in the moment. His unease bled into our bond, and I could feel his fear — raw and unfiltered. He’d only been this terrified once before: the day we arrived in Equis, disoriented and vulnerable.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered, the words more for myself than him. My thumb traced Promise’s pommel, the engraved crescent moon cool against my skin. It wasn’t much, but it steadied me as we crept closer, the grotesque sounds of the hydra’s feast growing louder with every step.

And then, through the tangled mangroves, I saw it.

The clearing opened like a wound in the swamp, revealing a scene that would haunt my nightmares. The water here deepened, dark and opaque, hiding whatever lay beneath its surface. Mangrove roots jutted upward like gnarled bones. Each root working together to form a jagged perimeter around the hydra’s lair. The air was thick with the metallic tang of fresh blood, and there was an oppressive silence that was broken only by the wet, rhythmic sounds of flesh being torn apart.

I froze as my eyes locked onto the monstrous form. Luna’s letter had spoke of a hydra with four heads.

It had nine.

Nine serpentine necks writhed and twisted above its massive body, each head moving with a precision that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. Their eyes were abyssal black, voids that reflected nothing but hunger. Rows of serrated teeth ripped through the remains of another manticore — this one far less intact than the first. Its shredded carcass was barely recognizable, chunks of flesh and bone disappearing into the hydra’s ravenous maws. Blood pooled around the beast, staining the swamp in a nauseating swirl of red and black.

The hydra’s scales were a deep, mottled green, a perfect camouflage against the murky waters and foliage. Its massive body heaved with each gulp, muscles rippling beneath its thick hide. Each of the nine heads moved independently but with eerie synchronicity, tearing apart their kill in grotesque harmony. The wet, sucking sound of flesh being devoured filled the air, punctuated by the occasional crunch of bone.

I counted again, my mind desperately clinging to the possibility of error. But the truth was inescapable. Nine heads. Luna’s intelligence had been wrong. Or perhaps something had changed. My eyes flicked back to the mangled remains of the manticores. Had their failed attack triggered the hydra’s regenerative abilities? If so, the abundance of food had only exacerbated its growth, fueling its monstrous transformation.

And now, that problem belonged to me.

My stomach churned with a mix of fear and determination. With this many heads, I’d need to sever some of the heads while preventing regeneration, or the beast will simply heal through my damage. But cutting off that many heads without taking a bite or two in the process would be no easy feat.

For a fleeting moment, the thought of retreating crossed my mind, abandoning this monstrosity for someone else to handle. But what would that say about my resolve? How could I claim to be able and willing to protect those I care for if I couldn’t face such a threat now? Could I live with myself if I ran now? Could I return to Luna with my tail between my legs, knowing I didn’t even try?

No.

I must succeed.

I need to kill this thing.

At least it wasn’t a cryohydra or a pyrohydra. It lacked any form of ranged attacks, making it a manageable foe.

The hydra was engrossed in its meal, oblivious to our presence. Despite the daunting odds, we had the element of surprise. Yet the beast’s sheer size and its nine heads presented a formidable challenge. With all my defensive spells active, I should be able to hold my own. But if the hydra managed to land a solid bite or two, I might find myself in the Boneyard far sooner than I’d like.

“Oh, so that’s what a hydra looks like,” Aldin whispered, awe and fear mingling in his voice.

I nodded, with each word my confidence returned. “Yeah, it’s a nine-headed hydra. I was hoping for the four-headed one, but that doesn’t matter now. Its weaknesses are the same. It will die the same.”

Aldin nuzzled my cheek, his feathers soft against my skin. “We can do it, Seb. I believe in you.”

“Thanks, best-buddy.” I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the battle ahead. “Let’s move before it finishes its meal.”

The hydra’s feast continued. All nine of the heads were blissfully unaware of the danger creeping closer. The swamp was filled with the eerie sounds of tearing flesh and the occasional snap of bones. Red blood colored the waters of the swamp painting a gruesome contrast against the dark, muddy swamp.

With no time to waste, I began casting spells.

First came the Shield spell, forming a protective barrier of force shaped like a shield around my left forearm. Then, I cast Fly, granting myself magical flight to hover a few feet above the water. I checked to ensure the beast was still distracted.

It was nearly finished with its meal. Almost time then.

“Aldin, take the Necklace of Fireballs and fly above the hydra. When I give the signal, pick off the smallest bead and drop it on the fucker. Can you do that?”

Aldin gave a wing-salute, “I’ve got your back, Seb!”

Necklace in talon, Aldin flew high above the feasting hydra, ready to act on my command.

With Aldin in position, I used another spell slot to summon the Lantern Archon. The familiar glowing orb of spiritual energy appeared before me, its light pulsing gently.

“Greetings again,” the Lantern Archon’s airy voice echoed out. “How may I assist?”

“Wait until I charge,” I instructed. “And can you repeat my commands to the elementals?”

The archon bobbed and agreed, its light flickering in excitement as it took in the sight of the hydra.

Next, I used my second to last third-level spell and I managed to summon three Small Water Elementals. Their fluid forms shimmered as they appeared, reveling in their new watery environment.

“Wait until the summoner charges,” the Lantern repeated, and the elementals rippled in understanding, their blueish watery shapes shimmering in a clear contrast to the muck of the bog.

With my final third-level spell, I cast Haste on my summons and I, feeling the surge of speed and agility flow through me was encouraging. Finally, I cast Stunning Barrier on myself, a shimmering aura enveloping me, ready to attempt to stun the hydra if it landed a blow. With all preparations complete, I took a deep breath and nodded to my summons.

“Lantern, cast Aid on me, please.”

The Lantern Archon glowed brighter for a moment and lightly brushed the top of my head. I felt a surge of strength and resilience. With everything in place, I took a deep breath, unsheathed Promise, and launched myself into the air.

The combined effects of Fly and Haste propelled me above the water, charging straight for the hydra. All nine heads were focused on squabbling over the remaining scraps of the manticore, giving me the perfect opening.

With momentum on my side, I swung Promise, slicing clean through one of the hydra’s heads. The now severed head fell into the bog with a satisfying splash. The remaining eight heads let out a deafening roar of pain and outrage.

The three Water Elementals surged forward, crashing into the hydra’s massive body repeatedly. Their watery forms slammed into the beast, causing it to thrash about in fury and confusion.

The Lantern Archon’s light flickered in a pattern of reds and golds, hovering close enough to bombard the beast with its rays of light.

Two of the hydra’s heads whipped around before I could get out of its reach. I managed to dodge one, but the other sank its teeth into my right leg. The impact was jarring, but the boost of endurance from the Lantern Archon’s Aid spell absorbed the totality of the damage. The hydra’s retaliatory bite triggered the Stunning Barrier, momentarily stunning the beast.

Recognizing this moment as a prime opportunity, I swung Promise again, severing the offending head and sending it to join the other head, splashing into the murky waters below.

Now cut down to seven, the hydra flailed about wildly. The combined assault from the Water Elementals, the Lantern Archon’s light rays, and my own attacks was momentarily overwhelming the beast. The bog rang out with the sounds of battle, the viscera filled waters churning as the hydra struggled to defend itself in its own lair.

“Strike it down, summoner!” the Lantern Archon cheered, its light intensifying with each successful strike.

Taking advantage of the chaos, I extended my left hand and cast Burning Hands. Flames erupted from my fingertips, fanning out in a searing cone that engulfed the hydra’s pulsating stumps. The fire cauterized the wounds, preventing the heads from splitting and regenerating.

Now permanently down two heads, the hydra redirected its fury towards the three Water Elementals.

It tore into their fluid forms with a storm of furious bites. Despite their best efforts, the elementals were no match for the hydra’s sheer ferocity and flurry of fangs, and one by one, they were destroyed, their watery bodies evaporating back to the Water Plane from whence they came.

With the seven remaining heads occupied, I saw my chance and charged in, flying just above the swampy waters. The Lantern Archon’s Aid spell and my own Haste still fortified me, giving me the strength and speed I needed. Twice I swung Promise, and thanks to Luna’s relentless sparring sessions and being amped up on a combination of Haste and Aid, I managed to sever two more heads from the beast.

The hydra, now down to five active heads, went into a frenzy. With the elementals gone, only the Lantern Archon and I remained targets for its fury. Unfortunately for the monster, it couldn’t fly.

The Lantern Archon continued its relentless assault from above, and I rose higher to join it. But just as I ascended, two of the hydra’s heads swung toward me once again. Before those fangs could rend me to pieces, I managed to Shift ten feet higher, barely teleporting out of their snapping jaws. The hydra’s bites met nothing but air.

Seeing that it couldn’t reach us, I called out, “Toss one, Aldin!”

From the skies above, a tiny golden speck descended. It landed between the two fresh stumps, expanding into a brilliant ball of fire. The hydra now had four permanent stumps and five active heads.

All according to plan.

With only five heads remaining, the hydra’s fast healing was far slower, thus making it a viable strategy to kill it from the safety of distance. Not the most honorable of victory, but honor was the last thing on my mind. I’ll leave the honor for the paladins.

Victory seemed within reach. The hydra’s bite on my leg left no wounds, and the lantern is still here, firing endless rays of light upon the monster below us. This fight, although not as I had hoped when I first read Luna’s letter, was going surprisingly well.

Easy even — almost… too easy.

And that was when fate decided to piss all over everything.

As I prepared to cast Stone Discus to lop off another head from the beast from the safety of our aerial vantage point, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Tilting my head a few inches, I look more fully towards that motion. A pit formed in my stomach.

Three fillies emerged from the dense foliage from the north end of the bog, I recognized only one. Sweetie Belle, along with a yellow earth pony sporting a big ass pink bow and an orange pegasus with wings that seemed too small for her age. The trio of kids were steadily approaching the enraged hydra.

You have to be fucking with me right now.

“What the hell are they doing here?” I muttered, panic rising in my chest. Luna had assured me the area would be clear. How had they even gotten here? Through the Everfree? Why? How? Can’t they read signs? Are they fucking illiterate?!

“Aldin, stay above the hydra! Lantern, keep it distracted!” I commanded, hoping the fillies hadn’t yet been spotted. I flew closer, trying to get their attention without alerting the hydra. “Hey! You three! You need to leave, now!”

Sweetie Belle looked up, eyes wide with recognition. “Mister Sebastian?”

“Yes, it’s me! Now get the fuck out of here! It’s not safe!” I stabbed Promise toward the direction they’d come from, but it was too late. Far too late.

The hydra noticed them and let out a furious roar, charging through the swamp sending water and muck flying in all directions. Mangrove trees acting as little more than speed bumps on its path of death.

“Dammit!” I cursed, adrenaline surging through me.

I had to act fast.

Using a combination of my hastened flight and Shift, I teleported between the hydra and the fillies just as one of the heads lunged forward to bite. The force of my sudden appearance knocked the fillies back, but I couldn’t afford to spare a second to look in their direction to see where they had gone.

The beast was already upon me.

There was no time to think — only to act.

Raising my left arm, I deflected the head’s bite away with my shield of force, though the impact nearly buckled my arm and sent me back a few inches.

The heads reared back, momentarily confused by my sudden arrival. I stood my ground, Promise in my right hand, a spell already forming within my mind and my left hand already making the necessary motions to cast it. I couldn’t risk any sudden maneuvers that might put the fillies in harm’s way.

No Shift or flight — at least, not yet. Not until I can confirm their location.

Despite the circumstances I now find myself in, a strange sense of calm washed over me. Memories flashed through my mind: countless nights of sparring with Luna, huddled together over books and scrolls, walks in the castle’s moonlit gardens, dinners with Luna and Celestia, and… her smile. Gods… what I would give to see that smile one more time.

I promised her I’d make it back.

I can’t leave her alone.

She’s been alone for far too long.

I can do this.

I will do this.

I must do this.

The first head lunged as I completed the incantation for Stone Discus. With a twist of my left hand, a razor-sharp disc of stone materialized, spinning as I lined up my shot. I rewarded the beast's aggression by sending the disc slicing cleanly through its neck, severing the head and sending it flying into the bog behind me with a sickening splash.

The second head struck almost immediately, exploiting the opening my extended arm left. Its fangs sank deep into my left shoulder, piercing through muscle and trapping my arm in its maw. I gritted my teeth, stifling a scream as searing pain shot through me.

Then the third head came, angling to deliver a mirrored strike. I waited, timing it perfectly until the jaws were mere inches from me. In an instant, I Shifted ten feet into the air, narrowly evading the likely fatal bite. The third head plunged into the swamp, snapping shut on nothing but water and mud.

Now hovering above the hydra, I could see what occupied the last two heads. My lantern summon was being bitten repeatedly by two of the heads, but the hydra’s teeth were struggling to find purchase on the lantern.

I cast another Stone Discus and hurled it with lethal precision, decapitating the head that had been clamped around my shoulder just a few seconds earlier. The stumps of both severed heads began to writhe, muscles twitching as they split and started to regenerate.

Damnit.

From my new elevated view, I scanned the battlefield. Two heads remained focused on killing me, while the other two were preoccupied with the Lantern Archon darting through the air. Off in the distance, the fillies had managed to put some distance between themselves and the hydra — a narrow window of opportunity to finish this fight had opened.

Good kids.

"Throw it all," I bellowed up to Aldin, dodging two more snapping jaws.

I glanced up just in time to see the Necklace of Fireballs plummeting toward the hydra. The chain and beads caught the sunlight, gleaming like a gift from the divine. A wicked grin split my face as I Shifted even higher into the sky.

The hydra's roars were abruptly cut short as the necklace detonated, a series of Fireballs exploding in rapid succession. The shockwave of heat struck me as the blasts tore through the creature's body, consuming it in a fiery inferno.

The Necklace of Fireballs had done its job perfectly.

It incinerated.

All that remained of the multi-headed dickhead was a scorched mass of flesh and bone, still smoldering from the relentless barrage. The acrid stench of charred meat filled the air, a grim testament to the battle's conclusion.

As the flames continued to consume the hydra's corpse, the adrenaline that had kept me moving began to fade, allowing the first inklings of pain to creep forward. Every movement brought out more pain from my lacerated shoulder, the wound feeling — and looking — as though a shark had tried to rip my arm off. Blood poured from the ragged gashes, soaking the tattered remnants of my shirt and cloak.

To make matters worse, my medical pack was gone, likely lost to the bog during the fight. A quick search revealed nothing — just the vast, murky expanse of the swamp.

“Heh, looks like you bit off more than you could chew,” I muttered with a weak chuckle at my own joke as I glanced down at the now very much roasted hydra.

My clothes were thoroughly shredded, soaked with blood — my own and sprays from the multiple decapitations. It was a mess, and I needed to clean up. A quick Prestidigitation spell did the trick, wiping away the blood and grime as though it was never there. I would need to bandage the wounds quickly or else blood loss would become a problem.

Returning Promise to its scabbard, I turned away from the hydra’s corpse and floated down to where the three fillies were huddled together, trembling like leaves in a storm. They were covered in muck from the swamp, but thankfully, they seemed unharmed. A wave of relief washed over me. I don’t think I could have ever forgiven myself if they had come to harm.

“Hey, kids,” I said, dropping to one knee to meet their eyes, trying to sound as soothing as possible. “You three were very brave. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you all get home safe and sound.”

They stared at me with wide, terrified eyes. I could see it clear as day — they were scared out of their minds. And rightfully so! But how to calm them?

Just then, Aldin chose to land on my good shoulder, his presence a small comfort. “Tell them they can pet me!” He suggested.

“Who wants to pet the best owl in Equis?” I asked, as Aldin took it upon himself to hop onto Sweetie Belle’s head and fluff out his feathers.

The fillies hesitated, then slowly reached out to pet my now thoroughly attention-drunk familiar. Their fear seemed to ease, at least a little.

Looking up, I saw the Lantern Archon weakly floating toward us, its voice filled with concern. “Noble One, are they okay?”

Noble One? That’s a new one.

I glanced back at the fillies. They were still petting Aldin, and their terror was starting to subside. I think the one with the bow is even smiling.

“They’re unharmed,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Thanks to you, Lantern.”

The archon’s light pulsed softly as it spoke, “Please, call me Eldarael. Until we meet again…”

With that, the summoning spell sustaining Eldarael expired, and the archon vanished from this plane.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the pain that was becoming harder to ignore. But there was no time to wallow in it — not with these kids needing to be taken to safety. Just need to put something on this wound first.

Sighing softly, I set aside my torn cloak and reached up to tear a strip from my shirt. The already damaged fabric ripped easily, and I began wrapping it around my shoulder, trying to ignore the sting as I bound the wound.

Once the makeshift bandage was secure, I stood up, rolling my shoulder experimentally and wincing at the dull throb that followed. It will hold for now. I quickly tossed back on my cloak, and cast another Prestidigitation to make myself more presentable.

I approached the fillies, who were still huddled together, their eyes wide with lingering fear. “Hey there, little ones. You’re safe now. That hydra won’t be bothering anyone anymore.”

Sweetie Belle was the first to speak, her eyes brightening with a mix of relief and surprise. “Mister Sebastian? You saved us!”

“Well, of course I did,” I said, flashing a confident smile despite the pain. “I couldn’t let some kids get gobbled up by some musty hydra. I’d never hear the end of it.”

The other two fillies exchanged glances before the yellow earth pony stepped forward, her voice shaky. “Ah’m Apple Bloom,” she said. “And this here’s Scootaloo,” she added, nodding toward the orange pegasus with wings too small for her age.

“Nice to meet you, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo,” I said, giving them each a reassuring nod. “But what are three brave fillies like you doing out here in the bog? This is no place for kids.”

“We saw a sign about a hydra and thought maybe we could get our cutie marks by looking at dangerous creatures,” Scootaloo explained, her voice trembling slightly. “But we didn’t know it would be so… terrifying.”

Oh my god, these fillies are going to be the death of me. Their poor parents…

“Yeah, well, sometimes the best adventures are the scariest,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “But let’s save the dangerous stuff for when you’re a bit older, okay?”

Apple Bloom nodded vigorously. “Yeah, Ah think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

“Good call,” I said, managing a warm smile despite the searing pain. “How about we get moving? Stay close to me, and don’t you worry. We’ll get you back to your families soon.”

Not a single one argued against that. They fell into step beside me, as I guided them towards the Everfree and away from the hydra’s corpse.

As we emerged from the swampy waters of the bog and ventured into the depths of the Everfree Forest, I paused to cast Prestidigitation, removing the grime and stench of the bog from us all. The fillies’ eyes widened with fascination at the magic, their earlier fear momentarily forgotten. To amplify their awe, I summoned four glowing orbs with Dancing Lights. They floated around us like gentle will-o'-wisps, casting an illuminating and reassuring glow that pushed back the encroaching shadows of the forest, making our path less foreboding.

The fillies huddled together, their initial fear softened by the lights’ comforting presence. Their nervous whispers and glances gradually shifted to a mixture of curiosity and wonder as they watched the orbs dance. Aldin, ever the attention seeker, flitted between their shoulders, encouraging them to pet him. His soothing presence offered them a small measure of comfort, and his soft hoots seemed to reassure them.

A genuine smile broke through my pain. These children who were about to die just a few minutes ago, are now smiling and petting away at Aldin as though they were out for a field trip to a petting zoo. Ah, the innocence of youth.

My senses remained sharp, my thumb repeatedly rubbing over the pommel of Promise whenever the pain in my shoulder flared up. It was a small gesture that helped keep me focused despite the discomfort.

Navigating through the Everfree Forest was challenging. The foliage was dense and occasionally the terrain became a little unpredictable, but the glow of the Dancing Lights proved to be a steady guide, and Aldin and I were able to see far into the darkness of the forest. The fillies’ fear had transformed into cautious curiosity, their wide eyes taking in the forest with a mix of apprehension and wonder as we made our way through the twisting paths.

“Mister Sebastian, how did you fight the hydra all by yourself?” Scootaloo asked, her voice filled with awe.

“I didn’t. I had some help,” I said with a grin, nodding towards Aldin and thinking of the now-dispersed summons. “And a bit of magic.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. “Magic like these lights?”

“Exactly,” I said, letting a small smile grow on my face. “Magic can do many things, but I’d say it has been my training under the best princess that let me fight the hydra like that.”

“But, Mister Sebastian,” Sweetie Belle spoke up while petting Aldin. “I thought Princess Celestia only had one student?”

I looked at Aldin and spoke to him in our shared language so that the fillies could not understand us, “It was a mistake to save all of them.”

Aldin shot me a look, "If they weren't so cute, I'd agree."

“Wait a second!” Scootaloo interjected, her little wings fluttering with excitement. “You mean Princess Luna, don’t you? She’s the coolest!”

“No way!” Apple Bloom countered, poking a hoof towards Scootaloo. “Mister Sebastian means Princess Celestia.”

“I don’t know, girls,” Sweetie Belle said, trying to mediate. “Maybe it doesn’t matter which princess he means. Can we just focus on getting home?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle through my pain as I watched them argue. This distraction was perfect. They were so caught up in their argument that they didn’t even notice the ominous surroundings of the Everfree Forest. Their bickering filled the eerie silence, making the trek back to Ponyville more lively than it had any right to be.

Aldin, now perched on Scootaloo’s shoulder, turned his head toward me. “Can I keep one?” he asked, with his best puppy eyes equipped.

“Sorry, best-buddy,” I replied, still speaking in our shared language. “They have families waiting for them, and I’m not kidnapping anyone.”

“But look at them! They’re adorable!” Aldin protested, nuzzling Scootaloo’s cheek. She giggled, oblivious to our topic of discussion.

“They are,” I agreed, “but they belong in Ponyville. You know, with their parents.”

Aldin let out a pouting sight and relented.

The path through the Everfree became less treacherous as we neared the edge of the forest. The fillies continued their spirited debate, with Sweetie Belle occasionally trying to calm things down.

“You’re both missing the point,” Sweetie Belle said, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “Mister Sebastian said ‘best princess,’ not ‘most powerful’ or ‘coolest.’ Maybe he means Princess Luna, his sword has her cutie mark on it!”

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo fell silent, considering Sweetie Belle’s words. I smiled, appreciating Sweetie Belle’s insight. She was right, after all.

We continued onward, I hid my discomfort while the fillies kept up with my pace.

“Mister Sebastian,” Scootaloo piped up, her tiny voice brimming with the kind of innocent curiosity that only a child could wield so effortlessly. “What does ‘fuck’ mean?”

Oh… Oh no…

I could feel Aldin’s joy bubbling up through our link, and from him a mischievous hoot rang out. Thanks, best-buddy, being real helpful right now.

“You know what,” I started, carefully mulling over my word choice, “why don’t you ask your families when you get home?”

The trio exchanged glances, clearly unsatisfied but willing to drop it — for now. Crisis averted!

Or so I thought.

“Mister Sebastian,” Apple Bloom’s voice cut through the silence, tinged with the kind of hesitation that made my heart sink. Another question, and this one sounded like it could spell trouble. Please, not something that’ll get me skinned alive. Please, don't ask me where babies come from!

“Do you think they’ll be mad at us?”

Relief washed over me. This one I could handle.

“Yes,” I answered, pausing just long enough to watch their expressions tighten with worry before I continued, “but they’ll be a lot happier to see you alive and well. If you want my advice, apologize — mean it — and tell them that you’re sorry and that you love them. Trust me, that works every time.”

Aldin let off another amused noise, but for once, he kept his comments to himself.

They fell silent, absorbing my words with the kind of serious contemplation only children facing potential scolding could muster. Then, as if on cue, they began rehearsing their apologies like they were preparing for a school play. Their earnestness would’ve been amusing if it weren’t for the dull, persistent throb in my shoulder reminding me of the day’s events.

By the time we reached the edge of the Everfree, they had their lines down pat, running through their apologies in whispers. As we emerged from the shadowy forest, the sight of their families waiting anxiously just beyond the treeline brought an immediate end to their practice. Relief washed over their faces, quickly replaced by joy as they spotted their loved ones.

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity cried, dashing forward and scooping her sister into a tight hug. “I was so worried!”

“Apple Bloom, thank Celestia you’re safe!” Applejack’s voice was thick with emotion as she pulled her little sister close.

“Scootaloo, you’re okay!” Rainbow Dash swooped in, ruffling the filly’s mane with a mix of affection and relief.

I hung back in the treeline, watching the scene unfold from a distance. It felt good to see them safe, back where they belonged, surrounded by those who loved them. The adrenaline that had kept me going during the fight had long since faded, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion and a sharp, persistent pain that flared with every breath. I winced as I adjusted my grip on Promise’s pommel, the motion sending a fresh wave of agony through my lacerated shoulder.

The thought of going to the hospital flickered briefly in my mind, but as I watched the emotional reunions before me, my thoughts drifted to Luna. The families were wrapped up in their relief and happiness, so much so that they probably wouldn’t notice if I quietly slipped away. A genuine smile tugged at my lips, despite the pain.

I didn’t wait for goodbyes or any formalities. The fillies were where they needed to be, and that was all that mattered.

With Aldin perched on my uninjured shoulder, we made our way toward the train station. I could handle these wounds myself. I just needed to borrow some first aid supplies and sneak into my room to stitch myself up.

Then I could see that wonderful smile again.