The Two Sides of Laughter

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Shocking Revelation
Chapter 2 - Making Moves
Chapter 3 - Family Troubles
Chapter 4 - Steamy Cuddling
Chapter 5 - Crazy Thoughts
Chapter 6 - Laughing Matter
Chapter 7 - Cuffed Fate
Chapter 8 - Mistaken Identity
Chapter 9 - Action Reaction
Chapter 10 - Bittersweet Vows
Interlude - Limestone
Chapter 11 - Fatherly Chat
Chapter 12 - Send-Off

Chapter 1 - Shocking Revelation

Sometimes, life gives you lemons. And sometimes, life just straight-up throws you into an entirely different body. Horse edition.

And I can’t make lemonade with that.

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about being somewhere else? Imagining a different job as a way to escape your current one? Dreaming of being someone else—wealthier, more confident, more beautiful, more successful? The allure of what-ifs can be enticing, but sometimes those thoughts can turn into nightmares.

Well, that’s exactly what happened to me.

One moment, I was working as a cashier in a soul-crushing, minimum-wage job, and the next, I found myself faceplanting onto rock-solid ground. To say I was confused would be an understatement.

At first, I thought I was dreaming. Dreams can twist and turn without coherence; places shift without a second thought, and people fade in and out of existence. In a dream, everything feels familiar yet blurry, and I rarely recognize when I’m in one.

But there’s just something unmistakable about reality. It’s the little details that are too intricate to be mere fabrications. The sensations of my body—sound, touch, scent, and taste—are far too specific.

The wind rushing past my ears, the sun beating down my back, the fresh air mingled with dust, and the taste of the dry soil on my tongue—quite disgusting, by the way—made it clear that my dream theory was… well, shit.

I was, somehow, outside.

As I tried to push myself up with my hands, I noticed something was off. For one, I couldn’t feel my fingers, which was definitely not a good sign. My arms also felt larger and more powerful than usual. But the strangest thing of all was the sensation of something in the soil as I touched the ground.

The new sensation sent a shiver down my spine. A river of something pulsating beneath me, linking the earth to the land. It felt ancient and alive, yet devoid of consciousness.

I shook off the unsettling feeling as I pushed myself up to the ground, trying to clear the little stars dancing in my vision. The blur at the edge of my sight gradually faded as I took in my surroundings, blinking. Rocks, mountains, and a barren, arid plane stretched all the way to the horizon. A soft wind carried the strong scent of dry earth and fresh air.

Then I looked down at myself and promptly panicked.

My arms were now covered in dark-colored fur, with no fingers at the ends. They felt powerful, far more than my human arms, but my brain only registered them as something alien.

I yelped and scrambled to remove the thick fur from my forearm, but my efforts were in vain as I lost my balance and faceplanted once again to the ground. Growling, I shakily lifted myself back up and looked at my new legs… which now ended in hooves?

Oh no, no, no, no, no!

I shook my head frantically.

In a frenzy, I examined the rest of my body. My once-soft black hair now bore gray streak lines and extended down my neck, resembling a mane. The dark coat on my legs also extended all the way to my back end, now sporting a tail of the same soft black and gray color as my mane. If I squinted toward the edges of my vision, I could even make out a muzzle.

A horse. I was a fucking horse.

There’s no worse feeling than finding yourself in a body that isn’t yours. Everything felt out of place and unfamiliar, and the unknown was utterly terrifying. My lower body was now positioned behind me, and my ears sat atop my head, swiveling frantically to catch all the new sounds around me. My eyes were larger, set slightly to the side, and the shift in perspective made everything spin.

Was I even still a male?

I prayed with every fiber of my being that some fragment of my old identity still remained and looked down at my nether region, my head nearly upside down, only to find a sheath and two round balls. That discovery did not help one bit to ease my panic.

Maybe if I pinched myself, I’d wake up? I slowly lifted one of my hooves towards me, only to realize the obvious flaw to my—somewhat poor—attempt at denial. I didn’t have any fingers.

Ha, ha—Fuck.

And then something even more terrifying struck me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember my name. Not mine, nor any names of my family or friends. Faces, yes, but names? They slipped through my mind like water.

Everyone in my position would probably cry, panic, and hyperventilate—maybe not in that order, or even one at a time. And, well, that’s exactly what I did. Look, I never claimed to be tough. I can be quite emotional, and my situation wasn’t helping at all!

It took longer than I’d like to admit, but eventually, I managed to calm down.

So, what now? I thought.

As I glanced left and right, I knew I needed to do something. Indecisions would get me killed.

First, like all basic survival books, find a source of water. Second, locate civilization, whatever that might be. And third, well, profit.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

With that in mind, I chose a direction at random and started walking.

“One rock. Two rocks. Three rocks. Oh? What’s this? Another rock! Never seen that before…”

I was bored out of my mind.

Seriously, try walking for hours on end with nothing to do or see. It’s way harder than it sounds. Where was my endless stream of stimulation when I needed one?

I wasn’t scared anymore, but boredom was setting in and I didn’t think I liked it. It’s hard to keep track of time without a watch or a phone. Sure, I could tell roughly if it was morning, midday, or in the afternoon by the position of the sun, but anything more than that was a mystery.

My hooves didn’t hurt, which, while surprising, was a relief, but I was beginning to feel both hungry and thirsty. Water was alarmingly scarce in this arid landscape. There were no rivers, cacti, or plants—just rocks.

The small ponds I found—if you could even call them that—were all muddied and dirty. My body had made that abundantly clear the last time I took a sip, forcing me to vomit it back up. Great time.

As for food, I wasn’t even sure what I could eat anymore. Hay? Carrots? I didn’t think I was an omnivore anymore, and even if I were, I wasn’t desperate enough to start hunting something. I didn’t run because it would only increase my thirst and waste precious energy. Plus, I wasn’t very good at it.

Have you ever tried focusing on walking with four legs? It scrambled my brain like a mess of eggs at breakfast. It’s tough when you think about it too much. When I let my instincts take over, it worked better, but then I’d find myself obsessing over not thinking about it, which makes me think about it.

In any case, I wasn’t exactly the most graceful horse around, if there had been any witnesses. For the long hours, I trotted—yes, trotted—I hadn’t seen a single sign of life. No critters, no insects, no birds. Nothing. It was starting to give me the creeps. It’s like in any horror movie; when a natural place is utterly deserted, something always feels off.

And I was the only character in this setting, which meant I’d be the first to die too! Wasn’t this just fantastic?

I continued walking as the sun slowly sank below the horizon, the sky turning darker with each passing moment. Nightfall was only a few hours away, and the thought of sleeping outside didn’t sit well with me. I hoped the nights wouldn’t be too cold.

Then, I stumbled upon some greenery—well, more like a shrub, but it was still a sign of life! I poked it with one of my hooves, much like a cat tentatively poked its prey. The shrub didn’t react, which was good. I decided to taste it by nibbling on the leaves of one of its branches. The flavor was awful, almost making me gag, but my hunger pushed me to keep chewing.

I really should have watched more survival shows, because I had no idea what I was doing.

As the sky turned crimson with the setting sun, I spotted something on the horizon—a metal silo. The orange and pink hues of the sunset made it look like something out of a painting.

Salvation!

I was so relieved that nobody was around to see the goofy grin of a deranged horse—me—quietly laughing like a lunatic.

I should stop horsing around.

Yes, jokes keep me sane. And no, I’m not talking to myself! Shut up, imaginary listener in my head!

At first, galloping towards the silo felt awkward, but I managed to keep a steady pace. After a while, something just clicked. Galloping in a horse's body became oddly exhilarating. It felt like I was moving at supersonic speed. With my head closer to the ground, the passing scenery created a euphoric illusion of speed. The approaching destination only intensified the experience.

As I got closer, I could see that the silo was part of a small farm, which also had a windmill and a two-story cottage. The farm was divided into four quadrants of land, distinguished with wooden fences. What was strange was that the fields weren’t planted with wheat or corn but were scattered with rocks. The land, however, showed signs of habitation. Wooden carts and metal tools were neatly arranged near the fields, and the windows of the house were glowing warmly. That was a good sign of life.

I just hoped the inhabitants wouldn’t shoot me out of fear when they saw the talking horse pleading for hospitality.

As I approached the wooden door of the house, both excitement and anxiety coursed through me. My gallop slowed to a cautious trot. I gulped; I could hear voices inside.

The windows were coated in dust, allowing only the yellow glow from inside the house to seep through. Everything else beyond the glass was too blurry to make out. As I stepped onto the wooden planks of the patio, they creaked under my weight, causing me to grimace.

Now I just needed to be as friendly and unthreatening as possible. Surely, everyone would be welcoming to a talking animal, right? Totally normal behavior.

So, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The voices inside fell silent, and a tense pause stretched out. It was rather ominous. I heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door—though they didn’t quite sound like human footsteps. They were a tad too loud, and there were too many of them.

Please don’t freak out.

The door creaked open, and before I could even see who was there, my nerves got the best of me, and I started talking.

“H-hi! I’m sorry to distur—” My voice caught in my throat, and my eyes nearly bulged out of my sockets when they finally landed on the figure before me.

Standing in the doorway was a caramel-colored horse wearing a top hat, a back tie with a white collar, and enormous gray sideburns. One eyebrow arched as he gave me a quizzical look, seemingly waiting for me to finish my sentence.

When I failed to respond, still too stunned to speak, he sighed.

“What do ye need?” The talking horse asked calmly.

If my jaw hadn’t already been on the floor, it would have dropped another couple of feet. Maybe I had finally lost my mind, because here was a 19th-century-looking horse speaking to me with a slight accent.

“Is this… a joke?” I managed to ask, scanning the area for hidden cameras or microphones. I could usually tell my brain to shut off with the fact that I was a horse, but seeing one talk completely shattered the fragile wall I’d built inside my mind to keep from freaking out.

The horse frowned as if confused by my question. He opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted.

“Honey?” A soft voice called from inside the house. “Who be it?”

The older horse frowned and grumbled before glancing over his shoulder at the source of the voice inside. He side glanced at me, seeming unable to respond to the question. Before returning his attention back to me, his gaze skeptical.

“Who are ye?” He asked, the tone in his voice telling me his guard was up.

My eyes continued to scan the exterior of the house, searching for something—anything at all—that might indicate this was just one elaborate joke. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t. I simply didn’t want to accept it. So, as I often did when anxiety or panic took hold, I swept those feelings under the rug with everything else and tried to forget they were there.

With that, I donned my usual mask and smiled brightly at the talking horse, mustering my courage to deliver the best speech of my life.

“Hey, uh, sorry to bother you. You won’t believe this and even I can hardly believe it myself. But I just woke up—bam!—in the middle of nowhere, in this strange horse body—kind of like yours, actually. I don’t know where I am or even who I am. I’m hungry, thirsty, and I’m pretty sure my stomach is staging a full-on rebellion from the shrub I ate a couple hours ago.” I cough. “Uhm, that’s not important. What I mean is, can you help me out…? Please? Sir?”

I never said I was good at speeches.

He blinked in confusion, taking in the information. His gaze swept over me, noting the dust caked on my hooves, the leaves tangled in my mane, the dirt smeared across my muzzle, and the brittle smile on my face. After a moment of silence, he seemed to reach a decision.

“No.”

Huh?

“’No’?” I repeated, trying to process his refusal.

“No.” He confirmed firmly before slowly stepping back to close the door. I quickly shoved my foreleg between the door and the frame to block it.

“What do you mean, ‘no’?” I demanded, my eyebrow twitching. The nerve of this guy! Turning away someone in need and letting them fend for themselves—in that case, that someone being me! I couldn’t accept it.

We struggled over the door; he was pushing it shut while trying to shove my foreleg out, and I was pushing back to keep it open.

“Honey, what’s takin’ so long?” came the same voice from inside.

Seizing the opportunity, I put all my strength into pushing the door and wedged myself into the entrance.

“Ha!” I exclaimed in victory. “Take that, you talking horse!”

“Ye little—”

“Igneous!” An older mare with a muted green mane styled in a bun and wearing glasses appeared at the entrance. Her eyes were narrowed in an angry glare directed at him. “What are ye doin’ to the poor colt?!”

Igneous’ ears folded back at the sound of his name, but he quickly lifted them in indignation when she addressed me.

“’Poor’?” he snapped, turning to glare at me. “Sweetheart, this ‘poor colt’ just tried to force his way into our home!”

Now that I thought about it, I might have pushed things a bit too far—maybe. His glare suggested the same, because if his eyes were lasers, I’d be sliced into Swiss cheese by now.

“Igneous! For Celestia’s sake, stop frightenin’ the young stallion and let him in!”

“Cloudy, sweetheart, he’s plainly aggressive and mad. An outsider. I can’t let that kind of pony into our home!” He stomped his hoof on the ground.

“Wha—” I gasped in shock. The audacity of this man—or stallion—to label me as crazy! I was the very definition of sane! And pony? Please! I was obviously a horse! There was no way I had transformed into the desire of every little girl in existence!

“IGNEOUS ROCK PIE! DON’T MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF!” she shouted furiously.

Igneous’ head nearly dropped to the ground in fear at his mate’s reprimand, ears splayed sideways as he took off his hat, pressing it to his chest as if it could shield him from her wrath. I flinched too, and I wasn’t even the target of her fury. This mare was terrifying!

Realizing she wouldn’t change her mind, Igneous reluctantly stepped aside, allowing me to enter. I understood the forced invitation for what it was and trotted past him into the house.

“Uhm, t-thank you.” I stuttered, bowing my head in respect towards the mare.

A small, demure smile graced her lips. “Oh, ye’re very welcome, dearie. Now, let’s get ye cleaned up and find ye something to eat, shall we?”

As I nodded and continued to trot deeper into the house, I noticed a strange sight. Two heads, one atop the other, were briefly visible at the far end of the hallway, peeking out at us. They quickly vanished when the older mare turned to lead me further inside.

As she guided me, my gaze unfortunately drifted to her rear. Thankfully, her tail concealed any private parts, but I noticed some kind of marking on her flank. I quickly averted my eyes to avoid seeming like a creep. I might be a little odd, but I was not a creep.

The house itself had a cozy feel. Various family photos adorned the walls, showcasing a somewhat happy group. Igneous and Cloudy were the oldest of the bunch, clearly the parents. The rest of the muted-colored horses were striking poses in various spots—often at parties, actually—wearing small, cheerful smiles. However, one bright pink mare stood out, smiling wider than the rest of the family combined. You could practically feel her joyful energy radiating from the pictures.

In the hallway, I spotted just one houseplant, and it was barely hanging on to life. The rest of the décor? Oh, God—more rocks.

My musings were interrupted when the mare stopped by one of the doors.

“Ye can use the shower in here.” She said, knocking twice on the door. “The gray towel be for dryin’ off, and the brush on the far wall be for groomin’ thy mane and tail. When ye’re ready, just turn right at the end of the hall and join us for a meal.”

“R-right,” I said eloquently.

She seemed oblivious to my response, simply smiling before turning down the hallway and disappearing around the corner. Igneous followed her, but his eyes bored into mine as he trotted away. No words were needed to recognize the warning in that gaze.

I nudged the door open with one of my hooves and stepped inside. At first glance, the bathroom was simple yet functional. Square rock tiles and white stone walls enclosed a large shower crafted from rocks and designed for larger beings. The toilet was a squat style, more common in Asian or African countries, and, like everything else, it was also made of stone. Above a low sink, a small mirror hung.

I approached the mirror with a growing sense of anxiety, bracing myself to have the worst existential crisis anyone has ever experienced. I closed my eyes and positioned myself before the glass.

Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly and opened my eyes.

What greeted me was a haggard dark horse. His mane was disheveled, his muzzle dirty, and his dark-colored coat glistened with sweat. Piercing green eyes stared back at me. I turned my head to the right, and he mirrored the movement. I lifted a hoof, and he did the same. It was uncanny. It was my new body.

“Hello there,” I said, and his mouth echoed the same.

For a horse, I was actually quite cute—if you overlooked the grime and dirt. In that endearing, ‘let me hug you’ kind of way. My eyes seemed larger than I remembered horses having back home, more… expressive. Maybe it was an evolutionary trait designed to make us appear more appealing.

Well, for an existential crisis, it wasn’t my lowest. It was all temporary anyway, so it could be worse. For now, I could settle for being a horse.

I stepped into the large shower, my form-fitting easily with enough space to move comfortably. As I reached for one of the levers with my hoof, I suddenly paused; there was a problem. I couldn’t grasp the lever—I didn’t have any fingers anymore. I pushed it in annoyance, even though I knew it was meant for turning.

Then an idea struck me. With the grace of an elephant in a card-stacking competition, I grabbed the lever with my teeth and slowly turned it.

“Gah!” I gasped in shock as the freezing water suddenly sprayed onto my back. “Fuck, that’s cold!” I did a little dance, trying to escape the icy spray, but only succeeded in slipping and falling off the wet floor. Clambering back to my hooves, I lunged for the second lever, where a drawing of a flame and a snowflake indicated it was for temperature control.

With some sort of instinct, my hoof ‘grasped’ the lever and turned it toward the flame side, gradually warming the freezing water to a more comfortable level. It took a moment for me to process what I had just done. Slowly, I lifted my hoof to my face, my eyes wide with disbelief. I remembered the sensation of actually grasping the lever, but that couldn’t be possible—I had nothing to grab with.

I tried again, but this time I had no success. Focusing intently, I imagined my fingers were there, and slowly, but surely, the lever began to turn with my hoof!

How is that possible? Magic? Do I really have freaking magic powers? I’m turning into a superhorse?!

I spent the last few minutes of my shower experimenting with my newfound ability. I turned the water pressure lever, grasped the soap—which was surprisingly not slippery—and used the brush to detangle my mane, even making it spin like helicopter blades.

By the end of my routine, I was giggling like a little girl.

I slowly left the room, following the instructions of Cloudy. As I turned the corner, I found myself in the dining hall. A wooden table sat in the center, surrounded by five occupants.

At the head of the table was the jackass, Igneous, glaring at me as I entered. To his left sat his wife, Cloudy, wearing a warm, if small, motherly smile. Next to her was a younger mare, her curious gaze contrasting with the furious expression on her face. On jackass’ right, another young mare displayed the most indifferent look I’d ever seen while quietly petting… a small rock? The last one sat shyly, trying hard not to meet my eyes and hiding behind her mane.

“Come in, dearie. Make yerself at home.” Cloudy said. “We were eatin’ rock soup; it’s one of our best family recipes.”

What?

I slowly nodded in thanks, pretending to understand, and sat back on my haunches. A bowl of green soup with a rock floating in the middle was placed in front of me. I poked with my hoof, submerging the rock before it bobbed back to the surface.

Cloudy cleared her throat, and my eyes snapped toward her. “Ye’ve met my husband, Igneous.”

She turned to him, eyeing him with a look I couldn’t quite comprehend. He grunted, and I nodded stiffly in response.

“And these lovely mares be my daughters,” she said, gesturing toward them. Cloudy glanced to her side. “This be my eldest, Limestone.”

The first daughter grunted in acknowledgment. She had a dark lavender coat and a gray mane, examining me intently with a sharp expression. I could see the resemblance to her father.

“My second eldest, Maud.”

She nodded at her introduction. Maud was the inverse of her sister, with a gray coat and lavender mane. She continued petting the rock, looking as bored as if she were watching paint dry. At that moment, I never felt more boring than ever.

“And my youngest, Marble.”

The third sister squeaked and tried to hide behind her bowl of rock soup, avoiding eye contact with me. She had inherited her mother’s muted green mane and the grey coat of the family. Cloudy let out a sigh at her reaction.

As I observed them, I recognized Limestone and Marble as the two heads that had peeked around the wall earlier.

“Um, pleased to meet you…?” I said, trying to sound convincing.

“And what be yer name, dearie?” Cloudy asked.

Silence enveloped the room. Something surged inside me again, but I suppressed it, the mask nearly slipping. The family had stopped eating, their eyes fixed on me, waiting intently for my answer.

“I forgot.” I snickered.

“Ye… forgot?”

“Yep.”

She seemed surprised but didn’t dismiss my claim. Igneous exchanged a knowing look with her as if to say, ‘You, see?’

“How can you forget your own name?” Limestone asked, incredulously.

I shrugged. “I don’t know what happened. Like I told jacka-” I paused. “-your father at the door, I was just working at my job when I found myself in the middle of nowhere, in this… horse body. And, well… here I am.”

Another silence settled over the room.

“At least, I didn’t die of shrub poisoning” I added with a grin to lighten up the mood.

It did, in fact, not lighten up the mood.

“Definitely mad,” Igneous mumbled. Cloudy swatted the back of his head, while Limestone tried to suppress a cackle, only to stop completely when her mother shot her a warning glance.

“Now dearie, we don’t use offensive language in our house, so I don’t want none of that ‘whorse’, ye understand? This be yer only warnin’,” she said with a sweet smile that held a hint of steel.

I gulped and nodded frantically.

“As for yer ordeal…” She paused, tapping her hoof on her chin in thought. “We’d be happy to provide ye with shelter and food in exchange for some help at the farm. Celestia knows we could use it.”

She shot a pointed glance at her husband before he could object.

“Of course,” I replied, nodding. “But what about my… other problem?” I gestured to my body with my hooves.

Cloudy seemed stumped for an answer, looking lost and out of her depth, while Igneous shook his head in exasperation.

“Pinkie would know,” Maud said, her first words delivered in a boring monotone. She looked at me. “She’s my sister, and one of her friends is the apprentice of Princess Celestia. She could help.”

The other horses exchanged glances, seemingly agreeing with her idea.

“O—kay.” I replied, confused. “Uhm, can I ask you a question?”

“You just did,” Limestone quipped, taking a bite of her meal with a smug look on her face. Her mother shot her a hard glare, before turning her attention back to me with a sigh.

“Of course, dearie.”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before asking the question that had been lingering in the back of my mind.

“Who is Princess Celestia? You keep mentioning her.”

Igneous froze mid-bite, his jaw dropping in shock, Cloudy went pale as a ghost, Limestone choked on her rock soup, and Marble, forgetting to hide behind her mane, finally met my gaze in disbelief. Maud, however, remained unfazed, as usual.

Cloudy was the first to recover from her shock, her eyes locking onto mine in a gaze between fright and pity as she finally grasped the gravity of my situation.

“What?” I asked baffled. “Did I say something bad?”

Author's Note

Hey there!
This is the first time I'm publishing one of my stories online! I’m super happy to take this first step, but I’m also pretty nervous... Don’t be shy about leaving a comment! I’ll be happy to respond when I can!

Chapter 2 - Making Moves

I pushed with all my strength against the huge rock in the field, straining my front legs to advance it by just a few hooves. The sun beat down on me and sweat soaked my coat from the heat and exhaustion. Finally, I collapsed on top of the rock, my legs sprawled out like a dead bug on a windshield.

“Uhm…” Igneous' voice drifted behind me. “More to the right.”

I wanted to cry.

I must have spent hours pushing rocks around the field. When they asked for help at the farm, I had no idea it would come to this. Ever since the morning after that stressful dinner, I had been shoving rocks left, right, and center at his whims, with no apparent reason for their placement.

And he had the nerve to lounge in his chair while I did all the work, citing his old age and feeble bones when I questioned him about it.

When I started, I thought I’d be mining or stacking rocks to deliver somewhere, but no. We were simply moving rocks in the field. Why? According to that jackass, various minerals and rare metals would grow from the soil into the rocks, which could then be sold for a hefty sum. It all seemed completely nonsensical to me, but since I could use magic, I figured it wasn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility.

I couldn’t even complain. For one, they were sheltering and feeding me in exchange for my labor, and for two, the sisters were actually outdoing me, effortlessly moving huge rocks to their respective—if random to me—places in the field.

Limestone was directing them, clearly taking on a leadership role. Marble followed her orders with a small smile but always took a wide berth when she needed to pass me. As for Maud, she was balancing enormous rocks one on top of the other on her back! How was even she doing that?

I shook my head and gathered my strength, pushing the rock more to the right. I was starting to really appreciate the strength of these mares. I might not match their physical power, but at least I could keep up with determination.

That thought was what kept me from feeling too pathetic.

“No! That’s too far right! More to the left!”

Though I wanted nothing more than to grab the rock and hurl it at him to wipe that stupid grin off his face. But just as I was about to indulge that thought, I was interrupted by the ringing bell that Cloudy was striking with her hoof.

“Lunch be ready!” She called over the field.

My stomach responded to her call with a loud rumble. The king had spoken, and I always followed his orders. The sisters dropped what they were doing and started trotting toward the house, while Igneous got up from his chair as if someone had stolen all his fun.

I followed suit and trotted to the cottage, exhaustion and hunger evident on my face. Limestone wore a smirk as she watched me stretch my legs, my coat drenched in sweat, though her gaze seemed to linger a bit longer than necessary on my body.

“Tired already, Oblivion?” she joked, trying to provoke a reaction.

I scoffed, refusing to respond. Oblivion had become my unofficial name. It felt awkward being called just ‘hey’ or ‘you’ during my time here, so Limestone had taken it upon herself to name me. She told me in no uncertain terms that the name ‘fit me very well’, then cackled her flank off. It was kind of funny, to be honest, but I didn’t want to encourage her behavior, so I stayed silent.

By the way, the rest of last night’s dinner surprisingly ended well. I hadn’t said anything offensive; it was just my lack of knowledge about Princess Celestia that shocked them. It was as if I had declared I didn’t know who or what God was—like I had never heard the term before. Except this was more significant because this ‘God’ was an actual princess who had lived among them for millennia and was still living with them.

I didn’t know if it was real with all this magic nonsense, but it could just as much be a religious monarchy feeding lies to its subjects. To be honest, I didn’t care that much.

Aside from that, dinner went well, and I had my fill of the rock soup, which was surprisingly tasty if you didn’t look too closely at it. For the night, they settled me into ‘Pinkie’s bed’. She wasn’t living with them anymore, so I could use her room during my stay. Her bed was very pink.

It felt a bit awkward sharing a space with the sisters, especially since the bed was a bunk bed. Marble seemed to share my discomfort, her legs shaking with anxiety at the thought of sleeping in the same room as me. Igneous strongly objected to allowing ‘an unknown colt’ to share a room with his daughters. But Cloudy reassured him that everything would be fine, and Limestone promised her father that touching a single hair on her sisters would be the last thing I did alive, shooting me a pointed look as she said it.

So, there I was that night, sleeping in the top bunk just above Limestone, while Maud and Marble rested on the other side of the room. I slept well; the journey from the middle of nowhere to the cottage and the stressful dinner of that evening had completely worn me out.

However, I woke up that morning to a rock sitting heavily on my chest—the same rock that Maud always carried with her. My confusion quickly turned to dread as I felt like it was watching me. That morning, Maud apologized, explaining that ‘Boulder’ sometimes did that to ponies he took a liking to.

I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that.

“Oblivion? Yer rock sandwich?” Cloudy called, pulling me from my thoughts.

I nodded in thanks before grabbing a slice and joining the others at the table. Limestone, with a paper journal in front of her, was talking animatedly to Marble about some upcoming wedding of a princess or something, while Marble responded intermittently with her now-familiar ‘Mm-hmm.’ I didn’t pay much attention.

Maud was feeding ‘Boulder’ pebbles while writing something on a scroll. Curious about what she was working on, I glanced over, only to frown in confusion. The writing was unintelligible, resembling neither English nor any language I knew. In fact, it looked more like a child’s scribbles than anything coherent.

“What are you writing?” I asked, directing my curiosity at Maud.

“A letter to Pinkie,” she replied in an uninterested tone. “That an alien in a pony’s body is asking for help to get back home.”

I winced. Put in that way, it really did sound like I was a madman. Or a madhorse, for that matter. I knew I would have scoffed at receiving something like that if I were in her shoes. Hooves. Whatever.

“You think she’ll take me seriously?” I asked anxiously.

“They’ve seen worse.”

What kind of world was this where someone would take that letter seriously? Right… magic. If that was real here, anything was possible. Hell, all I needed was a lightning scar and some glasses, and I’d be the horse version of a little British wizard.

I couldn’t remember his name—something like… Horsey Trotter.

That sounded ridiculous.

“Thanks,” I said sincerely, giving her a smile as I pushed my ridiculous thoughts aside. “For your help.”

While Maud was the least emotional individual—horse or human—I had ever known, I could still sense her kindness. She was a bit strange, but honestly, everyone in this family was, and I didn’t mind. It felt refreshing. Well, except for jackass.

She looked at me and nodded before returning her attention to the letter. Thinking the conversation had come to a close, I went back to my sandwich and took a bite, an awkward crunch following it.

“You take pressure well,” Maud said suddenly.

“Hm?”

“You turn it into something more. You remind me of Amphibolite.” She continued without elaborating, still focused on her letter.

It took me a moment to realize she was talking about a type of rock, though I had no idea what kind.

“Thanks, I guess?” I replied. “Though I don’t think moving rocks is my calling,” I added with a small laugh.

She shifted her gaze from the letter to my eyes, then slowly turned it to my flank. I followed her gaze, feeling a mix of confusion and embarrassment before remembering.

Right, ‘cutie marks.’

If there was anything that screamed I was in a little girl’s dream world, it was the concept of a butt tattoo telling everyone what your talent was, complete with that terrible name. The first time it was mentioned was when Limestone called out to my blank flank just before bed. She was shocked, asking why I didn’t have one at my age. At first, I thought she was joking, but when I saw she was serious, I reminded her that, one, this was not my body, and two, I had no idea what the hell a ‘cutie mark’ even was.

She then happily explained the concept to me as if I were a little foal, all the while using that condescending tone she knew irritated me. But the real question lingering in my mind was why she had been looking at my flank in the first place.

Just like Maud was doing right now.

“See something you like?” I said to her, trying to mask my embarrassment. I immediately regretted it when I spotted her father at the end of the table, his face lifting with a glare that could kill. Fortunately, the hoof of his wife on his shoulder seemed to dissuade him from saying anything.

Maud took a moment to consider my words before looking directly into my eyes. “Not really. A little too plain for me. A granite rock has more curves than your flank,” she said with a straight face.

Did… did she just compare my flank to a rock? And the rock won?

I was so shocked by her reply that I almost missed the tiny smile that appeared on her face at my reaction.

I just babbled in response, hearing Limestone cackling in the background while Igneous wore a lost expression, perhaps having an existential crisis at hearing his daughter talk about the flank of a stallion. Cloudy, on the other hand—hoof, seemed somehow pleased, a sparkling look in her eyes.

I shut my mouth and took another bite of my sandwich, noting to never mess with that mare again. Maybe Marble was onto something by hiding in her long mane. I could certainly use that right now.

After the short break, we were back in the field, continuing the grueling task of moving rocks. Remarkably, Igneous had become even more of a jackass than he had been that morning. My breaks were shorter, his orders more precise, and his voice more grating.

But I endured because while he was tough on me, he never laughed or ridiculed me when I stumbled or didn’t understand some words in his orders.

I still didn’t like him, though.

The afternoon sun slowly descended on the horizon as the workday came to a close. My productivity was still nowhere near that of the sisters, but I kept at it, determined to prove to their father that I wasn’t a quitter. The work was still challenging, but I had started developing tactics to help me move more efficiently and quickly. For example, I began using a rope attached to my body to haul things over long distances instead of relying solely on my front hooves. Truly, a move only a genius could come up with. And that’s exactly why it wasn’t me who suggested it. Maud did. But I was gaining a better understanding of my body—how it worked and how powerful it was, for better or worse.

Now, Limestone and I were the last ones remaining in the field. The others had retired for the day not long before. We had one last task to complete.

I was currently being prepared by her to be attached to a wooden cart loaded with rocks—those deemed ‘ready’ for harvesting. I had no idea how they distinguished between them, and I had stopped pondering that a while ago.

Because yes, I had literally become a beast of burden. Was this how horses felt when we used them for transport? I should just be grateful that nobody had tried to ride me yet—at least in the nonsexual sense of the word. Scratch that—in every sense of the word.

Limestone started by fitting a padded collar around my neck, snugly across my shoulder blades. She then tightened the leather straps on the side with a firm pull of her hooves, making me wince. She grinned at my expression. From the little time I knew her, it was clear that she enjoyed making me squirm—though in a more playful way than her father, who I was pretty sure just didn’t like me. She would occasionally look at me and smirk as if someone had just told her a great joke. I was pretty sure, in that case, I was the punchline.

“So, how do you like being a pony?” she asked, continuing her work as she secured the various straps around my barrel.

I lifted an eyebrow at her question, curious about her motives as I watched her work. She moved with purpose, her actions firm and deliberate. It was clear she had done this numerous times before; her eyes passed a strap to another even before finishing the first, the routine ingrained in her body and operating on autopilot.

She shrugged when she saw my questioning gaze. “What? We’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s not every day something exciting happens.”

Well, she had a point. This farm was truly isolated—no neighbors, no stores, no public facilities. Just the farm and the train station. I would have gone crazy living here. But the family seemed perfectly at home, thriving in their element.

She pulled the straps tighter, and I winced.

“Frightening. Unsettling,” I said, recalling the memories of my awakening and the challenge of navigating this unfamiliar world. The fear of finding myself in another body was something I would have to manage, but I would, in time, like anything else.

Limestone pulled hard again, and I shot her a glare. “Also, really annoying.”

She smirked at me before instructing me to back up toward the shafts of the cart. I complied, and she finished the connection with a final tug.

Seemingly satisfied with her work, she examined the result for a moment before suddenly slapping my flank. It didn’t really hurt, but I was embarrassed to admit that the squeak that escaped my mouth was far from manly. The cart remained firmly attached despite my startled movement, proving that it was securely connected to my body.

“What the hell?!”

“Don’t be such a baby.” I shot her a glare. “You’re doing pretty great for a lost alien. You’re not panicking, you’re not crying for your mama. You even have time to crack a joke here and there! You sure you weren’t meant to be a pony?” She grinned, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

“Yes, I’d much rather be in my original body. Thank you very much,” I replied with a huff.

“Shame. You’re actually pretty handsome.” She looked me up and down, slowly circling around me. I didn’t think she was doing it just to check if the cart was secure. “Hardworking too. Good muscle for labor, but not too jacked either. And you didn’t even complain about all the work my father put you through.”

I crossed my eyebrows, my head following her trot around me as much as I could with the cart. Her sultry tone, playful attitude, and seductive gaze told me everything I needed to know.

“Are you flirting with me?”

“I’m just stating facts,” she said, lifting a hoof as if to make a point, though her eyes wandered elsewhere.

“Then why are you staring at my junk?”

“Just making sure the goods are secure.”

I paused, letting the words register in my mind, and grimaced when I realized she really said that. “That was really bad.”

“Thanks.”

“That was not a compliment.” I sighed. Was this what women felt when men tried their one-liners to get into their pants? I was just glad I had been too awkward before to attempt any pickup lines and embarrass myself.

She grinned before turning completely toward the train station, slowly sliding her tail along my muzzle and making me sneeze.

“Come on, stud, get back to work.”

I looked at her, flabbergasted. A sweet scent of her musk lingered in the air, and something stirred below, demanding attention and making it hard to keep it from making an appearance. Shaking my head, I resumed pulling the cart, the load forcing a grunt from me.

“You know this is sexual harassment?”

She glanced back at me and lifted an eyebrow.

“Like all the glances you give the girls when you think we’re not looking?”

I tried to respond but only stuttered. While it was true I was stealing glances, it was mainly because of their cutie marks, which all had a rock-related theme. It was hard to look elsewhere when it was literally right in front of me.

Seeing my inability to respond, Limestone continued, “Now, I don’t know how that works in your world, Mr. Alien, but when a stallion blatantly stares at a mare's flank, it usually means he’s interested.”

We continued trotting toward the train station as I struggled to gather my thoughts. Her hips swayed more than necessary in front of me, and her tail flicked, barely concealing what lay behind it.

“Okay, first, I was not staring at your flank but at your cutie mark.”

“Huh-huh.”

I ignored her. “And second, even if it were true, that doesn’t give you the right to touch me or get your… ‘scent’ all over me.”

She fell silent after that, her swaying hips nearly stopping. A heavy silence settled in during the long trot toward the station, only the sound of our hooves breaking it. I started second-guessing my response; they were sheltering me after all. Maybe I had said too much? It wasn't like she had assaulted me—just some playful flirting and a slap on the rear. I knew some guys back home who would have loved to be in my position. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe I—

“You’re right,” Limestone suddenly said, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m sorry.”

“W-what?”

She stopped trotting and turned to meet my gaze; her eyes filled with uncertainty. “I said you’re right. I crossed a line,” she insisted, her voice shaky. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just… sometimes I don’t know how to handle myself. I thought maybe you’d find it funny or… I don’t know.” She bit her lower lip and glanced away; her ears splayed sideways. Taking a deep breath, then another, small tears began to form in the corners of her eyes, but she quickly looked away and wiped them with her hoof.

“Limestone, it’s okay. Really,” I said, trying to reassure her. I hadn’t expected this kind of vulnerability from her. “You were just… having fun.”

“No, it’s not,” she continued. “I always go too far, scaring stallions away. Bucking Estrus! Why do I have to be like this?!”

“Estrus?”

“Right… you don’t know.” She laughed nervously. “Estrus is when ponies go into heat. It lasts a few days to a week, usually in spring and summer. Mine’s late this year… but I sense it coming soon. Even then, it’s still no excuse. I should have never done it to begin with.” She shook her head.

She glanced away and began to trot back toward the station, her head lowered and ears drooping. Then, as if trying to shake off the weight of her emotions, she lifted them briefly before they slowly drooped again. She was trying really hard to hide how much her mistake affected her.

So, a week of being incredibly horny? How intense are we talking? Puberty levels? More? That was hell, and the nudist lifestyle didn’t help. But it didn’t matter. She seemed genuinely sorry about it, and honestly, it was more the suddenness of her actions that bothered me than the actions themselves.

I felt a pang of sympathy for her. “It’s understandable. You’re not the only one navigating all of this. I’m in a body I don’t belong in, trying to figure out what’s real and... what’s not. So, I get it. Just—maybe a little less tail on my muzzle next time?”

She chuckled softly, a hint of relief in her eyes. “Yeah, I can do that. Thanks for being cool about it. I really didn’t want to scare you off. You’re… kind of interesting.”

“Interesting, huh?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to lighten the mood. “In what way? The ‘lost alien’ angle, or just the fact that I’m a terrible rock mover?”

She smiled genuinely this time. “Both, actually. But mostly the whole ‘lost alien’ thing. I mean, how often does that happen?”

“Not exactly a common occurrence,” I admitted, feeling a bit more at ease. “But I appreciate your apology. Let’s just chalk it up to a learning experience.”

“Deal,” she said, visibly relaxing. “Now, let’s get this cart moving. We’ve got rocks to deliver!”

As we resumed our trot, the air felt lighter. The awkwardness melted away, replaced by a newfound understanding, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the station, a sturdy structure made of rock. I wasn’t surprised.

“So, what are we supposed to do now?” I asked.

“We’re waiting for our buyer from the next town over. He should arrive with the train in a couple of minutes to take the cargo off our hooves. That’s how we get paid.”

She detached the shafts from my harness, freeing me from the cart. I nodded in thanks and settled onto my haunches, parking the cart near the tracks as we waited. Limestone sat beside me.

I glanced at her, a playful grin forming as I lay on my side, resting my chin on one hoof while the other casually draped over my flank. I let my eyes half-close, aiming for a seductive glare. Surprise flickered in her eyes as she looked my way.

“So… what else do you like about me?” I said, trying to sound as suave as possible, fully aware I might look ridiculous. “Go on, don’t be shy.”

She blinked in astonishment before snorting in amusement. “Buck you, Oblivion.” I couldn’t help but notice the faint blush spreading across her cheeks, and I chose to ignore it with a smirk.

We waited for over an hour before Limestone finally decided it was time to head back to the cottage. Her brows were furrowed with worry.

“Something big must have happened,” she said, glancing anxiously down the tracks.

“Maybe he’s just late?” I replied, bored. I picked up small pebbles with my magic and sent them shooting into the sky, grasping them again as they fell. At this rate, I could master this and become the best pony clown the earth had ever seen.

She shook her head. “You don’t understand. He’s never late. We’ve done business with him since I was a little filly, and he’s never missed a pickup.”

“What if he’s on vacation? Or sick?” I stopped my antics and gave her my full attention.

“Somepony else would have shown up. Even then, the train still would have passed through here. It just…” She glanced back at the tracks, scanning the horizon. “It didn’t appear at all.”

I frowned, considering her words. They made sense.

The beautiful dawn we had enjoyed earlier was now replaced by the chill of the approaching night. The day’s winds had calmed, amplifying the stillness of the land around us.

“Let’s go home,” Limestone said with a strained sigh.

I nodded, casting one last glance toward the horizon. The silence felt heavy, almost deafening.

Author's Note

Whoop! Is that plot I see? I think it is!

I want to thank everpony for giving my little story a chance! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment, I would love to see what you think will happen! Until next time! Ta-Ta :raritywink:

Chapter 3 - Family Troubles

“Absolutely not!” Igneous practically shouted at Limestone across the table. She remained unfazed, her fierce glare fixed on her father. I stood beside her, showing my support.

Over the last two days since the train station, we had grown closer—cracking jokes on the field, and helping each other with the work, though I definitely needed more help on that one than she did. But despite the good times, there was still this heavy tension that had settled over the farm.

“Why not?! It’s been two days! We can’t just stay here, burying our heads in the sand, hoping everything will be alright! We need to know what happened!” Limestone insisted.

Cloudy wore a complicated expression, her lower lip bitten in worry. She kept glancing between her daughter and her husband, clearly torn. Marble stared a hole into the table, her front hooves pressed down heavily. Maud had the most serious expression I had ever seen, her eyebrows drawn one inch tighter near her eyes.

The train still hadn’t passed in the last two days, which was apparently highly concerning, given the family’s reactions. Information traveled slowly here, news from the capital could take days to reach distant locations, conveyed only by word of mouth and hooves. Unfortunately, this also meant that the letter Maud had written for me couldn’t be delivered—the Mailmare hadn’t shown up to collect it.

“And that be why we’re waitin' for the guards, and that be final,” Igneous declared firmly.

“They’re not coming! Don’t you understand?!” Limestone shot back. She was breathing hard, the shouting match with her father combined with the weight of her emotions taking a toll on her.

“I am NOT lettin' my daughter go to the next town over and into danger!” He banged the table with his hoof, startling Marble.

“But Pinkie can? How is that fair?” Limestone challenged. Those words seemed to hit her father hard, causing him to wince.

“That be not the same thing, and ye know it. Pinkamena wasn’t… happy at the farm,” he struggled to say, the emotional pain evident in his voice. “She be part of the Elements of Harmony, as are her friends. Ye are not.”

“I’m a grown mare! I’m not a filly anymore! I don’t need you to watch over me all the time!”

Igneous shook his head. “And what happens if ye’re taken by surprise? Or if ye get hurt? Who be going to take care of ye?”

“Maybe we should all just calm down—” Cloudy began.

“Oblivion can go with me!” Limestone said firmly, cutting her mother off and making me glance at her in surprise, warmth blooming in my chest. While we had grown closer, it was one thing to know it and another to have the other person actually acknowledge it.

That seemed to ignite a spark of rage in Igneous, his eyes narrowing at me with reproach and distrust. But deep within those eyes, I caught a glimpse of fear—a fear I had seen in myself many times when looking in the mirror.

“Oblivion can’t protect you; he be barely able to work in the field. He’d be a liability.”

I grimaced, the words stung more than I was willing to admit. But he was right. The sisters were far stronger than I was, more knowledgeable about the land, and not trapped in an unfamiliar body.

“I—”

“Don’t talk, Oblivion,” Limestone interjected with a stressed sigh, then turned back to her father. “He’s the best choice. You and Mom are too old for the journey. Maud needs to stay at the farm, to protect you, and in case something goes wrong, and Marble…” She hesitated, glancing briefly at her sister. “Marble is too scared.”

Marble flinched at those words, her face scrunched in a frown, eyes shut tight. She was shaking, her hooves pressing harder into the table, making it creak under the pressure.

“We’ll keep an eye on each other. I trust him,” Limestone concluded, and a heavy silence settled over the room.

Another wave of warmth washed over me. Goddamn, did this mare even realize the effect she had? She wasn’t even trying to tease me, yet she was stirring up more butterflies than all her playful flirting over the past few days combined.

Igneous closed his eyes, taking a heavy breath before exhaling with a sagging body as if a puppet master had cut the strings holding him up. In that moment, he looked older.

“Ye’re going either way, aren’t ye?” It was not a question; he knew his daughter well. He had raised them all, after all.

Limestone nodded, her anger subsiding but her resolve unbroken. “I am.”

Igneous looked deep into his daughter's eyes, searching for anything that would contradict her words, but seemed to find none when he slowly nodded.

“Alright.” He said it quietly, softly. Cloudy leaned in, nuzzling his neck and wrapping her hooves around him from behind in an attempt to comfort him. If the topic weren’t so heavy, it would have been the cutest thing I’d ever seen.

When Limestone noticed her father had nothing more to say, she turned to me. “Come on, let’s go prepare.” With that, she trotted out of the house, without a second glance.

As I turned to follow, I cast one last look at the table. Cloudy was murmuring to her husband, her body pressed against his. He seemed to listen but gave no response. Marble had disappeared from her place, Maud staring at the spot where she had been, in a pose that I now recognized with concern.

What a mess, I sighed.

I stepped outside, following Limestone into the fading light. She was already trotting across the field, her pace filled with vigor but also tinged with frenetic energy I recognized as the result of too many emotions swirling inside her. I galloped to catch up, noting the frown etched on her face.

The usual sun was absent, gray clouds obscuring it in the sky. The wind had picked up considerably, making me wince as dust stung my eyes. It was the first day without sunshine, leaving a sense of discomfort in its wake.

“You alright?” I asked, concern creeping into my voice.

“No, but thanks for asking,” she replied, her eyes fixed ahead as she continued her trot.

“You want to talk about it?” I suggested, hoping to help, somehow.

She shook her head. “Oblivion, I appreciate your concern, but now’s not the time. Let’s just gather what we need for the trip.”

“…Right.” I sighed, falling into step beside her.

We arrived at a small wooden shed not far from the cottage. Limestone pushed the door open without a second thought, letting a cloud of dusty air escape. I coughed heavily as I accidentally inhaled some of it, waving my hoof in front of me to disperse the particles. Inside, the shed was filled with various mining tools—pickaxes, carts, and even helmets—but Limestone seemed to ignore it all as she beelined for a well-used satchel. She picked it up, brushed off the dust, and opened it, searching through its contents.

I sat a couple of paces behind, unsure of what to do or how to help. As I took a closer look, I noticed a strange mix of party-related objects and mining tools. One of the pickaxes still had deflated balloons attached to it, while some of the helmets sported party hats. Some even featured little drawings, which clashed hard with the image I had of the family.

The really odd part was the numerous banners hanging from the walls, most of them celebrating birthdays, with names scribbled across them. Others celebrated peculiar holidays, like ‘Hearth’s Warming’ or the very pink ‘Hearts and Hooves Day’, which was plastered with hearts—lots of hearts.

I continued to scan the room, poking at various tools and party supplies with curiosity, when my gaze landed on a huge cylindrical object in the back of the room.

Is that a fucking cannon over there?

“Alright, everything’s still in here. We just need to stock up on a day’s worth of food and water.” Limestone tossed me a canteen, which I caught with my hooves, grateful for the practice from the days before that kept it from falling. “Go fill it up at the kitchen sink. I’ll handle the food.”

“Right, on it.”

I picked up the canteen with my mouth, grimacing at the lingering dust, and trotted out of the shed back toward the cottage. Since I wasn't confident enough to walk on three legs yet, using my mouth was my only option.

The trot back was uneventful. No one was working after the heavy conversation we’d had earlier. The atmosphere felt heavy and devoid of energy, the usual sounds of clattering tools and moving rocks replaced by an unsettling silence. It just didn’t sit right with me.

Inside the cottage, the dining table sat empty, the rest of the family having cleared out. As I made my way to the kitchen, I caught sight of Igneous, his back to me, sitting on his haunches and holding a framed picture of his family. I—I… wasn’t sure how to feel about that, but I knew I didn’t want to disturb him.

My relationship with Igneous was… complicated. He irritated me to no end, and I could count on more than four hooves the number of times I wanted to throw something at him. Yet, he wasn’t a bad pony.

We tolerated each other for the sake of his wife and daughters, but I didn’t genuinely want him to suffer. He was just a grumpy dad, trying to protect his family from harm—whether that harm was an unknown danger lurking outside town or an unfamiliar stallion knocking at his door.

He was just doing his best.

I spat the canteen into my hoof when I finally made it to the kitchen, the taste still lingering uncomfortably on my tongue. With my now-mastered hoof magic, I easily turned on the tap and filled the canteen with water. After it was full, I shut off the tap, only to hear the sound of ‘clip-clop’ hooves behind me. I turned around to find Cloudy, blankets draped over her back.

“Here, dearie, take these blankets,” she said softly, placing the warm items on my back. “It be cold at night. Ye’ll need them.” She glanced at me, concern etched on her face. “And don’t fret about what that old stallion of my husband said. Ye’re doin' good work on the farm, and we all appreciate it. He be just… scared for his little fillies.” Her gaze drifted to the window as if lost in thought.

“Thanks, Mrs. Pie. I really appreciate it,” I replied sincerely, offering her a warm smile.

“Ah, none of that ‘Mrs.’ around me,” she said, waving a dismissive hoof. “No need to remind me how old I am. Just Cloudy be fine.”

“Alright, Cloudy,” I chuckled. “Thank you for your help.”

“Ye’re welcome.” She smiled back. “Now run along, I’m sure a certain daughter of mine be waitin’ for ye.”

I nodded, a grin on my face, and started to trot back when I heard Cloudy’s voice call out after me. “Oh, and dearie?”

I turned my head, curious. “Yes?”

“Do be careful out there. I wouldn’t want anythin’ to happen to my future son-in-law,” she said with a twinkle of mirth in her eyes.

I sputtered, momentarily taken aback by her words, then began a rapid retreat from the kitchen, the sound of her amused chuckles trailing after me.

Having tactically escaped the bane of all bachelors, a wannabe pushy mother-in-law, I slowed my gallop to a slow trot. Just as I was about to push open the front door, I spotted Maud, her body blocking my path.

I halted. “Um, do you need something?” I asked, uncertain.

She nodded and pointed toward one of the windows. I glanced over, following her hoof. Outside, sitting alone in the far corner of the field, was Marble, gazing back at the horizon.

“Can you go comfort her?” Maud asked in her trademark monotone. Yet, her body language revealed a different story; she was clearly concerned for her sister.

“Why me?” I questioned, hesitant. “Wouldn’t you be better? You are sisters, after all.”

She shook her head. “I have… difficulties expressing myself to others. Even my sisters can sometimes struggle to understand me.”

“But I’m a stranger. I don’t know her like you all do.”

She stared at me, her blue eyes piercing through my own. I didn’t know how, but somehow, I could feel her fierce need for my help as if her gaze held an unspoken plea.

“Sometimes, talking to a stranger is easier than to somepony you know.”

I continued to stare at her in indecision, before slowly nodding. If she thought I had a better chance of helping Marble, then I’d give it a shot. Still, a wave of doubt washed over me. What if I messed it up? I didn’t want to make things worse.

Shaking my head to dispel the negative thoughts, I passed Maud and stepped outside. The trot to her location wasn’t long, and before I knew it, I was slowly making my way toward Marble, making enough noise to announce my presence without startling her. Her ears perked at the sound, but she remained still, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

“Hey,” I said quietly, the wind almost drowning out my voice. “You alright?”

No response. She just kept staring, lost in whatever thoughts occupied her mind. I glanced back toward the shed, then let out a sigh as I settled down beside her. Fuck, was I really bad at this kind of thing, but I couldn’t just let her stew in her own thoughts.

To be honest, Marble was the family member I had interacted with the least. I didn’t know her as well as the others, even Igneous. But the way she had been acting this morning—something was clearly bothering her.

“I’m weak, aren’t I?” she said softly.

It wasn’t the first time she’d spoken to me directly, but it was the first time she’d said so many words. Since I arrived, her responses had mostly been ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘sorry’, or the occasional ‘Mm-hmm’.

I shook my head. “If you’re weak, then what am I? You push those rocks like they’re made of air.” I chuckled lightly.

She shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the ground.

“That’s not what I meant,” she replied quietly. With her hoof planted on the ground, she slowly moved it, displacing pebbles and dust until it stopped near a fallen leaf. Just before she could touch it, the wind picked up and sent the leaf flying away. Her eyes followed it wistfully.

“I avoid you all the time. I hide behind my mane like a little filly, too scared to face reality. Even now, talking to you, I still can’t look you in the eyes.”

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure what to say.

“I’m always in my sisters’ shadows,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t have Limestone’s confidence, or Maud’s expertise, and even less of Pinkie’s social butterfly charm. I’m just Marble—the shy one, the one always hiding behind her mane, the one… ponies forget.”

I grimaced at her words. Unfortunately, I had to admit that I’d sometimes completely overlooked her presence. She was so withdrawn and quiet that my brain had sort of just... erased her from my awareness. Most of our previous interactions consisted of me bumping into her and not even realizing she was there. It was obviously my fault, yet she was always the first to apologize.

“And I can’t even blame anypony because it’s all my doing,” she said while looking at her hooves. “I’m pathetic.”

“Not at all! Listen… you’re just shy, and that’s perfectly okay! Hell, you’re talking to me right now, no? That’s got to count for something! I’m sure you’ll find your own strength in time.”

“That’s kind of you, but you don’t need to make excuses for me.”

My mouth opened on instinct to reply, but nothing got out, making the silence between us even more uncomfortable.

“Listen, I—uhm… I’m not good at this kind of stuff,” I finally said.

The words trailed off as the wind picked up, swirling our manes with its force. I searched for something to say, but my mind came up blank. The silence felt heavy, charged with unspoken thoughts. I wished I could offer her something—comfort, understanding, anything—but the right words just wouldn’t come.

She smiled sadly. “Thank you for listening.” With that, she lifted herself up and trotted back toward the cottage.

I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of her words linger in the air.

Shit.

“Why is everything so complicated?” I murmured to no one, letting the wind carry my words.

“What happened to you?” Limestone startled me back to the present. I must have spaced out after Marble left. Her eyebrow was raised in confusion at the blankets snugly draped around my back. The satchel she wore was packed to the brim, but she didn’t seem to feel its weight. “You didn’t come back.”

“Sorry,” I winced. “As for these,” I said, gesturing to the blankets, “they're your mother’s gift for our little journey.”

She nodded, a small smile appearing on her lips. “Right, I almost forgot how cold it gets at night around here. She chose the colors well; they suit you.”

“Well, one’s for you too,” I said, pointing to the other blanket. “And of course it fits me. Everything fits me.” I joked.

“Wow, narcissist much?”

I shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a burden being this handsome.” To be honest, I was relying on her earlier reaction to my body for validation. My taste for beauty felt a bit skewed. On one hand—hoof, my human brain saw a cute little horse I wanted to hug to death. On the other, the ‘pony’ brain in my body appreciated the curves and toned figures of the sisters. The unique musky scent wafting from Limestone was also doing wonders for my little buddy downstairs. And I really didn’t know how to react to that.

She sighed. “I really shouldn’t have complimented you, now your ego is bigger than Holder’s Boulder.”

Holder’s Boulder was the massive egg-shaped rock sitting in one corner of the farm. On my first day of work, Limestone made me think I had to transport it across the field, which left me blanching in fear. She must have relished the look on my face because that was when her teasing really kicked into high gear.

“Well, consider it payback for all the teasing you’ve been dishing out since I got here,” I said with a grin.

She grimaced, her expression shifting. “Don’t tease me too much, you know I’m in heat right now. Do you have any idea how hard it is to not buck your brains out right now?”

My eyes widened in shock, her declaration catching me completely off guard. The weight of her words settled heavily, and I felt my breathing catch in my throat. A warmth spread through my body.

“Whoa, so you can blush?” She chuckled, clearly amused by the heat spreading across my face. I grumbled, glancing away and desperately trying to conjure up the least sexy thoughts imaginable.

“Shut up,” I muttered, the glimmer in her eyes only growing stronger.

“Don’t worry, we’re not rutting while I’m in heat. I’m not ready to be a mother yet,” she said with a mischievous grin. “Can you imagine the logistics of having a foal with an alien? Would they alternate weeks, spending time in each other’s worlds?” She burst into laughter at her own joke, and I couldn’t help but snort, rolling my eyes at her antics. At least she seemed to be feeling a little better than before, which lifted my spirits too.

A thought crossed my mind as I replayed her words. “Wait, don’t you have contraception here?”

She looked confused for a moment, then something clicked. “Eager, huh?” she smirked, the scent of her excitement becoming more pronounced. “No, only unicorns have that fancy magic stuff,” she said, waving her hoof dismissively. “Us earth ponies? We don’t have that kind of cheat.”

“Then what do you have?” I asked, genuinely curious.

She grinned, her tail swishing more energetically. “It’s simple, really—you pull out.”

I blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Huh. Really?”

She nodded. “That’s why you see way more earth and pegasus ponies compared to unicorns; accidents happen.”

I nodded, strangely intrigued. It weirdly made sense, and the subject was unexpectedly interesting. Limestone had recently filled me in on the differences between each type of pony, so I was learning a lot more than I ever anticipated.

Earth ponies were the most common in rural towns, and while they resembled the ponies back home, they had a unique connection to nature. They wielded a kind of magic—an affinity for the earth that allowed them to sense and manipulate the land around them. That weird sensation I felt when I first arrived? That was the literal magic of the land itself, coursing through my hooves. They weren’t just good at harvesting crops, for the Pie family, it was also all about rocks.

Then there were the pegasus ponies. They could fly, thanks to their wings, and they had the ability to walk on clouds and control the weather. The gray clouds looming overhead weren’t just an oversight; they were evidence of the absence of a weather pony, who should have cleared the skies. But they hadn’t shown up—just like the train.

The unicorns were the third type, easily recognizable by the horns on their heads, which allowed them to perform magic—think Horsey Trotter style. Unfortunately, that meant I was definitely not the chosen one. My magical prowess with my hooves was more on par with a foal's, which really took my confidence for a spin when I learned about it.

There was a fourth type: the alicorns. Only princesses could be alicorns, and they possessed the combined powers of all three other types. Talk about overkill! Currently, there were only three alicorns: Princess Celestia, her sister Princess Luna, and their niece, Princess Mi Amore… something.

“Pulling out is still too risky. We’re not doing it, stud. I’m not taking any chances.”

I blinked in confusion, then stuttered, “I-I wasn’t implying anything, it was an honest question! And stop calling me ‘stud’—you know I hate it!” I crossed my arms and pouted.

She let out a cackle. “That won’t work on me, Oblivion. I’ve spent enough time with you to know when you’re joking and when you’re actually serious.”

She had a point. I wasn’t really upset with her. Admitting that, though? That felt like admitting defeat to this mare.

“One day,” I said, making her pause, “One day, I’ll find dirt on you so embarrassing you won’t dare tease me anymore for fear I’d expose it to the world.”

She smirked. “Go on, try your best. I’d love to see what you come out with.”

We exchanged a moment of playful tension before bursting into laughter.

“Alright, enough wasting time. Let’s get going,” she said, waving her head to signal that we should move. She glanced back at me, before taking a moment to secure the load of blankets and the canteen so they wouldn’t fall during the trip.

“…Right, and where are we going, exactly?” I asked, grateful for her help.

She opened her satchel to pull out something. It was a map, which she spat out onto her hooves and pointed west, at one of the little towns on the large scroll. “The next town over, Dodge Junction.”

I paused, scrutinizing the text before realizing I couldn’t read any of it. “What kind of name is that?”

“What do you mean?” She glanced at me, clearly confused.

“The name’s weird. And what’s the name of this place, anyway?” I waved a hoof around.

She raised an eyebrow. “The farm’s called the Rock Farm, and the territory around it is Rockville.”

I looked at her with a deadpan expression. The Rock Farm and Rockville? Seriously? Did they have anything more imaginative? Limestone, Marble, Igneous—I got it, the rock theme, but come on!

“Of course it is. I should have known.” I attempted to facepalm with my hoof in frustration and somewhat succeeded. It did make me wonder why only Maud and this ‘Pinkie’ weren’t named after rocks.

“You really are strange about some things, Oblivion,” she said, rolling her eyes.

That’s not me being weird, it’s you, weird little talking horses that are weird!

We were trotting toward the exit leading to the train station when we spotted a group gathered for our departure. Igneous, Cloudy, and their two daughters, Marble and Maud, were all waiting for us.

Igneous seemed to have recovered from the earlier discussion; his face was calm. Cloudy smiled warmly when she saw us. Marble stared at the ground, her expression clouded with mixed emotions, but Maud gently nudged her, prompting a feeble smile from Marble. Maud's face was as stoic as ever, but as I had learned, it was her body language that told the story.

Limestone glanced at the group. “What’s this, an intervention?”

Her father snorted, shaking his head in exasperation. And then—

I gasped. He was smiling. Genuinely! I glanced left and right, half-expecting the grumpy old stallion I thought I knew to reappear.

“Ye know what it be, Limestone.” He approached her and pulled her into a tight hug, nuzzling her affectionately. “Just… be careful. For me.”

Limestone returned the hug, closing her eyes with a smile. “I promise, Dad.”

Gah! What’s this? Too much sweetness! I’m going to get diabetes at this rate!

Igneous ended the hug with a sigh before turning to me. I gulped, the anticipation making me nervous. “What? You gonna hug me too?”

He didn’t respond, just stared at me. I could feel the sweat forming on my brow as I waited for him to speak. Finally, he said, “Don’t break my daughter’s trust in ye. I don’t see what she sees in somepony like ye, but I love her with all my heart. So, I’ll give ye a chance. Prove me wrong.” With that, he turned away before I could respond. But I knew words wouldn’t matter; my actions would have to speak for themselves.

Next to me, Cloudy was hugging Limestone fiercely, checking her over to ensure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Limestone blushed, clearly embarrassed. “Mom, stop it! I’m not leaving forever; we’ll be back in a couple of days!”

“That be my job to worry about ye. Let yer mother indulge herself. Nopony be stoppin' me from frettin' over ye, not even Princess Celestia herself!” She planted a kiss on Limestone’s forehead, prompting a mix of eye-rolling and smiles from her daughter.

Cloudy then turned to me, wrapping me in a small but warm hug. But her next action sent a chill down my spine. Leaning in, she whispered in my ear, “I want three grandfoals. Don’t make me wait.”

The blush on my face deepened to the point where even Limestone caught it out of the corner of her eye, confusion etched on her features.

Maud simply hugged her sister, telling her to be careful, before extending a hoof toward me. I glanced at it, a second or two before comprehension dawned. I grasped her hoof with my own using my magic and shook it. “Take care of my sister,” she ordered.

“I think she’s more likely to take care of me,” I chuckled.

Maud nodded, seeming to agree with my assessment, and then stepped aside to let Marble approach me. Marble had just finished hugging her sister and now stood beside me, her eyes a mix of uncertainty and something else.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Hey.”

Marble kept her gaze on the ground, one hoof nervously fretting against her upper leg.

“Um… sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to dump all of that on you,” she mumbled.

“That’s alright. I wasn’t really… much help, sorry.” I winced, my ears drooping as I recalled our earlier conversation.

She shook her head. “You did help. It felt… good to let it all out.” She offered a small smile, still looking down.

I glanced at her, and an idea popped into my head. Why not?

“Hey, want to start over?” I smiled and extended my hoof toward her.

She looked at it, then followed my limb until her eyes met mine. Encouraged by my smile, her own brightened as she slowly nodded and took my hoof in hers.

“I think… I’d like that,” she said.

I grinned. “Hi, I’m Oblivion, the lost alien.” I shook her hoof gently.

She giggled, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. “Hi, I’m Marble Pie.”

With that, the heartfelt goodbyes were behind us. Limestone and I departed from the farm, waving our hooves in farewell.

Next stop: Dodge Junction, the town known for its terrible name.

Author's Note

Whoo-whee! That was a doozy of a chapter! :pinkiecrazy:
I hope you’re enjoying the reading as much as I enjoy writing it. The next chapter will certainly be the hardest for me. How’s that for a little hint?

Chapter 4 - Steamy Cuddling

Author's Note

WARNING: Sexual content in this chapter.

Chapter 4 - Steamy Cuddling

Our journey to the next town was hot and monotonous. We followed the train tracks, the shortest and most direct route. The sun felt like it was baking me from the inside out, and the blanket draped across my back only added to the discomfort. At least we took turns sipping water from the canteen to stay refreshed.

The landscape was much like what I had encountered before—rocky terrain, scattered shrubs, and the occasional undrinkable puddle. This time, however, I had a friend, and that made all the difference.

We engaged in small talk and shared a few jokes, but much of the trip was spent in silence. I tried to pass the time by explaining various concepts from my home to Limestone, but my words seemed to slip in one ear and out the other. Some things are just too difficult to convey, and without firsthand experience, it became hard for her to visualize how everything worked.

I also realized I wasn’t the best teacher, which certainly didn’t help.

Still, I had plenty of time to… ‘observe’ Limestone. I hadn’t meant to, but when you’re in the middle of nowhere, your eyes naturally gravitate toward the most interesting sights. And, well, I found her interesting.

She had a body both toned and alluring. Her dark lavender coat shimmered in the sunlight, accentuating the curves and muscles she had developed over the years. Her tail didn’t help my state of mind either, teasingly revealing the rim of her sex just before swishing back, making me groan internally. Her flank, sculpted from days of hard work pushing rocks on the farm, glistened with sweat under the sun, with droplets occasionally invitingly tracing down her curves.

Oh God, why is this so hot?!

I might have found it disturbing if I had just met her, but that wasn’t the case. My attraction wasn’t merely to her body; it was to Limestone herself—the individual, my friend. She had a family, dreams, fears, likes, and dislikes. Unlike the ponies back home, she possessed moral reasoning and self-reflection. She was conscious in a way that animals back home simply aren’t. In many ways, she felt… human.

And my body definitely wanted a piece of that.

It didn’t help that she wanted me, either. I would have had to be blind, deaf, and anosmic not to notice all the hints she was practically throwing my way. The problem was that, since she was in heat, sex was out of the question. She wasn’t ready to become a mother, and I certainly wasn’t prepared to be a father—even with all the nudges from Cloudy. But yes, I thought about doing it; who wouldn’t in my situation? I was still a young, functioning male, just… in the body of another species.

The second problem was that, well, I wanted to get back home. Starting a relationship when I knew I wouldn’t be around didn’t sit well with me—especially if I were to become a father. The thought of leaving Limestone behind was unthinkable. But staying here wasn’t an option either, what about my family? My parents must be worried sick about my disappearance.

So here I was, caught in my dilemma—my body urging me one way and my mind pulling me in another—when a sultry voice broke the silence.

“Enjoying the view?” Limestone smirked back at me.

My gaze was still fixed on her rump, so her words startled me back to reality. Heat rushed to my face, a blush that had nothing to do with the sun. I quickly looked away, coughing to mask my embarrassment.

“Sorry,” I said, trying to apologize.

She snorted playfully. “Don’t worry, you can look all you want.” With a teasing shake of her hips, she made me gulp. Even now, her tail was barely covering her flower, revealing just enough to leave me wanting more.

“You're doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” I finally replied, the blush still evident on my face. Of course she was, this was Limestone we were talking about. Since the beginning of our journey, her trot had become… for lack of a better term; sexier. The way she was swaying her tail was far too deliberate to be purely instinctual.

“You bet I am!” she cackled. “You’re too easy to tease, especially with that cute little face of yours blushing like a storm.”

I shook my head, exasperated by her antics as I tried to cool the heat on my cheeks. She wasn’t helping my predicament at all.

“Where’s your decency? Aren’t you afraid I’ll take advantage of you if you keep this up?”

“Oblivion,” she sighed. “Sometimes, I really wish you didn’t embody that name so well.” She locked eyes with me. “I want you to take advantage of me, but you never do. Sure, you can be charming at times with your fancy words and whatnot, but you never go further. You’re all bark and no bite.”

I know! Can’t you see how much I’m restraining myself?!

But then an evil idea crept into my mind as I eyed her. I began trotting slowly behind her, my gaze returning to her rear. “You know what? You make a good point. I’ve never pushed things further than that, but maybe it’s time to change that. I still owe you for that slap on my flank the other day…”

Her eyes lit up in surprise, and her trot came to a halt. She looked excited at the thought of me finally taking action, her tail swishing eagerly. But Limestone lost all her color when she followed my gaze, realizing what my true target was.

“Wait, no—”

Before she could finish, I took her tail in my mouth and pulled.

She moaned, hard, then quickly shot her hoof up to her mouth to stifle the sound. Her back arched slightly, and her hindquarters instinctively drew closer to me. She blushed so deeply that her coat seemed to change color entirely. My eyes widened in shock; I hadn’t expected that kind of reaction from her. I thought she’d squeal like I did—not… this.

A small dripping sound came from beneath her tail, and then the scent reached me. It was a strong, musky aroma that stirred something primal within me—something my ‘little’ buddy downstairs craved with ravenous hunger. It took all my mental strength to keep him in check.

One glance during my bathroom breaks was enough to know I shouldn’t let that kind of monster grow to its full length.

I slowly released her tail from my mouth, letting it fall back down. The sudden release made her shudder, and she abruptly turned to face me, sitting on her haunches and placing her tail between her legs.

“Uh, you alright?”

Great question, you idiot! Why do I say such stupid things in uncomfortable situations?!

She was breathing heavily, her face still flushed. “I-I think I need a moment.”

I gulped, a mix of concern and a hint of excitement welling up—I pushed that feeling down, determined not to let it grow. My friend was in distress, and I’d rather die than let her see how her reaction affected me.

“Hey, I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t—” She put a shaky hoof in front of my lips, silencing me.

“No, I-I shouldn’t have teased you like that. I’m partially responsible too.”

So, we sat in silence, my eyes wandering anywhere but at her. Suddenly, the boring rocks surrounding us became fascinating, as did the little shrubs here and there. I tried to focus on anything but her, but unfortunately, the last few minutes kept replaying in my mind over and over. Of course, I felt guilty about my actions, but I couldn’t deny that it also stirred a sense of… arousal within me.

“Okay, I’m good,” she finally said after a few minutes of awkward silence. She slowly lifted herself up, her tail moving away from her hindquarters. “Oblivion?”

“Y-Yes?”

“Don’t ever, ever do that to me in public, is that clear?”

I nodded frantically, the motion almost making me dizzy. But one word in her reply stood out to me. “Wait… in public? What about—”

“Let’s go,” she interrupted.

“But—”

“I said, let’s go.” Her eyes pierced deep into my soul. I could almost see the image of a lioness overlapping with her own, and she was hungry—just not for traditional meat.

“Yes ma’am,” I said with a salute.

Well, I found dirt a lot sooner than I expected. The problem was, there was no way in hell I was using that anytime soon. She’d have buried my body before I could ever tell anyone—or anypony about it.

Why are mares so scary in this family?

We finally reached our halfway point as the sun began to set. The night was approaching quickly, bringing a chill with it, and trotting in the dark wasn’t exactly safe. We set up camp near a little river, one of the first sources of drinkable water since my arrival.

Limestone effortlessly unpacked the various items needed for camp, making me feel a bit useless beside her. However, a strong gust of cold wind made her shiver. Still carrying the blankets, I quietly approached her from behind, taking one in my mouth and transferring it to my hooves. Her ears twitched at my approach, but she didn’t look up. I wrapped the blanket around her, finally prompting her to pause what she was doing.

“Here,” I whispered in her ear, and she shuddered at my breath. “I wouldn’t want my only guide to freeze out here.”

A blush crept across her cheeks, which she tried to mask with a snort. “Oh, look who’s trying to be charming again,” she said, turning to face me. She lightly pressed her hoof against my fluffy chest. “You know, there are other fun ways to stay warm,” she teased, her hoof trailing slowly down.

Her touch caught me off guard, but I was ready for her playful banter, so I rolled my eyes at her antics. “Keep it up with those jokes, and it won’t take long for me to stop being immune,” I said, gently brushing her hoof away from my chest. “Besides, you’ve said you don’t want kids, remember?”

“Kids?” she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion before she shook her head. “We’re ponies, Oblivion, not goats.”

“No, I—” I paused, feeling a bit annoyed. “I mean foals! 'Kids' is—never mind,” I sighed, exasperated.

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity evident.

“Sorry,” I added with a sigh. “This trip has been a bit much.”

She nodded, a small smile breaking through. “It’s alright. Why don’t you fill-up the canteen at the river while I finish setting up camp?” She tapped the canteen hanging from my side.

I snorted. “Since when did I become the go-to for that job?”

“Since that’s the only thing you seem to excel at,” she shot back, her eyes glinting with mischief as she tried to hold back a grin.

“Ouch! You don’t pull any punches, do you?” I pretended to wince, but her deadpan stare told me she wasn’t buying it. “Are you sure you don’t want any help?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oblivion, I’m in heat, not helpless. Now go before I decide to punish you for it.” She gestured toward the river.

I scoffed. “That’s one fetish I didn’t need to know.”

Her eyes widened in shock, and her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “No! I—I mean, that’s not…” She flailed her hooves in denial, accidentally dropping the blanket as she tried to make her point. I couldn’t help but smirk at her flustered reaction. Not waiting for her to finish, I trotted off toward the river. “Oblivion! Come back here!”

I chuckled my way to the river, feeling a spring in my step as I left Limestone behind. There was just something enjoyable about teasing her, maybe it was how it contrasted with her confident attitude—seeing that strong mare blush was oddly satisfying. She must have felt the same, usually responding to my banter with equal measure.

The river was conveniently close to our resting spot, so I didn’t have to trot far. The water was crystal clear, the current dancing against the rocks and sweeping away any impurities. It was a stark contrast to the murky puddle I had drunk from when I first arrived—I shuddered at the memory.

I cautiously dipped my hoof into the water to test the temperature. It was a bit chilly, but perfect for a refreshing drink come morning. After shaking off the water, I used my hoof magic to angle the canteen against the current, slowly filling it up. In less than a minute, I had completed my task, but the thirst still nagged at me, making me eye the river again.

Horses drink directly from the source, right?

With that thought in mind, I leaned down toward the water, planting my front hooves on the rocks flanking the river. Just as I was about to take a drink, I slipped—my wet hoof lost its grip on the slick rock, and I splashed right into the river.

Cold. Cold. Cold.

Water surged into my mouth and nose, robbing me of breath. Panic set in as my hooves scrambled through the frigid water, searching for something solid to grasp. Everything felt blurry; my thoughts spiraled away, leaving only the instinct to survive. Just as the darkness at the edge of my vision began to close in, I felt a powerful grip around my barrel, pulling me from the depths.

I crashed onto the ground, coughing violently as I expelled the water from my lungs. Each breath was a labor, my body shivering from the cold and the shock of my near drowning. My vision remained hazy as I gazed up at the sky, struggling to regain my bearings.

Only one thought occupied my mind at that moment.

I… I can… die. I almost fucking died. Ag—

“Oblivion! Are you alright?!” Limestone’s frantic voice filled my vision, her panic evident.

I nodded, trying to reassure her. “Yeah… I’m fine. Just slipped.” I let out a chuckle, which turned into a cough as more water escaped my lungs.

She looked at me incredulously. “What the buck are you laughing for?! You almost drowned, you idiot!” She fretted over me, gently tapping her hoof against my back to help expel the remaining water. I noticed then that she was wet too—she had saved me from the river, after all.

“Sorry, sorry,” I smiled at her, hoping to ease her concern. “Guess I’m not very good at this job either, huh?” Unfortunately, my joke didn’t seem to land.

She shook her head, irritation clear on her face. “Forget about that; we really need to get you warm.” Her eyes darted to my shivering body. “Where’s your blanket?”

It struck me how she was worried about me, even though she was shivering from the cold herself. It was both touching and absurd. Here she was, the strong, confident mare, prioritizing my well-being while we were both suffering. I couldn’t help but feel guilty about it.

“Um, somewhere along the river, I think.” I grimaced, realizing I had lost Cloudy’s blanket in the water. She’d be so disappointed when we returned.

Limestone didn’t share my concern. Without hesitation, she picked up the blanket she had dropped earlier and wrapped it around me, enveloping me in the warmth of her comforting scent. “Thanks, but what about you?” I asked with genuine worry etched on my face.

She shook her head, determination gleaming in her eyes. “Forget about me. I’ll manage without one.”

“W-Wha—absolutely not!” I exclaimed, incredulous.

“I’m not letting you sleep in the cold!” she shot back, her resolve firm.

“Well, I’m not letting you either!” We locked gazes, both of us refusing to back down.

There was no way I was going to let her suffer in the cold when I was the one who slipped and fell into the water. The consequences of my carelessness shouldn’t fall on Limestone; they should rest squarely on my shoulders. But then an idea struck me—well, it wasn’t exactly mine. I looked at her with a smirk, raising and lowering my eyebrows suggestively.

“What?” She looked confused at first, but realization dawned on her. “Wait! T-That was a joke! I didn’t really mean—”

Warmth.

That was the sensation enveloping me as I cuddled with Limestone in our makeshift bed inside the little tent. The blanket partially covered us, but the real heat came from the mare I was spooning.

We hadn’t gone further than that—just sharing our body heat to fend off the cold. I could feel her breathing softly against me, her warmth pushing back the chill from the outside. The scent she emanated was almost intoxicating, wrapping around me like a comforting haze, making my thoughts feel fuzzy and surreal.

“Are you asleep?” I whispered, my breath warm against her ear.

The air seemed to thicken with tension, causing her to nearly hiccup as my words brushed against her flushed ears.

“Do you—” She bit her hoof, clearly struggling to contain herself. “Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?” she growled, a mix of frustration and desire in her voice.

“Um… no,” I replied honestly.

“Then just stop talking. You’re making it so much worse.”

So, I fell silent. After a minute of awkward stillness, both of us trying to sleep but unable to find rest, the tension lingered in the air. As the position grew awkward, I shifted my body slightly to find a more comfortable spot, causing her to gasp.

“S-Sorry” I stuttered.

She didn’t respond. Now, her body was almost a furnace due to the intense heat emanating from her. A damp sensation formed where my upper thigh met hers, not caused by the water from earlier but rather by her… arousal. I remained silent, unwilling to speak and make it worse.

“D-Don’t move!” she half pleaded; half ordered.

“I’m not!” I murmured in response.

She glared back at me. “But—You just did!”

“I said, I’m sorry!”

Her breathing became more labored, her body trembling with arousal. The stimulation sent shivers down her spine.

“I—I can’t,” she said softly, “Oblivion, I can’t go on like this.”

“W-What do you mean?” I asked worried.

She turned around, her eyes—usually full of mischief—now glazed and feverish. Her cheeks were a deep crimson, and her lips were slightly parted, revealing a glimpse of her tongue. She panted softly, her breaths short and uneven.

I was mesmerized by her gaze, unable to look away. I felt like a statue, frozen in place by the sheer intensity of her erotic look.

“Please…” she breathed, her voice trembling. “C-Can I touch you?”

She remembered. Even in her current state, she recalled our conversation during our trip to the station about permission and boundaries. But now, she wasn’t merely asking for a casual touch—we were already doing that to stay warm. No, this was a request for something deeper, a more… intimate contact.

I knew I shouldn’t have given in, but in that moment, saying no felt impossible.

Her pupils dilated as she caught sight of me nodding. In a swift movement, her hooves enveloped me, and her muzzle pressed against my chest to inhale deeply. She shuddered in response. Then, one of her hooves descended, gently yet firmly massaging my sensitive area.

“Oh, fuck—”

The reaction was immediate. The dormant beast, kept at bay for so many days, started to leave its nest. How could a simple hoof bring so much pleasure? I struggled to think clearly as thoughts became harder to form. My breathing grew heavier, matched by her unblinking gaze on my hardening erection.

The shaft was thick and long, easily surpassing my ‘original’ size. The skin felt smooth with noticeable veins running along the length. A distinct ridge marked two-thirds of its length, while the head was wide and rounded, slightly indented.

Holy shit, that’s big.

She nuzzled my stallionhood, inhaling deeply near the tip and savoring its scent. Her body shuddered with pleasure at what she smelled. She gently kissed it, causing me to gasp at the touch. My body yearned for more as droplets of pre-cum leaked from the tip, a testament to days of sexual tension unanswered.
Her breathing hitched when she noticed the liquid, her eyes wide with surprise and desire. She tentatively licked it, savoring its taste and causing me to groan in response. Then, something shifted in her eyes, and the last remnants of rational thought still in her vanished. Wrapping her lips around the tip of my cock, she closed her eyes in blissful pleasure. Initially awkward due to her lack of experience, her instinct soon took over as her velvety tongue began to dance and swirl around my sensitive tip. Her passion compensated for her inexperience, moaning softly while teasing and flicking her tongue from every angle imaginable.

Did you know that a horse's tongue is longer than a human's? Well, neither did I—until now.

She then began to take more, going deeper than before when her gag reflex caused her to pull back with a cough. Before I could even ask if she was okay, she resumed her actions, determined to still go further. Her hooves gripped my hips tightly, preventing any escape. Not that I wanted to, to be honest. With each bob, her eagerness claimed new territory, leaving me breathless and on the brink of ecstasy.

"Fuck!" I groaned.

Finally, her muzzle touched my ring, and somehow, she managed to take two-thirds of my member. Small tears formed due to the difficulty of her action, darkening her coat in their path. Her nose sent a shiver through me as she inhaled deeply. That look pushed me over the edge.

My body tensed, and with a guttural moan, I erupted, sending spurt after spurt of my seed down her throat. The load was too much for her, and she rapidly retreated to cough out some of it, the rest spraying all over her coat.

She was breathing heavily, her eyes wide and dazed. Her mouth hung open slightly, releasing small clouds of condensation. Saliva and my seeds glistened on her lips as she caught her breath. The thick lines of semen coated her cheeks, dripping down to her chest before splattering onto the floor below.

It was the hottest thing I had ever seen in my life.

“Rut me,” she panted, her breaths coming in short gasps.

“Limestone, I don’t think—”, I began, still not fully recovered from my earlier pleasure.

“Bucking rut me Oblivion! I don’t care anymore; I just want you inside me!”

“Whoa!”

She effortlessly pushed me down, her toned form atop mine. Her breathing was labored, releasing small clouds of mist as lust filled her eyes. She glanced at my still partially hard member before positioning her lower body to align with mine, her juices already dripping onto it.

I knew if she succeeded, it would be too late. I'd be too far gone to care. The consequences of our mistakes wouldn't hit us until the following morning. But then, an idea struck me like a lifeline.

“Limestone,” I said, halting her movements.

“What?!” she demanded, her face turning towards mine with a glare in her eyes.

And then I kissed her.

My lips pressed firmly against hers—first with urgency, then eagerly. Her mouth, half-open already, allowed easy access for our tongues to intertwine. My seeds and her saliva coated it, but I couldn’t care less at that moment. Her eyes, wild with shock at first, slowly blinked in bliss as she closed them. She seemed to melt under my touch, her body surrendering from exhaustion while embracing mine in warmth. Before succumbing fully to the pleasure, I cupped one hoof to her neck and one to her back, gently reversing our positions so that she lay beneath me, my form atop her—savoring her taste for a few moments longer than necessary.

I pulled away from the kiss, leaving a line of saliva between us and allowing her chest to finally catch its breath. Her eyes opened, meeting mine and filled with so much love and lust. Before she could fully recover from the experience, I turned my gaze to her lower body. Two small perky mounds of flesh sat just above her glistening lips, winking endlessly and overflowing in her own juice. Her delicate sex was filled with arousal, emitting a strong scent of a mare in her prime, ready to be claimed. My cock hardened at the sheer sight of it.

Limestone couldn’t take her eyes off it. “P-Please, I… need it,” she begged. Unfortunately, the ‘little’ guy wasn’t part of the plan.

I began to gently nuzzle her inner thighs, teasing Limestone with my soft muzzle before taking more of her scent, making her shudder.

“W-What are—Ugh!”

Taking my time, I caressed my way down to her fold and, with a flick of the tongue, finally tasted her pussy. Her breath hitched as I made contact with her sensitive flesh. I continued my exploration, tracing the outline of her labia before finally swirling my tongue around her clitoris. Her moans grew louder and more urgent, her hooves pressing heavily on top of my head as I savored her essence, bringing her close to the edge. Her legs trembled with anticipation, so I increased the pressure and speed. But just on the verge of release, I pulled back, leaving her desperate for more. A smirk formed on my face as she whimpered in frustration.

“B-Buck! Stop teasing me and—", she started before I dove back in, making her gasp and moan, this time slowly gripping her tail into my hoof magic.

She only said to never do it in public, right?

When I knew she was back on the edge, with one firm motion, I pulled. Limestone cried out in ecstasy as my action made her orgasm, her body convulsing with pleasure.

I continued to please her pussy with my tongue, prolonging her climax while savoring her sudden release. It had a surprisingly earthy taste, and I took pleasure in gulping it all down. At the end of her peak, her body went limp, as she finally closed her eyes to sleep, a satisfied smile on her face.

I pushed myself up, my face covered in her juice and scent, and slowly dragged myself to her side. Collapsing just beside her, I warmed her body with mine as I caught my breaths.

At least today, I had managed to do one good thing.

“Goodnight,” I finally said, planting a gentle kiss on her head before closing my eyes and letting sleep take me as well.

Chapter 5 - Crazy Thoughts

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Chapter 6 - Laughing Matter

My laughter didn’t last long. My sides ached like never before, and my chuckles only intensified the pain. Judging by Limestone’s expression, I must have sounded a little bit too unhinged while I laughed.

So, I stopped, the sound dying in my throat.

“Oblivion, what did you do?” Limestone asked, her eyes wide with concern. The apprehension etched on her face stung more than I expected.

“Me? Nothing.” Technically, that was the truth, but her expression suggested she didn’t buy it.

“Cut the bullshit! You started babbling nonsense in this—this detached voice… It scared me, Oblivion! I didn’t know what was happening to you! And then…” She trailed off, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the pink explosion had originated. “That happened.”

I followed her stare. In hindsight, the pink bubble was unsettling. I might have been as freaked out as she was if I hadn’t felt so… out of it earlier. It felt as though I was no longer part of my body. I could see and understand what was unfolding, yet it didn’t feel like it was happening to me; it was happening to him.

I sighed. “Listen, I genuinely didn’t know what that was. But yes, I had a sense that something would happen.” I glanced back at Limestone, trying to convey my sincerity through my eyes.

She only looked more confused. “How?”

“I just… I don’t know. I just felt like it would.” I shrugged, attempting to conceal my irritation.

“That doesn’t make any sense!”

I scoffed, frustration bubbling up. “Your world doesn’t make sense.”

“Oblivion, that was bucking magic! We’re earth ponies, not unicorns! Don’t you get it? It’s not normal! Did you have this… power all along? Have you been hiding it from me? Don’t you trust me?” One of her hooves hugged her chest, a mix of hurt and anger washing over her face.

“No! I mean, yes! I—” I growled. “The hell did that come from? Listen, Limestone, that wasn’t my doing! I think I… nudged it along, but I didn’t create it!”

“I-I don’t understand.” Her eyes darted around as if she were trying to recognize me.

I sighed once more, trying to release the blend of anger and frustration building inside me. “I don’t know what to say.”

And I despise that feeling.

The silence that followed my response felt awkward. I stared at Limestone as she looked down, her gaze averted. My eyes drifted to her body, and I grimaced; that bruise must sting. We should probably do something about it.

“Here, let’s patch you up,” I said, slowly moving toward her and the satchel. “Got anything—”

“Oblivion.” She cut me off.

I paused. “Yeah?”

“You have a cutie mark.”

What?

I glanced at my flank; she was right. The infamous mark now adorned my rear. It was white, depicting two masks—one smiling widely in deep laughter, the other frowning with tears. I recognized the image instantly.

I tried to scrub it away with my hooves, but it was as if my coat had changed color to display the mark. I exhaled in frustration.

“It’s kind of creepy,” Limestone remarked, her brow furrowed as she stared at my flank. “What is it?”

I frowned, hoping the mark wasn’t permanent. I didn’t want to go home with this on my butt.

“The comedy and tragedy masks,” I replied, still fixated on the design. The more I thought about it, the more my stomach twisted with worry.

“The what now?”

“Do you have theaters here? Or plays?”

She looked back, confused by the abrupt shift in topic. “Uhm… yeah. But they’re more of a thing for the rich in Canterlot. Not many plays go on here, just a few traveling magicians or whatnot.”

I stared at her, my eyebrow twitching in annoyance. Canterlot? Really? What’s with this world and its weird place names?

Never mind. Don’t dwell on it; it’s not important.

“Well, the masks represent the dramatic arts in my world. They’re kind of the official symbol for it…” I trailed off.

Wait.

Theater and plays. Comedy and tragedy. The strange, on-the-nose town names. The bizarre magic. The princesses. The creature. This world felt as if it had been… invented, created.

Was this some sort of… story?

Was I really in a fucking story? A fictional world filled with heroes, villains, and all the plot twists and problems that came with it? Was I being forced to play a role in a narrative I hadn’t chosen? Just a grand illusion, a stage set for characters to perform their parts?

Limestone was still waiting for me to finish my explanation. My silence must have worn down her patience, because she suddenly scrunched her eyes, a confused expression on her face. “What? You’re saying you’re good at acting?”

I didn’t respond. I was too lost in my own thoughts. I just stared at her—was she really my friend? Was she real? Was she aware? An actor or a character? Did she have genuine thoughts, emotions, and a life, or was she just a puppet delivering lines to move the story along?

“Oblivion, talk to me,” she urged, frustration creeping into her voice. “Will you stop staring and say something already?!”

My lack of memories, of my name. The sudden arrival in the middle of nowhere, only to miraculously find help on the same day—almost as if I had been carefully placed here. The family I met, each with distinct personalities, but wasn’t that normal? Everyone is different; we all have our unique traits. Yet theirs seemed more… pronounced, as if they were highlighted for easy distinction.

Was Limestone, the individual… fake?

No-no-no-no-no. Not again. I can’t. I—

“Oblivion, what the buck is happening?! Why are you acting like this?!” she exclaimed.

Her words jolted me from my thoughts. I stared at her, the impact of her question hitting me harder than any blow I’d received from that creature. The realization struck me even more than the notion of being trapped in a story. I didn’t know the answer. I didn’t want to think about it.

I just didn’t want to think anymore.

And so I laughed. It was instinctual, a barrier I had built over many years to protect myself. Just laugh it off, and everything will be better. Like it was one big fucking joke. It can’t really hurt you if you don’t take it seriously.

It was like adding a laugh track to a serious scene, transforming it into slapstick comedy, or throwing some puns at the villain and turning a tense fight into an actual joke.

But the mare flinched at my laughter, a look of discomfort crossing her face. After a moment, she slowly realized that I wasn’t truly laughing anymore. In fact, even to my own ears, it sounded more like the beginning of sobbing than anything else.

“O-Oblivion?” she said softly, lifting a hoof to comfort me, but I slapped it away.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” I shouted, the venom in my voice surprising both her and me.

She stumbled back in shock, her eyes wide, but since her side was still injured, she mostly just shuffled backward in pain. My eyes widened in horror at my own actions. I let the ‘mask’ slip.

“Fuck me. Looks like I’m a piece of shit.” I chuckled, drying my tears with a hoof. “Not like that’s news to me.”

That seemed to dissolve her shock, igniting something fierce within her. “What the buck are you saying?! You don’t make any sense!”

I stared at her, struggling to separate the real from the fake. It was a sort of talent of mine—always uncovering the true motives hidden beneath the surface. It felt normal, safe; it kept me a step ahead. But now… now I was lost, and that terrified me.

“I…” I paused, the words caught in my throat. “Never mind. Let’s just go see if there’s anyone left in this town who needs help.”

She surprised me by tackling me to the ground, even despite her injuries.

“Wha—Get off me!”

“Not until you tell me what’s happening!” she growled in frustration, her hooves pinning me down effortlessly.

I thrashed around, trying to escape her grasp, but despite her injuries, she was still stronger than me. “Why the fuck do you care?” I shouted, frustration and rage bubbling inside me.

“Because I’m your friend!”

“We’ve only known each other for less than a week!”

“And in that same week, you’ve shown me how kind, caring, funny, and charming you are! I don’t care that you’re a bucking alien! And you know what? Buck your ‘you’ll find a stallion in no time’! You are the stallion I fell for, and I know it would have happened even if I wasn’t in bucking heat! So yeah, I’m your bucking friend!”

I stared at Limestone in shock, my eyes wide. Her breathing was ragged, her chest heaving with each inhale. I frowned, glancing away, unable to meet her gaze. How could I tell her that the one she had fallen for wasn’t the real me?

“You wouldn’t understand…” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Oh, buck off with your pity party! Just tell me already!”

Pity? PITY?!

I glared back at her. “Alright, you want the truth? I’ll give you the fucking truth! I think this world is fake! That you are fake! A fictional story created to entertain! With this magic shit that makes no sense and all the fucking clichés that come with it! I look at you, and I don’t know if I’m seeing a friend or a fucking character! Hell, I think I’m a character too! I don’t remember any names from my past—just memories that could have been also invented to give me a fucking backstory!” I gasped for breath. “And now I’ve just discovered that I have a fucking butt tattoo that shows I’ve always been and will always be a big fucking asshole! No matter how hard I try to act nice, it’ll never change that! Happy now?!”

She just stared at me; her expression serious as she lifted an eyebrow.

“That’s it?”

I looked at her incredulously. “’That’s it’? What do you mean ‘that’s it’?! Don’t you understand what I’m saying?!”

She sighed, shaking her head before locking eyes with me.

“Even if what you’re saying is true, that doesn’t change a thing for me.”

“Oh, fuck off! Don’t give me that crap!”

“Oblivion, I’m not an idiot. And you’re not one either. You call yourself an asshole, but are you really? You could have done the bare minimum at the farm, and we would have let you. You could have complained about your workload, and it would have been fair, but you didn’t. I don’t know what you did to Marble, but she talks to you! She may be shy, but she’s a good judge of character. Buck, you could have just rut me and left me with a foal—Celestia knows I would have let you last night—but you stopped yourself!” She took a deep breath, then smiled. “So, yeah, Oblivion. You are a good pony and… a good friend.”

I just stared at her, my mind struggling to process the words she’d just thrown at me. “What about being in a story?”

She chuckled. “Honestly, with what Pinkie can do sometimes, being a character in a story is still more believable than her antics,” she added with a fond smile.

I… uh… I… How…?

“How can you be… so nonchalant? Aren’t you afraid that everything around you is fake? Your life? Your family? Me?”

The gleam in her eyes was all the warning I got before she smashed her lips against mine. Her tongue penetrated my feeble defense, intertwining with my own. She moaned deeply as her body pressed against me, radiating heat through my coat. A surge of electricity ran through my entire body; the passionate kiss sending shivers down my spine.

I didn’t know how long it lasted, but after what felt way too short, Limestone broke the kiss, panting heavily. Her eyes sparkled with desire, and a seductive smirk played on her lips.

“Looks real to me. How’s that for an answer?”

I simply stared at her, too stunned to respond, before letting the back of my head fall against the ground in defeat.

I slowly and carefully wrapped Limestone’s barrel with a bandage, using my teeth and hooves. I applied a salve made from a plant left in her satchel that closely resembled Aloe Vera to soothe the pain. She winced at my touch, but I knew she could handle it. This was for her own good; the kick she had received earlier had left a deep bruise, and the salve would help.

Once I finished, I spat out the leftover roll from my mouth.

“Puah! The taste is disgusting.” I tried to scrub the flavor off my tongue with my hooves, but it only made it worse. The bitter taste and slimy texture were not doing it for me. “Ugh…”

She glanced at me, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Took your time, huh?”

“Excuse me if I didn’t meet your standards, princess,” I rolled my eyes. “I’m an alien, not a nurse.”

She smiled and booped my nose with her hoof. “Well, you’d make a cute nurse. Didn’t you say you’re good at acting? So, get to it! I want a thorough examination.” She smirked, her tail swishing playfully behind her.

I sighed in exasperation. “Yeah, no.”

It was her turn to roll her eyes. “What? Still thinking you’re a bad guy? You say it, but I’ve never really seen that side of you—apart from the curses. And yours are funny! What does ‘fuck’ even mean? Is it the bastard version of ‘buck’?”

I gowned, facepalming with my hoof.

“What is it then?” she pressed, sensing my reluctance.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Want me to tackle you again? I could go for round two.”

“No! It’s, ugh… I… I did some pretty shitty stuff. Back home.”

“Okay?”

She waited patiently, an encouraging smile on her face. I stared at her, torn. One part of me wanted to spill everything and be done with it, but another part urged me to hold back.

“I—Listen, I don’t want to talk about it right now. But I promise I’ll tell you later, when I’m… ready.”

“Pinkie Promise,” she said, her tone suddenly serious.

“What?”

“Pinkie Promise me that.”

“Uh…” I glanced at my hoof in confusion. “I don’t have a pinky.”

Now it was her turn to be confused. “What? No. Look at me. I’ll show you what a Pinkie Promise is.” She demonstrated a series of movements that left me utterly bewildered. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” She then looked at me as if she hadn’t just performed the strangest ritual I’d ever seen.

“Now your turn.”

“Do I have to do the eye thing?”

“Yes.” She nodded firmly.

I sighed in resignation. “Alright, I promise to tell you later. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” I mimicked the movements as best as I could, being cautious with the last part.

It seemed I got it right, judging by the huge smile that spread across her face. Honestly, it felt like I’d just made a pact with a demon, selling my soul in the process.

She surprised me with a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.” I tried to push down the bubbling feeling in my chest, but a small smile still formed in response to her gesture.

I shook my head, attempting to clear my thoughts. “I hate to kill the mood, but ‘ponies’ are still missing.” I waved a hoof around us.

“Right…” she said, her joy and humor vanishing in an instant.

The town lay silent. It felt eerie to be in a place where individuals had lived, now completely empty. The sight of personal belongings abandoned in the dirt was depressing. I hoped nothing terrible had happened to them. The creature had said it needed my ‘love,’ so at least I could hope they were still alive. And if this was really a story, I prayed it wasn’t the classic ‘town destroyed by disaster’ trope, used to motivate the protagonist into revenge.

Because I definitely wasn’t made of protagonist stuff.

After a few minutes, we began our search around town, entering various shops and homes while calling out if ‘anypony was there’. With each attempt, the silence only worsened our mood, and after an hour, we fell silent, searching the buildings in an almost mechanical routine.

At least there are no corpses…

Limestone seemed to bear the brunt of it. I could see her frustration and fear mounting with each failed search, her trot turning frantic. I maintained a calm exterior, but inside? I felt… empty. I didn’t know these ‘ponies’, and maybe they never existed at all, but hearing about disasters on the news was entirely different from experiencing one firsthand. And Limestone… I could see it slowly breaking her. The discarded, torn toy left on the side of the main street was the final blow.

She sat beside it, her eyes distant as she picked up the toy. I quietly sat next to her, allowing her the time she needed while I watched the clouds drift by.

“I… What do we do…?” she murmured, almost too softly to hear.

“We’re not qualified for something like this. We need to report what happened here to the authorities.”

She slowly nodded, then carefully placed the toy in her satchel, which made me question her action.

Limestone chuckled nervously at my look. “I… uh. It didn’t feel right to leave it here, abandoned. I’ll give it to Mom when we get back. She knows how to knit. She’ll make it as good as new. And then, when they finally find the missing ponies… I’ll return it to its owner.”

I simply nodded, a small smile escaping my lips before I turned my gaze back to the clouds. Then something caught my eye.

“What is that…?” I said, pointing to the sky. It looked like two shining birds, the sunlight reflecting off what I thought was their plumage.

She squinted, following my hoof, then gasped in shock. “That’s the royal guards!” She then waved her hooves, trying to signal the duo to our position.

The royal guards? That’s… convenient.

As the figures drew closer, I could see them more clearly. They were literally flying ponies in armor. Their golden—yes golden—chest plates protected their upper bodies while allowing their legs, wings, and tails freedom of movement. A blue star gleamed prominently on their chests. They also wore what resembled Roman helmets, complete with blue crests—stylish, I guess? I wasn’t sure how practical it was, but—were those golden shoes on their hooves?!

And those wings… so that’s a pegasus, huh?

I glanced to my side, my mood sinking. Here I was in another fantasy world, where I could have had wings to fly. But no, the ‘story’ decided to tell me to go fuck myself—'stay on the ground, little alien horse. And while you’re at it, enjoy a side of existential crisis; it seems you’re quite fond of that’.

The two flying horses landed gracefully in front of us, their landing precise and controlled. I studied the guards carefully; their armor was expertly crafted, fitting snugly against their bodies, though it looked heavy. I noticed traces of skirmishes on the surface, and the tired expressions on their faces suggested they had recently been in battle. Strangely, apart from the height, they looked almost identical—twins, maybe?

“Miss, sir, we’re relieved to see that not everypony in this region has been captured by the changelings,” one of the guards said, their eyes scanning us with sympathy as they took in the large bandage on Limestone and the bruises covering my body.

“The what?” I asked, my confusion evident.

“The changelings,” the other guard replied, her feminine voice firm yet laced with anger. “They’re dark, insidious creatures that can change their appearance at will.”

“That’s what that thing was?” I murmured, the realization dawning on me. Even though I spoke softly, they seemed to hear me clearly. In an instant, their stances shifted to one of higher alert, wings extending wide in a show of readiness. It was impressive… and intimidating.

“There’s one here?!” the taller guard shouted, his eyes darting left and right, scanning the area for any sign of danger.

“Um… not anymore. It got pushed away by that pink magic,” I explained, trying to reassure them.

They both let out a breath of relief, their wings retracting as the tension eased.

Goddammit, I’m so envious right now.

“Thank Celestia for that,” the male guard said, shaking his head. “I’ve had enough of these bugs for a lifetime.”

“What happened?” Limestone asked, her voice steady but tinged with concern.

The two guards exchanged solemn looks before the male spoke again. “Canterlot was invaded. It was a coordinated attack.”

“WHAT?!” Limestone exclaimed, shock etched on her face, making me jump at the sudden outburst.

“They infiltrated our ranks without us realizing it. By the time we understood what was happening, it was already too late,” he continued, his voice heavy with the weight of regret.

“They even replaced Princess Mi Amore Cadenza during her wedding!” the female guard interjected, stomping her hoof in frustration. “Her own wedding! Have they no shame?!”

The other guard gently nudged her side, giving her a pointed look. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before continuing. “Never mind that. In the end, we still succeeded in expelling them. We have the princess and the captain to thank for that.” She shifted her gaze to us, her expression softening. “Since we’re here, do you need any assistance?”

“Actually, yes,” Limestone replied, her voice steadier now. “The ponies from this town vanished. We think these… changelings took them.”

“Don’t worry; nopony was lost,” the male guard assured us, his tone calm yet firm. “All the ponies taken are on their way back from Canterlot. It’ll just take some time—moving that many at once isn’t easy. Those vermin kept them close to feed their troops during the invasion.” He spat on the ground, his expression darkening. “Despicable creatures.”

“So they’re safe… thank god for that,” I sighed in relief, though my choice of words seemed to confuse the guards. “Are they already on their way back? How far is Canterlot, anyway?” I glanced back at Limestone, who was still processing the news. “Wasn’t that the town you mentioned earlier?”

Limestone met my gaze, her expression unreadable. “That’s not a town… that’s the capital.”

Ah.

The two guards exchanged glances, their expressions shifting subtly but noticeably to my trained eye.

“You don’t know Canterlot?” the tall one asked, his tone dripping with skepticism.

Oh-oh. I didn’t like where this was headed.

“Um… no,” I replied, keeping my voice sincere.

“Where are you from?”

“Uh…” I shot a glance at Limestone, silently asking for help.

“He’s from Rockville. The Rock Farm,” she interjected quickly.

“Rockville?” The guard pulled out a scroll from… somewhere. How did he manage that? “What’s your name? Both of you.”

“Limestone Pie,” she said confidently. He checked his scroll, nodded, and then turned his gaze to me.

“O-Oblivion,” I said meekly, feeling a lump form in my throat.

He flipped through the pages of the scroll, scanning for my name, then returned to the original page. “You’re not on the list. Are you sure you’re from Rockville?”

“Uh…”

He pointed a hoof stopping me from saying anything more, his frown deepening. “I’ll stop you right there. I strongly suggest you choose your words carefully and tell me the truth.”

“Wait! He’s… he’s not from around here,” Limestone jumped in, trying to diffuse the situation.

“Then where is he from?” the guard pressed, his voice growing sharper. As he continued his interrogation, the female guard subtly maneuvered to position herself behind us, keeping a watchful eye.

We exchanged glances, both at a loss for what to do. Lying would only dig us deeper into trouble, and the truth? Too unbelievable. The guard, noticing our silence, sighed in irritation.

“Look, we just had an invasion by a species capable of changing their form. We’re not joking around. This is a matter of national security.”

“I’m not one of them!” I exclaimed, desperation creeping into my voice.

“Then answer this simple question: where are you from?”

“You won’t believe me,” I replied, my heart racing.

“I suggest you tell me the truth before I make you do it myself.”

I instinctively held Limestone back as she bristled at the guard’s threat. She stood no chance against him, and any confrontation would only escalate the situation. Lying wouldn’t work, so I figured it was time to come clean.

Fuck me, this is going to end badly.

“Okay. Alright.” I took a deep breath, trying to adopt the most sincere and professional demeanor I could muster. “I am not from around here. In fact, I’m not from this world at all. This…,” I said, gesturing at my pony form, “isn’t my real body. I’m not normally a pony.”

Shit, why did I just say that? Now they’ll think I’m one of the changelings!

“I mean… I’m not one of them. I’m… an alien.”

Fuck! That’s even worse! Why am I so terrible at telling the truth?!

Limestone stared at me, disbelief written all over her face. To her credit, the guard didn’t seem fazed by my confession, which gave me a flicker of hope that was… quickly snuffed out.

“Alright, show me your hooves,” he commanded.

“My what?” I asked, confusion knitting my brow.

“Your hooves. Now.”

Before I could react, the female guard who had been circling us swiftly cuffed my legs from behind. The handcuffs were designed for each set of hooves, making the simple act of trotting a near impossibility. How had she done that so fast?

“What are you doing?!” I protested, struggling against the restraints.

“We are detaining you on suspicion of being a changeling and a threat to the throne. You will be released once we have verified your identity. Miss, please step aside.”

I’m being arrested?

Limestone tried to push against the taller guard, but with her injuries and his armor, she was no match for him. “Oblivion!”

“Listen, this is just a big misunderstanding!” I pleaded.

The female guard rolled her eyes. “They all say that.”

“I’m serious!”

“Huh-huh.”

She lifted herself into the air, hovering just above me.

“W-What are you doing?” I asked, a sense of dread creeping in. I hoped this wasn’t what I thought it was.

She smirked down at me. “Preparing for departure.”

That only made Limestone panic further as she desperately tried to help me. “Wait! Just one question, please? Who will be conducting his inspection?”

The taller guard moved in front of us, his wings extending and his stance wide. “Escort formation. Ready for takeoff.” He then glanced at Limestone. “Don’t worry, a unicorn by the name of Twilight Sparkle will be conducting it. She’s one of the best in her field. If you’re telling the truth, you have nothing to fear.”

Limestone brightened at the mention of the name, relief washing over her as she finally stopped obstructing the guards. “Alright, thank you.”

“What? Who is she?” I asked, anxiety rising as the female guard’s magic tightened around me.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Don’t worry, Oblivion. You’re in good hooves,” Limestone said, trying to calm me.

“Are you kidding?! I’m being arrested right now!”

“Package secured. Ready for takeoff. Ugh… heavy, aren’t you?” the mare said from above.

Package?!

“Don’t worry, I know you’ll be back in no time. I’ll be home waiting for you. Just… try to have fun in the meantime.” Limestone’s voice was soothing, yet it only heightened my sense of dread.

Fun? Fun?! I’m about to fucking die!

“Think of it like a mini adventure! Like… you’re part of a story!” she said, giggling at her own words.

“You—Limestone! Stop joking and help me!”

“Be safe!” she called, waving enthusiastically at me.

I barely had a moment to process the situation before I was lifted into the air, screaming like a little filly as the ground fell away beneath me.

Author's Note

Heya! I hoped I had finished the chapter for Halloween, but words... difficult. So you’re getting it today instead. Hope you liked it!

Chapter 7 - Cuffed Fate

I lost my voice about a minute in. I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of heights, but when the only thing between you and a long, painful fall is another pony’s grip, it’s hard not to be terrified. I tried not to look down, but it’s like trying to ignore a car crash on the side of the road—you just can’t help yourself.

And it was as beautiful as it was terrifying. The dull gray and yellow of the landscape below gave way to vibrant green pastures. Mountains passed by, their snow-capped peaks glinting in the sunlight. Sparkling rivers snaked through the land, and tiny towns dotted the terrain, looking like something out of a painting—if that painting also happened to be my reality. I could even see train tracks crisscrossing below, all leading to our destination: the tallest mountain in the range, where the pink explosion had originated, and where now, high in the air, a tall white city clung to its peak.

Canterlot. The capital of this nation, a city ‘everypony’ was supposed to know. Everypony, that is, except me.

The air was cold—colder than it had been on the ground, even though the late afternoon sun warmed our backs. If not for the thick coat of fur covering me, I’d probably freeze to death up here.

Instinctively, I tightened my grip on the female guard holding me, just in case she suddenly lost her grip, or something went wrong. Her swooping and gliding through the air didn’t help calm my nerves.

"Great view, huh?" she said, noticing I’d stopped screaming.

"I much prefer the ground," I muttered, my voice still hoarse from earlier.

She tsked, miffed. "Earth ponies are all the same..."

I glared up at her, but it was hard to do anything threatening when she was the one above me. "Oh, so now you think I’m a pony?"

"Hey, it's not my fault you're suspicious as Tartarus!"

"And that gives you the right to kidnap me?!"

Then, just to make matters worse, she did something that nearly gave me a heart attack. Without a second thought, she flipped her head upside down, paying no mind to where she was heading, and locked her sharp eyes onto mine.

"We're not kidnapping you," she snapped, her voice rising. "We're arresting you! There's a difference!"

The other guard, flying ahead of us, shot a quick glance back at her outburst, his eyes narrowing. "Sky, stop talking to the suspect. You’re on the job, not on vacation."

She quickly righted herself and resumed flying. "Yes, Sergeant!"

Please, no. Having a conversation is the only thing keeping me from losing my mind.

One quick look down made me gulp in fright. I needed to think of something else—anything else. Even though she had me secured with her magic, I really didn’t like having my lower body dangling in the open air like that.

I forced myself to look up, my gaze locking onto my detainer.

“Sky, huh? That’s your name? Isn’t it a little... unimaginative?” I muttered, my voice quieter now. “It’s like naming an earth pony ‘Earth’ or a unicorn ‘Magic’. Who does that?”

Sky didn’t respond, her eyes fixed ahead. But the increased pressure from her hooves told me she’d heard me anyway.

“I’ll take your silence as agreement,” I continued. “But hey, I’ve got an idea. How about I come up with a better name for you? Just say something if you don’t want me to.”

She stayed silent, though her grip tightened further, and I could feel the flap of her wings becoming less fluid. I grinned. If they thought they could take me without any resistance, they were in for a rude awakening.

“Hm... how about Floppy Wings? I think that suits you much better!”

She growled but still didn’t respond. It was still a win in my book, but... she wasn’t talking back. Maybe I could push a little further?

“No? Not a fan? That’s fine. I’ve got another one! How about Featherbrain? Personally, I think that one’s a real winner.”

That’s when I realized taunting the only pony keeping me from plummeting to the ground was probably a horrible idea. Without warning, she tucked her wings in, sending us into a terrifying dive. My stomach lurched, and for a split second, the ground rushed up toward me.

Before I could even scream, she spread her wings wide, catching the air and pulling us sharply back onto our flight path.

“Sky? What happened?” the Sergeant called out, confused by the sudden maneuver.

“Sorry, Sergeant,” Sky replied smoothly, not missing a beat. “I thought I saw a flock of birds and had to avoid them.”

The Sergeant frowned before letting out a sigh. “Look, I get it—it’s been a long day. But I expect more from you, Sky. You’re in the royal guard. Act like it. Don’t make rookie mistakes.”

Sky didn’t answer at first. Her body stiffened at the Sergeant's words, and for a moment, she looked genuinely ashamed of herself.

“Uh… y-yeah… sorry, Sergeant. It won’t happen again.”

The Sergeant simply nodded, his expression unreadable, then regained speed and corrected their course.

As we resumed our path, I noticed Sky falling slightly behind the other guard. Her wings tilted just enough to slow her down, putting a little distance between them. She was clearly trying to get far enough away so she could speak to me without him hearing.

“I suggest you drop your little game,” she said, her voice low enough that only I could hear. “Or else I drop you.” Her hooves loosened slightly around my armpit.

My eyes widened. “You wouldn’t...”

“Try me.” Her voice had a cold edge now, and with a quick motion, she tightened her grip again.

I shut my mouth, my stomach flipping with unease at the thought. Keeping my eyes fixed on her, I studied her body language carefully. Now wasn’t the time to rush in blindly. I needed information—useful information. So, I started replaying our earlier interactions, looking for anything that might give me an advantage.

The rest of the trip was uneventful… or at least, I wish I could say that. About an hour later, halfway to the capital, a massive rainbow blast exploded near the far end of the city, sending a ripple of colors through the sky before a full-on rainbow slowly arced into view. Just like that. It wasn’t even raining! The very definition of ‘sunshine and rainbows’, with the literal city in the background.

It was one of those moments that made me wonder if I wasn’t really just having a bad trip.

“Buck, I really wanted to see the ceremony,” Sky muttered, staring at the spectacle before us with envy.

I glanced up at her. It was the first thing she’d said in over an hour. She’d mostly kept to herself. Since our last conversation, I’d had the chance to think—when I wasn’t panicking, that is, which was happening less and less as time went on.

You get used to things pretty quickly. When nothing happens for a long stretch, even panic eventually transforms into sheer boredom.

“Is that rainbow normal?” I asked, taking another shot at conversation.

Of course, she didn’t respond. She just kept her eyes forward, deliberately ignoring me. But hell, my bravery—or stupidity—was back. Time to enact Plan A. Which wasn’t really a plan at all—just an idea, and my only one at that. My guess was she’d been bluffing earlier, that she wouldn’t actually drop her charge. I just hoped I read her right.

“Hey, Featherbrain, I’m talking to you!”

“Want me to drop you?” Her voice was cool, but there was a sharp edge underneath it that made my gut tighten.

I grinned despite the nervous flutter in my chest. “Do it. I dare you.”

Seconds dragged. The air whipped past us, and the height beneath me suddenly felt a lot more real. The ground was a distant blur, but it might as well have been a chasm. My stomach twisted in knots.

She growled in frustration. “Sweet Celestia, you’re annoying.”

“Ha! I knew it! You can’t!” I shot back, pointing my cuffed hooves at her like I’d just won some great victory. And honestly, it felt like I had—the sheer relief that washed over me was a welcome weight off my shoulders.

She hissed, “I can still make this trip miserable—stop moving, you idiot!” Panic laced her words as I shifted my weight, making it harder for her to keep her balance. My little victory move had thrown us off course. I froze instantly. Sure, she wasn’t going to drop me on purpose, but… accidents do happen.

When she finally regained control, I couldn’t help myself. "Oh, so now you care, huh?"

“Of course, I care! I’ll lose my job if you die on my hooves!” she snapped, her voice tight with exasperation.

“Well, then secure me better,” I shot back, the cocky smile still plastered on my face, though my stomach wasn’t so sure.

“I am!” she retorted, her hooves tightening around me.

"Well, you're doing a terrible job. One star. Would not recommend," I quipped, as if I were speaking to customer service, though I knew full well I was the nightmare ‘customer.’ But hey, that's what you get when you kidnap one.

She sucked in a deep breath. I could practically hear the frustration rolling off her. “How do I shut you up?”

“Simple,” I said, knowing I had her right where I wanted her. “Just tell me what that rainbow explosion was, and I’ll stop being a nuisance. Deal?”

Her wings faltered for a second, the sound of air whooshing through them audible even over the wind. I was starting to think I’d lost—until she spoke again.

“Ugh, Fine.”

“Alright!” I beamed, the smugness returning full force. “Now we’re talking. So, what was that thing?”

“…A sonic rainboom.”

“A what?” I asked, my voice edging into confusion.

She sighed, clearly done with my nonsense. “A sonic rainboom. Now, shut—”

“No, no. I heard you.” I interrupted. “But that’s it? A rainbow explosion? Come on, give me more than just the name!”

Her eyes shot to the front, narrowing as she tried to push us through the air with more force. "Sergeant, permission to knock him out?!" Her voice rose, clearly exasperated.

“Denied!” came the Sergeant’s voice from ahead, though I could tell he wasn’t paying much attention.

“Ugh… Celestia, give me strength. Who doesn’t know about sonic rainbooms? Never seen one? Like you never heard of Canterlot? You know that’s another strike against you?” she muttered under her breath.

“I said I’m not a pony!” I shot back.

“Yes, because you’re a changeling!” she snapped, her voice laced with frustration.

Is she serious right now?

“Then how come I don’t know what Canterlot is if I meant to invade it, huh? Answer me that, genius!” I couldn’t help myself. The frustration was starting to spill over.

She hesitated, clearly unsure of how to respond. “You’re only pretending to,” she muttered like I was the one being ridiculous.

“Oh, come on!” I rolled my eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re that dumb!”

“Keep it up,” she said with a dangerous edge, “And dropping you won’t be an option anymore—it’ll be a guarantee.”

I chuckled. “Please. I already have you figured out. You’re not the type.”

She raised an eyebrow, turning her head so she was looking upside down at me in that ridiculous way that made me fight not to laugh. “Oh, do you?! And what is my type?!”

I let the smirk slide back into place. “An emotional, romantic, and volatile mare.”

I knew I was generalizing, but that wasn’t the point. Based on the few interactions I’d had with her; it was the best profile I could form—at least for now.

Her eyes widened, and I could see her wings twitch as she nearly lost control again. “I AM NOT—” She stopped herself, coughing to cover up the shout. “—emotional.”

I didn’t even bother to respond, just enjoying the fact that I’d hit a nerve.

“I’m not emotional!” she repeated, her tone edging toward desperation.

“Yeah, yeah, you already said it.” I raised an eyebrow, teasing. “The volatile part, though...”

She groaned, more exasperated than I’d ever seen her. “Argh! You are the most aggravating, disrespectful, unpleasant stallion I’ve ever met!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said, grinning even wider. “Now, can we finish the actual conversation, or do you want to keep insulting me?”

She stared hard at me, and after a long, weighted moment, she sighed and finally lifted her head to look forward again. “A sonic rainboom happens when a pegasus breaks the sound barrier. That’s what makes the explosion and the rainbow.” She nearly dethroned Maud with the sheer monotony of her voice.

“Hold on. That makes absolutely no sense,” I said, frowning. “I can buy the explosion part, even if a pegasus flying that fast to break the barrier is already far-fetched. But where the fuck does the rainbow come from?”

She shrugged, the movement almost imperceptible in the way she steadied herself. “I dunno, that’s just how it is. Pegasus magic, or whatever. You happy now? Can you shut up?”

I sighed. “A deal’s a deal.”

“Good.” She said it so flatly, that it sounded hollow even from my ears.

Well great. I just know that the rest of this trip is going to be fan-fucking-tastic.

We finally arrived as the sun was dipping below the horizon.

My first impression of Canterlot? White. Very, very white. The city was perched on top of a mountain by... magic, I think? I sure as hell hoped so, because if it was the work of engineers, they’d have nightmares just at the sight of it. The architecture was stunning, sure, but more in an artistic, ‘I’m trying to make a statement’ way than in a ‘this is actually functional’ one. Too many bridges going everywhere, towers that made zero sense in terms of placement, and buildings that looked like someone just tossed them around like seeds, letting them sprout randomly. There were even waterfalls flowing through the city, pouring out like it was the latest trend. And gold. Gold everywhere. Fountains, vibrant colors, way too much glitter for my taste. The streets were ridiculously wide for a species that—at least I think—doesn't use cars. Wait, scratch that. They had carriages pulled by other horses?!

Is this a job or are they slaves?! Like, is there a caste system I’m missing? Because I already struggle enough with moving rocks, I don't want to start pulling carriages.

All in all, it was the work of an artist—not an engineer.

We arrived at the sounds of partying. The streets were packed with little horses bustling around, heading to different venues. All celebrating this ‘wedding.’ I could hear the music from up here and let me tell you—it was not classical. No, it was full-on rock, pop, and electronic.

This world made absolutely no sense to me. The Pie family looked like they stepped out of the 19th century, with their rustic farm, houses, and lack of modern utilities. But then you’ve got the royal guards, who look like they were plucked straight out of ancient Rome and transformed into little horses, and all that mixed with... this music.

Is that a fucking DJ over there?!

There were only two possible explanations for all this. One: the Pie family was either ridiculously old-fashioned—or Amish, for that matter. Could horses even be Amish?—or two: this was all just the result of being stuck in some bizarre story. I was leaning toward the second option, but, hey, that was probably my bias talking.

The closer we got, the more I could see the sheer number of ‘ponies’ celebrating. This wedding must’ve been a huge deal, there were so many of them, dancing, drinking, singing—strangely all in perfect unison, like some kind of choreographed performance—and even a few couples kissing. The outfits ranged from the classic, like intricate dresses and elegant tuxedos to... well, let’s just say risqué was putting it mildly.

And uh… yeah. Somehow, seeing mares in those kinds of outfits was hitting me harder than if they were just straight-up naked. Make it make sense, brain.

Though, now that I really looked, it seemed there were more mares than stallions. Maybe the guys just weren’t as interested in the wedding? Honestly, I couldn’t blame them—wasn’t really my kind of thing either.

“Sky, we’ll land on the castle grounds. Prepare for landing.” The Sergeant's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Roger that,” Sky replied.

With controlled wingbeats, Sky slowed our descent, guiding us toward one of the landing platforms on these so-called castle grounds. She angled her wings slightly upwards, cutting down on our forward momentum. As we neared the ground, Sky folded her wings partially to let us hover just above the surface. With a final, precise flap, she touched down lightly. The sound of her hooves making contact with the ground was barely audible, as she landed with military precision.

I say ‘Sky’ because I wasn’t being held anymore. No. Just before we hit the ground, she let go of my armpits, and gravity took over, pulling me down like a sack of potatoes. My legs, completely numb from the extended flight, didn’t exactly handle it well.

I hit the ground with a thud. My legs flailed out in a star formation. It didn’t hurt. I only fell a couple feet, if that. But the experience was still unpleasant. And now my face was making intimate contact with the surprising soft ground.

This was quickly becoming an annoying pattern.

“Ugh, did you really have to let me go like that?” I groaned, still sprawled on the field.

She looked over with a little smirk, clearly enjoying my misery. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sky then completely ignored me and trotted up to the Sergeant ahead, her smirk vanishing as she shifted back into serious mode. "Sergeant, may I be dismissed? I need a break."

“Denied. We still need to escort him to miss Sparkle.”

She sighed, resigned. “Yes, sir.”

Sky trotted back over to me, giving me a gentle shove with her hoof. “Alright, up. The sooner we get you to her, the sooner I can rest.”

“I’m so sorry my kidnapping is cutting into your schedule,” I muttered sarcastically.

When the feeling in my legs finally returned, I shakily pushed myself back up. I tried to take a step but almost face-planted. Oh, right. My hooves were still cuffed. So now I had to trot two legs at a time and let me tell you—it was not comfortable.

We started to trot in the same formation as in the air earlier: the Sergeant in front, Sky behind, and me, of course, in the middle, trotting like the ungodly child of a snail and a stepladder. As we moved, I glanced around. The Castle Grounds were quite a sight. The landing platforms soon gave way to gigantic marble walls and colorful windows—each one depicting some kind of story, or at least I assumed that was the case, given the little colorful horses in the artwork.

To be honest, I wasn’t all that interested. I had enough difficulty just trying to trot. If there was one thing I was seeing abundantly, it was the floor. And it was very polished. The sound of our hooves echoed through the grand corridor, which seemed way too large for this many ponies to be walking through.

A few other ponies and royal guards passed us, giving us—or rather me—a few confused glances. If I hadn’t been so focused on not tripping, I probably would’ve felt humiliated. But with each guard that passed, a more pressing thought kept nagging at me:

Are they all twins of each other?!

They all looked identical—minus their height and maybe some minor body parts like horns or wings. Same color. Same armor. Like, did the story just make one model of a royal guard and then run out of time and said: ‘Fuck it, duplicate the shit out of it!’.

How do they even recognize each other?!

Before I could mull over this any longer, we reached the end of the long corridor, where a massive archway stood, guarded by a trio of ponies. It seemed like it led to the courtyard where the celebration was most likely happening, judging by the loud music and voices spilling from the other side.

One of the guards stepped forward to block our way. She was a mare—easily distinguishable for two reasons. First, she wasn’t wearing a helmet, which allowed her feminine features to stand out. And second, she was the only one not sharing the same coat and mane color as the other guards.

I also discovered that fairytales are dead wrong. Seeing a unicorn in person was far from magical; it was downright intimidating. She radiated an aura that screamed ‘Don’t mess with me’. Her horn wasn’t cute or sparkly like in the books—no, it was the kind of horn that made you think: ‘That thing could probably impale me in one swift movement’.

She held herself with a poise that oozed authority and duty. Her smooth cream-colored coat was impeccable, and her red and orange mane and tail were styled practically, clearly designed to avoid any interference.

“Sergeant Thunderhoof, Private Sky Danser. Report.” The unicorn mare ordered.

“Lieutenant.” The two guards escorting me saluted. “The southern region of Equestria has been cleared. No sign of changelings remaining.”

Suddenly, a soft orange glow emanated from the Lieutenant’s horn. A scroll hidden in her armor floated out, accompanied by a quill, both moving as if guided by an invisible hand. The scroll unfurled, seemingly at an unspoken command, and the quill, already dipped in ink, hovered just above the parchment. The items were enveloped in the same orange glow from her horn. Without a sound, the quill began to write, its movements fluid and graceful, as if composing the orders of its owner with effortless precision.

Holy shit! Why can’t I have that instead?!

“Excellent.” The quill made a final flourish on the page. Once satisfied with her writing, the Lieutenant’s eyes shifted to me, her gaze sharp and intense as she scrutinized me. “And the stallion?”

“Suspected to be one. He seemed unable to identify his origin and… didn’t know what Canterlot was,” Thunderhoof replied.

The two guards stationed at the archway turned toward me as soon as the reason for my suspicion was mentioned.

“Really?” The Lieutenant’s eyes pierced into mine. There was something more than curiosity in her expression—something that felt more like a predator sizing up its prey. I shuddered involuntarily. “Interesting. Do you plan to verify his identity?”

“Yes, ma’am. By Twilight Sparkle, if she’s available,” Thunderhoof said.

She nodded. “Good. We can’t be too cautious after this disaster.” For the first time since they’d begun speaking, a trace of fatigue crossed the Lieutenant’s face.

The scroll and quill returned to her armor with a flick of her horn.

“Thank you both for your work. Miss Sparkle should still be in the main garden with the other guests. You’ll find her there.” She waved a hoof in the indicated direction. “And you, take a rest after this. And that’s not a suggestion, Thunderhoof. It’s an order.” She emphasized the point with a pointed gesture.

He nodded with a small smile. “Thank you, Lieutenant. I’m sure I won’t start disobeying that kind of order.” He chuckled and started toward the courtyard, but the Lieutenant stopped him with a hoof pressed gently against his chest.

She lifted her head slightly and murmured something into Thunderhoof’s ear, causing his ears to twitch. I didn’t catch the words, but by the way his wings stiffened and the blush creeping up his face, I had a pretty good guess.

Mares sure are assertive here…

After a brief, awkward pause, Thunderhoof cleared his throat, clearly trying to hide his blush. We passed through the arch, the Lieutenant’s gaze never leaving us—well, more specifically, Thunderhoof’s rear.

A quick glance back showed Sky in a surprisingly somber mood. Her ears were pinned back, and her muzzle was pointed downwards. Even though I was a bit curious as to why her mood had taken such a nosedive, I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Instead, I decided to focus on the change in scenery—and what a change it was.

The marble and colorful corridors faded away, replaced by lush green gardens filled with exotic flowers, plants, and trees I couldn’t even begin to identify. It was as if we’d stepped through a portal into a world more alive with greenery than I’d ever seen. The vibrant foliage stretched endlessly in every direction, the leaves shimmering in the low light. Even the distant sound of music and laughter, growing louder with every step, couldn’t diminish the sheer natural beauty of the scene before me. Some of the plants even glowed softly in the growing night, their bioluminescent flowers casting a gentle light on the way.

And when I really thought about it... it was kind of ridiculous. Here I was, arrested and stuck in the body of a horse, trotting awkwardly through this beautiful landscape in cuffs, escorted by two royal guards who looked like they’d stepped straight out of some Roman-themed cosplay. Meanwhile, a wedding party was happening just up ahead, filled with little horses dancing to pop music.

I had mixed feelings about how to feel about it.

“Do I get compensated for this?” I asked, snapping Sky out of her thoughts.

Thunderhoof glanced back over his shoulder. “If you’re innocent, yes.”

“And how the hell do I get back to Rockville?” I pressed.

“By train,” he replied, unconcerned.

“Is the trip free? Because I sure as hell don’t have any money.”

He sighed, his head dropping in exasperation. “Mr. Oblivion, I don’t think you understand how serious your situation is.”

“Ha! You have no fucking idea,” I chuckled.

Thunderhoof stopped trotting and slowly turned to face me. “We just fought off changelings. You don’t know where you’re from. You keep using strange words and phrases. Canterlot’s a mystery to you, and when I saw you earlier, you looked like a foal seeing levitation magic for the first time. That’s not a coincidence; that’s an anomaly. And we don’t like anomalies in my line of work.”

“I told you what I was.” I gritted my teeth.

“Then you are a fool. You don’t need a cell, you need medical attention. Anything else is not my problem after this.”

Before I could respond, he turned back and we stopped just a few feet from a crowd of ponies dancing. The music, already loud, seemed to amplify as we approached. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my longer ears, but the sound felt almost overwhelming.

The ponies were dressed in all sorts of elegant outfits that could’ve stepped straight out of a high-society gala. The mares wore flowing gowns, some adorned with intricate patterns or shimmering fabrics, while the few stallions in attendance sported sharp tuxedos that gleamed in the soft light. And, boy, were they dancing. Some moved and twirled with grace, others tapping their hooves in time to the beat. But all seemed to somehow sing along perfectly to the song.

“Sky, stay with him. I’ll go fetch miss Sparkle.”

“Yes, Sergeant,” Sky said, her voice firm.

Thunderhoof slowly made his way into the crowd, disappearing between the dancing ponies.

“What an asshole,” I commented.

“Says who?” Sky shot back, glaring at me. “Because I seem to recall somepony being an asshole as well on the trip earlier.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you kidnap that ‘somepony’ and threaten to drop him from the sky,” I shot back.

“You insulted me!” she snapped.

“And that gives you the right to lose your shit? You’re a royal guard, aren’t you? Where’s your composure?” I retorted.

Her ears twitched, and for a moment, she looked like I’d hit a nerve.

“I’m done talking to you,” she said flatly, returning to her duties. She stood tall, scanning the crowd with a focus that bordered on tense.

I fell silent as well. There was nothing else to say. For now, all I could do was wait for this ‘Sparkle’ pony to show up. I sank down onto the soft grass, my gaze drifting to the happy little horses dancing to the music.

The sight made me feel detached from it all. Here I was, surrounded by colorful blobs of fur having the time of their life, while I sat there, feeling like an outsider. The colors and sounds seemed to blur as they came nearer, as if they were fading into the background the closer they got to me. I never felt more isolated than ever.

Even before all this alien-body crap, something about this place, this situation, felt empty. Limestone had come into my life and brought something with her—maybe a sense of purpose, or at least a connection. But now that she wasn’t around anymore, it hurt. More than before. And I learned that it's not the loneliness that hurts, but knowing what it feels like not to be alone—and then having it ripped away.

Something caught my eye at the edge of my vision. A blur of purple gradually took shape, revealing a rather cute unicorn mare in a gown. Her dress was a vibrant shade of pink with strong red undertones. The base attached to her barrel and ended past her tail, almost like a cape, adorned with two purple ribbons on either side. Around her neck was a bright green necklace with a pink-and-red star in the center, and atop her head, a small crown of pearls and flowers rested.

She moved with an air of nervousness and something else—curiosity, maybe? There was just something about her that kept me from looking away. Thunderhoof walked beside her, their conversation just a murmur as they approached.

When they stopped in front of me, the mare studied me intently, her eyes scanning me from head to hoof. She blinked, as if trying to solve some kind of puzzle at the sight of me. Then, closing her eyes with a hoof pressed to her temple, she took a deep breath, straightened herself, and finally spoke.

Author's Note

Yeah.... sorry for the cliffhanger! I just felt like the chapter was getting a bit too long. But hey, Oblivion is finally meeting one of the Mane 6! I’m also super hyped about what I’ve got planned for the future.
Thanks for reading!

Chapter 8 - Mistaken Identity

“So, he’s the one?” the unicorn asked.

The mare must have been this Twilight Sparkle, the one the guards kept talking about. She was much younger than I expected. For ‘somepony’ who was supposed to be the best in magic, she looked barely out of her twenties, if even that.

“Yes,” Thunderhoof replied, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if waiting for something to go wrong.

Twilight nodded, her expression serious. “I have a spell that can confirm if he’s a changeling. I even used it before, during the invasion.”

Her horn began to glow, the soft purple light flickering as she closed her eyes in concentration, her brow furrowing slightly as she gathered her magic.

“Wait!” Thunderhoof said abruptly.

Twilight’s concentration faltered, and the glow around her horn dissipated. “W-What?” she stammered, visibly flustered.

“Not here,” Thunderhoof said, his voice low and urgent. He gestured with a slight movement of his head toward the crowd around us. Ponies moved past, glancing curiously in our direction, but none had noticed anything unusual yet. “If ponies see a changeling, we’ll cause a panic. Let’s move somewhere more isolated.”

“Oh, right.” Twilight chuckled nervously, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. “Sorry…”

“That’s alright,” Thunderhoof said. “Do you know a place where we won’t be interrupted?”

Twilight’s eyes flickered for a moment as she tapped her hoof thoughtfully against her chin. “Hmm… we could go to my old study. I practically lived there before I moved to Ponyville. It’s the perfect place for this kind of test."

Ponyville?

I couldn’t hold it in any longer. The name was just too much. The sheer absurdity of it hit me like a wave, and I burst out laughing. I knew it wasn’t that funny, but after the day I’d had, I needed a release from all the tension.

"Um... is he alright? I mean, he seems... a little off." Twilight asked, sounding uncertain.

I couldn’t answer. I was on the ground now, barely able to breathe between fits of laughter. My stomach ached, laughing so hard I was nearly crying.

“Don’t mind him,” Sky said, her voice carrying an edge. “It’s better that way.” She stood there, doing her best to ignore my chaotic outburst. She was probably used to it by now, but it still clearly irritated her.

“…Okay?” Twilight replied, clearly not sure what to make of it.

“Oh God, Ponyville!” I gasped between laughs. “This is so stupid, I can’t!”

Twilight stared at me, clearly baffled. The other two guards remained stone-faced, though I could see their brows furrow slightly. I couldn’t stop—until Sky sighed, clearly fed up. She stepped forward and poked me in the side with a hoof.

“Alright, that’s enough,” she said, her voice firm.

“Ha, ha—hey, ow! Stop that!” I yelped, swatting at her hoof in an attempt to make her back off.

Well, it worked. The laughter died in my throat as I glared at Sky. She stared right back at me, unflinching, her gaze daring me to start up again.

Twilight, still looking unsure, spoke up. “Are you sure he’s a changeling? He… doesn’t really act like one.”

Thunderhoof sighed and glanced at her, his expression pained. “Honestly? No. But his actions and choice of words don’t fit with a normal pony.”

“That’s because I’m not a pony,” I said casually.

Twilight froze. Her eyes locked onto mine with genuine surprise, her expression filled with disbelief.

I flashed her a grin, the kind of smile that suggested I was up to no good. “I’m an alien.”

And the best part of it? It was technically the truth.

Twilight blinked. Once. Twice. Her mouth opened, then closed, and for a moment, she just stared at me. Her eyes darted to the two guards, seeking some kind of confirmation. Sky, predictably, rolled her eyes—she’d heard this all before. Thunderhoof, however, didn’t look annoyed so much as… exhausted. He sighed, rubbed his temples again, and looked like he was bracing for a headache.

“Miss Sparkle,” Thunderhoof said, his voice tired, “it’s been a long day. If we could head to your place now, that would be much appreciated.”

At the mention of his words, Twilight seemed to snap to attention, her body practically springing to life with renewed energy. "R-Right, of course! I’ll... um, just give me a second. I’ll get everything ready."

She looked off to the side, glancing toward a nearby tower with a thoughtful expression, as if she was about to calculate something. Her hoof scratched at the dirt, tracing invisible lines as she mumbled to herself.

“…this should work,” she murmured to herself before glancing at the guards. “I just need a minute to charge it, and I’ll teleport us there.”

Wait. What did she just say? Teleport?!

A sudden chill ran down my spine as her horn began to glow again, but this time it was deeper, more intense. I could feel the power gathering, a hum in the air that made my skin crawl. Her eyes were tightly closed, her face set in a determined frown.

“What is she doing?” I asked, my voice trembling with more than just curiosity.

No one responded. Of course, they didn’t. The only sign that anyone had heard me was the faint smirk on Sky’s face, and from that, I could tell I wasn’t going to have a good time.

And of course, I was right. As the seconds ticked by, a strange tingling sensation spread across my skin. A magical purple energy slowly enveloped me, and the others, too. The air seemed to shimmer, and an odd sense of weightlessness settled over me. I felt as if I were floating, and then, in the blink of an eye, a flash of light washed over my vision, and I was no longer in the same place. It wasn’t so much like traveling through space as it was being pulled, stretched, and tugged through a tight tunnel. The world around me blurred, spined, and in less than a second, everything shifted. My body wasn’t anywhere, and yet, in a flash of light, we were somewhere else entirely.

It felt like I’d just been through a washing machine of teleportation. My head spun. I was dizzy and light-headed, my senses scrambling to keep up. It was like my brain had crashed, like the blue screen of death had taken over. I didn’t like it. Scratch that, I fucking hated it.

"Here," I heard Twilight’s voice through the haze of confusion, her breath heavy. "This place should do it."

As the dizziness began to fade, the first thing that registered in my mind was the sheer height of the place. My eyes swept upward, taking in the towering structure around us. The room was huge, stretching upwards in an almost dizzying way. The walls were made of solid stone, but the sheer number of glass windows created a panoramic view of the outside world. The room was filled with books, rows upon rows of shelves crammed with ancient tomes, scrolls, and even strange artifacts, some of which I couldn’t even begin to identify.

Thunderhoof scanned the room, his sharp gaze moving over the space. His eyes flicked briefly to Twilight before returning to the shelves and the exits. After a moment, he spoke. “May I?”

Twilight nodded, but she seemed distant, there was something in the way she lingered on the room that caught my attention. Her eyes swept over the familiar sight, and for a brief moment, her expression softened, as if lost in thought. There was a nostalgia in her gaze, but it was mixed with something else.

Thunderhoof did a sweep of the place, checking for any sign of other occupants and ensuring all exits were clear. Sky, meanwhile, stood by my side, her expression unreadable as she gazed out at the large window. As for me, I just tried to find a comfortable position, my body still aching from the events of the day.

“The place is clear. Miss Sparkle, you may proceed.”

Twilight nodded, her focus shifting to me.

"Let’s get this over with," I muttered, letting out a sigh.

I just hoped it wouldn’t hurt.

And I found out almost immediately. The spell caught me completely off guard. It was way faster than the last one. In a matter of seconds, Twilight’s horn started glowing again, and this time, no one stopped her. A blast of purple magic struck me directly in the face, blinding me. The surprise and shock hit me all at once, but there was no pain—nothing really strange, just a watery sensation, like paint washing over my skin. When it ended, the only lingering effect was the afterimage of the blinding light. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision.

It felt like I’d just speedrun an eye exam—only, you know, weirder. And with horses.

“Did the spell work?” I heard Sky ask beside me.

“It did,” Twilight replied. “He’s… not a changeling.”

I scoffed as the last of the light faded from my eyes. “I want to say, ‘told you so’, but honestly? I’m just done at this point. All this time wasted for something as stupid as this.”

Thunderhoof stared at me, his face unflinching. He slowly closed his eyes for a few seconds, then reopened them again, his gaze flicking briefly to Sky, giving her a brief nod. I didn’t see it, but I heard the unmistakable sound of clanking metal—Sky had just removed the cuffs from my hooves. And she didn’t seem happy about it.

"As the higher-ranking officer here, the fault for this rests entirely on my shoulders," Thunderhoof said, surprising me. Sky seemed about to say something, but Thunderhoof’s piercing glare stopped her cold. “You’ll be compensated for this, and your return trip will be covered by the crown.”

I stared at him, shocked. I’d expected more complications, more tests, or at worst, getting dumped in a cell. Not... an apology.

Thunderhoof continued, his tone unwavering. “If you have any complaints, you’re welcome to speak with my superior, Lieutenant Scarlet Light, or even Princess Celestia herself. They’ll hear you out.”

“Sergeant, you can’t—” Sky started, clearly frustrated.

“Sky.” Thunderhoof cut her off with a sharp shake of his head. “Don’t interfere.”

“But—”

“Sky, dismissed.” His voice dropped, firm and final. “Go rest. After today, you deserve it.”

Sky looked like she wanted to argue, her body tense, but she held it in. With a sharp turn, she trotted out of the room, shooting me a glare as she left.

Thunderhoof let out a heavy sigh, then glanced back at me. “For your compensation, just ask for Raven Inkwell. She’ll handle everything.”

“You’re really letting me go?” I asked in suspicion. “What about all this ‘medical attention’ crap from earlier?”

“I still think you need it,” Thunderhoof said, his tone cool. “I don’t trust you, and I’ll make sure my superiors know about your existence. But you’re not a changeling, and so, not a threat. As for arresting you on a false assumption, I am sorry.”

I studied his expression, trying to see any signs of insincerity, but his words seemed genuine.

“You’ve got a real talent for apologizing while still making a guy feel insulted,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

For the first time since my capture, Thunderhoof’s lips quirked into something resembling a smile at me. “Well, you make it easy.”

I snorted, not bothering to respond. He seemed to think the conversation was over, turning his attention to the purple mare. She was caught in an awkward spot, too hesitant to leave, but out of place staying. It was clear she didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Miss Sparkle, thank you for your aid,” Thunderhoof said, bowing his head slightly. He didn’t meet her eyes for long, his gaze flicking briefly to the door, his mind already elsewhere.

“Oh, uhm… it’s no problem.” She waved a hoof dismissively.

Thunderhoof simply nodded, his exhaustion clear in the slump of his shoulders. He exhaled slowly, his voice heavy. “Well, have a good evening. I’ll be off.”

He turned to leave. As I watched him, thoughts drifted in and out of my mind. A wave of frustration surged again, and before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out.

“Hey, Sergeant,” I called.

Thunderhoof paused mid-step, his head turning slightly.

“Sorry for being an ass,” I said, more seriously this time.

He seemed to pause at that moment, his gaze still averted, focused on something far off, never quite meeting mine.

“If you are truly sorry for that,” he said, a quiet finality in his tone, “then somepony else deserves to hear it too.”

And with that, he left.

The silence that followed Thunderhoof’s exit stretched on until a voice from behind me finally broke it.

“Um… if you don’t mind me asking, I’ve been wondering…” Twilight said, her tone awkward as she lifted her hoof, hesitantly, like a student asking a question in class.

I sighed, exasperated. Honestly, I was done with today. I just wanted it all to be over. “Yes?”

“Are you really an alien?” Her eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and excitement. “I mean, like… an extraequestrial life form?”

I stared at her, taking in the sight of the eager mare. I studied her posture, the way her ears twitched and her eyes practically gleamed with anticipation. I didn’t know this pony. For all I knew, I’d never see her again after this. My body ached, every muscle sore and stiff. I hadn’t eaten since my time with Limestone, and now I found myself in yet another unknown place. Frankly, I didn’t have the energy to entertain this.

“No,” I said flatly. “I lied.”

Her expression faltered, like I’d just told her that Christmas was canceled. “Oh…” she murmured, the excitement draining from her face in an instant.

“Well, if that’s everything, I’ll be on my way,” I said, starting to trot toward the exit. But then, something struck me.

Fuck, he didn’t give me any directions. At all.

I turned back to the purple mare. “Twilight, was it?”

She blinked, a little surprised, but nodded. “Yes?”

“Do you know where I can find this... Raven Inkwell, and, uh…” I paused, tapping unconsciously a hoof against the floor. “...where to find the other guard? Sky Danser?”

Frankly, I should’ve asked ‘somepony’ else for directions. This castle was a damn labyrinth. And let’s not even talk about that near-death experience I had earlier trying to navigate the endless stairs down the tower. Whoever designed that monstrosity clearly had no regard for common sense or personal safety. And trying to go downstairs on all fours when you're used to walking on two legs is terrifying.

Finding Raven Inkwell, though? That was easy. She was waiting for me at the entrance to the castle grounds like I was a late employee reporting for work. She had this no-nonsense, secretary vibe, with her glasses perched on her snout, a clipboard in her hooves, and a pencil clipped behind her ear, like she was ready to record my every move.

How the hell she knew I was looking for her, I had no fucking clue.

Without a word of greeting, she quickly started ticking off the list of compensation and paperwork I was due: a small pouch of ‘bits’, a royal scroll granting me guest status for the next three days, and a train pass to anywhere I wanted to go. It was all a bit overwhelming.

Before I could even process it, she was gone, just like that. I was left standing there, feeling like I’d been hit by a tornado. At least she’d left me a small side bag to carry all the stuff she’d shoved into my hooves. Honestly, I had no idea what I would’ve done without it.

For the next hour, I tried to follow the directions Twilight gave me to the royal garrison. My mistake? Not asking for help sooner. By the time I realized I was hopelessly lost, I had already wasted too much time. Swallowing my pride, I finally flagged down a passing guard, and after a couple of minutes, I found myself standing in front of Sky’s room, located in the castle’s guard quarters.

I decided to just knock. No point in making this more complicated. There was a rustle from the other side, followed by the door swinging open. A green earth pony mare stood in the doorway, looking me up and down like I was some kind of curiosity. Then, something shifted in her eyes, and her professional demeanor melted away, replaced by something far more… sultry.

“Well, well,” she purred, batting her lashes. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you before… Need anything, handsome?”

I swear, all these mares were way too forward. Or maybe I’d just been invisible before turning into a horse.

“Um… yes. Is Sky Danser here?”

The mare blinked at me, then flashed a mischievous smile. She glanced back over her shoulder, calling into the room.

“Hey, Sky! Stop reading that saucy book of yours, your coltfriend is here!” she called, her tone light and teasing.

I heard some rustling, followed by a loud thud of something falling. A curse, then Sky’s voice, slightly annoyed, rang out. “For buck’s sake, Clover. I told you to leave me alone. And you know I don’t have a—”

The door creaked open wider, and Sky Danser appeared—but not quite the Sky I remembered. Her white coat, once a color she shared with all the other guards, had shifted to a soft yellow, and her mane, previously hidden beneath her helmet, now cascaded in a surprising mix of blue, green, and pink streaks. But despite the changes, her face and voice were unmistakably hers.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes narrowing in irritation.

I blinked. This definitely wasn’t what I expected. “Sky? You look… different.”

“It’s Private Sky to you,” she snapped, her voice suddenly cold. “What do you want? Here to gloat in my face, is that it?”

Clover, standing nearby Sky, looked a little taken aback by the sudden shift in attitude, but stayed close, her presence almost protective.

“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “I came to apologize.”

“I don’t want your apologies.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, I figured. But I’m still sorry. You were just doing your job and insulting you didn’t help anything.”

Sky didn’t say anything right away. She just stood there, silent, her gaze piercing as she processed my words. Clover, sensing the shift, gave a gentle nudge to her side. Sky’s eyes briefly flicked to her, then back to me.

“I—” Sky started, but she clamped her mouth shut, visibly struggling with whatever she wanted to say.

“You don’t have to say anything,” I said quickly. “I just came to say it.”

I turned to leave, my hooves clicking softly against the floor. But a commotion behind me made me pause.

“C-Clover?! What are you—hey!”

I turned back in time to see Clover physically pushing Sky out of the doorway. Sky stumbled into the hallway with a look of utter disbelief as Clover slammed the door shut behind her.

Sky spun around, knocking on the door with a hoof. Her wings flared slightly, and her voice rose in frustration. “Clover! Open the door! This isn’t funny!”

From the other side, Clover’s voice came, calm but firm. “I’m not opening this door until you sort this out. You won’t feel better until you do, Sky.”

Sky groaned, slumping against the door for a moment before turning back to me. Her expression was a mix of frustration and reluctant resignation. Her ears drooped slightly, and her wings folded tightly against her sides.

“Buck,” she muttered under her breath. She glanced at me, then away, her hooves shifting uncomfortably. Finally, she sighed and met my gaze. “Listen, I—” Her voice faltered, and she sighed again, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “I’m sorry too.”

“You don’t have to—” I began, but she held up a hoof to stop me.

“I do,” she insisted. “Even if you’re the most infuriating stallion I’ve ever met, I shouldn’t have let things get that far. When you started calling me those stupid names, I... lost my composure. I wasn’t acting the way a royal guard should.”

The admission seemed to weigh heavily on her, her posture drooping as she spoke. Her ears flattened, and her gaze dropped briefly to the floor before meeting mine again.

The silence lingered a bit too long before I finally decided to break it.

“Well,” I said, offering a tentative smile, “we both messed up. Let’s just move on, live our lives, and all that.”

Sky blinked, her expression shifting to one of mild disbelief. “That’s the worst pep talk I’ve ever heard.”

“My brain’s running on empty, okay? Cut me some slack. So, acquaintance?”

“Acquaintance?” She tilted her head, one eyebrow arching.

“Yeah.”

“Don’t you mean ‘friend’?”

“I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Sky snorted softly, the faintest hint of a smirk breaking through her irritation.

“I can get behind that,” she said, stepping closer.

She raised a hoof toward me, holding it there expectantly. I tilted my head, giving her a puzzled look.

“What? Why are you pointing at me?”

Her expression instantly shifted, her ears flattening slightly as she gave me a look of pure exasperation. The kind that could rival even the ones Igneous used to give me.

“Sweet Celestia, you’re a lost cause,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Just bump your hoof with mine already.”

“Oh,” I said, finally catching on. I awkwardly raised my hoof and bumped it against hers.

“Alright,” she said, stepping back and flicking her tail. “Have a good night. I’ve got a roommate to discuss personal space with.” Her words were accompanied by a dry chuckle.

“Right. Good night.”

I gave her a small wave of my hoof, turning to leave. My hooves clicked softly against the polished floor as I made my way down the hallway toward the exit.

Or at least, what I thought was the exit. Because I found myself at a dead end.

Muttering under my breath, I turned around, ears flattening in embarrassment as I trotted back the way I came. And, of course, Sky was still there. She was watching me approach with one eyebrow arched so high it practically touched her mane.

As I hurried past, cheeks burning, I heard her snicker echo behind me.

Even though I had the paperwork to stay the night at the castle as a guest, I had no intention to. Instead, I found myself trotting toward the train station, impatient to head back to the Rock Farm. To go back to… Limestone. Damn it, now that I could actually acknowledge and realize that I miss her, heading home was going to be a lot harder with her in the back of my mind.

I’d just leave that problem for future me to handle.

As for finding the exit, it was easier than I expected—minus the embarrassing detour earlier, which absolutely didn’t happen.

The streets of Canterlot were still crowded with ponies, but the main event seemed to be winding down. A good number of them were heading home, and the evening had slipped into the early hours of the night.

Trotting beneath the fantasy sky was an experience all on its own. The moon hung full and bright, surrounded by a blanket of stars so vivid that a city guy like me could hardly believe they were real. It was… truly breathtaking. The city itself felt warm under the soft orange glow of windows lit from within, giving everything a strangely cozy feel. With the long, grueling days on the farm, I never really had the chance to stop and appreciate the nightlife.

As I approached a larger crowd of ponies blocking my path, I stopped and sat on my haunches to see what was going on. I could hear laughter and chatter nearby, drawing my attention.

“Hey, careful! I’m still—” a boyish voice called out, followed by a small cry of surprise and the sound of a thud.

“Pinkie? What in tarnation are ya doin'?” came a southern drawl that caught me by surprise. It wasn’t far from where I stood.

I turned my gaze toward the voices and spotted a group of six mares in fancy dresses, along with a strange green and purple creature wearing a top hat and tuxedo. It was the first non-equine creature I’d seen so far, resembling a lizard more than anything else. It had just tumbled to the ground, its head stuck inside its hat, limbs flailing in every direction.

The sight would have been strange enough on its own, but I was distracted by something else. One of the mares in the group, now that I looked more closely, was none other than the unicorn from earlier—Twilight.

The others were unfamiliar to me, though they all wore the same crown of pearls and flowers that Twilight had perched on her head. The two mares beside her were a yellow pegasus and an orange earth pony, respectively. Not far from them stood a white unicorn, and—no joke—a blue pegasus with a fucking rainbow-colored mane.

Sure, Sky had multiple colors in her mane, but this one? She had all of them, and somehow, it suited her perfectly.

But the real spectacle was the last mare: a very pink earth pony who was currently sniffing the ground like a hound on a scent trail. She darted through the crowd at an unbelievable speed, her movements defying logic. She zipped between ponies, weaving in and out with an agility that seemed almost cartoonish.

Then, as if physics had no hold on her, she came to an abrupt stop—her hooves planted firmly, her momentum completely unaffected by the laws of motion. Her expression, in that moment, was pure, unadulterated joy.

Before I could even process the absurdity of what I’d just witnessed, she vanished. One second, she was on one side of the street, and the next, she had blurred across the crowd, reappearing by the rainbow-maned mare’s side.

“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it! She’s here! She’s here!” the pink mare squealed, shaking the rainbow pegasus wildly with her hooves.

“Pinkie, let go of me!” the rainbow mare groaned, struggling to break free.

The white mare seemed to be the first to snap out of her daze at Pinkie’s antics, trotting forward to intervene.

“Darling, stop shaking her! You’re going to ruin all her beautiful hair!” her refined voice called out. “And who exactly are you talking about? Who’s she?”

The pink mare stopped shaking her friend, offering a quick apology to the rainbow-maned pegasus, who seemed momentarily off balance. Then, she turned to answer the white unicorn.

“Well, duh! My sister, obviously!” Pinkie replied, her voice high-pitched and bubbly, her hooves clapping with excitement. “Eeeee, it’s been forever since we’ve seen each other!”

“Um… guys? Can I get a little help here?” a muffled, boyish voice called out, the creature still stuck in his top hat.

I ignored it and took a closer look at the pink mare, something about her seemed oddly familiar. Like I had seen her somewhere before. Even the name ‘Pinkie’ rang a bell. But where?

Before I could think further, Pinkie pulled a pair of binoculars from beneath her dress and pressed them to her face, scanning the crowd like a hawk. Her head whipped around rapidly, searching for something—or someone—among the ponies nearby. After a few moments, she gave up, tossing the binoculars behind her with a casual flick of her hoof, just barely missing the head of a passing pony. Undeterred, she dropped to the ground and began sniffing once again, as if she were picking up an invisible scent trail.

“Her sister? And what’s with the sniffing? Is this some sort of ‘Pinkie Sense’ thing?” Twilight asked, her body shuddering slightly at the thought. She then used her magic to help the little guy, freeing him from his top hat and gently depositing him on her back. He gave her a grateful nod.

“Beats me,” replied the rainbow mare, tapping her head with a hoof as if trying to shake the stars spinning around in her mind. “Pinkie being Pinkie.”

Unfortunately, since I was distracted by the other mares, I didn’t notice that Pinkie’s trail had led her straight to me.

“Ah-ha! Found you! I’m so—” She froze mid-sentence, blinking rapidly at me. “Wait, you’re not my sister.”

I stared at her, utterly confused, glancing over my shoulder to see if ‘somepony’ was behind me. When there was no one there, I turned back to her with a confused look.

“Um… no,” I replied, trying to understand what was going on.

“Hmmm... that’s strange.” Pinkie stared at her nose, her eyes crossing as she poked at it with her hoof. “I never make mistakes with this,” she said, giving her nose a little wiggle. “My nose is like a super-duper ultra-reliable sniff machine!”

Then, without warning, she dropped her head low again, sniffing the ground, and began circling me—her movements almost dizzying in their speed. She spun around me three times, before stopping right in front of me again.

“And the results are in: you smell like her, mister,” she declared, her voice almost accusatory.

The rest of the mares had trotted up to us by this point, eyes wide as they took in the strange scene.

“Wait… you’re that stallion from earlier,” Twilight said, her brow furrowed as she took a few cautious steps forward.

Then, without any warning, the pink mare did something that completely took me by surprise. She dropped her head again, sniffing deeply, before shoving her face right between my front legs and straight into my sheath. My eyes went wide, and I froze in shock.

“Hmm, the scent is even stronger here…” she said, her breath brushing against the spot.

“PINKIE?!” The other mares gasped in unison, their voices filled with shock. As for the little lizard, he just looked confused.

The orange mare was the first to react, her expression one of pure panic. She lunged forward, biting down on Pinkie’s tail and pulling with all her strength. The force sent both of them tumbling backward, away from my legs.

“What in tarnation do ya think yer doin’, girl?!” she barked after spitting Pinkie’s tail out of her mouth.

“Oh my…” the yellow mare squeaked from the side, her face flushed bright red. She quickly hid behind her hoof, peeking out to watch the chaos unfold.

The white mare hurriedly stepped up to me, her eyes filled with concern and disbelief as she took in my frozen expression.

“Oh, we’re just... so terribly sorry, darling!” Rarity’s voice had a melodic lilt, but there was an unmistakable edge to it now, as she tried to salvage the situation. “I really don’t know what got into my friend.” She shot a pointed glance at the downed pink mare. “Pinkie, apologize. Now.”

“But he’s got—”

“Pinkamena Diane Pie.” Rarity’s tone was cold and firm, her eyes narrowing with authority. “If you don’t apologize this instant, I’ll make sure you spend the rest of the night in a very tight-fitting corset. And I’ll personally see to it that you never wear anything without one again.”

Pinkie’s ears drooped to the side, and she let out a soft whine, clearly chastised. Somehow, her mane slowly lost her pouffiness, the pink losing color. She stepped back with a sad look, though her eyes still darted to me.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her voice small and fragile.

Now, normally, I’d be on high alert. People—or ponies in this situation—don’t just drop from ecstatic to distraught so quickly without there being some kind of manipulation involved. But for some reason, at this moment, I knew she was being 100% sincere. And that knowledge left me more perplexed and unnerved than I’d like to admit.

I felt a pang of sympathy. Why did I feel bad for her? She was the one who shoved her face into my… private place. And somehow, I felt like I was the bad guy. This was confusing.

“Um… I guess it’s alright,” I said, unsure.

“Really?!” Pinkie gasped, her eyes bulging as if I had just handed her the world. In an instant, her entire demeanor shifted. Her mane poofed back to its cotton candy glory, and her colors burst back to their usual vibrant hues. “Then we can be the bestest of bestest friends forever and ever and ever!” she squealed, bouncing in place.

“Alright, now. That’s enough o’ that.” The orange mare stepped forward, her voice firm with a touch of authority. “Time to get to bed ‘fore ya wear yerself out.”

With surprising ease, she pulled a lasso from under her dress—do all mares keep stuff under there?—and quickly tied it around Pinkie, halting her frantic bouncing. Then, she gently hoisted the pink mare onto her back.

“Wait!” Pinkie said on her back. “I still don’t know your name! And why you smell like my sister! And—”

Before Pinkie could finish, the orange mare grabbed an apple from a nearby stand and plopped it into Pinkie’s mouth, effectively silencing her.

“Sorry ‘bout that, partner,” she said with an apologetic smile. “Ah’ll get her outta yer hooves.” She trotted past me, toward the castle, Pinkie still secured on her back.

“…Sorry.” The yellow mare, her face still flushed, whispered quickly as she passed by. Her wings fluttered nervously, and she avoided making eye contact, probably embarrassed by the whole scene.

“Darling,” the white mare chimed in, her tone smoother now. “If you ever pass through Ponyville, I’ll make you a piece of clothing—on the house! Oh, I can already picture it... so many ideas!” She gave a little flick of her mane, eyes sparkling with excitement, before disappearing down the street with the others.

The rainbow mare shook her head in exasperation but said nothing before flying off to rejoin her friends.

Twilight was the last one to stand there, staring at me, her expression unreadable. Her eyes seemed to pierce into mine, as though searching for answers hidden within.

“Twilight, you going?” The little guy called from atop her back, snapping Twilight out of her trance. With a small shake of her head, she trotted after the others, her hooves clicking against the cobblestone road, each step growing quieter as she rejoined the group.

As for me? I remained frozen in place, still trying to process everything that had just happened. My mind could only focus on one thought:

I think I need a drink.

Author's Note

Here you go! The first proper chapter where Oblivion meets not one, but all of the Mane 6!

*cough* Plus Spike, *cough*

Hope you liked it, and thanks again for reading!

Chapter 9 - Action Reaction

I wasn’t in a great mood when I found out the last train to Rockville had just departed, with the next one not arriving until morning. Stranded in the city, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was part of some cosmic joke—like the so-called ‘story’ wanted me stuck here. I even saw the train pulling away right in front of me.

If I hadn’t frozen up earlier during that strange encounter on the main street, I would’ve made it in time.

Sure, I could have kicked up a fuss and yelled at the station clerk, but having worked in customer service before, I knew better. It wasn’t her fault. Just ‘bad luck’.

So, there I was, back on the main street, debating my next move: return to the castle and take advantage of the guest accommodation for the night, or explore the city and maybe grab a drink. The idea of experiencing Canterlot nightlife was tempting. For once, I had money to spare, and I was curious about what kind of drinks ponies had. But that curiosity didn’t outweigh my exhaustion.

The thought of barhopping after such a long day, only to catch the first train out in the morning, sounded like a recipe for disaster. Not that I was much of a drinker anyway—I usually only indulged at big events or the occasional small gathering.

Decision made, I headed for the castle. As I climbed the steps, the doors opened and out walked two familiar mares: Clover and Sky.

They were dressed clearly ready for a night out on the town. Clover wore a sleek black dress that hugged her form, paired with a choker adorned with a green gemstone that mirrored her coat. She moved with effortless confidence, practically radiating charisma. Sky, on the other hoof, was in a longer, more modest purple dress. Her wings twitched uncomfortably, tugging at the fabric as if she were trying to cover herself more.

“Hm?” Clover spotted me first, her eyes lighting up with a grin. “Hey, Sky. Great timing. Your colt’s back.”

Sky’s ears twitched furiously as she snapped her gaze from her dress to me.

“Oblivion? W-What are you still doing here?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but my thoughts tripped over themselves. Sky looked… different. Sure, ponies usually went around without clothes, but somehow, seeing her in that flowing purple dress, with its smooth fabric hugging her form in all the right ways, was far more… captivating. Her friend wasn’t any better; in fact, she was far worse. She was radiating a kind of allure that was impossible to ignore. It took all my last mental capacity to not show ‘mini’-me from showing up.

Coughing to hide my embarrassment, I focused on answering her question. “I missed the last train home. The next one doesn’t come until morning.”

“Ah… well, that’s unfortunate.”

An awkward silence hung between us.

“Well, have a good—” Sky started, but Clover interrupted her with a sly grin.

“Hey, handsome, want to join us?”

“Clover?!” Sky’s wings flared.

“What?” Her friend feigned innocence, though her smirk betrayed her. “We’re out to have fun tonight, and nothing says ‘fun’ like spending it with a stallion.” She shot me a wink.

“Clover, I’m not like you! I don’t ‘shack up’ with stallions on a regular basis!” Sky snapped, her cheeks reddening.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re holding out for the one.” Clover waved a dismissive hoof. “Let me tell you, girl, that kind of romance only happens in those novels you keep stashed under your bed. And even then, it’s not in your room you’re gonna find it.”

Sky stomped a hoof. “I’m not sleeping with anypony tonight!”

“Who said anything about sleeping?” Clover’s tone softened slightly, her smile more encouraging now. “Just a couple drinks and then back to the castle. Relax a little, Sky. Open up your horizons. Have some fun.”

Sky sighed deeply, her wings sagging at her sides. “Only drinks.”

“Atta girl!” Clover cheered, nudging Sky with her hip. Then, she turned her attention back to me, her grin returning full force. “So, what do you say, handsome? Care to pass the time with two gorgeous mares?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass,” I said firmly.

Clover raised an eyebrow, her smirk turning curious. “Oh? Got a marefriend back home?”

I hesitated, caught off guard by the question. The image of Limestone flashed vividly in my mind: her wry smirk, the way her sharp humor matched mine, and the warmth of her presence during quiet moments on the farm. I thought about how her eyes sparkled with mischief when we bantered, how effortlessly we understood each other. My chest tightened.

Best friend? Sure. Girlfriend?

I’d told her no before, out of fear that loving me would only hurt her in the long run. But now… now I wasn’t sure I hadn’t caught the same feelings she confessed to having.

“I…” My voice faltered. Keeping it simple, I shook my head. “I don’t.”

Clover tilted her head, her grin softening as curiosity sparked in her eyes. She studied me thoughtfully for a moment before a look of realization crossed her face. “Ah… so you buck for the other team, then?” Her tone was more intrigued than anything, laced with a hint of understanding.

“If that means what I think it means? No.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“There isn’t one,” I said, exasperated. “I had a long day, I’m tired, and the only thing I plan to spend time with is a mattress and a pillow.”

Clover chuckled. “Can’t argue with that. At least you’ve got your priorities straight.”

“Right.”

Still, Clover leaned closer as she passed me, her voice dropping into a sultry tone. “If you ever change your mind, you know where my room is.”

I snorted softly, rolling my eyes. “Trying a little too hard there.”

“Hey, you miss all the shots you don’t take.” Clover tossed a wink over her shoulder before trotting away, her tail swishing with confidence.

Sky trotted past me, her steps quick and her head held high, but I caught the flicker of a suspicious glance in her eyes. It was almost as if she dared me to say something, to make fun of her. I kept my mouth shut, watching as she hurried to catch up with Clover.

As for me, her words lingered, replaying in my head like a taunt. Sure, I miss all the shots I don’t take. But the thought gnawed at me. What if, by taking the shot, I end up hurting the one true friend I’ve ever had?

Finding my room turned out to be easier than expected. The guest rooms were conveniently situated just a floor above the entrance, and a mare in a French maid outfit graciously provided me with directions. At this point, her outfit didn’t even faze me anymore. I'd already accepted that this was the way of this world.

Entering the room, I barely spared it a glance before my eyes locked onto the massive bed in the center. It was enormous. Easily king-sized, maybe more, and it seemed to whisper sweet nothings to my utterly drained brain. With barely a thought left, I stumbled toward it and collapsed onto the plush surface. The world faded away in mere seconds, and I was swept into the realm of sleep.

I’ve always been a vivid dreamer. Each night brought me a different story. Sometimes bizarre nonsense that faded with the sunrise, other times a sharp reminder of the problems weighing on me in my life. But the ones I hated the most weren’t nightmares in the traditional sense. They didn’t involve monsters chasing me, plummeting from the sky, or the occasional being murdered here or there. No, the worst dreams weren’t terrifying, they were… depressing.

The cast of these dreams varied, but the story rarely changed. I’d find myself surrounded by a little group of friends, indistinct but familiar. We’d be laughing, having fun, lost in the moment. I call them the ‘phasing friends’ of my life. Those you grew close to during a certain chapter: school, work, or some other stage. Yet, like chapters in a book, they always ended. One by one, they moved on, graduating, relocating, and pursuing new opportunities. The texts dwindled. The calls stopped. And before I knew it, I’d been left behind.

I wasn’t angry at them, more at myself. At my failure to take the initiative, to try harder to keep in touch. The friendships forged so easily in childhood seemed to grow impossibly rare as the years wore on. The only ‘friends’ you made as an adult were often born of convenience: connections formed to gain something, to stave off loneliness, or simply to fill the silence. So, you put on a mask.

You tell yourself that when the inevitable happens when you grow apart and move on, it won’t hurt as much. They didn’t know the real you, after all.

It helped, sometimes. It made me… forget.

Until the goddamn dreams come back. The ones that dig up everything you’d buried and make you remember. These weren’t nightmares in the traditional sense, but they were the ones I dreaded the most. Because the ache didn’t stop when you woke up.

That night, the dream returned. But this time, something was different.

I wasn’t with the usual crowd of faceless friends. I wasn’t even in my human body. Instead, I was a pony again, my hooves pressing into the dusty soil of the Rock Farm. And I wasn’t alone.

Limestone was there.

Her sharp voice cut through the air, barking out instructions as we pushed rocks across the barren field together. She’d toss out snide remarks, making jokes that didn’t always make sense, and I’d fire back with quips of my own. We’d push each other too hard, laughing until we stumbled. Somehow, we ended up tangled together in that old tent, her body warm against mine.

Then, she vanished.

The next thing I knew, I was back in my parents’ house. My old room, from before I’d moved out. The silence was deafening.

Everything was eerily untouched yet completely empty. The mess of clothes that used to litter the floor was gone. The posters and knickknacks I’d clung to for years had vanished. The room was barren, save for the bed.

I was back.

Even my human body was back. But none of it mattered, because only one thought consumed me: find my parents.

“Mom? Dad?!” I shouted into the quiet, uncaring about waking the neighbors.

I stumbled out of my room, my legs clumsy, struggling to remember how to move on two feet. My body half-jerked, half-sprinted down the hall toward my parents’ bedroom, each step echoing in the eerie quiet. The halls were empty. No family photos, no decorative plants, nothing but barren walls.

The place felt... abandoned.

I reached their door, my heart hammering in my chest, and slammed it open with a bang that echoed like a gunshot in the stillness.

“Mom? Dad?”

I stood frozen in the doorway, breath hitching. I clung to a desperate hope—a hope unlike anything I’d ever felt—that I’d find them there. That I’d see their familiar forms lying in bed, startled awake by my rude entrance, ready to scold me for shouting.

But the room was empty.

The walls were bare. The dresser, gone. The closet doors hung open to reveal nothing but dust. All that remained was a single bedframe, stripped and skeletal, like a tombstone in an unmarked grave.

A knot of dread twisted in my chest, tighter and colder than anything I’d ever known.

I staggered back, my voice rising in panic as I began searching the house, calling for them with a growing desperation. Each room I opened was the same: hollow and lifeless. The kitchen, stripped of its warmth. The living room, a shell of its former self. Not even a shadow of the life that had once filled this house remained.

I knew it was pointless. The moment I saw their empty room, I knew.

They weren’t here.

Not anymore.

I had taken too long to come home.

I was too late.

Then came a knock at the front door.

My heart surged with hope. Maybe it was them. Maybe they’d come back. Half running, half tumbling, I made my way towards the door and flung the door open.

It wasn’t my parents.

Standing there was a pony.

She was tall, far taller than any mare I’d seen. Her coat was a deep, velvety blue that seemed to drink in the dim light. And her mane… her mane flowed like a living piece of the night sky, sparkling and shifting with stars.

She had both wings and a horn, a presence so indescribable it felt like she belonged more to myth than reality. But what struck me the most were her eyes.

Those piercing teal eyes locked into mine, wide with surprise, mirroring the shock that rooted me to the spot.

“What art thou?” she asked, her voice reverberating with curiosity.

I tried to answer, but the words stuck in my throat.

And then I woke up.

The morning passed in a blur. The nightmare from the night before lingered in my thoughts, more potent than I cared to admit. I wasn’t sure if my brain was trying to send me a message, or if it was just as confused as I was. The end of that particular dream made even less sense than everything that came before it. But if there was one thing it accomplished, it was solidifying my determination: I had to find a way back home.

I grabbed my side bag, making sure the bits I had left were inside, and left my room without delay. The castle loomed behind me as I made my way out, stopping just once to buy something to eat for the trip back to the Rock Farm.

The events of the past few days—especially yesterday—made one thing painfully clear: I’d grown far too complacent. The steady routine of life with Limestone and her family had lulled me into a false sense of security, leaving me unprepared for all the troubles that awaited me when I finally left the nest.

I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

When I returned to the farm, the first thing I’d do was send that damn letter. This time, it will be delivered, I’ll make sure of it. The second? I’d stop waiting for life to happen to me. I had to act. I’d spent too much time sitting back, reacting to the chaos that came my way, letting circumstances dictate my choices. That ended now.

I wouldn’t sit idly by, hoping someone else would swoop in and solve my problems.

I would help myself.

The first step? Knowledge. When you’re lost in a world you don’t understand, information is everything. You can gain it by talking to others, traveling to places, or reading books. My problem? That last option was off the table. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the scribbled script they called writing here.

So, I’d learn.

I’d learn to read and write, no matter how long it took. That way, when—not if—I found myself alone again on my quest to return home, I wouldn’t have to rely on others to do the work for me. I wouldn’t need to be led by the hand like a helpless child.

This world may have its challenges, but I wasn’t about to let it break me.

And if this world is part of a story? Then I’ll break it.

I arrived at the train station just in time, greeted by the most colorful train I’d ever seen in my life. The locomotive was painted a vibrant pink with golden accents bordering the windows and trim. The conductor’s window? It was shaped like a freaking heart. The passenger cars weren’t any less extravagant, each one sported a pastel shade, from lavender to mint green, their roofs arched in contrasting colors. It felt like someone had taken a toy train, enlarged it, and set it on real tracks.

Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw something shift in the crowd nearby, but when I turned, there was nothing but ponies milling about and a lone piece of luggage sitting off to the side. I shook my head, brushing it off, and headed for the ticket booth to confirm my pass was valid for the trip.

A few minutes later, I was aboard. Toy-like design aside, the train’s interior was surprisingly comfortable. The seats were cushioned, while the large windows promised great views of the rolling countryside.

Just as I settled into my seat, the door to my compartment creaked open. A stallion stepped inside, struggling slightly as he carried a hefty piece of luggage clamped tightly between his teeth, his legs trembling under the apparent weight of the thing. With a soft grunt, he managed to place the bag on the floor, letting out a relieved sigh.

“Sir, your baggage,” he said, his tone professional despite the effort it had taken him.

I blinked, staring at the bag in confusion. “That’s not my—”

Before I could finish, the stallion had already exited, shutting the door behind him. I sighed, rubbing my temple. Well, it wasn’t my problem. The true owner of the baggage would figure out it was missing eventually, and they’d sort it out. For now, I turned my attention back to the window, losing myself in my thoughts as the train jolted to life and began its steady departure from the station.

That peace didn’t last long.

It was subtle at first, just a flicker in my peripheral vision. My gaze snapped to the bag. Did… did it just move? No, that had to be a trick of the light. My rational brain tried to dismiss it. But then the bag tipped over with a soft thud, and I froze.

The zipper began to slide open on its own.

“What the—”

Before I could finish, an explosion of bright pink hair puffed out of the bag. A moment later, a pony’s head emerged—a mare with an impossibly bouncy mane and an even more impossibly cheerful grin.

“Phew!” the pink mare exclaimed, shaking out her mane like a dog after a bath. “It was getting sooo stuffy in there!”

I just stared. “Y-you’re…”

“Me!” she chirped, springing out of the bag like this was the most natural thing in the world. “Pinkie Pie! Your bestest of bestest friends, remember?”

She stretched each of her legs in turn, groaning dramatically. “Ooooh, I’m gonna feel that tomorrow. Note to self: no more long naps in tight places!”

“What are you doing here?” I managed, my brain still rebooting.

Pinkie didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stuck a hoof into her mane, her tongue poking out as she rummaged through what looked like an invisible pocket. A moment later, she triumphantly pulled out a detective cap and wooden pipe, which she promptly donned.

“Well!” she began, taking a dramatic puff of the pipe, which blew bubbles, because of course it did. “I knew that if I didn’t follow you, I wouldn’t see you for a long, long, loooong time! And I’ve still got a bazillion questions to ask! Soooo…” She leaned in close, holding a hoof up to shield her mouth like she was sharing a secret. “I escaped my jailors—you know, my friends from yesterday—to come find you!”

I blinked. Then blinked again. Was I hallucinating? “What the hell… are you?”

She tilted her head, one ear flopping. “I dunno what ‘hell’ is, but I’m a pony! Obviously.”

“…I seriously doubt that.”

She waved a hoof dismissively, “Oh, everypony says that when they first meet me.” She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “But don’t worry! They usually stop saying it after a while. That’s about when their eyes start getting all cloudy whenever I do something silly!” She giggled.

There was something about her—a familiarity that tugged at the edges of my mind. Now that my brain wasn’t running on fumes, I slowly began to piece it together. The pink mare. Those old photos in Limestone’s cottage, the ones I barely paid attention to at the time.

“Wait… are you the Pinkie Pie?”

“That’s me!” she said with a bounce.

“Limestone’s little sister?”

Pinkie gasped, her jaw dropping dramatically. Her eyes widened to saucers, and then, in a blur, she was practically nose-to-nose with me. “You know my sister?!” she squealed, vibrating with excitement.

I quickly leaned back, shoving a hoof between us for some personal space. “Um… yes? Your family… they, uh, sheltered me when I was lost.”

Pinkie gasped even louder, which I didn’t think was possible, and leaned back, her grin somehow growing even wider. “That’s why you smell like her! That makes so much more sense than my first guess!”

I hesitated. “Your… first guess?”

“Uh-huh!” Pinkie nodded enthusiastically. “At first, I thought you were an alien from another universe, and Limestone liked you soooo much she rubbed her scent all over you to claim you as hers!”

I blinked. “What?! How—how do you even—what?”

“What?” Pinkie tilted her head innocently. “Did I say something weird?”

“Yes! All of it! How do you know any of that?!”

“Oh, that? It was just a hunch! A little sprinkle of Pinkie Sense, a dash of context clues, and voila! Nailed it! Wait…” She suddenly gasped again. “Are you telling me it’s TRUE?!”

“I—uh… ah…” My words tangled as I groaned in exasperation. “You don’t make any sense!” I finally blurted out, throwing my hooves in the air.

“I don’t?” Pinkie tilted her head, her grin unwavering. “It makes sense to me!”

She pulled out a notepad and pencil from her mane, both of which I didn’t have time to question, as she adopted a stern, investigative look. “Now, stop stalling, mister!” she declared. “I’m the detective here, and I’ve still got questions!”

What? What questions?

“Name?” she asked, her notepad already open.

“My… name?”

“Yep! You have one of those, right?”

“…Oblivion,” I muttered, still unsure how this conversation had spiraled so far off course.

Pinkie scribbled furiously with the pencil held in her mouth, nodding. “Now, the important part…” She looked at me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. “When is your birthday?”

“Are you serious?”

“Very serious.”

I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples. “January 25th.”

Pinkie jotted it down with a satisfied hum, pausing only to tap the pencil against her chin before carefully tucking both the notepad and pencil back into her mane.

“Right, look—actually, I was supposed to contact you,” I said, trying to steer this chaotic encounter back on track.

Her ears perked up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Really?! Oh, wait!” Her expression suddenly shifted to one of pure, unbridled horror. “You never had your ‘Welcome to Equestria’ party! That’s horrible!”

“What? No! Not that.”

“You… don’t want a party?” Her lip trembled, her eyes filling with glistening tears that threatened to spill over.

I tried to push past her theatrics. “Your other sister, Maud, said you were friends with someone who could help me. She mentioned… an apprentice of a princess?”

Pinkie’s sadness evaporated instantly. “Oh! You mean Twilight?” she said, her grin returning full force.

“Twilight?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “As in, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Uh-huh!” she said with a cheerful nod.

“The purple unicorn?”

“Yeeep!”

“The one who was with you yesterday?”

“That’s the one!”

I slumped back into my seat, groaning. “Of course it is…”

Was the world toying with me? Of all the ponies I could have relied on, it had to be her. The one freaking pony I’d told I wasn’t an alien, the one I’d outright lied to, was now my only lead to getting back home. Fantastic. Just… fantastic. It was undoubtedly my fault—I wasn’t going to deny that—but seriously, this felt like some cruel joke.

And to top it off, I wasn’t even in Canterlot anymore. The train was already in motion, taking me farther from the only place where I might have been able to confront her directly. No. No more wallowing. I needed to act.

I turned my gaze back to Pinkie Pie. She had somehow taken a calendar out from… somewhere. It was crammed with circled dates, every page a chaotic mess of color. She was currently scribbling yet another circle around one of these dates, humming softly to herself.

“Pinkie.”

“Yes?” she chirped, glancing up at me with her ever-present grin.

“You’re friends with Twilight, right?”

“Mmm-hmm! Best friends!” she said, puffing out her chest proudly.

I glanced toward the window. “Won’t Twilight—and, uh, your other friends—start searching for you?”

“Well, I did leave a letter in the girls’ room telling them not to worry,” she said matter-of-factly. Then her expression faltered. “But they still might. I just hope Rarity isn’t angry. I really don’t want to wear that… thing again.” She shuddered dramatically, her mane quivering with the motion.

“Thing?” I asked cautiously.

“Don’t ask,” she whispered, her tone suddenly grave.

I blinked, deciding it was best not to press further. “Right… So, do you all live in Ponyville?”

“Oh my gosh, yes!” Pinkie exclaimed, her grin returning full force. She bounced slightly in her seat. “You have to come visit! I can show you Sugarcube Corner, the Carousel Boutique, Sweet Apple Acres—oh, oh! And we can even throw you a ‘Welcome to Ponyville and Equestria’ party!”

I barely managed to keep up with her rapid-fire enthusiasm. “Right,” I said, cutting in before she could spiral further. A plan was already forming in my head. “Tell me everything you know about Twilight, the Princess, and Ponyville.”

Her eyes lit up, and her grin somehow got wider. She tucked the calendar back into her mane and leaned forward eagerly. “Oh, you’re gonna love this!”

Author's Note

Here you go! More of the PINK ONE. :pinkiecrazy:

I really hope you liked it, because Pinkie will play a major role in Oblivion's journey!

Oh, and I now have a Bluesky account! I'll post periodically there to inform you how far I am in writing the next chapter and when it should drop. @solidifystories for those who are interested.

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 10 - Bittersweet Vows

I’d like to say the rest of the trip was calm and pleasant, but that would be a lie. Pinkie was incredibly informative on the subjects I wanted to learn about. The problem was that her explanations tended to veer off course quickly, often turning into a chaotic jumble of thoughts. But I had to admit, she was an expert storyteller. And by the end of our conversation, I knew more embarrassing details about Twilight Sparkle and her friends than I ever thought I’d learn.

But more than that, I learned I’d made a huge mistake. I’d just lied to the protégé of the Princess who moves the sun. The fucking sun! That didn’t make any sense. But in a world like this, where magic bent reality and defied logic, physics seemed to be more of a suggestion than a rule. Pinkie was living proof of that—proving that point multiple times over just a few hours.

As for Princess Celestia… well, if you believed she was capable of such feats, she was the de facto ‘good’ ruler of Equestria. She ruled with a gentle hoof, and everypony seemed absolutely enamored with her. I couldn’t help but think that this level of devotion was the kind of thing you only saw in cults. No ruler back home could ever be truly loved by everyone. Even the most caring, selfless leader would always have a few detractors. But Princess Celestia? She was the model for every filly and mare, and the object of affection for every colt and stallion. Hell, I guess even some mares had a crush on her, too. And then there was Twilight—her apprentice.

That comment about Twilight being the best in her field? It was a massive understatement. She wasn’t just the best; she was leagues ahead of the competition. And she was younger than me! But I got the feeling that her obsession with her studies had left her social life practically nonexistent, though. The original purpose of Twilight moving to Ponyville, after all, was a task assigned by the princess: to 'make some friends'.

Now, here’s the kicker: the day Twilight arrived in Ponyville, she not only defeated a thousand-year-old threat but also became an Element of Harmony—what all ponies considered to be a true hero—in one fell swoop. And as if that wasn’t enough, she also made the friends she was supposed to make. If that didn’t scream ‘main character in a story’, I didn’t know what did. This mare was definitely the protagonist.

As for Ponyville itself, Pinkie’s description initially made it seem unremarkable at first glance, except for one thing. Every problem and major crisis seemed to happen there. It made sense, though, considering Pinkie and her friends also lived there.

While I was piecing all this information together, Pinkie launched into another detailed anecdote about one of their so-called adventures—though from the details she shared, 'misadventures' seemed like a more fitting term to me. The number of shits that occurred to these mares overshadows mine like no tomorrow. It is half humbling, half horrifying.

The train finally rolled to a stop, the familiar sight of the Rock Farm station outside the window. That colossal, almost ominous structure was made entirely of stone. A place I once thought oppressive, yet somehow didn’t seem so unwelcoming now.

The sudden silence in the compartment was… unsettling. I turned, expecting my ever-chattering travel companion to fill the air with her usual bubbly energy. Instead, Pinkie sat frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the station.

“You okay there?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We’re at the Rock Farm…?” she murmured, almost to herself.

“Yeah? I thought you knew that. Didn’t you realize this was my destination?”

She shook her head slowly, her gaze still glued to the window, her usual spark absent.

This mare… she had boarded the train with me without even knowing where it was going? With a complete stranger, no less? How the hell did she make it to adulthood in one piece?

“Well, come on,” I said, breaking her trance. “Don’t just sit there staring. Let’s go find your family.”

Pinkie gave a distracted nod, her movements sluggish as she finally followed me. Her uncharacteristic silence persisted as we stepped off the train, while I thanked the workers who wished us well.

As my hooves touched the dusty ground, a peculiar sense of relief washed over me. I hadn’t been gone long, but somehow, I missed this. The rough, imperfect terrain felt… more real, less artificial than the polished marble streets of Canterlot.

We walked along the familiar path toward the Pie family cottage. Pinkie remained quiet, her gaze wandering, an unreadable expression flickering across her face. She paused suddenly, lifting a hoof and staring at it as though seeing the dust and dirt for the first time.

I stopped as well, turning to look at her. “You good?” I asked gently.

Pinkie didn’t reply immediately. Her ears twitched, her expression conflicted. Then, with a faint smile, she nodded and continued walking.

I decided to let her process whatever thoughts were swirling in her mind. I didn’t know the full story between her and her family, but her absence during my stay and Igneous’ curt remarks told me it wasn’t a simple or easy relationship. It wasn’t my place to push for answers, so I left her to her thoughts.

When the cottage finally came into view far ahead, a lone figure stood in our path—Igneous. His stance was as rigid as the rocks, his expression colder than even I remembered from him. The moment his gaze landed on me, his face twisted in fury, and he stormed toward us.

“Oblivion!” he barked, his voice low and furious. “Ye have a death wish for—”

“Dad?” Pinkie’s voice rang out as she darted around me, stepping into her father’s line of sight.

“P-Pinkamena?” Igneous’ anger evaporated, replaced with wide-eyed shock.

“Dad!” Without hesitation, Pinkie galloped toward him, her hooves kicking up dust as she threw herself into his arms. With a final bounce, she wrapped him in a fierce hug, nuzzling against him.

“W-What are ye doin’ here?” he asked, his voice softer as he returned the hug.

Pinkie giggled, her usual energy bubbling to the surface. “That’s a funny story, actually! And it all starts with him!” she exclaimed, jabbing a hoof in my direction with a grin.

I opened my mouth to explain, but Igneous silenced me with a glare sharper than any words. “No! Ye don’t have the right to talk. Get out of my sight.”

Pinkie’s ears suddenly drooped at her father’s outburst, and for a moment, her mane seemed to lose its luster.

“What? What did I do?” I asked, bewildered.

“What ye did?” Igneous’ voice rose, his gaze drilling into me like daggers. “It be what ye didn’t do, ye dimwit! Ye left my daughter hurt and alone in the middle of danger! Unprotected! Ye were supposed to stay with her!”

“It wasn’t my fault!” I snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I was arrested, for Christ’s sake! I didn’t want to leave her alone! They forced me to—”

“I don’t care about yer excuses!” Igneous thundered, taking a step closer, his presence like a storm about to break.

“Um, maybe we could all just calm down a teensy tiny bit—” Pinkie interjected, raising a hoof hesitantly.

Her father ignored her and cut her off. “The only reason I let her go was because she had somepony to watch her back! I gave ye a chance to prove me wrong, and ye stomped all over it!”

“Dad, stop!”

This time, the sharp voice didn’t come from Pinkie. I glanced behind Igneous to see Limestone galloping toward us, her scowl firmly in place. For once, it wasn’t directed at me. Relief flooded my chest at the sight of her.

“Limestone?” Igneous’ tone shifted to concern. “I told ye to stay in bed. Ye’re still hurt!”

We’d only been apart for about a day, but it felt like weeks. Her lavender coat and gray mane were clean now, free of the dirt and grime from our battle in the abandoned town. She was staring at me, just as I was staring at her, though she quickly turned her attention back to her father.

“How could I sleep through all this yelling?” she snapped. “I tried to tell you—Pinkie?!”

The pink mare zipped past her father and me in a blur, bounding straight into her sister and wrapping her in a hug that could rival a vice grip. Limestone, though visibly startled, didn’t budge under the force of the embrace.

“Sis! I missed you so, so much!” Pinkie exclaimed, nuzzling her sister affectionately.

“W-What are you doing here?” Limestone stammered, though a small smile tugged at her lips as she leaned into the nuzzle.

“I was following my new best friend, Obby, here!” Pinkie chirped, pointing at me with an enthusiastic hoof. “I didn’t know he was coming to the Rock Farm! I just got super curious because he smelled kinda like you!”

Obby? What kind of nickname is that?

Limestone’s cheeks turned a faint shade of red at her sister’s words. “Um… that’s… great. Anyway,” she muttered, coughing into her hoof in what was probably the most awkward attempt at a subject change I’d ever witnessed. “Dad, I tried to tell you before you practically forced me to go to bed—it wasn’t Oblivion’s fault. He didn’t abandon me. He protected me. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be here right now.”

Igneous’ glare faltered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. “What are ye saying?”

“I’m saying you don’t know the whole story,” Limestone said, her voice quieter now, but no less steady. She glanced back at me before focusing on her father. “Yes, Oblivion got arrested, and yes, he left me in the town. But he got arrested for trying to be honest with the royal guards—though he might’ve been a little stupid about how he did it.”

I winced at the jab but stayed silent.

Limestone continued, her tone softening. “The guards didn’t give him a chance to explain. And frankly, if I’d tried to stop them, I’d have been arrested too. Though, somehow, it worked out for him.” She shot me a wink, the vague nature of her words left me puzzled, wondering what exactly she meant by that.

Her words earned me a glance from Igneous, one less filled with outright hatred, though it was still far from welcoming. His jaw tightened. “Ye still got hurt.”

“For buck’s sake, Dad! I’ve gotten hurt working here on the farm, and I don’t see you yelling at the rocks! I’m a grown mare—I knew the risks, and Oblivion did everything he could. I watched his back as much as he watched mine!”

I stayed quiet as Igneous studied me. Limestone stepped closer; her tone gentler now. “I know you’re worried, Dad. But Oblivion isn’t the bad guy here.” She brushed against my side and sat beside me as if making her point clear.

Igneous’ shoulders sagged as the fight drained out of him. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking between the two of us. “I… I only wanted ye safe, Limestone. That be all I ever wanted.”

“And I am,” she said, her voice warm and sincere. “Because of him.”

For a moment, we stood in silence, though Pinkie seemed to be restraining herself from saying anything, by the way her eyes flickered between me and the others. Finally, Igneous sighed, his expression softening as he looked at me. “I… may have been hasty in my judgment.”

“Gee, you think?” I muttered under my breath, earning a light jab in the ribs from Limestone’s hoof.

“I’ll be honest,” Igneous said, his voice firm again. “I still don’t trust ye. But if Limestone and Pinkamena both vouch for ye, then maybe I misjudged ye.” He glanced at his eldest daughter. “And mind yer language, young lady. Don’t think I didn’t hear ye swear there.”

Limestone rolled her eyes. “Yes, Dad.”

Pinkie popped up between us, her face filled with excitement. “Oh, Dad! Obby’s the best! He’s a great listener too—he stayed still and listened to all my adventures in Ponyville!”

Igneous shook his head with a small chuckle. “Come on, let get inside. Ye can tell me everythin’ over lunch. It…be good to see ye Pinkamena.”

Pinkie beamed, her usual energy starting to return. “Ooooh I love lunch! Is it rock soup? It’s been so long since I had some!”

“Aye,” Igneous said before turning to me. “And ye’re joinin’ us. My wife will have questions for ye too.”

“Great. Hope it’s not another shouting match,” I muttered under my breath, only for Limestone to jab me, again, in the side with her hoof.

With that, we started toward the cottage. The tension from earlier had dissipated, replaced by the soft rhythm of hoof steps against the dusty path. Up ahead, Igneous walked beside Pinkie, the two locked in conversation. Well, mostly Pinkie—it was hard to call it chatting when she was practically bouncing circles around him, her voice a cheerful stream of anecdotes and questions.

Limestone and I lingered behind, falling into step together. She walked close—closer than I would have expected—but said nothing at first. The silence wasn’t awkward, though; it felt… good. Great even. I glanced her way, catching her sneaking a look at me at the same time. Her ears flicked, and she quickly turned away.

After a moment, I lowered my head slightly and whispered, “What was the wink earlier?”

Limestone’s brow furrowed as she glanced at me. “What d’you mean?”

“You winked at me, back there. When you said everything worked out for me in the end.”

Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed by a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Oh, that. Well, you met Twilight Sparkle, didn’t you? That’s why I didn’t make more of a fuss when the royal guards hauled you off. I knew they were taking you to her—so you could talk to her about your ‘problem’.”

“Wait, what? Limestone!” I stopped in my tracks, staring at her. “I didn’t even know who Twilight was!”

Her confident smirk faltered. “You… didn’t tell her?”

“No! I didn’t know! You never told me she was the one we were trying to contact!”

She halted too, her expression shifting to something between guilt and frustration. Her gaze met mine, searching for a moment before she muttered, “Buck, I’m sorry. I—I thought… never mind. Sorry.”

I sighed, running a hoof through my mane. “That’s… fine. Look, I screwed up too. Big time. I told the truth the worst way possible, insulted one of the guards and even screw up with Twilight. Just—next time, tell me everything, even if it seems obvious, okay? Assume I’m a total idiot who doesn’t know anything.”

Her ears perked at that, and a snort of amusement escaped her. “Who said I didn’t think that already?”

I rolled my eyes and bumped her shoulder lightly. “Apologizing one second, insulting me the next. You really know how to make a guy feel appreciated.”

“You insulted yourself first, mister.” She smirked, returning the bump with a little extra force. “I just went along with it.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. Her playful banter was disarming, but there was something more in her tone—a quiet warmth I hadn’t noticed before. As we resumed walking, she leaned into me slightly, her voice dropping to a softer register.

“Oblivion… I—”

“What are you guys talking about?”

We both jumped, startled by the sudden interruption. Pinkie had materialized beside us, grinning from ear to ear. Moments ago, she’d been ahead with her father, but now she was prancing beside us, her blue eyes sparkling.

“N-Nothing,” Limestone stammered, her ears folding back as she shuffled a step away from me.

“Really? ‘Nothing’ is a boring conversation topic,” Pinkie said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “I could’ve sworn you were talking about something more interesting. You were awfully close just now…”

I cleared my throat, trying to steer the conversation away from the awkward implications. “Do you need something, Pinkie?”

“Hmm… let’s see!” Pinkie exclaimed, her grin widening. “I want a lot of things! Like cupcakes, parties, having fun with friends, and eating lunch with my family! But you know what I really want right now?”

Before either of us could respond, she bounced closer, her eyes narrowing mischievously. “To know what your relationship is with each other.”

“Friends!” Limestone blurted, her voice an octave higher than usual.

“Yes, friends,” I echoed quickly, nodding a bit too enthusiastically.

Pinkie narrowed her eyes, studying us like a detective inspecting a suspect. Her gaze lingered on Limestone, who shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny.

“Hmm… suspicious,” she said with exaggerated seriousness. But in an instant, she shrugged, her grin returning as she hopped away like a spring-loaded toy. “Alright! If you say so!”

We both watched her bounce ahead, her cheerful humming blending with the crunch of gravel beneath her hooves.

“Your sister’s… really one of a kind,” I muttered, shaking my head.

Limestone exhaled sharply, a mix of relief and exasperation in her tone. “Tell me about it.”

Pinkie’s surprise visit was a welcome sight for her family. The usually stoic family seemed to come alive with warmth and energy as hugs, nuzzles, and smiles were exchanged. Even Limestone couldn’t hide her grin as her bubbly sister bounded through the house, spreading her infectious cheer.

I was also welcomed back—not with the same reservation Igneous initially gave me, but with warmth that spoke volumes. Even Maud, with her ever-present blank expression, gave a subtle nod of approval that felt oddly reassuring. Cloudy Quartz, on the other hoof, had a glint of mischief in her eyes as she noticed Limestone and me sitting together.

Marble, typically shy and reserved, seemed to feed off Pinkie’s enthusiasm. For once, she wasn’t hiding behind her mane but instead listened intently to her sister’s animated stories, her small smiles appearing more frequently than I’d ever seen.

Amid the lively atmosphere, Maud’s steady monotone cut through the chatter. “Pinkie, I have a letter for you.”

Pinkie gasped, her ears perking up. “A letter? Ooooh, gimme, gimme, please!” She darted forward, snatching the envelope from Maud’s hoof. In a blur, she tore it open and began reading, her eyes darting across the paper at a speed that seemed impossible.

Then she froze. Her jaw dropped dramatically, and she gasped so loudly that everypony turned to look at her. Her wide, incredulous eyes locked onto me as she jabbed a hoof in my direction.

“You’re an alien?!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with shock and excitement.

I stared back at her, deadpan. “Yes, Pinkie. You already knew that.”

“Oh, that’s right!” She giggled, bouncing in place. “Silly me! I totally forgot!”

I blinked, my expression remaining flat. Was she joking? With Pinkie, it was impossible to tell. Sometimes it felt like talking to her was a game of three-dimensional chess—one where only she knew the rules.

She didn’t seem to notice my expression as she resumed bouncing around, clutching the letter to her chest like a prized possession. The family shared a collective glance before smiling at her antics.

Limestone leaned toward me, muttering under her breath, “You get used to it. Eventually.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” I replied, still watching Pinkie with a mix of amusement and bewilderment. “Do you have news from Dodge Junction?”

Limestone shook her head, her mane brushing slightly against her cheek. “No. I just got back this morning. I figure it’ll be a couple of days before things even start going back to normal.”

I nodded. It made sense. You don't just go back to work the next day after being kidnapped.

“What about you?” Limestone asked, her tone a little lighter. “Had fun in Canterlot? See anything interesting?”

I grimaced as flashes of the last day surged back into my mind. “Things happened, alright,” I muttered. “Don’t know if I’d call them interesting. More like… exhausting.”

Limestone raised an eyebrow, giving me a sidelong glance. “You’ll need to tell me all about it later.”

“Sure,” I replied with a grin. “I hope your trip back home wasn’t too boring without me.”

The words had barely left my mouth when Limestone froze. Her ears flattened slightly as a visible blush bloomed across her cheeks. She turned her head away, refusing to meet my eyes.

“What? What happened?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, her voice a little too defensive.

“Come on,” I teased, leaning closer. “You can tell me. I promise I won’t laugh.”

“No,” she snapped, her blush deepening. “Because nothing happened.”

Her abrupt tone only fueled my curiosity, but the way she avoided my gaze told me I wasn’t getting an answer—at least, not today.

I sighed dramatically, throwing up a hoof. “Alright, alright. Keep your secret.”

Cloudy returned with the rock soup, its earthy aroma filling the room as she served everypony generous portion. Each bowl was met with murmured thanks, though none as enthusiastic as Pinkie’s. The pink mare practically beamed as she took her share, eager to dive into both her meal and the story of her latest adventure.

She recounted everything in vivid detail: the preparations for the grand Canterlot wedding, the shocking revelation that it was for Twilight’s brother, and the bizarre behavior of the bride. Her voice grew somber as she described Twilight’s warnings about the bride’s strange actions and how her friends dismissed her concerns, leading to her temporary removal as the best mare. Pinkie’s eyes brimmed with tears at this point, her voice quivering as she confessed how much she regretted doubting her friend.

“I was a bad friend,” she said, sniffling. “But I’ve got a super-duper plan to make up for it!”

Maud, in her ever-steady way, reached over and gently tapped Pinkie’s back. “Let it out,” she said, still with her monotone voice.

Once Pinkie had composed herself, she launched back into the tale. The bride turned out to be the Queen of the Changelings in disguise, her true intentions revealed during a dramatic confrontation. Pinkie described the Queen defeating Princess Celestia—something that made me question how much effort really went into moving the sun if she could be defeated so easily—before her friends attempted to retrieve the Elements of Harmony. She detailed their battle with a horde of changelings, their eventual capture, and finally, the climactic moment when love itself saved the day.

It was, undeniably, an incredible story. Next to Pinkie’s grand adventure, our little misadventure felt downright mundane. Though, I couldn’t help but notice Igneous’ expression shifting throughout her tale. Pride flickered in his eyes one moment, only to be replaced by anger or fear the next as if he wasn’t sure whether to cheer for or scold his daughter.

“How long do ye plan to stay, honey?” Cloudy asked after her daughter finished her tale. Her voice warm and welcoming.

Pinkie hummed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Um… dunno. A couple of days, I think.”

Marble’s soft voice broke through, surprising us all. “W-What about Oblivion?” she asked, glancing around nervously. “S-Since Pinkie’s here, we’ll need to find him somewhere else to sleep.”

“Oh! Oh! He can sleep with me! With me!” Pinkie exclaimed, waving a hoof in the air as if trying to get the teacher’s attention.

““Absolutely not!”” Igneous and Limestone said in unison, their voices firm enough to leave no room for debate.

I raised a hoof, trying to diffuse the situation. “I don’t mind taking the couch,” I said, then paused as a thought struck me. “You… have a couch, right?”

“Sorry, dearie, we don’t,” Cloudy replied apologetically. “But I think I have a couple of spare mattresses tucked away somewhere. I could set somethin’ up for ye.”

“That would be perfect. Thank you,” I said, relieved.

“Anytime, dear.” Cloudy gave me a warm smile before adding with a wink, “I’ll see if I can find a double-sized one.”

The gesture was subtle, but Limestone caught it too. She swallowed her food wrong and had to cough to clear it. When I chuckled at her, she gave me an annoyed glare, silencing me with the threat of another jab.

The rest of the lunch passed without a problem, the atmosphere calm and filled with the occasional laugh with Pinkie at the table. At the end of the meal, I found myself ushering Cloudy out of the kitchen, encouraging her to spend time with her family and visiting daughter while I took over the task of washing the dishes. To my surprise, the chore was easier than I had anticipated, especially with the help of my magical hooves, which made scrubbing and rinsing a surprising breeze.

However, partway through the task, just as I was getting into a rhythm, I was interrupted by a voice.

“Oblivion, we need to talk.”

I turned toward the voice, finding Limestone standing in the doorway, her expression holding something unreadable.

“Sure, about what?”

“About us.” Her voice was quieter than usual, her gaze focused on the ground.

Two simple words, but they struck deeper than any blade at that moment. I’d been expecting this; it was inevitable. What surprised me was that she was the one to initiate it.

I stopped the sink, setting the plate aside with a soft clink, and turned my full attention to her.

“Alright, I’m listening.”

She hesitated, her eyes flickering as if weighing every word. Her calm demeanor faltered slightly, and the signs of unease were hard to miss; her ears were pinned back, her tail twitching with barely contained tension.

“You don’t… intend to stay, do you? You still want to go home?”

“Yeah…”

Limestone’s lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. “Do you… have feelings for me?”

I met her eyes without hesitation, “I do. More than just as friends.”

The smile softened, but there was a tinge of sadness there, something fleeting in her expression. Honestly? I hated that I was the one causing it.

“You’re leaving with Pinkie, aren’t you?”

The question hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me speechless for a moment. It was the plan I’d made on the way to the Rock Farm. I had intended to tell Limestone, but a small, cowardly part of me wanted to delay it just a little longer, to stay in that moment where everything felt right.

“How?” I finally managed, my voice quieter than I intended.

She snorted, the sound filled with a mixture of amusement and something else. Frustration, maybe. “Doesn’t take a genius to make the connection.”

The silence between us stretched. My eyes stayed fixed on her, trying to find an answer, an impossible solution to the mess I created.

“Do you want to go with me?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

She studied me for a moment, her gaze intense, as if trying to memorize every detail of my face, but then, she shook her head. “I can’t.” Her gaze shifted to her family, just out of earshot but close enough for her to feel their presence. “I’m sorry.”

I let out a heavy sigh, “Don’t be. I’m the idiot who let… us happen.”

Limestone gave me a brief, half-hearted chuckle before turning her attention back to the ground. “Not gonna throw that speech again about not wanting to hurt me?”

I couldn’t help the small, ironic laugh that escaped me. “I think it’s too late for that. You’ve already fallen too deep for my alien charm.”

She snorted, and for a moment, the tension between us seemed to ease. But it was short-lived. Her shoulders slumped, and her head dropped lower.

I reached out, lifting her chin gently with a hoof. “Hey, look at me. I’m still here for a couple days, at least.”

Limestone’s eyes flickered up to meet mine, an unknown emotion flashing through her eyes.

“Want to make the best of it?” I asked softly.

For a split second, her lips parted as if to say something. But in the end, she simply nodded.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I do.”

Author's Note

Limestone’s back! Yay...?

For those of you worried that this is the end of Oblivion and Limestone's relationship, don’t worry, it's not! She still has a big part to play in the story, though the next arc won’t focus on her as much as this one has.

BUT! The next chapter will feature her as the main character and point of view! I’m really excited to see your reactions to it!

As always, thanks for reading!

Interlude - Limestone

Author's Note

WARNING: Sexual content in this chapter.

Interlude - Limestone

Limestone liked to think of herself as the steady one, the one who had her hooves on the ground while everypony else got caught up in their feelings. She was practical, no-nonsense—somepony you could count on. But now? She felt like a mess. The last few days she’d spent with him had flipped her world on its head. She’d never met anypony like him before. Hardworking, sharp as a whip, easy on the eyes… and Celestia help her, that scent of his made her knees weak. Just thinking about it gave her a little shiver.

Was this love? She didn’t know. She’d had her fair share of crushes growing up—everypony does—but this felt different. It wasn’t just about his looks, though those didn’t hurt. He made her feel... well, things she didn’t have words for. And the funny part? She hadn’t even known him that long. He just showed up one day, and now her whole life felt out of whack. But for some reason, she didn’t want it to go back to normal.

Oblivion. That was his name. She’d named him herself, of course. He didn’t have one when he crashed into her life, but it fit somehow. Ironic, though, because forgetting him? Not a chance. He was in her head constantly. She’d catch herself zoning out, replaying something he said or the way his smile tilted just a little on one side. And when she wasn’t busy doing that, she’d remember the way he felt—close, warm, solid.

When her heat hit, she thought it was just hormones messing with her. But now that it was over, she still… felt the same. If anything, the feelings had gotten stronger, which scared the hay out of her. Limestone Pie, scared over some feelings? She’d laugh if it didn’t feel so true.

She never used to get caught up in this kind of stuff. Romance was for other ponies. Once, out of sheer boredom, she’d picked up one of Marble’s sappy novels. She got about ten pages in before tossing it aside. All that dramatic pining and longing? Please. Who lived like that? Except, now she understood it in a way that made her want to kick something.

When she was with him, it was like the whole world narrowed down to just the two of them. She’d tease him just to see that faint blush creep up his cheeks or hear him stumble over his words. And sleeping next to him? Tartarus, she’d never been one for cuddling, but the way he held her, all wrapped up in his taller frame, made her feel... safe. Like she could let her guard down for once in her life. She liked that more than she wanted to admit.

Leaving him had been the worst part, especially after everything that happened in Dodge Junction. Even though she knew she’d have to head back to the farm eventually, it didn’t make it any easier. She missed him. Not just the... physical stuff, though yeah, she missed that too. It was the quiet moments, the dumb jokes, the way he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered. Those were the things that stuck in her head the most.

The night on her way back to the rock farm, she couldn’t sleep. Her tent felt too big, too cold, too empty. And her thoughts? They just kept wandering back to him and the way he made her feel. How the hay was she supposed to focus on anything else when her heart kept pulling her toward him?

She could still feel his touch, smell that raw, masculine musk that clung to him and remember every inch of him—the way he’d filled every aching need she had, over and over. She’d tried, really tried, to scratch that same itch herself after he was gone, but nothing came close. No matter what she did, it wasn’t enough. She’d never been so... indulgent in her entire life, but that night after he left for Canterlot, she couldn’t help herself.

Morning came eventually, and with it, relief. Her heat had finally passed. If it hadn’t, she doubted she’d have ever left that tent or started the long trek home.

The journey gave her plenty of time to think, though thinking just brought its own problems. She kept turning over every little moment, replaying his laugh, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. And the more she thought, the clearer it became: she wanted more.

Being his best friend was great, but it wasn’t enough. For the first time in her life, Limestone caught herself thinking about the future—not just next year’s rock harvest, but years from now. About a family. Foals. His foals. The thought made her heart do this stupid, fluttery thing, and she hated how much she liked it. She wasn’t ready for that yet, not completely. But if there was ever a stallion she could see herself settling down with, it was him.

And somehow, he felt the same way about her. That part still floored her. She wasn’t blind—she knew her sisters all had qualities that stood out more. Marble, even with her shyness, was the kind of mare stallions flocked to. Sweet as sugar, gentle as a breeze, and undeniably beautiful. She was the perfect picture of what most stallions looked for in a mate.

Maud was her own kind of catch. Stoic, sure, but sharp as a knife. Her dry humor could sneak up on you, and there was something magnetic about her quiet confidence. And then there was Pinkie. That mare didn’t even have to try. She was joy in pony form, lighting up every room she walked into. It wasn’t a question of if she’d find somepony, just how many would be vying for her attention.

And Limestone? She was proud of her hard work and grit, but she knew she didn’t have the softness or charm her sisters did. She could be too blunt, too intense. She’d always figured that her place was here, on the farm, alone if it came to that. It was her legacy to carry on, and that was fine. At least, that’s what she’d told herself for years.

Then Oblivion came along, and he wasn’t like anypony she’d ever met. He was strong but not overbearing, kind without being sappy, and he saw her in a way nopony else ever had. But the biggest problem? He wasn’t staying. He didn’t even belong in Equestria. He had his own life, his own world, and sooner or later, he’d be leaving.

How could she ask him to stay when she couldn’t even bring herself to leave the farm? It wasn’t fair—to him, to her. So when he’d asked if she wanted to make the most of their time together before he left for Ponyville, what could she say but yes?

She’d take what she could get. She’d treasure every second they had left, every memory. And maybe, just maybe, in the smallest, quietest corner of her heart, she clung to a foolish hope.

Maybe he’d stay. Maybe he’d want to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him.

Limestone stood stiffly in the dimly lit shed, her nerves twisting tighter with each passing second. She was usually the picture of confidence. But now? Now she felt like a filly caught doing something she shouldn’t.

The mattress sat there, plain and practical, but it might as well have been glowing for how much attention it drew. Her mother’s surprise ‘gesture’ was both helpful and mortifying. Did she know exactly what was going through her head? Limestone’s cheeks burned just thinking about it. It wasn’t like she’d sat her mother down and confessed her feelings outright. Hay, she hadn’t even been sure what she’d wanted until she was already sneaking out here. But somehow, Cloudy had known. Mothers always seemed to know.

And now, as the seconds stretched on, Limestone found herself questioning everything. Was this a mistake? Was she reading too much into everything between them? Sure, they’d been close—closer than she’d ever been with anypony—but did he want the same thing as her?

Then she heard his voice.

“Limestone?”

Her heart stumbled, caught between stopping completely and leaping into her throat. She turned toward the doorway, and there he was, his tall frame almost blending into the shadows.

Oblivion stepped inside, his dark coat practically drinking in the sparse moonlight that filtered through the cracks in the wooden walls. That shadowy black fur looked even darker in the shed’s dim interior. His mane, silvery and ash-colored, gleamed faintly, like veins of quartz running through onyx. And those eyes—his unnervingly bright green eyes—seemed to pierce through the gloom, locking onto her and holding her in place.

“You came,” she said, her voice catching somewhere between relief and disbelief.

He nodded, taking another step forward. His movements were slow, deliberate, almost hesitant—like he wasn’t sure he should be here either. That hesitation made her heart squeeze. He wasn’t just here for some spur-of-the-moment fling; he cared. She could see it in the way he moved, in the way he looked at her.

“I wasn’t going to leave you waiting,” he said softly, his deep voice steady despite the flicker of nerves she thought she could sense in him.

“Good,” she replied, her usual bluntness returning just a bit. “Would’ve been a waste of a perfectly good mattress otherwise.”

Oblivion’s lips quirked into a faint smile at that, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. But as he stepped closer, the weight of the moment crept back in.

Limestone took a deep breath, her chest tightening as she fought to keep her voice steady. “I’m not… I’m not great at this kind of thing,” she admitted, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. “But I know what I want. And it’s you.”

Her eyes locked onto his, challenging him to question her, to doubt her. Instead, he met her gaze with an intensity that made her knees feel weak.

“You’ve got me,” he said simply.

Limestone approached him with deliberate steps, doing her best to appear confident and alluring. She swayed her hips slightly, a gesture she hoped would catch his attention. A small part of her still worried he might find it off-putting, but the way his breath hitched and his eyes widened gave her the encouragement she needed to close the remaining distance between them.

She leaned in and kissed him, her lips pressing firmly against his. The faint taste of the rock soup they’d shared earlier lingered, grounding her in the moment. It was familiar yet different. When she gently pressed her tongue against his lips, silently seeking permission, he opened up, allowing their tongues to meet and explore. She didn’t know how long the kiss lasted, but to her, it wasn’t nearly enough.

“I—” he began, his voice low and uncertain.

She placed a hoof gently over his lips to stop him. Without saying a word, she turned slowly, giving him a clear view as she swished her tail across his muzzle. The gesture, deliberate and teasing, left her scent lingering in the air. Her cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and determination as she made her way to the mattress, each step purposeful and slow, her tail flicking just enough to keep his attention.

Limestone paused at the edge of the mattress, drawing in a deep breath to steady herself. She lowered her front half onto the bedding, leaving her hindquarters raised. With a slow motion, she lifted her tail out of the way, exposing herself fully to him. Every nerve in her body felt alive.

“Take me,” she said softly, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound steady. She hoped he didn’t notice the faint tremor running through her. Without the haze of her earlier heat to cloud her mind, the vulnerability of the act hit her harder than before, leaving her feeling raw and exposed.

She heard him freeze, his breath catching. The silence between them stretched.

“Won’t you get pregnant?”

“I’m not in heat anymore. It’s safe,” she replied quickly, hiding the nervousness in her voice.

“Are you sure you want this?”

“For buck's sake, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t—” she snapped, turning to glance back at Oblivion. The sight of him stopped her words, leaving her thoughts scattered.

He was right behind her, his body radiating heat and his breathing heavy. Limestone could feel his presence like a weight pressing down on her, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her shiver. She glanced back, catching sight of it—his cock was fully out of its sheath, rigid and imposing. A nervous flutter coursed through her as she wondered, not for the first time, how something like that could possibly fit inside her.

The sight sent a blush spreading over her cheeks, and she felt her body betray her as her opening twitched in response. She was torn between embarrassment and desire, her thoughts racing. Then he moved closer, his green eyes still locked on her, and she gasped softly as she felt the first flick of his tongue against her.

Limestone wasn’t clueless—she’d grown up with enough honest farm talk to know the basics about sex. Her mom had given her the talk years ago, awkward but straightforward, before her first heat. It had been mortifying at the time, but when that first heat hit, she’d grudgingly been grateful for the advice and for the discreet ‘little relief’ her mom had provided. She still had it tucked away, though it had never seemed quite enough.

But what Oblivion was doing now? This was something else entirely.

His tongue moved with precision, exploring her sensitive folds with a mixture of care and hunger. Each rough, warm swipe sent shocks of sensation through her body, and she couldn’t suppress the shaky moan that escaped her lips. He seemed to know exactly where to focus, his movements deliberate yet eager, driving her wild with sensations she’d never imagined possible.

She trembled, her legs barely holding her up as he worked her marehood. His hot breath tickled her skin, mingling with the obscene, wet sounds filling the air. Limestone buried her face in the mattress, trying to stifle the gasps and whimpers spilling from her mouth. Her hips began moving on their own, her body instinctively pressing into him, chasing the pleasure he was giving her.

Just when she thought she might lose herself completely, Oblivion pulled back, his absence like a jolt to her system. She let out a frustrated whimper, her whole body trembling and aching for more. He looked up at her, his chin glistening, his expression smug but not mocking—it was a look of satisfaction, and maybe a little pride.

“Like that?” he asked, his voice low and rough, like gravel.

Limestone blinked down at him, trying to catch her breath. She gave a shaky nod, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why’d you stop?”

His grin widened. “Wouldn’t want you to miss the main course.”

Limestone wanted to scoff at his words, but her breath caught as Oblivion’s larger body leaned over hers, his presence completely engulfing her. The warmth of his solid form pressed against her back, a grounding weight that made her pulse race even faster. She could feel his breath on her neck, steady and warm, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Then she felt it—the broad head of his stallionhood nudging insistently at her slick entrance. A full-body tremor ran through her at the intimate contact. Her arousal surged, making her even wetter. She bit her lip, trying to stay quiet, but a needy whimper escaped anyway.

Her hips moved instinctively, lifting to meet him, her body seeking more. The ache within her was unbearable, a craving so deep it left her trembling. The thick, intoxicating scent of their arousal filled the air, dizzying her senses and leaving her even more vulnerable to the moment.

Then he started to push in, and everything else faded away. The stretch was intense, bordering on painful, but mixed with so much pleasure it was dizzying. Her walls clenched around him, trying to draw him deeper.

"Fuck, you're so tight," Oblivion groaned above her. The words sent a thrill through her. This was really happening.

The heat of him, the pulse of life in every touch, was unlike anything she’d experienced. Her toy had never prepared her for this. This was real. Each tiny movement sent sparks shooting through her nerves.

"You alright?" Oblivion’s voice cut through the haze, low and laced with concern.

Limestone barely registered the words over the pounding in her ears. Her world had shrunk to the overwhelming sensation of him—his sheer size, his warmth, the way he stretched her, filling her completely. She felt so full, so exposed, and yet... so alive.

"Limestone?" he pressed, his tone more insistent this time.

"A-ah, I... I’m fine," she gasped, her voice shaky but firm enough to keep him from worrying too much.

"We can stop if it’s too much," he said softly, his movements stilled, his restraint palpable.

Her eyes snapped open, and a fierce glare locked onto his. "You pull out, and they won’t find your body in the morning," she ground out, though her breathlessness undercut the threat.

Oblivion chuckled at that, the sound low and warm. "Geez, you could’ve just said no," he teased, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Just... keep going," she murmured, the sharpness in her tone softening as her gaze dropped. "Please."

He didn’t reply, but she felt his silent nod through the way his body shifted. His movements were careful, deliberate. Each inch forward sent a shiver through her, a mixture of tension and pleasure that made her hooves curl.

But Oblivion just kept going, pushing deeper and deeper inside her. Limestone thought it had to be almost over, but he just kept coming. Each inch stretched her further, the pleasure bordering on pain.

"Ungh, b-buck, how long is it?!" she gasped out.

"Uh, there's still about a third left," he grunted.

"A third?!" she repeated in disbelief. “Just… do it all at once," she interrupted, desperation in her voice. She needed this, needed to be filled completely.

"Are you sure that's—"

She cut him off by pushing back against him, taking him deeper. "Please," she whimpered. "I need it."

He hesitated for just a moment before gripping her hips and thrusting forward hard. Limestone cried out as he bottomed out inside her, filling her completely.

"Oh fuck," he groaned.

She could barely breathe, could barely think. She'd never been so full, so utterly consumed. It was intense, almost too much, but she never wanted it to end.

"Nnnngh, move," she demanded, her voice ragged. "P-Please, I need you to move."

He started to pull out, only to slam back in. Limestone saw stars, her body singing with pleasure. This was what she'd been craving, what she'd needed all along.

They found a fast, hard rhythm, chasing their release. The world narrowed down to the feeling of him inside her.

Limestone lost herself in the moment, her body moving on pure instinct. Each powerful thrust sent shivers of sensation coursing through her, the pleasure climbing higher and higher. She matched his rhythm, meeting every stroke with a hunger that left her gasping for more.

"Hah… hah…" she moaned, her voice trembling. "…don’t stop…"

Her words seemed to spur him on, his movements growing more determined. Every shift, every groan from him sent sparks of heat through her. Her body clenched around him, drawing him deeper, and the sound of his answering growl made her stomach flip.

Their bodies slid together effortlessly, slick with sweat. The sounds of their rutting filled the room, raw and unfiltered. Limestone had never felt so alive. The heat between them erased everything else, leaving only the two of them.

She could feel the tension in her core tightening, winding like a coiled spring ready to snap. The pressure was overwhelming, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and her moans spilled out unrestrained.

"Aaah, aaah, I-I’m… I’m so close," she managed to gasp, her voice barely above a whisper.

Oblivion shifted behind her, his movements deliberate and precise. Before she could question it, she felt the firm grip of his hoof—or something else—grasping her tail. The sensation made her eyes widen, a bolt of surprise and excitement coursing through her.

Then he gave it a firm pull.

Limestone’s entire body locked up as her climax hit her like a tidal wave. She screamed, the sound raw and uninhibited, as her release tore through her in overwhelming waves of bliss. Her vision blurred, her body convulsing around him, and all she could do was ride the storm.

Oblivion groaned deeply, thrusting into her one last time as his own release overtook him. She felt the hot, rhythmic pulses of his seeds, the warmth spilling into her and prolonging her pleasure. Their bodies shuddered together, caught in the aftershocks.

When he finally pulled out, the wet pop sound made her shiver. He collapsed beside her, the mattress dipping under his weight. And for a moment, neither of them spoke, their heavy breaths filling the quiet room. Limestone barely noticed his seeds seeping from her marehood as she lay there, spent and blissfully content.

After a few minutes of catching her breath, she finally found the energy to speak. “That… felt better than I thought it would.”

Oblivion turned his head toward her, a smug grin creeping onto his face. “You can just say I did a good job. No need to play coy.”

She snorted, rolling her eyes. “You did a decent job.”

“Decent? Really?” He gave her an exaggerated look of disbelief. “Because I’m pretty sure I heard you moaning like a mare possessed a few minutes ago.”

Limestone smirked, her expression as sharp as her tone. “Well, somepony has to keep your ego in check. Can’t have you thinking you’re Celestia’s gift to mares or something.”

“Wow. Harsh,” he teased, clutching a hoof to his chest in mock pain. “Though considering this is my first time in, well... this form, I think I handled myself pretty well.”

“Pretty well isn’t enough,” she said, scooting closer to him. The glint in her eyes made his smugness falter, replaced with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked.

Instead of answering, she slid her hoof down his chest, her touch deliberate and teasing. When it reached his softening length, she gave it a gentle squeeze and began to stroke. His breath hitched, his muscles tensing under her touch.

“It means,” she whispered, leaning in close enough that her breath tickled his ear, “less talking... and more rutting.”

Limestone woke later to the comforting warmth of Oblivion pressed against her back. The faint ache in her lower body and the strong scent of sex reminded her of everything that had happened earlier, and a flicker of embarrassment tried to surface, but it quickly faded under the quiet comfort she felt.

His taller form was wrapped around her, his legs loosely tucked against hers, his chin resting just above the back of her head. She could feel his slow, steady breaths against her mane, the gentle rise and fall of his chest lulling her into a rare sense of peace.

She shifted slightly, turning over to face him, and her muzzle brushed against his chest, the faint scent of him mingling with her own. It was strange how familiar it felt now, like he’d always been there.

Scooting closer, she pressed herself into him, resting her head against the crook of his neck. Her foreleg found its way around him, and for a moment, she let herself just be. No doubts, no walls, just him.

“You’re such an idiot,” she muttered under her breath, the words tinged with affection.

He didn’t move. His face was relaxed in sleep, making him look softer, almost vulnerable. She didn’t get to see this side of him often. She hesitated, her cheeks heating, but the words spilled out before she could stop them.

“I’ll never regret falling for you,” she whispered, her words barely audible even to herself. “I… I love you.”

She knew it was the truth, here and now, and it felt good to finally—

“Since when did you get all mushy?”

Her heart stopped mid-beat, her eyes snapping up to meet his. “Y-you’re awake?!”

“Nah,” he mumbled, though his smirk was already forming. “I’m just really good at talking in my sleep.”

“You think you’re funny, huh?” Her ears pinned back, and before he could react, she jabbed him in the ribs with her hoof.

“Ow! Ow! Limestone! Stop that!” he yelped, squirming as she kept poking him, her grin growing wider by the second.

“Stop what? I’m just moving in my sleep!”

Despite her threats, his chuckle filled the small space, soft and warm. “Alright, alright! I give. Love you too, okay?”

She paused, her hoof still mid-air. His words sank in, and her chest tightened in a way that was almost unbearable. She could feel the tips of her ears burning, but she fought to keep her tough front. Instead of saying anything, she smirked, climbing on top of him and pinning him down with ease. His green eyes widened slightly as he looked up at her.

“Well, since you’re awake…” She leaned down, her voice dropping to a playful growl. “You’re up for another round, right?”

His mouth opened, then closed, his face turning a deep shade of red. “Uh… I’m pretty sure I’ve got nothing left.”

“Guess we’ll just have to find out,” she teased, her tail flicking against his side as she leaned closer, her grin widening at his flustered expression.

Yes. It felt right. How could she regret this? How could she regret him? Oblivion had crashed into her life like a boulder down a hill, turning everything upside down. And yet, she wanted more.

Was it greedy of her? Wanting more than just the farm, more than the life her parents had built and passed down? She didn’t have an answer, and maybe she didn’t need one. All she knew was that tonight had been a wake-up call. Something had stirred deep inside her.

She had a goal now—one not born out of routine or obligation, but pure desire.

Maybe it was out of reach. Maybe she’d fail.

But giving up wasn’t in her nature. If there was a way, she’d find it. And if Limestone had anything, it was determination.

Chapter 11 - Fatherly Chat

I woke up to a sharp ray of sunlight slicing across my face. Groaning, I turned my head, burrowing deeper into the warmth beneath me. My ‘pillow’ was strangely soft, yet firm, radiating a comforting heat that made it all too easy to ignore the world outside.

Then, the pillow shifted.

“Mmmph,” it moaned.

My half-asleep brain barely registered it as odd. I sighed contentedly, nuzzling closer into its warmth, my body refusing to acknowledge anything that might pull me out of this cozy, warm, and comfortable cocoon. If only this other heavy weight cuddling my chest—that one cold and oddly solid—would move.

Just as I teetered on the edge of falling back into the dreamworld, something creaked open with an obnoxiously loud groan, and sunlight flooded the room in earnest.

“Rise and shine, younglings!” Cloudy Quartz’s voice rang out like a thunderclap.

“Gah!” I bolted upright, my body moving before my brain caught up.

“Wha—Mom?!” came a familiar voice beneath me, groggy but unmistakably mortified. I glanced down.

Oh, fuck.

The ‘pillow’ I had been so affectionately snuggling was Limestone. And judging by the sheer horror on her face and the… less-than-innocent state of the bed, it didn’t take a genius to piece together what had happened.

All that was missing was a neon sign flashing ‘We Had Sex Last Night’ in bold letters with an arrow pointing directly at us.

Limestone scrambled to grab the nearest sheet, yanking it up as her face turned a shade of red I hadn’t thought possible for her.

Meanwhile, I realized with growing panic that, while ‘mini-me’ had returned to its nest, the… evidence of his last conquest remained painfully obvious on my lower body. I clamped my hooves over the offending area, praying to every higher power I knew that Cloudy hadn’t noticed.

But she had.

Her nose wiggled slightly as if catching a whiff of something unmistakable. For a horrifying moment, I thought she might call us out on it, but instead, she smiled—a soft, knowing smile that somehow made everything worse.

“Breakfast be waitin’ for ye both inside,” she said, her voice unusually chipper. “But clean yerselves up beforehoof, hmm?”

She glanced at Limestone, then at me, her eyes twinkling with barely concealed amusement.

I stood frozen, my mind racing for any kind of response. Apology? Denial? Maybe throwing myself out the window? But nothing came out.

Then, her gaze shifted back to the mattress, and her eyes lit up.

“Oh! There be Boulder. Sneaky little thin’, ye.” She trotted toward the bed, completely ignoring our mortified faces. “Maud’s been lookin’ for ye all mornin’.”

My brain short-circuited. Boulder?

She reached down and plucked a familiar gray rock off the mattress.

The cold, heavy weight I’d felt earlier.

The cold, heavy rock I’d been cuddling.

I blanched at the realization. I had been spooning Maud’s pet rock. Somehow, the indignity of that was almost worse than the horrid situation we were already in.

Cloudy didn’t seem to notice—or care—about the growing horror on our faces as she simply placed Boulder onto her back, before turning to us with that same cheerful expression.

“Don’t take too long now,” she said lightly as if everything about this situation were perfectly normal. With that, she trotted out, the door squeaking shut behind her.

The silence that followed was… oh my god, who am I kidding? I want to fucking die.

I slumped back onto the mattress, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. “T-This cannot be real life.”

Under the sheets, Limestone groaned, her voice muffled. “Kill me. Kill me right now.”

“Limestone. She knows,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

“Don’t,” she groaned, her face buried in the pillow as if trying to block out the conversation entirely. “Just… don’t.”

I turned toward the window, the cottage in the distance, its simple wooden frame now feeling like the gateway to my fucking doom.

“Your father’s gonna kill me.”

Limestone sighed, the sound heavy and resigned. “No, he won’t. And mom’s not the type to spill the beans. But, uh… prepare to be talked to. A lot.”

Right. Right. She wasn’t angry. In fact, she seemed… happy. But why?

I glanced back at Limestone, my mind spinning. Something about this whole situation had been gnawing at me ever since I’d…well pushed myself into their lives. From day one, Cloudy had treated me like I was part of the family. Welcoming, warm… almost too warm.

Sure, some folks were just friendly, but there was something else here—something I couldn’t just ignore any longer. I’d have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to notice.

And I knew I wasn’t the first two.

“Why is she so… happy about it? About us?” I asked, looking at Limestone, trying to make sense of it all.

Limestone shifted, her face still half-hidden in the pillow. “Mom is… concerned. About me. About all of us, really. She’s the type that wants grandfoals, and, well, we’re not exactly living in the kind of place where you meet a lot of stallions.”

“Right. Remote rock farm,” I said, nodding slowly.

She snorted, sitting up slightly. “Exactly. It doesn’t help that she… noticed I had, uh… interest.”

I blinked. “So… I’m basically the first guy to show up in years?”

Limestone’s eyes narrowed, her brow furrowing as she let out an irritated huff. “…Yes.”

Her expression was a mix of exasperation and annoyance, like I’d just stated the obvious in the most aggravating way possible.

“I’m not easy, though,” she added, glaring at me.

“Never said you were,” I replied, throwing her a cheesy grin that probably wasn’t helping my case. “Though last night definitely confirmed the interest part.”

Her glare intensified, and for a split second, I thought she might actually throw something at me. Instead, her face flushed a deep red, and she crossed her forelegs tightly over her chest, looking away with a frustrated groan.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered under her breath, but the faint twitch at the corner of her mouth betrayed her.

I chuckled, my gaze flicking around the shed. Then, a thought struck me. My voice dropped as I pointed toward the flimsy wooden walls. “Do you think… they heard us?”

Her eyes widened, panic flashing across her face. She followed my hoof with a horrified look.

“Buck,” she muttered.

They absolutely heard us.

We scrambled to clean up the shed as quickly as possible, focusing on the disaster zone that was the mattress. Thankfully, most of the mess was contained there and after a frantic, sneaky dash to the bathroom and an equally frantic cleaning session, we finally found ourselves at the dining table.

The entire family was there, but the usual calm, serene atmosphere was gone.

Igneous wasn’t even touching his rock pancakes. Instead, he gripped the table like it had personally offended him. His hooves pressed so tightly into the wood I half-expected it to crack. His eyes never left me, boring into my soul like he was weighing the pros and cons of murder. And given the circumstances, murder was probably winning.

Marble wasn’t much better. Her coat had taken on a faint pink hue, the tips of her ears and cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She kept darting glances around the room, never once letting her gaze linger on me or Limestone. Her head moved so much it was like she was watching a high-intensity tennis match.

Maud, in contrast, was as calm as ever. Her breakfast sat untouched, and she was meticulously scrubbing Boulder in his tiny bubble bath. Her sponge moved with almost robotic precision, and every so often, she’d glance up at me—just long enough to remind me I was being judged—before returning to her task. Somehow, it felt like Boulder was being cleaned extra thoroughly.

Pinkie Pie, of course, was completely unaffected. She chattered away at full speed, her pancakes towering precariously in front of her, slathered in syrup. Between bites, she grinned and laughed, seemingly oblivious to the thick tension choking the rest of the table.

Cloudy Quartz, however, was the wild card. She looked the same as usual, calm and composed, but her demeanor felt… lighter. She was actively engaging in Pinkie’s bubbly conversation, her tone almost too cheerful. Every so often, though, she’d glance at me and Limestone, her eyes sparkling with a satisfaction that screamed, I know, and I approve.

“…and then I was like, ‘Who did-done-dood it?!’” Pinkie’s voice cut through the awkwardness like such a thing didn’t even exist. “I might be a party pony, but dessert? That’s serious business! Oh, that reminds me! Obby!”

“Y-Yes?” I flinched, caught off guard by her sudden attention.

“I need your help with something super duper important! Think you can help me?”

“Yes!” I said, far too quickly. Anything to escape the table. Anything to escape Igneous’ murder eyes.

Pinkie beamed. “I knew I could count on you! Sooooo, here’s the deal! I never go anywhere without my party cannon, right? But, um, the last one sorta—kinda—hehe—got a little smashed in a scuffle with some changelings! BUT guess what?! Lucky me, I totally left my spare in the shed! Could you grab it for me? Pretty please…?”

She batted her eyelashes at me, giving me those big, doe-eyed puppy dog eyes…

Wait... That huge thing was hers?!

I tried to keep my composure, though my brain was doing acrobatics and the sheer overload of cuteness she was throwing my way certainly wasn’t helping. “Uh… sure. It might take a while, though. There’s… a lot of stuff in the shed.”

Pinkie waved her hoof dismissively. “No problemo! Dad can go with you! Right, Dad?”

My blood turned to ice.

Anything but that.

I tried to backpedal before my brain fully realized what was happening. “I don’t think—”

“Excellent idea, Pinkamena,” Igneous spoke, his voice calm but razor-sharp.

He stood, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator sizing up its prey. His grin stretched unnervingly wide, his eyes gleaming with a look that could only be described as feral.

“Don’t worry, son,” he said, the word son dripping with venom. “I’ll help ye.”

Oh fuck.

My head snapped to the side, panic clear in my eyes as I silently called out for help to Limestone. HELP ME.

For a moment, I thought my prayers might be answered. She started to rise, but before she could utter a word, Cloudy’s voice rang out.

“Limestone, honey, I need to have a word with ye. Meet me in the kitchen?”

Limestone froze. Her face went pale as she processed her mother’s words. Slowly, stiffly, she nodded and stood to follow Cloudy into the kitchen.

Welp. There goes my only help.

I swallowed hard as Igneous motioned for me to follow. His steps were measured, his posture calm, but every fiber of my being screamed.

Please, God, if you’re out there—from any universe—don’t let me die in the same shed I just had sex in.

The awkwardness was unbearable. Each step I took felt heavier than the last as we made our way to the shed. My thoughts kept spinning like a broken record. Did Limestone and I clean up enough? Did we miss something? The mattress was gone, but what if…?

I snuck a glance at Igneous, his expression unreadable. He didn’t say a word, just trotted ahead, steady and calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that made your skin crawl because it was impossible to tell what was going on behind those eyes.

Where was that anger from a few minutes ago? Was he silently judging me? Plotting how to bury me under a pile of rocks? Or maybe, just maybe, he was waiting for the right moment to explode.

The shed loomed closer, its door a reminder of my questionable life choices. By the time we reached it, my heart was pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it.

But Igneous didn’t stop. He pushed the door open with a slow deliberate creak and stepped inside.

The first thing I did was brace for the worst—a lingering scent, some horrible, incriminating detail we’d overlooked. But the air was fresh, cool even, thanks to the open window Limestone had left. A soft breeze rustled through the shed, carrying the smell of dirt.

Thank God for her quick thinking.

Still, my eyes darted to where the mattress had been, a phantom outline burned into my memory. It was gone, sure, but the mere thought of Igneous knowing what had happened there made my stomach twist.

“Let’s get to it,” Igneous said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, almost unnervingly so.

“…Right.” I nodded, trying to sound just as composed.

As we moved deeper into the shed, daylight streamed in, casting long beams across the chaos that had been shrouded in shadow the night before. The walls were lined with mining tools—pickaxes and helmets—jumbled together with holiday banners and sagging deflated balloons. Shelves groaned under the weight of mismatched items: chipped lanterns, coils of rope, and heaps of brightly colored party supplies. Let me tell you, mining equipment and party accessories don’t exactly go together, and Pinkie’s spare party cannon was the clear winner to this chaotic mess at the far end of it all.

The thing was massive, almost comical in its absurdity. I had no idea how we were supposed to get it out of here without rearranging half the shed.

Igneous didn’t waste any time; as soon as we stepped inside, he began clearing a path. I followed his lead, moving boxes and stray gear out of the way, careful not to knock anything over.

The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. My nerves were on edge, every glance at Igneous felt like the last before calm finally gave way to the storm.

He wasn’t angry anymore. Not outwardly, anyway. But the silence was loud enough to be deafening, and I couldn’t help but wonder how long this would last. Would we really just… work in silence? No confrontation? No awkward conversation?

I’m not sure if the silence is worse than just getting it over with.

This couldn’t last. There was no way we’d get through this without him saying something. Right?

“Ye gonna leave her here with a broken heart, ain’t ye?” Igneous’ voice finally cut through the silence like a blade.

I froze mid-reach, my hoof hovering over a dusty box labeled ‘Party Accessories and Other Fun Stuff’. “What?”

“Ye heard me,” he said evenly, not even sparing me a glance as he moved a wooden cart out of the way.

“You mean Limestone? We’re… not together,” I stammered, my throat suddenly dry.

He snorted. “Sure as Tartarus didn’t sound like that last night.”

I cringed so hard I thought my spine might snap in two. My ears burned, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze.

You know what? Just let Igneous kill me now. It’d be easier than this conversation.

“Last night… was…” I fumbled, my words tripping over themselves and dying in my throat.

“Listen here, son,” he interrupted, finally turning to face me. His scary expression from this morning at the table was back. “We be not colts anymore. Ye bucked my daughter. That be done. Ain’t my place to interfere with her choices. My job be to guide her, not control her.”

I sputtered, completely taken aback by his bluntness. It wasn’t like I expected a comforting fatherly chat, but this was on a whole other level.

“Yer little love makin’ be not my problem with ye,” he continued. “As hard as it be fer me to say, ye’re… an alright stallion. And ye obviously like her more than just her flanks.”

Holy shit what’s happening right now.

He took a step toward me. Then another. And another, until he was standing right beside me. Before I could react, he raised a hoof, pointed it at me, and tapped sharply my shoulder.

“No.” He growled. “My problem be that yer leavin’.” His voice dropped lower. “Why are ye leadin’ her on?”

The last word landed with a thud in my chest. And somehow, it stopped me. For the first time since this morning, my fear shifted into something else—something more like defiance.

“I am not leading her on,” I growled back, the words coming out more forceful than I expected as I slapped his hoof away. “And how the hell do you even know I’m leaving?”

Igneous let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “Ye hit yer head on a rock or what? Ye told us yerself. Ye know, the day ye forced yer way into my home.”

I stared back at him unflinching. He was kinda right on that point. I did sorta force myself into his home. But where was he going with this? “What about it?”

He raised a skeptical brow, fixing me with a piercing stare that felt like it could peel back every excuse I had. “Some might call me grumpy and set in my ways, but I ain’t blind.” He tapped a hoof to his temple for emphasis. “I watched ye those first few days on the farm. Ye’re a hard worker, I’ll give ye that. But ye didn’t enjoy it. Not one bit.”

“Hard to enjoy it when you’re the one giving instructions,” I shot back before I could stop myself.

He huffed. “Don’t try to be clever with me, I see it clear as day—ye’ve got a goal, somethin’ ye’re chasin’. It ain’t here. And it ain’t her.”

I stayed silent, my gaze locked with his. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and I finally broke eye contact, looking away.

“She knew.”

“She did?” Igneous repeated, his tone skeptical, almost disbelieving. “And ye both still…”

“Listen, we…” I hesitated, my mind flashing back to Limestone’s face—her mix of sadness and… something else. She tried to brush it off, but even I could see the hurt lingering beneath the surface. “We both know what we’re getting out of this.”

Igneous was quiet for a long moment, his gaze narrowing as he studied me like a rock waiting to be cracked open. Then, with a heavy sigh, he turned back to work. “Well, fer yer sake, I hope that be true. ‘Cause if ye’re lyin’ to yerself—or worse, to her—ye’ll regret it more than ye know.”

His words hung in the air, and I found myself at a loss for how to respond.

“Now that I’ve done my job as her father and reigned in my darker thoughts about ye, we can keep goin’.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. “What?”

He frowned. “Don’t look at me like that. It be called a joke, son.”

“Well, it wasn’t funny,” I muttered under my breath.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he barked, his voice rough but with a glimmer of amusement beneath it. “Didn’t know the colt here was such a connoisseur of humor.”

I couldn’t help the small snort that slipped out. Despite myself, I stepped forward to help him push a particularly heavy crate. “Here, let me help out, gramps.”

Igneous grunted in response—whether in acknowledgment of the joke or simply because I offered help, I couldn’t tell.

We fell back into our rhythm, the sound of our hooves scraping over the floor and crates shifting breaking the silence between us. But there was something he said earlier that stuck with me.

“Hey, uh… I never apologized,” I began, my voice tentative.

He stopped mid-push, glancing back at me with a raised brow. “For which one, exactly?”

I gave a half-hearted snort, my lips twitching in a weak attempt at a smile. “For forcing myself into your home that first day. I was out of line, and… I’m sorry.”

Igneous straightened up, brushing some dust off his foreleg as he looked at me squarely. “Took ye long enough. ‘Better late than never,’ some ponies say, but I ain’t some pony.” He turned back to our forming path with a grunt, shoving another box aside. “If ye think that little apology’s gonna win me over, ye can keep on pushin’.”

I glanced at the next obstacle: a stack of rolled-up banderols teetering on the edge of a crate. Gently, I eased them down, rolling them aside before I spoke. “Look, I’m not saying this to win you over, or to get on your good side. We don’t have to like each other, and, honestly? I’m okay with that.”

I hesitated, taking a breath to steady myself before continuing. “But I don’t want you to see me as the enemy here. Even if I’m leaving—” My throat tightened, and for a moment, I had to force the words out. “I care about your family. I care about her. That’s the truth.”

Igneous kept silent, his gaze fixed on the clutter in front of him. But I knew he was listening. He’d stopped pushing, his hooves still, and one ear flicked subtly in my direction.

I exhaled shakily, pressing on. “Watching you all... working together, sharing a meal—hell, just being with each other…” I paused, the next words stuck in my throat. “I’m not sure what kind of son I’d be if I just didn’t at least try to go back. My parents...” My chest tightened, and I swallowed, forcing my voice to steady. “I owe them more than just an empty coffin. I owe them... something. Something that says I’m still here. That I’m still alive. That I didn’t just… disappear.”

Igneous kept his gaze fixed ahead, though the slight droop of his ears betrayed that my words had struck a chord. Before I could say anything more, he stepped further into the shed, his attention drawn to a particular box. This one stood out from the rest, its surface adorned with colorful, childlike drawings. It didn’t take long to recognize the unmistakable style of its original owner.

“Every parent worth their name wants their foal to be happy,” Igneous said, his voice calm yet weighted. He paused in front of the box, his hoof reaching out to trace one of the crayon-scrawled pictures. “It be a parent’s job. It be as much their purpose as it be their joy... even when that happiness takes them far away.”

His hoof lingered for a moment before he slowly turned to face me. His eyes, typically so stoic and impenetrable, now carried a glimmer of something different—raw, almost vulnerable.

“It ain’t easy, though,” he continued, meeting my gaze. “Yer situation… it be a parent’s worst nightmare. Watchin’ a part of yer family vanished like that, wonderin’ if they’re safe, or if they’ll come back.” He trailed off, his jaw tightening briefly, as though holding back something deeper. “It gnaws at yer insides. But don’t go thinkin’ you owe ‘em some perfect closure, some neat little send-off. Yer own life—what be left of it—be yers to live.”

He paused, his gaze drifting back to the colorful box. “No. Ye got yer own journey to make, and that be the hardest thing a parent has to learn—that sometimes, ye gotta let ‘em go.”

After a short silence, he coughed awkwardly, shifting his stance as if shaking off the moment. His eyes flicked back to the clutter ahead.

“Let’s get that cannon.”

“Right.”

It took us longer than I’d care to admit, but by the time Cloudy came by at noon with a snack, we were making decent progress. All things considered, it turned into—dare I say it—a surprisingly enjoyable experience. We weren’t exactly pals, not by a long shot, but the tension that had hung over us since our very first meeting had finally evaporated.

In its place were bad jokes and some playful, barely veiled insults. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

We managed to finish just before the afternoon slipped away completely. Who would’ve thought I’d actually enjoy spending time with Igneous, of all ponies?

As we pushed the ridiculous contraption that was Pinkie’s cannon into place, I noticed her standing by the entrance of the cottage. The sight of her grinning, her whole face lit up with joy, was like an explosion of energy.

“Oh! Obby, Dad! You got it! Thank you so very much!” Pinkie practically shouted. Before I could react, she was already zipping past us, giving her father a hug first, then leaping toward me to wrap me in one too.

“You’re welcome, Pinkie,” I muttered, my expression a mix of surprise and awkwardness. Apart from Limestone, hugging other ponies was still a weird experience for me.

Before I could say anything more, Pinkie was already darting behind her cannon, rolling it toward the entrance with the same speed and enthusiasm that she did everything else.

“So, what are you gonna do with it?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. Would she really drag that massive thing all the way to Ponyville?

Pinkie just grinned at me, and I could see the mischievous spark in her eyes. Without warning, she spun the cannon to face me, and I barely had time to react before she hopped on top of it, giving it a little slap for good measure.

“I thought you’d never ask!” she beamed, as the cannon let out a roar that made me jump. Confetti and streamers exploded out of it, filling the air. Somehow, the door to the cottage swung open, releasing a flood of balloons and ribbons, while a huge banner unfurled above the house with bold letters reading: ‘WELCOME TO EQUESTRIA OBBY!!!’

My jaw dropped. “W-What?” I stammered, utterly dumbfounded by the spectacle unfolding before me.

Pinkie stood triumphantly on the cannon, grinning like a kid on her birthday. “Welcome to your first proper Equestria party, Obby!” She threw her hooves up like she’d just won a championship, and her smile practically lit up the entire field.

“That’s… When did you…?” I sputtered, my hoof waving in disbelief at the now-over-the-top decorations. My mind still wasn’t fully processing what had just happened.

“Oh, that was easy-peasy!” Pinkie replied with a casual wave like it was nothing. “We used the time while you and Dad were out looking for the cannon to get everything set up!”

Before I could even respond, she zipped past both Igneous and me, practically shoving us into the cottage like we weighted nothing. I stumbled slightly but regained my balance, finally noticing the party atmosphere inside.

Limestone was standing near a table piled with cupcakes and cider, giving me a half-smile—her usual tough exterior softened just a little. Marble was peeking out from behind her, shy but smiling, and Maud was off to the side, her usual neutral expression in place, though I noticed she was sporting a party hat—one on her head, and one on Boulder’s rock.

Igneous, as if completely unfazed by the chaos, had already joined Cloudy, taking his place at the table like this was all just a normal Tuesday.

“Are you happy?” Pinkie’s voice snapped me back to reality. Her eyes were sparkling, wide with excitement, and she was practically vibrating with joy as she awaited my response.

I blinked, still trying to take it all in. “Uh... Yeah. I think I’m in shock.”

Pinkie let out a delighted squeal, throwing her forelegs around me in a hug that nearly knocked me off my hooves. “I knew it! Nopony can resist a Pinkie Pie party!”

The genuine happiness in her voice washed over me like a wave. For a moment, I let all my problems and doubts vanish, replaced by the simple joy of being welcomed.

"Alright, alright," Limestone grumbled from across the room, though her smirk betrayed her. "Don’t suffocate the guy, Pinkie."

Pinkie gasped theatrically. “Me? Suffocate Obby? Never! I’m just giving him the best hug ever!” She gave me one final squeeze before releasing me with a giggle. “Oops. Hehe, maybe I did get a teeny-tiny bit too excited.”

I stepped back, catching my breath and giving her a small, appreciative smile. “It’s alright. Um… thanks, Pinkie.”

Her grin somehow grew even wider. “No problem at all! That’s what friends are for, right?”

Author's Note

Hi. :twilightsheepish:

Sorry for the long delay. My motivation took a bit of a dive before the holidays and took its sweet time coming back. And 2025… well, it started off a little rough for me.

But I’m back now and the next chapter should be up much sooner.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 12 - Send-Off

“This one’s wrong,” Maud said in her usual monotone, pointing a hoof at the scribbled character I’d been agonizing, one of many over for the past two hours. “You forgot the tail at the end—here.”

Without missing a beat, she grabbed the pen in her mouth and added a small, deliberate flourish to the character. Her movements were precise, almost surgical. I leaned in, squinting at the adjustment, then glanced at my cheat sheet for what had to be the hundredth time.

“Why does it need a tail? There isn’t one on this sheet,” I asked, my tone slipping toward frustration.

Maud turned her calm gaze to the sheet, scrutinizing it for a moment before turning back to me.

“This is different,” she said, “The ‘k’ sound is written differently depending on the subject. In this case, the ‘k’ in ‘rock’ needs a tail because rock is a tangible object, not an incorporeal concept.”

“So, the same character changes depending on the subject?” I asked, incredulous.

“Yes.”

Oh god. This was so much harder than I’d thought it would be.

It had been a few days since my welcome party, and I now found myself hoof-deep in learning the Equestrian language under Maud’s methodical—and painfully precise—tutorship. To say it wasn’t going well would be putting it kindly. I’d expected a challenge, but this? This felt like trying to read ancient runes while blindfolded.

“This is basic stuff,” Limestone chimed in from her side of the table. She lounged there, head propped up on a hoof, wearing the most infuriatingly smug grin I’d ever seen. “I learned this when I was a filly just starting school.”

“Well, excuse me, Miss Know-It-All,” I shot back. “I don’t speak horse.”

Thwack!

A sharp thwap landed on the top of my head, courtesy of a rolled-up newspaper expertly wielded by Cloudy Quartz. I yelped—a completely masculine and not-at-all-adorable squeak, mind you—and instinctively rubbed the sore spot.

“What did I say about offensive language, dearie?” Cloudy scolded, her tone firm but not unkind. “No ‘whorse’ talk under my roof.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

“Technically,” Maud said beside me, “you are already speaking it. You’re just illiterate.”

I blinked. Then shot her a look.

“Wow. Thanks, Maud. That makes me feel so much better.”

”Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Limestone biting her lip, her shoulders trembling as she tried—and failed—to stifle her laughter. Her poorly concealed amusement only made my cheeks burn hotter.

“And what are ye doin’ here, honey?” Cloudy asked, turning her gaze toward Limestone with a pointed look. “Don’t ye have anythin’ more productive to be doin’? If ye’re here for Oblivion, I think yer snugglin’ at night gives ye plenty of time with him already.”

Maud gave a small, matter-of-fact nod, as if Cloudy’s statement was the most reasonable thing in the world. Limestone, on the other hoof, turned a deep shade of crimson.

“Mom!” she sputtered, her voice an octave higher than usual.

“What?” Cloudy asked innocently, raising an eyebrow. “I’m just sayin’. I’m glad ye’ve found yerself a colt to keep company with, but ponies need their sleep, Limestone. And yer nightly activities ain’t exactly subtle if ye catch my meanin’.”

Limestone’s jaw dropped, and her blush deepened to the point where I worried she might actually change the color of her coat permanently. “Oh, for Celestia’s sake, Mom!”

Cloudy continued with an innocent shrug, though her sly smile betrayed her. “I was a young mare once too, ye know. And I wasn’t always the picture of innocence either. Why, before I met yer father, I’d go out and—”

“Okay, I’m out!” Limestone cut her off, leaping to her hooves and bolting from the room. “See you guys later!”

Cloudy watched her daughter disappear down the hall, then turned her attention to Maud with a playful glint in her eyes.

“What about ye, Maud? Want to hear about yer mother’s exploits in her prime?”

“No, thank you,” Maud replied flatly, rising from her seat with her usual unhurried grace. “It’s almost time for Boulder’s walk.” She turned to me, her expression as unreadable as ever. “Your tutoring session is over. Good job.”

“Uh… thanks?” I managed, still reeling from the chaos.

“You’re welcome.” With that, Maud gave the faintest of nods and trotted out of the room—faster than I’d ever seen her before.

That left just me and Cloudy. The silence hung in the air for a moment before she turned her warm, knowing smile on me.

“I… think I’m gonna head outside too,” I said awkwardly, inching toward the door.

“A moment, Oblivion.”

Her tone stopped me in my tracks. I froze mid-step, then slowly turned to face her. “Yes…?”

“Oh, don’t make that face,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m not gonna torture ye with scandalous stories of my youth—though it be a neat trick for clearin’ out a room.”

I exhaled in relief, but her tone shifted slightly, taking on a more serious note.

“No, that be not what I wanted to talk about,” Cloudy said, her expression softening as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. Then, with a sincerity that caught me off guard, she said, “Truth be, I owe you thanks.”

I blinked twice, her words hanging in the air, refusing to register for a long, bewildering moment. When they finally did, I couldn’t keep the confusion from showing on my face.

“Thanks? For what?”

Her chuckle was soft, carrying a hint of amused patience, as if she’d anticipated my reaction. “For makin’ Limestone happy.”

“Oh… um.” The words caught me completely off guard, and heat immediately rose to my face. I stammered, fumbling for a response. “That’s… I don’t think I can take credit for that.”

“Ye can,” she said firmly, her gaze steady. “And ye should. There be nothin’ a mother cherishes more than seein’ her foals happy. And ye—” She leaned in ever so slightly, her voice dropping to something softer, yet no less sincere. “Ye’re makin’ my filly happy.”

If my cheeks weren’t red before, they definitely were now. The warmth spreading to the tips of my ears as I fumbled for words, my tongue tripping over itself. Though, the guilt quickly crashed it all away.

“I—”

Cloudy held up a hoof, silencing me with a gentle yet decisive gesture. “I know,” she said, her tone softening while maintaining its conviction. “Ye’re not stayin’. But that doesn’t undo the good ye’ve done. Sometimes, it be the right now that matters.”

Is it?

I broke eye contact, looking away. I appreciated her words, really, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t quite deserve them. Shaking my head, I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on something I’d been meaning to say.

“Well… if you’re thanking me for that, then I should be thanking you too—for letting me crash here. For… letting a stranger into your home.”

Cloudy waved a hoof dismissively, though her eyes softened. “Oh, that be nothin’, dearie. Anypony would’ve done the same.”

I shook my head. “No. No, it’s not nothing. You didn’t have to, but you did. And I want to show my gratitude properly.”

Before she could object, I reached for the side bag resting on the table—the one I’d been given in Canterlot as compensation—and took out the small pouch of bits. Gripping it firmly, I extended it toward her.

She blinked, her gaze shifting to the pouch, her brow furrowing slightly. “What be this?”

“My thanks,” I said simply. “For everything.”

Her eyes widened slightly in realization, and she shook her head firmly, pushing the pouch back toward me. “Bits? Pfah. Ye think I’m runnin’ a hostel? No, no. Ye don’t have to pay me. That be not why I did it.”

“But—”

“But nothin’,” Cloudy snorted softly, a touch of exasperation in the sound. “Ye’re still a colt in my eyes. Save yer gold for whatever trials ye’re gallopin’ into next.”

I hesitated, my troubled expression apparently not lost on her. She offered a knowing smile, her tone lightening as she added, “Oblivion, ye wanna repay me? Live. Find yer way back home. And when ye do…” She grinned. “Write Limestone first. Or I’ll hunt ye down and tell ye all about my naughty adventures from my youth, hm?”

The teasing glint in her eyes made me chuckle nervously. “Okay, okay. I’ll keep the bits. No need to threaten me for it.” I paused, glancing back at her with a small, genuine smile. “Thanks.”

She beamed at me, the warmth in her expression practically tangible. “That be no problem, honey.”

I glanced down at the small rock resting on my hoof, spinning it absently to the right, watching it slow before reversing it to the left. The rhythm was calming, mindless. My gaze shifted toward the horizon, where the sun was dipping below the mountains, painting the sky in hues of gold and amber.

With a small flick, I sent the rock sailing through the air, watching as it arced against the fading light before disappearing into the distance.

The soft sound of approaching hoofsteps drew my ears back. I didn’t turn, my eyes still on the sunset.

“You gonna stare a hole in that horizon, or what?” Limestone’s voice, rough but familiar, broke the quiet.

“Yeah,” I said, keeping my tone light. “Trying. Work in progress, in fact.”

“Uh-huh, scooch.”

I shifted slightly to my right to make room. She didn’t hesitate, settling beside me on top the small hill with a quite huff as she got comfortable. Limestone’s eyes lingered on the sunset, but I could feel her sneaking glances at me from the corner of her vision.

“Nice view, huh?” she said, her voice unusually soft.

I smirked. “I am pretty good-looking, aren’t I?”

Her sigh was equal parts exasperation and amusement. “Still full of it, I see.”

“Takes one to know one,” I shot back, glancing at her with a smirk.

“Yeah, yeah…” she muttered, her lips twitching into a small smile before she grew quiet again. She stared out at the horizon, her voice barely above a whisper when she spoke. “I’m gonna miss this. These moments with you.”

My smile faltered at her words, and I turned my attention back to the sunset. “Yeah… me too.”

“You’ll write me, right?”

“What?” I asked, looking at her.

“Letters,” she said, her tone insistent but a bit awkward. “You know, so I’ll know you’re not lost or in trouble or… whatever.”

“Uh, sure,” I replied, scratching the back of my neck. “But my writing’s still pretty terrible.”

She grinned, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Yeah, I know. Your chicken scratch is awful, and it’ll probably take me a week to figure out what you’re trying to say, but it’s better than nothing.”

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “Alright, I’ll write you.”

“You better.” Limestone dropped her head to rest lightly against my side, her gaze fixed on the sunset.

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy or awkward. This time, with her pressed against me, it felt calm—warm, even.

“I have first dibs,” she said suddenly, breaking the quiet.

“Dibs on what?” I glanced at her.

She turned her head slightly, her expression unusually serious. “On you. So no chasing other mares without my say-so. They need my approval first.”

I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Real funny.”

“Oblivion, that’s not a joke.”

Her tone made me pause. I turned to look at her fully, my brow furrowing in confusion. Limestone was staring straight at me, her eyes locked onto mine. There was no mirth in them, no trace of her usual teasing.

“I’m… not sure I follow,” I admitted, the confusion in my tone genuine.

Limestone’s expression hardened, her jaw tightening as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Herds, Oblivion. You do know what a herd is, right?”

I blinked. “Like... the thing with sheep and cows or something?”

Her deadpan stare made me feel like I’d just said something incredibly stupid. After a beat, she let out a short, exasperated sigh, rubbing her temple with a hoof. “Yes. That. But for ponies. A group of mares sharing a stallion. Building a family together.”

Her words took a moment to sink in, my brain working overtime to process them. “Uh… well, in my world, some animals form herds, sure. But not really… people.”

Limestone tilted her head, her brows furrowing in surprise. “Wait. Really? You don’t have herds for, like, your… uh, what do you call them? ‘People’?”

“Nope,” I replied, shaking my head lightly. “Humans don’t… do that. Usually, it’s just one partner. Sometimes none. Sometimes more, but that’s… complicated.”

She stared at me, her expression flickering from shock to something softer. Sad, even. “So your ‘human’ mares… they just… end up alone?”

I gave a half-shrug. “Not alone. There are plenty of men. Like, half the population.”

Limestone’s ears perked at that, but her confusion only deepened. “‘Men’? What’s that?”

“Oh, sorry. I mean stallions,” I clarified.

Her reaction was immediate, her eyes going wide. “What?!” she burst out, her hoof slicing through the air for emphasis. “Half? Half?! You’re saying you’ve got a stallion for every mare? Just… wandering around? Unclaimed?”

“‘Unclaimed’?” I repeated, taken aback by the choice of words. “Uh, I wouldn’t exactly call it that—wait, hold on. How bad is the ratio here?”

Limestone gave me a flat look, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oblivion, I’ve got three sisters. You’ve seen the way Mom treats you like you’re some prize rock that fell out of the sky. And we’re rock farmers. You think we’re flooded with options? Do the math.”

I raised my hooves defensively. “Okay, okay, I thought that was just because you were isolated! Like, you know, living out here and all. Not because… stallions are rare or something…”

Now that I thought about it, the lack of stallions at that Canterlot wedding suddenly made a lot more sense. At the time, I’d figured stallions just weren’t into weddings, but apparently, there just weren’t as many of them around in the first place.

“But… your parents—Igneous and Cloudy. They’re just… two?”

Limestone snorted, her lips twitching like she was holding back a laugh. “Dad’s about as romantic as gravel, and Mom’s the only mare stubborn enough to put up with him and his lifestyle. They’re an exception, not the rule.” She hesitated, glancing away for a moment. Her voice softened, losing some of its edge. “Look, ‘couples’ like that—just one stallion and one mare—they can exist. But… some ponies consider them… selfish.”

“Selfish?” I echoed, my brows knitting together. “Why?”

“Because there aren’t enough stallions to go around,” she explained, her tone matter-of-fact but laced with a quiet frustration. “When a stallion ties himself to just one mare, it’s like she’s hoarding something valuable. Meanwhile, other mares go without. It’s not a great look if you’re not rich or powerful enough to justify it.”

I stared at her, the concept she was explaining sounding as alien as I had felt when I first set foot in this world. It was logical in its own strange way, a system that seemed to make sense on paper. But living in it? That was something else entirely.

“What about same-sex couples?” I asked, my brow furrowing. “Like… a mare with another mare, or a stallion with another stallion? Is that a thing here?”

She snorted, rolling her eyes. “Wow, you really weren’t kidding when you said you didn’t know anything, huh?” She leaned back slightly, fixing me with a bemused look. “A herd made up of just mares? Happens all the time. Usually, they’re just waiting to find a stallion to join in. No one gets upset about it—there’s enough mares to go around.”

“And stallion couples?” I pressed.

Her expression shifted, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face before she spoke. “They exist, yeah. But… they’re usually part of a herd too. Like, tied down together with mares. So they can still, y’know…” She gestured vaguely. “Have foals.”

I blinked, processing that. “That’s… something.”

Limestone shrugged, her tone flat. “That’s life.”

I let out a slow breath, my mind reeling as I tried to absorb everything she’d just told me. My world’s norms felt like a distant dream compared to this strange reality. After a beat of silence, I glanced at her again, my thoughts circling back to her earlier words. “So when you said not to chase any other mare without your approval… you really meant it.”

“Yes,” she replied without missing a beat.

I winced. “Limestone. I’m not going to chase after anypony. I’m trying to go home. That’s my priority.”

“And how long is that going to take?” she shot back, her gaze narrowing. “You may be an alien, but you’re still working with a pony’s body now, Oblivion. You’ve got instincts, just like the rest of us.”

“I can handle myself,” I muttered, but the words lacked conviction even as they left my mouth.

Limestone smirked knowingly, the expression both frustrating and unnervingly accurate. “You think you can, but wait until those mares in Ponyville catch wind of the little lost stallion wandering around without a herd. They’ll come for you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Come for me?”

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a pointed tone. “You’ll be courted, Oblivion. Whether you like it or not. And eventually?” She jabbed a hoof at my chest. “You’ll give in. Maybe not right away. But it’ll happen. Your instincts will catch up to you, and you’ll break. You’re not as different as you think.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words caught in my throat. A part of me wanted to tell her she was wrong—that I wasn’t going to let anypony get the better of me. But, well… case in point: I’d already, so to speak, done the deed with Limestone... multiple times at that. She was the first mares to ‘court’ me.

And, yeah… the sex was good.

Too good.

I wasn’t disgusted by a mare’s body. Far from it. It was like some switch in my brain had flipped, subtly rewiring my preferences to fit this world. And it wasn’t just that—it was everything. Words I’d never used back home, like anypony or swapping hand for hoof, were creeping into my vocabulary without a second thought.

It didn’t scare me, exactly. But it did make me… wary. Integration was one thing, but how far did it go? Was this world rewriting me? Was home even something I could fully return to? And if I did—would women even register to me the same way anymore?

A darker thought lingered at the edges of my mind. The theory that none of this was real. That everything I did, everything I would ever do, was just part of some kind of story. That it was all meaningless.

But that wasn’t the kind of thought I wanted to have. Not now.

I shook off the thought as best I could. “Okay,” I said finally, my tone cautious. “So if some mare decides she’s into me—”

“When,” Limestone interrupted, deadpan.

I gave her a flat look. “If. And let’s say I… reciprocate. Even though I’ve got you. I just—what? Shoot you a letter like, ‘Hey, mind if I shack up with Maple Sugar? P.S. Miss you’?” My laugh came out brittle. “Limestone, I’m leaving. I won’t… I can’t string you or anypony else along while I chase some way back home. That’s not fair to you. To us.

Limestone sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly, but her eyes stayed on mine. “Oblivion, I’m not asking for fair.” Her voice softened, almost hesitant. “I’m not rich, or powerful, and I don’t want to be the reason some mare misses out on love. Hay, I’ll still try to visit you when I can. But if I’m not here, and you find a mare out there who keeps you warm while I can’t…”

Her hoof brushed mine—a tremor in it. “Just… tell me first. So I know it’s because you really love her and not… not because you’re replacing me.”

I kept my gaze steady on her, watching as she tried to mask the vulnerability that slipped through. Gently, I took both her hooves into mine, making her look up at me.

“Okay,” I said, my voice soft. “If it ever happens, I’ll wait for your approval first. I Pinkie Promise.”

Her worried expression melted away, replaced by a relieved smile. Without a word, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. It wasn’t long or deep—just enough to leave my chest feeling warm.

“Thanks,” she whispered, her muzzle brushing against mine.

“That’s cheating,” I muttered.

She grinned mischievously. “And? What are you gonna do about it, hmm?” Her hoof traced slow circles against my chest, her touch light but teasing.

I smirked. “This.”

Before she could say another word, I tackled her, a surprised yelp escaping her as we both tumbled off the hill. I wrapped my arms around her, keeping our fall slow and controlled, while making sure she couldn’t move as we rolled together. We landed softly in the field below.

“Oblivion!” Limestone gasped, pinned beneath me. “What the hay was that for?!”

I smirked down at her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. “Taking care of my instincts.”

She barely had time to scoff before I silenced her protests with a fierce kiss.

You don’t really think about what you own until you have to pack it all up. Turns out, I didn’t have much. Just the same side bag I’d carried back to Canterlot and a blanket Cloudy had gifted me—soft, well-worn, and smelling faintly of the Rock Farm. That was it. Everything I owned was strapped to me as I stood on the train platform, waiting for my ride to Ponyville.

I wasn’t alone. The entire Pie family was there, even Igneous.

Pinkie was a wreck, bawling her eyes out as she clung to each family member in turn, showering them with nuzzles and tearful goodbyes. Maud stood beside her, patting her back in that calm, steady way of hers, while Marble shyly handed over a small gift—what looked like a rock candy necklace. Pinkie took one look at it and immediately started crying even harder.

Honestly? It was kind of adorable. Even Igneous cracked the faintest smile at the scene, while Cloudy busied herself fussing over Pinkie, making sure she had everything she needed.

I’d already gone through my own round of goodbyes a few minutes ago—hugs all around, except for Igneous, because I valued my life—and now there was just one pony left.

Limestone.

I glanced at her. “You’ve got a good family. I’m gonna miss them.”

I’m gonna miss you.

She smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated on them. And I’ll tell them how you’re doing too.” Her voice softened. “And don’t make that face. I will visit when I can.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Good.” She hesitated, then nudged me lightly. “And don’t forget the letters.”

I snorted. “You’ve drilled that into me enough the past few days. I won’t forget.”

“Just making sure,” she said, but there was something else in her voice.

I met her gaze. “Hard to forget when it’s for you.”

She flushed slightly, nudging my leg as if to brush off the moment. But she didn’t look away. The silence stretched between us, until the tension became too much and, before I could think better of it, my mouth moved on its own.

“…Yeah,” I muttered. “I guess it’s a goodbye, then.”

She let out a heavy sigh, “Sweet Celestia, you can be dense at the worst times.”

“Wha—”

Before I could finish, she grabbed me by the back of my neck and kissed me. Right there. In front of her whole family.

Shock hit me first—quick and sharp—before instinct took over, and I leaned into it, pressing back. I didn’t know how long it lasted, only that it wasn’t enough.

She was the one to pull away first, breathless, her forehead still close to mine as she opened her eyes and met my gaze.

“That’s how you do it.” A slow, satisfied grin tugged at her lips. “See you soon, stud.”

Author's Note

Here you go!

This chapter marks the end of what I would consider the first arc of the story! Yay! The next arc will focus more on the Mane 6 and Ponyville as a whole, so I hope you're excited for it!

Thanks for reading!

Ta-Ta! :raritywink: