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!