The Mare Six followed the guard and the strange captive to the barracks' eating area, though they lagged behind to converse amongst themselves.

Rainbow Dash was still giggling and guffawing, her wings twitching with residual laughter. "W-What was all that about?" she asked, wiping a tear from her eye.

Applejack, now calm but still sporting an incredulous smile, chuckled. "That was about as crazy as the time Uncle Ripe Tomato wrestled a yak into submission for callin' his calzone a 'pizza taco.'" The farmer shook her head, ignoring the incredulous stares of her friends. "Bless his heart, that yak never knew what hit him."

Rarity placed a hand on her chest, her brows furrowed with worry. "Well, it was... certainly a unique experience, to say the least. But my heart goes out to that healer. The poor dear looked absolutely dreadful. I can't imagine the stress he must endure."

Fluttershy fidgeted with her fingers, her gaze drifting in the direction the captive had been taken. "I-I could hear his stomach rumbling... it was faint, but... oh, it sounded like he hadn't eaten in days," she murmured softly, her voice tinged with concern.

"And that thing around his neck! What was that?" Pinkie Pie asked, unusually subdued. She still looked shaken from the healer's impassioned rant about processed sugar, her curls slightly deflated. The thought of that collar — a cruel-looking device — sent a shiver down her spine. "It looked like some kind of torture contraption."

Twilight, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, her gloved hand resting thoughtfully on her chin. "That, Pinkie, was a magical suppression collar," she explained, her tone clinical. "It's used on high-profile prisoners. From what I could tell, that was one of the smaller models available. Given the size and shape of his neck, it makes sense. His neck is shorter than ours or even a dragon's, so the fit isn’t perfect."

The group leaned in as Twilight continued, her voice steady but grim. "The spikes inside the collar are designed to prevent relaxation and make it impossible for the wearer to forget it's there. In his case, the imperfect fit likely caused the spikes to dig into his skin, leading to lacerations. That’s why he was bleeding."

A heavy silence fell over the group as they absorbed this information, the weight of Twilight's explanation settling like a fog.

"And how do you know that?" Rainbow Dash finally asked, her expression a mix of curiosity and unease.

Twilight shrugged, adjusting her glove. "My brother works in the military," she said simply, as if that answered everything.

Harry was busy stuffing himself with as much food as he could while still using cutlery, his movements deliberate but hurried.

He had been right in his earlier assessment: these humanoid ponies had a diet far more vegetarian than a typical human one. While they abstained from red meat, he noted that some of them seemed to enjoy fish. What they served him was simple but nourishing: reheated shredded fried fish mixed with tomato and onion, a side of beans, and a cup of something that tasted like daisy tea.

To some, this meal might have seemed meager, almost insulting. But to Harry, who had endured far worse while living with the Dursleys and during his time evading Voldemort across Britain, no meal was too small to appreciate.

"Whoa! Easy there, Doc! We’re gonna need to call another medic if you keep that up!" a rookie guard exclaimed, his voice breaking the silence of the desolate cafeteria.

"Leave him be, Flash Sentry," admonished the captain, the same one who had made Harry a human pinball earlier after being teased. "It’s clear the doctor hasn’t had anything substantial to eat in quite some time."

"No, no, it’s all right. He’s right," Harry said, slowing his pace and waving a hand dismissively. "The last thing I want is to choke to death before finishing this meal. That would be bloody embarrassing."

After a few seconds of silence, Flash spoke again, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So! How did a... well, whatever the Tartarus you are... end up in the middle of the Everfree Forest?"

Harry hummed thoughtfully around his cup of tea before replying. "Oh, you know, the usual. Someone was in danger, I got called up. It turned out to be a trap involving a dark, evil lord I’d already vanquished almost five times by that point. Then two bloody morons pushed me—and themselves—into a mystical artifact of Death. Not allegorical, not metaphorical, just Death straight up. But surprise! I’m not dead yet. So I explored. Some bugs told me someone else was in danger, for real this time, so I heeded the call and helped a group of damsels in distress vanquish a crazed dark goddess. You know, Thursday."

He took a sip of his tea, entirely aware of the incredulous looks he was receiving.

Flash visibly rebooted before responding in a casual tone, "Sounds like Thursday." He raised his cup, and Harry clinked his teacup against the rookie’s with a small grin.

They both chuckled, joined by an amused snort from the captain, before the cafeteria doors swung open. The colorful ponies Harry had seen earlier in the castle entered.

At least, he thought it was them. He was still without his glasses.

Brilliant.

"Lady Sparkle, Lady Elements," the captain and rookie greeted in unison, bowing deeply. The gesture wasn’t just for Twilight as the princess’s student but also for the Elements of Harmony—the heroines who had gone above and beyond to save not just Equestria but the entire world from eternal darkness. They had even freed the forgotten goddess of the moon from the fiend that had corrupted her, reuniting the two royal sisters after an unimaginable separation.

Their reverence, however, made them miss the uncomfortable looks that flickered across the faces of the newly arrived mares.

Twilight raised a hand in a dismissive motion, an almost perfect mimicry of Princess Celestia’s habitual gesture. "There’s no need for such formality, Captain Nimbus. We’re here under the princess’s orders, as you know, but also out of personal curiosity. Would you kindly leave us alone with Mr. Harry, please?" she asked, her tone polite but firm.

The two guards bowed once more and began to leave. Flash, however, hesitated briefly, casting Twilight a subtle salute and a warm smile. She blushed lightly but nodded in acknowledgment, a small, shy smile gracing her lips.

The moment she did half turn she was meet with the expectant eyes of Rarity, her relationship senses tingling.

"So who would that be hum?".- The fashionista asked.

Twilight simply sigh.

Harry continued eating, letting the lively banter of the mares wash over him as they teased and joked with one another. Their dynamic was both amusing and endearing, but he kept his focus on finishing his meal. He wasn’t about to let good food go to waste.

That was, until someone sat directly across from him. He paused, noticing a blur of orange and brown in his still-unfocused vision.

"Howdy there, partner! Name’s Applejack," a cheerful voice greeted. The speaker extended a hand in greeting, her tone carrying a distinct southern drawl that reminded Harry of the old American Wild West movies.

"Harry James Potter. A pleasure," Harry responded almost automatically. He reached out to shake her hand but misjudged the distance, his fingers instead brushing her forearm. It was soft but firm, with a noticeable strength beneath the surface. The air around her seemed to carry the faint, comforting scent of apples and cinnamon.

"Blimey, sorry about that," Harry apologized, quickly adjusting to meet her hand properly. When he did, he was surprised by the strength in her handshake. It was firm, almost challenging, but not unpleasant.

"No harm, no foul, sugarcube," Applejack replied with an easy chuckle, her green eyes twinkling with good humor. She leaned back slightly, her posture relaxed, before drawing him into light conversation. Her warm demeanor and straightforward manner put Harry at ease almost immediately, and he found himself engaging more than he expected.

They were deep in a discussion about growing tomatoes when another of the girls joined their table.

"...So that was Uncle Ripe’s secret all along? Feeding the tomatoes sugar water as they grow?" Applejack mused, still incredulous.

Her family had spent years trying to uncover Uncle Ripe’s secret recipe. His sweet tomato sauce was the crown jewel of his foreign dishes and the pride of their family’s culinary experiments.

Harry shrugged with a smile. "Well, that’s what Neville did, and he was the one with the green thumb in our group."

"Ooh! When you manage that, can you give me some, Jacky? That would be awesome-sauce!" An energetic voice interrupted from Harry’s left.

Both sets of green eyes jumped. Applejack shifted into a defensive posture, while Harry, startled, nearly slashed with the knife he’d been using to eat. The blade came perilously close to the intruder’s throat before he managed to stop himself.

"BLOODY HELL, LASS! Don’t sneak up on a bloke like that!" Harry barked, his voice laced with lingering adrenaline as he lowered the knife. He shoved it into his pocket, exhaling sharply to calm himself.

Pinkie Pie froze, her usual bubbly demeanor replaced by a moment of genuine contrition. Memories of their encounter with Nightmare Moon—and the unnervingly cold feel of metal against her skin—flashed through her mind. She swallowed hard.

"I-I’ll keep that in mind. Sorry," she stammered, her tone sincere.

Harry studied her for a moment before nodding. "And I’m sorry for overreacting. But really, lass, you can’t just jump on people like that."

Pinkie nodded fervently, her curls bouncing with the motion. "Got it! No more surprise greetings. Pinkie Promise!" She mimed a quick motion, sticking her hand across her chest and poking herself in the eye for emphasis.

Applejack, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of concern and amusement, finally relaxed. "Well, sugarcube, consider that a lesson learned for both of ya. Now, how ‘bout we get back to tomatoes?" She winked, lightening the mood as the three settled back into conversation.

Author's Note

Bonus Idea:

Stand User: Princess Luna Newstar

Stand Name: Mass D (Mass Destruction Act 1 - Persona 3: Reloaded)

Attributes

• Power: B
• Speed: B
• Range: D
• Durability: B
• Precision: B
• Potential: A

Stand Description

Mass D is an armor-like Stand that functions exclusively in the dream world. Drawing on the latent energy of Princess Luna’s darker alter ego, Nightmare Moon, it manifests as a sleek, mystical armor that dramatically alters her appearance, save for her flowing blue hair, which remains a marker of her original identity.

This Stand serves as both a protective and empowering force, enabling Luna to navigate the dangers of the dreamscape while battling nightmares and threats within the subconscious realms of others.

Abilities

1. Dream World Mastery
   Mass D allows Luna to move freely and safely through the perilous landscapes of the dream world, granting her immunity to the chaotic and often volatile nature of these mental realms. It provides unmatched agility, endurance, and spatial awareness in this domain.
2. Borrowed Power
   A unique feature of the Stand is its ability to let Luna borrow moves or spells from allies who are present in the dream world. This power makes Mass D highly versatile, as it enables her to adapt to a variety of combat scenarios, incorporating the strengths and abilities of others into her repertoire.
3. Enhanced Physical Capabilities
   The armor amplifies Luna’s physical strength, speed, and endurance to extraordinary levels, allowing her to perform feats that would be impossible in her normal state. These enhancements make her a formidable force against even the most dangerous adversaries in the dream world.
4. Nightmare Resilience
   The Stand’s durability and defensive properties are unparalleled in the dream world, enabling Luna to survive and counter otherwise lethal threats. It serves as both her shield and sword in battles against the manifestations of fear and despair.

Drawbacks

1. Dependence on the Dream World
   Mass D functions only within the dream world, rendering it ineffective in the physical realm. Luna must rely on her own abilities and resolve outside this domain.
2. Risk of Reverting to Nightmare Moon
   The armor draws its power from the residual essence of Nightmare Moon. While this grants immense strength, it comes at a cost: the more power Luna uses, the greater the risk of succumbing to her darker alter ego. This internal struggle requires constant vigilance and self-control.
3. Limited Range
   The Stand’s D-rated range confines its effectiveness to close-quarters combat or immediate surroundings, making Luna rely heavily on her enhanced mobility and adaptability in battle.

Personality and Usage

Mass D embodies Luna’s duality—a reflection of both her desire to protect and her ongoing struggle with the remnants of Nightmare Moon. The Stand's potent capabilities symbolize Luna’s resolve to redeem herself and guard the dream world from harm, yet its reliance on a dark power serves as a constant reminder of her vulnerability to corruption.

Luna uses Mass D with caution, knowing the stakes of losing control. Her journey with this Stand is not just about protecting others but also about confronting her own inner demons and mastering the balance between light and shadow.

In the dream world, Mass D is an awe-inspiring force of hope and fear—a guardian against nightmares and a testament to Luna’s strength and resilience.