As Stars Fall from the Heavens

Chapters

2 We're Apples together, Apples forever
1 A shooting star
3 Blades and the Dark Side of Laughter

2 We're Apples together, Apples forever

I woke up to the sun piercing through my eyeballs and the sound of a rooster cawing in the distance. I looked down and saw that I was in a room with a wooden ceiling and heard farm animals outside. The confusion only lasted a few moments though as I recalled last night's occurrences. I yawned and felt something small and warm moving at my side. I looked down and saw that Applebloom had crawled up next to me at some point while I slept and was clutching my side.

I giggled softly and whispered softly in her ear. "Applebloom, we gotta get up. It's morning."

Applebloom dug further into my side, her soft fur and small body crawling further into my grip. "Fahve more minutes big brother," She said sleepily. I rolled his eyes, her cuteness getting to me. I slowly moved her to the side and got up. I exited the room while leaving my weapons and jacket there. I could hear movement downstairs and walked towards it. I found myself watching Applejack cooking up a storm of apple products and smiled happily.

"A ponies hearin's actually pretty good yah know. Yah, gonna stand there and stahr or are yah gonna halp?" She said without even looking back.

"Well, what do you need?" I answered simply.

"Set tha table. Granny's gettin a little mohr shuteye, and Big Mac's gettin' some tools ready for the day. I don't know 'bout Applebloom, but, knowin' tahdays Saturday she'll 'probably sleep in fur a bit," Applejack finished.

I laughed a bit and answered, "Sure and Applebloom crawled into my bed as I slept by the way. Cute thing was probably trying to make me feel better,"

I set the table while Applejack chuckled and said, "Yah, sounds like her tah me." She finished cooking and I helped her place the food methodically across the table. Once finished she rang a very loud bell screaming, "soup's on yall!!" The table was filled very quickly, while Applebloom and Applejack sat to my sides. Granny Smith was looking towards me as Applejack told her, "ah, already told Big Mac, but Granny, this here's Aegir Sama... Samebito. Dang, that's still hard tah say... He's lost all of his family, and, from what ah got he lost them all last naight. So, with yur permission we'd laike tah offer him not only a place on our farm, but, a place in our family. Applebloom already asked fur him tah be her big bro. Iffin' it's ok with you we'd laike tah make him an Apple."

Still looking towards me with a deep stare, Granny asked, "What, exactly are yah sonny?"

"I am a human, born from a Norse father and a Japanese mother. Both are cultures that focus on tradition and family. So, it's really hit me hard that I can never see them again," I answered, giving a little more information than what was asked.

"Ah, don't know what a human is nor do I know what Norse or Japanese is, but, tradition and family ahre especially important. Now, farm's hard workin'. Think yah can keep up?" She continued.

"I am currently 25 years old and I have been training my body and mind since I was 3. I do believe I can handle the physical stress and even help out with some of the mathematics needed for the farm. Not to mention I can keep unsavory creatures off of the farm as well," once more, I added a little more information than I was asked for.

"Darn, yur actually, 'bout faive years older than Applejack, round two years younger than Big Mac!" Applebloom said excitedly.

"Applebloom language," Granny said. "Now, ah trust mah granddaughter here, and ah can see that she trusts you. Two things yah need tah know, we're Apples tahgether and Apples furever, also, the Apple family is one of if not the biggest within the earth ponies. So, ah have tah know, do yah care fur AJ here?" she continued.

"Ma'am not only was she one of those to defend me to the point of actually getting between me and your princess, she was there for me the moment I realized what had happened with no questions asked. Then she, also, brought Applebloom in, somehow knowing that it would make me feel better. So, yes I care for Applejack dearly," I answered truthfully.

She stared at me for a short period of time as the family ate the food provided. A big smile formed on her face as she said happily, "hot diggity! AJ ah never thought y'all would actually faind a stallion this early. He's ah keeper yah here, y'all got my permission."

I sat confused for a moment until I looked at AJ and realized she had stopped eating mid bite with her mouth open and her face burning with embarrassment. That's when the realization that Granny had just performed a marriage evaluation on me and AJ, my embarrassment rose to her level quickly and I stammered out unsure if Granny was serious or joking, "th... tha... That's... no... not what... I... uh..."

Granny's smile widenned and AJ finally began to chatter off quickly, her eyes going back and forth while she twitched here and there, "now see here Granny, that ain't what ah meant. Ah mean, Tartarus, we only met last naite. The guy's just went through a bad experience. He's still hurtin' from that and being threatened by Princess Celestia. Ah, mean, ah do feel a connection with the guy, but, he's ain't a pony..."

Applebloom and Big Mac laughed out as Granny said, "all ah'm hearin' is a bunch of excuses when you ain't realizin' one little thing. Ah saw what happened earlier, wasn't sleepin'. Ah saw how he looked at yah and I saw how you looked at him. Not tah mention yah actually asked fur his help and yur stubborn as a mule. Also, he got all flustered which mean's y'all know he fainds yah to be purty, but, yah got flustered too. Finally, he ain't said no raight?"

Big Mac smiled putting forth a simple, "Nnope."

"Yah care fur AJ here right," Granny said to me and I simply nodded unsure of how this had gotten this far so quickly, "and AJ yah care fur this here stallion as well raight," she continued, AJ just as confused simply nodded as well. "Well, what's stoppin' yah y'all know true love can begin in ah day, but, the truest of love must be grown laike a seed."

This is when a screen popped in front of my face, 'Aegir and Applejack have reached red friendship level with points of 160 and completed the quest: Granny Smith's Approval. Will you accept the reward and go beyond friendship level red?' and I noticed that the same screen popped in front of AJ as well. We looked at each other and I sent her a questioning glance. She took a deep breath and nodded. We both thought 'yes' at the same time and a new notice popped up, 'Friendship Level between Aegir and Applejack is now 220 and has hit white friendship level. New companion skills granted to both Aegir and Applejack, Heart Bound, Apple Kin and Honesty. Quest: Honest Heart has been started. Completion status involves both Aegir and Applejack to be honest with each other and to the Apple family.'

Though only a few seconds had passed it felt like an eternity and I knew what I had to do, what I wanted to do. Still looking at Granny I started, "your right, I didn't say no," I looked to AJ and saw that she was looking at me with her mouth wide open, "and I wouldn't either, but, will you say yes?" I finished.

Applebloom's excitement was apparent as she bounced on her chair, Big Mac actually seemed a little surprised, but, Granny just looked like she already knew the answer. "Are, yah, serious... Ah, mean it's... Ah, ain't nothin' special... to muscled from the farm... ain't super pretty... we ain't even known each other fur a day... don't yah think... ah... don't know... that this is to... too fast..." Her eyes bounced back and forth between Granny and myself.

"You helped me out immediately, no questions asked. You took me in, simply because you knew the feelings I had. You somehow knew exactly how to help me right then and there. You connected with me on a level I've only known with very few. You asked me to be a part of your family, when you knew I had lost mine. If this is what you can do in a night, I would very much like to see what you can do in a lifetime. Also, you are absolutely gorgeous so don't downplay yourself" I said somehow not tripping on my words at all. Granny's smile just got bigger as now even Big Mac and Applebloom had wide open mouths. A new message popped up 'Friendship level between Aegir and Applejack has hit 260 and has hit a barrier. It cannot raise any further until the Quest Honest Heart has been completed.'

A single tear fell from AJ, but, her expression showed nothing save happiness. "Ah... Ah... Ah, want to be with yah... I can't hold it back... feels laike it just exploded inside ah me... Yes..." She answered. The screen appeared once more saying 'Quest: Honest Heart completed. Friendship level between Aegir and Applejack has now gone up to 320 points and is now called Love Level beginnings of True Love. Aegir now has a direct connection to the Element of Honesty and Applejack has a direct connection to the system itself and is granted similar attributing factors as Aegir. Other gifts have been placed in Aegir's item box. Friendship level between Aegir and Pinkie Pie has increased to 145 points Pink Level. Quest Given to Aegir, The Two Sides of Laughter. Completion upon helping Pinkie and Diane with a currently unknown problem.'

Granny Smith simply said, "told yah AJ. Now let's finish these here vittles and get tah workin'."

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered as we finished our food and went to work.

Two hours passed as we worked around the farm before I heard a ping and was confused as no one was around him. Then a shadow passed above the farm as a dragoness landed directly in front of me and spouted off quickly, "I'm sorry have you seen a unicorn around? He's got a light tan coat, a brown curly mane, one blue eye and one red one. Tends to wear darker clothing. No facial hair, around 5'5". Sorry, you don't even know me. I'm Viola Everscale and I'm looking for my son Jack Everscale Hunt."

I got another message screen 'Quest given, A Heartfelt Dragon. Completion upon helping Viola find her son.' "Um, I'm sorry I don't know anyone like that, but, I do know someone who might be able to help. I just have to finish with this part of the orchard," I answered. That's when I noticed that this dragoness was around 6'5" had wings that probably spanned around 17" from tip to tip, had a light purple scales, save for the little bit of white he saw from under her tail, black tipped nails, blood red eyes, pure white hair, her figure was mostly hidden from a heavy set of pure white armor with purple and black mixed here and there, and she had a massive great sword that would put most anime swords to shame.

Unfortunately AJ had seen her too and rushed up to them, "Aegir, what's goin' on? Is she makin' trouble?!"

Viola smiled and said happily, "oh the love between you is palpable. So, jealous. No, honey I'm just looking for my son."

AJ blushed and looked down as we both knew she wasn't lying to us. "Sorry, just ain't had too many dragons in this area. Just Spike and he's fairly new," She said to Viola.

Viola smiled widely and said, "oh, there's another dragon that can live around others and isn't a jerk! How old is he?"

"Uh, 14 ah think... Yah 14..." AJ answered a little confused at the statement.

"OH!!! He's just a little wyrmling!!! Let me see him! Let me hug him!!!" Viola burst out.

"I was going to take her to Twilight anyway. You said that's where he lives right? In the library that looks like a tree near the center of the town," I pointed out. AJ nodded.

"Oooo! I can't wait!" She belted out and picked both AJ and myself up in her arms flying to the Golden Oaks Library. When we got there we were very confused and she just giggled as she pushed us forward stating joyously, "I can't even knock please can you?"

In the confusion I simply knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

After a few moments a small purple and green dragon with a white tee shirt and jeans on came to the door. That's when Viola rushed him pulling him close to her and enveloping him in her arms, and once more belting out, "Oh, not even old enough to have your wings yet. Such an adorable wyrmling!"

We heard Twilight say with a muffled voice, "Spike who's at the door?"

Viola rushed in with all of us in toe, Twilight was now in the room and saw the dragoness and all of us. She stated quickly, "oh, you must be the one who has been protecting this little wyrmling here I can feel the bond between you two, so good to see a dragon who is actually being raised to be caring for once. Anyways, I also came here because these two lovebirds here said that you may be able to help me find my son." AJ and I went nuclear because of what she just said, unable to hide our blushing faces. Viola explained her situation to Twilight, hugging Spike tightly the entire time as he enjoyed her powerful arms.

"I might be able to help, um... also, you mind helping me with my little brother Spike," Twilight asked, "I really haven't been able to get much information on how dragons actually grow or live." Then, it hit her what Viola had said. "Wait, lovebirds? Aegir and Applejack?" She said quickly. We stayed silent and moved uncomfortably.

Viola grins happily and stated, ignoring Twilight's propagation of AJ's and my burning state, "honey, I'd adopt both of you helping you both out if you'd let me. You're both so cute."

"But, I already have parents?" Twilight said, her confusion apparent.

"Hun, I said nothing about taking you away from them. Just giving you another parent," Viola smirking.

"That's... huh... that's actually not a bad idea. You probably have a lot of experience and can teach Spike and me... Why not?" Twilight said and then the questions began.

Six hours later and Twilight asked the one question every guy knows not to ask a woman. "So, exactly how old a..."

Before she finished Viola sent out a small flare from her nose and said in a quiet voice, "don't finish that question hun."

(To be continued)

1 A shooting star

My name's Aegir Samebito, a 25 year old American born from a Norse father and a native Japanese mother. They taught me traditions from both cultures, trained me in Glima, Laustak, Aikido, Kenjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Kyudo from the age of three. I have mastered Glima, Laustak and Aikido. I am considered high ranking status within Kenjutsu and Kyudo, but, Ninjutsu troubles me and I am mid rank at best. They were very loving and strict, but, allowed me my freedoms, my favorite being gaming.

One day I got an email asking me to try a new Suikoden game, 'Suikoden: Harmonic Chaos Land of New Beginnings'. I took the chance and waited for the next email. Three long months of training, while I wondered what the story line would be, the characters that would come out, maybe some new true runes as well.

Finally, the next email came and it said 'Out of the 3000 sent the previous email and the 1789 that accepted, you are a part of the 500 testers that will be using a new feature added to the game. There will be two versions of the game that will be put out the average tried and true Suikoden and another that will use this new feature. You will create your main character, your Star of Heaven from the ground up. We will allow you to be as detailed as you want. Also, one more thing pushing you to be as detailed and creative as you can be, the top ten characters of the 500 will be added into the primary version of the game as different stars. PS: Have fun.'

It came with the file and I was ecstatic as I loaded it up and hit the start button. It went to the character creation screen. I took a full three hours on the creation of my character, including gender, description, and many, many more things. Once I was happy with what I made I hit the send button. The game immediately went on the fritz and shutdown. I was so pissed off I couldn't speak and just held my head in my hands.

Ten minutes passed as I silently raged gripping my face. Suddenly, I heard a ping and the music from the game. I looked up and a message was on the screen. 'Hello, Aegir. I have gone over your character, don't worry it wasn't deleted, and have found it to be the best of the 500 placed in. Although, second place and third place came very close. You beat second place with the creativity you put into your character and you beat third place with the time you put into your characters history. Very close match indeed. Now if you would like we will allow your character to be the Star of Heaven in the main game. Do you accept?'

I was so happy I screamed out "YES!!!" That's when things became very, very weird as an arm burst out of my computer and grabbed me, pulling me into the screen.

I found myself in a blank room with only one computer in it and a single person who dropped me on the ground and said with a toothy smile, "that's what I thought." His.... her... their form seemed to shimmer and change never actually looking the same for more than a few seconds and their voice seemed to change with them. I was amazed as some of their forms were characters I knew from games.

"Who... Who are you... and what the hell happened?" I asked, completely subdued by what had just occurred.

They walked towards their computer and said, "I am The Gamer, a being called a Void Dweller. I am the one who got them to send out the 500 extra files, altering them slightly to make sure I would be able to contact the contest winner, or one of the top ten if my offer wasn't accepted." They looked at me and said as they continued to change, never in one state, "I meant what was sent, but, one thing wasn't explained. Your character will be accepted into the game as the Star of Heaven, however, you will get the new beginning and will play my game."

They walked towards me and touched my forehead I screamed in pain as my form was shifted. Seconds later the pain left me and they pulled a mirror from nowhere. I looked into it and saw the character I had just made. My hair was now white with a dark grey stripe through it, and fell to the middle of my back. I was now 6'4" instead of my previous 5'3". I knew that I was now ambidextrous. I had three tantos at my right hip, a katana, kobutowari and an odachi upon my left hip, and a short bow on my back with it's arrows. I wore a dark grey leather coat that match the color of my hair, a black studded leather shirt, a pair of leather pants that matched the color of my coat, and a pair of black leather boots.

"Funny thing is you had the most uninspired name of the top ten as you used your real name and if third place just took a little more time they might have won." They added in with their chaotic voice.

"You... you still haven't really told me much..." I said quietly, my voice now sounding foreign to me.

"No... perhaps I haven't. So, you are now what is known as a Displaced. There are many throughout the multiverse and some do come in contact with each other through what is known as a token. Said token will have a phrase that can be used to call a Displaced over to the other's universe, to send messages, or to jump to the universe of the token's owner. Some other void dwellers like to make a token for a displaced, but, I'm just going to give you the knowledge of how to do it."

A see through screen appeared in front of me that stated, 'The Gamer has entered Teaching Mode and offers to Teach Aegir Samebito Token Creation. Will you accept.' I tapped the yes on the screen even more confused, but, not so surprised that The Gamer could access game mechanics. A wave of knowledge flowed into me and I smiled. I flowed the energy within me focusing on how I wished the Token to look and it compressed into a small orb. Glass like in it's looks it held a small star within it that was half black and half white. It's colors constantly shifting around it's surface. I whispered into it, "In the beginning there was Darkness. Then finally, the Darkness shed a Tear. From that Tear, the brothers Sword and Shield were born."

The Gamer smiled once more and said, "now that's using the game's lore." I sent copies to float through the void randomly. "Now that, that's done we can move on. You will be able to use certain game mechanics when you are sent to world I have chosen, such as leveling up, an item box... hmm.... what else should I give you... might as well give you an altered version of the class system allowing you to have your main class, which will be altered to contain the mage class as well, and three sub-classes. I will allow you to use the lore version of runes upon your body instead of the game mechanics as it would limit you too much, however, too many runes can still hurt you. You will use a point system game mechanic for your stats. Hmm.... you'll use game mechanics for Hp and Mp bars, but, it will be altered slightly so that you can draw mana from inside as well as the world itself with meditation. You will have a training mechanic that will allow you to up your stats. You will not have the teaching mechanic, as I think that would be less fun. Finally, when you find one of the 108 stars you will have a slight ping that could go unnoticed if you aren't paying enough attention. If the stars join you they will have access to these mechanics as well. The screens will go unseen to any but those affected by the game mechanics and can be controlled through thought alone. So that people don't think you're crazy." They finished and I was amazed at what was done.

I chose Martial Artist as my main class which was altered to Enlightened Fist, followed by Swordsman, Archer and Ninja. I was happy with my choices and smiled. I realized that I also had the runes I had picked at the beginning, but, something was different I could hear a small voice in my head. It sounded as grating, but, somehow high pitched. I asked The Gamer, "what's... what's the voice in my head?"

"Ah, that would be one of the three runes you have, the True Lightning Rune, I upgraded it. I know you have the Gale Rune and the Sunbeam Rune. The Sunbeam Rune will work on allies within thirty feet of you. Now you're finished. Bye Aegir." They said.

The world shifted and all I could see was a rainbow of colors all around me as a deep female voice screamed out "NOOOOO!!" She sounded like she was near me, but, then I was shot to the side and impacted a column and a -2 appeared in front of me and faded away.

'That's going to get annoying very quickly.' I thought as I looked around. I could see that there was an actual rainbow beam being blasted down where I was previously. It, also, seemed to be coming from six young adult looking females. They were humanoid, but, equine-like, two had horns, two had wings, and two had neither. The rainbow faded and I noticed we were in a dilapidated and ancient castle. Then I saw two more of these equines one a little taller than the six I had noticed before, but, the other, now she was tall. She dwarfed even the new me by at least five inches. Both of them had both horns and wings. They hugged each other and she began talking to one of the... unicorns I guess... and said "Twilight, I thank you for this night... for bringing my sister Luna ba...." Her voice stopped as she finally noticed me in the corner her eyes grew wide and the others looked to me. That's when she screamed, "Holy Tartarus what are you!?" That's when I felt the pings.

I smiled lightly and said, "Heh... Hey... I'm Aegir Samebito and I'm well a human. Not really from around here..." My uncomfortable smile showing as I could feel the power from this woman.

"Why do you have weapons?" She growled as her power pulsed further.

"Gotta protect myself right?" I simply said as I shivered, my fear showing. I wanted to crawl into myself as I began to tear up. One tear fell and everything changed in a moment.

Suddenly, I was surrounded by two women, one was the light yellow pegasus with long pink hair and the other was the pink equine with pink hair that looked like clouds or cotton candy. The other four had put themselves in-between me and the powerful woman in front of me. Both of them around me were hugging me tightly and speaking softly.

The pegasus said in a quiet, caring voice, "Shh... it's ok, I'm Fluttershy and you don't have to cry anymore." She had large blue green eyes that exuded kindness.

The other stated with quiet, but happy sounding voice, "It'll be fine. I'm Pinkie Pie, I wanna be your friend and I want to see you smile no more sad. See." Pinkie Pie had large blue eyes and had a smile on her face that seemed like it was just for me. My happiness grew.

I heard Twilight say to the tall women, "Princess Celestia, please pull back your magic can't you see that it's scaring him. He may have weapons, but, think about it. This is the Everfree Forest, it isn't the safest place on Equus. My friends and I will stay with him and I don't think he's a bad pony. I don't know why... I just feel it.. Like I'm connected to him somehow... So please just calm down."

I smiled widely as Princess Celestia's power shrank back. Then I cried some more, this time out of joy and said just loud enough the six around me to hear as I hugged the Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie tightly, "Thank you."

Pinkie giggled as she pressed herself against me and said happily, "now that's a smile and a great hug to boot."

"Fine Twilight, I shall trust you, but, should any harm come to my ponies... well, Tartarus hath no fury." She said, the threat very clear in her voice. She and Luna flew off and I felt so much better.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both pulled back and helped me to my feet. I took a deep breath and looked at the six ponies around me. That's when I realized just how gorgeous these women were. Pinkie immediately stated, "you already know me, Flutters and Twilight. These wonderful mares are Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity!" Pointing to each of the mares in succession.

Pinkie was adorable and a little pudgy here and there, but, you could still just barely see her abs below her white and pink half shirt, as well as, the muscle in her three jointed legs covered by a pair of jean shorts with her cotton candy-like tail emerging from it. She seemed to be around 5"4". She was curvy, adorable, strong, had one of the cutest voices I'd ever heard and had the best smile.

Fluttershy was thinner, but, was still curvy, she hid behind her hair... no mane... She hid behind her mane, and wore a long, green and white dress that had frilled sleeves that covered her hands mostly. It hid most of her, but, she had been pressed up against me just a little while ago. She seemed to be graceful and her shy nature made her even more gorgeous. She seemed to be around 5'6". Her wings could be seen, but her tail was beneath her flowing dress.

Twilight had light purple fur and had a three toned mane that was mostly a dark blueish purple, with stripes of dark purple and dark pink. Her mane was so strait and controlled you could almost feel the OCD pulsing from it. She was beautiful, but, I think the better word I would use to describe her was adorkable. Her clothing was like a school uniform, a dark purple vest, a light blue long sleeved button up shirt that was perfectly tucked into a knee length skirt matching the color of her vest. She stood around 5'5" and was nicely shaped. Her eyes were a couple shades away from matching her mane, that showed curiosity, intelligence, and care.

Rainbow Dash had blue fur, an athletic body, a messy rainbow colored mane and tail, and dark magenta eyes that just pulsed with confidence. She was flying so I could actually see her wings in motion. Her wings were graceful and every movement she made was perfect. Her feathers were prim and perfect as well showing the care she put into them. She seemed to be around 5'3" and was wearing a tight tank top and tight, black athletic shorts. She was a bit thin, but, honestly that just made her a little hotter.

Applejack had a blonde mane and tail that were put up in... a ponytail of all things and wore a light brown stetson. She had orange fur and wore a simple white tee shirt with apples on it, a pair of working gloves, and a pair of blue jeans. However, you could see the strength in this 5'6" mare. I knew a farmer when I saw one. She was built, but, not so built that it looked freaky. Her beautiful green eyes showed an honest mare, with family on her mind. She was a working mare, but, still took care of herself and was beautiful.

Now, Rarity had white fur and while Fluttershy had a natural grace to her, Rarity had a practiced grace to her. Her grace was not false though, it was years of practice that I don't even think she knew she had. She had a curled, indigo mane and tail. She wore a short sleeved two-toned shirt showing blues and whites, and had a short, indigo skirt with small gems embedded over both. Her eyes were a darker blue than Pinkie's and showed a wonder in her eyes as if ideas were just boiling underneath the surface. She held herself with a proper stance and damn she was sexy.

I took a breath as I realized that as I had been staring they had been talking, specifically, to me. That's when the slight blush I had went nuclear. "Aegir, are you ok?" Twilight asked as she got close and checked my temperature. Her forehead pressed against mine and I looked strait into those intelligent eyes.

I heard Rainbow laughing as she said, "oh yeah, he's fine. Just a little case of hot mare syndrome."

"Rainbow, darling, you need to have more couth. Though, it does make a mare feel good to see the way he looked at us," Rarity said.

"Well, truthfully, ah don't think he heard a word we said and yur right. Does feel naice to know somepony thinks yah look good," Applejack answered.

Twilight backed up really quick and her blush, which was a dark purple, went just as nuclear as mine as she realized just what she had done. Fluttershy was blushing up a storm as well as Pinkie jumped up happily and said, "yay! He thinks we're pretty!"

I calmed myself down and brought myself back to normal with a short meditation lasting only a few seconds. "Ok, I can think now. Now, what were you mares saying. I got... distracted as you could see... no use in hiding it." I said, causing Rainbow to laugh her ass off, Pinkie to have a belly laugh, and even Fluttershy to have a quiet titter. However, none of them seemed to be a mean laughter.

"Well, darling, you said you were far away from your original home correct," Rarity pointed out and I nodded. "So, we were thinking that maybe, you could stay with one of us. First can you walk on clouds?" she asked. I simply shook my head no. "Rainbow's house is out then. Fluttershy, is a little to shy for it so no. Pinkie is renting and cannot bring in a new resident. So, that leaves us with my house, AJ's farm, or the library where Twilight lives." She finishes.

I couldn't believe what I heard, "you... you all don't even know me... and you've already put yourselves in danger for me... then, you offer me a place to stay.... even if it's just temporary... you all are so much more caring and so much nicer than most humans I've ever..." I stop as it sets in that I would never see my parents again. Tears rush out as I drop to my knees.

They rush to me and surround me, "Hey, there, fella what's goin' on. You can tell us," Applejack stated.

"I'll never... never see my parents again....." I answered quietly.

Applejack pulls me to my feet and my legs feel weak. She said to them, "I'ma take this one girls. I know the feelin'." From there we walked a path until we made it to Applejacks farm, the mares leaving slowly as we went. Each one giving me a hug before they left. "Let's go and get you some vittles," She stated with sad eyes as she put me up at a table and walked into what was probably a kitchen. She came out with a small pie and a young yellow filly with a red mane and tail, large orange eyes, simple clothing and a big bow in her mane.

Applejack gave me the pie, a sweet apple pie if my nose was working, and a spoon, while the young filly looked up to me and grabbed the hand I wasn't using to eat. "Mister... Ah'm Applebloom... and ah, know how it feels to lose family... it hurts... ah was real young when it happened, but, ah can still feel the pain..." her eyes watered, "If... if you want ah could be yur little sister... it'd be naice tah have another big brother 'round here... and the Apple family always stays tahgether..." The words she said just made me so happy. I looked towards Applejack and she nodded.

I gave the little filly a big hug and said, "sure, I think I'd like that. My family always taught me that family and tradition are important," She gripped me as tightly as her little body could, and a message played in my head, 'the Broken Star, Applejack, and the Leveled Star, Applebloom wish to join you. Do you accept?' I simply thought 'yes'. Their eyes both grew wide as they looked at me. I finished the pie and spent the next few hours just explaining what was going on. Then we all went to bed as the stress of the day fell upon us late that night.

3 Blades and the Dark Side of Laughter

Not even three in the afternoon, AJ had left much earlier, and already I was exhausted by the people involved. Or should I say a single person involved... Viola.

Viola was sweet and had changed from her armor into a light pink half shirt with a red heart in the center and a light purple skirt with white lines down each of her sides. She had a caring personality that showed through with all of her actions and words. She looked like she was not much older than me and her scales shined brightly. I found out that her armor, as expected, hid her form very well and although she was an inch taller than me her body was balanced everywhere. Truly an Amazonian body, well built, nice curves without being too large for her size, beautiful hair, eyes and scales.

This wasn't what exhausted me. What exhausted me was the fact that she knew that I was with AJ, she noticed that I had stared at her a bit, and that's when things changed. She smirked and became very tactile with me. Her tail wound itself around my leg at some point and when I tried to pull away I found out just how strong her tail truly was, I couldn't even move my leg.

I finally tried to distract her and asked, "I saw that you carried that large blade and I assume you know how to wield it fairly well. I'm fairly trained as well, would you mind having a little spar with me? A little practice match?" This caught Viola's attention immediately and I got a message, 'Friendship points between Aegir and Viola have increased to 120.' Honestly, I was surprised that they were this high in the first place.

"Why not, little wyrmling like you might just learn something. I've noticed that the training here in this country is, well, a bit lacking," She said with a huge grin.

I began to grin just as widely as her and said, "good thing I wasn't even trained here." Another message appeared, 'Friendship points between Aegir and Viola have increased to 145.'

"So rules?" She asked.

I thought, "the only rule is no killing or permanent damage to your opponent."

"Are you sure? I am a dragoness with scales tougher than iron, a flame that can melt boulders, claws that can rip apart steel and flesh in one swipe and many other abilities you may not know. Are you truly sure?" She asked, her grin grew even wider.

"One, don't assume I'm like others. You don't know what I can do either," I replied.

Not even thirty minutes later, after Twilight trying to talk us out of it, giving up after Viola looked at her with fire in her eyes, and then telling everyone what was going to happen so that no one thought it was a real fight, Viola and I stood in the town center with some people watching. Pinkie was munching on a bag of popcorn that she seemed to pull out of nowhere. I had retrieved my weapons and coat. Viola had changed into her armor, but, had taken a basic great sword instead of the monster she came in with. We were ready.

"Careful not to get hurt wyrmling. I don't actually like to hurt others," She said to me.

"I could say the same thing to you," I responded, and that's when our friendship points increased to 160. I got into my stance and said, "when you're ready."

"Well then... Now!" Viola said as she burst forward with a great amount of power. I took a deep breath and the world slowed as I took a step forward and pulled my katana. I struck many times in places uncovered by her armor and suddenly I was behind her. I sheathed my blade and got back into stance. Cuts appeared on her where I had struck. "Good, good. You are better than a lot that I've seen," She said without turning towards me. She swung her tail striking me in the chest and knocking me back. Pain spread as damage points showed above me.

'Yep, going to be so annoying, so quickly' I thought. I could see she had turned around and was facing me, she had taken a better stance and I could see she was more serious now. I rushed passed her and struck again with my katana, but, this time I also used my kabutowari slashing her even more times.

More cuts opened up and I saw a small fire being expelled from her nose when she turned towards me. "You know little wyrm that hurt. Looks like you need to be punished a little," her voice sounded a little grating, but she didn't look angry, in fact it was almost as if this was actually making her blush as heat radiated from her. A quest appeared, 'Defeat Viola in a Heartfelt Battle. Rewards: Viola.'

A burst of fire came from her mouth and I dodged quickly, though, I still wasn't quick enough to dodge all of it and took more damage as she lit my foot on fire. I quickly put it out and sheathed my blades again.I got in a new stance and drew my odachi. "That was hot. Thought, you didn't like to hurt others." I said sarcastically with a slightly sadistic smile.

"Thank you for the compliment, normally I don't, but you seem like you can take it little draeg," she answered, more flames were expelled from her nose. "That's quite a blade you have,"

"Yeah, hard to use for many, but I believe I'll be fine," I said as I jumped forward and slashed down the white part of her tail with it. I could see her shiver as blood dripped from her and she dropped the sword she was using and jumped at me dispelling her armor into something more like studded leather. When she did this she got in quickly and knocked all of my weapons away from me. We got into a close-quarters match. Her claws drug across my chest, I slammed my fist into one of her wings, causing another shiver, back and forth the fight went. Neither of us really getting the upper hand and all the while the heat coming from her pulsed outward. Finally, it got to the point where I pinned her while I slammed her head into the ground. 'Quest completed.'

Both of our breaths were hoarse as a random instinct took over me and I bit directly into her neck, breaking through her scales and injecting the magic within me into her. Less than a second later she did the same and I could feel her fire enter me. Messages appeared showing him that she was the Star of Abundance, and that her friendship points now love points and sat at 400.

"What the hell just happened?" he asked Viola without even moving off of her.

She gave him a big sloppy kiss and answered, "hun, we just shared our souls. Your's really had a zing to it."

He pushed off of her and pulled back, "but, I'm... I'm with AJ... and you knew that..." I said, confusion evident in every word.

"Ah'm right here and it ain't much a problem fur me. She seemed purty strong and it's always good fur the herd tah get stronger," AJ said.

"I'm sorry what? What do you mean by that. You're ok with me being with her... and you?" I said as I fell further into the difference of what she just said versus what a human woman would normally say.

This is when Twilight jumped in and asked, "what's the gender difference where you're from?"

"Half and Half," I answered.

"Well, here it's one male born for every eight foals, if not less. Thus we herd," Twilight answered.

I dropped down as the wounds on Viola and I healed slowly, just slowly enough that it went unnoticed by those who weren't paying close attention. Unfortunately, there was one who was paying attention. A pink blur shot off into the distance. I took in the fact that it was ok to have more than one partner. "Wow... I really have to... Whew.... take time for that one to set in," I said.

"Anyways, hun, what we did was something that I didn't think anything other than dragons could do. Something I thought wasn't possible for me, as all other dragons I had met were... well crude and I was never interested in them," Viola said.

"Wait... you... I.... We shared souls!" I screamed looking at her.

"That would be correct when you bit me you injected a piece of your magic and soul into mine and the same happened when I bit you. This is something that can be rejected, just so you know. We dragons have something called a soul fire. When we find the one for us, usually taking a very long time if at all, an instinct pulses and this is what happens. We share our souls and our lives, quite literally," Viola answered. All the while, Twilight was writing everything down. "However, if one tries to force it upon another it can be expelled through a dragon's breath and this happens all at once usually killing the one who tried to force the soul fire," she continued.

At this moment I was just trying to take this all in when a note tied to a balloon floated to me. I read it aloud, "everyone come to the Sugar Cube Corner. Knew you would read this out loud Aegy. Signed P"

Rainbow chuckled started towards the building and everyone just went along with her. I looked at Viola who just shrugged and followed as well. So, I just went with it. By the time we got there everyone, but, Viola and I had gone in and our wounds had healed. We looked at each other and I could tell we both had no idea what was going on. We stored our weapons, and she returned her armor to the previous set of clothing she had on and opened the door. At first the room was dark, but, we took two steps in and suddenly the lights went on and everyone screamed surprise.

Viola and I just belted out a belly laugh and saw that there was a big banner that said 'Happy Welcirth day to Aegir, Welcome party for Viola, and AJ and Viola herding party.' Everyone moved from the center and Pinkie jumped from... well I don't know where she came from or where that machine came from.

Pinkie poked a button on it and it began playing music as she sang out loudly.

Welcome, welcome, welcome
A fine welcome to you
Welcome, welcome, welcome
I say how do you do
Welcome, welcome, welcome
I say hip hip hurray
Welcome, welcome, welcome
I say welcome to Ponyville Today!!!!!
Wait for it!

That's when we were blasted by confetti and streamers from the machine. We laughed so hard that it hurt. Finally, we just started partying and talking to people.

A few hours later with me drinking a bit, my inhibitions were a little lowered and I had the status buzzed. I walked up to Pinkie and asked, "hey, what did you mean by Welcirth day for me?"

She answered with a smile, "silly, it's your welcome party and your birthday. So, just like Rainbow Dash having a Birthaversery party I put the words together."

"Oh... I kinda ge... wait it's not my birthday," I stated just barely slurring.

"Yes it is. You were reborn today really early in the morning. You know when..." She started, but, put my hand over her mouth.

"I... I guess that's true... but, how did you know?" I quizzed.

She licked my hand and I pulled it back quickly as I shook it and tried to get the saliva off my hand. She smiled widely and simply said, "mmmmm, salty. Cause it's birthday and party related and I know everyone's birthdays in Ponyville or when a party should happen!"

"Everyone's?" I asked.

"Yeppers!" She squealed.

"Even Diane's?" I continued. After this question I knew something was wrong because her colors became darker, even her clothing, and her mane seemed to completely deflate as a sadness built in her eyes. Her mane was now completely strait as she quickly drug me up the stairs and into a room without anyone noticing. She shut the door and locked it.

"How do you know about Diane?" she asked, but her voice seemed to have lost her usual tempo.

The alcohol finally hit and my status turned to drunk. With nothing to hold me back now I just explained to her about the quest.

"Is it just because of the quest?" She asked and her mirth was palpable.

"Oh... N... No, iss cause yor very dear to me... an... if you an this Diane... hap... have a problem I wanna.. hulp bof of you... Not ta... menti... mension... If... Diane is... having a prublem that you can't hulp with... Maybe I can... I don wan her to feel bad..." I slurred.

A message popped up that said 'Friendship points between Aegir and Diane grew to 90.' I sobered up very quickly and looked at her. "Wait you... You're... Diane..." I stuttered. Diane nodded. "Well this is going to be difficult. So... Can you tell me what's going on, or is it too early for me to know?" I asked.

The friendship points increased to 95. She said slowly, "maybe tomorrow, for now just enjoy the party with Pinkie."

We went down and she shifted back and we partied while I thought about what I had just learned.