What if....

Twilight smiled.

“I take it you never heard of air ships.”

Charlie shook his head rapidly.

“No!”

“I wonder what he’s going to think about trains then,” Twilight told herself quietly. It wasn’t quietly enough though.

“What was that?” Charlie asked with suspicion in his voice.

“Nothing!” Twilight blurted out. “Anyways, you want me to show you a book on airships?”

“Yes, please!”

Twilight hopped off the bed and walked downstairs with Charlie following. She arrived in the lobby in short time. Twilight searched the shelves for the book that she wanted.

“So Charlie, what time period was humanity in?”

Charlie shrugged despite the fact that Twilight couldn’t see him.

“I don’t know, present?”

Twilight sighed.

“I’ll give you a book on time periods as well.”

Twilight pulled out a book, which had an engraving of an airship on it.

“Here you go Charlie, a book on airships. You look at it while I find a history book.”

Charlie opened the book and begun reading. Twilight observed him for a minute.

I really would like to know his time period. Hopefully he can compare his time period to ours. Twilight shrugged, and then returned to her search.

She had scarcely been searching for thirty seconds before Charlie spoke up.

“Hey Twilight, there’s a reason why I was surprised to hear about an airship.”

Twilight turned her head.

“Oh, why were you surprised then?

“I was surprised because I’ve seen an airship before, on a drawing.”

Twilight’s curiosity piqued.

“Where did you see this drawing?”

Charlie smiled from behind his book.

“Well, it’s an interesting story. You see, during my time there was a council. I was friends with everyone on this council, including a very interesting individual.”

“What was the council?” Twilight asked.”

“It was a council created by the late king William and ran by Prince Richard. I got into it for being a member of the royal family.”

“You were the member of a royal family!” Twilight suddenly shouted.

Charlie chuckled.

“Yes, I was. I was adopted by Prince Richard. He made me his adopted son.”

Twilight placed a hoof under her muzzle as she thought.

“So wait, that means that you’re… Prince Richard’s heir?”

“Yes, but it’s an empty title.” Charlie said sadly. “I really don’t deserve such a title.”

Twilight thought about it, then said something completely ignoring Charlie’s statement.

“Oh, so that means that you’re the rightful ruler to your kingdom.”

Charlie shook his head.

“I guess… but anyways, back to the earlier…”

“What’s your title?” Twilight interrupted.

“Prince.”

Twilight giggled. “Alright ‘Prince’ Charlie, you can continue with your earlier story.

Charlie smiled.

“Thank you, now like I was saying, I knew a very interesting individual. His title was the ‘inventor’. He had created quite a few good inventions…” Twilight opened her mouth. “to which I will tell you later. Now, he wanted to create something he called an ‘airship’. I had no idea what it was, until he showed me a picture.” Charlie looked around.

“I will show you in my book later. Anyways, it looked like a big oval with a little box underneath it. It reminded me of these.” He flipped his book and showed Twilight the airship on the page.

“He told me that they would fly in the air and they would use another invention he called a ‘cannon’ to shoot out of it.”

Twilight chuckled.

We have those too.

“Wow, that sounds very interesting Charlie. Did he ever invent the ‘cannon’ or the airship?”

Charlie shook his head.

“He never got to it. The Purge happened before he could get started on anymore inventions.”

“Hey, speaking of the purge, why don’t you show me what happened. I would like to know what happened. You can tell me the human time period later.”

Charlie placed his hand under his chin and thought about it for a moment.

“Sure,” he said after he was done thinking. “but why don’t you call over your friends first. I would like to show them too.”

Twilight glanced over to the clock on the wall. It read 7:00.

“Sure, but why don’t you come with me over to their houses.”

Charlie smiled.

“Alright.”

Twilight nodded. She then raised her head.

“SPIKE!”

“I’m right here Twilight.”

Twilight jumped, as Spike was right next to her.

“How long have you been there?”

“The entire time Twilight. You know, you should really have to pay attention to who’s around you before doing that.”

Twilight raised her hoof and ruffled his spikes.

“Oh Spike, I didn’t know you were there. Anyways, please watch the library; I’m going to leave for awhile with Charlie.”

Spike nodded.

“Alright Twilight. Be careful, though, it’s dark.”

Twilight giggled.

“Oh Spike, don’t worry, I have Charlie with me anyways.”

“Ok, Twilight.”

Spike then ran over to Charlie.

“You better take care of Twilight, or so help me!”

He raised a fist in a threatening motion.

Charlie nodded his head.

“Understood sir…”

Spike smiled, turned and walked back upstairs, leaving Charlie and Twilight alone.

“Well, that was interesting.” Twilight said.

Charlie smiled.

“Yes, it was interesting… anyways, ready Twilight.”

“Sure, let’s get going.”

Twilight walked over to the door and opened it, but jumped back in surprise when she noticed somepony already behind it.

“Rainbow!”

“Oh, hey Twilight, I just came back to look at that book…” Rainbow glanced behind Twilight.

“Hey Charlie!”

“Hello Rainbow Dash.”

“Funny thing Rainbow, we were just on our way to pick you up. Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure thing Twilight!”

“Alright,” Twilight began. “I need you to go and get Applejack and Fluttershy.”

“Why, what’s going on?” Rainbow asked.

“Charlie wants to show us something.

“Oh cool. What is it?”

“You’ll see Rainbow, just go and call them back to the library.”

Rainbow saluted, then jumped into the air and flew off. Twilight exited the library with Charlie shortly after.

They arrived at Rarity’s first. Twilight walked up to the door and knocked. Light hoofsteps could be heard from the other side of the door approaching it. It soon opened, revealing a small filly.

“Oh, hi Twilight, hi Mr. Monster.”

Charlie chuckled, but Twilight decided to correct her.

“His name’s Charlie Sweetie Belle, he’s not the monster named Heinrich.”

“Oh, hello Charlie, why do you look the same then?”

“It’s a long story Sweetie Belle. By the way, where’s your sister?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, she’s upstairs, you want me to get her?”

Twilight nodded.

“Yes please.”

Sweetie Belle closed the door and soon after running could be heard from the inside. Twilight and Charlie waited for a while before the door opened again, this time revealing Rarity with Sweetie Belle behind her.

“Oh hello Twilight, hello Charlie. What brings you by?”

“Charlie wants to show us something in the library. Do you want to go?”

“Ooo, can I go?” Sweetie Belle suddenly asked.

Rarity looked down at Sweetie Belle, then back up to Twilight.

“Sure, but may I bring Sweetie Belle with me?”

Twilight looked up at Charlie, who nodded, then looked back at Rarity.

“Sure.”

“Alright, let’s go then.”

Sweetie Belle jumped out from behind Rarity and ran up beside Charlie.

“Oh cool, what are we going to see?!”

“A story Sweetie Belle.”  Twilight answered.

“Aw, is it going to be boring?”

Charlie chuckled.

“Don’t worry Sweetie Belle, it won’t.”

They arrived at Sugar Cube Corner in short time. Twilight opened the door and walked in, with Sweetie Belle and Rarity following. Pinkie was sitting at a table with a plate of cupcakes.

“Hi guys!” She greeted.

“Hello Pinkie.” Twilight responded.

“Wanna share these cupcakes with me.”

“No thank you.” She turned around to Sweetie Belle and Rarity. “Care for a cupcake.”

Rarity shook her head, but Sweetie Belle walked up to the table.

“Can I have one?”

“Sure.” Pinkie Pie gave Sweetie Belle a cupcake, who ate it graciously.

“Hello guys.”

All the ponies turned around to see Charlie in the doorway.

“May I come in?”

Twilight nodded, so Charlie walked in, but not without bumping his head on the arch.

“Ow!” He yelled before he grabbed his head.

“You really have to be careful.” Twilight said while suppressing a laugh.

“I know, I know.” He said while rubbing his head.

“Oh, why don’t you show Rarity your hair Charlie?” Twilight asked.

Charlie nodded, and then turned around. Rarity placed a hoof on her mouth, suppressing a gasp.

“Oh my. That is very long.” Rarity walked up to Charlie’s back.

“May I?” She asked.

“Go ahead.”

Rarity lifted his hair and felt it.

“Oo, it’s very soft. Did you put conditioner in it?”

Charlie shook his head.

“No, it’s just like that, nice and soft.”

Twilight observed them for a few moments. She then spoke up

“Rarity, can you cut his hair tomorrow, it needs to be ready for when we go to Canterlot.”

Rarity kept her eyes on the hair.

“Sure darling.”

Twilight smiled, and then turned back to Pinkie, who was also watching them.

“Charlie wants to show us something, a story. Do you want to see it?”

Pinkie nodded. She then swallowed her cupcake and answered.

“Sure, that sounds like fun!”

Pinkie got off her chair and grabbed the tray in her mouth. She walked into the kitchen and placed it in the sink. She returned with a smile on her face.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Twilight turned around, but noticed that Rarity was still feeling Charlie’s hair.

“Come on Rarity, time to go.”

Rarity turned her head and noticed that everypony was watching her. She blushed in embarrassment.

“Oh, sorry...” She turned her head back to Charlie.

“I’m just going to cut it shorter tomorrow, alright Charlie.”

Charlie once again nodded.

“Alright, thanks Rarity.”

Rarity turned back to Twilight.

“Shall we go now Twilight?”

Twilight smiled.

“Alright, let’s go back to the library.”

She walked towards the door and opened it halfway. She turned back to the group.

“Oh, yeah, and Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack are going to meet us at the library.”

All of them nodded, so Twilight opened the door and let them out.

They arrived at the library, but Rainbow, Applejack or Fluttershy weren’t outside.

“Huh, I wonder if they are already inside.” Twilight told herself.

She approached the door and opened it. She gazed inside and noticed all three ponies were inside with Spike.

“Hello girls, hi Spike.”

“Hi Twilight.” All four said in conjunction.

“What’s Charlie going to show us?” Fluttershy quietly asked.

“A story, from my book.” Charlie suddenly walked in and said.

“Hey, you took of yer cloak.” Applejack noted aloud.

“Yes, and look at his hair! Charlie dear, please show our friends your hair.”

Charlie obliged and turned around, showing the 3 ponies his hair.

“Wow, that’s long!” Rainbow said.

Charlie turned around to face the group in front of him.

“Alright, I gathered you here to show you a story, the story of how humanity disappeared.”

This statement elicited a gasp from the group in front of him. Charlie smiled.

“First, though, I have to get my book.”

“Already got it.” Twilight walked down the stairs with the book in her magical grasp. She arrived at the group of seven and joined it. She then floated the book in front of Charlie, who took it in his grasp.

“Alright.” he opened it to the second page. He then placed his hand on it and the book began to glow.

“I saw that you tried to see the purge directly Twilight. Well, it didn’t work because you have to start at the beginning for this one.”

He released his hand and also his grip from the book. It didn’t fall, however. It stayed floating in the air. Charlie then addressed the group.

“Now I’m going to need you to join hooves. We’re going to make a circle around the book.” All nine gathered around the book and joined hands, hooves, and claws.

“You might fall asleep after this. I apologize if you do.”

Charlie then cleared his throat and closed his eyes.

“It was a long time ago, in a land filled with hatred and darkness…”

“Mentor, where are we going?” Charlie ran up to keep pace with his mentor, who was walking at a fast pace.

“We are going to the North to go see King Vladimir and Mage Dmitri.”

Charlie made a face.

“But why mentor?”

Charlie’s mentor chuckled.

“Consider it your other eighteen birthday present. Besides, Dmitri told me he has found something of immense power. Something that I have to see for myself.”

“Oh, alright mentor.”

Charlie kept pace with his mentor, who was walking very fast. He scanned the area around him. He was just about to leave the capital city of the Middle Kingdom. Approaching him was the northern gate to the outside of the city. He heard shouting coming from the top of the wall and a loud noise came from the gate. It opened slowly, but it opened just enough to let Charlie and his mentor out. He was soon outside the gate. He looked up. It was a sunny day with the wind blowing just enough to make it a perfect day. Charlie smiled, as he knew that it was going to be an excellent journey.

“Mentor, are we going to the Capital of the North?” Charlie suddenly asked.

His mentor shook his head.

“No Charlie, we are going to a tower situated a day away from the Sylmarian capital.”

Charlie stopped, and then ran up to his mentor once more.

“Where?”

“The middle kingdom’s capital.”

Charlie walked along side his mentor as they walked through a forest. It had started snowing a few hours ago, but the snow was mixed with rain. Charlie didn’t want to be in the rain, so decided to ask his mentor once more.

“Mentor, how much longer until we reach the tower.”

Charlie heard his mentor chuckle, so he looked at him. He was pointed at something outside of his sight.

“We’re just about there.”

Charlie ran over to his mentor and looked in the direction he was pointing in. Immediately he lost his breath.

“M-mentor, that is the tower!?”

His mentor smiled.

“Yes, astonishing isn’t it.”

“That is huge! How was this built in 10 years!?”

“King Vladimir had the entire kingdom working on it.”

“Wow… come on mentor, let’s go see the inside.”

As they approached the gate to the tower a small platoon of guards approached them. As soon as they reached them they formed a circle around them and pointed their spears at them. The first guard spoke up.

“Halt, address yourself.”

“I am a peaceful emissary from Sylmar and this is Lord Charles, successor to Prince Richard of Sylmar.”

The guards immediately lifted their spears and the first guard bowed.

“I apologize; King Vladimir is in the throne room.”

“No harm done sir, now, carry on.”

Charlie looked up to his mentor and smiled. He smiled back, and then they walked towards the gate. Shouting could be heard from the other side as the gate swung open. Immediately as they walked in Charlie noticed hundreds of soldiers walking around the interior. He looked in awe, but his mentor cleared his throat.

“Charlie, King Vladimir is one floor above us, and I have no doubt that Dmitri will be there as well.  Let us take the express way shall we?”

Charlie and his mentor walked through the giant room towards a door. As they walked Charlie noticed hundreds of people, from rich to poor, sitting down biding their time.

“Mentor, why are those people there?”

“That’s what I’m here for, come on Charlie, we’re almost there.”

They reached the door in no time, and as soon as they reached it they were greeted by a guard. They walked into a large room, where there were other people.

“Where do you wish to go sir?” The guard asked.

“To the throne room please, I need to speak to King Vladimir and Mage Dmitri.”

The guard lowered his spear towards Charlie’s mentor.

“Cite your business sir!”

His mentor smiled.

“I am an emissary from Sylmar, and this is Lord Charles, successor of Prince Richard.”

The guard lifted his spear.

“I apologize sir!” The guard said before opening a hatch on the wall and yelling something into it. Immediately Charlie felt the floor move. It continued to move until they reached another door. The guard then saluted.

“Alright, here we are sir. May our people fight this war united and strong!”

Charlie’s mentor nodded, and then opened the door. Charlie followed, and as soon as he did, he had his breath taken away from him once more. This room was heavily decorated. Tapestries hung on the walls and ceiling, stained glass windows adorned the walls, and right in the center was a large golden throne. Sitting right on it was an aged man with a white beard. He was wearing armor, for what though Charlie didn’t know. Flanking him where two guards, both in golden armor.

Charlie’s mentor began to walk towards the throne. Charlie followed, and as he did he noticed the two guards lowering their spears and slowly advancing. He then noticed that the man sitting on the throne, who Charlie assumed as King Vladimir, said something, and the guards returned to their stations.

“Ah, uncle of my savior King William has decided to honor us by visiting us. So tell me, what is the reason for you visit?”

“An honor Your Majesty, I am here to see Dmitri.” Charlie’s mentor stopped in front of the throne with Charlie right next to him.

“Ah, he is in the room behind me looking at the legendary relic. I knew that we, the kingdom of Volgaeria, would find it! We can finally end this accursed war.”

“And you have, Your Majesty. Thank you for your time.” Charlie’s mentor walked behind the throne and towards a door. Charlie bowed to the king and ran after his mentor. His mentor then opened the door and walked in, Charlie following suite. As soon as he arrived into the room, Charlie noticed that it was small compared to the throne room. He walked towards his mentor, who was greeting someone he had never saw before, but he would soon find out his name.

“Ah, Dmitri, so nice to see you again…” Charlie walked up to his mentor, who had just finished with his pleasantries.

“Charlie, I would like you to meet Mage Dmitri.”

“An honor, Dmitri.”

“So, you are his new apprentice and the next ruler of Sylmar, so nice to meet you. Why don’t you meet my apprentice, Nikolai, he’s over there.” Dmitri pointed over towards a table, where a young child was sitting. Charlie walked over towards Nikolai, who was watching him.

“Hello, my name is Charlie.”

“Hi, my name’s Nikolai.” Nikolai was trying to look behind Charlie.

“Why don’t you sit down with me, I like to listen to the grownups speak.”

Charlie obliged and sat down with Nikolai on the table. He looked up at Nikolai, who was still looking at the two. Charlie decided that he would join Nikolai on listening to the grownups.

“You shouldn’t have taken the relic; it can unbalance everything!” Charlie’s mentor said.

“Just as long as it is exposed to the rising sun and moon, it’s going to be fine.”

“Well, then let me see it.”

“Right where the younger ones are.” Charlie looked at Nikolai, who was turned around. Charlie turned around and saw it, the relic. It appeared to be a rock with six lumps sticking out of it. He turned back around and noticed his mentor standing over him.

“Can you move please?” He asked.

Charlie nodded, then got up and moved. His mentor glanced over the relic, then turned back and walked over to Dmitri.

“You better keep this safe; this relic is of immense power. Should it ever fall into the wrong hands, it’s going to spell trouble for all of us.”

“Do not worry, my friend. The best guards are staying here; I doubt it will be stolen. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to make preparations for tomorrow night.”

Charlie’s mentor raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, for what?”

“We’re going to turn this into a weapon. As you can see, this entire tower is a weapon. It’s going to shoot a powerful beam that will destroy the accursed east and west. It will be so glorious!”

“Anything that will end this war… I suppose.”

“Yes, glad to see that you agree with me.”

Charlie’s mentor walked over to Charlie.

“Come on, let’s get going.”

Charlie turned to Nikolai.

“Goodbye Nikolai.”

“Goodbye Charlie.”

Charlie followed his mentor out of the room and into the throne room. He then ran up in front of him.

“Do you really agree with him?!”

His mentor shook his head and leaned close to Charlie’s ear.

“Dmitri and King Vladimir do not know what they are dealing with.”

“Hello father!” Charlie walked up to his father, Prince Richard.

“Hello Charlie!” Richard got up from the throne and gave Charlie a hug.

“How was the trip with uncle?”

“It was great, I got to the great tower!”

Richard smiled.

“Oh, that’s good, how was it?”

“It’s quite big, much bigger than our weather tower!”

“Yes, well that’s the power of our ally Volgaeria.”

A door opened and Charlie’s mentor walked in.

“Richard, they found the Relic of the Sun and the Moon!”

“What!” Richard‘s mood suddenly changed from cheery to solemn.

“Yes, and Dmitri plans to use it as a weapon, right now!”

Richard shook his head.

“This could spell disaster for all of us. It could destroy the balance!”

“But he said that it could end the war…”

Richard opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“If Dmitri uses the relic and he succeeds, then it could end the Javria and Wu. We would be left along with the Osman Empire. Peace would finally be achieved!”

Richard placed a hand under his chin and assumed a thinking position.

“Well, I suppose your right.”

“Yes, it would be…”

“Sir!” A guard suddenly opened the door to the throne room.

“Yes.”

“A Javrian spy has been caught in the Weather Tower. He was attempting to sabotage it!”

Richard shook his head while Charlie’s mentor face palmed. Charlie had no idea what was going on.

“What does that mean mentor?”

“It means that someone was trying to destroy the tower.”

Charlie followed Richard and his mentor towards the Weather Tower. They entered the building and immediately saw who the perpetrator was.

“Let me go dummkopf!” the spy was yelling at the guard holding him. Richard walked up and punched the spy.

The spy began laughing.

“Oh, ow, that hurt so very much!”

“It really hurt didn’t it?” Charlie’s mentor asked.

“Yes dummkopf, please don’t do it again,” the spy deadpanned.

“What is your name spy?” Richard asked.

“My name is Heinrich, and I mean you no harm.”

“Oh, then why were you trying to sabotage the Weather Tower?”

Heinrich began to laugh once more.

“Okay so you caught me, big deal.”

“Yes, and we will have you publically executed for this… wait, what is this.”

Richard grabbed a necklace from Heinrich and ripped it off.

“OFE huh, what is your rank?”

“Leader…” Heinrich said with pride. He then began laughing hysterically.

“What!”

BOOOM

The ground suddenly began to shake.

“Oh no.” Charlie’s mentor suddenly ran out the door. Charlie felt worry grow in his system.

“Vhat vas that?” Heinrich asked.

“Quiet!” Richard yelled. He then rushed out to follow Charlie’s mentor.

The only people left in the building were Charlie, Heinrich, and the guard who was restraining him.

“Uh, I’m going to check what happened outside… bring the prisoner along.”

The guard nodded.

“Yes sir.”

Charlie rushed outside and noticed that it was bright out, to bright for it to be night.

“What is happening mentor?” Charlie asked while rushing to his mentor’s side.

“That.” Charlie’s mentor was pointing towards the north-east. Charlie turned around and saw what his mentor was pointing at. A blinding white light heading in his direction.

“Dmitri has activated the power of the Sun and the Moon. He couldn’t control it and now it’s all over!” Richard yelled. Charlie felt all feeling fade away from his body. He suddenly heard footsteps behind him, but he didn’t turn around.

“Dmitri has failed us…” he suddenly heard someone that sounded a lot like Heinrich say. He turned and noticed that it was the spy from the west.

“Excuse me?”  Charlie asked. Heinrich just smiled.

“This is all the North’s fault!! I knew they shouldn’t have tampered with powers they had no control over!”

Richard once again silenced Heinrich, and then whispered something to Charlie’s mentor. His mentor just nodded. Both grownups then turned their attention towards Charlie.

“Listen Charlie, I’m afraid this might be the end…” his mentor said forlornly.

“What!” Charlie yelled, surprised.

“But it isn’t the end for you.”

Charlie felt more worry enter his system.

“What do you mean?”

“Follow us,” Richard suddenly spoke up. They then ran off towards the tower once more, leaving Charlie full of questions. He turned around to the guard, who simply shrugged. He then decided that it would be best if he followed them.

Charlie arrived at the tower and saw that his mentor and Richard had joined hands.

“What’s going on?” Charlie asked. Neither answered, they just broke hands and motioned for him to come closer.

Charlie obliged skeptically and walked over towards Richard and his mentor.

“Join hands with us Charlie,” his mentor said.

Charlie listened and joined hands with his mentor and Richard. A small light appeared in the middle of the small circle they were in. Charlie noticed and immediately tried to break his grip, but they wouldn’t let go.

“R-Richard, Mentor, what are you doing!?”

Neither responded for a moment and closed their eyes.

“Listen Charlie, you’ll never be alone. We’ll always be in your hearts.”

“What do you mean mentor.”

“You will be the new ruler of the land Charlie, rule with pride and strength.” Richard said softly.

“What!”

“Take care, Charlie…” They both opened their eyes, which were filled with light. The small light in the middle soon brightened, so much that it was unbearable. Charlie felt the light encapsulate him. Soon, everything became light.

Charlie suddenly woke up, and noticed that he was in very cold. He got up and noticed that he was lying on a cloud, but it was very bright out. He looked over the cloud and noticed a light in the distance. Memories filled his vision as he remembered the light and his visit to the north. He looked down and noticed that a small blue bubble encapsulated a tower. Once again memories plagued him as he remembered what the tower was. He opened his mouth and yelled, but no words came out. He felt his mouth, it was still there, yet no words came out when he attempted to yell. He suddenly heard screams and pictures filled his vision. People were running from the light, which consumed them, and ultimately they disappeared from existence. He watched as hundreds of thousands of people ran from the light, but in the end they met the same fate. Charlie felt tears coming to his eyes, but yet nothing fell out.

“NOOO!!!!” Rainbow suddenly sat up and noticed that it dark, but there was one light. This light came from in front of her, and it ended up coming from Charlie. He held a book in his hands, which glowed softly. It glowed enough to illuminate Charlie’s face, though. He appeared to be crying, as tears fell down his face. He turned and noticed Rainbow looking at him. He smiled, and then walked over to her. He kneeled down.

“Don’t worry Rainbow, I’m fine. Just go back to bed, and I’ll explain in the morning.”

Rainbow opened her mouth to contest, but a yawn came out. She slowly closed her eyes and fell back.

Charlie watched as Rainbow fell back asleep. He then got up and grabbed a blanket he had placed on the floor earlier. He opened it and placed it on the eight there, who were gathered in a circle. As soon as he finished he walked upstairs and towards the balcony. Once he arrived he sat down. He felt tears coming on again, but instead of fighting them, he let them flow.