And I thought we were normal. How wrong I was.

   I find myself back within my soul lying on my stomach and I push myself up off the floor and the water-like surface ripples as my hands and hooves move around on it. Always so odd. I think as I turn to see both Safaia and Hitsuki facing me and standing on two really small, probably only a meter tall, pillars and are only a about 12 or so centimeters in diameter.

"Hello again." I say calmly. It's not like panicking will help.

"Hello." Hitsuki responds.

"So what's your plan this time; another assault maybe?" I muse as they both sit down atop their pillars.

"Nope. We don't need to do a thing."

"And why is that?" I ask while running a hand through my mane. "And also, why are you two standing on such small pillars? Wouldn't it be easier just to stand on the floor?" I say while tapping a hoof on the floor.

"That's what I don't understand. How can you stand on liquid so easily?" Hitsuki says with a smile and I instantly splash down into the liquid floor and I can tell it isn't water due to how thick it is. What the hell?

   I try to swim back up for a breath but I find that the original surface tension has reformed. Fuck; I didn't even get a god breathe. I think as I struggle to try and break it open again even though my speed and strength are at least halved due to the thickness of the liquid. Damnit; it won't break. I look to my left as a cascade of bubble come through the surface and the figure of Hitsuki emerges as they clear.

"Yo; what seems to be the problem?" She says with a smirk and I merely nod as I continue to try and break the glasslike barrier. "You do realize you can breathe here right? It may feel like you're swimming, but all I did you bring you to another one of my corners of this realm." She says while looking at her nails. What?

   While I don't trust this mare, there's is no denying she holds power here and that she is my best shot. I guess I'll trust it. I think as I open my mouth and take a deep breath. Surprisingly I can breathe regularly and despite the sweet taste it's essentially like breathing air.

"Thank you." I say while taking a few deep breaths.

"You're welcome, but I'm afraid I don't have time to explain hosts and such to you; so let's get to what you're going to do now. You can breathe this in, however if you do not acquire oxygen within ten minutes after I begin the challenge you will pass out and lose this challenge. If you intend to get some oxygen the only way would be to break this barrier to the surface. However, as you've already noticed, you cannot break this barrier without the proper equipment." She explains as we both occasionally give ourselves a push upwards as to not sink farther down into the abyss.

"Before we get any farther; why would I want to complete this challenge and what is the challenge?" I ask with a disgruntled look on my face.

"The challenge as you may have guessed is to get back to the surface before your time runs out or before I can kill you. I'll explain your reward now. You see, chaos and deviant point are spells used to give things in your world a fraction of mine and Safaia's abilities. However, it's not as if we're going to lend somepony incompetent our power. Thus we give you a challenge to complete and if you complete it you'll earn the right to manifest a small bit of our power. I reside over Deviant Point within you; so if you when this challenge and Safaia's you'll earn the right of use those spells." She explains while conjuring a block of magic under her to rest on. Smart girl.

"So what do I need to break the barrier?" I ask, content with her explanation.

"Oh I don't know... Maybe something like this?" She says as a dark scarlet spike shoots out from her left hand and she turns the back of her hand to face me. Fuck.

   On the back of her left hand is an exact replica of my own chitin plating except her chitin is coloured the same scarlet hue as her fur and a large red spike is coming out of the tip of the triangle. The spike glows with an odd light and extends about 25 centimeters or so off of the end of her fist. I look down to my own left hand and sadly I don't have a spike of my own; I just have my regular black plating.

"So I was right; you're the reason I have this changeling plating on my hand." I say while flexing my own hand.

"Yeah; although mine doesn't look like this. I simply modified to be on the same level as yours for this challenge." She says with a smile.

"Then why doesn't mine have a spike then?"

"First; you can only manifest a certain extent of my physical structure passively. Second; this spike can't passively be manifested. Third; you haven't earned the right to use this.

"How do I earn the right to use it?" I ask with genuine interest as to how I could use the seemingly sharp appendage.

"Simple; you need to learn how to conjure it and then you need to win the challenge."

"And when does it begin?"

"Right now idiot." She says before lunging forward at me with the same speed she would have out of the liquid.  Fuck.

   I shift to the right as fast as I can to dodge it and she barley misses my left arm with her lunge. She quickly turns back around towards my front as I twist to face her. She creates another block behind her and propels herself off of it. She swings her arm in a sweeping motion and I try to move back in time but with no avail. The tip of the spike comes across my chest and leaves a large gash is left across my chest and it leaks blood out into the water. Damnit; I'm already losing the fight.

   She sends another swing of the weapons at my head and I begin to move back while bringing my fists up to block the strike. I feel an excruciating pain come across the back of my right hand yet I feel nothing on my left hand except a slight bit a pressure. What? I open my eyes, which I had closed in fear, to see blood conforming to the liquid I'm in from my right hand and nothing from the left.

   Stopping for a moment I turn my hand and look at the dark chitin plating which on the back of the appendage.  Nothing; it blocked the strike. I guess it makes sense considering how my carapace is a creation from her carapace. I just found my way to fight back.

   She sends another jab my way and I shift my left fist downwards to intercept the strike. Her scarlet weapon impacts my makeshift shield and I twist slightly to ensure that her strike glides off with ease. While she is in this vulnerable position I take the opportunity to send a punch at her which merely nudges her face to my lack of speed and power here. She however, with her normal speed which easily overtook mine before entering this place, doesn't miss a beat and makes another jab at my abdomen which I cannot avoid.

"Fu...ck" I mutter as the spike enters my abdomen and barley pierces back through my back.

   An almost up bearable pain comes across my body as a seemingly ungodly amount of blood and pieces of my organs come out into the fluid as she pulls the blade back out of the hole it made in my body. I move my hands down to feel the ending in my body. Disgusting will suffice being as I am extremely repulsed by the texture alone.

"Uh... Well you at least lasted longer than I expected of you." The mare says with a tone consisting of contempt and something else, sympathy perhaps.

"How long did I really last though?" I ask as my vision begins to blur.

"About 1 minutes and 23 seconds; a good 34 seconds longer than I expected." She answers while forming a long scarlet box of magic under both of us.

"Thank you. So I guess I lost then?" I am able to mutter through me pain as I kneel own on the platform.

"Yeah; starting tomorrow night every time you sleep until you finish this challenge you will come here and we will continue. After completing this you will challenge Safaia and once you finish that you will have earned the right to use Chaos and Deviant Point. Goodbye." She answers completely as my vision goes black and I feel a warm embrace come upon me with the feeling of being lifted. Definitely nicer than that old void was.

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   I open my eyes slowly and I find that I am still lying in the same clearing as before. I push myself up off the grass despite my groggy status and I move my right hand down to where my wound used to be. Nothing. I think as I rub against the fabric. It hurts like hell in there but out here I'm fine it seems. I decide while checking my clock to see what time it is. 4:37; I was in there much longer than I thought. I think while walking back through the various vines of the forest and out of the clearing. I'm gonna go see what's happening in town for a while. I can finish practicing the rest of those spells later.

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   After an hour or so of taking a shower and making my way to town, I walk into the main square nonchalantly which my right hand in my pocket. I walk up to the fountain and look at the waters while trying to think of something to do. What to do; what to do?

"Well hey Sonata." I hear a voice come from my left and I shift my head slightly to see the caller.

"Hey Dash; hey Applejack." I say calmly as they approach. "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were following me around."

"Yeah right; you should know by now there aren't a great lot of things to do in this town so bumming around here is a good time waster. Also I was meeting Applejack here so we could go do some work at her farm." The blue pegasus answers with a smile.

"Is it alright if I come help?" I ask while giving them a more interested stare.

"Sure; just one rule though, no using your magic for it. First off; I don't trust you entirely yet and second; we don't much care for using magic for regular work." Applejack answer and we begin to move along.

"So why are you so willing to go work?" RainbowDash asks me while giving me an inquisitive look.

"I just felt like it. I've been out in the Everfree all day testing some new spells so I can't afford to neglect my physical health either. Living with Berry almost requires that I do so." I admit.

"What kinds of spells and who are you living with?" Applejack responds immediately in a surprised tone barely cutting off Dash.

"Just a few survival spells and I'm living with BerryPunch." I answer simply.

"The drunk irresponsible mare, that Berry?" The orange mare asks for clarification.

"Yeah; she's a bit of... Extended family if you will."

"So you, the criminal by fate, are related to her, the town's most premiere alcoholic?" Dash asks.

"Yeah. However, she's a little more of a fitness nut that you'd think though; keeps me on my toes though." I muse.

"I'm not even going to comment. You already seem to know your situation." RainbowDash responds while snickering.

"I have to learn every detail of 207 bottles of wine." I say with a theatric shiver.

"I wouldn't doubt it." The orange mare says and that seems to cease our conversation until we arrive at her farm.

"So what are we going to help out with?" I ask as we approach a large farmhouse.

   The entire home's structure only stands about 20 or so meters tall and is composed of wood which is painted red with white boards forming the edges of the structure. While the home seems nice enough I can see pieces of the construction chipping and a few boards are bowing slightly. It's nice, but it needs renovating.

"Well we first have to go see my granny. She'll be a great bit angry with me if I don't introduce you to her before letting you work. She just likes to know who she's dealing with is all." The orange mare elaborates and I simply nod my head in acknowledgment. How bad could it be?

   We walk around the back of the building and I see an old yellow-green mare with her mane in a bun standing with the assistance of a cane near the back wall. Through her wrinkled face I can see her eyes dart towards us as we come around the corner and she smiles softly.

"Well hello Applejack; finally decided to get to work for the day, huh?" She says sarcastically to the orange pony who simply chuckles.

"Sorry about that, but I was able to pick up a few friends to help out." Applejack answers while gesturing to Dash and I.

"Nice to meet you." I say while holding up my hand in part of a fist with only my index and middle fingers pointing upwards and firmly together.

"I recognize your rainbow friend but who is this colt?" The older pony asks while bringing her face closer to mine and her eyes dart around eyeing my facial features.

"This is StillSonata, although he tends to go by just Sonata." RainbowDash answer for me.

"Sonata, heh... I approve. I'll give him 10 bits for the day." The mare responds after a ten second or so pause.

"Now that's fine. I just came by to help out. I don't need to be paid anything." I say while waving my left hand dismissively.

"Now I really like you. Applejack make sure to bring him around more if he does a good job. It's nice having a colt around who just likes to help. Free labor is nice too." The older mare responds with a laugh before walking off.

"Sorry about that; she's a bit too outspoken for her own good sometimes." Applejack apologizes.

"Take no notice of it; I did offer after all. So where do we start?" I finish in an attempt to change the subject.

"We're going to meet my brother over by the barn. He needs some help moving a few barrels of cider to the upper level." She says, seeming to have understood my motive.

   We walk over to the barn which is of a similar condition to the house and as we enter I see a red stallion of seemingly the same height as I am with the most prominent difference being his obviously toned muscles which are apparent even past his deep red fur. Ah shit. I think as the Mac's gaze meets my own before he gives me a look of surprise which is replaced almost immediately by a 'don't say a fucking word' kind of look.

"Hey Mac. I brought some friends to help speed things up." The orange earth pony greets him for us before walking over to him. "This is my brother 'Big' Macintosh; he helps us run the farm and the like. Rainbow I know you already know him but Sonata doesn't."

"No; we met each other a couple of days ago." Macintosh corrects with a smirk and leaves me bewildered. Isn't this something we don't talk about?

"Oh really; how did you two meet each other?" Applejack's questions to my discontent.

"We just happened to come upon each other in town. He looked like he was lost so I came by to see if I could help him." The red stallion answers before raising an eyebrow in my direction. I guess it's my turn to lie.

"I had happened to be looking into a job as a trash collector, but in my ignorance I never asked the pony who told me about it what direction it was in. So Mac brought me there and we had some light conversation during that time." I finish for him.

"I also invited him to go on our annual camping trip if he wants to tomorrow." My fellow male adds on and I give him a death stare. Is he trying to get me in trouble?

"Oh really? Well I guess it's alright if you think he's fine enough. You still plan on coming Dash?" Applejack says while giving Macintosh a sideways look.

"Yeah. Twilight and the rest said they couldn't make it and by that I mean Rarity and Fluttershy are too scared, Twilight is having another all night study session and Pinkie says her Pinkie sense is telling her not to." The blue pegasus remarks with a hint of annoyance.

"So you're coming along too?" I ask while looking at the mare in question.

"Yup. I tend to go along with them each year. Sadly Mac always brings Thunderback along. He's a nice colt and all but the rumors aren't the best as you know." Great now I have to deal with being the new kid in the thieves organization and with two mares, one of which I like and one which is the sister of one of my fellow members. Oh, what joys await me?

"Yeah I've heard. So; shall we get to work?" I say in hopes of switching the subject.

"Alright. Dash and I will bring barrels over to the stairs, you can carry them up Sonata and Mac will sort them once they're up." Applejack directs and points towards a staircase across the width of the barn.

"What was that about?" I say after Mac and I get a safe distance, out of earshot, from the two mares.

"Think nothing of it. They would've come along anyways. I just did that so they wouldn't think anything whenever you came along. Trust me; I'm not stupid enough to me jeopardize us in that way. Now Applebloom will be coming along as well; just for your information." He says while giving me a look of mild contempt.

"Ok; I guess that's fine. It's not like I have anything against foal. You're sure you don't mind Applebloom and Applejack knowing me though?" I ask sincerely as we reach the stairs. I thought he'd be more sensitive about this.

"Don't think I won't be angry if you get either of them involved in his organization, but I don't particularly mind. I only joined up with them to fill the financial gap left from our parents passing. The farm is back in the green now so I'm focusing on leaving now. It'll just take me another year or so to pay the leaving fee then I'm done." He answers.

"Heh, I can only wish to be that close. If I had it my way I'd not be in this situation. However, this is my debt and it my responsibility to pay it off."

"Trust me you'll get there someday as long as you remember that you're not like them. Thunderback is there because he loves it and the same is for Berry and Spacial. I'm only in the organization because my family needed me. If you remember that you're only there because of your debt and that you want to leave as soon as possible, you'll get there before you know it." He says reassuringly.

"I like you a lot more than when I met you now." I say with a chuckle. I'm not closer to being out of this but it's nice to know I'm not alone in this.

   Macintosh begins to say something but the two mares are getting within earshot again with a barrel in each of their respective arms and he dashes up the stairs. Applejack sets down her barrel in front of me and I kneel down to pick it up.

"What were you and Mac talking about?" I hear the orange pony's voice come from above me.

"Just about some details for the trip."

"Ok. Just be here at 8 tomorrow morning and we'll set off." She says before walking away and I pick up the barrel and walk it up the stairs.

   The stairs creek under me, but I think they'll be fine enough to handle the combined weight of myself and the full barrel. The barrel itself isn't as heavy as I expected it to be, but it still has a good bit of weight to it. I get it up the stairs and I set it down on the floor before walking back down to get the next barrel. This process continues for the next fifteen or so minutes and we move about 24 barrels in total.

"That should've been the last of it." Applejack says as I walk back down the stairs. "A little harder than what you're used to as a unicorn?" She sarcastically remarks.

"Not at all; training my mental power for magic doesn't mean I can neglect my physical condition." I answer with a smile as Mac walks down the stairs.

"Well that's good; it's too often unicorns just skip to using magic these days. There's nothing wrong with it since they're born with it, but whenever you become a slob because of it it's no good." He comments while swinging himself back and forth through the air from an overhanging wooden beam.

"True; but I don't intend to get like that. I wouldn't be able to live myself I did." I say honestly.

"They never do; you probably couldn't beat any of us in a race without your magic." Applejack comments which hurts my pride a little. I don't have much pride as a unicorn, but my pride in my speed will not be damaged. Then again; this isn't my old body. This one is still a good bit slower than its forerunner. Teehee; pun. Nonetheless I will do what I can to win.

"When and where?" I answer back to her.

"Now and to the edge of town closest to here. Sonata you can't use magic and Rainbow you can use your wings. Big Mac, begin the count down." Applejack says before her, Dash and Mac get down into running positions.

"3,” he counts and I get down into a similar position. "2, 1 and go." He says and we each bolt off.

   Big Mac takes an immediate lead over us and is able to exit the barn first with the rest of us not too far behind. Applejack begins to overtake me and Dash so I try to go a little faster to keep pace. After we begin the downhill portion of the run down the path to their home Dash overtakes Applejack and I and Mac seems to have run out of steam and has now slowed down to just behind me.

    Rather than continuing to swerve through the winding path I decide to simply cut through the trees to save myself time. The trees aren't too awfully close so I am to weave through them easily and I come out on the last leg of the path ahead of Applejack and on pace with a now slower RainbowDash.

"So; now we're neck and neck. Who will win?" I say to help set the tone for our situation.

"Probably me; after all I'm not the one who cheated to win." She remarks while increasing her speed slightly.

"Just because I choose to go alley cat style to compensate for my obviously lower speed doesn't mean I cheated. I played to my strengths and no rule was established that I couldn't." I huff out in defense. Besides, could I call myself a criminal if I played without bending the rules?

"Either way this will be my win." She finishes as we come within the last 50 meters to the towns outermost ring.

   I try my best to overtake her but even with my longer legs I can only manage to match her pace which still only allows the gap to not widen anymore. I see something out of my peripheral vision and I see that Applejack has managed to catch up to me. I can't beat Dash but I'm sure as hell not letting a cereal beat me. I think as we pass into the outer edge of town with my body only being a hair or two ahead of the orange mare's.

"I won. I should've been betting." RainbowDash cheers pompously as I simply huff alongside Applejack.

"I guess so; I should've chosen a shorter run." Applejack remarks.

"Yeah; you could've gotten at least second place if you had." I say while remembering the beginning of the race.  Then again I would've also been last.

"So how did you get past me Sonata?" Applejack asks me with a sideways look.

"I weaved through the trees rather than going through the curving path." I admit.

"So you cheated?"

"No; I played to my advantages. You never specified which way we had to take to get here." I remind her.

"Anyways; where did you brother go Applejack?" Rainbow asks the orange mare with a semi-confused look.

"He decided to just go back; I think he realized it was his loss. Speaking of which it's about time I go back too. Granny will be wanting some help with dinner and Applebloom will likely be wanting some help with something or another." Applejack says before going into a light jog up the path leaving me with the athletic pegasus.

"So now what?" I ask while readjusting my vest and watch since they seem to have shifted during transport.

"Well, I guess I'm going to go get something for dinner." She says before turning to walk into the town and gestures for me to follow.

"I'll probably do the same. Then again, knowing Berry she'll have me make dinner to make up for her making me dinner yesterday." I remind myself. She seems to be the kind of mare that would do that.

"Mind if I come over then?" She asks and gives me a pleading look. Damnit; I usually wouldn't concede to that tactic, but I'll make an exception just this once.

"I guess that would be alright. It's not like she can complain when I'm the one cooking." I answer and her pleading look becomes a closed mouth smile and she hops up a little.

"That was easier than I thought it would be."

"I can be generous from time to time." I remind her.

"I'll remember that." She says and we then turn to go down an empty street the path to my home.

"I thought you would've already."

"I guess I should've." She says meekly.

"Don't worry about it. After all; it's my duty if I want to be considered a gentlecolt." I say for my own amusement.

"I guess it would be."

"I still can't believe you're faster than me." I lie simply to keep the conversation going.

"I would've beaten you even more if I had flown instead of running." She mocks and flexes her wings through her short sleeve shirt.

"Is that another challenge?" I humor her.

"From here to your place. Anything goes except direct teleporting to there?" She else orates and we stop as I bring up a magical seal in my mind.

"Go." I say in a hushed tone as a swarm of black birds erupt from the earth under me into the street and I dash off through the swarm with my speedstep and all I hear is the faint sound of Rainbow saying 'asshole' from behind me

   After I make it about 25 meters I see a faint shadow created by the moonlight come alongside me and I look up to see Dash a little ways ahead of me. I thought that would buy me a bit for time. Oh well I guess I'll have to try harder. I hint as I exert a bit more energy into my run which is grown proportionally by my spell. It still drains me a bit but I've gotten a bit used to it now.

   Sadly since I need to be able to conserve enough energy to be able to keep the spell the whole distance to my home I cannot overtake Dash but rather I can only keep a neck and neck position. I need to find some way to shift this back to my advantage. I think as I turn out onto the open path to my home. That might work.

   I strip the glove off of my left hand to see the scarlet glow slightly illuminating the plating. The glow is a result of love. I think as I lift my hand up near my horn. And since love equates to energy for a changeling; this should work. I contemplate before tapping the plating against the tip of my horn.

   I can feel a small tingle and a few stray sparks of my magic come down in front of my eyes. Sadly, although I feel a little more invigorated, I don't gain anywhere near enough of energy to increase my speed. I bring my hand back down and I see that the scarlet glow is no longer there but the plating hasn't changed. Damnit; I can't think of anything else either.

   After making it about three-fourths of the way down the road I begin to fall behind Dash and I drop the spell as I enter the forest. I guess this is my loss. I think as I redone my left glove and continue to my door. Thinking about it now if I had chosen to do a short dash I might've won. I couldn't go too fast with the spell because of the distance.

   I turn the corner to see that Dash isn't at the front door and I can hear muffled laughter as I near the entrance.I think I get the picture now. I think as I open the door and climb down into the main room.

"It's about time you got here Sonata." I hear Berry say as I turn my head around.

   I see Berry sitting in her rocking chair and Dash is laying down on my remaining couch with a bowl of salad on the floor next to her with a fork in it. I guess I don't have to cook then.

"Sorry about that; I didn't feel like vomiting so I conserved my energy." I say while conjuring a magical box to sit on.

"Good; I can't have you getting sick. Also did you get those spells learned?" The magenta mare asks and I mentally chastise myself. Oops; I forgot to finish learning them. Oh well; I'll finish them tomorrow morning.

"More or less. I particularly enjoyed the last two. Quite the pair they are." I say sarcastically.

"Ah yes those two. I guess you never got them figured out?"

"Nope. It just hurt a lot."

"Umm... What are you two talking about?" Dash says through a mouthful of salad and with a confused look on her face.

"Just some spells I made Sonata learn. I'm trying to diversify him. After all; you can't be a good 'trash collector' if you're a one trick pony." Berry answers her for me.

"Oh; I guess that explains the bird spell he used." She says and takes another bite of her salad.

"It's called Raven Cloak and yes; that is one if the spells I learned." I correct her.

"Also Sonata we made a deal while we waited for you." Berry says and I mentally face palm.

"And what, pray tell, would that be?" I ask with no attempt to mask my contempt.

"We're going to split up into two groups when we go on the camping trip tomorrow. You, Mac and Thunderback against me, Dash and Applejack. It's not really a competition but I think a large group of six would affect how much unity is formed." She answers back while casually going back and forth in her chair and Dash co tuners to scarf down her food.

"Wait; don't you have a job tomorrow?" I ask remembering what she had said this morning.

"The client cancelled. His father got diagnosed with a fatal disease so he said he'd have to put the job off for a while." She answers with a wink.

"How unfortunate for him." I say while hiding my happiness. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy she didn't have to go kill somepony tomorrow. That isn't to say I don't know she will do it again in the future.

"Yeah really. I can't imagine how he must feel." Dash says empathetically.

"I can, but that's beside the point. Now I know I said the group thing wouldn't be a competition, but what's the point of having two groups if we don't at least have a friendly competition." Berry says and the conversation shifts directions.

"It's always an ulterior motive with you, isn't it?" I say hypothetically and with no intent of hiding my minor annoyance.

"Kind of; regardless though I will now explain the competition and Dash I hope you can carry the message onto Applejack. Maybe send her a text message or something?"

"Yeah; I'll tell her about it." The mare in question answers before taking out a phone and pushing her empty salad bowl aside,

"I'm still surprised she had to problem with you coming along."

"As am I." I say while extending my seat and giving it more of a couch design to lie down on. It's still not very comfortable.

"Anyways, here's how it will work. I will have one of my friends go out and set up a collection of small ribbons, 51 in total. They will be hidden in various places within the surrounding area of the campsite and at varying difficulties. Each ribbon will have a set value. There will be twenty-five red ribbons with each being worth one point and they will be the easiest to find. There will be fifteen yellow ribbons which will be worth five points each which will be slightly harder. Along with those will be ten blue ribbons worth ten points each and are the second hardest. Finally there will be a single black ribbon worth twenty points; I plan to have it near impossible to find." The earth pony explains quickly.

"And you just thought if this tonight?" I ask in minor disbelief.

"Yeah; I'm a genius. Did you get all of that Dash?"

"Yeah; she said it sounded like fun, but to be sure to not hide them too difficultly. Applebloom is coming along so it'll be nice if she can find a couple." The blue pegasus says before hitting her phone back I to her pocket.

"Alright; I'll make sure that some are easy enough for her. Also; it's getting late. Shouldn't you be getting home to get some rest for tomorrow?" Berry says while pointing at the wall clock which reads 7:39.

"Yeah I probably should. See ya Berry and thanks for dinner. Sonata, get faster and good night." The blue mare says before getting up off the couch.

"Good night; see you at Applejack's tomorrow." I say whole watching her climb up the ladder. Pervert or not; I am attracted.

"Don't go staring Sonata." Berry says as the door closes and I turn back to her.

"I wasn't staring." I say in my futile defense. Ok; maybe a little, but I blame these new horse hormones. I've only been here a week. Thankfully the social relations don't seem to be too awfully different from earth's, except the gender ratio that is.

"And I'm not a criminal. Normally I'd lecture on the importance of when and where you look, but I think I'll move on to a more pressing matter. How did it go with those spells?" She says as I get up off of my conjured seat.

"None of them were too awfully bad, excluding the last two. I also never tried to actually cast Dark Sparks because I didn't want to risk starting a fire I wouldn't be able to put out." I answer as I pick up Dash's bowl and bring it I to the kitchen.

"Fair enough." Wait; what? No question at all as to why the last two were difficult?

"So you have no questions about why the last two were difficult for me?" I say as I walk back to the open couch.

"Not at all; I expected them to be hard. I'd be surprised if you said they weren't." She says with a nod of her head. Considering what I know, that means she knows something I don't know.

"So you do know something about besides what the books states?" I question her.

"No; what gives you that notion?" She replies while closing her eyes.

"While I could see you having me learn those two spells out of simple curiosity as to what they are, you said you'd be surprised if I said they were easy. Along with that you asked if I ever got them figured out and you didn't respond when I said it hurt a lot. Had you of asked out of curiosity for their purpose it would've made more sense to ask things such as how it hurt me or if I had determined anything useful about them. Being however that you didn't ask either of these things or anything for that matter seems to me to be an implication that you have outside information on them that I could benefit from. Am I correct?" I explain to her with a bit passion. If it can help me finish their 'trials' any faster, I'd like to know it. I'd rather not spend every night for potentially years to come getting holes stabbed into me.

"Wow, and here I thought you were stupid. Look, while your reasoning isn't bad, it's one sided. You didn't really try to play in many ulterior motives I may have had besides curiosity and that I knew something you didn't. Next time you argue think about more possibilities than the two which forefront in your mind and you'll be more likely to convince somepony to believe you or at least give it a good bit of thought. I'm got to go get somepony to put up those flags now so you get on to bed. You'll want your rest I'm sure." The older pony responds before running over to the ladder and shooting up it.

"Well I guess that makes sense, my argument was a little one sided.... Wait a minute; she completely side stepped my question!" I realize aloud and face palm at my own stupidity. Although that isn't to say she didn't answer. She does know something, if she didn't she wouldn't have avoided my question. Score for Berry; 7. Score for me; 1. I guess I'm still losing.

   Not wishing to continue thinking about this for too much longer, I get up and go back to my room. After a quick shower and removing my accessories, I crawl into my bed and wait for sleep to come. Something tells me I have a long few days to come.