“James, James son, wake up!”

“W-what?!” I murmured.

My father looked down at me as I sat on the sofa, “Are you okay?” My father asked.

“Yeah, I just had a weird dream… or something like a flashback?” I said sitting up.

“Yes I know, you were mumbling the word shade over and over again…” My father said as he went back to his chair. “Wanna talk about?”

I shook my head no and began to close my eyes when my father called out to me again, “What… what happened dad?” I replied.

“I said you have a piece of paper hanging out of your shirt pocket.” I father said pointing at my jacket.

I looked down and reached in, pulling out the long pink piece of tissue like paper, “Pinkie…” I mumbled.

“A streamer…?” My father questioned.

I nodded, “Yes, from a dear good friend.” I said with a smile.

1 week before leaving Equestria…

“Morning I’ll be fine… I’m just going to go in confirm my vacation, get my pay and leave. I seriously doubt that they’ll have another job for me.” I said as me and Morning walked down the streets of Canterlot.

“You don’t know them like I do… I mean they had you service that pegasus just two days ago.” Morning said sticking to me.

“Yeah… and I was kinda lucky. Cloud Kicker taught me a lot about my wings and how to take care of them. I am grateful for…what?” I said looking down at Morning who had this pouty angry face.

“Is that why you gave her a discount?” Morning asked, “Her teaching you how to ‘preen’ your wings?”

“Yeah, I mean No!… I mean why else would I… wait a minute. You’re jealous!” I exclaimed.

“What NO!” Morning yelled, “Just surprised that you gave a pegasus a discount…” Morning mumbled.

I bent over kissing Morning on the cheek, “Don’t worry.” I said.

Morning nodded as we continued forward; it was a while before we arrived at the Canterlot division of ‘Gentlemen for Mares’. Morning and I walked inside; she went over to another room to fill out some form while I headed to the back to pick up my pay.

“Blaze!” said a blue unicorn from behind the counter.

“Hey Aqua, how are you?” I said walking up to her desk.

She began to fidget in her chair, “Ummm well you see, I know you are going on vacation and all but something has come up… and well.” Aqua stuttered.

“Aqua Foam… what is it?” I said with a serious tone in my voice.

“I told them you were on vacation, but she didn’t listen!” Aqua said as she began to hide behind her desk.

“WHAT!?” I heard Morning scream from the other room.

“This can’t be good…” I said quietly as I walked over to door, but before I could even get there the door swung open. Morning stomped in all angry with Platinum follow behind her.

“Ah, Blaze, there you are… here.” Platinum said floating me an envelope. I looked over the letter and on the back was a balloon shaped seal. “Follow me Blaze, I need to talk to you… Morning stay here with Aqua.” Platinum said heading into one of the backrooms as I followed behind.

Once behind closed doors I lifted the letter, “What is the meaning of this, I thought I was off duty this week?” I said in a firm voice.

“You were… this is a special case.” Platinum said as she sat down, “Don’t you find it odd… I am here, telling you this is a special case.”

“This isn’t a normal pony we are talking about here, is it?” I asked.

“I am afraid not.” Platinum said with a dreaded look on her face.

“It’s not one of the Princesses, is it… Cause I’m not doing it, you hear!” I said slowly backing to the door.

“NO! ‘ahem’ No, it is an Element of Harmony… this is the second time an Element of Harmony has asked for our service… and sadly I feel it won’t be the last time.” Platinum said letting out a sigh, “And every time they request our services it’s always a specific gentleman… what are you guys doing out there?”

“Nothing! I swear!” I said lifting up my hands.

“So I heard your abilities changed again?” Platinum asked looking at my gauntlets.

I nodded, letting the gauntlets float up into the air.

“Is this all?” Platinum said lifting a brow.

“No, I lost the ability to manipulate hydrogen cells…” I said.

“So no fire?” She replied.

“Correct…”

“Well that’s a relief, no offense Blaze.” Platinum said.

“But I can do this…” I replied forcing the gauntlets to turn into black dust which caused my wings to erupt from my back. Two large red tipped and lined black wings unfurled in front of Platinum.

Platinum sat there with a blank look on her face, slowly she stood up and walked over to me, “Does Morning and the others know…” She asked.

“Of course, I have no reason to hide who or what I am here in Equestria…” I replied.

Platinum just kept on circling me and checking my wings to see if they were real, she pulled, tugged, and poked. Once again I lifted the envelope and pointed at the balloon seal. “Sorry Blaze, your next customer has commissioned you for 4 full days and nights… her name is Pinkie Pie.” Platinum said sitting down next to me.

“Pinkie?! As in the pink party animal from Ponyville?!” I exclaimed.

“Yes… and you must be careful, the ponies in Ponyville aren’t too fond of ‘Gentlemen’ especially some of the other ‘Elements of Harmony’.” Platinum nodded and then looked up at me, “I know this might be a lot to ask… but could you wrap your wings around me, I want to know how it feels, at least once.” Platinum asked.

I let out a sigh as I stretched out my wings and wrapped Platinum in them, I felt her shudder. After a few seconds, she pushed the wings slowly away and then headed out the room slightly wobbling as she did. I followed behind her, only to meet with Morning’s hard gaze and Aqua’s shocked face. “What?!” I asked.

Morning pointed at my wings, “Put those away.”

It was sunrise as me and Morning flew towards Ponyville, it was a great routine. After my morning workout, I would fly around with Morning until the sun had fully risen. My favorite part was chasing Morning through the clouds, the smell of the air up here was second to none, and especially since Morning was the only one I could smell up here.

“We are nearly there, how are your wings Blaze?” Morning asked.

“Good… I don’t feel tired at all, like I could do this all day!” I yelled.

Morning gave me a smile that made my heart skip a beat, “That’s great… maybe when you get back, we’ll do that…” She said as I nodded in response.

“Morning, about my trip… there is something I want to ask you before I go.” I said gripping the two gold bracelets in my pocket.

“Okay we’ll be landing in the fields behind Ponyville, it’s quiet and nopony is there at this hour.” Morning yelled back at me.

I nodded back, ‘Maybe she didn’t hear me’.

As we landed Morning gave me a stern look, “I will be here in exactly four days to pick you up, mister.” Morning said as she stood up on her hind legs, placing her hooves on my shoulders. “I want to spend as much time with you as I can before you leave.” She said while planting a kiss on my lips, and with that she took off like a rocket into the sky.

I checked my watch, it was about 9:00 am, and I wasn’t supposed to meet Pinkie Pie till about 12. As I looked around I noticed that the field I was in was completely devoid of ponies. It had been a while since I was alone with my wings so I decided to have a little bit of fun. I flapped my wings as hard as I could, causing all the freshly fallen snow to exploded off the ground. I was making snow with already fallen snow… and for a moment I wondered what I would look like from someone else’s point of view. A black and red tipped haired man, with a lightly tan skin tone, wearing a black jacket, black cargo pants, black boots, with several chains hanging off the pants, but the strangest part would be the large black and red wings that this man would have. A smile ran across my face as I enjoyed the thought and the snow…

As I played in the snow I heard voices begin to approach me. I quickly buried myself in a snow dome that was being held up by my wings.

“Scoots, are you sure?” A young female voice said.

“Of course Sweetie Belle! I’m sure I saw it…” said an orange filly that came into view.

“Likely story Scootaloo, but are ya sure you saw what you saw?” said one of the two other fillies that came into view; I stood as still as a rock, waiting to find out what it was they saw.

“I’m sure I saw it, it was a human with the biggest wings I had ever seen… it was almost as awesome as Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo said.

“Scoots, humans don’t have wings.” The yellow filly said.

As I sat in the snow debating how to deal with this situation I noticed the time, I had been playing in the snow for nearly an hour and a half. I had to leave… now, I slowly turn my body so that my back would be facing the three young fillies. I put my hoodie on over my head before completely expanding my wings. Snow flew in every direction, as the three fillies fell on their rumps; with my wings fully expanded I took off into the air and headed towards Ponyville.

As I was leaving I heard Scootaloo, “See, I told ya!”

I found myself landing in a tree to hide; I retracted my wings forcing them back into gauntlets. I slowly slid out of the tree only to get yelled at by somepony in a cowboy hat. “What are you doin’ in our apple tree?” yelled the very same pony, with a southern accent.

“Um, hiding?!” I responded.

“From who?” She asked.

“Three little fillies that talk about a mile a minute…” I replied.

“Oops sorry, that was Apple Bloom and ‘er friends.” She said pulling down her hat, “My name is Applejack and you are currently hiding in Sweet Apple Acres… wait a minute, you look familiar. Do I know you?”

“I don’t think so… Oh! I work in Canterlot… and I’m friends with Pinkie Pie.” I replied.

“Well that’s got to be it, well any friend of Pinkie’s is a friend of mine. So what’s yer name…” Applejack asked as I slid down the tree.

“Bl… Jam…” I stuttered before taking a deep breath, “My name was James, but everyone calls me Blaze, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I said extending my hand.

She grabbed it with both hooves and gave me a hard shake, “Well the pleasure’s all mine Blaze. So what can I do you fer?”

“Well to be honest I was looking for Pinkie Pie…” I said with a bit of hesitation in my voice.

“You’re in luck, me and the girls are going to visit her, apparently she got sick working! Can you believe that! I want to know what she was saving for, if it was worth getting all sick fer.” Apple Jack said while checking the apples in her saddle bag.

A pang of guilt ran through my chest, “Umm sure. I’ll go with.” I replied.

As we walked through town Applejack greeted several ponies and humans. Eventually we arrived at Pinkie’s house. Outside the cozy home a few more ponies sat as if waiting for Applejack.

“Hey girls, what’cha all waiting for?” Applejack asked.

“Um, who’s that?” asked a cyan pegasus who suddenly became defensive as she went airborne.

“This here is Blaze… and this is Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight, well go on greet ‘em!” Applejack said slapping me on the back causing my hoodie to fall back revealing my face.

“Hey I know you!” yelled the cyan pegasus named Rainbow Dash. “You’re that…”

The look of panic flashed on my face, and then my memory flashed back to about a year ago at the Canterlot Train Station, my first night in armor. I remembered these ponies and what Dark Morning told me about them. As my legs began telling me to run the purple mini-Alicorn Twilight interrupted. “You’re that human that saved those ponies in the frozen wasteland by the Crystal Empire!”

My expression returned to normal as Twilight got a little too close for my comfort, “Yes, I am, but how did you know that…? Wait I remember you, I saw you about a year ago… and I don’t remember the wings.”

“Yeah a lot of stuff happened, but back to you. Princess Celestia told me about it, she even told me you saved her life.” Twilight replied.

“Yeah, but the cost was another’s life…” I replied looking away in shame.

Suddenly the door opened and a straight hair pink pony stood in the doorway, with an ice bag on her head and a fuzzy white blanket wrapped around her body. “Hey you guys, what are you all doing here?” She asked with a sluggish tone to her voice.

All at once 4 out of the 5 ponies began talking to her. Slowly I backed up only to find a white unicorn preventing me from escaping. “Hello Darling… and where do you think you’re going?”

“I was thinking of coming back later…” I said pointing away.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Pinkie paid good money for you, but still I never imagined that you were the very same man as the ‘Fire of Hope’…” Rarity replied urging me back to Pinkie’s front door.

“The Fire of Hope?” I asked, “Wait… you know what I am and you’re not upset?”

“Of course I’m not upset, I have used your company’s services already. Oh, and the Fire of Hope thing, it seemed that a lot of ponies started to dislike humans, then after your heroics in the north, they started thinking maybe they’re not all bad.” Rarity said pushing me forward. “Oh Pinkie! I have a surprise for you, Darling, your dear friend Blaze Drifter is here to see you!”

With one finally push Rarity squeezed me past her friends to the door. Pinkie’s face lit up when she saw me. “Oh my gosh! You’re here!” She said jumping up placing her hooves around my head giving me a hug, before slumping back down into her blankets. “But I’m sick…”

“Well we have two choices, first we can reschedule but I will be leaving Equestria for a few weeks…” Pinkie shook her head no, “Or second I can take care of you until you feel better. I’m actually quite good at it, whenever the others get sick I spend time with them until they are better… which normally takes a couple of days.” I said.

“I’ll take option number 2!” Pinkie exclaimed.

I gave a little smile before picking up Pinkie to place her into bed, “First order of business then… rest.” I said. As I turned I noticed the group of ponies behind me either blushing or in shock.

“You picked her up?” Rainbow said with a shocked look on her face.

“Humans aren’t strong enough to pick up ponies…” Twilight added.

“My, you are special, mister Drifter.” Rarity said.

“Mister Drifter… wait a minute here. I do know you!” yelled Applejack, “You’re that Gentlemen feller!”

I flinched as I felt the word Gentlemen hit me ears.

“WHAT! I knew it!”” Rainbow boomed before dashing in front of me, “You stay away from Pinkie Pie!” She yelled taking a swing at me, but rather than to avoid it, I let it connect.

“Rainbow, what are you doing?!” yelled Twilight.

“Making sure this guy understands he’s not welcome here!” Rainbow replied back to her friend.

“Look, Dash, I understand where you’re comin’ from, but still…” Applejack began to say as she approached me, I slowly put down Pinkie Pie and extended my hand out to stop Applejack from getting closer.

“No Applejack, if Rainbow Dash is mad at me for my job, let her vent out her frustration…” I looked at Rainbow Dash as I began to feel my cheek recover from the hoof that landed there. “Come on Rainbow Dash, let me have it, get mad… let it out… show me, I am probably the only human who can take whatever you can dish out.” I exclaimed cracking my neck joints.

“Look Sugarcube, that might not be a… Wha’ the HAY!” Apple Jack started to say before I was bucked out the front door.

“You wanna go, you got it!” Rainbow said as she dashed out of Pinkie’s home and into the air.

I stood up and looked up at Rainbow, my hoodie still shading my eyes. “Is that all you got?” I yelled. Before I could react, a cyan ball of feathers and fur crashed into me, knocking me a few feet back before I felt a set of hooves collide against my back.

The other 5 ponies watched as Rainbow unleashed a can of whoop-ass, “Rainbow, stop!” Pinkie Pie yelled, but her voice was not loud enough to get past the sounds of anger being released by Rainbow Dash.

After 10 minutes or so Rainbow slowly landed, breathing heavily as she looked at my body, tears built up in her eyes. Red snow covered the floor and Applejack and Twilight came to Rainbow’s side. “You humans think you’re all special, because of how smart you are… how handy you are… but you’re nothing without your tools or machines… No matter how hard you try, or kind you are… you’re all liars!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

Rarity ran to my aid as Pinkie watched in horror. Suddenly Rarity started to back up slowly in shock, her eyes not believing what she was seeing.

“Rarity what’s wrong?!” Twilight yelled.

“He’s… he’s…” Rarity toppled over as I began to stand up, “ah, ah, ah…”

I slid back my hoodie to reveal my face, my black hair falling slightly of my eyes as the red tips came into view. I brushed off the snow and looked at Rainbow Dash as she slowly backed away, “How are you okay? You were covered in bruises…”

“What was his name?” I asked.

“Wha…?” Rainbow said, before her eyes opened wide.

“The name of the human who hurt you?” I asked.

Rainbow looked at her friends who all now had a look of concern and confusion for their friend, but before any of them could get close enough she bolted into the air.

“Woooh there, lover boy! I don’t know what you’re planning but Rainbow Dash just gave you the whooping of your life.” Applejack said standing in front of me.

“No, this was more of an ass-kicking than a whooping. Now the whooping of my life happened in the North Region while defending Morning and her squad. Now if you don’t mind!” I said as I looked over to Pinkie, “Back into bed! I will be right back!” I yelled as my wings exploded out of my back, snow flying in every direction as I took off.

The group of ponies just stood there in shock, “Did he just…?” Fluttershy said looking up at the sky as black feathers floated down.

“Get back here!” I yelled to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow was already into the clouds as she looked behind her, “You can fly!?” Rainbow yelled trying to get some distance between us.

I don’t know if it was because she was crying or tired from beating me up, but I managed to catch up with her. “Gotcha!” I said as I hugged Rainbow Dash.

She had lost the will to fight me off the moment I grabbed her, “Fine, do whatever you want.” She said with tears in her eyes.

“I want to listen…” I said landing us on a cloud.

“You can walk on clouds too… great, what are you?” Rainbow said.

I shrugged, “A friendly ear… which you beat up…” I said with a smile.

“Alex…” Rainbow replied. She looked up and began telling me a long story about Alex, the human that showed interest in her a few years after the gateway was opened. First they were friends, but eventually they started dating in secret. Then one day they decided to go all the way; of course Rainbow said she wasn’t ready but she was easily coaxed in by Alex.

“So you tucked this guy, and then he dumps you the next day?” I replied after listening to the whole story, Rainbow nodded. “Then you see him all cuddle up with another filly.”

“Yeah, I mean, he used me! We went out for a few weeks and he used me! Turns out him and his friends were trying to lay as many ‘Ponies’ as they could in a month or something.” Rainbow said as we sat in the cloud.

“What a fucking asshole.” I replied getting a laugh from Rainbow before she punched me in the shoulder.

“You know, you’re not such a bad guy… for well… whatever you are, I mean, I still don’t like the whole Gentlemen thing but you’re okay.” Rainbow said and then began to look at my wings. “Aren’t they a little big?”

I shrugged, “I don’t know, but I think you should get back down to your friends… and I better get back to Pinkie Pie, she did pay for me.” I said.

“So she really did call for you…” Rainbow Dash said jumping off the cloud, “Last one down is a rotten egg!”

“Cheat!” I said diving off the cloud. A few seconds later I landed. Of course Rainbow Dash was already waiting for me.

“Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie yelled in her hoarse voice as she tackled her friend. “He’s MINE, I paid for him.”

I walked over and picked up Pinkie Pie and walked back into her house placing her into her bed. “Stay!”

“But...”

“Stay!” I said wrapping my wings around her.

“Comfy…” Pinkie said as she snuggled against me, forcing me to sit on her bed.

I let out a sigh as her five friends entered the room and sat down on the floor around us, well except Rainbow Dash who stayed hovering in the air. “Can I help you?”

Twilight Sparkle was the first to break the silence, “How… what are you?”

“A mutant.” I replied, and Twilight gave me a weird look.

“A genetic character resulting from an instant of mutation in which the based gene is not found in the norm or original genetic structure.” Twilight responded. “But that doesn’t explain what you are.”

“Who in the what now?!” Applejack said.

Twilight let out a sigh as she began to explain what a mutant was to her friends, her explanation sounded like it was going to be a while until Rainbow Dash interrupted with a quick, simple version of Twilight’s speech.

“Well yes, but Rainbow Dash, you have to know why this happens.” Twilight added.

Quickly Applejack spoke hoping to deter Twilight’s long speech on genetic evolution, “So you said you lived with others, Blaze?”

“Hmm, yes. I am a live in Gentleman for the Royal Night Guard under the order of Captain Dark Morning.” I said.

“Wait, the Captain Dark Morning…” Fluttershy asked. I nodded. “I never thought that Morning would hire out a ‘Gentlemen’ for the whole squad. This explained the smile Icy Dusk had the last time we met.”

“Wait, you know Icy?” I asked

“Oh yes, we go back a long time…” Fluttershy began to say before she realized everyone was looking at her. “So Blaze, you work with the Royal Guard?”

“Yes, well not since beginning, but I do work with a squad.” I replied.

“Yeah, you mentioned that earlier, outside right before you took off. Workin’ with the Royal Guard, I thought you were a ‘Gentlemen’?” Applejack asked.

“Well I have a few jobs here in Equestria, while I do work for ‘Gentlemen for Mares’ I also work for the Royal Court as a Night Guard under Dark Morning. I even have a rank of Ensign.” I said running my fingers through Pinkie’s mane as she looked up at me.

“But you can’t work for the Royal Guard… the right is reserved for citizens of Equestria!” Twilight exclaimed.

I pulled my recently issued passport which was brown and laced with a golden embroidering and tossed it to Twilight. “It’s official according to Princess Celestia, she is the one who gave it to me.” I said.

The brown passport was caught mid-air by Twilight’s magic and floated over to her, “It says here your name is Blaze Drifter, but that’s not a human name…” Twilight said.

“It was James… but to be fair I wasn’t that attached to it.” I replied.

“That explains this mornin’ when I saw you climbin’ out of our tree.” Apple Jack added, “This mornin’ when I asked his name, he said it was James but everypony calls him Blaze,” she tried to clarify for the others.

“This doesn’t make sense…” Twilight continued before I interrupted her.

“Humans hate mutants… of any kind, I exposed my mutant self to save Princess Celestia and Morning from a psychopath with a gun. Of course this was already when the UN marines had arrived, so when I showed off what I could do… every marine pointed their weapons at me.” I said tightening my wings lightly.

“So wait, you’re telling me that because you’re this mutant thingy, other humans hate ya? Then why don’t you stop?” Applejack asked.

“He can’t, Applejack, it’s what he is… it’s like asking Rainbow Dash not to fly.” Twilight said.

“To be honest I felt a moment of relief when I entered Equestria for the first time, ponies could fly, manipulate the weather, use magic… I wouldn’t be weird here, but that was a lie. I was being already judged because of the humans before me and then by my job.” I said.

“Yeah but if you didn’t have your job I wouldn’t have met you, and you wouldn’t have met Morning or Roseluck… you wouldn’t have met none of us, and we wouldn’t have gotten a chance to meet you.” Pinkie Pie said while raising a hoof up to my face and giving me a light lick.

“And I think on that note we should all leave.” Twilight Sparkle said extending her wings out moving her friends out of Pinkie’s room. “Okay my little ponies, it’s time to go… woh, I actually used that line.” Twilight grinned.

“Take good care of her Darling!” Rarity said.

“Bye…” Fluttershy murmured.

“Don’t you think about doin’ anything funny until she’s feelin’ better, ya hear!” Applejack exclaimed as the door shut behind them.

The room got quiet, the sound of ponies having fun in the snow lingered in the air as Pinkie Pie started to fall asleep. “Maybe you could care to join me; it has been a very exciting afternoon…” Pinkie offered.

A few hours later I awoke to somepony crying to his mother about his toy train on fire; I looked down and noticed that Pinkie had not moved since we fell asleep. Well, except for her hair which started to curl and puff up. I slowly got up using my wings to hold Pinkie and place her gently back into bed, before heading downstairs.

I made my way into the kitchen to see if I could make something for Pinkie Pie to eat, but all I could find was a pile of dishes stacked to the roof, some oats, a few apples and few more ingredients used to make cupcakes…?

So I decided some oats and apple porridge might be best. As I left the porridge to boil I began to clean all the dishes, pots and pans I found sitting around. Whatever Pinkie was doing the last few days involved a lot of baking.

As I finished putting away all of the cookware and cleaning up her kitchen I focused on her living room next, which was filled with planners, calendars and ‘how to’ books. The books were all in Equestrian but thank the gods Morning and Poison taught me how to read, “How to Party Plan… and Event Planning for Dummies?” I muttered as I put the books away. As I cleaned up the first floor of Pinkie’s home the gears in my head started working and I figured out how this little pony got sick in the first place. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door; I ran over and opened it.

“Hey there lover boy, a little help?” asked Applejack as she brought in some bags full of food. Quickly I grabbed several bags from Applejack, “I said a little, not all of them.”

“Sorry… bad habit.” I replied placing the bags on the kitchen counter top.

“Woh! Who cleaned up this place?” Applejack said fanning herself with her hat.

“That would have been me… I hate clutter…” I replied before looking back to Applejack. “Soo… you hate me too, don’t cha?”

“Hate… hate is a mighty strong word, I would say dislike…” Applejack replied before she noticed her words actually had some effect on me. “Look all I’m saying is there is gotta be a job you can do that doesn’t involve a romp in the hay.”

“Hmmm…Well before the portal opened up I had a plan… then everything went downhill.” I replied. Applejack raised an eyebrow as if waiting for me to continue. I let out a small sigh, “I was in the circus, the trapeze, high wire, and stunts.”

“Woh there! That sounds mighty dangerous… wait a minute that there portal was opened a few years ago… how old were you?”

“Young, I was in my early teens, but then you ponies showed up using magic and flying, so my circus was closed down; I lost my family again and I had to live a normal life.” I said shuttering, “Still I kept at my exercises and routines… more so now than I did before.”

“Lost yer family again?” Applejack looked confused as she sat down in Pinkie Pie’s living room.

“I was abandoned as a child at the circus and they took me in… then the circus broke up and I was taken into custody by the trapeze artists. Nice folk…” I said with a smile.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories.” Applejack said as she walked over to me and handed me a tissue.

“What’s this for?” I asked.

“Well yer cryin’.” She said lifting the tissue box up to me. I was shocked and surprised to find out that she was right, “Look all I’m saying is one day you gonna wanna settle down with somepo… person and you don’t want to look back and notice you spent all your time just tuckin’ away.”

I giggled slightly, “No, I think you were right the first time.”

“Well of course I’m right… wait first time?” Applejack said confused.

“Somepony… I have a special somepony who I might wanna settle down with, but I feel bad if I do.” I replied.

“Why?” echoed another voice from the stairwell, both Applejack and I turned to notice Pinkie Pie coming down the stairs.

“Pinkie, what are ya doing up, sugar cube, you should be resting.” Applejack said trotting over to her friend.

“I’m okay, Applejack, but Blaze, why would you feel bad?” Pinkie asked again.

“Children…foals, kids; we can’t have any.” I replied.

We sat there in silence for a while; until Applejack decided it was time to go. “Look, all I can tell you is be true to yer heart, but whoever she is, I hope she knows who you are.”

Pinkie trotted over to me, with a slight bounce in her step.

“So what do we do now?” I asked.

“Well I could use some cupcakes… but maybe some veggie stock soup would be best.” Pinkie said as I eyed her down.

“Okay I will work on some veggie stock soup, but in the meantime I made some apple oats porridge.” I said placing a warm bowl of porridge on the table, and without another word Pinkie was at the table muzzle deep into the bowl. “Umm dig in?”

“What?” I replied.

“Yer heard me! I need you to pay for those groceries you took.” Applejack said.

“I thought you were giving those to your sick friend?” I said walking out onto the apple orchard.

“I was, but not to you...” Applejack said with a grin. “Plus I want to make sure someone like you can work a normal job, not this… seducing and smooching thing you do.” Applejack added by waving a hoof in the air in front of her.

“I… darn it.” I said as my shoes began to sink into the snow. “So to repay you and prove that I am not a sex-fiend, what do you want me to do?”

“I wouldn’t use sex-fiend…” Applejack muttered.

“I saw you staring.” I whispered.

Applejack gave a light blush but ignored my comment, “Well, you see I hadn’t had time to clear the snow from the barn because my friend was sick…” She said giving me a stare. “So you’re gonna do it for me and let me tell you something lover boy, it takes me half a day to clear this much snow and if you can’t do it in less, you’ll have to work on the farm after winter.”

I looked over to Applejack, “So if I can clear it in less, I can ask whatever I want?”

Applejack looked over at the barn and then over at me, “Why not, I reckon this will be the easiest bet I ever won though.”

“Then you got yourself a bet!” I replied.

“Good!” Applejack replied by spiting on her hoof and extending it out to me. I in turned did the same, well with my hand. “By the way how is Pinkie?”

I pointed to a pile of snow which suddenly exploded, “I’m fine! Oh oh! Did you know that Blaze here makes the most tastiest veggie stock soup? Or any food for that matter? It was all so sweet and tasty!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“My word, how did you do that?” Applejack replied.

“I’m sorry, I think I might have given her too much sugar.” I muttered.

Applejack giggled, “No, that’s normal Pinkie Pie.”

“Great… I’m screwed… if she is this hyper normally, I probably don’t stand a chance.” I said while unbuttoning my shirt.

“What are you doing?” Applejack said covering her eyes.

“Getting to work…” I replied fully extending out my wings. “Let’s see, last time I checked… 22 foot wing span… extend those feathers out like that…”

Little did I realize the crowd of ponies and people gathering behind me, “What are those things all over his body?”

“Are those cutie marks?”

“Humans have wings?”

“Mutants! Here in Equestria…”

My concentration was finally broken when a cyan blur showed up in front of me, “Pfft, what are you doing?”

“Clearing snow… why?” I asked.

Rainbow Dash pointed behind me, “Looks like you got a crowd.”

“And why would we have a crowd Rainbow Dash?” Applejack asked.

“Um…heh. Maybe I said something over at Sugarcube Corner…” Rainbow said slowly flapping higher and higher.

The human side of the crowd started to disperse except for a few here and there. “Umm, why are they all leaving?”

I let out a sigh, “It’s because I’m here or at least the fact that I am an open mutant.”

“You weren’t kidding about humans not liking yer kind.” Applejack replied.

“Yeah, it’s not easy… but I am used to it.” I said looking at the barn, “Would you guys mind standing behind me for a moment?” I replied.

Rainbow Dash shook her head no, and landed behind me greeting her friends. With five strong flaps I cleared the front half of the barn of snow. I continued walking around the barn flapping my wings causing snow to fly everywhere. In about fifteen minute I was done clearing the snow from the barn and walked up to Applejack.

“Guess what… I’m done.” I replied with a smile.

“That’s not… you chea… I didn’t know yer wings could do that!” Applejack said with a dumbfound look on her face as Rainbow Dash was trying to pretend she was not all that impressed.

“You’re lucky I lost the ability to control fire, I would have been done faster. Now let’s see, I won this little bet of ours, didn’t I.” I said walking around Applejack checking her out.

“What are you goin’ to make me do?” Applejack replied.

“Hmmm, good question, well you did say I can ask you to do anything, and I want you…” I began before kneeling down and whispered into Applejack’s ear. “To stop calling me lover boy.” I said pulling away and giving Applejack a grin.

“Alright, I know when I licked, you really had me worried there.” Applejack said as she sat down on the snow. “I thought you were gonna ask me for somethin’ else.”

“What else would he ask you fer, AJ?” Applebloom said appearing out of nowhere.

“Well for my… mpghhh.” Applejack began as my hand reached her mouth.

“Well for my services… you see I am a performer.” I interrupted looking down at the little yellow pony.

“Services?!” She asked.

“Yeah… you see, I am an entertainment performer, I do tricks, sleight of hand, and even…” I said as I began juggling seven snowballs.

“Thanks lov... Blaze, not bad, maybe you should come back for Winter Wrap Up.” Applejack said smacking me in the back forcing me to drop my snowballs.

As I was going to responded I was quickly tackled by Pinkie Pie, “That was so cool… you were all wossshhh! And the snow went pshhhaa!” In her excitement she licked my neck and cheek, which caused mixed signals across the crowd, “Orange mint, tasty… opps sorry.” Pinkie said as she climbed off of me.

I wrapped myself tightly in my wings to keep warm, “Hey could I have me jacke… ahhh!” I exclaimed finding that my jacket was on the floor covered in snow.

“I can’t believe she dropped my jacket… I’m freezing.” I said sitting on Pinkie’s sofa.

“Oh, it was an accident, she was just so surprised that you cleared all that snow so fast that she dropped it.” Pinkie said handing me some hot cocoa.

“Ahh, too hot, and a little too sweet.” I said putting the mug on the table in front of me.

“Sorry, I forget that some ponies don’t like things too sweet.” Pinkie said as she sat on the sofa besides me.

“Don’t worry about it, but do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” I said wrapping my wings and a blanket around me and Pinkie.

Pinkie shook her head, “Nope… oh! but only if I can ask you one back.”

“Okay, sure… so why did you work so hard?” I asked looking at the pink mare.

“What do you…” Pinkie sighed, “I guess you found me out.”

“When I began to clean your house I found a few books…” I said pointing at the small stack of books on a shelf.

“But those are in Equestrian… I guess you’ve been here long enough huh?” She said as I nodded. “Truth is, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since we met those two times… I wanted to be your friend when I first saw you, then maybe something more when you touched my lips… when you shushed me.” Pinkie replied.

“Yeah… I mean…mmm” I began to speak but was suddenly silenced by Pinkie’s hoof.

“Why don’t you ever smile?” Pinkie asked.

“I do smimmhhh.” Once again I was hushed.

“No, you don’t. You always give a restrained or fake smile. I know, I’ve been watching you all day.” Pinkie said as she began to straddle me. “So why don’t you really smile?”

I exposed my teeth passing my tongue over my incisors, or fangs. Pinkie gave a slight jump, “Sharp teeth…” I said.

“But that can’t be the real reamhhhh.” She said as I covered Pinkie’s mouth with my fingers.

“Pinkie, have you ever seen a real smile and I don’t mean the ones you cause by making others laugh.” I asked looking into her big blue eyes.

“Ye… su… I don’t know…” Pinkie replied.

I ran my fingers over her back and through her mane; she let out a small moan and a smile. “Feel that smile… that smile takes a hold of you when something feels good.” I then began to tickle her tummy; she laughed. “This one is forced… but the smile I’m talking about is harder to get. Sometimes you only get a glance at it or you might catch it out of the corner of your eye, but it’s always hard to find.”

“Have you ever seen them?” Pinkie asked.

“I have and I also found the ‘how to seduce human men’ book.” I replied as she began to nibble on my neck.

“What, I thought I had that upstairs?!” Pinkie arched back in surprised.

“I was kidding you know… but to think… ow!” I replied as she lightly bit my wing. “Cheater…mgphh.”

“So it is like a pegasus wing, just bigger… and more sensitive…” Pinkie replied as she began to nibble on a certain part of my wing which was close to my back.

“You know… I am supposed to be the one… seducing you.” I moaned trying to fight off Pinkie Pie’s advances.

“You took care of me… now let me take care of you... also I want to see that smile.” Pinkie replied as I felt my member leave the confines of my pants.

“How did you… oh gods.” I felt myself get enveloped by a velvety warm tight wet slit.

“Well I am full of surprises… or should I say.” Pinkie began I she lowered her muzzle to my ear, “I’m going to be…”

For the next few minutes we slowly grinded against each other, just enjoying the moment, before Pinkie tensed up and hugged me tightly. She was in mid orgasm when I felt an excessive amount of warm fluid spill over my groin.

“I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to…” Pinkie nervously replied as she tried to pull away, but my wings which were already wrapped around us did not give way. Instead I pulled her in closer, running my fingers over her back causing her to shutter.

“I want more…” were the only words I said before I found Pinkie covering my mouth with hers. We began rocking, back and forth pressing ourselves harder against each other. I felt Pinkie’s insides get tighter and wetter, I could feel her clit pulsating in orgasm against the top of my erection. Her hooves pressing against my back as more of her liquid love spilled over me and onto her sofa. “So is this normal for you? Do you normally squirt this much?”

Pinkie nodded as she pressed her head against mine clinging tightly to me, “I do, but… every stallion I’ve ever been with… finds it disgus… disgusting.” I reached down with my hand and collected some of the sticky fluid with my fingers, Pinkie quickly tried to grab my hand. “What are you doooooiiiing?!” Pinkie moaned as my other hand grabbed her big ass, and one of my fingers began to press against her anus.

“Well you said they said it was disgusting… so I got curious.” I replied with a grin.

Pinkie looked down at me, her back arching as her anus was trying to fight off my finger and my other hand. “You’re going to put my stuff in your mouth…mmmmmh, please I can’t…” Pinkie said as another moan escaped her lips and for good reason too; I began sliding my shaft in and out of her wet slit. Her hoof slipped and her chest landed against mine. I put my fingers in my mouth tasting Pinkie Pie’s nectar… and it was as sweet as she was pink. Pinkie’s anus also began to get weak against my finger as it slowly began to creep into her warm tight hole.

“Pinkie… Screw those other stallions… you have the sweetest little snatch I have ever tasted.” I said as Pinkie started to buck violently before collapsing in my arms. “Pinkie! Pinkie?! Are you okay?!”

With a giggle in her voice she said only one thing, “That was the BEST ORGASM EVER!”

For the next few hours we made passionate love all over her home, in the living room, the kitchen, the stairwell, her bathroom and finally her bedroom. Eventually we both passed out from exhaustion, but like always the morning sun awoke me. The smell of sex and musk filled my nostril, as well as a thick coat of Pinkie’s sweet nectar. As I sat up I felt a hoof pull me back down, “Five more minutes…” muttered the pink pony who lay beside me.

“Okay five more minutes.” I replied, Pinkie then smiled in her sleep and snuggled closer to me letting out a small gentle, ‘Yay.’

The next three days we spent either inside tucking, or hanging out with Pinkie’s friends; at one point I even ate her out for about an hour, which ‘no pony’ had ever done for her. She thoroughly enjoyed it; I also enjoyed it, even when she started to smoother me underneath her big soft flank. I think that all the sugar that this mare eats goes straight into her glands because at one point when I was licking her underside, I swear her sweat tasted like a cupcake. The weirdest thing that happened I think was when we were in the library hanging out with Twilight and Pinkie convinced me of a quick tucking there, which only ended with Twilight walking in on us. Oddly enough she let us finish but only if she could ‘study us’ as we continued. It was the final day of my rent out to Pinkie and we spent our last few hours in Sugar Cube corner just talking.

“So you really are planning on asking her?” Pinkie exclaimed, as both Rainbow Dash and Applejack sat in shock.

“Of course, she knows what I do and I really think she’ll say yes, but first I have to go back to Earth and see if I can fix the problems my family is having.” I replied, “Also I want to let my mother know me decision.”

“Yer aren’t kidding, are ya?” Applejack asked.

“I’ve heard of human pony relationships, I mean we have one living in town, but you’re like something else?” Rainbow Dash added.

“Well I have one question… is it going to be just you guys or are you going to make it a herd?” Pinkie said.

“I don’t really know… wait, why?”

“No reason!” Pinkie said as she returned to her milkshake as both Applejack and Rainbow stared at her wide eyed.

Suddenly the doors burst opened, “Blaze, are you in here?” A white coated pony with an indigo mane and tail yelled.

“Crap!” I said as I ducked under the table. “Pinkie what time is it?”

“It’s 1 o’clock in the afternoon silly.” Pinkie replied peeking her head under the table.

“That’s her… that’s Morning.” I said whispering to Pinkie.

“That’s the mare you in love with? She’s a bat pony… an albino bat pony… You got weird taste.” Rainbow said sipping the last of her milkshake.

“HEY, MORNING! HE IS OVER HERE!” Pinkie yelled.

“Thanks Pinkie…” I said in a monotone voice.

I was quickly dragged out from under the table and tossed onto a chair, “I thought I told you to wait for me in the clearing.”

“Looking here, missy, you can’t just come in he… re.. and…” Applejack began as Morning stared her down, and then turned to me.

“You did tell me to wait, it’s just that I got…” I began to say before Morning cut me off.

“No, your air headedness won’t save you this time.” Morning exclaimed and for the next few minutes we stood there bickering, back and forth until Morning decided it was time for us to go. “Go on say your good-byes.”

I nodded and walked over to Pinkie, “So yeah, look I… mighmmmm.”

Pinkie’s hoof found its way over my mouth again as she moved in close to my ear, “I saw it… the entire time you were with her, I saw your smile.”

I pulled away slightly surprised and blushed.

“I promise one day I’ll make you smile like that for me.” Pinkie said with a confidence in her voice.

I smiled, “Good luck with that.”

“Blaze Drifter.” Morning said with a stern voice.

“Coming…” I yelled back. I grabbed the bottom of Pinkie’s chin and kissed her forehead, “Later Pinkie.”

“Bye.”

I waved to everybody as me and Morning took off into the air.

“Well you seem happy, did you enjoy your time in Ponyville?” Morning asked irritated.

“It was okay…” I replied.

“You seemed like you were having fun before I got there…” Morning looked down underneath herself as she flew, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, I was just picturing how beautiful you would look in a dress I saw in Rarity’s shop.” I said smiling up at her.

“Really? What kind of dress?” Morning asked.

“Now that is a secret!” I yelled as I dove into some clouds.

“Wha… Blaze!”

About 2 hours ago…

“Wow! Look at that one.” I said as I walked around Rarity’s boutique.

“I know, Darling, my work is amazing, especially ever since you humans showed up.” Rarity said while trying to measure me up. “Would you… hold still?”

Pinkie giggled as she watched Rarity try to measure me and fail. Suddenly I stopped in front of a large beautiful laced white dress meant for a mare.

“Wow… just wow…” I said just standing in front of the dress.

“Umm, Blaze dear. That is a wedding dress for a mare and unless… Oh my.” Rarity said. “I know that look…”

“What?!” I said questioning her.

“You’re in love… with one of our kind.” Rarity said nudging me with her hoof.

I blushed, “Been for a while… and I just hope she says yes.”

“You’re going to ask her… but normally the mare…” Rarity began only to have Pinkie interrupt her with a large gasp.

“Really! You know what this calls for… a PARTY!” I quickly looked at Pinkie, “Okay… maybe a small gathering…” She replied.

Author's Note

Chapter 12, dundundun! So once again, let me thank everyone for reading. I am so sorry that I have delayed Dark Morning's date with James... Blaze. Whatever! In the human world. Everything will continue as planned in Chapter 13 as Blaze and Morning have to come to terms with the new life growing inside of Morning. Thank you everyone who has read this far, and thank you Corwin for all your help.