As the large beast released his hold on me I allowed all my memories settle, new and old. I sat there looking at the two griffons and fairy like pony in my human form, “Well I have paid my debt.” The beast spoke.

“Wait!” I yelled.

“What no- oo- ow…” Shadow began as I slammed my hands into the smooth gem on his chest. Slowly my hands began to sink in as I reached into the gem, Shadow paralyzed by my actions. “What are… you doing…?”

With a grin on my face I replied, “These are mine!” I yelled pulling out a small mass of small white objects. Rolling away I watched as Shadow gripped his gem with a paw, and a smirk ran across his face.

“Very smart aren’t you?”

“I try…”

“You have made an enemy this day Blaze…” Shadow said as he regained his composure.

“And you have shown you true colors.” I replied and with that he smile and moved into the shadows of the forest.

“One day these foolish creatures will no longer have you to protect them, and when that day comes I will be there… and take it all.” Shadow’s voice echoed through the forest as he disappeared.

I looked at everyone and they looked back at me before I started to laugh. “Blaze… Blaze! What’s so funny? He threaten us all.” Peran said.

“Yeah, but it was so corny… ‘And take it all’ that pure Saturday morning cartoon villainy right there.” I replied still laughing.

“Umm… I know this is weird but I though all humans wore clothing.” Baylee asked as she stared awkwardly at my crotch.

“We do…” I said trying to cover up.

A moment of silence passed before it was interrupted by Gibson, “So what did you pull out of him? Or is that none of our business?”

I pulled my sword closer and then dropped the mass of white objects onto it, “It’s part of me, or was parts of me.” I said as I spread several small bones out from the pile.

“Ummm… those are bones.” Peran said as she looked over what I was doing.

“Yes, yes they are… but more specifically than that, they are my bones.” I said as I searched through the bones, hearing a disgusted groan from Baylee, until I found what I was looking for. “Found ya!”

I slowly pull a gold and blue ring out from the pile of bones, giving it a tight squeeze before slipping it back onto my right ring finger. “That’s from her isn’t it?” Peran asked as she sat down next to me, I nodded.

I held onto my right hand tightly, thinking about Morning and the others; then I notice the bones I left on my sword began to sink into it, merging with the blade. Suddenly I could feel every inch of the sword, it began to glow blue and lifted into the air and hovered, blade down in front of me. “I think it’s time I went home.”

Baylee, Peran and Gibson all looked at one another, and then turned to me. “Don’t worry Blaze, we’ll get you home.” Peran said as the trio united in a hug.

“The only trouble we’ll have is getting out of this territory before they find us.” Gibson said with a troubled look on his face.

“Question: What will you guys do when you get me home, stay in Canterlot?” I asked.

“I have an uncle who settled in Canterlot, I could work with him until we can get our own place.” Gibson replied looking at Peran who gave a slight blush.

“Baylee?” I asked looking over to her.

“I don’t know… I have a few pony friends, but I wouldn’t know what to do.” She replied looking down at the ground.

“You could stay with me… I’m sure Morning wouldn’t mind.” I hesitantly replied knowing how much Baylee hated the whole pony thing.

Baylee gave me a hard stare, locking eyes with me. I felt myself stop breathing for a moment, “I’ll think about it.” She said with a blush on her cheeks.

As we sat there Gibson coughed, “So, shall we begin, we have to stay hidden, and remain on foot until we get to the border, then by wing it should take us about 2 months to get to Canterlot from here.”

“Two months…” I replied dryly as Gibson nodded.

I slowly changed back into a dragon pony hybrid and sat on the floor as Gibson, Baylee and Peran began to discuss our trip. Looking down to my sword, I noticed the handle had changed into a swirling grip… like a unicorn horn. Suddenly ‘Poof’ the sword was gone, wide eyed I began to search for it until I noticed a strange feeling upon my brow. A flame colored unicorn horn decorated my newly transformed body, as I reached up to touch it, I began to glow blue. Information and knowledge began to fill my head. I felt myself lift off the ground as magic started to flow into me. I felt my body shift and change, becoming larger as more magic began to flood into me. My skin becoming hard and ridged, my wings began to stretch and grow, and the world around me began to shrink.

“So Blaze what do you thi… BY THE GODS!” Gibson yelled as he looked at me.

“What?!” I said with a booming in my voice, that when I realized something. Everyone in front of me had become smaller... I had turned into a…

“…Dragon.” Baylee said looking straight into my eyes. She walked over to my large snout and gave me a gentle nuzzle, which I returned. “I got it! Blaze how long do you think you can stay a dragon?”

“I am dragon! Well that explains why you all look so small…” I looked down at the small black and white griffon that nuzzled against me, “I don’t know, why?”

Baylee gave a smile that sent shivers down my spine, “I have an idea.”

The morning sun gentle rose, its warmth running over my scales and wings; the air up here was so warm and the clouds felt cool to the touch. I felt a small tapping on my lower neck, I tilted my head up to look behind me to see Baylee resting on my back, as well as Gibson and Peran; all of them cuddling together on my back behind several large scales and fins that kept the wind from knocking them off of me.

“So Gibson, how long do you think it will take us to get to Equestrian territory now? Baylee asked with a smug smile.

“Four days… but seriously, I would have never thought about this.” Gibson said as he face pawed. “Griffon, ponies and even those humans avoid dragons… we are pretty much safe up here.”

“Yeah, from what I have gathered, Blaze is rather unpredictable… and his quick plans usually work.” Peran said with a smile. “Strangely that wasn’t his plan…”

“You must really be fond of your brother… well… umm.” Gibson began only to be at a loss for words.

“No he is, even though it wasn’t that long… I will probably always know think of him as a brother.” Peran said with a smile, she then jerked her head forward. “Way to go little brother!” Peran yelled.

Sadly I would never really hear this whole conversation, my ears were too far and I was moving too fast. My mind was too focused on my destination… and the slight nuzzles I felt on my back from Baylee.

Eventually we had to land, we were getting hungry… or at least I was. We landed in the plains, we had crossed a whole lot of ocean before my claws landed on the soft earth. The moon was now overhead, and everyone was asleep on my back.

“Man I am starving.” I said return to a pony-dragon hybrid.

“I would assume so…” Peran said as she and the others awoke. “You used a lot of magic, you might be able to change at will, but that burns off energy.”

“Hmmm, where are we?” Baylee asked with a yawn.

“Don’t know… I have been to Equestria a few times… but only to Canterlot.” Gibson said as he looked around.

“We didn’t we just keep flying to Canterlot?” Baylee asked.

Both Peran and Gibson looked at the whinnying griffon, “Large. Fire. Breathing. Dragon. Not the best way to arrive in a city of hay eaters.” Gibson said.

I gave a snicker before my stomach rumbled. “Food…” I said looking around. As my eyes began to wonder I notices the lights of a town to the South East, and a large dark forest to our west. “We are North of Filly Delphia, and East of Hollow Shades… Hollow Shades being the closest I see we head there.”

Everyone stared at me, “How do you know that?” Baylee asked.

“Ummm… My last job required me to travel a lot.” I replied with a nervous smile.

“Whore.” Peran said with a monotone voice as she changed into a griffon.

“Ouch.” I replied while face planting myself into the ground.

“Whore?” Gibson asked then he looked at Peran with a confused face.

“It looks better this way, three griffon and a pony-dragon… Ponies feel more comfortable when a group looks the same… sort of.”

“Can we not talk about this.” I asked, “I really don’t feel comforta—“

The next thing I knew I had a beak pressed up against my muzzle and a pair of angry green eyes staring into mine. “Explain!”

My stomach rumbled again catching everyone’s attention, “Okay but could we walk and talk… I’m too hungry.” I said as Baylee gave me a nod, then a sly grin.

“Maybe you could change from that dark blue Dragon-Pony to a griffon?” She asked.

“No.”

An hour or so later, both Gibson and Baylee were laughing their beaks off as we walked to Hollow Shades.

“So you slept with all of them...?” Gibson asked.

I nodded. Gibson and Baylee laughed again while Peran looked peeved.

“By the Gods, I don’t know whether to call you lucky or damned… I heard bat-ponies at rather aggressive during their mating.” Gibson said.

“So do they put you back in the cabinet when they are done with you?” Baylee asked holding back a laugh.

I puffed my cheeks and walked ahead of them, I thought Baylee would be upset at me or something, not make jokes at me.

“I’m sorry Blaze.” Baylee said as she caught up with me, “It’s just, males are the dominate one in the griffon kingdoms… and here I see a powerful, strong male being used as a… well a sex toy. It’s quite funny…”

“I’m not a sex toy… I am part of the lunar guard…” I replied with a crack in my voice. Suddenly I felt a sense of dread as several eyes looked upon me through the dark as those words left my mouth.

“Are you really part of the Lunar Guard?!” A small young voice said as it exploded out of the bush next to our group. Recovering from the freight, I looked down to a young dark drown bat pony sticking her head out of the bushes.

As I was about to answer I began to notice all the curious eyes staring at me and the others through the dark forest. Hesitantly I nodded, “Yes, I am.”

“Really?!”

I nodded as the eyes grew closer.

“Do you know Icy Dusk?” She asked.

Looking down into this small filly’s light purples eyes I realized who I was staring at, “Cherry Wood, is that you?”

The little filly complete pulled herself out of the bush, “Do you… do I know you?” She asked.

A smile exploded across my face, “You are her little sister!” I said as my feathery black wings wrapped around the little filly giving her a hug, while whispering, “Mud Bucket…”

“Blaze?!” She exclaimed while returning the hug. “What happen to you, I thought you were a Huu-mahn?”

“Lots of things, do you know of your sister or the others?” I asked placing the little filly down as a few bat-ponies came out of hiding.

“Nothing the last few months, they said that you all formed a herd and then you disappeared…” She said looking sad while kicking the ground, “My sister’s last letter was really sad.”

“Yeah… a lot of bad things happen, but right now I am heading back to her and everyone else.” I said lifting her face up with my hoof.

“Really?”

“Really, really.”

The little filly tackled me and hugged me as tight as she could, “Make her smile again, please.”

“You got it.”

Cherry then looked behind me and pointed to the three griffons, “Are they friends?”

I nodded.

“Hmmmm…” She replied, as she released her grip from around my neck. She then trotted over to Peran and Gibson as they stuck close to one another. Baylee stood tall, sticking out her chest, eying the bat-filly.

“What?” Baylee asked.

“You smell like Blaze… Are you part of his herd to?” Cherry Wood asked.

Baylee’s eyes opened wide and before she could say anything Peran interrupted.

“She’s going to be.” Peran said with a wicked grin.

The little bat-filly then turned to me, “Is that where you went… to pick up another herd-mate. Wow! You are dedicated.” She said as she trotted pass them, Baylee just stood there in shock. “Well come on!”

“Wait! Where are you… aghhh! Cherry!” I said herding Baylee forward with my wing.

Our group emerged from the forest into a small clearing, several homes and small building littered the floor and trees. Hollow Shades, one of the few homes of the bat-ponies, and to my surprise several humans as well. I pranced in place when I saw a few stores that reminded me of home.

“Blaze!” Cherry said as she trotted over to me, “Hey, can you wait here… I’m going to tell my parents that you’re here so they can help you get back to Icy faster.”

“Actually…” I began wrapping my wings around the little filly, “Do you mind waiting… I want to find some clothes and actually look like myself… is that okay?”

They little filly nodded. “Okay… well then, how about when I get back from my chores we all head back together.” I nodded, and with a squeal she trotted off.

“You want to find clothes?” Peran asked.

“Yes… with all the humans around, I suddenly feel naked…” I said extending my wings slightly to cover my flank.

“Well you are naked.” Baylee said with a smirk.

As I was about to verbally retaliate a hand caressed my left side, “Wow!” I quickly turned to see who it was and saw a girl dressed out in Goth. “You fucking look awesome… I have never seen a noctrali like you before.”

I raised an eyebrow, and slowly moved away from the hand with my ear pushed back against my head. Suddenly Baylee jumped out in front of my, “What do you think you’re doing?” She said with a snap of her beak.

The girl quickly stood up straight and stared down the griffon, until the girl squealed. “Your colors are so awesome!” She replied looking over Baylee, once again Baylee just stood there, shocked. I gave out a little snicker, as the girl looked over Baylee until the girl smile faced me, “Not so scared anymore are you…”

“Blaze Drifter.” I said with a bow, which caught the girl off guard, “And you are?”

The girl quickly regained her composer and curtsied back, “Angela Valdez.” She then returned her gaze at me, “Are you royalty or something… because if you are, I am so sorry about touching you… it just I have heard legends that bat-ponies are a mix a several creatures and I thought I finally found one that looks like a dragon. So I was all excited… sorry!”

“It’s fine.” I said while giving out a giggle, “I am actually not a bat-pony… I am a dragon-pony hybrid… at the moment.”

“Moment… um, okay.” She said giving me a strange look, suddenly Baylee and Peran gave me a good smack.

“Actually we have to get going, are dear friend here is looking for some clothing… so if you don’t mind we are in a bit of a rush.” Peran said pushing me away from the girl.

“Wait!” The girl said handing us a card, “I think we can work out some sort of deal. I own a local clothing shop… and I will give you whatever clothing you want if you were to model some of them. What do you say?”

I looked over to Baylee and Peran, they then both turned to talk to one another while Gibson walked over to me. “How the hell did that happen?”

Confused I asked, “What happen?”

“You said you wanted clothes, and now a chance presents itself to you.” He whispered.

I shrugged, “I don’t know, are you jealous… do you want to wear clothes?”

Gibson gave me an angry look that slowly faded away before he looked at the ground, “What would you say if I did?”

Shocked I looked over to the girl in Goth, who was waving down a few friends. “I would say give it a minute.”

“Huh?! What does that mea—“ He began only to be cut off.

“Is that a griffon!?”

“Three griffons, and that one, he not even a bat-pony.” Angela said pointing to our group.

“We need them…” One of the girls said growly her voice, “Did you ask?”

“I asked him… but I was going to bring the others over to see if the male griffon would like to model for us as well.”

Suddenly a tall cinnamon colored girl, with blonde her collapsed into a kneeling bow, her hands thrown out before her. “Please… Please model for us!”

Gibson turned to me, “I fucking hate you.”

Peran and Baylee exploded into laughter behind us.

“I think that means we are doing this.” I said placing a hoof on Gibson shoulder.

After a couple of hour of trying on several different outfits, all of which were taken pictures of, me and Gibson returned to the store front where Peran and Baylee were waiting for us.

“How did it go?” Baylee asked.

“I never knew that human girls could be soo… so scary.” Gibson said as he collapsed next to Peran.

“It wasn’t that bad… now to find some clothes.” I said searching the shop.

Peran poked Gibson, while Baylee was arguing the price of a necklace.

I walked down each of the isle of the store; looking through every article of clothing… finally I reach the human, male section. So many pants, and jackets… Eventually I picked out a pair of black baggy cargo pants, which tied off at the bottom; a red shirt with a black flame pattern on it; a pair of shin high black boots that zipped up on the side; a familiar looking red trench coat with a black flame emblem on the back, and a pair of round framed black lensed sun-glasses. I brought everything to the counter to check out.

“Umm, you know this is all human clothes right?” The lady at the register said.

I nodded.

“Okay.” She said ringing up everything that I placed in front of her. As soon as she was done she called Angela over the clear the transaction.

“Wow! You have good taste… is this for a friend?” Angela asked.

“Nope… it’s for me.” I said grabbing all the clothing and heading to a fitting room.

“But Blaze…” She said knocking on the door, “Blaze, that’s people clothes.”

I sighed, letting the blue flame engulf me as I turned back into my human self, which oddly enough now had black feathered wings and, gold silted eyes. I slowly looked over my naked body in the mirror. Most of my tattoos had moved, a black single flame centered my chest as well as a pair on my hips. “Great. So my cutie mark is permanent now.” I let out a sigh as I started to get dressed, noticing that the soft parts of my arms and legs were covered in a smooth set of scales. As I finished putting on the large red trench coat, I looked over to the large bone sword I had behind me. “How did you get there…” I reached out and grabbed it. Suddenly a bright flash came over it and it was sheathed in a large black leather looking covering, with straps. “Show off.” I strapped the large sword to my back, between my wings and reached for the door handle. The lady Angela still knocking on the door, telling me that it was human clothing I was trying to put on. This was actually funny, because when I was cutting the back of the shirt and coat for my wings, it was at that moment she really started to pound on the door.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming out.” I said turning the door handle, “Question, this trench coat it reminds me of something.”

Angela slowly backed away from the door as it opened, a scowl on her face, which suddenly changed into a jaw dropped expression. “Uhhh…”

Walking out of the fitting room I was greeted by Peran, Gibson, Baylee and Angela.

“Looking good Blaze.” Baylee said looking me over, as Angela nodded.

Walking out of the fitting room and I passed Angela, and began to head to the exit. Looking back a look of confusion on poor Angela’s face as she was trying to figure out what just happened.

“You know you could just tell her.” Peran said.

I shook my head, “Nah, it leaves to many questions. I’d rather have a confused witness than one that knows too much.” I replied as our group left the store.

A little while later we met up with Cherry Wood, she was surprised and happy to see that I returned back to my old human self.

“So Cherry I need to ask you a favor.” I said looking at the small bat pony, “I need to know if any trains are leaving towards Canterlot today?”

“Are you not going to stay?” Cherry asked.

“Sorry kiddo, I really wanna see everypony as soon as I can.” I said patting the little filly.

“That’s going to be really hard.” She said in sing-song .

“Why?”

“Icy and the other moved, they’re living in the outer-rim of the city.” Cherry said.

“Great, do you know why… and where?” I asked sitting down next to the filly as the others went to collect some food.

“Well… Morning and Poison and pregnant… Icy and Poison are retiring from the guard… and well I heard they just needed a bigger place.” Cherry said with a smile.

“Icy and Poison are retiring?”

“Yep, they have served on the Guard for over ten years now, so they are allowed to retire. Icy is doing it so she can help raise the foals and become a mom as soon as you get back, and Poison just wants to be a mom now.” Cherry said with a big o’ grin on her face. “Plus, because my sister is living a better life I get to move in with her next week to become one of her foals…” Cherry looked up at me, “Does this mean I have to call you dad too?”

I wore a worried and confused face, before I gave Cherry a tight hug. “Call me whatever you want, okay?” I said slowly getting up.

“Did you hear what that foal said.” A couple of human said as they walked past Cherry and me. They gave us both a glare as they stare at us.

“Blaze…” Cherry said slowly ducking behind my leg as the two human walked closer to us.

“Blaze?!” The female said as she got closer.

“You’re one of those Gentleman I’ve heard about.” The male said as they stood a foot away from me. “Couldn’t cut it with ‘Human’ girls!” The guy said getting a little too close to me.

I looked at them, I mentally sighed. “I’m sorry Sir, but if you could kindly leave me and my sister-in-law alone, I won’t call the local law-enforcement.” Suddenly the man pushed me, my left leg holding while my right went behind to catch me. Little did I know what had been really going on in Equestria after I disappeared.

“You’re one of those aren’t you?” He said looking into my eyes, “A Swapper, aren’t you?”

I looked at the man in complete confusion, as the lady looked at me in complete disgust, as a group of humans and ponies started to from a circle around us. “What’s a swapper?” I asked

The man looked at me oddly, when a voice echoed out from the crowd, “A swapper is a human that drank the Mare’s Drink, a potion that lets a human mate and have off-spring with ponies.” A smart looking tan mare said as she moved through the crowd, “And what so wrong if he did, it was his decision to make.” The mare said.

“If human’s were meant to mate with ponies we wouldn’t need a potion… plus this guy.” He said poking me in the chest and looking at me in the eyes, “Is wearing a pair of wings, what are you trying to fit in.” He said giving me another push.

“Dude if you push me again I will hit you.” I replied.

The mare walked up to me, “It is kind of silly wearing a pair of wings.”

I let out a sigh, before I reached down I grabbed Cherry in my arms. “One!” I said looking at the man, “I was a Gentleman, retired now. Two! I never drank that potion.” The man looked at me even with more confusion in his eyes, “Three, I can mate with ponies and produce off-spring.”

“Bullshit!” The man yelled, reaching out to push me, only to have my wing come down and swat him in the face causing him to fall over.

“And four!” I said stretching out my wings giving them a light flap, “I am not wearing wings. I am a mutant…” I said breathing out a little bit of fire.

The mare looked up at me with a hint of confusion in her face, “What’s a mutant?”

“Ask any human…” I said looking up at the crowd, “Now get out of my way.”

I began to walk forward, the crowd paring for me as I was holding Cherry in my arms. Then the man behind began to yell, “You’ll never fit in… not with them or with us. You’re a monster! A freak!”

I turned back to look at him, “You know, for a mutant you really do act like a bitc… Dirtbag.” His girlfriend turned to him, to see that several small spikes poking out of his hair.

“Honey I can explain!” He yelled.

Quickly I took off into the air towards Cherry’s home, “Pfft, Humans.”

“Can’t live with them, and we’ve lived without them for years.” Cherry said with a smug smile on her face.

“Aren’t you a smarty-pants!” I said as I glided through town.

Eventually I met up with the other by the train station.

“Hey! What wrong?” I asked.

With a heavy sigh Baylee walked up to me, “It seems there is only one train heading to Canterlot tonight and no one can buy a ticket aboard.”

“What!? Why not?” I asked, looking at the oddly colored train.

“It is currently being held up by a circus.” Peran said as she looked over to the humans loading up the train.

“Circus? You've got to be kidding me?” I asked looking up while removing my sun-glasses. “Shit! When’s the next train?”

“Tomorrow evening.” Gibson added as he sat next to Peran.

“Great, just Great!” I yelled, “I’m so close and yet so, arghh!” I said as fire spewed from my mouth.

“You really got to get your temper in control.” Peran said tapping her paw.

“James! James is that you?!” A voice yelled from the train. I turned to see a very large fat man walking… waddling towards me.

“No way… Mister Aaron?!” I said.

“James my boy, it’s been to long…” He said with a sly grin.

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long to post this, I finally got a stable work-shift, sadly I only have one day a week to write. Umm, yep please let me know if I spelled something wrong. I will see you all the next time I post... well not really see you but you know what I mean. Fudge! Bye