Somewhere between Canterlot and Ponyville...

The first rays of lights filtered in through the curtain as Morning pulled her blanket over her face. “Leave me alone vile light…” She groaned. As she once again settled to fall asleep a set of hooves kicked from inside of her. “Ohhh!” and then again, “Alright!” She hollered, “I’m up… I’m up!” She said tossing the blankets off to the side. “I swear you’re as bad as your father.” She said with a smile.

Slowly she stood up and walked across the large herd size bed and made her way into the bathroom. Morning went about her business and then began her shower, about fifteen minutes in there was a light knocking on the door.

“Morrrnnnniiiinnng~” Said an all too familiar female voice.

“Ughhhh… it’s open!” Morning replied with her normal pregnancy gusto.

The door open slowly and a pink mare bounced into the bathroom, “Good Morning, Morning.” The pink mare said with a giggle, “Need help?”

The white bat-pony looked up to the pink earth-pony, a hint of irritation in her eyes which quickly slipped away. “Yes Pinkie, I would love some help…” She asked unable to reach past her large pregnant belly.

After a massive scrub down and a million bubbles later, both Pinkie and Morning exited the bathroom. “So Morning… how about today?” Pinkie asked, like she did every morning since Blaze had disappeared.

Morning gave her the same look she gave here every morning, “Pinkie, you know he might not ever come back?”

“But he could.” She said, “And if he does and I’m not here, I could miss out on like the best thing ever!” Pinkie replied.

With a heavy sigh Morning looked up to Pinkie, who was helping her dry herself off. After everything that happened about 9 months ago, this mare was still by her side. After Blaze disappeared emotions through the herd went volatile. Icy Dusk, Poison Heart, Midnight Belle and herself resigned from the Lunar Guard. Dark Eclipse took command, while the others stayed for a while. They all moved to a small town between Canterlot and Ponyville called Saddleton, which circled the base of the mountain that Canterlot stood on. Thanks to all the money they had saved and a generous amount that Pinkie provided they settle into a nice home which was partially built into the wall of the mountain. Originally when Pinkie suggested that they all move there, they were hesitant because they thought they would be looked at funny because they were lunar-ponies. In a few minutes the herd was proven wrong; griffons, hippogriffs, day-ponies, lunar-ponies, dragons and several other species they could not identify all living together in this large community.

“Pinkie…” Morning looked up to the partially soaked mare, “You’re in.”

“Oh… well, okay. Doesn’t hurt to ask, like my Granny Pie use to tell say— Wait you said I was in?” Pinkie said with a look of complete confusion that only Pinkie’s face could make. Morning nodded bracing herself for Pinkie’s emotional explosion of happiness, but nothing ever came, instead what she heard was sobbing.

“Pinkie… are you okay?” Morning asked as she opened her eyes to the pink mare who had the biggest smile and eyes full of tears.

“Yep… I j…just thought it finally happened, they were wrong…” She said with a smile and suddenly collapsed.

“Pinkie!?” Morning exclaimed rushing over to the mare.

“I’m part of a herd.” Pinkie said accepting the nuzzling affections from Morning.

“I’m sorry Pinkie… it’s just that—“ Suddenly Morning found herself with a hoof over her mouth.

Pinkie shook her head, slowly lowering her hoof from Morning’s muzzle. “Thank you Morning, I just was caught off guard is all. I never thought I would be part of anyponies herd.”

Morning gave her a quizzical look, “I don’t understand.”

“Well you see ever since I discovered what my special talent was I became super happy and hyper… but sadly as I grew older, I became just more energetic which turned away a lot of potential stallions and even mares.” Pinkie said as finished drying Morning. “They all told me that I would never find a herd or even a special somepony. Eventually I found Cheese Sandwich, which was great for a while… then he told me—“ Suddenly Morning’s hoof found its way to Pinkie’s mouth.

“Welcome to the herd Pinkie.” Morning said with a smile.

“Thanks Morning… and you know what that calls for?” Pinkie said.

“Oh no…” Morning began only to find a small cupcake in front of her.

“Cupcakes!” Pinkie said stuffing a cupcake in her mouth. As Morning gave her a smile as she also ate her cupcake.

In the dining room Icy was making dinner for everypony, and breakfast for Poison, Morning, Pinkie and Midnight Belle.

The door to the home suddenly slammed opened as Night Star, Raven Shadow, Silver Rose, Moon Hunt, Twilight Haze, and Wild Haunt clumsily walked in… slowly followed in by Dark Eclipse.

“What a horrible bucking night!” Night Star said as she draped herself into a chair at the dinner table.

“Those recruits were just asking for trouble.” Silver Rose added following Night Star’s example.

“Horseapple! My two best guards are pulled from me, and assigned as drill instructors… I have words for whatever idiot made this happen!” Eclipse said as she crashed into the sofa.

“And the worst part… I need our stallion right now!” Wild Haunt yelled. The lunar-earth pony yelled. “I’m going through the worst heat ever.”

A loud group sigh was heard as they all nodded.

“When do you think will see Blaze again?” Raven asked jumping into the sofa.

“Probably never… did you see what his armor looked like on the inside. I don’t care how fast he can heal… he’s probably dead.” Eclipse said as every eye in the room was upon her and the sound of a deflating balloon was heard.

“GET OUT!”

Everypony turned to see dark purple lunar-unicorn, with a yellow-green frazzled mane, her horn glowing green.

“Poison…” Icy mumbled as she walked up to the angry mare.

Morning and Pinkie who had just entered the dining room as Eclipse made her comment, watched the scene unfold. ‘You said that you were only using him for his seed, but the truth is you fell in love with him just like the rest of us, didn’t you.’ Morning thought. As she watched her follow herd-mate lash out in anger.

“I SAID OUT!” Poison yelled staring down the light purple bat-pony.

“FINE It’s not like I want to be here anyways!” Eclispe yelled back at the pregnant mare. Eclipse then picked herself up and walked to the door escorted by Icy Dusk. As the door was opened Eclipse step up and then turned to Icy, “Please… take care of them… I can’t…”

“It’s okay. I understand how you feel, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Icy replied as she closed the door and heading back into the kitchen.

As Icy continued to work in the kitchen an eerie silence fell upon the room that was until Poison fell onto the sofa. “I want a movie.” Poison demanded.

Pinkie then walked over to the TV and placed a DVD into the player, “So I’m guessing by your hair that Morning said no again.” Raven asked the pink earth-pony.

“Actually…” Morning began as everypony turned to her, “I have an announcement to make everypony…” Morning looked over to Pinkie who smiled grew bigger by the moment, with a slight sigh followed by a smile Morning looked at her herd. “Pinkie is now a member of our herd and as soon as the idiot Blaze shows up we’re going to get all these ceremonies out of the way and have him rut us all until we’re all nice and pregnant!” Morning exclaimed as a single tear rolled her muzzle Pinkie’s mane poomfed back into place.

“I’m so excited I could… I could…” Pinkie began only to explode into tears.

“Oh dear…” Midnight said as she tried to comfort Pinkie, “Somepony get a bucket… and some cake.”

Morning smiled her herd was finally on their way to becoming whole, now all they needed was their stallion… or in this case, their mutant.

A few hours later, everypony had gone to bed for the day, except a few that were resting in the living room. As the two pregnant mares settled on the sofas, Icy and Pinkie were in the kitchen.

“You were kind of hard on Eclipse…” Morning began looking over to Poison. “Don’t get me wrong, she deserved it but I never thought I would hear it coming from you.”

“Look I know what I said about Blaze in the past, but the truth is ever since I felt this little one inside of me… I can’t picture raising her without him.” Poison said rubbing her belly.

“So you know it’s a filly huh?” Morning smiled as she rubbed her belly, then a look of concern slid across her face. “What if… what do you think they’ll look like?”

“Hmm?”

“What do you think our foals will look like Poison?” Morning asked nervously.

“I don’t know and I couldn’t care less. They are the foals between me and Blaze and I will raise them with as much love as I can… more if I have to.” Poison said closing her eyes and resting her head on the sofa, “What about you?”

“What about me?” Morning replied.

“Do you care what they look like?” Poison said releasing a small sigh.

“Sort of… I want to be reminded of Blaze when I look at our foals…” Morning said looking out the window of their home.

“Me too Morning, me too.”

As the two settled down for a nap, a knocking was heard at the door.

“I’ll get it!” Pinkie exclaimed bouncing through the home. As she arrived at the door a large brown pegasus meet here at the door.

“Ello I have a package for Dark Morning.” The pegaus said pulling a small carton from his bag.

“She right there!” Pinkie said gesturing to the sofa.

“Pinkie just go ahead and sign it for me.” Morning groaned from the sofa.

“Okie dokie loki!” She stated grabbing the pen in her mouth and signing for the package.

“Thank you ma’am, have a wonderful day.” The pegasus said as Pinkie closed the door. Quickly making her way to the sofa, Pinkie dropped the box down in front of Morning.

“Pinkie… can you please open it for me… I don’t feel like doing anything right now.” Morning said as she stared at the box. With a simple nod Pinkie jumped over the sofa and grabbed the box tearing it to pieces.

“It’s a letter from the Princesses!” Pinkie said sitting down next to Morning. “It reads…”
Dear Dark Morning and company,

I am sorry that your herd mate Blaze Drifter has still not been found. The last few month must have been hard for you, know that my sister and I are doing what we can to help in our search for him.

We know that in times of great sadness that a smile can go a long way. So enclosed are several tickets to a circus that will be coming to town in the next few days. Please join us as we welcome these guests to Canterlot.

Your Friend,
Celestia.

“Wowie zowie! A circus… please Morning can we go…umm” Pinkie began only to see Morning, Poison and Icy become sad. “I’m so sorry! Did I do something wrong?!” Pinkie said rushing to Morning with tissues.

“James was part of the circus…” Morning said as she rubbed her muzzle into the sofa.

“James? JAMES?! That’s Blaze’s human names...” Pinkie began, “So he was in the circus?”

Morning nodded, “When he was a kid… he was on the trapeze with his parents.”

“Let’s go Morning.” Poison said. “Let go and see what kind of circus this is… maybe it well be enough for now.”

Morning nodded as Icy walked in and nuzzled into Poison Heart’s neck.

“Young Mishkin! It has been to long!” An overweight, hairy man that stood no taller than 5 feet waddled over to us.

‘You fat bad greasy bastard’ I thought to myself as we walked over to each other. “Mister Aaron, it has been too long… wha… what are you doing here?”

“What do you think? I got everyone back together and we came to Equestria and started anew!” Aaron replied.

“Wait, the circus is yours?” I asked as he nodded and smacked my back.

“Huh? What is with the wings? New Gimmick?!”

“Wha… no…” I began as I looked at my wings, then it struck me. “Yes, yes it is a new gimmick. I also am traveling through Equestria performing… sadly in the streets.”

“What?!” Exclaimed Aaron, “A Mishkin performing out of the circus! I will not have it! You will join us and perform your act in my show, agreed…” He said grabbing my hand and shaking it, “Agreed! Good, see you on train.”

“Mister Aaron what about my assistants?” I asked pointing over to the Baylee, Gibson and Peran.

“Griffons!” He said looking at me with wide eyes, “Your act requires griffons…” He looked at me straight in the eyes looking for something, then he smiled and began to nod his head, “You must have one crazy act if you need griffons. Come on, into train we go!”

Our group quickly followed Mister Aaron to the train and we were put straight to work, loading up the train. While helping I met a lot of old friends and kids I grew up with, none of which were kids anymore. Asuka the knife thrower, Ein the acrobat, and a group of parkour clowns… yes, parkour clowns. Almost everyone from the old days was here and everyone was happy to see me.

“Man, Blaze who here doesn’t know you?” Baylee asked.

“Sorry Baylee.” I said sitting down next to them on the floor in one of the cars, “It’s just… this was my life growing up.”

“Really?!” Peran asked as Gibson lay on her withers asleep.

I nodded, “Yep, these people were my home and family…”

“So once we get to Canterlot, we bail?” Baylee asked.

“Nah, I still have one last performance to give.” I replied resting my head against my wing. “I never got a chance perform my last show.” Slowly I drifted off to sleep.

I slept the entire train ride to Canterlot, which was about a day and a half trip. I awoke with Baylee nuzzling into chest. I smiled and ran my fingers through her fur; she let out a small coo and began to stir. Eventually we all woke up and stepped out of the train car and stared in awe at Canterlot.

“I think I should go and see my uncle.” Gibson said looking over at Peran, Baylee and myself, “I think he might know what to do with us now that we are here.”

“Okay then, we’ll stay with Blaze and help with whatever we can.” Peran replied, the two gave each other a quick peck and he was off.

“So what now big guy?” Baylee asked.

As I was about to answer when Mister Aaron appeared, “Good you’re still here!” Then he looked around and gave me a confused look, “Where is boy griffon?”

“He… went to go get me my supplies… for my act. Since I don’t know when I will be performing I thought I would get everything ready…” I replied.

“Ohh! Good… then you three will help unload, we perform in the castle tonight!” Mister Aaron said with gusto.

“Wait! The castle?!” I asked surprised.

“Yes… we’re performing for the Princesses, can you believe it.” He said.

“Great… great.” I replied.

“Yes that reminds me, you will be performing last… make sure it is good. I expect great things from you Mishkin, Great Things!” He exclaimed waddling away while laughing.

“You know what…. I don’t like that guy.” Baylee said.

“I agree, I have never smelled anything so awful and vile in my life.” Peran replied.

I looked down to both Baylee and Peran with a raised eyebrow, as they were about to apologies I interrupted. “You forgot slimy… that disgusting creature is very slimy, but this time I have to say… I glad that I met him.” I said. “Now ladies… let us get to work.”

The next few hours were very boring to say the least, well sort of. Walking in and out of the castle with several cases and containers with a mask that I found, was very difficult. Eventually Gibson returned with interesting news, his uncle had a spare room for him and Peran to use, but nothing for Baylee. As we continued with our tasks until night fell… tomorrow evening we were performing in the center courtyard for all four of the princesses.

In the quite confines of a field of orange tents that littered the castle courtyard a small light flickered on in one of the tents. “Hey Blaze? You awake?” Baylee asked.

“No… sleeping…” I replied while faking a snore. Quickly I found an elbow upon my stomach. “Ow.”

“Good you’re awake…” Baylee replied with a grin. “So about tomorrow and the day after?”

“Hmmm?”

“I think I am gonna go out on my own, see what Equestria has to offer me.” Baylee replied.

“Serious?!” I asked confused.

“Yeah, it was of dream of mine to explore, that is why I joined the ranks, but it got me a position stuck at home. No matter how bad or good I did, I was stuck in that little town… my dream slowly being buried by each passing day.” She looked up at me, “I even thought about settling down with you… well you as a dragon-pony. Then everything happened way to quick…”

“And now you that you don’t have to stay in one place, you can be free.” I said.

“Yeah… that’s it.” Baylee said, “I want to see the world Blaze… have an adventure, come back with stories to tell… or maybe not come back at all.”

“Sound awesome.” I replied.

“Then come with me!”

“What?! I can—“

“Yes you can, leave them behind and come with me to have the greatest adventure of your life.” Baylee asked with an almost pleading looking in her eyes.

I let out a heavy sigh, “I’m good an adventuring… I want to settle, Baylee. I may not be as old but I have had enough of life ending adventures… I want to see… I want to be a father Baylee, a good one, unlike the one that left me.”

“You had that much adventure, huh?”

“Yeah I did, and to be honest when I showed up here in Equestria the first time, I thought that was the biggest adventure I was going to have… but since then I have been ripped apart, shredded by bullets, burned by a dragon, attacked by my own kind, enslave and killed more times than I can count.” I said looking down to Baylee, who was now resting on my chest. “Emotionally I don’t think I can handle this forever… hell, even another night of adventure might break me.”

“Then why perform? Why not just get up and go see your wives right now?” Baylee said with tears in her eyes.

“Because I am a performer Baylee, not a hero… I’ll take the high wire any day.” I replied with a smile.

We sat there for a few minutes until the moon rested above us, “So…” Baylee began, “What kind of performance are you going to give tomorrow?”

With a smile I looked down at Baylee, “I call it ‘Dance of the Phoenix’ and it involves a lot of fire… and knifes.” I said looking over to the large sword that sat inside of the tent.

“Hey Blaze… when I come back from my adventures… will you have me?” Baylee asked.

“What? I don’t understand?” I asked.

“I want something to return to… a home… maybe a lover?” Baylee asked.

“If you bring home good stories… I don’t see why not” I said giving her a toothy grin. After a good laugh with fell asleep, but not until I heard Baylee say one last thing.

“They’ll be the best stories you’ll ever hear…”

Slowly the morning sun awoke me from my slumber; I began to hiss at the light knowing full well that it would not do a damn thing. I looked around and saw that Baylee was gone and a small letter was left in her place. I reached down and opened the letter which only had four words on it, “Good Bye, Love Baylee.”

With a heavy sigh I pocketed the letter and got out from the tent with my large bone sword in hand. I had a lot to do today and too many emotions to deal with.

As the day progressed Peran and Gibson met up with me and we talked about Baylee and my plans for the evening. We said our goodbyes as they headed into town. I looked over to my sword and willed it to change shape; in a green flash of light several small feather looking silver daggers fell to the floor. I sat down and extend my wings and began hooking them onto my wings, and began to hide several all over my clothes.

Morning and the rest of the herd arrived later that evening and sat down in their seats. Pinkie, Icy and Poison sat next to Morning trying hard to calm the mare as she saw an old poster of the ‘Great Acrobatic Mishkins’ hung outside, a young James standing between his parents.

The circus and its stage was completely out in the open, the large tent that was normally used to prevent the weather from interfering was removed because they simply did not need it. Instead a large curtain and smaller tent placed on the outside of the performing area to allow everyone to come in and out as they needed. As the crowd slowly filled the large seating area in the court yard, an abnormal figure stood in the ring covered in bandages wearing a large red trench coat, with silver metal boots and gauntlets. They only thing that anyone could see was a glimpse of one of its eyes which was not completely covered in bandage wrap.

“Hey, Poison that thing looks really creepy doesn't it?” Haunt asked as she shivered from the look of it.

“It kind of does… it looks like it’s searching for someone.” Poison replied as the eye looked over her and then continued.

The sound of trumpets where heard as Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance , and Twilight Sparkle flew from the castle and landed in their seat… which were behind Morning and her herd. Celestia waved her hoof and the trumpets stopped. The figure that was standing in the middle of the stage looked up to the edges of the stands. Morning who was completely entranced by the red coated figure looked up to see several guard pegasi landing with spears ready.

“I am glad to see you accept our invitation, Dark Morning…” Luna said looking down at her retired Captain of the Lunar Guard.

“I too am glad to have made it to this… event?” Morning replied.

Luna smiled and as she was about to speak the figure in the red coat put his finger to his mouth. Celestia tapped her younger sister and pointed to the figure, “Look.”

The sounds from the crowd began to die down to a murmur, then a whisper, and after a minute it was silent. The figure slowly curled his fingers away from his bandaged face and then presented open palmed three small silver balls. The crowd stared at the figure, and then with a quick jerk he raised his arms and threw the balls at the ground below him, causing a bright flash of light and smoke. There was a loud gasp from the crowd as two spot lights aimed their lights into the smoke. Then a small fat man wearing a red vest, trimmed with gold and black pants walked out from the smoke… “WELCOME LADIES, GENTLEMEN, COLTS, MARES, AND CREATURES OF ALL AGES… TO THE GREATEST SHOW FROM EARTH!!! THE AARON AND AARON CIRCUS IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE FLYING GRAYSTONES!!” The fat Russian-accented man yelled through a bullhorn. The two spot lights flickered and then moved to a pair of humans wearing red and green spandex, and the show was off.

Several acts of entertainers presented themselves, from clowns, escape artist, and acrobatic masters to a Manticore trainer.

The crowds cheered and roared as the humans performed several acts that shocked and amazed them, but still no sign of the figure in red Morning thought to herself.

“The humans are a lot more… interesting… and flexible than I thought.” Princess Candance said as she looked over to her aunts.

“Indeed…” Luna nodded as did Celestia and Twilight.

“I've seen better.” A voice said from in front of the four, their eyes turned to Morning. “Blaze was a lot more flexible than most of them.” A blush tinting her cheeks as she spoke.

A drum started to play grabbing everyone attention and then the fat man returned to the center stage. “I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ENJOY OUR SHOW TONIGHT! BUT IT IS NOT OVER YET!” He said pointing a stubby finger at the crowd, “I ASK THAT NO FLAsH PHOTOGRAPH OR BRIGHT LIGHTS BE AIMED AT STAGE FOR OUR NEXT AND FINAL ACT!.” The man then pulled out a small card and began to read from it, “DEEP FROM THE CENTER OF EARTH, FROM THE BOWELS OF HELL ITSELF, I PRESENT TO YOU A MAN LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. HIS BODY IS THE PRICE HE PAID FOR MASTERING HIS CRAFT… I PRESENT THE MASTER OF HELLFIRE ITSELF. IGNIS!!” He yelled into his bull horn as smoke erupted from around him.

In the center of the stage stood the man in the red coat, still covered in bandages. The crowd began to cheer and whistle as the man to pull his bandaged covered arms from the sleeves of the coat. The trench coat which was buckled around his waist no looked like a large red dress with a black layer on top. Slowly with his right hand he reached up and placed a finger over his mouth. “Shhhhh.”

The crowd went quite as he did, then with a flick of his wrist he produced four silver long feathers in his hand. The sound of a violin was heard as another set of silver feathers appeared in his other hand, slowly turning and shifting his torso as he began to dance. Then all at once the pace picked up and the feather burst into flames as he began to juggle the flaming feathers. First it was eight, then twelve… and then at last fourteen silver flaming feathers begin juggled in the air. With a twist and a turn four of the flaming feather landed around him in a square, stabbing the ground. It was then that everyone realized that these were flaming daggers…

The pace once again increased, this time the man began to throw the daggers at the floor, and as each one hit the floor one could hear the sound of metal as the bounced back off the floor towards the man; each time the man plucking the feather like dagger from the air before it striking him.

“REMEMBER EVERYONE; IT’S ALL PART OF SHOW!” A Russian-accented echoed through the crowd.

As the man began doing more tricks while moving around the stage the flaming daggers came closer and closer to the man, now only a few inches from his torso. Suddenly one of the bandages on the shoulder caught on fire, then another one on his back, and then another on his head. The crowd began to gasp in fear as the man was slowly begin consumed by fire, even Celestia was about to raise and try to save this poor man who continued to juggle these flaming daggers.

“ONCE AGAIN I ASK YOU TO REMAIN SEATED; IT’S ALL PART OF SHOW!” The man’s voice echoed again.

Celestia hesitantly sat back down and watched as the man was almost completely covered in fire. The man began to spin on his, each of his flaming daggers landing on a pattern on the floor. Fire erupted from the daggers creating a pentagram of fire on the floor as the man was completely engulfed in fire and collapsed in the center.

“I cannot watch any longer that creature needs help!” Celestia yelled as she spread her wings only to be caught off guard when the fire grew a pair of black wings itself. Celestia watched wide-eyed as did everybody else as the wings flapped releasing more flaming daggers in the floor. A pattern of Equestria’s emblem now lit the floor and with a large flap a man with wings ascended from the flaming emblem and landed in front of Morning his left hand extended with a red rose in its grip and his head down while taking a knee. His black hair with red tips falling forward covering his golden eyes…

“A pretty flower for a pretty girl…” The man said.

As the guards ready their spears to force the man down, Morning pulled his arm hard forcing him to eye lever with her. No words were spoken as they looked into each other’s eyes, Morning then jumped the man forcing her lips upon his while tears began to flood down from her eyes. As they pulled apart, Blaze gave Morning a smile just before she swatted him.

“Where the heck have you been?” Morning exclaimed.

“Well long story short… it got—“ Blaze began only to get interrupted by Morning swatting him again and again while crying. Celestia and Luna smiled as Twilight looked up to the guards waving them away with her hoof. Slowly Blaze wrapped his wings around Morning as she continued to swat him, each hit being weaker than the next.

“If you ever leave or disappear on us ever again I’ll never forgive you!” Morning said as she collapsed onto Blaze’s chest in tears, his wings pulling her closer.

“I swear… I will never leave you again…” Blaze said as he cupped Morning’s face and gave her a long deep kiss.

Author's Note

Sorry, that is all I am good at. Apologies... my life has been a bit on edge lately. Well once again I have posted another chapter, it is also unedited find a typo... point it out. I know they are there. Enjoy and I will see you in the next chapter. Peace!