Hey, guys... I'm so, so, so very sorry this chapter took so long to get posted. March hasn't been my month, sadly, and I've been out for the last few days for some serious business. But I'm back, and I finally got the opportunity to upload the chapter. Enjoy...

Leon and Chloe went to their cabin, and he shut the door. She turned to him, almost immediately after he shut the door. Let me guess, me letting this guy go was a terrible idea, and he should still be locked up. Instead, she smiled.

"Leon, that was pretty bold of you to let him go, but… it was a kind thing to do. I felt bad for him… being thrown out into the streets by his own family. What made you do it?" she asked.

"Yeah, I felt bad too. Why did I do it?" he stated. Before he continued, he breathed deeply. She needs to know… he thought to himself. "I was in the same position before."

She looked at him confused. "What are you saying… you've been abandoned before?" Chloe asked.

Leon nodded slowly, keeping his head lowered. "Well, not abandoned by choice… but alone. My real parents are dead… and I did something a few days ago that I'm not proud of. I left my other parents after they told me the fact, and I left without saying goodbye. I didn't thank them for being there for me, and… I feel like I acted ungrateful and selfish. Who know what they're doing now," Leon said sadly.

"Experiencing it… that's why you welcomed him like you did. I didn't know… and it sounded like you didn't either." Chloe stopped for a moment. "Did you know your real parents before they died?"

"No… I never met them… the only thing that I have to remember them by is the amulet. I don't even know how they looked like, or who they were," he said, tears coming down from his eyes now.

"Well, I don't know what to say… but, if it helps, I'm sure we'll always be there to help you," Chloe said.

"And that's why you're all good friends. I think I should do what you guys did when I came to Clover Ranch, and that's a warm welcome to some pony unsure of themself," Leon said.

"I understand. I hope for his sake though that he doesn't do anything against us," Chloe said.

"Me too." Leon yawned, and he lay in the bed. "Man, I'm tired. In two days, we arrive at Trottingham. Wonder if Percy is gonna want to stay for a bit," Leon said.

"I don't know… but I'm tired as well. Good night, Leon," Chloe said.

"Night, Chloe," Leon responded.

Percy was in his cabin with Annabelle. She had fallen asleep some time ago, but Percy could not sleep. The Big Empty… maybe I should visit them in the cemetery. He lowered his head, and couldn't think at all. Since he left Trottingham, he only referred to it as the Big Empty, as it held nothing more for Percy to call it home.

He fell back into bed, and closed his eyes. He couldn't sleep, and he was annoyed that he failed to do so. Why? Why can't I fall asleep? He looked at the Amulet of Amendment, noticing its dim orange glow in the night.

He tossed and turned a bit more, and he finally had enough. Percy stood up, and headed outside his cabin quietly. He traveled between cars, and headed towards the far end of the train. He reached the end of the train, and stood outside, viewing the train quickly passing through the countryside in the night. He placed his hooves on the railing, and sighed deeply. He heard a door open behind him, and he turned around. He saw Umbreus behind him, and Umbreus walked to the railing as well. Percy was on high alert as he did.

"I'm guessing you can't sleep either?" Umbreus asked. He did not have the upbeat energy he had earlier, so he had a serious tone in his voice.

"No, I can't. Forgive me for asking, but what is it to you?" Percy asked.

"I… I need to be honest. I know who you all are, and I want to help you," Umbreus said.

"No… you don't know why we are really on this trek," Percy said.

"Oh, but I do. You and the Phoenix Bearer are looking for the other Amulets of Peace," Umbreus said.

"How did you know?" Percy asked, surprised.

"You're wearing the Amulet of Amendment around your neck, and one of your friends is wearing the Amulet of Wisdom. I'm no fool," Umbreus said.

"That's not how you seemed to act in the train. Why do you want to help us?" Percy asked.

"You may not know this, but you Spirits are the only ones who can stop Chrysalis. Philanthropy Pony think they can, but she's more powerful than they think. And for whatever it's worth, I want to help you all," Umbreus said.

"How can we trust you, Changeling?" Percy asked suspiciously.

"I hate and despise the title 'Changeling' for many reasons. They are not my comrades, and they've proven it by leaving me for dead in Los Pegasus. Not even my father would dare to stand up for me, and my mother was no longer around to care for me. If you must know why I acted ridiculous in the train, it's because I hide the fact that I was never meant to be here. It… it hurts very much," Umbreus said sadly, tears in his eyes.

Percy looked back at the countryside, now lit with the moonlight. "You live a solitary life as well? Forgive my impudence then. If you know so much about the Amulets, then it may be a good thing. How can you help us, though?" Percy asked.

"Did you not notice my ability to transform? I believe can help you all destroy the Magic Gear REG and defeat Chrysalis. Please, let me give assistance on your quest," Umbreus pleaded.

Percy thought quietly, and nodded. "It's a deal!" he said happily.

Umbreus then jumped up in joy, and laughed happily. "Spirit of Amendment, I knew you would all help! Thank you!" He then stopped, and turned around. "Snake, I know you're following me…" Umbreus said.

At that moment, Snake came out of a cardboard box, and grumbled. "How? How do you ponies know I'm in this box?" Snake asked.

"It's a random box lying in the middle of the way. Who isn't that going to fool?" Umbreus said smugly.

"Well, I don't trust you for one bit!" Snake announced, confronting Umbreus.

"I'm not surprised. You don't have to trust me; the Spirits of Peace do, though," Umbreus said.

"You're only siding with them so that you can betray them later on," Snake said angrily.

"Why would I do that? I have nothing to gain by siding with the Changelings. I do have a new life to earn by helping the Spirits, and I intend to do so," Umbreus said, defending himself.

Snake turned to Percy. "Don't trust him, Percy. You know what Changelings can do, and no matter how much he denies it, he is one."

Umbreus then turned to Percy. "Percy, I have no affiliations with the Changelings. I know my past, and I hate it. Please, trust me," Umbreus pleaded.

Percy was bombarded with both sides differing views, and he couldn't think. He then yelled out at the top of his lungs, and he ran back through the train into his cabin. Snake and Umbreus stared at him as he did, and then turned on each other.

"Don't you think for one second that I won't hesitate to kill you if you try anything," Snake said menacingly.

Umbreus raised his hooves up in a fighting stance. "I ain't afraid of you, old timer! Come on… put 'em up!" Umbreus said as he punched the air in front of Snake. Snake just shook his head, and shot Umbreus with a tranquilizer dart from his watch. Umbreus felt the sting, and began to feel the effects of the dose. "Uh… I need to rest a bit…" he said dazed as he fell over onto the floor, sleeping. Snake placed some hoof-cuffs on him, and dragged him back into the cars.

Percy went back into his cabin, and quietly entered the bed. He placed the pillow over his head, and finally had it in him to sleep, which he did so. His mind soothed, and his vision disappeared as he drifted off into slumber.

He awoke in a strange place, and after viewing the scene, recognized it as Clover Ranch. He stood up, and a small orb of light drifted near him. It landed on the ground near him, and began to shine much more brightly now. Percy shielded his eyes, and when he removed his hoof, he saw Celestia standing proudly over him. She approached him, and he bowed in respect.

"Percival, do you know why you are here?" Celestia asked. Percy looked up at her, and he shook his head. "You seem to be conflicting with yourself in more ways than one… is something wrong?"

Percy sighed, and answered after a while. "Two things, actually: I can't seem to place trust in the Changeling, and… I debate whether or not to return to Trottingham. I know that Changelings are evil and the one onboard the Express… I have my doubts about him," Percy stated.

"We all have doubts at times, do we not? You don't have to make your decision about him now. Get to learn more about this one, and then you will know what to do," Celestia explained. "As for Trottingham, that is based solely on your choice."

Percy nodded. He looked slightly away in sadness, and turned back to Celestia. "Wait… there must be something more as to why you called me here. Why in Clover Ranch?" Percy asked.

"Percival, you must learn more about yourself, especially in a time of doubt. Leon has done so, and he seems much more joyous than he was before. Perhaps you should as well. Explore Clover Ranch, and see what there is to learn from your vantage point. You may not have much time to do so tonight, but do not worry. You'll receive the opportunity to visit the dreamscape when you please. I must leave now, Percival," Celestia said, and she began glowing brightly until she disappeared.

Percy thought for a moment. Understand myself better… so I must head to locations I deem very significant in my life. The Olympia would be a good start. He trotted towards his restaurant, noticing that the sun remained setting in the distance. He arrived at the restaurant, and entered. He saw his grandmother and his brother, Grover, working in the restaurant. They greeted him, and approached him happily.

"Percy, what did they say? Is it a colt or a filly?" Grover asked.

"Excuse me?" Percy questioned.

"You told us the great news with Annabelle! What did Chloe say at the hospital? Was it a colt or a filly?" his grandmother asked.

"I… don't know… what about Annabelle?" Percy asked. Before he could receive an answer, he felt himself being tugged away from the restaurant. He didn't know what was going on, and he felt himself pulled through town and back to the meadow he awoke in. He slammed into the ground, and saw darkness.

Percy woke up, and looked around. He saw that he was back in the cabin in the Pony Express. He turned to his side to find Annabelle cuddling up to him. Blast… I didn't get to finish that conversation in the dreamscape. What happened with Annabelle? He brushed off the thought, and plotted to find out more when he was in the dreamscape next time. A colt or a filly… The thought rang in Percy's mind constantly, and he lay back down into bed.