The Lost Element

by XD-385

Equestria has long been known as the land of ponies. However, the name of Equestria is misleading. For far too long, a certain element has been missing from the world. And now, that element has been brought back. But for better or for worse?

107. Dragon of the East

Once I had finished typing up my recollection of that impressive experience last night, I packed up my stack of paper and made my way off the Alabaster to make my way across the camp to return to the command center. The place was basically my home away from home and I was really starting to miss my roommates. I needed a clean change of clothes too.

I surveyed my surroundings as I trekked along, passing by rows and rows of our infantry's modest field housing. So many tents. It is amazing just how many people one can pack into such an encampment. Although I knew that some who had been there for the first true battle upon the Empty Plains had been sent home. Lightning Dust and Sunset Shimmer. A pair of mavericks more interested in personal glory than the survival of their allies. We could not afford that to happen twice. Especially when I was so sure the emperor would only refine his tactics with every loss. The closer we came to his stronghold, the more fierce the opposition would become. We have many advantages over our enemies that allowed us to thoroughly devastate the previous army of Hollows, but we are not invincible. I can only hope we manage to get this over with and get back home without anyone needing to be brought home in a body bag, but...hopefully fate will be kind.

My pace slowed as I wandered through the camp. Things had gone well and these passing days of peace have been good for my nerves. But only when I do not think about the other side of that coin. With our first real battle behind us, it has been a prime opportunity to reevaluate our strategies and make adjustments to equipment as needed. But with every day spent here, the emperor amasses his forces to replace those that had fallen. I have no reason to doubt his reserves of Hollows is basically without limit. The longer we go with no sign of the enemy, the more uneasy I become. It is easy to forget during these moments of downtime spent among the familiar and beautiful displays of Equestrian hospitality and optimism from my comrades that we are at war. And war is a terrible thing that has no place in a world like Equestria. I can only pray that these wonderful people around me return home no differently than they were when they left. May the traumas of battle ahead not be too severe...

I managed to shake these doubts off once I reached the command center and stepped inside. I heard the gentle sounds of the radar systems in the corner and the clicking of the Morse code device over yonder. The situation was normal. I stood near the radar displays to scan the crystal panels that displayed the topographic information for miles around us. Much moreso to the east than west with some around the north and south as well. A sneak attack was impossible. If the enemy began to draw near, we would know. Although I still leaned towards the two guardsmen who were monitoring the situation and asked, "Anything to report?"

"Nothing, sir. No signs of enemy movement at all since the sensors were deployed." One of the two stallions replied while only casting me a glance from the side.

"Right then. Carry on." I retorted before leaving them to their duties. I did not see Shining Armor anywhere. Nor any of the royal sisters. Wanting to put away the stack of paper tucked under my arm, I headed up the stairs to my dorm. And I all but forgot who was waiting on the other side of that door.

No sooner had I stepped into my room was I subjected to a flying tackle as a petite equine form flung itself at me and clung to me with its lightweight form. "You're back! I missed you!"

"What the... Oh, right... Hey there, love bug. Sorry I haven't been spending much time in here, but you know how it is with Novo. She wants me around as often as possible." I said with a bit of a jump now that I found a familiar little Changeling mare holding onto me. I gently stroked my free hand down Ocellus' head while her transparent insect wings fluttered freely. I then turned my gaze to the far end of the room and saw Smolder standing there with her arms crossed while casting us an amused smirk. I then asked, "She give you any trouble while I was out all night?"

"You wouldn't believe how antsy she gets when you're gone for too long. It's adorable. She wouldn't shut up about how she was scared you wouldn't come back or something might get you on your way to the airship docks or something like that. All I can do is hold her and keep her calm." Smolder explained while smirking even more broadly. And I saw why. Ocellus opened her eyes even wider as she got called out. Goodness me, I can only imagine what kind of a mess Smolder has to put up with whenever I am not there for the night.

I looked down at the embarrassed little love bug while she looked up at me with an adorably endearing crooked grimace across her face. I cracked a smirk and asked, "You do know I'm safe out here, right? Nothing's gonna happen to me if I don't step outside the encampment's walls."

"I can't help it! I'm sorry!" Ocellus whimpered before she buried her face in my chest. It was hard to say if she was upset or just embarrassed over her own insecurities. "I just don't wanna lose you! Your love is always so delicious and you never run low on it! And you're always so kind to me... You're the best thing to happen to me in...in...I don't even know!"

That was...quite heavy on the confession side of things. I was not expecting to ever hear Ocellus just spill her heart out like that. I think even she noticed how heavy her words were and tried to backtrack while stammering only for her attempts to speak devolving into admittedly pretty funny incoherent mutterings with her face turned down. She just could not string words together and it was so amazingly difficult to not laugh. Smolder outright failed to contain her laughter and muffled it the best she could with both hands. I could not really find any words to say now that the situation had been filled with an air of awkwardness, but Smolder did take my journal when I held it out to her and stuffed it in my wardrobe. I needed both arms for a moment.

I held Ocellus to my chest and took a seat on my bed with Smolder by my side. Smolder must have been sleeping in it since the sheets were not entirely straight at the time. With her face still buried into my face as if she was hoping it would make her invisible, I whispered to Ocellus right in her ear. "Hey... Listen, love bug. You know I won't stay away forever. I'll always come back to you. I promise."

Ocellus uneasily lifted her head unlike those big blank blue eyes gazed up at me. She still grimaced in embarrassment as she mumbled, "I must look so pathetic... I'm just so scared to not see you come home..."

I responded by placing a kiss upon her horn. "It's OK, sweetheart. I know you had it rough. I know things...aren't that great where you came from. But you have me now. And I promise I'll never stay away for long. Do you believe me?"

The instant my lips touched her horn, Ocellus quivered like a mild shock had gone through her body. Her eyes squinted shut at what was surely a pleasant sensation. Even the carapace on her back popped open to let her wings flutter like those of a cicada. Smolder let out a snicker at this display, but remained respectfully silent to let us continue. Ocellus then whimpered, "I can't help it... I don't want to lose you... I don't want to say goodbye... There's so many around me who hate me and would tear me apart if they knew I was here... I'm scared... And you're the only thing that makes me think everything might be OK in the end..."

I glanced at Smolder and saw even she was disheartened by that confession. She looked up at me with a frown before reached out and holding both of us in a wide winged embrace. Ocellus could not hold it in and just broke down into pathetic whimpering sobbing. The poor thing was just so emotionally fragile and was truly in a hostile environment by Changeling standards. With her tears starting to stain my shirt, I whispered to her. "Ocellus... Love bug... If anyone hurts you, I'll hurt them right back. I won't let anyone take you from me... I'll take you home with me. And I'll make sure you're the happiest love bug who ever lived. Things will get better. Do you believe me?"

Fresh tears still flowing down her smooth chitinous face, Ocellus whimpered, "Do you...really think Equestria will ever be...kind to an ugly evil little Changeling like me?"

"Oh, don't you start on that again!" Smolder protested firmly with her finger touching Ocellus' nose. The little dragoness speaking with such a firm tone of voice startled Ocellus into looking at her. But Smolder then began to display a confident smirk. "You think I wasn't scared when I first showed up where James lives? He had to hold my hand when I went into Ponyville for the first time. And if everyone in Ponyville can be so nice to some punk barbarian dragon, I bet they're gonna love a sweet little beetle like you. It'll be fine. When we get back home, you're gonna love it there."

It was funny that I had almost forgotten that day. I do indeed remember when Smolder stopped dead in her tracks when I was taking her into town to meet my closest circle of friends. The poor thing was terrified. Really not so different from Ocellus in that regard. But then again, dragons have not been collectively declared an enemy of Equestria. And Ocellus was nowhere near as weathered as Smolder. The situation was much worse for her, but at least her best friend understood her concerns. Smolder then tickled Ocellus' ear and said, "We'll keep you safe. Besides, the guards around the place have been getting a little nicer with you every day. So that's OK, right?"

"They...haven't really been mean to me... Except for the captain. I can always feel his hate when he looks at me..." Ocellus whimpered uneasily. I had forgotten about Shining Armor at the moment. The poor guy had his wedding crashed by them... No wonder he hates them.

"Ocellus... We're gonna do something about that. If you really are so scared of everyone around you, then this is the day I introduce you to my friends. I'll show you that the people around us can be kind to Changelings." I finally declared as I had an idea. If Fluttershy could come to trust a Changeling after our first encounter with Thorax, then surely the rest of my closest circle of friends would listen to.

"All of them?! Today?! Are you...sure they won't hurt me?" Ocellus all but shrieked in a panic.

I responded by wrapping my arms around the precious love bug. "If they hurt you, I will be very upset with them and probably won't be talking to them for a while. I'll keep you safe when you're in the same room with them. Really. But we need to talk to them today, all right?"

"I'll be there with you too. You'll have both of us in case things get crazy. But I really can't imagine those mares getting mean with you." Smolder added while she gently patted our friend on the head. She then asked, "Come on, you don't wanna always think everyone out there is out to get you. That's not good for your nerves. Don't you wanna know everyone is perfectly OK with you?"

"It...just sounds too good to be true... But...if you'll both be with me..." Ocellus mumbled with severe doubt. She then finally let out a sigh of resignation and looked at us. "If you really think they'll like me... All right. Just...please stay close to me in case they try to hurt me."

"You can count on us." Smolder replied while I started to formulate a plan on ho to get my closest friends in the camp into the same room with us. But then Smolder got cheeky and threw us both for a loop. With her wings still wrapped around us, she brought her hands to the backs of our heads and pushed our faces together. "Now, kiss! You two need to chill!"

Ocellus and I both froze as our mouths were literally forced into touching. Not quite a kiss as much as it was just our faces getting scrunched up against each other, but the two of us then just burst into much needed laughter at the spontaneous prank. Ocellus managed to speak first as she looked at her friend. "Wow... Thanks. I really needed that..."

"Hey, anything to help out a good friend. You'd do the same for me, right?" Smolder said with a familiar smirk while she folded her wings behind herself. I could see it. Those two had firmly bonded over the past several days. They compliment each other well. And it did my heart good to know Ocellus was in good hands as long as Smolder was with her.

"Thank you... Thank you both... But..." Ocellus gasped as she caught her breath. That was some very hearty laughter from the little love bug. She then looked up at me and asked, "Before anything else... May I have a snack?"

"Like you even need to ask. Just help yourself." I replied while making sure Ocellus was comfortable in my arms. She started to raise her arms to me as if to hold on, but then hesitated as she looked at her hooves. It was not normal for her to delay in feeding on my love. "Something wrong? You're free to help yourself whenever you want. You know that, right?"

"Oh, I know... It's just..." Ocellus said before a flash of green fire engulfed her for just an instant. A second later, the Changeling on my lap had been replaced by a familiar lovely dragoness with tanned scales and a full head of flowing brunette hair. She then lifted her hands while speaking in a sheepish tone, "I just wanted to be something that can hold you better."

"Hold me?" I mused before I felt Ocellus wrap her arms around me tightly with her new hands pressed against my back and shoulder. She was now level with my eyes as well as she smiled invitingly. I quickly pieced together why she was so up in my face now. "Let me guess. Straight from the tap?"

Ocellus nodded readily while I saw Smolder smirking at the two of us. Almost like she was teasing us over what was sure to be easy to mistake for a romantic gesture. I leaned a little closer while Ocellus did the same. As our lips touched, our arms held each other. I felt that subtle sensation of an unexplainable presence being drained out of me like many times before. It did to last long. Ocellus was not that hungry. But I did see Smolder beside us smirking knowingly. The little dragoness crossed her arms and said, "Did anyone ever say you two make the cutest couple? Because you are."

"Smolder, please... We hardly know each other." I snorted in response to her playful jeering. Granted, Ocellus is an utterly adorable little mare. Although she took Smolder's words closer to face value than I did. She squealed and hid her face behind her eyes while I wheezed in a laugh of sorts at her response. As did the teasing dragoness beside us. Although she did soon look at me again with a gaze of uncertainty. Like she wanted to ask me for more. And so I asked, "Didn't get enough? Need some more?"

"Mm... Mmhm..." Ocellus mumbled just audibly enough for me to hear. I closed my eyes and brought my lips to hers again. But this time, she held on more firmly. I did not think anything was amiss at first. But as the seconds went by, I noticed something was missing. The distinct lack of that strange sensation. I did not feel Ocellus feeding on my love at all. And she was quick to notice my inquisitive gaze once that kiss ended. While having the hardest time looking me in the eye, she muttered softly, "I...just wanted to do it again because...it felt nice."

"Oh... Um... I...guess that's OK?" I said with some confusion. Smolder's eyes opened wider in intrigue upon hearing this while she watched and Ocellus looked away as if she was afraid I was upset with her. She even completely let go of me. While I was caught by surprise with that kiss, I was not bothered much. "And...you're right. That did feel nice. A kiss is supposed to feel pleasant."

"I should know. I love a good make out session with mi amor." Smolder added with a sensual hiss on her tongue. That slithery teasing tone sent a shiver down my spine and even caused Ocellus to glance her way with a very crooked grimace across her draconic lips. Smolder smirked devilishly at me before she reached out and grabbed me by the head. "Move over, love bug. My turn."

And what a kiss that was. Smolder closed her eyes as she brought her lips to mine. And we did not simply settle for a lip lock. Her tongue reached out to mine as ours began to dance. That familiar taste with just the slightest spicy hint of sulfur... I loved it. Ocellus was respectfully quiet, but I suspect she was closely watching as my little lover and I took this sacred opportunity to display our love for each other away from prying eyes. As the kiss ended with the two of us letting out a delighted sigh, Smolder gazed lovingly into my eyes as she dragged a claw along my jaw. "Je t'aime toujours, mi amor."

"Ti amo tanto." I whispered back to her. Words in languages we did not understand, but with meaning that was known to both of us. I then lied back down on my bed with Ocellus resting atop me. I beckoned for Smolder to join me, but she instead remained on her knees while tenderly cradling my hand between hers. She tenderly stroked her fingers along the back of my hand, caressing it like a precious treasure. She soon reached down and kissed me on the forehead. I asked quietly, "There's room for you here."

"I know, but I got something to do. I'm gonna check around the command center to see if I can find anyone to call the girls over today. Gotta make sure they get to like the love bug, right?" Smolder replied with smile while Ocellus only glanced at her in unease. Only then did Smolder hop down from my bed before looking back at us. "You two lovebirds take it easy until I get back."

I just rolled my eyes at Smolder's playful use of words. She then walked to the right and out of sight before I heard the door leading downstairs close. I remained on my back, but the false dragoness resting upon me was unusually still and silent. I stroked my fingers along her smooth head of hair and asked, "Ocellus...?"

"What did mean by that? Lovebirds? I thought I'm a love bug..." Ocellus mumbled in contemplation. She then looked at me and said, "I mean I guess I could try being a bird. Maybe a griffon or a hippogriff... Or what about those tall parrots? Did you call them harpies?"

Ocellus taking the term too literally got me to let out a chuckle. "No, no, that's not what she means. She was just messing with us by saying we're a budding couple. A couple of people falling in love. But that's not the case, right?"

I expected her to stammer and giggle in denial of Smolder's playful claims. But an uncomfortable amount of time went by without Ocellus making a sound. I then asked again, "Right...?"

After a moment longer, I looked down at Ocellus as I felt her beginning to stir. She gazed at me with those timid orange eyes and asked, "Do you...think you'll ever love me as much as you love Smolder?"

She was being completely serious. And I was unsure how to even respond to that question. Thinking carefully, I then said, "That's...a good question. Loving someone is one thing, but falling in love is another matter entirely. I...haven't known you long enough to wonder if I...will ever fall in love with you."

"It... I guess it's OK if you don't... I don't know how anyone could ever love me like that... I know I look pretty now, but I know you know I'm...hideous in my real form." Ocellus muttered forlornly with her eyes gazing at nothing in particular.

That display of doubt disgusted me. I knew she was aware of how almost no one around us had any faith in her as a Changeling. She could sense that animosity, even from within my room. And so I pushed myself up with Ocellus rising with me and held her firmly in my arms. A look of mild shock filled her eyes as she gazed into my much firmer gaze. Holding her firmly, I spoke just as firmly. "Don't ever say that. I know what you really look like. And you are beautiful."

I saw her eyes beginning to quiver as Ocellus looked like she could not believe what she was hearing. Her ears hanging from the side of her head, as anatomically unlikely as they were for a dragon, perked up in response. "You... You don't really mean that, do you?"

"I mean every word." I said with as much conviction as I could squeeze into my words. I wanted to hammer down any doubts she had about herself. "You're the prettiest love bug I've ever seen. You're the best love bug in the world. Everyone will love you. They just don't know it yet. Do you believe me? Do you believe me when I say you're the best little love bug out there?"

Her eyes quivered as I could see tears forming around the edges. Was I too firm with her? Did I scare Ocellus instead of inspiring her? She soon muttered with he sweet little voice starting to crack, "No... I'm... I'm not the best little love bug..."

This hurt to hear. In trying to help her, I ended up making Ocellus cry. And my words failed to convince her. But as I struggled to find something to back my words up with, Ocellus began to smile even as tears flowed down her face. Her voice cracking further, she then said, "I'm...your little love bug."

"Ocellus..." I muttered as I ended up being at a loss for words. Her gaze... So fragile, yet so trusting. I wanted to preserve that look of hope in them. Wanting to help her further, I then asked, "Is there...anything I can do for you?"

"Love me... Please, love me." She pleaded before embracing me firmly with her brow tilted down into my chest with my face now tucked between her two horns. "I'm your little love bug... I want to always be your little love bug... I'll follow you forever, if you'll let me..."

"Sweetheart... Ocellus, I..." I muttered as her words were filled with a genuine sincerity. I do love her. I always did. I always adored that precious love bug. But now...I was hoping I could...love her the way she wanted. A part of me was hoping that something would change in time. Where something would click and we could start being more than friends. I then whispered to her, "I...hope I end up loving you like that someday."

She cooed and wiggled on my lap with her arms locked around me. Just so loving... The poor thing deserved more than what she had. I then whispered more reassuring words to her. "When this war is over, I'm taking you home with me. Just like we planned. We'll see each other every day. And you'll be happy there. I promise you'll have a good life with me in Ponyville."

"As long as I have you, I'll...always be happy." Ocellus sighed before she lifted her face to gaze at me from inches away. The tears were still fresh on her face, but those eyes... So full of hope. She then whispered, "Please don't ever leave me... I'll be your little love bug... I'll be good..."

"Ocellus... I won't do that to you. I'll..." I muttered as I became lost in those beautiful orange eyes lined with tears. And for just an instant, I acted on what my heart was demanding. I placed my hand on the back of her head while she leaned closer, her eyes halfway closed. And then... Her lips were upon mine.

This was not at all like our previous little kisses. This one was fueled by a mutual need. She needed this as much as I did. We clung to each other, eyes squinted shut as we gasped and sighed into that wonderful kiss. I could feel her beginning to sip away at my love. And soon, I felt a warm moistness upon my lips. And they parted to answer her call.

That taste... Her tongue upon mine. That soft and long dragon's tongue. But the taste... Not the slightest hint of sulfur. I suppose there is only so much a Changeling can do to imitate other species. But I hardly minded. This taste was hers. And this subtle sweetness tickled my senses. As sweet as her fragile soul. I felt such a powerful desire in my heart. To hold and cherish this little love bug forever. And when our kiss finally ended and we gazed into each others' eyes in a haze, I pleaded with her. "Please don't ever leave..."

"I'll never leave you...if you never stop loving me." The false dragoness cooed at me with fresh joyful tears complimenting her euphoric smile. Her hand rested over my heart, her eyes closing. "The love you have for me... It's...so much stronger now..."

"We'll see where things go... I...hope we have a future together." I muttered as I held her head to my chest. I felt such a powerful desire to see this precious little lady happy. She deserved happiness. I knew that by then.

"I could spend an eternity with you and never stop being happy... I'll always be...your little love bug, James..." Ocellus cooed with the calmest tone of voice I had heard out of her so far. I do have to wonder... Could I fall in love with a Changeling? Creatures that sustain themselves on love? Would such a thing...ever work?

Finally remembering what time it was, I reluctantly stood up from my bed with Ocellus rolling off me to watch. I grabbed some clean clothes from my wardrobe and stepped into the bathroom to swap out of my used attire. But as I did so with the door closed and locked, I could hear something on the other side. Footsteps pacing back and forth just outside my door.

Ocellus was probably pacing just beyond the door out of anxiousness. She really was not comfortable being without me for too long. And as soon as I opened that door and found her standing there, she beamed at me before jumping into my arms. I held her up and patted her on the back of the head. "I'm not going anywhere yet, love bug. I'm still here. All right?"

"Mmhm... I'm just...at my happiest when I can feel your love near me." She said with a relieved sigh. Her unwavering sincerity touched my heart. And she followed up that statement with another wonderful thing to say. "I just want to be with you."

"You really are a love bug. Always full of lovely things to say." I retorted before carrying her to my bed. And it was right around then that I heard the door leading downstairs open. I instinctively felt anxious, but calmed when I saw Smolder step in. "Hey, how'd it go?"

"I checked with Princess Celestia. She got in touch with the girls and said they'll be sure to stop in after dinner. That an OK time?" She replied while not closing the door behind her.

"After dinner? That sounds about right." I said before looking down at the false dragoness in my arms. Her peaceful smile faded for a bit, but she calmed herself when I said, "It'll be all right. You'll have me here."

"Right... I'll...be OK if I have you." Ocellus whispered while I noticed Smolder starting to smirk very smugly when she heard that.

I stroked my hand over our little friend's head while Smolder took a seat beside me. Remembering her parting words, I then asked with a tiny whisper, "Lovebirds? What made you say that?"

Smolder was very direct with her response. She leaned closer and whispered discreetly into my ear while Ocellus was thoroughly distracted by my caress. "Because you two would be really good for each other. I can tell."

I was about to contest that, but then took into account what had transpired between Ocellus and I while Smolder was out of the room. I could not even try to deny that claim. And so I replied with a smirk and whisper, "You are way too wise and observant than you have any right to be at your age."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Smolder retorted with smug toothy grin. Although she quickly followed that up with a kiss to my cheek. But after a moment longer, she then said, "Oh, right... I was asked to let you know they need you downstairs. Sorry for not saying it right away."

"Now? Oh, sure. I'll be right back." I said before standing up while Smolder held Ocellus' hand to keep her calm. I would not be going far. But when I did get to the bottom of the stairs, I saw just about everyone in the command center gathered around the radar station in the corner. I was instantly hit with a wave of dread. "Oh no... They're not here, are they?"

"I don't think so... There's nothing approaching out from the east. It's only coming from the west this time." Shining Armor replied as he pointed a hoof at the glowing crystal panels. He was right. There was no movement or blips being displayed out east. Nor to the north and south. But there was one tiny blip on the panels displaying what little topographic information we were seeing towards the west. I knew by then that Hollows are displayed as purple blips. But this one...was green. Shining Armor then added, "It looks like...there's only one. And it's not the enemy."

"We're not expecting any supply runs being delivered on foot. All supplies are deliverer via airship out here..." Celestia added as she and her sisters glanced at each other for a brief mutual confirmation of their thoughts on the situation. She then looked back at me and said, "James, fetch your armor. And leave your weapons for now. Meet us at the west gate. I doubt this is a threat, but we can't be too sure out here."

"Right, I'll be there." I replied before hurrying up the stairs to dip my feet into the tub that held my armor's liquid form. Smolder and Ocellus watched as I did so with my armor hardening over my body. "Something's come up. Something or someone is approaching from the west and we have no idea what it could be. Doesn't look like the enemy, but we're still taking precautions."

"You mean...it's not here to hurt us?" Ocellus asked with some curiosity in her eyes.

"That means... Hey, how about we come watch? If it's not here to start trouble, then we've got nothing to worry about. We won't get in the way. Promise." Smolder added while looking more intrigued than worried.

I too jogged my mind as I tried to imagine what this mysterious lone entity could be. Nothing came to mind. We were much too far from civilization for anyone to reasonably reach us on foot by themselves. Was it Gallus? That griffon boy I bumped into out there? No, I strongly doubt he would travel that much farther into the Empty Plains. Even if the supply runner airships would guide him back and forth. Much too risky and far too much ground to cover. But who else could it be? Regardless, I saw no harm in indulging their request and letting them get out of the command center for a while. "Yeah, sure. Just stick with me. But if that thing means trouble, you two hurry back here and take shelter. Promise me that, all right?"

"OK! We'll run and hide if it's something mean!" Ocellus retorted while Smolder nodded in agreement. Once I was suited up in all but my helmet, I led the two little ladies down the stairs. The command center was now emptier since most of the high officers had left to gather at the west gate. No one objected to me taking Smolder and Ocellus outside. Since Ocellus had taken a form that had wings, we all took to the air to save time as we hurried west.

Quite a crowd was gathering at the west gate when we came in for a landing. The three royal sisters were there along with Shining Armor. I could see Seaspray standing atop the walls to survey the situation out west while all of his fellow hippogriff archers stood ready with longbows at their sides. Smolder spoke up, "Wow. Must be a big deal."

"One single entity approaching on foot from the one direction we wouldn't expect anyone to be coming from? Yeah, I'd say that's cause for some sort of alarm." I retorted while casting my gaze to the west and beyond the encampment's walls. I could not make out anything at the time. The approaching party was likely still too far away.

There were some very recognizable faces among the crowd. I saw Gilda chatting up Rainbow Dash. Ember had arrived in full armor and with spear in hand while her men also stood with her. I even saw Novo approaching on her magnificent wings from the airship docks to the north. Ocellus muttered uneasily as we approached the growing mass of onlookers, "That's...a lot of people..."

"Stay close to me and no one will bother you, love bug." I said while hoping Ocellus would not lose her composure and unwittingly dispel her disguise. Very few people in the camp are aware of her true identity and having dozens of infantry around us see a Changeling appear would...not be ideal for the situation.

Novo waved at us with her right wing as we came in for a landing. "Over here, honey! What's the commotion for? This isn't normal, right?"

"I don't think there's any trouble. It's just that there's someone, just one, coming from the west. And we know it's not any of the emperor's men. Really peculiar situation." I explained while just as in the dark about the situation. I then shrugged my armored shoulders and added, "With how close we are to moving out, I can see why this looks like bad timing. Can't be too careful here."

"Hm. This really would be a bad time for unexpected surprises, wouldn't it? Let's hope it's nothing to write home about." Novo spoke with a perplexed frown on her beak. Although her eyes lit up when she gazed at the taller of the two dragonesses beside me. "Hello there, little love bug. Did you sleep well after the last time you stopped by?"

"Oh...! Your majesty, hello!" Ocellus exclaimed before bowing graciously towards the hippogriff queen. "I...um... I slept very well that night. Woke up feeling very refreshed. Thank you for...um...sharing dinner with me."

"You stop on by anytime you need...an extra helping of mama's home cooking. Sweet little love bugs like you are always welcome." Novo replied with a soothing tone of voice, her hand resting atop Ocellus' head. The cleverly disguised Changeling giggled in delight as she likely felt Novo's very hospitable love oozing off her touch. Smolder just snickered in delight at the precious display before us. And they were doing well to keep the true nature of Ocellus hidden in plain sight. Although Novo then turned and called up to the archers atop the wall. "Admiral! Any sign of anything out there?!"

I could see Seaspray clad in his gorgeous iridescent armor while he remained seated, a telescope held to an eye. "Not yet, your majesty! The dips in the plains are giving this nameless stranger plenty of cover for their approach! I will inform you the instant I catch sight of them!"

The four of us then approached the three royal sisters as the murmur of quiet conversation filled the air. It was an intriguing mystery everyone was eager to see revealed. Smolder then asked, "Nothing yet? You want me to fly out there and see if I can spot them from above?"

"Absolutely not, child. You are forbidden from engaging with any potential enemies units even slightly. We will wait and scope out the intruder from afar. Understood?" Luna retorted most firmly while Celestia and Nightmare Moon spoke softly amongst themselves. Smolder did not even try to dispute that and crossed her arms in waiting. Although Luna then asked, "Wait... Why are you out here? This is no place for young ones."

Ocellus promptly objected, "We're just here to watch! That thing out there...isn't one of the enemy, right? It won't attack us? Smolder and I will run back to the safe house if things get crazy, all right? Please?"

Luna snorted in some irritation before saying, "Very well, I suppose so. But retreat the instant there is a confrontation. You understand?"

The two little ladies nodded without objection. Although it was then that Seaspray called out to us. "There! It's coming up over the horizon now, your majesties!"

"Great! Who's out there?!" Novo called out to her captain of the guard.

What Seaspray said next baffled everyone. Including me. "It... Hm... It seems to be... Well, I can see that whoever it is carries arms and armor for battle. But... I have never seen a creature like this in my life. If I had to describe this being... I would have to say it appears to be a fusion of pony and...dragon?"

Novo immediately cast her admiral a cockeyed stare while he never looked away from the west. "A pony and a dragon? In one body? That...doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard of. What about you, James? That sound familiar?"

I brought a hand to my head while even Smolder appeared to be wracking her brain for an answer. "Pony and dragon? I... Uh... I'm trying to think of something that matches that description, but nothing comes to mind..."

There was a mumbling of confusion around us. They were armed, but definitely not anything that could be associated with the enemy. It was only then that Nightmare Moon suddenly lifted her head with a sudden realization. "Wait... Wait, that sounds like... Admiral! Allow me to borrow your scope!"

Nightmare Moon jumped high to the encampment's walls with a flap of her wings. Her magic aura coated the telescope before it floated up to her face. A moment later, she passed it back to the admiral and muttered something to him. She then jumped back down to us and spoke, "They are to be granted entry upon arrival. They mean no harm."

"Just like that?! Are you sure?!" Celestia asked in shock while we were all surprised that Nightmare Moon would give this approaching stranger the benefit of the doubt after just a glance.

The Princess of Dreams then spoke with a smirk. "Trust me, this foe is a friend. You will see when they reach us. Have faith, sister."

A new tension filled the crowd around us. A total stranger was about to be granted entry and we had no idea what it could be. I then asked, "You sure this is a good idea?"

Nightmare Moon simply chuckled as she asked, "If that description you heard does not ring any bells, then you are in for a very pleasant surprise."

I just looked at my companions while they all looked back at me with equal gazes of confusion. Nightmare Moon must have recognized who was out there. And so we waited. As the minutes ticked by, the wooden beams that secured the sturdy gates were lifted before they swung open. And when my eyes fell upon who was now striding into the encampment, the dots quickly started to connect for me. And I felt my heart leap into my throat. "You...?"

The description of pony merged with dragon was not entirely accurate, but I could see why Seaspray would make that assumption with so little to see from the front and at such a distance. And the armor that coated them... It was not at all like the suits of barding being worn by the ponies around us. This suit of armor had a distinctly...eastern aesthetic to it. A jacket of scale armor composed of emerald green hues covered the torso with a thick threaded band tied around the waist. Long flexible tassets shielded the back and sides of the hind legs were coated in an equally green color. The forelegs were coated in polished bronze greaves and the head was covered in a green helm that provided excellent protection to the sides and back of the neck. And slung over the back was a long polearm. One that ended in a broad curved blade instead of a spearhead. But most shocking of all... I knew this mare. And when her eyes met mind, a wonderful sense of familiarity filled my soul.

But I was not the only one to recognize the mare before us. Celestia and Luna also took a step forward as they began to draw closer. The Princess of the Dawn asked softly, "You... You are...?"

With a serene smile, the mare before us lifted her helmet as a magic aura surrounded it. Her horn, appearing to be composed of polished wood, had a glowing rune set into it near the base as the helmet slid up and past the horn. And with a shake of her head, a full head of wild pine green hair flowed free. Her beautifully contrasting red eyes gazed kindly at us before she spoke with a beautiful voice that I found myself longing for. "Your highness?"

"Rain Shine!" The two sisters shrieked in delight before rushing forward as all three mares beamed in joy. The Princesses of the Night and Dawn bordered Rain Shine as they caught her in a dual equine hug, laughing and almost weeping in delirious joy like a trio of sorely dear friends being reunited after far too long. And Celestia's words only confirmed this connection. "It's been far too long, old friend! So good to see you!"

"Oh, wait! She's a kirin! Yeah, there's a whole village of them out here, right?" Smolder spoke up as she too came to recognize some physical attributes on our visitor. I had forgotten that she had almost stumbled across the Grove of Silence during her search for me and bumped into Autumn Blaze.

Upon hearing that term, the crowd around us burst into an uproar of intrigue and wonderment. I doubt any of them had even heard of the kirin before, let alone seen one. But I was most surprised to see Ember step forward as that word filled her eyes with a profound look of realization. "A kirin?! One of the dragons of the east?!"

Even Ember's own subordinates muttered amongst themselves in curiosity. As if the dragon lands had some degree of knowledge of this seclusive race's existence. I stepped near Ember and asked, "You know of them?"

Ember glanced up at me and said, "Yes! My father spoke of them on occasion. He called them the dragons of the east. Never really knew why though."

"Dragons...of the east... Hm..." I muttered in contemplation. I thought back to the night I spent in the Grove of Silence. And those mystical blue flames the kirin used to heat their cooking woks with. I had to wonder... Could they naturally produce fire as well? There was that tale of Rain Shine's mother...

After a moment of joyful reunion between the three of them, Celestia and Luna took a step back from the chieftain of the Grove of Silence. The Princess of the Night then asked, "As much as I dread to distract from this reunion, whatever brings you out here, old friend? You're a long way from home, are you not?"

"Yes, I have been traveling nearly nonstop in the prior days. I was hoping I would catch up to you before long." Rain Shine replied with that wonderful voice. She then explained, "As I am sure you can see just by looking at me, I did not simply come here to catch up on lost time. I am here to provide assistance if you would have me."

Another murmur of surprise filled the crowd around us. Even I was stunned to hear this declaration. The chieftain of the Empty Plains' population of kirin? Serving alongside us on the battlefield? This came so far out of left field that even I was left speechless. And the kirin... I could swear they are pacifists by nature. Being on a battlefield? It was unthinkable.

I was tempted to talk Rain Shine out of it. Even if she was fully armed and armored. She looked like she knew exactly what she was getting into. Before I could approach, Celestia mirrored my thoughts. "You... You're here to fight?! Do you even know what is happening out here right now? We are at war, old friend. Are you certain you understand what you are saying?"

"Yes. I am aware. As my people and I have been listening most closely to what has been transpiring out here." Rain Shine began to explain as her tone darkened somewhat. "We detected you all passing some time ago and have been listening closely through the earth. The first encounter upon the plains went smoothly. The second one, even moreso. But when only one remained... We heard a struggle. The last man standing provided a horrific resistance that even your mightiest warriors had great difficulty overcoming. It was this struggle that convinced us you may need further assistance. And so I gathered my armor and my glaive before setting out while my people watch over the Grove of Silence in my absence. I am relieved that I was able to reach you in time."

She heard everything... Truly, there is no hiding anything from the kirin when they try to listen in. The mares of the Grove of Silence were probably eavesdropping on us at that very moment. Nightmare Moon then stepped forward and said, "Any assistance you can provide would be deeply appreciated. It is good that you are here for us."

"Oh, I am not here for you, your highness." Rain Shine said surprisingly as she crossed horns with the Princess of Dreams once more. But I then froze as her vibrant red eyes met mine. "I am here...for him."

Everyone took a step back as the kirin warrior before us approached me. Her serene smile never fading from her face, she soon stood before me as our eyes locked. That wonderful indescribable sensation of belonging... That sense of kinship that I have only ever felt in the presence of the kirin... It was palpable as she spoke softly to me. "I have been longing to see you again, dear friend."

"And I... I didn't know how happy I'd be to see you until you were here." I replied in a subdued joy. I held out my arms, which she all too happily accepted. Rain Shine stepped into my embrace, her chin upon my pauldron as that familiar scent of pine flooded my nostrils. Her luscious green mane caressed my cheek as I held her and savored this reunion. It was good to have her there.

There was a moment of respectful silence as Rain Shine and I savored this reunion. The joy in my heart... Truly man and kirin hold a special connection to each other. Although I soon heard Smolder ask, "So you're the queen of the kirin out here? You know Autumn Blaze too?"

Rain Shine only pulled away to gaze down at the young dragoness beside us, our audience still muttering amongst themselves. The kirin matriarch was drawing a lot of attention from the westerners around us. And a gaze of realization fill her eyes. "Oh... Are you the dragon young Autumn spoke of? She did mention encountering one not too long ago while out for a stroll..."

"That's me! And I didn't know you kirin could get this tall!" Smolder retorted as she beheld the majesty of the kirin chieftain before us. Rain Shine only chuckled with adoration now that she had met someone Autumn Blaze surely must have spoken of. I doubt that chatterbox could keep a secret for long.

"If I may?" I heard a deep and soulful voice say as someone approached from nearby. We turned and found Novo drawing closer. Rain Shine remained silent to allow her to speak first, although Novo's eyes carefully scanned the mare before her. She soon let out a quiet whistle before saying, "My my... I almost never come across a mare who's as pretty as me. Novo. Queen of Capricorn Island. It's a pleasure, Rain Shine."

"Capricorn Island... Ah, yes! In the ocean to the west! It's difficult for us to hear anything that is separated by the ocean depths. Home of the hippogriffs, yes?" Rain Shine asked in return while we all took a step back to allow this meeting of royalty to carry on without interruption.

"You girls listen with an ear to the ground for everything, hm? Clever talent to have." Novo retorted before glancing at me with a smirk. "And you know this man? Seems to me you're a little too familiar with him."

I felt a tension fill the air as I wondered what compelled Novo to say that in front of an audience. Although Rain Shine let out a pleasant giggle in response to Novo's observations. "Oh, we have met. My people and I were blessed enough to have this man happen upon the Grove of Silence. He was wonderful company that night and we have all missed him dearly. Which reminds me..."

With a cast of her unique magic, Rain Shine summoned a large flower to suddenly sprout from the ground. A bright yellow bellflower, to be precise. Everyone watched in awe as she spoke into the blossom. "I have arrived at my destination. Our friend is alive and well. I will return when I can. You may all rest easy now."

"Hang on a minute. You can actually talk to other kirin through these flowers? I bet there's no hiding anything from you ladies." Novo spoke up before breaking into a hearty laugh. Some of the gawkers around us also found some intrigue and amusement in seeing the kirin matriarch speaking into a flower.

"Yes, I know this looks strange from a glance, but we... Hm?" Rain Shine began to say before she paused with an ear held up to the bellflower. A crooked smile then formed on her lips before she glanced at me. "Autumn Blaze says hello, James. And she misses you dearly."

That made me smile. Even though I knew I would not be able to hear her, I stepped forward and spoke into the bellflower. "Miss you too, Autumn. And thanks for being nice to Smolder. I'll stop by on my way back."

"Sounds like she will be holding you to that, James." Rain Shine spoke with a chuckle before the bellflower retracted into the ground and out of sight. But it was then that our attention was drawn to someone who had wandered close. Ember, still clad in armor without her helmet, had taken Rain Shine's weapon in hand and was closely examining it. The kirin chieftain took note of this and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Hm? Oh, I was just... Um... What even is this?" Ember asked while trying to find a proper grip for the polearm. The glaive Rain Shine had been carrying with her possessed an brightly color red shaft with a wide cleaving blade at the tip. The design was distinctly that of an eastern land with the blade being that of a backsword with a pair of prongs pointing up from the spine. There was even an engraving set into the sides of the blade that appeared to depict a slithering green serpent. The lack of a pommel of the other end of the shaft reinforced how centrifugal force was required to get the most out of the business end of the weapon and nowhere else. Ember then asked, "It looks like a spear, but I don't think it is..."

"The correct term for this type of weapon is glaive. Think of it as a backsword on a spear shaft. It requires a different type of technique than what you use with a spear." I explained in brief while not being terribly familiar with the regional terminology of the weapon Rain Shine was carrying with her. I am sure it has a foreign term assigned to it, but I would continue to refer to it as a glaive for consistency. Knowing how adept Ember is with a polearm, she could probably figure out how to wield it.

Rain Shine did not mind Ember examining her weapon and patiently waited for her to hand it back to her. Although it was at this point that Celestia stepped forward. "Rain Shine... You say you're here to assist us? On the battlefield? You know we are at war, yes?"

"I am aware, yes. Why do you suppose I came clad in the finest armor we were able to forge and with my bloodline's ancestral blade? I would not have carried the Viper Fang with me had I not been prepared to do battle upon the plains." Rain Shine replied as her attention was directed towards her old friend. She then asked, "Why so concerned? You believe I am only placing myself in harm's way?"

"It's not that, old friend. It's just... For as long as we have observed, your kind are pacifists by nature. We have never heard of kirin becoming warriors." Luna then added while Nightmare Moon watched in respectful silence.

I too have to admit seeing a kirin join us in battle was one of the last things I ever imagined to happen. Seeing Rain Shine clad in that eastern armor... It was both fitting, yet completely unsuited for such a wonderful creature of tranquility and peace. I had already seen battle twice before. And since I was certain the coming clashes would only become more arduous... I dreaded seeing this creature of peace in an environment she was in no way prepared for.

And yet, Rain Shine only gave the sisters of the dawn and night gaze of amused surprise. And then she chuckled before asking, "Is that what your concerns are? You fear I am unversed in the art of combat? You are aware the chieftains of the kirin clans are the ones tasked with protecting their people, yes? I assure you that I know what I am getting myself into her."

That claim did not surprise me. She did speak of her mother protecting the Grove of Silence from an approaching army of ruthless deer, but that sounded more like she had simply routed them by setting the surrounding meadow on fire instead of facing them in actual battle. Lord knows how she even managed to do that, come to think of it...

But there was one person among us who took Rain Shine's claims at face value. Nightmare Moon then stepped forward and said, "Perhaps a demonstration will soothe any doubts we have."

Everyone glanced at the Princess of Dreams. And Rain Shine's serene smile turned into quite the cheeky smirk. "A demonstration, you say? A duel? If that is the case, who will face me?"

"Allow me! Our weapons aren't too different." Ember spoke up as she passed Rain Shine's glaive back to her before snatching up her own spear from nearby. Displaying nothing but intrigue and confidence, Ember then said, "I should introduce myself first, right? I am Ember. Dragon Lord and ruler of the dragon lands. I hope you're expecting an worthy fight."

"The dragon lands? Little in the way of vegetation grows out there... What whispers we have heard does suggest what you say is true. A duel between dragons of the east and west, yes? I accept your challenge, Ember." Rain Shine replied before the two of them respectfully bowed to each other. Rain Shine then took hold of her blade with levitation magic before also placing her helmet back upon her head. "I do believe the plains just beyond the gate will suffice. I hope I do not disappoint."

A new kind of excitement filled the air as we all followed Ember and Rain Shine out of the camp. Those who could fly lined the western walls of the encampment for a better vantage point to observe the duel between the two of them. Rain Shine was very confident with what she said. Not the slightest signs of doubt in her words. Just how skilled was she in battle with the use of a glaive?

"I really must insist that you all provide us with more room. I would dread for any collateral damage to reach any of you." Rain Shine spoke up, prompting Ember to bring a hand to her jaw. Was Rain Shine concerned Ember's natural flame breath might reach us? Why would she even suspect Ember would resort to such a technique in a simple duel between spear and glaive?

Regardless, it was respectable foresight and no one objected. We all stayed back as Ember and Rain Shine continued further along until they were maybe no less than a hundred paces away from us. Quite a crowd had gathered while familiar faces stayed near me. Rain Shine had the element of surprise on her side. I heard Twilight Sparkle speak, "A real kirin... I almost never get to read about them. I wonder what she can do?"

Rain Shine bowed gracefully towards Ember in a display of some sort of formality. Ember responded in kind by bowing forward with a hand upon her breastplate. She then jumped back and brought her spear to both hands with the tip pointing forward. Rain Shine also made a quick hop backwards and turned her body sideways with her glaive floating behind her, the blade pointed forward and towards the ground. With a quick flick, she could probably bring the blade forward for a rising slice. Ember then called out, "Ready when you are!"

We watched an waited, but Rain Shine did not make the first move. She waited patiently. True to her nature as a kirin, she did not strike first. She was waiting for the aggressor to draw near. And Ember eventually figured this out. The armored dragoness suddenly dashed forward while keeping herself low to the ground. And with a flap of her wings, she suddenly threw herself to her left without losing forward momentum. Ember darted from one side to the other to disorientate her opponent with mobility now human warrior could match. But Rain Shine did not flinch. And even from that distance, I could see that her gaze of serenity never faded once. I started to feel some apprehension as Ember closed the gap. She would reach Rain Shine in only seconds from that distance. I was sure Ember would at least try to avoid striking a severe blow and would probably make a conscious effort to only target the armored components covering her opponent's body, but the sheer effort Ember was putting into her disorienting approach only made me question my faith.

Rain Shine did not budge. Even when Ember jumped into the air with her momentum carrying her forward. Even if she struck her upon right in her durable helmet, the speed behind that stab could still cause significant harm. Why was Rain Shine making herself such an easy target?! I felt a surge of dread as I was sure I was about to see someone dear to me get hurt. But just when I was about to cast a levitation spell to try and stop Ember's lunge, something caught my eye. The run near the base of Rain Shine's horn began to glow. And just before Ember could reach her...

No one saw what was coming. In less than a second, the ground between the two warriors ruptured as thick and gnarled wooden tree roots burst up and took the attack before Ember had any idea what was happening. A gasp filled the crowd as Ember's assault was stopped cold before she pressed her feet against the newly erected uneven wall for leverage to pry her weapon free. She soon jumped off and caught her stance back on solid ground, but Ember still shouted at her opponent in disbelief. "Wha... Where'd these come from?!"

The wall of roots began to part as Rain Shine still maintained that serene smile, although her eyes were narrowing into a much more playful stare. And the rune of her horn... It was still glowing. It only then dawned on me. "No way... She's a..."

I saw that look of shock in Ember's eyes as she too understood why this wall of wood had intercepted her attack. Those roots did not simply spontaneously pop up out of nowhere. They had been summoned. The roots then parted to allow Rain Shine to walk past them. Ember began to back away with her spear never turning its head away from her opponent. Rain Shine then spoke more boldly while her glaive floated at her side, "My blade is not the only weapon you should fear. The earth itself is my ally! I call upon nature's blessings to serve me in battle! Prepare yourself, dragon of the west!"

With Ember now realizing that Rain Shine had far more than a steel blade at her disposal, she quickly proceeded to turn up the heat. The Dragon Lord opened her maw wide and unleashed a burst of pink flames at Rain Shine. While I was startled to see Ember resort to more drastic measures to try and come out on top of this duel, it was necessary now that Rain Shine had shown her hand. She would have to use everything at her disposal to keep up with someone who was essentially a geomancer.

Rain Shine never lost her graceful stance as another wall of thick wooden roots burst from the ground before her to intercept the incoming orb of flame. A flash of fire engulfed the wall of wooden barbs, but they instantly ignited as well. Rain Shine was quick to take advantage of this as the root rapidly grew skyward to form a wall of towering burning tendrils. Bending as if they were the appendages of a massive subterranean creature, they brought themselves down in an attempt to smash Ember into the ground. The Dragon Lord reacted quickly with her wings swiftly carrying her across the plains, the burning wooden tendrils hitting the ground hard with an earthshaking slap. And the crowd around me was starting to go wild. This was more than simply a duel between spear and glaive. This was also a battle between earth and fire.

"Stop hiding behind your saplings and show me what you can do with that blade!" Ember called out as she came swooping in with spear ready. Her opponent appeared to accept her challenge since any wooden roots, burning or otherwise, retracted into the earth from whence they came. And when came in for a swooping stab, the Rain Shine's glaive swung up from behind her to smack Ember's spear away with the blade's spine. Ember quickly grounded herself and readied her spear in both hands while the kirin chieftain also adjusted her stance to not be so relaxed. I saw her magic aura being applied in two places along the shaft. One was constantly holding it from the bottom while the other was near the top. Almost as if the aura was functioning like a pair of hands. They almost mirrored Ember's grip on her spear, though Rain Shine's grip was higher up to exert more control. Ember slapped her tail upon the ground as she spoke out, "That's more like it. Show me what you got, dragon of the east!"

What a spectacle, seeing those two start to go at it. Ember making careful jabs with her spear while also moving the spearhead in circular motions to make it harder for Rain Shine to try and get in a jab with her blade. Ember would often try to get in a stab before hopping back with quick footwork. Rain Shine's glaive often maintained mostly horizontal positions in an almost acrobatic style that one would only find used with eastern martial arts. But even moreso, she would at times send her glaive into a whirling spin to build up momentum for powerful slashes that Ember dare not try to counter. A technique that would be impossible for a pair of hands.

As much as everyone was getting a kick of seeing just how masterful Rain Shine was with a glaive, my attention was directed mostly at Ember. She was probably the one at the most of a disadvantage, but she was stalwart and tricky with her weapon's maneuvers. And she never stopped smiling. I could tell that she was having a good time with this sparring session. So petite, yet so fierce and stubborn. Her resolve in the face of her opponent was nothing short of inspiring and I found myself smiling with her. I even heard her own men starting to cheer her on. I wanted to see her at least end the duel in a draw.

"You're good... Really good!" Ember shouted before propelling herself back with a flap of her wings to take a moment to catch her breath and survey the situation. She started to step sideways with her spear constantly pointed at her opponent as if searching for an opening. Rain Shine began to mirror Ember's movements by beginning to walk in the opposite direction without taking her eyes off her, the glorious kirin queen gracefully striding like she had nothing to fear. Her glaive once again assumed its previous position of being behind her to be ready to lash out with a rising slash again. Such calm grace in the face of her opponent almost gave off an air of excessive confidence. Almost as if she was daring Ember to come in swinging. I could see Ember's eyes narrow as if she too was wondering if she was being taunted, but Ember proved herself too cunning to take any sort of bait by keeping her distance for the moment.

After a moment of circling each other, Ember tried to resort to a sneaky first strike. She very suddenly unleashed a torrent of flame at Rain Shine with a long continuous huff from the pits of her stomach. But even this failed to reach Rain Shine. In fact, the stream of fire parted right down the middle just before it could reach her! A gasp and murmur ran through the crowd while I heard one of Ember's own men speak up. "Man, I thought these ponies were pushovers, but that mare's some kinda beast!"

I concurred with that statement as the beast mare before us effortlessly redirected Ember's fiery attack past her. Trails of pink flames flickering along the burning grass once Ember ceased her attack, the Dragon Lord assumed an uneasy stance upon seeing just how futile her attack had been. Rain Shine then spoke up, "Your fire comes from within. For me and my people, our connection to the flames is...much more intrinsic."

As if reacting to her words, the blade upon the shaft of Rain Shine's weapon became coated in flames. Ghostly blue flames wreathed in a layer of red. Her levitation magic began to rotate the glaive in the air with increasing speed, whirling it around Rain Shine like a sort of dance. The flames crawled over the spinning shaft until the entire weapon was coated to form a wheel of whirling fire. But we all jumped when the pillar of flames shot forward as the wheel became straight. But not like a flying javelin. More like...a snake with its jaws opened wide!

Ember threw herself into the air with a flap of her wings to escape the lunge of this newly revealed flame serpent. But the serpent curved to pursue her into the sky. We watched in awe and confusion as Ember darted through the air to try and evade Rain Shine's animated weapon. Their speed and agility was impressive, like a pair of clashing falcons in flight. I was wondering how it was even possible for a glaive to even bend like that, but Ember was quick to confirm there was a solid form hidden within the flames. A swing of her spear generated a metallic clink when she struck the head with her spear's tip. That serpent would stab as much as it would bite if it got its fiery fangs on her.

As tricky as this new approach was for Rain Shine, Ember proved herself to be much to nimble and responsive a flier for it to be effective against her. Levitating this beast of mystical flames did not provide the same results of simply flying on your own power. But there was no repelling this relentless beast. Ember was constantly on the move, even at one point diving right towards the ground and pulling up at the last second for a daring low swoop as if trying to bait her pursuer into diving right into the ground. And it worked. The flame serpent could not turn away as nimbly and got its head firmly lodged into the ground. Ember let out a laugh of success as she came to a sliding stop, but the serpent quickly pulled its head from the ground and bent its body like a cobra rising up to intimidate its prey. What strange properties for a physical weapon to possess...

Rain Shine must have understood at that point Ember was just too agile an opponent for an indirect approach. The flame serpent suddenly shot back towards its master and practically coiled itself around her. And the flames never even scorched its master. The two warriors stood their ground now that another lull in the action had come. Rain Shine was practically untouchable, but Ember was far more mobile. This pause did not last long with Rain Shine suddenly breaking into a gallop with her flaming blade flowing along with her. They circled Ember like a warrior on horseback looking for an opportunity to lasso her up.

"I'm not done here!" Ember shouted before lifting her head. In a surprising display of ingenuity, she showed us just how versatile a dragon's inner flame could be. She launched a volley of spherical bursts of pink fire from her throat into the air to try and make them rain down on her opponent. They appeared to be nothing more than random potshots. If not to directly strike her opponent, then to at least trip her up and take her attention away. And it was effective. Rain Shine began to weave around the incoming firebombs as they would explode rather violently upon hitting the ground. Even if the flames themselves would not be harmful to her, the concussion from the blast might still be dangerous.

I had to wonder if Rain Shine was actually in danger with Ember's flame breath or if she was just humoring her. She even came to a stop when Ember let loose with a gout of fire ahead of Rain Shine to block her path by leaving a wall of fire in her way. Ember was quick to try and box her opponent in to leave an easy direct approach from the front. But just when it looked like Rain Shine would have to work hard to stave off a spear assault, everyone became distracted by a tremor below our feet. Like the weakest of earthquakes. Even Ember became distracted if her quickly darting turns of her head was of any indication.

We quickly found out why this tremor was being felt. All so suddenly, Rain Shine made her move. With towering sturdy tree roots catapulting the ground she was standing on into the sky at a rapid rate! The slab of topsoil she was standing on even detached from the roots pushing it up and rose ever higher from the sheer momentum as Rain Shine was launched into the air with a slow and graceful backflip Even Ember was left as stunned and speechless as the rest of us while I only muttered softly, "I had no idea she was this powerful..."

My eyes were focused on only the skyborne beast mare as she began to go into a fall. But the earth below was already moving to save her from a fatal fall. More and more trails of roots lifted the earth into the sky, the first stretch of suspended earth reaching Rain Shine being held on a near vertical angel. The kirin queen's hooves reached the earth and began to carry her down the winding suspended trails of earth at full gallop while Ember was left with utterly no idea of how to even try to approach this sudden shift in tactics.

Completely out of ideas, Ember shot up into the air and began to hover as she tried to blast Rain Shine off her floating platforms. Sphere after sphere of hot pink flames exploded into the stretches of floating earth. But Rain Shine did not lose speed. She charged ahead with her flaming serpent spear staying by her side. And whenever was in danger of getting blasted off her footholds, she would leap to another slab of earth that was thrown high into the air. With how amazingly in sync the earth's movements were to reach Rain Shine in time, if was as if the earth itself was an extension of her will. She bounded from one slab of earth to the other, disoriented Ember with her shocking mobility. Finally, with Ember momentarily distracted by the surreal waving walls of roots and suspended strips of earth, Rain Shine made her move.

The next slab of earth to catch the leaping kirin turned sharply to the point that it almost had Rain Shine just beginning to turn upside-down. And with a sudden jab forward, it hurled its master right at Ember. Rain Shine's front legs were fully outstretched towards the Dragon Lord with her burning glaive following. It was not the setup for a strike with her weapon. Rain Shine was flying in for a crushing stomp. And her attack struck home. Ember could not even muster a defense as her opponent smashed both armored hooves right into the Dragon Lord's gilded breastplate.

A loud gasp burst from the crowd as Ember was trapped under the falling kirin chieftain. From the height, they would surely both be killed. Or at the very least Rain Shine would her both front legs broken. But she made certain they would both survive this duel. A towering mass of flower several meters high suddenly burst up from the ground right under the two falling dragons of the east and west. They both plummeted into the pillar of soft flowers. Everyone was still as we listened. No harsh impacts or clattering of armor. It was...quiet.

Just as everyone who was watching started to approach to inspect the situation, the flowers all retracted and disappeared into the earth. And standing there with her hoof pinning Ember to the ground by her throat was Rain Shine, her flaming serpent familiar ready to bite in Ember's exposed face. I was stunned, as we all were. But me especially since I always thought Ember is far too tough a warrior to be so easily bested. To see her held to the ground on her back, spear still in hand while completely useless, with her opponent having her pinned by the throat was jarring to witness. Ember had thoroughly and decisively lost the duel. She gasped through her strained throat, "You...got me..."

Rain Shine's gaze was firm and unflinching. She had her opponent caught by the throat. But with Ember's admission of defeat, the flaming serpent became straight once more as the flames coating its length faded away. The form of Rain Shine's trusty glaive soon floated beside her while a serene smile. She lifted her hoof from Ember and stood before her with her head bowing in a show of serene grace. "You fought splendidly, Dragon Lord. It was an honor."

Cheers and applause filled the air while Ember remained where she was. Nightmare Moon trotted forward with a very pleased smile upon her face. "Good show, Rain Shine! If that is the sort of power you possess, then victory will surely come to us that much more easily with you at our side!"

Many gathered around Rain Shine, thoroughly impressed with the display of power and prowess she had displayed. I too was deeply impressed and pleasantly shocked over what such a beautiful and passive creature was truly capable of in battle. Even the towering walls of roots and suspended slabs of earth were lowered back into the ground and even culled by Rain Shine's magic to leave virtually no trace of a skirmish. But while everyone flocked around the intriguing kirin queen, I stayed behind when I found someone not following.

Ember remained where she was. Sprawled out on her back. A bitter glare in her eyes as she gazed at the sky. She tasted defeat and it was definitely bitter upon her tongue. And it pained me to see her like this. I kneeled beside her and asked, "Are you all right?"

"A sore spot on my throat and got the wind knocked out of me. But nothing stings more than...falling before an audience." She growled without even directing her gaze at me. I saw her fingers tighten around her spear's shaft, almost as if threatening to crush it in sheer frustration. "Even my own men saw it. Just look at them. Fawning over the dragon of the east and completely forgetting I'm here... Like I'm some sorta weakling..."

"Ember, no... You're not weak. Rain Shine is just too strong." I explained while I brought a hand to hers. I needed to choose my words carefully for my friend. "I mean how are you supposed to overcome someone who is immune to fire and commands the very earth itself? She could've crushed you whenever she wanted. As soon as she summoned those roots at the start, I was sure you wouldn't win. Power like that...isn't supposed to be bested when wielded by pacifists."

"Pacifists, huh...? She almost never stopped smiling at me... I was wondering if she was just cocky... You really think she was just being friendly?" Ember asked with a conflicted tone in her throat. It was only then that she turned her gaze to me as those scarlet eyes silently pleaded with me for comfort.

My armored hand tightened its grip around hers as I said, "I met her once before. Rain Shine and her people are peaceful and kind. I'm sure she was going easy on you to make sure she would not really hurt you. But not out of disrespect. She may be more powerful than you, but... You were still amazing, Ember. There were times in that duel where I was more focused on you than her. Even at a disadvantage, you still gave Rain Shine a hard time. She even congratulated you for that, right?"

"Heh... She did say I put up a good fight, huh? Almost didn't notice what she said right there..." Ember muttered with an uneasy smile forming on her lips. As if she was trying to sincerely believe me. She then sighed and spoke with a groan, "I can't let myself fall behind now... My men are here watching. Gotta convince them that I'm no pushover just because of that one kirin..."

Just as Ember started to adjust her posture to pull herself up, I glanced to her right when I detected someone approaching. None other than Novo approached with a concerned look in her eye. "You've been down for a while, honey. She didn't rough you up that much, did she?"

"No... No, your majesty. I'm not really injured... Except for my pride." Ember sighed before I pulled her up to her knees. She leaned on her spear shaft for the moment with her gaze turned to the ground and Novo's hands resting upon it. "I thought for sure I was a match for her... How do you deal with someone who can use the earth itself against you? I felt...weak at one point. Helpless..."

"Don't you go beating yourself up over that, Ember. Even I wouldn't have been able to handle that. And I'm the best duelist in the world, bar none." Novo declared with a show of pride and humility all wrapped into one statement. She then raised her hand and placed it reassuringly upon Ember's brow before smiling at the Dragon Lord. "That doesn't mean you weren't a feast for the eyes yourself back there. And while that level of flower power was impressive, I've always had a soft spot for those who do more with less. And you really shined out there."

Ember's eyes glanced up suddenly at the hippogriff queen before us. I merely listened in respectful silence. Novo knew what she was talking about. Novo smiled while Ember stared in surprise. Although she soon then muttered, "Why do I have the feeling that's some very high praise coming from you?"

Novo lifted her head high while putting on her best smile. "Because it is, baby. Focus on how your abilities stack up in context to your potential, not the potential of others. I don't wonder how my swordsmanship compares to a dragon's breath. Or blasts of magic from a unicorn's horn. I just focus on what I can do and how to do it well. And if my sword hits a wall it can't pierce, then fine. No point in breaking yourself against something you can't realistically tear down. All you'll do is frustrate yourself for nothing. And that won't benefit anyone."

"I see I still have a lot to learn..." Ember spoke softly before bowing her head with her hand upon her chest. "I'll think hard on what you just said, your majesty. I can tell you know what you're talking about."

With Ember being in better spirits, we helped the humbled Dragon Lord to her feet and approached the encampment's west gate. The crowd was beginning to disperse now that the spectacle had passed and Novo took to the air to return to the Alabaster to the north. Although the three royal sisters waited at the gates for us. And before them was Rain Shine. Although the smile on her face began to fade as we drew near. Ember stopped in her tracks when the kirin chieftain's gaze met hers. A silent tension formed between them before Rain Shine spoke, "There is a great weight upon your mind. Many eyes upon you. Pressure to excel in spite of expectations. Be brave. You are indeed wiser than most believe. And mightier than you appear."

"How... How do you know that?" Ember muttered in shock as she gazed upon her opponent with a look of horror in her scarlet eyes. I too would have been alarmed had I not recalled just how deeply the kirin can feel.

Rain Shine's serene smile began to return to her lips before she began to speak. "You are oozing with bitter disappointment in yourself. Anxiety. Your people saw you fall. Such a simple folly carries crushing consequences. That is what you believe, yes?"

"You're scaring me..." Ember huffed with an alarmed whisper. She took a step back as she asked, "How do you know exactly I feel? What are you saying?"

"What I am saying?" Rain Shine retorted before bowing her head. "I am saying that my people and I are keenly aware of the spiritual energies in the world around us. And within you."

Ember glanced back and forth between Rain Shine and me. I even found myself starting to crack a smirk at her bewilderment. Ember's look of unease turned into a cockeyed glance when she noticed my lips. "What's with that look? Are you aware of something here? Did you know they can do that?"

"Yes, actually. It's nothing to be worried about. Just a natural trait they have." I explained in brief. I rested my hand on her left spaulder and said, "You can trust the kirin. They're good people. They won't take advantage of you."

"If you say so..." Ember grumbled before turning her gaze up to Rain Shine. She then placed a hand upon her breastplate and bowed forward with her body still propped up by the spear in her other hand. "Before I forget, let me just say you were an impressive opponent today. I'm looking forward to serving with you out here."

"Likewise, Dragon Lord. May we see victory in the coming trials." Rain Shine replied before turning her gaze to the three royal sisters beside us. Although it was then we noticed Smolder and Ocellus waiting besides them. They were probably waiting to be escorted back to the command center. But just as Rain Shine looked like she was about to speak to her old friends, her gaze suddenly turned to the two dragon girls. They both smiled up at her, no doubt very impressed with her display of power out to the west. But Rain Shine's smile faded as I noticed her focusing entirely on Ocellus. Something started to feel wrong. And Ocellus began to lose her smile as well. She looked increasingly uneasy. As if the kirin chieftain before her was gazing into her soul. With no one else around us to overhear, she asked softly. "Why do you hide...?"

She knew. I am not so certain Rain Shine knew what Ocellus really is, but she could sense something...off about the Changeling hiding in plain sight before her. Ocellus looked on the verge of panic, but tried to keep a straight face as she started to step behind Smolder for protection. Smolder too did not like how Rain Shine appeared a little too perceptive of Ocellus and even spread her wings to try and be more imposing between the two of them. Ember only appeared confused by Rain Shine's observations and asked, "Hide? Hiding what? Ocellus has never caused any trouble."

Before the situation could escalate or someone else unaware of the situation could start to listen in, Celestia moved quickly to diffuse the situation. She stepped up beside Ocellus and protectively draped a wing over her. "I assure you that there is nothing to be alarmed by. Ocellus is a productive contributor to the war effort alongside Smolder here. Isn't that right, girls?"

Smolder and Ocellus glanced back and forth at each other before they just rolled with Celestia's insistence. Eager to change the subject, Smolder quickly spoke up. "Yeah! Yeah, she is! Ocellus here's my gal pal and we set up the radar crystal things every time we stop to set up camp. I taught her well. Right?"

"Mmhm! Mmhm! I just follow Smolder's lead! She knows what she's doing every time." Ocellus added while displaying a big nervous grin on her draconic face. Too cute. She then bowed to the kirin chieftain and said, "I'm only here to help, Miss Rain Shine. Really."

"And I believe you, child. Cast aside your fears. I sense a precious desire to belong in you. You have found friends who are eager to come to your defense right this instant. You are in good hooves. And good hands. I hope we can speak again later." Rain Shine spoke most graciously as she bowed and touched her horn to Ocellus' head, prompting a nervous giggle from the timid Changeling in disguise. Only then did Celestia fold her wing. She then turned her gaze to the three royal sisters and asked, "Now then, I do believe we have much to discuss?"

"That we do. We need to bring you up to speed over what has transpired. Come with us. You too, children." Nightmare Moon said before the six of them started to make their way back east across the camp. I stayed behind a moment longer with Ember while we watched them depart. They did not seem to be aware that we were not following.

I soon looked down at Ember and asked, "You sure you're gonna be all right after all that?"

"Yes, pretty sure. Kind of hard to be mad with her when she's just that nice to everyone. Those kirin are a humble bunch if Rain Shine is anything to go by." Ember replied before hoisting her spear over her shoulder. "I'm just going to drop my armor off at the blacksmiths to get these dents hammered out before checking myself in at the infirmary. I'm still a bit sore in some spots and want to make sure at my best tomorrow. I'll see you again later today, all right?"

"Sounds good. See you then, Ember." I said in farewell. Ember then spread her wings and took to the air to fly off for where she needed to be. Now alone, I hurried along to catch up with our newest arrival. I was eager to catch up on lost time with that beautiful creature.

I followed along behind them until we were just outside command center. Smolder and Ocellus hurried on ahead to get back inside, probably just to make sure they would not get in trouble for staying out for too long. It was around then that Luna spoke up. "We still need to find you a place to stay while you travel with us, old friend. I am certain we can arrange a spot for you."

"That will not be necessary." Rain Shine retorted before she came to a stop at the open space just to the west of the command center. The immediate surrounding space around the command center was kept unobstructed to allow anyone to walk past it regardless of whatever side they were on. And it seemed she had taken an interest in that bare open space. "This spot will do nicely."

Before any of us could inquire, the ground before us heaved upward as Rain Shine weaved her magic. A domed earthen hut rose from the earth itself, the inner walls lined with thick and mostly flat roots to resemble wooden panels. Gaps formed in the walls to provide a few windows that had thick exotic leaves draped over them to act as curtains. The doorway too had similar large and very long leaves draped over it to serve as a very effective door. They even rolled upward in response to their summoner's will. Rain Shine then grinned at us as we looked on in awe before saying, "If you would just give me a moment, I need a little time to put on the finishing touches. I should only be a few minutes."

"Goodness, has it really been that long since we last saw what you kirin can do? Sure, take your time, Rain. We'll be right over here." Celestia said with an uneasy and very surprised chuckle. Rain Shine then stepped into her home away from home to focus on the interior detailing. What a marvel those kirin can be.

"I think we're gonna be doing really well with someone like that helping us out. If she can conjure up a wall of wood like that, she can probably hold off an entire detachment of Hollows." I said while hearing the sound of shifting earth inside the hut.

"The kirin are indeed a force to be reckoned with. Although I have never seen one weaponize such a power on her level." Luna retorted as we watched and waited. Although she then turned to Nightmare Moon and I before asking with an even quieter tone of voice, "But while the opportunity is here... The two of you visited the Grove of Silence during your trek east, yes? Tell us... Is Rain Shine aware of who we are at war with?"

A pit opened in my stomach as the ramifications of that fact came to mind. I still remembered the time I spent there. And the adoration the kirin held for their former human neighbors. To the point much of the current population there were sired by human fathers. Rain Shine herself was no exception. I knew that human blood flows through that mare's veins. And they knew nothing of the betrayal Equestria was subjected to eons ago. How were we going to tell her?

Nightmare Moon and I shared a solemn gaze. We were very careful to avoid bringing up that topic during our visit. But it could not be hidden from Rain Shine forever. She needed to know. Before she could lay eyes upon the emperor's Hollow soldiers. If she faltered in the face of the enemy due to any sort of shock, it could undermine the entire thing. The Princess of Dreams let out a sigh before speaking with a quiet voice, "She will have to know immediately... We must speak to her before the day is done."

Celestia closed her eyes in dread. This was not going to be an easy discussion to have with the kirin chieftain. The Princess of the Dawn turned her gaze to me and said, "Please be there when we speak to her. Your presence will soothe her."

"I will." I retorted before we waited in silence. A minute more passed before Rain Shine exited her hut. But by then, all of her armor had been removed. And I was left momentarily stunned to see her bare body shine with the beauty I had all but forgotten. Although I did notice the modest gold circlet normally worn atop her brow was missing. No doubt left behind in the Grove of Silence. I quickly regained my focus and asked, "All done with the feng shui in there?"

"It's not much, but it will do for now. There's little point in getting too extravagant when we will be on the move so much." Rain Shine spoke with a beaming smile. She really was just so radiant. Like a forest deity in the flesh.

Now was the time. Rain Shine was disarmed and relaxed. The royal sisters and I shared a glance before Nightmare Moon spoke up. "Now that you've made yourself at home, it would be wise to bring you up to speed on current events. Come with us."

"Yes, your majesty." Rain Shine replied before she followed us into the command center. She was immediately subjected to the stares of the guards who were stationed there, no doubt a result of them having never seen a kirin in their lives. Let alone one of beauty that could rival the Equestrian royal family. We guided the kirin chieftain to the war room while Luna stayed behind to fetch us some snacks and tea. It would help soothe the atmosphere around us if the conversation happened over a spot of tea and scones. Although Rain Shine did constantly let her gaze wander as she walked through the command center. "My, how much has changed over the centuries. Modern architecture differs a fair bit from long ago."

"Being out on the Empty Plains like this must make it feel like time has stopped. I know you can only see so much through the eyes of the world's flora." Celestia said while we took a seat at the long table that extended down the middle of the room. Nightmare Moon sat across the table from Rain Shine with Celestia by her side. I made certain to sit beside Rain Shine to be ready for when we had to break the news to her. I felt a familiar sense of peace and belonging when I came near the kirin chieftain and I knew she felt the same. But that tranquil sensation was still undermined by the creeping tension filling my heart.

Alas, my uneasy nerves did not go unnoticed. For all my attempts to keep a straight face around her, my thoughts over the elephant in the room could not be masked when it affected my body. Rain Shine soon cast a gaze at me with her smile fading. "You are anxious. Whatever is the matter?"

My anxiety only surged upon hearing those words. I really could not hide anything from a kirin. I could hide my thoughts, but not the fact that I was aware of something unfortunate that I was trying to stay silent about. In my hopes to stave off the bad news, I could only say, "I really shouldn't say before everyone is here..."

Celestia and Nightmare Moon were whispering to each other so quietly across the table that neither of us could listen in. Rain Shine's serene eyes began to narrow as she started to detect a tension in the air. "Surely, I came at a good time. Is the situation here truly so dire?"

Luna entered the room before much longer. A tea tray and a platter of assorted cones floated alongside her. The Princess of the Night spoke fondly as the door closed and locked behind her. "So sorry for the delay. Allow us to make you feel more at home, old friend."

"Many thanks, Luna. I forgot just how much I missed our meetings of ages long past." Rain Shine said with a proper smile now that the arrival of food and drink had provided a pleasant distraction. The choice of tea was fitting too. Green tea infused with berry flavors. Something I am sure any kirin would savor.

I remained by Rain Shine while bringing a berry scone to my armored hand. I wished I had removed my armor beforehand to make handling it in my hand easier, but I managed. With the three sisters sitting across from us, Nightmare Moon spoke first. "Now then, you say you have been listening in during our travels east? What exactly did you hear during the most recent battle?"

Rain Shine sipped gingerly from the cup floating before her. "There were many. Their feet strode across the land very differently from those of your people. Two legs for each enemy. But they felt...strange. Lighter than they should have been. And their bodies faded entirely upon falling to the ground. As if they were...hollow..."

"That's an apt description. We too have come to refer to our enemies as Hollows as well. Filled with a purple mist, they dissolve upon being slain. Leaving nothing behind." Luna then said while pausing between bites from a scone.

"Strange way of fading from this world... I see why you responded to this invasion. Such an ominous plague of unnatural beings marching forth from the Empty Plains? Threatening to overrun Equestria? I hope we can find the source of them soon and put a stop to this for good." Rain Shine retorted with a most intrigued gleam in her eyes. She truly could not comprehend the notion that the Hollows we faced were simply the pawns to their own chess master.

The three sisters before us fell silent as their gazes became more solemn. After a moment of tense silence while I could only wait in dread, Celestia let out a sigh. "Rain Shine... You need to know. The Hollows we have faced are not simply supernatural beings that have emerged seemingly from nowhere. They are magical constructs being controlled by a singular master. Puppets, if you will."

The cup floating by her lips lowered as Rain Shine's attention was drawn to the words of the Princess of the Dawn. Her gaze of serenity became more serious, her smile turning into only the faintest scowl. "There is someone out there? Sending these creatures forth to overrun us? Who? My people have listened closely for so very long, but have heard not even the slightest signs of anyone out here that could be more than wild beasts. Certainly not that far to the east."

"That is likely because he only just returned recently. From seemingly nowhere. We even received a declaration of war from him..." Luna spoke somberly as I anticipated the truth coming out. I rested a hand on Rain Shine, knowing that what was coming was going to sting. "Rain Shine... Our enemy...is the last emperor of mankind. He lives."

A clack filled the room as the porcelain cup dropped from the air and rolled along for a few seconds. Rain Shine stared ahead without blinking once as I saw a look of utter disbelief in her eyes. "You lie... You... No, your aura... It is not one clouded by deception... But...how can what you say be the truth? Even if that were true, how could he possibly still be alive? Humanity...faded from this world so very long ago. My people and I... We felt them all go silent one by one..."

Nightmare Moon let out a sigh as she said, "We know not how he still lives so long after the plains went empty, old friend. But we have been contacted directly by him at least once since arriving out here. As for the rest... This will not be easy for you to hear."

And so they told the story they revealed to me weeks ago. Repeating it here would be redundant, but they spared no details. Discord's madness driving him to tempt the emperor by tugging at the strings of humanity's vices. The eventual attempted invasion of the nearest settlements. And humanity's near total banishment from this world. As for Rain Shine... She was unnervingly silent and still as she sat beside me and watched the sisters before her relay the story to her.

The kirin chieftain did not budge an inch as she heard that which had been unknown to her for more than a millennium. And once the story had been told, the three royal sisters too became still. They watched and waited patiently for their friend to process this information. I began to wonder if I should stand up and back away from her. Had her faith in humanity been shaken? Was she going to lash out?

I received my answer before I could choose to leave my seat. Rain Shine leaned to her right and slumped against me as a haggard sigh wheezed from her lips. "How... Why... They...sought to enslave us...? All because...of that mad fool...?"

"If you must despise anyone for what has transpired, shift the blame to Discord. The poor fool knew not of what he was doing nor cared of the consequences. But rest assured, he died horribly for all he has done. The monster has been slain and will not be returning to trouble Equestria further." Nightmare Moon then spoke with bitter venom in her voice. In the face of everything that was currently happening, it was hard not to feel some resentment towards the fallen Spirit of Chaos. He would probably be kicking himself right now if he saw what his actions had wrought.

I put my armored limbs around my beautiful friend, doing what I could to comfort her. I could not emphasize with what she was going through. But I still held her. Even if my armored form was not the most comfortable teddy bear to hug. I soon whispered, "Do you need a moment alone...?"

"No... Please... Stay. Hold me... Your presence comforts me... You...would not turn your sword on Equestria... Would you...?" The mourning kirin whispered to me with a barely masked plea of desperation. And so I held her. Wrapping my arms around her the best I could. She soon asked, "Have they harmed you...? Does the emperor seek to slay you?"

"I... I don't think so... He's only requested my cooperation. The Hollows barely pay me any mind most of the time. I don't think he wants to see me harmed...and that makes me uneasy." I explained while also contemplating exactly why the emperor had so far commanded his Hollows to largely ignore me most of the time. Even when he did take direct control of the previous army's general, I was under the impression that he was only trying to subdue me instead of killing me.

"He has stated that he has no empire to rule over anymore... Yet he declares war as if he has people to inherit this world from us. The emperor's motives and intentions are still a mystery, but his goals now are the same as before. He seeks to make Equestria a world that belongs only to humanity. And as you have seen, we won't allow that." Celestia explained with a much gentler tone of voice than before. She then asked, "Rain Shine... I know of you and your people's natural affinity for your human neighbors. But now that you know why we are here... Will you still assist us?"

Rain Shine did not speak for a moment. Yet we all still waited. And she did eventually answer after letting out a sigh to try and steel her nerves. Even while her head rested against mine. "I... I shall... This information will...take some time to process, but...my reasons for being here have not changed. I will face our enemy with you. And with him."

The conviction in her voice, even if shaky, remained firm. And I saw it in her eyes when she turned her face to gaze at me from just inches away. She was there for me more than anything else. And I dearly appreciated that. I then whispered to her, "Thank you for being here..."

"As of right now... There is no place I would rather be. Even if the humans of Equestria I remember are now...nothing more than a tainted memory, I still have you." She whispered with a shaky voice before looking me right in the eye. "And I will shield you to my last breath, if I must."

"Rain, that's... Can I just call you Rain? Is that OK?" I asked while stunned by her unflinching protectiveness towards me. I thought she was just being overly dramatic for a moment. Until I remembered what she did when first entering the encampment. It sounded like such a stretch, but... She really was there for me first and everything else second. And it...touched me. I felt blessed to hear such a thing.

"You may call me whatever you wish. So long as you always cherish me." She said with more hope returning to her voice. Rain Shine closed her eyes and bowed her head, resting against me with her horn against my brow. She was very troubled and needed to rest after such a long trek only to be blindsided by heavier news than she could have ever expected to hear. With barely more than a whisper, she then asked, "I... I need time to rest... If there is nothing else that needs to be discussed..."

"You do what you must, old friend. We depart tomorrow, so retire early for the night if you need to. I hope...only victory approaches with you by our side." Nightmare Moon declared before passing the two of us another scone each. Which we all too quickly devoured now that the passing anxiety had left us famished. This prompted an uneasy chuckle from the Princess of Dreams as she asked, "Oh my... Well then... Meeting adjourned?"

"Yeah, sounds good... Excuse us." I replied before pushing myself up from my seat while Rain Shine did the same. I knew she would want me to accompany her. The kirin chieftain led me right out of the command center and over to her hut. I spoke up once we were outside the door, "I'm sorry you had to hear all that... Better you be told now than to find out at a worse time."

"It needed to be said... I long feared something had happened that the flora of this world could not tell us, but...this?" Rain Shine muttered before again slumping against me once we were inside. Now that we were away from prying eyes, the kirin chieftain almost appeared as if she had gone into a mild case of shock. I did all I could to keep her standing, though she was heavier than she looked. I carefully helped her to a sitting position without leaving her side. "Old friend... What came over you...? When did you begin to see us not as your neighbors, but wild beasts to subjugate...? Were the temptations offered by the embodiment of chaos truly too enrapturing to turn away from...? And why spare us and not the others...?"

"Human nature is a fickle thing... It's far too easy to be swayed by the opportunity to claim dominance... Almost like that desire is inherently burned into our souls and we need a carefully guiding hand to lure us away from that urge. Maybe that's why war is so common from the world I came from..." I explained while trying to be as profound and inflective as possible about this dilemma. I still remember the long-term damage that betrayal did to the relations between the few remaining humans and the rest of Equestria. But to the kirin? And their inherent spiritual connection to their human neighbors? I could not imagine the sting that was flooding Rain Shine's heart at that moment. Genuinely fearing for her, I then asked, "Can I do anything for you right now?"

"Just...be with me." She whispered before stepping over to what I could only assume was her bed. It consisted of an earthen basin with the hollowed insides filled with a thick layer of moss. I watched Rain Shine climb onto it and saw just how much it gave under her hooves. I wanted nothing between us and proceeded to shed my armor near the door before resting beside her on that mossy bed. It was actually quite comfortable and brought to mind a mattress that was not too soft.

"Comfortable?" Rain Shine asked while I began to relax upon my back. I gazed up at her while her troubled eyes gazed down at me. She soon lowered her lips to my brow and placed a kiss upon it. "Autumn Blaze said wonderful things about you after you departed. That your appreciation for our kind and the world beyond the Empty Plains surpasses what our neighbors of the past felt. What do you suppose she meant by that? Did she see something that I did not at the time?"

Autumn Blaze... That wonderful little mare peered into my very soul when we watched the sunset together at that cliffside. And I could remember what she saw. "She...felt harder than the rest of you did... And she reminded me why I love this world as much as I do. It's because of what Equestria is. It's because of what Equestria is not. And it's not like my world."

Rain Shine's gaze became more puzzled. As if she thought I was speaking in riddles. I was careful at the time to not explain to anyone where I had come from. Autumn Blaze at least had an inkling that I was not from around there, but not to the extreme of the reality of the situation. "Your world... When you say that... What do you mean you are not of this world?"

"As good a time to tell you than any, I guess..." I muttered before turning my gaze to the domed ceiling as I thought about the sky beyond it. "When I say I'm not from this world, I mean that literally. I'm from another world. Another planet. A celestial body countless light-years away in another solar system. Maybe another galaxy entirely. Celestia and Luna brought me to this world and have kept the nature of my presence a secret from the public ever since. But now that the truth about Equestria's human population has finally been all but declassified..."

The kirin chieftain's eyes went wide as she tried to comprehend what I was saying. She even turned her gaze to the sky for a moment as if trying to imagine that there was indeed another planet out there that supported life like this one. I turned my gaze to her as I found myself feeling so strangely tired after all that had happened just then. "As they put it, I'm serving as an ambassador of sorts for humanity's eventual return. They want me to leave a good first impression on their people. There's a lot of old scars left behind by those who came before and I'm supposed to help ease them back into thinking humans are OK. I don't know where they plan on getting more human immigrants from, but I guess they'll figure that out as the project progresses..."

"If that is indeed true..." Rain Shine muttered as her gaze wandered. I doubt the kirin have much of a grasp on astronomy. The concept of there being other worlds out there not too dissimilar to Equestria must have been a jarring discovery. But she began to smile as I felt her hoof rest upon my chest. Those beautiful eyes of vivid red gazed down at me as she whispered, "Then I am convinced Celestia and Luna chose wisely. Because I have sensed nothing but wonderful things from you, my friend. If you are indeed the herald of humanity's return... Then I pray a new golden era is not too far away. As long as you are here, I will...try to be hopeful. I will gaze upon you and not upon that which came before..."

I doubted she really could just let go of the knowledge of the betrayal that happened right under their noses. Why did the emperor order his men to avoid the Grove of Silence? Now that I had witnessed how lethal Rain Shine was in battle by wielding the power of the earth's verdant flora itself, it would most likely be foolish to try and invade them. Even so, I knew she was still hurting. And she probably knew things that most others do not. "If it helps... Do you want to talk about back then? About them?"

"I...suppose it will... What do you wish to know?" Rain Shine asked with a more solemn tone. To soothe her sprit, I placed my hand over her hoof.

There was one person in particular that I wanted to know more of. And so I asked, "The emperor... What can you tell me about him?"

I immediately regretted asking that. No doubt thinking of an old friend, Rain Shine's eyes narrowed as wonderful memories tarnished by new discoveries. I was about to ask her to not bother if it was too painful, but she must have detected my emotions since she silenced me with a kiss upon my brow once more. "No, do not fear for me. I would be happy to tell you what I know."

"You don't look happy... But if it's not a bother..." I muttered in unease, not so sure this was a good idea. I tightened my grasp over her hoof to try and remind her that she still had me.

With a sigh, Rain Shine turned her gaze to nothing in particular. "His excellency was...a kind man. A very kind man. Guided his people wisely. Fostered friendship with his neighbors. His empire thrived under his watch. Even during the short-lived era of chaos, he still struggled to keep his people sustained even as the world around them went mad. He was always a joy to have whenever he visited the Grove of Silence. Even when..."

There was a noticeable pause in her words. And I dared not pry. I watched and listened for Rain Shine to continue. Which she eventually did with such a look of longing in those beautiful eyes. "After the loss of his empress, his visits became more frequent for a time. He turned to us for comfort more than anything as he mourned. I especially tended to him the best I could as a dear friend... Even when his visits became more...intimate in time..."

I thought I misheard her at first. But when those words properly registered with me, I felt a pit open in my stomach. Not simply as neighbors, not even as friends, but... There was no doubt in my mind. Even if it never went anywhere of significance, the wording she used... The uncomfortable realization that the Forgotten Emperor and Rain Shine may have been lovers at one time only added to the tragedy of her discovering his betrayal of Equestria. Perhaps that was why his men did not invade them...

"Although...there was another..." Rain Shine then added as her mind wandered off. This caught my attention as I was pleasantly distracted by the shift in topics. "While we kirin may have a natural affinity for human men, there was one human woman who utterly adored us. Dear Margaret... Since she was just a little thing, she would visit us at every opportunity she could. I watched her grow. Even taught her what I could in the ways of the blade. I was certain great things were in store for her..."

"Margaret...? That... Um... Huh. I was never told about anyone called that. Who was she?" I asked as I tried to recall that name. But no, nothing came to mind. I do not even remember documenting that name once in my own writings.

Rain Shine turned her gaze to me in surprise. Although she then nearly laughed. "You were not told of her? Why, she was simply the... Ah, now I see. Yes, her name was indeed Margaret, but she hated how it sounded. Most who knew her simply referred to her as Megan instead. More of a commoner's name, but she preferred how it rolled off the tongue."

Now that was a name that did ring a few bells. "Oh, Megan! The emperor's daughter! Yes, I do know of her. And... I think you should know. She was charged with invading the royal sister's castle, but she talked her men out of it before they could get there. They sided with Equestria and remained here when the rest were...banished..."

"Megan... She was not swayed? And she turned her men back to Equestria's side? Oh, dearest Megan... I would have expected no less from her. Thank you, James. Knowing this does soothe my heart." Rain Shine said with the faintest gasp before lowering her heard with a relieved smile upon her lips. She then leaned over and was about to place another kiss upon my brow, but then paused and placed it upon my lips instead. "She would have been the last I would ever expect to participate in treason. She adored everyone and everything in Equestria. A friend to all races, be they of bare skin, smooth coats, or frilly feathers."

Being no stranger to the kiss of a kirin, I paid no mind to that kiss and asked, "And she was a skilled swordswoman, you say?"

"She was. Although... The sword and shield she carried..." Rain Shine started to say before she cocked her head to one side in thought. "Hmm... The more I think about the sword and shield you carry... Could there have been a connection? You carry the sun in your right hand and the moon on your left, yes? With Megan, the sun was emblazoned upon her shield instead and the crescent moon sat at the base of her sword's blade."

This piqued my curiosity as well. The Celestial Sword and the Lunar Shield are a unique set. Forged by Celestia and Luna themselves. But...a sun shield? And a moon sword? Could it be that...a sister set to mine was out there somewhere? Something of equal power to my own mighty arsenal? If the wrong people got their hands on such mighty arms...

"If those weren't my own weapons in different forms, I don't know what to say... But it sounds like Megan was a wonderful woman." I retorted now that I saw Rain Shine did appear to be in better spirits. I then added, "I hope I'll always honor her legacy..."

"You will, dear James. You have convinced me of that much." She whispered to me before once more placing a kiss upon my lips. This time, I embraced it. I slid my hand over the side of her head and closed my eyes. This all felt so natural... Moreso than with any other woman my lips have touched. As when the kiss ended, those wonderful red eyes gazed down at me with such an endearing stare. "I forgot how much I missed your touch... Your presence gives me hope... Whenever time permits, may I ask you to be by my side? Help me focus on what may become and not what has passed?"

Those pleading eyes... I could not stay down. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and embraced Rain Shine before whispering to her, "I'm not going to act like I know what you're going through now that you know what happened, but please believe when I say I won't follow their path. I adore this world and everything it stands for. I'm here for you, all right?"

"Thank you... Truly, thank you... Your conviction with Equestria's cause does much to soothe me." She wheezed with a sigh while her head rested on my shoulder. With her lips so close to my ear, she then whispered, "And to that end... I wish to serve here...at your side. March into battle and I will be right there by you. I will be your shield with nature's blessings serving as your sword. I will see to it you return home alive and unscathed. At the cost of my life, if I must."

"Oh my god, don't even go there with me, Rain." I grumbled upon hearing that last part. I knew she adored me, but I took no pleasure in hearing someone putting my life before theirs. Not when so many needed them back home. I pulled myself back to look right into her eyes. "Don't ever say that again. I don't want to see you drop dead on the battlefield, all right? Please... We'll fight together and return home together. Both of us. Alive. All right? Can you promise me you won't let yourself die out there? Even for my sake?"

I was so firm. Firmer than I probably would have been with anyone else. But more than anything, it was fear driving my words. The thought of Rain Shine on the ground before me, her body stained with fresh splashes of red... It horrified me. No kirin should ever die on the tip of a sword. Rain Shine gazed into my eyes with hers wide with shock. I then looked away and muttered, "Sorry... I... I just...don't want to lose you like that... Not after so little time between us..."

"James... My dear, don't apologize... I... I just... I was afraid as well... I lost so many before you. To a force I cannot comprehend. And...I cannot bear to lose you too." She whispered with an arm wrapping around me. For a moment, we shared a silent stare. Such a beautiful shade of red in those eyes... Not at all an alarming hue. Seconds later, our lips touch. And I was reminded of that sense of natural familiarity among the kirin. In a strange way I still cannot explain, we needed each other. She then whispered to me, "I...will not be reckless. I will stay by your side. I will shield you as you shield me. We will...return home together, yes? And...we will see each other time and again, correct? I...will see you again when this is all over? We all will...yes?"

My thoughts went back to the many kirin residing within the Grove of Silence. I felt...so at home among them. Every last one of them generated a presence that carried with it a natural attraction. Like the very opposite of natural enemies. Natural friends? Is such a phenomenon even a thing? Whatever the case, I suddenly found myself longing for the company of those many wonderful mares. Especially the youngest of the bunch. Dear little Autumn Blaze. Was she well?

"I... I want that to happen, yeah..." I muttered in contemplation. The Grove of Silence is so far away from Ponyville. It would be challenging to reach it in a reasonable amount of time. But as daunting as it would be to come and go from it once the war is over, I dearly wanted to return and see those wonderful mares again. I do not even remember most of their names, yet I want to see them all again. My hand stroked itself over Rain Shine's thick voluminous emerald mane as I said softly, "We'll figure something out... I want to see you all again. You were...some of the best things to happen to me after entering the Empty Plains."

"We shall... My people would loathe you never returning after having met you once. The way their eyes lit up when they finally knew who you were... I have not seen that sort of joy among them in ages. And I... I was especially joyous. Even if I had to contain myself before them." She retorted with an amused giggle that got me to crack a smirk. Rain Shine then leaned a little closer and touched her nose to mine, our eyes locked. "Perhaps we are overthinking things at the moment... Especially after such dreadful news weighing upon our hearts. Perhaps...we should just rest for the remainder of the day? I still need to acquaint myself with my home away with home."

"I can show you around, if you'd like." I retorted before pushing myself up from that bed of moss. It was only then that I got a good look at the hut. Rain Shine did an impressive job at designing the layout. There was a sofa composed of roots with thick layers of leaves for cushioning. There was a wooden tub for bathing. She even had a crude wooden mannequin of sorts wearing her armor with her glaive propped up on a pair of hooked wooden shafts like a display. I even felt a constant gentle draft through the open windows and there appeared to be additional slits in the roof at the top to provide extra ventilation. "Your...craftsmanship in home design is like nothing I've ever seen..."

"When nature always answers your call, you are never left wanting for shelter." Rain Shine retorted while looking very pleased with my praise. She rose to her feet and stepped down from the bed. "Shall we be off?"

"Sure thing. Just let me suit up." I said while setting my foot into the puddle of liquid metal by the door. I knew exactly where I wanted to start. Once my armor had solidified over my body, I stepped out of her hut with the beautiful kirin chieftain by my side.

I headed northwest while Rain Shine remained very silent. But she was not entirely idle. I noticed her eyes constantly scanned her surroundings. Just when I wondered if she had something to say, she finally spoke. "So much life around us... I cannot recall the last time I felt so many people in one area."

"That's kind of the norm for this kind of warfare. Numbers are important and we need to keep everyone together when resting." I explained while I too had an easy time forgetting just how many were around me. Thousands of ponies, griffons, and everything between. And that number was steadily growing as more volunteers were ferried in aboard the airships at regular intervals. I quickly felt the need to convey something important to my companion. "For the record, we haven't lost anyone out here. Only a handful of minor injuries so far."

"Oh, I am aware. We sensed no one become still out there during the previous battle. Although we were wracked with tension when the last one standing put you through quite the struggle. How powerful was that sole survivor among the enemy?" Rain Shine replied while reminding me of exactly why she was out there in the first place.

"That one was..." I started to say before remembering exactly who was directly pulling the strings of the general once all other Hollows had been destroyed. I spoke hesitantly, "That was...the general. And the emperor himself took control, channeling some sort of anti-magic force through it. No magic at all, not even my most powerful spells, could faze it. Only solid weapons could get the job done. Although we all got a good laugh when Seaspray sniped it right in the face out of nowhere. Even if it did end up ticking Ember off..."

"The...emperor himself crossed swords with you...? I see..." Rain Shine muttered before falling silent again. I decided to drop the topic right there. Knowing that we were at war with an old friend who may have even been her lover at one point was definitely weighing heavily on her mind. I continued on, guiding her to our destination.

We soon stood at the airship docks with a few airships floating overhead. Rain Shine's eyes lit up as she beheld the aerial vehicles up close. "Ships that sail the skies...? I've heard whispers of such marvels, but to see them like this... Simply marvelous. I wonder what it is like to gaze down from on high?"

"We don't even really have stuff like this back in my world. Stuff like this was always a product of fantasy, so I was just as stunned seeing the Equestria found a way to pull something like this off. There really is no other mode of transportation as intriguing as an airship." I added while also savoring the majesty of the floating aerial transports suspended overhead. I noticed Rain Shine focusing her gaze on the most elegant of the airships and proceeded to explain, "That one? That's the Alabaster. It's the private airship of the Capricorn Island royal family. Novo's ship."

"The hippogriff queen, yes? Ah, there she is now." Rain Shine spoke right as someone poked their head over the side of the deck. Sure enough, it was Novo. And she was quick to swoop down to us on those glorious wings. "Hello again, your majesty. Spectacular vessel you have here."

"Isn't she? You won't find many airships with the kind of grace the Alabaster carries." Novo retorted before the two of them bowed to each other. She then added, "Good show out there, by the way. You've got some real flower power there."

"Flowers, ferns, trees, thorns, anything nature has to offer is mine to summon." Rain Shine explained before her eyes rose to gaze upon the Alabaster once more. She really was quite taken with that elegant white airship. Unable to contain herself, she then looked to Novo and ask, "Forgive me for asking, but I am just so... I mean... May I take a look around up there?"

"Looks to me like someone hasn't ever seen an airship before. In that case, why don't I show you around? And maybe serve you up some tea while we're at it? Sounds like a perfect opportunity for the first diplomatic encounter between Capricorn Island and the...Grove of Silence, right?" Novo asked while giving me a wink of her right eye. While the two of us only just started taking a stroll around the encampment, I could see why Novo thought this was a good time to really get to know the chieftain of the westernmost colony of kirin.

Rain Shine was all too thrilled at the opportunity to board the Alabaster. She even brief tapped her hooves in anticipation of running up the gangway. I cracked a smirk at the kirin chieftain so eager to try something new, although I then noticed Novo cast me a smirk of her own. "I hope you don't mind the two of us having a little girl talk for a while, honey. Just be sure you're here tonight. If you're heading out tomorrow, I want you by my side until morning."

"As promised, Novo. I'll be here... What? What's with that look?" I started to say before I noticed Rain Shine glancing back and forth at us. And then she began to show us both a serene yet very knowing smile that made me uneasy.

After a moment of Novo and I waiting for an answer, Rain Shine let out an amused giggle. "Oh... Oh my, I see. So that is what is going on between you. Then I will try to not keep you too long this evening, dear James."

She knew. She must have. If kirin are keenly aware of how someone is feeling through their very emotions, then she could surely sense the romantic dynamics between Novo and I. I just rolled my eyes while Novo cast her a very proud smirk. "Don't keep me from my future king, all right? Anyway, let's get you up there and cozy. And I'll see you tonight, James. Don't keep mama waiting."

"Perish the thought, my queen. I'll be there." I retorted with a bit of a flair to my tone. Novo then placed a quick kiss upon my cheek before she and Rain Shine made their way up the gangplank. Although I think Rain Shine was a little uneasy as she went higher. But no sooner had they disappeared from view that I saw another familiar face approaching out of the corner of my vision. "Hey there, papa bird. Don't mind the guest."

"Showing our new friend around, hm? I'm still amazed by just what a kirin can do in a fight. I never even knew kirin exist, but I guess that's what happens when you spend most of your life on an island in the middle of nowhere." Sky Beak said before letting out a laugh. He must have watched the entire duel alongside his fellow archers atop the walls. I noticed he was still in full armor, what little there was, and had a quiver of arrows and a longbow slung over him. "Anyway, I was just about to head over to the archery range. Would you care to join me?"

"I got nothing else to do for the moment, so sure." I replied before we both spread our great wings. The two of us soared over the encampment on a low altitude before setting down in front of Ember's cottage. The archery targets were still lined up in a row while we were the only ones there. There was no sign of Ember. I suspected she was taking a nap at the time.

Sky Beak took his position at the opposite end of the archery range for maximum distance. I stayed by his side and watched as he assumed a biped stance with his impressive wings reaching back to serve as a counterbalance. With bow in hand, he drew an arrow from his quiver and pulled the string back. I unwittingly held my breath out of fear of interrupting his shot. A few seconds later, he let the arrow fly and effortlessly scored a perfect bull's-eye in the target ahead of us. I looked up at the fatherly hippogriff stallion and said, "You always make it look so easy."

"Well, Capricorn Island is famous for producing the finest archers in all of Equestria for a reason. It's all about upper body strength and precise aim. And it's easy to forget that our eyes are much closer to those of an eagle than a pony." Sky Beak replied before pointing at something over yonder. "For example... You see that sentry atop the wall over there? He just test fired his crossbow...and is now rearming it with a bolt in the string."

I squinted my eyes as I scanned the horizon. But try as I might, I could barely make out anyone standing atop the eastern walls of the camp. I could see colors that showed there was indeed someone up there patrolling the walls, but that was about it. "Uh... OK, point taken. Your eyes are a lot better than mine. And I haven't needed glasses since my first birthday party in Equestria."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, my boy. You've got your own strengths after all. I'm great with a bow and all, but don't ask me to try using a sword. I have no idea how to keep my balance like our queen does." Sky Beak said with a hearty laugh. When considering how the hippogriff guardsmen are so lightly armored all the time, I was certain that close quarters combat was not their strong suit. Not without something that boasts extensive reach like a spear, which is the only other weapon I have seen them carry and only within the halls of the Ivory Palace. He then asked, "Anyway, why don't you grab a bow and join in? There's a few left over there."

Tempting as the offer was, I knew I would get nothing out of trying out a longbow. Archery takes far too long for most to master and I would get nothing worthwhile out of it in such little time. "I'd like to, but trust me when I say I'm no good with a bow and never will be... Wait a minute... I wonder..."

Sky Beak was in the process of pulling another arrow from his quiver before he stopped to look down at me. I even noticed these arrows had soft rubber tips that kept them from digging too deep into the target. The previous arrow had already fallen from the target to keep that big red dot in the center unobstructed. And as I contemplated my own options for ranged combat, I had a sudden epiphany. I turned my gaze to the target that was set up to the other one's right. "I can't use a bow, but maybe I can do this..."

I lifted my left hand as I channeled my left gauntlet's magical energies. Focusing further, I tapped into Luna's frigid ice magic. A trio of small blue ice spikes formed in the air beside me, but I was not satisfied with their size. I narrowed them down to be closer to the dimensions of needles. My eyes focused on the target, specifically the red dot in the middle. In response to my will, the three ice needles shot forward with the same speed of an arrow and buried themselves right into that middle dot. Sky Beak let out a whistle as he said, "Now you're the one making this look easy! Three bull's-eyes at once on your first try?!"

"Huh... Visual focus really does mean everything in landing a hit with magic..." I muttered upon realizing just how easy it is to hit a stationary target with magical projectiles. The three ice needles dissolved into cold mist as I dismissed them and summoned three more beside me. I then looked up at Sky Beak and said, "Guess I can do some target practice after all."

The hippogriff stallion let out a laugh before we began to resume our practice session. He let his arrows fly while I launched my ice needles. I even started to increase the number of needles to five and then seven. I experimented with my accuracy by focusing for less time before launching my projectiles. My shots became less accurate the more needles I conjured up, but none of them ever missed the target. I made a mental note that more projectiles per shot is better used when just trying to hit something on the move.

After a moment of silence, Sky Beak spoke without taking his eye off his target. "How have you been since leaving home? Has it been a hard trek out here? Especially before we all caught up?"

I suspected he got me out there alone with him just so we could talk. Upon realizing this, I lost my focus on my ice needles as they just fell to the ground. Sky Beak must have noticed my sudden mild anxiety and asked, "Uh... You all right?"

"Uh... Um..." I mumbled before I stopped and looked up at the stallion who had become like a father to me. His kind and concerned eyes looked down at me while I looked up at him. I felt stupid over my old instincts interfering with my mind registering him as my father. Defying those old memories, I turned to him and put my arms around him with my face buried in his fluffy feathery chest. "Yeah... Yeah, I'm good... I'm good, papa bird... And...it's cool if you want to talk."

I felt his hand drag its fingers through my hair with his talons lightly combing themselves against my scalp. He asked quietly, "Did I scare you somehow?"

"No, no, I swear I'm not upset... It's just...you never feel comfortable when you're afraid of your dad and he wants to talk to you. Stupid old instincts." I replied with my hand patting him on the back. I then turned my gaze up at him and said, "Anyway, things are...getting better. That first couple of weeks were pretty draining thanks to the constant isolation out here. But it hasn't all been bad. I've...actually gained a lot since coming out here. New friends. And lots of them."

"Really now?" Sky Beak asked as we once again returned to our positions to resume our session. He then drew another arrow from his quiver while he asked, "And who might they be, if you don't mind me asking?"

It almost felt like I was describing a high school crush to my father and he was prying for answers. I almost snickered when I noticed the implications. He even had a slightly sneaky tone to his voice when he said that. I then spoke while summoning up some more ice needles, "Well, if we're going in order... The first I found was Ember. The Dragon Lord. Blue little lady in gold armor? Carries a spear?"

"How could I forget her? She's really impressive on the battlefield. And she was the first friend you gained out here?" He asked while letting his arrow fly. Another perfect shot. And the arrows were starting to pile up below the target.

"She was. And she's amazing. Though it's funny in hindsight that the first thing she did was attack me. Put up a really good fight too. Good thing Nightmare Moon caught wind of the scuffle and broke the duel up. Just a silly misunderstanding." I explained as my focus became interrupted. I started delaying my spells as my mind wandered. "She might be the Dragon Lord, but I swear she's the best thing to ever come out of the dragon lands. I'm sure she'll lead her people into a new golden age at this rate. She's a strong leader and a wonderful person too. She might be the friend I'm the most grateful for having made out here so far. She...inspires me. She's an amazing friend and I love her for it... Wait! Don't tell her I said that last part! Dragons are really particular about that word..."

Sky Beak burst out laughing as I sputtered towards the end. And it was really funny in hindsight. "Pahahaha, all right then! I can tell she's something special if you've been positively gushing about her for the past minute. And she gets along well with our queen, so there's plenty of diplomatic goodwill there."

"Yeah, she and Novo hit it off pretty well. They have something in common, being skilled in a fight. I think Ember even looks up to her right now." I added while getting some more ice needles ready. "After that, there was... Right, the kirin of the Grove of Silence. I really wasn't expecting to find an entire village in a no-man's-land like the Empty Plains, but they welcomed me with open arms. And they even have a particular affinity for humans in general. I...really felt at home among them. But the kirin I really connected with most was Rain Shine and little Autumn Blaze. I'm actually...really touched Rain came all the way out here to help us out."

"Sounds like you really do have something special between them. I could see a certain connection between you two with what little I saw. You were very happy to see each other. And she's beautiful to boot. It's a rare day when our queen has that kind of appreciation for another mare's appearance." Sky Beak said while letting another arrow fly. We were basically on autopilot as we never missed a beat with our shots. "Was that all in terms of who you met before everyone caught up to you and Princess Nightmare Moon? What about afterwards?"

"Actually, wait... There was one more." I muttered as I suddenly remembered one last name. My hand lowered as a fond recollection was replaced with deep concern. "There was actually one person I bumped into before Ember... Poor kid. I hope he's doing all right."

Sky Beak lowered his bow when he noticed my shift in tone. "There was? Who?"

I sighed while turning my gaze to the sky. With how brief our time together was, it was very easy to forget all about it. But I remembered. "Some kid hanging out in a tiny dilapidated riverside outpost. Was told it's known as the Vulture's Roost. A griffon boy. Called himself Gallus. He's a runaway hiding out there not very far into the Empty Plains. It sounded like he didn't have a very pleasant home life, but he was nice enough once we started endearing ourselves to each other. I guess helping him roast fresh fish made for an effective icebreaker."

The fatherly stallion's tone darkened as his eyes were filled with unease. "A runaway boy out in the middle of nowhere? That's not right... Was he all right at least? Is he taking care of himself?"

"He looked fine as far as I could tell. Perfectly physically healthy with no scars to be seen. He even offered to fix up one of the extra huts there for me if I needed a place to stay. He...even offered to come with me when I told him I couldn't stay..." I explained while understanding why Sky Beak was so concerned. He is a father. And an excellent one too. It is in his nature to be concerned for children. And it was as I remembered that unfortunate bluebird of a griffon that I also recalled a promise. "I... I promised him I would come back for him. Take him home with me to Ponyville... Thanks for helping me remember the guy, papa bird. I'd hate to forget to come back for him."

"You will? In that case, I'll go with you when you do. I'd like to meet the boy myself. Kids his age need friends and a safe place to call home." Sky Beak said with a smile, his hand patting me on the head in what was sure to be pride. I did not refuse his offer. Having the stallion who had become a father to me when I see Gallus again would only serve to reinforce how much better a family life he could have in Ponyville. He then readied his bow again and asked, "Was there anyone else though? Maybe anyone you met after we caught up to you?"

I too regained my magical focus to resume the repetition of scoring perfect shots on my target with ice magic. "Oh yeah, I've made some really good friends since everything got into full swing in the war effort. One of the earliest was an old friend of Rainbow Dash. Gilda. I've heard some really nasty things about a falling out they had and she really was a bitter and abrasive hen of a griffon during our first encounter. I really didn't want anything to do with her at first, but she hit me up for an important talk and things just...improved from there. Turns out she was just in a really bad place and needed a push in the right direction. She and Rainbow Dash even patched things up together. They really do bounce off each other in a way I've never seen out of any of Rainbow's other friends."

"I've seen her around. She was with us during that assault on that scouting party, right? You two do seem to get along really well. I never would've guessed she was that angry before." Sky Beak said contemplatively with another arrow flying. He then instinctively reached for another arrow, but we both found that his quiver was empty by then. And there was quite a pile of arrows in front of his target. "Oh, that's it?"

"Hang on, lemme get that for you." I interjected before using a levitation spell to carry all of his arrows back over and bunched them together to slide them into his quiver. "Anyway, yeah. Gilda was a grouch at first. But without going into a really long story, she's had it rough for a while and didn't always have the best influence around her. And she was smart enough to listen to others and their observations. Turns out she was always the brains to Rainbow's bravado. She's actually really sweet when in a good mood and just oozes that tough girl charm. I'm glad I met her. Gilda's...cool."

"She does, doesn't she?" Sky Beak retorted while bringing another arrow to his bowstring. "She really likes you too, from what I've seen. But what about that other griffon who keeps stopping by now and then?"

It took me a moment to remember who he was referring to. "Huh? You mean...Gabby? She's just a courier. She's not really taking part in active duty out here. But we have met a few times. She's adorable, really. Although I haven't really gotten to know her very well yet. I hope I get to see her more often."

Sky Beak understood very quickly that I unfortunately did not have much to say about Gabby at the time, even though I do genuinely like her. He then asked, "What about your new little dragon friend? The one who's always with Smolder?"

I knew who he was speaking of and I knew it was too soon to say too much. So I carefully considered my words before speaking. "Little Ocellus? Yeah, I literally bumped into her beyond the walls during a stroll. Scared the poor thing half to death. She has nowhere else to go and is completely on her own out here, so I brought her back. She really hit it off with Smolder. I'd even say they consider each other best friends now. And she loves pillows. Even built a fort of them around her bed."

"Pah, that's adorable! And speaking of pillows..." Sky Beak laughed before showing me a very smug smirk on his beak. "I should let you know that there's a package on its way for you. Something special... It might even be arriving today."

"Huh? For me? I guess I could ask who sent it, but I think I can wait until today to see." I said in surprise while sure there must be mail carriers that stop by now and then to deliver gifts from friends and family back home. Most of the stuff I have received was compact and light enough for someone like Gabby to carry on her person. But right after flinging another trio of ice needles, I froze. "Waaaait a minute, how would you know there's something on the way for me? Someone drop you a hint recently?"

Sky Beak had to lower his bow due to his outburst of laughter for a moment. I think he knew I would connect the dots before long. "Haha, I was wondering when it would occur to you! I've been kept informed by the Alabaster's radioman in case I get any Morse code messages sent my way. Trust me, you've probably got something nice coming soon. Maybe even today."

"In that case, I can hardly wait to see what's in it." I said with a hint of excitement in my heart. All the way out here on the Empty Plains, it was a treat knowing I was going to receive something unexpected before long. Would it be homemade edible treats? A book of sorts to read during some downtime? Or something a little more unconventional? Whatever the case, I was fairly psyched.

It was not much longer before I had to levitate Sky Beak's entire collection of arrows back over to him again. Once they were all back in his quiver, he drew one once more and pulled his bowstring back. "Let me empty this quiver one more time and we'll call it a day, all right?"

"Sure thing. I'm not missing at all here. I think my aim's as good as it will ever get for stationary targets." I retorted before noticing I had gotten complacent in dispelling the needles I had been summoning. A thick cluster of shimmering blue ice was coating the center of the target before me. I cracked a cheeky grin before forcing them to fade into icy mist to make some room.

Having run out of conversation topics for the moment, Sky Beak found something to talk about that I was not ready for. And I hoped he had forgotten about it. "Say... James... You sure you don't mind us chatting like this? I didn't disturb you when I asked you, did I?"

"Huh? No, no, I really don't mind at all. I've enjoyed our time here." I replied while letting another cluster of ice needles fly. But I understood why he did not so easily forget about my initial reaction. "But...if you're really concerned about earlier... That was just all on reflex. When you're afraid of someone and they tell you to come over for a talk, you're never comfortable with it and always expect the worst."

I noticed Sky Beak lower his bow with an arrow nocked in the string before he turned to look at me. "But...you're not afraid of me, are you? Have I...ever given you a reason to be scared of me?"

"No... Never. You've always been good to me." I replied in utmost sincerity. My thoughts became interrupted by unfortunate memories with my ice needles falling from the air and to the ground below. I then spoke with a sigh, "You know enough from before... It's not you I fear. It's my father back home. He's a...man I don't want to become."

"I know... I know. I overheard. Or at least I overheard what you told Terramar." That wonderful father said to me with a much quieter tone.

I could not even bring myself to look at him. I was just too distracted by bad memories. "When I said the last straw for me was him having a screaming fit in response to me letting out an exasperated sigh, I wasn't exaggerating. That was the point where I couldn't trust him to control his impulses anymore. He owes me apologies for stuff I really didn't deserve as far back as high school. He even said to my face that he doesn't care what I think. That's not the kind of thing you say to your kids unless you're dead serious about it. There was even a time when I was much younger where he sat me down in a room and repeatedly inflicted pain on me in anger whenever I incorrectly answered questions of religious importance out of sheer childish naiveté. What kind of hypothetical all-loving deity smiles upon the inflicting of pain on one's own child over something as petty as being too young to understand something profound? I can only imagine how it must feel to see your own kid running from you in terror because they know you are going to hurt them..."

I did not want to repeat myself too much. I remember what was said during the my first visit to his house. And Sky Beak said nothing in respectful silence. Or maybe he was genuinely disturbed over what he was hearing. I then continued, "I think the worst part about the whole thing is that he knows I'm afraid of him. And he knows why I'm afraid of him. After a few months of avoiding him, he arranged a close family friend to talk to me to get some answers. And I was completely honest with them, so I know he knows why I'm just not comfortable around him anymore. But instead of doing anything to make amends or even just trying to apologize for hurting me and acknowledging that he's made mistakes in his parenting choices, he just...rolled with it and accepted it. As if he's convinced himself that all the crap he puts me through out of sheer impulse and arrogance is the kind of thing I'm supposed to forget and forgive when recurring emotional wounds really don't work like that. He's the kind of man who would rather tolerate the consequences of his actions than ever admit fault, regardless of the long-term damage it does or how thoroughly it alienates his children. It wouldn't surprise me if he would even take that arrogance with him to his grave. I'll never understand why he is the way he is and why humility is such an alien concept to him..."

It was a bitter thing to talk about and I took no joy in thinking back to the father I had grown to fear. A father whose very presence made me deeply uncomfortable. A moment of silence passed as I felt no desire to keep speaking. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sky Beak drop back down onto all fours while placing his bow on the ground. I then saw his helmet fall to the ground with a clank before I turned and found myself on the receiving end of a firm and warm feathery embrace, Sky Beak's head tucked up against mine.

"Let me be perfectly clear with you on something..." Sky Beak spoke to me with a firm yet preciously tender tone in his voice. "I will not ever scream at you. I will not ever belittle you. I will not ever disregard anything you say or think without a second thought. I may not have sired you. I may not have raised you. You and I may not be connected by anything more than our acquaintanceship, but know this. You are still my boy all the same. And I will always love you."

That...hit me much harder than I could have ever expected. Following on the embittering memories that had been at the forefront of my mind just a moment ago, I all but burst into tears upon hearing such a wonderful thing from the closest thing to a father I have ever had in Equestria. I shakily brought a hand to the back of his head as I struggled to not blink and keep the tears at bay. "Papa bird...?"

"I love you, my boy... And I'm so proud of the man you are." He whispered again as I broke into his embrace. I whimpered and sobbed as I clung tightly to his soft feathered form. "You're a wonderful young man with a beautiful heart. And I'll always be there for you when you really need me. Even when you're carrying more weight on your shoulders than you think you are."

I could not find the words I wanted to say. I just held that wonderful father in my arms, trying to process his words to me. Such wonderful things to say. And he meant every syllable. The joy of having a father I can look at and feel admiration for... It was a feeling I had long forgotten. As I wept, I felt his hand holding me by the back of my head. Sky Beak said nothing, but he never released me. And deep in his throat... I heard it. A gentle comforting churr as if he was singing a lullaby to me. Whatever it was he was doing, that pleasant coo deep in his throat was indeed soothing and brought an end to my tears sooner than it would have otherwise. He then quietly asked, "Better now?"

"Uh huh... I'm...just really happy now..." I muttered while hesitantly releasing him from my grasp. I tried to dry my tears, but the hard plating on my gauntlets made it uncomfortable. Sky Beak then offered me his wing, which I gratefully used to dry my face with his feathers. "I'm just...really glad to have a father I'm not afraid of."

"I'll never give you a reason to fear me. I promise. I know you listen well. No point in yelling when you do, right?" Sky Beak whispered before wrapping me in his wing. Somewhere in my heart, part of me wished I had been born as a hippogriff somewhere on Capricorn Island. Or at the very least raised by the wonderful stallion who was holding me. If Silverstream and Terramar turned out as happy as they are, then I surely would have had a wonderful life among them as well.

"Yelling at me never helps the situation... It only agitates me. I mean I get yelling when there's noise interfering with someone hearing you, but... Never mind... You understand what I mean, right?" I muttered in wistful recollection while we continued to hold each other. "I just...don't get why some parents think that subjecting their kids to unnecessary emotional duress doesn't qualify as some form of abuse. It's like they think they have the right to unload on their kids without consequence because of some unspoken natural authority they hold over them on a genetic level... How is making your children fear you a commendable parenting technique?"

"That's one of the most despicable concepts I've ever heard of, James. And while I can at least understand why one might think that, I can't respect it." I heard Sky Beak grumble in quite possibly the most disgusted tone I had ever heard out of him. As if just thinking about a parent embracing that ideology genuinely angered him. He then pulled away from me and gazed into my eyes with a pained look. "Please believe me when I say this. I just want to be the best father I can to you. So just...forget about whatever fear you have for your father. Because I am not him and I don't want to be him. But I will be your papa bird if you will have me."

"Please do... Really, I'm grateful for you." I muttered with the temptation to cry rising in my heart again. Sky Beak closed his eyes and rested his brow against mine. It felt...meaningful. As if it was an avian display of solace. Feeling I had taken up enough of his time reminiscing about bad memories, I then said softly, "I think I've taken up enough of your time blabbing about this stuff... One more full quiver before we call it a day?"

"Yeah... Yeah, this is our last day before we head out tomorrow. Need to stay sharp after so much downtime, right?" Sky Beak retorted with a weak chuckle. We returned to our positions beside each other, my left hand summoning a cluster of ice needles while he rose high on his hind legs and brought another arrow to his bowstring. Yet again, we scored perfect shots.

After a few more arrows and ice barrages went flying, Sky Beak began to speak without missing a beat with his aiming. "I have to say, I just about panicked when the last man standing in that previous battle ended up giving you a hard time. Seeing my boy out there having to fight that hard against the enemy commander... I would've rushed in with a spear if old Seaspray hadn't insisted he'd put the general down with one shot. And he was down to his last arrow too. Thank goodness he didn't miss..."

"Yeah, I have to admit I was winging it at that point. Absolutely nothing I threw at that thing worked once that veil coated it. Even my cheapest magic couldn't get through. I only needed to get in one good slash, but now I see why sword or axe and shield is such an effective combination. There's almost no way you'll get by a big enough shield if your opponent knows what they're doing." I replied while also recalling just how tense that duel became, especially when I found out the hard way just how much more efficient an axe is in wrangling with an opponent's shield than a sword is. Even Ember and Nightmare Moon joining in did not help the situation that much at first. "I'm sure we could've taken that thing down in due time, but Seaspray saved us the trouble. I bet infantry really hate archers in warfare.

"Oh, I'm sure they do! Nothing's more frustrating than an enemy that can hit you before you have any idea where they are!" Sky Beak said with a laugh while I too cracked a smirk. In some ways, it is a shame those Hollows are empty husks. It might be darkly amusing if they could yell at each other in confusion over a barrage of arrows.

At last, Sky Beak emptied his quiver one last time. And I brought every last arrow back to him so they could be returned to his quiver. The kindly stallion then slung his bow over himself and dropped back onto his hands. "Well, I'd say that's enough for today. Is there anywhere you need to be, my boy?"

"Aside from my friends from Ponyville meeting up with me after dinner... Not really. At least not until Novo's done having Rain Shine over for a spot of tea. I'm showing her around the camp to introduce her to its layout. Better to get it outta the way while things are calm." I replied while wondering how long those two would be keeping me waiting. Novo can be a chatterbox at the table.

Sky Beak looked to the west to see the Alabaster still docked. Although he and I also saw another airship starting to come in. And if the markings and paint job was anything to go by, it was a cargo ship owned by postal services. Our eyes lit up upon realizing what this meant. I looked at him and asked, "Mail call?"

"Mail call. Let's check it out." He replied before we both took to the air and soared west. When we landed at the docks, the cargo ship was in the process of being secured by its moorings. The ground crews got a gangplank up to the deck in little time while the two of us watched. And sure enough, cardboard boxes started being carted down to the ground. Sky Beak then leaned towards me and said, "I'll be just a minute."

I watched while Sky Beak trotted over to the crewmen who were carting along a large stack of boxes of varying sizes. He quietly chatted them up, motioning a hand to the boxes. The crewman, a young unicorn stallion, used levitation magic to lift them all into the air before sorting through them all. He soon placed a fairly sizeable box into Sky Beak's upturned hand before setting the rest down and pushing them out of the way. Sky Beak then looked over at me and called out, "It's here! This one's for you!"

Feeling genuinely stoked over getting a gift out of nowhere, I hurried on over. The box was big enough to require me to hold it with both hands. And a quick glance at the label confirmed that it was indeed from Capricorn Island. Specifically an address in the Omega sector. "Ooh, I bet I know who this is from."

"Head on over to your place and get it open. I think you're in for a very pleasant surprise." Sky Beak said with quite the smirk on his face. He surely must have known what was in it. I took him up on his offer and said my goodbyes before hurrying through the air with my package in hand. I reached the command center in moments and rushed up to my dormitory.

"Hey, you're...huh? What's in the box?" Smolder asked when I burst into my room She and Ocellus were looking over the comic book collection I had amassed at the time. Ocellus did not even bother to disguise herself.

"Don't know, but it's for me!" I retorted with some excitement. I set the box aside before standing in the tub near my typewriter to melt my armor off. I then sat down by the box once my armor had been shed into a puddle of liquid metal and looked it over. "OK then... Um... Anyone got a small blade? Can't get the tape off..."

"Um... I think I can help." Ocellus said before she trotted over to me. I watched with curiosity when she raised one hoof. With a flash of green fire over that one limb, her hoof was replaced with what seemed to be a black mantis claw. Smolder and I stared in intrigue as Ocellus reached her new forelimb over the box and dragged the claw's tip down the middle to cut the tape. And it worked. It effortlessly cut through the tape that kept the box's top flaps secured. "Did that help...?"

"Wow, that's a handy trick... Thanks, love bug. Now, what's in here..." I said in thanks before getting the box open. And I was both pleased yet surprised by what was inside. "Huh...? These are..."

"Pillows! We can always use more!" Ocellus exclaimed in glee upon seeing the contents. Sure enough, that was exactly what they were. A pair of square pillows stuffed with soft feathers were stacked in the box. "Ooh! They look nice too!"

"Really? Someone sent you a bunch of pillows? Your old one not doing the job at night?" Smolder laughed at the simplicity of my gift. I too found the mundanity of the gift to be rather laughable, but the two pillows were nice to look at. One appeared to depict blue ocean waves with plumes of seafoam while the other displays the open blue sky dotted with white clouds. "Huh... Sea and sky? Did you get a name?"

Ocellus examined the label on the side of the box while I held the two pillows in my hands. "Um... It says something about Capricorn Island... Isn't that where the hippogriffs come from?"

"Yeah, it looks like Sky Beak's family sent these as a care package. Such nice people." I added before standing up and taking a seat on my bed. The fabric was like a smooth satin that the feathers within would have a hard time puncturing. "Simple, but practical. I'll be sure to take these home with... Wait... Wait a minute..."

"Huh? What's up?" Smolder asked while she and Ocellus looked my way.

"There's...a smell on these..." I replied when I noticed something in the air. I brought one of the pillows to my face and inhaled deeply through my nose. Indeed, there was a certain scent on the pillows. And they differed from each other slightly. "These...have a smell to them. Not a bad smell, but... It still...feels familiar?"

Ocellus tilted her head to one side as she reverted her arm back to its original hoofed appearance. "What does it smell like? Did they spill something on it?"

"I don't think so... It's a bit of a pleasant...musty smell of sorts. Where have I..." I muttered before closing my eyes and continuing to inhale the scent of the pillow that bore the patterns of the sea. I tried to remember with that subtle scent flooding my senses. I remembered...feathers. Soft feathers. And the form of a small hippogriff in my arms. Holding them while they held me... My eyes shot open as I suddenly had a realization. "Hang on."

I felt along the edges of the pillow and found what I was hoping to see. A zipper see along one edge. And upon pulling it open, I found the pillow stuffed full of feathers. And the color of those feathers brought someone to mind. "Terramar...?"

The feathers in that pillow were of a distinct shade of yellow. A pale sandy hue with the slightest tint of green to it. I grabbed a handful of those feathers and inhaled their scent. The scent of a bird's plumage... The same scent which filled that hippogriff colt's own coat. I then stuffed them back inside the pillow and zipped it back up before checking the other one in the same way. Once again, I recognized the color of the feathers within. A light pink of almost bubble gum hues. "Silverstream too...?"

Smolder took a step closer and brought the pillow that was filled with Terramar's feathers to her face and gave it a long sniff. "Mm... Yep, that smells like bird. Friends of yours?"

"Yeah. Sky Beak's kids. They became really good friends of mine during my first visit. And...these feathers...came from them?" I muttered in confusion. Did they really pluck every last feather from their bodies and stuffed them in pillow cases for me? As heartfelt such a gesture was, it was still weird knowing my youngest friends of Capricorn Island sent me something produced by their own bodies.

Just as I was trying to wrap my head around the nature of this gift, Ocellus peered into the box they came in and lifted something from it with her levitation magic. "There's something else in here... A note?"

"Huh? That's... Oh, maybe this'll explain things." I retorted once I saw a large envelope floating over to me. And once I got it open... A wave of nostalgia hit me. "You guys..."

The note read as follows. "Hi there, James. We heard about what's happening out there on the Empty Plains. I never even knew anything was ever out there. I hope you like the pillows. Silverstream and I were wondering if we could send you something nice while you're out there. And then we molted. Since we had a bunch of leftover feathers, we went and snipped off the quills and packed them into pillows for you to enjoy. Do you like the designs? How's Dad out there? Are you two looking out for each other? It's OK if you don't have time to write back. I know things must be pretty crazy out there. I don't even know what war is, but it doesn't sound nice... I hope things will be OK when it's all over. Oh, and Silverstream really misses you. I think she really likes how you listen to her so well. Mom's looking forward to the next time you visit too. She wants us to all go out to dinner together. I'm running out of space now, so I should finish this up here. Be careful out there. We all miss you. Come home safely, all right? Your friend, Terramar."

Something about seeing that handwriting from a dear friend, even if he is just a boy, stirred something inside me. His father had more or less become my father. That hippogriff family waiting back on Capricorn Island were more like family to me than simply a group of friends. Although I did almost laugh when I realized it never occurred to me that hippogriffs occasionally molt. I suppose those shed feathers should be used for something. Inspiration surging inside me, I stood up and hurried over to my typewriter and took a seat. "Excuse me for a little while, girls. I need to write a reply to this."

And so I began to type away. "Terramar. You really surprised me with this gift. I never expected to get such amazingly soft pillows out of nowhere like this. And it was very clever to use your own molted feathers to stuff them. I admit I honestly thought you and your sister plucked yourselves clean to get them off. I wonder how that would have gone. But the best part about it is that the pillows each have their own unique smell. Whenever I rest my head on them, I swear the smell makes me think of you two. The kind of smell I always noticed when I held you two in my arms. I really miss you and your family. My first stay on Capricorn Island was wonderful enough, but you and your sister's company made it something special. I will cherish this gift you two have given me. And please let your sister know I miss her too and I will have plenty of scritches to share next time we meet. Your father and I are doing well so far and morale is high. I have a good feeling about how things will go from here. We will be home before much longer, I am sure. All of you take care of yourselves. Warmest regards. James."

I took the paper and set it aside, my mind making a mental note to make sure to send that back at the first opportunity. I then went right over to my bed and rested myself upon it with those two pillows pushed under my head. They were perfect for a couch or sofa. But while I rested there, I noticed Smolder and Ocellus looking that note over. Ocellus glanced my way and asked, "Terramar and Silverstream?"

"Friends of mine. They're just kids, but not much younger than you two. You'd probably even get along with them quite well if you ever met them." I explained while almost forgetting that the two of them are only twelve years old despite looking like a young mare and stallion. Their vocal range even sounds more mature than they should, now that I think about it. I suppose hippogriffs are early bloomers in general.

Smolder looked over the note a little longer before she glanced at me. "This Terramar guy sounds pretty nice. What's his sister like?"

"Bubbly. Very bubbly. Think Pinkie Pie, but less wacky. And she has her quiet moments too. Adorable little mare...I mean filly. She's younger than she looks, I swear. They both do." I explained while my thoughts went back to that pretty little thing. It still amazes me how Silverstream, at least in hindsight, is like the inverse of Smolder. Where Smolder is mentally and emotionally more mature than she looks, it is the complete opposite for Silverstream. She looks far more mare than filly. How do the hippogriffs learn to identify their children's age at a glance?

"Tch, I think I can handle her." Smolder said with a confident smirk on her lips. She then looked at Ocellus and said, "What about you? Do the birds and bees get along?"

"Um... I'm not a bee, but I'd be happy to make a new friend. If she doesn't think I'm scary..." Ocellus muttered hesitantly while her mostly blank eyes probably glanced away at nothing in particular.

I reached out and set my hand on the little Changeling's head. "To be honest, I think Silverstream would be pretty excited to meet something like you. She's a curious sort. She'd probably bombard you with questions rather than be creeped out by your natural form."

Ocellus cracked a big crooked grin upon hearing that. "Really? Well then... I guess I'd be OK with meeting her sometime? But how will we meet her? She...lives really far away, right?"

"She... Huh. Yeah, that's a good point. We'll have to figure something out when we get back home. Maybe you girls can tag along next time I visit? Goodness knows Novo will want me visiting more often." I retorted as I remembered that it takes almost a whole day just to get there by airship when traveling from Canterlot. Sometimes the practicality of jetliners from my world really does overshadow the fantastical nature of Equestria's airships...

"We'll figure something out, right? We got more important things to worry about anyway." Smolder then said before grabbing the two new pillows on my bed. Ocellus jumped with her wings springing open in surprise before Smolder firmly pressed the two pillows against the sides of her head. "Like more pillows for the love bug!"

"Hey, careful with those! I just got them!" I spoke firmly while Ocellus burst into giddy giggling. I knew Ocellus has a few hard and potentially sharp spots on her naturally body that could rip the pillowcases and would hate to see them get damaged so soon after arrival.

"Whoops! Right! Don't wanna puncture them? I haven't done that in a long time... Not since I got these babies trimmed." Smolder yelped before tapping her fingers against one of her horns. If they had grown since they were chopped down to a more manageable size and sanded down to very smooth rounded tips, I could not tell.

"These used to be longer?" Ocellus asked with her hoof reaching for the horn on the other side of Smolder's head.

Smolder rolled her eyes while crossing her arms. "Yep. Taller than my head. I didn't think much of it until one of the punctured a pillow the first time I slept in a real bed. And then a bird used one as a perch. That's when we decided to get them trimmed. Although you really don't wanna know what it's like having a buzzsaw right next to your ears..."

Ocellus rubbed the underside of her jaw in puzzlement. Probably while trying to imagine what Smolder looked like. In a flash of green fire, she quickly took on a familiar dragon form. But not the one Smolder and I were used to seeing. "Like...this?"

There was...something uncanny about what I was seeing. Ocellus had just taken on the form of Smolder herself. But the horns on her head were how they originally looked. Reaching higher than her head and ending in a prominent point. Smolder and I only stared for a moment while Ocellus reached up and ran her hands over her long horns. Smolder finally spoke with a very perplexed look in her eyes. "Don't...do that again. I know you Changelings can do this, but there's...something really creepy about seeing one that looks just like you."

Since Ocellus is anything but a malicious soul, I was not as disturbed by this as I probably should have been. But contemplating the scenario of what Changelings can do... Replacing everyone you know and love while they do...goodness knows what to the originals... Body snatcher horror at its finest. If I ever found myself in such a scenario where Changelings had done such a thing... I probably would never dare to trust Ocellus in the first place.

"Yeah... Let's not do that again, OK? It carries...way to many disturbing implications." I added before stepping up behind Ocellus and holding her in my arms. Just so she knew I was not upset with her by hugging her. She squinted her eyes shut in shame before being briefly coated in another flash of harmless green fire. I then found myself holding a different dragoness. One who Smolder and I recognized. "There we go. I like your own original look more anyway."

"Hey, does that mean she's cuter than me?!" Smolder barked before leaning forward with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed to give us both quite the accusatory glare. When we both recoiled at her words, Smolder then laughed swatted a hand at us. "Just messing with you! Yeah, she's super cute like that. I don't no problem with it."

"Really? Um... OK then?" Ocellus squeaked while I released my grip on her. She then took those two new pillows in hand and looked up at me. "When you're not here, may I...use these?"

"As long as you're gentle with them." I said while Ocellus snuggled the pillows to her chest. She really does love pillows, it would seem. Hence why she has a fort of them around her bed. I then took up the box they came in and the message I had typed out. "Anyway, I'm going to get this message ready to send out and then check on our new guest. She's probably finishing up teatime with Novo right about now."

"Sure thing. We'll hold down the fort. And the girls will be here after dinner, right?" Smolder asked while I just nodded. Ocellus tucked her face in the two pillows, not looking quite as sure about the meeting we had planned. The two dragon girls when bid me farewell while I slipped my shoes on and went back downstairs. I found a large sturdy envelope to seal the message inside and wrote out the shipping address by using the return address of the box for reference. I then added it to a stack of outgoing mail near the communications station in the corner of the room right as the operator received another Morse code transmission and then headed back outside. The sun was starting to get a little low in the sky by then. Everyone would start making the rounds for dinner soon.

My trip to the airship docks was fairly uneventful. I did pass by a few familiar faces on the way and greeted them in passing. And when I reached the Alabaster, Rain Shine and Novo just so happened to be heading down the gangplank. "Huh... Timing couldn't be better."

"Well, looks like someone knew exactly when to show up." Novo spoke upon seeing me approach. Rain Shine looked to be in a good mood too, although any enthusiasm was hidden behind her usual serene smile. The hippogriff queen then said, "Miss flower power here made for some great company. Sounds like the kirin are a nice bunch back home. Thanks for introducing her to me, honey."

"Anytime, Novo. Some of the nicest people I've met in Equestria so far. And that's saying something." I retorted before looking at Rain Shine. When our eyes met... That wonderful sense of familiar kinship. Although I then asked, "So then... How was it being on an airship?"

"It was exciting...yet unsettling. I could barely sense a thing through the floor. I only heard whispers from below, although the wooden all around me carried pleasant words from all around us." Rain Shine explained while cracking the most uneasy smile I had seen on her so far. To be all but separated from the ground that she is so used to constantly listening through... It never occurred to me that being separated from the earth could be so alien to a kirin.

"As home on the ground as we are in the air, hm? Just rest assured that the Alabaster has always had a clean bill of health in terms of integrity and reliability. There's no way that old bird will be dropping out the sky on my watch." Novo spoke up before she and Rain Shine bowed their head and touched their brows together. Or as much as Rain Shine's horn would allow. "In any case, it was a pleasure getting to make your acquaintance, Rain Shine. I hereby degree that the mares of the Grove of Silence are friends of Capricorn Island."

"I am honored by your hospitality and diplomacy, your majesty. It was an honor to meet you." Rain Shine retorted before they lifted their heads to share a gaze. I particularly enjoyed the sight of two of the most beautiful mares I had ever laid eyes on being within my field of vision together. A mare of the sky and a mare of the earth. Almost as if they were distant mirrors of each other.

Novo then held a hand to the base of her neck and spoke more eloquently than usual. Probably just to project a more professional air than usual. "As it was for me, chieftain. We really should share tea again sometime. Now, I understand you have somewhere to be? More to see? Then I won't keep you."

Rain Shine nodded and bowed once more in farewell. But Novo then glanced my way with a smirk while she spoke as she normally does. "As for you... Don't keep mama waiting tonight. All right?"

"Pfft, as if. I'll be there, Novo. As promised." I replied before Novo suddenly reached out and pecked a kiss upon my cheek. She then spread her impressive wings and soared back up to the deck of the Alabaster and out of sight. Although I then noticed Rain Shine casting me a knowing smirk. "Uh... Yeah?"

"I sense such a wonderful adoration between the two of you whenever you are near each other. And I sense she is not the only one your heart longs for... Tell me. Does your heart long for other mares?" Rain Shine asked as I was reminded how keeping a secret from a kirin was nearly impossible.

I let out a sigh and looked to the sky. My thoughts went back to my wife. Fluttershy. And our firstborn. Dear little Gladesong. Then to Rarity. Then Celestia. Abnormally wise and loving Smolder. And my glorious hippogriff queen. I muttered carefully, "It does... Do you think less of me for it?"

Rain Shine shook her head. "Of course not. I can sense a most wonderful longing in your heart when you think of them. Whoever they are, you cherish them. You are not driven by lust or a twisted ego. Yours is a wonderful love for them. Do not be ashamed when it is far from the norm of today."

"Thank you... The encouragement really helps. I'm still not entirely certain if I'm cut out for this kind of relationship, but I'm hoping it works out. I...want us all to be happy... Not as a herd or harem or whatever people call it. We're a family." I replied while dearly appreciating her support. Such encouragement would go a long way with me on this journey.

"That is such a lovely term to use. It speaks volumes of what your beloveds mean to you." Rain Shine said before touching her nose to my cheek. A simple equine kiss. It made me tingle with glee, feeling it from her of all people. She then asked, "I do believe we have spoken enough of this topic. Certainly with so many around who might overhear us. Shall we move on to see what else there is to see here?"

"Right, right... How about the R&D lab? They develop all sorts of spells and devices there to give our infantry an edge. I think they'd be thrilled to see a kirin for the first time." I replied while knowing the labs were directly east from the docks. It would be an easy walk there.

"More to discover, yes? Lead on, my friend." Rain Shine spoke with a smile before we headed on our way. Little was said, but it did not take that long for that long tent to come into view. The kirin chieftain eventually said, "Such profound arcane energies at work in there... Now I am most curious to see it with my own eyes."

"It's quite a feast for the eyes the first time you see it." I replied before I lifted the entrance's flap of fabric open. Rain Shine ducked through it before stopping at the entrance and surveying the test chambers. It was about as busy as the first time I saw it. Unicorns in lab coats trying out spells or even trying to tweak spells I had already seen. She strolled quietly down the hall of barriers before coming to the central table where Sunburst was musing over some diagrams with Twilight at his side. I then said, "Afternoon, Sunburst. Got a friend for you to meet."

"Perhaps if we invert the polarity of... Oh, yes. Hello, James. How... Oh! You! You're... A kirin, right?! From far to the east?! You've come a long way to get here!" Sunburst started to say before he was overcome with excitement upon seeing our most exotic guest yet. "I heard everything from Twilight! Is it true the kirin have the power to mold the earth itself as a weapon?"

I too was under that assumption at first when I watched her duel Ember. However, Rain Shine just chuckled in amusement before she said, "An expected assumption, but not quite. We kirin simply command the flora that takes root in the earth. But since this can easily twist the earth itself in the process, I can understand why many would think that."

"Oh, really? Wow, that's even more intriguing... This merits further research..." Sunburst muttered as he scribbled something down on a notepad.

Twilight then stepped forward and bowed to the kirin queen. "Sorry we didn't have much time to talk earlier. But my friends and I saw everything! I never knew the kirin could be so...impressive with their nature magic! I'm Twilight Sparkle and I'm helping Sunburst with his research here."

Rain Shine bowed her head in greeting as well, but she suddenly looked distracted as if she had heard a sudden sound. She lifted her head and glanced around. "I sense...something near. Something that...does not belong... Something...unnatural."

"Unnatural...?" I muttered before I had a sudden realization. I peeked under the table's white cloth and found what I expected. The captive Hollow we dragged back to camp was still motionless and bound under it. It was unsettling to be reminded that thing was always right under our noses, even if it was no threat to anyone. Realizing now was probably the best time, I looked at Twilight and asked, "Twilight? I think she should see this."

"See...that? I see..." My friend replied before using levitation magic to pull the Hollow out from under the table and setting it up on top. Rain Shine let out a quiet stunned gasp upon seeing the first of the emperor's minions set out before her. Sunburst was too distracted to comment, but Twilight said all that needed to be said. "If you're going to be out there facing the enemy... This is what they are. We call them Hollows."

"This... This is what we are facing...?" Rain Shine muttered in unease. She brought a hoof to the motionless human imitation's torso and rested it against our captive's chest. "This shape is definitely human, yet... So empty... I feel...nothing within it. And not like that of a corpse. It's...so unnatural... Such a twisted form of magic... Did he really create this...?"

I could only wonder what she was feeling that the rest of us could not. Deeply unnerved, Rain Shine soon took a step back from the Hollow and began to make her way towards the exit. I was about to follow, but she then looked back at us and said, "Forgive me... I need...some time to fully comprehend all I have learned today. Especially...after seeing that. Please..."

I made no attempt to follow her. Rain Shine departed the lab and left us. Sunburst had nothing to say while he stuffed the Hollow back under the table, but Twilight then turned to me with a gaze of worry. "Hasn't she been around long enough to know about what happened back then?"

"Yes, but... The Grove of Silence was completely left alone during the empire's invasion. And whatever power it was that removed humanity from this world, the place is so concealed with such a thick canopy of trees over the village that I don't think they could've seen or felt whatever happened. To the kirin of that village, humanity seemed to just all but disappear overnight. And...they always had a special and natural connection to mankind... I can't blame her for being so disturbed after seeing that thing..." I retorted while probably more concerned for Rain Shine than I should have been. Betrayal followed by seeing an old friend using empty human facsimiles as replacements for his men... A haunting experience.

"I...can't say I know what she's going through... I don't think I should ask." Twilight said with a sigh while her gaze wandered for a bit. Although she then asked, "If you don't mind me changing the subject, the girls and I are supposed to stop by to see Ocellus, right? We were all asked earlier."

"Oh yeah, true. She wants to talk to you. Said it was something important." I replied while hoping that this would turn out to be a good idea. The longer she hid herself from them, the worse the consequences would be when they finally found out.

"Hmmm... I know you said we should come by after dinner, but...how about as soon as possible? We've made about as much progress as we could here today and I think things are starting to quiet down for the evening... How about sooner than later?" Twilight then asked while trying to smile. And I could see why she would suggest that. If that conversation was going to be as charged as I was expecting it to be, then we would probably be famished afterward for a filling meal.

Seeing no harm with getting that issue out of the way as quickly as possible, I just nodded. "Sure thing, I don't see why not. I'll head on back now and make sure everything's ready in my room. I'll see you soon, all right?"

"Will do. I'll round up the girls and be right over." Twilight replied before gathering up some papers to finish up for the day. Feeling both eager yet nervous, I saw myself out and hurried on back to the command center. It was time to get ready.

There was no sign of Rain Shine on the way back. She was likely wandering aimlessly around the camp. Probably even exploring on her own terms. It was hard not to worry about her, but I knew there was no sense in trying to track her down. I could not help her at the time. But once I made it up into my dormitory, I found Smolder just chatting with Ocellus on my bed with the little love bug having tucked my two new pillows under herself. "Heh, cute. You two doing all right?"

"Yeah, just keeping ourselves busy with all the waiting to leave tomorrow. It's safe in here. Just a little boring sometimes." Smolder retorted while Ocellus looked more than just a little pleased with having some pillows to cuddle with.

"In that case, things are about to get interesting." I said before walking over and resting my hand on Ocellus' head. "The girls will be stopping by ahead of schedule. Best to get this outta the way before dinner, right?"

Her eyes popped open upon being reminded of what we had planned for that evening. A trail of sweat trickling down her smooth dark complexion, Ocellus asked, "Oh, uh... I think that's OK? Should I get in disguise first?"

"Yeah, that'd be for the best at first. Choose a form you're comfortable with." I replied while she sat up in bed. In a flash of green fire, Ocellus assumed her adorable dragoness form. "There you go. Such a pretty face."

That got a giggle out of the love bug. Smolder then smirked at her before looking at me. "Do I need to be here for it?"

"Actually, yes. Your input will be important if they get...aggressive. And block the door once they're all here. We don't need anyone sounding the alarm and alerting the entire camp to the presence of a Changeling." I explained while knowing that Smolder is wise enough to offer an educated opinion on a good friend. She understood Ocellus well by then.

"Gotcha. I'll keep them boxed in." Smolder spoke while sounding pretty stoked to be able to help. We both saw that Ocellus was looking increasingly nervous over the imminent confrontation. Smolder was quick to pat her friend on the head and said, "Hey. Hey, it's gonna be OK. All right, love bug? We'll show them why you're the best love bug in the world."

"I hope so..." Ocellus mumbled while at least trying to smile. She just wanted to be loved and accepted and that would not improve until more people were willing to give her a chance. I sat there with her in my arms, trying to keep her calm like being reassuring to a child about to receive a vitally needed vaccination. And after some more time passed by, we heard the muffled sound of many hooves coming up the stairs to my room. Ocellus became rigidly stiff in my arms, her breath being caught in her throat. "They're here..."

"Easy now. It'll be OK. If anything goes wrong, I'll keep you safe." I whispered to her while placing a kiss upon her horn. Seconds later, there was a knock at the door. "It's open."

The door swung open before five familiar mares stepped inside. Applejack. Rainbow Dash. Rarity. Pinkie Pie. Twilight Sparkle. They were all there and entirely out of uniform with Applejack even being without her hat. Applejack was the first to speak. "Howdy, y'all. Hope ya don't mind us stoppin' by early. We just thought it'd be better ta get this over and done with before grabbin' some grub for the night."

While they were all focused on Ocellus and I, Smolder nonchalantly walked past the five mares and discreetly locked the door before leaning against it to keep them from even trying to make a move for it. She even winked at me from behind them to show she knew what she needed to do. Pinkie Pie then asked, "So, what does the second cutest little dragon around wanna talk about?"

Rainbow Dash then glanced at Pinkie with a cockeyed stare. "Second cutest? Really?"

"Come on, Dashie! You know Spike has always being the cutesy wootsiest dragon ever! I can't just give that title to anyone, right?" Pinkie Pie replied with an amused giggle while even Ocellus started to crack a smile at Pinkie's attempt to add some levity to the moment.

But as I beheld all five of my nearest friends in the same room as us, it started to dawn on me that maybe this was a terrible idea. My room was now looking pretty packed with little room to maneuver. Ocellus would have nowhere to run if they became belligerent. I could not imagine them getting that hostile, but if the extreme aggression Ocellus was subjected to the instant the guardsmen stationed downstairs laid eyes on her was anything to go by...

I stood up from my bed while Rarity spoke next. "In any case, whatever did you need to see us for? Is everything all right, darling?"

Ocellus' confidence began to falter. She stood up from the bed, but her stance was very shaky. I put an arm around her as she utterly quivered in my embrace. "I... I don't know if this is a good idea..."

"What's not a good idea? Is something wrong? We can help if you tell us." Twilight asked with nothing but patience in her voice. If only they knew...

There was no way out of this. We could not backtrack on this now. I looked down at Ocellus and got down on one knee. She sat down and leaned into my protective embrace as I even leaned over her to provide as much shelter as possible. I looked at my friends and said softly, "You all need to know something important... Go on... Show them. I've got you."

"Don't let go..." Ocellus muttered with barely a whisper. I heard her take a sharp yet deep breath. And a brief moment later, a flash of green fire engulfed her for just an instant. And as I watched my friends, their response was predictable. Looks of utter alarm as they saw the little Changeling unmask herself.

"Wha... Are you serious right now?! What's a Changeling doing here?!" Rainbow Dash shouted while Ocellus buried her face into my chest. The sudden rise in volume alarmed the poor thing. And if she could sense the hostility in them, that too could not be good for her nerves.

Even Smolder was shocked by the sudden shift in mood. I saw her jump when Rainbow Dash raised her voice. I pulled Ocellus into an even tighter embrace to try and shield her with my body. Twilight, who looked easily the angriest of the bunch, even had her magic aura flickering around her horn as if ready to launch an attack. "Of all places for one of you to show up! Does my brother know about this?!"

"Yes, he knows. And he almost ran her through with a spear." I retorted while keeping my voice firm and focused. I could not remember the last time I felt so tense because of the presence of my closest friends. Not even Fluttershy snapped this hard at Thorax. But considering what Fluttershy is like... I suppose I should not have been surprised. "I knew you all probably wouldn't be happy to find out about this, but you needed to know sooner than later."

Rarity looked the most conflicted over the whole thing. She wanted to believe that I meant well with keeping Ocellus hidden until then, but she likely had the same reasons to be so wary. "But why ever even keep that hideous monster here?! You know what evil the Changelings have done! That can't be any goodness within..."

"Girls, stop! You've gone and made her cry!" I finally said with a raised voice once I started to hear Ocellus whimper under my chin. I felt her quivering and the wet feeling of tears soaking into my shirt. All these bad vibes were too much for the fragile soul. I held her head to my chest as I tried to comfort her however I could. "I get if you're freaked out, but keep your voices down, all right? Poor thing's been through enough already..."

"Tch... Forget this then. I'm gettin' the guards." Applejack snorted before turning and trotting to the door with the angriest gait I had ever seen out of her.

Smolder was not having it. She stepped in Applejack's way with arms and wings spread wide. I would not say she looked angry as much as she appeared thoroughly disgusted with how her friends reacted to the truth about her newest friend's identity. "Nuh uh! You're not leaving until you're all cool with this! Everyone downstairs knows about her anyway."

Applejack recoiled in surprise in the face of Smolder's defiance, but Pinkie Pie then turned while somehow looking just as disturbed and upset as everyone else. "Why're you standing up for her?! Changelings are mean! Really mean! Do you even know what happened in Canterlot a few years ago?!"

"What's wrong with all of you?! I expected better from you girls!" Smolder finally shouted while sounding more upset than angry. "Dragons are some of the biggest jerks in the world! Even I know that! But you were all so nice to me anyway when I first showed up! Why can't you do the same for her?!"

A very wise statement indeed. And it gave our friends cause for pause. Although Twilight was able to provide a very bitter retort. "Maybe that's because the dragon lands never tried to launch an invasion. They've always minded their own business for the most part. But the Changelings are enemies of Equestria. They hurt my family! Turned what should've been a very special day into a nightmare! Their queen even hurt Princess Celestia! Am I supposed to just forget about that?!"

"Twilight." I growled to get her attention. When she reluctantly turned to face me, I could see a rare kind of fury in her eyes. I think she really wanted to hurt Ocellus at the time. And Ocellus did cling to me desperately when her eyes fell upon the cowering Changeling. Tucking her protectively in my embrace, I then said, "I get it, OK? I get it. I wasn't here to see what happened that day. And a part of me is glad I wasn't. I believe you when you say the Changeling population is at odds with Equestria. But..."

I then tilted my head down to try and look at Ocellus right under my chin. She had not spoken once. Not when surrounded by potential danger. "Please believe me when I say that this Changeling... This one singular Changeling...is the best Changeling you will ever meet. She's been nothing but a precious little love bug since the day I found her. She's not our enemy."

"Love bug? That's what you're calling her? Even though she's been hiding behind a disguise the whole time?" Rainbow Dash asked with a hefty dose of skepticism in her voice. Not that I could blame her.

"Do you really think everyone would've accepted a Changeling hanging around when considering their reputation? Yes, she had to take on a form that wouldn't raise suspicions, but everything you've seen out of her so far hasn't been an act. She really is as sweet as she's made herself out to be. That dragoness form she's made herself look like was the only fake thing about her." I explained firmly without ever dropping my guard. I kept Ocellus securely wrapped in my arms while she began to just slightly relax. The tension must have been fading. "Ocellus is a lovely little lady. I don't care if she's a Changeling. She's never given me reason to be wary of her. She doesn't even want to return to the hive. When this war's over, I'll be taking her home so she can have a life in Ponyville with me. And that's final. Is that a problem?"

They said nothing. If only for a moment. Ocellus was not quite crying anymore. Applejack found the will to speak next as she had a hard time looking at us. "I... I dunno... Ya sure that's a good idea?"

Feeling like the worst had passed, I took a seat on the floor and pulled Ocellus up against me for a hug. Her head was tucked up against mine as she finally managed to look at the five mares before us. "I don't think this little love bug will be disappointing anyone. Because she's the best love bug ever. Right?"

"Mmhm! Mmhm!" Ocellus mumbled almost desperately with tears staining her face. She had great difficulty looking at the five mares before us as she stammered out a response. "I...don't wanna go back... I don't...wanna hurt anyone... Please don't hate me... Please don't hurt me... I thought...we were friends..."

I think those last words triggered something in them. All five of them, Twilight especially, displayed looks of uncomfortably conflicted emotions. They were fond of her up until that point. Why feel differently about her now? Pinkie Pie then looked back and forth at her friends and asked, "I don't know, girls... Do you think a Changeling really can be nice?"

Rarity lifted her head high as she inhaled deeply. Gathering her courage, she was the first to step forward. She did not exhale once. I watched her closely, ready to take action if she tried to harm Ocellus. The timid Changeling looked just about as fearful of Rarity as Rarity was of her. My beloved looked increasingly uneasy while she continued to hold her breath. She raised her hoof, prompting Ocellus to squint her eyes shut. I readied myself, preparing to suddenly lean back to get Ocellus away from Rarity if there was any signs of hostility.

Everyone held their breaths as Rarity made the first mood. And then... Her hoof rested upon Ocellus' head. Gently. I noticed Ocellus open her eyes wide in confusion as Rarity began to rub her hoof over the Changeling's smooth rounded cranium. All the while displaying an amusingly uncomfortable forced smile. And not simply because of what Ocellus was. I then asked, "You...feeling OK there, Rarity?"

"Uh... Yes, yes, quite... It's just...uh...I'm not used to being anywhere near such...frightful bugs with...vicious fangs and holes in their limbs here and there... And... And...hehehehee...I'm just a basket of frayed nerves right now..." She stammered with rapid changes in her voice's inflections that frequently became hilariously hoarse. I forgot just how funny Rarity can sound when she gets flustered. There was no denying that Changelings are inherently ugly and unsightly when compared to the ponies of Equestria. Like the result of a bizarre crossbreeding experiment gone frightfully wrong. And Rarity could barely bring herself to touch one in a nonhostile manner.

Rarity even leaned her head back as far as possible to convey just how uncomfortable she was touching Ocellus. Even Ocellus looked more confused than anything as if she could not get a reading on what Rarity was feeling at the time. I then brought my lips to her ear and asked, "What're you picking up? Is she angry?"

"Not...really... I don't think see wants to hurt me..." She muttered uneasily while Rarity continued to rub her hoof over the little mare's head. Finally more comfortable, she then asked, "Do...hate me?"

"No! No! I mean I... I suppose... I...I...I mean..." Rarity started to sputter in discomfort before she started fumbling over her words in a manner I had not heard in a very long time. No one was able to keep a straight face as the most elegant of our companions mumbled and slurred her words to the point of being completely unintelligible. Ocellus sounded like she was on the verge of laughing even though she knew she should not. Rarity then finally pulled her hoof away abruptly and said, "That's enough! There's only so much grotesque I can handle on such short notice..."

"Oh... I'm sorry if I'm ugly... I didn't ask to look like this..." Ocellus mumbled as her ears drooped. I said nothing, but only tightened my embrace around her to try to comfort her.

"Oh, no no no I did not mean to insult you! Even if you are...absolutely hideous with...ghastly empty eyes like...like..." Rarity continued to stutter as I started to scowl at her in irritation. I understand she was not used to dealing with anything like a Changeling's natural look, but this was starting to become needlessly mean. Finally, Rarity inhaled sharply and pounded her hoof against the base of her throat where her neck connected to her torso. She glared defiantly at nothing in particular with her head held high. "Compose yourself, Rarity. Do not take leave of your values now."

"Eh...?" Applejack muttered while we all just looked at each other confusingly. She then asked, "Y'all OK there, Rarity?"

"Yes, Applejack. I am fine. Just needed to...remember my philosophy in life." Rarity spoke without budging an inch. She then brought herself to the floor to rest and looked right at Ocellus. "What I meant to say is... If you really are as darling as this wonderful gentleman has insisted, then surely... Surely there must be some wonderful hidden beauty in you, darling."

Ocellus gazed with wide eyes at Rarity while I found myself smiling with pride. It was certainly like her to try and see the beauty in a kind soul, even if their exterior was not very easy on the eyes. Being the sociable mare she is, Rarity then asked, "Well, if we are to truly come to terms with this... Let's start from the beginning. What actually happened to have you end up here with us?"

I curled my fingers around Ocellus' hoof to comfort her while she remained in my embrace. The situation having calmed somewhat, our four other friends drew near and also rested on the floor to listen to listen in. Smolder remained by the door, but now looked more at ease with her arms crossed while leaning against it. Ocellus then explained, "I... I was sent out for a scouting exercise... I didn't want to be stuck in the hive as a worker... And I hate fighting as a soldier... So I picked being a scout... And I'm not very good at it. I almost ran into James and tried to hide...but he found me. I thought he would hurt me and...that's all I remember before waking up with a bunch of guards holding me down and pointing sharp things at me."

That was when I felt it was a good time to provide context. "She literally fainted in front of me and I felt awful scaring her like that by accident. I knew what she was and brought her back, but I couldn't sneak her by the guards. They would've killed her if I didn't intervene."

Such a painful reminder made Ocellus slump into my arms. My friends looked to uncomfortable at the thought of their allies trying to lynch the little lady in my arms. Rarity, still being the voice of reason for the moment, then asked, "And...what happened after that?"

Ocellus leaned against me with her gaze directed to the floor. "He...protected me... Took me up to his room and...started calling me a love bug... It sounded nicer than being called a Changeling. And...he's always been so kind to me... I..."

I felt a familiar sensation. Something unexplainable was being extracted from my being. She was feeding. And I welcomed it. The faint glow of her green magic aura coated Ocellus' horn as I held her close to let her feed in peace. Her tone softened as she spoke. "I don't want to leave him... He makes me feel safe... Feel wanted. I just want to keep being his...little love bug..."

"Awww... Girls, come on. Isn't that sweet? It's totally sweet, right?" Pinkie Pie then asked as her wariness finally crumbled away. It was hard to believe that even she would be very mistrusting towards Changelings, but it was to be expected Pinkie Pie would be one of the first to open up to our new friend once the truth was out.

Twilight, understandable when considering her history with her kind, still tried to maintain some caution. "But...wait. James, is she feeding off you?! Does it hurt?!"

"I assure you that this is completely harmless, Twilight." I replied while stroking the back of the little love bug's head. She said nothing, but continued to rest her head against my chest. "It's painless and I don't feel anything unusual. There's no harm in a Changeling feeding off your love."

"Huh... You know, I always thought Changeling's eat love in a really creepy way..." Rainbow Dash muttered as she squinted her eyes to focus her vision. "That's all they do? Just use some magic and start absorbing it from someone? I don't see anything... It's like she's not even doing anything... That's not so creepy."

"You can feel it, but there's nothing to see. I guess love doesn't exactly have a visible form to begin with..." I explained while Ocellus remained peacefully quiet. She is always at her most content when enjoying a flavorful meal. And I had plenty of love to give. "Now that you know what she is and that she's completely harmless... Can I ask you girls to give Ocellus a chance? Especially once we get back home?"

One by one, my friends started to voice their admittedly cautious approval. All except for Twilight. She stepped past me and looked right at Ocellus from inches away. The feeding Changeling detected her approach and suddenly turned to look her way. Her blank pale blue eyes looked up at the sister of the stallion who most likely hated her most. My embrace tightened in anticipation for any signs of hostility. With a sigh, Twilight then said, "Look... A big part of me really wants to believe everything I've heard. I want to believe you really mean no harm and want nothing to do with the ones who hurt my family... So...I'll give you a chance. Just be good and...maybe I'll start to see you as being...a love bug and not a monster. Don't make me regret this, all right?"

Ocellus said nothing. She only nodded. I then added, "I don't think it needs to be said that this needs to be kept a secret from just about everyone else in the militia who doesn't already know about her. We don't want to stir up a lynch mob."

"Right, sure... We'll keep a lid on it." Applejack retorted as they all stood up and began to make their way out with a worryingly lack of words. They did say their goodbyes on their way out, but this revelation was definitely something that was going to take some time for them process.

Despite their compliance, I was still wary of letting them leave without an ironclad conviction in keeping Ocellus' true identity a secret from everyone outside the command center. Before any of my friends could reach the door, I spoke up with my fist held out to resemble a hoof. "Girls... Really. Please don't say a word to anyone out there over what you saw here. Pinkie Promise, all right?"

Pinkie Pie's eyes lit up as I mentioned that sacred ritual. She turned to face me and hopped forward. "Ooh! You heard him, girls! When a Pinkie Promise gets called, you never say no!"

"Pinkie...Promise? What?" Ocellus asked with understandable confusion. Only those in my closest circle of friends has even heard that term.

Twilight just rolled her eyes, but not in annoyance. "It's...uh...a little ritual Pinkie Pie came up with. Breaking a promise is one thing, but breaking a Pinkie Promise is...really not a good idea."

Pinkie Pie nodded readily with a big smile on her face. "Uh huh! There's just some things in life you don't do! You don't break a Pinkie Promise, you don't keep your toaster next to the bathtub, you don't drink soda after having some fizzy mints, and you don't mess around with Jim!"

"Uh...yeah. What she said." Rainbow Dash added while even I wondered where that last part came from. But she then lifted one hoof while Smolder just watched with a cockeyed stare by the door. "Anyway, sure. Pinkie Promise. Right, girls?"

"Sure, I'm fine with that. Come on, girls." Applejack said as all my friends gathered around and performed the motions with me. "Cross our hearts, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in our eyes."

Now bound by the code of a Pinkie Promise, my friends said their farewells and headed out. Once we were alone, Smolder locked the door and sat on the bed with me and Ocellus. Even after that slight bit of levity towards the end, she still let out a wheezing sigh as she growled, "That wasn't fun... Didn't think they'd get that mean..."

"I wasn't really ready for that either... I knew they wouldn't be happy about finding out there was a Changeling among us, but that was still...jarring." I retorted while cradling our new friend in my arms. I stroked a finger over her head and said, "I really don't think they'll rat you out to anyone. Not after making a Pinkie Promise. Just...give them some time, OK? If Rarity was willing to even touch you, I think that's a good sign."

"Really? I thought she was gonna pass out with how much she was cringing back there. Guess that was about as brave as she gets, huh?" Smolder said with a snide chuckle. And she was right. For someone like Rarity, just getting close to a scary insect takes a lot of courage.

"Yeah, she's...not used to the creepier bugs. I think she adores visually pretty winged insects though." I added while I stroked my hand over Ocellus' carapace. I soon brought my fingers to one half's underside and gently pried it open. Ocellus let out a puzzled little squeak as I exposed her wing. "Come on, show us those wings."

"Um...sure? They're not as pretty as butterfly wings..." Ocellus mumbled before opening her carapace to allow her wings to spread wide. They had the kind of transparence you would expect from those of a cicada, but ended in angular tips. I was actually impressed with how there were no pieces taken out of her wings like with the few semicircular gaps on her legs. "You've taken good care of your wings."

"I try... I keep them tucked away when I don't need them." Ocellus retorted while I ran a finger over the delicate gossamer texture of those wings. They must have been stronger than they looked to carry her through the air. Brittle, but able to resist pressure.

Smolder also ran her hand over our friend's other wing. Although she then looked down. "Come to think of it, what's the deal with you Changeling's having your legs full of holes? I mean that Thorax guy had a lot more than you do, but how do they get there?"

"These? They're...um...scars, I guess. Our legs are kind of brittle and its easy to get pieces nicked off like that. But we're lighter than we look. That way our legs won't break under our own weight." Ocellus explained while I was not entirely surprised to find out that the chitin of a Changeling's limbs could be so fragile. Although when I lifted one to closely examine it, I found that the notches in her leg, as few as they were, appeared to be too smooth to have ever bled any blood. Ocellus must have noticed my observations since she then said, "They're...mostly just solid mass. I can feel through them, but there's not much blood in them. I guess we Changelings are weird like that..."

"Nothing wrong with being weird." I replied before pulling her into a hug. With her head resting on my shoulder, I whispered to her. "You're the best little love bug in the world, no matter how weird your kind is."

Ocellus let out a harsh sigh as she finally was able to relax after such a tense standoff. Although she then whispered to me, "No... I'm...your little love bug, right?"

"Yeah... You are." I whispered while Smolder watched with a silent smile. Ocellus then pulled her head back to allow us to look at each other. I then surprised her with a kiss on the nose, her ears perking up in surprise. "My little love bug. All mine. I'll take you home with me. I'll snuggle you whenever you want. And you'll have all the love you can eat. Sound like a plan?"

"Yes! Yes, I'll go with you!" Ocellus squeaked in sheer delight at my offer. I was just reinforcing her how serious I was about taking her back to Ponyville in the hopes of giving her a happier life there, but she was taking it very seriously too. She suddenly gave me a quick peck on the lips before throwing her limbs around me for a very tight embrace. "I'll stay with you forever, if you'll let me..."

"Man, did anyone ever tell you two that you make a really cute couple?" Smolder asked before letting out a laugh. I flinched upon hearing that, even though she was just being funny. Ocellus responded much more harshly. She froze up and was engulfed by green fire for an instant before falling to the floor. In the form of a darkly colored pillow. Smolder and I just stared in confusion before that pillow suddenly opened its...eyes and stared back up at us. Smolder then glanced at me and asked, "Changelings can do that?"

"Apparently so. Thorax disguised himself as a pillow once too. Threw me for a loop, that one." I retorted before picking up the square pillow from the floor and giving it a big smirk. "And I know exactly what I'm gonna do with this."

Ocellus let out a squeak of uneasy surprise as her eyes opened even wider. I then took that pillow and squeezed it in my arms for a very tight hug. The pillow let out a delighted and adorable squeal before bursting into giddy giggling. She was happy. It did not last long before another flash of harmless green fire engulfed her for an instant before I found Ocellus not back in a different yet familiar form. A beautiful young dragoness with a full head of brunette hair seated on my lap. She held me in her arms while being mindful of the length of her draconic face. She then cooed to me, "I'm your little love bug... Right? Forever?"

"Forever, love bug... Forever. I promise." I whispered to her in the hope that we would never have to part ways for long. I utterly adored that precious little lady. Bumping into her entirely by accident, right in the middle of nowhere, felt like a blessing in disguise. And we were all happier for it.

While Ocellus and I savored each other's company, Smolder leaned forward and whispered some kind words to our friend. "Hey. Don't worry when James isn't around. If he's not here to protect you, I'll keep an eye on you. No one messes with a dragon who has something to protect, all right?"

"Thank you... I feel like the...luckiest love bug in the world." Ocellus cooed before she was caught in a double embrace between us. "I think...I'll be very happy with you. Is Ponyville really that nice."

"Yep. Nicest place I've ever seen in Equestria. Good people and good town." Smolder explained in brief while probably not really able to do Ponyville justice with just words at the time. Although she then looked at me and asked, "Still got a little while before dinner, right? How about a nap to try out those new pillows? We missed you..."

"That's a...good idea, really. Sure. Let's get some rest before grabbing a bite." I replied before starting to get comfortable on my bed. I noticed the familiar scent of those two wonderful hippogriff kids in the pillows under my head while those two lovely dragonesses snuggled up to me. All too easily, I was out like a light.

I think we were out for almost too hours. But what awoke us was not the smell of dinner being prepared downstairs. Even though I did notice it before long. The three of us were instead alerted to the sound of something tapping on glass. Just to my right, something was knocking on the window just past the drapes. Smolder yawned groggily as she pushed herself up. "Ugh... Who is it this time?"

Ocellus, still cloaked in her own unique dragoness form, pushed aside the curtains without much thought. And she immediately scooted back in unease. "It's... It's...Rainbow Dash..."

"Uh oh... Get back, Ocellus. I'll see what she wants." I retorted while the two little ladies quickly got down from the bed with Ocellus staying behind Smolder. Did Rainbow Dash come looking for a fight? That did not sound like her, even though I could see she was alone. I lifted the window open and asked with the camp beyond coated in the warm lighting of a setting sun, "Evening, Rainbow. What's up?"

"I couldn't stop worrying about things and hurried over right after the girls and I had dinner." My bravest friend replied before crawling through the open window. She stayed on the bed after I closed the window behind her and even closed the drapes for extra privacy. She then cast Ocellus a wary glare, causing the disguised Changeling to cower behind her friend. Smolder narrowed her eyes in defiance and held her arms and wings wide to be ready to try and stop an attack.

Making Ocellus this fearful the instant she got there did not sit right with me. I firmly placed my hand on the back of Rainbow Dash's neck and said, "Rainbow, if you're gonna go out of your way to make Ocellus uncomfortable, I'll have to ask you to leave."

Rainbow shuddered when I grabbed her there and quickly lost that glare. "Right, sorry... It's just... Are you sure that thing hasn't done anything weird around you? Or...to you? Has she being...using you?"

"Ugh, no! I've been around Ocellus more than James has and I swear she's been on her best behavior. There's not a bad bone in her body. Why can't you just accept that?" Smolder spoke up instead while Ocellus ducked low to the floor to keep her taller body entirely behind Smolder.

"Because you weren't there, all right? You didn't see what it's like watching a cloud of Changelings dive-bombing Canterlot and overrunning the place. The girls and I literally had to fight a bunch of them off. While they looked and sounded like us! Do you have any idea how creepy it is to fight a bunch of goons who look and sound like you?!" Rainbow retorted with a raised voice as her tone became increasingly frustrated. And I knew she was not exaggerating. "If you were there, I swear you wouldn't be so quick to think a Changeling could ever be nice. And I'm scared that...she'll do something to James. That we'll wake up one morning to find...something happened up here."

"I won't hurt him! I swear! He gives me all the love I ever need! I wasn't even there when that happened!" Ocellus pleaded while peeking out from behind Smolder. She was not in tears, but I feared she could start crying at any time. "I know we Changelings are scary... And I know we've done a lot of bad things for a really long time... But I haven't! I've never hurt anyone! I don't want to hurt anyone! And James is...the last person in the world I'd ever want to hurt! Please... Please believe me..."

Rainbow Dash let out a difficult sigh while her gaze wandered. She was not angry. More like confused. Her memories and experience were in conflict with what she was seeing. "Look, I... I really wanna believe you. You don't give me the feeling you've got some sorta ulterior motive for sticking with James. You don't...feel like you're faking anything here... Ugh, all right. Come here a second."

Ocellus hesitated. So did Smolder. But after a moment more, Smolder did slowly step out of the way to reveal the false dragoness. Ocellus warily stepped forward with her hands clasped together. Once near enough, Rainbow Dash reached out and placed her hoof upon her head. "If I'm gonna get to sleep tonight knowing everything's OK up here, you need to do me and the girls a favor. If James is taking care of you, you gotta look out for him. If he needs you for anything, make sure you're there for him. All right?"

This was an unexpected ultimatum. Getting over her lack of trust for Ocellus...by trusting her to watch over me when possible? Even Smolder tilted her head to one side in confusion over this contradictory request. After a moment of trying to process what Rainbow Dash was asking of her, Ocellus nodded. "I'll...do my best. I don't know how I can help, but...I'll figure things out as I go?"

That was enough for her. Rainbow Dash lightly patted her on the head with her hoof and said, "Right then. Don't you dare go back on that because I'll be holding you to it. You stab James in the back and you'll have me and the girls to answer to."

She was strangely forward and not at all menacing towards Ocellus with that use of words. At any other time, that would have been a threat. But Rainbow Dash was merely stating it. I cast her a glance out of some concern, but Ocellus then surprised us all with a question. "Do you love him?"

"Huh?! Whoa, where'd that come from?! I don't... I mean... Hey! Don't gimme that look!" Rainbow barked as her head jerked back. And I started to smirk knowingly. She had no idea exactly how well Changeling's can read people by sensing the love in their hearts. Even Ocellus was not able to really hide a crooked smile as our guest did a very poor job of composing herself.

"It's getting stronger..." Ocellus muttered while Smolder just snickered in amusement. Rainbow Dash scooted back, completely not used to a Changeling peering into her heart. I responded by putting an arm around my boisterous friend and pulled her closer for an embrace of sorts. She tensed up and froze, but Ocellus then added, "Ooh, it's very strong now. And getting stronger... Are you blushing?"

"It's OK, Rainbow. They know." I said softly to her while knowing we should keep our voices down in case someone could hear us through the walls.

Rainbow Dash turned her gaze back towards the two dragonesses. One biting her finger to keep herself from laughing while the other smiled crookedly over what she was sensing. With a sigh, she relented. "OK, yeah... James and I, we have a...history together. I'm just...trying to figure things out with myself before we...try making anything official, all right? Yeah, I love this big guy. I have for a while. And...um... How old are you girls again?"

Ocellus promptly replied, I'm sixteen and Smolder said she's...fourteen, right?"

"Oh. In that case, that's all I'm telling you until you're older." Rainbow retorted as a smirk crossed her lips. Smolder just snapped a sudden glance that looked more annoyed and confused than anything, but Ocellus just giggled loudly. The fact that Ocellus knew exactly what Rainbow Dash was implying... It made me wonder if Changelings have a penchant for such...amorous activities. I certainly never forgot about that wonderful night I had with her last winter. Rainbow then looked at me and whispered, "Just give me some more time, all right?"

"Take your time. You know I'm patient." I whispered back to her. A gaze I rarely see on her filling those rosy eyes, Rainbow Dash then tapped her hoof to her lips in invitation. I did not resist. We put our arms around each other and pressed our lips together for a tender kiss. It brought back wonderful memories. It did not last long, but we still savored it. I then quietly asked, "Time to head out?"

"Yeah... I promised Gilda we'd jam in her tent. Trixie said she wouldn't mind the company." Rainbow Dash said softly before we released each other. She then looked back at the two dragonesses and spoke, "I'm heading out. Glad we had this talk. Look out for him, all right?"

"Will do. See you around." Smolder replied while Ocellus quietly waved goodbye. Once Rainbow Dash saw herself out through my window, Smolder then said, "If she's coming along this well, I think we don't have to worry about the other girls getting to like you. They'll come around."

"I hope so... I don't want to disappoint her." Ocellus muttered meekly while she fidgeted with her hands. Although she then sniffed the air. "Does something...smell good to you?"

"Smells like dinner's almost ready. Let's head on down. It must be ready by now." I said before standing up from the bed and getting my shoes on. Ready for our evening meal, we made our way downstairs with the scent of good cooking becoming stronger once we were heading down the stairwell.

A buffet had just been set up with those stationed in the command center lining up with trays to help themselves. What caught my eye the most were the fried veggies and the various dipping sauces to use. But just as the three of us fetched our own trays, the door leading outside opened. And in strode a new face around the camp. The elegant form of Rain Shine stood before us while she asked kindly, "I noticed a delectable aroma on the air. May I join you?"

"Of course, old friend. Help yourself. We were just getting started." Luna replied while she and her sisters finished lining their trays and took seats at the largest table nearby. Rain Shine took her time surveying the buffet table while loading up her tray. I knew it was nowhere near as succulent as that fantastic eastern cuisine she and her people are used to dining on, but there is a joy in sampling foreign cuisine. We could only do so much in terms of food variety out on the Empty Plains anyway, so simplicity was the name of the game for dining.

She soon made her way over to us while also levitation a cup of sweet cider with her. Ocellus and Smolder dined gratefully on their meal, although Ocellus only got a little bit of everything that all looked like a list of samples more than servings. Considering that she probably was not feeling that hungry after feeding on my love, but just wanted to enjoy the flavor of the food. Rain Shine took a seat right beside me at the table as I felt her welcoming aura. I felt at peace. And she began to smile too. When I turned to look at her, she brought her brow to mine while I did the same. Our heads rested against each other for a moment before we relented and began to dine in earnest. Although I decided to go light to save room for whatever Novo would have prepared for me on the Alabaster that evening.

Rain Shine had little to say, but it sounded like she had acquainted herself to the layout of the camp. But before much longer, the door leading outside opened again. And a familiar and hungry blue dragoness stepped inside. "Am I too late for dinner?"

"Just in time, Ember. And there's plenty left." Nightmare Moon spoke up in greeting before the famished Dragon Lord made her way to the buffet table to load up, a gleam in her eye as I noticed her tongue lick along the side of her maw.

"She seems...exceptionally excited for what you've provided." Rain Shine asked with some curiosity in her tone.

Celestia smiled at her friend and explained, "Gemstones may be rich in flavor to a dragon's tongue, but they do not have the type of flavor profile proper cooking does. And Ember has grown fond of trying any kind of new dish she sees."

Ember must have worked up quite the appetite that day since her tray was piled rather high with whatever was available on the buffet. And she looked more excited than she should have once she came over and took a seat by Rain Shine. But before she could start to dig in, Ember leaned her way and whispered something into the kirin chieftain's ear. Rain Shine nodded in agreement to whatever was said to her before they resumed dining. And Ember beamed with delight as she sampled the flavors of everything before her.

I had little to say. Not when my mind was focusing on the evening I was to spend with Novo before long. And I knew what she wanted to save for the last day in that location. And it was a little hard to focus on eating, even with what little I picked up, when my neglected libido was starting to influence my thoughts. She did want to wait until the last day to end it with something special. And I had kept myself too occupied to even think of such things. But that would end that night. And then I noticed Rain Shine looking at me out of the corner of her eye with an unnerving smirk upon her lips. "Distracted from your meal, my friend?"

"Yeeeesss... Very distracted. It's a long story." I retorted while trying to distract myself a little more effectively by digging into my appetizer. It would tide me over until the main course. Thinking too much about what would happen in the bedroom would do me no good right there.

I did little more than listen to the conversations happening around me. There was no sign of Shining Armor anywhere even though I did see him in the buffet line at the start. He must have retired to his quarters to not have to be around Ocellus. Unfortunate, but at least he would be making her uncomfortable at the dinner table. Although once Ember and Rain Shine had their fill, the two of them stepped out of the command center together. This left me curious and I was tempted to investigate. After a few more minutes, I excused myself from the table and stepped outside.

I heard the light clinking of metal just to my left upon stepping outside under the dimming glow of the setting sun to the west. And I was both intrigued yet not surprised by what I found. Rain Shine and Ember were right outside the former's hut, weapons ready. Ember had brought along her trusty spear while Rain Shine had the Viper Fang floating in her magical grasp. I initially thought they were having another duel, although being right in the middle of the path was a terrible place for it. I quickly dismissed this when I noticed neither of them were in armor and were only making gentle and methodical movements with their weapons. I stepped over to the side to observe and asked, "What's up? This isn't the best place to duel."

"We know that. I just wanted to...practice my technique here. I don't have much experience against others using pole arms, so I thought I could get a better handle on how to counter them with a little assistance from Rain Shine here. Most dragons back home aren't keen on lighter weapons like spears, so I could never find a fitting sparring partner." Ember explained while keeping her spear pointed towards her opponent with Rain Shine too keeping her glaive ready to stab or chop forward.

I carefully observed while Ember had her spear pointing up from a low angle due to her lack of height. From such an angle, she could more easily catch a downward slash from Rain Shine's blade by using the two prongs jutting out to the sides from the base of the spearhead. It was easy to forget that Ember's spear was a modified pike and carried its strengths. Its shaft was thicker than the average spear and was much more resistant to being chopped in half by even heavier cutting weapons like most backswords. The pike head itself was also shorter than some spears, although this too came with advantages. The shorter blade made it stouter and sturdier and its lack of length made it much harder for an opponent's weapon to parry or manipulate. It was especially substantially shorter than the blade on Rain Shine's glaive. If that surprisingly long and wide blade on the end of the glaive could be detached and affixed to a sword hilt, it could plausibly be wielded as a proper backsword like a falchion.

The kirin and dragon adjusted their footing and the angles of their weapons, not so much trying to strike each other as trying to figure out how to get their weapons past that of their opponent. Ember kept her right hand low on the shaft, gripping it just above the pommel while the other was around halfway up. Maintaining a respectable amount of control without sacrificing too much power. The two of them were masterfully putting the range of their weapons to great use to keep a lot of distance between them. Rain Shine would occasionally thrust her weapon forward, but Ember would usually catch it on her spear's prongs to hold it away from her. And at one point, she came up with a new strategy.

I jumped when I saw Ember utilize a new trick. With a sudden twist of her right hand's wrist, she suddenly rotated the entire spear to twist the blade of Rain Shine's glaive away to the other side where she was not trying to aim for. This resulted in the blade falling away before Rain Shine could stabilize it and resulted in Ember shoving her spear forward a short distance to signify a successful bypass of her opponent's defenses. The kirin chieftain froze with wide eyes as she was visibly startled by the spear's tip stopping short of her face, but I proceeded to applaud. While Rain Shine's glaive had some impressive cutting power, Ember's spear had the more balanced design and possessed more versatility despite its simplicity. The Dragon Lord glanced over at me and beamed with a huge grin on her face. "Looks like we're making progress! Let's try that a few more times."

"Yes, that was an impressive yet simple counter. Again, shall we?" Rain Shine replied while they resumed their positions. They repeated the same move, Rain Shine making a predictable stab forward that Ember could easily catch in order to replicate the same maneuver. This time, Ember rotated her spear in the direction the blade of her opponent was on. This did not go as well since the blade continued on its way when it rolled off the steel prong it had been caught on. The next time, Ember went back to rotating her weapon in the opposite direction. This provided the better results since it would wrest more control away from the weapon due to the increased movement and would potentially cause the wielder to stagger with their weapon being pushed in a direction they would not expect or be prepared for. This was of little consequence for a weapon being controlled with levitation, but it would surely be much more effective against a weapon being physically held in the hands of a human opponent. And I knew Ember has a very strong wrist.

This happened several times with Ember catching the blade of the Viper Fang on her spear's prongs and twisting it away in the other direction to set up a finishing blow. After enough attempts to confirm this was not simply a fluke, it was time for Ember to go on the offensive. Getting by the glaive was not as easy since the blade and even the weapon's shaft could block Ember's spear by using the prongs on the sides against her to stop its forward movement. But again, Ember could use that extra leverage to suddenly push her opponent's weapons aside like a hook before suddenly pulling her weapon's business end back to line it up with the opponent's face. And with just how much physical strength I know Ember possesses, there was not a man alive who could overpower her pushes with brute force. At worst, the greatest concern I had was whether or not the shaft of her weapon could endure the pressure on it if she had to push hard enough.

"Your weapon is well versed in offense and defense. I see why these serve the vanguard. A wall of these holding the enemy at bay would be difficult to get around." Rain Shine declared after a number of maneuvers by Ember as she prodded and twisted her weapon around her opponent's weapon to find an opening. Once she was satisfied with the results of this session, Ember set her spear up vertically at her side with its pommel on the ground and bowed forward to her opponent. Rain Shine returned the favor by propping up her glaive in the same manner and bowing her head. "I enjoyed our time this evening, Ember."

"Likewise, Rain Shine. I think what I discovered here this evening will come in handy very soon." Ember replied before hoisting her spear over her shoulder. She then looked my way and said, "I think I'll be turning in for the night. Want to make sure I'm rested for tomorrow since we'll be heading out."

"Sounds good, Ember. You have a good night." I replied before she started to walk away. Probably just to enjoy a leisurely stroll instead of taking the quick way back to her cottage by taking to the air. When I turned my gaze back to Rain Shine, she was entering her hut with the long leaves serving as a door having rolled themselves up. She looked back at me and motioned her head inside, inviting me along.

I took Rain Shine up on her offer and followed the beautiful mare into her home. After returning the Viper Fang to its display stand, she willed a quartet of torches from the ground composed entirely of dried thatch that promptly ignited. A constant gentle breeze wafted through the hut to keep the air circulating and clean. I looked her way while Rain Shine rested upon her bed of moss. Nothing was said at first, but the sensation I felt when her eyes met mine...

I did not delay. My feet carried me to her bed before I rested beside the beautiful kirin and held her in my arms. She nuzzled her head up against mine, her wild and thick mane of emerald hues carrying the crisp scent of pine needles. I whispered to her, "What is about being alone with you that makes me feel so...belonging?"

"It is simply natural, my dear. Man and kirin are kindred souls, like my mother and father before me." Rain Shine whispered to me as I was reminded that despite showing no physical evidence of it, human blood flowed through her veins. And she was not the only one. I remember what I had been told of the mares of the Grove of Silence. Many of them had been fathered by human men. And the knowledge of our compatibility...filled me with a strange sense of longing. Rain Shine must have sensed this in me and asked, "Is there something you need? Something...you desire?"

"I... I really shouldn't... I'm no fool. Even I know stuff like what I'm feeling takes time to cultivate... I shouldn't...love so eagerly... But it feels like...I really should." I whispered back to her while not able to look directly at the beautiful creature in my arms. My heart wanted her. It was calling out to her. Somewhere in my soul, I felt the desire to...love her. It felt natural. Like I should not resist despite knowing her for only a few days in total. I closed my eyes and asked, "I...want to love you... Why? Is this normal for human men?"

"Love is like the flow of a river. It ebbs and flows, sometimes stronger and sometimes weaker. No two hearts love the same mare equally nor do they love two mares in quite the same way." Rain Shine cooed to me with her muzzle gently nudging my ear as her silken elegant voice oozed into it. "But for a man to love a kirin... Do not ponder it too much. For it is only natural. I understand finding yourself longing so quickly for one such as me when experience has taught you otherwise is a tricky concept to understand. But know, my dear James. My heart also longs for you. And it has been longing for you since the very day we met."

"Rain...?" I muttered as a storm of emotions stirred in my heart. Unease born of not being familiar with the natural spiritual symmetry that exists between humanity and kirin. I was eager to love her, but the cynicism born from unfortunate experiences made me hesitant. And it hurt, my mind's memories and experiences in conflict with my heart and its natural attraction to this beautiful creature before me. When I turned my gaze to look at her from mere inches away, the two of us caught in the glow of the flickering flames on the torches around us and the gentle glow of the setting sun leaking through the few openings in the hut's exterior, she touched her lips to mind while those beautiful red eyes gazed tenderly at me.

"I will not pry. And I will not pester you for an answer. I understand that...the world you hail from differs greatly from ours. I will not tell you to disregard any experiences that have made you cautious and wiser." Rain Shine whispered to my face before resting her brow against mine. Less than an inch between our eyes, she spoke most sweetly to me. "But know this. I am not simply here to aid you in saving this world. I am not here merely to protect you. I am here because I love you. And I will continue to love you. And I hope that a day will come...when you can bring yourself to love me as well."

There was no doubt in her eyes. No wavering in her tone. There was nothing but heartfelt conviction in her voice. Rain Shine meant every word. And it made me feel so very guilty that I was too cautious to love her back just yet. I held her and closed my eyes, comprehending what she just said to me. "I'm sorry I'm not ready to love you in the same way yet... I want to, but...my heart won't let me... Will you wait for me? Give me some time?"

"We kirin are very patient, my love. Take all the time you need. I will be waiting as long as I must." Rain Shine cooed to me with that unwavering conviction. Such a creature of beauty and loving peace. I did not want to disappoint her. My embrace tightened as I felt a tear flow free. A tear of remorse, being genuinely upset at myself for finding myself for the very first time being too cautious to love someone who loved me. Someone I wanted to love, but...could not. At least not yet. She whispered to me, sensing my emotional turmoil. "Shhh... Be not upset, my dear. Do not doubt yourself. You have already exceeded my expectations of the emperor himself. I can sense it within you. Betrayal of Equestria is an impossibility for you. You will not disappoint me. I know you won't."

"Hold me, please..." I whispered as I found myself clinging to the beautiful unaging mare by my side. Her limbs held me like a vice, her warmth radiating into me. The scent of fresh pine filling my nostrils. A forest nymph given mortal form. A nymph after my own heart. Minutes passed. And then an hour. We did not leave that bed, losing ourselves in each other without quite fading to sleep. Rain Shine kept me feeling at peace as my heart rested in the presence of her aura

I wanted to love her. I truly did. Processing what I had heard and what I had felt, my disappointment in myself became a feeling of patient perseverance. Rather than angst over things now, I would wait and see where things went. I just needed time for my mind to come to a compromise with my heart. But as I felt that love in me desperately wanting to reach out, my love took hold of a memory I had pushed to the back of my mind in order to focus on the mare before me. "I... There's somewhere I need to be. Someone's expecting me."

"I wonder... Who is it?" Rain Shine asked without the slightest hint of disappointment while I remained in her embrace. She knew we would be together again soon.

"Novo... My queen. When she is here, I am to stay with her for the night." I explained while knowing there was no shame in revealing the truth to Rain Shine. I am sure kirin can keep secrets as easily as they can unearth them. "We are...madly in love. And she wants me to be her king someday."

"The hippogriff queen, hm? I knew there was something special going on between you two. I could sense a wonderful joy in your hearts when you spoke to each other." Rain Shine cooed almost impishly before kissing me on the forehead. "Then I will not keep you. If we depart tomorrow, I doubt she will be following us. Go. Be with your queen one more night. Make it worthwhile."

"Thank you for understanding. I'll see you tomorrow, all right?" I whispered back to my wonderful friend. Her eyes never looked away from me as I departed from her hut. I made my way back into the command center just to gather up a few necessities while I had time. The sun had completely set by then and the stars had come out with the moon. The command center had grown quiet aside from the few guards maintaining the night watch. But as I headed up the stairs to my room, I started to have an idea. An idea that solidified when I saw Ocellus. "Hey there, you two. I'm heading over to the Alabaster for the night. But before I go... Ocellus? Got a minute?"

"Huh? Sure! What do you need?" The disguised Changeling asked while Smolder could not even get a word in just yet. She waited patiently to listen while they rested on my bed. It looked like they had been enjoying my new pillows.

I knew what Novo wanted from me that night. And I had an idea on how to make certain I would give her exactly what she wanted and more. While I gathered up some clean clothes, I then said, "Remember what I said about being careful over sharing your love with me? Well, how about you give me some before I head over to see Novo? Just so I have extra love to give her on her last day here until the next time she visits."

Her little dragon wings sprang open in surprise over me asking her to do something like that for me. And Smolder could not help snickering in anticipation after seeing how that actually works the last time that happened. "Oooooh, you gonna give her lots of extra smooches, huh? Yeah, sure! Go ahead, Ocellus. Fill him up!"

"Me?! Um... Well... If you're sure it'll be OK?" Ocellus stammered now that I was requesting her to do something to me I had previously insisted on her not doing more than once. She stood up and walked over to me while looking more than a little nervous. She then asked while I got down on one knee, "Should I just...stop when you say to?"

"Sure. Just let it out slowly, OK?" I replied while noticing Smolder watching from the bed with crossed arms. That smirk... She enjoyed watching us do stuff like that. I guess she thinks it is cute when the shyest girls get some much needed love. Cautiously, Ocellus and I joined lips in order for her to channel her love into me.

I closed my eyes as I tried to enjoy this simple display of affection. As I gently held Ocellus, unable to resist cradling her in my arms, I felt it. A subtle sensation flowing into me through my lips. And then that warmth. That wonderful warmth as I felt a beautiful desire blooming in my heart. The instant my thoughts of Novo faltered to be overrun by my attention towards the beautiful little dragon girl in my arms. I tried to turn my thoughts back to Novo, but that was impossible. Not when precious little Ocellus was locked in a tender kiss with me.

It felt so good... And I felt wonderful. More and more love flowed into me, but I could not find the will to tell Ocellus to stop. I welcomed more. And I wanted to give her some of the love that was swelling up inside me. I began to want her. My already existing gentle love for her starting to burn much hotter. And so I placed one hand on her back just above the base of her tail and pulled her closer while she let out a quiet yelp deep in her throat.

"Uh... Guys?" I heard Smolder ask in some confusion. But I was too focused on Ocellus to care. I was going to show that precious little love bug what being loved really felt like. My other hand rested on the back of her head as my head was filled with loving thoughts. My lips parted as Ocellus yelped in muffled surprise before even her lips parted almost as if on reflex. And that yelp turned into almost constant adorable moaning as her tongue reached mine. But the flavor... There was not the slightest hint of sulfur on her breath. The flavor...was even a little sweet. And her arms... She clung to me. As if begging me to kiss her more while constantly cooing into the wonderful kiss that was unfolding. And Smolder could barely comment on it. "Whoa..."

More and more of that wonderful love flowed into me. As the kiss deepened, the amount I felt flowing into me drastically increased. Ocellus was pumping me full of her love. There was so much... I was starting to desire her. To take her to my bed and... Suddenly realizing that my love for Ocellus was starting to ooze into my libido, I finally found the presence of mind to pull away from her to abruptly end the kiss. "Oh god! That's... That's too much... Sorry about...uh... Love bug?"

Poor Ocellus. She was completely gobsmacked by the experience she just went through. Her eyes rolled around in her head while her tongue hung out of her maw, a look of utter dopey dazed joy on her face. "Woooow... What a kiss..."

I laughed. I could not help laughing at just what that kiss did to her. Even Smolder was howling in laughter while rolling around on the bed. I was have pumped her with just as much love as she gave me. That was close...but the results were funny. At least she enjoyed herself.

Now that a good laugh had taken my mind off of what just happened, my thoughts went back to the beautiful queen who was waiting for me. And my heart pounded in my chest for her. I was still overflowing with love and I was going to give that wonderful mare as much as I could. Seeing her now down on her knees, I patted the dazed disguised Changeling n the head. "Thanks, love bug... I think that's all I need."

"Can I...have another?" Ocellus mumbled with her dazed look fading from her eyes. But now...there was a worrying look of need in them. She reached up to me, a hopeful smile on her lips. "One more?"

"Uh...maybe next time. I didn't mean to get that crazy... Sorry." I retorted while Smolder still snickered while wiping tears from her eyes. She sounded like she was going to pass out from laughing so hard.

"But...but...I liked it..." Ocellus whimpered while looking and really sounding so disappointed. I had to resist the urge to give her what she wanted, but she was not making it easy. When I started to step away from her with a bag of overnight stay necessities in my hand, the little false dragoness clung to me. "Pleeeease?"

"Ocellus, come on. He's gotta go." Smolder said a bit more firmly. When Ocellus still did not let go of me, Smolder rushed over and pried her off me with both arms. "Come on, love bug! His lovebird is waiting for him!"

"Noooo, I need moooore! Pleeeease!" Ocellus would not shut up. Just how much of my love did she absorb during that moment? Fearful that temptation would get the better of me, I hurried down the stairs and out the door while Smolder kept her friend restrained. Poor thing...

Once I had left the command center and was on my way to the northeastern corner of the camp, the love that now filled me started to affect my thoughts now that I was thinking of who I was meant to see that night. My beautiful Novo. I wanted to see and hold her again. To whisper sweet loving things to her. I was lusting for her. So eager to give my queen a night to remember. I subconsciously hastened my pace as the stars and moon shone down on me.

I hurried up the gangplank once I arrived and passed the few crewmen I saw making their rounds for the night. I knew where I would probably find her. I left my bag outside her door and hurried down the hall. The smell of the kitchen filled the air. Fantastic seafood cooking. I stepped past the door and found the galley filled with colorful hippogriffs. Some in armor, some in airship personnel attire. And seated at one table with open space around her was the beautiful bird mare I was looking for.

Novo waved her hand to signal me and I quickly strode around the edge of the galley to reach her. She pulled me into a winged embrace while I too put my arms around her. She cooed to me with that soulful voice, "Last day in this spot, right? Let's make the night last."

"Count on it, love. I came prepared." I retorted with my heart aching with how much I wanted her. My hands roamed her fluffy body and even reached low enough to grab her round fluffy flanks. "I've been saving myself for you and then some."

"Ooooh, feels like daddy knows exactly what he wants tonight. Easy there, baby. Mama wants you too, but let's get some food in our belly before we turn in." She retorted with a trill as her entire coat of feathers puffed up in anticipation for just a few seconds. We finally relented in our embrace before one of the galley's servers came over to heed our requests for dinner.

I can barely even recall what was spoken. My mind was elsewhere while my eyes were feasting on the beautiful form of my queen. She was always utterly gorgeous, but she somehow looked so much more irresistible now. My heart was overflowing with love and I was not sure how much longer I could contain myself. My stomach's hunger was nothing compared to how much I was starving for the love of my queen.

Novo finally noticed how I would not stop looking at her with a big smile on my face. She started to smirk while tapping a finger on the table and asked, "Honey, that has got to be the thirstiest stare you've ever given me. What's on your mind? You that hungry for a good meal?"

"The only thing I'm starving for right now is you, my love." I retorted with as smooth a comeback as I could muster. And it was not a lie. I was craving her. Her touch. Her voice. Her wonderful loving embrace. Novo was the only thing on my mind. And the way her eyes opened wider... She could probably feel the love coming off me as my hand reached for hers. She stared unblinkingly into my eyes as a surprisingly giddy crooked grin formed on her beak. For once, I was the dominant one.

"Honey... Honey, what's gotten into you? I know you've always been such a sweet lover boy, but this goes beyond anything I've ever seen out of you. What's your secret? What did you drink before coming up here?" Novo asked with excited curiosity. She was not afraid. She was loving my advances.

"Oh, nothing but pure unfiltered love." I replied before leaning closer and whispering into her ear, my hand clasping hers firmly. "I asked Ocellus to give me an extra dose of love before I came over. Now you're the only thing I can think of. I couldn't care less about dinner. I'm only hungry for you."

"James... My goodness... You're just... Just..." Novo muttered as I suspected she was having a hard time thinking of anything else. And just as the server came back over with glasses of sparkling water, Novo pushed the glasses aside and smirked at him. "Tell the chef to put our orders in the fridge when they're done. My sugar bear and I are retiring early tonight."

"Oh...! Yes, your majesty. I'll pass it along." He replied before taking a step back. Novo then rose from her seat with her hand pulling me up along with her. That excited loving gaze in her eyes... She was starting to crave me as well. Amid the many gazes of snickering hippogriffs, we hurried out of the galley as quickly as we could without breaking into a run. Food could wait. We needed each other more.

Once in her room and away from prying eyes, Novo threw a wing around me and pulled me into a wonderful loving embrace. Her beak locked itself over my face, her tongue eagerly reaching out to mine as we shared a wonderful kiss. "Mmmmm, baby... I can practically taste the love on you now...

"And all that love is for you, my queen." I retorted with lust in my voice. God, I needed her so badly. Never before had I found myself lusting so desperately for that bird of paradise. My fingers dragged themselves through her fluffy layer of feathers and much more firmly than ever before. As if I was instinctively trying to grasp onto her. I could already smell her. The faintest hints of that wonderful feminine scent conveying Novo's own desire for me. During another lull in that wonderful avian kiss, I whispered to her. "I really have been saving myself for you like you asked. No stimulation during downtime. No visits from any of my other beloveds. All for you."

"Mm, I knew I could count on you, honey. And I'll make sure my king is handsomely rewarded for not disappointing me." She cooed with an unbelievably sultry tone in her voice, that deep soulful pitch only adding to that lustful purr. Novo continued to kiss me sweetly even as she began to undress me. Piece by piece, she helped me shed my attire until nothing remained on me. And my body was already craving her by the time my pants dropped. "Oh my, someone's happy to see me."

"Can't help it when my queen is such a feast for the eyes. Especially where it matters most." I slyly retorted before stepping to her side and sliding my hand down her back and over the asset of her body Novo was most proud of. Her full round soft feathery flanks. I caressed my hand over one, feeling the contours of the most beautiful mare in the world. Indeed, they were truly the fullest of any set of flanks I had ever felt. Even moreso than Celestia's and her beauty and figure is legendary. I heard Novo let out a coo as she felt my touch. "Best hips in the world for the best MILF in the world, right?"

"Oooooh yes, you better believe I'm the hottest mom there is, baby." The beautiful hippogriff queen trilled before swaying her luxurious long tail feathers to caress my face. She then began to take long slow strides towards her bed, letting her impressive mother mare hips to bob before me as I could plainly see her vulva winking at me in need. "And I'll make my king a total studly daddy one day."

"Why wait?" I replied before I stepped forward at a brisk pace. By the time Novo had her hands on the edge of the bed for balance, her rump was being grasped in mind. She let out a soft chirp of surprise and looked back at me just as I thrust my hips forward into her warm depths. "Daddy...needs mama now."

"James?! So soon... Ooooh, but I'm not complaining." My queen churred as I hilted myself to her. Her depths were warm and wet, eagerly awaiting my entry by the time I plunged deep. I knew I would not last long enough while having to remain standing, but I was still giving Novo a taste of what was to come. My thrusts were slow, but firm. I felt the faintest hint of Novo's flanks ripple under that layer of cushioning feathers. Truly, motherhood had blessed her with a figure most mares can only dream of.

I minded my stance to keep myself from toppling while keeping my hands firmly clasped upon the rounded curves of Novo's hips. So much soft mass to hold, in both feathers and flesh. And her warm inviting depths received my eager shaft with a soft slick caress with every thrust into her. In a further display of her love and desire, Novo could not stop her massive wings from spreading wide in a glorious courtship display. And as I looked down at her beautiful body, I felt a little devious as I wondered how to pleasure her more. I lightly patted my fingers along that soft rounded flank before lifting my hand and giving it a firm swat, triggering a faint rippling effect as the soft motherly flesh under that cushion jiggled from the impact.

Novo let out an unexpected birdcall of some sort in response to that, but more out of surprise. Although I then saw her look back at me with a smirk on her beak. "Trying to tenderize my queen MILF hips, honey? Smack them all you like. I've got just enough padding back there to take out the sting so that it...feels pretty nice."

I have never had a thing for spanking, but knowing that it was impossible for me to hurt Novo in any way while doing so made me...curious. I suddenly wanted to experiment with how I could pleasure her further without fear of inflicting pain. Even as I began to thrust with more gusto into her, I swatted her flank much harder. And even this did not seem to hurt as Novo instead lifted her head high and let out a beautiful trill in that wonderful voice. She really was proud of her hips and wanted me to see what I could do with them. Although before much longer, she began to push her hips back towards me to keep me pinned to her rump. And I was gently guided to the floor until she was practically sitting on me while keeping my shaft as deep as it could go. "Don't tire yourself out yet, honey. Let mama here put her queen MILF butt to good use."

And she did. Novo worked her powerful long legs as she lifted and lowered her hips down onto me. And what an amazing view I had of her from down there. Seeing those perfect mare hips rise and fall, her glorious long tail feathers draping over my face. Seeing her lift her head high with beak parted to allow such beautiful sounds to escape her throat. And her wings. Those beautiful angel wings spread wide to show me that my queen wanted this. And just from me.

My heart was overflowing with love. What was already there was only growing stronger the more I felt that wonderful pleasure engulfing my shaft while Novo's very body openly displayed her love for me. We were so in love... And I had never felt more in love in my entire life. I wanted her... No, I needed her. She was mine and I was hers. And we were so in love that it had transcended from simply wanting each other. We needed each other now.

"God, Novo... Why are you always so beautiful..." I groaned while keeping my hands on those massive foal-bearing hips. Guiding them up and down to insure they would not miss if they rose too far. And they felt so lovely and soft in my hands despite the powerful equine muscle under their softer surfaces. "You're always so good to me... I love you..."

"Not as much as I love you, baby. I'm only good to you because you're the best to me." Novo groaned with her deep soulful voice sliding deeper into an almost guttural growl of lust. It was almost intimidating at first, but she quickly caught herself and let out a more shrill feminine call befitting her grace.

Craving her so badly, I took hold of the base of her tail feathers in one hand and pulled down as I began to thrust my hips up towards her every time her large feathered rump smacked down against me. And Novo... She churred in delighted surprise once again, although I suddenly realized what I was doing and asked, "Wait, should I be doing this? I won't pluck them, will I?"

Novo looked back at me with a lustful smirk on her beak, eyes full of wonderful desire. "Honey, you'd need to have the strength of the buffest minotaur to come anywhere close to yanking out feathers that big. Tug on them all you like, daddy. Make mama sing."

"In that case..." I retorted with a smirk on my lips. I took hold of her hips and shoved them upward to prompt Novo to stand with her hands still firmly planted onto her bed. I rushed to my feet, grabbed her tail feathers in one hand, and thrust hard back into her waiting depths while constantly keeping those long glorious feathers held taut. "There you go, mama!"

"Ooh, my goodness! James, baby... Mmph, yes! Pull my tail, baby! Pull me hard!" Novo sang in bliss as my hips slapped hard against her round feathered flanks. Her voice, always so deep and soulful, was reaching pitches I did not know she could reach without vocalizing a bird call. I never felt so vigorous. So dominant in the bedroom. My heart ablaze with passion as the overflowing love in my soul drove me onward to ravage my beautiful queen in ways I did not think I could. And she loved every second of it while I kept one hand firmly grasped upon her flank.

Novo held her head high while I kept my stance firmly rooted to the floor, keeping my hips aligned with hers as the air was filled with the intoxicating scent of our lovemaking. Seeing my queen lifting her head with beak parted, beautiful moans and cries spilling from her throat, filled me with gratification. I promised her I would give her as much love as I could carry and now it was all spilling out onto her.

While my drive to make love to my queen remained hot, my legs would only hold out so long. And Novo knew this. After a few wonderful minutes of that fiery mating, Novo pulled herself forward and onto her bed, twisting her lower body onto its side while she gazed back at me. "Next phase, honey. Come to bed and make me your queen all over again."

"Gladly." I growled as I felt relieved to finally take things to a cushier surface. I crawled over to her and took hold of one of her legs, lifting it high as I wasted no time pushing back into her winking lips. I was gentler this time, taking a moment to catch my breath and ease back into the more tender lovemaking Novo and I had come to expect from each other. "Novo, love... I'm just...so in love with you..."

"Mmmm, there's my sweet swan king. Love you so much, baby. You're always so good to me. That fiery passion is fun, but this is what I love most from you." Novo cooed with those beautiful eyes gazing back at me, their lids half closed with that lovely lavender eyeshadow displayed upon them. Her wings remained spread wide in invitation. And I knew how to pleasure her further in this position.

With one hand still holding her leg up, my other reached around and took hold between her legs. A pair of soft modest mounds coated in the finest soft down imaginable. And I began to knead it in my fingers as Novo groaned in unexpected joy. Her soft motherly teats, long untended to, were my current focus even as I continued to thrust lovingly into her. "Oooh, I keep forgetting those are there... Why does...that feel so good every time?"

"Why shouldn't it, dear?" I asked in return while giving her teat a firm squeeze. My fingers traced up the mound like a mountain to find their peak. And when I found it, I gave her areola a gentle pinch. Novo arched her back suddenly, inhaling sharply through her beak as I hit a sensitive pleasure point. Knowing how sensitive a human woman's breasts tend to be, I knew it was no different for a mare. "A shame no one ever helped you indulge in this more, love. A mama's mammaries shouldn't be neglected."

Novo cooed and gasped as I continued to pleasure her most sensitive external pleasure point even while continuing to plunge into her warm depths. She looked and sounded so vulnerable. A powerful duelist and queen whose reign has spanned millennia, now a helpless and beautiful woman before me. And I loved her far too much to even consider taking advantage of her. My love burned hotter than ever, wanting to share this wonderful pleasure with her. And she voiced her approval of my advances. "James... James, that's... Oooh, I want you sucking on them whenever you can... Especially when I finally have some milk ready for you..."

I could not wait any longer. It was time to go for the climax. I gently pulled back and helped Novo roll onto her back, wings splayed wide out to the sides. She gazed invitingly up at me while oh so ready for me. But as I gazed down at my queen, my love within was becoming too much. Too much for just her. My heart was beginning to reach out further. To both her and something connected to her. Something that did not yet exist.

I had so much love to give her. Her...and our children.

My lustful smile must have faded just enough for Novo to notice a shift in my thoughts. Her hand cupped my cheek as I brought myself over her, hips aligned with her rump. "You all right, baby? Need a minute to catch yourself?"

"No... No, I'm good... It's just that..." I muttered before taking hold of her in an embrace as I thrust deep into her. Only my heart was doing the talking by then. "Please... I can't wait anymore. I want you...to have my baby..."

Her eyes opened wide in shock, no doubt from hearing me be so forward with her. "But... James, I'm not in heat... I... Ooh!"

Another firm thrust into my beloved silenced her as I began to make love to my queen with renewed purpose. It was no longer just about pleasure. There was something missing from our lives. Something I desperately wanted to rectify. I was so in love with her. But there was too much love in my heart at the time just for Novo to hold. That which I could not impose onto her longed for someone else. Someone small. Adorably fluffy and covered in feathers. My heart was longing for the children we had not yet had together. And I sang my love to my beautiful queen, "I don't care... I can't wait anymore, Novo. I want...to have children with you. Right now."

"James... Honey, we... You... Baby, you're a man after my own heart..." Novo groaned as the bed creaked under us. She tilted her head so far back before I felt her hand rest on the back of my head. A gaze of lust dancing with eyes filled with a sacred need filling her eyes, Novo gazed lovingly into mine. "Forget my heat cycle... Let's make a miracle happen, my love. Do it. Give this mama bird your beautiful little foals."

"Novo... Oh yes, Novo...! I love you!" I groaned in delight as I intensified my efforts. My hips slammed into her full motherly rump. We were not going to let something as trivial as biological functions interfere. We were in love. And we dearly wanted a family together. I reached out to Novo for a kiss, but she grabbed me and pulled me into a wonderful deep loving kiss as her beak locked over my face.

I heard my queen singing in that kiss. A voice of lustrous depth and bountiful soul humming and moaning as our tongues danced to that beautiful serenade. Her voice urged my affections onward as I continued to thrust deep into the queen who would bear my children. I could already imagine them. Precious little fillies and colts flocking around us. Cradling them in my arms, eyes so bright and full of happiness. My heart ached for them... I wanted to hold those precious fluffy bird foals knowing they were ours. At the first chance to speak as there was a lull in the kiss, I whispered to the beautiful queen beneath me, "Just...love you so much... So ready...to be a daddy to your babies..."

"James... Oh god, you'll be a wonderful daddy... The daddy of my babies..." Novo cooed to me in need. I felt her wings closing over me, holding me in a plush embrace as even her legs locked themselves over my back. There was no way I wouldn't fill her by the end of this. And she then asked with those beautiful eyes gazing into mine, "And what do good daddies do?"

"They...always finish inside." I whispered back with a knowing lustful smile on my face, remembering that loving statement from not so long ago. My heart overflowing with love for my royal beloved and the children that would eventually come into our lives, I sweetened the deal with a few extra words. "Because they always give mama what she needs."

Novo cooed and swooned at my words, hand still dragging its talons through my hair. "Oooooh, that they do... They always give mama what she needs. Because she needs daddy's babies to be a mama. Mmmm, don't stop, James... I need it... Make me fat and full of your little baby birds... It's been too long..."

"Novo, my love..." I gasped and grunted as I intensified my thrusting, the telltale pressure building in my loins. After all we had done up to that point, my body was not willing to wait any longer. Not when there was something special for us to achieve together. My embrace became like a vice around her beautiful fluffy body, my bare skin rubbing against that silken layer of feathers. It was almost time. "Almost there... Gonna...fill you, dear... Give you...those baby birds..."

"Yes... Yes, baby! It's been too long!" Novo began to pleased as she clung to me with my feverish thrusting quickening to a desperate climax. I loved her. And I would love the children we would have. All that was left was to give them to her as she pleaded to me. "I've waited too long, baby! I need...to be a real mama again! Be my king, James! Be the father of my heirs! Of...our little baby birds... Give me a baby boy... Let me...give you a son, honey...!"

I could not take it any longer. I brought y lips to her beak as it parted and clamped onto my face for one last meaningful kiss. She practically screamed into that kiss as we reached what we needed. I felt those warm inner walls spasm around my shaft while I hilted myself to her. A torrent of my warm seed flooded deep into her once again, my heart praying for a miracle. That this would be it. My seed would find its mark. And we would finally...finally have a child. The first of many. Just like she wanted.

At least that was what I wanted to believe. But my heart began to conflict with my mind. Because I knew... I knew it would not work this time. There would be no children coming into our lives after this wonderful moment, regardless of how dearly we wanted it. And as this truth dawned on me, even as I basked in that wonderful afterglow with my face nestled in Novo's fluffy blue ruff of feathers around the base of her neck, I began to shed tears. Tears of frustration as I understood all the love in the world would not be enough to allow our family to come into existence.

"Honey... Honey, it's all right..." Novo whispered to me as she gasped softly, wallowing in her own ecstasy. Her hand caressed the back of my head as a ragged sob escaped my throat. She knew. And her wonderful winged embrace continued to hold me against her soft feathered body. "I know you're ready... I've been ready for so long too... I know it hurts trying so hard to make it happen only for it to just not take... But I'll always love you, my king. And I'm patient enough to keep trying every time the opportunity comes up."

"I know, Novo... It's just... I love you so much... And I want to love those wonderful little foals we want..." I wept bitterly in her embrace. It was just such a bitter tragic situation. We were a mother and father who dearly wanted our own children to love. But something as base as biological compatibility would not make it easy for us.

Novo had nothing to say to that. She continued to hold me as the tenderness and passion of the situation just minutes ago faded in the face of a growing wistfulness. Before much longer, she rolled onto her side to help me up. "Come on, baby. Let's wash up before bed. We need it."

I did not object to that. Minutes later, we stood in the confines of her shower stall as hot water washed over us. The soothing wet warmth of the cleansing fluid splashing over me did help ease my mood, but an air of melancholy still hung in the air. Novo and I rested our heads against each other while we were held in our arms. No words. No sight. Just touch as we embraced. Few words were spoken over the course of our bathing session. Although once we were all cleaned up for the night, I had to wait in the bedroom for Novo to finish drying herself off with a hairdryer.

"Your fluffy queen is ready for bed, honey." Novo spoke before stepping out of the bathroom. And I could not help cracking a goofy unwanted grin at her beautiful yet adorable fluffy form all puffed up from being freshly dried off. I did not want to smile, but she was just so adorable that I could not help it. Novo took note of my face and spoke sweetly, "Aww, there's what I wanted to see. My sweet sugar bear shouldn't be so sad all the time. Let mama make it better."

"You really are too good to me, Novo..." I said with a quiet snicker before finding myself pinned under her fluffy form. She dragged her fingers through my hair while I put my arms around her. She gazed down at me like a graceful eagle perched on high with such a dear soulful smile spread across her beak. "You...really are the best... I see why you say that so often. Because you really are."

"It's all thanks to experience, my love. Mama here is the best because she's stood the test of time. And I'll keep being good to the only man good enough to be my king because he truly deserves it. I love you, James. And I always will." She whispered to me, voice low and silky while oozing with the kind of soft soulful love I would only expect out of a woman like her. She lowered her beak to my lips for a kiss and then whispered sweetly to me, "Let me hold you tonight, baby. Fall asleep in my wings knowing that everything will be all right. We'll get what we want someday. Just be patient."

"Thank you, Novo... Love you so much." I muttered as I was rolled onto my side with her. She brought a pillow over and tucked it under our heads while that glorious wing held me in an insulating embrace. We gazed at each other until our eyes could stand it no longer. Eyes heavy and bodies exhausted, we drifted off to sleep.

I remember...the feeling of soft feathers. A large graceful form. And many smaller forms. Little bodies that snuggled up to me. Soft happy songs sung by birds. And I was so happy. I remember...holding those little bundles of feathery fluff in my arms. I remember little beaks playfully nipping at my ears and tugging on my hair. I remember whispering sweet tender things to the little creatures in my arms. And I remember...being so happy.

That is all I can remember by this point as I write this. My dreams went undisturbed by those who could enter them at will. And when I awoke, I found my beautiful queen sleeping before me. Or so I thought. At the slightest stirring, she opened her eyes and gazed lovingly at me. No doubt having woken up first and closed her eyes to help pass the time. The love in my heart, once overflowing with desire for her, had settled back into a more manageable and familiar state. No matter the case, we were in love and I could not ask for a better start to my morning. "Morning, love..."

"Good morning, sugar bear." Novo cooed to me while placing a kiss upon my lips. "Someone looks happy. Did you dream well?"

I tried to remember what I had felt. The visuals were a blur and the sounds were hard to recall. But I did say, "I think I...dreamed of us having a family... I remember...holding little bundles of fluff that softly tweeted at me. And they...tugged on me with little beaks..."

Novo's beak beamed at me with an almost giddy smile while she placed a finger upon my lips. "Honey, you are so ready to be a daddy that you're already dreaming about our babies. I just know our little ones are gonna love you."

"I hope so, Novo... Really." I muttered while almost feeling embarrassed over having brought that up. But we shared another kiss. And I watched as Novo rolled over while stretching her arms and legs with a long and low groan of relief. She then brought them down on the other side to prepare to get out of bed. But when she hesitated, I reached out and pulled myself closer to her in order to hold the beautiful queen in an embrace from behind. "A little longer, dear?"

"Oh, James... Sure. I never get tired of being held like this. Take your time. We'll only get outta bed when you say, all right?" Novo spoke with a soft chuckle. I slid my arm under her to hold a hand against her chest while my other reached over her and rested its hand on her belly. My face nuzzled into the fluffy feathers on the back of her neck and that glorious crest on her head. But I could not help rubbing my hand over her belly. My mind wandered, wondering how she would look once heavy with our first child. And Novo was quick to notice what I was implying with my caress. Her hand rested over mine, pinning it just over her womb. "Thinking of something special, honey? Or maybe...someone?"

"Sorry, Novo... I just...have babies on the brain a lot when I'm around you... I do want a family with you." I replied sincerely while not hiding my heart's desires. The beautiful mother bird before me churred softly at my touch as she voiced her mutual desire. But as I held her there, I realized that he had indeed bore a foal once before. You was now a young mare we both knew. And so I asked, "Come to think of it... What was it like when you were carrying Skystar?"

She really was not expecting that question. Novo looked back at me over her shoulder with an intrigued smile. "Oh? I'm surprised you never asked sooner, daddy. But if you want to know..."

I saw Novo turn her gaze up to the ceiling while her hand began to idly rub her belly with mine. "That was a very long time ago, so I can't remember every little thing. But from what I do remember... Well, I'm sure every mare can do without the occasional morning sickness at the start. I didn't appreciate that much, but the hopes I had once I knew I was carrying my first baby girl helped me through it. Cygnus and I were so ready for babies and we were thrilled when we found out I was expecting. The entire island was in an uproar over it, really. Everyone was wanting to see the new royal baby when she would finally show up."

I listened patiently, noticing how happy Novo was as she recalled that precious eleven months of her very long life. She then continued, "My second trimester was when I really started to like what I was going through. That was when I really started to glow and I loved how I looked. I always loved baby birds and other little ones. I guess I was always a mama at heart even before I became one. But I really started to enjoy myself after the first third of the experience had passed. I looked great. I felt great. And Cygnus... He couldn't keep his hands off me when my baby bump really started showing. Flying was tougher than before, but that was a small price to pay."

"Papa bird was just as ready as mama bird was, huh?" I asked while finding the recollection to be adorably wholesome. Even the mention of her late king only brought a smile to her beak. She was done mourning and life was being good to her now.

I noticed a shift in her voice as Novo then looked back at me. "Oh, Cygnus was more than ready to be a daddy. But when my third trimester arrived... That was when it all clicked with me. I loved how I looked. I loved what my foal was doing to my body. I loved how I glowed. I loved how wide I looked. I felt...big. And in a good way. Large and in charge. I mean I had always been a pretty thing, but that was when I knew I was turning into a MILF. And once you become a MILF, you never stop being one. I felt sexy. I knew I was gonna be a hot mom. That was when it really sank in for me what I would always be. And if I was gonna be a MILF, I might as well own it. That was when I became the hot mama who exists today, honey. And I don't think anyone on Capricorn Island had any complaints."

"I know I certainly don't... You really channel that soulful mom energy well, Novo. I can't imagine you...not being the way you are now." I replied while seeing that sweet loving gaze in her eyes. She was proud of what she became. And I loved that part of her. I tightened my grip around my queen and whispered, "You're the best mom in the world, I'm sure... And I... I can't wait to go through that experience with you myself someday."

"One day, my love. One day. One of these days, we'll have our foal. The first of many." She cooed to me with her hands touching mine. Although she then said, "Now then, how about you freshen up in the shower while I go make sure our leftovers are ready in the kitchen? You're heading out today, right? Better make sure your freshened up and ready to go."

"Oh... Oh, right! We are moving today... OK, see you there." I retorted before we both got out of bed with me heading into the bathroom for a quick shower to start my day. Novo left the bedroom and even left my bag of clean clothes on the bed for me. Once I had left the bathroom in less than ten minutes, I got dressed in a set of clean clothes and headed over to the galley. I was famished after such a night and skipping dinner for it.

Breakfast time in the galley is always busy on the Alabaster. Every hippogriff stationed in the camp had returned to their queen's airship for a taste of home. Novo left a spot open beside her just for me. And once seated, everyone's meals wee being brought out. But there was something different about ours. Our food was fresh out of an oven to warm them up and did not look like typical breakfast fair. And I was quick to recognize my order once it was set out before me. "Seafood raviolis?! We're eating like kings this morning."

"Not yet, but you'll have a crown on your head someday!" Novo laughed before giving me a peck on the cheek. And she was rather...vocal about it. As if she was trying to make herself heard among the clamor of the galley. Indeed, several of the hippogriff crew seated near us were eyeing us with gazes of amusement. Like they knew what was going on.

I was not entirely sure about my relationship with Novo going public, even among those directly in service to her who could be expected to be sworn to secrecy. I winched as I noticed them watching us and grumbled, "Novo, please... Not in front of your men. Don't give them any ideas."

"Oh yeah? Why don't we ask them then." Novo spoke with a devious smirk on her beak that sent a chill down my spine. Before I could object, she placed her hands on the table for leverage to raise herself up and called out over the clamor echoing around the galley. And when she spoke, everyone listened. "Forks and spoons down, people! Show of hands! Who's in favor of this hunky sugar bear being my next king?!"

The result...was more overwhelming than I could have expected. Every last hippogriff in the galley raised a fist high as they cheered out in enthusiastic applause. "HAIL, SIR JAMES! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

"Dang it, you guys...!" I groaned before placing my face in my hands and squealing in muffled mortification. And then they all started laughing! Novo then returned to her seat with such a proud smirk on her beak. I then scowled at her out of the corner of my eye and grumbled, "I don't know if you're awesome or crazy, Novo..."

"Then I guess that just makes me crazy awesome?" She retorted with her flippant disregard of protocol in this situation. But just as I lowered my hands, she hooked a few fingers under my jaw and pulled my face over to look her right in the eye. And what a sultry gaze she was giving me. "Or just crazy in love with you."

"Touché..." I muttered before finding myself on the receiving end of another kiss. Only then did we go back to enjoying our leftovers from last night. Sitting in the oven for a spell returned our dishes to pretty much pristine condition and everything was delicious. Although I then cautiously asked, "You sure they weren't just playing along with you back there? They don't really think I'm worthy of the crown, do they?"

"Honey, anyone on Capricorn Island who has gotten to know you has grown to like you. My men know you're a good man and they can see the chemistry between us. Don't forget, Cygnus was also a commoner. And everyone loved him just as much." Novo explained with a very assured smile on her beak.

I knew there had to be more to being king than just being liked. I knew I absolutely did not have the leadership skills to take on such a role. Especially since I would not be able to be there all the time. And so I asked, "But...was Cygnus actually cut out for the role? Did he have the skills needed to lead your people?"

Novo shook her head without an ounce of shame. "Not at all, honey. My hubby was not cut out for that kind of role."

"Then...how... What will be expected of me if I'm ever crowned king?" I asked in utter bewilderment. How in the world did a commoner get crowned king when he was not cut out for the job?

Novo placed her hand over mine as we both paused in our dining. Her smile softened as she spoke with a more sincere tone with her soulful voice. "He loved our people, honey. And they loved him. He had their best interests at heart. The most he did outside of just keeping morale high around our home was providing a second opinion over royal affairs. That was enough. Because mama here is experienced enough to know how to keep her kingdom running smoothly. Don't worry about what to do as king, honey. I'll still be doing the heavy lifting since I know all the ins and outs about how to do it. Just...be there for me when I need you. And care about our people. That'll be enough. Really."

I was at a loss for words. All I did was nod. It was a lot to take in, but I knew then that I should have faith in Novo. She knew what she was doing especially when she knew what it was like to have a king with no real leadership skills. I could only focus on the here and now.

After a satisfying breakfast, everyone started to head out. The guardsmen to prepare to march while the airship crew needed to prepare to depart. But while everyone else left, one lone stallion stayed behind and waited beside the door. Sky Beak. And I felt like he was waiting for me to talk to him about something. He was smiling, but I was not. Because I knew what he saw and heard. "So then... You're actually in agreement over what Novo said back there?"

He asked with a happy look of curiosity in his eyes, "Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"

"Sky... Papa bird, your queen wants to crown me as her king. I'm... I'm basically your son, right? Isn't it...weird to imagine me also being your king?" I asked while trying to wrap my head around the concept and implications of our relationship being affected by such a thing.

"To be honest, I'm trying to not think too hard about it. I mean yes, it's...amazing that the queen I serve seeks to make you her husband. Which would make...any prince or princess of Capricorn Island my grandkids? By a technicality? I don't know, it kind of makes my head hurt when I try to think about that for too long." Sky Beak replied before bursting into uneasy snickering. Largely because of just what a mindbender it is trying to figure that out. But he then patted me on the shoulder. "But the important thing is... Even if you do wear a crown someday, you'll never stop being my boy. Queen Novo is basically ageless. The people of Capricorn Island don't view her as a goddess or anything like that. She's just always been there for us. A neighbor who never goes away. And that neighbor of ours is very much in love with you. So let's not think too hard about this, all right? Everything will work out."

"I hope so..." I muttered as I tried to push my more complicated thoughts on that subject out of my mind. Although I then asked, "Papa bird? If I might make a request?"

He stood at attention and listened closely. I then said, "If I do end up being crowned king of Capricorn Island... Please. Never bow to me. Never use any honorifics when speaking to me. The same goes for your family. Even if I'm king, you'll still be...my papa bird."

Such a touched look in those eyes. Sky Beak's smile became more crooked before her put his arms around me. "That's a promise... I will, my boy."

"Thanks... Ready to head out, papa bird?" I soon asked as I held that wonderful stallion in my arms. With nothing else to do and knowing we would be leaving within a few hours at least, it was time to head out.

Sky Beak went first and headed topside while I lingered a bit longer. When I did head down the hall and up and out onto the main deck, I found Novo standing right in the middle with a bag in hand that contained everything I brought over for the night. "Hey, thanks. I almost forgot those."

Just when I took the bag in hand, Novo grabbed me in an embrace with just her wing. We were tucked away and out of sight under the cover of that massive wing. She looked me in the eye and said, "We'll be back as soon as we can, honey. I'll try and get us set for a roundtrip as soon as possible. Take care of yourself out her, all right?"

"I will, love... Take care of yourself too. It's a good ways back to Canterlot from here." I replied before we held each other and pressed my lips to her beak. I then whispered, "I love you... Stay safe, all right?"

"You too, baby... Be careful out there, my king." Novo whispered most uneasily, as if fearful something may happen before the next time we could see each other. Knowing I had to get ready, I hurried down the gangplank to report back to the command center. I was not as apprehensive about leaving Novo's side that time. I suppose the routine of seeing her come and go reinforced my expectations that I would be seeing her again before long. Especially since the Alabaster would take some more time to prepare for departure.

The camp was busy with activity as I strolled through it. Ponies everywhere suiting up in armor as they prepared to march. I even forgot about what happened last night before I set out for the Alabaster. Because as soon as I hurried up the stairs and into my room, I was promptly tackled by a very excited love bug. "There you are!"

It is a good thing Changelings are so light. I quickly found myself with a little Changeling mare clinging to my torso with her head nuzzling against my chest. I then looked over at Smolder, who had her arms crossed with a big smirk on her lips, and asked, "Did she ever settle down after I left last night?"

"She wouldn't stop crying about you and how much she wanted more kisses from you, so I let her suck on my love until she passed out. Poor thing missed you bad." Smolder said before she cracked up laughing. The poor thing... I almost regretted not taking Ocellus with me.

As of right now, I am getting this entry finished up. We will probably start mobilizing in less than an hour. It is a little past noon and time to move. The longer we stay here, the more we risk getting jumped by a siege from multiple sides.

I hope we are ready for the next clash as we head east. Now that we have Rain Shine providing assistance, we will have a very nasty surprise ready for the enemy next time we cross paths. It is only a matter of time now, but I could not feel safer. The odds are definitely in our favor now.

I think that about does it. Time to suit up and head outside to prepare to march.